962 



MUSEUM OF ANIMATED NATURE. 



[Insect! 



(P'lrlhesia fturifluH), wliich are gregarious in their 

 habitii. spill close and warm iiesls on the twiRs of 

 various tu-es, in-whichthey pass the winter. These 

 nests a^e composed of Rray silk, with which some- 

 times leaves are interrainvrled— not, however, as a 

 necessary part of their structure, bul accidentally. 

 They vaiy in shape, and are sometimes suspended 

 to one twie only, sometimes they are attached to 

 sevetal. Internally this nest is divided into cells or 

 chambers, in each ol' which one,_ two, or three 

 cater|iillar» lodffe. Previously to the cold weather 

 the paitilions between these chambers are very 

 slight, but as the season advances their thickness is 

 increased, and before the frost sets in the whole is 

 made substantial and comfortable. Fig. 3.^4C shows 

 the nest of the social caterpillars of the Brown-tail 

 Moth. 



The caterpillars of an allied species, the Golden- 

 tail Moth (Porthesiacliiysorrhsea), cons' met similar 

 nests for winter, and are lodped in numerous com- 

 paitmeiits within. Fig. 3547 shows the winter nest 

 of this species, with one cut open to show the cora- 

 partmcnts and the caterpillars inhabiling them. 



It must here be observed that in the nests of these 

 social caterpillars, which are subdivided into com- 

 partments within, apertures are left for the exit and 

 entrance of the caterpillars, which often march out 

 in bodies, emerging from various openings, and 

 ramble to a great distance in quest of food, return- 

 ing on the approach of a shower of rain, or when 

 the evening draws to a close: they follow each 

 other, not perhaps quite regularly, but still in some 

 degree of processional array, the track of one being 

 always pni-sued by others. On looking closely at 

 their track, we find it marked by a pathway of silk, 

 which each emits from its spinneret as it travels, 

 however great the distance may be ; the line of a 

 leader, who leaves the tii-st deposit as he proceeds, 

 is consequently the most convenient for others in 

 succession to take, every one in turn contributing to 

 pave the road. One great purpose to be answered 

 by this plan is the security afforded to the travellers 

 over twigs and leaves, and along the branches ; for 

 the deposit of gummy silk adhering to the bark 

 gives a firm grasp to their pro-legs. Another pur- 

 pose served is that it is a clue by which to return. 

 They follow the road they themselves have made, 

 and it leads back to their starting point — the snug 

 nest which they had left in the morning. 



In the Soutli of Europe there are certain cater- 

 pillars of a moth (Cnethocarapa processionea) 

 termed by Reaumur ' Processionaries,' from the re- 

 markable habits they display of moving in a long 

 file, headed by a leader. They feed upon the oak, 

 and when newly hatched the multitudinous brood 

 divides into parties of several hundreds. These 

 unite their exertions together, and v^eave a large 

 nest often nearly two feet long, and five or six inches 

 in diameter. It is not divided into chambers within, 

 but constitutes a large hall, or room of assembly, 

 ■with only one door for exit and entrance. Hence it 

 happens that there is only one leader, or pioneer, for 

 in the track of the first that sets out paving the way 

 with silk, the rest instinctively follow : — at first in 

 single file, then in two or three deep, and at length 

 in five or six. The appearance of hundreds of 

 caterpillars thus moving along in military array, 

 the long line winding its tortuous way, is very 

 singular. 



There is another species of caterpillar found in 

 the pine-woods of Savoy and Languedoc, which, 

 according to R6aumur, displays the same proces- 

 sionary habits. The nests, he states, are smaller than 

 those of the last species, and have several chambers 

 with a main entrance, with others besides. They 

 are composed of silk of excellent quality and great 

 strength, which Reaumur thought might be turned 

 to a commercial advantage. From the main en- 

 trance issues the leader, and the rest follow in order 

 due ; thus they conduct their foraging expeditions, 

 and return by the same route to their nests. 



