FAUNA OF GALASHIELS AND DISTRICT 185 



BoMBYX RUBi, the fox moth, is a large fine day-flying moth, 

 and sometimes very plentiful in the district. The larva 

 is large and beautiful, and feeds on many low plants, 

 but, being hibernaters, these moths are difficult to rear. 



Tkichiura oratcegi, the pale oak eggar, is of frequent occur- 

 rence on the Yair hills ; the larva feeds on Heather. 



BoMBYX QUBRCUs, the oak eggar, is a large fine moth, 

 measuring nearly three inches across the wings, and is 

 common on the hills in the district. The larva, which 

 feeds on either Heather or Hawthorn, is covered with 

 hairs of a very irritant character, which sting the hands 

 and spread a disagreeable itch over every part touched 

 by them. 



Saturnia carpini, the emperor moth, a noble-looking insect, 

 is also common. The male is a finely coloured insect, 

 and flies in the sunshine with great swiftness. The 

 caterpillar in its later stages is handsome and conspicu- 

 ous, and feeds on Heather and Hawthorn. 



DiCHANURA viNULA, the puss moth, is fairly common here. 

 The larva of this genus feeds on the Poplar or Sallow. 

 The head and front segments closely resemble the head 

 of a cat, and from this they receive their distinctive 

 name. They are also provided with a singular protec- 

 tive apparatus — double telescopic tails, from which they 

 can eject minute drops of pyric acid when attacked by 

 birds or other natural foes. 



DiCRANURA FURCULA, the sallow kitten, is occasionally taken 

 here. It resembles the preceding moth in its habits 

 and food plants, but is much less. 



NoTODONTA CAMELiNA, the coxcomb prominent ; Notodonta 

 DicrcEA, the swallow prominent ; Notodonta dromedabius, 

 the iron prominent ; Notodonta ziczac, the pebble pro- 

 minent ; are all more or less common here, and the 

 food plants of the larva are Birch, Poplar, or Sallow. 

 Notodonta dicteoides, the small swallow prominent, 

 (rare), and Notodonta carmelita, the scarce prominent, 

 (very rare). 

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