PROTECTIVE RESEMBLANCE, WITH EXAMPLES 



99 



Protective Resemblance to Bark in 

 Catocala Larva 



HE above photographic reproduction shows 

 a caterpilhir which I found resting on a leaf- 

 less twig. This species has the habit of 

 t, ^ij ' lying flattened and very closely pressed 



\r/ against the bark. Moreover, the line of shadow 

 separating it from the twig is effaced by a number 

 V / ./ of short bristly hairs arranged along the side of the 

 Y^y body . 



/ This larva rests on the bark of twigs in the daytime 



and feeds on the leaves at night, therefore, the green 

 coloring often found in caterpillars is not displayed in this 

 species. The moths of the genus Catocala have the under- 

 wings either red, crimson, yellow, or white, and often barred 

 with black; or they are plain black. The upper wings are 

 variously colored in simulation of the bark of trees upon 

 which most of the species rest during the daytime. Often 

 their wings are such a perfect match to the bark that even 

 an experienced entomologist overlooks them. The under- 

 wings are hidden by the depressed, over-lapped upper pair 

 when they rest on the bark, and the bright colors I have 

 referred to are displayed during flight. The larvae of mem- 

 bers of this genus resemble the one presented above. They 

 are often colored like the bark and twigs of their food plant 



