LEPIDOPTERA. 



243 



some sections to give considerable attention to generic characters, as 

 in certain cases the whole genus may not only be arboreal in habits, 

 but as the characters are minute, microscopical examination of (lie 

 salient features is indispensable. 



Smeiunthus populi (Linn.) (Poplar Hawk-Moth). 



This moth, as the name implies, is found on the poplar. It is not 

 so abundant as ever to be considered a pest, though fairly common as 

 an entomological specimen. The larva lives on Lombardy and black 

 Italian poplars. The moth appears about midsummer. 



The eggs are deposited on the upper side of the leaves. They are 



Fig. 223. Smerinthus populi (Poplar Hawk-Moth). 



large and nearly globular, pale green in colour, and glued singly to 

 the leaves. The embryo may be seen before hatching. 



The larvae hatch out about the beginning of July, and the long 

 caudal horn projecting from the last segment is quite a conspicuous 

 feature. As development proceeds the horn is less conspicuous, but 

 stripes, spots, and markings on the lateral segments may be noticed, 

 and after the respective moultings the larvae develop a short, stout, 

 yellow, caudal horn, and it is interesting to note the changed markings 

 in comparison with the green colour of the leaf. 



The moth, fig. 223, is a large heavy insect of a stone-grey 

 colour, with a whitish spot on the fore wings and. a brick - red 

 blotch on the hind wings. The wings are notched at the margins, 

 and the venation is fairly conspicuous. The body is soft and 

 velvety - looking. The antennae are serrated in the c? , nearly 

 filiform in the $ . 