Fig. 3.">48 exhibits the nest and order of march of 

 the Processionary caterpillars of the oak (Cnetho- 

 campa processionea, Stephens). 



There are still other ways in which the cater- 

 pillar of the Lepidoptera avail themselves of their 

 silk ; many, for example, bind leaves together, or 

 roll them up and secure them with silken threads, 

 lining the chamber within with a soft tissue. 



Bonnet describes a very beautiful pendulous nest 

 consisting of one or two leaves neatly folded and 

 held together with silk, and suspended by a thread 

 of silk from the branches of fruit-trees; in these 

 nests live several caterpillars in harmony together. 

 Fig. 3.549 represents these pendulous leaf-nests, from 

 Bonnet. 



The process of rolling up leaves, within the folds 

 of which to live, is carried on by many larvae, which 

 commence their labours soon after exclusion from 

 the egg ; with singular address and wonderful 

 precision they conduct the operation, and fold the 

 leaf so neatly that it is to be doubted whether the 

 most adroit manipulation of the human hand could 



be more successful. We must remember that the 

 leaf is often tough and elastic, and we have been 

 surprised on considering the degree of strength 

 which the little creature must have put forth. 



Among these leaf-rollers is the caterpillar of a 

 small but pretty moth of a chocolate colour, termed 

 the Lilac-moth (Lozolaenia, Stephens), from de- 

 positing its eggs on that shrub. In every garden 

 where the lilac grows this insect and its caterpillars 

 are to be found ; our own garden has this summer 

 afforded us the opportunity of observing numbers. 

 The moth also lays its eggs on the currant-bush, 

 but not in preference, and, whether on this or the 

 lilac, always deposits one egg (miy on a single leaf. 

 No sooner is the egg hatched and the caterpillar 

 has assumed the power of its limbs, while only a few 

 lines in length, than it sets about securing itself from 

 enemies. It commences by fixing several threads 

 to the apical edge of the leaf, and securing the other 

 ends to a higher spot ; this done, it strains by means 

 of its limbs at th^ threads in succession, so as to 

 draw up the edge of the leaf, and being seated about 

 halfway between the two fixed ends of the lines, it 

 there fixes them by glueing them down, thereby 

 shortening the portion of the lines bearing the stress 

 of the leaf; another series of lines is now laid down 

 from the turned up part, fixed, strained, and short- 

 ened as before ; and in this way the labourer perse- 

 veringly proceeds until it has completed a cylinder 

 with many folds, and well secured it with silk. In 

 this it lives, feeding upon the inner layers : after- 

 wards, the caterpillar having increased, it resumes 

 its labours, and ends at last by rolling the whole 

 leaf completely up, leaving only one end of the 

 cylinder open. Fig. 3550 represents the Lilac- 

 tree moth, and Fig. 3551 the half-iolled-up leaf of 

 one of its caterpillars. 



The caterpillar of an allied species of moth (Lo- 

 zotaenia ribeana) folds up the leaf of the lilac, rather 

 than rolls it, by fastening lines from one side to the 

 other, and to the central longitudinal nervure ; 

 these lines it pulls and shortens in the same manner 

 as the preceding, till at length they are glued 

 together, forming a chamber within. (Fig. 3552, 

 the leaf-nest of this species.) 



A small green moth called the Oak-moth (Tortrix 

 viridana), lays her eggs on the leaves of the oak, 

 which the caterpillars fold up much in the manner 

 of the lilac leaf-rollers. In this instance, however, 

 the caterpillar works on the under, not the upjier 

 surface of the leaf, and consequently reverses the 

 turns of the folds. In this, as in the case ofthe lilac 

 leaf-rollers, the caterpillar lives singly in the cylinder 

 or long chamber thus made, and undergoes all its 

 changes. It appears as a perfect insect in June, 

 and where oak-trees are common is extremely 

 abundant. Fig. 3553 represents the oak-moth; and 

 Fig. 3554 the caterpillars, and the mode in which 

 they fold the oak-leaf. 



