276 SPHINGIDJE. 



thorax coarsely, superficially shagreened ; abdomen less 

 regularly shagreened and with obscure pits. Spiracle of 2 

 nearly covered by a lobe projecting slightly forwards from the 

 front margin of 3 and another from the hind margin of 2, 

 leaving a very narrow central slit visible ; there is a deeply 

 depressed line at the base of the lobe ; remaining spiracles 

 oval, flush, the surface slightly shining, the central slit with 

 very slightly raised edges. Cremaster elongate -triangular, 

 truncate at tip, with each corner of the truncation produced 

 into a small acute tooth directed outwards ; ventral surface 

 of cremaster with a strong median longitudinal rib. Colour 

 pale terra-cotta ; the median channel of tongue black and ending 

 in a black patch on the head ; a narrow black dorsal line on 

 segment 2 ; sides of thorax and abdomen suffused with fuscous, 

 the spiracles black on large black patches. Length 43 mm. ; 

 breadth 10 mm. 



Habits. — Similar to those of D. nerii. Food-plant : Alan- 

 gium Lamarkii Thw., family Cornacese. 



Genus DAHIRA Moore. (Fig. 70). 



Moore, 1888, p. 390; Roths. & Jord., 1903, p. 515; id., 1907, 



p. 97. 

 Ambulyx, Butler, 1889, p. 2. 



Genotype : rubiginosa Moore. 



Imago. — " g. Genal process large, triangular, curved back- 

 wards. Head with mesial cariniform crest, which is most 

 distinct between antennae. Eye lashed. Palpus rounded, 



B. 



Fig. 70. — Dahira Moore. Genitalia. 

 A, D. rubiginosa Moore, harpe ; B, penis-sheath. 



somewhat projecting. Antenna fusiform, narrowed at base, 

 gradually fining to a slender hook, strongly compressed, 

 fasciculate, cilia long ; end-segment short. Spines of 

 abdomen weak. Mid-coxal merum somewhat angulate. 

 Tibiae unarmed ; spurs short, mid-tibial ones equal in length, 

 long terminal one of hind tibia shorter than the tibia is broad ; 

 no comb, pulvillus and paronychium not reduced. Wings 

 entire ; fore wing elongate, subfalcate, apex acute ; cross- 

 veins of hind wing slightly oblique, D 3 longer than D 4 . 



" J. Tenth tergite elongate, convex above, concave beneath, 



