i6 INSECT ARTIZANS AND THEIR WORK 



protection during their infancy only ; later the 

 caterpillars disperse, and each continues to lead a 

 separate existence thereafter. Of this group is the 

 caterpillar of the Lackey Moth {Malacosoma neus- 

 tria), which, however, keeps up the communal 

 habit until it is of considerable size. They issue 

 from the tent to feed upon the surrounding leaves. 

 Often when the sun is shining they may be seen 

 clustered on the exterior of the tent as though 

 enjoying a sun-bath. When about to change 

 their skins they usually seek the retirement afforded 

 by the tent. These structures do not present 

 the finished appearance of the cocoon and do not 

 suggest the skilled worker as that does. In fact, 

 they are generally passed by as being of the same 

 character as the dusty sheets spread across obscure 

 corners by the big house spider. 



The young caterpillars of several of our butter- 

 flies construct similar tents for common protection. 

 Thus the larvae of the Marsh Fritillary {Melitaa 

 aurinia) soon after they escape from the eggs in 

 July spin together the leaves of devil's-bit scabious, 

 connecting them by sheets of gauzy webbing, and 

 under the tent so formed they feed in company. 

 When all the leaves in this tent have been robbed 

 of their nutritive parts, the company abandons this 

 dwelling and moves off to another plant, which 

 they surround with a larger structure than the 

 first. Towards the end of summer they leave this 

 in turn and retire to the lower parts of the plant, 

 where they construct another web, become sluggish, 



