L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 1.
THE GREAT TYGER MOTH. The Caterpillars are hatch’d from the Egg in August, and feed in their infant State on Nettles, Lettice, &c. till the End of October; when, if the Weather be cold and bad, they find themselves a Residence for the Winter in Holes and private Recesses, where they continue till the March or April following, as the Spring is more or less forward. At their coming out of their Holes they feed on the young Nettles, Chickweed, &c. that grows in dry Ditches and Gardens; and, when they are in their last Skin, which is usually at the End of May, they may easily be found in the Places already mentioned. At the Beginning of June they spin a Bag, and within that change to the Chrysalis, in which State they lye for one Month, after which the Moths come abroad and are very common. I have observed, that most of the hairy Caterpillars live throughout the Winter, after the Manner above mentioned.
See Lister’s Godart. N. 99. Moufet. 15. P. 93. Raii Hist. Insect. P. 151. N. 3 and P. 152. N. 7. Merian, Vol. 1. Ch. 5. Albin. Pl. 20. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 1. Reaumur, P. 534. Vol. 1.
The Hatfield Plumb.
Prunus, fructu magno crasso subacido. Tourn.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 2.
THE CREAM-SPOT TYGER MOTH. Chickweed, Nettles, Lettice, &c. are the Food of this Caterpillar, which is to be found on such Growths in dry Ditches, in Woods, &c. at the End of April. It lives all Winter as the last mentioned, and changes to a Chrysalis, within a Spinning, at the Beginning of May. The Moth is bred about three Weeks after; flies in the Day-time, and is very common.
See Merian, Vol. 1. Ch. 6. Albin, Pl. 21. Reaumur, Pl. 31. Pag. 534. Vol. 1.
Chickweed.
Alfine media. C. B. 250.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 3.
The SCARLET TYGER MOTH. The Caterpillar lives all Winter, and is to be taken feeding on the Hounds-Tongue, Nettles, and White Archangel, at the End of April. If you look for them from Charlton-Church, in Kent, down to the Road that leads to Woolwich, there you will find them in Plenty. They make a Spinning in May amongst the dead Leaves on the Ground, and there change to the Chrysalis. The Moths come forth in June and fly by Day.
See Merian, Vol. 2. Ch. 8. Albin, Pl. 22.
The Hounds Tongue in Flower.
Cynoglossum majus, vulgare. C. B. 257.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 4.
The BLACK ARCHES, a MOTH. The Caterpillar of this Fly remains in Egg all Winter, and hatching about the Middle of April, feeds on the Leaves of the Oak, Apple Trees, &c. A Caterpillar brought up by Mr. Cabrier came to its full Growth near the Middle of June; at which Time it fastened itself, in the Corner of the Box, by a few small Threads: The 14th it changed to a Chrysalis, and the Moth appeared the 4th of July. The Caterpillar was fed, in its infant State, with Lettice, there being no Oak Leaves at that Time. This Moth is to be found sticking on the Barks of the Oak Trees in Richmond, Bushey, and other Parks, in July; but is not common.
See Merian, Vol. 2. Ch. 22.
The Apple Tree in Blossom.
Malus.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 5.
The GREAT ERMINE MOTH. Its Caterpillar feeds on most Kinds of Plants and Flowers; turns to a Chrysalis, within a Web on the Ground, in September: The Moth is bred in the May following, and may be found sticking on the Barks of Trees, on Pales, Walls, &c.
The small Garden Sun-Flower.
Corona Solis, perennis & vulgaris. Vaill.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 6.
The SPOTTED BUFF-MOTH. The Caterpillars of this Moth are very mischievous in Gardens, feeding on most Kind of Herbage; but may easily be shaken off the Plants and killed. They change to the Chrysalis within a Web on the Ground, and sometimes within the Ground, in September, and the Moths came out in May. Their Eggs are of a light green Colour; and the Caterpillars, when first hatch’d, which is about the Middle of June, are white and hairy. The Moth is frequently taken sticking on Houses, Walls, Pales, &c.
