THE
ENTOMOLOGIST'S
MONTHLY MAGAZINE :
COJfDUCTED BY
C. G. BAERETT. E. C. RYE, F.Z.S.
J. W. DOUGLAS. E. SATJNDEES, E.L.S.
E. McLACHLAN, E.E.S. H. T. STAINTON, F.R.S.
VOL. XIX.
" The advantages attending the division of labour reach their maximum
when not onlj individuals devote themselves chiefly to one object, but associate
together for the purpose of promoting and extending it. * * * To a
thorough conviction of this truth the Entomological Society of London owes
its existence." (" Introduction " to vol. i of the Transactions of the Entomo-
logical Society of London, the " organization " of which Society ivas effected on
May Zrd, 1833.)
JOHN VAX VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1882-83.
LONDOX :
XAPIEB, PRINTER, SEYMOm STREET, EUSTON SQUARE.
MDCCCLXXXIII.
INDEX.
General Index i.
Entomological Society viii.
Special Index —
Coleoptera x.
Diptera xii.
Heniiptera xii.
Hymenoptera xiii.
Lepidoptera xiv.
Neuroptera xvi.
Thysanura xtII.
page
Index to Contributors xvii.
Genera and Species New to Sciknce ... xviii.
,, „ „ ,, ,, Britain ... xix.
Larv.'E of British Species Described ... xx,
ReVIBWS XX.
Obituary xx.
INDEX TO GENERAL SUBJECTS.
" A Bibliography of Fossil Insects, by S. H. Scudder :" Review
Abundance of Litliocolletis platani, Stdgr., at Pallanza
Acanthia, Cimex or
Acherontia Atropos taken at a bee-hive
Acrobasis consociella, var. sodalella, in Pembrokeshire, Occui'rence of
Acronyeta alni near Bristol
Actidiuni coaretatum, &c., near Grloucester
Addition to the British Fauna of a new genus and species of Hemiptera
Horaoptera ...
JEgeriidae and Sphingidse, Descriptions of new species of
Agrotis tritici, aquilina, obelisca, and nigricans, On the probable specific
identity of
Ammcecius brevis at Matlock
Antennal characters of Psocida?, The tarsal and
An thicus bimaculatus, 111., near Liverpool
Anthomyiidse, Annotated list of British ... ... ... 29,
" Ants and their Ways, by Eev. W. Farren White, M.A. :" Review
Apanteles, Great destruction of Pieris brassicse by ...
Apathus, The British species of ...
Aphalara nervosa, Capture of
„ eubpunctata, Forst. (A. pallida, Leth.), Note on ...
Argynnis Dia near Tunbridge Wells
Argyrolepia Schreibersiana re-discovered
Bombyx quercus. New food plant for ...
British Anthomyiidse, Annotated List of ... . . ... ... 29,
„ species of Eremocoris, On the ...
}, ), ,) Psithyrus, The
„ Tortrices, Notes on
Butterflies, A List of the, captured in Barrackpore Park from March, 1880
to August, 1881
Calyptonotus lynceus at the Camber Sandhills
PAGB
47
94
202
236
111
89
20, 139
154
15
278
117
12
161
, 213
262
206
267
20, 42
189
210
44
165
145, 213
266
267
58, 135
33
117
145,
PAGE
Capture of Crabro gonager, ?, in Gloucester ... ... ... ... •.• 100
„ „ Mixodia rubiginosana, &c., in West Norfolk ... ... ... 280
„ „ the njmph of Aphalara nervosa on Achillea raillefoliuni ... 20
Captures at Deal ... ... ... . .• ••• •■ ••• 187
„ during the past season in the Forest of Dean, Notes on certain ... 185
„ of Lepidoptera in Yorkshire ... ... ... ... ... ... 91
Carposina, II. -S., referable to the Tortriciiia . ... ... . ... 69
" Catalogue of British Coleoptera, by Eev. A. Matthews, M.A., and Rev.
W. W. Fowler, M.A. :" Review 263
J, „ Lepidoptera, The Yorkshire .. .. ... ... ... 233
" „ „ the Tortrices of North America north of Mexico, by Profes-
sor C. H. Fernald ." Review 190
Catoptria expallidana. Description of the larva of ... ... .. ... 140
Ceraleptus lividus, Stein, &c., at the Clamber Sandhills ... ... ... 139
Ceropacha ridens and Tseniocampa miniosa in Pembrokeshire ... ... 44
Characters of new genera and descriptions of new species of Geodephaga
from the Hawaiian Islands .. ... ... .. ... ... ... 62
Chauliodus insecurellus, A probable clue to the Habits of ... ... ... 73
Chelaria conscriptella, Habits and description of the larva of ... ... 114
Chrysalids, Simulium feeding upon ... ... ... ... ... ... 254
Chrysopa minima, Kiljander, = Ch. dasyptera, McLach. ... ... ... 117
Cimex or Acanthia ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 202
Cocci and earwigs .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 88
Coleophora reputed to feed on wlieat in Russia, On the strange ... ... 101
Coleoptera at Cliobham, Hemiptera and ... ... ... ... ... 140
„ „ Hunstanton ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 138
„ „ Mablethorpe 161
„ &c., at Ventnor ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 160
„ in 1882 in the Hastings District 261
„ „ Kent 238
„ , Notes on new British, since 1871 ... .. 121, 167, 197, 229, 247, 269
Collecting, Entomological, on a voyage in the Pacific... ... ... 22, 257, 274
Contribution to the Life-History of Spercheus emarginatus ... ... 79
Contributions to a knowledge of the Rhynchotal Fauna of Sumatra ... 156
Cooke, Death of Benjamin ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 238
Coriscium sulphurellum, Larva of ... ... ... ... ... ... 92
Crabro, A new British species of (C. KoUari, Dahlb.)... ... ... • ... 246
„ gonager, ?, in Gloucestershire, Capture of 100
Crambi allied to C. pinellus, On the species of European ... ... ... 239
Crambus furcatellus. Note on ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 187
Cucujus coccinatus and C. Grouvellii, Specific distinctness of ... ... 261
Description of a new spscies of Hemiptera-Heteroptera from Central America 41
I) ,> ,, „ „ Pentatoniidse from Japan ... ... ... 76
») » » ), J, „ „ Madagascar ... ... 108
1) » » „ „ Psyllidse recently new to Britain .. .. 64
„ „ the larva of Catoptria expallidana 140
» ») » „ „ Chelaria conscriptella, Habits and ... ... 114
,, ., „ „ „ Dicvcla Oo 203
Description of the larva of Pamphila linea
„ „ „ „ „ Pterophorus pentaclactyliis
Descriptions of new species of ^geriidffi and Sphingidse
„ „ „ „ „ Geodephaga from the Hawaiian Islands, Cha
racters of new genera and
„ „ the larv£e of Hawaiian Lepidoptera
„ „ three new species of Papilio ...
Destruction of Lepidoptera by rain
„ „ Saturnia carpini by parasites, &c.
Dicycla Oo, Description of the larva of
Dilar japonicus, n. sp.
Diptera in Arran . .
Dipterous larvae in the human subject ...
Distribution of the genus Platypleura ; a correction
Early life of Psylla pyricola
Economy of Zartea fasciata, On some points in the
Eggs laid by the same female, and other notes, On the
of Lepidopterous
Endotricha flammealis, Natural History of
Ennychia anguinalis, ,, ,, ,,
Entomological collecting on a voyage in the Pacific .
„ Society of London, Proceedings of the
Entomology in the Isle of Harris, &c. ...
Ephestia passulella, Natural History of
Ei'emocoris, On the British species of ...
Error as to fig-insect from Ficus religiosa
„ „ occurrence of Retinia duplana
Eubria palustris, Note on
Eumicrus rufus, Miill., at Hurst Green, Sussex
Euplectus bicolor, &c., on Cannook Chase
Eupoecilia Mussehliana in Carmarthenshire, Peronea perplexana and
Eupteryx vittatus, Linn. ...
European Crambi allied to C. pinellus, On the species
Eurytomides, The question of parasitism or non-parasitism in certain
" Fifth Annual Report of the Dulwich College Science Society :" Review
Fig-insect from Ficus religiosa. Error as to
Food-plants and times of appearance of Psyllidse found in Great Britain, &c
Further Tropical Notes ...
Garden Insects in 1882 ...
Gelechia ligulella, vorticella, tseniolella, and Sircomella (identity of)
„ maculiferella at Lewisham
„ „ bred from Cerastium ...
„ , On two of the species of, which frequent salt-marshes
Geodephaga from the Hawaiian Islands, Characters of new genera and de
scriptions of new species of
Gerris lacustris in hibernation far from water ...
Great destruction of Pieris brassicae by Apanteles
Habits and description of the larva of Chelaria conscriptella
m.
PAGE
244
187
15
62
55
234
90
237
203
220
222
45, 69
67
205
97
variation of the sizes
208
149
77
... 22,257,274
47, 119, 143, 212, 264
237
104, 142
266
163
142
138
190
19
115
, 89, 115
239
67
of
141
262
163
13
59, 226
117
112
93
112
231
62
20
206
114
PAGE
Habits of Chanliodus insecurcllus, A probable nine to the 73
„ „ Lepisma saccharina, On the ., •• ••• ••• ••• ^-^
Halietus cjlindricus carnivorous ... ... ■■■ ••• ••• ••• ■'^"-'
Heliodos arbuti, Natural History of ... ... •.• ■•• ••• •■• ^"
Hemiptera and Coleoptera at Chobham ... ... ■•■ •■• ••• 1^'^
„ at Deal in July and August, 1882, Ilymcnoptera and 85
„ „ Hurst Green, Sussex ... ... ... ... H^
„ , Notes on British ... ... ... ... ••. • •• ■•■ 1°"
-Homoptera, Addition to the British Fauna of a new genus and
species ot ... ... . ... ... ■■. ••. ••• ^'^^
Hepialus hectus, Odour emitted by the male of ... ... ... ••• 90
Hermaphrodite specimen of Lasiocampa trifolii .. ... ... ••• HI
Hey, Death of Archdeacon ... ... .. ... ... ... ••• 192
Hints as to the best means of rearing larvsB of Tortricidse ... ... ... 172
Homopfcei'a, Parasites on... ... ... ... .• ... ••. ...116,142
Hoplisus bicinctus, Rossi, near Plymouth ... ... ... ... ... 163
Hydrilla palustris and Pieris Daplidice at Cambridge ... ... ... 236
HyleccDtus dermestoides, &c., on Cannock Chase ... ... ... ... 43
Hymeuoptcra and Hemiptera at Deal in July and August, 1882 ... ... 85
„ at Hastings in 1882, Notes on spring ... ... ... .. 20
„ from some of the sandy districts of Hungary, On some ... 70
,, , Spring ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 280
Identity of Terias Hecabe and T. Mandarina, On the specific ... ... 85
" Illustrated Essay on the Noctuidffi of North America, by A. R. Grote,
A.M.:" Review 05
Influence of Meteorological conditions on Insect Life, The ... ... ... 1
"Insects injurious to Forest and Shade Trees, by A. S. Packard, Jun. :"
Review ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 47
Labrey, Death of Beebee Bowman ... ... ... ... ... ... 22
Larva collecting, A day's, in the New Forest .. ... ... 69
of Catoptria expallidana, Description of the ... ... ... ... 140
„ Coriscium sulphurellum ... ... ... ... ... ... 92
„ Dicycla Oo, Description of the ... ... ... ... ... 203
,, Lemmatophila phryganella, Notes on the ... ... ... .. 166
„ Pamphila linea. Description of the ... ... ... ... ... 244
„ Phycis carbonariella, Notes on the ... .. ... ... ... 110
„ Pterophorus pentadactylus, Description of the ... ... ... 187
Larvse of Hawaiian Lepidoptera, Descriptions of the... ... ... ... 55
„ „ Tortricidse, Hints as to the best means of rearing ... ... ... 172
Lasiocampa trifolii, Hermaphrodite specimen of ... ... ... ... HI
Lavcrna atra ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 91, 112
,, Hellerclla and atra distinct species ... .. ... ... ... 112
Lemmatophila phryganella, Notes on the larva of ... ... ... ... 166
Lepidoptera at Wicken Fen ... .. ... ... ... ... 44
„ from the Hawaiian Islands, On a small series of ... ... 176
„ in Roxburghshire, season 1882, Notes on ... .., ... 236
„ „ Yorkshire, Captui'cs of .. . ... ... ... ... ... 91
„ of Heligoland, Notes on the ... ... ... ... ... 164
PA(iB
Lepidoptera of tlie Pyrenees in September, Not^ on the ... ... ... 207
Lepidopterous larvae destructiye to rice in Panama ... ... ... ... 112
Lepisma saccharina, On the habits of ... ... ... ... ... ... 22
Leptidia brevipennis, Muls., found in England ... ... ... ... 89
Life-History of Papilio Paeon, Roger ... ... ... ... ... ... 53
„ „ ,, Spercheus emarginatus, A contribution to the ... ... 79
List of the Butterflies captured in Barrackpore Park from March, 1880, to
August, 1881 33
Lithocolletis platani, Stdgr., at Pallanza, Abundance of ... ... ... 94
Longevity in a beetle .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 260
Marine caddis- fly, A 46,235
" Matabele Land and the Victoria Falls ; a Naturalist's Wanderings in the
Interior of South Africa, by Frank Gates :" Review ... ... ... 71
Meteorological conditions on insect life, The influence of ... ... ... 1
Micro-Lepidoptera, Notes on ... ... ... ... ...106,112
,, „ On the synonymy of certain ... ... .. ... 265
Mixodia rubiginosana, H.-S., in West Norfolk, CaptuiT of ... ... ... 280
Molanna palpata, McLach., in Perthshire, Occurrence of ... ... ... 67
Mouhotia (Scaritidae) , On a new species of ... ... ... ... ... 193
Myrmecoxenus vaporariorum at Birmingham ... ... ... ... ... 190
Natural History of Endotrioha flammealis ... ... ... ... ... 149
„ „ „ Ennychia anguinalis ... ... ... ... ... 77
„ „ „ Ephestia passulella .. ... ... .. ... ...104,142
„ „ „ Heliodes arbuti ... ... ... ... ... ... 36
„ „ „ Petasia nubeculosa .. ... ... ... ... ... 271
„ „ „ Pionea stramen talis ... ... ... ... ... 126
„ „ „ Rivula sericealis ... ... ... ... ... ... 49
Nepticula betulicola ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... 113
„ regiella, bred ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 113
Neuroptera of Langdale, Notes on the ... ... ... ... ... ... 82
„ „ Strathglass, Inverness-shire, Notes on the ... ... ... 8
New European Panorpa, A ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 130
„ food-plant for Bombyx quercus ... ... ... ... ... ... 165
,, localities for Trioza crithmi ... ... ... ... ... ... 205
Noraada new to the British List, Two species of ... ... ... ... 45
Norman, Death of Greorge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 96
Notes on British Hemiptera ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 189
„ „ ,, Tortrices ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 58,135
„ ,, certain captures during the past season in the Forest of Dean ... 185
„ „ „ Micro-Lepidoptera ... ... ... ... ... ...106,112
„ „ Lepidoptera in Roxburghshire, season 1882 ... ... ... 236
„ „ new British Coleoptera since 1871 121,167,197,229,247,269
„ „ Spring Hymenoptera at Hastings in 1882 ... ... ... ... 20
„ „ Tenthredinidse 132,206
„ „ the Lepidoptera of Heligoland ... ... ... ... ... 164
„ „ „ „ „ the Pyrenees in September ... ... ... 207
,, „ „ Neuroptera of Langdale ... ... ... ... ... ... 82
„ „ „ „ „ Strathglass, Inverness-shire ... ... ... 8
PAGE
JTotes on the season in West Norfolk ... ... ... ... ... ... 165
„ „ „ Trichoptera of Upper Clydesdale ... ... ... ... 194
Nyctemera biformis of Mabille, and two otlier forms of Xyctemeridae from
Madagascar ... ... ... ... ... ... . . ... ... 57
Nymph of Aphalara nervosa on Achillea millefolium, Capture of the ... 20
Occurrence of Acrobasis consociella, var. sodalella, in Pembrokeshire ... Ill
„ „ Molanna palpata, McLach., in Perthshire ... ... ... 67
Odour emitted by the male of Hepialus hectus ... ... ... .. 90
Ooderaas senescens, Boh., Note on ... ... ... ... .. ... 69
Pachetra leucophoea on Box Hill ... ... ... ... ... ... 43
Pamphila linea. Description of the larva of ... ... ... ... -.. 244
Panorpa, A new European ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 130
Papilio, Descriptions of three new species of ... ... ... ... ... 234
„ Pffion, Roger, A Life-History of ... ... ... ... ... 53
Parasites, &c.. Destruction of Saturnia carpini by ... ... ... ... 237
„ on Homoptera ... ... ... ... ... ... ...116,142
Parasitism or non-parasitism in certain Eurytomides, The question of ... 141
Pamassius Apollo, Stridulation in the female of ... ... ... ... 89
Pentatomidse from Japan, Description of a new species of ... ... ... 76
„ ,, Madagascar, „ >, » >» >, » ■•■ ■•• •.. 108
Perla Ferreri, Pictet, Re-discovery of ... ... ... ... ... ... 109
Peronea perplexana and Eupoecilia Mussehliana in Carmarthenshire . 115
Petasia nubeculosa, Natural History of .. ... ... ... ... ... 271
Phycidffi, On some Australitm ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 255
Phycis carbonariella, Notes on the larva of ... ... ... ... ... 110
Pieris brassicse, Great destruction of, by Apanteles ... ... ... ... 206
„ Daplidice at Cambridge, Hydrilla palustris and ... ... ... 236
Pionea stramentalis, Natural History of ... ... ... ... ... 126
Platypleura, Distribution of the genus : a correction .. . ... ... ... 67
PcBcilochroma Bouchardana, in West Norfolk ... ... ... ... ... 280
Polystichus vittatus and otlier Coleoptera near Hastings ... ... ... 68
Priocnemis hyalinatus near Lincoln ... ... ... ... ... ... 139
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London 47, 119, 113, 212, 264
Psithyrus, The British species of ... ... ... ... ... ... 267
Psocidce, Remarks on certain, chiefly British ... ... ... ... ... 181
„ The tarsal and autennal characters of ... ... ... ... 12
Psy 11a pyrieola. Early life of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 205
Psyllidas found in Great Britain, &c.. Food-plants and times of appearance of 13
„ recently new to Britain, Description of a species of ... ... 64
Pterophorus pentadactylus, Description of the larva of ... ... ... 187
Pyrrhopyge, Remarks on some Central American species of 18
Question of parasitism or non-parasitism in certain Eurytomides, The ... 141
Rain, Destruction of Lepidoptcra by ... ... ... ... ... ... 90
Re-discovery of Perla Ferreri, Pictet 109
Remarks on certain Psocidse, chiefly British ... ... ... 181
„ „ some Central American species of Pyrrhopyge ... ... ... 18
Rctinia dxiplana, Error as to the occurrence of 142
PAGE
" Rliopaloccra Malajana, by W. L. Distant, parts i and ii :" Review ... 95
Rhyncliotal Fauna of Sumatra, Contributions to a knowledge of the ... 156
Rice in Panama, A Lepidopterous larva destructive to ... ... ... 112
Rivula sericealis, Natural History of .... ... ... ... 49
Salt-marshes, On two of the species of Geleehia which frequent ... ... 251
Saturnia carpini by parasites, &c., Destruction of ... ... ... ... 237
Scoparia conspicualis, Hodg., near Doncaster .. ... ... ... ... 91
Scymnus Redtenbacheri, Muls., On, an additional British species, and some
other British Coleoptera ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 67
Sericomyia borealis (singing of) ... ... ... ... ... ••- ... 188
Setodes argentipunctella, McLach., Note on ... ... ... ... ... 21
Simulium feeding upon chrysalids ... ... ... ... ... ■•• 254
Solenopsis fugax at Sandown, Isle of Wight, &c. ... ... .. .. 139
Species of Micro-Lepidoptera new to the Witherslack list .. ... ... 113
Specific distinctness of Cucujus coccinatus and C. Grouvellii ... ... 261
Spercheus emarginatus, A contribution to the Life-History of ... ... 79
Sphingidffi, Descriptions of new species of ^Egeriidae and
Spiders and bugs ..
Stigmonota nitidana in Pembrokeshire...
Stridulation in the female of Parnassius Apollo
Submergence by the female of Phryganea, Voluntary
Synonymy of certain Micro-Lepidoptera, On the
Syutelidge : a family to include Syutelia and Sphaerites, with a note of a new
species of the first genus ...
Teeniocampa miniosa in Pembrokeshire, Ceropacha ridens and 44
Tarsal and antennal characters of Psocidffi, The ... .. ... ... 12
Tenthredinidse, Notes on ..132,206
Terias Hecabe and T. mandarina, On the specific identity of ... ... 85
" The Butterflies of North America, by W. H. Edwards, 2nd series, part
ix :" Review . ... . . ... ... ... ■•■ ••• ■•• ^4
" The Student's List of British Coleoptera, by F. P. Pascoe :" Review ... 46, 72
Thwaites, Death of Dr. a. H. K., F.R.S 142
Tortrices, Notes on British ... ... .. ... ... ••. •■• 58,135
Tortricidse, Hints as to the best means of rearing larvee of ... ... ... 172
Trichoptera of Upper Clydesdale, Notes on the ... •• 194
Trioza crithmi. New localities for ... ... ... ... ••. ■•• 205
Tropical Notes, Further 59,226
Two species of Nomada new to the British List ... ... ... -. 4a
Variation of the sizes of Lepidopterous eggs laid by the same female, and
other notes. On the ... ... ... ... ••• ... •.• ••• 208
Variety of Zygsena filipendulse ... ... ... ... ... ... 21,43,90
Voluntary submergence by the female of Phryganea ... 28
Wailes, Death of George .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ••■ 211
Yorkshire Catalogue of Lepidoptera, The 233
Zarffia fasciata. On some points in the economy of ... ... ... ... 97
Zeller, Death of Professor 280
Zygaena filipendulse, Variety of ... ... ... ... ... ••• 21, 43, 90
15
115
45
89
28
265
137
INDEX OF SUBJECTS NOTICED IN THE PROCEEDINGS
OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.
PAGE
Agrotis helvetiiia ... ... ... ... .,, ... 48
Anchocelis pistacina, Variety of ... ... ... ... ... 48
Anniversary Meeting .. ... ... ... ... ... 213
Anommatus 12-striatu8 at Tunbridge ... ... ... ... ... 120
Antliersea Pernyi and Roylei, Hybrids between ... ... ... 48
British Aculeate Hymenoptera... ... ... ... ... ... 48
„ Ichneumonidse ... ... ... ... ... ... 48
„ Trichoptera, New List of ... ... ... ... ... 48
Butterflies, Temperature-forms of Japanese ... ... ... ... 120
Ceratapliis lalanise ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 119
Ceylon, On a visit to ... ... ... ... ... ... 120
Chili, Lepidoptera of ... ... ... ... ... ... 48,212
Cicadidse from Madagascar ... .. ... ... ... 48
Coleophorse, North American ... ... ... ... ... ... 120
Coleoptera, Do xylophagous species attack healthy trees ? ... ... 144
„ from Madagascar ... ... ... ... ... ... 120
Coniopterygidae, Notes on certain European ... ... ... ... 143
Conocephalus found living in a hot-house ... ... ... ... 212
Copiophora found living in a hot-house ... ... ... ... 264
Cryptophagus validus, Habits of ... ... ... ... ... 212
Darwin, Death of Mr. ... ... ., ... ... ... 47
Discomyza incurra new to Britain ... ... ... ... ... 120
Eel taking larva from off a leaf of Nuphar ... ... ... ... 143
Elater, Stigmata of an ... ... ... ... ... ... 264
Ephemeridse, Luminous species of, from Ceylon ... ... ... ... 120
Epping Forest, Preservation of ... ... ... ... ... 47
Eurytoraidffi, Habits of ... ... ... ... ... 48,212
Eicus, Insects from ... ... ... ... ... ... 144,212
Eidonia atomaria. Variety of .. .. ... ... ... ... 48
Hagenius brevistylus, Nymph of ... ... ... ... .. 144
Hymenoptera, British Aculeate ... ... ... ... ... 48
„ from figs .. ... ... ... ... ... 144,212
Ichneumon idffi, British ... ... ... ... ... 48,264
Indusial Limestone ... ... ... ... ... ... 143
Japanese Butterflies, Temperature-forms of ... ... ... ... 120
Lepidoptera of Chili ... ... ... ... ... ... 48,212
Leptidia brevipennis alive in London ... ... ... ... ... 144
Light, Influence of, on colours of Insects .. ... ... ... 144
Limestone, Indusial .. ... ... ... .. ... ... 143
Lina injurious to hazels and willows in Norway ... ... ... 143
Macrobia labiata at Woking ... ... ... ... ... ... 120
Madagascar, Cicadidae from ... ... ... ... ... 48
„ , Coleoptera from ... ... ... ... ... .. 120
PAGE
Microscopic examination, Apparatus for furthering ... ... ... 264
Moth, Mimicry in a, at Cannes... ... ... ... •■• ... 264
„ , Viviparous, from Brazil ... ... ... .. •.. 212
Nematus ribesii, Scarcity of ... .. ... •• ... ... 48
„ , Ten new species of, from Scotland . . ... ... ... 212
Neuropt era from the Val Anzasca ... .. ... ... ... 143
Niptus hololeucus said to damage silver-plate ... ... ... 212
North American Coleophorse ... .. ... ... ■•• ... 120
Ogyris Grenoveva, Habits of .. ... ... ... ..• 120
Pararga tibialis, Capture of ... ... ... ... ... ••• 120
Paussus, Habits of ... ... ... ... ... ... 264
Phytoptus on Ash .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 48
Pine-trees injured by chafer-grubs ... .. ... ... ... 120
Platymetopius undatus new to Britain ... ... ... ... ... 212
Polistes hebrseus found alive in London ... .. ... ... 264
Proctotrupidfe, New species of .. ... ... ... ... 120
Psyllidse of the British Museum ... ... ... ... ... 120
Rhyacophila Meyeri ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 143
Sitones lineatus. Development of ... ... ... ... ... 120
,, puncticollis injurious to clover ... ... .. ... ... 119
Spider's nest from Sardinia, Curious ... ... ... ... 212
Spiders, Parasites on ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 120
Stigmata of an Elater ... ... ... ... ... ... 264
Synchita juglandis at Tunbridge Wells .. ... ... ... .. 144
Syntelidse, The family ... ... ... ... ... ... 212
Tinea vastella in Antelope horns ... ... ... ... ... 144
Tineina, Classification of ... ... ... ... ... ... 213
Trichoptera, New List of British ... ... ... ... ... 48
Tropisternus, Revision of ... ... ... ... ... ... 212
Val Anzasca, Neuroptera from ... ... ... ... ... 143
Viviparous moth from Brazil ... ... ... ... ... 212
Xyleborus Saxeseni (?) injurious to beer-casks at Rangoon ... 120, 144, 212
Xylophasia ZoUikofferi ... .. .. .. ... ... 48
Zygsena filipen dulse, Variety of ... ... ... ... ... 48
SPECIAL INDEX.
COLEOPTERA.
PAGE
Abdera triguttata 269
Acidota cruentata «. ferruginea 171
Actidium coarctatura 20, 139
Acupalpus biseriatus 62
brunnipes 125
derelictus 125
Adelops Wollastoni 230
Aleochara hibernica 168
villosa 168
Amara continua 123
fusca 123
infima 140
Ammcecius brevis 117
Anac«na variabilis 167
Anaspis moniliconiis 269
variegata 269
Anchomenus erro 63
Sharpi 63
Auisodactylus cuneatus 63
Auisotoma bruiiiiea 229
clavicoriiis 230
curta 229
hinicollis 230
macropus 229
pallens 230
scita 230
Aiithicus bimaculatus 161
scoticus 270
Aphodius melanostictus 249
niger 249
Athous difformis 68
Atomaria atra 233
badia 233
divisa 233
Atrachycnemis Sharpi 63
Bathyscia Wollastoni 230
Bembidium lampros V. velox 125
Bracbinus explodcns 122
Bryaxis cotus 197
Calosoma inquisitor 186
sy cophanta 122
Carabus auratus 122
cancellatus 123
coDvexus 122
Cardiophovus rutipes 249
Carpophilus scx]nistTilatui 2^1
PAGE
Cathartus ad vena 232
Ceropbytum elateroides 249
Ceutborhynchideus Davvsoni 160
Cillenus lateralis 138
Clambus punctulum 201
Colon Barnevillei 230
Colpodes octoocellatus 63
Compsochilus palpalis 171
Coninomus constrictus 247
Corticaria linearis 248
obscuva 247
Cryptophagus graudis 233
parallelus 233
pilosus D. punctipennis ... 232
subfuniatus 232
Waterhousei 233
Cucujus cocciuatus 261
Davidis 262
Grouvellii 261
imperialis 262.
Cyclothorax cordaticollis 63
Karscbi (sp. n.), T. Blackburn 62
montivagus 63
scaritoides 63
Cypbon pallidiventris 250
punctipennis 250
Dasj'tes uiger 250
Deleaster dicbrous v. Leacbii 171
Disenochus terebratus 63
Dromius oblitus 123
vectensis 122
D^'scbirius obscurus 122
Dytiscus lapponicus, Voracity of 261
Rceselii, Longevity of 260
Enicraus miiiutus 247
Eubria palustris 138
Eudectus Whitei 171
Eumicrus rufus 190, 198
Euplectus Abeillei 197
Duponti 197
Kirbyi 197
minutissimus 198
piceus 197
Geotrupes fo veatus 248
pyreuaeus 248
spiniger 248
stuix'orariu.s 218
PAGE
jyriiius caspius 126
laliplus varius 125
iai'palus cordatus, &c 124
diffinis 124
griseus 124
latus. var. metallescens 125
luteicornis 124
obscurus 123
4-punctatus 125
sulpburipes 124
Selochares punctatus 167
Helophorus aequalis 167
brevicoUia 167
laticollis 168
planicollis 168
strigifrons 168
tuberculatus 167
Homalium brevicorne 172
testaceum 172
Homalota ajneicollis 169
atrata 169
difficilis 169
egregia 169
fimorum 169
hunieralis 169
Hj'dnobius spinipes 230
Hydroporus incoguitus 125
HyleccBtus dermestoides 43
Ilybius aenescens 126
Ilyobates forticornis 238
Latheticus oryz88 269
Lathridius angulatus 247
angusticollis 247
pini 247
undulatus 247
Lebia hajmorrhoidalis 123
turcica 123
Leptidia brevipeunis in England 89
Leptusa testacea 168
Lithocharis picea 171
tricolor 171
Ly mexylon navale 250
Melanopbtbalma Wollastoni 248
Meligetbes incanus 232
Kunzei 231
maurus 232
morosus 231
ochropus 231
palmatus 232
pictus 232
Meloe cyaueus 270
PAGE
Microcara Bobemani 250
Mouhotia convexa (sp. u.), Lewis 193
Mycetoporus brunneus 169
lepidus 169
longicornis 169
lougulus 169
Myrmecoxenus vaporariorum 190
Nossidium pilosellum 139
Notiopbilus 4-punctatus 121
Olibrus atfinis 231
bicolor 231
belveticus 231
Olistbopus insularis 63
Olophrum consimile 171
Oodemas aenescens 69
Oopterus plicaticollis 69
OtiorlijMichus ligustici 161
Parnus striatellus 248
Phalacrus Brisouti 230
Humborti 231
Philhj'drus suturalis 167
Phytosus balticus 261
Platynus planus 63
Polystichus vittatus 68
Priouus coriarius 238
Promecoderus fossulatus 63
Psammobius porcicollis 249
Ptenidium atomaroides 201
Kraatzii 201
turgidum 201
Wankowiczii 201
Ptilium ca;sum 201
caledonicum 201
marginatum 200
Ptinella pallida 199
Proteus 199
testacea 199
Ptinus testaceus 269
Quedius brevicornis 170
fageti 170
fulgidus 169
puncticollis 170
4-punctatus 169
rufipes 170
semiaeueus 170
temporalis 170
Scopaeus Ryei 171
Scybalicus oblongiusculus 123
Scydmaenus glyptocephalus 198
praeteritus 198
pumilio 198
Sbarpi ■. 198
XII.
PAGE
Scymnus arcuatus 68
limbatus 68
lividus 68
Redtenbaclieri 67
Serropalpus striatus 269
Sitones lineatus 119
Spercheus emarginatus 79
Spbffiiidium marginatum 168
Synaptus tiliformis 250
Syncalypta hirsuta 248, 261
Syntelia histeroides (sp. n.), G. Lewis ... 138
Tachys quadrisignatus 68, 125
Tenebrioides raauritanica 232
Throscus carinifrons 249
Trachys nanus 249
pumila 249
Tribolium confusum 269
Trichonyx Maerkeli 261
Trichopter3'i cantiana 199
carbonaria 200
Cbampionis 199
convexa 199
convexiuscula 199
•Edithia 200
fratercula 199
fuscula 200
Lsetitia 199
longicornis 200
longula 200
rivularis 200
seminitens 199
volans 200
Trimium brevipenne 198
Trogosita mauritanica 232
Xantholinus glaber 170
Zilora ferrugiuea 269
DIPTERA.
Anthomyia 31
albicincta 32
octoguttata 33
pluvialis 32
pratincola 32
radicans 32
sulcivL'ntfis 32
Chortophila 145
albescens 146
arenosa 146
Billbevgi 148
buccata 145
cincrea 117
Cbortopliila cinerella 147
impudica 146
sepia 148
tvapezina 147
unilineata 146
Diaphorus dorsalis = melancholicus 225
Gloma fuscipennis 225
Haematopota crassicornis 224
pluvialis 224
Lasiops 29;!
ctenocnema 29!
Meadei 30
Roederi 30
Medeterus, British species of 225
Phorbia 213
cepetorum (sp. n.), Meade 218
cilicrura 216
dissecta 215
exigua (sp. n.), Meade 220
floccosa 214
florilega 217
histrio 216
ignota 217
incognita 215
lactuca 215
muscaria 216
neglecta (sp. n.), Meade 219
obscura 216
pudica 215
transversalis 214
trichodactyla 217
Porphyrops simplex = micans 225
tenuis = praerosus 225
Rhampbomyia, British species of 224
Scatophaga squalida 226
Sericomyia borealis 188
Simulium 254
Syrphus cinctus 226
nigritarsis ? 225
Trichophthicus hirsutulus 226
innocuus 226
HEMIPTERA.
Acocephalus agrestis. Parasite on 116
Acompocoris alpinus 115
Aphalara nebulosa 42
nervosa, nymph 20
subpunctata 189
Apodesmius Jansoni (sp. n.), Scott 41
AthysanuB subfusculus. Parasite on 116
Atractotomus niatrniconii.s 115
PAGE
Calocovis ticinensis 140
Calyptonotus Ij-nceus 87, 117
Cantbecona cognata (sp. n.), Distant 157
Capsus laniarius 119
Ceraleptus lividus 139
Ceratocombus coleoptratus 115
Cblamj'datus caricis 140
pygmaeus 140
Ciraex or Acanthia 202
Corizus maculatus 140
Cosmocarta Juno (sp. n.), Distant 160
Cynius melanocepbalus 140
Deltocephalus xantboneurus, Parasites on 116
Dundubia Bocki (sp. n.), Distant 159
Eremocoris erraticus 266
fenestratus 266
plebeius 266
podagricus 266
Eupteryx vittatus 67, 89, 115
Gerris lacustris bibernating 20
Globiceps salicicola 87, 189
Halobates ? 278
Lamproplax piceus 140
Lecauium ribis 88
Lobita grandis v. sumatrana, Distant 158
Macrocoleus molliculus 115
solitarius 115
Megalocersea longicornis 115
Memmia Cowani (sp. u.). Distant 108
Mictis ? Jansoni (sp. u.), Scott 41
Miridius 4-virgatus 87, 115
Mytilaspis pomorum 118
Neosalica Forbesi (sp. n.), Distant 157
Odontosc-elis fuliginosus 87
Orthocepbalus coriaceus 115
Pantbous cocalus (sp. n.), Distant 158
talus „ „ 159
Plagiognatlius Bobemani 87
nigritulus 87
Platymetopius undat us 155
Platypleura, Tbe genus 67
Psylla pyricola 205
Psyllidas, Britisb species of 13
Rbyparocbronius sabulicola 139
SaldaCocksi 115, 140
marginalis 140
Scbizoneura lanigera 118
Sebirus biguttatus 115
Teratocoris Saundersi 87
Trioza critbmi 64,205
Tropicoris japonicus (sp. n.). Distant 76
Typblocyba crataegi, Parasite on 142
nil.
HYMEXOPTERA.
PAGE
Ancyloneura 132
Andrena bicolor 280
fasciata 20
Gwynana 280
Hattorfiana 86
lapponica 20,280
Trimmerana var. spinigera 20
Bembex olivacea 70
Bombus Smithianus 237
Bracby toma 133
Camptoprium 133
Cepbalocera calcar 133
Cladomacra 132
Colletes margiuata 87
Crabro gonager ? 100
Kollari 246
Decameria 133
Dolerus Cbappelli 135
geniculatus 135
Halictus cylindricus 162
Hoplisus bicinctus 163
Larra bungarica 71
Lopbyroides (g. n.) Cameron 133
tropicus 133
Lophyrus cordoviensis 132
tropicus 132
Miscophus maritimus 87
Nematus baccarum 134
bellus 134
betularius 133
conjugatu^ 133
consobrinus 133
crassiventris 133
curtispina 207
erythrogaster 133
luteogaster 133
Marshalli 134
melanocepbalus 206
monticola 134
pallescens 133
ribesii 97
salicivorus 207
salicis 206
umbrinus 133
varius 133
Nomada bifida 45
guttulata 45
Parnopes carneus 71
Perreyia 133
anomala 133
compta 133
Pleistodontes imporialis 164
Pompilus chalj'beatus 87
Wesmaeli 87
Priocnemis hyalinatus 139
Prosopis dilatata 87
Psithyms Barbutellus 268
campestris 268
quadricolor 268
lupestris 268
vestalis 268
Solenopsis fugax 139
Stizomorphus tridens 71
Tachytes lativalvis 87
Tenthi-edo chloris 139
coxalis 132
Zaraea fasciata 97
LEPIDOPTERA.
Abraxas grossulariata 118
Acheroiitia Atropos 236
Acrobasis consociella, var. sodalella Ill
Acronycta alni 89, 91, 185, 209
Agraulis vanillaB 26
Agrotis aquilina 278
cremata, Larva of 56
nigricans 278
obelisca 24, 278
saucia 24
tritici 278
Aleucis pictaria 69
Arabulyx argeutata (sp. n.), Druce 17
Elwesi (sp. n.), Druce 17
Amphidasis prodromaria 186
Anartia Amalthea 24
Fatima 26
Anchoteles perforatana 106
Anerastia Parrella 165
Aiitaeotricha adjunctella 107
basirubrella 107
lignicolor 107
purulenta 107
Aiitithesia Staintoniana 187
Apaniea Dumerilii 208
Arctia urticae 44
Argynnis Aglaia 4, 5
Dia 208, 210
Euphrosyne 4, 5
Lathonia 208
Paphia 4, 5, 69
Selene 4, 5
PAffI
Argy ria Candida 101
obliquella loi
ArgjTolepia Scbreibersiana 44i
Aspilates strigillaria 23?
Asychna terminella 112
Azinis hilarella 18C
Biblis Thadana 26
Bohemaimia quadrimaculella 280-
Bombyx neustria 21C
quercus 165, 237J
Bryophila glandifera 208'
Caligo Teucer 25
Callimorpha Hera 208
Cateremna leucarraa 256
Catocala promisaa 69'
Catopsilia Py ranthe 35
Catoptria expallidana, Larva of 140
Ceropacha ridens 44, 69, 185
Chauliodus chserophyllellus 76
dentosellus 75
Illigerellus 75
iuiquellus 74
insecurellus 73
ochreomaculellus 75
pontificellus 75
Chelaria conscriptella, Larva of 114
Chcerocampa Godmani (sp. n.), Druce ... 16
porcellus 208
Choregia fulgens 107
Colaenis Phaerusa 26, 259
Coleophora annulatella 104
tritici, Lindeman 102
CoHas Edusa 3, 207
Hermina 24
Conchylis auriceps 266
Tbetis 266
Coremia quadrifasciaria 165
Coriscium sulphurellum. Larva of 92
Cosmopterj'x Lienigiellus 280
Crambus conchellus 240
furcatellus 187
haniellus 166
latistrius 166
luctiferellus 243
luctuellus 244
niyellus 241
niytilellus 241
pauperellus 239
perniutatellus 242
pinellus 240
piatellus 118
PAGE
Crambns speculalis 242
tristellus 118
Crastia Core 34
Cryptolechia confixella 107
Erschoffi 107
filiferella 107
humeriferella 107
laeviuscula 107
inuscula 107
radicalis 107
residuella 107
scitiorella 107
strigivenata l07
urbana 107
Cymatopbora Or 210
Daphnis Andamana (sp. n.), Druce 16
Toremia (sp. n.)i Druce 17
Deilepbila eupbovbiee 207
spiuifascia 258
Deiopeia pulcbella 1
Depressaria b^'pericella 113
Diasemia litmalis 8
Dicbelia isoscelana 266
DicyclaOo, Larva of 203
Dyiiastor Darius 26
Eiidotricba flainniealis, Larva of 149
ignealis 265
Ennj'cbia anguinalis, „ „ 77
Ephestia passulella 142
„ „ , Larva of 104
Ephippiphora regiana 141
Epicortliylis ciniiamicostella 107
Erebia Blandina 91
Manto 208
Eriopsela quadrana 142
Eupithecia debiliata 90
Eupcecilia Mussehliana 115
Gelecbia instabilella 251
ligulella 112
maculiferella 93, 112
ocellatella 252
plantaginella (sp. n.), Stainton... 263
Sircomella 112
scutella 107
subscriptella 107
tseniolella 112
vorticella 112
Geometra papilionaria 166
Gesneria floricoleus (sp. n.), Butler 180
Grapholitba cinerana 58
HelicQiiius Melpomene 26
PAGE
Heliodes arbuti, Larva of 36
Hepialus bectus 90
sylviims 118,209
Heospbora euryzona (sp. n.), Meyrick ... 256
Holochila Blackbunii, Larva of 66
Hydrilla palustris 236
Hylemera Candida (sp. n.), Butler 58
nivea (sp. n.), Butler 58
Hyloicus Reevei (sp. n.), Druce 18
Hyponomeuta padella 118
Isamia Rothueyi (sp. n.), Moore 34
Laelia caenosa 236
Lasiocampa quercvis 165
trifolii Ill
Laverna atra 91, 112
Hellerella 92, 112
Lemmatopbila pbryganella. Larva of 166
Leptosoma Mabillei (sp. n.), Butler 57
Limenitis Sibylla 69
LithocoUetis plataui 94
Lycaena argiades 207, 208
bsetica 207,208
Corydon 187,208
Marpesia Thetis 259
Melanitis Ismeiie 34
Melanomecyua stellata (sp. n.), Butler ... 179
Meliaiia flammea 44
Melissoblaptes gularis 106
tenebrosus 106
Melit«a Parthenie 208
Miaiia expolita 91
Mixodia rubiginosana 280
Morpho Peleides 25
Polyphemus 275
Nepticula arcuosella 113
aurella 113
betulicola 113
glutinosse 114
pruuetorum 113
regiella 113
Noropsis fastuosa 27
Notodonta chaonia 186
Nyssia hispidaria 186
CEcophora arabella 107
bracteatella 108
concisella 107
dichroella 107,265
divisella 107, 108,265
griseicostella 108,265
irruptella 107,265
minutella 113
XVI.
PAGE
Oilcophora iJi'oductella 108,265
tiijugella 108,265
ffinectra Pilleriaua 135
Oi;;yia antiqua 118, 209
Orpheides Eiithonius 36
Oithomeoyiia albicaudata (sp. u.), Butler. 178
exigua, var. cupreipennis ... 179
Pachetra leucophiea 43
Pamphila linea, Larva of 244
Panacra Rutherfordi (sp. n.), Druce 16
Papilio Diopliaiitus (sp. n.), H G. Smitli. 234
Forbesi (sp. n.), „ „ 234
Fulleri (sp. n.), „ „ 234
Machaoii 41,207
Pseon, Larva of 53
Polydama 26
Thoas 53
Paruassius Apollo 89
Peronea perplexana 115
Petasia nubeculosa 271
Philohota Arabella 266
Phlajodes Deiuamiana 165
Phtheochroa rugosana 59
Phycis betulella 166
carboiiariella, Larva of 110
Pieris brassicae 206
Daplidice 207, 236
meuapia 254
Pionea strameutalis. Larva of 126
Plusia gamma 118
Puecilochroma 13ouchardana 280
Polia clii 208
Protoparce Laucheana (sp. n.), Druce 18
Psecadia circumdatella 107
notatella 107
xaathorrboa 107
Pterophorus pentadactylus. Larva of 187
Pyralis docilisalis 265
stilbealis 265
P3-rameis Garage 258
Terpsichore 258
Pyrrhopyge Acastus 19
Amra 18
Patrobas 19
Ketiiiia duplana 136, 142
turionaua 165
Rhodaria despecta. Larva of 56
robiiia 265
Rhodocera Cleopatra 207
Rivula sericealis. Larva of 49
Roxaiia arcuana 45
Salel)ria gypsopa (sp. n.), Meyrick 255
Sara Poyeri (sp. n.), Druce 15
Saturnia carpini 237
Scoparia conspiculis, Hodgk 91
Scopula litorea (sp. n.), Butler 178
Scotorythra arboricoleus (sp. n.), Butler... 177
Smerinthus populi 208, 209, 236
Stathmopoda pedella 165
Steganias permutaria 208
Stigmonota nitidana 45
Tainiocarapa gracilis 44
miniosa 44
Terias Hecabe 35, 85
Mandariua 85
Thecla betula; 69
v^-album 91
Thinasotia impletella 265
pleuiferella 265
Tortrix Lafauryaua 165
Tortyra spectabilis 107
Triptogoii Cytis (sp. n.), Druce 18
rosea (sp. n.), Druce 17
Tylochares cosmiella 256
Urania leilus 259
Uzeda torquetana 106
Vanessa cardui 3
Tammeamea, Larva of 55
Vazugada strigipleuella 107
Victoriua Steneles 26
Zophodia eusiferella 255
Zygffiua filipeuduhe 21, 43, 90
NEUROPTERA.
Asynarchus coenosus 195
Cajcilius Burmeisteri 183
obsoletus 183
perlatus 183
Chimarrha marginata 11, 84
Chrysopa minima = dasyptera 117
Cloeou simile 11
Clothilla annulata 184
Cordulia arctica 12
metallica 12
Dilar japonicus (sp. n.), McLach 220
Elipsocus '.iticeps 184
unipuiictatus 184
Halesus auricollis 10, 195
Heptagenia lateralis 12
Hydroptila forcipata 11
Itbytrichia lamellaris 11, 84
Leucorriiiuia dubla 12
ff
Leptocerus alboguttatus 10, 84
annulicornis 195
commutatus 195
f ulvus 10
^Liiunophilus borealis 9
fuscicornis 194
ignavus 9
jMolanna palpata 10, 67
Panorpa hybrida (sp. n.), McLach 131
nigrirostris 132
picta 132
Peripsocus alboguttatus 182
subpupillatus 183
Perla Ferreri 109
Philanisus plebejus 46
Phrj'ganea obsoleta 9, 194
xvii.
PAGE
Plectrocnemia geniculata 196
Polycentvopus Kingi 10, 84
Psocidae, Tarsal and antennal characters of 12
Psocus (Neopsocus) rhenauus 181
Rhithrogena semicolorata 12
Rhyacophila obliterata 196
septentrionis 196
Setodes argentipunctella 21, 84
Sialis fuliginosa 11, 83
Sipblurus lacustris 11
Steuophylax infumatus 195
rotundipennis 195
Wormaldia mediana 10
subnigra 84, 196
THYSANURA.
Lepisma saccharina 22
INDEX TO CONTRIBUTORS.
PAGE
Atmore, E. A 165,280
Axon, W. E. A 45
Baker, George T 239
jBarrett, C. G. ...1, 21, 44, 45, 58, 90, 111, 135,
166, 172
Bignell, G. C 163
Blackburn, Rev. T., M.A 55, 62, 69
Blatch, W. G 19,43, 117, 138, 190
Bloomfield, Rev. E. N., M.A 188, 210
Bower, B.A 43
Bridgman, J. B., F.L.S 270
Briggs, C. A 43
i Buckler, \V...36, 49, 77, 104, 126, 149, 203,244,
271
Butler, A. G., F.L.S., &c 57, 176
Butler, E. A 87, 115, 140
Cameron, Peter 132
Champion, G. C 226
Collett, E. P 68,117,139,261
Dale.C. W. 237
Distant, W. L., M.A.I., 67, 76, 108, 156
Douglas, J. W. ...20, 67, 88, 91, 116, 117, 142,
202, 266
Druce, Herbert, F.L.S 15
Eaton, Rev. A. E., M.A. 89
Elliot, A 236, 237
Ellis, J. W 161
Fletcher, J. E 206,207
Fowler, Rev. W. W., M.A., F.L.S. .20, 67, 79,
89, 112, 121, 139, 160, 167, 189, 192, 197,
229, 247, 269
Eraser, Jane 187
Eraser, R. A Ill
Griffith, G. F 236
Hagen, Dr. H. A 12, 235, 254
Hellins, Rev. J., M.A 208
Hodgson, A. E., B.A 185, 187
Jones, A. H 69, 208
King, J. J 8, 67, 82
Lewis, George, F.L.S 137, 193, 261
McLachlan, R., F.R.S. .21, 46, 94, 109, 117,
130, 181, 220
Mann, W. K 89
Mathew, G. F., R.N., F.L.S 18
Meade, R. H 29, 145, 213
Meyrick, E 69, 255, 265
Moore, F., A.L.S 33
Morton, Kenneth J 28, 194
Osborne, J. A., M.D 69, 97
Parfitt, E 116, 162
Perkins, Rev. C. Matthew 236
Perkins, V. R 100
Pim, H. Bedford 161
Porritt, G. T., F.L.S 44, 91, 110, 142, 187
Pryer, H., C.M.Z.S 85
Pryer, W. B., C.M.Z.S 59
Raynor, G. H 44
Richardson,"N. M 114, 115
Roebuck, W. Denison 223
Rossi, G. de 22
Rothney, G. A. J 33
Sajo, Prof. K 70
Saunders, E., F.L.S 20, 45, 86, 189, 246,
267, 280
Saunders, Sir S. S., C.M.G 163
Scott, J. .13, 20, 41, 42, 64, 154, 189, 205, 206
Sharp, D., M.B 260
Smith, H. Grose 224
Stainton, H. T., F.R.S. ...73, 92, 93, 101, 251
Threlfall, L H 112, 142
Verrall, G. H 222
Walker, J. J., R.N 22, 53, 257, 274
Walsingham, Lord, M.A., F.L.S 190
Warren, W 278
Waterhouse, C. 0 138
Weyenbergh, Dr. H 141
Wilson, Owen S 165
Wood, J. H.,M.B 140
Wood, Theodore 238
LIST OF NEW GENERA AND SPECIES, &c.
IN THIS VOLUME.
DESCRIBED
COLEOPTERA.
SPECIES.
Cyclothorax Karschi, BJackbvrn, PAGE
Hawaiian Islands 62
Mouhotia convexa, Lewis, Laos 193
Syntelia histeroides „ Japan 138
DIPTERA.
SPECIES.
Phorbia cepetoruni, Meade, Britain 218
exigua, „ „ 220
neglecta, „ 219
HEMIPTERA.
GENERA.
A PODESMius, Sco« 42
Neosalica, Distant 157
SPECIES.
Apodesmius Jansoni, Scott, Nicaragua
Caiithecona cognata, Distant, Sumatra
Cosmoscarta Juno, „ „
Duudubia Bocki, ,, „
Lohita grandis, var. sumatrana,
Distant, Madagascar 158
Memmia Cowani, „ „ 108
Mictia (?) Jansoui, Scott, Nicaragua 41
Neosalica Forbesi, Distant, Sumatra 157
Panthous cocalus, „ „ 158
talus, „ „ 159
Tropicoris japoiiicus, „ Japan 76
41
157
160
159
HYMENOPTERA.
GENUS.
LornYRoiDES, Cameron 133
LEPIDOPTERA.
GENERA.
Melaxomectna, BiiHer 179
Orthomectna, „ 178
scotorythea, „ 177
TrtocHAKES, Meyrich 256
SPECIES.
Ambulyx argentata, Driice, Saigon
Elwesi, „ Darjiling ...
Choerocampa Godmaiii, „ Chiriqui ...
Daphnis andamaua, „ Andamans...
Torenia, „ Fiji
Gelechia plantagiiiella, Stainton, Britain
Gesneria floricolens, Butler, Hawaiian
Islands
Heosphora euryzona, Meyrick, Australia
Hylemera Candida, Butler, Madagascar..
nivea, „ ^,
Hyloicus Reevei, Bruce, Paraguay
Isamia Rothueyi, Moore, Barrackpore...
Leptosoma Mabillei, Butler, Madagascar
Melanomecj'na stellata, „ Hawaiian
17
17
16
16
16
253
180
256
58
58
18
34
57
Oitliomocyna albicaudata, Butler,
Hawaiian Islands
Islands 179
178
exigua, var. cupreipennis,
Butler, Hawaiian Islands 179
Panacra Rutheifordi, Druee, Cameroons.. 16
Papilio Diophantus, H.G.Smith,Sumatra 234
Forbesi, „ ,, 234
f ulleri, „ Cameroons 234
Protoparce lauclieana, Druce, W. Africa. 18
Salebria gypsopa, Meyrick, Australia ... 255
Sats. Vvyevi, Druce, Borneo ... 15
Scopula litorea, Butler, Hawaiian
Scotorythra arboricolens, Butler,
Hawaiian Islands
Islands 178
177
Triptogon cytis, Druce, Cameroons
rosea, „ S.Africa .
NEUROPTERA.
Dilar japonicus, Ifciae/iZaw, Ja^aw 220
Panorpa hybrida, „ Europe ... 220
Peripsocus subpupillatus, 3IcLachlan
Europe 183
ADDITIONS TO THE BRITISH INSECT FAUNA BROUGHT
FORWARD IN THIS VOLUME.
COLEOPTERA.
PAGE
Sc3'mi)us Redtenbachei'i, Muls 67
DIPTERA.
Anthomyia albicincta, J'nZ? 32
octoguttata, Zett 33
sulciventris, „ 32
Cliortophila albescens, „ 146
arenosa, „ 146
Billbergi, „ 148
hnccsda, Fall 145
cinerea, „ 147
cinerella, „ 147
impudica, -RojuZ 146
ti-ayiezmsi, Zett 147
unilineata, ,, 146
Diapliorus melancholicus, Loeio. ( = dor-
salis, Verr.) 225
Gloma fuscipennis, -3f^ 225
Ha'matopota crassicornis, Wahlhg 224
Lasiops ctenocnema, Koivz 29
Meadei, „ 30
Roederi, „ 30
Medeterus apicalis (?), Ze^^ 225
micaceus, Low 225
pallipes, Zett 225
Plioi'bia cepetorum (sp. n.), Meade 218
cilicrura, Bond 216
dissecta, If^ 215
exigua (sp. n.), ■M'eac^e 220
floccosa, J/aeg 214
florilega, Zett 217
histrio, „ 216
ignota, JSowrf 217
incognita, „ 215
lactucae, Bouche 215
neglecta (sp. n.), iJfeac^e 219
obscura, Jfaej 216
PA6R
pudica. iZowci 215
transversalis, Zett 214
trichodactyla, UoMti 217
Porpli^'rops micans, Mg. ( = simplex,
Verr.) 225
prserosus, Loeic. ( =^ tenuis,
Verr.) 225
Rhamphomyia albosegmentata, Zett 224
geniculata, -Tfj^ 224
tarsata, „ 224
urabripennis 225
Syrphus nigritarsis, Zett. ? 225
Trichophthicus hirsatulus „ 22*5
„ innocuus „ 226
HEMIPTERA.
Lecanium ribis, A. Fitch 88
Platymetopius undatus, Burnt 155
HYMENOPTERA.
Crabro Kollari, Da/iZi 246
Neniatus conjugatus, J)rt/ii6 133
Nomada bifida, Thorns 45
guttulata, Schenck 45
Psithyrus quadricolor 268
Tacliy tes lativalvis, Thorns 87
LEPIDOPTERA.
Acvobasis consociella, var. sodalella, Zell. Ill
Gelechia plantaginella (sp. n.), Stainton.. 253
NEUROPTERA.
Cfecilius Burmeistri, JBra«er 183
perlatus, Kolhe 183
Clothilla annulata, Ba^ 184
Peripsocus siibpiipillatns, McLaeh 183
LARV.E OF BRITISH SPECIES DESCRIBED IN THIS
VOLUME.
Aplialara nervosa, Sco^< 20
Catoptria expallidana, JFoort? 141
Chelaria coiiscriptella, Richardson 114
Dicycla Oo, Buckler 203
Endotricha flammealis, Buckler 149
Ennychia anguinalis, „ 77
Ephestia passulella, ., 104
Gelechia instabilella, Stainton 253
plantaginella, ,, 253
(irapholitha cinerana, ^arre^f 58
Heliodes arbuti, ^MciZer 36
Lemmatophila pbrj'ganella, Barrett 166
PAGE
ffinectva ViWeriaxia,, Barrett 135
Pamphila linea, Buckler 244
Petasia nubeculosa, „ 271
Phtheoehroa rugosana, Barrett 59
Phycis carbonariella, PorrJW 110
Pionea stratnentalis, Buckler 126
Psylla pyricola, SpoM 205
Pterophorus pentadactylus, PorriY^ 187
Rivula sericealis, 5!(fA-Ze)* 49
Spercbeus emarginatus, Fotvler 79
Trioza crithmi, Scott 65
REVIEWS.
PAGR
The Student's List of British Coleoptera : F. P. Pascoe 46, 72
A Bibliography of Fossil Insects : S. H. Scudder 47
Insects injurious to Forest and Shade Trees : A. S. Packard 47
Matabele Land and the Victoria Falls : C. G. Gates 71
The Butterflies of North America: W. H. Edwards 94
Rhopalocera Malayana: W. L. Distant 95
An Illustrated Essay on the Noctuidae of North America: A. R. Grote 95
Catalogue of the Tortricidae of North America : C. H. Pernald 190
Ants and their wa^-s: W. Parren White 262
Fifth Annual Report of Dulwich College Science Society 262
Catalogue of British Coleoptera: A. Matthews and W. W. Fowler 263
OBITUARY.
B. B. Labrey 2'J
George Norman 96
Dr. G. H. K. Thwaites 142
Archdeacon Hey 192
George Wailes 211
Benjamin Cooke 238
Professor Zeller 280
THE
^.S\> VOLUME XIX. V//X
ib^ V*
THE INFLUENCE OF METEOROLOaiCAL CONDITIONS ON
INSECT LIFE.
BT CHAELES G. BAEBETT.
The means employed by nature to keep species within due bounds
— checking theii' inordinate increase or unnecessary decrease — are so
certain and reliable in their results, and yet so obscure and diificult to
trace in their modes of action, that almost any observations, however
slight, which seem to be reliable as data from which to ascertain these
means, are interesting and worthy of being put on record.
In every district and every climate there are evidently many
species so peculiarly fitted to it that none of the periodical changes
of M^eather and temperature materially affect their numbers, and from
these little evidence can be obtained. It is from those species which
only casually and rarely extend themselves from their natural homes
into cliaiates imsuitable for them, or from those which are always to
be found in a given locality, but sometimes rarely, and always varying
in numbers, that the most satisfactory evidence must be expected.
In the first class of cases an example occurred to me a few years
ago which seems very much to the point. A friend, a well-known
entomologist, being in the South of France and seeing with delight
the lovely Deiopeia pulclieUa flying about, captured some, secured eggs,
and sent them to a friend in England, who, by great care and assiduity,
reared some of them to maturity and again obtained fertile eggs. A
few of these he sent to me. They duly hatched, and as it did not
seem very likely that any chance of observing native larvae would
ever occur to me, I regarded them with great interest. They were
supplied with several species of Myosotis, but only about half a dozen
of them seemed to possess sufiicient vitality to feed, and as these
evidently preferred Myosotis pahistris, I potted some plants and kept
them growing in a sunny window, where the young larvae, covered
with gauze, made themselves tolerably comfortable and grew rapidly,
feeding with especial eagerness when the sun was shining on them.
The weather happened to be fine and the sun hot for two or three
1882.
2 [June,
weeks juet at that time, and one larva made such progress that in a
fortnight it was full-fed, when it spun a very slight cocoon on the
gauze and turned safely to pupa. By this time two more larvae were
full-fed and left the food-plant for the gauze, the rest being fully half
grown, when a change of weather came, with wind, heavy rain, and a
total absence of sunshine. The larvae were, of course, not exposed to
the rain, but the effect of the change was that those full-fed made no
attempt to spin up, and the .rest ceased to feed, and in a few days
they all fell off the gauze or the plants, dead. After a fortnight of
wet weather it cleared uj) and the one pupa produced the moth — a
male.
This seems to supply a key to the whole history of the eccentric
casual appearances of this and many other inhabitants of warmer
climates on our shores. In obedience to some singular instinct that
impels insects when becoming too numerous in their natural homes to
emigrate to " fresh fields and pastures new," they, contrary to their
ordinary habits, cross land or sea, arriving, of course, very often in
some inhospitable clime, where — if not at once captured and made
native specimens of- — they very likely soon fall victims to some pitiless
storm of wind and rain. But supposing both these risks to be
avoided, the moth — if an impregnated female — in due course lays its
eggs, which most probably hatch, and the young larvae are left — like
Mark Twain — "friendless orphans in a foreign land." If the tem-
perature happens to be lower or the weather wetter than the natural
constitution of the species is able to endure, the difficulty is settled at I
once- — the young larvae die without even attempting to feed, but if ■
matters are more favourable, the strongest of them struggle along, and
if fairly favoured by the weather a few of them may reach the perfect
state ; if quite unusually favoured by the weather a large proportion
of them may do so, producing those remarkable instances of the
sudden appearance in numbers of a species usually rare. Such good
fortune rarely extends to a second season and the species becomes a
rarity again or is even probably exterminated here, to be renewed at
some future time by the same instinct of migration. In cases such
as these it appears to me that sunshine means life, and its absence
destruction, to the larvae, and that by this simple and obvious influence
the extension of species beyond their assigned limits is practically
prohibited.
It also happens sometimes that the immigrant, following instinc-
tively its inherited habit, attempts to produce an additional brood in
the year, over what the climate will allow.
1SS2.I 3
For instance, from the second brood of Colias Edusa whicli was
so abundant in 1877, eggs were obtained, and tlie larvae fed up and
turned to pupae, but, as far as I can ascertain, none emerged. My old
friend, Mr. Birchall, wrote me that all his pupse shoived the yellow
colour of the ivings in December and then died. This colour of the
wings, as we all know, only shows itself when the insect is nearly ready
to emerge, and these Ediisa pupae following inherited habit tried to
emerge in the winter, so as to hibernate, as they are well known to do
in the perfect state, but from insufficient warmth and sunshine were
unable to muster sufficient strength.
Again, in 1880, there was a wonderful immigration of Vanessa
cardui, the usual numbers in this district, as in others, being enor-
mously re-inforced by — evidently- — a portion of the vast army that
migrated across Europe. Very late that autumn the Eev. Clennell
Wilkinson, of Castlemartin, Pembroke, found, to his great surprise,
that larvae of V. cardui were tolerably common on the thistles on the
warrens near his residence. All the tall thistles were dead, and these
larvae were feeding, at the beginning of October, on the young plants
close to the ground, making their nests among the radical leaves.
Some of these larvae he took home, and, by great care, two of them
entered the pupa-state, October 17th and 20th, and one emerged (in-
doors) November 20th of the same year, 1879. The rest died. This
failure of instinct on the part of the immigrants surely explains, in
some degree, the fact that last year the insect was more than usually
scarce, hardly any appearing to have hibernated, and also why an in-
sect with such a power of increase in a suitable climate is so uncertain
and variable in its appearances in one that is unfavourable.
With reference to the second class of cases — those in which a
species always present is periodically common or scarce— much has
been written, excessive rain being usually assigned as the cause of
diminution in numbers, sunshine as the cause of increase. Without
doubt these causes act to a very large extent, large numbers of larvae
being actually drowned by continued heavy rain, and others rendered
liable to disease, but a little evidence has come under my notice,
pointing so distinctly to another influence of equal potency, that I
think it well worth recording in detail.
It may be within the memory of some readers that at the end of
the first season that I was here at Pembroke (1875), I contributed to
this Magazine some notes on Pembrokeshire insects, in which I re-
lieved my soul by a vigorous grumble at the (entomological) barren-
ness of the land. It appeared that although in the preceding winter
4 . [June,
there had been in England and Scothmd severe cold and remarkably
heavy snow, and though snoio had fallen heavily here also, the winter
had been in this district comparatively mild, the snow disappearing
almost immediately, and that, in fact, for many years before, there had
been little or no intense cold in Pembrokeshire. This mildness of
weather continued through the three subsequent winters, there really
was no hard frost, and snow was only occasionally seen on the hills.
The predominence through each winter of winds from the south-east,
south, west, and especially the south-west, all coming off a sea kept
constantly warm by the gulf-stream, the water of which not only flows
with each tide up the Bristol Channel, but also through the heart of
the county by means of the windings of Milford Haven, fully explains
this, and caused at that time a mildness of temperature probably un-
equalled in these Islands, except on the south coast of Devon and
Cornwall. In many places fuchsias standing out of doors had never
been cut down by frost within the memory of the inhabitants. Some
of them were trees standing from fifteen to twenty feet high, with
trunks of the size of a man's leg. One in the garden at AVallaston
farm (thought nothing of by its owner) stood by the path where
every one walked under it, its lowest branches being barely within
reach of a tall man. The handsome shrubby Veronicas, usually green-
house plants, had grown in the cottage gardens into great bushes five
or six feet high, their abundant blossoms at the end of autumn
affording the latest attraction to the Vanessce before retiring to their
winter quarters. Myrtles had actually grown old and ugly out of
doors, sumachs of many years' growth stood in gai-dens, and it seemed
that, but for the hoar frosts of October and November, the Tropoeohims
and Pelarcjoniums would have blossomed all the year round.
During these years, very many insects of general distribution in
the United Kingdom, continued to be either very scarce, or confined
to exceedingly restricted localities in this district. Of Ai-gynnis
Papliia only one or two specimens were seen in each season ; Argi/nnis
Aglaia was found only in two or three favourite spots in the wildest of
the coast sandhills; of Argynnis Euphrosyne a very few specimens
were seen in Canaston Wood, and one on the flank of Prescelly
Mountain ; while Argynnis Selene was scarcely to be found at all, ex-
cept on a favoured slope of one of the more accessible sea-cliffs.
Satyrus hyperanthus was also very local and uncommon, and Safyrvs
JEgeria only very sparingly to be seen. Lyaena uSSgon must have
existed somewhere, but was not observed in those years at all. Of
Bomhyx neusfria I ol^served each year only a few nests on blackthorn
1882.
in one or two favourite localities ; the larvaB of Bomhi/x quercus and
rubi were scarce, and those of Odonestis potatoria so uncommon, that
it was difficult to find a dozen, to be reared for the sake of occasional
chocolate coloured varieties. Emmelesia affinitata occurred almost as
a rarity, and I searched long and carefully before I could find its larva
for Mr. Buckler to figure. Noctuae (except a few universally abundant
species) appeared to be almost absent ; such a dearth of ordinary
night-flying species I never knew^ anywhere before.
But in the winter of 1878, there was a great change. Persistent
north or north-east winds, intensely cold, froze everything up hard,
the warm sea air was completely expelled, or if a .slight change of
wind permitted a few clouds to come over, the rain from them was
instantly converted into ice, with which the high roads were coated to
a thickness of three or four inches, for weeks. Horses properly
"roughed " travelled well enough, the rough points cutting into the
ice, which did not wear them down ; but vehicles had a bad time.
Heavily laden waggons brought to a turning down a hill declined to
follow the horses in taking a proper sweep, but went first, and the
wheels of lighter vehicles skated rather than turned round, with the
Bound and action of sleigh-runners.
The winters of 1879 and 1880 were equally cold, indeed, the
latter was said to be the coldest known here for fifty years, even the
sea sands along the tide line were covered ankle deep with ice and
frozen snow, a sight very rarely seen on this coast. The first of those
three winters killed all the shrubby Veronicas and. some of the sumachs,
and the tree fuchsias and myrtles above the ground.
And now I will give the results as regards insects.
In 1879 Argynnis Fapliia began to be visible in every woodland ;
in 1880 it had become plentiful, and was even to be seen along the
roads ; in 1881 it abounded, and specimens actually flew about the
town, in the gardens, and settled on the sunny fronts of the houses.
A. Aglaia first increased in numbers in its pet localities, then sj^read
along the coast, till, in 1881, it could be found in scores or hundreds
in places where previously not a specimen had been seen. A. Euj^hro-
syne became common in the woods, and at last began to fly about the
country lanes, and A. Selene became abundant all over the country,
flying about every little strip of marsh and wet land by the road sides.
The same was the case with Satyrus liyperanthus, and 8. Mgeria became
common everywhere, while Lycaena u3£gon flew about the heathy hills
along the coast in plenty. Zygcenafilipendulce, which had been local
and not common, rapidly became abundant, the larva? conspicuously
Q [June,
SO ; the nests o£ Bombyx neustria were to be found in scores on hawthorn
and blackthorn bushes ; B. ruhi and quercus became plentiful, and
Odonestis fotatoria so abundant, that the larvae could easily be col-
lected in hundreds, where hardly one could be seen before, and even
the empty cocoons were conspicuously numerous on the hedge-banks
in the winter. Emmelesia ajfinitata became a common insect, and
many other Geometrce turned up which had hardly been seen before.
But in Noctuce the improvement was the most remarkable, as in
that group the scarcity had been most marked.
Ajylecta herhida and Sadena thaJassina appeared close to the town ;
Xylophasia hepatica and Apamea gemina (both richly variable), 3fiana
fasciuncula, Orammesia trilinea, Noctua c-nigrum and festiva, Aplecta
nebulosa, Hadena dentina, and Olcga spadicea, all became abundant ;
Thyatira derasa and hatis, Acronycta Ugustri and megacephala, Leucania
comma, Itiisina feiiehrosa, and Noctua trianguhim, turned up more or
less freely ; Triphcena jantliina came commonly into the gardens, and
Leucania littoraJis on the sand hills, and Seliodes arhuii in the
meadows, both increased greatly in numbers. These, to be sure, are
not remarkable species to obtain, the wonder was that they should have
been previously rare or apparently absent. Other and scarcer species
were also secured, but I am now referring to captures in home lo-
calities, which had been worked from year to year. Another species
which wonderfully increased in numbers was Pyrausta ostrinalis,
which actually swarmed last year.
Here we seem to have a direct example of cause and effect, but I
am not prepared to say that the effect always arises in the same way.
I think there can be no doubt that in the case of those insects whose
mode of life includes the capacity for hibernation, their constitution
is greatly strengthened and their chance of arriving at maturity in-
creased, if the cold of winter is sufficiently severe to induce complete
torpidity, undisturbed by warm and spring-like weather at unseasonable
times, and this may account for the vast increase in numbers in species
which, like Bomhyx neustria, hibernate in the egg state ; it also pro-
bably has a strengthening effect on those which, like the species of
Arqynnis already mentioned, pass the winter as small social larvae
under a silken tent on the ground, or which, like the Noctuce, hibernate
in the larva state on the ground or among dead leaves, and are teuipted
out to feed by every warm and genial evening.
On the other hand, there can be no doubt that mild winters act
directly to cause the destruction of both hibernating larvae and pupae,
in two ways. One is by encouraging the growth of mould, which we
I88-J.] 7
know attacks tLem as soon as, from excess of rain or humidity, they
become sickly ; the other by permitting the continued activity of pre-
daceous creatures. These are very numerous. Moles continue at
work in mild winters, instead of burying themselves deep in the
ground ; and mice are constantly active. These small mammalia destroy
great numbers of Lepidopterous pupae, and they abound in this dis-
trict, as also do birds during the winter in an extraordinary degree.
As soon as severe cold sets in to the north and east, the birds come
down in swarms to the open fields and sheltered hill sides of this
district, and it is hardly necessary to point them out as most indus-
trious and persevering destroyers of larvae. Predaceous beetles and
earwigs are generally on the alert all through very mild winters, and
although they probably do not eat much at that time, and, indeed, are
not very plentiful in Pembrokeshire, they must destroy many larvae
and pupae, having little else to subsist upon. But I believe that the
mischief done by all these added together does not equal that done by
the Onisci.
During mild winters these crustaceous vermin increase and mul-
tiply, and feed, and grow without check, till in so mild a climate they
become a perfect nuisance, pervading everything indoors and out. It
was hardly possible to keep them even out of the breeding cages, where
they would get introduced when very small and unnoticed — or perhaps
in the egg-state — hunt out and destroy every larva and pupa, and
grow large and plump without ever showing themselves above the
leaves and rubbish. Doubtless, their industry out of doors was in the
same proportion, and my impression is that they approached very near
to completely exterminating many species that would naturally be
common here. Severe cold seems to destroy some of them, for they
are not nearly so numerous now, and it certainly puts a complete
stop to their destructive operations during a time when larvae are
most especially helpless and liable to attack. To this, with other
I causes already mentioned, I am inclined to attribute the extraordinary
incrciise in numbers of so many species during the last three seasons,
divided by severe winters. The winter now past has been mild, and,
therefore, a further progressive increase cannot reasonably be ex-
pected ; but I hope that the mischief done in one mild winter may not
be serious. It is the progressive increase of destroyers with the de-
crease of victims through successive mild seasons that is really to be
dreaded.
As a slight corroboration of this view, I may mention, that while
this district of country is comparatively poor in all the species of
8 [June,
which the larvae feed and hibernate in any exposed situation, several
species of Noctuce, of which the larvse live underground, are always
abundant, and the country is actually rather rich in those species of
Tortricina which feed and hibernate entirely within the stalks or roots
of plants.
It is worthy of notice, that there are a very few species which
have appeared unable to cope with severe cold. Lohophora viretata
was tolerably common here during the first three or four years of
which I have been writing, but after the first cold winter it became
scarce, and has since almost disappeared. Its favourite locality was
turned into a school playground and destroyed, but the decrease is
also observable in the casual specimens which used to be found sitting
on the fronts of houses, windows, gates and elsewhere all around the
neighbourhood, of which hardly one occurred last year. Diasemia
literalis has also been scarce for the last three years, but I have no
great fear that it is dying out, since we have found casual specimens
in two fresh localities.
Pembroke : 10^ April, 1882.
NOTES ON THE NEUROPTERA of STEATHGLASS, INVERNESS-SHIEE.
BT J. J. KING.
Having spent July and August of ISSO in a locality, to the
Neuropterous fauna of which, very little attention has been paid, it
has been suggested to me that I should make out a detailed list of
my captures for this Magazine.
Strathglass is situated to the north of Loch Ness, being parallel
with it ; the Strath proper commences about nine miles from Beauly,
and continues for about ten miles across the country in a south-
westerly direction. It is for the most part about three-quarters of a
mile broad ; from south-west to north-east it descends in a series of
terraces, which are almost level, these terraces are covei'ed with small
water-worn boulders, all which suggest to one the idea of its having
been once the bed of a large lake ; this idea is further borne out when
the falls of Kilmorack are visited, the rocks at this place having the
appearance of being wrenched asunder njid hurled into the valley be-
low, as if the pressure of the water above had been too much for
them.
The Strath is very warm, the hills rising on either side rather
abruptly to a considerable height, help to shelter it. The river
1882.] 9
Glass, which has its source near Ben Attow, close to the west
coast of Scotland, flows through it in a somewhat deep channel,
and discharges itself in the Beauly firth. About seventeen miles from
Beauly the Cannich joins the Glass ; this place, where there is a small
village containing a good hotel, I made my head quarters. Invercan-
nich is, in fact, the centre of the district, all the churches are situated
near here, and on Sundays it is quite a busy place, the people having
to come in some cases upwards of twenty miles to get to church or
obtain a glass of the national beverage.
This is one of the best localities I have ever visited ior Neur opt era,
more particularly Trichoptera, as water is plentiful in many conditions.
A swift deep river (the Glass) traverses the Strath ; then we have
the Cannich, passing over many falls in its course before it reaches
the Glass, which makes it very suitable for certain species of caddis-
flies ; burns of all sizes abound, while Lochs and " lochans " are too
numerous to mention, these latter occurring at all heights on the
surrounding hills, and as for ditches and marshy ground, the difiiculty
is to keep clear of them.
During the two months I staid in the district, little or no rain
fell, but during the night a heavy fall of dew took place. In the day
time the heat of the sun's rays made it almost impossible to undertake
any long excursion, hence most of my collecting took place not far
from Invercannich.
TRICHOPTEEA.
Upwards of two-fifths of the British species of this group were taken.
Fhryganea striata, L., a few odd specimens occurred in various localities. P.
ohsoleta, Hag., was the common species of the district, at no Loch or Loclian was it
absent ; I have had as many as a dozen in my net at one time while sweeping. In
Glen Cannich, at a small peat-hole dui'ing an exceedingly wai-m day, I observed a
very light coloured ? of this species thrice descend about eighteen inches into the
water, using a I'eed' to walk on, no doubt it was in the act of oviposition, it evidently
came to the surface of the water to get air, as in each case it merely came to the
water's level, turned round, and deliberately walked down again; each time, I should
think, it stopped down about one minute and a half ; the insect seemed strange to
me, and I could not resist the temptation to catch it when it made its appearance
on the surface the third time.
Qlyphotcelius pellue.idus, Oliv., occurred at many of the Lochs, but was not
common.
The genus Limnophilus was well represented, fifteen out of the twenty-four
British species being captured.
Limnophilus rhomhicus, L., common. L. horealis, Zett., three specimens turned
up at different Lochs. L. marmoratus, Curt., common everywhere. X. stigma,
Curt., rare. L. lunatus, Curt., abundant at all levels. L. ignavus, Hag., one speci-
10 [,luiic,
men. L. centralis, Curt., very common. L. vittatus, Fab., equally common -with
the last. L. affinis, Curt., rare. L. auricula, Curt., frequent. L. gi-iseus, L., some
nice varieties of this common species were taken. L. extricatus, McL., one specimen.
L. luridus, Curt., a few specimens were taken. L. hirsutua, Pict., one specimen.
L. sparsus, Curt., occurred in swarms, some well-marked forms were taken.
AnaboUa nervosa, Curt., common.
Stenophylax stellatus, Curt., very common along the banks of the Glass.
Micropterna sequax, McL., rare.
Halesus radlatus, Curt., common. H. auricollis, Pict. ; the <? of this species
was abundant during the last week of August, a few ? s were taken in the beginning
of September.
Sericostoma personatum, Spence, was frequent.
Silo pallipes, Fab., not uncommon.
Crunoecia irrorata, Curt., a number were taken along with the following species.
Lepidostoma fiirtiim, Fab., very common on all the streams.
Bercea maurus, Curt., occurred sparingly on some of the burns.
3Iolanna palpata, McL., was one of the commonest species at all the Lochs ;
the semi-transparent $ is very different from the $ .
Odontocerum albioorne, Scop., was common.
Leptocerus fulvtts, Ramb. ; a number were captured on the banks of the Glass
by beating the bushes. L. alboguttatus, Hag. ; a few specimens were taken with the
last. L. aterrimus, Steph. ; both the black and brown varieties were very common
at all the Lochs, more particularly those above Tomich. L. cinereus. Curt., almost
as common as the last. L. albifrons, L., very common along the Glass. L. bilineatus ,
L., in clouds around the Lochs above Tomich and elsewhere.
Mystacides nigra, L., Mi. azurea, L., and M. longicornis, L., all three species
were common about the Lochs.
Tricenodes bicolor, Curt., in numbers on the Lochs above Tomich.
CEcetis ochracea. Curt., and CE. lacusiris, Pict., turned up occasionally at various
Lochs.
Hydropsyche instabilis. Curt., very common everywhere.
Philopotamiis montanus, Don., in considerable numbers along the Cannich ; one
specimen of the var. scoticus was taken.
Wormaldia mediana, McL., two specimens occurred with the next species. W.
subnigra, McL., the Cannich produced this species in abundance towards the end of
August.
Flectrocnemia corispersa, Curt., rare.
Folycentropus flavomaculaius, Pict., was common along the Glass and Caimich.
P. Kingi, McL., was taken along with Jlavomaoulat us ; it was described in the Ent.
Mo. Mag., vol. xvii, p. 25-4.
Holocentropus dubius, Ramb., rare.
Cyrnus trimaculalus, Curt., very connuon everywhere.
Tinodes IVceneri, F., by no means rare.
1S82.1 11
Fsycliomyia pusiUa, L., abundant.
Chimarrha marginata, L. ; this beautiful species was Tcry common on the moss-
covered stones along the banks of the Cannich.
Rhyacophila dorsalis, Curt., was always turning up where it was neither ex-
pected nor wanted.
Glossosoma Boltoni, Curt. ; a few specimens were taken. Q. vernale, Plot., was
very common.
Agapetus fuscipes, Curt., and A. comattts, Pict., were both abundant.
Hydroptila sparsa, Cui't., very common on all the streams. H. forcipata,
Eaton, also common.
Ithytrichia lamellaris, Eaton, common.
Orthotrichia angustella, McL., a few specimens were taken.
NEUKOPTERA-PLANIPENNIA.
Sialis lutaria, L., common. S.fiiUginosa, Pict., also common ; I took one spe-
cimen which measures nearly one inch and a half across the wings, on a burn near
Corriemony.
Sixyra ftiscata, Fab., frequent.
Micromus paganus, L., very common.
Semerohius marginatus, Ste., very common in Grleu Affrick. H. limbatus,
Wesm., common. S. nervosus, Fab., not uncommon. S. subnebulosus, Ste., odd
specimens occurred.
Chrysopaflava, Scop., common. Ch. vittata, "Wesm., common.
Coniopteryx tineiformis,C\xvt.,occ\\vveA commonly by beating alder bushes, &c.,
growing near small burns. C. aleyrodiformis, Ste., taken with the last species.
Panorpa germanica, L., common, by sweeping rank herbage, &c.
PSEUDO-NEUROPTERA.
PSOCID^.
Atropos divinatoria, Miill., in the house.
ClothiJla pulsatoria, L., unfortunately rather common in the house.
Psocus sexpunctatus, L., a few taken. P. hifasciatus, Latr., common everywhere.
Stenopsocus cruciatus, L., very common in oaks.
Ccecilius flavidus, Ste., very common in all stages ; this species varied considera-
bly in the arrangement of the wing-veins. C. vittatus, Latr., not uncommon
Elipsocus unipunctatus, Miill., very common. .E. Westwoodi, McL., very com-
mon. E. hyalinus, Ste., abundant. E. Jlaviceps, Ste., equally common with the
last. E. sp. 1, allied to cyanops, but larger, &c.
EPHEMEEID.S;.
Leptophlebia marginata, L., very common. L. sp. nov. ?
Ephemerella ignita, Poda, occurred in clouds during the afternoon in August.
Clo'eon simile, Eaton, common.
Baeiis rhodani, Pict., in swarms. B. pumilus, Burm., with the last.
Siphlurus lacustris, Eaton, rai'e.
lO [June,
Rhithroijena semicolorata , Curt., very common. R. sp. 1, R. sp. ?,
R. sp. ?, these three forms may only be varieties of semicolorata, but they differ
very considerably from that species, but owing to not having specimens preserved in
fluid, they cannot satisfactorily be made out.
Ileplagenia elegans, Curt., common. II. longicauda, Stc., everywhere. S. late-
ralis, Curt., a few were taken.
Odonata. ,
Leucorrhinia dubia, Van d. Lind., one specimen was taken in Glen Cannich.
Sympetrum striolatiim, Charp., common. S. scoticum, Don., abundant in Grlen
Cannich.
Libellula quadrimacnlata, L., near most of the Lochs.
Cordulla metaUica, Van d. Lind. ; a few specimens were taken after much hard
work. C. arctica, Zett. ; I have a specimen of this species in my cabinet taken by
Dr. Buchanan White, many years ago in Strathglass, but I was not fortunate in ob-
serving the species myself, although Dr. White gave me all the assistance he could.
Cordulegaster anntdatus, Latr., in many localities.
uSSschna juncea, Miill., abundant in all the Grlens.
Pyrrhosoma minium, Hans., a perfect pest at all the Lochs.
Agrion cyathigenim, Charp., equally common with the last species.
This gives as the result of my trip 111 species, or, excluding the
four doubtful species of Ephemei-ido', 107, more than half this number
being taken up with the Trichoptera, namely, Qo ; the Neuroptera-
Flanipennia absorbing 13 ; leaving the remainder for the Pseudo-
Neuroptera.
In conclusion, I have only to acknowledge the kindness with
which my friend Mr. McLachlan has unravelled many of the more
knotty points among the Trichoptera, and the assistance I have re-
ceived from the Ecv. A. E. Eaton when working at the Ephemeridco.
207, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow :
April, 1882.
THE TARSAL AND ANTENNAL CHARACTERS OF PSOCIDM.
BY PROF. H. A. HAGEN.
By a mere chance I see that a statement recently published by
me concerning the tarsal structure of Psocidw confirms, in a most
satisfactory manner, that made by Prof. Westwood in 1857 (Proc-
Ent. Soc. Lond., series 2, vol. iv, p|). G3, 04) regarding certain Coleo-
ptera.
Being occupied with the Atropina, I was astonished to find that
the young forms have only two-jointed tarsi (instead of three-jointed,
as is found iu the imago), but the last joint, internally, in the middle,
shows a more or less visible di\ ision, where the 3rd joint (the median)
1882.1 13
will be formed, and just below it are one or two small bristles. I have
observed this in A. divinatoria (reared by myself), succinica, and olea-
ginn, and also in Hyperetes tessellatus. So long as the young have
only two-jointed tarsi, the antennae have also less joints. Thus, in
A. divinatoria the latter have only 12 instead of the 15 of the imago ;
in Hijperetes the proportions are 13 to 23. But, although the third
(middle) joint of the tarsi is produced by a division of the apical, it
is just the contrary with the antennae. In these the two thick basal
joints, and the apical joint, are not divided ; but in some species all
the intermediate joints are so. Hyperetes is in the latter case, all the
10 intermediate joints being divided in the imago, as I can show from
preparations. It is a remarkable fact that the mysterious Hyperetes
shows, in its earlier stages, precisely the normal number (13) of joints
for the PsocidcB. I am not prepared to give an opinion as to this
genus. Other genera, such as Ccecilius, commonly considered to have
only two-jointed tarsi, possess a small aborted third joint, just as oc-
curs in many Coleoptera.
Cambridge, Mass. :
1st April, 1882.
FOOD-PLANTS AND TIMES OF APPEAEANCE OF THE SPECIES OF
PSYLLID^ FOUND IN GREAT BEITAIN, TOGETHEE WITH
OTHERS WHICH MAY BE EXPECTED TO OCCUR HEEE.
BT JOHN SCOTT.
The publication of the synonymic list (vol. xviii, p. 253) corrected,
as far as I possibly could, to that time, naturally led me to think of
giving, in a collected and comprehensive form, as complete information
as possible of the food-plant of each of the species, together with the
time when the latter may be looked for ; and, although they may be
found a little earlier or later than the time here' indicated, yet this
shows when they were actually taken. But very little is still known
of the earlier stages of many of these insects, of others nothing what-
ever, and the solution of this problem in any one of these cases I
consider to be of much greater importance than the capture of the per-
fect insect itself. I have already, in vol. xvii (p. 132), explained my
mode of rearing them, and how easy this is to be done, so that I need not
repeat it. Eor the purpose of keeping this table as simple as possible,
I have only used the old and well-known generic names ; the recent
sub-divisions being given in the list above referred to.
1^ [,hiiie,
Name. Food-plant. Date of AppeaeancS
hiYiA. junrorum, Latr Juncus conglomeratus, Linn June to Septemberi hi
rCaltba palustiis, Linn "^
Aphalaea ca?i!/(rt', Linn < Pumex acetosella, Linn > Maj' to October.
(.Polygonum lijdropiper, Linn j
nehidosa, Zett Epilobium angustifolium, Linn
nervosa Fo.st Acbillea millefolium, Linn ..... 7 ^j ^^ September,
picta, Zett Chrysanthemum leucantbemura, Lain. ) ■' ^
artemisi.,Yor.t { ^^^^^'^ S^M^ 'i. ^ ^ ^ L } ^^^ ^o September,
exilis, Web. and Mobr. ...Rumex acetosella, Linn June to October.
Ti ■ n 1. ( Acer campestre, Linn 7 i., . i „j? t„i-
Rhikocola «..r.*, Curt J __ pseudoplatanus, Linn j May to end of July
erica, Curt Calluna vulgaris, Salisb June, July.
speciosa, Flor* Populus nigra, Linn June, July.
LiviLLA ulicis. Curt Ulex europseus, Linn June.
Aett^na genista, hatr i^ ex e iropse s, in. •■■,••• ^ May to September.
" xi^ y , ( Sarothamnus scoparius, Koch ) •' ^
PsTLLA spartii, Gu^r Sarothamnus scoparius, Koch May, June.
Horvathi, Scott* Genista tinctoria, Linn
rhamnicola, Scott Rbamnus catharticus, Linn July to October.
pruni. Scop Prunus spinosus, Linn May.
cratcegi, Forst Crataigus oxyacantha, Linn April to June.
costalis, Y\ox „ „ „ August.
peregrina,Yox%\, „ „ „ June.
costatopunctata,Yh\^\, „ „ „ May to November.
pyri, Linn.*a Pyrus communis, Linn.c June to October.
apiophila, YmsiA „ „ „ June, July.
pyrisiiga,W6xsi.'i „ „ „ May, August, Sept:
pyrastri,Y.'L'6\v.* „ „ „ June to August.
simulans, ¥\ov ,, „ „ August.
pyricolajVoxst „ ,, „ August.
j»aZt, Schmdb „ malus, Linn May to October.
visci, Curt Viscum album, Linn May to September.!
vihurni, F. Low.* Viburnum lantana, Linn May, June.
fraxinicola, Forst Fraxinus excelsior, Linn August, September^
fraxinifHAun „ „ „ June to Septemben
discrepans, Y\ov* „ „ „ May, June.
hippophaes, Forst Hippopbae rhamnoides, Linn August, Septemberi
phaoptera,Y.\j'6'K.* „ „ „ June.
buxi, Linn Buxus sempervirens, Linn May to October.
stenolahis, F. Low Salix capraa, Linn May, June.
saUcicola,Y'6xst „ „ „ June to September,
betulce, Linn Betula nana, Linn June.
Ldu)ii,Sc,oit „ alba, Koch February, Nov.
B'ar^iJ, Flor „ verrucosa, Ehrh Maj'.
alni, Linn Alnus glutiuosa, Gaert July, August.
Fiirsterl, Flor „ „ „ June to end of Oct
pineti, Flor Pinus sylvestris, Linn May to November.
Spanioneuea JPoMSCoZowJet, Forst.*... Buxus sempervirens, Linn June.
Teioza , ?* Berberis vulgaris, Linn
, ?* Cardamine sylvatica. Link.
1882.] 15
Name. Food-plant. Date of Appearance.
'bioza cerastii, H. Loevv.* Cerastium tri viale, Link June.
Walkeri, Forst Rhamnus cathaiticus, Linn July, August.
WiamMt, Schrank „ ,, „ Ma j', July to Oct.
trgopodii, F. Low.* ^gopodium podagravia, Linn April to June.
crithmi, F. Low Crithmum niaiitimum, Linn April to June.
gain, Flor Galium palustre, Linn June to September.
Neilreichii, Frauenf.* Valerianella dentata, Deitr June.
chrysanthemi, F. Low.* Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Linn....
senecionis, F. Low.* Senecio nemoreusis, Linn. 6 Jul)'.
-flavipetMiis, Forst.* Lactuca muralis, Don 7 nr < ^ r\ j.
^— -,?* Leontodon hastilis, Linn.6 j May, Aug. to Oct.
proa-ima, Flor* Hieracium pilosella, Linn August and Sept.
flavipemiis, Forat* „ „ „ May, Aug. to Oct.
Dalei, Scott Armeria raaritima, Willd October, November.
, ,.. T> i* C Chenopodium
chenopodn, Reut.* | Atriplex
urticcp, Linn Urtica urens, Linn May to October.
munda, Forst „ dioica, Linn July to September.
salicivora (Reut.), Scott Salix capraea August.
striola, ¥\o\-* „ „ June to November.
MMi/ttscjato, F. Low „ purpurea, Linn
albiventris, Ym^t „ „ „ Sept. and October.
„ „ „ alba, Linn May, Aug. to Oct.
„ „ „ fragilis Sept. and October.
remota, Forst.* Quercus robur, Linn
arntipennis,7ieti Pinus sylvestris, Linn May to October.
viridula, Zett „ abies June to October.
abdominalis, F\oT „ „ August, September.
Lee, S.E. : 26ih March, 1882.
DESCEIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF MGERIID2E AND SFSINGIDJE.
BY HERBEHT DRrCE, F.L.S., F.Z.S.
Family ^GERIID^.
Sara Peteri.
Wings bright bronze-brown shot with purple ; posterior-wing with two trans-
parent spots close to the base, the fringe black ; body brown, and the anal tufts
bright red. Antennae and legs black. Expanse of wings, If in.
Hab. : N. E. Borneo, Sandakan {Fryer). Mus. Druce.
This species is allied to S. chalyhea, Butler, from Singapore.
* Not yet ascertained to be British.
a There is no proof that the Fs. pyri of Curtis is identical with that of Linn., and, therefore,
I include it amongst those not yet ascertained to be British.
b The plants are not British, but, probably, the insects may be found on some of the allied
species.
c Pear-trees in gardens should be carefully examined, as several of the species infesting the
wild pear, if not the whole, ai-e found upon them.
d Although Forster says he had one specimen from Mr, Walker, I have not seen any of recent
date, and have not, therefore, included it in my former list. The Ps. notaia, Flor, is synonymous.
16 lJ""<-.
Family SPHINGTD.E.
Sub-Family CHOEROCA MPINjE.
PaNACRA RrTnEHFORDI.
Pj'imaries above dark brown, speckled with reddish-brown along the costal
margin, crossed from the apex to near the base bj a wide, pale-coloured, straight
band, bordered on each side by fine blackish lines, the apical margin slightly dentated :
secondaries dark brown, paler at the base ; body pale brown. Under-side, uniform
dull brown, thickly speckled with pale ochreous scales. Expanse of wings, 3 in.
Hah.: West Africa, Cameroons (Rutherford).
Type, Mus. Druce.
This species resembles P. vigil, Gruer., but is easily distinguished
by the straight baud of the primaries and much darker colour.
ClIOiROCAMPA GODMANI.
Primaries dai'k greyish-brown at the base, which colour extends beyond the
middle, the apical third ochreous, clouded with dark brown ; several indistinct lines
crossing the wings from the inner margin to the black discal dot. Secondaries
shining dark slaty-brown, the outer margin dark brown, and a small ochreous spot
close to the anal angle ; head, thorax, and abdomen above, dark brown, the sides
black, bordered above with red, and beneath with white lines, under-side pale brown.
Under-side of primaries dark brown, richly clouded with red and yellow scales near
the apex ; secondaries greyish-brown, crossed in the middle by three indistinct dark
lines speckled with reddish scales. Expanse of wings, 3f in.
Hah. : Panama, Yolcano de Chiriqui (Champion) .
I have only seen one specimen of this species : it is very distinct
from any that I am acquainted with, but comes nearest Ch.falco. I
hope shortly to figure it in the " Biologia Centrali- Americana."
Daphnis andama:n^a.
Much like D. Horsfieldii, but rich red-brown ; primaries crossed beyond the
middle by a broad, dark brown band, palest on the outer margin, a dark brown spot
close to the base in the middle of the wing. Secondaries chocolate-brown, crossed
by a sub-mai'ginal pale brown line from the middle of the costal margin to the anal
angle. Under-side pale reddish-brown, both wings crossed by four darker waved
lines ; head, thorax, and abdomen dark brown. Expanse of wings, 21 in.
Hah. : Andaman Islands. Mus. Druce.
This species seems somewhat intermediate between i>. Horsjieldii
and D. Baga, but more closely allied to the latter.
Daphxis torenia.
Primaries fawn-colour, crossed beyond the middle by a broad brown band, and
mottled with brown to near the apex ; a large, oval-shaped, brown spot close to the
base ; theinner half white, with a small black dot in the middle. Secondaries rich
choeolate-red, excepting the basal third, which is almost black ; an indistinct
whitish line, close to the anal angle, extending nearly to the middle of the wing.
I 1882.] 17
Under-side red, closely resembling Chcerocampa Belti, only that the green markings
in that species are replaced by greyish-white. Head, sides of the thorax, and base
of abdomen dark brown, a white line on each side of the thorax, and crossing the
base of the abdomen ; the under-side pale reddish-brown.
Expanse of wings, 31 in.
Hal). : Fiji Islands {WafJcius). Type, Mus. Druee.
This fine species is very distinct from any yet described ; in form
it resembles D. hypothous, in colour it comes nearest D. andamana.
Sub-Family AMBULICIX^E.
Ambultx Elwesi.
Much like A. ruhricosa, but shorter-winged and more robust. Primaries
rich brown, the outer half the darkest, a series of ochi-eous marks along the hind
margin, extending nearly to the anal angle. Posterior-wing bright pink, the outer
half deep brown, an indistinct black line bordered with greyish-blue near the anal
angle. Under-side rich bro^vnish-pink ; primaries bright pink near the base, and an
indistinct greyish band crossing the wing near the outer margin ; secondaries crossed
in the middle by a pinkish-white band ; between it and the base on the costal margin
is a brown spot. Head, thorax, and abdomen brown, paler beneath. Antennae and
legs brown. Expanse of wings, 3j in.
Hah. : Darjiling {Elwes). Type, Mus. Druce.
This beautiful species is allied to A. ruhricosa and A. Junonia.
I am indebted to Mr. Elwes for the pleasure of describing and adding
it to my collection.
Ambultx aegentata.
Primaries glossy gi-eyish-brown, almost white at the apex, crossed by a series of
pale waved lines, a black dot at the end of the cell, the outer margin and the fringe
brown. Secondaries pale brown, thickly speckled with white hairs, a row of white
spots crossing the middle of the wing from the anal angle to the costal margin, the
spots nearest the inner margin are tlie largest. Under-side dark pinkish-brown, the
spots and markings as above, only more distinct, and speckled with brown scales.
Head, sides of thorax, and base of the abdomen dark olive-green. Middle of thorax
and abdomen silver-grey. Expanse of wings, 3j in.
Hah. : Saigon, Cochin China (Boucard). Type, Mus. Druce.
This very distinct species reminds one at first sight of A. hjjpos-
ticta, the under-sides being somewhat alike.
Sub-Family SMERINTHINjE.
Triptogo:!^ rosea.
Primaries above pale pinkish-brown, crossed by three indistinct brown lines, a
dark brown spot close to the anal angle, and a large dark patch of the same colour
extending along the outer margin almost to the apex. Secondaries bright rosy-red,
with a brown spot at the anal angle. Under-side reddish-brown, both wings ci'ossed
by several indistinct, pale brown, waved lines. Head, thorax, and abdomen, pale
brown. Expanse of wings, 2i in.
18 [Juns,
Hah. : "West Africa, Cameroons (Hittherford). Mus. Druce.
Not unlike T. comjjlacens from Japan, but quite distinct.
Triptogon cttis.
Primaries and secondaries uniformly pinkish -grey-brown, crossed in the middle
by a brown line, a small black spot at the base of the primaries : under-side as above.
Expanse of wings, 2^ in.
Hah. : South Africa, Vaal Eiver. Mus. Druce.
A very distinct species, not nearly allied to any with which I am
acquainted.
Sub-Family SPHINGIN.E.
Protoparce laucheana.
Primaries light chestnut-brown, marked and banded with white, resembling P.
solani. Secondaries blackish-brown. Under-side uniform slate-colour. Upper-side
of head, thorax, and abdomen chestnut-brown ; under-side white, tinged with pink.
Expanse of wings, Sj inch.
Hah. : West Africa {Thomson) . Type, Mus. Druce.
Htloicus Keeyei.
Primaries greyish-brown, crossed from the inner margin to near the apex by a
wide whitish band, the outer margin almost black, between it and the white band
are several indistinct brown lines. Secondaries greyish-white, bordered with dark
brown. Under-side uniform greyish-white, the secondaries almost white. Head,
thorax, and abdomen above, black ; under-side whitish. Expanse of wings, 2% in.
Hab. : Paraguay {Beece). Type, Mus. Druce.
This species is allied to H. Dynceus, Hiibuer, from which it differs
in the broad white band on the primaries, and the almost white
secondaries. Hiibner's species is not included in Mr. Butler's mono-
graph of the SphingidcB, but is well figured iu the " Sammlung
exotischer Schmetterlinge," Nos. 463, 461.
The Beeches, Circus Eoad, N.W. :
2dth April, 1882.
EEMARKS ON SOME CENTRAL AMERICAN SPECIES OP
ri'RRHOPYGE, HUBN.
BY GERVASE F. MATIIEW, R.N., F.L.S., E.Z.S., &c.
While on the Pacific station during 1872 — 4, I had an oppor-
tunity of making the acquaintance of this remarkable genus, and when
Pyrrhopyge Amra, Hew., was noticed for the first time at San Bias, on
the coast of Mexico, in December, 1873, it was taken for some species
of day-flying moth, for its habits were quite unlike those of any
1882.J 19
butterfly I had previously met with. They flew very rapidly during
the hottest part of the day, and were fond of passing backwards and
forwards in front of some favourite bush, before which they occasion-
ally stopped and hovered, their wings being moved with extreme
rapidity. Sometimes they would suddenly alight on the under-side of
a leaf and were lost to view, and one's beating stick had to be brought
into requisition to dislodge them. At other times before settling they
would fly in a short jerking manner, somewhat after the fashion of the
long-tailed skippers (Eiidamus). At the Island of Tobago, in the bay
of Panama, the following April, another species, Pyrrhopyge Acastus,
Cram., was tolerably numerous, and I was so fortunate as to discover
its larva and pupa and bred the perfect insect. At the time I had no
idea what these larvje would produce, and certainly did not expect to
see a butterfly. What they fed on I cannot say, for they were full-
grown when found, and preparing to pupate between chinks of bark
on a trunk of a tree. They may have fed upon the leaves of the tree
itself, or, what is more likely, upon some of the surrounding low
herbage. The larva, which is soft and flabby to the touch, is clothed
with fine straw-coloured hairs, is somewhat cylindrical in shape, and
tapers towards each extremity ; head cordate, and very large in pro-
portion to the size of the larva, and of a brick-red ; general colour
reddish-brown, with well defined segmental rings of a deeper hue, and
narrow black, yellow, and reddish perpendicular lines on each segment;
under-surface, claspers, and prolegs light red. When full fed it spins
a loose network cocoon betw^een chinks of bark and therein turns to a
light-red pupa with many segmental black spots, and covered with
fine white down, and a purplish powdery bloom. The eyes are black
and very prominent. The butterflies emerge in about three or four
weeks. Another fine species, Pyrrhopyge Patrohas, Hew., was rare, and
difiicult to obtain in perfect condition, for they flew about so rapidly
among the brushwood that they soon became worn.
H. M. S. " Espiegle," Simons Bay, Cape of Good Hope :
\Uh February, 1882.
EupJectus bicolor, Sfc, on Cannock Chase. — -A few days since I found some half-
dozen specimens of Euplectus bicolor, in decaying birch logs on Cannock Chase. In
company with them occurred Euplectus nanus (Reich.), E. nigricans, ScydmcBnus
exilis, Ptinella testacea, P. aptera, P. angustula, Pteryx suturalis, Tetratomafun-
gorum, and Liodes humeralis. — W. Q-. Blatch, 214, Green Lane, Smallheath,
Birmingham : Hay \9,th, 1882.
20 [''"lie,
Actidium coarctatum, S^'c, near Gloucester. — Last autumn, at Barnwood, near
Grioucester, in a hotbed composed partly of tan and partly of manure, I found
Nephanes Titan plentifully, and with it Ptiliiim foveolatiim, Millidium trisulcatum,
Aub^, and one specimen of Actidium coarctatum. The capture of this latter insect
in a hotbed is worth recording, as confiraiing the statement of the late Mr. Haliday
that he had taken it in such a locality ; it has been supposed that he made a mistake,
as the Actidia, as a rule, are river-bank insects. — W. W. Fowler, Lincoln : 2nd
May, 1882.
Notes on Spring Ht/menoptera at Hastings in 1882. — During a stay of a few
days at Hastings, from the 6th to the 10th of this month, I succeeded in meeting
with a considerable number of species of Andrena, &c., and as the season has been
one of such unusual mildness I thought it would be of interest to notice those which
occurred. Nearly all the species were found either on Sallows in the Ticinity of Ore
lane, or flying about the sandy banks of the Croft.
Andrena pilipes, $ and $ , common on the Croft, the ? with the pubescence of
the thorax unusually grey ; A. albicans, J $ , Ore ; A. atriceps, Croft ; A. Trim,'
merana, ^ $ , Ore, common, a few very brightly coloured females of the var. spini-
gera, most of the females sliglitly red at the base of the abdomen beneath ; all the
males of the ordinary Trimmerana type — A. thoracica, Ore; A. nitida, Croft; A.
fulva $ , Croft ; A. Clarkella 9 , Ore ; A. nigro-cBnea ^ ? , Ore and Croft ; A. Owyn-
ana, Croft and HoUington ; A. lapponica ^ , Ore ; A. pracox $ , Ore ; A. varians
$ , Croft ; A.fasciata, S ? , Croft ; A. parvula ^ , Ore ; Nomada succinvta. Croft ;
Anthophora acervorum, Croft ; Bomhns lapidarius, B. terrestris, B. pratoriim, Ore ;
B. Derharnelliis, HoUington. — Edward Saunders, Holmesdale, Wandle Eoad,
Upper Tooting : April Wth, 1882.
Qerris lacustris in hibernation far from -water. — On the 17th of March, at
Weybridge, I had some moss-hunting without success, having found nothing beyond
sjjecies of insects that are usually seen in or under moss at all seasons, many of the
examples defective by efflux of their time. I assume the reason of this paucity was
that all the species that had made use of the moss simply for hibernation had gone
out and were distributed, induced thereto by the recently previous, and then still
existing, hot sunny weather. The abundance of insects of many kinds which had
been roused from their various hiding places and were flying at this early season was
remarkable; one of them, Ilylurgus piniperda, I caught with my hat. There was,
however, one exception to the general liveliness — a Oerris lacnstris — which was
deep in long damp moss growing under the shelter of a furze-bush on the northern \
side of a hillock, and this insect though still was not torpid. The remarkable thing,
however, was not so much its remaining in seclusion as that it had travelled half a
mile away from water to gain its winter quarters ; the species usually hibernating
close to the water on the surface of which it had lived. — J. W. Douglas, 8, Beau-
fort Gardens, Lewisham : 2oth March, 1882.
Capture of the nymph of Aphalara nervosa, Forster, on Achillea millefolium. —
For three seasons I have searched diligently for the above and younger forms of this
species, but without success, until about a week ago, when, after a couple of hours'
work, I was rewarded with the sight of one, and theu another, until I took about
1882.] 21
sixty specimens. As far as I have observed, they sit in the axils of tlie leaves, or at
the base outside, and with the head downwards. They adhere very firmly to the
,, plant, and when they do move, it is not at a rapid rate. The larvae ai'e of a more deli-
cate green colour than in the following stage, and are unicolorous. The nymph is of
a darker green in some eases than in others. Head slightly convex in front, with a
faint notch in the middle, and about six to eight short white hairs round the margin.
AntenncB short, yellow, spigot- or peg-shaped, 1st and 2nd joints green, apex black.
Eyes, viewed from above, large, greenish-white, from the side-centre black. Thighs
gi'een, tihicB and tarsi pale yellow, apex blackish. Ulytra-Xohes yellowish or very
pale brownish-yellow, base pale, costal margin somewhat convex, flattened in the
middle, posterior margin slightly concave next the anterior angle, which is acute.
Abdomen green, convex, with a longitudinal depression or faint channel on each side
nearer to the centre than the margin ; segmental incisions somewhat strongly
defined ; margins rounded to the apex, which is acute, and with about ten long white
hairs on each side of the last two segments, extreme apex yellowish. Length, 1 line
(Paris). The eyes, as seen from above, present a somewhat curious appearance, the
creature looking as if it were blind or had a hood over them. — John Scott, Lee,
S.E. : May 12th, 1882.
Note on Setodes argentipuncteUa, McLach. — This exceedingly delicate and
pretty little species was first described in this Magazine, vol. xiv, p. 105 (1877), from
examples taken by Mr. Hodgkinson at Windermere, and by the Eev. A. E. Eaton
at Killarney. Mr. King found it in great abundance at the former localily in
August, 1881 {cf. Vol. xviii, p. 163) . When Mr. A. R. Wallace was writing his " Island
Life" (published in 1880), he applied to me for a list of J'r^c7^o^<e?•a apparently
exclusively British, which appeared at p. 337 of his work, and naturally included S.
argentipuncteUa. As a proof of how hazardous it is to generalize upon apparent
facts of this nature, I will mention that when on a visit to Belgium in July, 1881, I
found the species in the greatest profusion along the banks of the curious little
river termed " La Semois," at the town of Bouillon (which it may be well to
mention is near the French frontier, and the battle-field of Sedan). It is included
in the list of captures made on that excursion {cf. Comptes Eendus, Soc. Ent. Belg.
XXV, p. cxxxi), which is a sufficient record so far as general distribution is concerned.
The subject is brought forward here, in its present form, as a warning against hasty
generalization. It is also an argument in favour of what have been termed "mere
collectors." If the insect had been (say) Lepidopterous there can be no doubt it
would not so long have remained unnoticed in this country, and probably long before
its discovery here, some continental Entomologist would have anticipated us in its
detection, reversing the conditions that caused it to be placed in a list of species
apparently peculiar to Britain. — R. MoLachlan, Lewisham : 4fA Aj^ril, 1882.
Variety of Zygana filipendidcB. — Two very interesting specimens of Zygana
iilipendulce were exhibited at a meeting of our Local Field Club a week ago by the
Vice-President. In one of them the posterior (or sixth) red spot on the anterior
wings was entirely absent, and in the other only faintly traceable, so that both
might easily have been passed over as " S-spotted." They have, however, the very
narrow blue-black border to the hind-wings, and the form and general characters of
22 I June,
filipendula, and were roared with a number of ordinary examples of that species,
from cocoons found in one of the hollows of the coast-cliffs, where no other species
of Zygmna is found. — Chas. Gr. Bareett, Pembroke : 16^A February, 1882.
On the habits of Lepisma saccharina. — Hitherto the " sngar-louse " has been
considered rather a harmless creature ; but, according to my observations, it has
a better character than it deserves, and does much injury, of which, however, it
seldom gets the credit, owing to the rapidity with which it disappears when in any
way disturbed. It likes moisture, and is partial with me to some cupboards in the
wall, and also occurs near the window under the carpet. In such damp places it
perforates the carpet by degrees completely. The dust-covers in the seldom-used
spare bed room were likewise gnawed in several places, and apparently by this
creature, as I constantly surprised it close to the recently gnawed holes. In a badly
closed insect box, which was lined with paper, the Lepisma had crept in and partially
gnawed the paper. It could not manage to reach the insects, being unable to ci'awl
up the long pins ; but in one box of Lejndoptera, of which the wings here and there
touch the wadding which lay above the cork, pieces had been eaten out of the wings
by our active little friend. Hence the Lepisma may, under certain conditions, be-
come a dangerous enemy to the Entomologist. It belongs to those foes of mankind
which, working in concealment, slowly but surely carry on the work of destruction. —
GusTAV DE Eossi. (Extracted from Entomologische Nachrichten, 1882, pp. 22, 23 :
January, 1882).
Beehee Bowman Labrey, born June 30th, 1817, spent his early childhood at
AUonby in Cumberland. When 9 years old he was removed to Manchester, whence
he went to the Friends' School at York.
He early showed a fondness for Natural History, and devoted his attention
mostly to Entomology. During the latter years of his life much of his time was
occnpied in working out and drawing the plumules found on some families of butter-
flies. The manuscripts and figures he has left behind him were, we believe, nearly
ready for publication. About two years ago his manuscripts were stolen from the
railway carriage as Mr. Labrey was coming up to London. He immediately set to
work to re-write and figure the whole work, from the original plumules he had
mounted for the microscope.
He was a thorough and conscientious worker, and had a great facility for learn-
ing languages and drawing. He was modest and retiring in his nature, though ever
ready and eager to encourage and assist the young.
He died on the 26th April, at Ids country cottage at Disley, Cheshire, from the
effects of suppressed gout.
Entomological collecting on a voyage in the Pacific. [The letter, from which
we make the following extracts, written in continuation of one of which the greater
portion was published in this Magazine (vol. xviii, pp. 81 — 86), has been kindly
placed at our service, at the desire of the writer (to whom we feel much indebted),
by the Rev. W. W. Fowler, to whom it was addressed.]
1882.] 23
I added rery little to my collection of insects during July and September, at
Callao. The butterflies had nearly all disappeared by the end of June, and the
■weather was generally unfavourable for collecting, as well as the reverse of tropical —
the thermometer rarely standing above 65° in the day-time, and usually down to
57°, or even lesS*, at night, so that I often felt quite cold. The sun was sometimes
obscured for a week at a stretch, and though there was no actual rain, a dense web
sea-fog (" G-arua," as it is called), which may fairly be compared to the traditional
Scotch mist, prevailed almost every day, and was far more disagreeable than a
heavy shower would have been. I managed to increase my local list of butterflies
to 46 species, the additions being small and inconspicuous, with the exception
of a pretty yellow and black Pieris ? Among the moths, the best novelty to me
was a very handsome little Cerura, about the size of C. bifida, but rather like
C. vinula in style of marking. The cocoons were not rare on willow-trunks in
August, but I have not yet been able to meet with the larva. A few fresh beetles,
mostly small Heteromera, occurred. On the island of San Lorenzo (6 miles
from Callao) the Coleoptera appeared to be rather better represented than on
the mainland. Early in September, I obtained some 25 species of beetles, mostly
Geodephaga {Harpalus, Pterostichus, Scarites, &c.) and Heteromera — not to mention
plenty of scorpions — under stones on the top of the highest hill, 1200 feet above the
sea ; and among dead mussels on the beach, a large number of a fine species of
Dermestes, and of a Phaleria, very like our British P. cadaverina. I also met with
a few small moths which I had not seen on the mainland, among them being a very
fine Agdistis, much larger and more richly marked than our Bennettii : I bred it from
a little glassy-green larva, which I picked up casually on the sand. San Lorenzo is
for the most part excessively barren, consisting of either naked rock or drifting
yellow sand ; only on the highest summit is there a trifling amount of vegetation,
among which the wild potato holds a conspicuous place : it produces well-formed
tubers, sometimes two inches in diameter, but they are too watery and bitter to be
eatable.
The great event of my stay at Callao, was a trip up the Trans-Andine Eailway
to Chicla, which I enjoyed, on the 17th June. This railway, intended to connect
the fertile tropical districts east of the Cordillera with the Pacific coast, is a most
wonderful piece of engineering, it being carried up the valley of the E-imac to Chicla
(12,200 feet above the sea), and then over the main ridge of the mountains to Oroya ;
the highest elevation reached by the railway being 15,722 feet — about 50 feet less than
the height of Mont Blanc ! The line has, however, been completed only as far as
Chicla, and the works have been suspended ever since the beginning of the Chilo-
Peruvian war. The scenery all the way is of the most magnificent description, and
requires only a little more vegetation to render it perfect, though some favoured spots
on the route are verdant enough. At Chicla, the hill-sides were carpeted with
beautiful wild-flowers, a shrubby lemon-yellow Calceolaria, &\\A a plant like a lupine,
with showy blue-purple blossoms, being abundant, with yellow hawk-weeds and
Cruciferce, and a conspicuous species of Loasa (I think) with large garnet-red
poppy-like flowers, and most formidable stinging hairs. I was able to devote only
about half-an-hour to collecting here, and observed five species of butterflies, three
of which {Pi/rameis Carye, a small Colias?, and a Satyrits) appeai'ed only singly,
and I could not catch them. The other two were a little satiny-blue Lt/ctenid (rare),
24 [.hmc. 1832.
and a small Buierpe ?, not unlike, in miniature, a lovelj Pieris DapH.dice in marking
on the upj)er-side. It was not uncommon, but very active, having much of the flight
and habits of a skipper : and owing to the rugged nature of the ground, and the
difficulty of active csei'tion at that elevation, I had much difficulty in securing half-
a-dozen examples. On the way up, I managed to snatch a few minut*es' collecting at
San Bartolome (4950 feet) and Matucana (7790 feet) : at the first place I took a nice
Sati/rns, and at the latter, a beautiful species of Pieris, and a Colias, which I have
reason to believe is the rare C. Hermina, Butler. Chicla would, I think, amply repay
any entomologist who could stay there for a few days ; I hope to re-visit this locality
before I finally leave the Pacific station.
I had become very tired of Callao and its surroundings, and was glad enough
when the order finally came for the " Kingfisher " to proceed northwards. We
sailed along a miserably barren and surf-beaten coast, calling at one or two small
ports, where landing was impossible in the ship's boats, being only practicable in large
launches, or in "balsas." These are rude rafts made of logs of a peculiarly light
and porous wood (which, by the way, makes capital setting boards) : they look very
clumsy and unwieldy, but are managed by the natives with great dexterity, and are
in general use all along the coast. On September, we arrived at Payta, and stayed
there until the 24th. This place has the advantage of a good and safe harbour, .
teeming with fish : an " Eagle Ray," weighing at least 300 lbs., was caught in the
seine, and, despite its somewhat repulsive appearance, was eaten by the ever-hungry
Bailors. The town is a most wretched little place, and the country for miles round
is a waste of naked rock and yellow sand, a few stunted Mimosas and other shrubs,
bearing about as many leaves as an average birch -broom, just redeeming it from
utter sterility. A few miles inland, the country appears to improve a little, but I
had no opportunity of going far from the town. I got a few of the common Callao
beetles here, and the only moth I took was, to my surprise, a fine and well-marked
specimen of Agrotis sauda. Another Agrotis, which I cannot distinguish from
A. ohelisca, was caught on board the ship off Huanchacho, a short distance to the
southward of Payta.
On the 25th, we entered the Guayaquil River, and anchored for the night at
Puno, 40 miles below the port of Guayaquil, whither we proceeded the next morning.
The river-banks, all the way up (except near Puno, where there ai'e some low hills),
are of a very flat and swampy character, covered with a most dense and luxuriant
forest, the trees in many places being really gigantic. The aspect of the forest is,
however, somewhat monotonous, the trees presenting but little variety, and scarcely
a flower of any sort to be seen ; but after the wretched Peruvian coast, the sight of
such a glorious extent of green foliage was indeed refreshing to the eye.
Guayaquil is a busy and thriving-looking town, much superior in appearance to
Callao : the environs are for the most part swampy and level, intersected with nar-
row ditches and creeks, the banks of which swarm with land-crabs. At the back of
the town are a few hills of moderate height, covered with thorny brushwood.
During the four days we stayed here, I added about 30 species of butterflies to
my collection : none of them were wry large or showy, perhaps the handsomest
being the striking, though common, black and crimson Anartia Amalthea. A species
of Ageronia was fairly plentiful on tree-trunks, but was very difficult to secure; and
I may also mention some pretty species of Thccla (one almost entirely bluish-while
July, 1882.] 25
above and beneath) ; a very minute " blue," not unlike our P. Ahus in aspect, but
scarcely half the size ; a Fhyciodes, like a miniature M. Athalia ; two or three
handsome skippers, &c. I do not think I saw a single beetle : the most abundant
insects were decidedly mosquitoes, of the hungriest description.
We had a pleasant passage of a week's duration from Guayaquil to Panama,
arriving at the latter place on October 7th. Here we remained for about seven
weeks, and I think I may safely affirm that I made the most of my time, as I suc-
ceeded in obtaining at least 150 species of butterflies, scarcely one of which I had
seen before, besides a good many moths and other insects. Beetles were, however,
as at Callao, singularly scarce : I got one or two fine Elaters and BrenthidcB, some
Lamellicorns {PhancBus, &c.), CassididcB, and Chrysomelidm, but not a single Longi-
corn or Pujirestis ! though I fear I must confess that the Lepidoptera engrossed most
of my attention. I am afraid, too, that I was not there at the best time of year, it
being the fag-end of the rainy season ; the mornings, it is true, were usually fine
enough, but heavy clouds usually began to form about 11 a.m., terminating in a
deluge of rain two or three hours later : vei'y few days were fine throughout. The
heat, although not really very gi'eat (seldom reaching So""), was extremely oppressive,
from the dampness of the atmosphere.
The town of Panama is built on a low rocky spit, from which an extensive reef,
partly dry at low water, runs out for nearly a mile, and considerably lengthens the
passage on shore, as it cannot be safely crossed in a boat : the anchorage for large
ships is about three miles from the town, as the crow flies, under the lee of the
little verdant islands of Perico and Ilenao. It is far more picturesque, with its
ancient stone walls and red-tiled houses, than the collection of whitewashed mud
huts and wooden shanties which pass for towns on the Chilian and Peruvian coasts ;
there is an extensive suburb of palm-thatched bamboo huts, among which pigs, dogs,
fowls, and little niggers revel in happy community of freedom and dirt. The sur-
rounding country, for four or five miles at least, is not much cultivated, and presents
a beautifully undulated and varied surface, for the most part covered with dense
bush, with fine clumps of large timber here and there. My chief collecting ground
was a steep and well-wooded hill, about 550 feet high, immediately behind the town,
called the " Cerro de Ancon." Here I spent many a pleasant afternoon, wandering
about the shady lanes and pathways which intersect the wood, and revelling in
tropical vegetation and tropical insects. I often returned to the ship with a wet
jacket, but never without something new to me, in my well-filled collecting-box and
helmet. As I am all alone here, and far from books and collections, I cannot ven-
ture to name one-fifth of the insects I met with, but I have managed to puzzle out
a few of the butterflies, &c., by the aid of Chenu's " Papiilons Diurnes et Nocturnes,"
which I have by me.
The tropical American genera, Mechanitis, Ithomia, and their allies do not
appear particularly well represented at Panama, as I met with very few species —
though I believe they are more abundant earlier in the year. HatyridcB, on the con-
trary, are very numerous, many pretty little species of P^tiptychia (some nearly
white), occurring in woody places, and a handsome and curiously-shaped brown
Hetara being not I'are in the darkest shady corners. The grandest butterflies are
the big 3IorpIio Peleides and Caligo Teucer, both of which are not uncommon, and
the first is a most magnificent object, as it flaps along a wood-path, with the rays of
26 ["i-'iy'
a troijical sun gleaming on the lustrous blue upper-side of the -tvings. C. Teucer
haunts the deep shades of the thickets, and has a provoking habit of dodging into
dense underwood when pursued. The under-side of a fine specimen (not often seen,
by the way) is really beautiful, with its delicate pencillings of ochreous and grey,
and its great yellow-ringed ocelli, like the eyes of an owl. A large, moth-like, orange
and brown insect, which I think is Dynastor Darius, comes out not rarely about
sunset, but flies too high to be canght : the only one I haye was bred from a huge
whitish and brown chrysalis, which I often met with on tree-trunks and walls, but
all empty, except this one. I saw hundreds at Colon, on the Atlantic side of the
isthmus, but all vacated by the perfect insect. A large black and white Brassolis ?,
five incbes in expanse, is rare. Heliconius only occurred to me as the common hut
handsome black and crimson H. Melpomene, and a large, yellow-streaked black
species : both are common. Colanis Phcerusa, a very handsome fulvous and brown
insect occurs in grass fields, with a pretty Junonia and Agraulis vanillce : another
Colcenis, almost entirely fulvous above, is common in lanes, &c.
Several species of Phyciodes, pretty little insects related to MelU(Ea, kc, are
abundant among grass, as is also Anartia Fatima, a handsome black-brown butterfly
with a cream-coloured transverse bar and some small crimson spots. One of the
most beautiful and remarkable insects is a species of Ageronia, a butterfly about 2^
inches in expanse, of a grey ground-colour, exquisitely marbled witli shades of
whitish and reddish, in a most intricate pattern. It settles on the trunks of trees
with the wings fully expanded, like a Boarmia, and always head downwards : when
approached, off it goes with great speed, making at the same time a loud and most
singular snapping or crackling noise, which I can best compare to the sound of a
slight electric spark, at intervals of one to five seconds. This sound is particularly
distinct when the $ is chasing the $ , and I have hoard it a distance of at least ten
yards : I think it is produced by both sexes. Victorhm Steneles a large and liand-
some butterfly, brown, with large blotches of pale leaf-green, was not uncommon,
but rarely found in good condition : a new brood was coming out just as I was
leaving. Another very showy insect, BihU/s Thadana, rich dark brown in colour,
with a vivid crimson sub-marginal band on the hind-wings, occurred to me only
singly. I found some twelve or fourteen Erycinidce, some of them handsome little
insects, but none of the more brilliant species fell to my share. They are funny
little fellows dashing about actively in the wood-paths and openings, and always
settling on the under-side of leaves with the wings fully extended. Theclas and
Polyommati were represented at the time of my visit by a few not very conspicuous
species : Terias, on the other hand, were most abundant, at least 8 species occurring
of all shades between pure white and deep orange : Callidryades, though not rare,
were difficult to obtain, they were so active. Indeed, I may mention that nearly all
the larger butterflies, at least, had to be caught on the wing : I did not meet with a
single attractive flower, and the insects all seemed to disdain mud, excrement, fallen
fruit, sap, and other traditional tropical attractions. 1 saw only four species of
Papilio, of which the fine but common P. Thoas was very frequent, dashing along
the lanes at great speed and very hard to obtain in good order : P. Polydamas was
not rare in the more open places, and a lovely species (either P. Erythalion or Ver-
tumnus), velvety-black, the <? having a large green blotch on the fore-wings, and a
carmine blotch on the hinder pair, tliese blotches in the ? being respectively white
1882.] 27
and salmon colour, is common in the denser parts of the woods. The $ is closely-
mimicked by the day-flying Bombyx, related to Hypercompa, &c., which although
smaller, is wonderfully like it on the wing, and frequents the same places. As for
the Skippers, their name is legion, they seem absolutely endless, and I used to get
two or three fresh species almost every day I went collecting. I have at least 50
species of all sizes, from half an inch to nearly two inches in expanse : a large
proportion of them are plain brown, with a more or less distinct curved transverse
band of white, yellow, or hyaline spots on the fore-wings : but some of them are
very handsome insects, especially those of the genus Fyrrhopyga (blue-black with
crimson collar and tail, and white fringes). Some of the genus Thymele are
furnished with very long tails to the hind-wings, of different lengths in the two
sexes : others are brilliantly glossed with blue, notably a common species of
Nisoniades, about the size of our N. Tages : while others again are as dull and
sombre in appearance as the aforesaid "Dingy Skipper." The moths appeared to be
fairly numerous in species, but there were few large or showy ones : a great Erebus,
six or seven inches in expanse of wings, was not rare on trimks, and was once or
twice caught on board the ship, but was not easy to obtain in good condition.
The ship went over to the island of Taboga, nine miles from Panama, for six
days (October 28th to November 2nd), to coal and give leave to the crew. This is
a most beautiful and picturesque little island, and as good as, or even better than
Panama as a locality for insects. During the six days I took 80 species of butter-
flies, 18 of which I never saw on the mainland. Among these I may mention a
pretty black and white insect, not unlike our "White Admiral" in appearance and
habits : a grand green and black Nymphalid, of the genus Prepona, a Chalyhe 1 like
a very large stout Thecla, mostly light bright blue above, the under-side being of the
richest metallic green, barred with black and mahogany-red ; the hind-wings each
bearing two long tails : this is one of the most beautiful insects I have ever seen.
There were also some nice ErycinidcB and skippers, and three very beautiful fresh
Papilios, one being especially handsome, its colour being velvety-black with white
spotted fringes, a large spot of most brilliant emerald-green on the fore-wings, and
a small crimson spot near the inner margin of the hind-wings, the inner marginal
fold of hind-wings being filled with very long dense ashy-white hair. Among the
beetles, I was much pleased to get a fine specimen of the huge JBuprestis Goliath,
which was brought to me by one of the sailors.
We left on November 25th, for Callao : and despite heat, mud, tropical showers,
mosquitoes, ticks, and other small annoyances, there are few places from which I
carry away so many pleasant recollections, as I do from Panama. Callao was
reached on the 6th December, the weather was again fine and pleasant, but I found
very little to do in the way of collecting, still, a few interesting additions occurred,
notably a fine black and yellow Papilio related to P. Thoas : this was rare in the
perfect state, but I was lucky enough to find the larva in plenty on a small patch of
parsnips, and have reared a fine series. I also got a very fine hawk-moth, something
like a very large Sphinx convolvidi, but seven inches in expanse of wings, on board
the ship : also the beautiful moth ISoropsis fastuosa, which is figured in one of the
early numbers of the Ent. Mo. Mag., from a specimen taken in England. Among
the Coleoptera, I found a very fine long-legged pale brown Lamellicorn, with large
horns on the head and thorax of the male, which sex attains the length of two
28 [July,
inches : this is, I think, a species of Oolofa. It was not rare, sitting on grass-stems
and foliage, and flying at sunset like a cockchafer. A fine large species of Trox is
also perhaps noteworthy : and while speaking of the Callao insects, I must not for-
get to mention the too-well-known Chigoe or "Jigger" fSarcopsylla penetransj, a
most minute flea which abounds in the dust, and (the ? , at least) burrows under
one's toe-nails whenever it can get a chance. I had three or four extracted from
my feet, the insect becoming distended with eggs to the size of a small pea, and
producing a curious tickling or itching sensation, which (whatever some authors may
affirm to the contrary) is the reverse of pleasant. Another of the many disagree-
ables of Callao is a phenomenon locally known as the " Painter," which is peculiar
to this and one or two other Peruvian ports. The water in the harbour suddenly
assumes a curious opaque milky-white colour, and emits a most horrible odour of
sulphuretted hydrogen with a dash of rotten fish. This delightful phenomenon
occurs, on an average, every four or five days in December and January, and seldom
lasts less than twenty-four hours : the white paint on the boats, &c., being utterly
spoiled by the action of the sulphuretted hydrogen, and turned quite black. I have
an idea it is caused by some disturbance of the bottom, such as a sliglit earthquake-
sliock, as the mud emits exactly the same smell, and is full of diatoms and other
organic bodies, but it is curious that it should be confined to so short a period of the
year.
At the end of December, we had a cruise to the southward as far as Mollendo,
a small port 400 miles fi'om Callao. , I had but one opportunity of landing here, on
December 26th : the country is miserably barren, and covered with drifts of white
volcanic ashes, said to have come from the great Misti volcano behind Arequipa,
some 70 miles distant. Water is brought in pipes from the mountains, and a few
vegetables, &c., raised by irrigation. I found two or three ordinary Callao Lepido-
ptera in great numbers, as well as numerous larvae of the fine hawk-moth Sphinx
5-maculata, feeding on all sorts of wild and cultivated Solanacete. — James J.
Walkeb, H. M. S. " Kingfisher," Callao, Peru : 6th February, 1882.
Voluntary submergence hy the female of Phryganea. — Referring to Mr. J. J.
King's observations recorded in last month's Ent. Mo. Mag., on tlie curious
behaviour of a $ Phryganea obsoleta, it may interest you to know that a some-
what similar proceeding on the part of a $ Phryganea striata has come under my
notice. At a pond near this place I saw the insect in question several times get
partially under the water ; and once near the margin, where the depth was only 3 or
4 inches, it walked down a grass stem to the bottom where it remained for a minute
or so. While submerged it appeared to me to be making an efi'ort to get quit of
the large egg-mass which it carried, by dragging its abdomen over the grass-stem.
It appeared quite at home on the surface of the water, as it crossed the pond, which
is nearly 20 yards broad, several times, attended by some half-dozen sticklebacks. —
K. J. Morton, High Street, Carluke, N.B. : nth June, 1882.
[Messrs. King and Morton's interesting observations entirely confirm those
made by Mr. Hyndman, at Belfast, in 1833 (first quoted in Curtis's "British
Entomology"). I have more than once seen the ? on the surface of the water
as noticed by Mr. Morton, but never succeeded in observing it descend beneath the
surface.— R. McL.^cui.an]
IS82.] 29
ANNOTATED LIST OF BRITISH AIsTMOMYllD^.
BY R. 11. MEADE.
{Continued from Vol. lyiu, page 210).
17. LASIOPS, Meig.
Gen. cJi. — Eyes of male hairy, contiguous or sub-contiguous ;
arista sub-pubescent or bare ; abdomen ovoid or narrow, and depressed ;
alulets small, lower scale nearly or entirely covered by upper one ;
wings with the third and fourth longitudinal veins parallel, or a little
convergent, and with the anal vein prolonged to the margin ; legs with
the hind tibiae ciliated on both sides. Eyes of female only slightly
pubescent.
1. CTENOCNEMA, KowarZ. | 2. EOEDEEI, Kz.
3. Meadei, Kz.
I have remarked under the genus Tric^ioplithicus that the generic
name Lasiops had been reserved by Eondani and Kowarz for a small
group of Anthomyds which have hairy eyes, naked aristse, very small
alulets, and prolonged anal wing veins. Zetterstedt described two
species in his great genus Aricia which belonged to this group {A.
glacial is and A. erioplithalma') , and Rondaiii one in his genus Lasiops
(i. anthomyinus). None of these have been yet found in Britain, but
Herr Kowarz, in his elaborate monograph, has determined five others
in addition to the above, three of which belong to the British Fauna.
These little flies closely resemble each other, and only differ by slight
structural points, so that they may easily be confounded, and are vei'y
difficult to discriminate. They all have the back of the abdomen
marked by a broad black longitudinal stripe, as well as by transverse
black bands on the edges of the segments, so that the surface is divided
into eight squarish grey patches, much in the same way as the abdomen
of Antliomyia radicum., Linn., is marked ; hence the name of L. antho-
myinus given to the Italian species by Eondani.
L. ctenocnema, Kz.
The eyes in the male of this species are contiguous in the middle, and covered
thickly with longish hairs ; the thorax and scutellum are shining and brownish-
black, the former is indistinctly striped, and whitish-grey on the sides and front
edge ; the abdomen is oblongo-conical, pointed at the apex, which is black and
shining, with the sub-apical appendages {hypopygium) small, and the ventral lamellae
projecting and somewhat hairy ; the alulets have the scales slightly unequal, and are
fringed with long yellowish hairs ; the wings have a brown tinge, with the third and
fourth longitudinal veins decidedly convergent, and the external transverse veins
30 [July.
oblique ; the legs have the hind tibiae evenly ciliated with bristles of moderate
length along the frhole of their externo-posterior surfaces, and also with finer
bristles or hairs on their internal and anterior sides ; the pulvilli are small. Common
in Yorkshire.
L. EOEDEUI, Kz.
This species principally differs from the last by having the dorsum of the thorax
and scutellum grey instead of black, and by the former being distinctly striped with
three and sometimes five lines ; the wings have the third and fourth longitudinal
veins parallel until near their extremities, when they become slightly convergent ;
the armature of the hind legs is similar to that of L. ctenocnema. I have captured
a few specimens of this little fly near Bradford.
L. Meadei, Kz.
This species closely resembles the other two in size and form, the length of them
all being about 4 mm. (2 lin.) ; it differs from both L. ctenocnema and L. Roederi,
however, by having the hind tibiae ciliated on their externo-posterior surfaces with
only a few bristles of irregular lengths along the upper half, instead of with a regular
even row down the whole length ; the eyes also have shorter hairs ; the thorax is
blackish, with three distinct stripes ; the alulets are fringed with a few black hairs,
the third and fourth longitudinal veins are quite parallel, or sometimes slightly di-
vergent ; and the pulvilli are larger than in either of the preceding species. Found
sparingly near Bradford.
I know of no decided character by which the females of the above three species
can be distinguished from each other ; those which I possess are rather smaller than
the males, are grey in colour, have the eyes very slightly and indistinctly pubescent
and widely separated, the frontal space occupying about a third of the width of the
head. This space contains a black central stripe, bordered on cacli side by a whitish-
grey margin, which is about one-third the width of tlie middle stripe. The thorax
is light grey, with five pale brown longitudinal lines. The abdomen is grey, with a
longitudinal black central stripe, and some transverse marks which are indistinct,
and do not reach the edges of the segments. The wings are clear. The legs have
the hind tibiae ciliated only with a few spines on the outer sides.
Before proceeding witli the euumeration of the remainiug species
of Anfhomi/iidce, I must make a short digression. The genus Antho-
myia, as restricted by Meigen in his supplementary (7th) volume, is
so large, even after the species belonging to Ophyra, Homalomyia, and
Azelia, which he included, have been abstracted from it, that it is ne-
cessary to sub-divide it further. This sub-division has already been
attempted by E. Desvoidy, Macquart, and Eondani ; the first author
carried it, however, too far, and the groups which the others formed
are very artificial and unsatisfactory, so I shall venture to propose a
new arrangement.
In the first place, the pale-legged and pale-bodied species must be
1SS2.] 31
separated from the black-legged ones, and replaced (with one excep-
tion) in the genus Pegomyia of Desvoidy and Macquart. By both
these Dipterologists the genus was restricted to those species which
have the bodies, as well as the legs, always more or less yellow ; buf I
think it will be better to include in it all those with pale legs, whether
the abdomen is yellow or not, for there are several species, as A. he-
morrlioa, Zett., and F. hyoscyami, Desv., which have the abdomen
sometimes partly yellow and sometimes entirely grey.
"With respect to the black-legged species, I shall retain the name
of AntJiomyia for a small group (embracing Desvoidy's genera An-
thomyia and EgJe) which is more highly developed than the others,
having the alulets rather larger with the scales unequal in size. The
remainder of them must be again separated into two divisions ; for
the first of which I shall adopt Macquart' s name Chortophila, restrict-
ing it (as Macquart did in theory) to those species which have the
abdomen more or less thickened and cylindrical. To the second and
largest division, which will include all those species which do not
belong to either of the other groups, I shall give Desvoidy's name of
PJiorhia* The flies in this group have the abdomen narrow and
elongated, or oblong, and flattened.
The above genera may be thus tabulated :
A. Abdomen and legs black or grey.
B. Alulets with the scales unequal in size.
Gen. 1. ANTHOMYIA, Meig.
BB. Alulets with the scales equal in size.
C. Abdomen in <J sub-cylindrical.
Gen. 2. CHOETOPHILA, Macq.
CC. Abdomen in ^ narrow or oblong, and depressed.
Gen. 3. PHORBIA, R. Desv.
AA. Legs always, and body generally, partly pale (rufous or testaceous).
D. First longitudinal vein armed with spines.
Gen. 4. ACANTHIPTERA, Bond.
DD. First longitudinal vein unarmed.
Genus 5. PEGOMYIA, Desv.
18. ANTHOMYIA, Meig.
Effle, p. R. Desv.
Oen. cJi. — Eyes bare, contiguous or sub-contiguous in the males ;
arista pubescent or bare ; forehead and face slightly prominent ; epis-
tome often projecting ; abdomen ovoid or oblong, and depressed, often
The species placed by Desvoidy in this genus belong to his "Anthomyw liei'bicolce." See Essai
sur les Myod.iires, p. .559.
32 iJuiy-
much thickened at the apex in the males ; alulets rather small, but
with the scales unequal in size ; wings with the third and fourth longi-
tudinal veins parallel or slightly convergent at their extremities, anal
vein prolonged to the margin ; legs always black or grey.
1. PLUviALis, Linn.
procellaris, Rond.
imhrida, Eond.
2. ALBICINCTA, Fall.
3. PRATixcoLA, Panz.
4. RADicuM, Linn.
vulgaris, R. Desv.
brass iccB, Wdm.
5. STJLCIVENTEIS, Zett.
6. OCTOGL'TTATA, Zett.
A. PLUVIALIS, Linn.
This common pretty spotted fly varies a good deal, the spots often coalescing so
as to alter the design on the thorax and abdomen. Two of the varieties thus pro-
duced have been exalted by Eondani into distinct species, but they possess no real
specific distinctions.
A. ALBICINCTA, Fall.
This little species bears a good deal of resemblance to the last, but, besides being
very much smaller, differs in having the thorax black, with two white spots on the
hinder part in front of the scutellum. The abdomen is marked as in A. pluvialis,
being white with a dentated black band at the base of each segment. Not common.
A. PRATINCOLA, Pz.
This species has the abdomen marked in a very similar manner to those of the
two preceding ones, but the thorax is jDeculiarly figured, being of a whitish-grey
colour, with a single black elongated rhomboidal mark in the centre of the posterior
part. It is about the same size as A. alhicincta (about 3 mm., I3 lin.), and is also
rare.
A. RADICUM, Linn.
This excessively common little fly, which, as its name imparts, feeds in the larva
state upon the roots of plants, especially on those of the cabbage tribe, is often con-
founded with other species. It may be recognised by its projec.ing epistome ; by
the unequal sized scales ; by the thorax being black, and marked in the male by
two short, grey, narrow stripes (rather than by three wide black ones, as is usually
stated) ; by the rather short, wide, somewhat pointed abdomen, with a longitudinal
dorsal black mark, crossed by three transverse straight black lines, extending of an
even width to the margins ; and by the third and fourth longitudinal veins of the
wings being slightly convergent at their extremities.
A. SULCIVENTRIS, Zett.
This species bears a good deal of resemblance to A. radicum, but is less; has
the antennae much shorter ; the arista more pubescent ; the thorax without any dis-
tinct stripes on the dorsum, only having an irregular white line on each side ; and
the abdomen less pointed, and thicker at the apex as well as differently mai-ked ; it
1882.1 33
being of a dull grey colour, with three transverse sulci on the dorsum, and a rather
indistinct longitudinal black stripe, which appears in certain lights to be dilated into
triangular spots, opposite the sulci or depressions. Common in pastures.
A. OCTOGUTTATA, Zett.
This little species (which only measures about 2^ mm.) also has considerable
resemblance to A. radicxmi, being marked in a very similar way on the abdomen, by
a longitudinal and three transverse stripes, which divide the surface into eight light
grey square spots ; the thorax, which is black, has also two short white stripes on its
anterior parts : it differs, however, from A. radicum in having both the face and
epistome less prominent, the third and fourth longitudinal wing veins quite parallel
at their extremities, the abdomen narrower, sub-cylindrical, more hairy, and furnished
with two projecting lamellfB beneath the apex in the male, which is but little
thickened ; the alulets are also smaller in proportion than in A. radicum, but still
have the scales slightly uneven in size.
I have only seen one male specimen of this rare little fly, which I captured near
Bradford in July, 1875.
{To be continued).
A LIST OF THE BUTTERFLIES CAPTURED IN BARRACKPORE PARK
DURING THE MONTHS OF SEPTEMBER, 1880, TO AUGUST, 1881.
BT G. A. J. EOTHNET.*
Barrackpore is situated on the right bank of the river Hoogly,
16 miles above Calcutta. The park comprises a strip of land ou the
river-bank some two miles long by about 1200 yards broad. Insect
life, in the way of butterflies, commences to be active about March,
and increases till May, when there is a slight lull till the rains com-
mence about the 15th or 20th June. Insects are then very plentiful
till the end of August, when another lull occurs till about the breaking
up of the rains — the end of September, or first week in October —
when the collecting season finishes up with a fine burst of life, lasting
to about the 20th October ; after which insects gradually disappear,
few butterflies, &c., being seen after the end of that month. The
flowers most frequented by butterflies in the park are : Duranfa
Flumieri, Quisqualis indica, Poinciana pulcJierrima, Musscenda macro-
phylla, and a tree with a small white hanging blossom (name not
known), but the first-named is by far the most attractive.
EUPLCEIN^.
Limnas Chrysippus, Linn., Salatura Genidia, Cram., Tirumala Limniacce,
Linn., very common. March to October. Heavy, lazy flight.
Parantica Aglea, Cram., rare.
Commuuicated (with description of a uew .species) by Frederic Moore.
31 [J«iy.
Crastia Core, Cram., very common. March to October. Heavy, lazy flight.
Frequents the sliade of Banian trees, &c. Very fond of settling on clamp ground.
Frequently taken in coitu.
[_Isamia Rotlmeyi, Moore (n. sp.'), male. Upper-side olive-brown; basal area
darkest : fore-wing with a sub-marginal row of small whitish spots, and a marginal
row of smaller spots, both rows decreasing in size towards the costa ; sericeous streak
short and broad : hind-wing with a pale flesh-coloured discoidal patch ; a sub-
marginal I'ow of oval, and a marginal row of smaller, whitish spots. Expanse, 3^
inches.
In colour and pattern of markings, this interesting new species resembles
the very common C. Core, for which insect Mr. Eothncy mistook it. One specimen
only occurs in this collection, and it is the only example knowxi to me. Its nearest
ally is a Ceylon species (J. Sinhala). — F. Moore.]
SATYRIN^.
Lethe Europa, Fabr., one specimen only captured.
Melanitis Ismene, Cram., conunon, but difficult to catch. Found in shade, either
under bamboo or imder niangoe topes. When disturbed is fond of settling in
cactus hedges.
Calysisme Samba, Moore, Blashs, Fabr., Drtisia, Cram., Perseus, Fabr., indis-
tans, Moore, common. Fond of shade. Settle mostly in long grass.
Elymnias undularis, Drury, male common ; female rare. Settles in dense
foliage, close to the trunk.
NYMPHALIN^.
Charaxes Fahius, Fabr.
SyinphcBdra Nais (Thyelia, Fabr.). Two specimens only captured.
Discophora Zal, Westw., rare. Fond of shade.
Precis Laomedia, Linn., not common.
Junonia Orithya, Linn., rare ; QSnone, Linn., rare ; Lemonias, Linn., Asterie,
Linn., Almana, Linn., common, from early March to end of October. Fond of the
sun and flowers.
lErgolis Ariadne, Linn., Merione, Cram. Habits as above.
Limenitis Procris, Cram., rare.
Neptis Varniona, Moore, Kamarupa, Moore, common, but difficult to capture.
Fond of the sun.
Apatura JBolina, Linn., Jacintha, Drury, Misippus, Linn., not uncommon.
Habits much the same as in the European Purplc-Empcror, except that they are
contented with a lower perch.
Atella Phalanta, Drury, common, froiii early May to September.
Cirrochroa Anjira, Moore. One ? specimen only captured (Identical with the
Andaman type).
ACR.EIX^.
Telchinia t)to?cE, Fabr. A hot season insect; delights in the sun. Not com-
mon.
Ahisara suffusa, Moore. May to October. Not common.
LYC^NID^.
Anops Thetys, Druj'v. Single specimens may be taken from May to September.
1882. 35
Pithecops ZaJmora, Butler.
Chilades Varunana, Moore, Laitts, Cram.
Tarucus TheopJirasUis, Fabr., rare ; Plinius, Fabr., rare.
Castalius Rosimon, Fabr., rare.
Jamides Plato, Fabr., rare. June. Fond of the sun, and settling on damp
ground.
Catochrysops Stralo, Fabr., rare ; cnejus, Fabr., rare ; Pandava, Ilorsf., com-
mon ; early March to end of October, and may be found during the cold months of
November to February.
Zizera diluta, Felder, Sangra, Moore. Habits as above.
Lampides Mlianus, Fabr. Found in the shade. Has a quick, restless flight.
May to August.
Polyommatus icetictis, Linn., rare.
LyccenestJies bengaJensis, Moore, rare. July.
Virachola Isocrates, Fabr., rare. July and August.
Rapala schistacea, Moore, rare. August.
Aphnceus Etolus, Cram., common. May to September. Fond of the sun.
Tajuria long inns, Fabr., rare. July.
Hypolyccena Talindra, Horsf., rare. July.
Loxnra Atymnus, Cram. Found in the shade of bamboo topes. Has a slow,
■weak flight.
Mahathala Ameria, Hevrits., rare, one specimen only. July.
PIERIN^.
Nychitona XipJiia, Fabr. (Nina, Fabr.), common in shady lanes. May to Sep-
tember. Never seen in the sun. Has a slow, weak flight ; fond of ditches.
Terias Hecale, Linn., very common. Found everywhere. March to October ;
especially during rains. A lover of sunshine. Purreea and simulata, Moore, both
rare. Drona, Horsf., rare ; during the rains.
Cafopsilia Catilla, Cram., not uncommon during the rains. July and August.
Crocale, Cram., very common, especially during the rains ; a lover of sunshine and
flowers. The variety {Endeer) occurring at the same time. Pyranthe, Linn., very
common during the rains. There is a faded (?) or dull dirty-coloured form that
appears with this insect, so constant in its unifonn appearance, that it almost sug-
gests a variety or species (?). This is generally found during the rains, and also
early in the year. It is not very common. Gnoma, Fabr., Ilea, Fabr., not common.
Ixias latifasciata, Butler, Marianne, Cram., rare. Appear daring the rains.
Most difiicult to captui-e : have a powerful and vei-y dodging flight.
JItiphina Evagete, Cram., Zeuxippe, Cram., Hira, Moore, common in the rains.
Fond of flowers, especially Duranta Plumieri.
Caiopliaga Paulina, Cram. : two specimens only taken during the rains ; Darada,
Feld., one specimen only.
Belenois Mesentina, Cram., one specimen only.
Nepheronia Gala, Feld., common : May to October ; Hippia, Fabr.
Delias Eucharis, Drury : the commonest Barrackpore butterfly. In numbers
from April to October.
36
'.July,
PAPILIONIN^E.
Pathysa Nomius, Esper., rather uncommon. Frequents the flowers of Duranta
Piumieri.
Zetides Doson, Felder. Habits, as above.
Orpheides Erithonius, Cram., extremely common, from end of March to end of
October. A dark, yellow variety is also found at the same time and places, but is
comparatively rare. This latter has a much stronger mode of flight, and is much
more diiScult to capture. The difference of action is almost sufficient to suggest a
difference of species.
Laertias Pammon, Linn., common. March to October. The dimorphic females
(Poli/tes and Romulus) much less frequently met with.
Menelaides aristolochice, Fabr. {Diphilus, Esp.), very common : March to
October ; Hector, Linn., common : March to October.
Chilasa dissimilis, Linn. ; Casji/apa, Moore, common during the rains.
HESPERIID^.
Padamia exclamationis, Fabr., very rare.
Parnara Bada, Moore.
Suasta Gremius, Fabr. {Divodasa, Moore), very rare.
Matapa Aria, Moore, very rare.
Chapra Agna, Moore, extremely common, from March to October.
Telicota hambusce, Moore, and Angias, Linn. Habits, aa above. A favourite
food of the Indian hornet {Vespa cincta).
Halpe Beturia, Hewits., rare. September.
Astictopterus Salsala, Moore. September.
Udaspes Folus, Cram., rare. Odd specimens from May to August ; in long
grass.
Eesperia Galba, Fabr., common. May to September.
April, 1882.
NATUEAL HISTORY OF HELIODES ARBUTI.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLER.
It is with extreme gratification that I now find m^'self giving the
history, from the egg, of this little sun-loving species, which I owe to
the most kind and persevering help I had the pleasure to receive from
Mr. H. T. Stainton in 1880, and again in 1881.
In the former year on the 23rd of May, I received a cluster of
about eight eggs, resulting from a moribund female after being a
short time in a killing bottle of poison, but long enough, as it proved,
to have destroyed their vitality.
On 26th of the same month, I was elated on receiving alive five
captured examples of the moths ; as two of them were females I im-
prisoned them and the most lively male together, in a pot containing
Jl
1S32.1 37
sprays o£ Cerastium gJomeratum and vulgatum coTered ■witli leno,
whereon they were occasionally fed with a drop of sugar and water
which the male imbibed plentifully, the females less often, and one of
these soon left the leno and alighted on the Cerastium and sat there
with extended antennae and wings gently vibrating as though intending
to lay : the next day was dull and cloudy, and the two on the leno
only flew around whenever a chance ray of sun gleamed on them, but
late in the afternoon they made me hopeful of success when I saw
they had paired about half way down on the side of the pot, where
they remained five hours and a half together ; they were fed for five
more days and fresh Cerastium added, but in vain, as they died without
either female depositing even a single egg.
As a forlorn hope I squeezed from the abdomen of the gravid and
dead female several eggs, and after a few days I fancied one of them
at least was changing colour, and in the afternoon of June 7th this
one really began to hatch, and while noting down its details, which
were well exposed to view, I could see the little larva making continual
efforts to free its hindmost segment from a part of the shell adhering
to the other eggs, but it was unable to extricate itself, and by next
morning had perished.
With the return of May in 1881, I felt greatly encouraged to
persevere, on finding that my previous failure had by no means (Hmin-
ished, but perhaps increased, the kindly interest taken by Mr. Stainton
in elucidation of the early stages of this insect, and he lost no time
in giving me the result of his observations, both in literature and in
the field ; so that I soon learned what flowers were most visited by it —
for, as may well be supposed, some doubt of the food plant had na-
turally by this time occurred to me — and that Cerastium arvense was
the plant assigned to H. arhuti by Carl von Tischer, who communicated
this to Treitschke and afterwards to Freyer, as quoted by both, whom
Guenee appears to have followed ; I also learned that C. arvense does
not grow in the district where arhuti is found flying by Mr. Stainton,
but that C. vulgatum does, plentifully, of which be kindly sent me a
few plants for potting on the 21st, and on the next day as many as
twenty specimens of arhuti, all in lively condition.
The moths were distributed in three pots of growing plants,
protected with glass cylinders and leno covers ; two of the pots con-
tained the C. vulgatum, and the third pot some different plants of the
Carijopliyllece, besides in each some tufts of Bellis ])erennis, whose
blossoms constantly attracted and helped to nourish them, as did also
38 i-'<'iy,
sugar and water frequently supplied ; in the evening of tlie 23rd, I saw
one egg had been laid on the glass cylinder, and on the 25th, another
egg on the opjjosite side of the same glass enclosing some of the
Cerasiium.
On the 1st of June, a friend brought me some plants of C.
arvense in full bloom, kindly obtained near Lewes, as the plant does
not occur in this locality, and these were potted and protected with
glass just in time for a second consignment of five living arhidi from
Mr. Stainton, who yet in a day or two suj^plemented them with four
more ; an egg was very soon laid on a leaf of arvense, and on the 7th,
T saw another egg wi\s laid on the base of the calyx near the stalk of
an expanded flower of one of the same plants ; these two eggs I cut
off and sent to Mr. Hellins for his examination, who had an accident
which settled the first egg, and the second he pronounced to be addled.
Meantime I had often looked in one pot of C. vuhjatum wherein
no egg could ever be detected while the moths were alive nor after the
cylinder was taken away — yet, on the 8th of June, I was greatly de-
lighted to see a larva quietly sitting on a stem, in an attitude rather
suggestive of the letter S — after recovering equanimity from such an
agreeable surprise, I became aware of a hole in the side of the seed
capsule a little above it, and soon detected a second larva sitting
quietly in the same manner, and then a third larva partly protruding
from one of two contiguous capsules, and next, the hole in another
capsule from whence the second larva had eaten its way out, like the
first evidently soon to moult, a process they both accomplished in
evening of the 10th, and henceforward lived outside more or less
exposed, feeding well on both flowers and unripe seeds ; on the 13th,
I saw they were again waiting for another moult which occurred a.
little before midnight of the 14th with one, and with the other at some
early hour in the morn ensuing ; they soon resumed feeding and had
grown decidedly by evening, and continued to eat quite voi'aciously,
but less of floM'ers and more of seeds, eating out a number of capsules
within a few hours, in this reminding me of the Diantlioecice ; they
were full-fed by ISth of June, when they left their food and lay up
motionless for a day and night, as though to purge themselves of their
grossness while secreting the needful silk before entering the earth
for pupation.
These larvae conveyed an instructive lesson in showing why I failed
the year befoi'e to get any eggs laid on sprays of the food plant when
gathered, also on this occasion the wonderful instinct and ju'evision, I
may say reasoning power, of the parent moth or moths who refused
1882.] 39
to lay more thaii three eggs on the few plants confined with her or
with them — for there remains the posibility that perhaps three females
were confined and each laid one egg, knowing there would be barely
enough sustenance for a single larva — but, however this may have
been, it would seem that in nature the female would deposit her eggs
singly^ probably in the corolla or on the calyx of a flower, just here
and there one, in proportion to the abundance of the plant.
I know not if this larva had been seen by any human eye since
the time of Carl von Tischer, but the time for it to be found in this
country had come, for on the 17th of June, I received a fui'ther very
kind attention from Mr. Stainton in the arrival of a full-grown larva
of arhuti, which he had gathered by chance while getting some G.
vulgatum for a Coleopteron in the field where arhuti flew ; this larva
in no way varied from those I had reared, and proved to be only
twenty-four hours later in maturing : curiously enough this incident
was repeated similarly by the Rev. J. Hellins, to whom I had sent a
larva of arhuti reared from an egg laid, I presume, loWiin a flower of
C. arvense (as after many repeated close searches I failed to find more
than the two before mentioned on arvense), and he, returning home
w ith some of that species for food on July 2nd, found a larva of arhuti
emerging from one of the seed capsules he had gathered.
The egg of arhuti is globular, about | mm. in diameter, having a
slight depression beneath, it seems thin-shelled and finely pitted all
over, shining, and is of full yellow colour, turning rather brownish
just before hatching on the seventh day.
The newly-hatched larva is white, with brown head and a narrow
brown plate on the second segment. After living hidden within a
seed-capsule and feeding on the unripe contents for about from fif-
teen to seventeen days, during which it has got through its earliest
moultings and acquired a colouring that assimilates most wonderfully
well with that of the capsule of the plant, as it waits outside for its
penultimate moult ; it has a brown head streaked and spotted with
darker brown, and the body is either of a pale watery-green colour or
slightly tinged with pinkish-grey, and marked with a dark green dorsal
line, a whitish sub-dorsal line, and a stouter white spiracular line, the
ventral legs clear and nearly colourless : after this moult it is nearly
6 mm. long, the head and second segment pale brown with slightly
darker brown marks, the rest of the body much deeper and richer
coloured than before, either a greenish-grey or a pinkish-grey ground
— as both varieties occur at this stage, and now the dark slaty-green
dorsal line runs in the middle of a broad softened stripe of paler
40 [Ju^y-
ground-colour than the rest of the back and the side ; next comes the
whitish sub-dorsal line, and after an interval of ground-colour the
perfectly white spiracular stripe, both of these are very conspicuous ;
though all the ventral legs are equally well developed, it still often
assumes its former favourite position while resting, which is very
much like that of a half looper, holding on sometimes by the anal and
fourth pair of ventral legs only, at other times with addition of the
third pair, while the others and all the fore part of the body are held
off free, with the head bending downwards forming an arch ; after
feeding three days the ground colour is lighter and greener and the
length when laid up is 11 mm.
After the last moult it attains in four days its full growth, when
the length is 20 mm. and stoutish in proportion, of true Noctua form
with plump twelfth segment, the thoracic segments slightly taper to-
wards the smaller and rather flattened head, the mouth prominent ; in
colour the head and plate are of a light greenish tint and glossy, the
ground of the rest of the body is light green, the dorsal line dark
green, the whitish sub-dorsal line is finely edged above with darker
green than that of the back and side, the yellowish or yellowish-white
spiracular stripe is well relieved along the upper margin by a con-
spicuous dark green stripe, the spiracles are whitish, finely outlined
with black, the tubercular dots are brown but too minute for any but
powerfully assisted vision, the belly and legs a rather paler green than
the back, the skin soft and smooth ; when it has ceased to feed and is
laid up all the lines soon disappear, and it is then of an uniform green
colour.
The larva fabricates at about an inch or two beneath the surface
of the soil a cocoon of earth, with a thickness of wall about 1 mm.,
or in parts even less, kneaded well together with silk, and slightly
attached to a few coarse particles of earth outside, it is of close
texture and not very brittle, the general figure is roundish or roundish-
oval, and measures about 9 by 6 or 7 mm., the interior is very smooth
and just fits the pupa comfortably without room to spare ; the pupa
itself is of a very dumpy form, with rather a bluntly tapered abdomen,
having at the tip two fine thorny points of inconceivable minuteness,
and in contact with the compressed old larval skin ; in colour the pupa
skin is reddish-brown and rather shining, and in length 6 to 7 mm.
The perfect insects were bred, both male and female, in the morn-
ing of the 4th, and a female on the 11th, of this month.
Emsworth : May 12tk, 1882.
1882.] 41
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OY HEMIPTERA-HETEROFrERA
FROM CENTRAL AMERICA.
BY JOHN SCOTT,
The number o£ individuals of Hemiptera-JIeteroptera which I
have had in my possession for a very lengthened period, either given
to me by friends, or otherwise obtained, has induced me, now that I
have cleared other matters off, to commence upon their investigation.
They embrace examples from Chontales, Bogota, Eio Janeiro, St. Paulo,
and other places in the South American Continent ; and, beyond the
list which it is my intention to give, will, no doubt, furnish several
hitherto undescribed species. I shall in every instance add the source
from which they came, so that my friends may see that their many
little acts of kindness have not been forgotten.
MICTIS (?), Leach.
MicTis (?) Jansoni.
Ochreous-drab. Antennce black, with very short black hairs, insertion of the
Ist joint pale above, 4th with very short, yellow pubescence. Pronotmn between
the fine transverse wrinkles, thickly and finely punctured ; sides widely diverging
posteriorly, narrowly black, shining, dentate ; disc with three fuscous-black longitu-
dinal lines, the side ones shortest, terminating at a deep transverse depression beyond
the acute hinder angles ; hinder sides waved, narrowly black, toothed ; posterior
margin straight, with a slight tooth at the extremities of the scutellum. Scutellum,
disc, anteriorly coarsely, basal third finely, wrinkled, the latter regularly waved from
the centre. Elytra, except the nerves, very finely and irregularly punctured :
corium with a narrow, fuscous, longitudinal sti'cak at the base, within the marginal
nerve, and two short streaks on the disc : membrane pitchy- or slightly olive-brown,
shining. Sternum ochreous-drab, rugulose-punctate. Legs ochreous-yellow : thighs,
at the apex, dark ; tihice piceous ; tarsi pitchy-black. Abdomen, above and below,
brownish-yellow ; connexivum black, with an almost square reddish-yellow spot on
each segment ; last segment reddish-yellow, apex black.
Head ochreous-drab, antenuiferous tubercles on the upper-side chestnut-brown.
Antennce black, clothed witli very short, stiffish, semi-erect, black hairs : 1st joint
insertion, on the upper-side, narrowly pale brownish-yellow, 4th clothed with a very
short, yellow pubescence, causing it to appear of a golden-yellow colour in certain
lights. Rostrum above, piceous.
Thorax : pronotum ochreous-drab, somewhat shining, finely wrinkled trans-
versely, except a smooth space behind the collar, which is somewhat trilobate,
posteriorly, between the wrinkles thickly and finely punctured, and next the hinder
' angles a few granules ; sides widely diverging as they approach the hinder angles,
where they are slightly concave, narrowly black, shining, armed with teeth rounded
on their tips ; disc with three fuscous-black longitudinal lines, the central one ex-
tending throughout its entire length from the inner margin of the collar, the side
ones about half its length, terminating at a deep transverse depression, extending
42 rjuly,
almost from side to side beyond tlie hinder angles, gradually becoming shallower as
it approaches them ; hinder angles slightly raised, produced into a long acute tooth ;
hinder sides waved, narrowly black, toothed ; posterior margin across the scutellum
straight, with a sliglit tooth at the extremities of the latter. Scutellum pale brownish-
yellow, sides narrowly margined ; disc, apical two-thirds coarsely wrinkled trans-
versely, basal one third finely wrinkled and regularly waved from the centre to the
sides, down the middle a somewhat obscure fuscous streak, terminating before reaching
the apex. Elytra ochreous-drab, except the nerves, very finely and iri'egularly punc-
tured ; corium, side-margins almost parallel, sliglitly concave from near tlie base
to in a line with the apex of the scutellum, marginal nerve at the base fuscous, within
the latter a narrow, fuscous longitudinal streak, terminating about in a line with the
apex of the clavus ; disc with two short brownish or fuscous streaks, the upper one
running parallel with the margin of the inner nerve of the exterior basal cell, the
lower one below the apex of the exterior nerve of the same : memhrane pitchy or
slightly olive-brown, shining. Stcnutm ochreous-drab, rugulose-punctate. Legs
ochreous-yellow ; coxcb, 1st and 2nd pairs, the apex on tlie inside, narrow!}' black,
3rd brownish-yellow, apex more or less fuscous. Thighs, 1st and 2nd pairs, the
apex with a narrow black margin, underneath with two rows of four or five teeth
placed at irregular intervals, and not opposite to each other, the 2nd next the apex
longest, tip narrowly black, 3rd pair fuscous-brown, shining, with three pairs of
teeth next the apex, not placed opposite to each other, near the base a long curved
black tooth, its base and apex brown ; tibicB, 1st and 2nd pairs piceous, apex brown,
with two teeth on the under-side towai'ds the latter ; 3rd pair piceous, sides brownish-
yellow, witli a long curved tooth in the middle on the under-side and thi-ee smaller
ones next the apex ; tarsi pitchy-black, with short yellowish or reddish-yellow hairs
on the under-side.
Abdomen above, brownish-yellow : connexivum black, with an almost square, red-
dish-yellow spot on each segment before the apex, last segment reddish-yellow, apex
black ; underneath brownish or slightly fuscous-brown.
Length, 1 in. 3 lin. (Paris).
Although I have placed the above-described insect in the genus
Mictis ?, I have merely done so to enable uie to investigate more fully
certain characters, whereby, if found sufficient, I may characterize it
under the name of Apodesmitts.
It (a (J ) was sent by me some considerable time ago to the late
Dr. C. Stal, who returned it as unknown to him. It was taken by the
late Mr. E. M. Janson (after whom I have named it), at Chontales,
Nicaragua.
Lee : 2(Mh Fehruary, 1882.
Capture of Aphalara nebulosa, Zett. — Following up my note on this species
(Vol. xviii, page 275) and believing that the plants of " Epilohium angiistifolium,"
on Boxhill, must now have grown to some considerable height, I started, on the
morning of the 29th ult., fully equipped and determined to work out Dr. O. M.
Keuter's announcement that this plant was the head-quarters of the insect in ques-
1882.1 43
tion. After I had arrived at the spot I began beating the plant into my umbrella,
and not two minutes elapsed before I had secured some half-a-dozen specimens of
the Aphalara, and so I continued taking them for some time, when I desisted, not
wishing to exterminate the species. I was further intent on securing the larvae or
njmph-form, but, observing that some numbers were pairing in my collecting bottle,
I concluded that this was now an impossibility, so I lay down and examined the
plants for the ova. After searching for some little time I noticed that one or
two leaves had a naiTow longitudinal fold on the margin, tunied outwardly ; one of
these I pulled and opened very carefully, when I discovered the eggs laid in a single
row along the centre of the fold. In form they are elongate-oval, narrowed at each
end, and standing perpendicularly about 5 of a Paris line from each other with
one end fixed to the leaf. In colour they are starch-white and easily distinguished.
John Scott, Lee : 1st June, 1882.
HyJecoetus dermestoides, <Sfc., on Cannock Chase. — During a recent visit to Can-
nock Chase I beat from birch trees the following (amongst many other) species of
Coleoptera : — Ilylecatus dermestoides, Cryptocephalus coryli, C. punctiger, and C.
fulcratus. From alders on some boggy ground at the northern side of the Chase,
I obtained a large number of specimens of Lina csnea remarkable for their brilliant
golden-coppery colour. — W. Gr. Blatch, 214, Grreen Lane, Smallheath, Birming-
liam : June 19tk, 1882.
Pachetra leucophcea at Box Hill. — On the 22nd ult., I visited Box Hill (in
company with Messrs. Church), and took a P. leucophfBa, ? , at rest on the trunk of
a whitethorn ; it deposited ova which duly hatched, and the larvse are feeding well
on Poa annua. — Ben J. Aethue Bowee, Eltham Eoad, Lee, S.E. : '[Sth June, 1882.
Varieties of Zygcena filipendidcE. — The variety or form of Z. fiUpendidcB alluded
to by Mr. C. Gr. Barrett, in the June number of the Ent. Mo. Mag., in which the
sixth spot is only faintly traceable, is by no means uncommon. The late Mr. W. P.
Weston had a splendid series from Tilgate Porest, many of them bred, and I have
frequently taken a similar variety at Folkestone. The Folkestone specimens, how-
ever, not only appear early in June before the majority oi Jilipendula are out of the
larval state, but are smaller and have the border of the hind-wings broader than the
Tilgate specimens, especially in the ? , and I have been somewhat inclined to regard
them as hybrids between trifolii and JUij^endulce, and should, therefore, have expected
to find that trifolii occasionally occurs on the summit of the clifPs to which Mr.
BaiTCtt alludes, but, either from its early appearance or from the summit not being
80 much worked, had been overlooked.
It was a curious circumstance that Mr. Weston's specimens were from a part of
the Forest where for several years I had taken the large marsh form of trifolii, but
never seen fl ipendulce in any of its stages.
The variety in which the sixth spot is entirely absent is far scarcer ; and as, so
far as my experience goes, it is confined to $ specimens, it would be interesting to
know whether the specimen referred to by Mr. Barrett is a ? or not.
In the specimens I have seen the absent spot is always to be found on the under-
side, so, beyond the question of hybridism, no doubt as to identity can exist. — C. A.
Beiggs, 55, Lincoln's Inn Fields : 2nd June, 1882.
44 ;J<iiy.
Lepicloptera at Wicken Fen. — From May 27th to 3l8t I spent at Wickeii,
collecting chiefly on the Fen. Meliana flammea was common, but most of the
specimens I took were much ■worn ; it had evidently been out some time, indeed, a
local collector told me he had taken a wasted example so early as May 13th. Papilio
Machaon was also plentiful, and certainly showed no sign of dying out as yet at
Wicken. On Whit-Monday, the 29th, it was flying freely even in a little wood
about half-a-mile from the nearest point of the Fen. I found the eggs easily by
searching the Peucedanum pahistre on the Fen. Arclia urticce was just getting out ;
and Simyra venosa was not uncommon, but not easy to catch. Other species in-
cluded Strenia clathrata ; Coremia tinidentaria, abundant (ferrugata was not
observed) ; Phihalopteryx lignata, common and fine ; Tceniocampa gracilis, this is
the common Taniocampa of the Fen, its young larvae were feeding in the top shoots
of the Spircea ; Chilo phragmiieUus, just appearing, I also took full-grown larva? in
the old reed-stems ; Melia sociella , on ^taXings nt ^ohnxa ; Halias chlorana, on the
Fen, &c., &c.— Geo. T. Porritt, nuddersfield ; June Qth, 1882.
Argyrolepia Sclireihersiana re-discovered. — On a warm still day, in tlie middle
of May, I happened to be searching poplar trunks for images of Cernra lijida when
I came across a handsome orange Tortrix, quite unknown to me. Continuing my
search I found tliat the species was quite abundant, more especially on trunks of
elm (Ulmus suherosaj, in fact, I took some four dozen in much less than an
hour. I sent a couple of specimens to Mr. Warren, of Cambridge, who took them
to be Eupoecilia gilvicomana, a mistake that Mr. Standisli committed vice versa
when he took gilvicomana. I nest sent some specimens to Mr. Harwood, of Col-
chester, who immediately wrote to rae svLggesiingihatiYieyvferQ Argyrolepia Sclirei-
hersiana, an opin^n in which Mr. Barrett, of Pembroke, concurred. Mr. Barrett
writes, " Schreibersiana feeds on elm — so Eagonot tells me, and I think Zeller also.
Herrich-Schaffer says on Prunus padus, first in leaves and then in twigs ; Heine-
mann that it pupates under bark of trees." I can fully confirm llie observations of
Heinemann, as the empty pupa cases stick out of the elm bark in considerable
numbers. With regard to the locality I will only say that it is very limited in
extent, and to disclose it would be to ensure the speedy extermination of the species.
I will, thei'cfore, go no further than to state that it is situate in " The Cambridgeshire
Fens," that deliglitfully vague locality so frequently quoted in Mr. Stainton's
Manual. I have visited the habitat of this species several times since I discovered
it, but have purposely refrained from taking very many specimens. IMr. Stainton
gives Yaxley and Cambridgeshire as localities, and I am not aware that it has been
taken elsewhere, with the exception of a single specimen captured by the Rev. A.
Wratislaw, near Bury St. Edmunds. I hope to work out the economy of this
species during the season. — Gilbert He>'ry Raynoe, Ilereward Hall, Ely : June
imh, 1882.
Ceropacha ridens and Taniocampa miniosa in Pemhrolceshire. — Larva-beating
on occasions of excursions of our local Field Club to woods in distant parts of the
county last year resulted in the additioii of two rather unexpected and interesting
species to the local fauna, to wit, Ceropacha ridens and Taniocampa miniosa, speci-
mens of both of which have emerged this spring. Consequently, these woods have
received some little attention during the past and present months, and larvae of both
1882.] ' 45
species have been foinid rather freely ; those of miniosa feeding at first in small
colonies on the outer branches of the oak trees, but afterwards, when shaken down
by the prevalent gales, making themselves quite comfortable on stunted oak bushes
underneath. Unfortunately, many were destroyed by parasites, and I fear more by
their companions. Those of C. ridens were discoverable by looking up at the large
bushes overhanging the wood roads in sheltered places, curled half round underneath
the leaves. They are feeding so far quite satisfactorily.- — C. Gr. Eaeeett, Pembroke :
June IMh, 1882.
Stigmonota nitidana in remhrokeshire. — When beating for larvfe in a wood of
singularly stunted oaks near the sea, on the 6th inst., a little dark Tortrix fell into
the umbrella. Not having seen it alive for a good many years, I was well pleased to
recognise the pretty little Stigmonota nitidana. Further beating showed that it was
not scarce, but also that it was by no means inclined to fall quietly into an umbrella
and be boxed ; so the net was resorted to, and, after a short time, I found that it
actually swarmed in a sunny spot, well sheltered from the rough wind then blowing.
The pretty little creatures could be seen sitting on and running about the oak leaves
in the sunshine, and by sweeping the leaves with the net, plenty were secured.
Very few other Tortrices were seen. Boxana arcuana was not scarce, flying
swiftly about the oak trees and bushes, and Ptycholoma LecJieana occurred rarely.
A few Sericoris urticana were doubtless only the advance guard of approaching
swarms.— Id.
Dipterous larva in the human subject. — At one of the meetings of the Inter-
national Medical Congress, Dr. W. Gr. Smith stated that a girl, aged 12, presented
herself with the following history. About three months before being seen by a
medical man, an ovoid swelling appeared on the outer side of the right ankle, caus-
ing her some pain and uneasiness in walking. This swelling gradually shifted its
position and slowly moved up the leg, thence towards the right axilla, then down to
the elbow, and finally settled on the back of the neck. In this position a small dark
spot appeared, an orifice formed, and when pressure was made around this opening,
a white grub, nearly an inch in length, protruded and escaped along with some
unhealthy pus. Several other similar swellings developed upon subsequent occasions
under medical observation, and the medical man extracted other grubs, exactly
similar to the first specimen. ]Vo cause could be assigned for these curious pheno-
mena. The larvae were pronounced by competent authority to belong to a Dipterous
insect, although the genus could not be satisfactorily determined. There was no
sufficient proof of the existence of an Oestrus peculiar to man alone. A good abstract
from which the above is quoted appeared in the British Medical Journal, 1st Octo-
ber, 1881. I shall feel grateful to any of your readers who will give additional
information or references. — William E. A. Axon, Fern Bank, Higher Broughton,
Manchester : June, 1882.
Tico species of Nomada new to the British List. — I am glad to be able to add
Nomada bifida, Thomson, and Nomada guttulata, Schenck, to our list of Hymen-
optera. The former very closely resembles rujlcornis but may be known by the bifid
apex of the mandibles, those of rujicornis being sharply pointed ; guttulata may be
known by the three short black obtuse spines at the apex of the posterior tibiae, there
46 t'^"'-^.
is a good figure of the apex of the tibia in Dr. Schmiedeknechts' " Apidfe Europsese,"
ph iii, fig. 8. I have several specimens of hlfida, but unfortunately luost of them
have no note as to locality. A few males, however, have the locality Canterbury
upon them, and I hear from Mr. Bridgman that he has specimens taken near
Norwich ; oi (/uttulata I have only a single female, also without note of locality. It
much resembles ochrostoma but is smaller and rather shorter, and the spines of the
tibite are very different. I think, if Hymenopterists would direct their attention to
this genus, we should probably further increase our list of species, as in many cases
the distinguishing characters, though well defined, require careful searching for.
Collectors would, therefore, do well to bring home all the specimens they see, as it
is nearly impossible in the field to know for certain what species is under notice. ^ — •
Edward Saundees, Holmesdale, Upper Tooting : Wth June, 1882.
A Marine Caddis-fly. — Since the announcement published in Yol. xviii, p. 278,
of this Magazine, I have I'eceived the materials forwarded by Prof. Hutton. These
consist of a cylindrical, straight, tubular, moveable case, formed of coralline sea-weed,
and a slide, on which is a larva (badly crushed), and the fragments of a pupa, from
which the perfect insect was ready to emerge {not, as Prof. Hutton thought, the
perfect insect itself). From the maxillary palpi I can identify it as being that
of a 1^ of Philanisus plebejus. Walker ( = Anomalostoma alloneura, Brauer),
already known from New Zealand. According to the case, Philanisus should
probably form an anomalous genus of Leptoceridm. Full details, with figuresj
will shortly appear in the Journal of the Linnean Society.
The Helicopsyche, so far as can be judged, appears to be congeneric with the
forms that have been bred in Europe and in North and South America. There are
cases with larva; and pupa;, and two ^ pupa; emerged from their cases, but not
transformed into perfect insects. — E. McLachlan, Lewisham, London : 2rd June,
1882.
The Student's List of British Coleoptera ; with Synoptic Tables of Fa-
milies and Genera. Compiled by Feaxcis P. Pascoe. Pp. i — viii and 1 — 120,
small 8vo. London : Taylor and Francis, 1882.
The author modestly styles this little book a " compilation." Every Catalogue
or List must of necessity be a compilation. But there are compilations and compi-
lations. A clever compiler, with no knowledge whatever of the subject, may produce
a very useful work, and sometimes more so than comes from the pen of one full to
the brim with special knowledge, and also with opinions of his own. Possibly the
best compilations are those made by writers who may be el'isi^ed between tlu-se two
extremes. Such a writer we consider Mr. Pascoe, so far as British Coleoptera are
concerned. The " Student's List " cannot fail to be useful to all British Coleopterists,
and its price places it within the reach of all. The ascending scale is adopted,
therefore, it commences with the Coccinellidce and ends with Cicindela. The old
great divisions are retained. The tables for families and genera appear to be gene-
rally accurate, and form a novel feature that ought to prove useful to all who have
acquired the rudiments of knowledge. Probably ei-rors both of omission and com-
mission may reward the labours of a critical investigator ; we fancy that all sucli
1882.1 47
discoveries would be gladly acknowledged by the author if communicated to him.
The Preface is most distinctly not a compilation, but a very vigorous exposition of
the author's views on the burning question of priority ; he declines to be bound by
any absolute rule, but deplores the changes constantly made. As this is the very
latest of the somewhat numerous lists of British Coleoptera, it might have been
useful had the author stated the number of species enumerated, for comparison with
pi-evious lists.
Our author is very severe on writers of " unrecognisable " descriptions. These
are of two classes. Firstly, those by writers utterly incompetent (from want of
knowledge) to perpetrate a description ; secondly, those by writers fully compe-
tent, so far as knowledge is concerned, but who fail to impart that knowledge to
others in an educational sense.
A Bibliography of Fossil Insects. By Samuel H. Scudder, republished
from the Bulletin of Harvard University. Pp. 1 — 47. Cambridge, Mass., 1882.
A very laborious compilation of between 900 and 1000 references, with short
explanatory notes to each ; indispensable to all who are engaged in the study of this
branch of Palaeontology. In a short introduction Mr. Scudder explains that it was
originally made for private use ; he has done wisely in publishing it.
Insects injurious to Forest and Shade Trees. By A. S. Packard, Jun.,
M.D. Pp. 1—275. Washington : Government Printing Press, 1881.
Forms Bulletin No. 7 of the United States Entomological Commission. De-
cidedly one of the most valuable of the many publications on Economic Entomology
that have issued from the pens of American entomologists, very copiously illustrated
by excellent woodcuts. All the insects known to feed upon the principal trees are
enumerated, and very many of the references form concise life-histories of particular
species. Under " oak " we find 214 references, under " elm " 43, under " pine " 102,
under " birch " only 19, under " beech " only 15, and so on. Of these, of course,
only a few can be classed as really injurious insects. We commend this work alike
to biologists and to foresters, and those having the care of public or private parks;
these latter, however, should not suppose that the presence of wood-feeding beetles,
&c., is the primary cause of trees being in a bad condition ; it is probable the insects
are often there because the trees are unhealthy.
Entomological Society of London : Maj/ 3rd, 1882. — ^H. T. Stainton, Esq.,
F.E.S., &c., President, in the Chair.
Dr. Evald Bergroth, of Helsingfors, was elected a Foreign Member, and Mr.
Williams, Zoological Society, Hanover Square, an ordinary Member.
The President, in alluding to the death of Mr. Darwin, one of the original
Members of the Society, and to the great loss entomology and natural science
generally had sustained, mentioned that Mr. Darwin's connection with the Society
occurred during the voyage of the " Beagle," the Society having been founded after
his departure and before his return.
The Secretary read a letter from the " Epping Forest and County of Essex
Naturalists' Field Club," asking the Members to sign a Memorial in favour of the
Forest being retained in its wild condition, to which request the Members who were
on the Council had ah'cady given adhesion.
48 [July- 188--?-
Mr. W. C. Boyd exhibited curious Tarieties oi Fidonia atomaria and Anchocelis
pistacina.
Mr. Billups exhibited a <? of Cryptus titillator.
Mr. Kirby exhibited bred hybrids between Antheraa Pernyi and Roylei.
Miss Ormerod exhibited galls on the inflorescence of ash, -which Mr. Fitch said
were produced by a species of Phytoptus. In connection with this, Mr. McLachlan
called attention to the " sausage gall " on the mid-rib of the leaves of the same tree,
occasioned by Cecidomyia botidaria, and Mr. Fitch alluded to a gall on the fruit,
produced by an unknown larva, probably one of the Curculionidce.
Mr. Bridgman communicated a further paper on British Ichneumonidce, supple-
mentary to Mr. Marshall's Catalogue of that family, published by the Society.
Mr. E. Saunders read a continuation of his Synopsis of British Aculeate
Hymenoptera.
Prof. Westwood sent an extensive memoir on the habits of the EurytomidcB, a
family of Chalcididce, but of which one or two species, known as " joint worms,"
appeared to be non-parasitic, and to be directly the cause of the swellings on the
stems of various cereals, &c., thus occasioning much damage. One of the most
notorious of these was Eurytoma hordei. This paper occasioned much discussion,
and Mr. Fitch avowed, as his belief, that all the Eiirytomidce were purely parasitic.
Ith June, 1882.— The President in the Chair.
Dr. Mason exhibited a variety of Zygctna filipendulcB from Bewdley Forest, in
which the bronze-green ground colour had invaded and obliterated the spots of the
anterior-wings and the corresponding colour in the posterior (such a variety was
known as chrysanthemi, Hiibner), and in connection therewith a parallel variety of
Callimorpha dominula. He also called attention to two species of Noctuida that
had found their way into the British List. The first of these was Xylophasia
ZolJikoferi, the supposed British specimens of which, he said, were only bleached
examples of the dark variety of X. polyodon (he exhibited an individual of the true
Zollikoferi) ; the second was Agrotis helvetina, of which he exhibited both the true
species, and a specimen upon which it was introduced as British ; this latter was
very difPereut, and, in his opinion, was a bleached variety of Noctua augur.
The President stated that so far as his experience went this year, all the larvae
of Nematus rihesii (the gooseberry saw-fly), which had been hatched this season, had
died when quite young ; currant leaves riddled with small holes were not unfrequent,
but he had not yet seen a single leaf that had been stripped by these insects ; last
autumn he had noticed a similar mortality amongst the young larvae of this species,
but this season it seemed so general (at any rate in his locality) as to threaten
the extinction of the species.
Mr. McLachlan read a List of British Trichoptera, brought down to date, with
especial reference to the Catalogue of British Seur^ptera, published by the Society
in 1870, noticing such additions and corrections as had occurred or become necessary ;
152 British species were now known, indicating an addition of twenty per cent,
since 18G5, when the Monograph of British Caddis-hies appeared.
Mr. Distant read a paper on new species of CicadidcB from Madagascar, in
which he alluded to the genus Flatypleura as occurring nearly all over the world.
Mr. Butler communicated a continuation of the series of papers on the Lepidop-
tera of Chili, collected by Mr. Edmonds, and especially concerning the Geometridce.
In connection with some remarks made by the author, as to the difficulty of deter-
mining the species noticed by Blauchard, in Gay's" Historia Fisica," Mr. McLachlan
expressed liis belief that most of the types of species indicated in that work still
existed in the Natural Uistorv Museum of Paris, and had been overlooked.
August, 18S2.] 49
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF RIVULA SERICEALIS.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLER.
Herein I have to give the history of this species from the egg,
and to show how, after the first failure to solve the problem of its
food-plant, a second trial ultimately proved successful, and for this I
have to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. W. E. Jeffrey, for his
kindness in enabling me to work it out most thoroughly, ox which
indeed the full-grown larva and pupa were evidently known to Guenee,
but the food plant had not been observed ; probably, the larva had
been captured after ceasing to feed, and so gave no clue to its food ;
but we now know for certain the food of its own choice.
The first attempt was made in 1878 from eggs which Mr. Jeffrey
induced a captured female moth to lay upon leaves of various low
plants, from 12th to 11th of July, and in the share he kindly sent to
me I found two eggs on a bramble leaf, four on Stachys syJvatica, one
on SoJidago virgaurea, and one on Fragnria vesca : they all hatched on
the night of the 20th, and the young larvae were provided at once with
leaves of all the above-named plants, besides others, and next day, on
seeing none were eaten, other kinds of leaves were given in turn, but
the tiny creatures refused every kind of nourishment offered them,
and died of starvation, and those with Mr. Jeffrey shared the same
fate.
In 1881 Mr. Jeffrey was able to obtain another batch of eggs
from sericealis, and he again gratified me witli part of them on the
24th of July, laid on Lotus major, a plant he had observed to be plen-
tiful where the parent moth was captured, though she laid one cluster
of eggs without attachment to any plant ; in the evening of the 29th, I
found a single larva hatched, and twenty-four more next day, when all
were put on the LoUis, and some other different leaves were tried both
by Mr. Jeffrey and myself, with increasing anxiety at finding nothing
eaten, and the larvae, one at a time, were beginning to die off in evening
of 31st, when the last thing I happened to put with them was a piece
of the leaf of Phalaris arundinacea ; next morning I was greatly re-
joiced to see this bit of coarse grass, when held against the light,
showing a number of transparent lines of varying lengths, and the
fact was immediately communicated to Mr. Jeffrey, and afforded him
a clue to the proper food-plant, as he confidently assured me no fha-
laris grew where the parent moth was taken, and therefore could only
be a substitute food ; in this belief, he accordingly took pains to clear
up the point by again visiting the locality, while my eleve'n surviving
larvse were growing, and presently moulting from 8th to 12th August.
50 [August,
Meanwliile, Mr. Jeffrey had captured one or two more female
moths, and confined them with three or four species of grass from their
locality, and he found Bracliypodium sylvaticum to be the one most
favoured, of which he kindly gave me abundant evidence on the 9th
of August with a blade of this grass on which were laid, in the most
natural manner, about seventy eggs, singly, and side by side in scat-
tered groups ; to this grass the larvae of the first brood took readily
and left the Phalaris, their second moult occurring on 16th to 17th,
and third moult 25th to 27th, when apparently they fed no more before
they were laid up to hibernate ; the later brood were, of course, fed
throughout on the Brachypodium and throve well, moulting also three
times, the second moult happening from 16th to 19th September, the
third moult from the 26th to 4th of October, and on the 5th all were
hibernating.
On 21st of February, 1882, the air became suddenly warm, and
many of the larvae awoke from their long sleep, and for several days
hung suspended by short threads ; they seemed very weak and unable
to feed, though their grass was beginning to put forth tender shoots,
yet they soon relapsed into a torpid state when the weather became
colder during the month of March, and many then died.
On the 1st of April, with milder weather, I observed one indivi-
dual larva had, by its bright colours, apparently moulted, though I had
no other evidence to judge from, as it was feeding openly on the potted
grass quite unprotected ; its next moult took place in captivity at
midnight of the 19th, it recommenced feeding in course of next day,
and continued till the 29th, when it was laid up for what proved to be
its last moult, which occurred late at night on 6th of May, and from
that date it fed on till the 15th, when it was again laid up, but this
time for the pupal change, which occurred on the night of the 20th :
in like manner I watched the changes of three others, the last one be-
coming a pupa on 8th of June.
The perfect insects were bred on the mornings of June 6th, 16th,
18th, and 27th, those on the second and last date were females ; on
comparing notes with Mr. Jeffrey for this account, I found his first ,
moth was bred on the same da}^ at about the same hour as mine, and
that a large proportion of his larvse had been reared on Brachypodium
pinnatum.
The egg of sericealis is circular in outline, not quite flat, but just
a little rounded at the circumferent margin, very numerously ribbed
and reticulated, of a light greenish-drab tint, semi-transparent, and
1882.] 51
rather glistening ; a few hours before hatching the top of the egg
becomes slightly convex, like a bun, and shows through the shell three
or four dusky brown specks.
The newly-hatched larva is quite hairy, and, on examination, its
head is seen to be whity-brown, with dark mouth and ocelli, and a dark
grey internal dorsal vessel can be but indistinctly discerned through
the skin of the body, as it is clothed with long white hairs, and amongst
them are sub-dorsal hairs of a dusky greyish colour ; when a week old
the back becomes tinged with very bright green, and the belly appears
limpid and colourless ; up to this time it feeds on the cuticle of the
grass.
After the first moult it eats out a little notch from the edge quite
through one side of a leaf ; the head now is greenish speckled with
dark red, the body is of a watery green, showing the internal vessel
deeply tinged with dark purplish-red, so that the back appears of this
colour, but with an interruption on the twelfth segment, the wart-like
tubercles are glossy, and furnished with, long single blackish hairs.
After the second moult, it feeds in the same manner as before,
the dark purplish-red back shows an extremely fine double dorsal line
and whitish sub-dorsal lines, the pale gi'eenish head has minute dusky
specks, and each speck emits a black hair, and each tubercle of the
body also is similarly furnished.
After the third moult the larva is of just the same colours, and
with all details of the previous stage, it now ceases to feed, and, after
spinning a little silk as a foothold, becomes torpid, until spring of the
following year.
Having hibernated, and got safely over its subsequent fourth moult,
its light green colour is very much brighter, the dorsal line is now
darker green, and the sub-dorsal is creamy-white ; it still attacks the
edge of a leaf by first eating out a notch as far as the midrib, and
thence eats away either upward or downward, taking out long portions,
and always from the upper surface, until, in course of a week, its
growth becomes more perceptible, as it attains a length of from
5 to 6 mm.
After the fifth moult its appearance is unchanged beyond the
increase of growth, as it soon extends to 7 or 8 mm. in length ; its
ravages on the grass are rather conspicuous, as it goes from one leaf
to another, yet is careful not to attack the extreme point or the mid-
rib, but after the 6th, or last moult, it feeds differently, beginning at
the top, head upward, and eating downward through the midrib from
one edge to the other in rather an oblique direction across the full
52 [August,
breadth of the loaf ; sometimes two or three leaves are thus eaten,
more or less, but when its appetite is nearly satisfied, it eats only about
three parts aci'oss the truncated top edge, so as to leave a portion
uncut on one side, generally about half an inch long ; but previoiis to
this the larva has reached its full growth, the length ranging from 15
to 17 mm., according to sex, as the largest proved to be female ; the
form is cylindrical, and of moderate stoutness, the head rounded, and
the three hinder segments slightly tapered, the anal legs extended
backward ; the greenish-drab coloured head with dusky dots and hairs,
as before, the bright green of the body is deepest on the back as far
down as the trachea, which shows faintly through the skin as a paler
thread, the belly is of a rather lighter tint of the same green, the sub-
dorsal stripes are white, and commence on the second segment, con-
tinuing of the same width throughout, though drawing nearer each
other as they approach the thirteenth, the outer edge of these is
straight, but the inner edge is concave on every segment, so that the
green ground of the back appears in a series of broad ovals, with a
darker green dorsal line running through them ; the segmental folds
greenish-yellow ; the round spiracles are flesh-colour finely edged
with blackish ; the warty green glossy tubercles have each on the
summit a fine dusky dot bearing a longish rough hair, which when
highly magnified proves to be barbed ; all the legs green, the ventral
and anal fringed with fine blackish hooks ; the skin of the body is soft
and rather velvety.
