FIELD BOOK OF INSECTS. 



spotted than in sassacus. It is often caught with this 

 species but is abundant later in the season. 



Atrytone hobomok. The variety pocahontas is always 

 female; the light markings are cream-color. Larva on 

 grasses. 



Megathyminag 



Megatliymus is a genus in which the adults are stout 

 bodied and have a wing expanse of about three inches. 

 Their larvae bore in the pith of Yucca. This genus has 

 been variously placed and at one time was considered to 

 belong with the moths. 



HETEROCERA 



See p. 115 for some of the distinctive characteristics of 

 Moths. 



SPHINGID^E 



These trim creatures are, for the most part, called 

 Hawk Moths from their strong flight, but some are called 

 Humming-bird Moths. Although strong of flight, the 

 wings, especially the hind ones, are small in comparison 

 with the body, which is usually stout and tapered at the 

 hind end. The larvae are hairless, except when very 

 young, and usually have a horn (absolutely harmless) at 

 the hind end of the body; in some species, especially 

 when the larvae are full-grown, this horn is reduced to a 

 tubercle and in some it is entirely absent. The name of the 

 family and its English translation, "Sphinx," comes from 

 the more or less sphinx-like attitude of the larvae when at 

 rest with their front segments elevated and the head 

 drawn in. Pupation takes place in or on the ground and 

 some pupae have a "handle" which is really a sheath for 

 their long tongue. As far as I know, all the adults feed 

 and, with a few exceptions, all are crepuscular. When at 

 rest, their long tongues are tightly curled up under their 

 head like a watch spring. There are many species, but 

 they are difficult to characterize in few words and I must 

 regretfully refer the reader to more special books, such as 

 Holland's Moth Book, for the identification of the majority. 



146 



