MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 221 



The brilliant colours in which many insects are array- 

 ed, may decorate them with some other view than that 

 of mere ornament. They may dazzle their enemies. 

 The radiant blue of the upper surface of the wings of a 

 giant butterfly, abundant in Brazil (Morpho Menelaus], 

 which from its size would be a ready prey for any insec- 

 tivorous birds, by its splendour (which I am told, when 

 the insect is flying in the sunshine, is inconceivably 

 bright,) may produce an effect upon the sight of such 

 birds, that may give it no small chance of escape. La- 

 treille has a similar conjecture with respect to the golden 

 wasps (Chiysts, L.). These animals lay their eggs in 

 the nests of such Hymmoptera, wasps, bee-wasps (Bern- 

 bex\ and bees, as are redoubtable for their stings ; and 

 therefore have the utmost occasion for protection against 

 these murderous weapons. Amongst other defences the 

 golden wasps are adorned with the most brilliant colours, 

 which by their radiance, especially in the sunny situa- 

 tions frequented by these insects, may dazzle the eyes of 

 their enemies, and enable them to effect unhurt the pur- 

 pose for which they were created a . 



The frightful aspect of certain insects is another pas- 

 sive mean of defence by which they sometimes strike be- 

 holders, especially children, often great insect torment- 

 ors, with alarm, and so escape. The terrific and pro- 

 tended jaws of the stag-beetle (Lucanus Cervus) in 



here assigned is the cause of the resemblance between the Bombus 

 and Volucella ; he thinks if a bee knows a stranger of its own species, 

 it could not be deceived by a fly in the disguise of a bee. But the 

 fact that these insects lay their eggs in their nests, and that they re- 

 semble humble-bees, seems to justify the conclusion drawn in the 

 text. They must get in often undiscovered. 

 9 Latreille, Annal. du Mus. 1810. 5. 



