4 1 2 European Butterflies and Mot us. 



as the larva of M. Cribruiii lives in the stems of thistles, where it hybcrnates, it is singular 

 that it is a less abundant insect than might be expected. 



The GallcridiB resemble the Phycida: in appearance, but are rather stouter. Two species 

 are parasitic in bee-hives, and are very destructive, devouring the wax, and eating through the 

 combs. There are but seven European species, five of which are British, but only one is generally 

 common — viz., *ApIioiiiia Colonc/ia, Linn., the larva of which lives in the nests of wasps and 

 humble-bees. The moth has reddish-white or grey fore-wings, with the costa greenish ; and 

 two dark zigzag transverse lines ; near the middle of the wing are one or two dark spots ; 

 the hind-wings are grey. It expands about i\ inches. *Galleria Mellonella, Linn., is the 

 largest species of the family; it is figured on our PI. 6i, Fig. 13. This species, as well as 

 *Achrcea Grisdla, Hiibn., a much smaller grey moth, infests bee-hives, where the larvae often 

 commit great ravages. The species of the genus Melissohlaptcs, Hiibn., are probably not 

 parasitic, for the only species of which the larva is known {M. CepJialonica, Staint.) was bred 

 from dried currants. 



TORTRICES. 



The moths classed under this heading are of small size, rarely expanding less than half an 

 inch or more than i inch. The fore-wings are moderately broad, and the hind margin is 

 generally nearly straight ; the hind-wings are rounded, not much broader than the fore-wings ; 

 and the antennae are always simple. The larva; live in roUed-up leaves, from which they rush 

 out when alarmed, and drop themselves down by a thread. Others live in the stems or roots 

 of plants, or in the heads of composite plants, in seed-capsules, in fruits, or in galls. Many 

 of the species are constant and sharply defined in their markings, but in other cases the 

 markings are somewhat ill-defined, and so variable that it is difficult to find two specimens 

 alike. The classification of the Tortriccs is very unsatisfactory, for the attempts of some 

 writers to subdivide the group have not met with general acceptance, and the composition of 

 some of the larger genera is still very unsettled. 



We have figured eight species to illustrate the Tortriccs. *Aiifilhcsia Priuiiana, Hubn_ 

 (PI. 62, Fig. 3), is a very common but very pretty species, the greenish larva of which lives 

 between the leaves of cherry, sloe, plum, &c., in spring ; the moth appears in summer. 

 *Penthina Salicclla, Linn. (PI. 62, Fig. i), is another common species, though less abundant than 

 the last. Its larva is dark brown, with a black head, and lives between the leaves of the 

 willow. The most typical species of this group is the Green Oak-Moth (* Tortrix Viridana, 

 Linn.), which may often be dislodged in a perfect shower by shaking the branch of an oak- 

 tree in summer (PI. 61, Fig. 18, «, i^j. The green larva feeds on oak and other trees in spring, 

 dropping down by a thread if disturbed. *Lozotii;nia Sorbiana, Hiibn. (PI. 61, Fig. 17), is another 

 common species, which proceeds from a dark grey or bluish-grey larva, which feeds between 

 united leaves, and is not particular about its food, but lives on a variety of forest-trees. *Teras 

 Caudaita, Fabr. (PI. 61, P"ig. 16), is a very variable insect, but may be recognised at once by the 

 peculiar shape of the costa, which has given it the name of the Notch-Wing. The moth 

 appears in autumn, and its green larva lives on poplar and willow. * Rctitiia Rcsinclla, Linn. 

 (Plate 62, Fig. 2, a, b), is widely distributed on the Continent, but is a Scotch insect in Britain. 

 It differs considerably in its habits from any of the foregoing species. The moth appears in 

 May or June, and the female lays her eggs on the new shoots of the fir, when about as long 



