INSECTS 363 



I. Large Moths, as the name indicates, are usually of con- 

 siderable size, and agree with the Butterflies in the following 

 characters: — The wings are elaborately veined, and the larvae, 

 which feed upon leaves, have downwardly-directed heads, and, 

 usually, a curved line of horny brisdes near the tip of each pro-leg. 

 The abdomen of the pupa is devoid of transverse rows of spines. 



Hawk-Moths are large swiftly-flying insects with a very long 

 proboscis, suited for draining honey from flowers (such as honey- 

 suckle) possessing a very long tubular spur. The caterpillars 

 have smooth brightly-coloured skins, and are provided with five 

 pairs of pro-legs, while a horn-like projection is found on the 

 upper surface, near the hinder end of the body. The pupae are 

 found underground, enclosed in cocoons of earth. British e?;- 

 amples are the Death's-Head Moth {Acherontia Atropos), with 

 markings on the upper side of the thorax looking like a skull and 

 cross-bones, and the Privet Moth {Sphinx ligustri). The larva 

 of a common European species, the Pine Hawk- Moth {Sphinx 

 pinastri), is very destructive to pine-trees. 



The Clear- Wings are remarkable from the absence of scales on 

 the wings, owing to which, and the nature of their markings, they 

 resemble wasps, &c., this being no doubt a protective arrange- 

 ment. The Hornet Clear- Wing {Trochilium apiforme) is a typical 

 native species. 



Spinners are large clumsy moths, clothed with abundant hair, 

 and provided with a short proboscis. The colours are dull, and 

 the two sexes differ considerably in appearance, e.g. in the character 

 of the antennae, which are plume-like in the male, and thread-like 

 in the female. The caterpillars are more or less hairy, and before 

 becoming pupae spin cocoons, which may be entirely of silk, or 

 contain a number of cast hairs in addition. One of the most 

 beautiful British species belongs here, the Emperor Moth {Saturnia 

 carpini), with an eye-like marking on each wing, and the cater- 

 pillar, abundant on heather, of emerald-green with pink tubercles. 

 The spread of wing may be as much as 3 inches, but this 

 appears small by comparison with exotic species, especially the 

 Atlas Moth {Attacus atlas), in which the wings measure about a 

 foot across. Among other native species may be mentioned 

 the large Goat Moth {Cossus ligniperda), with wood-boring larva; 

 the Tiger Moth {Arctia caj'a); the Puss Moth {Cerura vinula), 

 with an extraordinary-looking caterpillar; the Buff-Tip {Pygcera 



