LIFE-HISTORY OF LIPHYRA BRASSOLIS, 187 



admittance. Once I saw a larva on the outside of a new nest, 

 and I took a pupa on another ; these were in localities where I 

 had not interfered with the ants. These instances serve to show 

 that the larvae pass from one domicile to another, presumably 

 when their pabulum is exhausted in one. They are very slow 

 moving, and when they find it necessary to change quarters, 

 they must wander after sundown, for out of over eighty larvae 

 and pupae which passed through my hands not a single example 

 was parasitised; but the other Lycsenids I have mentioned, though 

 seemingly always accompanied by a number of ants, in both 

 larval and pupal stages, are frequently victimised by Diptera 

 and ichneumons ; but these species do not live in the ant nests, 

 and being day feeders (I don't know about night), numbers are 

 stung. 



The larva3 of L. hrassolis are evidently so tough- skinned that 

 the mandibles of the ants can make little or no impression upon 

 them, for in placing specimens upon a nest, the inmates rush 

 out at them, catch hold of the caterpillar rim, and appear to be 

 acting most viciously. They also endeavour to reach the head 

 or legs, but these are at once protected, the creature just lowers 

 its great sides and is secure. After examining caterpillars which 

 have been on nests for several hours, and tugged at and nipped 

 by dozens of ants, not a mark or wound was discernible ; yet, if 

 the slightest cut is made in the rim with a knife, juices issue as 

 from any ordinary caterpillar with an opening in the skin. 



In conclusion, I may mention that it is not all pleasure 

 searching for L. hrassolis, or other insects, in the habitations of 

 the green ants. This species is as plucky and determined as 

 the fierce and dreaded "bulldog" and "jumper" ants, and come 

 trooping in hundreds from all parts of the tree when a nest is 

 disturbed. Then there is the multitude in the nest itself, also 

 those in other nests, for often there are many in even a small 

 tree. They are remarkably quick to get upon and spread them- 

 selves over an intruder, and do not waste their energies in biting 

 one's clothing ; but directly they reach the flesh they commence 

 operations, and one's neck and arms suffer considerably. The 

 bite of the insect is trifling, but he discharges a liquid on to the 

 bitten spot, which gives sharp pain. In approaching closely to 

 an ants' nest, or where they are in attendance upon scales, 

 aphides, or other insects, they show fight unmistakably. Whilst 

 they are prancing and plainly showing that they are desirous of 

 a closer acquaintanceship, it will be noticed that the abdomens 

 are held up and occasionally jerked forward; this jerking action 

 means that the insect has brought his little " squirt" into play, 

 a jet of decidedly acrid liquid being discharged therefrom, sent 

 straight over his head, and capable of striking an object several 

 inches direct in front before it assumes a downward tendency. 

 Having received several of these jets, or part of them, in the 



