On a few there are what seem to be
small pockets of acid that can be ejected with a jerk, and on some
a sort of filament that is supposed to distil a disagreeable odour.
As the caterpillar only uses these when disturbed, it is safe to
presume that they are placed for defence, but as in the case of
moths I doubt their efficacy.
Some lepidopterists have thought the sex of a moth could be
regulated by the amount of food given the caterpillar; but with
my numerous other doubts I include this. It is all of a piece
with any attempt at sex regulation. I regard it as morally certain
that sex goes back to the ovary and that the egg produced yields a
male or female caterpillar in the beginning. I am becoming convinced
that caterpillars recognize sex in each other, basing the theory
on the facts that in half a dozen instances I have found cocoons,
spun only a few inches apart. One pair brought to me as interwoven.
Two of these are shown in the following chapter. In all cases a male
and female emerged within a few minutes of each other and mated as
soon as possible.
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