Direction Leaflet Number Two HOW TO MAKE AND USE INSECTS NETS By ALICE GRAY Department of Insects and Spiders The American Museum of Natural History In the popular mind the insect net is the trade-mark of the entomologist, and although a majority of insects can be captured with the fingers, a net of some sort is a necessity to every general collector. Professional collectors may have a battery of them, from a teacup-size wisp of silken gauze, for the most delicate midges, to an iron-bound canvas laundry-bin of a beating net, used to dislodge hidden specimens from bushes and trees. The amateur collector will probably require a single medium-sized net only. This may be purchased at a scientific supply house, but it is so easy and inexpensive to construct that many people prefer to make their own. Essentially, the insect net is a cloth bag, held open at one end by a rigid hoop attached to a handle of convenient length, the whole as light in weight as is consistent with moderate durability. Any suitable materials, put together in any workable manner, will produce a satisfactory result. The directions here given are the simplest we have been able to devise, the materials such as are readily available in any neighborhood shopping center, if they are not already in the house, and the dimensions those of a good general-purpose aerial net. MATERIALS From the hardware store: 4 ft. 1/8 or 3/16 in. iron wire, or the wire hoop of a barrel or nail keg. A 3/4 in. dowell, or old broom handle. 2 staples, about 1/4 in. between the points. About 4 yd. of very strong twine. A very small quantity of laquer, varnish, or shellac. A bottle of clear fingernail polish will do very well. From the dress-goods or upholstery shop: 1/4 yd. of unbleached muslin, or any strip of strong cloth about 4 in. wide and some three inches more than long enough to reach entirely around the hoop of your net frame. A spool of sewing thread, no. 40. 1 1/4 yd. of good strong netting, 1 yd. wide. Coarse nylon marquisette is excellent, but there are several other suitable materials—heavy tulle, brussels net, and various curtain fabrics, for instance. For greatest durability, the threads should be twisted around each other at the intersections, rather than simply interwoven, although a good quality of cheese cloth will give fair service at much smaller cost. The mesh should be small enough to retain the insects, and large enough to permit the free passage of air. Color is not important. Most commercial nets are white. You can see enmeshed specimens most easily if the fabric is black, and some collectors think that a green or brown net is less visible to the insects. Since good netting is apt to be expensive and comes in several widths, you may want to be more precise in your measurements when you buy. In that case, finish the frame of the net first, and then make a paper pattern for the bag. Take this with you, and no matter what the width of the material you select, you can easily determine exactly how much you will need to cut your bag in the most economical manner. Before you buy any netting at all, find out whether there is not, in the family, a tulle gown which has gone out of fashion. This should keep you in insect nets for years. There is no objection to piecing the material if necessary. TOOLS A pair of wire-cutters, or a hack saw, to cut off the hoop-wire, if it is too long. A hand drill, with bit about 1/16 in. larger than the wire. Sandpaper. A hammer. A piece of string. A saw, to cut off the handle, if necessary. Scissors. Sewing machine, if available. Needle. Pins. Tape measure. 1