The Bionomics of South African Insects. 853 



or unwholesome qualities accompanied by the most con- 

 spicuous orange and black aposematic coloration may 

 afford no protection. Furthermore, it is of great interest 

 to observe that the same species of bird was the only 

 one in which two conspicuous and almost certainly dis- 

 tasteful Saturuiid moths were found. The Garabids3 of 

 the genera Anthia, Polyhirma, Piezia, and Scccrites are not 

 so remarkable. Scarites is probably nocturnal and entirely 

 procryptic, while the defensive secretions of the three 

 other genera may be discharged and lost as the result of 

 the attacks of an experienced enemy. 



Outside the Coleoptera, the number of birds which ate 

 Pentatomid bugs is remarkable (five species), and it 

 would be interesting if it were possible to obtain the 

 remains and make out the species of these Hemiptera. 

 The specialization of enemies to feed upon forms which 

 have become excessively abundant through specialization 

 in their modes of defence is seen in the two species which 

 contained ants, and the three which had eaten scorpions. 

 The hairy caterpillars eaten by cuckoos are a similar case ; 

 this group of birds being specialized to feed on insects 

 which are specially defended against the majority of insect- 

 eaters. The fact that Pliymateus morbillosus, a large, 

 conspicuous, and strong-smelling locust, had been eaten, is 

 also of interest. Solpuya marshalli, in spite of its formid- 

 able appearance, is quite harmless, with iDrocryptic appear- 

 ance and habits. The Tables as a whole afford wonderfully 

 strong support to the existing theories which explain 

 cryptic colouring and instinct as the defence of forms 

 which are eagerly sought for as food by numerous enemies, 

 and an aposematic appearance and mode of life as the 

 defence of specially-protected forms only attacked under 

 the stress of hunger or by comparatively few specially- 

 adapted foes. — E. B. P.] 



12. Kecords of Attacks on Lepidopteea, especially 

 Butterflies, by wild South African Birds. 

 (G. A. K. M.) 



[The stimulus which induced Mr. Marshall to collect 

 observations on the attacks of birds upon butterflies was 

 provided chiefly by the account of the discussion which 

 followed Dr. F. A. Dixey's paper on " Mimetic Attraction" 

 (Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1897, p. 317 ; Discussion in 



TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1902. — PART III. (XOV.) 24 



