180 



Though the Tit tribe (Paridce) feed on them, this havoc 

 is small compared with that which awaits them after 

 leaving the ova state, from birds in general, ichneumon 

 flies, and other enemies. 



Much may be done at this season by digging for pupa3 ; 

 but on this subject the papers by the Rev. J. Green, pub- 

 lished in the Zoologist, pages 3888 and 5382 may be road. 



Many Lepidoptera spend the winter as larvae, which 

 remain dormant during severe weather, and come 

 out to feed in early spring on mild evenings. Some 

 of these are of advanced growth, and require but little 

 food before they become pupse. They must uot be dis- 

 turbed from their hibernacula, as such treatment would 

 often prove fatal to them, but shoiild be soiight for 

 ■when nature has recalled them to animation. In some 

 instances, however, they do not leave the webs in 

 which they have slept before they assume the winged 

 form. When found, these may be carefully removed to 

 the breeding-cage without being disturbed. The ma- 

 jority of caterpillars are still young ; and though on mild 

 evenings many may be found feeding, it is well to leave 

 them till more matured, since, if taken while too small, 

 they often pine away and die. The supply of food, too, 

 at this early season, is precarious, and it is better to leave 

 them to nature than to take and starve them. March is 

 now at hand, and with it the entomologist must begin to 

 work with more vigour. 



The larvae of Gleora lichenaria do not seem to become 

 torpid at all during winter, since they may be found in 

 severe as well as in mild weather. They are becoming 

 fine now, and may be procured on the lichens which 

 grow so freely on the trunks of trees. In colour they 

 closely resemble the plants on which they live, and 

 require to be carefully looked for. They are very subject 

 to the attacks of ichneumons, but in other respects are 



