Particular attention must be paid to flowers, some of which are very attractive to the Noctuæ especially. Sallow blossom in spring and ivy bloom in autumn should be carefully and frequently
watched, and at other times the blossoms of heather, ragwort, bramble, clover, and various other flowers must be searched.
As you cast the rays of the lantern on the feasting moths some will prove themselves very wary, and dart away at your approach; but others will take but little notice of your advance, and will continue to suck the sweet nectar, their eyes glaring like living sparks.
As a rule the Noctuæ thus engaged are easily pill-boxed or caught direct in the cyanide bottle; but a few of the more restless species are to be made sure of only by a sweep of the net. Some will feign death as soon as disturbed, and allow themselves to drop among the foliage, where further search is generally fruitless.
Another common difficulty arises from the inconvenient height of many of the attractive blossoms—often so great that it is impossible to reach them with the net, and very difficult to direct the rays of your lantern on them. This is particularly the case with sallow and ivy, the flowers of which are two rich sources of supply to the entomologist.
Fig. 52.
