Malayan Phasmidw, and Flower-lihe Beetle Larva. 439 



XXIX. Notes on the Hahits of Malayan Phasmidce, and of a 

 Flower-like Beetle Larva. By Nelson Annandale, B.A. 



(Read 19th December 1900.) 



A Phasmid {Lonehodes sp.).^ 



Appearance. — The body and limbs of this Phasmid, which 

 reaches a length of nearly four inches, are of a uniform dull 

 red, except that there is a black spot on each joint of the 

 limbs. The eyes and antennae are black. There are no 

 wings. The appearance of the living insect bore a pro- 

 nounced general likeness to that of a fine twig ; but there 

 were no resemblances to thorns, liverworts, or other adven- 

 titious growths upon its body. 



Habits and Attitude. 



Hahits. — During the first week in May 1899, which the 

 "Skeat Expedition" spent in a clearing at the height of 

 about 2000 feet above sea-level on the Nawnchik slopes of 

 Bukit Besar (the Great Hill), I was enabled to see a large 

 number of specimens of this species amid their natural 

 surroundings. I invariably found them standing upon the 

 upper surface of certain broad leaves such as abound in 

 neglected hill clearings, especially on those of the wild 

 banana (Musa), exposed to the full blaze of the mid-day 

 sun. The insects did not lie along the mid-rib of the leaf 

 in the characteristic Phasmid attitude of rest, but stood 

 upright, the body being supported on the bent limbs at the 

 height of about an inch above the surface of their resting- 

 place. In this position the red coloration of the insect made 

 it very conspicuous from above, against the pale green of its 

 support ; while even from below, its shadow was perfectly 

 visible through the translucent tissues of the leaf. So much 

 so, that when looking for specimens I always examined the 

 under side of banana leaves, and if the shadow was there, 



1 The species, which is not represented in the British Museum collection, 

 is probably new. 



