BRIMSTONE— EARLY MOTH 



and feeds upon alder, blackthorn, hawthorn, and ivy. 

 It hibernates during Winter. 



Brimstone. — {Opisthograptis luteolata.) The bright sul- 

 phur-yellow wings of this smaller species are relieved 

 with patches of brown on the fore pair. It is mostly on 

 the wing during May and June. The brownish larva 

 closely resembles a twig, and it has a tinge of greenish or 

 purple, with a forked hump on the sixth segment, and 

 further raised portions on segment eight. Blackthorn, 

 hawthorn, and plum appear to be the favourite food- 

 plants. The larva hibernates in Winter, and a second 

 generation appears during Summer. 



Speckled Yellow. — ( Venilia maciilata.) This very 

 common, but nevertheless pretty yellow and brown- 

 freckled species (Fig. 41), is a frequenter of woods, and 



is on the wing in May and June. It is more often met 

 with in the South and West of England, though it does 

 occur elsewhere. The green larva is lined and striped 

 with white, and feeds in July and August upon woodland 

 plants, such as wood sage, woundwort, etc. 



Early Moth. — {Hyhernia rupicapraria.) So-called be- 

 cause of its early appearance during the first few weeks 

 of a New Year, this species is quite common, although 



rarely seen. It appears to frequent hedgerow-s for the 



89 



