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Show 822 REPORTS ON THE INSECT-HOUSE. [Nov. 15, obtained, some of which have hatched, and are kept in the studio in a proper vessel for hibernation. An experiment is being tried with some few of these larvae in order to force them to become imagos before winter ; they are growing slowly at present. No. 23. Cerura vinula.-A nice lot of small larvae of this species was presented by Mrs. Blandford. A part of these placed at once in this cage fed up quickly, and are now in cocoons, having spun up in a piece of cork placed in the cage for them; the other half are now in the cage as larvae of different growths. No. 24. Cossus ligniperda.-Almost every day a larva of this species has come out of the piece of willow exhibited in the cage; after crawling about, it has reentered the branch. There are two growths in the wood-those of last year's hatching and of the previous year. No. 25. Lasiocampa quercus.-Larvae of this species have been exhibited, but at present no cocoons formed ; it is a difficult larva to breed. No. 26. Orgyia antiqua.-A plentiful supply of the larvae of this abundant species has been obtained from the gardens ; and when a female has freshly emerged in this cage, it has attracted from the outside a number of males. One morning the cage was quite beset with those amorous little creatures, which refused to be driven away, and could easily be picked up by the fingers; at other times this is not an easy species to capture. In the small cages at the end of the house, and on the tables, have been exhibited in succession such insects as appear at this season. Pupae of Lithosia quadra were obtained from the N e w Forest, but a small percentage of imagos appeared, the majority being infested with Ichneumon flies. Liparis monacha, also received from the same locality in the same condition. Larvae of Biston hirtaria, Acronycta psi and A. megace-phala, and other common species occurring about London, have been gathered and exhibited ; also larvae of the Ladybirds (Coccinellidce), Lacewing flies (HemeroBiidce), the larvae of which are named Aphis-lions, from feeding upon Aphides. Perfect specimens of the Ant-lions (Myrmeleon) commenced to emerge this month, and some fine ones have been preserved. Selenia illustraria.-Some eggs of this pretty species were presented to the Society during the month by Miss Golding Bird, and hatched the following day, the 20th instant. A part of these are now exhibited in a tube; the others are retained for future exhibition. Heterogynispcnnella.-These little larvae, presented by Lord Walsingham, grew to about half size and died; their proper food may perhaps be obtained in a future season. Orgyia, sp. inc.-Lord Walsingham deposited two larvae of an unnamed Orgyia from North America. I was able to breed a fine specimen on the 26th instant, which has been preserved. Some mangolds infested with the larva of the Dipteron Anthomyia Beta were sent in reply to a request of mine, and exhibited with a short notice. |