MOTHS 277 



Carpet. Fore-wings greyish white, with darker shadings on basal area ; an 

 angular dark central band, margins of dark grey, the narrow white area between 

 this and the central band having a grey line down the middle. Hind-wings 

 have broad darker margins, intersected by a zigzag white line. L. on bed- 

 straw. Moth in May to June, and August to September. Very common. 



Beautiful Carpet (Mesoleuca albicillata). E. ij-if inch. Wings white 

 or creamy, fore-wings having a purplish brown patch at the base, another at 

 the tip ; broad shaded hind margins, a slender line separating this portion from 

 the white central area, continued on hind-wings, which have also dark margins. 

 L. on bramble and raspberry in August to September. Moth in June. Ly. 

 Woodlands. 



The Pretty Chalk Carpet (Melanthia procellata) is somewhat similar, but 

 the basal patch is smaller ; there is a second patch extending from the middle 

 of the costa, and the broad hind marginal band has a large round white patch 

 in the middle, and a row of white dots from the tip. L. on clematis. Moth in 

 July to August. Local in South and Midlands. 



The Purple Bar (Mesoleuca ocellata). E. about i inch. Whitish fore- 

 wings tinged in the lower marginal area with ochreous ; a prominent bluish 

 black central band, and small basal patch. L. on bed-straw in June to July. 

 Moth in June to July. Widely distributed. 



The Blue-bordered Carpet (M. bicolorata) is like the PRETTY CHALK (see 

 above) in markings, but much smaller. E. about i inch ; the hind margins 

 of all wings are bluish grey. L. on alder, birch, sloe, etc., April to June. 

 Moth in July to August. 



The Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata). E. i-ij inch. Has smoky brown wings, 

 and on the fore-wings a wavy white cross band just beyond the centre the 

 " rivulet." L. in the seed capsules of campion, July to September. Moth in 

 June to July. Widely distributed. (The SMALL RIVULET (P. alchemillata) 

 (E. f-i inch) is almost similar, but of a greyer brown colour. L. in capsules 

 of hemp nettle.) 



Sandy Carpet (P. flavofasciata}. E. i-i inch. White wings ; fore-wings 

 with light sandy patches, filling the greater portion. L. on flower-beds of 

 campion. Moth in July to August. Common in most counties. 



Grass Rivulet (P. albulata). E. f inch. Fore-wings ochreous grey, with a 

 white wavy band beyond the centre, and a zigzag sub-marginal line. L. on 

 capsules of yellow rattle. Moth in May to June. (The BARRED RIVULET 

 (P. bifasciata] is a darker brown, with two distinct " rivulets." L. on capsules 

 of eyebright. Moth in July to August. Commonest in South.) 



The Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata). E. about ij inch. Yellowish 

 wings, with numerous brownish cross lines, and two whitish cross lines, bounding 

 the central area, which is sometimes shaded at the edges with darker brown. 

 L. on grass and low plants, August to May. Moth through summer. Very 

 common. 



July High Flyer (Hydriomena furcata). E. ij-i| inch. Very variable. 



