OAK EGGER-MOTH. J99 



near the middle ; this band is distinctly defined on 

 the inner side, but externally it is gradually shaded 

 off towards the margin, where the brown colour 

 again deepens. On each of the anterior wings 

 there is a small central white spot placed in a dusky 

 ring, and in many instances a yellowish patch at 

 the base. The fringe of the anterior wings is nar- 

 row and brown ; that of the hinder pair broad, and 

 nearly of the same colour as the transverse band, 

 but occasionally somewhat clouded with brown. 

 The upper parts of the body are of the same colour 

 as the dark portion of the wings, the under side 

 and legs ochreous-yellow. Antennas chestnut-brown. 

 The female is much larger than the male, with 

 similar markings, but the whole body and wings 

 are pale yellow. 



The caterpillar is yellowish, covered with greyish- 

 brown hairs, having the incisures black, and a 

 white macular band on each side. There is like- 

 wise an interrupted row of white spots on the back, 

 and a pale yellow mark on the anterior part of the 

 head. It feeds on the oak, willow, hawthorn, 

 broom, and a variety of other trees and shrubs. 

 Both the caterpillar and the moth are subject to 

 numerous variations, which has occasioned diffe- 

 rence of opinion among authors regarding the proper 

 application of the specific name. Examples are 

 occasionally found in which the transverse band is 

 greenish: these Hubner regarded as distinct, and 

 named Bombyx Sparta. Such as have a yellow 

 mark at the base of the anterior wings, are alone 



