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Post by beetlehorn on Aug 29, 2018 13:28:08 GMT -8
I almost always carry a net in my car or truck. Whether I am visiting a friend, going to the store, or to work, I usually always have a net available. One morning several years ago I stopped at a local convenience store to get a cup of coffee. As I pulled up to park I saw a Black Witch moth on the side of the building, and this one time I had no net!!! I tried to catch it by hand, but it took off as I got close. A classic example of not having a net when you need it most. I know these moths are common in other places, especially south of my location, but here it is a rare moth, so that made it more painful.
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Post by beetlehorn on Aug 8, 2018 9:43:25 GMT -8
currently I have some 80 drawers. Fourty two of them are 24 inches by 24 inches. So I would guess drawers of that size equal 4 square feet, (about double the capacity of Cornell's). So in that respect I would say around 165 drawers. I am also in the process of making another 14 drawers out of red cedar, to aid as a pest repellent. Here is an example of what I build for myself.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jul 9, 2018 18:03:51 GMT -8
In most places of the world, butterfly or insect collecting is looked upon as an inappropriate activity for many reasons. The news reporter in the video said something that discredited the whole viewpoint of their conservation ideology. Saying that these butterflies are being taken from "shrinking habitat" may or may not be true, but as we all know the loss of habitat is the real culprit. It's not the guy with a net, but the guy with the chainsaw, and bulldozer who is the responsible "criminal" regarding dwindling numbers of all wildlife, not just butterflies. Regulating wildlife trade in the attempt to control population numbers might work in ivory smuggling by seizing incoming shipments for example, but insects are an entirely different matter in that regard, because in most cases insect numbers are hardly affected by collecting alone. I follow CITES laws because I don't want to risk any trouble with authorities, but at the same time I have to wonder what good these kind of regulations actually do in the real world.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jul 8, 2018 18:18:01 GMT -8
Some ten years ago there was a rather famous butterfly trader that got nailed by US Fish & Wildlife. I think most collectors know about Yoshi Kojima, and the trouble he got into. I was browsing youtube and ran across this video. I thought I would share it here for those of you interested in the events that took place at the time.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jul 8, 2018 11:36:28 GMT -8
What a shame that Speyeria idalia is so sparsely found east of the Mississippi. Is your right of way management a beneficial program for key plants such as milkweed? If so I wish you the best of luck.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jul 8, 2018 7:31:09 GMT -8
Thanks Leroy. I truly appreciate it. Since you have encountered them in Indiana and Kentucky, they should also be found in my local area of Kentucky, and Tennessee. I guess I need to try a few other places in my county. No telling what I'll find. The specimen in the photo above is from Jackson county Alabama, where I got 4 males last Tuesday.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jul 7, 2018 16:58:01 GMT -8
Since I started collecting these little flannel moths, I have found that they are the same as many other species in regards to localized populations. Just because the range map says you are in the right area, doesn't mean they are necessarily in the location you are collecting. This past week I found out that a place I have collected several times before, actually has the moth I was looking for. The Southern Flannel (Megalopyge opercularis) moth occurs from Maryland to Florida westward to Missouri and Louisiana according to the Eastern Moth book by Covell, but trying to locate them is a crap shoot. I am sure they are probably common as dirt in the deep south being sparsely populated further north. It is best known by it's larvae that looks furry, but has stinging hairs amongst the soft fur on it's body. They leave a rash that has a grid-like pattern, which can be irritating. Here is a specimen I attracted to my lights a few nights ago. Perhaps others will recognize it.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 20, 2018 21:26:32 GMT -8
I realize that there needs to be some regulation in regards to importing/exporting wildlife for commercial purposes. It is much more of a critical issue when considering birds, mammals and especially reptiles. Insects simply have a much higher degree of reproductive capability than other wildlife, and I have a hunch that insects are probably lowest in priority to wildlife agencies. In my previous post I was trying to make the statement regarding the importance of habitat protection as compared to regulating collecting of insects. There are some insects, especially butterflies that truly need protection from collecting, (especially from commercial exploitation) of that I have no doubt. Some examples are Papilio aristodemus-(ssp. ponceanus), Papilio homerus, Speyeria idalia-(the eastern ssp.), and Neonympha mitchelli just to name a few. In each and every case the one factor responsible for their demise is habitat destruction, not collecting. So wouldn't it be wiser to put the effort towards habitat restoration or protecting wild places that certain species in trouble need for long term survival? This seems to me the most logical thing to do. I know all of this sounds over simplified in regards to the complexity of the problems that we have. In comparison it is much like the immigration problems the US is dealing with.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 17, 2018 18:01:39 GMT -8