As soon as it has done eating at the partly truncated toj) edge of
the leaf, as before mentioned, it remains quiet at that place for some
hours, for it is there it ultimately pupates after arresting the growth
of the leaf, and there, a little below the cut edge, it spins a few silk
threads which draw the sides of the leaf a little towards each other
and cause an oval-shaped hollow in part lined with silk, wherein the
larva lies with either its head near the top edge or else the tail is
there, as examples of both postures occur, and one or two threads are
passed loosely from side to side over the back of the larva, forming a
stay or cincture to secure all in position, and a few more over the
binder segments as further security, the uncut portion of the top
edge of leaf is drawn down obliquely over the top of the hollow
which shelters the occupant and hides a part of it from view, although
it is all on the upper surface of the leaf, but the colour of the larva
assimilating with that of the grass is no doubt a source of protection,
and the same with that of the pupa.
The pupa is about lOj mm. long with nothing remarkable in its
form, the wing-covers well developed with their nervures in strong
relief, the abdominal segments are smooth and very lightly defined,
the anal tip is furnished with several minnte curly-topped spiny
bristles, which are thrust into the silk and held fast ; its colour is
green, having beyond the thorax the two white sub-dorsal stripes
which marked the larva, these gradually fade away as it matures, and
the wing-covers turn very pale, then afterwards quite dingy, and at
about 9 o'clock the next morning the perfect insect is disclosed.
Emsworth : July 12th, 1882.
A LIFE HISTORY OF FAPILIO P^ON, ROGER.
BY J. J. WALKEE, E.N.
It had, for some time, been a matter of surprise to me, that among
the butterflies observed in the vicinity of Callao, the genus Fapilio
was not represented : and it was, therefore, with no small satisfaction
that, on January 13th, I captured a somewhat worn example of a
grand black and yellow " swallow-tail," Fapilio Fceon, closely related
to, but apparently quite distinct from, the noble Fapilio Thoas, L.,
which I had met with not rarely at Panama.
During the next few days, I searched assiduously for the insect,
and succeeded in finding its head quarters, about three miles from
Callao. It was, however, by no means common, and the few speci-
mens caught were invariably in poor condition. At last, one very
warm afternoon, I noticed a worn ? hovering over a double row of
parsnip-plants, in a small patch of cultivated ground, evidently de-
positing eggs. I at once got up from the bank on which I was
lounging, and examined the plants : before long, I came upon a little
caterpillar, which presented such a wonderfully close resemblance to
a piece of fresh bird's-dung, that I at first hesitated about taking it
up. It betrayed itself, however, as a Fapilio larva, by protruding a
forked tentacle from the 2nd segment : so I continued the search, and
soon had forty of these little fellows in my larva-box.
The internal arrangements of a man-of-war do not afford any very
great facilities for larva-rearing, and I was at first a little puzzled how
to dispose of my captures. By covering a good-sized fruit-basket with
leno, and hanging it up to a beam in my cabin, I made an extempore
breeding-cage, in which the larvae throve as well as could have been
desired. The larvse continued to occur freely on the aforesaid parsnip-
plants (the only ones I could find), and at the end of February, I had
the pleasure of rearing a noble series of the perfect insect.
54 [August.
The egg was often found on the upper-side of the leaflets of
parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), but always singly. It bears a curious
resemblance, in its shape and irregularly roughened surface, to a
minute orange : its diameter being about one thirtieth of an inch, and
its colour pale cinnamon-brown.
The newly-hatched larva is about two lines long, nearly black, with
a pale V mark on the face, and a light brown saddle-shaped spot on the
8th segment : a large black tubercle on either side of the swollen 3rd
segment, and one on either side of segments 4 to 13, gradually de-
creasing in size to the 12th segment, that on the 13th being nearly as
large as the one on the 3rd. These tubercles are covered rather
thickly with long black hairs.
On the 8th day, the larva was 7 lines long ; the tubercles were
still distinct, but the skin was slightly shining, and entirely destitute
of hairs : colour brown-black, with a short, lateral stripe on segments
2 to 4 ; a large lozenge-shaped spot on either side of segments 6 to
8 (the hinder angles meeting on the back), and an irregular cloud on
the sides of segments 12 and 13, pale whitish-ochreous : prolegs
whitish.
At the penultimate moult, the larva was 10 lines in length : the
above markings more distinct, the 4th, 5th, and 12th segments more
conspicuously swollen than at any other stage. The skin was then
very shining, and the resemblance of the creature to a piece of fresh
moist bird's-dung, was most extraordinary.
The full-fed larva is by no means easy to describe, but the
following is an attempt : — Length, about two inches. Head small,
rather dark shining grey-brown : the segments rapidly increase in size
to the 4th and 5th, w^hich are quite half as large again as any of the
others. This enlargement is very conspicuous when the larva is at
rest, the anterior segments being retracted after the fashion of a
Ghcerocampa larva. , The 6th segment is abruptly smaller, and thence
to the hinder extremity, the body is almost uniform in size, the 12th
segment only being A^ery slightly enlarged. The front edge of the
4th segment is rather raised, and extended forwai'd, bearing a curved
transverse row of five small pale-edged tubercles. Colour (in a fully
marked specimen), rich umber-brown, marbled with paler, darkest on
segments 2 to 4, and 8 to 12. A^broad, irregular, lateral, crcamy-
ochreous stripe, sometimes slightly tinged with pink, meeting in front
of segment 2, W'ell-dcfined on segments 3, 4, and 5, it then expands
into a large, iri'egular, rhomboidal blotch, the hinder angles of which
unite on the back of segment 9 ; thence the stripe is rather ill-defined,
1882.] 55
gradually getting wider and paler as it uears the hinder extremity.
An indistinct, pale, ochreous stripe above the prolegs : spiracles and
legs pale brown, under-side and prolegs cool grey. Skin smooth, not
at all shining. Tentacula long and slender, orange-yellow : these are
protuded when the larva is irritated, and emit a powerful and not dis-
agreeable odour, resembling that produced by the larva of P. Machaon.
Many larvaa are of an almost uniform pale ochreous-brown or clay-
colour, with the markings scarcely visible.
The small larvae feed quite exposed on the upper-side of the
parsnip-leaves: the full-fed ones, hoftever, are fond of lurking among
the leaf-stalks, close to the ground. At all ages, it is very quiet and
sluggish in its habits, often remaining for hours on the same leaf, and
only quitting it when entirely consumed. It does not appear to be
eaten by birds, and I have not bred a single ichneumon or other para-
site from the considerable number of larvae which I collected.
The pupa is about 1^ inch in length, not very stout for one of
its genus : the wing-covers scarcely project beyond the general out-
line. The front of the head is deeply bifurcate, and on the thorax is
a very conspicuous projection, pointing forwards and a little upwards,
giving to that part a somewhat hooded appearance : there is a pair of
deep foveae on either side of the abdomen, just above the wing-covers,
and a double row of small projecting points down the back. Surface
rough and opaqiie : colour light to dark wood-brown, mottled with
darker, and, in many specimens, washed with opaque verdigris-green
along the sides of the abdomen. It remains in this stage for about
twenty days.
H. M. S. "Kingfisher," Caldera, Chile :
Qth March, 1882.
DESCEIPTIONS OF THE LARV^ OF HAWAIIAN LEPIDOPTEEA.
BY THE EEV. T. BLACKBUEN, B.A.
The following descriptions of the larvge of four of the most con-
spicuous and best known species of Hawaiian Lepidoptera may, I hope,
be of interest.
Vanessa Tammeamea, Kotz.
Pale green, darker towards the sides, dorsal line slender, dark
green, sub-dorsal lines broad, very pale green, spiracular lines broad,
yellowish-green, head green, red dowai the middle, legs red, claspers
5G : August,
green ; head furnislied with numerous green tubercles, each ending in
a hair ; on each segment, except the last, four long spines (which are
yellow at base, then red, then black, then white), from each of which
seven smaller white spines branch out. On the last segment are two
spines (similar to the rest, but much longei') pointing backward. In
the young larva the body is black, except the space between sub-
dorsal and spiracular lines, which is green. Larva feeds on a large-
leaved plant, three or four feet high, apparently of the nettle tribe,
growing rather plentifully in open places in the woods on the mountains
of the Hawaiian Islands.
HoLOCHiLA Blackbtjrni, Tucly.
Onisciform ; clear bright green, above the head and along the
spiracular line slightly flushed with pink; along the back run two
lines of pale yellow colour which almost meet on the last segment
(where they are ill-defined) and diverge towards the head. The whole
larva is obscurely pubescent, more distinctly so along the sides. It
feeds upon the seed-pods of Acacia falcata (the Koa), and, no doubt, on
allied plants in various localities on the Hawaiian Islands. The pupa
is pubescent, short and stumpy, attached to a leaf or seed, &c., length-
wise, by a few fine threads.
Agrotis ceemata, Butler.
Rather broad and depressed, especially near the head, where the
larva appears more or less swollen. Yery pale drab colour, the dorsal
region of all the segments, except the first and last, occupied by
blackish clouds which diminish in size backwards. The dorsal portion
of the segments behind the head forms a horny plate, which (with the
head) is obscurely testaceous in colour, but is margined with black ;
spiracles black, legs and claspers of the ground-colour, but tipped
with blackish. Feeds on a marine plant on sand-hills on Maui, hiding
under the sand by day.
EnODAEIA DESPECTA, Butlcr.
Convex, bi'oad in the middle and much narrowed at the ends ;
each segment individually also narrowed behind and in front ; grccu,
almost unicolorous, save that the dorsal line is darker ; a few long
hairs on each segment. Feeds in folded leaves of a large convolvulus-
like creeper, which grows plentifully on the banks of streams in moun-
tain localities on the Hawaiian Islands.
Ilonolulu : Zrd June, 1882.
1882.1 57
ON NYCTE3IERA JBIFORMIS, OP MABILLE, AND TWO OTHEE
FORMS OF NYCTEMEEIBJE FROM MADAGASCAR.
BY ARTHUR G. BUTLER, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.
Nyctemera hiformis (incorrectly spelt Niclitliemera by its author)
was described by M. Mabille in 1878 (Bull. Soc. Zool. de France) from
specimens forwarded to him by Mr. Henley G. Smith.
In 1879 we obtained a specimen agreeing with the description of
the female, a white insect with dark grey-brown borders to the wings
(scarcely nigris, Mab.), and in the following year we added an example
answering to that of the male, i. e., front wings smoky-brown, with a
paler semi-transparent central patch above ; hind-wings white, with
the basal area and a broad abdominal border, extending a little beyond
the first median branch, smoky-grey or grey-brown, and with a rather
broad black external border ; below all the wings white, with the ex-
ternal borders and the internal border of the primaries smoky-brown.
Upon comparing these two specimens with one another, and with
M. Mabille's description, I saw nothing to prevent their being sexes
of one species, beyond the fact that no other species in the Nyctemeridce
shows a similar discrepancy of pattern in the sexes ; the singularity
of this supposed instance, moreover, was indicated by its author in
the name which he gave to the species ; therefore, nntil a few weeks
back, I allowed them to stand together in the Museum series.
This year, however, we have received a female from the Eev.
Deans Cowan, which corresponds with the male previously received ;
the only difference being that the white area on the secondaries is a
little smaller than in that insect ; in this respect, however, it agrees
still more closely with M. Mabille's description of the male : the
female of that description is thus proved to belong to a distinct
species. Both forms will fall into Boisduval's genus Leptosoma rather
than into typical Nyctemera.
Leptosoma Mabillei, sp. nov.
Nichthemera {sic) hiformis, $ , Mabille.
$ . Allied to L. hiformis, but ■white : the wings with rather broad greyish-
brown external borders, which become gradually narrower towards the posterior
angles ; primaries with a very slender brown costal margin and a broad grey-brown
internal streak from near the base to the posterior or external angle ; anus ochreous ;
pectus ochreous, with a black spot on each side ; legs and venter white, the latter
spotted with black ; primaries below without an internal streak.
Expanse of wings, 51 mm.
Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The two following new species of the genus Hylemera have re-
centlv been received:
58 [August,
HtLEMERA CANDIDA, SJ). nOV.
(? . Allied to H. tenuis ; snow-white ; primaries on both surfaces with the
apical area and external border broadly smoky-brown, its inner edge forming a
slightly angular arch ; a series of five white spots or dashes close to the inner edge
of this border, the first (beyond the cell) placed longitudinally, the three following
transversely, the fifth being a decided spot at external angle ; a smoky-brown spot
at the end of the cell ; base of primaries, head and palpi ochreous ; antennae dark
brown, rest of body slightly opaline. Expanse of wings, 30 mm.
Ankafana, Betsileo Country {Cowan).
This is smaller, DaiTower, purer in colour, and mucb more simply
ornamented with smoky-brown than its nearest ally.
Htlemeea nivea, sp. nov.
(S . Allied to H. frag His ; snow-white; primaries on both surfaces with the
apical area, a discocellular spot confluent with the latter and the external border
bi'oadly greyish-black ; a sub-marginal wavy white streak tapering from the external
angle to the first or second median branch ; base of primaries, head, collar, palpi,
and cox£e, bright saffron-yellow ; antennae black ; remainder of body dull sordid
white ; costal border of primaries below tinted with yellow.
Expanse of wings, 28 mm.
Ankafana, Betsileo Country {Coioan).
The absence of any oblique black costal dash, the slightly nar-
rower external border, the white sub-marginal sti'cak of the primaries,
and the absence of a black discocellular spot on the secondaries, at
once distinguish this from H. frctcjilis.
I have not seen females of any of the five Mascarene species.
British Museum :
2Wi June, 1882.
NOTES ON BEITISH TORTRICES.
BY C. G. BAEEETT.
(continued from vol. xv'm, p. 186).
GrapltoUtlia cinerana, Haw. — In support of the belief of many
entomologists that this form is a species distinct from nisella, L.
Mr. Hird, of Scoonieburn, Perth, very kindly sent me, last year, a
number of larvse feeding between united leaves of aspen {PopuJus
tremula) . They were lively, but not very active, plump and of equal
thickness, except that the anal segment was small ; also somewhat
flattened beneath, smooth, and rather shining. Colour very pale yel-
lowish-green, with a dark green irregular dorsal vessel, spots invisible,
hairs very delicate, head chestnut-brown, with darker o^'cs and jaws,
dorsal plate faintly tinged with brown, anal plate hardly distinguishable.
When full-fed, yellow, with brownish dorsal vessel.
1882. 59
On aspen, feeding between the leaves, which it unites flatly-
together, and does not roll or fold, but eats away the parenchyma.
June. Pupa light brown, between the leaves.
All the perfect insects were certainly typical cinerana.
Flitheocliroa riigosana. — In July last, I received from Mr. W. H.
Fletcher larvae of this species, found feeding in berries of Bryonia
dioica, at Worthing, Sussex. They were restless, but not very active,
fairly cylindrical, with wrinkled and rather swollen segments, pale
yellowish-green, wdth delicate hairs arising from barely visible spots ;
head chestnut-brown, edged with blackish behind, dorsal and anal
plates green, feet also green. Eating out the pulp and also the hard
seeds, and leaving only the skins of the berries, which they fastened
together, and sometimes the shells of the seeds. These larvfe spun
tough, opaque, whitish cocoons, attached to the covering of the vessel.
The ^iupas were light brown. A moth emerged June 3rd.
Von Heyden describes the lai*va, " very thick, slightly glossy,
somewhat wrinkled with whitish raised dots, each bearing one short
hair, unicolorous green, head somewhat narrower than the neck-plate,
which is of a darker green than the rest of the body. In July
and August it spun together leaf and flower-bunches, feeding in the
green seeds. Pupating in a hollowed-out part of the stem, closed with
a leaf. Pupa yellowish-green, tolerably thick." It would seem, there-
fore, that the pupa, as well as the larva, varies in colour.
Pembroke : litk, June, 1882.
FURTHER TROPICAL NOTES.
BT W. B. PETER, C.M.Z.S.
I note with considerable interest Mr. Champion's remarks, in
your February number, on my Tropical notes. General descriptions
of a country's Natural History are always interesting, and Mr.
Champion might well have given us a more lengthy account of his
experiences. AVith regard to his comparisons with my "notes," I
must say that ] always have understood that the Western tropics and
South America are richer in number of specimens of birds, butter-
flies, and beetles, than this part of the world.
I should not like to be misunderstood in the meaning I wished to
convey in my former letter. In stating that most travellers over-
loaded their descriptions of every-day tropical scenery with astonishing
birds, troops of monkeys, wonderful butterflies, shining beetles,
goi'geous flowers, many coloured lizards, glittering snakes, &c., &c.,
60 [August,
all visible at one time and place — I did not say tliat such scenes did
not absolutely exist, but that the rare exception was being described
as the rule : I have myself seen a combination of several of these items
more than once ; but if I had the books here I could pick out half-a-
dozen in which such scenes, including the birds down to the "glittering"
snakes, are printed as descriptions of what is to be seen almost daily
ill the tix)pics.
Mr. Champion speaks of the forests of the Tierra Caliente of
Central America being more o]jen than those of the East, as pi'obably
accounting for the greater quantity of brightly coloured birds,
butterflies, &c., to be seen in them, and this is no doubt coi'rect : in
open rides in the forest into which the sun can shine there are
here a few Terias Junonia or Lycce^iidce nearly always to be found,
mostly common species, however, but it is the true primeval forest
that I wrote about. As soon as one enters the high forest here, one
might as well expect to find butterflies in Westminster Abbey, the
interior of w hieh is the best comparison of what the Bornean primeval
forest is like that I can bring before my home-staying readers.
With regai'd to birds in the true forest, we have here in North
Borneo as many species of birds and as brightly hued ones as any
where in the world probably, the Pittas for instance, than which a
more gorgeoosly coloured group of birds does not exist, and of
which there are several species round this towai, but the number of
specimens is very small ; there is no lack of species of animals too,
but to see one is most rai*e (excejjt monkeys and 'squirrels, and these
generally near plantations).
As an actual experience of the high forest I may give a recent
experience. I have just returned from having been a 10 days' journey
on business in it. I saw but one butterfly the whole time I was
actually in the forest, one of the Satyrndce with a pink tinge on the
under-side, and the usual rows of rings, it was flitting about in a space
a litle more open than usual, owing to a large tree having recently fallen
there ; of other things I saw a Cullassee monkey (/S*. rubiciindus), two
Kalawat (Gribbon, Jlylohates, sp. ?) mother and young, an otter^ and a
tortoise of some 50-lbs. weight, besides a few birds ; this is all. As
already written I was on business, had I been collecting I would have
kept to some old clearings close by, and there got plenty of butterflies
and birds amongst the deserted fruit trees.
I notice that Mr. Champion writes that one does not find all the
gaily coloured birds, insects, &c., at once, still they are thei'c, and in a
residence of a few months one becomes ac(iuainled with them (the
1R82.1 61
italics are mine), lie confesses himself '' gi'eatly disappointed with his
first impressions," but after a long residence, his opinion has greatly
changed, and he can confirm my experiences but in one particular.
On the contrarj', I think these admissions prove all I have written.
As for the tropical primeval forest, on some minds, and mine I
confess is amongst the number, it exercises a strong and never-fading
fascination. The enormous columnar tree trunks springing straight
up branchless and curveless for 120 or 150 feet, the tightly pressed
canopy of leaves overhead like an enormous roof, through which not
a ray of the sun finds its way, the enormous buttresses to many of
the trees, most of the spaces between two of which are large enough
for a fairly big apartment if covered in, the strange creepers varying
in size from thread-like stems with leaves not so big as ones nail and
frequently variegated, to large species with three or four stems each
a foot thick joined by rings, holding large forest trees in their tight
embrace and rapidly strangling them, while their own cram of leaves
high overhead is mixed with that of its victim, the ground covered
with mosses large as English ferns {Galadiwni), some of them varie-
gated in the most extraordinary way, others with leaves three or four
feet across, Arums springing up higher than ones head, dwarf palms of
the most exquisite beauty and of numberless species, the strange
Nepenthes, and an infinity of other curious and beautiful forms of
vegetable life, while clinging to the tree trunks are to be seen end-
less orchids and parasitical ferns, all of tiny forms close to the ground
but increasing in size higher up, till the remarkable elk- or stag-horn
fern is to be seen high overhead, their strange fretwork leaves dangling
down a dozen feet below the plants themselves, one of which if taken
down would be nearl}^ a cart load of itself ; more than all in impres-
siveness is the gloom, the solemn silence, and the coolness, all these
things give a strange charm to the true forest.
But there is no animal life visible or insect either, besides termites
and ants, except quite occasionally.
The tropics are rich in species but poor in specimens, offering no
comparison in the latter respect to many large districts in the
temperate Zone that I know of, either as to profusion of birds, insects,
or reptiles, but the superior attraction to a true lover of Nature and
not a mere collector rests with the tropical forest for all that.
In looking at collections made in the tropics, it must not be for-
gotten that in most parts out here there are some 350 days or
thereabouts in the year during which the enthusiastic Naturalist can
collect.
Elopuro, Borneo : \Uh April, 1882.
62 [August,
CHARACTERS OF NEW GENERA AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW
SPECIES OF GEOJJEPHAGA FROM THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
BY THE EET. T. BLACKBURN, B.A.
{Resumed from J). 220, vol. xvii.)
V.
ANCHOMEOTD^.
CYCLOTRORAX.
C. Kaeschi, sp. nov.
Convexus, nitidus, ater, marglnihus 2iedlbusque obscure rufcscentibus, an-
tennis palpisque testaceis ; capite mediocri ; oculis prominulis ; antennis cor-
poris dimidio plane hreviorihus ; prothorace suhquadrato vix transversa, antice
haud eQuarginato, basi uirinque foveolato, trans basin punctata, angulis posticis
subrectis ; eltjtris elongata-ovalibus,fortiter striatis, striis {marginem apicem-
que versus deftcientibus) forUter punctatis, interstitiis convexis, humeris
ratundatis. Long. 63 mm.
A single specimen occurred to me among loose stones on Manna
Loa, Hawaii, at an elevation of about 6000 feet.
I feel some doubt about the generic position of the subject of
the above description. It is clearly a member of the Anchomenoid
series ; and I am unable to detect well-defined structural characters
to separate it from Cyclothorax (in which genus I therefore place it
provisionally) ; buc it will be desirable to point out («) that the slight
elevation of the prosternal process betwieen the anterior coxfe (Eut.
Mo. Mag., vol. xvi, p. 109) is scarcely to be traced in this insect ;
(V) that superficially it differs considerably in appearance from any
Cyclothorax yet known to me, inasmuch as it might be compared to one
of the most elongate species of that genus, furnished with the thoi'ax
of Pterostichus minor. Sab lb.
The Berliner entom. Zeitschrift, Bd., xxv, 18S1, contains a paper
by Dr. F. Karsch on the Coleoptera that Dr. O. Finsch collected in
1872 on the Hawaiian Islands and elsewhere. The learned author,
probably, had not seen my series of papers on Hawaiian Carahidce,
since some of the species he describes as new are evidently identical
with some previously described by me. I may observe that Olinda — ■
where most of Dr. Finsch's insects appear to have been taken — is a
locality in which I have collected at various seasons of the year, and
with the ordinary insects (at least) of which I am fairly well
acquainted. I venture the following remarks on Dr. Karsch's species
and determinations. 3i
Acupnlpus hiseriatus, Karsch. This seems to be identical with
1882.] 63
my GyclotJwrax cordaticolUs (Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xv, p. 156), though
there is a slight discrepancy in respect of size : I having stated it as
" Long. 4i — 5 mm " (I have since taken a specimen 6 mm.), and Dr.
Karsch " 5 — 7 mm ;" and also the linear punctuation near the suture
is stronger, according to Dr. Karsch, than as characterized in my
description. In a recently procured series, however, I observe that it
varies somewhat in intensity.
Platynus planus, Karsch, is apparently mj Anchomenus erro (Ent.
Mo. Mag., vol. XV, p. 151). The Doctor's description is, however,
puzzling. The " humeins productis''^ of the Latin diagnosis becomes,
in the German description, " die schultern gerundet ;" again, P. planus
is distinguished from P. allipes, Fab., " durch den liinten starker
verschmdlerten Prothorax,''' but, further on, it is said of the jDrothorax,
" hint en plot zlicJi, doch niclit stark, verschmdlert.'" The only difference
worth notice between my description of A. erro and Dr. K.'s of P.
planus, consists in mj''^ prothorax leviter transversus,^^ YthWe the doctor
has " longior quam latior.''' Careful measurement of a series of speci-
mens of A. erro gives the following result : the proportion of the
greatest width of thorax to length down central line is as 20 to 19
[this is my usual way of measuring] ; greatest width of thorax exactly
equals greatest length — which occurs a little on either side of the
central line.
Colpodes odoocellatus, Karsch, is obviously my Anchomenus Sharpi
(Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xv, p. 122), although my description hag " a?^_$rwZ^s
humeralihus rectis,''^ and Dr. Karsch's " humeris rotundatis.'''' In
describing, I compared the insect with its ally, A. rupicola, Mihi, in
which the sides of the elytra are rounded into a curve continuous
with the base (whereas, in Sharjn, they are straight, and, speaking
roughly, at right angles with the base), but I acknowledge that the
actual corners themselves are rounded off.
Anisodactylus cunentus, Karsch, seems to agree exactly with my
Atrachycnemis Sharpi (Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xv, p. 120), as does Prome-
coderus fossulatus, Karsch, with Disenochus terehratus, Mihi.
The two species of Carahidce that I have observed most commonly
near Olinda are my Cyclothorax scaritoides and montivagus. These do
not appear to be the subjects of any of Dr. K.'s descriptions, but I
observe in his list of previously described species taken by Dr. Einsch
at Olinda, Oopterus plicaticoUis, Boisd., and Olisthopus insularis,
Motsch. Now, it happens that my G. scaritoides is so much of the
general aspect of Oopterus, that I went to the trouble of hunting up
O. plicaticoUis long ago, in the " Voyage au Pole Sud," and satisfied
(54 [August,
myself that it differed from it (in whicli conviction I still remain after
careful examination), and that my C. onontivagus is so closely allied to
O. insidaris, Motsch (which species I have in my own collection from
New Zealand), that in describing it I thought it well to point out
wherein it differed from the latter. This suggests strongly to me the
idea that Dr. Karsch and I have, in this instance, the same two insects
in view, and that we have arrived at different conclusions concerning
them. A renewed examination of the matter leaves me still quite
satisfied with my determination of them as new. My descriptions will
be found in Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xv, pp. 122 and 15G.
The fact that I suppose Dr. K. and myself to have referred the
same insect to different genera will not appear strange to any one who
has worked at Polynesian CaralidcB ; indeed, a reference to Lacordaire's
remarks, in the " Genera des Coleopteres," on the genera concerned,
will show that their affinities were subjects of perplexity to that
author himself.
Cathedral Close, Honolulu :
^rd June, 1882.
DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIES OF PSYLLID^ RECENTLY NEW
TO GREAT BRITAIN.
by john scott.
Tkioza ceithmi, F. Low.
Verb. z.-b. Ges. Wien, p. 556 (1880).
Overwintered examples. — S black. Head black ; crown about twice as broad
between the ejes as the length down the centre, the margin white, a little higlier
than the disc, on each side of the central channel a short longitudinal whitish line,
disc near the base with a somewhat deep fovea, slightly curving in the direction of
the ejes. Face-lohes perpendicular to the crown, white, stout at the base, clothed
with a few fine white hairs. Eyes dark purple-brown, posteriorly with a narrow
white margin. Antenna black, let, 2nd, and 3rd joints fuscous-white,|2nd narrowly
blackish at the base, 3rd longest, about \\ times longer tlian the 4th.
Pronotiim white, with a black puncture near the extremities ; mesonotttm black,
dull, anterior portion (dorsulum) with a very fine, longitudinal, brown, central line,
central portion with four lines placed one on each side of the centre, and another a
little remote from the last, extremities brown, apical or scutellar portion black.
Elytra transparent, with an extremely faint brownish tinge, marginal nerve brown,
palest next the base, apex narrowly roijnded, length about 2^ times that of the
breadth, greatest breadth across the inner branch of the dorsal fork of the cubitus,
radius long, straight from the base to beyond the middle, where it slightly but per-
ceptibly curves towards the costal margin, the distance between the apex of the
radius and the up))er branch of tlie adjoining furcation, which joins the marginal
1882.] 65
nerve just above the apex, about IJ times as great as the distance between the
branches of the furcation measured on the marginal nerve, the distance between the
latter and tlie outer branch of the lower furcation about equal, measured as above ;
nervules short, brown. Legs fuscous- white, or yellow-white ; thigh.t : 1st pair with
a broad black, longitudinal streak down the upper-side ; claws blackish.
Abdomen black, genital plate yellow, sparingly clothed with short, pale hairs,
anterior margin convex, sides produced into a long tooth or tongue-like piece,
reaching to beyond the apex of the processes, the latter dark brown viewed from the
side, about three times as high as broad at the base, outer margin convex, inner mar-
gin slightly concave.
Stimmer brood. — S orange-yellow. Crown, margin and pronotum as in the
above. Legs yellow. Abdomen green or yellow, with the last two or three of the
segments sometimes black in the middle of the upper-side. All the other characters
as in the overwintered examples. Length, I5 line (Paris).
Ova orange-yellow, longish-oval or fusiform, each set on a peduncle about 2\
times its length, disposed irregularly, singly, or in pairs on the upper- or under-side
of the leaves of the samphire ; as they approach maturity, the base assumes a red-
dish-orange colour, and they may frequently be observed waving from side to side,
or swaying backwards and forwards. When close on hatching, they become entirely
of a dull reddish-orange colour, and the peduncle is bent down until it touches the
surface of the leaf, where it remains until the young larva has made its exit.
Larva orange-yellow throughout all its stages, somewhat oval, flat, sluggish,
with a narrow border of glittering white hairs.
Nymph pale orange-yellow, or with the abdomen green, flat, entire margin with
a border of glittering white hairs, longest at the extremities, where they appear
pectinate. Head broad, anterior margin notched in the middle, extremities rounded,
disc with four short, longitudinal channels between the eyes, not reaching to the
anterior margin narrowly rounded, almost in a line with the anterior margin of the
head. Legs pale yellow.
This species was originally taken on CritJimum mnritimitm by Dr.
A. Puton, at Eoscoff and Morlaix (Finisterre), towards the end of
June ; and, from Dr. F. Low's description, made from specimens sent
to him by the discoverer, I believe these to have been of a newly-
hatched brood. Here it has been taken in all its stages, at Anstey's
Cove Eocks, near Torquay, by P. H. Gosse, Esq., F.E.S., who most
kindly forwarded me many examples, from which the above description
I has been made, together with the following vivid note of his suc-
cessful search :
" Anstey's Cove, in the neighbourhood of Torquay, is divided into two by a
projecting promontory. The northern of the two, which is the nearer to Babbi-
combe, has a fine beach of white limestone pebbles. At the rear, the limestone has
fallen from the lofty cliffs in great cubic blocks, as big as a small cottage or a railway
carriage, which now lie on the shingle, or on the sloping debris. From crevices in
these blocks, from beneath their bases, and from the ground between, even from
amidst the white pebbles, the Samphire is now shooting up (April, 1882) in dense
C6 r August,
tufts, from the old gnarled stems of last year, the young shoots already six or eight
inches high, and carrying half-a-dozen of the compound succulent leaves, or more.
Peering among the tufts, on the 14th, I espied, on some of the leaves (usually
on the back of the lovrest leaflet) a minute orange-coloured speck, which, under a
pocket lens, appeared to be an ovate shield or scale, convex above, but adherent
below by its entire surface to the leaf, each furnished, at its extremities, with a
horizontal fringe of close-set parallel straight styles, like the teeth of a comb, of
glittering whiteness. These shields are perhaps "05 or "06 inch long, judged
roughly.*
While I was examining these, wondering whether they might be puppe of the
desired Trioza or not, I became aware of a number of other minute entities, scattered
about the mid-ribs and the leaflets of the Crithmum ; so minute as to be only just
discernible, when seen edgewise against a dark background. These were oblong
egg-like bodies, of orange-yellow hue, elevated each on a slender white pedicel, about
thrice its own length : the pedicel standing up stifily and perpendicularly from the
leaf, and carrying at its summit the egg (?) afiixcd obliquely by its end ; reminding
me of the ova of the HemerohiadcB.
The shields (pupse?) are by no means rare: and these pedunculate eggs are
even more numerous ; but always single and isolated, so far as I observed.
But scarcely had these been noticed, before I caught sight of a little Aphis-like
fly, with ample glassy wings, deflexed, and tectiform, yellow fore-parts, and bright
green abdomen, crawling on the mid-rib of a leaf. I endeavoured to secure it in a
pill-box ; but it was wide awake, and the handling of the plant, cautious as I was,
alarmed it, and caused it to vanish. Another I succeeded in boxing, with a bit of
leaf; but trusting to its quietude, I left the box uncovered, that I might more easily
secure the next I saw. The stillness proved treacherous, however ; for in a few
moments, looking, I found it had flown. But I did succeed in bringing home two
examples ; which, with examples of the other forms, I despatched, by post, to Mr.
Scott, the same evening." — April Ibth, 1882.
Lee : \st Mai), 1882.
P.S. — Si}ice \vz"itiiig the foregoing, on the 24th xilt., I have ob-
served the exit of a few of the infant larvre from the egg in its upright
position on the peduncle, and I am, therefore, not certain that the
mode stated above is a true one, becauBe by my examining the con-
tents of the bottle, some of the leaves may have fallen on others bearing
the eggs, and thus have produced the result I there witnessed. It will,
therefore, be necessary for further observation to determine which of
the two modes is the natural one. — J. S.
* As I sent away to Mr. Scott, by post, immediately on my arrival at home, all that I had
gathered that day, these observations were, of necessity, verj' ha.stily made, and contained many
mistakes. I afterwards found that the " ovate shields " were not adherent, as I had supposed,
but were perfectly mobile, wandering larvje, with .six short log.s, crouching close and flat to the
leaf, but ready to crawl rapidly away, when disturbed. I found them, too, of various degrees
of development ; .some not appreciably larger that the pedicelled ova, whence they had been
doubtless just hatched, and some fully ■\ inch long. From the fact that some of the largest had
the abdomen of a rich green hue, and a pair of over-lapping j)la:cs developed hindward from each
sidn of the thorax, which I conclude to be the wing-sheaths. I presume these to be pupa-;
but thev were active and locomotive as the others. — P. H. G.
1882.) 07
Distribution of the genus Platypleura : a coro-ection. — In the report of the
Proceedings of the last meeting of the Entomological Society of London {ante p. 48)
I am described as having " alluded to the genus Platypleura as occurring nearly all
over the veorld." I certainly did not make this statement, as the genus is absent
from the Wearctic, Neotropical and true Australian regions. Its area, however, is
still extensive, the tropical parts of Africa and Asia being its head quarters, though
in the first it is found as far south as the Cape, and in the second as far north as
China. It is also found throughout the Malayan Archipelago. What I ventured
to observe in my paper, as read by the Secretary, was this : " The more we see of
the Rhynchotal fauna of Madagascar, the greater is the amount of structural spe-
cialization apparent, and its distinct character revealed. This is particularly the
case with the CicadidcB, and every species of the widely distributed genus Platy-
pleura which has yet been received from Madagascar has also proved new to
science." — W. L. Distant, East Dulwich : 1st July, 1882.
Eupteryx vittatus, Linn. — In a shady corner of my garden grows a patch of
ground-ivy (Nepeta glechomaj about two yards square, and on this, at tliis time,
JLupteryx vittatus is not uncommon. I have no doubt, seeing the pupa-skins are
there, that this is the food-plant of the species, which, although often found in
woods and other places among herbage, has not, as far as I can discover, ever been
identified with any particular food-plant. It probably feeds on other LahiatcB, as
do other species of the genus, but, whether or not, its association with this plant is
worth noting as an addition to a group of allied species of insects correlated in
attachment to related species of plants, whether by their respective evolution or not.
-J. W. Douglas, 8, Beaufort Gardens, Lewishain : Sth July, 1882.
Occurrence of Molanna palpata, McLachl., in Perthshire. — I have just taken a
few specimens of the above caddis-fly at Lochan Creag Madaidh on the Grlen Lyon
hills ; the level of the Lochan is about 1750 feet above the sea. — James J. King,
Fortingal, Perthshire : ^rcl July, 1882.
On Scymnus Pedtenhacheri, Muls., an additional British species, and some other
British Coleoptera. — Among some doubtful beetles from the collection of Mr. Wil-
kinson, of Scarborough, now in the possession of Mr. Mason, of Burton-on-Trent, I
found a specimen of a Scymnus that I could not determine. M. Brisout de Barne-
ville has kindly named it for me as Scymnus Redtenlacheri, Muls. {hisignatus,lio\\.),
a species new to the British list. Mr. Mason has since found several more speci-
mens under the name of S. limhatus, and it is quite possible that Mr. Wilkinson
may have distributed the species as S. limlatus. S. Redtenlacheri is, however, very
distinct from the true S. limhatus ; in fact, it belongs to a separate group, Neplitis,
Mulsant, of which we have only one representative, S. quadrilunatus. 111., which
has been struck off the British list, although there seem to be one or two specimens
extant that rest on good authority.
S. Pedtenbacheri is a small insect (| lin.), of long-oval shape, with long grey
pubescence, sometimes entirely black, but usually with a longitudinal curved band
of a red or yellowish-red colour on each elytron ; all the specimens I have seen
possess this band ; the legs are entirely of a pale j^ellow colour.
G8 [AugUMt,
I have only a single specimen of Sci/mnus limbatus (the only one of our generally
received species with which it can be confused) to compare with S. Eedtenbacheri ;
this is a type specimen from Mr. Rye's collection, kindly lent me by Mr. Mason :
the two species may at once be distinguished by their very different, shape, and by
the colour of their legs ; according to Mulsant, this latter character is not always to
be depended upon, but it is most marked in the specimens before me, S. limbatus
having dark pitchy legs with yellowish tarsi, and the legs of S. Eedtenbacheri entirely
of a light yellow colour ; the almost round shape of S. limbatus, however, compared
with the long-oval shape of S. Eedtenbacheri, affords a character by which the two
species can be easily distinguished.
There are two other species of Scymnus which have been put forward for a place
in the British list, viz., S. lividus, Bold, and 5'. arcuatus, Rossi.
The claim of the former species rests on a single example found on the Northum-
berland coast by Mr. Bold, which, from the description (Ent. Annual, 1872, p. 91),
will probably turn out to be only a variety of one of the known species, which are
very variable.
With regard to S. arcuatus, a single specimen was brushed out of old ivy near
Market Bosworth by Mr. Wollaston, who had previously found it in some numbers
in Madeira. It is placed in the European list between S. Guimeti, Muls., and S.
impextis, Muls. It appears to be a very distinct species, "the elytra having in com-
mon two horse-shoe shaped whitish-yellow lines, open towards the front, and of
•which the lower encloses the upper " (Ent. Annual, 1873, 33).
Many of the Scymni are so obscure, and apparently vary so much, if we may
judge from Mulsant's long descriptions (Cole'opteres de France, Scymnierid. pp.
210 — 266), that it is quite possible we may have several more of the described
European species in Britain.
While mentioning Mr. Bold's S. lividus, it may perhaps not be out of place to
ask if any Colcopterist knows what has become of Mr. Bold's collection. Anchome-
nus quadripunctatus, De Gr., and Tachys quadrisignatits, Duft., rest, as British, on
single specimens taken by Mr. Bold very many years ago. There is no reason why
a species should not be admitted on a single specimen ; but if, after the lapse of a
large number of years, no further specimen has been found, it is but reasonable to
conclude that in some way or other the species may have been imported, or that
some mistake may have been made. With regard to Tachys quadrisignatus, it ap-
pears to be quite probable that, after all, Mr. Bold's insect may be a light variety of
the common T. bistriatus, especially as the former insect, according to Du Yal, is
very variable.- -W. W. Fowler, Lincoln : July 7th, 1882.
Polystichus vittatus and other Coleoptera near Hastings. — I have pleasure
in announcing that I have taken a single example of the former at Pett beach, a
locality certainly seven miles from Bopeep. Although I worked hard for about two
hours, I failed to get more. My brother, Mr. H. F. Collett, obtained for me Trox
sabulosus by turning up the soil under a dead rabbit, in Guestling Wood. I am
just now taking Athous difformis plentifully of an evening under my dining room
window. One evening, between 8.30 and 9.30, 1 got as many as 14 ! — E. P. Collett,
St. Leonards-on-Sea : July ISfh, 18S2.
1882.] 69
Note on Oodemas cenescens, Boh. — I observe that, according to Dr. Karsch,
Oodemas cBnescens, Boh. {CossonidcB) occurred to Dr. Finsch at Olinda. Is it possible
that " Olinda" is here a misprint for " Honolulu," whence Boheman states that he
procured the species ? I have taken several species of Oodemas at Olinda {vide
Annales de la Societe Ent. de Belg., 6th July, 1878, and Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xvii,
p. 199), but not CBnescens. If it be really a fact that Dr. Finsch took on Maui the
veritable species obtained by Boheman near Honolulu, the certainty that such was
the case would possess the deepest interest for me, as my experience goes to show
that no species of the genus is common to Oahu and the southern islands of the
group. — T. Blackburn, Cathedral Close, Honolulu : Zrd June, 1882.
Dipterous larvcB in the human subject. — In compliance with the request of your
correspondent, Mr. William E. A. Axon, in the July number of the Magazine, p.
45, I beg to refer him to the following sources of information on the subject in
which he is interested: the Medical Press and Circular for March 15th, 1882, p.
238 ; the number of the same for April 5th, 1882, p. 304 ; ditto, April 12th, pp. 314
and 325 ; ditto, April 2Gth, p. 368.— J. A. Osboene, M.D., Milford, Letterkenny :
1*^ Juli^, 1882.
A day's larva-collecting in the Netv Forest. — Whilst on a visit to Lyndhurst at
the end of last month, I had the opportunity, in company with my friend Mr. Free-
man, of Plymouth, of having a day's larva-collecting in the vicinity. It was evident,
from the denuded state of the trees, that larvae were abundant, and such proved to
be the case.
Oak produced a number of miscellaneous larvee, the most noteworthy being
Liparis monacha, Nyssia hispidaria, and Cymatophora ridens, all commonly ; the
lichen-covered branches, a few Lithosia quadra ; beech, the young larvae of Demas
coryli; and the stunted sloe bushes, Thecla hetulce and Aleucis pictaria.
The most interesting larva, however, which we beat out was dislodged from a
large oak in the open forest. The larva resembled, in a marvellous degree, a piece
of detached lichen, and we were both at first glance much puzzled as to the species.
On close examination we were of opinion that it was the larva of Catocala proinissa,
and Mr. Buckler, to whom we sent it, recognised it as one of the varieties of that
species figured by Hiibner.
In the afternoon we entered one of the enclosures for Limenitis Sibylla and
Argynnis Paphia. After a diligent search we found two full-grown larvse of the
former, both resting on the upper-surface[.of leaves of honeysuckle. The larvae of
Argynnis Faphia were by no means scarce, crawling over the dead leaves in open
places, in search, no doubt, of their food plant ; and, to judge from the way in which
the violets were eaten, the larvae must, at an earlier date, have been indeed abundant.
Mr. Freeman found a pupa of this species suspended from a piece of honeysuckle
whilst searching for the larvae cf i. Sibylla. I may remark that perfect insects
were extremely scarce. — A. H. Jones, Shrublands, Eltham : 19th June, 1882.
Carposina, H-S., referable to the Tortricina. — Whilst recently investigating a
peculiar group of the Conchylidm, which is represented by several genera in Australia
70 [August,
and New Zealand, I huppeiied to discover that the European genus Carposina,
H-S., usually placed amongst the Gelechidce, is truly referable to this same group.
That it does not belong to the GelechidcB is sufficiently proved by the separation of
veins 7 and 8 of the fore-wings, which in the Crelechida and (Ecophoridce are invari-
ably stalked ; the long straight porrected palpi and peculiar venation of the hind-
wings also remove it from those families.
The group of the Conchylidod in question is represented in Australia and New
Zealand by the genera Paramoypha, Jleterocrossa, Bondia, Oistophora, and Coscin-
optyrha. All these agree in the following characters, viz. : — the fore-wings have 12
separate veins ; the hind-wings have only 6 veins, of which 3 and 4 rise from a point
or short stalk, 5 from upper angle of cell, 6 free ; the fore-wings are unusually
elongate and narrow, always with tufts of raised scales ; the hind-wings are un-
usually pointed, and the cilia often long. Carposina exactly accords with these
characters, except that veins 3 and 1 of the hind-wings appear to be separate, which
is, indeed, the only point of generic separation from the genera mentioned. The long
porrected palpi (differing somewhat in the sexes, as also in others of the genera) and
the rather peculiar costal strigulse ai-e additional points of resemblance, which make
the relationship unmistakeable. In superficial colouring and marking the species
very closely resemble Paramotyha and Heterocrossa.
The species of this group are so curious, and at first sight so little suggestive of
the usually broad-winged Tortricina, that it may be necessary to explain that there
is another Australian group, represented by the genera Heliocosma and Hyperxena,
which affords a clear transition to the ordinary type of the ConchylidcB.
The relationship of Carposina to the Australian fauna is so interesting that I
thought it worth while to point out the mistake made in its location.— E. Meykick,
Christchurch, New Zealand : April 20th, 1882.
On some Hymenoptera of the sandy districts of Hungary. — In the description
of the insect-fauna of the spring I mentioned that the air was but little aninuited,
but now (summer) the case is altered. Euzzings, chirpings, creakings — the mingled
hum of the swarms of insects all around — are fit to put an entomologist, especially
a Hymenopterist, into a state of ecstasy. He should have a hundred hands not to
miss anything of value. The heat is indeed excessive, on the colder spots 40° Eeauni.,
or more ; the sand burns the hand laid on it to such a degree that it is involuntarily
withdrawn ; there is no shade, not the smallest cloud on the deep blue sky, and yet the
condition is not intolerable. On the contrary, one breathes free and easy, for al-
though the air is very hot it is very dry ; the pores of the skin are fully active, and
by the rapid evaporation of perspiration the skin is always cool ; and I can truly
say that to me the excursion to these steppes did not differ from a stay at a bathing
place, for I left the place, after six or eight weeks, mentally and bodily invigorated
and refreshed.
Scarcely have we put a foot on the sand when we arc surrounded by Benihex
olivacea, F. This grand white species of SphegidcB follows us everywhere in our
walks. It flies round us, its circuit becoming always smaller, and finally it settles
on our coat. Its tone is a monotonous plaint, just like that of Eristalis tenax. As
wo proceed onwards the Bemhex circles round us more and more, Hying about like
1S82.] 71
white snow-flakes. Soon they settle on our sleeres, shoulders, arid back ; and yet one
cannot capture them, for they parry every motion of our net aimed at them. They
are also very wary when on their favourite flowers — EupJwrbia Gerardiana, Cen-
taurea arenaria, Eryngium campestre, and Marruhium peregrinnm.
They are most easily caught in the vicinity of their nests. If one comes to a
place quite destitute of vegetation, where the yellowish -white ground covered with
loose sand has in it a hundred or more holes side by side, there is the colony of
Bemlex. They place themselves at the mouth of the holes, and with an invisible
yet fabulously rapid motion of the feet tlirow the sand backwards, so that it appears
as if blown by bellows, and it falls down in the form of a streak about a span wide.
Their prey is always a Dipteron. One has here nothing more to do than to scatter
the sand with his feet, so that the holes are covered, then the home-comers cannot
easily get to their nest and betake themselves to digging. More continue to come
home, and soon a whole swarm like snow-flakes flies hither and thither. Now I
seize the net, strike rapidly about ten times, swinging it backwards and forwards
close to the surface of the ground. By such means the capture does not fail, and it
is also announced by the plaintive tones in the net.
Other species occur, but they cannot be taken in this manner. Here Stizomor-
pkus tridens, E., makes its nest, and among them, here and there, the deceptively
similar Larra hungariea. Fried. : they can only be captured when sedentary on the
ground. Both species always prey on Homoptera and have an entirely similar
mode of living. Stizomorphtis tridens occurs in greater number, Larra hungariea
only sparely. We stir not hence being in expectation of catching a splendid Chrysid.
We look witli watchful eyes on the sand and are happy wlien we see a dark -looking
fly approach with slow flight. It alighted on the hole of a Bembex and quickly glided
i'". ; it soon returned and sat for some seconds at the mouth of the hole until it was
expelled by a returning Bemhex ; then it arose with a heavy flight about a metre
higli and settled two or three paces off on the sand. We cautiously approach it
with the net but it flew farther away ; fortunately it cared not for further flight but
remained still near at hand ; finally we got near enough and were able to throw the
net over it. As soon as it felt our fingers it rolled itself up and feigned death. Now
we were able to give a glance at it : — it is the $ of the splendid Chrysid Parnopes
canieus, Kossi, which is parasitic on Bemhex. Mostly only the ? is obtained ; the
<? (which has more abdominal segments) is found earlier on the flowers of Centaurea
arenaria and thistles, but is always very scarce. Once, at the end of August, I
found a (? in a Bembex nest engaged in pairing. — Peof. Eael Sajo, in Entomol.
Nachrichten : January \st, 1882.
Matabele Land and the Victoria Falls : a Naturalist's Wanderings in
the Interior of South Africa. From the letters and journals of the late Feank Oates,
F.R.G.S. Edited by C. Gc. Oates, B.A. London, 1881.
It is only of late years that books of travel have contained more than an
occasional passing reference to Natural History, or at least to Entomology ; but at
the present day, it is not often we take up one from which some useful information
72 [August. 1S32.
respecting insects may not be derived, -while many, like the work before us, Tvill
always retain a permanent scientific value.
Frank Gates, whose last travels are recorded in the present work, when a young
Entomologist was settled at Leeds, he afterwards became a student at Oxford, where
he showed a great taste for out-door exercise and Natural History. After several
premonitory symptoms, his health gave way to such an extent as to compel him to
renounce his hopes of a successful University career ; and on his partial recovery, he
undertook his first journey out of Europe to America, where he spent a year, travel-
ling chiefly in Guatemala and California. Soon after his return from America, he
set out again for South Africa, with the fixed intention of reaching the Zambesi.
During the early part of his journey, he was accompanied by a brother ; but after-
wards he travelled alone, or with such European travellers as he chanced to encounter.
Unhappily he was detained in the country two years, by the stolid opposition of the
natives, before he was permited to visit the Falls, of which, however, he gives no
account, though he took some striking sketches. He saw the falls to great advantage;
but having been obliged to visit them during an unhealthy part of the year, he was
attacked by fever shortly afterwards, and died at a few days' journey on his home-
ward route.
The account of his journey is compiled by one of his brothers from his notes
and journals. He made extensive collections and sketches, and the book is illus-
trated by numerous coloured plates and woodcuts of scenery, and natural history ;
and the appendix occupies a third of the volume, including Ethnology by Dr.
Rolleston, Ornithology by R. TJ. Sharpe, Esq., Herpetology by Dr. Griinther, Ento-
mology by Prof. Westwood, Botany by Prof. Oliver, and a list of Mahalaha "Words
and Phrases from F. Oates' note books. The section of Entomology, which is
what chiefly concerns us here, consists of a complete list of the butterflies taken (72
species), an account of the more important moths, and general notes of the insects
of other orders, with notices and figures of three new beetles, and the Tsetze Fly.
This appendix includes 65 pages of text, three beautifully executed coloured plates,
and one plain plate, representing details of external anatomy. The body of the
work likewise contains occasional references to Entomology ; thus the plate opposite
p. 143 shows on one side a native oven, formed of a termite-hill, the lower portion
of which is hollowed out, and filled with wood, which is set on fire, and when con-
sumed, renders the receptacle an admirable oven, retaining its heat for a great length,
of time. On p. 135 a woodcut is given of a termite-hill which was no less than 18
feet high.
The Student's List op British Coleopteiia. Mr. Pascoe sends us the
following : "In your review of my little work, " The Student's List of British Coleo-
ptera " (p. 46 ante), you say " our author is very severe on writers of ' unrecognisable '
descriptions ;" but the reasons given in a note, which related exclusively to the
older writers, are that they were " made without a knowledge of allied species," and
that " the most important points of structure remain unnoticed." I did not com-
plain of " writers utterly incompetent," nor of others " fully competent " who failed
to impart their knowledge to others. I did, however, complain of descriptions
"pour prendre date," the writers, I believe, confiding to the protection of an absolute
rule of priority whereby the most diagnostic notice serves the purpose."
September, 1SS2.] 73
A PEOBABLE CLUE TO THE HABITS OF CHAULIOBUS
INSECUEJSLLUS, STAINTON.
BT H. T. STAINTON, F.E.S.
I do not liiiow wlietlier there have been any recent captures of
this insect, but so far as I am aware it has never yet been bred.
The possible habits of the Larva have long occupied my attention,
but it is only within the last twelve months that I have attained a fresh
idea as to its mode of feeding.
I may premise that the earliest known captures of ChaiiUodus
insecicrellus were erroneously recorded in the Zoologist for 1848, p.
2035, under the name of Chauliodus Illigerellus (a vei*y different and
much larger insect) ; the two specimens which formed the subject of
that notice " were taken by Mrs. Stainton and her sister, on the downs
near Stoats' Xest, on the 31st July, 1847," and I then added, "I am
unable, not having caught them myself, to speak with certainty as to
what plant they were beaten out of, but most probably out of the
junipers, as we thrashed the junipers most assiduously for Cochylis
rutilana, of which I was fortunate enough to obtain five. Mr. "W.
Shepherd also took a specimen of this insect off the junipers at the
same place, the following week."
In preparing my first Catalogue of British Tineidae and Ptero-
phoridfe (published in 1849), I realized that these little specimens of
a Chauliodus taken at Stoats' Nest were not the veritable Illigerellus,
and I proposed for them the name of insecurella (in this Catalogue
they stand in the genus Elacliista under section A). I then mentioned
that I had again met with it on the downs at Stoats' Nest, August
16th, 184S, but was still uncertain as to the plant that it frequented.
I have no record of the number of specimens I caught on that
occasion, but two of those captures and the two specimens of July
31st, 1S47, are the sole representatives of the species now existing in
my collection. During a period of 34 years I have made no fresh
captures of the insect.
The description which I gave in the Zoologist for 1848 (not having
then fine specimens before me) is of little use, and unfortunately I
am hardly better satisfied with the description 'n\ the Insecta Britan-
nica volume, for the points of distinction on which I am now disposed
to lay the most stress are not there alluded to.
Of late years several new species of the genus Chauliodus have
been described by the German and French Entomologists, and in
74 I Septernlier,
Staudinger-Wocke's Catalogue, Herrich-Schaffer's Ch. dentoseUns, fig.
967, V. p. 20S is given as a synonym of my insecurelhis, an opinion I
am not prepared at present to endorse.
One, however, of the recent novelties, Chauliodus iniquelhis, de-
scribed by Wocke in the Stettin, ent. Zeitung, 1867, p. 209, from
specimens found near Breslau on the flowers of Athnmanta oreoseliniim,
in the middle of July, seems to come so near to insecwellus that I
thought it possible they might prove identical, I am, however, now
of opinion that this is not the case.
In August last year, Monsieur A. Constant, who is now settled at
Golfe Juan (not far from Cannes), sent me a box of Micro-Lepidop-
tera for determination, and amongst the species sent was Chauliodus
iniqtiellus, which he said he found in the larva state in September
feeding on the seeds of Peucedanum officinale and cervaria, but re-
maining in the pupa state all through the winter, spring, and summer,
the moth not appearing till the following month of August.
In my reply I mentioned this and Ch. stricteUus as species in
which I was much interested, and on the 27th October, Monsieur
Constant having just returned from an excursion in the Esterel
mountains between Cannes and St. Raphael, very kindly sent me some
pupae- of both these species, remarking that I might expect the
strictellus to emerge very soon (which they did on tlie 6th and 8th
November), but that for the iniquellus I must have patience, as the
moths would scarcely appear before August, 1882. He accounted for
this extreme difference of habit owing to the larva of iniquellus feed-
ing only on the seeds of 'Peucedanum, latc-flowcring plants which do
not blossom till near the end of summer, whereas strictellus is not
restricted solely to Peucedanum but feeds also on other umbel liferse
(such as Ferula), which are in full vegetation at the end of October,
so that the perfect insects have no difficulty in finding opportunities
of depositing their eggs.
These pupse of iniqtiellus I kept indoors in a cool place through-
out the winter and on the 7th of July, when starting for a tour in
Scotland I took them with me ; true to their appointed time the first
appeared July 19th, two more July 29th, two others August 6th, and
two others August 12th after my return home, I have, therefore, now
before me a series of iniquellus, of my own setting, which I can better
compare with my specimens of insecurelhis, and I come to the conclu-
sion that the two species are imdoubtedly distinct.
It is notorious to any one who has devoted a little attention to
this genus that some of the species have the anterior wings more or
less falcate, such as lUigerellus (to which Haworth gave the name of
faJciformis) and chceroplajJlellus, whereas in others, as pontificellus,
ochreomaciilellus, &c., the hind margin is more or less rounded. Now
iniquellus belongs to the latter, insecurellus rather to the former sec-
tion ; at any rate, the hind margin of the cilia from the apex appears
straight and not at all rounded at the apex as in iniquellus.
In insecurellus the basal portion of the anterior wings seems
decidedly paler than in iniqriellus and contains three black dots (not
mentioned in my previous descriptions) placed thus : one on the sub-
costal nervure, one beneath it on the fold, and the third and smallest
one placed rather more posteriorly nearly midway between the other
two, I believe I can trace these dots more or less distinctly in all my
specimens of insecurellus, whereas in the bred specimens of iniquellus
I see no symptoms of them.
Herrich-Schiiffer's figure of Ch. dentosellus shows no indication
of these three black dots ; moreover, he says it occurs near Vienna
in May and June, a period of appearance which would ill accord with
insecurellus, so that on these two accounts I would prefer for the
present to consider detitosellus as distinct from insecurellus.
The larva of iniquellus being a seed-feeder must be much less
exposed to observation than the leaf -feeding larvae of this genus. In
localities where Heracleum spliondylium grows commonly by the road
sides, and Chauliodus cluerophyllellus occurs, the presence of the larvae
of this species as revealed by the browned leaves of the Heracleum
becomes quite a featui'e in the landscape.
As the larva of insecurellus has hitherto escaped observation, I
strongly suspect that it must be a seed-feeder, and very probably, as
with iniquellus, the larvae which feed up and pupate in autumn do not
appear in the perfect state till the end of July and beginning of
August.
In Dr. E-ossler's last work on the Lepidoptera (Die Schuppen-
fliigler) of Wiesbaden he has a notice of CliauUodus iniquellus, at p.
318, which is very suggestive. "The imago is not scarce in woods
near Mombach, in July, on and around the flowers of Peucedanum
oreoselinum. If we wish to breed it, all we have to do is to carry home
the umbels of ripe seed in October. Afterwards we shall find amongst
them on the ground numerous small pupae without any cocoons. Any
traces of the larvae in the seeds or stems have not been observed."
I must here repeat my best thanks to Monsieur Constant for his
most acceptable present of pupae of Chauliodus iniquellus, the new
notions thus obtained seem now to have brought us within measure-
able distance of the diaiiovery of the larva of Chauliodus insecurellus.
76 ; September,
I shall be very glad to hear from any Entomologist who has made
any recent captures of the insect. Its old locality must I fear have
long since been extirpated by advancing cultivation, if not by bricks
and mortar, but no doubt it occurs on other chalk downs, where shelter
for unfortunate Micros is afforded by the growth of juniper, and
where JJmbelUfercE of some sort blossom and go to seed.
Mountsfield, Lewisham, S.E. :
August lith, 1882.
DESCRIPTION OF a NEW SPECIES of PENTAT0MID2E FROM JAPAN.
BY W. L. DISTANT.
In writing on a small collection of Blnpichotn from Tokei, Japan
(Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. [July], 1881, p. 28), I recorded a species of
JPentatomUlcB as Tropicoris metallifer, Motsch. ?, remarking that my
two Japanese specimens appeared to agree well with the descriptions
of Motschulsky and Oschanin (the latter author having renamed and re-
described the species), with the exception of the colour of the apex
of the scutellum ; I have, however, recently received a specimen of
T. metallifer fi'om the Amur, and find that the Japanese forms con-
stitute a very distinct species, which I here describe.
Tbopicoris japonicus, n. sjj.
Body above metallic-green, body beneath and legs pale reddish, membrane pale
fuscous, with the nervures darker. Head very thickly and coarsely punctate, with
the eyes ochraceous. Antennjs, with the 1st and 4th joints, pale reddish ; 2nd, 3rd
and base of 4th joints fuscous ; 3rd joint longest, 1st smallest, 4th a little longer
than 2nd (5th wanting). Pronotura coarsely and densely punctate, sub-rugulose at
base, lateral angles produced into somewhat broad and flat processes, their apices
slightly concave, the apical angles obtusely spinous, the anterior spine longest and
most produced, lateral angles distinctly serrate, and, with the margins of posterior
angles, pale reddish ; two small, irregularly rounded, ochraceous fascisB near an-
terior margin. Scutellum thickly and coarsely punctate, and sub-rugulose at base.
Corium very thickly and finely punctate. Abdomen above dull reddish. Membrane
pale fuscous-hyaline, appearing darker at base, from reflection of abdomen, the
nervures darker. Abdomen beneath bright pale reddish, the sternum somewhat
ochraceous. Prosternum coarsely punctate, particularly at lateral angles. Legs
speckled with fuscous. Stigmata black. Rostrum ochraceous, its apex pitchy and
reaching the base of 4th abdominal segment.
Long. 17 mm. ; lat. pronot. angl. 11 mm.
Hab. Tokei, Japan.
This species is closely allied to T. metallifer, Motsch., but differs
by the very different structure of the pronotal angles, the concolorous
apex of the scutellum, different colour and structure of the an-
tennae, &c.
Selston Yillas, Derwent Grove, East Dulwich : .¥
Aiiffti.it, 1882. •'c^ .1
/ *t
1882.1 77
NATUKAL HISTORY OF ENNYCHIA ANGUINALI8.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLER.
In tlie belief that no description has been heretofore published of
the larva of E. anrjuinalis, I am induced to think the following account
of it from the egg may be acceptable, and here ] must thankfully
acknowledge that it is entirely due to the kind and friendly co-opera-
tion of Mr. "W. R. Jeffrey in sending me the largest share of a small
batch of eggs he was lucky to obtain from the parent moth he had
captured, that I am enabled to give this history.
I received the eggs on the 9th of August, 18S1 ; eleven of them
were laid on leaves and on a bract of the blossom of Origanum vulgare,
and four on a leaf of Mentha arvensis, singly, and one ovei"lapping
another ; though they were very flat when first laid, as Mr. Jeffrey
informed me, yet I found they had begun to swell and by the next day
tad filled out considerably, and on the 17th four of them hatched, and
another on the 20th, but no more.
The larvae moulted three times, the first moult occurring when
they were eleven days old, the second moult when twenty-five days
old, and the third moult at the age of thirty-eight days ; from this
last moult the period of maturing varied from thirteen to seventeen
days ; the latest hatched individual was full-fed on 17th of October,
just six days behind the others.
At Mr. Jeffrey's suggestion I tried Thymus serpyllum at first with
two larvae, and they took to this food very well as long as the supply
lasted, tlie others equally well to Origamivi, feeding on the cuticle of
the leaves during the first three days and thus caused small trans-
parent blotches, and on the fourth day began to eat small holes quite
through the substance of either leaf.
About the end of the month I found only four alive, as one of
those two that had previously fed on thyme^a food I was unable to
provide any longer — had died, having refused the marjoram, although
its companion soon took to it, and the others had thriven well on it
from the very beginning of their career to tbe end ; eating more and
larger pieces from the leaves as they grew bigger, and latterly whole
leaves would be consumed, but only those of a medium size, for they
seemed not to caro for the lai'ger leaves nor the smallest, nor tlie
blossoms.
They very cleverly kepc themselves concealed by spinning their
light hammocks in such an artful manner as to draw a leaf or
two partly round the stem of their location so as to appear like a
natural disposition of'Ulvuit growth ; and so fine and thin was the silk
78 [September,
spun under the leaves, that though of whitish colour it never showed
at all conspicuous, w^hile it served to veil the full depth of the larval
colouring ; indeed, the whereabouts of a larva could only be guessed,
by noticing pieces absent from the neighbouring leaves, as it was very
seldom I could detect one while it was stretched out a little beyond
its residence in the act of feeding.
When full-fed they wandered restlessly for two or three days,
and then one spun itself up in a cocoon attached to the top of its cage
and to the leno cover, another spun its cocoon in a piece of hollow
stem provided for it, one in the leaves of marjoram, and the fourth I
accidentally squeezed, so that it was ujiable to spin and eventually
perished ; and I learned from Mr. Jeifrey that a similar untoward
mishap had befallen one of his only two larvae just when he had
brought them to maturity.
From the larvae reared between us, three examples of the moth
were bred, the earliest by Mr. Jeffrey on 8th of last June, and two by
myself, probably somewhat later, as they had both died before I had
observed them.
The egg of ancjuinaUs is round and flattened, becoming more and
more convex and plump above as the embryo develops ; the surface
is very finely pitted or reticulated, of a whity-greenish tint and
slightly glistening ; the day before hatching the darkish head of the
embryo shows through the shell.
The newly-hatched larva is of a transparent flesh-colour, slightly
tinged with pinkish-grey, with a grey-brow'n head and neck plate, and
on the rest of the body most minute dusky dots and hairs ; it becomes
pinkish w'hen a week old, and very active.
After the first moult it is semi-transparent tinged with dark pur-
plish-pink, which increases towards the end of this stage, and its
hammock is very transparent.
After the second moult the larva is of a deep purplish brown-pink
colour, the skin less transparent than befoi'c, except the plate on the
second segment, which is translucent, glossy and gi'eenish, finely freckled
with black, the head similar but with browner freckles on the face ; the
spots on the body are very distinct, large, black, and glistening, while
the purplish-brown skin is dull and opaque ; ten days later, when seen
in repose it seems short and almost black, though when disturbed and
eager to escape it stretches itself out to S| mm., and is then seen to
be much more slender, and tapered at either end ; the colouring of the
head and second segment is as before a rather olive-green, but the skin
on other parts appears to be a very dark smoky-green, and slightly
clisteninsx at the serrniental divisions. A'y
1882.) 79
lu about ten or eleven clays after the third moult its full growth
is attained, and the length is 18 mm., its stoutness in proportion, taper-
ing from the third segment to the head, also at the two hinder segments ;
beyond the thoracic each segment is subdivided by a deep wrinkle
across the middle of the back and again by one nearer the front and
another nearer the end, the two central portions, bearing the trape-
zoidal large roundish spots, are very plump, a similar spot is on the
side, another beneath the spiracle and another is lower and farther
behind, near the belly ; the colour of the head and second segment is
bright olive-green and very shining, the lobes of the head are marked
on the crown with black and with fine black freckles on the face, the
plate is also finely freckled with black, all the rest of the body has a
very dull purple skin relieved by large black and minutely wrinkled
spots, especially while the larva lies at rest, but when roused up into
activity the purple hue still becomes a little neutralized by the green
interior, this change of colour seems to be caused by extreme tenuity
of the skin at such times, when it allows the green to show partly
through, and to glisten slightly at the divisions and increase the soft
lustre of the black spots ; when, however, the larva shortens itself
and the skin shrinks, it obscures the green beneath, much as the skin
of a purple grape obscures the green pulp within ; each spot bears a
fine hair ; the spiracles are small, round and black ; the anterior legs
green, the ventral and anal legs are translucent and almost colourless.
The cocoon is of whitish silk, which, after a few weeks, turns of a
light flesh-colour, its shape is oval, about 11 mm. long, and composed
of a coarser outer structure and a more compact and finer texture
within.
The empty pupa-skin was found to have nothing remarkable iu
its form but a rounded knob at the abdominal tip furnished with
widely diverging, fine, curly-topped bristles attached to the lining, its
length being 7 mm. ; in colour darkish brown and rather shining.
Emsworth : August IQth, 1882.
A CONTEIBUTION TO THE LIFE HISTORY OF SPERCEEUS
EMARGINATUS.
BY THE EEV. W. W. FOWLEE, M.A., F.L.S.
About the 16th of last May, Mr. Billups kindly sent me two live
specimens of SpercTieus emarginatus taken at West Ham. I put them
into a glass globe of water to watch their habits : the first thing that
struck me was the peculiar way in which they walked on the under-
80 [Sepembcr,
side of the surface of the water, exactly like a fly on the uudtr-side
of a pane of glass ; a thin film of air contained between the abdomen
and the projecting sides of the elytra seemed to serve as a kud of
float, and support them.
On May 19th, I was very pleased to see that one of the specimens
had developed an egg-bag : the bag is formed of a tough ■whitish
membrane, and covers the whole of the abdomen : at fii'st it was con-
tained within the projecting sides of the elytra, but by May 25th, it
had swollen beyond them : on May 28th, it was very much swollen,
and the shape of the eggs (a long oval) was quite visible ; unfortu-
nately, I did not look at the beetle again for two or three days, as I
was much occupied, and, therefore, missed the hatching period, but on
May 81st, I found that the egg-bag had disappeared, and that a num-
ber of larvje (about 100) were hatched out. I at once noted that, al-
though so entirely different in shape, they walked on the under-side of
the surface of the water back downwards, exactly like their pai'ents :
occasionally, they would crawl below upon the plants, but did not stay
for long, and immediately on letting go their hold of the plant, they rose
rapidly to the surface : apparently, it is impossible either for the larvae or
perfect insects to go beneath the surface of the water unless they can
manage to cling to some plant and crawl down ; on examination of
some specimens of the larvse mounted in glycerine jelly, I found the
tracheae very largely developed, and the quantity of air thus contained
within the body would explain the fact ; the trachea? end at the tail,
through which the insect apparently mainly breathes : it never, how-
ever, assumes a perpendicular position like the larva of the gnat, but
always keeps a horizontal one, with all its legs at the surface, and
its tail curved upwards to meet the air.
I hoped to follow the insects through further stages, and divided
them into three lots, but, by June 5th, all the first lot had died, and,
by June 9th, the second lot, all but one or two, had died also ; on
June 10th, I found out the reason, for I caught them in the act of
devouring one another, an operation for which their huge jaws pecu-
liarly fitted them. I then separated the very few remaining out of
the three lots, but it was of no use, as the last died on June 12th.
The original beetles are now (Aug. 9th) well and thriving, and will,
I hope, continue so, as Mr. Billups tells me that a railroad is likely to
be run through the locality they came from, and that Spercluus is
likely again to become in time one of our greatest rarities.
The lai'va is so peculiar, especially as regards its mouth joarts, that
I got Mr, Matthews to dissect it, which he has done with his usual
1882.]
81
skill, and has also furnished me with his drawings, and the chief part
of the appended description : so little is known of the larva) of the
various species of Coleoptera, in spite of their characters being so im-
poi'tant for classification, that the addition of even one or two full
descriptions may prove of great use.
The following, then, is a detailed description : —
Head very large, rounded, with short, straight, filiform antennse, consisting of
three almost equal joints (fig. 6). Body elongate, rather narrowed anteriorly, con-
siderably widened behind middle, conical towards the extremity, with two prothoracic
segments divided by a very indistinct suture, three metathoracic segments divided
by two equally indistinct sutures,
and seven abdominal segments,
of which the first is considerably
the largest. The last segment of
the abdomen carries two small
knobbed processes, and each joint
is furnished with strong setae.
Legs rather long and slender,
with the trochanter of the hind-
leg divided transversely in two parts
(fig. 7) ; tibim narrowed towards
apex, widened at the base, with a
few long setae on each side : tarsi
one-jointed, carrying two claws of
unequal length.
The mouth parts are very pe-
culiar (especially the maxillary
palpi, which are almost unique in
shape), and, therefore, deserve a
separate description : —
The maxillary palpi (fig. 2a)
are four-jointed, and have the basal
joint very enlarged, with a hollow
cavity on the inner-side covered
with a membrane, from which a
long point or style proceeds, like
another lobe ; the second joint is
very short, the third double the
length of the second, and the fourth as long as the other two together.
The maxilla (fig. 2b) is unilobed, sharply pointed, with a flat surface in the
middle, fringed with hairs on either side. The mandibles (fig. 3) are very large and
slender, each with the apex divided into two very strong and very sharp hooked
teeth, the upper being the longest ; there is also a blunt tooth about half way
between these and the base of the mandible.
The mentum (fig. 4) is balloon-shaped, broadly rounded in front, and constricted
Rt base, with a strong fringe of incurved hair on each side M'ithin the outer edge :
g9 ' [September,
the apical edge is broadly excised ; it seems to bear a considerable resemblance to the
so-called mask of the dragon-fly ; the labium and ligula are concealed behind the
mentum, and only the points of the labial palpi and ligula are visible.
The labnim (fig. 5) is very large, rounded, and convex, with a few small teeth
on each side, and a row of fine sCtte about half way from the base.
The insect always carries its formidable mandibles wide open, and is evidently
carnivorous.
Lincoln : Auffust 10th, 1882.
NOTES ON THE NEUROPTERA OF LANGDALE.
BY J. J. KING.
On August 3r(l, 1881, I left London for a holiday at the English
lakes, having selected Skehvith Bridge, which is about three miles
from Ambleside, as my head quarters.
During the month of my sojourn I found the English lake dis-
trict to have rather a depressing effect on the spirits of the anxious
collector who is eager to be at his work, owing, in a great measure, to
the abundant supply of rain, which at times continues without inter-
mission for four days (my experience), and causes the river to rise
many feet above its usual level, covering up the bushes and herbage
along its banks, so that all collecting along the margins of the river
has to be suspended for a few days, until the ground gets into a fit
state to walk upon.
In a moderately dry season I should think that the district would
turn out well for Neiiroptera, as there is a very great variety of land
surface, &c., but my captures were not very extensive, owing to the
wet season.
On the afternoon following my ari'ival, I went down to "Winder-
mere lake to search for Setodes argentijnmcieUa, McL., the type
specimens of which had been taken by Mr. Hodgkinson, near
Windermere lake, but I was unsuccessful in obtaining it near the
lake ; Mr. McLachlan having shewn me a number of specimens of
this species that he had captured in Belgium, during July, along the
banks of a small river, I thought I might obtain it if I made a
search along the Brathay river, and towards evening I was rewarded
■with a number of this beautiful little creature, which abounds near
Brathay Church.
I only captured some 84 species, excluding the PerJidas and
EphemcridcB (which are not worked up yet), most of them being more
or less common ; but among the Triclioptera one novelty fell to my
net, namely, a new Hydroptila.
Below will be found a list of the species taken.
1882.] 83
PSEUDO-NEUEOPTEKA.
PSOCIDJS.
Clothilla pulsatoria, L., very common in the house.
Psocus longicornis, Fab., a few were taken along the Brathay river, and also
near Eydal water. Ps. nebulosus, Ste., common everywhere. Ps. variegatus, Fab.,
rare, near Dungeon Ghyll. Ps. sexpunctatus, frequent on the road to Dungeon
Ghyll. Ps. hifasciatus, Latr., common near Grasmere lake and Brathay river.
Stenopsocus immaculatus, Ste., abundant everywhere.
Cacilius Jlavidus, Ste., common all over Langdale. C. ohsoleius, Ste., rare in
Langdale. C. vittatus, Dalm., frequent.
Peripsocus phmopterus, Ste., frequent.
Elipsocus Westwoodii, McL., abundant everywhere. E. hyalinus, Ste., equally
common with the last. E.Jlaviceps, Ste., common.
ODONATA.
Sympetrum striolatiim, Charp., common. S. scoticum, Don., rai'e.
Lihellula quadrimaculata, L., a few specimens were observed sporting over some
pools on Loughrigg Fell.
Cordulegaster annulatus, Latr., not common.
^schnajuncea, L., frequent. ^. cyanea, Miill., with the last species.
Pyrrhosoma oninium, Harr., on every pool.
Agrion cyathigerum, Charp., about Grrasmere lake and Eydal water.
NEUEOPTEEA-PLANIPENNIA.
Sialis lutaria, Linn., a few. S.fuliginosa, Pict., not common.
Sisyrafuscata, Fab., abundant about Grasmere and Eydal water.
Micromus paganiis, L., common everywhere.
Hemerohius micans, Oliv., common. H. huniuli, L., abundant. H.marginaius,
Ste., a few specimens along the Brathay river. S. limhatus, Wesm., frequent. S.
suhnebulosus, Ste., on trunks of apple trees near Skelwith Bridge.
Chrysopa fiava. Scop., common. Ch. alia, L., common everywhere.
Coniopteryx tineiformis, Curt., and C. aleyrodiformis, Ste., both species were to
be had by beating.
Panorpa germanica, L., common.
TEICHOPTEEA.
Phryganea varia, Fab., common near Elter water.
Limnophilus marmoratiis, Curt., common all over the district. X. lunatus,
Curt., common everywhere ; on the south side of Eydal water it is excessively
abundant, each tap of the beating stick dislodging scores of this species : I caught
some hundreds of it to see if I could get variety in wing-markings, but did not find
a specimen that differed much from the type. L. centralis, Curt., also very com-
mon. L. sparsus. Curt., abundant.
Anaholia nervosa, Curt., not common.
§^ [Suptcuiber,
Stenophylax stellatun, Curt., abundant.
Halesus radiatus, Curt., a few were taken on the Bratliay river.
Drusus annulatns, Ste., rare.
Sericostoma personaiutn, Rpence, a few specimens occurred.
Goera pilosa, Fab., at Elter water, but rarely.
Silo pallipes, Fab., common.
Crunoecia irrorata, Curt., three specimens were taken.
Lepidostoma Mrtum, Fab., common everywhere.
Leptoceriis alboguttatus, Hagen, very common near Skelwith Bridge. L. ci-
nereus, Curt., not so common as the nest. X. aterimus, Ste., abundant. L. bilineatus,
L., at Elter water. L. alhifrons, L., among the rushes on Elter water. L. dis-
similis, Steph., not common.
Mystacides nigra, L., not common. M. azurea, L., common. 31. longicornis,
L., also common ; a nice yellow variety of this species occurred, in which the dark
markings are nearly obliterated.
Tricenodes bicolor, Curt., common, by sweeping the reeds on Elter water.
(Ecetis lacustris, Pict., common at Elter water. (E. testacea, Curt., with the
last. CE. furva, Eamb., rare at Elter water.
Setodes argentipunctella, McL., common along the Brathay river.
Hydropsyche lepida, Pict., a few were taken along the Brathay river. S. giU-
tata, Pict., common everywhere.
Philopotamus montanus, Don., rare on the Brathay river.
Wormaldia suinigra, McL., rare in the same locality as the last.
Neureclipsis himaculata, L., two specimens.
Polycentropusjlavomaculatus, Pict., common. P. Kingi, McL., rare.
Holocentropiis picicornis, Steph., frequent.
Cyriius trimaculatus, Curt., common everywhere. C.fiavidus, McL., rare on
Elter water.
Tinodes waneri, L., common on all the streams.
Psychomyia pusilla, Fab., a perfect pest.
Chimarrha niarginata, L., a few on stones on the bed of the Brathay river.
Rhyacophila dorsalis, Curt., always turning up when it was not wanted.
Olossosoma vernale, Pict., common.
Agapetus fuscipes, Curt., common.
IthytricJna lamellaris, Eaton, along the Brathay burn.
Hydroptila, n. sp. I believe that this species was taken among the rushes on
Elter water.
Oxyethria cosialis, Curt., and Orthotrichia angtistella, McL., both occurred
along the Brathay burn.
207, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow :
June, 1882.
1882.] 85.
ON THE SPECIFIC IDENTITY OF TEEIAS SEC ABE AND T.
3IANDARINA.
BY H. PETER, C.M.ZS.
For the second time I have bred the full black bordered Te> ias
Secahe from eggs laid by the extreme foi'm of T. Mandarina ; the
latter is simply the form uuder which this species hibernates.
Some five years ago I succeeded in breeding a few specimens, all
of which were good typical Secahe, from eggs laid in the early spring
by Mandarina, but hesitated in publishing the fact until I had con-
firmed it by further observations.
T. Mandarina only appears about Yokohama in the autumn and
after hibernation in the spring, the intervening broods being Secahe.
A decided difference is observable in specimens according to the
altitude at which captures are made, the Mandarina form appearing
much sooner towards autumn in the mountains than on the plains.
We may, therefore, conclude that temperature is the cause of the
differences in form, size, and coloration of this extremely variable
insect. This insect having been described uuder many names, I pro-
pose uniting all under the name of Terias mulfifrons, and in a paper
in course of preparation will give a list of its synonyms.
Yokohama : ^rd June, 1882.
HYMENOPTERA AND EEMIPTERA AT DEAL IN JULY AND
AUGUST, 1882.
BT EDWARD SAUIS'DERS, F.L.S.
I have just returned from Deal, where I have been staying for
about three weeks, during which time I have done my best to get
together as many rainties as possible. The late Mr. P. Smith always
regarded Deal as one of the best localities for Symenoftera in this
country, and, knowing the many scarce species that" he took there, I
was very glad to have an opportunity of collecting on the same ground.
I think I may say that I found the larger proportion of the species
that be mentions as occurring there, but two or three which he found
in abundance were totally absent, so far as I was able to discover.
The year in which Mr. Smith found his best things was 1857, and he
gives a full account of hi^ captures in the Entomologists' Annual for
1858. No doubt that year, as he says, was unusually hot and sunny,
and this year has been thus far less sunny than usual ; still, I did not
have a single wet day whilst I was at Deal, and I was certainly sur-
prised at the absence of some species and the scarcity of others which
86 ' September,
one expected to find in abundance. I may take the following as
examples of divergence in the experiences of Mr. Smith in July and
August, 1857, and myself in July and August, 1882.
HYMENOPTERA.
Andrena Ilattorfiana. Smith says : " The fine red variety, and
also the black, in about equal numbers ; in all, thirty fine specimens
of the female, the male we were too late for. All were taken on the
flowers of Scabiosa arvensis.'' This year the black variety of the $
was common, but I could not get a single coloured one ; I got the c?
also, but not so commonly, and only when first I arrived, about the
20th of July : at that time both sexes frequented the flowers of
Centnurea scahiosa, but, later on, when Scabiosa arvensis n'as in full
bloom, although the Centaurea was still out, they appeared to visit S.
arvensis almost exclusively.
A?idrena Cetii. — " This pretty little species was plentiful on the
scabious ; we found every variety, including the ' ajfinis,' of Kirby —
the male varieties include the A. frontalis of Smith" (Smith). Of
this insect I could not find a single specimen. The weather was fine,
the scabious abundant, and the time of year and locality the same as
when Smith was collecting, but no Cetii could I find.
Andrena simillima. — " Extremely abundant on the flowers of the
blackberry ; this species was taken at the foot of the cliffs, half a
mile beyond Kingsdown " (Smith). This species also I could not find,
but I expect I did not go far enough along the coast for it.
Andrena coifana. — " Very plentiful " (Smith). I did not meet
with it.
JVomada J acobccce " in some numbers" (Smith). I did not meet
with it.
EpeoJus variegatus. — " Taken plentifully " (Smith). I found it,
but very rarely.
Cilissa leiiorina "on the slope of Kingsdown it abounded"
(Smith). I only found one worn (J.
If there were any doubt as to the locality or the time of year the
absence of these species might be explained, but Mr. Smith, in his
article in the Annual, says : " During the latter part of July and the
beginning of August," and describes the locality at Kingsdown so
exactly, that it could not be mistaken ; the only difference in the
place seems to be that in 1857 the ground above the slope at the side
of the road between "Walmcr and Kingsdown was waste, and now it is
cultivated, but the slope itself remains in its natural state. I also
took the following, which I think are worthy of notice : —
1881! , 87
Pompilus clialyheaius, ^ , and Wesmaeli, (^ $ , on the sandhills.
The latter species, with the curious spine in the middle of the venti'al
A'alve of the apical segment of the abdomen of the ^ , has only occurred
in this country before at Chobham.
Miscophus marltimus, 2 (^ and several $ on the sandhills.
Tachytes lativalvis, Thorns.?, ^ . I have taken 3 (^ of a Tacliytes
with the pubescence of the face bright golden. This peculiarity
Thomson gives as a characteristic of his lativalvis, but I only got the
one sex, and do not yet feel quite certain that it may not prove to
be a variety of pectinipes.
Prosojns dilatata, both sexes common on Achillea millefolium.
Colletes marginata, a few ^ , by sweeping, and several ? off the
flowers of Trifolium arvense, repens, and aqrariiim, on the sandhills, but
difiicult to see, as it frequents such very low growing plants.
Cop.lioxys acuminata, 4 $ from a small sandy pit near Kingsdown.
HEMIPTERA.
In this Ox'der I did not capture many rarities, as my time was
almost exclusively devoted to the Symenoptera; Mr. E. P. Collett spent
one day with me, and worked more particularly for them, and, from
the result of his day's work, I should think that this year was not
below the average for the Heteroptera. Amongst my better captures
were :
Odontoscelis fuliginosus, on the sandhills.
Calyptonotus lynceus, on. the sandhills, but chiefly in the larval
form. I only got 2 perfect and Mr. Collett 1.
Teratocoris Saundersi, in the same locality where I took it in
1868, and apparently confined, as then, to one spot, i. e., the small
rushy tract just when first one enters the open ground beyond Sandown
Castle, which is strewn with large stones. I took ^ and $ , only 2 of
the latter fully developed.
Miridius quadrivirgatus, 2 specimens by sweeping.
Plagiognathus Bohemani, and nigritulus, the former commonly,
the latter rarely, on the dwarf sallows, by sweeping and by grubbing
at their roots.
Globiceps salicicola, Rent. ? (Ent. Mo. Mag., xvii, p. ItS), rarely, on
the dwarf sallows, by searching among the stems and at the roots. I
could not get it by sweeping. I must express my great doubt as to the
distinctness of this species ivom Jlavomaculatus. Renter lays stress on
the shape of the basal spot of the corium, but in the specimens I have
(8 males and 12 females), the shape of this spot varies in both sexes
from a basal triangle to a lateral vitta, extending to the apex of the
gg [September,
corium, and triangularly widened at the base ; also the carina at the
back of the vertex is distinctly curved as in flavomaculafus. Is it
possible that Jlavomacul at us also lives on the sallow, or is saUcicola a
northern form, perhaps, oijlnvomaculatus ? I will send examples to
Dr. Renter, and obtain his views ou them.
Nabis Jlavomurffinatus, 1 developed $ , by sweeping.
Holraesdale, Upper Tooting :
lUh August, 1882.
Cocci and earwigs. — I have on my red currant bushes some colonies of Lecanium
ribis, A. Fitch, which year after year increase and multiply, that is, in some years
there are more absolutely than in others, and in one year they abound on one bush,
and in one year all but leave it and appear on another. I speak only of the females,
for the male I have never been able to find in any stage of life. The species seems
distinct enough, the shell being separable by its characteristic structure from that of
others of the genus resembling it, and it seems to be confined to the red currant,
except that I have found occasionally, on an adjacent Acacia, one or two which I
believe to be of the same species, but they do not occur on any other ti*ee. Their
manner of life is in this wise : in the early spring (February or March) the eggs are
hatched under the hibernated maternal shell, which was in the year previous fixed
on the older branches, generally under the protection of loose bark, and although
the young ones soon come out from the cover, they remain close by, and for many
■weeks grow very slowly, remaining soft, shell-less, and of a dingy light brown colour.
About the middle of May the shell becomes well defined on the growing or full-
gi'own form, assuming a light brown colour, and having several dark brown streaks J
or shades, the shape being broad-oval, slightly convex. Then they gradually become
more convex, the diseoidal wrinkles appear, the smooth central ridge more distinct,
and the colour changes to deep, shining, sealing-wax red, which is maintained
throughout the following winter.
Up to the 15tli of June this year the shells, growing and even full-grown to the
limit of the penultimate condition above mentioned, were numerous, but then almost
all disappeared, and I was puzzled to account for their absence. But, looking closely
one day at the end of June, I saw, at the place where a Lecanium had been a few
days before, two young earwigs engaged in demolishing the last remains of the
departed. It is perhaps hazardous to say in this case " ex nno disce omnes," but I
think it not at all improbable that among their capabilities the Forficulm are cocci-
Toroiis. If this theory be correct, then earwigs may be added to the list of benefi-
cial insects recommended by Mr. Comstock as desirable to encourage in districts
infested with injurious CoccidcB.
In his description of L. ribis, Asa Fitch has stated that, in the State of New
York, it is common on the red currant, and that he supposes it was imported with
plants of this fruit from Europe, which may possibly be true, although it is added,
no European author has indicated any Lecaninm livmg on currant bushes. (Signo-
noret. Ess. Coch.. p. 462). As far as he was able to judge from some ? examples
which I sent to him, and without knowing the $ , Dr. Signoret believed this species
to be distinct from any other described one. — J. W. Douglas, 8, Beaufort Gardens,
Lewisham : August 10th, 1882.
1S82.] 89
Eupteryx vittatus. — In confirmation of the note in the August No. (p. 67,
ante), I may mention that on a large patch of ground-ivy, in a wood not far from
here, I found, this morning, Eupteryx vittatus in the stages of larva, pupa and
imago, the latter in some numbers. — E. A. Butler, Hurst Green, near Hawkhurst :
August 1th, 1882.
Leptidia hrevipeniiis, Muls., found in England. — Some little time ago, I received
a Longicorn, very like a Ilolorchus, from Mr. Chappell, of Manchester, who said
that Mr. Eeston, of Stretford, had taken it in some numbers ; it was, however, very
different from any other British Longicorn when examined closely, so I sent it to
M. Fauvel, who named it as Leptidia brevipennis, Muls., an insect that seems to be
peculiarly French. I therefore wrote to Mr. Eeston, asking him for any particulars
as to its capture, and he replied as follows : " During the July of 1880, one of my
servants brought me two specimens taken in the garden at the back of the house
(the only two specimens then noticed). Last July, however (1881), two or three
more were captured, and a day or two after they called my attention to the fact that
numbers (dozens in fact) were creeping upon the floor in the scullery ; upon ex-
amination, I traced them to an old basket used for potatoes, and generally kept
under the slopstone, and consequently moderately damp ; in this they show their
presence by numerous small round holes about the size of a pin's head." After I
wrote to him upon the subject, Mr. Reston submitted this basket to a professional
basket maker, who pronounced it to be evidently " of French make from Dutch
willows." I think that this history well deserves recording, as there can be no
doubt that several of our Longicorns, and many other CoJeoptera besides, have a
still more slender claim than the beetle above mentioned to be considered indigenous.
Had the captures outside the house alone been noticed, and had Mr. Reston not so
thoroughly investigated the matter, the insect might very probably have found its
way into the British list, especially as it is an insect that might very well be found
in Britain, and is very likely at some period or other to become naturalized. —
W. W. FowiEE, Lincoln : August 9th, 1882.
Stridulation in the female of Parnassiiis Apollo. — In the evening of the 23rd
of July, while reclining on the grass near Bannio (Yal Anzasca), a rustling as of
lizard or snake close to the back of my head made it desirable to look round to see
what was going on there. An apparently drowsy P. Apollo hanging on by her fore-
i feet to a composite flower, deprecating the menacing brim of my hat, was slowly
flapping her wings, and scraping the hinder pair with her four posterior legs, which
were thrust backwards simultaneously each time that the wings opened. Obstruction
to the movement of the fore-wings caused no hindrance to the production of the
] sound ; but when the hind-wings also were held firmly between the linger and thumb,
the noise ceased. The insect became so wide awake at this stage of the proceedings,
that no further observations could be made ; but it seemed probable tliat friction of
the spines of the tibiae and tarsi over the wing-veins largely contributed to the
vibration of the wing membrane. — -A. E. Eaton, Chepstow Eoad, Croydon : 18^A
August, 1882.
Acronycta alni near Bristol. — While collecting in Leigh Woods to-day with
90 [September,
Captain Shelley, I was mucli pleased at taking a full-fed larva of A. alni from sweet
chestnut. The larva was at rest on the npper-side of a leaf, and, with the sun
shining on it, presented a beautiful and conspicuous object. — W. K. Mann, Clifton,
Bristol : Aitgnst 17ih, 1882.
Variation in Zygcena fiVipendula. — I have made further enquiry respecting the
varieties of ZygcBnafilipendulcE, mentioned in the June No. of this Magazine, of the
Rev. C. Wilkinson, by whom they were reared. He has collected all over his
parish — Castlemartin — for the last ten years, and fully agrees with nie that Z.
trifolii is not to be found within some miles of the locality in which he collected
these larva. Therefore, hybridism can have nothing to do with the present case of
variation. (I may add that, as a matter of private opinion, that I have no belief
■whatever in the — supposed — effect of hybridism in producing varieties. I am quite
aware that where insects swann cases of abnormal union are occasionally observed,
but all the experience to which I have any access is opposed to the belief that
perfect insects, in any but the rarest cases, result from these unions).
As suggested by Mr. Briggs {ante, p. 43), the specimen without the sixth spot
is a $ , and the spot is only very faintly indicated beneath ; the other specimen — with
indistinct sixth spot — is a $ , and the spot is distinct beneath. — Chas. G. Baeeett,
Pembroke : 12th July, 1882.
Destruction of Lepidoptera hy rain. — A very short time ago I had occasion to
remark incidentally on the destruction to larvae caused by heavy rain. An instance
of its effect on the perfect insects has just pressed itself most strongly and un-
pleasantly vipon me ; I suppose that when much ice is reported in the North
Atlantic, these islands generally are sure to be visited with abundant and heavy
storms of rain, but this west coast most decidedly bears the heaviest brunt of them.
This has been the case lately, the rain has come down in such torrents that insect
life could barely endure it. After a series of these storms, the 29th of last month
proved a lovely day, and I seized the opportunity of passing through Canastar
Wood to look for a few of the ordinary wood-flying Geometrce, which were wanted
for a local museum. The residt was nil. As far as I could judge, every Geometra
was destroyed except a few that had just emerged. Even Melanippe montanata had
disappeared from the wood, though still common in the sheltered lanes. There
were a few Camptogramma hilineata, but only a few, and they were quite fine ; two
Cidariu populata also turned up, equally fine ; and I found one really interesting
species — Eup>ithecia deliliata, two specimens, just out ; the first flew from among
Vaccinium, but I obtained the second by following Mr. Birchall's advice of long ago,
" beat holly hard." This is a new locality for this very local species. — Id.
Odour emitted hy the male of Hepiahts hectns. — When at Canastar Wood, as
already mentioned, I found at early dusk ITepialus hectus, evidently just emerged,
and in most perfect condition, flying in plenty. As it is extremely local in this
country, and as I wanted series for the museum, and one or two other collections, I
secured as many as I could during the few minutes of its flight — some forty males
and four females. To the fortunate circumstance of taking so large a number
18S2.] 91
perfectly fresh, I attribute the discovery of a fact which I have not seen recorded —
that this species, when in fine condition, diffuses a very decided perfume, almost
exactly the same as the perfume given off by the larva of Papilio Machaon, when
its curious forked tubercle is extruded, and more like that of ripe pine-apple than
any other perfume that I know of. I noticed it faintly when turning the moths out
of the pill-boxes, but when a number were pinned into a box it became very
noticeable indeed. It was confined to the male moths, and seemed especially to
come from the curious bladdery termination of the aborted hinder legs, but of this
I am not positive. It certainly does not continue to be observable when the moths
get worn. I suspect that it has some connection with the curiously inverted habits
of the sexes in Hepialus, and seems to attract the females. — Id.
Captures of Lepidoptera in Yorkshire. — On Saturday last, August 5th, I found
a larva of Acronycta alni on the Upper-side of an oak leaf, in Edlington Wood, near
Doncaster. Images of Thecla w-album were plentiful in the same wood, but worn,
and evidently nearly over. On the bank-holiday, Monday, August 7th, the York-
shire Naturalists' Union made an excursion to Grassington, in Upper Wharfedale.
Erebia Blandina was flying in great abundance on all the grassy slopes in the Grrass
Wood, and I could, in such places, net as fast as box them. Hundreds must have
been secured by different collectors, and hundreds more might as easily have been
taken. Mr. E. P. P. Butterfield, of Bingley, took, on the same ground, a specimen
of Miana expoUta, a species quite new to the county of Yorkshire. But although
some few interesting species have occurred, it is, I think, thus far in Yorkshire, the
worst season for Lepidoptera I ever experienced. — Geo. T. Poeeitt, Huddersfield :
Auffust 8th, 1882.
Scoparia conspiciialis, Hodg ., near Doncaster. — This morning I received several
specimens of this species from Mr. Brest, of York. Previously I did not know the
insect, but on opening the box saw directly that it was perfectly familiar to me, and,
on looking over my store boxes, I at once picked out seven nice specimens. I took
them cei'tainly two, and probably three, years ago in Edlington Wood, near Don-
caster, and am pretty sure I have seen the species on the same ground each season
since, but have always passed it over as a form of ambiffiialis. Probably, when its
distinctive characters are well known, it will prove to be common enough. — Id. :
August 17th, 1882.
Laverna atra. — Between 7 and 8 o'clock on the evening of the 16th inst. my
attention was arrested by a swarm of 20 or 30 small black moths performing an
ecstatic dance over a gooseberry-bush growing under the spreading branches of an
apple tree, each individual settling repeatedly for an instant on one of the terminal
leaves of a branch, and then darting off again. This temporary insanity lasted only
about five minutes, and then all was still. I soon came to the conclusion that this
was a lei'ee of lords in waiting, thus showing their devotion to an attractive queen
hidden in the recesses of the leafy bower, or, in the more prosaic phraseology of the
old Aurelians, they were male moths engaged in a " 'sembling match." During the
fit I managed to capture six of the Lotharios, and found, afterwards, they were all
92 [September,
males of the black form of the Laverna atra of our lists, not one of them, nor
indeed of any that I had seen, having any of the light colour on the inner margin of
the fore-wings, indicating what we specially know as L. atra, the dark form being
reputed to be a variety of it.
The larva of the light-marked form is said to feed on hawthorn-berries, in Sep-
tember, that of the black one in budding shoots of apple in February and March
(Stainton's Manual, ii, p. 399). In the spring I have seen such larvse in the spurs
of apple trees on which the blossoms normally grow, but which, by the action of the
larvsB, are aborted. The autumnal larvae in the haw-berries I have not seen, nor do
I know if the black moth is ever produced therefrom, I get it only out of apple trees.
Neither am I prepared to give an opinion as to the specific identity or distinctness
of the two forms, which certainly are not specially separable respectively into sexes.
There may have been here, as in other instances, a concomitant continuous divergence
of plants and insects from an aboriginal stock, till species were established.
But whether there be now one or two species, or whether the dark form be
Haworth's Recurvaria atra or not, which is to me a moot point, in any case it is
clear, I think, that the moth with the white vitta along the inner side of the fore-
wings cannot be regarded as the type of his i? . atra, which he thus describes : —
"Alls anticis toto atris, posticis toto nigris, ciliis profundissime plumbeis ;" and then
follow two varieties : /3, " Alis anticis margine interiore obsolete cinereo. An dis-
tincta species ?" J, "Alis anticis stria sen vitta, a basi marginis tenuioris post medium
usque ad costam, alba" (Lep. Brit., p. 554). Curiously, the latter is cited as the
type of Haworth's species, but if the light-marked form (the var. y of Haworth) be
proved to be distinct, it will want a name, unless indeed it be the Alucita Sellerella
of Duponchel, as Staudinger and Wocke put it (Catalog., p. 319, jS^o. 2584). Ela-
chista ptitripennella, Zeller, is also citeA by them as a synonym of L. Hellerella.
L. atra, type, is not mentioned. If, therefore, our dark form be specifically distinct
from the light one, and it be not accepted as the R. atra, Haworth, it also will be in
need of a name.* — J. W. Douglas, 8, Beaufort Gardens, Lewisham : July 2Qth, 1882. i
Larva of Coriscium sulphurellum.— 'Ernst Hofmann, in his " Verzeichniss wiirt-
tembergischer Kleinschmetlerlinge," published in the " Jahresheften des Vereins
fiir vaterl. Naturkunde in Wiirttemberg, 1882," says of C. sulphurelhim, " Larva in
May in cone-shaped leaf-ends of honeysuckle. Pupa in a flat, oval cocoon."
As this was quite news to me, I have sought diligently in other recent publica-
tions for confirmation of it.
Snellen, in his " De Ylindcrs van JSTederland," of which the Micro-Lepidopterous
portion, extending to 1118 pages large octavo, appeared this year, saj-s of C. sulpha-
rellum, " Larva still unknown." Bossier, in his " Schuppenfliigler " of Wiesbaden,
published 1881, says of this species, " Once taken at the beginning of July near
alders, on which, according to Nolcken,tho gelatinous-looking dirty white larva with
a brownish head feeds in cone-shaped leaf-ends ; according to E. Hofmann on
honeysuckle."
* It is possible that Herrich-Schaffer's Tebenna vinolentella may be intended for our black
apple feeder, which I have myself bred from larvje found in the middle of Jlay, in the stems
which bear the cluster of apple-blossoms, but lierrich-Schaffer says "found on vines in July." —
H. T. !?.
1882.] 93
T)irning then to Nolcken's " Lepidopterologische Fauna von Estland, Livland
und Kurland," of which the Micro-Lepidopterous portion appeared in 1870, we read
that " on the 24th July, 1862, I obtained a specimen from a larva which I had not
noticed more closely. This lived, if I am not mistaken, on alder, and was gelatinous-
looking dirty white, with transparent internal canal and brownish head." Nothing
is, however, here said of how the alder leaf was treated, the cone-shaped leaf-ends
mentioned by Eossler (though likely enough if the insect really fed on alder) is not
information supplied by von Nolcken. Moreover, the latter throws an air of doubt
over the specimen having been really bred from alder, by saying, " if I am not mis-
taken," a parenthesis which is not quoted by Rossler.— H. T. Stainton, Mountsfield,
Lewisham : August \Qth, 1882.
Gelechia maculiferella at Lewisham. — A week ago I could have said not only
! that I had never taken this insect, but that I had never seen it alive on the wing
(having only once seen a living bred specimen). On the evening of Saturday last,
August 12th, walking by the side of a hawthorn hedge, I noticed some dark grey
moths on the wing, which I could not at a glance recognise ; having no net in my
hand, I made use of my hat, and was startled to see for a moment (for he was soon
out of my hat again) a specimen of Gelechia maculiferella. Being near home I
went and fetched my net, and as long as the day-light lasted I was fully occupied
boxing this species, and secured 16 ; perhaps the most singular thing was that I did
not, when boxing them in the dusk, without any clear knowledge of what was in my
net, box a single moth of any other kind. There must have been hundreds on the
wing along that hawthorn hedge that evening !
The weather was not propitious for several of the following evenings, but on
Wednesday, August 16th, though they occurred in much less numbers than on the
previous Satui-day, I secured 9, and last night I boxed 6 more. Amongst the 31
specimens thus captured a fair proportion ai'e females.
The insect, as is well known, belongs to that group of the genus Gelechia which
is attached to plants of the natural Order Caryoj)hyllacecB,xnj bred specimen having
fed in the larva state on Cerastitim semidecandriim , near Frankfort on the Main (it
emerged June 2Gth, 18G3), and it is quite possible that it may feed and thrive on
Siellaria media, a plant which is very generally distributed ; still its occurrence in
such plenty on the wing seems curious, especially when I bear in mind that its close
ally, Gelechia fraternella, which used formerly to be very plentiful in the larva state
in this neighbourhood, has scarcely ever been noticed by me in its perfect state, thus
showing that some of this group, at any rate, lead very concealed lives.
Oddly enough, three specimens which I received from Herr Joseph Mann, of
Vienna, more than 30 years ago, wei-e taken by him on the trunks of haiothorn ti'ees.
Had I not actually hred the insect, I might thus have been led to the erroneous
conjecture from the flight of last Saturday, that the insect had fed upon the haw-
thorn hedge it swarmed along.
For the series of G. maculiferella in my collection I am mainly indebted to
Mr. C. G. Barrett, who supplied me liberally in September, 1874 ; I believe his
specimens were captured near Peckham. — Id. : August \Sth, 1882.
9^ fSeptotnber
Abundance of Lithocolletis platani, Stdgr., at Pallanza. — On the lOtli of last
month (July), I arrired at Pallanza on the Lago Maggiore from the Val d'Anzasca,
and at once set to work to examine the neighbourhood of the town. The elms,
acacias, &c., on the shore of the lake only afforded shade sufficient to make the in-
tense heat more apparent ; so I started for the country along a road that was shaded
on either side by fine plane-trees (Platanus orientalis). Even from a distance it
became evident that the large leaves were dreadfully disfigured by the whitish mines
of some larva, which, for the moment, I thought must be Dipterous. Closer ex-
amination shewed that the depredator was Lepidopterous, that, pi'obably, no leaf
was left unmined, that sometimes at least twenty mines occurred in a single leaf,
and that they were usually on the under-side, but occasionally on the upper-side.
Enquiring subsequently at Paris, " What Lithocolletis mines the leaves of plane-
tree?", I was told it was X. platani, Stdgr., and that I should have collected the
mines wholesale : the latter could have been easily done, but I doubt if any of the
larvae would have survived.
L. platani is a comparatively recently described species. It was first noticed by
Staxidinger, in the Hoi'je Soc. Ent. Eossicse, for 1870, p. 277, and the describer states
it was found by him at Bellaggio, on the neck of land between Lago di Como and
Lago di Lecco (and also by Dr. Kriiper, at Attica, in Greece), that it was in extreme
abundance, and that sometimes forty mines (!) were contained in a single leaf, so
that my own more humble estimate of " at least twenty " is quite eclipsed. Dr.
Staudinger, in a letter to Mr. Stainton, dated August 29th, 18G8, mentions that he
had even found one leaf which contained ,^i(_y;/bMr mines (See " Tineina of Southern
Eui'ope," p. 140).
I find that Emilio Turati, in his " Contribuzione alia fauna lepidotterologica
lombardo " (Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital., 1879, p. 206), records it from Milan and Brianza,
with the remark : " Comunissima sui platani, le cui foglie ne portano parecchie
mine I'una accanto aU'altra nella pagina inferiore."
The following observations occur to me : — Notwithstanding the extreme local
abundance of the insect, it is still sufTiciently rare in collections to be coveted as a
desideratum.
The " Oriental-plane" is not supposed to be a native of Europe (properly so-
called). It is extensively cultivated as a " shade-tree " in all the warmer parts of
Europe. Is its leaf-miner equally widely distributed, but overlooked ?
If a large number of eggs ("at least twenty") be laid on a single leaf, it by no
means necessarily follows that all were laid by the same moth. But some instinct
appears to be at work and causes the eggs (in any case) to be placed so far from each
other as to enable the larvae to avoid entering upon each other's mines : the leaves
are large, so also are the mines. — R. McLachlan, Lewisham : August, 1882.
The Butterflies op North America ; by W. H. Edwards. Second
Series. Part X. Boston : Houghton, Miillin & Co. London : Trubner& Co. 1882.
1882.] 95
The individual parts of this work have, so often as they appeared, been alluded
to by us in terms of almost unqualified approbation.
Some would no doubt wish that the intervals between the publication of each
part were not so extended. Others might qualify this by an expression of opinion
that haste might foster inaccuracy. Mr. Edwards commits himself to no stated
period of publication, and no one will presume to question the nervously-exercised
care exhibited in each part.
Only two " species " are considered in Part X, viz., Sati/riis Alope, F., and
Heliconia Charitonia, L. To the former two magnificent plates are entirely de-
voted. As is usual, Mr. Edwards takes the philosophical view as to what should
zoologically be termed a " species."
In his history of Heliconia Charitonia he has had an opportunity of philoso-
phizing ujjon the habits of the only species of an otherwise extensive genus that
falls within his faunistic limits. We need scarcely remind our readers that the
genus has long been " notorious " in many ways, and much of the information here
given (even for the species) has been discounted ; but all the details are now
before us.
The Part concludes with a commencement (from Papilio to Argynnis) of a
" Synopsis of North American Butterflies ; revised and brought down to 1882."
A critical analysis of the author's views, as enunciated in tliis Synopsis, cannot fail
to be instructive, and especially so, if made in conjunction with that of the writings
of contemporary authors.
Ehopaloceea Malatana, a description of the Butterflies of the Malay Penin-
sular ; by W. L. Distant. Parts I & II, April and July, 1882. London : The
Author, care of West, Newman & Co. Eoyal 4to.
We have before us the first two parts of this truly magnificent work, the incep-
tion of which was due, in the first instance (as the Author states), to Mr. D. Logan,
of Penang. The Author's former residence in the Straits Settlements peculiarly
fits him for the production of a work such as this. Judging from the two parts
already published, it bids fair to take a scientific position far above the ordinary run
of "Butterfly books." The descriptions are clear, and are always accompanied by
copious comparative, geographical, and philosophical notes, showing that the Author
has thoroughly read up his subject. The plates (of which there are four in each
part) are at present in advance of the letter-press, and are in the best style of
chromo-lithography, with occasional supplementary " touching up " by hand, every
species being figured (as are also the more prominent varieties). It might have
been better had the title of the work been limited to that indicated in the second
half of the actual title, the first half being open to a far wider interpretation than
is warranted by the second.
An Illtjsteated Essay on the Noctuid^ or North America, with " a
Colony of Butterflies ;" by Augustus Kadcliffe G-rote, A.M., &c. Pp. 1 — 85,
' with four coloured plates. London : John Van Voorst. 1882. Koyal 8vo.
96 [September. 1S32.
An exact counterpart, so far as external appearance is concerned, of Lord
Walsingham's " Pterophoridce of California and Oregon." The first 23 pages are
occupied by a lengthy Preface, in which is a good deal of rudimentary information,
that might well have been omitted, as already familiar to every Entomologist ; also
very instructive details of the progress of knowledge of North American Nochcidce,
in which the Author modestly gives himself but small credit ; some excessively
severe strictures on a prominent economic Entomologist (the work is dedicated to
another equally prominent) ; and finally, an enumeration of those workers who have
helped the Author, the last named being Mr. George Norman, whose decease we
chronicle below. " Structure and Literature " form the second chapter, and will
repay careful reading.
Then follows " Notes on Mr. Walker's types of North American NoctuidcB in
the British Museum," which are succeeded by descriptions of 45 species, every one
of which is figured. We think it would be impossible to surpass these figures,
either by care in engraving, or by delicacy or truthfulness of colouring, and they
may serve as models in all respects but one. Why will so many entomological
artists persist in considering that Lepidoptera are legless ?
"A Colony of Butterflies" is a dissertation on the manner in which (Eneis
Semidea came to inhabit its isolated position on the top of Mount Washington in
New Hampshire.
It is no secret that bad health has compelled the well-known author of this
little book to give up (let us hope only temporarily) his entomological labours, and
that the extremely valuable collection of American NoctiiidcB formed by him now
forms part of our own National Collection. This latter fact probably explains why
he has elected to print and publish the work in London.
6bituar^.
George Norman died suddenly at Peebles on the 5tli July last, in his 59th year,
he having been born in Hull on the 1st January, 1824. He was educated, in part
at least, in Grermany, and was afterwards engaged in mercantile pursuits in his native
town. In 1843, he first wrote in the " Zoologist," and for twenty years he continued
to send to that Journal occasional notes in all branches of Zoology. After his re-
tirement from business he removed to Scotland, residing, with occasional intervals,
at Forres, and in 1869 and three following years he communicated to this Magazine
copious lists of his captures of Lepidoptera in Perthshire and Morayshire. In 1874
and 1875 he was in Canada, and in our vols, xi and xii are long lists of the Lepi-
doptera he found in the province of Ontario. On his return he devoted his attention
to the Hemiptera of Perthshire and Morayshire, making cautures of many rare
species and some new ones, which are recorded or dcsci-ibed in vols, xv to xviii. In
March last he went to Peebles, intending to work specially at the Hemiptera of that
district, and now we have the sad news of his unexpected end. Sic transit!
Mr. Norman had much of the true spirit of a Naturalist, and was a very
courteous and obliging man, tliinking no trouble too much if he could thereby serve
his friends and the cause of Entomology.
October, 1882.] ' 97
ON SOME POINTS IN THE ECONOMY OF ZAR^A FASCIATA.
BY J. A. OSBORNE, M.D.
On the lOtli of September, last year, I found some larvae of a
saw-fly feeding on the leaves of snowberry in my garden. By the
22nd of the month they had all spun-up, making dark brown (resinous-
looking) cocoons, which, at the end of March and beginning of April
of the present year, yielded four female flies of Zarcea fasciata. On
the 5th of June, following, a fifth female was excluded, besides
these there were, May 30th — June 5th, four ichneumon flies of a
smaller species ; and on June 29th and July 10th, two of a larger
species. All the saw-flies were females and all laid eggs which de-
veloped fnrtlienogenetically. I do not know whether any of these
eggs would have failed to develop for intrinsic reasons, but mauy
perished through unfavourable external conditions. The eggs were
laid singly in mines formed beneath the (upper) epidermis of the leaf;
and, being inserted at the edge of the leaf, formed a sort of beading
round its circumference. As snowberry is not a native plant I offered
some of the flies leaves of honeysuckle (belonging to the same Order),
and elder, and in these likewise they laid eggs which hatched out
in due course ; but the young larvae refused to feed on these plants,
though older ones eat honeysuckle freely enough. I had also eggs
laid in leaves of osier and oak ; and I have no doubt these flies would
oviposit in almost any practicable leaf, and that the eggs would hatch
if due conditions of moisture, &c., were maintained. Some eggs that
were laid loosely in the pots, and were never in any leaf at all, I reared
on pieces of glass by keeping them constantly moistened with pure
water in a covered vessel. I likewise repeated the same experiment
successfully with the eggs of Nematus rihesil (ventricosiis, KL). The
growth of the egg, theu, by which it attains about three times its
original size, can only be due to the imbibition of water, and owes
nothing to any nutritive juices derived from the plant. In the case
of Nematus, indeed, it is hard to see how anything but moisture
could be derived from the plant, as no incision in the leaf is made,
and the eggs are simply deposited on the under-surface of the nerves.
After four moults the larvae spun up among surface-clay and leaves:
but although the earliest cocoons were made on 18th May, no flies
have been excluded from any of them yet. It is probable, therefore,
that the insect is not double-brooded as I at first supposed, and that
the development of my last year's cocoons was hastened by their being
kept in the house all winter. At present (2ud September) I find the
98 ' LOctobcr,
larvae iu great abundance on tlie snowberry bushes in my garden. I
am not consequently in a position yet to say anything positive as to
the sex of the parthenogenetic brood. Most of the larvae, however,
attained fully the size of those last year from which I got nothing but
female flies. In the case of IV. rihesii, when the larva? are fed-up it is
easy to distinguish the males from the females by the difference of
size, the former being about f the length and i the bulk of the latter.
A similar and equally marked differentiation into two sizes was
observed among the full-fed larvae of Zarcea, but very few of the
smaller ones succeeded in making cocoons — many, indeed, of both sizes
perishing at this stage.
The saw is of the usual S- or sabre-shape, with the distal con-
vexity looking ventrally or forwards. Each sheath is barred trans-
versely with lighter and darker (chitinous ?) lines. The saw" itself is
not entirely separable from its sheath, as figured by Eeaumur in the
case of other saw-flies ; but is connected with the sheath by short
(muscular ?) ligatures, running from the lighter (inter-chitiuous) bars
of the sheath to the back of the saw. The operation of making the
mine and depositing the egg, which occupies 1\ — 2 minutes, is very
easily witnessed, especially in the more transparent snowberry leaf,
with the aid of a lens. The fly sits on the edge of the leaf holding it
firm between the apical spines of the posterior tibiae. The ovipositor
being inserted under the epidermis is first thrust backwards, parallel
with the edge of the leaf, to its full extent, and then swept round till
it lies again under the edge of the leaf in front of the point of
insertion, which is situated rather behind the middle of the mine — the
saw all the while playing with short quick strokes, which gives it
somewhat the appearance of watchwork running down. The mine
so made has a shape or contour not unlike that of the human stomach,
the place of insei'tion (of the saw) corresponding to the cardiac
orifice of the stomach, and the anterior portion of the mine answer-
ing to the pyloric end of the viscus. The ovipositor is next brought
back to a position midway in the mine and at right angles to the
axis of the fly ; and after a short delay the egg descends between
the two blades with its long axis also at right angles to that of the
fly. The egg is green in coloiir, and in shape crescentic with the
horns rounded-off. AVhile it is between the blades of the ovipositor
the lowermost end (in advance) would correspond with what should
be the posterior or caudal end ; and the concave edge, looking for-
wards, with the ventral surface ; supposing its parts to have the same >
relations as the eggs of other insects. 13 at when the egg is escaping
1882.] " 99
from the blades o£ the ovipositor it makes a turn of 90'^ in the mine,
by which the first-laid end comes to look forwards (i. e., in the direc-
tion of the head of the fly), and the concaye side to look upwards
(i. e., in the direction of the back of the fly) ; and so the position of the
egg comes to be exactly the reverse of what it would have been if
simply extruded backwards in a line with the parent. Nevertheless,
the convex side, or what in the case supposed would have been the
dorsal aspect, becomes the seat of the development of the embryo.
Having withdrawn the ovipositor, the fly presses together the lips of
the wound with the two valvular pieces between which the ovipositor
lies when not in use, possibly having injected some glutinous liquid
by means of which the aperture is obliterated. The mine is now a
closed cavity, and, as the egg grows, shows like a little blister on the
leaf. Generally no change whatever takes place in the parenchyma,
but in a few instances I have observed a growth of rather large
globular cells bursting off the epidermis covering the egg ; and
indicating perhaps a transition to gall-growth. I am not able as yet
to say positively which end of the egg is occupied by the head of the
embryo, but in all cases observed the ventral side of the embryo lay
along the convex side of the egg, development commencing as usual
in the Articulata (and Vertehratd) on the neural side. [v. Huxley,
Anat. of Invert., p. 667]. But at a certain stage in the development^
the embryo will be found doubled-up in a loop with its ventral side
occupying the middle ; the first half of the dorsum, lying along the
concave side of the egg, now become straight by the growth of the
egg ; and the posterior half along the convex side, while head and tail
are in contact.
This is the position of the Lepidopterous larva immediately before
hatching (P. hrassicce, Smnia cratcegatn, &c.),and how it gets into this
position, if it develops in the usual arthropod way, is a point which I
have only seen adverted to by Kowalevski. Speaking of the
development of Sphinx populi and Gastropacha pini, he says (Embry-
olog. Studien an Wiirmern und Arthropoden. Memoires de I'Acad.
imp. des Sciences, &c., p. 56) : — " Wenn der Eiicken schon gebildet
ist, biegt sich das Schwanzende des Embryo auf die Bauchseite und
zwar so, wie wir schon beim Hydrophilus gesehen haben. Dem
Hinterende folgend, dreht sich der ganze Embryo so, dass er jetzt der
ihn noch bedeckenden serosen Hiille den Eiicken zuwendet, und die
Extremitaten erscheinen nach innen gerichtet. In diesem Zustande,
mit fast vollstandig ausgebildeten Organen, bleibt der Embryo voll-
standig in dem ihn umgebeuden Dotter, den er nun vei'mittelst der
100 [October,
unterdessen vollstaiidig ausgebildeten Mundorgane zu verschlucken
beginnt * * * ,Jie * Larve liegt [jetzt] schrau-
benformig auf der Bauchseite zusammeugerollt bis sie das Chorion
zerreisst und ins Preie gelangt." The Zarcea embryo, at any rate, does
not get into the loop position by any molar movement of this sort.
"When the posterior end of the growing embryo has reached the remote
end of the e^g, it is bent ventrally on itself, and so groics forwards till
the tail comes to be in contact with the head. As the length of the
embryo still continues to increase, the head is withdrawn to about the
middle of the straight or up])er side of the egg, and the larva, about
to hatch, lies in a spiral, with the tail opposite the head on the other
side of the body. It turns its sharp mandibles towards the shell, bites
at it and draws it in till it is pierced, and, by means of a foot thrust
through the opening, draws the flexible chorion still more within the
power of the mandibles, which soon effect an opening large enough
for its escape. This ingrowth ventrally of the caudal end of the
embryo appears to be not uncommon in the Arthropoda, where the
length of the embryo exceeds that of the shell ; and occurs even in the
case of the globular egg of Astncus, as described by Huxley (The
Cray-fish, p. 203). In the case of an embryo making such a revolution
in the egg, as that described b}^ Kowalevski, the head would occupy
two different positions in the same end of the egg, relatively to two
opposite sides, before and after the revolution. The egg of Bumia
cratcegata would be specially favourable for making this observation ;
the shell at the cephalic end being distinguished by an ellipsoidal
ridge : the pointed end of the ellipsoid corresponds with the position
of the head of the larva just before hatching ; and, of course, the
rounded end to that of the tail. While the embryonic venter is still
external, the relative positions of these parts, on Kowalevski's prin-
ciples, should be just the reverse.
Milford, Letterkenny, Ireland
Uh Septemler, 1882.
I
Capture of Crahro gonaqer, $ , in Gloucestershire. — I took a ? of the above
rare species of Crahro, at Woottou-under-Edge, Glos'ter, on the 29th August, this
year. I found it, together with considerable numbers of C. podagricus, on the
common garden parsley. This is, I believe, the first record of the capture of the $
in this country, although I have taken the $ several times near the same spot. In
comparing my specimen with the description of gonager, given by Thomson in bia
" Hynicnoptera Scandinavia'," it appears to have the pale ring of the posterior tibia
unusually narrow, and the scape of the antennse entirely black. — Vincent E.
Perkins, 54, Gloucester Street, South Belgravia : Wth Septemher, 1882.
A
101
ON THE STEANQE COLEOPHORA EEPUTED TO FEED ON
WHEAT IN EUSSIA.
BT H. T. STAINTOK, F.R.8.
Some months ago I was sorely puzzled by being told that a new
Coleophora had been lately described by Professor Lindeman as feed-
ing on wheat, and that specimens had been submitted to me for my
opinion some time previously.
I often now-a-days complain of the tricks my memory plays me,
but as I could remember nothing of this mysterious chapter of Coleo-
phora life, I sought to find some letter from Professor Lindeman
amongst my foreign letters. Further, I have a habit of entering day
by day in a little book the names of the writers of any Entomological
letters I receive, and in the case of Foreign Entomologists, I also
enter the dates when I write to them. On neither side of the entries
in this book did the name of Professor Lindeman occur, nor could I
find any letter from him had ever reached me !
It was some weeks before this mysterious occurrence was cleared
up, though like many other mysteries, when the explanation did come
it was simple enough. The fact was I had had no direct communica-
tion with Professor Lindeman at all. He had communicated with the
" Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou," that Society had put
itself in communication with the Entomological Society of France ;
the problem for solution on reaching Paris fell into the hands of my
friend Monsieur Eagonot, and he, writing to me soon afterwards, pro-
pounded the question to me, " Here are certain Coleophora cases ; what
species do they produce?"
The name of Professor Lindeman did not occur in the query which
'\ I received, nor was any mention made of loheat. I was simply in-
formed that the Society of Moscow had sent these cases to the French
Entomological Society, with the notice that great quantities of them
had been found on the stems of grasses in Southern Russia. Was it
wonderful, then, that I had no recollection of Professor Lindeman and
his Coleophora on wheat?
Monsieur Eagonot, who is himself a very high authority in all
matters relating to Micro-Lepidoptera, remarked, in his letter of No-
vember 20th, 1880, " These cases remind me of those of the species
attached to the Caryophyllacece, such as silenella, dianthi, nutantella,
&c., and it is possible that such a species peculiar to Southern Eussia,
after having fed on a low plant, would leave it and mount up the stems
of grasses." (See Annales de la Soc. Ent. de France, 1881, Bull. xiv).
102 [October,
My own view of the cases in question was expressed in my letter
to Monsieur Eagonot of December 8th, 1880. "I think the Eussiau
Coleophora cases come nearest to those of C. injlatce, so this certainly
confirms your idea that they belong to the group which feed on the
Garyophyllacece.'^
It was not till the beginning of last June that I had an opportu-
nity of studying in the pages (39 — 12) of the " Bulletin de la Societe
Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou ; annee 1881," Professor Linde-
man's article on " Coleophora tritici, ein neues schiklliches Insekt
Eusslands."
Professor Lindeman says, " Two years ago I received from the
government of Poltawa some cases of a Coleophora larva, which, living
on the ears of summer- wheat, eats out the grains. Whilst the wheat
is growing these larvfe are not perceptible, since they make no striking
change in the ears, and eating only the grains beneath the chaff lead
a well-concealed life. But in the autumn when the corn is thrashed,
the firm and hard cases are thrashed out with the grain. Universal
astonishment was caused by the quantities of these small cases, which,
from their lightness, are readily sorted out from the grains of corn,
forming entire heaps."
"A year later, in the autumn of 1880, I again received, but this
time from the government of Eiazan, the same Coleophora cases, with
the notice that on thrashing the oats these had been thrashed out
from them, and that too in such enormous quantities, that they at
once attracted the attention of the labourers. At the same time the
results of the harvest turned out very badly, which may certainly
be, at least to some extent, attributed to these Coleophora larvfe."
" The cases I received contained only dead, but quite full-grown
larvae. Those sent the first time were all dried up ; those sent the
second time were in spirits, so that I had no possibility of rearing the
perfect insect. This I the more regretted as no author seems to have
described any species of Coleophora feeding on corn, and no where in
Europe has the attention of Entomologists been drawn to such an
injurious insect."
Professor Lindeman then says, " On meadow-grasses {Holciis and
others) some Coleophorce have been mentioned by Kaltenbach and
Wocke, the larvse of which feed on the seeds of grasses (Col. lixella,
murinipennella, ccespititielld) , but my cases are quite distinct from
these."
This last sentence contains an important mis-statement ; as none
of the Coleophorce to which he is there alluding feed on the seeds of
grasses. Murinipennella and cesspit itiell a feed on the seeds of Juncacece,
1882.) 103
and C. lixella (and he might have added ornatipennelld) feed after their
earliest youth on the leaves of grasses. (The larvae of both these last-
named species feed in autumn in their infant state in the flowers of
labiates, and do not attack the leaves of grasses till the following
spring.)
Professor Liudeman adds : " I had hoped, in the autumn of this
year (1881), to receive some living larvae of this species, being anxious
to breed from them the imago ; but in both these expectations I have
been disappointed ; I, therefore, publish what I at present know about
this new foe to our corn-crops, in order that the attention of others may
be drawn to the subject."
He then mentions having, through the medium of the French
Entomological Society, submitted some of these cases to E-agonot and
Staiuton, and having received in reply the assurance that " the cases
undoubtedly belonged to a Coleophora, which should be in the group
which comprised G. nutantella, Miihlig, C. sileneUa, H.-S., &c., and
that it was probably quite new," and that, on the strength of this com-
munication, he ventured, without knowing the perfect insect, to name
it provisionally Coleophora tritici.
As the cases came to Paris as those of a Coleopliora found on
grass-stems, and no mention was made of the larvse having fed on the
grains of wheat or oats, the entomological doctors consulted were
scarcely in a position to pronounce an opinion likely to be of much
value. I do not for a moment suppose that they were purposely kept
in the dark, the mistake has probably arisen through the transmission
of the query through so many different hands. I, however, call
attention to the fact, as probably it may tend to prevent any similar
blunder in future.
Professor Lindeman remarks that "the cases are composed
entirely of silk, " without any intermixture of grains of sand, or any
other foreign substance ;" but, he says, " that they are so firm and
hard, that the operation of thrashing the corn does not injure them."
I am not sure that he does not even mean that the larvae escaped un-
injured after undergoing the process of thrashing ! Silk of such a
texture ought surely to be worth cultivating !
This notice of Professor Lindeman's has reminded me of a Coleo-
phora larva I once received from the late Mr. J. P. Brockholes. His
letter is dated, " 16, Cleveland Street, Birkenhead, October 10th,
1859," and reads as follows :—
" I have lately found the enclosed Coleophora cases in some plenty
in a stackyard near here. They were on young oats growing from
104 .October,
shed seed aud grass. Two or three stems of the grass are enclosed, as
also some oats. There seems to be a difference in the cases as well as
larvae. There may be two kinds among them. They are new to me,
and I do not find them in the volume of the genus lately published.
What are they ?" As the grass sent did not appear to be eaten in
any way, I wrote for some further information, but was unable to
obtain any ; Mr. Brockholes' reply, dated October 23rd, 1859, was as
follows : —
" I can give you no information at present about the Coleophora
cases. The grasses are dying down, and the cases seem to be princi-
pally made up for the winter. In spring I shall be better able to find
out something about them."
The case I have described as " ochreous or brownish, with some
darker stripes, rather stout and short," and, if 1 am not mistaken, it
was very similar to the case of annulatella ; thus differing very con-
siderably from the case of Lindeman's tritici.
In the answers to enigmas, at p. 114 of the Entomologists' Annual
for 1861, we read of these Birkenhead stack-yard larvae : "Mr. Gregson
sent me a specimen of Coleophora annulatella, as having been bred
from the larvae referred to last year. But I am strongly disposed to
think some error has crept in here."
I am, now rather disposed to think, however, that the larva may,
indeed, truly have been those of annulatella, and that the error which
had crept in was in the assumption that they had fed either on the
oats or on the grass. Annulatella occurs by hundreds on the Atriplex
which grows along the ground in corn fields ; would it be at all won-
derful if some dozens of the larvae got carried to the stack-yard ?
Moimtsfield, Lewisham : \
Auffust 18th, 1882. i
NATURAL HISTOEY OP EPHESTIA PASSULELLA.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLER.
On the 4th of September, 1881, Mr. Sydney Webb very kindly^
sent me a batch of eggs of this small species, laid loosely by the parent '
moth, which he had captured in the Oil-Cake Company's Warehouse
a short time before.
The eggs began to hatch on the 8th of September and continued to
do so at intervals for two or three days, and the little larvae were con-
fiued with some pieces of the pod of the " Locust-bean " of commerce,
which Mr. Webb had also kindly provided for them, aud iu course of
1882.] 105
a week they could be seen to have grown, and by end of the month
very much more grown, and by the middle of December some of them
were as long as 6 mm.
During the winter months I saw but little of them, when from
time to time I found it needful to replenish their food in consequence
of the large accumulation of frass at the bottom of their residence
(resembling coffee-grounds) they having denuded the beans by devour-
ing the substance of the pod ; and, moreover, they had already made,
and continued to make, any observations on my part very difficulty and
of their moulting impracticable, by completely obscuring their sur-
roundings with a dense spinning of whitish-grey silk ; and they had
lined with silk the little tunnels excavated amongst the refuse.
By the beginning of April, 1882, they, however, began again to
show themselves and were grown considerably, and yet required a
further supply of their food, as by this time a prodigious quantity of
frass had been made.
The first specimen of the perfect insect was bred on the last day
of April, others followed on the 12th of May, others again on June
1st and 4th, and the last on the 1-lth of July.
The egg of passulella is elliptical in shape with bluntly-rounded
ends, and finely pitted surface, whitish at first and soon of a delicate
straw-yellow ; tM'o days before hatching it assumes an ochreous tinge,
and the next morning a light brown spot appears at one end, and
within a few houi*s the larva is hatched.
At first the young larva is of a whitish-ochreous tint with a brown
shining head and very narrow plate across the second segment, and
when nearly a mouth old has a faint tinge of reddish, or pinkish-
brown, the head very dark brown and the plate still narrow, but at
this time Mdth very little more colour than the body.
At the age of three months the body is of a light brownish-pink
colour with reddish-brown head and a blackish-bi'own plate on the
second segment, and another on the anal flap, and there is a pinkish-
brown dorsal line showing very faintly ; the minute tubercular shining
brown dots can be very well discerned.
"When full-grown the larva measures 10 mm. in length and is of
moderately slender proportions, cylindrical though tapering very
slightly at each end, the segments having a subdividing wrinkle across
the middle of each, and the legs are much under the body ; in colour
the head is reddish-brown and glossy, and it has a margin of pale skin
in front of the shining black and brown neck-plate, which is dorsally
divided with a line of the pallid ground colour of the thoracic seg-
106 [October,
ments, and beyond tlaem this ground-colour imperceptibly is changed
to a faint flesh-colour, in some instances a very pale tint of drab ; the
small dark brown and shining tubercular dots, each furnished with a
fine hair, are ranged on either side of the back iu twos forming in
line along the sub-dorsal region, those on the front of the thirteenth
segment are large and squarish ; the anal plate is of the same dark
brown colour and rather heart-shaped ; a single row of dark brown
dots is along the side and othei'S are beneath ; on either side of the
second segment is a largish black-brown shield-like glossy spot in
front of the spiracles ; another, similar, occurs on the outside of each
anal leg, the ocellated spot on either side of the third and twelfth
segments is black with white centre ; the skin generally is soft, smooth
and glistening : some individuals show a faint purplish-brown dorsal
line, while others have only a faint darkness sliding to and fro beneath
the skin of the seventh aud eighth segments.
AVhen full-fed the larva envelopes itself in a pearly-greyish oval
cocoon of silk about 8 mm. long by 3 in diameter, smooth within but
thickly covered outside with grains of frass spun together and situated
generally in some excavated portion of the pod it has fed in.
The pupa is from 5| to 6 mm. in length and is of an ordinary
form, with prominent eye-pieces and longish wing-covers ; the tip of
the abdomen ending in an excessively small round thorny boss ; its
colour darkish bronzy-brown and shining.
Emswortli : August 14:th, 1882.
NOTES ON CEETAIN MICRO-LEPIDOPTEEA.
BY ARTHUR G. BUTLER, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.
Finding it necessary to go through Professor Zeller's paper on
"Exotische Microlepidoptera " in the "Horse Societatis Entomologicse
Rossicae " for 1877, before attempting to do anything further with an
American collection in my hands, I was enabled to recognise several
synonyms which I think it important to put on record.
The genus Donacoscaptes is very closely allied to, if not identical
with, Walker's genM% Ertzica from Java (Lep. Het. Suppl., v, p. 17GS):
if identical, "Walker's name will take priority.
Argyria ohliqueUa, Zeller, is my Argyria Candida, which it will
supersede : both are described from Japan.
Melissohlaptes gularis, Zeller, is my M. tenehrosus, which it will
supersede : both are from Japan.
Anchoteles perforatana, Zeller, ia Walker's JJzeda torquetana from
Hio Janeiro (Lep. Het., xxviii, p. 443), of which it will be a synonym.
1882.] 107
The genus Clwregia is identical with Tortyra, Walk., C.fidgens,
of Felder and. Eogenhofer, being a synonym of Walker's Tortyra
spectahilis.
The genus ^^i«'e2<f« is Walker's Tiquadra,=^ Oscelln,=^ Manchana,
as already pointed out by Lord Walsingham (Trans. Ent. Soc., 1881,
p. 235).
The genus Setomorplm, Zeller, will supersede my Oliresiotes.
Psecadia xanthorrhoa, Zeller, is probably P. notateJla, of Walker
(Lep. Het., xxviii, p. 536, n. 17), the only difference that I can dis-
cover in Walker's type is the absence of the black spot on the fringe
of primaries.
Psecadia circumdatella, Walker, falls into Walker's genus Azinis.
Cryptolechia radicalis, Zeller, appears to me to be O. coirfixella, of
Walker ; but this must, for the present, remain doubtful.
C. Iceviuscula, Zeller, is identical with C. scitiurella,^^ C.Jiliferella,
Walker.
C. muscula is evidently nearly allied to my C urhana, and C.
residaiella to my G. siriglvennta.
C. Erschqffii, Zeller, appears to be Walker's C. humeriferella.
Antceotricha pivruhnta, Zeller, is allied to A. adjunctella, and A.
Uynicolor to A. lasirubreUa (both described by Walker under Crypto-
lecliiii).
The genus Epicorthjlis is synonymous with Walker's Vazugada
(Lep. Het., xxix, p. 803) ; E. cinnamicosteUa being closely allied to
F". strigipJenella.
GeJecliia scut ell a, Zeller, appears to me to be Walker's G. suh-
scriptella, from which it only differs in the slightly browner pale
markings on the external area of the primaries.
(Ecophora dicliroeUa, Zeller, is (E. diviseUa, of Walker, and is
closely allied to (E. conciselJa of the same author.
Under OS. irrupteUa, Walker, it appears to me that Professor
Zeller has another species which will account to him for its wide
separation from (E. arahella in Walker's Catalogue : it certainly does
not strike me as being nearly allied to that species, the primaries
being of a bright, shining, pale straw-yellow, with the costal margin
purplish-brown ; the external two-fifths are purplish-brown, but
deeply incised close to the costa, the yellow ground-colour being pro-
jected half way across it towards the apex ; the secondaries are
golden-cupreous, slightly purplish towards the outer margin ; the head
is dull pale yellow, the body greyish-brown, with the collar and tegulse
darker and bluish ; the hind tibise are clothed with long brown (not
108 [October,
ochreous) hair : the entire insect is decidedly smaller than (E. arahella,
and much more nearly allied to (E. divisella.
CE. trijugella, Zeller, is Walker's OS. hracteatella.
(E. griseicostella, Zeller, is certainly Walker's (E. productella : the
colouring of the secondaries is very variable, and Walker's "fawn-
coloured" stands for half a dozen different tints; in this case it is a
dark greyish-brown.
I believe that the above notes will clear up most, if not all, of the
synonyms in connection with this most valuable paper of Professor
Zeller' s.
British Museum : ^\st August, 1882.
DESCEIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OP FJENTATOMIBM FEOM
MADAGASCAE.
BY W. L. DISTANT.
The genus Memmia is peculiar to Madagascar, and, like many
other genera belonging to that fauna, is a modification of a closely
allied African genus. In this case, Memmia is allied to Atelocera, both
of these genera having but four-jointed antennae, the second joint of
which in Ateloccra is dilated, and in Memmia is simple.
Two closely allied species have hitherto represented the last
named genus ; a third, collected by the Rev. Deans Cowan, is here
described ; it can be at once recognised by the great length of the
scutellum.
Memmia Cowaki, n. sp.
Head black, coarsely punctate, with a short, central, basal, longitudinal, ochra-
ceous fascia ; antennae black, the basal joint Just passing apex of head, second joint
much the longest, third joint slightly longer than fourth ; rostrum black, not quite
reaching posterior coxae. Pronotum reddish-ochraceous, very coarsely and darkly
punctate, the lateral margins and a central longitudinal fascia, pale ochraceous and
laevigate ; on the inner-side of lateral margins the punctures are somewhat confluent,
thus rendering the colour almost black ; anterior portion of lateral margins deeply
crenulate ; remaining portion, including lateral angles, wliich are sub-prominent and
rounded, very finely and indistinctly crenulate. Scutellum long, passing the apex
of corium, reddish-ochraceous, coarsely and darkly punctate, with an indistinct,
central, longitudinal, ochraceous line. Corium reddish-ochi-aceous, coarsely and
darkly punctate, with a pale Isevigate spot on posterior portion of disc, and the base
of costal margin also pale Isevigate. Membrane small and very pale fuscous. Ab-
domen above black ; connexivum pale ochraceous. Body beneath and legs black,
abdominal margin pale ochraceous. The under-side of the body is also more or less
thickly clothed with ochraceous pubescence, which, on the abdomen, does not out-
wardly extend beyond the stigmata, nor inwardly to discal centre. Anterior femora
spinous beneath, more prominently so on apical third.
Long. 17 mm. Exp. pronot. ang., 9^ mm.
Hab. : Madagascar.
East Dulwich : September, 1882.
1882.] 109
RE-DISCOYERY OF PJERLA FEREERI, PICTET.
BY R. McLACHLAN, F.R.S., &c.
So far as I am aware, nothing has been published concerning
Perl a Ferreri since it was first described by Pictet in his " Perlides,^'
p. 210, pi. xviii, figs. 1 and 2, more than 40 years ago (1841). He
wrote. — "La Perla Ferreri se trouve dans les environs de Turin ; le
Musee de Geneve en possede deux exemplaires males qui faisaient
partie de la collection qui lui a ete leguee par M. le Chanoine
Ferrero."
The species is remarkable from its ample (even in the ^ ) blackish
wings, nearly wholly black head and thorax, and yellow abdomen,
with black tails.
At Geneva, I had the opportunity of seeing the two typical males,
which, at present, are not in the Museum, but at the residence of the
widow of the late A. Edouard Pictet (son of the describer). But I
was not able to make a critical examination.
When in the beautiful Val Anzasca, on the 17th July, I visited
the pretty waterfall that descends from below the mountain village of
Calasca, and at its foot captured a female Perla that is undoubtedly
Ferreri. It quite agrees with Pictet's description, excepting sexual
differences.
The anterior-wings expand to 51 mm. (Pictet gives 41 mm. for
the (^). As structural sexual characters, it should be noticed that the
margin of the last dorsal segment is truncate, and that the egg-valve
is rather large and semicircular. It was not remarked in Pictet's
desci'iption that the anterior margin of the wings (costal and sub-
costal areas) are slightly tinged with greenish in the living insect, but
this tinting is a character common to many PerlidcB ; in this case it
chiefly results from the costal and sub-costal nervures, and the costal
nervules, being of a paler colour than the rest of the neuration (which
is blackish).
Entomology awaits the advent of some one with sufilcient courage
to attack the Perlidce (even the European species) in a monographic
manner. Pictet's work was admirable, as all those who have had
occasion to consult it will readily admit; but it requires supplementing
in accordance with the experience gained during the more than forty
years that have elapsed since its appearance. When I regard my own
accumulations of materials in this family (even in European forms),
and feel to what a small extent they are arranged and determined, the
question constantly recurs to me : — Will a specialist in Perlidce ever
appear ?
Lewisham : August, 1882.
1 10 r October,
Notes on the larva of Fhycis carhonariella. — This species being usually very
abundant on tbe di-y heatlis in this district, I determined last year, if possible, to
■work out its history. Therefore, on the 2nd of July, I went up to Crossland Moor,
a heath almost close to the town, and, in a very short time, had netted and boxed
some thirty iiuagos, a fair proportion of -which were females. Several of them im-
mediately deposited, and the eggs were oval, though rather pointed at the ends, the
colour a bright light purple. On the 11th a number of them hatched, and the
newly-emerged larvae were very lively, red with black segmental divisions, and the
polislied head and frontal plate nearly black. Ling, sallow, &c., were at once sup-
plied, and they soon took to the sallow, quite forsaking the ling and heath, which I
suppose must be the natural food, as there is no sallow on the heatlis where the moths
occur. The red colour was retained until they were about a quarter of an inch long,
but after the next moult they became uniformly dull black or brownish-black, the
black head and frontal plate only having a polished appearance. I was from home
at the time the change took place, so cannot tell exactly on what date the moult
was effected. Up to this time, too, they had fed in the leaves, eating the inside
between the upper and under skins ; but after this they spun together two or more
leaves, and ate from the outside of the leaf, only, however, the softer parts, leaving
the ribs and veins. On July 28th they were three-eighths of an inch long, and, by
August 5th, half an inch had been attained, when I took down notes on them as
follows :
Body slender, cylindrical, and of nearly uniform width, tapering only slightly
towards the anal extremity ; head a little narrower than the second segment,
rounded, the mandibles prominent ; both it and the frontal plate polished ; segmental
divisions well defined, and from each segment being also divided by a transverse
depression the skin has a rather wrinkled appearance ; there are a few scattered
short hairs.
The colour of almost the whole of the larva is an uniform dull black, showing
brownish at the segmental divisions only, though an exceptional larva is entirely of
this brown tinge. The black specimens have the ventral surface slightly paler, but
there are no other discernible markings of any sort. Altogether it is one of the
most unicolorous larvaj I ever saw, and no species on our list is moi'e appropriately
named, the larva, imago, and habitat (the burnt charred parts of the heaths), being
almost equally black.
For some days the larva? had been unaccountably disappearing, but how and
when I never could make out, as their cage seemed close-fitting enough. By the
16th I had only two or three left, and as these seemed disposed to hibernate, I de-
scribed the largest again, as follows :
Length, three quarters of an inch, and proportionately stouter than when last
described ; the segments rather plumper, and the wrinkled appearance of the skin
in the earlier stage partly lost. Eaised tubercles, too, have now made their appear-
ance, but are not very conspicuous. In other respects the shape is the same. The
ground-colour is now a little paler, a distinct, but very dark, olive tint is seen
through the dull black, and the alimentary vessel shows as a quite black dorsal line.
Head, frontal plate, and tubercles polislied, black. There are no other perceptible
markings. Ventral surface and prologs dull dark olive-green, the legs black.
1S82.1 111
The larva; fed on the sallow leaves ; but one I found had evidently excavated
the soft stem, causing the leaves to droop and wither : this was one of the last larvae
I saw, and suggested it was just possible the disappearance of the other larvse might
be accounted for from their having been thrown away unperceived in the old stems,
though I can scarcely credit that I overlooked them in such a way.
In the spring I could find none of the two or three hibernated larvse, so made
several journeys to the heath, in order to complete the history of the species ; but
neither by sweeping nor by close searching could I detect any trace of the larvse,
which, however, may perhaps be accounted for from the fact, that three or four ex-
cursions later for imagos only produced three specimens, where the previous year
they were in profusion.
As I obtained no more eggs, I think it best to publish this incomplete history,
as in the larva three-quarters of an inch in length, there is, I think, little doubt the
adult markings had been quite or almost attained. — Geo. T. Poeeitt, Huddersfield :
September 2nd, 1882.
Occurrence of Acrobasis consociella, var. sodalella, in PembroIcesAire. — Early in
June last, I found in a wood of stunted oaks, some miles from here, blotched and
discoloured bunches of oak leaves, evidently the habitations of larvse of Acrobasis
consociella. The larvse were still feeding, generally but one in each bunch of leaves.
They fed up without difficulty, and in July the moths emerged ; they prove to differ
from ordinary consociella in several respects — in the larger size — equalling suavella,
in the more richly crimson-grey central band, and in the foi-m of the first line on
the fore-wings, which bounds the basal pale patch. This line is a variable character
in this species. In a German type which I have, and of which the colour is very
pale, it is decidedly oblique and very nearly straight, in ordinary English specimens
it is more curved and indented, so as to become more perpendicular ; this variation
in form is still more strongly shown in the specimens that I have lately reared, and
the variation seems to culminate in a type received from Professor Zeller of his Ac.
sodalella — which, however, the Professor is now convinced is only a variety of con-
sociella— and in which this line is almost straight across the wing ; sodalella is
larger than ordinai-y consociella, aud has the colouring brighter — though, apparently,
by no means so bright as in the present specimens ; and its markings, though not
very distinct, are otherwise accurately the same as theirs.
I am quite of Prof. Zeller's opinion with regard to this form, but it is such a
handsome variety of consociella as to be well worthy of notice. All my specimens
reared here are large, but one or two are of the colour of ordinary consociella, and
one has the left fore-wing of the ordinary colour, and the right of the bright colour
of the variety. — Chas. G. Bakrett, Pembroke : 16th September, 1882.
Hermaphrodite specimen of Lasiocampa trifolii. — Early in August I had much
pleasure in breeding a fine hermaphrodite specimen of trifolii. In the antennse the
difference is most distinct, that of the right hand, or male side, being deeply pecti-
nated, the left, or female, quite plain. In the wings the right hand, or male, side is
smaller and a little lighter than the female, with the outer marginal band a little
lighter than usual. On the female side the central spot is more, and the outer mar-
112 [October,
ginal band less, distinct than in the majority of specimens. On the upper-side the
body is equally divided, being a little lighter on the male side that the other. On
the under-side, however, the difference in colour on the body is most distinct, the
male side being a light buff and the female a deep chocolate ; the line dividing the
tvFO colours is so distinct that it has the appearance as of tvFo specimens having
being cut in two, and the right hand side of the male joined on to the left hand side
of the female. The extremity of the abdomen looks decidedly peculiar with the
fluffy tail of the male on the right, and the plain roundness of the female on the
left.— R. A. Fkaser, Seaficld, Abbotsford Road, Crosby : September, \SS2.
A Lepidopteroiis larva destrvctive to rice in Panama. — In a letter lately received
from Chiriqui, from Mr. G-. C. Champion', he says that immense numbers of a larva
had recently appeared suddenly in the rice plantations of the district, and were
doing a great deal of mischief, so much so, that for the past week the natives had
been holding prayer-meetings nearly every evening on this account, rice being the
staple article of food in Chiriqui, far more so than bread in England.
Mr. Champion enclosed a sketch of the larva, and an imago. The larva is very
like that of Hadena pisi in general appearance, and about the same size when full-
grown, it is pale yellowish-white in colour, with two broad, longitudinal black stripes
along the back, and a few fine dark longitudinal lines mixed with the yellowish
ground-colour.
The pupa is enclosed in a slight silken cocoon between the leaves of the rice,
and remains only a few days in this state. — W. W. Fowler, Lincoln : Sept., 1882.
[Mr. Butler informs us that the moth is a species of Remigia, Guenee {Noc-
tuidce), near " Ophiusa delinquens," Walker, but much darker. — Eds.]
Notes on Micro-Lepidopteea.
Lavcrna Hellerella and atra distinct species. — -In reference to Mr. Douglas'
remarks on the distinctness of the two species of Laverna, the one from apple
shoots feeding in spring and the other from hawthorn berries in autumn, I have no
doubt whatever of the fact that they are two species. I have bred both, and neither
form varied in the slightest degree, nor were they in any way associated together.
L. EellerelJa, the larvae of which feed in autumn in hawthorn berries, always
emerged with me as the light species, and the one we call L. atra from apple always
the dark one, and how they could have been confounded I cannot understand.
Qelechia maculiferella bred from Cerastiuin. — I bred this insect freely last year
from a small plant on the sand hills at Lytham, which I believe to be Cerastium
semidecandrum. The larvae fed in the flower shoots and seeds, and spun up in sand
cocoons.
Oelechia ligulella, voriicella, tcenioleHa, and Sircomella. — I feel sure that three
of these species are only forms of one, viz. : ligulella, tceniolella, and Sircomella. I
took a large quantity of them this year, and they were swept from Lotus coriiicttla-
tus, different sexes in the different forms being freely paired. This is, I think, a
convincing proof of their unity of species. Voriicella is also so like the others (the
1882.] 113
only difference being in the form of the fore-wings, which may be a variation from
local reasons), that I should place it also as a form. If any one takes vorticella
freely, and would kindly allow me to inspect a series, I should thank him much and
return them uninjured.
Nepticula betulicola. — Last year, when breeding Nepticula hetulicola, I thought
that another species was emerging with them from similar larvae, but on a more
extended trial this year, I found that the two sexes differ considerably, and thus my
doubts were solved. Betulicola males are rather smaller and browner ; frequently
the fascia does not extend quite to the costa, and the head is fuscous with white eye
caps. Hetulicola females are purplish from the base to the fascia, which extends
quite to the costa, and the head is yellow. This insect varies in intensity of colour
with the tempei'ature and climatic conditions of the season. Some years ago in a
hot summer I bred some as brilliant as alnetella.
Nepticula regiella bred.—l had last autumn collected considerable quantities
of yellow larvae blotching whitethorn, in order to find out the larva of Nepticula
ignobilella, which I am at present unable to separate from that of gratiosella. The
result was that I bred this May plenty of gratiosella, none of ignohilella, and one
regiella, in the room. As I had larvae from Witherslack and Preston (viz. : from
limestone and sandstone), I am unable to determine the district from which it came,
but hope to do so this year. I have previously bred ignobilella from one of the
localities, and it is very curious that none turned up this year. The Nepticulce that
frequent hawthoi'n on limestone appear to be pygmceella, oxyacanthella, and atri-
collis. Those on sandstone pygmmella, oxyacanthella, gratiosella, and ignobilella.
Species neio to the Witherslack list. — I took a single specimen of Retinia
duplana flying among fir trees this year; it is a very distinct species, and has only,
I believe, been before taken in Scotland in very small numbers.
Depressaria Tiypericella has been bred this year from shoots of Hypericum, by
both Mr. Shuttleworth and Mr. Murray. It had not previously been noticed in the
district.
Some time ago Mr. Sang took a specimen of (Ecophora minutella, and this year
I was fortunate in doing the same. It was flying, near dusk, aci'oss a road near
farm buildings.
In August I first found larvse of ^s^eAwa terminella mining in the leaves of
Circasa lutetiana in dark places in the woods.
In September, last year, I found and recognised mines of Nepticula prunetorum
in sloe. I had before seen this larva but had stupidly mistaken it for Nepticula
plagicolella. I now see that the latter is yellow and makes a clear whitish blotch
preceded by a slender gallery : the former is green and its mine is coiled like a watch
spring, afterwards extending round the edge of the leaf. The "frass" fills up the
gallery and makes it light brown. The imagos emerged very freely in June.
About August, I found mines, which appeared strange to me, in wild strawberry,
these produced in June Nepticula arcuosella. The other mines found in wild
strawberry produced Nepticula aurella, at least, I cannot separate the two insects
at present.
Amongst alder bushes in a swamp, in August, I came upon reddish mines
114 [October,
tenanted by reddish larvae, which were suspected to be Nepticula alnetella. In the
latter part of June these emerged, N. glidinoscE. — I. H. Threlfall, Preston :
September \Mh, 1882.
Habits and description of the larva of Chelaria conscrlpteUa. — Whilst ex-
amining a birch tree in the latter part of last June for larvre, which seem, upon the
whole, to have been extremely scarce this year, my wife observed that the young
leaves on one ot the shoots were rolled up and partially eaten ; and in the youngest
leaf that was so attacked we found a small pinkish-brown larva, with a black head
and second segment. On further examination, we detected several other shoots eaten
in the same manner, the larvae from which have produced Chelaria conscriptella.
The larva rolls up a leaf longitudinally and eats about half of it, sometimes
also eating a little fi'om a neighbouring leaf. It then proceeds to the nest leaf nearer
to the tip of the shoot, as if the leaf it had left had become too old and hard for its
jaws, and treats it in the same manner. In some cases I have found it rolled up in
one of the very small leaves only about a quarter developed, close to the very tip of
the shoot. When full fed it spins a slight cocoon, and turns to a pupa of a light
brown colour, and thickly covered with short hairs like the pile of velvet, excejDt
between the segments. The moths began to emerge- on the 29th of July. I have
also bred this species from bramble.
I append a description of the larva :
Length, 4^ lines. Head black, rough like morocco leather, and shining ; 2nd
segment with a black plate above like the head, with slight indications of a pale
dorsal line, and a small triangular black plate on each side. The general colour of
the body is a brownish-pink, of which the shade varies considerably in different in-
dividuals. The pink predominates in the central portions of each segment on the
back and upper parts of the sides ; the portions between the segments and the under
parts of the body have a light brownish tinge, with a very faint trace of the pink
colour. The usual spots are small and black, and generally very inconspicuous. The
hairs emitted by them have mostly a brownish tinge, those on the back being darker,
sometimes quite black, and two at the anus, as well as a few on the sides of the front
segments, are blackish with light-coloured rings. The legs are almost black, but the
light ground-colour shows rather conspicuously between their segments ; the elaspers
are of the light brown ground-colour, tinged with pink on the outsides, the rings of
hooks at the feet being darker brown ; the spiracles are inconspicuously edged with
black. — Nelson M. Richardson, Llangennech Park, E. S. O., Carmarthenshire :
August imh, 1882.
[The notice of the habits of this larva given above is extremely interesting.
Madame Lienig's description (Isis, 1846, p. 292) says nothing of the habits ; she
gives the same food-plant, birch, but she describes the young larva as white, with
hardly a tinge of greenish, and the more adult larva as dull whitish. It is not till
some time before pupation that she says it is reddish-brown, with white incisions of
the segments.
Since Madame Lienig's time no one seems to have met witli the larva, but
Tarious food-plants have been assigned to it, from the imago frequenting certain
1SS2.] 115
trees or bushes. If its occurrence on bramble should be confirmed, it would support
the conjecture of von Nolcken that " probably the larva feeds on several kinds of
leaf-trees."— H. T. S.]
Peronea perplexana and Euposcilia Mussehliana in Carmarthenshire. — Amongst
some insects which Mr. C. Gr. Barrett was kind enough to name for me lately, were
specimens of Peronea perplexana (Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xvii, p. 264) and Eupcecilia
Mtissehliana (Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xv, p. 39). The former species I have taken in
this neighbourhood several times in the last two or three years, but have not known
exactly to what to refer it : this year I have bred it during the last week of July and
the first week of August from larvae spinning up the leaves of both mountain-ash
and bramble. The imago occurs here occasionally in company with P. comparana
and Schalleriana, and I have taken it generally by beating hedges of very mixed
growth, such as sallow, hawthorn, oak, hornbeam, privet, birch, beech, bramble, &c.,
in the autumn.
Of Eupcecilia Mussehliana I have taken two specimens here this year amongst
mixed herbage, so that I can form no opinion as to the food of the larva. — Id. :
September \^th, 1882.
Kemiptera at Hurst Green, Sussex. — Eor three weeks in August, I had some
collecting in the neighbourhood of Hurst Q-reen, a small village in East Sussex,
about 14 miles from Hastings. The following are the principal results : —
Sehirus higuttatus, in all stages, in moss at roots of Calluna. This is by far the
commonest of the genus in East Sussex. Stygnocoris rusticus, common at roots of
grass, &c. ; Dictyonota strichnocera, rather common on furze ; Megaloceraa longi-
cornis, common on Brachypodium sylvaticum, the spikelets of which it so closely
resembles that its detection is rendered difiicult ; Leptopterna dolahrata, ? , de-
veloped ; Miridius quadrivirgatiis, a few by sweeping ; Hadrodema pinastri, not
uncommon on Scotch Firs ; Globiceps selectus, by sweeping and at roots ; Dieyphus
pallicornis, on foxgloves : Heterocordylus unicolor and Orthocephalus coriaceus, by
sweeping ; Macrocoleus moUiculus, common on Achillea millefolium ; this is another
species difficult to detect in situ, I found it on the under-side of the flowers, the
involucres of which it closely simulates, the dark markings on the elytra correspond-
ing to the scarious edges of the involucral bracts ; 31. solitarius, on Stachys by
sweeping; Amblytylus affinis, by sweeping; Atractotomus magnicornis, not uncom-
mon on Scotch and Spruce Firs ; Microphysa pselaphiformis a,nd elegantula, ? , on
trunks of various trees ; Acompocoris alpinus, a few on Scotch Firs ; Ceratocomlns
coleoptratus, in moss at roots of Calluna.
In Bridge Park, near Tunbridge Wells, I found Chlamydatus caricis on
rushes, and at Frant Salda Cocksii, in Sphagnum.
Eupteryx vittatus. — Since writing the note on this species, which appeared on
page 89 in the last No. of this Magazine, I have found the insect in the same stages
on Ranunculus repens frequently, and occasionally on some other low plants.
Spiders and bugs. — Spiders of the family Thomisidce appear to be partial to
bugs as an article of diet. When searching at roots of plants, I have often come
116 [October,
upon them scuttling off with their prey in their falces, and not unfrequently they
occur in the same way in the sweeping net, cither having been surprised in the act
and still unwilling to relinquish their chances of a dinner, or having taken advantage
of the abundant supply of provision furnished in the heterogeneous contents of the
net. One I remember to have seen bravely struggling with a refractoi'y Miris larva,
and another had a charming Chlorita viridula locked in its deadly embrace. — E. A.
BuTiER, University Lower School, Hastings : September 11th, 1882.
Parasites on Homoptera. — Collectors of Somoptera must occasionally have
observed black objects projecting from the bodies of these insects. As far as my
experience goes, they are scarce, except on the TypMocyhidce, but on some species of
them they are common, each individual, however, having but one parasitic append-
age. This is in the form of a long, sub-ovoid sac, very large in proportion to the
size of the body of the foster-insect, protruding from between two of the segments
of the abdomen, and tightly affixed at one end, otherwise free ; the contour of the
body being much distorted by the intruder, and it has been observed that the
rictims are always females. Curtis says of his Aphrodes craticula (== Athysanus
subfusculus, Fall., sec. Puton) : "It is infested in the different stages with a lai'ge
black parasite attached to the sides of the thorax" (B. E., p. 633, 12), but I have
not seen any parasites so located. I have often been asked if these apodal bodies
were acaroid, but although I had made many enquiries I had not been able to obtain
any satisfactory information as to their nature. Now, however, a light is thrown
upon the subject by Herr Josef Mik, who, in one of the most interesting biological
articles I have seen for a long time, published in the current number of the " Wiener
entomologische Zeituug," page 215, demonstrates from actual experiment that one
of this kind of pai-asite found on Deltocephalus xanthoneuriis, Fieb., in September,
became detached, fell to the ground, and produced in the next June a ? Gonatopus
pilosus, Thoms. (Hymenopt. Proctotrupidse) . The details of the history (wanting
some points as to the time and manner of deposition of the egg and the hibernation
of the parasites vmder natural conditions) ai"e fully given, together with descriptions
and figures showing the Gonatopus in its various stages of life. We have thus a
guide to investigations in this curious and hitherto obscure subject ; what if all the
species of Gonatoptis, of which thei-e are several in Britain, be parasitic on
Homoptera ?
It appears, by a foot-note, that Gonatopus pedestris, Dalm., was recorded in
1857, as having been reared by the late M. Edouard Ferris from Athysanits mari-
timus, Ferr. (Gen. Thamnotettix, sec. Futon), but this in no way detracts from Herr ;
Mik's discovery, for the fact only became known to him subsequently. — J. W.
Douglas, 8, Beaufort Gardens, Lewisham : 11th September, 1882.
Parasites on Homoptera. — I once found a parasite on lassus subfusculus, and
I have met with it again on Acocephalus agrestis. This latter I kept for some time
alive, and fed it on grasses, &c. The parasite at length burst open the black case,
which appears to be the hardened skin of the larva, still attached to the host. It
opened into two equal parts, and allowed the pupa to drop out, in which
state it still remains, and I hope I shall be able to rear it to perfection. The host
1882.] 117
had become completely exhausted by the time the parasite was full-fed, and died
when the pupa dropped out.— Edward Parfitt, Exeter : September lith, 1882.
Calyptonotus lynceiis at the Caniher Sandhills. — On August 7th, I took this
local Hemipteron at the above locality, accompanied by Rhyparochromus prcetextatus
and Co raw (M (1). A developed specimen of JcaZ_j^7j/a joary«?a has been also found
there. — Edw. P. Collett, St. Leonard's-on-Sea : September, 1882.
Ammosciiis brevis at Matlock. — At the end of July, last, I found a single speci-
men of Ammcecius brevis in a sandy bank of the Derwent, at Matlock. I did not
recognise it at the time, the resemblance of this beetle to an Aphodius having
thrown me off the scent, or probably more specimens might have been secured. —
W. G. Blatch, 214, Grreen Lane, Smallheath, Birmingham : September 18th, 1882.
Chrysopa minima, Kiljander, = Ch. dasyptera, McLach. — In the " Meddelan-
den af Societas pro Fauna et Flora Fennica," Hiiftet 7, pp. 152 — 156 (1881), is a
useful paper by Ludvig Kiljander, intituled, " Bidrag till kannedom om Finlands
Neuroptera Flanipennia," in which is a description of " Chrysopa minima, nov. sp."
(p. 154). A type and several other examples of this are before me in a case just
received from Finland.
I find that the species is identical with that described by me in 1872 as Ch.
dasyptera, from two examples, one from South Eussia, the other from Samarcand.
The description first appeared in the " Nachrichten der Liebhaber der Naturkunde,
&c., in Moscow " (I refrain from giving the Russian title), x, p. 123, and almost
simultaneously in the " Bulletin de la Soc. Imp. des Natnralistes de Moscou," xlvi,
p. 193 ; subsequently it was reproduced in the " Neuroptera of Fedtschenko's
Travels in Turkestan" (1875), p. 19. One original type of Ch. dasyptera is in my
collection, and it agrees perfectly with that of Ch. oninima, save that (as is usual in
Chrysopa) the green coloration has nearly disappeared, and I should scarcely now
use the term " viridi-Jlava " that headed my original description, whereas an un-
qualified " viridis " would be more applicable to the recent examples from Finland.
As I previously remarked, it is allied to Ch. 2}hyllochroma (with which it agrees in
its simple tarsal claws), but it can scarcely be a pigmy condition of that species.
Possibly it is the smallest true Chrysopa that is known, but its broad-oval densely
hairy (on the neuration and margins) wings render it conspicuous. — R. McLachlamt,
Lewisham : Mh September, 1882.
P.S.— In the same paper (p. 153) Herr Kiljander remarks concerning Myrmeleon
formicarius, L. (formicalynx, Burm.), " Forekommer i Skandinavien, England, och
Osterrike." The citation " England " is erroneous. No Myrmeleon occurs in the
British Isles. Othei'wise, the species in question is probably spread over the whole
of Europe, and through Siberia to North China and Japan. — R. McL.
Garden-insects in 1882. — My out-door entomology this year having been re-
stricted to the x^recincts of the garden, I can corroborate, so far as the experience
within that area goes, the reports from the hunting grounds of the general dearth
118 [October,
of insects. In my case, the scarcity from tlio point of view gardenesque, (to use a
term of the late J. C. Loudon), has been beneficial ; but from the point entomological
disadvantageous, as may be gathered from the following notes. These may also
serve to show how an entomological biped has been temporarily affected by his
environment (which is the latest, and not always appropriate, orthodox term to
express conditions of life) ; but as to the conditioned hexapods, the contributory
factors to their latest appearance, or non-appearance, must, in many cases, be sought
in the fluctuating or conflicting agencies in more than one preceding generation, and
then, perhaps, be found only hypothetically, on the assumption of post hoc propter
hoc.
The early broods of Pieris had scarcely one representative ; and in the
late broods the numbers were far less than usual ; consequently, the cabbages, which
are ordinarily consumed by the larvae, fairly escaped from the slight attacks of these
enemies, and have taken heart. Not another butterfly of any kind has paid a flying
visit.
Abraxas grossulariata, that in some years is the currant-pest, leaving not a
leaf on the bushes, has not been visible in any form or condition this year.
Of Orgyia antiqua, that usually dances in and over the garden by dozens at a
time, only a solitary one has now and then been seen practising its mazy figures.
Plusia gamma,, that sometimes will be noticed, has this year had to be looked
for, and I can just say that I have seen it.
Hepialus sylvinus, Crambus prateUus, and C. tristellns, that are usually common,
and sacrifice themselves on the house-lights, have scarcely appeai-ed.
Hgponomeuta padella began the season, as larvae, well, and in some quantity,
but I fear that my personal intervention with their way of life contributed, to a
great extent, to rendering their course futile, and hindered the survival of the fittest.
Nematus ribesii, that is the usual rival or assistant of Abraxas in the devasta-
tion of the currant and gooseberry bushes, came not in the first instance, but later a
few appeared and made their mark.
The white wool of Schizoneura lanigera profusely decorated the branches and
shoots of all the apple-trees, save one that is never visited by this pest, up to the
end of July ; wlien, as if by a stroke of harlequin's wand, a transformation scene
was effected : all disappeared and the foliage became revived and vigorous. From
this recovery, however, one old tree was excepted : for three successive years it has
struggled against the Aphidian foe, and has been reduced to a deplorable state of
vital condition, and, now, almost leafless, it seems as if it would not survive, although
for five or six weeks there have been no Aphides on it ; its stem and branches are
covered with the scales of Mgtilaspis pomorum, which are so close together that
they jostle each other for place. On this tree, in former years, I used to get
Gelechia nanella, but I no longer find any examples nor see the pupa-skins sticking
out of the bark. Aphides on other plants or trees have been scarce : the scanty
glow of the pseudo-summer's sun on still evenings has not been peopled by floating
swarms, nor has there been the agreeable spectacle of hundreds of these malefactors
hung in the chains of the spiders, only tiny vagrant JJiptera having been thus
executed. The Cocciiiellcs might well have been starved if the Aphides on the hops
had not come in thousands to their relief; thereon the lady-birds feasted to
repletion.
1882.] 119
No Aleurodes has yet been risible on cabbage, strawben-y, honeysuckle, or other
plants. I cultivated some plants of Clielidonium majns, on which A. proletella is
reputed to swarm, but without the good fortune to have enticed any of this
desideratum to come into my garden.
A brood of Capsus laniarius took possession of a clump of raspberry-plants ; in
fact they were born and bred there, and mostly remained, but some of them acted
the parts of pilgrim fathers and mothers, and went out not knowing whither, coming
to grief, for their carcasses fell by the way. There were also a good many|of Scymnus
minimus on the raspberry plants.
Pilophorus perplexus, usually common, was this season a rarity.
TyphlocyhidcB, of which in general some species, such as T. rosce and T. quercus,
swarm, have been very scarce.
In August, a Thrips devastated the flowers of Phloxes, and, in a less degree, of
the Convolvulus minor : examples are reserved for Mr. Pergande. Strange to say, I
have seen no other Thysanoptera.
Rhizotrogus solstitialis, that ordinarily dances in swarms around the tops of the
trees on July evenings, came not then ; in the middle of August, two or three of the
belated creatures appeared on the scene and staggered throuj.li their performances
alone.
Lucanus cervus kept not his annual appointment.
Sitones lineatus, that ordinarily comes in numbers before the sparrows dare to
take the green peas for their booty, did not appear at all, although for several con-
secutive years peas have been grown on the same ground. Yet, these destroyers
might as well have come and have had their share, for their abstention only left the
more for the sparrows, which were still not content, but encroached on my pro-
portion. The conditions of life of the said sparrows have certainly been favourable,
for there are twice as many of them as there were a year ago.
Some casual visitors — pioneers or lost wanderers, I know not — called, and,
having had their external communications cut off, were domiciled under glass.
These were : Derephysia foliacea, usually a humble dweller, found ten feet up a
cherry tree ; Myrmedonia limhata, Xestobium tessellatum, and Oxyomus porcatus —
one of each — alighted on the white stones under the verandah, attracted probably
by the colour.
Of some regular habitues I have previously taken note at pages 67, 88, and 91 ;
others I pass over.— J. W. Douglas, 8, Beaufort Gardens, Lewisham : September
8th, 1882.
Entomological Society of London. — July 5th, 1882 : H. T. Stainton, Esq.
F.E.S., &c.. President, in the Chair.
Herr Carl Berg, of the Museo Publico, Buenos-Ayres, was elected a Foreign
Member.
Mons. Jules Lichtenstein exhibited, through Sir Sidney Saunders, specimens of
Cerataphis latanice, and communicated some remarks thereon, promising to forward
further notes on a future occasion.
Miss Ormerod exhibited Sitones j>uncticollis, bred fi'ora larvse taken off the roots
of clover near Chelmsford ; these larvse began to change to the pupal condition
about the 23rd of May, and one developed at the end of that month, six weeks after
120 [October. 1S82.
the receipt of the larvae. In the same locality where these larvae were taten the
pupae wore found in some numbers in June at the roots of the clover. Miss Ormerod
remarked that the larvae were particularly sensitive to damp.
Mr. E. A. Fitch exhibited two ichneumons parasitic on spiders, and read a note
fi'om the Rev. T. A. Marshall respecting the first, pointing out that the spider on
which the larva was parasitic was a species of a bright green colour, and that the
larva that fed upon it gradually turned green itself. Mr. Fitch thought the second
species was probably a Poli/sjjliincta, and he read a communication from Mr. Bignell
respecting its larva, and showed a figure of it. He also remarked that De Greer had
noticed a larva that was parasitic on a spider. He also exhibited a new species of
ProctrolrupidcB from the Rev. T. A. Marshall, taken in Rothen Wood in company
with Anommatus 12-striatus, four to six feet under ground.
Miss Ormerod showed specimens of very young pine trees, whose stems had
been stripped of their lower leaves by chafer-grubs, and remarked that she had often
heard that the pines were damaged in tliis way in Canada, but that this was the first
case in England that had come under her notice.
Mr. C. 0. Waterhouse exhibited a species of EphemeridcB from Ceylon, on behalf .
of Mr. G. Lewis, who said it was luminous. The Rev. A. E. Eaton stated that it
was a species of Teloganodes (probably T. tristis, Hag.) ; and that there was a re-
mark in the Transactions, by Dr. Hagen, concerning a British species of Coenis,
which was said to be faintly luminous. According to Mr. Lewis, the whole abdomen
in his insect appeared to be luminous.
Mr. Miskin communicated a paper on the habits of Ogyris Genoveva, Hewits.
Lord Walsingham sent a paper on North American ColeojjhorcB.
Mr. Scott communicated a paper on certain genera and species of FsylUdce in
the British Museum.
August 2nd, 1882 : E. D. Godman, Esq., F.R.S., Vice-President, in the Chair.
Mr. Hildebrand Ramsden, of 26, Upper Bedford Place, W.C., was elected a
Member of the Society.
Mr. F. Enock exhibited male aiid female specimens of Macropis labiata, which
he had captured at Woking.
Mr. Billups exhibited specimens of Paragus tibialis, Fallen, which he had found
in June last in the burrows of Ilalictus nitidiusculus , and also a specimen of Disco-
viyza incurva, Fallen, captured at Box Hill ; this insect was unrecorded as British.
Miss E. A. Ormerod read some Observations on the development of Sitones
lineatus.
Mr. Distant exhibited a number of specimens of Xylehorus Saxeseni, Ratz., a
species which had occasioned the destruction of beer sent out to Rangoon, presumably
by boring through the casks.
Mr. OllifE exhibited specimens of Anommatus 12-striatus, Miill., captured at
Tunbridge by Mr. A. C. Horner.
Mr. G". Lewis contributed a paper entitled — On a visit to Ceylon, and the rela-
tion of Ceylonese beetles to the vegetation there.
Mr. H. Pryer communicated a short memoir — On certain temperature-forms of
Japanese butterflies.
Mr. C. O. Waterhouse read — Descriptions of new Coleoptera from Madagascar
belonging to the MeloIonthidcB.
Nuvomber, 1882.] 2.21
NOTES ON NEW BBJTISH COLEOPTERA SINCE 1871;
WITH NOTICES OP DOUBTFUL SPECIES, AND OF OTHEES THAT
EEQUIRE TO BE OMITTED FEOM THE BEITISH LIST.
BY THE EEV. W. W. FOWLER, M.A., F.I/.S.
Since the Eutomologist's Annual ceased, to be published in 1874,
no collected notice, with descriptions, of the species of Goleoptera that
have been added to the British list has appeared ; the species, too,
that were described in the "Annual," after the publication of Dr.
Sharp's catalogue in 1871, have, in many cases, escaped the notice of
collectors, who have used the catalogue for labelling their cabinets :
it is hoped, therefore, that these notes may be of interest to tlie many
new collectors who are taking up the study of Goleoptera. I have had
a great part of them written out for a considerable time, and have
found them of the greatest use for private reference ; they have been
perused by several well-known Entomologists, to whom I am much
indebted for alterations and suggestions, and I feel very great pleasure
in publishing them in a revised form. I have adopted the classification
of Dr. Sharp's catalogue, which is in the hands of most collectors ;
this catalogue is, however, now out of print, and a new list is much
required. Dr. Sharp has been, and still is, so much occupied with
foreign groups, that he is unable to give the requisite time for bringing
out another edition. The Rev. A. Matthews and myself have been,
for some time past, engaged upon a fresh catalogue, which we hope
soon to publish ; considerable alteration in classification will, in parts,
have to be made, to bring the work at all up to a level with the results
of modern research, but, by adopting, with but few exceptions, the
old nomenclature, which has been so unreasonably upset in the last
edition of the European catalogue, and by avoiding unnecessary
changes, we hope to avert confusion as much as possible.
In the ensuing notes references to authorities are given wherever
it is possible ; as, however, they are not intended to be in every case
conclusive, but merely as notes and hints to collectors, additions and
changes that have, by common consent, come to be considered neces-
sary, have been mentioned, in the hope that in any doubtful case some
person may be induced to prove or disprove the statement.
GEODEPHAaA.
Notiophilus '^-punctatus, Dejean.
It is doubtful whether this species should be retained as distinct, or be merely
considered a variety of N. liguttatus, Fub. ; as Crotch first pointed out, it is some-
122 [November,
times biguttattis on one side, and 4e-punctatus on the other, which appears conclusive.
Dawson (Geod. Brit., p. 57) eays, that it is probably only an uncommon variety of
N. semijmnctatus, Fab., of which he makes N. liffuttattis a variety. I have specimens
from the south of England which show no structural difference from N. higuttatus
worth mentioning ; the striae, however, on the forehead appear to be more numerous i
and finer than in this latter species. *
Carahus atiratus, L.
The specimens of this insect that from time to time are captured in this country,
seem to bo always taken in situations or localities that make it almost certain they
have either flown across the channel, or been imported with vegetables, &e.
Caeabus cakcellatus, 111.
This species has been alternately inserted in and omitted from the list. Dr.
Power tells me that there are certainly two or three well authenticated specimens,
and that he thinks one has been taken within the last two or three years ; among
some notes from Mr. Mason relating to Mr. Eye's collection, I find this insect men-
tioned as one that ought to be re-instated.
Carahus convexus, Fab.
The only specimen of this insect that seems to have any good claims to authen-
ticity is in the collection of the Rev. A. Matthews, and this rests on rather circum-
stantial evidence.
Calosoma sycoplianta, L.
This species is almost certainly not indigenous ; it is only an occasional visitant
from the continent.
Dyschirius ohscnrus, Gyll.
I have never seen this species. Dr. Power says that he believes it rests on one
specimen, which he always thought was a varying specimen of some other species,
and he advises its omission from the list. Dawson (Qeod. Brit., p. 29) says, that
M. Putzeys had informed him that M. Reiche had a specimen which was captured
in England, and that Mr. Haliday had told him he had captured it on the shores of
Lough Neagh. In Ent. Ann., 1858, 51, he alters his description, as given in the
Geodephaga Britannica, saying, that he was now able to describe it from actual types
before him ; he does not, however, say whether these types were British or foreign
examples.
J3rachimis explode7is, Duft.
This appears to be a doubtful species ; the whole question will be found dis-
cussed at length Ent. Ann., 1866, 58.
Deomius tectensis, Eye.
This species is closely allied to D. sigma, Eossi, but is distinguished by its
shorter and stouter antennae, wider head, and more transverse thorax, and wider and
comparatively shorter elytra ; the shape of the fasciae on the elytra also serves to
distinguish it. It frequents the sea coast, especially in the Isle of Wight, whereas
2>. sigma is a fen insect (Ent. Mo. Mag., x, 73 ; Ent. Ann., 71, 76). i
18S2.] 123
Dromius ohlitiis, Boield.
This species is synonymous with D. nigriventris, Thorns. (D.fasciattts, Dej.),
but the D. oblitus of Dr. Sharp's catalogue must bo referred to D. vectensis, and
must, therefore, be erased from the British List, the latter name being substituted.
Lehia turcica, Fab.
There appears to be no really authentic example of this species extant as
British ; it is better, therefore, to omit it from the list.
Lehia hamorrhoidalis, Fab.
This species is said to have been once taken by Mr. Hope near Netley, Shrop-
shire. Dr. Power possesses a specimen, concerning which he writes as follows :
" My specimen was taken in a field at Devizes, and set by Mr. Sidebotham himself.
I have an accurate description of the spot, and do not feel any doubt as to accuracy ;
it is an out-of-the-way place, and there is no reason to think it accidentally im-
ported, as would be the case at the Crystal Palace or its neighbourhood. If you
strike it out, I shall say you are wrong."
Amara fusca, Dej.
Our examples of this species must be referred to A. ingenua, Duft. The species,
therefore, must be omitted.
Amaba continua, Thorns.
This species has been separated by Thomson from A. communis as new. It
comes between A. lunicollis and A. communis, having the build of the former insect,
and also (like lunicollis) having the marginal row of punctures on the elytra con-
tinuous. It has, however, three joints at the base of the antennae testaceous,
whereas A. lunicollis has but two. In A. communis the marginal row of large
punctures is interrupted (Ent. Mo. Mag., xi, 207).
SCYBALICUS 0BL0NGIUSCULU8, Dej.
This insect, for which Schaum made the genus Apatelits, and which now, with
one other species, forms his genus Scybalicus, has also been classed with the true
Harpali. It certainly comes very near the Ophonus section of the genus Harpalus,
and forms a good transition from them to Harpalus ruficornis and the allied species ;
it is about the size of R. ruficornis, to which its striking yellowish pubescence gives
it, at first sight, a superficial resemblance ; this pubescence, together with the shape
of the thorax (which is much constricted behind, with the posterior angles very
obtuse and almost rounded, and the base nearly straight), will serve to distinguish
it. This great addition to our list was discovered by Mr. Harris, of Burton-on-
Trent, in 1878, who took one example near Weymouth. Mr. Mason took several
specimens in 1879. Mr. J. J. Walker took one immature example about the same
time ; and it has quite lately been found by the Eev. O. Pickard-Cambridge (Ent.
Mo. Mag., XV, 203 ; Entomologist, iv, 238).
Harpalus obscurus, Fab.
This insect has been a great source of confusion to British Entomologists, in
great measure owing to the fact that the Harpalus obscurus of Dawson's Greod.
224 November,
Brit, is really the cotninon Harpalus rotundicollis, Fair. Fabricius's Sarpalus oh-
tcurus comes very near Sarpalus sabulicola, Panz., and is the same as the Ophonus
ttictus of Stephens. Dr. Power tells me that when the name rotundicollis was
substituted for ohscurus by Mr. Crotch and others, the name ohsuurus was still re-
tained for an insect which was only obtained by himself and others near Swaffham
(Cambridge) ; it was, he says, a very distinct thing, but it was evidently nearer H.
sabulicola than R. rotundicollis, as both he and Professor Eabington distributed it
as the former species.
Haepalus difpinis, Dej.
This insect appears very closely related to H. rotundicollis, Fairm. ; the latter
insect is only distinguished by having the sides of the thorax more strongly
rounded and the apex of the elytra more distinctly sinuate (Insecten Deutschlands,
i, 574). S. diffinis is certainly found in England ; it is a question, however, whether
it is really a distinct species ; still, it seems to be considered distinct on the continent,
and can hardly be omitted from our list.
Sarpalus cordatus, Duft., H. rupicola, Sturm., H. punctlcollis, Payk.,
I£. riifiharhis, Fab. (cribellum, Daws.), H. parallelus, Dej.
These species of Sarpalus require a careful revision : in Mr. Rye's collection
there is a distinct species, apparently near S. cordatus. S. parallelus appears to be
a doubtful species, and to be at best a variety. The two species that precede it seem
occasionally to be hard to distinguish. I have, however, taken a large number
(over 100) of Sarpalus rufibarhis in one spot, and found the shape of the thoi'ax
very constant.
Haepalus geiseits, Panz.
This species, which is considered by Dr. Sharp to be merely a variety of S.
rujtcornis, appears to be generally regarded as distinct on the continent ; it is de-
scribed by Dr. Schaum (Insecten Deutschlands, i, 584) as very near S. rujicornis,
but considerably smaller. The thorax is only punctured at the base, the hind angles
are, as in S. rujicornis, nearly right angles, but not so sharp as in that species. The
ely tra are scarcely sinuate at the apex, whereas, in S. rujicornis, they are distinctly
sinuate. If these diilerences are constant, the form would certainly have specific
value. I have, however, a specimen from the New Forest which, al first sight, looks
very different to S. rujicornis, chiefly owing to size, but, on closer examination, it is
extremely hard to make out the distinctions.
Harpalus siilphuripes, Germ.
The British exponents of this species appear to belong to other allied species ;
it must, therefore, be erased from the list.
ILarpalus luteicornis, Duft.
The same remarks apply to this species as to the preceding. Mr. E. Saunders
possesses examples of both species (named by autliorities), but he tells me that he
feels sure that they need not be regarded as having specific value. The claims of this
species to be indigenous have been quite demolished by Mr. Eye. Ent. Mo. Mag.,
I, 229.
^2 ] 125
Harpalus latus, var. metallescens, Rye.
Tliis curious variety of H. latus, with metallic instead of black elytra, was dis-
covered and introduced by Mr. Rye (Ent. Mo. Mag., xi, 84).
IIaepalus 4-ptrNCTATTJS, Dej.
This insect is very like H. latus, but larger and more parallel, with bluish re-
flection ; the thorax, too, is not furnished with the testaceous edge so evident in H.
latus ; on the apical half of the third interstice of each elytron are two or three
large punctures. Taken at Braemar by Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Champion, and by
several collectors since ; it has also occurred in Ireland (Ent. Ann., 1874, 78 ; Ent.
Mo. Mag., X, 68).
Aciipalpus derelictus, Dawa.
There has been a great deal of discussion over this insect, which has been re-
garded as merely a dark variety of A. dorsalis ; it would, however, seem that the
unique example taken by Mr. F. Smith near London, from which Mr. Dawson de-
scribed the insect, is quite distinct, but that dark specimens of A. dorsalis have
passed for the species in collections (Ent. Ann., 1860, 125 ; 1866, 61).
Aetcpalptis brunnipes, Sturm.
It seems doubtful whether Sturm's insect is a distinct species from A. dorsalis
(Ent. Ann., 1866, 47).
Tacliys quadrisignatus. Duft.
This appears to be rather a doubtful species, as it rests on a single example
taken by Mr. Bold near Newcastle, which may probably turn out to be only a light
variety of T. bistriatus, Duft. (Ent. Ann., 1866, 61 ; Ent. Mo. Mag., xix, 68).
Semhidmm lampros, v. velox, Er.
This variety has been made into a new species by Thomson, under the name of
B. \4>- striatum ; each elytron has seven striae instead of six like the normal form ;
there are, too, a few other slight differences, but, on the whole, it would appear best
to leave it still as a variety (Ent. Ann., 1874, 80).
HTDRADEPHAGA.
Saliplus varius, Nicolai.
This insect cannot possibly be retained as a separate species ; it seems, however,
doubtful whether it is to be considei'ed as a variety of M. conjinis, Steph. (H. lineatus,
Aube), or whether it is to be considered a variety of H. ohiiquus, Fab. I do not
possess the insect, but have seen it in Dr. Power's collection, and certainly thought
that it looked extremely like a light variety of H. ohiiquus. Erichson and Aube
considered it a variety of this species. There is, moreover, a doubt whether Mr.
Bold's insects, on which the species was introduced into our lists, are really referable
to Raliplus varius, Nicolai (Ent. Ann., 1869, 14; Ent. Mo. Mag., iv, 284).
Sydroporus incognittis, Sharp.
It is a question whether this is synonymous with II . vagepictus, Fairm. ; it
126 I Norember,
comes rery near H. palustrts, of which Bpccies it has been considered a yariety, but
its larger form, and far leas parallel elytra, which are considerably -widened behind
the middle, must give it rank as a separate species.
Iltbius ^nescens, Thorns.
This species must be introduced into the British list, but whether it is to stand
as separate, or whether all our specimens of J. angustior, Gryll., are to be referred to
it, seems open to question. The two species arc very closely allied, but /. csnescens
is rather smaller, with less metallic reflections, and has its antennae uniformly ferru-
ginous instead of pitchy at the apex ; my representatives of the two species are
certainly identical, and answer the description of I. cenescens (Ent. Ann., 1873, 22 ;
Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 36).
Oyrinus caspius, Men.
This seems to be a very doubtful species, and it would seem that there is very
little difference between Q. opacus, Sah!., and O. marinus, GylL, as species.
(To be continued).
NATUEAL HISTORY OF PIONEA STBAMENTALIS.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLEE.
In the first part of a " Calendrier du Micro-Lepidopteriste," by
M. Camille Jourdheuille, published in the volume for 1869 of the
"Annales de la Societe Entomologique de France," at p. 540, under
the heading for March we read — ''Botys stramentalis, Hb. Dans lea
tiges de ble : quelquefois tres nuisible." This has been cited by Dr.
E. Hofmann in his " Xleinschmetterlingsraupen," and also more re-
cently by Mods. E. L. Eagonot, in Vol. xvi, p. 154 of this Magazine,
where he tells us, " It has been stated that the larva feeds in March,
in stems of wheat, and that it is sometimes injurious to crops."
Now, in what follows, I think I shall be able to dispose effec-
tually of the foregoing misconception of stramentalis, by showing that
the larva is not at all an internal feeder, or to be found in March, and
is quite innocent of attacking any cereal crop.
On the 27th of July, 1881, I had the pleasure to receive from
Mr. Wm. H. Jeffrey a numerous batch of eggs laid by some female
inoths of this species he and his son had captured, and imprisoned
with a variety of leaves of plants that grew where the insects were
flying.
The eggs were first observed on the 24th of the month, to be laid
on leaves of Lotus major, Glechoma hederacea, Barharea vulgaris and
seed pod, Myosotis ccespitosa and Phalaris arundinacea, scattered in little
flat masses ; the largest number in any mass amounted to thirteen,
I 1882.] 127
others ranged from three to five, mx, Beven, and eight, overlapping each
other after the manner of pandalis, and like them presented a smooth
and greasy appearance.
It was some time before I could detect on the Glechoma a mass
of eggs of precisely the same colour as the under-side of the leaf
where they adhered, and only when the mass presently in a slight
degree began to swell above the surrounding surface could I feel sure
it was composed of eggs, so perfect was the assimilation.
In the interval while the eggs were maturing, Mr. Jeffrey and I
exchanged ideas with regard to the probable food-plant, so as to be
provided in readiness for the young larvae, and I found we were both
in accord in having fixed on the cruciferous plant as the most likely
among those above mentioned, to have induced the parent insects to
have parted with their eggs so freely, as they had, both on it and the
other leaves, probably from knowing the right food was present which
their progeny would unerringly find ; and we had good ground for
assuming this to be the case, as we remembered the fact that our only
two other British species of Fionea, viz. : forjicalis and margaritalis,
both feed on Gruciferce.
Accordingly, when the eggs hatched on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of
August, we were both prepared with Barharea vulgaris for the young
larvse, whose liking for it became soon unmistakeably apparent, for
though the other kinds of leaves were at first put with it, yet each
little larva iu turn found its way from them to the Barbarea, and crept
down the upper-side of the leaf to near the stalk and there rested,
and in course of an hour or two there became a numerous assemblage
of the little creatures lying in rows side by side most contentedly,
and where they afterwards began to feed, and to spread themselves in
small companies over the surface, but showed no disposition to wander
away from the leaf : thus they continued all through their subsequent
stages, unto the very end of their career, to be of exceptionably
amiable disposition, never interfering with one another when, as often
happened, some would be laid up to moult while their companions
were still by their side feeding, in such a sociable manner as to suggest
.the probability of their being in nature more or less gregarious.
Very soon I experimented with six individuals by placing them
on leaves of Sincqns arvensis, and they contentedly throve on this food
as long as it could be supplied, but after a time these plants seeded so
rapidly that good leaves were difiicult to obtain, and as they would
not eat the seed pods of this or the other plant but only the leaves, I
eventually, after they had moulted, returned them to their former
228 [NoTemlxjr,
companions on the Barharea : Mr. Jeffrey had also varied the food o£
some of his larvae, by giving them Gardamine amara, and he found they
took to it freely ; the result of these experiments tended to the belief
that though the Barlarea is at least one of their natural food-plants,
yet that there are other plants liked by them quite as well to be found
amongst the tribe of CrncifercB.
The larvse moulted thrice, first from the 8th to 10th of August, a
few rather later, the second moult happened with most of them on the
17th ar.d 18th, and the third moult occurred with some on the 21-th, and
all had safely accomplished that operation by the 27th of the month.
By the 9th of September, all were full-fed and shut up in cocoons
of earth, more or less in small companies partly clustered together,
many attached to the leaves lying on the surface of the ground, in
which none had gone to any great depth.
The perfect insects were bred, the first by Mr. Jeffrey, as early
as June 29th, 1882, followed by a very great number in his cages,
where they continued to appear at intervals, often three or four to-
gether, and occasionally six at a time, up to the 27th of July, — though
Math me the first appeared on July 14th, and then my anxiety was
dispelled by a feeling of great satisfaction at the completion of data
for this history.
The egg of strainentalis is ovate in shape, very flat at first, but
swells gradually, and in about six days appears to be finely reticulated
on the surface, and is then glistening and of a brownish-ochreous
yellow colour, transparent enough to show through the shell the
greenish embryo coiled round within, and surrounded with yellow
granules ; on the seventh day it is more filled out and rather prominent,
and then becomes a little dingier in tint, and hatches on the day fol-
lowing.
The newly-hatched larva is green, and rather transparent, with a
flattened black shining head and dark brown neck-plate, and on the
body can just be discerned most minute black dots and hairs ; after
eating out little pits and channels from the cuticle, causing transparent
blotches on the leaf for about five or six days and acquiring more
colour, it becomes of a very pale watery-green as it lays up to moult.
After the first moult it eats holes quite through the leaf, and its
ravages are very jierceptible ; its head is black, the back dark green,
the belly pale watery-green, the sides of the shining neck-plate dark
brown, while the middle of the plate is of the same green colour as
that of the back, the wart-like spots are of the ground colour but
have dark brown centres bearing single hairs, and a pale ring is at the
base of each spot.
i8S2.] 129
Soon after the second moult it is very dark on tlie back with a
deep and subdued blackish olive-green colour, while the belly has a
much lighter tint of the same, these are separated by a spiracular
stripe of bright yellow, the head, the side margins of the neck-plate,
and the warty spots on the upper surface are shining black, on each
side of the back are two very fine and much interrupted series of white
linear dots, less broken on the second segment to the end of the fourth
than on the others, the warty spots on the ventral surface are of the
ground-colour, having dark olive-brown centres.
