Rose Moths. 



387 



lit 



and gardens, by the sides of woods, &c., throughout the metro- 

 poHtan district, and in most parts of England at the end of 

 July and beginning of August." 



This is one of the smallest and most splendid species of the 

 family to which it belongs. Great care is, however, required in 

 obtaining specimens in all their beauty, as they soon rub off 

 their golden and silvery scales, and the least touch on the 

 wing spoils their hues. The caterpillar commences its attacks 

 on the leaves as soon as they appear; but, owing to the lateness 

 of the present season, it was not until the middle of June that 

 they were most obnox- 

 ious. Its general mode 

 of proceeding is to attach 

 two or more leaves to- 

 gether with fine silken 

 threads : this it does fre- 

 quently with leaves which 

 may happen to come in 

 contact with each other; 

 but it prefers those which 

 grow close together. It 

 often selects the leaves 

 upon a single stem whilst 

 yet young, and these it 

 contrives to fasten to- 

 gether, back to back, be- 

 fore they are expanded, 

 giving the packet the ap- 

 pearance of a fan folded 

 up. {fg. 115. d.) The 

 insect then pierces a hole 

 through the mass, attach- 

 ing the leaves together 

 with silken cords, which 



prevent them from flying apart. It is thus provided with an 

 ample supply of food; a^d the outer leaves, which, notwith- 



cc 2 



