66 CATALOGUE OF MOTHS. 



NEMEOPHILA, Steph. 



18. Nemeophila Plantaginis, (Linn.). Wood Tiger. 

 Nemeophila Plantaginis. Staint. Man., vol. i., p. 146. 

 Chelonia ,, JS^ewm. Brit. Moths, p. 32. 



Nemeophila ,, Barr.Lep.Brit.Is., vol.ii.,p. 260. 



Arctia ,, Meyr. Hdbk. Brit. Lep., p. 41. 



Laeya. Buck., vol.iii., pl.xliv.,fig. 5; O.Wils.,pl. xi.jfig. 8. 



3 This beautiful insect is widely distributed over both counties, 

 occurring, apparently, wherever there is a suitable locality, and, 

 as it is equally fond of heathery moors, or dry banks overgrown 

 with mixed herbage, it is seldom very far to seek. The males 

 fly freely in the sun, especially in the afternoon, and both sexes 

 sit quite exposed on the low herbage, the vivid contrast of colour 

 making them very conspicuous. The larvae, which hybernate 

 very small, appear to be almost omnivorous, and are equally 

 conspicuous with the imagines, the red hairs on the anal portion 

 being very noticeable. They feed in the bright morning sun, 

 retiring soon after mid-day. They run with great swiftness, 

 and require to be closely confined or they will escape from the 

 breeding cage. 



In iN'orthumberland, the earliest record is that of the Twizell 

 list, and it no doubt occurs there yet, for Mr. Brady and Mr. 

 Corder found it recently at Bamborough, and Messrs. Patterson 

 and Rhagg at Wark worth, where Mr. Maling found the larvae, 

 and also on the moors at Redesdale. Mr. Einlay found it at 

 ITeedless Hall Moor in fair numbers. 



In Durham it is recorded from '* fields near Flass, Castle Eden 

 and banks," in Ornsby's Durham. Mr. Backhouse's papers have 

 "heaths and ShuU. Mr. Pickard met with it freely on the 

 moors at Wolsingham, where he also got the variety Hospita, in 

 which the creamy yellow is replaced by white. Dr. Lees found 

 it " not uncommon on Widdy Bank and by Wynch Bridge." 

 Mr, Gardner has also taken it in Upper Teesdale, and Mr. Green- 

 well met with it at Hamsterley. At Hartlepool it was formerly 

 common on waste ground close to the town, now built over, and 

 on the banks at Black Hall Eocks. It is still abundant on 



