224 MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 
might be Pterocera bombylans, Meig., which resembies 
those humble-bees that have a red anus. 
The brilliant colours in which many insects are arrayed, 
may decorate them with some other view than that of mere 
ornament. They may dazzle their enemies. The radi- 
ant blue of the upper surface of the wings of a giant but- 
terfly, abundant in Brazil (Papilio Menelaus, L.), which 
from its size would be a ready prey for any insectivorous 
birds, by its splendour (which I am told, when the insect 
is flying in the sunshine, is inconceivably bright,) may 
produce an effect upon the sight of such birds, that may 
give it no small chance of escape. Latreille has a similar 
conjecture with respect to the golden wasps (Chrysis, L.). 
These animals lay their eggs in the nests of such Hymeno- 
ptera,—wasps, bee-wasps (Bembex, L.), and bees,—as are 
redoubtable for their stings; and therefore have the ut- 
most occasion for protection against these murderous 
weapons. Amongst other defences the golden wasps are © 
adorned with the most brilliant colours, which by their 
radiance, especially in the sunny situations frequented by 
these insects, may dazzle the eyes of their enemies, and 
enable them to effect unhurt the purpose for which they 
were created *. 
The frightful aspect of certain insects is another passive 
mean of defence by which they sometimes strike behold-- 
ers, especially children, often great insect tormentors, 
with alarm, and so escape. ‘The terrific and protended 
Jaws of the stag-beetle (Lucanus Cervus, L.) in Europes 
and of the stag-horn capricorn beetle (Prionus cervicor- 
nis, I’.) in America, may save them from the cruel fate of 
* Latreille, Annal. du Mus. 1810. 5. 
