46 Lloyd's natural ursronv. 



The Convolvulus Hawk-moth expands from about three 

 inches and three-quarters to four inches and tliree-quarters. 

 It is one of the most abundant species throughout Europe, 

 Asia, and Africa, and a smaller form {P. 7-oseofasciafus, Koch) 

 is common in Australia and New Zealand. It is not 

 generally common in Britain, but in certain seasons is found 

 in comparative plenty, flying over petunias and other flowers 

 at dusk in autumn. It is said to diffuse a slight musky 

 odour, at least in the male. 



The fore-wings are ashy grey, varied with black, dark brown, 

 and dark grey, in large and small spots and streaks ; there is 

 also a white dot in the centre. The hind-wings are light gre}^, 

 with three blackish bands, which unite on the inner margin. 

 The second of these is forked in the middle, the first is very 

 short, at the base, and the third or outer one is generally 

 zif^-zag. The antennn3 are whitish grey above and brownish 

 beneath. The head and thorax are ashy grey, with black 

 markings ; and at the back of the thorax are two brownish-red 

 marks, edged with black. The abdomen is ashy grey in the 

 middle, but is marked on the sides alternately with black and 

 rose-coloured spots, edged above with white. 



The female is lighter coloured and less distinctly marked 

 than the male. 



The larva, which attains nearly as large a size as that of the 

 Death's-head Hawk-moth, is lighter or darker brown or green, 

 with a dark dorsal line. The belly and the oblique lateral 

 stripes are ochre-yellow, and the spiracles are black, ringed 

 with yellow. The horn is blackish. The green variety has 

 yellowish lateral stripes, edged above with black, and a black 

 spot on the sides of each segment below the dark green dorsal 

 line, except at the extremities. The horn is yellow, tipped 

 with black. 



It feeds on Convolviilns, preferring C. ariciisis. 



