The Butterflies and Moths of Teneriffe

by A. E. Holt White

Occasionally, during the winter months, a great quantity of water runs down the barrancos, but the supply only lasts a short time, soon drying up, and leaving a few small stagnant pools here and there, and these in turn soon disappear.

Walking over much ground is hard work, as the country is steep, and rough with stones and rocks. I advocate strongly the use of mules, as being the most pleasant mode of locomotion. They are so sure-footed and easy in their quick walk, that one feels far less tired after a long day’s excursion on mule-back up the mountains and barrancos, than by any other mode of locomotion. The muleteer carries all necessaries, together with luncheon, and one is able to stop and alight where fancy dictates or butterflies abound. Mules can be hired at Villa Orotava, the charge being one dollar, or five pesetas, for a short day; beyond this a small gratuity to the muleteer makes him pleased and happy.

There are many completely uncultivated spots up the mountains, intersected by little bye-paths along which the mules can walk; these are perfect “Eldorados” for moths and butterflies, and one must be busy with net and poison-box, not forgetting the tin case in which to place larvæ for the breeding-cage, and especially remembering to carry home some of the plant upon which they feed.

Some of these places are so rough and thick with bramble growth, and vegetation of like nature, that walking is really hard work. The lava-rocks are sharp, and the numerous grasses with hooks, such as the “Amour Sec,” together with the thorns of the prickly pear, make a formidable barrier for the pedestrian. There are, however, no poisonous snakes to dread, no biting animals of any sort larger than flies, so that the inconvenience of the thorns and pricks is all that need be feared.

On returning home from the expedition, all the various wants and requirements of the specimens must be attended to. The caterpillars have to be put into breeding-cages, which should have been already prepared for them. Different kinds which feed on the same plant may be put together. Care must, however, be taken not to put any cannibal species, such as the Armigera, among the others; also moth and butterfly larvæ should be kept separate.

For moth larvæ it is essential to have some fine earth (previously baked to destroy the ants, which are very troublesome) spread on the bottom of the box, from 1 to 2 inches thick. The caterpillars bury themselves in this when they have finished feeding, making for themselves a slight mould of earth, welded together with silk-like threads. Different species, however, vary in their mode of procedure, some making very slight, and others more pronounced cocoons; while yet others make quite an oval shell, choosing only the finest grains of earth with which to construct their houses.

It is said that some sort of dried leaf answers the purpose of earth, and is less likely to injure the moth’s plumage, but the former mode has been found to be perfectly successful. Place the plant on which the animal is to feed in a moist pot of earth, or in a bottle of water, so as to keep it fresh. If the latter mode is adopted, care must be taken that the animal does not drop into the water; so it is best to choose a wide-mouthed bottle, putting a bung with a hole in it as a stopper, and inserting the plant through the hole into the water. The earth should be kept slightly moist, and many people give caterpillars a gentle spray of water occasionally to take the place of dew, which they would have in their natural state. It is a good plan to let them have a little of the early morning sun upon them, as it serves to keep them in health, but they cannot bear the sun of mid-day.

For butterfly larvæ the same procedure is required, except that only a thin sprinkling of earth is wanted at the bottom of the box for the purposes of cleanliness.

When the larva of the butterfly is about to develop to its pupa state, it readily crawls up the box and netting, suspending itself, from the top head-downwards, and the netting serves as a good foot-hold for the butterfly when it appears. If possible the chrysalides should remain as they place themselves until the next stage of development is reached; because, unless they are able to expand their wings while in this position, deformity is likely to ensue.