DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES OF CONSPICUOUS SPECIES 153 



seen on the wing in fine weather from July to October. 

 The females never move from the cocoons in which they 

 had passed the chrysalis state, and deposit their eggs on 

 the outside of the cocoon. 



The Scarce Vapourer (Orgyia gonostigma) (Plate V., 

 Fig. 2) is very similar to the preceding, but the fore -wings 

 of the male have several small white spots near the tip, 

 and also a small orange spot near the costa, and the 

 hind-wings are considerably darker. 



The larva feeds on oak, hazel, and bramble in autumn, 

 and hybernating small, feeds up in the spring. The 

 perfect insect appears in June. 



FAMILY IV. 

 8TILPNOTIA SALICIS. THE WHITE SATIN. 



A common species generally, though perhaps more 

 frequently observed in the larva state. 



The expansion of the wings is about 2 inches. All 

 the wings are satiny-white, spotless, rather transparent. 



The legs are black with white rings. 



The pretty hairy larva is whitish, with a black line on 

 each side of the back, interrupted by a row of velvety 

 tubercles; a row of similar tubercles runs along the sides, 

 which are a bluish-white, dotted with black. It feeds 

 on poplars and willows in May and June. 



The perfect insect makes its appearance towards the 

 end of July and beginning of August. 



FAMILY IV. 

 PORTHESIA AUEIFLUA. THE GOLD TAIL. 



Very plentiful throughout the south of England, and 

 extending almost to the border ; common in Ireland. 



