304 



COMMON BRITISH MOTHS 



FIG. 235. 

 CUPRELLA. 



The caterpillar feeds on various trees in September and October, 

 always protected between leaves that it has spun together. 



Adela cuprella 



The family Adelidce contains ten species, all re- 

 markable for the great length of their antennae. The 

 one selected for illustration is a beautiful little moth 

 with bright bronzy green fore wings, tinged with a 

 rich glossy violet. The hind wings are brown with a 

 glossy surface. 



This moth does not seem to be widely distributed, 

 but is fairly plentiful where it occurs. Wimbledon 

 Common and Epping Forest are good localities for it. 

 It is on the wing in April and May. 



Hyponomeuta Padellus 



The family Hyponomeutida contains about twenty insects, 

 some of which are very common and exceedingly destructive to 

 our trees. In May and June hawthorn and 

 fruit trees may be seen swarming with the 

 gregarious larva of some of them, and almost 

 entirely stripped of their leaves. 



The species here figured has grey or white 

 fore wings with three rows of black dots. The 

 hind wings are darker grey without dots. 

 The larva feeds on hawthorn, apple, and other trees. The perfect 

 insect flies in July and August. 



Depressaria nervosa 



The next family Gelechiidce 

 is represented by the species 

 Nervosa, which is common in 

 many localities. 



Its fore wings are reddish 

 brown, and are marked by a 

 number of short longitudinal 

 streaks of a darker colour. The 

 hind wings are light grey. 

 The caterpillar is black, marked with black spots in white rings, 

 and having yellow side stripes. It feeds on the flowers of the 



FIG. 236.- 

 PADELLUS. 



FIG. 237. NERVOSA TWICE 

 NATURAL SIZE. 



