THE NOCTU^ 249 



The transverse lines so often seen on the fore wings of Noctuce are 

 generally well marked. The larvae have short stiff bristles, and 

 feed on low plants ; they undergo their changes in an earthen 

 cocoon under the ground. 



The Mottled Rustic (Caradrina Morplieus) 



We select as our type of this family the Mottled Eustic a 

 common moth that may be procured from June to August. Its 

 fore wings are brownish grey,, with 

 darker lines and spots ; the hind wings 

 are almost white, but darker at the tip. 



The caterpillar is brownish grey, with 

 a row of triangular spots on each side of 

 the back. It is very sluggish, spending 

 the greater part of its existence among FIG 154 _^ E MOTTLED 

 the roots of low plants. It feeds through- RUSTIC. 



out the winter, except during severe 



weather, and is full grown in April. The food plants include teasels 

 (Di2)sacus pilosus andD. sylvestr is), hedge bedstraw (Galium Mol- 

 lugo), orpine (Sedum Telepliium], sallows (Salix), and various 

 other plants. 



The chrysalis may be dug out in May. 



Family NOCTUID^E 



A glance at our list of British Noctuce (Appendix I) will show 

 that this family contains nearly fifty species and only three genera. 

 It includes several very common moths that frequent our gardens 

 and are to be met with during almost every summer evening 

 ramble. 



Most of the species are very dingy, but the half-dozen that 

 comprise the genus Triphcena are characterised by the bright 

 colouring of the hind wings. The fore wings are narrow and more 

 or less glossy, and overlap to a greater or less extent when the 

 insects are at rest ; and the hind wings are folded and completely 

 hidden beneath them. 



The larvae are rather thick and smooth, and generally of very 

 dingy colours. They feed on low plants, often confining their 

 ravages to the roots, and generally lie well concealed close to the 

 ground or under the surface. 



