interested in the whole range of Lepidoptera species. If their interests are with macrolepidoptera, the chances 

 are that microlepidoptera material will only he of secondary concern, or even ignored. If this is the case, then 

 smaller species may only receive casual observation with little concern over their condition. After the initial 

 observation of the contents of the trap, the unwanted remainder, or 'sweepings', might be passed on to 

 whoever is interested. This invariably means that material, either dead or alive, may not be in very good 

 condition. This possible situation presents difficulties in attempting to sort and identify the catches. The 

 problem has led to the creation of many different and imaginatively designed traps, including types designed 

 to separate the incoming insects according to their size. With normal light-traps, the captured samples will 

 usually consist of a miscellaneous variety, with the large or medium sized species being easily recognisable, 

 and therefore the most likely retained by the operator. Invariably, the microlepidoptera, or smaller species, 

 may either be ignored, or if retained, ineptly prepared. All too often, descaled or battered microlepidoptera 

 saved for study purposes, may pose added problems in their identification; the extra difficulty in identifying 

 them would cause more work, if undertaken at all, than the records were really worth. The preparation of 

 microlepidoptera is a highly specialised skill, rarely mastered by lepidopterists whose main interest is in the 

 larger moths. Selectivity in collecting and skilful preparation of material is essential. Without a doubt, the 

 policy of selective high quality night collecting, rather than just aiming at quantitative sampling, will in time 

 not only produce voucher specimens in good condition, but possibly also a wider range of species. With the 

 latter method, even when later adopting either the policy of selecting from the trap, or killing off a whole 

 night's catch and then discarding the material too badly damaged, the method is wasteful and possibly even 

 detrimental to some weak colonies. Ultimately there is a possibility that numbers of unrecorded species 

 become overlooked in the unmonitored light-trap, or perhaps lost during initial sampling the following 

 morning. Even when retained, badly damaged specimens will be unrecognisable, unless the collector is able 

 and prepared to dissect them for genitalia and abdominal examination. Dissecting and slide preparation 

 techniques are also highly special skills, rarely learned, least of all mastered by amateur and sometimes even 

 professional lepidopterists. At least in Guernsey from the 80's onwards, m/v lights were regularly used over 

 sheets to sample moths at various locations and in favourable conditions, the results were invariably 

 advantageous. 



From the late 1980's onwards, the author and his wife annually make short visits of two to three 

 week periods in the islands at different times of the year. These visits especially concentrate on Sark, Herm 

 and Guernsey, which follow earlier studies on the Channel Islands Lepidoptera fauna. This stalled on 

 Alderney while collecting material in 1958, and continued with several follow-up collecting trips to 

 Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey. Portable m/v and actinic lamps used in association with white sheets, 

 monitored for selective collecting, along with normal torches, continued to form our standard night 

 collecting equipment. A method of collecting we have used since the early 1990's, and greatly enhance the 

 recording of nocturnal species and counterbalance our diurnal observations and studies. 



The important aspects of monitoring live material, using a light source of any description in 

 combination with a large white surface like a sheet, are manifold. They include the opportunity given of 

 observing and photographing specimens at rest. A fascinating amount of information is obtainable by 

 observing on an unconfined area, the resting postures of different species. It reveals aspects of form and 

 colouration that combined, act as camouflage that helps avoid detection. The range of features displayed is 

 of great interest, for it also reveals many characteristics shared by related groups. The resting postures may 

 reveal features typical of the family, down to those shared by closely related species. Recognition of these 

 features is an immediate aid, particularly if the collector seeks only a selected group. Another important 

 aspect arising from the afforded observations is that this method is also ideal for teaching purposes and 

 general instruction. In the available Channel Islands literature, opportunities for these kinds of close 

 observations receive very rare mention. Similarly, though in reports there are often references made to light- 

 traps, comments on other methods of collecting are very infrequent. In recent years m/v light-traps have 

 become the vogue. It is noticeable that their usage has taken almost complete precedence over the more time 

 consuming, but equally rewarding, aspects of general fieldwork and the types of observations that this work 

 allows. In most reports and articles concerning the islands, comments on fieldwork, as opposed to light- 

 trapping, usually concentrate on sightings and activities of the larger diurnal moths and butterflies. There is 

 little mention of searches for immature stages and their host-plants, of rearing larvae and very little on larval 

 inslars, pupation and emergence dates. 



Developments on Lepidoptera studies from the late 1950's and through the 1960's 



In Jersey, R. Dobson compiled the annual Entomological Reports for the years 1959 and 1960. He 

 was an eminent Odonata specialist then residing in Jersey. For the Guernsey Bailiwick, C.J. Shayer 

 continued with the reports. During the 1950's, new impetus given to general entomological studies came 

 about through the entry of other workers interested in the Channel Islands fauna. R. Long from England had 

 now taken up residence in Jersey. Long grew interested in Entomology following a growing curiosity over 



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