138 LEPIDOPTERA. 



Larva rugose, warty, miicli compressed at the sides ; head 

 slightly bifid in front, smaller than the second segment, grey- 

 brown ; colour purplish-brown, marbled or mottled with 

 ferruginous, particularly on the second and third segments, 

 and at the bases of the usual spots, which are raised into 

 tubercles, each emitting a short black bristle, those tubercles 

 which are on the backs of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and eleventh 

 segments being the most prominent ; spiracles white, with 

 blackish margins, and placed in an orange spot ; undersurface 

 between the prolegs paler. (C. Fenn.) One of the larvas 

 figured by Mr. Buckler has white blotches on the sides of the 

 sixth and seventh segments, and the Rev. J. Hellins points 

 out that frequently ochreous streaks in these segments form 

 a V upon the back. 



March till May or the beginning of June, on oak, birch, 

 hornbeam, hawthorn, blackthorn, plum, pear, apple, rose, 

 sallow, aspen, lime, elm, and wych-elm ; feeding at night ; 

 remaining during the day on the twigs of the tree, which it 

 closely resembles ; very common, very much more so than 

 in the perfect state. The young larva feeds on unopened 

 leaf buds. 



Pupa red-brown, with a forked spike on the cremaster. 

 (Dr. Hofmann). Not more fully described. In the earth, 

 usually at the roots of trees. There is said to be consider- 

 able mortality at this stage — which extends into the early 

 winter. 



The male moth sits during the day on tree-trunks, the 

 stems of bushes, palings, or any convenient object, with the 

 fore wings deflected and much flattened, covering the hind 

 wings and meeting over the body. It is at this time quite 

 sluggish, and may be taken into the hand, cannot be induced 

 to fly, but clings closely to its place, and, if pushed off, falls 

 quite inertly to the ground. At dusk it flies, and is said to 

 be very brisk on moonlight nights, flying about bushes ; on 

 dark nights it comes freely to light, and may constantly be 



