. Animal coloration; an account of the principal facts and theories relating to the colours and markings of animals. Animals. AVAENING COLOEATION". 151 of colour thus produced must obviously stand out in greater contrast to tlie surroundings. This suggestion is particularly applicable to the larvaj of many of the Vanessidas; several species of these butterflies lay their eggs upon nettles, and the larva3 remain associated together in herds, sometimes entirely defoliating the plants. Now, the caterpillars of the Tortoise- shell and others are greenish-black ; seen singly, their appear- anc
. Animal coloration; an account of the principal facts and theories relating to the colours and markings of animals. Animals. AVAENING COLOEATION". 151 of colour thus produced must obviously stand out in greater contrast to tlie surroundings. This suggestion is particularly applicable to the larvaj of many of the Vanessidas; several species of these butterflies lay their eggs upon nettles, and the larva3 remain associated together in herds, sometimes entirely defoliating the plants. Now, the caterpillars of the Tortoise- shell and others are greenish-black ; seen singly, their appear- ance is not very striking : indeed, it is almost a case of pro- tective resemblance : the caterpillar, with its hairy or rather spiny coat and greenish-black colour, is not unlike a half-. Fig. 15.—Butt'-tip Motli and Caterxiillar. withered and rolled-up leaf of nettle. But a. whole battalion of these caterpillars could hardly be passed over by any insect- eating bird; and, like the other instances mentioned, they have been proved to be usually unacceptable to birds, lizards, andfrogs. Some of the experiments made may be fairly criticised, notably those upon the larva of the Elephant Hawk moth. This insect when disturbed retracts the head and distends the anterior end of the body. Two pairs of large eye-like markings are thus brought into great prominence, and suggest the head of a serpent. Dr. Weismann found that a tame jay ate the larva at once, but that wild sparrows and chaffinches were frightened by it, and would not even approach the trough in. 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 Beddard, Frank E. (Frank Evers), 1858-1925. London, S. Sonnenschein; New York, Macmillan
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License: Licensed
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectanimals, bookyear1892