Arsmart.
Persicaria maculosa. Ger. 361.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 7.
The GIPSEY MOTH. The Caterpillars are very destructive to all Fruit-trees, on which they are found in Swarms envelop’d with a Web like that of the Spider. In the Day-time they disperse themselves over the whole Tree, but at Night come together again, and retire to their Web. They put on the Chrysalis, form within a Spinning, at the Beginning of July, and the Moth is bred about fourteen Days after. Their Eggs are covered with a yellowish Down, whereby they are preserved from Cold throughout the Winter. This Moth is very common in Germany, and was produced from a Nest of Eggs that were sent to Mr. Peter Collinson, who gave them to Charles Lockyer, Esq; He bred Moths from them as above mentioned; and, having turned Numbers of them wild (as I have been informed) about Ealing near Brentford, in Middlesex, they are to be found there, but not any where else that I have yet heard of.
See Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 3. Merian, Vol. 1. Ch. 18.
The Crab-tree.
Malus sylvestris. Ger. 1276.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 8.
The BUFF-TIP MOTH. The Caterpillar feeds on the Willow and Oak, and may be easily found amongst the Willows growing about Chelsea, and in such like Places. They may be taken full fed towards the End of August; at which Time Numbers of them go into the Earth, and there Change to the Chrysalis, and the Moths appear in the following May. It is not a very common Thing to take this Moth flying.
See Lister’s Godart, N. 95. Raii Hist. Insect. P. 162. N. 14. Albin, Pl. 23. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 14.
The Yellow Dwarf-Willow.
Salix folio longo subluteo, non auriculata, viminibus luteis. Raii. Syn.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 9.
The WHITE-SATIN MOTH. Its Caterpillar feeds on the White Poplar, as also on Willow; changes to a hairy Chrysalis, within the Leaves spun together, in June; lies in that State about twenty Days, and then the Moth flies abroad. You may take these Flies by shaking the Boughs of the Trees they feed on. Their Eggs, when first laid, are of a pale green Colour, which they cover with a Substance looking like Leaf-silver. They continue about one Month in the Egg-state, and the Caterpillars live all Winter.
See Lister on Godart. P. 84. N. 87. Rosel, Cl. 2, Tab. 9. Reaumur, Pl. 34. Pag. 534. Vol. 1.
The White Poplar-Tree.
Populus alba majoribus foliis. C. B.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 10.
The LACKEY-MOTH. The Caterpillars are very common, and feed on most Kind of Herbage, especially Black Thorn, White Thorn, &c. about the Middle of June they change to the Chrysalis within a Case, which they spin, and cover with a fine Dust of the Colour of Brimstone. In this State they remain for about one Month; then the Moth appears, and lays her Eggs, in a spiral Order, round the young Twigs of such Trees as are proper Food for the infant Caterpillars. They hatch in the Spring, and keep together in a Web while young. As these Caterpillars are destructive in Gardens to Fruit-trees, &c. its adviseable to destroy them.
See Godartius, P. 1. Tab. 10. Albin, Pl. 19. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 6. Reaumur, Vol. 2. Pl. 4. Pag. 120.
Figure 1. Tway Blade. 2. The Crane’s Bill. 3. The Yellow-Vetchling.
1. Bifolium, vulg. C. B. 2. Geranium Robertianum. 3. Lathyrus luteus sylvestris dumetorum. 1. B. II. 304.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 11.
