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FAMILY BOMBYCIDJE. 

 (Silkworm Moths.)* 



As the name suggests, the cocoons of these moths 

 are spun with abundance of silken thread. 



Most children know our commonest type, the 

 emperor gum moth {Antheraea eucalypti). (Plate 

 38.) The colour ranges from a light fawn to 

 salmon pink and brownish fawn, and there is a 

 prominent eye-spot in each wing. The male is 

 smaller than the female, and can be easily dis- 

 tinguished by the beautiful feathered antennae. The 

 female has a thicker body, and the antenna) are 

 *' combed," but not plumed like the male. 



The eggs are laid on or near the plant. Tlie tiny 

 larvae are dark in colour, but as they develop 

 change to a beautiful pale sea-green colour, almost 

 transparent along the back, where the blood may 

 be seen passing along the main blood-vessel, Eacii 

 segment bears a set of tubercles, from which gi-oups 

 of tiny spines project; the terminal segment bears 

 one larger tubercle than the rest. (Plate 38, Fig. 2.) 



Food plant is the eucalyptus, and we have noted 

 in some cases that if the caterpillars have been 

 feeding on a particular species of gum-tree they 

 will starve rather than feed on a different kind 

 which we have supplied. They are frequently 

 found on * * pepper-trees. ' ' On one occasion v/e found 

 one of the larva on a privet bush, and we watched 



