lu. 





THE PRIVET HAWK. 33 



The Privet Hawk {Sphinx Hgusfri). 



A specimen of the female sex is figured on Plate 1 2. The white 

 clouding or mottling on the pale brown colour of the fore wings 

 varies in intensity and is sometimes tinged with pink, especially 

 at the base of the wings ; often it is only noticeable at the tips of 

 the wings and on the outer area ; the blackish suffusion from 

 the inner margin through the central area and the black streaks 

 between the veins are rather more constant. On the hind 

 wings the pinkish tinge between the black bands may be faint 

 or entirely absent ; the central black band varies in width, and 

 is sometimes so much expanded that it absorbs the basal half of 

 the first band. 



When full grown the caterpillar measures about three inches 

 in length and has a very substantial appearance. It is of a 

 pretty green colour, with seven oblique white stripes, each of 

 which has a purplish front edging ; the spiracles are yellowish. 

 The head is rather more grass green and marked with black in 

 front. The curved horn is blackish on the upper side and 

 yellowish below\ The colour of the caterpillar in its younger 

 stage is yellowish, due to the presence of yellow dots, it also has 

 some tiny hairs ; the horn, which is bristly and slightly forked 

 at the tip, is a conspicuous feature at this age on account of its 

 length and dark colour as compared with that of the creature 

 itself. Just before changing into the chrysalis, a brownish tinge 

 is assumed, and very rarely caterpillars of a pinkish or purplish 

 tint have been found. 



It feeds on privet {Lii^ns/?-i/m vulgare) in July and August ; 

 often to be seen resting on the upper part of the longer sprays 

 of the food plant. Sometimes a dozen or more may be found on 

 one short strip of privet hedge. They are much subject to the 

 attack of ichneumons. Other food plants are lilac, ash, lauris- 

 tinus, and some other shrubs. Mr. Step informs me that on 



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