Classification of Insects : Lepidojptera. 



175 



99. One of the Hawk-moths or 

 Sphinges (Sesi'a), in Form of 

 perfect Insect. 



692. The Sphinges or hawk-moths 

 derive the name "Sphynx" from a 

 fancied resemblance of their cater- ' 

 pillars, when at rest, to the Egyptian 

 sphynx, supporting themselves up- 

 right by their fore-legs. They in- 

 clude a peach-tree borer, and some 

 other species injurious to trees. We 

 present in the margin an engraving 

 of the perfect insect, the larvae of 

 which infest the wood of the elm, al- 

 ways boring at the base of the trunk, where it unites with the root, 

 and appearing to divide the territory with the Cossus, that bores 

 only in the trunk. 



693. A nightmoth near- 

 ly allied with the Bom- 

 byces, and by some natu- 

 ralists classed with them, 

 but by others made a sep- 

 arate family, named Zeii- 

 zerados, is very often found 

 in Europe upon the horse- 

 fchestnut. The larvae are 

 white, soft and naked, or 

 slightly downy, with brown 

 horny heads, spots on the 

 body, as shown in the en- 

 graving, and sixteen legs. 

 They are wood-borers, and 

 are also very destructive 



to the pear, apple, lilac, and occasionally to the young elms. In 

 favorite trees it may be killed by a wire inserted into its burrow, 

 the opening of which may be known by the dust that falls out, and 

 a violet-colored tinge on its border. The genus to which this be- 

 longs is European, and, according to Davis, has not been found in 

 this country. We have many others, however, of closely allied 

 forms, and of very destructive nature. 



694. Linnaeus divided the Moths into eight groups, viz. : Attid, 

 Bmnbyces, Noduce, Geometroe', Tortrices, Pyralides, Tinece and Aludtce. 



100. Zeuzera 3MCuli, 



101. Laiva of the Zeuzera. 



