xxxlv EuROfEAX Butterflies axd Moths. 



sometimes bite each otlicr's long legs off. In securing Iar\-,x' it is advisable to avoid touching them ; 

 it is better to cut off the leaf or the twig on which they are resting, and to transfer it bodily to the 

 box. Very small larva; should not be mixed with the larger ones, but must be put in small boxes 

 separately. This is especially necessary with those of Micro-Lcpidoptcra, such as the Tiiiccc. Any 

 rare or unknown larva; should also be kept separate; and naked larva; with unusually large jaws 

 should be looked upon with suspicion, lest they may prove to possess cannibal tendencies, and they 

 should not be mixed with others without due precautions. 



Searching for Larva. — In looking for larva;, we must begin by searching for indications of 

 their presence, such as partly-eaten leaves. Those which are eaten at the sides have generally been 

 fed upon by a Lepidopterous larva ; but many young larvae, as well as those of Micro-LepidopUra, 

 eat holes in the middle, or devour the epidermis on one side only. We must not overlook 

 discoloured spots on the leaves, as the mines or blotches often contain the mining larvse of small 

 Tinece ; or the cases of Colcoplione may be attached to the leaves, which contain larva; which mine 

 in the leaves from their cases. If we notice that a leaf appears to have been recently attacked by 

 larvce of any kind, we must carefully examine the adjoining leaves and twigs, as well as the plants 

 near, from all sides, when we shall probably discover the larva. Nocturnal feeders often conceal 

 themselves at or near the roots of the plants on which they feed during the da)- — a point which 

 must not be overlooked. 



When two or more leaves are spun together, they often contain larvae; so do leaves which have 

 been folded over or rolled up, and undeveloped shoots. This may be ascertained by opening them 

 a little, or, when only two leaves are spun together, b)' holding them up to the light. Such larva; 

 are to be put into the box along with the leaves which they inhabit ; but as the larvae are often 

 very active, the net should be held underneath when the leaves are gathered, to catch the larva if it 

 attempts to escape. 



Any flowers or buds which have an unusual appearance, or are drawn together or distorted in 

 any way, should be carefully examined, as well as the catkins of sallows, willows, and alders, the 

 heads of thistles and other Coiitpositce, the flowers of umbelliferous plants, &c. Such plants often 

 contain larvje without any external traces of their presence being visible. Apples, plums, acorns, 

 beech-nuts, &c., which fall off before they are ripe often contain Tortrix larvae, but must be 

 examined as soon as possible after they have fallen, as the larvje soon creep out, in order to spin 

 their cocoons. Other Tortrix larx'ae live in the fruit of the wild rose, where their presence may be 

 known by a black spot beneath the flower; and others in peas, vetches, Dipsacus sylvcstris, &c. 

 The larvae of the genus Dianthoscia live in the seed-capsules of plants allied to the carnation, and 

 betray their presence by their ejected dung. 



The presence of larva; in the stem or roots of a plant maj' be recognised by its withered or 

 dricd-up appearance, especiall)' in the upper leaves, and by swellings or excrescences on the stem. 

 We generally find an opening in the stem, too, through which the dung is ejected. The plants 

 which most require such examination are reed-like plants, especially Typlia, in which the larvae of 

 Noiiagria and several other allied genera of Noctna live, and the pithy stalks of burdock, thistle, 

 cow-parsnip (in which the larva o'i Dasypolia Tcinp/i feeds), Pctasi/cs, &c. When we find a larva in 

 a stem, the stem should be cut off at some distance above and below the opening ; and roots 

 containing larvae should be pulled up. 



The presence of larvae in the branches of shrubs is often indicated by swellings on them, or by 

 the unnatural apjjcarancc of the bark, or by openings through which the larva in the interior 

 discharges its excrement. Such branches should be cut off, the bark peeled, and the piece of wood 

 containing the larva cut out, if possible, without disturbing the larva itself. Among such larva; we 