These caterpillars, whether oak leaf-rollers or 

 lilac leaf-rollers, give us but little annoyance ; not 

 so the caterpillar of a little moth (Lozotaenia rosana) 

 which sadly injures the rose-tree: during the spring 

 of the present year, 1844, we had the mortification 

 of seeing our own rose-trees, when the leaves were 

 beginning to unfold, bound together in masses by 

 this voracious pest ; and as they generally include 

 the germ of a blossom in the bundle of leaves which 

 they draw together, and on which they feast, the 

 bud is quickly destroyed. 



The leaf-rolling caterpillar of another species of 

 moth is common on the nettle, and white dead- 

 nettle (Lamium album), the leaves of which it 

 doubles and secures. Fig. 3555 shows the leaf of 

 the nettle folded into a nest by this caterpillar. 



Among other caterpillars which employ their silk 

 as cordage in binding up the leaves of plants into 

 rolls is one of minute size which feeds upon the 

 sorrel. To effect its purpose it first cuts into the 

 edge of the sorrel-leaf, making an angular piece, 

 which, much in the manner already detailed, it 

 gradually rolls up by successive series of threads, till 

 ofthe portion thus acted upon it makes an elevated 

 cylinder in which to take up its abode. Fig. 35.56 

 represents this caterpillar at work upon the sorrel- 

 leaf, and the appearance of its domicile. 



The caterpillars of the Painted Lady butterfly 

 (Cynthia Caidui) and of 'the Admirable (Vanessa 

 atalanta) are leaf-rollers, as is also the caterpillar of 

 a butterfly, the Hesperia malvae, not indigenous in 

 our island. Of this latter species the larva feeds on 

 the mallow, and, previously to assuming the pupa 

 state, it fixes on a leaf, which it gradually rolls up, 

 so completely and skilfully as to form an egg-shaped 

 dwelling; within this it undergoes its last meta- 

 morphosis. Fig. 3.5.57 shows the nests of the Hes- 

 Ceria malva, with the caterpillar, pupa, and perfect 

 utterfly. 



There is a species of moth, the Tortrix chlorana, 

 not uncommon, of which the caterpillar unites into 

 a bundle several of the long slender leaves of the 

 ozier, binding them together by bands of silken 

 threads, which are regularly and neatly applied. 



In the centre of these leaves it dwells secure frot 

 enemies; where the leaves assume the form o 

 double longitudinal rolls or columns, as is sometime 

 the case before they become fully developed, thi 

 caterpillar binds them into a sheal-like bundle 

 the appearance is very pretty, and reminds une off 

 fluted column, or — 



" Dandlai of Uncei vrhicli girlandi had bound." 



Fig. 3558 shows, at a, the ordinary nest of the Tor- 

 trix chlorana, and, at b, a portion of a nest composed 

 of curled-up leaves. 



There is another singular caterpillar, called from 

 its singular attitudes the Zigzag, which weaves to- 

 gether with threads of silk the leaves ofthe willow 

 or ozier, and forms for itself a snug bower in which 

 it dwells surrounded by abundance of food. In this 

 it undergoes its transformations; the perfect moth, 

 Notodonta ziczac. making its appearance in the en- 

 suing spring. Fig. 3559 shows this caterpillar 

 and its nest of ozier-leaves. 



On the cypress-spurge ( Euphorbia Cyparissias), a 

 woodland plant, but by no means of common occur- 

 lence, a caterpillar (Acronyeta Euphrasiae) thinly 

 tufted with hair may be found towards the end o( 

 October, within a singular cocoon or dwelling maci- 

 of the narrow grass-hke leaves of the plant, wl 

 are first detached, then secured in regular succesM 

 and orderly arrangement on the stem, and ulli- 

 mately bent till the two ends approximate and are 

 fixed. In this manner a sort of oval nest is pro- 

 duced, having a veiy neat and compact appearance. 

