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[Illustration:

  Cyphocrania Goliath (reduced).      [_Frontispiece._]




                        THE YOUNG COLLECTOR'S

                               HANDBOOK

                                  OF

                  Ants, Bees, Dragon Flies, Earwigs,
                          Crickets, and Flies

              (_HYMENOPTERA_, _NEUROPTERA_, _ORTHOPTERA_,
                       _HEMIPTERA_, _DIPTERA_).


                                  BY

                           W. HARCOURT BATH.


                       [Illustration: colophon]

                            SECOND EDITION.


                                LONDON:
                       SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO.,
                          PATERNOSTER SQUARE.

                                 1890.




Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.




PREFACE.


Most boys have a fondness for forming collections of various objects,
such as Foreign Stamps, Crests, and Coins; but very few comparatively
collect Natural Objects. Now it will be admitted by all that the
collecting of Natural Objects, such as Insects, Shells, Plants,
Fossils, Minerals, etc., possesses immense advantages over that of
Foreign Stamps and the like; for the former, besides satisfying the
collecting ambitions, also cultivates the observant and intellectual
faculties, while at the same time affording healthful recreation in the
fields and woods.

Again, a mere collector's province may be exhausted in a few years,
whereas the study and observation of Natural History, which are
the usual "fruits" of collecting Natural Objects, are practically
inexhaustible.

Another great advantage which Natural History possesses, is that it
may be prosecuted with very little expense, and is therefore a subject
which even the poorest person may conveniently undertake.

This little handbook is intended to be a "Guide to Collecting Insects,"
which by way of Natural History, we may remark, is becoming more
popular every day in this country. Hitherto, however, there have been
very few books published on Entomology for beginners, but for those who
wish to go more deeply into the subject than the present brief manual
can pretend, we would strongly recommend them to obtain Mr. Kirby's
excellent illustrated "Text-Book of Entomology" (Swan Sonnenschein
& Co.), to which work we are greatly indebted for much valuable and
interesting information.




CONTENTS


                       PAGE

  INTRODUCTION            9

  ORDER HYMENOPTERA      13

  ORDER NEUROPTERA       34

  ORDER ORTHOPTERA       52

  ORDER HEMIPTERA        64

  ORDER DIPTERA          86




THE YOUNG COLLECTOR'S HANDBOOK

OF

Ants, Bees, Dragon Flies, Earwigs, Crickets and Flies.




INTRODUCTION.


By the Linnæan system insects are divided into seven great Natural
Orders--namely, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Hymenoptera,
Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Diptera.

Of these, the Lepidoptera or Butterflies and Moths, and the Coleoptera
or Beetles, have hitherto received the lion's share of attention,
though this is less exclusively the case than it was some few years ago.

Any one who wishes to commence the study of these two orders now will
have to work very hard indeed before he can hope to put anything new
on record concerning them. There is, however, a very wide field for
research and discovery open to all who will turn their attention to the
other groups, and it is with the intention of encouraging the study
of these "Neglected Orders" that we have written the present little
handbook.

       *       *       *       *       *

The orders which we here intend to treat of are the following:--

 _The Hymenoptera_, including the Bees, Wasps, Ants, Saw Flies, Gall
 Flies, Ichneumon Flies, and their allies.

 _The Neuroptera_, including the Dragon Flies, Day Flies, Lacewing
 Flies, Stone Flies, Caddis Flies, and their allies.

 _The Orthoptera_, including the Grasshoppers, Locusts, Crickets,
 Cockroaches, Earwigs, and their allies.

 _The Hemiptera_, including the Bugs, Skaters, Lantern Flies, Frog
 Hoppers, Aphides, and their allies.

 _The Diptera_, including the Gnats, Midges, Crane Flies, Hawk Flies,
 Bee Flies, Breeze Flies, Bot Flies, and their allies.

[Illustration: Fig. 1.--Hoplistomerus Serripes.]

[Illustration: Fig. 2.--Ledra Aurita (Mag.)]

The number of insects is so large (about 13,000 different kinds are
found in our own country alone) that it will be found impossible
by any one to collect the whole at once; and to study them all is
completely out of the question. A single insect, indeed, is ample to
occupy a whole lifetime in the elucidation of its life history. Most
persons, when they commence to study insects, collect indiscriminately
everything which comes in their way; but they soon find the subject
too immense for them to grasp as a whole, and they either give up
collecting altogether, or else confine their attention to a single
group or order of insects. We would recommend every young person to
make up his mind at the first which group or groups of insects he
has a special fondness or liking for. Having done so, he will require
to know the best means of attaining his object--namely, the formation
of a collection. A few hints, therefore, as to the mode of collecting
and preserving insects in general may be of assistance to the young
collector.

[Illustration: Fig. 3.--Aphæna Amabilis.]

First of all, as to the apparatus necessary for collecting insects.

This will be found very simple and inexpensive. A butterfly net is,
perhaps, the most useful requisite. An ordinary cane-gauze net will do
well. A good stock of chip pill-boxes will also be needed. These can
be purchased from the shop of any Natural History dealer at about 3_d._
per dozen, nested (in four sizes).

