SPHINGES 209 



The first is the Eyed Hawk, represented in fig. 4 of Plate IX 

 and named after the beautiful and conspicuous eye -like spot near 

 the anal angle of each hind wing. 



The caterpillar has a rough green skin, sprinkled with white 

 dots, and marked with seven oblique white lines on each side, each 

 of which is bordered with dark green above. The spiracles are 

 pinkish, surrounded by violet rings ; and the horn is blue. 



The moth flies during May, June, and July ; and the caterpillar 

 may be found in plenty during August, feeding on the apple, willow 

 (Salix alba), sallow (S. cinerea&nd S. Caprea), poplar (Populus alba 

 and P. nigra), aspen (P. tremula), and the blackthorn (Prunus 

 spinosa). 



As with many other Sphinges, the larvae are much more com- 

 monly seen than the perfect insects ; but the latter may often be 

 met with resting on tree trunks and fences in the neighbourhood of 

 their food plants. 



The Poplar Haw~k (Smerinthus Populi) 



This moth is very common and very widely distributed, and may 

 be easily found in any of its stages. The perfect insect flies during 



FIG. 101. THE POPLAR HAWK. 



May, June, and July ; and being rather heavy on the wing, it is easily 

 taken with a net as it hovers round the branches of its favourite 

 trees or among the flowers of gardens at dusk. The larva may be 

 beaten from the boughs of poplars and sallows during August and 

 September, and during the latter month may often be seen creeping 

 down and around the trunks of these trees, searching for a suitable 

 spot in which to undergo its changes. The pupa may be dug out 



p 



