VI 



DEFENCES OF INSECTS 



217 



fly is assigned not the least important role. Of what 

 avail would be the disguise were the insect prone to 

 settle upon a flower, or green leaf, or other inappro- 

 priate surface, or to open its wings and display its 

 attractive colouration. The Malayan species seems to 

 be as wary during the brief pauses between the flights 

 as during lengthened rest. Dr. Wallace has observed 

 scores of K.paralekta in Sumatra, where they frequent 



FIG. 40. "A Walking Leaf" Insect ; from Belt. 



dry woods and thickets, and they were never seen to 

 settle but on bushes or trees with dry or dead leaves. 

 They settled, and, as if by magic, were lost. Search 

 for them on these occasions was usually in vain, for 

 while gazing intently at the very spot where one had 



