552 CLEARWING MOTHS. 
piercing vision with which such flight is always accompanied, the capture of 
the moth is a matter of no small difficulty, and when it settles, the quiet 
sober hues of its plumage render it so similar in colour to the objects on 
which it rests, that the eye can hardly distinguish its outline; and, being gifted 
with an instinctive appreciation of the objects best suited for its concealment, 
it is sure to alight on some surface which presents hues akin to those of its 
body and wings. : 
IN the curious Moths of which the HyLas is a good example, the wings 
are as transparent as those of the bee tribe, and, indeed, the hymenopterous 
idea seems to run through the whole of these creatures so thoroughly, that 
the shape of their bodies, the mode of flight, even the manner in which they 
move the abdomen, are so bee and wasp like, that an inexperienced observer 
would certainly mistake them for some species of the Hymenoptera. Others 
there are which bear an equal resemblance to the gnats, and are of corre- 
szondingly small dimensions. These insects fly in a manner somewhat 
CLEARWING MOTHS. 
resembling the movements of the Humming-bird Moth, and dart about 
with considerable speed, though they are not so craftily wary as that insect, 
and can be captured with comparative ease. . : 
In the 4geriidz, the wings are as transparently clear as in the Sesiade, 
and the general aspect is equally like that of a moth. The species which is 
shown in the illustration is very common in England, and is fond of haunting 
currant-bushes, where it may be captured without much difficulty, being 
rather dull and sluggish in taking to flight, though when once on the wing it 
is quick and agile in its movements. On account of its resemblance to the 
large gnats it is popularly called the GNAT CLEARWING (42geria tipult- 
vormis.) The caterpillar of this insect feeds upon the pith of the currant-trees. 
The large insect in the same illustration represents the LUNAR HORNET 
CLEARWING (Trochilium bembeciforme,) an insect which is of tolerably, but 
not very frequent occurrence. Its popular name is given to it in allusion to 
its singular resemblance to a hornet, the similitude being so close as to 
deceive a casual glance, especially when the insect is on the wing. _ 
The larva of the present species feeds upon the willow, boring into the 
young wood and sometimes damaging it to a serious extent, All these 