Directly after the third moult and for a day or so the ground-
colour of the larva appears perfectly black, which enhances the bril-
lancy of the broken white lines and the yellow spiracular stripes, but
by degrees, after it settles down to feed again and grow, the black
skin expands and the ground-colour of the back becomes more and
more green until it is again of a blackish olivaccous-green, when the
length ranges from 13 to 16 mm.
It now consumes a great quantity of food and the plump skin
begins to shine a little ; at the end of about ten days it attains full-
growth, of an average length of 21 mm., and is thick in proportion,
tapering a little at each end, the anal legs extended behind in a line
with the body ; the glossy black head has the upper lip light green,
edged at the mouth with black, the papillae colourless, the side margins
of the plate on the second segment and the warty tubercles eacli
with a hair are black and glossy, the upper series of broken linear
white dots commence rather wide apart on the front margin of the
second segment, and in their course down the back form a base to the
upper-side of each first pair of tubercles, the lower series commence
on the third segment and are still more interrupted, the spiracular
stripe of very bright and deep yellow begins on the second segment
and extends to the thirteenth, another narrower stripe begins on the
fifth and follows almost close below, of either pale primrose-yellow or
whitish, the circular spiracles are yellowish-brown with shining black
centres, the belly is of a dingy drab-green, less dark than the back,
the anterior legs are greenish, the ventral and anal legs almost colour-
less : after the ten days' feeding and while still eating at intervals it
gradually contracts its length, and the dark back assumes a bright
purplish-violet coloured ground more shining than before, when it is
very beautiful, but in two more days' time it ceases to eat, and then
the spiracular yellow stripes lose their brilliancy, while it lingers a
few hours before spinning its cocoon on or just below the earth, wherein
130 I November,
it remains in the larval state and retains the purple-violet colour until
spring of the year following, when it changes to a pupa.
The broad-oval cocoon is covered with particles of earth, and
measures from 16 to 19 mm. in length and from 10 to 12 in breadth,
the interior being very smoothly lined with pale drab-coloured silk ;
the pupa is of rather a dumpy figure, from 8 to 9 mm. long, the wing-
covers longish, of a light yellowish-brown colour marked with dark
brown and having the nervur-es in high relief, the eye-pieces and
abdomen dai^k browm, the surface smooth and glossy, the last segment
of the abdomen is a little prolonged and rounded ofl: at the tip with-
out any points of attachment, w^hich probably would be in this
instance superfluous, as the tail of the pupa is brought to rest closely
packed against the side of the cast off larval skin, bristling wdth stiff
hairs, which evidently afford sufficient support and resistance for the
escape of the insect.
Emsworth : Septemher 11th, 1882.
A NEW EUEOPEAN PANORPA.
BY R. McLACHLAN, F.R.S., &c.
For some years I have had in my collection one J* Fanorpa, taken
by Baron von Nolcken in the island of CEsel, in the Baltic, that ap-
peared to represent an undescribed species, in some respects interme-
diate between P. communis and P. germanica, but nearer the latter.
Afterwards I saw a ? captured in Saxony by Herr Rostock, apparently
of the same species. Quite recently a second ^ , from Finland, captured
by Herr Appelberg, has come under my notice. As the MS. name
under which I returned the Saxon specimen has recently found its way
into print ("P. hyhrida, McLach.," cf. Eostock in " Entomologische
ISTachrichten," vii, p. 224), it is desirable to describe the species.
Panoepa htbrida, n. sp.
$ . Head black above, yellowish posteriorly ; rostrum yellowish or testaceous,
with two longitudinal blackish or piccous streaks scarcely extending to the apex ;
palpi testaceous, terminal joint fuscescent ; antenna? fuscous, the basal joint yellow.
Thorax black above : pronotum yellow ou its posterior margin ; meso- and
meta-nota with a yellow central lino and yellow scutellum. Sides wholly yellow or
testaceous.
Legs testaceous ; terminal joint of tarsi fuscescent ; claws testaceous, with three
teeth internally below the apex.
1882.]
131
Abdomen blackish to end of 6th segment, with testaceous lateral longitudinal
lines ; third dorsal segment narrowly
testaceous on its posterior margin,
which, in its middle, is produced into
a very large, rounded, testaceous hump
clothed with black hairs, and extending
over a portion of the succeeding seg-
ment, in a cavity in which it fits ; 7th
to 9th segments wholly testaceous,
formed as in P.germanica ; appendages
of the 9th (the cheliferous) segment
elongate, band-shaped, not much di-
lated to the tips, which are regularly
rounded (not truncate), the colour
testaceous, with blackish hairs, which
are more numerous at the tips.
Wings broad, broadly-elliptical at the apex, vitreous with fuscous neuration ;
pterostigma pale yellowish. Marking apparently variable. In the $ from Finland
the only markings are short fuscous transverse spots on the anterior margin (whereof
two on the pterostigma are the most prominent), some apical spots, and a slight
clouding on some of the transverse nervules. In the $ from CEsel there is an ab-
breviated maculose transverse fascia towards the base, succeeded by a median elongate
costal spot, which is followed by a sub-apical, angulose, narrow, complete fascia ;
there are also apical spots and some clouding of the nervules. (The ? is not now
before me ; according to memory the dark fasciae were more distinct, and the apex
had a band broken up by pale spots, which were enclosed in it).
Expanse, <? , 29 — 31 mm. ; ? , 34 mm.
Island of (Esel {NolcJcen, 1 (^ ) ; Finland (Carelia, Appellerg, 1 ^ ,
in the Ilelsingfors Museum) ; Saxony (Dretschen, Bostock, 1 ? ).
Equal to large typical specimens of P. communis (excluding P.
vulgaris, Imh.) in size, but structurally allied to P. germanica, with
which it agrees in the comparative length of the four modified termi-
nal segments, and also, to some extent, in the nature of the wing-
markings. It differs especially from germanica in the more produced
hump on the posterior margin of the third dorsal segment, and in the
form of the appendages on the cheliferous segment, which, in germanica,
are shorter, more flattened, and with the apex truncate and more
dilated. This latter character is conclusiye (and there are also dif-
ferences in the parts underlying these appendages, but not easily
definable without dissection). The same characters will separate it
from the South European P. gibherosa, but in this latter, the hump on
the third dorsal segment approaches that seen in hyhrida.
It is possible that P. hyhrida is peculiar to Northern Europe, and
132 [November,
no doubt it lias been hitherto generally overlooked, or considered as
only a large form of P. germanica.
Fig. 1 represents the greater portion of the abdomen of P. hyhrida,
(^ , from side ; fig. 2, appendages of the cheliferous segment of P.
hjjhrida; fig. 3, same of P. germanica ; fig. 4, same of P. communis.
N.B. — I wish it were as easy to define any structural differences
between the large typical form of P. communis and the (usually)
smaller, more marked form known as P. vulgaris, ImhofE (= var.
diffinis, McLach., olim.). I still iucline to consider them distinct ; but
in a series of neaidy 100 examples before me, there are several that
might apparently be placed in either communis or vulgaris, as defined
only by size and markings.
Lewishani; London :
l^th September, 1882.
P.S.- — In my paper on the species of Panorpa occurring in Europe,
in the Trans. Ent. Soc. Lend., 18G9, I identified with P.picta, Hag., a
? specimeu from South Eussia, which is figured on pi. iv, fig. 11.
Having since received many examples of the true picta from Asia
Minor and Persia, I am now by no means certain that the South
Russian insect is specifically identical, and it may be well to retain for
it the name nigrirostris, under which it was received from Zeller. In
the true picta the wings are in no way tinged with yellow, and the
black bands and markings are broader and more distinct. Perhaps a
smaller $ from Transcaucasia is identical with nigrirostris. — E,. McL.
NOTES ON TENTERI:DINID2E.
BY P. CAMEKON.
{Continued from Vol. xv'm, paffe 67).
Tentliredo coxalis, Smith, Journ. Linn. Soc. Zool., ii, p. 116, As
there is nothing in the description of this species to show that it is
not a true Tenthredo, I may state that it is a Strongylogaster, with
pilose antennae and truncated chq^eus. The type I examined in the
Hope Museum, Oxford.
Ancyloneura, Cameron, Trans. Ent. Soc, 1877, p. 91, = ? of
Cladomacra, Smith, Ann. Nat. Hist. (3), vi, p. 25G.
Lophyrus tropiciis, iS^orton, and L. eordoviensis, Norton, belong to
1882.] 133
the genus Brachytoma of "Westwood. The genera belonging to the
sub-family to which these species belong may be briefly characterized
as follows :*
A. Antennae 10- 11-jointed, labial palpi l-jointed, maxillary 3-jointed...
Decameria^ Lep.
1 B. Antennae with more than 11 joints.
1. The antennae with more than 13 joints, flabellate in the ^ , maxillary palpi 4-,
labial 3-jointed ; 2nd cubital cellule usually receiving both recurrent
uervures, appendicular cellule in hind wings very small...
Type, L. tropicus, Norton. Lophyroides, g. n.
2. The antennae 13-jointed, maxillary palpi 2-, labial l-jointed ; 2nd cubital
cellule usually receiving only one recurrent nervure, appendicular cellule
in hind wings large Ferreyia, Brulle.
The genus Camptoprium, Spinola, is no doubt identical with De-
camerin ; but Spinola describes the palpi as long filiform and 6- and
4-jointed. I suspect, however, that this statement is erroneous.
Perreyia (?) miomala, Kirby, List of Hym., i, p. 90, pi. vi, fig. 14,
is evidently identical with Lophyroides tropicus, Norton. What Mr.
Kirby (I. c. pi. vi) figures as the ^ of Perreyia compta, Norton, is, so
far as I can make out from the figure, identical with a species I have
described in the " Biologia Centrali- Americana " under the name of
Lopliyroicles riijicollis. As Mr. Kirby appears (I. c. p. 90) to doubt
if Norton had really males of P. compta, I may mention that all his
specimens were males. I have examined them through the kindness
of Dr. Henri de Saussure.
Cephalocera (?) calcar, Norton, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc, i, p. 51,
belongs to the genus Lohoceras, Kirby.
Nematus hetularius, Htg., Blattw., 192, 17, = erytlirog aster, Thoms.,
nee Norton. Before I was aware of the identity of erythroqaster with
hetularius, I named it crassiventris (Ent. Mo. Mag., xiv, 267), and
Mr. Kirby (List of Hymen., i, p. 132) has named it luteogaster.
Nematus conjugatus, Dbm., S. E. Z , 1848, p. 177 ; Thorns., Opus.
Ent., 023, 19. This species is British ; I have found the larvae in
Clydesdale.
Nematus consobrinus, Yoll., Tijd. Ent., xvi, p. 236, pi. x (1871),=
N umhrinus, Br. & Zad., Schr. Ges. Konig., xvi, p. 84 (1876). The
late Prof. Zaddach confirmed this determination a short time before
his death.
Nematus varius, Andre, Species d. Hymen., i, 193, = N pallescens,
Htg., Cameron, Eauna of Scot., Hymen., pt. 1, p. 40.
* They will be more fully described in the " Biologia Centrali-Americana." — P. C.
23^ [November,
Nematus monticola, Thorns., Hymen. Scand., i, 147, 77. I have
taken this seemingly rare species in Clydesdale.
Nematus Marshalli, Cam., Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, p. 9. This species
is most closely related to iV. myosotides, Fab., but may be known from
that common species by its body being shorter, and broader compared
to its length, the antennae are distinctly longer than the body, the ab-
domen is not much longer than the head and thorax and only black at
the base, and the wings are much darker coloured.
Here is a puzzle for those interested in antiquarian Entomology.
According to Thomson, pajypilosus, Hetz., is identical with N. myoso-
tides, Fab., but that determination cannot be correct, for the latter
feeds on clover, while papjyilosics is a willow feeder of totally different
habits and coloration. The description of the larva agrees very well
with iV. pavidus, Lep., sec. Zad., but I cannot make the description of
the imago fit very well with the latter, unless it is the ^ that De Geer
describes.
Nematus belhis, Br. & Zad., I. c, pi. 6, fig. 13 (I87G) ; Andre,
Species d. Hymen., i, p. 155 (1880), = N. haccarum, Cam., Ent. Mo.
Mag., xi, p. 189, January, 1876. Brischke and Zaddach only figured
the larva and gall, and I was only made aware of the identity of the
two when I received types this year from Herr Brischke. The imago
was first described by Andre I. c.
I have, during the last year or two, been re-investigating the gall-
making Nemafi, and have come to the conclusion that there are only
three good species which form round berry-shaped galls on willows,
namely, viminalis, Lin., sec. Vollenhoven ; haccarum, Cam., = hellus,
Br. & Zad. ; and herlacece, Cam. This determination only refers to
the species of which the habits are known ; for it is quite possible
that some of the species described by Thomson, and whose habits are
still unknown, may also form round galls on willows.
It is very much to be wished that the Revision so well commenced
by Brischke and Zaddach of the Pala^arctic Nemati would be com-
pleted ; but a revision, to be of any real value, would require to
be based on collections from different parts of Europe, and es-
pecially on type specimens. These insects are so closely allied, that
determinations made from many of the descriptions are pretty much
guess work. Forster's species especially, notwithstanding the length
of his descriptions, are very difiicult to make out ; and as most of
them are founded on males alone, cannot be identified without an ex-
amination of his types.
1882.1 135
Dolerus ChappelU, Cam. Mr. Kirby (List of Hymen., i, 219)
sinks this name in favour of genicidatus, Lep., Mon., 122, 364. This,
however, appears to me to be an exceedingly doubtful determination.
To begin with, geniculatus has the knees testaceous, while with
Chappelli the legs are entirely black ; then, geniculatus is a (J , and
although the ^ of Chappelli is still unknown, yet it may pretty
safely be surmised, that its male will differ in the coloration of the ab-
domen from the ? , like its close ally anticus. If the fact of its having
the legs (like Chappelli) entirely black is a matter of no great im-
portance, then D. tremulcs, Klug (known only as a c? ) might well be
considered identical with geniculatus ; but I believe myself the latter
was founded on an extreme variety of D. fidviventris, the $ of which
is very inconstant in the coloration of the abdomen.
Tenthredo chloros, Endow, S. E. Z., xxxii, 387 ; Kirby, List of
Hymen., i, p. 292, = viridis, L. (scalaris, Kl.).
Glasgow : October, 1882.
NOTES ON BEITISH TOETRICES.
BT C. G. BAKEETT.
{continued from p. 59).
CEnectra Filleriana, Schiff.- — In May last I received from Mr. "W.
H. B. Fletcher, of Worthing, larvae found by him feeding on Statice
limoniwu on the South coast. They were variable, rather slender,
cylindrical, or when full grown slightly flattened, active, very pale
green, with a narrow darker green dorsal line, spots small, whitish,
with delicate hairs, head and dorsal plate jet-black, anal plate yellowish
or with the dorsal region grey, the ventral region greenish, the spots
large and distinctly white, and the dorsal plate brown bordered with
black on both sides.
They rolled together the leaves of Statice limonium from above,
and devoured the upper surface, when full grown changing to dark
brown pupae in a slight cocoon, each in a rolled leaf. The moths
emerged in July, and were all CEnectra PiJle7'iana, a result wholly un-
expected to me, as I felt sure that those with large white spots would
produce Tortrix icterana, and the others perhaps the salt-marsh form
of T. costana.
The description of the larva of this species quoted by Hofmann
from Audouin is as follows : " Green, yellow at the sides, with numerous
dark raised dots (wartlets) , head and dorsal plate black, the former
with a triangular white marking. From autumn to May in rolled-up
vine leaves. In the south of France it is often very mischievous,
hibernating under bark of vine branches." He further says it has
also been found on Stacliys, Iris, and Salvia.
Heinemann, however, says nothing about its feeding on vine, and
does not describe the larva. He merely remarks that it feeds on
Stachys germanica, and refers to Mr. Stainton as an authority for its
feeding also in the seeds of Iris foetidissima.
If I remember rightly, it was Mr. Bond who reared it from the
last named plaut. Professor Zeller remarked to me that " he could
readily believe this," intimating, as I understood, that it might feed
on anything. He also confirmed the account of its be.ug attached to
the vine, otherwise it would have seemed probable that Audouin's
larva with " dark wartlets " might be distinct from ours with white
ones.
I have carefully compared the specimens now reared with types
sent me by Professor Zellei", and find that they agree accurately, ex-
cept that German specimens have the ground colour of the foi'e-wings
in the males lighter and yellower, and that the hind-wings are also
paler in both sexes.
Three specimens given me maiiy years ago by my old friend Mr.
Bond agree with those now reared.
Rctinia dnplnna. — Through the kindness of friends from time to
time, opportunity has been afforded me of examining authentic speci-
mens of almost every known or reputed British Tortrix, with the ex-
ception of Retinia duplana. Beputed duplana have been sent, of course,
but they have proved generally to be small turioneUa, a species of which
specimens from the south of England are far larger than those from
Scotland ; consequently, Mr. Threlfall's notice of the capture of the
former species {ante p. 113) awakened eager interest and enquiry.
Mr. Threlfall very kindly and promptly forwarded the specimen, with
the remark, " that it had been compared and found to agree with a type
in one of the larger northern collections." I am sorry to say that it
is not correctly named ; whence I deduce the conclusion that the type
with which it was compared may be in the same predicament.
This seems to confirm a suspicion which I have long entertained,
that we have no British duplana ; certainly the insect described by
Wilkinson under that name is more likely to be a small turioneUa, and
I therefore venture to appeal to possessors of reputed duplana for
evidence. I shall be exceedingly thankful for the sight of any such
specimens.
I may add, that the head of duplana is grey, not ochreous, and
that there is little or no ochreous suffusion of the fore-wings.
Pembroke : Octoher, 1882.
1882,] . 137
STNTJELIII)^ : A FAMILY TO INCLUDE SYNTELIA & SPH^HITES,
WITH A NOTE OF A NEW SPECIES OF THE FIRST GENUS.
BT GEORGE LEWIS.
During my recent tour in Japan, I continually met with a species
of SynteJia ; 1 took it first in the province of Tashiu, in June, 1880,
and in the autumn of the same year in South Hokkaido, and last
season I met with it in early spring on the banks of the Kumakawa,
in Higo, and in August in Sado. These places give the species a
range of over 800 miles of latitude. It hibernates under moist bark
with HoJolepta and other flat Histeridce, and in summer it comes to
exuding sap in company with Velleius, Selota, Cladognatlius, and
Mhomhorrliina. On small oaks of 6 or 8 inches diameter, where the
larvse of a large Eepialus were feeding in summer after the manner of
our Cossus, I have taken all these species together, and I was inclined
at the time, by its habits, to consider Syntelia to be an aberrant
Histerid. And there is no doubt that it is very closely allied to the
Jlisteridce, but the difiiculty of uniting it to that family arises from
the pi'oximity of the anterior coxae and the prominent mesosternum
which widely separates the anterior from the middle legs. Lately I
submitted for examination some specimens to Dr. Sharp, and he kindly
pointed out its near ally in the genus Sphcerites, and its relationship
to that insect is now evident to me to be such as exists between Holo-
lepta and Saprinus ; one is an arboreal species, the other a convex
stercoraceous feeder. The prominence of the mesosternum in front
of the middle coxae seems to indicate a relation to Lucanus, and
the spines on the tibiae and general outline are also somewhat
like Figulus, but the form of Syntelia is only analogous to the
Liicanidcs owing to similar habits, for the club of the antennae
consists of solid rings. In Sphcerites, the mesosternum ends abruptly
as in Ulster, and the middle and anterior coxae, therefore, almost touch,
but the shape of the pygidium and the other sections of the abdomen,
the form of the antennae, legs, and eyes connect it with Syntelia, and
it is doubtless, as Dr. Sharp says, of the same family. The eyes at
first sight seem differently constructed in Sphcerites to Syntelia, but
this is only owing to the sculpture and shape of the head. Synteliidce,
therefore, may precede Histeridce in catalogues and comprise at
present the two genera mentioned, which may be distinguished inter
se by the anterior coxal cavities being closed behind in Syntelia and
open in Sphisrites. Syntelia, as a genus, extends from Mexico through
Japan to East India, and in so wide a range the finding of new species
J3y [Xovoiiiber,
is almost crrtaiu ; perhaps even genera connecting it and Splutrites
may be found, but, unfortunately, neither insects ai'e of the claBS
usually sent home by ordinary collectors.
Stntelia histeroides, n. sp.
Black, sliining : head with a few large scattered punctures ; thorax, disc ernooth
with some deep punctures at the sides', hiteral edge and base emarginate, elytra
smooth with six deep punctate striffi, foiir dorsal more or less broken, one outer and
one sutural complete, the last continuous, running round both the apex and base of
elytra and joining the outer elytral margin. The pygidium is evenly and coarsely
punctured, convex in the middle, with lateral depressions deepening and ending before
the base. Beneath, the segments of the abdomen are sparsely punctured in the
middle, more thickly at the sides, mesostornum behind the middle coxfe smooth in
the medial region, and in front of coxse thickly and somewhat strigosely punctate.
This species differs much from S. indiea, the chief points of variance being colour,
punctuation of pygidium, the more convex and quadrate thorax, and the deep
irregular elytral striae. The spines on the tibiae correspond in both species. The
elongation of the thorax in Westwood's figure of indiea is somewhat exaggerated.
Length 62 — 7 j lines.
Distributed in Japan, but rather rare.
Wimbledon : 1th October, 1882.
Note on Eubria palustris. — During his recent visit from America, Dr. Horn
railed my attention to a note of his in the" Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique de
France" (1879, p. cxxxviii), respecting Euhria palustris, which is stated by
European authors to have simple claws. Be points out that the male of this species
has the anterior claw to all the tarsi bifid at the apex ; and he expresses his belief,
from the relationship which this genus bears to the allied genera, that if Coleopterists
would examine their specimens, the female would be found to have the claws simple.
I at once examined all accessible specimens, but found them all males. Dr. Horn,
however, found in Mr. Janson's collection an example which, from a slight difference
in the form of the head, and rather less impressed striae on the elytra, he thought
might be a female, and brought it to me for examination. I am glad to say that his
surmise was correct, the specimen, by its simple claws, proving itself to be a female.
The female of this insect must be very rare ; and it would be interesting if ento-
mologists would examine their specimens and publisli the results. Great care is
required in examining the claws, as the division of the apex of the claw being lateral,
it is only visible when viewed from above. — Chas. O. Watekhousb, British
Museum : October llth, 1882.
Coleoptera at Hunstanton. — During a short stay at ITunstanton at the latter ^
end of August last, I captured the following (amongst many other commoner) species
of Coleoptera, viz. : — Notiophiius substriatus, rujipes ; Dyschirius thoracicws, politus,
salinus ; Amara hifrons : Harpalus punctalulus, tardus;' Cillenus lateralis (this
ppeci'js was extremely abundant, in two instances I found froiti 20'to 30 specimens feed-
ing together on tlie dead bodies of sand-hopper.s ; Bnnhidium .Stephens', concinnum;
Ciiemidotus impressiis ; Hydroporus farallelogrammus ; Falagria thoracica ; JBoli-
tochara hella ; Myrmedonia humeralis (under !i stone in a ditch); E)icephalus
complicans ; Diglossa mersa (under stones on the beach, from one to three specimens
under a stone) ; Heterothopis hinotata ; Ocypus compressus ; Xantholinus tricolor;
Bledius tricornis, unicornis (both in abundance in the salt marshes) ; Nossidiiim
piloseJlum (in plenty on the surface of a decaying stump) ; Carcinops minima;
Saprinus immiindus ; Meligethes cor acinus ; Otiorhynchus scabrosus, ligneus ;
Sciaphilus muricatus ; PoopJiagus nasturtii (in some numbers on water-cress);
Psylliodes chalcomera, chrysocephala var. nigricollis, marcida ; Apteropeda graminis,
globosa, splendida. — W. GI-. Blatch, 214, Q-reen Lane, Smallheath, Birmingham :
October IQth, 1882.
Solenopsis fugax at Sandown, Isle of Wight, Sfc. — I occasionally take a few
ants when I come across any that look strange. Last Easter, at Sandown, Isle of
Wight, I found under a stone a colony of Solenopsis fugax ; the insect struck me
by its minute size, which is less even that that of the London ant, Monomorium
Fharaonis (domesticum). Under a stone in the Landslip near Ventnor, I found,
some time ago, Tetrainorium cespitum and Lasitis umbratus in company.' Mr. E.
Saunders kindly determined all the species for me; he did not possess the Solenopsis
fugax, so I conclude that it must be one of our rarest species. If any Hymenopterist
would like a specimen, I should be happy to send him one, as I have a few to spare.
Priocnemis hyalinatus near Lincoln. — Some time ago I found, on the edge of a
pine plantation at Hykeham, near Lincoln, a specimen of Priocnemis hyalinatus,
which, I think, is one of the rarest of the Fossores. — W. W. Fowleb, Lincoln :
October IZth, 1882.
Actidium coarctatum, near Gloucester. — A short while ago {ante p. 20) I re-
corded the capture of a single specimen of Actidium coarctatum in a hotbed at
Barnwood, near Gloucester, and mentioned the fact as being interesting as corrobo-
rating Haliday's statement that he had found this river-bank species in such a
locality. As my single specimen might have been the result of accident, I may
perhaps mention the fact, that I have lately found several specimens (more than a
dozen) in the same hotbed in company with a profusion of Nephanes titan, and a
few Millidium trisulcatum, Ptilium foveolatum, Monotoma longicollis, Atomaria
apicalis, &c. I did not see a single Trichopteryx, or even Ptenidium apicale in the
hotbed. There was a considerable amount of sawdust mixed with the manure ;
this hint may, perhaps, prove a useful one, as it is quite possible that the rotting
wood was a great attraction. — Id.
Ceraleptus lividus. Stein, 4'c., at the Camber Sand-hills. — -Mr. H. Or. Henry
and myself had a long day at the above locality on October 3rd, chiefly workinff at
the long moss which covers the eastern side of the sand-hills. This produced us
sixteen specimens of Ceraleptus, which, I believe, has hitherto been recorded only
from Deal. Eleven specimens fell to my lot and five to that of Mr. Henry. Rhy-
parochromus chiragra. Fab., and sabulicola, Thorns., also turned up. Plinthistis
hrevipennis, Latr., was very common and could have been had in any numbers.
Syperaspis reppensis, Hbst., was somewhat abundant. — E. P. Collett, St.
Leonards-on-Sea : October 6fh, 1882.
140 [November,
Hemiptera and Coleoptera at Chobham. — During' the last -week in August and
the first in September, I had some collecting at Chobham. For such success as I
met with, my thanks are very largely due to Mr. Edward Saunders, who very kindly
gave me the benefit of his own experience, and showed me the localities for all the
best things. Amongst the more noteworthy of my captures may be mentioned the
following : —
Hemiptera. — Corizus maculatus, by sweeping in a damp place ; Alydus calca-
ratitx, running°;and flying in sandy places and vei-y active in the hot sunshine ;
Calt/ptonotus pini, chiefly in the larval form amongst dead leaves in sandy and
heathy places ; Lamproplax piceus, plentiful amongst damp rubbish at roots of
rushes, &c., at Gracious Pond ; this is apparently a fragile species, for, notwithstand-
that many of them had evidently only just assumed the imaginal form, it was rather
diflicult to find specimens that possessed the full complement of legs and antennal
joints ; Rhyparochromus dilatatus, common in sandy places, amongst dead leaves
&c. ; Cymus melanocephalus, abundant by sweeping at Gracious Pond ; in this
species I have noticed a malformation of the antennse different from that which so
frequently occurs in the Lygaidm ; in two specimens one of the antennae is consider-
ably shorter than the other, though the normal number of joints is present ; one of
these has the first three joints shortened, the second and third being also thickened
and darkened, and the fourth of the usual form and size ; the other has the first joint
normal and the other three shortened, the second and third being also thickened and
darkened. Calocoris ticinensis, a few as the result of much sweeping at Gracious
Pond ; I could not find it elsewhere ; I was apparently rather late for this species,
as most of them were more or less damaged. Pueciloscytus unifasciatus, by sweep-
ing ; Chlamydattis caricis, abundant, the ? chiefly by searching at roots of rushes,
and the $ , which was much more active than its partner and readily took to flight,
chiefly by sweeping in the same places; C. pyqmcBus, not uncommon at roots of
rushes where there was the greatest accumulation of dead and decaying bits of the
plants, these all came by searching in such spots, I could get none by sweeping.
Nahis Jlavomarginatus and lineatus, at roots of rushes ; Coranus siihapterus and
Salda marginalis, in bare places on the heath ; ^S. Cocksii and Hehriis rujiceps, in
wet Sphagnum.
Coleoptera.— liemg chiefly occupied with the Hemiptera, I secured only a few
beetles, thejfollowing being the best : — Amara injima, under stones in bare places on
the heath ; Bemhidium nigricorne, in heathy places ; Anchomenus gracilis, Gymnusa
brevicollis, and Fhilonthus nigrita, in wet Sphagnum ; and Cryptocephalus lineola,
by sweeping. Cicindela sylvatica was still about in some numbers on one part of
the heath, but had to be carefully " stalked." — E. A. Butlee, University Lower
School, Hastings : October 17th, 1882.
Description of the larva of Catoptria expallidana.- -In the autumn of 1880, I
found two plump, fat-looking larvae, apparently belonging to the genus Catoptria,
feeding in the flower-heads of the corn sow-thistle {Sonchus arvensis). In due.
course they spun up, and, in the following July, I was surprised by the emergence
of C. expallidana. When the autumn again returned, I once more examined the
sow-thistles, and found tlie larvse this time in some abundance. I collected about
twenty specimens, sufficient, as I thought, for all purposes, yet not a single one pro-
1882.] 141
duced the perfect insect this summer. Many Dipterous parasites appeared which
accounted for some of them, whilst the cold weather in June and July, just at the
critical time of the larva's change, when, probably, a certain degree of heat is
absolutely necessary to enable it to go through the process, explained, perhaps, the
failure of the rest. The larva is plump and fat, somewhat attenuated behind, and
with deeply cut divisions. A furrow crosses each segment rather behind the centre.
Colour, orange as far as spiracular region, whitish below, the line of separation being
somewhat abrupt. Occasionally, a specimen occurs in which the whole surface is
whitish. Head small, chestnut ; mouth black. Thoracic plate large, pale brown ;
anal plate faintly amber-coloured, variegated with pale brown. Its resemblance to
some of its allies is very close : I compared it on several occasions with cana and
Scopoliana, and could see no broad, self-evident distinction, so far as form and
markings went, but there was one point that served to distinguish them at once, and
that was the difference in their manners.
iScopoliana and ca?ia were the slow, sluggish creatures their forms suggested,
whereas my larva belied its appearance, and was quick and active in its movements.
It feeds concealed in August and September on the seeds of Sonchus arvensis,
passing, when necessary, to a fresh flower, but not uniting them with silk. The
cocoon is spun just beneath the surface of the soil, and the larva remains unchanged
in it till the following summer, when the pupa-case is left protuding after the emer-
gence of the moth. The larvse showed no tendency to wander when they had done
feeding, but burrowed at once, which made me hope I should breed the perfect
insect in good numbers this summer, but the cold weather altogether beat me.
Outside, as well as in my breeding bottles, the insect seems to have failed, for no
larvse could be found this autumn.
That a certain amount of heat is requisite before the pupal state can be assumed,
especially in the case of those larvse that remain for a long time unchanged in their
cocoons and want, as it were, to be roused up, I think I had recently a striking proof
in Ephijipiphora regiana. Wanting a few specimens, I gathered at midsummer a
dozen or more cocoons : one moth came out in July, the rest of the cocoons at the
present moment still contain unchanged and living larvse. — John H. Wood, Tar-
rington, Ledbury : ^th October, 1882.
The question of parasitism or non-parasitism in certain Ertrytomides. — I see
that at p. 48 of the present volume of the Ent. Mo. Mag., it is stated that Professor
Westwood read a paper at the Meeting of the Entomological Society of London,
May 3rd, 1882, on this question. Mr. Fitch's opinion is also given. I think the
question is already suiEciently solved in an article of mine in the " Archives Neer-
landaises des Sciences exactes." v, pp. 420 — 27, pi. xii (1870) : " Sur la maniere de
vivre de V Eurytoma longipennis. Walk." I have there given the description of the
metamorphosis and habits, with figures of the different states, and of the swellings
on Psamma arenaria, and the parasites. I also referred to an analogous observation
on the non-parasitic habits of Eurytoma Jlavipes, Forst., by an unknown Entomo-
logist in the Proc. Ent. Soc. London, ser. 3, ii, p. 141. — H. Wetenbekgh, Cordova,
Argentine Eepublic : August 22nd, 1882.
[Dr. Weyenbergh's article maintains that Eurytoma is non-parasitic. He will
142 [November.
find it alluded to by Prof. Westwood in his paper as printed in Trans. Ent. Soe.
Lond., 1882, p. 320, but not in an extended manner. Hia other reference occurs
in the Pi-esident's Anniversary Address to the Ent. Soc. on January 22ud, 1866,
who quotes from Dr. Asa Fitch's " Eeports on the Noxious, &c., Insects of
New York." — Eds.]
Parasites on Homoptera. — In his "History of Glanville's Wootton" (1878), at
page 304, Mr. C. W. Dale remarks, " I wish to call attention to a very curious black
parasite, about the size of a mustard-seed, adhering to the side of various species of
the Somoptera, where the elytra join the thorax. Througli the microscope it looks
like a little black bag. I think it must belong to the Acari. Not having seen any
account of it, I propose to call it Homopterophagus dorset'tensis."
I have no doubt these parasites are Gonatopi in the larval condition.
As an addition to my previous note at page 116, I may now state, that on the
28th of last month I took nine specimens of Typhlocyba cratcegi, Doug., on a
hawthorn bush, one $ , eight $ , and of the latter two had each an ovoid parasite
attached near the base of the abdomen, not so large nor so black as usual, but
yellowish, fuscous outwardly. I attribute the size and light colour to immaturity,
for the foster-insects were but newly disclosed, and had not attained the coloration
of maturity. Unless these Typhlocyhce hibernate (which I never knew the species
to do), the parasites had but a short time before winter to feed up, which they would
have to do if the host died within a few weeks. — J. W. Douglas, 8, Beaufort
Gardens, Lewisham : October lOth, 1882.
Note on Epkestia passulella. — ^As supplementary to Mr. Buckler's notes on
Ephestia passulella in this month's Ent. Mo. Mag. {ante p. 104), I may add that
the species is evidently double-brooded. On the 2l8t of June last, I received alive
from Mr. Davis, of Dover, three captured pairs of the moth, which deposited a con-
siderable quantity of eggs, and from them I have, during the last few days, been
breeding imagos. Some are still pupae, and larvae are yet daily spinning up and
changing, but all apparently are about full-grown, and show no disposition to hiber-
nate. No doubt this brood corresponds with the one from which Mr. Buckler's eggs
were obtained ; the moths sent me in June were rather late specimens, as Mr. Davis
had been taking the species some time previously. My moths deposited their eggs
on figs, on which the larvae have fed throughout. Their glass jar has stood in a
cold room facing the north. — Geo. T. Posbitt, Huddersfield : October 2nd, 1882.
Error as to occurrence of Metinia duplana. — Mr. Barrett informs me that my
supposed Eetinia duplana is a male of Eriopsela qiiadrana. The specimen was
named from a " type " in Mr. Hodgkinson's collection, and the mistake is thus
accounted for. I owe Mr. Barrett my thanks for thus putting the identity of the
insect beyond a doubt. — I. H. Thbeifall, 4, East Cliff, Preston: October lUh, 1882.
d^Htuarir.
Br. a. H. K. Thioaites, F.R.S., F.L.S., died at Kandy, Ceylon, on September
11th, in his 72nd year. lie was best known as the Director of the Botanic Garden
18S2.] 143
at Pcracleniya, Ceylon, a position he had held since 1849 till his retirement a few
years since, and his name will long be remembered in connection with the spread of
Cinchona culture, &c., in the island. Before his departure for the east he had made a
reputation as a cryptogamic botanist, but he also turned his attention to Entomology
and published several short notes in the Proceedings of the Entomological Society,
&c. During his long residence in Ceylon he constantly forwarded consignments of
insects to his friend Professor Westwood, who has described many curious forms
(especially in Paussidm) from his collections. Only last year Professor Westwood
described a singular laryal form, sent by him, the ordinal position of which remains
doubtful (c/. Trans. Ent. Soc, 1881, pp. 601—603, pi. xxii). He was a man of
simple habits, and for many years a strict vegetarian. He was elected into the
Entomological Society so long back as 1838, into the Linnean Society in 1854, and
into the Koyal Society in 1865.
Entomological Society of 'Loth j>os.— Sept. 6th, 1882 : H. T. Stainton, Esq.,
F.E.S., &c., President, in the Chair.
Mr. J. Jenner Weir stated that he had recently observed an eel rise and take
a caterpillar from oS the edge of a leaf of Niiphar lutea ; and he referred to a
recent article in Chambers's Journal with regard to the proceedings of a pet trout,
and its discrimination of caterpillars in respect to colour, &c.
Mr. McLachlan exhibited about 500 specimens of Nenroptera of various families,
being part of a collection he had made in July, chiefly in Switzerland and in the
Val Anzasca, North Italy. Amongst others were twelve species of RliyacopJdla, in-
cluding about forty examples of a new species from the Val Anzasca (and Val
Cannobina), and several oi Rh.Meyeri, McLach. (from the same localities), hitherto
known from a single specimen. There were also many specimens of ConiopterygidcE,
including a species in which the wings (at any rate, in one sex) were marked with
grey blotches (fi'om the Val d'Anniviers), and another with nearly black wings (from
Val Levantina), both divergent from the ordinary unicolorous white condition. He
also exhibited a large piece of the so-called " indusial limestone " of Auvergne, re-
cently given to him by Mr. H. W. Jackson, M.K.C.S., F.G-.S., who had obtained it
from near Eomagnat in Auvergne. In calling attention to the fact that this singular
geological formation appeared to consist entirely of masses of shell-covered caddis-
cases, he read an extract from Lyell's " Manual of Elementary Geology," in which
a probable explanation of the circumstances tending to produce the formation is
given. He also stated, that although these cases must have pertained to the Limno-
philidce, fossil remains of insects of that family of Trichoptera were almost unknown,
whereas others, of other families, apparently less suited for preservation in a fossil
state, were plentiful.
The Rev. H. S. Gorhara asked why it was that recent cases of this kind were
so frequently formed wholly of one kind of shell ?
Mr. McLachlan said it was apparently owing to the conditions under which
particular larv£e found themselves with regard to building materials.
Miss E. A. Ormerod exhibited a species of Lina, which was stated to be doing
great damage to hazels and willows in Norway. She also made some remarks on
" rape-seed cake," and its effects upon wire-worms. The Indian cake was manu-
144 [November. 1882.
factured from mustard, and wire-worms feeding npon it when in a putrescent con-
dition soon died, whereas they throve on the English cake, which was manufactured
from rape.
Mr. Billups exhibited a large number of LeptkUa Irevipennis, Muls. (cf. ante
p. 90), both living and dead, obtained in the Borough Market, London, from willow
baskets imported from Cherbourg.
Mr. C. O. Waterhouse exhibited a pair of antelope horns from Durban, South
Afi'ica, greatly infested by the larvae of Tinea vaatella, the cases of which projected
from them in all directions.'
Mr. Olliff exhibited specimens of Synchita jnglandis, a rare British beetle,
found under bark of beech at Tunbridge Wells.
Sir S. S. Saunders read a paper on two new species of fig insects, one of which
had been sent from Calcutta, and fed upon Ficus religiosa, ; the other was from
Queensland, and frequented Ficus viacrophylla, locally known as " the Moreton
Bay Fig."
4:th October, 1882. — The President in the Chair.
F. Swanzy, Esq., of Sevenoaks, was elected an ordinary Member, and Herr
Gustav Weymer, of Elberfeld, a Foreign Member.
Mr. McLachlan exhibited nymph skins of JIagenius Irevistylas, Selys, a dragon-
fly of the sub-family Gomphina, remarkable for their very broad and depressed
form. They had been collected in Texas by the late Jacob Boll. He called attention
to L. Cabot's description and figure published in 1872.
Mr. C. O. Waterhouse stated that the beetle destructive to beer-casks in
Rangoon, exhibited at the Meeting on August 2nd {cf. ante p. 120), was not Tomicus
{Xyhhorus) ISaxexeni, but identical with a species described by Wollaston from
Madeira as Tomicus pe?iforatus, and by Walker from Ceylon as Bostrychus testaceus,
the former name taking priority. He had seen it from both the old and new worlds,
but it was not a British species.
Mr. McLachlan said this information had an important bearing upon the
question as to whether the greater portion of wood-boring Coleoptera attack healthy
living trees, or only those in which decay from other causes had already commenced,
for in this case the beetles must have attacked the wood of the casks after the latter
had been exported. He expressed his firm belief that such insects are not the
primary cause of decay and death in trees, but only precipitate the result.
Prof Westwood stated that Audouin's experiments tended to prove that these
insects attacked healthy trees.
The Rev. H. S. Gorham and Mr. Waterhouse were of opinion that they did not
do 80, and agreed entirely with Mr. McLachlan as to the conditions favouring the
attacks.
Prof. Westwood read " Further descriptions of insects infesting figs," in which
a number of new forms were described (with accompanying figures). He pointed
out how \(^ry numerous these minute tig-frequenting llymenoptera were gradually
proving themselves, and their importance as connected with the process of caprifica-
tion. In efPect they appeared to exist wherever the genus Ficus existed in a natural
state. He was now acquainted with a multitude of species.
Mr. G. Lewis read a paper in which he attempted to prove that colour in insects
is solely due to the action of light ; adducing a large number of instances in support
of his theory. The reading of this paper causi-d considerable discussion.
December, 18S2.] 145
ANNOTATED LIST OF BRITISH ANTHOMTIIB^.
BY E. H. MEADE.
(continued from p. 33).
19. CHOETOPHILA, Macq., Eond.
Anthomyia, p. Meig., SchiD., Walk.
Aricia, p. Zett.
Sylephila, p. Eond.
Sammomyia, p. Eond.
Gen. cTi. — Eyes bare, contiguous, sub-contiguous, or sub-remote,
in the males, approximate or remote in the females ; arista pubescent
or bare ; face more or less prominent ; abdomen mostly cylindrical in
tbe males ; alulets with small equal-sized scales ; wings with the anal
veins prolonged to the margin ; legs black.
Sect. 1 — Forehead and face very prominent (buccate).
1. BTJCCATA, Fall.
2. FNILINEATA, Zett.
3. ALBESCENS, Zett.
albula, Meig.
4. AEEKOSA, Zett.
Sect. 2 — Foreliead and face hut slightly prominent.
5. IMPUDICA, Eond.
varicolor, p. ? Meig.
6. TEAPEZINA, Zett.
7. CINEREA, Fall.
8. CINERELLA, Fall.
pusilla ?, Meig.
9. SEPIA, Meig.
10. BiLLBEEGI, Zett.
All the species in the first Section appear to be parasitic upon
wild bees, and are, therefore, generally found in the vicinity of their
burrow^s or nests.
C. BTJCCATA, Fall.
This, tlie typical species of the group, has the face very prominent, of a silky-
■white or yellowish colour. The eyes are sub-contiguous in both sexes, though slightly
wider apart in the females than in the males. The antennae are small and short,
especially in the females ; the third joint being but slightly longer than the second.
The arista is thickened at its base, almost bare in the males, but pubescent in the
females. The thorax is whitish-grey, with the sides almost white ; it is indistinctly
striped. The abdomen is whitish-grey with black reflections, and an interrupted
longitudinal dorsal stripe ; it is cylindrico-eonical, with small inflexed pale grey anal
segments in the male, and ovoid, with pointed apex, in the female. The wings have
the external transverse veins oblique, and slightly sinuous. The legs have the pos-
terior tibiae almost bare on their inner sides.
This species is of local occurrence. I captured several in May, 1881, on a piece
of rocky ground at Silverdale, in Lancashire, near the burrows of some wild bees.
I caught two of the bees while entering their holes, and on submitting them to Mr.
Bridgraan, he kindly named them as Audrena albicans and Andrena fulva.
146 fDoceiiibcr,
C. IJNILTNEATA, Zett.
This species closely resembles the last ; it is usually, however, rather smaller
and more slender. The eyes are rather more widely separated in the males and
much further apart in the females than those of A. huccata ; the space between
them in the latter sex being equal to about one-fourth of the width of the head.
The transverse veins of the wings are usually very sinuous, especially in the males ;
and the hind tibiae of the same sex are furnished with a tuft or series of soft hairs in
the middle of their inner sides.
Not common. I captured both sexes in 1875, at Bowdon,in Cheshire, while on
a visit to ray friend, Mr. B. Cooke, and I have also received specimens from his own
collection.
C. ALBESCENS, Zett.
This species resembles the two preceding ones in form and colour ; it is, however,
usually of a much smaller size, though it varies greatly in magnitude. There appear
to be two distinct varieties, one as large again as the other ; the former measuring
5 to 6 mm. (2 J to 3 lin.), and the latter only about 3 mm. The chief chai-acteristic
feature is the sub-plumose arista, on account of which Rondani placed it in a dis-
tinct genus {Hammomyia). The position of the eyes is much the same as in C.
unilineata, but they are usually rather more widely separated in both sexes than in
that species. The legs have the fore tibiae ciliated along their outer sides with short
hairs, in the males of the larger variety ; and the hind tibiae are also furnished with
soft hairs on their inner and front sides.
Found in sandy places, but not common.
C. AEEXOSA, Zett.
This well-marked little species is rather aberrant in its characters, for while it
has the face very prominent, and resembles in its general features and habits the
other species in this section, it differs from them all by having the abdomen de-
pressed or flattened at the base, but thickened at the apex by the presence of large
sub-anal male appendages. The eyes of the males are sub-contiguous, and those of
the females widely separated. The hind tibise of the former are armed along the
whole length of their inner sides with rigid hairs or bristles of moderate and even
length. The colour, especially on the thorax, is very pale, almost white.
Kare or rather local. It chiefly frequents marine sand-hills. The only speci-
mens that I have seen were given to me by Mr. B. Cooke, and were taken by him at
Southport, in Lancashire, where it is not uncommon.
C. IMPUDICA, Eond.
This species is characterized by the males having two large sub-ventral lobes on
the penultimate segment of the abdomen, armed with minute black spines, and with
a reddish spot at their base. The eyes are sub-contiguous in the males, and widely
separated in the females. The thorax is bristly, of a darkish grey colour, with a
central and two narrow irregular lateral black stripes ; the sides are cinereous. The
abdomen is hairy, light grey, with an interrupted longitudinal dorsal stripe ; the
portions of wliich are often dilated into triangular spots. The legs are furnished
with many hairs and bristles, but the hind tibiae have few or none on their inner
1882.] 147
sides. The females have the thorax and abdomen coloured and marked in a similar
manner to tliose of the males, the latter part is conical with a pointed apex.
Grencrally distributed. Size, from 6 to 7 mm. (about 3 lines).
I believe that this species has been confounded with C van'color, Meig., a
British specimen of which I have not yet seen. The latter (of which I possess a
typical example named by Eondani) has the abdomen laterally compressed, and des-
titute of the large sub-anal lobular appendages.
0. TRAPEZIKA, Zett.
This bears a considerable resemblance to C. impudica, but is darker in colour
than that species, less hairy, has the abdomen of the male more depressed (less
cylindrical), with smaller ventral lobes without a red spot at their base, and is marked
along the dorsum with a series of triangular or sub-quadrate black spots. The thorax
has three black stripes, which are nearer together than those in C. impudica, and
there are often two lateral ones in addition.
The hind tibiae of the males are armed with three or four bristles in the middle
of their inner surfaces.
The female is lighter in colour than the male, and often has both thorax and
abdomen almost immaculate.
Not uncommon.
C. CINEREA, Fall.
This species is characterized by its grey colour and almost immaculate thorax.
The face is rather prominent, that of the female being more so than that of the male.
The abdomen in the latter sex is sub-cylindrical, somewhat flattened, clothed with
numerous black hairs, and showing dark reflections when viewed in some directions ;
it has also a narrow sub-interrupted dorsal stripe, and tapers a little towards the
apex, which is round, projecting, and of a grey colour, with two hairy lobular ap-
pendages on its under-surface. The legs are long and spinose ; the hind tibiae of
the males being armed along their inner sides, for nearly their whole length, with
a series of short stiff hairs, of sub-equal lengths.
The female has the thorax often marked on its front margin with two narrow
brown stripes, placed near together. The abdomen is conical, pointed, mostly
unstriped, and closely resembling in shape that of the female of Hydrophora conica.
The length of this species is usually from 7 to 8 mm. (3 to 4 lin.), the females
being mostly the larger. It is not uncommon; the females are much more frequently
Been than the males, and are often noticed on the flowers of Chrysanthemum leucan-
themum (the ox eye).
C. CINERELLA, Fall.
This little species has the thoi-ax and abdomen coated with grey dust-like scales
{cinereo-farinosus) ; the former is indistinctly striped, except by four dorsal rows of
small black bristles ; and the latter, which is cylindrico-conical in the males, is marked
by a central dorsal line of small triangular spots. The hind femora, as pointed out
by Rondani, are destitute of bristles on the basal half of their under-surfaces, and
the hind tibiae are bare on their inner sides.*
* Bondani also observed that the epistome is very prominent.
148 ^December,
I believe this species to bo identical with the A. pusilla of Meigen and Schiner.
It is not the same as the A. cinerella of Meigen, which belongs to the genus
Hylem^ia.
It is not common.
C. SEPIA, Meig,
This small dark fly is characterized by being rather short and thick, with
shortish wings, which are nigrescent at the base. It is hairy, with the thorax dark
grey, having a central black stripe, which is sometimes indistinct. The face is rather
prominent, and the eyes of the males are sub-contiguous. The abdomen in the same
sex is black, hairy, thick, and cylindrical, with the apex large and inflexed, having
two projecting sub-anal hairy lamellae. A wide interrupted dorsal band, formed by
large sub-quadrate black spots, may be seen in certain lights. I have not seen the
female.
This species is usually found in corn-fields, but is not very common ; Rondani
says that the larvse live in the culms of wheat and other graminacese.
C. BiLLEERGI, Zett.
This is an aberrant species, the generic position of which it is rather difficult to
determine. Schiner places it along with its congener, M. sylceatris, Fall, (of which
I have not seen a British example) in the genus Eriphia of Meigen. Another genus,
of which it possesses many of the characters, is Pogonomyia of Eondani ; it does
not possess, however, the distinctive points assigned by the latter author to the
species placed in either of the above genera, for it has the scales of the alulets very
small and equal in size, and the anal veins prolonged to the margin of the wings.
In the face of these difficulties I have thought it best to place it, at least provisionally,
in the present genus.
It may be known by its black colour, its rather elongated form, the approxima-
tion of the eyes in both sexes, and the dilatation of the second and third joints of
the fore tarsi in the females. The face and epistome are both rather prominent, and
the latter is furnished with numerous bristles. The eyes are sub-contiguous in the
males, and only slightly more separated in the females. The antennae are rather
short, with the second joint setose ; the arista is bare and thickened at the base.
The thorax is of a shining blackish -grey colour, with whitish shoulders and sides.
The abdomen in the male is cylindrico-conical, hairy, cinereous, with a central dorsal
longitudinal black stripe ; it has the apex rounded, projecting, shining black, hairy
beneath, and furnished with two moderate-sized sub-anal lamellfB. In the female
the abdomen is black, shining, immaculate, rather depressed, and with a pointed
apex. The legs of the female are peculiar in having the second and third joints
of the fore tarsi somewhat dilated.
Zetterstedt appears to have confused the sexes together, for he says, "Abdomen
in utroque sexu ovato-lanceolatum, sub-depressum apice acutum," which only applies
to the female, and he has made the mistake of attributing the possession of the
dilated tarsal joints to the male, an error into which Schiner has also fallen.
This is an Alpine species. I found several specimens of both sexes in May,
1875, in the woods upon the summit of one of the lofty hills surmounting the ruins
of Bolton Abbey, in Craven, Yorkshire.
{To he continued).
1882.] 149
NATUEAL HISTORY OF ENDOTRICHA FLAMMEALIS.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLEE.
While engaged in ^ividiying Jlammealis from the egg to the perfect
insect, it has been my good fortune again to be associated with Mr.
Wm. R. Jeffrey in the deeply interesting task, who not only at the
beginning supplied me with ova, but subsequently with the most
favoured and promising of his larvae, on occasions, and at a very
critical period when failure seemed almost inevitable, and for his kind
and invaluable assistance my grateful thanks are here recorded.
I received the eggs on 28th of July, 1881, about a dozen of them
being laid deep among the long hairs in the axils of the flower and
stalk of Lotus major, fourteen on leaves of Corylus avellana, five on a
spray of Melampyrum pratense, and one on a leaf of sallow.
The eggs hatched in the morning of 7th of August, and the young
larvae were supplied with leaves of all the above mentioned and a
tender young leaf of oak in addition ; at the end of three days the
softest of the hazel leaves showed a decided preference had been given
to them by the tiny larvae, though the Lotus had also been eaten, but
of the other leaves only the oak showed any trace of attack, and in so
slight a manner that it was not tried again for some time.
At the end of a week many were laid up for their first moult, and
this operation was not completed until the 17th, when the needful
changing of food became a hazardous piece of work, and proved fatal
to a few of the larvae.
Two individuals more forward than the others got over their
second moult on the 26th, while their companions lay waiting for
their turn, and by the time they had completed their change of skin I
became unpleasantly aware of having no more than eight larvae in all
remaining.
The third moult happened with one larva on the 8th of September,
and to the remainder on the 11th to 13th, and while changing their
food next day my long growing suspicion of cannibalism was verified
— for, just as on previous occasions, another larva was missing, and on
my scrutinizing what seemed a cast skin, it proved too surely to be
the remains of a larva, in great part devoured, and I had no doubt of
the culprit being that one which had moulted soonest, it having slain
its victim while helplessly laid up.
Hitherto, while changing food, I had occasionally noticed a dead
larva in a suspicious condition, but they were too few to account for
the number of mysterious disappearances which began after the first
150 r December,
moulting and continued at intervals ; their propensity was now noticed
by Mr. Jeffrey, who reported finding one of his larvae badly bitten, and
mine presently being reduced in number to six, I took the precaution
henceforth, to keep each separate.
After this they continued to feed a little, as evidenced by ravages
in the food and by small heaps of frass, at intervals ; although they
always seemed to me to be sleeping away their time as though it was
of no importance whatever, and their growth was most remarkably
slow, though singularly enough, Mr. Jeffrey succeeded in bringing one
of his brood — but only one — to full-growth by 5th of November, when
he very kindly sent it to me to watch, to figure, and note, and on the
10th it spun up ; but as no other of his nor any of mine could be in-
duced to follow this example, and as the proper time for any further
moult had long expired without the occurrence, and cold weather
coming, I unwillingly saw they intended to hibernate, and feed up in
spring ; and this really proved to be the case, for, with the above-
mentioned single exception, none became full-fed much before the end
of May, 1882.
The perfect insects, male and female, eight in number were bred
by Mr. Jeffery, and three also by myself, from June 29th to July 11th.
The egg oiflammealis is a longish-oval is shape, rather large for
the size of the insect, the shell, minutely pitted on the surface, is
whitish and glistening ; it adheres to the substance whereon it is laid
either on its side or standing on end, as well also to each other when
laid in little clusters, and I found after six days it was very faintly
tinged with greenish and in four more days it hatched.
The newly-hatched larva is very slender, translucent, and so
slightly tinged with flesh-colour as to be almost white, with grey-brown
head and narrow plate on the second segment ; on the third day after
feeding on hazel the body is tinged internally with crimson, or if fed
with the flower and leaves of Lotus major only, the internal vessel is
tinted with bright green, and in either case the head and narrow plate
are of a deep bright red ; it nibbles away little holes quite through
the leaf at some time or other during the first twenty -four hours, from
either the upper or under-surface, but is soon after to be found on
the under-side where it has spun for itself a little web of such delicate
gossamer as to be hardly visible on the hazel leaf, or in the flower and
leaflets of the Lotus.
After the first moult it is still slender, the head and plate are
dai'k reddish-brown, the skin of the body less translucent, though
Btill tinged with red from the interior, and now, by help of a strong
1882.] 151
lens, two rows of most minute brown dots can just be discerned on
the back ; the narrow silken somewhat tubular hammock is extremely-
thin and of pale brownish colour, w^herein the occupant lies curled up
motionless, and might be very easily overlooked without arresting
notice as a larva.
After the second moult it is grown but little, and seems very
much as before, except that the skin of the body generally is more
opaque, and bears a faint tinge of bluish-green above and a paler tint
of greenish-drab below, the dark red head is followed by the darker
brownish red plate, and a very small dark plate appears on the anal
flap, the brown tubercvilar dots are more noticeable ; it seems always
at rest in a close coil, either at one end or in the middle of its long
transparent brownish web, and if turned out of its abode to examine
is very timid, seldom uncoils, and for a long time is afraid to move ;
though not detected either by Mr. Jeffrey or myself in the act of
feeding, yet, that it feeds well, probably at night, is shown by portions
eaten out from leaves of hazel and Lotus major, and also, as Mr.
Jeffrey advised me, from tender leaves of Agrimonia eupatoria, sallow,
and hornbeam.
After the third moult the skin is quite opaque and of a dark
chocolate-brown colour above, a very dingy pinkish beneath, the head
rather widest in front near the mouth and a trifle flattened, is of
brownish-red colour, the plate on the second segment is broad, black-
ish-brown, and for a time appears dorsally divided, the small anal
plate is of the same dark colour, the tubercular dots are rough,
blackish, and ranged on either side of the back longitudinally in a
straiglit line loitli each other, each dot bearing a fine hair ; a most
remarkable addition occurs a little below these on either side nearly
close to the beginning of each segment beyond the thoracic, in that
of a small ocellated crater-shaped spot with dark brown centre bearing
a hair, other rough dark dull dots, similar to those on the back, occupy
the usual tubercular situations along the sides and ventral region, the
fifth and sixth segments on the belly have a transverse series of these
close together : the grey -brown web it spins for its dwelling amongst
the leaves now arrests attention from its curious construction, as when
seen while the twigs are in an upright position, the web is partitioned
off into several cells or chambers, one above the other, by delicate
diaphragms or floors, so to speak, varying in number, but often as
many as from three to five, openly wrought and with fine connecting
' threads, the larva occupying sometimes one chamber sometimes another,
almost always in its characteristic posture with the tail curled round
252 [December,
either across the second segment or over the head ; if turned out it
feigns death for a long time, but when once it recovers from its fright
it nimbly advances or retreats backwards in efforts to escape.
By the 19th of September, it is 12 mm. long, and is in a state of
transition from its previous habit of eating growing leaves, which, as
autumn advances, gradually die,. and it accustoms itself by degrees to
feed on those leaves of sallow and hazel, or of hornbeam, that are
getting more discoloured and softened with blotches of incipient
decay befoi-e falling, thus it acquires the changed habit of feeding on
decaying leaves, although it will yet, for a short time, occasionally
vary its diet by eating a small portion from a green privet leaf, or
even a small oak leaf if very tender, though at no lime does it seem
to really like either, and very soon it entirely rejects those leaves that
may still linger in a comparatively green state.
The changed quality of its food seems to affect the colouring of
the larva, for, by the end of September, it is of a dark purplish-brown
more dingy than before, the previous dorsal division on the neck-plate
has disappeared and the plate is now wholly black and shining, and it
is altogether quite in harmony with its surroundiugs on the earth,
where in a state of nature it would be, during winter, in the midst of
fallen leaves of various kinds, aud sure to fiud some with the requisite
qualities of moisture and tenderness agreeable to its taste, and. with
these most probably it would not be very particular in its choice.
After hibernation and when full-grown the larva is from 16 to 18mm.
in length, its proportions are rather slender as far as the sixth segment
thence gradually thickening towards the ninth, then as gently decreas-
ing to the end of the eleventh, and more tapering to the end of the
thirteenth, the head is a trifle narrower than the second segment, the
third and fourth have deepish and sub-divided wrinkles, the remainder
are well divided, and each is on the back sub-divided in the middle by
tioo deep ivrinMes very close together, a distinguishing character from a
very early stage, the front sub-division of the thirteenth is long and
the anal flap short, the ventral legs are small, the stouter anal pair
extended backwards, the tubercular dots are as before but not a trace
can be seen of the crater-shaped spots before mentioned, they are
obsolete, the fine rugosity which had previously made the skin so dull
is now much smoothed away, the general colouring too is rather less
dark on the back and sides, the spiracles are round and black but so
minute as only to be seen with help from a powerful lens, the head is
rather darker than before, the papilla? pale and translucent, the collar
plate blackish-brown, all the legs pale greyish-drab and rather fl
1882.] 153
transparent, the anal plate is blackist on the front and side margins,
brownish-grey behind, the belly has a brownish-ochreous tinge and
somewhat of this modifies the darker chocolate-brown of the back,
assimilating well with the few old decaying leaves in spring that can
yet be found lingering on in the haunts of the insect.
The cocoon, formed by the larva that was prematurely full-fed,
on withering leaves of sallow, on the 10th of November, was of a
roundish oval figure, composed of greyish-drab coloured silk, spun on
the under-side of one of the leaves and joined in part to another, the
silken surface exposed to view became in course of the night follow-
ing finished off with a number of small particles of greenish leaf
sprinkled irregularly over it, and adhering, gave just the speckled
aspect the under-side of the sallow leaf presented so often at that
time, both leaf stalks were fastened to the twigs with thick moorings
of silk, and one end of the cocoon being attached to the vessel wherein
it was kept for observation, seemed suggestive of an innate habit
under favouring circumstances of securing the cocoon to some fixed
object ; a day later it became needful for its removal to sever this
attachment, causing a hole, exposing much of the larva to view and
allowing me to note its already changing colour, but it was quite
equal to the mishap, for within a few hours it spun a quantity of silk
over the hole and prevented any further observation.
The above exceptioual instance induces me to add that all the
other larvae oi flammealis remaining alive in spring spun themselves
up during the last few days in May, both with Mr. Jeffrey and myself,
and that one of mine was in an oval cocoon of 13 by 6 mm. diameters,
covered with particles of earth and of dead leaf, half sunk in the soil
and attached to a dead leaf lying on the surface above with other
leaves matted together ; another cocoon had but little earth in its
covering, and was chiefly composed of decayed leaf of hornbeam and
hazel, situated partly within a curled-up leaf of the former kind to
which and to a little moss it was fastened : another, was a most clever
adaptation of the lower part of a dead sallow leaf with foot stalk
remaining, the edges of the leaf having been drawn round to meet,
and fastened with silk formed a hollow cone, which at the open end
had been stopped with grey -brown silk and the interior smoothly lined
with similar material ; in this the old larval skin lay next the foot stalk
at the pointed end, and the tail of the pupa next, altogether 15 mm.
in length.
The pupa itself is 81 mm. long, its general figure very much of
ordinary form, the head and eye-pieces moderately well developed, the
254 December,
thorax well produced, with distinct sub-divisions, is slightly keeled,
the hind mai'gin on either side strongly prominent, and convesly slop-
ing downward to the central point or end of the keel, the wing-covers
slant off towards the ends o£ the antennae and leg-cases which are
long, the movable rings of the abdomen have a punctate surface, but
are smoothly cut at the divisions, the spiracles rather prominent
especially the largest on the twelfth, the abdominal tip is a little pro-
longed, rounded and furnished with two longish curly-topped bristles
surrounded with four others of shorter lengths ; its colour is very
dark mahogany-brown approaching to blackish at the anal tip, and
with a glossy surface.
Emsworth : November 10th, 1882.
[The mystery surrounding the transformations of Endotricha JfammeaUs has
been simultaneously dispelled by the independent observations of investigators of
different nationality. At the meeting of the " Societe Entomologique de Belgique,"
held on the 7th October, 1882, Dr. Heylaerts read a description of the larva and its
habits, as observed by him in Holland ; it is not so detailed as Mr. Buckler's, and
there are certain small discrepancies between the two, but the results are practically
the same. — Eds.]
ADDITION TO THE BRITISH FAUNA OP A NEW GENUS AND
SPECIES OF HEMIPTERA-MOMOPTERA.
BY JOHN SCOTT.
In the beginning of August last, in company with my friend Mr.
Bignell, I paid a visit to a little meadow near to a place called Cann-
quarry, in the direction of Bickleigh Yale, where he had often been
before, in search of parasites, and I, for the first time, in the hope of
picking up some rare or new species of the spring-heeled Psyllidce.
The weather was all that could be desired, and our hopes of success
were, on this account much heightened. But " the best laid schemes
o' mice an' men, gang aft agley," and we found that the insects,
at least the kinds we were in search of, seemed to have deserted
the locality, as we worked on for a considerable time without any luck
falling to us. At last Mr. Bignell called my attention to a Homop-
teron he had just swept into his net, but from what plant he was
unable to say. It was speedily boxed, and we went on sweeping and
beating for more. After a long interval he took a second specimen,
and said he thought he had got it off the fern (Pteris aquilina) which
grows abundantly there. So, setting to work to try and establish the
fact, I soon pronounced for it by the capture of several individuals.
1882.] 155
A day or two afterwards we paid a visit to Shaughbridge, a magni-
ficent piece of mountain scenery in the same neighbourhood, and
where the fern grows even more thickly than at the former place ; but
here we were doomed to utter disappointment, probably owing to the
great quantity of the plant and the less open nature of the ground in
consequence, for after beating and searching about for hours, we were
not favoured with even a glimpse of the insect. There was now
nothing left for us to do except again to visit the first locality. This
we did in the course of a day or two, and I had the pleasure of taking
a goodly number, principally females. Neither a Psi/lla nor a Trioza
passed into my bottle, but I was equally gratified with the capture of
the insect about to be described.
Plattmetopius, Burm.
Head : croivn (without the eyes) pentagonal, apex acute, sides next the eyes
shortest ; anterior sides slightly convex, about as long as the length down the
centre ; posterior margin slightly concave ; disc slightly concave or reflexed at the
apex : eyes placed on the sides of the head ; viewed from above spherical triangular ;
outer margin continued in the same curve with the anterior sides of the crown, and
extending posteriorly for a short distance beyond the posterior margin : /ace, be -
tween the antennse, at least one-fourth less than the length down the centre ; sides
slightly narrowing towards the base of the clypeus : cJypeus obtusely angulate at
the apex. Antennce placed in a deep cavity above the middle of the eyes ; 1st and
2nd joints stout.
These are the principal characters which seem to separate the
present genus from that of DeJtocepJialus, to which it is very closely
allied ; Burmeister being the first to characterize the genera in his
Gen. Ins. (183S).
Plattmetopius tjndatus.
Cicada undata, Deg., Mem., iii, 119, 5, t. 11, fig. 24 ; Pall., Hem.
Suec, ii, 29, 7 ; Cicada vittata, Pab., E. S., iv, 35, 33 ; S. E., 67, 23
{nee Linn.) ; Jassus vittatus. Germ., P. I. E., 7, 20; Jasms (PJaty-
metopius) undatus, Plor, Ehyn. Livl., ii, 221 ; Kirschb., Cicad., 147,
127 ; Platymetopius undatus, Pieb., Yerh. K. K. z.-b. Ges., xix, 202, T.
6, fig. 64 ; J. Sahib., Cicad., 296, 1 ; Jassus (Platymetopius) undulatus,
Thomson, Opusc. Ent., i, 46, 1.
Bright lemon or canary-coloured, shining. Head: crown chocolate-brown,
more or less thickly and finely spotted with yellow ; anterior sides narrowly yellow ;
extreme margin with a minute puncture near each eye : frons,face, clieeTcs, clypeus,
and rostrum, yellow, apex of the last narrowly black. Antennce : cavity black ; three
basal joints yellow ; setcB brownish.
Thorax : pronotum chocolate-brown, very finely but irregularly spotted with
256 [December,
yellow ; lateral margins yellow. Scutellum chocolate-brown, very finely but irregu-
larly spotted with yellow ; beyond the middle a nari'ow transverse channel curving
round posteriorly near its extremities ; apical portion cordate, finely wrinkled trans-
versely. Elytra bright lemon or canary-coloured yellow, shining, with a broad,
chocolate-brown, longitudinal streak next the suture, extending to the apex, its
outer edge waved, or with two bays forming a />/\-shaped character ; clavus next the
suture, with three minute, almost equidistant, white spots, generally bordered with
black ; coritim : the thi'ee central ante-apical areas with a minute white spot in
each near to their extremities, immediately opposite to which are three others in the
apical areas. Legs pale yellow: tihice, mai'gins of the 3rd pair with long, spinose,
yellow hairs, each set in a minute dark chocolate-brown puncture : tarsi pale yellow,
apices of the joints very narrowly chocolate-brown : claws dark brown.
$ . Abdomen, above, black, side margins yellow ; underneath bright yellow ;
base with a small, black trilobate patch in the middle ; genitalia, above, black,
underneath, yellow. Length, ^ , 2 — 2j lines ; $ , 2| — 3 lines (Paris).
In his " List of British Ilemiptera, &c.," Walker gives Deltoce-
2ihnJus vittatus, Linn., citing Germar's figure o£ Jassus vittatus, which,
as above indicated, represents C. tindata, Deg., but there is no record
of the capture of the latter in Britain until now, although the species
is distributed throughout Europe. G. vittata, Linn., is our Eupteryx
vittatus.
Lewisham : Zth November, 1882.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO A KNOWLEDGE OF THE RHYNCHOTAL
FAUNA OF SUMATRA.
BY W. L. DISTANT.
The following descriptions refer to species which I have received
during the last few years in collections made by Messrs. Forbes and
Bock. The collection of Bhyncliota is evidently a pursuit which is by
BO means a speciality of those gentlemen, as the small and obscure
representatives of the Order are almost entirely unrepresented in their
consignments, which have consequently added less, than might have
been expected, to our knowledge oE this little-known fauna. Our
present information as to the Bhyncliota of Sumatra is greatly due to
Snellen van Vollenhoven, whose studies, however, did not extend to
the CoreldoB of this island ; to Ellcnricder, w'ho alone treated of the
Penlatomidce ; to various descriptions by the late Dr. Stal ; and the
same, in a much less satisfactory sense, of the late Mr. Walker. It
will be thus seen that, at present, our catalogues and collections of
Sumatran Bhyncliota are of the most meagre and superficial character,
though we may reasonably hope that this comparative ignorance will
soon be greatly modified by the publication of the Natural History
1882.] 157
section of the late Dutch Expedition into Central Sumatra: one
volume o£ this section, under the editorship of J. F. Snelleman, has
already appeared at Leyden, and contains notices of the Goleoptera,
Dipt era, Neuroptera, &c.
HEMIPTEBA-HETEB OPTEBA.
Fam. PENTATOMID^.
Canthecona cognata, n. sp.
Very closely allied to C.javana, Dall., and in general appearance perfectly re-
sembling that species, but differing in having the produced lateral angles of the
pronotum almost straight, and not curved and directed forwardly, and with their
apices obtusely and not long and acutely spinous as in the Javan species.
Length, 13 mm. Breadth of angles of proiiotum, 8 mm.
Hab. : Sumatra (Forbes).
Neosalica, n. gen.
Antennae five-jointed, third joint very small, the basal joint dis-
tinctly passing apex of head. Pronotum with the anterior angles
rounded, the lateral margins carinate and sub-erect, the anterior por-
tion rounded, sinuated about centre, the lateral angles produced in
straight acute spines, the posterior margin ampliated and produced
over base of scutellum. Scutellum longer than broad, the apex
rounded, and slightly passing base of membrane, and with a distinct
central longitudinal carinate line. Corium with the apical margin
very strongly sinuated. Abdomen with the connexivum extending
beyond margins of corium, segmental basal angles produced and
spinous. Rostrum extending a little beyond anterior coxae. Meta-
sternum with a central sub-triangular keel, of which the basal angles
are sub-produced, and the apex narrowed and extending to inter-
mediate coxse. Mesosternum with a slightly raised, narrow, triangular
keel, the ajiex of which is very narrow, and reaches anterior coxae,
and the base very prominently raised in a transverse ridge between
the intermediate coxae. Femora slightly thickened, the tibiae sulcated.
Neosalica is allied to Piezosternum, especially to that form of the
genus represented by P. excellens, Walker, for the reception of which
that author proposed a new genus, ^'Salica.^' It is easily distinguished
by the sternal keel not being produced beyond the intermediate coxae.
Neosalica Forhesi, n. sp.
Obscure ochraceous; antennse, lateral margins of the head with the inner
margins of lateral lobes, lateral margins of pronotum, base and apical margin of
scutellum, connexivum, and stigmata black ; apical portion of fourth joint of
X58 [December,
antennae, a rounded callosity at each basal angle of scutellum, a email Bub-quadrate
spot on each segmental lateral margin both above and beneath, margins of stigmata,
acetabula and apex of anal appendage, luteous ; membrane bronzy, with the apical
margins pale, the apices broadly so ; body beneath pale castaneous, the disc of abdo-
men, longitudinally and faintly piceous ; rostrum and legs dark castaneous ; abdomen
above green, the apex castaneous. Antennse with the second and fourth joints sub-
equal in length, first and fifth also sub-equal, and longer than third ; posterior
portion of pronotum and base of scutellum transversely wrinkled, the pronotum and
scutellum with a distinct, central, carlnate, longitudinal line ; membrane with the
veins very prominent. Length, 20 mm. Ereadth of angles of pronotum, 11 mm.
riab. : Sumatra (Forbes).
Fam. PTRRHOCOEIDiE.
Lohita grandis, Gray, var. sumatrana.
This variety differs from typical specimens of Grray's species in having the
apices of the intermediate and posterior femora unicolorous and not distinctly red,
the discs of both anterior and posterior pronotal lobes black ; clavus, excepting base
and apex, black ; scutellum wholly black ; the discal spot on corium, and the coxal
spots on sternum, very much larger, and the general colour reddish-ochreous, and
not sanguineous.
Hab. : Sumatra (Forbes).
This appears to be a very distinct race, and at first I was inclined
to consider it as another species, from tbe relative lengths of the
antennae and rostrum. I, however, fortunately possess a long series
of both sexes of Grray's species from N. E. India, and, to my surprise,
find that the lengths of both the antennae and rostrum are of a very
variable nature.
Fam. REDIJVIID^.
Panthous cocalus, n. sp.
Pale sanguineous, shining ; head, rostrum, antennae, apical angle of corium, apex
of abdomen, a spot at middle of intermediate femora, an annulated fascia near
middle, and apex of posterior femora, tibia;, excepting basal third, tarsi, some
irregular spots on connexivum (both above and beneath) and membrane, black ; disc
of posterior lobe of pronotum, about basal third of corium, and disc of abdomen,
fuscous ; basal joint of antennae with two pale ochreous annulations, apex of mem-
brane pale fuscous hyaline. The basal joint of antennae is about half as long again
as head, anterior lobe of pronotum sub-prominently tubei-culated, posterior lobe with
the lateral angles prominently and sub-acutely produced ; femora and tibia; dis-
tinctly pilose and nodulated ; membrane extending considerably beyond the abdomen.
Length, 29 mm. Breadth of angles of pronotum, 9 2 mm.
Ilab. : Sumatra (Forbes).
This species is allied to P. Dcedalus, Stal, and P. nigriceps, Eeut.
It agrees with the firot in size, but differs by the colour of the corium,
1882.) 159
the annulated posterior femora and the strongly nodulated legs ; it
agrees with P. nigriceps in the general markings of the corium, but is
considerably larger in size, and also differs from that species by the
different coloration beneath, the apices of the femora not " pallidius
lurido-flaventibus," &c.
PaoitJious talus, n. sp.
Dull, dark reddish-ochraceous ; connexivum, abdomen beneath, apical thirds of
interaaediate and posterior femora, intermediate and posterior tibiae, and apices of
anterior tibiae, tarsi and antenna?, black ; apex of abdomen, apex, and four
small rounded spots on margin of connexivum, membrane, and two annulations to
basal joint of antennae, pale ochraceous. The anterior lobe of the pronotum is tu-
berculated, two tubercles on each side of base being very prominent, posterior
pronotal lobe very coarsely rugose, the lateral angles sub-prominent ; legs strongly
nodulated and pilose. Length, 20 mm. Breadth of angles of pronotum, Vi mm.
Hab. : Sumatra (Forbes).
This species is allied to P. Icarus, Stal, from which it differs by
the colour of the legs, the considerably greater width of the pronotum,
the more robust and strongly nodulated leg3, &c.
HEMIPTEBA^HOMOPTERA.
Earn. CICADID.E.
Dundubla Bocki, n. sp.
$ . Head and thorax, above, dull ochraceous or olivaceous ; abdomen, above and
beneath, castaneous. Head, with the area of the ocelli, black ; eyes castaneous,
speckled with ochraceous. Pronotum with two small black spots at centre of an-
terior margin, the lateral and posterior margins somewhat paler, the last inwardly
and outwardly narrowly bordered with black. Mesonotum with two central, con-
tiguous, obconical spots, their bases situate on anterior margin, the outer margins
very pale and bordered outwardly (at base) and inwardly (broadest at apex) with
black ; four sub-basal black spots, situate one on each side of the anterior angles of
the cruciform elevation, which is somewhat paler. Tympana ochraceous. Head
beneath, rostrum, sternum, legs, and opercula ochraceous ; apex of rostrum black ;
anterior tibisB, bases, apices, and a sub-apical annulation to intermediate and pos-
terior tibiae, fuscous. Tegmina and wings pale hyaline ; tegmina with the veins and
costal membrane dull ochraceous, and the claval area inwardly margined with dark
fuscous ; wings with most of the veins dull ochraceous, a few being fuscous. The
body is elongate ; the head, including eyes, a little narrower than base of pronotum ;
the face is pi-ominent and globose, transversely wrinkled, and with a deep and broad
longitudinal sulcation on disc ; the rostrum reaches the middle of the posterior
coxae ; the opercula are long, reaching the fifth abdominal segment, they are sinuated
and narrowed on each side near base, and at the region of the tympana, and are
then widened and rounded on each side, the apex being broad and rounded.
Length, 44 mm. Expanse, 123 mm.
Hab.: Sumatra (Bock).
IGO [December,
This species is allied to D. radlia, Dist., from whicli it is struc-
turally differentiated by the very much shorter abdomeu, and by the
broadly rounded apices of the opercula.
Earn. CEECOPID^.
Cosmoscarta Jicno, n. sp.
Black, shining ; abdomen above, rostrum, legs, a few scattered spots on abdomen
beneath, and anal appendage, red ; apex of rostrum and femora, excepting bases and
apices, piceous ; ocelli large and 'bright shining yellow; eyes dull ochraceous ;
reticulations on apical third of tegmina distinctly pale and shining brownish.
Wings smoky-hyaline. Pronotum thickly and finely punctate, the lateral angles
broadly and sub-acutely ampliated, the lateral margin broadly ampliated and re-
flexed, the posterior margin truncated at base of scutellum. Tegmina very finely
and thickly punctate, the costal margin at base, suddenly and broadly dilated,
rounded, and sub-erect, the apical reticulations strongly defined. Legs setose ;
posterior tibiae with a strong sub-apical spine on outer margins.
Length, 17 mm. Exp., 50 mm. Exp. of angles of pronotum, 10 mm.
Ilab. : Sumatra (Forbes).
This species is allied to C. viridnns, Guar., from which it differs
by the more strongly dilated pronotum, the tegmina with the costal
margin suddenly ampliated, arched and sub-erect at base, the reticu-
lations of the tegmina not concolorous, the different colour of the
abdomen, &c. The tegmina, though shining, are less brilliantly so
than in Gruerin's species.
East Dulwich : November, 1882.
Coleoptera, Sfc, at Ventnor. — During a short stay at Yentnor at the end of last
April and the beginning of May, I found a few insects : the season was rather further
advanced than it has been for some years, but the bad weather prevented much work
from being done, besides spoiling the localities for the few fine days that intervened.
One fine warm morning I found the large stones on the beach on the west of the
town, under and above high water mark, covered with beetles that had come up
from the rotting seaweed underneath. Somalota plumbea was most abundant, ac-
companied by Ftenidium punctatum, Fhytosus spinifer and others ; unfortunately a
cold wind sprung up, and in a few minutes all were gone. On the beach I found
two specimens of Homalota princeps, a single specimen of Bledius atricapiJlus
(which also occurred at Luccombe Chine), and Bryaxis Waterhousei, besides other
species I have before recorded from the locality. Lithocharis maritima, which I
generally find in some numbers, was extremely scarce, and Trechus lapidosus was
represented by a single specimen.
On and about the cliffs, at the roots of plants, several good insects were to be
found ; the most noticeable of these was Ceuthorhynchideus Dawsoni, this was
attached entirely to Plantago coronopus, and literally swarmed, some plants having
20 or 30 specimens at least on them : they drop immediately the plant is touched
and lie motionless ; owing to their minute size and the exact resemblance they bear
1882.] 161
to the ground underneath, they are very easily passed over entirely, even where most
abundant ; at roots of Anthyllis, Daucus, and other plants I also found Otiorhynchus
scabrosus, Orthochcetes setiger, Tychius lineatulus, Corticaria curta, Corylophus cos-
sidioides, &c. A single specimen of Baris laticollis turned up on a wall in the town.
On and about the undercliff Aphthona venustula was plentiful on Euphorbia, and
Batophila cerata swarmed on every hawthorn bush. I also took Thyainis dorsalis,
Phyllotreta nodicornis, and other SalticidcB, Pogonochoerus dentatiis, Adimonia
sanguinea, Sitones ononidis, Atomaria fumata, and others, but nothing like what one
might have expected from the locality and time of year.
At Sandown the cliffs had been thoroughly washed by heavy rain, but under-
neath grass and dSbris at their foot I found a single specimen of Cathormiocerus
socius, some common Trachyphloei, Oxytelus insecatus, Dermestes undulaUis and
other species. At roots of Anthyllis, a little way up the cliff, I found a single
specimen of Otiorhynchus Ugustici (thanks to Mr. Blatch, who told me the exact
locality). Among Hemiptera I found Coreus scapha in abundance and two speci-
mens oi Fodops inunctus occurred in an ants' nest : besides Solenopsis fugax (recorded
ante p. 139), the only Hymenopterous insect I noticed, of any consequence, was
Andrena pilipes.
In a marshy hollow surrounded by willows not far from Brading which I worked
for a few minutes, I found several good things, such as Eypera suspiciosa, Plectros-
celis subccerulea, and Thyamis Waterhousei. Cercus pedicularius was in great
abundance : this place looked to me one of the best localities in the island, it is on
the left of the road leading from the Roman Villa to Newchurch, about a mile from
the former.
Carabidce were very scarce, all common species, and these occurred sparingly.
Harpalus rubripes, which is generally a pest, was found with difficulty, and H.
caspius, azureus, and serripes occui-red almost singly. The Stenolophi were repre-
sented by one specimen of S. meridianus, and the Dromii by Blechrus maurus : the
better undercliff species seemed entirely absent. — W. W. Fowlek, Lincoln : No-
vember \Uh, 1882.
Coleoptera at Mablethorpe. — The sand-hills which line the Lincolnshire coast
at Mablethorpe are, at certain seasons, very prolific in Coleoptera. Wliile visiting
in that neighbourhood in June, and again in October last, I spent a few days along
the coast, and took, among many others, the following Coleoptera : — Hydnobius
punctatissimus, $ $ , this insect is of rare occurrence ; Corticaria Wollastoni and
crenulata, Choleva sericea, Stenus suhmneus, Tachyusa flavitarsis, Thyamis suturalis,
Othius melanocephaliis, Scaphidema ceneum, Trechus obtusus, Dromius melanoce-
phalus, Saprimis metallicus, Anomala Frischii ; also one of the rarer Anisotomce,
and others not as yet determined. — H. Bedfoed Pim, 2, Crown Office Eow,
Temple : November, 1882.
Anthicus bimaculatus, III., near Liverpool. — It may interest some of the readers
of the Eut. Mo. Mag. to know, that I had the good fortune to capture a specimen
of the above rare beetle on April 29th last, on the Crosby Sandhills, where it was
crawling on the bare sand in a hollow, sheltered from the gale which was blowing a
162 [December,
the time. I was undecided as to its being this species, until it was returned to me
as such by the Rev. W. W. Fowler. This species has occurred very rarely at
Wallasey, but, as far as I am aware, this is tlie first record of its capture on the
Lancashu-e side of the Mersey. — John W. Ellis, 101, Everton Road, Liverpool :
November 2th, 1882.
Salicttis cylindriciis carnivorous. — The following observations on this apparently
abnormal habit of the male of the above species may probably prove interesting to
Hymenopterists, as neither Mr. Saunders nor Mr. Bridgman has seen or heard of
such before, and I myself, after about forty years' collecting and observing, have
never before met with anything of the kind, and can find no record or observation
to the effect that Halictus or any of the Anthophila are carnivorous. At the same
time there is nothing, so far as I am aware, in their structure to prevent their catching
and masticating insects, or if not exactly the latter, tearing them to pieces with their
formidable pincer-like jaws and sucking their juices, indeed, their oral apparatus
would seem more adapted to this mode of living than that of feeding on the pollen and
nectar of flowers ; be this as it may, so far as I am able to hear, they appear to have
confined themselves to the latter kind of food, still it would scarcely seem extraordi-
nary if they did indulge occasionally in some more substantial kind of food, seeing
that on both sides of them (according to our arrangements) we have carnivorous
groups, whose habits agree in almost every particular, except the choice of food.
Carnivorous habits in one of these nectar and pollen eating insects would seem to be
abnormal to the group to which it belongs ; but are we sufficiently acquainted with
the habits of these insects to pronounce that they are really abnormal ? All we can
say is, that we have not detected them before ; and if habits are to go for anything,
this fact would seem to connect the aculeate groups more strongly than has hitherto
been done. The following are the circumstances which brought the subject of this
communication under my notice :
On August 7th of this year, a botanical friend and myself were out for the day
on our respective branches of study and collection, on the cliffs and adjoining fields
at Seaton, not far from the well-known landslip. We halted for a few minutes on
the side of a hill, where there were numbers of flowers, some new to my friend, and
there were also numbers of small insects. I was specially on the look-out for
Hymenoptera. While standing still, net in hand, I caught several Halicti, and I
may say, that with the exception of a few Bomhi about the heads of flowers of the
large and conspicuous nodding thistle, Cnicus nutans, the insects were all Halicti
and Diptera. I did not, to my surprise, see a fossor the whole day. While standing
there in the blazing sun, I caught sight of an insect approaching me with something
in its mouth ; I struck at it and caught it, and, to my surprise and astonishment, I
saw it was a male Halictus. I did not then stop to make a critical examination, but
put liim and his mouthful into a pill box ; and, not to mix him with the rest of my
captures, I put him into a side pocket, that there should be no mistake. The next
morning when I came to examine him, I found that I had captured a male Halictus
cylindricus, with a fly {ScatopTiaga, not described by Walker in his British Diptera),
a larva oi Acocephalus (apparently agrestis), and three or four Aphides. The head
of the fly had been mutilated, but the rest of the body was intact ; the larva and
Aphides have dried up, so that I have not kept them, but tlie fly I have preserved.
1882.] . 163
Perhaps this notice may elicit, either from our English collectors of this group
of insects, or from some Foreign Entomologist, some corroboration of this, so far as
I am aware, single instance of one of this section of the Aculeata being carnivorous.
While on the subject of abnormal (?) peculiarities of bees, I may mention that
I have made special observations on Anthojihora acervoruni. A pair, or at most, so
far as my observations go, two pairs, had taken up their abode in a cob-wall at the
end of my garden. I began to notice them in 1863, and have noted the time of their
appearance in our meteorological register each year since that time to the present,
■with the exception of one year (1878), when I did not see them at all for the -whole
season. The next year, however, a pair took up their abode in the same place, and
have continued since. With the one break mentioned above, the male has always
put in an appearance about a week before the female ; thus, for 19 years, this law
has held good, but this year it was broken, for the female preceded the male by a
week — she appeared on March 9th, and the male came out on the 15th. — Edwabb
Pabfitt, Exeter : November 6th, 1882.
TJoplisus hieinctus, Rossi, near Plymouth. — On the Ist August last, between
Bickleigh Bridge and the Railway Station, I had the pleasure of taking two females
of this rare Hymenopterous iasect. It differs, however, from Mr. Smith's descrip-
tion, in having the fuscous portion of the flagellum extended on to the last apical
joint ; in having on the scutellum a yellow line, instead of two spots ; on the first
segment of the abdomen two egg-shaped spots broadly united and covering the
upper-surface and nearly the whole of the sides (in fact, it would be better described
as a band), instead of two triangular spots ; the broad yellow band on the second
segment is continued across the venter, the narrow band on the third is not con-
tinued across the venter, but is represented by a dot on each side and two in
the centre, in one specimen, in the other the central dots are wanting. Mr. E.
Saunders describes this insect with two spots on the first segment, and length 11
mm., these are respectively 9 and 9^ mm. — Gr. C. Bignell, Stonehouse, Plymouth :
\Uh November, 1882.
Error as to jig -insect from Ficiis religiosa. — As accuracy is always desirable, even
in minor matters, I beg to point out that in the Report of the Proceedings of the
Entomological Society of September 6th, which appeared in the last part of the Ent.
Mo. Mag. (p. 144), the fig-iusect from Calcutta, referred to as described by me on
that occasion, was obtained from the Ficiis indica, and not from the F. religiosa, as
stated in that report. Both sexes were forwarded to me, with the figs, by Mr. J.
Wood Mason, to whom I have dedicated the species under the name of Eiipristina
Masoni. The female is very remarkable, having a duplex serrate appendage attached
to the base of each of the mandibles and exarticulate therewith, the one series fur-
nished with nine teeth, and the other with seven, side by side with each other and
connected together at their base. The wings are also entirely different from any
allied species. The Australian species from Ficus macrophylla has a very long ser-
rate process attached in like manner, consisting of thirty teeth in a single series,
closely resembling a carpenter's hand-saw, the large hooked mandible representing
1(5 Jj • [December,
the handle. I liave namocl this curious species Pleistodontes imperialis. The same
species has since been obtained from an evergreen Ficus, said to be the F. austrais.
— Sidney S. Sattndees, Gatestone, Upper Norwood : Iso-cemler \Wh, 1882.
Notes on the Lepidoptera of Heligoland. — The little British island of Heligoland,
in the North Sea, has of late acquired more notoriety from scientific than from poli-
tical considerations. It has proved to be a sort of half-way house at which tlie
migrations, &e., of European birds can be studied with advantage, and from this
cause it has been visited by many of the most noted European Ornithologists ;
moreover, it has a resident Naturalist in the person of Herr Griitke, who has done
much, by his industrious observations, to draw attention to the peculiar ornithological
conditions of the islet. Its fame in this induced Baron de Selys-Longchamps to visit
it in September, 1880, and being also an Entomologist, he naturally sought and ob-
tained such entomological information as was available. The ornithological results
of his visit have been published in the Bulletin de la Societe Zoologique de France,
vol. vii (1882). To this paper he appends his entomological notes {Lepidoptera), and
as these are likely to be overlooked by Entomologists, in consequence of the medium
of publication, we think it well to call attention to them here. Butterflies (as well
as birds) are often migratory, and who knows but that some " undoubtedly British "
examples — say of Vanessa Antiopa — may have called in at Heligoland e» passant !
The extent of our small possession may be realized by Baron de Selys' own words.
He says : "J'ai fait le tour complet de I'ile en une heure environ;" and he adds,
" Je ne vis que fort peu d'insectes (il est vrai que la saison etait trop avancee), seule-
ment quelques Vanessa nrticce, Pieris rupee, et les Lihellula vtdgata et scotica. Je
me demande ou vivent Ics larves aquatiques des Odonates, car il n'y a ni marecages,
ni ruisseaux, et Ton n'a d'autre eau dans I'ile que celle des citerncs et d'un puits."
But Herr Gatke possesses a collection of the Lepidoptera of the island, and in
it Baron de Selys noticed the following :
*Papilio Machaon and Podalirius ; Aporia cratcegi ; Pieris *rapce, *««_;;*, and
*hrassicce : Leueophasia sinapis ; Colias Palceno, Hyale, StXid. Edtisa ; *Oonopteryx
rhamni ; Polyommatus phlaas and Hippothoe ; Lyccena Acis, Arion, and Alexis ;
Apatura Iris; Limenitis Sibylla; Vanessa polycMoros, *urticcB, *Io, Antiopa
*c-album, *Atalanta, m\(\.*cardm ; Argynnis Dia, Lathonia, Aglaia, and Paphia ;
Melitcsa Didyma ; *Satyrtis Semele ; Melanargia Oalatea ; Pararge Moera, 3Ie-
gara, and JRgeria ; Cmnonympha Pamphiltis, Davns, and Iphis ? ; Epinephile
Janira, Tithonus, and hyperanthus ; Hesperia comma.
Those species to which an asterisk is attached are found nearly every year ; the
others are only found occasionally (" tres accidentellement ").
The following Sphingida were also noticed, viz. : Sphinx ligusfn', convolvuli,
and pinastri ; Deilephila galii, eiiphorbicB, Elpenor, porcelhis, and celerio ; Sme-
rinthus ocellatus, populi, and tilice ; Macroglossa stellatarutn ; Zygcena Minos.
Amongst the Bomlyces was observed the variety of Spilosoma lubricipeda
known in British Collections as radiata, which appears to have become nearly ex-
tinct in England.
On two occasions Herr Giitke has taken Margarodes unionalis in his garden,
reminding one of its occasional sporadic occurrence in England.
1S82.1 165
Many other Lepidoptera must occur (some, indeed, have been recorded in other
publications), but the list of Butterflies and Sphingidce is probably tolerably com-
plete. And it is suggestive, inasmuch as many of the species must, of necessity, be
migrants. Zygana Minos in Heligoland appears almost incredible, and we might say
the same as regards Colias Palcsno. — Editoes.
New food-plant for Bombyx quercus. — In the middle of May, observing a small
Portugal laurel to be much eaten I looked for the cause, and found a half-grown
larva of Bomhyx quercus on one of its branches. I conveyed it to the house and
supplied it with leaves of the same plant. I, after that, introduced it into its feed-
ing cage daily, together with sprigs of whitethorn ; but on every occasion have
found the laurel eaten in preference to the other plant. Latterly I supplied it with
nothing else and it continued healthy and grew well until the 22nd of June, when
it became full-fed, spun a cocoon, and changed to the chrysalis state. Thus it re-
mained until the 17th of August, when a fine male imago emerged. — Owen S.
Wilson, Carmarthen : November, 1882.
Notes on the season in West Norfolk. — Like many others, I, too, complain of the
scarcity of Lepidoptera, and especially of Macro- Lepidoptera, this season. Several
species failed to put in an appearance at all, and others were not observed in their
usual numbers. From the very first this scarcity of Lepidoptera began to manifest
itself. Even the generally common Hibernia rupicapraria was quite a rarity, and
sallow-bloom seemed almost to have lost its attractive powers, so few were the insects
observed at it. As the summer advanced, more species were necessarily met with,
but many of them in very limited numbers ; the Eupithecice being especially scarce,
and generally late in their appearance. Eup. pygmceata I did not see at all, and
amongst the few Macros which have been as abundant as usual I note Coremia quadri-
fasciaria, which species seemed to be well distributed and moderately common on
tree-trunks in and near woods ; Melanippe unangulata and Macaria liturata have
been commoner than I have ever before observed them ; Larentia didymata was
everywhere a pest, and, in some places, L. pectinitaria was nearly as plentiful.
Sugar, although repeatedly tried, proved of little use ; even common Noctuce, such
as Noctua triangidum and N. brunnea, were only represented during the season by
shigle specimens, notwithstanding the abundance of larvae of these species in the
spring. A day on the coast in July resulted in my boxing three specimens only of
Anerastia Farrella, but, perhaps, I ought not to complain much of this, as the
weather was anything but favourable for coast work. Stathmopoda pedella turned
up in plenty among some old alders, but it was excessively local, being confined to
a few trees only. Of Tortrix Lafauryana I again secured a fine series, with some
curious varieties. Two specimens have the costal blotches united, so as to form one
long blotch on the costa. I also succeeded in breeding the species from larvae feed-
ing between united leaves and shoots of Myrica gale (bog myrtle). Two specimens
of Retinia turionana were dislodged from Scotch fir, and eventually boxed, also a
solitary specimen of Phlceodes Demarniana flying out of a birch tree met with a
similar fate. This specimen occurred some three or four miles from where the last
specimen was taken, so that I hope yet to find a spot in which it can be taken more
166 [December,
plentifully. A fine series each of Phoxopteryx uncana, P. sieulana, P. hiarcuana,
P. inornatana, and Phlceodes immundana were obtained, with a few specimens of P.
diminutana and P. Mitterpacheriana, but only a single specimen of Catoptria Ju-
liana. Cramhus hamellns and C. latistrius turned up in plenty, and Ephestia pas-
snlella swarmed on the premises of the Eing's Lynn Dock Company. Larvse of
Geometra papilionaria were found on the young shoots of birch in the spring, and
a larva, also from bii-ch, produced a fine specimen of Phycis betulella.
In conclusion, although I was fortunate enough to take a few good species in
considerable numbers this season, the fact still remains that many species which, as
a rule, are of annual occurrence here, have been either absent or comparatively scarce.
— Edwaed a. Atmoee, 8, Union Street, King's Lynn : October, 1882.
Notes on the larva of Lemmatophila phryganella. — While searching for Tortrix
larvse in Canaston Wood last July, I found larvae of Lemmatophila phryganella
rather commonly, and as the notices of this species in our books are rather brief, I
think that details may be interesting.
It seems to prefer woods, though often found in the open country, and I found
that the larvae were principally confined to oak bushes situated under oak trees in
the woods, so that they had plenty of shade.
The larva, when full grown, is about the size of that of Peronea hastiana, and
not unlike it, moderately active, nearly cylindrical, but with the second segment
smaller than the head. Colour semi-transparent yellowish-white, with a delicate
powdery-looking efHorescence. This shows more especially at each division of the
segments where there is a fold of the skin. Head chestnut or dark brown, with the
margin and jaws darker, dorsal plate freckled with brown, anal plate hardly visible,
spots invisible, but hairs rather long and delicate. Anterior-legs whitish, the third
pair having each a very singular, shining, semi-transparent tubercle on the outer
side, which gives the larva the appearance of having two long bladdery legs. Pro-
fessor Zeller (Isis, 1846) says that this peculiarity is confined to male larvse. It may
be so, but I certainly did not notice its absence in any of my larvae.
Feeding between leaves of oak united flatly together, eating the inner surface
of each leaf in patches, deserting its habitation without apparent cause, and joining
together other leaves, and partially gnawing them in the same manner, causing the
disfigured leaves to be very conspicuous. When full-fed, it lines a portion of the
space between two leaves with shining whitish silk, making a tolerably commodious
habitation or cocoon, and there becomes a chestnut-brown pupa, at about the end
of July.
My first (a male) appeared on September 30th, tbc rest (both sexes) from time to
time through October. Before November, all had emerged ; as the latter is the montli
in which this species principally fiies, I presume that they were slightly forced, not, of
course, by heat — since the species waits for cool weather — but by the indoor pro-
tection from wet and wind.
I see that Professor Zeller also gives October as the time of emergence. He
also describes the $ larvte as having the head and dorsal plate black, the $ brown.
This distinction must have been, I presume, in young larvse. I did not observe it.
— Chas. Gr. Babkett, Pembroke : IGth November, 1882.
1882.1 167
NOTES ON NEW BRITISH COLEOPTERA SINCE 1871;
WITH NOTICES OP DOUBTFUL SPECIES, AND OF OTHERS THAT
REQUIRE TO BE OMITTED FROM THE BRITISH LIST.
BY THE EEV. W. W. FOWLER, M.A., F.L.S.
{continued from p. 126.)
[Owing to a mistake, the words "flown across the channel " were applied, on
p. 122, to C. auratus, instead of to Calosoma syco-phanta, a few lines down ; I am
sorry that so obvious an inversion escaped notice.]
HYDEOPHILID^.
Philhtdrus sutuealis, Sharp.
This species is allied to P. marginellus, Thorns., but is larger, with yellow palpi ;
the clypeus has a yellow spot on each side in front of the eye, and the elytra are
dull testaceous, with the suture black. It appears to be very common both in Eng-
land and Scotland, and collectors will probably find that most of their P. marginellus
belong to this species, if they examine them ; in P. marginellus. Thorns., the elytra
are of a browner colour, the thorax is darker, the head black and unspotted, and the
last joint of the palpi black (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 153 ; Ent. Ann., 1873, 22). There
is very great confusion with regard to the synonymy of P. marginellus,
Helocliares punctatus, Sharp.
This species can hardly be separated from S. lividus, Porst.
A.nac(Bna variahilis, Sharp.
This appears to be considered on the continent a variety of A. limhata ; it is,
however, a very good species, and may be distinguished at once by its long oval
shape, which is entirely different from that of A. limhata. I have taken it in num-
bers in the New Forest, unaccompanied by the latter species.
Helophoeus tubeeculattjs, Gyll.
This insect may be easily distinguished by its deep black colour, and by the
polished tubercular elevations on the second, fourth, and sixth interstices of its un-
even elytra. Taken in the Manchester district by Mr. Chappell, and in Yorkshire
by Mr. T. Wilkinson (Ent. Mo. Mag., xi, 135, 235).
Helophoeus ^qualis, Thorns.
Allied to H. aquaticus, but smaller, with the sides of the thorax less rounded,
and its surface less closely granulose ; there are also other differences, but it would
seem very difilcult to separate the species from S. aquaticus, of which it appears to
be a small variety. It appears to be common, and to occur with this latter species.
I have taken it at Repton, and near Lincoln (Ent. Mo. Mag., xi, 39).
Helophoeus beevicollis, Thorns.
Said to be allied to H. granularts, but distinguished by the sulci of the thorax,
and by the elytra being narrower and more pointed at the apex, and having the
sides more parallel ; the punctures in the striae on the elytra are finer and closer,
and the interstices between the strise are much narrower and more elevated. Taken
at Killarney by Rev. T. Blackburn (Ent. Mo. Mag., xi, 39). I have a Scotch speci-
men named as H. brevicollis for me by M. Brisout, which appears to be very close
to ceneipennis.
168 [December. 1882.
Helophoetjs platj^icollts, Thoma.
Allied to S. ceneipennis, but rather narrower, with the sides more parallel, and
the thorax (as its name implies) flatter ; the punctures in the strise on the elytra are
finer and closer, and the interstices are flatter, and a little nan'ower. Taken in the
mountainous districts of Scotland and Ireland, and also in the Shetland Isles (Ent,
Mo. Mag., xi, 39).
Helophoktjs laticollis, Thorns.
Also belonging to the ceneipennis group, but distinguished by its broad thorax,
which is as wide as the elytra, by its elytra being not dilated behind the middle, but
thence narrowed towards the apex, with very strong, almost crenate, strise, with
narrow interstices, and by the long, and sometimes entirely black, apical joint of its
maxillary palpi. This very distinct species has been taken in some numbers at
Woking, by Dr. Power (Ent. Mo. Mag., li, 40).
Helophorus stbigifeons, Thorns.
A well-marked species, incapable of being confused with any other except S.
ceneipennis and H. planicollis, from both of which it differs in being a little larger,
in having the sides of the thorax more regularly rounded,- in the broad reflexed
margin of the elytra, and in having the longitudinal fovea on the base
of the head uniformly narrow. It is probably common (Ent. Mo. Mag., xi, 40).
Spliceridium marginatum, F.
The characters assigned to this species hardly suffice to separate it from S. bi-
pustulatum, F., of which it appears to be a variety.
STAPHTLINIDiE.
Leptusa testacea, Bris.
This species rests as British on a single example taken by Mr. Champion out of
sea-weed at Whitstable, Kent. It is described as being long, linear, flattened, tes-
taceous in colour, with dark abdomen, very short elytra, and long antennae. When
alive, it has much the general appearance of Fhytosus balticus (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 5).
Aleochara tillosa, Mann.
This insect very much resembles A. grisea^ Kraatz, in general appearance ; it
appears, however, to come nearer to A. lanuginosa, Gr., than to this last mentioned
species : it differs in having the 2nd and 3rd joints of the antennas equal in length ;
in being flatter, more parallel, and much less shining ; and also in the punctuation
of the abdomen. Taken in several localities, Newcastle, Braemar, &c. (Ent. Mo.
Mag., vii, 275).
Aleochara hibernica, Rye.
This species rests entirely on a single specimen found by Mr. Champion on the
top of Slieve Donard (a mountain 2800 feet high, in Co. Down, Ireland). It is of
the size and somewhat of the build of Homalota camhrica, Woll., but darker, more
convex, elongate, and shining, less closely punctured, with shorter antennae, &c. Its
general appearance is not that of an Aleochara at all, but it has its anterior tarsi 5-
jointcd (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 175).
January, 1883.] 169
Somalota egregia, Rye.
This species, which was introduced on a single specimen taken by Mr. Champion
at Caterham, has apparently been since abandoned, as being synonymous with .H".
rufo-testacea.
HOMALOTA DIFFICILIS, Bris.
Near H. vilis, Er., but smaller, with shorter thorax and paler antennee. Taken
by Mr. Champion at Stajnes, Lee, and Arundel, and by Mr. Eye near London (Ent,
Mo. Mag., viii, 247 ; Ent. Ann., 1873, 23).
Somalota csneicolUs, Sharp.
This insect can hardly be separated as a species from S. xanthoptera, Steph.
HoMALOTA HUMEEALI8, Kraatz.
This insect is described by Dr. Sharp as being very near H. sodalis, Er., but
smaller, with paler elytra and antennae, and different <? characters. Taken by Pro-
fessor McNab, at Cirencester (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 247).
HoMALOTA ATEATA, Mann.
Most nearly allied to H. gagatina, Baud. {variabilis,W. C.),but rather smaller,
shorter, and broader, with the abdomen thickly and finely punctured all over the
upper surface. Five specimens taken by Mr. Champion in a marshy place near Lee
(Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 247).
HOMALOTA FIMORUM, Bris.
Very near S. cinnamoptera, Thoms., but smaller, darker, rather more sparingly
punctured, and with shorter antennoe. Taken by Mr. Crotch, according to Dr.
Sharp's belief, in Norfolk (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 247).
Mr. Matthews has lately been revising the genus Myllcena, and
three or four species will have to be added to the British list : the
descriptions will appear in his essay on the genus.
Mycetoporus longulus, Mann., and Mycetoporus lepidus, Gr.
These species are apparently again united by some continental authorities, and
are classed as synonymous with Mycetoporus hrunneus, Marsh. They seem, however,
to have sufficient characters to separate them as species.
Mycetoporus longicornis, Kraatz.
It seems very doubtful whether the characters assigned to this species are suf-
ficient to separate it entirely from Mycetoporus splendidus, Grav. It is the var. 2
of this latter insect mentioned by Erichson (Gen. et Spec. Staphylinorum, p. 287).
Quedius fulgidus, (xrav.
This species is divided by Thomson into five distinct species, which will be
found fully discussed by Mr. Rye in Ent. Ann., 1869, 27. They are as follows : —
Quedius 4-punctattcs, Thoms. — Distinguished from the others by having two oblique
170 [January,
punctures on each side of the disc of the thorax, by its elytra not being longer
than the thorax, and by the 6th ventral segment of its abdomen having four
setigerous punctures on each side before the apex. Mr. Eye considers this a
good species.
Quedius temporalis, Thorns. — This is the most common form : it is very variable in
colour, but never exhibits the deep black body and bright red elytra of the pre-
ceding species (in fact, these two species in this point bear a strong analogy
to Mycetoporus longulus and lepidus) ; its thorax is shorter, with its disc
unpunctured on each side ; its elytra are longer than the thorax, and the 6th
ventral segment has only three sette on each side.
Quedius fageii, Thorns. — This form is deep black with pitchy-red tarsi, and is dis-
tinguished from Q. temporalis by its shorter antennte and elytra, and by other
minor differences. It appears to be the smallest of the forms. I have taken
several specimens under bark of a decayed oak near lilting, Essex, in company
with Q. scitus, and they all seem to exactly resemble each other, although I
cannot but think that they are merely a variety of the ordinary form.
Quedius hrevicornis, Thorns. — This form appears to be the most distinct, and to
have the best claim to rank as a species ; the very transverse sub-apical joints of
its antennce, the non-punctured sides of the thorax, and the very prominent
temples of its sub-globose head, which are not punctulated, seem to give it more
value than a mere variety.
Quedius puneticollis, Thorns. — This insect resembles Q. hrevicornis in colour, being
shining black, with bright red elytra ; it appears to be closely allied to this
species, from which it chiefly differs in the punctures of the head. I have
taken the species in Sherwood Forest by sweeping.
It is very difEcult to know what to do with these five forms, whether to class
them as separate species, or to reckon them all as varieties of Q.fulgidus. To
add to the confusion, some continental authorities have revived the Q. mesomelinus,
of Marsham, of which they make Q. temporalis a synonym. The punctuation of
the thorax, too, does not always appear to be constant, and specimens seem occasion-
ally to be found with one elytron red and the other black. Wliat is to be done with
these insects is, of course, more or less a matter of opinion. At all events, Q.
hrevicornis seems to have specific value.
Quedius rtijipes, Er., = Quedius semiohscurus, Marsh.
Quedius semi^neus, Steph.
This species, however, which was accidentally omitted by Dr. Sharp from his
catalogue, is the same as Q. semiohscurus, Er. It is a very well marked species,
distinguished from Q. attermatus, Gyll., which it much resembles, by the four longi-
tudinal interrupted bands of ashy pubescence on the abdomen (Ent. Ann., 1863, 80).
Xantholinus aLABEE, Nordin.
This species, which was also accidentally omitted by Dr. Sharp, ought to be in-
serted after X. glabralus, Grav.
1883.] 171
Scopcsus Byei, Wollaston.
Thi8 species was found by Mr. Wollaaton at Slapton Ley, Devonshire, under
stones near the sea, in 1869 and 1872. It diilers from S. minutus, Er., in being
smaller and narrower ; its colour is paler, or more reddish-brown, and its surface
more opaque ; its legs are thinner, and its abdominal segments less strongly divided.
In Mr. Mason's notes before referred to, I find one to the effect that S. Syei, Woll.,
= S. subcylindricus, Scrib. Mr. Rye (Ent. Ann., 1874, 82) says that those two
species are not synonymous.
LiTHOCHABis PICEA, Kraatz.
This insect is easily distinguished from all our other species by its dark pitchy
colour (with elytra rather lighter), and ferruginous legs and antennse. It must be
placed after i. JrwMKea in our list). Taken by Mr. Champion in Bexley Wood,
Kent, 1872 (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 156).
LitJiocharis tricolor, Marsli.
Was, by a misprint, placed as a separate species in Dr. Sharp's catalogue, as he
points out in Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 84 ; it is synonymous with L. propinqua, Bris.
COMPSOCHILUS PALPALIS, Er.
This genus comes very near Acrognathns ; C. palpalis may, however, be very
easily distinguished from Acrognathus mandibularis by its much smaller size (Ent.
Mo. Mag., viii, 37 ; Ent. Ann., 1872, 59).
Deleaster dicJirous, var. Leachii, Curt. (= adustus, Bielz).
This variety has the elytra strongly infuscate at the apex : it seems confined to
the northern part of England, and to Scotland. The southern specimens appear all
to belong to the type form (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 15).
Acidota cruentata, Mann., var. feeruginea, Er.
This variety differs from the type in being smaller, narrower, with very mark-
edly shorter elytra, of which the punctuation seems more confused. Taken by Mr.
Lawson near Scarborough (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 190). This variety certainly looks
like a good species, and if it is to be kept as a variety, there are several other species
that might be sunk with quite as good reason.
Olophrmn consimile, Er. {Omalium consimile, Gyll.).
Distinguished from our other two species by its narrower build, its thorax being
sinuate at the sides behind the middle, and its longer elytra. Taken by Dr. Bu-
chanan White at Braemar, 1871 (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 73 ; Ent. Ann., 1872, 60).
JEudecfus Wkitei, Sharp.
The genus Eudectus, new to our list, comes very near Coryphium : the strongly
angulated sides of E. Whitei will, however, serve at once to distinguish it from
I'TO [January,
Coryphium angmticolle, which is the only British species that it resembles. It
seems very probable that E. Whitei is only a dark northern form of IE. Giraxidi,
Redt. A single specimen was taken by Dr. Sharp on the summit of Ben-a-Bhuird,
Braemar, in June, 1871 (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 73 ; Ent. Ann., 1872, 61).
Somalium brevicorne, Er.
This species (introduced as British by Rev. A. Matthews, Zool., 8650 [1863])
has given rise to considerable discussion : it appears to be regarded by some conti-
nental entomologists as a variety of H. vile, Er. Mr. Matthews, however, considers
it a thoroughly good species, and says that it is readily distinguished by its shorter
and more robust antennae, of which the second joint is largely incrassated, its
shorter and more rounded thorax, and more distinctly striated elytra.
HOMALIUM TESTACEUM, Er.
This insect comes close to H. vile, Er., in our list : it differs, however, from this
epeoies in its more remote punctuation, and in its pale rufous colour : it also has a
short, smooth, shining ridge on the hinder part of the disc of the thorax. Taken by
Mr. Matthews near Gumley, Leicestershire (Ent. Ann., 1864, 62). This insect has
been omitted from the British list, but is, I think, certainly a good species.
{To be continued).
HINTS AS TO THE BEST MEANS OF EEARINa LARV^ OF
TORTRICID^.
BY CHAS. G. BAEHETT.
Eor some years I have occupied myself, as far as circumstances
"would permit, in working out the life-histories and describing the
laryjB of our British Tortrices, and, thanks to the kind help of
friends in different parts of the country, have had opportunities of
examining a great many species, some of them of extreme interest.
In many cases these larvse have been by no means easy to rear, from
peculiarities in their habits or dispositions, and I, therefore, think
that a few remarks on the peculiarities of Tortrix larvse and the best
modes of rearing them may be interesting.
There is no great difficulty in rearing the leaf-rolling species of
the genera Toi'trLv, Lozotcdnia, and part of Poecilochroma (of Wilkin-
son's "Tortrices" and Stainton's "Manual"), nor those which draw-
together leaves either flatly or by folding or spinning several together,
such as Peronea and its allies, Phlceodes, Poedisca, Coccyx, &c., because
they mostly feed on the comparatively dry and firm leaves of trees or
bushes, and are in consequence but little subject to the annoyance of
mouldy food. All that is necessary is to put the rolled, twisted, or
joined leaves containing the larvae into large tins or gallipots, closely
tied down and covered with glass, and to open them daily for vcntila-
1883.] 173
tion, supplying fresh food when necessary. Particular care, however,
must be taken never to introduce any food in a damp state, from
either dew or rain, or mould will be the immediate result. These
species will spin up among their food-plant and emerge in many cases
in a fortnight, in all cases within the same season. The few species
in these groups, such as Tortrix icterana and viburnana and CEnectra
Pilleriann, which generally feed on succulent low-growing plants,
should have plenty of air, not being covered with glass unless the food
begins to wither, such plants becoming very quickly rotten if covered
closely down. This is also the case with the curious balls of young
bramble leaves twisted up by the larva of N'otocelia Udmanniana.
In the case of the very numerous species which feed in the shoots
of shrubs and low plants eating out the young leaves, such as the larger
species of AntitJiesia, Hypermecia, BracTiytcenia, Pardia, Spilonota,
Hedya, Steyanoptycha, parts of Faramesia, Semasia, and Poecilocliroma,
much judgment must be used. Where the shoots are of hard-leaved
bushes and plants and the larva does not pack its domicile with frass,
tins or gallipots may be used and covered with glass, or wholly or
partially uncovered as seems necessary from the state of the weather or
the condition of the food, but shoots of soft-leaved low-growing plants,
and those which, as in the case of Steg. ncevana, are apt to be full of
frass, should be put into ordinary rough flower-pots and tied tightly
down with calico, old lining, or any close-textured material that comes
to hand. These pots allow a good deal of evaporation, and if dry
moss is introduced it will also absorb some of the superfluous moisture,
BO that glass may be laid either completely or partially over these also
to keep the food from withering, but it must be frequently removed
and the food stirred up and examined and prevented from becoming
mouldy or rotten. The same should be done with larvae of Sericoris,
some of which feed in flower-spikes as well as young shoots, and are,
therefore, still more liable to injury from mould or decay. But of all
the low-plant feeders the most diflicult by far to rear are the Sciaphilce.
It is hardly possible to keep the solid composite flowers in which
perterana and ictericana feed from becoming mouldy, and the larvsB
do not willingly move to fresh flowers. Perhaps the best plan is to
tie up the infested flowers with others in close bunches, so that air
can get round them and then tie them down in flower-pots. The
shoots and curved leaves in which virgaureana and other species feed
can only be treated as before described. But the difiiculty of keeping
the food in good condition is as nothing compared to the diflS.culty of
keeping the larvae in any sort of confinement. They seem beyond
174 [January,
measure impatient of imprisonment, and as soon as tliey discover the
least closeness in tbe air or change of condition in the food, begin to
wander round the vessel, and try by every possible means to escape.
If it is not very tightly tied down they force their way under the
string, perfectly indifferent to a squeezing that while in operation
completely flattens them, and if the string is too tight they will force
their way between the covering and the pot or into the smallest fold
and there die after reducing themselves to the thickness of brown
paper. To frustrate their efforts the covering must be of strong
calico or cloth, and must be tied down with thiii string which must be
wound five or six times round the pot and strained tiglit at each round,
and the covering material then pulled tight. No larva can then force
its way under the string and they cannot easily get between the calico
and the pot, but to completely prevent this the best plan appears to be
to rub a little lard or other form of grease round the edge of the pot.
This they detest and will not willingly touch, and it does seem to cir-
cumvent them. If by these devices the larvse can be compelled to
remain in the pot, they will spin up among the food-plant or in the
moss, but so much sulkiness remains in their disposition that the
moths, on emerging, will often remain among the rubbish at the bottom
until spoiled. The best plan is to examine the food and pick out the
pupjie, w^hich do well if placed on soft material in a chip or card box.
If, however, when full-fed the larvae are allowed to force their way
with difficulty out of the pot they appear quite satisfied, and will spin
up in the first available place ; so that I have obtained numerous
pupae by simply laying a squeczed-up piece of gauze or leno, or even
Bome dry moss, loosely on the top of the pot.
There are a very few leaf -feeders such as Stigmonotn JVeirana
and nitidana, which hibernate in a cocoon between the leaves on which
they have fed. These give little trouble and only require to be kept
cool.
The species of the genus Betinia, which feed in fir-shoots, are
tolerably easy to rear if the shoots are not allowed to get too dry, as
they do not readily become mouldy, and the larvse will move freely to
fresh shoots. A common flower-pot covered with glass is the best for
them.
Some of the species of AncTiylopera, which feed on the leaves of
shrubs and make themselves domiciles in which to pass the winter, are
rather difficult to rear, and must have winter exposure, but those
which feed in early spring on clover, &c., are easily managed.
Except the Sciaphilce, no Tortrix larva) are so hard to rear as the
1883.] 175
various groups of seed-feeders. There certainly are exceptions, such
as Antithesia gentianana and marginana, Asthenia strohilella, and
Eupoecilia roseana, which obligingly remain in their respective seed-
heads all the winter, requiring only to be kept cool and not too dry,
and not even needing to be wintered out of doors. The feeders on
Papilionaceous seeds, such as Stigmonota orohana and dorsana, after
leaving the seed-pods will spin their tough cocoons on rotten wood or
calico, and may also be wintered indoors. But it is quite otherwise
with the genera Catopfria, Endopisa, Carpocapsa, and parts of GrapTio-
litha, Semasia, Eupoecilia, &c. Most of these feed up with very great
rapidity, becoming full-fed almost before the parent moths have ceased
to fly — say, within a month or six weeks of the time of the egg being
laid — and remain for nine or ten months in cocoon in the larva state,
in most cases leaving their food and spinning up among debris, or under
stones, or otl:\er suitable places. Having to arrange for so long a
repose it is natural that they should wish to choose a suitable and
comfortable spot, but some seem unnecessarily fastidious. All that I
have recorded of the restless, obstinate, and suicidal tendencies of
Sciaphila larvae applies equally to these. They must be tied down in
flower-pots tightly and the covering material strained as already sug-
gested^— not omitting to grease the edge — and when they find that
they cannot really escape they may generally be tempted to spin up
by the introduction of pieces of rotten wood, cork, hollow sticks,
folded paper or rag, or the stems of their food plants. Sometimes
nothing will give satisfaction, and the larvae, after sulking for weeks,
will actually dry up and die without any material alteration in their
appearance. I have known dozens of larvae of Catoptria cemulana to
die in this way after leaving their food — the seeds of the golden-rod.
On the approach of winter the pots containing larvae of any of these
groups must- — ^the hole in the bottom being first stopped so as to
exclude insect foes, but allow drainage — be placed in the open air,
exposed to the influences of any weather that may come. It is well
to look at them occasionally lest the covering gets rotten and broken,
or the pot is rolled over by some active cat, but, making allowance for
accidents, larvae kept in this manner out of doors until the end of
April or even into May, will generally produce a fair proportion of
moths.
The internal, stem- and root-feeding species require very various
treatment. The succulent stems in which the Halonotce principally
feed, require to be kept alive in moist earth until the larvae are full-
fed, and care must afterwards be taken that the stems do not ferment
176 [Jiinuary,
from lying too close together, or dry up before the moths emerge.
The species, such as QrapJiolitha pupillana and the Dicroramphce,
which feed in the stems of harder plants, also thrive better if the
roots are kept in moist earth, and this precaution must of course be
taken with the root-feeding Euchromice, Orthotcenice, and Xanthosetiee.
Most of these species are best collected in the spring as the larvae are
slow feeders, and not easily discoverable until tolerably well grown.
Most of them turn to pupa in the stems, though O. pupillana follows
the custom of its allies in wandering away and sj)iuning up elsewhere.
The larvEe of Antithesia fidigana, E. nirjricostana, and several of
the EupoecilicB and ArgyrolepicB, which feed in the soft stems of low-
growing plants, must be collected in the autumn before the dead stems
are broken and scattered by the winter storms. The stems must be
kept fresh in moist earth until they naturally die down, by which
time the larvae have generally spun up, and the stems, may then be
kept in pots, jars, or even bottles, care being taken that they do not
get either mouldy or too dry, and will do as well in a cool room as out '•
of doors.
Of the larvae of the few bark, rotten wood, and gall-feeders, I
know scarcely anything. They are diflficult to find and, I should
think, very hard to feed up in confinement, though, if collected when
full-fed or in pupa they emerge well enough. I once reared Asthenia
coniferana from fir bark, but did not see the larva. One larva I did
find in the same bark, but am extremely doubtful of its species, and
quite sure that it was not reared.
Having now made public property of my own small stock of
knowledge on this subject, I earnestly appeal to those who may find
(known or supposed) larvfe of interesting local or undescribed species,
either to communicate to me a description with particulars of their
habits, or allow me the opportunity of making it myself.
Pembroke : Vjth November, 1882.
ON A SMALL SERIES OP LUPIJDOPTEEA FROM THE HAWAIIAN
ISLANDS.
BY ARTHUR G. BUTLER, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.
The present consignment was received last January, but until
now I have been so much engaged in working out the large collection
of Lepidoptera made by Mr. Edmonds, in Chili, and with other almost
equally important collections, that I have been unable to examine it.
The first species is rightly indicated with doubt as a Boarmia ;
1883.] 177
for, although congeneric with two Hawaiian species, which I (misled
by the appearance of their females) erroneously referred to Scotosia,
it, nevertheless, belongs to the group of genera confounded under the
name of Boarmia : under this designation there must be at least three
or four good and characteristic genera.
In a collection received from Mr. Blackburn, in 1880, were males
of my "Scotosia " vara, which ought perhajDs to have opened my eyes
to the fact that this species and S. corticea had no business in that
genus, but I suppose that, having a name for the species, I failed to
examine it critically, and thus perpetuated my error.
These three species, then, will fall into a new genus of Boarmiidcd
which I shall term : —
ScoTOETTHKA, gen. nov.
Wings entire ; primaries triangular, with straight costal and inner margins and
slightly convex outer margin ; first and second sub-costal branches emitted close
together near the end of the cell ; the third, fourth, and fifth branches emitted from
below the second at some distance beyond the cell, the third and fourth forming a
long fork to apex, the fifth being nearer the cell and, therefore, emitted sooner than
the two preceding branches ; radials normal, the upper radial being emitted from
the anterior angle of the cell, and the lower from the middle of the discocellulars
which are transverse and not angulated ; the second and third median branches
emitted almost from the same point at the posterior angle of the cell ; secondaries
sub-pyriform, decidedly narrower than in typical Boarmia, with slightly undulated
outer margin ; costal and sub-costal veins lying close together towards the base, so
that, to the naked eye, the former appears to be emitted from the latter ; the sub-
costal simple, passing away from the cell before its extremity, the discoidal area
being confined by the continuation of the radial into the sub-costal ; discocellular
slightly oblique, divided by a strongly defined longitudinal fold ; median branches
exactly as in the primaries : body rather slender, especially the abdomen of the male,
which extends considerably beyond the posterior wings ; palpi rather large, coarsely
scaled, projecting (as in Scotosia) for some distance in front of the head, the ter-
minal joint depressed ; forehead conical between but a little below the antennae; the
latter organs very long, especially in the male, plumose from about the basal fifth to
the external two-sevenths; thorax rounded, abdomen with well-defined anal tuft;
legs long and slender with the exception of the tibiae of the hind pair which are
broad and compressed ; tibiae of second pair terminating in two unequal well-marked
spurs.
1. Scotorythra arboricolens, sp. n.
(J . Allied to S. corticea : dark smoky-grey ; wings transversely striated with
creamy-whitish, but less strongly towards the outer margins, thus leaving a well-
defined external border ; two central slightly angulated blackish parallel stripes;
antennae white with greyish pectinations ; back of thorax and abdomen dark
sericeous grey ; posterior edges of abdominal segments white ; anal tuft testaceous :
178 [January,
under-surface sericeous whitey-brown ; wings washed with grey to beyond the middle,
where there is a paler discal band followed by a darker external border ; the whole
surface indistinctly striated with grey ; diffused blackish discocellular spots.
Expanse of wings, 39 mm.
" Occurs on tree-trunks at an elevation of about 2000 feet, on
Lanai ; very hard to catch, as it flies wildly before one can approach
near enough to its resting-place, and the ground is almost too rough
to attempt pursuit : September." — T. B.
But for its different ground-colour and distinctly striated upper
surface, I should have supposed this to be the male of S. corticea.
PYRALES.
2. Scopida litorea, sp. n.
Sericeous creamy-whitish ; palpi very long, curved and deflexed ; primaries
irrorated with ferruginous, crossed at basal third by an irregularly sinuated black -'
spotted greyish line ; two parrallcl discal series of black spots foi'ming a wide arch
to the first median branch, where they turn outwards at an acute angle and then
again transversely to inner margin ; discoidal spots ferruginous, ill-defined ; second-
aries with a spot at the end of the cell and an arched denticulated discal line, dark
grey ; a second paler grey line nearer to the outer margin ; all the wings with a
marginal series of minute blackish points, which in the primaries are continued
along the costa to the end of the cell ; wings below slightly sordid ; primaries with
the markings indicated in grey ; the reniform spot outlined in grey ; secondaries with
all the markings represented by black dots ; otherwise much as above.
Expanse of wings, 14 — 18 mm.
" Occurs on the sandy sea-shore at a place called Mauna Lea
(Lanai), flying over flowers : September." — T. B.
Orthomectna, gen. 7iov.
Allied to 3fecyna, from which it differs in its less prominent eyes,
less pointed and loosely scaled palpi ; the shorter costal margins to
the wings, the less oblique and straighter outer margin of the prim-
aries and smaller secondaries. Type " Mecyna'" exigua.
A second species, having similar structural characters to those of
M. exigua, being now sent (with additional examples of that species),
I feel satisfied that the difference between them and typical Mecyna
warrant their separation from that genus.
3. Orthomecyna albicaudatn, sp. n.
Primaries above golden-cupreous'; sometimes with an abbreviated irregular
blotch representing the central band over the end of the cell from costal margin to
median vein, below which it is indicated only by one or two small isolated spots,
sometimes wholly wanting ; a more or less defined angular blackish lunule on the
discocellular s ; external area washed with brown, which, however, only becomes dis-
1883.] 179
tinct upon the border, which is limited by a Bub-marginal series of black-edged dots
of the ground-colour ; secondaries dark brown, broadly blackish on the outer border
and traversed by two divergent longitudinal bright ochreous stripes from the base to
the third fourth of the wing ; costal and abdominal borders pale, the abdominal
area clothed and fringed with long fine hairs ; body golden-bufp, with white anal
segment; legs pearly-white, the anterior pair sordid, above grey, banded with
whitish ; wings below golden ; body below pearly- white.
Expanse of wings, 20 — 21 mm.
" Occurs on the same ground as 172 {Scotorythra arhoricolens) :
apparently rarer, but not difficult to capture. In my small series one
specimen has an intense black mark on each wing, representing the
indistinct dark blotch on the costa of the front wing of the smaller
specimens sent, and I notice some variety in the extent to which the
hind wing is suffused with yellow." — T. B.
4. Orihomecyna exigua, var. cupreipennis.
The primaries sometimes of the usual character, divided into irregular grey
areas edged with black and white, with sub-marginal and marginal series of black
spots ; sometimes uniformly sericeous grey with a marginal series of black spots
alone ; secondaries pale cupreous with diffused dark greyish external border.
Expanse of wings, 18 — ^20 mm.
" Taken on Lanai, in September," — T. B.
This form, if it be constant to locality, might well be separated
specifically from O. exigua ; for although the pattern and coloration of
the primaries is almost identical in some examples, that of the second-
aries is wonderfully dissimilar.
Melanomectna, gen. nov.
To this genus I propose to refer my Mecyna ennychioides and M.
nigrescens ; they differ from typical Mecyiia, of which M. virescens is
the Hawaiian representative in their long-scaled truncated palpi, their
sooty-black coloration, and small size, which characters give them the
general aspect of Boreop>}iUa : they, however, differ widely from the
latter genus in their narrower and more pointed wings : in neuration
they correspond with Mecyna.
5. Melanomecyna stellata, sp. n.
<? ? . General appearance and coloration above of M. ennychioides but the
wings rather shorter, the inner black stripe of the central belt on primaries edged
near the inner mai'gin with ochraceous ; the reniform spot represented by a black
8-8haped character ; outer black stripe dotted along its outer edge with minute
snow-white dashes ; marginal black spots separated by minute white points ; fringe
long, more broadly white-edged than in M. ennychioides ; eyes much darker ; under-
surface altogether more uniformly coloured ; the discal blackish spots less distinct,
not relieved by pale edges ; fringe silvery-grey.
Expanse of wings, (? , 18 mm., $ ,16 mm.
180 • [J.muary.
"Occurs on the mountains of Oahu in October." — T. B.
The receipt of this species in both sexes is satisfactory, since it
renders the distinctness of M. ennychioides from Aporodes ? micacea
more pi'obable.
Gesnebia, Hiibner.
To this genus Hiibner referred the broad-winged species with
long palpi, usually placed under Scoi^aria : he gave no characters ; his
description being merely — " The wings marked with an indistinct
central spot." The type is G. centurionalis.
6. Gesneria Jlo7'icolens, sp. n.
Aspect of O. mercurella, Linn., but in coloration nearer to Hellula nndalis :
primaries grey, Tariecl witli pale creamy-biifp, crossed by three white stripes edged
externally with blackish dots ; the two outer stripes (representing the limits of the
central belt) sigmoidal, enclosing the reniform spot, which is cream-coloured with
two black dots upon it ; the base and central belt are a little paler than the rest of
the wing, the disc being slightly the darkest area ; a sub-marginal series of black
dots from which small white dashes run outwards to the margin, interrupting a
black marginal line ; fringe white ; secondaries sericeous creamy-white, greyish at
apex ; fringe snow-white, traversed by a grey line : body sordid cream-colour; head
greyish, antennae brownish ; under surface silvery-white ; anterior tarsi banded
above with grey. Expanse of wings, 14 mm.
" Two specimens from Lanai : on the sandy sea-shore at Mauna
Lea, flying over flowers: September." — T. B.
TINIJINA.
7. Depressaria sp. ?
Two examples of a grey species with whitish secondaries ; both of them un-
fortunately destitute of palpi, on which account it appears to me that it is wiser to
abstain from naming this insect : it is doubtful whether it really is a Depressaria.
" Not rare in September among parched vegetation on the sandy
plains of Maui ; but most specimens were in poor condition." — T. B.
8. Azinis MlareUa.
Azinis hiIarena,Wa\'ker, Cat. Lep. Het., xxviii, p. 542 (1863).
" I have twice taken this insect, though at long intervals : each time
it was apparently attracted by light, but seemed very sluggish, and
apparently satisfied to sit and look at the light from a distance." — T. B.
The example sent agrees with three specimens collected by Mr.
Hobson, in Formosa : it is, therefore, evident that this species has a
very wide range.
British Museum : November, 1882.
1883.]
181
EEMARKS ON CERTAIN PSOCIDJE, CHIEFLY BRITISH.
BY R. McLACHLAN, F.R.S., &c.
Psocus (JSTeopsocus) khenanus, Kolbe.
On the 30tli July, 1882, the Rev. A. E. Eaton was in the Apennino
Pistojese, Central Italy, and was staying at the Villa Marghareta, near
San Marcello. In the grounds of the hotel he turned over a large
slightly embedded stone in search of Isopods. Under this stone was
a nest of a small ant (Myr-
mica sp.), and in company
with the ants were a num-
ber of a pretty little Psocus,
mostly fully winged, but
also others (that he did
not capture) with unde-
veloped wings, which
prove identical with a spe-
cies recently described (Entomol. Nachrichten, viii, p. 207, August,
1882) by Kolbe under the name Neopsocus rhenanus, found by Dr.
Bertkau under a stone (apparently 7wt in company with ants) in
Rhenish Prussia.
The main characters of Neopsocus, as distinguished from Psocus
(restricted), are: — ■? sub-apterous, ^ with fully developed wings;
body clothed with microscopic, thickened, truncate, erect glandular
hairs (most numerous in the ? ). In the anterior wings the lower
angle of the pterostigma is produced into a very short thickened spur-
vein* (to be seen in a greatly exaggerated form in the Indian Am-
phipsocus, McLach.).
The species is an exceedingly pretty little insect, about G^ mm. in
expanse, with hyaline wings, on the anterior of which are fuliginous
spots and bands arranged as in the figure ; the pterostigma whitish
(or yellowish) at its commencement ; the neuration black, partly milk-
white.
The Italian individuals have the markings of the wings rather
darker than in the only example I have seen from Prussia.
It is probable that Neopsocus may be really entitled to generic
rank (especially on account of the nearly apterous $ ) . In the
eight Italian examples before me the neuration is extremely un-
stable in minute details (all possess the spur-vein). As to the con-
dition of the discoidal cell, most of them would (on this character) fall
In the figure here given this is not sufficiently indicated.
182 f Jami.iry,
into Psocus as restricted by Kolbe, others would fall into Amphigerontia,
Kolbe (one even presenting the condition seen in A. hifasciata, Latr.) ;
and the form of the posterior marginal cellule is also very variable.
Psocus bipunctafus, L., was once found by Meyer-Diir in numbers
under a stone in Switzerland, not in company with ants. It is possible
there may be no real connection between the ants and iV. rhenanus ;
but, at any rate, the latter were not molested by the former. Stone-
turning will probably become a practice with Entomologists in search
of rare and new forms of Psocidce.
Peeipsocus alboguttatus, Dalman, & P. pupillatus (Dale), "Walker.
Two perfectly distinct European (and even British) species are
confused under these names, the names themselves, in their original
signification, representing one and the same species.
Some time ago I felt certain we had two species in England, and
communicated the materials to Herr Kolbe, who agreed with me.
Latterly, in the " Entomologische Nachrichten," viii, pp. 211 — 212, he
separated them as P. alboguttatus and pupillatus, but in error, and his
alboguttatus stands in need of a new name. I briefly characterize the
two species, with notes, &c.
1. P. ALBOGUTTATUS, Dalman (pupillatus [Dale], Walker ; Hagen ; I
Kolbe : alboguttatus, McLach., olim, part. ; Spangberg : stria-
tulus, Steph., part., sec. collect., fiec Fab.).
Much, smaller than the succeeding species, the anterior wings only expanding to
5 — 63 mm. The head and thorax darker
brown (nearly black in life). Anterior
wings very dark grey (nearly black in life) ;
in nearly all the cellules and areas the dark
(/round is represented by a papillate spot
surrounded by tohite ; a double sub-apical series of lohite spots.
Has been taken in England by the late Mr. Dale and by myself;
I found it commonly on the 4th July, 1873, near Weybridge, by beating
bushes of Calluna that overhung a high bank. Switzerland : I found
an example in the Foret de Pfyn, Canton Valais, on the 10th July,
1882, amongst Pinus sylvestris. Ehenish Prussia. Sweden ; accord-
ing to Dalman and Spangberg. Madeira ; Wollaston.
This is undoubtedly Dalman's alboguttatus, as is proved by the
following words in his diagnosis : " alse nigrae, maculis discalibus ma-
joribus albis G, puncto nigro inscriptis, vel sub-ocellatis ; intra mar-
ginom apicalem puncta 10 minora alba, duplici serie ordinata." It is
also pupillatus (Dale), Walker, as represented by the single specimen
1883.1 183
from which Walker's diagnosis was taken ; but Mr. Dale subsequently
distributed it and the following species under this name, and specimens
from him, thus confused, are in the British Museum and in my own
collection. In my Monograph in the Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. iii, the two
species are apparently confused in the description, but the figure
(pi. iijfig. 8) represents that now under consideration. This species is
probably widely distributed, but before any trustworthy ideas on this
point can be arrived at, students of Psocidce must re-examine their
collections and state the results.*
2. P. SUBPUPILLATUS (alhoguttatus, McLach., olim, part. ; Meyer-
Diir ; E-ostock ; Kolbe ; oiec Dalman : 4<-maculatus, Steph.,
part., sec. collect., nee Latr.).
Larger than the preceding species, the anterior wings expanding to 6 — 6^ mm.
r ur „..™^ The head and thorax paler brown.
^(S^i&iiii^^i^Wir^^^^^ ...^^5!sv Anterior wings pale grey (often
•j^^^^^^ " " "^^P i!^^^''fe^<-i^ extremely pale) ; a large papillate
^^^^*'*'*i^^^%^^^'^^:^/^^ spot in the area at the base of the
>^fc '^^^. ^■'P-iir^^'H^^^^'^^v y^i^^^y forked vein, but otherioise the
-?fe>SVfc •' -'^^v' ij>*'^ cellules and areas are not pupil-
'■■-■■'' late; a single series of large
white spots at the base of the apical cellules and areas ; there is a faintly indicated
sub-apical series of darker spots, but they are not enclosed in white spots, and hence
are not pupillate.
I This is commonly known in collections as alhoguttatus, and is
probably spread over nearly the whole of Europe. It is partial to
Finns sylvestris, but may be beaten from almost any tree.
C^ciLius OBSOLETUs, Steph.
Kolbe recognises three species as confused under this name, all
of which occur in Britain. Below I give a translation of his tabular
diagnoses from Ent. Nachr., viii, p. 211,
a. Body greyish-yellow. Wings yellowish ; posterior marginal cellule moderately
large, broad, depressed obsoletus, Steph.
Body brownish-yellow. Wings brownish ; posterior marginal cellule small, broad,
scarcely depressed Burmeisteri, Brauer.
J. Body bright pale yellow to reddish -yellow ; posterior marginal cellule yery
small, elliptical perlatus, Kolbe.
' I possess all three in my British collection, determined by Kolbe.
All are closely allied, yet I think he may be justified in separating
them ; but they require to be studied in connection with their habits.
There is some difiiculty in deciding as to whether Stephens' single type
* The rudimentary sub-costa is incorrectly delineated in the figure here given.
184 [January,
of obsoletus belongs to the species indicated by Kolbe under this
name, or to Burmeisteri. I am not quite satisfied. Perlatus is the
most distinct-looking o£ the three. These species frequent Finns,
Taxus, and Juniperus, especially the latter ; they should be collected
in numbers, and be carefully labelled with regard to locality, &c. Herr
Kolbe is an enthusiastic young student of Psocidce, and has done re-
markably good work, but some of his deductions will prove ill-based
in consequence of too minute subdivision.
Elipsocus ui^^ipunctatits, Miiller.
British Entomologists should examine their specimens of this in-
sect. Kolbe has separated it from Elipsocus under the generic term
Mesopsocns, on certain small characters, the chief of which is that the
"forked vein" is sessile at the base of the fork. But Elipsocus as
defined by him is headed by a species he terms E. laticeps, excessively
close to M. unipunctafus, and differing chiefly in the "forked vein "
being shortly petiolate at its base. Since Kolbe' s monograph appeared
in 18S0 I have diligently collected unipunctatus, hoping to discover
laticeps amongst them, but have not succeeded in so doing, although
I note considerable variation in the neuration, the smallest exaggera-
tion of which, in some examples, would produce laticeps (as defined
by neui'ation only). The fact that the latter apparently does not
occur in Britain is in favour of its distinctness ; even if it prove to
be distinct, there w^as small necessity for the genus Mesopsocus.
Clothilla annulata, Hagen.
This little "book-louse " was described by Hagen in the Eut. Mo,
Mag., vol. ii, p. 122 (1865), from specimens found in boxes of
" European insects." It has since been found in several parts of
Europe, and has been recorded from England in several continental
publications, on my authority. But I do not think it has ever been
formally noticed as British in a British publication. Seven or eight
years ago I noticed three or four examples amongst the mass of small
boxes, &c., &c., that adorns (?) the mantelshelf in my study here at
Lewisham, but have not observed it since ; and of its actual origin I
know nothing. It is just one of those insects to which no native
country can be assigned. Hagen has seen it in North America, and
figures it in the Stettiner ent. Zeitung, 1882, pi. ii, fig. 7.
N.B. — Kolbe considers Clothilla, Westwood, only a synonym of
Atropos,, Leach, whereas, according to him, Atropos of authors of the
present day should take the name Troctes, Burmeister. Leach's
1888.] 185
characters for Lis Family Atropida (Edinburgh Encyc, vol. ix) were
simply " tarsi three-jointed," and the type of his genus Atropos is
" lignaria^'' with the citations '"'' Termes pulsatorium, L.," and '"''Termes
lignarium, De Geer." On this evidence I am inclined to think Kolbe
may be justified in the view he has taken, but such a change is ex-
ceedingly inconvenient. The insect described by De Geer and Linne
is certainly that which we now term " ClotMlla pulsatoriay Trocies
of Burmeister is also certainly identical with what we term Atropos.
I believe Kolbe's views will have to be adopted.
Lewisham, London :
December, 1882.
Notes on certain captures dttring the past season in the Forest of Dean. — Out
of fifteen successive seasons I cannot recall one in which the months of May, June
and July yielded so small a harvest to the working Lepidopterist. And this is the
more surprising, because, in the preceding year, examples of the commoner species
that frequent this district were easily obtainable, and most of them abundant.
But although larvae were then so numerous here, observations made at the time
led me not to expect more than a nomial number of imagos from the devouring
host, for destroyers of one kind or other were as ubiqvutous as their victims,
and the traces of their handiwork quite as apparent. Nevertheless, certain early
spring moths proved to be plentiful, so that, when noticing frequently on the
oak trunks during February, March, and the first fortnight of April, N. his-
pidaria, P. pilosaria, H. 2irogemmaria, H. lencophcBaria, I little thought that,
at the close of 1882, my list of captured Lepidoptera would turn out to be such
a small one. This, however, is the case. Since mid-April the dearth of but-
terflies and moths has been, at least, as marked in this part as in those other portions
of our islands from which complaints on the subject have found their way into the
Magazine, so that thei-e lias been little or no inducement to carry the usual para-
phernalia of a Lepidopterist during one's rambles in the woodland. To be sure,
just before and after that date, A. prodromaria and C. ridens were now and then
met with, after, in each case, a most diligent search ; but, then, these captures are
miserably insignificant if placed side by side with those made at corresponding dates
in 1881, when one evening, after two hours' work, a collector returned home with
thirty picked specimens of A. prodromaria, and, for want of space, left quite double
that number on the moss, where they had just attained their full development. In
fact, I have not used the net throughout the season, and this not through inability
or indisposition, but because the weather was felt to be of such a kind, as to make
it exceedingly probable that no adequate return would be gained by that method of
collecting. To take the insects mentioned above a few pill boxes sufficed. From
the 1st May onwards my total captures in the order do not amount to double figures,
as it is little use (if any) to take of the commonest species more than enough for
one's own series. Scanty as this number is, it includes an insect whose occurrence
may be worth recording, namely, a very fine example of A. ahii on the afternoon of
186 [January,
20th June. This insect is a conspicuous object when at rest, owing to the sharp
contrast presented by the two principal hues of its coloration when viewed with a
moss-grown trunk as the background, and to this peculiarity the present capture is
doubtless due, and perhaps the rarity of the insect, as birds would not be likely to
pass over so conspicuous a delicacy. Two facts bearing upon the Lepidoptera, and
I shall have finished with the Order, as far as these notes are concerned. The first
relates to the supposed complete absence of wings in the female P. pilosaria. On
comparing series of the female N. hispidaria and P. pilosaria, it will be found that
the stumps of wings are as well developed in the latter as in the former in (at any
rate) most cases, and in all that I have examined (a good number) wing-scales could
be plainly detected on the rudimentary appendages by the aid of a good lens.
As these spider-like insects possess so much in common, the coloration even
being very similar in some instances, a difficulty might occasionally occur in their
separation. The difference in the clothing of the tibise, however, as pointed out in
" The Manual," being of constant character is conclusive, and shows at once to
which of the two insects any one specimen must be referred. It seems strange that
error should have crept in with respect to so generally distributed a species as P.
pilosaria, and it at any rate fosters the suspicion that some other accepted yaei* in
Natural History, which have been ably used to support theories, which go quite
against the grain with the majority, may be found, on closer examination, to be fic-
titious.
The second fact which this season has helped to establish is the ability of N.
chaonia to remain for two years in the pupa stage. Two males of this insect ap-
peared in the breeding cage, one on the 2l8t March, and the other on the 8th April,
from larva; which spun up in 1880.
Turning now from that Order of insects which engrosses the attention of the
majority of Entomologists to one equally, if not more, deserving of study, and cer-
tainly far more interesting from an anatomical or structural point of view — the
Coleoptera, most of the species previously recorded from here have again occurred,
and that too pretty freely, those that were taken in the greatest quantity being
Homalium planum, Silpha A-punctata, Aphodius conspnrcatiis, and A.fwtidus. One
evening in May Calo.ioma itiqnisitor was to be counted in scores ascending the
trunks, and, on standing still in the forest solitude, a busy rustling was audible,
caused (as fancy suggests) by a multitude of these beetles crawling over the fallen
and decaying leaves of the past autumn, as the mature specimens sped on their way
from the pupa chamber to a neighbouring tree. On the following day, at the same
time, there were but one or two to be seen so engaged, from which it may be taken
as almost certain that the emergence of the bulk of this species took place in a few
hours, whereas, usually it may extend over several days. Such a number of examples
were secured in the preceding season that not more than two dozen were taken,
although, from the arboreal habits of the insect, it is but fair to conclude, that on
any bright day in June hundreds might easily have been bottled by jaiTing the
boughs and catching the results in an inverted umbrella, at all events, in that portion
of the forest, for the insect is one of local habit. As hitherto unobserved in the
district, I have to record the occurrence of Coryphiiim angusticolle under fir bark,
Lathrobiiim longulum by stone-turning, Molorchus umbel I at arum on a window cur-
tain, Chrysomela didymata (hitherto scarce here) freely on Hypericum in September,
1883. J 187
not far from the spot where Chrysomela menthastri may be picked off the heads of
Mentha, and Bledius subterraneus extracted from tlie sandy soil beneath, if one
has any eyes left for insects when surrounded by the enchanting scenery of the
banks of the Wye between Monmouth and Symond's Yat. — A. E. Hodgson,
Coleford : December 4th, 1882.
Captures at Deal. — In the early part of August last I had two or three days'
collecting at the above mentioned watering place. Among the insects taken may be
enumerated Licinus depressus and L. silphoides, Xantholinus tricolor, Synealypta
hirsuta, Hypera fasciculata, and a fair number of DianthoecicB larvae from Silene
maritima and S. injlata. Along the cliffs between Walmer and St. Margaret's
LyccBna Corydon made good show, being the only butterfly that one could not fail
to notice and admire. — Id.
Description of the larva of Pterophorus pentadactylus. — On the 4th of July of
last year, I received eggs of this species from Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher, deposited by
a moth he had taken at Worthing. Five days later they hatched, and the newly-
emerged larvra were white, and clothed with long white hairs. They fed for a short
time on convolvulus, but hibernated early, when still very small. In April, they
recommenced feeding, but by the 15th, were only a little over a quarter of an inch
in length. From that time they grew rapidly, and, by the 5th of May, the largest
was nearly full-grown.
Length, nearly three quarters of an inch, and of average build. Head polished,
it has the lobes rounded, and is a little narrower than the second segment. Body
cylindrical, and fairly uniform, tapering only a very little towards the extremities.
Segmental divisions clearly defined, the tubercles prominent, and from each of them
springs a tuft of moderately stiff hairs : in the tuft of hairs from the tubercles on
segments 2, 3, 4, 12, and 13, is a single hair, much longer than the rest, which stands
out very conspicuously. Skin soft and smooth, but only very slightly glossy.
Ground-colour of a median shade of dark green, exactly the colour, indeed, of the
convolvulus leaf, on which it feeds. On the dorsal area, however, the ground-colour
only appears as a large lozenge-shaped mark on each segment, except the ninth, the
remaining space on each segment, and the whole of the ninth segment, being filled
■with bright lemon-yellow. The darker green alimentary canal shews through as the
dorsal line ; there are no perceptible dorsal lines, but there are long and continuous
whitish streaks along the posterior half of the spiracular region. Head bright yel-
lowish-brown, the mandibles reddish-brown, and the ocelli black and distinct.
Tubercles intensely black, the hairs greyish. The imago from this larva was out on
the 31st of May.— Geo. T. Poeeitt, Huddersfield : December 9th, 1882.
Note on Crambus furcatellus. — About the middle of June we went to one of our
old resorts in the Highlands. The first ten days rain, rain, then came a fine day
and I ascended a hill nearly 2000 feet high. On the way I looked in on the Scopula
decrepitalis haunt, and took three, and one Asthena luteata, they were almost the
only insects to be seen in the place, every thing being in a great state of soak. Higher
up I took one Antithesia Staintoniana, the utter absence of insect life on most promis-
ing ground being quite remarkable. About 1000 feet up and flying over a beautiful
188 [January,
stretch of brown peat-bog were one or two Amphisa Oerningana, and on the slope
above this Mixodia /ScAwZ^fana appeared in great numbers, but no other species along
with them, and as the distant mountain peaks were beginning to disappear in the
clouds I hurried on, as the lovely day was evidently to be of short duration.
When close to the hill-top I found a Crambus flying, one that I had never seen
before. It was entirely confined to the summit of the hill, and to the ground
sloping down, perhaps twenty-five or thirty feet from the top. There were several
rocky points, and immediately below and surrounding those rocky points, dry,
springy turf, very short grass, and patches of mountain blaeberry, and another
plant the name of which I forget. The moth took quick short flights and invariably
settled on the ground, never once on the grass : most likely the habit of alighting on
the ground is for the purpose of concealment. At rest on the brown peaty soil with
little fragments of the dry whitened herbage of the past season scattered about, C.
furcatellus was almost invisible, had it rested on a blade of grass or other green
thing, it must in the bright sunshine and clear mountain air have formed a con-
spicuous object, and be more liable to the attacks of birds. A pair of meadow
Pipits (Anthus pratensisj nesting a little bit down from the hill-top and who had
that wondrous tameness and fearlessness that most wild creatures seem to possess
who choose for their summer homes those lonely solitudes where man rarely intrudes,
most Drobably took measures to prevent C. furcatellus becoming too abundant.
It was not inclined to rise often on the wing imless disturbed, so I trudged up
and down for two hours and secured some, and then saw that heavy clouds were
drifting towards the place, and as I had a stretch of hill-bog to cross where land-
marks were sadly wanting, I made a start for home and just reached the glen in
time to escape a deluge. — Jane Feaser, 18, Moray Place, Edinburgh : November
21th, 1882.
Sericomyia borealis. — Some of your readers will remember a note of mine in
this Magazine for December, 1881, on Sericomyia borealis " singing " while at rest.
This note elicited interesting letters from Mr. Swinton, of Guildford, and Mr. Hel-
lins, of Exeter. Curiously enough, Mr. Hellins' letter answers, at least in part, a
question which was asked nearly thirty years ago, but has apparently hitherto re-
ceived no answer.
In the Naturalist, for 1852, page 177, Mr. J. C. Dale gives an extract from a
letter sent by Mr. Paris, the son of Dr. Paris, to Mr. Curtis ; it is as follows : " I
also wanted to ask you the name of an insect which bothered me occasionally when
I wanted to be quiet and enjoy a fine view, but, unfortunately, I neglected to procui'e
a specimen, and, unless you happen to have visited the spot they haunt, my descrip-
tion will not be sufficient. On the summits of the Dartmoor tors, not only on the
highest rock, I was always assailed by a multitude of flies, bearing a resemblance to
the bee (but not what we used at school to call " darting flies "), which came by two
or three, increasing in number every moment, flying and buzzing in my face, until I
was forced to a precipitate retreat. When they settled on the rock they began a
very harmonious piping, to which I could willingly have listened, had the rest of the
band desisted from their persecution. I defy any person to stand quiet for five
minutes on the top of one of these tors. If you have visited Dartmoor, I am sure
you must have noticed them."
1883.] 189
Mr. Dale then mentions that he has shown this letter to Mr. Haliday, and
spoken of it to Mr. Spence, but neither could make it out ; and, he adds : " Can any
of your correspondents suggest what insect this is ?"
After giving extracts from Eay (page 273) and Mouffet (page 61), as probably
referring to the same insect, he makes a guess, and asks whether this fly might be a
Tahanus, Asilus, or, perhaps, less probably, CEstrus or Sericomyia.
I think we are now in a position to say that Mr. Paris' piping fly was probably
Sericomyia horealis. Mr. Hellins, in answer to my enquiry, informs me that the
flies certainly never drove him away from the top of the Dartmoor tors ; but when
he was a boy their behaviour seemed to him to be rather threatening — he had not
observed this in subsequent visits.
In conclusion, let me ask, can any one corroborate Mr. Swinton's suggestion, that
Sericomyia oviposits in decaying stumps ? — E. N. Bloojifield, Guestling Rectory :
December loth, 1882.
Notes on British Hemiptera. — In the September number of this Magazine, page
87, I made some remarks on Olohiceps salicicola, Rent., and I there said that I
would send the examples which I had taken at Deal, and which I thought were
referable to that species, to Dr. Renter for confirmation.
I have just received these back, and am able now to state, on Dr. Renter's
authority, that they are not salicicola, but only our ordinary species, which, he
informs me, frequently occurs on sallows ; he, at the same time, says that the speci-
men which he took in Scotland and recorded as salicicola, in vol. xvii, p. 13, of this
Magazine, is also only our ordinary species, so that salicicola. Rent., will have to be
expunged from our list. Dr. Reuter has very kindly sent me a $ and ? of this
species, which is apparently quite distinct from either of our four-spotted species, as
pointed out by him {loc. cit.). As the species occurs in Sweden, one may hope to be
able some day to re-admit it into our list.
What I have here termed our ordinary species, i. e., that called by Messrs.
Douglas and Scott, in their monograph, fiavomaculatus, Fab., by myself, in my
synopsis, fulvipes, Scop., and by Dr. Reuter {loc. cit.), Jlavomaculatus, Vah., will now
have to stand under the name crticiatus, Rent., as Dr. Reuter says that he has ex-
amined the Fabrician types oi fiavomaculatus, and finds that they belong to selectus,
Doug, and Scott.
The synonymy, therefore, of these species will stand thus : — -Jlavomaculatus,
Fab., Fall., F. Sahib., E. Saund. {nee Fieb., nee Doug, and Scott), = selectus, Fieb.,
Doug, and Scott; cruciatus, Rent., = fiavomaculatus, Fieb., Doug, and Scott, Rent.,
olim, ^fulvipes, E. Saund. {nee Scop.). — Edwakd Saundees, Holmesdale, Upper
Tooting : Sth December, 1882.
Note on Aphalara sulpunctata, Forst. {A. pallida, Leth.). — M. Lethierry in-
forms me that he takes this species abiuidantly, in the perfect state, in June and
July, upon Epilobiiim an gvsti folium. As it has not been recorded as British, but
might possibly be found here, perhaps some careful observer would look out for it
during the coming season. I certainly saw no trace of it when at Boxhill searching
for A. nebulosa, Zett., but then, my observations did not extend into the latter
month. The life-history of this insect is also still buried in obscurity, and the dis-
190 ■ Jiinuaiy.
covery of the parents might lead to that of the young, examples of which I shall
be very glad to receive for the purpose of figuring. The plant occurs very sparingly
in South Devon, but all my investigations vrere barren of results. — John Scott,
Devonport: 29^A November, 1882.
J^timicrus rtifus, Miill., at Hurst Green, Sussex. — Through the kindness of Mr.
E. A. Butler, of Hastings, who presented mc with the specimen, I have the pleasure
of recording the occurrence of Eumicrus rufus at Hurst Green, a small village, one
and a half miles from Etchingham Station on the S. E. railway, and about three
miles from Hawkhurst. Mr. Butler took the insect on his little girl's dress, after
she had been playing about for some time in a field, so that it evidently came out of
the gi'ass, and might probably be obtained by sweeping in the same locality. Ita
capture is interesting, as corroborating Mr. Champion's specimen, which he took in
Richmond Park, and which has, I believe, up to this time, been the only recorded
British specimen. The species is easily recognised by its rather short oval elytra,
and almost globose thorax, neither of which are foveolate ; the most curious point
about it is its long metasternum, which makes the hind legs appear as if they came
off the extremity of the body. — W. W. Fowlee, Lincoln : December 9lh, 1882. .
Myrmecoxenus raporariorum at Birmingham. — In October last, I found this
rare and interesting little beetle in some plenty in a hot-bed near here. It is some-
what remarkable that although I have examined hot-beds on the same spot year
after year, I have never found Myrmecoxenus before, and that now it should turn
up in numbers. The lesson seems to be that the more we work our old hunting-
grounds the more productive they become. — W. Gr. Blatch, 214, Green Lane,
Smallheath, Birmingham : December 15^A, 1882.
Catalogub of the Tortkicid^ of Noeth Ameeica Noeth of Mexico :
by Peofessoe C. H. Feenald (published in the Transactions of the American
Entomological Society, Philadelphia, 1882). This is a valuable addition to the
Lepidopterological literature of the United States, and cannot fail to afford great
assistance to the rapidly increasing number of collectors and " scientists" who are
giving attention to this interesting family. It has been carefully compiled by the
author, after several years of patient and conscientious labour, during which he has
made it his object to become personally acquainted with the types of all species
described up to the date of publication. He has not spared himself the trouble of
a journey to Europe for this purpose, and has, moreover, enjoyed exceptional oppor-
tunities of studying those types which have remained in various American collections.
The result of Professor Fernald's labours, eo far as it has at present been given
to the public, takes the form of a complete list of species, with full references to all
synonyms, taken " in part from the valuable catalogue by Messrs. Staudinger and
Wocke, but the greater part verified by reference to original works." To these are
added, in all cases, the dates at which the different names were originally published.
We are promised, at some future time, a generic revision, based upon an arrange-
ment of the material which the author has brought together from various parts of
the world. Such a revision is undoubtedly much called for ; the premature death
1883. J 191
of Monsieur Henri de Peyerimhoff having deprived us of the completion of his
extensive studies, of which the preliminary results, published in the Annales de la
Societe Entomologique de France, in 1876, had encouraged the hope that a systematic
arrangement of the Tortricida, which should exhibit some improvement upon the
valuable, but not wholly satisfactory, lines laid down by Heinemann (Schmetterlinge
Deutschlands und der Schweiz), was not at that time remotely distant. All Lepi-
dopterists will wish Professor Fernald success in this undertaking. In the catalogue
now under consideration, he divides the Tortricida into three sub-families : Tor-
tricincB, Conchylince, and GrapholithincB, in which he accords to Heinemann's sub-
genera the rank of genera. The first of these sub-families containing Teras, Cacoecia,
LoxotcBfiia, Ptycholoma, Pandemis, Lophoderus, Sciaphila, Tortrix, Amorhia (into
which the genus Hendecastema, Wlsm., is properly sunk), Synnoma, (Enectra,
Cenopis, Dichelia, Amphisa, Capua, and Platynota. The second consisting of the
two genera, Idiographis, Lederer, and Conchylis, Treitschke. These genera will
probably be admitted to form a well-defined sub-family, on account of the degree in
which their neuration difPers from that of other Tortricidee — the second vein of the
anterior-wings taking its rise on the outer third of the discoidal cell — whereas, in all
other genera at present characterized, it arises as far back, at least, as the middle
third. The remaining genera are grouped together in the sub-family Qrapholithina,
and these are, for the most part, the same which, in Heinemann's classification, are
regarded as sub-genera of Grapholitha. The proposal to erect sub-families seems
worthy of adoption, in preference to that of Heinemann's, as not open to the
objections raised by those who advocate a scrupulous adherence to the strictly bi-
nominal system of nomenclature.
It is difficult to understand why the author has hesitated to adopt the practice
in general use of making the terminations of the generic and specific names invariably
agree with each other. His habit of employing a feminine termination for all the
specific names, without regard to the genders indicated by the terminations of the
generic names to which they are attached, is obviously incorrect and inadmissible,
even although it may be as he claims in his preface, " the course adopted in nearly
every list or catalogue of these insects which I have seen from Linneus down."
On the other hand, he scrupulously corrects Stephens' spelling of his genus
Jjozotcenia to Loxotcenia, although Stephens' eri'or has been copied in Wocke's cata-
logue, and, almost without exception, in other works. He also adopts the correct
spelling, Conchylis, in lieu of Treitschke's Cochylis, which has been frequently re-
peated by later authors.
I cannot entirely concur with Prof. Fernald in his extension of the genus
Proteopteryx, Wlsm. The type of this genus, P. emarginana, has certainly a slight
indication of a costal fold in the male sex, which should have been noticed in the
original description, but this is not closely appressed, nor is it wide and conspicuous
as in the genus Pcedisca. The indentation of the middle of the apical margin of
the anterior- wings is the chief character by which it may be distinguished. This in-
dentation occurs in a limited degree (not to the same extent as in the typical species)
in Semasial oregonana, Wlsm., and Pcedisca resumptana, Walk. (sp. .P), both of
which our author includes in Proteopteryx; but the former of these two species has
no costal fold, and the latter has the closely appressed wide costal fold of a Pcedisca.
Anchylopera costomaculana, Clem., also placed in the genus Proteopteryx by Prof.
192 [January, 1883.
Fernald, has the strongly indented margin of this genus, hut, so far as I am aware,
it has no costal fold whatever. Some revision will ultimately be required here unless
the genus Proteopteryx should be recharacterized. A valuable addition has been
made to this list in giving the names of the food plants of such species as have been
observed in their larval stages. The very beautiful unpublished drawings, by Abbot,
now in the British Museum, would afford some further information upon this branch
of the subject.
With these few remarks, I commend this most uscfid catalogue of the Tortricidm
to the notice of all who are interested in the subject which it illustrates. It cannot
fail materially to advance the study of the North American representatives of this
family of the Micro-Lepidoptera. The results of the author's labours have already
been widely circulated, not only in the Transactions of the American Entomological
Society, but through the medium of Mr. A. R. Grote's check list of North American
Lepidoptera (published about the same time in New York*), a work which is itself
indispensable to all collectors. — Walsingham, Merton Hall, Thetford : December
8th, 1882.
liiiuiriT.
Archdeacon Sey. — On "Wednesday, November 22nd, in his 72nd year, the Ven-
erable Archdeacon Hey died suddenly at The Residence, York, of angina pectoris :
although he had occasionally felt oppression in the chest, the ailment never assumed
a serious form before the fatal attack, and in half an hour all was over. He was an
enthusiastic Coleopterist ; one of that diminisliing band who form a connecting
link with the old days of Curtis and Stephens, and in spite of his ever-increasing
work, he always found some time to give to his favourite study.
He was fond of pointing out how his life might be divided into decades. In
1824 he was sent to school, in 1834 he took his degree, in 1844 he was made Head
Master of St. Peter's School, York, in 1854 he was appointed an Honorary Canon
of York and Yicar of St. Helen's, in 1864 he became Canon Residentiary, and in
1874 Archdeacon of Cleveland.
The Hydradephaga were his special study, and he thoroughly worked all the
waters around York for this group : by fixr his best and most favourite locality was
Askham Bog, from which he was perpetually sending good species to various col-
lectors in different parts of the kingdom : not long since the writer of this notice
had a day's work with him at Askham, when he went to work with his net (designed
by himself and peculiarly suitable for working the bog) with an energy that many
a man of half his years might have envied : he paid his last visit to this his
favourite collecting ground, only last July, and had the satisfaction of once more
taking Specimens of the rarity he was always on the look out for, Ilydroporus
Scalesianus.f In his collection of insects he used to point with special pride to the
original Lissodema Ueyanum, bearing a label in Curtis' handwriting.
He took the gi-eatest interest in the York Museum, and also in the meetings of
the British Association.
His kindness and generosity to all who were in any way interested in his
favourite pursuit will cause him to be long remembered and regretted by all Ento-
mologists who had the pleasure of knowing him.
His son, the Rev. W. C. Hey, inherits his father's collections, and also his taste
for Coleoptera. — W. W. F.
* To be had of Mr. Henry Edwards, Secretary of the New York Entomological Club.
t A list of his chief Askham Bog beetles will be found in Ent. Mo. Mag., Vol. xviii, p. 7.
February, 1833. J 193
ON A NEW SPECIES OF MOUHOTIA {SCARITIDJL).
BY GEOKGE LEWIS.
In the January number of tliis Magazine, 1879, I noticed a new
species of Mouhofia from Burma, and T am now able to bring forward
another, the third in the genus, discovered by Dr. Hamand on the
banks of the River Mekong. If I rightly understand the habits of
those insects, they live much as Craspedonotus does in China on the
banks of the Tang-tze ; they burrow into the banks of rivers which
run through large alluvial plains and then sit watching for prey at
the orifices of their holes. To find Craspedonotus in China, you must
follow up the Tang-tze for 500 or 600 miles when the soil becomes
light and sandy. Near Shaughai all is mud, and it is the same on all
large rivers near the mouth. The Cambodia river as far as Saigon
is too muddy for large Scarifidcs. I visited the last place in 1880, and
left some drawings of M. gloriosa with a resident in the hope of
obtaining something like it, but hitherto there has been no result.
MOUUOTIA CONVEXA, sp. n.
Nigra, protJioracis marline laterali hasaJique necnon elytrorum
marginibus lateralihus late cupreis ; ehjtris convexis, striis hiJineatim
punctatis, interstitiis plnnis, marginibus angustis. Prothoracis lined
mediand longitudinali nulla vel obsoletd.
Long, {cum mandihuJis) 20 lin.
This species is the size of M. Batesi, but the difference of out-
line between the two species is very cousiderable. The head, thorax
and the elj'tra especially ai'e more convex ; the thorax is much less
constricted behind, and at the base measures 5 lines in breadth, while
M. Batesi attains barely 4 lines there. The convexity of the elytra
gives them a much narrower margin than in M. Batesi, and each stria
(there are 9 or 10 in all) consists merely of a double line of punctures ;
the interstices are quite smooth and level. The elytral striae are
strongest at the sides and at the apex. In the region of the scutellum
the striae or points run gradually into single rows, and near the base
of the Aving-case they are almost obsolete. The thoracic medial line,
which is very clearly defined in M. Batesi, has almost disappeared in
M. convexa.
I am much indebted to the kindness of M. Blanchard, the well-
known savant of Paris, for my example of this species, which is one of
a fair series from Laos through which the river mentioned runs.
Mr. C. O. Waterhouse gives a figure of M. Batesi m his "Aid
to the identification of Insects" for Januaiy, and has kindly promised
to figure the present species in the part foi'theoming in April. Of the
two species here noticed, M. gloriosa comes nearest to M. Batesi.
Wimbledon : Hth December, 1882.
194< [February,
NOTES ON THE TEICHOPTERA OF UPPER CLYDESDALE.
BY KENISTETH J. MORTOX.
The following notes may be interesting, as giving some idea o£
the species of Trichoptera occurring in a district, the insect fauna of
which is very imperfectly known. Limited spare time has restricted
my collecting operations to the immediate vicinity of Carluke ; all the
species referred to below having, with the exception of one or two
from Lanark Loch, been taken within a radius of three miles around
this place.
The physical conditions of the area just indicated, are almost as
diversified as could be expected within such narrow bounds, elevations
ranging fi-om about 200 ft. at the level of the Clyde, to over 1000 ft.
in one part of a high-lying moorland tract. The Clyde, near here, is
a moderately swift river (interrupted here and there with more slowly-
running reaches), running through a warm and sheltered valley : in
the two miles or so of its course, which I have worked, I have taken
no fewer than forty species of Trichoptera. Several of its tributary
burns intersect the district, and these are also tolerably rich ; but their
productiveness is evidently impaired in some parts by the water
pumped from mines being discharged into them. But ponds and
marshes are not very frequent, they almost all occur in the higher-
lying parts, and are of sm.all extent : there is a fair representation of
the species affecting water in such conditions, but the dearth of in-
dividuals is marked. Lanark Loch, distant about six miles from here,
doubtless jjroduces a number of lacustrine species, but I have only
been able to visit it on two or three occasions. It may be mentioned
that limestone (the presence of which, as Mr. McLachlan has pointed
out has a favourable influence on aquatic insect-life) is abundant in
the Carluke district.
The Phnjganeidce are represented by three species : Neuronia nificriis, Scop., one
specimen ; Pkryganea striata, L., frequent at one pond ; and Fh. obsoleta, McLach.,
common at most standing wat-ers : the specimens larger and darker than others from
the North of Scotland, which I possess.
Colpotaidius incisus, Curt., occurs in suitable places, but I have taken but few
specimens.
Lhnnophilus rhomhicus, L., rare. L. marmoratus, Curt., one specimen. L.
stigma, Curt., rare. L. lunatus, Curt., centralis, Cm't.,and vittatns, F.,are common.
L. auricula. Curt., common in the fir woods around Lanark Loch ; also taken in a
wood near Carluke. L. griseus, L., one specimen, several years ago, but the species
has not been seen since. L. extricatus, McLach., frequent, flies at dusk. L. luridus,
Curt., one specimen. L. sparsus, Curt., frequent. L.fuscicoi-nis, Ramb., two speci-
mens, one on the Clyde, the other at a deep pond.
1883.] 195
Anaholia nervosa, Curt., common on the Clyde and elsewhere. At a pond near
here, during the afternoon of a fine day at the beginning of September of this year,
I noticed several males taking short flights; numerous examples were resting on the
tops of rushes quite exposed, several pairs being in copulA.
Asynarchus caenosus, Curt., two specimens, in August, at a moor-pool.
Stenophylax infumatus, McLach., several specimens on the Clyde, and one at a
burn, in June. On the Clyde the species appears to be restricted to one spot where
the water runs rather slowly ; it is very difficult to dislodge from the hollowed-out
banks where it conceals itself. To give a better idea of the nature of the locality,
I may mention several insects that occur at the same place, viz. : Goera pilosa,
Sericostonia personatum, Lype phceopa and Limno. fuscicornis, the last-named
appearing very much to resemble infumatus in its retiring habits. •^'. rotundipennis,
Brauer, a pair ( J ? ) on a burn near Carluke, in August, 1881, but I did not succeed
in finding it this season. <S'. stellatus, Curt., swarms on the Clyde and elsewhere,
appearing as early as 1st of June, and continuing to the end of September. S. vihex,
Curt., one $ on the Clyde, 1st of June.
3Iicropterna seqiiax, McLach., and lateralis, Steph., are both apparently rare.
Halesus radiatus. Curt. — About the end of August last, this species literally
swarmed at dusk, at two difl"erent burns ; also occurs on the Clyde. H. digitatus,
Schrk., a few specimens on the Clyde in October. S. auricollis, Pict., frequent on
the Clyde in September and October ; the examples are larger than any I have seen
from the North of Scotland.
Drusus anmdatus, Steph., a common insect at every stream; the only ? I possess
was taken about the middle of May ; I have seen males at the end of September.
Ecclisopteryx guttulata, Pict., very common at most streams.
Chcetopteryx villosa', F., frequent on the Clyde in October.
Serieostoma personatum, Spence, not uncommon on the Clyde and elsewhere.
Goera ^i^osa, F., common on the Clyde; it also occurs frequently at most of
the other streams.
Silo pallipes, F., abundant at every stream.
Brachycentrus subnuhilus, Curt., abundant on the Clyde, in some years appearing
in myriads.
Lepidostoma hirtttm, F., common on the Clyde.
BercBa pullata, Curt., and £. maurus, Curt., frequent at swampy spots on the
banks of different burns.
BercBodes minuta, L., is rather common on a small burn at a place where there
is little or no current, and where the margins are boggy and rush-covered.
Odontocerum alhicorne, Scop., common on the Clyde.
Leptocerus annulicornis, Steph., frequent on the Clyde. L. aterrimus, Steph.,
very abundant ; the var. perfuscus much the commoner form. L. cinereus, Curt.,
common. L. alhifrons, L., abundant on the Clyde. L. commutatus, McLach., fre-
quent on the Clyde ; apparently partial to places where the water does not run very
quickly. L. bilineatus, L., tolerably common on several streams.
Mystacides nigra, L., apparently rare on the Clyde. M. azurea, L., common.
M. longicornis, L., in abundance at Lanai'k Loch, and- very variable.
196 [February,
(Ecetis ochraeea, Curt., in profusion at Lanark Loch ; also occurs rarely at some
ponds near Carluke. {CE. lacustris, Pict., not before recorded from the West of
Scotland, occurs in Bute.)
Four species of the genus Bydropsyche occur on the Clyde. H. pellticidida,
Curt., and H. instahUis, Curt., are frequent, the latter also occurring on two or three
other streams ; the males of these species are much given to wandering, and I have
taken specimens of both flying wildly over hedgerows, in the evening, at long distances
from running water. H. guttata, Pict., dances in swarms over the tops of the bushes
in the afternoon sunshine and in the evening ; the specimens are of large size and
dark. H. lepida, Pict., is sometimes common, but irregular in its appearance.
Wormaldia occipitalis, Pict., one specimen at a small burn. W. sulnigra,
McLach., frequent at a small waterfall on one of the burns (a $ from the Clyde is
referred to this species with doubt).
Plectrocnemia conspersa. Curt., a very common insect, and P. geiiiculata,
McLach., occurs along with it frequently at one burn.
Folycentropus flavomaculatus, Pict., the most ubiquitous Trichopteron in the
district. Of P. mtdtiguttatus. Curt., I have taken a single $ on the Clyde.
Cyrnus trimaculatus. Curt., not very common.
Tinodes tvmneri, L., common at two burns.
Lype phceopa, Steph., frequent at one place on the Clyde.
Fsychomyia pusilla, F., abundant on the Clyde.
Ithyacophila dorsalis. Curt., is as annoyingly common in this district, as it
appears to be elsewhere. Rh. septentrionis, McLach., very common at one burn about
the end of May and during June. Rh. obliterata,'Mcha.ch., common on most of the
streams from the end of August to the end of October. The occurrence of three of
the four recorded British species of this genus on the same burn (but, of course, at
different times) is noteworthy.
Qlossosoma vernaJe, Pict., common on the Clyde from April to October.
Agapettis fuscipes. Curt., common on one burn. A. comatus, Pict., very com-
mon on the Clyde.
The HydroptUidcB find no place in my list ; I cannot doubt that some minute
representatives of this family do occur, but have, as yet, been overlooked.
The list, even for this immediate neighbourhood, cannot be con-
sidered nearly complete, and any one working over a wider area, and
with more time at his disposal than I have, could very largely aug-
ment it ; but, I think, the sixty-nine species enumerated above, justify
me in coming to the conclusion that the southern part of the district,
drained by the Clyde, is possessed of a very rich Tinchopterous fauna.
Mr. McLachlan has very kindly confirmed for me such species
as I had any doubt about, and Mr. J. J. King, of Griasgow, has as-
sisted me in many ways.
\.
Carluke, N.B. : Wfh Decemher, 1882. jjj ^
1883.] 197
NOTES ON NEW BRITISH COLEOPTERA SINCE 1871;
WITH NOTICES OF DOUBTFUL SPECIES, AND OF OTHEES THAT
EEQUIRE TO BE OMITTED FROM THE BRITISH LIST.
BY THE EEV. W. W. FOWLER, M.A., P.L.S.
{continued from p. 172.)
PSELAPHID^ and SCTDM^NID^.
Betaxis cotus, Sharp.
The insects taken near Thornhill by Dr. Sharp, and distributed by him under
the name of B. Lefebvrel, belong to a new species, and must stand in our list under
the name of B. cotus (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 225).
EupLECTUs DupoNTi, Aube.
This French species was iirst taken in England by Mr. Lawson, near Scar-
borough : it is rather a flat insect, with the head broad at the sides ; the male is
more shining than the female, and has its head punctured only on the sides, and
the thorax and elytra almost impunctate, whereas the female is not very shiny,
and has the head rather thickly and plainly, and the thorax and elytra moderately
thickly, punctured ; the characters of the abdomen in the male also serve to dis-
tinguish it ; Aube (Monogi'aphia Pselaphiorum, p. 57) says that it is very like allied
species, but is distinguished by the front fovea of the head being wider, and by its
longer and more slender anteunse.
Euplectus piceus, Mots.
This species, recorded as new in Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 225, is apparently synony-
mous with Euplectus nigricans, Chaud. E. sulcatulns, De Saulcy, is also synonymous
with the same insect, as also is E. Dennyi, Wat. Reitter (Bestimmungs Tabellen
der Europiiischen Coleopteren, Part v, 1881, p. 525), gives the right synonymy.
Euplectus Aheillei.
Dr. Sharp records this insect (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 225) on the authority of M.
De Saulcy : it is not, however, in Stein and Weise's catalogue, nor is it mentioned
by Reitter {I. c.) among the numerous species of which he gives descriptions.
Euplectus Kirhyi, Denny.
This species has been considered as synonymous with E. nanus, Reich. ; it was,
however, again separated by Mr. Waterhouse as distinct (Ent. Mo. Mag., xvi, 123),
on the ground that the furrows in the forehead are parallel in E. nanus, and con-
verge strongly in E. Kirlyi. Reitter {I. c, p. 525) refuses to admit E. Kirhyi as a
separate species, unless Mr. Waterhouse can point out the specific differences of the
male. I have type specimens of both insects, and they show a very marked dif-
ference in the sculpture of the head, which is generally considered to be a most
important point in the Euplecti. Dr. Sharp, in his catalogue, considers E. nanus,
Reich, (see Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 84), and E. Kirhyi to be synonymous. Both Aube
and Denny make E. nanus, Reich., and E. Reichenhachii, Leach., synonymous, but
198 [Fehrnary, |
consider E. Kirhyi a distinct species. Denny's figures of the two species (TH. Kirhyi
and E. Reichenbachii) are very distinct ; Aube's bear a close resemblance, but neither
his figures nor his descriptions are always to be depended on.
EuPLECTUs MiNUTissiMrs, Aube.
This very distinct species was taken in numbers by myself and the late Mr.
Garneys in flood rubbish, near Eepton, in June, 1879. Its very small size, linear
shape, and spine at the apex of the abdomen of the male, will at once distinguish it
from all our other British species. It differs so much from Aube's description and
figure (Psel. Mon., p. 59), that, considering it a new species, I gave it the provisional
name of E. Qameysi (Ent. Mo. Mag., xvi, 158). M. Brisout, however, kindly com-
pared it for me with Aube's types, and, although admitting the discrepancies and
the need of a fresh description, expressed his opinion that it was E. minutissimus,
■which opinion is endorsed by M. Eeitter {I. c, p. 90). It appears to be a rare
insect on the continent, and has not been taken cither before or since June, 1879, in
Britain, and only in the locality mentioned.
Trimium brevipenne
Is the female of T. irevicorne, and cannot, therefore, stand as a species.
EUMICEUS EUFU.S, Miill.
Two specimens of this species have occurred in Britain, one taken by Mr.
Champion in Kiehmond Park (Ent. Mo. Mag., vii, 273), and one by Mr. Butler
recently (Ent. Mo. Mag., xix, 190) in Sussex. It is a shining rufo-testaceous insect,
with scarcely any pubescence, with no perceptible fovere at the base of the thorax or
elytra, and no punctuation, except very sparsely on tlie elytra. Its legs are long,
and the long nictasternum makes the hind pair appear to start almost from the apex
of the body. I have compared Mr. Butler's specimen, which he very kindly gave
me, with a type sent by M. Aube to Mr. Matthews.
ScydmcBnus Sharpi, De Saulcy, and So. glyptocephalus, De Saulcy.
These two species — recorded by Dr. Sharp (on De Saulcy's authority), Ent. Mo.
Mag., xii, 225, the former as allied to S. rubicuvdus, and the latter as really repre-
senting the S. carinatus of our list — are not included in the European catalogue, nor
does M. Reitter, who is the latest authority, mention either of them, either as species
or as synonyms.
- ScTDM.a:Nus pe.j:teeitfs, Eye.
This species is allied to S. Sparshalli, Denny, but is easily distinguished by its
darker colour, longer and less convex shape, &c. ; it has the facies of a small S. elon-
gatulus (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 6).
Scydmcenus pumilio, Schaum.
This species appears to be identical with S. minutns, Chaud. Mr. Rye (Ent.
Mo. Mag., ix, 18) strikes this species out, as the few supposed British exponents that
he has seen are small S. Sparshalli. The synonymy of S. Sparshalli and its allied
species {S. helvolus, Schaum, S. prceteritus, Rye, and others) is most confused, and
requires careful working out.
1883.] 199
TEICHOPTERTGID^.
Ptinella Proteus, Matth.
This species is identical with P. testacea, Hear. The latter name has the
priority, and must be inserted instead of the former.
Ptinella pallida, Er.
It is very probable that this insect, which is generally regarded as a variety of
P. aptera, Guer., will eventually prove to be a distinct species.
Trichopteryx convexa, Matth.
The name of this species must be altered to T. convexiuscula, Mots., which has
priority.
Teichoptertx pratercula, Matth.
Easily distinguished from other species by the enlarged and peculiarly curved
posterior angles of the thorax (resembling the bill of the puffin, Fratercula arctica),
and also by the superficial sculpture of the same part. In the British list it comes
just before T. grandicollis. Taken by Mr. Matthews near Gumley (Ent. Mo. Mag.,
XV, 65) .
Tbichopteetx cantiana, Matth.
Differs from T. lata in its thorax being much less dilated at the sides, its shorter,
more robust, and entirely black antennse, its deep black colour, and very short pubes-
cence. Taken by Mr. and Mrs. Wollaston near Tonbridge, and by myself near
Eepton (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 153).
Trichopteryx L^titia, Matth.
Allied to T.fascicularis, Herb8t.,but differs from that species in its smaller and
more depressed thorax, shorter and pitchy-black antennae, and in its conspicuously
smaller size. Taken in Belgium, near Spa, by Miss L. Matthews, and described as a
new species in Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 189. First recorded as British by myself, in Ent.
Mo. Mag., xvi, 160. Mr. Billups and several other collectors have taken the species,
which is probably common.
Trichopteryx Championis, Matth.
A very distinct species, distinguished by its narrow form and castaneous tint :
it must be placed between T.fascicularis and T. seminitens. Taken in Wicken Fen ;
given to Mr. Champion by Mr. Hai-ris, of Burton-on-Trent, who received them from
a man living in the Fen district (Ent. Mo. Mag., xv, 64).
Trichopteryx seminitens, Matth.
Allied to T.fascicularis, but distinguished by the greater convexity of its form,
the shining surface and remote sculpture of the thorax, and shorter piceous antennae ;
allied also to T. attenuata, from which it differs in its larger size, much greater con-
vexity, shorter antennae, and in the sculpture of the thorax (Ent. Mo. Mag., xiv, 36).
200 L February,
Tbichopteetx volans, Mote.
This species must be placed immediately after T. sericmis, from which it differs
in its larger size, much shorter pubescence, sculpture of thorax, and longer elytra.
Taken by Mr. Champion in Scotland. (Ent. Mo. Mag., xv, 64.)
Tkichopteetx longicornis, Mann.
An old species, accidentally omitted. Distinguished by its long antennre, and
general sculpture.
Trichoptertx Edithia, Matth.
Distinguished by its griseous brown colour and long pubescence, the peculiar
form of the thorax, which is sub-quadrate, with tiie sides much rounded, and the
long, slender, bright yellow legs and antennse. Taken by Mrs. Wollaston, near Ton-
bridge. (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 152.)
Thichopteetx lokgtjla, Matth.
Differs from the allied species, T.picicorni$,m its elongate oval form, its shorter
and narrower thorax, longer and more slender antennae, and closer and finer sculp-
ture (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 152). Only four specimens of this species were known
when it was introduced. It is certainly rare, but probably less so than is
generally supposed, for I have taken it myself at Kepton,at Lincoln, and at Gumley,
always in a hot-bed.
Tbichopteetx caebonaeia, Matth.
This species rests on a single specimen taken by Mr. Matthews in Thoresby Park,
Nottinghamshire. It is allied to T. picicornis, but differs from that species in its
paler and more slender antennae, of which the eighth joint is linear and not incrassatc,
and also in the totally different sculpture of its thorax and elytra. (Ent. Mo. Mag.,
ix, 179.)
Tbichopteetx eitulaeis, Allib.
Yery near T. Montandonii, but distinguished by its more elongate form, and
longer thorax, and by the sculpture of the latter. It is not an uncommon species.
I have taken it in Lincoln, and it has occurred in other places. (Ent. Mo. Mag.,
viii, 152).
Tbichopteetx puscula, Matth.
A very distinct species, apparently very rare : it is easily distinguished by its
short quadrate form, and the long brown hairs with which it is covered. Taken by
Mr. Matthews near Gumley. (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 152.)
Ptilium maeginatum, Aube.
This species is allied to P. Spencei, from which it may be distinguished by its
usually greater size, the greater width and closer sculpture of the thorax, which is
widest at the base, and has the basal margin evidently reflexed. Taken by Mr. Mat-
thews and Mr. Crotch, in the Cambridgeshire Fens, 1868. (Ent. Mo. Mag.,xiv, 36).
im. I . 201
Ptilium caledonicum, Sharp.
Also allied to P. Spencei, but very distinct : its thorax is rather narrower than
the elytra, much broader than long, with the sides rounded in front and much nar-
rowed behind, without any channel. It is fusco-testaceous in colour. Taken by Dr.
Sharp and Dr. Buchanan White, under bark of a dead Scotch fir at Braemar. (Ent.
Mo. Mag., Tiii, 73.)
Ptilium c^sum, Er.
A fine distinct species, easily distinguished by its wide form, large head, and the
convergence towards the front of the lateral lines of the thorax : it is dark testaceous
in colour. Taken by Mr. Crotch in 1870, in the Cambridgeshire Fens. (Ent. Mo.
Mag., ix, 179).
PlElflDIUM ATOMAEOIDES, Mots.
Easily distinguished from Pt. evanescens, Marsh, {apicale, Er.), by the smaller
size of its head and thorax, and much longer and broader elytra. Taken by Mr.
Crotch, probably near Brandon, in Suffolk. (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 152.)
Ptenidium Keaatzii, Matth.
This very distinct ant's-nest species is probably commoner than is supposed, and
is very likely often confounded with Ft. formicetorum, Kr. It is, like that species,
reddish in colour, but much darker, and has its elytra strongly punctured with large
punctures, whereas the elytra of Ft. formicetorum are almost glabrous. Two speci-
mens only (taken by Mr. Foxcroft, in Scotland) were known when the species was
described (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 152). I now record it for the first time as English,
having taken several specimens from ant's-nest rubbish from Buddon Wood,
Leicestershire, where it is probably common.
Ptenidium Wanhowiczii, Matth.
This species has been considered too close to Ft. apicale to be separated : it is,
however, quite distinct, being much narrower, especially in the thorax, the four basal
foveee of which are distinct ; in Ft. apicale they are obsolete.
Ptenidium turgidicm, Thorns.
Of this very rare and very distinct species hardly any British specimens were
known : some time ago, I found an example among some of Mr. Wilkinson's Tri-
chopterygidcB, in the possession of Mr. Mason, and Mr. Matthews subsequently
detected several others.
CLAMBIDiE.
Glanibus punctulutn, G-yll.
This species must be omitted, the specimens on which Mr. Crotch introduced
it being apparently small C. minutus. (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 8.)
{To he continued) .
202 [ February,
CIMEX OK ACANTHIA.
BY J. W. DOUGLAS.
" Under which king, Bezonian ?" — King Henry iv.
In the " Wiener entomologisiclie Zeitung" for December (vol. i,
page 301), Dr. O. M. Eeuter has an elaborate article on the contro-
verted subject of the employment of the generic names Cimex and
JLcanthia, in which he refers to what has been written thereon in the
" Annals and Magazine of Natural History," 1868, in the " Zoological
Eecord," 1869, and in this Magazine xi, 186, and xvi, 172. He says
truly that Linne had no idea of a generic type, as appears from the
very general characters given to his genera, and yet, that although he
divided his genus Cimex into sections, it may, nevertheless, be possible
that he particularly (" gerade ") intended the name for lectularius. This
is Dr. Renter's idea, but Linne could not logically have done so when
he fenced lectularius with special discordant characters. Dr. Eeuter,
however, claims to retain the generic name Cimex for lectularius, not
only on the ground of his idea, but because Latreille (having ignored
or not having rightly comprehended the Fabrician type of Acanthia,
which as Fabricius afterwards showed he intended to be C. lectularius,
Linn), had intermediately instituted a genus Cimex for lectularius
only ; — and this is called obtaining priority ! At most, however, the
genus is Cimex, Latr., nee Linn, ; — a chaotic anomaly. As followers
of Latreille are cited Laporte, Herrich-Schiiffer, Spinola and Stal (to
whom Westwood and Pascoe might have been added) ; and as followers
of Fabricius, Fallen, Burmeister, Flor and Fieber (to whom might
have been added Anton Dohrn, J. Sahlberg and others).
Dr. Eeuter now contents himself with saying " Wenn eine
Gattung in mehrere zerlegt wird, so ist der urspriingliche Gattungs-
name fiir eine der Tochter-Gattungen beizubehalten, und zwar fiir
diejenigen Arten, welche der erste Demembrator mit diesem JSTamen
bezeichnet hat." On a former occasion he went somewhat further
and said " I think the author^rsif making such a division of a genus
should have the privilege to employ the name formerly belonging to
the entire complex for such of the new genera as he pleases" (Ent.
Mo. Mag. xvi, 173) . I have already said I do not admit such procedure
is equitable, neither has it scientific accuracy : moreover, Cimex of
Linne, being a genus of such proportion as to include all the
Oymnocerata, the name is now applicable only as a great divisional
appellation and cannot be justly appropriated to any of the separated
18SS.1 203
genera ; if so used it is not, at any rate, Cimex. of Linne, but is a
misappropriation and misleading. I apprehend this is not the only
misapplication of an old generic name.
The question of Acanthia versus Salda, which similarly has
adherents for or against respectively, as cited by Eeuter, turns in
some aspects partly upon the solution of the previous question
Cimex or Acanthia.
"While I still differ from my respected friend Renter, I can yet
agree with him in saying " Wir stehen ja noch nicht am Ends der
Wissenschaft." Names are only appliances and outworks that Science
uses in erecting her temple, yet it is rationally important for progressive
stability that revision, restoration, and addition should be made on just
principles. What constitutes a genus is still a matter of individual
opinion : the rage is to magnify specific differences to generic pro-
portions, in which process there is a race for priority, and thus new
names are created to-day only to be abolished to-morrow — sometimes
by the author himself. So far from being at the end of science we
are yet but at the beginning. There is no finality in science.
Doubters of current doctrine may have a wider and truer basis of
faith than the absolute believer of the period ; the scepticism of one
generation becomes the orthodoxy of another, and this, again, the
Btarting-point for the acquisition of new insight.
8, Beaufort Q-ardens, Lewisham :
2Qth December, 1882.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA OF DICYCLA 00.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLEE.
The furious salt gale of the 29th of last April damaged the trees
in most localities to such an extent, that it was a hopeless task to go
beating for the larvae usually taken by that process in May ; but, of
course, there were some trees so situated as to be guarded by high
ground from the stroke of the blast, and from one such oak tree my
friend, Mr. Ilellins, was fortunate enough to obtain the larva of the
above named species.
As far as we know, neither the larva nor the imago had been taken
in Devonshire before, so it is an addition to the local fauna of that
county.
