Packard.] 
INSECTS AS MIMICS. 
269 
the Graptas. Many geometrid moths rest on the bark of 
trees, where they escape the observation of the entomologist 
whose eye is trained at looking for them, and perhaps also 
of the birds. The white pine trees often shelter the Tejphro- 
sia Canadaria , which I have found in no other position. 
The Red Under wings, or Catocalas, spend their days on the 
bark of deciduous trees, and only expose themselves to the 
attack of birds when they show their gorgeous red and yellow 
hues in flight. 
The Arctian moths, so brightly painted with strong con¬ 
trasts of black and vermilion or red, can afford to be snapped 
up by the birds, which allow their spiny, hairy larvae to go 
scotfree. It is possible that the bright colors of the Arc- 
tians and other Bombycidae, as well as the butterflies, are 
needed to ensure the meeting of the sexes, as by their bright 
colors they can detect each other afar off; though the acute 
sense of smell possessed by these moths, whose antennae are 
broadly pectinated, may be sufficient for ensuring the prompt 
recognition of each other’s presence. That the white colors 
of the Spilosoma Virginica and the moth of the fall web 
worm (Hypliantria textor) serve the same purpose of mutual 
recognition as the conspicuous white Pieris, seems probable. 
Mr. Darwin (Descent of Man, i, 387; Appleton’s edition, 
1871) states that “the common white butterfly, as I hear 
from Mr. Doubleday, often flies down to a bit of paper on 
the ground, no doubt mistaking it for one of its own spe¬ 
cies.” The owlet and geometrid moths fly in such large 
numbers that there is a greater chance of their encountering 
one another in the night, particularly as they feed on com¬ 
mon objects of attraction, i. e., the honey of flowers. 
But all these points need to be thoroughly investigated. 
Many statements and assertions on the subject of mimicry 
need reexamination and confirmation, and some of the facts 
I give here are simply hints for future observation and ex¬ 
periment. 
13 
