4 2 



They hatch in three or four weeks. The caterpillars are 

 found feeding from August to October. At first they 

 remain in clusters, their heads all turned together ; after 

 a week they separate and wander over the bush or to 

 several bushes. 



They vary in colour ; the commonest form is pale 

 yellowish-green in the young stage, becoming reddish or 

 brown later ; there are four dense hairy tufts on the filth 

 to eighth segments, and between them the colour is deep 

 velvety black, and also after the last tuft ; the twelfth 

 segment is provided with a dull red or purplish tail-like 

 tuft, and all the rest of the body is covered with hairs 

 (Plate VII., Fig. 8). One form is all yellow, head and 

 sides green and black marks between the tufts. When 

 mature they reach from ij to i inches long; they then 

 spin a slight silken case amongst the leaves, etc., with 

 some hairs in it and change to a dark pupa with two 

 pale bands on the body and little tufts of pale hairs. 

 The winter is passed in the cocoon which may fall to the 

 ground with the leaves, or the hop-dogs may make the 

 cocoon on walls and fences and hedgerows near at 

 hand. The same treatment as for the former will apply 

 to this insect. 



The Gold-Tail Moth (Porthesia auriflua). 



Another caterpillar frequently found devouring Rose 

 leaves is that of the Gold Tail Moth. 



The moth has beautiful satiny white wings, and is 

 found in August with its wings folded downwards on 

 leaves, palings, lamps, etc. The thorax and abdomen 

 are also snowy white, but the latter has a golden yellow 

 tail tuft (Plate VII., Fig. n). The female is about 



