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INSECTS AT HOME. 



If a 'stung' caterpillar be carefully dissected, so that the skin 

 is removed from the body, the space between tlie digestive 

 organs and the skin, which ought to be occupied by a layer 

 of fat, is found to be literally stuffed with the tiny white 

 grubs of the Microgaster. 



The fatty substance on which these larvae feed is intended 



1. Microgaster glomeratus. 2. Mymar pulchellus. 3. Teleas elation 4. Cleonymua ma- 

 cnlipeiinis. a. Teleas, antenna, female. h. Do., antenna, male. c. Microgaster, larva 

 in caterpillar of cabbage-butterfly. rf. Microgaster alvearius, cocoons. 



as material from which the future butterfly is to be evolved. 

 Rut, as it is almost entirely consumed by these internal foes, 

 the insect seldom has sufficient strength to effect its change 

 into the pupa — much less into the butterfly. Just in propor- 

 tion as the fat decreases, the Ichneumon larvae increase, so that 

 to the eye the caterpillar looks quite plump and healthy, when 

 it is in reality absolutely emaciated. Yet the presence of these 



