THE BURNET MOTHS. 433 



remains of them, which have owed their death to the Groat 

 Moth larva, and from them I have procured larvae and cocoona 

 in plenty. Other trees, however, are attacked by this destruc- 

 tive insect, especially the elm, and Mr. Newman is of opinion 

 that those trees which are apparently killed by the Scolytus 

 (which has been described on page 186) have received their 

 death-blow from the Goat Moth, and have only been attacked 

 by the Scolytus when dying. 



The Moth is a very troublesome one in a cabinet, as it is 

 very liable to the two chief pests of the cabinet, namely, ' grease ' 

 and mites. I have known one of these Moths to be completely 

 hollowed by the mites, and to show little signs of injury except 

 the brown powder scattered under the affected insect. As soon 

 as the Moth was taken up its body broke in two, and at least 

 two teaspoonfuls of powder and mites were discharged over the 

 other insects. Consequently it will be found advisable to stuff 

 this Moth, and to put a drop or two of benzole into the cavity. 



For further information on this insect, and a full account of 

 its ravages, I refer to an admirable monograph by Mr. Newman 

 in the 'Entomologist ' of November 1869. 



On Woodcut XLIV. (page 418) and Fig. 1 is seen a common 

 and very pzotty Moth belonging to the family Zygsenidse. 

 The insects belonging to this family may be distinguished 

 by their very brilliant and boldly contrasted colom-s, their 

 habit of flying by day, the stout and hairy caterpillar, and the 

 cocoon fastened in an upright position against the stems of 

 grasses. Only one genus inhabits England. The Moth which 

 is given in the illustration is called scientifically Zygcena or 

 Anthrocera filipendulce, and is popularly known as the Six- 

 spotted Burnet. There are fom- species of Burnet Moth, three 

 Df which are so much alike that none but a practised entomo- 

 'ogist can distinguish them, especially as the spots, from the 

 number of which they derive their popular name, are almost 

 precisely similar. This very beautiful insect has the upper 

 wings of the deepest possible green, so deep indeed as to 

 appear black unless the light be properly thrown upon it. 

 The lower wings are rich crimson, edged with black. The 

 pec "Jiar form of the antennae is so well shown in the illustra- 

 tic as to need no description. 



F F 



