282 



COMMON BRITISH MOTHS 



The fore wings are of a dingy brown colour, paler near the base, 

 and crossed by a pale wavy line. The hind wings are lighter, 

 with a central dark spot. But this 

 description applies to the male only, 

 for the female is wingless, and may 

 be known by the tuft of hair that tips 

 the abdomen. 



The caterpillar is pale green, 

 FIG. 193. THE MAKCH MOTH, clouded with a darker tint, and has 

 a white line on each side of the back. 



It feeds in May on the three trees named for the last species, also 

 on lime (Tilia vulgaris) and elm (Ulmus campestris}. 



Family LARENTIID^E 



This is by far the most extensive family of the Geometrcc, 

 containing as it does considerably over a hundred species, or well 

 nigh a half of the whole group. 



The wings of the various species are smooth and more or 

 less glossy, and the front pair are generally crossed by several 

 wavy lines. Many of the moths, and particularly those known 

 popularly as the Pugs, are very small, representatives of the 

 family are to be met with almost throughout the year from early 

 spring to the middle of the winter. 



Most of the caterpillars are rather long arid slender, and without 

 humps ; and green is the prevailing colour. They feed either on trees 

 or low plants, often protecting themselves in folded leaves ; and some 

 of the smaller species show a decided preference for flowers and seeds. 



We shall select about a dozen of the commonest members for 

 individual description. 



The November Moth (Oporahia 

 dilutata) 



Our first example is the November 

 moth a rather dingy and very vari- 

 able species that may be found almost 

 everywhere in October and November. 

 The ground colour of the fore wings is 

 dingy grey, crossed by several darker 

 lines, subject to considerable varia- 

 tions. The hind wings are paler, with two slender darker lines 

 parallel with the hind margin. 



FIG. 194. THE NOVEMBER 

 MOTH. 



