Volume 14, Plate XVI / Entomology (Insects)

Puss-Moth & Kentish Glory

Cerura Vinula & Endromis versicolor

1. & 2. Puss-Moth. By far the most conspicuous of nine British species, expanding about three inches, the forewings greyish-white and somewhat diaphanous with strongly marked yellowish-brown nervures and rows of black spots, the hinder wings ashy-brown whitish round the edge. The remarkable caterpillar holds its large head elevated and bears a two-forked tail with protrusible tentacula to repel flies, feeding on willow and poplar, building a strong gummed cocoon and not unfrequent through England and southern Scotland.
3. The Kentish Glory. The male measures about two inches four lines and the female sometimes exceeds three, the forewings rusty-red inclining to grey with two transverse black bands and a black discoidal crescent, the hinder wings tawny-yellow with a waved dusky line and the body densely clothed with yellowish-brown hair. The caterpillar, attenuated in front with a pyramidal anal elevation, feeds on common forest trees, this rarer British moth found chiefly in southern English woods with a swift day-flying male.