Larvæ may now be taken in abundance by beating the boughs of oaks and other trees, and also by examining low plants.
The hybernating butterflies are still on the wing, and the following are also out:
- Swallow Tail (Machaon)
- Large White (Brassicæ)
- Small White (Rapæ)
- 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 (Megæra)
- Marsh Ringlet (Typhon)
- Small Heath (Pamphilus)
- Green Hairstreak (Rubi)
- Small Copper (Phlœas)
- Brown Argus (Astrarche)
- Common Blue (Icarus)
- Clifden Blue (Bellargus)
- Holly Blue (Argiolus)
- Mazarine Blue (Semiargus)
- Grizzled Skipper (Malvæ)
- Chequered Skipper (Palæmon)
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 Drepanulidæ
- Alder Kitten (Bicuspis)
- Puss (Vinula)
- Several of the 'Prominents' (Cuculla, Carmelita, Dictæa, Dictæoides, Trilophus, Ziczac, Trepida, Chaonia, Trimacula)
- Chocolate Tip (Curtula)
- Small Chocolate Tip (Pigra)
- Noctuæ.
- Knot Grass (Rumicis)
- Sweet Gale (Myricæ)
- White Colon (Albicolon)
- Cabbage (Brassicæ)
- Treble Lines (Trigrammica)
- Marsh Moth (Palustris)
- Light Brocade (Genistæ)
- Mullein Shark (Verbasci)
- Betony Shark (Scrophulariæ)
- Starwort Shark (Asteris)
- Camomile Shark (Chamomillæ)
- Small Dark Yellow Underwing (Cordigera)
- Small Yellow Underwing (Tenebrata)
- Bordered Sallow (Umbra)
- Lunar Double Stripe (Lunaris)
- Geometræ.
- 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 Grass Emerald (Viridata)
- All species of family Ephyridæ
- 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 (Adæquata)
- Pugs (Venosata, Consignata, Pulchellata, Plumbeolata, Satyrata, Castigata, Pusillata, Irriguata, Indigata, Nanata, Vulgata, Assimilata, 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 Phœnix (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 Tineæ. 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 butterflies 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 Noctuæ and Geometræ each amount to over a hundred species. No less than a hundred and fifty British Tortrices are on the wing; the Tineæ 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.