SPHIN"Gm.E OF PERU. 95 



which finds a parallel in the habits of our British Centra viiiula. It readily falls to 

 the ground when disturbed. The lai'va was often found dead on the plant, hanging 

 limp, as the result of the sting of dipterous or hymenopterous parasites. 



292. Erinntis alope. (Plate IX. g, h.) 

 R. & J. p. 363. 



General JJistribufwn. — Tropical and subtropical America : West Indies, Bahamas, 

 Florida, southward to Southern Brazil and Northern Argentina. 



A common species in the Interior, where the moth is frequently attracted to the oil- 

 lamps of coff'ee haciendas. Twice only, however, did I secure the larva* in the fourth 

 and final instars. feeding on the leaves of the pcm-paiv i'ruit ti'ee, or papaya. I am 

 accordingly able to add but little by way of description of the life-history and habits 

 to the two illustrations given. Like its congener ^. ello^ the caudal horn is retained 

 in the fourth instar, long, straight, and sharply pointed, and in the final stage this is 

 replaced by a moderately stout, rounded, nipple-like projection. The contrast of colour 

 effected by the last moult from a very pale washed-out green to a rich dark sepia-brown 

 is a most marked feature in some specimens *. There are many points of general 

 resemblance to ^. ello in the larval stage, and the pupa is almost identical, each 

 portion being prettily delineated by orange on a black ground, and the entire sui'face 

 smooth and highly glazed. 



A cranny amongst rocks or stones, or a slight depression on the surface of the soil, 

 roofed over with silk, forms the puparium. 



294. Eeinnyis ello. (Plates IX. a-f\ XV. t, ti.) 

 R. & J. p. 365. 



General Bistributdon. — Tropical and subtropical America. A wanderer as far north 

 as Canada. Perhaps the commonest Sphingid of tropical America. 



An extremely common species throughout the seaboard, Andes, and Interior, and 

 found in all stages. Specimens taken at Cerro de Pasco and at other extreme 

 elevations show that it is capable of long and enduring fiights. The moth is found 

 every month in the year, and often swarms round the arc lamps of Lima, where, in 

 common with other Sphingids that have been attracted by this strange and irresistible 

 charm, they will remain at rest in the same place for days together. 



The habits of the larvae are less obtrusive, but general searching shows that they 

 may be taken almost every month, and that they frequent many different species of 

 Euphorbiacese. The frass, which is black and of clearly defined hexagonal formation, 

 is distinctly small for the size of the caterpillar, and the length scarcely exceeds 

 the breadth. 



* Subsequently noted again in Para, 



