BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



or hidden among the crevices of bark. The sharp-cut 

 wings of these Hawk-Moths (so-called because of these, 

 and the swift, strong flight), are a characteristic feature. 

 Brown, greenish, and yellow may be given as the variety- 

 colours of which the perfect Lime-Hawk is made up, 

 and there is a whitish mark near the tip. The skittle- 

 shaped body is also worthy of mention. 



Poplar Hawk-Moth. — {Smerinthus {Amorpha) populi.) 

 As its popular names indicates, this species (Fig. 12) is 



Poplar liaiok Morh 



F, 



uTia 



-a 



addicted to poplar trees, although sallows (including 

 willows) are also frequented. It is said to be our com- 

 monest Hawk-Moth, and has a much wider distribution 

 than the last species. As a rule, it is on the wing during 

 May and June, but in a late season it makes, in con- 

 sequence, a later appearance. The polished green egg may 

 be found singly, or in small batches, on the under side 

 of a leaf, and the green larva has seven yellow stripes on 

 either side of its body, with the characteristic horn on the 

 hind segment. The blackish pupa is hidden away just 



below the surface of the ground. The general coloura- 

 36 



