566 
BIONOMIC NOTES 
much more conspicuous than the real head, which was almost 
concealed ; the real antennae were quite concealed. 
This proved to be Virachola antalus , Hopff.; I have a note 
referring to the same species:— 
A Lycaenid boxed off a plant close to the ground; it was 
sitting with the head downwards, but the false head was 
missing, having been bitten off, probably by a lizard. 
Dr. Dixey was more fortunate than I with Axiocerces harpax , 
Fabr., since he notes:— 
September 9th. Bulawayo, Rhodesia (near the Waterworks). 
This species was abundant at the catkin-like flowers of a 
shrub said by Mr. Davey to be a species of Combretum. 
When settled, it closely resembled (at a little distance) the 
seed vessels, of which many remained on the plant, though 
the latter was just coming into flower. On a near view, the 
false head of the Lycaenid looks extremely life-like, and is 
moved about by the butterfly in a most deceptive manner. 
The species settles either horizontally or head downwards. 
Attention seems to be drawn to the false head by alternate 
partial folding and unfolding of the everted margin of the 
hind-wing, while the butterfly is settled. 
Coming now to my own observations, the false head was noted 
during life in five specimens (all females) of Argiolaus silas, Westw., 
but in none of them was the attitude at rest determined, indeed the 
insects usually settled high up on the trees beyond my limit of clear 
vision. 
September 10th. The Matopos, Rhodesia. A male of the beautiful 
Stugeta bowkeri , Trim., was twice seen to settle with its head down¬ 
wards on the catkin-like racemes of the shrub Sderocarya caffra . 
The false head was very obvious. It opened and shut its hind- 
wings while settled. 
September 28th. East London (Buffalo River). A specimen of 
Phasis chrysaor , Trim., was seen settled head downwards. 
August 14th. Durban (near Sydenham “ Old Cemetery ”). A 
female Hypolycaena philippics, Fabr., exhibited a false head, but 
was not seen at rest. 
September 15th. Victoria Falls. A specimen of Catochrysops 
malathana, Boisd. ( asopus , Hopff.), was seen in the Rain Forest 
settled with its head downwards. 
September 26th. East London. Two specimens of Tarucus teli- 
canus , Lang, were seen in the Queen’s Park sitting horizontally. 
