228 



COMMON BEITISH MOTHS 



are smoky grey. The hinder segments of the abdomen are banded 

 with black and rose-pink. The male is much smaller than the 



female, and has the antennae 

 strongly pectinated. 



The caterpillar is hairy, and 

 of a greyish- white colour. A 

 brown stripe runs down the 

 back. On the top of the second 

 segment are two blue tubercles ; 

 and there is also a tubercle, of a 

 reddish colour, on each of the 

 ninth, tenth, and eleventh seg- 

 ments. It feeds on the oak, birch, fir, and the apple ; and is full 

 grown in June or July. 



The moth flies during July and August. 



FIG. 124. THE BLACK ARCHES- 

 MALE. 



The Vapourer Moth (Orgyia antiqua) 



During the hottest summer months, and particularly in August 

 and September, a rather small brown moth may be seen almost 

 everywhere, flying rapidly and in a very erratic manner in the bright 

 rays of the midday sun. This is the common Vapourer Moth, 

 which may be known at once by its bright chestnut colour, with 

 darker transverse markings, and a white crescent-shaped spot in 

 the anal angle of the fore wings. It seems somewhat partial to 



W 



FIG. 125. THE VAPOURER 

 MOTH MALE. 



FIG. 126 THE FEMALE 



VAPOURER. 



civilised life, for it frequents the streets of our metropolis, even in 

 the very densely populated parts ; and the larva is one of the 

 commonest of the insect forms infesting our gardens and squares. 

 The caterpillar is variously coloured ; but the prevailing tints 

 are dark brown, grey, and pink. On the second segment are two 

 long tufts of hair directed forward, and on the twelfth segment a 

 similar tuft directed backward. On each "of the segments five to 



