114 BURNET-MOTH. 



spots, varying in number according to the species ; 

 some wearing six spots, and others only five. The 

 two under wings are of a carmine red, edged with a 

 border of black, in which is a tinge of steely blue. 

 The body is velvety black, with the same blue tint. 



The moth is rather local ; but when one is found 

 in a field, hundreds will certainly be near. 



At the best of times it is not an active insect, and 

 on a cold or a dull day hundreds of them may be 

 seen clinging to the upright grass stems, from which 

 they can be removed at pleasure. 



The caterpillar of this beautiful moth keeps close 

 to the ground, and feeds on grasses, the speedwell, 

 dandelion, and other plants. When it is about to 

 become a pupa, it ascends some slender upright 

 plant, generally a grass stem, and then spins for 

 itself the residence which is represented on the 

 plate. 



In this state it may be gathered, and placed under 

 a glass shade ; and in the summer months the 

 perfect insect will make its appearance. There are 

 some places which it specially favours, and where it 

 may be found in great profusion. At Hastings, for 

 example, the fields about the cliffs were so populated 

 by these moths, that hardly a grass stem was with- 

 out its Burnet-moth's habitation. 



Feeding on the same plant as the Tiger-moth 

 caterpillar, may often be found another caterpillar 

 of a very different aspect. It is very much larger, 



