Butterflies and Moths Part 54

FEBRUARY

Our remarks under 'January' concerning pupa digging and other work apply equally well to this month. The same hybernating b.u.t.terflies and moths may be looked for; and, in addition to _Pedaria_, _Leucophaearia_, and _Rupicapraria_, which now appear more plentifully, the following species will probably be seen:

Small Eggar (_Lanestris_) Small Brindled Beauty (_Hispidaria_) Oak Beauty (_Strataria_) Dotted Border (_Marginaria_) March Moth (_aescularia_)

About half a dozen species of the _Tineae_ will also have made their appearance before the end of the month.

MARCH

Many of the hybernating larvae will come out during March if the weather is mild, and commence to feed; and the young caterpillars will begin to appear from the eggs of the early moths already named. This is consequently a good time to commence the search for larvae if you intend to go in for rearing. During the daytime some may be beaten from the boughs of trees and shrubs; and those which feed on low plants, being generally nocturnal in their habits, should be searched for in the evening, after dark, with the aid of a lantern.

The hybernating b.u.t.terflies are now flying more freely than before, and, if the weather is bright and warm for the time of year, a few freshly emerged species may be seen. These may possibly include:

Large White (_Bra.s.sicae_) Small White (_Rapae_) Green-veined White (_Napi_) Holly Blue (_Argiolus_)

As regards moths, several fresh species may be expected to appear, while those named as appearing in February are still to be found. The new-comers may include:

=Bombyces.= Kentish Glory (_Versicolor_) Yellow-horned (_Flavicornis_)

=Noctuae.= Pine Beauty (_Piniperda_) White-marked Rustic (_Leucographa_) Red Chestnut (_Rubricosa_) All species of the genus _Taeniocampa_ Early Grey (_Areola_) Green-brindled Dot (_Oleagina_) Orange Underwing (_Parthenias_) Light Orange Underwing (_Notha_)

=Geometrae.= Early Thorn (_Bilunaria_) Engrailed (_Biundularia_) Mottled Grey (_Multistrigaria_)

Sugaring may be commenced towards the end of March, and sallow blossom may be searched in the evening, but it is probable that only a few species will be taken by these means.

A few more species of the _Tineae_ appear in March, and four or five of the _Tortrices_ are out before the end of the month.

APRIL

This is really a busy month with the entomologist, and it will be necessary to put all apparatus and appliances into perfect order early.

The cyanide bottle should be freshly charged, nets examined and repaired if necessary, and all setting boards, breeding cages &c. put in perfect trim for the new season's work.

Larvae are now feeding freely, and a few hours spent in beating, sweeping, and searching will enable you to stock your cages liberally.

Sugaring may be continued throughout the month, and the sallow blossom may be searched as long as it proves attractive. Moths may also be attracted by light at night.

The following b.u.t.terflies are generally out during April, in addition to the hybernated species already named:

Large White (_Bra.s.sicae_) Small White (_Rapae_) Green-veined White (_Napi_) Orange Tip (_Cardamines_) Wood White (_Sinapis_) Pearl-bordered Fritillary (_Euphrosyne_) Speckled Wood (_Egeria_) Green Hairstreak (_Rubi_) Small Copper (_Phl[oe]as_) Holly Blue (_Argiolus_) Grizzled Skipper (_Malvae_) Dingy Skipper (_Tages_)

The following is a list of the princ.i.p.al moths for April:

=Bombyces.= Small Lappet (_Ilicifolia_) Kentish Glory (_Versicolor_) Yellow Horned (_Flavicornis_) Frosted Green (_Ridens_)

=Noctuae.= Pine Beauty (_Piniperda_) White-marked Rustic (_Leucographa_) Red Chestnut (_Rubricosa_) All species of the genus _Taeniocampa_ Early Grey (_Areola_) Mullein Shark (_Verbasci_) Orange Underwing (_Parthenias_) Light Orange Underwing (_Notha_)

=Geometrae.= Brimstone (_Luteolata_) Early Thorn (_Bilunaria_) Belted Beauty (_Zonaria_) Brindled Beauty (_Hirtaria_) Waved Umber (_Abruptaria_) Small Engrailed (_Crepuscularia_) Engrailed (_Biundularia_) Sloe Carpet (_Pictaria_) Netted Mountain (_Carbonaria_) Mottled Grey (_Multistrigaria_) Satyr Pug (_Satyrata_) Marbled Pug (_Irriguata_) Campanula Pug (_Campanulata_) Brindled Pug (_Abbreviata_) Oak-tree Pug (_Dodoneata_) Double-striped Pug (_Pumilata_) Early Tooth-striped (_Carpinata_) Shoulder Stripe (_Badiata_) Many-lined (_Polygrammata_) Tissue (_Dubitata_)

In addition to the above, a few species of the _Tortrices_, several of the _Tineae_, and one or two of the Plume Moths (_Pterophori_) are out during April.

