414 ENTOMOLOGY 



Aztecs, attained an immense development until some fifty years ago, 

 when it began to decline with the discovery of aniline dyes. Even at 

 present, however, there is a constant demand for cochineal, which is used 

 for coloring confectionery, fabrics, inks, and druggists' preparations. 



The cottony cochineal insect, Dactylopius confusus, ranges through- 

 out the cactus region of the United States, and contains the same crim- 

 son fluid as its ally. 



The Greeks and Romans obtained a red dye from species of Kermes 

 living on an oak. Galls of Cynipidae were once important as a source 

 of ink. 



As articles of human food, some insects are highly nutritious, but 

 are appreciated chiefly by savages. Not exclusively, however, for the 

 "manna" of biblical times was almost certainly the honey-dew from a 

 coccid. It is still used by Arabs as food under the name of "man." 

 The flavor of the large black carpenter ants, Camponotus, which can be 

 scooped up with the hands in large numbers, appeals to some who would 

 resent being called savages. White grubs, available in any desirable 

 quantity, are said to make an excellent salad, high in protein content. 

 Used in connection with corn they furnish almost a balanced ration for 

 hogs. 



The red Indians formerly used many kinds of insects as food. 

 Especially delicious was a bushel of grasshoppers roasted in a hole in 

 the ground. After all, the grasshopper is more attractive in appearance 

 and more refined in its choice of food than the much-esteemed lobster. 

 The Pah Utes of Utah eke out an existence on dried caterpillars, and 

 annually flock from far and near to harvest the salt-fly of the salt lakes. 

 The puparia of these flies (Ephydra hians) are washed up on the shore in 

 such enormous numbers that they can be collected by hundreds of 

 bushels. After the dirt is removed and the puparium shelled off, the 

 pupa, which is rather large, supplies a food which is said to be not un- 

 pleasant to the taste (Aldrich). 



According to Dr. Aldrich, the Indians in the vicinity of Mono Lake, 

 California, collect for food the caterpillars of the saturniid moth, 

 Color adia pandora, from a species of pine tree. The great event of 

 gathering the crop comes, unfortunately, only every other year; as the 

 insect has a two-year cycle and only one brood. The Indians dig a 

 trench around a tree, making the outer wall of the trench vertical; then 

 beat the caterpillars off the branches and collect them in the trench. 

 The dried caterpillars are a great delicacy to the Indians. Aldrich 

 says they taste like linseed oil." 



