IOO 
INSECTS. 
those of the closely allied species, as may be seen from the illustration. The moth 
is found, but not commonly, throughout Europe, and the larva feeds in July upon 
the oak, birch, and other trees. It is supposed that the extraordinary attitude, 
with head and tail erect, has proved beneficial in warning off noxious enemies. 
Another type is represented by the figure-of-eight moth (Diloba ceruleocephala), 
in which the fore-wings are lead-colour, with a pair of white spots which sometimes 
bear a very close resemblance to figures of eight. The larva is blue-green, with 
a central yellow stripe along the back, another below the spinners, while each 
segment bears a number of black warts, each with a black hair springing from the 
top. Illustrations of the moth and larva will be found on p. 112. Of other forms, 
the dromedary prominent ( Notodonta dromedarius), the zigzag {N. ziczac), the 
1 2 
puss-moth (1) with caterpillar (2) in two stages of development, and (3) cocoon ; (4) caterpillar of 
THE LOBSTER-MOTH. 
kitten-moth ( Cerura bijida), and the swallow prominent (Pheosia dictea), are 
amongst the more remarkable of the Notodontidce indigenous to England. But 
we must leave this interesting group, and passing over the family Cymatophoridce, 
including the peach-blossom ( Thyatira batis), frosted green ( Poiyphloca ridens), 
buff-arches ( Habrosyne derccsa ), and others, we reach 
The Clear-Wings— Family Sesiid^j. 
These elegant insects—whose transparent wings, attenuated bodies banded with 
yellow and red, dilate and hooked antennae, give them no small resemblance to 
members of the Hymenoptera—are diurnal in their habits, flying swiftly to and 
fro in the bright sunshine. The larvae are what is called internal feeders, burrow¬ 
ing in the trunks of various trees, or in the pith of shrubs. The pupae are armed 
with little hooks, which enable them to move up and down their tunnelled 
galleries. There are many species even in England, one of the largest being the 
hornet clear-wing; and so closely do this moth ( Trochilium apiforme) and its near 
relative (T. bembiciforme) resemble the common hornet, or perhaps more nearly 
the female of one of the smaller wasps, that only a practised naturalist would be 
