'.Ml 



SCHOOL ENTOMOLOGY 



gives rise to the name Hawk-moth. From their feeding 

 habits comes the name Humming-bird moth. They have 

 rxtivmcly long tongues, adapted for sucking nectar from 

 the deepest flowers, like honeysuckles and morning-glories. 

 As the weight of these moths' bodies would not be sup- 

 ported by the flowers it is necessary for them to hover 

 or poise in the air over the flowers while they feed. They 

 may be seen at twilight on any summer evening and are 

 also attracted to the electric lights. The larvae are large, 



FIG. 63. The Tomato-worm Sphinx Larvae. Greatly reduced. 



have stout fleshy bodies and usually have a backward 

 projecting horn at the posterior end of the body. They 

 are sometimes called Horn-worms. At rest they hold the 

 front end of the body up almost at right angles to the ab- 

 domen and remain motionless for long periods. The most 

 common examples are the Horn-worms which attack to- 

 matoes and tobacco.* The White-lined Sphinx and the 

 Clear-wing Sphinx are also abundant. 



* See page 278, Part II. 



