446 Lieut.-Col. N. Manders on the Study of Mimicry by 



butterflies — from birth to maturity — thus following the 

 general law among living beings. 



The parasitic Hymenopteron Trichogramma evanescens is 

 excessively common, and large numbers of eggs are found 

 parasitised. Ants destroy them largely, more especially 

 when fresh laid, and from these two causes alone I am 

 inclined to consider that the damage to the ehrysippvs 

 population is greater than in the succeeding stage. The 

 larva which, on account of its striking appearance, is fre- 

 quently selected as an example of aposematic or warning 

 coloration, has at least two parasites ; a Tachinid and a 

 species of ichneumon (Apantcles ?), both these are very 

 common. They are preyed on also by a small green 

 spider and ants, but these latter do not readily molest 

 them unless they have been previously injured. The 

 larvae themselves are addicted to cannibalism if over- 

 crowded or there is a deficiency of food. In its early 

 stages it secretes itself beneath the leaves of its most 

 usual food-plant, Calotropis gigantca, eating out circular 

 holes which readily disclose its proximity. Whether it 

 •occupies the under surface for concealment or because 

 this is more easdy masticated is uncertain, probably both 

 factors combine : when half-grown and thence onwards it 

 feeds exposed, and is then a conspicuous object when on 

 the leaves, but it matches well with the purplish-green 

 flowers on which it readily feeds. As a pupa it has fewer 

 foes, though undoubtedly immediately after the larval skin 

 has been cast and before it hardens it is liable to be 

 attacked by ants and also by larvae of its own species ; 

 but otherwise it is apparently immune. It is dichroic, 

 some being pale apple-green, the colour of the leaves, and 

 others pale pink. The colour is not wholly susceptible to 

 its environment as it is not unusual to find a pink pupa 

 conspicuously suspended beneath a green leaf of the food- 

 plant. The perfect insect has few enemies, as far as my 

 own observations extend ; lizards of the genus Calotes 

 prey upon them, as they do upon any species of butterfly, 

 and they are liable to be eaten by birds when injured. 



It is one of the most widely distributed tropical butter- 

 flies and has two well-marked forms: D. dorippus, in which 

 the white subapical band and black apex are replaced by 

 the same red colour as the rest of the wing, and I). alcippus 

 with its sub-form alcippoides in which the hindwing is 

 more or less white. 



