‘a 
if 
> 
Buildings almost always on the same spot. Moths are 
as a rule disinclined to move during the day and when 
the net can be dispensed with it is so much the better, 
INSECT COLLECTING IN BRITISH GUIANA, 115 
as by gently placing a paper bag over the moth and 
closing the mouth, a capture is easily made. In faét if 
you gently place your finger under the moth and push it 
up very gradually it will generally cling to the finger and 
may be removed without trouble, and then may be taken 
on the finger for long distances if not disturbed. Amongst 
the largest of the Lepidopterz of this colony, is the owl 
moth, (Thysania Agrippina) its wings a greyish white 
with dark markings in a zigzag pattern. Sometimes 
these moths measure from 8 to ginches across the wings. 
The silkworm moth of this colony (Attacus hesperus) is 
a very interesting inseét. The larve are gaily coloured, 
being black, with bands of bright yellow and red. The 
larva when about to undergo the pupal stage spins a 
cocoon in which it envelopes itself. This moth is of a 
rich dark brown with yellowish edges to the wings, and 
having peculiar “saco” or transparent patches in the 
wings. The cassava moth, Dilophonota Ello. may be 
also caught without much trouble, it is of a grey colour, 
the body marked by bands of black and yellow. The 
soursop moth (Metopsilus Tersa) may be found about 
soursop trees for which it has a preference, hence its 
name. The forewings are of a dark marbled appearance 
and the hind wings of yellow edged with black. This 
moth sometimes grows to a large size, some of the largest 
specimens having been captured in the vicinity of the 
Gardens. The spiders of British Guiana are very nume- 
rous and are exceedingly interesting. Among the largest 
are the bird catching spider (Mygale Avicularia) and the 
P2 
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