MOTHS 267 



are conjoined. Moth in March to April. L. on honeysuckle in May 

 to June. 



The Sword Grass (Calocampa exoleta). This is a larger moth, about 2j 

 inches extended ; common all over England and Wales, but more so in the 

 North. Fore-wings are pale grey-brown, a broken patch of dark brown par- 

 tially enclosing the reniform and orbicular stigmata, and usually two small 

 blackish arrow-heads pointing inwards from the sub-marginal line ; hind-wings 

 brownish grey, with yellowish fringes. Moth in autumn and spring. L. in 

 April to May on low-growing plants. (The RED SWORD GRASS (C. vetusta) 

 is very similar, but has a reddish tinge ; and the orbicular stigma is, though 

 indistinct, rounder ; the lower half of the fore-wings is shaded with dark brown ; 

 and there is one long black wedge pointing from the submarginal line. Other 

 details as preceding. Less common.) 



The Mullein (Cucullia verbasci}. One of a group having dentated edges 

 to the wing, and a curious hood-shaped collar. Fore-wings brownish ochreous, 

 with darker margins, the lower margin being broken by a lighter streak, inter- 

 cepted by two small crescents. Moth in April to May. L. on mullein in 

 June to July. 



The Star-wort (C. asteris) is very similar, but with narrower dark margins, 

 the lower containing a whitish curved mark. P.p. Golden rod and sea star- 

 wort. It is local in South and East Seaboard Counties. 



The Shark (C. umbratica}. E. if-2 inches. Fore-wings brownish grey, 

 with faint (or pronounced) streaks, and two black dots in place of stigmata. 

 Hind-wings in male whitish, in female grey-brown. L. in August to Sep- 

 tember on sow-thistle. Moth in June and July. Widely distributed, but 

 commoner in South. 



The Chamomile Shark (C. chamomittce) is very similar, but darker. L. on 

 chamomile, mayweed, etc. Moth in April to May. Widely distributed, but 

 chiefly in Seaboard Counties. 



Beautiful Yellow Underwing (Anarta myrtilli). E. about i inch. Fore- 

 wings blackish or purple-brown (in some varieties reddish tinged), with a 

 central white spot, and other light markings. The hind-wings are light yellow, 

 with a broad black margin. Moth May to July on heaths. L. feeds on 

 ling and heath. (The SMALL YELLOW UNDERWING (Heliaca tenebrata) is smaller, 

 and has no prominent white spot. Moth in May and June. L. on chickweed 

 in June to July. Most frequent in Southern Counties.) 



The Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis}. E. about i inch. Fore-wings straw- 

 coloured, with a distinct dark-brown reniform stigma ; hind-wings also straw 

 coloured. L. feeds on grass. Moth out in June to August. Ly. Marshes, 

 damp heaths. Widely distributed, but less frequent in Midlands. 



Small Purple-barred (Prothymia viridaria). E. about f inch. Olive- 

 brown fore-wings, with two reddish or purplish bands. L. on milkwort in 

 August to September. Moth in May to June. Often very common. 



