578 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [2] 



6. A pair of pinning forceps for setting the pins into the cork after 

 the insects are pinned. 



WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TO COLLECT. 



Tortrioids are most abundant from early spring to late in the fall 

 about shrubbery, in the open fields, or along the edges of woods ; not gen- 

 erally abundant in dense forests. As some one species feeds on nearly 

 every plant, shrub, or tree, the chances are most promising where there 

 is the greatest variety of vegetation. In temperate latitudes they fly 

 mostly during the latter part of warm days — some species even into the 

 night — but they may be "flushed" during any part of the day, if it is 

 warm and the sun shining, when they fly but a short distance before 

 they alight. If the wind is blowing, it is well to walk against it, so 

 that the insects on being started up will fly into the wind, and be more 

 easily overtaken and captured iu the net. When one is taken in the net 

 it can be covered with a pill-box, and the cover carefully put on so as 

 not to injure the insect, which will cling to the side of the box without 

 attempting to fly until the collector has time to return to his head- 

 quarters. One will soon acquire skill in boxing these insects without 

 injuring them. 



After returning, or at the end of the day, the captures should be killed 

 and pinned. This may be done by putting the boxes containing the 

 insects on the table, and dip[)ing the camel's hair brush into the chloro- 

 form, and touching it upon the pin-hole in the pill-boxes, ten or more at 

 a time. In a few seconds the insects will be dead, save the larger ones, 

 upon whi(;h this treatment may have to be repeated. The boxes may 

 now be opened, one at a time, and the insect turned out upon the table; 

 then it may be taken up with the brass forcei)8 in the right hand and 

 laid, with its back up, in a slight groove in the corn-pith which is held 

 in the left hand. Take a pin of suitable size in the thumb and fore- 

 finger of the right hand and insert the point in the middle of the thorax, 

 on the upi)er side, and push it carefully and squarely down througli the 

 insect. Great care should be taken that the pin may not go down 

 through obliquely, and, also, if there are tufts of scales on the thorax 

 that they may not be removed by the pin. If, however, this should 

 occur, mention should be made of it iu the notes and the position of 

 the tuft indicated. 



About one-fourth of the pin should remain above the insect, and all 

 should be of uniform height upon the pins. When, however, the ahort 

 English pins are used the insect should be in the middle of the pin. 



After all the inse(5ts are pinned and put in the storing boxes a few 

 drops of chloroform should be dropped into the boxes before they are 

 closed, to prevent any of the insects from coming to life again. 



Each specimen should have a label, with number on the pin, referring 

 to a book, where all possible information as to the exact time, place, and 

 mode of capture should be carefully noted. 



