2 6o THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



reddish brown. Moth in July and August. L. on grasses in September to 

 April. Common in most parts. E. i-if inch. 



Large Nutmeg (Hama sordida). E. i^-if inch. Fore-wings pale ochreous 

 brown, mottled with darker ; a black streak at the base ; stigmata and 

 submarginal line paler. Flies in June. P.p. Grasses. Common in most 

 parts. 



Rustic Shoulder-knot (Apamea basilinea). E. i|-i| inch. Named after 

 the short black streak from the middle of the base " the shoulder-knot " 

 on the pale brown fore-wings. Tinged in some cases with rusty red. Flies in 

 May and June. L. from August to March on grasses. 



Small Clouded Brindle (A. unanimis). E. ij-i inch. Fore-wings 

 reddish brown ; the reniform stigma is outlined in white, and is generally 

 distinct. There are also two black streaks from the base. Flies in June and 

 July. L. on grasses from July to April. Ly. Damp places. 



Common Rustic (A. secalis). E. i-i| inch. A very variable species ; 

 ochreous or rusty brown fore-wings; generally the reniform stigma is con- 

 spicuous, with its white colour and edging. Flies in July and August. L. 

 on grasses in autumn to May. 



Marbled Minor (Miana strigilis). E. about I inch. A very variable 

 and common species. May be all brown, or slightly tinged with rose colour ; 

 but often fore-wings are brown, with the submarginal area grey. Moth in June 

 and July. L. in March and April on grasses. 



The Middle-barred Minor (M. fasciuncula) is slightly smaller, and has 

 reddish ochreous fore-wings, with a darker central band ; the transverse lines 

 being distinctly white towards their lower part. Other particulars as preceding. 

 (The ROSY MINOR (M . literosa) has pearly grey fore-wings, the base being clouded 

 a claret colour, and a central reddish brown band. L. "September to June 

 on grasses. Moth in July and August. Chiefly on coasts. The CLOAKED 

 MINOR (M. bicoloria) is another very variable species found on rough meadows 

 by the sea. Fore-wings brownish on the basal area, whitish on the rest.) 



Clouded Bordered Brindle (Xylophasia rurea). E. i-if inch. Fore- 

 wings vary from grey-white to reddish ochreous. The outer transverse line 

 consists of a row of dark brown dots. Stigmata usually lighter than ground 

 colour. Moth in June and July. L. on grasses from August to May. 



Clouded Brindle (X. hepatica). E. i|-if inch. Fore-wings pale brown, 

 with well-defined black markings. Orbicular stigma oval and oblique in a 

 black margin. Moth in June and July. L. August to April on grasses.* 



Light Arches (X. lithoxylea). E. if-2 inches. Pale ochre-yellow fore- 

 wings, with indistinct markings; hind-wings whitish and semi-transparent. 

 Moth in June and July. L. October to May on grasses. 



Dark Arches (X. monoglypha). A species of same size as preceding, but, 



la many cases the larva is noted as feeding from a midsummer month to the following 

 spring. This means that it begins feediug up in the autumn, hibernates for the winter, and 

 recommences in the spring. 



