200 INJURIOUS AND USEFUL INSECTS 



larvae make feeding excursions by day, but return to the web 

 at night, or during rain. When disturbed, they often let them- 

 selves down by threads, up which they climb again when the 

 danger is past. In July the larvse are full-fed and spin cocoons 

 on or near the trees on which they fed. The moth appears in 

 late summer ; it is of rusty yellow, with darker bands across 

 the middle of the fore wings. The eggs are laid in close 

 spiral bands round the twigs of trees, and are often to be seen 

 in infested places during autumn or winter. Cutting the webs 

 away with shears and burning them is the most certain remedy. 

 The lackey-moth, like some other insect pests, is often plenti- 

 ful for some years together and then disappears for a time; 

 the cause, we suspect, is to be found in the variety or abund- 

 ance of its insect-parasites (see p. 98). 



Family Notodontidse. The buff-tip often does much damage 

 to the foliage of trees. The puss-moth and lobster-moth have 

 remarkable larvse. The puss-moth larva is protectively coloured, 

 and when disturbed, withdraws its head into the first body- 

 ring, inflating the margin, which is of a bright red colour. 

 There are two intensely black spots on this margin in the 

 appropriate position for eyes, and the whole appearance is 

 that of a large flat face, which is probably terrifying to the 

 vertebrate enemies of the caterpillar ; when touched ever so 

 lightly, it assumes the terrifying attitude and turns its face 

 towards the enemy. The body ends in two prongs, from 

 which pink whips can be swiftly protruded and brandished 

 over the head. If further attacked, the larva can defend itself 

 by ejecting a strongly irritant fluid from an opening beneath 

 the head. The rare larva of the lobster-moth feeds on beech, 

 and when at rest is concealed by its resemblance to a withered 

 leaf. If attacked, it assumes a terrifying attitude, mimicking a 

 large spider. The first pair of legs are held out like jaws, the 

 next two pairs, which are very long, being held wide apart, and 

 made to quiver, as if about to seize their prey. The hinder 

 part of the body is turned over the head, and the two claspers 

 somewhat resemble a pair of antennse. The coloration of the 

 body adds to the spider-like appearance. On the fourth and 

 fifth body-rings there is a black patch %unk below the general 

 surface and concealed by a flap. When the caterpillar is 

 irritated, the flap is lowered, and the patches become very 

 conspicuous. It is probable, as Hermann Miiller has suggested. 



