Of Moths and Butterflies in general.
The Opinion of Equivocal Generation however formerly received, has by the present Age been deservedly rejected; since every Observation proves, that all Creatures are produced by Parents of their own Kind, and that in general those Parents are Male and Female; and the Production of every Moth and Butterfly in this Manner, is I believe at present not doubted by any Body.
The Females, both of the Moth and Butterfly, lay their Eggs in a short Time after Copulation, upon or contiguous to what will supply proper Food for the young Brood when produced. After a certain Period the Infant Caterpillars included in the Eggs burst their Shells, crawl forth, and feed upon the Provision ready prepared for them. And each of these Caterpillars, having fed its appointed Time, becomes a Chrysalis or Aurelia; from which State, after a while, it issues forth a Fly in the Likeness of its Parent.
Some Species of Butterflies breed twice a Year. Those that come forth in May lay their Eggs soon after, which Eggs in about nine Days Time are hatched. The Caterpillars feed for about six Weeks, then change to Chrysalis, lie in that State for about fourteen Days, and then the Flies are bred. These lay their Eggs as the first Brood did, the Caterpillars change to Chrysalis in September, and the Flies come forth in the following May.
The Variety of the Moth Kinds is so great, that perhaps there is scarce a Day in the Year when some of them are not bred. The Time of their Continuance in the Chrysalis State will be best known by attending to the Account of each Moth described in the following Plates. Some Moths as well as Butterflies breed twice a Year.
It frequently happens, that the Fly does not come out at the usual Time, but continues in the Chrysalis State till that Time Twelvemonth; so that the Creature remains in that Case a Year and nine Months (and sometimes longer) in a State of Rest, without Nourishment of any kind.
Thus much in general:—We descend now to particular Observations.