THE LUNAR DOUBLE STRIPE MOTH, 137 



The family of the Ophiuridse is represented 

 by the only British species, the Lunar Double 

 Stripe (Ophiodes lunaris), a figure of which is 

 given on Plate X fig. 4. 



The colour of the upper wings is pale brown, 

 and they are crossed by two narrow stripes of a 

 lighter hue, and by a waved dark line near the 

 hind margin. The hind-wings are of the same 

 colour, but not quite so dark. The caterpillar 

 feeds on the oak, and is so long and snaky that 

 it has gained for the genus the name of Ophiodes 

 or serpent-like. The Moth appears about May, 

 and may be looked upon as one of the ento- 

 mologist's treasures, soberly coloured though it 

 may be. 



