[177] [Lepidopterists are of course aware that even these distinctions are not absolute, as no single character can be named which does not also appear in certain moths. The definition in this case, as in that of most other groups of animals and plants, is only a general one. See, for instance, Westwood’s “Introduction to the Classification of Insects,” vol. ii. pp. 330–332. Also some remarks by C. V. Riley in his “Eighth Annual Report” on the insects of Missouri, 1876, p. 170. With reference to the antennæ as a distinguishing character, see Mr. A. G. Butler’s article in “Science for All,” 1880, part xxvii. p. 65. R.M.]
[178] The genus of Morphinæ, Discophora, possesses hairs very similar to those of the genus Cnethocampa belonging to the Bombycidæ.
[179] [The larvæ of genera 14, Phyciodes, and 35, Crenis, are likewise spiny. See Edwards’ “Butt. of N. Amer.” vol. ii. for figures of the caterpillar of Phyc. Tharos: for notes on the larvæ of Crenis Natalensis and C. Boisduvali see a paper by W. D. Gooch, “Entomologist,” vol. xiv. p. 36. The larvæ of genus 55, Ageronia, are also spiny. (See Burmeister’s figure of A. Arethusa, “Lép. Rép. Arg.” Pl. V. Fig. 4). The larvæ of genus 98, Aganisthos, also appear to be somewhat spiny (see Burmeister’s figure of A. Orion, loc. cit. Pl. V. Fig. 6), and this raises the question as to whether the genus is correctly located in its present position. The larvæ of the following genera figured in Moore’s “Lepidoptera of Ceylon,” parts i. and ii., are all spiny:—6, Cirrochroa (Pl. XXXII.); 7, Cynthia (Pl. XXVI.); 27, Kallima (Pl. XIX.); and 74, Parthenos (Pl. XXIV.). Many species of caterpillars which are spiny when adult appear to be spineless, or only slightly hairy when young. See Edwards’ figures of Melitæa Phaeton, Argynnis Diana, and Phyc. Tharos (loc. cit.) and his description of the larva of Arg. Cybele, “Canad. Entom.” vol. xii. p. 141. The spiny covering thus appears to be a character acquired at a comparatively recent period in the phyletic development. R.M.]
[180] [The larvæ of the 110th genus, Paphia, Fabr. (Anæa, Hübn.) are also smoothed-skinned. See Edwards’ figure (loc. cit. vol. i. Pl. XLVI.) of P. Glycerium. Also C. V. Riley’s “Second Annual Report” on the insects of Missouri, 1870, p. 125. Burmeister figures the larva of a species of Prepona (genus 99) which is smooth (P. Demophon, loc. cit. Pl. V. Fig. 1). The horns on the head of Apatura, &c., may possibly be a survival from a former spiny condition. R.M.]
[181] “Synopsis of the described Lepidoptera of North America.” Washington, 1862.
[182] “Catalog der Lepidopteren des Europäischen Faunengebietes.” Dresden, 1871.
[183] This group of moths (“Schwärmer”) is regarded as of very different extents by systematists; when I here comprise under it only the Sphingidæ proper and the Sesiidæ, I by no means ignore the grounds which favour a greater extension of the group; the latter is not rigidly limited. [The affinities of the Sesiidæ (Ægeriidæ) are by no means clearly made out: it appears probable that they are not related to the Sphingidæ. See note [160], p. [370]. R.M.]
[184] [For Mr. A. G. Butler’s observations on the genus Acronycta, see “Trans. Ent. Soc.” 1879, p. 313; and note [68], p. [169], of the present volume. R.M.]
[185] [The following characters are given in Stainton’s “Manual of British Butterflies and Moths,” vol. i. p. 114:—“Larva of very variable form: at one extreme we find the singular Cerura larvæ, with only fourteen legs, and two long projecting tails from the last segment; at the other extreme we have larvæ with sixteen legs and no peculiarity of form, such as Chaonia and Bucephala; most have, however, the peculiarity of holding the hind segment of the body erect when in repose; generally quite naked, though downy in Bucephala and rather hairy in Curtulu; very frequently there are projections on the back of the twelfth segment.” R.M.]
[186] Encyl. Meth. ix. p. 310.