QUESTION DRAWER. 



Fig. 1249.~1' I'iiii.enok. 



It is very commendable in a boy of 

 nine years of age, that he should become 

 so interested in the study of insects as 

 Master George. We will attempt to 

 reply to his questions. 



The eggs he found between the prick- 

 les of the Cecropia larva no doubt be- 

 long to the long-tailed Ophion a large 

 yellowish brown Ichneuman fly. The 

 eggs are deposited on the skin of the 



the Cecropia moth goes into its chrysalis 

 it spins its cocoon therein, and in the 

 following spring escapes as a fly. 



Of the genus Papilio, or Swallow-tail 

 butterflies, there are about three hun- 

 dred species known, but most of them 

 are tropical. Only seven are found in 

 Canada. 



P. PhilenorK black with whitish spots 

 and a metallic green lustre on the hind 

 wings. We hope that Master 

 George will succeed in hav- 

 ing his chysalis open out 

 next spring, so that he may 

 see one of those interest 

 ing butter flies for himself. 



Fio. 1250. — P. piiiLBNOR (larva). 



Cecropia larva, soon hatched out, and 

 then sustain themselves by sucking the 

 life blood of their victim. Such insects 

 are called parasites, because they live 

 at the expense of others, a despicable 

 habit in men, but an important pro- 

 vision in the insect world. The larva 

 of this fly is a footless grub and when 



ll.")l.— 1'. I'HII.KSOK (I'UI'Al. 



336 



