260 ROMANCE OF THE INSECT WORLD CHAP. 



of two other genera and a moth will all be found 

 mimicking the same Ithomia. 



The black and red section of South American 

 Papilios, and a genus of Erycina are themselves in a 

 less degree the objects of imitation. 



In the Malayan Isles and in India, the Danaidae, 

 which are the representatives of the Heliconidae in the 

 Old World, seem to be the chief models for Mimicry. 

 Papilios in many cases are the mimicking species, 

 taking as their copies different species of Euplcea. On 

 the other hand some Papilios are mimicked. 



Parallel series of imitation in the Lepidoptera of 

 Africa have been described by Mr. Roland Trimen. 

 Here again the families Danaidae and Acraeidae, the 

 last. of which have their metropolis in Africa, are 

 attended by their mimics, chiefly Papilios and species 

 of Diadema, a genus allied to our own peacock and 

 tortoiseshell butterflies. Many Acraeidae are models 

 for Nymphalidae and Papilionidae. Mr. Trimen 

 gives a list of no fewer than ten species and varieties 

 of Papilio, and sixteen of Diadema, as being perfect 

 mimics of Danais or Acraea prevalent in the same 

 districts. The mimickers constantly accompany the 

 mimicked forms, and sometimes where the sexes of 

 the latter are dissimilar the sexes of the imitators differ 

 accordingly. 



Dr. Wallace believes it probable that we find a case 

 of mimicry among British Lepidoptera, in the resem- 

 blance of the female of the Muslin Moth (Diaphora 

 mendicd] to the White Ermine Moth (Sptlosoma 

 menthastri). The latter has been observed to be 

 constantly refused by young turkeys, and by bull- 



