198 METHODS OF PRESERVING BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. 
To take Moths on the wing, other devices must be had recourse to ; a few, it is true, fly by day in the 
bright sunshine like Butterflies, but by far the greater number take their flight at early dawn, in the dusk of the 
evening, or during the successive hours of the night, each species having a special period of activity, from which 
it does not depart. 
The following are a few of the species which may be attracted, in succession, by a lighted candle. Pheosia 
Dictea, popularly called the Swallow Prominent, may be easily distinguished ; in its fitful flight, when agitated 
by the candle, this insect continually darts towards the ground, and is lost in the darkness, soon again to appear 
plaucing swiftly past the light, and then downward into the shade, as before. Agrotis corticca, the Heart and 
Club Moth, is less fleet on the wing than the preceding, and instead of flying downwards towards the floor, 
invariably rises towards the ceiling, attracted apparently by the mild white light by which it is pervaded. 
Cosmia Pyralina (the Lunar-spotted Pinion Moth), if it enter a room attracted by the light, is very wild and 
regular in its flight, dashing from,the candle to the ceiling, and from the ceiling to the floor. Though this 
insect is by no means common, I have taken it more than once in a lighted room, always, I believe, on a rainy 
evening, and towards the end of July. Clisiocampa Neustria, the Lackey Moth, isas abundant as the last described 
species is rare, and yet it is seldom seen in the perfect form, as it is a swift night-flyer. This moth, on entering a 
room, attracted by a light, has the same wild flight as the species last described, and is rather difficult to capture, 
even with the aid of a proper net. Later in the season may be taken Petusia cassinea, popularly known as the 
Sprawler, which, like the last, is much more rare in the winged state than in the Caterpillar stage of its existence. 
It is however often attracted by a light, when its flight becomes random, dashing heedlessly on all sides through 
the flame of the candle up to the ceiling, or down to the floor. This species seldom appears before November, and 
is often found as late as December. It is late in the hour of its flight, as well as in the season of its appearance, 
often retarding its visit to the expectant candle till one or two in the morning. Still later in the year appears the 
remarkably elegant December Moth, Pwetlocampa Populi, which is easily attracted by light, and, if any be in the 
neighbourhood, they will make their appearance between the hours of seven and ten on favourable evenings. 
Sitting in a well-lighted room, with the window open to the dark garden, a watcher, active with the net, 
may capture in succession many species in a single night. But before the shades of evening have sunk into 
darkness, the collector should have perambulated, net in hand, the most shady walks of his garden, beating the 
shrubs with a stick held in the left hand ; when he is sure, at the right season, to meet with the male Ghost 
Moth, flitting white and bright before him, and then vanishing as suddenly, as the dark under side of the wings 
meet the eye instead of the snow-white upper surface. Then there will be the Phantom Moth, like the miniature 
skeleton of some delicate insect, haunting the spot where it had once flitted in more substantial shape. This is 
the ‘*White Plume,” sometimes called the Skeleton Moth. These and many more rare and handsomer species 
will reward persevering pursuit on a favourable evening. 
A very successful method of capturing night-flying Moths, is that of tempting them to settle in a certain 
spot by a bait of sugar. The sugar is reduced to a thick solution by the addition of water, and then brushed 
upon the trunks of trees, old palings, &c., in favourable situations. The baited spot must be visited once an 
hour or so, or the insect may have paid the visit, and again taken to flight. Some collectors place a light near 
the sugared trees as an additional attraction, and some add a large white sheet behind the sugared trees, upon 
which the light should be made to fall as brightly as possible. 
At dawn of day, on a fine mild summer morning, some of the rarer Sphingidw may be taken fluttering 
over their favourite flowers. I took a magnificent specimen of Sphinx Convolvulé hovering above a bed of Petunias, 
this season, 
The preservation of insects thus taken is very simple, and the best methods are perfectly known to all 
experienced entomologists. But I am writing for those who are at present without such experience. The 
Butterfly or Moth, while still in the net (which should be allowed to lie close together, so as to prevent as much as 
possible the movement of the insect), should he taken hold of by the thumb and finger underneath the chest, and 
-suddenly pinched with some little force, which immediately destroys all sensation. Tt may then be dropped 
lightly from the net, so as not to injure the delicate scales of the wings. An entomological pin * must then be 
* Pins that do not corrode, and which are sold by all vendors of collecting apparatus. 
