Protective Devices by Lycaenid Butterflies 
Against the Attacks of Lizards and Birds. 
By ©, L. CoLLENETTE. 
Among the subfamilies composing the LycaENIDAE, commonly 
called the “ blues,” there are several which show a conspicuous eye- 
spot on the margin of the underside of the hind wing, coupled 
with a pair of tails, or often two pairs of tails, of varying length 
and thickness. _ 
When the butterfly is at rest with wings closed, the tails are 
in many cases crossed the one over the other and kept in motion 
by an irregular rotatary movement of the hind wings. In other 
species the tails are long and fragile and are stirred by any breeze 
which is blowing. _ Again in other species the tails are short or 
absent but the eye-spots conspicuous. ‘The wings are in some cases 
slightly separated, which throws a shadow between, giving an ap- 
pearance of breadth when viewed from behind. 
This device has been generally attributed to an imitation, 
perfected by natural selection, of the head or in many cases the 
head and antennae, the enemy being led to attack the brittle hind 
wings, which break and allow the butterfly to escape. This has 
been noted by many writers and is usually referred to as being a 
protection against insectivorous birds, although other enemies are 
frequently mentioned. It would appear, however, that in Malaya 
the device is directed not so much against birds as against wing- 
less foes, chief among these being lizards, 
The device of eye-spots and tails is not shown in many families 
of Malayan butterflies, and in no other is it brought to such a state 
of perfection. 
Many species of Lycaenids, in contradistinction to the major- 
ity of butterflies, pass their lives close to the ground rather than 
at the tops of the trees. When disturbed, they rely on a short 
flight of a few yards and a “ disappearance ” by alighting suddenly 
on a leaf, when their closed wings render then inconspicuous. On 
a number of occasions I have followed up some of the commoner 
Lycaenids, putting them to flight and watching their actions, and 
on no single occasion has the butterfly alighted out of reach of my 
net, the usual height being 4 ft. to 6 ft. It therefore follows that 
enemiés against which these insects must protect themselves hunt 
in bushes as well as in trees. 
Birds are not common in the lower depths of the jungle, and 
Lycaenids inhabiting paths shut in by trees would be largely free 
from their attentions. Lizards, however, would appear to be quite 
as common at low elevations as among the tree tops. 
The majority of lizards appear to catch their prey by the use 
of sight only. They approach, often from a considerable distance. 
at a fairly rapid rate, ending with a cautious “ one foot at a time” 
advance, and a final swift orab at the insect.. 
Jour. Straits Branch 
