CURRANT MOTH. 73 



Sometimes the black spots are so large and so 

 numerous that they cover nearly the entire wing ; 

 sometimes the whole of the wing is black except 

 a patch at the base ; while in some specimens the 

 marks are so few and so pale that they scarcely 

 seem to exist at all, and the Moth is nearly 

 white. Yet, in spite of these many varieties, 

 there is a sort of character about the Moth which 

 renders it recognizable at once to a tolerably 

 practised eye, though a beginner might easily be 

 deceived. The figure on Plate VI. fig. 1, gives a 

 good idea of the general appearance of this Moth. 



It is one of the commonest British insects, — far 

 too common, indeed, to please the lovers of gar- 

 dens. The caterpillar feeds on the currant and 

 gooseberry, preferring the former, and may in 

 some years be found in hundreds upon the leaves 

 and twigs. It is rather a pretty caterpillar, and 

 partakes much of the colouring which distin- 

 guishes the perfect insect. The body is cream- 

 coloured, partly ringed and spotted with black, 

 so that it would be exceedingly conspicuous were 

 it not for its habit of keeping itself very still, 

 and generally in a line with a twig. 



As is the case with many silk-spinning cater- 

 pillars, it uses its thread-producing powers as a 

 means for securing its safety ; and if the branches 