 Fig. 3.560 shows the cypress-spurge caterpillar and 

 its nest. 



A singular nest is made by a smooth bluish cater- 

 pillar of small size (Bryophila peria) which fre- 

 quents old walls, feeding on minute mosses n' ' 

 lichens. It binds together into a circular i 

 fragments of green moss, detached with a 1. ,., 

 earth adhering to the root ; with these it builds a 

 cell with the moss outside and the earth within, and 

 so neatly is the whole put together that it might he 

 mistaken for one of those elevated rounded or oval 

 tufts of moss which we often see growing on walls 

 or mouldering brickwork. When these caterpillars 

 are shut up in a box and supplied with moss desti- 

 tute of earth, they construct cells in the form of a 

 hollow ball, most skilfully interweaving and woiking 

 up the materials. Fig. 3561 shows the"mo»s-ceil and 

 caterpillar of the Bryophila perla. 



We might go on to multiply examples of the uses 

 to which caterpillars apply their silk, but we have 

 sufiiciently illustrated this part of our subject. Let 

 us then return to the caterpillar itself, restricting our 

 present observations to the Lepidoptera. We have 

 said that caterpillars shed their skin in order to 

 grow : it is curious to see how on the new skin all 

 the hairs and spines, in such as are furnished with 

 these appendages, have been prepared for the ap- 

 proaching crisis ; they are all folded down in sepa- 

 rate tufts, those of the three first rings directed to 

 the head, those of the succeeding limbs towards tlie 

 caudal extremity. These tufts are moistened with 

 a fluid secretion, and look like small camels-hair 

 pencils dipped in water and squeezed partially dry. 

 Fig. 3562 shows the moulting of caterpillars : a a.'a 

 caterpillar magnified; b b, the same when it has 

 just cast its skin, the tufts of hair still moist ; c, the 

 same, natural size ; d efg, tufts of its hairs, mag- 

 nified ; h, leg and foot, magnified ; i, the caterpillar 

 breaking through tne old skiu ; k k, hairy caterpillar 

 of the sycamore. 



Let us now pass on to a cursory review of the 

 pupa, or chrysalis, which in most instances bsarsa 

 very difierent appearance to the perfect insect that 

 is to be, or the previous caterpillar. A great change 

 in the system has already taken place, and is still 

 in progress : some organs are evolving, others are 

 becoming modified, and others lost ; the horny jaws 

 ofthe voracious caterpillars of the Lepidoptera are 

 to be succeeded by a tubular proboscis; tlie w'mp, 

 are to become developed, the iimbs elongated, the 

 pro-legs lost, the three segments forming the thorax 

 are to be consolidated, and the nervous and diges- 

 tive apparatus greatly modified. Often, indeed, 

 the chrysalis or pupa shows beneath the outer case, 

 which is to be soon thrown oft', the limbs and wings, 

 the antennae and proboscis, all nicely arranged and 

 in preparation as it were lor the time in which the 

 prison is to be opened and the inmate set free. 



Fig. 3563 represents three pupae : n, the pupa ol 

 a sphinx; 6, the pupa of a butterfly; c, the pupa 

 of a beetle. In these it will be seen that the wings, 

 eyes, antennae, &c. are to be easily traced, and tnc 

 stigmata or breathing orifices down the side are 

 very distinct. 



Fig. 3564 represents also three pupae : n, th< 

 chrysalis of the Gonopteryx Rhamni ; b, the pupil 

 of Laria fascelina ; c, the pupa of Sphin.^ Ligustri i 

 In all these examples the pupae are quiescent, bul 

 are capable of moving the ringed portion of thei | 

 bodies, and evidently are susceptible of feeling, a 

 they wriggle when touched. They breathe withou ' 