The GREAT EGGER-MOTH. The Caterpillars of this Moth are to be found, full grown, towards the End of May, feeding on Black Thorn and White Thorn. At the Beginning of June, they spin a brown Case, in the Shape of an Egg, in which the Chrysalis is formed: They remain in that State for about one Month; then the Moth is produced. The Males fly swiftly in the Day-time, from 12 o’Clock to 5 in the Afternoon. The Eggs are of an oval Shape, and usually hatch at the latter End of July. When the Caterpillars are young, you may feed them with Black Thorn, or White Thorn, and, during the Winter, with Bramble, Holly, Privet, &c. When you breed any female Egger-Moths, take one of them and put it in a Box (covered with a Piece of Crape, to prevent its getting away), carry the Box with you to the Sides of Woods and green Lanes; and, if the Day be fair, and the Sun shines bright, put it upon the Ground: And, if there is a Breed of these Moths near, the Males will come and endeavour to get at the Female. By this means I have taken with my Net near twenty in an Hour. This Method of taking Flies is called Simbling; and many other Kinds of Moths are to be catched the same Way.
See Godart. P. 1. Tab. 7. Lister’s Godart. N. 88. Merian, Vol. 1. Ch. 10. Moufet, P. 92 N. 9. Raii’s Hist. Insect. P. 142. N. 2. Albin, Pl. 18. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 35. a. Reamur, Pl. 35. Pag. 534. Vol. 1.
The White Thorn in Flower.
Mespilus sylvestris, seu Oxyacantha.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 12.
The GRASS EGGER-MOTH. I took the Caterpillars of this Moth feeding on Clover amongst Grass. They make a Spinning and Case, on the Surface of the Earth, about the Middle of June, and therein turn to a Chrysalis. The Moth flies in the Middle of August; but is not commonly met with.
See Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 35. b.
The double flowering Cherry, and Grass.
Cerasus hortensis, flore roseo. C. B. Pin. 450.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 13.
The DECEMBER MOTH. Mr. Dandridge took some of its Caterpillars, at the Beginning of June, on the Hasle; but, observing they eat but little, gave them fresh Boughs that were wet with Rain, on which they fed greedily. The next Day he gave them Water and Honey mixt together, of which they drank a good Quantity, and fell to eating again very heartily. In this Manner he fed them every Day, and sometimes twice a Day, till the Middle of the same Month, when they went into the Earth and changed into Chrysalis. The Moths came out at the End of December. I took this Year (1748) two of these Caterpillars on the Leaves of an Oak, wherewith I fed them till the Middle of June, when they spun a dirty coloured Case which contained the Chrysalis; and the Moths were bred on the 24th October.
See Albin, P. 85. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 60.
The Nut-tree.
Corylus, Sativa, fructu anguloso. C. B. 418.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 14.
The SPOTTED RED and WHITE UNDERWING MOTH. I found and fed the Caterpillar on Black Thorn: It made a Spinning, and changed to Chrysalis in the Middle of April, and the Moth came abroad about the Middle of May. The Caterpillar lives all Winter, and the Moth is rarely to be met with.
See Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 43.
Figure 1. The Black Thorn. 2. The Columbine. 3. The Ranunculus. 4. The White Bells.
1. Prunus sylvestris. C. B. 2. Aquilegia vulgaris simplex. C. B. 3. Ranunculus. 4. Hyacinthus, flore albo. C. B.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 15.
The WOOD TYGER MOTH. This Moth I first discovered in Cain Wood. The Caterpillar lives all Winter, feeds on Chickweed, Lettice, the Lesser Plantain, &c. and is full grown about the Middle of April, when it changes to the Chrysalis within a Spinning: The Moth is bred in the Middle of May, flies by Day, and may be taken in Cain or Tottenham Woods; an Afternoon is the best Time.
The Vredenrick Hyacinth, and Lesser Plantain.
Hyacinthus Belgicus Vredenrick dictus. Plantago minor. I. B.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 16.
The MOTHER of PEARL MOTH. Nettles are the Food of the Caterpillar, within the Leaves of which (folded together) it lives, and feeds till the Beginning of June; when it puts on the Chrysalis Form wrapt up within a Leaf, whose Edges are fastened by a Spinning: Fourteen Days after the Moth appears, and may be taken, very commonly, in an Evening, amongst Nettles.
See Albin, P. 73. Rosel, Cl. 4. Tab. 4.
