232 



INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY 



emerges in June or July. It is large and heavy with a 



brownish body and greyish wings. 



Wood Leopard Moths {Zeuzera pyrina) are closely related 



to the Groat Moth and 

 have similar habits. 

 These moths are fairly 

 often to be seen round 

 London in the summer, 

 and are easily recognis- 

 able from the many 

 dark spots which deco- 

 rate the greyish -white 

 surface of the wings. 

 The Looper The "Loo- 

 Moths (Geo- per " moths 

 metridae). fly ^t night, 



and therefore are not 

 very well known except 

 to those who specially 

 collect them. The 

 caterpillars, however, 

 from their peculiar ' 

 characteristics, are easily 

 recognised. They have 

 slender brown or green 

 bodies, and are peculiar 

 in having only one pair 

 of abdominal feet, in 

 addition to the claspers, 

 the pair on the ninth 

 segment of the body. In 

 consequence of this, they 

 move with the curious 

 looping motion which has 

 suggested the name of 

 the family. These cater- 

 pillars all very readily 

 spin delicate silk threads 

 with which, if disturbed, they quickly suspend themselves from 

 the tree or plant on which they are living, climbing the thread 

 back to their former position when the danger is past. 



Fig. 160. — A "Looper" Caterpillar feeding 



on Privet. 



The lower specimen is resting, supported by a 



fine silk tliread attaching its head to the twig. 



