HELIOTHIS. 83 



grey. Beyond this is the second transverse line, which is 

 indicated by a few dots on a pale ground. The marginal 

 band contains a row of dots on the nervures, and an ill-defined 

 zig-zag line, tending to rusty brown, separates it from the area 

 preceding the fringes. The fringes are ferruginous brown, 

 with a row of black spots at the base. The hind-wings are 

 yellowish-white, with a broad black central lunule, and a broad 

 black marginal band, containing a rather large white spot, 

 divided by a dark nervure. The fringes are bisected by a 

 brown line. Sometimes the markings of the hind-wings run 

 together, leaving the yellowish-white markings clouded or 

 broken up, and more rarely only two yellowish spots remain on 

 the wing. 



The female is smaller than the male, and is usually duller 

 in colour. 



The larva feeds on yellow snap-dragon (Linaria), chicory, 

 plantain, red campion, and a variety of other low plants. It 

 is elongated, and tapers at both extremities. The larva is 

 straw-coloured, heavily streaked with reddish brown, with a 

 broad continuous violet-brown dorsal line. The sub-dorsal 

 line is straw-coloured, and is bordered below by a broad 

 sinuous violet-brown band. The spiracular line is yellow, also 

 bordered below with brown. On each segment is a reddish 

 transverse band. The head is paler than the body, and is 

 covered with black dots. It is found in July and August. 



The pupa is dark brown, slightly glossy, dusted with 

 bluish. It is slender, attenuated towards the head, and has 

 a small tubercle on the front, and two stiff points at the 

 extremity. 



The moth is double-brooded, being found in May and the 

 beginning of June, and again in July and August. It hovers 

 in the sun over flowering thistle-heads, clover, &c. 



G 2 



