170 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



FAMILY VII. BOMBYCID.E. 



GA8TBOPACHA QUERCIFOLIA. THE LAPPET 

 MOTH. 



This handsome species occurs in many parts of the 

 south of England, and is certainly common near Cam- 

 bridge, though generally it occurs more sparingly. It 

 does not seem to extend its range far to the north. 



The male is much smaller than the female, and is 

 often hardly more than two inches in expanse, the 

 female expands fully three inches. It is entirely of a 

 brownish-red clouded with black, on the fore-wings 

 there are three angulated, indented, transverse lines, 

 and a central black spot. 



The larva is extremely variable in colour, but is best 

 recognized by the incisions between the second and 

 third, and third and fourth segments being blue-black, 

 on the sides there is a more or less distinct whitish 

 stripe ; it commences feeding in autumn, and feeds up 

 in April and May ; it is found on sloe, willow, and other 

 trees and shrubs. 



The perfect insect appears at the end of June and in 

 July ; it is fond of light, and often comes into houses, 

 when we have a good opportunity of observing its 

 peculiar position in repose, the front edge of the hind- 

 wings projecting considerably beyond the front edge of 

 the fore -wings. 



The pretty little allied species Gastropacha ilicifoUa, 

 of which the expansion of the wings is only about li 

 inch, frequents moorlands, where bilberry (Vaccinium 

 Myrtillus) grows in profusion ; the larva feeds on bilberry 

 in the autumn, and the perfect insect appears in May. 



