the Life Hidory of Gongylus (jomjyloldes. 120 



life. The attitude is plainly associated with the peculiar 

 coloration. I have no doubt that even a large lizard 

 would be deterred from seizing the Mantis, if confronted 

 by it in this manner. I have seen it adopt this attitude 

 only when some large beetle, butterfly, or hymenopteron 

 investigated the floral expansion ; but on these occasions it 

 did not strike out at the intruder, but contented itself with 

 an exhibition of the warning or hostile colour-effect. I 

 never saw wasps or bees captured by this Mantis, but small 

 beetles and hymenopteia are frequently seized. 



When adopting the hostile attitude described, the Mantis 

 sways the whole body rhythmically to and fro. If in the 

 adult stage, the tegmina are raised slightly and spread out- 

 wards and ventral- wards, until their outer edges, which are 

 serrated, come into contact with the femora of the hinder 

 limbs ; the lateral movements of the body then give rise to 

 friction between the tegmina and femora, and a hissing 

 sound is thus produced ; the wings are slightly spread over 

 the abdomen, which is distended. In the nymph, which 

 has the abdomen curved over the thorax, so that its dorsal 

 surface looks ventral-wards, in the same direction as the 

 prothoracic disc, a still more astonishing phenomenon is 

 exhibited in association with the hostile attitude of the 

 fore limbs. The abdomen is greatly distended, and both 

 widened and elongated ; upon the larger segments broad 

 bands of a bright purple colour, and on the narrow hinder 

 segments a large black eye spot, are developed. This 

 remarkable effect is produced by the elongation of the 

 abdomen bringing into view portions of the segments, 

 including the delicate inter-segmental membranes, which 

 are usually hidden from view. These are naturally 

 coloured purple or black according to their serial position. 

 It is possible that under excitement this purple coloration 

 of the deeper-lying tissues may be actually increased in 

 some way, but this is doubtful. The insect when dropped 

 to the ground will often feign death for a short time, lying 

 on its back with its limbs contracted above the thorax as 

 after real death. 



I will now trace the life history of the insect beginning 

 from the attainment of the winged stage. The nymph 

 effects its last ecdysis in the middle of October, and the 

 winged males appear among the females a fortnight' or 

 three weeks later. Within twenty-four hours of fertiliza- 

 tion the female commences to form its first egg-case. 



THAXS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1904. — PAilT I. (APIUL) I) 



