1912] Barfsch — "Sugaring" in the Autumn 195 



"SUGARING" IN THE AUTUMN. 



By Rudolf C. B. Bartsch, 

 Roslindale, Mass. 



Of the many methods employed in collecting Lepidoptera there 

 is none, which has been tried in this country, that has given 

 poorer results than the so-called "sugaring." European collectors 

 come here with tales of phenomenal luck in collecting moths by 

 means of "sugar," especially members of the family Noctuidse. 

 Upon consulting Mr. William Reiff, I found that the methods of 

 the German entomologists vary so greatly from those recom- 

 mended by American authors that it seemed to me this must be 

 the reason for the extraordinary results. Mr. Reiff agreed to 

 accompany me and give this method a trial after I had explained 

 to him my previous unsuccessful attempts to secure anything 

 worth while by means of "sugar." 



The first difference that I found was in the "sugar" used, and 

 the second in the manner of applying to the trees. Holland, for 

 instance, in his "Moth Book"^ recommends on page 146, the fol- 

 lowing formula: 4 lbs. sugar, 1 bottle of stale beer and a little 

 rum, to be placed in a bucket and applied to the trees with a 

 whitewash brush. This mixture naturally gives a very thin 

 solution and soaks readily into the bark of the trees, and since he 

 recommends a whitewash brush it is supposed that he is desirous 

 of covering a large area quickly. The formula given me by Mr. 

 Reiff is as follows: 1 quart cheapest molasses, to which add about 

 one half a bottle of stale beer anti then boil until it nearly stiffens 

 when dropped in cold water. Let it cool and then add about a 

 wine-glass full of Jamaica rum. This mixture should be prepared 

 some days in advance as aging seems to improve it. This "sugar" 

 is enough for three trips and gives, each time, enough for from 

 40 to 50 trees. Just before using add to the mixture necessary for 

 one night, 3 or 4 drops of amyl acetate. The method of applying 

 to the trees is as follows: take a small round brush (about 1 inch 

 diameter) and dip it into the sugar, then cover a space on the 

 bark of the tree about the size of palm of the hand, working 



1 Holland, W. J., The Moth Book. New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1905. 



