The Moths of the British Isles Volume I Part 27

{209} The caterpillar is brownish with darker pear-shaped marks on the back; lines dark edged; spiracles black and of large size. Head pale marked with brown. It feeds from July to May on various low herbage, including lettuce, chickweed, plantain, and goose-foot; also turnips.

The moth flies in June and July (sometimes in September), and is generally common; but in Scotland it does not appear to extend north of Moray and Argyle.

THE DARK SWORD GRa.s.s (_Agrotis ypsilon_).

The s.e.xes of this moth are represented on Plate 104, Figs. 7 [male] and 8 [female]. In occasional specimens of the male the ground colour of the fore wings is rather pale brown; otherwise there is little variation to note.

The caterpillar feeds from April to July on roots and leaves of cabbage, lettuce, goose-foot, and many low plants; also on swedes, mangold wurzel, etc. It is purplish or bronzy brown above and somewhat greener on the sides; the usual spots are blackish and the lines greyish edged with darker. Head black with two white spots. The moth is on the wing from July to September, and as it is sometimes seen in April and May and earlier, it is said to have probably hibernated. Possibly, however, such early specimens, found at least once in February, are immigrants. Sometimes the species is common and at others rare. It has occurred at one time or other almost everywhere in the British Isles, but it seems to be most regularly obtained in England and in Ireland. {210} Abroad its range extends through Europe, Asia, and North America, and also to Australia, and Honolulu.

THE SAND DART (_Agrotis_ (_Lycophotia_) _ripae_).

This species varies a good deal in the ground colour of the fore wings.

According to Barrett it ranges from pure white through pale reddish, rich reddish (var. _desillii_, Pierret) reddish drab, yellowish drab, and various shades of pale brown to brownish grey, and the markings to all degrees of distinctness or obliteration, especially the latter. The two specimens on Plate 106 have the markings fairly well defined (Fig. 1 is a male, and Fig. 2 a female).

The caterpillar is ochreous grey, whitish tinged with pink, or greenish; the lines and spots are greyish, and the spiracles large and black; head and plate on first ring ochreous brown. It feeds on saltwort (_Salsola_), sea rocket (_Cakile_), seablite (_Suaeda_), sea holly (_Eryngium_), and various other plants that flourish on sandy sh.o.r.es. It is usually full grown in late autumn, when it goes down some depth into the sand, but does not pupate until the spring. If the caterpillars are not full fed when obtained they must be furnished with plenty of sand to burrow in, and kept supplied with slices of carrot until it is seen that the last put in remains untouched.

The moth flies in June and July, and may be found on the coasts of Lincolns.h.i.+re, Norfolk, Suffolk, Ess.e.x, Kent (Deal), Isle of Wight, Dorset, Devon (Dawlish and Torquay), Somersets.h.i.+re, South Wales, Ches.h.i.+re, Lancas.h.i.+re, and the Isle of Man. Rare in Scotland and in Ireland.

THE TRUE LOVER'S KNOT (_Agrotis_ (_Lycophotia_) _strigula_).

The white marked reddish moth (Plate 107, Fig. 1) frequents most of the moorlands and heath and ling-clad heaths and {211} commons throughout the British Isles. It varies in the tint of the reddish colour, and in the greater and lesser prominence of the white markings. Specimens from Scotland, especially from the Shetland Isles, are generally larger than English examples, and are often clouded with darker tints. The caterpillar, which is figured on Plate 109, Fig. 4, is reddish brown with a pale line along the middle of the back edged with dark brown or blackish marks on each side; a whitish or pinkish white stripe along the sides with a brown edging above. Head ochreous brown, marked with darker. It feeds on heath and heather, and hides by day in the moss or among dead leaves, etc., below the food plant, August to May. The moth flies, sometimes by day, but usually at night, in June, July, and in late seasons in August.

THE PORTLAND MOTH (_Agrotis_ (_Lycophotia_) _praec.o.x_).

