24 B.C. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



is another thing to be avoided, and it is best not to have more than one 

 kind of larva in each receptacle. "The choice and condition of pupating 

 material most suitable to the species being bred is a matter of consider- 

 able importance. Some larvae require quite a special type of material, 

 while the majority do best in a light, fibrous, sandy soil, more analogous 

 to pure leaf-mould and very different to the ordinary soil in a garden. 

 Then again, for convenience in manipulation, the material should have 

 nothing in it which could be mistaken for a ^ocoon, i.e., no lumps, stones, 

 etc. : it should also be easily capable of being moistened to any degree 

 required, and, most important of all. should l^e free of any insect pests. 



I quote the foregoing information about the moistening the pupating 

 material, for the use of anyone it may appeal to. My own experience is 

 that, as a rule, if pupa are kept in the open air, under cover and shade, 

 they do not require artificial moistening. I think, however, that if pupae 

 are found in a damp situation, it is important that the moist condition 

 should be continued, as it is fatal to allow the same pupae to be some- 

 times damp and sometimes dry. 



In regard to "receptacles for pupating, it may be mentioned that, 

 though metal may be used, those constructed of rough wood are infinitely 

 preferable, except for wood-eating larvae and one or two species which 

 seem to like stone or earthenware to pupate on. 



"The size and depth of the receptacles are again dependent largely 

 on the species to be treated. About three or four inches deep are suffi- 

 cient for the majority of burying larvae, but for some of the larger 

 hawk moths and certain fastidious things, the compost should be much 

 deeper. As to size of receptacle, it is much better to have a number 

 fairly small and let only a few larvae do down in each, than one large 

 one. and expect a lot of larvae to go down in it. 



"One reason is that generally the majority of a batch of larvae 

 unaccountably prefer one end or corner of a pupating box; consequently 

 if a large number are allowed to pupate in the same box, however large 

 it may be, those which descend last will disturb those already down, 

 with bad results as to the number of pupae obtained. 



"For larvae which spin up on the surface of the ground there is 

 nothing equal to natural moss (sterilized), pressed down gently on to 

 the surface of a layer of the peaty compost already described. 



"For those which spin up in dead leaves, it is obvious what should 

 be supplied, while larvae which spin above ground usuall}- do not 

 require anything special, but will make their cocoons on the food plant 

 or cage. Ornamental cork is not a bad substitute for such larvae as 

 require the bark of trees in which to make their cocoons, while wood- 

 feeders and a few others demand special treatment, such as hollow 

 sticks, rotten wood, and the like." 



