i88 



WILLIAM MORTON WHEELER. 



its models. Furthermore, these Ponerines sting very severely, 

 whereas Gigantiops can be picked up with impunity. In Kartabo, 

 nevertheless, the models are much less frequently seen than the 

 mimic. This is interesting in connection with the observations of 

 Mr. Tee Van, who finds that in the same region many of the 



FIG. i. Gigantiops destructor Fabr. Worker, about twice natural size; 

 dorsal and lateral views and head from above. 



mimetic butterflies are much more abundant than their putative 

 Heliconid models. It would be a mistake to suppose that Gi- 

 gantiops acts as if it derived any benefit from its striking resem- 

 blance to the stinging Ponerines. It greatly surpasses them in 

 agility and when pursued will even leap several inches in a very 

 graceful, cat-like manner. On the rather infrequent occasions 

 when it climbs onto bushes and is running over their foliage it will, 

 if disturbed, leap, without the slightest hesitation, to another leaf 

 or even to the ground and make off with great alacrity. When two 

 Gigantiops happen to meet face to face, they exhibit a peculiar 

 play. After stroking each other's heads for a moment with the 

 yellow tips of their antennae, they move from sMe to side, precisely 

 like two persons who meet on the sidewalk and try to prevent each 

 other from passing. 



