igoo] Gibson — Some Interesting Moths. 15 



found frequenting- certain flowers. Caraganas, or the so-called 

 Siberian pea-trees, hcney-suckles, lilacs, petunias, etc., have a 

 great attraction for many moths, and, if these plants are visited 

 in the early evening before dark, many specimens can easily be 

 captured. 



The Ottawa locality undoubtedly v ffers a good field for inves- 

 tigation, and much useful work can be accomplished in studying 

 the moths occurring in this district. During the past summer in 

 my official duties it was my privilege to do considerable 

 work in the collection of these insects, and, when asked by Dr. 

 Fletcher to contribute a paper to read before the Ottawa Field- 

 Naturalists' Club, it occurred to me that a brief mention of some 

 of the moths which I had taken this year at Ottawa might be ot 

 interest. As the motr.s have always been special favourites of mine, 

 I may be privileged in time to contribute some further notes for 

 The Naturalist in reference to Ottawa Heterocera, which may 

 not be without interest to those who study these forms ot insect 



life. 



In the Heterocera, the Sphingidce, or Hawk-moths, are 

 classified first, according to Prof. J. B. Smith's standard list of 

 the Lepidoptera of Boreal America. In the genus Hemaris, or 

 Bee moths, of the family Sphingidce, only two species were met 

 with. viz. : H. diffinis, Bdv., and H. ihysbe, Fabr. These are 

 both day-flyers frequenting flowers, particularly lilacs, and, unless 

 the eye is experienced, are easily taken for the ordinary bumble 

 bees. Although many of the hawk-moths are found around the 

 flowers in early twilight, the electric lights furnish a much better 

 attraction. Some of these moths taken the past season are as 

 follows : Deilephita chamcenerii, Harr., and D. lineata, Fabr., 

 which when flying resemble very much humming birds ; Proto- 

 parce celeus, Hbn., which, although rare here in the imago state, 

 commonly occurs destructively to tomato plants as a larva ; 

 Sphinx drupiferarum, S. & A., also injurious in the cater- 

 pillar state, particularly to plum trees ; Sphinx gordius, Cram., 

 a rare moth, two specimens being taken ; Sphinx chersis Hbn., 

 one of the largest of the genus, and which occurs injuriously at 

 times to ash and lilac ; Triptogon modesta, Harr., a large moth, 

 one of the handsomest among the sphingids ; and Smerinthiis 



