Book IV. 



OF VERMIN. 



433 



2253. The moths [PhalceiKe) are a numerous genus like the sphinges. They fly abroad only in the evening 

 and during the night, and obtain their food from the nectar of flowers. The larva is active and quick m 

 motion, and preys voraciously on the leaves of plants. The most remarkable British moths are the clothes- 

 moth (P. sarcifella) {Jig. 405. a) : the eggs of which are deposited on woollen clothes, furs, &c. on which the 

 larvffi feed and change to chrysalids, appearing in the imago state in August. The most troublesome in 

 gardens are the cabbage-moth {P. oleracea) (6), the gooseberry-moth {P. wavaria) (c), the currant-moth 

 (P. grossularia) (d), and the cotlling-moth, common on fruit-trees, hedges, and oak-trees {P.pomonclla) {c). 



405 



2254. 77i€ neuroptera, or nerve- winged insects, have four naked membranaceous wings, 

 but no stings ; and they differ from the last order, as their wings are without their minute 

 scales or down. Most of the insects in this family are aquatic, residing in the water 

 during their immature state, and resorting thereto in their perfect state, 



22.55, The dragon-fly {Libellula) is well known as frequenting rivers, lakes, pools, and stagnating waters, in 

 which the females deposit their eggs. The egg, when deposited by the parent in the water, sinks to the 

 bottom, and remains there till the young insect has acquired sufficient maturity and strength to burst 

 from its confinement. The larva, at first small, increases to nearly half the size of the perfect fly, by 

 changing its skin at different intervals, like the caterpillars of moths and butterflies, The slender-bodied 

 dragon-fly (L. virgo) [fig. 406. a) is tlie most common. 



406 



2256. The day-fly {Ephemera) differs in many respects from all other insects. The larvas live in water 

 (where earth and clay seem to be their only nourishment) for three years, the time they consume in pre- 

 paring for their change, which is performed in a few moments. The larva, when ready to quit that state, 

 rises to the surface of the water, and, getting instantaneously rid of its skin, becomes a chrysalis. This 

 chrysalis is furnished with wings, which it makes use of to fly to the nearest tree or wall ; and there set- 

 tling, it in the same moment quits a second skin, and becomes a perfect ephemera. In this state all the 

 species live but a very short time, some of them scarcely half an hour, having no other business to per- 

 form than that of continuing the race. They arc called the insects of a day ; but very few of them ever 

 see the light of the sun, being produced after sunset, during the short nights of summer, and dying long 

 before the dawn. All their enjoyments, therefore, excelling coition, are confined to their larva state. 

 The E. vulgata {fig. 406. 6) is the largest British si>ecies, 



2257. The spring-fly {Phrygajiea) in the caterpillar state, lives in the water, and is covered with a silken 

 tube. The caterpillars or larva have a very singular aspect ; for, by means of a gluten, they attacii to the 

 tubes in which they are enclosed small pieces of wood, sand, gravel, leaves of plants, and not unfrequcntly 

 live on testaceous animals, all of which they drag along \vith them. They are very commonly found on 

 the leaves of the water-cress ; and, as they are often entirely covered with them, they have the appear- 

 ance of animal plants. They are in great request among lishennen, by whom they are distinguislied by 

 the name of stone or cod-bait. The fly, or perfect insect, frequents running water, in which tiie females 

 deposit their eggs. P. rhombica {fig. 406. c) is common. 



2258. The hymenojHera, or four-winged insects with stings, includes the gall-insect, 

 wasp, bee, ant, &c. At the extremity of the abdomen, the females of several of thege- 



F f 



