THE LEPIDOPTERA. 93 



when the entomologist is usually in want of work, and 

 thus much information may be obtained regarding this 

 interesting but little-known family. 



Family 

 Scoparia sabulosella (Plate XIII,, fig. 4, 4a larva). 



This is that extremely abundant, though dull-coloured 

 little insect, that rises in such multitudes from every field 

 before one's footsteps during the early summer. 



Its larva (Fig. 4a) feeds on various mosses, forming 

 numerous silken galleries amongst the roots in which 

 it resides. These caterpillars are very active, and con- 

 sequently rather difficult to obtain, as they move either 

 backwards or forwards in their galleries with equal rapidity. 



They feed during the whole of the autumn and winter, 

 changing into pupae about September, from which the 

 moths emerge in a month or six weeks' time. 



The habits of the numerous other species belonging to 

 this genus and the closely allied genus Xeroscopa (Meyr) 

 probably do not materially differ from those of the 

 species here described. 



Family PYRALID^E. 

 Crambus flexuosellus (Plate XII., fig. 5). 



An extremely abundant insect, occurring in swarms 

 over meadows during the summer, where it may be 

 captured in the daytime or taken by hundreds at the 

 attracting lamp in the evening. Its larva is at present 

 unknown, but probably feeds on the roots of grasses. 



Closely allied is Crambus tahulalis, found in similar 

 situations, but appearing rather later in the season, the 

 earliest specimens being met with about January, while 

 C. flexuosellus is on the wing throughout the summer. 



