The Moths of the British Isles Volume Ii Part 49

The range abroad extends to Amurland and j.a.pan, and in both countries it is represented by var. _conferenda_, Butler.

SPECKLED BEAUTY (_Cleora angularia_).

Stephens, who in 1831 figured this insect as _Cleora viduaria_, Wien.

Verz., remarks, "All the examples I have seen of this beautiful species were captured in the New Forest: the first about June, 1822, the remainder in 1825 and 1826: I believe in the vicinity of Lyndhurst." Barrett states that the late Mr. Samuel Stevens obtained a number of specimens "by sweeping the upper branches of oak trees in the New Forest with a long pole." This was in 1849; and between that year and 1872, about which time it seems to have disappeared, the moth was found, by those who knew where to look for it, in the Forest between Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst. Specimens have also been taken, in the past, in Tilgate Forest, Suss.e.x, by the late William Tester, and by Mr. Merrifield, at Holm Bank, near Henfield, in the same county. There have been recent rumours of its reappearance in the New Forest, but I have been unable to ascertain anything definite about this.

The specimen depicted in Plate 134, Fig. 2, has been kindly lent by Mr. R.

Adkin.

The caterpillar, stated by Hofmann to feed on lichen growing upon oak and birch, is brownish variegated with paler shades.

BRUSSELS LACE (_Cleora lichenaria_).

The greenish grey species shown on Plate 136, Figs. 1 [male], 2 [female], varies in tint; the fore wings are often clouded with olive, and occasionally with blackish; there is frequently a tinge of {311} ochreous between the black cross lines, but sometimes this area is flushed with orange.

Two figures of the caterpillar will be found on Plate 133, Fig. 2. In colour and marking it so closely resembles the greenish-grey lichen upon which it feeds, that its detection thereon is not always easy. May and June are the best months in which to collect the caterpillars (although they may be found during the autumn and early spring), and they may then be jarred from the lichen (_Usnea barbata_), etc., growing on branches of trees and bushes, or searched for among the lichen on the tree trunks, or on wooden pales and fences.

The species is widely spread over the southern half of England, but is more or less rare from the Midlands northwards. It has occurred in South Wales; and Kane states that it is widely distributed and locally common in Ireland. In some parts of South Scotland it is not uncommon, and its range extends to Aberdeen and Ross.

THE DOTTED CARPET (_Cleora jubata_).

This species (Plate 136, Figs. 3, 4) has long been known as _glabraria_, Hubner, but as authorities are agreed that _jubata_, Thunberg, is an earlier name, it must be adopted. The general colour is whitish, powdered with dark grey and black; there are four black spots on the front margin and from these blackish markings cross the wings, but only the first line is generally distinct, although a second line, beyond the large black discal spot, is sometimes clearly defined and entire; occasionally a central shade and a submarginal line are both in evidence. The hind wings have a black central spot and a blackish line beyond, but the latter is often absent. Exceptional aberration takes the form of leaden black blotches, clouds, and streaks on the fore wings, and dusky clouding on the hind wings, chiefly on the basal area. {312}

The caterpillar is of a faint bluish green, inclining to greenish white on the back; a row of black spots along the back, and a broken black narrow stripe along each side. It feeds on tree lichens (_Usnea barbata_), etc., from September to June or July. Three figures of this caterpillar are given on Plate 133, Fig. 3.

The moth is out in July and August, and may be found at rest on tree trunks now and then, but is more frequently obtained by jarring the lichen-clad branches of oak. Although it is known to occur very locally and somewhat rarely in the counties of Wilts., Dorset, and Devon, the New Forest in Hamps.h.i.+re is the English district where one is most likely to meet with this species. It has been recorded from Cornwall (Falmouth district, 1904), Hereford, Pembrokes.h.i.+re, Carnarvons.h.i.+re (Beddgelert), and c.u.mberland.

Charlton Forest, Suss.e.x, has also been mentioned. In Scotland, Renton states that it is generally common in Roxburghs.h.i.+re; it occurs in several of the woods in Clydesdale, and has been noted from Argylls.h.i.+re.

THE ENGRAILED (_Tephrosia bistortata_).

In the following brief remarks on _T. bistortata_, Goeze (= _biundularia_, Borkhausen), I have included reference to _crepuscularia_, Hubner (= _biundularia_, Esper). The former (which is also named _abietaria_, Haworth, and _laricaria_, Doubleday) appears on the wing in March and April, and there is a second flight in July and August. Moths of the second generation are few in number and small in size, and are referable to abs.

