LEPIDOPTERA REARED IN MANITOBA FROM POISON IVY

Abstract

Among plants that possess toxic properties few are so well known, or so much dreaded, in North America, as poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron). The plant is distasteful to nearly all herbivorous animals, though its berries are eaten by a few rodents and birds. On the whole it is permitted to flourish unmolested and it has managed to enlist the cooperation of several birds as aids in the distribution of its seeds. The immunity enjoyed by this plant from larger creatures does not, however, apply to the smaller forms of life and among its insect enemies Coleoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera are representd. A study of the lepidopterous insects found feeding upon poison ivy was begun some years ago and a number of species were reared. The notes relating to these have now been brought together under the above heading.