114 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



The caterpillar liatches out in April, and when nearly full grown 

 is ochreous, but so thickly dotted and freckled with black as to 

 appear of a dark brown coloration ; the back is clothed with 

 dark short hairs, and the sides with long paler hairs ; on the 

 back of the first ring is a reddish brown mark divided by a 

 white line ; a double row of whitish dots along the back, most 

 distinct on rings two and three, where they are placed on a velvety 

 black bar ; on each side of the white dots is a reddish brown 

 interrupted line. Head ochreous brown, thickly dotted with 

 black and clothed with pale hairs. Underparts ochreous, 

 spotted and lined with blackish. Feeds on the foliage of most 

 trees, and is said to eat lettuce. April to June. 



Chrysalis glossy red brown, in a cocoon spun up among 

 dead leaves, etc., under loose bark, or on the ground. 



The moth does not emerge until October, and in that month, 

 but more frequently in November and December, the males 

 may be seen around gas lamps quite late at night. 



Although found chiefly in woods it is not essentially a wood- 

 land species, as it occurs in districts where there are no woods 

 but plenty of trees growing in parks, fields, or even hedgerows. 

 It is fairly common generally throughout England and Wales, 

 but becoming rather more local northwards to Cumberland. It 

 occurs through Scotland to Argyleshire, but is nowhere common. 

 In Ireland it is widely distributed, and not uncommon near 

 Dublin, and at Favour Royal, Tyrone. Abroad it ranges 

 through Northern and Central Europe. 



The Small Eggar {Eriogasfcr lanestris). 



Also a brownish insect with somewhat thinly-scaled wings. 

 The fore wings are light reddish brown with a whitish patch at 

 the base, a white spot about the centre, and a whitish transverse 

 line beyond ; the hind wings are smoky brown and have a pale 

 central band. The female, which is larger than the male, has a 



