THE NOCTU& 259 



brown as shown in the illustration. It is double brooded, the first 

 brood appearing in May and June, and the second in September 

 and October. 



The caterpillar is green or olive brown, and thickly covered 

 with white spots. It feeds on groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and 

 many other low plants, the first brood throughout the winter from 

 November to April, and the second in July and August. 



The Grey Arches (Aplecta nebulosa} 



The fore wings of this moth vary from greyish white to a rather 

 dark smoky tint. The markings are of a darker colour, and are 

 also subject to considerable variation. The orbicular and reniform 

 spots are large, and paler than the ground colour ; and several zig- 

 zag or scalloped lines, 

 more or less distinct, 

 cross the wings trans- 

 versely. 



The larva is brown, 

 with a lighter line down 

 the back. On each of the 

 segments five to eleven 

 is a dark lozenge- shaped 

 spot, bisected by the FIG. 169.- THE GEEY ARCHES. 



dorsal line ; and on the 



second segment is a shining plate and a triangular mark. It feeds 

 on the dock (Rumex), and various other low plants during the 

 autumn; and, after its hybernation, on the leaves of the sallow 

 (Salix Caprea}, birch (Betula alba}, and whitethorn (Cratcegus 

 oxyacantha). It is full grown in May, when it burrows into the 

 ground to undergo its metamorphoses. 



The moth flies during June and July, and is common in nearly 

 every part of Great Britain. Large numbers may be obtained by 

 searching fences and tree trunks about midsummer. 



The Shears (Hadena dentina) 



The Shears is another very common moth of the same family. 

 The ground colour of the fore wings is very variable, but is gene- 

 rally a lighter or darker shade of grey. Sometimes, however, it 

 has a very decided brownish tinge. Across the centre of the wing 



s2 



