14 THE entomologist's RECORD. 



Notes on Papilio machaon. 



By CECIL FLOEKSHIEM, B.A., F.E.S. 

 Larval habits. — The ovum is laid singly, usually on the under- 

 side of young growth of Ski7)n)iia (leaf). Larva hatches any time of 

 day till nightfall, but most often between seven o'clock and eleven in 

 the morning. 



I. Eestinfi-habit when yoiot;/. — (1) Fore-segments raised and arched, 

 giving appearance of miniature sea-horse (this is the position adopted 

 when undergoing ecdysis), or (2) fore-segments very slightly raised 

 and not arched ; this (2) being the attitude more commonly taken, 

 when young, whilst merely at rest after feeding. In both of these 

 positions the young larva of Papilio machaon adheres to its pabulum, by 

 the last three pairs of prolegs and the anal claspers, keeping its thoracic 

 legs tightly shut. On a dull day it is more inclined to adopt resting 

 attitude, and, whilst resting, to keep itself in position (1). I suppose 

 this arched habit is that of complete, the more outstretched one that of 

 partial, rest. I should say that the time given for resting during 

 moult (Tutt, Nat. Hist. lUit. Lep., vol. viii,, p. 77) is about the 

 average during fine weather. 



The young larva of P. machaon when not feeding has a habit of 

 jerking its head violently from side to side at times without apparent 

 cause. It rests {a) usually with its head pointing towards the stem 

 of the leaf, and {h) on the upperside [about 70 per cent, adopting (a) 

 on Skinimia, and all (6)] . On fennel also the former habit is notice- 

 able. Even during heavy rain the young larvae will not retreat to the 

 underside of the SkinDiiia leaves, though I have found them drowned 

 in consequence. 



II. FeeiUn<i-hahit, ]i<ninii. — (1) On emergence, turns round tow'ards 

 ovum which it gradually devours, seldom pausing in this till the shell 

 is about two-thirds consumed, then wanders oft', but always returns to 

 empty shell as if compelled by some imperious necessity, until its last 

 vestiges are done with. (2) Sometimes feeds from edge, sometimes 

 from the middle, of the leaf; eats usually through entire leaf, but 

 sometimes only the upper layer. Feeds on young growths of Skinimia, 

 preferably on upperside, even when the ovum has been laid on the 

 underside. (3) Always eats exuvije (/.e., cast skin). 



III. l!estin(/-habit, yonm/. — (1) On upperside, along the middle of 

 Skinimia leaf, clinging by all its prolegs: the thoracic legs being open, 

 not clasped together ; stretched out almost at full length, but with 

 thoracic segments slightly arched. When full-fed, or nearly so, it 

 loses its habit of resting with head pointing towards stem of leaf ; 

 indeed, by far the greater proportion of those I noticed rested with 

 their heads turned towards the tips of the leaves upon which they were 

 feeding. (2) Also rests on stem of young shoots of Skimmia im- 

 mediately below leaves upon which it has been feeding in same 

 position as described. I should say that the time of one-and-a-half 

 days given (Tutt, Xat. Hist. Brit. Lep., vol. viii., p. 77) for quiescent 

 stage, preceding pupation, is on average short by one day of rest 

 actually taken. 



IV. P'eedinii-hahit, old. — On upperside of leaf, or on stem of young 

 shoot, devouring the leaves above. Sometimes eats the entire leaf, 

 more often only a large piece out of it. Feeds usually with head 



