InTRODUCTIOX. XXXV 



must mention the Scsicv, which live in the bark of trees, and especially in stumps which have been 

 left in the ground after a tree has been felled. They also live in the stems or roots of herbaceous 

 plants. The larvse of the Cossidm live when young under the bark and afterwards in the trunks of 

 trees, and may be detected by their unpleasant smell. If we notice webs of different sizes on trees, 

 bushes, or herbs, they should be examined, as they often contain larvre, or even colonies of lai-v^. 

 When these are worth rearing, the whole web is to be taken away with the larvae. Larvee often 

 drop down from the trees on which they are feeding, by a single thread, by which they remain 

 suspended. 



We can often discover the presence of larva; from noticing their cast-off skins or heaps of 

 excrement, especially when the latter is lying, freshly fallen, under the plant on which the larva is 

 feeding. Sphinx larvae, which feed on low plants, are particularly liable to betray themselves in 

 this manner. We can often trace a larva in its wanderings from one plant to another from the 

 tracks it has left behind it, when the soil is loose and sandy, and by following up this clue we can 

 discover the place where the larva is hidden, which is frequently under the surface of the ground, or 

 at the root of a plant. 



Many larvje resemble portions of their food-plant, and are thus liable to be overlooked. Some 

 resemble leaves, or leaf-stalks, or small dry twigs, like many Geometrce, and others resemble the 

 bark, such as several species of Gastropacha and Catocala, which are still more likely to escape 

 notice, because this resemblance is increased by their habit of clinging closely to the trunks and 

 branches of trees. The larvas which feed exposed on flowers are often coloured like flowers, as is 

 the case with most larva; of Cncullia. While many larvae feed and rest on plants openly, others hide 

 themselves when not feeding, either in the crevices of the bark of a tree, or under the leaves at the 

 root of broad-leaved plants, in or under dry leaves, in the hollow stems of dried plants, especially 

 reeds, under stones, in the grass, under the ground, or elsewhere, and must be looked for in their 

 hiding-places. In order to discover the larvae among fallen leaves, we must take a strong umbrella 

 turned upside down, or a sweeping net, and after filling it with leaves, shake them vigorously about, 

 and take them out carefully, when we shall find the larvae lying underneath. This mode of collecting 

 is particularly productive when the dry leaves are lying among freshly-budding plants at the edges 

 of woods, especially when they face the south, under hedges, or in similar situations. The 

 hybernating larvae will thus be met with at the beginning of spring, and even in winter when 

 there is no snow on the ground. Larvae also like to hide themselves under haycocks and shocks of 

 corn ; and as they are often carried away with them, and fall out when the waggons are unloaded, 

 they may generally be met with in great numbers when such an opportunity presents itself. 



As a great number of larvje, especially those belonging to the family Noctuidic, only feed at 

 night, and hide themselves by day, they must be sought for on their food-plants at night with the 

 aid of a lantern. They generally drop down at once as soon as the light falls on them, so that, if 

 possible, a net should be held under the plant we are examining to receive them. In early spring, 

 when several rainy days have been followed by warm nights, and the air is full of moisture, the 

 hybernated larvae leave their winter quarters at twilight and creep up the dry stems of trees and 

 plants, or creep about on the surface of fallen leaves, or anywhere where they may enjoy the 

 soft air. A rich harvest ma\^ be reaped, with the aid of a lantern, on such nights, especially in open 

 places in woods where plants abound, on hedges and palings, thatched roofs, &c. Many larvae 

 • hybernate in the hollow stems of plants, and may be found there in early spring. 



The larvae \\ hich feed by day may be searched for on their food-plants at any time. The 

 hair)' larva; of the Bombyces prefer the morning, but those of most Nociiice appear after sunset, and 

 again in early morning, when the leaves and grass are covered with dew. 



