Introduction. xxxI 



Some also flavour the compound with various essential oils, to render it more attractive. In 

 many cases moths may be boxed directly off the sugar ; but before turning on the lantern, we 

 must hold the net underneath, to endeavour to catch any which may fall down ; and we should 

 also be on the look-out to net any which fly away. When there are no trees near, we can sugar 

 walls, fences, &c., and many collectors even sugar flowers. As a last resource, rags soaked 

 in the sugar, and stuck on the ends of sticks, will answer very well. 



Some entomologists use putrid soap-suds or paste to attract NochicB ; and others recommend 

 sliced apples. To prepare these, choose apples with a strong odour, peel, core, and cut them into 

 slices, according to the size. String them on a thread, taking care that they do not touch one 

 another (as otherwise they are very likely to decay), and hang them in a sunny place where there 

 is a thorough draught. It will take from three to five days, according to the heat and dryness of 

 the air, before the apples are ready for use, which we can tell by their strong smell. They must 

 not be allowed to dry too much, but must be tied in strings of eight or ten, and preserved in a 

 close vessel. These strings must be hung up on the collecting-ground in any convenient spot, 

 which may be marked, if necessary, with a piece of white paper. They must not be placed too 

 near together; and when it is dark they must be examined with a lantern, the net being held under 

 as before, to catch any moths which may fall down. The moths generally sit quiet till boxed, 

 or drop into the net ; but when there are a great number together, they become more restless and 

 are more difficult to secure. These modes of collecting succeed best on dark nights, and on clear 

 nights shaded spots should be selected for sugaring, or hanging up dried apples. Moths fly all 

 through the night, from evening to morning twilight, but some appear later than others, and we 

 should therefore return to our sugar at intervals, as late or as early as we like to continue to 

 collect. When trees are frequently sugared they become more attractive, so that it is well, 

 when we have an opportunity, to sugar the same trees constantly. The apples may be most 

 conveniently carried in a botanical collecting-box. If by exposure to damp air they have lost 

 their attractive power, they should be hung up for a day to dry again. Freshly-prepared apples 

 can be used for two or three weeks, after which time they gradually lose their smell and cease to 

 be attractive. Ifwewishto keep them good longer, they require more careful preparation. We 

 must first take care that they do not become too dr)-, and that they do not get mouldy. This 

 object may be attained by sprinkling the apples with sugar before drying them, which will help 

 to preserve them, and will also increase the attractive powers of inferior apples. When the apples 

 are dry, they must be kept tied tightly up in a linen bag, and hung in a dry room or in a garret. 

 When they are to be used, they must be again sprinkled with sugar, or rubbed over with some 

 sweet preparation, and sprinkled with some apple-flavouring, to renew the odour which they have 

 lost. We have been particular in describing this mode of collecting with apples, because it is 

 but little known or practised in this country. 



The best evenings for attracting moths with sweets are calm, warm, cloudy evenings, 

 especially when a thunderstorm is threatening. Moonlight and dewy evenings are generally 

 unfavourable, although there are exceptions. Sometimes we find few or no Noctiice when the 

 weather appears most favourable ; and on other evenings, when the moon is bright and the dew 

 is heavy, the baits are covered with them. These exceptions are doubtless due to atmospheric 

 influences which escape our observation. A cool wind and light rain is not unfavourable, only 

 •then the Noctita: fly more under the shelter of the trees. The most favourable seasons for sugaring 

 are March and April, when the hybernated and early spring Noctua; may be attracted ; and again 

 from August to the end of October. Collectors often sugar all the year round ; but there is 

 almost nothing abroad in the depth of winter; and our artificial attractions are naturally less 