When first taken, 19th of May, it was not come to full growth,
being less than an inch in length, and was preparing for a moult, so
that its appearance puzzled Mr. Hellins, who sent it to me as perhaps
20-l! r Februury,
the young stage of some Tceniocampa, which he had forgotten, and in
this, without closely examining more than the first two segments pro-
truding from some leases and portending a moult, I acquiesced ;
however, an examination of the larva after the completion of its moult,
and further correspondence, soon convinced me it was no Tceniocampa,
and reference to a copy which I had by me of Hiibner's figure of
D. 00, showed me at once that I had at last obtained an example of
that desideratum.
The moult took place during night or early in the morning of
May 22nd, and in course of that morning I saw the larva feeding well
as it lay quite openly exposed to view, though afterwards it kept itself
more secluded, both by day and night, amongst the leaves of the oak
spray provided for it, but, so far. as I could see, without spinning them
together, and it became full grown by the 27th, and went to earth on
.29th ; and the imago, a male, appeared on the 8th of July.
Very soon after the moult it was nearly an inch long, and when
full-grown and stretched out 1 inch 4| lines in length, very cylindrical,
the head being only a trifle less than the second segment, and the
thirteenth very little tapered, the head full and rounded, jet-black and
glossy, the ground-colouring of the body was also jet-black above as
far as the anal flap which was brown, and dark brown on the belly ; the
plate on the second segment quite as glossy as the head ; the rest of
the smooth skin had but a very slight gloss ; a pure white dorsal stripe
began rather narrow on the plate and thoracic segments, and from
thence much broader on all the others, but on each of them was con-
tracted in the middle and divided so as to form a series of long elliptical
marks, the very thin sub-dorsal line of pure white began with two
isolated spots on the side margin of the neck plate, and thence ran
uninterrupted to the end of the anal flap ; the broad spii'acular stripe
of rather yellowish-white was on the third and fourth segments
interrupted deeply on its upper margin, aiid from them passed along
of uniform breadth as far as the anal legs, and having a thin line of
dark grey running through the middle, on which were the spiracles of
red-brown finely outlined with black ; the very small tubercular dots
of pure white ranged in threes on either side of the back and singly
above and below the spiracular region on each segment ; the anterior
legs were black, the ventral and anal legs brownish-green and semi-
pellucid ; the thoracic wrinkles and segmental divisions showed black
upon the white stripes and lines.
Just before the larva was allowed to enter the earth it had lost
1883.1 205
its perfect black ground on tlie body, which had become somewhat of
a brownish-green.
The cocoon, found about three-quarters of an inch below the
surface of the earth, was of oblong shape, the diameters 11 lines by 8,
it was composed of earthy particles lightly held together with a few
threads, and though smooth inside, was without any perceptible lining
of silk.
The pupa-skin was 7 lines long, very stout in proportion across
the thorax, the abdominal segments tapered to the rounded tip
furnished with two very fine straight and pointed spines, smooth in all
its ])arts ; of a dark warm brown colour and glossy.
Emsworth : December 6th, 1882.
New localities for Trioza crithmi, F. Low. — Having had occasionally a few
hours to call my own whilst in this neighbourhood, I paid some visits to the rocka
under Plymouth Hoe, and there I found that the samphire grew tolerably plentiful.
A very superficial examination of the plant revealed to me the fact that the above
named species was there in abundance in all its stages. From July until near the
end of August their numbers did not seem to diminish, although I took but few
merely for the sake of the locality. A little later on in the season, my friend, Mr.
Bignell and I made an excursion to a place called Wembury, and there also amongst
the cliffs we found it, but sparingly. On our way thither, and the road is a rough
one, we examined a large quantity of Artemisia ahsintJiiinn, growing on both sides
of a hedge on a farm on the Langdon Hall estate, in the hope of taking Apkalara
artemisicB, but there was not any sign of it, although the locality seemed a very
likely one. — John Scott, Devonport : \Qth November, 1SS2.
[Mr. C. W. Dale informs me that he found Trioza crithmi this year in the Isle
of Portland.— J. W. D.]
The early life of Psylla pyricola, Forst. — Up to the present time I have spent
over 140 days here, out of which there have not been more than 20 fine ones.
When the weather was fine and the time not otherwise occupied, a ramble was taken
with more than ordinary gusto, and being desirous of becoming acquainted with the
FsylUdm on pear trees, in the hope of getting Psylla pyri, Linn., if it was really to
be found in Britain, or at least, hero, and Mr. Parker, Manager of the Eoyal Hotel,
having very kindly given me an introduction to Mr. Brighton, head-gardener at
Mount Edgcumbe, I shortly afterwards waited upon that gentleman, who at once
gave me permission to wander about the grounds and gai'dens of the estate when-
ever I pleased. I accordingly paid several visits to the place between August and
October, but all my searching failed to lead to the capture of F. pyri. On some of
the pear trees, however, F. pyricola, Forst., actually swarmed, and having beaten a
few of the nymphs into my umbrella I began next to examine the leaves. On them
I soon discovered the ova laid irregularly along each side of and on the midrib
itself They are of a deep yellow colour, somewhat elongate, narrower or almost
206 [February,
pointed at one extremity. When the young quit the ova they are pale OTal bodies
-•with somewhat thick legs which they scarcely seem to know what to do with, but
in a day or two they get used to them and run about somewhat actively. In the
meantime they have increased in size and have indications of some dark marking on
the head and down the back. I also observed that the leaves were finely perforated
on the upper surface, from which exuded a secretion which I tasted and found to be
very sweet ; the young in all stages and in numbers might be seen evidently feeding
upon and enjoying it. As the larvae grow older they become of a greenish-white
colour, knobbed hairs may be detected around the sides of the abdomen, and a few
simple ones on the front of the head ; the elytra-lobes now begin to be distinct ; two
lunate patches appear on each side of the crown, the eyes are pale purple, the base
of the abdomen becomes brown and at the junction of three or four of the segments
is a small dark spot on each. On changing to the nymph-state the entire creature
becomes of a more or less dark brown colour, and the front of the head rounded,
along which, between the antenna?, are a few short hairs ; the crown is divided down
the centre by a pale greenish or yellowish line, and has posteriorly two curved ones
of the same colour uniting with the central one and forming an anchor-shaped
character; along the inner margin of the eyes there is also a pale streak, and on
each side the centre near the posterior margin a triangular black-brown patch ; the
antennae are pale green ; two basal joints slightly fuscous ; 1st joint with a short
rigid hair at its ajaex, on the inside. Eyes purple ; prouotum yellowish or greenish
with about four large and two or three other small brown spots of irregular shape
down each side of the centre. Elytra-lobes dark brown, darkest next the suture
separating them from those of the wings ; costal margin with two short hairs, one
near the base pointing in a forward direction, the other near the middle. Legs pale
or yellowish-green ; tibiae, 2nd pair with two knobbed hairs on the outer margin.
Abdomen frequently clear emerald-green at the base (? sexual) ; incisions of the
first one or two segments narrowly brown on each side of the centre, followed by
a large cuneate patch of dark brown ; margin with about seven knobbed hairs on
each side. Length about | line (Paris). — Id. : December 2nd, 1882.
Great destruction of Pieris hrassicce hy Apanteles. — From the injury sometimes
done by larvae of Pieris hrassiccB and P. rap<e among cabbages, I presume the
circumstance I am about to relate is very exceptional, as were it otherwise, these
butterflies would hardly survive the exterminating process.
Having by mistake failed to preserve specimens of Apanteles glomeratus for my
collection, I last summer determined to supply the deficiency ; and hearing that a
few larvae of Pieris brassicce had been found in the garden and destroyed, I sought
for more, finding only nine. Of these one died, while from all the others emerged
larvae of the parasite, none of which were stung by any hyperparasite. Partly by
counting and partly by estimate I arrived at 230 as the number of the cocoons, all
but one or two of which produced perfect insects. — J. E. Fletchek, Worcester :
December, 1882.
Notes on Tenthredinidce. — On p. 127, vol. xviii, of this Magazine, I recorded
Nematus talicis as among the species possessing the power known as mixed-
parthenogenesis. I should have written N. melanocephalus, Hartig. The error
1963.] 207
arose from a brace of wrong determinations several years old, when specimens of N.
melanocephalus were named salicis, and actual salicis was named melanocephalns.
From my experience, it would seem that only a part of the green species of
Nematus are capable of parthenogenesis — those whose larvee hare green heads varied
more or less with dark stripes or blotches, and feed solitarily. The group whose larvae
have the head black and the second and last two segments orange, and live
gregariously, have, at least in several trials I have given them, failed to oviposit in a
virgin state.
When some two years since I was breeding Nematufs curtispina from virgin
females, I put such a $ in a cage together with several males, and placed them in
the sun, watching them from time to time during three or four days. In the
peregrinations of the creatures to and fro, whenever any males crossed the path of
the ? they passed her by without seeming to heed her ; but their treatment of their
own sex was very different. Whenever two or more males met they wheeled about
and brought their hind body into collision, appearing to wrench with their cerci the
corresponding organs of each other. This they did repeatedly before separating.
Sometimes four or iive were thus tussling together. The effect was rather ridiculous,
the more so, that none seemed the worse for the battle.
During the past season saw-fly larvae were strikingly scarce. The only exception
to this that I met with was Nematus salicivorus, Cam., a species usually only
moderately common, which was so plentiful here in the autumn that few leaves of
any Salices were found untenanted by one or two of its lai-vfe. N. curtispina, on
the other hand, which is generally the commonest of the solitary-feeding green
Neniati, was so scarce, that I could only find three larvae. — Id.
Notes on the Lepidoptera of the Pyrenees in Septemher. — It would appear from
a glance through the pages of the Magazine, that British Entomologists have not
often visited the Pyrenees, or, at all events, if they have done so, have not recorded
in its pages the species they captured or observed ; I am, therefore, induced to send
an account of those species I met with during a visit there in the beginning of
September.
At Biarritz, where I arrived on the 29th August, I found on the coast, owing,
in a great measure, no doubt, to its exposed situation, the flora of a somewhat
scanty description, and the Lepidoptera proportionately limited. Flying over a
species of J^rica, then in flower, I noticed the following Lyccence, viz. : L. bcetica,
argiades, and Alexis.
Here and there, along the sea-shore, were patches of the spurge Euj)horbia
paralias, off which I took the larvae of DeilepMla euphorlicB in every stage of
gi'owth ; I found they fed equally well on Euphorbia amygdaloides, a common plant
in nearly all the valleys of the Pyrenees.
A few miles south of Biarritz, I took several Rhodocera Cleopatra, but as I did
not again meet with this species, I concluded that it did not occur much above the
sea-level in the Western Pyrenees.
I reached Pierrefitte-Nestalas (1665 ft. above the sea) on 1st September, where
I remained scvei-al days, exploring the valleys in various directions, with the follow-
ing result: — Papilio Machaon, Pieris D a plidice, not uncommonly; Leucophasia
sinapis, generally distributed and common ; Colias Hyale and Edusa, sparingly ;
208 [Fcbruury,
Rhodocera rhamni, Polyommatus Dorilis, LyecEtia hatica (generally distributed, but
never common), argiades, Avion (one specimen only), Agestis, Adonis, Argiolus,
Corydon, and Alexis; Vanessa c-album, urticcB, Antiopa, and Atalanta, occwred
sparingly; Melitcea Dia and Parthenie ; Argynnis Lathonia, Adippe, Erehia Tyn-
darus, Satyrus Hermione, Pararge Mcera, Megcera, and Mgeria were all more or
less common ; a few specimens of Syrichthus alveus, Hesperia comma and linea,
completed the list of butterflies.
Callimorpha Hera was not uncommon flying in the bright sunshine ; and at
rest on rocks, Qnophos obfuscaria, Cidaria immanata, and Acidalia degeneraria
were to be met with occasionally.
On one warm evening, at the lamp outside the hotel at Picrrefitte, I noticed the
following : — Selenia lunaria, Rumia cratcegata, Boarmia rhomboidaria, Heliophobus
papillaris, Apamea Dumeriiii (Duponchel), and Steganias permutaria (Iliibner).
On the stone walls in the valley of Lesponne, I found Folia clii and Bryopliila
glandifera, and in the crevices, suspended in some numbers, the pupse of J^anessa
c-album, and occasionally those of Vanessa Atalanta and Pararge Megmra.
On the 7th September, I ascended, from the village of Gripp, the Pic du Midi
de Bigorre (9439 ft. above the sea). The path is a good one to tlie summit, and the
ascent an extremely easy one. On leaving the valley (about 5000 ft.), butterflies,
including Parnassius Apollo, Argynnis Lathonia, and Lycmna buetica, were somewhat
numerous, but they very soon diminished in numbers. At 6000 ft. I noticed but
one species, viz., Erebia Manto, much worn, and a solitary full-grown larva of
Chaerocampa porcellus. Beyond this elevation all insect life seemed to cease.
Although somewhat disappointed from an entomological point of view, in
other respects the excursion was an enjoyable one, for on the following morning I
witnessed a beautiful sunrise from the top of a mountain, which, from its isolated
position, afPords one of the grandest views in the Pyrenees.
From the summit, as far as the eye could reach, scarcely a vestige of snow was
to be seen in any direction, except on the highest mountains ; two days later (12th
Septembei"), however, the weather became very unsettled, and a complete change
came over the scene, the higher slopes of all the mountains being then completely
covered with a mantle of snow.
Continuous rain falling in the valleys rendered further collecting out of the
question. — A. H. Jones, Shrublands, Eltham, Kent : 17^A November, 1882.
On the variation of the sizes of Lepidopterous eggs laid by the same female, and
other notes. — Some time ago I corresponded with Mr. W. H. Harwood on the question
as to the eggs of Macro- Lepidoptera\&v jing in size, and he mentioned instances, chiefly
among the " Prominents," where he had observed some difference in the size of eggs
laid by the same female ; this difference he had been accustomed to associate with
the sex of the future imago, the larger eggs being expected to result in female moths,
the smaller in male, but I am not aware that he had tested this theory very exactly :
he also furnished me with the experience of another entomologist, who had noted
that the first-laid eggs of Hawkmoths are larger than those which follow. These
observations interested me much, and I meant to pursue them with some care, but
so far I have not done what I wished, and all I can now add is this — last June I
captured an impregnated female of Sm. populi, and, by shutting her up in a large
1S8-3.J , 209
paper-lined box, managed to secure all her eggs to the number of 230 or thereabouts ;
I had removed and given away most of them before she had quite finished laying,
but luckily i-etained a few of the earliest, and when I came to compare these with
the last half-dozen that left the ovipositor, the difference in size was immediately
apparent, and on measuring them with the micrometer I found the last were just
two-thirds of the size of the first : to have made this observation of more value, I
ought to have measured the eggs as they carr.e each day (I think she was about five
days in getting rid of all her burden), but I did not think of this in time ; neither
shall I be able to know which sex of the moth these small eggs would have produced,
for having to leave home before the larvse were full fed, I was obliged to commit
them to the care of a youngster whose conscience was not tender on the point of
feeding them, so that on my return I found them all dead.
There is another question that has occurred to me, but which I cannot answer for
certain ; does a female moth, which from any cause has not reached the usual size
of the species, lay the same number of eggs as a full sized moth, her eggs being like
herself under full size ? or does she lay a smaller number of full-sized eggs ?
I believe Mr. Harwood and myself both inclined to the latter view. A third
question with regard to eggs is this, Do eggs of the same species vary in colour? or
do they always go through the same changes of colour in approaching maturity ?
Mr. Buckler and myself have noted a most decided variation in the eggs of O.
antiqua; often they are of a dirty whitish hue with central brown spot, but some-
times we have met with batches which were quite reddish-brown all over ; I believe,
too, the eggs of D. vintila vary considerably in the depth of their brown colouring.
I have notes of a few eggs of H. Sylvinus, which I once secured ; wlien laid they
were all of a dull white, and most of them remained so, with the exception of a
tinge of yellow, which came over one side ; but one egg became deep yellow all over,
and the larva from it when hatched was of a much deeper yellow than the rest, but
I did not manage to rear it so as to see whether this difference remained throughout
its growth. I have also notes of various batches of eggs of C. brumata, which did
not all seem to go through the same changes of colour, some of them not showing
the dark hue which others put on at the last.
The average number of eggs laid by each species is a matter not always to be
ascertained easily ; I once counted 1200 as the number laid by T. fimbria, and about
the same number in a batch laid by T. pronuba, and these are the highest figures I
ever knew ; something over 200 is I fancy a very general score.
To any one who possesses a microscope the examination of newly-hatched larvse
furnishes a very curious study ; Mr. Scudder, some years ago, pointed out in the
pages of this Magazine (vol. viii, p. 122) the value of observations on this stage in
the life of an insect, but wifliout going very deeply into the signification of the
structure of what he called the " embryonic larva," one cannot but be greatly
interested with the details which a magnifying power of 25 or 50 diameters will
reveal. Thus, I found that the young larva of Hm. populi has its skin thickly set
with fine bi-forked hairs, like double fish-hooks, the anal horn being similarly
ornamented, whilst the head has only a few simple hairs ; the young larva of A. alni
has a most curious arrangement of dorsal tubercles on segments 5 — 8, but this will
probably be noticed more at large in a future paper.
Dr. Chapman has fidly coufiriiied my observations on the varying number ol
2]^0 Februaj-y,
moults undergone by the larya of O. antiqua, some individnals change their skin
three times, some four times, and others five times ; and he has gone further, and
shown that tlie larva, which is to result in a female motli, has one moult more than
the male ; tlie male larvae moult either three or four times, the females either four
or five times ; we are now anxious to extend this investigation especially among
tlie species that have hairy larvse, and to try to settle what sort of treatment and
surrounding conditions tend to lessen or increase the number of moults in the larva
stage ; A. caja is a species with a reputation for numerous changes of skin, but being
a hibernator is not easy to carry through.
It has been before recorded that the pupae of some butterflies vary in colour
with the object to which they are attached, but Mr. Harwood surprised me a good
deal by sending me two pupee of Cymatoyhor a Or, which were quite unlike in colour ;
the pupa obtained from a larva captured near Colchester was black, but the pupa
sent to him from Scotland was quite reddish-brown ; and this difference he found to
exist almost constantly between the English and Scotch pupse, a very few of the
former showing a tendency to the lighter colour.
During the past summer I tried, with Dr. Chapman's help, to settle the origin
of the yellow dust in the cocoon of B. neustria, but neither of us was able to see the
larva in the act of ejecting or applying this yellow paste : I cut open a larva, which
had died without spinning, and found two stoutish deep yellow threads in its body,
which I conjectured might be vessels meant to secrete this paste, but my knowledge
of anatomy is too vague to enable me to speak with certainty.
These notes are very slight, mere hints, indeed, but they seem to me to indicate
several lines of research, for which the Macro-Lepidoptera offer the best opportunities ;
and since butterflies and moths will always attract a very large share of attention
from the world of Entomologists, I want to show that beginners can still find ground
open to them, in which to make their mark, by filling up records yet left blank after
all that has been written by their predecessors. — John Hellins, Exeter : 19^A
December, 1882.
Argynnis Dia near Tunbridge Wells. — This insect was taken some years ago by
Mr. J. C. Arnold, of Hastings, but the species was not recognised till now. The
circumstances under which it occurred were as follows. About the year 1876 Mr.
Arnold was collecting a few butterflies and moths, when he observed two small
fritillaries flying near each other, and caught them both. He took them home and
set them, supposing they were the " Pearl Bordered." But this year taking some
" fresh specimens," as he supposed, he threw away one of them, and was about to
discard the other, when he observed, to his surprise, that though he had taken both
A. Selene and A. Euphrosyne, the markings of this insect differed materially from
both of them. He, therefore, wrote to me to know whether this specimen could be
Argynnis Dia, since it agi-eed with Coleman's short notice of tliat species.
As I had no description at hand, and no specimen of A. Dia, I wrote asking
him to consult j\Ir. C. G. Barrett. Mr. Barrett at once answered, that from the
description and drawing forwarded, it was almost certainly Argynnis Dia. To make
sure I wrote to Mr. Meek, who at once forwarded three continental specimens.
The insect captured 'oy Mr. J. C. Arnold agreed with these in every respect, the
only difference being that Mr. Arnold's specimen was somewhat faded.
\m.] 211
With respect to the time of occurrence, Mr. Arnold tells me he took Eiithemonia
russula and Ai-gynnis Adippe the same day, but does not know the date, this would
point to the early days of July, or possibly to the latter part of June. The speci-
men was taken on heathy ground in Sussex, somewhere near Tunbridge Wells. He
does not remember seeing any other small fritillaries that day. He does remember
that he noticed the dullness of the under-side at the time, but thought it was owing
to the specimens having been for some time on the wing. This circumstance makes
him certain of the exact locality in which he caught them.
I may add, that I have looked over Mr. Arnold's collection, which consists of
the more conspicuous English Macro- Lepidoptera — there were no other rarities
among them. — E. N. Bloomfield, Guestling Eectory : 2Qth December, 1882.
[This is not the first time that we have heard of the occurrence of Argynnis
Dia in this country, though to many of our younger readers the announcement will
have all the charm of novelty.
The chance of any error through the transposition of specimens seems pre-
cluded by the following considerations : — 1st, The captor has never purchased any
butterflies at all ; 2nd, he has never been abroad, nor received any insects from
abroad ; and 3rd, he has never exchanged insects.
There is, however, still the possibility of the insect having been accidentally
introduced. — Edb.]
George Wailes died at his residence, Gateshead, on the 30th October, 1882, in
the 80th year of his age. In him we have lost one of those zealous Entomologists
who could speak with the authority of more than 50 years' personal experience.
J. F. Stephens, in his " Illustrations," quotes observations of George Wailes as
to the appearance of many insects in the neighbourhood of Newcastlc-on-Tyne, from
the year 1828 forwards. This would imply that he had been an active collector and
observer of insects for some time before 1828.
George Wailes was not prolific as an author, and his Catalogue of the Lepidoptera
of Northumberland and Durham, which appeared in 1858 in the Transactions of the
Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club (noticed in the Entomologist's Annual for 1859,
p. 169) was his longest work. His remarks therein on the specific identity of
Folyommatus Artaxerxes and Agestis are of extreme interest ; a copious extract of
these notes was reprinted in the pages of the Zoologist for 1858, pp. 6278-6281.
Hagen, in his Bibliotheca Sntomologica, only enumerates twelve productions from
his pen, but there are several minor notes of his in the early volumes of the
Entomologists' Weekly Intelligencer. His very last notice in 1860 on Bomhylius
major reminds us that one of his earliest essays was on the characters of the European
Diptera, from Meigen's Systematische Beschreibung, which appeared in the Magazine
of Natural History for 1832.
He certainly excelled as a letter writer, his neat hand-writing, and the
amount of geniality he threw into the subject, rendered the arrival of a letter from
him an unfailing source of pleasure.
He was a solicitor, and I remember how on one occasion he remarked that in
his early Entomological career he had much neglected the smaller moths, but had
212" 1 February,
excused himself on the plea that " Do minimis non curat lex." But afterwards he
devoted much attention to the Micro-Lepidoptera, and was one of the first to breed
the little Cemiostoma of the Genista tinctoria, now known as Wailesella. For
many years he was the Conservative registration agent for South Northumberland.
More than twenty years ago Mr. "Wailcs began to be afflicted with deafness, and
this infirmity increased to such an extent as to debar him from his usual intercourse
with his friends. When unable to continue his Entomological pursuits, he turned
his attention to horticulture. He was twice married, but had no family. — H. T. S.
Entomological Society of London : \st November, 1882. — H. T. Stainton,
Esq., F.R.S., President, in the Chair.
Mr. Jenner Weir exhibited two immature examples of a species of Conocephahts,
found living in Messrs. Veitch'a hot-houses. He thought they were probably C.
ensiger, Harris, an American species.
Mr. Billups maintained that the beetles submitted to him as having caused dam-
age to beer casks in Rangoon, were Tomicus Saxeseni {cf. ante, p. 120 and p. 144).
Mr. Pascoe exhibited a curious spider's nest from Sardinia ; it consisted of a
silken bag partially covered with small stones, and was formed close to the ground.
Mr. George Lewis exhibited three species each of the families Histerldcs, Sipi-
telidce, and Lucanidce, illustrating his remarks on the Sy»telidce,&s g\yen in the Ent.
Mo. Mag., ante p. 137.
Mr. Butler communicated the concluding portion of his paper on the Lepido-
ptera of Chili, collected by Mr. Edmonds : this part compi'ised Micro-Lepidoptera,
and supplementary Noctuidce, &c.
Decemler Qth, 1882. — The President in the Chair.
Mr. E. A. Fitch exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Bignell, examples of Platymetopus
undatus, the new British Homopteron noticed in Ent. Mo. Mag., ante p. 155.
Mr. Meldola exhibited a small moth in bad condition, sent, by Dr. Fritz Miiller,
from Brazil, interesting because Dr. Miiller assured him that it had been seen to
deposit living larvse, and hence was viviparous.
The Rev. H. S. Gprham exhibited specimens of Cryptophagus validus, found on
beer casks in his cellar in Sussex ; he had found larvae feeding on a fungus on the
casks, and thought they were those of the beetle.
Lord Walsingham exhibited examples of Niptus hololeucus, sent to him from
Scotland, and which were reported to have damaged silver plate; at any rate, there
were holes in the plate on which the insects were found ; he suggested that there
might be some corrosive property in the faeces of the insects.
Sir S. S. Saunders exhibited and reported upon fig-insects from Madagascar,
collected by the Rev. W. Deans Cowan ; the remarkable thing about them was that
they only had four legs, the intermediate pair being obsolete. He also read a letter
from M. Andre respecting the terminal segments of Halticella.
Professor Westwood communicated notes on M. Giraud's statements respecting
the EuryiomidcB.
Mr. Cameron forwarded descriptions of ten new species of Nematus from Scot-
land.
Dr. Sharp sent a revision of the genus Tropistertms in the Bydrophilidce.
1883.) 213
Mr. Meyrick sent an elaborate memoir on the classification of the Tineina, in
which he attempted to shew that schemes based upon European foi'ms only, will not
bear the test of sci'utiny, when applied to those of Australia, New Zealand, &c. He
also dwelt largely on the importance of structural characters in Lepidoptera, as
opposed to those ordinarily taken from markings, &c.
January 17th, 1883. — Anniversary Meeting. The President in the Chair.
It was announced that the prize of £50, offered by Lord Walsinghara, for the
best essay on Sclerostoma syngamus (see notice of meeting for October 1st, 1879, vol.
xvi, p. 140), had been awarded to Dr Megnin, of Paris (two competitors) ; no essay
regarding Strongylus pergracilis had been received.
The following were elected Members of Council for the ensuing year, viz. : — J.
W. Dunning, M.A., F.L.S., E. A. Fitch, F.L.S., F. D. Godman, M.A., F.R.S., Eev.
H. S. Gorham, F. Grut, F.L.S., W. F. Kirby, R. McLachlan, F.R.S., J. W. May,
K.N.L., F. P. Pascoe, F.L.S., E. Saunders, F.L.S., J. W. Slater, H. T. Stainton,
F.R.S., and C. O. Waterhouse.
The following officers were subsequently elected, viz. : — President, J. W. Dun-
ning ; Treasurer, E. Saunders ; Secretaries, E. A. Fitch and W. F. Kirby ; Librarian,
F. Grut.
The outgoing President read an address, which was ordered to be printed, and
the meeting terminated with the usual votes of thanks to the oifioers for their services
during the past year.
ANNOTATED LIST OF BRITISH ANTHOMTIIBJE.
BT E. H. MEADE.
{continued from p. liS^.
20. PHOREIA, E. Desv.
Anthomyia, p. Meig., Schin., Macq.jWalk.
Aricia, p. Zett.
Chortophila, p. Macq., Eond.
Qen. ch. — Eyes bare, contiguous or sub-contiguous in the males,
remote in tlie females ; arista tomentose or bare ; face slightly pro-
minent ; abdomen depressed, oblong, or linear ; alulets small, with
equal-sized scales ; wings with the anal veins prolonged to the mar-
gin ; legs black.
1. ELOCCOSA, Macq., Eond.
floraUs ?, Fall.
2. TEANSTEESALIS, Zett.
3. PUDICA, Eond.
4. DISSECTA, Meig.
5. INCOGNITA, Eond.
6. LACTUC^, Bouche.
7. OBSCUEA, Macq.
8. MUSCAEIA, Meig.
hrevicornis ?, Zett.
9. HisTEio, Zett.
10. ciLiCEUEA, Eond.
fusciceps ?, Zett.
11. TEicnoDACTTLA, Eond.
12. FLOEILEGA, Zett.
18. IGNOTA, Eond.
14. CEPETOEUM. Sp. n.
ceparum ?, Meig.
antiqua, p. Schin.
15. NEGLECTA, Sp. B.
IG. ExiGUA, sp. n.
parva ?, Desv., Macq.
214
[Februiirj-,
This genua contains a rather heterogeneous collection of small
flies, including all those black-legged species whose males have con-
tiguous eyes, which cannot be placed in any of the preceding genera.
Several small species are embraced in this group which are very
difficult to determine, as they are very much alike, and do not possess
any very marked distinctive characters. Several different species
have, I believe, been described under the same name, and I think that
the same species may have been described under different names ; so
that it is veiy difficult to arrive at just conclusions. The females of
distinct species are, in some cases, so similar, that it is almost impos-
sible to name them correctly, unless they are found associated with
the corresponding males.
P. FLOccosA, Macq.
The males of this common species may at ance be recognised by the tuft of hairs
on the under-side of the base of the liind femora, and by tbe inner sides of the hind
tibise being ciliated along the middle part of their inner surfaces ■with a series of
short bristles of unequal lengths. There is but little doubt that this species is the
same as the M. floralis, of Fallen, Meigen, Zetterstedt, Schiner, and others ; for the
general descriptions of both species agree together, though none of the last-named
authors mention the tufted femora. The face is rather prominent ; the eyes (of
male) sub-contiguous ; the arista pubescent ; the thorax marked ■with three rather
broad and widely separated stripes ; the abdomen narrow and rather tapering, ■with
a ■wide, black, dorsal, longitudinal stripe, which becomes narro'wer towards its ex-
tremity, and is more or less dilated opposite the upper margin of each segment, which
is marked with a narrow, transverse, black line. The female has the eyes separated
by a ■white, intra-ocular space, occupying about a third of the width of the head, con-
taining a •wide central, stripe, usually red at its front part, and black behind ; but
sometimes entirely black. The thorax and abdomen are both lighter in colour than in
the male, and are indistinctly striped ; the latter is oblongo-ovoid in shape, ■with the
apex pointed.
The larvae feed upon the stems of cauliflowers and other varieties of the cabbage
tribe. I have received specimens of the fly from Mr. Inchbald, bred from the first,
and I reared several myself last summer from cabbage plants sent to me by Mr.
Dunn, of Dalkeith, in consequence of their being infested with the "grubs of the
cabbage-fly."
The larva3 of A. floralis are said, by Zetterstedt and Schiner, to feed upon ra-
dishes {Raphanus sativus), andi Winnertz has bred this fly from the roots of Brassica
napoirassica.
P. TRAJTSVERSALIS, Zett.
This species has the abdomen oblong, flattened, rather short, covered ■with soft
hairs, and marked along the dorsum ■with a widish, longitudinal, black band of even
•width, interrupted opposite the edges of the segments, ■which are bordered by a
whitish line. The thorax is very dark grey, marked with three indistinct, longitu-
1383.: ^ 215
dinal, black bands, and has light grey sides. Zetterstedt says that the alulets are
" sordide alhidcz" but I have found both these and the halteres to be usually of an
orange colour.
This is rather a local species. I have found it abundantly in a plantation near
Bradford, and have received specimens from Mr. Inchbald, which he had bred from
the leaves of Rumex acetosa, which are mined, or, rather, blotched, by the larvae.
P. PUDicA, Eond.
This is a pretty, bright-looking fly, about the same size as the last (6 mm. long),
but having the abdomen rather more elongated and pointed. The thorax is of a
glistening whitish-grey colour, lighter on the front margin and on the shoulders ; it
is marked by a central black stripe, which only extends along the anterior half, and
by two very wide lateral bands, which reach the bases of the wings. The abdomen
is of a slight pinkish-grey colour (sometimes glaucous), with a slender, continuous,
tapering, longitudinal, black stripe.
The sub-anal male appendages are small. The hind tibiae are armed with a few
bristles towards the upper part of their inner sides. I do not know the female.
Not uncommon.
P. DISSECTA, Meig.
This rare species is characterized by having yellowish -brown wings, sub-con-
tiguous eyes (in the male), a nearly bare arista, a dull, dark grey thorax, with
cinereous shoulders, and three, rather indistinct, black stripes, an oblong, flattened,
rather narrow, abdomen, of a light grey colour, clothed with numerous soft hairs,
and marked with an interrupted dorsal black stripe, formed by four triangular spots,
the bases of which are dilated into transverse bands opposite the upper edge of each
segment. It has straight, perpendicular, external, transverse veins to the wings, and
the male hind tibiae are armed with a few short bristles of uneven lengths in the
middle of their inner sides.
I have not seen a female.
I captured one male at Thorparch, near York, in August, 1878, another at Silver-
dale, in Lancashire, in May, 1881, and a third near Bicester, Oxon, in June, 1882.
P. INCOGNITA, Eond.
This species, of which I have only seen one British male example, captured by
the late F. Walker, closely resembles P. dissecta by its brown wings and other
general characters, but differs by having a more pubescent arista, narrower cheeks,
a more nigrescent thorax, and a narrower abdomen, which is marked with much
larger triangular spots, which cover the greater part of the dorsum.
I possess a typical continental male specimen which was named by the late
Professor Rondani. I do not know the female.
P. LACTUc^, Bouche.
This species is of a deep rich brownish-black colour with brown wings. The
eyes of the male are contiguous, with the frontal triangle red ; the arista is pubes-
cent : the cheeks rufous ; the thorax with a cinereous tinge on the shoulders and
sides ; the abdomen is oblong and flattened, of an uniform brown colour, when
21G [Kfbnuiry, 1863.
viewed from before baclvwarcls ; but looking of a grey colour with brown reflections,
and having an interrupted dorsal stripe, when seen from behind.
This pretty, well-marked species is said to feed, in the larval state, ou the let-
tuce. It appears to be of rather local occurrence. The only place in which I have
found it has been a kitchen garden near Buckingham, where I captured several males
on several occasions. I have not seen a female.
P. OBscuKA, Macq.
The thorax of tliis species is black, with the front margin and shoulders glisten-
ing greyish-white. The anterior edge is intersected by three, and sometimes four
(when the middle one is bifid), abbreviated black stripes, winch form two or throe
irregular, bright, white, spots, giving a peculiar and characteristic appearance to the
fly. The abdomen is oblong, rather narrow, flat, and glabrous. It is grey, with a
wide, interrupted, black, dorsal stripe, and has three straight, transverse, brown
bands, which cover the upper halves of the second, third, and fourth segments. The
length is about 4 mm. (2 lin.).
Very rare ; I have seen but one male specimen, which I captured near Brad-
ford, in June, 1879.
P. MUSCAEIA, Meig.
This is characterized by being narrow, elongated, black, and hairy. The face
and epistome are both prominent ; the antennse are very short, the second Joint
being almost as long as the third, which is short and wide ; the palpi are long, hairy,
and dilated at their extremities ; the thorax and abdomen are indistinctly striped ;
the latter is very narrow, and thickly clothed with long hairs ; the hind femora are
very hairy, but the hind tibiije are bare on their inner sides. These remarks apply to
the male, I do not know the female.
Very rare.
P. HISTRIO, Zett.
This, and the two following species, are peculiar by having the hind tibire of tlie
males ciliated along the whole length of their inner sides with short erect hairs or
bristles. The present fly, which is considerably larger than either of the two fol-
lowing (it being from 7 to 8 mm. in length) has the arista decidedly pubescent ; the
thorax whitish-grey, marked with a black central stripe (bifid in fi'ont), and with
two wide, irregular latei-al bands. The scutellum has the edges, and sometimes the
centre, marked with brown. The abdomen is oblongo-conical, with the apical seg-
ment small. It is mai-ked with a narrow, black, longitudinal stripe, as well as with
black transverse lines. The wings have the external transverse veins oblique and
sinuous. The hind femora are nearly bare of hairs on their under surfaces ; and
the hind tibiae have the bristles arranged in a double row along both their inner and
front sides ; the bristles being of slightly irregular lengths.
This rare species, of which I only know the male, appi-oaehos in form, and by
its pubescent arista, to those Anthomyds placed in the genus Hylemyia.
P. CILICRUBA, Roild.
This little species, 4 to 5 mm. (about 2 lines) in length, is of a dark brownish-
grey colour, marked on the thorax with three rather indistinct, wide, brown, longi-
March, 1833.] 217
tudinal lines. The abdomen is flat and tapering, having a central, longitudinal,
black, doi-sal stripe, as well as transverse dark lines on the borders of the segments ;
the latter being only visible in certain lights. The anal segment is small and grey,
and the sub-anal appendages of moderate size. The face and epistome are often rufes-
cent, and are both slightly prominent ; the eyes are sub-coherent in the male, and
widely separated in the female ; the latter having the intra-ocular space red at the
fore part ; the I'ow of bristles on the inside of the hind tibise of the male consists of
short rigid hairs, placed very near together, and of almost equal lengths. The female
has the thorax of a paler brown colour, and is indistinctly striped.
This little fly is generally distributed, and feeds, in the larva state, upon onions.
I bred a number of specimens of both sexes last summer, from onion plants, in
different stages of growth, which had been kindly sent to me by Miss Ormerod, as
well as by Mr. Dunn, of Dalkeith, in consequence of their being infested by the
maggots or larvae of Diptera, which were injurious to the onion crops.
I have placed the A. ruflceps, of Zetterstedt, as a synonym of P. cilicrura,
though Rondani thinks that it agrees more closely with A. angustifrons, of Meigen ;
the latter species, however, has a decidedly prominent face, and Zetterstedt says of
A.fusciceps, " frons parum prominula." The hind tibiae, again, in A. angustifrons
(a typical continental specimen of which, named by Rondani, I have had an oppor-
tunity of examining), are furnished with much longer and softer hairs than those of
P. cilicrura; and Zetterstedt says of A.fusciceps, "tibiae posticae intus pube brevi
erecta ciliatae." I have not seen a British specimen of A. angustfrons. I formerly
confused it with P. cilicrura.
P. TEICHODACTYLA, Roud.
This species very closely resembles P. cilicrura, but is usually rather smaller, of
a lighter grey colour, and has the thorax less distinctly striped, being often im-
maculate. The abdominal dorsal stripe is generally interrupted, the separate
portions having a triangular shape. The hind tibiae of the males are armed exactly
like those of P. cilicrura, but the middle legs present a very characteristic difference,
the metatarsal joints being furnished on their outer sides with four or five long
curved hairs or bristles. I only know the male.
This little fly is not uncommon, but less frequently seen than the preceding one.
P. FLOEILEGA, Zett.
This species closely resembles P. trichodactyla in form, colour and design, but
has the middle metatarsal joints of the males destitute of long hairs, and the inner
surfaces of the hind tibiae unarmed, with the exception of having two or three short
bristles at their upper part. It is about 3 mm. in length, has both the face and
epistome slightly prominent, the eyes of the male contiguous, the arista bare, the
thorax yellowish-grey, marked with three indistinct brown stripes ; the abdomen
flat, narrow and tapering, with very small anal and sub-anal appendages ; cinereous
in colour, and marked with a sub-continuous dorsal stripe, which is quite straight,
and of uniform width throughout. T do not know the female.
Not uncommon.
P. iGfNOTA, Rond.
This is a well-marked little species, very common in gardens and fields. It is
218 [March,
usually of a shining black colour ; the males have large contiguous eyes which
nearly cover the vrhole cheeks ; the thorax is mostly immaculate, but in the less
deeply coloured specimens tliree wide black bands may be observed on a brown
ground ; the abdomen is flat and tapers towards the extremity, when viewed from
behind it is grey, having often a glaucous tinge, and is marked with a black longi-
tudinal sub-continuous dorsal band, and with straight transverse lines ; the wings
are usually somewhat fnscous, having the third and fourth longitudinal veins rather
widely separated, and slightly divergent from each other ; the external transverse
veins are straight and upright ; the hind tibice of the males are bare on their inner
sides.
The female is grey, with the thorax and abdomen indistinctly striped ; the eyes
widely separated, and the intra-oeular space black, with broad whitish margins.
P. CEPETOEUM, Sp. 11.
Bias, griseus, thorace sublineato ; abdomen lineare, depressum, cinereum, albo-
nitente, linea dorsali nigra, interrtipta, signatum ; alcB clarce ; tibice posticcB intus
parce setoscB.
Femina, oculis remotis, abdomine immaculato, apice acuto.
Long. (J et ? , 6 mm.
This species very closely resembles Hylemyia antiqua, Meig., and has doubtless
been confounded with it. The chief points of difference between the two species
are, that the arista is only pubescent in P. cepetorum, but sub-plumose in H. antiqua ;
the abdomen is marked down the dorsum with an interrupted stripe in P. cepetorum,
while there is a fine continuous line in H. antiqua (" ununterbrochener schwarzer
feiner Ruckenlinie ") ;* lastly, the wings are mostly clear in P. cepetorum, but
brown in H. antiqua.
Head : face slightly prominent ; epistome flat ; eyes of male contiguous ; an-
tennae of moderate length, with the arista thickened and pubescent at its base, but
nearly bare in the middle and at the extremity.
Thorax, with the scutellum of a liglit yellowish-grey colour ; the former marked
with four indistinct pale brown stripes, and with four rows of black bristles.
Abdomen oblong and rather narrow, cinereous, clothed with black hairs, and
showing silvery-white reflections when viewed from behind ; it is marked down the
dorsum with a row of elongated, narrow, triangular black spots, which form a sub-
continuous stripe ; the anal segment is grey, small and rather pointed ; the sub-anal
male appendages are large and hairy.
Wings hyaline, with the third and fourth longitudinal veins nearly parallel to
each other, and the external transverse ones straight, and a little oblique ; Calyptra
and Halteres both pale yellow j Legs sometimes piceous ; hind femora almost bare
of hairs or bristles at the base of their under-surfaces ; hind tibia; of the males
furnished with a few short bristles along the middle and upper part of their inner
sides. The female is very similar in colour to the male ; the eyes are widely sepa-
rated, the intervening space being red at its front part ; the abdomen is dull grey,
mostly immaculate, conical and pointed at the apex ; the calyptra are white, and
the halteres yellow.
* Meigen.
1882-1 219
This is "par excellence'" an onion fly, as all the specimens which I have seen
have been bred from the bulbs of that vegetable. I suspect it is the same as that
named A. ceparum by Bouche, Meigen, and others, which has been mixed up by
Schiner with ft. antiqua.*
I received specimens of this species last summer from Mr. Inehbald, which he
had bred from onions, and I also reared several myself from bulbs of the same
onions (sent by Miss Ormerod) which produced the specimens of P. cilicrura ; the
larva? of both species feeding together, and passing through their transformations at
the same time. It is very interesting to add, that a short time since I received both
males and females of this fly from Professor Lintner of Albany, U. S., which he had
bred from onions in America, and which corresponded in all respects with my English
specimens, with the exception of having the legs more piceous or testaceous in
colour.
P. NEGLECTA, Sp. 11.
Mas,fuscus,piIoxus; thorace linels quinque striata ; ahdomine angusto, maculis
trihus triajigularihus, dorso signato ; alls venis tertiis quartisque longitadinalibus
versus ap)icibus i^atilo convergenfibus ; tibiis posticis intus nudis. Long. 3 mm.
Head : eyes large, covering the cheeks, and closely contiguous ; face and epistome
only slightly prominent ; antennae rather elongated, the third joint being three
times the length of the second ; arista thickened along its basal third, where it is
almost bare, but having the apical portion a little pubescent.
Thorax, with scutellum, gi'ey, sometimes having a glaucous tinge ; it is marked
down the dorsum with five stripes, of which the middle and two lateral ones are the
widest, the intermediate lines being narrow and sometimes indistinct, when only
three broad stripes are visible.
Abdomen narrow and pointed towards the apex, covei'ed with numerous soft
black hairs, and consisting of four distinct segments, of which the first is very short,
the second longer than any of the others, and the third and fourth about equal in
length ; it is of a dull grey colour, and marked down the dorsum with three large
triangular black spots, the bases of which are transversely dilated opposite the upper
margins of the second, third, and fourth segments ; the apical joint is very small
and pointed, and furnished on its under-surface with two small lamellae, on the outer
side of each of which a small black hook or tooth may be observed, projecting back-
wards.
CaJyptra moderately developed, of a dull yellowish- white colour; Halteres
orange-yellow.
Wings slightly nigrescent, costal spine wanting ; costal vein ciliated at the base ;
external ti-ansverse vein straight and upright ; third and fourth longitudinal veins
diverging from the site of the internal transverse vein, for three-fourths of the dis-
tance to the apex of the wing, and then becoming slightly convergent towards each
other ; the third longitudinal vein reaching the border exactly at the apex. Legs,
with the under-surfaces of all the femora, ciliated with a double row of long fine
bristles ; inner sides of hind tibise bare. The female is unknown to me.
This little well-marked species is generally distributed, but not common.
* In a former part of this list I placed A. ceparum, Meig., under HyUmyia tibiaria, Rond., l)nt
I now believe that I was mi.stakeu in thinking that they were synonymous.
220 [March,
P. EIIGUA, sp. n.
Mas, nigrescens, ocuUs coherentibiis ; thorace suilineato ; ahdomine hirsuto,
lineari, depresso, cauda incrassata, lineaque interrwpta, et incisuris transversis sig-
nato ; nervis transversis suiapproximatis ; tibiis posticis intus ciliatis.
Long. 2 mm.
This little species bears a very considerable resemblance to P. ignota, the abdo-
men being marked much in the same way ; it differs from it, however, by being
smaller, in having the abdomen narrower and more thickened at the extremity, the
calyptra smaller, the third and fourth longitudinal veins nearer together and quite
parallel, the transverse veins nearer together, and the hind tibiae ciliated.
Bead : eyes contiguous ; face and epistome slightly prominent ; antennje rather
short, the third joint being scarcely twice the length of the second ; arista bare, and
with an oval, shining black, thickened protuberance at its base.
Thorax dull schistaceous-grey, with the sides paler in colour, marked with three
or five rather indistinct longitudinal black stripes.
Abdomen hairy, oblong, narrow, attenuated at the base and thickened behind ;
it is marked on the dorsum by a narrow, interrupted, black, longitudinal band, with.
transverse lines, and a number of small black spots round the roots of the hairs ; the
apical segment is large, double, projecting, and of an ash-grey colour ; the sub-anal
processes are large, and consist of two pairs of lamellse, one pair projecting from the
apex forwards, and the other pair (which are placed towards the middle of the
belly) extending backwards.
Wings slightly fuscous, with the first and second longitudinal veins, as well as
the costa, black and rather thickened ; the third and fourth longitudinal veins are
placed rather near together, and are quite pai-allel to each other ; the transverse veins
are also somewhat close, and the external one is straight and upright ; there is no
costal spine.
Calyptra very small, and of a brownish-white colour. Halteres yellowish-brown
and sometimes nigrescent. Legs, with the hind femora, furnished beneath with short
soft hairs along the basal half, and with longer ones towards the extremity ; hind
tibiae ciliated with a few bristles of irregular lengths on the middle part of their
inner surfaces. Female unknown.
I captured several specimens of this fly at Silverdale, Lancashire, in May, 1881.
{To be continued).
BILAR JAPONICUS, n. sp.
BY ROBERT McLACHLAN, F.R.S., &c.
cf . Head, above, shining yellowish-testaceous, much elevated, with a median
longitudinal impressed line ; the three piliferous warts very large (the lateral ones
the largest), the hairs yellow : J'ace shining brownish: aw^ewMfE pale yellow, about
30-jointed, each joint, from the 3rd to about the 21st, with a strong clavate branch,
mostly very long, but shorter towards the base and apex of the antennae ; 3rd joint
with an inner tooth immediately below the branch ; the 6 or 7 apical joints
short and nearlv moniliform.
18S3.] 221
Pronofum yellowish, with two contiguous median tubercles. Mesonotum having
the lobes broadly fuscescent. Metanotum yellowish.
Legs yellowish, with concolorous hairs ; knees blackish ; a brownish mark at
apex of tibiae, and the under-side of the tarsi (especially the posterior) is also
brownish.
Wings yellowish-grey, very broad, nearly equal in form, the apices almost semi-
circular : the anterior pair closely freckled with pale grey spots arranged in many
transverse series ; towards the extreme base the spots are darker, and there are the
usual two blackish horny points, one towards the base below the first sector, the
other towards the disc below the 1st branch of the second sector ; neuration yellowish
with pale hairs ; second sector with four principal branches ; a well-defined series
of gradate nervules extending obliquely from below the 4th branch of the second
sector (in addition to the nervules in the basal half of the wing) : posterior-wings
slightly paler, without grey spots, but with the usual two dark horny points.
Abdomen fuscescent, clothed with very long yellow hairs ; apex yellow, the
incrassate lateral valves very thick, meeting above and below (in the dry insect),
leaving a narrow long-oval apical cavity between them ; they are clothed with ex-
tremely long yellow hairs.
Expanse of wings, 21 mm. ; length of an anterior-wing, llj mm., breadth of
same, 6 mm.
Habitat : Japan (Fukushima in the main Island, 28th July,
1881), 1 c?.
For this very interesting addition to our knowledge of the geo-
graphical distribution of Dilar, I am indebted to Mr. George Lewis.
In colour D.japonicus much resembles D. Sornei, McLach., from
N. W. India {cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., v, p. 239), but is larger, and the
wings are considerably broader and more semicircular at the apex, and
have the markings paler ; there appears, moreover, to be an outer
series of gradate veinlets in the anterior-wings that is not present in
the types of Hornei. Furthermore, the condition of the abdominal
apical cavity is strikingly different, and there is no trace of the su-
perior lamina or lobe seen in Hornei {cf. figure of apex of abdomen of
Hornei, Ent. Mo. Mag., v, p. 240).
D. Hornei, japonicus, and no doubt Nietneri (unknown to me, cf.
Hag., Stett. ent. Zeit., 1866, p. 296), differ from the South European
forms in the joiuts of the antennae being shorter and more dilated,
but with much longer and stronger branches ; otherwise, they appear
to be quite cpngeneric, and there is a general resemblance rendering
specific differentiation difiicult.
D. Prestoni from S. America, and D. americanus from N. America,
differ in their small size and in neuration, and perhaps will be eventually
separated generically (cf McLach., Ent. Mo. Mag., xviii, p. 55).
Lewisham : SrcZ February, 1883.
222 [March,
DIPTERA IN AEKAN.
BT G. H. VEKRALL.
A fortnight in June spent in the Island of Arran gave me an
opportunity of collecting a number of Diptern, a list of which may be
of interest for geographical distribution. The climate of the Island
is wonderfully mild, owing to its receiving the full brunt of the Gulf
Stream, hence not so many northern forms occurred even on the
mountains, as the high latitude induced me to expect. The Flora
especially seemed more like that of the south-west of England, as
fuchsias nine or ten feet high with stems quite four inches thick, and
rhododendrons by many thousands, grew in the woods about Brodick
Castle ; delicate shrubs flourished in gardens when protected from
deer, and laburnums, Iris pseiidacorus, and a potato-field in the south
of the Island close to the edge of the sea show the comparative
harmlessness of the storms. The day I ascended Groatfell, the highest
point on the Island (28G6 feet), there was scarcely a breath of wind
even on the summit, and the sea between Arran and Cantire was like
glass, while the steamer coming from Grlasgow left behind it the ripple
of the paddlewheels visible on the calm water for four or five miles,
Diptera buzzed on the rocks about the summit, and Coleoptera ran
about between the stones.
My chief attention was given to the AntJwmyiidce, and I succeeded
in getting good series of several species whichfl had met with before
only at Eannoch or Bi'aemar, some of which though common in
Scotland, have never yet been recorded as British. Those species
which I have clearly identified I will leave at present in the generic
divisions adopted by Dr. Meade in his paper now appearing in this
Magazine.
Altogether I took between 1200 and 1300 specimens of Diptera,
belonging to leather more than 200 species ; I shall not attempt to
describe any new species here, as I consider any I may have found
should only be treated more monographically, and any I may be in
doubt about I have preferred not to enumerate at present.
I made Brodick (where there is a first class hotel) my head quarters,
but I made excursions to Lagg, Loch Ranza, Glen Sannox, Lamlash,
Corrie, Blackwater Foot, &c., hence I explored most of the 'Island,
and the species I have identified are as follows : —
Nemotelus iiotatus Hiematopota pluvialis Clirysopila aurata, F.
Microchi-ysa polita . . ,., /(oiosericea, Wlk.
a ■ ■ ci'assicoi'Uis (1) T ...
naviconus Isopogon brevirostris
Beris vallata Leptis scolopacea Hybos sp.
clialybcata notata Cyrtoma 2 sp.
RhampLomyia nigvipes (2) Machserium maritimum
albosegmentata (2) Sympycnus annulipes
geniculata (2)
tarsata (2)
umbripeiinis (2)
flava (2)
Einpis tessellata
livida
trigramma
vernalis
sp. ? (3)
Hilara iuterstincta
maura
squaleus
pruinosa
Campsicnemus curvipes
armatus
Medeterus apicalis ? (6)
Psilopus platypterus
Chrj'sogaster metallina
Macquarti
Chilosia variabilis
flavimana
albitarsis
chloris
antiqua
sponsa
Leucozona lucorum
Hemerodromia melanocephala Melanostoma mellina
Gloma fuscipeunis (-i) scalaiis
Tachypeza uubila, Mg. Platycbirus manicatus
nervosa, Mg. peltatus
Tachista annulimana, Mg. albimauus
cimicoides, Wlk. clypeatus
Tacbydromia = Platypalpus, Syrpbus 4-lunulatns, Schm.
3 or 4 sp.
Hygroceleutbus diadema
Dolicbopus atripes
vitripennis
atratus
lepidus
nubilus
discifer
pennatus
popularis
urban us
simplex
ffineus
Gymnopternus cupreus
ffirosus
Tacbytrechus notatus
Argyra diapbana
argentina
leucocepbala
Syntormon sulcipes, Mg.
oedicnemns, Lw. Xylota segnis
Synartbrus pallipes Syritta pipiens
Rbaphium longicorne Sipbona sp.
Xiphaudrium fissum Sarcopbaga carnaria
monotricbura Atropos
appendiculatum Cyuomyia mortuorum
Porphyrops prserosus, Lw. (5) Onesia sepulcbralis
tenuis, Ver. Stomoxys stimulans
nigricornis, Ver,
obscurus, Zett.
grossulariae
vitripennis
nigritarsis ? (8)
annulatus
cinctus (9)
compositarum
punctulatus
barbifrous
Spbseropboria mentbastri
Ascia podagrica
floralis
Sericomyia lappona
Rbingia rostrata
Eristalis borticola
nemorum
arbustorum
pertinax
Helopbilus pendulus
223
Lucilia Cffisar
coruicina
Callipbora erythrocephala
vomitoria
Mesembriua meridiana
Graphomyia maculata
Morellia simplex
hortorum
Cyrtoneura stabulaus
Myiospila meditabunda
Polietes lardaria
albolineata
Hyetodesia lucorum
marmorata
incana
variabilis
longipes
umbratica
semicinerea
errans
signata
lasiopbtbalma
(7) populi
Mydaea urbana
pagana
impuncta
Spilogaster nigrinervis
maculosa
consimilis
communis
Limnophora compuncta
sororcula
contractifrons
sp. 3 or 4
Hydropboria conica
Hydrotaea ciliata
occulta
irritans
dentipes
palaestrica
Rondanii
meteorica
fasciculata
Trichopbtbicus innocua (10)
birsutula (10)
cunctans
Homalomyia manicata
armata
lepida
Serena
carbonaria
224
Azelia Macquarti
Zetterstedti
cilipes
gibbera
Hyleinyia variata
strigosa
nigrimana
Lasiops Roederi
ctenocnema
Anthomyia pluvialis
radicura
[March,
Chortophila floccosa, Rond.
villipes, Zett.
tricbodactyla
Scatophaga inquinata
squalida (11)
litorea
Coelopa sp.
Psila fimetaria
nigra
Pallopteia umbellatarum
Mycetopbila bimaculata
Macrocera lutea
Bibio lacteipennis
Dilophus yulgaris
Scatopse iuermis
notata
Rhyplius fenestralis
punctatus
Ptychoptera lacustria
Limnobia nubeculosa
Rhypbolophus sp.
Tipula sinuata, F.
gigantea, Schrk.
rufina
NOTES.
(1) Hcematopota crassicornis^ahXh. — I have no doubt we have two common and
widely diffused species of Mamatopota in Britain. The distinction is much easier
to the eye than to the pen, as the readiest character is the tint of the wing which
is marbled-grey in H. crassicornis and muddy-yellowish in S. pilwvialis. Very
little can be added to Wahlberg's original distinctions, in which he says, " Differt
statura breviori, colore intensius nigricanto, nee subfusco, pictura thoracis, abdomi-
nisque albida, nee cinerea, maculis alarum albis in lineas subcirculares magis conflu- '
entibuB— Lineffi thoracis laterales abbreviatae et interruptse, sat distinctse, nee sub-
continuse, obsoletiores. Maculae abdominis parvse, rotundse, distinctse, nee majores,
obsoletse." I have seen S. pluvialis from Lewes and Lyndhurst to Arran, and H.
crassicornis from Sussex to Sutherland. In Curtis's British Entomology, 525, is
figured H. italica, from Mersey Isle, Essex, which seems distinct from the other two
by its larger size and oehreous femora ; Mr. H. Vaughan gave me just such a speci-
men from near Southend ; what species it really represents I caimot say at present.
(2) Rhamphomyia. — The whole genus HhampJiomyia remains in a most un-
satisfactory state, very few species being as yet well identified or described. Of those
I record, i2. nigripes is common and well known ; R. flava, Fin., is equally well
known though less common, the males were hovering about six feet from the ground
in considerable numbers in a path through the plantations near Brodick Castle ; the
other four species are not in our most recent British lists, though R. umhripennis
was enumerated in Stephens' Catalogue. The species I have called R. albosegmeniata,
Zett., comes very near R. nigripes, F., but has the discal cell alike ii\ both sexes, it
seems very common in Scotland, and I have taken it at Lyndhurst, and at Abbott's
Wood in Sussex ; R. genicnlata, Mg., is a greyish species, with black legs and pale
knees, the female having the legs partly feathered, I feel no doubt it is the R. geni-
cnlata of Meigen and Zetterstedt ; R. tarsata, Mg., is a shining black species, with
blackish legs, the male having hyaline wings with a conspicuous black stigma, in-
crassated basal joint of hind tarsi, and large very conspicuous genitalia : the female
has the posterior femora and all the tibise somewhat feathered ; I have taken it
at Leigh and at Worcester ; I have no doubt it is Zetterstedt's R. tarsata, and
probably Walkei-'s R. longipes, as it seems to agree with a bad specimen so named
in the late Mr. W. W. Saunders' collection ; Walker says " no stigma," but I
expect ho named Mr. Saunders' specimen, and I certainly cannot put much value
188S.1 225
upon his description ; R. umhripennis, Mg., is a common small weak species, with
dull black thorax (<?), brownish-yellow legs and smoky wings, the female having
simple yellower legs.
(3) Empis sp. ?. — I caught what I cannot doubt is a pair of a small black Empis
at Lagg, but the male is most remarkable as one wing has not the fork of the cubital
vein which is the sole distinction between the genera Empis and Rhamphomyia.
(4) Oloma fuscipennis, Mg. — Both genus and species are omitted from Walker,
though mentioned in Stephens' catalogue, because they were represented in his col-
lection by Sciodromia immaculata {v. Walker, Ins. Brit. Dipt., iii, addenda xi). The
genus is distinguished from Hilara by the long terminal bristle to the antennae,
and from Brachystonia (to which I think it most allied) by the shorter anal cell.
G. fuscipennis, Mg., is the only European species, and seems widely distributed,
though rare. The single specimen I caught was in bad condition.
(5) In February, 1876, in my " Notes on some British DolichopodidcB," I de-
scribed three supposed new species. When sending some specimens to Herr Kowarz
last year I enclosed my types for his examination, and I am sorry to say all three
species sink as synonyms. The genus Forphyrops is still an exceedingly difficult
one, which may account for my failure there, while the Diaphorus had been de-
scribed too incompletely. Forphyrops simplex = P. micans, Mg. ; P. tenuis ^=^ P.
prcBrosus, Lw. ; Diaphorus dorsalis =^ D. melancholicus, Lw.
(6) Medetekus. — In my " List of British Bolichopodidm " (Ent. Mo.
ix, 71) I gave only five British species of Medeterus, to which I added one in 1876.
By the aid of Kowarz's paper on the genus in the Verhandlungen der zool.-bot.
Gesellschaft in Wien, xxvii (1878), I can now enumerate the following British
species : —
micaceus, Lw. pallipes, Zett. flavipes, Mg.
apicalis, var. b., Zett. miiralis, Lw. j'aculus, Mg.
muralis, Mg. diadema, L. nigricans, Mg.
melanopleurus, Lw. rostrata, F. truncorum, Mg.
tristis, Zett. carnivora, Fisch.
apicalis, Zett. (?) cBneivittatus, Mcq.
To these I expect seven or eight more species may yet be added, and I think I
possess at least four not enumerated above, but which I am not yet satisfied about.
M. micaceus will fall under Mik's genus OligochcBtus.
(7) This synonym is given on the authority of a letter from Loew, but I do not
know where Schummel described the species, nor is it given in Schiner's Catalogue
of European Diptera.
(8) Syrphus nigritarsis, Zett. ?. — I captured one female of a Syrphus very near
S. latifasciatus, Mcq. (== abbreviatus, Zett.), but the scutellum is black haired.
With considerable doubt I refer this to the little known S. nigritarsis of Zetter-
stedt ; I have another female very similar, which was given me by the Rev. H. S.
Gorham, who caught it at Box Hill. The species must remain doubtful until more
specimens can be obtained.
226 [March,
(9) Syrphus cinctiis. — This species was not very uncommon, and is readily dis-
tinguished from the commoner 5'. cinctellus, Zett.
(10) Trichoplitliicus. — Taking this genus in the sense adopted by Dr. Meade,
two species were common in Arran and I expect over most of Scothiud, as I caught
both at Rannoch and T. hirsutula at Braemar and also at Windermere. According
to Zetterstedt, their first describer, both are common in Scandinavia. The two
species are remarkably alike, and I failed to distinguish the females though specially
looking out, and Zetterstedt who took both species in cop., fared scarcely better.
The males of both are blackish, the abdomen (viewed from behind) being greyish
with a black dorsal line ; both have somewhat smoky wings and halteres, and both
have the hind tibiae clothed in front and beneath with longish erect hairs, but in T.
innocua the hind tibiae are nearly straight, and their apices with scarcely any noticea-
ble spur beneath, while in T. hirsutula the hind tibise are curved and have at their
apices behind a long conspicuous blunt spur. In T. hirsutula the abdomen is
lighter grey, and the incisures more darkened.
(11) Scatophaga squalida, Mg. — This species was common on the extreme
summit of Goatfell (2866 ft.).
The remarkable absences from this list ai-e the whole genus Clinocera which I
specially looked for, and above all Musca domestira which I could not find ; I have
no doubt it occurs later in the year, as when the house I am now living in was built
I could not find M. doniestica in it until August.
Sussex Lodge, Newmarket :
December, 1882.
FURTHEE TROPICAL NOTES.
BY GEO. C. CHAMPION.
Mr. W. D. Fryer's additional " Tropical Notes " (Ent. Mo. Mag.,
vol. xix, p. 59) have just reached me ; and, as they are written chiefly
in answer to my observations on the same subject (Ent. Mo. Mag.,
vol. xviii, p. 214), I will now supplement my previous notes with a few
more particulars of my own experiences in the New World.
I think we are both equally agreed as to the exaggerated accounts
usually given by travellers of the fauna of the tropical forest (of
Central America I have read of enormous blue butterflies nine inches
in expanse ; the species that do occur become greatly magnified in
size), but in speaking of this part of the world, it is impossible to say
that hutterflies in particular are never found beneath the forest canopy
(the italics are mine), and it is to these accounts of Mr. Fryer's ex-
periences in Borneo I demurred, as not being applicable to Central
America.
The primeval forests of Central America are comparatively open,
1883.) 227
and cannot be nearly so dense as in Borneo ; again, even in the
densest j^fii't, trees are constantly toppling over by the roots in the
rainy season, or falling from decay, and, if anyvfhere near a village,
the natives are frequently felling, if not for the timber, for honey ; so
that it is not very difficult, as a rule, to find places where the sun will
penetrate. In these openings many butterflies will be found, as species
of NymplialidcB, SeliconiidcB, Morphid(S, &c. In the densest parts of
the forest, I have found not a few species of Satyridce, tbree species
of SetaeroB (including a beautiful transparent- winged species), Tay-
getis, &c. These insects especially occurring about the. long, upright,
stilt-like spiny roots of various species of palms ; and, wherever the
sun can penetrate a little, various EuptyeJiice and other small species
of the same family,also Leptalis,Seliconms,Mechanitis,STLniil\Lyc(Enidce,
&c. The immense species of Caligo and Brassolis, the Ithomice, and
some other IleJiconiidcB, Hades noctula, and many Satyridce, seem to
avoid the sun altogether, occurring in places where it seldom, if ever,
penetrates, and a few, especially the first-named, appear to be crepus-
cular, flying about sunset. The splendid blue Morplios, and the white
M. Polyphemus (also in Guatemala), are to be found chiefly in
openings in the forest, where they seem to sail along the pathways,
lazily flapping their wings, seldom settling and seldom coming within
react of the net.
In the rainy season (April to December), butterflies are generally
scattered throughout the forest, but in the dry season (January to
March), nearly all the Pieridce, PapilionidcB, NympTialid<s, and Hes-
periidce, and some Erycinid(E, congregate about the banks of the nearly
dried up rivers and streams, and one may hunt for them almost in
vain elsewhere at this period ; the Satyridce, and most of the Seli-
coniidce and Morplndce, however, keep to the shady forest. In February
and March I have seen hundreds of butterflies of very many different
genera, Papilio, CaUidryas, Terias, Junonia, Megalura (many species),
Catagramma (ditto), Callicore, AdelpJia, Syncliloe, Colcenis, Libyfhea,
Agraulis, Phyciodes, Eubagis, Siderone, PapMa, Apatura, many ILes-
periidce, &c., congregated about the river banks, both in the virgin
forest and in the open second growth woods, or "rastrojos;"
some of these settle for a few moments on the boulders, or in wet
places, but always in the very hot sun, and are exceedingly difficult to
secure ; others (chiefly species of Papilio, Gallidryas, Terias, Megalura,
and Phyciodes) congregate, 50 or even 100 examples together, in one
little spot not a foot in circumference, and the whole of them may
sometimes be captured by one sweep of the net.
228 I March,
In one little spot near here, tlie margin of a partly dried up river
in the forest, I have captured upwards of sixty species of butterflies
(including at least thirty-five genera), and the greater part may
be seen, if not caught, any very hot sunny morning during the
latter part of February and beginning of March : it is true that many
of the species are not represented by many individuals, still, a few are
in plenty. Though one may collect nearly every day in the year, still
this abundance of butterflies lasts a comparatively short period, not
longer, perhaps, than in the temperate zone ; as soon as the I'ains com-
mence in April they soon disperse, yet the Pieridce {Callidryas) may
be seen flying in troops along the river banks nearly all the year, and
Megalura and some Hesperiidcs, for several months, congregating in
large numbers in one spot.
I have observed in the Polochic Valley in Gruatemala, at the end
of the dry season (April), a similar abundance of butterflies (though,
perhaps, not quite so many species as here in Chiriqui), some fine
Papilios (especially a beautiful green and black species) being very
common amongst others, and all congregated in one little spot on the
sandy banks of the Rio Polochic. In the forests on the mountain
slopes (3000 — 5000 feet), even in the densest places, I have taken
HetcercE, Taygeiis, OxeoscJiisfes, and 7? /;o««'«,and, wherever an open sj^ace
occurred, various Leptalis, Euterpe, Phyciodes, Pierida (P. temdcoriiis,
common in Chiriqui), and Satyridce, and more rarely a Papilio,
Clothilda, or Paphia.
Some butterflies appear to avoid the forest altogether, as the
Danaidce, Anartia, Agerona, Victorina. The Acrcece, various Papilio,
and Thecla, many HesperiidcB {Pyrrliopyge, Eudamus, &c.), some few
Seliconiidce, &c., but odd examples will occasionally be seen with
forest-loving species on the banks of the river in the virgin forest, in
the dry season.
In Central America, an ordinary traveller will notice, I believe,
ten times more butterflies in the dry season than at any other time of
the year ; not, pei'haps, because more species are to be found at this
period, but because they are concentrated at every damp spot, when the
forests are utterly dried up, and many of the trees leafless.
One is far more disappointed with the Coleopterous fauna of the
forests of Central America than with the Lepidoptera. The majority
of the species, with some few striking exceptions, are very insignificant
in appearance, and scarcely any finer than those of Europe, but this
cannot be said of the butterflies.
For the past month or so, few butterflies have been visible in the
1881] 229
forest, beyond the usual Morphos, Caligos, and Setcerce, but now tliat tbe
rains are nearly over, more species are to be met with daily, and next
month, when the mud and water begin to dry up a little (the forest
is little better than an immense swamp at this season), still more
species will be found.
To conclude, I must say I believe that such numbers of butterflies
(of species there can be no comparison) congregated as are noticed
by Mr. Bates and other naturalists in South America, and to
be seen frequently in Central America in the dry season, are very
seldom, if ever, to be seen outside the tropics ; in the State of Panama
alone, there are probably more species than in the whole of Europe.
I regret, in the foregoing remarks, I am only able to particularize a
few genera, and not having any books whatever by me, have no means of
determining species here at this moment.
Bugabita, Chiriqui, Panama :
November 23rd, 1882.
NOTES ON NEW BEITISH COLEOPTERA SINCE 1871 ;
WITH NOTICES OF DOUBTFUL SPECIES, AND OF OTHERS THAT
EEQUIRE TO BE OMITTED FROM THE BRITISH LIST.
BY THE EEV. W. W. TOWLER, M.A., F.L.S.
{continued from p. 20\.)
ANISOTOMID^.
Anisotoma macropus, Rye.
This species may be distinguished from all but A. Triepkii, by having its pos-
terior femora suddenly and obliquely contracted towards the trochanter; it is smaller,
longer, narrower, and less convex than A. Triepkii. Taken by Mr. Champion, near
Claremont, Surrey (Ent. Mo. Mag., x, 133).
Akisotoma beunnea, Sturm.
This species is entirely ferruginous, shining, with a narrow club to its conco-
lorous antennse, of which the apical joint is not narrower than the preceding ; its
thorax is not sinuate on each side at the base, and the striae on its elytra are fine,
with small and closely packed punctures. Taken by Mr. Lawson near Scarborough
(Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 135).
Anisotoma cueta, Fairm.
In the same section as A. duhia, from which it may be distinguished by its
rather longer build, the much stronger punctuation of its thorax, the sides of which
are more contracted behind, and by the apical joint of its antennse being distinctly
not as wide as the penultimate joint. Taken by the Rev. T. Laundy Brown near
Norwich, and by Mr. Champion at Esher (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 150).
230 -March,
Anisotoma scita, Er.
This species appai'ently comes rery near A. duhia, but its tibise are less dilated
at the apex, its thorax is widest at or very near the base (instead of nearer the middle),
and thence is narrowed to the front : it is also lighter in colour. Taken near York
by Mr. Hutchinson, and recorded, with some reservation, by Mr. Rye (Ent. Mo.
M^g., ix, 158) ; it seems to be a doubtful species.
Anisotoma clavicoexis, Rye.
There is a single specimen of this species in Dr. Sharp's collection taken in flood
rubbish near Dumfries. It is distinguislied by its antenna?, which are very short,
gradually widened towards the apex, with the -ith, 5th, and 6th joints unusually
small, and the apical joint, though short, as wide as the two preceding, which are
very transverse (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 150).
Anisotoma fallens, Sturm.
This species is readily distinguished from A. farva and A. ciliaris, the two
others of its group, by its smaller size, the much fiiicr and less close punctuation of
its thorax, and by the finer punctuation of the striae, and much less close punctuation of
the interstices of the elytra, the outer margins of which are not set with short cilia.
Three specimens taken by Mr. J. J. Walker at Deal (Ent. Mo. Mag., x, 135).
Anisotoma lunicollts, Rye.
Of the average size of A. calcarata ; chiefly distinguished by its strongly
rounded thorax, of which the usual anterior angles are entirely, and the posterior
angles almost entirely, obliterated ; it is more oblong than A. calcarata, and its
antennae have a smaller club. Taken by Mr. R. Lawson near Scarborough (Ent.
Mo. Mag., viii, 203).
Sydnohius spinipes, G-yll.
This species, recorded as British by Mr. Rye in Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 204, is
afterwards given up by him, the specimen in question being only a liiglily develojjed
male of S. strigosus.
SILPHIDJE.
Colon Barnevillei, Kr.
This species, mentioned in Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 177, is apparently only an unde-
veloped form of C. Zebei, Kr.
Adelops Wollastoni, Jans.
This species must be referred to the genus Balhyscia, Schiodte, and not to
Adelops, Tellkampf.
PHALACRID^.
Phalacetjs Bkisouti, Rye.
• This species is nearly allied to P. coruscus, but differs from this species in its
average smaller size, rather lighter coloured fore-legs, tarsi, and antennae ; the club
of the antenna; also serves to distinguisli it, being rather broader and not so long,
1883.] 231
with the apical joint conspicuously broader and shorter, and not so acuminate.
Taken at Lee by Mr. Eye, and at Grravesend by Mr. Champion (Eut. Mo. Mag.,
ix, 8).
Phalacrus Mumberti, Tourn.
This insect, recognised as a good species in Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 37, is abandoned
in Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 177, as being only a small variety of P. coruscus.
Olihrus affinis, Sturm.
It is probable that the insects standing in collections under this name ought
to be referred to 0. particeps, Muls., but the point docs not seem quite to have been
cleared up (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 38).
Olihrus hicolor, F.
This is apparently not a British insect, our insects standing under this name
being all 0. liquidus, Er. ; the true O. hicolor is a larger, rather less elongate, and
more convex insect.
Olihrus lielveticus, Tourn.
A single specimen of this species is recorded in Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 177 ; the
species of the genus in many cases run so closely one into the other, that further
confirmation of this insect seems to be required.
NITIDULIDiE.
Carpopliiliis sexpustulatus, P.
This is a very doubtful, and probably introduced, species.
Meligethes morosus, Er.
There is considerable confusion as to this species ; it comes very near M. mem-
nonius, Er. A specimen returned to me by one of the chief British authorities on
the genus, as not agreeing with any he possessed, was afterwards named for me on
the continent as 31. morosus, Er. ; M. morosus is rather shorter than 31. meninonius ;
but, otherwise, there appears to be very little difference between them. Mr. Rye, in
Ent. Mo. Mag., x, 138, says that M. Ch. Brisout de Barneville considers that M. mem-
nonius is intermediate between M. difficilis and 31. morosus, or, perhaps, a variety of
one of them.
Meligethes ocheopus, Sturm.
Allied to 31. difficilis, Heer, but readily separable from all its allies by its com-
paratively broad and short-oval form, and stronger convexity, and especially by the
outer margin of its posterior tibite not being rounded, but dilated in almost a straight
line until the lower third, where it is suddenly and obliquely contracted (Ent. Mo.
Mag., ix, 156).
Meligethes Kunzei, Er.
This insect seems to be a variety of 31. difficilis, rather than a separate species.
9QO iMiircb,
MELiaETHEs iNCANus, Sturm.
This insect is of the size of ordinary M. ovatux : it is of exactly oval outline,
dull, closely and finely punctured, and clothed with very evident, depressed, grey
hairs. One specimen taken by Mr. Gr. R. Waterhouse in Darenth Wood, on
Echitim vuljare (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 268).
M. onauriis, Sturm.
This species must be erased from our lists, all the supposed British exponents
of it being identical with M. ovatus, Sturm. (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 267).
3f. pahnatus, Er.
This species, according to M. Brisout, is the male of M. obxcurus, Er. Mr. Rye
adopts this synonymy : some authoi'ities consider M. pahnatus to be identical with
M. distinctus, Sturm, a species not recognised at all by M. Brisout.
Meligethes pictus, Eye.
This species is conspicuous in having each elytron ornamented on the disc with
a more or less sharply defined red spot ; its form, the serration of the tibiae, and its
long legs, also serve to distinguish it : according to M. Brisout, it is identical with
M. mutabilis, Rosenhauer, which is considered a variety of 31. brevis, Sturm. (Ent.
Mo. Mag., viii, 74, 269).
TEOGOSITID^.
Troqosita maurifanica, L.
This species must be referred to Tenelrioides, Filler, and not to Trogosila,
Olivier.
CUCUJID^.
Cathaktfs adtena, Wnlfl.
This species has been omitted from the British list, as being only an importation ;
it has, however, been taken under circumstances that would seem to show that it has
become thoroughly naturalized, and that it has a better claim to be admitted than
many other species.
CRTPTOPHAGID^.
Cryptophagus pilosus, v. punctipennis, Bris.
This variety, which has been considered a good species by some authorities,
differs from the type in having more oval elytra, of which the pubescence is longer,
and the punctuation coarser and not so close, especially at the base. Taken in the
Cambridge fens, and on the Braid Hills, Edinburgh, in each case from a straw shed
(Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 158).
Cetptophagus subfumatus, Kr.
This species resembles C. validtis, Kr., being nearly as large, but narrower,
especially in the thorax, of which the anterior callosities are more distinctly promi-
nent. One specimen taken in the Londt)n district (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 178).
1883.] 233
Cryptophagus grandis, Kr.
This species is apparently synonymous with C. populi, Payk, and, therefore,
must be omitted.
Cetptophagus pakallelus, Bris.
This species comes close to small examples of C. dentatus, Herbst., but cannot
be confounded with any other member of the genus by reason of its narrow, elon-
gate, and parallel form. Taken in Scotch fir by Dr. Sharp and Mr. Eye, at Eannoch
(Ent. Mo. Mag., yiii, 158).
Cryptophagus TFaterhousei, Rye.
This species is only a large and peculiar form of C. acutangulus, Gyll., and must,
therefore, be omitted.
Atomaeia badia, Er.
Allied to A. elongatula, Er., but is rufo-ferruginous in colour, with a transverse
impression at the base of the thorax, and broader, and somewhat more strongly
punctured elytra (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 74).
Atomaeia atea, Herbst.
Allied to A.fuscata, but is darker, with a longer, more convex, and more laterally
rounded thorax, and stronger punctuation on the elytra, which are more acuminate
behind in outline (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 135).
Atomaeia divisa, Rye.
This rests as a species on a single specimen in Mr. Eye's collection with no
locality. It is a very distinct species, nearer A. nigripennis than anything else in
our lists, but differing from that insect in its shorter and more convex build, longer
thorax, with a scarcely visible basal transverse depression, &c. (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii,
178).
{To be continued) .
The Yorkshire Catalogue of Lepidoptera. — For some years, Mr. Q-. T. Porritt,
F.L.S., of Huddersfield, assisted by the leading entomologists of Yorkshire, has been
engaged upon a catalogue of the lepidopterous fauna of that county. The work
has now been completed, and is to appear in the " Transactions of the Yorksliire
Naturalists' Union," and the MS. has been placed in the printers' hands by the
secretaries of that body. The list is very complete — probably, the best county list
ever yet published, — and includes about two-thirds of the British species, that is,
1344 out of 2031. Full attention has been paid to the somewhat voluminous litera-
ture of the subject, as well as to information contributed by correspondents, the
result being a very satisfactory summary of what is at present known. — Wm. Deni-
SON EoBBUCK, Sunny Bank, Leeds : February, 1883.
234 r March,
DESCRIPTIONS OF THEEE NEW SPECIES OF PAPILIO.
by h. &eose smith.
Papilio Fulleei.
Upper-side dark brown. Both wings crossed from near the middle of the
anterior-wing to the inner margin of the posterior-wing by an irregular band of
olivaceons-yellow spots ; five on the anterior-wing distinct, those on the posterior-
wing confluent, intersected by the nervures. Anterior- wing with three spots towards
the apex, the middle spot the smallest, the other two spots bifid ; a spot within the
cell next the sub-costal nervure, and near the upper disco-cellular nervule. Posterior-
wing with a row of ten small spots in pairs near the outer margin, and three larger
spots between the median nervules. All the spots of same colour as the band.
Underside as above, but much paler, and tinged with red from near the centre,
deepening towards the base. Posterior- wing with a round black spot on the pre-
costal nervure, a black line between the costal and sub-costal nervures, and a black
spot at the base. Exp. 3| inch.
Unb. Camarooiis (Fuller) ; in the collection of H. Grrose Smith.
This species is between Lato^eilUanus and Ucnlegon, but is dis-
tinct ; from the former principally in the colour of the spots and the
markings on both sides of the posterior-wing, from the latter in the
situation of the spot in the cell and in the double row of spots round
the outer margin of the posterior wing.
Papilio Diophantus.
Upper-side dark brown. Anterior-wing broader and not so curved on the
costal margin as in Helenus, which it resembles on the upper-side. Posterior-wing
with a tail more spatulate than in P. Helenus, and tipped with cream colour, marked
fi-om the costal margin to the third branch of the median nervule by a large cream-
coloured spot, divided by the nervures into four parts, the lowest much smaller and
more lunular than the other three parts.
Under-side : anterior-wing with longitudinal rays of pale brown, narrowing
from the centre of the wing to the interior margin to a band of same colour as the
spot. The posterior-wing has at the base of the costa, and between the costal and
sub-costal nervures, two broad lines of red, the latter nearly twice as long as the
former, the large spot as above continued across the wing to the inner margin by a
narrow band of lunular spots of same colour ; there is a small spot of same colour
at the anal angle, and another at the tip of the tail, the lunular spots between the
nervures on the margin are more strongly marked than on the upper-side.
Exp. 4t inch.
Hab. Sumatra (Bock) ; in the collection of H. Grose Smith.
Papilio Forbesi.
Upper-side dark brown, almost black, the margins between the nervures with
lunular white spots, very narrow on the anterior-wing, much broader on the posterior-
wing, which is without tails. Anterior-wings with longitudinal rays on each side of
1883.] 235
the nervures of light brown, extending from the middle to the exterior margin.
Posterior-wing with a row of three brownish-grey lunular spots between the median
nervules, and a spot at the anal angle, above which is a row of three small faintly
marked spots of same colour.
Under-side : anterior-wings rayed as above, but paler. Posterior-wing with a
longitudinal red spot at the base, divided by the precostal nervure, which is blact,
and a small red spot below the costal nervure, a broad band of ochreous-yellow witli
a row of black spots in the middle, extending across the wing between the median
nervules, and a small spot of ochreous-yellow beyond ; a black spot at the top of the
band next the anal angle, three blue spots near the exterior margin from the costal
nervure to the median nervule. Exp. 4 inches.
Sab. Bandaug Agang, Sumatra (Forbes) ; iu the collection of
H. Grose Smith.
This sj)ecies belongs to the Memnon group, in which, however,
there is nothing which resembles it.
London : February, 1883.
A marine caddis-fly. — In the report on the condition of the sea-fisheries of the
south coast of New England, Washington, ISVS, pt. i, p. 379, a phryganid larva in
its case is noticed by me. The larva was found on the piles of a wharf at Menemsha.
This is a bay in Martha's Vineyard Island, distant about a dozen nautical miles from
the shore of Massachusetts. The small island has no river and no creek to speak of.
Menemsha Bay is a real rock-pond among the rocky parts of Gayhead, connected
with the sea. The only insects found there are the larvae of Chironomus oceanicus,
Pack., and a larva in a case similar to that of the European Molanna ; so I recog-
nised it at once. The larva, one-third of an inch long, was alive and in good con-
dition. Although only one specimen was collected at the time, there is no doubt
that it has to be considered as a marine animal, the more so as there is scarcely a
possibility of its having been imported from fresh water. As I had no separate
copies of the paper, and as it is not likely to come into the hands of an entomologist,
the fact has been overlooked, but Mr. McLachlan's interesting paper induces me to
draw attention to it. — H. A. Hagen, Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A. : January Wth,
1883.
[My notes, to which Dr. Hagen refers, appeared in Ent. Mo. Mag., xviii, p. 278,
and xix, p. 46, and were published in detail in the Journal Linnean Soc, Zoology, vol.
xvi, pp. 417 — 422. I was not unprepared to hear that some indication of " a marine
caddis-fly " had previously appeared. Miss Clarke, of Boston, who honoured me with
a visit last summer (and who is an enthusiastic student of the habits of Trichopterous
larvse), told me she thought a notice of a marine caddis-fly had been published iu one
of the American Fisheries Reports, but the information was too vague, and no
citation of the important notice has (so far as I know) appeared elsewhere. So I am
the more obliged to Dr. Hagen for this note. Molanna seems to me just the genus
one might suspect of including marine species, and it is possible that the New
Zealand genus {Philanisus) may be allied. — R. McLachlan.]
230 [March.
Acherontia Atropos taken at a bee-hive. — A specimen o{ A. Atropos was caught
in the month of May, 1861, hy my friend Mr. Lloyd, of Badminton, flying in the
open daylight in front of his bee-hives, and apparently trying to enter one of them.
He knocked it down and secured it, and finally impaled it on a large shawl pin, in
which condition it refused to die, as he says, for several days.
It is now in the collection of my son Robert, and, considering that he set it
some months after its capture, and taking into account the rough treatment it
received from one who loves bees and hates their enemies, and its being left to die
in the manner I have stated, it is a very respectable specimen of a fine female of
Acherontia Atropos.
My son, who is a real lover of the science of entomology, has noticed this last
season, that the male of Pieris rupee has a distinct scent when alive. My eldest
boy took a specimen of C. jacohcece in my garden, almost as black as Odezia chcero-
phyllata. — C. Mathbw Perkins, Sopworth Rectory, Chippenham : January 21th,
1883.
HydriJla palustris and Pieris Daplidice at Camhridge. — Last July, Mr. Chas.
K. Baker, of 72, King Street, Cambridge (and formerly master of the King Street
Schools, in that town), was good enough to show me the collection of butterflies and
moths foi'med by him in that neighbourhood some years ago. Amongst them was a
fine specimen of Daplidice taken by him near Newmarket on the 5th August, 1868,
also three Lmlia ccenosa bred from larv£B taken hy him at Wicken. An unset
Nocfua also attracted my attention as being a species unknown to me. This he very
kindly allowed me to take away and identify, and a comparison with the specimen
in the late Mr. AUis's collection in the York Museum, showed me at once that it
was a ^ HydriUa paJtistris, a conclusion which Dr. Battershell Gill has since
verified. Mr. Baker has been so exceedingly kind as to give me both the Bath white
and the palustris, for which I must here repeat to him my best thanks. — A. F.
Griffith, Sandridge, St. Albans : January 30th, 1883.
Notes on Lepidoptera in Roxlurffhshire, season 1882. — Tlie season of 1882
appears to have been thi'oughout the country one of the most barren, with regard to
numbers of Lepidoptera, experienced for many years. Following a mild and open
■winter, such a result might have been anticipated, and, judging in the same way
the two seasons preceding, following hard winters with much snow, being very prolific,
the obvious effect of the character of the seasons in reducing or preserving species
is very mai'ked. Larvse also appeared to be equally scarce during spring and
autumn. I have repeatedly noticed a peculiar variety of the larvsB of Smerinthus
populi feeding on Populus nigra in a particular locality, each segment, excepting the
1st, 2nd, and 12th, having a rather large, purplish blotch just above the spiracles,
and I have kept a few pupae from these for observation. The group of Noctuce,
especially during June and July, were very sparingly represented, the autumn species
being more numerous, but very deficient by comparison with average seasons. There
were, however, a few exceptions, a few species appearing in numbers much as usual,
notably, Trachea piniperda, Plusia v-aureum, &c., and among Geometrce, Eupithecia
pygmaala ; a beautiful variety of Epunda lutulenia occurs in the district, and also
of Ypsipetes elutaia, the latter having the fascia white. Excepting a few species, all
1883.] 237
the groups of Macro-Lepidoptera were very scarce ; Micros appearing not to suffer
to the same extent, although in both gi'oups I have added species which I had not
formerly taken here. Among the former, Demas coryli, bred from larvte on sloe
and sallow, and, although scarce, it appears pretty genei-ally distributed in the dis-
trict. Asp Hates strigillaria I found pretty commonly in one locality, and took a
good series in fine condition, and of Eupithecia satyrata, exiguata, sohrinata, and
tenuiata, the latter very abundantly ; I also took some beautiful fresh specimens of
pygmceata, but at that time a course of boisterous and wet weather followed, and
lalthough I saw many specimens they wei'e all more or less weather-beaten, and so,
of little value. Of 3Iicro-Lepidoptera I took the following : Tortrix icterana,
vihurnana, Xanthosetia hamana, Argyrolepia cnicana, Amphysa gerningiana, Salo-
nota trigeminana, Spilonota suffusana, Cnephasia jwlitana, Pamplusia monticolana,
Dicrorampha Petwerella, Ochsenheimeria BirdeUa, Pleurota hicostella, Gracilaria
tringipennella, Coleophora albicosta, Lithocolletis Spinolella, and Pteropliorus Per-
trami. Mr. Barrett has identified all the species enumerated. — A. Elliot, Laurieston,
Jedburgh, N.B. : January I5th, 1883.
Note. — I reared a fine series of P. quercus, var. calluncB, the larvae being fed
exclusively on poplar and hawthorn. — A. E.
Destruction of Saturnia carpini hy parasites, Sfc. — In the spring of 1880, I
collected from heather, in this locality, somewhere about fifty cocoons of Saturnia
carpini, the most of which presented an abnormal appearance, being very much
discoloured, others had a small hole cut out of the side of the cocoons, these being
quite empty. The perforated cocoons have been torn open, probably, by mice, and
the pupsB extracted, being quite empty, no remains of pupa or larva-skin being visible.
Two of the coccons contained a dead moth-pupa and a smaller rounded reddish pupa,
being the pupa of a Musca ; and the cocoons, with a -mass of maggots at the bottom,
produced Cryptus fumipennis, and plenty of the females of Pezomachus insolens,
wliich were named by Mr. J. B. Bridgman. In one of the pupae which was not
quite normal in appearance, were three or four rather large white larvae which I
unfortunately destroyed. In the following July, I tliink, when crossing the same
piece of heather, I picked up one or two discoloured cocoons, which, upon opening,
I found to contain a yellowish cellular substance, from which some Diptera were just
emerging in the perfect state. To give an idea of the extent of destruction from the
causes mentioned, I may state that out of nearly fifty cocoons only three or four con-
tained a healthy pupa of Saturnia carpini. — Id.
Entomology in the Isle of Harris, Sfc. — I spent a few days at the end of last
September at Tarbert, in the Isle of Harris, and although the entomological results
of my trip are very scanty, I thought that any records from so little known a locality,
might be interesting.
In Lepidoptera I found Leucania impura, a dark and worn female, Larentia
didymata, Cidaria testata, Peronea ferrugana, (Ecophora pseudospreteUa. In
Hymenoptera : Myrmica ruginodis, Bombus Smithianus, and pratorum, Pezomachus
Kiesenwetteri,fasciatus, and agilis. In Trichoptera : Molanna palpata, Anaholia
coenosa, Halesus digitatus, Limnophilus marmoratus, Plectrocnemia conspersa, and
238 [Mhiou,
Tinodes luridus. In Neuroptera : Potamanthus marginatus. In Coleoptera : Cava-
bus clathratus, Geotrupes mesoleius, Antherophagus pallens, Helobia Gyllenliali,
Pterostichus vitreus and nigritus, Notiophilus paJtistris, Trechus miniitus, Hgdro-
poms atriceps, Ilybius angustior, Agahus biptistulatus, Colytnbetes bistriatus,
Qyrinus minutus and natator, Calathus fuscus, &c. In Hemiptera : Oerris Costce,
Corixa variegata,fossarum, var. prominiila, moesta, Fabricii, Sahlbergi, Salda salta-
toria, Ulopa ericce, Velia currens, &c. In Diptera : Bibio pomonce and clavipes,
Simulium reptans, Hgdrophorus nebulosus, &c. I was surprised at not seeing a honey-
bee nor grasshopper. At Tobermory, in the Isle of Mull, I captured Gerris odonto-
gaster, Cymatia Bonsdorffi, Corixa Scotti and Sahlbergi, Cychrus rostratus, and
Staphylinus erythropterus. On Ben Nevis I took Acidota crenata, Hylurgiis pini-
perda, Corixa sodalis and Wollastoni, Nemoura nitida. At Nairn : HydrcBcia
niotitans, Agrotis nigricans, Eristalis pratorum and nemorum, off flowers of ragwort.
— C. W. Dale, Glanville's Wootton, Sherborne, Dorset : February, 1883.
Coleoptera in Kent. — In spite of the very limited time at my disposal, I managed
to do a little collecting in the neighbourhood of Erith during the past season, and
met with a few things worth recording. Of these, the best were Prionus coriarius,
of which a fine male example was brought to me, and Hylotrupes bajidus, of which
I took two specimens in close proximity to the railway station. A single example of
Corymbites metallicus was brought to me, together with several other things of
lesser value.
During the early summer Chrysomela lamina was very abundant, as, rather later
on, were also C. Banksi and C. distinguenda ; C. Banksi was especially abundant,
as, upon one occasion, I took over a hundred specimens in the course of half-an-hour.
An old crab-shell, with a few remnants of flesh adhering to the interior, produced
Silpha thoracica and various HisteridcB in swarms, and Aleochara lata was occasion-
ally to be found under carrion on the marshes.
Among some things captured at Margate earlier in the year, I find a single
specimen each of Ilyobates fortieornis and Homalium Allardi. — Theodore Wood,
5, Selwyn Terrace, Upper Norwood, S.E. : February, 1883.
^bitiia'rtr.
Benjamin Cooke died at Southport, Lancashire, on the 3rd February, aged Q6.
Of his very eai-ly life we know nothing, but, if we mistake not, he was educated at
the Friends' School, at York, having had as school-fellows several well-known British
Entomologists, some of whom survive liim. Subsequently, he was engaged in a
house of business in Manchester, from wliich he retired only a few years ago. Mr.
Cooke was a collector of all Orders of British insects, and proved himself to be a
student of them also. Latterly his attention had, perhaps, been more concentrated
upon Hymenoptera and Diptera. He was a frequent contributor of notes to most
of the Natural History and Entomological periodicals for many years past ; there
are few vols, of this Magazine without intercbting notes from his pen. He was asso-
ciated with the Entomological Society of London from the year 1865. His decease
leaves a blank in a large circle of entomological friends and acquaintances, especially
in the North of England.
1883.] 230
ON THE SPECIES OF EUROPEAN CItAMBI ALLIED TO
C. PINELLUS.
BY GEOEGE T. BAKES.
Judging from experience, it is not improbable that many collectors
in Switzerland pass over, by mistake, some of the Crambi allied to
pinellus. The following short description of those European species
which are brown or orange-brown, with a central white longitudinal
stripe once or twice transversely divided may, therefore, be useful.
(The transverse band excludes the margaritellus Sindt.furcatellus group,
which is reserved for another paper).
Our group may be tabulated for convenience thus : —
A. Longitudinal stripe divided once only.
pauperellus, conchellus, pinellus, inytilellus.
Hue of ground unicolorous, stripe dull cream-colour ... pauperellus.
G-round colour more or less darkl}'^ shaded, stripe shining white...
conchellus.
Ground colour almost unicolorous, an oblique white curved line
beyond the longitudinal stripe mytilellus.
Such curved line wanting pinellus.
B. Longitudinal white stripe twice divided.
myelins, speculalis, permutatellus, luctiferellus.
Ground colour cinnamon, the two transverse bands oblique but
straight, with an orange shade myelins.
With a brown shade speculalis.
Hinder transverse band waved permutatellus.
Ground colour dark olive-brown luctiferellus.
PAUPERELLUS, Tr. (25 mm.).
Fore-wings oclireous-brown, with a pale ochre or cream-coloured longitudinal
stripe, which is of a narrow wedge-shaped form, narrowest at the base, where it
starts from the centre of the wing and is continued nearly to the hind margin ;
beyond the middle it is divided by an oblique transverse band of the same hue as
the ground colour, in some specimens the hind margin of the posterior division is
shelved off so as to be nearly parallel with this band. The fringe is wliitish, with a
dark dividing line. The hind-wings are uniform brown-grey with whitish fringes,
having a dark dividing line as in the fore-wings.
Head, palpi, and antennae pale ochre-brown. Thorax same colour as the upper
wings. Body as the hind wings.
I have not taken this insect myself, but it is not uncommon in
the Jura range, and I have also had specimens sent me from Hungary.
24,0 [March. 1S83.
CONCHELLUS, Schiff. (26 mm.).
Fore-wings reddish- or cinnamon-brown, yellowish by the inner margin, with a
shining white longitudinal sti'ipe, once obliquely divided with red-brown. The
ground colour is in some specimens slightly darker along the anterior and hind
margins of the stripe, forming a darkish curved transverse shading nearer the pos-
terior border, which is edged by a distinct dark line. The stripe is shining white,
and nearly reaches to the hind margin of the wing, it is divided about the middle
by a reddish-brown band ; the anterior division is narrowly wedge-shaped, the pos-
terior an ovate I'homb, which sometimes is a distinct rhomboid, and at others the
angles are so rounded off as to leave an ovate spot, at the anal angle of this division
there is a distinct tooth. The fringes are white with dark intersections, aud having
a dark dividing line.
The hind-wings are light brownish-grey, with a very fine dark marginal line ;
fringes white, divided by a dark line.
Head, collar, and central part of thorax white ; palpi brown, edged above with
white ; antennse brown ; patagise reddish-ochre ; and the body is of the same colour
as the hind-wings.
During the last week o£ June, 1880, my friend Dr. Jordan and I
found this insect common at Zermatt, flyiug about the meadows on
the Riffelberg, and last year it was very abundant in meadows near
the Chalets not far from the Findelin Glacier.
The a. ab. rhombellus of Zeller has the posterior division of the white stripe of
a distinct rhomboid.
PINELLUS, Linn. (20—23 mm.).
This is the only one of Div. A. found in England, and is accordingly well
known. The ground hue of the fore-wings varies much in its intensity, from a pale
yellow rust-colour to bright yellowish-cinnamon. As in the former species, there is
a longitudinal white stripe, once divided by an oblique band, but the anterior wedge-
shaped portion is much broader proportionately, and the hinder part more distinctly
rhomboidal, its anterior margin being nearly parallel with the anterior margin of the
wing, while in conchellus it slopes distinctly downwards. The wedge-shape part of
the stripe is, at its termination, rather nearer the fore edge than the rhomboidal
division, over which it appears to rise. The rhomb is bordered on the anterior and
hind margins by a more or less distinct dai'k line, and its hind and basal margins are
somewhat parallel, sloping from above downwards towards the base of the wing, bufc
the anterior and inner sides somewhat diverge, owing to the posterior outline of the
rhomb being much longer than that by the division. The ground colour of the wing
is more or less distinctly shaded with dai-ker brown, which is marked in the deeper
outline of the hind division of the stripe, above the anterior margin of which there
is a dark streak, and beyond it is a curved dark line, sometimes followed by a lighter
one, reaching to the anal angle of the rhomboidal division which it borders. The
hind margin is edged by a dark dotted line. The fringes are reddish, slightly in-
tersected with dark patches, and having a dark dividing line.
April, 18S3.J 'l^i
The hind-wings are pale brownish-grey, with a tine marginal line of a darker
hue ; fringes are grey, with a faint divisional stripe.
Head, and central part of thorax, white ; palpi reddish-brown, edged above and
beneath by a white line ; antennaj brown ; patagise pale cinnamon-yellow ; the body
being of the same colour as the hind-wings. Specimens from the Amoor country
differ but little from our own; the ground-colour is, however, paler, the white stripe
is generally edged above, in its entire length, by an almost black line, and the dark
stripe above the posterior division is much more marked.
This species can be easily recognised from the preceding by the hind divisions
of the stripe being more distinctly rhomboidal, the wings much less unicolorous, and
by its smaller size.
I bave not yet met with tbis in Switzerland. In tbis neighbour-
hood it is not uncommon at Sutton Park, about 8 or 9 miles from
here, and may generally be taken towards the end of July.
MYTiLELLUS, Hb. (21 — 24 mm.).
The fore-wings of this species are darker than in any of the foregoing, the
ground-colour being ochre-brown, and the $ being decidedly lighter than the ^ .
The longitudinal stripe is shining white, divided by an oblique band of the same hue
as the ground-colour, the anterior division of which is wedge-shape and the posterior
a rhomboid, but the anal angle thereof is rounded off so as almost to make it a
triangle with one side curved. Beyond the central stripe, which is sometimes
bordered above and on each side with black, the posterior division having also a
small dark streak above it, there is an oblique curved white line reaching from the
costa almost to the inner margin. The fringe is shining ochi-e-brown, with a dark
dividing line.
The hind-wings are brownish-grey, with paler fringes, divided by an indistinct
line.
Head, and central part of thorax, white ; palpi brown, edged above with white ;
antennae and patagise cinnamon-brown ; the body is of a similar hue as the hind-
wings.
This is easily known from the previous species by its darker colour, and the
white transverse line beyond the longitudinal stripe.
This hardy little insect prefers pine woods to meadows, and is
found at a considerable elevation. "We have taken it at the end of
June frequently, among the pines on the Eiffelberg at Zermatt, at a
height of about 6000 feet.
B. MYELLUS, Hb. (22— 2G mm.).
The anterior-wings are yellowish-ochre, more or less shaded with red, with the
white longitudinal stripe reaching nearly to the hind margin, twice divided by oblique
bands of a reddish hue, the posterior division of which is almost linear and nearly
parallel with the hind border of the wing. The ground colour surrounding the
stripe on the anterior and outer margins is darker, being shaded with red, and above
the second and tliird divisions are two streaks of a still darker reddish-brown, the
242 [April,
upper one being shorter than the lower, and touching an indistinct light tooth just
in front of the apex of the wing. The hind margin is darkly dotted. The fringe
grejish-brown, with white intersections, and having a dark dividing line.
The hind-wings are pale grey, with whitish fringes that have an indistinct
dividing line.
Head, collar, and central part of (horax, white ; palpi brown, bordered on the
upper side with white ; antennse reddish-brown ; palagise pale ochre ; body of the
same colour as the hind- wings.
I have tliis \erj pretty species from Switzerland, and have also
had it sent me from Heidelberg.
This is the only one of Div. B which has been recorded as British,
a few specimens havinL!,- occurred in Scotland. Thus, in the Entomo-
logist's xlnnual for 1SG9, p. 126, one specimen is stated to have beeu
taken " near Aberdeen" and another "in Scotland," without any more
precise locality being given. Dr. F. Buchanan White (Ent. Mo. Mag.,
viii, p. 70) mentions having taken it at Braemar, and Mr. Warrington
records its capture at Eannoch, at p. 113 of the same volume.
SPECULALis, Hb. (25 — 27 mm.).
The ground-colour of the fore-wings is uniform cinnamon-brown, with the white
longitudinal stripe twice very obliquely divided, above the second division of which
is an indistinct dark streak, there is also a light tooth just in front of the apex of
the wing ; the inner edge of tlie wing is bordered by a narrow white stripe for about
a third of its length from the base, the hind margin is finely dotted with black, the
fringe being brown with white intersections, and having the usual darker divisional
line.
The hind-wings are brownish-grey, with whitish fringes, divided by a dark line
as in the fore-wings.
Head, and central part of thorax, white ; palpi brown, edged with white above ;
the antennae and patagise are of the same colour as the fore-wings ; the bodv rather
darker than the hind-wings.
This species is closely allied to myellxs, but may be recognised by the uniform
brown of the upper wings, by the stripe being more obliquely divided, and by its
larger size.
This is again a hardy species, as I have fonnd it up to about GOOO
feet ; it is not so common at Zermatt as some of the preceding, but
still by no means rare. I have generally taken it in the meadows on
the Eiffel in company with concheUus. In the third week of June,
1880, we also took it in the Saas valley, wliere, on account of being
very much shut in, we found all insects earlier than in the Yisp valley.
It is decidedly a commoner, insect than the preceding species, with
which it is so closely allied.
PEEMUTATELLtIS, H.-S.
As I do not possess an example of this species, I will give a translation uf
Ileiiiemaim's description, but must draw attention to the fact, that it is entirely
comparative with catojjtreUus, Z., which he (Heinemann) considered a good species,
but wliieh Staudinger and Wockc catalogue as a. ah. of speculalis. The description
(of catoptrelltts) seems to be made from a single specimen taken in the Austrian
Alps, and it agrees so Tery closely with apeculali.s, that it is necessary to repeat it
here : — " Fore-wings cinnamon-brown, with a slightly shining white longitudinal
stripe, very obliquely divided with two transverse brown lines, the hind oblique line
and the hind division of the longitudinal stripe waved.
" Head and thorax cinnamon-brown. 5 lin.
" The fore-wings are narrower than in the preceding species {catoptrelhts, spe-
culalis, &c.), widening less posteriorly, of a unifoi-m pale cinnamon-brown, the inner
margin narrowly white to beyond the middle. The longitudinal stripe likewise
narrower, the transverse lines little darker than the ground-colour, very narrow and
still more oblique, the posterior one, as also the hinder part of the longitudinal stripe,
distinctly waved, in the fold rather further from the inner margin than from the
anterior transverse line. The middle spot of the stripe with distinct angles, the
sides towards the base and inner margin of equal length, that towards the costa per-
ceptibly longer. The fringes a little paler, intersected with white in cells 3 to 5.
" Austria, from the Wasrigel Alps, end of July."
LUCTiFERELLUs, Hb. (25 mm).
The anterior-wings are olive-brown, much darker in some specimens than iu
others, the white longitudinal stripe is once obliquely divided, the anterior portion
being short and narrow, apd increasing but little in width, the hinder part being of
a rhomboidal shape, the apical angle of which is very acute and the anal distinctly
toothed, beyond this is a white curved oblique line extending from the costa just in
front of the apex of the wing to the inner margin, the middle portion appearing in
some specimer.s as almost a continuation of the longitudinal stripe ; above the pos-
terior margin of the hind division, nearly touching the costa, is an irregular whitish
■ mark ; there is also an indistinct white line between the stripe and the inner margin,
which (margin) is bordered by a white line once interrupted for about half its length.
The hind border is edged with black.
Hind-wings greyish-brown, the fringes being of the same hue as the wings, with
a darker dividing line, the upper ones being aho intersected with white.
Head, palpi, thorax, antennae and patagise olive-brown, and the body similar in
colour to the hind-wings.
As the 9 differs somewhat from the ^ , it will be necessary to enumerate the
divergencies, which are as follows :
The ground-colour is paler and the longitudinal stripe wider, the white of its
posterior division not unfrequently extending quite up to the inner margin, so that
this edge is distinctly bordered with white almost to the transverse curved line,
which is also wider than in the <? , the whitish mark by the costa is larger, and is
followed by another very indistinct one nearer the base of the wing. The fringes
are white, with a dark dividing line, those of the anterior-wings having dark intar-
sections. Head, and central part of thorax, white ; palpi brown, edged above with
white. The remainder is similar to the ^ .
I have never taken thi.s verv handsome Cminbus mvself. All the
244 r April,
specimens were taken in the Swiss Alps, and I notice that Zeller in
liis catalogue of the ClilloiiiJcc and CntJiihidce says they are found at
about the line of per])etual snow, which would mean at an elevation
of something over 9000 feet.
a. var. luctuellus, H.-S. (22 nun.).
The ground-colour is clear olive-brown, witli the white longitudinal stripe
widening perceptibly outwards, tioice divided, the middle part of which has four
distinct angles, the anal one being toothed ; there is also a white tooth on the costa
in front of the apex of the wing. The inner margin is edged, with one interruption,
with white for about two-thirds of its length, and the hind margin bordered by a
dark line.
Hind-wings brownish-grey ; fringes dirty white, with a dark dividing line, those
of the fore-wings being intersected with white.
Head and palpi brownish; antennae and pataglae olive-brown ; body similar to
the hind-wings.
I have described these in their order according to Staudinger's
catalogue, but it seems to me that the correct position of Juctifcrcllus
is immediately after int/filcllus, as its white stripe is only once divided,
and it has the white curved oblique line beyond as in that species, and
the ground-colour is also more similar to mjjtileUus.
Again, its variety luctuellus has the stripe iwicc divided, so that
this species evidently forms the connecting link between those Crnmhi
that have the longitudinal stripe once divided, and those that have the
same with two divisions.
Augustus Road, Edgbaston :
January 3rd, 1883.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA OF PAMPHILA LINEA.
BY WILLIAM EUCKLEK.
Of this long-wished-for larva I had the great pleasure to receive
six fine examples on the 11th of last June, from Mr. "VV. H. B. Fletcher,
who, most kindly mindful of my desiderata when finding himself at
their locality in th? eastern division of Sussex, on the evening of the
9th, succeeded in sweeping them from Holcus lannfus, a very soft
pubescent grass, with w'hich they assimilated both in colour and
texture most remarkably well.
They had evidently done moulting, and continued feeding well on
the above-mentioned grass from seven to fourteen days, and seemed
rather to prefer it to Bracliypodium sylvaticum, another soft-haired
grass, which they also ate freely enough while the experiment sug-
gested itself to me, during apart of the time, fi'om the circumstance of
my having a few years ago gathered some of it containing, quite by
chance, a spun-uj) ])ui»a. that shortly after produced this butterfly.
'S:'.] 245
Their movements were very sluggish, and after eating a con-
siderable quantity of food, they very slowly began one after another
to enclose themselves within two, or sometimes three leaves of the
grass, joined together longitudinally by lacing or spinning, with white
silk, the edges more or less close to each other, and became completely
hidden ; the earliest spun itself up on the 18th of the month, another
on the 20th, and the others during the next three days.
The perfect insects, full-sized specimens, were bred on the IStb
and 16th of July following.
The full-grown larva is 10 lines in length, its general figure of
moderate substance, is stoutest in the middle of the body, and tapers
a little from the thoracic segments towards the head, whicb is globular
and projecting, larger than the second segment whicli is i-emarkably
small and short ; it tapers also gradually on the last four or five segments
when seen from above, and when viewed sideways the back then appears
to be slightly arched and sloping gradually to the anal flap, and this is
a trifle flattened and rounded off behind ; the belly is flat and the legs
are all well beneatb it and rather short ; the segmental divisions are
very delicately defined, also most particularly the sub-dividing trans-
verse wrinkles, which by no means arrest attention unless diligently
sought for : in colour the head is of a rather deeper green than that of
the body, and rough with minute points, the upper lip of a pinkish hue
is smoother and deeply channelled, the ocelli black ; the body above is
of a tender and delicate light green ground-colour, without any gloss,
and on the thoracic segments the skin is besprinkled with black points
of extreme fineness, so that they do not affect the delicate colouring
of the green ground ; the dorsal stripe is the darkest marking of green,
and is very narrow on the second segment, and from thence uniformly
wider until near the end where it becomes very gradually attenuated
on the anal flap ; this dorsal stripe is of a darker, rather bluish-green,
having a stoutish line of paler green running through the middle, and
bordered outside in stronger contrast by a stout line of still paler green
than the ground ; the sub-dorsal line is of the same pale green but
thinner ; below, at a little distance, the trachea shows partly through
the skin and on it can be discerned the rather prominent reddish
flesh-coloured spiracles ; below these again, at a little distance, follows
an inflated paler stripe of almost creamy-whitish, extending round the
anal flap, which often hides the belly and legs from view when the
larva is in repose, but at other times, when examined beneath, these
are seen to be wholly green, excepting a transverse patch of white on
front of the ventral surface of the eleventh and twelfth segments.
24-6 [April,
On tearing open the coarse reticulation of white silk which held
the leaves together, and formed a lining to the oblong puparium an
inch and a quarter long, I found the pupa itself to be of the length
of 8| lines and very similar in form to that of its congener ActcBon*
having the end of the trunk lying free from the abdomen, held in
position, head upward, by an oblique cincture behind the thorax, and
the anal tip secured by a fan-like spread of fine hooks at the extremity
fixed in the silk lining, but the head had the frontal tapering beak
shorter and more bluntly pointed, the colour then was the same light
green as that of the larva, of which the paler lines could still be
faintly traced.
Emsworth : Marcli IQth, 1883.
A NEW BRITISH SPECIES OP CRABSO—C. KOLLABI, DAHLB.
BY EDWAED SAUNDERS, F.L.S.
Mr. Billups has been fortunate enough to capture two males of this
interesting species near Headley, and I find a male in my own collection,
which was originally in Shuckard's, mixed with C. interruptus, De
Gr.,^=Lindenius, Shuck., but without note of locality. It very closely
resembles interruptus, and the other yellow-banded species, but may
be easily distinguished by the sculpture of the mesothorax, which is
strigose behind and at the sides, but punctate in front across the
middle, whereas, in interriipfns, it is transversely strigose in front ;
from the other yellow-banded species the male may be known by its
simple antenuie and tarsi and the sculpture of the thorax. The $
has not yet been taken in this country, so far as I know, but Dahlbom
says that it agrees with the (^ in sculpture ; both sexes are rather
smaller than interrupt us: it may be briefly characterized thus :
Crahro KoIJari, r)ahlb., Hym. Eur., i, p. 415.
Head and thorax black, mandibles piceous at the apex and bifid, the teeth
rather shorter than in interruptus. Antennae simple, basal joint yellow, with a black
line above. Prothorax with two yellow spots. Mesothorax punctured, with strise
diverging from the base, which leave a space on the anterior margin, which is simply
punctured, and in which are two short carinae originating from the anterior margin.
Wings darker than in most species. Abdomen with lateral spot on the 2nd to 4'h
segments, and an entire band on the 5th and 6th, apex of the 5th and 6th and the
entire 7th dark. 7th segment simple, not deeply impressed longitudinally as in
interruptus, beneath brown, shining ; legs with the femora spotted with black
behind, the posterior pair entirely black ; tibiaj more or less spinose.
Length, 10 mill.
Holmesdale, Upper Tooting :
1-Uh March, 1883.
* Vide Ent. Mo. Mag., vol x, p. 87.
1SS:5.J 217
NOTES ON NEW BRITISH COLEOPTEEA SINCE 1871 ;
WITH NOTICES OF DOUBTFUL SPECIES, AND OF OTHERS THAT
REQUIRE TO BE OMITTED FROM THE BRITISH LIST.
BT THE REV. W. W. FOWLER, M.A., F.L.S.
{continued from p. 233.)
LATHRIDIID.E.
Lathridlus pini, Mots.
This is synonymous with L. lardarius, De Gr., and, therefore, must be erased.
LathriJliis angulatus^ Mann., and L. angusticoUis, Humm.
There seems to be great confusion -with regard to these two species : most col-
lections contain plenty of so-called L. angusticoUis, but not a single specimen of L.
angitlatus. One specimen of the latter is mentioned in Ent. Ann., 1867, 100,
as in Mr. Wollaston's collection : it would seem, howeTer, that in reality L.
angulatus is a common British species, and that L. angusticoUis is doubtfully
British. The true L. angulatus is easily recognised by its elytra being studded with
silky upright hairs arranged in rows, while L. angusticoUis has glabrous elytra ;
traces of pubescence may be observed on quite fresh specimens, but this presents
quite a different appearance to the pubescence of L. angulatus, which is very marked.
M. Belon, of Lyons, who has kindly helped me with this point, says of some sup-
posed type specimens of L. angusticoUis (given me by one of the leading British
Coleopterists), that they are most certainly L. atigulatus, and he also says that he has
received several specimens of X. angulatus from England, among them one wrongly
named L. angusticoUis. I have examined a number of supposed specimens of this
lecies, and hare not been able to find a single specimen of the true L. angusticoUis
among them, nor do I know of one in any collection with which I am acquainted.
Lntliridius undulatus, Mots.
This is synonymous with L. angulatus, Mann., and must, therefore, be omitted.
Coninomus constricfus, Humm.
This species seems to come almost too near to C. carinatus to be retained as
separate (L'Abeille, 249, 57). There seems to be only one British specimen known :
this is in Mr. Rye's collection.
Enicmtis minufus, Linn.
This very variable species seems to cause great confusion : there is a large dark
form with almost quadrate thorax, which certainly seems to be a distinct species, and
a short while ago I received a very curious minute form from Mr. Billups. M. Belon
has corroborated both these forms as belonging to E. minutus ; the great variation of
this and other species of the Lathridii accounts for the numberless species that have
been made and demolished by different authors.
CORTICARIA OBSCURA, Bris.
Allied to C. serrata, Payk., from which it differs in its rather larger size, and
flatter and less oval build ; it has a larger club to its antenna, and the sides of the
thorax are less rounded ; the elytra have very light punctures and striae. Taken by
Mr. Rye and Mr. Champion in Richmond Park, 1871 (Ent. Mo. Mag., vii, 274).
2-18 i^vrn,
Corticaria linearis, Payk. ?
I have two Corticarice from Mr. Matthew's collection, which M. Belon has
returned to me as unknown to him, but as near C. linearis. The species belonging
to this group are very numerous, so I am unable at present to say which these two
insects belong to.
Melanophthalma Wollastoni, Wat.
This insect (which occurs in abundance at Mablethorpe, where it was first taken
by Mr. WoUaston) is apparently a variety of M. transversalis, Gyll., which is a very
common insect on the continent, as it is here.
BYREHID^. I
Stncaltpta hirsuta, Sharp.
Closely allied to S. setigera, 111., but with much more coarsely punctured thorax
and lighter coloured antennae and legs ; the erect setae are longer, thinner, less clubbed,
and lighter-coloured, and the depressed scale-like hairs on the thorax, ai'e much
longer (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 151).
PAEKID.E.
Pabnus striatellus, Pairm.
This species may be readily distinguished from its allies by its much smaller size
and the strong punctured strise of its elytra. Taken by Dr. Power, at Norwich, and
by Mr. Champion, at Chobham (Ent. Mo. Mag., xiv, 70).
LAMELLTCOENIA.
There has been considerable confusion as to the synonymy of
Geotriipes stercornrius and its allies : the following appears to be the
probable solution of the difficulty : —
G. spinigeo'. Marsh., = G. stercornrius, Erichs., = G. mesoleius, Thorns.
This species has the abdomen longitudinally smooth in the middle.
G. stercorarius, Linn.,= G. puMdarius, Erichs.
This species has the abdomen entirely punctured and pubescent.
G.foveatus, Marsh., Steph. *
This is probably a myth ; or, if anytliing, it is, perhaps, a hybrid between the
above (Ent. Ann., 1874, 96).
Geoteupes pyeen^us, Charp.
Allied to O. vernalis, L., but differs from it in being more shining, and narrower
in proportion to its length, and in having the hinder angles of the thorax less obtuse
and rounded ; in the <? the teeth on the under-side of the tibiae are five or six in
number, instead of being at least eight, as iu G'. vernalis ; the thorax is visibly
punctured on the sides only (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 10).
issii.i 249
Apliodius niger, Panz.
The supposed British examples of this species are only specimens of A. pla-
giatiis, L., without the red markings on the elytra, so the species must be erased from
the British list.
Aphodius melanostictus, Schupp.
This species comes near A. inquinahis, Fab., but, as a rule, is conspicuously larger
■with more developed limbs ; it has the sides of the thorax entirely reddish-testaceous,
and the markings resemble very closely those of A. tessulatus, Payk. Taken by
Mr. Chappell in the Manchester district, and recorded by Mr. Rye (Ent. Mo. Mag,,
XV, 280).
PSAMMOBIUS PORCICOLLIS, 111.
1 This insect has already been inserted in our lists (Ent. Ann., 1865, 70) on the
authority of a single example in Mr. Kirby's collection, mixed with P. sulcicoUis ;
it was, however, struck out, but must again be inserted, having been found in small
numbers at Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, by Mr. J. J. Walker (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 62
and 108). It is larger than P. sulcicoUis, with scarcely any trace of oblique ridges,
and no large punctures, at the back of the head ; it has a more ample thorax, and
more strongly sulcated elytra, which are more coarsely punctured.
BTJPEESTID^.
Trachys nanus, Pab.
The insects that stand under this name in our collections are not T. nanus, Fab.,
but T. ■pnmila, 111., and the latter name must be substituted for the former (Ent.
Mo. Mag., xii, 226).
EUCNEMID.E.
Theosctjs CAEiNirROiv's, De Bonv.
This species somewhat resembles T. dermestoides, L., from which it may be dis-
tinguished by its eyes being divided considerably beyond the middle by a narrow
horny plate, by its thorax being (in the male at least) flatter, and very suddenly
sinuously contracted towards the front from the lower third ; by its more acuminate
elytra and less stout tibiae. Taken by Mr. Wollaston, Mr. Matthews, and others.
I have received it from Mr. J. J". Walker (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 135).
Ceropliytum elateroides, Latr.
The specimens on which this species rests are so few and so doubtfully authentic,
that it had better be omitted. Dr. Power, who posesses one of the specimens, en-
dorses this opinion.
ELATEEID^.
CARDioPHOErs RuriPES, Pourc.
A single example of this insect was taken by Mr. John Dunsmore in 1875 on
Corkendale Law, the highest peak in Renfrewshire. It is smaller than C. asellus,
250 I April,
shining black in colour, finely pubescent, with the antennse entirely black, the femora
and tibiae reddish-testaceous, and the tarsi pitchy, with the base of each joint and
the claws red (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 227).
Stnaptus filifoemis, Fab.
This genus was accidentally omitted by Dr. Sharp ; it comes between Agriotet
and SericosoniHs, and may be at once distinguished by its third tarsal joint having
a large membranous appendage beneath, which covers the fourth joint, which is
very small.
DASCILLID.E.
Microcara (HeJodes) Bohemanni, Thorns.
This is now regai-ded as a variety of 31. livida, and not as a separate species ;
it is smaller than the type, with the side margins of the thorax more raised, and less
evident costse on the elytra ; it is also rather lighter in colour (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 154).
Cyplion pallidiventris, Thorns.
This is apparently the female of C. nitidulus, Thorns., and cannot, therefore, be
retained as a separate species (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 154).
Ctphon punctipennis, Sharp.
Allied to C. variabilis, but shorter, broader, and more convex, and distinguished
from all the varieties of this species by its extremely short, fine, and scanty pubes-
cence ; its elytra also are more sparingly punctured generally, although more closely
punctured at the base. Dr. Sharp says that this is the species referred to in his
Catalogue as C. nigriceps, Thorns., but that it is quite distinct from this. It Jias been
taken at Rannoch and one or two other Scotch localities. Dr. Power has a long
series of C. nigriceps which are certainly not C. variabilis, and perhaps are the true
species. If they are identical with C. punctipennis, in all probability C. nigriceps
will have to be omitted from the British list (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 155).
MELTEID^.
Dasttes NIGER, Linn.
This very distinct species differs from all the others of its genus in having its
thorax transverse, and its elytra very finely and closely punctured, and in its black
colour. Taken by Mr. Champion, myself, and others in the K^ew Forest (Ent. Mo.
Mag., viii, 84).
LTMEXTLONID.E.
LiMEXTLON XATALE, LlUn.
This genus differs from Uylecceitis in having longer antennfc ; its anterior coxse
are approximated instead of being far apart, and it has six ventral segments, and not
seven, like its kindred genus. Taken in Cheshire by Mr. Sidcbotham and also by
Mr. J. Chappell, who has been most generous in distributing it to collectors (Ent.
Mo. Mag.,ii, 158).
{To he rontinued).
i^s:;.| 251
n\ TWO OF THE SPECIES OP GELECHIA WHICH FREQUENT
OUR SALT-MARSHES.
BY H. T. STAINTON, F.K.S.
Professor Zeller, in 1843 (Stettin, ent. Zeit., 281—283) pointed
(i:it how it might so chance that an author should begin by describing
;'ii insect from one species, and then, a few years later, add some
(iiiishing touches to his description from a totally different species;
for he showed us very clearly that Linne, in 1746, in the First Edition
of the Fauna Suecica (before names were yet given) correctly described
our present Plutella cntciferarum, with "Habitat in Hortis oleraceis,"
and " volitat juxta terram," but in the second edition of the Fauna
Suecica (1761) with the name " Xylosfella''' came the new habit:
" Habitat in Lonicerce xylostei foliis," and the total omission of the
" Hortis oleraceis" and the " Yolitat juxta terram," slight verbal
oinissions and alterations in the description also tending to show the
new bias in the author's mind.
Six years later Linne, in the 12th Edition of the Systema Naturae,
continued the "Habitat in Lonicera xylosteo,''' but added "in Cheirantlii
floribus." The description, however, is so touched up and altei'ed as
to apply solely to the insect long known as liarpella, Hiibner, dentella,
Fabricius, &c., and for which I have myself preferred to retain the
Linnean name of xylostella, leaving for the " kitchen-garden insect,
which flies near the ground" the more appropriate name suggested by
Zeller, in 1843, of crthcifcrarum.
We seem in the process, which must have passed through the
mind of Linne, to see a new form of evolution of species !
I have been led to the foregoing reflections by finding myself
rather in a difilculty, when seeking to ascertain which of two coast-
frequenting species of Gelecliia was the original instahilella.
It is now 37 years since Douglas wrote the description of
Anncampsis instahi'leUa, which appeared in the Zoologist for 1846, p.
1270. We there read that " this insect was by no means uncommon
on the salt-marshes, near St. Osyth, Essex, in July, but when they
rose from the herbage the wind blew so strongly, that it was no easy
matter to catch them. It is a species that varies exceedingly both in
colour and marking, but none of the varieties approach any hitherto
named species."
In my volume of the Insecta Britannica (published in 1854)
appears, at p. 126, the additional information " Mr. Douglas bred this
species last autumn from larvae he found at Brighton, in k ugust, feeding
on Salicornia Tierhacea and ChenopoSinm maritimiim^'' and, in the
2o2 [Apiii.
Entomologist's Annual for 1855, I announced I had bred " Gdecliiit.
instaWella from larvae mining the leaves of Atriplex portulacoides.'"
So far, I believe, only one species had really been under con-
sideration, but in the Entomologist's Annual for 1856, p. 52, we ai-e
informed that " Mr. Shield bred this insect" \_inst(ihilella] " from larvae
found early in April, near Dublin, mining the leaves of Plantago
maritima" and I am now of opinion that this Plant nrjo-ieed^ev is a
distinct species.
Unfortunately, I seem to have looked upon these specimens from
Plantago maritima as so essentially representing instahilella, that I
insensibly modified my idea of that species, and when, in May, 1858,
Mr. Thomas Boyd sent me some Gelechice from Cornwall, of which he
had found the larvse in the flower-heads of Beta maritima, I described
them as a new species, under the name of ocellafella. My impression
now is, that these were nothing but Gelecliia instahilella, as described
by Douglas, from specimeiis on the Essex coast.
The insect, in accordance with its name, varies exceedingly in
colour, from ochreous to grey, and varies nearly as much in its markings,
the black spots, which are generally present, sometimes disappearing
altogether. In the spriug of last year I had, through the kindness of
Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher, an opportunity of breeding a considerable
number of specimens, Mr. Fletcher having found the larvse in some
plenty in Shoreham Harbour, Sussex, mining the leaves of Atriplex
portulacoides. As late as last November I was consulted by Mr.
Harwood, of Colchester, as to some Geleclii(S he had bred from Suceda
fruticosa, and I then referred them to ocellatella, and pointed out
wherein they differed, as I said, from " the true instahilella ;" I now
hold the opinion that these specimens from Suceda fruticosa were
themselves the true instahilella, of which the name ocellatella must
now sink as a synonym.
The unfortunate insect, which has for years been my idea of
instahilella, and which Mr. Threlfall breeds from the roots of Plantago
maritima, now finds itself nameless ! I believe it has not been observed
to feed on any other plant. Mr. Shield bred it from the leaves (and
I have a figure of Mr. Wing's representing a plant of the Plantago
maritima with a leaf mmeA), but Mr. Threlfall assures me that he only
breeds it from the root (see Ent. Mo. Mag., xv, p. 89).
"On May 13th, 1877, 1 collected roots of sea-plantain on the banks
of the river Wyre, for larvae of Gelecliia instahilella, which mine in
the roots, and as far as present observation goes not in the leaf or stem.
From these emerged about a dozen images of G. instahilella in July."
i8sa.] 253
For this now nameless insect I would propose the name of
Gelechia ])lantaqinella.
Plantaginella is a larger and broader-winged insect than insta-
lilella, it generally expands rather over 7 lines, instahilella rarely
reaches 6^ lines, and some small specimens which Mr. Jentinsou
obtained in the Scilly Isles, are considerably under 6 lines. In
platitaginella tlie apical nervures o£ the anterior wings are generally
more or less distinctly indicated as greij streaks on the brown ground-
colour. The pale sub-apical spots are much more faintly expressed
than is often the case in instahilella, for I must admit that this latter
species is very variable in that respect. Beyond the pale sub-apical
spots we generally see in plantaginella about 8 black spots round the
apex of the wing ; even this character is, however, not constant, as I
have specimens of plantaginella without them, and I have some of the
paler specimens of instahilella which show them indistinctly. In both
species we see occasionally a dark streak from the base down the centre
of the wing.
The larva of plantaginella should differ essentially from that of
instahilella, having the head and second segment black, whereas, in the
larva of instahilella, the head is pale yellowish-brown and the second
segment pale greyish-white. Moreover, the larva of plantaginella
shows no trace of the four dull reddish interrupted lines along the
back, which we see in the larva of instahilella.
Eeferring to vol. 2 of the " Manual of British Butterflies and
Moths," p. 3i0, the descriptions of the imago there given of ocellatella
and instahilella both refer to the same species — ocellatella representing
a more ochreous specimen, and instahilella a greyer specimen of
instahilella ; but the two larvae there described are those of the two
distinct species, that described as the larva of ocellatella being really
the larva of instahilella (of Y^hich ocellatella is merely a synonym), but
that described as the larva of instahilella is really that of planfiiginella.
The larva of instahilella seems to feed indifferently on any salt-
marsh plants of the Natural Order Chenopodiacece, having been found
on Salicornia herhacea, Siiceda fruficosa and maritima {Glienopodium
maritimum, Sowerby), Beta maritima and Atriplex portulacoides.
Mr. Threlfall mentions (Ent. Mo Mag., xv, p. S9) having bred this
species from larvae "mining the leaves of Aster tripoliiim.'" Should this
be confii-med, I should suspect the larva to be altogether polyphagous.
Mountsfield, Lewisham :
JIarch lot/), 1883.
251 lAi"-ii.
SIMULIUM FEEDING UPOX CHRYSALIDS.
BY DR. H. A. HAGEX.
In Colville Valley, Washington Territory, July 24t]i, I had the
chance to observe the destruction of the pine trees (P. ponderosa) by
the caterpillar of a butterfly (Pieris menapia). The details will be
published in the Proc. Boston Nat. Hist. Soc. Small flies were very
numerous around the chrysalids and caterpillars ready for pupation.
These flies were so eager and so little shy, that they could be almost
taken with the hands. Tbey proved to be the "black fly" {Simidium).
There is scarcely any doubt, that they live on the defenceless chrysalis,
probably sucking the tail, as I found among the alcoholic specimens
some flies still hidden in the dense tail-silk. The fi*esh chrysalis is
rather lively. One on a young shoot of pine made the most convul-
sive motions, when only a leaf was touched. The end of the tail
would be just the spot most difficult to defend against disturbance
from an enemy. Perhaps, the curious fact that the numberless chry-
salids in the crevices of the pine trees were all hanging down, instead
of being erect and kept in this position by a thread around the body,
may be the consequence of the constant attacks by these flies. The
threads may have been finally broken by constant convulsions. The
circumstance that a large number of the chrysalids were dry and dead
without containing parasites, speaks in favour of the supposition, that
they have been emptied by the constant sucking of Simulium. It is
generally accepted, that Simulium lives only on warm-blooded animals.
But it is obvious that these millions of little flies would, in this case,
have no chance of food. Large animals shun as much as possible such
places where Simulium swarms in the day time, and smaller animals
are certainly not so common as to be sufiicient for their food. If it is
accepted that Simulium can live on insect-blood — and there is, indeed,
no reason to doubt it — at once their existence is easily understood.
May this not be the same w'ith mosquito females ? The species of
Simuhum seems to be identical with the common Xew England " black
fly," but as this species is still undescribed, a detailed comparison has
to be made to decide about the identity. It was, indeed, wonderful,
that our whole party of five men and eight horses were not molested
at all by the flies on those places, though they were more than annoy-
ing in other places where the butterfly was wanting. The seemingly
strange assumption that Simulium may feed on caterpillars and chry-
salids is corroborated by the discovery that Pulex irritans feeds upon
caterpillars (Entom. xv, p. 70). The stomach fluids of the fleas were
1883.1 255
found by Mr. Boden transparent, and not red in colour, as when they
have fed upon mankind. Those larvae which had been attacked by the
fleas appeared to pine away and die.
Perhaps, Acrcea Thalio, in Brazil, and A. Vesta, in the Himalaya,
are attacked in the same manner as P. menapia. Of both I have
received very large numbers, collected at Cantagallo and Kooloo.
The chrysalids were bundled together, as in P. menapia, and also
partially dry — perhaps, from the same cause.
Cambridge, Mass. :
February, 1883.
ON SOME AUSTRALIAN TRYCIBM.
BY E. METEICK.
It seems advisable to publish at once the following additional notes
to my list of Australian Phycid(e,i\i view of M. Eagonot's forthcoming
monograph of the group.
Zopliodia ensiferella, Meyr. The ? has the fore-wings narrower,
paler, and redder than in the (J, the hind-wings whitish instead of
grey, and the abdomen very elongate and curiously depressed
posteriorly.
Cateremna leiicarma, Meyr. The larva forms true galls on shrubs
of Eucalyptus oleosa ; the galls are long, irregularly cylindrical, appar-
ently formed of a metamorphosed cluster of leaves.
Snlehria gypsopa, n. sj).
$ ^ . 17- -21 mm. Head dull white. Palpi whitish, sprinkled on sides with
dark fuscous ; maxillary tufts of $ oclireous. Antennae grey, annulated with paler.
Thorax white, sprinkled with dark fuscous. Abdomen whitish-ochreous. Anterior
tibiae dark fuscous, apex whitish ; middle and posterior tibiae whitish, sprinkled with
dark fuscous, with a dark fuscous sub-apical ring ; all tarsi dark fuscous, with
whitish rings at apex of joints. Fore-wings elongate, narrow, gradually dilated,
costa nearly straight, arched towards apex, hind-margin obliquely rounded ; white,
irregularly clouded with pale oclireous, and irrorated with dark fuscous ; first line
oblique, slightly curved, double, dark fuscous, enclosing a whitish line, forming a
white spot on costa, inner edge broadly dark fuscous, deepest towards costa, outer
edge slender, broken or indistinct ; au elongate dark fuscous suffusion along middle
third of costa ; a black dot in disc beyond middle, situated on lower margin of a
short, longitudinal, clear, white streak ; second line double, dark fuscous, enclosing
a whitish line, margins well-defined, faintly dentate, shortly angulated inwards above
middle, outwards in middle, and again inwards above inner margin, posterior edge
broader and more suffused towards costa ; hind-margin suffusedly dotted with dark
fuscous ; cilia whitish, with four irregular fuscous-grey lines. Hind-wings pale
oclu-eous-grey, with a sufPused dark fuscous hind-marginal line j cilia whitish, with
a fuscous-grev line near base.
2oG l-M'>-ii.
Differs from all the otlicr Australian species of Salebria (except, perhaps, S.
digrammeUa, Meyr., which I have not been able to examine in this particular), in
having vein 3 of the hind-wings rising from the angle of the cell, and not from the
stalk of 4 and 5 ; also distinguished by the white ground-colour, and sharply
expressed transverse lines.
Taken very commonly in October near Adelaide, in salt-marshes,
amongst 8aIicornia australis and Cotula coronopifoUa ; also at Pox't
Wakefield, Soutli Australia.
TyLOC HARES, 11. g.
Tongue moderate. Antennje of ^ dentate, finely ciliated, with a
large tuft of scales in sinuatiou at base. Maxillary palpi in J long,
filiform, with two separate, very long, terminal hair-pencils ; in ?
short, filiform. Labial palpi moderate, curved, ascending, terminal
joint short. Fore-wings with 11 veins, 4 and 5 stalked, 7 and S
stalked. Hind-wings with seven veins, two from close before angle of
cell, 3 and 4 stalked, 6 and 7 stalked.
This genus differs from all the rest of the group with basal tuft
of the antenna? (exce'pt Dion/ ctria,Z., which has 8-veined hind-wings),
in having veins 4 and 5 of the fore-wings stalked, and is also remark-
able for the double tuft of the maxillary palpi in the ^, which I do
not think has been noticed in any other species. I have formed it for
the I'eception of cosmieUa, Meyr., hitherto classed with Euzophera, in
the absence of the ^ , the ueuration being very similar ; I recently
took both sexes in Wirrabara Forest, South Australia.
Ileospliora emnjzona, n. sp.
(J ? . 17 — 22 mm. Head and thorax whitish, mixed with dark fuscous, sides of
frontal cone dark fuscous. Antennae pale grey. Palpi whitish, externally suffused with
dark fuscous. Abdomen whitish-grey, basal half rather bright ochreous. Legs dark
fuscous. Fore-wings elongate, moderate, slightly dilated, costa moderately arched,
hind-margin very obliquely rounded ; grey-whitish, irregularly irrorated with dark
grey ; a straight, clear, white, sub-costal streak from base to costa before apex, leaving
costal margin very narrowly dark fuscous-grey, upper edge rather suffused posteriorly,
lower edge sharply defined, bordered beneath by a dark fuscous-grey streak suffused
into ground colour : cilia pale grey, with rows of whitish points. Hind-wings whitish-
grey, somewhat darker towards apex ; cilia whitish, with a faint grey line.
Superficially very different from its congeners, and closely resembling Zophodia
neotomella, Meyr., but easily known by the ochreous band of the abdomen, and, of
course, very distinct structurally.
Locally common inAVirrabara Forest, South Australia, frequenting
the spinifex grass in October ; it is an inactive insect, the ? flying
slowly and feebly at dusk.
The antennal tuft of the (^ is very ill-defined, ap])earing little
more than a thickening with rough scales.
Christchurch, New Zealand :
January \olh, 1883.
I i83;i.] 257
Entomological collecting durinq a voyage in the Pacific. — ylYie following ex-
tracts frotn a letter addressed to the Rev. W. W. Fowler, in continuation of former
communications {vide E. M. M., xviii, 81, and xix, 22), have been kindly placed at our
disposal.— Eds.]. — The entire Pacific Squadron, consisting of seven sliips, left Callao
on February 13th for an evolutionai-y cruise to the southward. We ran out to lat.
33° S. long. 93° W. before shaping a com-se for Juan Fernandez. The weather was
very fine, with light winds and smooth water, but the absence of animal life, at more
than 100 miles from the South American coast, was most remarkable. For weeks
together we did not see a living creature in the sea or air, this part of the South
Pacific being a veritable ocean desei't. After the first week or two the cruise became
very monotonous, and every one in the Fleet, I believe, was truly glad to see terra
firma again on the morning of March 17th, when we sighted the island of Juan
Fernandez. The sliips anchored in Cumberland Bay, a small and rather exposed
indentation in the north coast of the island, the same afternoon, and remained until
the 20th. I do not think I have seen anything to equal the scenery here since
leaving the straits of Magellan ; the bay being roughly semicircular in shape, walled
in by steep and rugged hills, which are densely wooded in their higher portions, even
on slopes so steep as to deserve the name of precipices, where one would think that
no tree could find root-hold. These hills culminate in a huge flat-topped mountain,
a most striking object from the anchorage, called the " Yunque " or Anvil, from a
fancied resemblance wliich it bears to that article in outline. There is very little
level or cultivated gi'ound ; near the beach are the remains of a small Spanish Fort,
and a few wooden huts occupied by the 50 or 60 inhabitants of the island, who live
by fishing, tending cattle, and cutting timber, as well as seal-hunting in the season.
I was able to land two or three times, and ascended the hills some 2000 feet, to
" Selkirk's Look-out," a slight dip in the central ridge of the island, where a cast iron
tablet is erected to the memory of that famous mariner, and whence a magnificent
view is obtained. The vegetation is extremely luxuriant and varied, a sweet-scented
myrtle forming a large portion of the undergi'owth, and wild peach trees (said to
have been introduced by Anson in 1711) are abundant. A few palm trees still linger
on the higher and less accessible slopes, but have been nearly exterminated by the
settlers, the wood (called here " Clionta") being in great demand at Valparaiso for
walking sticks. I met with many familiar English plants, such as wild strawberry,
teazle, sheep's sorrel, vervain, wild radish, thistles, docks, &c., and, at elevations
greater than 500 feet, the common balm {Melissa officinalis) formed a large portion
of the herbage. The most noticeable feature of the vegetation, however, is the ex-
traordinary luxuriance and beauty of the ferns, of which I observed more than 20
species, some of them almost deserving the name of tree-ferns. In damp places the
" Panke," Gunnera scahra, grows very luxuriantly ; this is the grandest herbaceous
plant I have ever seen ; six or eight gigantic leaves, a yard or more in diameter,
shaped somewhat like those of the sycamore tree, and with round scabrous footstalks
four feet long and as thick as one's wrist, spring from a rough brown horizontal stem
eight or ten feet long and as many inches in diameter, the small reddish flowers
growing in a loose erect spike about two feet long. The leaf-stalks are eaten by the
inhabitants, and somewhat resemble rhubarb ; nearly every one of them was bored
by a Lepidopterous larva, and by splitting them open I got a number of nupae, which
produced a curious silky-looking, broad-winged, dark brown JS'ociita, whose affinities
25S [April,
I cvinuiil iiiakr out, but 1 think it comes somewhat near Goriyna. Two weevils ol
the family CossonidcB occurred in the sinuses bored bj' the larvaj in the stems, and.
by diligently working at stumps and felled trees, I got five or six more species of this
interesting family, some in profusion. A very fine weevil, like a Larinus in aspect,
but allied I think to C;-///;^o;7;_y«c//M.«, occurred commonly under loose bark, with a few
small "Sta2Dhs,"&c. ; by turning stones I found a few Geodephaga,^ small Opati-um?,
and a Baridius ; and an Agahun in standing water. About 20 species of Coleoptera,
in all, occurred to me, but the Lepidoptera were much more poorly represented.
The only butterfly I saw was Pyrnmeis Carage, which was not- rare, tlie specimens
being i-ather larger and paler than Chilian examples. About half-a-dozen inconspicuous
species of PhycidcB and Cramhidce were numerous, as individuals, in open grassy
places, and one specimen of the ubiquitous Stenopteryx hyhridalis occurred. Plu-
tella cruciferariim was common among wild radish. The woods swarmed with
humming birds, especially a lovely little species {Eustephanusfernandeiisis, I think)
which is peculiar to. the island, the male being bright chestnut-red, with metallic-red
head and green wings, and the female elegantly spotted with green and white. These
little fellows were wonderfully tame and familiar, frequently perching within arm's
length of me while I was busy working at a stump or log. Fish were very plentiful
in Cumberland Bay, and of excellent quality ; great quantities were caught with
hook and line, and furnished a welcome supply of fresh food, which we all duly ap-
preciated, after living for nearly a month on salt beef and pork.
The weather during our brief stay at Juan Fernandez was fairly fine, but heavy
squalls of wind came down from the hills, especially at night, rendering the anchorage
somewhat insecure. A large part of the squadron had to put to sea hurriedly on the
evening of the 20th, and were joined by the remaining ships next morning. Valpa-
raiso was reached on the 23rd, and the Fleet remained there until April 13th. It
was too late in the season for many insects, but I got some nice weevils and small
Heteromera, as well as not a few obscure looking JS'ociiKe, under stones, and found
the handsome and very variable larva of Deilephila spinifascia locally abundant on
the " Quills " {Mtihlenheckia injucuitda), a shrubby, wiry polygonaceous plant with
small hastate leaves, growing in waste places. A day's visit to the beautiful and
fertile valley of Quillota, 23 miles N. E. of Yal)5araiso, produced one or two butterflies
{Pieris Demodice, Blanch., &c.), which I had not previously met with.
The Fleet arrived at Coquimbo on April 15th, and remained there till May 1st,
when it left again for Caldera. Butterflies were here a little more plentiful than
at Yalparaiso, the lovely Pyrameis Terpsichore, Phil, (closely related to P. Hinitcra),
being abundant and in splendid condition. The clouded-yellows, Colias Vautieri
and ruiilans, were plentiful and fine, and two or three specimens of the recently-
described C. mitiuspida, Butler, a pretty miniature of Vautieri, occurred to me. The
larvae of Papilio Archidamas were very abundant on the evil-smelling Aristolochia
chilensis, and a fine Sepialtis, somewhat like our velleda in aspect, occurred not
rarely at rest on bushes, &c.
The "Kingfisher" left Caldera on May 6th for the Northern Ports, and, after
calling in at Callao for a day or two to coal, &c., arrived at Panama on May 2Gth.
Twelve days were spent here and at Taboga, during which time I worked hard at the
Lepidoptera, with fair success, though not nearly so much as I had expected. It
was the verv end of the dry season, and. for a dozen butterflies which were to be
is^:!] ■ 259
seen any day, wet or dry, when I was here in October, 1881, there was scarcely one
now, with the exception of the " hairstreaks," which were much better represented.
"^ Two or three lovely little purple species, barred beneath with black, wliite, and rust-
red, which I had not observed before, were now not rare. A fine Megalura, a hand-
some brown Nymphalid butterfly, with paler transverse bars and great tails to the
hind-wings, was occasionally caught on board the ship ; and the lovely green and
black-tailed butterfly-moth, Urania Leilus was frequently seen on the wing towards
sunset, flying, however, so high, and at such a tremendous pace, that I could not
secure a single specimen. At Taboga, from May 29th to June 3rd, I got several nice
fresh Theclee and skippers, the curious long-tailed, angular- winged, fulvous and brown
Marpesia Thetis, as well as two very fine Spl^nges ; and, by sugaring the trunks of
orange-trees in the day-time, I attracted some fine specimens of the handsome
Gi/noecia Dirce, Prepona Demodice, and sp., and two or three other jSymphalidcB,
including the great brown and orange Agaiiisthos Orion, which I failed to secure,
to my extreme disgust. Two or three fine Elaters and longicorns also visited the bait.
On June 6th, I made an excursion to Emperador, a station on the Isthmus rail-
way, about twelve miles from Panama, in the mid.st of a magnificent primeval forest.
Although a tremendous thunderstorm came on soon after noon, and put a stop to
collecting for the day, I was not unsuccessful, as I observed many insects which I
had never seen at Panama, and added eighteen species of butterflies to my collection,
among them some lovely transparent Ithomias, &c.
We left Panama on June 8th, and entered the Q-ulf of Nicoya on the 11th,
anchoring for a day off Puntarenas, the chief Pacific seaport of the republic of Costa
Rica. This little town (the cleanest, by the way, which I have seen on this part of
the coast) is built on a low sandy spit covered with thorny brushwood, extending
about three miles into the Gulf. There is not much forest in the immediate neigh-
bourhood, but I managed to get a good many insects in a short walk on the shore,
mostly of species previously met with at Panama, and including a vei-y fine series
of the richly coloured Colanis PhcBrusa, liitherto very rare to me. The roadstead of
Puntarenas is notorious for the abundance of sharks, of which we saw a large
number, one, in particular, was a monster, its length being estimated at thirty feet
at least.
After a pleasant passage of a week's duration, in which we encountered great
numbers of turtle, we anchored in the beautiful laud-locked harbour of Acapulco,
which, being almost surrounded by high forest-clad hills, and cut off from the sea-
breeze, was as hot as an oven. The town, which contains about 4000 to 5000 inhabi-
tants, is of poor appearance, though it seems to have seen better days : the aspect of
the country is much more tropical than even at Panama, owing to the large groves
of fine cocoanut palms which fringe the beach of the harbour. During our brief
stay of four days, the weather (except on the 22nd, when it rained almost without
intermission) was fine and sunny, until late in the afternoon, the day usually ending
■with a heavy thunder-shower ; but it was too hot for the active exertion necessary
in the chase of tropical butterflies. I managed, however, with the assistance of one
or two of my messmates, to obtain a very nice lot of insects, including nearly eighty
species of butterflies, forty-two of them being new to my collection.
{To he conilnued).
'2C)0 [April,
Longevity in a beetle. — On the 15th April, 1878, M. Rene Oberthur sent to me
from Eenncs a living pair of the well-known Dytiscus Raeselii, Fab. ; the insects came
bj post in a small tin box with some wet moss, and arrived apparently in perfect
health ; they had a fresh appearance, and as the larger Dytiscidce are, I believe, all
transformed to perfect insects at the end of summer or in the autumn, they had
probably, at that time, been perfect insects for about six or eight months ; they may
have been older than that, but I do not consider it probable they were. The insects,
on their arrival, were placed in a vase of fresh water, and were fed at intervals on
pieces of earth worm or tadpoles, and seemed to be quite healtliy under this regime.
The male died about two years since in the spring, but the female has continued
vigorous until recently ; at the commencement of the present month she was noticed
to be weak and disinclined for food, and though she took small quantities of nourishment
two or three times after this, she did not recover her activity, and on the 9th instant
was found dead. Thus this specimen had lived nearly five years with me in this
vase of water, and had pretty certainly been a perfect insect for a period of about five
and half-years, if not longer. The earlier stages in the metamorphosis of the Dytiscidm
are, I believe, all passed through with rapidity, so that the total duration of life of
the individual under discussion would be about five and three-quarter years, or less,
at any rate, than six years. Sir John Lubbock has, I believe, recorded as great, or
even greater, a longevity in the case of some ants, but such a long life has, so far as
I am aware, not been previously observed in any beetle. Lacordaire, in his Intro-
duction a I'Entomologie (Vol. I, p. 214) when discussing the duration of life of
insects, alludes to the fact that Roesel kept an individual of Cetonia aurata alive for
nearly three years, and Esper a specimen of Dytiscus marginalis for about three
and a half years.
Two days after the decease of this specimen, I made a slight examination of its
internal organs, in order to ascertain the condition of the ovaries. On opening the
hind-body the most remarkable object was the bursa copulatrix, or spermatic vesicle,
which was of enormous size, distended and occupying about one-fourth of the area of
the hind-body or abdomen. The ovaries were small, and their tubes contained no
eggs, but were full of an albuminous substance with darker spots in it, the material
I imagined of undeveloped ova. The bursa copulatrix, on being opened, was found
to be full of a clear fluid, which, after a moment or two, became very slightly milky,
and gave forth an extremely powerful foetid odour, similar to that which collectors
who have captured the larger Dytiscidce must frequently have noticed, as being the
result of a discharge of liquid from the extremity of the body. The condition of the
ovaries surprised me ; as I have no reason for supposing that eggs have ever been
deposited by this individual, I had expected to find the ovaries much more largely
developed. According, to my experience, it is extremely difficult to obtain oviposition
from the larger Dytiscidce in confinement ; Dr. Eeginibart has, however, been more
successful, and it would appear from his observations (Ann. Soc. Fr., 1875, p. 201)
that special conditions arc necessary to induce the female to lay her eggs ; it would,
indeed, seem, if we may judge from the condition of my specimen of D. Roeselii, that
even up to tlie period of the extreme limit of life, and long after fertilisation (for
such occurred in the present case) the eggs do not become developed in the ovaries
unless the individual be placed in cireimistances suitable for their deposition. Such
an ini})ortunt physiological induction as this requires, however, more complete
J8S3 ] 261
observation and verification ; and at present I only suggest it, for tliei'e is more than
one way in which I may have been deceived in the present case ; for instance, eggs may
have been deposited and not noticed when the water in the vase was changed.
I may add, that during their captivity here, these specimens were carefully fed
and tended by Mr. Samuel Hyslop, and that at no period of their existence did they
shew any symptoms of the extreme voracity previously recorded in the case of this
species, as well as in other Dytiscida. Indeed, although during a period of ten years
I have kept and observed many species of water-beetles, I have never observed any
instance of great consumption of food. They are very fond of tadpoles, but do not
consume an inordinate quantity of them ; sad to say, they are remorseless cannibals.
Perhaps the greatest amount of voracity I can record, is due to a male of Dytiscus
lapponiciis, who in one night completely devoured an immature female of his species,
eating even such parts of the wing-cases and skeleton that were not too hard for hia
jaws to crush. — D. Sharp, Thornhill : February 14th, 1883.
Coleoptera in 1882 in the Hastings district. — Last year was a very peculiar
season : many insects that were tolerably plentiful in 1881, were barely represented ;
circumstances prevented me from doing much hot-bed collecting, and what I did
was chiefly in May. The best things obtained in this way were Magdalinus barbi-
cornis, $ , a single specimen only ; Monotonia longicollis and 4-collis ; aiew Clambus
armadillo and C. pubescens ; Sister bimactilatus ; Euplecttis sangiiiiievs and E.
signatus ; Microglossa suturalis.
G-uestling sand-pit has yielded very little this past season, the best captures by
far were two specimens of Trickonyx Marlceli, found about May 27th. Zabrus
gihbus and Plinthus caliginosus also put in an appearance. I also found Ccenopsis
Waltoni, a good many Syntomium aneuni and Syncalypta spinosa. In a sand-pit at
Battle I found a Philonthits, with red elytra, which the Eev. H. S. Gorham has
kindly determined as a variety of P.fumigatus. At the Powder Mill Ponds, Battle,
Donacia semicuprea swarmed : D. impressa and one D. sagittarice occurred.
At Camber, on June 12th, Crypticus quixquilius and Microzoum tibials were
plentiful. Saprinus rugifrons, metallicus, and maritimvs were found, the two former
crawling on the bare sand, the latter in carrion ; a single Sarrotriuni clavicorne
appeared, also Phytosus balticus under stones beneath high-water mark, and Aleo-
chara obscurella.
Glaucium roots, growing at Pett and Bopeep, seem to be very productive ;
among a host of things hibernating in the cavity at the crown of the root, were
Ceuthorhynchus verrucatns, Corticaria cremdata and curfa, both the latter in
abundance ; three Syncalypta hirsuta I was not sorry to add to my collection from
the same source. The most abundant insect, however, was the Hemipteron Monan-
thia cardui. — Edward P. Coliett, St. Leonards-on-Sea : 3rd February, 1883.
Specific distinctness of Cucujus coccinatus and C. Grouvellii. — There seemed to
be some doubt on the continent as to the fact of Cucujus coccinatus, Lewis, Ent. Mo.
Mag., xvii, p. 198, from Japan, being distinct from Cucujus Grouvellii, Reitter, from
the Himalaya mountains, so last week I sent specimens of the former to M. Eene
OberthiJr, who possesses Reitter's type ; and, to-day I received (he following memo
262 Apnl,
from M. Obertliiir, written after a careful comparison of two insects side b_y side : —
"Les Cucujus OrouveUii et coccinatus sout deux especes bien distinctes. Le C.
Grouvellii, difPere du coccinatus par ses elytres mates et non brilliantes, sa taille plus
grande, sa forme plus allongee, les epines du bord de son prothorax plus nombreuses
(ce dernier un pen plus fortement ponctue), sa tete moins large, ses lobes infr^-
oculaires moins saillants et plus paralleles, ses antennes un peu plus robustes, et la
couleur de ses eljtres moins vive. II n'y a aucun doute assurement."
Cucujus Davidis, Grouvelle, 1881, := C. imperialis, Lewis, 1879 ; and Mon.
Ancey's specimen from Cheefoo, which I noticed before, belongs to this species. —
George Lewis, 39, High Street, Wimbledon : \2th February, 1883.
Ants axd their Wats, with Illustrations and an Appendix, giving a complete
List of Genera and Species of British Ants. By Rev. W. Fareen White, M.A.,
M.E.S.L. 8vo, pp. 1—279. London : Religious Tract Society.
The above is the title of a very nicely got-up and readable little book, which
has recently appeared under the auspices of the Religious Tract Society. It owes
its origin, as the author tells us, to a series of papers written by him in " The
Leisure Hour " during the year 1880, and the substance of these, together with the
additional information collected by him since the time of their publication, are in-
corporated in the present volume. He gives an interesting general account of the
habits and modes of life of our British Ants, glancing also at those of their conti-
nental and exotic allies; and to the text are added numerous woodcuts illustrating
the peculiarities in structure of many of the more interesting forms, &c. He con-
cludes his book with a chapter on the Termites, or "White Ants," and adds an
Appendix, giving a list and short descriptions of all the species found in Britain,
whether introduced accidentally or not. It is a book which we feel sure will be read
with pleasure by those who are interested in these instructive little creatures.
The author, besides giving the results of his own long experience, adds to the
interest of his narrative by quoting largely from Sir John Lubbock and others ;
in his remarks on the effect of light upon Ants, he appears to differ slightly from
Sir John in his conclusions, he seems to think that Ants are attracted by light and
heat, whereas Sir John Lubbock seems to think that they are attracted by heat and
darkness. The remarks as to the farm-stock, &c., of the Ants, in Chapter XIII may
be thought a little fanciful, and we think we are right in considering Platyarthrus
not only " very like a wood-louse," but really one.
From a scientific point of view, it is impossible not to take exception to the
union of the true Ants and MutiUidce in one " phalanx ;" so far as we know, there
has not been of late years a single continental authority who has adoj)ted sucli a
view, and it seems to be so completely at variance with the habits and structure of
the creatures themselves, that we see no reason for adoj>ting a principle so opposeil
to the general consensus of opinion.
Fifth Annfal Report of the Dulwioh College Science Society, 1882.
Dulwich College : January, 1883.
We are glad to be able to notice the record of tlie fifth year's work of the above
Society. The report before us shows that the Society has been occupied in most
iss.^.l 263
branches of Science during the year, and in its Entomological portion contains an
additional list of captures in the Coleoptera and Hemiptera, under the superin-
tendence of Messrs. Theod. Wood and H. Bedford Pirn. It is only to be regretted
that while these families are so assiduously worked, some other members of the
Society cannot be found to extend the list in the other less studied regions of the
insect world.
Catalogue of British Coleoptera. By Rev. A. Matthews, M.A., and
Rev. W. W. FowLEK, M.A. London : West, Newman, & Co. 1883. 48pp. 8vo.
In 1839, Stephens's " Manual of British Coleoptera " was published, and for
many years it served as the only professedly complete enumeration of British Beetles,
although some local lists did at times appear, the most considerable being Murray's
" Catalogue of the Coleoptera of Scotland " (18:j3). In 1858, Mr. G-. R. Waterhouse
brought out his " Catalogue of British Coleoptera," a work of great labour and re-
search, which placed us approximately in accord with continental nomenclature, and
gave a great stimulus to collecting and determining our native beetles. Rye's
Catalogue (1866) carried on the revision and incorporated the numerous additions ;
and about the same time (there is no date imprinted) appeared Crotch's "Catalogue,"
differing in some respects from the others, but, except as a collection of names of
beetles, was useless to the student, by the omission of the names of the authors of
the genera and species. In 1871 was published Sharp's " Catalogue," continuing
the revision and additions up to date ; but it was marred by the omission of the
names of the authors of the genera. All the discoveries from 1855 to 1874 were
described or critically noticed year by year in the " Entomologist's Annual," and
since the latter year all the additions have been recorded from time to time in the
pages of this Magazine, and enumerated in the Index of each yearly volume. In
1882, Mr. Pascoe publislied his " Student's List of British Coleoptera," of great
value for its synoptic tables of Families and Genera, which serve, besides their
primary object, to show on what extremely slight grounds a great many so-called
genera are founded. All these labours have culminated in the present work, the
product of the combined assiduity and research of two well-known and competent
Coleopterists, which will tend still more to put us in agreement with the continuous
investigations of foreign workers. How necessary this has been is evident on the
consideration that Britain has no special fauna, but that, with the exception of some
casual immigrants, it consists of species which are the lineal descendants of those
which existed here at the time when this portion of Europe became detaclied from
the mainland, and its inhabitants were " peniius toto divisos orbe Britannos ;" that
as regards the insects, nearly without excej^tion, these species still exist on the con-
tinent, where they have been described and named, and the names thus given often
conflict for priority with those given by British Entomologists, precedence going
sometimes to one author sometimes to the other. There is, however, in this Cata-
logue, confessedly not much deviation from the nomenclature of its recent prede-
cessors ; the great difference from them lies in the arrangement. There are four
primary divisions in the following order : Allomeea containing Filicornia, Clavi-
coriiia, Lamellicornia, and Serricornia ; Tetramera containing lionglcornia and
Monilicornia ; Heteeomeea and Rhyxchophora ; with divisions into tribes and
families, &c. The scheme is, to a great extent, that of Leeonte and Horn j the
2G-1 [April, 188;;.
reasons for adopting it are given in the preface, and need not be cited here. There
is verj much to be said for this system as being a superior Hnear arrangement, al-
though objection will doubtless be taken to the sequence of the great divisions and
the position assigned to some forms ; yet it will, we think, eventually be approved as
a whole, indeed, it is already coming into favour on the continent, or, more strictly,
so much of it as has been published, tlie unpublished part having been specially
communicated to the authors of this Catalogue.
The typography is clear, distinct, and remarkably free from errors. All con-
cerned have done their parts well ; it remains for the Coleoptcrists to do theirs.
Entomological Society of London .- hth Fehruary, 1883. — J. W. Dunning,
Esq., M.A., F.L.S., President, in the Chair.
The President appointed Messrs. Stainton, Godman, and McLanhhin, Vice-
Presidents for the year.
The following were elected, viz., A. C. Horner, Esq., of Tunbridge ; P. Crowley,
Esq., of Croydon ; and Capt. G. E. Shelley, of Tenterden Street.
Mr. Billups exhibited an exotic Orthopterous insect of the family LocustidcB,
found living in a hothouse at Lee ; it was strongly carnivorous in its habits.
Mr. Pascoe called attention to a letter from the Duke of Argyll that had re-
cently appeared in " Nature," respecting the mimetic resemblance of a moth (species
not given) as observed by him in the Riviera ; some discussion ensued, but no
Member appeared able to identify the moth from the vague description given.
Mr. Peringuey communicated notes on the habits of several South African
species of Paussns, and especially in connection with their powers of crepitating, and
carnivorous propensities.
Hh March, 1883.— The President in the Chair.
The following were elected, viz., F. W. Smith, Esq., of Blackheath ; F. F.
Freeman, Esq., of Plymouth ; and F. C. Leraann, Esq., of Plymouth.
Mr. McLachlan exhibited an example of Polistes helrcEus,n.n Indian and Chinese
wasp, found living a few days previously on board a ship in London that had re-
cently arrived from Calcutta. It was apparently dead at the time of exhibition, but
revived with the heat of the room. He thought it had possibly been bred from a
nest inside bamboo.
Dr. Sharp exhibited a dissection of the prostcrnum of an Elatei-, and called at-
tention to the peculiar condition of the prothoracic stigma, which was closed by a
perfect trap door. He thought this arrangement might be useful in excluding
parasites when the beetle was on its back, after the manner of its kind.
Mr. Billups stated that the Orthopterous insect exhibited at the previous
meeting proved to be a species of Copiophora, and its native country was probably
Central America. He also exhibited two species of Ichneumonida taken at Chobham,
new to this country, viz., Hemiieles fascicifu.t and Phoeoceriis homochlorits.
Mr. Gr. S. Saunders sent for exhibition an apparatus he had invented for the
better examination of minute insects and dissections under the microscope. It con-
sisted of an adaptation of the " universal hinge " let into a slip of wood, and furnished
with an adjusting screw.
Mr. Bridgraan communicated further additions to the List of British Ichneu-
monidcE.
May, IS-^n.] 265
OX THE SYXOXYMY OF CEETAIX MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA.
BY E. METEICK.
Observing that Mr. A. G. Butler, of tlie British Museum (see
««fe, pp. 106 — 108), has endeavoured to identify some of the Australian
Micro-Lppidoptera described by Zeller with Walker's species, I think
it desirable to point out some instances in which I am disposed to
arrive at dii^erent conclusions.
OEcopJiora dicliroella, Z., is identical, as stated, with the species
described by Walker as (Ec. divisella on p. 685 of the catalogue, but
as Walker had already described another (Ec. divisella, on p. 677, the
second one must be considered cancelled, and Zeller's name will be
retained. The species is referable to Coesijra.
(Ec. irruptella, Z., is a species of Philohota, and widely remote
from irri(pteUa, Walk. ; but it is singular that either Prof. Zeller or
Mr. Butler should think it necessary to account for Walker's having
widely separated allied species. (Ec. irruptella. Walk., belongs to the
Tineidce, and has no relationship whatever with Coesyra dlchroeUa, Z.
{(Ec. divisella. Walk.), as stated.
(Ec. trijiigella, Z., is not identical with (Ec. hracteatella, Walk. ;
they are allied, but perfectly distinct, species of Philohota.
(Ec. griseieostella, Z., is correctly identified with (Ec. productella,
Walk. ; it is a species of Philohota.
These are the only Australian species alluded to by Mr. Butler.
AVith regard to the generic identifications. Walker's genera Va-
zucjada and Tortyra must be wholly rejected, the diagnoses being
perfectly worthless ; genera are abstractions, and cannot be determined
from types. Zeller's generic names will, therefore, stand.
Whilst on this subject, I may as well correct the synonymy of
two or three species of Australian Micro-Lepidoptera described by
Mr. Butler in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History for 1882,
pp. 96—102.
Bhodnria rohina, Butl. (p. 96), is a synonym of Endotricha pyro-
salis, Gn. ; Endotricha iynealis, Gn., Pyralis stilbealis. Walk., and
Pyralis docilisalis, Walk., are also synonyms of the same species :
Walker's descriptions being taken from females. The species is a true
Endotricha, and has, therefore, no affinity with Ehodaria, Gn., which
is not separable from Potys.
Thinasotia (Cramhus) ivipletella. Walk., is quite erroneously stated
(p. 98) to be identical with T. pleniferella, Walk,
Conchylis Thetis, Butl. (p. 98), is a synonym of Dichelia isoscelana,
26G IM«y,
Meyr. ; the species lias, of course, no possible connection with
Conchylis. The insect alluded to as a new Penthina (p. 99) is the
female of the above species.
• Conchylis ? auriceps, Butl. (see note, p. 99), has no affinity what-
ever with the Tortricina, being, in fact, a species of Philohota
(^CEcophoridce) closely allied to P. Arahclla, Newm., from which it seems
to me that Mr. Butler is mistaken in asserting that it differs in neu-
ration and other respects. The locality is given as " between Sydney
and Moretou Bay," places 500 miles apart.
Cliristchiirch, New Zealand :
January 4-tA, 1883.
ON THE BEITISH SPECIES OF EREMOCORIS.
BY J. W. DOUGLAS.
In the "British Hemiptera " (1865), under Eremocoris erraticus
(1) is described, at p. 17S, a form (2) which had been deemed to be
distinct, but both forms having been submitted to Dr. Fieber were
returned as E. erraticus, Fab., No. 2 with the remark " Eremocoris
erraticus, Fab. : ist vollkommen gezeichnet und hiernach die europ.
Hemipt. zu berichten." The two forms thus became to us but varied
representatives of one species ; but when I said (Ent. Mo. Mag., xi,
2t55, [1875]) that the Fabrician type specimen of LxjgcEus podogrictis
agreed with our E. erraticus it was the form No. 2 that I had specially
in view : this identity has been since cori'oborated by Mr. Edward
Saunders. Eecently I sent to Dr. Ilorvath an example of No. 1 and
2, the same in fact that had been to Fieber, and No. 2 comes back as
L. podngricus. Fab., this conclusion verifying that derived from my
examination of the original, of which Fabricius says " Femora antica
hidentata atra, pedes reliqui picei ;" the original idea of Douglas and
Scott that it was a distinct species being also corroborated. Until I
identified it as above visited., podagricus had been referred to as a
synonym of various species, but in 1874 it was acknowledged as distinct
by Populus who described it under the name icaunensis.
Our-E". erraticus (No. 1) is pronounced by Dr. Horvath not to be
the Fabrician species of that name, but Facliymerus fcnestratus, 11.-
Schf., AV^inz., iv, 95, T. 140, fig. 437, a species very similar but distinct,
the special characteristics being that all the thighs are black and the
first pair have two prominent teeth on the under-side. Herrich-Schiiffer
only says " Schienen und Tarsen rostroth," but the figure has all the
thighs black. The species has been placed, by those authors who have
referred to it, as a synonym of E. erraticus.
is'^s.] 2G7
Assuming this differentiation to be correct, and I am disposed to
concur, it would, so far, seem tliat E. erraticus, Fab., was not an
inhabitant of Britain ; but in the Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 98 (1871), Dr.
P. Buchanan White recorded the capture of an Eremocoris living in
April in small companies below stones on the bare and treeless summit of
Mor Shron in Aberdeenshire, far from juniper or fir-trees ; this he and
I deemed to be E. erraticus, and a recent examination of the specimens
shows that they are the true species, having the Fabrician characters
of legs entirely rufo-testaceous and the anterior thighs with only one
prominent tooth beneath. This species appears to be generally
distributed in Europe. Dr. Horvath has sent a Hungarian example.
Our E. pleheius Dr. Horvath says is correct.
The British species may be thus enumez'ated : —
1. erraticus, Fab., et auct.
2. fenestratus, H.-Schf , Horv.
E. erraticus, partim, D. & S., Brit. Hem. (syn. excl.).
3. podagricus, Fab., Doug. (syn. excl.), Horv., E. Saund.
(syn. excl.).
E. erraticus, partim, D. & S., Brit. Hem, (syn. excl.),
4. pleheius. Fall., Horv.
Dr. Horvath wrote to me that his article on Eremocoris would
appear in the " Eevue d'Entomologie de M. Fauvel :" this I have not
seen, but the foregoing rectification is in accordance with his conclusions
as intimated in his letter.
8, Beaufort Grai'dene, Lewisliam :
31*^ March, 1883.
THE BEITISH SPECIES OF THE GENUS PSITEYBUS, LEP.,
= APATEUS, NEWM.
BT EDWARD SAUXDEES, F.L.S.
Dr. Schmiedeknecht has just published in " Apidse Europa?3e,"
fasc. V and vi, a Monograph of the European species of Psithyrus,
in which he describes eight species ; of these we appear to have five
in this country, although hitherto we have only known four. These
five are rupestris, vestatis, camjjestris, BarhuteUus, and quadricoJor, the
last of these being identical with BarbvteUus, Smith, nee Ivirby. How
F. Smith came to apply Kirby's Barhutellus to quadricoJor I cannot
imagine, as Kirby's description certainly will not agree with it, and in
bis collection the males of the two species are mixed, and both
females are Barhutellus, Schmied. Kirby's description of the ab-
domen of the (J, "Abdomen triangulare sub-acuminatum, segmento
2GS tMay.
primo villorum flavidoi-um, penicillo utrinque ornato. Anus albus,
extreraitate nigro-villosus baud inflexus," cannot possibly a^pplj ^o
quadricolor, whicb has the abdomen sub-globose and its extreme apex
fulvous-red. P. Smitb seems to have realized this, saying, in his 1st
edition of the Catalogue of the Bees of Gi'eat Britain, under Apafhus
BnrhiifeJIus, " I suspect a difficulty has arisen in the discrimination of
this species, in consequence of Kirby using the terms, ' abdomen sub-
triangular ' a]]d ' anus albus ;' the latter is fulvous, which in worn
examples becomes white. I have used the term sub-globose in de-
scribing tbe abdomen of the ^ , and although strictly it is sub-triangular,
still, in contradistinction to the male of campestris, it is sub-globose,
and will serve as a distinction between them."
Now, in Kirby's collection there are two males, one which agrees
in every particular with Kirby's description, having the abdomen
shaped as in campestris, and which is certainly referable to the Barhut-
ellus of Schenck and Schmiedeknecht ; the other a specimen, I believe
of quadricolor, but with the extreme apex of the abdomen wanting :
under these circumstances, I can see no excuse for not accepting the
specimen, which alone suits the description, as the type, and I have
therefore followed the nomenclature adopted by Schenck and Schmiede-
knecht. The five species may be easily distinguished thus :
(2) 1. Fourtli and following segments of the abdomen red in both sexes ..rupestris.
(1) 2. Fourth and following segments either wliite or yellow, or of various colours,
but not all red.
(4) 3. J with the abdomen sub-globose, the extreme apex fulvous, ? with the ex-
treme apex of the abdomen beneath armed with a pointed process...
quadricolor.
(3) 4. (? with the extreme apex of the abdomen black, ? with the apex simple.
(6) 5. Both sexes with the posterior metatarsi almost as wide as the tibia?, and gene-
rally with a line of yellow pubescence dividing the black of the base of the
abdomen from the white of the apex. $ with the sagittae of the genitalia
not toothed beneath . res-fa/i
(5) 6. Posterior metatarsi much narrower than tibise, no yellow line of pubescence
between the black and white. <? , sagittae toothed beneath.
(8) 7. Apical segments of <J black or yellow, not white, 6th segment beneath
simple, genitalia with the squamse widely triangular, $ with the apex of'
the abdomen yellow at the sides, 6th segment shining at the base ..
campe/iiris.
(7) 8. Apical segments of the g white, 6th segment beneath with a slight callosity
on each side, genitalia with the squamae narrowly triangular, $ with the
apex white, the 6th segment rugosely punctured Barbutellus.
The species now called BnrhuteUiis is apparently common, only it
has been overlooked. Sir Sidney Saunders has had the males separated
for some time in his collection by the genitalia.
Ilolmesdale, Upper Tooting :
16lh April, 1883.
1883.] 2()0
NOTES ON NEW BRITISH COLEOPTERA SINCE 1871;
WITH NOTICES OF DOUBTFUL SPECIES, AND OF OTHERS THAT
REQUIRE TO BE OMITTED FROM THE BRITISH LIST.
BY THE REV. W. W. FOWLER, M.A., F.L.S.
{continued from p. 250.)
PTINID.E.
Ptinus testaceus, 01.
Allied to P. fur, but readily distinguished by the fact that it has no tufts of
white hair in the middle of the back of the thorax : Dr. Sharp records this speciea
(Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 268), but says that he did not capture it himself, and can give
no clue to its locality : it seems to require further evidence before being admitted
into the British list.
HETEEOMEEA.
Teibolium confusum, Duval.
This species is rather longer, broader, and flatter than T.ferrugineuni, F., and
has the thorax more rounded at the sides in front ; its antennae are gradually dilated
towards the apex, instead of having the last three joints decidedly broader than the
preceding joints (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 268).
Latheticus oryzce, Wat.
This insect is very much of the shape of a Tribolktm, but may at once be dis-
tinguished by its very curious antennee ; it is, however, so evidently an importation,
that it requires no further notice ; the same, perhaps, might with reason be said of
the preceding species, but it is exceedingly hard to draw a hard and fast line in
these cases.
Abbeea teigtjttata, Gryll.
This insect is a little like A. hifasciata, Marsh., but is larger and much broader
(especially behind) in proportion, with the markings of the elytra very different :
it is very pubescent, and rather coarsely punctured all over, and has the two basal
joints of the antennae testaceous. It was first found by Mr. Champion under bark
of young dead standing Scotch firs at Aviemore, in June, 1874 (Ent. Mo. Mag., xi,
63).
Serroj^aljJtis sfriatus, Hellen.
This is an insect that is very doubtful as British ; Mr. Blundell, of Luton, has.
a specimen that he took near Luton, and he writes to me that he feels sure that it
was taken by him out of doors, but that he cannot remember the locality, as he was
only just beginning to collect Coleoptera at the time ; he did not know the insect
until Mr. Waterhouse named it for him.
ZiLORA FERRUGIJ^EA, Payk.
The genus Zilora, which is new to the British list, is closely allied to Dircces,
270 t^^Iaj-'
from which it differs in its coarser punctuation, in the third joint of its antennae
being shorter and narrower than the fourth, in its smaller and narrower thorax, and
shorter tarsi. Found at Braemar by Dr. Sharp and Dr. Buchanan White, and by
Mr. Champion at Aviemore (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 74 ; xi, 63).
Anthicus scoticus, Rye.
This is the Anthicus originally named by Du Val as A. Jlavipes, Panz. ;
the much finer punctuation of A. flavipes, however, is sufficient to separate it from
this insect, although it is closely allied to it. Mr. Rye has, therefore, made it a new
species. It comes nearest to A. angustatus, Curt., of our recorded species, but differs
from it in its shorter and stouter antennae, larger size, broader build, darker limbs,
broader and shorter thorax, and much broader elytra. It is the Anthicus 6, sp. nov.,
of Waterhouse's catalogue. Found by Dr. Syme and Mr. E. A. Waterhouse in some
numbers on the banks of Loch Leven (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 10).
Meloe cyaneus, Mula.
This is probably only a variety of M. proscarabmus, L. Mr. Eye referred seve-
ral specimens of Meloe taken in the Isle of Man and near Barnstaple to Mulsant's
insect, but came to the conclusion that the latter is itself only a variety (Ent. Mo.
Mag., viii, 248, 288).
Anaspis tariegata, Power.
This insect, of which Dr. Power possesses a long series taken in the south of
England, comes near A. frontalis, L., but may easily be separated from that insect
by the light colour of its legs, and its more shining appearance.
Anaspis monilicornis, Muls.
Mr. Crotch includes this insect in his catalogue with a query, stating that it has
the colouring of A. rujllabris, but with no ventral appendages in the male, and the
first joint of the anterior tarsi equal to the second, whilst in rvjilabris it is much
shorter. Dr. Power possesses a specimen in his collection, and, on his authority, we
have again introduced it.
{To be continued).
A correction. — On the last page of the April number of this magazine, in the
report of the proceedings of the Entomological Society, Mr. Billups is reported to
have exliibited two ichneumons, viz.: Hemiteles fasciatiis and PhcBocerus homo'
chlorus ; the first of these names was only MS., and has been altered to inci.tus, at
present also MS. ; the other species should have been I'haogenes homochlorus,
Wesm. — John B. Beidgman, Norwich : April Wth, 1883.
[We are much obliged for this correction. We think it is generally known
that our reports of the proceedings of the society are not official. — Eds.]
18b3.] 271
NATUEAL HISTOEY OF PETASIA NUBECULOSA.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLER.
On 6th of May, 1S81, 1 received from Mr. H. McArthur while he
was collectiug at Rannoch, a dozen eggs of this species, laid loose, and
on small morsels of bark ; of these, two proved infertile ; the first egg
hatched on May 16th, being one I had previously sent to the Rev. J.
Hellins ; with me two were seen to be hatched in early morning of the
17th, two at midnight, three by next morning, one near midnight
following, and the last one by morning of the 19th.
All my young larvae took to birch readily, but the one Mr. Hellins
had chose oak, and fed on it until its third moult, and from that time,
the 4th of June, it would eat birch, and not oak ; after feeding their
growth was very perceptible, and when six days old they each in turn
lay up for moulting ; this operation occurred five times in all before
their full growth was attained ; generally they agreed very well
together, — though two individuals during the earlier stages while
helplessly laid up waiting to moult appeared to have been inconveniently
in the way of some of the others, and so got fatally bitten behind ;
afterwards, with more space, they proved to be very contented and
well behaved.
They became full-fed from June 26th to 29th, and retired to earth ;
over the earth, at the end of June, I placed a thick covering of moss,
and found afterwards that only two had elected to remain below in the
earth, and that the other five were lying in the pupa state on its surface
beneath the moss ; the larva, with Mr. Hellins, had buried itself four
or five inches deep in the loose leaf-mould furnished for its retreat.
I bred three male moths and one female in March, 1882 ; the
single pupa of Mr Hellins stood over until the present season, and
disclosed a fine male imago on 15th of February ; my remaining pupae
produced fine male and female specimens on the 1st of this month of
April.
It has been pointed out before that the egg of nulecuJosa (as well
as those of P. cassinea and D. cceruleocephala) does not follow the
Notodonta so much as the Noctua type, — being circular, and convex
above, with a largish central space covered with irregular reticulation,
and on the sides from forty to forty-five blunt ribs, with somewhat
coarse transverse lines, in height about sV", in width about ^V" ; the
shell rather glistening, the colour at first dirty drab-green, but soon
becoming closely and tortuously streaked and blotched with blackish-
green ; a few hours before hatching these marks become indistinct and
clouded, and the shell looks somewhat shrivelled.
272 [M-^y.
Tho iiewly-batclicd larva is about Ts'-in length, with the first and
second pairs o£ ventral legs less developed than the third and fourth
pairs, so that the walk is semi-looping ; the head of a rather light
shining orange-brown colour ; the back slaty-grey, the sides pale drab,
the black warts very large and round, each furnished with a small black
bristle ; in this stage the likeness to cceruleocephala is marked, but at
each moult the warts become proportionately smaller and less con-
spicuous, besides assuming another colour, and so this resemblance
disappears : from the first the young larva eats small holes quite through
the leaves of its food, and I noticed its habit of spinning a few threads
for a foothold.
After the first moult, a slight protuberance appears on the twelfth
segment and front portion of the thirteenth, the ground colour is pale
greenish, bearing dorsal and sub-dorsal lines of paler dots, and on the
middle segments a wide sort of incomplete >/ in very fine black lines ;
the black tubercular dots were much smaller than before and only to
be seen with a lens, but their bristles had become longer, the anterior
legs were black, and on the outside of each ventral leg was a black spot.
After the second moult, the head was pale shining green, the body
light dull green having a purplish tinge in it, the tubercular dots pale
yellowish, the dorsal markings composed of elongate whitish-yellow
dots two on a segment, and along the sub-dorsal region were four
yellowish dots on each segment, a slanting streak of the same colour
appeared on the side of the fourth, and a transverse streak on the ridge
of the twelfth, and a black spot on each ventral leg as before.
Having moulted the third time, June 3rd — 5th, the larvae began
to assume their well-known star-gazing posture, with all the front part
of the body extended upward in a curve bringing the head so for back
as to be elevated just over the eleventh segment, while the anterior
legs were freely outspread, the third pair wider apart than the others ;
all the details of colour being similar to those of the previous stage.
The fourth moult happened on 9th — 10th of June, and they soon
resumed feeding, eating large pieces out of the leaves at intervals, and
at other times were to be seen for long periods hanging to the birch
sprays motionless in their singular attitude of repose, but yet so
suggestive of great musciilar exertion and watchfulness ; their growth
now seemed rapid, as in course of three days they were observed, when
in motion, to be an inch and three lines long, stout, and thickest behind,
their colouring of the same light green as before, the upper surface
bearing rather warty spots of bright yellow, and, of the same yellow,
slash-like streaks on the thoracic and posterior segments ; the anterior
1883.] 273
legs black, ringed with ochreous at the joints ; some individuals still
bore the large roundish black spot above the foot of each veuti-al leg,
"while others had only a black outline of it, or part of it.
The fifth moult occurred on 15th — 19th of June, and for a time
after this operation the head was of rougher texture than heretofore,
but gradually, in three or four days, regained its glossiness ; the larva
now did not so often assume its posture of contemplative repose, but
seemed more intent on its consumption of food, and in the shorter
intervals of rest was to be seen lying quite at full length, or in a gentle
curve, along the birch twigs quite fat and lethargic, until almost full
fed, but when this stage was reached, it again was frequently to be
seen in its more characteristic position ; when quite full grown the
larva was of the length of 2 inches, and of thickness in proportion,
with a very soft skin ; the head full and rounded, with lobes lightly
defined ; the body cylindrical with plump segments deeply divided as
far as the twelfth, and there tumid and humped with a slight dorsal
ridge, thence sloping and tapei-ing a little on the very long front part
of the thirteenth and still more on the short anal flap, deep wrinkles
sub-dividing only the thoracic third and fourth segments ; the anterior
legs rather small but set on large pectoral muscular fovmdations ; the
ventral and anal legs stout w'ith well developed feet and hooks to secure.
prehension and progression : the colour of the head is now pale
bluish-green, the upper lip whitish or else pale yellow, the mouth black ;
the back of a delicate pale yellowish-green becomes paler and opaque
from the thoracic segments to the twelfth, blending gradually into a
deeper brilliant yellowish transparent green on the sides and belly ;
the slightly raised spots are all of pale primrose-yellow, the dorsal
series are elongate-oval in shape, two on each segment one beyond the
other in a broken line on the fifth to the eleventh inclusive ; the other
series of spots are of round shape, such are the trapezoidally arranged
fours of the back, the sub-dorsal broken line of threes, the lateral
single spot, and the spiracular line of fours and the single spot below
each spiracle, which itself is white, tenderly outlined with black ; a
transverse series of four spots show faintly on the fourth segment, a
small tumid side streak of the same yellow is on the third, and another
conspicuously larger and longer is on the fourth slanting down obliquely
forward ; on the back of the twelfth are two spots, and behind them
on the summit two much larger spots united to a tumid curved streak
of yellow ; a conspicuous tumid side streak of similar yellow begins
behind the spiracle and tapers off on the margin of the anal flap ; the
anterior legs are bright red, and outside each ventral leg is a roundish
ring of black, the feet being furnished with brown hooks.
27A [May,
The pupa is a full inch in length, by four and a half lines in width
at the thickest part across the ends of the short wing covers, the
antenna-cases well developed ; the head and thorax smooth, the wing
covers most minutely roughened, also the upper portions of the
abdominal rings, the free segments of the abdomen are very deeply
cut and gradually taper towards the end, but with dissimilar outline
ou the ventral and dorsal surfaces ; the ventral becoming bluntly
rounded, and the dorsal rising somewhat in a hump from which springs
the base of a prolonged stout spike, whose blunt extremity is furnished
with two fine tapering points bent downwards and curved like claws ;
the colour is a deep and dingy red during the first year, and in the
second becomes a blackish-brown, bearing a slight purplish gloss.
Emsworth : April 9th, 1883.
Entomological collecting during a voyage to the Pacific Cconchided). The genus
JPapilio was represented by twelve species, tlie commonest being P. Philenor, a hand-
some black " swallow-tail," glossed with rich bronze-green, and with a curved row of
large, round, bright orange spots ou the hind-wings beneath. Two or three very-
showy red-spotted black species were also fairly plentiful in the lanes, and two or
three very beautiful and delicate-looking semitranspareut species with very long tails
(related to the South American P. Protesilaus, &c.) also occm'red, but were very hard
to obtain in perfect condition. The large and handsome Gonepteryx Clorinde
occurred sparingly, as did the beautiful sulphur and black Colias Casonia ; and seven
or eight species of Terias, including some fine orange-coloured ones, abounded in all
the more open places. Settling on tree-trunks, I found three species of Ageroma,
Smyrna, sp., and two of Siderone, the latter, however, being represented by single
worn specimens. Marpesia Thetis was often seen, but persisted in keeping well up
out of reach of a long-handled net ; Eresia, JEuptoieta, MelitcBa ?, and Phyciodes
were well represented in grassy openings and cocoa-nut groves ; and by road-sides
I took several specimens of the singular Lihythea Carinenta, with its excessively
long palpi. A lovely specimen of Bihlis, quite distinct from the one found at
Panama, occurred singly at a thicket, and several fine ErycinidcB, TheclcB, and
skippers, some of the latter being very large and handsome, complete my list of
captures. I noticed comparatively few moths, though there were some pretty little
day-flying Bombyces among them. Beetles were fairly numei'ous, though mostly
small; but I got some nice Lycidcs and CassidcB, one ov two Cetonice , &\\A. oth.ev
interesting species.
Leaving Acapulco ou June 23rd, we anchored off the miserable little port of
San Bias ou the evening of the 26th. The town, which is notoriously unlicalthy, is
built on about the worst site it is possible to imagine — a flat strip of sand only
four or five feet above high-water mark, shutting off the inner harbour, a mere
shallow lagoon, from the sea, and with pools of foul-smelling stagnant water in many
places among the houses. We stayed at this delightful spot only twenty-four hours,
but I was able to get a short walk on shore for about two hours in the early morning
1883.] 275
of the 27th, which I spent for the most part m fighting mosquitoes and sand-flies.
These blood-thirsty wretches swarmed to an extent which I could scarcely have
believed possible, rising up off the bushes like thin clouds of smoke, as I walked
along the paths in the thickets outside the town. It was not very easy to devote any
attention to other insects, but I noticed a good many of the Acapulco butterflies, and
was especially pleased to come across the huge satiny-white MorpTio Polyphemus, of
which I secured a splendid pair. This beautiful creature flies with a slow, undulating
motion over the tops of the tall brushwood, and has a noble appearance on the wing :
but the horribly tangled and thorny nature of the places it frequents, renders it
anything but an easy prey. Deilephila Daucus, Gonepterjjx Clorinde, and other
useful things, were taken on board the ship.
We passed Cape St. Lucas on the evening of the 29th, immediately experiencing
a fall of 20° in the temperature of the sea and air — a most welcome change after the
excessive heat of Acapulco and San Bias. The appearance of the coast of Lower
California was not less different, as it was as barren and desolate as the worst part
of the Peruvian seaboard, being a waste of naked rocks and yellow sand-hills, with-
out a scrap of vegetation of any sort, and rising, in the background, into rugged
mountains, 4000 or 5000 feet high. The wind was in our teeth all the way, com-
pelling us to use steam, and on the night of the 8th July, we had to put into San
Francisco to replenish our coal. We stayed here only two days, during which time,
being very busy, I was able to see but very little of this great city. Leaving again
on the 11th, and encountering a strong and northerly gale during the greater part
of the following week, we were all very glad to find ourselves safely anchored in the
beautiful little harbour of Esquimalt, in Yancouver Island, by midnight on the 18th.
As the "Kingfisher" remained at this port for more than three months, I had
a good opportunity of investigating the local insect-fauna ; and, although I was too
late for some of the best things, my success was, on the whole, very satisfactory. I
was fortunate enough to meet with a brother collector, Mr. W. Taylor, of Derby, and
together we worked hard at the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. The country for six
or eight miles round Victoria (the capital of British Columbia, about three miles
distant from Esquimalt), is exceedingly pretty and varied, being covered with fine
timber down to the sea-shore, alternating with wide stretches of open meadow and
corn-land, dotted with large oak-trees, and gradually merging into the dense forest
■which clothes nearly the whole of Vancouver Island. The trees are for the most
part the Douglas Fir {Abies Douglasi), which attains very large dimensions, and
yields valuable timber : with a sprinkle of maple, alder, willow, aspen, cedar, arbutus,
&c. : the undergrowth consists of two or three species of wild-rose, brambles, snow-
berry {Symplioricarpus racemosus) , and "Sallal" {Oualtheria shaUon),&\\ evergreen
rather like our bilberry, and producing an edible fruit : wild cherries, raspberries, and
gooseberries also abound. The woods are intersected in all directions by narrow
paths or " trails," in which it is by no means diflicult to lose oneself, as I found more
than once to my cost. About five miles from Esquimalt is a series of lakes abounding
in trout, and surrounded by wide marshy borders, where many good insects occur.
We enjoyed exceedingly fine weather up to the middle of October, when it
became cold and rainy : the nights were unusually still, cool, and cloudless, and to
this circumstance I attribute the entire failure of sugar, which I tried on a good
many evenings without attracting half-a-dozen moths in all.
27G I May,
Although butterflies were exceedingly numerous up to the middle of September,
I noticed only about twenty species, among which I may mention Papilio Ttirnus, L.,
of which the larvae occurred sparingly on willows and sallows ; and P. Oregonia ?,
which was occasionally seen in the marshes, where the larva was to be found in
some small numbers feeding on a species of Slum. This beautiful insect bears a very
close resemblance, in all its stages, to our familiar P. Machaon. A very handsome
and delicate Pieris (? P. J/eno/jta), almost like a Leucophasia in structure and flight,
appeared in great numbers about the middle of August, the $ flying in hundreds
round the tops of the pines, and also frequenting wayside flowers, the $ being com-
paratively very scarce. The Satyridce were poorly represented by a little Coeno-
nj/mpha, almost exactly like a small C. Pamphilus, which was common in grassy
places. Limenitis Lorquinii well replaced our " White Admiral," which it closely
resembles, except that the fore-wings are tipped with ferruginous, and it is much
redder beneath ; it was very common, and an exceedingly pretty object, sailing
gracefully along the sunny " trails " and roads, and settling, by preference, on the
brake-fern {Pteris aquilina). Unfortunately, I was too late to get it in really fine
order. Pyrameis cardui, not to be distinguished from British specimens, turned up
sparingly, and Vanessa Antiopa was common enough, the chrysalis being often found
attached to walls, &c., even in the town of Victoria, but it was generally ichneumoned.
The specimens of this insect are rather smaller and darker than average British or
European ones, the pale border being of quite a rich yellow tint. Vanessa MiJherti,
like a very dark V. iirticce, was to be found in weedy places and by roadsides, with
two, or, perhaps, three species of Orapta, nearly related to our C-album, and differ-
ing chiefly in the shape of the white letter-like mark in the hind-wings beneath. The
larvae were to be found feeding on nettles, hop, &c., and the pupse attached to walls
and fences. Three species of Argymiis occurred, one of which, A. Calippe (very
like ^^ZaJa), was almost the commonest fly of the district; another fine species
{? A. Atlantis), of about the same size, but much darker above and beneath, with
the silvery spots of the hind-wings replaced by yellowish-white, was more local, but
not rare, and the pretty little A. Freya (I fancy it is the same as the North Euro-
pean species) occurred to me only singly, but it is a common spring insect. A small
dark Thecla, near pruni, &c., was somewhat scarce, and a very beautiful Chryso-
phanus (the ? bright red, spotted and bordered with black, the (? suffused with rich
violet-purple) was very abundant, frequenting hawk-week and camomile flowers by
the road-sides. Two species of PamphUa, bearing considerable resemblance to P.
sylvanus and comma respectively, were also to be found in the same situations.
