File:The transformations (or metamorphoses) of insects (Insecta, Myriapoda, Arachnida, and Crustacea.) Being an adaptation, for English readers, of M. Émile Blanchard's "Metamorphoses, murs et instincts (14764381662).jpg

Identifier: transformationso00dunc (find matches)
Title: The transformations (or metamorphoses) of insects (Insecta, Myriapoda, Arachnida, and Crustacea.) Being an adaptation, for English readers, of M. Émile Blanchard's "Metamorphoses, murs et instincts des insects (!)," and a compilation from the works of Newport, Charles Darwin, and others
Year: 1882 (1880s)
Authors: Duncan, P. Martin (Peter Martin), 1821-1891 Blanchard, Emile, 1819-1900
Subjects: Metamorphosis of insects
Publisher: London, Paris, New York : Cassell, Petter & Galpin
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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testpeculiarity of the insect is this development of the last two lcg5into two appendages, which are, in fact, tails pierced for theprojection of tentacules which are doubtless of use to it. Perhapsthe caterpillar may use them to scare the ichneumons awaywhen they are about to lay their eggs in its tempting lookingbody. When fully grown the larva descends to the foot of thetree upon which it has been feeding, and makes a very thick andtough cocoon, by sticking together vegetable tissues with a greatdeal of viscous secretion. It is then metamorphosed, and passesthe autumn and winter in the chrysalis state. 124 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. The caterpillars of the genus Staiiropiis, or the LobsterMoths, are more extraordinary looking than those of the pussmoth. They are found during August and September in largeforests and woods, and usually upon beech, oak, and birchtrees, and are very curious objects. They are of a pale orreddish-brown colour, or resemble leather in their tints, so that
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THE LOBSTER MOTH (Stauropus fagi). The male moth. The female upon the leaf. The caterpillar with its tail end in the air,and the long legs close to the head. they are not remarkable for beauty; but the second and thirdpairs of front legs are extremely long, the first pair being absent.There are two sharpish projections on every segment, from thefourth to the seventh, and there is a considerable enlargementof the sides of the ninth and the last segments. There aretwo little tails. When quiet the caterpillar usually erects its tail end, aswell as the head, and the attitude renders the peculiar shapeof the body more striking than ever. The long fore legs are THE NOCTUINA. 125 not noticed in any other of the Lepidoptera, and their use isby no means evident. When ready to assume the chrysahsstate the lobster caterpillar spins a slight cocoon, and protectsit with leaves. The largest group of the order of the Lepidoptera is calledNoctuina. The majority of night-flying moths belong to it,and

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