[Illustration: Fig. 4.--Orthesia Urticæ (Mag.)]

For collecting aquatic insects and their _larvæ_ we shall require a
water net, made of fine zinc-gauze, about six inches in diameter, to
group about among stones and other rubbish at the bottom of pools and
ditches. This instrument should be made so as to slip on and off a
walking-stick when required.

A killing bottle charged with cyanide of potassium or with chopped
laurel leaves completes the outfit.

Little need be said as regards the mode of collecting insects, as their
habits may be gathered from the following pages.

They may be found almost everywhere, in woods, fields, gardens, in
pools, ditches, canals, and rivers, under dead leaves and the bark of
trees, among moss and stones, etc., etc. They may also be found at all
times of the year; even in the depth of winter some species may be met
with.

Most insects may be preserved in the same manner as Butterflies and
Moths. They should be set on flat setting-boards, and left to dry
thoroughly before being removed.

The smaller species may be gummed to cardboard in a similar way to
Beetles.

In the arrangement of the insects in the cabinet the classification and
order given in these pages may be followed. About half-a-dozen of each
species will be found a convenient number to collect.




ORDER HYMENOPTERA.

INCLUDING THE BEES, WASPS, ANTS, ICHNEUMON FLIES, SAW FLIES, GALL
FLIES, AND THEIR ALLIES.


[Illustration: Fig. 5.--Cryptus Formosus.]

The _Hymenoptera_ belongs to one of the most interesting and extensive
orders of insects. The structure and habits of the different species
which it includes are very various. Their marvellous instincts have
excited the admiration and wonderment of the philosophers of all ages.
They are, indeed, by far the most intelligent of insects, being greatly
in advance of any other group known to exist. The _Hymenoptera_ are
mandibulate insects, their mouths being formed for biting, and they
undergo complete metamorphoses. Perhaps the most striking external
distinctive character is to be found in the structure of the wings,
both pairs of which are membranous; and another peculiarity of equal
importance is the condition of the prothorax, which is reduced to very
small dimensions. In the majority of the _Hymenoptera_ the females are
provided with stings, which serve many purposes, independently of
weapons of defence. Many families, however, do not possess stings.

Many of the _Hymenoptera_ feed on plants and trees, but probably the
greater number are parasitic on other insects.

[Illustration: Fig. 6.--Pimpla Turionellæ (Mag.)]

This order includes the bees, wasps, ants, saw flies, gall flies,
ichneumon flies, and many other familiar insects.

The following will show the principal characteristics of each group
into which the order has been divided.

 _Tribe 1, Aculeata._--Generally social insects, consisting of males,
 females, and neuters. Ovipositor modified into a sting. _Larvæ_,
 footless grubs.

 _Tribe 2, Entomophaga._--Mostly parasitic on the eggs and larvæ of
 other insects. Ovipositor used as a borer. _Larvæ_, footless grubs.

 _Tribe 3, Phytophaga._--Principally vegetable feeders. Ovipositor used
 as a borer. _Larvæ_ having six or more legs.


TABULAR VIEW

OF THE

PRINCIPAL FAMILIES OF THE HYMENOPTERA.


TRIBE I. ACULEATA.

_Section 1. Anthophila._

  Family  1.  Aphidæ or Honey Bees.
  Family  2.  Andrenidæ or Burrowing Bees.

_Section 2. Diploptera._

  Family  3.  Vespidæ or Social Wasps.
  Family  4.  Eumenidæ or Bramble Wasps.
  Family  5.  Masaridæ or Solitary Wasps.

_Section 3. Fossores._

  Family  6.  Philanthidæ or Bee-eating Wasps.
  Family  7.  Crabronidæ or Sand Wasps.
  Family  8.  Nyssonidæ or Fly-eating Wasps.
  Family  9.  Larridæ or Black Wasps.
  Family 10.  Sphegidæ or Grasshopper-eating Wasps.
  Family 11.  Pompilidæ or Burrowing Wasps.
  Family 12.  Bembecidæ or Scented Wasps.
  Family 13.  Sapygidæ or Bees' Nest Wasps.
  Family 14.  Scoliidæ or Beetle-eating Ants.
  Family 15.  Thymidæ or Stout-bodied Ants.
  Family 16.  Mutillidæ or Solitary Ants.

_Section 4. Heterogyna._

  Family 17.  Formicidæ or Social Ants.


TRIBE II. ENTOMOPHAGA.

  Family 18.  Cympidæ or Gall Flies.
  Family 19.  Chalcididæ or Little Gall Flies.
  Family 20.  Proctotrypidæ or Bee Parasites.
  Family 21.  Braconidæ or Butterfly Parasites.
  Family 22.  Ichneumonidæ or Ichneumon Flies.
  Family 23.  Evaniidæ or Beetle Parasites.
  Family 24.  Chrysididæ or Golden Wasps.


TRIBE III. PHYTOPHAGA.

