Moths

Lepidoptera Family Apameida Moths This large family contains no less than forty-four British species, many of which are exceedingly common; and of the others only about half a dozen can be regarded as rare. Most of them are of medium size, and with one or two exceptions are dressed in rather dingy garbs; but, although […]

Lepidoptera The Burnished Brass Moth – Plusia Chrysitis Fig. 174.-The Burnished Brass. One of the commonest of the Plusiida is the Burnished Brass, so called on account of the large patches of bright golden green on the fore wings. The hind margin of these wings is very gracefully curved, and bordered with brown. A brown […]

Lepidoptera Family Hadenida Moths Nearly fifty British Noctua are included in the family Hadenida. They are of variable dimensions, and differ much in the brightness of their colours, some being very dingy, and others gaily tinted. Their antenna are rather long; and when at rest the wings slope from the back like the sides of […]

Lepidoptera Tortrix Xylosteana Moth This pretty moth is common in most parts, and may often be met with in abundance in wooded localities during July. It belongs to the family Tortricida. Fig. 224.-Xylosteana with wings closed. Its fore wings are ochreous brown. A very dark oblique streak, edged with yellow, runs from the inner margin […]

Lepidoptera Adela Cuprella Moth Fig. 235.-Cuprella. The family Adelida contains ten species, all remarkable for the great length of their antenna. The one selected for illustration is a beautiful little moth with bright bronzy green fore wings, tinged with a rich glossy violet. The hind wings are brown with a glossy surface. This moth does […]

Lepidoptera Family Dicranurida Moths The five British species that represent this family are such interesting insects that we should like to have given a detailed description of all of them, but our limited space will allow of no more than an outline of the general characteristics of the group and a selection of two for […]

Lepidoptera The Buff Ermine Moth – Spilosoma Lubricipeda The Cheloniida also include three moths that are popularly known as the Ermines, two of which-the Buff and the White-are exceedingly common, and are among the constant visitors to our gardens during June and July. Fig. 114.-The Buff Ermine. The Buff Ermine has all four wings of […]

Lepidoptera The Blood-vein Moth – Timandra Amataria Our last example of the Acidaliida is the Blood-vein, which is common in most parts of England in June and July. Fig. 185.-The Blood-vein. Its fore wings are pale grey, dusted with darker grey, and crossed by an oblique red streak which runs from the tip of the […]

Lepidoptera The Small Magpie Moth – Eurrhypara Urticata Fig. 211.-The Small Magpie. The family Botyda contains the moths that are popularly known as the ‘Pearls’ on account of the pearly lustre of the wings. One of its species-the Small Magpie-is shown in the accompanying illustration. Its fore wings are pearly white, with blackish hind margin, […]

Lepidoptera Tortrix Viridana Moth Fig. 225.-Viridana. In June and July this pretty but destructive little insect may be seen flying in abundance in almost every oak wood. Its fore wings are one uniform pale green with the exception of a streak of yellow along the costal margin; and, when at rest, scores may exist on […]