MAY

Little or nothing will be obtained by digging during May, yet a number of pupae may be found among gra.s.s and leaves under trees, and also attached to the leaves and stems of low plants. These pupae include those of several of the b.u.t.terflies, among which may be mentioned _Machaon_, _Selene_, _Euphrosyne_, _Aurinia_, _Megaera_, _Ianira_, _Rubi_, _Astrarche_, _Icarus_, _Bellargus_, _Corydon_, _Lucina_, and _Sylva.n.u.s_.

Larvae may now be taken in abundance by beating the boughs of oaks and other trees, and also by examining low plants.

The hybernating b.u.t.terflies are still on the wing, and the following are also out:

Swallow Tail (_Machaon_) Large White (_Bra.s.sicae_) Small White (_Rapae_) Green-veined White (_Napi_) Bath White (_Daplidice_) Orange Tip (_Cardamines_) Wood White (_Sinapis_) Small Pearl-bordered (_Selene_) Pearl-bordered (_Euphrosyne_) Greasy Fritillary (_Aurinia_) Glanville Fritillary (_Cinxia_) Speckled Wood (_Egeria_) Wall (_Megaera_) Marsh Ringlet (_Typhon_) Small Heath (_Pamphilus_) Green Hairstreak (_Rubi_) Small Copper (_Phl[oe]as_) Brown Argus (_Astrarche_) Common Blue (_Icarus_) Clifden Blue (_Bellargus_) Holly Blue (_Argiolus_) Mazarine Blue (_Semiargus_) Grizzled Skipper (_Malvae_) Chequered Skipper (_Palaemon_)

There is a great increase in the number of moths this month, and much good work may be done by means of light traps and by the examination of fences. Many moths are driven from their resting places early in the morning by the direct rays of the rising sun, and then seek out a spot where they are better sheltered, and where they are consequently less easily found. Hence the advantage of searching fences early in the morning.

The May list includes:

=Sphinges.= Small Elephant (_Porcellus_) All species of the genera _Smerinthus_ and _Macroglossa_ Some of the Clearwings (_Apiformis_, _Sphegiformis_, and _Culiciformis_) Cream-bordered Green (_Chlorana_) Green Silver-lined (_Prasinana_)

=Bombyces.= Wood Tiger (_Plantaginis_) Muslin Moth (_Mendica_) Common Swift (_Lupulinus_) Pale Tussock (_Pudibunda_) Small Lappet (_Ilicifolia_) Emperor (_Pavonia_) All species of family _Drepanulidae_ Alder Kitten (_Bicuspis_) Puss (_Vinula_) Several of the 'Prominents' (_Cuculla_, _Carmelita_, _Dictaea_, _Dictaeoides_, _Trilophus_, _Ziczac_, _Trepida_, _Chaonia_, _Trimacula_) Chocolate Tip (_Curtula_) Small Chocolate Tip (_Pigra_)

=Noctuae.= Knot Gra.s.s (_Rumicis_) Sweet Gale (_Myricae_) White Colon (_Albicolon_) Cabbage (_Bra.s.sicae_) Treble Lines (_Trigrammica_) Marsh Moth (_Pal.u.s.tris_) Light Brocade (_Genistae_) Mullein Shark (_Verbasci_) Betony Shark (_Scrophulariae_) Starwort Shark (_Asteris_) Camomile Shark (_Chamomillae_) Small Dark Yellow Underwing (_Cordigera_) Small Yellow Underwing (_Tenebrata_) Bordered Sallow (_Umbra_) Lunar Double Stripe (_Lunaris_)

=Geometrae.= Brimstone (_Luteolata_) Speckled Yellow (_Macularia_) Purple Thorn (_Tetralunaria_) Scalloped Hazel (_Bidentata_) Brindled Beauty (_Hirtaria_) Peppered (_Betularia_) Waved Umber (_Abruptaria_) Ringed Carpet (_Cinctaria_) Square Spot (_Consonaria_) Small Engrailed (_Crepuscularia_) Engrailed (_Biundularia_) Grey Birch (_Punctularia_) Small Gra.s.s Emerald (_Viridata_) All species of family _Ephyridae_ Cream Wave (_Remutaria_) White Wave (_Pusaria_) Round-winged Wave (_Rotundaria_) Common Wave (_Exanthemata_) Clouded Silver (_Temerata_) White-pinion Spotted (_Bimaculata_) Latticed Heath (_Clathrata_) Brown Silver-line (_Petraria_) Barred Umber (_Pulveraria_) Netted Mountain (_Carbonaria_) Common Heath (_Atomaria_) Bordered White (_Piniaria_) Rest Harrow (_Ononaria_) Yellow Belle (_Ochrearia_) Clouded Border (_Marginata_) Horse Chestnut (_Hippocastanaria_) Pretty Pinion (_Adaequata_) Pugs (_Venosata_, _Consignata_, _Pulch.e.l.lata_, _Plumbeolata_, _Satyrata_, _Castigata_, _Pusillata_, _Irriguata_, _Indigata_, _Nanata_, _Vulgata_, _a.s.similata_, _Exiguata_, _Coronata_) Yellow-barred Brindle (_Viretata_) Ruddy High-flier (_Ruberata_) May High-flier (_Trifasciata_) Common Carpet (_Sociata_) Silver-ground Carpet (_Montanata_) Streamer (_Nigrofasciaria_) Barberry Carpet (_Berberata_) Flame Carpet (_Designata_) Twin-spot Carpets (_Ferrugata_ and _Unidentaria_) Scarce Tissue (_Certata_) Water Carpet (_Suffumata_) Small Ph[oe]nix (_Silaceata_) Oblique-striped (_Virgata_) Broom Tip (_Rufata_)