The only true Sphinx I met with was a Smerliithus, closely related to ocellatus,
which occurred rarely in the larva state on willow. A very fine red-belted Sesia
was once taken at rest : two very handsome Saturnia larvae were also to be obtained
Tery sparingly on oak bushes and " woolly bears " of several kinds were met with
everywhere in the autumn, but Bomhyces were decidedly scarce in the perfect state.
The NoctucE, in spite of the failure of sugar (at wliich the only thing taken that was
worth pinning was a fine Catocala, near sponsa), were fairly well represented, many
pretty species being taken by my friend, Mr. Taylor, at light. The GeometrcB were
more plentiful, some species, indeed, occurring in extreme profusion, notably, a hand-
some brown and ochreous Ennomid ? moth, the larvae of which (locally known as
'' span-worms "), in July, completely stripped the oaks in many places, and then
1883. J 277
perished in many places for want of food ; and, in September, the trunks of the
trees were covered with the moths closely packed together, and a stone, thrown up
so as to strike a branch, brought them out in absolute clouds. Several fine " yellow
thorns " were to be found by searching after dark with a lantern, and by beating the
pines, &c., many pretty " Carpets," with a considerable number of Tortrices and
Tinea, but comparatively few Pyrales, Cramhites, and Pterophori occurred ; the
little Alucita folydactyla was very common in the autumn. A considerable number
of the local moths were either absolutely identical with, or very closely related to,
well-known British species: among others, I may mention, Orgyia antiqua, Miana
strigilis, Apamea oculea, Xanthia silago, Gonoptera Uhatrix, Plusia gamma, Jlletro-
campa margaritata, Macaria alternata, 3Ielanippe stihtristata, Scotosia chihitata,
Eucosmia undulata, Coremia ferrugaria, Cidaria prunata, and immanata, &c.
The season was too far advanced for most of the CoJeoptera, but I found a good
many interesting species, chiefly by tearing the loose bark off felled trees and pine
stumps, sweeping being of very little use. Some fine Ulaters occurred, notably
Alaus luscus, F., a very handsome species, an inch and a half long, brown, with two
large, white-ringed, black eyes on the thorax. Among the Longicorns, I may men-
tion, Prionus pocularis ?, not unlike our British species, and another grand Prionid
reminding me of the S. European Rhesus serricollis. Two or three good-sized and
very handsome green and coppery species of Ancylochira represented the Bupres-
tidcB ; Cucujns puniceus, a conspicuous blood-red and exceedingly flattened beetle,
turned up under oak bark, where two or three good-sized Heteromera also occurred.
A Cicindela, not unlike campestris, was common in muddy places : two very pretty
species of Cychrus, and a handsome Carahus with brown wing-cases, occurred in the
marshy ground about the lakes, with other Geodephaga : and among other interesting
genera I may mention Necrophorus (several species under dead birds, &u.), Aniso-
toma, Amphotis, Nosodendron, Anthrihus, Molorchus, (a very fine, large species, of
exceedingly wasp-like aspect), Opilus, Sinodendron, &c. A fine, dark brown Longi-
corn, not unlike the European Criocephalus rusticus, flew on board the ship in large
numbers during several evenings in August, being evidently attracted by the scent of
the newly-tarred rigging.
jjfearly every pine stump in the woods was more or less infested with a large
species of Termes ; the " soldiers " being fully an inch long, with huge crooked jaws.
The winged forms flew in thousands on still evenings in August just before sunset ;
it seemed strange to meet with these insects, usually associated in our minds with
the tropics, in lat. 49° N. Orthoptera were exceedingly abundant, one very con-
spicuous grasshopper, with bright yellow hind-wings, was remarkable for the noise
it made when flying, exactly like a watchman's rattle, and audible, I should say, at
100 yards distant. Wasps were most unpleasantly numerous, and, although for the
most part small, were particularly fierce and venomous : some of their nests built
in trees, were of very beautiful construction, but dangerous to approach, as I found
more than once. During September, I beat a good many Lepidopterous larvfe from
small oaks, &c., but found a large proportion infested with Dipterous parasites, not
one individual of several species being free from them.
13th December. I have written up this letter at intervals during our voyage
from Esquimalt to Callao ; we left on October 29th, and, having encountered very
rough weather outside Vancouver Island, we had to put into San Francisco, to
27S [Mmv,
replenish with coah We stayed here only two days, leaving on Xovember 7th : our
passage from thence to Callao was pleasant encugh, but very monotonous. I saw a
good many specimens of the oceanic bug, Halohates, sp. ?, on November 26th, about
400 miles from the nearest land, and caught a few for Dr. Buchanan White. They
are curious little ivory-legged fellows, resembling our familiar " Gerris " in struc-
ture and habits, and they skip about in the net when caught in just the same manner :
they are apterous, and covered with silky bluish-white down, which carries down a
supply of air to serve them when they dive beneath the surface, which they do very
readily on the approach of the net. They are only seen wlicn the sea is perfectly
calm. I tried to keep two or three in a large bottle of sea-water, but they very soon
died.
As regards our future movements, I liear we are to remain at Callao for about
two months, and then to go on to Tahiti : it is at present only a rumour, which I
hope will turn out to be true, as I should very much like to see some of the islands,
having done so much of the coast. — J. J. Walkek, H.M.S. " Kingfisher," Callao :
\Mh December, 1882.
P.S. — I could not find any Trichopterygia at Esquimalt, though I tried more
than once for them. I hope to be more successful here. — J. J. W.
On the probable identity of the species known as Agrotis tritici, aquilina, obe-
lisca, and nigricans. — One summer, many years ago, I beat out of some ivy which
covered the wall of a garden in this town, a great variety of common IfocturE, and
among them numerous specimens of Agrotis nigricans and tritici, and two each of
aqni/ina and obelisca. I remember having been much surprised at the time at the
occurrence of the last two species, the examples of which I still possess ; but as an
explanation, which will most likely equally surprise most of those who read it, I
send the following notice, translated from the Jahrbiicher des Nassauischen Vereins
fiir Naturkunde, xsxiii — xxxiv, 1880 — 1881, p. 87.
Perhaps some of our English Entomologists may be able to corroborate the
truth of a proposition, which, so far as I can find, has never yet been ventui'cd here,
that nigricans, tritici, aquilina, and obelisca are all variant forms of one and the
same species. — W. Waeken, Merton Cottage, Cambridge : February, 1883.
Jahrbiicher des Nassauischen Vereins fiir Naturkunde, xxxiii — xxxiv, 1880—
1881, p. 87. (Die Schuppenfliigler des kgl. Regierungsbezirks Wiesbaden and ihre
Entwicklungpgeschichte. von Dr. Adolf Eossler).
"A. tritici, L., is certainly the most variable of all our Noctnce, in size, markings,
and colour; nay, even the antennse seem not to be quite tlie same in all examples.
We had an opportunity of assuring ourselves on this point very completely. The
devastation caused in vineyards on the frontiers of Moravia, recorded by Treitschke
in vol. X, pt. 2, p. 19, of Ochsenheimcr's work, has been repeated in our neighbour-
hood, at Ockelheim, near Bingen, in the years 1871 and 1872, to such an extent, that
many individuals had their vineyards destroyed.
" Hundreds of larvae were collected hei-e in both years, of which the following
description was taken — Very much like those of segetum, averaging an inch in length,
yet very unequal in size, cylindric, stout in proportion to their length ; colour that
1 188a. I 279 '
of the surface of the ground, sometimes lighter, soinetimes darker, varying from
dirty whitish-yellow to dark red-brown and yellow-bi-own. Head semicircular, light
brown, with two dark lines ; on the crown a collection of black spots. Plate on 2nd
segment black-brown, with a central line and two side lines paler. Dorsal surface
always lighter than that of the sides, in which respect there exists a likeness to the
larvae of the CaradrincB. Dorsal line dark, divided by a pale line. Beneath the
dark, straight, broad, sub-dorsal line there is indicated another fine lighter line.
The blackish-brown spiracles stand on the border where the dark lateral and the pale
ventral colours unite. Obliquely above and under each spiracle is a black-brown,
horny, raised spot ; these spots, like the plates on the second and anal segments, are
weapons of defence for the larva when forcing its way into the ground ; and there
are others besides, in the place of the spiracles on the first segment, in the middle of
the back, on the sub-dorsal lines, perpendicularly above and beneath each leg, and
on the lateral edge these spots, like the head, are beset with short bristly hairs.
"The larvae lived exactly like earthworms, by day underground, and by night
only on the surface, in order to feed. Salad and such like succulent plants were
much more relished by them than the tenderest shoots of the vine. The pupa, which
possesses an extremely thin shell, lay in an earthern cocoon. Dr. Pagenstecher bred
a large number of the larvse with the same results as myself. I have already given
an account of my first brood in the Jahrb. des Nass. Naturvereins for 1871 — 1872.
Later on the larvae had again disappeared, without any humnn means having been of
any avail against them. In September, occasionally a few pass through their stages,
and appear in the perfect state as rather smaller specimens than those of the first
brood ; but the large majority hibernate as hirvse. The perfect insects conceal
themselves by day on the earth, in deep crevices of the bark of trees near to the
ground, in chinks of stones, &c.
"Among the large number of examples reared in the course of these broods,
there were those figured by Hiibner* asfumosa, fig. 153, aquilina,13o, obelisca, 123,
fictiJia, 479 and 710, unicolor, 544, erata, 623, carhonea, VOO, praticola, 567, vitia
and aquilina, 533 — 35, runs, 416 ; besides the following figured by Herrich-Schiiffer,
adumbrata, 121, rustica, 4,95, fumosa, 526, tritici, 527 and 552, obelisca, 529 and 553.
All were plentifully represented, and it could not but be that all belonged to one and
the same species, united as they were by numerous intermediate forms. Among
them were several forms, especially oi fumosa, of a beautiful lilac tint, which, how-
ever, faded into grey in the course of a year. One obelisca was entirely lilac
coloured without markings, with a white costal streak. Of varieties collected at the
same time by night, there are besides to be mentioned a pale yellowish example, de-
void of markings, with perfectly black outlines of the stigmata ; and one found by
Dr. Schirm, leaden coloured throughout without markings on the fore-wings, of
which only the margin of the reniform stigma is indicated by a black spot. It is not
improbable that there are besides other nearly-related forms not occurring here,
"* Mr. Buckler describes, in the Ent. Mo. Mag., 1865. pp. 133 and 152, the larvaj of aquilina
i and /KTOosa, and finds in all respects a great similarity, but states, the latter maybe distinguished
by a double streak above the feet, and by the black warty spots (my larvas, however, all had these).
As he did not breed the larvas from the egg. but had them sent by others, and could not, tliere-
fore, compare them from youth upwards, while I, on the other hand, bred no quite black examples
of nigricans, but only grey ones, though marked In the same way, it will be just as well, perhaps,
to try again, and to rear a brood from the egg."
2S0 [May. 18S3.
whicli now pass as separate species, that, likewise belong to trifiri. The insect is a
native not only of the district of the so-called European fauna, but, along with
many others of our species of Aqrotis, of North America also."
Capture of Mixodia ruhiginosana, H.-S. (= Pmcilochroma Botichardana,
Dotihdy.J, and other local species in West Norfolk, last season. — Among captures
niade by my brother and myself in this district last season, Trere some which we were
tumble to name with certainty. These I sent to Mr. C. G. Barrett, who kindly
named them for me. I was not a little surprised to find that Mixodia ruhigino-
sana was amongst them. Five specimens of this species were taken by my brother
on or about the 16th of June, in extensive fir-woods on rather elevated ground,
about seven miles from this town. From enquiries I have made, it would appear
that the species was probably introduced with trees obtained from Scotland and
planted here, some twenty years ago. From the same locality and on the same day,
two fine specimens of Cryptohlahes bistriga were boxed, and not more than half a
mile fi'om the woods on wet ground, a single representative of Cosmopteryx Lieni-
giella was met with. During the next month (July), whilst collecting Stathmopoda
pedella among alders, a brilliant little micro was found in the net, which turned otit
to be Hohemannia quadrimaculella. In all, four specimens of this pretty little
insect were taken. Tinagma resplendelliim also occurred among alders. — Edward
A. Atmoee, 8, Union Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk : April, 1883.
Spring Hymenoptera at Hastings. — 1 was at Hastings this year from the 22nd
to 27th of March, and succeeded in capturing a fair number of the (J and ? of
Andrena lapponica in the same locality near Ore, where I took the ? in April last
year. I think this is worth recording, as I believe the S lias only been taken hitherto
at Moffat and Bristol ; in that locality I could find no other Andrena besides lap-
ponica, but I met with a number of A. Owynaua near Fairlight Glen, in the exact
spot where I took A. bicolor plentifully in August, 1879. This quite confirms the
view that these two so-called species are only different broods of one. — E. Satjndees,
Holmesdale, Upper Tooting : IQth April, 1883.
6bituarn.
Professor Zeller. On the 27th March, PhilippChristoph Zeller died quite sud-
denly, of heart disease, at his residence, Griinhof, near Stettin. For more than
forty years the name of Zeller has been constantly on the lips of Lepidopterists in
Europe, and latterly his fame was as widely extended across the Atlantic and in our
Australian colonies. His correspondence must have been very extensive, yet he was
always ready to answer quei'ies on any subject referring to his favourite branch of
entomology, and though he had nearly completed his 75th year, he had not ceased
to be a writer of long and neatly legible letters, nor were his scientific labours,
especially in reference to Exotic Micro- Lepidoptera, supposed to be at all near their
close. We hope to give a more detailed notice of the illustrious Professor in our
next number.
END OF VOL. XIX.
THE
ENTOMOLOGIST'S
MONTHLY MAGAZINE:.
CONDUCTED BY
C. G. BAEEETT. E. C. EYE, E.Z.S.
J. W. DOUGLAS. E. SATJNDEES, F.L.S.
E. McLACHLAN, F.E.S. H. T. STAINTON, F.E.S.
VOL. XX.
" Twenty Years after." ^ ^ ^ '^ / '
LONDON:
JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW
1883-84.
LONDON
NAPIER, PRINTER, SEYMOUR STREET, EUSTON SQUARE.
MDCCCLXXXIV.
r,
INDEX.
General Indfx i.
Entomological Society ix.
Special Index—
Coleoptera xi.
Diptera xii.
Hemiptera xiii.
Hy menoptera xiii.
Lepidoptera xiv.
Myriopoda xvi.
Neuroptera xvi.
Ortlioptera xvii.
PAGE
Index to CoNXRiBUTORa xvii.
Genera and Specibs New to Science... xviii.
,, „ ,, „ „ Britain... xix.
Larv.« of British Species Described... xx.
Reviews xx.
Obituary xx.
Errata xx.
INDEX TO GENERAL SUBJECTS.
PAGE
Abundance of Plusia gamma at Deal .. ... ... .. ... ... 85
„ „ „ „ „ Hartlepool ... ... ... ... ... 69
Acantliaclisis oceitanica and A. bsetica : a differential essay ... ... ... 181
Acronycta alni, The larva of : a problem for observers ... ... ... 82
Aculeate Hymenoptera, Descriptions of two new species of British... ... 135
„ „ of the neighbourhood of Colchester, The ... ... 211
Additional synonyms of Endotricha pyrosalis, Gn. ... ... ... ... 167
Additions to the Entomology of the Isle of Harris ... ... ... ... 256
^gialia rufa, F., at "Wallasey 191
Agathidium rhinoceros near Colinton ... ... ... ... ... ... 225
Aglossa pinguinalis, Natural History of ... ... ... ... ... 193
Aleurodes immaculata, Heeger ... ... ... ... ... ... ■■• 215
Alleged breeding of Trypeta alternata, Fall., from Impatiens ... ... 275
Amraoecius brevis, Er., at Bewdley ... ... ... ... ... ... 276
Anax longipes ... ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 169
„ , Two new species of, with Notes on other Dragon-flies of the same
genus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ■■. ... 127
Anchomenini (Platynini, Horn), from the Hawaiian Islands, On some genera
of the sub-family ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 217
Anthomyiidse, Annotated list of British ... ... ... ... 9,59,104
Ant-life, A memoir of, by the late Rev. H. S. R. Matthews 209
Ants' nests, Chobham, Coleoptera from the vicinity of ... ... ... 18
„ , Notes on British ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16
Apamea fibrosa, Description of the larva of ... ... •.• ... ... 176
Aphides, Notes on the migration of ... .. ... ... ... HO, 178
„ of the elm. Further information as to the migratory habits of the
gall-making ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ••. 61
„ , Some friendly remarks on Mr. Buckton's standard work on the
British 79
Aphnseus natalensis. Two new Butterflies allied to ... ... ... ... 250
Appearance of $ and ? of Formica rufa. Note on the ... ... ... 42
PAGE
Apterous or sub-apterous females, On tlio European species of Lepidoptera
with ... ! 219
Aradus corticalis in the New Forest ... ... ... ... ... ... 86
Arctia caja, Stridulation of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 83
Argjnnis Euphrosyne in Sutherlandshire, Occurrence of ... ... ... 81
Arrangement of the British Jassidaj, A proposed ... ... ... .. 148
Athous difformis ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 71
Bankia Bankiana, Natural History of ... ... ... ... ... ... 77
Bigamy in Platypteryx hamula .. . ... ... ... ... ... ... 228
Blatta americana ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 259
Botys urticata in February : a problem for solution ... ,.. ... 227,257
,, „ „ January ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 257
„ „ frequenting mint... ... ... ... ... ... ... 257
British Aculeate Ilymenoptera, Little-known ... ... ... ... ... 270
„ Anthomyiida?, Annotated list of ... ... ... ... 9, 59, 104
„ Ants, Notes on ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16
,, Dragon-flies annotated, The ... ... ... ... ... ... 251
„ Homoptera : additional species... ... ... ... ... ... 207
„ species of Dicyphus, The ... ... ... ... ... ... 49
„ „ „ Idiocerus, The ... ... ... ... ... ... 113
„ Tortriees, Notes on 132,236
,, Trichopteron, A new (Mesoplij'lax aspersus, Eamb. var.) ... ... 19
Buckler, Death of William 216,229
Buckler's drawings of the larvre of British Macro-Lepidoptera, The late Mr. 260
Buckton's Standard work on the British Aphides, Some friendly remarks
on Mr. 79
Butterflies of Cambridge, The ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 131
„ „ Himtingdonshire, The ... ... ... ... ... ... 164
.Thirsty 276
„ , Two new, allied to Aphnreus natalensis ... ... ... ... 250
CflDcilius piceus, Kolbe, in Britain, Occurrence of ... ... ... ... 142
Capture of Laphygma exigua at Pembroke ... ... ... ... ... 164
„ „ Phaneroptera falcata, Scop., in England ... ... ... ... 186
Captures in North Uist and St. Kilda ... ... ... ... ... ... 213
„ „ the Isle of Skye 257
„ of Coleoptera and Hemiptera in the Birmingham district, Eecont 19
„ „ „ , &c., in the Hastings district in 1883... ... ... 189
„ „ ,, near Pitlochry, Perthshire ... ... ... ... 142
„ „ Lepidoptera at Ho wth ... ... ... ... ... ... 166
Carabus glabratus, Payk. .. ... .. ... ... ... ... ... 214
" Catalogue of British Coleoptera, by David Sharp, M.B., &c., 2nd Edition :"
Review ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 21
Catocala fraxini near Culross, N.B. ... ... ... .. ... ... 123
Change of nomenclature : Crambus ramoscllus ... ... ... ... 141
Charaxes, Descriptions of three new species of ... ... ... ... 57
Chrysopa flava, Scopoli, and C. vittat.a, Wesmael, The distinctive and sexual
cliaracters of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 161
„ unrecorded for Switzerland, Four species of ... ... ... 185
„ Tcnosa, Eamb., Geographical distribution of ... ... ... 274
PAGE
Cicindela maritima in Carmartlicnshire ... ... ... .< ... 40
Cleptes semiauratus bred... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... VI
Coccinella labilis in the Hastings district ... ... ... ... ... 226
Cold, Influence of extreme, on Phylloxera of the vine ... ... ... 275
Coleophora lixella. The young larva of ... ... ... ... ... ... 18
„ vibicigerella, Z. (a species new to Britain) in Essex, Occuri'ence of 165
Coleoptera and Hemiptera in the Birmingham district, Recent captures of .. 19
„ , &c., in the Hastings district in 1883, Captures of ... ... 189
„ at Dulwich 72
„ from New Zealand, S<?me new species and genera of ... ... 23, 66
„ „ the vicinity of ants' nests, Chobham ... ... ... 18
„ in the Hastings district, Myrmccophilous... ... ... ... 40
„ „ „ New Forest ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 85
„ near Pitlochry, Perthshire, Captures of ... ... ... ... 143
„ since 1871, Notes on new British .. ... ... ... ... 44
Collecting, Entomological, on a voyage to the Pacific .. ... ... ... 91, 222
„ .Tropical 172,199,248
Confirmation of the migration of Aphides ... ... ... ... ... 178
Crambi more or less allied to C. margaritellus. On the species of European 157
Crambus furcatellus. Note on ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 189
„ inquinatellus. Description of the larva of ... ... ... .. 154
„ ramosellus : change of nomenclature... ... ... ... ... 141
Crewe, Death of Rev. H. Harpur ... ... ... ... ... ... 118
Description of a new genus and species of the family Gerridce (Hemiptera-
Heteroptera) .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 36
„ „ „ „ species of saw-fly from Greece ... ... ... 215
„ „ „ variety of Philopotamus montanus, Don., from Scotland.. 274
„ „ the larva of Apamea fibrosa ... ... ... ... ... 176
„ „ „ „ „ Crambus inquinatellus ... ... ... ... 154
„ „ „ „ , &c., of Meliana flammea ... ... ... ... 63
„ „ „ „ of Pempelia betulas ... ... ... ... ... 69
„ „ „ „ ,, Pterophoruszophodactylus, Dup., = Loewii,Zell. 228
„ „ „ „ „ Semioscopis avellanella ... ... ... ... 165
„ „ „ „ „ Tortrix Lafauryana ... ... ... ... 113
Descriptions of new species of Heteroccra ... ... ... ... ... 155
„ „ some new species of Lepidoptera, chiefly from the Island of
Nias 53
„ „ three new species of Charaxes... ... ... ... ... 57
„ „ two „ „ „ British Aculeate Hymenoptera ... 13.t
Destruction by White Ants at Calcutta ... ... ... ... ... 185
Development of Phryganea striata. Note on the ... ... ... ... 168
Dicyphus, The British species of ... ,.. ... ,.. ... ... 49
Diglossa mersa, &c., at Weymouth ... ... ... ... ... ... 86
„ submarina, Fairm. (sinuatocollis, Rey) ... ... ... ... 168
Diptera, New and rare British ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 214
„ , Notes on... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 163
Distinctive and sexual characters of Chrysopa flava, Scopoli, and C. vittata,
Wesmael ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .., 161
PAGE
Double-broodcdness of Scoparise ... ... ... ... ... ... 188
Dragon-flics, An extraordinary flight of 88
„ „ near Worcester ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 273
„ „ of the same genus, Two new species of Anax, with notes on
other 127
„ „ The British, annotated ... ... ... ... ... ... 251
Elipsocus cyanops, Eostock, in Scotland .. 142
Embryology of Zaraea fasciata and Kumia cratsegata 145
Emergence of both parasite and moth from the same larya 227
Endotricha pyrosalis, Additional synonyms of ... ... ... ... ••. 167
Endromis versicolor, Natural History of 73
Entomological collecting on a voyage in the Pacific ... ... ... ... 91,222
Society of London, Proceedings of the ... 22, 90, 192, 2G2, 279
Ephestia passulella. Further note on 41
,) „ , Importation of, and E. ficulella at King's Lynn ... 259
ErotylidsB, On three new species of Japan, and notes of others ... ... 138
Eudorea nnirana. Note on ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 84
Eupoecilia rupicola. On the habits of the larva of ... ... .. ... 17
Eupteryx melissse, Curtis ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 215
Eutheia clavata and Ptenidium Gressneri, two species of Coleoptera new to
Britain, Notes on ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 121
Extraordinary flight of Dragon-flies, An ..• 88
Flor, Death of Dr. Gustav 72
Food-plant of Sciaphila pascuana, &c. ... 277
Forbes, Death of William Alexander, B.A., F.L.S 21
Formicaleo tetragrammicus, F., as a Swiss Insect ... ... .., ... 185
Further information as to the migratory habits of the gall-making Aphides
of the elm ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 61
„ note on Ephestia passulella ... 41
Gall-making Aphides of the elm, Further information as to the migratory
habits of the 61
Garden-visitors in 1883, Some ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 143
Gelechia Hiibneri at Burton, Occurrence of ... ... ... ... ... 166
Geographical distribution of Chrysopa venosa, Kamb. ... ... ... 274
GerridsB, Description of a new genus and species of the family (Ilemiptera-
Heteroptera) .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 36
Grapholitha caccana, Schliiger, a Tortrix new to Britain ... ... ... 83
Habits of the larva of Eupcecilia rupicola. On the 17
„ ,, Sciaphila Binnana ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 166
Halesus guttatipennis, McLach., as a British insect ... ... ... ... 116
Halictus breviceps, E. Saund., and H. brevicornis, Schenck ... ... ... 229
Harpalus quadripunctatus, Dejean, from Somersetshire ... ... ... 191
Harper's collection of British Lepidoptera, The late Mr. ... ... ... 260
Hawaiian Micro-Lepidoptera, Notes on ... ... ... ... ... 31
Hedya Servillana, The larva of, and its habits... ... ... ... ... 245
Heer, Death of Professor Oswald ... ... ... ... ... ... 144
" Hemiptera Gymnoccrata Europse, by O. M. Renter, Vol. Ill : " Eeview... 261
Hemiptera in the Birmingham district. Recent captures of Coleoptera and 19
Hepialus hcctus. Variety of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 140
PAGE
Hesperia Actaeon double-brooded ? Is 227
Heterocera, Descriptions of new species of ... ... ... ... ... 1^5
Hibernation as full-fed larvse of some species of Nepticula, On the ... ... 17
Homalota testacea, Bris., at Weymouth ... ... ... ... ... 276
Homoptera, British : additional species ... 207
Hymenoptera, Descriptions of two new specieb of British Aculeate... ... 135
„ in Hayling Island ... ... ... ... ... ... 86
„ , Little-known British Aculeate ... ... ... ... ... 270
„ of the neighbourhood of Colchester, The Aculeate ... .. 211
Hyponomeuta rorellus, a gregarious "ermine," which frequents the common
willow (Salix alba), On 136
Idiocerus, The British species of ... ... ... ... ... ... 113
Importation of Ephestia passulella and E. ficulella at King's Lynii ... 258
Influence of colour on insects ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15
Insects from the East Coast of Greenland ... ... ... ... ... 42
Instinct of locality in Lepidoptera ... ... ... ... ... ... 258
Isle of Man form of Vanessa urticse, The ... ... ... ... ... 113
Jassidae, A proposed arrangement of the British ... ... ... ... 148
Laphygraa exigua at Pembroke, Capture of ... ... ... ... .. 164
Larva of Acronycta alni, a problem for observers ... ... ... ... 82
„ „ Apamea fibrosa. Description of the ... ... ... ... ... 176
„ „ Crambus inquinatellus, Description of the ... ... ... ... 154
„ „ Eupoecilia rupicola. On the habits of ... ... ... ... 17
„ „ Hedya Servillana and its habits. The ... ... ... ... 245
„ „ Pempelia betulse. Description of the ... ... ... ... ... 69
„ „ Plusia orichalcea, The . . . ... ... ... ... ... ... 117
„ „ Ptcrophoru8zophodactylus,Dup., = Loewii,Zell., Description of the 228
„ „ Saturnia carpini with respect to its edibility by birds, The ... 96
„ „ Semioscopis avellanella, Description of the ... ... ... ... 165
„ „ Tortrix Lafauryana, Description of the ... ... ... ... 113
„ , &c., of Meliana flammea ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 63
Larvse of British Macro-Lepidoptera, The late Mr. Buckler's drawings of the 260
„ ,, Coleophora lixella. The young ... ... ... ... ... 18
Lebia turcica ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 40
„ „ in the Hastings district ... ... .. ... ... ... 8
Le Conte, Death of Dr. John L. ... .. ... ... ... ... 191
Lepidoptera at Cambridge, Observations on ... ... ... ... ... 226
„ „ Howth, Captures of ... ... ... ... ... ... 1C6
„ bred from larva on Myrica gale in Norfolk, with notes... ... 188
„ chiefly from tbe Island of Nias, Description of some new species of 53
„ in Pembrokeshire, Bare ... ... ... ... ... ... 227
„ „ Roxburghshire in 1883, Notes on ... ... ... ... 258
„ „ the Isle of Man in July ... ... ... ... ... 216
„ of Pembrokeshire, Stray notes on the ... ... ... ... 28
,, with apterous or sub-apterous females, On the European species of 219
"Les Odonates du Japon, par M. de Selys-Longchamps :" Review... ... 119
List of British Anthomyiidoe, Annotated ... ... ... ... 9, 59, 104
Meliana flammea, Description of the larva, &c., of ... ... ... ... 63
Mesoleius sepulchralis, Zarffia fasciata (c? ) and its parasite ... ... ... 228
PAGE
" Mejrick's Australian Toi'ti'icids :" Eeview ... ... .. ... ... 124
Micro-Lepidoptera, Notes ou Hawaiian ... ... ... ... ... 31
Migration of Aphides, Notes on the ... ... ... ... ... 110,178
Migratory habits of the gall-making Aphides of the elm, Further informa-
tion as to the .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 61
Midler, Death of Dr. Hermann 118
Myrica gale, Lepidoptera bred from l&vvse on, in Norfolk, with notes ... 188
Myrmecophilous Coleoptera in the Hastings distriet ... ... ... ... 40
Myrmecoxenus vaporariorum, Gaer., &c., at Dulwich... ... ... ... 190
Myrmeleon Erberi, Brauer, = M. inconspieuus, Eamb. ... ... ... 103
Myrmeleonidse, Concerning Tomateres pardalis, F., and T. clavicornis, Latr.,
two very elosely allied exotic species of ... ... ... ... ... 184
Natural History of Aglossa pinguinalis .. ... ... ... ... ... 193
,, „ ,, Bankia Bankiana ... ... ... ... ... ... 77
„ „ „ Endromis versicolor ... ... ... ... ... 73
„ ,, „ Procris globularitB ... ... ... ... ... ... 97
„ , ,, Zygsena cxulans ... ... ... ... ... ... 150
Nepticula, On the hibernation as full fed larvae of some species of ... ... 17
Nepticulse, Some further remarks on ... ... ... ... ... ... 186
Nest of Vespa vulgaris, A very small ... ... ... ... ... ... 42
New British Trichopteron (Mesophylax aspersus, Eamb., var.) .. ... 19
„ genus and species of the familj' Grcrrida) (Hemiptera-Heteroptera),
Descrij^tion of a ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 36
„ species and genera of Coleoptera from New Zealand, Some ... ... 23, 66
„ „ of Peltastiea, Mannerh. (Trogositida;) ... ... ... ... 79
Notes from Cambridge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 276
„ on British Ants ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16
„ „ „ Tortrices 132,236,207
„ „ Diptcra ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 163
„ „ Euthcia clavata and Ptenidium Grrcssneri, two species of Coleoptera
new to Britain ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 121
,, „ Hawaiian Micro-Lepidoptera ... ... ... ... ... ... 31
„ „ Lepidoptera in Eoxburghshire in 1883 ... ... ... ... 258
„ ,, new British Coleoptera since 1871 ... ... ... ... ... 44
„ „ Tenthredinida> .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 265
„ „ the Lepidoptera of Pembi'okeshire, Stray ... .. ... ... 28
„ „ „ migration of Apliides 110, 178
" Nouvcaux Souvenirs Entomologiques : Etudes sur I'lnstiuct et les Mceurs
des Insectes — par J. H. Fabre :" Eeview... ... ... ... ... 43
Observations on Lepidoptera at Cambridge ... ... ... ... ... 226
„ „ tlic Parthenogenesis of Zara^a fasciala, and on the Embryology
of that species, and of Eumia cratsegata, Some further ... 145
„ „ „ synonymv of certain Micro-Lepidoptera, Eeply to Mr.
Meyrick's 14, 122
Occurrence of Argynnis Euphrosyne in Sutherlandsliiro ... ... ... 81
„ „ Cajcilius piceus, Kolbe, in Britain ... ... ... ... 142
„ „ Coleophora vibicigerella, Z. (a species new to Britain) in Essex 165
„ „ Geleehia Iliibneri at Burton ... ... ... ... ... 166
„ „ CEeetis furva, Eamb., and other Trichoptcra in Co. Monaghan,
Ireland 112
„ „ Qieophora grandis near Burlou-on-Trent ,., ... ... 41
PAGK
Oldest name for the Phycita liostilis of Stephens ... ... .. ... 41
Pachytylus chierascens, F., m Kerry ... .. ... ... ... ... 215
Panorpa germanica, var. borealis ... ... ... ... ... ... 141
Parasite and moth from the same larva, Emergence of both ... ... ... 227
Parthenogenesis of Zarsea fasciata, Some further observations on the, and on
the Embryology of that species, and of Rumia cratsegata ... ... 145
Peltastica Mannerh. (Trogositida;), A new species of ... ... ... ... 79
Pempelia betulae. Description of the larva of ... ... ... ... ... 69
Phaneroptera falcata, Scop., in England, Capture of ... ... ... ... 186
Philonthus astutus, Er. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 168
Philopotamus montanus, Don., var. from Scotland ... ... ... ... 273
Phosphfenus hemipterus at Lewes, Re-appearance of ... ... ... ... 40
Phryganea striata, Note on the development of ... ... ... ... 168
Phycita liostilis of Stephens, The oldest name for the . . ... ... ... 41
Phyllodes from Ceylon, A new ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 138
Phylloxera of the vine. Influence of cold on .. ... ... ... ... 275
Pieris napi, L., versus P. Melete, Men., and P. megamera, Butl. ... ... 82
Platyteryx hamiila, Bigamy in ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 228
Plusia gamma. Abundance of, at Deal ... ... ... ... ... ... 85
„ „ „ „ „ Hartlepool ... ... ... ... ... 69
„ „ and Yanessa cardui at Ilartlepool ... ... ... ... 69
„ orichalcea. The larva of ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 117
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of London .. ... 22, 90, 192, 262
Procris globularise. Natural History of . . . ... ... ... ... ... 97
Ptenidium G-ressneri, two species of Coleoptera new to Britain, Notes on
Eutheia clavata, and... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 121
Pterophorus zophodactylus, Dup., = Loewii, Zell., Description of the larva of 228
Rain of water-bugs, A ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 86
Rare Lepidoptera in Pembrokeshire ... .. ... ... ... ... 227
Re-appearance of Phosphsenus hemipterus at Lewes ... ... .. ... 40
Recent captures of Coleoptera and Hemiptera in the Birmingham district ... 19
Remarks on Mr. Bucktou's Standard Work on the British Aphides, Some
friendly... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 79
„ „ Nepticulse, Some further ... ... ... ... ... ... 186
Reply to Mr. Meyrick's observations on the synonymy of certain Micro-
Lepidoptera ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14, 122
" Rovaraszati Lapok :" Review... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20
Rovartani Lapok „ ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 277
Rumia cratsegata. Embryology of Zarsea fasciata and ... ... ... 145
Saturnia carpini, The larva of, with respect to its edibility by birds ... 98
Saw-Fly from Grreece, Description of a new species of ... ... ... 215
Sciaphila sinuana. Habits of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 166
„ pascuana, &c.. Food-plant of ... ... ... ... ... ... 277
Scoparia conspicualis near Burton ... ... ... ... ... ... 167
Scoparise, Double-broodedness of ... ... ... ... ... ... 188
Scutigera (Cermatia) coleoptrata near Aberdeen ... ... ... ... 88
Scydmaenus, A new species of .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 247
Semioscopis avellanella. Description of the larva of ... ... ... ... 165
Vlll.
Sexual characters of Chryeopa flava, Scopoli, and C. vittata, Wesmael, The
distiiictivo and ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 161
Sheppard, Death of Edward ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 118
Species of European Crambi more or less allied to C. margaritellus, On the 157
Sphinx convolvuli at Carmarthen ... ... ... ... ... ... 227
Stray notes on the Lepidoptera of Pembrokeshire ... ... ... ... 28
Stridulation of Arctia caja ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 83
Synonyms of Endotricha pyrosalis, Gn., Additional ... ... ... ... 167
Synonymy of certain Micro-Lepidoptera, Keply to Mr. Meyrick's observa-
tions on the ... 14,122
Tenthredinidse, Notes on... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 265
Tenthredo testudinea, Klug ... ... ... ... . ... ... 70
•' The Butterflies of North America, by W. H. Edwards, 2nd series, Part xi:"
Review ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 89
" The Natural History of Hastings and St. Leonards, and the vicinity ; Ist
Supplement :" Review ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 89
" The Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, Parts 4 — 6 :" Review 89
" The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger, Part xix. Report on
the Pelagic Hemiptera,by F. Buchanan White, M.D., F.L.S. :" Review 119
Thirsty Butterflies 276
Tomateres pardalis, F., & T. clavicornis, Latr., two very closely allied species
of exotic Myrmeleonidse, Concerning ... ... ... ... ... 184
Tortrices, &c., in South Wales and Sutherlandshire ... ... ... ... 259
„ Notes on British 132,236
Tortrix Lafauryana ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 167
„ „ , Description of the larva of ... ... ... ... 113
Trichoptera in Co. Monaghan, Ireland, Occurrence of (Ecctis furva, Ramb.,
and other ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 142
Trichopteron, A new British (Mesophylax aspersus, Ramb., var.) ... ... 19
Triplax Lacordairei at Dulwich ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 191
Tropical collecting 172,199,248
Trypeta altemata, Fall., Alleged breeding of, from Impatiens ... ... 275
Two new species of Anax, with notes on other Dragon-Flics of the same genus 127
Vanessa cardui at Hartlepool, Plusia gamma and ... ... ... ... 69
„ polychloros distinguished from V. urticse by a structural character... 81
„ urlicffi, The Isle of Man form of ... ... ... ... ... 113
Variety of Hepialus hectus ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 140
Vespa vulgaris, A very small nest of ... ... ... ... ... ... 42
Water-Bugs, A rain of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 86
Worker- Wasps in December ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 171
Young larva; of Coleophora lixella, The ... ... ... ... ... 18
Zarsea fasciata, On the male of ... ... ... ... ... . . 205,228
„ „ Some further observations on the Partlienogenesis of, and on
the Embryology of that species and of Rumia cratsegata ... ... 145
Zeller, Philipp Christoph ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1
Zygi»na exulans, Natural History of ... ... ... ... ... ... 150
INDEX OF SUBJECTS NOTICED IN THE PROCEEDINGS
OF THE ENTOMOLOOICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.
Acidia lieraclei
Acridium, destructive in India, Species of
^gognathus Waterhousei
Aglossa pinguinalis, Habits of
Anniversary of the Society, The fiftieth...
Annual Meeting ...
Atherix ibis, Masses of ...
Athous difformis at Hastings ... ...
Australian Pyralidina
Batrisus, Nomenclature of Species of
Birds and Butterflies ... ... ...
Bombi exported to New Zealand
Borneo, Coleoptera from North ..
Braconidse parasitic on Ceuthorhynchus sulcicollis
Broscosoma elegans, = Miscodera Donitzi
Castnia Eudesmia
Cecidomyia violae in Epping Forest
Celery-fly
Ceuthorhynchus sulcicollis, BraconidsE parasitic on
Charter, Desirability of obtaining a...
Chrysopa in figs, Larva of
Coleoptera from North Borneo, Clavicorn
„ of Japan, Geodephagoua
Colias, Notes on ...
CurculionidsB from New Q-uinea
Cynipidse from Scotland, Parasitic
Cynips caries
„ KoUari, Parasites from galls of
Diptera of New Zealand
DorcidsB, New species of ...
Eurytrachelus picipes...
Fig Insects
Formica nigra, Species of Syrphidse parasitic on ...
Fulgora, Luminosity of
Geodephagous larva stated to have been coughed up
Grapholitha caecana new to Britain...
Hemiptera, Rare British
Hermaphrodite specimen of Macropis labiata
Hymenoptera, New genera and species of
„ , Synopsis of British Aculeate ...
Hypocephalus armatus
Japan, Geodephagous Coleoptera of...
„ , Identity of British species with those from
PAGE
262, 264
22
... 263
264
... 22
264
... 90
263
... 263
262
... 91
264
... 22
280
... 263
264
... 22
262
... 280
280
... 192
22
... 90
263
... 264
91
192, 263
263
... 262
263
... 263
22, 91, 192, 263, 264
... 90
91
... 280
192
... 262
192
... 22
280
... 264
90
... 91
Japan, LucanitliB of
„ , Lycidffi of
„ , Pselaphidae of
„ , Khjnchota of ...
Larva coughed up, A Geodepliagous
Le Conte, Death of Dr.
Lebia turcica at Hastings
Lepidoptera from New Zealand
Lucanidse of Japan
Lycidae of Japan
Macropis labiata, Hermaphrodite
Malthodes from Dulwich, Probable new species of...
Mantidae from Delagoa Bay, Egg-cases of a species of .
New Guinea, CurcuIionidEe from
New Zealand, Bombi exported to
„ „ , Diptera of
„ „ , Lepidoptera from
Nomenclature, Discussion on ...
Orthezia, New species of ...
Parnassius, Tlie egg-pouches of...
Pediculus melittse
Phaneroptera falcata in Cornwall
Phylloxera at Accrington ...
„ in Victoria
Pimelia angulata from the Egyptian Pyramids
Pompilus spissus
Polydesmus complanatus as a cause of the potato disease
Priocnemis Pascoei, = Ichneumon lotatorius
Pselaphidfe of Japan
Pyralidina, Australian
Queensland, Rhopalocera from
Khopalocera from Queensland ...
„ „ South Africa
Ehynchota of Japan ...
Samia, A possibly hybrid ...
Saturnida? bred in Britain, Exotic species of
Saw-flies, Eare British
South Africa, Rhopaloccra from . . .
Sphingidffi, &c., Protective attitudes of larvae of
Syrphida) parasitic on Formica nigra. Species of ...
TenthredinidfE, Bare British
Tick on sheep
Tortricidte, North American species of
Trigona, Habits of Australian species of ..
Westwood, Election of Professor, as Life-President
Zellcr, Death of Professor
Zygajna, Doubtful British species of...
PAGE
91
SPECIAL INDEX.
19
191
COLEOPTERA.
Abdera bifasciata
Acidota cruentata
jEgialia rufa
Aepus Robiiii
Agathidimn nigriinim
rhinoceros
Aleochara lata
Ammoecius brevis
Aiiisoxyafuscula
Apbodius porcus
Apion anuulipes
opeticum
Ryei
scrobicolle
Athous difformis
Atrachycnemis, The genus
Bagous bvcvis
diglyptus
Bembidium stomoides
Bla^lcburnia, The genus
Bruchus atomarius
lathjTi
Callicerus rigidicovnis
Carabus glabratus
Cathovmiocerus maritimus ...
Ceuthon-hyuchidius Chevrolati ^^
Crotchi ^^
miuiraus *"
Ceutho-n-hy nchus crassidentulus 46
vu-idipennls 46
40
47
27
48
40
49
226
85
142
168
218
.... 225
.... 72
... 276
86
.19, 191
44
44
44 I
, 44 I
71 \
218
45
45
142
218
47
47
19
214
.... 44
PAGB
QA
Diglossa mersa
submaiina
Disenochus, The genus
Dorytomus elegaus (sp. n.), Sharp 67
Encaustes prajuobilis (sp. u.), Lewis 138
140
Episcapha tortunei
Gorhami l**^
hamata
perforata (sp. n.), Lewis 140
taishoensis
.. 143
.. 67
.. 19
Cicindela maritima
Cissopbagus hederae
Clypeorhynchus gracilipes (sp.n.), Sharp.
Clythra lajviuscula
4-punctata
Coccinella 12-Buttata
labilis ■
Conipora orbiculata
Corymbites iinpressus
Cossonus ferrugineus
linearis
Crepidodera smaragdina
Cryptocephalus bipustulatus
violaceus
Cyclothoras, The genus
Erirhinus ffithiops
Eugnomus argutus (sp. n.), Sharp ...
Euplectus bicolor
punctatus 1^,85
, .44
Eusomus ovulum
121
Eutheia clavata
Geodromicus nigrita ^^'
Gonioctena affinis
Gymnusa brevicoUis
Harpalus quadripunctatus
Homalota testacea
Homophlus anneriaJ
Hydroporus arcticus
oelatus
congener
ticola 142
142
47
Hvlurgus minor
• 189
Uyobates nigricoUis
LiuinophloEUS duplicatus
..8,40
Lebia turcica
marginatus (sp. n.), Sharp... 25
72, 189
48
43
19
191
276
88
142
142
142
mont
nitidus
48
219
Lecanomerus
Leptinus testaceus ..
Lina tremulse
Liosoma oblongulum
ovatulum...
troglodytes
Lisus turbatus
Lucanus cervus
Magdalinus Heydeni
Megalodacne bellula (sp. n.), Lewis 139
ftft
Micralyninaa brevipenne
Monohammus sartor ....
sutor ....
Mordella fasciata
45
45
45
45
143
46
47
47
190
Ml.
PAGE
Mycetoporus lucidus 142
puiictus 142
Myrmecoxeuus vapoiariorum 190
Nanopliyes gracilis 46
Nyctelia Luczoti 224
Orchestes decoralus 46
scutellai'is, var. semirufus 45
Otiorhynchus ambiguus 86
blandus 44
maurus 143
monticola 44
Oxypoda nigrina 19
Pacbyta sexinaculata 47
Peltastica Reittei-i (sp. n.), Lewis 79
Philouthus astutus 168
scutatus 142
succicola 142
PhlcEotrya Stepbeiisi 191
Phospbajiius bemipterus 40
Pbytosus balticus 86
spinifer 83
Plegaderus dissectus 85
Polygrapbus pubescens 47
Protoparnus vestitus (sp. n.), *5barp 26
Ptenidium Gressueri 121
Pterosticbus Helmsi (sp. n.), Sharp 25
Rbinomacer attelaboides 143
Rbizopbagus nitidulus 19
politus 19
Salpingus ater 85
Sapborbyiicbuslongicornis (sp. n.), Sbarp 66
Scydnifeuus denticoriiis 190
exilis 19,85
Poweri (sp. u.), Fowler 247
Scymuus arcuatus 4.9
lividus 49
quadrilunatus 49
Redtenbacheri 49
Smicronyx Roicbei 45
Spbfcritcs glabratus 142
Spbindus dubius 85
Stunus Kiesenwetteri 85
Tacbinus elongatus 142
pallipes 142
Tarastetbus laivivcutris (sp. «.), Sbarp ... 24
puncticollis „ „ •■■ 24
Thyamis distinguenda 48
ferruginea 48
Trichoptcryx scminitens 142
volans 142
Triplax Laconbiirci 191
PAGE
Trogophlocus halopbilus 86
Tycbauus bufo (sp. n.), Sharp 68
Urodon rufipes 47
Xantholinus ochraceus 142
DIPTERA.
Acantbiptera inanis 9
Anapheles pictus 214
Aiiomoia permunda 214
Atberigona varia 107
Cajuosia agromy zclla 105
aiigulata 106
elegantula 106
genualis 107
infantula 106
palliconiis 106
sexnotata 106
solitaria 105
triangula 105
Caricea ciliato-costa 60
tigvina 60
Chelisia mollicula 108
monilis 108
Chiroiioinus Frauenfeldi 214
Cluiiio raarinus 214
Cyrtoneura stabulans ' 163
Diastata nebulosa 214
Lispa litorea 60
tentaculata 60
Loxocera uigrifrons 214
Machorcbis iutermedia 60
means 61
meditata 61
Melanocbeila riparia 104
Mycopbaga fungorura 107
Oxypbora Westermauni 214
Pegoinyia betae 10
bicolor 12
conformis 10
exilis 13
flavipes 13
basmorrboum 11
h j'oscy ami 11
latitarsis 12
nigritarsis 13
rotundicornis 13
rufipes 11
transversa 12
versicolor 13
vittigora 13
Wintbemi 12
rborbia ccpetoruui 163
PAGE
SchsBiiomyza fasciata 108
litton.lla 108
Sciomyza bifasciella 214
Tipiila arctica 214
Trypeta alteniata 163, 275
HEMIPTERA.
Acalypta brnnnea 19
Acetropis Gimnierthalii 190
Aleurodes immaculata, Heeger 215
Allygus, The genus 149
Aradus corticalis 86
Ath^'sanus, The genus 149
Chilacis typhfB 190
Cicadula, The genus 149
Corisa assimilis, A rain of 86
Dicyphus constrictus 51
epilobii (sp. n.), Reuter 52
errans 52
hyalinipennis 52
pallidicornis 53
pallidus 51
stachydis (sp. n.), Reuter 53
Deltocephalus, The genus 149
propinquus 208
Doratura, The genus 149
Eupteryx melissaa 215
Gerris paludum 190
Glyptocephalus, The genus 148
Gnathodus, The genus 149
Graphocrasrus, The genus 149
Halobates ■?. 93
Idiocei'us adustus 115
albicans 116
aurulentus 115
confusus 115
elegans 115
fulgidus 115
Herrichii 115
laminatus 115
lituratus 115
poecilus 115
populi 115
tibialis 115
tremulse 115
varius 115
vitreus 115
Lecanium ribis 143
Limotettix, The genus 149
Pavamesus, The genus 149
Pemphigus ulmi 61
zese-maidis 61, 179
Xlll.
PAGE
Phorodon hnmuli 80, 142
mahaleb 81, 143
Pliylloxeva vastatrix 275
Platygerris depressa (sp. n.). White 36
Platymetopius, The genus 149
Stictocoi-is, The genus 149
Tetraneura rubra 110, 180
ulmi 110, 179
Thamnotettix, The genus 149
stupidula 207
HYMENOPTERA.
Andrena angustior 272
Chirkella, var 212
fucata 212
Hattorfiana 212
nigriceps 212
polita 272
ros8B 212
Aseraorhoptrura lippula 16
Athalia maritima 215
Bombus cognatus 87, 88
nivalis 272
Cerceris sabulosa 211
Ceropales maculatus 211
Cleptes semiauratus 71
Coelioxj's acuminata 213
Crabro clypeatus 27 1
Kollari 212
signatus 211
Dinura stilata 265
Dolerus pratorum 265
Epeolus productus 88, 212
rufipes 212
Formica gagates 16
glabra 16
rufa 42
Halictus breviceps 88, 229
brevicornis 88, 229
Isevis 271
punctatissimus 88
Heriades truncorum 272
Hoplisus bicinctus 211
Leptothorax unifasciata 87
Megachile ericetorum 272
ligniseca 213
Mesoleius sepulchralis 228
Mutilla europsea 211
Nematus orbital is (sp. n.), Cameron 265
sylvestris „ „ 266
xanthopus 265
XIV.
PAGE
Nomada borealis 212
guttulata 272
N3'sson diinidiatus 87
Osinia piliconiis 213
rouipilus chalj'beatus 211
consobriiius 87
pectiuipes 271
rufipes 87
uiiguicularis 87, 135
Priocnemis hj'alinatus 211
Prosopis confiisa 87, 212
dilatata 87
pictipes 212
Psithyrus Barbutellus 213
quadricolor 213
Sphecodes, The genus 271
Stelis aterrima 213
Stenamma Westwoodi 16
Tachytes lativalvis 136
Tapinoma nitens 270
Tentbredo testudinea ^vvi^-r 70
Vespa arborea 271
vulgaris 42, 171
Zarffia fasciata 141, 205, 228
LEPIDOPTERA.
Acentropus. niveus 220
Acronycta alni 82
^gocera affinis (sp. ii.), Druce 155
tricolor (sp. ii.), Druce 155
Aglossa pinguinalis, larva of 193
Agraulis vanillae 225
Agrotis agatbina 227
luceriiea 227
saucia 224
Alamis polioides 244
Aletis llonteironis (sp. n.), Druce 156
Amesia Trepsicbrois (sp. n.), Butler 57
Anartia jatrophse 225
Anchocelis luiioja 164
.iEnoinoeotes Tbj-iniatbis (sp. n.), Druce... 156
Anticka rubidata 227
Apamea fibrosa, Larva of 176
Aphuaeus Nyassa; (sp. n.), Butler 250
Victoriaj „ „ 250
Arctia caja, Stridulation of 83
Argyniiis Cytberis 224
Eupbrosyiie 81
Selene 30
Autoraola pelodes (sp. 11.), Meyrick 34
Baiiliia Bankiana, Larva of 77
Bizoue rubrifasciata (sp. n.), Druce 156
Blabophanes longulla 36
monacbella 36
Botys urticata 227, 257
Camptogramuia fluviata 259
Catocala fraxini 123
Ceropacha ridens 28
Cbojrocampa celerio 222
erotus 93,96,222,223
Cbalcosia Q2iione (sp. n.), Butler 57
Cbalybe pyrausta 81
Charaxes nepentbes (sp. n.), H. G. Smith.. 58
niasicus „ Butler 56
Nicbetes „ H. G. Smith.. 58
Portbos „ ,, .. 57
Cbezala allatella 32
Chondrosoraa fiduciaria 220
Clepsis rusticana 189, 260
Cnepbasia abrasana 238
alternella 239
boll ana 244
Colqubouuana 244
communana 243
conspersana 241
ictericana 244
nubilana 237
octomaculana 239
„ Larva of 240
pascnana 241
Penziana 243
sinuana 240
subjectana ., 242
virgaureana 238
„ Larva of 238
Wablbomiana ? 243
Coleophora lixella, Larva of 18
vibicigerella 165
vimiiietella 189
Colias minuscula 224
Couch3'lis? auriccps 15
margaritana 15
Thetis 15
Coremia munitata 258
Crainbus fulgidellus 160
furcatellus 159,189
impletollus 15
inquinatellus, Larva of 154
latistrius 158
margaritellus 157
pleniferellus 15
pyrauiidfllus 158
PAGE
Crambus radiellus 160
ramosellus 141
vectifer 159
Cryptoblabes bistriga 227
Cr^-ptolechia latiorella 32
privatella 32
Cyllo Leda 94, 95
C^'iithia cardui 29, 69, 143
Danais Aichippus 92, 94, 95, 225
Depressaiia gigas 32
iudecora 32
lactea 32
rotundella 167
nsitata 33
Diadema Bolina 92, 94, 96
Dianthoecia csesia 216
capsophila 216
Dicvanura furcula 227
Diplosara lignivora 35
Egea pravata 220
Elachista flavicomella 167
stabilella 18
El3'mnias dolorosa (sp. n.), Butler 53
Emmelesia unifasciata 227
Endotriclia flammealis 14
pjTOsalis 167
Endromis versicolor. Larva of 73
Ephestia ficulella 258
passulella 41,258
Ephippipbora tetragoiiaiia 259
Epunda licbenea 164, 216
Eudorea muraiia 84, 188
Enlechria con victella 34
Eupithecia dodonroata 28
Eupoecilia ciliella 260
maculosaua 41
pallidana 167
rupicola, Larva of 17
Exapate gelatella 220
Gelediia Hiibneri 166
Guopbos Audereggaria 220
cffilibaria 220
dilucidaria 220
operaria 220
Zelleraria 220
Grapholitha csecana 83
Halonota trigeminaiia 269
Hedya Servillana, Larva of 245
Heliocbroma leucothea 225
Heliothis armiger 221
Hepialus hectu3 140
PAGE
Hepialus pyrenaicus 219
velleda 140
Hesperia Actajon 227
Heterocrossa achroana (sp. n.), Meyrick... 31
Heterogyuis paradoxa 219
penella 219
Hibeniia leucophearia 28
Hypolimiias antilope 55
eremita (sp. n.), Butler 56
porphyria 55
Hyponomeuta rorellus 136
Incurvaria Oehlmanniella 41
Junonia Lavinia 225
Lapbygma exigua 164
Lycasna argiolus 31
Macroglossa stellatarum 143
Malacodes regelaria 220
Meliaiia flammea. Larva of 63
Melitasa Artemis 30
Messatis sabirusalis 167
M iiioa eupli orliiata 227
Modura iinitata (sp. n.), Butler 54
Morpbo Amathonte 200
Cypris 200
Peleides 200
Nemophora pilella 2G0
Neosatyrus auibiorix 225
ochreovittatus 225
violaceus 225
Nepbopteryx rbeiiella 41
Nepticula acetosa> 166
atricollis 17, 187
basiguttella 187
miuusculella 17
quinquella 187
rubivora 188
sericopeza 17, 18, 186
ulmivora 188
Nj'ctemcra Fulleri (sp. n.), Druce 157
Ocnogyna Corsica 219
CEcopbora grandis 41
subaquilea 260
Ormiscodes criiiita 224
Oxypteron impar 220
Paconia albofiinbrialis 167
Pffidisca corticana 267
occultana 268
opbtbalmicana 268
profundana 268
semifuscana 269
Solandriana 268
Pamphila fasciolata 224
Pandita imitans (sp. n.), Butler 54
Papilio Archidamas 223
Orizaba 276
Pai'asia sedata 35
Pempelia adelphella 41
bet ul 88, Larva of 41
Pentbina Grevillana 260
prffilongana 260
Penthophora mono 220
Peroiiea perpluxaua 259
Phtegorista pallida (sp. u.), Dnice 156
Phigalia pilosaria 220
Philobota Arabella 15
Plioxopteryx biarcnana 260
inornatana 260
siculana 189
Phycita hostilis 41
Pieris Autodice 224
Blanchardi 224
megainera 82
Melete 82
napi 82
Platypteryx bamula 228
Plusia bractua 258
gamma 29,69, 86, 143
oricbalcea. Larva of 117
Polia nitfiociucta 216
Polyommatus bffiticus 94
Procris globulariae, Larva of 97
Pteropborus Loewii, Larva of 228
zopbodactylus, Larva of 228
Pygmjena fusca 220
Pyralis docilisalis 14
stilbealis 14
Pyrameis Carye 223
Rhodaria robina 14
Rhodopbaea tumidella 227
Roslerstammia prouubella 81
Rumia crataegata 145
Satuniia carpini 90
Scardia lignivora 35
Sciaphila pascuaiia 277
sinuaiia 166
Scoparia coiispicualis 167
inuralis 84, 188, 268
Semioscopis avollauella. Larva of 165
Sesia pbilantbifonnis 216
Spbiiix convolvuli 95, 96, 222, 223, 227
Synomotis cpicapiia (sp. n.), Meyrick 33
Syrichtlius alveolus 31
PAGE
Tseniocampa gracilis 189
miniosa 29
Teriaa cbilensis 223
Thyrocopa usitata 33
Tortricodes byemana 28
Tortrix cinnamomeana 166
cratffigana 166
costaua. Larva of 134
Foi'sterana, Larva of 132
heparana. Larva of 133
icterana. Larva of 132
Lafauryaua 167, 188
„ Larva of 113
Podana, Larva of 134
ribeana. Larva of 133
sorbiana. Larva of 134
viburnaiia, Larva of 132
xylosteana, Larva of 135
Tricomia auroralis 107
TripbKna subsequa 227, 258
Ulochajiia hirta 220
Vanessa cardui 29, 69, 103
polycbloros 81
urticae 81, 113
Xantbotaiiiia obscura (sp. n.), Butler 54
Zygsena exulaiis, Larva of 150
MYRIOPODA.
Scutigera coleoptrata 88
NEUROPTERA.
Acantbaclisis baetica 181
occitanica 181
Anax longipes 129, 169
Rutiierfordi (sp. n.), McLacb....l28, 171
speratus 129, 171
tristis 130
Walsingbami (sp. u.), McLacb...l27, 171
Asynarchus coeiiosus 213
Caecilius piceus 142
Cbrysopa dorsalis 185
flava 161
nigricostata 185
pallida 185
venosa 274
viridana 185
vittata 161
Elipsocus cyanops 142
Forraicalco tetragrammicus 185
Halesus guttatipenuis 116
Libfllula quadrimaculata 88
FAQB
Mesopliylax aspersus, var 19
Myrmeleon Erberi 97
inconspicuus 97
Odonata, British 251-256, 273
(Ecetis furva 142
Pauorpa gernianica, var. borealis 142
Pliilopotamus montanus, var. chrysopterus 273
Phryganea obsoleta 142
xvii.
PAGE
striata 168
Tomateres clavicornis 184
184
ORTHOPTERA.
Blatta americana 259
Pachy tj'lus cinerascens 219
Phaneroptera falcata 186
INDEX TO CONTKIBUTOKS.
PAGE
Archer, Harold 228
Atmore, E. A 113, 188,258,259
Baker, George T 167
Balding, Alfred 167
Baron, Rev. R 276
Barrett, C. G 28, 132,164,236,267
Beaumont, Alfred 123, 142, 225
Bennett, W. H 8
Blatch, W. G 19, 85, 86, 121, 191, 267
Bridgman, J. B., F.L.S 228
Buckler, W 63, 73, 77, 97, 150, 176, 193
Buckton, G. B., P.R.S 110
Butler, A. G., F.L.S., &c 14, 53, 138, 250
Cameron, Peter 265
Champion, Geo. C 172, 199, 248
Collett, E. P 40, 42, 71, 189, 226
Coverdale, George 83
Dale, C. W 213, 214, 256, 257
Douglas, J. W 70, 143, 215
Druce, Herbert, F.L.S 155
Eaton, Rev. A. E., M.A 171
Edwards, James 113, 148, 207
Elliot, A 258
Ellis, J. W 40
Fernald, Prof. C. H 124
Fletcher, J. E 71, 163, 257, 273, 274
Fowler, Rev. W. W., M.A., F.L.S...44, 168, 247
Gibson-Carmichael, T. D., M.A., F.L.S. .. 88
Griffith, A. P 259
Hagen, Prof. H. A 42,169
Hall,C 85
Harwood, W. H 211
Hearder, G. J., M.D 227
Hellins, Rev. J., M.A 229
Hodgkinson, J. B 189
Jeffrey, W. R 257
Jordan, R. C. R., M.D 219
Jenner, J. H. A 40
King, J. J 19, 141, 142
Kirby, W. F 215
Lewis, George, F.L.S 79, 138
Lichtenstein, Jules 61, 178
McLachlan, R., F.R.S. . 96, 103, 116,127,161,
181,184,185,227,251,274
Mason, P. B., F.L.S 186
Matthews, Rev. H. S. R., M.A 209
Meade, R. H 9, 59, 104
Meyrick, E., B.A 31, 122, 141, 167
Morton, Kenneth J 142, 168,273
Norris, Herbert E 164
Osborne, J. A., M.D 145, 205
Porritt, G. T., F.L.S 41, 69, 113, 154, 188,
216, 228, 277
Pryer, H., C.M.Z.S 82
Puton, Dr. A 86
Renter, Dr. 0. M 49
Ridley, H. N., B.A., F.L.S 214
Robson, J. E 69
Sang, John, 41, 140, 166, 167, 217
Saunders, E.,F.L.S..16, 18,42,86, 135,229,270
Sharp, David, M.B 23, 66, 191
Smith, H. Grose 57
Stainton, H. T., F.R.S....1, 41, 81, 82, 84. 136
165, 229, 257
Swinton, A. H 83
Walker, J. J., R.N 91,222
Warren, W 17, 18, 117, 186
Waters, Albert H., B.A 131, 226, 276
White, P. Buchanan, M.D., F.L.S 36
Wilding, R 191
Wood, John H., M.B 165, 245
Wood, Theodore 72, 190, 191
Wratislaw, Rev. A. H., M.A 40
LIST OF NEW GENERA AND SPECIES, &c., DESCRIBED
IN THIS VOLUME.
COLEOPTERA.
GENERA.
PAGE
Baetpristus, SAaj^j 217
CLTPEORnTNCnUS, „ 26
colpodiscus, „ 217
Metromekus, „ 217
Protoparnus, „ 26
Saphorhtnchus, „ 66
Teeastethus, „ 23
SPECIES.
Clypeorhynchus gracilipes, Sharp,
N. Zealand 27
Dorytomus elegans, „ „ 67
Encaustes prieuobilis, Lewis, Japan 138
Episcaplia perforata, „ „ 140
Eugnomns argutus, Sharp, N. Zealand .. 67
Lecanomerus marginatus, „ „ 25
Megalodacne he\\\i\a, Lewis, Japan 139
Peltastica Reitteri, „ „ 79
Protoparnus vestitus, Sharp, N. Zealand 26
Pterostichus (Steropus) Helmsi, „ „ 25
Saphorhynchus longicornis, „ „ 66
Scydmajnus Poweri, Fowler, England ... 247
Tavastethus Iseviventris, Sharp,
JV. Zealand 24
puiicticollis, „ „ 24
Tychaims bufo, „ „ 68
HEMIPTERA.
GENEKA.
GLYPTOCETnALVs, Edwards 148
Flatygusris, F. B. }F kite 36
SPECIES.
D'lcyphns epilohii, Renter, Britain 52
stachydis, „ Europe 63
Platygerris depressa, i^. 5. White, Mexico 36
HYMENOPTERA.
AthaWii maritimsL, Kir by, Greece 215
Nemutus orbitalis, Cameron, Scotland ... 265
sylvestris, „ „ 266
LEPIDOPTERA.
GENERA.
PAGE
AvToyLOLA, Meyrick 34
DiPLOSARA, „ 35
Stnomotis, „ 33
Thtrocopa, „ 32
SPECIES.
.Sgocera atfinis, Druce, Mamhola
tricolor, „ E.Africa
Aletis Monteironis, „ „
Amesia Trepsichrois, Butler, Nias
AnomcDotes thymiathis, Drnce, E. Africa
Aphnasus nj'assse, Butler, Ni/assa
Victoriae, „ Nt/anza
Automola pelodes, Meyrick, Hawaiian
Islands
Bizone rubrifasciata, Lr-uce, Celebes
Chalcosia (Enone, Butler, Nias
Charaxes Nepenthes, S. G. Smith, Siam.
niasicus, Butler, Nias
Nichetes, S. G. Smith,
Cameroons
Portlios, „ „
Elymuias dolorosa, -Bi(f/er, Nias
Heterocrossa achroaiia, Meyrick,
Hawaiian Islands
Hypolimnas eremita, Butler, Dorey
Moduza imitata, „ Nias
Nycteniera Fnlleri, Druce, Cameroons ...
Pandita imitans, Butler, Nias
Pha30gorista pallida, Druce, Ogowai
Phyllodes maligera, JBw^Zer, Ceylon
Synomotis epicapna, Meurick,
Hawaiian Islands
XanthotaMiia obscura, Butler, Nias
155
155
loli
57
15(3
250
251
34
156
57
5S
56
57
57
53
31
56
54
157
54
156
138
33
54
NEUROFIERA.
Aiiax Rutberfordi, McLachlan,
Sierra Leone 128
Walsiiighami, „
California and Guatemala 127
ADDITIONS TO THE BRITISH INSECT FAUNA BROUaHT
FORWARD IN THIS VOLUME.
COLEOPTERA.
PAGE
Cryptocephalus violaceus, Fab 48
Eutheia clavata, JBeJiier 121
Philoiithus astutus, JS;?* 168
Pteiiidium Gressneri, -Br 121
Scyduiajnus Poweri (sp. u.), J'o«<jZer 247
DIPTERA.
Cienosia agromy zella, Rond 105
angulata „ 106
elegantula „ 106
genualis „ 107
infantula „ 106
pallicornis, 2eW 106
solitaria „ 105
triangula, i^nW 105
Cai'icea ciliato-costa, Zett 60
Chelisia mouilis, Meig 108
Cliironomus Frauenfeldi Schin 214
Diastata nebulosa, JFaZ? 214
Macliorchus meditata, „ 61
Pegomyia conformis, „ 10
exilis, Meiff 13
flavipes, J'aZ; 13
haemorrhoum, Zett 11
byoscyami, PaM« 11
latitarsis, Zett 12
rotundicoruis, „ 13
rufipes, PaZZ 11
transversa, „ 12
versicolor, Meig 13
vittigera, Zett 13
Sciomyza bifasciella, JPaH 214
Tipula arctica. Curt 214
HEMIPTERA.
PAGE
Aleurodes immaculata, Seeger 216
Deltocephalus propinquus, J?'je6 208
Dicyphus constrictus, Boh 51
epilobii, Renter 52
stachydis, „ 52
Idiocerus albicans, Kbm 115
aurulentus „ 115
elegSLns, Flor 115
Herrichii, X6»t 115
poecilus, Jff.-jS 115
Thamuotettix stupidula, Zett, 207
HYMENOPTERA.
Dolerus pratorum, J'aZi 265
Mesoleius sepulchralia, Holmgr 228
Nematus orbitalis. Caw 265
sylvestris, „ 266
Pompilus unguicularis, Thorns 87,135
Tachytes lativalvis, „ 136
LEPIDOPTERA.
Coleophora vibicigerella, Z 165
Grapholitha csecana, Schldg 83
NEUROPTERA.
Csecilius piceus, XoZJe 142
Mesopbylax aspersus, Eamb., var 19
Philopotamus montanus, var. chrysopterus,
Morton 273
ORTHOPTERA.
Phaneroptera falcat.i, Scop 186
LARV^ OF BRITISH SPECIES DESCRIBED IN THIS
VOLUME.
Aglossa pinguinalis, BftefcZef 193
Apumea fibrosa „ 176
Bankia Bankiaua „ 77
Crambus inquinatellus, Porrii^ 154
Endromis versicolor. Buckler 73
Halonota trignminana, JBarre^i 268
Hedya Servillana, Wood 245
Meliana flammea, 5«cA:ier 63
Paedisca, British species of, Barrett 267
Pempelia betulae, Porritt 69
Plusia orichalcea, TFf/rren 116
Procris globulariae, Suci-^er 97
Pterophorus zophodact}'lus, Pon*if< 228
Sciaphila, British species of, Barrett. .236^2^4^
Semioscopis avellanella, Troofi 165
Tortrix, British species of, Barrett ...132-135
Lafaurj'ana, Atmore 113
ena exulans, Buckler 150
REVIEWS.
PAGE
RovarAszati Lapok 20
Catalogue of British Coleoptera: D. Sharp 21
Nouveaux Souvenirs Entomologiqiies : J. H. Fabre 43
The Butterflies of North America : W. H. Edwards 89
Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union 89
Natural History of Hastings and vicinity 89
Les Odonates du Japou : E. de Selys-Longchamps 119
Zoology of H.M.S. "Challenger"; Pelagic Hemiptera : F.B.White 120
Australian Tortricids : E. Meyrick 124
Hemiptera Gymnocerata Europae, torn, iii : 0. M. Reuter 261
Rovartani Lapok 277
OBITUARY
PAGE
Professor P. C. Zeller 1
Willam Alexander Forbes, B.A., F.L.S.... 21
Dr. Gustav Flor 72
Edward Sheppard, F.L.S 118
Dr. Hermann Miiller 118
Rev. H. Harpur Crewe 118
Professor Oswald Heer 144
Dr. J. L. Le Conte 191
William Buckler 216,229
Sir Sidney Smith Saunders, C.M.G 278
E R RATA.
Page 28, line 7 from bottom, /or " dodon/fata,'" read " ahhreviata."
" fine," „ " five."
" nastrojos," „ " rastrojos."
" Auhonium," ,, " Anlonium."
" Phrenapetes," „ " Plirenapates."
"guava," „ "guavo."
Pages 211 — 213, for " Nayland," read " Myland."
Page 249, line 29 from top, after " highlands," read " of Guatemala the fauna partakes, &c.
121,
, 11
, top,
199,
, 2
, bottom,
201,
, 7
, „
202,
, 18
, .,
201,
, 20
, top.
>^
pROF.pp.^ELLER
Kof-LilJiograpfi A.HochstetUr, ^l
ettin.
THE
Witt's iloiU/;/,,^^
^y^ VOLUME XX. V//^
PHILIPP CHRISTOPH ZELLER,
BY H. T. STAINTON, F.B.S.
PMlipp Christopli Zeller (to quote his own words) " was born
April 9th, 1808, at Steinheim, in the Kingdom of Wiirttemberg." (As it
appears there are two Steinheims in Wiirttemberg, Hagen, in his
" Bibliotheca Entomologica," mentions more precisely that it was at
Steinheim on the Miirr ; this is only two miles from Marbach, the birth-
place of Schiller). "Early in life," he says, "he came to Erankfort on
the Oder, so that he had no recollection of the place of his birth. How
and when there first arose in him a love for Lepidoptera,''' he, writing
in 1851, "had no recollection, but," he adds, "it must have been in very
early youth."
" My father disliked this fancy of mine, and I can still very well
remember how, on one occasion, I was beaten, when, instead of executing
some commission, I went chasing Pieris brassicce, which, as at that time
I had no entomological apparatus, must have been by the aid of my
jacket 'or overcoat. But my predilection for Butterflies was not driven
out of me, on the contrary, it developed more and more, and when I
went to the Grymnasium, I made many excursions after Lepidoptera
instead of going into the mathematical lecture-room, which was not
quite so much to my taste."
" In 1823 I commenced a Lepidopterological Journal, and I also
described larvae and painted butterflies ; these descriptions and figures
are now mostly lost, as afterwards, I became ashamed of them. At
the Gymnasium I received no instruction in Natural History, but I owe
much to my old friend Metzner, who lent me books, of which I copied
out the greater part. This system of copying, which I continued in
after years, has, notwithstanding my limited means, placed me, by
degrees, in possession of a more complete literature of my hobby than
one finds amongst most Lepidopterologists."
" It was not till I went to the University of Berlin that I had any
instruction in Natural History, and even then only in Botany, as I
looked upon Natural History only as an object of relaxation, and for
A
1883.
2 [.June,
this reason al.s(i, I neglected to make the acquaintance of the Entomo-
logists at Berlin, which I now much regret."
" After passing my examination, I returned to the Gymnasium at
Frankfort on the Oder, in 1830, and now began to devote all my leisure
time to Entomology and Botany ; for some years I rather neglected
Lepidoptcra for Coleoptera and Dipt era.''''*
" In 1833, however, 1 made the acquaintance of Fischer-von-
Roslerstamm, and then returned with eagerness to the study of Lepid-
optera. I can, however, truly say, that if I have attained any correct
views, 1 do not owe them in any degree to the study of writers on the
Order Lepidoptera, but rather to the Coleopterologists, and above all
things to the Dipterologist, Meigen."
As an instance of an early entry in Zeller's Journal may be given
the following, dated July 12, 1829. "In the early morning about 5
o'clock some very pretty moths were flying from fir-trees at Tegel (near
Berlin) ; of these I caught 2, one good and the other bad, the latter I
threw away." Many years afterwards the name of the insect was
added to this entry " (Ecophora Borkhausenii.''
The earliest printed notice of Zeller occurs, I believe, in Treitscbke's
" Schmetterlinge von Europa," IX, 2, p. 262, published in 1S33 ; he is
there described as " Herr Candidat Zeller in Frankfort an der Oder, a
zealous friend of Entomology," the notice refers to the rearing of a
number of Tinea tapezeUa from a decayed hoof of a horse.
In the 3rd part of Treitscbke's 10th volume, published in 1835, Zeller
is three times mentioned, at pp. 141, 153 and 187 ; in the second of
these notices he is spoken of as " Herr Oberlehrer Zeller in Glogau,"
showing that between 1833 and 1835 he had removed from Frankfort
on the Oder to Glogau, and had developed from a '" Candidat " to an
" Oberlehrer"
Oken, the Editor of the "Isis," had offered a prize for the best
essay on the determination of the Lepidoptera which were noticed in
Eeaumur's " Memoires pour servir a I'histoire des insectes," and of the
two essays sent in to compete for this prize, the first prize was awarded
to P. C. Zeller, Oberlehrer an der evangel. Biirgerschule in Gross-
Glogau.f This " Kritische Bestimmung " extends to 112 columns (56
])ages quarto), and revealed at once uncommon powers in the new
writer, who, thus in 1838, made his first appearance as an author.
* Between 1840 and 1847, he published several Dipterological papers, and one on a Cole-
opterous subject, as may be seen in Hageii's Bibliotheca Entomologica.
+ The second prize was awarded to C. F. Freyer of Augsburg, the illustrious author of the
" Beitriige" and " Neuere Beitnige."
He had, however, been already working for some time at a Classi-
fication of the Tineacea, and it w^as no doubt, in some degree, owing to
the encouragement derived from his successful determination of so
many of E-eaumur's Lepidoptera, that an epitome of this Classification
appeared in the " Isis " of the following year, 1839.
This epitome, entitled " Versuch einer naturgemassen Eintheiluug
der Schaben " (an attempt at a natural arrangement of the Cramlina
and Tineacea), extends to 54 columns (27 pages quarto).
In it the Cramhina are divided into two groups, the true Grambina
comprising 4 genera, and the Phycidece comprising 7 genera ; the
Tineacea, not divided into groups, comprise 42 genera, of which two,
Goryptilum and Stenoma, w'ere founded solely for the reception of exotic
insects (from Java and North America), so that the European Tineacea
were comprised in 40 genera.
This classification is such a vast stride on anything that had
previously appeared in the pages of Duponchel, Stephens and
Treitschke, that one looks upon it with amazement, whilst reflecting
that it is really the maiden essay of a new author ; for though the
determination of Reaumur's Lepidoptera had been published a few
months previously, and hence appears as the author's first work, this
classificatory essay had been the work of Zeller during many previous
years.
Unfortunately, in the pages of the " Isis " it remained too little
known, for though it may be said without hesitation, that no Entomo-
logical Library can be complete that does not contain those volumes
of Oken's " Isis " in which Zeller's papers have appeared, yet it is only
too rarely they are found on an Entomologist's book-shelves.
The same volume of the " Isis " (1839) contained tw^o other papers
by Zeller ; one, the determination of the Lepidoptera mentioned in
De Geer's " Memoires," the other, a critical notice of Ereyer's deter-
mination of Reaumur's Lepidoptera; for, as may be easily supposed, the
two authors had not in all cases concurred in their determination of
Reaumur's species.
In the "Isis" of 1841 appeared a treatise on the Pteroplwridcs,
and in that of 1844, a Monograph of the genus Hyponomeuta ; more
than half of the year 1844 (from January to August) was devoted to
an Entomological expedition to Italy and Sicily, where a rich harvest
of observations was made, to be afterwards recorded in the pages of the
"Isis."
The "Isis" of 1846, contained two important works from Zeller's
4 [June,
pen. — 1^ His notes to the Lepidoptcrological Fauna of Lievland and
Curland, by Madame Lienig. These notes contain a valuable mine of
observations, especially amongst the Geomeiridoe and the Micro-
Lepidoptera. 2^ A treatise on the knot-horned PhycidcB.
During the eight years which had elapsed since his first appearance
as an author, numerous smaller papers had appeared, either in the
" Isis," or in the organ of the then newly-founded Entomological
Society at Stettin, the '' Stettiner entomologische Zeitung." This
Society, in 1846, commenced an important new work, the " Linnaea
Entomologica," for the reception of more extensive Monographs,
which were in their nature rather too bulky to appear in the "Zeitung,"
which at that time, and for many years afterwards, was issiied in
monthly numbers.
The fii'st volume of the " Linnjea Entomologica " contained two
elaborate papers by Zeller, on Lithocolletis and on Eudorea, the two
together forming nearly one-third of the volume ; each was illustrated
by a Plate, and these Plates appealing at once to the eyes of those who
were still ignorant of the German language, gave an impulse to its
study among the Entomologists of other countries, the beneficial
influence of which it seems impossible to exaggerate.
Another result of the publication of the "Linnaea Entomologica"
was that it led to a more extended knowledge amongst other Entomo-
logists of Zeller's earlier papers, that had appeared in the "Isis," but
which had previously existed too much like a buried treasure.
The discovery in 1847 of "the attempt at a natural arrangement of
the Cramhina and Tineacea,''' which, though published eight years
previously, now first became known to English Entomologists, came like
a ray of sunlight to those who had hitherto been groping very much
in the dark, and had been puzzling and perplexing themselves how
tliey were ever to decide whether an insect was a Microsetia or an
Amnnrosetia, names which must sound strange to the Entomologists of
the present day, but which were once " familiar in our mouths as
household words."
In less than three years from the publication of these Monographs
on Lithocolletis and Endorea in the "Linnsea," we find Zeller actively
in correspondence with three English entomologists : Stainton, Henry
Doubleday, and Douglas. But to recur to the works of the author
which followed 1846,before this intercourse with English entomologists
began, and which was to be continued in a regular and steady stream
to the end of his davs : —
lu 1847 there appeared in the " Isis " his "Remarks on the
Lepidoptera collected during a journey in Italy and Sicily" (the
journey in 1844< to which we have already alluded), and the same year
there appeared in the " Linnaea Entomologica, " vol. 2, his treatise
on Argyresthia.
In 1848 there appeared in the "Isis" his treatises: 1st, on the
Galleries and naked-horned Phycidce, and 2nd, on the exotic Phycidce,
and in the third volume of the " Linnaea Entomologica" his Monograph
of "the Genera of leaf-mining Tineidce with Eye-caps" (^Lyonetia,
Opostega, JSucculatrix, Nepticula, &c.).
Unfortunately, 1848 was the year of Continental Kevolutious,
and partly owing to the political disquiet of the time the " Isis von
Oken " (commenced in 1817) thenceforward ceased to appear. For
all naturalists, the discontinuance of this valuable miscellany was a
great deprivation, but to Entomologists in particular, who had seen
its pages of late years so largely filled with the writings of P. C. Zellei',
the loss was immense.
In 1849, Zeller produced, in the 4th volume of the " Linnaea
Entomologica," a treatise of more than 200 pages on Coleophora ; and
in that and the following year he gave, in the pages of the " Stettiner
entomologische Zeitung, " an elaborate notice of the Lepidoptera
collected by Herr Joseph Mann in Tuscany, in 1846.
In 1851 appeared, in the 5th volume of the Linna?a, a treatise
on the three genera, Incurvaria, Micropteryx, and Nemophora, and in the
following year, in vol. 6 of the same work, was a Monograph of the
other Tineidce with long maxillary palpi {Euplocamus, Tinea, LJriocoftis,
and Lampronid), and also a revision of the Pterophoridce.
In 1852 it was that Zeller, who had lately received from the
King of Prussia a special award of the title of Professor, visited
England in company with his friend. Dr. C. A. Dohrn of Stettin.
This visit occurred in the month of July and only lasted a fortnight,
but during that period he visited four Entomological localities :
Charlton sand-pit. West Wickham "Wood,Mickleham and Sanderstead ;"
he also visited Professor Westwood at Hammersmith, and Henry
Doubleday at Epping. It is, however, to be feared that this visit was
not one of pure enjoyment, as the worthy Professor's stomach had
been more or less disarranged by the transit from Ostend to Dover,
and the "sentiment of the water," as he expressed it, still remained
with him the greater part of his visit, besides, he had a great aversion
to the smell of campho* (a perfume of which English Entomologists,
Q I June,
habituated to it from tbeir earliest boyhood, ai'e utterly unconscious),
and was at the same time very unwilling to have a breath of fresh
air admitted by an open window.
In 1852 appeared also the 7th volume of tlie " Linnsea Entomo-
logica," in which Zeller treated of the genera Lypusa, Talasporia,
Solenohia, Diplodomn, and Xysmatodoma ; and in the same year he
also described Wahlberg's Caffrarian Micro-Lepidoptera in the Trans-
actions of the Stockholm Academy of Sciences. The following year
the genera Adela and Nemotois were treated monographically in the
8th volume of the " Linnsea," and a critical determination ox the species
figured by Clerck in his " Icones " appeared in the " Stettiner
entomologische Zeitung."
In 1854, Zeller gave, in the 9th volume of the " Linnaea," the
genus Depressaria, and several allied genera (including 26 species of
the genus Cryptolechia) . The tenth volume of the " Linnsea," in 1855,
contained a postscript on Cryptolechia, with descriptions of 13 new
species, and also an elaborate Monograpb of tbe very difficult genus
Butalis. This was, we regret to say, the last of his masterly con-
tributions to the " Linnaea Entomologica." It was towards the end of
May, 1855, that the writer of these lines had the pleasure of seeing
Professor Zeller in his home at Gross-Glogau, and after spending two
days there, of meeting him for several days the guest of Dr. Dohrn at
Stettin and at Hokendorf.
In 1855 appeared the first of the 13 volumes of the Natural
History of the Tineinn, by Staiutou, assisted by Zeller and Douglas ;
of this series the whole of the German and Latin letter-press was
translated by Professor Zeller from the original English, and he also
contributed many valuable remarks.
At the end of March, 1860, Zeller left Gross-Glogau in Silesia,
where he had I'esided for a quarter of a century, for Meseritz, in Posen,
where he still continued his scholastic employment. Here, in 1863,
he wrote his Monograph of the Chilonidw and Cramhidce of 54 quarto
pages — this was printed as an Appendix to a " Schulnachricht," and
it is a very nice question, whether it was e^er published. The date on
the Monograph itself was not printed.* In 1865 a troublesome and
painful illness necessitated his absence from Meseritz for some weeks,
and he spent the greater part of June and July in that year at
Frauendorf, near Stettin. In May, 1S66, he retired from his school-
occupation, and had thenceforward more leisure to devote to Entomo-
* " Dass das jP.itum der Publikation schriftlich elngetragen worden ist, hat seinen Grand
darin, dass die Jahreszahl sich auf dem Titel der hier wuggelasseren Schulnach rich ten befindet." —
P. C. Zeller i« lit., •2\~-6S.
188S.J 7
logy. Au intended excursion to Carinthia, contemplated for 186G,
was necessax'ily deferred on account of the war between Prussia and
Austria ; but, in 1867, June and July were spent at Preth and Eaibl
in Carinthia, and a few days on the return journey at Bruck on the
Muhr, and at Vienna.
Notices of his observations during this excursion appeared in
1868 in the " Stettiner entomologische Zeitung," and in the " Ver-
handlungen des zoologisch-botaniscli Vereins in Wien." At the end
of April, 1869, Zeller removed to Griiuhof, near Stettin, where he
found useful and congenial occupation in the post of Librarian to the
Stettin Entomological Society, and here he found himself fully occupied
with his extensive scientific correspondence, and in the determination
of the 3Iicro-Lepidoptera which were sent to him from various parts.
From his retreat at Grriinhof, he three times made prolonged stays at
Bergiin in Switzerland, situated at the northern extremity of the Albula
Pass in the Grisons ; thus, in 1871, he was at Bergiin from May 31st to
the end of July, in 1873, from June 21th to the end of August, two days
(July 5th and 6th) having been spent at Weissenstein, and in 1875 he
arrived at Bergiin at the end of May, removing to Weissenstein on
the 11th July, where he remained to the beginning of August. He had
thus collected in abundance the materials for a Lepidopterous Fauna of
the Albula district, of which a first instalment appeared in the " Stettin.
Entomol. Zeitung" for 1872, followed by a more exhaustive treatment
of the subject in the same periodical in 1877 and 1878.
After 1875, Professor Zeller made no extended journey, but he
several times went to Swinemiinde, accom])anied by his daughter,
Mrs Janicke, to search on the coast sand-hills there for the very
singular Dactylota Kinkerella ; the insect, however, was not to be
found by him.
In his later yeai's, Zeller devoted much of his attention to the
critical investigation and description of Micro-Lepidoptera from various
parts of the world, and most valuable papers from his pen on " North
American 3Iicro-Lepidoptera,^' and on "Exotic Micro-Lepidoptera,''
appeared in the " Verhandlungen des zoologisch-botanisch Vereins in
Wien " in 1872 and 1873, and in the " Horas Societatis Entomologicae
Rossicae" for 1877 and 1881.
Zeller, who had been in the enjoyment of his usual health at the
commencement of the present year, was actively corresponding and
readily answering any queries as to observations he had made fully
thirty years ago, and to all appearance there were still years of good
scientific work before him.
[June,
On Good Friday, March 23rd, he was attacked with a sudden pain
of the heart. Doctors were hastily sent for, and the first who reached
him (Dr. Sauerhering) found his pulse very faint, but otherwise no
symptom of importance ; by the time Dr. Schleich reached him the
pulse was again normal, and he saw no cause for serious anxiety.
The three following days passed without any recurrence of the attack,
and on Tuesday, March 27th, he rose at his usual early hour, declaring
that he felt quite well, and proceeded to correct a sheet of the " Stettiner
entomologische Zeitung," which contained a paper by Heinrich Frey
of Zurich. Soon afterwards, his wife brought him some cold meat and
bread and butter, on which he set to work with appetite, and Mrs. Zeller
retired to an adjoining room ; soon after hearing her husband twice
groan or cry out, she hurried back — he lay dead on the floor.
Zeller was married in 1833 to the lady who survives him ; a son
died very young, a daughter, who married in 1864 Dr. Janicke of
"Wrietzen (but was too soon left a widow), has two children — the boy,
like his grandfather, shows a greater predilection for Entomology than
for his severer studies, but this tendency to atavism on the part of
the rising generation was not viewed with indulgence by the aged
Professor, who seemed to have overlooked that his own early life was
repeated by his grandson.
It has been well said of Professor Zeller " that he always struck
one as a very thorough man in what he did — one who had trained his
mind well, and who thought and wrote with fullness and precision."
As might almost have been expected from the date of his birth,
and the period of his greatest intellectual growth. Professor Zeller
never made any approach to an approval of Darwinism.
His collections are in good hands, having been purchased by
Lord AValsingham.
Mouiitsfield, Lewisham :
Maj/, 1883.
Lebia turcica in the Hastings district. — On April 30th, while working at some
birch stumps in a clearing near Guestling, I took a beetle which I did not recognise.
When it was set, I at once identified it as Lebia turcica, F. In Cox's Handbook
this species is merely described as " rare," but I have been informed that it has latelj
been placed amongst the "reputed" British species, a fact which renders its oc-
currence in this district doubly interesting. I have again visited the same locality,
but 80 far without success. — "W. II. Bennett, 11, George Street, Hastings, May, 1883.
1883.J
ANNOTATED LIST OP BRITISH ANTEOMYIIDM.
BY E. H. MEABE.
{Continued from Vol. "Lva, page 220).
21. ACANTHIPTEEA, Eond.
Pegomyia, Macq.
Anthomyia, Meig., Schin.
Anthomyza, Zett.
Gen. ch. — Head nearly semi-circular ; eyes bare, approximate in
both sexes ; arista long and pubescent ; aluleta well developed, the
lower scale being considerably longer than tbe upper ; abdomen elon-
gated, tapering, and sub-cylindrical in the male, ovato-conical in the
female : wings with auxiliary vein armed with spines, and anal vein
not reaching the margin : legs yellow, elongated (especially in the
males), and with large pulvilli.
A. iNANis, Fall.
Only one European species is known in this rather peculiar genus ; it has the
head similar in shape to those in the genus Homalomj/ia. The colour is totally yel-
low, with the exception of a bluish-grey spot on the dorsum of the thorax, and the
joints of the tarsi, all of which are nigrescent in tlie females, but only those of the
hind legs in the males. Not common. The larvae are said to have been found in
wasps' nests.
22. PEGOMYIA, Desv., Macq.
Aiitliomyia, Meig., Schin., Eond., p.
Anthomyza, Zett.
Chortophila, p., Eond.
Gen. ch. — Eyes bare, contiguous or sub-contiguous in the males,
remote in the females ; arista pubescent or bare ; abdomen sub-
cylindrical or depressed in the males, ovato-conical in the females ;
alulets variable in size, mostly small, but sometimes with the scales
pretty well developed and of unequal lengths : wings with the anal
veins prolonged to the margin : legs always partly yellow, and abdomen
mostly wholly or partially so, as well.
Sect. 1 — Abdomen xoliolly or 'principally black or grey.
1. BET^, Curtis.
sulcans ?, Eond.
2. CONFOKMIS, Fall.
3. HTOSCTAMi, Panz.
clienopodii, Eond.
4. H^MOEEHOUM, Zett.
Sect. 2 — Abdomen red or yellow.
Div. i — Ahdcts moderate in size, with scales of unequal length.
10 [Juno,
5. EUFIPES, Fall. j 7. TRANSVERSA, Fall.
6. WlNTHEME, Meig. I 8, LATITARSIS, Zett.
Div. ii — Alulets small, with equal sized scales.
9. BicOLOR, Wdm.
mitis, Meig.
strigipes ?, 7iQ,\X.
10. NIGRITARSIS, Zett.
fulgens, Schiu., nou Meig.
11. EXiLis, Meig.
12. VERSICOLOR, Meig.
13. FLAVIPES, Fall.
14. VITTI&ERA, Zett.
gilva ?, Zett.
15. ROTUXDICORNIS, Zett.
The flies included in this genus are some of them more highly-
developed than others, having larger alulets and wider bodies ; Ron-
dani, therefore, placed them partly in his genus AntJiomgia, and partly
in Chortophila ; the greater number of them, however, have their
principal characters in common, possessing yellow bodies and legs, and
form a natural group : to these I have joined a few others which closely
resemble some of those in the genera Chortophila and Fhor-bia, but
differ in having the legs always partially yellow. R. Desvoidy formed
this genus to include those flies which feed in the larva state upon the
parenchyma of leaves ; but though most of the species included in it
do thus blotch or mine the leaves of various plants, the habit is not
peculiar to them, for some of the species in the genus Phorhia, as I
have already mentioned, do the same.
P. BETJE, Curtis.
The male of this species was well described by Curtis in tlie Journal of the
Royal Agricultural Society of England in 1847 ;* he overlooked, however, one im-
portant point, describing the palpi as being black, whereas thcj' are always yellow
with black ends or tips. The antennae are wholly black ; the femora and tarsi are
all black in the males, the tibiae only being yellow or piceous in dark varieties ; in
the females the femora of the four posterior legs are usually pale or yellow, while
those of the front pair are black or grey on their upper surfaces.
This fly, which was formerly considered rare, and was but little known, has
come into rather prominent notice of late year.s, owing to the injury which it causes
in the larva state to the agriculturist, by feeding upon the leaves of the mangold
wurzel. Ifc also mines the leaves of other species of beet and Chenopodium, and Mr.
Inchbald sent me specimens bred from spinach leaves.
P. CONFOEMIS, Fall.
This species bears considerable resemblance to the last. The female only has
been described, the male being unknown until I received a specimen in May, 1882,
from Mr. Inchbald, together with a female, both of which he had bred from the
* Vol. viii. pt. ii, p. 412.
H83.] 11
leaves of Arctium lappa, upon wliich the larvae had fed. The male bears a conside-
rable resemblance to that of P. betcp : the fa^e is rather prominent ; eyes contiguous ;
antennae rather short, entirely black ; palpi yellow, with black tips ; thorax dark
grey, very indistinctly striped ; abdomen narrow, sub-cylindrical, light grey, with a
very slightly marked dorsal longitudinal stripe and large projecting sub-anal pro-
cesses of a reddish colour ; the fore legs have the femora and tarsi black, and the
tibiae only red ; the four posterior legs have the femora, as well as the tibiae, red.
The female has the face more prominent than that of the male, and, together with
the forehead, cheeks, and basal joints of antennae, of a bright yellow colour. The
thorax and abdomen are both immaculate and light grey ; the legs have all the
femora and tibiae yellow. Rare : besides the pair which I received from Mr. Inch-
bald, I have two females which I captured at Windermere in 1874.
P. HTOSCTAMI, PaUZ.
In this species the abdomen is usually described as being of a light grey colour,
especially in the male ; but it will often be found to have a pale testaceous tinge in
both sexes, when it corresponds to the C. chenopodii of Rondani. The back of the
abdomen is marked with a longitudinal row of narrow triangular spots in both males
and females, very similar to those seen in P. heta. The palpi are yellow with black
tips ; the basal joints of the antennae are yellow ; and the legs have all the femora
and tibiae pale, with the exception of the fore femora in the male, which are partly
grey. This rare species is said to feed in the larva state upon the leaves of the
henbane, and Rondani says that he has bred the pale bodied variety from those of
the deadly nightshade {Atropa belladonna), as well as from some species of Ckeno-
podium.
P. H^MOEEHOUM, Zett.
The female of this species closely resembles that of P. conformis, but differs in
having the last two segments of the abdomen red or yellow. The palpi are yellow
with black tips ; the antennae are wholly black in all the specimens that I have seen,
but Zetterstedt says that they are often red at the base ; the fore femora are black
or grey, but all the others, as well as all the tibiae, are yellow. Zetterstedt only
knew the female when he published his description in the 4th vol. of the Dipt.
Scand. ; but in the 14th and Supplementary volume of the same work he gives a
very imperfect account of the male. In several specimens which I possess of that
sex, the abdomen is sub-cylindrical, entirely grey, having dark reflections, but no
distinct markings ; the anal segment is incurved, grey, with two projecting processes
of a black colour ; the eyes are sub-contiguous ; the forehead prominent ; the an-
tennse wholly black as well as the palpi ; the legs are coloured as in the female, but
the fore femora are only black at their bases. This species is not uncommon near
Bradford, but the females are more frequently met with than the males.
P. EUFIPES, Fall.
Only the male is known of this species, which is one of the most highly de-
veloped in the genus, the scales of the alulets being of considerable size, and the
abdomen widened. The antennae and palpi are black, the latter, however, being
sometimes pale at their bases ; the legs are entirely rufous, with the exception of
12 [June,
the tarsi, which are black ; the fore femora are, however, often darker lliaii the others
(piceous). Rare. I have two specimens, one found near Bradford, and the other
in Oxfordsliire.
P. WlNTlIEMI, Meig.
This species, like the last, has the alulets comparatively large. It is charac-
terized by the abdomen, which is yellow, being marked on the lower edge of each
segment by a transverse black line ; the antennae are black in the males, but have
the two basal joints pale in the females ; the palpi are yellow ; the thorax is dark
grey, the apex of the scutellum and the sides of the thorax being often tinged
with yellow, especially in the females ; the transverse veins of the wings are oblique
and sinuous.
P. TEANSVEESA, Fall.
This species closely resembles the preceding one ; it differs from it, however, in
having the alulets smaller, the scales being only slightly unequal, and in having the
external transverse veins of the wings nearly straight and upright ; the femora and
tibiae are all yellow in both species. These two flies, which are quite distinct, have
been mixed together. Meigen, in his description of P. Winthetni, says, that the ex-
ternal transverse veins are straight and upright, but Schiner states that he had
examined specimens obtained from Meigen, which all had the veins sinuous ; he,
however, thought that there was only one species, and that Fallen's P. transversa
was the same as Meigen's P. Winthemi. Rondani also confounded the two species :
his description of the male of P. transversa (he does not mention P. Winthemi) ap-
plying to that species, while that of the female belongs to P. Winthemi ; for he says
of the former, " vena transversa exteriore non rectissima," while he remarks of the
latter sex, " alae vena transversa exteriore distincte sinuosa." Both these species
are rare, but I possess two males and two females of each.
P. LATITARSIS, Zett.
I have not seen a male of this species, which closely I'esembles that of P. trans-
versa. The females may be known at once by their having the tarsi of the four
posterior legs widely dilated at their extremities. I have two specimens, both cap-
tured in Yorkshire.
P. BicoLOE, Wdm.
This common species may be considered as the typical one of the group to which
it belongs (those with small alulets). I will, therefore, briefly mention its leading
features of distinction, so that it may be easy to note the characteristic points by
which the following and nearly allied species may be distinguished from it. The
forehead and face are somewhat prominent ; the eyes of the male sub-contiguous ;
the seta bare ; the antennae usually with all three joints black, but sometimes with
the first and second rufous ; the palpi always entirely yellow ; the frontal stripe
usually black in the females, and always in the males ; the abdomen of males sub-
cylindrical ; all the tarsi and the fore femora black in the males, the tarsi only black
in the females. The larvae of this species feed on the leaves of bcveral of the common
species of dock (Rume.c), in which they make large blolclics.
13
P. NIGRITARSIS, Zett.
Rondani places this species in his genus Anthomyia, but in numerous examples
which I have examined I have always found the scales of the alulets very small and
equal in size. This closely resembles P. bicolor in shape, colour, &c., but differs in
being usually rather smaller ; in having black tips to the palpi ; the eyes of the
male contiguous ; the frontal space mostly red in the males, and always brightly so
in the females ; and the fore femora always grey on their upper surfaces in the
females. Schiner evidently confounds this species with A. fulgens of Meigen, but
the latter (of which I have not seen a British specimen) has the seutellum yellow,
not grey, as in P. nigritarsis. This fly also feeds in the larva state upon dock leaves ;
I have bred many specimens from those of Rumex ohtusifolins. On one occasion,
several individuals of this species, as well as some of P. bicolor, emerged from pupse
formed in the same leaf.
P. EXiLis, Meig.
This closely resembles the two preceding species, but differs from them both by
having the palpi entirely black ; the antennae have the bas-al joints yellow. Rare :
I bred a single specimen last year from a leaf of Heracleum sphondylium.
P. YERSICOLOK, Meig.
In shape and general appearance this species closely resembles P. bicolor, but
may be distinguished from it by having the palpi entirely black ; the antennae are
also black, by which it may be known from P. exilis. ISiot very uncommon.
P. TLATIPES, Fall.
This little fly differs from P. llcolor, as well as from most of the other preceding
species, by having the forehead flat, and the abdomen thin and depressed, instead of
being sub-cylindrical. It has the arista pubescent ; the palpi yellow (sometimes
darkened at the extremities) ; the thorax sub-testaceous ; the abdomen livid, with
large sub-anal processes ; and the four posterior femora with black rings round their
extremities. Rai'e : only the male has been described.
P. VITTIGEEA, Zett.
This species differs from all the preceding by having the thorax always pale, as
well as the abdomen. The colour of the former varies from light yellow to rufo-
testaceous, and it is marked dovra the dorsum with a broad grey stripe. This fly
closely resembles P.Jlavipes in most points, having among others the posterior femora
annulated with black at their extremities. Zetterstedt captured a female in union
with a male of P. flavipes, and I am inclined to think that they are both varieties of
the same insect. Rare : I captured a single female at Windermere in June, 1874.
P. EOTUNDICORNIS, Zett.
This is an aberrant species, peculiar by having the eyes of the male, as well as
those of the female, separated by a considerable interval. The antennse are short,
with the third joint orbicular, and with the seta elongated and bare ; the thorax is
14 [.June,
grey ; the abdomen very narrow, depressed, and reddisli-hrown. Zetterstedt only
knew the male ; the female is very similar to it, but has the abdomen fusiform and
the metatarsi yellow. A pair of this well marked and peculiar species were sent to
me for identification by Mr. Dale, of Glanville Wootton in May, 1877.
. {To be continued).
REPLY TO ME. MEYRICK'S OBSERVATIONS ON THE SYNONYMY
OF CERTAIN MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA.
BY ARTHUR G. BUTLP^R, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.
It is a truth whicli none will question, that no criticism of a
man's work (however severe or unmerited) is so distressing as the
ignoring of it altogether ; and the distress, such as it is, is still more
diminished when the critic bases his observations upon an unsound
foundation.
When a man can say, as Mr. Meyrick cannot, that he has before
him, as he writes, the types, or even good ^figures, of several so-called
species, referred by their authors to different genera; and, that they
are specifically identical, his statements may be accepted, until proved
to be erroneous ; but when he makes such sweeping statements as that
respecting BJwdaria rohina, it may safely be concluded that he will
commit many errors through haste which he will afterwards regret :
I will not then repeat this error by asserting that R. rolina is not
one or both of Guenee's species referred to Endotricha, since I have
neither of that author's types before me, but I will positively main-
tain that it is neither generically nor specifically identical with any
Endotricha known to me, nor with the Pyralis stilhealis and. P. dociU-
salis, of Walker ; I will further observe that I do not believe the last
two to be varieties of the same species ; although on this point I <im
open to conviction if Mr. Meyrick can show me a series of examples
linking them together : on the other hand. Walker's species are refer-
able to his genus Doththa, which appears to be congeneric with
Endotricha {E.Jlammealis) ; and, therefore, on this head, as in aU hut
one of my notes on synonymy, I am able to agree with Mr. Meyrick :
whether he is right in stating that Rhodaria, Guen., is not separable
from Botys will depend entirely upon what he regards as the type of
the latter genus, a point which, at present, I have not the time to
enter into.
I admit that T was over-hasty fin my paper in the Annals) in con-
18S3. 15
detnning Walker's Crambus impletellus, coming from Tasmania, whilst
C. pleniferellus is from Sydney, I ought to have believed its slight
difFerences of pattern (or, rather, the additions in the pattern of the
primaries) to be constant until the reverse had been proved.
With regard to Concliylis ? avriceps, which Mr. Meyrick asserts
to be allied to Pltilohota Arabella, and concerning the neuration of
which he can speak confidently without examination, I may say that
I have just examined it again in conjunction with P. Arabella, and
that differences in neuration (such as the distance between the emis-
sion of the subcostal branches and the direction and angulation of the
discocellulars) do exist between them, and that the " other respects "
which I put first (such as the form of wing and fringing) are similar
to those of ConcJiylis margaritana, and not P. Arabella ; nevertheless,
our specimen being (as I stated in my description) an imperfect one,
I may repeat the words there used : — " I cannut be positive of the
correctness of its generic location."
Of C. Thetis it is possible that the collector may have sent Mr.
Meyrick examples, but it is just as likely (in the case of a type of
coloration frequent in the Micro-Lepidoptera') that either he, or even
Meyrick himself, may have failed to recognise my species, in which case
the synonymy will not be burdened ; whereas, if the contrary be the
truth, it will argue that my descriptions are easier to recognise than
those of my critic, for I certainly went through his papers with each
Melbourne specimen before I decided it to be new, and that, too, with
an effort to obtain an identification if possible, which would have
gratified the author had he seen it.
British Museum : May, 1883.
Influence of colour on Insects. — The following extract from the recently pub-
lished 2nd part of vol. i of " Timehri," the Journal of the Eojal Agricultui'al
and Commercial Society of British Guiana," so ably edited by Mr. E. F. im Thum,
may be of interest to our readers. It occurs in an account of a visit to Mount
Kussell in Guiana, by the editor (p. 223) : —
" That afternoon the Indians of the place, seeing our interest in catching butter-
flies, exhibited various clever ways of entrapping these insects. To catch those of
yellow hue, they picked and laid on the ground the flowers of a yellow Bignonia
{B. chicled) ; and this proved a most successful plan. Equally successful were they
when ttey laid decaying banana-skins on the ground to attract the large blue
Morphos ; but an attempt to attract certain red species by displaying the ripe red
Ifi .lime.
fruit of the faroali plant {Bixa orellana) was not successful. Then, these methods
of enticing the insects were completed by inverting a round quake (a wide-mouthed
basket of very open wicker-work) over the bait, taking care to raise the quake so
that its lower edge was some inches from the ground. The butterflies, attracted by
the flowers, made their way under the raised edge of the quake, and when the
Indians approached flew, not out under the edge of the quake, but upward into the
top, where they were captured." — E. C. E,.
Notes on British Ants. — Ernest Andre, in his Species des Hymenopteres For-
micides, pp. 271, 272, exposes an error into which entomologists have fallen with
respect to the supposed males of Stenamma Westwoodi and Asemorhoptrum lippula,
and clearly shows that at present the $ of one species only has actually been de-
scribed ; for my share in this blunder, I must apologize, as I described the $ of
Asemorhoptrmn from nature, but borrowed my characters of Stenamma from Smith,
Mayr, &c., and did not see the actual type, as I ought to have, which would probably
have saved me from the error.
Westwood originally described Stenamma Westiooodi, Stephens, MSS., from the
<J , not knowing any other sex ; to this $ , the $ and $ of a quite distinct species
have been associated, so that what we have known, and F. Smith and myself have
described, as Stenam^na Westwoodi, has been the <? of one species, and the $ and $
of another. The <J of what we have caWeA. Asemorhoptrum lippula exists in several
collections, and it now turns out, from Mons. Andre's examination, that these two
males are identical. As Westwood described his Stenamma Westwoodi before
Nylander characterized his Myrmica lippula, what we now know as lippula will
have to be called Stenamma Westwoodi, and the ? and $ of what we have called
S. Westwoodi will have to be known as Formicoxenus nitidulus, Nyl., the S of this
latter being as yet undescribed, the synonymy standing thus :
Stenamma Westwoodi, West.
:= Stenamma Westwoodi, F. Smith, E. Saund., &c., $ {nee $ , §).
= Asemorhoptrum lippula, F. Smith, E. Saund., et auct., ^ , ? , § .
Formicoxenus nitidulus, Nyl.
= Stenamma Westivoodi, Smith, E. Saimd. (excl. <?), nee West.
While on the subject of British ants, T want to say a few words on the Bourne-
mouth ant, which I have referred to i^orwijca ^«^a/p.?, and for which Mr. Farren
White, in his recent book, "Ants and their ways," has proposed the w&me" glabra."
I think there is no doubt that Forel and Emery are right in uniting_/«5ca,
cinerea, cunicularia, and gagates as races under the one species, _/«sca, Linn. Of
these four races, fusca, cinerea, and cunicularia, have the abdomen clothed with
silken hairs, gagates has it glabrous with stiff bristles round the apex of the seg-
ments ; the specimen I have described from has the abdomen glabrous as in gagates
true, but is undoubtedly smaller and paler than continental specimens. On the
continent there are also intermediate forms, known iisfusco-gagates,fusco-cinerea,
cinereo-rufiharlis, und/usco-rujibarbis. Surely, it is more likely that our specimens
belong to some such intermediate form (possibly, cuniculario-gagates , if there is such
a thing), than to a new species "glabra,^' not known on the continent at all, especially as
my specimen only differs from typical gagates in being smaller and paler, and because
1383.] . 17
paler, having the bristles at the apex of the segments less conspicuous. I should
be only too pleased to add a new ant to our list, i. e., if indigenous and not intro-
duced directly by unnatural means, but I really think a form in the midst of the
confusion of gagaies, cunundaria, fusca, &c., should not be singled out for that pur-
pose.— Edward Saundeks, Holmesdale, Upper Tooting : ^th May, 1883.
On the hahits of the larva of Eupoecifla rupicola. — I have found these larvse
commonly, wherever Eupatorium cannahinum grows, not, however, in the standing
stems of last year's plants, but in old broken and rotten bits, lying prostrate on the
ground and covered over with moss and rubbish.
If the old stems happen to have been broken, or mown off, within three or four
inches of the ground, there is pretty certain to be a larva spun up in a long cocoon,
fastened to the outer wall of the stem, much in the same way as that of E. iidana
is, or else among the half-eaten pith.
Whether the larva at first feeds in the flowers and descends to make up in the
rubbish 1 cannot say, but certainly the pith of the old stems is eaten. Sometimes
two or three larvae may be found, one behind the other, in a very narrow stalk just
large enough to hold them. These larvae are bright yellowish-pink on the back,
paler beneath. Very sluggish, and if disturbed, not wandering away as the larva of
udana does, but contentedly spinning themselves up again in the old spot. Unfor-
tunately they are terribly subject to ichneumons, which are already beginning to
appear. I have not found a single larva in a standing stem of last season. — W.
Waeeen, Merton'Cottage, Cambridge : April 20th, 1883.
On the hibernation as full-fed laruce of some species of Nepticula. — -Dr. Wocke
has remarked in the Stettin, ent. Zeit., 1871, p. 428, that the larvte of Nepticula
sericopeza may be found spinning their cocoons on maple-trunks in spring, and it
seems probable that others may have the same habit, ignorance of which is possibly
the cause of failure or difficulty in breeding these species. Last autumn I placed a
few pear-leaves, with larvte of N. minusculella in their mines, within a glass vessel
half-full of earth and rubbish. The top was covered over with a piece of white
muslin. I took particular care of these insects, because, though I had bred them
easily from the summer brood, I had always failed with the winter one.
Well, I examined the vessel carefully last autumn, and also at times during the
winter, without seeing any ti-ace of cocoon or larva in the earth through the glass.
Last week, on putting the vessel along with others containing Nepticulce in the
recess of a window, exposed to the sunshine, I was startled to find a fresh yellow
cocoon attached to the muslin at the top of the glass. Now, as I have had the
covering off many times during the winter, and examined it each time, the cocoon
must have certainly been newly spun, so that I cannot help thinking that the larva
of mimisculella hibernates in the ground and spins up only in spring.
In confirmation of this supposition I may mention that, three years ago, I had
collected a, large number of larvae of Nepticula atricollis, some of which were kept
in an ordinary flower-pot half-full of earth, and others in a tin without earth. In
the summer following, I bred large numbers of the imago from the flower-pot, but
failed to find within the earth the slightest trace of a cocoon ; while from tlie tin I
B
10 [June,
bred a few, but tbesc were always sitting outside on the rim of the tin, or on objects
near, and I reiTi3mber being puzzknl at the time to account for their getting out in
this way. Here, too, I found no trace of any cocoon loithin the fin among the
leaves. I now fancy that the cocoons must have been spun in spring at the top or
outside, where, of course, I never thought of looking for them.
If I am right in this conjecture, it is probable that a large number of Nepticula
larvEe escape from us in spring-time, and spin up at large ; for we never think of
looking to see if our vessels are tightly closed at this time, and our failures may be
due to this and not to the death or di-ying up of the insects.
In the case of sericopeza, the larvpe may either remain in the fallen keys during
the winter, or emerging therefrom may hibernate in the ground, ascending in spring
to spin their cocoons. — Id.
The young larva of Coleophora lixella. — Wliilst gathering blades of grass con-
taining larvae of Elachista stahilella, I observed a plant of Dactylis ylomerata, with
two white patches, on which were two brown specks. On closer examination, these
proved to be each a dry calyx of thyme, and the young larvfe were still feeding within
them on the grass-blades, ejecting their " frass " from the end. Though the fact of
Coleophora lixella feeding at first on thyme has long been known, I am not sure
whether this particular habit of the larvae, after hibernation, feeding in spring
within the old flowers has been recorded. — Id.
[It being news to me that \ he young larvae of C. lixella continued to use their
thyme-cases whilst actually feeding on the grass, I wrote to Mr. Warren for further
details on this point, to which he replied. May 9th, as follows : — " You were quite
right in thinking that the young larvae of C. lixella, while still in their thyme-cases,
fed on the grass ; but on the 30th April, I found that one had left the old case and
cut a piece out of the side of a blade of grass, with which it has fashioned a new
case, still quite small, and the other has since done likewise." This reminds nic
that, when, in 1854, I was staying at Box Hill from the 14th to 17th April, I found
far more grass leaves mined by the larvae of C. lixella than I could find cases of the
larvae ; at tliat time I was only acquainted with the grass-made cases, and, therefore,
looked only for them, had I then known of the thyme-calyx cases and looked for
them, I should probably have had a more successful hunt. I remember that I came
to the conclusion that the larva of Coleophora lixella, unlike its congeners, had a
habit of wandering far from the leaves on which it had fed. Now, after an interval
of 29 years, with additional information, the matter appears in a different light. —
H. T. S.]
Coleoptera from the ri'.-iiiify of a7it.s' nests, Chohham. — Whit Monday being a
warm, more or less rainy, day at Chobham, I established myself under some trees
growing on a bank on Chobham common, and hunted for Coleoptera under dead
leaves, &c., at the base of the bank, I soon found that there were two ants' nests in
the vicinity : one oi fuligiiiosa, and another of rufa ; rifa seemed to hold entire
possession of one part of the hnxikjfidifjinosa of the other, on one occasion I saw
one of each species meet, and fuliginosa had to succumb to the strength of rufa.
1883.] IQ
In tlie riifa quarters I only found Myrmedonia humeralis and Drusilla canaliculata,
but with J'uliffinosa I found these two species equally commonly as with rtifa, and
also Myrmedonia limhata, liiqens, laticollis, andy««es/a, as well as a single specimen
of Amphotis marginata adhering to the base of the stem of a foxglove, and covered
by the leaf that sheathed it. I further took a single specimen of Callicerus rigidi-
cornis, and several of the little wood-louse, Platyarthrus Hoffmanseggii, from roots
of grass. Two of our rarer ants occurred in the same locality, viz., Stenamma
Westwoodi (AsemorAopfrum, olim.) and Leptothorax Nylanderi, but I do not think
either of these were associated with the other species of Formica. All these were
taken within twenty yards of the same spot, and, as I doubt if it has often fallen to
the lot of one person to take six species of Myrmedonia in one day, I thought a
record of their capture might be of interest. — Edwabd Saundees : Holmesdale,
Upper Tooting : 18^ May, 1883.
Recent captures of Coleoptera and Hetniptera in the Binninghain district.—
Owing to the bad state of the weather during the first four months of the present
year, outdoor entoraologizing has not been either so pleasant or so profitable as could
have been desired ; but, nevertheless, I have taken a few good things, and have
added several species of insects to our local lists. Amongst my best finds are the
following : —
Coleoptera : Bembidium prasinum, Hydroporus lepidus, Tachyusa atra, Oxy-
poda nigrina, Myllana intermedia, Gymnusa brevicollis, Geodromicns nigrita,Acidota
cruentata, Coryphium angusticolle, Euplectus punctatus, E. bicolor (in abundance
under bark of dead oak trees), Scydmcenus exilis, Cephennium thoracicum, Ptilium
Kunzei, Ft. Spencei (botli in hot beds), Myrmetes piceus, Cryptarcha strigata, C.
imperialis, Bhizophagus depressus, B.ferrugineus, R. perforatus, B. parallelocoUis,
B. ilitidulus, B. politus, Aphodius porcus, Salpingns castanens, Apoderus coryli,
Xylocleptes bispinus (in plenty by beating Clematis vitalba,W&j 15th), Flatyrhinus
latirostris (on ash log), Donacia comarl, Gonioctena pallida (one by beating. May
15th), Fndomychus coccineus (abundant amongst moss on an old stump).
Hemipteea : Serenthia Iceta, Acalypta brunnea (also in the young state,
amongst moss on oak trees), Aradus depressus (flying in the sunshine), Xylocoris
ater, Salda c-alhum, S. Cocksi, Hebrus pusillus. — W. Gr. Blatch, 214, Green Lane,
Smallheath, Birmingham : May IQth, 1883.
A new British Trichopteron (Mesophylax aspersus, Bamb., var.). — While ex-
amining a small collection of caddis-flies formed by Mr. Service, of Dumfries, one
specimen (a J ) gave me considerable trouble, as it did not agree in certain details
with any of the species described in Mr. McLachlan's "Monographic Revision and
Synopsis of the Trichoptera." I submitted the specimen to Mr. McLachlan, who
at once informed me that it was Mesopihylax aspersus, Ramb., variety.
The species has been recorded from the south of Europe, while the variety has
been taken at the Lake of Zurich in May and September. Unfortunately, Mr. Ser-
vice cannot give any date or exact locality where his specimen was captured, but ho
says that all the insects in the collection were taken within Torqueer parish, Uum-
friesshire, he having only collected caddis flics in three localities, so I hope he may
JJ 2
20 tJ""*^-
be able to turn up the insect again this year. With his usual kindness he has placed
the specimen in my cabinet. — James J. King, 207, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow :
17th May, 1883.
\_Mesophylax aspersus, Rbr., stands in my Monographic Revision and Synopsis
as Stowphylax aspersus, p. 132, and Supplement, pp. x and xxxiv. The genus
Mesophylax was created by me subsequently (Journ. Linn. Soc, Zoology, xvi, p.
156, 1882) for the reception of S. anpersus and S. oblitus, on account of the micro-
scopic condition of the spur of the anterior tibiie of the $ , without the first joint
of the anterior tarsi being abbreviated, &c. The type form belongs essentially to
the South of Europe, and is often found in caves ; the paler var. (?) has been re-
corded from as far north as Bavaria. Whether I am right or not in considering this
pale form only a variety remains to be proved ; it is usually larger than the type
form, but Mr. Service's example is of about the ordinary size. M. aspersus is an
insect I should not have suspected of occurring in Britain, and especially in Scotland.
Most of the allied species of Stenophylax and Micropterna are very concealed in
their habits. There is just a possibility that this example may have worked its way
inland from some vessel passing along the Scottish coast, but the chances of its
having done so seem infinitesimal. I hope Mr. Service will search for the species
diligently, and be enabled to place the matter above all doubt by further discoveries.
— E. McLachlan.]
R0VAEA.SZATI LAPOK. We have received what appears to be No. 4 (April,
1883) of a new monthly Entomological Magazine in the Hungarian language, and
published at Pesth : we have copied the title. The contents seem to be varied, and
probably of great value scientifically, and evidently concern several Orders of insects,
according to the scientific names. More than this we cannot say. Beyond these
scientific names, the only intelligible matter (to us) is a scale of charges for adver-
tisements (in German) on the cover, and the titles of publications noticed. The
editor (according to the signature to the scale) is " Dr. E. Kaufmann," of Szaboles,
near Fiiufkirchen, Hungary. In another cover-notice (in Hungai-ian) he appears as
"Dr. Kaufmann Erno," tlie latter word being evidently the Christian name ; we
have not the slightest doubt but that the cart thus put before the horse will retain
its anomalous position in catalogues and records. If the editor wishes his magazine
to be known outside Hungary (and we presume he has this desire, or he would not
have sent us the last No.), he should give a resume of (at least) the contents in some
language with which most scientific men are familiar ; in that case it would be pos-
sible for those who do not understand the Magyar language to obtain a translation
of any article that seemed of sufiicient interest. Patriotism we look upon as one of
the finest attributes of human nature ; but Science knows no nationality ; therefore,
if the notes in the Magazine whose title we give at the head of this notice are of any
value outside Hungary (and, no doubt, most of them are so), the editor should not
conceal their value by giving no clue to it in a form available to the majority of
scientific students.
ms.] 21
Catalogue of British Coleoptera, by David Sharp, M.B.,&c., 2nd edition.
London : E. W. Janson, 35, Little Russell Street ; March, 1883. 39 pp. 8vo.
Dr. Sharp is so justly accepted as an authority among Colcopterists, both in this
country and abroad, and his catalogue has been so long in use, and of such service
to British students, that it is not necessary for us to say much in its favour, but we
may remark that this 2nd edition is in every respect equal to the first, and is of a
rather smaller and more convenient form.
There is only one important change made in the arrangement of the families,
viz., the removal of the ErotyJidce, Endomychidfe, and Coccinellidce from the end of
the an-angement to a situation between the Lathridiida and Mycetophagidce.
Among the genera the changes are more numerous, especially in the Dytiscidce and
Staph ylinidcB ; these families are well known to be favourites of the author, and we
think all will acknowledge that the new genera represent very natural groups of
species. The alterations in the sequence of the genera at the commencement of the
Staphylinido'., the separation of Driisilla from 3Iynnedonia, and of Gnypeta,
Epipeda, and Brachyda from Homalota, seem to us to be most desirable, and the
positions assigned to them natural and satisfactory ; to adopt all Thomson's divi-
sions of Homalota would be perplexing, but we regard these three as well selected,
as no one could have considered their representatives as belonging natui-ally to
Homalota, notwithstanding the comprehensive nature of that wonderful genus. On
the whole, we may say that as few changes as possible seem to have been made in
the catalogue, but what have been made, we think, are necessary. In specific names,
a great many changes occur in the family Chrysomelidce, and notably in Donacia,
where " priority " has necessitated the abandonment of many well-known names,
still we fully admit the necessity of this rule, although its application often causes
considerable temporary inconvenience.
There are two small matters we do not like in the catalogue : one is the omission
of capitals to names of persons in connection with specific names ; the other, and
more serious, is the omission of the authors' names to the genera ; but these are of
small importance where all else is so well and satisfactorily done.
^bituarg.
William Alexander Forhes, B.A., F.L.S., died at Shonga on the Upper Niger,
on January 14th, at the early age of 28, a victim to his enthusiasm in the cause of
Natural History. He was the second son of Mr. J. S. Forbes, the well-known
railway director, and was born at Cheltenham on June 24th, 1855 ; he was educated
chiefly at Winchester, and entered St. John's College, Cambridge, as an under-
graduate in 1876, where he took high honours in natural science. Forbes was a
born naturalist, and for many years devoted himself to entomology with much ardour.
During his residence at Cambridge he took a prominent part in resuscitating the ento-
mological society of that university town, and organized a regular series of excursions
in connection with it during the season. Moreover, he made many excursions in the
Alps in search of insects, an account of some of which will be found in the volumes
of this magazine. Perhaps natural predilection for anatomical studies, combined
with the magnitude of the subject of entomology, gradually turned his attention
22 [June,
chiefly to comparative anatomy, especially that of birds, a subject on which he had
already made his mark in connection with the prosectorship of the Zoological
Society, to which post he was appointed after the premature decease of his friend
Prof. Garrod. His vacations were always devoted to zoological expeditions ; in
1880 he paid a visit to Brazil, in 1881 to the United States. The more extended
visit to the Niger was commenced in July, 1882, with the melancholy result we all
deplore ; that malarious i-egion soon made of him another martyr to the cause of
science. All who watched his career saw in him one who was destined, if he lived,
to make a great name for himself, and his exceedingly amiable disposition causes
his premature death to be lamented by hosts of private friends.
Entomological Society of London : Uh Ajjril, 1883. — J. W. Dunning,
Esq., M.A., F.L.S., President, in the Chair.
L. Hill, Esq., of Ealing, and L. Peringuey, Esq., of Cape Town, were elected
Members.
The President, in announcing the death of Prof. Zeller, gave a brief sketch of
the career of the late illustrious Honorary Member of the Society.
Mr. W. F. Kirby exhibited specimens of an Acridium (believed to be A. sue-
cinctum, L.), which was stated to be causing great devastation in India.
As an item of " economic entomology," Prof. Westwood stated that the Myrio-
Tpodi. Polydeanius complanatus, L., had been gravely accused in a Sussex newspaper of
being the cause of the potato disease.
The Rev. A. E. Eaton exhibited a revolving " holder," which he had found of
great service in microscopic manipulation.
Mr. Fitch exhibited galls of Cecidomyia vioIcB, Low, found by Mr. Corder on
Viola sylvatlca in Epping Forest ; also an Aphis gall on Pistacia from Cannes ;
and a cui'ious pouch-like gall oi & Cecidomyia on Juniper, found at Mentone, by
Mr. Thomas Boyd.
Sir S. S. Saunders read further communications respecting fig-insects.
Mr. H. Goss exhibited Pimelia angulata, F., from the Egyptian Pyramids.
Mr. Olliff read a paper on new species of Clavicorn Coleoptera from North
Borneo, collected by Mr. W. B. Pryer.
Mr. Cameron communicated descriptions of new genera and species of Hymeno-
jptera, chiefly exotic.
Mr. Kirby read notes on new, &c., Hymenoplera from New Zealand.
"ind May, 1883. — The President in the Chair.
This being the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Society, the President
read an historical sketch, in which he succinctly embodied all points of interest
concerning its career, and the benefits it had conferred upon entomological science
in general. Only six of the original Members still survive, viz. : Prof. C. C. Babing-
ton, the Rev. L. Blomefield, Sir S. S. Saunders, Mr. W. B. Spence, Mr. G. R.
Waterhouse, and Prof. Westwood. He expressed a hope that the number of
Members would be very largely increased before the end of the jubilee year.* In
concluding his address, he suggested that Prof. Westwood be elected titular Life-
* A hojie wc most cordi;ill\" .sh;irc. — Eds.
i88;i.] 23
President of the Society, accompanying his suggestion by eulogistic remarks on the
career of our veteran entomologist, and his labours in the cause of entomology.
This was adopted by acclamation.
The Meeting was then made " special," in order to consider certain proposed
alterations in the bye-laws. Some of the propositions were adopted, others rejected.
The chief resultant alterations were as follows : — No " Subscribers " will be hence-
forth elected : the " Transactions " will be sent without further payment to all
Members not in arrear with their subscriptions : notice is to be given of names pro-
posed to be substituted for those recommended for officers and council before the
Annual Meeting, such proposed substitutions (if any) to be notified by circular to
the Members. At the ordinary Meeting, E. A. Butler, Esq., of Hastings, and W.
H. Miles, Esq., of Lambeth, were elected Members.
SOME NEW SPECIES AND GENEEA OE COLEOPTHRA FEOM
NEW ZEALAND.
BY D. SHARP, M.B.
While investigating a small batcli of New Zealand Coleoptera
received recently from Mr. Helms, of Grrejmoutli, I have found the
following new forms that it appeared to me advisable to describe.
TarastetJius, n. g. of Carahidcs ; T. i^uncticoIJis and T. IcBviuenhHs,
nn. spp. ; Lecanomerus marqinatia^, n. sjj. ; Pterostichus Selmsi, n. sp. ;
Protoparnus, n. q. of Parnidce ; P. vesfifus, n. sp. ; Clypeorhynchiis
and Scqihorliynclms, n. g. of Curculionidce ; C gracilipes and S. lonqi-
cornis, nn. spp. ; Dorytomus elegans, n. sp. ; Eugnomus argutus, ii. sp. ;
and Tyclianiis hufo, n. sp.
TARASTETHUS, n. g.
Form short and convex, surface glabrous. Mesothoracic epimera
linear, not reaching the coxae. Head with two ocular setse on each
side ; scrobe with an exserted seta in front. Metasternum excessively
short, so that the middle coxse almost touch the hind ones. Antennae
with the three basal joints glabrous, the others pubescent, but not
densely so, so that there is not a very abrupt contrast between the
glabrous and the pubescent joints. Elytra not at all truncate, with a
slight sinuation near the extremity. Last joint of maxillary palpus
longer and rather stouter than the preceding joint, narrowed towax-ds
the extremity and acuminate. Second joint of labial palpi short and
stout, minutely bisetose, mentum with large acute tooth in the middle.
Male anterior tarsi with the two basal joints a little dilated, their
inner angles a little produced and acute, squamae very obscure. Pro-
24' [June. 18SS.
thorax witli a single lateral seta on the side at the middle, and a minute
one at the hind angle, none in front ; base truncate, reposing on the
base of the elytra, which possesses a well-marked margin.
This genus of small Carahidce is allied to Cifclotlwrax, from which
it differs by the convex form, the remarkably abbreviate metasternum,
and by the structure of the male tarsi ; the condition of these feet I
am not, however, able to ascertain very thoroughly.
Taeastethus pttncticollis, n. sp.
Nigro-piceus, nitidus, aniennls palpis pedihusque testnceis ; pro-
thorace lateribus sinunfis, hasi truncato, utrinqiie imprcsso, et crehre
punctato, angulis posferio7'ibus fere rectis ; elytris profunde striatis,
striis fortiter ptmctatis, inferstitiis parnm convexis Icemgatis : ahdomine
utrinque fortiter punctafo. JLoiuj. 5 mm.
Thorax narrower than (lie elytra, about as long as broad, with an elongate
channel along the middle, with an impression at the base on each side nearly equi-
distant from the middle and the outer margin, the whole of the base punctate, the
disc nearly impunctate. Elytra short and broad, convex, the shoulders much curved,
the eighth interstice elevated at the extremity so as to form a plica.
I received a specimen found at Greymouth formerly from Herr
Reitter, and have now received the insect from Mr. Helms. I have
not, however, seen the male.
TaRASTETHUS LiEVIYElS'TRIS, 11. sp.
Nig7'o-piceus, nitidus, anfennis palpis pedihusque tesfaceis ; pro-
thorace laterihus sinuatis, basi truncato, utrinque bi-impresso, fere
Icevigato ; elytris interne striatis, striis remote px(,nctatis ; abdomine
Icevigato. Long. 5 mvt.
This species differs from T. puncticollis in numerous respects ; the thorax is
less sinuate at the sides, and is almost without punctuation, there being only about
four or five punctures on each side about the middle of the base ; the basal impres-
sion is differently formed, so that, viewed in a certain manner, there appears to be a
second impression near the outer margin ; the outer striae of the elytra are quite
obsolete, but the eighth interstice forms an elevated plica at the extremity.
It is from this insect that my description of the male tarsus in
the generic description is taken ; one of the front legs, however, being
gone, I am not very sure about the details : there is no seta in this
species at the hind angle of the thorax. Also sent by Mr. Helms
from Greymouth.
July, 1883.] 25
Lecanomeeus marginatus, n. sp.
Ovaius, nigricans, palpis, pedihus elytrorumqite margine externa
testnceis, anfennis, tihiarum apice tarsisqne fuscis, illis hasi testaceo ;
corpore suhtus variegato : prothorace transversa, posterius angustata,
hasi Icevigato vix impresso ; elytris sat profunde striatis, striis haud
punctatis. Long. 6 onm.
This species is distinguished from the other New Zealand Lecaiwmeri by the
more variegate surface, in which respect it resembles the New Caledonian Acupalptis
domesticus (a species which shoidd also be referred to the genus Lecanomerus) . The
antennae are rather stout, and the basal joint clear yellow ; the raised margin of the
prothorax is yellowish, as is also the scutellum, and the same colour forms a broad
definite border of variable width along the sides of the elytra ; on the under-surface
the head and the hind coxse are yellow, and the ventral segments are maculate at
the sides. The dilatation of the male tarsi is moderate, the fourth joint being not
very short and broad.
This species occurs at Auckland, where it has been found by
Messrs. Broun and Lawson : it is probable that Captain Broun's re-
cord of the occurrence of L. lafimmius at Tairua and Whangharei
refers rather to this species ; Mr. Bates having at first supposed the
L. marginatus to be a variety of L. lafimantis, so named specimens, and
thus the error has arisen.
Pterostichus Helmsi, n. sp. (sub-gen. Steropus).
Elongatus, niger, sup erne plus minusve metallica-tinctus ; protliarace
elongato, posterius angustato, mox ante angtilos posteriores sinuato, his
rectis, hasi utrinque fovea magna, impunctata, impressa ; elytris ad
apicem acuminatis, laterihus curvatis hand paralleJis, profunde striatis,
striis haud perspicue punctatis, interstitiis absque punctis impressis, ad
apicem leviter transversim depressis itaque suhundulatis apparent.
Long. 18, lat. Q\ — 7 mon.
Var. femoribus rvfis.
t
This is, so I am informed by Mr. Helms, the only Carabideous insect of con-
siderable size that is at all common near Greymouth ; it is remarkable that it should
not have been detected in other parts of the islands, especially as it belongs to a
sub-genus not known before to occur in New Zealand ; this sub-genus {Steropus) is
recorded by Chaudoir (Bull. Mosc, 1865, p. 97), as possessing several species in
Australia characterized by their elytra being acuminate at the extremity, and posses-
sing some large punctures on the third interstice. Pterostichus Helmsi agrees in
the former of these respects with the Australian Steropi, but has no punctures on
the third interstice, so that it should apparently form a separate section in Steropus.
From all other New Zealand Pterostichi of large or moderate size known to me,
P. Helmsi is readily distinguished by its more slender form, and the more prolonged
apical portion of the elytra. The undulated appearance on the posterior part
of the wing-cases is somewhat variable, and the metallic tinting of the upper surface
is very variable, and occasionally very slight.
26 [•'">y.
PROTOPARNUS, n. g.
Allied to Parnus, but the body simply pubescent, without indu-
meut, the eyes quite small and coarsely facetted ; the antennae ten-
jointed, the second joint not auriculate, joints 4 — 10 furnished with
an elongate process : metasternum short.
The insect, for which I propose this generic name, agrees with
the generic characters given for Parnida by Broun (Man. N. Zeal.
Coleoptera, p. 249), except in the structure of the antenna? ; but if
IJroun's description be at all correct, these organs must be very dif-
ferent in Parnida to what they are in Profojyarims. In this latter
genus they are ten jointed, the basal joint is short and nearly trian-
gular, the second joint is short and very broad, quite twice as broad
as long, closely applied to the broad end of the basal joint ; the third
joint is very small, articulated by a very slender process to the pos-
terior Jingle of the second joint ; the fourth and following joints emit
each in front a rather long process, so that the six penultimate joints
form together a short, very broad mass, the terminal or tenth joint
has a less extension in the transverse direction, so as to form an obtuse
termination to the mass.
Pkotoparnus vestitus, n. sp.
Piceus, sat nitidus, pnhe moUierecta vestitus, j)rotliorace sat fortlter
punctato, intra latera utrinque fvofunde impresso ; elytris leviter
striatis, sti'iis internis obsoletis, externis sat prqfundis ; antennis tar-
sisque rufis. Long. 3 mm.
Thorax transverse, the sides in front rounded and narrowed, parallel to each a
deep impression extending the whole length, but deeper at the base than in front.
Scutellum broad, not pointed, impunctate. Striae of the elytra distinct at the sides
and apex, but obsolete towards the suture, some of them deeper at the base, and
connected just before the base, so that some of the interstices, more particularly
the 5th and 7th, reach quite to the base, while others do not. Legs short and stout.
Terminal ventral segment without impression.
I have not received from Mr. Helms any information as to the
habits of this little creature, but I do not suppose they are aquatic.
Mr. Reitter has also received this from Mr. Helms.
CLTPEORHTNCHUS, n. g.
Rostrum not quite so long as prothorax, moderately stout, between
quadrate and cylindric, antennae inserted so as to leave one-third of
the length of the rostrum in front of their insertion ; the anterior
portion of the rostrum separated by a deep irregular suture from the
other part, and glabrous, the portion behind the suture being rugose
18S3.J 27
and clothed with scale-like hairs. Mandibles exposed at apex o£ ros-
trum, and laminate, that is, presenting externally and in front a well
marked edge: aerobes deep in front, elongate, vague behind, not
reaching the eye, this latter oval, contiguous with the margin of
the thorax. Antennae elongate and slender, scape elongate, clavate,
extending backwards beyond the eye, 1st joint of funiculus very
elongate, but not quite half so long as the scape, club elongate-oval,
slender, evidently three-jointed, the three joints of about equal length.
Thorax siib-oblong, narrower at the base than the elytra. Legs
elongate, tarsi slender, third joint with elongate lobes.
This genus may be placed in the Bhyparosomides of Lacordaire,
where, however, it is an anomalous form. Having somewhat the ap-
pearance of Plirijnixus, Paseoe, it is abundantly distinct therefrom by
the elongate scrobes, and by the slender third joint of the tarsi, which
joint, moreover, is divided so deeply as to form two remarkably elongate
lobes. It is an interesting fact, that although the scrobes are not
terminal, yet they possess a very evident lateral dilatation after the
manner of the Rhyncliides., The remarkable differentiation of the an-
terior and posterior portions of the rostrum appears to me to indicate
that even in the CarculionidcB with elongate rostrum, the portion in
front of the antennal insertion is made up of the transformed clypeus,
although frequently no trace of a division between the epicranium
and clypeus can be detected.
Cltpeorhtis'chtjs geacilipes, n. sp.
Convexus,fusco-ferrugineus, setulis liaud densis maculatim vestitus,
anfennis pedihusque gracilihus, aetuUs erectis tenuihus minutis ; pro-
thorace eloiigato, anteriiis impresso, posterius ruguJoso.
Long., excl. rost., 6 mm.
Rostrum rugose, in front of the antennae smooth and shining, the vertex between
the eyes with an elongate impression. Thorax longer than broad, its greatest width
in front of the middle, slightly narrowed behind, more distinctly narrowed in front,
the upper surface rugose and limited on each side by an irregular band of dense
sub-depressed pale sette, and in the middle in front deeply impressed. Elytra
oblong-oval, obliquely narrowed at the shoulder, the surface rather uneven, but
without distinct prominences, rather vaguely striate, the striae marked with irregular
depressions, with irregular spots of pale squamiform setae. Legs slender, all the
tibiae evidently sinuate internally, and with their inner angle prolonged and acu-
minate.
Mr. Helms has sent this species as No. 132, and informs me that
it was found at Mouri Creek, about sixteen miles from Greymouth.
{To be concluded in our next).
28 [July,
STEAY NOTES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA OF PEMBROKESHIEE.
BY CUAS. a. BAEBETT.
After such a year as I had never previously known — rain all
through the spring until June, when one fortnight of fine weather
intervened, then rain again till August, when came another fine
fortnight, then rain, rain, rain, through September, October, and
November, with only a fine day at rare intervals, and even more and
continuously heavier rain through December, January, and the greater
part of February, so that no drop of water seemed able to soak into
the saturated earth, but all ran off as it fell, in rills, rivulets, and
tumbling streams over all this hilly country— after all this, which
should surely have washed, drowned, or mildewed all insect life out of
existence, then came, at the end of February, such a burst of glorious
sunshine as we had well-nigh despaired of ever seeing again, and
promptly there appeared in the woods such a host of the lively little
Tortricodes hyemana as I never saw before, not even in the South of
England. It seemed almost magical, after a year of desolation, in
which hardly a moth could be found in the woods, to see these swai-ms
of lively little creatures dancing about in the sunshine. Clearly tliis
species is able to hold its own against wet weather. Fortunately
there was an added element of interest in the occurrence of this com-
mon species : among the numbers of males of the usual light brown
colour were some in which the ground colour was creamy-white, and
the markings dark brown, forming a very pretty and attractive variety,
which, with the wings closed, looked wonderfully like Acrohasis con-
sociella.
Almost the only other moth obtainable in the woods at the same
time was Hihernia leucophcearia, which was tolerably common, sitting
high up on the trunks of the trees, or among the dead leaves. Neai'ly
all were of the ordinary grey type, and those with blackish fasciae
were not well marked, but I met with an exceedingly pretty variety,
of a pale straw colour, without irrorations, and with the transverse
lines dark brown.
Befox'e these two species had disappeared, JEupithecia dodonceata
came out commonly, though from its habit of sitting under the branches
of oak trees, and flying higher up when dislodged, it was difficult to
secure. Some of the specimens were very light coloured, and prettily
marked.
In June, 1882, the pretty larva of Ceropacha ridens was tolerably
frequent in the woods, the most convenient and successful method of
1888.] 29
obtaining them being by looking up at the overhanging oak boughs,
when the larvse could easily be seen lying half curled under outside
leaves drawn slightly together. From these a lovely and variable
series of the moths emerged this spring. The larva of Tceniocawpa
oniniosa was common at the same time, but vei'y many were destroyed
while small by a parasite, which, on emergence from the larva, formed
for itself a queer hard case, like a large caraway seed, and deeply
ribbed, within which it made the usual silken cocoon. I suppose I
kept these too dry, for no parasite emerged. Between the ravages of
these enemies, and the unfortunate propensity of Tceniocampa for
dying in the pupa state, I lost nearly all my hoped-for miniosa.
Since the extraordinary invasion of these islands by vast swarms
of Plusia gamma and Cynthia cardui irom the continent in 1879, there
has been in this district a marked scarcity of the former usually
abundant species, and an almost total absence of the latter. I think
I may safely say that I did not see a dozen P. gamma last year, and
certainly not one G. carditi. It was, therefore, with no little interest
that I noticed in the beginning of May this year, that the whole
country had suddenly become lively with P. gamma, rising hastily
every minute from the road-sides, and dashing wildly about the fields,
and ten days later that they were joined by large numbers of C. cardui.
It seemed curious to see half a dozen of the latter on a patch of
AUiu7n ursinum, enjoying the nectar of the flowers, entirely uncon-
scious of — or, perhaps, approving — the peculiar fragi-ance of the plant.
In the case of P. gamma, it was noticeable that, although in toler-
able condition, the specimens were certainly different in colour from
those usually found in this district, being more of a slate colour, and
paler beyond the middle of the fore-wings. In this they were very
uniform. From this, as well as from their time of appearance in such
numbers, I judge that they were not natives. All the C. cardui were
also rather pale, being worn from evident hibernation, but as there
were none here last autumn, nor any larvse, they could not well have
hibernated here. Moreover, on their first appearance, they were ex-
ceedingly- wild and swift of flight, although it was a full fortnight
earlier than they would have, in ordinary course, left their places of
hibernation.
All the evidence, therefore, seems to point very strongly to an
immigration from some warm climate of a swarm of both these species,
just as in 1879. To reach us they must first have visited the south
or south-west of England, and information on the subject from those
districts would be very desirable. In 1879, C. cardui accomplished its
30 [July.
own extermination iu a very singular manner. It seemed that its
instinct — derived from a country of longer summers — tended towards
the production of a second brood in the year, and eggs were laid which
produced the young larvae in October on the young thistles. These
larvae, of course, perished in the ^\'et winter, and the species disappeared,
to re-appear after this interval, in obedience to the strange migratory
instinct. It is extremely difficult to get at data from which to judge
of the cause of this system of irregular migration, but I think we have
now a clue to the means by which species are locally destroyed.
Both species are still flying about in thc'sunshine in plenty. I
must have seen scores of cardui to-day in the course of a short drive,
and hope to see the roads rendered attractive by an abundance of the
pretty creatures in far greater perfection at the end of July, if only
this lovely weather remains faithful to us ; but I fear that, undeterred
by the fate of their kindred, they will lay their eggs in the autumn,
to no purpose.
Among the species able to endure a humid climate, Melitcea
Artemis must certainly be included, though even it, no doubt, appre-
ciates the value of warm sunshine at the time when its hibernated
larvae leave their sheltering tent to feed up in the spring.
I found the butterflies just emerging from the pupa in one of
their favouinte haunts at the end of May, in rather unusual numbers,
and a week later, on a second visit, they were out in hundreds. When
freshly out (on the first visit) they were very beautiful, some having
a row of white spots along the margin of the hind-wings, and many
emulating, though not equalling, the lovely dark markings of the
West of Ireland specimens. One or two had a broad pale band
across the fore-wings from the obliteration of a dark transverse line,
and one of these had also the under-side of the hind-wings ornamented
in a similar manner.
On the other hand, Arffynnis Selene has disappeared from the
road-sides, and the little strips of marsh into which it had found its
Avay in recent years, and is only to be found in the woods and down
the slopes of sea-clif£s. In the latter localities, a slight tendency to
greater richness of marking leads one to hope for some handsome
variety, which, as yet, has not turned up.
Such a hope led me the other evening down a charming place, a
long slope covered with coarse grasses, furze, heath, wood-sage,
violet, &c., running down to where the bare rock, sixty feet deep, was
fringed with ivy, privet, wild madder, Silene maritima, thrift, and other
sea-side plants. Here Selene was thoroughly at home, as completely
1883.] 31
as in an inland wood, spreading its wings in the gleam of the setting
sun, flitting away down to the edge of the precipice, or hanging with
closed wings on the heads of the cock's-foot grass. The only other
living creatures in sight were two or three pairs of herring-gulls
flying about the rocks, and uttering loud cries of defiance at the
intrusion.
At the top of this slope I met with one Si/richtJius alveolus, almost
the only specimen seen this year, though carefully searched for in the
interests of a local museum. Lyccena Argiolus, formerly common here,
has also apparently disappeared, a victim to the rain.
Pembroke : Wth June, 1883.
NOTES ON HAWAIIAN MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA.
BY E. METBICK.
I am indebted to the kindness of the Eev. T. Blackburn for the /
specimens on which the following notes are founded. I had the \
pleasure of making a rough general examination of Mr. Blackburn's
collection, from which it appears that the Micro-Lepidopterous fauna
of the Hawaiian Islands is highly specialized and very interesting.
So far as I could determine, Mr. Butler's identifications of those spe-
cies described by him are often erroneous ; a few of these I have here
corrected. The importance of a thorough investigation of this fauna
is very great, as bearing on questions of geographical distribution
and development.
CONCHYLID^.
Heteeoceossa, Meyr.
a. acliroana, n. sp.
S ? ■ 18 — 20 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs whitish ;
palpi very long in both sexes, externally mixed with dark fuscous towards base ;
anterior tibiae mixed with dark fuscous. Fore-wings elongate, costa moderately
arched, apex round-pointed, hind margin straight, moderately oblique ; whitish,
thinly sprinkled with greyish-ochreous and fuscous, appearing ochreous-whitish ; a
tuft of raised scales on fold at one-third from base, and two others transversely
placed in disc beyond middle ; a few scattered raised scales : cilia whitish, sprinkled
■with fuscous. Hind-wings and cilia whitish.
Distinguished from all the other species of the genus by the en-
tire absence of dark markings. Two specimens taken on Mauna Loa,
at an altitude of 4000 feet.
32 [July,
The occurrence of this genus is very interesting. I have described
two species from New Zealand, and a third from Australia, and have
two other New Zealand species undescribed. It belongs to a very-
ancient group of the Concliylidce, now in course of extinction, and
represented in Europe only by the two species of Carposina, H.-S.
This genus is specially characterized in the group by the basal pecti-
nation of the lower median vein of the hind-wings, a structure other-
wise confined to the Grapliolithidce, and probably ancestral. The
species is closely allied to the New Zealand forms, but as there is in
general no affinity whatever between the New Zealand and Hawaiian
faunas, it is probably a case of a single persistent type once widely
dominant, but now lingering only in isolated situations.
aELECHIDiE.
Bepressaria indecora, Butl., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1881,397,
and D. lactea, ibid., 398, are respectively ^ and ? of the same species.
This is not a Depressaria, and does not in fact belong to the Depressa-
ridcd, but to the Gelecliidce ; I cannot, at present, specify the genus,
but it is nearly allied to those hereafter following. I am unable
to understand why Mr. Butler has stated that this species possesses
the true neuration of Depressaria, since in fact it diffei"s widely in
that respect. The same may be said of D. gigas, ibid., 397, which is
apparently cogeneric with the preceding. No true Dejrressaria occurs
in Mr. Blackburn's collection, nor any allied genus ; and it may be
observed, that the genus is also wholly absent from Australia and New
Zealand. The so-called genus Chezala, Walk., alluded to by Mr.
Butler as a section of Depressaria, is virtually uncharacterized, and,
therefore, non-existent ; but the species on which it is founded (C.
allatella. Walk., itself merely a synonym of Cryptolechia privateUa,
Walk., and Crypt, latiorella. Walk.) belongs to the (Ecophoridce, and
is widely remote from Depressaria.
TlITROCOPA, 11. g.
Head smooth, side tufts short, erect ; tongue moderate. Thorax
smooth. Antennae moderate, filiform, pubescent ; basal joint moderate,
simple. Maxillary palpi short, drooping. Labial palpi long, recurved ;
second joint thickened with appressed scales, somewhat rough be-
neath ; terminal joint as long as second, moderate, acute. Abdomen
stout, somewhat depressed, distinctly margined. Posterior tibias with
short, dense, appressed hairs. Eore-wings elongate-oblong. Hind-
wings trapezoidal, somewhat broader than fore-wings, hind margin
1883]. 33
very slightly rounded, cilia short (i) ; costal edge folded and bent back
above, forming a deep furrow on upper surface, in which lies a very
long pencil of fine hairs (in (^ only ?). Pore-wings with 12 veins, 2
from considerably before angle of cell, 3 from angle, 7 and 8 stalked,
7 to costa. Hind-wings with 8 veins, 3 and 4 from a point at angle
of cell, 5 parallel to 4, 6 and 7 stalked.
This does not nearly approach any described genus, but is allied
to the two following genera, which together belong to a peculiar group
of the OelechidcB, apparently forming a considerable proportion of
the Hawaiian fauna.
Th. usitata, Butl.
Bepressaria usitata, Butl., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hisifc., 1881, 396.
A variable and obscure looking species, not recognisable from
Mr. Butler's description. The normal form has the fore-wings dull,
rather light greyish-brown, with two or three dark fuscous dots near
base, two transversely placed in disc before middle, two^'iiearer to-
gether and almost confluent in disc beyond middle, and posterior half
of costa dotted with dark fuscous ; hind-wings greyish-white, more
greyish posteriorly. It varies principally in size and depth of
colouring.
Synomotis, n. g.
Head with appressed scales ; tongue long. Thorax smooth. An-
tennae slender, filiform, pubescent, basal joint moderate, simple.
Maxillary palpi obsolete. Labial palpi long, curved, ascending, second
joint clothed with appressed scales, somewhat rough beneath towards
the apex, terminal joint as long as second, slender, acute. Abdomen
moderate, margined. Posterior tibiae clothed with short, dense, ap-
pressed hairs. Fore-wings elongate-oblong. Hind-wings trapezoidal,
slightly broader than fore-wings, hind margin very faintly sinuate
below apex, cilia short (i) ; with an expansible pencil of long fine
hairs at base of costa. Fore-wings with 12 veins, 2 from considerably
before angle, 3 and 4 approximated at base, 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to costa.
Hind-wings with 8 veins, 3 and 4 stalked from angle of cell, 5 rather
bent and approximated to 4, 6 and 7 stalked.
Closely approaching Tliyrocopa in neuration, and distinguished
principally by the free basal hair-pencil of .the hind-wings, and the
absence of maxillary palpi, as well as several minor differences.
S. epicapna, n. sp.
$ . 16-17 mm. Head, palpi, auteniise, and thorax pale fuscous, mixed with
34 July,
dark fusc-ous and ochreous-wliitisli. Abdomen ochreous-wliitish. Anterior and
middle legs fuscous, with ochreous-whitish rings at apex of joints ; posterior legs
ochreous-whitish, sprinkled with fuscous. Fore-wings moderate, oblong, costa gently
arched, apex almost acute, liind margin slightly sinuate, moderately oblique ; pale
fuscous, densely irrorated with darker fuscous; an indistinct, short, linear, dark
fuscous mark in middle of disc ; the three discal dots hardly indicated ; faint traces
of a paler angulated posterior transverse line : cilia pale fuscous, irrorated with darker
fuscous. Hind- wings whitish-grey, more whitish towards base ; cilia whitish, with
two grey lines.
Two specimens.
AuTOMOLA, n. g. ^. UjX^^'.vhV^jt'l^tlAhiW'l^
Head smooth ; tongue long. Thorax smooth. Antennae rather ^
stout, slightly serrate, simple, basal joint moderate, simple. Maxillary
palpi rudimentary, short, drooping ; labial palpi moderately long, re-
curved ; second joint broadly thickened with dense appressed scales ;
terminal joint somewhat shorter than second, rather stout, acute.
Abdomen moderate, distinctly margined. Posterior tibiae with dense i
appressed hairs. Fore- wings elongate ; hind-wings trapezoidal, as
broad as fore-wings, hind margin markedly sinuate beneath apex, cilia
moderate (f ). Fore-wings with eleven veins, 2 and 3 stalked from
just before angle of cell, 7 to costa. Hind-wings with eight veins, 3
and 4 stalked from angle of cell, 6 and 7 stalked.
Doubtless allied to the two preceding genera, but differing from
them and almost the whole family in the possession of only eleven
veins in the fore-wings , this exceptional structure is evidently due to
the coalescence of the normal veins 7 and 8, which coincide for their
whole length, instead of for a portion only.
A. pelodes, n. sp.
d . 15 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, abdomen, and legs whitish-ochreous,
thinly sprinkled with fuscous ; second joint of palpi externally densely irrorated
with dark fuscous, terminal joint with a slender blackish median ring. Fore-wings
moderately elongate, cost* moderately arched, apex obtuse, hind-margin obliquely
rounded ; whitish-ochreous, somewhat suffused with ochreous, and thinly sprinkled
with dark fuscous ; a blackish dot at base of costa ; a small blackish dot in disc
before middle, a second rather obliquely beyond it on fold, and a third more con-
spicuous in disc beyond middle ; a row of blackish dots between veins on hind
margin and apical fourth of costa : cilia whitish-ochreous sprinkled with fuscous.
Hind-wings whitish-ochreous, slightly greyish-tinged ; cdia whitish-ochreous.
This is the species considered by Mr. Butler to be synonymous
with the Australian convictella, Walk. It would be alike unexpected
and interesting to find any species native to both Australia and the
Hawaiian Islands ; but, as a matter of fact, convictella, Walk., belongs
L
1883.] 35
to tlie genus Euleehria in the (EcopJioridce, and differs from the above
species in almost every important point of structure ; nor is there even
any close superficial resemblance.
Parasia sedata, Butl.
I cannot identify the very insufficient description originally given
(Cist. Ent. ii, 560), and do not remember noticing an Hawaiian type.
Mr. Butler referred the first specimen to Gelechia, but the second to
Parasia, as if it were a matter of choice, though these genera are
widely different. But it is in the highest degree improbable that the
species is common to the Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand ; and,
considering its obscure colouring, the apparent uncertainty as to its
structure, and the above-mentioned similar instance of mistaken iden-
tity, I think we shall be justified in regarding this identification as
unwarranted.
DiPLOSARA, n. g.
Head with appressed scales ; tongue strong, scaled. Thorax, per-
haps crested (?). Antennae rather stout, serrate, in $ towards base
with a fascicle of short cilia (|) on each joint ; basal joint moderate,
simple. Maxillary palpi rudimentary, short, drooping. Labial palpi
moderately long, recurved ; second joint considerably thickened above
and beneath with dense, somewhat rough scales, attenuated towards
base ; terminal joint as long as second, acute, posterior edge from base
nearly to apex clothed with long, dense, obliquely projecting scales.
Posterior tibiae clothed with long dense hairs. Tore-wings elongate,
narrow, surface with large tufts of raised scales ; hind-wings elongate-
ovate, as broad as fore-wings, cilia rather long (1). Fore-wings with
twelve veins, 3 and 4 closely approximated from angle of cell, 5 and
6 widely remote, 7 and 8 stalked, 7 to costa, 11 from middle of upper
margin of cell. Hind-wings with eight veins, 2 and 3 considerably
before angle of cell, parallel, 4 and 5 stalked from angle, 6 gradually
approximated to 7 at base.
A remarkable and distinct genus, certainly belonging to the
OelechidcB, but otherwise differing greatly from any other known.
It is, however, probable that it has some direct relationship to the
genera above described.
D. lignivora, Butl.
Scardia lignivora, Butl., Ent. Mo. Mag., xv, 273.
I am unable to conjecture why Mr. Butler should have referred
this singular insect to the genus Scardia, with which it has really not
a single structural point in common.
36 tJuly,
TINEID^.
SlabojjJinnes longella, Walk.
This is another instance of mistaken identity. I saw five speci-
mens of the Hawaiian species, and they did not appear to differ per-
ceptibly from the European B. monacheUa, Hb. But in any case it is
impossible to admit that the white-headed Hawaiian species (which is
perfectly constant) can be identical with the yellow-headed Indian
species described by Walker under the above name. If, as I think,
the species is truly B. monachella, it is no doubt an introduced insect.
Christchurcli, New Zealand :
Februarif llth, 1883.
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE FAMILY
GTlItniBM {HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA).
BY F. BUCHANAK WHITE, M.D., F.L.S.
PLATYGEERIS, n. g.
Corpus ohlonffum, latiusculum, depressum. Caj^ut ohlongum ante
oculos suhconstrictum. Oculi intus leviter sinuati. Ocelli nulli. An-
tenncB cylindriccs, 4<-articiclafce, corporis dimidio subcBq^ilo)igcB, arficulo
prima longissimo. Rostrum 4<-articulatum, mesosterni mnrginem anti-
cum attingens. Pronotum transversum, longitudinal iter trisulcatum,
processu postico hand instructum. Mesonotum longissimmn. Metanotum
hrevissimum. Elytra et alee absunt ? Abdomen brevissimum, connexivo
erecto instructum. Pedes antici breves, tarsis biarticulatis. Pedes
intermedii et postici elongati, ad latera posteriora thoracis insert i, tarsis
biarticulatis.
Somewhat, but not very closely, allied to Hydrobntes and Jlalo-
Plattgeeris depressa, n. sp.
Nigra subnifida, capillis brevissimis adpressis albidis vestita ; capite
macula ovali intra oculari, j^ronoto linea angusta longifudinali obsoleta,
rubris ; acetabulis anticis antice, coxis anticis, trocluinterum anticorum
vitta anteriore, acetabulorum intermediorum macula triangulari longa
inferiore, acetabulorum posticoriim macula triangulari brevi inferiore,
coxarum posticarum macula inferiore., margine postico inferiore segmenii
genitalis primi, necnon spina postica inferiore segmenti genitalis secundi
p)lus minus sordide ochraceis. J' Long. G, lat. 2\ mm.
1883.] 37
Habitat, Mexico (Berlin Museum, Xo. 3351).
The structure o£ this species is in several respects so interesting,
that it merits a longer description than the rather brief diagnosis
given above.
Body oblong, rather flattened and comparatively broad ; more or less covered
with close, short, adpressed pubescence. Black, somewhat shining, but this may
arise from the pubescence having been rubbed off in several places. Where the
pubescence remains it consists of, in some places, very short, adpressed, scale-like,
flattened, white hairs, and in others of less adpressed black hairs. The pronotum
and abdomen above have a bluish tinge, and the two pairs of posterior legs are
brownish-black. Between the eyes is a large, oval, orange-red spot, and on the
pronotum a narrow, rather indistinct, central longitudinal line of the same colour.
The front of the anterior acetabula, the front coxae, and a band on the inside of the
front trochanters, a long, narrow, triangular spot on the underside of the middle
acetabula, and a shorter triangle on the under-side of the hind acetabula, a small
spot on the under-side of the hind coxae, the middle of the hind-margin of the under-
side of the first genital segment, and a conspicuous spine-like process on the hind-
margin of the under-side of the second genital segment, are more or less ochraceous.
Head, without the eyes, oblong, with the sides in front of the eyes sinuate ; the
vertex slightly concave in the middle, and the frons convex and sloping gradually
downwards. Hind-margin rounded. The eyes very large and prominent, situated
at the sides of the head, and extending a little behind it, and resting on the sides of
the pronotum ; the inner margin slightly sinuate. Antuuniferous tubercles situated
at the sides of the head, and near the front, and rather flatly, horizontally, expanded.
Antennae about half as long as the body, moderately stout, four-jointed, with a con-
spicuous jointlet between the 2nd and 3rd joint, and a smaller one between the 3rd
and 4th. First joint the longest, and slightly curved ; 2nd about one-third the
length of the 1st, somewhat thickened upwards ; 3rd about two-thirds the length
of the 2nd, and strongly incrassate upwards ; 4th longer than the 2nd, and much the
thickest joint, thickest in the middle, the apex curved upwards. Several of the
joints have erect spine-like hairs, but these are most numerous on the 4th. Rostrum
reaching to the front margin of the mesosternum, 4-jointed : 1st joint stout, short,
and subquadrate, 2nd ring-like, 3rd the longest, and 4th shorter and thinner than
the 3rd.
Pronotum distinct from the mesonotum, much broader than long, longest in the
middle, narrower than the head with the eyes. Disc flat, with three rather obsolete,
shallow, but wide, longitudinal furrows. Front margin slightly concave, liind mar-
gin widely convex, sides rounded. Prosternum smaller than pronotum, disc slightly
convex, the outer third on each side occupied by the acetabula pf the front legs.
Mesonotum forming nearly one-half of the total length of the body, oblong,
widening slightly backwards, wider in front than the pronotum ; disc flatly convex,
with, on each side, a wide longitudinal furrow, continuous with the lateral furrows
of the pronotum. Front margin widely concave, with the anterior angles prominent
and rounded, and extending a little forwards on each side of the pronotum. Sides
rounded. Hind-margin very distinctly bisinuate, the posterior angles extending con-
siderably backwards and downwards to form the acetabula of the middle legs. Meso-
38 fJ»iy'
sternum very slightly convex, front margin nearly straight, the anterior angles slightly
tumid, and having within them a rather obsolete furrow. Hind-margin very slightly
concave, with, on each side, a shallow longitudinal furrow lying on the inside of the
middle acetabula. Metanotum separated from the mesonotum by a distinct furrow ;
very much broader than long, and consisting of three portions. The central poi'tion
is bounded on each side by an elevated ridge, continuous with the connexivum of the
abdomen, and lying to the inside of the hind acetabula ; front margin concave ;
hind margin emarginate in the middle, slightly convex on each side ; disc trans-
versely convex, with, posteriorly on each side, a narrow, rather deep fovea, external
to which is a small tubercle. The lateral portions of the metathorax extend back-
wards and form the hinder acetabula, hence, perhaps, they should be considered as
making part of the metasternum, no part of which is visible below.
The abdomen is very short in comparison with the thorax, and docs not extend
backwards much beyond the base of the hind legs. Above, the abdomen (excluding
the genital segments) consists of five visible segments, but another probably exists,
and is covered by the metanotum, the small fovea on each side of the disc of which
indicates its situation. The five visible segments are ring-like, and very much
broader than long. On each side is the broad connexivum, which is perpendicular
to the segments, and is continuous with the ridge that lies between the central por-
tion of the metanotum and the hinder acetabula. Below, the abdomen has six
visible segments, of which the 1st is nearly as long as all the others taken together ;
the 2nd is rather indistinct, but seems to be like the remaining four, ring-like, very
much broader than long. The hind margins of all are concave, and the sides of the
6th are prolonged backward a little. At the middle of the hind margin of the 1st
is a small tubercle, the exact nature of which in this specimen I have not been able
to make out. Similar tubercles occur in species of the genus IlaJolates, and appear
to be perforated at the apex, and are probably the opening of some gland.
The genital segments are a little distorted in the specimen described, but appear
to be three in number, visible both above and below. The first is, above, similar to
the preceding abdominal segment, but rather broader. It has an erect connexivum.
Below, it is as long as the four preceding ventral segments ; hind margin concave.
The second segment forms a cylinder, open at the end. It is about as long as one-
third of the abdomen, but narrower. Viewed from above it is oval, convex, rather
narrowed at the base, and triangular at the apex ; viewed from below it is rather flat,
with a strong tooth about as long as the segment itself below, projecting backwards
from the hind margin. The third above and the third below are apparently not
united. Above, the third is a narrow, triangular plate, with blunt apex and with
the sides sloping at the base downwards under the second segment, and giving rise
on each side below to a long spine-like tooth. (From the distortion of the parts,
only one spine is actually visible, but the other seems to exist.) Below, the third is
a very convex, long, narrow, boat-shaped valve.
Front-legs : acetabulum large, cylindrical, with the circular opening looking back-
wards and downwards ; coxa short, ring-like ; trochanter large, cylindrical, slightly
curved, the base abruptly bent into a narrow neck, the lower posterior part of the apex
pointed to articulate with the femur. Femur stout : viewed from the outer side it forma
a long narrow triangle, slightly thickened about the middle and again at the apex ;
the base with an excavation on the posterior side in which the trochanter articulates,
1883.] 39
consequently, the femur forms with the trochanter almost a right angle. Viewed
from the inner side, the basal half of the femur is somewhat parallel -sided, with a
square base ; on the under-side it tapers from the middle to the apex. Under-side
armed with a few hair-like soines, as is the trochanter. Tibia slender, as long as the
femur, nearly equally thick throughout, the apex somewhat dilated, the under-side
produced and forming a short straight process. Tarsus less than half as long as
the tibia, 2-jointed ; 1st joint about one-third the length of the 2nd, slightly in-
crassate upwards ; 2nd slightly incrassate upwards, with an excaTation on the under-
side before the tip, in which the claws are probably inserted.
Middle-legs : acetabula situated at the hind angles of the mesothorax, large,
cylindrical, with a long suture on the under outer side, opening circular, looking
backwards. Coxa cylindrical, about as long as broad, apex hollowed, with a semi-
circular emargination on the outer under-side. Trochanter with a ball-like base,
""^her narrow neck and triangular apex to the outer upper face of which the femur
articulates. Femur very long and slender, nearly equally thick throughout, but a
little incrassate at base and apex, armed with a few hair-like spines, the apex with
two teeth, between which the tibia is inserted. Tibia about one-third the length of
the femur, slightly curved, narrowing from the base to the middle, the apex rather
flatly dilated on the inner side. Tarsus two-thirds the length of the tibia, 2-jointed ;
1st joint tapering from just above the base to the apex, rather flat, furrowed on the
upper side from base to apex ; 2nd joint about one-third the length of 1st, narrower,
equally broad throughout, slightly flattened, and with a slight furrow, especially
near the base on the upper-side, slightly excavated on tjie inner side before the tip.
Hind-legs : acetabula occupying the hind angles of the metathorax, consequently
the hind-legs are inserted above the middle-legs ; similar to the middle acetabula,
but longer. Coxa a little longer than middle coxa. Trochanter, like middle tro-
chanter, reaching backwards nearly as far as the apex of the abdomen. Femur
rather longer and more slender than the middle femur. Tibia shorter than the
middle tibia, about one-fifth the length of the abdomen, cylindrical, tapering from
base to apex. Tarsus about one-third the length of the tibia, 2-jointed, joints
cylindrical, 2nd about one-half the length of the 1st, slightly excavated on the
inner side before the tip.
In many respects, Platygerris resembles Salohates, and still more
Salohatodes (a new genus, of which the type is Halolates lituratus,
Stal), but in the shape of the body, the structure of the genital seg-
ments, the form of the anterior trochanters and femora, and of the
middle tibia and tarsus, as well as in other characters, it diverges very
considerably. To Hydrolates the affinity is much less strong, though
part of the structure is suggestive of that genus.
I may take this opportunity of mentioning that I think of
attempting to monograph the species of Hemiptera that dwell on the
surface of water (families Hydrohatina, Hydrometrina, &c.), and will
be very glad of the loan of specimens.
Perth : May 22»d, 1883.
40 [-^"ly.
Re-appearance of PhosphcBnus hemipterus, Oeoff., at Leioes. — This curious in-
sect has again occurred at Lewes. My friend, Mr. Cecil Morris, of this town, has
taken several specimens m his garden, and, by his kindness, I have been able to see
the insect in a living state. The locality is not far from the place where Miss Hop-
ley took the first British specimens in 1868. The first specimens were seen this
year on the 17th inst., and, so far, only males have been taken. The males are
decidedly luminous, the light issuing from two spots on the apical segment of the
abdomen both above and below. As in the glowworm, the light is produced at the
■will of the insect, and when not visible, a little irritation will generally render it so ;
this fact would make it probable that the light, at least in the male, is not used as a
sexual atti'action, but as a means oi frightening its enemies, and warding off danger ;
perhaps it is the same in all luminous insects. The insect is very active by day,
crawling vigorously over walls, &c., but it readily feigns death, contracting the limbs
close to the body and falling to the ground. — J. H. A. Jenner, 4, East Street,
Lewes : June 20th, 1883.
Lehia turcica. — T am informed that specimens of this species (I believe four in
number) are being exhibited in London as having been purchased, with other
Oeodephaga, from Mr. C. S. Gregson, of Liverpool. In the interests of my Coleo-
pterist brethren, will you permit to state, that I know Mr. Grregson's collection very
well indeed, and that there was not a specimen of Lehia turcica, either British or
foreign, in that collection. — John W. Ellis, 101, Everton Eoad, Liverpool: May,
1883.
Cicindela maritima in Carmarthensire. — On May 24th, 1883, four specimens of
Cicindela maritima were taken by the Rev. Clennell Wilkinson on the Sandhills
near Penshire, in Carmarthenshire. I think this is a new locality for this beautiful
and very local insect. — A. H. Weatislaw, Manorbere Vicarage, Pembrokeshire :
June, 1883.
Myrmecophilous Coleoptera in the Hastings district, — I have been working
nests of Formica rufa, all situated in a wood at Guestling during the spring and
early summer, and thought that my captures might be worth recording, especially
as the nests are not so very far from the sea. In the beginning of April, Thiaso-
phila angulata was by far the most plentiful insect, just now, however, Homalota
flavipes is the' commonest. In addition to these I have found Dinarda MarJceli,
Jlomalota anceps, Oxypoda heemorrhoa, in some numbers, and O. formiceticola,
Monotoma angusticoUis, Gryll., M. formicetorum, Th., Leptacinus formicetorum, and
Quedius brevis, sparingly, and a single example of Myrmedonia humeralis. I also
met with a few specimens of a Xantholinus, which I think may be atratus, Heer.
I was pleased to find Clythra ^--punctata in plenty : they were either flying in the
sunshine around the nests, or sitting on the bushes overhanging them.. On several
occasions I have seen specimens crawling about with the ants, and once a ? emer-
ging from the entrance to the subterranean cells. Between the 15th May and 12th
June, I caught about sixty examples, and saw many others. Formica fuliginosa is,
I am sorry to say, rare with us ; but from a weak nest I obtained four Myrmedonia
1883.] 41
funesta, one M. limhata, one Driisilla canaliculata, and one Thiasophila inquilina.
In a nest of L.flava, M. limlata has shown itself, and Myrmica rulra (Jcevinodis?)
has only yielded me the common DrusiUa. — Edward P. Collett, St. Leonards-
on-Sea : June 17th, 1883.
Further note on Epheslia passulella. — I find my former note on Ephestia
passulella (Ent. Mo. Mag., xix, p. 142) was not strictly accurate, as the species is
evidently only partially double-brooded. As there stated, the larvse all spun up,
and, as at the time, the imagos were continually emerging, I concluded that all
would do so. Many of the larvse, however, did not change to pupae, but remained
all the winter in their cocoons, and changed to pupae without again feeding at all,
this spring. The imagos from them are now emerging every day. — Geo. T.
POEEITT, Huddersfield : June Uh, 1883.
The oldest name for the Phycita hosiilis of Stephens. — Heer P. C. T. Snellen
has kindly called my attention to the confusion that has arisen between Nephopteryx
rheneUa, Zincken (described in Germar's Magazine, 1818), and Pempelia adelphella,
Fischer von Rosterstamm. Both were mixed together by Treitschke under the name
of rhenella. .
The brown larva of rhenella feeds on Populus alba and tremula (I have a speci-
men from Zeller "on Populus monilifera"). The ^reere larva of adelphella feeds
on willow. The description of hostilis in the Manual was made from a Glogau
specimen oi adelphella received from Zeller in 1850.
Mr. Barrett has already pointed out (Ent. Mo. Mag., xvii, p. 179) that the
hostilis of Stephens is not identical with adelphella, for which it had been quoted as
a synonym by Zeller in the Isis of 1846. It is, however, really the rhenella of
Zincken, which being a much older name, must supersede hostilis, whilst, at the
same time, it will be needful to remove the insect from Pempelia to Nephopteryx.
The difPerences in appearance of the two species are well noted by Zeller in the
Isis of 1846, p. 777. He says of P. adelphella, " anterior wings narrower, with the
base always of a much brighter red, the first transverse line forming, at the sub-
dorsal nervure, a sharper angle, almost a right angle, the central area is pale red
instead of grey towards the inner margin, and the costa beyond the first transverse
line is blackish ; the hinder transverse line is more faintly toothed, and forms a
sharper angle towards the inner margin."
I think it highly probable that both species may occur in this country, though,
so far as we know, adelphella has hitherto escaped observation. — H. T. Stainton,
Mountsfield, Lewisham : May 21st, 1883.
Occurrence of Q<Jcophora grandis near Burton-on- Trent. — On Saturday, June
2nd, I went' out for the afternoon to a part of the Forest of Needwood, about eight
miles from here. The place is a very tempting one, but there seemed either to be
very little to be had, or else, that the place (which is high ground and cold clay)
was very backward ; almost my only captures being Eupaecilia maculosana and
Incurvaria CEhlmanniella. About half-past four, from a holly tree I beat out a
small thing which flew off sharply, but which I fortunately contrived to secure.
My delight was only equalled by my surprise when I saw what I had got : — a very
D
42 f-JuIy,
fresh, beautiful, and brightly coloured specimen of (Ecophora grandis. It was quiet
in the net and bpx, and has taken no harm with the journey home. — J. Sang, 181,
Horninglow Street, Burton-on-Trent : June 4:th, 1883.
Insects from the East Coast of Greenland. — Mr. William Scoresby, Jun., in his
" Journal of a Voyage to the Northern Whale Fishery, &c.," Edinb., 1823, 8vo,
states, p. 423, the presence of Col. Palceno and Fap. {Argynnis) Dia on Jameson's
Land at Cape Lister and Cape Hope, on the northern shore of Scoreby Sound,
70° 30' Lat., July 24th. Both occurred in great numbers. He mentions also (p.
188) the occurrence of bees and mosquitoes. Prof. Jameson and Mr. James Wilson
give, pp. 424 — 428, a more detailed account of the butterflies. Curiously enough
these very interesting statements of insects of the eastern shores of Greenland,
which are probably the only ones known, though quoted in Lacoi-daire's Introd., vol.
ii, p. 603, have escaped Mr. Kirby (Richardson's work) and all later publications
about the Arctic fauna. The same statements have been repeated by Mr. J. Wilson,
in the Family Library, No. 53 (I can only consult the American edit.. New York,
1836), in Mr. P. F. Tytler's historical view of the progress of discovery on the
more northern coasts of America, with sketches of the Nat. Hist, by J. Wilson, p.
305.
The hope to find perhaps figures of the two butterflies in Mr. J. Wilson's
Illustrations of Zoology, Edinb., 1828 — 31, for which I have noted in my Bibliotheea
two Lepidoptera on pi. 4 and 28 (I cannot compare this book now), was destroyed
by the record in Ferussac's Bull., vol. xxvi, p. 287, stating that these Lepidoptera
are Noctua {Strix) Erebus and Pap. Jasius. If, by a lucky chance, the two Papilios
from Mr. Scoresby should be still in existence in Edinburgh, a detailed scientific
examination would be of great interest. It is possible that the so-called C. Palano
could be the Colias Hecla, var. glacialis, described by McLach., Linn. Soc. Joiu-n.,
vol. xiv, p. 108, but C. Palceno is very common in Labrador, and could as well go
higher up in Greenland, as it is a decidedly Arctic species. I remark that the food-
plant of its caterpillar, Vaccinitim tiUginosum, is represented in the flora of this part
of Greenland. In Scoresby's Journal, p. 410, in the list of plants. Dr. Hooker gives
No. 13, Vaccinium puhescens, Hornem., which he considers to be a dwarf state of
V. uliginosum. — H. A. Hagen, Cambridge, Mass. : Mai/ oth, 1883.
Note on the appearance of $ and ? of Formica rufa. — Seeing it generally stated
that the winged examples of this ant usually " come out " in July and August, I beg
to say that this year, at Guestling, the S began to appear on the 21st May, and ? a
week later.— E. P. Collett, St. Leonards-on-Sea : 11th June, 1883.
A very small nest of Vespa vulgaris. — I have recently had brought to me from
the neighbourhood of Bromley, a very pretty little nest of Vespa vulgaris. It has
been, unfortunately, a good deal broken from handling, but is of a rounded, semi-
conical shape, with a round, central, apical aperture, and its widest diameter is
only about an inch and three-quarters. It was found suspended under the
roof of an outhouse. I believe such a locality is not a very unusual one for
V. vulgaris to choose, but the very small size of the nest certainly surprised me.
Shortly after receiving it, two worker-wasps emerged from the cells near the
1883.] 43
centre, and I observed that nine others were spun-over at the top, the remainder
were occupied by larvse in different stages of gi'owth, those near the centre nearly
full grown, those near the circumference quite small : altogether there are about
forty cells. I am afraid no more wasps will come out now, as the larvse have died in
their cells, and made the nest smell so strongly that I fear all the spun-up pupae
will be killed. The actual paper-like substance of the nest appears to consist of
very fine fibres of wood. — Edward Saunders, Lloyd's : June 17t7i, 1883.
NouvEAux Souvenirs Entomologiques : Etudes sue l'Instinct et les
McEUES DES Insectes. par J.-H. Fabee. Paris : Ch. Delagrave, 1882. pp. 319,
12vo.
In 1880, vol. xvii, p. 117, we noticed the work by this veteran author (who has
long been celebrated for his minute history of Sifaris humeralis) entitled " Souvenirs
Entomologiques," and the present volume is a continuation and amplification of his
most assiduous and complete observations on the instinct and habits of the objects
of his attention. There are 17 chapters, entitled : 1, L'Harmas (the name given to
the scene of his researches) ; 2, L'Ammophile herissee ; 3, Un sens inconnu. Le
Ver gris ; 4, La Theorie de l'Instinct ; 5, Les Eumenes ; 6, Les Odyneres ; 7, Nou-
velles recherches sur les Chalcidomes ; 8, Histoire de mes Chats ; 9, Les Fourmis
rousses ; 10, Fragments sur la Psychologie de l'Instinct ; 11, La Tarentule a ventre
noir ; 12, Les Pompiles ; 13, Les Habitans de la Eonce ; 14, Les Sitaris ; 15, La
Larve primaire des Sitaris ; 16, La Larve primaire des Me'loes ; 17, Le Hypermeta-
morphose.
Although the author deprecates criticism on the style of his writing by saying
that " his pages contain only a narration of facts observed, nothing more, nothing
less," yet the charm of it is in this very simplicity and originality of the relation of
his numerous experiments and observations. The chapter about his cats, which, at
first sight, looks like an interpolation, is given to show that a cat has the same innate
faculty to return in a direct line to its home, even when it has been removed there-
from in seclusion, that a Hymenopterous insect in similar circumstances possesses.
From the author's points of view, the hypothesis of evolution is not regarded
favourably, for the experience of his forty years' observation does not support it.
He rejects its theory that instinct is an acquired and transmitted faculty ; such a
notion being nothing more than ajeu d'esprit wherewith an indoor naturalist who
fashions the world according to his fancy may amuse himself, but in which the
observer who grapples with the reality of things finds no serious explanation of
anything he sees.
Every book suffers by translation, especially such an one as this that is so full of
graphic individuality ; moreover, the nature of the subjects makes it diSicult to
detach a short extract, yet we would have tried to give in this way an idea of the
merits of the work, if we had not been met at the very first page by this notice :
" Toute traduction ou reproduction, meme partielle, est interdite." All that we can
do, therefore, is to recommend this most enticing book of Natural History to the
attention of all who read, or wish to read, French.
44 [July,
NOTES ON NEW BRITISH COLEOPTERA SINCE 1871;
WITH NOTICES OP DOUBTFUL SPECIES, AND OP OTHEES THAT
REQUIRE TO BE OMITTED PROM THE BRITISH LIST.
BY THE BEV. W. W. FOWLER, M.A., F.L.S.
{Concluded from vol. xix, ^^. 270).
EIIYNCHOPHORA.
Apion opETicrM, Bach.
Allied to A. pomoncB, P., but differs from it in its smaller size, its inTariably
black colour, its rostrum being more abruptly contracted a little behind the middle,
and less dilated at the base in both sexes, and in having a less elongate club to its
antennse. Two specimens (male and female) were taken by Dr. Power at Hastings
(Ent. Mo. Mag., xi, 156).
Apion scrobicolle, Gyll.
There is no authority for this insect, and it must, consequently, bo omitted.
Apion annulipes, Wenck.
Two female specimens of this insect were taken by Mr. Champion and Mr. Eye
at Mickleham in 1870. They differ from the same sex of A.flavimanum, Gyll., their
close ally, in their entirely black and very much stouter legs and wider tarsi, brilliant
and very finely punctured rostrum, &c. ; the male appears to have the antennse
testaceous, except the club, and the tibiae marked with testaceous colour before the
base (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 159).
Apion Etei, Blackburu.
This species is separated from all the rest in the group with the femora and
anterior tibiae alone yellow, by its short, broad, sparingly punctured thorax, which is
scarcely, if at all, longer than broad, and has its sides very evidently rounded ; it
is most nearly allied to A. fagi, L., from which it differs in its shorter and more
strongly bent rostrum, and in its antennae, which have a darker base. Taken by Mr.
C. Lilley and Rev. T. Blackburn in the Shetland Islands, in July, 1874 (Ent. Mo.
Mag., xi, 128).
Cathobmiocerus maeitimus, Eye.
Differs from C. sociiis, Boh., in being more robustly built, flatter, darker, and
much more strongly punctured, with more prominent eyes, and the funiculus and
club of the antennse (comparing both sexes) distinctly broader and shorter. Taken
by Mr. Moncreaff at Portsea (Ent. Mo. Mag., x, 176).
£usomus ovulum, 111.
This is, according to Dr. Sharp, an introduced species, and very doubtful as
British.
Otiorrliynchus monticola. Germ.
0. blandus, Gyll., must be substituted for this species, as all the Scotch speci- |
mens named O. monticola really belong to O. blandus.
1883.1 45
Liosoma ovatulum, var. collaeis, Kye.
This variety is smaller than the type form, with femora dark at apex, thorax
usually red or reddish, and less closely punctured, and the tooth on the femora
feebler.
Liosoma troglodytes, Rye.
The small size of this insect separates it from our other species, but, apart from
this, its uutoothed femora remove it from L. ovahdum, Clair., and its opaque and
almost rugose-punctate thorax, shorter and broader build, and more marked striae
separate it from L. ohlongulum, Boh. Taken by Mr. J. J. Walker at Faversliam
(Ent. Mo. Mag., X, 136).
Liosoma oblongulum, Boh.
Differs from L. ovatulum in being narrower, with rostrum less curved, in having
the antennae inserted nearer the apex of the rostrum, and especially in the fact that,
its femora ^re not toothed. Taken by Mr. Walker near Chatham, and by Mr.
Champion at Caterham (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 242).
Lixus turhatus, Fab.
This has been considered a doubtful species. Dr. Power, however, has a speci-
men in his collection taken by himself in the fen district : it is the L. iridis, of
Olivier, and the L. gemellatus, of Gyllenhal.
Smicronyx Reicliei, Gryll.
This is not unlike a very large example of S.ju,ngermannicB, Eeich., but it has a
thicker and darker rostrum, and much more thickly and coarsely punctured thorax ;
it is densely clothed, when in perfect condition, with tessellated grey and brown
scales. Two specimens taken near Folkestone by Mr. Champion and Mr. E. A.
Waterhouse (Ent. Mo. Mag., is, 11).
Bagous breyis, Schon.
Of our species, this can only be compared with 5.yV?7, Herbst : its thorax,
however, is very strongly constricted before the apex, and has a dorsal channel
ending in the middle one of three fovese, situated in the anterior transverse con-
striction. Taken by Dr. Power in Surrey (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 242).
Bagous diglyptus, Boh.
Two specimens of this very distinct species were taken by Mr. Harris near
Burton-on-Trent. It may readily be distinguished by its very short broad form,
uniform grey colour, rugulose thorax, which is much constricted before the apex,
and has a short dorsal channel near the base, its ferruginous tibiae, which are much
curved inwardly and thickened above the middle, and its very short tarsi, which
have the penultimate joints simple and not bilobed (Ent. Mo. Mag., xv, 235).
Orcliestes scutellaris, var. semieueus, Gyll.
This variety is smaller than the type, but exhibits no structural differences,
merely having the head and thorax pitchy-black, and the legs darker than usual.
46 t"^"'^'
OrcJiestes decor atiis, Germ.
This very doubtful species is included in the second edition of Dr. Sharp's
catalogue : it has for many years been alternately inserted in and erased from the
British List. In Ent. Ann., 1867, 88, Mr. Eye quotes Mr. Walton as having shown
that Stephens' 0. decoratus is only 0. rusci, and it is to Stephens that M. Brisout
refers for the type-form of the insect.
Nanophtes gracilis, Eedt.
This insect is readily distinguished from X. lythri, F., by the fact that all its
femora have two small sharp spines on the under-side ; it has longer and thinner
legs, antennae, and rostrum, less evident pubescence, and broader and much less
acuminate elytra, of whic-h the interstices are flat (Ent. Mo. Mag., is, 157). Taken
in the New Forest and other localities.
Ceutliorrhynchus crassidentahis, Marshall ?.
This insect must be erased from the British list : nothing seems to be known
about it.
Ceuthorrliijnclius viridipennis, Bris.
This insect comes near C. chalyhtBus. Dr. Sharp told me that he possessed a
short series of an insect that he believed to be this species, but he has omitted it
from the second edition of his catalogue.
Ceufhorrhi/ncJiidiiis minimus, AValton (Rye).
A very doubtful species, near C. floralis, apparently resting on two examples
supposed to have been placed by Dr. Leach in the British Museum collection, where,
however, they are not now to be found.
Ceuthorrhynchidius Ohevrolati, Bris.
This species is apparently only a well-marked and fresh type of C troglodytes,
F. Dr. Sharp, however, introduces a new species into the second edition of his
catalogue under this name.
Ceuthorehtk^chidius Crotchi, Bris.
This insect, which has not been particularly recorded as British, but is described
by M. Charles Brisout as from England only, is said to be very like C. versicolor,
Bris., but may be distinguished by its more depressed prothorax, of which the an-
terior margin is less reflexed, and by its testaceous tarsi, of which the claws are
smaller (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 159). It is a doubtful species, apparently, as British.
Cossonus linearis, L.
It is probable that all our insects which stand under this name are in reality to
be referred to C.ferrugineus, Clairv., and that C linearis may not be British at all
(Ent.. Mo. Mag., ix, 243 ; Ann., 1874, 109).
Magdalinus Heydeni, Desbr.
The author of this species mentions it as British in his Monogi'aph of the genus,
1883.] 47
stating that he possesses a specimen from England ; it appears to be a doubtful
species, very near M. dupHcatus, Grerm. ; with regard to this latter species there ap-
pears to be some doubt whether a true specimen has yet been taken in this country.
Htluegus minor, Hart.
Very closely allied to S. piniperda, L., but usually somewhat smaller, always
with brown elytra, which are more delicately punctate-striate ; the second interstice
of the elytra (unlike S. piniperda) is set with roughened elevated tubercles like the
rest ; the posterior tibiae are also differently formed. Taken by Dr. Sharp and Dr.
Buchanan White at Braema'r (Eut. Mo. Mag., viii, 74).
ClSSOPHAGUS HEDEEiE, Sclimiclt.
Chapuis formed the genus Cissophagits for the reception of Hylurgus hedercB ;
in this genus the funiculus of the antennae is six-jointed, and the third joint of the
tarsi distinctly bilobed, whereas in Carphoborus {Xylechinus) pilosiis the funiculus
is only five-jointed, and the third joint of the tarsi is simply cordate ; this insect
has occurred several times in Britain, and was taken last year near Shere by Dr.
Capron (Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 107 ; Entomologist, xv, 212).
POLTGRAPHTJS PUBESCENS, Fab.
This genus, which is new to the British list, may be readily separated from the
other Hi/lesinides by each of its eyes being almost entirely divided into two parts by
an extension of the lateral piece from which the antenna springs, by the third joint
of the tarsi not being wider than the second, and by the non-articulate club of its
antennae, whicli is very large, flattened, ovate, and considerably longer than the funi-
culus, whicli is four-jointed. Taken under fir bark near Scarborough by Mr. Lawson
(Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, 82).
Bruclius atomarius, L.
This ought, apparently, to be inserted instead of B. seminarius, L., and B.
Jathyri, Steph., instead of B. loti, Payk., the insects being apparently identical in
either case, and the question simply one of priority ; there is, however, a confusion
as to the latter insect caused by Stephens (Ent. Ann., 1874', p. 111).
Urodon ricfipes, F.
This is a very doubtful species, and cannot be admitted as indigenous without
further confirmation.
LONC^ICORNIA.
Pachtta sexmaculata, L.
This species is closely allied to P. octomaculata, F., but may be readily sepa-
rated by its narrower and more parallel form, its more shining appearance, much
scantier and finer pubescence, and the different maculation of its elytra, which are
black with three pale yellow, transverse, angular bands. Taken by Mrs. King at
Aviemore, Inverness-shire (Ent. Mo. Mag., xiv, 92).
MonoJiammus sartor, F., and M. sufor, L.
These ought, probably, to be regarded as introduced species, as much as Ceratn-
hyx heros, Scop., wliich is now generally omitted.
48 [July- 1883.
PHTTOPHAGA.
Clythra Iceviuscula, Ratz.
This species has a very slender claim, indeed, to be admitted as British, and
had better be left out (Eut. Ann., 1865, 77).
Cetptocephalus tiolaceus, p.
Of this species, which somewhat resembles a large C. fulcratus, Dr. Power
possesses a specimen taken by himself in Cambridgeshire ; it was also taken by Mr.
Sidebotham.
Cryptocephalus hipustulatus, P.
Tliis appears to be a variety of C. lineola, F., and to bear much the same rela-
tion to that species as the vai: bothnicus, L., bears to C. decempunctatus, L.
Li7ia tremulce, P.
The true L. tremulee is not British : the L. tremulce of Waterhouse's catalogue
:= L. longicollis, Suffr., a very common British insect.
Gonioctena affinis, Suffr.
This is a very doubtful species, apparently resting on one example, which cer-
tainly requires confirmation (Ent. Mo. Mag., i, 278; Ann., 1866, 115).
Crepidodera smaragdlna, Poudr.
Dr. Sharp inserts this species in the second edition of his catalogue : it belongs
to the C. auraia group, and apparently comes very near tliat species, to judge by
AUard's description (Gal. Anisopodes, p. 311).
Several species of the genus Thyamis appear to be doubtful, as T. nigra and T.
fuscula ; the T. melanocephala group requires a careful revision.
Thyamis distinguenda, Rjg.
This insect comes nearest to T. atricUla, L., in our list, but differs from it in being
on an average of rather larger size, without a dark brassy head and thorax ; it is of
less regularly oval outline, and has more perceptible shoulders to the elytra, longer
posterior tarsi, and a longer and stronger spur to the tibiae. Found by Mr. Champion
on Box Hill (Ent. Mo. Mag., ix, 158).
Thyamis ferruoinea, Poudr.
This species was recorded as British by Mr. Crotch, but was afterwards dropped ;
it must, however, be again inserted, on the authority of one specimen taken by Mr.
Champion at Caterham, and two in Mr. Rye's collection. It differs from T.flavi-
cornis and T. pellucida in its smaller size and much stouter antennte, of which the
five or six apical joints are blackish, and from T. Waterhousei (which also has the
apical joints blackish) in its smaller size, rather stouter antenna;, and more coarsely
punctured thorax and elytra, which arc much narrower (Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, 180).
