THE PUSS MOTH 79 



PLATE XLI 

 THE PUSS MOTH (i and 2) 



This fine and handsome moth is called the 

 "Puss," because, when its wings are closed, it 

 looks rather like a brindled cat. And there are 

 two or three smaller moths which are a good 

 deal like it; so these are known as "Kittens." 



One does not very often see the Puss Moth, 

 although it is quite a common insect. But you 

 can easily find its caterpillars by looking for 

 them on the leaves of poplar and willow trees 

 in August. They are most odd-looking creatures 

 — bright apple-green in colour, with black heads, 

 and with white and purple stripes upon their 

 backs and sides, and with the front part of the 

 body drawn up into quite a large hump. In front 

 of this hump are two big black spots, which 

 might easily be mistaken for eyes. And at the end 

 of the body are two long, slender horns, from each 

 of which the caterpillar pokes out a pink, thread- 

 like organ when it is frightened. These organs 

 look very much like stings, but they are per- 

 fectly harmless, so that you need not be in the 

 least afraid to handle the insect. And the odd 

 thing is that if two or three of these caterpillars 

 are shut up in a box together, they nearly always 

 nibble at one another's horns. 



When the Puss Moth caterpillar is fully fed 



