BOMBYCES 



233 



Its wings are yellowish brown, marked with two lighter trans- 

 verse lines. There are two black spots between the lines of the 

 fore wings. The antennae of the male are 

 pectinated ; those of the female simple. 

 The latter sex is further distinguished by 

 the paler colour of the hind wings. 



The larva is brown, with a broad stripe, 

 edged with yellow, down the back. There 

 are two projections on the back of the 

 fourth segment. It feeds on oak (Quercus 

 Bobur) and birch (Betula alba). 



This moth is double-brooded, and may be seen on the wing in 

 June and August. The larva may be beaten from the above- 

 mentioned trees in June and July, and again in September. 



FIG. 129. THE OAK 

 HOOK TIP. 



The Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata) 



The fore wings of this species are white, with a broad dark 

 blotch from the inner margin to near the costa. The central por- 

 tion of this blotch is marked with silvery 

 spots which are said to resemble Chinese 

 characters. The hind margin is shaded 

 with a dark grey border, inside which is a 

 row of dark spots. The hind wings are 

 clouded with grey. 



This moth is widely distributed, and 



seems to be common throughout England. It is double brooded, the 

 first brood appearing in May and June, and the second in August. 



The caterpillar, which is brown, with two prominent tubercles 

 on each of the third and fourth segments, feeds on the whitethorn 

 (Cratcegus oxyacantha), and the blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). 



FIG. 130. THE CHINESE 

 CHARACTER. 



Family DICRANURID.E 



The five British species that represent this family are such 

 interesting insects that we should like to have given a detailed de- 

 scription of all of them, but our limited space will allow of no more 

 than an outline of the general characteristics of the group and a 

 selection of two for individual mention. 



They are thick-bodied moths, and the prevailing colours are 

 white and shades of grey. The antennae are pectinated in the males, 



