XXXI, '20] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 285 



in the Santa Marta region, Orthoptera would occur adult in 

 the greatest diversity during the month of September. As a 

 result we had difficulty up to mid-August securing any adults 

 of a number of species of which immatures were numerous, 

 while in the case of a half dozen rarer species immatures 

 alone were found. 



As would be expected, some species are apparently present 

 as adults throughout the year, while the occurrence of others 

 in the adult stage is variable in duration and time of first 

 appearance, September being the month of maximum abun- 

 dance of adults of the greater number of forms. This was 

 somewhat of a surprise, as general insect collecting was said 

 to be best at the beginning of the rains, and at Santa Marta 

 the major rainy season usually begins in early July. 



During our stay Lepidoptera were extremely abundant, 

 but the butterflies were often rubbed or torn; light collect- 

 ing at night brought in a great variety of small moths, though 

 disappointing in that the larger moths were rarely attracted. 

 Coleoptera were found in great numbers, but large and showy 

 individuals were few and far between, while light collecting 

 at night was as a rule poor. Hemiptera were likewise plenti- 

 ful, but immatures of many species were more numerous 

 than adults. Odonata were present in great diversity. 



One factor we would emphasize. Comparing tropical with 

 temperate regions, though the number of species which can 

 be found in the former is much the greater, the numerical 

 abundance of the great majority of species is vastly less. 

 Very many tropical species are rarely encountered and the 

 work necessary to secure individuals of these is very hard 

 indeed. 



Mosquitoes, ticks, plagas, leeches and other pests are ever 

 present, while poisonous snakes, though in most regions sel- 

 dom seen, must be considered, as well as the constant possi- 

 bility of fever and other illnesses. Heat, reeking humidity 

 and the constant attention necessary that the material 

 secured be not destroyed, make the life of the collector in 

 tropical lowlands a most arduous proposition. We fear 

 that those who have spent the better part of their lives in 

 such work are seldom fully appreciated by those at home. 



