BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



there are suitable woods. The larva is partial to the 

 leaves of elm, oak, and other plants. Reddish-brown 

 on the upper parts, and greenish oelow, it has Hght 

 brown freckles along the back, and three pale lines. 

 The body has whitish raised dots. The typical form of 

 the imago is reddish-chestnut on the forewings, with a 

 black spot on each, and greyish on the hind ones. 



Early Grey. — {Xylocampa areola?) This prettily- 

 marked moth is of wide distribution, and may be met with 

 in March and April. When in repose by day, it is 

 frequently observed, but at times it is difficult to see 

 owing to its protection of form and colour. The larva 

 should be sought for where there is honeysuckle as it 

 feeds, under cover of darkness, upon the leaves of this 

 favourite plant. The perfect insect is on the wing in 

 early Spring, and has pretty light and dark grey fore- 

 wings, and yellower hind ones. 



Mullein. — {CucuUia verbasci.) This is one of the 

 " Sharks," and when the larva is found in Summer on 

 the mullein plant, or figwort, it is likely to be in some 

 numbers. It is greenish or whitish, with yellow bands, 

 some black spots along the back, and dots and lines of 

 the same on the sides. The yellowish head has also 

 black dots. The imago is yellowish-brown, with darker 

 markings on the forewings, there is a dark patch on the 

 head and thorax, and the hindwings are yellowish with 

 darker striations. 



Shark. — {CucuUia umhratica) Belongs to the same 

 genus as the Mullein Moth last described, but is of wider 

 distribution. It is commoner in the Southern Counties 

 than elsewhere. June and July see the moth on the wing, 