August, 18S3.] 49
COCCINELLID.^.
Coccinella Vl-qxiitata.
Of this species, which is hardly ever seen in any collection, Mr. Mason and I
discovered a specimen in Mr. Griesbach's collection, which passed into the possession
of the late Mr. W. Garneys.
SCTM^"US QUADRILUXATUS, 111.
This insect has alternately been inserted in and omitted from the British list ;
there is an authentic specimen from Kent in Mr. Rye's collection.
ScTMNTJs Eedtenbacheri, Muls.
M. Brisout named a doubtful Scymnus from Mr. Wilkinson's collection (now
in the possession of Mr. Mason) for me, as this species. It is a small insect (f lin.)
of long oval shape, with long grey pubescence, sometimes entirely black, but usually
with a longitudinal curved band of a red or yellowish-red colour on each elytron ;
th.e legs are entirely of a pale yellow colour (Ent. Mo. Mag., xix, 67).
Scymnus arcuatus, Rossi.
This is a very distinct species, " the elytra having in common two horse-shoe-
shaped whitish-yellow lines, open towards the front, of wliich the lower encloses the
upper." One specimen was brushed out of very old ivy at Shenton Hall, near
Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, by Mr. WoUaston, on August 24th, 1872 (Ent.
Mo. Mag., ix, 117).
SCTMNUS LIVIDUS, Bold.
Smaller, more oval, and much more finely and evenly punctured than S. dis-
coideus. It is livid testaceous in colour, and has the head and claws black. One
specimen found on the sea-banks near Hartley by Mr. Bold (Ann., 1872, 91).
Lincoln : June, 1883.
THE BRITISH SPECIES OF DICYPHUS.
BY DR. O. M. REUTER.
Messrs. Douglas and Scott (Brit. Hem., i, pp. 370 — 381), as well
as Mr. Saunders (Syu. Brit. Hem., pp. 284—285), describe from
Britain five species of the heteropterous genus Dicyphus, Fieb.,Eeut.
{Idolocoris, D. & S.), \iz., glohuUfer, Fall., annulatus, WolS, pall icornis,
Fieh., palUdus, H.-Sch., and errans, Wolff . One of these species, viz.,
pallidus, is, however, wrongly determined, the British species noted
by this name being quite distinct from the true paUidus, originally
described from Germany by Herri ch-Schaffer, and living on Stachys
sylvatica. The British species occurs on Epilohium ; and regarding it
50 [August,
as new, I name it after the food plant, D. epiJohii* It is also this
species, wliicli in the Ent. Mo. Mag., a'oI. xvii, p. 166, is quoted under
the name D. stacJii/dis, Rent., according to specimens found by Saunders
at Hastings, and wrongly determined by me as my stachi/dis, from
which it is easily distinguished amongst other characters by the longer
first joint of the antennae.
As D. jjnlUdus I have quoted (Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xiv, p. 186) a
species found at Perth on Si/mplnjtuni, still this species is not the true
pnllidus, H.-Sch., neither is it identical with my new species fjniohii,
but it agrees thoroughly with the ty^pical specimens of D. constrictus,
Boh., a species referred without reason by Fieber as a synonym of
2)aUidus.
A very different species has been confounded with D. errans,
AN'olff. Messrs. Douglas and Scott say (/. c. p. 3S0), " frequently the
? has undeveloped elytra." Also concerning pallidus, it is said, " ?
with undeveloped elytra without cuneus (!) and membrane." All the
females of epiJohii (^ paJIidns, D. & S.) which I have seen, however,
have, like the female of errans, completely develoj)ed wings. Perhaps
the paler specimens of the species, with undeveloped wings, confounded
with errans, have been supposed to be $ of pallidus, D. & S., the
darker specimens being described as $ of errans. But the $ of errans
is always macropterous, as far as I know, and I have examined a great
many from different parts of the palearctic zone. The species which
has been regarded as being a short-winged ? of errans is, however, in
both sexes dimorphous, and easily distinguished by the short first
joint of the antennte, this character allying it to paUicornis, Eieb. It
lives on SfacJii/s sylvaticn, and is widely distributed in Europe ; it is
also found in the west of Siberia. I have named it D. stachijdis, by
which name it has alread}" been recorded from Britain by Mr. Norman
(Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xv, p. 255), by the same author (J. c. vol. xiv, p.
166) given in error as D. errans. This species is also described by
Eior (Rh. Livl., i, p. 483) as coUaris, Fall., and by me (Hem. Gymn.
So. et Fenn., p. 128) as the brachypterous form of errans.
I am publishing in the third volume of Hemipt. Gymnor. Europse
(now in the press) the more detailed descriptions of the European
species of Dicyphiis, and I shall there give a complete account of their
synonymy. As the British fauna, however, now possesses seven
species instead of five, and as it is not impossible that two other ad-
ditional species {pallidus, H.-Sch., and lujalinipennis, Klug) may yet
* Mr. S.iunders has written to me (Dec. 2nd, 1882'—" I have seen a pair of pallidus which
Mr. Douglas has lent me ; they are clearly identical with the pale Ei^ilobizon form."
1883.] 51
be added to it, a synopsis of the species of this genus may not be
without interest to British entomologists. From this synopsis I ex-
clude, however, the well and easily known glohuUfer and annulatus,
treating only of the species characterized by the head being pale above,
black behind the eyes at the sides, and marked between the eyes with
two brown or black stripes diverging in the front (in epilohii the head
is mostly entirely pale). As almost all these species, especially errans,
hyalinipennis, stacliydis, and 2^^^li(^ornis, are in a high degree variable
as to colour, I will try to employ principally plastic characters, which
limit the species more distinctly and accurately.
1 (12). Antennae and legs distinctly pubescent.
2 (9). Antennae always much longer than half the length of the body (with the ex-
ception of the hemielytra) ; the first joint as long as, or vei'v little shorter than,
the head seen from above (at least, if the clypeus is not taken with it), and not
or scarcely shorter than the posterior margin of the vertex ; the second joint
linear, always distinctly longer than the pronotum. The head, seen from above,
not or only a little transverse, seen from the front, twice as long as margin of
vertex ; behind the eyes long or rather long, constricted ; the front gradually
declivous, clypeus rather slightly arcuated, the throat long. Rostrum reaching
to, or beyond, the posterior coxse. Legs long, or very long, the anterior coxse
reaching much beyond the middle of the mesosternum.
3 (-i). Antennae and legs very long. Antennae with the first joint distinctly longer
than the posterior margin of the vertex ; the second joint as long as the scu-
tellum, pronotum and head together; the last two joints together as long as
the second ; the second joint fuscous only at the apex. Pronotum with the
transverse impression behind the middle. Thighs beneath rather densely pro-
vided with somewhat short and rigid black bristles. Posterior tibiae with long
spinulae, about four and a half times as long as the width of the head (with the
eyes). Male and female dimorphous 1. D. pallidtts, H.-Sch.
4 (3). Antennae with the first joint as long, or almost as long, as the posterior margin
of the vertex ; the second joint ((J) as long as scutellum, pronotum and head
to the base of the clypeus (seen from above), or mostly (especially $ ) shorter.
Thighs rather long, pubescent, beneath without black rigid bristles. Male
always winged, with completely developed hemielytra.
5 (6). Pronotum with the transverse impression in the J a little behind the middle,
in the ? very distinctly behind the middle. Antennae with the second joint at
the base and apex fuscous, as long as the scutellum, pronotum and head to the
base of the clypeus (c?), or only to the transverse impression of the vertex
behind the eyes ( ? ) ; the last two joints together scarcely ( c? ) or distinctly ( $ )
longer than the second. Cuneus at the apex narrowly dusky. Posterior tibiae
about four times as long as the width of the head (with the eyes). Female
dimorphous 2. D. constrictus. Boh.
6 (5). Pronotum with the transverse impression in the middle, or almost the middle.
E -2
52 [August,
Anteniife with the first joint in the niickllc liirgcly red or pieeous, the last two
joints together as long as ( (J ) or scarcely longer than ($) the second joint.
Male and female with developed wings.
7 (8). Antennae with the second joint onlj- at the apex fuscous ; the second joint as
long as the scutellum, pronotum and head until the base of clypeus ((?),or
only as long as the scutellum and pronotum together (?). Pronotum at the
base largely and slightly sinuated, and scarcely twice as wide as at the apex, the
sides gradually diverging from the collar to tiie posterior angles, the pronotum
being much longer in proportion to its width tlian in the following species.
Cuneus at the apex narrowly dusky. Tibiee at the base concoloi'ous, the poste-
rior tibiae about 3f — 3j times as long as the width of the head (with the eyes).
The body more slender ; head almost plain, pale (= D.pallidus, D. & S., Saund.).
3. D. EPiLOBii, n. sp.
8 (7)- Antcnnse with the second joint, at least at the base and apex, jjiceous, or en-
tirely piceons, or black, as long as the scutellum, pi'onotum and head as far as
the transverse impression of the vertex behind the eyes ( (?), or as long as the
scutellum and pronotum together ( ? ). Pronotum shorter in proportion to its
width than in the foregoing species, its base at least 2 — 2^ times as long as the
apex, raised, and at the margin more deeply sinuated, the sides diverging
rapidlj' from behind the central constriction. Tibire at the base narrowly fuscous
or pieeous, the posterior ones four or almost five times as long as the width of
the head (with the eyes). Cuneus at the apex largely and obliquely brown.
4. D. ERllANS, WolfP.*
9 (2). Antennaj not or very little longer than half the length of the body ; the fii'st
joint always three-sevenths shorter than the head with the clypeus, or half as
long as the head, and at least one-fifth to one-fourth shoi-ter than the posterior
margin of the vertex ; the second joint towards the apex distinctly a little
incrassated (in the macropterous specimens), distinctly shorter than the scutellum
and pronotum together, mostly as long as the pronotum, the last two joints
together distinctly longer than the second. Head seen from above scarcely or
very slightly transverse. Legs rather long, the anterior eoxse scarcely reaching
behind the middle of mesostcrnum. Posterior tibite about three and a half
times as long as the width of the head (with the eyes).
10 (11). Pronotum at the base almost more than twice (J ) or scarcely twice ( ? )
wider than at the apex, the sides sinuated, diverging rapidly from behind the
central constriction, the basal part above almost smooth, the basal margin rather
deeply sinuated. Antennae with the first joint one-fifth to one-fourth shorter
than the posterior margin of the vertex ; the third joint almost one-fourth
shorter than the second, and almost twice as long as the fourth. Hemiclytra
developed (S ?) 5. D. htaiinipennis, Klug.
11 (10). Pronotum of the macropterous form at the base slightly sinuated, and not
* Mr. Saunders has kindly comirmnicated me two specimens (<J 5) from the extreme S. W.
corner of England (" I'enzancc, by sweeping"), which differ fi-om erran.t only by the distinctly
longer antenna;. The second joint is as long a.s the scutellum, pronotum and half the head to-
gether, and the last joints together scarcely longer than the second [6 , or the last joints together
distinctly longer than the .second ( $ ). This form still remains to be .satisfactorily made out. I
have not seen it among the large number of specimens from the continent which I have ex-
amined. The food-plant is unknown.
1883.1 • 5o'
twice as wide as at the apes, only a little raised, the sides almost straight,
gradually diverging from the collar to the posterior angles ; the posterior disc
slightly rugose. Antennae with the first joint almost one-third shorter than the
posterior margin of the vertex, the third joint only one-fifth to one-sixth shorter
than the second, the fourth two-fifths to three-sevenths shorter than the third.
Male and female dimorphous 6. D. stachydis, n. sp.
12 (1). Antennae and legs short, smooth, without hairs, pale, only the first joint of
antennae in the middle largely red or piceous, or with two piceous rings, the
second only at the base piceous or entirely pale. Antennae with the first joint
only half as long as the head seen from above, the second as long as pronotum
and gently thickened towards the apex, the third joint at least one-fourth
shorter than the second, the fourth only one-fourth shorter than the third.
Head short. Posterior tibiae only about two and a half to two and two-thirds
times as long as the width of thehead (with the eyes), sparingly provided with
short spinulse. The body shorter and less elongate than in the preceding species.
Male and female dimorphous 7. D. pallidicornis, Fieb.
Helsingfors : June, 1883.
DESCEIPTIONS OF SOME NEW SPECIES OF LEPIDOPTERA,
CHIEFLY FROM THE ISLAND OF NIAS.
BY ARTHUR G. BUTLER, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.
The species here described were almost entirely selected from
two small collections made in Nias, a small island to the west of
Sumatra.
RHOPALOCEEA.
1. Elyvinias dolorosa, sp. n.
Dai'k smoky-brown, the primaries almost black, but the costa, apex, and external
border pale, greyish-olivaceous ; secondaries with the external border more broadly
pale, with six ill-defined ocelli, the fourth of which is largest and most distinct, the
last two close together ; external margin blackish, fringe white, spotted with blackish
at the extremities of the veins and internervular folds : basal three-fourths of the
wings, below, dark greyish-olivaceous coarsely and densely marbled with dark red
streaks ; external fourth paler, that of the primaries whitish towards the costa,
irregularly marbled with red stria;, internal area greyish ; external fourth of
secondaries stone-yellowish in tint, striated with blackish, and crossed by a cui'ved
series of six conspicuous black ocelli with white pupils, and a pale blue patch from
the pupil to the posterior edge, the first and fourth ocelli large, the sixth small, and
the remainder of medium size, a conspicuous white sub-costal spot with black dif-
fused edge below the centre of the costal margin : body brown, anus testaceous :
expanse of wings, 70 mm.
Island of Nias.
Nearly allied to E. panthera, of Java, but larger, blacker, with
the secondaries more strongly dentated, with a decided tail ; the streak-
ing below much coarser and less broken up, and the ocelli of the
secondaries of four times the size, but the white spot smaller.
5-i [August,
2. ^antJiotccnia obscnra, sp. n.
$ . Allied to X. Bicsiris, of Sumatra, Borneo, and Malacca, but, for its sex, larger,
with longer wings ; the basal half of primaries, and whole of secondaries, deep
chocolate-brown instead of tawny, the yellow belt of primaries more oblique,
and slightly paler ; the sub-apical spot smaller ; primaries below with all the darker
areas decidedly darker, and the sub-marginal belt more ocliraceous, crinkled rather
than aezag, the larger sub-apical ocellus black, with white pupil and pale yellow
iris, instead of stone-grey witli pale yellow iris ; secondaries clouded beyond the
cell, across the disc and on the border, with chocolate-brown ; the irregular lines
across the wings more angular, well-defiiu'd, dark chocolote-brown ; the second and
sixth ocelli large and blackish, with white pupil and pale yellow iris, the other ocelli
very small ; the eighth absent : expanse of wings, 73 mm.
Island of Nias.
3. Moiliiza imltata, sp. n.
Allied to 31. Procris, but with more nearly the general aspect of M. lihniles ;
upper surface mahogany-red ; primaries with the apical half black ; a white,
irregular, oblique, quadrifid patch just beyond the middle ; three sub-apical white
dots in an oblique, slightly incurved series; an irregvilarly sinuated band of mahogany-
red near the outer margin, the outer border brown-edged, and intersected by a mar-
ginal and a sub-marginal black stripe ; costa at base black ; the basal area crossed by
the usual black markings, similar markings are also within the cell of secondaries ;
a transverse, bifid, sub-apical, white spot on the latter wings, two diverging discal
series of almost confluent black spots ; outer border as on the primaries ; fringe
spotted with white between the veins ; body rufous-brown ; primaries below paler
than above ; the basal area greenish-white ; an oblique black dash in the cell, fol-
lowed by an oblique black-edged tawny spot, below which is a second smaller spot
of the same colours ; the black apical half is only represented by a black margin to
the white patch, followed on the radial and sub-costal interspaces by four longitu-
dinal black streaks, on the upper three of which the white dots of the upper surface
appear, but larger than above, oblique, and cuneiform ; there is also a series of
black spots (which, on the upper surface, are united, and form the outer boundary
of the discal red band), some of these ai-c edged externally with whitish ; sub-
marginal and marginal stripes reduced to black lines, the interval between which is
partly white ; secondaries with the basal three-fourths pale green, the basal black
markings very slender ; the double white spot of the upper surface black-edged, and
forming the commencement of an irregular series of spots, three of which are also
white with black edges, and the other two small and black, these spots are all smaller
than the first ; discal series of spots much reduced in size, the outer series with
whitish lunuk's immediately beyond them ; marginal and sub-marginal stripes
slender, with white between them, as on the primaries ; body below white : expanse
of wings 68 mm.
Island of Nias.
4. Pandita iniitans, sp. n.
Evidently a co\\\ of the preceding species ; distinguishable at a glance from
188^.1 OO
P. Sinope and P. sinoria by the curved patch of four increashig oval white spots
just beyond the middle of the primaries ; these spots are separated only by the
black veins, as in the Moduza ; the general colour of the insect is darker than in the
known species, being the same as in the Moduza, the external border is also blacker,
and the discal bands of secondaries are less curved and of moi'e equal width, the
streak limiting the basal area in these wings is also replaced by two approximated
angulated black stripes, which are much nearer to the inner discal band than the
streak in the other species, so that the disc is in reality crossed by three equidistant
blackish bands : in addition to corresponding differences on the under surface, the
extei-nal border is tinted with pearly-whitish, the sub-marginal and marginal lines
are blacker ; the basal half of the wing is bounded by a black line, corresponding
with the outer stripe of the central band on the upper surface ; the abdominal area
is also more broadly greenish than in P. Sinope and P. sinoria : expanse of wings
54 mm.
Island o£ Nias.
5. Hypolimnas antUope, Cramer.
Olive-brown, the basal half of the wings suffused with darker rufous-brown ;
this colour on the primaries ends abruptly in an oblique line just beyond the cell ; a
large bifid, sub-apical, white spot, being the commencement of a series of discal
spots parallel to the outer margin, the others are, however, all small, six on the
primaries, and five on the secondaries ; external border narrowly blackish, and
traversed by two series of more or less lunate white spots ; body dark olive-brown ;
under surface more olivaceous than above, not at all rufous ; all the white spots
larger, tlie discal sei'ies of secondaries consisting of ten spots, the first of which is
larger than the others, and cream-coloured, as also is the large sub-apical spot on
the primaries ; the spots on the external border more sharply cut, and of a purer
white than above ; primaries with the costa to the end of the cell rather broadly
black, interrupted within the cell by five white spots : body brown, palpi and front
legs blackish, fringed with white : expanse of wings, 98 mm.
" Paso, Amboina ; by a stream, 11th May, 1882 " {R. 0. Forbes).
From two tine examples in the Museum collection, there were
others in Mr. Forbes' papers : the species has hitherto been incorrectly
identified with a much smaller insect belonging to a different section
of the genus: H. antilope belongs to the H. jacintha group, and,
doubtless, has a blue-blotched male ; Mr. Wallace's male evidently
belongs to the same section of the genus with his ''^ Diadema anomala"
which follows H. antilope in his " Notes on Eastern Butterflies," Trans.
Eut. 8oc., 1869, pp. 284, 285. The types of Wallace's species passed,
with his collection, into Mr. Hewitson's hands ; but, I am unable to
recognise his male of H. antilope ; no typical female exists in the col-
lection, and the only female from Amboina is what I believe to be a
pale variety of H. -porphyria, of Cramer, it certainly belongs to that
section of the freuus.
56 rAvigiist,
The following, which was in our collection when Mr. Wallace
worked with it (and was regarded by him as one of the varieties of
//. antilope), must now be named.
6. Hj/polimnas eremita, sj). n.
Allied to H. porphyria ; wings above purplisli-piceous, with the external fourth
of primaries and the external third of secondaries paler and yellower in colour, es-
pecially on the disc of secondaries ; the paler area on the primaries is hounded
intei"nally, from the second median interspace by a curved series of four still paler
spots, which, however, are not very distinct; a series of white spots (eight on the
pi'imaries, six on the secondaries) crosses the disc parallel to the outer margin ;
there are two sub-marginal series of bufP-coloured spots: wings below a little
paler than above ; the primaries with three sub-costal, black-edged, white spots
in the cell ; secondaries crossed beyond the middle by a pale band ; otherwise much
as above : expanse of wings, 78 mm.
Dorey {Wallace).
The male of the above species is, I have little doubt, a form which
we have from Dorey, closely resembling that sex of H. alimena, of
Australia, but differing in the absence of white scales upon the blue
band of the primaries above, and of the white sub-apical band on these
wings below, also in the much less defined and less lilacine band across
the disc of the secondaries on the under surface.
We have what I believe to be the male of H. porphyria, from
Amboina and Ceram ; it is also much like that sex of H. alimena, but
possesses slight differences which seem to be constant.
7. Char axes ni as tens, sp. n.
^ . Allied to C. Schreiberi, of Java and Malacca, the upper surface greener
throughout, but especially towards the base, the bluish areas having green instead of
lilac reflections, and much broader, the outer edge of the belt of this colour on the
secondaries sharply defined and zigzag throughout, and the marginal markings more
perfectly confluent, so that the sub-marginal black belt becomes a confluent series of
decreasing pyramidal spots bearing the usual series of white dots; orange marginal
spots barely indicated ; white band of primaries of little more than half the width,
but that of secondaries the same as in C. Sckreiheri : primaries below bluer, the
green band and border yellower ; the central band miich wider, the red spots beyond
it replaced by olive-green ; the black markings with a decided green tinge ; the two
black spots in the cell larger ; green bands of secondaries yellow, the central one
much wider; the red lunules on the green discal belt much paler, brick-red : ex-
panse of wings, 9t) mm.
Island of Nias.
Thi.s s])ecics must stand between C. Schreiberi and C. cognatus.
1SS3., 57
HETEROCEEA.
8. Amesia Trepsiclirois, sp. n.
(J . Mimics Trepsichrois Verhuellii from tlie same island ; allied to A. stelliffera,
of Bliotan and Darjiling (111. T-yp. Lep. Hat., v, pi. Ixxxiii, fig. 8), but on the upper-
side all the white spots on the primaries, especially of the sub-marginal series, much
larger, more elongated ; the blue border more brilliant than in any known species^
pure ultramarine, without the usual purplish tinge ; secondaries uniformly dark
pitchy-brown, with a single sub-apical white spot : on the under-side the differences
are more decided, the wings being of a uniform sepia-brown colour, with fewer spots,
those in the cell of primaries and the last fire of the discal series being absent ; the
other spots are cream-coloured, and, for the most part, much larger than in A. stelli-
ffera, but the last of the discal series of primaries and of the sub-marginal series of
secondaries are reduced to mere points ; the blue borders and purple reflections are
wholly wanting : expanse of wings, 71 mm.
Island of Nias.
9. Chalcosia (Enone. sp. n.
Allied to C. dlstincta, Gu6rin (Delessert, Voy. Ind., pi. 24, fig. 3), but the
primaries blacker, with more decided blue shot, the white veins and bands purer,
the central band of only half the width ; secondaries with the border more
decidedly shot with blue : expanse of wings, 45 mm.
Island of Nias.
We have C. dlstincta from "India," Java and Sumatra: it is an
interesting fact that, as a rule, the Nias species are not identical with
those of Sumatra.
British Museum : July, 1883.
DESCEIPTIONS OF THEEE NEW SPECIES OP CHARAXES.
by h. geose smith.
Chaeaies Poethos.
Upper-side black. Anterior- wings with a row of six blue spots, forming a band
from near the apex to near the middle of the inner margin, the first spot small, the
others gradually larger, the spot on the inner margin being the largest, a blue spot
within the cell near the disco-cellular nerTules. Posterior-wing with a similar band
of spots from the centre of the anterior margin across the middle of the wing to
the fold ; a sub-marginal row of eight minute bluish-white spots, and a marginal
thin blue line extending from the inner angle beyond the tail, which is small.
Under-side resembles Nesiope and Mycerina. This species differs from Nesiope
in the position of the blue spots on the upper-side of both wings, and the row of
small white spots on the posterior-wing, and from Mycerina in the absence of the
broad blue band within the cell of anterior-wing, as well as in the position of the
band of blue spots on both wings, and on the posterior-wing in the substitution of
the row of small white spots and the thin blue marginal line for the band of blue
spots on the margin of Mycerina. Exp. 3 in.
Hab. : Cauuiroons (Fuller).
58 (August,
Charaxes Nichetes.
Upper-side rich dark brown, paler towards the base. Anterior-wing falcate,
crossed from the apex to near the inner angle by a sub-inarginal, sinuate, rufous
band, narrow at the apex, gradually widening towards the inner angle ; cell with a
brown spot on the sub-costal nervure in the middle, and a larger spot at the end of
the cell. Posterior-wing rufous, from the middle of the wing to the outer margin
with a sinuate band of dark brown containing eight small rufous spots, the six upper
spots being lunular, with two short tails.
Under-side brown, paler towards the margins beyond the dark brown line,
which crosses both wings from near the apex of the anterior-wing to near the anal
angle of the posterior-wing, inside of which are numerous brown markings, and out-
side of which is an indistinct serrated line of same colour, but lighter, beyond
■which, on the posterior wing, is a row of eight small spots, corresponding with the
small spots in the dark band on the upper-side. Exp. 3^ in.
This species has a curious resemblance to some of the male
varieties of the eastern species, Polyxena, especially in the band and
spots on the posterior-wing.
Hah. : Camaroons (Fuller).
Chabaxes Nepenthes.
Upper-side straw colour. Anterior-wing with the costa and apical portion of
the wing, as in Eudamippus, dark brown, with a sub-marginal row of small spots,
inside of which is another row of larger spots, and two still larger spots between
the sub-costal nervules, all straw colour. A quadrangular dark brown spot at the
end of the cell, the lower end of the spot, on the outside, extending down the upper
and middle disco-cellular nervule. Posterior-wing with a double row of sub-
marginal black spots, the outer row elongate, the inner row hastate, distinct from it,
not joined as in Eudamippus and Dolon, two tails bluish-grey, outer margin black.
Under-side silvery-white. Anterior-wing with a fulvous band, irregularly
marked outside with black, extending from the costa beyond the middle to near the
inner angle ; beyond which is a row of indistinct dark marks, and a fulvous band on
the outer margin ; two black spots within the cell ; two black lines on the upper
and middle disco-cellular nervules, the inner one sinuate, under which are two black
spots : near the costa, about half-way between the cell and the first fulvous band,
are two more small black spots. Posterior-wing with the double row of submarginal
spots as above, the inner row bordered inside with a fulvous band, which, near the
anal angle, joins an irregular fulvous band, extending down the wing along the
abdominal fold from the costa, near the base, to the anal angle, where it joins a mar-
ginal fulvous band bordered with grey. On either side of the band down the wing
are several black lines and spots, and two transverse, black, elongate spots on the
abdominal fold, a little above the anal angle. Exp. 3^ in.
Near to Eudamippus and Dolon but quite distinct.
Hab. : Siam (Bock).
London : June, 1883.
iss.-i.] 59
ANNOTATED LIST OF BRITISH ANTH03IYIIDM.
BT E. H. MEADE.
{Co)itinued from p. 14.)
All the remaining species in this Family have the eyes widely
separated in both sexes, and are thus related to the smaller acalypte-
rate Muscidce ; their calyptra or alulets are always, however, more or
less highly developed, so they must be retained among the AntJiomyiidce.
With the exception of those in the peculiar genus Lispa, Meigen
included almost all the other species in the genus Gcenosia ; they
differ, however, so much from each other in the size of the alulets, in
the degree of pubescence of the arista, and in other characters, that
it is necessary to divide them into a number of groups or genera,
which I will briefly arrange or analyze in the following table :
A. Alulets large, with unequal scales.
B. Palpi with dilated extremities Lispa, Latr.
BB. Palpi of the ordinary shape.
C. Arista plumose Caeicea, Desv.
CC. Arista pubescent or bare.
D. Abdomen of $ narrow, cylindrical, and with projecting appen-
dages Machoechis, Rnd.
DD. Abdomen of $ clubbed at the end, and without projecting ap-
pendages.
E. Internal transverse vein of wing opposite the end of the
axillary vein.
F. Forehead and epistome prominent...
Melanochelia, Rond.
FF. Forehead and epistome unprojecting...
C^nosia, Meig.
EE. Internal transverse vein opposite the end of first longitudi-
nal vein Atheeigona, Rond.
AA. Akdets small, with equal sized scales.
Gr. Arista plumose, or sub-plumose.
H. Anal vein prolonged to the margin of wing..,
Mtcophaga, Rond.
HH. Anal vein shortened Chelisia, Rond.
GG-. Arista pubescent or bare ScH.ffiNOMYZ A, Hal.
23. LISPA, Latr.
Gen. cli. — Eyes bare, widely separated in both sexes ; arista plu-
mose ; palpi with dilated extremities ; alulets with the lower scale
much longer than the upper one ; anal vein elongated, but not reaching
the margin of the winjr.
(50 • [August.
1. TENTACULATA, Deg. | 2. LITOREA, Fall.
Only two British species have been recorded of this singular genus, which may
at once be distinguished from all the other Anthomyds by the singular spatulate en-
largement of the ends of their palpi. Neither of them are common ; L. litorea is
a maritime insect.
24. CAEICEA, Desv.
Gen. ch. — Eyes bare, widely separated by a space of nearly equal
width ill both sexes ; arista with long hairs ; alulets well developed ;
tibiae all armed at their apices with four or five spines ; anal vein
rather short, only reaching about half-way from the base to the margin
the wincr.
1. TIGHINAj Fab.
leonlna, Rond.
2. CILIATO-COSTA, Zett.
2)antherina ?, Rond.
C. TIGRINA, Fab.
This Tcry common species has a long arista, which is only plumose along its
basal half; the distal part being nearly bare. It has only three bristles seated on
black spots, behind the transverse suture, in each of the two middle longitudinal
rows of setse on the thorax. The females closely resemble those of Spilogaster
commnnis, but may be at once distinguished from them by the circlets of spines at
the ends of the tibiae.
C. CILIATO-COSTA, Zett.
This differs from C. tigrina by having the two basal joints of the antennae rufous ;
by the arista being plumose along almost its whole length ; by having four instead
of three bristles behind the suture in the middle dorsal thoracic rows of setae; by
the costal spine and cilise being much more developed ; and by the transverse veins
of the wings being more clouded. Rare. I only know the male.
25. MACHOECHIS, Eond.
Ccenosia, Meig., Sehiii., &c.
Gen. ch. — Eyes bare, widely separated in both sexes ; arista pu-
bescent ; abdomen of male narrow and sub-cylindrical, with prominent
sub-anal appendages ; alulets with unequal-sized scales ; anal veins
of wings not prolonged to the margin ; legs elongated.
1. INTERMEDIA, Fall. j 2. MEDITATA, Fall.
3. MEANS, Meig.
M. INTERMEDIA, Fall.
This, the largest species (5 to 7 mm.), is of a dull ash-grey colour ; the arista is
sub-plumose; the thorax is marked witli two brown lines; the abdomen is long,
narrow, cylindrical, and immaculate ; the legs are yellow, with the exception of the
fore femora, the coxae, and tlie tarsi, which are all grey ; the hind femora are longer
than tlic abdomen ; the pulvilli are larm' and yellow. Not uncommon.
1S8S.J 61
M. MEDITATA, Fall.
The arista has only short pubescence ; the abdomen of the male is shorter and
more conical than in M. intermedia ; marked on the dorsum with four brown spots,
and furnished on the under-side of the penultimate segment with a very large pro-
jecting process ; the legs have the coxae, femora, and tarsi, all black, aud the knees
and tibiae yellow. Rare.
M. MEANS, Meig.
This species is very similar in form to M. intermedia, but is smaller (4 ram.) ;
the arista is sub-plumose ; the abdomen immaculate ; alulets rather small, but with
unequal scales ; the legs are entirely black, with the exception of the knees and the
proximal thirds of the fore femora, which are yellow. Not common.
{To be continued).
FURTHER INFORMATION AS TO THE MiaRATORY HABITS OF THE
aALL-MAKINQ APHIDES OF THE ELM.
: BT JULES LICHTENSTEIN.
My good and learned friend, Professor Horvath, Director of the
Phylloxera station in Budapest, is an eminent Hemipterist, well known
from his many good works on the Hemiptera-TIeteroptera. He has
now lately entered on the study of the Homoptera also, and has made
such good progress that he became in a few years the first authority
in his country for the knowledge of the Pht/lloxera, and was appointed
director to the Phi/lloxera station of Hungary.
When I had the pleasure of seeing him here, I called his attention
to my new ideas on the evolution of plant-lice from galls, and asked
his good aid to support me against some of my adversaries in Paris,
who consider, as a poetical fancy, my theories of migrations from
plant to' plant, or even from galls on trees, like elms or poplars, to
grass roots.
wk Prof. Horvath is a sharp observer, and deserves more than any
one the adjective of " oculatissimus,'' so often employed in entomology.
Thus, I had the pleasure, soon after having charged him with that
work of observation, to see in a French entomological paper (Revue
Fran^aise d'Entomologie, April, 1883) a note from Horvath announcing
that my theories were deserving of full confidence, for he had atten-
tively observed the root-louse of the Zea ma'is {Pemphigus zece-ma'idis,
L. Dufour, after F. Low), and had arrived at the conviction that it
flew from the maize-roots to the trunks of the elm trees where it de-
posited the sexual forms.
Of course, I was highly pleased with this discovery, much more
G2 i August,
SO, indeed, than was M. le Professeur Balbiani, who had on foi'mer
occasions declared such a migration quite opposed to entomological
and botanical laws.
Moreover, as only one species of Pemphigus is known on the elm
tree, viz. : the Pemphigiis paJlidtis, Haliday (sub. Erioso7nd) , I fancied
it was now a very easy job to gather galls of that insect wbeu the
emigration takes place, to put the emigrant winged-lice on roots of
maize, and to notice how they throve.
Under a bell glass I placed some good clean garden earth, in
which I had planted some grains of Indian corn, and I thought, at the
same time, I could try also to put besides the Pemphigus galls the other
four galls of the elm tree.* There is a sixth gall-louse on elm, the
Colopha compressa, but it occurs only on TJImiis ejfusa, and never on
TJlmus campestris in which the others are abundant. Well, to my
great disappointment, not one of the young Pemphigus touched the
maize-roots ; they were all dead and dried up, in a few days. But, to
my still greater astonishment, the young of Tetraneura uhni, the most
common of all the elm gall lice, fixed themselves immediately on the
tender rootlets of the plant, and went on sucking and growing so
satisfactorily, that, in ten days, they had acquired neai-ly double their
previous size, and were covered with the usual white secretion, which
we general]}^ see on these insects.
Immediately the idea occurred to me that M. Horvath finding a
root-loiise on the Indian corn, had jumped to the conclusion that it
could be no other than the Pemphigus zece-ma'idis, and had never
thought that it might be a Tetraneura.
Indeed, the difference between the two genera is a very trifling
one : Tetraneura has but one cubital nervure in the under-wings, while
Pemphigus has two, and no under-ground species of Tetraneura is
known up to this time.
Hence, I wrote to Prof. Horvath: — "Please, dear friend, send me
at once what you call Pemphigus zece-mdidis.'''' By return of post I
had the insect ; I put it under the microscope, and saw at once it was
a Tetraneura, and the very Tetraneura uJmi upon which Baron von
Gleichen began his well-known observations, in Nuremberg, in 1770,
and of which the full biology has also been discovered only in 1882, in
Budapest ; so now we know exactly :
1st. — That the " Tetraneura uJmi " comes out of eggs deposited
in the crevices of the trunks of the elm tree, in the beginning of
May, and forms a gall on the leaf. It is the Pseudogyna fundatrix .
* Viz. : Schiznncura ulmi and lanuginosa, Tetraneura ulmi and rubra.
1883.] 63
2nd. — Tliat iu the gall i\\e fundairix deposits a great number of
young, which all acquire wings. They are the PseudogyncB migrantes,
which fly away. Elaborate treatises, full of exact observations about
those two stages of life, have been published by Baron von Grieichen,
in 1770, and by Prof. Kessler, in Cassel, in 1878-1882.
3rd. — The young lice deposited by the Pseiulogyna migrans have
been educated by Lichtenstein, in Montpellier, on roots of maize, for
a fortnight. Prof. Horvath, in Budapest, has found them on the roots
of the same plant in October, 1881-82 ; it is the Pseudogyna migrans,
apterous and subterranean.
4th. — The descendants of these apterous lice get wings and return
to the elm ; i^ies,^ axe the Pseudogynce pupiferce. Horvath has found
them at the roots of maize, and many other observers, Lichtenstein,
Kessler, Courchet, &c., have found them on the elm trunks. Here
they bring the sexual forms, which copulate and lay the eggs, out of
which proceed the fiuidafriees.
And so, as Columbus, when searching for India, discovered
America instead. Prof. Horvath, thinking he had discovered the evo-
lution of Pemjjldgus ze(e-ma'idis,hRS discovered the biology of Tetraneura
ulmi.
La Lironde, Montpellier :
llth July, 1883.
DESCRIPTIOX OF THE LARVA, &c., OF MELIANA FLAMMEA.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLER.
It is a great satisfaction to have figured the larva of Jlammea, and
to be able to offer the following description of it, and of the pupa; as
hitherto, so far as I know, it appears as in the Manual to have remained
among the " unknown "; a circumstance not very surprising from the
fact of its being a fen-haunting species of obscure habit and restricted
in its locality.
Here I desire to express my deep sense of thankfulness to Mr.
W. H. B. Fletcher, for his great kindness in supplying me with a
dozen examples of the larva on the 18th of September, 1882, and on
subsequent occasions with their food, which otherwise I could not
have obtained for them; also for points of interest connected with
the discovery of the larva by his friend Mr. P. D. Wheeler of Norwich,
some three or four years ago, who, while collecting in the Norfolk fens,
was interested in the appearance of this larva and took some home,
where they spun up in the heads of reeds, and yielded the moth in
the following spring.
G4 [August,
I found, just as I had been instructed by Mr. Fletcher, that the
larvae spent most of their time within the old hollow stems of Arimdo
pliragmites, several harbouring together in a stem, wherein they lay
stretched out at full length, one beyond another, and came out at night
to feed on the leaves of fresh reeds ; at first consuming a tolerable
quantity, then less by degrees towards the end of the month, when
their feeding had entirely ceased ; each stem was now stopped up by
a diaphragm or plug of pale whity-brown silk, spun across a little
withiu each end ; at the same time I became aware of one larva having
fastened two stems together that had lain side by side among the
leaves, and it had cleverly utilized the situation by loosening a portion
of the old sheathing-leaf from one of the stems, and after creeping
beneath this had, by means of silk threads, spun it firmly on both stems
as the covering and protection of a sufliciently commodious puparium
between them.
On the 2nd of October, when about to place them in a cage for
the winter, I noticed a larva much contracted in length and fast ap-
proaching the pupal change lying loose amongst the leaves ; beneath
these at the bottom I presently found one had already become a pupa,
and was lying there naked and unattached.
The two last mentioned, as well as those spun up in the stems, all
disclosed fine and perfect specimens of the insect in this present month
of June, the first was bred on the 5th, and the last on the 15th. By
means of gentle forcing Mi\ Fletcher succeeded in producing the moth
as early as the 1st of April, and afterwards quite naturally and freely,
rather in advance of mine.
A first view of the larva is very suggestive of an immature
Leucania, more perhaps of straminea than of any other species I am
acquainted with, though not in its general colouring, as it differs con-
siderably from that species in having a much dingier appearance,
matching fairly well some of the old reed stems ; moreover, on a close
inspection it is seen to have an extra fine line on either side, in addition
to the usual arrangement of fine lines alternating with stripes that are
observed on a true Leucania.
The full grown larva of Jlammea is 1 inch 2 lines in length, ap-
parently cylindrical, yet it is somewhat flattened beneath and slightly
tapering at each end, the skin is soft and smooth, the segmental
divisions moderately well defined, and the usual sub-dividing fine
transverse wrinkles also, which are more noticeable on the sides, the
anal legs rather splayed ; the ground colour above is greyish ochreous-
brown faintly freckled with a darker fine reticulation, beneath, it is
1883.] 65
paler inclining to greyish-drab ; the shining head is delicately reticulated
with darker grey-brown, the plate on the second segment is a trifle
darker than the ground of the back and glistens slightly, and is tra-
versed by the dorsal and sub-dorsal lines ; the dorsal line is pale, and
very thin, but well defined throughout its course by running between
two fine lines of dark grey-brown which rather conspicuously relieve
it ; a little above the sub-dorsal region the ground is broken by a
stoutish paler line, then after an intei'val or what may be termed a
stripe of the ground colour comes the sub-dorsal thin line, of a paler
tint, closely followed by two other similar lines though more sinuous
in character, these three are equi-dlstant ; from thence midway toward
the spiracular region runs a stout pale line ; the spiracular stripe like
the belly is of a pale somewhat greyish-drab tint well defined with an
edging line both above and below of still paler tint ; the black dots of
the trapezoidals are so minute as to almost escape notice, but the single
black dots of the row along the side are larger, also the row of two's
lower down in line with each spiracle situated between them, this is
whitish tenderly outlined with black ; other very minute black dots
follow beneath, the legs are of the same tint as the belly and have dark
brown hooks.
The pupa is ^\ lines in length, of a slender, rather cylindrical
figure, the head is rounded above and produced a little obtusely
beneath, the thorax is rather the stoutest part, otherwise it is nearly
equal in substance throughout; the wing covers of moderate length,
wrapped close to the body, the moveable rings of the abdomen are
deeply cut, and each with an anterior margin of punctate roughness
on the back, the last two rings taper to the anal tip, which is furnished
with two very minute thorny points and curly-topped bristles ; its
colour at first is light brown, and soon grows reddish-brown, and in
twenty-four hours the darkest mahogany-brown, later to blackish -
brown, the surface rather shining.
After all the insects were bred, an examination of the interior of
the stems showed one piece of four and a half inches long having a
knot at one-third of the length, and in this shorter division one pu-
parium, and a pupa skin with its tail near the knot, on the other side
of the knot in the longer division two pupa skins, one beyond the other,
lying reversed so that the tails of all three pointed towards the knot;
a diaphragm of silk mixed with gnawed particles from the lining
membrane of the stem was at either end of each puparium, which in
length varied from nine to eleven lines, and comfortably held the
shrivelled-iip larval skin, the diaphragm in front of the middle occupant
(5(i [August,
had been doubled in thickness, and probably this insect had to wait for
its escape until the puparium in front was freed. Two other stems,
about two and a half inches in length, contained two pupa-skins in
each, with their tails towards each other ; three shorter pieces of stem
had in each one pupa-skin ; another stem three inches long was like
all the others in being well lined with silk, it held a single diaphragm,
but was otherwise empty.
Emsworth : June llth, 1883.
SOME NEW SPECIES AND GENERA OF COLEOPTERA FROM
NEW ZEALAND.
BY D. SHARP, M.B.
{Concluded from p. 27).
SAPHORHYNCHUS, n. y.
Auteunje inserted near together, on the front of the sides of the
rostrum behind its middle, elongate ; scape elongate, reaching con-
siderably beyond the eyes ; club elongate and slender. Rostrum
longer than the thorax, curved, thickened at point of the insertion of
the antennae, in front of this smooth and cylindrical ; parts of the
mouth small, mandibles but little exposed: scrobes deep and large in
front, visible from the front, short, passing backwards, becoming
rapidly vague and not attaining the eye. Eyes oval ; thorax in front
with ocular lobe, touching and slightly covez'ing the hind margin of
the eye. Thorax convex, front margin of presternum emarginate ;
no rostral channel ; front coxse quite contiguous ; metasternum rather
elongate ; abdominal sutures straight ; tarsi well developed, the three
basal joints densely clothed with pile beneath, 3rd joint broad and
short, deeply cleft ; claws very divergent.
This a]:)pears to be another very anomalous form of Cuj^culionidce,
and I cannot point out any near ally for it ; the insertion of the
antennfe far back on the rostrum, but near the front, so that they are
less separated than usual, the insertion taking place on an incrassation,
so that the scrobes, very deep at the insertion, are almost provided with
pterygia, together with the elongate scape, seem to suggest that the
insect is an isolated form that may be placed between Olypeorhynchus
and the Australian Rhinaria.
Saphobhtnchus longicoenis, n. sp.
Angustulus, convexus, 2)iccus, corpore, cumqiie ptdibus, f/riseo-
1883.] 67
squamoso, rostro ante antennas nudo mih-lcevigato ; protlwrace elongato,
rugoso ; elgfris interstitiis alternis, 3°, 5°, et 7°, plus minusve hreviter
vageque costatis, laterihus ad humeris vix angulatim prominulis.
Long., excl. rost., Gh mm. ; rostri, 3^ mm.
Rostrum curved, deflexed, above the antennae rugose and clothed with pale
scales, below the antennse bare. Antenna? with elongate scape, which does not quite
equal in length the funiculus, second and third joints very elongate, the following
joints gradually shorter, but even the eighth elongate, club elongate, slender, acu-
minate, evidently three-jointed. Thorax sub-globose, but rather longer than broad,
very densely and coarsely sculptured, and bearing numerous pale scales. Elytra
elongate, with series of coarse punctures, which, however, are not distinct, the
surface being rather uneven, and bearing a clothing of scales, apparently easily
removed ; at each side, just behind the shoulder, there is a slight angular promi-
nence ; they are much declivous behind, and on the curved portion the suture is
somewhat elevated, the third interstice is a little elevated near the base, and again
about the middle, the fifth interstice is more evenly elevated, but the elevation does
not extend to the base or the extremity, and the seventh interstice is slightly elevated
from the sub-humeral projection backwards. The legs are elongate and clothed with
scales and hairs, the tarsi with hairs alone.
The specimen o£ this insect sent to me by Mr. Helms as No. 229
was found in the same locality as Clypeorhynchus gracilipes, viz.,
Mouri Creek.
DORTTOMUS ELEGANS, n. Sp.
Angustulus,fuJvo-testaceus, opacus, squamosus, squamulis pallidis,
elytris pone medium fascia valde angulata subnuda, hrunnea ; protliorace
cylindrico, elytris angustiore. Long., excl. rost., 3^ mm.
Rostrum opaque, behind the insertion of antennse with some scales, vertex
with a large brown patch on each side ; eyes not prominent. Thorax rather longer
than broad, narrow, nearly straight at the sides, rather densely clothed with ptde
scales. Elytra narrow, elongate, and parallel at the sides, till near the extremity,
clothed at the base with pale scales, a line of these proceeding backwards from each
side to the suture, so as to form a V'sl^f^pp^ mark, immediately pi-ecedes a sjJace of
darker colour, from which scales are nearly absent, and is very conspicuous ; imme-
diately before the apex there is another less definite band of pale scales. The tooth
on the anterior femur large.
I have received two specimens of this very distinct species from
Mr. Helms. It will probably prove to be entitled to generic distinc-
tion when the New Zealand Erirhini are thoroughly and critically
dealt with.
EUGNOMUS ARGUTUS, n. Sp.
Angustulus, rufescens, siihtus squamulis alhidis {ad humeros densi-
orihus et subochraceis) vestitus ; superne pile depressa vestitus, scutello
68 [August,
suturaque ad basin albido-squamosis, elytris ad basin circa scuteUum
fasciaque viediaJi sat arguta nigro-sanguineis. Long. 4 — 4| mm.
This species has the surface more densely clothed, and with a rather more
definite limitation of the marks than is usual in the allies. The antennse are pale
red, and the rostrum is red, the head behind the eyes more obscure ; both are
densely punctate, as is also the thorax, and all these parts are clothed with depressed,
fine, hair-like scales of a pale flavescent colour, a white line of rather coarser scales
running along the middle of the thorax ; this white line is continued along the
scuteUum and on the basal portion of the suture ; and around the pale line thus
formed at the base of the elytra, there is a patch of colour of a much darker red
than the general ground colour, and on the middle there is an irregular sub-angulate
fascia of similar dark vinous-red colour : the rest of the elytra have a pale clothing,
which is most dense and definite behind the medial fascia : the surface bears a few
fine, upright, pale hairs.
Mr. Helms has sent five specimens of this species from Grey-
month ; and I have a pair in bad condition of a closely allied but
distinct species, found by Mr. Wakefield at Christchurch.
Tychantjs bufo, n. sp.
Latus et brevis, squamuUs depressis densissime vestitus, rostro fere
nudo, lafo, opaco, nigro, antennis ferruqineis ; profhorace antice valde
angustato, margine anteriore in medio bl-nnqulariter prominulo ; elytris
utrinque p)rope scuteUum sub-nodosis, posferius declivis utrinque ante
medium fascia albida, cuneiformi.
Long, rostr. excl., 5^ mm. ; lat., 3 mm.
The rostrum is scarcely so long as tlie thorax, is not curved, but is broad, dull
above, punctate, but not densely, some of the punctures bearing a depressed seta.
The antennae are entirely feri'uginous. The thorax is as broad behind as the elytra ;
from the base to the middle it becomes slightly broader, and has sharply defined
sides, in front of this it is excessively narrowed, the elevations over the head are
very distinct, and there are on the middle two transverse, rather ill-defined, sub-
angular elevations, the wliole surface evenly clothed with rather coarse griseous-
brown scales, probably variable in colour. Elytra clothed with scales, finer than
those on the thorax, but rather similar in colour, and not variegate, except by a
large, pale, very conspicuous, wedge-shaped mark on each, extending from each side
towards the suture, which, however, it does not reach ; on the basal portion there
are some coarse pits. The legs are densely squamose, and the femora have a large
angular prominence.
This insect has more the facies of a Si/mpedius than a Tgchanus ;
indeed, the limits of these Acalles genera are not at present very
definite.
Mr. Helms has sent T. bufo as No. 134, and informs me it is rare
at Greymouth.
Thornhill : March 22nd, 1883.
Eeratum : page 27, line 18 from top, for Khtinchides read Otiorhi/n chides.
1883.] 69
Abundance of Plusia gamma at Hartlepool. — Mr. Barrett desires information
respecting this insect from the south or south-west of England. May I be allowed
to give an account of its appearance in exactly the opposite quarter, the north-east ?
From want of time, I have only been able to run out at night to some tufts of
Silene flowers on the railway side. I first went in the evening of May 21st, and
found Flasia gamma swarming. They fly rather earlier than most of those insects
that frequent Silene infiata, and have a hovering habit, very like M. stellatarwm.
From that time to the present (7th July), they have been most abundant. I, too,
noticed their fine condition, but do not think that very unusual. Indeed, wherever
they came from, they must have hibernated. I think they are generally more slate-
coloured in spring than in autumn, the deeper hues probably fading during their
winter sleep. I have taken one, and seen several, very small in size, that I took only
expanding IJ inches. I saw none last autumn, and it has been comparatively
scarce since 1879, when it occurred in all stages in countless thousands. I have had
no opportunity of observing V. cardui, but even here, so far to the north, the sum-
mer insects in 1879 deposited their eggs, and the larva perished in the autumn for
want of food, when the thistles died down.^ — John E. Eobson, Hartlepool : July,
1883.
Plusia gamma and Vanessa cardui at Hartlepool. — Since sending note on the
abundance of P. gamma, I took the opportunity to-day to go in search of V. cardui,
that I might add my mite of testimony one way or other. I made my way to some
waste ground, much overgrown with thistles, as the likeliest spot near here for the
insect to be found. Before I had actually reached the place, I saw it on the wing,
and found it there in greater abundance than I had ever seen it before. I captured
two or three to examine, and found them in good condition, though rather faded in
colour, but that seemed more the effect of hibernation than wear. The swarm,
therefore, of both these insects, to which Mr. Barrett calls attention, has at least
been large enough to extend from Wales to the North-East of England. — Id. :
10th July, 1883.
Description of the larva of Pempelia hetulce. — On June 2nd last, accompanied
by Mr. George Tindall, I visited the Green Farm Wood, Doncaster, to search for the
larvse of Pempelia hetulca. Mr. W. Warren, of Cambridge, had told us he used to
take it there, and, following his instructions, Mr. Tindall soon discovered a fine,
nearly full-fed specimen ; and, before the aftei'noon was over, we had each the satis-
faction of having secured several.
Length, about three-quarters of an inch, and rather slender, but not cou-
spicuously so, in proportion. Head a little narrower than the second segment, it
has the lobes rounded, and is, as is also the second segment, polished. Body
cylindrical, thickest in the middle, tapering gradually and evenly towards each
extremity. Segmental divisions clearly defined, the skin soft and velvety, very
sparingly clothed with short hairs. Ground colour dull velvety-black, head black
and glossy, but very prettily marbled on the lobes with clear white, and there is also
a white streak above the mandibles. Two clear, bright, lemon-yellow (white on the
second and anal segments) stripes extend through the centre of the dorsal area,
running parallel from the second to the twelfth segment, where they unite and form
70 [August,
one stripe through it and the thirteenth. (When quite full-grown, these stripes
become paler, and are then of a warm cream-colour.) The only indication of sub-
dorsal lines is in an indistinct and interrupted series of small white dots (more
numerous in some specimens than in others), from the second to about the ninth
segment. The spiracular stripes are of the clear bright lemon-yellow of those of
the dorsal area, and below them is another equally broad, but more interrupted,
white stripe. Spiracles black, the hairs grey. Ventral surface and pro-legs uniformly
dull black, anterior legs also black, but highly polished. The larva is very pretty,
and is a conspicuous and striking object when at rest, stretched along the midrib
under a slight web on the upper-side of a birch leaf, the spinning of the slight web
draws the edges of the leaf, and turns them up a little on each side.
The bright colours are evidently not assumed until the last moult, but, unfor-
tunately, I have no description of the larva in an earlier stage. Whilst collecting
the larviB, I put in a separate box a number of supposed birch-feeding Tortrices, &c.,
one of which developed into a bright Pempelia betida, but the only recollection I
have of it when found, is a dull uninteresting looking larva, brownish-blatk, with
dingy, pale, double dorsal stripe. This specimen did not spin up until quite the end
of June, whereas all the others were enclosed by about June 10th. My larvae formed
their cocoons in the corners of their cage, but Mr. Warren writes me that, in
a state of nature, " the larva makes a conspicuous white web in a leaf, or more fre-
quently draws three or four leaves together ; these nests are easily seen, and it
pupates within them." The pujm is from thi'ce-eighths to half-an-inch long, is
rough, but highly polished, of the usual shape, except that it has a more pointed
appearance, caused by the abdomen tapering rapidly to the anal segment, which ends
with a rather sharp point. All the parts are prominently defined, the colour uni-
formly black. My first imago appeared on July 3rd, but ]\Ir. Tindall had one out
on June 29th, and two more the day following, and he captured a female specimen
at large in the wood on the 28th. — Geo. T. Poeeitt, Huddersfield : July \lth,
1883.
Tenthredo testudbiea, King. — On the 20th May, an espalier apple-tree was
covered with blossoms, from which a hundred or more apples set, but on the 20th
June, sixty of these, each about the size of a hazel-nut, were lying on the ground.
Each was found to have a black hole on one side, and in some, at a little distance,
was another larger, from which black matter was exuding. On cutting open
the apples, it was seen that they were mere shells, nearly filled with black-brown
powdery ejecta, those with one hole containing also a larva, but from those with two
holes the larva-tenant had escaped : they have their exits and their entrances, they
made the small hole to go in, and the larger one to get out : on the 29th June, the
tenements were all vacated. The eggs from which the larvaj came had been laid in
the flowers, so that the active, eating-life of the larvfe had existed only for four or
five weeks, and yet, during that time, they lived fast, for they were plump, sleek
creatures, half-an-inch in length, when turned out of their banquet-halls, though
while in situ they had been obliged to conform to circumstances, for, what with that
which they had eaten and voided, and that which they still had to eat, they had no
option but to assume a curved, recumbent position. Then, having fared sumptuously
every day (and night, too, doubtless), they turned out into the open world, and, like
p
1883.] * 71
their progenitors, will have to brave the perils of their life to come, during a rest of
eleven months in ante-natal tombs, whence the perfected survivors will arise next
May to continue the yearly round of their race. Not before, not after, the time
when apple-blossoms come will they appear ; if they came forth at any other period
the race would be extinguished. Strange, yet true : a striking instance out of a
thousand of the care and prevision of Nature.
To return to the larvse. I took one in my hand, in order to obtain an obser-
vation of its longitude, and it at once obligingly put itself into a straight position.
Then I saw that it had twenty legs : six thoracic, long and tapering ; twelve ventral,
short ; and two anal ; the head comparatively small, that is, not in proportion to the
fat body — not an unusual thing with obese animals — and, except this head, which
was of a darker hue, the whole larva was of a pale cream-white. I hope I may be
forgiven for mentioning cream in this connection, for there was more than met the
eye, the nose being involuntarily brought into requisition by a villainous scent that
exhaled from the not uncomely creature, which had thriven despite the defective
sanitary state of its dwelling. The smell was more like that of a Cossus larva than
that of Eau de Cologne (wliicli, in the opinion of a Scotch fish- wife, is a " bonnie
stink"), and, like the odour of sanctity, no doubt serves to place the possessors
within the cordon of protected creatures, for the bird, beetle, or other aggressive
animal that would eat such unsavoury morsels as these, must have a rai'e and de-
graded appetite. Will it be argued that the stink is the result of cumulative
mimicry, or that it is a property entailed by the remote ancestral proprietor of the
protective essence ? How did he or she invent or acquire it ?
I have been able to identify this species by the account given of it by Professor
J. O. Westwood, in his paper on saw-flies, in the " Entomologist's Annual," for
1858, page 134. — J. W. Douglas, 8, Beaufort Gardens, Lewisham : July 2nd, 1883.
Cleptes semiauratiis bred. — As this insect seems uncommon here, I have met
with no more than eight specimens ; the capture of a specimen a few days ago,
sufEced to recall the circumstance of my having once or twice bred the species. I
have an impression that I once bred a $ from the puparium of a Dipteron, obtained
by digging ; but, as this occurred when I did not label my specimens, there is no
proof forthcoming. A case which admits of no doubt, is my having dug at roots of
poplar, in the autumn of 1871, the cocoon of a Nematiis (probably N. cceruleocar-
pus, Htg.), from which emerged, on June 26th, 1872, a ? of C semiauratus. I have
the insect and cocoon, both labelled, and lettered in addition, at the time. The exit-
hole is at the side of the cocoon. — J. E. Fletcher, Worcester : July, 1883.
Athons difformis. — This insect, which is usually looked upon as a very scarce
thing, has been taken near here at Guestling, in great abundance this year. I think
that the reason why it has not been found elsewhere for some years is, that collectors
have not looked for it at the right time of day, or, rather, night. I find it by
sweeping the standing grass in the evening. It is most numerous about 8 p.m.
On the 28th Jvme I obtained four dozen specimens : the next night Mr. Bloomfield
caught six dozen, and to-night, between us, we took over one hundred specimens.
Among all these there were only two or three ? . I have often swept the same
places in the day-time, without getting one of either sex. It has also turned up
yo • 1 August, \8H?>.
sparingly in the same place where I found it last year. It would be well if soaie
Coleopterist, resident in the south, would try elsewhere to obtain this species in the
same way. — Edward P. Collett, St. Leonards-on-Sea : 4:th July, 1883.
Coleoptera at Dulwich. — Notwithstanding the constant encroachment of bricks
and mortar, the neighbourhood of Dulwich would still seem to possess some title to
its old fame as a productive hunting-ground for the entomologist, at any rate, so far
as the Coleoptera are concerned. Thus, from faggots this year I have taken, among
many others, the following species : Megacronus cingulatus, PJdaeopora corticalis,
Corypldum august icolle (several), Cryptophagus pilosus, Lathridius testaceus, and
Bolitochara bella, the latter in pi'ofusion. Fungi have produced Scaphisoma agari-
cintim, somewhat commonly; Liodes humeralis in abundance; AmpMcyllis globus,
Triplax cBiiea, and various Gyrophcenfe, &c. Clinging to the under-surface of
branches, &c., lying ujDon the ground, I have found Ischnoglossa rufo-picea, Aleochara
morion, Conurus immaculatus, Clambus mimttus, Leptinus testaceus (one only),
Acalles ptinoides, Alexia pil if era, and C. vestitus (several) ; Aleochara lata in some
numbers from carrion ; Homalota cinnamomea from Cossus burrows ; Bryaxis
Helferi, Throscus dermestoides (in numbers) and Apteropeda graminis, by night,
sweeping; and Megatonia undata, upon a fence, complete the list. — Theodore
Wood, 5, Selwyn Terrace, Upper Norwood : July 3rd, 1883.
(©biiuarn.
Dr. Gustav Flor, Professor of Zoology in the University at Dorpat, died there
on the 13th May : of his age, or the cause of his death, we are not informed. He
is known in England by his great work on Livonian Hemiptera, " Rhynchoten
Livlands," in two volumes, published at Dorpat in 1860 and 1861, which, in their
design and execution, show the mind of a master, the leading characteristic being
the importance he assigns to the genitalia in indicating generic and specific differ-
ences and afHnities : thus he kept to large genera in contrast to the infinitesimal
genera founded on the exaggerated importance of microscopic variations of structure
in use by the analytical school, of which an example appeared in Fieber's " Euro-
piiischen Hemiptera," published in 1861.
He also published : " Zur Ivenntniss der Ehynchoten : Beschreibung neucr
Arten aus der Familie Psyllodea, Burm." (Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscou, 1861).
" Beitrage zu ciner Kritik der von Fiebor in den Jahren 1858 — 61, veroffentlichten
Schriftcn iiber Rhynchoten" (Wien. ent. Monats., vi, 1862).
Besides these we know not of any entomological work published by Dr. Flor.
In 1865 he wrote to us that during the winter of that year the third volume of his
" Rhynchoten Livlands," containing the Aphides, would be published ; but it did
not appear, nor, as far as we are aware, were his entomological labours continued.
Some yeai's after he excused himself from giving an opinion about some critical
questions respecting species, on account of the defective vision with which he had
been afflicted : this probably caused the greatly regretted cessation of his entomolo-
gical work.
September, 1883.] 73
NATURAL HISTORY OP ENBROMIS VERSICOLOR.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLEB.
A loug cherished desire of obtaining eggs of this species, for
the purpose of watching the lai'va through all its stages, was gratified
on 6th of May, 1881, when a dozen laid on bits of paper and birch
twig were sent me by Mr. H. McArthur from Rannoch.
The larvse began to hatch in the early morning of May 22nd, and
continued to appear at intervals throughout that day and up to the next
morning, when the two latest were hatched.
At once the young larvse took readily to birch as their food, and
moulted the first time on the 28th — 30th of the month ; on the 3rd
of June, most of them had again moulted, and on the 9th] and 10th,
for the third time ; and their last (the fourth) moult began on the
17th, and concluded within a few following days.
Full growth was attained by some on the 2Gth of June, and from
this date onward the remainder matured at intervals one after another
until the 9th of July, when the last larva retired into the moss provided
for the purpose.
In 1882, I was prevented from looking into their cage until the
1st of April, when I saw some specimens had already been out some
time, as three or four were dead and much shattered ; after this, on
the 3rd, a male and two females emerged, and another female on the
8th : three pupa) remained over until the present year, 1883, when, on
April 12th, a male was bred, followed on the 18th by another, and on
the 21st by a female, the males being much finer specimens than those
of the previous year.
The egg of versicolor is of a good size, about 2 mm. in length,
and rather more than 1 mm. wide, in shape much like that of a brick
with rounded-o:ff angles, slightly depressed on the upper-side, some-
times on both sides, the surface apparently smooth and very glossy ;
when first laid, it is of a light green colour, but this, in the course of a
few days, changes to dark brow^nish-purple, much the colour of a fresh
birch twig, which lasts for about fifteen days, and then assumes a
purplish-violet tint, gleaming like an amethyst, and the interior seems
a little cloudy ; a few hours later, it is fainter and pinkish, and then
the larva soon hatches. The empty shell, with the circular hole of
egress at one end, still retains a faint tinge of pinkish-violet after the
larva has escaped.
On leaving the egg-shell, the larva is a stout and robust creature
of cylindrical figure, the head, as usual at this time, the largest segment,
G
74 [September,
is of a dull black colour, with greenish mouth ; the body velvety -black,
with a dingy olive-greenish plate on the second segment, having a wide
black dorsal division ; on the other segments, are olivaceous greenish-
yellow tubercular warts, each anterior pair on the back being distinctly
larger than the others, which are very minute, all bearing a few weak
soft yellowish hairs ; a black dorsal blunt projection is on the twelfth
segment ; the anal plate and outer sides of the anal legs are pale olive-
greenish-yellow ; the ventral legs are blackish on the outside with
greenish innerside, the anterior legs olivaceous yellow and shining.
From the first, they at intervals fed on two particular leaves near the
top of the birch spray whereon they had all assembled, holding
to the twig by their ventral and anal legs only, the fore-part of each
body being bent back away from the twig, leaving the anterior legs
free ; by the fourth day, their colouring had become dingy blackish-
olive, with the mouth orange-ochreous, a blackish dorsal line, black
tubercular spots, a conical hump on the twelfth segment, a faintly paler
spiracular ridge on the thoracic region, and the anterior legs pale
oi'ange, with black bases.
After the first moult, the ground-colour is of a subdued green,
thickly freckled with black atoms ; the head and plate on second
segment paler, of sober greenish-yellow, as are also the spiracular
ridge on the thoracic segments, and a green backward-slanting stripe
on the side of each of the others, and this is still paler and yellower
on the eleventh and the twelfth, on which last a stripe begins at the
top of the blunt eminence ; the anal flap is margined with the same
colour ; the head is marked with two black stripes on either side ; a
black dorsal line divides the front plate, and continues throughout
over the hump as far as the anal flap.
After the second moult, they were an inch long, and then broke
up their society and separated for independent existence, yet were
sufficiently amiable, whenever they chanced to find themselves near
each other, to agree perfectly well at any time ; while resting, they
still elevated the front part of their bodies as when younger ; at this
stage, the colour of the back is much lighter green, the dorsal line
dark green, except at the apex of the hump, where it is black ; the
sides are of a fuller green finely dotted with black ; on the back, the
dots show greenish, though they have become nearly obsolete there ;
the stripes on the head are alternately whitish-yellow and dark green,
and on the thoracic segments the whitish spiracular ridge is conspicuous,
as also on the other segments are the side stripes of yellowish-white
bordered above with deep green, and these also now not only reach
1883.1 75
the segmental division in their downward slant, but cross it, and are
thence continued narrowly and obscurely below on the segment
following.
After the third moult, their growth was quick, two days' feeding
increased the length from 1 inch 3 lines to 1 inch 4i lines, with greater
stoutness also in proportion, the thoracic segments decidedly tapering
to the small head ; the relative colouring much as before, paler whitish-
yellow-green on the back, with deeper green dorsal line, black at top of
the prolonged hump, which is now seen to be slightly divided into two
blunt points ; the yellowish side-stripes margined both above and
below witli deep green, and the sides below them of still deeper green,
irrorated with fine black dots, except just where the attenuated
continuations of the side-stripes can be traced ; the bases of the
anterior legs black.
After the fourth and last moult, their docile behaviour continued
to be remarkable, as they showed no disinclination to be handled, but
grew quite lethargic, often sleeping side by side contentedly like so
many fat pigs ; but when awake, they made good use of their time,
consuming a great quantity of birch, and their growth was com-
mensurate, for, by 26th of June, some were 2 inches 3 lines in length,
others, later, as much as 2 inches 7 lines, and bulky in proportion ; the
head very small, with the thoracic segments rapidly tapering to it, and
retractile as in Chwrocampa, though to a less extent. The middle of the
body is rather the thickest, and the twelfth segment, with its humped
elevation bluntly pointed and slightly divided, slopes backward at
an angle to the anal flap ; the ventral and anal legs are developed
much after the fashion of Smerinthus ; the other segments are lightly
sub-divided into four nearly equal portions by slight wrinkles, the
segmental divisions more strongly defined, especially on the belly ; the
skin is soft and smooth, glistening on the head, which is green, and has
two whitish or yellowish-white stripes beginning on either side, and
continuing to the end of the thoracic segments, the uppermost as a
sub-dorsal, and the lower as an inflated spiracular stripe ; the back is
pale opaque green, slightly inclining to yellowish in the lightest and to
bluish in the deepest portions and in the dorsal line ; below the yellow
stripes, which are bordered above with green, the ground colour of the
sides is of a yery deep and rich full green, increased in depth by the
close irroration of minute black dots, and relieved by the white oval
spiracles delicately outlined with black ; in front of these comes a thin
line of quiet ochreous-greenish, as though a continuation of the slanting
stripe from the preceding segment, more noticeable on approaching
G 2
7g [September,
the ventral feet, which, like the base of the anal pair, are bright
crimson ; the whitish-yellow stripe on the side of the eleventh segment
continues downward beneath the spiracle on the twelfth ; fi'om the top
of the white horn-like hump, which is divided by a thin line of black,
a whitish stripe descends on either side in a slight backward curve, and
the anal flap is margined with yellowish ; the anterior legs are pale
green, sometimes tipped with red, and with a black hook.
When full fed, all the green colours of the larva change to brown,
and it becomes restless until it finds the moss and leaves needful for
its retirement and the construction of its cocoon.
The cocoon varies in length from 1 inch 4 lines to 1 inch 7 lines,
and is of long-elliptical shape, being from 6 to 8 lines in width ; it is
composed of an open-worked reticulation of coarse black or black-brown
silk threads, with round or broad oval interstices ; the fabric is extremely
strong, tough and elastic, covered externally with moss and birch leaves
firmly adherent. About a week or ten days before the time of emergence,
the cocoon is pushed by the enclosed pupa from a prone to a vertical
position, the upper end is ruptured, and the pupa protrudes its head
through the opening and continues by degrees to advance, until it is
exposed as far as the end of the wing-covers ; fixed in this position, it
remains quiet a longer or shorter time until the insect is able to escape,
though in two or three instances the pupa had worked itself out entirely
free from the cocoon before the moth could be disclosed ; on ex-
amination, the pupa could be seen to be well furnished with means for
facilitating such movements, as described below.
The pupa itself measures in the male a length of 12 to 14 or 15
lines, in the female from 17 to 18 lines, or occasionally a little more ;
it is very stout, the diameter across the bulkiest part at the end of the
wing-covers in the male, ranges from 4 to 4^ lines, in the female, 6
lines ; the head has the mouth-parts a little produced in a squarish
form, flanked by the curved antenna-cases in high relief ; from thence
the head is bluntly rounded above in an unbroken swelling curved
outline to the end of the wing-covers, including the thorax and upper
abdominal rings ; the moveable abdominal ring is very deeply cut, and
those below are well defined, the last ring ending with a prolonged
flattened caudal process tapering a little to the squarish extremity,
where it has a margin of hooks and bristles ; the surface is remarkably
dull, and rough everyAvhere, except in the divisions between the
moveable rings, yet even there it is quite dull ; the roughness on the
head, thorax, u]iper rings and wing covers is striated, granulous, or
18S3.] 77
wrinkled ; the moveable and lower rings of the abdomen have on the
back transverse rows of stout and sharp hooks pointing behind ; the
colour is a sooty or dingy brown, black in the abdominal divisions.
Erasworth : June 18th, 1883.
NATURAL HISTOEY OF BANKIA BANKIANA.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLER.
This pretty and active little Noctua, of which nothing had been
heard for a long interval of time, was last season re-discovered by Mr.
G-. H. Eaynor, who found it in some abundance near Ely, and suc-
ceeded in obtaining a good number of eggs, and most kindly sent a
liberal supply of them to my friend the Eev. J. Hellins and myself ;
those I received, were laid within a glass-topped box, to which they
adhered, as well on the glass as on the paper, being sprinkled over
both surfaces singly, with occasionally two together.
The eggs arrived on 7th of June, 1882, and began to hatch on the
9th, while yet the exact nature of the proper food-plant for the larvse
seemed somewhat uncertain ; a low plant had indeed been suggested
to me by Mr. Eaynor for trial, since although Guenee had distinctly
stated grasses to be the food, he had not mentioned any particular
species of grass ; I soon found, however, the low plants refused, and
then tried a small Carex ; they fed a little on this and on coarse
grasses, but the little larvse began to die off ; when, fortunately, before
all had hatched out and died, it was found that Poa annua, a common
grass growing almost everywhere, was quite to their taste, and the fact
was at once kindly imparted to me both by Mr. Hellins and Mr.
Eaynor.
The larvse throve very well on the Foa up to the third week in
July, M^hen, as often happens with this grass indoors, it was attacked
by mould, which caused the death of almost all my larvse ; however,
Mr. Hellins most kindly sent me several of his, which had been kept
in the open air, so that I was able to continue my observations
until the end of the month, when the larvse reached full growth.
I kept my pupse alive through the winter, but suppose I mis-
managed them during the month of May, 1883, by keeping them too
much exposed to rain, as I bred only one specimen, a male, on 29th
of last June.
The egg of lankiana is globular in shape, with a slight depres-
sion at the base, about sV in width, and sV in height, with about
78 I September,
thirtj-four shallow ribs, and with shallower transverse reticulations ;
the central space in the top is flat with large shallow reticulations ; the
shell has a pearly sheen ; when first laid, it was said to be of a dull
whitish, having the faintest greenish tinge, and then grad;ially turned
to a pale greenish-yellow.
When first hatched, the larva has the ventral legs developed on
the ninth and tenth segments, and a small undeveloped pair on the
eighth ; it is of pale yellowish-green colour, with very fine black dots
and hairs. After feeding a few hours, the interior became deeply
tinged with dark green, which showed strongly through the clear skin,
especially in the middle of the body ; when eight days old, the skin
became less clear, and of a uniform light yellowish-green with
blackish tubercular dots.
In twelve or thirteen days, they moulted the first time, and became
less transparent than before ; and after the second moult, in five or
six days' time, they were long and slender, and of a more opaque
velvety green, and faintly showed subdorsal lines of paler green.
After another week, the third moult occurred, when the ground-
colour was a little fresher than before, the head very pale green,
and a dorsal line of darker green than the ground showed faintly here
and there ; the subdorsal lines were whitish-yellow, and also the seg-
mental divisions, while the length had increased to 7h lines.
The fourth moult occurred on 14th of July, and by the next day
they had become nine lines long, and the small undeveloped pair of legs
on the eighth segment were still to be noticed ; the slender proportions
of the larvae, remarkable from the first, seemed now to be even more
striking as they attained full growth towards the end of the month,
when they measured from eleven to twelve lines in length ; they wex'e
of a very yellow-green colour, with yellow segmental folds, the round
head of a light green colour with upper lip whitish, and mouth black ;
the dorsal line dark green though faint ; the subdorsal strij)e prim-
rose-yellow ; the roundish spiracles flesh-coloured, placed on the deep
yellow thread-like trachea, showing faintly through the skin.
On 1st of August, one larva began to spin its cocoon just beneath
the crown of the grass-roots, almost close to the surface of the earth ;
and others followed in the same way during the next four days, though
one larva lingered two or three days longer: this was exactly an inch
long as it lay stretched out, according to the habit of this species when
at rest among the grass, which it matched in colour remarkably well.
The pupa is very short, stout, and dumpy, 3^ lines in length, the
thorax and wing-covers are well defined, the last rather long in pro-
1883.] 79
portion, and from them the abdomen tapers obtusely to the tip, which is
furnished with two fine points and minute curly-topped bristles ; its
colour at first is of a light drab, but towards May of the year
following, it becomes a dark brownish-green, and is rather shining.
Emsworth : July 2Mh, 1883.
A NEW SPECIES OF PELTASTICA, MANNERH. {TEOGOSITIDM).
BY GEORGE LEWIS, P.L.S.
This genus was formed in 1852, for the reception of an insect
from Sitkha, and in 1879, Herr E. Eeitter described a second species
from the Amur. The type of the latter has been kindly sent to me
for inspection, and I find it is specifically distinct from one I have
lately taken in Japan, and which I now describe and dedicate to my
friend,
P. Eeitteei, n. sp.
Oblong, pale testaceous, rather shining, club of antennae pitchy, head between
the eyes, and disc of thorax, black. The thorax is transverse, rounded, and much
dilated at the sides, where it is closely and deeply punctured : the disc is rough and
irregular, with ill-defined tubercles. The front of the head, anterior and lateral mar-
gins of the thoracic disc, and legs, are reddish. The elytra are deeply punctured in
regular rows, with the suture and four lines of costa elevated, having tubercles
more or less distinct. The tubercles are black, with several spaces between them,
less raised, whitish. Beneath, pitchy-black. Length, 2 lines.
It differs from amure^isis in being rather less elongate, propor-
tionally broader and more convex. The convexity is most conspicuous
in the region of the elytra, and the punctuation of the thorax at the
sides, where it is pale and dilated, is close, not scattered as in amu-
rensis. The sides of the thorax are also more rounded, and the basal
angles less broken in outline.
Suyama, Nikko, and Fukui are localities for it, where it is not rare
in May and June at fermenting sap in forests of fair elevation, and I
have taken it as late as August.
Wimbledon : Wth July, 1883.
SOME FRIENDLY REMARKS ON MR. BUCKTON'S STANDARD WORK
ON THE BRITISH APHIDES.
BY JULES LICHTENSTEIN.
I have just received the 4th and last volume of Mr. Buckton's
splendid " Monograph of British Aphides," and cannot sufficiently
praise the immense quantity of interesting observations and valuable
80 [September,
reflections given by the author on a subject -which he, perhaps, knows
better than any one.
Yet, precisely, because it is a work destined to become a classic
compendium o£ Aphidology, I should like to prevent any misapprehen-
sion in a question on which I am not in perfect concordance of views
with Mr. Buckton : viz., the migrations of Aphides.
Mr. Buckton says, page 72 : " Whilst fully sensible of the value
of much that M. Lichtenstein has written on the PempJiif/ince and
Phylloxerincs, I would guard myself from a committal to some of the
theories he has put forward, such as the periodic migration of Aphides
from one food-plant to another, and particularly as to his observations
that certain species feed on the leaves of the oak, and subsequently
descend to the roots of grasses for hibernation."
Certainly there is an error, as I only spoke (and, precisely, in the
Ent. Mo. Mag.) of the gall-lice of the elm, not of the oak, and as the
late observations of Prof. Horvath, in Budapest, have put beyond
doubt the migration of the maize-root louse to the trunks of the
elms in October, I think if Mr. Buckton give a new edition of his
book, he will change the word " oak " into " elm," and put in a note
that since he wrote the above lines, migration of the elm-lice to maize-
roots has been observed.
But, still more in the following page, 7-i, Mr. Buckton states
that Sign. Balbiani, the strongest opponent of the migration theory, has
observed the migration of the Siphonophora milJefoUi, as female, on
several grasses (?) and plants, as Cyperacece, Trifolium pratense, &c. ;
but here the migration seems to find an explanation, being in reference
to Aphides which live on annual plants.
In Achillea miJIefolium an annual 'plsmt in Pai'is ? Here, and in
England, I believe, it is not so, and the roots of that plant last many
years ; so, if migration were not the rule, there were no more necessity
for the Siphonophora millefoJii to migrate to Trifolium, than for Te-
traneura uhni to migrate to maize-roots. More explanations are
desired, either from Mr. Buckton or from Sign. Balbiani.
But to confirm or destroy the migration theory, how is it that
the clever observer of Weycombe, who, in his first volume, speaks of
Walker's idea as to the migration of the hop-blight {Phorodon
humuli) from the hop to the plum-tree, occupies three pages of his
4th volume, 186—188, to, "the extermination of the hop-Aphis/'
without saying if he has tried to follow the insect from the one plant
to the other, after having followed it from the leaves of the hop to
the roots on which he could not breed them ?
1883.] 81
Even if he has no faith in a good result, the essay should have
been attempted. As hop is not grown here, I could not make it here
easily, but I tried in May, 1880, to bring the plum-tree louse (Phoro-
don mahaleh) on hop-leaves in the botanical gardens, and it lived
very well on them, and acquired wings. I was not able to follow it
longer.
In his work, Mr. Buckton gives PJwr. mahaleb as a variety of
Fhorodon JiumuU ; to me, it is the same insect at different stages of
its life. Some English entomologist could easily furnish evidence for
or against my hypothesis, for I repeat it is merely an hypothesis, up
to this day.
These are the only faults I find in Buckton's splendid work,
which is, for the present, the best book we have on Aphides.
Montpellier : Qth August, 1883.
Occurrence of Argynnis JEuphrosyne in Sutherlandshire. — The lower part of
the valley of the Eiver Shin is sacred ground in the eyes of the Micro-Lepidopterist,
for there, thirty years ago, Mr. E. C. Buxton captured Chalyhe pyrausta. It was in
the month of May, 1853, that this occurred, whilst Mr. Buxton was more intent on
the pursuit of salmon than of Micros.
The following May (1854) he captured on the same spot Eaesslerstamviia pronu-
hella. Of the habits and food of this latter insect, we are still quite in the dark ;
but of Chalyhe (or Psecadia) pyrausta, thanks to Baron von Nolcken, we know the
whole history (Ent. Ann., 18G8, p. 153) ; it feeds on meadow-rue {Thalictrum) in
July and August.
I first visited the valley of the Shin in June, 1872, and have since been there
in July, 188?, and June, 1883, but I have not yet succeeded in detecting there any
Thalictrum, though it is very possible that it may occur plentifully in some limited
area, as often happens with plants.
It was whilst prospecting for Thalictrum a little below the Shin-falls on the 2l8t
June, 1883, that I noticed some specimens of an Argynnis on the wing, and found,
on capturing them, they were Huphrosyne. This being the very first time I had
met with that species in Scotland, all my previous captures for more than forty years,
and in many different and distant localities, having been Selene !
Mr. E. C. Buxton died of fever in the interior of Africa in August, 1878, but
his captm-es of thirty years ago have still an influence upon me, and urge me from
time to time to revisit the valley of the Shin, though to do so without a fishing rod
is looked upon as a most incongruous proceeding by the anglers I meet with there. —
H. T. Stainton, Mountsfield, Lewisham : August Wth, 1883.
Vanessa polychloros distinguished from Vanessa urticee by a structural charac-
ter.—Ijast Saturday, I had a visit from the celebrated Dutch Entomologist, Mr. P.
C. T. Snellen, of Rotterdam, who was spending a few days with Mr. W. F. Kirby.
82 [September,
Talking, as we did, " de omnibus rebus ct quibusdam aliis," I clianced to show, as
objects of interest, the Isle of Man form of l^atiessa urticcB. This led to a remark
by Mr. Kirby that some people wanted to make out that polychloros and tirticcB
were only diiferent forms of one species. Mr. Snellen then enquired if I was aware
of the structural character by which the two insects might be recognised ; on my
confessing my ignorance, he pointed out that the basal half of the costa of poll/-
cMoros shows a row of long, strong bristles, which are entirely absent in urticcB.
Antiopa shows similar bristles, but lo and AtaJanta have none. — Id. : August 20th,
1883.
The larva of Acronycta alni— a problem for observers. — Dr. A. Speyer, in the
Stettiner entomologische Zeitung, 1883, p. 419, has a chapter on this larva, which
he calls " an Entomological enigma." In the earlier stages of its larval life, it is well
known to have a totally different appearance from that which it presents at its last
moult. The younger larvae might readily be passed for the faeces of birds, even by
a tolerably good observer, but the adult larva (blue-black spotted with dazzling
yellow, with long hairs terminating in clubs) neither resembles bird's-dung nor any
thing else. Has it then, from some cause unknown to us, any special protection in
that form ?
Dr. Speyer mentions that his friend, Dr. H. Midler of Lippstadt, had once
offered a brood of the gaily-marked larva of C'licullia lactucce, bright yellow and
black, to the numerous occupants of various ages of his chicken yard : most of the
old fowls and many of the younger ones made long necks on first catching sight of
the larva?, but took no further notice ; a few pecked towards them, but in such a
timid, hesitating way, that they did not actually touch them ; just a few actually
picked up the larvae, but speedily threw them down again and walked away ; only
one young and inexperienced chicken picked one up a second time after an interval
of some minutes. The story is well told ; but it does not say whether this last
mentioned larva was eventually eaten.
I doubt whether any Entomologist has ever had the larvae of Acronycta alni
in such numbers, as to have tried the experiment of offering them to his poultry ;
but for all that, the experiment might be worth trying, and if the fowls did not eat
them, he would be eventually no loser !
Another question here arises — -why is it that this larva always occurs singly ?
Dr. Speyer says that it has never been his fate on finding one of these larvae to suc-
ceed in finding a second in the same locality, in spite of the most careful search ;
this seems the more extraordinary as the larva does not conceal itself, but feeds
exposed on the upper surface of the leaves. Of its polyphagous habits, Dr. Speyer
can testify from his own experience, having found it on alder, birch, oak, beech,
lime, cherry, raspberry, dog-rose {Eosa canina), and willow {Salix alba). — Id.
Pieris napi, L., versus P. llelete, Men., and P. megamera, Bull. — I have just
succeeded in solving this question by breeding many specimens of Pieris 3Ielete from
eggs laid by Pieris napi, or, as it is named by Mr. Butler, Pieris megamera. I fully
anticipated this result, as was indicated in my paper read before the Entomological
Society in August, 1882.
18S3.] 83
Pieris napi being a common English insect, I would suggest the experiment of
breeding it in a hothouse for several generations, in order to ascertain if it is as sus-
ceptible to temperature variations under artificial, as it is in Japan under natural
conditions ; and in order to show that the experiment is worth a trial, I enclose
the wings of two ? , one taken in Alarch and the other in June. — H. Petee,
Yokohama : June 4th, 1883.
Stridulation of Arctia caja. — Notwithstanding the stray notices scattered
over entomological litei-ature, I have been very reluctant to believe in the stridula-
tion of this moth. At the outset, led to look for some startling musical
apparatus, it was not until I began to ijerceive that a majority of butterflies produce
distinguishable sounds by means of delicate and minute vein-striae, that I found it
possible to entertain the idea ; a matter rendered the more difficult, because the
auditory cells in this species are so poorly developed that it was difficult to believe
that the stridulation, if a fact, played any part in the insect-economy. The late
Prof Zeller remarked (" Isis," 1840, p. 228), " I have observed how one of my three
newly-emerged female Euprepia caja, when roused up and provoked a bit, so that it
was forced to crawl backwards, made an audible crackling noise. The experiment I
often repeated for several days. Also, when I held its abdomen fast between my fingers,
there was a crackling when it beat its wings." Pursuing the train of thought sug-
gested by the vesicular organ in the allied pudica, he subsequently adds (Stett. ent.
Zeit., 1867, p. 41) : " I remark in a male Caja an oblique smooth place, almost
longish-quadrangular, with a perpendicular depression in the centre that might well
serve the same end as in the species of the Lithosiidce ;" the allusion being probably
to the episternum of the meta-thorax.
A few days ago, I was enabled to renew Prof Zeller's experience with a crippled
female of caja that made a great rustling and crackling by jerking its crumpled
wings up and down, when disturbed during the deposition of unfertilized ova.
After a painstaking investigation of the matter, I myself came to the conclusion that
the crackle was owing to the friction of the callosity at the base of the fore-wing on
the edge of the hind-wing. (Fn the instance before me, a notch in the callosity caught
the angle of the hinder-wing near the spurs.) I also noticed that the male caja
links its wings for flight by passing a stout spine over a tuft of hair on the edge of
the sub-costal vein of the fore-wing, which is confined by reason of an oblong lappet
of hair falling down from the inner costal vein ; but that the female, with less capa-
bility of aerial locomotion, has four lax bristles, replacing this single spine, which
also catch in the tuft of hair, but then there is no little lappet to confine them in
their place, as there is in the male. Consequently, by this adaptation, the female
has a greater power of moving the wings independently of each other, than the male ;
and, therefore, I presume the female may have a greater facility for crackling. —
A. H. SwiNTON, Guildford : July Idth, 1883.
Qrapholitha ccBcana, Scliliiger (coecana, II. -S.), a Tortrix new to Sritain. — Head
pale brownish-grey. Eyes black. Face and palpi pale ochreous-grey. Apical joint of
palpi slender, nearly as long as the basal, which is stout and curved upwards ;
middle joint ascending, curved, more than twice as long as the apical, and as stout
84 ^ September,
as the basal, being slightly thickened beyond the middle, and clothed with rough
projecting scales. Antennae brownish-grey. Thorax rather slender, ovate, brownish-
grey. Anterior wings nearly three times as long as broad. Costa slightly but
regularly arcuated, apex rather produced, anal angle rounded. Colour, shining
brownish-grey, dusted with ochreous, particularly towards the hind margin. The
costa, which is very pale grey from near the base, has about seven black geminations,
the first four or five being placed very obliquely. The first streak of the 3rd gemi-
nation is much produced, and may generally be traced as a curved line across the
wing to the anal angle. The second streak of this gemination also runs with the
first to the anal angle, but almost from the costa it changes to a lustrous leaden-
blue. The fifth gemination is much produced towards the hind-margin, its second
streak being lustrous leaden-blue, and joining another blue streak which comes from
the costa nearly parallel with the hind-margin. On the disc are two or three parallel,
longitudinal, black lines, and another along the fold to the anal angle. Towards the
hind-margin are a few short, transverse, irregular black streaks. Cilia smoky-grey.
Posterior wings with the apex obtuse, slightly produced, anal angle rounded. Colour,
pale grey, with long, slightly paler, cilia. Abdomen long and slender, grey. In the
$ the posterior wings are dark brownish-grey, with paler cilia. Expands 6 lin.
Tlie insect may be distinguislied at a glance by the elongate anterior-wings, pale
costa, and longitudinal black streaks, from any other British Tortrix. It occurred
locally near Deal in the early part of July, amongst Ononis spinosa and Onohrychis
saliva, and I thought at once it was something new. After exhausting all our works
on the group, I showed them to Mr. H. T. Stainton, with whose kind assistance it was
proved to be the above species. It is described and figured by Herrich-Schiiffer in
his " Systematische Bearbeitung der Schmetterlinge von Europa " (iv, p. 253), 257.
He places it in his sub-genus, XXIX Grapholitha, Tr., Dup., which includes sucli
insects as Stigmonota Leplastriana, Catoptria microgrammana, C. albersana, Semasia
Wceberana, Opadia funelrana, Endopisa nigricana, &c. By Heinemann it is men-
tioned (" Die Schmetterlinge Deutschlands und der Schweiz," 2, 180) as occurring
among Ononis spinosa. In Staudinger's " Catalog der Lepidopteren, &c," it stands
under the genus Grapholitha, Tr., section D. Semasia, H.-S., in company with
Catoptria citrana, C. Wimmerana, C. hypericana, Stigmonota coniferana. Coccyx
strobilana, &c. The Grapholitha of these continental authors seems to include a
miscellaneous selection from Coccyx,Tv., Stigmonota, Gm., Catoptria, Gn., Undopisa,
Grn., and Carpocapsa, Tr.
From Grapholitha, Stephens, it is excluded by the structure of the palpi and
the venation of the wings. Its most natural position seems to be between Endopisa,
Gn., and Stigmonota, Gn., resembling the latter genus closely in the structure of
tlie palpi. Tills, however, is but a crude opinion, and I should be glad to hear some
older authority on the subject. Nothing certain seems to be known about the
larva : Ononis spinosa and Onohrychis sativa being mentioned as probable food-
plants. On the continent, it occurs in May and June near Jena, Vienna, and Wies-
baden, also in Hungary, Andalusia, and Southern Russia. — Geo. Coveedale, 24,
Fleming Road, Lorrimore Square, S.E. : August Gth, 1883.
Note on Eiidorea murana. — This insect is intended to sit on rocks and stone
walls, with which its colour well assimilates. In the larval state it feeds in the moss
1883.] 85
which grows in the crevices or on the faces of the rocks and stone walls ; now this
moss is more or less of a green colour, and when Eudorea murana first emerges from
the pupa state, it reposes for some time after its wings are fully grown on the surface
of the green moss.
In such a position, it is readily seen by even an inexperienced Entomologist, and
I should imagine, unless it is nauseous to the taste, it would be readily eaten by many
insectivorous birds, for its grey colour, so like that of the rocks, &c., makes it very
conspicuous on a patch of green moss, and its instinct is not yet sufficiently de-
veloped to teach it to seek as soon as possible the concealment of a stone-coloured
object on which to rest.
At Lairg, Sutherlandshire, this insect made its first appearance on the 21st of
June, and on the following day I met with several. Those I first captured, I at
once placed in the killing bottle, but found I had been too hasty in so doing, as the
specimens were difficult to set out, owing to the wings, though fully grown, having
been still rather limp.
Hence the following moral may be deduced : if you find any species of Eudorea
reposing on the surface of moss, keep it for some hours after boxing it before placing
it in the killing bottle, that the wings may have time to harden. — H. T. Stainton,
Mountsfield, Lewisham : August, 1883.
Abundance of Plusia gamma at Deal. — The appearance of this insect in great
abundance this spring, and its remarkably pale form, seems to corroborate Mr.
Barrett's remarks as to its probable immigration.
These insects, when taken in the spring, were of a pale slate colour, especially
beyond the middle of the primary wings, and very unlike the ordinary form. The
second brood, which is now equally abundant, is of a very dark colour and reddish-
purple on the inner margin ; they still continue to swarm at dusk on the flowers of
Ballota nigra and the different species of Silene. Vanessa cardui was also very
plentiful in the spring, but seems scarcer since the hibernated specimens have been
replaced by those newly emerged ; perhaps that is accounted for by the very bad
weather in July, many species generally complete pests in this part of the coast,
as A. Oalathea, P. Corydon, &c., being much diminished in their numbers. — C. Hall,
Deal : August 19th, 1883.
Coleopfera in the New Forest. — I spent a week at Brockenhurst in June last
with tlie intention more particularly of working the wood-feeding Coleoptera, but
owing to the absence of dead wood and the badness of the weather, my success was
not commensurate with my, perhaps rather sanguine, expectations. Insects of all
Orders, not excepting even the generally common species, were remarkably scarce.
The following may be reckoned as my best captures : — Mycetoporus lucidus, Stenus
Kiesenwetteri, Phlaeocharis subtilissima, Euplectus punctatus, ScydmcEnus exilis,
Agathidium nigrinum, Plegaderus dissectus, Cryptarcha strigata, Cerylon angusta-
tum, Lcemophloeus duplicatus, Corymbites metallicus, Tillus elongatus, Conipora or-
biculata, Sphindus dubius, Mycetochares bipustulata, Salpingus ater, Anisoxya
fuscula, Abdera bifasciata, Apion genistce, Leptura scutellaris.
I spent part of one day at Lymingtou, where the only captui'es worth recording
gg September,
were : — Tachys sctitellaris, BJedius unicornis, Trogophlceus halophilus, Micralymma
irevipenne, and Otiorhynchus amhiguiis. — W. G. Blatch, 214, Green Lane, Small-
heath, Birmingham : August \Qth, 1883.
Diglossa mersa, Sfc, at Weymouth. — During a short visit to Weymouth in June
last, on my way to the New Forest, I captured the following amongst many other
species of Coleoptera : Aepus Rohini, Phytosus balticus, P. spinifer, Diglossa mersa,
Micralymma brevipenne, Otiorhynchus amhiguus, and Rhinocyllus latirostris. The
dearth of insect-life was quite extraordinary, the only thing that appeared in any
abundance being HomopJihis armeria, of which local species I could readily have taken
thousands, had I felt so disposed. — Id.
Aradus corticalis in the Neiv Forest. — On a fungus-grown beech stump near
Brockenhurst, in June last, I found a few specimens of Aradus corticalis, both young
and mature. This species seems to be very scarce ; for although I diligently
searched a great number of similar stumps in the same neighbourhood and in other
parts of the Forest, my labour was, with the above-named exception, entirely un-
rewarded.— Id.
A rain of ivater bugs. — It is known that in Mexico, aquatic Hemiptera of the
genus Corisa are so abundant, that a kind of bread is made of their eggs. If, in
the Old World, these insects are much lees numerous, they may, nevertheless, be
occasionally met with in great abundance under certain circumstances. Thus, in a
letter recently received from Captain Balassoglo, I find the following interesting
details :
" During a storm near Fort Irguis (Turkistan) the Corisa, of which I forward
examples, fell from the air in thousands, like rain ; they extinguished the fire pre-
pared for cooking my meal ; in eifect, there was an inundation of Corisa, and my
travelling carriage was filled with them."
The Corisa in question is assiniilis, Fieber. — A. Puton (translated from the
"Revue d'Entomologie," vol. i, p. 23).
Hymenoptera in Hayling Island. — During the last three weeks I have been
staying at South Hayling, and although the season has not, so far as I have been
able to judge, been a very favourable one for Aculeate Hymenoptera, still I have
taken several species which I think are worth recording, and amongst them I am
glad to be able to add a new species of Pompilus to our British list, viz., Pompilus
unguicularis, Thoms.,of which I have taken several males and one female ; the male
I have taken before both at Chobham and Deal, but without finding the other sex,
and I had failed to recognise to what species it belonged.
The fauna of this little Island, at least as far as the Hymenoptera are concerned,
seems to be a curious one, a good many species being represented, but unusually few
occurring in any abundance. In the genus Pombus, for instance, ten out of our
fifteen British species have occurred, but only two abundantly, one of these (lapi-
darius) is common everywhere, and certainly is in most unusual abundance here,
nearly every plant of Teucrium having one or many specimens upon it ; the other
1883.] 87
(B. cognatus, Steph., := venustus, Sm.) is not generally an abundant species, but on
the Teucrium on the eastern front of the Island, it is common enough, but apparently
local, as it hardly extends over an area of more than half a mile, and seems only to
occur on the coast; our other usually very common s-^ec\es,\'\z.,hortorum,terrestris,
and muscorum, are distinctly rare, muscorum apparently taking the place of cognatus
inland. Although these two species are so much alike when examined at home, yet
on the wing they can be known at once by their general appearance, the black hairs
of the legs and the sides of the abdomen of muscorum, and the deeper brighter
orange band of the 2nd abdominal segment in cognatus, shewing as distinct charac-
teristics.
Of the parasitic genus Psithyrus I have found four out of our five British species,
but only one or two of each, and all males. Prosopis dilatata, once looked upon as
such a great rarity, may be taken freely, especially in the female sex, and frequents
a curious variety of flowers. I have taken it on Euphorhia segetalis abundantly,
on Achillea millefolium abundantly, on Echium vulgare frequently, and on small
yellow CompositcB such as Leontodon hirtus, Crepis virens, &c., occasionally. It is
hard to fancy a selection of plants less alike than those given above, difPering widely
in colour, and belonging to three distinct natural Orders, — Achillea, moreover, being
distinct from the other Composite which the bee frequents in its strong aromatic smell.
Five of the other British species have been found in the Island, nearly all fi'equenting
the bramble-flowers along the coast.
In the genus Halicttis, sixteen of our British species have appeared, and amongst
them two of our rarest, viz., H. hrevicornis, Schenck, and H. breviceps, E. S. Of
the genus Pompilus, I have found six species, two of which are rarities, viz., ungui-
ctdaris and consobrinus ; unguicularis occurring only on the sand hills on the east
of the Island, consobrinus only on those of the west ; the common plumbeus occurs
on both and in great numbers ; of rufipes, I have found a very few on thistles to the
east, and of viaticus, usually so common, I have only found two females. Only one
ant of any rarity has occurred to me, viz., Leptothorax unifasciata, of which I found
a colony under a stone on the green towards the west, it contained about seven
females, at least I was able to capture that number, but others might have escaped
among the stones, and about thirty or more workers, and a good many larvae. The
following is the list of my better captures : —
Leptothorax unifasciata, Latr., under a stone.
Mutilla ephippium, Fab., on the sandhills to the east of the Island.
Pompilus rufipes, Lin., on thistle heads.
„ consobrinus, Dahlb., on sandhills west of the Island.
„ unguicularis. Thorns., on sandhills east of the Island.
Ammophila lutaria, Fab., on sandhills east of the Island.
Nysson diviidiatits, Jur., a single specimen on a bank.
Vespa sylvestris. Scop., frequent on Scrophularia. I have taken it on the same
plant at Chobham.
Odynerus 3-marginatus, Zett., frequent on thistle-heads.
Prosopis dilatata, Kirb., on various flowers.
„ confiisa, Nyl., on Rubus.
Halictus zonulus, Sm., $ , on Centaurea.
„ brevicornis, Schenck, S , on thistle-heads, very local.
gg [September,
Halictus breviceps, E. Saund., $ , on Echium, &c.
„ punctatisshnus, Schenck, ? , on sandhills, east.
„ leucopus, Kirb., (J ? , on thistle heads, &c.
Andrena Qwynana, Kirb., on sandhills, east, var. hicolor.
Cilissa tricincta, Leach, $ , on sandhills, east.
Epeolus productus, Thorns., on sandhills, east and west.
Osmiafulviventris, Kirb., on thistle heads.
Somhus cognatus, Steph., = venustus, Sm., common on Teucrium on the beach.
Edward Saunders, Lloyd's, E.G. : l^th August, 1883.
An extraordinary flight of dragon flies. — Prof. Alfred Newton, writing in
"Nature" for July 19th, 1883 (vol. xxviii, p. 271) gives the following account of a
flight of Lihelhda quadrimaculata, according to the observations of an English
gentleman at Malmo in Sweden : —
" On Sunday, June 24th, we had an extraordinary flight of L. quadrimaculata ,
Linn. They passed over, or through, the town or neighbourhood for about half an
hour in the afternoon. The next day they re-appeared for more than an hour ; but
on Tuesday, the 26th, at 7.30 a.m., they again began in millions, and, notwithstanding
the wind had shifted to the south during the night, they held the same course from
north-west by west, heading south-east by east. The streets, shipping, and every
place, were full of them. They did not fly very high, and seemed to avoid going
into open doors and windows. Some hundred or so alighted on tlie gooseberry
bushes, apple and pear trees in the garden, but never touched the fruit : I observed
one sitting on the dead tip of an apple twig, and pushed it off with my stick thirteen
times, the insect returning each time after flying away five or six yards. The flight
ended that night about 8 p.m., having been incessant for more than twelve hours.
On the 27th they appeared again about noon, flying the same course, but in
much reduced forces. Each day since I have seen a few, but very few. The papers
say they were observed in all southern and central Sweden and in many places in
Denmark, and they swarmed about the ships on the Sound. With their disappear-
ance came the hot weather."
[i. quadrimaculata occurs over Europe, Northern Asia, Japan, and North
America. Migratory swarms of it have often been observed and recorded, but those
above noticed appear to have been extraordinary. I am not aware if such swarms
have ever been noticed in this country. It would certainly have been very extraordi-
nary had they been found to eat fruit. — E. McL.].
Scutigera (Cermaiia) coleoptrata near Aberdeen. — Though I can hardly claim
a place in your Magazine for notes regarding Mgriopoda, perhaps the following may
be of interest to some of your readers.
Mr. MacPherson, of Haddon Street, Aberdeen, has kindly supplied me with
specimens of Scutigera (Cermatia) coleoptrata from Stoneywood paper works, near
Aberdeen. They have been established in these works for more than 25 years, and
breed there freely. They are found principally in those rooms which ai-e warm and
somewhat moist ; they have probably been introduced in bundles of rags from the
South of Europe. I should be interested to know whether this Myriopod is found
in similar situations in other parts of Europe. I have taken numerous specimens of
Lithobius variegatus, Newp. (the only exclusively British Chilopod as yet described)
very generally throughout the Wes>t of Scotland. — Thos. D. Gibson-Carmichakl,
Castle Craig, Dolphinton, N.l!. : August 22nd, 1883.
i
89
%evu\xjs.
The Butterflies of North America. By W. H. Edwards. Second
Series, Part xi. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. ; London: Triibner & Co. 1883.
4to.
A very magnificent Part of this magnificent woi'k. The three exquisite plates
illustrate : (1) three species and varieties of Pieris, and contains about twenty
figures ; (2) Limenitis Uros, with about twenty-five figures, a pictorial complete life-
history ; (3) Lemonias Nais and Palmerii, with about thirty figures, also forming
life-histories. The details of habits and economy are, as usual, of the fullest possible
nature. Those for Limenitis Eros are especially interesting and singular, the habits
of the larvae of this species (which feed on willow) being extraordinary, they forming
" perches " out of the artificially-stiffened mid-ribs of the leaves on which they rest,
and making little packets of bits of leaf, the position of which is changed as the leaf
is devoured ; the object of these packets the author has failed to determine. Part
xii, concluding the Second Series, is to be occupied by a revised List of North
American Butterflies.
The Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union. Parts 4 — 6.
London : W. Satchell & Co. ; Leeds : Taylor Brothers. 1882—1883. Svo.
Three very respectable Parts, the " Transactions " of this strong and energetic
" Union," have just reached us. They entirely concern the Zoology and Botany of
Yorkshire, and should be of the greatest service to naturalists generally, and to those
of Yorkshire in particular. Entomology is a leading feature, and consists of notes
on Yorkshire Kymeno'ptera by Messrs. Bairstow, Roebuck and Wilson, and the com-
mencement of a List of Yorkshire Lepidoptera by Mr. Porritt (occupying a portion
of Part 5 and the whole of part 6) ; from this we learn that 1343 of the 2031
British species have been found in Y^orkshire. Tliis latter list has evidently been
patiently compiled, and the author has apparently sought out every available source
of information, both old and recent : moreover, the indications of localities are
copious, perhaps sometimes too copious in the case of common species.
The Natural History of Hastings and St. Leonards and the vicinity.
First Supplement. Pp. 1—53. 1883.
In Yol. XV, p. 72 (August, 1878), of this Magazine, we had occasion to report
favourably on the efforts of the energetic body of Naturalists located at Hastings
and vicinity, with respect to the publication of a complete Fauna and Flora of their
district. During the five years that have elapsed since the publication of their first
report, they have evidently not been idle, and this " first supplement " is almost as
bulky as the original. Among the contents we find an entirely new and complete List
of the Coleoptera, compiled according to Dr. Sharp's new Catalogue. Symenoptera,
Hemiptera, Neuroptera and Diptera are also catalogued in considerable detail, and
the list of wasps and bees may be regarded as tolerably complete (amongst the Ich-
neumonidcB and TenthredinidcB much evidently remains to be done). About ninety
additional species of Lepidoptera are recorded, and mostly amongst the Micros ;
this we regard as a favourable feature. Nearly 3560 species of insects have now
been recorded from the district.
90 [September, I
I
The rest of this pamphlet is occupied by subjects not Entomological, including
a complete List of Birds, and quite a number of flowering plants not previously
observed.
One point strikes us as tending to give these local lists more than ordinary
value ; this is the evident indications shown of anxiety to obtain the best informa-
tion from sjDecialists in each department. We congratulate the Naturalists of
Hastings on the publication of this record of the results of five years' work.
Entomological Society of London : 6th June, 1883. — J. W. Dunning, Esq.,
M.A., F.L.S., President, and subsequently. Prof. Westwood, M.A., F.L.S., Honor-
ary Life-President, in the Chair.
George Coverdale, Esq., of Fleming Eoad, Lorrimore Square, was elected a
Member.
Professor Westwood thanked the Society for electing him Life-President (a title
that had only been bestowed upon the late Eev. W. Kirby in the prior history of
the Society), and delivered an inaugural address, in which he succinctly treated upon
the history of entomology, and commented upon the revolution occasioned by the
popular adoption of the Theory of Evolution.
Mr. J. W. Slater exhibited a collection of insects (cliiefly Lepidoptera) from
Zululand, in which were interesting forms of Acraa, Salurniidce, &c.
Mr. W. F. Kirby exhibited a pupa found in a nest of Formica nigra, in Ayr-
shire, by Mr. Cameron. Baron Osten-Sacken considered it to be that of one of the
Syrphidce.
Mr. E. Saunders exhibited an example of Lehia turcica, which had been for-
warded to him as having been captured near Hastings by Mr. W. H. Bennett {cf.
Ent. Mo. Mag., ante p. 8).
Mr. Fitch exhibited examples of a " tick " taken from sheep at Maldon, Essex,
and commented upon the supposed connection of the presence of the tick with a
disease peculiar to sheep, desiring further information on the subject.
Mr. H. W. Bates read a " Supplement to the Greodephagous Coleoptera of
Japan," in the elaboration of which the new materials obtained by Mr. George
Lewis during his investigations in 1880 and 1881 were fully worked out.
Mr. Roland Trimen commvmicated " Descriptions of new species of Soutli African
Rhopalocera.^'
4th July, 1883.— Prof. J. O. Westwood, M.A., F.L.S., Honorary Life-President,
in the Chair.
A. E. Shaw, Esq., of Elgin Road, Harrow Road, was elected a Member.
Mr. McLachlan exhibited pieces of vine-roots from a vinery near Accrington,
very badly infested with Phylloxera ; broods of young had hatched on them during
the short time they had been in his hands. The vines had been apparently quite
healthy until recently, but were now gradually dwindling and dying.
Miss E. A. Ormerod exhibited an enormous mass of Atherix ibis, F., found on
a branch of alder suspended over the river at Hampton Court. (This fly belongs to
the family Leptidce. Similar masses [to be compared to a swarm of bees] have fre-
quently been observed. They consist entirely of dead females, and M. Perez, of
Bordeaux, has recently suggested that these congregate for oviposition, and that the
young larvse fall into the water voluntarily when hatched).
1883.] 91
Mr. Distant exhibited several species of Lantern Fly, and in connection there-
with asked Mr. Champion, who had just returned from Central America, whether
he had ever observed any indications of luminosity in these insects. Mr. Champion
said he had often kept them alive for a long time, and on no occasion did they
exhibit the slightest indication of luminosity. He also stated that he had found
larvae of some insect in the waxy secretion of Fulgora. Prof. Westwood suggested
they were probably Lepidopterous {cf. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1876, p. 519, 1877,
■p. 433).
Dr. Sharp communicated a Revision of the PselaphidcB of Japan, chiefly from
the materials collected by Mr. Lewis.
Mr. Lewis read a paper on the Lucanidce of Japan. This led to detailed re-
marks by Dr. Leithner, who has been in this country for some time engaged upon a
Monograph of the Family, in the course of which he suggested that the genus
jEsalus did not belong to the Lucanidce.
Prof. Westwood read further notes on the Fig Insects of Ceylon.
Mr. Cameron communicated descriptions of sixteen new species of parasitic
Cynipidce from Scotland.
\st August, 1883. — The President in the Chair.
W. H. B. Fletcher, Esq., of Worthing, was elected a Member.
Mr. Billups exhibited Pompilus spissus, Schiodte, J ? , taken in Headley Lane,
a new locality for tliis rare species.
Mr. H. J. Hoskiugs, of Brisbane, communicated a paper on Australian Bees, in
which the habits, &c., of various species were noticed. Trigona carhoiiaria, and a
new species of the same genus, make their nests in hollow trees, and are stingless,
but when incommoded, they smear the attackers with a gummy secretion, which
glues the eyelashes together, and render themselves annoying by biting the inside of
the nose, &c.
Mr. Meldola read notes by Dr. Fritz Muller with regard to the behaviour of
inexperienced birds in their attacks on unpalatable butterflies, and on a larva which,
before pupation, forms circlets of its spinose hairs, both above and below it, on th©
twig on which it is about to pupate.
Mr. H. Pryer sent notes on Japanese insects collected by a native of the country,
with remarks on the large number of species identical with those found in Britain.
Entomological Collecting on a voyage in the Pacific {Resumed from Vol. xix,
p. 278). — We started from Callao on February 11th, our orders being to call at the
Marquesas, Tahiti, Oparo (or Eap-a), and Cook's Islands (Earotonga, &c.), and, after
calling again at Tahiti to fill up with coal, to return to Coquimbo by the middle of
July, taking Pitcairn Island on the way. For nearly a month we ran before a steady
trade-wind, with splendid weather and perfect temperature, very little animal life
though, either in sea or air, with the exception of flying fish, which were very plenti-
ful. "Frigate" and "Tropic" birds (Tachypetes aqulkis and Phaethon cetherins)
were also seen in small numbers ; we were not lucky enough to see a whale, although
we passed right through one of the principal whaling tracts. We were all very glad
to sight land once more on the 10th March, this being the Island of Fatsu-hiva,
the most southerly of the Marquesas group. We anchored in " Omoa " or "Bou
H 2
92 [September,
Kepos " Bay, an open roadstead with heavy swell and bad landing ; the scenery here
was exceedingly fine, reminding one not a little of Jnan Fernandez : we lay about
a quarter of a mile from a grand promontory (Venus Point), terminating in a vertical
precipice 1900 feet high, the finest cliff I have ever seen, except that of Achill Island
in the west of Ireland. We remained here until the evening of the 11th, and I
went on shore twice ; it is needless to say how delighted I was with my first sight
of South Sea Island vegetation, such as the bread fruit, the Pandanus, the Casuarina
or iron-wood, &c., &c. From the head of Omoa Bay there runs up a deep narrow
valley for several miles, a perfect forest of cocoa-nut or fruit trees ; a little cotton is
grown here, besides taro root, &c. ; the hills are mostly covered with fern, where not
wooded. Of course I woi'ked hard for insects, but did not get or even see a single
beetle ! the most abundant insects were dragon-flies and mosquitoes. Two species of
butterflies only occurred, viz., Danais Archippus and Diadema BoUna, both plentiful.
The latter is a splendid insect, the $ being black, with a large violet-blue blotch with
a white centre in the middle of each wing ; the ? black, more or less suffused with
ferruginous, and with a large white costal spot on the fore-wings — this sex varies a
good deal. I found the larvse in abundance on a common weed, and reared a splendid
series. Several species of moths were abundant, one or two being familiar Callao
insects, to my surprise ; the bulk of them were small PyraJidce, but two or three
species of day-flying NoctucB occurred, among them a very pretty Plusia. I got a
few nice fresh-water shells, which seem to be very scarce in the Marquesas. My
proceedings " astonished the natives " a good deal ; they were, however, most friendly
and civil. They are a very fine race of people (ten times better than Peruvians),
scarcely darker than Spaniards or Italians, and many of the men over six feet high ;
they were nearly all tattooed all over their bodies, some in really elegant patterns.
We had numbers of them off to the ship in small outrigger canoes, bringing fruit,
cocoa-nuts, a few cowry shells, &c. Old clothes were a great deal in demand, and I
got over 100 excellent oranges and a large bunch of plantains for a vertf old coat.
March 12th. — Arrived in Resolution Bay (so named by Capt. Cook) in the
Island of Tau-ata or Santa Christina. We did not remain here a whole day, but I
managed to get a run ashore for a few hours. Unfortunately it rained nearly all
the time, and I could do scarcely anything in the way of collecting. I got a good
way inland, and found the natural vegetation very fine, but it was of course soaking
wet : I found one or two Ehizophagoid beetles under the bark of a log of bread-
fruit tree.
13th. — Left Resolution Bay at 10 a.m. for for the next island, Hiva-Oa, or
Dominica : at 1 p.m. we anchored in Taa-hu-ku Bay, just under the highest summit
in Hiva-Oa, or, indeed, in the Marquesas, a very gi-and mountain, 4130 feet in
height. Behind Taa-hu-ku, is a remarkably fine and extensive valley, terminating in
a magnificent amphitheatre of wooded cliffs about two miles inland. This island is
one of the principal stations of the French, who possess the Marquesas Islands. I
went on shore early the next morning (14th), and had a very enjoyable ramble about
the valley, but failed to get any distance up the hills. I met with the usual Danain,
Diadema, and other insects, and on this occasion I got a few beetles by working at
dead wood, &c. Among them were two or three specimens of a pretty Elater, some-
what like Corymhites tessellatus in aspect ; one or two spp. of Tomicus ?, Rhizophagus
sp. ? (several), Phlosopora, kc. One of my messmates brought me three specimens
1883.1 93
of a remarkably fine Brenthus ?, ■which he had found running on a log ; it is a long,
slender, blackish-brown species, with interrupted longitudinal yellow stripes on the
elytra, not unlike, but much finer than, a species which I found not rarely at
Panama.
15th. — Left Taa-hu-ku for Anna Maria Bay or Taiohaie, in Nuka Hira, the
largest of the Marquesas Islands. We arrived there next day, and as we remained
until the 22nd, I had a good opportunity of exploring the vicinity of the settlement,
on one occasion getting up among the hills to a height of 2800 feet, where, however,
I found but little different to what I met with in the low grounds, except some nice
little land-shells, and two or three nice Cossonid weevils in dead wood. The
general character of the vegetation here is the same as in the other islands, if any-
thing more luxuriant ; an introduced species of Mimosa is very abundant near the
settlement, and on it the half-looper larvae of Achcea melicerta, a very handsome
moth allied to Catocala, brown with black and white hind-wings, may be found in
great numbers, and are very easily reared. I added several nice moths to my collection
here, among them two Sphingidce {Chcerocampa erotus and Macrosila sp.), a moth
very like Liparis salicis, Xylophasia sp. ?, a nice Hadena (abundant in thatch), and
one or two other NoctucB ; Geometrce were very scarce, indeed, I observed only two
species, a small Boarmia and a Evpithecia, in all the islands. Pyralidce were very
numerous as before.
The larva of a very handsome Hadenid (?) moth is abundant on cotton and
tobacco, &c., and is sometimes, I am informed, so numerous as to be a great pest.
Among the beetles, my best take was a very fine series of Brenthus sp., which I
found under bark of a log of Hibiscus, in company with two or three of a Cossonus,
and great numbers of very sharp-biting ants. The beetle varied immensely in size,
some of the $ s being only a quarter of an inch long, while some big long-headed,
^s were nearly five times that length. The oceanic bug, Halobaies sp. (?), was
very abundant in all the harbours, and I caught a fine series with my long-handled
net. On the whole, I think I did fairly well in the Marquesas, although insects
were decidedly scarce as regards species ; indeed, I do not think I took more than
thirty species of Macro-Lepidoptera (including Pyra?es), and even fewer Coleoptera.
We received much attention and hospitality from the French resident in Nuka Hiva
(virtually, the governor of the Marquesas) ; among other things, he got up a grand
goat-hunt for us, to which nearly all the oiScers and a number of the blue jackets
went. About forty half-wild goats were surrounded and driven down to the water's
edge, where they were caught (not without some diiBculty), and taken on board the
ship. We lived chiefly on goat flesh for some weeks afterwards : it tui'ned out
by no means bad, certainly far better than salt beef, at any rate.
I think we all enjoyed our cruise among the Marquesas Islands, and were sorry
to leave so soon, even for Tahiti. We passed through the north-western part of the
Paumotu or Low Archipelago, and saw two or three of the islands, which are most
curious : huge "atolls," or rings of coral, sometimes many miles in extent, enclosing
a large lagoon of salt water, and covered with most luxuriant vegetation, although
they are scarcely elevated above high-water mark. I should very much have liked
to land on one of them. Tahiti was reached on March 29th, and we went inside the
barrier reef and anchored off the town of Papiete, the capital of the island. We
91 • [September,
coaled ship, and gave leave to the crew, so we managed to make out eight days here
I had heard a great deal about Tahiti, and may say that, although my expectations
were raised very high, I was not in the least disappointed. The island may be said
to consist of two peninsulas, each composed of a huge mass of mountains, which, in
the main peninsula, or Tahiti proper, attains an elevation of 7321 feet. All round
the shore is a belt of low flat land, covered with a forest of cocoa-nut and fruit trees :
then come smooth steejj hills, seamed with deep ravines, and covered with ferns and
wild guava bushes, which latter are quite a pest, covering many square miles of
country, and bearing abundance of large and delicious fruit, which, however, is sel-
dom or never gathered, being allowed to rot on the ground in tons. Above these
hills, the mountains are rugged, and broken to an extraordinary degree, and are
covered with dense and most beautiful forest, composed in a large pai't of tree-ferns,
which I have seen as much as forty feet high ; wild bananas or plantains ("faes," as
they are called here) also form a very large portion of the vegetation, growing in
patches of many acres in extent. Papiete is a very pretty little town, or, rather,
village, but it is so hidden among trees as to be scarcely visible from the anchorage.
An excellent macadamized road runs all round the island (100 miles) close to the
sea, and is called (why, I know not) the Broom Eoad. I had several very pleasant
excursions on shore, on one occasion getting up into the mountain forests to a height
of more than 3000 feet. Insects were a good deal more abundant than in the
Marquesas, as well as in greater variety. Besides Danais Archipptis and Diadema
Bolina (the latter very large and fine), I saw and obtained at least five other butter-
flies, all more or less plentiful. These were, the large and handsome Satyrid, Cyllo
Leda, which haunts shady places, and is not often taken in good order ; a fine, white-
spotted, black Evjdoea ; a little fulvous and brown insect, nearly related to Argynnis,
&c., which, I think, belongs to the genus Atella (the pupa, which I found in plenty
on broad-leafed plants in the high forest region, is the prettiest I have ever seen,
being bright clear gi-een with golden sfiots and streaks, and coppery-red bands across
the back) ; lastly, two species of Polyommatus, one being nearly related to, perhaps
identical with, our P. bcBticus. A very handsome species of Macroqlossa, very like
our British M. stellatarum, is common at heliotrope flowers, &c., but is very hard to
obtain in good order; however, I found four larvae, and succeeded in rearing them
all to the perfect state. I heard a great deal from the residents about large Sphinges
entering their houses at night, but the only one I received was unrecognisable
through having flown into a glass of beer ! The moths were much the same as at
the Marquesas, but one or two nice fresh things turned up, mostly, however, of
small size. I got a few Coleoptera among the higher woods, as well as a good series
of a very fine species of Clytus, which I found in plenty running and flying about
some dry logs of Hibiscus just outside Papiete, but on the whole this Order appeared
to be but jx)orly represented. Some very nice land-shells (mostly small Biilimi)
occurred to me on foliage at a considerable elevation, and I also obtained a pretty
good lot of sea-shells ; so that, on the whole, my stay at Tahiti was by no means
unprofitable.
We left Tahiti on April Gth, for the neighbouring island of Eimeo or Moorea,
twenty miles distant, and anchored in Papetoai Bay, a well sheltered and exceedingly
pretty harbour. The general character of Eimeo is the same as Tahiti, but the
1883.] 95
mountains are much more abrupt and broten, shooting up into the most fantastic
peaks, one, in particular, being very like a church steeple. The vegetation is very-
luxuriant, and it is difficult to get about, the low ground being rather swampy, with
but few paths. I found the usual Tahitian insects in plenty here, and took several
hawk-moth larvse, feeding on a species of Convolvulus with very large leaves. These
have just produced a moth which I cannot distinguish from our Sphinx convolvuli,
except in size, it being only about three inches across. Some very pretty land and
fresh water shells, different from those found at Tahiti, occurred to me : but the
mosquitoes quite spoiled the pleasure of walking in the woods, as they were more
numerous than even at Acapulco or San Bias, and qiute as venomous.
"We left Eimeo on the afternoon of April 9th, for the remote island of Eap-a or
Oparo, and thence to Cook's Islands. After a somewhat tempestuous passage, in
which the wind persistently headed us, and we had to steam a good deal in conse-
quence, we arrived at Rap-a on the 18th, and anchored in Ahurei Bay, a well
sheltered harbour, but full of reefs, and with poor holding ground. Rap-a is a very
pretty island, eighteen miles in circumference, and may be described as one mass of
jagged and precipitous mountains, running up into remarkable needle-shaped peaks,
the highest being 2172 feet in elevation. As we stayed here only twenty-four hours,
I was able to get on shore only once, for a few hours, but I greatly enjoyed my brief
ramble. The vegetation was not unlike that of the islands we had as yet visited,
with the exception of the cocoa-nut and bread-fruit trees, which appeared to be
almost, or quite, absent : on the other hand, the screw-pine (Pandanws) was abundant,
and the tree-ferns remarkably fine. The only butterfly I saw was Dajiais Archippus ;
the moths were, for the most part, common Tahitian species, with the exception of
a very fine large moth {OpMderes sp.), brown, with bright orange hind- wings, banded
with black, of which I saw three or four specimens, and was lucky enough to catch
one. A few beetles, including two or three very nice fresh species of CossonidcB,BxiA.
some land-shells of the genus Helix, completed my small collections at Rap-a. The
inhabitants, about 150 in number, seemed poor, though they had no lack of food, in
the shape of goats, pigs, and taro-root, with which they supplied us plentifully.
Leaving Rap-a on the 19th, and again encountering baffling winds, we arrived
at Mangaia, one of the Cook Islands, on the 27th. We did not anchor here, as there
is no harbour, and only stayed long enough to communicate with the shore, so I did
not land. Next day, we arrived at Rarotonga, unanimously pronounced to be the
prettiest island we had yet visited : it attains the elevation of 2925 feet, and is
covered with most beautiful and luxuriant vegetation. There is no anchorage here,
the island being surrounded by a fringing coral reef. We had to lay off and on
under steam for about twenty-four hours, but I managed to get a short run on shore
on the afternoon of the 28th. I found the productions, animal and vegetable, much
the same as at Tahiti ; a great deal of coffee and cotton are grown here. Six or
seven species of butterflies turned up, viz. : Danals and Diadema (the $ s of the
latter very handsomely suffused with red, like the East Indian form, I believe), two
of EuploRa (one new to me), Cyllo Leda, and a lovely little blue-purple Polyommatus ;
no fresh moths, but about eight species of beetles, among them a nice Hylesinus,
and several Cossonidce, one of the latter very minute. Three or four species of land-
shells, and about fifty sorts of sea-shells in good condition picked up on the beach,
made up a very fair afternoon's work.
00 [September, 1883.
May let — Arrived at Aitutaki Island at 8 a.m. : this island is comparatively
low and flat, but very pretty, with most luxuriant vegetation : no harbour, but a
barrier reef all round encloses a lagoon, and there are one or two passages for boats
through it. I had a forenoon on shore with pretty fair success, getting a very nice
series of Polyommatus (two species), Euplcea, and some nice fresh moths. I could
not, however, find any beetles or land-shells. We stayed here thirty hours, and
were most hospitably received by the natives : the chiefs got up a big feast for us
(to wliicli I was, unfortunately, not able to go), and sent us off a present of 800
cocoa-nuts, 800 lbs. of yams, several pigs, a bullock, and innumerable oranges, &c.
There are about 2000 people on each of the islands, Mangaia, Earotonga, and
Aitutaki, but no Europeans, except on Rarotonga. The chiefs and a good many of
the natives came on board us at all these islands, they seemed very much taken with
the ship.
May 3rd — Arrived at the island of Atiu (Wateoo, of Cook), at 4 p.m : this,
like Mangaia, consists of upheaved coral, with a central volcanic nucleus, and looks
less fertile than most of the islands from the sea. I landed with the captain, not
without difBculty (being carried on the back of a native across the reef), and
walked about two miles into the interior to the principal village : here we were well
received, but I had no time to look for insects, as we were ofP again at 6.30 p.m. I
saw Danaift and Diadema, and some common moths, that was all. A large " stick
insect," Lopaphus cocophagus, about five inches long, is very destructive to the cocoa-
nut trees in these islands.
May 9th. — Arrived at Eimeo : stayed there a day, during which I got a few
things, such as a very nice Boarinial, Choerocampa erotus (larva on taro). Sphinx
convolmili, a good lot of land-shells, &c. ; went over to Papiete (Tahiti) next day.
We have been coaling, &c., so have had no time to land ; have bred some nice
varieties of Diadema Bolina from Aitutaki larvae. We leave at the end of next
week (about 19th) for Pitcairn Island and Coquimbo, where we ought to arrive
about the first week in July. — J. J. Walkee, H.M.S. " Kingfisher," at Sea (between
Atiu and Tahiti) : May, 1883.
The larva of Saiurnia carpitii with respect to its edihility by birds. — I cannot
discover that any record exists of expei-iments with this larva respecting its edibility,
or otherwise, so far as regards birds ; hence the incident I am about to note may be
of some interest. About ten days ago I was at Heidelberg, enjoying a walk on one
of the hills near the town, under the guidance of Baron Osten-Sacken. A full-
grown larva of S. carpini was crossing the path, and as a peacock was strutting not
far off, it occurred to us to see what would happen if the larva were brought under
his notice. At first he eyed the larva with indications both of doubt and curiosity.
Then he seized it and, apparently, found the spines disagreeable ; but, excepting the
spines, everything seemed to be satisfactory, for the larva underwent a process of
beating on the ground (much after the style of a thrush with a snail) for about a
minute, and was then bolted.
Dr. Weismann, in his " Studies in the Theory of Descent " (Mr. Meldola's
English translation), p. 338, notices that this larva was devoured by lizards, with
which he experimented. — R. McLachlan, Lcwisham : 9^/4 August, 1883.
October, 18S3.] 97
NATURAL HISTORY OF PROCRIS GLOBULARIJE.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLEE.
Before proceeding to transcribe my notes of this species, I am
anxious to make a few remarks, which, while bearing on the subject
in hand, have also a wider reference, and will apply to other papers,
which I am hoping to pen hereafter.
After investigating the life-histories of our Macro-Lepidoptera,
and figuring their larvae, since 1858, I have amassed more or less
satisfactory notes and figures of about 850 species, beginning with
the Diurni and ending with the Cramhites.
Hitherto my friends have been able to supply me with British
examples, but it will be evident, from the numbers given above, that
the time has come when there arises a yearly-increasing difficulty in
obtaining ova or larvae of the (comparative!}'') few species yet un-
touched ; whilst the old adage "ar* longa vita hrevis^^ remains as true
as ever ; and therefore it is, that in view of these pressing reasons,
and after consulting the friends, whose opinion I most rely on, I have,
after some little hesitation, resolved to avail myself of continental aid.
This resolve does not lessen my desire to take my notes and
figures in all possible cases from indigenous examples ; in every case as
before, I shall make a point of stating exactly and truthfully the source
from whence my information is derived, so that there will be, I trust,
no ground for complaint that I have ever attempted mystification, or
added to the difiiculties of the naturalists who take in hand the onerous
and responsible task of settling the extent of our native fauna.
On 25th of June, 1882, I had the pleasure to receive from Herr
Heinrich Disque, of Speier, several eggs of Procris glohularice, together
with the parent moth herself, which he had induced to deposit her
eggs in a small cylindrical box with glass ends ; one egg hatched on
July 10th, but the larva was killed in the effort to take it fi-om the
cylinder ; on the 14th, five or six larvae were hatched, but I was unable
to extract more than two of them uninjured, as they all were much
entangled with web or remains of cotton wool obstinately clinging to
the box ; the remaining eggs hatched next day, but most unfortunately
just when my vision became disturbed from a bilious derangement,
and the larvae from them were all fatally injured in my attempts to
get them out of the box, as next day with sight restored I saw them
lying dead on the leaves of Centaurea.
I now looked for the two larvae that had previously been safely
put with a leaf of Ckntaurea nigra in a small tin box, but could discern
98 r October,
neither o£ them until I held the leaf against the light, then at once I
saw them both embedded in its substance, each appearing about the
size of a small flea in a semi-transparent spot between the upper and-
under skin of the leaf ; and these spots, when afterwards vacated,
became clear blotches on the surface ; the larvae on emerging to the
light were seen to have grown a little, and soon made their way into
a fresh piece of similar leaf, which began to show several such blotches
where the parenchyma was eaten out.
On 25th of July one came out of the leaf, and next day the other,
when a fresh leaf was provided, but neither would attack it, and they
sat still on the old one until the 3rd and 4th of August, when, after
moulting, they entered fresh leaves, which continued to be supplied to
them in the box every two or three days ; their second moult occurred,
after they had left the leaves and sat still for nine or ten days, on
13th — 14th of August, when, after an interval of rest, they again
mined into the fresh leaves making numerous clear spots on their
surfaces, but onlj^ for about three or four days, as they were out of
their mines again on 18th, and were spinning little mats of silk, on
which they fixed themselves to wait for their third moult, which
happened on 23rd — 27th of the month.
By 3rd of September, the one more advanced in growth than the
other had laid itself up on a silken mat, spun on the upper surface of
the midrib of a leaf whose sides swelling up made a desirable sheltered
situation to be fixed in, vrhile its companion at this time was to be
seen in the middle of a comparatively large mined blister, from which
as from the very first, the black frass continued to be extruded a day
or two longer ; the former accomplished its fourth moult September
12th, the latter on the 14th ; the first after a three days' rest from
what seemed an exhausting operation, again mined into the leaves, and
after an interval its companion also, both growing a little, while making
larger blister-like mines.
On 9th of October they were out of their mines, had ceased to feed,
and seemed to be hibernating, and this I made sure of on the 21st, when I
closely examined them and saw that each larva had its feet on a silken
mat, and that one of them had a stay of a few threads passed over its
back, attached to the stout midrib and to the under-side of the piece of
leaf it was on ; each of these pieces, already becoming discoloured, with
their occupants attached, I then placed at the base of the plant of
Centaurea from whence nearly all their food had been gathered, and
which I had recently dug up and potted for their reception during
winter ; one being laid on a dry leaf, the other on a radical sprouting
1883.] 99
leaf ; I looked for them early in November, and saw the pieces of leaf
were nearly rotten and deserted by the larvje, they having entirely
gone from view.
On 17th of February, 1883, while noticing the few large leaves
on the plant which I kept in a window, I chanced to observe two
small watch-pocket-like apertures cut in the upper epidermis of one
of them, and two minute black atoms of frass lying near, and in course
of a week these hopeful appearances were seen on more of the leaves,
and began to increase in number, but all of them were very small, and
it was not before the morning of the 25th that I was gratified with
the welcome sight of one of the larvae, the only one it seemed that had
survived the winter thus far ; it was on the upper surface of a leaf
creeping deliberately along the midrib towards the footstalk ; in the
afternoon I could see it attached to the under-side of a neighbouring
leaf ; next morning after vainly looking over the plant, I found it had
crawled off and was lodged on the rim of the flower-pot, a circumstance
that led me to reflect on the roving disposition it had so soon betrayed,
there being evidence that it had wandered all over the plant ; so now,
in fear of losing it, I again took it into the captivity of a bos, where for
a day or two it mined into a gathered leaf and ate out the parenchj'^ma
from a largish area just as it had done in autumn ; then I gave it
more light and air, but by 6th of March, it had made only five mines,
each no bigger than itself, of irregular oval shape, and all through the
remainder of this mouth of cold north-east wind it did not feed, but
laid up as though asleep, until the 1st of April, when it removed to a
fi'esh leaf, but without feeding, and again afterwards it moved to one
or two other fresh leaves, and even made a small puncture in them,
but it did not feed ; on 5th of April it seemed unable to keep on its
feet, appeared in a moribund state, and was dead by next morning.
I lost no time in communicating this mishap, and sending a pencil
sketch of the defunct to Herr H. Disque, who with most obliging good
nature, which I am so glad now to acknowledge thankfully, at some
sacrifice of time, sought out the distant spot where he had captured
the insect last year, and actually succeeded in finding a larva of
glohularus no bigger than the little one so recently lost, an instance
of keen sight faculty which astonished as much as it delighted me
when I received the larva on the 2nd of May, while it was yet fixed
on a leaf of Centaitrea waiting the next moult ; this was accomplished
on the 9th, seemingly an exhausting process, as the larva remained
quietly resting for two days and a half before b.eginning to feed ;
for two days it ate sparingly, but thenceforward more freelv. making
I -2
100 [October,
larger blotches, until the 22nd, when it left its food to seek a suitable
place to lie up in, and after being at a corner of the box for some
hours it eventually moved off to another part under the lid, where, on
the 21th, it spun a foot-mat of silk threads, and became fixed in them,
feet uppermost, until the moult took place on the 30th ; and finally it
became full-fed on 11th of June, and later entered the earth.
In addition, Herr H. Disque most kindly sent me on 6th of May,
four fine larvae, at that time a moult in advance of the foregoing, and
their last moult occurred on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of the month ;
they all fed remarkably well, making very large and conspicuous blisters
or mines in the leaves, from which they devoured the parenchyma to a
great extent, even sometimes abstracting nearly the whole from a leaf;
towards the last they were somewhat careless in not extruding all their
frass, which could be seen in a long trail within some of the clear
blisters, and they often remained within them at night and for many
hours at a time, apparently asleep, when their form could be readily seen
through the transparent cuticle. In this way they attacked quantities
of leaves, but just at the last, and in one instance only, a larva ate a
large hole quite through the entire substance of a leaf.
It may be imagined with what admiration I so often about this
period perused the graphic account of the discovery of the adult
larva, and its interesting habit, by the late most eminent Entomologist,
Professor Zeller, in the "Entomologist's Annual" for mdccclxiv, pp.
103-7 (originally published more than thirty years ago), and of the
great pleasure it was then giving me to be, as it seemed, verifying its
perfect accuracy, and not without indulging the hope of future com-
munication with him. Alas ! too late !
Their full growth was attained from May 30th to 2nd of June,
and then each in turn lingered two, three, or four days on the surface
before entering the earth.
Erom three of the pupsD the perfect insects, two males and a
female, were bred on 9th of July, having been j)receded a few days by
an Ichneumon from the fourth, which I have since learned from a friend
has been pronounced by Mr. Bridgman to be an undescribed species
of Anomalon.
The egg of glohuJarice is of a long-oval shape, about -^~' loiig and
yV wide, having at first a depression on some part of the surface, and
adhering lengthway to the substance whereon laid, singly, or sometimes
two or three together ; the shell is very finely ribbed, and of a deep
vellow colour, which changes a few hours before hatching to a dull
188S.] 101
pinkish or to a light brownish tint, showing a deeper brown spot at one
end, and by that time the egg has become very plump.
The larva, when first hatched, is of a short dumpy figure, with
small black and glossy retractile head, the second segment bears a
glossy brownish plate having a broad black dotted streak tapering to
a point at the front, and on either side a black streak ; the other seg-
ments of the body are faintly tinted with greenish drab, and covered
with a short fine whitish pubescence ; after seven days' feeding it
re-appears fat and plump, the pubescence less noticeable, more of the
skin visible and glistening as it sits still on a leaf.
After the first moult while quietly resting it appears to be a mass
of bristly tubercles, and of a fresh light green colour, but by the time
it has again ceased feeding and is laid up on a leaf for the next moult,
the glistening skin has a greenish-buff tint, as from its plumpness the
bristles are farther apart and allow this to be seen.
After the second moult it is still fresher and greener than at any
time before, though when its few days of feeding in the mine have
passed, and it has again laid up, it is of a deep pinkish flesh-colour.
After the third moult its colour at first is quite dark slaty-green,
matching very well that of the leaves of its food plant ; between the
rows of tubercles down the back can be discerned a thin dingy purplish-
brown dorsal line spreading a little at each segmental division ; the
tubercles are covered with short radiating bristles of a drab colour ;
but when it is again laid up it is very much lighter and the glistening
skin is of an ochreous-green.
After its fourth moult, and it has fed a few days, when seen with
the two front segments fully stretched out, it is 3|mm. in length, but
later when fixed for hibernation with the two front segments retracted,
it appears not longer than 3mm., its figure a broad oval, like that of a
small hemp-seed, and it is covered with closely-set bristly tubercles and
a few longer fine hairs ; three rows of tubercles are on either side of
the body in a longitudinal direction, so that six tubercles of broad oval
shape surround each segment except on the belly, which is naked ;
between the two which occupy the back of a segment is a black arrow-
head mark ; these dorsal tubercles are very dark dingy brownish-green
with yellowish-green outer edges along the subdorsal region, relieved
by a fine blackish line beneath ; the dusky bristles make the general
colouring intensely dark on the upper surface, the smooth belly and
legs being of greenish-drab colour.
After hibernation, just at first, the larva appears almost black, but
102 [October,
after feeding a little its dark green colour becomes fresher, and the
outer margins of the dorsal tubercles more conspicuously yellowish-
green.
Immediately after the next moult it seems to be thickly enveloped
with radiating bristles of a tender bluish-green, mixed with whitish as
it sits to recover strength, and as soon as it recommences feeding its
growth quickly brings the length of 10mm. and a more lively colouring;
the bluish-green dorsal tubercles ai'e strikingly defined by a creamy-
white subdorsal stripe on which their outer margins encroach a little,
a w^idish stripe of dark green follows, contrasting with the lighter green
tubercles and skin below.
After the last moult, full growth being attained, when stretched
out the larva measures from 13 to 14mm. in length, the greatest width
across the middle of the body 5mm., it tapers a little at either end and
is rounded off behind, and also in front when at rest with the first two
segments retracted ; the head is extremely small and flattened, the
segments are plump and very deeply divided, the second is smooth and
glossy, the tubercles are slightly raised, large, occupying nearly the
length of a segment, except the lowest just above the feet which are
rather smaller, in shape they are roundish ovate, the dorsal pair side
by side on each segment are set close iind obliquely together in front,
leaving between them a small central arrow-head-like space behind at
the division ; the legs are rather short and w^ell under the body, the
belly flattened and smooth : in colour the head is black, the antenna!
papillae greenish-white tipped with black, the second segment greenish
with broad black marking or plate tapering toward the front, the
tubercles on the back are of rather bluish light green, the dorsal row
of markings black, the white subdorsal marking inclines to creamy-
white, sometimes to yellowish-white, this is contrasted strongly below
by a broadish stripe of dark green tapering towards the head and a
little also to the hinder part of the body ; on the smooth skin between
the dorsal tubercles at the beginning of each segment, and of the
white subdorsal marking are sprinkled some most minute black dots,
only a few are on the white where it is broadest but they arc numerous
on the dark green stri2)e following it, the side below is entirely green
including the tubercles, and the whole of them are studded thickly
with short and fine blackish bristles, the spii'acles black, anterior legs
black, the belly and ventral legs green.
The situation of the cocoons could be detected by very slight
elevations on the surface of the deep pot of earth, where, before the
larva? had buried themselves, all had been quite level, and when the
1883.1 103
cocoons were removed, from only just below the surface, for inspection
after the insects were bred, I found each was of broad oval shape about
9 lines by 7 or 8, exteriorly composed of grains of earth very firmly
united to a few fibres of grass-roots, of which plenty were in the turfy
soil, and served to bind all together ; on removing the earthy particles
I reached the inner cocoon of opaque greenish-white soft silk, yet
strong and elastic, in these qualities reminding me of that of Oi
jjotatoria, and in the softness of its closely-woven interior of that of
B. mori ; it was 7 lines long and 3 lines wide, rounded off anteriorly,
widest in the middle, and tapered to a blunt point at the posterior end.
In each instance (except one) the pupa had evidently emerged
from the cocoon and travelled away from it a little distance, as I found
the pupa-skins thus lying on the bare earth, and only the old larval-
skin lay shrivelled up at the bottom of the deserted cocoons ; but the
one from whence the Anomalon had come still contained the pupa-skin
only minus a portion of the head and thorax, which lay in fragments,
so that the cavity of the pupal body had been the puparium of the
parasite.
The pupa of glohuJari<s is about 13mm. in length and of moderate
substance throughout, with prominent thorax, the wing-covers short,
but toward their ends projecting a little free from the body, the long
antenna- and leg-cases are all free from the body, and seem to be sug-
gestive of locomotion even before disclosure of the moth, the deeply
divided abdominal rings have each on the back near their beginning
a transverse ridge thickly set with hooks pointing backward, the tip of
abdomen rounded off in a blunt point ; the colour of the head, thorax,
and wing-covers is dark olive-green and very glossy, the leg-cases and
abdomen are of lighter shining green and the hooks black.
Emsworth : September 12th, 1883.
Myrmeleon Erleri, JBrauer, = 31. inconspieuns, Sambtir. — In the collection of
Baron de Selys-Longchamps are a series of a Myrmeleon from Corfu ijErher) mueli
like M.formiearius, L. {formicalynx, Burm.), but notably smaller ; the species was
described by Dr. Brauer (Verb, zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, 1867, p. 190) as M. Erberi.
On comparing them with the types of 31. inconspicmis, Eambur (Nevropteres, p.
406), I find they are specifically identical therewith ; hence Eambur's name should
take priority. I possess a $ indicated " South of France," the same district whence
Eambur believed his types were derived. These types consist of two perfect ? and
one (J withoiit head and abdomen ; in the latter sex there is a conspicuous " pelote "
at the base of the posterior wings. In describing the abdomen both Eambur and
Brauer appear to have taken their description from the $ , in which there are only
] 04; [October,
narrow yellow sutural rings. In the S there is a large yellow anterior dorsal spot
on nearly all the segments (often inconspicuous in dry examples unless brought out
by the application of alcohol or benzine). In the Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., xvi, p. 139
(1873), I stated, regarding M. iiicerfus, Kambur, " probablement la femelle de
I'espece suivante " (inconspiemis), but Eambur distinctly states that his type of
incertiis is a (? without the " pelote " to the wings. I cannot now decide as to sex,
for the type has lost its abdomen (there is no " pelote "), but, according to the colour |
of the head, I now believe incerttis to be distinct from incon-ipicmis, and otherwise
unknown to me. Hagen (Peters' Reise) thought an East African species might be
identical with inconspiemis. Walker's M. seci'etus is closely allied to inconspicims,
but tlie head and thorax differ slightly, and the abdomen of the $ has the large
spots which exist only in the J of inconspiemis. Attention should also be directed
to M. irroratum, Olivier (Encyc. M6thod.), but the description is probably too vague
for identification.
In the Mediterranean district their exist quite a number of small species of
MyrmeleonidcB, the synonymy of wliich remains in much confusion, and they are
seldom captured in sufficient quantity, owing probably to nocturnal habits. It must
liave struck all entomologists who attend to these insects that the perfect insect is
very seldom seen at large, although the larvae are very abundant. In the course of
my excursions I have never seen the common spotted species (3/. europceus) at
large, and the common plain-winged species (M. formicarius) only rarely, yet the
larvae of both abound in suitable localities. — K.. McLachlan, Lewisham : 8th
September, 1883.
ANNOTATED LIST OF BRITISH ANTEOMTIII)^.
BY E. H. MEADE.
{Concluded from p. 61).
26. MELANOCHELIA, Rond.
Gen. eh. — Eyes bare, widely sep.arated in both sexes ; arista bare ;
forehead and epistome prominent ; alulets with the lower scale longer
than the upper ; internal transverse vein of wings opposite to the
termination of the second branch of the first longitudinal ; (auxiliary*)
anal vein shortened ; abdomen of male slightly thickened at the apex,
and with small sub-anal appendages.
M. RIPARIA, Fall.
The generic position of this species is very difficult to determine, and it has
been placed in various genera by different authors. Mcigen left it in his restricted
genus Anthomyia, though on account of the Vf'iAe separation of the eyes in both
sexes, he ought to have removed it into that of Ccenosia, as he did with the closely-
allied species, A. litorea, in which, however, the eyes of the male are more approxi-
mated. Kondani originally placed it in the genus whose name I have adopted,
* In the analytical table published at page 50, it is printed axillary vein by mistake.
18S.S.] 105
■which he foiTned for its reception ; but in his last volume* he removed it into the
genus Limiiophora along with d. litorea. Haliday saysf " This fly will form the
type of a genus allied to TAmnophora and Lispa," but he did not make one.
Schiner includes it in the genus Myopina, Desv., along with M. reflexa {3Iusca
myopina, Fall.), but the latter species has very minute alulets, and properly belongs
to the acalypterate division of the Muscidce, in which it was placed by Meigen. This
fly is not uncommon, and may often be found seated on stones in brooks and rivers.
Haliday described and figured the larvse and pupse, which are aquatic and live
among ConfervcB, to which they adhere by means of hooks with which they are
furnished.
27. C^NOSIA, Meig.
Gen. cli. — Eyes bare, widely separated in both sexes ; arista pu-
bescent or bare ; forehead unprojecting ; alulets with scales o£
unequal sizes ; abdomen of male mostly sub-cylindrical, and thickened
or clubbed at the end ; anal vein of wings more or less abbreviated.
Sect. 1 — Legs hlack.
1. TRIANGULA, Fall.
nigripes ?, Macq.
2. SOLITAEIA, Zett.
octosignata ?, Eond.
3. AGEOMTZELLA, Eoud.
Sect. 2 — Legs wlioVy or partly yellow.
4. INFANTULA, Eoud.
5. ELEGAJfTULA, Eoud.
6. PALLICOENIS, Zett.
7. ANGULATA, Eoud.
8. SEX-NOTATA, Meig.
9. GENUALis, iJond.
10. GENICULATA, Fall.
11. VEENA, Fab.
12. PEDELLA, Fall.
C. TEIANGULA, Fall.
This little species has been placed by Macquart in the genus LimnopTiora, and
it possesses more of the characters of that genus than of those of CcBnosia, with the
exception of having the eyes widely separated in both sexes, for the abdomen is
marked with a double row of large, triangular, or quadrate spots, whereas, in the
spotted species of Cisnosia, the spots are usually small and round or oblong. Not
uncommon.
C. SOLITAEIA, Zett.
This possesses very similar characters to those of C. triangula, the abdomen
being marked in a similar manner ; it differs from it, however, in being rather
larger, and in having the thorax entirely of a light ash-grey colour marked with
three narrow indistinct brown stripes ; while, in C. triangula^ the thorax is dark
brown or black with grey shoulders, and unstriped. Rare.
C. AGEOMTZELLA, Eond.
I have only seen one specimen of this species, which was in the collection of
* Dipt. Italise prodromus, vol. vi. + Nat. Hist. Review, July, 185/", p. 195.
106 [October,
the late Mr. B. Cooke, of Southport ; it is characterized by the thorax and abdomen
being both of an uniform black colour.
C. INFANTULA, Roud.
This pretty little species has the abdomen of the male laterally compressed, of
a pale yellow colour, translucent at the base, grey at the extremity, and indistinctly
marked on the second and third segments with two oblong brown spots.* The palpi
are yellow with brown tips; the transverse veins of the wings are rather close
together, the external one being rather nearer to the internal than to the termination
of the fifth longitudinal vein ; the legs with cox£e are wholly pale, with the exception
of the tarsi, which are more or less nigrescent. Bare. I possess a single male,
which was captured by the late Mr. Francis Walker.
C. ELEGANTULA, Eoild.
This closely resembles the last, but differs by being rather larger, by having the
abdomen of the male wider and flatter, the palpi entirely pale, and the transverse
veins of the wings rather further apart. This species is very similar to C. mollicula,
Fall., but may be distinguished by having the scales of the alulets larger and
unequal in size, and by the abdomen of the male being without the large sub-anal
appendages which are so characteristic of the latter species. Bare. I captured one
male in July, 1883, near Bicester, in Oxfordshire.
C. PALLICORNIS, Zett.
This is a well-marked species, which has yellow antennae, pale whitish palpi ;
the abdomen with the first two segments pale and translucid and the legs yellow.
The late Mr. B. Cooke, of Southport, sent me a specimen of this fly for examination
in 1875.
C. ANGULATA, Eond.
This, like all the three preceding species, has the abdomen partly pale, the first
two segments being yellow and translucent ; the thorax is ash-coloured and un-
striped ; the abdomen has the third and foui'th segments grey, and is marked down
the dorsum by a longitudinal sub-interrupted black stripe, and by two lateral round
spots on each segment, which are very indistinct on the basal pale coloured portion.
The hinder edges of all the segments are also marked by a narrow white line. The
legs have all the femora grey, and all the tibiae and tarsi yellow, with the exception
of the terminal joints of the latter, which are black. The wings have both the
transverse veins clouded with black. This pretty and peculiarly marked species
appears to be rare. I possess a single male, which I obtained from the late Mr. F.
Walker.
C. SEXNOTATA, Meig.
This may be considered the typical, as it is also the most common species in the
genus. The thorax and abdomen are both grey ; the former is marked with three
stripes, and the latter with six spots of a brown colour ; the legs are yellow, with
the exception of the tarsi, which are nigrescent, and the fore femora, which arc often
brown or grey, especially in the females.
* These are omitted by Roudaiii in his description.
1883.] 107
C. GEKUALIS, Eoild.
This rare species closely resembles tlic preceding one, from which it only clifPers
in some minute points, one of which is that the posterior femora are blackened
at their apices, somewhat in the same manner as those of C. geniculata, Fall., of
which it is, perhaps, only a Taricty. The only specimen which I have seen
belonged to the late Mr. B. Cooke. I have included three other species in my li&t-,
viz., C. geniculata, Fall., C. verna, Fab., and C. pedella, Fall., upon the authority of
Walker, who records them as British in the "Insecta Britannica :" I have not,
however, yet seen an indiginous specimen of either species.
28. ATHEEIGONA, Eoud.
Gen. ch. — Eyes bare, remote in botli sexes ; forehead prominent ;
anteunse with the third joint prolonged, the arista bare, somewhat
geniculated, and having the second segment a little elongated ; palpi
short, with dilated extremities ; scales of alulets large, and unequal in
size ; abdomen of male short, subcylindrical, and clubbed at the end ;
wings with the internal transverse veins, placed near their bases, and
opposite to, or in front of, the end of the first branch of the first longi-
tudinal vein ; anal vein prolonged, but not reaching the margin of
the wing.
A. YARiA, Meig.
The peculiar little fly included in this genus bears some resemblance to a
Tacldnid, by the form of the head and the size of the antenna) and alulets ; it is
also like a Zisjja, by the shape of the palpi ; it has a yellow abdomen marked by
four or six black spots. The description of Anthomyia varia by Walker does not
apply to this species, though he makes it synonymous with the A. varia of Meigen.
Rare.
29. MTCOPHAGA, Eond.
GcBV-osia, Meig., Schin.
Oen. ch. — Eyes bare, remote in both sexes, but much more so in
the females than in the males ; arista plumose ; abdomen oblong and
subcylindrical in the male, ovoid and depressed in the female ; alulets
with small and equal-sized scales ; wings with the anal veins pro-
longed to the margin.
M. ruNGOBUM, Deg.
This fly might be placed among the species of JSylemyia, if the eyes of the male
were not separated by a widish space. It is the largest species in the Ccenosia group,
being often four lines or more (8 or 9 mm.) in length. The arista is furnished with
long hairs ; the thorax is grey with yellow slioulders ; the abdomen and legs are
yellow, except the tarsi, which are black. Not very common.
108 [October,
30. CIIELISIA, Eond.
Soplogaster, pt. Eond.
Ccenosia, Meig., Macq., Schin.
Gen. cli. — Eyes bare, remote in both sexes ; arista subplumose ;
abdomen of males narrow, elongated, and subcylindrical, with large,
projecting, sub-anal processes ; alulets very small, witli equal-sized
scales ; wings with the anal veins abbreviated.
MONILTS, Meig.
U)nbrq)e7i7us, Zett.
2. MOLLICULA, Eall.
nemoraJis, Meig.
C. MOisriLis, Meig.
This little fly is of a brownish-gi-ey colour, with brown wings and legs ; the
thorax is marked down the dorsum with a central black stripe ; the abdomen of the
male has also an interrupted dorsal stripe in the middle, and a number of small
spots or punctures of a black colour on the sides ; the sub-anal processes are fur-
nished with two blunt projecting lobes. Rare.
C. MOLLICULA, Fall.
This species resembles C. monilis in general form and structure, but is very dif-
ferent to it in colour; having the antennae (except at the base), abdomen, and legs
all of a pale yellow colour, with the exception of the hinder portion of the abdomen
in the male, which is sometimes nigrescent, and is marked with two or four black
spots. The thorax is grey, and indistinctly striped ; the sub-anal male appendages
are very large, and furnished with a long apical style, flexed forwards under the
belly ; and also with two long processes or lobes, projecting backwards. Not rare.
31. SCHiENOMTZA, Hal.
OcJitiphila, Fall., Meig.
Sciomyza, pt. Meig.
Gen. cli. — Eyes bare, remote in both sexes ; antennae sub-erect,
approximate at their bases, and divergent at their extremities, having
the third joints dilated ; arista baris, abdomen neither thickened, nor
dilated at its extremity ; scales of alulets very small and equal ; wings
with the internal transverse veins placed beyond the termination of
the second branch of the first longitudinal veins ; anal veins very short.
1. LITOBELLA, Fall. | 2. FASCIATA, Mcig.
I hare included these two little flies in my list of British Anthomi/iidce, on the
authority of the late Mr. Ilaliday, who found them both on the sea coast at Holy-
wood, in Ireland.*
I shall conclude the List of British Antlioviyildce with an analy-
tical arrangement of those genera which have the eyes ahvciys more or
less approximated in the males. I have already attempted to tabulate
those in which the eyes are remote in both sexes.
* Entomol. Mag., vol. i, p. 167 (1833).
1883.] 109
Geneeum Anthomtidarum Dispositio.
Divisio prima, oculis in mare contiguis.
A. Alulsf! mediocres squamis insequalibus.
B. Femora antica maris subtus dentata 7. Htdkot^a, Desv.
BB. Femora antica maris simplices.
C. Proboscis apice acuminata et geniculata 8. Dktmeia, Meig.
CC. Proboscis apice mollis et plerumque dilatata.
D. Oculi hirti.
E. Arista plumata.
F. Abdomen subrotundum, carinse faciales ciliatae 1. Polietes, Rond.
FF. Abdomen ovale vel oblongum, carinoe faciales nudae 2. Htetodesia, Rond.
EE. Arista pubescens vel subnuda 11. Teichophthicds, Rond.
DD. Oculi nudi.
G. Abdomen maculis discretis signatum.
H. Arista plumata vel subplumata 4. Spilogastee, Macq.
HH. Arista pubescens vel nuda 5. Limnophoea, Desv.
GG. Abdomen sine maculis discretis.
I. Arista plumata.
K. Alarum vena analis longa, sed marginem non attingens...
3. Mtd^a, Desv.
KK. Vena analis margini posteriori saltern apice spurio producta...
6. Htdeophoeia, Desv.
II. Arista pubescens vel nuda.
L. Tibiae posticae maris incurvae 10. Ophtea, Desv.
LL. Tibiae posticae maris rectae vel subrecta.
M. Efistomii margines barbati 9. Pogonomtia, Rond.
MM. Facies imberbis.
N. Vena auxiliaris spinosa 21. Acanthipteea, Rond.
NN. Vena auxiliaris inermis 18. Antiiomtia, Meig.
KKK. Alaruip vena analis satis brevis, veuaque axillaris contra apicem ejusdem
incurvata.
0. Ai-ista plumata 13. Piezuea, Rond.
00. Arista pubescens vel nuda.
P. Abdomen ovoidum et depressum 12. Homalomtia, B.
PP. Abdomen spatulatum, basi subangustatum...
15. C^LOMTiA, Hal.
PPP. Abdomen angustum, subcylindricum, et maculatum...
14. AzELiA, Desv.
AA. Alulae parvse, squamis aequalibus.
Q. Arista plumata 16. Htlemtia, Desv.
QQ. Arista pubescens vel nuda.
R. Oculi hirti 17. Lasiops, Meig.
RR. Oculi nudi.
S. Pedes nigri.
T. Abdomen maris subcj'lindricum...
19. CnoETOPHiiA, Macq.
TT. Abdomen maris, angustum, vel oblongum et depres-
sum 20. Phoebia, Desv.
SS. Pedes toti vel partim flavi 22. Peqomyia, Desv.
Bradford, Yoiksliire:
September, 1883.
110 [October,
NOTES ON THE MIGEATION OF APHIDES.
BY G. B. BUCKTON, F.U.S.
The friendly criticism on my fourth volume of British Aphides,
by M. Lichtenstein, in the last number of the Ent. Mo. Mag. (p. 79),
necessitates a few remarks from me in reply, and I may be permitted
here to make them.
The subject of migration of ApJiides is of considerable interest
from a scientific, as well as from an economic point of view, and the
production of well ascertained facts will at once assert their value, and
eventually hold its own against all comers.
First, I will freely admit, and express regret for, a carelessness of
memory, in apparently committing M. Lichtenstein to the position,
that some oak-inhabiting Aphides descend to grass-roots in the autumn.
I would gladly make the emendation he suggests, and alter the word
oak-Ajyhides into e\m-Aphides.
Again, from the context of my remarks, it may be supposed that
I class Achillea and Solidago amongst annual plants. Their root-
stocks ai'e as clearly perennial in Britain as they are in France. This
point does not, however, affect the main question as to what is the
destination of the ova of their infesting Aphides. The destruction or
drying up of the stems and leaves of these plants would seem to pre-
clude their localization of winter-laid eggs in such parts. Prof.
Balbiani has done well in making known the true place of oviposition
of Siphonophora millefolii.
As far back as last November, M. Lichtenstein informed me that
he had discovered the "pupiferous form " of Tetraneurn rubra feeding
underground on the roots of Triticum caninum, and he said that at
the same time other specimens of the species were concealing them-
selves within the crevices of the elm-bai'k. He then stated, as he
does also now, " that there is no doubt of it being the same insect
which wanders from the elm to the grass-roots, and from the grass-
roots to the elm."
It would now appear from Prof. Horvath's corroborative experi-
ments at Buda-Pesth, that two European species of Tetraneura have
underground habits.
In his observations, M. Lichtenstein more than once uses terms
which would seem to admit that this question is yet suhjudice. He
several times describes as "my views," "my theories of migration"
from plant to plant.
In unexpected phenomena it is clearly permissible to hold one's
18S3.J 111
judgment in suspension for a "while, but in guarding myself througli
the expressions M. Lichtensteiu quotes, I by no means hardily assert
the unreliableness of the present published observations on migration.
It is from undoubted evidence alone that theory passes into re-
cognised fact.
Peculiar difficulties attach to experiments connected with life-
habits, and it is granted to be no easy task to eliminate all sources of
error in conducting them. Here we must assume that all possible
precautions were taken that the "clean garden earth" contained no
underground Aphides or their ova ; and that the roots of the maize
plants were previously as free from such.
The comparatively slight differences of character to be remarked
between the larvae of the ItJdzohiidcB and other underground forms
which are now known to be rather numerous, and the consequent
difficulty in making a good diagnosis, render a confusion of species
not unlikely.
But let us assume that the larva; of Tetraneura ulmi leaviug their
galls have been successfully transferred to the roots of the maize
plant {Zed), and that there they have undergone pupation, and that
the images have, by their wing venation, &c., proved themselves to be
normal forms, identical with those simultaneously producing the per-
fect sexes on the bark of the elm. Then are we to assume that the
maize-root is necessary to the economy of this insect ? I think we
must answer this question in the negative.
In England and in Belgium Tetraneura ulmi is often common on
the elm-trees. In the former country the maize is exotic, and one
may say it is almost exclusively cultivated for ornament. Certain it
is that in parts of Kent the insect is common, where the Indian corn
is not be found for miles round.
[ In June, 1877, I noticed that the elms of the neighbouring dis-
tricts of Spa, in Belgium, were covered by the galls of Tetraneura, yet
I did not mark any cultivation of Zea in the fields around.
It may be urged that Graminece, other than the maize, are resorted
to, but if the elm-bark be selected for the nidus of the ova, the under-
ground habit would seem to have nothing to do with winter quarters
and oviposition.
I would invite the attention of some competent observer, in whose
quarters Tetraneura ulmi is common, to search the couch-grass,
Triticum repens, in autumn, and, if possible, to settle this point of
habitat.
A similar difficulty suggests itself in the case of BrijoVius croati-
112 [October,
cws, which M. Lichteustein thiuks oviposits solely (?) on the evergreen
oak (Quercus ilex). Further, he thinks that the insect leaves the ilex
for Q. rohur and Q. puhescens, to return to the ilex once more. As the
latter tree is not indigenous to Britain, to Sweden, and to E. Asia ?, it
is obvious that in these countries some other nidus is found by the
insect.
I am not quite clear as to the gist of M. Lichtenstein's question
upon the ho^-Aphis. He seems to ask why, if I have given three
pages on the extermination of this Aphis, I have not tried to follow
the insect from Ilumulus to Primus. He assumes, hypothetically, that
Phorodon malaheb is simply a different stage of P. humuli.
I conceive that the chief part of a monograph is to gather in one
the scattered observations of many, and that if there be incorporated
original woi'k, it will appear only as an adjunct, and not as a necessity.
Hitherto, I have regarded Phorodon malaheh as a variety of P.
humuli, but an intelligent correspondent, who is a large cultivator of
hops for the market, regards these two insects as distinct, and he states
that Pi'unus malaheh and P. spinosa (the sloe or black thorn) are often
quite absent from the grounds where the bop is grown.
In the few experiments that I have made on Aphis rwnicis and
Aphis papaveris, I have failed to cause the Aphides previously nourished
on one genus of plant to change their food to that of another ; and I
am permitted, as relevant to this matter, to state the same negative
result from observations made during the present year, by Miss E,
Ormcrod, who watched some hop-plants which had twined round the
young suckers of the garden-plum. The hop-plants were much in-
fested by ^j9/^?(/fs ; but the leaves of the plum reuiained free from
their attack to the last.
Though these results are negative, they are good evidence, so far
as they go, and they tend rather against than for the theory of
periodic migration, or else they would show that these insects are dis-
tinct in species.
The processes of science are essentially tentative, that is, they are
experimental. Hypothesis accordingly pushes into theory, and theory
progresses into ascertained fact. No one more than my friendly critic
will deny the value of the scientific sieve for the separation of the real
fruits of observation. My foregoing remarks arc offered in no captious
spirit, and I know he will take them as materials for discussing a
problem in entomology, to which he has lent so much interest.
Weycombe, Ilaslemcrc :
September 6t/i, 1883.
1SS3.] 113
Description of the larvci of ToHrix Lafauryana.—The full-grown larva is not
very active, cjlindrical, but slightly attenuated at both ends ; [segments distinctly
divided ; of a pea-gi-een colour, with a darker green dorsal line, and yellowish-green
between the segments. Spots paler than the ground colour, but rather inconspicuous ;
hairs moderately long, about four or five on each segment ; head dull yellowish-
green ; jaws brown and eyes black ; dorsal and anal plates of a darker green than
tlie ground-colour, and about the ninth segment there is an ochreous-brown internal
dorsal vessel ; legs green.
On Myrica gale (bog myrtle) in June and July, drawing together three or four
of the younger terminal leaves, and feeding principally on the apices of its leafy
i habitation.
Sometimes the larva changes to the pupa in its abode, but far more frequently
' it descends to the ground to spin up in moss, dead leaves and other rubbish. The
pupa is black, and the moth emerges about thi-ee weeks or a month after the larva
has assumed the pupal state. — E. A. Atmoee, King's Lynn : August \Zth, 1883.
I [Mr. Atmore has very kindly supplied me with larvae of this species. From
these I have reared a few very satisfactory specimens, one fine red female being the
exact counterpart of my French type. Others are decidedly paler, approaching the
i colour of sorhiana. These are also smaller than the type. In the case of Mr.
Atmore's larva?, as well as of mine, the proportion of females reared is considerably
over that of males. — C. G. B.]
The Isle of Man form of Vanessa urticce. — In the Ent. Mo. Mag. for this
month, p. 82, Mr. Stainton alludes to " the Isle of Man form of Vanessa tirticcB."
I There is no Isle of Man form of Vanessa urticce as distinct from the ordinary British
! type of the species. Many years ago Mr. Birchall noticed that all the specimens
taken in the island, or bred from larvse collected there that season, were much
smaller than the ordinary type of the species, and he distributed a good many of
these specimens amongst British collections. This no doubt caused Newman to
believe that Manx specimens were " uniformly much smaller than in England "
(Newman's British Butterflies, p. 52) ; but although since then I have repeatedly
been in the Isle of Man in different years, and have reared large numbers of Vanessa
urticcB from larvae collected there, in the hope of getting the small form, I have
never seen or heard of a specimen differing in any respect from the ordinary type.
There is no doubt that in the year Mr. Birchall obtained his, the larvae were either
starved, or there was some other exceptional circumstance to account for it. Only
this year, indeed, at the end of July, specimens I noticed near Douglas seemed so
fine and large on the wing, that I watched them settle, solely to ascertain if they
were not poli/chloros ! — Geo. T. Poeeitt, Huddersfield : September 6th, 1883.
THE BRITISH SPECIES OF IDIOCERUS.
BY JAMES EDWARDS.
The British species of Idiocerus are now fifteen in number, as
against the ten enumerated in my table of the genus at page 52 of
K
114 [October,
vol. xviii of this Magazine ; and I, therefore, propose in the present
paper to call attention to the five additional species, and to characterize
more exactly some of the species previously recorded.
The following errors in the table above mentioned should be
noted, viz. : lituratus = adustus, ? ; Heydenii = poecilus, H.-S. ; and
confusus = albicans, Kbm.
As it is frequently necessary to refer to the neuration of the
elytra in descriptions of Cicadina, it is desirable that some intelligible
system should be observed. The following system, based on that of
Dr. J. Sahlberg, seems most convenient. The elytron is divided into
corium, claims, and onemhrane, the latter composed of the apical areas
and frequently having a membranous appendix. The longitudinal
nerves of the corium are the hradiiae, the simple nerve standing imme-
diately above the claval suture, and the cubital, the forked nerve
coming between the brachial nerve and the costa ; the branches of
the cubital nerve, which are generally forked at the apex, may be
designated as inner and outer respectively, according to their position.
The nerves forming the inner boundary of the apical areas may be
conveniently termed angular nerves, leaving the term transverse to be
applied to such other nerves as may occur in such a position as to
warrant its application. The longitudinal nerves of the clavus are
the anal immediately below the claval suture, and the axillary standing
nearest the scutellum.
It is believed that our British species of Idiocerus are exactly
characterized in the following table, but one or two of them will admit
of some comment.
Id. HerricMi. — In the Catalogue of British Heviiptera, published
by the Entomological Society of London, this is erroneously given as
a synonym of lituratus. It is a handsome greenish-grey species, with
the nerves of the elytra chequered with black and white. The
whiskers of the ^ are very conspicuous, and the pubescence on the
cheeks of the ? is easily seen. It occurs on Salix alba, and is well
described by Dr. J. Sahlberg.
Id. aurulcntus, Kbm. — The single example of this species, taken
by my«clf, might well be described as vitrcus, without the white H,
but Herr Paul Low, who named it for me, says that of seven or eight
examples in his collection, no two are exactly alike in point of
coloration, and this is borne out by examples which I have from Dr.
Futon.
With regard to fulyidus, po]yuli, and confusus, as characterized
below, 1 believe we are at last in accord with continental entomologists.
1883.] 115
Id. albicans, Kbm. — Fieber, without reason, puts this species as
a synonym of covfusus, Flor, and most subsequent writers have
followed him. It is, however, abundantly distinct.
1 (2) First and second apical areas of elytra sub-equal in lengtli, i. e., their bases
level, or nearly so adustus,^.-^.
2 (1) First apical area much longer than second.
3 (4) First subapical area triangular, or 5-sided, reaching the coatQ,...varius,Y.
4 (3) „ „ „ parallel-sided, not „ „ „
5 (6) Cheeks pubescent, more conspicuously in the J Serrichii,'K.hra.
6 (5) „ bare.
7 (12) Elytra brownish, with a pale transverse band or bands.
8 (9) „ with two pale transverse bands tremzil<B,'EBt\.
9 (8) „ „ one „ „ band.
10 (11) First sub-apical area well defined, about one-third shorter than the second.
elegans, Flor.
11 (10) First subapical area not well defined, about half as long as the second...
laminatus, Flor.
12 (7) Elytra without pale transverse bands.
13 (18) Anal nerve standing in an oval white patch at apex.
14 (15) Inner cubital and brachial nerves with a short black streak reaching as far
as the apex of the clavus. First transverse nerve black . .
lituratus, Fall.
15 (14) Nerves chequered with black, or rust colour, and white. First transverse
nerve white.
16 (17) Pronotum with a broad pale stripe. Face with four broad bla«k stripes, $ ,
or only two (on the frons), ? paecilus,'K.-B.
17 (16) Pronotal stripe not so broad, nor so well defined. Face without distinct
dark stripes in either sex tibialis, Fieb., = Heydenii, Kbm.
18 (13) Anal nerve white al apex, but not standing in an oval white patch, or nerves
entirely white.
19 (22) Brachial nerve with a white streak near the apex.
20 (21) First transverse nerve white vitreus, Y&h.,^ H. album, Fieb.
21 (20) „ „ „ not white , aurulentus,^\)xa.
22 (19) Brachial nerve not marked with white.
23 (28) Elytra green or greenish-grey, more or less tinged with reddish-brown to-
wards the suture.
24 (25) Side margins of face angularly indented below the eyes. Inhabits poplars.
fidgidus, F.
25 (24) „ „ „ „ at most faintly sinuate.
26 (27) i . Face and legs generally much suffused with orange-yellow. ? . About
one-sixth of visible length of ovipositor projecting. Inhabits aspen...
populi, Lin.
27 (26) <? . Without orange coloration. ?. About one-third of visible length of
ovipositor projecting. Inhabits sallow confusus, Flor.
28 (23) Elytra greenish-white, or almost milk-white. Nerves entirely white. In-
habits white poplar albicans, Kbm.
Swiss Cottage, Rupert Street, Norwich :
ISth September, 1883.
\IQ [Octoljcv,
Halesus gtdtntipennis, McLach., as a British insect. — This species was originally
described by me in the " Trichoptera Britannica " (18G5) from a $ example, in
the lale Mr. Edwin Brown's collection, believed to have been taken in the north
of England. After Mr. Brown's death this specimen passed into the collection of
the Royal Dublin Society. Nothing more was heard of ffuttatipennis as British.
In 1861 ITagen (Stett. Zeit., p. 115) noticed a species of Halesus from Switzerland
as " mucoreiis" (Imhoff), which was subsequently (1875) renamed " helveficus" by
Meyer-Diir. Later on (1874) Stein identified as "ffuttatipennis" an insect captured
by him oh the Altvater in Silesia. When writing my "Envision and SynojDsis " I
incoiTeetly retained the name "ffuttatipennis" for the Altvater species (not having
had sufljcient confidence in my original description, not being then able to re-examine
the type, and being misled by the locality, considering a species from Silesia more
likely to occur in Britain than one fi'om Switzerland), and retained the name
" mncoreiis" for the Swiss species, which ultimately proved to be identical with the
original ffuttatipennis. In the Supplement to the " Revision and Synopsis "
(p. xxxix, 1880) this error was admitted, and the Altvater specimens received the
specific name " nepos." Still the original ffuttatipennis had received no further con-
firmation as British. At the recent sale of the late Mr. Benjamin Cooke's collection
I noticed a second (?) example ; no doubt he received it from the same source
whence came the original male, and I think there can be no doubt as to the I'ight of
the species to a place in our list. In fact, any scruples I may have held on this
point had been abandoned from the fact that a specimen had occurred in Belgium
(cf., Supplement, p. xxxix). But the entomologists of the northern and midland
counties of England should endeavour to discover the exact locality of the species
which is probably on one of the moors of their district. Guttatipennis and nepos
are very similar in general appearance, but the latter is smaller, and presents good
structural differences, according to the limited material I have worked from. Both
are probably autumnal, occurring in October and November, a time when most of
our entomologists have ceased outdoor work, and this may account ior guttatipennis
continuing to be almost unknown as British. — R. McLaciilan, Lewisham, Sep-
t ember, 1883.
The larva of Plusia orichalcea. — In the month of July, 1882, in an outlying
part of the Cambridgeshire Fens, eight or ten worn specimens of Plusia orichalcea
were captured by the aid of a lamp, hovering round flowers of Eupatorium canna-
hinum ; one only, the first specimen obtained, was taken flying in the afternoon sun-
shine. This year I had the good fortune to beat ten specimens of a larva, which^
though exactly like that of ffamma, but a little larger, produced in July nine beauti-
ful orichalcea. Three others were obtained, one each by Messrs. Archer, Cross,
and Raynor, of Elj', but were not reared. Of the earlier stages of the larvae I can-
not speak, as those beaten were all past, or near, their last moult. As far as I could
see, their colour, size, and markings are exactly those of F. gamma. There are two
fine white lines down the back from the third to the penultimate segment, with the
dorsal vessel showing darker green between them ; oblique white lateral lines on each
of these segments. On the second and third segments, and on the anal segment,
1S88.] 117
thci'e are five ii-regular white lines, which unite together in front, in the direction of
the head. The spiracles are white and small, except tlie last, which is conspicuously
larger than the rest. But the most striking feature of this larva is its wonderful
power of extending and withdrawing the first three or four segments of its body,
and reminding one of the larva of Choerocampa Elpenor, or of the common earth-
worm. When full-fed, the larvse spun a flat oval pad of white silk on the side of
tlie musliu bag in which they were reared, and thereon remained for twenty-four
hours or longer, perfectly motionless, in a horse-shoe-shaped form, the head in close
proximity to the tail. After this interval of rest, they proceeded to spin the rest of
their cocoons, which were soon completed, being thin and transparent enough to
allow of the easy observation of every movement of the larva inside. The cocoon,
■when finished, is oval, with the longer axis perpendicular, and the larvse all pupated
■with the head upwards. They took a week to pupate, after the cocoons were com-
pleted ; and remained in pupa just a fortnight, the ? in all cases emerging twenty-
four hours sooner than the <? . The pupa of orichalcea may be at once distinguished
from that of gamma, which is wholly black, by its having the underneath part and
the wing-cases of a lovely pale green, a colour which, three or four days before
the perfect insects emerge, gradually changes into a dull pink, foreshadowing the
colouring of the under-side of the abdomen and wings of the imago.
The habit of the larva appears to be to eat the young top-leaves of the Eiipa-
torium, and work downwards. When not engaged in feeding, it rests on the under-
side of a leaf, grasping the midrib.
One larva, in the course of its last moidfc, failed to throw off its old skin in its
entirety : a narrow band of which remained in an oblique position, embracing the
eighth segment, the hinder part of the seventh segment on one side, and the former
part of the ninth on the other. This band, as it dried, had tightened, constricting
the body, till it was only half its normal diameter, and enabling the whole of the
internal structure and workings to be plainly seen. As the larva was evidently un-
able to extricate itself, I carefully inserted the eye of a needle beneath the ligature,
and, aided by sundry energetic wrigglings of the larva itself, split it asunder. The
body soon resumed its usual dimensions, and the larva fed up and turned all right,
and the imago emerged apparently perfect : but when I got it on the board, I found
the left fore-wing, though not ci-ippled, about one-eighth of an inch shorter than
the right.
I think it is quite possible that Plusia orichalcea may be more widely spread
than is generally supposed. The perfect insect is rarely seen, except at night ; and
tlie larva would be easily passed over as only PI. gamma. I hope to be able to give
a fuller account of its earlier stages another year.
I take this opportunity of correcting a slight error in Mr. Buckler's account of
the larva of Banlcia argentida in last month's Magazine, for which I am sure he is
not responsible. Mr. Raynor was not the rediscoverer of that insect. I had taken
some half-dozen, and Mr. Cross a couple, before Mr. Raynor arrived on the scene of
action, and his delight at our capture was unbounded. Moreover, the insect has
occurred in small numbers in Wickeu Fen more than once during the last ten or
twelve years. — W. Waeeen, Merton Cottage, Cambridge : September 17th, 1883.
118 [October,
#bituarir.
Edward Sheppard died on the 8th of September, after a short illness, at the
age of 67. In his public capacity as Collector of Customs in the port of London,
from which office he retired only two months ago, he was widely known and appre-
ciated for his knowledge of business and his uniform courtesy, while his genial
disposition and hospitality endeared him to a host of friends in private life. He
was unmarried. He was a Fellow of the Linnean and Zoological Societies, a Mem-
ber of the Entomological Societies of London and Stettin, and one of the eight
Members of the Entomological Club. Besides his general love of Nature, he, for
many years, devoted considerable attention to Coleojitera, of which he formed a
collection ; but his ardour relaxed, and for a long time he had given up active par-
ticipation in entomological pursuits, yet to the last he retained an interest in
Entomology and Entomologists.
Dr. Hermann Milller, of Lippstadt, died at Prad, in the Tyrol, on August 25th.
All readers of Darwin's works will have realized how greatly our illustrious jihiloso-
pher was assisted by the brothers (Hermann and Fritz) Mi'ller. Tlie fraternal
partnership has now been dissolved through the death of the senior, but he leaves a
son who has sliown himself ready to follow in the footsteps of his father. Hermann
Miiller, as contrasted with his surviving brother, was probably a botanist rather
than an entomologist. But his two principal works (" Die Befruchtung der Blumen,"
1873, of which an English translation has appeared this year, and " Alpenblumen,
ihre Befruchtung durch Insekten," 1881), belong quite as much to entomology as to
botany. He opened up quite a new field of investigation in the intimate relations
between insects and plants, and in connection (herewith most of his vacations were
devoted to excursions to the higher Alps. His investigations on the part played by
insects in effecting fertilization and cross-fertilization in plants probably led him to
speculations on the origin of colour in flowers. Hermann Miiller belonged pro-
fessionally to that great scholastic element in Germany that has produced so many
thorough workers in Natural History.
The Rev. H. Harpnr Crewe, M.A., Eector of Drayton Beauchamp, near Tring,
died on the 7th September, after a long illness, aged 54. Although Mr. Crewe's
Natural History studies neither commenced nor ended with entomology, the best
years of his life were devoted to the study of British Lepidoptera, and especially to
the difficult genus Eupithecia, in his investigations of which he made for himself a
truly European reputation. The earliest published note by Mr. Crewe with which
we are acquainted appeared in the " Zoologist " for 1848 (he would then be 19 years
old), on an ornithological subject, and for a few subsequent years he continued to
send notes on British Birds. In the same periodical for 1851, he a2-)pcared as a
contributor of notes on British Lepidoptera, and in 1854 (I. c, p. 4370) is a list of
species of Evpithecia he had reared from larvse, the first indication of attention to
the branch in which he was ultimately to gain considerable distinction. In 1859 he
published descriptions of the larvae of many EnpithecicB, and thenceforward, until
quite recently, he continued to publish the results of his investigations of this genus
(varied by notes on other Lepidoptera) in the "Zoologist," "Intelligencer," " Ento-
1883.] - 119
mologist's Annual " (1861-62-63-& 65), the "Entomologist's Monthly Magazine,"
&c., &c. Probably his last entomological note was the description of a new species
of Eupithecia {E. jasioneata) in this Magazine, vol. xviii, p. 80 (1881). Latterly,
however, for a considerable time, he was more especially devoted to Horticulture, upon
which subject he was regarded as an authority, especially in connection with the
smaller bulbous-rooted plants, in search of which he made more than one long
journey to parts of Europe little frequented by English tourists : for some time he
was Chairman of the Floral Committee of the Eoyal Horticultural Society.
Mr. Crewe was never robust ; but, until recently, his appearance of health had
so vastly improved on that which he bore in comparatively early life, that it was
with considerable surprise we heard of his death.
Les Odonates dtt Japon, par M. de Sblts-Longchamps. Bruxelles, 1883,
pp. 66, imp. 8vo. (Extracted from the Annales de la Societe Entomologique de
Belgique, tome xxvii, pp. 82—143).
In his introductory remarks the author states that the idea of a Monograph of
the Dragon-flies of Japan was conceived (and carried into effect, in its initial stage,
in MS.) in 1841, from an examination of the materials collected by Yon Siebold,
existing in the Leyden Museum ; the number of species was then only 22. At the
present time he is acquainted with 67 species. This increase is largely due to the
discoveries of Englishmen, and especially to Messrs. H. Pryer, Gr. Lewis, and J.
Milne. The Dragon-fly fauna is a mixture, in which the European and Sibei-ian
element forms one-half, the Indo-Chinese a quarter, and the remainder may be con-
sidered special. Eight species are truly pala;arctic (including Libellula qicadrima-
culata and Lestes sponsa, which are British) ; six others are scarcely distinct from
their European (or Siberian) representatives ; and sixteen more are of a decidedly
European facies. Just as occurs in Lepidoptera, the tendency of Japanese forms is
to exceed in size their European sub-equivalents (thus Diplaoo data is scarcely to be
distinguished from Z>. jaerfewow^ana, excepting by its greatly superior size). The
number of species of true Eiu'opean Dragon-flies rests (and seems likely so to do)
at about 100. The author is of opinion that it will not be possible to record a similar
number from Japan. We rather incline to a more considerable estimate. Notwith-
standing the very important additions made within the last few years, it must be
remembered that no entomologist specially conversant with Dragon-flies has collected
in the islands, that many species are so much alike when on the wing as to deceive
even the most experienced Odonatists, and that their capture is frequently difiicult.
Therefore, we predict that at the expiratioii of another forty years, more than 100
Japanese species will be known, and that the author's opinion as to the Japanese
themselves playing an important part in the discovery (and working out) of new
forms, will prove to have been prophetic. We have by no means heard the last of
"Les Odonates du Japon."
The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger. Part XIX. Report
ON THE Pelagic Hemiptera, by F. Bttchanan White, M.D., F.L.S. Loudon :
Longmans & Co., &c., 1883. 80pp. 4to, 3 plates.
220 [October, 1S83.
Tlie Pelagic Hemipteva, which, indeed, are the only insects having a truly
oceanic habitat, forming the subject of this Monograph, consist, as far as at present
known, of but few species, and are referable to at most two or three genei'a, of
which only two — Halulates, Eechscholtz, and Halobatodes, F. B. White, are here
adverted to. These very remarkable insects, which are allied to the common aquatic
genus Oerris, are quite destitute of elytra and wings, have a thorax often occupying
three-fifths of the entire length of the body and very broad (the latter indicating
great development of the muscles governing the necessarily excessive action of the
legs) ; an extremely small, disproportionate abdomen (also advantageov;s to the con-
ditions of their life) ; and an excessive length of the second and third pairs of
filiform legs, this structure, as in Oerris, being admirably adapted for coursing over
the surface of water. That some of the species can dive has been observed ; it is
very probable that all do so on occasion (as we have often seen Gerris do), otherwise
it is difficult to understand how creatures of such fragile structure could survive
storms. They have been found only on the sea in warm latitudes, mostly in the
Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Chinese regions, generally far from land, even as much
as 500 miles distant, but sometimes comparatively near the shore.* They are gre-
garious, but nothing certain is known of the nature of their food. On this point,
and also on the manner of their locomotion, especially as to the power of all the
species to dive, their enemies and means of defence, the use of several peculiar
structures, such as the ocelloid tubercles of the head, the ventral tubercle, and the
tarsal process, information is desired by the author. As he says, " A special interest
is attached to these animals, as being the only pelagic representatives of their class.
It is true that a few other insects are marine, but they are all found in close proximity
to the shore, whereas the species of Halohates usually, and in some cases only, occur
at a considerable distance from any land. Moreover, their structure would seem to
indicate that they are archaic forms of very great antiquity, and hence all that can
be learned with regard to them is of very great importance."
Of the genus Halohates eleven species are described : 1, M. Wullerstorffi,\
Frauenf. ; 2, H. micans, Esch. ; 3, H-princeps, 7i. sp. ; 4, H. Streatfieldanus, Tempi. ;
5, H. sobrinus, n. sp. ; 6, H. sericeus, Esch. ; 7, H. germanus, n. sp. ; 8, H. Hayanus,
n. sp. ; 9, H. proaDiis, n. sp. ; 10, H. flaviventris, Esch. ; 11, II. Frauenfeldanus,
E. B. White.
Of the genus Ilalohatodes (n.g.) four species (one doubtfully congeneric) : 1, ZT.
Uluralns, Stul ; 2, H. kisirio, n. sp. ; 3, II. compar, n. sp. ; 4-, ? II. Stali, A. Dohrn.
All the species, except the last mentioned, are figured by Mr. Edwin Wilson,
the excellence of the illustrations being vouched for by Dr. White. The number of
specimens extant in the museums of Europe or in private possession is not large,
but as far as possible they have been obtained and examined. The bibliographical
references are necessarily not numerous, but they have all been consulted, and the
most of them arc quoted verbatim. Altogether the subject has been well and ex-
haustively treated, as far as the available materials admit.
* c. /., Mr. J. J. Walker's note, p. 93 antt.
t All the specific names derived from proper names are printed without a capital initial letter
— niort insuLso ln'jas wlatis.
November, 1883.] 121
NOTES ON EUTHEIA CLAVATA, REITTER,
AND PTENIBIUM GRESSNESI, ERICHSON, TWO SPECIES
OF COLEOPTEEA NEW TO BRITAIN.
BY W. Q. BLATCH.
EuTHEiA CLATATA, Eeitter.
Early in the spring of this year, I spent a single day in Sherwood
Forest, where, in addition to other interesting captures, I had the
good fortune to meet with a few specimens of Eutheia clavata, under
bark of oak logs. It is a very distinct species, and easily separable
from the other three British Eutheice. Compared with E. scydmoenoides,
which it somewhat resembles in colour, and in having fine depressions
at the base of the thorax, E. clavata is larger, flatter, and much less
ovate, the elytra being in fact almost parallel-sided : the antennae are
lighter coloured, except the three terminal joints, which are darker
(under a glass of low power, they seem quite black), and more
decidedly clavate ; those of the female are very elongate, being nearly
one-fourth longer than those of the male, with the club less pro-
nounced.
This species is described in Deutsch. Ent. Zeit., xxv (1881), p.
206, but Eeitter does not appear to have seen the female. It seems
to have occurred in Hungary, Grcrmany, and the Central Pyrenees ;
M. Albert Eauvel, who kindly determined the species for me, in-
forms me that he has a single $ from the environs of Luchon.
Ptenidium Geessneei, Erichsou.
Amongst my New Forest captures in June last, were a few things
not determined at the time when I sent my previous note (ante, p.
85), one, at least, of which turns out to be a species new to Britain,
viz. : Ptenidium Gi^essneri, Er. I took a few specimens on a beech-
stump, accompanied by Pt. turgidum. Thorns.
This species is described by the Eev. A. Matthews (who kindly
identified my insect) in his Monograph of the Trichopterygia, p. 78.
He there says that it is found in ants' nests, but there were no ants,
so far as I could see, in or near the stump from which I obtained the
beetle. Fungi were growing freely from the crevices between the
bark and the wood, and it was after shaking these over the flat surface
of the stump (to get Aradus corticalis) that I found the Ptenidia
running about. This would seem to indicate that P. Gressneri (as
well as its hitherto rare congener, P. iurgidum) may be found by
searching fungi in similar situations.
214, Green Lane, Smalllieath, Birmingham :
Odoher X&k, 1883.
222 [November,
ON THE SYNONYMY OF CERTAIN IflCSO-LEFIDOFTEEA.
BY E. METEICK, B.A.
Just before leaving New Zealand, in August, for a flying visit to
England, I received Mr. A. G. Butler's published reply to my cor-
rections of his determinations (see ante, pp. 14, 15). As he accuses
me of writing without any sound foundation, I ask leave to give the
grounds for those conclusions M'hieh he disputes.
Before doing so, I take decided objection to the assumption that
we are not justified in identifying descriptions as synonymous without
reference to the original types. If this were so, descriptions would
be superfluous. It would, in my judgment, be more correct to assert
that we are not justified in identifying an insect from the type, which
is liable to be misplaced, and cannot be published, but that the descrip-
tion is the only reliable authority ; if unidentifiable, it should be
quashed. That the author of a synonym should have referred his
type to a different genus from that to which the species truly belongs,
is only of importance in proportion as we can only rely upon his
accuracy of investigation.
Eespecting Bhodaria rohina, Butl., I consider the description
fairly agrees with the insect to which I attributed it, and is not
capable of being referred to any other of the 200 species of Pyrales
which I possess from Eastern Australia. Further, I had examined
previously the whole collection of Dr. Lucas, who sent the specimens
to Mr. Butler ; it contains extremely few true Pyrales, all well known
to me (these are comparatively scarce in the more southern latitudes,
where he collects, but are abundant in the north), but this species is
one, and was among those he sent to Mr. Butler, nor was there any
other at all near it. Gruenee's descriptions of Endotricha pyrosalis
and E. ignealis are decidedly good, and both undoubtedly referable to
this species, in my opinion ; it varies considerably, and may well have
been described twice. Walker's descriptions of Pyralis stilhealis (!)
and P. docilisalis (!) are not, in my judgment, identifiable, but I saw
the types in the Bi'itish Museum, and considered them identical with
this species, of which I had specimens with me at the time for com-
parison ; both are females, the sexes differing superficially, and I
noted especially that no male existed in the collection under aiiy name.
Einally, I am well acquainted with the species and its limits of varia-
tion, having seen probably thousands of specimens, as it is common
and widely disti'ibutcd ; and those which I have called ^ and ? are
certainly sexes of the one species. This is, without doubt, a tx'ue
18S3.] 123
EndotricTia, witli the characteristic neuration, and elongate patagia of
the (J; if Mr. Butler's specimen really has the neuration of Botys
{Rhodarid) it must, of course, be distinct.
Next, as to Concliylis (?) auriceps, Butl. I noted the specimen
of this placed amongst Fhilohota Arabella, Newm., in the British
Museum (there were also in the same series specimens of Phil, irrup-
tella, 7i.), and recognised it as a species well known to me previously,
but not described ; but for this I should hardly have ventured to
identify Mr. Butler's description. I do not know why Mr. Butler
should assert that I have not examined the neuration ; I dissected
specimens two years ago, in company with some 300 other species of
CEcophoridcs, and can produce my drawings of their structure. I shall
certainly be indebted to any one who will define for me the differences
between this species and P. Arabella, so as to render them capable of
generic distinction. But, at any rate, the fact that veins 7 and 8 of
the fore-wings are stalked would have shown at once that it was not
a Concliylis.
The last remark will apply also to Conchylis Thetis, Butl. The
species is a rather fine and distinct one, and I recognised it at once
from the description ; moreover, I saw the species in Dr. Lucas' col-
lection, and learnt that he had sent home the sexes separately. Mr.
Butler must be in error in stating that he compared this species with
my descriptions before publishing it, and failed to recognise it ; my
first paper on the Tortricina, including this species under the name of
Diehelia isoscela}ia,vtiis issued in December, ISSl, but I did not dis-
tribute my own copies until the issue of the second in March, 1882,
when I sent them out together ; so that Mr. Butler could not have
received them until May at the earliest, whereas his paper was pub-
lished (if I remember rightly) in February. Further, all his other
species are referred to families which I had not then entered upon.
