CARNIVOROUS BUTTERFLIES CLARK 461 



legs are in a groove the edges of which close down tightly all 

 around ; consequently they are seldom seen, except, of course, during 

 progression, when the body is raised a little. 



After this discovery he met with other larvae, generally larger 

 and of a darker brown, and finally obtained pupa? and bred out a 

 series of the perfect insect. 



Taking several larvae and supplying them with ant grubs, he soon 

 had the satisfaction of observing one individual approach a half- 

 grown grub, deliberately seize it, and withdraw it from sight; but, 

 being impatient, he turned it over soon after, and it slowly released 

 its hold of the grub. Unfortunately he failed to observe anything 

 of the kind again. 



Finding that the caterpillars did not thrive upon ant larvae alone, 

 they were supplied with small nests containing ants and pupae as 

 well, but in a week or so they showed signs of sickness. By chang- 

 ing the ant nests he kept several other caterpillars for nearly two 

 weeks. They also became sickly and had to be returned to nests on 

 the trees. However, they deposited frass, showing that they had 

 been feeding; this is small for such bulky creatures, is gray or 

 grayish white, and is greas}^ looking. So, though he could not posi- 

 tively declare that they exist upon the ant larvae, he was quite satis- 

 fied himself that they do. 



As five or even six caterpillars may be found in one nest, the 

 quantity of food required by such large creatures must be consider- 

 able, though they are very slow growing; but the masses of ant 

 larvae could be drawn upon without making any great reduction 

 in them. 



He mentioned that he had at hand young caterpillars of a moth 

 that feeds upon another species of ant living in the ground. When 

 given the fresh grubs they soon take a lively interest in them and 

 affix themselves thereto, appearing to suck their victims. None of 

 the grubs are eaten, but they are considerably smaller and much 

 shriveled when finished Avith. The moth is even more greasy than 

 the butterfl}'. None of the grubs given to L. hrassolis were eaten, 

 but some had the same shriveled appearance as those given to the 

 moth larvae. 



When the caterpillars are about to cast their skins thej'^ spin a 

 webbed footing nearly their whole length, to which they affix them- 

 selves rather firmly ; but in many instances the ants secure them still 

 more firmly to their position, the web reaching half waj^ to, or even 

 up to the rim. Whether this ant web is added with friendly intent 

 or with a view to fastening down a larva to get rid of it if possible 

 is a puzzling matter ; but Mr. Dodd has not met with any dead larvae 

 so fastened. Pupae are occasionally treated in a similar manner 



