Butterflies and Moths (British)Furneaux, William S.
Science
Butterflies and Moths (British)
Furneaux, William S.
Butterflies -- Great Britain; Moths -- Great Britain
There are nine spiracles on each side of the caterpillar's body, and
never more than one in the side of the same segment. The head, which we
have been regarding as the first segment, has no spiracles. The second
segment has a pair--one on each side. There are none in the third and
fourth; but all the segments, from the fifth to the twelfth inclusive,
have each a pair; the last (thirteenth) segment has none.
We have already observed the general arrangement of the caterpillar's
limbs; but perhaps it may be interesting and even convenient to the
reader to give here a little table that will show at a glance the
disposition of both limbs and spiracles.
First segment--head Two short antennae, two jaws,
and twelve eyes.
Second " Legs and spiracles.
Third " Legs only.
Fourth " Legs only.
Fifth " Spiracles only.
Sixth " Spiracles only.
Seventh " Spiracles, and sometimes
claspers.
Eighth " Spiracles, and sometimes
claspers.
Ninth " Spiracles, and sometimes
claspers.
Tenth " Spiracles, and generally
claspers.
Eleventh " Spiracles only.
Twelfth " Spiracles only.
Thirteenth " Claspers only, and these
occasionally absent.
We must now watch the caterpillar through its later days, to see how it
prepares for passing into the pupal stage, and to witness the various
interesting changes that take place at this period.
When fully grown, it ceases to eat, and begins to wander about in search
of a convenient spot for the coming event. Its colours fade, and the
body becomes appreciably smaller, especially in length, as it ejects the
whole contents of its digestive apparatus. According to some accounts,
it even evacuates the lining of the intestines with their contents.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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