PEOCEEDIXGS OF THE TlilEU E.\10it(l7.()GI( AL MEETING Uo'J 



for the collection of siicli insects as butterflies, dragon-flics and dayfl)'ing 

 ini^ects generally. Roadside hedges, covered with flowers, are also 

 very attractive, especially in the ear)y morning, ^vhen insects are feeding. 

 For shade-lovers, Such as most moths, shaded tunnels in woods, 

 roadside bushes, and any localities providing leafy .shade will yield an 

 ample supply of specimens, which will usually require to be beaten out 

 during the daytime. 



Caves, if sufficiently deep to be in permanent darkness, often have 

 a peculiar insect-fauna of their o-mi comiDosed of small moths, crickets 

 and beetles, which are sometimes blind and often have their antennae 

 enormously developed. Very little is known as yet of the caverni- 

 colous iniSects of India and collectors who have an ojjportunity of explor- 

 ing deep caves will doubtless come across many new and interestiu'^ 

 forms. 



Under stones or logs will be found a favourite habitat of numerous 

 insects and when collecting s'uch it is as well to have the forceps, killing- 

 bottle and a supply of tubes of spirit in readiness, as many of these 

 insects scuttle away as soon as they are exposed to the light. Beneath 

 large stones will be found Thysamira, Collembola, earwigs, cockroaches, 

 crickets, beetles (especially Carabids and Tenebrionids), Reduviid and 

 other bugs, ants, termites (especially Capritermes) and numerous other 

 insects, some of which live in colonies under such shelter, the same 

 stone in some cases sheltering several colonies which tend to get mixed 

 up together when the stone is overturned ; some care is therefore neces- 

 sary in securing specimens in Such cases, as it need scarcely be pointed 

 out that individuals from different colonies of such insects as ants and 

 termites should never be placed into one tube. Logs (which term covers 

 the case of all large pieces of wood lying on the ground) also give shelter 

 to many of the insects enumerated above and in addition the dead 

 wood itself provides food and shelter for a large number of insects and 

 their predators. Rotten palm-stems, whether fallen or staudinw, 

 generally harbour Oryctes larvae and rotting logs in the Hill districts 

 will be found to contain Passalid beetles in all stages. A Stout knife 

 or small axe is usually required for successful grubbing in logs. Many 

 insects {e.g., Aradid bugs and Brenthid beetles) often occur in numbers 

 under the bark of dead trees, and the bark reijuires to be ri])])ed off 

 to find them. 



Felled or fallen trees, which are still green, attract many insects 

 which feed on dying or dead wood and these will generally be found 

 on the under-side of the felled trunk. In some cases, indeed, trees 

 may be felled on purpose to .serve as traps for some beetles attackint^ 

 dying trees. 