The pretty greenish moth with black cross lines, white spots, and reddish-brown clouding on the outer area (Plate 107, Fig. 4), is said to have been first reared in this country by the d.u.c.h.ess of Portland, early in the nineteenth century, hence the English name. Although occasionally found several miles from the sea, it is essentially a coast species, and may be obtained on the sandhills of Dorsets.h.i.+re, Devon, Suffolk, Norfolk, Ches.h.i.+re, Lancas.h.i.+re, Yorks.h.i.+re, and the Isle of Man. Odd specimens occasionally occur inland, as for example at Kendal (1899), and in Worcesters.h.i.+re (1901 and 1903). In Scotland it is found in suitable places along the west coast, from the Firth of Clyde to Sutherland, and on the east to Moray; and it is widely spread on the coasts of Ireland. The caterpillar is slaty grey; central line on the back whitish or pale greyish, expanding on each ring and so forming a series of connected spots, edged with darker tint; then a whitish stripe, edged above by a slender black line; a whitish or bluish grey stripe along the black spiracles. Head pale {212} brown, obscurely marked with darker. It feeds from September to June on dwarf sallow, gra.s.ses, chickweed, wormwood, etc. The moth flies in August.

THE PEARLY UNDERWING (_Agrotis_ (_Lycophotia_) _saucia_).

Two specimens, both males, are represented on Plate 104. Fig. 10 is more or less typical and Fig. 9 is referable to var. _margaritosa_, Haworth; both occur together wherever the species is found, but the typical form is generally the most frequent.

The caterpillar, which tapers slightly towards the head, is reddish grey or brown above and paler on the sides; a line along the middle of the back is yellowish and edged with dark brown dashes; the line along the greyish ringed black spiracles is pale and edged above with black; a yellowish blotch on the last ring and a black bar on ring eleven; head pale brown or greyish brown marked with black. It feeds on most low plants; also on cabbage and rape. It occurs in June and July, and in a second generation in September, October, and sometimes November. From eggs laid in September the caterpillar hatched in from five days to a fortnight and moths resulted from these about six weeks later.

Although it certainly does occur in May and June sometimes, the moth is very much more frequently seen in autumn. On the south coast, extending to Cornwall and the Scilly Isles, the species is possibly a resident. In other parts of the British Isles its occurrence is more or less casual, and, although common in some years in other southern, and also eastern and northern counties, it does not seem to be permanently established therein.

No doubt its more general distribution, and abundance here and there, in certain years, is due to the arrival of immigrants, either in small numbers in the spring, or in swarms later on in the year. {213}

The distribution abroad includes Central, Western, and Southern Europe; Asia Minor; Northern Africa, Canaries, and Madeira; North America.

THE NORTHERN RUSTIC (_Agrotis_ (_Episilia_) _lucernea_).

The specimens of this locally variable species shown on Plate 107 are from Scotland (Fig. 9 [male]), var. _renigera_, Stephens, and North Wales (Fig.

10 [female]). Barrett (_Brit. Lep._, vol. 3), discussing the variation, remarks, "On the south coast of England, and especially at Portland, the general tint is pale smoky grey, much darker towards the hind margin, and with the markings moderately distinct; inland mountainous districts, especially in North Wales, produce a still paler form; coast districts in the west and north a decidedly darker; and in the far west, as in Kerry, some specimens are actually slate-black, without more than the faintest trace of markings. The Isle of Wight produces deep slate-coloured specimens, darker than those from the Isle of Man, which are grey brown.

Shetland specimens are large and dark, even to glossy blue-black." The caterpillar is dusky olive green, mottled all over with small black streaks and dapplings; each segment of the body having a faintly indicated pale olive-green spot on each subdorsal region, below which, on each side, is an oblique shading of blackish green. Head s.h.i.+ning black-brown, rather lighter brown at the sides (Barrett). It feeds on harebell (_Campanula_), stonecrop (_Sedum acre_), saxifrage, cowslip, chickweed, and gra.s.ses, from August to May. The moth flies in July and August, and in the north and west in September. It occurs in rough stony places, on rocky places on the coast, and on hills inland, in Kent (Folkestone district), Isle of Wight, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Gloucesters.h.i.+re (rare), Suss.e.x, Shrops.h.i.+re, Wales, Lancas.h.i.+re (rare), Yorks.h.i.+re, and Westmoreland. It is widely distributed in Scotland and Ireland. {214}

THE DOTTED RUSTIC (_Agrotis_ (_Episilia_) _simulans_).

