OCR Text |
Show 1887.] VALUE OF COLOUR AND MARKINGS IN INSECTS. 245 (continued). Experimental evidence. E. B. Poulton. PUP-E. Freely eaten by L. muralis .... Bitten by L. muralis, but evidently much disliked and abandoned: some were eventually partially eaten when the Lizards were very hungry. Eaten with great relish by L. muralis, slightly crushed, and then swallowed whole. Great contrast to the treatment of the last species. Eaten at once and evidently relished by L. muralis. Eaten at once (removed from the cocoon) by L. muralis, and probably relished. IMAGINES. Eaten readily by all Lizards, but not much relished, I believe, because of the mechanical difficulty of the scales and wings, and not from being actually unpalatable. This applies to all Butterflies, and Moths to a less extent. J. Jenner Weir. Refused by the birds Refused by the birds Eaten by Lizards ... Other observers. v Edward Newman in ' British Moths.' - " They also constitute a favourite food of poultry, and are sought for with great eagerness." Edward Newman in ' British Moths.'-Fowls, Guinea-fowls,Peafowls, and Pheasants devour them with the greatest avidity. Roland Trimen.-A Swallow seen chasing this species (Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. xxvi. p. 499, footnote). A.G.Butler.-Eaten by L. viridis. Bearing upon Wallace's converse suggestion. A difficulty, in view of the extremely complete form of protective resemblance. It would be interesting to experiment with other Vertebrates and with hungry birds. Same difficulty with birds ; the same high form of protection. In this case, however, the Lizards freely ate the pupa?, and they are evidently palatable to these Vertebrates. Concerning the behaviour of the Lizards, it is to be noted that the pupal colour is not a very specialized form of protection, although complete, for it equally obtains in species which pupate in opaque cocoons &c. Support. Support. Support. Support. |