THE 



247 



FIG. 150. THE CABBAGE MOTH. 



visible outward signs of its presence within. But its ravages 

 are by no means confined to cabbages. It eats with more or less 

 relish almost every vegetable 

 and flowering plant of our 

 gardens, and is equally partial 

 to the various herbs of the field. 



The fore wings of the moth 

 are dingy brownish grey, mar- 

 bled in a very confused man- 

 ner by darker markings. The 

 reniform spot is very distinct, 

 the orbicular less so. A light 



zigzag line runs parallel with the hind margin. It flies in June 

 and July. 



The larva feeds later in the season, and changes to the chrysalis 

 beneath the soil in the autumn. It is of a dark grey colour, with a 

 darker line on the back, and a lighter one along the spiracles, which 

 are white. 



The Dot (Mamestra Pcrsicarice) 



The conspicuous white reniform spot on the very dark marbled 

 fore wings is always sufficient for the identification of this species. 



This moth is out in June and July ; and during the latter month 

 lays its eggs on the elder (Sambu- 

 cus nigra), and the various low 

 plants that supply the larva with 

 food. 



The larva is greenish or grey- 

 ish, sometimes with a reddish 

 tinge, with a light line down the 

 back. The twelfth segment is 

 humped, and there are dark V- 

 shaped marks on the back of seg- 

 ments five to twelve inclusive. It is full grown in September, and 

 burrows into the ground to undergo its change to the chrysalis, in 

 which state it remains throughout the winter. 



FIG. 151. THE DOT. 



The Rustic SJwulder-knot (Apamea basilinea) 



The fore wings of this species are pale ochreous grey, with light 

 brown markings ; and there is a short dark streak in the middle of 



