1925] Mystery of “ Trilobite Larvce” Definitely Solved 121 
The same year (1899) Dr. Sharp describes and figures a 
peculiar larva from New Britain in the following words:] “There 
have long been known to entomologists some extremely re- 
markable larvae, that probably are Lampyrides or Lycides, 
though none of them have been satisfactorily identified. Dr. 
Willey procured a most remarkable form of this kind, bearing 
long abdominal processes that are segmented or articulated at 
the base (PI. XXXV, Fig. 7). “I take the opportunity”, he adds, 
“of drawing attention to these forms with the hope that someone 
may soon be able to give us further information about them.” 
There can be hardly any doubt that the larva referred to is 
a Lampyrid larva, though of a very aberrant and extraordinary 
type. 
In an article in the Sarawak Museum Journal (No. 3, 1913, 
pp. 61-65) Mr. Gahan deals in detail with the mysterious 
“trilobite-larvae” and discusses the future possibilities of solving 
the problem which they present. He recommends strongly that 
tropical entomologists attack the problem in the field and make 
renewed attempts to rear them, pointing out, however, that 
larvae have been kept alive a long time, extending up to two 
years, but so far without success. 
The late Curator of the Sarawak Museum, Dr. R. Shelf ord, 
in his posthumous work “A Naturalist in Borneo” edited by 
Prof. Poulton, has dealt at length with the “trilobite-larvae.” 
He devotes several pages to these mysterious creatures, from 
which I extract the following: 
Page 172: “If, then the adult male of the ‘trilobite-larvae’ 
is provided with wings and wing cases, then the larva should 
possess imaginal rudiments, but a careful microscopical exam- 
ination of male larvae ranging from a comparatively small size 
to nearly the largest has failed to reveal the slightest trace of 
these organs. I can therefore declare with some degree of con- 
fidence that if an adult male of this larva be eventually found 
differing in its external anatomy from the larva, then it must 
be apterous. In spite of the abundance of these larvae, in spite 
of the fact that they have been known to collectors for many 
years, a male of this description has never been found. I will 
venture to prophesy, moreover, that it never will be found, but 
