286 



THE YOUNG 



NATURALIST. 



a pale yellow line on each side, above the 

 spiracles, a white or pale grey dorsal stripe, 

 down the centre of which is a dark reddish 

 line, widest at the. middle of each segment. 

 We have rather enlarged on this point as 

 the discovery of the larva in this country 

 would give considerable satisfaction to many 

 entomologists. The figure in Cassell's 

 European Butterflies and Moths seems to 

 be a bad copy of the same figure. 



Pupa. — Similar to the last, the sheath 

 •of the proboscis detached in the same way. 

 Donovan's figure does not show this peculi- 

 arity, which, I believe, is common to the 

 genus ; it is also too bright in colour. 



Food Plants. — Pines and firs, especi- 

 ally Scotch fir [Pinus sylvestris). 



Times of Appearance— The imago 



appears on the wing in June and July, and 

 the egg is laid during the latter month. 

 The larva feeds up during August and Sep- 

 tember, or sometimes even in October. The 

 pupa is subterranean, and remains over the 

 winter. 



Habitat — Donovan says "We have 

 only a traditionary report that Sphinx pinas- 

 tri has been sometimes found in Scotland ; 

 but as it is generally admitted, on that 

 authority, to a place in the cabinets of 

 English insects, we cannot refrain inserting 

 in the present work." Curtis says, " Don 9, 

 296,— Sepp., V. I, t. 4,— June. Trunks of 

 Pines, Colney Hatch, near London, and 

 Revelston wood, near Edinburgh." Stephens 

 cites the same localities. Stainton says " By 

 many doubted as a British species," and then 

 quotes as above from Stephens, adding "I 

 know of no recent captures." A specimen was 

 exhibited at the Entomological Society of 

 London in February, i860, said to have been 

 taken in a fir wood near Romsey by Mr. 

 Morris. Great doubts were felt as to the 

 authenticity of the specimen, for Mr. Morris 

 was only a beginner and had not known the 

 value of his capture. had some Swiss 



insects, but declared this had never been 

 placed with them. The specimen was ad- 

 mitted to have been re-pinned and re-set, 

 and, perhaps, the possessor of the specimen 

 would be the only one who was convinced 

 of its British nationality. I know of no 

 further records — though many may have 

 escaped my notice — until November, 1P73, 

 when a specimen said to have been taken 

 near Harwich in June, 1873, was exhibited 

 at the meeting of the same society. Two 

 D. euphorbia were shown at the same time, 

 bred from larvae, also said to have been 

 found near Harwich. I know no further 

 particulars, but neither of these species is 

 included in a list of the hawk-moths occur- 

 ring at Harwich, supplied me by F. Kerry, 

 Esq., of that place. I see no reason why 

 it should not establish itself in Britain, 

 and shall not be surprised if at some 

 future date it is proved to have done so. \ 

 Suitable localities are abundant enough. | 

 In Europe it is widely distributed, but does 1 

 not appear to be common in the North or }: 

 East, nor to extend beyond the boundaries ; 

 of the continent. The perfect insect appears I 

 to be very partial to the flowers of the | 

 honeysuckle. Kirby says " It is most fre- i 

 quently observed on the honeysuckle! 

 flowers in the evening, or resting on the' 

 trunks of poplars and other trees." Stan-i 

 ton says *• Ratzeburg's receipt for finding! 

 the perfect insect is as follows : — V/e first f 

 see them at the flowers of the honeysuckle ; \ 

 and where this plant occurs, over arbours 

 in villages, near forests, one can with cer- 

 tainty expect them at evening dusk if they] 

 abundant." f 

 Variation. — Except slight variationj 

 in hue, or in the extent of the markings, ij 

 have heard of no departures from the typeJ 

 Note.— This species is placed among the}^ 

 " Reputed species," in Doubleday's list, andj 

 is excluded from Newman's book. Readers; 

 may judge for themselves if it is not rightlyj' 

 so excluded. 



