The fore wings range in ground colour from very pale ochreous (typical) or pale greyish (var. pallida, Tutt), through reddish shades to a dingy brown. The black or brownish twin spots on the middle of the submarginal line are sometimes accompanied by others above and below them (var. geminatus). In var. immaculata, Staud., the "twin spots," and also the others, are absent. (Plate [158], Figs. 11, 12.)
The caterpillar (Plate [159], Fig. 1) is pale brown minutely freckled with darker; a whitish line along the centre of the back finely edged with black; a broad velvety black stripe along the sides, edged with whitish; head reddish brown, freckled with darker. It feeds from April to June on elm, oak, sallow, plum, etc. The moth is out in March and April, but a specimen has been taken at "ivy bloom" in the autumn. Plum blossoms, as well as the sallow catkins, are an attraction to this moth, and it will also visit the sugar patch. The species probably occurs in most woodland districts throughout the greater part of England and Wales. It seems to be found in South Scotland, but is local and infrequent; in Ireland it is widely spread in the north, but uncommon in the south.
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| Pl. 158. |
| 1, 2. | Common Quaker Moth. | 3-7. | Powdered Quaker. |
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| 8. | Blossom Underwing. | 9, 10. | Small Quaker. |
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| 11, 12. Twin-spotted Quaker. |
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| Pl. 159. |
| 1. | Twin-spotted Quaker: caterpillar. |
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| 2. | Small Quaker: caterpillar. |
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| 3, 3a. | Red Chestnut: caterpillar and chrysalis. |
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The Northern Drab (Tæniocampa opima).
The dark form (var. brunnea, Tutt) (Plate [157], Fig. 10 ♂) has the outlines of the orbicular and reniform stigmata, and the submarginal line pale and distinct; sometimes the general colour is much blacker than in the specimen shown. In the more typical greyish form (Fig. 9 ♀) the central area is blackish or dark reddish brown. The caterpillar is olive green above, inclining to yellowish beneath; three pale lines on the back, and a yellow stripe along the black-edged white spiracles; head olive green. It feeds from April to June on sallow, willow, birch, rose, etc. The moth flies in March and April.
As suggested by the English name, this moth was supposed to be confined to the northern counties from Cheshire to Cumberland and Northumberland, but it occurs more locally in Herefordshire, Worcestershire (Wyre Forest), Somerset, Gloucester, and Wales; also in Essex, Surrey, and Sussex. Renton records it from Roxburghshire in Scotland, and Kane states that it is local in Ireland.