FOOD OF INSECTS. 279 



future contests, or betray the " horrid secrets of his prison-house :" and 

 if the sides of the pit have received any damage, he leaves his con- 

 ceahnent for awhile to repair it ; which having done he resumes his 

 station. 



In this manner in its larva state this insect lives nearly two years, during 

 all which time it receives no food but what has been caught through the 

 artifice above described. Though all living insects, for I have fed it with 

 flies, are equally acceptable to it, as the winged tribe can easily take flight 

 from its pit should they chance to fall into it, its prey consists chiefly of 

 apterous species, of which ants form by far the largest portion, with 

 occasionally an unwary spider or wood-louse. When tiie full period of 

 its growth is attained it retires under the sand ; spins with its anus a silken 

 cocoon ; remains a chrysalis a few weeks ; and then breaks forth a four- 

 winged insect, resembling, as before observed, the dragon-fly both in 

 appearance and manners, and preying, in like manner, on moths, butter- 

 flies, and other insects.^ 



The larva of Myrmeleon Formicaleo is not the only insect which avails 

 itself of a trap for obtaining its prey. A plan in most respects similar is 

 adopted by that of a fly (Lej)tis Vermileo), in form somewhat resembling 

 the common flesh maggot. This also digs a funnel-shaped cavity in loose 

 earth or sand, but deeper in proportion to its width than that of M. For- 

 micaleo, and excavated not by regular circles, but by throwing out the 

 earth obliquely on all sides. When its trap is finished, it stretches itself 

 near the bottom, remaining stiff and without motion like a piece of wood, 

 and the last segment bent at an angle with the rest, so as to form a strong 

 point of support in the struggles which it often necessarily has with vigor- 

 ous prey. The moment an insect falls into the pitfall, the larva writhes 

 itself round it like a serpent, transfixes it with its mandibles, and sucks its 

 juices at its ease. If the insect escapes, the larva casts above it jets of 

 sand with surprising rapidity .'^ 



I am, &LC. 



> Reaum, vi. 333—378. Bonnet, ii. 380. 

 « Bonnet, i.x. 414. De Geer, vi. 1(38. i. 10. 



