12 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



ing a continuous sweep which is maintained till considerable material is 

 taken. The desirable specimens are then removed from the net and the 

 operation continued. In sandy places the fauna is rather scantily repre- \ 

 sented by ground beetles, tiger beedes, grasshoppers, etc., requiring closer 

 search to secure many forms. Among the more interesting insects are 

 those inhabiting water. Caddice fly larvae with their peculiar cases may 

 be found at the bottom of streams and ponds ; 

 on the under sides of stones the curious larvae 

 of stone flies occur; among weeds and decay- 

 ing matter the strange water scorpion moves 

 slowly, its long legs and slender body suggest- 

 ing the walking stick, which is, however, a very 

 different insect. In ascending a mountain a 

 good idea of the effect of climate is obtained by 

 no. 11 Caddice fly larvae and ^ ^j^^j ^f insects. As the altitude increases 



cases (original). -' 



certain species become less abundant and forms 

 relatively scarce in the lower regions begin to appear in numbers. A 

 striking example of this is seen in the arthemis butterfly, Basilarchia 

 arthemis Drury, a northern insect with a range closely limited by the 

 southern boundary of New York state. In the lowlands it is relatively 

 scarce, while in the higher regions near and in the Adirondack and 

 Catskill mountains it abounds on account of the more congenial climate. 

 At a moderate altitude insects are numerous but they differ in species 

 from those below, and at extreme hights the fauna becomes scanty with 

 an increase of wingless species. The latter peculiarity is also noticeable 

 on smaller islands and may be explained by the strong winds of such 

 places carrying away flying insects and thus favoring wingless forms. 



Collecting at lights and sugaring. The attraction light has for 

 insects is well known, and is frequently taken advantage of by collectors, 

 who secure valuable specimens in this way. In many places all that is 

 necessary is an open window in a lighted room. Dark, warm nights 

 accompanied by rain are usually the most productive. In cities the 

 electric arc lights attract many insects and may be visited with good 

 results. 



Examples of the family Noctuidae or owlet moths (many are known 

 to the farmer in the larval state as destructive cutworms) can probably be 

 secured in no better way than by sugaring. This consists in smearing a 

 mixture of sugar and vinegar on the trunks of a number of trees or on 

 fences in a favorable locality. Stale beer added to a mixture of sugar or 

 molasses and water makes a very effective preparation. The bait is 



