xxxviii EvKOPEAx Butterflies and Moths. 



ON REARING LARV-E AND PUP/E. 



General Remarks. — Tlie first point to be observed in rearing larvae is to keep them as far as 

 possible in the same condition as if they were at liberty. As this is very different with different 

 species, our treatment of larv;e must vary accordingly. In general we may depend on the 

 following rule : we must take note of the conditions under which we .have found a larva, and 

 endeavour to imitate them. It must be provided with fresh air, light, sunshine or shadow, as well 

 as hiding-places, and must be kept damp or dry according to the nature of the locality ; but above 

 all things it must be supplied with plenty of fresh food. The food may be kept fresh in a small 

 narrow-necked glass, filled with water, the mouth of which must be stopped up with cotton, or 

 some other substance, to prevent the larvae creeping into the water. The food will thus keep fresh 

 for four or five days, but should then be renewed, and the water should also be changed at the 

 same time. But there are many larvae which cannot be fed on food kept fresh in this manner. 

 They will eat and grow, but afterwards become weak and sickly, and die. This is particularly 

 liable to happen with larvae which feed on plants which are not very juicy, or on those which grow 

 in a poor and dry soil. These larva: must either be reared on growing plants, or be supplied with 

 fresh food every day. It will help to retard the withering of a plant a little if we cover the 

 stalk with wax when we have cut it off We must never offer larvae wet food. 



All the larvae which live in the ground, or hide themselves there during the day, require both 

 earth and moisture. As many other larvae which feed exposed on plants form their pupae on or in 

 the ground, it is advisable to cover the bottom of all larva-cages with dry sifted earth, mixed with 

 sand. The soil must be moistened with rain-water from time to time, especially in dry weather, 

 which is best done by sprinkling it with a brush which has been dipped in water. The larvae 

 which live in the ground should often be sorinkled in the same wa\-, and the others only 

 occasionally, to replace the rain and dew to which they are exposed in the open air. When larvae 

 are reared in a damp place, such as a cellar, it is unnecessary to sprinkle them. 



Breeding-cages. — A great variety of different contrivances for rearing larvae are in use, of 

 which we shall only mention a few of the simplest and most convenient. Among these is a 

 large box, a foot and a half long, a foot broad, and two feet high, in which to place larv;e which 

 we know already, and which do not require separate breeding-cages. The box must be well 

 made and nailed together, so that it will not come to pieces from damp. It must be made in two 

 parts, which are fitted together at two-thirds of their height, so that the upper part can be lifted 

 off. A considerable portion of the lid should be cut away, and the opening closed with wire gauze 

 or perforated zinc. Si.x inches above the bottom of the cage is a shelf with openings, in which the 

 glasses containing the food may be placed. The space between this board and the side is to be 

 filled on one side with earth, as already mentioned, which should first be baked, to destroy any 

 creatures which might be injurious to the larvje. This is to be covered with moss at the sides, and 

 some flat stones should also be laid upon it. On the other side, instead of earth, moss, dry leaves, 

 and soft wood, turf or cork should be laid. The glasses with the food should be laid obliquely in 

 the openings, so that some of the leaves hang down to the board, enabling any larvae which may 

 fall down to creep up again. If we have no larvae in the cage except such as feed on grass, we 

 may cover the bottom of the cage with earth, and lay a sod of turf upon it, which will then only 

 require to be kept fresh. The larvae may be left in this cage till they are full-grown and have 

 become pupie. It is convenient to rear tiiose larvae which feed on trees and shrubs, and those 

 which feed on low plants, in different cages. 



Such cages provide the larvae with all that they require in the way of air, hiding-places, and 



