190 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



band, on which, near the base, stands the black reniform stigma 

 on a bluish patch. The second transverse line and the sub- 

 marginal line enclose a band which is varied with ferruginous, 

 and usually with white on the costa and inner margin. Beyond 

 the sub-marginal line the wings are greyish-brown as far as the 

 striped brown and white fringes. Occasionally the whole of 

 the wings are dusted with brown, and the markings and paler 

 areas are thus rendered indistinct. 



The hind-wings are orange, or deep pomegranate-yellow. 

 From the base a large, nearly triangular black spot extends 

 more than half across the wings towards the inner margin, and 

 to the outer angle of this spot is attached a smaller one. In 

 front of the hind margin is a narrow dentated black band, 

 whilst in the orange area there is often a round whitish spot. 

 The fringes are chequered with grey and white. 



The above description applies to the male. In the female 

 the fore-wings are usually more varied with white, and have 

 lighter markings, and the yellow or orange of the hind-wings 

 is less intense. The black marginal band of the latter is often 

 broken up into lines and spots, and there is a second costal 

 spot at the apex of the black triangle. Finally the shorter and 

 more cylindrical abdomen, and the difference in the antenniie, 

 will serve at once to distinguish the sexes. 



The larva feeds on birch, oak, and beech. It is smooth, and 

 pale green, with yellow longitudinal lines on the back, and a 

 broader yellow stripe on the sides. The head is rather large, 

 and dark green. The first pair of pro-legs are small, and 

 consequently the larva loops a little in walking. 



Before its metamorphosis the larva changes its colour, the 

 green becomes paler, and the yellow lines turn to white. It 

 then bores its way into the bark, and covers the opening 

 with a web, or forms a very firm cocoon with leaves, moss, 

 or splinters of wood. The pupa is reddish-brown, and 



