MOTHS 253 



Moth in July and August ; flies at night. (The BUFF FOOTMAN (Lithosia 

 deplana) (E. i-i inch) ochreous grey is scarce.) 



The Dingy Footman (L. griseola). E. i-i inch. Has leaden grey fore- 

 wings with a yellowish front edging, the hind-wings being yellowish grey. 

 L. on lichens in fens and marshes. Moth in July and August. (Very 

 similar in general appearance are the COMMON FOOTMAN (L. lurideola), 

 found in woods in July ; the SCARCE FOOTMAN (L. complana), a local species 

 found in July and August in all the Eastern and Southern Counties ; and the 

 NORTHERN FOOTMAN (L. serica), only found in Lancashire and Cheshire.) 



The Orange Footman (L. sororcula). E. i-i inch. Has orange-coloured 

 fore-wings, the hind-wings being paler. It appears in May and June ; the larva 

 from July to September on oak lichens. Ly. Woods. 



The Dotted Footman (Pelosia muscerda). E. i-i inch. Has pale grey 

 wings, and is identified by the six black dots on the fore- wings two just above 

 the inner margin, the other four in an oblique line from the top edge towards 

 the anal angle. L. feeds on lichens and mosses. Moth out in July and August. 

 Found principally in the fen district. 



Family : Noctuida. 



A very large section of medium and large moths, with well-defined markings, 

 easy to recognize ; divided into five groups. Antennae usually finely ciliated. 

 Mostly night fliers, coming readily to " sugar." 



i. Acronyctina. 



The Nut-tree Tussock (Demas coryli). E. i-ii inch. Fore-wings 

 reddish brown on basal half, ashy grey on outer half ; hind-wings greyish, with 

 a broad dark marginal band. Moth in May to June, and August to September. 

 L. in July and September on beech, birch, hazel, etc. Common. 



The Miller (Acronycta leporina). E. i-if inch. Wings white dusted 

 with grey, with a few black dots instead of lines. L. in July to September on 

 birch and alder. Moth in May and June. Ly. Heaths and mosses. 



The Sycamore (A. aceris). E. i-if inch. A dark grey mottled species with 

 white hind-wings. L. feeds on sycamore and maple in August and September. 

 Moth flies in June and July. (The POPLAR GREY (A. megacephala) is very 

 similar, but has darker fore-wings. P.p. Poplar. Moth in May to August.) 



The Grey Dagger (A. psi). E. i inch. Ashy grey fore-wings, with four 

 short black forked streaks ; the one near the hinder angle forms a mark like 

 the Greek letter ^. Hind-wings whitish, with slightly darker margins. Appears 

 June to August. L. feeds on poplar, lime, birch, etc. (The DARK DAGGER 

 (4. tridens) is very similar, but darker, and not so common.) 



Knot-grass (.4. rumicis). E. i$-i inch. Fore- wings brownish grey 

 (sometimes appearing sooty brown), mottled with darker. Look for a white 



