2o6 COMMON BRITISH INSECTS. 



against the abdomen. These theories are, however, 

 neutralised by the fact that not only can the perfect 

 insect produce the squeak, but that the caterpillar can 

 do so, though it possesses neither trunk nor antennae, 

 and has no distinctive head, thorax, or abdomen. 



Owing to the vast quantity of hair with which the 

 body is covered it is of some consequence to secure 

 specimens that are not damaged by being rubbed, as 

 is generally the case with those that are captured by 

 hand. The best mode of obtaining really perfect 

 specimens is to rear them from the caterpillar. 

 Labourers are not much afraid of the caterpillar, 

 though they are of the perfect insect, and the easiest 

 mode of obtaining both the larva and the pupa is to 

 go to a potato-field in which the labourers are at work, 

 and offer a small sum for uninjured ' locusts ' and 

 * ground-grubs.' 



The caterpillars of the Death's Head Moth being 

 obtained and a continual supply of fresh potato-leaves 

 ensured, they should be kept as much as possible in 

 the dark. When they are full-fed they should be 

 placed on light soft earth into which they will burrow, 

 and undergo their transformations underground. It 

 is as well to plant in the soil a few sticks up which 

 the Moth can climb when it emerges, and to which it 

 can cling while it dries its wings. Care must be taken 

 to keep the earth moderately moist, placing damp but 

 not wet moss upon it. Unless this precaution be taken, 

 the outer skin of the pupa will become so hard that 

 the insect will not be able to make its way out when 

 it is fully developed. I have lost several Moths in this 

 way, and have had one or two in a very maimed and im- 



