142 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



growth ; but some, especially those which live on fir trees, spin 

 a cocoon. The moths have simple antennae, a rudimentary trunk, 

 obtuse palpi, and tolerably large wings. The largest moths of 

 this group belong to the genus Halias, and their trunks are not 

 so rudimentary as is usual ; moreover, they may be distinguished 

 by the bright green colour of their wings. 



The Halias of the oak, Halias qncrcana^ is the largest of 

 the genus. The caterpillar is of a grey-green colour, and rolls 

 up the leaves of the oak, and undergoes its metamorphosis in 

 a cocoon, which it spins in the shape of a little boat turned 

 upside down. The moth has two white bands upon its pretty 

 bright green wings. Another kind, which is much smaller, is 

 called the Green Tortrix. It does frightful mischief to oak trees, 

 stripping them almost entirely of their leaves during the month 

 of June. It rolls up the leaves in the shape of regular tubes, 

 and undergoes its metamorphosis inside. 



The moths are drawn in the engraving one flying and the 

 other at rest. The caterpillars are shown in different conditions, 

 and the rolled-up leaf contains the pupa. 



Most of our vegetables are attacked by some caterpillars of 

 this group, and the rose trees often suffer very much from 

 them. One kind is very rare in England, but, unfortunately, 

 is often so common in France that it produces great distress 

 amongst those people that depend upon the cultivation of 

 vineyards for their incomes. It is called CEnectra pilla-iana. 

 In England Mr. Stainton finds the larva in the seeds of the 

 stinking iris, near 'Ventnor, but it is rare ; in France, however, 

 it attacks vine leaves, and does infinite mischief. The moth, 

 which is not very large, has yellowish wings, which are darker 

 behind. Its palpi are three times as long as the head, and 

 this is a remarkable peculiarity. The moths fly in the month 

 of July, and soon lay their eggs on the top of the vine leaves, 

 in little flat packets, which are very readily seen. During the 

 month of August the little caterpillars are hatched, but they 

 do not begin to eat, although the temperature is high, and 

 there is abundance of food ; on the contrary, each one hangs 

 itself by a silken thread, waiting to be moved to and fro by 

 the breeze, until it touches the wooden prop of the vine, or the 



