. As nature shows them : moths and butterflies of the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains : with over 400 photographic illustrations in the text and many transfers of species from life. Lepidoptera; Nature prints. SPHINXES. 157 It is gra3'ish or greenish brown in color, crossed by numerous darker brown markings. The linder side is pink. At tlie posterior end is an eye-like spot or tubercle, making the insect look, as one observer worded it, " as if the worm liad a head at each ; When handled the caterpillar twists its body vigorously from side to side, making at the same t
. As nature shows them : moths and butterflies of the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains : with over 400 photographic illustrations in the text and many transfers of species from life. Lepidoptera; Nature prints. SPHINXES. 157 It is gra3'ish or greenish brown in color, crossed by numerous darker brown markings. The linder side is pink. At tlie posterior end is an eye-like spot or tubercle, making the insect look, as one observer worded it, " as if the worm liad a head at each ; When handled the caterpillar twists its body vigorously from side to side, making at the same time a squeaking noise. Tlie winter is passed in the chrys- alis state, a few inches beneath tlie surface of the Aiuphion uessus. A little jewel among the sphinx moths is Aiuphion iwssus. It expands a little over two inclies, and the wings are very nuich scalloped. The ground-color of the fore wings and thorax is purplish-l)ro\vn, the wings being crossed by dark velvety brown markings and faint yellow- ish lines, witli a spot of reddisli-brown near the tip of the wing. The lower wings are margined with a broad l)and of l)ro\vn edged Avith yellow, the rest of the wing being reddis]i-l)ro\vn. The abdomen is dark reddish-brown, lighter on the sides, and is crossed b}^ two conspic- uous bright yellow bands. The end of the abdomen bears three tufts of long dark brown hairs wliich may be spread or contracted at the pleasure of the insect. The white lilac and syringa are favorite flowers. Its flight is not so rapid as that of other members of the family, and it may be easilj^ taken, even by hand. I have never found this insect abundant but iiave had numerous specimens sent me from (Ontario, Canada, and also from Virginia. The genus tSmerinthns contains some large and very handsome mollis. Unlike the species of sphinx moths alread}'- described, in this genus the tongue is very slioi't, almost wanting in fact, and can be of little use to the insect. The fore wings are scalloped
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbayerfrederickmformer, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900
