Publ. 4. VIII. 1932. 
ACHERONTIA. By B. Gehlen. 
Family: Sphingidae, Hawk Moths*). 
Since the publication of the 2nd Volume of the main Series many new species, subspecies and forms 
have been described. But there have been a greater number of discoveries in regard to the early stages 
of many species, which were hitherto unknown, as well as other important and interesting biological observ¬ 
ations. Especial credit is due to Mell, who at personal sacrifice has carried out scientific researches in China 
and who has recorded his labours in his valuable work ,,Fauna Sinica“, which will be of the greatest interest 
to every entomologist. Anyone who is keen on the subject and who takes entomology seriously or who is 
interested in breeding or does breed personally, will peruse this work with the greatest interest, as some of his 
observations are simply amazing. 
In addition to what was stated in Vol. 2, p. 229 we must remark here that Mell ascertained that cer¬ 
tain Sphingidae larvae hibernate in the larval stage. This hibernation however does not coincide with any 
cessation in the development of the larva, as same hibernate when fully grown and ready for pupation. It 
is thus in a prae-pupal state and has not lost its capacity for movement; this is retained until shortly lie- 
fore pupation. Larvae that have been in the earth for several months, have crawled away on being disturbed. 
All that is said below when discussing the various species in regard to data of the early stages and 
biology is taken from Mell’s work, unless otherwise stated. Neuration according to Rothschild & Jordan. 
1. Genus: Acherontia 0. 
Contrary to what was said in Vol. 2, p. 232 and according to Mell, the Acherontia species do not 
visit flowers. 
A. lachesis F. (Vol. 2, p. 232, pi. 36 a). The death’s head mark on thorax and especially behind same, lachesis. 
often interspersed with cherry-red scales. — Ova cream coloured, longer (2 mm) than wide, frequently several 
on one leaf. — ab. radiata Niep. without the black discal band on hindwings, on the other hand the veins radiata. 
are black in the ordinarily yellow disc. Outer marginal band of hindwings is narrow, the black basal spot 
duller. 
A. atropos L. (Vol. 2, p. 232, pi. 36 b). — ab. obscurata Closs. The large yellow apical patch of fore- obscurata. 
wings is grey-black, so that excepting for a slight indication on costa, it has disappeared. Discal bands of 
hindwing faint and asymmetrical. — f. diluta Closs has markings of forewings diffuse. All red-brown patches diluta. 
are grey-brown and scarcely discernible; the pale transverse bands are merely indicated by a few grey-white 
spots and the entire forewings are suffused with silvery grey. Hindwings dull yellow, inner band narrow 
and straight, both bands grey-brown instead of black. — ab. myosotis Schaw. has ground colour of fore- myosoiis. 
wings bluish grey instead of black-brown, whilst head, thorax and dorsal band are light blue-grey. — ab. 
confluens DM. has outer band of hindwings so enlarged that the entire outer half of wing is black and only confluens. 
the basal area remains yellow. — ab. moira DM. has forewings so heavily darkened that the markings are all moira. 
merged in a unicoloured brownish black-grey except for the stigma. — The finest of all the atropos aberra¬ 
tions is without a doubt ab. violacea Lamb. It is a dusky specimen with quite straight discal band on hind- violocea. 
wings but which however is chiefly remarkable owing to the upperside of the antennae, head, palpi and 
forewings being covered with a glossy violet sheen, almost like that of Apatura iris. 
A. styx Ww. (Vol. 2, p. 232). — In ab. interrupta Closs the outer black band of hindwings is dissolved interru\Aa. 
into small spots on the veins. 
*) , As already stated, this family is not numbered, as in the old works it was not included in the series of the 
other families of the Bombyces; compare Vol. 2, p. 3 and 229. 
Supplementary Volume 2 
18 
