SOUTH AFRICAN BAGW0BM8. 629' 



this the caterpillai- is exposed to its various enemies and the- 

 unfavourable conditions of the atmosphere, and thus it makes 

 haste to construct its new dwelling. It is therefore not very 

 fastidious and takes old abandoned bags which it finds on 

 the leaves to supply part of the new covering. The result is 

 a compound bag, made up of from two to five others, of 

 wliich we fiud only one inhabited. 



(3) The Pup^e. 



When the time for pupation approaches, the larva makes 

 preparations to still further secure its retreat and to establish 

 for itself a safe place in which to pass the all-important 

 period of pupation. Generally the creature moves with its 

 bag to a less conspicuous place, or one where its bag blends 

 more perfectly with its surroundings, so as to enjoy additional 

 protection. The clustering of the " Wattle Bagworm" on the 

 stem and in the forks of the branches, where it is more 

 obscured by the surrounding foliage ; the retreat of the 

 " Meadow Bagworm " and the " Crossed-stick Bagworm " 

 amongst the exposed roots of the grasses and low plants on 

 the surface of the ground, where it can hardly be distinguished 

 from the normal litter covering these places; the attachment 

 of the "Thatched Bagworm" to the underside of stone 

 ledges or in corners where waste material is allowed to accu- 

 mulate ; the adornment, in the case of the " Rubbish Bag- 

 worm " with all kinds of debris found on the ground — all 

 these may be classed under such precautionary measures. 



Secondly the case is made more secure against possible 

 intrudeis or accidents. The upper end or neck is closed 

 tightly, while usually the lower part of the bag is filled up 

 with a loose irregular webbing of silk which would entangle- 

 any of the smaller parasites, spiders or ants which might 

 probe the opening. The lower aperture must be left open so as 

 to allow the moth to escape, or the abdomen of the male to enter 

 for copulation,'as the case may be. The bags are more firmly 

 attached, in some cases by a strand of silk spun around the 



