30 METAMORPHOSES OF 



Subfam. MorphincB. , 



XLI. — MoRPHo Hercules. 

 Papilio Hercules, Dalmann, Anal. Ent. p. 40 (1823). 



Larva, a, Full-fed. San Paulo, Dec. 20, 1878. 



The caterpillars were found on the stem of a " cipo," or 

 climber, on the Serra da Cantareira, near San Paulo, on 

 Dec. 16th, 1878. They were in a cluster of about twenty 

 individuals. The colour is brick-red, with tufts of black and 

 of white hairs in rings round the segments. The black hairs 

 are barbed, and cause a good deal of irritation if one gets 

 them between one's fingers. The caterpillar has a disagree- 

 able smoky sort of smell, something like that of No. III. 

 {Morpho Epistrophis) , but at the same time quite distinct. 



Pupa, a, January, 1881. 



On Dec. 20th some of the specimens were full-fed, and 

 became of a dull greenish colour. They hung themselves up 

 by the tail, and in a few days changed to the robust green 

 chrysalis. The chrysalis is marked with a white bloom, 

 especially on the wing-cases, which bloom easily rubs oif. 

 (See fig. 2, plate III.) 



a, <? Full-fed, Dec. 20, 1878 ; Imago, Feb. 8, 

 1879 = 50 days. 



b, <? Jan. 31, 1881. c, ? Jan. 31, 1881. 

 d, ? Feb. 12, 1881. 



The splendid imagos appeared at the beginning of February, 

 being in the pupa state about seven weeks. These grand 

 butterflies are very common at the Cantareira, where they 

 sail about in hundreds on a hot day. Sometimes half-a- 

 dozen will be seen in a group, chasing one another round 

 and round, or having a dance with one of their pearly 

 cousins, M. Epistrophis. 



Imago. 



