The number of species on the wing is now considerably lower, yet there is a good deal to be done both with butterflies and moths.
Many of the former are worn and ragged, but good fresh specimens of some species may be taken. Clover and lucerne fields and the flowery borders of corn fields remain very attractive.
Tree trunks and palings should be searched as before. Sugar still attracts numbers of the Noctuæ; and ivy blossom should be examined at night whenever an opportunity offers itself.
September is a good month for larva hunting. Most of the species that pupate in the autumn are now full fed, and will undergo the change to the chrysalis state shortly after they have been housed, thus giving but little trouble to the entomologist. The day feeders may be beaten or swept from their food plants, but,
of course, the nocturnal species are best discovered by searching at night.
Some have already 'gone down' for the winter, and, consequently, pupa hunting may be started. However, as there is yet much to be done with imagines and larvæ, it may, perhaps, be better to leave the pupæ alone till about the end of the month, especially as many of the larvæ have not yet had time to complete their transformation.
The list of imagines for September includes:
- Butterflies.
- Clouded Yellow (Edusa)
- Brimstone (Rhamni)
- Queen of Spain (Latona)
- Comma (C-Album)
- Large Tortoiseshell (Polychloros)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Urticæ)
- Peacock (Io)
- Camberwell Beauty (Antiopa)
- Red Admiral (Atalanta)
- Painted Lady (Cardui)
- Speckled Wood (Egeria)
- Wall (Megæra)
- Grayling (Semele)
- Large Heath (Tithonus)
- Small Heath (Pamphilus)
- Small Copper (Phlœas)
- Common Blue (Icarus)
- Clifden Blue (Bellargus)
- Chalk-hill Blue (Corydon)
- Holly Blue (Argiolus)
- Sphinges.
- Death's-head Hawk (Atropos)
- Convolvulus Hawk (Convolvuli)
- Humming Bird Hawk (Stellatarum)
- Bombyces.
- Tortrix (Undulanus)
- Crimson Speckled (Pulchella)
- Vapourer (Antiqua)
- Pale Oak Eggar (Cratægi)
- Lesser Lutestring (Diluta)
- Noctuæ.
- Figure of Eight (Cæruleocephala)
- Small Wainscot (Fulva)
- Bullrush (Arundinis)
- Large Wainscot (Lutosa)
- Frosted Orange (Ochracea)
- Rosy Rustic (Micacea)
- Feathered Brindle (Australis)
- Beautiful Gothic (Hispidus)
- Antler (Graminis)
- Flounced Rustic (Testacea)
- Hedge Rustic (Cespitis)
- Haworth's Minor (Haworthii)
- Anomalous (Anomala)
- Shuttle-shaped Dart (Puta)
- Dark Sword Grass (Suffusa)
- Pearly Underwing (Saucia)
- Turnip (Segetum)
- Heart and Dart (Exclamationis)
- Autumn Rustic (Glareosa)
- Mouse (Tragopogonis)
- Red-lined Quaker (Lota)
- Yellow-lined Quaker (Macilenta)
- Genus Anchocelis
- Genus Xanthia
- Centre-barred Sallow (Xerampelina)
- Double Kidney (Retusa)
- Genus Polia
- Black Rustic (Nigra)
- Green-brindled Crescent (Oxyacanthæ)
- Marvel-du-jour (Aprilina)
- Angle Shades (Meticulosa)
- Flame Brocade (Flammea)
- Brindled Green (Protea)
- Genus Calocampa
- Genus Xylina
- Herald (Libatrix)
- Gold Spot (Festucæ)
- Silver Y (Gamma)
- Scarce Bordered Straw (Armigera)
- Clifden Nonpareil (Fraxini)
- Buttoned Snout (Rostralis)
- Geometræ.
- Bordered Beauty (Apiciaria)
- Brimstone (Luteolata)
- Genus Eugonia
- November (Dilutata)
- Autumnal (Filigrammaria)
- Juniper Pug (Sobrinata)
- Shaded Broad Bar (Variata)
- Slender-striped Rufous (Lapidata)
- Tissue (Dubitata)
- Carpets (Siderata, Miata, Immanata)
- Chevron (Testata)
- Mallow (Cervinata)
- Streak (Spartiata)
OCTOBER
As there is very little winged life this month, and the larvæ have nearly all sought out their winter quarters, special attention may be given to pupæ. The earlier this work is started after the insects have completed their change the better. If left late, many pupæ will have been destroyed by floods, moles, &c., and a prolonged series of frosty days may render digging unproductive if not impossible. Again, it must be remembered that some larvæ are not yet down, and by digging at the roots of the trees on which they are feeding, you are preparing an acceptable bed for the late species, for the pupæ of which you may call again in about a month.