COMBINATION OF MANY METHODS OF DEFENCE 281 



cautious manner. However, as no resistance was met 

 with, the larva was soon devoured and greatly rehshed. 

 I then tried a similar experiment with a hzard, which 

 only attacked the larva after a cautious examination. 



The interpretation of the attitude assumed by 

 the irritated caterpillar was originally offered by H. 

 Miiller, and it may be now said to rest upon a basis 

 of experimental proof. It is also very likely that the 

 spider-like appearance is a defence against the insect 

 enemies of S. fagi. This is rendered very probable by 

 H. Miiller's observation, that ichneumons keep out of 

 the way of spiders and are rarely seen in their webs. 



The Lobster caterpillar also deceptively sugfgests that it 

 has been already stung by an insect parasite 



But the caterpillar possesses another method of 

 defence, if hard pressed by an insect foe. On the side 

 of each of the fourth and fifth 

 body-rings there is an in- 

 tensely black patch sunk below 

 the general surface and con- . 

 cealed by a triangular flap. 

 When irritated, the flap is fig, 62.— The 4th and 5th body- 



, , 1,1111 ,1 Tings (1st and 2nd abdominal) 



lowered and the black patches oitheiaxY&otstauropusfagias 



seen from the right side when 



become very conspicuous (see S^ j,t'fmartTyioweS°tS 

 fig. 62). It is probable, as H. gSis'„?thtKAacfL o^l 



■iiyr--n 1 It ,1 J indicated in the posterior part 



Muller has suggested, that of the sth body-ring. 

 these marks serve to imitate the appearance of 



