THE MOTHS 

 OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



PART I. 

 INTRODUCTORY. 



As mentioned in "Butterflies of the Biitish Isles," there is, 

 speaking generally, no clear line of division between mollis and 

 butterflies, and, as Dr. Sharp, in " Insects," puts the case, 

 '' the only definition that can be given of Heterocera [moths] is 

 the practical one that all Lepidoptera that are not butterflies are 

 Heterocera." Now, it happens that all the butterflies occurring 

 in these islands have the tips of the horns {antenna:) clubbed ; 

 and, although there is much variety in the structure of the horns 

 of our moths, none of them have the tips knobbed. 



Like the butterflies, moths pass through the stages of egg^ 

 caterpillar, and chrysalis before they attain the perfect state 

 (Jniai^o), and the duration of the several stages is just as variable. 

 The majority assume the moth condition but once in the year, 

 but some species have two, or even three, generations in the 

 twelve months, whilst others occupy twenty-four months in 

 completing the life cycle. In one or two species the chrysalis 

 stage may last four, five, or even six years. 



Diversity of form and structure is considerable in the early 

 stages as well as in the perfect insects, and this is shown in the 



B 