The Cherry-Plumb.
Prunus, fructu majori, rotundo, rubro. Tourn.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 17.
The YELLOW JULY OAK-MOTH. The Food of the Caterpillar is the Leaves of the Oak Tree, on which it feeds till the Middle of June; then it changes to a Chrysalis in some Chink or other that it meets with in the Bark of the said Tree, over which Chink or Hole the Caterpillar spins a strong Web, which prevents any Bird or Insect from getting at it in its Chrysalis State. The Moth is bred in the Middle of July, and may, now and then, be found on the Barks of the Oak Trees in Richmond and other Parks, about that Time; but it is not a common Fly.
See Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 17.
The May-cherry.
Cerasus, majalis, fructu duro subdulci. Tourn.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 18.
The SMALL EGGER-MOTH. Black and White Thorn are the Food of the Caterpillars, which are always found in Colonies; the whole Nest of them feeding together till they are ready to change. When they are first hatch’d from the Egg, they spin a Web to shelter themselves from the Weather; and, as they grow, enlarge it with several Divisions. They seldom go from the Plant they are first hatched on, till they have eaten it quite bare and want Food. They ordinarily spin a Thread from their main Web to guide them Home again; this is very particular, and seems necessary to them. About the Beginning of July you may find them full fed; then they spin a Web, within which a Case is formed, shaped like an Egg, which contains the Chrysalis: In this State they remain all Winter, and the Moths are bred in March. It is adviseable, if you feed the Caterpillars, to take the whole Nest with the Web. I have seldom taken the Moths.
See Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 62. Albin, P. 19.
The Almond Tree, Blossom and Fruit.
Amygdalus sativa fructu majore. C. B. Pin. 441.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. A. 19.
The FOX COLOURED MOTH. The Caterpillar is hatch’d in July, lives all Winter, and feeds on Grass, Brambles, &c. I have seen them in September as large as they are in the Middle of April, which is the Time they go to Chrysalis, within a Spinning or Web. The Moth is bred in the Middle of May, and the Cock flies swiftly in an Afternoon; but may be taken in a Net, by the Sides of Woods and green Lanes.
See Albin, P. 81.
The Blackberry Fruit.
Rubus, fructu nigro.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. 2 A. 1.
The CINNABAR-MOTH. The Caterpillars of this Fly are sociable and feed together in Numbers on the Ragwort; in July they are full grown, and then some go into the Earth, and others spin on the Surface of the Ground, in order to their Change into the Chrysalis State. The Moths are produced in the May following, and are common in Fields and Gardens.
See Lister on Godart. P. 61. N. 54. Albin, Pl. 34. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 48. Reaumur, Pl. 16. Pag. 342. Vol. 1.
The Ragwort, in Flower.
Jacobea, vulgaris. J. B. H. 1057.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. 3 A. 1.
The BRAMBLE MOTH. Its Caterpillar is to be found feeding on the Bramble, on the Oak, &c. at the Beginning of September; and, towards the Middle of the same Month, it changes to a Chrysalis, mixing its Hairs with the Bag it spins: The Moth comes forth the May following, and is not very common.
The Orange Apricock.
Malus Armeniaca, fructu aurantio.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. b. 1.
The LAPPIT-MOTH. The Eggs of this Moth are laid about the Middle of July, and remain in that State fourteen Days. I fed the Caterpillars, when first hatch’d, with Black Thorn, and continued giving them the same Food till October; at which Time they were in their fourth Skin, and appeared as represented at Letter a; They there stretched themselves at full Length on the Twigs, and remained so till the April following, without eating any thing that I could perceive, notwithstanding at different Times I put in fresh green Food to try them. About the End of May the Caterpillars are full grown, in which Condition b represents the Female; they then make a Spinning, within which the Chrysalis is formed, and remains in that State for one Month, when the Moth is bred; though it is rarely met with in the Fly-state. The Caterpillars are to be found, at the End of May, sticking close to the Boughs of the Black Thorn, Bramble, &c. You must look for them about a Foot or two from the Ground; but, as their Colour nearly resembles the Bark of their Food, it is very difficult to see them.
