LEPIDOPTERA. 275 
When at rest, its wings are folded back one over the other like 
a roof. Its flight is of short duration, it contents itself with 
going from one vine stock to another. 
It is at sunset mostly that you see the moths of the pyralis 
fluttering about. They remain quiet during the day, particularly 

Fig. 287.—The Vine Pyralis. Fig, 288.—Caterpillar of the Vine 
Pyralis. 
when the sun is at its hottest. They live on an average for ten 
days. The females lay their eggs—which are at first green, then 
yellowish, then brown—on the lower surface of the leaves 
The caterpillar of the pyralis (Fig. 288) is called in vulgar 
parlance, according to the different places in which it occurs, vine 
worm, summer worm, vintage worm, shell. In the south of France 
it is called, in the patois of Languedoe, dabota. Almost immediately 
after they leave the eggs, the little caterpillars hide themselves 
in the fissures of the vine stocks or the props which support them. 
They spin for themselves a small 
cocoon of a greyish silk, in which 
they remain curled up till the month 
of May. From the moment the leaves 
begin to develop they throw out threads 
here and there, entangling all the 
young shoots of the vine, which gives a desolate appearance to 
the vineyards. The leaves of the vine are their favourite food, 
but they attack the seeds of the grape also. It is said that in 
T2 

Fig. 289.—Chrysalis of the Vine Pyralis. 
