183 



iclineixmons, must always be ejected; and iclineumons, in 

 all their stages, must, witliout delay, be banished from the 

 cages. 



When a box is well stocked with pupse, it shovild be 

 left undisturbed until all its tenants are hatched, and 

 then it can be put in order for new occupants. The larvae 

 Avhich feed in spring and the early part of summer be- 

 come moths before winter, and those which become pup^ 

 later in the season assume their last form in the following 

 year. Curiosity must not be allowed to induce the ento- 

 mologist to disturb or handle his pupse, since such treat- 

 ment would often kill them. 



To proceed with out-door work — the grass and other 

 low plants are fed upon throughout the season, and may 

 be searched accordingly. There are no leaves on the 

 trees and bushes as yet, so on these, as well as on the 

 majority of evergreens, many larvee must not be expected. 

 The hardy and lowly, but beautiful heaths, are, however, 

 exceptions, and these form the food of several insects which 

 should now be sought. Later in the season they are again 

 frequented by the larvae of Saturnia carpvii and Anarta 

 inyrtilli. 



March is at last drawing to a close, and giving place to 

 the more genial April. Birds are beginning to sing, buds 

 of trees to burst, and flowers to expand, and the favourites 

 of the lepidopterist are already assuming wings. The 

 sallows are in full blossom, and when tliey have afforded 

 one rich harvest of winged forms, they will furnish 

 another of larvae. 



Whilst the bloom is still upon the flowers the very 

 young caterpillars of Xanthia silago and X. cerago are 

 feeding Avithin them. When the flowers, therefore, no 

 longer form an attraction for the perfect insects, they 

 may be gathered for their living contents. It may be 

 asked how the catkins are to be known which contain 



