PROCEEDINGS. 10 U! 23 



a suitable situation and an eye can be kept upon it for indication of the 

 emergence of the perfect insect, without removing the cover. In ])rac- 

 tice, however, I have found that the perfect insect often rests on the 

 cover where it is not easily seen, so that it is advisable to take off the 

 cover occasionally and look inside. 



When breeding large numbers of the same species for varieties. I 

 have found large tubs, or a barrel cut in two, most effective. Of course 

 the tubs must have a cloth cover tied round by a piece of string. There 

 are some interesting notes on the sul)ject of breeding Lepidoptera in 

 B.C.E.S. Bulletins No. 6 and 7 by Mr. J. W. Cockle of Kaslo. For 

 other directions, observations, hints and recommendations, I shall quote 

 extensively from an article on "The Rearing of Larvae" by Mr. C. 

 Rippon, M.A., F.E.S., in "The Entomologist" during the past year, 

 because the experiences there recorded so generally correspond with my 

 own that I am glad to avail myself of the diction and of the writer's 

 individual observations. I consider the article a most interesting con- 

 tribution to the subject. 



Newly hatched larvae have a tendency to scatter, therefore they 

 should be confined to a somewhat small space, with the receptacle com- 

 fortably filled with the food plant, taking care that some of the food is 

 in contact with the lid of the box, where, as a rule, the young larvae 

 congregate. In some cases where the food plant is not known, I always 

 put in single leaves of as many plants as are available, choosing such 

 kinds as I think the species would be likely to feed upon in a state of 

 nature and being guided by what I know alread}' to be the general kind 

 of food of the dififerent families. For instance, a great many geometer 

 larvae will eat Polygonum aviculare although that plant may not be their 

 usual food. Likewise most noctuid larvae will eat dock, plantain or 

 chickweed. But, in passing, I may say that any too succulent food, like 

 chickweed or lettuce, is bad for larvae, and should be used very spar- 

 ingly. Arctiid larvae prefer fairly succulent food, such as low-growing 

 herbs. They are dirty feeders and need frequent change of food. Noto- 

 donts generally require leaves of trees. Whatever food is put in A\ith 

 young larvae should not be too wet and should be disturbed as little as 

 possil^le. It will soon be seen if the larvae are taking to any of the 

 leaves provided, indicated by their resting elsewhere than on the glass 

 lid. If they congregate there or seem restless, it is best to put in fresh 

 kinds of food. When it is seen that the larvae have eaten, they should 

 be left alone until the food is withered, by which time the larvae have 

 generally passed through their first instar. The food can then be 

 examined to see which of the leaves have been preferred and the sub- 

 sequent supply determined thereby. When larvae are larger, so much 

 care need not be taken to see that the foliage is dry, except in boxes 

 where there is very little ventilation, but such cages should be avoided, 

 as plenty of fresh air is necessary for successful rearing. Overcrowding 



