29 SOME EXPERIENCES IN MOTH HUNTING. 
perfect state, are rarely found in any other, eg. there is a light 
grey moth, which is seen on June evenings hovering over pinks, 
darting away rapidly if disturbed; it belongs to the family called 
“Sharks.” I have never found the caterpillar, though it must be 
common. Especially sois the case with most Butterflies: the “ Red 
Admiral” T have already spoken of, but the same thing is true 
about the ‘‘ Blues.” I daresay many know one, at all events, 
of the ten different species found in Great Britain, but I should 
be astonished to hear that any one had seen the caterpillar ; 
it wants a great deal of looking for, and a funny looking creature it 
is, like a wood-louse. It is a curious fact that moths and butterflies 
mostly abound after a hard winter. I have never known so great 
an abundance here as during the Summer of 1895, after the severe 
Winter of previous year ; but the reason is plain; as the insects are 
hidden away in retreats under or above ground, the birds are unable to 
get at them. The chrysalis, too, is more abundant in a mild winter, 
undevoured by mice and perhaps moles and hedgehogs If the ground 
is frozen hard they cannot get at them. 
A remarkable point is the influence of sunlight on caterpillars. 
The majority of them avoid it as much as possible ; in fact, very large 
numbers feed only by night. But some, especially among the hairy 
Species, revel in bright sunshine, and come out to bask in it even 
when not feeding—e.g. caterpillar of “Drinker,” “Small Eggar,” and ~ 
the “Tiger Moth” commonly known as the “ Woolly Bear.” 
Although most caterpillars live on leaves, many live on other things 
too. One large and interesting family, the ‘“ Pugs,” live on flowers 
and seeds, and one of these on the flower of Valerian. This fact was 
discovered by my old friend, Mr. Baker. The moth was always found 
in osier beds, and everyone thought the caterpillar fed on the osier 
leaves. He quite accidentally discovered it fed on the flower of the 
Valerian, which is very often found in osier beds. Another of the same 
family is found in Foxglove flowers. The flowers are fastened together 
at the mouth so that they cannot open. There is always a caterpillar 
inside, and a curious thing is, that they much prefer white flowers. 
