HOW TO KNOW THE INSECTS 



Aerial Net 



This net is used for catching such delicate or broad-winged 

 Insects as butternies, moths, dragon files., bees and files. 

 Only one or two specimens should be caught at a^tlm.e and then 

 promptly removed before damage Is done to thelr'more fragile 

 parts. The open killing bottle Is slipped up Into the net and 

 the specimen permitted to fly or drop Into It without being 

 touched. The same type of handle and ring Is used for the aerial 

 net, but may be made of lighter weight material. Many would pre- 

 fer a longer ha:idle (say 40 Inches) and some would suggest a ring 

 15 Inches or more In diameter. Since speed Is often the most Im- 

 portant factor In catching a specimen on the wing, a larger size 

 may prove more of a hindrance than help. Mosquito bar may be 

 used for the bag but Is not very satisfactory. Bobblnet or 

 Bruxelle Is much more permanent and useful. Of course all types 

 of nets must be kept out of heavy thorns and barbed wire fences 

 If they are to last. 



The bag may be cut the same way as suggested for the sweep- 

 ing net but may be somewhat narrower at the bottom. It should 

 not, however, come to a narrow point. A four Inch strip of 

 tough muslin or other heavy material should be used at the top 

 to make the hem which surrounds the ring and takes the heavy 

 yirear. 



Water Net 



Special equipment Is Just as necessary to get swiftly moving 

 Insects out of the water as out: of the air. There are many 

 large groups of aquatic Insects and the general collector will 

 uirant to collect them. The aerial net will catch some water in- 

 sects but it is very poor economy to use It that way. Its 

 efficiency is not high and using it in the water seriously dam- 

 ages it for other use. The ring in this case is used for scrap- 

 ing the bottom as well as passing through vegetation in the 

 water. Som.e find a diamond shaped ring most useful. The corners 

 open a way through aquatic plants and the flat sides make good 

 scrapers. The bag may be quite shallow (4 to 8 inches) and be 

 made of sturdy fine mesh netting or of fine mesh wire screen. 

 The screen wire, especially if copper, will last longer, but it 

 is somewhat easier to pick up insects from fabric nets. 



Traps, Etc. 



Man is ever on the lookout to find something to do his work, 

 ^nd even his play, for him. Many types of traps, separators and 

 collectors have been devised. For wholesale results they accomp- 

 lish much, but often the insects are not left in the condition 

 the careful collector would wish. The appearance of specimens 

 in a collection rates high. If a specimen has lost the charac- 

 ters by which it is identified, of course, it is then worthless. 



Many insects are irresistibly attracted to lights; many have 

 an extraordinarily keen sense of smell and locate food or other 

 favorite odor-producing substances from long distances. Light 

 traps work all night, while bait traps offer their appeal 

 throughout the twenty-four hours. Each will catch many species 

 not taken by the other. With either, one may catch species he 

 would not be likely to get by other collecting methods. 



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