LEPIDOPTERA. 



271 



a bright white, as if it had been silvered. This pretty moth comes 

 out in the month of May. It is so common everywhere, that at this 

 season it is only necessary to shake the branches of the oaks which 



Fig. 275. Antithesia salicana. 



Fig. 276. Poedisca occultana. 



Fig. 277. Argyrolepia 



border the alleys of the woods to set in motion hundreds of them. 

 The caterpillar is green, with black warty spots, each having a hair of 

 the same colour. They are wonderfully lively, the moment they are 



Fig. 278. Sericoris Zinkenana. 



Fig. 279. Sarrotf 



disturbed taking refuge in a rolled leaf, which serves them as a 

 dwelling-place. If they are pursued, they let themselves fall by the 

 aid of a thread, and do not re-ascend till they think they can count 



Fig. 280. Cochylis franciiaua. 



i . Choreutes dolosana 



on repose and security. This, and many kindred species, do a great 

 deal of damage to our trees. They strip them of their leaves, and 

 sometimes give them, during the first days of summer, the sad and 

 melancholy appearance which they present in the middle of winter. 



We have just alluded to the tube formed of a rolled leaf, in which 

 the caterpillar takes refuge, and in which it lives. This tube it 

 constructs itself. Reaumur has devoted a magnificent chapter of his 



