WARNING COLORS, WITH EXAMPLES 



163 



eggs are preyed upon by the parasitic Species of Eupelmus. 

 These latter enemies come under the class that are not capable 

 of influence by any large color scheme. The larva of this 

 moth is provided with branching spines which have the property 

 of stinging like nettles when handled. These stinging spines 

 are doubtless effectual in warding oflE attacks by birds and 

 mammals. The larva is green in color, with an ornamental 

 lateral stripe of pink and creamy white, which are probably 

 warning colors. 



A Hymenopterous Parasite attacking a Sphinx Caterpillar. 



Summing up the matter, it seems remarkable that nature 

 has not perfected some device in these moths to immunize 

 them against Hymenoptera, when they are seemingly so well 

 protected otherwise. Perhaps the Hymenoptera are too recent 

 in their origin and in their destructive influence to have yet 

 brought about adaptive barriers to arrest their attacks. The 

 perfection of color patterns and their arrangement for illusionary 

 purposes are seemingly comparatively recent, and have devel- 

 oped, hand in hand, with the perfection of stinging hairs. 



Automeris io is distributed from Mexico and Texas on the 



