LEPIDOPTERA. 



193 



We will take the genus Sesia as the representative of the Sesiidce. 

 These singular insects have membranous wings, and resemble various 



Fig. 174. — Sesia apiformis. 



Fig. 175. — Six-spot Burnet Moth 

 (ZygcBua JilipendulcE) . 



species of Hymenoptera. The largest species is the Sesia apiformis 

 (Fig. 174), that is, bee-like, which is found in this country, resting on 

 the trunks of willows and poplar-trees, from the end of May till the 

 middle of July. It resembles a hornet, and is of the 

 same size and has the same colours ; only they are not 

 quite so bright. When this moth is just hatched its 

 wings are ferruginous ; but its scales, light and ca- 

 ducous, fall as soon as the insect begins to fly. The 

 caterpillar, which lives in the trunks or roots of willows 

 and poplar-trees, is of a yellowish colour. The pupa 

 is long, of a brownish colour, enclosed in a cocoon 

 composed of agglutinated saw-dust, the product of the 

 caterpillar's erosions. 



In the middle of summer the meadows are fre- 

 quented by moths, with brilliant black and velvety 

 wings, marked with red, which fly heavily, and only 

 for a short time together. They remain motionless 

 during the great heat of the day. These are the 

 :-' • ZygcejicE, or Burnets, of the family of the ZygcBiiidce. 

 .^ ' The Ram Sphinx of Geoffroy, or the Six-spot Burnet 

 "■ 'Moth {ZygcBua filipeiididcE^ Fig. 175), is common from 

 ■f the end of June till the beginning of August. Its legs, 

 t* ' antennae, head, and body are black and rather hairy ; its upper wings 

 '' are of a brilliant bluish green, with six spots of a beautiful red on 

 f> !■ each, bordered by a little green. The caterpillar is yellow, spotted 

 *' ' with black ; its cocoon is boat-shaped, with longitudinal furrows, and 

 is straw colour (Fig. 176). 



Fig. 176. — Cocoon 



of the Zygaena 



filipendulae. 



