LIIVIE AND PRIVET MOTHS. 421 



very deep scalloping- of the fore-wings and the prevalence of 

 olive-green in its colouring. There is some variation in the 

 arrangement of the markings, but the present species is the 

 only one in which the deep olive-green is the leading colour, 

 without any admixtui'e of chestnut or pink. The attitude of 

 the Moth at rest is a very curious one, the under wings being 

 completely concealed beneath the upper pair, the scalloped 

 edges of which, and their mottled surface, have the most 

 astonishing resemblance to a pair of withered leaves. 



The larva is pale green, and covered with very small tubercles, 

 each being topped with yellow. Along the sides are seven 

 diagonal stripes of yellow, which are mostly edged with pink. 

 The horn is blue above and yellow beneath. In most parts of 

 England this is a very plentiful insect, and can be either bred or 

 captured without the least difficulty. In my collection, by far 

 the greater number were bred from the caterpillar, and most of 

 them from the full-fed larva, which was captured as it was de- 

 scending the trunks of trees in search of loose soil in which to 

 bury itself. I have bred considerable numbers of this insect, 

 and have found no difficulty in rearing them — less difficulty, 

 in fact, than I have experienced with any Hawk-Moth, except, 

 perhaps, the Privet Moth, respecting which a few words must 

 presently be said. 



Passing by the Convolvulus Hawk-Moth {Sphinx convol- 

 vuli), we may pause for a while upon the well-known Pkivet 

 Moth {Sphinx ligustri), so called in honour of the plant on 

 which the larva feeds. 



This fine Moth is really one of the commonest of British 

 insects, although seldom seen on account of its nocturnal habits 

 and the limited amount of the plant on which it mostly feeds. 

 The Moth itself is a very handsome one, with a wide expanse of 

 wings, very prettily coloured. The upper wings are very warm 

 brown, mottled and clouded with dark brown ; and the lower 

 wings are pink, crossed by three nearly horizontal black bands. 

 The body is pink, banded and striped with black. The caterpillar 

 is a peculiarly handsome one. It is smooth and green, and has 

 on each side seven diagonal stripes, the upper part of each stripe 

 being violet, merging rapidly into white towards the under side. 



These caterpillars feed on the common privet, and may 



