218 



COMMON BRITISH MOTHS 



Fig. 109.— Thk 

 Short-cloaked 

 Moth. 



Avellana), beech {Fngtis si/lvatica), and alder {Alnus glutinosa), 

 from which trees it may be beaten in July and August. 



Familj' — Nolid^ 

 The Short-cloal-ed Moth {Nola cucitllatella) 



We select this common moth as a representative of tlie small 

 family Nolidcr, which coiitains only five British species. These are 

 all small insects. They are nocturnal in their habits, and may be 

 found at rest on tlie trunks of trees during the daytime. The cater- 

 pillars are hairy, and undergo their metamor- 

 phoses within silken cocoons. 



The fore wings of CuciiJlatella are pearly 

 grey, with a dark patch at the base, a tri- 

 angular spot on the middle of the costal mar- 

 gin, and wavy lines beyond tliis, parallel with 

 the hind margin. Tlae liind wings are grey, 

 and devoid of any markings. 

 The caterpillar is of a brownish colour, with a line of lighter 

 patches down the back, and it is covered witli little tufts of hair. 

 It feeds on the blackthorn {Primus spinnsa), whitethorn {Cratce- 

 gus oxijacantha), and also on plum trees in our gardens during the 

 month of May. The moth is on the wing during June and July. 



Family— Lithosiid.e 

 Tlic MiiftJiii Moth {Niidaria mundanci) 



The family LitJiosiidce contains several small motlis, distin- 

 guished from the otlier Bomhrjces by the narrowness of tlieir fore 

 wings. When the insects are at rest, all the wings are wrapped 

 closely round the body. They fly at dusk on 

 summer evenings, but may be obtained during 

 the daytime by beating the boughs of trees. If 

 an open net be held under the boughs during 

 this operation, the moths will generally feign 

 death and allow themselves to fall into it when 

 they are disturbed. 



Most of the larvfp of this family- feed on the 

 lichens that cover walls and the bark of trees, and they conceal 

 themselves s*^ artfully among this peculiar vegetation that it is no 

 easy matter to search them out ; probably many still remain un- 

 known to entomologists. 



Fig. 110.~The 

 Muslin Moth. 