The s.e.xes of this local moth are figured on Plate 107. Fig. 7 represents a male from Aberdeen, and Fig. 8 a female from Dorsets.h.i.+re. The latter is of a pale brown colour on the fore wings, and this is somewhat unusual, as the prevailing colour of specimens from the Dorset coast is greyish brown.

The caterpillar is ochreous brown, dotted with brown, and marked with dark brown, sometimes greenish tinged, on the back; a white stripe below the spiracles; head brown and rather glossy. It feeds on gra.s.ses and low plants, such as dock, dandelion, groundsel, etc. September to May. The moth flies in July, August, and September. It occurs at various places on the Dorsets.h.i.+re coast; on the Cotswolds in Gloucesters.h.i.+re; in North Wales, and the Isle of Man; also from Ches.h.i.+re to c.u.mberland. Widely distributed in Scotland, extending to the Hebrides and the Orkneys. In Ireland only recorded from Sligo.

THE HEATH RUSTIC (_Agrotis_ (_Eueretagrotis_) _agathina_).

The moth, shown on Plate 107, varies in colour and in marking. Fig. 2 depicts a specimen from Perths.h.i.+re, and Fig. 3 one from North Devons.h.i.+re.

In Southern England the general tint is pinkish brown, and in the north and in Scotland it is dark reddish brown or blackish. A pale greyish form from Ireland has been named var. _hebridicola_, Staud. Sometimes specimens are distinctly rosy in tint, and these are referable to var. _rosea_, Tutt. The caterpillar (Plate 109, Fig. 2) is reddish brown, or green, with whitish lines on the back, the central one edged on each sides with blackish, and the others inwardly marked with black; a yellowish stripe low down along the sides, sometimes marked with reddish; usual dots black; spiracles white, dark ringed; head greenish yellow marked with darker in the green form, and yellowish brown marked with darker in the brown form. It feeds from September to June on heath and heather. The above brief description was made from apparently full-grown caterpillars received from the New Forest on May 28, 1907, but not one of them attained the chrysalis stage.

The moth is out in August and September, and occurs on most of the larger heaths, and on moorlands throughout the British Isles, including the Hebrides and Orkneys.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Pl. 110.

1. ASHWORTH'S RUSTIC.

2, 3. NEGLECTED RUSTIC.

4. AUTUMNAL RUSTIC.

5. PLAIN CLAY.

6. DOUBLE DART.

7. FLAME SHOULDER.

8. SETACEOUS HEBREW CHARACTER.

9. TRIPLE-SPOTTED CLAY.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Pl. 111.

1. FLAME SHOULDER: _caterpillar_.

2. TRIPLE-SPOTTED CLAY: _caterpillar_.

3. DOUBLE DART: _caterpillar_.

{215} THE STOUT DART (_Agrotis ravida_ (_obscura_)).

The somewhat dingy brown, or greyish brown moth (Plate 107, Figs. 5 [male], 6 [female]) is sometimes tinged with reddish, and this tint is generally present on the front or costal area.

The caterpillar is ochreous brown with a paler line along the back, and a series of dark edged, oblique and more or less curved, yellowish marks on each side; head greyish freckled with brownish; plate on first ring brown marked with pale lines. It feeds on low-growing plants such as dock, dandelion, chickweed, etc.; September to May. The moth flies in July and August, but its occurrence in Britain is somewhat irregular. It is found, sometimes commonly, in most of the southern and eastern counties of England, and also in Durham; and has been occasionally recorded from other parts of the country, as well as from Scotland. For several years it may seem to quite disappear and then suddenly become common in various districts. Its range abroad extends to Amurland, North China, Corea, and j.a.pan.

