CATALOGUE OF MOTHS. 279 



136. T. variata, W.Y. Shaded Beoad-bae. 



Thera variata. Staint. Man., Yol. ii., p. 96. 



,, oleliscata. iN'ewm. Brit. Moths, p. 151. 



Hydriomena variata. Meyr. Hdbk. Brit. Lep., p. 210. 



Laeva. Buck., vol. viii., pi. cxxxviii., fig. 3. 



Thera variata is said to be common everywhere, and it is 

 certain to be more abundant in these counties than appears 

 from the few records I have. The larva feeds on Pir, and the 

 insect ought to be found in every wood containing Pirs. The 

 species is given in the Twizell list; Mr. Finlay found it plenti- 

 fully in the woods at IS'eedless Hall ; Mr. Maling met with it 

 at Hexham. Mr. Backhouse took it at Hoffall Wood near 

 Durham, and at Woodlands, Darlington. I have taken it freely 

 in Castle Eden Dene in years gone bye. It is not uncommon at 

 Edderacres near Thornley, and we have taken it in Hezleden 

 Dene. I have also taken it on the Cemetery palings at Hartle- 

 pool, probably blown from a fir wood above Throston, though I 

 never found the insect there. 



137. T. firmaria, Hub. Pine Caepet. 



Thera firmaria. Staint. Man., vol. ii., p. 96. 



„ „ IS'ewm. Brit. Moths, p. 152. 



Xanthorhoe firmata. Meyr. Hdbk. Brit. Lep., p. 230. 



Laeva. Buck., vol. viii., pi. cxxxviii., fig. 4. 



Said to be rather a common species, but in our counties it is 

 both local and rare. Mr. Finlay took it at !N'eedless Hall Moor, 

 but it was very scarce ; Miss Eosie met with it at Kenton. Mr. 

 Maling got a single specimen at Witton-le-Wear at the end of 

 August ; Mr. Gardner has found it in Teesdale, but very 

 sparingly. It is not very common in the neighbouring 

 counties. 



