Part 1

THE YOUNG COLLECTOR'S

HANDBOOK

OF

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

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

BY

W. HARCOURT BATH.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

In southern Europe, notably in Italy, a much brighter-coloured 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.

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.

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.

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-coloured wings.

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.

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

_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.

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.

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 trees.

_Family 4, Eumenidæ._--One of the commonest and best-known species belonging to this family is the Wall Wasp (_Odynerus parietum_), which may be almost constantly seen haunting sunny walls during the months of June and July. It makes its burrows in walls and high banks, while many other allied species form their nests in the hollow stems of brambles.

_Family 5, Masaridæ._--This family contains the great bulk of the solitary wasps, which, however, are principally inhabitants of warm climates.

The _Masaridæ_ are a small group of black-yellow belted wasps, which are found in the south of Europe, but not in Britain, two of the commonest species being _Celonites apiformis_ and _Ceramius fonscolombi_.

_Section 3.--Fossores._

_Family 6, Philanthidæ._--Most of the species belonging to this family are black with yellow spots and bands, and most of them are inhabitants of the warmer parts of the earth. Some of the species provision their nests with beetles and grasshoppers, while others attack bees, and are very mischievous, destroying great numbers.

_Family 7, Crabronidæ._--This family includes a considerable number of solitary species of wasps. In colour they are generally black spotted and striped with yellow, but many of them are bright red.

The typical genus _Crabro_ is a very extensive one, including over 150 species, a great proportion of which are inhabitants of Europe, while even Britain possesses more than thirty.

_Crabro cribrarius_ is the largest British species. Its food consists principally of gnats and other dipterous insects. This insect and many others burrow in the ground, generally in hard sandbanks. Another species (_Crabro brevis_) frequents similar situations, and has been known to provision its nest with small beetles.

_Family 8, Nyssonidæ._--This family is not a numerous one comparatively.

_Mellinus arvensis_ is a black insect, about half an inch in length, with stripes on the abdomen and yellow legs. It provisions its nest with flies, and not being able to capture them by swiftness, runs past them when they are resting in an unconcerned manner till they are thrown off their guard, when they are pounced upon and carried off to the nest.

_Family 9, Larridæ._--This family very much resembles the last. The species are mostly small insects, few of them measuring half an inch in length. They are usually black, sometimes with the abdomen red at the base.

_Family 10, Sphegidæ._--Most of the insects included in this family feed upon grasshoppers, and the manner in which they procure their prey is very curious. In attacking their bulky prey they use every endeavour to turn the grasshopper on its back. When they succeed in this they inflict stings in different parts of the underside of the abdomen and thorax, which soon paralyse the victim, which is then dragged to the nest of the ruthless destroyer.

_Sphex flavipennis_ is a common species in the south of Europe.

_Family 11, Pompilidæ._--Most of the species of _Pompilus_ burrow in sand or sandy soil, and store their nests with spiders and the _larvæ_ of insects.

One of our commonest species, _Pompilus fuscus_, is usually about half an inch long, and is black, with the first three segments of the abdomen red banded with black. This insect makes its appearance in the spring, and may be observed in sandy places throughout the summer. Another common British species is _Pompilus punctum_, which is black in colour.

_Family 12, Bombicidæ._--This small family is not represented in Britain, though found in southern Europe. Many of the insects burrow in the sand, scratching a hole with their forefeet like a dog, as observed by Sir S. Saunders in the Ionian Islands. In the daytime they may be seen flying rapidly from flower to flower, and many of them exhale an odour of roses.

_Family 13, Sapygidæ._--This is a small family containing only a single genus, with very few species.

The species of _Sapyga_ occur in Europe and North America. They are supposed to be parasitic in the nests of bees, but the females of the common European species (_Sapyga pacca_) have been observed carrying small caterpillars, from which Mr. Smith (the great authority on Hymenoptera) justly infers that they are parasitic only to the extent of usurping the burrows made in sandbanks and dead wood by more industrious insects, their own structure not adapting them for the labour of digging.

_Family 14, Scoliidæ._--Although this family is abundant in warm climates, we have only two small species belonging to the genus _Tiphia_ in Britain.

They are black, with more or less reddish legs, and measure from a quarter to half an inch in length. In south Europe we meet with several large and handsome species, one of which, _Scolia hortorum_, is black with two yellow bands on the abdomen.

_Family 15, Thymidæ._--The insects of this family are almost exclusively confined to Australia and South America, where they are very numerous. They are generally of a black colour, with more or less extended yellow markings. They are very stout insects; in fact, their bloated bodies give them very little resemblance to any other insects, except perhaps to the Oil Beetles. Very little has hitherto been ascertained respecting their habits, but they are believed to be parasitic.

_Family 16, Mutillidæ._--This family includes a large number of species, probably 1,500, but from the differences presented by the males and females, entomologists have found it difficult to arrive at any certainty upon this point. The species are spread over all the earth, but are particularly abundant in warm climates, where also, as usual, they attain the largest size and the most beautiful colouring.

One of the best-known species in our own country is _Mutilla europæa_, which is about half an inch long, of a black colour, hairy, with the thorax entirely red in the wingless females.

This insect frequents the nests of Humble Bees, and its _larvæ_ appear to be parasitic upon the _larvæ_ of the bees.

_Section 4.--Heterogyna._

_Family 17, Formicidæ._--To this family belongs the numerous species of ants, which are social insects, organised after the fashion of the bees and social wasps.

The number of species described is probably considerably over a thousand, but the total number must be very much greater if Mr. Bates is correct in his estimate that not less than 400 species inhabit the valley of the Amazon.

The habits of the ants are most interesting, and one of our greatest living naturalists, Sir John Lubbock, has devoted much of his time in elucidating their economy.

The nests are almost always chambered cavities, hollowed out either in the ground, in walls, and similar situations, or in dead and decaying wood.

One of the commonest examples in our own country is the Garden Ant (_Formica nigra_), which may be found everywhere in gardens making its nest in the ground.

Another common species is the pretty Turf Ant (_Formica flava_), which generally haunts commons and heaths, casting up small hills, which serve to throw off the rain; and this species in some localities makes its nest under stones. The Wood Ant (_Formica lignipeda_) is another familiar species.

A very large group of ants belong to the section _Myrmicinæ_, the best-known species of which are the Red Ants, _Myrmica rubra_, and their allies.

A very minute species which has been introduced into this country, probably from Brazil or the West Indies, is the Horse Ant (_Myrmica molesta_). It is a very small brownish-yellow species, which seems to have been first observed in England in 1828. It takes up its abode in houses, frequently in the neighbourhood of the kitchen fireplace, and when it multiplies becomes such a pest as to render the house uninhabitable. Some of the metropolitan districts have been particularly infested.

TRIBE II.--ENTOMOPHAGA.

Most of the insects belonging to this tribe are parasitic on other insects. The _larvæ_ are footless. There are seven families included in the _Entomophaga_.