LEFIDOPTERA. 



255 



The female (fig. 241) is, as a rule, slightly larger than the male, 

 being a little over an inch in expanse of wings. In colour both 

 sexes are very unlike, the female being of a nearly uniform orange- 

 brown tint above. 



Both sexes fold' their wings erect when in repose. 



Cheimitobia brumata, Linn. (Winter Moth). 



To the fruit-grower in many parts of England this is a dreaded pest. 

 It is also a most injurious forest insect, inasmuch as it feeds on several 

 species of hardwood trees. In nursery-rows, in early summer, young 



Fig. 242. Foliage, of lime-tree eaten by larvce 

 of Winter Moth. 



Fig. 243. Leaf of wyeh elm mtt n by 

 larvce of Winter Moth. 



lime-trees more especially those of a comparatively large size which 

 have just been transplanted the previous spring are often defoliated 

 by the voracious larvse of this species (fig. 242). The foliage of the 

 wych elm and sycamore, also, is often much destroyed by the larvae of 

 this species (figs. 243 and 244). The injuries done to the foliage 

 are very similar to the ravages of certain species of Tortrices, and it is 

 therefore very important, for purposes of verification, that the moths 

 should be reared from the larval stage. 



The moths appear about November, hence the name of "winter 

 moth," and the males fly about in the evening. The males are winged, 

 but the females are furnished only with abortive wings, which are 

 practically useless in the service of flight (fig. 245 b). 



