188 



THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



tubes, fastening it with one or two of the spring clips ; (4) connect the 

 glass tube to the tubing of the double bulb and inflate the larval skin by 

 gently squeezing the outside bulb, at the same time, with the other hand, 

 holding the caterpillar in the oven to dry. When perfectly dry, the larva 

 should be carefully removed from the glass tube and mounted with shellac 

 on fine wire, one end of which should be first wound several times around 

 an insect pin. Naturally, at first, specimens will be spoiled, but with care 

 good results will soon be obtained. It is best to begin with hairless 

 larv^. 



After the month of June, many caterpillars which have hatched from 

 eggs laid during spring, can easily be collected by beating them off trees 

 and shrubs of almost all kinds. Specially-made beating-nets may be pur- 

 chased from dealers in entomological supplies, but, for the needs of the 

 beginner, an old umbrella held upside down, does very well. The umbrella 

 should be held beneath part of the plant with one hand, while the larvae 

 are beaten from the foliage into it, by means of a light stick held in the 

 other hand. 



When hunting caterpillars in May and June, cocoons and pupc^ of a 

 number of different species of moths will be found 

 beneath boards, dry stumps, etc. The cocoons of 

 the two Halisidota Tussock Moths shown here will 

 often be met with. These latter, which are oval 

 brownish cocoons, if saved and brought into the 

 house will soon give the perfect insects. It may be, 

 however, that some will be parasitized, and instead ^^'^^-^^--Haiisidota caiyce. 



of producing moths, tachina flies some- 

 what like the ordinary house-fly, except 

 in size, or four-winged ichneumon flies 

 will be seen in our breeding cages. 

 Such surprises, however, are not always 

 disappointments, as a knowledge of our 

 parasitic, or beneficial, species is of much 

 value. Were it not for these parasitic 

 forms, our native species of injurious insects would soon multiply enor- 

 mously and quickly destroy all vegetation, 



■y 



Y\q. 2g. -Halisidota maculala, Harris. 



