Dr. G. B. Longstaff's Bionomic Notes on Butterjiies. 643 



Haragdma, Ceylon, 13 February, 1908. I watched a 

 specimen of Ixias pyrene, Linn., f. cingalensis, Moore, 

 a ^, settle three times upon the yellowish leaves of 

 the same (now) widely distributed Bryophyllum* 



It should be noted that the faded leaves of the Bryo' 

 jphyllum have their margins tinted a purplish-red, re- 

 sembling in colour the markings found on the under side of 

 dry -season specimens of Callidryas eubule and Ixias pyrene. 



With such facts before me I cannot but believe that the 

 butterflies in question instinctively sought out leaves more 

 or less closely resembling themselves in colour, with a view 

 to concealment.-|- Undoubtedly the most conspicuous 

 butterflies on the wing are " Whites " and " Yellows." On 

 the move they are protected by their extremely rapid 

 flight, but when at rest they stand in need of special pro- 

 tection. Many of these butterflies are restless and rarely 

 settle, except to feed on flowers, to drink at damp places, 

 or in the case of females to oviposit. To see them go to 

 rest requires both time and patience ; the best way being 

 to watch them the moment that a cloud passes over the 

 sun. I have very little doubt that our own Brimstone and 

 Clouded-yellows if watched patiently will be found to seek 

 out yellow resting-places. J 



§ 9. Heliotropism. 



In a paper read before this Society in March 1906, § I 

 laid stress upon the habit of many butterflies, when 

 settling in the sunshine, and — when not interfered with 

 by wind or the exigencies of getting food — placing them- 

 selves with expanded wings and with their tails turned 



* It is perhaps worth recording that at Kandy, in the spring of 

 1908, the ^ of Catopsilia pomona was on dull days several times 

 beaten out of Tithonia diversijiora, a tall, rank-growing, yellow- 

 flowered Composite, said to have been recently introduced into 

 Ceylon from Mexico, and now spreading rapidly. The butterfly 

 seemed to rest among the leaves near the tops of the shoots, but I 

 was not able actually to see it at rest. 



t Compare Mrs. Barber's observation on the care exercised by 

 Fapilio dardanus, a (J , in selecting a suitable resting-place. Trimen, 

 South African Butterflies, vol. iii, p. 254. Quoted by Marshall, 

 Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1908, p. 122. 



% Dr. T. A. Chapman has seen C. edusa select yellow leaves to 

 rest upon. Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1904, p. Ixxvi. 



§ Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond,, 1906, p. 97-106. 



TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1908. — PART IV. (jAN. 1909) 42 



