DAPHNIS NERII. 219 



by having the subdorsal line well developed, without trace of ever 

 having been interfered with by modification into eye-spots, but eye- 

 spots are well-developed on the metathoracic segment. This then 

 would be a Philampelid larva with these eye-spots added. Since there 

 is the tendency to break up the subdorsal line into eye-spots in 

 all Sphingids we probably have one result of the tendency here, 

 probably acting also in association with the origin of the Eumorphids. 

 Daphnis would, in fact, seem to be a branch from the Eumorphid 

 stem almost before it was definitely separated from the Philampelid, 

 and whilst it was still possible to retain the greater part of the 

 subdorsal line unchanged. This does not seem to have been possible 

 in any Eumorphid in any stage in which the eye-spots were fully 

 developed, whether on all or only on two segments, at any rate 

 not in. any whole group, though one or two species have a somewhat 

 contrary aspect. Imaginally, Daphnis is of a totally different wing- 

 pattern from any Eumorphid, but the pupa has a very great 

 resemblance to that of Hippotio7i celerio. At first glance they are 

 almost identical, and they resemble one another in a good many 

 points of detail. They do, however, differ in several items, so that it 

 is necessary to conclude that the resemblances are due to convergence. 

 Daphnis pupa, however, with its light colour and weak texture resem- 

 bles those of Eumorphids in being obviously adapted to surface pupa- 

 tion, whilst the pupa of the true Philampelid has a dark colour, and 

 solid texture for subterranean pupation. 



Daphnis nerii, Linne. 



Synonymy.— Species : Nerii, Linn., " Sys. Nat.," xth ed., p. 490 (1758); 

 xiith ed., p. 798 (1767): Hfn., " Berl. Mag.," ii., p. 176 (1766), &c. [Note. — 

 This species has always been known by the Linnean name nerii. All references 

 made under the generic synonymy of Daphnis [antea, pp. 246-247) are referable here.] 



Original description. — Sphinx nerii alis subangulatis viridibus : 

 fasciis variis pallidioribus saturatioribus flavescentibusque. Roes., 

 Ins., i, phal. i, t. 16. Frisch, Ins., 7, t. 3. Habitat in Nerio (Linne, 

 Sys. Nat., xth ed., p. 490). 



Imago. — 90mm. — 110mm. Head and thorax deep olive-green, 

 marked with pinkish-grey (or dull yellow tinged with pink); the 

 abdomen green, marked with faint pinkish-grey oblique lines on 

 either side of each segment dorso-laterally, segmental incisions in 

 upper part of abdomen whitish, a dark patch on either side of anus. 

 Anterior wings dark green, marked with white (or yellowish), suffused 

 with pink ; the pale areas consist of a basal circle, treble oblique or 

 angulated line towards base, an oblique median line curving at costa 

 and continued towards anal angle, but stopping short about half-way 

 across wing, a curved line parallel to last almost enclosing apical 

 area and an oblique apical streak ; the anal area fawn-grey, edged 

 with pinkish-white, nervures whitish on outer half; fringes green. 

 Posterior wings fawn-colour (or pinkish-grey) at base, a white waved 

 line just outside middle, edged with darker, outer area dark green, 

 anal area whitish ; fringes white. 



' Sexual dimorphism. — The 2 is larger than the $ , though the 

 variations in size are so great as in many cases to mask this. The $ 

 has a more conical tapering abdomen, though in cabinet specimens 

 the $ , when devoid of eggs, presents a very similar outline. There 



