Page:Jardine Naturalist's Library Exotic Moths.djvu/113

99 METOPSILUS TERSA. PLATE V. Fig. 1.

prettily marked insect affords a very characteristic example of that section of sphinges which presents a distinctive modification in the form of the anterior wings, a peculiarity associated with another in the appearance of the caterpillars, which are rather suddenly attenuated in front, and have the power of drawing these narrowed segments within each other. This group, to which we have given the subgeneric name of Metopsilus, has the antennæ but slightly clavate, the anterior wings very acute at the apex, with a sinuosity or emargination on the hinder edge just below the tip, which gives them a somewhat falcate shape; the inner margin likewise sinuated behind the middle. The caterpillars are ornamented with eye-like spots on some of the anterior segments; the anal horn in most cases distinct, but occasionally obsolete. We have several elephant hawkmoths, as the members of