June 15, 1921 
Anastatus semiflavidus 
379 
CAGE REARING METHODS 
The cages used in experiments with Anastatus semiflavidus adults were 
of a modified Doten type. 1 This cage consisted of two round 30 by 100 nun. 
glass vials, of the same diameter and shape, cut off squarely at the open 
ends. A small patch of beeswax was melted on the inside of one vial, at a 
point equidistant from each end, to serve as a support for the food of the 
Hymenoptera. This food consisted of equal parts of honey and water 
and was applied as a small drop in a depression made in the beeswax. 
This vial was known as the food tube. The other vial was known as the 
home tube and was left in its original condition. 
The Hymenoptera were introduced into the home tube, and the open 
ends of the two vials were placed together. A strip of heavy wrapping 
paper, 2 inches wide and 10 inches long, was then bandaged tightly 
around the abutting edges and secured by snapping a heavy rubber band 
around each vial at the edge of the paper bandage. 
When it became necessary to change the food tube for replenishment 
or cleaning, a duplicate food tube was prepared to replace the original. 
Before this change could be affected, however, it was necessary to entice 
the Hymenoptera into the other, or home tube. This was accomplished 
by holding the home tube with its closed end toward the light and inclined 
slightly upward. A smart tap on the bottom of the food tube would 
usually drive any insects into the home tube that refused to crawl out. 
When all the Hymenoptera in the cage had moved into the home tube, 
the rubber band holding the original food tube was removed. The other 
rubber band on the home tube held the paper bandage in position while 
the newly prepared food tube was quickly inserted and its rubber band 
replaced. 
In life-history experiments it became necessary to introduce egg clusters 
of the host into these cages. Under these circumstances, the Hymenop¬ 
tera were enticed into the food tube, after which the home tube was re¬ 
moved, the host egg cluster quickly inserted, and the home tube returned 
to its original position. 
The glass sides of this cage made it possible to follow easily the activi¬ 
ties of the insects under observation, and its mobility allowed it to be 
placed upon the binocular stage for microscopic examination of its 
contents. 
The labels and other necessary data were written on the paper bandage 
holding the two vials together. 
The cage was prevented from rolling and smearing the honey solution 
over the interior by placing it in a shallow pasteboard box with loose 
cotton. 
1 Doten, Samuel B. concerning the relation op food to reproductive activity and longevity 
IN CERTAIN HYMENOPTBROUS parasites. First paper. Nev. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bui. 78, p. 8-10, 
pi. z. 19x1. 
