Descriptions

This illustration is a page from a volume of William Buckler’s watercolour drawings of butterfly and moth caterpillars. Reverend John Hellins, a friend of Buckler’s and the vicar at Exeter jail, complied it. Hellins writes ‘Figures commenced to be placed in this book Feb 21 1861 with very few exceptions they are by Mr W Buckler – of Emsworth, Hants – who has generously sent me his figures of all species of Lepidopterous larvae – which for any reason were not secured at once in his own Book. J.H.’

The notes read:

WB 1860 Xylophasia Polyodon. α. 7th April. at roots of grass. Tubereles shining brown. Spiracles - minute. brown. Do. (B.) 6th May moth Emerged, July 18th. (c) May 1st at roots of grass: very shining - head dark brown, collar black - spots ovate with a bristle. W.B. (d) June 11. 1860. at roots of coarse grass.

WB Xylophasia Rurea. α. Febry 5. 1862. on grass. Moth out May 4. ββ March 10/62 + March 18. on grass the moth out May 26th. γγ Febry 17th/62. and Febry 27th. after mounlting on Fox-glove and grass. Moth out May 17. δ Febry 3/62 on grass seeds. Moth out May 6th.

WB Xylophasia Hepatica. α. March 18. 1862. moth out June 7. On grass. β Febry 25. γ April 1 1865. Moths out June 1-7

This object is not on display.