466 



NATURAL HISTORY OF ARTHROPODS. 



The eggs, which are deposited singly, or in groups of two or three on the under 

 side of the leaves, are nearly round, smooth, and of a pale yellowish-green color, 

 changing to reddish before hatching, which occurs in five or six days. 



The young caterpillar is one-fifth of an inch long when first hatched, of a pale 

 green color, with quite a large head. The caudal horn is black, and half as long as 

 the body. As the caterpillar increases in size, the horn becomes relatively shorter ; 



FIG. 589. Deilephila nerii, oleander sphinx. 



and, at each moult, the color and markings of the body change more or less. When 

 mature, the caterpillar is about two inches long, with a small greenish head dotted 

 with yellow, and a pale yellow stripe down each side. The body is of a darker green 

 than the head, and is covered with small yellow granulations. There are seven 

 oblique stripes on each side, composed of yellow granulations, edged behind with dark 

 green. A white stripe, also edged with green, extends along each side, from near the 

 head to the caudal horn. A row of seven spots, varying in color from red to pale 



