Psyche 
[September 
1 66 
Life cycle and developmental time were studied using two ap- 
proaches : ( i ) bagging of recently oviposited eggs on host plants in 
the field, and (2) rearing of eggs in the laboratory. The labora- 
tory was located in San Jose, with diurnal room temperature con- 
ditions ranging between 25-29°C, a condition comparable to the 
temperature regime at both localities. The laboratory approach, 
which involved keeping cultures in tightly closed clear plastic bags, 
gave more accurate estimates of developmental time because life 
stages could be observed more readily. 
Studies of larval behavior dealt with feeding and defense activities 
of larvae on host plants in the field. Studies of adult behavior dealt 
with oviposition and mimcry. Populations of potential members of 
mimicry complexes involving D. virgo were sampled for a number 
of successive days each month (July and August) at both Bajo la 
Hondura and Cuesta Angel. A sample on a given day at each lo- 
cality was taken by walking along a foot path for a distance of about 
150 meters (Cuesta Angel) or 200 meters (Bajo la Hondura). 
The basic technique was to walk about 5 meters, look for butter- 
flies, and repeat this procedure for the entire transect, recording the 
species seen within each 5-meter interval. At both localities, this 
procedure lasted about one hour daily, and samples were usually 
taken at 9:30-10:30 A.M. (C. S. T.). Collecting in each area prior 
to sampling gave an indication of the species to be considered in 
gathering quantitative data on mimcry complexes. 
Results 
Life cycle and developmental time 
The thin, spindle-shaped (1.5 X 0.7 mm) eggs are laid singly 
on the undersides of young or old leaves of Inga pittieri (Killip) 
(Leguminosae) at both localities. Each egg (Fig. i-A) is at first 
satiny-white, but within a few hours turns a light blue-green color; 
each egg has 8 ribs. Immediately prior to hatching, the egg turns 
yellow. 
The first instar is translucent yellow throughout, bearing a sparse 
covering of fine hairs and is about 2.2 mm long upon hatching. The 
first instar also bears one pair of posterior and one pair of anterior 
elongated black hairs which are lost in later instars; these projections 
are barely visible in Fig. i-B. By the first molt, the larva is about 
5.2 mm long and appears dark green due to undigested plant mate- 
rial in the digestive tract. The second instar (Fig. i-C) is very 
similar in appearance to the first instar. The body is light green 
throughout. The larva measures about 10 mm in length by the time 
