Annual report on the noxious, beneficial and other insects of the State of Missouri (1869) (18747433163)

Title: Annual report on the noxious, beneficial and other insects of the State of Missouri
Identifier: annualreportonno05miss (find matches)
Year: 1869 (1860s)
Authors: Missouri. State Entomologist; Riley, Charles V. (Charles Valentine), 1843-1895; Metcalf Collection (North Carolina State University). NCRS
Subjects: Insects; Beneficial insects; Insect pests
Publisher: Jefferson City, Mo. : Ellwood Kirby
Contributing Library: NCSU Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: NCSU Libraries



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42 FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT (Fipr. 25.) In the hands of the careful breeder, an insect may be secured against its numerous natural enemies, and against vicissitudes of climate; and will consequently be more apt to mature than in a state of nature. Yet the great secret of successful breeding lies in other- wise supplying, as far as possible, the natural conditions. The breed- ing of aquatic insects requires properly arranged aquaria, and is always attended with the difficulty of furnishing a proper supply of food. The transformations of many others, both aquatic and terres- trial, can only be studied by close and careful out-door observation. But the great majority of insect larvse may be reared to the perfect state indoors, where their mauoeuverings may be constantly and con- veniently watched. For the feeding of small species, glass jars and wide-mouthed bottles will be found useful. The mouths should be covered with gauze or old linen, fastened either by thread or rubber; and a few inches of moist earth at the bottom will furnish a retreat for those which enter it to transform, and keep the atmosphere in a moist and fit condition. Forlargerinsectsluse abreed- ing cage or vivarium of my own devising, and which answers the purpose admirably. It is repre- sented in figure 25, and com- prises three distinct parts: 1st, the bottom board (a), consisting of a square piece of inch-thick walnut with a rectangular zinc pan (#"), 4 inches deep, fastened to it, above, and with two cross pieces (gg) below, to prevent cracking or warping, facilitate lifting, and allow the air to pass underneath the cage. 2d, a box (J), with three glaes sides and a glass door in front, to fit over the zinc pan. 3d, a cap (c), which fits closely on to the box, and has a top of fine wire gauze. To the center of the zinc pan is soldered a zinc tube (c?) just large enough to contain an ordinary quinine bottle. The zinc pan is filled with clean sifted earth or sand (e)^ and the quinine bottle is for the recep- tion of the food-plant. The cage admits of abundant light and air, and also of the easy removal of excrement and frass which falls to the ground ; while the insects in transforming enter the ground or attach themselves to the sides or the cap, according to their habits. The most convenient dimensions I find to be 12 inches square and 18 inches
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