64 OF THE LARVA STATE. 



The cocoon in which the pupa of these little 

 animals are destined to remain for a time, is fur- 

 nished with a distinct lid, which moves on a sort of 

 hinge, which the perfect insect has the power of 

 forcing- open, to escape from its confinement, after it 

 is transformed from the pupa envelope. 



COCOON OF THE MICROGASTER GLOMORATUS. 



Fig. 1. natural size ; Fig. 2. magnified. 



Besides the larva of the Cabbage Butterfly, many 

 others are liable to be preyed upon by parasites, 

 similar to the Microgaster glomoratus. The col- 

 lectors of lepidopterous insects are often greatly 

 disappointed in consequence ; for, when they have 

 gathered the caterpillars of some fine butterflies, 

 moths, or sphinges, which they have fed with care, 

 and seen transformed into chrysalides, from which 

 they expect Butterflies to emerge in the most perfect 

 condition, they find in their stead a numerous brood 

 of these minute insects. 



The Rev. Mr Bree says, " I once fed in confine- 

 ment a caterpillar of Lasio campo quercus of 

 Stephens, (the Large Egger Moth,) which, after 

 having spun its cocoon, and changed to a pupa, in 

 due time produced a host of small Ichneumons, with 



