COLLECTING INSECTS 



13 



applied at dusk to a number of places, and each desirable specimen is 

 taken with the aid of a light by placing a wide-mouthed cyanide bottle 

 over it while feeding. The moth will usually enter the bottle at once or 

 can be induced to do so by a slight lateral movement of the poison jar, and 

 then the cork can be replaced. If it is a good night, the collector will 

 need at least two cyanide bottles in order that dead specimens may not 

 be injured by later captures, the moths being transferred to the second 

 jar as they become quiet. 



Immature forms. Collecting insects in the pupa or quiescent stage 

 is a ready means of securing perfect adults. Aside from rearing cater- 

 pillars, this is the only method of ob- 

 taining the more perfect examples of 

 butterflies and moths, and is quite 

 extensively practised. Cocoons may 

 be found hanging from limbs, particu- 

 larly on the lilac, lying on the ground 

 enveloped in leaves, or securely tucked 

 in many a sheltering crevice of tree, 

 stone and fence. A large number of 

 caterpillars enter the ground to a slight 

 depth and transform in rude earthen 

 cells. It is not difficult to find pupae 

 in the soil, particularly in forests. They 

 can be obtained in large numbers 

 in fields where army worms have been 

 abundant. 



Most collectors pay exclusive attention to the adult insects, 

 and only in the exceptional cases of a few well-known forms 

 are caterpillars considered worth bothering with. As we un- 

 fortunately know comparatively few insects in their adolescent 

 stages, this has stood in the way of their study, specially as 

 larvae are rather difficult to preserve nicely and only in the 

 hands of the skilful can be made attractive. Nevertheless 

 the collection and study of immature forms, notably cater- 

 pillars, offer a very inviting field to one who delights in the 

 unknown. Their habits, adaptation to conditions, protective 

 coloring, etc., are very interesting and profitable lines for 

 inquiry, and when larvae of all orders are included, the 

 student has before him an exceedingly rich field. It is nearly impos- 

 sible to find a place in nature that is not capable of supporting insect 



Fig. 12 Promethea cocoon on lilac, slightly 

 reduced (original). 



Fie. 13 Pupa 

 of imptrlal 

 moth (origi- 

 nal). 



