SPILOSOMA. 



131 



The White Ermine Moth is common throughout Europp 

 and Northern and AVestern Asia. It expands from i>^ to i^ 

 inch. The fore-wings are whitish, with more or less of a yellow 

 tinge, and numerous small black spots. The hind-wings are 



whiter, with a black spot in the centre, and two or three other 

 black spots nearer the hind margin. The antenuce are black ; 

 the head and thorax white; and the abdomen is yellow, with 

 three rows of black dots. In the variety, S. walkeri, the spots 

 run together into bands. 



The larva is brown, with long hairs, and an orange dorsal 

 stripe. The spiracles are white. 



It feeds on many kinds of low plants. 



It spins a slight cocoon, and changes into a dark brown 

 pupa, remaining in this state during the winter. 



Water Ermine ^Spilosoma urlica). 

 The other British species of this genus, the Water Ermine, 



