S. tipuliformis. Currant Sphinx is thus mentioned by Mr. Curtis:

"Towards the end of May, and in June, we see the beautiful little currant sphinx sporting in the morning and noonday sun, about the flowers of the Persian Lilac, the Common Syringa, and other plants; at this time the females also resort to the currant trees to deposit their eggs in the crevices of the twigs, and as soon as the larva emerges from its tiny shell, it penetrates to the centre to feed upon the pith, proceeding downward until it has arrived at its full growth; it then changes to a pupa serrated with transverse short spines, which enable it to ascend to an opening previously prepared by the larva, from which the sphinx escapes, leaving the pupa case half protruding from the branch.

"The caterpillar is fleshy and whitish, with an obscure dorsal line: the head and four horny spots upon the first thoracic segment are bright brown; it has six pectoral, eight abdominal, and two anal feet, which are of a similar colour, and a few fine longish hairs are scattered over its body. The moth is of a brilliant chalybeon black, inclining to purple, which is beautifully contrasted with the golden wings encircling its body when glittering in the sunshine. The black currants appear to be the most subject to these attacks of the currant sphinx caterpillar, and the first indication of its presence is the withering of the leaves and branches." - Gard. Chron.