44 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



from the soft grass, Holcus lanatus, with the colour of which their 

 tints assimilate remarkably well ; they may also be swept from 

 Brachypodium sylvaticum. The larva of this species is often found in 

 one's net, when one is working for micro-lepidoptera among the long- 

 grass at dusk, in open places in woods, etc. 



When still small, the larvae of Cyclopides palaemon make tubular 

 homes in the leaves of Brachypodium sylvaticum, leaving an opening at 

 each end, whence they emerge to feed on those parts of the plant near 

 their domiciles. 



In mid- June the young larvae of Polyommatus icarus feed on the 

 leaves of Lotus comiculatus, eating into the substance of a leaf either 

 from the upper- or underside, leaving the opposite skin as a white 

 spot, although they sometimes eat the flowers, the petals of which 

 they devour entirely. 



The larvaeof Agriades [Polyommatus) corydon&re to be found on Hippo- 

 crepis comosa through June. The larva of this species can only be distin- 

 guished from that of Agriades bellargus by its having the ground colour of a 

 lighter, brighter green (a green with more yellow in it), and the hairs 

 light brown, whilst that of P. bellargus has the ground colour deeper 

 green, with the hairs or bristles black. 



The larvae of Aricia (Polyommatus) astrarche are to be found in late 

 June and July, on the underside of the leaves of Helianthemum vulgare. 

 The feeding of the smaller larvae makes small spots on the upper, dark 

 green, surface of the leaves, the spots becoming larger and browner, 

 until, at last, almost the whole undersurface of the leaves is entirely 

 eaten, although, with an indefinite supply of food, they rarely remain 

 long enough on one leaf to more than blotch it very markedly, before 

 moving to another. 



At the end of June and the beginning of July, search the underside 

 of holly leaves for larvae of Celastrina (Cyaniris) argiolus. The leaves 

 affected have the appearance of being mined. 



At the end of June and in early July, the larvae of Callophrys rubi 

 can be beaten from broom, Genista tinctoria, and many other plants ; 

 bramble, after which the species was named, appears to be very rarely 

 chosen. 



The larvae of Ruralis (Zephyrus) betulae always sit on the underside 

 of a leaf of blackthorn, along the midrib, and are most difficult to see 

 in this position. 



The blackthorn bushes are, therefore, better beaten than searched, 

 for larvae of Ruralis betulae; stunted ones are often the more prolific. An 

 umbrella is better than a tray for this purpose, as it can be fitted into 

 the structural irregularities of the blackthorn bushes more successfully. 



The low branches of oak, with their growth of foliage, on isolated 

 trees, often prove the best, when one is working for larvae of Bithys 

 (Zephyrus) quercus. Search the tray carefully, as the half-grown 

 examples imitate the fallen bud-sheaths exactly in colour. 



During the first week of June, beat low elm-trees on the outskirts 

 of woods, or on the borders of rides of woods. Large numbers of 

 larvae of Strymon (Thecla) w-album may sometimes thus be obtained. 



In early June, the eggs of Hamearis (Nemeobius) lucina can be found 

 fairly readily, in the localities where the species occurs, on the under- 

 side of primrose (more rarely cowslip) leaves. The young larvae eat 



