LEPIDOPTERA. 



"5 



quite distinct, and closely resembles that of a dead twig. Doubtless such a likeness 

 saves it somewhat from the attacks of birds and ichneumon-wasps. When fully 

 extended, and clinging only by its 

 hindmost claspers, the caterpillar 

 assimilates so marvellously with the 

 brown and olive tints of the boughs 

 among which it takes up its station, 

 that it is almost indistinguishable 

 from its surroundings. Another 

 handsome member of the same group 

 is the mottled umber (Hibernia 

 defoliaria), which appears very late 

 in the season, long after the majority 

 of the members of the order have 

 completed the term of their exist- 

 ence. By night the male circles 

 around the trunks of trees in search 

 of his wingless partner. In the 

 former sex the large wings are pale 

 ochre in colour, with a darker wavy 

 transverse bar. The female, on the 

 other hand, is variegated black and 

 ochreous yellow, and bears no small 

 resemblance to some species of spider. 

 The larvae feed on the buds of various 

 trees, and descend into the earth to 

 change into the pupa ; the latter 

 being dark mahogany, with a sharp 

 spine at the tail. The species is 

 not rare in England and on the 

 Continent. The scarce umber (H. 

 aurantia via), which is figured in the 

 same illustration, is less common than the last, but appears at the same season. 

 Nearly allied is the winter-moth (Cheimatobia britmafa), which in mode of life is 

 somewhat similar to the mottled umber, but, as indicated by its scientific name, 

 flies still later in the year. The larva lives partially secluded amongst the leaves 

 which it draws together with silk. When occurring in great numbers, these cater- 

 pillars do serious damage to forest-trees and orchards. The male is of a dusky 

 grey colour, with three darker bands across the upper-wings ; while the female is 

 wingless. In order to prevent the females from ascending the trees and laying their 

 eggs on the foliage, it is the custom in Sweden to ring the trunk with a narrow 

 band of some sticky substance. The bordered white (Bu pains piniarius) is am »ther 

 well-known member of the group. In tliis species the males are very abundant, 

 Hying amongst fir-plantations in England and on the Continent. The females are 

 no less common, but do not take wing so readily. The larva is pale green, with 

 whitish stripes, and pale yellow spiracles, and feeds during the months of August 



PEPPER MOTH, WITH LARVA AND PUPA (liat. size). 



