NATURE NOTES FROM ACADIA

BAITING FOR MOTHS IN ACADIA

That moths are attracted to light is common knowledge, but few know that some of our most beautiful moths may be captured by means of baits. Combinations of fermenting fruits and sweets are swabbed in patches on tree trunks at dusk and visited later with a light to collect the moths which are attracted by the fermenting materials.

My bait line was laid out at the base of Champlain Mountain along a road through the wood. Mashed rotten apples and bananas, dark molasses, and vinegar made an odoriferous combination. This was applied to the trunks of red maple, ash, and birches along the roadside, on the warm July and August evenings. The needle-carpeted ground at the base of a big pine furnishes an ideal resting place to await the coming of dark and the moths. Bats swoop back and forth over the nearby pond. They are nature's insect collectors. When the time to catch the moths comes the bull's-eye lantern is lighted and with stealthy steps the baited trees are approached. When a moth is seen the light is held steadily on it and a wide-mouthed killing jar quickly placed over it.

Many small species of owllet moths are attracted by bait. Sometimes big hawkmoths are found sipping the sweets, but the fascinating and beautiful Underwing Moths or Catocales are the favorites of collectors. The group of Underwing Moths is not so well developed in the land of Acadia as in more southern regions, but some splendid species are found here. The following species have been taken on Mt. Desert Island: the Ilia Underwing (Catocala ilia); the Sleepy Underwing (C. concumbens); the Once-married Underwing (C. unijuga); the Relict Underwing (C. relicta ); the Mother Underwing (C. parta); the Scarlet Underwing (C. coccinata); the Ultronia Underwing (C. ultronia); the Youthful Underwing (C. subnata); the Yellow- banded Underwing (C o eerogama) ; the Wayward Nymph (C. antinympha); the Old-maid (C. coelebs); the Praeclara Underwing (C. praeclara); the Blandula Underwing (C. blandula); the Graceful Underwing (C. gracilis); and the Briseis Underwing (C. briseis).

Their fore wings are protectively colored and they spend the day resting on the trunks of trees and other objects which they simulate to such a remarkable degree that they are passed by. At night on a baited tree with their wings atilt disclosing the brightly colored and banded underwings, and their eyes glowing like molten globules they are splendid creatures to behold. The collector must act quietly and quickly or they will be gone. Flying squirrels scamper away up some of the trees. They catch and eat insects; that is probably why the moths are so shy. Some species like the Ilia Underwing may be found at dusk when the trees are being rebaited; others do not come until sometimes after dark. The collector may reap a harvest until eleven o'clock or later when their feeding is usually over.

- Dr. A. E. Brower
Asst. State Entomologist
Maine Forest Service