ii2 OUR INSECT FRIENDS AND FOES 



being a glossy blue-black colour, with white or 

 rich blue markings, some greenish or rich 

 brown with lighter markings, while others are 

 white and semi-transparent with dusky spots 

 and marks. All the members of the Danaidae 

 family are recognized by insect feeders as unpal- 

 atable morsels by their distinctive colouring, so 

 that the Papilios, by their wonderful resemblance 

 to the protected Butterflies, escape destruction 

 and thus reap the benefit of their mimicry. 



There are several species of mimicking 

 Lepidoptera found in Africa, and in many parts 

 of Asia. In fact, there are few countries in which 

 some examples of this type of insect mimicry are 

 not present ; and although Europe is not so rich 

 as the tropical countries in these brilliant-hued, 

 protected Butterflies, there are a few instances on 

 record in this country of edible species mimicking 

 others that display warning colours. 



Occasionally the female alone departs from the 

 original colouring of her allies, while the male 

 remains true to type. In these cases the female 

 Butterfly or Moth is the more brightly coloured 

 of the two a very unusual thing in the insect 

 world, where, in the ordinary way, the male far 

 outshines the female in splendour of adornment. 



Several of our European clear-winged Moths 

 mimic different species of the Hymenoptera, 

 which, being provided with a formidable weapon 

 in the shape of a sting, are less liable to the 

 attacks of birds. 



The Bee Hawk Moths (Bombyliformis and 

 Fuciformis) mimic the humble-bees, and in the 

 early summer months may be seen in company 



