32 SPHINGIDJE. 



immune from attack, while others are attacked in varying 

 degree. In some cases a large 'number of fully -fed grubs 

 make their way through the skin of the living larva, and 

 spin small cocoons which stick out like almonds from a 

 pudding ; in a day or two they fall off, each leaving a black 

 spot on the skin of the larva, which then dies. In other cases 

 the larva may remain apparently healthy till full-fed, but 

 after burying itself underground or after spinning its cocoon, 

 often after successfully pupating, it is found to be dead 

 and the larval or pupal skin occupied by maggots or cocoons ; 

 or the larva is found hanging by its claspers and one pair 

 of prolegs, the body limp and filled with grubs. We have 

 also noticed both eggs and larva? being attacked by a small 

 red mite. 



The larva? depend chiefly on their protective colouring 

 and the position in which they lie for evading attack, though 

 when discovered and molested many species strike sideways 

 with their heads. Those of Acherontia lachesis increase the 

 effect by making a loud clicking noise with their mandibles, 

 and those of Langia zenzeroides by making a squeaking noise 

 as they turn from side to side. This noise appears to be 

 made by air being forced through the spiracles. Those 

 larva? which have eye-like markings expand segments 4 and 5 

 and draw in the head and anterior segments, swaying the body 

 from side to side in a menacing manner, their appearance 

 and movements resembling those of a snake. The larva? 

 of Panacra metallica, when further molested, stretch out the 

 head and thorax and bend it downwards on to the venter, 

 twisting the body at the same time ; those of Celerio euphorbias 

 nervosa, which live gregariously, throw the head and thorax 

 up and back, and eject drops of green fluid, and it is note- 

 worthy that the colour of this larva is yellow and black — 

 a common " warning " coloration. Some species, when in 

 the later instars, seek protection by hiding during the day 

 low down on the stem of the food-plant, or even by burying 

 themselves in the earth at its foot. 



The pupa? rely on concealment for protection, and are 

 either buried deep in the earth or, if on the surface, 

 have cryptic colouring and are covered by a rough cocoon. 

 Most sphingid pupae are capable of a very free motion 

 of segments 9, 10 and 11, and can move the abdomen 

 from side to side or round and round ; some rapidly 

 contract and elongate the abdomen as well, producing 

 a shivering motion of the whole body which can be felt when 

 the pupa is held in the hand. The pupa? of a few species, 

 such as Langia zenzeroides and Theretra castanea, have very 

 little power of motion ; these pupa? have hard, rugged surfaces 

 and dull colouring. Some pupa? are able to produce audible 



