New-York tribune., 1874-08-17
INSECTS
~ ~ 80
BY PROF. c V RILEY.

Prof. Riley's paper related TO the insects
more particularly associated with Sdrrdcenta rGrtOdrs
spoted Trumpetleaf) II referred to the lnsectcach-
ing powers OF those curious plants, the Fytraps DO-
nnD the sundews (Dr0suTaD, and the Pltcher-plants
(SarraceniG) which nave Of late awakened renewed
interest by virtue OF the interesting experiments ana
observations their thin structure, habit and junction
lately recorded and summed M in the charming paper
Iy prof Asa Gray. published IN THE NEW YORK TRIB
IrIF under the title " " InsectyOrOus Plants"
Tne leaf Of slrraceuia trumPetshaped tube, with
an arched lid, covering more or less completely. the
mouth. The inside furnished WIN perfect chcrinL
de rise of retrorse brIstes. commencing suddenly
about an inch base; thence decreasing IA size
until from about the middle % the mouth thtY are 80
snorf dense and compact. that they form decuryed
uubesoruco which il perfectly smooth aud velVety
Inc touch especially as thc finger passes do"nward
Under the hood, again. many of them become larse ana
ia a broad wing with hardened border, part
ing at the top and extending around tie rim
~ the pitcher Along TINS border, bur especially
for a short distance inside the NOUN, ana less con
spcuousy inside the lid, there eXudc drops OF sweet
eued. vscid auld which, s the lea natures IS replaces
by white, papery, tastess, or but slightly sNeetehe4
sediment eiOrescencc while AT the smooth bottom
OF pitcher secrcted lmpd huid possessing toAIc
ineDriatInR qualities. 49, a., -
The insects their death In this nuid are
numerous and or all orders. Ants are the principal
and the sciduOus properties which their deco
posing bodies give 10 the uqui doubtless render II a
the more potent solvent. Scarcely any other
Hymenoptera are found n the roting mass and II " an
interesting fact that Dr.. MrlchImp never Iounu tho
LITTLE neciarlovlng bee other Meliiera about the
plants. On occasion only have found III the
pitcher the recognizable reDalnr OF Dn'O"S' anu Oi
one occasion only he found the honey bee captufe
Species belonging ala the other orders are chpturtd
and among the larger species have found EI.yciu-'
lOcusS, crlckets. cOckrOaches nics moths anu even
butterflies a less irrecognzaDie condition.
Two sIecies proof against the siren innuence- OF
the destroyer turn Obhge H. either directly OF IN
directly. 10 support them The nrs Is Adnp.oDfera SeS
crOced Guen little glossy moth which may DE popuhfb
called caTracena moth IL walks ~lth perfect lth
puuity over the inner surface Of the pitcher ana
Is frequently found ia pairs within the pitchers soon
afr IN the early part Of the seasOD OF aoo.
the end April The female lays her eggs -lhgly near
the Of the pitcher and tue young larva IRON tue
moment OF Matching sps tor Itself carpet OF sim ana
very soon closes up the mouth by drawing ue run
together with deiczte gossamefke web which enic-
tuy debars all small outside ntruders IL then beg rs
under hood feeding downward on the cellular
tissue leaving only tue epdermls ana ~ the
tine the worm attained its hIi size the pitcher gen-
eraiy cola pse- At this time The worm Ia beautifully
coiored, aud Is characterized by rows OF tuberces'
which especially prominent on the four larger ieR
less luints. rue cnrysss formed In a very shght
cocoon The species, kindly determined by Mr. A. h
tirue. years ago figured by AOboi Who
found feeding 5arfacenla Yariolarls lu Georgia
Gucnecs descriptions were made from these ngures'
the author appends "a lew descriptive notes
from living material OF interest only t0 specialists
them technical character He shoFs'