XX EuROPEAX Butterflies axd Moths. 



The union of the sexes varies in duration, according to the species. Sometimes it lasts several 

 seconds, and sometimes several hours. The female generally begins to lay her eggs soon after 

 pairing ; but some Xoctitcc, and, probably, also some butterflies and SpliiiigidcE, which appear 

 in autumn, do not begin to lay till after hybernation. In many species the male dies soon 

 after pairing, and the female soon after she has laid her eggs. Eggs laid by unfertilised 

 females are generally sterile ; we have already noticed the exceptions to this rule (p. xi.), 

 but may here add that in Soknobia, a genus of Tincina, the wingless females of which live 

 in cases, the unfertilised eggs produce larvae which produce only females, and the males only 

 appear as the result of fertilised eggs, and are frequently of very rare occurrence, whereas the 

 unfertilised females are abundant. This phase of Parthenogenesis is found occasionally among 

 other insects, and is best known among the Aphides, or Plant-lice. 



Habits. — Many Lcpidoptera fly by day as long as the sun continues high. They do 

 not appear much before the dew is dried off the grass, and generally go to rest at or before 

 sunset. Among these are all the butterflies, ScsiidcE. ZygcenidiC, and Psycltida, many Boinbyccs, 

 a few Sphinges and Noctiicc, and many Alicro-Lcpidoptcra. They fly about in the sunshine with 

 more or less activity, visiting flowers, or fulfilling the various functions of their lives ; but in 

 dull and rainy weather they fly very little, hiding themselves in sheltered situations. The 

 Micro-Lcpidoptcra are most active towards evening, extending their gambols into the twilight. 

 Many Sphinges and Noctitcz appear at twilight, buzzing round flowers, but disappear again 

 when it begins to grow darker. The greater part of the Bombyees, Noctiia, and Gcometrce do 

 not appear till twilight has given place to darkness. They fly till morning twilight, when they 

 seek their hiding-places, and the twilight-loving species re-appear for a short time. Many 

 nocturnal species may be seen in the daytime, when disturbed from their resting-places, but 

 they only fly hastily and irregularly, and look for a fresh hiding-place as soon as they can. 

 This is especially the case with GcometrcB, which are more easily disturbed by day than most 

 other moths, as they do not seek such retired hiding-places and are more easily alarmed ; but 

 the sleep of many Bombyees and Noctuez is so profound that they may often be transfixed with 

 a pin without being roused. 



The duration of life of Lepidoptera varies. We have already said that many species die 

 immediately after pairing or laying. Many males, as, for instance, among the Psychidce, only 

 live a few hours, even when they have had no opportunity of pairing. Most species live a few 

 days or a few weeks ; and, in general, the longer they live, the longer is pairing deferred ; and 

 they seldom live very long afterwards. Other species, among which are many small and delicate 

 insects, live a long time, emerging from the pupa in summer or autumn, and awakening to new 

 life in the spring, after having lived through the winter. This is the case with many species of 

 Vanessa among the butterflies, which often retire to their winter quarters quite early in autumn, as 

 well as with thD genera Orthosia, Xylina, Ca/ocanipa, &c., among the Noetua, and also many 

 Tineina, especially those of the genus Depressaria, which generally appear in July and August, 

 and live till April or May. Most of these hybernating Lepidoptera do not lay their eggs till 

 spring, and perhaps do not pair till then. 



Broods. — Most Lepidoptera appear only once a year. Those that have passed the winter in 

 the pupa state generally appear from March to May ; those that have hybernated as larvae, 

 from June to August; and those which only quitted the egg in spring, in autumn. Many 

 species, however, complete the \\hole cycle of their lives twice in the year, or are double- 

 brooded. For instance, the pupa hybernates, the perfect insect appears in May, the larva in 

 June, the perfect insect again in August, and the larva again in September and October; those 



