. Zoology : for students and general readers . Zoology. Fig. 54:3.—Leaf insect (Phy- liltm). Half na^iral size. back. The caterpillars of the geometrid moths often won- derfully mimic the stems of the plants they feed upon, in color and markings, even to the warts and tubercles on their skin. As an example of possibly con- scious mimicry or effort at conceal- ing their nest from the search of their enemies, may be cited the trap- door spider observed by Moggridgo in Southern Europe. This spider digs its hole among moss and small ferns, and after the trap-door is made the top is covered with gr
. Zoology : for students and general readers . Zoology. Fig. 54:3.—Leaf insect (Phy- liltm). Half na^iral size. back. The caterpillars of the geometrid moths often won- derfully mimic the stems of the plants they feed upon, in color and markings, even to the warts and tubercles on their skin. As an example of possibly con- scious mimicry or effort at conceal- ing their nest from the search of their enemies, may be cited the trap- door spider observed by Moggridgo in Southern Europe. This spider digs its hole among moss and small ferns, and after the trap-door is made the top is covered with growing ferns, etc., transplanted by the spider, and the deception is so perfect that Mr. Moggridge found it difficult to detect the position of the closed trap, even when holding it in his hand. Mimicry of other insects is of very frequent occurrence, certain flies resembling bees in appearance and the sounds or buzzing they make ; the Syrphus flies closely imitate wasps. Fig. 5i5 illustrates a case observed by Belt in Nicara- gua, where a wasp (Prioctiemis) is mimicked by a hemipterous insect [Spiniger luteocornis AValker, the left-hand figure) in every part, even to its vibrating, brown, semi- transparent wings and its wasp-like motions. Here the bug is evidently protected by its resemblance to the wasp, for whose ferocity and sharp sting all unarmed insects have great resjiect. Some butterflies are distasteful to birds, and there are other but- terflies Avhich have no bad taste, but closely resemble in color such species as are passed over by birds. Thus,. Fig. 544.—Slick Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Packard, A. S. (Alpheus Spring), 1839-1905. New York : Henry Holt
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1879
