: The Lepidopterist Society

Basic Techniques for Observing and Studying Moths and Butterflies

William D. Winter Jr.

Table of Contents

Dedication Preface Foreward Introduction Acknowledgements	iii xi xii xiii xvi
Chapter 1.
OBSERVING MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES Where and When Enhancing Vision Behavior in the Field Road-kills Special Activities Identification and Records	1 1 5 7 8 8 9
Chapter 2.
PHOTOGRAPHY Cameras Lenses Film Lighting Exposure Photographing in the Field Photographing Immature Stages Special Situations Photographing Spread Specimens Videography Data and Record Keeping Organizing a Photograph Collection	11 11 12 14 15 18 19 20 25 26 28 30 31
Chapter 3.
RECORDS Field Records Computerized Records	35 35 38
Chapter 4.
IDENTIFICATION Books on Butterflies and Moths Basics of Classification Names Identification from Books Comparison with Other Collections Help from Specialists Identification of lmmatures Sexing	41 41 42 51 53 55 55 56 60
Chapter 5.
GARDENING FOR LEPIDOPTERA Physical Considerations Garden Planning and Plant Placement Nectar-plant Selection Larval Foodplant Selection Fields and Meadows Mowing and Pruning Plant Lists Plant Sources Accessory Nutrition and Amenities Pest Control Adding, Introducing, and Releasing Lepidoptera Goals Reviewed	65 66 67 72 73 74 75 77 77 79 81 83 84
Chapter 6.
REARING Collecting Immature Stages Transporting Collected Livestock Accommodationsfor Larvae Caring for Ova; Hatching and Hatchlings Caring for Larvae Preparing for Pupation Preparing for Eclosion Inducing Mating Inducing Egg Laying Eggs to Hatchlings Dealing with Diapause Spring Hatching and Hatchlings Managing Hibernation Manipulating Diapause Keeping Records Reporting Life Histories	87 88 92 94 101 104 115 116 122 127 131 136 137 140 143 145 147
Chapter 7.
COLLECTING ADULT LEPIDOPTERA The Butterfly Net Related Equipment Using the Net Recovery from the Net Collecting at Lights Collecting with Bait Collecting with Pheromones Other Gambits Philatelic Collecting	152 154 157 164 166 169 190 198 202 203
Chapter 8.
PREPARING SPECIMENS Spreading "Microlepidoptera" Label Content Label Making Relaxing Storing Specimens Protecting Stored Specimens Remedies Special Displays Preserving Immature Stages	207 207 226 227 232 236 239 247 254 257 260
Chapter 9.
PREPARING GENITALIA Preliminaries and Equipment Genital Description and Terminology Procedure	265 265 268 268
Chapter 10.
HAZARDS Noxious Arthropods Diseases Acquired in the Field Hazardous Vertebrates Noxious Vegetation Allergies Physical Hazards Radiant Energy Chemicals Commercial Carriers Hazards to Equipment	277 277 283 289 293 294 294 296 300 307 308
Chapter 11.
Interactions, Regulations, & Transactions Organizations for Lepidopterists Individuals Regulations and Wildlife Laws Transactions Involving Lepidoptera Sources of Lepidoptera Packing and Shipping Specimens Reporting Findings and Observations Places to Visit Sources of Books Sources of Equipment and Materials	312 312 313 314 319 320 321 327 328 329 330
Chapter 12.
Guidelines for Collecting	331
Chapter 13.
Disposition of Collections Factors Affecting Collection Value Value to the Recipient Related Items of Value Personal Records Inventory for Appraisal Purposes Appraisal Potential Recipients or Buyers Considerations Prior to Transfer Logistics of a Collection Transfer U.S. Tax Considerations	336 336 337 338 339 339 343 344 345 346 347
Appendix A
How to Prepare Publishable Reports of Lepidopteran Life Histories	351
Appendix B
The Write Stuff: Preparing Manuscripts for Publication	362
Appendix C
How to Find an Original Description: Lepidoptera	365
Appendix D
Searching for Papaipema Larvae	367
Appendix E
Lepidoptera Philately	371
Appendix F
A Technique for Setting and Mounting Microlepidoptera	373
Appendix G
Cutting Polyethylene Foam into Strips for Staging Microlepidoptera	389
Appendix H
Sesiid Pheromones	392
Appendix I
Book Condition Standards	400
Appendix J
Book Lists	401
Appendix K
Organization Lists	415
Appendix L
Dealers and Suppliers	418
Appendix M
Project Suggestions	421
Appendix N
Careers Involving Lepidoptera	425
Appendix O
New Moon Tables	428
Glossary	431
Index	433

The Lepidopterist Society

Est. 1947

Table of Contents

Chapter 1.

Chapter 2.

Chapter 3.

Chapter 4.

Chapter 5.

Chapter 6.

Chapter 7.

Chapter 8.

Chapter 9.

Chapter 10.

Chapter 11.

Chapter 12.

Chapter 13.

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

Appendix E

Appendix F

Appendix G

Appendix H

Appendix I

Appendix J

Appendix K

Appendix L

Appendix M

Appendix N

Appendix O

Glossary

Index