The Coronet (Craniophora ligustri).
This is also the Crown Moth of Moses Harris, both English names referring to a fancied resemblance of the whitish or pale greyish mark, just beyond the reniform stigma, to a crown or coronet (Plate [103], Fig. 5). The greenish or brownish-olive fore wings are subject to modification in the depth of tint; sometimes they are blackish in tone—var. nigra, Tutt, or dark olive-green—var. olivacea, Tutt. In both of these named forms the whitish markings are obscured, and in this respect they seem to be about identical with var. sundevalli, Lampa.
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| Pl. 104. | ||||
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| 9, 10. Pearly Underwing. |
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| Pl. 105. | ||||
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| 9, 10. Light Feathered Rustic. |
The caterpillar is bluish green above, and yellowish green below; a slender whitish line along the middle of the back, and a yellowish line on each side; the spiracles are reddish, and the raised spots, from each of which a single black hair arises, are black. It feeds in August and September on ash, and less frequently, perhaps, on privet. It is stated to eat hazel and alder, also.
The moth flies in June and July, and its occurrence in any locality depends largely upon the presence of ash. Widely distributed throughout England, Wales, and Scotland to Ross-shire. In Ireland it has only been noted from a few localities in Co. Galway.