A number of the Micros are also out this month. About twenty species of the _Pyralides_, one or two of the _Pterophori_, a few _Crambi_, about fifty of the _Tortrices_, and no less than two hundred of the _Tineae_.

The collector will do well to search fences and tree trunks for these moths, whenever he has the opportunity; and also to use the net freely in wooded country, waste places, and along hedgerows, _before_ and at dusk.

JUNE

There is a marked increase in winged insect life during this month. The early b.u.t.terflies are disappearing, or perhaps have quite left us; but new species are taking their place. The _Sphinges_ now reach their maximum, as do also the _Bombyces_; and the other groups are almost if not quite up to their highest total. The _Noctuae_ and _Geometrae_ each amount to over a hundred species. No less than a hundred and fifty British _Tortrices_ are on the wing; the _Tineae_ make a near approach to three hundred, and the _Pyralides_ of the month are not far short of numbering a hundred species. It will thus be seen that the net and pill boxes, as well as the setting boards, are in constant demand.

Dull days may be well occupied in beating for moths, and in the examination of fences and the bark of trees; and on bright days, as soon as the b.u.t.terflies have settled down to rest, the same work may be carried on till dusk.

Micros and _Geometrae_ are out early in the evening, when they should be taken with the net. Later on the _Noctuae_ may be seen playing round their favourite flowers.

Sugar and light traps are likely to do good service during June, and decoy females of the _Bombyces_ group may be called to your aid.

Larvae are also abundant during June, and those of most of the b.u.t.terflies may be taken by carefully searching their food plants.

The following is the list of imagines for the month:

=b.u.t.terflies.= Swallow Tail (_Machaon_) Black-veined White (_Crataegi_) Large White (_Bra.s.sicae_) Small White (_Rapae_) Green-veined White (_Napi_) Small Pearl-bordered (_Selene_) Pearl-bordered (_Euphrosyne_) Silver-washed Fritillary (_Paphia_) Greasy Fritillary (_Aurinia_) Glanville Fritillary (_Cinxia_) Heath Fritillary (_Athalia_) Small Tortoisesh.e.l.l (_Urticae_) White Admiral (_Sibylla_) Small Ringlet (_Epiphron_) Meadow Brown (_Ianira_) Ringlet (_Hyperanthus_) Marsh Ringlet (_Typhon_) Small Heath (_Pamphilus_) Green Hairstreak (_Rubi_) Small Copper (_Phl[oe]as_) Common Blue (_Icarus_) Small Blue (_Minima_) Duke of Burgundy (_Lucina_) Grizzled Skipper (_Malvae_) Dingy Skipper (_Tages_) Large Skipper (_Sylva.n.u.s_) Chequered Skipper (_Palaemon_)

=Sphinges.= Privet Hawk (_Ligustri_) Spurge Hawk (_Euphorbiae_) Small Elephant (_Porcellus_) Large Elephant (_Elpenor_) Eyed Hawk (_Ocellatus_) Poplar Hawk (_Populi_) Lime Hawk (_Tiliae_) Humming Bird Hawk (_Stellatarum_) All the Clearwings (Sesiidae) The Burnets (Fam. _Zygaenidae_)

=Bombyces.= Family _Nolidae_ Dew Moth (_Irrorella_) Cinnabar (_Jacobaeae_) Scarlet Tiger (_Dominula_) Family _Cheloniidae_ Family _Hepialidae_ Family _Cossidae_ Family _Cochliopodidae_ Dark Tussock (_Fascelina_) Pale Tussock (_Pudibunda_) Scarce Vapourer (_Gonostigma_) Fox (_Rubi_) Lappet (_Quercifolia_) Family _Drepanulidae_ Family _Dicranuridae_ Pale Prominent (_Palpina_) c.o.xcomb Prominent (_Camelina_) Swallow Prominent (_Dictaea_) Lesser Swallow Prominent (_Dictaeoides_) Iron Prominent (_Dromedarius_) Pebble Prominent (_Ziczac_) Great Prominent (_Trepida_) Marbled Brown (_Trimacula_) Buff Tip (_Bucephala_) Peach Blossom (_Batis_) Genus _Cymatophora_