_consonaria_ and _strigularia_, Stephens. A third generation of still smaller moths has been reared. _Crepuscularia_ is out in May and June, rarely in April; its caterpillar feeds in June and July or later; according to Barrett, a second generation of the moth has occurred in August. One or two moths have been captured in September or October, but whether these were referable to _bistortata_ or _crepuscularia_ is not quite clear.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 19.

SMALL ENGRAILED, AT REST.

(Photo by W. J. Lucas.)]

By some authorities the double-brooded _bistortata_ is {313} considered specifically distinct from the, normally, single-brooded _crepuscularia_; others hold the opposite view. The March and April moths are generally rather browner in colour than those appearing in May and June, but I have some specimens taken in Wilts.h.i.+re at the end of March, which are quite as pale as any example in the May-June series. Probably, we should be right in regarding _crepuscularia_ as the older stock from which the double-brooded race, _bistortata_, has sprung. The former has a more extensive range, as it inhabits Northern Europe (Sutherlands.h.i.+re in British Isles), whilst _bistortata_ seems to be confined to Central Europe. A Perths.h.i.+re form of the May-June race is shown on Plate 136, Fig. 7; and an example of ab.

_delamerensis_, White, from Delamere Forest, Ches.h.i.+re, is represented by Fig. 8. Figs. 6 [male], 7 [female], represent examples of the March and April race. Black or blackish forms, with the sub-marginal line more or less distinctly white, occur in both races, chiefly in Glamorgans.h.i.+re, South Wales.

{314}

A photograph, by Mr. H. Main, of the caterpillar, is reproduced on Plate 138, Fig. 3. The general colour is grey, inclining to yellowish or brownish; sometimes it is reddish brown; two broken dark-grey lines on the back, and some pale blotches on the sides. The caterpillars of the first race (_bistortata_) feed in May and June, and again in August and September. Those of the second race in June and July, or later. They seem to eat the foliage of trees, including those in orchards.

NOTE.--Cross-pairings between _bistortata_ [male] and _crepuscularia_ [female] resulted in the ab. _ridingi_, Tutt, whilst the offspring of a crossing of _crepuscularia_ [male] and _bistortata_ [female] have been named _bacoti_, Tutt. Pairings of _bistortata_ [male] and _delamerensis_ [female] produce ab. _ridingi-suffusa_, Tutt; and those of _delamerensis_ [male] and _bistortata_ [female] = _bacoti-suffusa_, Tutt. Further, _bacoti-suffusa_ will pair with _ridingi-suffusa_, or the last named with _crepuscularia_; the progeny being in the first case _mixta_, Tutt, and in the latter, _reversa_, Tutt.

BRINDLED WHITE-SPOT (_Tephrosia luridata_).

Two examples of this species (also known as _extersaria_, Hubner) are depicted on Plate 137, Figs. 1 [male], 2 [female]. There is variation in the amount of black speckling and in the strength of the cross lines.

The caterpillar is dull hazel or chocolate brown, often tinged with green; a row of whitish dots on each side of a series of pale spots along the middle of the back; rings 4 and 8 barred with black-brown or dusky rust colour. Sometimes the general colour is green. (Adapted from Fenn.) It feeds in July and August, or even later, on oak and birch, sometimes on alder and sallow. The moth is out in May and June, earlier or later in some seasons. In Britain apparently confined to England, where it occurs locally, in woods, from Worcesters.h.i.+re {315} southwards to Kent and Cornwall, and eastward to Norfolk and Suffolk. In the New Forest, Hamps.h.i.+re, where it is often plentiful, it may be seen on the boles of trees, but is more easily obtained after dark when it comes to the sugar patch.

SQUARE SPOT (_Tephrosia consonaria_).

Two examples of this species will be found on Plate 137, Figs. 3 [male], 4 [female]. There is variation in the greyish or brownish speckling of the wings, and this in some typical examples is so spa.r.s.e that the wings appear to be almost white with brownish basal band and brownish markings on the outer area; the most conspicuous of the latter being the middle square spot between the second and submarginal lines, more or less distinct in all forms, to which the English name refers. In other specimens the wings are, especially the front pair, densely covered with the dark speckling. Some Surrey specimens, chiefly from the Leith Hill district, have an ochreous tinge; and quite recently a black form of the species has occurred in a wood near Maidstone, in West Kent. The last phase of aberration seems to be unknown in any other part of Britain, and also, I believe, elsewhere.

The egg (Plate 138, Fig. 2) is yellowish green when laid; later it becomes yellow, and orange red markings appear, chiefly at one end.

