HA.WK-MOTHS. 167 



The type of tliis sub-family is Aclierantia Atrojws, Linn., the 

 Death's Head Hawk-moth, Avhich is the largest Lepidopterous 

 insect found in England, expanding nearly six inches. The fore 

 wings are dark brown, varied with taAvny, and the hind wings are 

 brown, with black bands ; the markings on the back of the 

 thorax have been thought to resemble a skull. The larva is 

 yellow, varied with green, and striped with violet ; it feeds on the 

 potato. This insect is widely distributed in the Old AVorld, and 

 is often taken at sea, many miles from land ; but it probably 

 flies late at night, as it is rarely observed on the wing. 



Sub-Family V. — SpUnghm. 



Wings not dentated, of moderate width, rarely acutely 

 pointed ; proboscis long, often enclosed in a convoluted sheath in 

 the pupa. 



The South American genus Cocytms, Hiibn., includes the 

 largest known Sjpliingidce, some of which expand as much as eight 

 or nine inches across the wings. In iS^. Antceus, Dru., the fore 

 wings are brown, and the hind wings are yellow at the base and 

 transparent in the middle, with a black border. 



Anceryx, Walk., Isognathus, Feld., and Dilophonota, Burm., 

 include American species about three inches in expanse, which are 

 not closely related to any European S])hinges. The fore wings are 

 grey or brown, and the hind wings are red or yellow, with black 

 borders. 



The type of the Linnean genus Sphinx is our common Privet 

 Hawk-moth {S. Ligustri, Linn.), easily recognised by its light brown 

 fore wings, and black and pink hind Avings and abdomen. Its green 

 larva is often met with on privet and lilac. 



Family II. — jEgeriidce. 



Size small ; wings long and narrow, always more or less 

 transparent; abdomen generally slender, always longer than the 

 hind wings ; larvae feeding in the stems or roots of plants. 



The genus Sphecia, Hiibn., includes sluggish stout-bodied 

 insects, with black bodies banded with yellow, and transparent 

 wings, which gives them much resemblance to wasps. 



Trochilium, Scop., includes a number of smaller species, with 

 slender bodies belted with red or yellow, and tufted tails. They 

 are active day-flying insects, but most of the species are scaxce in 



