Oct., '07] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 329 



A survey of the literature shows that these marks occur in 

 the most diverse groups of the Lycaenidae, most frequently 

 in the Lycaena group, but it cannot be said generally that 

 the caterpillars of the Lycaenidae or only the genus Lycaena 

 are all myrmecophilous, for even in this genus we find, 

 together with a great number of caterpillars undoubtedly 

 equipped with myrmecophilous adaptation organs, others in 

 which these tokens are wanting. In the literature many 

 opinions are to be found on the matter ; in how far they 

 are trustworthy must be left undecided. Confining myself to 

 my own observations, I can cite a caterpillar of the genus 

 Lycaena, namely, Lye. optiletc Knoch. I made this discovery 

 in the examination of the caterpillar collection of the late Dr. 

 O. Staudinger.* In 13 species of caterpillars of the genus 

 Lycaena I could infallibly identify the presence of aperture 

 and tentacles. They can be comparatively easily and well 

 recognized with a weak glass on mature and well blown-out 

 specimens. The slit with its both edges is generally walled 

 or blown up like a cone, and the tentacles are often stretched 

 out, even the bristly crown sometimes is spread out. If the 

 caterpillars are, indeed, not fully blown-out, one must observe 

 them very closely. The tentacles, which are not stretched out, 

 then generally appear like round light spots, appearing behind 

 the last spiracles. The matter is, however, very questionable 

 if the last abdominal segments, as can easily occur, are crushed 

 or withered up. In specimens in alcohol both tokens can also 

 be easily recognized. 



Lycaena optiletc was, as has been said, the only species in 

 which these tokens failed. It was very difficult for me not 

 to believe in some error or confusion ; yet the type of cater- 

 pillar, the great number of specimens (15, and all especially 

 well blown-out), the name of the collector, the conscientious- 

 ness of the former possessor of the collection, all must finally 

 convince me of a fact which, when rightly considered is not to 

 be wondered at. The plant-lice offer in this respect similar 

 relations. From this that aperture and tentacles never belong 



*Chr. A. Bang-Haas, Blasewitz, Dresden, proprietor of the firm, I >r. ( ). Stauilin.m-i 

 and A. KUIIK -1 laas, was kind enough to allow me to examine this collection, an<l al 

 use the copious library, for which I here offer him my wannest thanks. 



