AND THKIR TRANSFORMATIONS. 53 



and the margin is an arched stripe extending across the wing, the margin being cinereous. Tlie hind wings are 

 pale-grey or rcddi.sh-hrowii, with an indistinct central paler streak. 



The caterpillar is black or brown, with two red setigerous tubercles on the back of each segment, a yellow- 

 line above tiic feet, and short transverse white stripes. They feed on the sloe and other fruit-trees, whitethorn, 

 Sec, being full fed at the end of June ; previously to this period they reside in company under a common web, 

 whence they migrate during the night for feeding, but return before sunrise. They, however, separate to form 

 their cocoons. The perfect insect appears in February and March, sometimes remaining several years in the 

 chrysalis state. It is by no means a rare species. 



CNETHOCAMPA, Stephen's*. (THAUMETOP^A, HijBNER). 



Tliis group has the wings rather elongated and sub-diaphanous ; the body moderately thick, but tufted to 

 the tip in the females ; the palpi very short and three-jointed ; the antenna> short, slender, and bipectinated 

 in the males ; the fringe of the wings elongate. The larv;i; are cylindrical, and hairy. They inhabit a common 

 web in society, whence they emerge m procession, as described by Reaumur and other authors ; and it is within 

 this web that Cn. processionoa undergoes its transformations. Cn. pityocampa and some other Continental 

 species, on the contrary, bury themselves under ground. 



SPECIES 1.— CNETHOCAMPA PITYOCAMPA. Plate X., Fig. 5, (i. 



SvNONYMEs. — Bombyx Pityocampa^ Fabricius; Hiibncr (Boui- ! (Cncth. Pityo.) 

 byx, pi. 36, iig. 161); Stephens; Wood, Iml. Ent., t. C, f. 48. | Thaumetopiea Pityncampa, Wu'onev, Xevz.hiik.iichm. 



The fore wings measure 1^ inches in expanse, and are of a greyish colour, with three undulated dark streaks, 

 and a central dusky lunule ; the hind wings whitish, with a dusky spot at the anal angle. The body is grey, 

 with the abdomen fulvous brown. 



The caterpillar is described by Fabricius as hairy, and of a blue-grey colour, with yellow spots on tlie back, 

 and a black head. It feeds on pines and firs. 



This species is introduced into the British lists on the authority of a single small specimen or variety in the 

 British Museum, stated to have been captured by Dr. Leach in Devonshire in the summer of 1825. 



C.NETHOCAMPA PROCESSIONEA (Linnojus ; Wood, Ind. Ent. t. 53, f. 34), so named from the extreme regu- 

 larity with which the caterpillars march from their nests during their feeding excursions, was introduced into 

 our lists by JIartyn and Stewart ; but it is very questionable whether the species is indigenous. It is generally 

 smaller than the preceding, with ashy-brown wings, with three dusky streaks, and a brown abdomen ; the 

 female having the markings more indistinct. 



* Derived from the Greek, in allusion to the excessive irritation produced by the hairs of the caterpillars upon the naked skin. 



