CATALOGUE OF MOTHS. 245 



More of a northern species than the preceding, and not 

 nearly so common. Mr. Finlay found it in the Old Park, 

 Netherwitton ; and Miss Rosie reared it from larvae found at 

 Bellingham on Birch. In Durham, Mr. Sang, who met with it 

 near Darlington, is the only collector I know of who has taken 

 it. It is probably often passed over as Brumata^ but may be 

 distinguished from that species by being rather larger, rather 

 lighter in colour, the forewings rather more pointed, and the 

 markings thereon rather more distinct. It also appears earlier, 

 and is almost over before Brumata emerges. It should be 

 looked for in October where there is plenty of Birch, and will 

 be found yet in many places in both counties. 



OPORABIA, Steph. 



Considerable diversity of opinion obtains as to the number of 

 species we should recognise under this genus, and it will be 

 more convenient to refer to this here than under each species. 

 The authorities to which I refer differ widely. Stainton gives 

 three species, Kewman two, and Meyrick only one, whilst 

 others have endeavoured to introduce one or more additional 

 species. The facts are as follows. Dilutata is a common insect 

 over the whole of Britain, appearing in the perfect state in 

 October and IS^ovember. In these months it may be beaten out 

 of every hedge, and found in every wood. The larvae appear 

 to be most numerous on Hawthorn, but are by no means con- 

 fined to it. It is the largest of the genus, and a dark suffused 

 form is not uncommon. Filigrammaria is a northern species, 

 appearing on moors and heaths in August. The larvae feed on 

 Ling {Calluna vulgaris), and differ considerably from those of 

 Dilutata. The imago is smaller, more glossy, and those I have, 

 taken have been more distinctly banded, though this does not 

 appear always to be the case. It is on the wing in August 

 and early September, Dilutata, as already said, in October and 

 ITovember. About the distinctness of these two there should 

 not be the shadow of a doubt. Autumnaria is rather more 

 difficult to differentiate. It is closely allied to Filigrammaria^: 



