274 



COMMON BBITISH MOTHS 



Family — Geometrid.e 



The nest family contains eight moths, mostly of small size, all 

 of which have green wings, and are popularly known as the 

 ' Emeralds.' In most cases the male may be distinguished by its 

 pectinated antennie. 



There is no general characteristic by which we may know all 

 the larvfe, but some have the head deeply notched. 



Tlie Large Emerald {Geometra papilionaria) 

 This species is the largest of the family, and measures over two 

 inches wlien its wings are expanded. The colour is dull green, 



with whitish bands 

 and spots, the arrange- 

 ment of which may 

 be seen in our en- 

 graving. 



The moth is out 

 in July, and is com- 

 mon in most parts 

 of England. 



The caterpillar 

 feeds on birch (Betula alba), beech {Fagus sylvatica) and hazel 

 {Corylus aveUana) in the autumn, and hybernates while still 

 voung. In the spring it feeds again, and is full grown in June, 

 when it changes to a chrysalis in a cocoon spun between leaves. 



The Common Emerald {Hemithea strigata) 



One of the commonest of the Emeralds is Strigata, which may 



be found in June and July in all parts of England, as well as in 



some localities in Scotland and Ireland. 



Its wings are of a dull green colour, the 



front pair being slightly scalloped on the 



hind margin, and crossed by indistinct 



pale lines ; and the hind pair are both 



scalloped and angled and crossed in the 



middle by a transverse pale line. The 



fringe is white, dotted with dull reddish 



bi'own. 



The caterpillar is yellowish green, except the second, third, and 



fourth segments which are brownish. It feeds on oak (QuercusRohur) 



and whitethorn {Cratcegus ox gacantha), and may he found in June. 



Fic;. 181. — The Large Emerald. 



Fig. 182.- The Common 

 Emerald. 



