20 The Butterflies and Moths of Teneriffe. 



The Vanessa family is an example of this, the Vul- 

 cania and Huntera being especially brilliant. 



Caterpillars of the "Skipper" family make a web- 

 like covering of silk for the reception of the chrysalides, 

 but there has been hitherto only one species of tbis family 

 found in Teneriffe. 



Many caterpillars of various kinds kept during the 

 winter montbs were very subject to tbe raids of the 

 Ichneumon fly. This fly lays its ^gg on the larva, 

 and it is not easily perceived on the animal unless looked 

 for through a magnifying-glass. 



The caterpillar lives on, and seemingly thrives, but 



after it has turned to its pupa state the fly develops, 



and a fine Ichneumon fly appears in the breeding-cage 



instead of the expected butterfly. There are large and 



small varieties of this fly, the former laying only one or 



two eggs on the caterpillar, the latter a great many, 



and they emerge from tbe chrysalis in corresponding 



numbers.* The only remedy seems to be to inspect all 



larvae through a magnifying-glass, and to reject any 



* This occurrence is mentioned by Gilbert White in his "JS^'atural 

 History of Selborne," v. " Observations on Insects and Vermes," p, 519. 

 Ed. 1813. 



