294 



THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



The caterpillar (figured on Plate 125, Fig. i, from a coloured 

 drawing by Mr. A. Sich) has various shades of reddish brown 

 on the back, and yellowish on the sides and beneath ; the line 

 above the red-marked white spiracles is black, and this has 

 an interrupted edging of white. Fig. la shows a pale form. 

 It feeds on the foliage of birch, oak, and other forest trees, also 

 on fruit trees, rose, honeysuckle, etc. It often occurs in great 

 abundance, and is largely responsible for the leafless condition 

 of the trees, sometimes noticed in May. 



The moth appears from October to December, and 

 occasionally in January, February, or March. 



Generally abundant throughout England and Wales ; widely 

 distributed, and often common in Ireland ; not uncommon in 

 the south of Scotland, but becoming less frequent northwards to 

 Perthshire and Aberdeen. 



crvi 



i**^ 



hc^ 





March Moth {^Aiiisopteryx cesailarid). 



,a<j*- Examples of each sex are shown on Plate 122, Figs. 7 and 8 5 j 





Fig. 12. 

 March Motli, male. 



Fig. 14. 



March Moth, 

 female x2. 



(Photos by H. Main.) 



Fig. 13. 

 March Moth, fem.ale. 



6 $ . The male varies in the general colour from pale to dark 



