107 



THE CREAM-SPOTTED TIGER MOTH. 



Phalana Villica. 



PLATE LXXIV. 



Phalaena Villica, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 820 Turton's 



Linne, iii. p. 222 Donovan's Brit. Ins. ii. pi. 71. 



Harris's Aurelian, pi. 4. 



THE upper wings are black, with from eight to 

 nine large irregularly shaped cream coloured spots ; 

 the under wings and body are of a rich yellow 

 orange, or approaching to golden yellow, variously 

 clouded with large black irregular patches ; the body 

 has a row of equal black spots down the middle ; the 

 thorax is black, with two cream coloured spots on the 

 back ; it is fringed all round, as are also the wings. 



The caterpillars of this moth are black and foxy, 

 or hairy, with pink legs ; it feeds on chickweed, 

 which is its favourite food, but it will also eat the 

 leaves of the currant, white thorn, nettle, grass, &c. 

 if the former cannot be readily procured. They have 

 attained their full size by the latter end of April, 

 when they change into a chrysalis, and, towards the 

 end of May, they appear in the winged state. 



The Cream Spotted Tiger Moth is by no means so 

 frequently to be met with as the Great Tiger Moth, 



