( 347 ) 



II. B. Sphingidae semanophorae. 



<S ? . The not-scaled area of the jiukt surface of tlie first segment of the palpus 

 covered with short sensory hairs, or these hairs, which are seldom vestigal,* 

 restricted to a patch. 



The number of species belonging to this division of the Sphingidae is about 

 twice as large as that of the Sphingidae asemannphorac. Si>ecialisation by 

 reduction or loss, though not quite absent, is far less frequent in the present 

 division than among the Acherontiinae and Ajnbulicinae, while the modification of 

 organs in functionally higher structures is very often met with, the prevailing 

 tendency in the Sphingidae semanophorae being progressive development in contra- 

 distinction to the Sphingidae a»mnanophoiue, where retrogression is the prevalent 

 feature in the development. 



The tongue is never excessively long as it often is in Acherontiinae, nor is it 

 ever so much reduced as in some Acheronliinae and many Ambalicinae, reaching 

 always at least to the middle of the abdomen and remaining functional in all 

 species. The pilifer is always prominent ; it is peculiarly luodified in the 

 Choerocampinae ; the bristles never become weak and flat or change into scales. The 

 palpus varies very mucii in size, as does also the proportion in length between the 

 first and second segments. In some genera the jsalpus is somewhat reduced (for 

 instance in Deidamia and Darapsa), in others much enlarged {Giganteopalpus, 

 Elibia, etc.). The longest S[)hiugid palpus is found in this division, namely in 

 Tinostoma. Remarkable modifications of tlie paljjus occur in the subfamily 

 Choerocampinae. The antennae are no less variable. They are filiform or setiform 

 in many species, without the indication of a club ; in others they are moderately 

 clubbed; in others again excessively so. The distal part may be abruptly recurved 

 or scarcely curved at all. The end-segment is more often long than it is short, but 

 the short end-segment is not at all of rare occurrence. The eye is lashed or not ; 

 its size is very different, Oryha having the largest eye of Sphingidae, while 

 Deidamia, Darapsa, Gurelca, etc., have a comparatively small one. The head is 

 sometimes crested, the crest being here, as in the Sphingidae asewanophorae, a 

 sign of reduction of the head. The scales of the mesonotum form occasionally also 

 a high, well-defined crest, which may be simple (Episfor), or double {Dilophonota). 

 Tills thoracic crest is not a feature accessory to reduction. The abdomen is of 

 interest in several respects. The first tergite and the sternite of the second segment 

 become often closely appressed to the metathorax {Macroglossum, Sesia, etc.). 

 The sjiiues are never lost ; there are two kinds of spination not found in the 

 previous subfamilies — the uniserial conical spines of Dilophonata, Pholus, etc. 

 (PI. LXIl. f. 9), and the flattened, very strongly chitinised spines of Macroglossum, 

 Sesia, Ilaemorrhagia, etc. (PI. LXII. f. II). The spines of the basal sternite, 

 which are at the highest vestigial in Sphingidae asemanophorae, are very distinct 

 in (juite a number of genera of the present division, and like those of the other 

 stern ites barely less strong than the dorsal ones in those forms which have the 

 K])iiiaticjn as rejiresented by PI. LXII. f. 11. The broad expansible fan-tail and, in 

 tlie ?, tlie broadly traiieziform seventh sternite which is spinose at the edge in a 

 number of genera (PI. LXIII. f. 5. (i), are cliaracters confined t to members of this 



• See (hlimtoHiihi and OurcU-a. 



t Excepting the males of the Ambulicine genera Cii2>a, Smerinlhulus and Deyiiaipkra, which 

 have aUo a fan-tail. 



