210 



ROMANCE OF THE INSECT WORLD CHAP. 



chief colour on the hind wings, the 

 fore ones are dowdy and often imita- 

 tive in tint, and generally cover the 

 lower pair when the insects are not 

 in flight. Probably a thorough exami- 

 nation of the habits of our butterflies 

 would reveal their under surfaces to 

 be much more frequently imitative 

 than at present we believe to be the 

 case. The concealment afforded by 

 this means is effective, judging by 

 the total disappearance of common 



FIG. 36. The cater- _ . -11 ,1 1171-1 



pillar of Early Thom butterflies m bad weather. While 



Moth (Selenia illu- 1111 , 



naria), showing sup- some take shelter by creeping into 



porting thread of silk ; ,1-1 



from Trans. Entom. nooks and corners among thick-set 

 leaves, others cling freely exposed to 



surfaces that blend harmoniously with their own tints. 

 To pass on to the more specialised 

 forms of protective resemblance, not 

 confined to colour, but which extend 

 to outline and shape, and deal with 

 the attitudes of the insects. As com- 

 bining all these several features, no 

 better instance could be found than 

 that offered by the caterpillars of 

 the Geometrae moths, "stick-cater- 

 pillars," or surveyors, or loopers, as 

 they are popularly called. For hours 



FIG. 37. Appearance of together these larvae will sit motion- 



the larva of Brimstone & 



Moth (Rumia crat#- j ess projecting at an angle more 



gata) when seated > Jr J 



among the twigs of its j ess acu t e from the bushes on 



commonest food-plant; 



from Trans. Entom. wri } cri they f e ed looking for all 



OCt * 



