XXIV 

 REARING AND RECORD-KEEPING 



The care of living specimens. — The way to learn most 

 about the development of insects is to keep them alive under 

 observation in cages. This is, also, the best way to get good 

 specimens of the adults. Old specimens taken at large are 

 apt to be tattered of wing and worn and rubbed, while those 

 reared in cages issue usually in perfect condition. Further- 

 more some, like the larger dragonflies, are very difficult to 

 capture in flight, but are easily reared. After transformation 

 they must be kept alive until colors mature. 



The best way to rear insects is to let them rear themselves. 

 If they are near at hand and abundant, keep an eye on their 

 progress; let them feed naturally where found until nearly 

 ready to transform; then cage them, and there will be little 

 further provision needed. 



Small caterpillars, like those of the cabbage butterfly, may 

 be reared in jelly tumblers, with close fitting lids. These 

 should be cleaned and supplied with fresh food every day, 

 until they transform. The larvae of this butterfly will pupate 

 under the lid. Many moth caterpillars will require soil in 

 which to bury themselves. If they can be obtained after 

 the feeding is ended, rearing them will be a very simple 

 matter of keeping them caged so that the winged adults will 

 not escape. 



The most generally useful of all insect cages is the very 

 simple one shown in figure 71. It is made from a square piece 



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