Moths

Lepidoptera The Drinker Moth – Odonestis Potatoria The popular name of this species is applied on account of a peculiar feature of the larva, which sucks up the dewdrop that lies on its food plant. Fig. 128.-The Drinker-Male. The colour of the male is tawny and brown, with a reddish tinge; that of the female […]

Lepidoptera Family Amphidasyda Moths The seven British species of the family Amphidasyda are generally to be distinguished by their rather stout abdomens, and the long shaggy hair that covers their thoraces. The antenna of the males are pectinated, and those of the females simple; and in three cases the latter sex is wingless. The caterpillars […]

Lepidoptera The Treble Bar Moth – Anaitis Plagiata Our last example of the Geometra is the Treble Bar, a very pretty moth, which is illustrated in fig. 9 of Plate XII. It may be readily identified by the aid of this coloured picture, and therefore need not be described in words. It is pretty generally […]

Lepidoptera Family Zyganida Moths The remaining family of the Sphinges-the Zyganida-includes seven British species, three of which are known popularly as the Foresters and the others as the Burnets. Their antenna are thickest beyond the middle, but do not terminate in a hook. Their wings are narrow and completely covered with scales. These moths are […]

Lepidoptera Family Caradrinida Moths 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 Noctua are generally well marked. The larva have short stiff bristles, and feed on low plants; they undergo […]

Lepidoptera The Lappet Moth – Lasiocampa Quercifolia Our last example of the Bombycida is the Lappet (Plate X, fig. 6), a large moth, the female often measuring considerably over three inches from tip to tip. The wings are of a rich reddish brown, and exhibit a beautiful purplish bloom in a newly emerged insect. Scalloped […]

Lepidoptera The Brindled Beauty Moth – Biston Hirtaria Early in April, and sometimes in March, this moth may be seen in abundance, resting on the lime trees in and around our towns. In fact, so strongly marked is its partiality to the haunts of man in the neighbourhood of our great metropolis that it has […]

Lepidoptera The Grey Dagger Moth – Acronycta Psi Fig. 139.-The Grey Dagger. This is the commonest of all the Bombycoida. It may be found at rest on tree trunks and palings during the daytime throughout the summer. Its fore wings are pale grey, with four conspicuous black marks, one of which-that in the anal angle-resembles […]

Lepidoptera The Silver Y Moth – Plusia Gamma Fig. 175.-The Silver Y Moth. Our second example of this family is the Silver Y, which may be found in abundance everywhere from June to October. Its fore wings are of a shiny grey colour, beautifully marbled with a rich dark brown; and just below the orbicular […]

Lepidoptera Family Hepialida Moths The five species which compose this family are known as the Swifts, a title which they have earned by their rather rapid flight. Their wings are narrow, and the antenna very short. In the larval state they are long, naked and unsightly grubs, that live under the surface of the ground […]