BUTTERFLY-SHOOTING. [To THE EDITOR OF TER " SPROTATOR."]
Sin,—In your last issue a correspondent, Mr. Tours, suggests that the subject of "big-game shooting" for spiders has been neglected. In his example the spider is the hunter. There now seems to be a new opening for the sportsman in South Africa. A large black and yellow swallow-tail butterfly (Papilis deinoleus) lays its eggs one at a time on the growing twigs of orange and lemon trees. When the larva hatches out it does infinite damage to the younger trees, and, from the scattered distribution of the individuals, spraying or any of the ordinary methods of destruction are of little use. In the current number of the Transvaal Agricultural Journal the Government entomologist writes :—
"A great deal can be accomplished towards reducing the numbers of this insect by destroying the butterflies. The most effective instrument for this purpose is a light fowling-piece loaded with dust shot or coarse salt. It may seem ridiculous to advocate the shooting of butterflies, but an insect with suet a
large wing expanse affords a very good target. A bed of zenias might he planted in the garden, which would attract dozens of butterflies, and place them within reach of the orange grower as he takes his midday rest upon the stoop."
New University Club, St. James Street, S. W.
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