86 



BULLETIN 67, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



During the "Indian summer" there is usually a repetition of the 

 "spring flight" of Coleoptera, though on a smaller scale, and collect- 

 ing on the tops of fence posts and on whitewashed walls again becomes 

 good. The first really sharp frost causes these late species to disap- 

 pear, and winter collecting commences again. 



LEPIDOPTERA. 



Fig. 131. 



-A BUTTERFLY, PONTIA OLERACEA, 

 AXD ITS CATERPILLAR. 



The net for collecting Lepidoptera should be very light and of soft 

 material, so as not to injure the specimens. Some lepidopterists 



prefer a net of gray or green material. 

 Many species can be taken about flow- 

 ers. It is usually better to take a but- 

 terfly in flight near the flower as it 

 leaves or is about to alight, rather 

 than when resting on the flower, for 

 in the latter case one is apt to break 

 off some pieces of the flower which, 

 falling with the butterfly into the bot- 

 tom of the net, may rub or tear the 

 specimen. Avoid throwing a shadow 

 upon the insect. When one is cap- 

 tured in the net, it should be clasped by the fingers from the outside 

 with the wings folded together, and then by gently opening the net 

 the mouth of the cyanide jar can be placed over it. Great care should 

 be taken not to rub the specimen, as the scales are easily removed, 

 leaving a blotch that ruins the 

 specimen for the cabinet. Some 

 collectors slightly pinch the tho- 

 rax of the insect when captured. 

 This prevents its fluttering too 

 much in the cyanide jar. On a 

 cloudy day, when flowers are 

 swaying in the breeze, one may ap- 

 proach and place a cyanide bottle 

 over a specimen without disturb- 

 ing it. Moist spots by the road- 

 side or in openings of woods are 

 favorite localities for butterflies. 



It does not pay to chase butterflies, although if one misses a speci- 

 men at the first sweep of the net a swift, short run may sometimes 

 bring success. "All things come to him who waits," provided he 

 waits in a favorable spot. 



Some butterflies are dimorphic; that is, the early spring brood is 

 of a different appearance than the summer brood. In other species 

 the males and the females are differentlv colored. 



Fig. 132.— A butterfly. Uranotes melinus: o, 

 Caterpillar; b, chrysalis; r, d, iiutterfly. 



