230 Kansas Academy of Science. 



CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO BE MET BY THE INSECT 

 COLLECTOR, PARTICULARLY THE AMATEUR. 



By Elbert S. Tucker. Museum Assistant in Systematic Entomology. University of 

 Kansas, Lawrence. 



ALL phases of work with insects hold a fascination to the true 

 entomologist. The more difficult the part the more absorb- 

 ing it becomes, but the most enjoyable feature lies in the collecting. 

 Only a simple outfit is needed for collecting purposes — a net and 

 a couple of poison bottles are usually sufficient — though a few other 

 things which can be carried without trouble will prove useful at 

 times. Provided with such light but effective equipment, what 

 pleasure awaits the collector who is free to rove as he wills through 

 fields and woodland, along streams and shores, or on mountain or 

 plain, in search of coveted insect specimens. While some places 

 are to be preferred above others in yielding results, yet, for such a 

 matter, multitudes of different forms which appear during the 

 warm months of the year generally abound close to one's own 

 home, whether situated in town or country. Therefore, the col- 

 lector can find much to inteaest him, raady at hand in most cases, 

 wherever he happens to be. 



Many persons who cherish a fondness for nature study are busily 

 engaged by day in ordinary vocations, but still no excuse should be 

 made for want of time to collect and study insects, to some extent, 

 if desired, when holidays, vacations and various odd periods of 

 leisure allow valuable opportunities, even if only a few minutes at 

 a time. Besides, entomology as a field for investigation has an 

 advantage over other branches of natural history on account of the 

 great number of insects which fly at night, thus permitting the 

 collection of specimens after daylight has fled. This privilege, 

 which is most munificently afforded on summer evenings, proffers 

 a delightful as well as instructive diversion from one's daily work. 



The constant accumulation of specimens, little by little perhaps, 

 here and there, by day or by night collecting, will soon reach pro- 

 portions of which the amateur collector may justly be proud. In 

 spite of all difficulties to be encountered in collecting, the amateur 

 becomes assured that ample returns will compensate nearly every 

 effort expended. Then an interesting display of material will in- 

 vite study, provided the collector has exercised good judgment and 

 practice in his efforts. His work, however, is not perfect without 



