GEOMETRY 



285 



The Small Seraphim (Loboplwra sexalisata] 



This moth is very much like the Pugs in general appearance, 

 and is quite as small and even smaller than some of them ; but it 

 and the other members of its genus differ from 

 the Pugs in that they cover their hind wings 

 when at rest. 



The fore wings are yellowish or pale brownish 

 grey with four paler transverse lines, the two 

 median ones of which are divided throughout 

 by a darker fine wavy line. The hind wings 

 are grey, paler at the base, and crossed cen- 

 trally by a double darker line. This species flies in May and June, 

 and though apparently widely distributed, can hardly be described 

 as common. 



The caterpillar feeds on the white willow (Salix alba) and 

 sallow (S. capred] in August and September ; and the chrysalis 

 may be found in a silken cocoon among the fallen leaves throughout 

 the winter. 



FIG. 200. THE 

 SMALL SERAPHIM. 



The Blue -bordered Carpet (Melanthia bicolorafa) 



This same family (Larentiidce] is remarkable for its large 

 number of pretty moths, popularly known as the ' Carpets,' many 

 of which are exceedingly common in our woods 

 and gardens. 



Our first example of these is the Blue- 

 bordered, which is pretty well represented in 

 several counties of Great Britain and Ireland. 

 Its white fore wings, are boldly marked with a 

 blotch of greyish brown at the base, and an- 

 other extending from the middle of the costal 

 margin more than halfway across. The hind 

 margin is marked with two bluish grey bars, separated by a white 

 line. The hind wings are white, with a very small dark spot, and 

 a bluish grey margin something like that of the fore wings. 



The caterpillar is green, with longitudinal stripes of a darker 

 and lighter shade. It feeds in June on the alder (Alnus glutinosa) 

 and blackthorn (Primus spinosa) ; and when full grown it changes 

 to a brown chrysalis within a light silken web, 



The moth Hies in July and August, 



FIG. 201. THE 



BLUE -BORDERED 



CARPET. 



