The Wonderful Ways of Insects and Spiders [ 273 



There it usually grasps some object, climbs on it and waits for 

 its wings to dry. 



The Fisherman's Friend: A knowledge of these interesting insects 

 is of practical value to the child or grown-up who wishes to do 

 "fly-fishing" in ponds and streams. As part of this fascinating 

 sport the fisherman uses nymphs, "wet flies," and "dry flies" to 

 duplicate the caddis fly in all its stages. He may make these with 

 such materials as bits of feather and hair; but even if he buys 

 them commercially, he ought to have a knowledge of the fly and 

 its habits in order to make the best use of his bait. 



How to Keep Water Insects at Home 



HOUSING THE CAPTIVES 



One of the most enjoyable ways for a child to observe the 

 activities and development of water insects is to have an insect 

 aquarium. You can keep a few specimens in jars or buckets; but 

 a rectangular glass aquarium, which is available at a pet store, 

 makes a much better home because you can reproduce the crea- 

 tures' natural surroundings in miniature. 



Cover the bottom with a layer of sand about an inch and a 

 half thick, first taking the precaution of baking it to kill any 

 bacteria. Next, fill the aquarium about two-thirds full with water; 

 then plant water cress, eel grass, chara, or other green plants, an- 

 choring them securely in the sand. If you expect to house nymphs, 

 you will want to have sticks fastened at the bottom of the aquarium 

 and extending a few inches over the surface of the water; when the 

 nymphs are ready to be transformed into winged adults, they can 

 crawl on the sticks. 



Capturing Water Insects: To collect specimens, use a large kitchen 

 strainer or a net smaller than the type employed for collecting 

 insects in the air. At a shallow edge of a pond, where the reeds 

 are plentiful, sweep the net a few inches above the muddy bottom. 

 Examine your catch and drop interesting-looking specimens into 

 various jars, adding some of the pond water. Try to keep different 

 kinds separate as a precaution against any flesh-eating species 

 devouring their fellow captives on the way home. 



