XXXli, '21] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 67 



species would prove very interesting. During our stay, from 

 July 3 to August 24, species we had not previously seen were 

 constantly appearing, fresh individuals often becoming numer- 

 ous, while after a comparatively brief period of abundance 

 those which came in would be in large part badly damaged and 

 the number of individuals would show nightly a rapid decrease. 



"Many species showed very contrasting behaviour after fly- 

 ing in and having become confused by the lights. .Many of the 

 larger species and some of the smaller forms would finally 

 come to rest on the ceiling and its bordering ledges, but the 

 greater number of the small individuals would come to rest 

 on the white posts, back wall and on the screen doors. Tt also 

 appeared that -certain groups were less attracted to the- lights 

 and showed less decided confusion than others. Thus only 

 rarely would a Sphingid fly in and, unless it shortly came to 

 rest on the back wall, or became more confused in seeking an 

 impossible exit through the ceiling, would dart out into the 

 darkness, seldom returning.* 



"Though the number of species of small moths which came 

 to light was astonishing to us, still other species were seen 

 and taken in the nearby woodland which did not at any time 

 make their appearance on the porch. 



"The number of species taken was 348, representing 219 

 genera, the total of individuals being 1824. One new species 

 was secured. 



"A most satisfactory and compact method of packing this 

 material was followed, as suggested to us by Dr. Skinner. In 

 the morning the storage jar was emptied and the specimens 

 were pinned on fine insect pins. Sorted according to size, 

 three or four of the smaller individuals could be placed on one 

 pin, this being done with the forceps so that at no time was an 

 example touched by the fingers. A small label bearing the 

 date was then placed on the pin and the prepared series packed 



* Similar behavior of Sphingidae was recently observed by us in 

 Colombia, South America, where considerable collecting about small 

 electric lights and a relatively high-powered twin gasoline pressure- 

 lamp was accomplished. This type of light is clearly unsatisfactory 

 for the collecting of these, the largest-bodied group of swift-flying 

 moths. 



