8 THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 
The remaining species of this genus is Smerinthus Tilia, the Lime Hawk-Moth, a smaller kind than either 
of the preceding, but similar in form and in the character of the markings of the wings, which, however, are of a 
much warmer general tone, the ground rich warm buff, the markings a brightish olive, and the body whitish 
brown. The Caterpillar is smaller than that of the other species, and slenderer, and the lateral markings are 
faintly tinted with pink. It feeds on the Lime, but is rather rare. 
The next genus in the family is Acherontia, of which there is only one British species—the largest and 
most remarkable of all British Moths—the well-known Death’s-head Hawk-Moth (No. 4), so termed from the 
figure of a skull plainly marked on the thorax, between the wings. The robust body, and wings straight at the 
external margin, with the shorter antenne, and shorter proboscis, which is scarcely longer than the head, are 
sufficient to mark this insect as of a different genus to that of the three species just described. But there are also 
other differences, especially in the details of the antenne, too minute to describe in this place. The Caterpillar 
(No. 5) is also distinct in form. The dorsal horn, or tail, is decumbent instead of raised, and is jagged with small 
excrescences instead of being smooth ; while the body is entirely without the minute tubercles which distinguish the 
Caterpillars of the genus Smerinthus. The Death’s-head Moth is probably the most remarkable of all British 
insects, often measuring five inches across the wings, and the Caterpillar is even larger in proportion. The 
Caterpillar, while in full feed in autumn, is often found in digging potatoes, on the leaves of which it has been 
feeding, and has afterwards burrowed into the ground to undergo its change. Many attempts are made to obtain 
specimens of the perfect insect by keeping the Caterpillar, and allowing it to burrow in the soil of a large flower- 
pot, covered with a strong net ; it generally perishes, however, during its transformation, possibly from the soil 
becoming too dry. It is therefore recommended to plunge the pot in the soil of the open garden, with some good 
drainage underneath, and in a situation not exposed to heavy rain, with which precaution specimens may 
assuredly be obtained of this truly magnificent insect. The Death’s-head Hawk-Moth has been unusually 
abundant during the past season of 1858, having been found as far north as the Shetland Isles. 
