186 Insect Architecture. 



This is well exemplified in one of the commonest of our leaf- 

 rolling caterpillars, which may be found as early as February 

 on the leaves of the nettle and the white archangel (Lamium 

 album). It is of a light dirty-green colour, spotted with 

 black, and covered with a few hairs. In its young state it 

 confines itself to the bosom of a small leaf, near the insertion 

 of the leaf-stalk, partly bending the edges inwards, and 

 covering in the interval with a silken curtain. As this sort 

 of covering is not sufficient for concealment when the animal 

 advances in growth, it abandons the base of the leaf for the 

 middle, where it doubles up one side in a very secure and 

 ingenious manner. 



Nest of the Nettle-leaf-rolling Caterpillar. 



We have watched this little architect begin and finish his 

 tent upon a nettle in our study, the whole operation taking 

 more than half an hour. (J. E.) He began by walking 

 over the plant in all directions, examining the leaves sever- 

 ally, as if to ascertain which was best fitted for his purpose 

 by being pliable, and bending with the weight of his body. 

 Having found one to his mind, he placed himself along the 

 mid-rib, to the edge of which he secured himself firmly with 

 the pro-legs of his tail ; then stretching his head to the edge 

 of the leaf, he fixed a series of parallel cables between it and 

 the mid-rib, with another series crossing these at an acute 

 angle. The position in which he worked was most remark- 

 able, for he did not, as might have been supposed, spin his 

 cables with his face to the leaf, but throwing himself on his 

 back, which was turned towards the leaf, he hung with his 

 whole weight by his first-made cables. This, by drawing 

 them into the form of a curve, shortened them, and conse- 

 quently pulled the edge of the leaf down towards the mid- 



