154 BKITISH BUTTEKFLIES AND MOTHS 



The expansion of the wings varies from 1J to 1| 

 inch, the females being generally considerably larger 

 than the males. The fore-wings are of a satiny- white, 

 opaque, with a brownish-black spot near the anal angle ; 

 the hind-wings are spotless white ; the anal tuft of the 

 abdomen is yellow. 



The larva is black, with small humps on the fifth, 

 sixth, and twelfth segments, which interrupt the reddish 

 dorsal line ; along the reddish subdorsal lines is a row 

 of white spots, and a reddish line above the legs ; on 

 each side of the head is a tuft of hair proceeding from a 

 little fleshy protuberance. It feeds on various plants 

 (hawthorn, rose, fruit-trees, oak, etc.) ; it is hatched in 

 autumn, and feeds for a short time before retiring for 

 tho winter ; it emerges from its retreat in May, and 

 feeds during that and the following months. 



The perfect insect makes its appearance in August, 

 and may often be observed sitting on palings or hedges, 

 or flying at dusk. 



The closely allied Brown Tail (Porthesia chrywrrhwa) 

 is distinguished at a glance by the different colour of the 

 anal tuft; the fore-wings are often destitute of the black 

 spot. 



The habits of the two species are very similar ; but 

 the Brown Tail has occasionally occurred in such mul- 

 titudes as to cause great devastation in orchards. 



FAMILY V. LITHOSID.E. 



LITEOSIA COMPLANULA. THE COMMON 

 FOOTMAN. 



(Plate V., Fig. 4.) 



This pretty insect is very common and very generally 



