172 FARM FRIENDS AND FARM FOES 



the spiders, mites, and myriapods, related to the insects 

 proper. But the limitations of space forbid their discus- 

 sion here. 



OBSERVATIONS FOR PUPILS 

 Predaceous Beetles 



1. If you can find any of the Predaceous Ground Beetles, keep them 

 alive in a vivarium for a few days. Furnish cutworms, cabbage worms, 

 or other caterpiUars for food. 



2. See if you can find any Tiger Beetles along paths and roadsides. 

 Which way do the beetles face when they alight — toward you or not ? 

 Catch two in an insect net. Keep them in a vivarium and furnish 

 caterpillars for food. 



3. See if you can find any burrows of Tiger Beetle larvae in smooth- 

 trodden ground. 



4. Bring in a few Ladybird Beetles and keep in a vivarium. Furnish 

 aphides for food. See if you can find any Ladybird larvae, pupae, or 

 eggs. 



5. For a fuller account of Tiger Beetles read Life Histories of 

 American Insects, pages 19-27 ; of the Ladybird Beetles, Stories of 

 Insect Life, Second Series, pages 49-55- 



Predaceous Bugs 



1 . Look in tent caterpillars' nests in spring to see if you can find any 

 Soldier Bugs. Or later in the season see if there are any on the potato 

 vines. If you find any, keep them in vivaria for a few days and see the 

 way they take their food. 



2. In summer or early autumn sweep clusters of herbage for the 

 ■yellowish Ambush Bugs. Study their structure to see the sharp beak 

 and the curious front legs fitted for grasping. 



3. If you live where the Wheel Bugs are found, keep-one alive and 

 watch it feed upon caterpillars. 



4. Read the life story of the Wheel Bug in The Insect Book, jjages 

 294-296. 



Two-winged Flies 

 I. On warm days look for the Robber Flies along sunny roads. 

 Listen to the quick buzz as they fly up and watch how they lie in wait 

 for prey. 



