56 



THE COLOURS OF ANIMALS 



the antennae (see fig. 14). When the moth is about 

 to fly the antennae are brought forward, and the same 

 action raises the tufts and uncovers the eyes. The 

 moth appears in the autumn and lives through the 

 winter, so that the resemblance to dead leaves is 

 peculiarly appropriate. 



The Angle-shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) is also 

 beautifully concealed by 

 resembling a withered 

 and crumpled leaf. The 

 colours of the Yellow 

 Underwing (Triplicena 

 pronuba), as seen during 

 flight, strongly suggest 

 the appearance of a yel- 

 low leaf whirled along 

 by the wind and then 

 suddenly dropping. The 

 sudden swift rise and 

 rapid descent are very 

 unlike the flight of a 

 moth. When at rest, it hides deeply amid thick 

 foliage or among dead leaves on the ground ; it is 

 extremely difficult to detect, and instantly rises when 

 disturbed. 



The Rev. Joseph Greene has pointed out that the 

 various shades of yellow and brown are especially 

 characteristic of autumn moths, while grey and silvery 

 tints predominate in the winter species ; such tints 



FIG. 14. The base of left antenna of 

 Herald Moth (Gonoptera libatrix), show- 

 ing the tuft of hair which covers the eyes 

 of the moth in the position of rest ; 

 x 24-5 diameters. 



