ON THE VAKIATION OF INSECTS. 199 



of larval variation, like that of the earlier stages of larvae, is yet 

 entirelj^ in its infancy, and it is not likely that progress will be 

 made until the matter is worked up in some systematic way. I 

 think, myself, although I fear many will entirely disagree with 

 me, that variations in all the preparatory stages ought to be duly 

 registered in our catalogues and treated of in our systematic works 

 under names indicating their peculiarities. Thus : — Dilophonota 

 ello var. larvae viridis will mean the green variety of the larva of 

 this moth, while Pap'ilio asterias var. pupae viridis is the green 

 form of the pupa of the black " swallow-tail." For brevity, " var. 

 larvae " and " var. pupse " might be abbreviated to " 1." and " p." 

 It will, no doubt, be urged against this proposition that such an 

 arrangement would enormously increase our already lengthy 

 catalogues, rendering the study of Entomology more complex 

 than ever before ; but in reply it can only be said that, after all, 

 we are not responsible for the number of the forms that Nature 

 in her bounty has provided, and that, as a matter of fact. Ento- 

 mology is a far more complex study than is generally supposed ; 

 and it is the business of the true naturalist to examine and to 

 classify all its numerous phenomena, rather than to pass them by 

 with a shrug because they appear so intricately blended together. 

 I doubt whether it is yet possible to give any full analysis of the 

 variations in lepidopterous larvae, but the following summary of 

 the principal of those which have come under my notice may be 

 found useful. 



(1.) Phytophagic variations. — a. Boarmia dejectaria, larva 

 light pea-green on Melictylus, dark brown on Metrosideros, and 

 bluish grey on Solanum ; B. panagrata^ larva dull olive-green on 

 Piper, brownish on Aristotelia, and presenting a third variety on 

 Myrtus (G. V. Hudson, Entom. xx. l'J5). These Boarmia larvte, 

 found in New Zealand, resemble in colour their respective food- 

 plants, b. Spilosoma liibricipeda, larvae fed on Aconitum were 

 almost black (G. S. Gregson, Young Nat., 1886, p. 192). c. Samia 

 cecropia, the lateral tubercles of the larva often display a beautiful 

 pearl colour, in the case of those feeding on Primus domestica 

 (T. G. Gentry, Canad. Ent., 1877, p. 49). d. Lyccena comyntas, 

 larvae fed on Desmodium marilandicum were emerald-green with 

 yellow points, while those fed on clover were russet varying to 

 vinous, interspersed with green (W. H. Edwards, Canad. Ent., 

 1876, p. 205). In many cases of phytophagic variation in larvae, 

 as also in perfect insects, it is quite possible that the juices of the 

 food-plant may have an immediate effect in producing the colours 

 we see. The dark colour of the elytra of certain beetles, for 

 instance, has been attributed to tannin, and tannin was even 

 found in the tissues of the species in question. Nevertheless, it 

 seems to be established beyond a question that some larvae, and 

 especially newly-formed pupae, have a chameleon-like power of 



