77 



THE BROOM MOTH. 

 Phalcena Pisi. 



PLATE XXVII. 



PhalaenaPisi, Linn, Syst. Nat. ii. p. 854, No. 172. Merian"s 

 JEurop. tab. 50 Donovan's Brit. Ins. ii. p. 39, pi. 51. 



THE superior wings are from half an inch to two- 

 thirds ; of a reddish brown, clouded with darker 

 grayish brown, with a gamboge and yellowish-gray 

 undulated lines near their exterior margins. The 

 lower wings in the male are of a light brown, with a 

 broad shade of grayish ; and in the female they are 

 ash coloured at the base. 



The caterpillars of this species will indiscrimi- 

 nately eat the leaves of the knot-grass, pease, the 

 broom, &c. It is from the latter food which the 

 moth takes its name. The caterpillar has a pale 

 pink head ; the body is dark reddish brown, with 

 two longitudinal rich yellow stripes on each side ; 

 the belly and feet are of a raw umber brown. It 

 is found in July and August, and descends into the 

 ground late in September, or the first week in Oc- 

 tober, and the fly comes forth in July. 



Caterpillars that enter the earth in the larva 

 form, pass to the chrysalis, and issue forth in the 

 perfect fly state, have no occasion for a web to 



