Are you a stalker OR do you lie in wait?

[trehopr1]

Here's another engaging philosophical question for those lepidopterists out there. When out in the field do you prefer stalking your butterfly quarry. Or do you prefer just setting up the olé mercury vapor light and let em' come to you. In a way you could look at this topic as the difference between splinters and lumbers.
I think butterfly hunters really do their best to KNOW as much about their quarry as possible --- before they actually go about trying to find and capture it. Moth men on the other hand seem to very much prefer that their quarry just ARRIVE in buckets. Of coarse, Catocala fanciers with their various baits, recipes, and potions might be more regarded as the "stalkers of the night" in all fairness. Where do you fit in? What are your thoughts? Have fun...

[Paul K]

I would like to add the question to this topic . Is there any lepidopterist on this forum never been interesting in moths or vice versa collect only moths and no have passion for butterflies?

[nomad]

I have studied both moths and butterflies with equal pleasure.  . 

[jensb]

I do to and I am a stalker I love to explore and find something.
And then I want to know what it is.
I find lightcatching also fun but that is because I am always curious about
what ill find.

Greets jens

[Paul K]

Collecting butterflies it's a pleasure for me . Exploring the nature and wonderful landscapes. Hiking in the forests and meadows. After collecting moths in French Guiana I found it as a hard all night work but also unforgettable adventure. Paul

[wollastoni]

Same for me I love hiking to find my precious butterflies.

I have never been a moth collector. Even if I love tropical day-flying moths like Agaristinae.

[cabintom]

Moths are secondary for me... well, other than day-flying moths. Many are quite spectacular. Like others, I'm definitely a stalker as I enjoy the hike and exploration. Besides, there are so many species, especially in the Congolese Rainforest, that you never know what might be found around the bend.

[coopera]

I am interested in both Butterflies and Moths and probably consider myself to be more of a 'stalker' when it comes to finding Lepidoptera in the field. There is just something more special in my opinion of going out, walking and experiencing all aspects of the natural world and spotting the insects and being able to photograph them up close.
I have been lucky enough and will never forget the close encounters with many British Butterflies I have had, there is something very special about holding a completely wild butterfly in your hand and observe its beauty face to face. I'm often asked how I've managed to encourage these butterflies onto my hand but there is no secret, no sweet temptation, just patience, slow movements and knowing where your shadow is!




However, I have been mothing many times and the experience is wonderful but I often find myself wandering away from the light to see what I can find in the surrounding area whilst others watch and wait.

[trehopr1]

Close encounters such as these you have shown us are especially memorable to be sure !
Some are completely at ease while others look "inquisitive " about their beholder.
Marvelous....

[davemaunder]

I have always been interested in both moths and butterflies, and consider myself a stalker in some circumstances, although I do like to sit next to a moth trap in the woods and just enjoy what comes in. In my younger days I used to be out with my net collecting butterflies, teaching myself their life histories and habitat requirements and food plants, and swiftly moved onto moths which are really my passion in my later years. I used to spend every winter pupa-digging, cycling miles on my bike and unearthing so many Hawk moth pupae and rearing the resultant moths, then when I was old enough to drive my passion for Lepidoptera new no boundaries! These days I spend more time trapping female moths and rearing any larvae from them through to adults and making photographic records of their life histories - quite time consuming as I still work full time, but only six years to go before I retire! So although I do still stalk I also like to sit and wait!

[wollastoni]

Welcome to the forum Dave !
It would be a pleasure to read posts about your moth rearing!