The Moths of the British Isles, First Series: Comprising the Families Sphingidæ to Noctuidæ — John Shaqi
The Moths of the British Isles, First Series: Comprising the Families Sphingidæ to NoctuidæSouth, Richard
History
The Moths of the British Isles, First Series: Comprising the Families Sphingidæ to Noctuidæ
South, Richard
Lepidoptera -- Great Britain; Moths -- Great Britain
As a general rule it is no doubt best to confine ourselves to one thing at
a time, if the results are to be satisfactory and the work well done. In
the present case, if he feels that way, the collector can relieve the
monotony of trunk searching by operating in another direction at the same
time. Some moths prefer to repose on the branches, or on the leaves of
trees, others among the herbage under trees; these may be disturbed from
their lurking places and caused to fall or take wing by jarring the boughs
or brushing the undergrowth with a stick.
[Illustration: FIG. 9.
BROAD-BORDERED YELLOW UNDERWING AT SUGAR.]
Palings, especially old ones and those enclosing wooded parks, etc., are
often frequented by numbers of moths. These should be examined as early as
possible in the morning, although {10} a later looking over may not be
unprofitable. When, however, the wind is dead on them, or where they stand
exposed to full sunshine, few insects will be found upon them. Various
species are to be obtained from open post and rail fences, and even iron
hurdles sometimes yield a good moth or two. Walls are not to be despised,
and of course rocks on the moorlands, and the cliffs by the sea afford
suitable resting-places for many kinds of moth. As a matter of fact the
eyes of the entomologist should always be peering about, as a valuable
prize may turn up in the most unexpected places. Hedgerows and bushes in
lanes, or bordering fields and woods, afford harbour to many species of
moths, and some kinds, not necessarily the commonest, may now and then be
beaten from them freely. Herbage on hill or down sides, and on the moor and
moorlands is also a favourite hiding-place, as too is the marram grass,
etc., on the coast sandhills.
[Illustration: FIG. 10.
PURPLE CLAY MOTH AT REST.]
[Illustration: FIG. 11. THE COXCOMB AT REST.]
As the day draws to a close and the night advances, the moths awaken, and
first one kind and then another rises on the wing. These, as they fly in
the lanes, about the borders or along the rides of woods, and over the
vegetation in meadow, {11} fen, or moor, should furnish ample employment
and keep the collector actively engaged until the time arrives for a first
round of the trees upon which he has spread a dainty repast for the
night-flying Noctuidæ, and those members of the Arctiidæ and Geometridæ,
etc., that frequently look in where sweets are to be obtained.
[Illustration: FIG. 12.
A RIDE IN THE NEW FOREST.]
[Illustration: FIG. 13.
MOTHS AT A SUGAR PATCH.]
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