26G 



COMMON BIUTISH MOTHS 



the foreign specimen rather than adopt the two other alternatives — 

 give an exorbitant price for a supposed Britisher, or else remain a 

 stranger to the gem, but all foreign specimens should be labelled 

 according to their nationalities. 



TJw Red Undcrwing {Catocala Nupta) 



The other three members of the family are verj' similar in 

 appearance, the fore whigs of all being marbled with shades of 

 grej', relieved by touches of black and brown ; and the hind wings, 

 red or crimson, give the popular names to the species. 



The Red Underwing flies in August and September, and is 

 common in the southern counties of England, as well as in some 



Fig. 176. — The Eed Underwing. 



of the midland counties ; it may be often seen flying by day 

 around willows. 



The caterpillar is similar in form to that o{ Fraxini, and when 

 at rest by day on the bark of its tree it is very difficult to detect, so 

 closely does it apply itself to the surface, and so perfectly does it 

 imitate the colour of its surroundings. It feeds on the crack willow 

 {Salix fragilis), sallow (S. aJha), poplar (Pojniluf:), and plum 

 {Priouifi), and is full grown in June. 



The Darl- Crimson Underwing (Catocala Sj>07isa) 



This beautiful insect is represented on Plate XI (fig. 6). It w\]\ 

 be observed that the black band crossing the centre of the hind 

 wing is rather broad and sharply bent — an important feature, since 

 it is the most serviceable distinguishing mark between this species 

 and the Light Crimson Underwing {C. Promissa). 



