In the late summer, masses of moths and other flying insects rendeszvous under the scorching spotlights of the University Memorial Cross to partake in a nightly frenzy of nocturnal feeding and sexing. The Society converged on this entomobananza earlier this week under a waxing crescent moon. Geometridae aside, fellows reported findings of lacewings galore, as well as a phenomenal close relative: the spectacular wasp mantisfly (Climaciella spp.), a Neuropteran also related to ant lions. 
Ground-dwelling coleopterans, featuring a unprecedented turnout of weevils of every sort, as well as hemipterans and arachnids congregated along the grass near the iron fencing of the memorial. The stars, featuring Jupiter rising abovethe Western horizon, were magnificent. Large members of both Orthoptera's Tettigoniidae and Acrididae were huge hits, especially when one particularly adventurous hopper tried to climb inside Carey Donald's ear.
THE FEATURE PRESENTATION OF THIS NATURAL HISTORY EVENT: Chiroptera. Bats. These placental fighter jets were patrolling the Cross lights on the hunt for inattentive bugs. When hunting, these bats dove and dipped in spectacular showcases of aggressive attack maneuveurs- stunning rolling vortexes as they killed in cold blood - truly formidable displays of derring doo. When we could quiet the jubilated cries of the fellows, we were able to hear the bats clicking their internal sonar-guns over our heads as the raced by.
What a night for Natural History.
Yours,
EM Keen, Patrician
Pictures by Kate Cummings
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