1/4 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSFCTS. 



of crawling down the rose stem into the ground on the approach 

 of winter, and of hybernating in the cocoon at the base of the 

 Httle tree, should suggest the propriety of raking and thoroughly 

 disturbing the superficial mould. By these means the cocoons can 

 be easily seen and destroyed. There is another plan, which is not 

 so ready however, and it is to notice where the eggs arc laid, and 

 to paint the twig over with some viscid liquid that will fill the 

 cracks, and seal up the unfortunate larvae quite hermetically. 



The rose saw-flies do not live in common, and each one makes 

 its own cocoon. In the Brazils, however, there is Hylotoma 

 forviosa, wJiich, according to Sichel, makes a nest in which many 

 participate. 



The Tcnthredites are the most numerous of the saw-fly family, 

 and they may be recognised by their antemiae not being swollen 

 and not having less than from nine to fourteen distinct joints. Their 

 habits and metamorphoses resemble those of the Hylotoma, and 

 it is, therefore, only requisite to select a few examples where 

 there is a shade of difference, and where the structures of the 

 insect are evidently modified for a purpose. 



The AtJialicB are small insects, and their colour resembles 

 that of the Hylotoma; generally speaking, but their antennje are 

 sufficiently distinct as regards their construction to prevent the 

 genera being confounded. They are finely pectinated in the 

 male Athalicu, but they are not composed of more than from 

 nine to ten joints, and this is the case in both sexes. 



AtJialia ccntifolicn, so well known to English entomologists, 

 from Newport's magnificent descriptions and studies, is one of the 

 commonest species. The larvee are of a greenish black colour 

 and have eight pairs of membranous legs. They occasionally 

 are to be found in great numbers on culinary vegetables, which 

 they eat and waste remorselessly. United in numerous groups 

 upon each plant, they devour the leaves and even the tcnderest 

 twigs. A closely allied species {Athalia spinanim) attacks cru- 

 ciferous plants, and does a great deal of damage during certain 

 years. The larvae of these small saw-flies undergo their meta- 

 morphoses in the earth, and as they have not much silk at their 

 command they agglutinate earthy particles together, and make 

 a rude sort of cell or cocoon. 



