SPHINGIDyE. 
467 
As a rule there are two broods during the rains, with pupal hiberna¬ 
tion in the second until March or June, more often the latter. Few are 
pests since they are insects that increase but slowly, but a few are found 
feeding on cultivated plants and are occasionally numerous. 
The larvae are parasitised by parasitic Hymenoptera and Diptera 
as are other caterpillars, and these parasites are the chief check. Birds 
readily eat the caterpillars when they find them, and help to check them 
when they are numerous. 
Hampson lists 121 Indian species, mostly hill forms not recorded 
from the plains. A few species are common in the plains, a number 
more are recorded and will be found widespread. Jordan and Roths¬ 
child list 154 (1907) ; their revision alters practically the whole nomencla¬ 
ture and classification, and brings in the greatest possible amount of con¬ 
fusion. In the present deplorable state of entomology, their nomen¬ 
clature will probably be adopted till another replaces it, and we 
accordingly use both here. The most recent account is that of these 
authors in Genera Insectorum, which is a revision of their earlier 
revision. The authors are extremely vague about geographical 
distribution, and it is impossible to be certain exactly which species 
actually occur in India. 
Acherontiince—Herse (Protoparce) convolvuli, Linn., is our commonest 
form, a large grey moth with pink bands on the abdomen, which comes 
freely to light. The larva feeds on sweet potato, urid ( Phaseolus mungo ), 
and on convolvulaceous creepers. The pupa is in a hard earthen chamber. 
Acherontia styx , Westw., is our death’s-head moth, so-called from the 
skull-mark on the thorax. This is the tropical and sub-tropical form of A. 
lachesis , Fabr., found only in the Himalayas. The large green caterpillar 
is found on til ( Sesamum indicum) and kulthi (Dolichos lablab). There 
are probably two broods a year in all parts of the plains, the pupa 
living over the winter (Plate XL). 
Psilogramma menephron, Cram. (Pseudosphinx discistriga, Wlk.), 
is a large grey moth with an expanse of 3J to 5J inches, less common 
but widely spread in the plains. 
Ambulycince.—Compsogene (Calymnia) panopus, Cram., is the very 
large purple and brown moth, with a wing expanse of 5J inches. The 
larva is grey with yellow stripes, the anal process Ion and straight; it 
