208 COMMON BRITISH MOTHS 



and are smoky black along the costse, and yellow in the anal 

 angle. The body is coloured with bright rose-red, tinged with 

 olive on the foremost and hindmost segments. 



The popular name of this 

 and the following species has 

 been applied because of the 

 power which the caterpillar 

 has of extending and retract- 

 ing its front segments, a pecu- 

 liarity which has given the 

 idea of a semblance to the 

 FIG. 100.-THE S.ULL ELEPHANT elephant's proboscis. The 

 HAWK MOTH. colour of the caterpillar is 



light-brown or green, mottled 



with dark-brown, dark-green, or black. It has a conspicuous eye- 

 like spot on each side of the fifth and sixth segments, and has no 

 horn. 



This larva may be found in July and August, feeding on species 

 of bedstraw (Galium verum, G. Mollugo, and G. palustre), willow 

 herb (Epilobium hirsutum), or the purple loosestrife (Lythrum 

 Salicaria). 



The Large Elephant (Chosrocampa Elpenor] 



This species (Plate IX, fig. 3) is very similar to the last in 

 form and markings ; but is, as its name implies, larger. 



The caterpillar, too, is very like that of the last species, but may 

 be distinguished from it by the possession of a short black horn, 

 tipped with white, on the ' tail.' Its colour is green or brown, 

 mottled and spotted with black. The eye-like spots on its fifth 

 and sixth segments are black, and each contains a brown spot 

 surrounded by a white line. 



Its chief food plants are the hairy willow herb (Epilobium 

 hirstttum), three species of bedstraw (Galium verum, G. Mollugo 

 and G. palustre), the purple loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria), 

 and the enchanter's nightshade (Circcea lutetiana). It will also 

 feed on the vine and the apple in confinement. 



The Eyed Haw'k (Smerinthus Ocellatus) 



Our next genus (Smerinthus) contains three well-known moths, 

 all of which have the hind margin of the fore wings angulated or 

 indented. 



