ro8 LEPIDOPTERA. 



For this purpose the strong rows of spines or points on the 

 abdomen are useful in enabling the pupa to exert sufficient 

 pressure. 



The moth emerges from the pupa in the early morning 

 sunshine, and sits upon the trunks of the poplars, bearing, 

 from its colour, transparent wings, shape and appearance, an 

 extraordinary resemblance to a hornet ; and, strange to say, 

 it also has a trick of raising its abdomen in a distinctly 

 threatening manner when approached, as though ready to 

 sting on the smallest provocation. It is hardly necessary to 

 say that this habit is merely part of the protective mimicry 

 natural to the species. It is perfectly harmless, and rather 

 sluggish, when disturbed dropping or jumping off the tree to 

 the ground, and shuffling away among grass or dead leaves. 

 The male flies at midday about the trees, and the female 

 either later in the afternoon or in the early morning. 



Very common in Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, 

 Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Northamptonshire ; less so in 

 North Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Buckinghamshire, Here- 

 fordshire, and Shropshire ; scarce in Kent, Sussex, Devon, 

 Gloucestershire, and near Scarborough in Yorkshire. In 

 Scotland it is only recorded near Glasgow and in the Tweed 

 and Sol way districts. In Ireland it was stated by Mr. E. 

 Birchall to occur near Cork and Waterford, and specimens 

 have, more recently, been reared from larvse found in young 

 poplars near the latter city. Abroad it is widely distributed 

 in Europe and North-western Asia. 



Family 3. ZYG.ffiNID^. 



Antennas stout and solid in the middle, tapering to the 

 base and very often to the apex, which then is usually grace- 

 fully curved. Fore wings long and narrow, rounded at the 

 apex and anal angle, usually of rich and lustrous colours. 

 Hind wings rather narrow, short and rounded. 