After doing some research, I have found that the US is really the only country that enforces some of the most stupid/ridiculous regulations on this planet!!!! No real concern for habitat protection......which as anyone with an IQ of 50 or more knows IS the real threat to any wildlife, including insects. Oh! But no....lets restrict the collector, because that's much easier than going out in the field and promoting habitat preservation or even restoration. Logic is definately not one of their attributes in regards to laws and regulations that would make a real difference in protecting wildlife populations. If the governments of this world didn't ruin natural habitats, the wildlife in those habitats would not be nearly as challenged.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 14, 2018 15:03:02 GMT -8
Since starting this topic, I did a bit of experimenting. I captured five Catocala moths using a killing jar charged with ethyl acetate. A freshly charged jar takes about 12-14 seconds to completely immobilize an average sized specimen/species. A very potent jar with the bottom drenched in acetate, immobilizes in about eight seconds. When I say immobilized, I mean all struggling, twitching, or other movement ceases. This does not mean dead, just stopped moving. How long until total death......I am not sure, but I would guess about two or three minutes. I say this because I have taken specimens supposedly dead out of a killing jar and had them "come back to life" so to speak, and even fly away! Sometimes after a 5 minute exposure. Much depends on the potency of the chemical in the jar in regards to the quantity of killing agent.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 13, 2018 15:15:16 GMT -8
I have used #1, #2 and #3 insect pins of various manufacturers for the majority of specimens. All of these pins are generally about 38mm in length. I have some #5 and #7 pins that are 50mm in length. I am not aware of anyone that has 50mm length pins in size #2 or #3, but perhaps someone knows a source. Sometimes an extra long pin would come in handy for certain beetles and other large body insects. If someone knows, I would greatly appreciate the info.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 12, 2018 11:11:59 GMT -8
I have heard of using cyanide as a killing agent in kill jars, but it is considered dangerous. This poison is also difficult to obtain. I have never used it, and only have experience with ethyl actetate, so I don't know if it is more humane. Ethyl acetate usually kills with a few seconds when freshly charged, but sometimes it takes longer than what I consider humane. I have also injected insects with alcohol, and it seems to be the most humane method because it kills almost instantly. Small or fragile insects are difficult to inject without damaging them, so I am forced to use the killing jar. Quickly dispatching a specimen also aids in keeping them from getting damaged, as most collectors would agree. If anyone has a better method, I would be very interested.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 12, 2018 7:58:54 GMT -8
I have never reared any Papaipemas, but have had success with other subterranean pupaters by mixing sand with topsoil 50/50, about 5 inches deep in the bottom of a plastic storage container. Size according to number of larvae. I also add a layer of dried leaves on top to simulate natural conditions. Moisten occasionally with rain water to prevent dessication, and keep a screen top on the container. Be sure to add sticks and twigs along with a few pieces of paper towel to the sides so eclosing adults can climb up to expand their wings. Keep the container in shade and avoid direct sun.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 10, 2018 19:40:53 GMT -8
I am seeing more Catocala moths in regards to numbers than last year. Yesterday I got two C. illecta and one Catocala coccinata (Scarlet Underwing), which was in perfect A1 condition.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jun 6, 2018 14:26:23 GMT -8
Good catch jhyatt! Last night I was on the phone with Bill Garthe while I was checking my collecting sheet. I quickly saw two D. rubicunda moths, two Anisota virginiensis females, one Sibene stimulea (Saddleback caterpillar moth), one Euclea delphinii (Spiny oak-slug moth), one big female H. cecropia, several Sphinx moths, and one Catocala illecta. It was the first and only catocala Iv'e seen all season long. I usually have lots of C. micronympha, some C. ilia, and C. epione, with at least a few C. coccinata thrown in by now. I guess an entire genus can have it's bad years as well.
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