CHAPTER XVI 



THE INSECT AS A PARENT 



Although the majority of insects perish before their 

 young come into existence, most of them are admirable 

 parents in the sense that they make adequate provision 

 for the well-being of the rising generation. It is true 

 that some species, such as the stick-insects (Phasmidoe)* 

 simply discharge their eggs at random, allowing them to 

 fall unheeded to the ground ; but in these instances the 

 eggs themselves are amply protected by their wonderful 

 resemblance to seeds, while the newlv hatched larva? are 

 well able to find their way back to the food plants. Most 

 insects, however, oviposit in situations where the larva? 

 will be sure to find appropriate food. A few species 

 actually keep watch over their eggs after they are laid. 

 The common earwig is an admirable mother. She not 

 only broods over her eggs, but takes the greatest care of 

 them, collecting them into a heap if they are disturbed, 

 and carrying them from one spot to another in order to 

 secure the best position for their development. It is said 

 that she is equally solicitous for the welfare of her young 

 during the first few days of their life. The mole cricket 

 also cares for her eggs, of which she lays from 200 to 400 

 in a specially constructed subterranean chamber, and 

 supplies the young with food until their first moult, when 

 the family disperses. Cockroaches are not known to 

 foster their young, but the female carries her egg-case 

 about with her until she finds a safe cranny in which to 

 hide it, or until the eggs are almost ready to hatch. " On 



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