certain species, as Pseudohazis eglanterina, the males will come in swarms. If 

 you hold the box the moths will settle all over it, and on your hands, arms, 

 head and on your dress. If the windows are open at night your mating cages 

 will attract many males. This applies to Cecropia and the largest moths, as 

 well as to the smaller varieties, and great numbers of males may be captured 

 with a net as they hover about the cages. Some varieties will mate almost as 

 jsoon as they emerge from the cocoon, and others may not do so for many 

 hours. When a considerable number of cocoons hatch there are always enough 

 imperfect adults to supply large quantities of ova for next season's crop. 



"WHAT KINDS ARE COMMON?" 



This is a query that is often asked, and in the best of faith. If the 

 wants of purchasers is to be the test, consult the price-lists of dealers. The 

 cheapest are the commonest. Holland's books frequently mention that a species 

 is rare or common. Some varieties are found in almost every part of the 

 world, as Pyrameis cardui (the Painted Lady), and the larvae of some are 

 a pest, as Pieris rapae (the Cabbage butterfly). It is a fact,, however, that 

 some one, somewhere, wants everything that flies. Each collection is incom- 

 plete without perfect samples of the commonest species. No two entomologists 

 or dealers will give you exactly the same answer as to what are "common," 

 as a certain species may be very abundant in some localities and extremely 

 rare in others. The only safe rule is to secure a large number of specimens of 

 every moth and butterfly which flies in your locality. Anosia plexippus (the 

 Milk-weed butterfly), can be bred from larvae by the thousands, in some local- 

 ities, but it is quite rare in Truckee, and I have received many orders which I 

 could not fill. For art work the yellow, blue, red and white and all bright- 

 hued varieties are in demand regardless of how common they may be. 



COMMON MOTHS. 



The army worm, gypsy moth, tent caterpillar and other well known pests 

 are unquestionably common, yet they are well worth studying, and it is little 

 trouble to gather and feed a few hundred larvae. Make yourself familiar with 

 each species of butterfly and moth which is found in your locality. A long 

 list of common moths could be named, if the selling price is to be the criterion, 

 but if you want to understand your business raise everything until you have 

 a large number of perfect specimens. I have little patience with a pupil who 

 passes by a moth, butterfly or caterpillar simply because it is plentiful, and easily 

 obtained. When you prepare lists of the material you can furnish, the com- 

 mon varieties may be mixed with the rare, and so lower the aggregate price 

 as to sell the entire lot. To me, a "common" insect is the one of which I 

 have hundreds of perfect specimens, and which I know to be comparatively 

 valueless. In learning to spread and mount lepidoptera do your practice work 

 with common species. In making pictures or art designs they can frequently 

 be used in large numbers. I do not advise wasting valuable time in breeding 

 things which are known to be excessively common, but when it costs little 

 or no effort, take everything. "Common" is a bugaboo which frightens in- 

 experienced collectors. Every perfect specimen is wanted in some collection. 



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