228 



INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY 



CHAP. 



probably have stripped of its leaves the twig on vehich they 

 have been feeding. They are big, fat caterpillars nearly 

 two inches long. Their bodies are yellow with interrupted 

 black stripes running longitudinally down them (see Fig. 1 56,i?). 

 They now cease feeding and travel down to the earth, in 



Fig. 156.— Stages in Life of the Buff Tip Moth. 



A, Lime leaf with young larvae, several of which have just shed their skin ; a, cater- 

 pillar just before the moult ; 6, caterpillar just after moult, with bigger head. iJ, 

 Older larva now feeding alone. C, Pupa. 



which they pupate. It is at this stage that we find the 

 caterpillars so frequently on the path below the limes and 

 elms, and if they are carried home the change to the pupa can 

 very soon be seen. The caterpillars enter the damp earth, 

 their bodies shorten, and they become dull -looking and 

 apparently lifeless ; but if left for a time in the earth, they 

 will be found to have cast off their larval skin, and to have 



