BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



[60] 



— An Ant-lion, adult (Myrmeleon) . (Prom Packard.) 



at tlie bottom of pits in loose, sandy soil. The adults may be obtained 

 by general sweeping and are also attracted to light. The most inter- 

 esting insects of this or- 

 der are the Caddis-flies, 

 on account of the pecu- 

 liar and frequently very 

 beautiful cases con- 

 structed by their larvoe, 

 which it is important to 

 collect. The Caddis-flies 

 breed in ponds and lakes 

 and the adults may be col- 

 lected in such situations 

 or at light. The larvae may easily be reared, and should be collected 

 for this purpose. Most of the insects named in this order are extremely 

 delicate and require great care in handling. 



KILLIi^G AI^D PRESERVING INSECTS. 



Between the collecting of the specimens and their final disposition 

 in a well-arranged cabinet, a good deal of mechanical work is necessary, 

 involving a skill and dexterity which can be thoroughly acquired only 

 by practice. 



First Preservation of living Specimens. — Larvae, pupae, or 

 imagoes, intended for rearing purposes, must be kept alive, and are best 

 placed, after capture, in tin boxes of various sizes, according to the num- 

 ber of specimens to be put in each and according to the size or nature 

 of the food ijlant, etc., on or in which the specimens are found, and of 

 which a quantity must always be taken home. For larger tin boxes 

 those known as '' Seidlitz powder boxes," described and figured beloAv, 

 which can be made to order at any tinner's shop, are well adapted, and 

 smaller tin boxes of a convenient round form can be obtained of the 

 watchmaker. The collector will find it advisable to take with him on 

 his longer jaunts a larger tin collecting box as well as the smaller boxes, 

 and for this purpose nothing is better than a good botanist's collecting 

 can or vasculum. All tin boxes used for entomological j)urposes should 

 be tight, and the cover should so fit that it neither drops ofl" too readily 

 nor closes too tightly. Larvse of Lepidoptera and Tenthredinid?6 should 

 be placed in a box with a quantity of the leaves of the xilant on which 

 they were found. Larvae, especially of Coleoptera, found in the earth or 

 in decayed wood, should be placed in a box filled with such earth or 

 wood, so as to prevent shaking or rattling about. Larvae found in roots 

 or stems of living plants can generally be reared to maturity only if 

 the whole plant with a quantity of the surrounding soil is taken home, 

 and for this purpose the large collecting box, just mentioned, is very 

 useful. Most Coleopterous or other larvae found irnder bark or in solid 

 wood can be reared only if large sections of the wood are obtained 



