To Entomologists

Abstract

How often is it that the entomologist has to regret the want of his net? The rare butterfly, by some curious perversity, is certain to he seen when the net is not at hand. How, under such circumstances, is the butterfly to be caught? I reply, wait till it settles, and then pick it up. Perhaps most of your readers will reply “Absurd, no butterfly will sit to be caught in that way.” Try and see. Whenever the butterfly settles you may walk quickly up to within a short distance from it; the distance will depend on the nature of the butterfly. Arrived at a short distance from the butterfly, the motion must now be slow and even, and as the hand is slowly and steadily advanced towards the butterfly, it will take little or no notice of it, and may be easily picked up with the fingers. In Italy this spring I picked up in this manner both varieties of swallow-tails, as many as five when walking one afternoon. I have also caught in this way, whites, red admirals, painted ladies, peacocks, and many other smaller varieties. This manner of catching butterflies does look suspiciously like the old story of catching birds by putting salt on their tails. Before anyone condemns it, I ask him to give it a fair trial, and I have no doubt he will be astonished at his success. The only thing to guard against is any jerkiness in your motions. All your motions when near the butterfly must be slow and regular. Perhaps the butterfly may not sit long enough for you to approach it by such slow motions. If the butterfly does rise take care not to change your slow and steady motions, and it will take no notice of you, and will often settle again within a few inches of your hand. Often the butterfly takes no notice of you; at other times it seems sensible of danger, but generally contents itself by folding its wings as close as possible, as if to escape notice. When the wings are in this position the butterfly is caught with least damage to its plumage. But in some cases the wings are open. When that is the case I have sometimes folded, the wings before picking them up, in order to save the plumage, so tame are they under this treatment. At first I thought it was necessary to approach the butterfly from behind, and keep out of sight as much as possible, but this I find, though an advantage, is not essential. Of course I do not advocate this plan of catching butterflies when a net can be got, as it is much slower and not so certain. Yet it has its advantages. You get the butterfly without breaking its wings or ruffling a feather, and if not a good specimen you can let it away unhurt.