SPHINXES. 141 
slow flowing rivers is a favorite flower with this moth. It looks as if 
suspended in the air while poised before the spike of blossoms, its 
wings moving so rapidly as to be scarcely visible. The larva, which 
feeds on the leaves of the snow-ball, is nearly two inches long, and is 
Hemaris thysbe. 
light green in color. When about to pupate it draws a few leaves 
and twigs about itself on the surface of the ground and makes a rude 
cocoon by spinning a few silken threads to hold them together. In 
this it passes the winter in the chrysalis state. 
Hemaris diffinis. 
Another species of clear-wing more common farther south than 
the preceding is Hemaris diffinis, or the bumble-bee hawk moth. It 
is somewhat smaller than Hemaris thysbe, the veins and margins of 
the wings are darker brown, the abdomen beneath and legs are black, 
while the abdomen alone is crossed by a broad band of rich reddish- 
brown. The top of the thorax is covered with light yellow hairs 
