Netting butterflys.

[demicav]

I bought my son a bug kit for christmas and hopefully, weather allowing, he'll be getting some use out of it. I noticed there is a butterfly net in the box and I'm a little unsure whether they are safe to use. I wouldn't want to damage any of our little friends. Has anyone used these and is it ok to use them ??

[harasseddad]

Netting butterflies is unlikely to damage them; however handling butterflies will cause them to lose scales from the wings, and should be avoided. There should be a bug pot in the kit (a plastic box often with a magnifing element in the lid) - you should use this to view the butterflies he catches. Just put your hands into the net and guide the butterfly into the pot and lid it before removing. If the butterfly won't settle when in the pot, put it into the shade or a dark place to calm it down. Al ways release the butterfly back where you caught it.

The nets in these kits are often too small, and if he gets into insects you might want to get a better net (or make one - my first net was a bamboo cane from the garden, a wire coat hanger rounded and shoved into the top and some of my mum's net curtain). A proper net should be about three times as deep as the opening, and ideally as wide as he can comfortably handle. Don't forget it's not just butterflies, you can catch all sorts of insects for a closer look.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by harasseddad

Netting butterflies is unlikely to damage them; however handling butterflies will cause them to lose scales from the wings, and should be avoided. There should be a bug pot in the kit (a plastic box often with a magnifing element in the lid) - you should use this to view the butterflies he catches. Just put your hands into the net and guide the butterfly into the pot and lid it before removing. If the butterfly won't settle when in the pot, put it into the shade or a dark place to calm it down. Al ways release the butterfly back where you caught it.

The nets in these kits are often too small, and if he gets into insects you might want to get a better net (or make one - my first net was a bamboo cane from the garden, a wire coat hanger rounded and shoved into the top and some of my mum's net curtain). A proper net should be about three times as deep as the opening, and ideally as wide as he can comfortably handle. Don't forget it's not just butterflies, you can catch all sorts of insects for a closer look.

Thank you. The net is a good size and there is a bug pot in there, we'll see how we get on. He will be supervised at all times. Thanks again for your reply.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by demicav

I bought my son a bug kit for christmas and hopefully, weather allowing, he'll be getting some use out of it. I noticed there is a butterfly net in the box and I'm a little unsure whether they are safe to use. I wouldn't want to damage any of our little friends. Has anyone used these and is it ok to use them ??

If it's a proper butterfly net - large and made of very light material there should be no problem.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

If it's a proper butterfly net - large and made of very light material there should be no problem.

Thanks Paul.

[derekmc]

Just one additional query on this - does the colour of the net have any effect?

I've seen butterfly nets with both black and white mesh bags, and have often wondered which was the more effective - or doesn't it matter too much?

Thanks
Derek

[Misanthrope]

I don't know whether the insects are bothered by the colour, but I think butterfly nets tend to be black while white is used for other flying insects. Small insects are easier to find in the net against a white background.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Misanthrope

I don't know whether the insects are bothered by the colour, but I think butterfly nets tend to be black while white is used for other flying insects. Small insects are easier to find in the net against a white background.

The net in my sons kit is white but there are no instructions to say what it's exactly for. I presumed butterfly net but maybe it's for other bugs.

[eucera]

Originally Posted by demicav

The net in my sons kit is white but there are no instructions to say what it's exactly for. I presumed butterfly net but maybe it's for other bugs.

No need for confusion....Net colour is purely a matter of personal preference. I use a short-handled black kite net myself, but my US colleagues think I've dropped in from Mars when they see it. They all use white net bags. Vive la difference!

It is important NOT to have a net mesh that is too broad (tiny things get out) or too fine (creates air resistance and makes using the net difficult). As long as it works... you can use it to catch anything really.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by eucera

It is important NOT to have a net mesh that is too broad (tiny things get out) or too fine (creates air resistance and makes using the net difficult). As long as it works... you can use it to catch anything really.

You should not really use nets to catch dragon and damsel flies unless you are skilled - there is a much greater risk of damaging these creatures.

henrya