THE HEART AND DART (_Agrotis_ (_Feltia_) _exclamationis_).
On Plate 105 are figured two examples of the male (Figs. 3, 4) and two female specimens (Figs. 5, 6). The colour of the fore wings ranges from pale whitish brown through various shades of brown and grey to a sooty brown or black. The cross lines are rarely very distinct, the reniform, orbicular, and claviform marks are, however, generally much in evidence; but either of the two last, sometimes both, may occasionally disappear. Not infrequently the reniform is connected with the orbicular by a black streak from the former; more rarely the claviform is much widened and lengthened, and almost united with a dusky cloud above it (var. _plaga_, Steph.). This species is sometimes mistaken for _A. corticea_, but apart from the shorter teeth of the male antennæ, the present species has a distinct, and often conspicuous, black mark on the front of the thorax.
Pl. 108. 1, 2, 4, 5. NORTHERN DART. 3. ROSY MARSH MOTH.
Pl. 109. 1. HEART AND CLUB: _caterpillar_. 2. HEATH RUSTIC: _caterpillar_. 3. NEGLECTED RUSTIC: _caterpillar_. 4. TRUE-LOVER'S KNOT: _caterpillar_.
{ 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 GRASS (_Agrotis ypsilon_).
The sexes 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.