Butterflies and Moths

Lepidoptera The Green-veined White Butterfly – P. Napi A non-observant beginner at entomological work may easily mistake this insect for the last species, for the ground colour and markings are very similar, even to the features by which the sexes are distinguished from each other; but an inspection of the under surface will give a […]

Lepidoptera The Bath Or Green-chequered White Butterfly – P. Daplidice There is no doubt that many butterflies migrate from one country to another across the seas; and as the Bath White is very common on the other side of the Channel, and has been taken very sparingly in England almost exclusively in the south-east, it […]

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 Wood White Butterfly – Leucophasia Sinapis The distinguishing feature of this butterfly (see Plate II, fig. 1) is the extreme lightness and delicacy of its build. Its wings are narrow, and rounded at the tips; and the only mark to relieve the white ground of the upper side is a squarish blotch at […]

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 […]

Lepidoptera The Gipsy Moth – Ocneria Dispar Fig. 123.-The Gipsy-Male. The fore wings of the male are smoky brown, with darker markings, including a V-shaped black mark near the centre. The hind wings are brown, darker near the margin. The female is dingy yellowish white, with darker markings arranged as in the male. The male […]

Lepidoptera The Tinea Moth We have noticed that the Tortrices form a very extensive group of moths, but they are far outnumbered by the Tinea, for of these there are over seven hundred known British species. Of course, among so many species we are sure to find considerable variety in form and structure; but notwithstanding […]

Lepidoptera Peronea Cristana Moth Fig. 226.-Cristana-Enlarged. This moth is not so generally abundant, but is very common in many of the woods of the south. It is remarkable for the large number of varieties that have been observed, many of which have been regarded as distinct species. Its fore wings are of some shade of […]

Lepidoptera Facts Structure And Life-history Of The Lepidoptera The word Lepidoptera, which you see at the head of this page, is the name of the order of insects to which this volume is to be devoted. It is formed from two Greek words, one (lepis) signifying a scale, and the other (pteron) denoting a wing; […]