He is not justified, therefore, in implying that my description was at
fault, as I think he will acknowledge.
I regret the necessary length of this communication. I shall be
sorry if my remarks cause any pain to Mr. Butler, against whom I
have no personal feeling ; and if I should find hereafter that any of
my statements are founded on error, I will freely and gladly admit it.
San Francisco, U. S. :
September 1th, 1883.
Catocala fraxini near Culross, N.B. — The Eev. John McGregoi-, of Culross, has
shown me a splendid specimen of Catocala fraxini, taken at sugar, on oak, the
22nd September, in Tulljallan Woods. — Alfred Beaujiont, Low Valleyfield House,
Culross : Octoler lOih, 1883.
121 [November.
MEYEICK'S AUSTEALIAN TOETEICIDS.
BY PKOFESSOE C. H. FERNALD.
Mr. E. Meyrick has recently published several papers on the
Micro-Lepidoptera o£ Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania, in the
Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, vol. vi, and
in the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute for 1882.
Before publishing, the author went to England and made a critical
study of the types of Walker in the British Museum, which was
necessary, if the names of that author were to be respected. He
speaks of the work of Walker in much the same strain as every one
else who has had occasion to review any of his work, and he is also
quite severe in his strictures on the work of Mr. Butler.
Mr. Meyrick had the great kindness to send me a series of his
types of the Tortricids, representing most of the genera and a con-
siderable number of the species, else I could not have undertaken a
review of this point of his work.
So far as I can judge, he has adopted the Tortricid group as re-
stricted by Lederer and Heinemann, but regards it of higher than
family rank, and divides it into three families. My own studies have
led me to regard it of family rank only, and what he has given as
families I have considered sub-fiimilies. (See my Catalogue of the
N. A. TortricidcB, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, vol. x.) Perhaps he is right,
but entomologists are not as yet agreed on the rank of certain groups
of the Lepidoptera. Lord Walsingham, in " Papilio," vol. ii, p. 77,
discusses the value of the group Tineina, and expresses the firm belief
than it is only of family rank, and that we should use the term
Tineidce for it. Surely, the Tortricids cannot form a group of higher
rank than these, if as high.
Mr. Meyrick found it necessary to create twenty new genera in
his family Tortricidce ; twelve in his GrapliolithidcB ; and six in his
ConchylidcB. Later, he suppressed his genus Cryptotila, which was
founded on characters existing in the female only. I should not be
surprised if he found good reason, upon the study of further material,
to re-establish this genus for the species which he placed under it.
I was at first entirely unwilling to believe that so many new
genera could exist in nature, in the territoiy mentioned, but when I
had given the insects a critical examination, I became convinced that
we have to deal with a Tortricidian fauna, as distinct and diverse from
other parts of the world as is the mammalian fauna of that country.
I certainly agree with the author in regard to most of the genera,
18S3.] 125
but of some I had no examples for examination, and, therefore, can-
not express an opinion on them. Some have been separated on the
differences occurring in the origin of veins 3 and 4, and also 6 and 7
of the hind-wings. In some North American species, there is so much
variation in the origin of these veins, that it would not be safe to
establish a genus until a large number of individuals had been
examined, and the question settled whether the venation in that
species was variable or not. Mr. Meyrick may have done this, and
in that case his genera will, without doubt, be retained. In some
cases genera have been separated on slight palpal differences, the
desirability of which is doubtful.
Of the European genera of Tortricids, only representatives of
Capua, Steph., Dlchelia, Gueu., Cacoecia, Iliib., Tortrix, Linn., Anti-
thesia, Steph., Penthina, Tr., Uudemis, Hiib., Aphelia = Bactra, Steph.,
Stigmonota, Guen., Carpocapsa, Tr., and Crocidosema, Zell., have thus
far been found.
There hardly seems to be good reason for the use of the two
names Jntithesia and JPenthina. The latter name was first proposed
by Treitschke, in 1829, with salicana, S. Y., and several other species
following. In 1830, the same author characterized this genus and
enlarged it, putting Bevayana the first under it, but he does not specify
any particular one as the type. Bevayana has since been removed,
and put into the genus Sarrothripa, and salicana has been taken as
the type of Penthina, which, I think, is correct.
The name Antithesia, was first proposed by Stephens, in 1829, in
his " Systematic Catalogue of British Insects," with the type corticana,
and in his " Illustrations," 1834, where he characterized the genus, he
suppressed the name Penthina, not because of the priority of Anti-
thesia, but because Treitschke had introduced a species belonging to
another genus, which Stephens was disposed to regard as the type of
Penthina. Meyrick credits Antithesia to Guenee, but Guenee, in his
" Index Methodicus," gives corticana as the type.
Now, salicana and corticana are structurally alike, and cannot
possibly represent two different genera ; therefore, I see no good
reason for using both of these names ; and as they were both proposed
in the same year, and as Penthina was characterized four years earlier
than Antithesia, I prefer to adopt Penthina, and allow the other to
fall as a synonym of Treitschke's genus. Mr. Meyrick thinks he
finds generic differences in the species he has placed under these two
genera. "Whether that be so or not, I do not think he can be justified
in using both these generic names.
Eudemis botrana, S. V., that cosmopolitan pest of the grape, is
126 [November,
one of the few introduced species, as well as the wide-spread Bactra
lanceolana, Hiib. Our author adopts the generic name Aphelia for this
species. Aphelia was first proposed Tdj Hiibner in his " Verzeiehniss,"
to include vibitrnana, S. Y., and four other species, all belonging to
the genus Tortrix, as restricted by modern authors. Stephens had
not seen Hiibner's Verzeichniss in 1829, when he published his Cata-
logue, and by mere coincidence proposed the name Aphelia with
erjenana, Haw., and four others, all synonyms of lanceolana, Hiib.
Stephens became acquainted with the Yerzeichniss, of Hiibner, before
he published his Illustrations, and finding that Hiibner had previously
used the name Aphelia for viburnana, and some allied species, he
suppressed the name as he had proposed it, and established the genus
Bactra instead, and, because of this, Zeller and some others have used
Bactra instead of Ajjhelia.
The European genus Stigmonota, Guenee {non Haworth), is re-
presented by five species, two of which are noteworthy on account of
their bright orange hind-wings with a dark border.
Mr. Meyrick first referred ohliquana, "Walk., to the genus
Cacoecia, but subsequently referred it to Pcedisca, because of the pec-
tination of the median vein of the hind-wings. The genitalia are
totally unlike the species of Pcedisca, but would place the species in
the sub-family Tortricince. Against this Mr. Meyrick would urge the
pectination mentioned above, but (Enectra Pilleriana has this pecti-
nation, yet no one would refer it to the Grapholithin<p. I think Mr.
Meyrick will change his opinion when he re-examines this species.
The omnipresent Carpocapsa pomoneUa, L., has been introduced
along with the apple, and that singular South European species,
Crocidoscma pleheiana, Zell., occurs there, probably introduced also.
Of the ConchylincB, Mr. Meyrick finds seven new genera, including
Bondia, of Newman, which has been referred to this gi'oup, but, quite
singularly, no species which could be referred to the known genera of
this division.
The author promises to monograph all the Micro-Lepidopfe7'a of
New Zealand, a work which he seems to be admirably qualified to do.
These papers have pleased me very much, and while there is much
in them to commend, there seems to be little to censure, and any erroi's
which exist will become apparent to the author in his further studies,
and be at once eliminated.
In all, Mr. Meyrick has given us 51 genera and 178 species from
Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, but, without doubt, many more
will be discovered when the country shall have been more fully
explored by collectoi's.
State College, Orono, Maine, U, S. A. :
October, 1883.
i88;!.i 127-
TWO NEW SPECIES OF ANAX, WITH NOTES ON OTHER
DEAaON-FLIES OF THE SAME GENUS.
BY ROBERT McLACHLAN, F.R.S., &c.
AlSTAX "WALSI>rGHAMI, 11. sp.
Length of abdomen (cam appendic), ^ , 86 mm., ?, 77 mm. Length of pos-
terior wing, g , 60 mm., ? , 58 mm. Expanse, ^ , 128 mm., $ , 120 mm.
Wings hyaline (slightly tinged in the $ ). Neuration black or blackish ; costal
nervure yellow externally. Membranule blackish, wMte at the base. Pterostigma
narrow, rather short (5 mm.), brown. 19 ante-cubital and 10 post-cubital nervules
in the anterior wings in (? , 15 and 8 — 10 in the ? .
Face and mouth parts wholly yellow (? green in the living insect). Top of
front with a circular (or slightly oval) black spot placed in a dusky (or slightly
bluish) ring, the anterior portion of which becomes merged in a fine blackish line
margining the groove. Vesicle blackish behind, yellowish in front, with a crest of
black hairs ; basal joints of antennae black. Occiput vei'y small, yellow, triangular,
flat, scarcely emarginate. Back of head yellow, with a narrow blackish margin.
Thorax uniformly pale yellowish-green (in the dry insect), the double dorsal
crest, and crests of the posterior cavities, brownish with black tubercles ; there is a
fine clothing of cinereous pubescence.
Legs black ; femora pitchy-brown merging into black, the anterior yellowish
beneath : length of posterior femora, <?, I3J ram., ? , 11^ mm.
Abdomen slender and very long, slightly depressed in the ^ , shorter and more
cylindrical in the $ ; third segment laterally constricted in the (? ; median trans-
verse suture on the 2nd segment scarcely complete ; 3rd to 6th segments very long,
with the supplementary transverse suture placed considerably behind the base of
each : colour greenish (or bluish) in life, with a dorsal longitudinal brown band,
which becomes somewhat dilated at the supplementary sutures, and occupies the
whole of the posterior portion of each segment from the 3rd, extending in an oblique
ruanner along the sides of the segments, so that the pale colour is really indicated by
long lateral spots enclosed in dark ground, but on the 3rd segment the sides are nearly
wholly pale ; 1st segment brownish at the base ; 2nd with a large triangular pos-
terior brown spot, and brown sutures ; 7th to 10th nearly wholly brown, with pale
lateral spots. Lateral depressions extending from the 3rd segment to the 9th, but
only faintly indicated on the 8rd to 6th in the ^ (more strongly so in the $ ). 9th and
10th segments more depressed, and somewhat widened in the S ; lOth segment in the
(? slightly broader than long ; sides slightly dilated and rounded ; rather more than
the basal half of its upper surface sliglitly elevated, on which portion are three
raised sinuate parallel keels, the median sepai-ated from the outer by a deep cavity
on either side of it ; beyond this portion there is a depression, but the apical border
is raised, shining and blackish, with a faint central keel, the margin being nearly
straight.
Superior appendages in the ^ short (5^ mm.) and broad, brown, flattened and
foliaceous, their apices upturned if viewed laterally ; each is narrow at its base,
but gradually expands, so that it is widest and sub-truncate at the apex ; the inner
128 [November,
portion is piceous and is limited by an elevated blunt ridge, but before the apex this
inner portion has a deep grooved excision, yellow within, each edge of wliich ends
in a broad tooth directed inwardly and upwardly, whereof the upper is shorter
than the lower ; inwardly below the lower of these teeth is a very deep excision,
followed more inwardly by a long and strong acute tooth, slightly curved and di-
rected inward and downward, with small tubercles on its inner edge. (Thus these
appendages are trifid at the apex inwardly if viewed fi-om above, but only bifid if
viewed from beneath, the shorter of the two outer teeth not then being visible ; the
whole arrangement is exceedingly complex). Inferior appendage one-half shorter,
slightly longer than broad, and slightly narrower at the apex, which is shallowly
excised, with upturned angles if viewed laterally. In the ? the appendages are
short (5 mm.), long-oval, flattened, obtuse, brown plates, with a raised central longi-
tudinal keel extending from base to apex. Valvules scarcely exceeding the 9th
segment, ending in short, curved, cylindrical appendages, each of which has a
bristle-like second joint.
Hahitat : North California {WaJsingham), and Guatemala.
Several examples were captured by Lord Walsingham, and the de-
scription has been made from a pair which have long borne the above
name in my collection, but the species has never been described. A ^
from Guatemala has been still longer in my collection ; it is mutilated
(wanting the apical half of the abdomen), but agrees entirely with
the Californian (^ , excepting that there are only IG antecubitals in
the anterior wings (10 postcubitals) ; the size is the same.
This very fine insect agrees somewhat with the American A.
Junius and amazili in the design of the top of the front, but there all
resemblance ceases, its excessively long slender abdomen, and very pe-
culiar anal parts in the ^ (which have no parallel), being especially
characteristic.
N.B. — Hagen, in his "Synopsis of the Odonnta of America*'
(Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., 1875), indicates an A. validus from San
Diego, California. This I strongly suspect of being identical with A^
Wahinghami, but no description has ever been published.
Anax Eutherfordi, n. sp.
I possess two males of a reddish-brown Anax from Sierra Leone
{Btitherford) so similar to A. speratus, Hag. (Yerh. z.-b. Ges. Wien,
1867, p. 46), from the Cape of Good Hope, that I was at first disposed
to identify them therewith, according to the description of the latter ;
but there are certain discrepancies which induce me to retain my
specimens as distinct, and I propose for them the above name. It
appears to me that a tabular view of the discrepant points will suffice,
and in giving this I retain Hagen's original words.
18S3. ]
12&
A. speratus.
Unterlippe, Oberlippe, und Rhina-
rium schwarz.
Kopf hinten scliwarz.
Obere Appendices. Die obere Flache
durclisetz ein gewulsteter breiter Mittel-
kiel, der sich gleicli an der Basis vom
Aussenrande ablest, und schrage gegen
die Spitze geht. An seinem Ende am
Innenrande im breitesten Theile des
Ausschnittes vor der Spitze endet er
seitlich in eiiien kleinen scharf nach
innen gebogenen Hakenzahn.
Unterer Appendix kurz vor der
Spitze etwas eingezogen.
Scheiikel rothlicli mit schwarzer
Spitze.
Geader braunlich.
Pterostigma gelbbraun.
Membranula scliwarz mit weiss-
lieher Basis.
18 Antecubitales.
Hab. : Cap der guten Hoifuung.
A. Ruth erf or di.
Front and mouth parts (excepting
the black tips of the mandibles) uni-
formly pale yellowish.
Back of head brownish-yellow.
Superior appendages. The keel of
the upper surface ends at the extreme
portion of the dilated apex, and there
forms a small, nearly obsolete, tooth ;
there is no tooth in the excision of the
inner margin in the place indicated.
Inferior appendage gradually nar-
rowing from base to apex.
Femora entirely red.
Neuration reddish-brown up to the
nodus, merging into black beyond the
nodus.
Pterostigma dark brown.
Membranule grey, whitish at the
base.
20 antecubital nervules.
Hah. : Sierra Leone.
In size, general coloration, and other points, A. Butherfordi quite
agrees with the description o£ speratus, but it appears to ine impossible
to believe that long immersion in alcohol could so have changed the
coloration of the front as described for speratus, and the structure of
the appendages appears to be also different, although the general
peculiar plan is the same in both. Some points compared in the above
table are of slight importance ; the coloration of the face and the
discrepancies in anal structure are the principal.
N.B. — Notes by the late Mr. Eutherf ord on the living insect say :
." Head coffee-brown. Eyes blue. Thorax : front brown, sides tes-
taceous, beneath paler. Abdomen : ridge and margins of joints
blackish-brown, otherwise light brown, shining. Taken in a marsh at
Sierra Leone."
Anax longipes, Hagen. In the Ent. Mo. Mag., x, pp. 227, 228
(March, 1874), I published some notes on a male Anax in the collection
130 r November,
o£ tlie Royal Dublin Society (now Science and Art Museum, Dublin),
which I was then inclined to refer to A. Jongipes, described from a ?
in the Zurich Museum from Georgia (Abbot). Through the kindness
of A. G. More, Esq., T.L.S., Curator of the Museum, I have been able
to again examine this insect. I find one serious error in my original
notes (p. 228) ; the length of the posterior femora is there given as
"19 mm.," it should have been "14 mm." The other measurements
and notes agree. I omitted to notice the membranule ; it is entirely
yelloioish-cinereous, with no indication of having originally been
particoloured. The top of the front is utterly without markings,
and concolorous with the face. Upon re-comparing Hagen's detailed
description of the ? (Verb. z.-b. Wien, 1867) I note the follow-
ing special discrepancies not previously alluded to : the neuration
is said to be black, here the nervures are mostly pitchy-brown and the
network reddish ; the membranule is said to be black with white base,
here it is uniformly pale as above stated ; the markings on the abdomen
there noticed are here absent, or have become obsolescent. Therefore,
I now do not feel quite confident as to the identity of this example
with A. Jongipes, which latter should rest on the authoi'ity of the ? in
the Zurich Museum (which I have not seen). I thought it advisable
to compare the Dublin mutilated ^ with a ^ oi A. Junius of the same
expanse of wings. Putting on one side the obvious discrepancies in
the design of the top of the front, &c., I find structural differences
of importance : in Junius the top of the front is narrower and more
produced ; the occiput is more extended between the eyes (hence the
eyes are less contiguous) ; the posterior legs are perceptibly shorter ;
the abdomen (to the end of the 6th segment) is shorter ; in the
Dublin insect the transverse supplementary median suture on the 2nd
segment is interrupted in the middle (as is stated by Hagen for
longipes), and the space between is filled-in by a somewhat triangular
coarsely-granulose plate (in Junius this suture is not interrupted, but
is strongly augulose in the middle). If, therefore, this Dublin example
be not longipes (and there are reasons why it should not be so), I do
not know what it is. I have shown that other Dragon-flies in the
Dublin collection apparently came from Abbot, but no record exists
to that effect.
Anax tristis, Hag. (Verb. z.-b. Grcs. Wien, 1867, p. 35), and A.
Goliath, De Selys (Eev. et Mag. d. Zool., 1872, p. 178). I incline to
the opinion that these represent ? and J respectively of one species.
So far as I am aware, Hagen has only seen the ? , and De Selys and
1883.1 ■ 131
I have only seen the ^. Hagen's ? (tristis) was from Guinea,
De Selys' ^ (Goliath) from Madagascar: I have three cJ, one from
Abyssinia, one from " West Africa," and one from Jellah Caffee (West
Africa), indicating a very wide African distribution (such a powerful
insect as this must be voy difficvilt to captui'e). My three ,^ agree
specifically, and also with the description of the type from Madagascar
(excepting unimportant sh'(/ht differences in size, &c.), but that from
Jellah Caffee is evidently immature, having the bx'own margining of
the membranule in the posterior wings only faintly indicated, and the
large yellowish-brown space near the middle of the wings is unde-
veloped ; nevertheless, it is only this immature specimen that shows
what is no doubt the natural green colour of the body (which has
become much changed in the others). The labium (as well as the
labrum) is bordered with black as is indicated by Hagen, but not
noticed by De Selys. The length of the abdomen given for tristis is
much less than that given for Goliath, and than in my specimens
(82 — 87 mm.), but this is a usual condition in Anax. Most other
points agree sufficiently, and I think the only discrepancies are due to
sex and change of colour through desiccation. This is one of the
largest and most powerful Dragon-flies in existence.
Lewisliam. London :
October, 1883.
The Intterjlies of Camlridge. — The following is a list of the EJiopalocei-a I
have noticed or captured liere. I say noticed, as I am always loath to exterminate
rare or uncommon insects, and, as a rule, let a bvitterfly or moth of that description
enjoy its liberty when I have satisfied myself as to its identity. By Cambridge, I
mean the immediate neighbourhood of the town itself. I have frequently seen
insects reported as having been taken here that have really been captured at places
ten or fifteen miles away. I think such loose description should be avoided, or we
may for ever despair of seeing the insect fauna of Great Britain correctly mapped
out. Argynnis Aglaia, 'EuTpTirosyne, Selene; Vanessa urticce, exceedingly abundant
this year, polgchloros, lo, very abundant this year; Pyrameis Atalanta, abundant,
cardui; Apatura Iris (one) ; Melanargia Galathea (one) ; Satyrus Semele, not
common ; Epinephele Janira, Tithonus, abundant, Hyperanthus ; Ccenonympha
Famphilus, abundant; Lyccena Mgon, Icarus, abundant, Corydon; CoUas ISdusa
(one); Rhodocera rhamni ; Fapilio Ilachaon ; Anthocharis cardamines ; Fieris
napi, rapes, exceedingly abundant, hrassicce, exceedingly abundant ; Hesperia malvce,
Sylvanus. — Albert H. Waters, Mill Koad, Cambridge : October 8th, 1883.
] 32 [November,
NOTES ON BRITISH TORTRICES.
BT CHAS. G. BAREETT.
{Continued from Vol. xix, puffe 136).
TorfrLv icterana. — Larva three-quarters of an ineli in length ;
cylindrical, active. Colour smoky-black, with the spots pure v^'hite,
large, and prominent ; head and both plates jet black, collar of second
segment white. These larvse were sent by Mr. Dunsm ore, formerly of
Paisley, and fed on Gentaurea nigra, in the middle of June, emerging
in July.
The larva of paleana, Hb. (flavana, H.) — of which, icterana,
Frol., is made by "Wocke a variety — is said by Zeller to be " dull black,
with the incisions of the segments palev, with deep Hack raised dotsy
Tortrix vihiirnana, Schiff. — Larva cylindrical, extremely active.
"When young, pale gi'ey or dark olive-green, changing to pale olive-
green or greenish-black, and having a paler or yellowish line above the
lege. Spots distinct, white, with white hairs ; head light brown with
two triangular black spots behind ; dorsal plate very pale brown, edged
at the sides with black, and with a triangle of black dots in the middle ;
anal plate pale brown edged with black. Feeding at the end of May
and early in June on Vaccinium viyrtillus. Erica cinerea, and other
plants on heaths. Pupa black, in a white silken cocoon loosely made
made among heath-twigs.
Wilkinson desci'ibes the larva as " tvliite, with black spots" —
a remarkable looking larva apparently ! ! Zeller's description agrees
very nearly with mine. He gives as food-plants^ " Viburnum, Vacci-
nium, Andro7neda, and Ledum palust re."
Tortrix viridana, L. — Larva not very active, plump, and tapering
behind. Colour, pale green, or pea-green, with the spots distinct and
black ; head and legs shining black ; dorsal plate green or grey, with a
white collar and black dots behind ; anal plate green or pale yellowish.
A far too well known larva, feeding generally on oak, but sometimes
on maple, rolling the leaves into cylinders ; Hofmann says also on
sallow and So7-bus, and that there is a brown spot on the eighth
segment. This is not always visible.
Tortrix Forsterana, Fab.^ — Young larvfe were found on January
15th feeding between united leaves of ivy {Hedera helix), gnawing
away the surfaces of both leaves, but leaving the external skin un-
touched, apparently indifferent to severe frost, from which they were
1883.] 133
doubtless protected by a habitation o£ white silk between the leaves.
These young larvae were o£ a dull yellowish-green, greyer on the back,
with a visible, internal, broad, green dorsal vessel, interrupted between
the segments ; spots of the body-colour, but shining, and having dis-
tinct hairs ; head black, with light brown jaws ; dorsal plate blackish-
brown ; anal plate hardly visible, yellowish ; anal prologs extended,
yellowish.
In June, full-grown, and nearly one inch loug, plump, not very
active, nearly cylindrical, dirty pale green, greyer on the back, spots
shining green, indistinct — or, dull whitish, with the whole dorsal
region slate-grey, and the spots whitish. Head black, with the eyes
brown ; dorsal plate pale yellowish-brown with two large black spots
near the posterior corners ; anal plate yellowish or grey, with two black
spots. Feeding on many plants, generally those with firm thick leaves.
Pupa blackish, in a rolled leaf. Zeller's description of the larva is
very brief, but agrees with the above as far as it goes.
Tortrix heparann, Schiff. — Larva cylindrical, active, bright pea-
green, with slightly darker dorsal line, and sometimes bluish-green
sub-dorsal lines ; under-parts pale green ; spots invisible; head variable,
pale green, pale yellowish, or very light brown, and when full-fed,
dotted behind with black, plates green ; the dorsal having two black
dots behind. In June, on elm, sallow, blackthorn, dewberry, &c.,
drawing leaves together. Pupa blackish, in the larval habitation.
Zeller says of this larva : " light green, tinged on the back with
darker or lighter grey, with dirty lohite raised dots. Pupa slender,
brown, black in front."
Tortrix riheana, H. — ^Toung larva active, slender, cylindrical, pale
green, or pale yellow, with broad, dark green, internal dorsal vessel ;
head yellowish-brown, with four wedge-shaped black spots on the
hinder edge ; dorsal plate yellow, with a broad, black, hind margin ;
anal plate yellow, feet black. When older, pale green, with straight,
deep green, dorsal line, and the divisions of the segments very pale ;
sides paler green ; spots shining ; head very light green, with the
wedge-shaped spots smaller, but some additional spots laterally of
a dark brown ; plates green. When full-grown the head seems to lose
the spots and become green. This variable larva has been repeatedly
described, and Zeller mentions small black spots. In feeds in June on
all sorts of trees, and becomes a brown pupa in the rolled or drawn-
togrether leaf.
134 [November
Tortrix sorhiana, H. — I have repeatedly attempted to rear a larva
which, from its large size, must be that of sorhiana, but with the in-
variable result of obtaining a bunch of ichneumon cocoons. This larva
measures one and one-third inch, and is very active and stout — thickest
in the middle — with swollen segments. Colour, dark olive-green,
tinged on the back with smoky-blacli, spots white with white hairs;
head flattened, black ; dorsal plate light olive-brown, spotted with
blackish, and divided down the middle, and having a white collar ; anal
plate greenish ; feet black. EoUing up leaves of oak in the first half
of June.
Zeller says : " dark grey or bluish-grey, with white dots, head
glossy black, neck brown, pupa black-brown."
Tortrix cosfana, Sch. — Larva not very active, cylindrical, but
rather tapering at both extremities, dorsal region of a dark, smoky,
olive-green colour, below the spiracles greenish-white, spots distinct,
whitish, with short hairs ; head and dorsal plate black ; anal plate
greenish-grey. This larva was found on a Gentaurea in the garden,
but it is also found, not commonly, in the neighbouring marshes in
June.
The pupa is blackish, enclosed in a white loose cocoon.
This larva (evidently, when younger) is described by Moritz as
grass-green, with darker internal dorsal vessel ; head yellow-brown,
dotted with darker brown ; dorsal plate with a brown spot on each side.
Tortrix Podana, Scop. — Toung larva active, cylindrical, pale yel-
lowish ; head and plates black ; anal plate very small. Full-grown
larva nine or ten lines in length, stout, but rather attenuated at anal
extremity, yellowish-green with a tinge of pea-green on the hinder
part of each segment, spots invisible, hairs rather long ; head shining
brown, Avith darker jaws ; dorsal plate black, with a white collar ; anal
plate green. April to June.
According to Tischer, it is " glossy gi'een-grey, with raised spots
of the same colour, having black central dots ; head and anterior feet
black, and a little black shield above the anal feet ; doi-sal plate black-
brown, suffused with ^^ale brown in front."
Wilkinson's description differs from both the above in part, and
in part agrees with both, demonstrating the variability of the species.
Tischer says that the pupa is brown, with beautiful grass-green
wing-sheaths. This I have not observed.
Tortrix xylosteana, L. — AVhcn young the larva is slender, and
1S83.] • 135
slightly flatbened, witli segments deeply divided ; it is rather pugna-
ceous, discharging a reddish fluid from the mouth, with a threatening
action when touched. Colour pale slate-colour, with black spots on
the 3rd and -ith segments, and faintly whitish spots on the segments
behind these. When full grown, it is plump, tapering to each extre-
mity, of a whitish-grey ; sometimes tinged with bluish-greeu, head and
plates shining black ; the dorsal plate with a white collar, and some-
times edged with white behind ; legs black, claspers pale greenish,
dotted with black. Rolling up leaves of oak, elm, and other trees.
June.
Pupa dark brown, in the rolled leaves.
Zeller says of the larva : " blue-grey above, with four pale spots
on each segment, pale grey beneath, head, dorsal and anal plates black."
Pembroke : l^Jth August, 1883.
DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES OP BEITISH ACULEATE
SYMENOPTERA.
BT EDWAKD SAUNDERS, F.L.S.
The two species which I am about to describe, viz., Pompilus
unguicularis, Thoms., and Tacliytes lativalvis, Thorns., will probably be
found to exist in many localities when looked for, as they bear such a
close general resemblance to other allied species, that they have pro-
bably been hitherto confounded with them in this country. In
Pompilus especially, the general resemblance which the small red-
bodied species bear to one another is most perplexing, and yet the
structural characters will be found to be well defined, and can be
relied on with safety when once realized. The following short de-
scription will give the chief characteristics of the new species.
PoMPiLUS UNGUicuLAKis, Thoms., Opusc. Eut., p. 221 ; Ilym. Scaud.,
iii, p. 19i.
Like all the otlier small red-bodied species in colour ; metathorax not pilose ;
prothorax sharply and angulately emarginate posteriorly ; third submarginal cell
sub-triangular ; anterior tarsi with long spines in the $ , posterior tibiae simple in
the $ ; ventral segments in the $ not longitudinally impressed, apical dorsal valve of
the $ finely pilose, clypeus in the $ with its anterior margin somewhat thickened,
and with a row of stiff bristles above it ; apical ventral valve in the $ flat, with a
distinct central carina widening towai-ds the base, and destitute of a pendant spine
or spine-like apical hairs. The spines between the claws of the tarsi in the ^ are
very long and curved, considerably passing the apex of the pulvillus, posterior-wings
with the cubital furcaturc situated some distance beyond the apex of the anal coll.
136 [November,
Hah. : Hayling Island, Deal, Chobham.
Sir Sidney Saunders possesses a ? without note o£ locality. In
the long unguicular spines the ? of this species resembles chalyheatus,
but the finely pilose dorsal valve of the 6th abdominal segment, the
row of many bristles above the margin of the clypeus, and the position
of the cubital f urcature of the hind-wing will distinguish it at once.
Tachttes lativalyis. Thorns., Opusc. Eut., p. 242.
(J . Black, punctured, abdomen with the base red, face densely clothed with
brilliant golden pubescence.
This species, of which I have only at present seen the $ , is very closely allied
to our common species, peciinipes, but may be distinguished in the <? by having the
eyes more closely approximating on the vertex, by having the face, right up to the
ocelli, densely clothed with bright, almost orange-gold pubescence, the meso-thorax
more strongly punctured, and more or less clothed at the sides with very short
golden hairs, and the anterior femora and tibiae pale in front. It is also a rather
larger insect than pectinipes. Thomson says that the "^ may be easily known by the
much broader dorsal valve of the 6th abdominal segment, which is hardly one-half
longer than the width of its base, and by the unequal claws of the anterior-legs.
Hah. : Sandhills, Deal : August, 1882.
Lloyd's, E.G. : September, 1883.
ON HYPONOMEUTA RORELLUS, A GREaARIOUS "ERMINE"
WHICH FREQUENTS THE COMMON WILLOW (.SALIX ALBA).
BY n. T. 8TAINT0N, F.R.S.
This insect, which, in the perfect state, might readily be mistaken
for the common H. padeJIus of our hawthorn-hedges, is distinguished
at once in the larva state by its food : Salix alba (the common willow).
Its general distribution throughout Germany had long been known
to me, but of late my attention has been drawn to its occurrence in
various localities in Holland. The geographical position of the Low
Countries, our nearest neighbour on the eastern coast, between the
latitudes of London and Hull, seems to render it extremely probable
that any Micros, which are widely scattered about Holland, should
also occur with us.
In June, 1829, Heer Ver-Huell noticed that many of the willow-
trees near Rotterdam were disfigured by a great many webs of some
small gregarious larvae ; these larvae were full-fed early in July, and
the moths began to appear on the 23rd of that month. This notice
by Ver-Huell appears in the 5th volume of Sepp's work, p. 124.
In the 1st volume of the " Bouwstoffen voor eene Fauna van
1S83.] 137
Nederland,"p. 123, is a"Bijdrage tot de Soortkenuis derHyponomeutse,"
by H. W. De Graaf, here, at p. 132, the autlior mentions that he had
in that year (1852) found the nests of the larvae of H. rorellus on
many willow-trees in the neighbourhood of Woerden during the month
of June, when the larvse were nearly full-grown.
In the third volume of the " Bouwstoffen," p. 221 (the article
appeared in 1864), De Graaf informs us that in 1853, when riding along
the road by Grouda, near Eotterdam, he noticed that the willow-trees
along the road-side had many of the webs of these larvae on them ; he
afterwards also noticed them near Ley den. He mentions as other
localities where the insect had been observed, Amsterdam, and Gron-
tum, in Friesland.
P. C. T. Sjielleu's great work on the Micro-Lepidoptera of the
Netherlands (De Vlinders van Nederland, Microlepidoptera, 8vo,
pp. 1196) appeared last year, and we there, p. 508, find mentioned
two additional localities : the late van Medenbach de Eooy having ob-
served the insect in Glelderland, and van den Brandt had met with
it at Venlo, in Limburg,
A point of interest in the habits of the insect is at present not
clear, and it would be very desirable to ascertain which of the obser-
vations recorded is the correct one.
Zeller, in the Isis, 1844, p. 219, says that the cocoon of the pupa
is slight and transparent, like that of variabilis (our padella), but Ver-
Huell says that the larvae make no separate cocoons, and De Graaf
says even more distinctly that the pupae hang naked in the main larval
web ; if so, it would show an affinity in habit to Scyihropia cratcegella,
but I confess I should like to have further precise information on this
subject.
There are, no doubt, many entomologists amongst us, who, though
probably indifferent as to adding a species to their collections, would
still find a pleasure in proving the erroneous nature of some observa-
tion recorded by a previous writer, and here they are certain to have
that pleasure, as the pupa cannot both be naked and enclosed in a
slight cocoon, so that there must be error somewhere.
As noticed at the commencement of this article, the perfect
insect can hardly be distinguished fi'om many forms of H. padellus,
though the more distinctly white costa on the under-side of the
anterior-wings is indicated as a good character.
Mountsfleld, Lewisliam :
Auffust 17th, 1883.
238 [Novemljer,.
A NEW PEYLLODES FROM CEYLON.
BY ARTHUR G. BUTLER, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.
In a collection of Lepiclopiern, from which a selection was recently
. purchased for the Museum, I found a single example of the inter-
esting genus Phyllodes, which, undoubtedly, is distinct from its
nearest congener P. consohrina, of Silhet ; the differences are as
follows : —
Phyllodes maligera, sp. n.
Primaries of a uniform pale olive-brown, the areas which arc shining slaty-grey
in P. consohrina being sub-opaline and sericeous, but not distinctly grey ; the sig-
moidal marking (on the discoccllulars of primaries) less angulated and broader at
its inferior extremity, so as more nearly to approach that of P. rosdyera ; second-
aries with the rose-red patch longer than broad, instead of broader than long, the
■white spots slightly smaller than in P. consohrina. Expanse of wings, 132 mm.
Ceylon (TJnvaites).
The smallest examples of P. consohrina measure about 140 mm.
in expanse : this Ceylon species will stand between it and P. roscigcra.
The pupa, also in the collection, is 44 mm. in length, cylindrical,
"with the head slightly prominent, and the caudal extremity longitu-
dinally corrugated ; the colouring is dull metallic-bronze, partly en-
circled behind the thorax and above the wing-coverings (on the dorsal
surface), and entirely encircled beyond the wing-coverings, by shining
metallic-bronze hoops ; in front of these shining zones the segments
are spotted with patches of impressed rounded black spots ; the head,
thorax, leg-, and wing-coverings are rugose, the last-mentioned being
most finely so, and the leg-coverings most coarsely ; the back of the
abdominal segments, when drawn out, is smooth and reddish imme-
diately behind the metallic zones ; the tail is hooked into a small web
of sandy-testaceous silk.
The chrysalis of this species is one of the most singularly beauti-
ful, and almost artificial-looking, pupa) that I have seen.
British Museum : Octoher, 1883.
ON THREE NEW SPECIES OF JAPAN EROTYLIDJE, AND NOTES
OF OTHERS.
BY GEORGE LEWIS, F.L.S.
Encaustes pr^nobtlis, n. sp.
Ni(/ra, nifida, thorace supra riifa, mnrgine viaculisqiie decern nigris.
ETytris subtiliter 2^'*^^(^i(^^o-sfriaiis, interstitiis tenuissime alutaceis,
1883.] 139
maculi 2^arva humerali, singulis cum fasciis transversis suhapicalihus
rvfis. Long. 16 — 36 mill.
Blact, shining; head coarsely and rather unevenly punctured, with a smooth
irregular disc between the eyes ; thorax with lateral margins raised, and so con-
tinuing round both angles, and then gradually smoothing down in the medial region,
punctured like the head at the sides, but on the disc the punctures become almost
obsolete ; above red, with the margin and ten spots black, three basal, three frontal,
and two lateral confluent with margin, two discoidal and isolated. Elytra finely
punctate-striate, interstices very finely wrinkled, humeral angle raised and red, the
8ub-apical fascia is small, with an outer and sutural margin of equal breadth, black.
The abdomen is sparingly punctured. The <J has a tooth or process on the anterior
margin of the fore- tibia.
The red markings of the elytra are almost identical with those in
cruentata, Macleay, while the spots on the thorax are less confluent,
and the thoracic margins more sinuate and raised.
This species is fairly common in all the islands where there are
beeches in the forests, and they are to be seen in warm weather
crawling on large Bolefi, often twenty feet overhead. Out of forty
examples the most measure 27 to 31 mill., extreme sizes being as
given above.
MeGALODACNE BELLU]>A, 11. sp.
Nigra, nitidissima, eapite tlwraceciue sparse, elytris seriatim, punc-
tatis ; interstifiis olsoletissime punctulatis ; transversim hifasciatis, an-
nulo humerali integro, interne ramoso. Long. 13 — 16 mill.
Black, shining; head and thorax with scattered punctures. On the head two
punctures are large at the base, and small and even on the forehead. The canthus
of the eye is well marked above. Ihe thorax has a large cluster of punctures
formed in a fovea at the base, and then extending in a broken way to a second cluster
in a depression behind the eye. The lateral margin is elevated and rather thick.
Elytra punctate-striate, with a humeral fascia i^steriorly tridentate, and a black
spot quite isolated in its centre. The fascia nearly touches the base of the elytra
for about two-thirds of its breadth ; on the outer edge the elytral emargination is
black. At the suture, it leaves a black margin equal to about the breadth of two
etrise and two interstices. The sub-apical fascia has anteriorly two obscure outer
denticulations, then three well-marked, and posteriorly three distinct.
The i is distinguished by dilated tarsi, and two arch-shaped depressions on the
last scgmen of the abdomen, with the space between them raised.
I sent specimens to Herr E. Reitter, who informs me this is not
Vx^ jlavosignatus from Siberia. I obtained plenty of examples in the
elevated beech- forests of all the islands in May and June.
140 [Nuveinlier,
Episcapha perforata, n. sp.
Nigra, sat nitida, capite iJioraceque fortius punctatis, scutello ro-
tundato, Icevi. Elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis suh rugoso-
punctatis, fasciis E. Fortunei simillimis. Long. 6 — 7 mill.
Black, rather shiuing, head and thorax very strongly and evenly punctured, the
latter with a smooth transverse space before the scutellum ; scutellum round and
smooth, elytra punctate-striate, with punctures in rows down the interstices, the
whole surface of which appears finely rugose, but under the microscope this rugosity
is seen to be owing to exceedingly fine punctures.
This species is near cordata, Gorham, and its small size, aud round
scutellum, separate it from any other Japan species. I obtained only
two examples : Oyayama and Tuyama, in Higo, are the localities.
Episcapha taisJioensis, Lewis. — In addition to the characters
given before, a longer series enables me to distinguish it from Qorhami,
its nearest ally, by the broader and more transverse head, and by a
remarkable angulated projection in the canthus of the eye behind the
antennae, which is seen easily from above. I obtained it in South
Tezo,
Episcapha Qorhami, Lewis, is exceedingly abundant in all the
forests.
Episcapha Fortnnei, Crotch, is local, and attached to the fungi
growing solely on iir ; all the other species avoid conifers, aud occur
on deciduous trees.
Episcapha hamata, Lewis, I did not meet with ; the type was
taken by Mr. Maries, and is still unique in my collection. This and
and the preceding are pubescent.
39, High Street, Wimbledon :
September 25th, 1883.
Variety of Mepialus hectus. — I have met with a lovely variety of hectus here
this season. The under-wings have, on each of the marginal spaces between the veins,
a broad streak of gold, nearly the whole width of the space, softened into the ground-
colour at the edges. The upper-wing has much more of the gold markings than
usual, and altogether it is a very brilliant form. There seems to be a variety of the
female to correspond ; it has the upper-wings barred with rather ill-defined silvery
fasciae, giving it a very different appearance from the ordinary form. It is certainly
rare, and apparently very restricted in locality. Telleda is rather abundant here,
also some forms of it very similar to those from Shetland. — J. Sang, 181, Homing-
low Street, Burton-on-Trent : October \Wi, 1883.
1883.] 141
Crambus ramosellus : change of nomenclature. — The name ramoselliis, applied
by Zeller in his Monograph to a species of Crambus from Sicily, cannot stand, as
there is another Crambus ramosellus, from New Zealand, described by Doubleday
some twenty years previously. Both species are truly referable to Crambus ; and as
Zeller's Sicilian species has not, so far as I am aware, been described under any other
name, it becomes necessary to rename it. I called the attention of Prof. Zeller to
the case in a letter written to him shortly before his death, being desirous that ho
should himself make the requisite alteration, but he had not replied to me, nor am I
aware that he had suggested any name. I therefore propose the name of Cr.
epineurus for the Sicilian species. — E. Meyeick, Ramsbury, Hungerford : October
6th, 1883.
Panorpa germanica, var. borealis {Leach), Steph. — Towards the end of last
July I captured at Tongue, Sutherlandshire, examples of a Panorpa, which differed
from anything with which I was acquainted. They are, on an average, smaller than
P. germanica, and the wings are without dark spots, save that in the females there
is sometimes a small pterostigmatic spot, and a few minute dark dots. I submitted
specimens to Mr. McLachlan, who informed me that it was described as P. borealis,
by Stephens, and that, in his opinion, it was a variety of P. germanica, L. It is in-
teresting to note that the type-form of P. germanica does not occur in the district,
nor does any other species of the genus, so far as I could discover by diligent search
during nine weeks' sojourn.
If any Neuropterist requires specimens, I will be happy to supply him with
them.— J. J. King, 207, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow : October 8th, 1883.
[P. borealis was described by Stephens in the "Illustrations," Mandibulata, vi,
p. 53 (1835). With regard to the wings, he says, " hyaline, with the nervurcs and a
spot on the costa towards the apex brownish," adding, " this may probably be a
Tariety of the preceding species (apicalis). Found in the neighbourhood of Edin-
burgh." In Curtis' " British Entomology," pi. 696 (dated 1838), we find "borealis,
Leach., MSS. ; wings hyaline, stigma and nervures fuscous. In the British Miiseum :
it was found by Dr. Leach, near Edinburgh." Stephens does not allude to Leach.,
but there can be no doubt that both notices refer to the same insect. The locality
given, viz., " near Edinburgh," may, or may not, be precise ; half a century ago
entomologists did not attach so much importance to these matters as they now do.
It appears to me impossible to discover any structural differences between
" borealis " and the ordinary form of germanica (and in Panorpa, structural cha-
racters ai-e of primary value). But Mr. King's observations are of real importance,
because they prove that at a point on the extreme north of the mainland of
Scotland, this form " borealis " alone occurs, and I believe he found nearly 100
specimens of it. The form is well worthy of retaining its name, as a variety.
Presumably it is the same form that Wallengren (Skand. Neuropt., p. 71) indicates
as var. A of germanica, with the remark, " Vingarne nastan utan alia flackar."
P. apicalis, Steph. (referred to above), is a form oi germanica, in which the
markings of the wings are absent, excepting an apical dark border ; this is found
(rarely) with the typical form, irrespective of locality. — R. McLachlan.]
X42 [Xovcmber,
Elipsocus cyanoj)s, Rostock, in Scotland. — On June 26tli, 1880, I took a few
specimens of tliis species at Kilraun. — Id.
Occurrence of CcecUius piceus, Kolbe, in Britain. — On the 25th July, 1881, I
had a day's collecting at Box Hill, on which occasion I captured three examples of
a CcBciliu.^, which proves to belong to the above-named species, described by Herr
Kolbe in 1882.— Id.
[Mr. King kindly presented one of these specimens to me ; the identification of
the species has been confirmed by Herr Kolbe. It belongs to the difllcult " obsoletus
group " {cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., xix, p. 183), and is to be separated from the (apparently)
three or four other species of the group known as British, by its dark colour, com-
bined with some structural cliaracters to which Kolbe directs attention. The
original examples were from Saxony ; I believe it also occurs in Finland. — R.
McLachlan.]
Occurrence of (Ecetis furva, Ramb., and other Trichoptera in Co. Monaghan,
Ireland. — I recently received from Miss A. B. Freeland, of Uddingston, a number
of Trichoptera collected in the neighbourhood of Glasslough, Co. Monaghan,
Ireland, during July last. Amongst these are three <? examples of (Ecetis furva,
Kamb., an insect that has as yet been rarely taken in these islands, the only recorded
localities, so far as I know, being Norfolk, near London, and the English Lake
district.
As the locality is somewhat out of the way, it may be well to mention the other
species included in the collection. These are : Phryanea striata, L. (?, the single
specimen is mutilated), P. obsoleta, McL., Limnophilus marmoratns, Curt., Lepto-
cerus aterrimns, Steph., i. cinereus, Curt., Mystacides lonyicornis, L., Polycentropus
Jlavomaculatus, Pict., P. miiltigidtatus, Curt., Holocentropus picicornis, Steph.,
Cyrnus trimaculatiis, Curt., l£cnomus tenellus, Bamb., Tinodes WcBneri, L., and
Lype phcEopa, Steph. — Kennetu J. Mokton, Carluke, N. B. : October \st, 1883.
Captures of Coleoptera near Pitlochry, Perthshire. — Having collected beetles
from the beginning of April to the end of August, within a radius of five miles of
Pitlochry, I send you a list of the rarer species I took. The majority of the species
were named by the Rev. W. W. Fowler, M.A. Bembidium stomoides, one under a
stone by river-side ; Hydroporus celatus, in a small loch, hot sunshine, monticola,
small loch, congener, curling pond, arcticus, not uncommon, nifidus, small loch ;
Spheerites glabratus, three, one flying, one under a dead i-abbit, one on a broken
birch ; Tachinus pallipes, sheep's droppings, elongatus, sheep's droppings ; Myceto-
porus lucidus, in iwngxxs, punctus, in moss ; Quedius leevigatus, dead bird ; Philon-
thus succicola, dead birds, &c., scutatus, dead birds, &c. ; Xantholinus ochraceus,
under bark of decaying Scotch fir; Geodromictis nigrita ; Anthobium sorbi, in
flowers ; Trichopteryx seminitens, sheep's droppings, volatis, dry refuse in farm-
yard ; Omosita depressa, dead animals ; Ips quadripustulatus, under bark of
Scotch fir 5 Corymbites imp7-esst(s, on Scotch fir; Telephorns obscurus,hy hc&iiug;
1883.] 143
(Edemera livida, three, by s'weeping ; Rhinomacer attelahoides, by beating various
trees, only three ; OtiorrTiynchus septentrionis, beat from birch, mauriis, one, under
a stone ; Erirrhinus cEthiops, river-side, after a spate ; Trypodendron Uneatum.
— Alfred Beaumont, Low Valleyfield House, Culross, N.B. : October 15tk, 1883,
Some garden-visitors in 1883. — Having been lept witliin doors from the middle
of May until the end of June, I am unable to say what sort of insect aristocracy or
rabble visited the garden during that period ; but on the evening of the 6th July,
and for a week after that, there were a great many Plusia gamma flying about, and
these may have been the remnants of a large invasion or migration, respecting which
our friend Barrett is curious (p. 21, ante), but this is information of a character too
restricted to aid his hypothetic research.
On the 6th July I also saw at one time two Vanessa cardui, a butterfly rarely
visiting our garden. These " painted ladies " were surely belles of last year ; their
paint was nearly all worn off, yet in their faded charms they were as lively as if
they had just come out in their first season, and they made such a vigorous attack
on tlie old-fashioned, modest Sweet Williams, that these blushed a deeper red, — at
i least I might well believe they ought to have done so. Not in the least abashed,
these belles dames sans merci then gaily departed on their tour of flirtation.
On the 10th July a Macroglossa stellatarum came suddenly, and paid frantic
attention to the geraniums standing close to my chair, giving me good opportunity
to see that it was a female newly disclosed, in splendid plumage. This is an
insect that I have never seen here before, nor, indeed, have I since had such a beatific
vision. To plagiarize Wordsworth : —
" She was a phantom of delight,
When first she gleamed uijon my sight ;
A lovely apparition, sent
To be a moment's ornament :
A dancing shape, an image gay,
To haunt, to startle, and waylay."
I was but an accidental spectator of the elfin evolutions ; none the less was I
delighted with the flying visit of a representative of one of the earliest illustrators
to me of the poetry of insect-life.
On June 30th a male Lucanus cervus swung himself with leisurely flight into
the garden, sailed about majestically for some time, and received my congratulations.
I had feared, in consequence of not seeing any of his family last year, that the race
had become extinct in these parts, by the destruction of trees which continually
goes on to make room for builders' " improvements," and so I was happy to find
that I had yet one old friend on visiting terms, although he was in the guise of
" such small deer."
Speaking generally, all kinds of insects — that is, the ordinaiy habitues — have
been scarcer than usual. Abraxas grossulariata has been a failure, only two or
three individuals having been seen, instead of the multitude generally apparent.
ITematus ribesii has been very rare. The Aphides on the roses were at one time
tolerably common, but not harmful. Schizoneura lanigera just visible here and
there, biit not persistent. Lecanittm ribis ordinarily common on the red currant
144 [November, 1883.
(Biles rubrum), I observed for the fira£ time on the gooseberry bushes (iZ.
grossularia). Rhizotrogus solstitialis kept its time at ihe eud of June, but only
in small number. A Thrips, wliich I take to be Phloeoihrips ulmi. Fab., abounded
as larvae, from September last all through the winter, under the bark of large bvanclies
of Acacia cut off four years ago ; from the 20th to 30th June most of them had
become perfected, some, however, then still remained larvfe. — J. W. Doitglas, 8,
Beaufort Gardens, Lewisham : 2)id August, 1883.
©biiuarn.
Professor Oswald Ueer died at Lausanne, on the 27th September, in his
75th year. He was born at Nieder Uzwyl, Grlarus, Switzerland, August 31st, 1809.
Intended by his family for the church, his predilection for natural history studies
induced him to abandon that idea, and, at a comparatively early age, he became
Professor of Botany and Natural History at the Polytechnic University of Zurich,
to which institution he remained attached up to his death. Heer's early reputation
was made as an entomologist, and from 1834 forwards, he published many works and
papers on entomology, chiefly on Swiss insects, and more especially on Coleoptera,
most of which treated exhaustively on the vertical distribution of species in the
Alps. Possibly he is best known (as an entomologist) in this country by his mono-
graphic work on the Beetles of Switzerland, which appeared in 1838 — 41. In this
work he did for tlie Coleoptera of that country what Frey has more recently done
for the Lepidoptera, but, of course, lapse of time has rendered Heer's labours out of
date, as compared with Frey's. This monograph appeared in two forms, but that
which is best known was styled, " Fauna Coleopterorum helvetica," and extended to
over 600 pages.
Latterly, Heer's earlier labours, as an entomologist, have, to some extent, been
forgotten, eclipsed by his later devotion to palaeontology, of which the first evidence
appeared so long ago as 1847, when was published tlie first part of his memoir on
the fossil-insects of the celebrated tertiary formation at CEningen. It is not neces-
sary for us to detail his palreontologicdl works ; suffice it to say that he had long
been regarded as the first authority on fossil insects and plants of the tertiary epoch
in Europe.
Sometime about 1850, Heer fell into bad health, and visited Madeira and the
Canaries. We believe we are correct in stating that his malady developed itself to
such an extent as to soon render him a confirmed invalid, incapable of self-locomo-
tion, but his intellect developed to such a degree tliat all his best palaeontological
and professional work was carried on while he laboured under the greatest physical
disadvantages. His labours received due acknowledgment in this country. In 1871,
lie was elected one of the fifty Foreign Members of tlie Liunean Society, and in
1877 he was awarded one of the Koyal Medals by the Royal Society.
December, 1883.] 145
SOME FURTHEE OBSEEYATIONS ON THE PARTHENOGENESIS OF
ZARMA FASCIATA, AND ON THE EMBRYOLOaY OF THAT
SPECIES AND OF SU3IIA CRATJEaATA.
BT J. A. OSBOENE, M.D.
During the past summer I have coutiiiued my observations on
Zar(sa fasciata, and confirmed most of those of which an account was
given in this Magazine, in the number for Oct., 1882 (p. 92). Before
passing to points of fresher interest, I wish first to mention some facts
newly noticed, which modify or extend particular statements in my
last paper. And to take them in the order in which they there occur,
I have to say, in the first place, that the colour of the cocoon is in-
fluenced by the food. The " dark brown (resinous-looking) cocoons "
are made by larvae fed on snowberry leaves alone ; whilst those whose
sole or chief diet is honeysuckle make cocoons mvich lighter in colour,
pale dirty greenish, which, though they look slighter seem to be not
less efiicient than the others. When comparing the great difference
in size of the full-fed larvae to that of the larvae of Nematiis rlhesii,
my supposition at the time was, that the smaller larvae might yield
male flies next season. This supposition did not prove correct. I
have noticed differences of size in the ratio of about 2 : 1 in the fresh-
laid eggs, in the newly -hatched larvae and larvae full-grown, and in the
flies themselves, without any difference of sex. The peculiar bands
connecting the saw with its back were the subject of some corres-
pondence with a gentleman in Eton, and I think it right now to state
that I have not since been able to procure any separation of the saw
from its back or sheath, without at the same time bringing away these
processes, in the form of little tufts or brushes adherent to the latter.
Their connection with the saw itself appears to be extremely slight,
and their nature and use I cannot conjecture.
Besides steadying the leaf with the apical spines of the posterior
tibiae when about to insert its ovipositor, the fly further makes use of
the hinder angles of the valves (with which it subsequently pinches
and closes the orifice), to hold the leaf firm at the very point where
the extremity of the saw is to be first introduced. The mine is mostly
beneath the upper surface, but instances are not infrequent in. which
it is found immediately under the lower cuticle.
Last year I was not able to say positively in which end of the egg
the head of the embryo develops. As the result of numerous
observations I am now in a position to state, that the head of the
embryo is found in the upper and the lower pole of the egg with about
14G [December,
equal frequency. Often we meet with two eggs lying together, evidently
laid by the same fly with the same orientation, in which the heads of
the embryos lie in opposite directions. This is in direct contradiction
to the dictum of Leuckart : " Der obere Pol des Eies beherbergt in
alien Fallen das Kopfende des Thieres " (Ueber die Micropile, &c.,
Mullers Archiv., 1855, p. 102) . Ea,re exceptions to the rule occur also,
as I have already shown, in the eggs of Gastrophysa raphani. The
position of the dorsum and venter of the embryo, as pointed out in
my former paper, is itself abnormal in these eggs ; development com-
mencing on what should be (according to Herold, &c.), the ''dorsal"
side of the egg, and the dorsum of the embryo facing, and lying along
the " ventral " side of the egg, if the orientation of the latter is
determined with reference to the parent fly. To this regular
abnormality in Zarcea I have, however, in last summer's observations,
seen 3 — or at any rate 2 — decided exceptions, in which the dorsum and
venter of the embryo occupied the reverse positions in the egg. The
bilateral symmetry of this egg is so decided that it is not easy to make
any mistake. In one instance I found an egg in the mine, not lying
on its side as usual, with its transverse, shortest, diameter, but with its
dorso-ventral axis, vertical to the plane of the leaf, and therefore
causing much more distension of the mine, but without any other |
irregularity. A more striking irregularity I shall perhaps best
describe in the words of the note made at the time : "June 3rd, I have
just opened a marked mine of Zarcea in which I suspect something
unusual in the position of the embryo. It appeared to be curved round
the inner convex side of the egg, with the head and tail meeting or
approximating on the marginal or straight side. And so it is ; but the
incurvation of head and tail is dorsal, the venter of the embryo lying
along the inner convex side of the egg. The embryo appears to be
dead. I have taken it quite out of the mine, and the position of the
mandibles and of the thoracic legs leaves no doubt concerning its very
unusual position." Unless this position of the embryo can be explained
as an exaggeration of what is sometimes met with in a minor degree,
viz., a sort of spiral twisting of the larva upon its axis, it would
indicate a mode of development the reverse of what was observed in
all other cases, in which the doubled-up position of the embryo in the
egg is brought about by the veiitral incurvature and growth forwards
{i.e., towards the head) of the posterior extremity. In this connection
I may mention that, having obtained some eggs of Bumia cratcegata
(114 from one moth) in June last, I took special notice of the devel-
opment of the embryo with reference to this point, and to the theory
188-1 J 147
of Kowalevski mentioned in my former communication. The earliest
eggs were laid on or about the 15th June. On the 28th, I noticed the
first appearance of the eye-spots, and the first hatching took place on
2nd July. My note on 30th June runs as follows : " The eyespota
from their earliest appearance occupy the same position relatively to
the sharp end of the polar oval as they do in these advanced embryos
(and which is their position up till hatching) : consequently the aspect
and orientation of the dorsal and ventral surfaces is constantly the
same." That is, unless the embryo makes, more than four days before
hatching, that revolution in the shell, asserted by Kowalevski for the
Lepidopterous embryo in general, and which would necessarily bring its
head from the one side of the shell to the other. The presumption,
then, would be that the embryo of B. cratcegata gets into the loop-
form by such a ventral incurvature and forward growth of the tail-end
as we have seen already in ZarcBci, and as is described by Huxley in
Astacus.
Fi^om the cocoons made last year by parthenogenetic larvae (and
of which I had 26 remaining over winter), I had this year, in the
middle of April and beginning of May, three flies which were all
females, and of which the first two (excluded in April), laid eggs
abundantly, from which again I bred doubly parthenogenetic larvae, that
yielded me in June some 32 cocoons. Why I had no more than 3
flies from 26 cocoons may have been probably owing to the larvae pe-
rishing in the others from being kept in too dry and warm a situation
during winter. In Nematus rihesii the parthenogenetically-bred flies
being all males, agamic reproduction in the case of that saw-fly is
brought to a speedy termination in the second generation. The case
is, from what appears so far, very different with Zarcea, which may
possibly be capable of continuing the species agamically for an
indefinite time. This is so much the more likely as •the males of this
saw-fly appear to be very rare. I have only met with one hitherto,
excluded 8th June, out of 181 flies (and nymphs), 173 of which were
bred from larvae beaten out of snowberry in 1882. This male paii-ed
with a female much larger than itself immediately afterwards, and I
have at present a few cocoons the result of this union.
Ichneumons, apparently of two species, made their appearance as
usual, on the average a good deal later than the saw-flies, so that the
larvae of the latter might be grown enough to receive their eggs, a
Zarcea larva nourishing only one ichneumon by which it is entirely
' consumed. Besides the Hymenopterous parasites, I found also one
Dipterous cocoon, which, however, has not excluded any fly hitherto.
24S I December,
There is just one more circumstance I may mention regarding tbe
Zarcea larva, and that is, that at all stages pressure causes it to eject a
clear liquid, apparently from the spiracles or that neighbourhood, which
appears as a row of clear beads along the side of the larva, and is not,
I should say, a mechanical result of the pressure, but a voluntary re-
sentment of it.
Milford, Letterkenny, Ireland :
22«d Oct., 1883.
A PEOPOSED AERANGEMENT OF THE BRITISH JASSIDM.
BY JAMES EDWABD8.
In the Catalogue of Bi*itish Hemiptera published by the Ento-
mological Society of London, the Jassidce are divided into seven
genera. Three of these, namely, Gnathodus, Fieb., Graphocrcerus,
Thoms., and Doratura, J. Sahib., are intelligible, but the remainder
seem to be capable of some improvement in the definition of the
characters to be assigned to each, and the species to bo included
therein. So far as I can make out, most recent authors have agreed
that the genus Athysanus, Burm., is chiefly to be distinguished by the
suture of the elytra being straight throughout, not, or scarcely, over-
lapping at the apex, and the appendix to the membrane either entirely
wanting or extremely narrow ; but of the fifteen species given in the
Catalogue above quoted, only eight possess these characters, five of
the others having the elytra distinctly overlapping at the apex, and au
ample appendix to the membrane, while nervosus, Fall., pertains to
the genus Paramestis, Fieb., and canescens, D. and S., I propose to
treat as the type of a new genus of equal value with GrapliocrcBriis ,
Thoms. The more important characters of this new genus are as
follows :
GLTPTOCEFIIALUS, g. n.
Broad, parallel-sided. Head, including the eyes, wider tliaii the pronottim.
Vertex sub-angularly produced, its length down the centre rather more than twice
that of the inner margin of the eye, its disc distinctly but shallowly punctured, the
interstices very finely scratched ; just within, and running parallel to, the anterior
margin is a distinct groove, and beyond this the surface is raised, and strongly rugose,
parallel to the anterior margin. Frons extremely finely punctured, with regular
rows of coarse punctures running parallel with its upper margin, especially in its
upper part. Length of the side margin of the frons below the antenna; a trifle
shorter than the clypeus. Lorse each as wide as the clypeus. Pronotum strongly
transvci'sely rugose, except near its anterior margin, its sides very short. Elytra {i)
1883.] 149
leaving tlie apex of abdomen uncovered, not overlapping at the apex, sub-corneous
with an irregular, very shallow, punctuation, membrane with an extremely narrow
appendix. Wing-nerves as in Thamnotettlx.
My view of the geueric clistributiou of our British species may
he concisely expressed iu the following table :
J AS SID ^.
1 (22) Vertex not angular in front.
2 (9) „ impressed.
3 (8) „ sub-angularly produced.
4 (7) „ with one transverse impression.
5 (6) Impression straight, reaching from the anterior angle of one eye to that of
the other Doratura, S . ^&h\h.
6 (5) Impression parallel with the anterior margin throughout
Olyptocephalus, g. n.
7 (4) Vertex with three impressions, two (oblique) at the posterior margin, and
one (transverse) in front OraphocrcBrus,1h.oxns.
8 (3) Vertex sub-lunate, transversely rugulose in front Paramesus, Fieb.
9 (2) „ plane or slightly convex, not impressed.
10 (19) Elytra overlapping at apex.
11 (16) Outer cubital nerve well defined.
12 (15) Side margins of pronotum of moderate length, separated from prosteraum
by a sharp keel.
13 (14) Elytra with several irregularly disposed white transverse nerves...
Alli/fftis, Fieb.
14 (13) Elytra without irregularly disposed white transverse nerves ..
Thamnotettix, Zett.
15 (12) Side margins of pronotum extremely short, keel obsolete or wanting ..
Limotettix, J. Sahib.
16 (11) Outer cubital nerve obsolete or wanting.
17 (18) First wing-nerve and upper branch of the second separate at their junction
with the sub-marginal nerve Cicadula, Zett.
18 (17) First wing-nerve and upper branch of the second concurrent near the
apex, and running into the sub-marginal nerve as one nerve...
Gnathodus, Fieb.
19 (10) Elytra not overlapping at apex.
20 (21) Side margin of frons below the antenna nearly straight, as long as, or longer
than, the width of the frons between the antennae . .
Stictocoris, Thorns.
21 (20) Side margin of frons below the antennoe curved outwards, much shorter
than the width of the frons between the antennis ...Athysamis, Burra.
22 (1) Vertex angular in front.
23 (24) Frons flat, very narrow, at least three times as long as its width between
the antennae Platymetopius, Burm.
24 (23) Frons convex, not more than twice as long as its width between the
antennae Deltoeephalus, Burm.
"With regard to the genus Allygus, Fieb., it may be remarked that
the characters given in Ent. Mo. Mag., xii, p. 170, req^uii'e amendment,
150 L December.
with reference to the genitalia, because in commutatus, Fieb., the
genital plates so far from being elongate, are very short, so short in
fact as to leave the inner genital processes exposed.
The species to be included in the genera Thamnotettix, Limotettix,
and Athysanus, as defined above, will be as follows : —
Thamnotkttix : dilutior, 'Khm., prasinus,'P&\\., subfusculiis, Yall., stupidula,
Zett., striatula, Fall., cruentata, F&nz., torneella, ZQii.,splendidula,F., crocea, H.-S.,
attenuata, Germ.
Limotettix : striola, Fall., intermedia, Boh., nigricornis, J. Salilb., 4:-notaia,
Fab., virescens. Fall., frontalis, H.-S.
Athysanfs : hrevipennis, Kbm., grisescens, Zett., sordidus, Zctt., rtisi-eolus,
Fall., irroratus, Scott, piceus, Scott, obsoletus, Kbm., plebejus, Fall., obsciirellus,
Kbm., melanopsis. Hardy.
Preysshri, H.-S., belongs to a group which differs so much from
all the other species that I have thought it better to retain it in Thom-
son's genus Stictocoris, rather than to tack it on to Aihysanus. I may
shortly send a descriptive notice of T. stupidula to this Magazine.
Swiss Cottage, Rupert Street, Norwich :
9th November, 1883.
NATURAL HISTORY OF ZTO^NA EXULANS.
BY WILLIAM BUCKLER.
When Dr. F. Buchanan White, in company with Prof. J. W. H.
Traill, in July, 1871, discovered this to be a British species located on
a hill in Braemar, as related in this Magazine (vol. viii, p. 68), he
very kindly sent to the Rev. J. Hellins, and to me, some eggs at
the beginning of August following.
The larvae hatched on August the 8th, and in absence of any
knowledge of the nature of their food, were tried with heather and
other low plants, but they chose to eat only of Lotus cm'tiiculatus, and
throve on it, moulted once, and fed on again till the 8th of September,
when they fixed themselves for hibernation ; but in course of the
ensuing winter they were unfortunately attacked by mould, and
perished one after another, the latest in February, 1872 ; and I have
since learned from Mr. Hellins that his had met with a similar fate.
IS'atui-ally enough, as time went on I hoped the full grown larva
would eventually be found, and its local food plant ascertained with
certainty, in its nortlit'ru habitat, by some enterprising collector who
would perhaps afford me the opportunity of figuring it ; although
this has not happened from Braemar, yet now, after the lapse of eleven
1883.] . • 151
years, I find myself in possession of sufficient materials for completing
what I Lad, through the kindness of Dr. Buchanan White, so long
ago begun.
For most of what follows I have been indebted to the very kind
help I have had the pleasure to receive from Mr. George T. Baker,
and his friend Dr. Jordan of Edgbaston, both having supplied me
with numerous examples of the larva of exulans, in different stages of
growth, together with their observations of its habits, taken in 1882-3
during their summer visits to the Swiss Alps.
Two series of the larvse in fours reached me on July 13th, 14th,
and a single larva on the 16th ; these were forwarded by Dr. Jordan
from Zermatt, having been found by him at an altitude of about seven
thousand feet, at the Schwarzen See near by, feeding, while nearly
buried in the tufts of leaves of Silene acaulis, and often quite buried
in the fleshy mass of CTierleria sedoides, where they seemed to have
eaten out their own shape, some were also seen to be feeding on
Trifolium alpinum, Geum montanum, Sibbaldia procumhens, and
AlcliemiUa alpina.
Some of these larvge had spun themselves up, and their cocoons
got ruptured, and the half-formed pupse had fallen out during their
journey hither, while others arrived in very perfect and lively condition,
from which I secured figures and descriptions ; two much smaller
than the others fed but very little, and in August, laid up motionless
for hibernation ; one of these became attacked with mould in Septem-
ber and died, but the smallest of the two slept safely through autumn
and winter until the 19th of April, 1883, when it began to crawl about
rather feebly in quest of food ; it was then supplied with a small spray
of Medicago lupulina and a leaf of Rumex acetosa ; next day I could
see it had partaken of both, though sparingly ; afterwards it ate of
Trifolium repens and pratense, lapsing occasionally into slumber until
the end of the month, when it died, probably from the necessity of
changing the leaves having disturbed it while waiting to moult ; thus,
in one state or another, all the above mentioned died off.
This year, in June, the same two friends were in Switzerland
together, and while walking over the south side of the Great St.
Bernard, where some of the snow had melted (later than usual), they
found hundreds of the larvae of exulans feeding in the sunshine on
Silene acaulis and AlcliemiUa alpina ; a great number of them were
brought home by Mr. Baker, who most kindly sent to me on 6th of
July seven very fine larvse in perfect condition, besides three that had
already spun up in cocoons in boxes before his return, and mentioned
]52 . ' [Ducembcr,
then the apparent liking of the larvae for water, as he had watched
them closely, and seen instances of their approaching water and
drinking it, and one larva actually crawling in a tiny pool, as though
enjoying its miniature bath in the hot sunshine ; this of course led to
the experiment of my sprinkling an occasional drop or two of water
over the food of four of mj^ larvae for a few days, but only with
disastrous result, as the four water drinkers died from an efflorescence
of mould on their coats ; the remaining three lived some days longer
and fed but sparingly, chiefly on leguminous plants, until each in turn
died, the last on the 15th of July.
On 17th of July I bred the moth from one of the three cocoons,
one only, a poor specimen and slightly crippled, yet not enough to
interfere with its identification, and I hailed its a])pearance with
great satisfaction.
Here I think I may be allowed to mention, that with Mr. Baker
several of his larvae of exulans spun their cocoons, but died within
them unchanged ; while from a few that succeeded in effecting their
change to pupje he only obtained three moths, and all dwarfed, in
fact, one of them was scarcely more than half the size of a fine Swiss
specimen.
Possibly such poor I'esults, with larvae having the reputation of
being polyphagous, may yet have been from the want of their
accustomed alpine plants, or else must be attributed to the great
difference of our climate from that of their habitat in Switzerland at
so great an altitude, and though this is not more than half as great in
Scotland, it should be borne in mind that Braemar is a little more
than eleven degrees of latitude farther north, and the habitat of
exulans, as Dr. Buchanan "White has said,* "is probably covered with
snow from November to April each season."
The egg of extdans is of large size for that of the insect, and of
long cylindrical round-ended shape, having a depression bending
inward rather irregularly on one side, the shell is very thin and very
slightly reticulated all over, in colour ochreous-yellow, changing to
orange-ochreous, and finally to dark greenish-slate colour, very shining
from the first to last.
When first hatched, the larva is a plump sausage-shaped little
creature of yellowish olive-green colour most minutely dotted with
black, having a row of sub-dorsal dull orange blotches, a black shining
head, the usual warts black, each with a longish rough but pointed
black bristle, the skin rather pubescent.
* The Eutomologisfs Annual for MDCCCLXXII, p. 113.
1883.] 153
After moulting, the minute dots being not so black, it appears
much paler coloured, more of a drab tint stowing dark sub-dorsal
markings, but as the larva grows, and becomes about three weeks old,
it is then dark olive- green on the back, a lighter green on the sides,
and has a sub-dorsal row of dark brown tubercles and beneath them
a faint stripe of yellowish, the bristly hairs blackish-brown.
Just before it begins to hibernate about the 10th of September,
it has grown to a length of nearly two lines, and of very stout pro-
portion, the colour dark olive-green having an interrupted black
sub-dorsal stripe, and below this at the end of each segment is a
transverse oval spot of orange-yellow, the surface of the skin generally
is much covered with little fascicles of black hairs.
In the following spring, after moulting, it soon is of the length
of three and a half lines, and its colouring is a little fresher and darker ;
by the time its length has come to measure from four to five lines the
back and sides are very dark green, and so much covered with black
bristly hairs radiating from tubercular eminences as to appear blackish-
green in comparison with the belly which is olive-greenish-yellow, the
dorsal marking is velvety -black, the deep yellow side-spots enlivening
the general darkness.
Towards the end of June and beginning of July it has reached its
blackest stage, for it is then intensely and beautifully black which
gives additional brilliancy by force of contrast to the light greenish-
yellow side spots, the head is black and shining, the second segment
green and smooth in front, the segmental divisions when stretched out
show greenish and glisten a little, but all the rest of the upper surface
is thickly covered with black hairs.
The full grown larva is from 7 to 8 lines in length, sometimes
more, and nearly 3 in breadth, of elliptical figure, but with the head
small and retractile within the second segment, and this also being in
part retractile is twice as long as any of the others and tapering in
front, the anal segment is slightly tapered and rounded off behind ;
all the segments are plump and cut extremely deep ; the head is black
and glossy, with green upper lip edged with black, the antennal papillae
whitish tipped with black, the front retractile half of the second
segment is green and naked, the other half and on all the other
segments of the body the ground colour of the back and sides is very
dark green, along each side is a broken velvety-black stripe interrupted
at the end of each segment beyond the second or third by a bright
yellow elliptical transverse spot, each segment bears a series of ovate
tubercular eminences thickly studded with short black radiating bristles
151 [December,
and a single long and fine hair, these almost or quite hide the green
ground of the upper surface of skin, the spiracles are black, the smooth
naked belly is of a green, rather less dark than that of the back, the
anterior legs are black and shining with light green joints on the outer
side and light green inner surface, the ventral and anal legs are of a
lighter green than that of the belly and semi-transparent.
The cocoon is about 7 or 8 lines in length, and from 3i to 4 lines
in width, somewhat fusiform, rising convexly in the middle, bluntly
rounded off and rather flattened at each end to the surface on which
it is spun (generally some rock or stone) ; it is usually very smooth,
though sometimes a few slight longitudinal wrinkles are towards the
front or roundest end ; it is of a light pearly-greyish tint having more
or less of a silvery lustre, and after the moth has escaped is
semi-transparent.
The pupa, is from 5^ to 6| lines long, and sometimes works its
way quite out of the cocoon before the moth is disclosed ; it is of the
usual Zygcena form, with long antenna- and leg-cases free nearly their
whole length, the shortish wing-covers with nervures in strong relief
have their margins prominent from the body, the abdomen tapers just
towards the rounded-off tip, and across the back of each ring anteriorly
is a narrow ridge thickly set with most minute hooks pointed backward ;
the colour is blackish-green on the abdomen and all the other parts
black, and with rather a dull surface.
Emsworth : October mth, 1883.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA OF CR AMBUS INQUINATELLUS.
BT G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S.
At the end of April last, Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher sent me about
two dozen larva? of a Cramhus he had found about grass-roots, at
Worthing, but the species he did not know. I placed them in a pot
of growing grass, where they formed slight silken galleries near the
roots on the surface of the soil, in which they lived during the day,
and apparently coming out and feeding on the grass stems only at
night. During May, I lost sight of them, and judged they had all
gone below the soil to pupate. Through June and July, I anxiously
awaited the emei'gence of the images, but none appearing, I quite
gave them up as all dead, and was, therefore, very agreeably surprised
at quite the end of August and early in September, to breed from them
a nice and varied series of C. inquinatellus.
Length, about three-quarters of an iiicli, and fairly stout in proj)ortion ; head
uarrower than the second segment, the lobes full and rounded, and botli it and the
1883.] 155
frontal plate highly polished. Body eylindriealf and tapering a little towards the
extremities : there is a slight transverse depression on each segment, and these, to-
gether with the deeply cut segmental divisions, give the skin a wrinkled appearance.
Tubercles very large and prominent, and are, as well as the whole surface of the
body, rather glossy, though not so much so as the head and frontal plate.
The ground-colour varies in different specimens from dull purplish-brown, to an
equally dingy greyish-green, but the purple-tinted forms predominate ; head very
dark sienna-brown, the depth of colour varying in different specimens ; frontal plate
paler, and partaking more of the colouring of the dorsal surface ; the dark pulsating
alimentary canal forms the dorsal line, but there are no perceptible sub-dorsal or
spiracular lines. The large tubercles correspond to the ground-colour, but are much
darker in tint ; spiracles very small, black.
Ventral surface and pro-legs of the ground-colour of the dorsal area, but the
legs, until towards the base, very dark sienna-brown.
Huddersfield :
November 1th, 1883.
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OP RETEROCEEA.
BY HERBERT DRUCE, F.L.S., F.Z.S.
The following descriptions are all from specimens in my own
possession. The collection lately sent home by Mrs. Monteiro con-
tained, besides those that I have described as new, several interesting
species, such as Darapsa rosce, Saturnia JVallengreni, &c.
Family AGAEISTID^.
^GOCEEA AFPINIS, Sp. U.
Primaries the same as ^.fervida, Walker, excepting that the costal margin is
broadly wliite nearly to the apex, and the fringe white instead of yellow. Second-
aries pale chrome-yellow, the apex broadly bordered with reddish-brown, head and
thorax reddish-brown, abdomen yellow. Expanse, If inch.
Sab. : Mauboia, East Central Africa (Last).
A very distinct species, easily separated from ^. Jervida, "Walker,
^GOCERA TRICOLOR, Sp. tl.
Primaries black, thickly speckled with greyish scales, a large, cream-coloured,
oval-shaped band beyond the middle, extending from the costal margin to the anal
angle, a cream-coloured stripe from the base to the middle of the wing, parallel with
the inner margin, both the pale markings bordered with a narrow black line, and on
the outer margins by faint metallic lines. Under-side orange, with the costal, outer
and inner margins, also a central band, all black, a small black dot at the end of the
cell. Secondaries deep chrome-yellow, with a broad marginal black band, the fringe
white. Head and antennae black, thorax black, striped with grey and yellow bands.
Abdomen black, the sides deep chrome-yellow. Expanse, 2i inch.
Sab. : East Africa {31rs. Monteiro).
This fine insect is allied to j^. Trimenii, Felder, but it is very
distinct.
X50 [Doccmbci',
Ph^gorista pallida, sj). li.
Primaries dark brown, the costal half pale brown, a straight white band crossing
the wing from the end of the cell to the anal angle, dividing the dark brown
patch which extends almost to the apex. Secondaries bright orange-red, with a
broad marginal brown band, widest at the apex, the inner margin pale brown,
speckled with reddish scales. Head, antennae, thorax, and abdomen brown. Under-
side of primaries blackish-brown, crossed beyond the middle by a wide white band.
Secondaries the same as above. Expanse, 2^ inch.
Sab. : Ogowai, East Central Africa.
Family CHALCOSIID^.
Anomceotes thtmiatuis, sp. n.
Primaries and secondaries semi-transparent yellowish-white, the apex of the
primaries ajid the nerves dusky, the fringe pale brown. Antenna; of the male black,
deeply pectinated. Head, thorax, and abdomen yellowish-brown. The female does
not differ from the male excepting that the antennae are not nearly so deeply
pectinated. Expanse, li inch.
Sab. : East Africa (Mrs. Monfeiro).
This species is allied to Anomoeotes . levis, Felder, from South
Africa.
Family PERICOPID^.
Aletis Moxteiroxis, c?, •«/>• n.
Primaries pale buff, with the apical half black, including a large transverse
white patch, and three posterior white spots, the third very minute. Secondaries
with a broad marginal black band, which includes a series of white spots. Head
and antennse black, the antennro very deeply pectinated. Palpi pale yellow, very
email and erect. Thorax and abdomen black, with three rows of white spots, the
under-side of the abdomen pale yellow, the legs brownish-black. The female only
differa from the male by having simple antennae. Expanse, S > ^i i ? , 2? inches.
Hab. : East Africa (Mrs. Monteiro).
Family LITHOSIID^.
BiZONE RUBRIFASCIATA.
Primaries dark red, crossed by three bands of white, bordered on each side by
narrow black lines, the first band is close to the base, the second crosses the middle
of the wing, enclosing a black dot at the end of the cell, the third band close to the
apex is much dentated on the outer margin. Secondaries brownish-black, with the
fringe white ; head white; thorax bright red ; abdomen black ; legs brown, speckled
with white. Expanse, 2 inches.
Hab. : North Celebes (Curtis).
This fiue insect is the largest of this genus ; it is very distinct
from any that I am acquainted with.
1883.1 157
Family NYCTEMEEID^.
Ntctemera Fulleet, sp. n.
Primaries dai'k brown, witli all the nerves pale yellow, excepting near the apex,
a wide transverse wliite band crossing the wing beyond the middle, from the costal
margin to near the anal angle ; under-side the same as above, with the basal third
pale yellow. Secondaries pale yellow, shading to dark orange-red at the base and
inner margin, the outer margin broadly banded with black at the apex. Head,
thorax, and abdomen yellowish-brown, the abdomen with a central row of black
spots. Antennee black ; legs bi'own. Expanse, 2i inches.
Hah. : West Africa, Cameroon^.
London : October, 1883.
I
ON THE SPECIES OF EUEOPEAN CEAMBI MORE OR LESS ALLIED
TO C. MAROARITELLUS.
BY GEOBGE T. BAKEE.
Continuing my former notes on this group of the Crnmbi (vol.
xix, pp. 239 — 244), I will now conclude by describing those European
species with the white longitudinal stripe undivided, first shortly tabu-
lating them as before.
C. Longitudinal stripe widening perceptibly hindwards.
onargaritellus and pyramidellus .
Ground-colour more or less shaded with dusky markings...
margaritellus.
Ground-'^olour unicolorous, stripe reaching almost to the hind-
margin pyramidellus.
D. Longitudinal stripe of almost uniform width.
latistrius, vectifer, furcatellus, radieUus, fulgidellus.
Hue of ground reddish-ochreous, stripe extending through the
fringe latistrius.
Hue of ground dusky brown, stripe very thinly divided near hind
margin vectifer.
Ground-colonr uniform olive, stripe shorter and narrower ..
' furcatellus.
Ground-colour uniform ochreous, sti'ipe nearly reaching hind
margin radieUus.
Hue of ground pale reddish-ochre, stripe extending up to hind
margin fulgidellus.
MARGARITELLUS, Hb. (21 — 22| mm.).
Fore-wings pale fuscous-yellow, lighter beneath the stripe, which is shining
white, widening perceptibly outwards, with its posterior margin slanting very
obliquely from the apex towards the base of the wing ; in some specimens the anal
258 [December,
angle of this stripe is yisibly toothed, but this is not constant. The hind-margin of
the fore-wing has a distinct dark brown border, and the fringes are grey, slightly
shining, with a dark dividing line. The hind-wings are pale grey, having a darker
border with almost white fringes. Head and central part of thorax white. Palpi
brown ; white above. Patagia very pale buff. Body similar to hind-wings.
Britisli specimens of tins insect often differ considerably from
those taken on the continent, insomuch, that in his "Genera et Species
Chilonidarum and Cranibidarum," Zeller says, " Varietas anglica tarn
singularis est, ut pro specie distincta habuerim ; Stainton (Manual ii,
p. 183) earn non distinguit," the hue of the fore-wings being almost
unicolorous ochreous-brown, Avith the hind-wings much darker grey,
this latter feature being particularly noticeable in some specimens I
have from the English lakes. I have, however, some sent me from
Perthshire, which present very little difference from continental
examples. This species is very generally distributed throughout
Switzerland : we have taken it at Aigle, in the Uhone Valley, on June
24th, 1880, and it is by no means uncommon in a little salt-marsh
near the lake of Thun.
PTRAMiDELLUS, Tr. (27 — 30^ mm.).
Tills very fine Cramhus is the largest of Divisions C and D. The ground-colour
is ochreous-cinnanion, almost unicolorous, with a shining, white, longitvidinal stripe,
increasing in width as it approaches the hind-margin, the basal half being of
moderately uniform width, but near the middle it suddenly diverges towards the
inner margin and widens very considerably to its termination, which is less oblique
than in niargaritellus, being of a rather rounded form ; its anal angle is also some-
times toothed. Above this stripe, near the apex of the wing, there is an indistinct
dark dash, above which, on the costa, is an indication of a light tooth. The basal
half of the inner margin of the wing is bordered by a fine white line, reaching
nearly to the centre. The hind-margin is darkly dotted, and the fringes are brown,
intersected with white, and having a dark dividing line. The hind-yings are
brownish-grey, lighter towards the base, the outer margin is bordered by a darker
line. The fringes are whitish, with the usual dividing line.
Head, collar, and central thoracic line white. Palpi brown, white above.
Patagia same hue as fore-wings, body similar to hind-wings.
I have never taken this handsome species myself, but it is by no
means uncommon among the Swiss Alps, whence all my specimens
were sent me.
LATisTRius, Hw. (24 — 26 mm.).
The fore-wings are shining ochreous-brown, tinged with red, with tlie sliining
white stripe reaching to the extremity of the fringe, bordered above by a dark line,
the ground-colour is paler by the inner margin, and the liind margin is darkly dotted.
The fringes are grey, intersected with white, having a darker divisional line. The
hind-wings are greyish-white, with white fringes tliat have an indistinct dividing line.
The head, palpi, collar, and central part of thorax are whitish, the patagia are
similar to fore-wings, but paler, and tlie body as the hind-wings.
18S3. 1 159
This local insect is commoner in England tlian most parts of the
continent.
I have this from Canterbury, and it is, or, perhaps, I should say,
was, not uncommon in some marshy ground by the Warren, near
Teignmouth.
VECTIFEE, L.
This is an insect of very restricted range, being, according to
Dr. Staudinger's catalogue, confined to Sicily and Dalmatia, and I
have not been fortunate enough even to see a specimen of this rare
Cramhus. I can, therefore, only give a translation of the description
in Zeller's " Chilonidarum and Crambidarum Genera et Species,"
vehich is as follows :
" Collar and fore part of tlie thorax snowy- white, with the palpi on the outside
grey, and irrorated with dusky (fusco), anterior-wings elongated, rather acute (sub-
acutis), brown, with the middle stripe of nearly equal width, thinly divided before
the posterior margin, not extending into the fringes, fringes shining grey, hind-
wings pale grey, ^ ."
" Very like bisectellu.i (a New Zealand species), but it has the wings not acu-
minate, and the stripe only once divided. From monott^niellus (a species from Asia
Minor) it differs in this, that the stripe besides being divided is not prolonged into
the fringes ; from siihlicellus (a New Zealand species), in the stripe not being toothed
above, and the fringes not tessellated. Collar snowy-white, palpi scarcely as long as
the thorax, attenuated, grey above, sprinkled with dusky, with the base white
beneath. Antennae serrated, scarcely setaceous. Fore part of thorax white in the
middle, but the remainder yellowish-grey. Legs on the side from (the body) white,
on the side next (the body) dusky grey. Tibiae and tarsi of the hind-legs grey.
Abdomen bluish (lividum), at the base white. Anterior-wings dusky-brown, 5 — 5^'"
long, elongated, posteriorly widened gradually, moderately acute, with the hind mar-
gin rounded. The central stripe rather narrow, snowy-white, until it arrives at the
very posterior margin, and touches it above the centre. The upper margin (of the
stripe) straight and narrowly bordered with fuscous, lower border less straight ; but
the shape of the upper part is not constant : for in one specimen it is somewhat
narrowed before the margin. Not far from the margin a narrow brown line (in that
specimen ending in a point) cuts its obliquely, and with its direction so changed
that it would form an acute angle, ascends to the costa. There are little black dots
on the posterior margin, the fringes are shining grey, and have on the base at the
end of the stripe three scarcely perceptible small black dots. Posterior-wings pale
grey, somewhat dusky towards the apex, fringes greyish -wliite. On the under-side
the fore wings are dusky grey, with the dorsal portion paler, and with the posterior
part of the costa narrowly edged with ochreous. Hind-wings even paler than
upper-side."
ruRCATELLUS, Zett. (22 — 24 mm.).
The fore-wings are uniform olivc-bi-own, much darker in some specimens than
others. The wliite stripe is narrower and shorter than in the rest of Division D, in
160
r December,
■whicli (stripe) there is a slight depression just beyond the centre, whence it rises
somewhat towards the hind-margin. Sometimes this stripe is scarcely more than a
line, at others it widens a little beyond the depression, and its posterior edge is very
jagged. The fringes are paler brown, in the ? white, and have an indistinct
dividing line. The hind-wings are uniform greyish-brown, with rather lighter
fringes, which also have an indistinct dividing line.
Head, collar, thorax, palpi, and antennae of same colour as the foi'e-wings, body
as the hind-wings.
This is one of the rarest of our British Crmnhi, and is taken at a
considerable altitude,-being recorded from Suowdon, the lake district,
and the Scotch Highlands. In Switzei'land it is by no means uncom-
mon, and most of my specimens were taken there ; it is not rare on
the Gorner Grat at Zermatt.
EADiELLUS, Hb. (25 — 27 mm.).
The fore-wings are ochreous-brown, slightly suffused with a greenish lustre, the
white stripe is of moderate width, reaching nearly to the hind-margin, and being
toothed several times on its inner edge, in some specimens it terminates in a fine
point. There is a short, fine, white lino on the fold, and the inner margin of the
wing is edged with white from the base to about the centre. The fringes are
brownish, slightly shining, intersected with white, and have a darker dividing line.
The hind-wings are grey, with paler fringes with a darker dividing line.
Head and palpi pale brownish-white. AntenniB, collar, patagia, and thorax
similar to the fore-wings. Body as the hind-wings.
This can easily be distinguished from the preceding species by
the lighter colour, and the lustre of the anterior-wings.
In Switzerland, this insect is not rare, last year we found it flying
about a meadow bordering the pine woods on the Eiffel, at Zermatt,
in the beginning of July.
FULGiDELLL's, lib. {2^\ — 28 mm.).
In this beautiful Cramlus, which I have not seen alive, the ground-colour is
pale oohrcous-brown, slightly tinged with rufous. The white longitudinal stripe is
of uniform and moderate width, somewhat curved, and reaches up to the hind-
margin, it is also perceptibly toothed sevei-al times on its inner edge beyond the
middle ; there is a white line just below the fold, extending from near the anal angle
to rather beyond the middle of the wing, the inner edge is also edged with white
from the base to about the centre ; the hind-margin is dotted with d.ark bi-own, and
the fringes are pale brown, intersected with white, having a dark dividing line. The
hind-wings are shining white, with a slight tinge of reddish ochre by the apex, and
have white fringes with an indistinct dividing line.
Head, collar, and central thoracic line white, palpi brown, edged above wifh
white. Patagia and antennae same colour as fore-wings. Body greyish, almost
white.
I have specimens of this from Noi'th Germany, and also from
Spain, where it is by no means uncommon.
Augustus Road, Edgbaston :
September Wth, 1883.
18S3.]
161
THE DISTINCTIVE AND SEXUAL CHARACTERS OF CEEYSOFA
FLAVA, SCOPOLI, AND CH. VITTATA, WESMAEL.
BY ROBERT McLACHLxVN, F.R.S., &c.
I have more than once been asked by friends, interested in Euro-
pean Neuroptera, whether I did not consider it possible that the two
species of Chrysopa above-named (both tolerably common in Bintain)
might not be only sexes of one species distinguished by the form of
the costal margin of the anterior-wings. My reply has always been
to the effect that I believed them to be distinct, and that I had the
sexes of both. This I felt sure of ; but it is only this moment that I
have become aware of a remarkable difference in wing-details in the
sexes of Gh.Jlava, and in calling attention to this I will allude to the
specific characters : —
Ch. pxava.
Costal margin of anterior wings ex-
cised in botli sexes. In the $ the margin
is much elevated at the base, and then
almost suddenly depressed, so that the
costal area is wide at the base and then
becomes almost suddenly very narrow.
In the $ the excision is shallow and very
gradual (sometimes almost impercepti-
ble), so that tlie costal area narroios
gradually, and not suddenly.
In the (J the costal nervules arc much
incrassated from the point where the
costal area becomes suddenly narrowed.
In the ? these nervules are slender the
whole length of the area.
Superior anal appendages of <J long
and stout, subcylindrical, the obtuse tips
curved upward and inward ; they are
as long as, or longer than, the inferior
appendage, which latter is in the form
of a very broad triangular plate, concave
within, the apex somewhat suddenly
acuminate, turned upward between the
tips of the superior appendages, and
ending in a tuft of stiff hairs.
Ch. vittata.
Costal margin of anterior wings nearly
straight (or slightly convex) in both sexes,
the costal area narrowing gradually.
In both sexes the costal nervules are
all slender.
Superior anal appendages of <J much
shorter {only about half the length of
the inferior appendage) , stout, irregularly
sub-cylindrical, dilated externally in the
basal portion, with a constriction before
the apex, the tips turned inward but
scarcely upward. Inferior appendage
similar to that of flava, but naiTower,
the acuminate apical portion longer.
I am not able to give anal characters for the ? , but distinctive
points probably exist in the fresh insects.
The nomenclature is that adopted by Hagen, and I think it would
be unwise to alter it, but it seems to me impossible to exactly define
o
1 02 [December,
what Scopoli intended by bis " Hemerohius Jlavus," and Wesmael's Ch.
vittata apparently included botb species according to tbe types, but
bis description applies to tbe species now so-named.
It appears to me tbat tbe two species were generally confused by
authors up to, and including, Schneider, Tbe latter anthor, in de-
scribing and figuring Ch. vittata (which is now considered a synonym
oi Jlnva) alludes to tbe excised costiil margin as a sexual character of
the (^, and says nothing about the condition of this margin in the ? ,
leaving it to be inferred that it is not excised in tbat sex. His de-
scription agrees with the condition seen in the ^ of Jlava, but bis
figure appears to have been taken from a ? . Neither be, nor any
other author, so far as I am aware, has noticed the thicJcened costal
nerviiles that form so prominent a feature in the ^ oi Jlava. Eambur,
in describing bis Hemerohius proximus (= vittata') well describes tbe
anal part of tbe ^ of vittata.
Ch. flava and vittata are two good and distinct species. Ch.
Jlava differs from vittata in tbe excised costal margin of botb sexes,
but tbe amount of excision is much greater in the ^ tha-n in tbe $ ,
and in the ^ most of the costal nervures are thickened. Tbe two
species also differ conspicuously in the length and form of tbe superior
appendages of tbe ^ . Some other points, such as length of basal joint
of antennae, &c., alluded to iu my " British Neuroptera-Planipennia,''
are probabl}'^ too vague and uncertain to be of much service. The
coloration of tbe nervules is not sufficiently stable to be of much
use in definition; in three examples (1 J*, 2 ? ) of Ch. Jlava from
Centi'al Italy, the two series of gradate nervules are conspicuously
black.
I am of opinion that the ^ of both species is much less common
than the J .
Gh. Jlava is recorded by Hagen (Neurop. N. America) from Phila-
delphia ; I have never seen an American specimen. A species some-
what intermediate between j^«y« and vittata occurs in Japan.
This article owes its origin to an examination of the examples of
Jlava from Central Ital}^ in tbe course of which I was struck by the
black gi'adate nervules in those specimens, and by the thickened costal
nervules of tbe (;J, which, together with the different form of tbe
costal margin in tbat sex, I had not previously noticed, and, as is often
the case under similar circumstances, my first impression was tbat I
Avas dealing with a new species.
Tbe anal appendages of tbe ^ are probably more developed iu
163
the group to which these species belong than iu any other, and it' the
present unwieldy genus " Ghrysopa " be hereafter disintegrated (as I
think it most undoubtedly will), it is possible that the importance of
the fact will not be overlooked.
Lewisham, London :
Sth November, 1883,
NOTES ON DIPTERA.
BY J. E. FLETCHEE.
Some time ago, Mr. J. B. Hodgkinson kindly sent me a few
specimens of a small yellow Trj/peta, which was new to me, with the
information that they werfe bred from larva? which mined the leaves of
Impatiens noU-me-tangere. I submitted a specimen to Dr. Meade,
who obligingly informed mo that he could detect no difference between
it and Trypeta aJternata, Fall., the hip-feeder. I have recently had
the means of comparing the Iinpafiens-ieeder, with the hip-feeder,
having bred the latter last May, and need not say that where Dr. Meade
detected no difference I fail to see any. As these are diverse foods
for the larvae, I should be glad if observers, having access to the
Impntiens, would ascertain and make known the time during which
the larva feeds ; the kind of mine it makes ; whether it pupates in the
mine or descends to earth ; and the time of emergence of the imago.
As I walked in a country road near here, about the middle of
August, I was struck with the sight of a small insect with what seemed
a long straw-coloured tail, flying slowl}^ and deviously about four feet
above the road. Slackening my pace, and watching the creature, I
observed it turn towards the foot-path, and alight some three feet in
front of me, dropping its "tail" when about three inches from the
ground. Approaching sufficiently near, I stooped down, and could
then see that the creature was a large Sarcophaga, but having no means
of capturing it, I am unable to indicate the species. Its "tail" was a
piece of hay-stem, some 2| inches long.
For several years past I have grown a patch of shallots, being
uniformly successful with them until last year, when they were
moderately attacked by Diptera, which, however, I was glad to find,
as I was desirous of breeding them. I noticed two species of larva),
one much larger than the other, and when the images appeared in the
autumn and following spring, they proved to be Cyrfoncura stahulans,
and Fhorbia cepetorum, Meade. This year, about a peck of shallots
o 2
20 J; [December,
■were planted, wliich should have yielded a crop of, say, seven pecks ;
instead of which they yielded little more than a quarter of a peck, the
rest having been utterly spoiled by larvie of the Dipterous insects
named.
Worcester: October, 18S3.
The butterflies of Huntingdonshire. — No. 234 of this Magazine contained a list
of Cambridge Rhopalocera. I beg to supply a list of those found in Huntingdon-
shire by myself and friends within the years 1882-3. 1, Arr/ynnis Paphia, common ;
2, Aglaia; 3, Adippe, rave ; 4, Enphrosi/ne ; 5, Selene ; 6, 3Ielif(Ba Artemin, rare ;
7, Orapta c-albtim; 8, Vanessa urticcs ; 9, polychloros ; 10, lo ; 11, Pyrameis
Atalanta, very abundant ; 12, cardui, not common, very abundant in 1879 ; 13,
Apatura Iris, several in Monk's Wood ; 14, Melanargia Galathea, common ; 15,
Pararge JEgeria; 16, 31egcpra ; 17, EpinepheJe Janira; 18, Tithonus ; 19, Hyper-
anthus; 20, Coenonympha Pampkilws ; 21, Nemeobius Lucina ; 22, Thecla quercus,
common; 23, W-album; 24, pruni, rather rare; 25, betulcB ; 26, Polyommatus
phlosas ; 27, Lyccena JEgon ; 28, Icarus, common ; 29, Adonis, first time recorded,
I believe, in this shire, captured by myself in 1882 ; 30, Colias Edvsa, rare, very
abundant in 1877, also variety Helice ; 31, Rhodocera rhamni ; 32, Leucophasia
sinapis ; 33, Anihocharis cardamines, common ; 34, Pieris napi ; 35, rapce ; 36,
brassicce ; 37, Aporia cratagi, son\e time since; 38, Ilexperia W!a/r«, common ; 39,
Tages ; 40, Paniscus, not common ; 41, Sylvanus, abundant ; 42, llnea, everywhere.
This is a good long list, and, I believe, compares favourably with any other
county ; in fact, I do not know where else such variety could be obtained in one
shire. Monk's Wood is most famous for its valuable species, and adds considerably
to the numbers. We must not forget that this county was the home of P. Hip-
pothoe, and that P. llachaon was abundant in the fens, making a gi-and total of 48
different species. This is a large proportion out of the 62 British species, some of
which are really unobtainable.
I am compiling a list of Iluntingdonshire Lepidoptera, and shall be glad to
receive names of authentic captures from residents in the county, or from friends
who visit it. — IIerbeet E. Nokris, St. Ives, Hunts. : Zth November, 1883.
Capture of Laphygma exlgua at PembroTce. — To my extreme surprise a rare
Noctua has turned up at Pembroke. There had been two or three mild still nights,
and stray specimens of Epunda lichenea and Anchocelis lunosa had come to the gas-
lamps, but another storm was making its moan when I went out again on September
24th to look at the few lamps nearest home, and on one of them a Laphygma exigua
was sitting. Whence it had come, and how far it had travelled in unavailing search
for a mate (for it was a male, decidedly worn with travel, but not otherwise damaged)
— or how far it would have carried on the fruitless quest, who shall guess ? I feel
rather glad that I turned out that night, and gave it a chance of some kind of
appreciation. — Chas. G. Barrett, Pcmbi-oke : 23rd October, 1883.
1SS3.] 165
Descrijjtion of tJie larva of Semioscojjis avellanella. — This larva appears to be
unknown, or, at any rate, no notice of it occurs in entomological works. I have
found it now for the last three years on lime bushes {Tllia parv folia) in woods, in
August and September, and this year in July as well. At first it rolls-over the edge
of the leaf, forming a narrow cylindrical chamber open at both ends, from which it
protrudes and eats the adjoining parts, consuming the whole thickness of the leaf —
a somewhat remarkable circumstance considering how small and tender the larva at
this time is. Afterwards its habit changes, and it lives for the rest of its life under
a web, on the under-surface of a leaf, to which it communicates a partial curve.
Like most larvae with such a habit, it is always on the alert, and very quick in its
motions, so that vmless care is taken in plucking the leaf out it tumbles and saves
itself in the herbage below.
It is smooth, long, and slender, cylindrical, but tapering a little behind ; active,
with a quick, jerky walk. Head full and round, narrower than the second segment,
green. Thoracic plate green. Divisions marked by a yellow skin-fold. Colour
whitish- green, passing into bluish-green on the belly ; when full-fed, turns to a
uniform green. Dorsal vessel dark green and distinct, but of variable intensity,
being in some specimens almost absent on the middle segments. There is no indi-
cation of clubbing in the third pair of legs. It spins a tough cocoon underground.
The pupa is stout, red with green wing-cases, but changes, before winter sets in, to
brown, in consequence of the early development of the perfect insect, after the man-
ner of the genus TcBniocampa. The empty case remains within the cocoon after the
emergence of the moth. — Jonx H. Wood, Tarrington, Ledbury: Nov. 2nd, 1883.
Occurrence of Coleopliora vibicigerella, Z. {a species veiu to Britain) in Essex. —
Mr. William Machin has just sent me a specimen of this conspicuous, brightly-
marked insect for determination. It was taken near Fobbing, in Essex, at no great
distance from the salt-marslies, at the end of June last. It was obtained, as Mr,
Machin writes, " from a hedge in the garden of a friend, about a yard from a large
plant of Artemisia vulgaris. At the time of captm-e, I was, of course, unacquainted
with the species and its food-plant. But on ascertaining from Mr. Warren that the
insect was probably C. vibicigerella, of which the larva fed on Artemisia campestris,
I returned to the spot with the intention of searching the plant of Artemisia vul-
garis ; arriving at my friend's house I had the mortification of learning that he had
cut down the plant about a month previously. I have well searched the hedges and
fields in the neighbourhood, when I found plenty of ^. vulgaris, but no trace of the
larvse of xnhicigerella. I met with no plants of Artemisia campestris." I may men-
tion that A. campestris is a local plant, occurring, however, in great plenty in some
parts of Suffolk and Norfolk. In H. C. Watson's New Botanists' G-uide (1835), we
read, under Suffolk, p. 118 : " about Barton and Eldeu plentifully ; and on Ickling-
ham Heath, near Bury. Eng. Fl. At a place called Elden, two miles beyond
Newmarket, towards Lynn, on the banks of corn-fields, and by the way sides
abundantly, for a mile in length and breadth ; also a mile from Barton Mills, on the
way to Lynn, and among the furze-bushes under the hill. B. G." And under
Norfolk, p. 132 : "about a mile from Thetford, on the road to Norwich, in great
abundance. B. G."
2(jG [December,
In the same nuthor's Cybcle Britannica (published in 1819), we have the further
information, Vol. ii, p. 97 : " It has occurred also on Ilebburn ballast-hills, by the
Tync, doubtless introduced." I call attention to this, as it may possibly point to
the chance of a casual introduction on the Essex coast. — H. T. Stainton, Mounts-
field, Lewisham, S. E. : November IGth, 1883.
Hahits of Sciaphila sinuana. — In the beginning of June, ■while looking among
wild hyacinth for Eupcecilia maculosana, I noticed a flower head spun together, and
a large Tortrix larva in the web. My idea at the time was tliat it was some larva
which had dropped from the oaks overhead, and was spinning up on the hyacinth ;
I boxed it, however, with the flowers, and on looking at it again, a few days after, found
that it had eaten the flowers, and was pupating. In due time, to my great delight,
a fine female sinuana emerged. It may, probably (unlike some of its relatives), be
a restricted feeder ; which, with the sluggish habits of the imago, may account for
its rarity. I took both sexes afterwards, but very sparingly. They have a decided
habit of dropping down instead of flying, when beaten out. They were only in a
few places, but invariably where iiyacinths abounded. I beat most of my specimens
from elders ; perhaps chosen because the large leaves were good shelter, and near the
ground. I never before beat anything from that tree worth looking at twice. In
fact, there is so little to be got from it, that I very seldom beat it. Probably, the
true habit of the moth is to rest among the brackens and low herbage, and not to
fly until late, as I never took it on the wing. I took only one on a tree-trunk, a
female. I also took a single example of Tortrix cratcegana, a female. I suppose I
must have been late for the species, as I did not meet with it again. Tortrix sor-
biana is fairly common among tlie oaks, and I also met with four T. cinnamomeana.
Penthina picaria occurs sparingly on birch trees ; and among larches and Scotch
firs I have taken Spilonota lariciana, Mixodia Ratzehiirgiana, Coccyx nanana, and
Pcedisca occultana. The larva of P. sordidana is fairly common on the alders in
the woods. — J. Sang, 181, Horninglow Street, Burton-on-Trent : October \^th, 1883.
Occurrence of Gelechia IlUhnerl, at Burton. — I had the good fortune to come
across this rare species in this neighbourhood. The specimens were taken at rest on
the trunks of oaks, the first and second weeks in August.
They sit very closely concealed in the chinks of the bai-k, and are quite as
difiieult to sec (if not more so) as a Kepticula ; more especially as they do not run
when they find themselves looked at, as Nepticulce do, but have the bad manners to
drop, and generally outside the net. It seems surprising that so comparatively large
a moth can make itself so nearly invisible. They sit very close during the day, ex-
cept when stared at, to which they have a very decided objection, and must drop
down among the herbage at dusk, as tlicrc are then none to be found, and I have
taken none on the wing. — Id.
Captures of Lepidoptera at Howth. — I had my first trip across the Irish Chainiel
this summer, to try to procure the larvoe of Nepticula aeetosce. I am happy to say
that I was successful, thanks to " S,hield's Practical Hints," the directions in which
I found most exact and useful. The weather was not all one could desire for col-
lecting, as they turned on the wet every afternoon I was there.
1883.] 167
Tlie mines are hard to find, and (especially when small) very difficult to dis-
tinguish from the ordinary spots and discolorations always present on the leaves
everywhere. In fact, I searched closely the whole of the first day without finding
one : they were certainly not numerous then, whatever they may be in the autumn.
I fancy that when Shield speaks of their being in thousands, he must refer to the
second brood, which is always much more abundant than the first. I was also so
fortunate as to take five Elachista flavicomella ; I believe that, with the exception
of two taken near Grlasgow by Mr. J. J. King, this species has not been taken since
Mr. Shield met with it at Howth. It occurs later than I had expected it would,
judging of it by luticomella, which had been out here for a month past at least. I
got nothing else of importance ; a few larvae of Depressaria rotundella feeding on
Daucus carota, and one Miipoecilia pallidana, were the only other captures worth
recording. I specially devoted myself in the day time to the search for Nepticula
acetosce, by Dr. Mason's desire, and the heavy rain in the evenings prevented
everything from flying. — Id.
[Mr. Sang had previously met with the larvee of Depressaria rotundella on
Daucus carota at Folkestone, in August, 1879 (see Ent. Mo. Mag., xvi, p. 112). —
H. T. S.]
Scoparia conspicualis near Burton. — I had the pleasure of taking this latest
addition to our Scoparice, here, this summer, much to my surprise, as I did not
dream of taking it so far south as this. The females are much more grey than the
males, but all are, when in good condition, easily recognisable. I had the good
fortune to get two or three small batches of eggs, which I sent to Mr. Buckler. No
doubt they feed on the commonest mosses, as do all the Scoparice with whose larvse
I have any acquaintance. I hope they may be successfully reared. I see the theory
advanced that it is double brooded : one can hardly imagine such a thing in that
genus. There may be a long succession of appearances, as one finds in amhigualis.
Mine were taken in the beginning of August, and many of them were as fine as if
freshly bred. — Id.
B Additional Synonyms of Endofricha pyrosalis, Qn. — When examining lately
the British Museum Collection, I saw the type of Mr. Butler's so-called Rhodaria
robina ; it is an oi'dinary male of this species, as I had supposed. Moreover, on
carrying my investigations back into what were supposed to be Deltoides, I dis-
covered three additional synonyms of the same species, considered by Walker as the
types of three new genera ; these are Paconia albifimbrialis, Walk., Tricomia
auroralis, Walk., and Messatis sabirusalis, Walk. I examined the Geometrina
without finding fui-ther examples. — E. Mbyeick, Eamsbury, Wilts : Nov. 9th, 1883.
Tortrix Lqfauryana. — In a box of insects recently submitted to Mr. Barrett I
am pleased to find a specimen of this new Tortrix. I took it last August about two
miles from the locality where Mr. Atmore states ho first discovered it. — Alfred
Balding, Wisbech : October 19tk, 1883.
]^(jy ■ [December, 18S:i.
Philonthns astutus, i"?*.— A short time ago, M. Fauvel kindly sent me a specimen
of tins insect, which he had found in the collection of M. Javet, ticketed " Ireland."
As M. Javet collected for some time in Ireland, especially in the neighbourhood of
Belfast, and as the insect is by no means an unlikely one to occur in the locality,
M. Fauvel thinks that the specimen is probably British. M. Javet may possibly
have made a mistake, and more evidence will, perhaps, be required before it is in-
serted in the British list, but the fact is worth recording, as Irish collectors may
possibly confirm the capture.
P. astutus belongs to the group with six punctures on the thorax : it is placed
by Erichson close to P. aterrimus (P. nigritulus and trossulus) ; it has, however, a
very different facies, being more than twice as large, with longer and less strongly
punctured elytra ; my specimen is about the size of P. lepidus, and has castaneous
elytra ; it is very distinct from any other British species. — W. W. Fowleb,
Lincoln : November ^th, 1883.
DigJossa suhmarina, Fairm. (sinuatocolUs, Rey). — Since writing the note on
Philonthus astutus, I have again heard from M. Fauvel, who says tliat, on looking
over M. Javet's species of Diglossa, he has found among them several specimens
from Ireland, which were sent to M. Javet by Mr. Haliday ; among these there is
a specimen of Diglossa suhmarina, Fairm., an insect not hitherto recorded as British ;
the species is distinguished from J), mersa, by its broader elytra, and especially by
having the abdomen dilated behind ("en massue"), with close and fine punctuation,
the abdomen of D. mersa being parallel, with strong diffuse punctuation ; the thorax
of D. submariiia is also always more constricted at the base than in D. mersa ; the
two species appear to inhabit almost the same localities, and M. Fauvel says that he
has no doubt that it is distributed over all the coasts of Great Britain, and that it
will be found in British collections mixed with D. mersa. — Id. : Nov. 11th, 1883.
Note on the development of Phryganea striata. — On several occasions at some
deep ponds in this neighboui-hood I have had the good fortune to witness the de-
velopment of numbers of Phryganea striata. The pupffi appear to leave their
cases and rise to the surface usually near the middle of the ponds. The insects are
seen first as dark specks on the top of the water ; gradually they rise higher and
higher until almost wholly out of it, then somewhat abruptly they free themselves
from the pupa-skin, and run with astounding rapidity to the side. Before leaving
the water, however, a curious operation is performed : the insect rests a little while,
and then slowly raises its wings until they meet in a vertical position over the back,
not unlike that assumed by the wings of a butterfly in repose. This appears occa-
sionally to be done twice ; the insect then finally leaves the water and conceals
itself in the herbage on the banks. To me it seems a curious fact that the wings of
an insect should be raised immediately after emergence to a position they never
again assume. — K. J. Morton, Carluke : November \2th, 1883.
[The position assumed is probably connected with the rush of air and blood
into the tracheae and vessels. Much the same position is assumed by recently-
emerged moths when "drying themselves." — R. McL.].
January, 1884.] \QQ
AN AX LONGIPES*
BY PROF. II. A. HAGEN.
Spending my summer vacation at Woodsholl, on the south-eastern
coast of Massachusetts, opposite Martha's Vineyard Island, I saw on
the top of a hill a number of Papilio Asterias, eagerly hunted by a
large u^schnide, which I believed to be probably Anax Junius.
Finally a Papilio was caught by the hunter, which directly settled on
a shrub to devour its prey. Both were very soon in my net ; and, to
my surprise, I found a brick-red Anas, unknown to me ; it had the P.
Asterias still between its legs, but had cut off the head of it. Only
the following day, August 27th, 1875, when I caught, with difficulty,
another male, and finally a female, did I become aware that I had
before me the long-sought-for A. lonqipes. The species was by no
means rare, but very wild, in the woods, mostly swinging around the
tops of the trees, and on the hill, disappearing with the slightest
wind. I was, therefore, not able to get more specimens. Returning
home, I found, to my surprise, another female, collected March 3rd, in
Hannover, Florida, and a third female, caught in Florida, by Mr. R.
Thaxter, together with a P. Asterias, beheaded just as in my obser-
vation. My friend Uhler wrote to me that he had also collected at
the same time A. Jongipes, near Baltimore. Probably it is not well
known that, just the south-eastern shore of Massachusetts and the
islands Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, all subjected to the influence
of the gulf-stream, possess a number of insects not to be found in the
intermediate country down to Florida or Georgia, as Tramea abdomi-
naJis, Ascalaphus, and others.
My notes about the colours of the living A. lonqipes are as
follows : — Head pale green, eyes dark reddish-brown, (^, bluish ? ; cJ,
thorax green ; legs as described in my Synopsis ; abdominal segments
1 and 2 green ; 1, with a basal brownish spot ; 2, with transversal
median stripe, a darker ante-apical spot, and two reddish-green
spots (two blue ones on the female) ; abdomen brick-red, 3 to 5 with
a brown, triangular, apical spot, less marked on 6 ; a triangular, basal,
brown spot on 4 and 5 : the following segments and appendages red :
? , abdomen brown, segments 3 to 9 with two apical blue spots ; 3 to
7 with two blue basal spots ; 4 to 6 with two intermediate blue s])ots ;
appendages light brown.
I have several times written about lonqipes. In my description
(Synops. N. A. Neur., p. 118), the word "surface" for the abdomen,
* cf. ante, p. 129.
] 70 [January,
and the " 9 post cubitals " are not in my mamiscript, but were probably
additions by my friend Uhler. The described female type belonged
to Mr. Escher Zollikof er, of Zilrieb, and is probably in the Museum of
that city.
In Stett. ent. Z., 1863, p. 373, I stated that A. longipes is not
figured in Abbott's MS. in the Brit. Mus., and in Proc. Bost. S. N. H.,
vol. xvi, p. 350, that it is equally wanting among the insects figured
by Abbott, in Dr. Le Conte's possession. But Mr. Escher Zollikofer
p'ositively assured me that he received the specimen from Mr. Abbott
himself, and, moreover, it was prepared as all others of Mr. Abbot's
insects, with arsenical soap on the under-side of the body. A fuller
description than in the Synopsis I have given in my notes (still before
me) in Yerh. Wien. z.-b. Ges., 1867, p. 5. The description of the
male will be found in a forthcoming publication ; its appendages are
6 mm. long. The two females from Florida are a trifle smaller than
those from Massachusetts.
Concerning the specimen in the Dublin Museum, there must be
an error in Mr. McLachlan's measurements: the hind-wing is said to be
51 mm. long, therefore, the expansion of the wings cannot be 125 mm.
My Woodsholl specimens have expanse of wings, 110 mm., the Florida
females 105 mm. The ante-cubitals vary from 20 — 19, 18 — 16 in the
wings of the same specimen ; the post-cubitals vary from 8 — 9 to 11.
Mr. McLachlan has some doubts about the identity of the Dublin
specimen with A. longipes, because the membranule is entirely yellow-
ish-cinereous, instead of black with white base. In my specimen the
membranule is blackish-cinereous, and the extreme base is white,
which colour does not reach the anal vein. Further, in my specimens,
the colour of the neuration is black, the costa yellow, in the Dublin
specimen the nervures are mostly pitchy-brown, and the network
reddish. I have not seen the Dublin specimen, but I think, in a
specimen more than 100 years old, which has, perhaps, been subjected
to the influence of sunlight, such changes could well arrive, the more
BO if the specimen had been a freshly-transformed one. At least, after
my experience with equally old specimens, I would not consider these
differences as deciding ones. I have also compared a male of A.
Jimius with a male of A. longipes, and find the differences exactly as
stated by McLachlan. If the genitalia of the 2nd segment should
prove similar to those of A. longipes in the Dublin specimen, I should
consider them identical.
Cambridge, Mass. : November, 1883.
1884.] 171
[It is very satisfactory to hear of the re-discovery of this species.
Dr. Hagen's remark concerning the expanse of wings of the " Dublin
specimen " is critical, and to the point. As the specimen is no
longer before me, I applied again to Mr. More for information, and
the measurement he sends me .(in inches and eighths) can be reduced
to 105 mm., showing that " 125 mm." was a typographical error. He
says that the specimen shows no trace of having been treated with
any preservative on the under-side of the body. The genitalia of the
2ud segment are quite concealed.
Dr. Hagen also sends me notes and sketches of the appendages
of his A. speratus, from one of Drege's examples, in his collection.
After having subjected the head to the action of boiling water, he
thinks that the front and mouth parts may have been originally yel-
lowish, excepting the labrum, middle part of labium, and the back of
the head, which remain doubtful : the supposed tooth on the excised
portion of the superior appendages of the ^ could not be detached
after having been subjected to boiling water, and hence cannot be-
considered an extraneous substance. In this case, there is sufficient
distinctness from A. Butherjordi, in which (as previously said) there
is not the slightest trace of such a tooth.
The catalogue-name, " A. validus" represents my A. Walsinghami,
as suspected. To me it appears that the publication of catalogue-
names (without descriptions) should be avoided. They carry no
weight, and the fact of their publication has frequently a deterrent
effect upon workers, who would wish to respect such names if possible.
The indication of a " new species," without specific name, seems to me
better in those cases in which, from a faunistic, or other, point of
view, it is desirable to indicate the existence of " new species " where
they cannot be described. The " synonj^my " of Neuroptera in nearly
all families is loaded with catalogue-names. " Museum " and " Collec-
tion " names are open to the same objection, but in a milder form ;
they are comparatively harmless so long as they do not get into
circulation ; if the necessity exists for them, they are much better
than the publication of names wdth " descriptions " that no one can
understand. — E.. McLachlan.]
Worher wasps in December. — On the 16tli inst., several workers of Vespa vul-
garis were observed by me busily engaged at tlie ivy-blossoms in the middle of the
day at Osmington, near Weymouth. A fully-winged grasshopper (Stenobothrus)
was seen a few days previously. — A. E. Eaton, London : December 19ik, 1883.
P 2
172 [Jivnuaiy,
TROPICAL COLLECTING.
BT GEO. C. CHAMPION.
I propose to give some account of the experiences o£ an entomo-
logist who has spent upwards of four years collecting in Central
America (two years in Guatemala, and two in Colombia). In this
first paper I will speak chiefly of the apparatus, &c., I found most
useful after a long residence in these countries. I took out with me
a lot of heavy and fancy butterfly-nets, heavy sweeping and water nets,
drying cages, &c., more than half of which I soon found were almost
useless to me in countries where everything has to be carried either on
the backs of Indians, or upon horses, or mules, where there are few,
if any, cart roads, or navigable rivers, and where every additional
ounce weight of baggage is a consideration ; and the less you have to
carry, and the lighter it is, the easier you will be able to get about
from place to place. I usually travelled on horse- or mule-back, wath
-1 native servant, and carried my collecting apparatus in the saddle
bags, or on front of the saddles, in addition to a change of clothing,
waterproof coat, blanket, &c. ; sometimes, if on foot, owing to the bad
condition of the road, or if 1 intended making a stay of a month or so
at a place, I would take (in Guatemala) one or two mozos, or Indian
carriers, or another horse for my baggage with me ; but, as a rule, I
managed to carry sufiicient for trips of a few weeks on my two saddle-
horses or mules. My usual plan was to stay a" few days here and there,
at various places on the road, till I came to what appeared a likely
place, then I would remain longer, and, if necessary, send to my
nearest head-quarters for more boxes, &c. ; in this way I travelled
over a large part of Guatemala, and of the northern part of the
Colombian State of Panama. In my saddle bags I could generally
manage to pack away my nets, bottles, boxes, tins, &c.,and a stoi-e box
or two, made up into a parcel my servant carried in front of his saddle,
enough, altogether, to last me a month or six weeks. If the entomo-
logist wants to obtain all Orders of insects, as well as many other
things, as I did, he will find, when out collecting, one net quite as
much as he can conveniently carry, more especially if he carries a gun
also ; sometimes I tried to carry, in addition to a butterfly-net, a large
umbrella sweeping-net for beetles, &c., useful enough, no doubt, to a
Coleopterist in this country, but in a tropical forest I would rather be
without it ; very soon I put away the latter as useless, finding that I
could manage much better with a large, balloon-shaped, jointed-cane,
butterfly-net : a net of this kind will answer very well for all Orders
1S84.! ■ 173
of insects, it cau be turned over to beat on to, and, at the same time,
you have a net ready to catch anything on the wing (large numbers
of Coleoptera and Semiptera are found on the wing in tropical forests) ;
the same net will also serve to sweep lightly with.
For more than three years I constantly used a net of this kind,
and preferred it to any other ; by taking out plenty of spare muslin
or gauze, a few pieces of the jointed cane, and a Y or two in case of
breakages, this kind of net can be used for almost any work. In my
expeditions, I usually took a native servant with me, who, after a time,
turned out a very good collector ; I gave him a small cane or wire-
ring butterfly-net (had a sweeping- and a water-bag also to fit this
same ring, so that I could change if required) to carry,
A small light net on a long stick is sometimes very useful in the
dense forest, various species of butterflies {Fierella,lIet(sra,Antirrli(Ba,
CaUit(sra, Taygetis, &c.) frequent the dense matted undergrowth,
where it is impossible to strike at them with a large net ; this net is
very useful for taking Cicadce, butterflies, &c., from the trunks, also
for some high-flying Castnice, Nymphalidcs, &c., as a large net on a long
stick is often unmanageable.
An ordinary umbrella (especially a white one) is very useful, not
only for the rain or sun, but for beating purposes ; in the early
mornings of the rainy season, when the vegetation is still reeking with
moisture, lots of Garahidcs, Lampi/ridce, &c., occur by beating ; later
in the day, they are more active, and very often fly off instead of
dropping into the umbrella.
For collecting purposes in the forest, I carried then, one or other
of the above-mentioned nets, one or two largish corked zinc collecting
boxes (damped before starting in the dry season, otherwise the insects
will be stiff and dry long before you get home) for Lepidoptera, Hymen-
optero, &c., a cyanide and plaster killing-bottle, a few bottles of various
sizes, with a little piece of cyanide of potassium (tied up in paper or
muslin), and plenty of crumpled paper inside (the paper to be changed
daily, I preferred it to sawdust), for Coleoptera and Memiptera, a few
test tubes and small tin boxes, and, slung at my side, a tin box or vas-
culum, with a division or two inside for butterfly-papers (the papers, of
course, folded and ready for use).
I, myself, seldom put many butterflies, excepting the very large
species, in paper at the time of capture, unless my zinc collecting
boxes were full ; they cari-y much better till you get home, when
you can put them away pi'operly in papers — in the corked boxes,
pinned through the side of the body, many species seldom die out-
174 ' |Januai7,
right, either with a pinch of the fingers, or with the cyanide, they
often come to life again, and if in papers damage themselves a good
deal ; large, thin-bodied species, however {HeJiconidis, Morphidae, and
most, but not all of the PapilionidcB), die readily enough, and may,
like dragon-flies, be carried home in the papers ; but Sesperidco,
CastnicB, and all thick-bodied species, are very much better carried in
the field in the corked boxes, and put into paper on arrival at head
quarters.
All Hymenopttra, Diptera, stout-bodied moths, many Orthoptera,
the larger Somoptera, &c., I killed with the cyandide and plaster
bottle, and pinned immediately after capture. I mounted on card, and
pinned, if possible, before sending to England, types of all my
Coleoptera and Hemiptera, ])acking the remainder away in pine saw-
dust, with a little spirit and carbolic acid ; green Orthoptera, Capsidce,
many Homoptera, and many of the pubescent longicorns, do not
improve in sawdust ; they should be pinned, if possible, or, failing
room, they can be sent dry, in papers, like the butterflies, thin-bodied
moths, Neuroptera, &c.
In the long (seven or eight months) rainy season, it is only with
the greatest difiiculty possible to keep one's collections from going
mouldy ; a drying cage is of little use, unless you have a tin case to
put it into immediately the afternoon rain commences, and can so
suspend it as to keep out ants, small undeveloped Blattce, &c. (I must
say I could seldom manage to successfully keep out these pests
myself) ; store boxes corked on one side only, and not fitting too
closely are, perhaps, better than tight fitting ones (have nothing to do
with varnished or painted boxes), and tin boxes fcr insect papers, and
wide-mouthed bottles or tins for insects in sawdust; plenty of creosote,
naphthaline, camphor, or similar substance, must be used for ants, &c ,
otherwise, you will speedily lose your captures. Whiie mounting
beetles, &c., indoors, the ants have often carried off my captures
absolutely under my very nose; in the "tierracaliente," or hot country,
you can scarcely put a box down on the table for these pests, even for
a few minutes ; often I have come in wet or tired from an entomolo-
gical expedition, and put my collecting boxes down for a short time
while changing my clothes, &.c., only to find on opening them shortly
afterwards that hundreds of ants had already commenced devouring
my captur'^s. I generally used store-boxes for drying all my pinned
insects (the drying cage not answering satisfactorily), getting them
out in the sun, of course not letting the diz'ect rays fall on the insects,
for a short time in the mornings during the rainy season. Carbolic
I
1884.] 175
acid is of great use in preserving. I found it a good plan to just
touch with it all large insects I wished to pin ; decomposition seems
to set in almost immediately after death in these hot damp climates :
often I have pinned longicorns, &c., and, a day or two after, found
the contents of the body turned to water, and the legs and antennae
dropping out entire from their sockets ; by touching, however, in time
with carbolic acid, this can be prevented. Large Oi'tJioptera, Fulgoridce,
Cicadts, tbe large LihellulidcB, and even some Sphingidce, had better
have the contents of the abdomen taken out and re-placed with rolled
blotting paper. Blow-flies are often very troublesome, they are
especially fond of Orthoptera ; many times, on drying my boxes in the
sun, I have found Dipterous larvae or pupae dropping out of the bodies
of these and other insects. A large number of delicate fragile
CapsidcB and other insects, mounted fresh on card, arrived in this
country in first-rate condition. I had the greatest difficulty, I think,
in keeping the Triclioptera and the smaller Lepidoptera ; they would
mould, and, if dried too often, their wings shrivel a good deal. Soft,
thick-bodied moths, such as the Zi/gcBnidce and allies, do not come well
in papers, they are better pinned, as, indeed, are most moths. The
Castnics are most difficult to obtain in good condition (the Hesperidce
are bad enough), difficult to catch, and difficult to kill, and their
loosely attached scales come off at the slightest touch.
Nearly everything can be killed with cyanide, some large moths,
however, require pricking with a pen dipped in oxalic acid in solution,
or some other poison ; yellow Hymenoptera must not be left long in
cyanide, or they will change colour : the yellow turning to red.
Natives often brought me large Passalidce, Longicorns, Biiprestidce,
&c., tied round the junction of the thorax and abdomen with a thin
piece of " bejuco," or vine from the forest, and moths, &c., impaled
upon thorns, the latter plan I do not recommend, the former I often
adopted out collecting, when my boxes were full. Travelling so much,
I was able to do but little in the way of breeding Lepidoptera, it is
not easy to carry many living larvae about with you on horseback, but,
doubtless, a great deal could be done by any one stationary ; even with
larvae, the ants troubled me a good deal ; as soon as one died, they
would swarm in my breeding box. I obtained large numbers of insects
at light, but sugar, on the few occasions I tried it, turned out a failure.
To conclude, I may say that, during my residence in Central
America, I probably obtained not less than 15,000 species of insects
(besides other things), the greater part of which I hope to see
eventually catalogued or described in Messrs. Godman and Salvin's
splendid work on the Zoology of that country.
(To be continued). /.'7 '
176 r January,
DESCEIPTION OP THE LARVA OF APAMEA FIBROSA.
BT WILLIAM BUCKLEE.
After fruitless researches at various times during a quarter of a
ceutury by many skilful collectors, desirous to find the larva of this
species, — reputed to be abundant in fens and similar places — my hope
of obtaining it had almost died out, but revived towards the end of
last year with encouragement fi'om Mr. W. 11. B. Fletcher, when he
made known to me that very strenuous efforts had been devoted to it,
and would be continued until the mystery of its habitat was cleared up.
The success that crowns pei-severance has in this case been
happily exemplified by Mr. Albert Houghton, of Wicken, who deserves
great credit for his praiseworthy efforts in bringing this larva to
light, after it had so completely baffled all who had before searched
for it in this country.
Without calling in question the accuracy of Treitschke, who
assigned to Jibrosa the flower stems of Iris pseudacorns, I yet may
venture to say there seems to me but little doubt that this conclusion
may have been drawn probably from an aberrant example, as latterly
in England there had come to be a consensus of opinion that it could
not be found in those stems.
But, however that may have been, it is now certain that I had
the great pleasure to receive this larva from Mr. Fletcher on the 1st
of July, 1883, being one of several Mr. Houghton had a day or
two before sent to him, and these were supplemented with further
examples, and on the 21st, Mr. Fletcher most kindly presented me
with one of the pupae which had resulted from them.
Of course, I tended the larva most assiduously with fresh, but
substitute food, from the most likely aquatic plants I could find,
including at first Spargaoiimn, Iris, and Carex, giving it the lower
parts of each next the root ; but it persistently refused the first two
named, and ate only of Carex paludosa, and very sparingly of that as
though not quite to its taste ; yet seeing it eat, I was hopeful the first
three or four days of rearing it, but was soon undeceived, as just within
a week it died of atrophy, after vainly wandering about in quest of its
proper food plant, the great fen sedge, Gladium mariscus.
Mr. Houghton was led to his discovery of the larva by observing
that when the crop of this sedge had been cut and removed there were
some of these plants that had not pushed out fret^h shoots, and looked
as though dead in the middle ; these on being closely examined proved
1884.] 1^J^J
to be tenanted by the larvap, whose ravages had thus betrayed them-
selves to him, and from the experience subsequently gained, he arrived
at the conclusion that each larva had ravaged about nine or ten shoots
of Cladium before it was fed up.
When the Cladium is mown, the situation of the larva is found
to average a distance of about an inch and three-quarters below the
cut surface, where the leaves are grown so compactly together as to
form almost a solid substance, and the^^e, a little above the root-stock
on the outside, is a roundish hole, pierced horizontally or tortuously
to the very heart or centre of the plant, from whence this excavation
is enlarged and extended either upwards or downwards or a little in
both directions, just as the larva chooses to feed ; and the hollow
residence thus eaten out is thereby more or less irregular in form and
direction, though generally an inch and a half in perpendicular length
and from a quarter to three-eighths in width, as from a sample
coTnprising a good number of these excavations, most kindly sent by
Mr. Fletcher for my inspection, I found all varying a little from each
other, though in one important particular they were alike, in the
fact of their being just sufficiently low down to escape the scythe
of the mower.
On the 14th of August I bred the moth, a female. The length
of the larva I figured was from 13 to 14 lines, it was of moderate
thickness and very cylindrical throughout, except that the head was a
trifle smaller than the second segment and the third and fourth rather
the stoutest, the thirteenth with a very remarkable sloping plate on
the anal flap flattened in the middle and having a prominent ridge
round the margin with large tubercular warts at the hinder edge ; the
segmental divisions plainly defined, and also the sub-dividing wrinkles
across the back of each beyond the fourth, viz., one not far from the
beginning, another well behind the first pair of tubercular warts, and
a third a little behind the second pair of the trapezoid, and all the legs
very well developed ; in colour the head was of a dark warm brown,
darkest at the mouth and very glossy, a black glossy plate on the
second segment, the anal plate blackish-brown with black marginal
ridge and posterior warts ; the rest of the body above was of a very
dark slaty-brown, rather inclining to a very deep olivaceous-drab,
especially on the thoracic segments ; and the belly and legs a lighter
drab, the faintly paler dorsal and sub-dorsal lines of drab just distinct
enough to be seen ; the tubercular warts black-brown, each with a fine
hair, and in relative sizes and situation arranged precisely the same as
X78 [January,
in H. micacea ; the spiracles oval and black, tlie ventral and anal legs
barred with black, the feet fringed with dark-brown hooks that clung
to any surface they touched ; the skin, genei'ally soft and smooth,
glistened slightly at the wrinkles while the larva was crawling.
The cocoon was about an inch long and half an inch wide, of
elliptical figure, composed of earthy particles mixed with moss and
other vegetable comminuted mattei'. the inside smoothly lined with
brownish silk. The pupa was 9 lines in length, of stout and robust
character, the eye-pieces rather prominent, and beneath them the
head produced to an obtuse point ; the thorax thick, with a swollen
rounded form, the wing-covers and all other parts clearly defined and
smoothly wrapped close to the body ; the lower abdominal rings tapered
gently to the tip which ended with two fine points ; in colour the head,
thorax, and wing-covers were of a very deep olive-green, the abdomen
of a less deep and brownish olive-green, the divisions of the movable
rings darker, the surface shining ; the two anal points had become
entangled in silk threads that held the old larval skin, and this skin
still retained the very remarkable anal plate, already described, in such
perfect condition as to afford the most satisfactory identification.
Emswortli : December 3rd, 1883.
CONFIEMATION OF THE MIGRATION OP APHIDES.
BY JULES LICIITENSTEIN.
In the October (1883) No. of the Ent. Mo. Mag. my good friend
G. B. Buckton, of Haslemere, replying to my criticism of his " British
Aphides" says :---" The subject of migration of Ajyhides is of consider-
able interest from a scientific, as well as from an economic, point of
vievv, and the production of well-ascertained facts will at once assert
their value, and eventually hold its own against all comers."
I hope to be able to-day to convince the readers of the Ent. Mo.
Mag., by affording undoubted evidence as to the fact of migration of
the elm plant-lice.
Prof. Horvath, of Budapest, discovered in the last months of
1882 that a root-feeding Aphid, which he had determined as Pemphi-
gus zece-mdidis, Low and L. Duf. (= Boyeri, Passerini, = radicum,
Eonscol.), after becoming Avinged, flew from the maize roots to the
trunks of elm-trees, and there deposited its sexed progeniture.
1884.] • 179
I tried, on receiving the notice of my learned friend of Budapest,
to make the contrary proofs, and to bring the winged spring-forms
of all elm-feeding plant-lice on to maize-roots. Contrary to my ex-
pectation, the only Pempliiqus known on elm (P. pallidus, Haliday,
suh Eriosoma) died without touching the roots ; while, on the con-
trary, another elm-louse, viz., Tetraneura uhni, immediately fixed itself,
sucking at the roots, and improving in size.
Greatly puzzled by the fact, I wrote to my friend in Hungary : —
" Please send me what you call Pevtphigtis zece-mmdis." He did so at
once, and I immediately recognised by the neuration of the under-
wings, and the relative length of the antennal joints, that the insect
was not a Pemphigus, but the very same Tetraneura uhni, Auct.
I consulted the authorities on Aphidology, M. Passerini of Parma,
Kessler of Cassel, Low of Vienna, and Ferrari of Genoa, asking for
specimens of their Pemphigus zece-mdidis or Boyeri, and sending
Horvath's examples for comparison: the result of my enquiries was
that both insects are the very same thing, and that Hartig's character
of the neuration of the under-wings in the genus Tetraneura cannot
be absolutely relied on, as there is sometimes a second very feeble
nervure in some examples, but that the character easy to seize, viz.,
the 5th antennal joint being equal to the 3rd, sufficiently distinguishes
Tetraneura uJmi from all other elm-lice.
Meanwhile, as maize is not commonly cultivated in our district,
whereas Tetr. ulmi is exceedingly abundant, I searched at the roots
of various grasses, and found that those of Cynodon dactylon were also
attacked by the same underground lice. In October, they changed to
nymphs, and to winged forms. I had a certain number in glass tubes,
where they soon deposited their sexed proles without rostrum, and I
witnessed the pairing, after which the female dies, conserving her
unique egg in the dried skin. I had already discovered the female in
1878 {vide Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xiv, p. 224). But, in addition to this,
I made experiments at large at my cottage at La Lironde, and, as the
trunks of my young elms seemed to me too smooth to offer a good
shelter to my pupiferous pseudogynce, I tied round them a band of
paper, and placed on it some winged-lice collected at the grass-roots.
They did not fly away, but, on the contrary, finding probably the place
to their taste, they passed between the paper and bark, and began to
lay their sexed young ones.
But what is still more astonishing, they served as an attraction
for other lice from the surrounding fields, where Cynodon dactylon
grew, and already, on the following day, my paper band was crowded
180 ■ •[Jinuary,
vfith pseudofjj/ncB aw^ i^ibpiferce, bringing their male and female pupse,
whicli burst open in a very sliort time, giving issue to the "perfect"
form, which is very imperfect indeed in these creatures, as they show
only the organs of generation and nothing else.
Now the last step must be narrated, the last proof must be
afforded. Out of the eggs concealed in the dried skin of the mother
I must obtain th.e pseudogyna fundatrix, and see her form her gall on
the young elm-leaf. This proceeding has already been so well observed
and described by Prof. Kessler, that, besides the fact of seeing the
fundatrix of the gall coming out of the egg proceeding from the grass-
root lice, I will have only to follow and confirm his observations.
At the same time that I discovered Tetr. uhni on Cynodon roots, I
could also establish more surely the kind of grass on Avhich the second
species of Tetraneura of the ehn feeds, which I named Tetraneura
rubra, because the gall is red.
I had written to Mr. Buckton and others that it was Triticum
caninum, but this spring I had the species of grass more certainly detei*-
mined by Prof. Planchon : it was Fanicum sanguinale. The young
lice of Tetr. ruhra are reddish, while those of Tetr. uhni are white, and
in the winged pupiferce the 5th auteunal joint is shorter than the 3rd,
while they are equal in Tetr. uhni.
So I can affirm that Tetr. uhni passes the summer as an under-
ground plant-louse on grass-roots (maize or Cynodon*),M\A Tetr. rubra
on Panicum sanguinale.
The three other gall-lice of the elm, viz.. Pemphigus paUidus,
Haliday, Schizoneura lanuginosa, Hartig, and Schizoneura uhni, Kalt.,
also assume their winged pupiferous form on the elm-trunks, but I
cannot yet discover where they come from. I fancy that Buckton's
Schiz. fodiens, feeding on black-currant roots, might be the under-
ground form of Schiz. uhni ; at any rate, the antennae are entirely
similar, according to Buckton's figures, but, of course, this is only a sup-
position, and more evident proof requires to be given.
Montpcllier : Srd December, 1883.
* In quoting two species of gra.sses on which I found the under -ground form of T. uhni, I do
not wish to assert that it may not occur on other grasses. On the contrary, for Passerini has
found it also on several species of Sorghum, Panicum crue-yaUi, Oryza montana, Uraproftis ?n«-
pastachys. Lolium perenne, Cuix lachryiaa, &c., so it is very likely that, in England, the insect
resorts to species of grasses more common there than are maize or Cynodon. Jlr. Buckton sa3's
he has found the species plentifully at the roots of Hieracium murorum, H. sabaudiim, and Lactuca,
b\it I think there is some error, for the antennie (Brit. Aph. , ii, pi. ex, fig. 31, do not at all resemble
those of Low's P. zecB-mohlix, in which the 5th joint is equal to the 3rd, and I think Mr. Buckton's
insect will some day prove to be the under ground form of some poplar galllousc, perhaps
P. bursarius or pyri/ormis, but, of course, proof is neces.sary to sustam my hypothesis. Ttlra-
ntwa rubra has not yet been found in England, and this is, perhaps, owing to the scarcity there
of Panicum scuiguiuatc—J. L.
1884.]
ISl
ACANTEACLISIS OCCITANICA and A. B^TICA; A DIFFERENTIAL
ESSAY.
BY ROBERT McLACHLAN, F.R.S., &c.
The comparative ease with whicli closely-allied species may be
distinguished is not always in direct proportion to the size of the
animals. This axiom is strikingly exemplified in the large Ant-Lions
for which Eambur (in 1842) pi'oposed the generic term Acanthaclisis*
Down to 1842 only one European species (occitanica, Villers, with
synonyms) had been described. Rambur added a second European
species (hcsfica). It was very recently that I found myself able, from
the materials in my collection, to differentiate two European species,
which could not be other than occitanica and Icetica, but concerning
which Eambur's descriptions left me uncertain, especially on one very
important point (alluded to in the remarks that follow). The diffi-
culty was increased because I possessed only the $ of one of the
species. I therefore applied to my ever-obliging friend, Baron de
Selys-Longchamps, who at once forwarded, for examination, the ^ type
of A. Jxstica, Hambur, in his possession. This cleared up the doubts
occasioned by an unlucky expression used by Hambur, and has enabled
me to put together the following notes, the result of former vain and
now successful attempts, on my part, to come to any definitive con-
clusion as to the distinctive characters of the two species.
A. OCCITANICA.
General form more robust and average
size greater.
Last joint of labial palpi shorter, more
suddenly clavate, with the apex rather
suddenly slenderer.
Median longitudinal band on the pro-
notum furcate anteriorly (complete pos-
teriorly) .
Anterior wings having a short hlacMsh
hasal line between the two cubit i ; the
two rows of pentagonal cellules in the
costal area strikingly unequal in size, the
upper heing much shalloioer than the
lower.
A. B^TICA.
General form more slender and average
size smaller.
Last joint of labial palpi longer, more
gradually clavate, the club more slender,
and not suddenly nai-rowed at its apex.
Median longitudinal band on the pro-
notum separated into two lines for its
whole length by a central (sometimes
interrupted) line of the ground colour.
Anterior wings with no blackish basal
line ; the two rows of pentagonal cellules
in the costal area nearly equal in size.
* Since Rambur's time, discordant species, probably forming several generic groups, have been
located in Acanthadisis, many of which contradict the chaiacter upon which the generic term
was based
182 [January.
Posterior wings : the transverse basal
nervules between tlie radius and the
upper cubitus suddenly thickened and
geniculate at their upper end.
Appendages of $ long, flesuous, red-
dish, loith a strong inner tubercle lefore
the apex, bearing strong black spinose
hairs (or this tubercle may be considered
the actual apex, from beneath which pro-
ceeds a straight cylindrical process).
Posterior wings : the transverse basal
nervules between the radius and the
upper cubitus sometimes slightly thick-
ened, but not geniculate at their upper
end.
Appendages of S short, curved, yel-
low, obtuse, with no inner tubercle (or
with no apical process, according to what
appears to be the real nature of the
appendages in occitanica).
Thus the most decisive characters wliereby to separate the two
species lie in the form of the apical joint of the labial palpi, fJie
presence or ahsence of a short blackish basal line in ihe anterior tvings,
the comparative sizes of the two rows of pentagonal cellules in the costal
area in these loings, and in the form of the anal appendages in the ^ .
Eambur's descriptions of the two are mostly excellent ; but there
is one expression so vague, and so apparently contradictory, that it
quite misled me. In describing A. occitanica, he says simply, " espace
costal ayant deux rangees d'areoles ;" in describing bcetica he says,
" espace costal contenant deux rangees d'areoles, dont une plus large
que chez Y occitanica.''^ The latter expression would leave it to be
inferred that the two rows were unequal in bcetica, and equal in occi-
tanica, whereas the contrary is the case, and the only way of reading
it so as to bear even a semblance of truth, is that one row in bcetica is
broader (or larger) than the corresp>onding roiv in occitanica ; and I
suppose that is what he really intended.
The presence or absence in the anterior wings of the short black
or blackish basal line* between the two cubiti ("la 4™® et 5™® nervures"
of Rambur) is an excellent prima facie character, not alluded to by
previous authors.
Hagen, Stett. Zeit., 1866, p. 288, calls attention to a slight cha-
racter in the neuration (it should have been stated only of the posterior
wings), viz., that immediately under the radius ("mediana") there
exists, in bcetica, a rudimentary longitudinal nervure in which the
transverse nervules end (instead of directly in the radius) ; it cer-
tainly exists in most specimens of bcetica examined by me, but it equally
exists in some undoubted specimens of occitanica ; the geniculation of
the end of these nervules appears to be constant in occitanica and
absent in bcetica.
* Hagen, Stett. Zeit., 1858, p. 125, alludes to an example of occitanica with a black streak,
under the sector of the radius up to the pterostigma.
188i.J 183
The form of the anal appendages of the (^ is very different in the
two species. If my ideas are morphologically correct, the inner tuber-
cle (" portion interne saillante " of Eambur) in the appendages of
occitanica really represents their true apex, the process below it being
supplementary (and absent in hceticd). There is also a ventral process
(or inferior appendage) which is longer in hcBtica than in occitanica.
Locality is no guide. A. occitanica occurs certainly in all the
Mediterranean districts of Europe (introduced in Prussia), South
Eussia, and in Central Asia. (A $ and $ from Bone in Algeria, in
in De Selys' collection, have a slightly different /fcc^Vs in wing-markings,
but are not structurally distinct). A. hcetica occurs in Spain, at Mont-
pellier (coll. McLach.), in Turkey (Besika Bay, coll. McLach.), and in
Syria {teste Hagen).
With a view to test the bibliography, I have consulted most of
the older authors, and in my opinion they all had A. occitanica under
consideration. I will here briefly refer to those authors who have
given figures :
De Tillers (Linn. Ent., iii, p. 63, pi. vii, fig. 10, 1789), originally de-
scribed the species as Myrmeleon occitanicutn (from Nimes in the
south of France) ; his figure is excellent, and shows distinctly the
inequality in the two rows of costal areoles.
Eossi (Faun. Etrusca, ii, p. 14, pi. ix, fig. 8, 1790), under the name
M. lihellidoides pisanus, gives a wretched figure, but no doubt in-
tended to represent occitanica. In his description he shows that the
form of the tibial spurs had not escaped his notice.
Olivier's figure {M. occitanicum, Encyc. Method., viii, p. 122, pi. xcvii,
fig. 6) is only a bad copy of Eossi's.
Panzer's figure of M. pisanum (Faun. Germ., fasc. 59, pi. iv) was
undoubtedly meant for occitanica (^), but it is indifferent, and he
contrived to represent the principal nervures as double.
Fischer von Waldheim (Ent. Euss., iv, p. 43, pi. i, fig. 1, circa 1846)
describes and figures A. occitanica as Myrineleon georgianum ; his
figure is tolerable. In his description he uses the vague term
" costsB duae praecipuse duplicatse " {cf. also Hagen, Stett. Zeit., 1858,
p. 125), by which I think he intended to allude to the double row
of costal areoles. At any rate, I cannot otherwise account for the
expression, and he was not influenced by Panzer's flgure.
A. Costa (Faun. Napoli, Neurotteri, Myrmeleontidea, p. 7, pi. viii,
fig. 2) gives a good description as Acanthaclisis occitanica, and his
184 [January,
figure (cj) well shows the inequality in the two rows of costal
areoles, but the markings o£ the thorax and wings are very in-
differently indicated.
Finally as to figures : that by Savigny (Descript. de I'Egypte,
Neuropt., pl. iii) indicates a ? Acanthaclisis that should be occitanica
according to the costal areoles and the labial palpi, but the markings
on the pronotum very badly I'epresent those in that species. Therefore
I consider there is just a little doubt as to the species intended, a
doubt that would not exist had Savigny been a less faithful follower
of Nature in his usually admirable figures.
Some minor points (chiefly alluded to by Eambur) have not been
here considered in my endeavours to elucidate the chief distinctive
characters of A. occitanica and A. hcetica ; a difference in the form of
the tibial spurs is the most important.
Hagen (Stett. Zeit., 1866, p. 289) alludes to an Acanthaclisis from
Japan (A.japoniea, Hag., McLach., Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1875, p. 174)
as perhaps only a variety of A. hcetica. Undoubtedly it is nearer
hcdtica than occitanica in the costal areoles, appendages of ^ , &c., but
the markings of the pronotum, &c., are sufiiciently distinct, and, if I
mistake not, the labial palpi more nearly approach those of occitanica
in form. My materials for this species are not sufiicient, nor in abso-
lutely good condition.
Lewisham, London :
December, 1883.
Concerning Tomateres pardalis, F., and T. clavicornis, Latr., two very closely
allied species of exotic MyrmeleonidcB. — In 1781, Fabricius described (Spec. Insect.,
i, p. 398) a pretty ant-lion from " Coromandel," under the name of Myrmeleon par-
dalis, in Banks' collection (the original type exists, and is in the British Museum) ;
this species was subsequently described by Walker in 1853, as M. compositus. In
1830, Latreille figm-ed (Cuvier's Kegne Animal, iii, p. 438, pl. xix, fig. 4), a species
from Senegal as the " Fourmillon clavicorne." In 1866, Hagen formed for these
(and some others) the genus Tomateres, on account of the form of the club of the
antennte.
The Indian T. pardalis was tolerably common in collections, but the Senegal
T. clavicornis remained almost unknown, and even Eambur (1842) could only give
a description after the original notes and figure ; the relationship with T. pardalis
was evidently very close. A few years ago numerous examples of a Tomateres
(excessively like pardalis) arrived in this country from Abyssinia ; on account of
the rather wide dii?erence in locality, I hesitated to consider them identical with
clavicornis, and regarded them rather as a slight variety of pardalis. By a lucky
chance, I found, two years ago, in one of M. E. DeyroUe's boxes at Paris, an un-
1884.] 1S5
doubted clavicornis from Senegal, aud, moreover, found the Abyssinian examples
were identical therewith, and, further, that the Indian pardalis only differed in
certain small points.
The chief character whereby to separate the two is in the colour of the legs.
In pardalis the tibiae and tarsi are wholly black (except the base of the tibise) ; in
clavicornis the tibise and tarsi are wholly yellow, or reddish-yellow (the tarsi
with black spines). There are some other minor points : — in pardalis the three
black spots on the pronotum are usually (but not invariably) connected into a trans-
verse line ; in clavicornis they appear to be always widely separated ; in pardalis
the transverse black streaks on the anterior-wings are less numerous ; and in clavi-
cornis the colour of the body is paler yellow.
I believe the two may be considered distinct, but it is an interesting point in
geographical distribution to find so marked a form existing with only slight modifi-
cations from Senegal to India, and also to find that the Abyssinian individuals do
not differ from those from Senegal.
T. clavicornis may be regarded as a resuscitated species, so long had it remained
known only by the original indications. — Id. : December \st, 1883.
Formicaleo tetragrammicus, F., as a Sioiss insect. — According to a remark in
Meyer-Diir's " Neuroptern-Fauua der Schweiz " (1875), there exists some doubt as
to this Ant-Lion having been observed in Switzerland. I am of opinion that it has
liitherto been confused there with Myrmeleon europaus {formicarius, auct.) Dr.
Jordan has just sent me an example of F. tetragrammicus that he caught a few years
ago near Sierre in the Valais, and I have two specimens labelled " Zermatt."
I take this opportunity of stating that the " Ascalaphus macaronius, Scop.," of
Meyer-Diir, is A. longicornis, L. The two Swiss species are coccajus, W. V., and
longicornis, L. The true A. macaronius does not occur so far west in Europe as
Switzerland.— Id. : October 30th, 1883.
Four species of Chrysopa unrecorded for Sioitzerland. — I find in my collection
the following species, all taken by myself, that do not appear in Meyer-Diir's
" Neuroptern-Fauna :" — Ch. dorsalis,3\irni., a single example beaten from Finns
syUestris in the Val d'Anniviers (Valais), 9th July, 1882. Ch. nigricostata, Brauer,
Foret de Pfyn and Vispthal (both in the Valais), 10th and 11th July, 1882. Ch.
viridana, Schneider, one example on the Alpbach above Meiringen, in July, 1878 ;
ordinarily a meridional species. Ch.flava, Scop., Meiringen, July, 1878. In vol.
xvii, p. 141, 1 recorded Ch. pallida from Thusis ; in 1882 I saw this species in the
late Ed. Pictet's collection at Greneva, with the label " Burgdorf," in Meyer-Diir's
hand, so it must have been overlooked by that author when compiling his " Fauna."
Other unrecorded species of Swiss Planipennia (notably curious forms of
Coniopterygidce) are in my collection, but not yet sufficiently worked out. — Id. :
December \st, 1883.
Destrtiction by White Ants at Calcutta. — On a " slip " inserted into Part ii of
Vol. li of the " Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal " (published August 21st,
1882), is printed the following notice : —
186 [January,
" The greater portion of the impression of Plate xvi having been destroyed by
white ants, members and correspondents are requested to abstain from binding
Yol. i, Part ii, 1881, until they have received a copy of it."
This is both interesting and serious, as showing the danger to which scientific
and literary work is exposed in India; and it is curious from a purely literary point
of view. — Id. : December Sth, 1883.
Capture of Fhaneroptera falcata, Scop., in England. — In September, 1881,
while walking along the cliffs near the little fishing village of Porthgwarra, in the
Land's End district, I captured a single specimen of Phaneroptera falcata, Scop., at
rest on the grass near the foot path.
This very conspicuous and beautiful Orthopteron belongs to the OryllidcB of
Stephens, = Locustina of Burmeister and Fischer, and has not hitherto been re-
corded as captured in England. According to Fischer, it occurs in S. Eussia, S.
Q-ermany, Switzerland, S. France, and Egypt, and there ai'c specimens in the British
Museum from Madeira.
It is possible that it may be an imported specimen, if so, the nearest port
through which it could be introduced is Penzance, whichjis distant about ten miles,
as the crow flies. The Porthgwarra boats are small, and used for fishing near the
coast in fine weather, in fact, their only access to the sea is through a tunnel exca-
vated through the rock ; on the other hand it is also possible, considering the
Lusitanian character of the Flora of South-West Cornwall, that it may be an
indigenous species, and it is to be hoped that any entomologist meeting with any
species of this family either in Cornwall or the South-West of Ireland will preserve
it for examination. — Philip B. Mason, Burton-on-Trent : December, 1883.
[If this fine and not specially destructive insect can be included in the very
limited list of British Orthojitera, it will be a grand addition. Personally, I incline
to the opinion that the specimen captured by Dr. Mason may have been imported by
some vessel bound up-channel from the Mediterranean. Many years ago, I had
given to me a living specimen of Locusta viridissima found on board a ship in mid-
channel. As that ship was homeward-bound from the east {via the Cape), the
natural inference was that the insect had flown on board in the channel, either from
the French or English side. In Brunner von Wattenwyl's " Prodromus der
europJiischen Orthopteren " (1882), a very worthy expansion of Fischer's Monograph
of 1853, and describing about double the number of European species given in
Fischer, the northern distribution of Fh. falcata is stated as 48° in Europe proper.
— B. McLachlan.]
Some further remarTcs on Nepticulce. — Soon after the publication of my last notice
concerning the pupation of iVep^/ct<Z£8, in the Ent. Mo. Mag. for June, 1883 (pp. 17,
18), I was surprised to see freshly spun cocoons of Nep. sericopeza, both on the new,
half-developed keys, and on the young, fresh leaves of a maple tree. These cocoons
were all at, or near, the extremity of the lower boughs of a tree which grew on a
hedge-bank, the lower branches of wliich spread far across a considerable ditch, and
then over the pathway alongside of it. Now, whether these larvae had wintered in
18S4.] 187
the ground,or on the trunk, they must, in either case, before spinning their final cocoons,
have travelled a considerable distance, at a time when, considering their long winter
sleep and fast, they might well be expected to be somewhat enfeebled.
Mons. Goureau records the finding of cocoons in the autumn on the \ejs,just
oidside the hole from which the larva had emerged. In this place I have never found
them, but may it not well be the case, that the larvae do so spin, close to the point
where the key rests on the petiole, or even on the petiole itself ? These do not
generally fall with the keys, but remain on the tree till the appearance of new leaves
in spring : in many cases also the keys themselves do not fall. Thus it would be only
a short ramble for the resuscitated larvse on to the young keys and leaves. One thing
at all events is certain that the larvae which had spun these fresh cocoons in the last
week of May, had not fed up in this year's keys, which were even then in some cases
not half their full size, while many still bore the parts of the flower. The images
bred were all true sericopeza, in nowise differing either in size or colouring from
the later brood.
In the month of July, while examining the leaves of Salix alha, I noticed at
the extreme tip of a leaf, a brown Nepticula cocoon, and lower down, in the same
leaf, the empty mine. On further search I discovered 20 or 30 such cocoons, all but
one in the same place, at the tip of the leaf, not always the same leaf as that in which,
the larva had fed up, but occasionally in an adjacent one. The sole exception had
spun up on a midrib, close to the leaf-stalk. Among the images which emerged and
which appear to be true salicis, there was one very beautiful variety with the fore
wing white from the base to the external margin of the pale fascia.
While on this subject of the NepticuJcB, I may call attention to two facts in
connection with the autumn brood of the present year : — first, the excessive mortality
among nearly all the species : secondly, the unusual scarcity of many larvae gene-
rally plentiful, and the unusual abundance of others.
Thus atricapiteUa and ruficapiteUa of the oak-feeders, viscerella and margini-
colella of the elm-feeders, and gratiosella and ignobilella of the hawthorn, the mines
of which are all generally more or less common, have this autumn been quite scarce.
On the other hand, lasiguttella and suhbimaciilella have occurred in far greater
numbers than I have ever met with them before, the latter, always abundant, being
this year in thousands. The other commoner species, such as oxyacanthella, atricollis,
anomalella, trimaculella, catharticella, with those of the birch and alder, have
appeared pretty much as usual. But nearly all alike have been extraordinarily subject
to disease at every period of their larval life. This disease would seem to commence
with a discolouration of the dorsal vessel alone, the larva ceases to feed, and dies in
situ, after which the whole body becomes dark. After examining a large number I
am satisfied that this mortality was not attributable to the attacks of ichneumons ;
possibly owing to the premature wet and cold weather of October the larvae tried to
feed up too fast and paid the penalty. Tlie only species which seems to have been
comparatively exempt from this disease was subbimaculeUa, which, being always a late
feeder, would naturally not bo so much affected by the bad weather.
A remark with regard to Nep. quinqitella may not be uninteresting. Mr.
Stainton in the Manual says of this species, "used to be common at West Wickham."
It does not appear to have been observed again in any quantities until Mr. Meyrick
188 [January,
noticed its occurrence in great abundance in this neighbourhood in 1877 (Ent. Mo.
Mag. xiv, p. 111.). The mines were equally abundant in the two following years,
then they seemed almost to disappear, and it is only by knowing on what particular
trees to look for them that here and there one or two mines can now be found,
whereas, during those 3 years of their abundance, 20 or 30 in a leaf was the average
number. Perhaps other Neptictdce are subject to the same yariation. Last avitumn
the larvjE of Nep. uhnivora were quite plentiful along one small elm-hedge, before
which time I had never been fortunate enough to obtain more than an odd one here
and there. This year a cai'eful search on three separate days only resulted in half-a-
dozen mines. I do not think it has been recorded that, apart from the distinctness of
their mines, the larvae of uhnivora may always be distinguished from those of
viscerella by their hlue-green colour.
I have mentioned above the great plentifulness oi suhhimaculella, but numerous
as they have been, their numbers have been nothing compared with ruhivora ; and
that not only in this immediate neighbourhood, and in Essex, but on the Lincolnshire
Coast, where Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher found them in the greatest profusion. This is
the third year I have taken them commonly ; before 1881 they do not seem to have
been noticed or recorded in England. It may be that, like quinqueJla, they too are
periodic in their appearance, and will presently again become rare. — W. Warren,
Merton Cottage, Cambridge, November 20th, 1883.
Douhle-broodedness of ScoparicB. — I am much surprised to read Mr. Sang's note
in this month's Ent. Mo. Mag., p. 167, where, writing of double-broodedness in the
ScoparicB he says, " one can hardly imagine such a thing in that genus." I thought
it was thoroughly well known to all who have taken any interest in the group, that
Scoparia muralis is always double-brooded. I have myself reared the second brood
in Augiist from eggs obtained from a June moth, and the habits of the species are
precisely the same outdoors. Full-grown larvae can always be found in abundance
under and among moss on our old walls from February to April, and the images are
plentiful at the end of May and early in June ; but after about the middle of June
not an imago can be seen for some weeks, but the larvse are again feeding, which
produce a still more numerous brood of moths at the beginning of August. And
although there is certainly not the clear distinction between the appearance of the
broods of amhigualis that there is in muralis, I have little doubt that it also is to a
great extent double-brooded. It is always common in June, and although it occurs
on the wing all through the summer, it becomes, especially about our moors, very
plentiful again in August, and the specimens then are very fine and large. Conspicualia
has never been looked for in June, but this year one was accidentally taken in that
month, but the species not detected until it was too late to look for more. It is always
in good condition at the beginning of August, hence I think it is not unreasonable to
suppose there may be two broods of it also. — Geo. T. Pokbitt, Huddersfield,
December \st, 1883.
Lepidoptera hred from larva on Myrica gale in Norfolk, with notes. — During
this and last year I collected a number of larvse from Myrica gale (Bog-Myrtle),
which produced imagines of Tortrix Lafauryana, and those of the following :
issi.i 189
T. Podana in great variety, some of the forms being different from any I had
preyiously noticed ; T. rosana in plenty, amongst them some very dark specimens ;
T. vihurnana also in numbers ; the males of this species, ■whether caught or bred,
are somewhat smaller and darker than my Scotch specimens. I note that the
females with long, narrow, and pointed fore-wings are rarely seen on the wing,
although they can be obtained in plenty from larvae ; some of my specimens have
the fore-wings much reticulated. Of T. riheana and T. Jieparana a few only
emerged, whilst Sericoris lacunana and S. urticana were well represented. A few
Phoxopteryx sicuJana were also bred.
Besides the larvge which produced the Tortrices jiist enumerated, I found those
of a Noctua. These, from their early habit of feeding between leaves, I at first put
in my boxes as larvse of a Tortrix, but as they became larger they left their leafy
abode, and disclosed their true nature, emerging from pupae next spring as Tcsnio-
campa gracilis.
Cases of Coleophora viminetella were common, but from those collected few
moths or ichneumons emerged ; the cases of this species on M. gale are narrower,
somewhat truncate at the apex, less serrated and brighter coloured than those on
sallow.
Clepsis rusticana is sometimes rather common here among M. gale, and doubt-
less its larva feeds on that plant, but I have not yet bred the species. — Edward A.
Atmoeb, 3, Haylett Terrace, Exton's Eoad, King's Lynn : December \lth, 1883.
Note on Cramlns furcatelhis. — I read with interest the article on this species.
I may perhaps go a little further back than many of the Entomologists of the
present day. 1 found it in plenty in 1847 near Killin, on a range of hills stretching
towards Ben Lawers. It used to be in profusion on Helvellyn, also on Scawfell
more sparingly ; it requires a good altitude ; even Stye Head is hardly high enough ;
but a few hundred yards further upwards brings you to head quarters ; it also
occurs on Skiddaw. I have a number of larvse now hibernated that will, no doubt,
produce this species the first week in July nest ; some were very small early in
October, one I saw was about five-eighths of an inch in length ; I did not wish to
disturb them, they were lying snugly ensconced at the roots of a club-moss that
grows where furcatellus occurs. The larvae are of a pale whitish-yellow, with very
few hairs on the body, the head very small, shining, and in colour pale ash, no spots
visible on the larva ; in fact, to sum it up, a bit of horse-radish best describes it.
Mrs. Eraser very kindly sent me the larva, of which some day I hope to give a
better account. — J. B. Hodgkinson, 15, Spring Bank, Preston : December 3rd, 1883.
Captures of Coleoptera, Sfc, in the Hastings District in 1883. — Notwithstanding
the extreme scarcity of insects, I have done pretty well this year, probably owing to
my having had more time on my hands than formerly. As is generally the case in bad
years &,feio species have been commoner than usual. In July the $ of Lampyris was
abundant at light. I have already recorded the abundance of Athous difformis. The
Guestling sandpit has yielded me two specimens of Leptinus testaceus, Pristonychus
somewhat commonly, two or three Coenopsis, several PUnthus, Orobitis in plenty,
one or two Ilyobates nigricollis, nnd many commoner things. I have another speci-
190 t January,
men of Leptinus which I fancy was taken in the runs of Formica fuUginosa. At
the entrance to the burrows of tlie larvsc of Cossus, I have found Cryptarcha strirjata,
C. imperialis, Epuraa decenijjiinctata, E. olsoleta (this latter was also common on
a wet oak-stump), Soronia grisea, a $ JTomalofa cinnamomea, and some obscure
UomalotcB. While fishing in the Rother at Eobertsbridge, my brother found a fine
PanagcBus crux major crawling on his trowsers. I have never seen the Camber
sandhills so deficient in insect-life since I have collected there. The only things
worth bringing home were Bledias unicornis and Z-cornis and Psylliodes marcida
common on a few plants of Cakile maritima.
Since sending the note on the Myrmecophilous Coleoptera (Ent. Mo. Mag., xx,
p. 40), I have found, in a nest oi F. fuUginosa at Battle, a specimen of Ilyrmedonia
lugens, accompanied by M.funesta and Oxypoda vittata. \In moss at Guestling I
have taken Trachys troglodytes, Liosomus troglodytes, L. ohlongulus (rarely).
Tychus niger, Scydmcenus denticornis, Cephennium thoracicum, &c., &c.
The following I have also met with : Flmis ceneus, Guestling and Fairlight ;
Litnnius tuherculatus, Crowhurst j Anohiumfulvicorne ; Mordellafusciata, sparingly,
Ashburnham and Battle ; Qrypidius equiseti, Battle ; Wiynchites pubescens, Gruest-
ling; By ZoJitw a JzV^w, plentifully, Fairlight; Callidium alni,Crovfh.\xrBt; Bemlidinm
prasinum, one at Bulverhithe ; Bryaxis sanguinea, Leistus rufescens, under rejecta-
menta, Guestling; Oxyporus rufus, sweeping, Fairlight; Antherophagus pallens,
sweeping, Guestling ; Scaphidium 4:-maculaium, in a cai"t-rut at Guestling, com-
pletes the list of the better things.
Hemiptera have been nearly as scarce as the Coleopitera,h\it MegaloccercBa longi-
cornis and Acetropis Qimmerthalii were abundant at Fairlight. Thanks to Mr.
Herbert Henry, who conducted me to the exact spot at Ashburnham, I was enabled
to take Chilacis typhce, in comparative plenty, in the heads of TypJia latifolia.
It occurred in all stages, both in this year's heads and also, but more plentifully,
in last year's. Anthocoris sarotJiamni occurred sparingly on its usual food plant at
Guestling. Sweeping has produced Calocoris striattis, C . fulvomacidatus, and Kabis
flavomarginatus, all three taken singly at Guestling. On two occasions I have met
with Macrolophus nubilus by sweeping bracken in places where Stachys sylvatica
was conspicuous by its absence. Amblytylus affinis occurred near Battle pretty
commonly. With it were a few Macrocoleus moUiculvs ;' Oerris najas is common
on all running water and on the powder-mill ponds ; O. pallidum is to be seen, but
rarely caught, except in windy weather, when thoy generally lie vxnder shelter of the
bank.
It may not be out of place to mention^that Vanessa cardui has been abundant
here as elsewhere, and that I saw a specimen of Colias Edusa on the railway em-
bankment at Bopeep the other day. Fanessa Atalanta has been far more abundant
than of late years. — Edwd. P. Collett, 76, Islip Street, Kentish Town, N.W. :
October \1th, 1883.
Myrmecoxenus vaporariorum, Ou4r, tfc, at Dulwich. — Among some Coleoptera
recently named for me by the Rev. W. W. Fowler are two specimens of this insect,
taken in either May or June of the present year from a hotbed in this neighbourhood.
I was able only to pay one visit to the bed, which was soon after destroyed, so that
1884.] . 191
my chance of acjain meeting with the insect is but small. Balaninus tessellatus
turned up here in some numbers, in company with the commoner species of the genus.
I also obtained two specimens of Phloeotrya Stephetisi, from a birch log, and one
Tillus elongatus from a spider's web. Towards the end of September I visited my
old locality for Aphodius porous at West Wickham, but only succeeded in finding
nineteen specimens ; A. ohliteratus was common in the same field. A single specimen
of Stenus geniculatus appeared among a host of S. impressits swept from heather, and
Ceuthorhynchus alliarice was also found in the sweep-net. Prognatha was rather
common under the bark of a felled acacia. A Cosszw-infested horse-chestnut at
Streatham produced Homalota kospita in numbers, and from an ash near Belvedere,
similarly attacked, I got several TacMnus bipustulatus, Cryptarcha strigata, and the
usual common things. — Theodobe Wood, 5, Selwyn Terrace, Upper Norwood,
November 23rd, 1883.
Triplax Lacordairei at Dulwich. — A few months since I recorded the capture
of Triplax cenea, among other Coleoptera, in the neighbourhood of Dulwich. Upon
more careful examination I find that the insect is the much rarer T. Lacordairei,
Crotch, a species principally taken, I believe, at Darenth Wood. I took two examples,
one of which was unfortunately broken, from toadstools, the first towards the latter
part of July, the other early in August. But for the scarcity of fungi in the district
I should doubtless have met with further specimens. — Id. : December 6th, 1883.
JEgialia rufa, F., at Wallasey. ^Burmg the past season I had the good fortune
to take two specimens of this rare beetle, one in May and another in June, on the
Wallasey Sandhills, Cheshire. I found them crawling on the bare sand along with
JE. arenaria. — E. Wilding, 40, Downing Street, Liverpool : December 12th, 1883.
Sarpalus quadripunctatus, DeJ8an,from Somersetshire. — In overhauling my
Sarpali lately, I made an interesting discovery, viz., that amongst my exponents of
H. latus was a specimen of H. quadripunctatus, Dej., which reference to my journal
proved to have been captured on the Mendip Hills dm'ing my visit to Somersetshire
in April, 1877. Judging from the wide European range of this species, I see no
reason why it should not be found in suitable localities throughout England and
Wales, as well as Scotland. My specimen proves that it occurs in England, and
suggests the probability of its actual existence in collections mixed up (as in my own
case) with S. latus. My specimen is also interesting in another way — the usual row
of large punctures in the third interstice number /om»* on the left elytron, and three
on the right, showing that discrepancies on this point by different authorities are
due to inconstancy on the part of the beetle, and not to confusion of species by the
" Doctors." — W. Gr. Blatch, 214, Green Lane, Smallheath, Birmingham : December
17th, 1883.
dBbttuarjr.
Dr. John L. Le Conte. — This distinguished entomologist was the son of Major
Lecoute of Philadelphia, himself a writer on entomology, and well known as the
correspondent of Dej can and other prominent men in this department of science
192 . [January, 1884.
in the early part of this century. Lo Conte'B attention was thus early directed to
the field in which he became so renowned, and being a man of great courage,
self-reliance and energy, he, as long ago as 1844, intimated his regret at seeing
American insects going to Europe for determination and description, and set himself
to remedy this by doing the work himself. This task he has carried on with
unfailing energy for about forty years, the result being, that in this period, he has
named and described about 5000 species of North American Coleoptera, and
characterized about five hundred genera. It is, however, as a writer- on the
classification of Coleoptera, that he has gained his widest reputation. Having to
study and arrange a comparatively unknown fauna, he investigated the classifications
in vogue, and scarcely ever failed to suggest important modifications and improve-
ments ; in 1861 — 2, his work on the classification of North American Coleoptera was
published by the Swithsonian Institute, but was left uncompleted till the spring of the
present year (1883), when a second and complete edition was brought out with the
assistance of Dr. Geo. H. Horn. His labours were recognised in Europe by his being
elected honorary member of most of the more important Entomological societies, and
in 1874, he was President of the American Association for the advancement of science.
For many years he was almost the sole Coleopterist of ability in North America,
but recently he had been much assisted by his fellow-citizen, Dr. Geo. H. Horn.
Le Conte's health had for some year or two past given anxiety to his friends, as he
had threatenings of apoplexy, and on the 15th of November last he died. He
held an appointment in the American Mint at Philadelphia, and was, we believe,
about QG years of age, the date 1825 given in Hagen's Bibliotheca* as the year of
his birth, being erroneous. His important collection of North American Coleoptera
will go, I understand, to the Museum at Cambridge Massachusetts. — D. Shaep.
Entomological Society of London : ?>th September, 1883.- -J. W. Dunning,
Esq., M.A., F.L.S., President, in the Chair.
Baron C. R. Osten-Sacken, of Heidelberg, was elected a Foreign Member.
Sir S. S. Saunders exhibited examples of the true " Cynips caricce," of Hassel-
quist, obtained from Smyrna figs, and gave interesting details of the history of the
species, and of the errors that had occui'red in connection with it. Some unknown
depredator entered the figs and destroyed the insects, for there were the remains of
many individuals indicated only by the apes of the abdomen and long, hard ovi-
positor. The larva of a Chrysopa had also been found in the figs.
Mr. Enock exhibited a very fine hermaphrodite example of Maeropis labiata,
in which the external characters of both sexes were distinctly represented, and the
genitalia also appeared to refer to the two sexes. He remarked on the rarity of
gynandromorphism in bees, and it was suggested that a full description (with
figures) should be drawn up of this example.
Mr. Coverdale exhibited GrapholUha cmcana, Schliiger, taken by liim at Deal,
and new to Britain ; cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., ante p. 83.
The Rev. H. S. Gorham read a paper on the Lycidce of Japan, with intro-
ductory notes, which gave rise to considerable discussion.
* Hagen .siraply says " 182p." Henshaw, in Dimmock's "Special Bibliography" saj-s "May
13th, 1825," the information having been obtained from the American ' ' PoiJular Science Monthly "
for 1874. — Editors.
Febniary, 1884.] 193
NATURAL HISTORY OP AGLOSSA PINGUINALIS.
By (the late) WILLIAM BUCKLER.
I figured the larva of this species in April, 1860, from an example
found in the Corn Exchange at Chichester, but did not then study its
habits ; nor indeed did I doubt the usually accepted account of them
for twenty-two years after, until in 1882 Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher kindly
sent me, from Thetford, a few eggs, laid by a female he had taken in
a barn, and with them a supply of rubbish swept from the barn floor,
amongst which he supposed the larvae would find their proper food ;
this struck me at once, and I was still more interested when the eggs
hatched, and the young larvsB seemed to be thriving, which induced me
to study their habits as closely as possible, and also to investigate the
origin of their being credited with feeding on fat and greasy substances.
That the latter part of my task has been accomplished is due to
Mr. H. T. Stainton, who, with extreme kindness, expended much time
and labour in research, and in furnishing me with a complete transcript
from De Geer's " Memoires " Tome 11. l''^ partie, p. 371, in which both
Reaumur and Eolander are cited ; such effectual help claims my
grateful thanks !
Eeaumur I have no doubt knew the larva and its habits, for I
consider that the figures (PI. 20, Memoire 8,) as well as the description
of his " fausses teignes des cuirs," apply to pinguinalis and not to
cuprealis ; but it was Linnaeus who bestowed the specific name —
pinguinalis — relying, doubtless, on what Eolander had said of it, and
thus gave the stamp of his great authority to a mistake, which has
passed current for truth ever since.
Next we have De Geer, who, in relating what he knew himself of
the larvae, says " It is in the rooms and entrances that I have often
found them, crawling on the floor or climbing against the walls, and
only in such places that I have met with them. They were almost
always come to their last stage of growth, so that when one rested it
was only to become a pupa."
Again, after stating what Eeaumur had said of the larva making
itself a tube, and gnawing leather coverings of books, and feeding on
dry bodies of dead insects, he continues " I have had no opportunity
to see their lodging nor how they feed themselves ; it is always in spring
or commencement of summer that I have found them, crawling in the
rooms and against the walls of the entrances. They are not willing to
eat at that time,but are all one after another preparingto become pupae."
Having thus said what he knew himself, he goes on — "M. Eolander,
194 r February,
who has also followed the history of these larvae in the place I have
cited in the Memoires de I'Academie des Sciences de Suede,* said that
they fed on many sorts of eatables, as lard, butter, and dried meat, and
for that reason they willingly dwell in the larder, and in the offices.
He has seen them eat butter and lard with avidity. He has also rubbed
all the body with lard and with butter, without their having appeared
to suffer injury ; one knows that the ordinary larvae are suffocated, as
soon as one stops their spiracles with oil or some other greasy matter.
But M. Eolander has remarked, that the larvae are able to hide their
spiracles in folds of the skin, to avoid their being wetted and stopped
by the greasy materials which surround them."
" He does not say that he has seen them reside in coverings in
form of fixed tubes ; he appears not to have known, that M. de Eeaumur
had before spoken of these larvae under the name of ' fausses teignes
des cuirs,' because they inhabit a fixed sheath : for he said they had not
been described by any author."
Now, after my recent experience, the foregoing extracts afford me
most convincing evidence, that Rolander was not really acquainted
with the larva until it had ceased feeding, and I think I shall presently
prove this ; and I can only suppose that he must have somehow deceived
himself in imagining that which he asserted of its food, and of its
spiracles, ingeniously suiting the one to the other ; but it seems some-
thing more strange, that for more than a hundred years, all authors
who have written on the Pyralides have gone on copying the above, and
commenting on it as one of the ^iock facts in this branch of Natural
History.
To return to the record of my experience with the eggs sent me
by Mr. Fletcher, when I received them on 11th of August, they were
only just in time, as two of them hatched in the evening of that day,
and five more the next day ; I put the larvae at first on a little of the
barn sweepings in a glass-to])ped box, in order to observe, if they fed
at all, what they would choose ; for these sweepings consisted of a
variety of things, such as husks of wheat and of oats, small fragments
of straw and of Gladium thatch, also of the pods of beans, small seeds
of various plants, short bits of grass and other dried stems, some
woolly dust, and a few empty pupa skins in cases of some small species
of Lepidoptera, all mixed up together with much chaffy and earthy
matter.
Into this mixture the active little creatures at once went down
out of sight, and did not show themselves at all while they remained
* Rolander, M6m. de I'Acad. do Suede, Ann , 1775, p. 61, Tab. 2.
1884. ) 195
in the box for twelve days, I then began to look for them, and found
some small earthy particles of the rubbish adhering slightly to the
bottom of the box, and under these I saw three larvae, and a fourth
lying under a morsel of old straw ; after this, I removed all into a pot
provided with more of the sweepings ; later still, I began to realize
the hazard of satisfying my curiosity while inspecting their progress
from time to time, as I was obliged to turn them out of their tubular
dwellings, which were of rather tender construction ; and for some
time this work of danger resulted in casualties, until after fatally
injuring several larvae, I was impelled to invoke help from Mr. Fletcher,
between whom and myself many communications had passed at inter-
vals concerning these larvae, and on the 24th of September, he most
kindly sent me six of part of the same brood he had been rearing for
himself : and of these again, after they had wintered safely in a more
or less torpid condition, I was unfortunate enough to injure several
in the following spi-ing, and in April found I had only two survivors :
one of these fully grown, after abandoning its tube, crawled about
and remained exposed on the side of the pot for a day or two, but
finally retired to the bottom, on which it spun up in a firmly fixed
cocoon on the last day of April, and I bred the moth from it on 14th
of June : the second was kept in another pot, wherein it eventually
during May spun its cocoon, and changed to a pupa, of which I secured
a figure and description before the imago came forth on the 8th of
July.
Meanwhile, I resolved to make acquaintance with the larvae in
their native haunts, and early in May sought for them in a farm stable,
and there, by help from a small boy, on several occasions during that
month, a number of them were discovered, enabling me thoroughly
to learn their natural mode of life : the place in the stable where they
were found was a dark corner between the oat-bin and north wall, in a
very narrow interval of space between the two, into which some of the
hulls and chaff would often be falling amongst the particles of straw
accumulated there, whenever the bin was opened for feeding the horses ;
the larvae were almost all on the floor in a cool and slightly damp tem-
perature, inhabiting tubular residences of various lengths, quite flexible
and adaptable to any surface, and as all these tubes were more or less
covered with small fragments of straw and wheat husks, they, while
being removed, appeared like strings of rubbish, accidently held to-
gether without any visible means of cohesion, until the fragments were
plucked away, when the dirty coloured silk would betray the residence
of a larva, which never showed itself in any instance until turned
R 2
19G [February,
out. Some of these larvae I sent to Mr. Hellins, who examined them
for me under his microscope, and confirmed my view of their structure.
Towards the end of June, Mr. Hellins made further acquaintance
with this species ; he had gone with his nephew to fish in the Exeter
canal, but, to use John Leech's explanation of one of his pictures of
Mr. Briggs, " the wind that day was not in a favourable quarter," and
so, to avoid a drenching from the S.E. rain beating in from the sea,
they had to take shelter in a stable, where presently they observed a
specimen of the moth sitting on the brick wall, and before long ever
so many more, and, while trying to count them, they noticed several
of the cocoons spun in the mortar-grooves between the bricks, at a |
height above the ground of from three to five feet, some perhaps more,
clear away from the ledges of the rack and manger, where the larvae
must have fed on the matted and dusty hay seed husks ; they noticed
no straw in the stable, but only a coarse kind of hay, made from
grasses and herbage grown on the canal banks, amongst which could
be distinguished the seed-heads of Holcus lannfus ; quantities of this
chaffy rubbish filled the chinks, and lay about on all the ledges with a
thick matting of dust, and from a farrago of this nature they stirred
out two or three of the larvae ; they carried home five or six cocoons,
and in a day or two bred two of the moths, and sent the remaining
cocoons to me, and I also bred from them two pingiiinalis on 14th and
19th of July ; whilst from the larvje I had myself found, the moths
continued to appear fi'om 25th July to 7th August.
From these observations I think it will be seen that the larvae
live in comparative darkness, in stables, barns, and outhouses, amid
accumulations of the rubbish above mentioned, hidden within a pro-
tecting sheath or gallery nearly or quite close to the ground, composed
of materials in which they find both their food and their covering;
unless disturbed, they are never to be seen whilst growing, as they do
not voluntarily leave their abodes until full-fed, but then only do they
desert their quarters, and may occasionally be observed ascending
walls to find a suitable place for pupation.
The egg of pinguinalis is of a good size for the moth, of a
roundish-oval form, almost globular, though there is a bigger and a
smaller end ; the shell, dull and granulated all over, is whitish or
creamy-white ; a few hours before hatching a light brownish patch
shows through one end of the shell, and a very faint pinkish-grey
tint on other parts.
The newly-hatched larva is of a very pale whitish flesh-colour,
with yellowish-brown head, and ]ilate separated from it by a margin
18S4.] 197
of pale skin, a similar brown plate is on the anal flap. When twelve
days old, the internal vessels appear full of food, and as the size
increases the alimentary canal acquires more and more of a dark grey
colour, showing very plainly through the clear almost colourless skin.
When six weeks old they become of a dingy grey-brown colour,
almost approaching to blackness. On 25th September, I chanced to
notice one larva, which appeared nearly ready to moult ; it was then
dark grey-brown at each end, and whitish-grey along the middle
segments of the body, where the dark dorsal vessel showed through,
but interrupted at the segmental folds of pale skin ; this larva I kept
apart, and in a few days it moulted, and became as dark as any of
the others.
On 27th September, the smallest was from 9 to 10 mm., and the
largest 13 mm. long ; the head jet-black, the plate nearly as black, and
also three or four following segments, this hue from thence melting
gradually into slaty-grey, whereon the minute tubercular black dots
appeared ; the anal plate brownish-black, and dull. The individual
kept apart from the others had increased to a length of 17 mm. by
the nth of October, when it was of a slaty blackness. By 13th of
November, most of the others had grown to be 20 mm. long, inhabiting,
as I said before, long soft tubes of dark grey-brown silk, smooth inside,
but covered externally with quantities of the sweepings ; the larvae I
turned out to inspect were now entirely black, excepting the pale upper
lip, papillas, and the legs, which were all semi-pellucid and light drab-
coloured ; a great number of pellets of black frass appeared in the
pots, these I was careful to remove on all occasions of replenishing the
supply of sweepings.
I did not disturb them again until 4)th of March, 1883, after
keeping them through the winter in a cool dark place, and then I found
they had not grown at all in the interval, but during the next twenty
days their tubes increased to a length of two and a half inches, and
the agglomerations adhering made up roughly a transverse diameter
of about three quarters of an inch.
As stated above, all this investigation of the growing larvae was
made at the cost of the lives of most of them ; however, at the end of
April, there still remained two alive, and from them, and also from other
examples captured when mature, I made the follawing description.
The full grown larva is from 25 to 29 mm. in length, almost
uniformly cylindrical throughout, though rather stoutest at the third
and fourth segments, which have deeply sub-dividing wrinkles, and on
each of the following segments to the twelfth is one deep transverse
] 98 [February,
wrinkle a little beyond the middle ; sometimes faint indications of one
or two more occur near the end, without detracting from the general
plumpness of outline ; the segmental divisions are well cut, the anal
flap plumply rounded off behind ; the tumid ridge below the spiracles
is very prominent, the belly flattened and deeply wrinkled ; the dorsal
tubercular dots each with a fine hair are arranged rather in a square
than a trapezoidal figure ; the spiracles are very flat, situated just
below each lateral wart where the skin is very plump, and in no way
hidden or protected by any wrinkle or fold : the colour is generally
black or blackish-brown, sometimes a little bronzy, the head having
a pale bar of greyish-drab across the upper lip, the papillae of the
same pale colour, all the legs drab ; the belly appears like rather worn
bronze, the spiracles are black like the skin around them, and there-
fore are rather difficult to discern.
The pupa is about 13 mm. in length, and nothing unusual in
form ; the moveable segments of the abdomen are deeply cut, and
furnished at the tip with four fine curly-topped spines ; its colour is
of a dark brick-red, and with a dull surface, though in the divisions
of the moveable rings it glistens a little.
The cocoon, firmly attached to some solid surface, is of broad-oval
form, composed of greyish silk, on which the spines of the pupal tail
obtain a firm hold ; it is covered externally with particles gnawed
from the surface of its surroundings, whether of rubbish, or of mortar,
like those from the Exeter canal stable, or indeed of paper, as I found
many years since, when a cocoon was spun in a box of that material.
There now only remains for me to state that on two or three
occasions, when I had a larva out before me to examine, I did not
neglect to test the grease theory, by leaving butter and lard with it
under a large glass, but in every case it seemed carefully to shun both,
and though I contrived once that it should at least walk over some
lard, it did so nimbly enough, but could not be induced to walk over
it a second time, invariably swerving aside. As a final experiment, I
turned a large but still feeding larva out from its dwelling into a pot
containing three pieces of cloth, one piece lightly saturated with salad
oil, the second bearing a lump of fresh butter, and the third a lump of
lard, and tied over the pot a cover of calico ; on being placed therein,
the larva soon came in contact with a piece of cloth, and stopped as
though afraid to advance any further ; but on my looking next day I
could only see the tail of the larva protruding from beneath the lard-
bearing cloth, and on my touching it with a soft brush very gently it
instautly sprang forward, concealing itself entirely under the cloth ;
1S84.] 199
on the third day it was close by the same piece of cloth, but not under
it, and on touching it I found it dead, hard to the touch, and rather
swollen ; neither butter, lard, nor cloth had on examination been
nibbled at all, though there were traces of the larva having crawled
all over most of the bottom of the pot ; neither fat, therefore, nor
greasy cloth, offered any attraction in the way of food, nor did the
larva seem proof against the usual harm which contact with oil or
grease causes to insect life ; but, on the other hand, I confess I never
saw a larva actually eating any of the rubbish, on which I believe it
must have fed : I found whenever I turned a larva out of its abode,
and supplied it with fresh materials to feed on, it immediately began
to unite some of the particles together, to cover itself with a new
residence, so that it would not feed until out of my sight and in
darkness, and thus all my attempts to see it actually eat were frustra-
ted by this habit. Perhaps, indeed, dried meat, which was one of the
substances mentioned by Rolander, might be eaten, especially if it had
become quite hard and tasteless ; in this state it would not be very
much unlike the leather of the book covers on which Reaumur found
the larvae feeding ; and, as a concluding observation, it occurs to me
to remark, that he must have kept his library in a state of dust, and
never let the maids " put it to rights," or he would not have found
his game so close at hand !
Emsworth : January 2nd, 1884.
TROPICAL COLLECTINa.
BY GEO. C. CHAMPION.
(Continued from page 175.)
In my last paper I spoke chiefly of the outfit of an entomologist
in Central America, now I will tell him what he is likely to find in his
excursions, commencing with the " tierra caliente," or low country
(below 1000 ft. elevation) of Chiriqui, or that part of the State of
Panama immediately adjacent to the frontier of Costa Rica. To reach
the virgin forest, of which there is still plenty remaining, not oglgrz^
the low country, but almost everywhere on the mountain slof= the^
will probably have — if he is staying in any village or settlement— to
ford one or two rapid rivers or streams, full of great, loose, slippery
boulders, and nearly dry in the dry season, but, perhaps, up to his
middle in the rainy ; then most likely some " nastrojos," or second
growth forest of quite a different character and different vegetation to
200 [February,
the virgin forest, and consisting principally of arborescent Compositce,
Solanacece, and Legnminosae, till at last he will find himself in the
forest — lofty trees compared to which our highest trees are but dwarfs,
spindly palms going straight up 30 feet or so, and looking as if they
would topple over every moment, as perhaps they would if they were
not protected by their stilt-like roots growing several feet out of the
ground, with undergrowth of smaller trees, smaller palms, and in damp
places tree-ferns and Bamhusce, lower still great broad-leaved Heli-
conia {Musacece) and allies, ferns. Arums, &c. ; and on the ground in
some places mosses, Lycopodiums, Begonias, &c. ; he will rarely see
any flowers in the forest itself, excepting in the dry season, when now
and then a lot of flowers will be seen on the ground, fallen from some
lofty tree, perhaps leafless at this season, and the particular tree from
whence they came almost indistinguishable, nor will he find anything
he can satisfactorily sweep for insects. The branches of the trees are
covered with Epiphytes {Orcliids, Arums, Bromelias, &c.), and hanging
down from them lots of rope-like lianas or vines {bejucos), often
reaching the ground and taking root in the soil ; climbing plants
innumerable; palms, ierns, Arums, Passijlorcs, &c., he will find run-
ning up the trunks, and all over every tree ; palms with spines as
sharp as needles, large trees with spines all over the bark, spiny
creepers ; in fact, a thorny path everywhere.
In the height of the rainy season, it is almost impossible to get
about in boots : the paths where they exist, and if used at all, will be
nothing better than series of mud or water holes, with here and there
stumps, tree-roots, or stones, to say nothing of innumerable small
streams ; if the collector wants to do much at this season he will have
to go native-fashion, barefoot ; in the short dry season, however, it
is possible to get about almost anywhere, though he will not find
nearly so much to repay him for his work.
Insects, as a rule, excepting ants (long processions of the leaf-
cutting (Ecodomce, carrying in their mouths pieces of leaf much larger
than themselves, and vast armies of Ecitons are to be met with
everywhere) ; Termites (the hard, black, earthen nests of which look
a ' ^ly like niggers' heads on a large scale, and frequently to be
St ' >ropped up between forked branches or upon the tree trunks)
do not abound, still there are very many species to be found by
hunting ; the best time for collecting is during the mornings of the
commencement of the rainy season in May or June, at this season the
magnificent blue Morplios of perhaps three species — M. Amathonte,
Peleides, and Cypris — sailing leisurely (till one gets near them) through
1884] 201
the opener parts, rarely settling and rarely coming within reach of the
net ; the gigantic Caligos always settling on tree trunks in the shade,
and if disturbed flying a short distance to rest again in the same
manner, Paphia, Opsiphanes, Gynaecia, Epicalia, Catagramvia, and
Protogonius, often on excrement, &c., on the ground, and not seen till
nearly trodden upon' when they fly off wildly to settle on some tree-
trunk or leaf ; the beautiful transparent- winged GallitcBra, seen by
its rosy-pink patch for a moment only as it crosses the path ; a good
many species of Satyridce in the dense undergrowth, flying very near
the ground ; various EuptycMce, Mesosemia, and other Erycinidce,
many SeliconiadcB {Heliconius, Itliomia, Mechanifis, &c.), the trans-
parent-winged Leptalis, so like Ithomia, many Sesperidce, Apatura,
Seterochroa^ and other Nymphalidce, and others will be found in the
opener parts of the forest ; Castnias, flying wildly, Olaucopis and allies
(some of which, while on the wing, are absolutely indistinguishable
from wasps) flying about the low undergrowth, various day-flying
Heterocera, some of which so mimic Heliconius, Ithomia, and other
butterflies, as to constantly deceive the collector ; various LithosicB,
Notodontee, Oeometrcs, and Pyrales, will occasionally fly out or fall on
to the beating net ; of the Micros, very few species will be seen beyond
an occasional Tinea or plume.