THE NORTHERN DART (_Agrotis_ (_Episilia_) _hyperborea_).

Of this pretty Scottish species (_alpina_, Westw. and Humph.) four examples are figured in Plate 108. Figs. 1 and 2 represent specimens from Shetland, and Figs. 4 and 5 are from Rannoch specimens. These will show something of the variation in this {216} moth, which was not known to occur in the British Isles until 1839, when a single specimen was taken on Cairn Gowr in Perths.h.i.+re. No other example seems to have been noted up to 1854, when one was found on a rock in the same part of Perths.h.i.+re. Up to the year 1876, only a few specimens had been obtained, but in that year, which was a hot and dry one in the Highlands, quite a number were secured. A female was also detected laying her yellowish white eggs on crowberry (_Empetrum nigrum_) and thus gave a clue which led to the subsequent discovery of caterpillars and chrysalids; and these have been obtained in some quant.i.ty.

The caterpillar is reddish, inclining to pinkish brown, freckled with darker; three whitish lines on the back, the central one irregularly black dotted, edged on both sides with black, and the others with black bars along their inside edge; head pale brown freckled and lined with darker brown. It feeds from August to June (of the second year following hatching from the egg, it is said), on crowberry, bilberry (_Vaccinium_), and bearberry (_Arctostaphylos uva-ursi_).

The moth is out from late June until about the middle of August. It only occurs with us on the higher mountains in Perths.h.i.+re, notably those to the south of Loch Rannoch; and at lower elevations in Unst, the most northern isle of the Shetland group. It has also been recorded from the Orkneys.

Kane mentions a specimen bred at the end of February, 1893, at Clonbrock, Co. Galway, from a caterpillar found at a bog in the vicinity, where crowberry grows abundantly. Abroad the species in its typical form is found on mountains in Central and Southern Scandinavia, and in modified form in Silesia, Hungary, and Switzerland.

ASHWORTH'S RUSTIC (_Agrotis_ (_Episilia_) _ashworthii_).

This moth, which is figured in Plate 110, is considered by some entomologists to be a form of _A. candelarum_ peculiar {217} to the hills and mountains of North Wales, and found chiefly at Llangollen, Penmaenmawr, and Snowdon. The colour of the fore wings varies from pale dove colour to dark slaty grey. The caterpillar is blackish, or dark slate colour, with two series of velvety black spots, or dashes along the back; head reddish brown. It feeds on various low-growing plants, among which are rock-rose, wild thyme, sheep's sorrel, bedstraw, etc. Towards the end of April, in Flint, they feed freely and crawl about their food plants in the day time as well as at night (E. W. H. Blagg). The moth has been reared in November and December from eggs found in July, about the second week; the caterpillars having been supplied mainly with sallow, with the addition of dock, groundsel, plantain, and knot gra.s.s (R. Tait). On another occasion moths were bred in October from eggs laid by a female reared from caterpillars taken in North Wales in the spring (A. Harrison). The moth is out in July and August and in its rugged haunts, may be disturbed from among the loose rubble, and from c.h.i.n.ks in the rocks; but as they come freely to sugared herbage, captives in this way would probably be more numerous. Discovered at Llangollen in 1853, by Mr. Joseph Ashworth after whom it was named by Doubleday in 1855.

NOTE.--Barrett mentions the following Agrotids as having occurred in the British Isles.

_A. cra.s.sa_, Hubn., "one specimen in the cabinet of Mr. S. Stevens." _A.

spinifera_, Hubn., a specimen taken in the Isle of Man, August, 1869. _A.

fennica_, Tauscher, a specimen recorded in the _Zoologist_ for 1850, as captured in Derbys.h.i.+re.

THE ROSY MARSH MOTH (_Noctua_ (_Coenophila_) _subrosea_).