MOTHS 247 



is very similar, having a brown tuft instead of gold, but it is a local species 

 only, chiefly found on the coast.) 



White Satin (Stilpnotia salicis), as its name implies, has glossy satiny wings, 

 the body being black, with white hair ; the legs black, with white rings. L. 

 has clear white spots on the back ; feeds on poplar, willow, and sallow from 

 April to July. Moth in July and August. Widely distributed ; most common 

 in South. 



Black Arches (Lymantria monachd). E. i-2| inches. Identified by its 

 fore-wings, which are creamy white, with several zigzag black lines, the middle 

 ones generally blotched. Hind-wings greyish, with darker shading on margins. 

 The abdomen is rose-pink, with blackish bands. Female has a longish, pointed 

 " tail " in reality the ovipositor. Flies in July and August, by night. L. 

 feeds April to July, on oak, apple, and pine. 



Family : Lasiocampida Lackeys and Eggars. 



These comprise rather small as well as larger species, with stout, hairy 

 bodies; antennae bipectinated. General colour brownish. Larvae have soft 

 hairs, and fleshy tubercles on the last segment. 



The Lackey (Malacosoma neustria). Colour pale ochreous, varying to red- 

 dish brown ; generally has two cross lines on fore-wings, the space in between 

 them being a darker shade. Moth found in July and August. Eggs are laid 

 in a ring round a twig. Larvae are gregarious, living in a silken tent, feeding 

 on hawthorn, sloe, and fruit trees from April to June. Generally distributed. 

 (The GROUND LACKEY (M. castrensis) has darker hind-wings ; is found only 

 in salt marshes of East Coast. P.p. Wild carrot, sea wormwood, etc.) 



Pale Oak Eggar (Trichiura cratcegi}. E. i-ij inch. Ashy grey, with a 

 darker central area, generally well defined. Appears in August and September 

 in wooded districts in South. L. feeds in April to June on hawthorn, sloe, and 

 sallow. 



December Moth (Pcecilocampa populi] has semi-transparent wings, sooty 

 brown in colour ; two pale buff cross lines on the fore-wings, the basal area of 

 which is always a darker brown. Appears from October to December. Often 

 seen round gas-lamps. Fairly common. ,. April to June ; feeds on most trees. 

 Eggs are laid on the bark. E. ij-if inch. 



Small Eggar (Eriogaster lanestris). E. ij-if inch. Not unlike the preced- 

 ing, but has a white spot at the base of the fore-wings, and another half-way 

 across, nearer the upper margin ; also a narrow wavy whitish line roughly 

 parallel with the hind margins, continued on hind-wings. Female has a notice- 

 able grey anal tuft, and uses the hairs to cover her eggs on the twigs where 

 they are clustered. P.p. Hawthorn and sloe. The larvae are gregarious, living 

 in silken web, often found from May to July. Moth appears February and 

 March. 



Oak Eggar (Lasiocampa quercus}. A large and strikingly coloured species. 



