Photographing Insects 197 



or otherwise they may escape us entirely. Many 

 of the Lepidoptera, especially the moths, give no 

 intimation of their intended advent, but when we 

 are lucky enough to obtain a series of photo- 

 graphs of one emerging from his cocoon it is 

 intensely interesting. 



The common milkweed butterfly makes an ex- 

 cellent subject for this work, for, by watching the 

 chrysalid, we can tell almost to the minute when 

 the butterfly will emerge. Also, in this connec- 

 tion, it is well to make pictures showing the va- 

 rious changes in the evolution from the larval to 

 the pupal stage. 



The butterfly or moth newly emerged from his 

 pupal case is in a much crumpled and dampened 

 condition, but its wings gradually grow and unfold, 

 and photographs should be made during this pro- 

 cess. After the wings are entirely spread there 

 is a period, generally extending over about two or 

 three hours, during which the insect is absolutely 

 quiescent waiting for its wings to dry and harden 

 sufficiently to bear its weight. It can, during this 

 period, if handled carefully, be placed on any 

 flower-head or other resting-place, and in any 

 position desired, and the most satisfactory results 

 in work on butterflies are thus obtained. 



The photographing should be done close to a 

 window. One facing the north is preferable, as 

 the light is much more steady from that direction 



