BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



(Fig 24), so-called because of the markings on the fore- 

 wings, has a fairly extensive range in England and 

 Ireland, but is rarer elsewhere. It comes abroad late 

 in the year, and Michaelmas has usually gone by before it 

 appears. It haunts bushes, gardens, hedgerows, and 

 other spots where it can safely deposit its eggs, the food- 

 plants consisting of the leaves of apple, blackthorn, crab, 



P.crure-or- o-iaKl^MorK. 



hawthorn, plum, etc. The larva is bluish-grey, pro- 

 fusely spotted with black dots and spots, and there are 

 yellow stripes on the back and sides. The purplish- 

 brown pupa is enclosed in a cocoon, and is cleverly 

 camouflaged so as to remain undetected. The greyish- 

 brown forewings of the imago bear the curious figure-of- 

 eight markings. The hind wings are whitish. 



Straw Underwing. — {Cerigo matura.) Wherever con- 

 ditions are suitable this is a common species. It is on the 

 wing in July and August, and it is then the eggs are laid. 

 The larva remains as such all the Winter, and pupates 

 in Spring. It feeds upon grasses, and is reddish-brown, 

 or yellowish, with brownish-grey central marks, bordered 

 with a line having brown margins on either side. There 

 is a pale line on either side of the body, with an upper 

 edging of brown. The reddish-brown forewings of 

 the imago are ornamented with darker markings, but 



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