Butterflies and Moths Part 56

_Noctuae_ are still attracted by sugar and ivy blossom, and a few may be found at rest. _Geometrae_ and Micros may be taken from palings and tree trunks by day, or caught flying at dusk.

The imagines of October may include the following b.u.t.terflies:

Brimstone (_Rhamni_) Pale Clouded Yellow (_Hyale_) Clouded Yellow (_Edusa_) Comma (_C-Alb.u.m_) Large Tortoisesh.e.l.l (_Polychloros_) Small Tortoisesh.e.l.l (_Urticae_) Peac.o.c.k (_Io_) Camberwell Beauty (_Antiopa_) Red Admiral (_Atalanta_) Painted Lady (_Cardui_) Small Copper (_Phl[oe]as_)

And a few late 'Blues.'

The princ.i.p.al moths of the month are:

=Sphinges.= Death's-head Hawk (_Atropos_)

=Bombyces.= Plumed Prominent (_Plumigera_)

=Noctuae.= Large Wainscot (_Lutosa_) Red-lined Quaker (_Lota_) Yellow-lined Quaker (_Macilenta_) Beaded Chestnut (_Pistacina_) Brown-spot Pinion (_Litura_) Chestnut (_Vaccinii_) Dark Chestnut (_Spadicea_) Red-headed Chestnut (_Erythrocephala_) Satellite (_Satellitia_) Dotted Chestnut (_Rubiginea_) Orange Upperwing (_Croceago_) Brick (_Circellaris_) Brindled Ochre (_Templi_) Green Brindled Crescent (_Oxyacanthae_) Marvel-du-jour (_Aprilina_) Angle Shades (_Meticulosa_) Flame Brocade (_Flammea_) Red Sword-gra.s.s (_Vetusta_) Sword-gra.s.s (_Exolita_) Genus _Xylina_ Sprawler (_Sphinx_) Silver Y (_Gamma_)

=Geometrae.= Feathered Thorn (_Pennaria_) Vestal (_Sacraria_) Scarce Umber (_Aurantiaria_) Mottled Umber (_Defoliaria_) Winter (_Brumata_) Northern Winter (_Boreata_) November (_Dilutata_) Juniper Carpet (_Juniperata_) Gem (_Fluviata_) Carpets (_Siderata_, _Miata_) Mallow (_Cervinata_) Streak (_Spartiata_)

NOVEMBER

No b.u.t.terflies are to be seen this month with the exception of the hybernating species, and even these will not venture on the wing unless the weather is mild and bright for the season.

Most of the moths met with are also hybernators, but a few species are to be found only at this season, and these should be looked for on fences and tree trunks. A few _Noctuae_ may be taken at sugar, and the _Geometrae_ attracted by lights.

The only larvae now existing are hybernators, and many of these may be met with during your pupa-digging operations; but they are best left alone till the spring, as a rule.

The chief work of the entomologist in November is certainly pupa hunting, and this may be carried on in real earnest whenever the weather is favourable, following the instructions given in Chapter VII.

It will be remembered, also, that many of the _Lepidoptera_ pa.s.s the winter in the egg state, and search may be made for ova when time permits.

The November list, besides some of the hybernating species previously mentioned, include:

=Bombyces.= December (_Populi_)

=Noctuae.= Genus _Cerastis_ Satellite (_Satellitia_) Dotted Chestnut (_Rubiginea_) Orange Upperwing (_Croceago_) Brindled Ochre (_Exempli_)

=Geometrae.= Feathered Thorn (_Pennaria_) Scarce Umber (_Aurantiaria_) Mottled Umber (_Defoliaria_) Winter (_Brumata_) Northern Winter (_Boreata_)

DECEMBER

Outdoor work is now at a minimum. The weather is too severe, as a rule, to allow pupa digging to be carried on with either success or comfort, but favourable opportunities should be seized for this employment as well as for ova collecting.

Now and again we may meet with _P. Populi_ at rest by day, or fluttering round a light at night. _Brumata_ and _Defoliaria_ may also be seen, and the Early Moth (_Rupicapraria_) may appear on the wing before the new year; but nothing is likely to be met with beyond these save the hybernators, already named in other lists, and some of the _Tineae_.

It is a good plan to utilise your spare time during the dreary months of winter by attending to your cabinet. Rearrange your specimens where necessary, and see that all are properly labelled; remove all greasy specimens, and deal with them as recommended on page 127; also renew the supply of camphor or naphthaline in your drawers and store boxes. Time may also be found for the construction of apparatus that is likely to be required next season, and for repairing any that has been damaged during the work of the last.