78 The Ottawa Naturalist. [July 



thicker than the edge of a leaf, as a very slight examination 

 will show. 



Insects are so abundant that they can be found at any time, 

 and almost in any place. Their presence everywhere offers a 

 ready means for learning something of the ways and habits of the 

 creatures which constitute so large a portion of the animal king- 

 dom. Even a cursory study of any of our caterpillars will soon 

 convince one that there is much of interest as regards the habits 

 of even the commonest species, many of which show remarkable 



traits. 



During the first warm days of spring, even before the snow 



has entirely disappeared, reddish or mouse-coloured hairy larvae, 

 about an inch in length, are often seen walking across the side- 

 walks of outlying streets, or especially along the railroad tracks. 

 These are the caterpillars of Phrag?natobta rubricosa, Harr., and 

 are chiefly interesting to local collectors in view of the fact that 

 two distinct forms of the moths have been met with at Ottawa, 

 and it is not at all improbable that we may have here two good 

 species instead of one, as now recognized by standard lists. 



The spring time is also opportune for the collection of arctiid 

 and noctuid larvae, under stones, etc., particularly in open places. 

 Along the grassy sides of railroad tracks there are usually num- 

 bers of strips of bark, broken pieces of plank, etc. ; and, underneath 

 the same, many of these larvae, which pass the winter about half, 

 or nearly full grown, can be found hiding at that time of the year. 

 The old leaves of mullein plants also harbour various kinds of 

 caterpillars. 



After the Maj and June, by which time many caterpillars 

 will have hatched from eggs laid during those months, doubtless 

 the most prolific way of collecting larva is by beating them off 

 the plant they are feeding upon, into a beating net. Dealers in 

 entomological supplies have for sale nets made specially for the 

 purpose ; but the accompanying figure shows a good pattern for 

 an easily made net, which can be held beneath the plants with one 

 hand, while the larvae are beaten down on to it with a light rod 

 held in the other hand. This beating net consists of a stick on 

 each side and a flat sheet of cotton between, three feet wide at the 

 top and one foot at the bottom. Two cross bars close together 



