WARNING COLOUKS 177 



The metallic appearance of certain pupae may be of 

 value as a warning 



At this point it is of interest to consider the cases 

 in which the metallic appearance of a chrysalis may 

 act as a warning. Dr. Fritz Miiller tells me that the 

 brilliant metallic pupae of the South American butter- 

 fly, Mechanitis lysimnia, hang in groups from the 

 leaves of their food-plant (Solanum). The butterfly of 

 this species is certainly distasteful, for the genus is 

 mimicked by butterflies of other families. This fact, 

 and the gregarious habit of the pupae, render it nearly 

 certain that the glittering appearance has a warning 

 significance. The same is probably true of the pupa 

 of the abundant Indian butterfly (Euplcsa core), which 

 Mr. E. A. Minchin tells me possesses a brilliant silvery 

 appearance, and is so conspicuous that it can be seen 

 from a great distance. This butterfly also belongs to 

 a group protected by an unpleasant taste or smell, 

 and there is little doubt that the metallic appearance 

 of the pupa has a warning meaning. 



Warning Colours in other orders of Insects 



Passing now to the other orders of insects, highly 

 conspicuous and abundant beetles (Coleoptera), such 

 as the black and red ' soldiers and sailors ' (Tele- 

 phorus], the red and -black ladybirds (Coccinella), and 

 the red and blue-black Chrysomela populi, have been 



