292 COMMON BRITISH MOTHS 



outhouses and stables, and lives concealed in silken tubes, strength- 

 ened outside by fragments of hay, chaff &c. that have been spun 

 together. It feeds from September to April, except during very 

 severe weather, and vhen full grown it leaves its tube, and changes 

 to a chrysalis in a light silken cocoon in some secluded corner. 

 The moth emerges in July. 



The Meal Moth (Pyralis farinalis) 



The same family contains the common Meal Moth, so called 

 because in the larval state it feeds on meal and allied substances. 



The fore wings are yellowish grey, with 

 reddish basal patches, a broad reddish band 

 along the hind margin, and two whitish in- 

 dented transverse lines. The hind wings are 

 grey, and are crossed by two lines similar to 

 FIG. 210. THE MEAL an( * continuous with those of the front pair. 

 MOTH. This moth is to be found in abundance 



throughout the summer months in places 



where corn, meal, and grain are stored in large quantities, sitting 

 on walls and rafters during the daytime, and taking to flight in 

 the evening. 



The caterpillar feeds on corn, meal, grain, bran, &c., and lives 

 concealed in a silken tube covered outside with particles of its food 

 substance. It is not fully grown till nearly two years old, and 

 then changes to a chrysalis in a white silken cocoon. 



The Small Magpie (Eurrhypara urticata 



The family Botydce contains the moths that are popularly 

 known as the ' Pearls ' on account of the pearly lustre of the wings. 

 One of its species the Small Magpie is 

 shown in the accompanying illustration. 

 Its fore wings are pearly white, with 

 blackish hind margin, a yellow streak at 

 the base, and blackish markings, the ar- 

 rangement of which may be seen in the 

 FIG. 211. THE SMALL fi gure. 



MAGPIE. It is a very common moth, flying at 



dusk during June and July in waste places 

 where the stinging nettle grows. 



The caterpillar is whitish, with a dark dorsal line. It feeds on the 



