82 BULLETIN BROOKLYN ENTOM. SOC. VOL. V. February 1883.] 
Collecting Noctuide in day time. 
By John B, Smith. ee 
Some of the moths which I have always taken in aibuitatll ee and 
which I considered rather common, seem to be very poorly represented 
in other collections, and from the statements of the time and place of 
the capture of specimens I find that they were only accidental captures 
and not the result of systematic search. cr 
The term Noctuidae and the general statement that moths fly only 
at night seem to have misled many, and to have prevented their searching 
in the day; yet of those species that appear after midsummer a veiy large 
proportion can be found during the day. The golden ro] especially is 
productive: I have in one afterncon taken fifty or even more Agrotis 
piiveh ‘ous, and an even larger number of A. sudgothica, with its varieties, 
tricosa and herelis, A. cland-stina was more occasionally found, and Ae 
redimicula, was found-at the general rate of one a day. A. messorva, I 
have found in similar situations. dgrots mugaenula, A. Bostoniensis and 
A. scandens 1 have of ten found: 4. iadioria with its strong robust body 
and short wings, I never found elsewhere. Several others, and’ nearly 
all good species I have found in the same places: I never pass a clump 
of golden rods without careful examination: several species of Wamestra 
and Hadena are more occasionally found. Heliothis armiger is common, 
and I have taken some very pretty varieties: MNephelodes violans and WN. 
mimans I have also caught, flying rapidly and somewhat after the 
manner of some Sphimgidae. Three species of Pluszz are abundant, and 
some of the Deiéoids occasionally settle on it. Few of the enumerated 
species are found in the morning but from 1 P. M. when the sun is 
strongest until the twilight appears, its pays to collect. 
Some of the Zygenidae are also to be found: Lecomorpha Phales 
Ctenucha Virginica, Harrisina Americana and Scepsis fulvicollis, 1 have 
found the latter no where else. In early evening Clematis should be 
examined, Sphingidae and many (Wocfuids and some of the Arcfians fre— 
quent it. After dark the lantern goes to the golden rod and flowers of the 
milk weed: to the latter Geometridae are attracted: I have seen six or 
more on a single clump of flowers. 
In fine all flowers should be carefully examined ue Hine ger 
mee good specs will repay the toil eepohded. 
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