The somewhat wrinkled caterpillar is ochreous brown above, inclining to greyish between the rings; an ochreous line along the middle of the back is only clearly defined on the front rings; the under side is greenish ochreous, and sometimes this colour extends to the upper side also; the head, which is notched on the crown, is pale ochreous, more or less marked with brown. It feeds at night, in June and July, on birch, beech, oak, pine, etc. {316}

The moth is out in May and June, earlier in some districts. In the daytime it may be seen on the trunks or boughs of trees, most frequently at too great a height to be easily secured; but still a few sit low enough for capture, especially on the trunks of fir trees. The species is a decidedly local one, and seems to be largely confined, in Britain, to the southern parts of England, Wales, and Ireland. It occurs in some of the woods of Kent, Surrey, Suss.e.x, Hamps.h.i.+re, Dorsets.h.i.+re, Devons.h.i.+re, Cornwall, Gloucesters.h.i.+re, Oxfords.h.i.+re, Buckinghams.h.i.+re, Bedfords.h.i.+re, Ess.e.x, and Suffolk. Edwards notes the species as rare at Malvern, Worcesters.h.i.+re.

Forsythe, in "A List of the Macro-Lepidoptera of Lancaster and District"

(_Entom._ 1905, p. 12), states that the moth may be found sitting on the fir-tree trunks at the end of May, at Witherslack and Quernmore; and a single specimen has been recorded from Upton, near Birkenhead, Ches.h.i.+re.

The occurrence of _T. consonaria_ in the north of England seems open to question. The only county in Wales appears to be Glamorgans.h.i.+re, as mentioned by Barrett. Kane (_Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Ireland_) noted the species from Derrycunihy, and Mucross, Killarney, where he has taken it in moderate abundance; he also gives Clonbullogue, in King's County.

The range abroad extends to Amurland and j.a.pan.

GREY BIRCH (_Tephrosia punctularia_).

Three examples of this greyish species are shown on Plate 137. The wings are usually whitish grey in the ground colour, and sprinkled or dusted with darker grey; there are three blackish, or black dotted, cross lines on the fore wings, often indistinct, but rarely entirely absent, and even then represented by black marks on the front margin. Sometimes the first and third lines may be well in evidence and the central one absent; occasionally the second line is placed quite close to the first; the sub-marginal line is whitish, inwardly shaded with dark greyish, especially at the middle and towards the front margin. The hind wings have two cross lines corresponding with the first and third on the fore wings. There is a good deal of variation in the amount of dark speckling, and this is occasionally so heavy that the insect becomes dark grey in colour; I have taken such specimens at Oxshott in Surrey. Dark aberrations are perhaps more frequent in the north of England, but the species is more local and less plentiful in that part of the country.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

2 Pl. 136.

1, 2. BRUSSELS LACE.

3, 4. DOTTED CARPET.

5, 6. SMALL ENGRAILED.

7, 8. THE ENGRAILED.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

2 Pl. 137.

1, 2. BRINDLED WHITE-SPOT.

3, 4. SQUARE SPOT.

5-7. GREY BIRCH.

8, 9. HORSE CHESTNUT.

{317} The caterpillar, which may be beaten from birch, and sometimes alder, in July, is bright apple green with yellowish lines on the sides and back; the ring divisions are yellow, and the head is tinged with that colour.

(Adapted from Porritt.) Sometimes the caterpillars are brownish, or greenish grey in general colour. The moth, which is out in May and June, will be found in woods, or on heaths, where birches grow. It rests on the trunks of the trees and may be boxed, as a rule, with ease. On some occasions, however, it is very lively, and the net will have to be brought into action for its capture.

The distribution of this species extends through England, but it is far more plentiful in the south than in the north, although it has been recorded from several places in Yorks.h.i.+re, and from Coal Law Wood in Northumberland. It is found also in Wales, and in Scotland up to Moray. In Ireland it is not frequent, but has been noted from Mucross, and the Upper Lake of Killarney, in Kerry, and from Tinahely in Wicklow; Kane also gives Clonbrock in Galway, and adds that "some specimens from this locality have the spots very large on a clear whitish ground, so that they have a superficial resemblance to _Cleora glabraria_."

The range abroad spreads to East Siberia, Amurland, and j.a.pan.

NOTE.--Staudinger places the last four species in _Boarmia_, Treitschke; but Prout and others refer them to the genus _Ectropis_, Hubner. The latter will probably have to be adopted. {318}

HORSE CHESTNUT (_Pachycnema hippocastanaria_).