118 TORTRICINA. 



wings, and the distinct and more regular geminations on the 

 cost a. 



The imago appears in July, among Birches ; in some seasons 

 plentifully. We have found the dark variety as frequently as 

 the typical insect, although Stephens says " the dark varieties 

 are rare/' Coombe, Darenth, and Plumstead Woods are some of 

 its localities near London. It occurs in Cheshire and in the 

 midland counties, and towards the West of England. Scarce 

 in the vicinity of Edinburgh. 



The larva feeds on the Birch. 



2. ocellana, Schiff. Alis anticis pallide-ochraceis aut albidis ; fascia 

 basi branneo strigata ; apiceque ante angulum analem maculis 

 brunneis obseuris ; macula ocellari strigis cseruleis ; posticis niseis, 

 rf Exp. al. 6-6| lin. 



Head fuscous. Eaee darker than the head. Eyes black. Palpi 

 fuscous, darker at the apex, paler between. AntennaB pale fuscous. 

 Thorax deep fuscous, banded transversely with dusky grey. Patagia 

 fuscous at the base; the apex paler. Anterior wings dull, rich 

 cream- colour, with black, umber, deep fuscous, brown and greyish 

 markings ; at the base is a deep fuscous patch, streaked transversely 

 with umber, its posterior edge variable, but usually angulated in 

 the middle. Near the anal angle, on the dorsal margin, is a dull 

 ochreous trigonate (sometimes rounded) patch, edged and marked 

 with black ; beyond this are two lustrous bright blue streaks, with a 

 broad dull ochreous cloud between, streaked longitudinally or spotted 

 with black or intense brown : these streaks or spots vary in number, 

 from three to seven. The apical spot is browu and distinct, more or 

 less produced downwards, along the margin ; the costa is marked 

 with broad and narrow alternated streaks of grey or fuscous colour, 

 sometimes confined to the costa, at others, more or less produced 

 across the wing, in wavy lines, of greater or less intensity. There are 

 a few streaks on the dorsal margin. Apical scales smoky black, with 

 oehreous bases and tips. Cilia smoky black, with whitish tips, be- 

 coming grey at the anal angle. Posterior wings clothed with coarse, 

 dull, fuscous scales. Marginal scales fuscous, with cream- coloured 

 bases. Cilia long, shining, and pale grey. Abdomen pale shining 

 grey ; the caudal tuft straw-colour. $ Exp. al. 6-8 lin. In general 

 colour richer than the <$ , the cream-colour approaching buff, and 

 usually less streaked. Abdomen dull fuscous. 



An exceedingly common and very variable species, but fortu- 

 nately not hampered with a host of named varieties. The vari- 

 ation consists in the central, usually pale, portion of the anterior 

 wings, ranging through all the tints, from very pale drab- or 

 cream-colour to a smoky-black ; sometimes this part of the wing 



