

1! ! 



I 





70 



parts are separated by a double red line. The superior wings are of a brown colour towards the 

 sector edges, but of an ash colour towards the slip edge ; prettily dappled and waved, like the 

 bark of some hazel sticks. At the apex of the wing is a large buff-coloured spot, about the size 

 of the nail of the fourth finger. The abdomen and inferior wings are of a pale buff colour. 

 The moth is shewn in the plate at (c). 



The caterpillar, which is seen at (a), feeds on oak and willow ; is full fed about the end of 

 September, when it goes into the earth and changes into chrysalis, seen at (6). The moth appears 

 the latter end of May. 



Expansion of the wings 2 



■2j inches. 



i i 



.■ 





TRIPILENA PRONUBA. THE LARGE YELLOW UNDERWING MOTH. 



Plate XXX. fig. d—f. 



Synonyms. Phalsena (Noct.) Pronuba, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. 842. Donovan Brit. Ins. 10. pi. 311. 

 Albin's Ins. pi. 72. fig. a— d. Wilkes' Brit. Moths, pi. 1. 

 Triphsena Pronuba, Ochsenheimer, Curtis, Stephens. 



Upper Side. The antennsB are like fine threads. The thorax and superior wings are of a 

 fine brown, dappled with light spots, and narrow lines of pleasant brown. A very dark spot 

 appears on the bar tendon, shaped like a human ear. The inferior wings are of a deep yellow, 

 having a black border round the fan edges, one-eighth of an inch wide. See the figure at (/). 



The caterpillar feeds under ground, on the roots of grass ; changes to the chrysalis about 

 the middle of May, which is shewn at (e) ; and the moth appears in June. The caterpillar is 

 represented at (d). 



Expansion of the wings 2-— 2J inches. 



This insect is very abundant, and hides itself during the day in the thickest 

 foliage, and screens itself from the light in the moist grass crops of the mead, where 

 it is perpetually disturbed and roused from its rest by the scythe of the mower. The 

 yellow wagtail is a great destroyer of these insects. It is very soon apprised of their 

 movements, and will often attend the steps of the mower, fearless of harm, to watch 

 for its prey. As soon as the moth rises it is chased, and its exertions and shiftings 

 to escape, and the activity and perseverance of the bird to capture it, are very 

 amusing. {Journal of a Naturalist.) 



POLYOMMATUS ALEXIS. THE COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY. 



Plate XXXI. fig. g—L 



Synonyms. Papilio Alexis, Wien. Vers. Hubn. Pap. pi. 60. fig. 292. 



Polyommatus Alexis, Stephens. Duncan Brit. Butt, vignette title-page. 



Papilio Icarus, Lewin's Papil. pi. 38. Haworth. 



Papilio Argus, Berkenhout. Donov. Brit. Ins. A. pi. 143. *. Wilkes Ins. pi. 119. 



Hams' 1 AurelAs t edit. 1 

 Lycsena Dorylas, Leach, Samouelle. 



Upper Side. The head, thorax, and abdomen are of a dark blue, nearly black. All the 

 wings are of a very fine blue. The female, seen at (i), is of a dark brown on the upper side, 



