14 
Psyche 
[Vol. 91 
In addition to the above behavior, typical of many nymphalid 
butterfly species, first through fourth instar Adelpha larvae engage 
in an odd practice not known for other New World butterflies; they 
accumulate their fecal pellets, fastening them in place with silk, to 
form a mass which either surrounds the base of the support or is 
suspended beneath it. This mass may include bits of leaf in A. 
iphicla, or consist of more leaf than feces in A. phylaca and 
melanthe. The work of A. basiloides is the most distinctive because, 
in addition to the mass just described, this species consistently 
constructs a small, usually curved, larva-form mass on the leaf 
surface, several mm away from either the leaf edge or the usual 
mass. Upon viewing this artistry, one cannot help imagining that it 
serves as a decoy larva to discourage would-be predators. A single 
reared individual of A. iphicla also engaged in this behavior, but 
excepting that, I have observed it only in A. basiloides. 
Resting larvae position their bodies in one of several ways: 
(1) Straight Position (figures 4 & 5). Larvae in any instar may 
use this position, and typically when out on their supports they rest 
this way. 
(2) Front-Curved Position, as shown in Young (1974, fig. 2. B, 
C). In this position, the larva grasps its support with the prolegs 
only, and raises and curves its anterior portion (head through A2) so 
that the head is somewhat inclined, and the toracic scoli are directed 
forwards. Larvae about to molt use this position; the second instar 
in Young’s (1974, fig. 2C) photograph has a swollen pro-thorax and 
is probably preparing to molt to third instar. Final instar larvae of 
A.justina use a raised but uncurved version of this position instead 
of the usual final instar stance, described next. 
(3) Front-Arched-Rear-Up Position. This position is typical of 
final instar larvae but occurs in earlier instars as well. Involved are 
the raising and arching of the anterior portion of the body (head 
through A2), plus elevation of the posterior portion (A7-10). In 
addition, the thoracic scoli are directed forwards, and those of A2 
are held backwards. In this position, the face and the area at the top 
of the arch (T3 through A2) are parallel to each other and to the 
substrate. This and the next position are assumed when the larva is 
disturbed. 
(4) Curled Position. The larva curls to one side into a “C” or 
“J” shape on the upper surface of the leaf; the rear portion (A7-10) 
may or may not be elevated. A. celerio often rests in this position, 
