Post by leptraps on Mar 7, 2017 17:41:12 GMT -8
I have been ask a dozen times or more how I learned to spot and collect cocoons. I remember reading a book about collecting cocoons, but could not remember the book or books I read. Well, inadvertently I came across "THE" book while searching for another book on rearing techniques. The book is titled: Collecting Cocoon by Lois J. Hussey & Catherine Pessino 1953 and this was it's eighth printing. memories came flooding back. My grandmother bought me the book in 1957 as a birthday present. She encouraged my interest in nature, especially Lepidoptera. I remembered sharing it with my to collecting buddies. That fall we began to search for cocoons. We could only find Hylaphora cecropia cocoons. The following winter we were better prepared, we had 25 feet worth of aluminum tubing poles with a hook on the end that eventually became a pinch hook. And we ventured out into the country on our bicycles. We learned to spot Cherry and Sassafras trees growing along the roads and in fields where we journeyed. We had H. cecropia, A. polyphemus and C. promethean, dozens of them. that is how I learned, and that primitive skill I still have.
And, there was a design for an emergence alarm. We made them and they worked. However, after several alarms I was not allowed to have them in the house as the alarm was a bell. We switched over to flashing lights.
Both authors of the book were women.
I claim that I am an avocational Lepidopterists. My wife claims its an addiction.
And, there was a design for an emergence alarm. We made them and they worked. However, after several alarms I was not allowed to have them in the house as the alarm was a bell. We switched over to flashing lights.
Both authors of the book were women.
I claim that I am an avocational Lepidopterists. My wife claims its an addiction.
