CHAP. IX. ASSOCIATIONS OP . INSECTS. 285 



sociations in one stage of their existence, but not in 

 another ; and this, without undertaking any work which 

 is to prove beneficial to the community. As these in- 

 stances have been narrated, with much animation, by 

 Messrs. Kirby and Spence, we shall conclude the pre- 

 sent section with their account of the caterpillars of 

 certain moths, which present us with a mode of asso- 

 ciation almost unique. We regret not having had the 

 opportunity of stating these facts from personal observ- 

 ation. 



(297.) Among the most remarkable insect associ- 

 ations are those formed for the purpose of marching in 

 order. " Though these creatures move without beat 

 of drum, they maintain as much regularity in their 

 steps as a file of soldiers. It is a most agreeable sight," 

 says Bonnet, on whose authority this statement rests, 

 " to see several hundreds of the larvae of the Bombyx 

 Neustria marching after each other, some in straight 

 lines,, others in curves of various inflections, resembling, 

 from their fiery colour, a moving cord of gold stretched 

 upon a silken riband of the purest white. Equally 

 amusing is the progress of another moth the Pityo- 

 campa, before mentioned. They march together, from 

 their common citadel, in a single line : in following 

 each other, they describe a multitude of graceful curves 

 of varying figure ; thus forming a series of living 

 wreaths, which change their shape every moment. All 

 move with a uniform pace, no one pressing too for- 

 ward, or loitering behind ; when the first stops, all 

 stop, each defiling in exact military order." 



(298.) The processionary bombyx moth, in its ca- 

 terpillar state, presents a still more singular and pleasing 

 spectacle : it is a native of France, and inhabits the 

 oak. Each family consists of from 600 to 800 indi- 

 viduals ; these may be termed a regiment, and they 

 march out to forage. When young, they have no fixed 

 habitation, but encamp sometimes in one place, and 

 sometimes in another, under the shelter of a common 

 web ; but when they have attained two thirds of their 



