HYBRIDS OF SPHINGIDAE. By B. Gehlen. 
157 
shape, but the subdividing tendency of geminatus is alway visible. Underside very like ocellata, but the apical 
spot of forewings of geminatus impresses its characteristic also here. Antennae like ocellata. — (Described 
from 4 specimens in my collection.) 
S. hybr. eisneri Gehlen (12 d) (S. kindermanni Led. A X A. populi L. $ or reciprocal cross) was cap- eisneri. 
tured in nature in Syria, I have only a specimen without antennae before me. This interesting hybrid looks 
at first glance very like populi, but the thoracic spot gives the clue. All wings are reddish brown on upperside 
and of the size of a large populi. Body grey-brown with a pale thoracic spot and diffuse but distinct dorsal 
line on abdomen. Wing contour reminds one more of kindermanni, especially the hindwings are not so rounded 
as populi, but more elongated, on the other hand costa of hindwings more closely resembles populi. The shape 
of the outer margin of fore wings is midway between the parent forms; the indentations between 1st and 3rd 
radialis and before the anal angle distinctly remind one of kindermanni. The markings on forewings are much 
bolder than in populi and there is a sharp discal double line, which is indented inwards along the veins. 
The antemedian line is very distinct and bent outwards at the centre. The white apical line of kindermanni 
is present, extends however in an arch from apex to 2nd subcostal nervule and then immediately inwards. 
It therefore does not form an outward dentation on 5th subcostal nervule as in kindermanni. Anal spot of 
forewings (of kindermanni ) distinct, as also the white stigma of populi. Hindwings with only an indication 
of the rusty red basal area and a double discal band {populi). Anal spot of kindermanni is almost completely 
extinct and is only indicated by a darkening of the discal line at that spot. It is edged paler outwardly. Under¬ 
side is ruddy brown as upperside, but somewhat paler and has the distinct characteristics of kindermanni in 
the markings. 
A. hybr. bertae Dannenberg {A. populi austauti Stgr. A X S. planus Wkr. $). Only AS specimens bertae. 
resulted, which are rather smaller than the related metis, varians, oberthiiri and operosa (Vol. 2, p. 262). Wing 
contour of bertae varies considerably from these, as in this respect it strongly inclines towards planus and in 
genera] has a striking resemblance to a healthy planus $. A few specimens have wider wings, thereby ap¬ 
proaching metis. Although the A parent was a reddish specimen, the colouration is a nice blue-grey with darker 
bands situate as in metis. The large eyespot of hindwings immediately typifies this hybrid from all others; 
the eyespot expands over half the wing, it is clearly marked and has a wide black edge; the blue centre mark 
generally contains a dark pupil; in some specimens the black edge is so wide, that the blue is almost sup¬ 
pressed. Basal area is fairly intensively carmine red in a moderate expanse. The anterior section of the wings 
is very pale and sharply outlined from the rest. The general impression of the hindwings is that of planus. 
The thoracic spot varies in size, but is generally darker than in other hybrids. 
Klemann gives a new name populata to the well known hybrid A. hybr. rothschildi Stndfs. His ex- populata. 
planation, which seems to me inadequate, is to give a new name to the product of the crossing of A. populi 
L. A X S. ocellata L. $, which Standfltss had named hybr. rothschildi. Klemann asserts that the specimens 
of his breeding are entirely different to rothschildi and even goes so far as to say that Standfltss may have 
made a mistake in the particulars of the parent forms from which he had bred his rothschildi! — The populata 
specimens resemble hybridus with very large eyespot on hindwings, which are wider than high, whilst 
in rothschildi eyespots were almost extinct. Further in contrast to rothschildi, populata resembles ocellata more 
than populi. Ground colour of forewings is violet-grey, markings as hybridus, but with much more distinctly 
blue and black marked eyespots. Red colouration at basal area of hindwings is very brilliant. Underside bright 
reddish. 
As hybrids in the same or in different broods can vary quite enormously and as further, of the many experiments 
only 4 imagines were bred, it is not so very remarkable that 2 specimens of one brood differ from 2 specimens of another 
brood. One could enter into a discussion of races in conjunction with atavism and mendelism, but this is not the place 
for a digression of this nature. 
B. Secondary Hybrids. 
S. hybr. aemilii Klemann (S. hybr. ocelloastylus John A X S. ocellata L. $). This hybrid shows marked aemilii. 
characteristics of both parents. Those specimens that resemble ocellata in markings and colour, are also of 
the size of ocellata. Two-thirds of the specimens have diffuse forewing markings. Eyespots of hindwings gen¬ 
erally smaller than ocellata, higher than wide. A few specimens with nice rose suffusion, a few violet-grey 
and reddish grey. 
S. hybr. szczodrowskii Muller ( S . hybr. hybridus Steph. A X A. populi L. $) resembles on upper and szczodrows 
underside deeply dark grey populi specimens. The ocellata eyespot on hindwings is however, still indicated by 
a very faint bluish sheen. Only 2 A<5 were successfuly brought through. 
S. hybr. alice Klemann ( S . hybr. neopalaearcticus Stdfs. A X 8. ocellata L. $) is of the same size alice. 
as normal ocellata and in its general appearance is midway between the parent forms. Indentations of margins 
of wings almost exactly like neopalaearcticus. Also the eyespot is like the latter, it is higher than wide and is 
halved in the (3) AS\ only hi the upper part is there a vivid blue, whilst the lower part has a brownish tone. 
