THE 



243 



The Smoky Wainscot (Leucania impura) 



This same genus includes a number of moths, very similar in 

 general appearance, and popularly known as the ' Wainscots.' Of 

 these we shall take two examples. 



The first is the Smoky Wainscot, 

 so called from the dark smoky tint 

 of the hind wings. Its fore wings 

 are wainscot brown, with lighter rays ; 

 and they each have three black dots ar- 

 ranged in the form of a triangle, one 

 in the centre, and the other two be- 

 tween this and the hind margin. 



The caterpillar is yellowish, with a 

 fine white line down the back. The 



spiracles are red, and inclosed in black rings. It feeds on sedges 

 (Car ex) from March to May. 



The moth is on the wing from June to August. 



FIG. 143. THE SMOKY 

 WAINSCOT. 



The Common Wainscot (Leucania pallens] 



This moth is very much like the last. The fore wings exhibit 

 the same three dots, but it may be 

 distinguished by the pale colour of the 

 hind wings. 



The larva feeds on various grasses 

 in March and April. It is of a pink- 

 ish grey colour, with two rows of 

 black dots on each side of the dorsal 

 line. There are also three stripes 

 along the side, two of which are 

 brownish and the other grey. 



The moth is common everywhere from June to August. 



FIG. 144. THE COMMON 

 WAINSCOT. 



The Bullrush (Nonagria arundinis) 



Our last example of this family is the Bullrush, a moth that is 

 common in all parts where its food plant abounds. 



It is much larger than the two preceding species. The fore 

 wings are yellowish brown, with three parallel transverse lines of 



