246 



M 



R. E. B. POULTON ON THE PROTECTIVE [Mat. 1, 



Table V. 



Species and Stage. 



Imago Pieris rapes 



Imago Pieris napi 



Imago Anthocharis cardu' 



Imago Vanessa to . 



Imago Vanessa tirticm . 



Imago Sjnerinthus pcypuli .. 



Imago Sphinx ligustri. 



Imago HepialM lupulinus. 



Protective resemblance, or habits of concealment, evasion, &c. 



3. Lepidoptekous 



Same as the last species, but not such strong flight ; on the other hand, its 

 smaller size renders its concealment more perfect. 



FUght rather weaker than in the last species. Protection otherwise similar, 

 except that the green veining of the undersides accords well with the fact 

 that the species especially prefers shady places, where green is the predo- 

 minant colour. 



Flight irregular and puzzling, although not rapid. The green and white 

 mottled under surface of the wings harmonizes exceedingly well with the 

 green and white flower-heads of Umbellifera, which are especially selected 

 as a resting-place (T. W. Wood, quoted by Wallace). The orange patch on 

 the male's fore wing is not conspicuous on the underside. 



Flight strong: underside verj' dark and the insect well concealed on dark 

 trunks, earth, or in shaded corners. Insect seldom seen at rest, except 

 in intervals of flight, hence well concealed at night &c. 



As in the last species, only smaller and so more readily concealed : undersides 

 not so dark and more variegated, but well concealed in the same places. 



Fhght feeble : m the evening. The irregidar outline of the wings, the way they 

 are held, their grey and brown tints (which are alone seen in repose), all 

 render the insect highly protected by suggesting withered leaves. They are 

 also generally well concealed in dark corners, for they are not commonly 

 seen at rest. 



Flight extremely powerful : in the evening. The various shades of brown of 

 the fore wings and thorax are alone seen at rest, and the insect suggests bark, 

 or even more closely the wood of a cleft tree darkened with age. It is very 

 rarely seen at rest, although an abundant species. 



FUght very peculiar and puzzling, consisting of rapid oscillations, always taking 

 place near the ground, and for a short time at dusk and in the early morn- 

 ing. At other times, when resting, very difficult to see, because of its small 

 size and attitude, which exposes the brovm tints of upper wings, with white 

 markings, and of the body. It thus harmonizes with any of the brown 

 surroundings (earth or dead leaves &e.), and is seldom detected, although 

 exceedingly abundant. When disturbed it feigns death and falls to the 

 ground, where it is very difficult to find. 



