DRINKER MOTH. 123 



To pass to another insect. 



On plate E, and fig. 1 and 1 a, may be seen an in- 

 sect which somewhat resembles the oak egger-moth, 

 and is often mistaken for it by inexperienced eyes. 

 This is the "Drinker" moth, remarkable for the 

 thick furry coat which it wears, as a caterpillar and 

 as a moth, and which it employs in the construction 

 of its cocoon. This moth is one of my particular 

 friends ; and I have had hundreds of them from the 

 egg to their perfect state. I had quite a large 

 establishment for the education and development of 

 lepidoptera, and especially favoured the tiger-moth, 

 the oak egger, and the drinker. 



The caterpillar of this moth is entirely covered 

 with dense hair, even down to the very feet ; and by 

 means of this protection it is enabled to brave the 

 winter frost, needing not to pass the cold months in 

 a torpid state. It is a pretty caterpillar, and very 

 easily recognised by the figure. Its chief peculiarities 

 are the two tufts of hair that it bears at its opposite 

 extremities, and the double line of black spots along 

 its sides 



Generally, it feeds on various grasses, but it is not 

 dainty, as are many caterpillars ; and I have always 

 found it to eat freely of the same food as the oak 

 egger larva. This caterpillar is seen at fig. 1 b. 



When alarmed, it loosens its hold of the plant on 

 which it is feeding, rolls itself into a ring, and drops 

 to the ground, hoping to evade notice among the 



