452 



Marvels of Insect Life* 



temptation to larger Insects of carnivorous nature, to say nothing of any fishes 

 that may be in those waters. The head and fore-body, which have to be protruded 

 in hauhng the case along and in obtaining food, are dark and horny, as are the three 

 pairs of jointed legs. Most species are feeders upon aquatic plants ; but a few are 

 themselves carnivorous. Apparently the grub stage is the only feeding time. The 

 pupa has not the means of taking food, and it is probable that the rudimentary 

 condition of the mouth in the winged Insect does not allow of indulgence in food. 



After the winter the caddis-worm prepares for the chrysalis stage by spinning 

 a silken grating across each end of its case, or by otherwise blocking up these 

 openings. One species ^ at this period attaches heavy stones to its case, turns round 



inside, and thrusting its head out of the rear end, digs a hole 

 in the bottom of the stream — it is found only in running 

 water — and up-ends its case so that it becomes partially 

 embedded with the heavy stones keeping it in position. 

 When all is made safe in one of these ways, the last grub- 

 skin is cast, and the chrysalis, with its wings, long antennae, 

 and legs folded down its sides, waits for the period of 

 emergence. When this time arrives — in early summer — 

 the chrysalis butts against the obstruction at the fore- 

 end of its case and clears the way. It shoots up to the 

 surface of the water, and uses its limbs to propel it to 

 shallow water, where it wriggles ashore. Its chrysalis- 

 skin splits and the caddis-fly walks out. 



The mature Insects are seldom seen, save by the 

 naturalist, for they are mostly night-fliers, but they may 

 be found by day settled on tree-trunks and posts near 

 water, where their sombre tints make them inconspicuous. 

 One of our photographs shows one of the brighter species,^ 

 with mottled-grey fore-wings, at rest on a tree ; its larger 

 relation ^ is shown, with expanded wings, in another 

 photograph. The latter species is the form most commonly 

 seen at rest on trees and fences. A few of the smaller 

 species may be seen flying in the sunshine above the surface 

 of ponds. 



Although the caddis-flies may be described as 

 spending their earlier days in fresh-water, there are 

 two or three exceptions to the rule. One is terrestrial, and two foreign 

 species are found in salt-water. 



Winter Moths. 



Strange as it may appear to those townsfolk who believt' that nature goes to 

 sleep in late autumn and does not wake up again until spring, there are moths 

 that wait until the beginning of winter before thev break out of the chrysalis. 

 Although one of these bears the name of winter moth,^ it is not the only species 

 to which it could be applied with fitness. After the British climate, the winter moth 



1 Micropterna sequax. - Phryganea minor. ^ P. grandis. ■* Chcimatohia l)nunata. 



PJwto by] [H. Main, F.E.S. 



Caddis Chrysalis. 



The chrysalis has been extracted from 

 its case. It will be seen that at this 

 stage the parts of the " fly " are 

 alr(;ady well developed, the wings and 

 antennae being especially noticeable. 



