Vol. XXvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 233 



will serve each for one larva, if it should leave its burrow 

 when disturbed. To induce it to return to the burrow is a 

 waste of time. Then, too, if it is desired to transfer a larva 

 to a fresh food plant, the tube with the larva in it can be 

 placed over the end of the fresh plant and the larva is thus 

 forced to feed there, instead of exhausting itself by wandering 

 around in search of its former home or some other plant more 

 to its liking. 



In general it is advisable to gather the larvae as late as pos- 

 sible before pupation takes place. Some species, however, are 

 more easily detected in the earlier stages, and these have been 

 noted in the list; such can be located early and taken in later. 

 The time for taking them in is also limited so, as soon as July 

 sets in and even before, it behooves the collector to "get 

 busy." Care must be taken to keep the various food plants in 

 separate boxes and specimens should be labeled with the name 

 of the plant in which it is bred. A goodly number of boxes is 

 therefore needed and they should be deep enough to contain 

 4 inches or more of loose soil or leaf mould and still leave 

 about 6 inches clear above the soil. 



It is best to take some root with the food plant whenever 

 possible. It is also advisable to cover the soil with sphagnum 

 moss (which can be obtained from any florist) to prevent its 

 drying out as much as possible. The soil should be kept moist 

 but never very wet. If the plant in which the larva was found 

 is frail, it is best to supply a new plant at once. When the 

 larva pupates in its burrow and the plant begins to dry and 

 shrivel so as to pinch the pupa, the latter should be removed 

 and placed on the soil and covered with moss. 



These moths when mounted, usually become greasy, to pre- 

 vent which, we break off the abdomens after the specimens 

 are completely dry (not merely rigid), whether they show 

 signs of grease or not, and immerse them in pure gasoline or 

 benzine for one week, replacing them with the aid of Lepage's 

 glue. Needless to say that the, bodies must not be mixed. Small 

 vaseline jars or jelly glasses are handy to use for the gasoline. 

 Four to six bodies of different colors or sex can be placed in 

 each at one time and the gasoline used only once. While in 



