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XXII. Note on the colours of British Caterpillars. By 

 Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., F.H.S., &c. 



[Read February 6th, 1878.] 



The interesting problems presented by the colouring of 

 Lepidopterous larva3 have been the subject of valuable 

 communications from several distinguished naturalists, 

 especially Darwin, Wallace, Jenner Weir, A. G. Butler, 

 M'Lachlan, Meldola and Weismann.* Their observations 

 indicate that, as a general rule, caterpillars Avhich are 

 dull-coloured and have a smooth skin, or are nocturnal in 

 their habits, are greedily eaten l)y birds. On the other 

 hand, spiny and hairy caterpillars are spared, and are 

 often brightly coloured. Certain species, such as Deile- 

 phila EuphorbicB, Abraxas Grossulariata and Zygcena 

 Filipendul(B are distastefol to birds, and in these cases 

 brilliant colouring serves as a "warning, and, consequently, 

 as a protection. Lastly, there are a few species, such as 

 ChcBrocampa Elpenor and C. Porcellus, which appear to 

 frighten birds by their resemblance to small reptiles, a 

 resemblance singularly heightened by the curious eye-like 

 spots on the thorax. 



I am not aware, however, that anyone has taken a 

 general view of Lepidopterous larvte from a statistical 

 standpoint. It might be urged, even while admitting the 

 foregoing explanations, that they were exceptional cases. 

 I have, therefore, thought that it might be worth wdiile 

 to examine the larva3 as a Avhule to see what cases there 

 might be, if any, which Avould not fit in with the pre- 

 ceding theoretical views. In the following tables I have 

 given all the butterflies and the larger species of moths. 



Let us first consider the butterflies. We have in this 

 country 66 species,! out of which 18 are spiny, and two 

 may fairly be called hairy. I do not speak of mere 

 pubescence, but of true hairs and spines. Now, out of 

 these 20 species 10 are black, two greyish, six brown or 



* I have myself published some remarks on the same subject in last 

 year's " Fortnightly Review." 



f For working out these numbei's, and especially for the preparation of 

 the tables, I am greatly indebted to Mr. Meldola. 



TRANS. ENT. SOC. 1878. PART HI. (oCT.) S 2 



