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THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



times reddish, spots. Hind-wings whitish, or cream-coloured. Flies in May and 

 June ; is strongly attracted by light. L. feeds on oak, from June to August. 

 These three moths have a distinct family likeness. 



White Prominent (Leucodonta bicoloria). E. i^-i| inch. A glossy white, 

 identified by the rows of blackish dots running transversely across fore-wings, 

 and the orange patch, resembling a Y on its side, or a roughly drawn T placed 

 sideways. It is very rare. L. feeds on birch. 



Coxcomb Prominent (Lephopteryx camelina). One of the most familiar 

 of the true Prominents ; very variable in colour. Fore-wings are reddish brown 

 and ochreous; there is a distinct dark-brown ragged line or shade running 

 across the wing to the tuft or prominence on the edge. Hind-wings are a lighter 

 ochreous shade, with a blackish patch at the anal angle. Flies from May 

 to August. L. feeds on birch, oak, hazel, etc. 



Plumed or Feathered Prominent (Ptilophora plumigera). E. i|-if inch. 

 So called from the plume-like antennae of the male. Fore-wings are thinly- 

 scaled, reddish ochreous; hind-wings paler. L. feeds in May and June on 

 sycamore and maple. Moth flies late in October and November. Local in 

 the South of England. 



Pale Prominent (Pterostoma palpina) . E. 1^-2 inches. Common in most parts 

 of England. Fore-wings pale ochre-yellow, with a darker grey central shade. 

 Hind-wings the same, but without the shade. L. feeds on poplar, willow, 

 and sallow in June and July, when moth is also on wing. 

 Comes to light. 



Buff Tip (Phalera bucephala). E. 2j-2f inches. Iden- 

 tified by its rich purplish grey fore-wings, flecked with 

 silvery grey, and the more or less oval pale ochreous patch 

 at the apex, the hind-wings being cream coloured. When 

 closed the wings give the appearance of a twig broken 

 short, with the breakage showing. It is common ; flies 

 in June and July. L. yellow and downy ; feeds on lime, 

 elm, hazel, willow, and many other trees in August and 

 September. 



The Chocolate Tip (Pygara curtula) is smaller (i-i| 

 inch) and darker, and has, as its name implies, a large 

 reddish brown or chocolate patch towards the apex. L. 

 feeds on poplar and aspen from May to June and August 

 to September, the moth appearing in May and July. The 

 SMALL CHOCOLATE TIP (Pygara pigra) (E. i-ij inch) has 

 a less distinct chocolate patch. L. feeds on sallow and 

 aspen from June to September. 



Caterpillar of the 

 Buff Tip. 



Medium-sized moths, 



Family : Thyatiridee. 

 with the apical angle 



Ly. Fens and marshes. 



nearly rectangular, and 



smooth, obliquely curved hind margins. Antennas of males setiform, or 



