SEASONS FOR COLLECTING INSECTS. 
315 
'tig at the roots of trees for the pup® of Lepidoptcra ; for this purpose 
the digger is used, or a small trowel : the principal places worthy at- 
tention are the roots of oaks, elms, lime-trees, &c. or beneath the un- 
derwood : open the earth close to the tree, and search to the depth of 
several inches. 
Such pup® as penetrate into the wood require more care, lest they be 
destroyed when the attempt is made to extricate them ; sound on the 
bark with the digger, and the hollows will soon be discovered where no 
"sternal sign is visible; tear off the hark, (and carefully examine it, 
for minute Coleoptera are frequently found adhering to it,) and with a 
knife cut away the wood that surrounds the orifice ot the cavity, to 
enlarge it, and take out the pup® as carefully as possible. 
April a.vd Ma v.— The same genial warmth that brings forth vege- 
tation brings forth also myriads of insects into life and motion; the 
dung of animals at this season swarms with minute Coleoptera; se- 
v eral species of the Lepidoptcra will also be found by looking care- 
fully garden pales, gates in lanes, &c. Many species ot Bees will be 
found sucking the pollen from the sallow, which blossoms at this sea- 
son. Sand and gravel pits should be carefully examined, and under 
die stones and clods of earth many insects will he found, in May, as 
Soon as the white-thorn is in leaf, the hedges should be well beat; the 
season for taking Caterpillars commences, from which most ot the Le- 
Pidoptem are obtained, and this is by far the best method, as the in- 
sects are generally perfect, and the specimens very fine. Great atten- 
tion should be paid to the larva, as supplying them with fresh food, 
and keeping the earth moist at the bottoms oi their cages. _ 
June j c lv, August. — In these months the Entomologist will 
find full employment in the woods. Most of the Butterflies are taken 
‘o these months, flying abroad in the day-time only : Moths will be 
found flying at-break of day, and at twilight in the evening. This me- 
thod is termed Motuino, and should be well followed up during the 
summer season. Manv of the rarer Lepidoptera arc never found but 
at these times. The males of some, if not of every species ol the 
Moth tribe, and perhaps of other insects also, by a very astonishing 
faculty, arc aide to discover the females at a great distance, and m tire 
must secret situations. The following observations by Mr. Haworth 
on Bomln/.v Quercm will fully establish this fact, and at the same time 
illustrate the manner of taking them : “ It is a frequent practice wit r 
the London Aurelians, when they breed a female of this and some 
other day-flving species, to take her whilst yet a virgin into the vici- 
nity of woods where, if the weather is favourable, she never tails lo 
attract a numerous train of the males, whose only business appears to 
he an incessant, rapid, and undulating flight in search of their umm- 
pregnated females. One of which is no sooner perceived, than they 
become so much enamoured of their lair and chaste relation, as abso- 
