THE NOCTUJE 253 



The Lesser Yelloiu Undenting (Triplicena Comes} 



This insect is very similar to the last, but is larger. The 

 fore wings are also of a greyish or ochreous brown, and the black 

 margin of the hind wings is propor- 

 tionately narrower. 



It is more abundant than Ian- 

 thina', in fact it is to be found 

 everywhere in plenty during the 

 month of July. 



The caterpillar is yellowish 

 brown. On the back of each of 

 the eleventh and twelfth segments FIG. 160. THE LESSER 



are two conspicuous dark marks. YELLOW UNDERWING. 



The spiracles are white, and below 



them is a pale brown stripe. It feeds on the foxglove (Digitalis 

 purpurea), chickweed (Stellaria media), thrift (Armeriamaritima), 

 and other low plants in the autumn, hybernates during the winter, 

 and attacks sallows (Salix Caprea and S. cinerea) and whitethorn 

 (Cratcegus oxyacantha) as soon as the buds appear in the spring. 

 It is full grown in April, and then changes to a chrysalis on the 

 surface of the earth. 



The Large Yellow Underwing (Triphtzna Pronuba) 



This is by far the commonest moth of the genus, and may be 

 found everywhere, in town and country, from June to August. It 

 is represented on Plate XI (fig. 1), but its fore wings are very vari- 

 able, sometimes a cold dingy grey, but often of an exceedingly rich 

 and warm brown. On the costal margin, not far from the tip, there 

 is always a small black spot, which will serve to distinguish it from 

 Comes. 



The caterpillar (fig. 21) feeds throughout the winter on the roots 

 of almost every plant in our gardens ; and, during the warmer 

 weather of the autumn and spring, on stems and leaves. It is full 

 grown early in the summer, and then changes to a chrysalis in the 

 ground. Its colour is dirty yellowish or greenish grey, with a row 

 of dark spots on each side, 



