206 THE INSECT WORLD. 
fastens together with some silky threads. Its pupa (Fig. 188), of 
a yellowish brown, has short bristles on the rings of the abdomen. 
The caterpillar possesses in the highest degree the retractile power 
which has gained for certain species of this genus their popular 
names. ‘The Privet Sphinx (Sphinx Ligustri, F ig. 189) has its 









































































































































































































Fig. 189.—Privet Hawk-Moth (Sphine ligustri). 
upper wings rather narrow, about two inches long, of a reddish 
grey, and veined with black above, with the middle of a dark 
brown, the inner margin with rose-coloured -hairs, and the hind 
margin having two whitish flexuous lines running along it. The 
hind wings are of a rose tint, with three black bands. The wings 
are of a reddish grey below with a common black band. The 
abdomen has black and rose-coloured rings above, and in the 
middle a brownish band wholly divided by a black line. 
This species is very common in all parts of Europe. One finds 
it in gardens from June to September. Of all the caterpillars 
of the genus Sphinx, this is the one which, by its attitude when 
in a state of repose, most resemblés the sphinx of fable, from 
which the genus has derived its name. It is of fine apple 
green, with seven oblique stripes, half violet and half white, 
placed on each side of its body, and three or four small white 

