BRACHIONYCHA. 231 



It feeds on oak, birch, hazel, beech, lime, plum, and ether 

 trees. It weaves a white silky cocoon between leaves. The pupa 

 is shining reddish-brown, with four curved and pointed hook- 

 lets at the extremity. 



The Lobster Moth is not considered to be a very com. 



Larva of Lobster Moth. 



mon species in England. It derives its name from the extra- 

 ordinary form of the caterpillar. It has been suggested that 

 it may derive some advantage from its (fancied) resemblance 

 to a spider ; but, on the other hand, it has been pointed out 

 that spiders are peculiarly defenceless creatures, and extremely 

 subject to the attacks of birds and wasps, so that a cater- 

 pillar would probably in no way benefit by any such resem- 

 blance. 



GENUS BRACHIONYCHA. 



Brachionychci) Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 144 (1822?); 



Walker, List Lepid. Ins. Brit. Mus. v. p. 1035 (1855). 

 Petasia, Stephens, 111. Brit. Ent. Haust. ii. p. 31 (1828). 

 Asteroscopus, Boisduval, Ind. Meth. p. 59 (1829); id. Gen. 

 Ind. Meth. p. 85 (1840). 



