death's-head ]\roTn. 173 



change in July come out as moths in September and Octoljer; 

 those that change in the autumn do not come out till the 

 following spring. 



The moth is the largest of the British kinds. The spread 

 of the wings is from four to five or even six inches. The fore 

 wings are of a rich brown, varied with yellowish or rusty tints, 

 with black lines or cross-bands much waved and zigzagged ; 

 they have a pale or ochre-coloured spot in the middle, and are 

 sprinkled with small white dots. The hind wings have the 

 margin slightly scooped out, and are bright orange, with two 

 brown or black bands, the outermost being broadest. The 

 head is black; the back has markings, in its thick black 

 velvety down, of pale ochre and orange colour, exactly like a 

 painting of a skull or death's head, whence the name of the 

 moth. The abdomen is yellowy with six black bands across ; 

 and a line or row of spots down the centre, and the tip of the 

 tail, are of a bluish grey colour. 



Where the eggs are laid does not appear to be noted. 



When the moth is alarmed it makes a sharp squeaking 

 plaintive cry, not unlike the squeak of a mouse. It is said to 

 enter Bee-hives and rob the Bees of their honey, whence the 

 name sometimes given of Bee Tiger-Moth. 



Prevention and Eemedies. — The caterpillar usually hides 

 by day, and comes out in the evening or at night to feed. If 

 it should occur in sufhcient numbers to cause serious damage, 

 it w'ould be well for the owner of the Potatoes, ov some one 

 interested in the matter, to go through the field carefully at 

 diiferent times and ascertain when these great grubs are 

 feeding. From their large size they are distinguishable in 

 the twilight of the evening, or in a clear moonlight, so that, 

 when it has been made out at what time they are to be found, 

 they might be easily got rid of by hand-picking. 



