PEARL MOTHS. 265 



This is a most wonderful fact, and almost without 

 a parallel in entomology. There is one species of 

 Ichneumon-fly, called Agriotypus annatus, which is so 

 far aquatic in its character that it crawls down the 

 sides of stones and water-plants to a considerable 

 depth, evidently for the purpose of laying its eggs in 

 some aquatic larva. It really seems to be fond of 

 diving for its own sake, and if kept in an aquarium 

 will submerge itself for a considerable time, the 

 appearance of a hymenopterous insect beneath the 

 surface of the water being most extraordinary, and 

 always exciting the admiration and surprise of those 

 who have any practical knowledge of insects. But, 

 that a caterpillar should actually pass its life under 

 the water is still more contrary to all preconceived 

 opinions, and the idea of a water-caterpillar is not one 

 whit more abnormal than that of a water-butterfly. 

 The name Hydrocampa is formed from two Greek 

 words literally signifying water-caterpillar, and is 

 given to this genus of Moths in consequence of the 

 aquatic life of the larva. 



The Moths themselves are very common, and can 

 be taken in plenty on the banks of ponds and any wet 

 places where duck-weed, pond-weed, and water-lilies 

 grow. 



WE next come to the Pearl Moths, which are 

 placed in the genus Botys. 



In the genus Botys, the body is larger than the 

 wings, and both pairs are marked in a similar manner. 



The colour of our example of these Moths is pearly- 

 white, on which are a number of dark markings 

 arranged as shown in the illustration which will be 



