OBSERVATIONS ON A SEXUAL HABIT OF LEPTIDIA SINAPIS. 201 



the Ofenbai'g inn, but still more interesting was the fact that Aijiiades 

 bellart/ii>i was seen flitting by the side of the road to within a few feet 

 of the summit of the pass, resting on flowers, etc., but <? s only, not a 

 single ? was observed in the valley, their habits and habitats appear 

 to be essentially dift'erent here from those of the J s. Soon after 

 commencing the descent into the Miinster-Thal, the weather changed, 

 and clouds were the order of the day ; how far down on this side E. 

 nerine extended could not be observed, but probably for some distance, 

 although confined apparently to the dolomite mountains. The Ofen 

 Pass would evidently make a good collecting-ground, and the Ofenburg 

 inn a good stopping-place, but evidently, in 1908, we were at least a 

 week too late to catch E. nerine in its very best condition. 



Observations on a sexual habit of Leptidia sinapis. 



By A. M. COCHKANE. 

 Whilst walking near the Walensee, on July 30tb, 1909, my 

 attention was drawn to a $ Leptidia sinapis that was busy eggiaying ; 

 whilst thus engaged a ^ happened to pass, and, observing her, hovered 

 over her, flew down closely to her, and apparently forced her to settle 

 on a clover leaf among the herbage. She took up a position so that 

 she clung to the edge of a leaflet, ber wings drawn up, her face and 

 antennae in line with the edge of the leaf, so that the antennte were 

 thrown one on each side of the costfe of the two forewings, which 

 were quite close together, the tips of the antennae turned backward ; 

 in this position the face of the 5 was presented directly to the S' > 

 who took up a position on the top of the leaf directly in front of her ; 

 the 2 stood quite still, whilst the ^ , standing before her, commenced 

 to move his head rapidly from side to side in what appeared to be a 

 most comical manner. At each movement he appeared to strike the 

 costfe of the forewings with his antenoje, which were projected directly in 

 front, but closer examination showed that the antennae fell somewhat 

 short of the costa? of the Avings, and that the <y had got his tongue 

 protruded at full length, and that it, therefore, extended some distance 

 beyond the front of the antennae. Each time that the head of the <? 

 was moved from left to right, the tongue of the insect was seen to be 

 drawn quickly up the edge of the wing-costa, and as quickly moved 

 back again for the operation to be again and again repeated, some- 

 times 20 or 30 movements Avere made before the ^ took a rest, at 

 other times as few as half-a-dozen; little by little the 3' kept advancing 

 his position, until, instead of being as at first almost half-an-inch 

 distant from her, his face ahuost touched hers, and the movements of the 

 J then had the distinct appearance of the ^ washing the $ 's face, but, as 

 soon as this stage of familiarity had been reached, the movements of 

 the (J that had brought it so close to the ? , caused the waving 

 tongue or antennfe to touch the antennae of the ? , instead of the 

 cost^ of her forewings. Immediately she gave a sudden start, flirted her 

 wings suddenly downwards and back again, and stepped forward as if 

 to drive back the c? to a further distance. This happened three or 

 four times in quick succession, that is, in at least as many seconds, by 

 which time the ? had stepped up on to the top of the leaf, standing, 

 as it Avere, on her toes, the closed together wings thrown upAvards at 

 right angles to the surface of the leaf, her antennfe throAvn well back 



