Insects : their life-histories and habits . aterpillar of Lobster Moth Slauropus. Caterpillar of Large Elephant Hawk-moth ( hce •ocampa elpenor) in its terrifying attitude THE PROBLEM OF DEFENCE 163 is a vision of dread to Jill the lesser denizens of the insectworld; so that the caterpillars terrifying mask probablyserves to scare away parasites which are bent upon itsdestruction. The fact that ichneumons are known toavoid spiders, and are seldom found in their webs, certainlysupports this view of the case. Another remarkable caterpillar is that of the puss-moth {Centra vinula), which, like th
Insects : their life-histories and habits . aterpillar of Lobster Moth Slauropus. Caterpillar of Large Elephant Hawk-moth ( hce •ocampa elpenor) in its terrifying attitude THE PROBLEM OF DEFENCE 163 is a vision of dread to Jill the lesser denizens of the insectworld; so that the caterpillars terrifying mask probablyserves to scare away parasites which are bent upon itsdestruction. The fact that ichneumons are known toavoid spiders, and are seldom found in their webs, certainlysupports this view of the case. Another remarkable caterpillar is that of the puss-moth {Centra vinula), which, like that of the privet hawk-moth, is difficult to discover among the leaves of its food-plant. When irritated, however, it immediately assumesa most weird pose, and draws back its head into the firstbody-ring in such a manner that the appearance of agrotesque face is produced—the effect being heightenedby two intensely black spots which suggest eyes. Thismock face is always presented to the foe, being turnedfrom one side to the other in response to the slightesttouch. Further, t
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectinsects, bookyear1913
