COLLECTING MOTHS. 
37 
COLLECTING CATOCALA. 
Catocala are sometimes found in numbers in the forest on the 
trunks of trees ; and when a collector is fortunate enough to run 
across such an assemblage he should make the most of the opportun¬ 
ity, as it is not likely to occur very often in one’s experience. The dif¬ 
ferent species of catocala so closely resemble in color and markings 
the bark of certain trees, that it is next to impossible to see them. 
Oak groves seem to be their favorite haunt, and the tree trunks for 
the space of an acre or two are sometimes well peopled with them. 
They are so shy that one must use the greatest caution in their cap¬ 
ture. They are best taken by placing the mouth of the poison jar 
over them as they lie with folded wings feeling secure in their strik¬ 
ing adaptability in color to the moss-covered bark. Many species may 
sometimes be taken in one locality; but they are all wild and very 
rapid flyers, so that it is difficult to capture them on the wing. It is 
best not to undertake their capture with the net for another reason: 
I refer to their liability of injuring themselves in their desperate 
efforts to escape. A poor specimen is ..-little better than none at all 
for exhibition purposes; in fact, I regard one really beautiful, per¬ 
fect specimen nicely mounted, of more value than one dozen worn 
and mutilated ones. To view a collection of fifty fine and perfect 
insects will give a naturalist more pleasure than to look over a wdiole 
cabinet full of rubbish collected with no care and mounted in a slov¬ 
enly manner. 
The greatest care is necessary in handling the catocala as their 
scales come off with a touch, leaving bare and unsightly patches. 
Catocala cava and C. concumbens are often found under bridges over 
rivers and brooks, hanging back downwards from the boards or 
stones. One bridge a mile from my home has furnished me with 
many excellent specimens of the two species named ; and I rarely go 
there in the season but 1 find from ten to thirty of these insects. It 
is useless to look for them in such localities before the middle of 
August. The same species may also be found on the underside of 
tree trunks which overhang the water. 
The catocala often frequent rocky ledges and stone walls where 
the gray color of the upper wings of some species harmonize with 
their surroundings. 
