88 A BOOK OF INSECTS 



includes the wax moths which infest the nests of bees, 

 where the larvae feed upon the combs and refuse. 



In the small family of hook-tip moths (Drepanulidce) 

 the larvae have only four pairs of prolegs — the pair usually 

 found on the last segment of the body being absent. 



The eggar- and lappet- moths .(Lasiocampidce) are 

 usually rich brown or yellowish in colour, and are densely 

 covered with hairs and scales. There is no frenulum at 

 the base of the hind-wings. The larvae, which have ten 

 prolegs, are also very hairy. The pupa is enclosed in a 

 compact cocoon composed of silk worked up with hairs 

 from the larva's body. The family is represented in all 

 parts of the world except Xew Zealand. Well-known 

 British examples are the lackey (CUsiocampa neustria), 

 the drinker {Odonestis potatoria), and the lappet (Gastro- 

 pacha quercifolia ) . 



The tussock-moths {Lymaniriidce) are also densely 

 scaled insects, with tufted larvae ; but a frenulum is nearly 

 always present. Familiar examples are the vapourer moth 

 (Orgyia anticjua), in which the female is wingless, and 

 the brown-tail and gold-tail moths of the genus Porthesia. 

 Other members of this family are the black-arches moth 

 (Psilura monaclta) which, in Germany, is a serious 

 forestry pest, and the gipsy moth (P. dispar), which 

 has worked great havoc in North America since its 

 introduction from Europe some forty years ago. 



The tiger-moths (Arctiid(c) are conspicuous insects 

 with brightly coloured wings. The common tiger 

 (Arctia caja) is probably better known than any other 

 British moth. Its larva is the familiar "woolly bear" 

 which feeds upon the stinging nettle and other plants. 

 This family is represented in all parts of the world. 



The family of the owl-moths (Noctuidce) includes an 

 enormous number of species, mostly with dusky wings 



