164 THE YOUNG 



COMMON ICHNEUMONS. 



By S. D. Bairstow, 



I am pleased to discover that the Young 

 Naturalist purpose treating upon the much 

 neglected Hymenoptera, an order not only 

 avoided by individuals, but also in the pages 

 of popular and scientific organs. Now, as 

 the weather prophets predict for us a pro- 

 pitious summer, we must apply ourselves, one 

 and all, to the pleasurable and remunerative 

 relaxation of collection and observation, mak- 

 the Young Naturalist a medium for giving vent 

 to our thoughts, and the results of our labors. 

 The two early months of the year are never 

 very remunerative so far as regards " parasitic 

 insects," the subjects of infection, such as 

 larvae of other winged beauties have scarcely 

 emerged from the shell. At the same time we 

 must bear a sharp look out, as the warm 

 embraces of " Signor Sol " will tempt some 

 impatient insect to emerge from its dormitory. 

 It is possible even in the latter days of Febru- 

 ary to capture several classes of parasites, I 

 have taken not fewer than four species of 

 Limneria in the beginning of a previous March. 

 Many of the Pimplides are early insects. We 

 must capture and breed out the Noctuce larvae, 

 which will be putting in an appearance — grass 

 feeders, &c, and we shall be sure to notice an 

 Ichneumon maurauder popping out his an- 

 tennae, on some fine morning, unexpected, 

 yet welcome, seeming to feel, as it were, with 

 his quivering horns, whether chrysalis cage 

 ozone is favorably adapted for Ichneumon 

 vitality. In selecting examples for illustration 

 it is necessary to explain somewhat the term 

 itself — Common. Of a surety the commonest 

 insects must be those most prolific, and 

 familiar to the eye. Yet it is not from the 

 ranks of minute ichneumons that my subjects 

 are derived, because we may generally per- 

 ceive that those attractive and most easily 

 viewed by reason of their bulk are conse- 

 quently and essentially commonest to mere 

 novices. Small parasites are difficult to 



NATURALIST. 



study, and to students who love an easy task, 

 who appreciate beauty according to magni- 

 tude and distinct delineation, who prefer 

 garden strawberries to those of the forest, I 

 purpose more immediately to address myself. 

 It is better to commence with large insects, 

 and allow the small ones to follow, than not 

 to commence at all. Mons. Ed. Andre says * 

 " There are degrees, and without attaining to 

 perfection one may in confining oneself to 

 more modest researches, still render good 

 services to Natural History." This talented 

 author adds, "There is above all others one 

 quality indispensible to any Entomologist, be 

 he small or great, and that is, patience. With 

 it, difficulties appearing at first sight insur- 

 mountable will be overcome, without it these 

 difficulties, on the contrary, increase at every 

 step, and at last become unsurmountable." 

 Now the Young Naturalist has already in 

 another place, I believe, dwelt upon the 

 methods employed by parasites (Ichneumons) 

 in dealing the fatal blow to their victims. It 

 has shewn how, when, and where this blow is 

 inflicted, therefore I need not expatiate upon 

 the process. With a view, however, of intro- 

 ducing ourselves to some of the commonest 

 Ichneumons I shall endeavour, as briefly as 

 possible, to give a short life-history of a few 

 of them, and illustrate each by a drawing of the 

 insect treated upon. A list of the victims from 

 personal, communicated, or acquired informa- 

 tion will also be included, and I shall be 

 thankful for the continued assistance of my 

 valued correspondents. To beginners — those 

 who are deterred from placing pen to paper 

 by a foolish assumption that their experience 

 or capture is useless, and common — I may 

 say, Write, and be ashamed of nothing ! As the 

 character of the Young Naturalist almost pre- 

 cludes scientific descriptions, these I shall 

 avoid as much as possibie until such a time 

 has elapsed for the exhaustion of "Intro- 

 ductory Matter," when the editors, no doubt, 

 themselves will carry our readers into the lore 



* Species des Hymenoptera par M. Ed. Audre, 

 a book all naturalists should possess. 