See Albin, Pl. 16. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 41. Merian, Vol. 1. Ch. 17. Reaumur, Pl. 23. Pag. 322. Vol. 2.
The Privet leaved Phylerea.
Phyllyrea, Ligustri folio. C. B.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. b. 2.
The DRINKER-MOTH. Its Eggs are usually laid about the Middle of July; in about fourteen Days the Caterpillars come out: They feed in the Winter-season on long Grass, &c. and change to Chrysalis at the End of May (within such a Case as is expressed in the Plate) at which Time they are easily found upon the Grass, by the Sides of Fields and Hedges. The Moths are bred at the End of June, and may be taken flying in an Evening, in green Lanes and by the Sides of Woods.
See Lister’s Godart. N. 82. Albin, Pl. 17. Raii Hist. Insect. P. 142. N. 3. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 2.
Figure 1. The Yellow Vetchling. 2. Bistort. 3. The White Darnel Grass. 4. The Wood-Pease.
1. Lathyrus sylvestris, dumetorum, flore luteo. C. B. 2. Bistorta major. I. B. 3. Gramen loliaceum spica longiori. C. B. 4. Astragalus sylvaticus. Ger. Emac.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. b. 3.
The YELLOW-TAIL MOTH. The Caterpillar feeds on Elder, Oak, Black Thorn, &c. upon all which Growths you may find them at the End of May. It changes to a Chrysalis, within a Spinning, at the Beginning of June, and the Moth comes forth at the End of the same Month. They may be found sticking against the Barks of the Trees in Parks, and other Places, and also flying in the Evening. They lay Eggs of a pale Colour, and cover them with a woolly Substance. The Caterpillars are hatch’d in August, and will feed on Black Thorn till the End of October; at which Time they spin themselves little Cases, and remain in them till the Spring following.
See Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 21. Reaumur, Pl. 16. Pag. 342. Vol. 1.
The Alder-Tree.
Alnus, rotundifolia, glutinosa, viridis. C. B.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. b. 4.
The DAGGER MOTH. The Caterpillar feeds on Rose Trees, Fruit-trees, and Shrubs; becomes a Chrysalis within the Earth in October, and in May following the Moth appears, and may be found sticking against Pales, Walls, Trees, &c. Their Eggs are very small, and of a fine green Colour, and the Caterpillars are common in Gardens and other Places. It is observed, that the Protuberance on the Back of the Caterpillar is of a fleshy Substance, with Hair growing out of it.
See Albin, P. 86. Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 7. Reaumur, Pl. 42. Pag. 602.
The most double Sweet Briar Rose.
Rosa sylvestris, sive Eglanteria, flore pleno.
L. 1. Ch. 1.
Cl. 3. S. b. 5.
The WILD PINE-TREE LAPPIT-MOTH. Mr. Rosel informs us, That the Caterpillars of this curious Fly feed on the Pinus sylvestris, or Wild Pine: That they are full fed in the Month of June, at which Time they change to Chrysalis, within such a Spinning as is represented in the Plate; and, after lying in that State three Weeks the Moths appear.
About the Middle of September, 1748, I took one of these Caterpillars upon a White Thorn Bush, near Richmond Park; which is still alive this 20th Day of January 1748-9, though it has eat nothing, that I know of, since it has been in my Custody. It remains stretched out, in the Manner of the Lappit-Caterpillar represented at the Letter a of the first Plate of this Section; and I do not think it will begin to feed until there are Buds of Black or White Thorn to give it. This is the only Caterpillar of the Kind that I have known taken in England.—For the Drawings exhibited in my Plate, I am obliged to Mr. Rosel.
See Rosel, Cl. 2. Tab. 59.
The Wild Pine-Tree.
Pinus sylvestris. C. B. Pin.