Another underwing species which shows considerable
variation is the Tearful Underwing (Catocala lacrymosa).

I will try to periodically post pictures of some of my most
interesting examples of this species but, for now this will
be a start.

Here I offer a quite (typical) example of the species
which is most often encountered.


This specimen below, offers a very nicely "marbled"
appearance which is rich in light grey patches, caramel
zigzags, and black regions/overtones...

A lesser seen/encountered variation of C. relicta
is this one. Unlike, the much more salt/peppered
look of (form) phrynia this one seems to have more
"stabilized" boundaries where the black/white meet.

This is just my humble opinion and for all I know this
(could) be another form with a name. Although, I am
unaware of any for this one.

This specimen was collected in Sayner, Wisconsin in
August 1947.

Wonderful species !

Surely, one of THE most respendent and unusual catocala
species to encounter in northern N. America is this one:

The White Underwing (Catocala relicta)


The common name derives from it being a white-colored
member of the Catocala clan. This is quite unique as most
all other species are varying shades of grey, brown, or black
on the forewings.

The species name (relicta) comes from the Latin "relictus"
which means forsaken, lost or abandoned --- a clear
reference to other common names it is known by such as
Forsaken Underwing or the Relict Underwing.

Adults have a wingspan typically between 70-80 mm. The
species is variable in its markings with the "whitest"
individuals being a named form ---clara. Other, more
salt & pepper colored individuals are known as form ---phrynia.
Yet, still there remain others which don't quite "fit" either of
those named forms.

The species lives in southern Canada but, may be found in
many of the "northern" states bordering Canada. It has worked its
way down a bit further in places. Here in Illinois it is rarely seen
or encountered and if so it appears localised.

Only recently, I was able to acquire 3 relatively fresh specimens
of this incomparable species (for which I am very grateful). These
are Canadian in origin and are mighty special when one cannot
typically find or collect any oneself !

I don't smoke, but I always have cigarettes on me when I am in New Guinea. Locals may ask you some cigarettes and it is rather rude to enter their land without giving some.
The good practice is to have a guide who will ask before entering a "land" the cost and negotiate it. Usually a pack of cigarettes + few dollars will make the job. If you don't negotiate "before", then they will ask you to pay "to leave the land"... and here the cost can be huge as you are seen as a very rude man that should be punished for his rudeness.

PS. Tobacco and alcohol are both useful in entomology, but personally I do not imbibe either. At the same time, I believe everyone is free to choose what they want to do.

Adam.

Moderator's WARNING:
Smoking is bad for the health.

Just in case anyone reading this thinks that Insectnet promotes unhealthy habits.


Mind you, the smoke helps protect specimens from pest infestations!

Adam.

Jshuey wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2024 5:34 pm

bobw wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2024 4:22 pm

Jshuey wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2024 1:02 pm
More impactful, I left a zip lock bag full of cigars too close to a cabin window once in the Dominican Republic. Someone reached in and swiped 5 of the cigars (leaving about 10 probably thinking I wouldn't notice). In the frigg'in cigar capital of the world!

I beg to disagree John. Much as I like Dominican cigars, they're not a patch on Cuban, but I guess, as an American, you can't go there.

You can get anything you want here in the US - but it takes a bit of work. But the irony - was the stolen cigars were a mix of Nicaraguan and Honduran. So, I replaced them with Dominican sticks, which thanks to a hefty VAT - cost about twice as much there as I can buy them in the US...

j

I know the feeling. I used to import them from Switzerland and sometimes got away with it. Then they started picking them up at customs and charging duty, but it was still a lot cheaper. Now, the duty's so much that it's cheaper to buy them here. But I can go to Spain for a long weekend, buy my duty free allowance, have a great weekend away and still save a fair amount!

bobw wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2024 4:22 pm

Jshuey wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2024 1:02 pm
More impactful, I left a zip lock bag full of cigars too close to a cabin window once in the Dominican Republic. Someone reached in and swiped 5 of the cigars (leaving about 10 probably thinking I wouldn't notice). In the frigg'in cigar capital of the world!

I beg to disagree John. Much as I like Dominican cigars, they're not a patch on Cuban, but I guess, as an American, you can't go there.

You can get anything you want here in the US - but it takes a bit of work. But the irony - was the stolen cigars were a mix of Nicaraguan and Honduran. So, I replaced them with Dominican sticks, which thanks to a hefty VAT - cost about twice as much there as I can buy them in the US...

j

Jshuey wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2024 1:02 pm
More impactful, I left a zip lock bag full of cigars too close to a cabin window once in the Dominican Republic. Someone reached in and swiped 5 of the cigars (leaving about 10 probably thinking I wouldn't notice). In the frigg'in cigar capital of the world!

I beg to disagree John. Much as I like Dominican cigars, they're not a patch on Cuban, but I guess, as an American, you can't go there.

In all truth there's a lot of insanity that happens here too in the good 'ol US of A. Private property issues are hairy, since often we are forced into subpar areas to collect since the "best" and most trouble-free areas are public lands with off-limits designations (NPS, FWS, state parks/reserves, some BLM monuments, stupid county open spaces, etc).