  Family 25.  Sericidæ or Tailed Wasps.
  Family 26.  Tenthredinidæ or Saw Flies.


TRIBE I.--ACULEATA.

The _Aculeata_ contains the great majority of the _Hymenoptera_. Their
principal characteristic is that the ovipositor of the female in most
of the groups is modified into a sting. The _larvæ_ are footless grubs.
This tribe is divided into four sections, which are again subdivided
into seventeen families, each of which it is our intention to discuss
in their proper order.


_Section 1.--Anthophila._

_Family 1, Aphidæ._--This family contains the numerous species of honey
bees which are familiar to all of us. They are very varied in their
structure, colours, and habits. Many species are social, while many
others are solitary. The common Hive Bee (_Apis mellifica_) belongs to
the former class. There is, perhaps, no insect which has attracted so
much notice as this species. Volumes have been written respecting it,
and philosophers in all ages of the world's history have spent their
whole lifetime in the elucidation of its economy.

[Illustration: Fig. 7.--Megischus Annulator.]

[Illustration: Fig. 8.--Apis Mellifica (Queen).]

[Illustration: Fig. 9.--Apis Mellifica (Drone).]

In southern Europe, notably in Italy, a much brighter- and
finer insect is found, distinguished especially by having yellow
transverse bands on the abdomen. This bee was long supposed to be a
distinct species, and was described under the name of _Apis ligustica_,
but it is now regarded as merely a variety. This bee has been
introduced into all the northern parts of Europe.

[Illustration: Fig. 10.--Apis Mellifica (Worker).]

Several species of Humble Bees are very common in this country. One of
the best known is the _Bombus terrestris_, the large females of which
may attain a length of nearly an inch. This is a large black insect
with the extremity yellow.

[Illustration: Fig. 11.--Melipona Anthidioides (Mag.)]

In another rather smaller species, _Bombus lucorum_, the extremity of
the abdomen is white. Both these species are subterranean bees, forming
their nests in banks, etc.

Of the moss-builders, the best known, perhaps, is the _Bombus
muscorum_, the largest specimens of which measure about two-thirds of
an inch long.

Another species, _Bombus lapidarius_, is so called from a preference it
shows for making its nests under stones. The end of the abdomen of this
bee is bright orange-red.

[Illustration: Fig. 12.--Bombus Pratorum.]

Of the solitary bees a very common black species is _Anthophora
acervorum_, which is usually found in abundance in the spring in the
neighbourhood of banks and cliffs.

The violet Carpenter Bee (_Xylocopa violacea_), which chiefly inhabits
the south of Europe, is a very pretty insect with violet- wings.

[Illustration: Fig. 13.--Xylocopa Violacea.]

The Mason Bee (_Chalicodoma muraria_) builds its nest, composed of fine
grains of sand, very firmly united by a salivary secretion, upon the
surface of walls and similar situations. This species has hitherto not
been met with in this country.

The Horned Bee (_Osmia bicornis_) is remarkable for the female having
two little horns projecting from the front of her head. This insect
usually burrows in sandy banks and cliffs. Another allied species
(_Osmia hirta_) burrows in wood, whilst two others (_Osmia bicolor_ and
_aurulenta_) select ready-made nests in the shells of the common snails
(_Helix hortensis_ and _H. nemoralis_), within the whorls of which
they build their cells of gnawed vegetable material.

[Illustration: Fig. 14.--Ctenioschelus Latreillii.]

The Leaf-cutting Bees, which belong to the genus _Megachile_, are also
very interesting in their habits.

[Illustration: Fig. 15.--Osmia Tunensis.]

[Illustration: Fig. 16.--Andrena Collaris.]

_Family 2, Andrenidæ._--All the insects belonging to this family
are solitary in their habits. The species are very numerous in this
country. Many of them burrow in the ground, while others have been
observed to make their nests in bramble stick. They are usually smooth,
black insects, very unlike bees in appearance. The females have no
apparatus for carrying pollen either on the legs or on the abdomen.


_Section 2.--Diploptera._

_Family 3, Vespidæ._--The Social Wasps, which belong to this family,
are very well known everywhere in this country. In their general
structure they resemble the bees, but are usually much more slender in
appearance, and also much less hairy.

[Illustration: Fig. 17.--Polistes Gallica.]

The general habits of these wasps are pretty uniform except in the
matter of their architecture, and in this respect they display a
remarkable variety.

[Illustration: Fig. 18.--Nest of Polistes Gallica.]

Besides the common Wasp (_Vespa vulgaris_) two other species found in
this country, which build their nests in the ground, follow the same
principles in the construction of their nests.

The Hornet (_Vespa crabo_), which is remarkable for its large size,
usually builds its nest in the hollow of a tree. Both the hornet and
common wasp sometimes build their nests under the eaves of houses
or attached to a beam under the roof; and in these cases the outer
covering of the nest is thinner and more delicate in texture than
when the dwelling is exposed to the vicissitudes of the weather.
Another common species inhabiting Britain is the Wood Wasp (_Vespa
sylvestris_), which builds nests suspended from the branches of