THIBETIA; SPHECODINA; PROSERPINUS. By B. Gehlen. 
149 
P. metaUica Bilr. (Vol. 10, p. 552, pi. 64 c) subsp. anfracta Gehlen from Simla, N. V/. India, from whence anfrada. 
it may extend to palaearctic territory. It is smaller than type form, wing expanse of <3 being 28 mm. Wings 
sleeker. Upperside darker with more curved discal bands. The two pale apical spots are smaller, the poster¬ 
ior one being nearer base. On hind wings the pale band is shortened, darker and not wider than the margin¬ 
al area. Underside shows greater contrasts, the basal half of wing being darker; the light patches are a purer 
rusty red. $ unknown. 
P. perfecta Bilr. (Vol. 10, p. 552, pi. 56 C b) subsp. tsekoui Clark from Tzekou, China, has sleeker wings per/eda. 
than the type form, thorax and abdomen being paler on upperside. Also mentioned in Vol. 10, as southern 
China belongs to the Indian territory. 
29. (bis) Genus: Tliibetia J.&K. 
The Genus was established in 1917 by Joicey and Kaye and is closest to the Genus Panacra Wkr. 
Head large standing out prominently, with a central comb, 3 antennae long and stout, with short pectin¬ 
ations, and long tip which tapers off gradually. Palpi large, porrect, the 2nd segment much larger than the 1st. 
Hind tibiae with 2 pairs of long and almost equally long spurs. Central and hind tarsi with comb. The bent 
spur of front tibiae is very stout. Wings short, apex very blunt. Outer margin very concave before and be¬ 
hind the centre. Lower angle of cell almost rectangular. Hindwings without lobes at anal angle. 
T. niphaphylla J. <£■ K. from Thibet. Wing expanse 52 mm. Upper side: head, thorax, abdomen and fore- niphaplujl- 
wings dull black-brown. Forewings with 3 antemedian lines pointing towards the base; just beyond the cell 
an almost straight discal line; 2 undulate postdiscal lines. Below the apex a reddish yellow shade; a dark 
brown shade separates a large apical area. Hindwings impure black-brown or reddish brown with dark margin 
which is widest between 3rd and 2nd radialis. Underside: base of palpi, thorax, abdomen and discal areas 
of all wings dull reddish. An irregular brown marginal band, which is widest at 2nd radialis on fore and hind¬ 
wings. On hindwings a pair of indistinct curved discal lines. 
30. Genus: Spliecodiiia Blch. 
S. caudata Brem. & Gray (Vol. 2. p. 252, pi. 39 e and Vol. 10, p. 555). — In regard to the larva Mell caudata. 
gives many interesting details, which in part I should like to recount here. I he full grown larva is of striking 
appearance. The body tapers off anteriorly being somewhat wide r t h a n h i g h. (The Sphecodina larva is 
probably the only known Sphingidae. larva that is distinctly wider than high.) Instead of a horn it has a coral- 
red knob situate on a shield of the same colour or chocolate brown shade. Colour of body including the head 
is a nice pale leaf-green (the indication “blackish” in Vol. 2 probably refers to Colour of pupa). Head larger 
than the 1st segment. On being disturbed the full grown larva rolls up from its head sideways, so that with 
its dark lateral chocolate coloured stripes it forms a spiral that imitates and looks just like the green and 
brown shell of a snail, the claspers remaining fastly adhering to the twig. The anal segment is somewhat raised 
over the claspers, bulging out laterally and sharply pointed posteriorly, giving the impression that it is a 
head. In consequence of the bulge, abrupt tip, startling knob and the remarkably contrasting colourations, the 
larva has a terrifying appearance, so that anyone, even an expert, observing same in nature for the first time, 
can scarcely “believe the story true”. The shape and attitude of the body together with the markings are 
all three unique in the Genus and nevertheless they all harmonise together surprisingly. — Also the imago 
has its peculiarities. When resting the wings are lifted from the body, resting widely “spread-eagled , on small 
twigs they are almost at rightangles downward from the body. With the slightest disturbance, both 3 and 2 
hop off, sitting on the earth with rapidly vibrating and droning wings, the head stretched down, the abdomen 
arched and stretching upwards, like an ant that is about to exude acid; the tufts of hair seem to stand out 
threateningly, sometimes the basal segment of the abdomen is withdrawn and stretched out again. The im¬ 
pression of a stinging Hymenoptera is astonishing. Neither Mell nor his men discovered the imago in nature. 
From its behaviour in the breeding cage Mell assumes that it flies by day. 
31. Genus: I*roserpiiius Him. 
P. proserpina Pallas (Vol. 2, p. 252, pi. 40 g). ab. iilfumata Gloss. The black margin of hindwing is infumata. 
widely diffuse inwards, so that the yellow is quite dusky. — ab. schniidti Schmidt is a more intensive yellow- schmidli. 
grey on forewings. The yellow of hindwings is replaced by grey, only a trace of same is still visible at 
