the larva feeding upon sow-thistle ; the moth visiting flowers in gardens in the summer
Plusia chrysitis, Linn. (Burnished Brass Moth). Halton, Chesham, Chalfont St. Peter, Buckingham, High Wycombe ; probably generally distributed in lanes and gardens
pulchrina, Haw. ; v-aureum, Gn. Only noticed at Chesham and in the Chiltern district
iota, Linn. (Golden γ). Halton, Chesham, Chalfont St. Peter, Taplow, Buckingham, High Wycombe and the Chiltern district ; widely distributed, frequenting gardens and lanes
gamma, Linn. (Silver γ). Abundant everywhere, but the larva is by no means so common. There is reason to believe that vast migrations of this moth take place now and then from the continent
Habrostola urticae, Hb. ; tripartita, St.C. Buckingham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chesham, Halton ; usually taken hovering at flowers, or its larva upon nettles triplasia, Linn. Buckingham, Halton, at flowers, often in gardens ; High Wycombe at the electric light
Heliodes arbuti, Fab. ; tenebrata, St.C. Halton, Buckingham ; common in the sunny corners of meadows
Erastria fuscula, Bkh.; fasciana, St.C. Taken near Chalfont St. Peter by the Rev. J. S. St. John
Bryophila perla, Fab. Generally common, sitting upon walls ; its larva feeding on the minute wall lichens at night, hiding itself in a chamber in an interstice in the wall by day
Phytometra ænea, Hb.; viridaria, St.C. Common at Halton and in the Chiltern district in rides of woods
Anarta myrtilli, Linn. Black Park ; taken flying swiftly over heather in the sunshine
Gonoptera libatrix, Linn. (Herald Moth). Generally distributed but not very common, hiding during the winter in houses or under roofs of outhouses
Catocala fraxini, Linn. (Clifden Beauty). The Rev. J. Greene refers to a rumour or statement that a specimen of this noble insect had been either captured or reared by Mr. W. E. Parsons of Aylesbury. This statement does not seem to have been confirmed or contradicted
nupta, Linn. (Red Underwing). Buckingham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chesham, High Wycombe, Black Park, about willows. This noble moth forms a great brown triangular figure as it sits on a tree trunk, or occasionally on a wall ; the development as it opens its brilliant red hind wings in flight is somewhat startling
Catocala sponsa, Linn. | (the Crimson Underwings). | |
promissa, Esp. |
Both these beautiful species were captured in Black Park by the late Mr. Samuel Stevens in the year 1 844, but neither appears to have been seen in the county since that date. Both abound in certain years in the New Forest, Hants
Euclidia glyphica, Linn. Widely distributed in flowery pastures and meadows and on railway embankments
mi, Clerck. Even more generally distributed in similar places
Aventia flexula, Schiff. Taken occasionally at Halton by the Rev. J. Greene, at Black Park by the late Mr. S. Stevens, and near Leckhampstead on the borders of Whittlebury Forest by the Rev. C. F. Thornewill. An uncommon species, usually found in old lichen-covered crab and thorn trees
Herminia barbalis, Linn. Black Park, Marlow ; in woods among sallow
grisealis, Hb. Amersham
Hypenodes albistrigalis, Gn. Marlow
costaestrigalis, Steph. Black Park. It is probable that both these small and insignificant looking species are frequently overlooked
Hypena rostralis, Linn. Marlow ; among hop
Brephos notha, Hb. The capture of a single specimen near Buckingham is recorded by Mr. W. Slade
Ourapteryx sambucata, Linn. (Swallow-tail Moth). This fine geometra moth is common throughout the county, and is very conspicuous as it flies wildly along hedges at dusk. Its larva often feeds on ivy
Angerona prunaria, Linn. (Orange Moth). Black Park, and also on the borders of Whittlebury Forest. A conspicuous and handsome species, its male dancing vigorously at dusk along the rides and through the openings of the woods ; its female flying later at night
Rumia cratasgata, Linn. ; luteolata, St.C. (Brimstone Moth). Abundant everywhere about hawthorn hedges
Venilia maculata, Linn. Chalfont St. Peter ; local, flying in woods in the sunshine
Cabera pusaria, Linn. This pretty snowy-white moth is common in woods among sallow and alder
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