43 2 



The Moths and Butterflies 



many amateurs, and numerous differenl sphingid species will be found in 

 any collection of Lepidoptera. The uniformity of structural character in 

 larvae and adults of the various species, and the general similarity of habits 

 and life-history, make the family a coherent one, and one readily distinguish- 

 able from other moths. These moths, with few exceptions, have long, nar- 



FIG. 620. Larva of the sphinx-moth, Phlegethontius Carolina. (After Jordan and 

 Kellogg; one-half natural size.) 



row, pointed fore wings, very small hind wings, a smooth-coated, compact, 

 cleanly tapering body, and a long proboscis, coiled when not in use, like 

 a watch-spring, on the front of the head (Fig. 509). The cclors and pat- 

 terns are extremely varied, but uniformly quietly beautiful and harmonious. 



FIG. 621. Larva of Phlegethontius celeus. (After Soule; somewhat reduced.) 



The larva? (Fig. 619) are naked, usually green, often with repeated oblique 

 whitish lines on the sides, and bear a conspicuous sharp-pointed horn, 

 or, in fewer instances, a flattish, button-like shining tubercle, on the back 

 of the eighth abdominal segment. The caterpillars, or "worms," feed on 



