THE ENTOMOLOGISTS 
WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
No. 19].] SATUEDAY, JUNE 2, 1860. [Price Id 
MICRO LARV.$. 
Within ihe last three weeks we have 
received a number of applications as 
to the best mode of proceeding to rear 
small larvjB. Evpry one seems com- 
pletely puzzled, when they first turn 
their attention to the subject, as to 
how in the world a mining larva is 
to be treated. 
Our earliest lessons in rearing larvae 
are generally derived from the investi- 
gation of silk-worms : fresh lettuce- 
leaves and fresh mulberry-leaves once 
a day is a lesson soon learned and 
easily remembered. When we next 
take to collecting Tiger caterpillars, 
though we have to confine them to 
keep them from rambling, still the 
mode of feeding is the same with that 
which has been fohnd to answer for 
the larvae of Bomhyx Mori. Larvae of 
Abraxas Grossulariaia are next met 
with, and are found to thrive well on 
currant leaves administered periodically. 
By degrees we find it less trouble to 
give them a little twig every other 
day, instead of fresh leaves daily, and 
then, by the contrivance of putting the 
currant-twig in water, we find it will 
do duty for even a longer period. 
Thus, by the time we have entered 
our teens, we have practically learned 
how to manipulate in feeding Macro 
larvae. Airy cages, covered with gauze 
or lino, fresh food every few days, and 
what more is to be desired ? 
About the time that the upper lip 
of the young entomologist shows a 
downy texture, he generally turns a 
wistful eye at the smaller families of 
the Lepidoptera, and thinks it would 
be a manly thing, when he comes 
\ 
home, after next “ half,” to “ go in ” 
for the Micros. 
But, alas ! all his previous experience 
as to the treatment of larvae gives him 
no clue as to the best mode of mani- 
♦ 
pulating with leaf-miners, and he is at 
his wit’s end. 
Some time ago we gave, in the ‘ En- 
tomologist’s Companion,’ p. 87, instruc- 
tions “ How to rear Micro-Lepidoptera 
from the Larvie;” in this we pointed 
out that “ the main essential is to 
keep the food fresh as long as pos- 
sible.” 
Macro larvae require air; they must 
be kept in well-ventilated cages. Micro 
larvae do not require air ; if a sprig 
of a plant be placed in a tight-fitting 
tin canister and kept in a cool place, 
it will preserve its freshness wonder- 
fully, and the larvae mining in its 
leaves will have time to grow, and 
E 
