12 



Figure 17 illustrates another para- 

 sitic insect, which is a foe of the 

 cabbage butteifly. 



Figure 18 gives another parasitic 

 insect belonging to the Ichneumon 

 tribe. It is destructive to the larvae 

 of some of the larger moths. 



Figure 17. Figure 18. 



Pteromalus pupartiin, L. Ophion inaourum. 



a. Male ; b. Female ; c. Larva ; d. Pupa. 



II. OTHER ENEMIES OF INJURIOUS INSECTS. 

 Birds and toads are alsoof the highest value as insect destroyers. 

 As to birds, their value is more and more fully recognized, and con- 

 sequently those species which are totally insectivorous are more and 

 more welcomed and protected by the farmer. And as for toads, if 

 anyone will take the trouble to watch them for a time, he will be 

 speedily convinced of their value. It is true that these friends of 

 the farmer are not always as discriminating in their choice of food 

 as is desirable, and too often devour beneficial as well as injurious 

 insects, and on this account their aid is not wholly desirable. Still 

 a very large balance remains to their credit, after all deductions 

 have been made, and he who drives away or destroys either our 

 common insect-eating birds or the toads is making a great mis- 

 take. Various quadrupeds, as skunks and raccoons, devour many 

 insects, but probably none are so valuable^ as the common pig 

 when he has free range. It is a most judicious and beneficial plan 



