262 Hybrids of Spliingidae. By Dr. P. Dexso. 



base the wing has frequently a dull red tone. The ground-colour varies from grejdsh green or greyish brown 

 to brownish red. Only obtained in captivity. 



neopalae- S. hybr. neopalaearctica Stand f. (43 e) {Smerinfhn,s ocellata oceUatn L. ^ x Calasymholus excaecata 



arctica. j^f^f^ ^ g^^^ ^,j Grouud-colour bright red-brown. Has received from exmecata the dorsal line, the undulate 

 distal margin of the forewing and the peculiar deep sinus at the distal portion of the costal margin of the hind- 

 wing. The sharp definition of the markings of the forewing above and hindwing beneath is derived from 

 ocellata. The ocellus of the hindwing is a combination of the excaecata and ocellata ocelli, but inclines sometimes 

 more towards the one species, sometimes to the other. Only obtained in captivity. 



operosa. S. hybr. operosa Standf. {Smerinthus ocellata ocellata L.^ x Ainorpha popidi austauti Stgr. $). Ground- 



colour varying from light yellowish grey through darker grey tints to brown-red. In the general character 

 of the pattern the hybrid is nearer to austauti, but reversions to popuU popidi also are known. Distal margin 

 distinctly undulate, on thorax a broad median spot as in ocellata. Median band rather narrow; ocellus of hind- 

 wing distinct but strongly reduced. Expanse 72 to 93 mm. Only obtained in captivity. 



hybridu.i. j^ S. hybr. hybridus StepJi. (Smerinthu.s ocellata ocellata L. ^ x Ainorpha popidi popidi L. $). The general 



scheme of markings as in populi, but tlie marginal teeth of the forewing shorter than in populi. The ocellus 

 of the hindwing very variable, consisting usually of a large, more or less deep black spot which gradually fades 

 away into the ground-colour, and bears a black centre of very variable size. The brown basal patch of populi 

 is indicated by a light brown tone. The thoracical spot of ocellata is present, but less distinct. Known in the 

 wild state, and often bred in captivity. 



oherthitcri. S. hybr. obefthuefl 7^/^/ (43d) (Smei'inthtis ocellata atlanticus Aiist. (^ x Amor plm populi austauti Stgr . $). 



In facies so similar to the inverse hybrid tnetis as to be easily mistaken for it, the scheme of markings being 

 almost identical, except that it is usually more pronounced in metis, the subbasal undulate line of the forewing 

 especially being more obvious in metis. The markings of the hindwing are more diffuse in oherthueri, the ocellus 

 being more variable, the basal area less strongly red, and the blackish colouring around the ocellus less pro- 

 minent. The forewing of oberthueri is more elongate, the apical portion of the costal margin more rounded, and 

 the dentition of the distal margin less strong than in metis. The specimens of oberthueri have on the whole a 

 greater expanse than hybr. 7netis. Hitherto only obtained in captivity. 



jringsi. S. hybr. fringsi Standf. (43e) {Smerinthus ocellata atlanticus Aust. ^ x Amorpha populi populi L. $). 



Resembles more populi than atlanticus. It has retained from populi the broad wings which are distinctly undulate 

 at the distal margins, and in the main also the general colouration and the scheme of markings. From atlan- 

 ticus it has the often only very feebly marked ocellus of the hindwing. which is densely bluish grey in a dark 

 field, and the reddish shade in the basal area of the forewing beneath, which is present in most specimens. 

 Some examples show also a slight darkening on the thorax. Only obtained in captivity. 



intcrlaunu.'i. C. hybr. interfaunus Neumog. {Calasymbolus astylus Drury (^ x Smerintlius ocellata ocellata L. $). Differs 



from ocellata in tlie distal margin of the forewing not being sinuate. The discal spot is only slightly indicated, 

 and the transverse lines are but feebly undulate. The ocellus of the hindwing smaller than in ocellata. Colour 

 of the forewing intermediate between the tints of astylus and ocellata. On the thorax a broad brown longitudinal 

 line as in astylus. Only obtained in captivity. 



varians. A. hybr. varians Standf. (43d) (AmorpJm populi austauti Stgr. ,^ x Smerinthus ocellata ocellata L. $). 



There are no constant differences from hybr. operosa, but varians is still more variable and on an average larger. 

 Moreover, the forewing has in most examples a broader median band. Expanse 81 to 98 mm. Only obtained 

 in captivity. 



metis. A. hybr. metis Awst. (43 e) {Amorpha populi auMauti Stgr. (J x Smerinthus ocellata atlanticus Aust. ?). 



Ground colour usually reddish grey, scheme of markings as in austauti. As already mentioned under hybr. 

 oberthueri, the markings of metis are on the whole more prominent, particularly the first proximal undulate 

 line of the forewing is much better marked. The distal margins are more deeply sinuous. Specimens w4iich 



deleia. resemble populi austauti in the less reddish colour and the paler markings are deleta Aust. 



roUischildi. A. hybr. rothschildi Standf. {Amorpha populi populi L. ^ x Smerinthus ocellata ocellata L. $). Very 



closely resembling populi, the ocellus of the hindwing absent, but there is a dark tone at the anal angle. In 



the shape of the wing and in their dentition there is a slight resemblance to ocellata. the thorax also showing 



a feeble darkening derived from ocellata. Only two sexually atypical ^'o obtained in captivity by .Standfus.s. 



inversa. — The specimen recorded by Tutt as hybr. inversa was only a slightly aberrant populi. 



