L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. a. 1
THE GOAT-MOTH. The most likely Means of obtaining the Caterpillars is, to separate the Bark of some old Willow from the Body of the Tree by a Chissel. Thus probably you may discover some of them: Put them into an earthen Jar, and feed them with Willow Wood, which Food they seem most fond of; but cover the Jar least they creep away. Do not keep them in a Box, or any Thing made of Wood, least they eat their Way through it and be lost. These Caterpillars are full fed about the Middle of May, at which Time they gnaw the Wood into a Kind of Sawdust, which, being mixed with a glutenous Matter from their Mouths, makes a Case wherein they change to the Chrysalis. They lye in that State for about six Weeks; after which the Moths appear, and may be found on the Bodies of Willow Trees. This Chrysalis, by the Help of strong, short Saw like Teeth round Part of each Joint, and pointing towards the Tail, is enabled to force its Fore Part through the Body of the Tree, (as is expressed in the Plate), near which you’ll find the Moth, if you chance to look that Day it is bred. They are reported to be three Years proceeding from the Egg to the Fly; but this I have not myself experienced.
See Lister on Godart. P. 49. N. 39. Albin, Pl. 35. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 18. Reaumur, Pl. 17. Pag. 342. Vol. 1.
The Willow-tree.
Salix.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. a. 2.
THE EMPEROR-MOTH. The best Way to be furnished with this fine Moth is, to breed it from the Caterpillar, which may be found in its infant State during the Month of May; but it is most adviseable to seek for them before the 20th. The Caterpillars, when newly hatch’d, are sociable, and keep together for about three Weeks, after which Time they separate and are difficult to be found. The most certain Food to take them on is the Black Thorn, and of that such as is not of above two or three Years Growth. They are usually found on Twigs about one or two Feet from the Ground, and (as I have observed) herd in Clusters together, when they are in their first, second and third Skins.—On the 12th of May 1745, I had about sixty Caterpillars hatched from such Sort of Eggs as are expressed round the Black Thorn in the Plate: On the 19th they appeared in their second Skin; on the 25th, in their third; on the 18th of June, in their fourth, and, on the 22d, in their fifth. The Caterpillars grew so much in this Skin in four Days, that they were three Times as big as when full fed in their fourth Skin. On June the 30th, they shifted into their sixth and last Skin; in which Skin (as well as in the former Skins) such as appear most Green are the female Caterpillars. On the 12th of July some of them began to spin Cases, in order for their Change into the Chrysalis State; and, on the 26th, the whole threescore had spun themselves up. Thus they remained throughout the Winter, and, from the 16th to the 30th of April following, I had forty of the Moths bred; but the Rest of the Aurelias did not produce their Moths till the Year following: So that about twenty of my Number were in the Chrysalis State near two Years; and yet produced Moths at last that were equally beautiful and large. The Female lays from 250 to 300 Eggs, in such Manner as is represented in the Plate, and these she hides in three or four different Places for the more certain Security of some of them.
The Case which contains the Chrysalis is well worthy Notice, being composed of a glutenous Matter fit to resist all Kinds of Weather; and, for its greater Security, that Part which I call the Mouth is doubly guarded: So that, if any Insect should chance to force the first Fence, it will there meet with a second Resistance, and that of so strong a Nature, from its particular make, that I am apt to believe few, if any, can ever enter; and thus the Chrysalis is preserved in the most secure and wonderful Manner, as will be better understood by attending to the Figure represented in the Plate. The Moth is very seldom taken in the Fly State.
The Black Thorn.
Prunus Sylvestris. Ger.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. a. 3.
This Plate represents the Male and Female of the EMPEROR-MOTH, of which I have already given an Account.
See Merian, Vol. 1. Ch. 23. Albin, Pl. 25. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 4, 5. Reaumur, Pl. 49 and 50. Pag. 554. Vol. 1.
The White Fruit-bramble.
Rubus vulgaris major, fructu albo. Raii. Syn.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. a. 4.
THE PLUMB-TREE MOTH. The Caterpillar feeds in Gardens on various Fruit-trees: It changes to a Chrysalis about the End of May, within Leaves spun together, and lies in that State till the Middle of June, when the Moth appears.
See Albin, Pl. 36.
The red Roman Nectarine.
Nucipersica Romana rubra.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 2. S. b. 1.
THE WILLOW RED-UNDERWING MOTH. The Caterpillar feeds on Willow; changes to a Chrysalis, betwixt the Bark and Body of the Willow Tree, about the Middle of June. The Moth is bred in the Middle of July, and may be found at that Time on the Barks of Willows, and other Trees, as also against Walls, Houses, Barns, &c. If the Weather proves very hot, the Moth will fly in the Day-time. The Caterpillar is rarely found.
See Albin, P. 80. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 15.
The weeping Willow.
Salix orientalis, flagellis deorsum pulchre pendentibus. Tourn. Cor.