230 INSECTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



which are rust-colored, and the fore-wings and shoulder-covers 

 are traversed with olive-green bands. 



Among the other Sphinges of Massachusetts may be mentioned 

 those belonging to the genus Smerinthns, whose tongue is very 

 short and scarcely visible, and whose fore-wings are generally 

 scalloped on the outer edge. Their caterpillars are rough or 

 granulated, with a stout thorn on the tail, and a triangular head, 

 the apex of the triangle corresponding to the crown. The blind- 

 eyed Smerinthus (S. excacata) is faun-colored, clouded with 

 brown, except the hind-wings, which are rose-colored in the mid- 

 dle, and ornamented with an eye-like black spot having a pale 

 blue centre. The caterpillar lives on the apple-tree, but is not 

 common enough to prove seriously injurious. The same obser- 

 vation will apply to that of the chocolate brown eyed Sphinx 

 (Smerinthus my ops), which lives on the wild cherry-tree, and to 

 the walnut Sphinx (Smerinthus Juglandis), which lives on the 

 black walnut and butternut. The latter species is destitute of eye- 

 like spots on the hind-wings. Of those belonging to the genus 

 Sphinx proper, that which bears the specific name drupiferarum 

 inhabits the hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) and the plum-tree; 

 Sphinx KalmicE inhabits the broad-leaved laurel (Kalmia lad- 

 folia) ; the caterpillar of the Gordius is found on the apple-tree ; 

 that of the great ash-colored Sphinx (S. cinerea) on the lilac ; 

 Hylwus on the black alder (Prinos glaber &c), and whortle- 

 berry ; and the curiously checkered caterpillar of Sphinx conifer- 

 arum on pines. Of the hog-caterpillars, those of Chcerocampa 

 Chwrilus and versicolor may be found on swamp pinks (Jlzalca 

 viscosa and nudijlora) . The caterpillar of the white-lined morn- 

 ing Sphinx (Deilcphila lineata) feeds upon purslane and turnip 

 leaves ; and that of Deilephila Chamamerii on the willow-herb 

 (Epilobium angustifolium). The clear-winged Sphinges, Sesia 

 pelasgus and difinis, are distinguished by their transparent wings 

 and their fan-shaped tails. They hover over flowers, like hum- 

 ming birds, during the daytime, in the months of July and Au- 

 gust. Their caterpillars bear a general resemblance to those of 

 the genus Sphinx, and, as far as they are known, seem to possess 

 the same habits. 



The iEgerians (vEgeiuad.e) constitute a very distinct group 



