53 



brown, with the hind margins of third and fourth segments pale yellow ; three or four 

 bright ferruginous spots on the sides ; the triple anal tuft deep chestnut ; the under part 

 of the body somewhat reddish, with three white dots on the last part of the hind seg- 

 ments ; the fore wings brown, with a purplish hue ; a dark chestnut broad middle band 

 containing a lighter coloured discal spot ; dark chestnut, ferruginous, and dark brown 

 patches ; the fringes dark brown in the middle, pale yellow in the excavations and 

 bordered by dark brown ; hind-wings bright red, with a dark brown terminal band ; 

 fringes from the tip to the centre brownish, and thence to the anal angle pale yellow ; 

 flies generally at twilight, and may be seen hovering over lilac blossoms. In the Canadian 

 Entomologist of August, 1874, Mr. F. C. Lowe, of Dunnville, reported that this moth 

 ■was common in clover fields. 



The Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, the former editor of the Canadian Entomologist^ in the 

 month of June, 1868, in the middle of a very hot day, observed a beautiful specimen 

 •of this moth feasting on the carcase of a dog which was floating in a filthy pool. 



8. Thyreus Abbotii, Swainson. 



Thyreiis Abbotii, Walker. C. B. M. Lep., Part YIIL, page 99. 

 " Clemens. Syn. K A., Sph. 

 " " Morris. Syn. IS". A. Lep., Sm., Ins. page 156. 



Fig. 22. 



As has been pointed out by Mr. Lintner, the larva of Thyreus Abbotii is exceedingly 

 interesting from the fact that its two styles of ornamentation, in marked contrast one 

 with another, indicate the sex of the insect ; being the only instance of the kind known 

 among the butterflies and moths. 



It will be noticed that the caudal horn is wanting, but its place is occupied by a 

 polished tubercle. The larva does not assume the usual peculiar semi-erect attitude of the 

 sphinges, but rests stretched at length, though when disturbed it shortens the front 

 segments and throws the head from side to side, making at the same time a crepitating 

 noise. Dr. Clemens states that when on the ground its motions under irritation are 

 often violent. The characteristic marking of the head in both sexes distinguishes it 

 easily, according to Mr. Kiley, from its allies, being slightly roughened and dark, and a 

 central mark down the middle often assuming the shape of an X ; there being also a 

 light broad band on each side. 



The male larva is reddish-brown body, with numerous patches of light green, some- 

 times yellow, and on the sides a chocolate-coloured line. The tubercle is black, encircled 

 by a yellowish line ; the anal shield is pale green and brown. 



