New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
NATURES SLEEPY TIME.
MEMBERS OF THE INSECT WORLD THAT
HIBERNATE-"AG ANTS
ENJOYING THE HARVEST"

This is Natures high sleepy time and all the
marnbers of the animal creation that hibernate are
wrapped snugy In protecting garments uncon-
scious of storms and cold and Of the passing days.
The great majority Of the insect world dies with
the early frosts only the young, the eggs ana the
chrysalides with some exceptions, remaining 10
perpetuate the various species. For the naturalist
and collector Il is important season for gather
ing cocoons.
This is the first winter in many years that the
venerable John Ackhurst, Of Brooklyn, has not oeen
in the parks and hyways laying in his store OIL
cocoons for spring and summer work. For from
the time that green foliage can be obtained until 1t
ripens and drops in the fan Mr. Ackhurst's stu
do workshop is the scene OF rare developments III
the various kinds OF crawers and flyers when
seen by a Tribune reporter yesterday, he was etill
weak from recent Illness, but his interest IN MS
chosen profession keen as when nearly
eighty years ago. he roamed the fields OF York
shire, England learning his first lessons OF Nature
The following facts regarding animal life in winter
given by him, during the interview:
few species OF butterflies hibernate. hiding in
cellars under roofs and in hollow trees coming
out on warm. bright winter days 10 fit about and
stretch their wings None Of them eat during the
winter months The Vanessa antopa and Nanessa
progne familiar examples and may often be
seen on mild days. Their feeding time begins with
the first spring flowers and with the running sap.
A small moth is and then seen in winter. but
few If any of the larger kinds ever appear
Caterplllars occasionally crawl from their hiding
places on warm days. The most common or these
is a thick furred worm with red coat banded with
black which has the appearance OF chenille. or
caterpillars that live through the winter large
number belong to species that require more than
one season to develop from the egg to the perfect
insect
Eggs can be found everywhere-lodged carefully
at the bottom OF holes drilled by Industrious
mothers glued bark. stones and leaves and de-
posted in the bodies of other insects. Eggs and
and chrysalides impervious 10 frost, and while
some deposited in the ground below the frost
line. others placed just under the surface.
Eggs that placed on trees and other exposed
situations covered with varnish that protects
them from rain and other dangers. The tuctua-
tions OF temperature affect the chrysaldes and
cocoons, and the direct rays OF the sun will kill
life in the former. Cocoons with their sllken
covering better protected, but both are found
in places not exposed TO the sun. 1t Is probable
that peculiar admiXture in the juices renders
the chrysalides and cocoons impervious to cold
Many of Mr. Ackhursts beetles, of which he has
one of the largest collections in this country,
obtained in the winter. They were found under
loose boards stones and in leaf mould. When the
Larvae of beetles do become full grown until
fall they pass the winter in the nymphal state and
the perfect insect emerges in the spring. Earth
and grubs spend the winter in the earth
safe below the frost line and deep in the mud OF
streams and ponds
The spider shields itself in winter by a weather
proof covering Of silk. but some kinds come out
for an airing occasionally and take q scamper
across the snow. The trap door spider passes the
entire deep in the ground his winter
house of spun silk. Bees and wasps. with the
ception Of the queen. perish. loose bank a hollow
stump being her favorite hiding place. Mr.. Ack-
hurst has often found yelow-jacket and others OF
the kind when splitting old logs in the winter IN
search OF insect treasures.
While the ant partially hibernates oversight
is kept on the Eggs and young Larvae deep down IN
tie lower galleries OF its home. and great care is
taken 10 feed the latte~. When the warm bright
days OF the spring come, these treasures are car
red to the surface and placed in the shelter of a
fat stone, where the and air can reach them
At the approach OF a storm chilling breeze or
of other danger, they are again slowed away IN the
safe winter nest.
The "agricultural' OF the West is enjoying
now the fruits Of his own planting and harvest
ing These interesting little creatures cultivate
farms, clearing spaces OF ground OF sticks. stones
and rubbish. and planting the seeds OF certain
grass, keeping meanwhile other weeds from grow
ing The members of the community al
lowed "a day Off until the crop IS harvested. the
shiftless being "drummcd Of camp killed.
With the nies II IS the female that hiber-
mates, The mosquitoes are 1t is probable pretty