MOTHS 273 



3. Hydriomenina. 



The Belle Moth, or LEAD BELLE (Ortholitha plumbarid). E. ij-i^ inch. 

 Fore-wings greyish, varying in depth; three cross lines, two being distinct 

 and straight ; also a short oblique streak from tip, and a small black central 

 dot. L. on furze and broom, August to April. Moth in May to June. Common. 



The Mallow (0. cervinata). E. i-if inch. Fore-wings chocolate or 

 ochreous brown, with a central darker wavy band, with still darker edges, and 

 an undulating whitish sub-marginal line. L. in May to June on mallow. 

 Moth in September to October. Widely distributed, chiefly in South. 



The Shaded Broad-bar, or SMALL MALLOW (0. limitata) is somewhat similar 

 to above, but smaller (E. up to i| inch). Fore- wings ochreous brown, with a 

 darker central band, a short streak at the apex ; whitish clouded hind-wings. 

 L. on clover, vetch, etc., September to June. Moth in July and August. 

 Ly. Grassy places. 



Chalk Carpet (0. Upunctaria}. E. ij-ij inch. Is local, but plentiful in 

 chalky districts. Fore-wings greyish white, speckled with brown ; there is 

 a pretty central band of darker brown, containing two black dots (sometimes 

 conjoined) like a : in the lighter central space. L. on clover, etc., September 

 to June. Moth in July to August. 



The Oblique Striped (Mesotype virgata). E. about f inch. Is a greyish 

 white moth (sometimes brownish), with two oblique dark stripes, edged with 

 white, and a black dot in centre. L. on yellow bed-straw hi May to June, and 

 August to September. Moth the same. Ly. Chiefly coastal. 



The Drab Looper (Minoa murinata). E. about f inch. Has wings of uni- 

 form grey or ochreous brown, with silky lustre. L. on spurge, July to Sep- 

 tember. Moth in May to June, chiefly in South and East Counties. (The 

 CHIMNEY SWEEPER (Odezia atrata) is larger (E. about i inch), but is like above 

 in having wings of uniform colour black, with a touch of white on the tip. 

 L. on blossoms of the earth-nut in spring. Moth in June to July. Widely 

 distributed.) 



The Treble Bar (Anaitis plagiata}. E. i-if inch. Has greyish white fore- 

 wings, with three cross bars of black and brown ; the one nearest the base 

 is little more than a slender line sharply angled close to the costa ; also a smeared 

 streak at the apex ; hind-wings sandy grey. L. on St. John's wort in June 

 to July. Moth in May to June, and August to September. Common in most 

 parts, but specially on cliffs and sandhills. 



The Streak (Chesias spartiata). E. about i| inch. Identified by the two 

 oval spots (like slanting eyes) and the long whitish streak running to the tips 

 of the fore-wings, which are shining brownish in colour. L. on broom in 

 spring. Moth in September and October. Common. 



Early Tooth-striped (Lobophom carpinata).-E. about ij inch. Fore- 

 wings greyish white, with an ochreous touch ; two indistinct brown cross 



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