THE ORIGIN OF ORNAMENTATION IN THE LEPIDOPTERA

Extract

Elsewhere I have ventured to call attention to the interesting chapter in Mr. Scudder's book on Butterflies, in which the theory as to the primitive pattern of ornamentation is given. By this we are told that the complex patterns, the seemingly chiselled lines and the eye-like spots, arose from simple transverse shade bands running parallel to the outer margins of the wings themselves. Such bands we yet find on the wings of many Owlet Moths.