58 BRITISH MOTHS 



SPECIES 2.— LASIOCAMPA TRIFOLII. Plate XI., Fig. 5, 6, 7. 



Synonymes. — PhaliBua (Bomb.) Tri/b/w, ViUars ; Lewin, Linn. 1 Lasiocampa Trifvid, Schrank ; Stephens; Wood, lud. Ent., 

 Trans., vol. 3, pi. 4, fi{?. 1 — 4 ; Wilkes, pi. 47, upper figure ; but not pi. (>, fig. 41 . 

 of Schaffer, who figures Rubi under this name. ( Pachygastria Trifolii, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schm. 



This species varies from 2J- to 2^ inches in the expanse of the fore wings, which, as well as the other parts 

 of the insect, are of a rusty-grey colour, the fore wings having a whitish central spot, and a pale livid or ochre- 

 coloured stripe beyond the middle of the wing, which is curved outwards towards the hinder margin. The hind 

 wings are ordinarily destitute of the central fascia. 



The caterpillar is described by Fabricius as solitary, pilose, dirty brown, with the incisions spotted with 

 blue, and a red ring round the neck ; it feeds upon trefoil, medick, and plantain, in the early summer months, 

 inclosing itself in a compact oval cocoon ; the imago appearing in July and August. This is a rare species, but 

 is found in the New Forest in some plenty. Mr. Haworth states that the caterpillars secrete themselves by day 

 under loose stones, but adds that the thick-kneed bustard preys upon them, ingeniously turning over the stones 

 in order to come at them. 



Lasiocampa Medicaginis, Ochsenh. ; (Curtis, B, E., pi. 181; Wood, lud. Ent., t. 6, f. 42; Wilkes, 

 pi. 47, fig. infer. ;) is most probably only a variety of the preceding, dififering in having a pale stripe towards 

 the base of the fore wings, and an indistinct fascia across the hind ones. The larva, according to Esper's 

 figure copied by Curtis, is however different, being of a dull fulvous colour, with black rings and white oblique 

 lateral stripes ; but Mr. Stephens states that Mr. Ingpen reared this variety from a larva, which differed in no 

 respect from those of L. Trifolii, with which it was. found in company, which is also tiie case with the perfect 

 specimens which have occurred. Boisduval sinks it into a variety of Trifolii. 



SPECIES .3.— LASIOCAMPA ROBORIS. Plate XL, Fig. 3—12 



Synonymes.^ /*/t. (B.) Boboris, Schrank; Stephens: Wood, 

 Ind. Ent., t. 6, f. 44, 44, (Las. R.) 



PhaliEna Quercus^ Fabricius; Donovan, vol. 3, pi. 104, f. 1, 2; 



Albin, pi. 18; Wilkes, pi. 46; Harris, Anrelian, pi. 29, fig. a— f; 

 Duncan, pi. 17, f. 3. 



Pachygastria Quercus, Hiibner, Veiz. bek. Sclim. 



This species varies from 2^ to 3} inches in expanse. The males are of a dark rusty or chesnut brown, the 

 fore wings having a central white spot, beyond which is a broad yellow fascia, gradually softened into dark 

 chesnut to the tip of the wing, running across all the wings. The female is generally of a buff or pale ochre 

 colour, with similar m.arkings. Varieties however occur, such as our fig. 9, in which the tips of the wings of 

 the male do not gradually become darker coloured, and our fig. 11, in which the females are much darker 

 coloured than ordinary. The caterpillar is dirty clay-coloured, with white rings, and white oblique stripes 

 above the feet. It feeds on the oak and various other trees, and forms a compact egg-like cocoon, whence the 

 species has acquired the name of the great egger moth. The moth appears at the end of July, the males flying 

 with great rapidity during the day. It is very abundant in the neighbourhood of London and other parts of 

 the country. 



SPECIES 4.— LASIOCAMPA QUERCUS. Plate XL, Fig. 1.3. 



Synonymes. — Phalana (Bomb.) Quercus, Linnaius ; Schrank ; Stephens; Wood, Ind. Ent., t. (i, f. 43. 

 This species, if it really be distinct, measures from 2,1 to 3j inches in expanse. It differs from the jtreceding 

 (which I should consider as a variety of it) in being darker coloured, with a distinct yellow patch at the base 



