1887.] 



VALUE OF COLOUR A^D MARKINGS IN INSECTS. 



219 



Insects {other than Larvce). 



Experimenta. 



A. Weisiniinn. E. B. Poulton. 



One was placed in 

 cage of Tery hun- 

 grj L. mtiralis, and 

 was crushed and 

 most of the fluid 

 contents extracted 

 and probably eat- 

 en ; howeyer, pala- 

 table pupa; were 

 swallowed as a 

 whole. This pupa 

 was untouched at 

 first. 



One specimen eaten 

 by L. muralis; no 

 apparent hesita- 

 tion or caution in 

 capture. 



How far evidence supports 



the theory of 



"warning" and "mimetic" 



colours (Bates and Wallace). 



Strong support, for if palata- 

 ble it would have been 

 treated very differently. 



Strong support, from the re- 

 luctance of Birds and rejec- 

 tion by Lizards. 



At first seems to be a difficulty ; 

 but I have always thought 

 that the suggested resemblance 

 is very imperfect, and perhaps 

 a remnant of a former more 

 perfect mimicry, reliance be- 

 ing now placed on powerful 

 flight and concealment during 

 rest. 



Bearing of evidence on 



Poulton's suggestion, 



as before. 



Strong support. 



Strong support in Jenner Weir's 

 explanation of the Birds' be- 

 haviour, and some support in 

 tlie Lizard's attempts. 



Insufficient evidence ; but op- 

 posed to the theory as far as 

 it goes. 



Ko evidence, the insect being 

 palatable and in this instance 

 not terrifying. 



Ko evidence, unless it should 

 be proved to be a nauseous 

 insect. 



