274 



COMMON BRITISH MOTHS 



Family GEOMETRID^E 



The next family contains eight moths, mostly of small size, all 

 of which have green wings, and are popularly known as the 

 ' Emeralds.' In most cases the male may be distinguished by its 

 pectinated antennae. 



There is no general characteristic by which we may know all 

 the larvae, but some have the head deeply notched. 



The Large Emerald (Geometra papilionaria) 

 This species is the largest of the family, and measures over two 

 inches when its wings are expanded. The colour is dull green, 



with whitish bands 

 and spots, the arrange- 

 ment of which may 

 be seen in our en- 

 graving. 



The moth is out 

 in July, and is com- 

 mon in most parts 

 of England. 



The caterpillar 

 feeds on birch (Betula alba}, beech (Fagus sylvatica) and hazel 

 (Corylus avellana) in the autumn, and hybernates while still 

 young. In the spring it feeds again, and is full grown in June, 

 when it changes to a chrysalis in a cocoon spun between leaves. 



The Common Emerald (Hemithea strigata) 

 One of the commonest of the Emeralds is Strigata, which may 

 be found in June and July in all parts of England, as well as in 

 some localities in Scotland and Ireland. 



:f!gSg|g|t-~. y J-^ej^iiS^' Its wings are of a dull green colour, the 



ip front pair being slightly scalloped on the 



hind margin, and crossed by indistinct 



^1 v ^ pale lines ; and the hind pair are both 



*~*** scalloped and angled and crossed in the 



middle by a transverse pale line. The 

 fringe is white, dotted with dull reddish 

 brown. 



The caterpillar is yellowish green, except the second, third, and 

 fourth segments which are brownish. It feeds on oak (Quercus JRoZmr) 

 and whitethorn (Cratcegus oxyacantha), and may be found in June. 



FIG. 181. THE LAKGE EMERALD. 



FIG. 182. THE COMMON 

 EMERALD. 



