CUCULLIID^E. 69 



oblique, converging at their lower ends. The marginal area is 

 ochreous-grey, tinged with rose-colour towards the hind margin, 

 with two darker parallel transverse bars. The hind-v/ings are 

 whitish, sometimes with a faint rosy tinge posteriorly, as well 

 as a dusky central crescent and two or three faint dusky 

 waved lines. 



The larva feeds on nettle, chickweed, hemlock, primrose, 

 mullein, and various other low plants, and if touched or 

 disturbed, at once feigns death, turning its head to one side, 

 and lying quite still. The insect is double-brooded, and the 

 autumnal larvae hybernate after the last moult but one, and 

 pupate in early spring, the moth appearing in May or June ; 

 whilst the second brood, from eggs laid in July, appears about 

 September. The larva is grass-green, occasionally brownish, 

 thickly powdered with obscure whitish dots, with an inter- 

 rupted slender white dorsal line, and a pale spiracular line, the 

 spiracles being whitish, finely ringed with black. 



The pupa, which is shining reddish-brown, with a fine apical 

 point, is enclosed in a slight cocoon in the ground. 



FAMILY XLI. CUCULLIID.E. 



Larva long, naked, cylindrical, brightly coloured, and 

 feeding exposed on the flowers or leaves of herbaceous plants 

 or trees. 



Pupa varying in habits and structure, generally enclosed in 

 a cocoon, and sometimes, but not always, subterranean ; and 

 often furnished with a prominent ventral appendage. 



Imago with simple antennae, well-developed palpi, and 

 long proboscis. The thorax is stout, with the collar raised ; 

 the abdomen and wings are often long, pointed, and compara- 

 tively narrow. The wings are usually brown or grey, with 

 longitudinal streaks. The usual " Noctua "-pattern is rarely 

 visible. 



