147 



NOTES ON THE REARING OF LEAF-INSECTS IN 



CAPTIVITY. 



By W. H. St. Quintin, F.E.S., &c. 



(Continued from p. 75.) 



(Plate IV.) 



On March 15th the first female imago appeared. Two days 

 later it was seen pairing with one of the males. The first ova 

 were laid on April 1st. As the ovum is being laid the insect 

 bends its abdomen back, and suddenly straightens it, releasing 

 the egg at the same time, which is jerked to some distance. 

 Some of the females on a bush, not enclosed in the cage, fling 

 their ova about the small stove-house. One egg was found on the 

 opposite stage across the gangway that runs down the middle of 

 the stove ; another was shot on to the stage in the corner of the 

 house four feet from the Ilex plant. The purpose is probably to 

 ensure the distribution of the offspring. 



Both males and females in the perfect state continue to feed 

 freely. In the female the under wings are rudimentary, and the 

 most that she can do with her large leaf-like elytra is to ease the 

 force of an accidental fall. The male, on his gauzy wings, is 

 quite capable of a flight of at least a few yards, and is altogether 

 a much more active, sprightly insect than the female. After 

 dark the males flew from side to side of the cage with such 

 violence that we were careful not to show a light near them, lest 

 they should injure themselves if disturbed. 



Of the insects reared, about one-half were of each sex. The 

 first male assumed the imago state about a month before the 

 first female, and I have a note that, after less than another 

 month, the males began to die off. At the present date (May 

 18th) only one male remains alive. This one has been seen to 

 pair with three different females, and is still feeding and lively. 

 I have already over three hundred and fifty eggs, and shall be 

 very pleased to present some to any of your readers who would 

 like to rear these very interesting insects. Anybody who can 

 ensure a moist atmosphere and a temperature not less than 

 65° Fahr. should succeed. I hope to prove, in the coming season, 

 whether, as is the case with Bacillus, Phyllium is able to continue 

 its species by parthenogenesis. 



For the figures I am much indebted to my friend Mr. Digby 

 Legard. 



Explanation of Plate. — a, a female nymph; b, an imago, also 

 female ; c, a perfect male. I regret that I did not think in time of 

 securing photographs of the male in the earlier stages. If successful 

 again this year I shall remember this omission. 



o2 



