Butterflies and Moths

Lepidoptera Diurnea Fagella Moth This moth represents the small family Epigraphiida, containing only six species, all of which appear in the winter or early spring. Fig. 234.-Fagella. The present species is very common in most parts, and may be seen at rest on the barks of trees in March and April. The fore wings are […]

Lepidoptera The Grayling Butterfly – Satyrus Semele The Grayling is the largest of our ‘Browns,’ and, although a powerful flier, it seldom takes long flights. The female, which is shown in fig. 7, Plate V, is really a beautiful creature, the light markings of which stand out in bold contrast with the deep brown ground […]

Lepidoptera The Lesser Yellow Underwing Moth – Triphana Comes Fig. 160.-The Lesser Yellow Underwing. This insect is very similar to the last, but is larger. The fore wings are also of a greyish or ochreous brown, and the black margin of the hind wings is proportionately narrower. It is more abundant than Ianthina; in fact […]

Lepidoptera Family Plusiida Moths The most peculiar feature of the moths of this family is the tufts of hair that stand up perpendicularly on the top of the thorax. The abdomen also is crested, and the fore wings of several species have smooth patches that display a brilliant metallic lustre. Most of the larva may […]

Lepidoptera The Leopard Moth – Zeuzera Pyrina Fig. 120.-The Leopard Moth. Fig. 121.-The Larva of Pyrina Moth (only partly grown). The wings of this species are white and semi-transparent, and marked with numerous bluish-black spots in such a way as to remind one of the skin of the leopard. Its body is very long, and […]

Lepidoptera The Poplar Hawk Moth – Smerinthus Populi Fig. 101.-The Poplar Hawk. This moth is very common and very widely distributed, and may be easily found in any of its stages. The perfect insect flies during May, June, and July; and being rather heavy on the wing, it is easily taken with a net as […]

Lepidoptera The Greasy Fritillary Butterfly – Melitaa Aurinia Unlike the other Fritillaries, this species (Plate III, fig. 3) exhibits a variety of shades on the upper surface. A broad band of sienna brown stretches across each wing, near to and parallel with the hind margin. The other parts of the wings are marked with patches […]

Lepidoptera The Humming-bird Hawk Moth – Macroglossa Stellatarum The genus to which this insect belongs contains three interesting British species. Their antenna are thickened toward the end, but terminate in a small curved bristle. Their wings are rather short and broad; their bodies are very thick, terminating in a broad tuft of hair; and the […]

Lepidoptera The Brown Tail Moth – Porthesia Chrysorrhœa Fig. 122.-The Brown Tail. The family contains two moths-the Brown Tail and the Yellow Tail-that are very similar in appearance and habits. Both have white wings, and their bodies also are white with the exception of the tuft of coloured hair at the tip of the abdomen, […]

Lepidoptera The Wood Tiger Moth – Nemeophila Plantaginis The Cheloniida are popularly known as the Tigers-a title suggested by the tiger-like colouring of some of the prominent species. They differ from the Scarlet Tiger and the other members of the Eucheliida in that the males have ciliated or fringed antenna. The larva, too, are more […]