BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



is as variable in colour as the aforementioned species, 

 ranging from pale greyish-fawn to dark brown. The 

 forewings have black dots. It flies in April and May, and 

 will visit gardens, being attracted by the fruit blossom. 

 It is a plentiful species, and well distributed. The larva 

 should mostly be sought for in marshy situations, as it 

 feeds upon water-loving plants, such as fleabane, meadow- 

 sweet, and purple and yellow loose strife. It will also 

 eat the leaves of bramble and sallow. Its green body is 

 relieved with whitish spots, and has three light lines 

 down the back and one on the sides, the last-named 

 thrown up by an upper margin of darker colour. 



Orange Sallow. — (Cirrhia {Xanthia) citrago.) Al- 

 though popularly named Sallow Moth, this species 

 (Fig, 32) frequents lime trees, where the larva may be 



Orange. 5a! louj "FvctJS. 



sought for during April and May. It feeds upon the 

 leaves, and is dark olive-grey on the upper part, dotted 

 with white, but the lower part is indistinct greenish. 

 There are three whitish lines down the back, and these 

 have black edges above. There is a black mark on the 

 segment adjoining the head. The imago is on the 

 wing in August and September. The reddish-yellow 

 forewings bear two dark wavy lines on each, whilst the 

 hindwings are self-coloured, and much paler. 



