How to Collect and Preserve 



INSECTS 



... H. H. ROSS 



rr tTH rather simple equipment, the amateur, as well as the 

 trained entomologist, can make a worthwhile collection of insects. 



The making of such a collection may have educational and 

 recreational as well as scientific values. Developing this hobby 

 is one of the finest ways for students, especially those in agri- 

 cultural districts, to become acquainted with the large number 

 of injurious and beneficial insects that they encounter about the 

 home and in the fields. High school classes in biology find excel- 

 lent laboratory material in the many insects available for rearing 

 and study. Both old and young collectors find a great deal of 

 pleasure in working with the more showy and beautiful insects 

 such as beetles, moths, and butterflies; the satisfaction derived 

 comes both from having welcome relaxation from the day's work 

 and from making real contributions to scientific knowledge. Many 

 entomological museums welcome the opportunity to examine or 

 become informed upon individual, carefully prepared and labeled 

 collections, as these supply distribution records for their localities 

 in addition to other information of value to technical entomolo- 

 gists. Also, the amateur collector profits from his contact with 

 specialists who can identify his specimens for him and advise 

 him at any stage of his work. 



It is hoped that this circular will show how easy it is to make 

 a start in insect collecting, and will give the student helpful ideas 

 on how and where to begin. 



WHERE TO COLLECT 



In late spring, in summer, and in early fall, insects are very 

 abundant in fields and woods, and large numbers of them may 

 be caught by sweeping through the grass and branches with a 

 strong insect net. Flowers of all descriptions are favorite visiting 

 places of many bees, flies, beetles, and other insects, and will 

 afford good collecting. Woods along the banks of streams, open 

 glades in deep woods, and brush along forest edges offer some of 

 the best opportunities for collecting by the sweeping method. 



m 



