Butterflies and Moths Part 50

_Xanthosetia zoegana_

Our last example of the _Tortrices_ is _Zoegana_, which belongs to the family _Conchylidae_. Its fore wings are yellow, with a reddish streak along the costa near the base, and a small reddish spot opposite this near the inner margin. The tip of the wings is dark reddish brown, in the middle of which is a large yellow spot.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 233.--ZOEGANA--ENLARGED.]

This moth is widely distributed, and in some parts common. It flies from May to August, and the larva feeds on the small scabious (_Scabiosa columbaria_).

_The Tineae_

We have noticed that the _Tortrices_ form a very extensive group of moths, but they are far outnumbered by the _Tineae_, for of these there are over seven hundred known British species.

Of course, among so many species we are sure to find considerable variety in form and structure; but notwithstanding this, the _Tineae_ form a well-marked division, and the beginner will find but little difficulty in distinguishing between these and the other Micros.

The wings are long and narrow, and are remarkable for the length of the fringe, particularly that of the hind wings. The bodies, too, are long and slender.

The larvae are exceedingly variable. Some have the usual number of sixteen limbs, and others have as many as eighteen. Again, the larvae of several genera have only fourteen legs, and some are absolutely legless.

With regard to their food and habits, they are equally variable, for while some feed exposed, others are always protected in rolled leaves.

Some construct for themselves portable tubes, so that they always remain under cover, and are at the same time perfectly free to ramble in search for food. Some, also, are leaf miners; and the group includes the so-called 'Clothes Moths,' whose larvae devour our garments, furs, and the upholstering of our furniture.

We shall now briefly notice a few species, in order that we may become better acquainted with the general characters of the group.

_Diurnea f.a.gella_

This moth represents the small family _Epigraphiidae_, containing only six species, all of which appear in the winter or early spring.

The present species is very common in most parts, and may be seen at rest on the barks of trees in March and April.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 234.--f.a.gELLA.]

The fore wings are usually pale grey or yellowish grey, and dotted with brown; but there is a great variety both in the depth of the ground colour and the distinctness of the markings. Our ill.u.s.tration gives the usual appearance of the insect.

The caterpillar feeds on various trees in September and October, always protected between leaves that it has spun together.

_Adela cuprella_

The family _Adelidae_ contains ten species, all remarkable for the great length of their antennae. The one selected for ill.u.s.tration is a beautiful little moth with bright bronzy green fore wings, tinged with a rich glossy violet. The hind wings are brown with a glossy surface.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 235.--CUPRELLA.]

This moth does not seem to be widely distributed, but is fairly plentiful where it occurs. Wimbledon Common and Epping Forest are good localities for it. It is on the wing in April and May.

_Hyponomeuta Padellus_

The family _Hyponomeutidae_ contains about twenty insects, some of which are very common and exceedingly destructive to our trees. In May and June hawthorn and fruit trees may be seen swarming with the gregarious larvae of some of them, and almost entirely stripped of their leaves.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 236.--PADELLUS.]

The species here figured has grey or white fore wings with three rows of black dots. The hind wings are darker grey without dots.

The larva feeds on hawthorn, apple, and other trees. The perfect insect flies in July and August.

_Depressaria nervosa_

The next family--_Gelechiidae_--is represented by the species Nervosa, which is common in many localities.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 237.--NERVOSA--TWICE NATURAL SIZE.]

Its fore wings are reddish brown, and are marked by a number of short longitudinal streaks of a darker colour. The hind wings are light grey.

The caterpillar is black, marked with black spots in white rings, and having yellow side stripes. It feeds on the flowers of the hemlock water dropwort (_[OE]nanthe crocata_) during June and July.

The moth flies in August and September.

_Harpella Geoffrella_

The same extensive family contains the moth Geoffrella, represented in the accompanying cut. This is an exceedingly pretty insect. The basal portion of its fore wings is yellow, with two longitudinal dark streaks, the outer one of which is bent towards the inner margin near the middle of the wing. The remaining portion of the wings is brown, with two yellowish triangular spots, one on the costal and one on the inner margin. On the middle of the costa is a short dark streak.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 238.--GEOFFRELLA.]

This moth appears in May and June, and is rather local, but very abundant in some parts.

_Coleophora ibipennella_

The family _Coleophoridae_ contains about seventy small moths, characterised by their very narrow and pointed wings, with long fringes, and also, generally, by a little tuft of hair on the first joint of the antennae.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 239.--IBIPENNELLA--ENLARGED.]

The larvae live in little cases which they construct, and feed on various leaves and seeds. They spend the winter within their cases, and change to the chrysalis state in spring or early summer.

One of these moths--_Ibipennella_--is shown in fig. 239. Its fore wings are white, with a satiny gloss, and brownish towards the tips. The 'nervures' are generally of a yellowish tinge. The hind wings are dark grey.

The larva feeds on the birch (_Betula alba_), and may be seen walking on the surface of the leaves, carrying, or rather dragging after it, the pistol-shaped case in which it lives, nothing protruding save its head and front legs. It is full fed in May, and the moth flies in July.

_Tischeria complanella_

This species represents the rather extensive family _Elachistidae_, the members of which have narrow and pointed wings. Many of them are adorned with beautiful metallic tints, but are generally so small that a lens is necessary to show up the splendour of their clothing. Most of the larvae are leaf miners, and are easily reared. All that is necessary is to pluck a few twigs, the leaves of which, when held up to the light, reveal the tiny larvae in their burrows, and place them in a vessel of water. They do not feed long, and it is probable that most of the larvae so treated will be ready to change before the leaves have become dry.

The present species has bright yellow fore wings, with pale grey cloudings at the hind margins. It is very abundant in many parts, and flies during the month of June.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 240.--COMPLANELLA--ENLARGED.]