MOTHS 239 



The fore-wing with its markings is the more important. Note the inner 

 and outer lines which divide it into three areas basal, central or median, and 

 outer or marginal. In the central area are three rings or dashes, called stig- 

 mata, which are found more particularly in the Noctuidae. 



I desire to acknowledge my great indebtedness to Mr. South's two volumes 

 on The Moths of the British Isles, and to Mr. Kirby's Butterflies and Moths of the 

 United, Kingdom, the former of which I have followed in my classification. 



It will be obvious to a reader who works through this long list that it is 

 almost impossible to identify many species of moths from a short description 

 of the moth itself. And if one would make a special study of the subject, the 

 eggs or the larvae must be bred at home, the food plant and locality being care- 

 fully noted, and then one of the sets of books referred to above (Mr. Kirby's 

 Butterflies and. Moths of the United Kingdom, and Mr. South's three volumes 

 on the same subject) must be consulted ; in these a detailed description of 

 each species is minutely given. In addition, if an actual collection, such as 

 that at South Kensington, can be examined, the young student will obtain 

 great help by comparing his finds with the named specimens. 



Where possible, in the following description some salient feature of each 

 species is given, for the purposes of identification. 



LIST OF BRITISH MOTHS, WITH BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF FAMILIES 

 AND THE COMMONER SPECIES. 



(L.= Larva; P. = Pupa; E.= Expanse of Wing; Ly. = Locali ty ; P.p. 

 Food plant ; H.= Hibernating.) 



I. Macrolepidoptera. 

 Family : Sphingida Hawk-moths. 



The Latin name is given to this family from the supposed likeness of the 

 larvae to the Sphinx. They are all large and rather fearsome-looking. The 

 majority burrow into the ground for their pupal change, though some make 

 a cocoon of leaves on the surface. The name " Hawk-moths " is given to the 

 full-grown insects on account of their rapid flight. They have stout bodies, 

 tapering to a point. The antennae gradually thicken and diminish. They are 

 mostly night fliers. Ten species are found in the British Isles. 



Lime Hawk-moth (Dilina tilice). E. 2^-3 inches. Fore-wings pale pinkish 

 grey, with irregular olive band across central area (often broken in middle). 

 The outline of the wings is characteristic, fore-wings having two deep bays 

 in hind-margin and hind-wings, one concavity close to anal angle. Appears 

 May to June ; when resting, looks like a bunch of half-grown leaves ; common 

 in South. L. green, roughened with yellow points ; seven yellow oblique 

 stripes, edged with red or purple. A long curved horn, bluish green. A reddish 

 shield on last ring of body. Feeds, July and August, on lime, elm, alder, and 



