i84 LEPIDOPTERA. 



increases in size. Its colour when well-grown is precisely 

 that of the fir-needles, and from its pattern of narrow green 

 and white stripes its resemblance to a tuft of these leaves 

 is extraordinary. Even its red head and spiracular stripes 

 resemble the red twig. 



May to the beginning of July on Finns sylvcslris and 

 F. Austriaca. 



Pupa of ordinary Nodua form, smooth and even, but not 

 very glossy, red -brown ; eye-covers a little prominent, smooth 

 and shining; wing- and limb-covers abundantly sculptured 

 with excessively minute incised lines which are beautifully 

 waved and form inextricable patterns ; dorsal and abdominal 

 segments broadly dotted with minute pitting, not set very 

 closely together, so that the segments are more glossy; in the 

 middle of the back is a curious raised knob or flattened wart 

 of a black colour. This very unusual structure is said by 

 Kollar to be characteristic of the male pupa only. Cremaster 

 black, large and prominent, but hollowed beneath ; upon it 

 are two strong, straight, black spikes. 



In a slight silken cocoon, under the upper layers of fallen 

 pine-needles, with which the ground under these trees is 

 generally covered. Not usually close tc the tree-trunks, but 

 readily found by carefully turning over the flakes of needles. 

 Sometimes under moss. 



The moth sits in the daytime upon the trunk or branches 

 of the fir trees, often at a considerable height from the 

 ground ; indeed, it is probable that only those which have 

 recently emerged from the pupa are found on the lower 

 portion of the trunk. Its colour harmonises in a wonderful 

 manner with that of the branches and twigs, so much so, 

 that it is even protected when near the ground by its 

 resemblance to fallen bits of young shoots or scale-masses. 

 This protective colouring in the moth, following that of a 

 totally different character in the larvae, is very wonderful. 

 At dusk it flies about the fir trees and visits the catkins of 



