PoRRiTT : The British Pyeales. 



67 



The next family, the Vyralidm^ contains two genera, viz., 

 Pyralis and Aglossa. The former is composed of the three species, 

 jimhrialis, farinalisy and glavc'malis^ all pretty common, although 

 only one (and that the most abundant of all), farinalis, or 

 meal moth, occurs in this neighbourhood ; of the others, although 

 generally distributed, I am sorry to say I know but little of their 

 early histories ; the larva of glaucinalis feeds in nest-like formations 

 at the end of birch twigs in ppring, and the moth is a not uncommon 

 visitor at sugared trees in summer. Part of my specimens were sent 

 to me some years ago, by Mr. Jackson, of York. Of the habits of 

 Jimhrialis I know nothing. Farinalis is a plentiful and well-known 

 insect ; who has not noticed and admired the beautiful bright 

 purple-and-yellow little moth, so often found sitting with its peculiar 

 " cocked-up tail " (which habit by-the-way is characteristic of many 

 families in the order) on the door, roof, or window of almost any 

 stable they happen to enter in summer ? It is a species, however, 

 which farmers will do well to keep down as much as possible, as, 

 though pretty, it is a wicked creature, delighting to deposit its eggs 

 in the corn, meal, &c , in the stable bins, in which situation the larvae, 

 if imchecked would doubtless soon become very troublesome. The 

 other genus, Aglossa, contains two species, pinguinalis and cuprealis, 

 both of which are recorded as occurring in this district. The former 

 is common enough, but I should very much like to see an example of 

 cuprealis which has been taken here. These are also very much attached 

 to stables, outhouses, &c., BithovLgh pinguinalis at any rate is often taken 

 in lanes and gardens at a considerable distance from them. Its 

 larva feeds (as probably does that of cuprealis also) on old greasy 

 horse-cloths and other rubbish in spring ; the imagos are on the wing 

 in June and July. Of cuprealis I can say but little ; it seems to be 

 scarce, as I never hear of anyone taking it, and indeed I do not know 

 where it is to be got, although as it is by no means rare in cabinets, 

 some one must come across it occasionally. Two of my specimens 

 were sent to me by Mr. .Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. 



The next family, the Cledeobida, contains but one genus, and only 

 the single species Cledeobia angustalis. Its larva is said to feed in 

 moss, on the coast, in May, and the moth is on the wing in June or 

 July. I have never seen it alive, though it is not uncommon in some 

 of the southern counties. 



The next family has four genera — Pyrausta with three species, 

 RJiodaria with one, Herhula with one, and EnuycJ/ia with three. They 

 are true day insects, delighting in the hottest sun, and amongst them 



