THE NOCTU^ 255 



It is a common moth, often to be found at rest by day in out- 

 houses and sheds. It flies in July and August. 



The caterpillar is dark purple or umber brown, with darker and 

 lighter markings. It feeds in the autumn on fruit trees, and 

 hybernates during the winter. In the spring it feeds again on low 

 plants, and changes to a chrysalis in May under the ground. 



Family ORTHOSIIDJE 



This is a large family of over thirty species, most of them of 

 rather small size, which make their appearance, with two exceptions, 

 either in early spring or in late autumn, often attracted in the former 

 season by the sallow blossom, and in the latter by ivy bloom. 



Several of them are very common insects, that are almost sure 

 to be taken by a young collector during his first season. 



The fore wings of these moths are more or less pointed at the 

 tip, and the usual lines and spots are generally distinct. The males 

 may be distinguished from the females by their antennae, which are 

 always more or less ciliated. 



The caterpillars are smooth and velvety, and feed by night ; and 

 the pupae are inclosed in cocoons constructed of earth and silk. 



The Common Quaker (Tceniocampa stabilis) 



Several of the species of the family are known popularly as 

 Quakers, the commonest of which Stabilis is abundant in all 

 parts. 



Its fore wings are grey, with generally either an ochreous or 

 reddish tinge. The orbicular and 

 reniform spots are outlined with 

 a paler colour, and there is a pale 

 transverse line parallel with the 

 hind margin, outside which is a row 

 of indistinct black spots. The hind 

 wings are greyish brown. 



The caterpillar is green and FIG. 163. THE COMMON 



velvety, with a yellowish line on QUAKEB. 



the back and on each side ; and a 



yellow band crosses the back of the twelfth segment transversely. 

 It feeds during June and July on oak (Quercus Bobur) and elm 

 (Ulmus campestris),&nd changes to a chrysalis in August on the 

 surface of the ground. In this state it remains throughout the 

 winter, and the moth emerges in March or April. 



