PATTERSON] SOME INSECT STUDIES 113 



the laboratory, a larva of a tomato sphinx covered with cocoons of 

 a species of microgaster. This was studied as a type of parasites. 

 We went back to the cabbage leaves and found swollen bodies of 

 aphids with round lids cut in the sides, the work of another para- 

 site. We also found a few clusters of yellow cocoons belonging to 

 another species of microgaster which destroys numbers of cabbage 

 worms every year. 



Besides the special insects chosen for study the students brought 

 into the laboratory many more which they wished to know some- 

 thing about. Some of our most profitable lessons were based upon 

 these specimens. I shall not soon forget the surprise and pleasure 

 expressed by members of the class when they discovered that white 

 grubs are the young of May beetles or June bugs which are so 

 abundant in early summer. Larvae of moths and butterflies that 

 were brought in were placed in terrariums or jars containing soil 

 and fed until they changed to pupae. We have now several 

 sphinxes, one imperial, a polyphemus, a cecropia, several tigers, 

 and a swallow tail put away in the laboratory expecting to get 

 the adults in the spring. 



Toward the close of the term the students made a summary of 

 their work based upon their observations, notes and readings. 

 The following topics were used: 



1. Group the insects you have studied into, (a) those that are 

 harmful to crops of any kind, (b) those that may affect the health 

 of the community (c) those that are beneficial, (d) those that are 

 neither beneficial nor injurious. 



2. Group together those that have complete metamorphosis, 

 those that have incomplete metamorphosis. 



4. Name the characteristics that are common to all the insects 

 you have studied. 



5. Winter habits, (a) Name those that pass the winter in the 

 egg stage, (b) in the larva; (c) in the pupa; (d) in the adult. 



6. List methods of combating insects; (a) those that have 

 biting mouths (b) those that have piercing, sucking mouths. 



The lists were taken up for discussion in class. Where there were 

 differences of opinion the matter was looked up or referred to the 

 teacher for the correct version. Altogether the results of the study 

 were gratifying, not so much because of the facts gained, as because 

 of the changed attitude of mind toward insects and the interest, 

 even enthusiasm that was manifested as the work progressed. 



Illinois State Normal University, 

 Normal, III. 



