BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 147 



the farmer, they are preyed upon by a little ichneumon fly (Micro- 

 gaster glower ator), which deposits its eggs beneath the skin of 

 the caterpillar, who thus serves as a living host. 



Butterflies play an important part, though probably not quite 

 so great as the moths, in fertilising flowers, their long, slender 

 probosces being admirably adapted for probing the nectaries of 

 many flowers, and in their passage transferring the pollen from 

 the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another of the same 

 species. So that although some of them during the caterpillar 

 stage ravage our crops, as perfect insects they make recompense 

 by acting as the carriers of pollen from flower to flower. 



Moths are far more numerous than butterflies, some forty to fifty 

 thousand species of the former being known and only ten or twelve 

 thousand of the latter. Many of the moths in their caterpillar 

 stage do a very great deal of harm to root and garden crops, to 

 stored grain, and to cloth and fur. Reference has already been 

 made to the protective colouring and mimicry of many moths. 



The great family of Sphingidas, or Hawk-Moths, includes a 

 number of large and handsome insects. To this family belong the 

 Humming Bird Hawk-Moth and the Bee and Hornet Hawk-Moths 

 already mentioned. Many of the large Sphinges feed on the vine, 

 and of these perhaps the best known is the pretty Sharp-winged 

 Hawk-Moth (Chcerocampa celerio), which is common in many parts 

 of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and has pale brown front -wings and 

 beautiful rose-coloured hind-wings. The caterpillars have the 

 front segments tapering and retractile, which gives them a fancied 

 resemblance to a hog's snout (from which they gain their Greek 

 name Chcerocampa), or an elephant's trunk, whence the name 

 Elephant Hawk-Moth applied to two smaller and commoner 

 species. The Death's Head Hawk-Moth is the largest moth found 

 in Great Britain, and gains its popular name from the curious 

 somewhat skull-like pattern on its back. It is capable of pro- 

 ducing a sound resembling the squeaking of a mouse, and will 

 sometimes enter hives to feast on the honey. The great yellowish- 

 green caterpillar may be found feeding on the foliage of the potato. 



The Tiger Moths (Arctiidae) are the most beautiful family 

 of moths found in Europe. The Common Tiger Moth is typical 

 of the group. It measures from 2 to 3 inches across the front- 

 wings, which are deep brown with creamy white interlacing mark- 



