MIMETIC SPIDER. 93 



Mr. F. H. Gravely, of the Indian Museum, tells me that he has 

 found similar spiders associating with Mutillas in Calcutta. 



The two sexes of the spider are differently coloured ; the male 

 (Fig. 5) havmg conspicuous white sj)ots on the abdomen, while the 

 female (Fig. 6) is spotted and banded with golden yellow. Both of 

 these colour patterns occur commonly amongst Ceylon Mutillidce. 



Figures 2 and 3 represent the two sexes of Spilomutilla eltola, 

 Cam., and present very good models for the male spider, while 

 Fig. 4 {Mutilla subintrans, Rad. and Sich.) is an equally good model 

 for the female. 



It must not, however, be supposed that these spiders mimic any 

 particular species of Mutilla. Such close resemblance is unnecessary. 

 For protective purposes it is sufficient that the animal should bear 

 a general likeness to insects of the genus Mutilla, just as many 

 harmless flies have a general resemblance to wasps. 



The males of the Mutillidce usually bear little or no resemblance 

 to their respective females. With a few exceptions, they are 

 winged, have a very different colour scheme, and are much larger 

 and more powerful. They may often be seen carrying their small 

 mates about with them on the wing, and are said to fly with them 

 from flower to flower ; but I have not personally observed this last 

 part of the programme. Spilomutilla is an exception, both sexes 

 of this species being apterous. 



It can hardly be supposed that the mutilloid appearance of the 

 spider can be so complete as to deceive the Mutilla itself. Be that 

 as it may, it is a fact that a male Mutilla (Fig. 1, M. humhertiana, 

 Sauss.) was recently taken on the wing, and — when the capture was 

 exammed — the net was found to contain an apparently uninjured 

 specimen of this spider, in addition to the male Mutilla. The 

 presumption is that the wasp was carrying it off, but whether as 

 food, or in mistaken identity, must remain open to conjecture. 



Explanation of Plate. 



(From coloured drawings by Mr. G. Henry.) 



Fig. 1. — Mutilla humhertiana, male, X IJ. 

 Fig. 2. — Spilomutilla eltola, male, X 3. 

 Fig. 3. — Spilomutilla eltola, female, x 3. 

 Fig. 4. — Mutilla subintrans , ieraaXe , X 3. 

 Fig. 5. — Gosnoptychus pulchellus, male, X 3. 

 Fig. 6. — Ccenoptychus pulchellus, female, X 3. 



Erratum. 

 On the accompanying plate Ccenoptichus should be Ccenoptychus. 



