68 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 7: 1994 



be almost as large as the larva itself (Fig. 1) and remains a deterrent and camouflage 

 throughout the pupal stage. 



The 'merdigerous' behaviour of tortoise beetle larvae is well known and well 

 documented (Westwood, 1839; Sharp, 1909; Van Emden, 1962). But should the 

 loose bundle of dried exuviae be disturbed from the pupa, only the first four 

 instar skins become dislodged, leaving the fifth and final instar skin still firmly 

 attached (Fig. 2). It is now that the profile of the pupa comes to resemble a 

 lacewing (Figs 3 and 4). 



This resemblance is not fanciful, although it may be coincidental in that the pupa 

 resembles a generalized insect form, with porrect 'head and thorax'. The caudal process 

 comes to resemble two prominent antennae, the hind two lateral processes come to 

 resemble large prognathous jaws while other lateral processes come to resemble legs. 



This type of mimicry, where the relatively expendable tail-end of a creature distracts 

 attack from the vulnerable head-end is common throughout the insect kingdom. The 

 tails of 'tailed' butterflies, be they swallowtails, blues, skippers or hairstreaks, are 

 supposed to resemble antennae and lure the attacks of birds away from the real 

 antennae. Likewise, the eye spots of many butterflies resemble eyes, confounding a 

 predator. The streaked markings at the wingtips of various microlepidoptera 

 resemble eyes, legs and antennae when the moths are at rest, giving the impression 

 of a reversed head/tail axis, e.g. Ancylis badiana (D. & S.), some Glyphipteryx 

 species, and in particular many Leucoptera species. Some small leafhoppers 

 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) have similar markings. 



Thus, the resemblance of the Cassida pupa to a lacewing is not as comical as it 

 might seem. It could be that an attacking predator is fooled into pecking or biting 

 at the erect 'head', but instead of snatching up a tasty morsel, comes away with 



Fig. 2. Dorsal view of the Cassida pupa, the caudal process and other remains of the fifth larval 

 skin are clearly visible, although in this aspect not strikingly so. Photo: R. A. Jones. 



