432 



The Moths and Butterflies 



many amateurs, and numerous difleren sphingid species will Le found in 

 any collection of Lepidoptera. The uniformity of structural character in 

 larv;e and adults of the various species, and the general similarity of habits 

 and life-history, make the family a coherent one, and one readily distinguish 

 able from other moths. These moths, with few exceptions, have long, nar- 



Fig. 620. — Larva of the sphinx-muth, Pklegcthonlius carotitui. 

 Kellogg; one-half natural size.) 



(After Jordan and 



row, pointed fore wings, very small hind wings, a smooth-coated, compact, 

 cleanly tapering body, and a long proboscis, coiled when not in use, like 

 a watch-spring, on the front of the head (Fig. 509). The colors and pat- 

 terns are extremely varied, but uniformly quietly beautiful and harmonious. 



Fig. 621. — Lar\-a of Phlegelhontius celeus. (After Soule; somewhat reduced.) 



The larva; (Fig. 619) are naked, usually green, often with repeated oblique 

 whitish lines on the sides, and bear a conspicuous sharp-pointed horn, 

 or, in fewer instances, a ilattish, button-like shining tubercle, on the back 

 of the eighth abdominal segment. The caterpillars, or "worms," feed on 



