LEPIDOPTERA. 
quite distinct, and closely resembles that of a dead twig. Doubtless such a likeness 
saves it somewhat from the attacks of birds and ichneumon-wasps. When fully 
extended, and clinging only by its 
hindmost claspers, the caterpillar 
assimilates so marvellously with the 
brown and olive tints of the boughs 
among which it takes up its station, 
that it is almost indistinguishable 
from its surroundings. Another 
handsome member of the same group 
is the mottled umber (Hibernia 
defoliaria), which appears very late 
in the season, long after the majority 
of the members of the order have 
completed the term of their exist¬ 
ence. By night the male circles 
around the trunks of trees in search 
of his wingless partner. In the 
former sex the large wings are pale 
ochre in colour, with a darker wavy 
transverse bar. The female, on the 
other hand, is variegated black and 
ochreous yellow, and bears no small 
resemblance to some species of spider. 
The larvae feed on the buds of various 
trees, and descend into the earth to 
change into the pupa; the latter 
being dark mahogany, with a sharp 
spine at the tail. The species is 
not rare in England and on the 
Continent. The scarce umber ( H '. 
aurantiaria), which is figured in the 
same illustration, is less common than the last, but appears at the same season. 
Nearly allied is the winter-moth {Cheimatobia brumata), which in mode of life is 
somewhat similar to the mottled umber, but, as indicated by its scientific name, 
flies still later in the year. The larva lives partially secluded amongst the leaves 
which it draws together with silk. When occurring in great numbers, these cater¬ 
pillars do serious damage to forest-trees and orchards. The male is of a dusky 
grey colour, with three darker bands across the upper-wings; while the female is 
wingless. In order to prevent the females from ascending the trees and laying their 
eggs on the foliage, it is the custom in Sweden to Ting the trunk with a narrow 
band of some sticky substance. The bordered white (. Bupalus piniarius) is another 
well-known member of the group. In this species the males are very abundant, 
flying amongst fir-plantations in England and on the Continent. The females are 
no less common, but do not take wing so readily. The larva is pale green, with 
whitish stripes, and pale yellow spiracles, and feeds during the months of August 
PEPPER MOTH, WITH LARVA AND PUPA (liat. size). 
