LIFE-HISTORY OF VANESSA ANTIOPA. 6 



on the third segment, and terminate on the eleventh segment, 

 the first being the smallest, and composed of four spots, the two 

 anterior ones are very small, the red runs along each side of the 

 medio-dorsal spine, and behind it in the middle of the red are 

 three black markings ;■ all the red markings have the surface 

 granular like the rest of the body, and scattered with similar 

 hairs, but the base of each is yellowish ; in the centre of the 

 anal segment is a shining black dorsal disk, much resembling the 

 head ; the spiracles are black and inconspicuous, the legs are 

 black and shining, and the four pairs of middle claspers are a 

 burnt-sienna or rust colour, with a polished band above the feet, 

 which are amply furnished with hooks ; the anal pair are black, 

 with pale reddish feet. 



The larvae are gregarious until full-fed ; they then become 

 very restless, and crawl rapidly about in search of a suitable 

 place for pupation. The first became full-fed on June tZOth, 

 when several started crawling restlessly about. After crawl- 

 ing for five hours, I then enclosed seven of them in a glass- 

 covered box to watch results ; after crawling about for another 

 hour, they finally rested close together on the top of the box 

 (inside), and I noticed from time to time they were spinning 

 pads of silk, as well as a layer of silk to rest upon, and, attaching 

 the anal claspers to the pads, they settled clown for pupation. 

 Next day one after the other became suspended, and the following 

 day (June 22nd) they all (the seven) pupated. 



Like other Vanessidae larvae, antiopa are very sensitive to any 

 disturbance ; any sudden noise sufficient to cause concussion of 

 the air causes the whole brood to give a violent jerk. From this 

 instantaneous movement of several hundred larvae in a dense 

 mass, the efl'ect is very curious, and, I should think, somewhat 

 alarming to any insectivorous bird that might approach them too 

 closely. This habit exists through all its stages. Whether this 

 is a protective habit or not cannot be said, but the spines in the 

 last two stages, especially after the fourth moult, are so sharply 

 pointed, that I have frequently had them pierce my hands. 

 Therefore, if occasion offered, such efficient weapons of defence 

 would afl'ord considerable protection to the larvae. 



Both sallow and willow are equally suitable food for the larvae, 

 and birch is readily eaten, even when willow has formed the sole 

 food until the last stage ; they will also feed on elm. Nettle, I 

 found, was not appreciated, and not touched by them during the 

 last two or three stages ; only when first hatched could I induce 

 them to feed upon it, and, although they lived upon nettle for 

 several days, they did not thrive, and eventually died. 



The pupa measures in total length, including the cremaster, 

 from 1 in. to I5- in. The average of the male pupa is 1 in., and 

 that of the female l^-, but large females are as much as I5-. 

 Side view : The head is beaked in front, the thorax angular, 



B 2 



