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Liparis (Genus of moths belonging)
A genus of moths, belonging to a family of which the larvae are at times very destructive to cultivated trees (see Hawthorn Caterpillars). The larvae of all the species are hairy, and often bear peculiar tufts of hair on certain parts of the body, and they are usually bright-coloured. L. auriflua (Gold-tail Moth) is satiny-white, with one or more rounded black spots on the upper wings, and a tuft of golden-yellow down at the tip of the body. The larva bears three rows of tubercles along the body; those nearest the back are black, those in the middle bear each a tuft of whitish hairs, those below are coral-red; the fifth and sixth segments are humped above. It feeds chiefly on Hawthorn, and is very common in England. L. chrysorrhaea (Brown-tail Moth) is pure white, with a large tuft of brown hairs at the tip of the abdomen, used for covering over the eggs when laid. The larva is black, with warty tubercles, emitting tufts of snow-white hairs, on the second and on the fifth to twelfth segments, and on the tenth and eleventh segments are scarlet cup-shaped spots in the middle of the back. It feeds on fruit-trees, Hawthorn, Oak, &c.
L. dispar (Gipsy Moth). In this species, the males are dark brown, the upper wings with zigzag darker markings, and a central spot. The females are much larger and heavier, with dingy white wings barred with darker belts. The larva is black, netted with grey; there is a grey median dorsal line, and each segment bears two dark blood-coloured dorsal tubercles, and four grey ones on the sides. It feeds on Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Plums, Apples, &c., and in France often does much damage.
L. monacha (Black Arches), like the last, shows a marked inequality in size of male and of female, and, like it, is often most hurtful to trees on the Continent--Oak, Birch, &c., but more especially to conifers, from which it often strips the leaves. The species is rare in Britain. L. salicis (Satin Moth). The wings of this moth are satiny-white; the body is black, but covered with long white hairs. The larva bears a row of white spots down the middle of the back, bordered on each side by a broad black stripe, in which lie eleven red tubercles; sides grey, with red tubercles. The larvae usually feed on Poplars and Willows, but, at times, also on other trees. Hand-picking and beating appear to be the best methods to limit the numbers of all the species.