One common one is an irate landowner claiming (very dubiously) that they own ALL the property, on both sides of the road, within 360 degrees of the edge of their little tiny lot that you got a bit too close to. You know they are full of crap, and don't have a leg to stand on (what methed-out old hermit has the $$$ to own acres and acres of prime forest real estate?), but they are willing to call the police to settle the score (and are quite possibly armed) and it's not like you can just whip out a county map of property boundaries then and there to shove in their face.

Another one is property owners whose land you accidentally fudged on not being convinced by you showing them the specimens, larvae, etc. that you found and *insisting* you must be there to rob them and this is all an elaborate ruse. I get that they didn't like that I was there without permission but this is just pathetic, folks. (On the flipside, one such ranch manager was in fact won-over by my specimens during a recent "oopsie" moment, and let me carry on.)

Yet another is when there is public or checkerboard land, but private property owners block the entire access road, and refuse to provide an easement for public access to land. I don't know how this is legal, but it is. It's a bigger thing in places like Texas than California or Arizona, but happens everywhere.

I haven't had kit stolen in the field yet, save for one stupid self-inflicted wound in the Huachucas of SE Arizona summer of 2009 when I stupidly left my car windows open (it was a scorching hot day) in the woods with my phone, digital camera, etc. in plain sight.

If anyone subscribed - but they hate skippers - let me know! I can buy them new - but I'm hoping for a better price than retail.

Butterflies of the World 49 Hesperiidae II. New World Pyrrhopyginae (Text) by Mielke, O.H.H.; Brockmann, E.; Mielke, C.G.C

Butterflies of the World 50: Hesperiidae III. New World Pyrrhopyginae (short text and plates). Brockmann, E.; Mielke, C.G.C.; Mielke, O.H.H.



John

Same for me. I nearly had zero troubles during my collecting trips. Those I can remember :
- we had to leave a village in the Baliem Valley (New Guinea) because we were "not welcome". But our guide understood fastly it was safer to leave the village.
- my backpack with all butterflies and a net were stolen in my car in Greece (I was on the beach swimming).
- I have been blackmailed few dollars by Indonesian authorities (but that's part of the tourist fee).

Then of course, from time to time, you will be charged more than locals... but well, in the tropics, life is not expensive at all and you won't notice it.

This said, except West Papua, I have never been to "dangerous" countries where civil war is close but it's another topic.

Of course, I won't recommend a trip to North Kivu or Iran as a first collecting trip abroad !

But I am sure that when I will be old, my collecting trips abroad will be in the top list of my great souvenirs.

Chuck wrote: ↑Sat Apr 13, 2024 12:53 pm

kevinkk wrote: ↑Fri Apr 12, 2024 11:55 pm Although I've "lost" a kayak and other equipment, it was sneak thieves that saw an opportunity.

Ah yes, the opportunistic petty thieves. Overall, I would say that petty theft (particularly from foreigners) has a level of cultural acceptance in many places. Certainly in parts of, or most of, Latin America.

In my travels, I've had exactly two "petty" experiences. In one case, I guy pumping gas in Merida Mexico, took my 200 pesos, and then pulled out 20 pesos and claimed that's what I gave him. I simply reached into his pocket and pulled my two one hundred peso notes out, and told him what for. That pretty much settled that! (note that they wear lab-coat like jackets at some service stations - so easy to reach in in a retrieve my money).

More impactful, I left a zip lock bag full of cigars too close to a cabin window once in the Dominican Republic. Someone reached in and swiped 5 of the cigars (leaving about 10 probably thinking I wouldn't notice). In the frigg'in cigar capital of the world!

Compare that to life in a small Indiana town, where once every couple of years people swipe something or other off the back patio - most recently a butane lighter my son gave me as a gift. But more typically, those little solar-powered lights you stick in flower pots.

Petty crime is everywhere,
John

AFAIK no post have been deleted. The "Agrias butterflies" topic have been split in two : one about Agrias, one about Global travel collecting, as the latter topic deserved its own topic.

The Agrias topic is here : viewtopic.php?p=9851#p9851

Who deleted a ton of posts in this thread and why??

As I'm not completely sure it is him, I'd rather not post his info on a public forum. It's just his e-mail account and personal website are very new (1 month and 4 months old respectively), his address in Linares, Jaen looks so much like Javiercarp11's, and the company associated with the website isn't in the Spanish company register. I've won a few of his auctions, so am awaiting if something arrives with his name on or I'll be fed the same barrage of excuses I got from Javiercarp11.

I can share in a DM though.

Yep, Larry told me that he's been working on it for a lomg time, but things keep changing. I don't think it's imminent.

I think Larry Gall has been working on it for a long-time and it does not yet appear to be finished (not yet listed on Wedge's site). Maybe you know all of this.

http://www.wedgefoundation.org/order.asp

If you are on Facebook, contact "Nic Lepido Asia". He is a French entomologist based in Kuala Lumpur for the last 15 years. He will be able to inform you about the local rules.
If you are not, I can give you his email in private message.