The fore wings of this species are pale ochreous grey, with light brown markings; and there is a short dark streak in the middle of the base, from which feature the specific name (_Basilinea_) is derived. The hind wings are of a similar colour, but shading into a dark smoke colour at the hind margin. [Illustration: FIG. 152.--THE RUSTIC SHOULDER KNOT.] The caterpillars feed at first on the grains of wheat, on the ears of which the moth deposits the eggs in June. At harvest time they remain hidden among the husks, and are often threshed out in large numbers by the blows of the flail. The cold weather soon overtakes them, and they then spin a cocoon in which to pass the winter. On the approach of spring they come out again, and feed by night on various low plants, hiding themselves among the roots by day. In March they are full grown, and change to brown chrysalides beneath the surface of the ground. The moth flies in June, and is one of the commonest and most destructive of our _Noctuae_. _The Marbled Minor_ (_Miana strigilis_) The next three genera (_Miana_, _Phothedes_, and _Celaena_) include seven small moths known as the 'Minors.' The commonest of them is the Marbled Minor, which is to be found in abundance everywhere during June and July. [Illustration: FIG. 153.--THE MARBLED MINOR.] This species is very variable, but the fore wings are usually dark brown, marbled with a lighter colour--white or grey. There is generally an irregular white or pale grey band crossing the wings parallel with the hind margin, and two white marks on the inner margin, halfway between this band and the base. There is also a deep black blotch across the middle of the wing. The caterpillar is greyish or greenish with paler lines and black spiracles. It feeds on grasses in March and April, and changes to a chrysalis under the ground in May. Family--CARADRINIDAE There are only ten British species in this family, two of which are rare; and most of the others are particularly dingy. The transverse lines so often seen on the fore wings of Noctuae are generally well marked. The larvae have short stiff bristles, and feed on low plants; they undergo their changes in an earthen cocoon under the ground. _The Mottled Rustic_ (_Caradrina Morpheus_) We select as our type of this family the Mottled Rustic--a common moth that may be procured from June to August. Its fore wings are brownish grey, with darker lines and spots; the hind wings are almost white, but darker at the tip. [Illustration: FIG. 154.--THE MOTTLED RUSTIC.]