246 CATALOGUE OF ILOlHS. 



but emerges a little later, and the larvae appear to have a 

 preference for Birch. It may be that from the Ling-feeding 

 Filigrammaria a new race is being formed, spreading to the 

 Birch woods on the moor borders, and assuming a different 

 appearance in its newer abode and from its altered food. With 

 reference to its distinctness from Dihctata, the late Mr. Gregson 

 pointed out a striking difference of habit. Both species rest at 

 times on tree trunks. '* 0. dilutata," says Mr. Gregson, "flies 

 off the tree boles rapidly, and generally flies upwards. O. 

 autumnata is one of the most sluggish flyers. An old friend 

 once observed to me, ' IS^ay, do not hurry, Autumnata will 

 not go fast or far,' " (Zool., 1859, 6348). Autumnata is much 

 commoner than it was forty years ago, and though still chiefly 

 a northern insect, it has been taken by Major Robertson at 

 Swansea. All three have been taken in our counties, and I 

 trust more attention will now be given to the genus among our 

 local collectors. 



82. Oporabia dilutata, W.Y. I^ovember Moth. 



Oporahia dilutata. Staiut. Man., vol. ii., p. 77. 

 ,, ,, Newm. Brit. Moths, p. 108. 



Asthena ,, Meyr. Hdbk. Brit. Lep., p. 224. 



Larta. Buck., vol.vii., pl.cxxvi.,fig.4; 0.'Wils.,pl.xxiii.,fig.3. 



Dilutata is in the Twizell list, and is given in Stephens' 

 Illustrations (vol. iii., p. 274) as occurring commonly at 'New- 

 castle, Meldon Park, etc. Mr. Finlay found it everywhere 

 plentiful in October and IsTovember ; Mr. Henderson took it at 

 Jesmond, and generally about Newcastle, as did Mr. Rhagg and 

 others. Mr. D. Rosie found larvae on various trees at Prudhoe, 

 Kenton, and elsewhere. Mr. Hedworth recorded it as very 

 abundant about Thornley and Gibside ; Mr. Backhouse took it 

 at ShuU ; Mr. Ross found it very common at Bishop Auckland ; 

 Dr. Lees got it plentifully in Upper Teesdale, where he also 

 met with the dark variety. About Hartlepool it is always 

 common in October, and we also take the dark suffused form 

 rfigularly. These are often larger than the type. 



