1865.] _ 24j1 



the atmosphere becomes foggy ; these are the nights to be looked for, and seized by 

 the collector of larva), for though many (or most) of the species he may meet with 

 will be of small size, some can then be found which he is not likely to capture in 

 a more matured state ; when, therefore, such opportunities occur, the known spots 

 in woods, such as openings, clearings, barn-patches, &c., should be visited soon after 

 dark, and all the dead stalks and blades of dry grass (for in woods no new herbage 

 is as yet visible,) examined, on which will be found numbers of larvae, stretched 

 out as if to enjoy the soft air on waking from their winter sleep. One such night 

 in February is often more remunerating than a dozen a month later, for many species, 

 whose natural habits keep them close to the roots of grasses, seem on such occasions 

 to evince a desire to rise and survey the aspect of their locality. On such a night, 

 Mr. Buckler assures me he has taken larvae in the greatest profusion, and indeed on 

 one occasion, sought for, and found no less than 173 of various kinds. 



On the arrival of verdure to the vegetable kingdom, larval life begins to put in 

 an active appearance, hybernated species coming forth from their winter quarters, 

 and newly-hatched ones from their egg-shells ; of the former, some may be found 

 on weedy-banks, feeding or basking in the spring-tide sun-rays, others on wai'm 

 evenings freely exerting their jaws on newly expanded buds of trees, bushes, 

 Ac, or discussing the leaves of" various low plants." Thus in the spring of the year, 

 the larva3 of many butterflies, several Bomhyces, Ourwpteryx, Pericallia, Boarmia,, Oeo- 

 Tnetra, and some of the other Emeralds, Acidalia,, some of Larentia and Melanippe, 

 Bryophila, Leucania, Xylophasia, Heliopliohus, Miana, Tripluena, Noctua, Aplecta, 

 Mania, ^"c, may be found after hybernation feeding by night, as well as the small 

 fry aforesaid. The latter (the small fry) are generally to be found at home upon 

 their food, from which, upon the slightest jar or approach of danger, they lower 

 themselves by silken threads, and could be readily collected at this period of their 

 existence with the almost certainty of their being free from the stings of ichneumons. 



Most collectors, however, do not care to take the latter at this stage, preferring 

 to wait until at the end of May or beginning of June, they have advanced 

 in growth, are more distinguishable, one species from another, and require less 

 time and care to feed up. 



After this, caterpillar life begins to wane and collecting the perfect insect be- 

 comes the pursuit of the Entomologist, until again, towards autumn, vegetation 

 once more abounds with larvse, many of which, particularly the smaller geometric 

 ones, and those of Noctuce whether large or small, hybernate. 



Times of day. —Much depends upon whether it is desired to capture any 

 given larva whilst feeding or reposing ; the great feeding-times of the majority (as 

 of Noctuw, Geometrw,) being juat after sun-set, and again in the morning when the 

 leaves are bathed in dew (a wholesome condition of things which seems to give a 

 zest to the food) ; but sosae, as " Sharks," evidently select the bright hours of sun- 

 shine for their meal timalf ;- the hairy Bombyces prefer the morning sun ; and other 

 larvae feed, on and oflF, through either day or night, or both. Some night-feeding 

 larvse which leave their food to seek repose may be sought for in the day-time ; 

 thus, in their haunts, those S L. monacha, M. aprilina, T. mu7ida, and the genus 

 CaiocaJa, are often found hiding in the crevices of bark of oaks, willows, and other 

 trees, or under semi-detached piecet.of bark. 



