518 



Mr. G. A. IC. Marshall 07i 



to be found on the heads of grasses. In habits they are 

 very sluggish and have a slow heavy flight ; when handled 

 they usually emit from their limbs a very strong-smelling 

 white liquid, and they frequently feign death. The 

 Melyrid Prionoceo-ns has somewhat similar characteristics, 

 but is found only feeding on grass seeds. Among the 

 Phytophaga it is possible that the Pcedlomorphct is a 

 Batesian mimic, for the species of this genus are nearly all 

 more or less scarce, and moreover exhibit marked mimetic 

 tendencies in very different directions. The Diacantha, to 

 which 1). dimidlata might also have been added, is a very 

 plentiful insect with a nauseous smell ; it causes much 

 damage to garden plants such as cucumbers and pumpkins. 

 The Feploptcra is likewise abundant, frequenting acacias. 

 All the species of Lagriadse and Cantharidai mentioned 

 are flower-feeders, and are certainly protected by distasteful 

 qualities. The signiticauce of the colouring in the Longi- 

 corns is still a matter of doubt, as I have obtained no 

 experimental evidence with regard to them ; probably 

 most of them are pseudaposematic, but Pkilagathes may 

 be a Mlillerian mimic. Of the Hymenoptera the quick- 

 flying Notogonia is the only scarce species with us; the 

 other Aculeates all visit flowers more or less commonly. 

 The Braconids are slow and very conspicuous fliers, being 

 evidently protected by their very strong smell. The 

 species of Hemiptera also occur commonly on low plants 

 and bushes; the position of the Reduviids is not quite 

 certain, as experimental proofs are lacking. The Asilid fly 

 appears to be a very rare species and is doubtless a Batesian 

 mimic. 



D. M'aUerian {Sipuiposcmatic) Groups in South African 

 Coko'ptcni. (G. A. K. M.) 



a. Cantharid Group (Reioreseuted on Plate XIX). 



COLEOI'TERA 



HeMII'TEHA 



Canlliarida^, 



LoiKju-orala 



Pliiltopliaga 

 LygxldfK 



Mylabris dicineta (fig. 1) ; M. tettensis 

 (figs. -2-3); M. tricolor (fig. 4); M. 

 ociikta (figs. 5, 6, 13); M. holose- 

 ricea (fig. 9); Acteiiodiachrysoineliiia 

 (figs. 7, 8, 11) ; Deeatoma lunata 

 (figs. 10, 12). 



Uy.matura bifasciata (fig. 14) ; Cero pie- 

 sis cafiTer (fig. 15) ; Aiiubis niellyi 

 (fig. 16). 



Clythra waliliiergi (fig. 20). 



Oiicoiieltus fainelicas (fig. 17). 