The Coleopterist will probably be very much disappointed at first,
plenty of butterflies may often be seen when scarcely a beetle is to be
found ; general beating, as a rule, is not productive, unless on the
margin of new clearings, or where the sun penetrates freely ; the
great thing is to find a new clearing in the forest, and these to any
extent are only made by the natives in the dry season (December or
January, so as to burn in March) — not by any means the best time
for the collector ; however, now and then, one does find a clearing or
freshly fallen trees, then is the time, almost before the trees are down,
beetles begin to appear — Longicorns (I have taken perhaps 100 species
in one clearing, by constant hunting day after day for a fortnight),
Elaterid(B (Semiofus, GJialcolepidius) , Anthribidce, BrentJiidce, Trogosi-
tidce (TetnnocJiila), Hisferidcs {Hololepta, Tryponceus), Scolytidce (es-
pecially Platypus), Golydidcd {GoJydium, Auboniuiii), various Cleridce,
Lycidce, Biiprestida, &c. The best way to find many of these,
especially the Longicorns, is to crawl over the fallen trees the best
way you can and examine very carefully the shady or under-side of
the trunks and branches, even to the smallest twigs, many of the
smaller Longicorns, &c., are so active, taking to wing directly they
are approached, that it is little use boating for them, diligent search-
202 [Feljruary.
ing will pay better ; some species run about very actively on the logs
in the hot sun, as Oli/tus, CaJichroma, Trachyderes, various Anthrihidce,
Brenthidce, and Cleridte ; also Euchroma and a few other Bupi-estidce
(Chrysohothris and allies). These last named like the hottest sun, and
are as active as flies. Large number o£ beetles, &c., occur in withered
leaves of the fallen tree-tops or branches, in fact, this is one of the
best methods of collecting in the forest ; many moths, Hemiptera,
Longicorns (Ustola, Jamesia, &c.), that are never seen on the trunks
or branches, may be found in this way, some Carahidce {Lehia, Agra,
Ina, Colpodes, Calleida), Cicindelidee (Ctenostoma), Seteromera (Ap-
sida, Segemona) ^Gleridce, Trogidcd, TelepTioridce, Staphylitiidce (^Pcederus,
Quedius, Pinophilus, Palaminus), Anthrihidce, very many Gurculionidce,
and others.
In the clearings, as they get older, or after they have been burned,
and while you can still get about them before the crop of rice or
maize prevents you (and if there is plenty of black fungoid growth
about the fallen logs, as is usually the case), many different species
begin to appear, as a good many Heteromera (Spheniscus, Nyctohates),
Erotylidce, Endoviycliidce, and some few Buprestidce, Anthribidce, and
Longicorns, not before seen ; a sappy log will probably contain many
Brenthidce, Piestidce, Dactylosternum, Temnochila, Sololepta, Hypoplil-
(Bus, Morio, and others, under the bark ; a good many Carabidce
(Coptodera) running on the sappy bark ; and, perhaps, the fine Hetero-
meron, Phrenapetes, in the decaying wood ; older logs will contain
various species of Passalidee, and fungi on these same logs will produce
Erotylidce, Carabidce, allied to Lebia (these prey on small larvae),
Oyrophcena, and other Stapliylinidce, &c. In addition to some Cleridce,
many Curculios (suggestive of Cceliodesaud Ceuthorhynchus on a larger
or smaller scale) run about in the hot sun on the bark of dead or
fallen trees, most of these are exceedingly wary, flying off at once, and
seldom to be caught with the fingers, though they can be brushed into
the net ; general beating in the forest itself will not produce very
much beyond species of the Anchomenus-\\ke Colpodes (so numerous in
species, about 140 are now known from Central America) Calleida,
Lebia, various Lycidcs, Lampyridce, ChrysomelidcE, some Heteromera
(^Strongylium, Statird), Telephoridce, Curculios, and others; in the
rolled unopened leaves of the banana-like Jleliconice, many smooth
flattened Hispidce, some Carabidce (Calophcena), and Cassidce will be
found. These insects may also be seen in fine weather sitting on the
leaves, dropping down into the leaf again when approached ; sitting
on leaves in the forest in sunny places, a good many IIispid<s, Chryso-
1884.J 203
melidce, minute Suprestidee {Brachys), some very bright metallic
OntTiophagi, and various Lampyridee and Lycidce will be found, by
searching in this way very often far more will be found than by
beating ; great, black, greasy-looking Galandrce, and sometimes Ceto-
niidce, will be found flying with a loud humming noise in the hot sun,
about the sap of fallen chonta and other palms. As soon as it begins
to get dark in the dry season the "cocujas," or PyropJiori, are to be
seen flying rapidly in a straight line through the undergrowth ; lots
of Lampyridce will be met with in the rainy season ; these latter have
an unsteady, undulating sort of flight, very different to Pyrophorus,
the smaller species generally keeping low down about small bushes,
some quite close to the ground. They do not retain their light nearly
so long at a time as Pyropliorus, some flashing very frequently ; though
often found in large numbers, each one appears to take his own course.
I never saw anything I could call a flight, nor any flashing in unison
amongst the very large number of species collected by myself ; many
species appear to be very local, especially when one ascends the
mountain slopes, where, with every 1000 feet ascended, different
species are to be met with ; nearly all the Central American species
appear to be winged in both sexes.
A good many Semiptera, especially Reduviidce, occur in the forest,
some species are common on fallen timber, one in particular (a
Beduvid), with curious scarlet leaf -like appendages to the apex of the
abdomen, and the abdomen itself covered with a sticky sort of sub-
stance, preys upon freshly-emerged Longicorns, &c., and I have often
seen it with its rostrum buried in the bodies of other insects, anointing
them well with the sticky substance before sucking them dry. This
species, like most Beduviidcd, is very evil-smelling ; they require to be
handled as carefully as wasps, their bite is like the prick of a hot
needle ; some fine Aradidcd occur under bark, and a good many
Coreidce and Pentatomidae on leaves or on the wing. Some fine dragon-
flies — species with exceedingly long bodies and long wings, and the
apices of the latter tipped with yellow, white, or blue, occur in the
damp forest ; they are seldom, if ever, seen near water.
Some large Hymenoptera (^Pompilidoe) are common in the fresh
clearings, where they hunt for spiders and insects amongst the fallen
timber.
On the margins of the forest, and in the second growth, a good
many different species will be found, as the Acrcece, many Pieridce,
Papilionidcd, ThecJce, Hesperidcd, Erycinidce, &c. ; the fresh growth
springing up about new clearings (the natives are frequently clearing
204 [February,
to plant sugar-cane, coffee, rice, maize, tobacco, &c.) is often alive
with beetles — Phyfojjhaga, Carahidce {Onypterygia) , Seteromera (^Sta-
tira), Hemiptera, &c. ; a " platanal " (plantation of bananas or plan-
tains), if in a damp place, is sure to be productive, the withered or
dead hanging leaves forming first-rate traps for all kinds of insects —
moths, heeiXes, Hemijjtet^a^&Q.. (as well as spiders and land shells). In
the patches of wood on the hot " llanos," or savannas, many insects
may be found sitting on leaves, as various Hispidce, Chlamys (these
are exactly like the excrement of Lepidopterous larvae), &c. ; by
brushing about the low bushes with a gauze net — it is little use beating
— a good many Cryptocephnlidce, Glythra, Chrysomelidce, and Hemiptera
will be obtained ; large Coreidce and Pentatomidce are more abundant
in these places than in the forest, they like the hottest sun ; some few
Lepidoptera more fond of the sun will be met with here — Theclce,
Siderone, Papltia, Ageronice (always on tree trunks), Prepona, Synchloe,
Coloenis, some Glaucopis, Urania Leilus, and the like ; and on the banks
of the streams lots of Terias, Callidryas, Papilio, and Callieore ; some
nice little Erycitiidce, darting about for a moment to settle again
beneath leaves (their wings spread out horizontally at rest), are often
met with in early morning. The flowers of the mango, guava {Legu-
viinosce), and other edible fruit trees, appear to be very attractive to
insects — to Hesperidce in the day-time, and to Spliingidcs in the short
twilight. Excrement on the plains and elsewhere will contain Phanceus
and other Copridce ; fallen rotten fruit (oranges, pine-apples, bananas,
cacao, «fec.) swarm at times with NitiduUdce and Ontliophagi ; carrion
is not easy to find, the turkey-buzzards devour it so quickly, and in
consequence very few Necrophaga are to be met with, dead beetles
{Passalidce) have more than once produced me species of Aleocharidce !
the flowers of Arums, and the decaying roots of the pine-apple-like
plants called " pinuela," often contain lots of Lamellicorns {Gyclo-
cephala and allies) and NitiduUdce ; lots of Epilachna, Phytophaga, and
Hemiptera will be found sunning themselves on the leaves of Cucur-
hitacecB (melons, squashes, &c.) ; and some pretty little Coccinellidce on
the orange trees.
Exceedingly few Lamellicorns of the larger species {Dynastidce,
&c.) will be found by the ordinary collector, though they are there ;
I have had the remains of Megasoma elephas and M. Hercules brought
me more than once, though I never met with them myself ; Buprestidce,
except small species, and the giant Eucliroma are poorly represented ;
no species of Oarahidce larger than Agra, nothing to compare in size
with our Carahi ; Staph ylinidoe, if worked for, very numerous in species.
1884.] 205
The "manglares," or man^ove swamps, which are found every-
where along'the coast in this part of the world, seem quite unproductive
in insects, always excepting Calicidcd ; on the sea beach, a Cicindela or
two and Phalerin are almost the only things to be found.
CicadcB abound in the dry season both in the forest and in the
open country ; the Fulgorida are not rare in the forest, they are very
sluggish in their habits, and appear to sit in one spot for days together
on the tree trunks, especially near the ground.
Minute ticks, or garrapatas (Cuscusa), are a great pest in Tropical
American forests in the dry season, frequently swarming all over one,
so that on returning home there is no alternative but to strip, and
mosquitoes and other Diptera are sometimes very troublesome, though,
fortunately, there are no land-leeches as in the east ; snakes are only
too common in these very hot damp forests, the majority, however,
large as they are, are of innocuous species ; in the forest amongst the
dense vegetation, in hunting about the fallen timber, and while beating
(I have beaten them on to my net several times), it is, of course, neces-
sary to keep a sharp look out ; in the rainy season they are sluggish,
and you are apt to tread on them, but in the dry season they are so
active that you can seldom get very near them ; in pulling off bark
with the fingers, as one very often does, you have to be a little careful
not only of snakes, but of scorpions, both of which are very fond of
hiding beneath loose bark.
The above will give some idea of what the entomologist will find
by working in Central America, not so much as would be obtained
more south (Brazil, Ecuador, &c.), still, the fauna is a very rich one.
I do no more than give the result of my own experience.
(To be continued).
ON THE MALE OF ZAR^A FASCIATA.
BY J. A. OSBORNE, M.D.
Thanks to the kindness of Mr. E. A. Eitch, who has been good
enough to send me some numbers of the Entom. Nachrichten for the
year 1878, I am enabled to estimate more accurately the real scarcity
of the (J of this species, and to forward a description of it, which may
not be unacceptable under the circumstances.
After having, in a previous number, invited correspondence and
specimens, Dr. Kriechbaumer of Munich published in the No. of the
Ent. Nachr. for June 1st, 1878, an elaborate and, as it seems, exhaus-
tive investigation, extending over 8 pages of that journal, into the
20 G (Kebnuiry,
recorded descriptions of Z.fasciata, Mas., arriving at tte somewhat
negative result that most of them are incompatible with one another,
and that he remained in doubt whether any of the insects described
^s (? fasciata belonged to that species at all, or whether, in fact, any
(J fasciata had ever been met with. When I mention that among the
authors whose descriptions are discussed are included the names of
Linnaeus, Jurine, Le Peletier, Fallen, Klug, Dahlbom, Zaddach, and
Thomson, and that the result was what I have stated, it is obvious
that the authentic discovery of a (^ Z. fasciata must have a considerable
interest for entomologists. Such a discovery followed speedily on the
publication of Dr. K.'s paper, and was announced in the No. of the
Ent. Nachr. for July 15th, 1878. Herr Gutsbesitzer Kuwert, of
Wernsdorf, near Tharau, in Old Prussia, in whose neighbourhood the
species is only too abundant, and who " believed to remember having
once taken it in copula^'' after considerable difficulty at last succeeded
in capturing a (J in June (or July) on a larch tree. From this
specimen he furnishes the following description :
" Zaraea fasciata^'' L. Mas.
"The whole abdomen, inclusive of the first segment, is black. It
is narrower than in the female. The last and penultimate segments have
on the dorsum a median [longitudinal] groove, and are more strongly
covered with black hairs at the sides. The metallic-brownish coloration
of the abdomen in the fresh female has given place to a deep black.
The eyes .... meeting above, cover the whole vertex and
hinderhead. Size in both sexes the same ; likewise the band upon
the wings."
"With this description my specimen tallies accurately. I would
add, however, that (in mine) there is likewise this difference from the
$ , that all the tibiae and tarsi are light brown ; and that the lateral
tufts of black hair, especially prominent on the penultimate segment,
give an almost trifid appearance to the apex of the abdomen which is
very striking to a superficial view. The dead black of the body
excludes from the comparison most of the supposed males of Z. fasciata
described, after Jurine, as " bronzee," " nigro-seneus," or as having
coppery or metallic reflexions. Zaddach's description of his $, as
having the legs, from the knees down, yellow, recalls a similar feature
in my insect, but differs in several other particulars, especially in the
quadrate velvety spot on the abdomen.
Kuwert concludes his paper with the expression of his opinion
that only Linna?us, of all those authors mentioned, had described the
1881.1 207
(J fasciata from an actual specimen o£ the species ; I cannot, however,
help echoing the wish of Dr. Kriechbaumer (loc. cit. p. 142), that
some London Entomologist would examine the Linnsean type if it is
still preserved in the Linnsean collection there.
Whether any further discoveries of this ^ resulted from Dr. K.'s
paper, which seems to have awakened considerable interest at the
time, I have no means of knowing,* but in any case the confirmation
which my recently found specimen affords, seems to be not altogether
superfluous.
Milford, Letterkenny :
December, 1883.
[I have examined the "Linnsean" collection, and find therein two
examples of Zarcea fasciata ; both are females : one of them bears a
label in Linne's hand, and is presumably his type. — E. Mc. Lachlan.]
I
BEITISH R0M0PTERA.—A.T>T>1T10'SAL SPECIES.
BY JAMES EDWARDS.
Thamnotettix STUPIDULA.
Thamnotettix stupidula, Zett., Ins. Lapp., 294, 9 ; J. Sahib., Einl.-och
Skand. Cicad., 21G, 8.
Above sordid greenish-yellow with fuscous or black markings : vertex in front
■with two triangular dark fuscous spots placed transversely, their bases parallel,
separated by a line of the pale ground-colour, and their apices drawn out in a linear
form as far as the ocelli, just behind these spots are two oblong dark spots, also
placed end to end but more widely separated ; pronotum somewhat suffused with
fuscous, with traces of one or more longitudinal lines of the ground-colour ; scutellum
with two triangles at the base dark fuscous or black ; elytra with all the areas, except
the costal and first sub-apical, more or less margined (sometimes entirely filled up)
with dark fuscous or black ; membrane fuscous ; tibisB spotted with black, posterior
pair with a narrow black streak within ; body below chiefly black.
$ . Genital plates (taken together) elongate-triangular, rounded at the apex,
about four times as long as the genital valve, with a row of bristles near the outer
margins. Side-lobes of hypopygium much narrowed and produced. Lower apical
angle of the anal tube produced in a tooth-like manner. Length, 3 lines.
The capture of this Arctic species at Pitlochry by Mr. A.
Beaumont is an interesting addition to its geographical range, the
latitude of that place (56° 41' N.) being ten degrees further south
* Andr^, in 1880, expresses himself to the same effect as Dr. Kriechbaumer : " La femelle est
commune mais le mfile est si rare qu' il n' est mSrae pas trfes sflr que les individus qu' on lui
rapporte en soient d' une fa<;on bien authentique."— Species des Hymen : Tenthred. i 32, January
nh, 1880.— J. A. O.
208 [February,
than any of its hitherto recorded localities. The most northern
locality given for it by Dr. J. Sahlberg, I.e., is Lyngen, Finmark
(69° 34' N.).
T. stupidula may always be distinguished from T. subfuscula, the
most nearly allied British species, by its greenish-yellow ground-colour,
even when the dark markings on the elytra are obsolete or entirely
wanting.
Deltocephalus propinquus.
Deltocephalus propinquus, Fieb., Verb. z.-b. Ges., XIX, 204, 5,
tab. V, fig, 5.
Allied to D. punctum, Flor, in the pointed form of the head.
Brownish-yellow ; the nerves bounding the base and apex of the first
sub-apical area thickened and milk-white. Very variable in the dark
markings of the elytra, sometimes these are entirely absent, while in
the darkest form all the areas are narrowly margined with fuscous,
and many intermediate forms occur. In what appears to be the
commonest form the upper margin of the first sub-apical and the hind
margins of the apical areas are narrowly bordered wdth dark fuscous,
and the hind margin of the fourth sub-apical area is also bordered with
the same colour in such a manner as to nearly resemble the dark spot
observable on the elytra of D. punctum, Flor.
(J . Genital Talve triangular, shining black ; plates (taken together) triangular,
broadly truncate at the apes, about two and a half times as long as the valve, entirely
covering the hypopygiuin, dark brown with pale yellowish margins. Lower margins
of the hypopygium (viewed from below) with a falcate, acute, corneous, dark brown
process placed near the middle and directed inwards and backwards. Inner processes
is/riffel of Fieber) deep shining black, about half as long as the plates, somewhat
curved, obtuse, and having at their base a straight tooth which is about two-thirds
as long as the process itself.
? . Hind-margin of the last ventral abdominal segment with two small obtuse
triangular teeth which are about equidistant from the side-margin of the segment
and from each other. Entire segment brownish-yellow with an oblong black patch
on the hind-margin, including the teeth, and below each tooth there is almost
invariably a black dot, but this latter is evidently caused by the bases of some muscles
connected with the ovipositor shewing through the pale portion of the segment, since
it disappears when the segment is dissected out. Length, 2 lines.
The locality indicated in Dr. Futon's "Catalogue" (1875) for
this apparently little-known species is Andalusia. It seems to be
tolerably common in Norfolk, and is probably overlooked elsewhere.
I have examined 42 examples (24 cj 18 ?).
Swiss Cottage, Rupert Street, Norwich :
December ISih, 1883.
1884.] 209
A MEMOIR OF ANT-LIFE BY THE LATE REV. H. S. R. MATTHEWS.
Communicated by the Rev. A. MATTHEWS.
Among a host of notes and records of Natural History left by
my brother, 1 lately found the subject of my present communication.
And since so much interest has lately been excited by the researches
of Sir John Lubbock into the life-history of Ants, I thought that its
publication would prove interesting to those Naturalists who have paid
so much attention to this subject, and also serve as a corroboration of
facts already recorded by others. I have, therefore, transcribed the
following memoir entitled in the words of its author : —
[THE WARS OF THE ANTS.
On the 25th of June, 1850, as I was passing through a fir-
plantation near Skelliugthorp in this county (Lincolnshire),! observed
two very large colonies of the great red and black Ant, Formica rufa;
their nests were about five or six yards apart, and had been built, like
others in their vicinity, ou the bank of a dry ditch by the side of the
road. Their inhabitants were busily engaged in the usual occupations
of Ant-life, some carrying home various articles of food, such as small
insects or caterpillars, while the greater part seemed to be employed in
collecting materials for the purpose of enlarging their already enormous
nests. I was much amused by watching their proceedings ; one in-
dividual was endeavouring with all his might to drag home along piece
of stick, unconscious that all his efforts were rendered abortive by two
of his own companions, who, on the other side of an intervening root,
were equally determined to drag the same stick in an entirely contrary
direction ; in another part, one, whose ambition exceeded his strength,
seized a tolerably large caterpillar by the throat, and was forthwith
hurled ignominiously on his back, nothing daunted by this rebuff he
loosed his hold, and patiently watched the contortions of the caterpillar,
until, seeing his head and tail in contact, he pounced suddenly upon
him, and seizing both extremities in one grip of his powerful jaws he
raised his now helpless victim on high, and bore him off in triumph.
Feeling much interested in my new friends, and anxious to improve
our acquaintance, I took an early opportunity of revisiting the spot.
But, alas ! in the short space of one week how great a change had
come over the scene. The once flourishing colonies, a few days before
teeming with life, seemed almost entirely depopulated, scarcely could
an Ant be seen on either nest, and the few, whose appearance was the
only sign that any of its former multitudes remained, crawled stealthily
over the surface, more like robbers or spies than the rightful owners
of the soil.
210 [Fel.ruary,
Astonished by what I saw I investigated the matter more closely,
and before long discovered the true state of affairs. An internecine
war had broken out, which, arising probably in some private quarrel,
had eventually involved the whole of the rival communities, and had
been carried on with the most rancorous hatred, and the most per-
severing hostility. The scene of the main conflict lay in the ditch
between the two nests ; the whole of this space was literally covered
with the dead bodies of the combatants, which in some places lay more
than an inch deep. The historical hatred of the Kilkenny Cats, which,
as we are told, terminated in their total annihilation, was here exhibited
in all its intensity. "With a few solitary exceptions all, preferring
death to defeat, had paid the last debt of nature. Here and there, in
various parts of the battle-field, the strife was still carried on by single
combat ; each antagonist blindy bent upon destruction, endeavouring
to seize the other by its antenn?e, and when this had been accomplished,
locked in each other's embraces, they rolled upon the ground, until the
struggle had ended in the death of one or both combatants. A sur-
vivor from one of these duels still able to crawl about, and still burning
with fury, was searching in every direction for another antagonist ;
having touched with his antennie a supposed enemy he halted for an
instant, and gathering together all his remaining strength, rushed
blindly forward, and frantically seized a small stone.
Pondering much on what I had seen, but too true a picture of the
suicidal folly of mankind, I at length pursued my way to a neighbouring
village, where I intended to remain for a few days fishing and insect-
hunting. Three days after I had witnessed the sad though interesting
sight I have described, I passed the same locality on my return home-
wards, and was pleased to find affairs much improved. All traces of
the conflict had been obliterated, and the bodies of the fallen removed.
As if by magic a fresh race had sprung up, apparently as numerous as
its predecessors. The arts of peace were again flourishing with renewed
energy ; the nests had been repaired, and set in order ; fresh outworks
had been constructed, and every thing that industry could accomplish
had been done to render the defences complete, and guard against
future disasters.
In this state I left them, nor was I able to repeat my visits, but
much hope, that profiting by past experience, they would in future
prefer the quiet blessings of peace to the miseries of savage warfare.]
Giimlcy, Martet Harborougli :
December 2Uh, 1883.
18S4.] 211
THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OP THE NEIGHBOUEHOOD OF
COLCHESTEE.
BY W. H. HARWOOD.
Having, during the past two seasons, devoted some attention to
tlie Aculeate Hymenoptera o£ the Colchester district, I send a list of
the species I have met with, hoping it may prove as interesting to
others, as similar local lists have been to me. I have worked princi-
pally at the bees, but have taken i-epresentatives of the other families
when they came in my way. I ought to mention that I have been
largely indebted to Mr. Edward Saunders for his kind assistance in
naming my specimens, without which my list would be neither so long,
nor so reliable, as it is.
Formica rufa, L., a.nilt.fusca, L.
Lasius fuliginosus, Ltr., and niger, L.
Myrmica rubra, L., races, ruginodis, Nyl., and scalrinodis, Nyl.
Leptothorax tulerum, F., race, Nylanderi, Foerst. — this seems to be a scarce
ant generally, but I do not think it is uncommon hereabouts. I found a nest under
bark of black poplar at Bures, in Suffolk, on the 12th of last April, and had pre-
viously taken it nearer home. As yet I have met with no specimens iu the winged
state.
Mutilla europcea, L., scarce. — three or four males on the wing, and at bramble
and Angelica flowers, and one female curled in a curious manner round a young oak-
twig, St. Osyth.
Sapyga Z-purictata, F.
Pompilus cinctellus, Spin., and plumbeus, F. : chalyheatus, Schiodte. — this
species was not rare one sunny morning last autumn, on a small sandy hillock among
clay cliffs at Walton-on-the-Naze, but was exceedingly active and difficult to capture ;
Wesmaeli, Thorns., and spissus, Schiodte.
Priocnemis ftiscus, L., exaltatus, F., and hyalinaUis, F.
Ceropales maculatus, F. — Angelica flowers, St. Osyth.
Amniophila salvlosa, L., lidaria, F. — coast-sands.
Tachytes pectinipes, L.
Passalaecus cornigera, Shuck., and insignis, V. d. L.
Pemphredon Ingubris, F., unicolor, Latr., and lethifer, Shuck.
Oorytes mystaceus, L., and campestris, L.
Soplisiis bicinctus, Eossi. — of this rare and beautiful species I captured a
male in 1882, and a female on August 1st, 1883.
Mellimis arvensis, L. — very abundant at Walton-on-the-Naze, flying about
coltsfoot, and resting on the leaves ; I have not as yet met with it elsewhere !
Cerceris arenaria, L.— at raspberry flowers, &c. : h-fasciata, Eossi — rare :
lahiata, F. — generally distributed, on yarrow-flowers, &c. : sabulosa, Panz. — very
rare : ornata, F. — at thistle and other flowers, varies greatly in size.
Trypoxylon figulus, L., and clavicermn, Lep.
Crahro leucostoma, Ti., p>odagricus,Y. d. L., Wesmaeli, V. d. L., signatus, Vauz.
S 2
212 [February,
— of this insect, of which only three or four other examples have occurred, I took a
fine male in 1882, and a second in 1883, the latter from its burrow in a post :
cephalotes, Panz., vagahundus, Panz., cribrarius, L., vagus, L., Kollari, Dhlb. — of
this novelty (see Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xix, p. 246, April, 1883) I have taken a nice
series of both sexes on Angelica flowers : albilahris, F. — on flowers of Anthemis
cotula, &c.
Entomognathus brevis, V. d. L.
Oxybelus unigluinis, L. — not uncommon at Dovercourt on yarrow-flowers.
Vespa crabro (not seen during the past two seasons), v«/_9'rtr/5, L., ^erwaHJca,
F., rufa, L., and sylvestris, Scop.
Odynerus spinipes, L., melanocephalus, G-mel., caUosus, Thoms. (this was found as
early as March 26th, \SS2), parietum, L., pictus, Curt., trifaseiatus , Oliv., antilope,
Panz. — not uncommon at raspberry flowers ; parietinus, L., and sinuatus, F.
Colletes succincta, L. — at flowers of Eryngium maritimum, common, but local :
Daviesana, Sm. — common at Anthemis cotula and Tanacetnm vulgare flowers.
Prosopis communis, Nyl., signata, Panz., hyalinata, Sm., confusa, Nyl., brevi-
cornis, Nyl., and pictipes, Nyl. — this last very local species occurs in my garden,
where its habit is to burrow into old posts.
Sphecodes gihbus, \j., pilifrons, Thoms., and ephippium, L.
Halictus ruhicundiis, Chr., leucozonius, Schr., qtiadrinotatiis, Kirb., cylindricus,
F., albipes, Kirb., villosulus, Kirb., nitidiusculus, Kirb., punctatissimus, Schk., titmu-
lorum, L., minutissimus, Kirb., Smeathmanellus, Kirb., and Mario, F.
Andrena Hattorfiana, F. — two specimens only as yet, on Scabiosa arvensis
flowers: ciw^2</a<a, F.- - apparently rare and local, Nayland ; albicans, Kii'b., and
atriceps, Kirb., rosce, Panz. — rare, Stanway : Trimmerana, Kirb., and var. spinigera,
fulva, Schr., Clarkella, Kirb. — Nayland, St. Osyth, and Bentley (Suffolk) ; a fine,
variety of the female occurred, with the pubescence on the abdomen entirely fulvous
instead of black : nigro-cBnea, Kirb. — common inland, swarming on the coast :
Gwynana, Kirb., and its autumn brood bicolor : pracox. Scop. — at sallow blossoms,
Nayland, &c., also near Sudbury (Suffolk) : varians, Kossi, helvola, 'L.,fucata, Sm.,
rare, St. Osyth, on bramble flowers : nigriceps, Kirb. — one specimen near Bentley
(Suffolk) on ragwort in 1882, a fine series at Stanway on bramble flowers, July,
1883 : dentictdata, Kirb. — at thistle flowers, rare : fidvicrus, Kirb. — rare at present,
Nayland : albicriis, Kirb. — this is one of the bees that buiTOw in trodden pathways ;
the males may be seen flying close to the ground, upon which the tiny mounds of
earth thrown up by the females may be easily discovered ; where these are quite
fresh, the proprietor of the establishment maj- generally be found at home : chryso-
celes, Kirb., coitana, Kirb., lahialis, Kii'b., minntula, Kirb., nana, Kirb., dorsata,
Kirb., and Afzeliella, Kirb.
Dasypoda hirtipes, Latr. — at hawkweed flowers ; rare in 1883, not found pre-
viously.
Nomada soJidaginis, Panz., succincta, Panz., alternata, Kirb., ruficornis, L. :
borealis, Zctt. — rare, about burrows of Andrena Clarkella ; Smith gives April 10th
as an early date for this species ; I took it last year on April 3rd : Fabriciana, L.,
awAfurva, Panz.
Epeolus rujipes, Thoms. — rare, Stanway and Nayland : prodiicfus, Thoms.
Melecta luctiiosa, Scop., and armata, Ptuiz.
1884.] 213
Coelioxys rufescens, Lep., elongata, Lep., and acuminata, Nyl.
3Iegachile maritima, Kirb. — Walton-on-the-Naze : Wilhighbiella, Kirb., cir-
cumcincta, Lep. — Nayland : Ugniseca,'Kxrh. — at flowers of Geranium pratense in my
garden ; this plant does not occur here in the wild state ; also at flowers of ever-
lasting pea, &c. : centuncularis, L. — very common in my garden.
Anthidium manicatum, L. — at flowers of Ballota nigra, Geranium pratense,
and raspben-y ; I have found G. pratense a very attractive plant to bees generally,
and especially to those belonging to the genera Coelioxys and Megachile.
Stelis aterrima, Panz.
Chelostoma jlorisomne, L., and campanularum, Kirb.
Osmia rufa, L. — common at Brassica flowers, also flying on sunny afternoons
about the fronts of cottages, to which grape vines, &c., have been nailed : pilicornis,
Sm. — of this rare species I met with two specimens in 1883 : ccerulescens, L., and
/"ulviventris.
Eucera longicornis, L. — very abundant, especially at flowers of Ajuga reptans.
Anthophora retusa, L. — Nayland, &c., rare : pilipes. Fab. — very abundant about
sunny banks in the early spring ; the male was out last year on March 4th : furcata,
Panz. — rare.
Ceratina cyanea, F. — Nayland, rare.
Psithyrus rupestris, F., vestalis, Fourc, Barbtitellus, Kirb., campestris, Panz.,
and quadricoJor, Lep. — the males of this genus seem much more abundant than the
females ; a friend of mine last year brought me a " humble bees' nest," from which
I bred a number of male rupestris, but the occupants of the very few female cells
all died without emerging.
Bombus cognatus, Steph. — when collecting Coleoptera on the St. Osyth coast
last year, I unwittingly disturbed a nest of this species, the proprietors of which
came buzzing about my head in a very menacing manner, but having a good-sized
net with me, I quickly made them all prisoners ; they were mostly males, and
probably some of them had never flown before ; I tried to breed some females, but
failed, probably I kept the cells too dry ; this is a common species here, especially
towards the coast : muscorum, L. — excessively variable : LatreiUellus, Kirb. — not
common ; in 1882 I only obtained females, but last year I found all the sexes :
hortorum, L., and var. ITarrisellus, ^ivh. , pratorum,Jj. , sylvarmn, L., lapidarius, 1j.,
terrestris, L., and var, lucorum, Sm.
Apis mellifica, L.
Colchester : Januai-y 9th, 1884.
Captures in North Uist and St. Kilda. — Last June I spent a few days in the
island of North TJist, one of the Hebrides, and met with the following species :
Lepidopteea : Sericoris littoralis, Bactra lanceolana, Grapholita eampoli-
liana, Argyrolepia Baumanniana, Dicrorampha simpliciana, JEupoecilia angustana,
Simaethis Fabriciana, PluteUa craciferarum, Gelechia tenebrosella, Tinea rusticella,
Miana fasciuncida.
Neueopteea and Obthopteka : Asynarchus coenosus, Limnophilus extricatus
and affinis Lestes sponsa, Forficula auricularia.
214 February,
Hymenoptera : Bomlus Smitkiaiius, fragrans, ierresiris, and pratorum, Odi/-
nerus tfimarginatus.
DiPTEKA: Eristalis sepulchralis, Thereva plebeia, Doliclwpus atraius, nulilus,
ani. pwnctum, Melanostoma mellina, Platycheirus manicatus.
COLEOPTEEA : Helohia hrevicolUs, Calathus fuscus, mollis, and melanocephalus,
Amara familiaris, Creophilus maxillosus, var. ciliaris, Philontlius splendens, Meli-
gethes ceneus, Elater tesselatus, Hylastes piniperda.
At St. Kilda I found : Cramhus culmellus, Bactra lanceolana, Glyphipteryx
Thrasonella, Tinodes aureola, Polyeentropus irroratus, Limnoj)Mlus auricula, Doli-
chopiis atratus and niihilus, Beloiia brevicollis, and Abax siriola. — C. W. Dale,
Glanvilles Wootton : December 28th, 1883.
New and rare British Diptera — Chironomus {Thalassomyia) Frauenfeldi,
Schin. — On November 4th, 1868, I captured both sexes of this interesting species in
a cave under the fort at Freshwater Q-ate, in the Isle of Wight. The cave is inac-
cessible except at low tide, and the gnats sit on the rocks with the spray of tlie sea
dashing over them. Schiner, in his Fauna Austriaca, says, that Herr v. Frauenfeld
took it at Trieste on the seashore, sitting on rocks, within reach of the spray of the
seething waves.
Clunio inarinus, Hal. — On April 18th, 1872, I met witli this species skimming
over pools of water left by the receding tide, amongst the rocks at Hastings.
Tipula arctica, Curt., in Appendix to second voyage of Sir J. Ross. A pair of
this northern species was taken by Mi\ J. C. Dale on the summit of Skiddaw, July
5th, 1827. It is somewhat allied to excisa, which is also found in the north of
England.
Diastata nebidosa, Fall. — This pretty species occurs from September to May,
but is rare.
Anomoia permunda, Harris. — A single specimen was taken by myself at Q-lan-
villcs Wootton on July 18th, 1870. Although well figured by Moses Han-is, yet his
name has been entirely ignored by foreigners, and that of antica substituted.
Anapheles pictits, Linn., pygniceus, Curt. G(-uide. — Taken at Q-lanvilles Wootton
by Mr. J. C. Dale.
Loxocera nigrifrons, Mg., hortoniensis. Curt. Guide. — Taken by Mr. J. C
Dale at Lyndhurst on June 1st, 1831, and July 7th, 1837.
Sciomyza (Colobcea) bifasciella. Fall. — Taken by Mr. J. C. Dale at Coswell
Quay, Dorset, on July 11th, 1855.
Oxyphora Wester mannii, Meig. — Taken by Mr. J. C. Dale at Charmouth on
September 28th, 1837, and in Monks Wood ou August 17th, 1837- — Id. : December
28th, 1883.
Carabus glabratus, Payk., was not uncommon at the entrance to the Horses'
G-len at the foot of Mangerton, Killarney. It seems like other Carabi, though
properly speaking carnivorous, to have a liking for honey, for one specimen was
busily employed in biting holes in the bases of flowers of the common red heath
{Erica tetralix) to extract the nectar. Most, indeed, of the flowers of this plant at
that spot were thus bitten ; but it is possible that other insects had been at work in
the same way. — Henky N. Ridley, Natural History Museum, South Kensington :
January 8th, 1884.
'■' 215
Pachytylus cinerascem, F., in Kerry. — I captured a specimen of tliis uncommon
grasshopper in a marsh on the side of the road between Grlencar and Waterville.
I beheve it has not been hitherto recorded from Kerry. — Id.
Description of a neio species of saw-fly from Greece. — I am indebted to Mr.
C. W. Dale for allowing me to describe a new species oi Athalia, which he captm-ed
on the seashore near Athens, and which I propose to call AtJialia niaritima.
?. Expands nearly half an inch. Black; prothorax, scutellum, sides of abdo-
men, femora, tibise, and base of the first joint of the four front tarsi, and the tips of
all the tarsal claws, rufous ; antennse 11-jointed, sub-clavate, black, clothed with
short bristles ; head and thorax finely punctured, not pubescent ; scutellum forming
nearly an oblong square ; middle of abdomen, above, and ovipositor, black ; wings
fusco-hyaline. Not closely allied to any known species ; it approaches A. spinartim,
Fab., &c., in its rufous scutellum, and A. lugens, Klug, in the colour of its tarsi. —
-W. F. KiEBY, Zoological Department, British Museum : January \Qth, 1884.
Aleurodes immaculata, Heeger. — Mr. Scott recently brought from Devonshire
some examples of a white, spotless Aleurodes, which he saw in profusion on ivy
{Hedera helix) at Mount Edgcumbe, in August last. It agrees very well with the
description and figure of A. immaculata by Heeger (" Sitzungsb. k. Akad. Wissens.,"
Jahrg., 1855, xviii, 33, 1856), a species ascribed by him to Stephens, but without
reason, for he never published a description of his A. immaculata, of which the
name only appears hi his " Catalogue of British Insects." Frauenfeld and Signoret
did not know the species in nature, the latter surmises it may possibly be identical
with A. phillyrecB, Haliday (Ent. Mag., ii, 119, 1835) ; if this were established, the
latter is the older name. But where, as in the genus Aleurodes, many species are
extremely difficult to separate by the characters of the adult insect, microscopic
examination alone might fail to differontiate thoroughly this species from others with
white spotless wings, and it would be necessary to consult the characters afforded by
the larva? and pupce of the reputed species respectively, for all authors agree in
stating that in the earlier stages of life, unmistakable distinctions are apparent, that
is, in those species that have been thus observed. Heeger found his species, for
several years, abundant on ivy, on a plant of which, taken into his room, he traced
the stages of life in his Aleurodes. The name of the species, which pending fui'ther
investigation may bo considered distinct, is new to the British list. — J. W. Douglas,
8, Beaufort Gardens, Lewisham : January 14^/t, 1884.
Eupteryx melissce, Curtis. — With the foregoing insects Mr. Scott also commu-
nicated some specimens of E. melissce, which he found in a garden near Devonport,
common on rosemary bushes {Rosmarinus), not an unlikely habitat, for the species
was originally recorded as having been taken on balm {Melissa), and both plants
belong to the Labiatce. The species is well distinguished, as the Eev. T. A. Mar-
shall observes, by the sea-green hue of its elytra, and also by the hinder tarsi of the
male being without the black spot characteristic of the <J of its close ally, E. stachy-
dearum. Hardy. — Ii>.
2'IQ [February, 1884.
Lepidoptera in the Isle of Man in July. — At the end of July last I made a
ten days' visit to the Isle of Man, in the hope that in some of the unexplored parts,
something fresh might possibly be turned up. I worked hard on the east, south,
and west sides of the island, but very little of interest could be found, and although
no doubt the season was a bad one there as elsewhere, I was reluctantly forced to
the conclusion, that at best the ground would probably be unprofitable to the
Lepidopterist. The four local species, Sesia philanthiformis, Dianthoecia capsophila,
D. ccBsia, and Polia nigrocincta can of course always be relied on there at the right
time, and I believe would each be found in plenty all along the rocky parts of the
coast, and this includes a great proportion of it ; but there seems to be little else to
tempt one across, now that the red form of Cirrhcedia xerampelina cannot at all be
relied on. Dianthoecia ccBsia must be on the wing for a long time, as it was still in
good condition, and not uncommon at the time of my visit. Other species taken or
noticed included Argynnis Aglaia, common on the cliffs and on uncultivated ground
inland; Satyrus Semele and S. Janira; Chortohius pamphihis, abundant; Bomhyx
rubi, larvse common ; Met rocampa margaritata ; Boarmia repaiidata, abundant ;
Gnophos obscurata, very dark ; Pseiidopterpna cytisaria, common ; Acidalia
scutulata and A. hisetata ; Larentia didymaia, some of the males very dark, and
of the females a curious variety ; JSmmelesia alchemillata, common ; E. alhulata,
Eupithecia venosata, larvje in Silene maritima ; E. suhfulvata ; E. nanata ;
E. ahsynthiata, very large ; E. pumilata ; Melanthia ocellata, common ; Cidaria
fulvata, common ; EithoUa mensuraria, and E. palumbaria, both plentiful ; Anaitis
plagiata, common ; Dianthoecia capsophila, full-fed larvjB abundant on Silene
maritima, the imago also on the wing ; Plusia cJirysitis, very common ; Pyrausta
ostrinalis ; Scopula luteaUs, common; Scoparia ambigualis, common; Cramhus
pascuellus ; C. perlellus, not uncommon; C. geniciileus ; Homceosoma nimhella ;
Tortrix pyrastrana ; T. rosana, abundant ; Dictyopteryx Holmiana and D.
Bergmanniana ; Aspis Udmanniana, common ; Sciaphila alternana, S. perterana
and S. virgaureana ; Grapholitha trimaculana ; Tvycheris mediana ; Xanthosetia
hamana ; Pep ilia Curtisella ; Depressaria Uturella ; D. heracUana, larvce very
abundant ; Argyresthia nitidella and A. albistria, both common ; Gracilaria
Swederella, abundant among oaks at Ramsey ; Coleophora lixella, about thyme on
the cliffs ; C. Tengstromella ; Elachista albifrontella ; Pterophorus pterodactylus ;
and P. microdactylus, beaten out of Eupatorium cannabinum.
Among a number of species given to me unset by Mr. E. Birchall, and taken
at different times by the lighthouse keeper on Douglas Head, were Charaas
graminis; Agrotis lucernea ; Anchocelis lunosa ; Dianthoecia ccesia, evidently a
free visitor to the lights ; and Epunda lichenea, also evidently not uncommon. —
Geo. T. Poeeitt, Huddersfield : January Uh, 1884.
©bitiutnj.
William Buckler died at his residence, Lumley, Emsworlh, Hants, on the 9th
of January, of bronchitis (after a very short illness), aged G9.
We make this announcement with unfeigned regret, which we know will be
widely felt amongst our readers.
A fuller notice of Mr. Buckler is in preparation for onr next Number.
March, 1S84.] 217
ON SOME OENERA OF THE SUB-FAMILY ANCEOMENINI {PLATY-
NINI, HOEN) FROM THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
BY D. SHAEP, M.B.
The Hawaiian members of this group show a great variety of
appearance, and must form several genera, which may be defined as
below : —
Meteo MENUS (n. g.).
This genus comprises the larger number of the Hawaiian species
hitherto placed in AncJiomenus, Colpodes, and Di/scolus, from whicli
it is distinguished by the total absence of systematic setas on the
pronotum. The elytra are margined at the base, and the scutellum
penetrates backwards between the margins, the fourth joint of the
tarsi may be either conspicuously bilobed or only slightly emarginate ;
the mesothoracic epimera ai'e short externally. The rather numerous
species agree satisfactorily in these characters, with, the exception of
Ayichomenus mysficus, Blackb., which has the scutellum smaller, and
scarcely penetrating between the basal margins of the elytra : this
species may, perhaps, be entitled to generic isolation, but the material
at my disposal does not enable me satisfactorily to examine into this.
CoLPODiscTJS (n. g.).
Elytra margined at base, scutellum scarcely penetrating between
the basal margins ; pronotum furnished with a single systematic seta,
placed close to the hind angle, mesothoracic epimera considerably pro-
longed externally ; anterior and middle tarsi bilobed, posterior either
bilobed {A. lucipetens, Blackb.) or slightly emai^ginate (Dyscolus tan-
talus, Blackb.). The existence of the thoi'acic seta in conjuction with
the scutellar structure, justifies the formation of this genus, though the
two species forming it are very discordant in appearance.
Baetpeistus (n. g.).
Stature large and robust, the after-body large and heavy ; elytra
margined at the base, scutellum dividing the margins ; pronotum with
a single systematic seta placed some little distance in front of the
hind margin ; mesothoracic epimera much prolonged externally ; all
the tarsi with the fourth joint emarginate, but not bilobed. ' The three
species of this genus form a sufficiently natural group ; one of them,
AncJiomenus Sharjpi, Blackb., forms, perhaps, the nearest approach of
the Hawaiian Carahidce to the great genera Ancliomenus and Colpodes,
from which it differs bj' the absence of the anterior systematic seta on
218 [March,
the pronotum, by the mesothoracic epimera prolonged externally, and
by the condition of the tarsi, which may be considered as intermediate
between those of Anclioinenus and Colpodes.
Blackbubnia, Sharp.
The curious insect for which I proposed this generic name, is a
very distinct genus : there is no pronotal seta ; the basal margin of
the elytra is very peculiar, being towards the middle sloped backwards,
the scutellum is quite small, nearly concealed, and the mesothoracic
epimera are a good deal prolonged externally. These characters are
supplementary to those I mentioned when describing the genus
originally.
DiSEKOCHus, Blackb.
This genus was correctly referred by Mr. Blackburn to the An-
chomenini, and Karsch was in error in treating the species known to
him as a Pro7necoderus, which is a genus of Broscini. The mistake of
the German savant was, however, a pardonable one, as 'Disenochus has
much the appearance and characters of the Broscini, the mesothorax
being pedunculate or sub-pedunculate, %nd the elytra unmargined at
the base, and the scutellum placed entirely on the mesothoracic |>eduncle.
There are two systematic setae on the pronotum, one in front of the
middle and one a little in front of the hind margin ; the two orbital
setse occupy the usual positions.
Ateachtcnemis, Blackb.
This represents another most interesting insect, which I have
been able to study only by a single example, which was deprived of
tarsi, antennae and palpi on its journey to me. Though located by
both Blackburn and Karsch in the Harpalidce, yet its true relationship
is, I believe, with the Hawaiian aberrant Anchomenini. There are two
orbital setae, the posterior being placed far from the eye, owing to the
reduction of the magnitude of this organ. The pronotal setae I can-
not speak of, owing to the condition of my specimen, but probably
there is a single one (which, like those of the head, maybe very feeble)
near the hind angle ; the elytra, though possessing rather prominent
shoulders, are not margined at the base, and the scutellum is placed
entirely on the thoracic peduncle ; the elytra are remarkably free
from sinuation behind, and closely adapted to the hind-body. These
characters are (since the importance of the orbital setae in the classi-
fication of the CarahidcB has been demonstrated) consistent only with
the location of their possessor in the Anchomenini, though it must be
admitted that the general facies is an approximation (but only an
approximation) to that of the Dapti group of the sub-family Harpalini.
1884. J 219
CxcLOTiiOEAx, Motsch.
This genus is well distinguished from OUstJiopushj the untruncate
apices of the elytra, a character of interest, inasmuch as Olisthopus
appears to form a transition to the " truncatipenne " series of Cara-
hidcB. It is much less easy to point out good characters to distinguish
the genus technically from Anchomenus, but the insects of these two
genera are so distinct in facies and stature, that no doubt good char-
acters will ultimately be found to distinguish them. So far as the
Hawaiian fauna is concerned, Cyclotliorax is distinguished by the pre-
sence of two setae on the thorax, one in front of the middle, the other
on the hind angle itself (apparently very slightly attached, and, in
dried specimens, most frequently removed) ; it thus approaches
Disenoclius, from which it is distinguished by the less pedunculate
mesothorax, and by the scutellum not being confined to the peduncle,
and by the margined base of the elytra.
Those interested in the genera of Hawaiian Garahidce should con-
sult, in addition to the above remarks, some observations by Mr.
Blackburn, in Eut. Mo. Mag., xvi, pp. 105—107.
Thornhill, Dumfrieshire :
February 2nd, 1884.
ON THE EUROPEAN SPECIES OF LEPIDOPTJERA WITH APTEROUS
OR SUB-APTEROUS FEMALES.
BT E. C. K. JOEDAN, M.D.
Apterous species occur in all Orders of insects, but in Lepidoptera
wingless examples seem confined to the female sex ; none of these are
met with in the BhopaJocera, the first group are the Seterogynidcs,
placed in Staudinger's list next to the Zygcenidce ; there is only one
genus in the family, and it contains two species, Heterogynis penella
and Heterogynis paradoxa. These are insects of warmth and summer
time, the males dusky, with semi-transparent wings, the females
entirely apterous. Nextly in order, follows the remarkable genus
Ocnogyna, the species of which may be almost defined to be Spiloso-
mata with sub-apterous females, they are ten in number, and inhabit
Southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor ; Ocnogyna Corsica
has almost the colour and appearance of a small tiger-moth.
Sepialus pyrenaicus forms an exceptional instance in the genus
to which it belongs, the wings of the female being only rudimentary.
The whole family of the Psy chides, with at least seventy species,
all have perfectly apterous females ; following these come the
T 2
220 (March,
Liparid(B, and amongst them, firstly, the dusky Penthophora morio, with
its half-winged mate, and then the more brightly coloured Orgyice*
two species of which are British ; in this genus, as is well known, the
females have only the bare rudiments of wings.
Mr. Staintou kindly reminds me of one Noctim amongst our
European list, with an apterous female, JJlochlcena hirta, of which
Guenee says, "Lafemelle a des ailes reduites a de petits moignons
tres courts, comme celles des Hi/beivuce.'^ The female is figured by
Milliere, in his Icones (livr. 6, pi. 4).
In the Geometrid(S apterous females become comparatively com-
mon : thus following the order of Staudinger's list, there is, firstly, the
genus Hibernia (7 speciesf), tlien Anisojjteryx (2 species), Fliigalia
pedaria (pilosaria), Chondj'osomajtduciaria, and the first section (in-
cluding 9 species) of the genus Bisto7i, nextly, the last sub-section of
the genus Gnophos, namely, GnopJios Zelleraria, G. Ander egg aria, G.
ccelibaria, and G. operaria, have all sub-apterous females, and so also
have two genera allied to Psodos, Pygmcsnafusca, and Egea pravata ;
the two CheimatohicE, and, to the best of my belief, the rare Malacodes
regelaria, close the list of Geometras. In this group the reason for the
absence of wings is more evident than in former insects, many are
winter moths, and this absence may make them less conspicuous, yet
it may be fairly doubted if the sharp eye of a titmouse would easily
pass over a female Gheimatohia, or even a female Exapate gelatella ;
others, as the Gnophoi and Paodoi are inhabitants of mountain sum-
mits, which seems in part to account for it, yet it has happened to me
on the same day to find Pygmcena fasca on the Riffel, and going higher
to meet with the winged G7iophos dilucidaria near the top of the
Gorncr-Grat.
Amongst the PyraJidce, Acentropus niveus has the femalej (in
part) with rudimentary wings, and it is easy to see that these might
much embarrass a moth which lays its eggs under water.
In the Tortrices, as usually classified by English authors, there
would be no species with apterous or sub-apterous females ; but Wocke
places Oxypteron impar and Exapate gelatella next to the genua
Gheimatophila in this group, separating them, therefore, widely from
Dasystoma and Chimahacche, which are retained in the Tineidce, next
to the GelecJ/idcE ; these, like many of the wingless Gcometrcc, are
* See a highly interesting paper by Mr. Stainton on the gi-aduated helplessness of these
"lazy hi)use-wives," published in the Journal of the Linnean Society, Zoology, vol. vi, pp. 156 —
104 : " On the aV>nonnaI habits of some females of the genus Orgyia."
t T believe the ? of llibtrni'i Anl-n-ari'i is iniknown.
I See a very interesting account of the habits of this species in Vol. xii, Ent. Mo. Mag., p.
2S7.
1864.]
221
winter insects. The TaJcBporidcB close our short summary ; in these
are found the Solenohice, which, speaking physiologically, are certainly
the most interesting of all our Lepidoptera*
A glance at these varied conditions of apterous life in the Lepi-
doptera teaches us how little is yet known of cause and effect in
nature, amongst them are some summer moths flying in broad daylight
others are night-flying insects of the frost and the winter, there are
some living on the mountain tops, others in the warmth and shelter of
the woods, in some, as in Orgyia, the nearly allied genera have the
sexes differing materially from each other in their structure, in others,
as in Biston, the difference is but small ; one feature only seems com-
mon to the whole group, and even here, too positive an assertion must
not be made, since Chimahacche, at least, has a small sucker ; this
common character is that the digestive organs are reduced to a mini-
mum, and the females are, therefore, little else than living ovisacs.
From the wide diffusion of these " ocnai gunaikes " over distant
regions of the world, it may be predicted that they are very ancient
types, and though the testimony of the rocks is against me, it may be
allowed to indulge in the hypothesis that the archaic form of Lepidop-
terous life was almost a land Trichopteron, and that the cases of these
early Psychidce may yet be found in the fossil state.
The following list of apterous Lepidoptera belonging to the Euro-
pean fauna may conclude this summary :
HETEROGYNIDiE.
Heteeogynis
AECTIAD^.
OCNOGTNA
HEPIALIDiE.
Sepiahis pyrenaicux
PSYCHICS.
LIPARID^.
Penthophoea
Oegyia
NOCTU^.
Ulochlcena hirta
GEOMETER.
HiBEBNIA
Anisopteeyx
Phigalia
Chondeosoma
Biston (pars, i. e.)
B. hispidarius
B. lanarius
B. pomoiiarius
B. lapponarius
B. liquidarittsf
B. incisarius
B. zonarius
B. alpinus
B. grcecarius
Gnophos (pars, i. e.)
O. Zelleraria
G, Andereggaria
G. cceliharia
G. operaria
Pygm^na
Egea
Malacodes
Cheimatobia
PYEALID^.
Acentropus niveus
TOETEICID^.
OxYPTEEOIf
Exapate
TINEIDiE.
Daststoma
Chimabacche
TALiEPOEID^.
105, Harborne Street, Edgbaston :
JaniMry 18^/t, 1884.
* It is strange that no real advance has been made in the life-history of this genus since the
publication of Von Siebold's work on true Parthenogenesis, translated by Mr. Dallas in 185".
t li(ixMariui $ unknown.
222 [March.
Entomological Collecting on a voyage in the Pacific (contimted from page 96^. —
We arrived in Papetoai Bay (Eimeo) on the morning of May 9th, and on the
following day we steamed over to Tahiti and anchored in Papiete Harbour. Eight
days were spent here, in coaling ship and giving leave to the crew, and I was able
to make two excursions to the mountains, besides sundry shorter walks about
Papiete. On one occasion, I reached the liill-fort of Fautaua (famous in the history
of Tahiti, as the spot where the natives made their last stand against the French in
1845), which is most picturesquely situated at a height of 2500 feet above the sea.
Close by is the principal waterfall in the island, a considerable stream falling over
a grand precipice of columnar lava 700 feet high, the surrounding scenery being of
the most magnificent description. No new butterflies turned up, but both at Eimeo
and Tahiti, I got several moths wliich I had not previously taken. Specimens of
Choerocampa Erotus and Sphinx convolvidi, usually much rubbed, were occasionally
brought to me, and the larva of the latter hawk-moth again occurred, on several
species of Convolvulus. A very delicate-looking green Choerocampa larva, found not
rarely on the Taro, the " Nono " {Blorinda eitrifolia, a common wild fruit) and
especially on the " Ape " {Arum costatum, a gigantic species with an esculent root)
produced, to my surprise, our rare British C. Celerio, and I reared a beautiful
series : the oblique stripe on the fore-wings being much more silvery than in any
examples I have seen in English collections. The larva of Macroglossa sp. also
occurred on the " Nono : " it is very similar in appearance to that of our own
humming-bird moth. Several Oeometrce, apparently related to Boarmia, &c.,
occurred sparingly in the forest, and two very interesting moths were obtained in
plenty, by beating the foliage of the Hibiscus tiliaceus. One (of which I had
previously found a single specimen in Nuka Hiva) is a satiny-white insect, in size,
make, and general aspect almost a fac-simile of Liparis salicis : and not until I had
reared it from a long green " half-looper " caterpillar, did I find ovit that it is really
a Quadrifid Kociua. The other is a very pretty delicate green moth, reminding one
strongly of Oeometra smaragdaria : this I bred from a curious long thin reddish-
green larva, very closely imitating, the midrib of the guava leaf on which it feeds.
A Heliothis (I think S. assulta, On.) which occurred rarely in weedy places, was
somewhat like a pale S. viarginata : I found the remains of Ophideres sp. near the
fort of Fautaua, where a brilliant little Pyralid, black, with large fiery-red spots,
was common, flying among ferns in the sunshine.
On May 19th we finally left Tahiti, and reached Pitcairn Island early on the
morning of June Ist. The aspect of this famous little island (which is only two and
a quarter miles long, by less than one mile wide) is extremely picturesque and
striking. Steep, rugged hills, covered with forest in most parts, and attaining an
elevation of 1000 feet, terminate in an iron-bound coast of black trachytic rock, on
which a tremendous surf is always breaking, and, to all appearance, landing in a
boat is nowhere possible. The ship was, however, soon boai-ded by some of the
islanders in a fine whale-boat, in which several of the officers, including myself,
shortly afterwards went on shore. The boat, managed with wonderful dexterity,
was pulled through the furious breakers without shipping a pint of water, and was
hauled up on a very small strip of sandy beach, almost the only landing-place in
the island. The people welcomed us heartily, and were evidently greatly pleased to
sec us, the visit of a British man-of-war being one of the principal events in their
1884.] 223
secluded life. There are now 103 persons on the island, all, with very few
exceptions, descendants of the mutineers of the " Bounty : " they live in a neat
little village of about twenty houses, with a small church and school-house, very
prettily situated on a wooded bluff about 300 feet above the sea. Nearly all
tropical, and many European fruits thrive here to perfection, and a good deal of
arrowroot and sweet potatoes is grown : the native vegetation is very luxuriant,
much resembling, in general character, that of Tahiti. No butterfly is apparently
found on the island, and I saw only a few common Tahitian moths : but I found, for
the first time, the large yellow-striped green larva of Choerocampa Erotus on the
" Nono " plant, and a good many living pupae of Sphinx convolvuli (equal in size
to English specimens) were brought to me, having been found in the patches of
sweet potatoes, of which a supply was then being dug up for the ship. Four species
of Coleoptera (a Tomicus ? two Cossonid weevils, and a Ehizophagoid ?) occurred
rarely, and I got a number of a pretty land-shell (Helix spj on the foliage of the
screw-pine (PandaniisJ, and DraccBua terminalis.
We remained off the island under steam until the afternoon of the 2nd, and
having supplied the inhabitants with some clotliing materials, soap, &c., and received
in return a good quantity of coco-nuts, oranges, and sweet potatoes, with a few
goats and pigs, we took our departure for the coast of Chile. On the following
day, at noon, we were close to the uninhabited Elizabeth or Henderson Island,
round which we steamed, firing guns at intervals to attract the attention of any
people unfortunate enough to be shipwrecked thereon, but we met with no response.
This island is a most singular formation, being an ancient coral reef upheaved to a
height of about 80 feet : the shores in most parts consist of perpendicular or even
overhanging cliffs, honeycombed by the surf into innumerable holes and caverns.
There are one or two sandy beaches, on which landing appears to be practicable, but
no attempt was made to do so : the top of the island is level, and covered with
dense low bushes and small trees, among which we could only recognise the
Pandanus.
After leaving Pitca.rn Island, the weather was fine and warm for about a week,
after which we encountered such a series of fierce north-easterly gales, alternating
with brief intervals of calm weather, with a most uncomfortable amount of swell,
that we were all very glad to make the coast of Chile on the morning of June 30th,
and to find ourselves safely at anchor in Coquimbo Bay on the same evening.
The " Kingfisher " remained at Coquimbo, almost without intermission, from
June 30th until October 18th. During July and August (winter months) the
weather was nearly always duU, cloudy, and hazy, often very cool, and with only an
occasional fine day ; and insects were exceedingly scarce. The country was,
however, more verdant and attractive in appearance than I had ever seen it before,
and wild flowers were exceedingly abundant and beautiful — wide stretches of what
at other times of the year are nothing but bare loose sand, being completely
carpeted for a few weeks only, with handsome LiliacecB, &c. Almost the only
butterfly to be seen was Papilio Archidamas, which was as usual common, and the
specimens exceedingly fine and fresh, the dull weather preventing it from flying
much. There appears to be a succession of broods of this beautiful insect through-
out the year, and larvae, pupae, and images may be found together at almost any
time. Stray worn specimens of Pyrameis Carye, Terias chilensis, and Pieris
224 r March,
Blanchardi and Autodice, occasionallj were met -with. At tlie end of August, the
fields suddenly became aliye with the beautiful little Colias minuscula, Butler, both
sexes being equally plentiful, and I secured a lovely series. Argynnis Cytheris,
Drury (previously taken by me at Sandy Point in the Straits of Magellan, and
sparingly at Valparaiso) became common a few days later, in rocky places at the
foot of the hills, and with it two or three species of " Skippers," of which Pamphila
fasciolata, Blanch., was at once the prettiest and the most abundant ; also two fine
SatyridcB in October.
Several Bombyces also turned up in the larva state, the most remarkable of these
being Ormiscodes crinita, Blanchard. The larva of this moth — a large, heavy-bodied
insect, bearing a superficial resemblance to the ? of Endromis versicolor — was ex-
ceedingly plentiful on the so-called " pepper-tree " {Schinus molle), and, even moro
Boon that abundant weed the" Quilo" {Muhlenleclciainjucunda). It looks somewhat
like an exaggerated Vanessa larva, being, when full-grown, nearly four inches in length,
of a general dark brown colour, with the incisions between the segments dull orange,
and each segment bearing six long branched spines. The slender tips of these, as well
as the short whitish hairs with which the body is clothed, sting, when touched, more
severely than a nettle, and I have suffered a good deal through incautiously handling
these well-protected caterpillars. The larvie of many other Chilian Bombyces appear
to possess this property of urtication, in a greater or less degree. From a green larva,
found commonly feeding on Aristolochia chUensis and other plants, and very closely
resembling that of our P. gamma, I reared a very fine series of a handsome Plusia
not unlike that species in general aspect and markings, but varying in ground-colour
from silvery-grey like interrogationis, to golden-brown almost as rich as hractea.
Heliothis armiger was very common flying by day in rocky places, and several species
of Agrotis, A. saucia among them, were to be found with their larvre — not to mention
plenty of scorpions — by turning over stones. The pretty yellow-flowered Leguminous
shrub, known in Chile as the " Flor del Mayo " {Cassia CandoUeana) was, in many
places completely stripped of its leaves by the handsome " half-loopcr" larva of
Alamis polioides, Guenee (a rather large, obscure-looking grey-brown quadrifid
Noctua), the pupa of which, enclosed in a slight cocoon and covered with a white
mealy powder, was often to be found attached to the under-side of stones in the
neighbourhood of the plant. A good many Oeometrce (among them one or two
handsome EnnomidcB, a very fine Lohophora ?, &c.) were obtained, the majority of
them at rest on Cactus stems, securely hidden among the formidable spines, whence
they could only be dislodged by punching the plants with the point of a thick stick.
This method of collecting yielded, in addition, a considerable variety of Tortrices and
TinecB, several species of Pterophori, &c.
Coleoptera were not at first very plentiful, but directly the warm weather set in
at the end of September, enormous numbers of two species of large, white-striped,
black Heteromerous beetles {Nyctelia Lnczoti, I think, being the more plentiful of
the two) made their appearance. In some hot, sandy places, these creatures might
have been collected literally by bushels. Several other less conspicious species of this
group were almost equally plentiful, and a good sized black Calosoma was not rare on
the wing, and crawling on the sand in a railway cutting. A handsome bronzy
Buprestis occurred occasionally on a fine-leaved Leguminous shrub, and the flowers
of the Cacti harboured several small hairy beetles allied to Dasyfes, Sec, in great
numbers.
1884.] 225
The ship left Coquimbo on September 28th, arriving at Valparaiso on the evening
of the following clay, and reiiiained there until October 8th. The -weather through-
out our stay was fine (though there had been torrents of rain just before our arrival),
and I enjoyed several very pleasant rambles over the steep, bush-covered hills on the
lower slopes of which the town is partly built. These hills attain an elevation of
1200 to 1500 feet, and on them I found insects in greater plenty, or at any rate in
greater variety, than at Coquimbo. Here I toot the recently described and very
pretty Satyridce, Neosatyrus violaceus and ochreivittatus, Butler, not uncommonly
among the tall " Coligne " or arborescent grass, over which the little blackish-brown
' N. ambiorix, Wallgr., was often to be seen flitting quietly, making me think of our
Erelia JEpiphron. Oeometrce were fairly well represented, especially in the deep
" quebradas " or ravines, where the vegetation is much more luxuriant than on the
open hill-sides, and I obtained a good many species new to me. I had a day at El
Salto, some eight miles by rail from Valparaiso, and was much pleased to add to my
collection, among other things, the large and delicate cream-coloured Pierid, Helio-
chroma leucothea, Gay, which was apparently just coming out of pupa, and not rare,
though very difiicult to catch.
On October 18th we again left Coquimbo, this time for our old location at Callao,
■where we arrived on the 25th. During the remainder of this month, and throughout
November, insects were very scarce, and, indeed, are not much more plentiful now ;
in marked contrast to the swarms of such common butterflies as Agraulis vanillcBy
Pieris sp., Danais Archipptis , Junonia Lavinia, Anariia jatrophcB, &c., which enliven
the damp meadows and lucerne fields from February to June. Almost the only insect
worthy of mention I have obtained is Papilio Pceon, of which a few larvee liave again
turned up. Here I may correct a mistake I have made as to the food-plant of this
fine species (Ent. Mo. Mag., Vol. xix, p. 53), which is not, as there stated, the
common parsnip, but an allied plant, Arracacha esculenta, a native of the higher
regions of the Andes, and grown in small quantities about Lima and Callao. It
closely resembles parsnip in the general aspect and properties of its foliage, but the
root is altogether larger and more tuberous in growth. Larvas of two or three species
of Ealesidota (a genus allied to Arctia, &c.) are not uncommon on various plants,
one being remarkable for its dense clothing of pure white hair, which assumes a de-
licate canary-yellow tint just before the larva spins up. The resulting moth is a very
pretty little pale ochreous species, with darker pencillings. The Indian corn is here
very subject to the attacks of the larva of a dull-looking species of Agrotis ?, which
eats out the soft central shoot of nearly every young plant, and causes great damage
to the crop. A few Qeometrce, and many species of small Pyrales, are to be obtained
by beating : but with the exception of the large horned Golofa, which flies at dusk
over the tops of the low willow trees on the plain, scarcely a beetle is to be obtained
at Callao, at this time of the year.— J. J. Walker, H.M.S. " Kingfisher."
Agathidium rhinoceros near Colinton. — In November I had the good fortune to
take, near Colinton, a few specimens of Agathidium rhinoceros, Sharp. It is a very
local species. I only took it on a patch about twenty yards square. I searched
the whole wood carefully, and only found it on the one spot. — Alfred Beaumont,
Low Valleyfield House, Culross : January 2Wi, 1884.
226 [March,
Coccinella Idbilis in the Hastings district.— 1 am pleased to record this species
from this locality. On May 15th last year I saw a good many of what I took to be
at the time large-spotted 7-piinctata, so only saved a single specimen, which has
turned out to be the above species. The locality was the Wood at Gruestling, where
I worked the nests of Formica rufa. — E. P. Collett, 76, Islip Street, Kentish
Town : February \Sth, 188i.
Observations on Lepidoptera at Cambridge. — Lepidopteea— NOCTTJENI : insects
of this group (and it may be said of all others too), were much less abundant last
year than usual. I usually find the Sphingida tolerably plentiful, but in 1883
Smerinthus ocellatus, S. populi, S. tilioi, Acheroniia Airopos, Sp/iina? convolvuU, S.
ligustri, Choerocampa elpenor and C. porcelhis occurred but sparingly. Macroglossa
stellatarum, M. bombyliformis, and Sesia tipuliformis, were, as far as my observation
went, very scanty in numbers ; whilst Sesia formicceformis, S. bembeciformis and S.
apiformis I did not meet with at all.
Cossus ligniperda larvae were plentiful in 1881 and 1882, and I reared several by
putting them under an aquarium-vase together with pieces of willow bark and chips
of wood, and tying the glass firmly down to a piece of slate. They spun cocoons at
the end of the autumn, and remained in them during the winter. One or two oblig-
ingly spun up close to the glass, so I was enabled to observe them, and noticed that
they were still in the larval state. They came out of their cocoons as spring
approached, and crawled about the vase for a few weeks and, I presume, resumed
feeding. They then one by one, either went back into their old cocoons, which they
strengthened with tiny chips of wood interwoven into the substance of the exterior,
or they constructed fresh and stronger ones ; I am not quite sure which, as I dis-
arranged them a good deal by putting in fresh willow bark, but I am of opinion they
constructed new cocoons, and in these they underwent their pupal changes — the
imagos coming out in June.
Zcuzera cesculi : I also met with several larvfe of the wood-leopard the year
before last, but failed, unfortunately, to rear any of them.
Of the rest of the Nociurni I have little to say, I can merely enumerate such
species as are generally distributed and common everywhere, witli the remark that
each and all were less abundant than usual last year.
Q-EOMETHiifA : the Geometrina were, as regards some species, fairly plentiful,
Abraxas grossnlariata, for instance, was in great numbers even for that, often too, com-
mon moth. The principal species I have seen here are, in addition to commoner ones,
Sclenia illunaria, Crocallis elinguaria, Phigalia pilosaria, Amphydasis betularia,
Hemerophila abrvptaria and Hypsipctes elutata.
NocTUiNA — Acronycta aceris, I always find in some abundance in the neigh-
bourhood of Downing College, although, strange to say, I never see it in any other
part of the town, but it was much less common last year, as far as my observation
went, and the same may be said of A. ligustri and A. rumicis. 1881 was a grand year
for the latter species, I have never seen it so plentiful. The only other NoctucB I
particularly noticed last year were Miana furuncula, Caradrina blanda, Agrotis puta
Noctua C-nigrum (pretty plentiful in September) and Plusia chrysitis.
Of the remaining gi-oups I have nothing noteworthy to record, and, all things
together, 1883 was a very unsatisfactory year to me. I hope I may do better this. —
Albert H. Waters, Mill Eoad, Cambridge : February, 1884-.
1884.] 227
Rare Lepidoptera in Pemhroheshire. — One evening in July, 1881, I thrice saw
TriphcBna suhsequa at sugar. The first appearance was a sight and nothing more ;
the second gave me time to attempt a capture — and fail ; the- third resulted fatally
for the insect, but gave me a splendid example for my cabinet. In the same lo-
cality were taken at sugar Agrotis agathina, Aplecta advena, Cryptoblabes histriga,
Rhodoph(Ba tumidella ; and, as previously recorded, a single specimen of Folia
nigroeincta. Agrotis lucernea appeared not infrequently flying in its usual reckless
manner over and under some very rough shingle helow high water-mar'k. Minoa
euphorhiata was taken rarely in the woods, and one specimen of Emmelesia
unifasciata appeared at light. A worn $ Anticlea ruhidata gave me a few eggs
which resulted in fine varieties of the perfect insect, the gx'ound-colour being darker
than the ordinary type, and of a rich olive hue, such as we get in Pembrokeshire
specimens of TriphcBna fimbria. — GrEOEaE J. Heaedbe, Job's Well, Carmarthen :
February 8th, 1884.
Sphinx convolvuU at Carmarthen. — One evening at dusk last September, one
of my boys noticed a large noisy moth hovering over a bed of Petunias. He
procured a net from the house and captured it, but it escaped immediately, only,
however, to return boldly to the flower-bed to be once more captured, and this
time properly secured ; it proved to be a worn specimen of Sphinx convolvuU. — Id .
Emergence of both parasite and moth from the same larva. — A larva of Dicranura
furcula when being full fed, showed symptoms of serious internal disease, which was
not relieved by the appearance of the pupa case of an ichneumon projecting
through the skin of the larva. The projecting portion of the pupa-case was crushed
between forcep blades, and thus allowed to remain in situ. The larva afterwards
made a well formed cocoon, from which, in due time, emerged an imago, with the
left hind-wing somewhat crippled, but otherwise a perfect insect. — Id.
Is Hesperia Actceon double brooded ?^A visit to Lulworth Cove during the first
week in July, produced this butterfly in fair numbers. They had then evidently
been out for some time, so the larger number of specimens taken were in a very
dilapidated condition, and no fresh specimen was seen. — Id.
Botys urticata in Fehruary : a problem for solution. — This evening my attention
was called to a " large " moth (in contradistinction to a " clothes moth ") said to be
flying about the kitchen. Not unnaturally I expected to see one of the HyhernicB ;
or a precocious Tceniocampa ; or possibly one of the hibernating species roused into
activity by the heat of the kitchen fire, and the spring-like weather recently ex-
perienced. My astonishment was very great when I saw a Botys urticata evidently
recently emerged (" scarcely dry ") and in good condition. The larva of this insect
is suppose to hibernate. Why, therefore, this abnormal appearance of the imago
and under such conditions ? But, putting aside the origin of the larva that pro-
duced this moth — why did the latter appear this evening ? Was it a specimen that
should have developed last summer ; or was it the result of a " second brood "
larva ? There are some of the ordinary dried (now very much dried) culinary herbs
in the kitchen, but they could hardly be suspected of harbouring Botys urticata in
any shape. — R. McLACnXAN, Lcwisham : February 15th, 1884.
228 [March,
Bigamy in Pl(^ti/pteryx hamula. — On the 28th of August, 1883, 1 bred a male
and a female imago, who paired the same evening. On the 29th of the same month
a fresli female had emerged. Finding that the pair of the 28th had separated,
on the evening of the 30th I placed the male of the 28th with the virgin female
of the 29th. These paired within two hours ; and, on the Slst of August and
1st of September, both females deposited their ova on the sides of their muslin
cages. After a lapse of fifteen days both broods hatched o£E satisfactorily, the
second brood about three or four hours earlier than the first brood. I carefully
marked both bags containing the ova for the purpose of observation and identifica-
tion.— Haeold Aechee, The Close, Ely : Jayiuary, 188i.
Description of the larva of Fterophorus zophodactylus, Dup., = Loewii, Zell. —
In the middle of August last Mr. Thomas Parmiter, of Cattistock, Dorchester,
kindly sent me a nice supply of full-grown larvse and pupse of this species. Tlie
larva is slightly less than half an inch in length, and of proportionate bulk ; head
much smaller than the second segment, the lobes rounded and polished ; body cy-
lindrical and uniform, tapering a little posteriorly ; segmental divisions fairly
defined, and a tuft of several short hairs springs from each of the indistinct tubercles.
In colour there are two extreme varieties, and the larva varies between these forms.
Var. 1 has the ground colour a delicate pale green, strongly tinged indeed with
yellow ; head pale yellowish-green, the mandibles and ocelli brown ; medio-dorsal
stripe dark green or purple in different specimens ; sub-dorsal stripes yellow, and
there are two other fine but very faint yellow lines, one above and the other below
the spiracles ; segmental divisions also yellow ; spiracles black, very narrowly en-
circled with white. Ventral surface, legs and prolegs uniformly pale yellowish -green.
Var. 2 has the ground-colour brownish-yellow ; head also brownish-yellow,
freckled with brown ; medio-dorsal stripe broad bright purple ; sub-dorsal stripes
also broad, but of a much less distinct dull pale purple, and having a fine white line
running through them ; a narrow purple line, edged above with white, extends along
the spiracular region. Ventral surface, legs and prolegs uniformly pale yellowish-
brown. Feeds on the flowers of Erythraa centaiirea.
The pupa is slender, and nearly (if not quite) as long as the full-grown larva ; it
is of almost uniform width, the last two segments only tapering to the anal point.
It is glossy and cylindrical, but there is a depression on the thorax and front ab-
dominal segments ; the snout and top of the thorax are prominently and sharply
defined ; the leg-cases extend a long distance down the front of the abdomen, but
before the end, become detached from it. The ground-colour is yellow, but is almost
hid with a deep pink, which is suffused all over the surface, and almost forms a stripe
from the head through the abdominal segments ; wing- and leg-cases dingy olive,
tinged with pink. All the imagos (a fine scries) emerged from August 23rd to Sep-
tember 1st.— Gko. T. Poeeitt, Huddcrsfield : February bth, 1884.
Zar(Ba fasciata ((J), and its parasite, Mesoleius sepulchralis — I have a <? of
this saw-fly, bred by Mr. F. Norgate, from a larva taken in the New Forest in 1879.
The ichneumons bred by Dr. Osborne from Zarcea are Mesoleius sepulchralis,
Holm., new to Britain ; I believe the J is undescribed ; it difi'ers from the ? in
having the face, front and middle coxae, and trochanters, tibiae and tarsi, and basal
ring of hind tibife, white, in other respects the sexes are very much alike. — John B.
BE1DGM.4N, Norwich : February 16th, 188t.
1884. J 229
Halictus breviceps, E. Saund., and H. Irevicornis, SchencJc.— In my Synopsis of
British Hymenoptera (Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1882, pp. 218 and 221) I described
two species of Halictus under the names brevicornis, Schenck, and breviceps, E.
Saund. I regret that I must now withdraw the brevicornis of my Synopsis from our
list, as its exponents are, I believe, referable to the S of breviceps, E. S., and not to
the true brevicornis, Schenck.
When I described brevicornis I had only seen two $ specimens from the
country, and on comparing them with a S brevicornis received from C. Ritsema, I
was satisfied of their identity. I therefore described the species as British, charac-
terizing the ? from a Dutch specimen.
Whilst at Hayling Island in August last year, I took the $ of what I had called
brevicornis pretty freely on thistle-heads, and the ? of my breviceps on Crepis
flowers near the same spot, and I searched in vain day after day for ? brevicornis
and (? breviceps, till it began to dawn upon me that the males and females that I had
been taking must be sexes of the same species ; accordingly, on my return home, I
very carefully examined my males a second time with Eitsema's brevicornis, and,
although the two species are even more alike than usual in this genus, I can see
that they are really distinct. The face of breviceps $ is slightly longer than
that of our species, and the clypeus rather narrower ; the joints of the an-
tennce towards the apex are slightly longer than broad, instead of being slightly
broader than long ; the mesothorax is less remotely punctured, and the genital armi-
ture has the sagittfe less raised, and the basal portion or " cardo " smaller. Still the
two males are very closely allied, and in general aspect are almost indistinguishable ;
the females of the two species are at once separable by the shape of the face and the
very different puncturation of the mesothorax. I have sent specimens to C.
Ritsema, and although the species was unknown to him, he thought the $ and ^
sent were probably referable to one species. The synonymy will now stand as given
in my Catalogue — breviceps, E. Saund., = brevicornis, E. S., $ , nee Schenck. —
Edwaed Saundbes, St. Ann's, Mason's Hill, Bromley, Kent : Feb. 12th, 1884.
William Buckler, who, as already announced, died on the 9th January of
bronchitis, was born 13th September, 1814, at Newport, in the Isle of Wight, and
received his early education in his native town ; when quite young, he showed great
aptitude and taste for drawing ; this was recognised by Captain (afterwards Admiral)
Ffarrington, of Woodvale, near Cowes, through whose influence he was introduced
to the studio of Mr. Sass, Soho, whence, after having completed his course in a highly
creditable manner, he became a student of the Royal Academy, and distinguished
himself in the Antique School, and in drawing from life. Though a painter in oils,
he turned his attention mainly to water-colours, in which he was a successful portrait
painter, and from 1836-56, he was fully engaged by numerous and influential
patrons ; during these years he exhibited sixty-two subjects at the Royal Academy
— his pictures were always highly finished and pleasing. In 1857 he wrote : " this
being the first year I have omitted sending anything."
He lived for some years at 32, Orchard Street, Portman Square, London, but
about 1848 he settled at Emsworth in the South of Hampshire, and after a time
began to " turn his attention to Entomology, as an amusement for his leisure
230 [March.
hours." His first appearance in print as an Entomological writer is a short notice
of " Captures of Lepidoptera " in the Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer, for
June 14th, 1856 (Vol. I, p. 83), this was followed on the 26th July (p. 132) by a
notice of the capture of Colias Hyale by a friend. Then came a notice in the
Substitute, for January 3rd, 1857 (p. 132) on the duration of the pupa state of
Aclierontia Atropos, and in the Intelligencer (Vol. II, p. 4) of a male PMgalia
pilosaria being attracted to the outside of a breeding-cage by the presence within
of a female, which had lately emerged from the pupa state.
But in the summer of 1857 an event occurred, which was destined to bring
Mr. Buckler moi-e prominently forward, and which enlisted his artistic talent in the
cause of Entomology. This event was the abrupt discontinuance of that line of
■work by the artist, who had for more than two years been employed to figure the
larvsD of the Tineina. It was absolutely necessary to find a fresh artist with as little
delay as possible, and a forcible appeal appeared in the Intelligencer (Vol. II, p. 113)
entitled, " Portrait-painting."
The result was that Mr. Buckler offered his services as delineator of these
Micro-larvse and their mines and food-plants, and the exquisite finish of his drawings
is well known to all who have seen the originals, though it is to be feared that the
published figures of his larvae, such for instance as those of JSxceretia Allisella and
Fsecadia funerella in the thirteenth volume of the Natural History of the Tineina,
scarcely give an idea of the beautifully soft appearance of the actual drawings.
For nearly three years Mr. Buckler was engaged in this work, and had made
about 120 figures, but, owing to the fact, that a full-grown larva just arrived from
the Continent, cannot wait, but must be figured at once when it reaches the
artist, the nature of the employment was found to tie him so very closely, and to
interfere so seriously with his time in preventing him from keeping engagements
with his friends, that in June, 1860, he begged, though with some regret, that some
other artist might be found for the task, most courteously, however, offering to
continue his services till the needful artistic aid had been obtained.
The (short-lived) Weekly Entomologist, which began to appear in August, 1862,
nearly 12 months after the decease of the Entomologist's Weekly Intelligencer,
contains (Vol. I, p. 45) the description of the larva of Pamphila sylvanus ; in the
same work (Vol. Ill, p. 213) appears a description of the larva of Euperia fulvago.
These have a special interest as being the first two descriptions of Macro-larvre
from the pen of William Buckler — to be followed by the long series which have
enriched the pages of this Magazine.
Descriptions of the following larvce by William Buckler have appeared in the
Entomologist's Monthly Magazine : —
In Vol. I. — Leucania liUoralis (p. 48), Lithosia pygmcEoIa, caniola, complanula,
complana, stramineola and rubrical/ is (pp. 48, 49), Xyluphasia scolopa-
cina (p. 50), Leucania comma (p. 140).
„ II. — Hadena rectiUnea (p. 20), Ccenonympha Davus (p. 65), Toxocampa
craccce (p. 67), Leucania putrescens (p. 94), Agrotis ravida (p. 115),
Agrotis aquilina (p. 133), Agrotis nigricans (p. 162), Uipparchia
Semele (p. 188), Acidalia niancuniaia (p. 189).
„ III. — Leucania pallens (p. 68), Radena suasa and Hepialus sylvinus (p. 136),
Leucania conigera (p. 137), Agrotis lunigera (p. 188), CucuUia umbra-
tica (p. 2QS),Acronycta auncoma (p. 261), Catocala sponsa (p. 276).
1884.1 . 231
In Vol. IV. — Sesia chrysidiformis and Aplecta advena (p. 14), Limenitis Sibylla
(p. 33) (see also V., p. 226), Hadena genistcs (p. 61), S. adusta (p. 62),
S. thalassina (p. 63), Tanagra chcerophyllata diuA Apatxira Iris (p. 85),
(for the latter see also XIII, p. 3), Epunda nigra (p. 87), CuculUa
scrophtilaricB and verhasci (p. 116), Colias Edusa (p. 117), (see also
Egg-laying of C Edusa, XIV, pp. 40 and 89), CirrcBdia xerampelina
(p. 136), Miana furuncula (p. 137), Argynnis Aglaia (p. 155), Xanthia
giJvago {■^. \h6), Xanthia ferruginea (p. 180), Agrotis ptda (p. 199),
Dasypolia templi (p. 251), ZygcBna lonicercB (p. 253).
„ V. — Acontia luctuosa (p. 75), Argynnis EiipJirosyne (p. 125), Lycana
Artaxerxes (p. 176), (see also L. Medon (Agesiis) XV, p. 241),
Hepialus hectus (p. 177), Heliophohus popularis, Charceas graminis
and Luperina eespitis (p. 225), Limenitis Sibylla (the young larva p.
226), LyccBua ^gon (p. 241), Vanessa cardui (curious variety of the
larva, p. 278).
„ VI. — Aporophila australis (p. 13), Thecla rttbi (p. 38), Plusia interrogationis
(p. 65), Lycana Arion (the eggs of, p. 91), Sesia ichneumonifortnis (p.
90), Pyralis glaucinalis (p. Ill), Xephopteryx angustella (p. 143),
Sydrcecia micacea (p. 164), Chilo phragmitellus (p. 188), Thanaos
Tages (p. 233), Epunda luiulenta (p. 235), Noctua Dahlii (p. 261),
Xanthia cerago and silago (p. 262).
„ VII. — Scoparia muralis (p. 13), Pempelia formosa (p. 14), Hypsipetes
impluviata (p. 42), Erebia Medea (Blandina) (p. 64) , Acronycta myriccB
(p. 83), Hepialus velleda (p. 84), Argynnis Selene (p. 114), Deilephila
gain (pp. 123 and 232), SomcBosoma senecionis (quoted in an article
by Mr. Howard Vaughan, p. 131), Crambusfascelinellus (Pedriolellus)
(p. 160), Ptilophora plumigera (p. 210), Miana arcuosa and Chesias
spartiata and obliquaria (p. 260).
„VIII. — Eremobia ochroleuca (p. 21), Acidalia trigeminata (p. 22), Tapinostola
elymi (p. 68), Agrotis corticea (p. 89), Xylina furcifera {conformis)
(p. 114), Noctua umbrosa (p. 139), Pterophorus isodactylus, teucrii,
plagiodactylus and Lienigianus (pp. 153 — 158), Gymnancyla canella
(p. 163), Xudaria senex and mundana, Setina irrorella, Lithosia
mesomella, muscerda and complana (pp. 169 — 175), Apamea unanimis
(p. 207), Leucania straminea (p. 248), Melitcea Athalia (p. 258).
„ IX. — Agrotis cursoria (p. 14), Xola strigula (p. 15), Anchocelis litiira (p.
39), Brephos notha (p. 41), Triphana suhsequa (p. 56), Dianthcecia
ccesia (p. 64), Acidalia degeneraria (p. 115), Ephestia artemisiella (p.
143), Celcena Haworthii (p. 195), Acidalia incanaria (p. 246), Sphinx
convolvuli (p. 286), Polia chi (p. 290).
„ X. — Aventia Jlexula (p. 42), Limacodes asellus (p. 70), Sesperia ActcBon (p.
86), Phycis (?) Daviselhcs {Nephopteryx genistella, Dup.) (p. 89),
Serminia barbalis, tarsipennalis, derivalis and cribralis (pp. 100 — 104),
Crambus pinetellus (p. 162), MimcBseoptilus aridus (p. 182), Ephestia
elutella (p. 213), Rhodophcea marmorea (p. 214), Lithosia quadra (p.
217), Nonagria geminipuncta (p. 230), Caradrina Morpheus (p. 254),
Apamea gemina and Nonagria neurica (p. 275).
232 [March,
In Vol. XI.- — Dianthoecia albimacula (p. 16), Deilephila euphorhicB (p. 73), Anerastia
lotella (p. 186), [How to rear Bomhyx ruhi from the larva (p. 188)],
Xylophasia lithoxylea and polyodon (p. 208) , Ilelioth is dipsacea (p. 256) .
„ XII. — Rhodophaa suavella (p. 13), Aplecta occulta (p. 66), Clecra glabraria
(p. 84), Cataclysta lemnalis (p. 102), Xylina rhizolitha (p. 140),
Paraponyx stratiotalis (p. 160), Hydrocampa nymphcBalis (p. 210 and
XVII, p. 249), Pterophorus dichrodactylus (p. 233), P. microdaetylus
(p. 234), Botys lancealis (p. 277).
„XIII. — Apatura Iris (p. 3), Crambus tristellus (p. 14), Lyccena argioltis (pp.
29, 62 and 138), Miana fasciuncula (p. 62), Cymatophora ocularis (p.
90), Herminia ffriseal is (p. 110), Cryptoblabes bistriga {i^.Wl), Ebulea
stacJiydalis and sambucalis (p. 133), Lobophora viretata (p. 185),
Catocala jyromissa (p. 233).
>, XIV. — Brepana sicula fp. 1 and XVII, p. 122), Earias chlorana {p. 42),
[Egg-laying of CoUas PJdusa (pp. 40 and 89)], Boarmia cinctaria (p.
83), Hydrocampa stagnalis (p. 97), Mamestra fiirva (p. 182), Scapula
ferrugalis (p. 200) , Boarm ia abietaria (p. 219) ,Argynnis Paphia (p. 252) .
>, XV. — Xylomyges conspioillaris (p. 17), Crambus coniaminellus (p. 38), Cidaria
reticulata (p. 61), Ebulea verbascalis (p. 102), Myelois pinguis (p. 162),
Crambus geniculeus (p. 206), LyccBna Medon (Agestis) (p. 241).
„ XVI. — Mamestra abjecta (pp. 19 and 93) , Crambus selasellus (p. 41) , Dianthoecia
Barretti {Luperina luteago) (p. 52), Nonagria sparganii (p. 99),
Emmelesia ajjinitata (]). 102) , Botys fuscalis (p. IGl) , Pempelia carnella
(p. 167), Scopida prunalis (p. 209), S. olivalis (p. 227).
„ XVII. — Stauropus fagi (observations on the last moult of, p. 18), Botys
pandalis (pp. 28 and 156), Crambus culmellus (p. 91), Nonagria fulva
(p. 114), Pempelia hostilis (p. 178).
„XVIII. — Ennyckia octomaculalis (p. 57), Miana expolita (p. 76), Cratnbus
Warringtonellus (p. \2Q), Scapula lutealis (p. 147), Emmelesia blandiata
(p. 180), Hydrcecia nictitans (p. 195), Papilio Machaon (p. 244).
„XIX. — Heliodes arbtifi (p. 36), Rivula sericealis (p. 49), Ennychia anguinalis
(p. 77), Ephestia passulella (p. 104), Pionea stramentalis (p. 126),
Endotricha flamniealis (p. 149), Dicycla Oo (p. 203), Pamphila linea
(p. 244), Petasia nubecidosa (p. 271).
„ XX. — Meliana Jlammea (p. 63), Endromis versicolor (p. 73), Bankia
Bankiana (p. 77), Procris globularicB (p. 97), Zygcena exulans (p. 150),
Apamea fibrosa (p. 176), Aglossa pinguinalis (p. 193).
Mr. Buckler also assisted the Rev. J. Hellins in the following description of larvae,
which have appeared under tlie name of the latter, in the pages of this Magazine : —
In Vol. I. — Lozogramma petraria (p. 71), Acidalia immutaia (p. 72), Cidaria
russata and immanata (p. 165), Ennomos fuscantaria (p. 187, see also
III, p. 159), Nemaria viridata and Corycia temerata (p. 263),
Tceniocampa gracilis (variety of larva, p. 283).
„ II. — Ligdia adustata and Hybernia leucophearia (p. 16), Acidalia rubricata
(p. 66), Phurodesma bajularia (p. 114), Sterrha sacraria (p. 134 and
IV, pp. 179 and 200), Botys asinalis (p. 135), Phytometra cenea (p.
163, see also X, p. 139), Scoria dealbata (p. 190), Luperina cespitis
(p. 211), Emmelesia albulala (p. 201), Grummesia trilinea (p. 27SJ.
1884.] 23'3
In Vol. III. — Acidalia ornata (p. M),AcidaUa contiguaria (p. &Q) , Ennomos tiliaria
and alniaria (pp. 161, 162), Leucophasia sinapis (p. 210), Acidalia
rusticata (p. 259), Spilodes sticticalis and Anchoeelis lunosa (p. 260),
Thera simulata, oheliscata B,nA firmata (p. 277)-
„ IV. — Acidalia emutaria (p. 88), Lithosteje niveata and Agrophila sulphuralis
(p. 115), Hyria auroraria (p. 158), Tethea retusa (p. 180).
„ V. — Zygana nuhigena (p. 73), Acidalia holosericata, interjectaria, scutulata
and lisetata (pp. 95 — 99), Fidonia pinetaria (brunneata) (p. 108),
Lithosia molyhdeola (sericea) , griseola (see also X, p. 69), mesomella,
plutnbeola (complanula), Calligenia miniata, Lithosia helveola and
aureola (pp. 109 — 114), Basycampa rubiginea (p. 206).
„ VI. — Emmelesia unifasciata (p. 186), Hypenodes costcestrigalis (p. 216),
Hydrelia unca (p. 232).
„ Yll.—Deilephila livornica (p. 99), Lyccsna Alsus (p. 186 and X, p. 43),
Camptogramma jluviata (p. 279).
„ YIIL— FhibalajJteryx lignata (p. 18), Dasydia obfuscata {p. 20), Ilybernia
aurantiaria (p. 90), Aspilates gilvaria (p. 116) , Phibalapteryx lapidata
(p. 165).
„ X. — Eubolia lineolata (p. 255 and XI, p. 16).
„ XL — Boarmia roboraria {p. 40), Erastriafuscula and Fyrausta pimicealis
(p. 66), Larentia olivata (p. 86), Asthena Blomeraria (p. 87), LyccBtia
Adonis (p. 113), Syrichthus alveolus (p. 236 and XII, p. 232).
„ XII. — Larentia rujicinctata and ccBsiata (pp. 5 — 7 and 112),Agrotera nemoralis
(p. 232).
„ XIII.— ^«ar^a melanopa (p. 11), A. cordigera (p. 12), Asthena sylvata (p. 213),
Lobophora hexapterata (p. 249).
„ XIV. — Anisopteryx mscularia (p. 113).
„ XVIII. — Himera pennaria (p. 33).
In addition to all the foregoing, two descriptions of larvee from the joint pens of
Mr. "William Buckler and the Eev. John Hellins, appeared in the Entomologist's
Annual for 1864, p. 137, viz., those of Oporabia filigrammaria and Cidaria sagittata.
One description, that of the larva of Nonagria typhee by Mr. Buckler, appeared
in " Young England " for March, 1865, whence it was quoted in the Zoologist for
1865, p. 9513.— H. T. S.
My friend Mr. W. Buckler has died without being able to achieve in person
the object, for which he had laboured long and steadily, namely, the publication of
an original work on the larvae of the Macro-Lepidoptera of Great Britain ; but we
may trust that his labour will not have been altogether in vain : in him we have
lost the living guide, who could speak with the instinctive knowledge, which long
work alone gives, but his drawings and notes remain, and it is hoped some arrange-
ment may be possible for their publication.
Meanwhile, as I was perhaps his oldest intimate entomological friend and
associate amongst the considerable number who, at different periods, gave him their
help, I may be allowed to say a few words about him and liii work.
234 [March,
We became acquainted with one another in the summer of 1858, when both
wore beginning to take up the study of the Macro-Lepidoptera to some purpose ; he
wrote to me for eggs of Smerinthus tilicB, which I had offered in the Intelligencer to
give away : this was my first and last time of making an offer of this sort, for it
opened upon me such an experience of the lengths to which the amor hahendi urges
many collectors, that I never again ventured on inviting their applications ; but it
also procured for me one of the most solid and satisfactory pleasures of my life — the
friendship of William Buckler. There must have been something in his letter,
which at once drew me to him, for very soon we had become constant correspondents :
Stainton's Manual with its descriptions of larvte all taken from foreign authors, had
stung us into desiring to wipe off what seemed a blot on the fair fame of British
Entomologists ; I had, like many others, who for a time have taken in hand such a
scheme for themselves, begun to figure such larvae as I could get hold of, but when I
found tliat Mr. Buckler, possessing the trained skiU of a first-rate artist, and — since
photography had taken away his occupation — having time at his disposal, had formed
a similar plan, it at once became apparent that the best thing for me was to supply
him with subjects, and thus set him free to devote more pains to their delineation ;
but he would not accept help without making some return ; so a sort of treaty was
drawn up and signed, pledging me to send him all the larvae I possibly could, and
he in return was to give me his first figures, after he had copied them into his
interleaved Manual. What a spur this was to my collecting energy, then in its first
freshness and zeal, to know that everything was to be figured in life-like style, and
to expect to become the possessor of a whole gallery of larval portraits ! Through
the summer months of 1859, and many succeeding years, we wrote to one another
almost every day, and often after a letter or a box had been despatched by the
afternoon's post, a second epistle was begun at night to announce some fresh
acquisition, whicli he was to make ready to pourtray as soon as he had finished the
subjects already in hand. At first I doubt if there was any definite purpose of
publishing more than descriptions, the figures being intended chiefly as memoranda,
but as time went on, and the Manual pages became more and more filled, the
intention of publishing an illustrated book became fully settled, and Mr. Buckler
worked on towards that end with ever-growing interest and zeal, and before his
death had figured more than 850 species, in most cases to the extent of five or six
varieties, or stages of growth, and in several to the extent of a dozen or fifteen ; in
1873 lie reckoned he had done at least 5000 figures, and since that time must have
added many more, for he has left more than 4500 among the materials amassed for
his projected work, while I possess some 1800 of his doing, and there must be
several in the possession of others ; he left also four volumes of MS. notes, from
which were extracted the substance of his numerous communications to this
Magazine, which he looked upon as acknowledgments for help given, and as keeping
alive an interest in his doings ; but there remains over and above these a considerable
quantity of observations never yet published.
When lie first began, fishing and boating, and other recreations, still held their
Bway over him, and would sometimes interfere with the figuring of a larva ; the
yearly visit to London for a sight of the Royal Academy Exhibition was a fixed
holiday, and larvae that came to maturity whilst he was thus engaged had to spin up
unfigui'cd ; but for many years all this had been changed ; all his other movements
1884] 235
came to be regulated so as to suit the convenience of the larva of any species that
had not been figured before, and even bodily ailments, which might have frightened
most into desisting from close application to such work, were resolutely conquered by
the exercise of a strong determination : his right hand was at times subject to a
kind of palsy, called, I believe from an allusion to a frequent cause of it, " Scrivener's
thumb," and during these attacks he could scarcely write legibly, much less hold a
pencil to draw with ; when this was so, his remedy was to set himself a task of
carpentering ; he had a. full chest of tools, and was a beautifully neat workman, in
fact, he made his own cabinet of 24 drawers in capital style ; but for exercise he
would work for a week, or a month, or whatever time he felt necessary, at house-
carpentering, mending all the doors, window frames, boxes, &c., that were found out
of repair, and thus he would bring his rebellious nerves and muscles to their finer
work ; and though he became slower as age advanced, yet to the last he could use
his pencil for the faithful representation of the most delicate pattern and colouring ;
I believe I have the last figure he drew, namely, the copy of one he had taken of a
larva of Deilephila euphorbicB, which had been sent to us by Dr. Chapman from the
Continent, and this done in November last is perfect in all its intricacy of detail as
well as in general outline and effect. And so he toiled on year after year, meaning
when he had reached a certain point, to lay aside the pencil, and give all his time
and energy to the work of publication. Whether he would ever have satisfied
himself that he had done enough, I almost doubt ; as his work went on, it seemed
to grow before him ; details, which at first were slightly noticed, assumed their real
importance, and he found himself obliged to repeat observations over and over
again ; fifteen years ago he had begun to wonder whether he should live long
enough to begin to publish ; after three years' attention to some common species of
Agrotis, he wrote that he had burnt many of his figures, as he had come to find
them incorrect ; and quite recently he was figuring again such species as Pieris
brassicoR and Cheiniatohia hrumata.
As the readers of this Magazine are aware, he had recently resolved to avail
himself of Continental help in procuring species not easily attainable here, and this,
as well as the adoption of the mm. as a scale of measurement, is remarkable as com-
ing at an age, when changes are to most men no longer acceptable ; but a stronger
mark of his keeping his mind to the last fresh and open is given by the fact, that
after his sixty-eighth birthday he procured a Grerman grammar and exercise book,
and worked hard at them all through the winter of 1882-83, in the confident hope
of being by and by able to read the letters of his German correspondents, and to tell
them what he wanted in his own handwriting, and I know that in this view Prof.
Zeller's death was a great blow to him. Mr. Buckler possessed nothing that could
be called a library ; the res angusta domi forbade the acquisition of expensive books,
but this made the loan of a standard work from a friend all the more appreciated as
a great delight ; he would sit up into the small hours of the night mastering its
contents, or neatly copying out page after page, that struck him as containing valuable
help for his own purpose ; and so, too, with illustrated books, he must have taken
copies of hundreds of the figures in the plates of Hiibner and Sepp and others.
Wlien we first became correspondents, and he was still sore from the injury which
photography had done him, he had a whimsical way of taking revenge by getting
himself photographed in all sorts of stiff attitudes and sullen expressions, such as all
U 2
236 [Marcb,
can remember to have seen in the cartes of themselves or their friends ; I have now
several of these which he sent me, at the same time pointing out their absurdities ;
but he must have OTercome this contempt for photography, for he also sent me two
likenesses taken at different times, for which he had posed himself, and with which
he was content, the last one showing in the prominence of the right eye the effect
of constant use of the magnifying lens. And this leads me to say that it is, of
course, as an indoor worker that Mr. Buckler has made his mark ; his sight was never
good enough to enable him to become a very successful collector, but in the way that
■was open to him he was a most patient and loving student of Nature ; that he might
have his broods of growing larvae always under observation (and in this he owed much
to the kind help and attention of the friends with whom he lived), he used to keep
them either on plants in flower pots on the window seats of his bed-room and sitting-
room, or else in Q-erman test tubes of very thin glass, through which he could watch
every movement, and lens in hand he would sit for hours, alternately observing and
recording the habits of any fresh species. Of course it follows from this that his
name is associated with detailed accounts of life history, and not with captures of
new species, but it is remarkable that the last figure he took from life, in October,
1883, was that of a pug larva, singled out from a large batch I had sent him, and
which, as he could not identify it with any of our known British species, he was
hoping might turn out to be new.
It is difficult to know where to stop in speaking of one, who has been so very
much to me, and who, though I saw him on three occasions only, was by our constant
interchange of letters always, as it were, present ; but I will add one thing more ;
the fascination, which Natural history exercises over observant minds, my friend felt
and enjoyed to the full ; and it touched in him a yet deeper spring of pleasure ; on
the fly-leaf of the 2nd volume of his copy of Stainton's Manual, I found written —
apparently some time after he first began to use the book, and as the result of later
reflection, — this quotation, "For Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy works,
and I will rejoice in giving praise for the operations of Thy hands." — J. H., Exeter,
12th February, 1884.
NOTES ON BEITISH TORTRICES.
BY CHAS. G. BAERETT.
(^Continued from page 135).
Referring back to Vol. xi, p. 29, of this Magazine (July, 1871),
it will be seen that in the course of these notes I arrived at the genus
Cnephasia of Curtis (Sciaphila, Tr.), and after a few remarks on the
two very distinct species, cinctana and hyhridana — which, indeed,
hardly belong to the genus — I found it desirable to defer any detailed
notice of the remainder until further information upon our native
species could be obtained. Nearly ten years have passed, and the
genus is still involved in difficulty, but it seems time that such know-
ledge as we have of it should be brought together, if only as a basis
for further investijiation.
1884.] 237
From long and careful observation, and the examination of vast
numbers of specimens, it seems certain that the attempt to define the
species of Sciaphila by means of their markings is practically hopeless.
In most of the species the ground-colour is grey or white, or even grey
in the male and white in the female; and the markings — of some shade
of grey — consist of a curved, elbowed, or abbreviated fascia near the
base of the fore-wing, representing the exterior margin of the usual
basal blotch, an oblique central fascia angulated and indented, and
apical blotches indicating a third fascia across the tip, and all these
are so irregular, so uncertain, so broken up by interruptions, and
obscured at times by dark scales or round dots, that any hope of
defining the species by their means must, I think, be abandoned. Tet
they may be used as secondary characters in confirming distinctions
arrived at in another way.
"Wilkinson, in his work, appears to have overlooked the reliable
characters a:fforded by the fonns of the fore-wings, which really seem
to be tolerably constant in the different species. He certainly notices
the peculiarity in Splialeropfera ictericana of the nearly straight costa,
and uses it in separating this species as a distinct genus ; but he seems
not to have noticed that the costa of ictericana, (J , is no straighter than
that of several species of Sciaphila, and the only really distinctive
character in Sphaleroptera is the unsatisfactory one that the $ also
has the costa straight.
The genus appears to bear sub-division into groups, thus : —
1. Fore-wings short and broad : nubilana, ahrasana.
2. Fore-wings elongated, broad, costa gently arched : virgaureana,
aUernella, octomacuJana.
3. Fore-wings broad, costa strongly arched before the middle : sinuana.
4. Fore-wings elongated, rather ovate : pascuana.
5. Fore-wings elongated and narrow, costa slightly arched : conspers-
ana, suhjectana, communana, Wahliomiana ?, ictericana.
6. Fore-wings very long and narrow, hind margin very oblique :
Penziajia, Colquliounana ?.
With the assistance of these characters, it may be possible to get
some idea of the different species, or, perhaps, in some cases, perma-
nent varieties.
nubilana, Hiib. — Fore-wings each 3 lines long, by 1| broad, of
fairly equal breadth, with short costa, blunt apex, and rounded hind
margin. In the female rather broader and still rounder. A dark
grey insect, accurately described by Wilkinson.
238 [March,
A very plentiful species among hawthorn in some districts. Mr.
Machin has reared it from hawthorn and blackthorn. He eays that
the larva is pale green, feeds between leaves drawn together, and
assumes the pupa state among them.
alrasana, Dup. — Each fore-wing 4| lines by 1\, rather broader
towards the hind margin, costa nearly straight, apex blunt, hind mar-
gin rather rounded, not very oblique. A larger species than imhilana,
of a rather smooth-looking dull dark grey, with a brownish tinge,
almost devoid of markings, except a mere shadow of the oblique
central fascia, and sometimes a few scattered black dots. These black
dots are rather strongly developed in a very cui'ious moth, taken many
years ago on the moors of Cumberland by Mr. W. Thompson, of
Stony Stratford, which moth must be, I think, a large ahrasana.
This species seems to be rare or extremely local in this country.
A specimen was taken in a dry lane in Wiltshire by Mr. E. Meyrick
in August, 1876, and I have seen three specimens from the collection
of Mr. Gr. Harding, of Bristol, who took them more than twenty years
ago, and believes that the species was common when he took these.
virgaureana, Tr. — Each fore-wing measuring 4 lines by If to If,
fairly broad, with well rounded costa and blunt apex. This most
abundant species is fairly well described by Wilkinson, it is usually
much irrorated with round dark grey dots, obscuring the ground
colour, and sometimes the markings are also much obscured.
The larva seems to be quite as variable as the moth. Mr. Machin
has reared the species from " a dirty green larva feeding on Genista
anglica." Mr. Buckler communicated the following description, taken
from a larva found on Teucrium scorodonia ;— " Light greenish-grey
above, paler flesh-coloured — greyish below, with a darker dorsal line,
and rather less dark sub-dorsal line. Tubercular spots black, anterior-
legs black, a blackish plate on second segment, head light reddish-
brown."
Mr. A. Balding, of "Wisbech, " collected a lot of larvae from water
betony, and sorted them into two lots, one with spots lighter than the
ground colour, the other with them darker. All produced virgaure-
ana y
My own descriptions also vary: — "Sluggish, cylindrical, plump,
smoky-black, spots faintly shining, head light brown, plates jet-black,
hairs rather long. On Plantago lanceolata, drawing together each
leaf, lengthwise, in the middle"; and another: " plump, pale bluish
or greyish-green, dots black, small, but distinctly visible, especially
1984.] 239
across the anterior segments, head pale brown, dorsal plate pale brown,
with blackish dots or a black bar, anal plate green with black spots.
In tops of Latliyrus, twisting and drawing together the terminal leaves,
also in Genista tinctoria, end of May." " Pupa black-brown."
alternella,'^\W. (Schiff. ?). — Fore-wings 5 lines by 2^ ; a broad-
winged species, with moderately arched costa, blunt apex, and a
decidedly squared appearance. Occasionally a female is found of
remarkably large size. The costa in this sex is more arched.
Wilkinson's description is fairly good, but his dimensions are too
small. This fine species is generally found on rough ground among
the herbage, and flies readily before dusk. It seems only to shelter
on tree trunks casually from stress of weather. I have not yet
obtained the larva. Mr. W. H. Grigg, of Bristol, has reared one
. specimen from a larva found on Conyza squarrosa. Mr. Harold
Huston finds the moth rather commonly near Chatteris, where Car-
duus arvensis is abundant, and suggests this as its food-plant ; and,
some years ago, Mr, E. Meyrick (who has been lately doing splendid
work at the antipodes) wrote me that it was common near Cambridge,
and "very evidently attached to thistles, Carduus arvensis), in fact, I
took several where it must have fed on that plant."
It used to occur in old chalk-pits and on other rough ground at
Norwich, where I thought it attached to Centaurea.
Hofmann says, "according to Mann, with black head and neck-
shield, and white warts ; in spring, on Chrysanthemum.''''
Wocke calls this species chrysantheana, Dup., ignoring alternella,
Schiff. (which, probably, is not very certain), and quoting alternella,
"Wilk., as a synonym. He does not include it in the large group which
he lumps together as Wahlhomiana.
octomaculana, Haw., Curt. — Eore-wing 5 lines by 2\, a very
square looking species, easily distinguishable as well as by its shape as
by its beautifully clear white ground-colour, with distinct blackish-
grey markings, and dark grey hind-wings. It is one of the least
variable species in the genus.
Some years ago, Mr. J. Dunsmore, then residing at Paisley (now,
I hope, doing good work in the United States), took much pains to
supply me plentifully with larvae as well as images of this lovely
species. He wrote : — " It is one of our commonest hill-insects, and
may usually be picked off old stone walls without trouble, and in any
numbers. Its larva feeds like that of ictericana, in rolled leaves of
plantain and knapweed, leaving a way of speedy escape at top or
240 [March, 1884.
bottom, most commonly at top. It is very active, and o£ a dark sooty
or almost black colour, not so stumpy as ictericana, in fact, rather long
and thin, and wriggles out at the top of the tube when disturbed, so that
you require to be active to take it. The young leaves of the knap-
weed seem to be the most acceptable food." The larvae sent were
thickest in the middle, and when young, in the beginning of June,
of a pale silvery-grey, slightly darker on the back, pale yellowish
beneath, spots distinct, black, head and plates black. A fortnight
later smoky-black, more bluish-grey on the back, paler between the
segments, spots large, raised, shining black, head pale brown, blackish
at the hinder margin, plates black ; curls up when disturbed. On
Centaurea nigra and Flantago laoiceolata. Pupa blackish.
I have not met with any record of the occurrence of this very
distinct species on the continent. Its nearest ally seems to be
styriacana, H.-S., a very pretty species, with white hind-wings, found
in Austria and Switzerland, but confounded by Wocke with the more
narrow- winged conspersana, Dg\., =^perter ana, Grn. My Grerman ex-
ample of Penziana, Hiib., also appears to represent a species of this
group — a very beautiful species, resembling our so-called Penziana in
colour and markings, but with broader wings.
sinuana, Steph. — Fore-wing 5 lines by 2, Costa strongly arched
before the middle, then nearly straight to the apex, thus having a
remarkable resemblance in shape to a Peronea. It is also more silky
in its appearance, and more regularly and delicately reticulated with
grey scales than any other species. It varies very little in markings,
and the peculiar form of the abbreviated, pointed, curved, basal fascia
is extremely reliable.
It is still a rare species, though widely distributed. The Rev. E.
N. Bloomfield has taken one near Hastings, and Mr. Grigg several
near Bristol, but it seems to occur more frequently in the Perthshire
highlands ; I have a record of one at Lochgoilhead, and it has been
taken by Mr. P. D. Wheeler and Mr. T. W. Salvage in the Blackwood
and on the mountains at Eannoch. The only record that I have of
its larva is from Mr. Sang, who took several of the moths near Burton-
on-Trent, and reared one from a larva found feeding in a web on
flowers of wild hyacinth.
Por some reason which does not seem clear, this species is sunk
by AVocke as a synonym of pasivana, Iliib., which figure it does not
resemble at all. There is certainly no more reliable and cleaxdy
defined species in the genus.
April, 1884.] 241
pascuana, Hiib., Wilk. (erroneously spelt pasivatia, Hiib., 99, but
corrected in a subsequent work— Verzeicbniss bekannter Scbmetter-
linge). — Fore-wing 4:^ lines by 11, rather long and oval, the margins
being curved and much rounded off. Rather a smooth and greasy
looking insect, with its markings much obscured by grey scales.
Easily distinguished from all the other species in the genus by the
very considerable over-lapping of its wings when in repose, and its
consequent appearance of narrotvness. It is very plentiful indeed at
Brandon, and found in many parts of the country, but usually con-
founded with viiyaureana, from which the over-lapping wings readily
distinguish it.
Mr. W. R. Jeffrey, of Ashford, describes the larva as yellowish-
grey with black spots, feeding on flowers of Si/pochceris radicata and
Anfhemis arvensis.
Dr. Wood, of Tarrington, and Mr. W. Thompson, of Stony
Stratford, have reared it from Chrysanthemu7n leucanthemum. My own
efforts to rear it have, so far, been unsuccessful.
Among the examples of Tortrices sent me by Professor Zeller some
years ago, are several specimens of a peculiar grey-brown — almost
yellowish-brown — Sciaphila, labelled '''pascuana, F. v. R." These
seem to be very close to, if not identical with, a pale greyish-brown, or
yellowish-brown, Sciaphila, which is found in plenty in salt marshes
in the south of England, and particularly on both sides of the mouth
of the Thames. This form seems pretty constant in size and colour,
and, in absence of markings, but it also corresponds so very accurately
in size and shape with pascuana, Hiib., that there seems little proba-
bility that they are really distinct. The markings, when visible, also
agree closely with those of the latter.
I am indebted to Messrs. Sydney Webb and Howard Yaughan
for specimens. Mr. Webb has reared one specimen (accidentally)
from Aster tripoUum. This variety appears to be plentiful in the
drier parts of the salt marshes, and scarcely to be known elsewhere.
It was, I believe, first noticed there by Mr. S. Stevens many years ago.
Mr. AV^ebb says that it emerges in June and July, and continues out
a long time. In colour, it shows a remarkable divergence from typical
pascuana and the remainder of the genus, leaning strongly towards
that of 8. ictericana.
conspersana, Dougl., Wilk. {perterana, Gn., MS.). — Fore-wing
5 lines by If, long and narrow, with the costa straight beyond tho
middle, apex somewhat pointed, and hind-wings oblique.
w
242 [April,
Wilkinson's deacription is good, except that he does not remark
the length of fore-wings, in which this species closely approximates
to icte7'icana.
It is common in some parts of the western coast, particularly on
the mountain limestone of Pembrokeshire, attaining a larger size and
much greater depth and distinctness of marking, than specimens from
the chalk districts of the south coast. But this species has already
been remarked upon (Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. xii, p. 230), and repetition
is unnecessary. Its larva is over half-an-ineh long, sluggish, stout,
tapering at each extremity, very pale greenish-grey, yellowish beneath,
and semi-transparent ; spots small, black, head and plates yellowish-
brown. Drawing together the ray-florets of Chrysanthemum leucanthe-
inu7n, in June, and feeding on the disc-florets and seeds. Also in
blossoms of Apargia hispida abundantly, and more rarely in those of
Sypochceris radicata, Aster tripoliiim, and Sanunciiliis hidhosus. In
the absence of suitable flowers on the sea-cliffs, it is quite at home on
the tops of Teucrium scorodonia and Senecio erucifoUus, drawing to-
gether the terminjii leaves and eating out the heart. "When feeding
in the flowers of oxeye and Apargia it folds down the ray-florets
regularly and neatly, so as to form a comfortable, and also a conspicuous,
habitation. The pupa is blackish-brown, often spun up in the flower,
and the moth emerges in July.
Mr. Doubleday seems to have suppressed conspersana, Dough, in
his list, because there is a conspersana in the genus Teras (a synonym
oiferrugana), and substituted perterana, Gn., an unpublished name.
I think that there is no reason for this.
suljectana, Gn. — Fore-wing 4 lines by 1^, costa very little arched,
nearly straight beyond the middle, hind-margin rather oblique. The
most abundant species of the genus. Generally, its ground-colour is
pale and very little suffused with grey scales, so that the markings
are usually distinct. It is constantly mixed with virgaureana, but has
narrower and more pointed wings, and a straighter costa.
Its larva varies a good deal, partly, no doubt, at different ages.
Mr. Machin has reared it from a brownish-black larva on the common
plantain, and others on sorrel and chickweed. Mr. Sang used to find
it at Darlington feeding on Lotus and other vetches. I have had larvae ;
cylindrical, except that they were slightly tapering at the ends, smoky-
brown, with brown head and black plates. In blossoms of Banunculus
acris and hulbosus, drawing together the petals and feeding on them
and the anthers in June ; ako smoky-black spots slightly paler, head
IS8*-] 213
brown, plates black, in flowers of Chrysanthemum leucanthemum. It
always rolls into a ring when disturbed. The pupa is blackish. In-
certana, Tr., seems to agree closely with this species.
co77imunana, H.-S. — Fore-wing 5 lixies by 2 barely, long, and
fairly equal in breadth, hind-margin rounded, apes not very pointed.
A handsome species, readily recognisable by its shape, having even,
oblique, dark grey fasciae, and the whole wing generally irrorated with
grey scales, or even dots. The distinctness of this species from typical
Wahlhomiana, and its remarkably long wings were pointed out to me
long ago by M. Eagonot, who also sent examples.
In this country, it has been noticed principally in Cambridgeshire
and Huntingdonshire. Mr. Harold Huston took a number of speci-
mens some years ago near Chatteris, and this year several have
reached me, taken by Mr. A. F. Griffith, at St. Albans, where it does
not seem to be rare.
Wahlhomiana, L. ?— This is not a satisfactory name to apply.
Wocke unites under it, virgaureana, subjecfana, and communana, with
a lot more names, but Eagonot assures me that it is a small species,
narrow-winged, but not so long as communnna.
Some years ago, Mr. J. Gardner, of Hartlepool, reared several
small Sciaphilce from tops of Artemisia maritima, which seemed to me
to agree with this description. They resembled virgaureana, but had a
much straighter costa, quite straight in fact beyond the middle.
Larvae were sent to me, but they did not like the change of air, or of
food, and I only reared a very poor specimen, but cannot refer it
to any species, the straight costa, blunt apex, and narrow wings
being so peculiar. Further investigation will be necessary to prove,
first, whether it is distinct from all the previous species, and, secondly,
whether it agress with Linne's type of Wahlhomiana.
Penziana, Wilk. (? Thunb.), heUana, Curt. — Length of fore-wing
6 lines by 2^ in breadth, long and narrow, and nearly triangular,
being very narrow at base, with nearly straight margins and long apex.
A very handsome species, with white ground colour, and sharply de-
fined, indented uai-row blackish fasciae. Found on rocks and hills
about Keswick, Cockermouth, Eaunoch, and other northern hill-regions.
The only information that I have respecting its larva is from Mr.
Ilodgkinson, who says : — " The larva is a grass feeder, nibbles the tops
of fescue-grass at night, and lives in a silken gallery at the roots of
the grass. It is a hard species to breed." Mr. Hodgkinsou sent me
244 [April,
a larva feeding amoug roots of a small wiry grass, wliicli, however, I
fully believe was tliat of some species of Cramhus ; I was unable to
rear it.
I have an example of a very beautiful Sciapliila, similar to this,
Tfith much broader fore-wings (sent by M. Ragonot, and taken, I
believe, on the Alps), under the name of Penziana, cevi?im\j a distinct
species, which seems to agree fairly with IIiibnei''s figure. Mr. Double-
day also heard, many years ago, from Dr. Wocke, that this species
was not the Penziana of Hiibner. It seems desirable, therefore, to
adopt a name about which there cannot be much doubt ^ hellana,
Curtis.
Colquliounana^'R. D. Catalogue.— Closely allied to the last species
is a handsome form which has stood in lists and collections for many
years under this name. It size and measurements are almost exactly
the same as those of hellana, but the dorsal margin of the fore-wings
is not so straight, making the wing a little broader near the base, and
, not so sharply wedge-shaped. It is a handsome species ; ground-colour
of fore-wings slate-grey, varying much in intensity, and occasionally
whitish in the central area. Markings of the usual fasciae much like
those in Z'pZ/ffMrt, but slightly more oblique, and not nearly so sharply
defined. Hind-wings whitish, tinged with grey at the margins. Head
and thorax of the same shade of grey as the fore-wings.
The late Mr. T. H. Allis, writing in 1868, told me that he believed
it to be distinct (from hellana, Curt.), that it "occurred in lower
ground than that species." It is, in fact, like conspersana, an inhabi-
tant of sea-side rocky localities, taking the place of that species on the
more northern west coast. It is tolerably common in such places near
Dublin and the Isle of Man. Mr. Hodgkinson asserts that it was reared
by Mr. Gregson from the roots of sea-pink.
ietericana, Hw. — I see no reason why this species should be ex-
cluded from Sciapliila. It is very nearly allied to conspersana, and a
grey variety reared by Mr. Jeffrey, of Ashford,is quite undistinguish-
able from a Sciapliila. Larvae sent by Mr. Jeffrey were moderately
long and slender, slightly attenuated at the extremities, pale yellowish,
with rather broad dorsal and subdorsal longitudinal greenish-grey lines,
spots black, head ])ale brown, with a black spot at each side, plates
pale brown. In blossoms of Hijpocliceris radicata, Aiithemis arvensis,
and Chrysanthemum leucanthcmiim, drawing together the ray-florets.
Feeding in May and June, moth emerging in July. Pupa light brown.
Pembroke : February, 1881.
1884.] 245
THE LARYA OP HEBYA SERVILLANA AND ITS HABITS.
BT JOHN H. WOOD, M.B.
In the spring of last year I was mucli interested by finding, in the
shoots of sallow, a larva that in the end proved to be this species. I
am aware that in this I can lay claim to no discovery ; Mr. Bond has
already stated that it feeds in sallow, and Herr Anton Schmid says, in
a swelling in sallow shoots, but as neither observer, so far as I know,
^as given any particulars, nor entered into a description, I have put
together the following notes, which will, I hope, render fairly clear the
(Economy of this scarce species, and at the same time enable Entomo-
gists to meet with it more readily than hitherto.
The larva forms a symmetrical swelling, I mean by that an
enlargement running equally round all sides of the stem, on the shoots
of the broad-leaved sallow {Salix cupreti) in those localities where the
shrub occurs among young undergrowth in woods. The swelling is
oval in outline, with a circumference, at the widest part, barely half as
much again as that of the sound stem ; it measures 8 or 9 lines in
length, and occupies the site of a bud, extending, usually, as far below
it as above it, and, in most cases, without intei'feriug with its
vitality. The circumstance of its position, combined with its gentle
outline and moderate girth, render it a somewhat inconspicuous object,
and liable to be mistaken for the natural thickening that occurs at the
origin of the buds ; this is especially likely to be the case whilst the
leaves are on, but in the winter months its recognition is not difficult, for
the eye runs over the naked twigs, and quickly distinguishes the sym-
metrical swelling caused by the larva from the one-sided one of the bud.
In its attack on the tree the insect invariably selects shoots of the year,
and when these are vigorous, and such are the ones usually chosen, no
injury is done beyond the production of the enlargement, but when
weaker shoots are attacked or the mine is placed too near the end, then
the part beyond ceases to grow, acquires a stunted appearance, and, at
length, dies, becoming in the course of the winter black and shrunken.
The point where the larva enters is just where the apex of the bud
touches the stem, and this is so generally the case as to lead to the
conclusion, that the moth is guided by the bud in laying her egg, and
deposits it at this particular spot. At first, communication is main-
tained with the outside, and the frass is thrown out and caught on the
parts below, but before the larva has ceased to feed, the opening gets
closed up, and its site marked by a small brown scar, through which
the perfect insect eventually breaks. The mine is cylindrical, short
24G [*i«-"'
and narrow — the upper part contains the frass and is rather the moat
capacious, in consequence of the removal, to some extent, of the woody
tissue, while the lower part occupies little more than the pith-canal.
The whole length of the mine has never exceeded, and rarely reached,
an inch in any of the numerous specimens I have examined. It is
impossible not to be struck with the smallness of these dimensions, and
their apparent incapacity for supplying material enough to build up
an insect of this size, so that I am inclined to think that the larva
derives a considerable part of its nourishment directly from the sap,
which it probably licks up from the walls of its tunnel. And confirma-
tion is given to this view by the character of the frass, which is small,
irregular, and excrementitious-looking, instead of being large and
well-formed, as would be the case, did a large part of the food consist
of indigestible material. I have no information when the larva hatches,
but as the galls are found fully developed in the middle of August
(Aug. 19th), this event probably takes place some time in July. It
continues to feed up to the end of September, and in October lines the
upper part of its dwelling with a close coating of silk, cutting it off
from the part below by an open fragile diaphragm of the same material.
Within the chamber so formed it remains unchanged through the
winter, and goes into j)upa in the spring, the case being completely
extruded, -and dropping to the ground on the emergence of the moth.
So far as my experience goes, it is but little subject to parasites of any
kind, but a large number, in the course of the winter when food is
scarce, fall victims to the tom-tits, who appear to have discovered what
a savoury morsel the swelling hides, and by means of their strong little
beaks succeed in getting possession of it.
The larva is cylindrical, moderately stout, tapering slightly from
the 10th segment, and with large prominent dark spots, from each of
which springs a small white hair. Head rather small, narrower than
the following segment, jet black and shining. Thoracic plate black
and shining, but less so than the head, and divided down the middle by
a pale line. Legs and anal plate dark grey. Colour very pale grey,
but changes, during hibernation, to white with a tinge of yellow. The
dorsal vessel, in some specimens, partially visible as a red line. The
spots are grey and conspicuous — the anterior trapezoidals roundish-
oval in shape, the posterior ones, oval. The row of large somewhat
conical spots in the spiracular region are notched on the lower side for
reception of the spiracles. These are round and black, and surrounded
by a pale ring.
Tarrington, Ledbury :
14 fh February, 1884.
1884.] 247
A NEW SPECIES OF SCYDM^NVS.
BY THE EEV. W. W. FOWLER, M.A., F.L.S.
SCTDM^NUS POWERI, 71. sp.
iSat convexiim, nigrocastaneum, pilis longis jlavis indutum ; pronoto longiore,
ante mediuon latissimo, lateribus antrorsum rotundatis, ad basim sensim contractis,
foveis quatuor parvis ad basim impresso; elytris ovatis, convexis, dilatatis, ante
medium latissimis, quatuor magnis foveis ad basim, et puncturis modicis hand pro-
fundis diffusius impressis ; antennis sat Jongis, Jlavis, primo et secundo articulo pari
longitudine, tertio his infeminis vix, in maribus aliqtcantultim breviore,tribus ultimis
sat subito latioribus, ultimo apice modice aciiminato.
Differt a S. pusillo colore et forma et puncturd elytrorum minus profundd ; a
S. Sparsliallii sculpturd thoracis, et tertio antennarum articulo valde abhorret.
Length, ^ lin.
Head rather large : ejes large and somewhat prominent. Antennae pale tes-
taceous, rather large ; first and second joints about equal in length ; third joint
shorter than the preceding, but not very perceptibly so in the female.
Thorax longer than broad, anteriorly rounded, very gradually narrowed towards
the base, impunctate, thinly covered with long yellowish hairs ; with four small
round foveae, not connected by any line, at the base ; the two centre ones are close
together, and their sculpture is rather indistinct in some specimens.
Elytra oval, rather wide, convex, rather thickly covered with long yellowish
hairs, with four large depressions at the base — the inside pair being considerably the
larger — and with rather large shallow and somewhat diffuse punctures.
Legs yellow ; femora somewhat inflated at apex.
This species comes rather near S. pusillus, Miill., but may be dis-
tinguished by its colour, which resembles that of S. elongatulus, as
well as by its general form, smaller size, and the shape and punctuation
of the elytra, the latter in 8. pusillus being evidently coarser and more
diffuse than in S. Poioeri.
Dr. Power has for some time had this species turned on one side
in his cabinet as distinct, and, as it has been returned to me by M.
Fauvel as unknown, I venture, at Dr. Power's request, to describe it.
Eight specimens taken by Dr. Power, one at Seaton, in Devon-
shire, on January 3rd, 1866, two at Wimbledon, on February 23rd,
1867, three at Wimbledon, March 25th, 1871, one at Birdbrook, Essex,
August 18th, 1865, and another in the same locality, April, 1868. It
is a marsh species.
The School House, Lincoln :
March 18th, 1884.
218 [Ai<i-ii.
TROPICAL COLLECTING.
BY GEO. C. CHAMPION.
{Concluded from p. 205).
Ascending from the " tierra caliente " of Chiriqui, to 3000 — 4000
ft., the elevation at which the coffee plantations are usually made, the
forest is of rather a different character, though very luxuriant ; the
growth is denser, it is, as might be expected, less tropical in appear-
ance, the trees are not so lofty, there are fewer palms and of different
species, fewer Musacese, fewer Arums, but more ferns, especially of
the arborescent kinds, and Lycopodiums ; as as we go higher (5000 —
6000 ft.) the tree-trunks and branches are covered with moss — all
reeking with moisture during the long rainy season ; except for a
short time in the morning, ver}^ little is to be seen of the sun, the
higher mountain forest-clad slopes are constantly enveloped in mist ;
the clouds descending soon after mid-day to remain till nearly dark,
and shrouding everything as in a fog ; the tree-tops are, perhaps, just
visible, above all is impenetrable mist ; at this time the forest is very
gloomy and dark, and not a sound of life will be heard except the
dismal howling of the monkeys at intervals, even the large blood-
thirsty TahanidcB leave you in peace, the butterflies vanish, and the
collector will no longer find anything to repay him for his work.
The mountain-sides are everywhere scored or cut up by enormous
deep "barrancas" or ravines, sometimes 1000 ft. or more in depth,
the sides of which are often so steep as to make the ascent or descent
a matter of very considerable difficulty, at times an impossibility. At
8000 ft. (I did not succeed in ascending higher), some interesting
butterflies occur, similar to those found in Costa Eica at a similar ele-
vation— species of Clothilda, Euterpe, Eiipti/chia, Oxceoscliistus, &c.,
and a few beetles — minute species of Hispidce and Cehrionidce, some
Lnmpyridcd not before met with, Malthiniis, various Fhytophaga, &c.,
chiefly obtained by brushing bamboo ; the uudei'growth at this eleva-
tion consists almost entirely of bamboo and small palms, tracks of the
tapir were numerous here, and help the collector a good deal in getting
about, otherwise he must cut his way everywhere. At 4000 — 5000 ft.
a good many butterflies, &c., not to be seen in the low country, will
be met with — species of Euterpe, Mesosemia, Heterochron, Papilio,
Timetes, Pieris, Aiicen, Leptalis, Apatura, &c. ; a gigantic Noctua
{Erehus, sp.), the largest specimens of which are fully ten inches in
expanse, will be seen occasionally settled high up on the trunks of
the largest trees in the forest, looking like nothing so much as a
i>^84.] 249
gigantic Boarmia, it rests in the same manner, with its wings spread
out horizontally. Some very fine Lamellicornes — species of Plusiotis
(metallic, golden or silvery in colour), Anfichira, and others, may be
found at an elevation of 5000 ft. flying in the hot sun round the tops
of forest trees; Lampyridce, Longicornea, Pliyfophaga, &c.,of different
species to those of the hot country. Goleoptera and Hemiptera are
abundant at an elevation of about 3000 ft., and many of the species
of the low country will be found as high as this ; higher, fewer and
different species are to be met with.
The highlands of the State of Panama, unlike those of Costa E,ica,
are almost uninhabited ; there are no villages except in the low
country, travelling is in consequence very difficult, no roads, and the
country exceedingly broken, the coffee plantations only made within
the last few years, are, probably, the highest inhabited places in
Chiriqui, and it is chiefly owing to being able to stay at these places I
was enabled to collect at the higher elevations.
A great deal of forest is to be found in Chiriqui, besides the
patches of wood on the plains, but as we go nearer to Panama, into
the department of Yeraguas, we begin to leave the forests and come
to a different sort of country and vegetation, very broken hills and
valleys covered with grass and wooded only by the streams or in the
hollows and forest of any extent only to be found high up on the
mountain slopes. Certain Malacoderms {Astglus) swarm in flowers on
these grassy hills.
I will say but little 'about Gruatemala, as my remarks on Chiriqui
will apply almost equally well to that country, fine forests are to be
found there also, both in the highlands and in the low country ; of
course, lots of species met with there will not be found in Chiriqui
and in the highlands. The fauna partakes much more of a North
American character. Travelling is much easier in Guatemala ; there
are roads (or what are termed such) and a few bridges; villages or
towns are scattered all over the country, except in Peten and part of
Yera Paz, villages up to nearly 10,000 ft. above the sea, a cart road
(over which the diligences pass in the dry season) running along the
highest parts of the Cordillera between the capital and Quezaltenango,
and ascending to little short of 11,000 ft., whence the ascent of at least
one of the volcanoes (the Yolc. de Agua, elevation nearly 13,000 ft.)
can easily be made, and altogether there are far more facilities for work.
Hot, dry valleys, at 3000 ft. or so, with plenty of Gactacece (not, how-
ever, productive to the entomologist), pine forests, &c., characteristic
of certain parts of Guatemala, will not be found in Chiriqui.
250 r April,
Indians will not easily be found in Chiriqui to carry your luggage,
everytliing has to be carried on pack horses or mules, unless you are
making the three or four days' journey across to the Chiriqui lagoon
on the Atlantic coast from David or Caldera, to make this trip you
may, perhaps, find carriers ; the path or road is seldom traversed
except by natives, and is quite impracticable for horses or cattle.
I will now conclude my remarks on collecting in Central America,
and hope they may be of use to future travellers.
274, Walworth Eoad, London, S.E. :
February 18th, 1884.
TWO NEW BUTTERFLIES ALLIED TO APHN^US NATALENSIS.
BY ARTHUR G. BUTLER, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c.
The two following species bear so strong a resemblance upon the
upper surface to Aphnceus natalensis* that, when we received them, I
unhesitatingly placed them in the cabinet with our series of that
species ; indeed, the chief difference on the upper surface is iu the
greater width and more ochreous tint of the V-shaped band on the
primaries : the differences on the under-surface are, however, more
marked, and are as follows : —
APHlf^US TTSTASSiE, S^J. 11.
Under-surface creamy sulphur-yellow, purer m tint than in A. nataletisis, the
silver markings on the bands more continuous, almost touching, and iu parts
quite toiicliing the margins of the bands, which are considerably thicker, and, for
the most part black, though varied here and there with dull dark red ; primaries
with the third (oblique) band considerably more oblique than in A. natalensis, the
costal spot further beyond it, the abbreviated discal band slightly irregular, the sub-
apical costal spot absent, the sub -marginal lines slightly undulated and nearer
together ; secondaries with most of the spots towards the base filled in with dark
red, the oblique post-median band slightly curved and well separated from the ab-
breviated discal band, which is narrower ; instead of the two sub-marginal stripes,
there is a single tapering, bright safPron-yellow stripe from the elbow of the post-
median band (where it unites with the band from the abdominal margin) to near
the apex, a slender, abbreviated, sub-apical black stria between it and the margin.
Expanse of wings, 35 mm.
Lake Nyassa.
• I may note here that the species figured by Hewitson in his " Illustrations," is not the true
A. natalensis, or, indeed, at all nearly allied to it.
is.^4.] 261
ApHNJETJS VICTORIA, Sp. 01.
Wings below of a decided sulphur-yellow colour, excepting towards the internal
margins ; the silver markings in the bands slender and rather dull, borders of the
bands on the primaries and towards costa of secondaries thick, and, for the most
part, black, oblique post-median band of primaries slightly curved, not single at its
inferior extremity, costal spot beyond it further away, abbreviated discal band dis-
tinctly sigmoidal instead of straight ; no sub-apical spot ; two sub-marginal lines
thick and near together ; sub-basal markings very strongly defined with partly black
and partly red borders ; oblique elbowed post-median band excepting at costa with
very slender margins ; abbreviated band elbowed and almost divided, a spot at costa
being separated from the main body by a black oblique line ; inner sub-marginal line
black, straight, outer line abbreviated, and only remaining at apex.
Expanse of wings, 37 mm.
Victoria Nyanza.
It will be seen that in some respects these two species are more
like one another than like A. natalensis : the differences are such as
have been proved to be constant iu this genus, and as such have been
used even by men holding the expansive views touching the variability of
species of the late W. C. Hewitson : I think I need say no more than
that to establish their claim to separate attention : of A. natalensis
we have six examples from Natal, besides those in Hewitson's collection.
British Museum : March, 1884.
THE BEITISH DEAaON-FLIES ANNOTATED.
BY ROBERT McLACHLAN, F.R.S., &c.
In the " Catalogue of British Neuroptera,''' published by the
Entomological Society of London in 1S70, were enumerated 4G spe-
cies of British Dragon-fiies {Odonafa). That list was practically based
upon Dr. Hagen's " Synopsis," published in the " Entomologist's
Annual" for 1857, with the addition of one species {Leucorrliinia
pectoralis), and the subtraction of another (SomatocJilora metallicd) .
The number remains at 46* — SomatocTilora metallica has been dis-
covered in Scotland, whereas Sympetrum vulgatum and striolatum are
united as repi'esenting only one species. But the claims of some
species to be considered " British " rest on very slender grounds ; in
one or two cases on single specimens captured 70 or 80 years ago.
It therefore occurred to me that it might be useful (and perhaps
serve as an impetus to observers) if a brief annotated list of our species
were drawn up ; an idea that has resulted in the following notes.
•A writer in the "Midland Naturalist" for 1882 estimates the number of known British
species at about 200 ! !
252 [April,
Some slight discrepancies in generic (or " sub-generic ") nomenclature,
and in sequence, between these notes and the Catalogue of 1S70, result
from changes made since that time.
The nomenclature of the older British authors (Curtis, Stephens,
Evans, &c.) was very defective, and no sound basis was obtained until
De Selys-Longchamps published his Revision of our species (from
personal inspection of types) in the "Annals and Magazine of Natural
History," ser. i, xviii, pp. 217—227, 1846 (reprinted in abstract in the
" Zoologist " for 1846, pp. 1522, 23). Dr. Hagen's Synopsis of 1857
was to some extent founded on those notes, and also on personal ob-
servation. Forty-six species were enumerated in 1846, and now, after
nearly 40 years, we are not able to increase the number, and, in fact,
some species should perhaps be omitted from the List.
Eeally very little has been done of late, and the only important
local list published since 1870 is that by the late Henry Uoubleday on
the species of the Epping district {cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., viii, pp. 86, 87,
1871).*
Sub-Fam. Libellult:n'a.
Leucoj-rhinia pectoralis, Charp. — At the Meeting of tlie Entomological Society
of London, held on January 2nd, 1860 {cf. Proc. Ent. Soc, n.s., v, p. 89) Mr. Groves
exhibited a specimen of this insect taken in June near Sheerness. On the authority
of this example (seen by Dr. Hagen, but now destroyed) the name has found its way
into the British list. I believe the specimen was taken on board a fishing boat (at
the mouth of the Thames). The species can only be regarded as " casual."
Leucorrhinia dubia, V. d. L. — Certainly common on some of the extensive
moors of the north of England. I have never seen a southern example ; but, ac-
cording to Curtis, Mr. J. C. Dale found it in abundance near Dorchester, and he also
recorded it from Lincolnshire. Mr. Doubleday recorded it from Epping.
Sympetrum vulgatum, L. {striolatum, Chp.). — I am quite of the opinion now
held by De Selys-Longchamps, that vulgatum and striolatum are specifically identical,
the usual exponents of the former being represented by very adult examples, the
supposed difference in the " vulvar scale " of the ^ being illusory. The name
" striolatum " should be suppressed as other than a synonym. This species, in point
of numbers and distribution, is perhaps the most common British Dragon-fly.
Sympetrum meridionale, Selys. — I have not examined an example of this species
supposed to have been taken in Britain. Two such examples appear to have been
recorded, both females, one in Evans' collection (which is in Dale's) from " near
London," and the other in Wailes' collection, from the " South of England." If
" British," it can, at the most, only be considered a "casual." It is a very abundant
species in the Alps of Central Euroj)e, ascending to great elevations, but probably
* Mr. Bond possesses a fair representative old collection, for the most pnrt formed by the late
Mr. Farr. Tnrough his courtesy I recently had the opiiortnnity of exaniijiiug it, but found
therein none of what may be termed the " critical " British species.
1884. J 253
does not breed there. Its liability to have the well known red Acari attached to
the wings (sometimes in enormous numbers) is so marked as to be almost a specific
character of the insect itself, few specimens being entirely free from them.
Sympetrum Fonscolombii, Selys. — Another " casual." A $ was detected by
De Selys in Stephen/8' collection, and therefore appears to have acquired the usual
"near London " as a locality. A <? (erroneously recorded by me as S. vulgatum, cf.
Ent. Mo. Mag., v, p. 220) is in my collection, obtained at the sale of T. Desvignes'
collection, and of the precise origin of which I know nothing. Of very wide
southern distribution, extending to South Africa.
Sympetrum flaveolum, L. — Local and " sporadic." In the year 1871 it was ex-
cessively abundant in the London District (I even saw several examples in the
Strand!).
Sympetrum sangnineum, Miiller. — No doubt a common species (perhaps also
" sporadic ") in certain districts. I have never seen it alive in Britain !
Sympetrum scoticum, Donov. — A frequenter of moors, and no doubt more com-
mon in the north.
Platetrum depressum, L. — Needs no comment.
Lilelhda qtiadriinaculata, L. — Abundant in certain localities, general in certain
years. I am not aware that anything approaching the enormous migratory swarms
that often astonish our continental neighbours has ever been observed in Britain ;
the tendency is, however, manifested here in the unequal and uncertain distribution.
LibeUula fidva, Miiller. — Possibly general in the southern portion of England,
never common, and always difficult to capture on account of its habits. I have
never noticed a British $ in the thoroughly " blue " condition seen in very adult
continental examples, and which gives them a so entirely distinct appearance.
Orthetrum ccerulescens, F. — Needs no comment.
Orthetrum cancellatum, L. — Possibly confined to the southern half of England.
Often common about brick-holes in the London district.
Sub-Fam. Corduliina.
Somatochlora metalUca, V. d. L. — In 1869, Dr. Buchanan White took this
species in some numbers in Inverness-shire {cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., vii, p. 38) ; it has
since been taken in the same county by Mr. King. The name was previously in our
lists, but no doubt erroneously. Van der Linden misquoted a figure in Harris as
representing metallica, whereas, in all probability, it was intended for Cord, ccnea,
as stated by Harris. Stephens says, " it has been found within the metropolitan
district in June ;" I know not what has become of the specimen said to have been
in his cabinet, and from which Evans' very uncertain figure was taken ; probably
there was an error in identification.
Somatochlora arctica, Zett. — The Highlands of Scotland (has also been recorded
from Killarney in Ireland). It was not uncommon during my visit to Rannoch in
June, 1865 (cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., ii, p. 118), but since that time other visitors to the
locality do not appear to have succeeded in finding it.
Cordulia cenea, L. — Local in the southern counties of England.
Od-ygastra Curtisii, Dale. — A species which, from its continental distribution,
254 t-^i"-"-
shoidd scarcely occur in Britain. The older entomologists used to And it in Dorset,
Hants, and Devon. Then it was lost sight of until Mr. Herbert Goss took it in
some numbers near Christchurch in 1878 {cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., xv, p. 92).
Sub-Fam. Gomphixa.
Onychogomphus forcipaiiis, L. — A " casual " at the most. Bests as British on
the authority of a ? in Stephens' collection, and that entomologist assured De Selys
that he remembered to have taken it in England. Stephens originally confused
forcipatus and vulgatissiimis.
Gomphus vulgatissimus, L. — Local in the south. A common Thames insect.
Oomphus Jlavipes, Charp. — A " casual." Rests as British on a (J captured by
Stephens near Hastings on the 5th August, 1818.
Corduleg aster annulatus, Latr. — Needs no comment.
Sub-Fam. ..Eschnina.
Anaxformosus, Y. d. Lind.^ — Common in the south ; how far it extends north-
ward I know not.
^schna mixta, Latr. — Probably widely distributed, bvit certainly rare. A few
years ago Mr. S. Stevens found an example in a torpid condition in his garden near
London, in the month of November.
JEschna borealis, Zett. — Highlands of Scotland. Few specimens exist in col-
lections. I observed it, but not commonly, at Eannoch in June, 1865 (cf. Ent. Mo.
Mag., ii, p. 117).
JEschna jiincea, L. — Certainly rare (even if it occur at all) in flie south ; com-
mon in the north, and probably also common in Ireland.
^schna cyanea, Miiller, and jEsch. grandis, L. — Need no comment.
JEschna riifescens, V. d. Lind. — Used to be common near Yarmouth, but there
seems to be an idea that it has disappeared. Some of the resident entomologists in
that vicinity can no doubt solve this question. I have seen no recent British
examples.
Brachytron pratense, Miiller. — Probably generally distributed, but precise local
information is desirable.
Sub-Fam. Calopterygina.
Calopteryx Virgo, L., and C. splendens, Harris.- -Need no comment.
Sub-Fam. Ageionina.
Lestes viridis, V. d. Lind. — A very doubtful native. According to De Selys, a
specimen existed in Evans' collection. That collection passed into the hands of the
late J. C. Dale, and his son (Mr. C. W. Dale) cannot now trace it.
Lestes nympha, Selys. — I have never seen a living British example, but it cer-
tainly used to occur (and probably still occurs) in the Fen District, and Doubleday
recorded it from Epping.
Lestes sponsa, Hans. — Probably generally distributed.
Lestes virens, Charp. — I regard tliis sonitwhat doubtful as British. One ex-
1884.] 255
ample (said to haye been taken in the New Forest) was in Stephens' collection (now
in the British Museum) ; a second was recorded from Leach's collection. Doubleday
recorded it from Epping.
Lestes barlara, ¥. — Still more doubtful. According to De Seljs (1846) a $ in
the Dublin Museum was believed to have been taken in Ireland.
Flatycnemis pennipes, Pallas. — Needs no comment.
Ischnura pumilio, V. d. Lind. — I have seen no recent British examples. Used
to be taken not uncommonly in Dorset by J. C Dale. Eecorded also from Cambridge
and Belfast. Parfitt recorded it (Transactions of the Devonshire Association, 1879)
as common near Exeter, but upon enquiry I found he had made a wrong identifica-
tion. It is a species of somewhat meridional distribution, but is also alpine. I found
several examples close to the St. Grothard Hospice, therefore at an elevation of about
6500 feet.
Ischnura elegans, V. d. Lind. — Needs no comment.
JEnallagma cyathigerum, Charp. — Needs no comment.
Agrion pulchellnm, V. d. Lind. — Local, but probably generally distributed.
Agrion puella, L. — Needs no comment.
Agrion mercuriale, Charp.- — Probably not uncommon in the New Forest. I
once found it there in some abundance, but did not succeed in refinding it on the
occasion of two flying visits.
Pyrrhosoma minium, Harris. — Needs no comment.
Pyrrhosoma tenellum,Yi[\erB. — This essentially South European insect is very
abundant on some of the extensive heaths of the south of England.
Erythromma najas, Hans. — Local in the south of England. Also recorded from
Belfast.
Of the foregoing 46 species, I regard eight as only casual visitors
or otlierivise doubtful. There is no evidence whatever that Leucor-
rliinia pectoraUs, Sympetrum meridionale and Fonscolomhii, Onychogom-
flius forcipatus, and Gomphus Jlavipes, breed in Britain. There is the
strongest evidence that two or three of these w'ere casual immigrants,
and the origin of the specimens on which others are included in our
list cannot be traced. AVith regard to Lestes viridis, virens, and
barbara, the case is slightly different. These insects could scarcely
fly over, and everything depends upon the authenticity, as British, of
the examples upon which the species have been included. In placing
X. virens in this category, I am aware that a doubt is cast upon the
late Henry Doubleday's discrimination, owing solely to the great diffi-
culty that often attends the determination of the species of Lestes.
I never saw Mr. Doubleday's Dragon-flies, and it is possible that had
I seen them in 1871, 1 might then have arrived at no satisfactory con-
clusion with regard to L. virens.
In Mr. Doubleday's Epping list he alluded to having seen a
256 [April, 1
"Cordulia'^ with yellow dorsal markings on the abdomen, which he
believed was O. Curtisii. A doubt as to whether this might not have
been Somatochlorajlnvomaculata, V. d. Lind., has always existed with
me. The latter is a species that certainly shouhl occur in Britain.
Allusion should not be omitted concerning the somewhat notorious
"Lihelliila Sparshnlli, Dale, MS.," that found its way into the earlier
British lists. Curtis says, " Taken at Horning in 1823 by the late
Mr. J. Sparshall ; it is very similar to a Chinese species." This has
long been known to be identical with the nearly cosmopolitan Pantala
flavescens, F. (with a multitude of synonyms). If any i-eliance what-
ever could be placed upon the supposed origin of the example, another
species could be added to the European list (only about 102 species),
for Europe is the only quarter of the globe in which P.Jiavescens has
not been noticed. Its occurrence in Britain would be extraordinary,
but that it may occasionally extend (as a "casual") to the south of
Europe seems not at all impossible, when we consider its distribution
in Africa and Asia.
England possesses two Dragon-flies {Oxygastra Cm'tisii and
Pyrrhosoma tenellum) that are of South European distribution, and
which should not occur. On the other hand, if we compare our
list with that of the species found in Belgium, Holland, and Scandi-
navia, there are several th.?it slwuld occur, not as "casuals," but as
residents. No one seems able to find these, and at present the British
Dragon-flies ap})ear likely to go the way of the British Butterflies —
on a descending scale.
Lewisham, London :
2Qth January, 188-4
Additions to the entomology of the Isle of Harris. — In the Ent. Mo. Mag., vol.
xix, p. 237, I gave you a list of the insects taken by me in the Isle of Harris. To
these I may add the following, taken by myself on July 29th, on my way from St.
Kilda : — Satyrus Janira, of this species I took a remarkable female, -with the fulvous
band continued across the hind-wings : the males have darker under-sides than
usual ; Lyccena Alexis, of usual type ; Noctua xanthographa, dark ; Boarmia repand-
ata,var. ; Melanippe Jluctuata, dark ; Hypsipetes elutata, small and dark, as are most
of the following : Larentia coisiata and pectinitaria ; Emmelesia albulata and blaitdi-
ata ; Camptog^-anima bilineata ; Melanthia ocellata ; Anaitis plagiata ; Scopula fits-
calis ; Eudorea atomalis ; Plutella annulate lla ; Haimatopota pluvialis ; Tetanocera
umhrarum, ; Halictus villosulus ; Creophilus tnaxillosus, var. ciliaris ; Sisyra fuscata ;
Psychoniyia phoeopa. ; Cyrmis trimaculatus ; Hydroptila sparsa; Bercea pullata ;
Wormaldia occipitalis ; Leptocerus bifasciatus ; Limnophilus extricatus and luridus.
I must not forget to mention, it was a fine, bright, and beautiful day, very different
to the usual Scotch weathei'. — C. W. Dale, Ghiiivillcs Wootton : February \st, 1884.
1 884. J 257
Captures in the Isle of Skye. — After leaving Harris, I spent three days at
Dunvegan, Sligachan Inn, and Portree, and took : Pieris rapes, Argynnis Aglaia,
Chortohiuspampliilus, Cidoria. russata, Metrocampa margaritata, Eupithecia lariceata,
Boarmia repandata, large and fine, Larentia ccesiata, Abraxas grossulariata, Tortrix
vihurnana, Mixodia Schulziana, Aphelia pratana, Sericoris lacimana, Pardia tri-
punctana, EupcBcilia angustana, Cramhus erieellus and culmellus, Lepidocera bison-
tella, Pleurota bicostella, Pterophorus tephradactyhis, Phryganea ohsoleta, Hemerohius
humuli. and Vespa arborea. I was quite pleased at seeing grasshoppers and other
insects, wliich apparently do not exist in the outer Hebrides. — Id.
Botys urticata in January. — The account in this month's Magazine of the
abnormal advent of Botys urticata reminds me of a similar adventure with an
individual of the same species that befel me in or near the year 1856. It was in
the kitchen of a country house near Worcester, on the 27th of January, after dark :
a snow storm prevailed at the time, and the wind was bringing smoke and snow
down the chimney, in the direction of which I was looking, when, with one of the
gusts came down into the room a recently-emerged and scarcely expanded specimen
of Botys urticata. The creature was preserved, and, with its somewhat crumpled
wings, remained in my collection several years. — J. E. Fletcher, Happy Land,
Worcester : March 5th, 1884.
Botys urticata in February. — I had read but a line or two, of the notice at
page 227, in this month's Ent. Mo. Mag., when I ventured to guess there would be
in the kitchen some sage or other herb belonging to the Labiate family ; and that
the full-fed larva of Botys urticata in its cocoon, having been brought in with these
leaves, had, by a rare chance, been forced by the warmth to transform, and produce
the moth thus early, instead of drying up, as would almost sure to be the case, if
one tried such an experiment. The larva is well known to feed on a variety of
plants besides common nettle, spinning its cocoon in the autumn, and remaining
unchanged through the winter, like so many otliers of the group. I have bred the
moth at the usual time, by keeping the cocoons in cages out of doors, having often
found the larvse on some plants of horehound {Marriihiiiin viilgare) which are growing
freely in my little town-garden. These plants are sometimes cut in the autumn,
and hung up to dry in the house for use as a domestic medicine during the winter :
80, possibly, a similar experience to the one recorded may come under our obser-
vation some mild winter's day. — W. R. Jeffeet, Ashford, Kent: March Wth, 1884.
Botys urticata frequenting mint. — My eai'liest acquaintance with Botys urticata
dates from nearly 50 yeai-s ago, and I well remember my boyish delight on starting
this pretty insect from a bed of mint in my father's garden. I probably saw half-
a-dozen specimens, but struck at them so wildly in those days, that I doubt whether
I boxed more than one or two.
I used, however, to revisit this mint-bed again and again, and, during the season,
rarely failed to meet with one or more of this brightly contrasted species. Hence,
it is always associated in my mind with culinary herbs. — H. T. Stainton, Mounts-
field, Lewisham, S.E. : March 13th, 1884.
258 [April,
Notes on Lepidoptera in Roxburghshire in 1883. — The season of 1883 "was not
in this district a prolific one in Lepidoptera, either in the larval or perfect state.
There were, however, as seems always the case, a few particular species in as great
force as usual, and in one or two instances, notably, JSupithecia indigata and
pyqmcEata were even more numerous tlian I have seen them. Noctuce, during the
summer and autumn months, were in small numbers. I again took Tryphcena suh-
sequa in fine condition, also Noctua festiva, Dianthaecia capsincola, and Cucullia
itmbi-atica, not having seen the latter for some years ; and, in the beginning of August,
when trying the effect of light at my bedroom window, using the mirror as a re-
flector, I was agreeably surprised by a fine specimen of Plusia hractea coming in
and settling on the window-blind, its two burnished spots shining with gem-like
brilliancy in the reflected light. I need not say I at once closed down the window
and so made an easy capture. I took Coremia munitata in the beginning of August,
in fresh condition, in one of the wildest parts of the Cheviot range ; apparently a
second brood. Among the Micros, I took the following, viz. : Scoparia pyralella
and murana, Eiipoecilia atricapilaiia, Argyresthia reiinella, Gadartella, and arceu-
thina, Cedestis farinatella, Coleophora alhicosta and artemisiella, Elachista apici-
punctella and atricomella. — A. Elliot, Samieston, Jedburgh, N.B. : Feb. 215^,1884.
Instinct of locality in Lepidoptera. — In the month of July last, when passing
alongside a wire fence, and when near its termination, I noticed on one of the posts,
just at the point where the top wire is stapled in, a specimen of Xylophasia, polyo-
don settled, and as it seemed a fine and peculiarly shaded one, I boxed it, but after
bringing it home, allowed it to escape. Having occasion to pass the same fence a few
days afterwards, I again noticed in my belief the same specimen settled, not only on
the satne post, but on the exact spot as formerly, close to the staple of the upper
wire. I think it would be interesting to hear of any similar experience ; at any rate,
it may serve as a suggestion to niake trial of this instinct, as I have not hitherto
heard of a similar instance. — Id.
Importation of Ephestia passulella and E. ficulella at King's Lynn. — On
February 6th, I was informed that numbers of small moths were flying about the
Schooner " Ellen Holt," of Grimsby, which had just put into our dock with a cargo
of decorticated cotton-cake from Galveston, United States (Texas). A few of the
moths were also brought me on the same day, and I at once thought them to be
E. passulella, but, subsequently, noticing that they varied considerably, a few of
them were sent to Mr. C. G. Barrett, from whom I learn that there are two species,
viz., E. ficulella and E. passulella. On the 7th, the day after the arrival of the
yessel here, I paid it a visit with the view of finding out how far the statements
made to me about these moths were true : the moths were there, and not in
hundreds oidy, but in thousands. From a fair amount of questions put to the
crew, I obtained the following information : — " Tliat when the vessel left Galveston,
having been 63 days on her voyage here, no moths were noticed amongst the cargo
or any part of the ship ; that whilst travci'sing the Atlantic a severe gale was
encountered, and water found its way to the hold, thereby wetting the cargo and
causing it to heat ; that upon arrival here the hatchways were opened, when a cloud
of these moths immediutely flew out, settling on everything and everybody near."
1884.] 259
As the process of unlading was being proceeded with whilst I was on board, the
opportunity thus afforded me for watching the insects was turned to account. The
cotton-cake was packed in bags, and as these were removed, numbers of the moths
continually flew through the hatchways into the open air. They did not fly far,
but settled down on various objects, or on the deck, apparently not appreciating the
diS'erence of tempei-ature — for it was cold outside as opposed to the unnatural and
abnormal heat of the hold ; at any rate, they appeared in a very short time to
become benuaibed, and lying on their backs, showed, even when touched, scarcely
any signs of life. There is not much doubt that the heat to which I have alluded —
wliich would for the most part be generated by the wet cargo — had caused the moths
to emerge from their pupag much earlier than they would have done under ordinary
circumstances. Upon examining the bags, I found them to be covered with cocoons,
most of which were empty ; I have also since been informed that " white maggots "
(by which I presume larvae are meant) had been observed on the outside of the bags
as they were being stowed away in the warehouses, and a closer examination has
shown that larvae were at work amongst the cake inside the bags, and I think
there can be little doubt that these larvae were those of the two species which form
the subject of these lines. The cargo has been deposited in two warehouses, about
half a mile distant from each other, and as I understand that the cotton-cake is not
likely to be disposed of for some few months, both E. passuJeUa and E. ficulella
will probably have good opportunities for obtaining a sound footing here. Two years
ago, the former species {E. passulella) was plentiful in and about the dock Company's
warehouses, where it had doubtless been introduced ; but last year, although a sharp
look out was kept for it, I could find no trace of the species. I suppose the cake, or
whatever the larvae might be feeding upon at tlie time, was removed from the district,
and that consequently E. passulella disappeared, or at the least, became scarce. —
Edwd. a. Atmoee, 3, Haylett Terrace, Exton's Eoad, Lynn : February 2\st, 1884.
Blatta americana. — Amongst the cargo of cotton-cake recently imported from
America to which 1 have just alluded, were observed numbers of Blatta
americana (American cockroach) in various stages of development ; some of
them were very small, others had reached the full size, but were yet of a whitish
colour, whilst not a few had assumed the characteristic reddish colour of the fully
developed insect, and were exceedingly active. I believe I am right in stating that
this insect is far more destructive in America than the common and familiar
B. orientalis is in this country ; but although introduced here in such plenty, I
consider it probable that our climate will prove unsuitable, as it has done hitherto,
for the increase or naturalization of this peet. — Id.
Tortrices, ^c, in South Wales and Sutherlandshire. — In the autumn of 1880,
I spent a few weeks in the neighbourhood of Brecon, and collected a few moths
there, including Camptogramma fluviata, Crambus falsellus, Peronea perplexana, and.
Ephippiphora tetragonana. Peronea sponsana {favillaceana, of Stainton) was
abundant in the hornbeam hedges, even where no beech could be found, and it seems
not impossible that its larva may feed on hornbeam occasionally. I have never
found it, however, among hornbeam in this neighbourhood, although our hedges are
X 2
1>G0 f^P'^'-
largely composed of that tree. Mr. Bai'rett informs me that, according to Zeller, the
larva is sometimes found on dewberry, as well as on mountain ash, while Heine-
mann gives oak as a food-plant.
In June, 1881, -while fishing in Sutherlandshire, I took a few Tortrices. including
Penthina prfBlcmgana, Grevillana, and marginana, Clepsis r!w^ic«»a (abundantly).
Coccyx ttp.daiia, Phoxopteryx uncana, biarcuana, and inornatana {suharcuana, of
Stainton), Argyrolepia Baumanniana and subhaumanniana. The Hypermecia an-
gtistana seemed very distinct from our southern forms of H. cruciana, with very
evident, well-defined, dark markings. Phoxopteryx inornatana scarcely answers to its
name in that locality, being of a rich fawn-colour, with the median streak well-
defined and very distinct ; in fact, the insect looks at first sight almost like biarcuana.
PcBdisca semifuscana, bred from sallow, varied but little. On the other hand, P. Solan-
driana, bred from birch, varied considerably, most of them being of a brilliant orange-
red ground-colour, none, however, shewing either a dark or a white blotch along the
inner margin. I obtained a single specimen only of Tortrix ministrana, which,
however, is a very dark richly marked example. Eupcecilia ciliella varied from the
fine, richly-marked, Scotch form {subroseana, of Stainton) to small obscure speci-
mens like our cowslip-bred form. The variety of O. iilicetana, with the white or
whitish ground-colour, was not uncommon, feeding apparently on various trefoils as
well as gorse. Among the Tinece, JS'emophora pilella, yerj bright Tinea rtisticella,
(Ecophora subaqiiilea, Ornix scoticella and Loganella, appeared to be fairly com-
mon. Of P. Orevillana I took but one example, and am unable to give any exact
particulars with regard to it, as, on catching it, I did not distinguish it from P.
prcBlongana. I do not think it can be at all common, as I took every Penthina that I
saw. — A. F. Griffith, Sandridge, St. Albans : March, 1884.
The late Mr. Buckler^s draivings of the larvm of British 3Iacro-Lepidoptera. —
We are glad to be able to announce that the Ray Society has acquired these drawings,
and the voluminous MSS. in connection therewith, for publication, and the Rev.
J. Hellins has kindly lent those of Mr. Buckler's drawings in his possession to the
Society. They will probably form the subject for three or four volumes of the
Society's publications, but at present the scheme has not been sufiiciently developed.
In the meantime, those entomologists (not already members of the Ray Society) who
wish to obtain these volumes, would do well by sending in their names and addresses
to the Secretary — the Rev. T. Wiltshire, 25, Granville Park, Lewisham, London
S.E. By so doing, they would materially aid the Council of the Society. — Eds.
The late Mr. Harper's collection of British Lepidoptera. — The sale of this
collection at Stevens' rooms on the 20th and 21st March, attracted about the largest
assemblage of British Lepidopterists we ever remember to have seen in these rooms.
The collection was a remarkable one, perhaps the most remarkable ever dispersed,
and the prices realized were in proportion. The late Mr. Harper did not appear
to have considered it necessary to label his insects in any way whatever, even
by names : it seemed to him to sufiice if he possessed the specimens. The col-
lection was extraordinarily rich in bizarre varieties, in the rarer British species,
and ill those strange forms from the Hebrides, Shetlands, and other outlying Scotch
Ifl84.1 261
islands, that have attracted so much attention of late ; and it is a great pity these
latter had to be dispersed before being worked out in comparison -with the forms
existing in the extreme north of continental Europe and northern Asia. The entire
collection of Macro- Lepidoptera realized about £900. A brief analysis as to some
of the more remarkable points here follows : — The butterflies alone realized £264 ;
a lot of seven Papilio Machaon, including an extraordinary variety, brought £4 5s. ;
the series of Colias JSdusa and vars. over £17 ; 4 vars. of Vanessa lo, £4 10s. ; 20
Lycaena dispar, £28 10s. ; 1 example of Trochilium vespiforme, £3 Ss. ; \ oi T.
allantiforme, £3 ; the series of Arctia caja, nearly £90 (!) ; 11 of Spilosoma luhri-
cipeda, var. radiata, £8 ; varieties of Odonestis potatoria, £5 9s. ; the unique
example of Nyssia lapponaria {cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., vii, p. 282), £13 138. (Meek) ;
the series of extraordinary vars. of Abraxas grossulariata, £105 (!) ; Synia muscu-
losa, about 12/- each ; Nonagria concolor, £2 ; fine vars. of Cryniodes exulis, about
24/- each ; Hydrilla palustris, £1 each ; Noctua suhrosea, about £1 each, on an
average ; Sadena satura, £2 9s. for two ; -ST. peregrina, one guinea each ; Heliothis
scutosa, £3 ; Catocala electra, 5 guineas (!) ; Ophiodes lunaris, £2 10s. ; and so on
in proportion. We understand that the Micro- Lepidoptera will not be disposed of
until the beginning of May.
Hemipteea G-tmnoceeata Europe. — HEMiPTibnEa Gtmnoceeates d'Etteope,
DTT bassin de LA Meditereanee et de l'Asie Russe : decrites par O. M. Retjtee.
Troisieme Tome. Avec 5 Planches, pp. 317—568, 4to. Helsingfors, 1883. (Ex-
trait des "Acta Societatis Scientiarum Fennicse, Tonius xiv ").
This volume, dedicated in a few graceful words to Dr. Victor Signoret, contains
a continuation of descriptions of the Capsidce, to which Family of Hemiptera the
two previous volumes were devoted {cf. Ent. Mo. Mag., xv, 19, and xvi, 214), em-
bracing the genera and species comprised in the Divisions Nasocoraria, Rent., Cyl-
locoraria, Reut. ; Dicypharia, Reut. (pp. 317 — 438) ; Addenda et Corrigenda to
Vols. 1, 2 and 3 (pp. 439 — 477) ; Explanation of the figures in Plates 1 and 5 of
this volume (pp. 478 — 480) ; Systematic Index of the species described (pp. 481 —
484) ; Alphabetical Index to Vols. 1—3 (pp. 485—496) ; Supplement to Vols. 1—3,
Synopsis of genera and species (pp. 497 — 563) ; Appendix, Arrangement of the
Divisions of the Capsidce (pp. 564—568).
Some new genera and species are described ; on the other hand, many hitherto
assumed species have been deposed and relegated to the position of synonyms. As
might have been expected, when genera are instituted on such fine-drawn lines as
are now or have been previously laid down, many already known species have been re-
moved from genera in which they had been located — sometimes but recently, and either
referred to other existing genera, or, when they could not go through their Caudine
Forks, have been passed under the yoke of new genera. It is appalling even to
think of the mass of generic characterizations, under names that give no clue to
their relative connection, that will have to be mastered if the Hemiptera of the
whole world be treated in this centrifugal fashion ; for, after all, genera are but
idealisms. But on the plan adopted the discrimination and description of the spe-
cies are admirably done. The mere technical toil of reference and compilation must
262 [April,
hare been immense, and notliing but an intense love of his subject and untiring
perseverance could have enabled the author to do so much and so -well. But few
if any other persons exist who possess at once the materials, time, perception of
affinities, general ability, and inclination to do such work, and the recipients of the
result cannot be too grateful for the boon conferred upon them. The plates are ex-
cellently engraved by Debray of Paris, from the drawings of Fieber and the author.
The author hopes to be able to publish the fourth volume before the end of this
year, and in order to make it as complete as possible, he i-equests the loan of speci-
mens of any of the species with which he has yet to deal, and to be furnished with
any information respecting them. He particularly indicates as imknown to him :
Stiphrosoma bicolor, Germ., nigritarse, Costa, Halticus ptmcticollis, Fieb., consimilis,
Jakovl., Orthocephalus stygialis, Muls. & 'Rey,funestus, Jakovl., tristis, Fieb., nehu-
losus, Fieb., alutaceus, Fieb., Pacliytoma punctigera, Horv., rugicollis, Jakov., nigrita,
Jakov., longicornis, Jakov., Euryopocoris Reuteri, Jakov., Camptotylus aphidioidis,
Jakov. ; and any examples of these which may be entrusted to him he engages shall
be returned as soon as possible.
Entomological Society of London : Zrd October, 1883. — E. McLachlan,
Esq., F.R.S., &c., Vice-President, in the Chair.
J. H. Durrant, Esq., of Hitchin, and G. W. Oldfield, Esq., were elected Mem-
bers.
Mr. Pascoe exhibited sundry uncommon British Hemlpfera, including Ledra
aurita L., JS'abis brevipennis, Hahn, and Arcpopus pulcheUus, Curtis.
Mr. Theod. Wood exhibited a specimen of a Malthodes from Dulwich, probably
new.
Mr. Wailly exhibited several species of exotic Saturnidce and other silk-pro-
ducing Bombyces, bred by him in this country. One of the most notable was a
Samia allied to /S. Cecropia, and possibly a hybrid between it and some other
(unknown) species.
Mr. Kirby exhibited examples of a ZygcBtia captured by Mr. Prest near York,
and which the latter thought might be Z. meliloti. The general opinion of the
Meeting appeared to be in favour of their not being distinct from Z. lonicera.
Mr. Billups exhibited specimens of Acidia heraclei, L. (the celery-fly), which
had proved very destructive this season.
Dr. Sharp communicated notes on the nomenclature of certain species of Ba-
trisus, embodying changes necessary in consequence of names previously applied
by him to new species being already in use.
Mr. Kirby read notes on the Diptera of New Zealand, supplementary to Prof.
Button's Catalogue published in 1881. A discussion on the New Zealand Insect
Fauna ensued, in which Messrs. Meyriek, Pascoe, and otliers took part.
1th November, 1883.— J. W. Dunning, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., President, in the
Chair.
R. J. Attye, Esq., of Stratford-on-Avon, was elected a Member.
Mr. Enock exhibited living examples of Atypus piceiis, Sulz., which was not
uncommon in the neighbourhood of Woking.
Mr. Billups exhibited a large number of interesting British Aculeate Ilymeno-
1884] 263
ptera and IchnetcmonidcE, the former from Margate, the latter from Sevenoalis,'&c.
Also about 35 species of parasitic Hymenoptera bred from the galls of Cynips
Kollari ; several of these were undetermined and probably new.
Mr. C. 0. Waterhouse exhibited the specimen of Fhaneroptera falcata. Scop.,
captured by Dr. Mason in Cornwall {of. ante p. 186) ; and a living Dipterous parasite
that had emerged from a cocoon of Megalopye citri, Sepp, from Brazil.
Mr. H. W. Bates sent a communication, in which he mentioned that his Bros-
cosonia elegans had been previously described by Von Harold as Miscodera Donitzi.
Sir S. S. Saunders exhibited, and remarked on, a species of Chalcididce parasitic
on Blastophaga in Italian figs, especially in connection with the Cynips caricce of
Hasselquist, and the necessity, or otherwise, for " caprification."
Mr. Distant read the first portion of his projected Memoir on the Ehynchota of
Japan, chiefly drawn up from materials collected by Mr. Lewis.
Mr. Elwes read further notes on the genus Colzas.
Mr. Poulton read notes on the protective attitudes assumed by the larvss of
Sphinffidce and Saw-flies.
Dr. Leuthner read a description of JLgogyiathus Waterhousei, a new genus and
species of Dorcidce from Peru.
Mr. C. 0. Waterhouse read a description of Eurytrachelus picipes, a new species
of Dorcidce from the Solomon Islands.
hth December, 1883. — R. McLachlan, Esq., F.E.S., &c., Yice-President, in the
Chair.
The Chairman announced the death of Dr. Le Conte, one of the Honorary
Members of the Society.
Gr. B. Buckton, Esq., F.R.S., was elected a Member.
Mr. Pascoe exhibited curious egg-cases of an insect from Delagoa Bay, collected
by Mrs. Monteiro, attached by a loop to twigs of a shrub, which Sir J. D. Hooker
said was probably one of the Ehamnacea ; they wei-e sub-diaphanous, shining, and
yellowish in colour, and about an inch in length, but varying in size, and contained
a number of eggs placed in an erect position. Mr. McLachlan and Mr. Wood-
Mason remarked on these cases, the former expressing a dec'ided opinion that they
pertained to some species of Mantidm, which the latter somewhat doubted.*
Mr. Billups exhibited Pachylarthrus smaragdinus, bred from the pupae of the
celery-fly ; also certain rare British Tenthredinidce, viz., Paecilosoma Fletcheri,
Tenthredopsis inornata, and Tenthredo LacJdaniana, recently described by Mr.
Cameron.
Mr. E. Saunders exhibited Athous difformis, Lac, captured at Hastings by Mr.
Collett.
Mr. E. A. Fitch said that Priocnemis Pasooei, Kirby, from New Zealand, was
an Ichneumon, and a variety of I. lotatoriiis, F., the type of which is in the Banksian
Collection (now in the British Museum).
A communication was read from the Colonial Office, through the Royal Gardens
at Kew, respecting the supposed occurrence of Phylloxera in the Colony of Yictoria.
Mr. Miskin communicated descriptions of new Australian Rhopalocera, chiefly
from Queensland.
Mr. Meyrick read a paper on the Classification of Australian Pyralidina.
• Mr. Wood-Masou has .since acquiesced in this opinion. — R. McL.
264 [April, 1884.
16th January, 1884 (Annual Meeting). — J. W. Dunning, Esq., President, in
the Chair. The following were elected Members of Council for 1884, viz. : Messrs.
T. E. BiUups, J. W. Dunning, E. A. Fitch, F. Grut, W. F. Kirby, G-. Lewis, E.
McLachlan, J. W. May, E. Meldola, F. P. Pascoe, E. Saunders, J. W. Slater, and
Sir S. S. Saunders.
The outgoing President, Treasurer, Secretaries, and Librarian, were re-elected.
The President read an Address, which was ordered to be printed, and the
Meeting terminated with the customary votes of thanks, which were acknowledged.
It was mentioned in the Keport of the Council that the President had presented a
complete set of the "Annals and Magazine of Natural History " to the Society.
mi February, 1884.— The President in the Chair.
E. A. Poulton, Esq., M.A., of Jesus and Keble Colleges, Oxford, and S. Prout
Newcombe, Esq., of Covent Garden, were elected Members.
The President appointed Messrs. Meldola and Pascoe, and Sir S. S. Saunders,
Vice-Presidents for the year.
Mr. Crowley exhibited specimens of Castnia Eudesmia, with their " cocoons,"
or larval galleries, formed of ligneous debris, of great length, and frequently furcate ;
also the eggs, which were of large size : these had been sent from Valparaiso.
Mr. Kirby exhibited a coloured photograph of the abnormal Samia bred by
Mr. Wailly, and exhibited at the Meeting on the 3rd October, 1883.
Mr. Stainton called attention to the history of Aglossa pinyuinalis, as detailed
by Mr. Buckler in the Ent. Mo. Mag. for February, remarking on its extraordinary
habits ; he also stated that Mr. Buckler had left notes on the habits of its congener,
A. cuprealis.
Dr. Sharp sent a photograph of the extraordinary Hypocephalus armatus, which
species he had recently acquired.
Mr. Pascoe exhibited a fine collection of CurculionidcB from New Guinea.
The President stated that he had received information from Mr. Nottidge, of
Ashford, that a number of Bombi had recently been sent to New Zealand, and he
hoped that better success would attend this consignment than those previously sent.
They were to be kept at a temperature of about 40° Fahr. Mr. McLachlan and
others thought this was too high a temperature. The President also alluded to tlie
apparent scarcity, or disappearance of butterflies in Yorkshire (according to Mr.
Porritt's list) as compared with the conditions formerly existing. Mr. Beaumont
confirmed the accuracy of the statement, and Mr. Hudd said that a precisely parallel
condition existed with respect to Bristol. Messrs. Stainton and Weir added their
testimony to the correctness of the statement with regard to other localities.
The report of the Committee (Messrs. McLachlan and Fitch) appointed by the
Council to examine into the question of the supposed presence of Phylloxera in the
Colony of Victoria was read. The insect was present on the roots sent (in alcohol),
in considerable numbers, and the matter was the more serious because these roots
were those left in the ground after the vines had been destroyed. Precautionary
measures were recommended.
Mr. Douglas communicated a paper (accompanied by a plate) on a new species
of Ortliezia from Monte Criso, sent to him by M. Lichtenstein.
Sir S. S. Saunders communicated further notes on "caprification" and fig-insects.
It was announced that the next Meeting would be made special, to consider a
requisition (signed in accordance with the Bye-Laws) as to the advisability, or other-
wise, of obtaining; a Charier for tlie Socielv.
May, 1884.] 265
NOTES ON TENTHREDINIDM.
BT P. CAMERON.
{Continued from Vol. xis, j;. 135.)
Since the publication, in 1882, of my Men. Pliyto. Hymen., i, I
have only been able to record one additional species to those described
in it, namely : —
la. DOLERUS PRATORUM.
Tenthredo pratorum, Fall. Acta, 1808, 64, 27.
Tenthredo {Dolerus) equiseti, Klug, Berl. Mag., viii, 298, 225 ;
Htg., Blattw., 233, 9.
Dolerus pratorum. Thorns., Hym. Sc, i, 281, 5.
Black ; segments 2 — 6 of abdomen, and femora, and tibiae red. Tlyes ohlong,
inner orbits margined. 3rd joint of antennae longer than 4tli ; tegulse black, fuscous,
or white ; labrum white.
Length, 8 — 9 mm.
Sometimes the clypeus is white, and one specimen (a- $) has the flagellum red-
dish.
The oblong eyes readily separate it from the other species with
red-belted abdomens, it being the only species of this coloration with
oblong eyes.
Taken by Mr. Ed. Saunders at Chobham. It is not, I believe,
a common species, and has been only recorded from Sweden, Germany,
and France.
Nematus xanthopus, Andre, Brischke and Zaddach = Dinura
stilata, Klug. In regard to this, I should mention that the vast
majority of the specimens of Z>. stilata, have only one radial cellule,
and even with those specimens in which the transverse radial nervure
is present it is faint. I have reared a specimen with two radial cel-
lules from larvae similar to those described by Brischke and Zaddach,
under the name of xantliopics, have carefully examined it with some
types received from Herr Brischke, and have also compared the saws
of the two and find them quite identical in all respects.
Nematus orbitalis, n. sp.
Pallid-green ; the head fi'om the base of the antennse, including the whole of
the frontal area, the vertex between the sutures, and the occiput in the middle behind,
meso- and metanotum, and a broad continuous band on dorsum of abdomen, black.
Antennae as long as the thorax and abdomen together ; black above, brownish
beneath; 3rd joint nearly as long as the 4th. Wings hyaline, nervures blackish,
costa pale at the base, stigma greenish-white. Vertex finely punctured, sutures deep,
an indistinct transverse suture behind the ocelli. Hind tarsi lined with black above,
Y
2G6 [May.
the apex of posterior tibiae and the apices of the joints of anterior tarsi black. Spurs
acutely pointed, about one-third of the length of metatarsus.
The ^ has the antennae longer and tliicker ; the 3rd joint is shorter than the
4th ; the under-side of the body testaceous ; the tarsi are darker coloured, and there
is a short black line on the posterior femora above ; the last abdominal segment
keeled in the middle on upper-side.
Length, 2^ lines.
This species comes very close to i\r. lacteus. Thorns., from which
it differs in coloration only in the part immediately behind the
sutures on vertex being black in both sexes, while with Incteus, the
head is completely black behind, except perhaps at the extreme edge.
Otherwise, orhitalis differs from lacteus in having the front and vertex
punctured, the anteunfe, if anything, longer and lighter coloured, the
clypeus not so deeply incised, the recurrent nervure in hind-wings is
not interstitial ; and, lastly, the saw is very much narrower, and
differently toothed.
The ^ differs from the same sex in lacteus, in having the antennae
longer, these being longer than the body, they are more densely pilose,
more slender, the last segment of abdomen is more distinctly keeled
above and beneath ; it is much broader at the apex, not being brought
to a point in the centre. In coloration it differs in having only a
longitudinal black mark under the wings, while the entire mesothorax
in lacteus is black. So far as I know, this is the only species of the
green section which has not the head entirely black behind.
Eare. Cadder AVilderness ; Ballantrae, Ayrshire ; Germany.
The larva feeds on sallow.
Nematus stlvesteis, n. sp.
Green ; the vertex between the ocelli, a line in centre of middle lobe of meso-
notum at the base touching the pronotum, a longer line on inner side reaching from
near the pronotum to the scutellum ; a small round mark on either side of these at
apex, a larger mark outside of scutellum ; a curved line in front of each of the
cenchri ; and two or three narrow transverse marks at base of abdomen ; black. An-
tenna; as long as the body, a thin black line on upper surface ; 3rd joint shorter
than 4th, longer than the long diameter of the eye. Wings clear hyaline. Apices
of tarsal joints fuscous. Cerci short, thick.
The $ has the antenna) as long as the body, densely covered with a close pile,
the 3rd joint a little curved ; blackish above, testaceous beneath. Vertex broadly
black, behind black, except at edges. Body greenish-testaceous beneath, meso- and
metanotum and abdomen above, except at extreme apex, and at the sides of the apical
segments, black. Apical segment of abdomen transverse at apex above ; rounded
beneath, with the edges incised. There is a short blunt keel above, which does not
reach to the apex, and with a depression on either side of it. Stigma griseous-
testaceous. The sides of scutellum are obscure testaceous.
Length, 2% lines.
1S81.J 267
The species is exceedingly like M. miliaris, and I am not sure if
tlie ? can be distinguished from the ? of that species ; the ^ , how-
ever, may be known from miliaris, ^ , by the keel on the last abdominal
segment being much shorter, not being much longer than broad, and
not reaching to the apex ; in miliaris, on the other hand, it projects
beyond the apex, which is thus not transverse ; the black on the ver-
tex, too, is broader, but behind it is not quite so broad, the edges
being testaceous.
The larva feeds on Salix caprea, in August and September, feeding
either along the edge, or in the centre of the leaf. Its head is green,
with a faint yellowish tinge ; there is a brownish stripe on either side
going down from the vertex to the eyes : another line goes down to the
centre of face to the middle, the top is mottled with light brown dots.
Body deep green ; legs glassy-green ; the skin is much wrinkled, and
at the side the wrinkles form oblong raised objects, which are edged
with black. Over the eye is a black line, the entire body is covered
with blackish irregular lines, which give the skin a mottled appearance,
the back is also more or less covered with these lines ; the centre,
however, being much lighter in tint.
The single cocoon is spun in the eai'th, the flies emerging in the
following summer.
The larva of N. miliaris differs in not having the body mottled
with black, and in having a distinct black lateral line, sylvestris not
having one.
Q-lasgow : April, 1884.
NOTES ON BEITISH TORTRICES.
BY CHAS. G. BAEEETT.
{^Continued from page 244)
Pcedisca corticana, "W. V. — Larva half an inch long, cylindrical,
rather sluggish, dull pale yellowish-brown or bone-colour, rather
darker towards the head, and having a conspicuous, square, reddish-
brown, internal blotch on the ninth segment. Spots small, black, hairs
rather long, head light shining brown, plates bone-colour, feet black.
Living in a rolled oak-leaf, often connected with other leaves, and
sometimes with one of the soft leaf-galls of the oak or oak-apples, in
which it makes tunnels. When full-grown, making a smaller chamber
by drawing together a corner of oak-leaf within the rolled portion,
and finally becoming a pupa in the same place. Eeeding in June and
2U8 ' [May,
emerging in July. Zeller's description agrees closel}'-, but it is quoted
twice in Hofmann's " Kleinschmetterlingsraupen," on p. 58, correctly,
for this species, and on p. 41, for Penthina corticana = picana.
PcecUsca profmidana, W. V. — Larva active, cylindrical, but rather
tapering at each end, and with well-divided segments. Shining dark
green or bottle-green, with faintly marked black dots and strong hairs,
head pale horn-colour, plates of the colour of the body.
In rolled-up oak-leaves, feeding through June and emerging late
in July and in August. Zeller says feeding also on Pr«?««<s^jrtrf?<s.
He describes the larva — probably younger — as having the spots large
and the head and dorsal plate shining black.
Pcsdisca occultana, Doug]. — Larva resembling that of a Sciajyliihi,
sluggish, nearly cylindrical, but with the anal segments rather attenu-
ated. Slate-grey, with the segmental divisions paler, spots large,
black, and very prominent. Head flat and rather broad, jet black, as
also are the plates and feet.
Found feeding on larch on the Yorkshire moors in June by Mr.
Eedle, and sent by Lord AValsingham. Pupa light brown. Moth
emerging in July and August.
Baron von IN^olcken records rearing this species (under the name
oi pinicolana) from silver fir, Pimis picea.
Pcedisca opldhalmicana, Hiib. — Larva short, thick, and wrinkled
with swollen segments. Dirty greenish-W'hite, spots olive-grey, promi-
nent, head shining black, dorsal plate olive-brown with a white collar,
last two segments retracted, anal plate light brown. This larva was
sent by Mr. J. B. Hodgkinson, of Preston. It fed in June on aspen,
rolling up the leaf and eating the substance of the upper skin. It
died after forming a tough cocoon of whitish silk, but others were
said to have been reared.
This larva is described by Treitschke as " greenish-white, with
small grey raised dots. Head and dorsal plate shining black, anal
plate grey, belly whitish. In May, in rolled leaves of Popuhts tremiiJa.
Pupating in an earth-cocoon, pupa light brown." This description is
evidently from a younger larva than I have seen.
Pcedisca Solandriana, L. — Larva sluggish, flattened and swollen
in the middle. Dull white, tinged on the back with faint bluish-grey,
which is interrupted at each segmental division. Head pale brown,
with dark brown jaws, plates both whitish. Feeding between drawn-
together leaves of sallow early in June. Emerged in August.
1884.] 2G9
Larvae sent from Scotland by Mr. Watson, o£ Paisley, differed
from these. When half -grown, they were dark or light greenish-grey,
with more or less distinct, raised, shining black dots, and numerous
rather long hairs. Head black, dorsal plate having the anterior half
grey and the posterior black, anal plate greenish or yellowish, feet
black. When full-grown, more of an olive-green, head banded with
paler, dorsal plate browner.
These were found in May, feeding on birch, they produced the
more mottled form of the moth in July.
Fischer describes this larva, " when young, dirty white, with black
head and dorsal plate ; when full-grown, yellowish-white, with visible
intestinal canal, and with small black warts or shining grey dots.
Head chestnut-brown, dorsal plate indistinct yellow-brown, with a
white edge towards the head." Feeding on hazel, birch, aspen, and
sallow. Pupa yellow-brown in an earthy cocoon.
PcBdisca semifuscana. — Larva, when young, active, plump, cylin-
drical, pale blue-green, with minute but distinct black dots. Head
and plates black. When older, rather flattened, dorsal region slate-
colour, whitish-green at the sides and below, and also on the last three
segments. Spots whitish, with bristles. Head dark umber-brown,
eyes paler, plates whitish-green.
Feeding in drawn-together sallow shoots in April and May.
Pupa light chestnut-brown, spun up among the dead leaves. Moths
emerged at the end of June and in July.
Dr. Wocke says of this species that it feeds on Salix cinerea and
autumnalis, in May.
Halonota trigeminana, Steph. ■ — Larva cylindrical, moderately
active, plump and smooth, with rather deeply divided segments.
Pinkish-yellow, the dorsal region sometimes a beautiful bright pink,
paler below. Head chestnut-brown with darker jaws, dorsal plate
very pale brown, with a crescent-shaped blotch behind each lobe of
the head, anal plate hardly perceptible, spots faintly shining with very
minute hairs. When full-grown still plump, but wrinkled and taper-
ing towards the extremities. Bright light vermilion throughout the
dorsal region, faint flesh-colour below. Head very light brown, dorsal
and anal plates pale bone-colour, with a vermilion tinge, feet bone-
colour. AVhen in motion, the incisions of the segments very pale.
In root-stocks of Senecio jacohcea, when young feeding on the
outer skin, and making covered ways, meandering about the root-stock,
constructed of silk and frass, and having a little chamber at the end
270 [M<iy,
of the burrow iu which it lies when not feeding, afterwards penetra-
ting to the middle of the root-stock, feeding on the pith, and making
a chamber of considerable size. "When full-fed — in December or
January — making its way out of the root-stock to spin up among
rubbish on the ground.
These larvae were found in great abundance on Mablethorpe
sandhills, Lincolnshire, by Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher, in October, 1880,
but believing that they would hibernate in the stems, I put them out
of doors for the winter and lost them all. Mr. Fletcher very kindly
sent another consignment in the autumn of 1882, which were kept
indoors, but although they wandered all about the room, and spun up
in all manner of substances, only one specimen pmerged. Doubtless,
they required exposure out of doors, but it is hardly possible to en-
close out of doors, so that they cannot escape, larvje which feed in
large awkward stems like those of the ragwort.
Pembroke : December, 1883.
LITTLE-KNOWN BEITISH ACULEATE SYMENOPTERA.
BT EDWARD SAUNDERS, F.L.S.
At the commencement of another collecting season I wish to call
the attention of Hymenopterists to the following Aculeafa, whose
titles to places in our list either rest on only one or two recorded
captures, or whose claims to specific distinction are more or less
doubtful. Some of these I feel sure would turn up again if collectors
would search for them in the localities where they have occurred
already, and the only hope of solving the questions respecting the
doubtful species is in obtaining further specimens so as more fully to
test their specific value. I therefore commend the following list to
the consideration of collectors, hoping that some at least of the
questions may be cleared up during the season.
1. Tapinoma stitens, Mayr, = polita, Smith.
One specimen taken many years ago by Mr. J. C. Dale at
Bournemouth.
This should be carefully looked for in the Bournemouth and
New Forest districts. A shining testaceous ant belonging to the
section with only one node at the base of the abdomen ; it could not
be mistaken for any other species.
1884. J 271
2. POMPILUS PECTINIPES, ,^ .
Of this red-bodied species, whose ? is certaiuly not rare in sandy
localities and is easily distinguishable by the posterior emargination
of the prothoras being curved instead of sharply angular, the ($ is at
present unknown in this country. On the Continent, Wesmael and
Thomson have assigned to it a (^ with a rounded emargination, but no
such ^ has occurred here. F. Smith's supposed ^ is that of chalybeatus.
So far as my experience goes I have only found pectinipes in localities
where Evagethes hicolor also occurs, and I suspect that the ? of the
latter is found sometimes with 3 sub-marginal cells and sometimes with
2. whereas the ^ always or nearly always has 2 only, but the only hope
of solving this is for collectors to take all the ^ Pompili they can
find where the ? pectinipes occurs, on chance of finding its missing
partner.
3. Crabeo cltpeatus, Linn.
This very distinct species appears only to have been taken by
r. Smith in 1848 and 1853 at Weybridge, the triangular head of the
(J (the apex of the triiingle forms the base of the head) and the large
deep puncturation of the abdomen in both sexes, distinguish it im-
mediately ; the abdomen is banded with yellow.
4. Yespa arborea. Smith.
This to me is a most mysterious insect. Only females so far
have been recognised, and they certainly differ from those of the allied
species in having the basal segment of the abdomen unusually long.
But why in a social insect like a wasp should the female occur singly,
and no workers or males be found ? One would have thought that
where one sex occurred the others would occur also. It belongs to
the group with the scape of the antennse yellow in fi'ont, but has the
eyes touching the mandibles or nearly so, whereby it may be at once
known from si/lvestris or norvegica.
5. Sphecodes.
The species of this genus are very difficult to distinguish, and
probably several new species would reward careful collectoi's. The
one point to be observed is that the genital armature of the ^ be
pulled out so as to be visible, and also the 6th segment in the $ , as
the specific characters are chiefly derived from these parts — the ?
appears in June and July, the i^ in July and August.
272 [May.
6. Halictfs lj:vis, Kirby.
A well-marked species, easily known by its impunctate abdomen
and the remote jjuncturation of its thorax, in which latter character
it resembles viUosulus. No specimens have been recorded since Kirby's
original captures at Nacton, Suffolk.
7. Andeena angustioe, Kirby.
Occurs on dandelion flowers, and is closely allied to Gwjjnnnn,
Kirby, but may be known by its clear testaceous tibite. I much wish
to obtain undoubted males o£ this. I think it very probably =
ruficrus of Continental Entomologists.
8. A. POLITA, Sm.
Taken at the chalkpits, Worthfleet ; easily recognised, according to
Smith, by its shining finely punctured abdomen and golden apical fringe.
9. NOMADA GUTTULATA, Schcuck.
A medium-sized species, very like ochrostoma, but rather smaller
and distinguishable at once by the 3 short blunt black spines at the
apex of the posterior tibia). I have only seen one $ of this, without
note of locality.
10. Megachile ericetorum, Lep., = ptrina, Sm., nee Lep.
Has occurred at Weyb ridge, Southampton and Bristol {Jide Smith),
but no recent captures recorded. May be easily known by the
testaceous tarsi in both sexes, and the small tubercular spine on the
7th abdominal segment of the ^ , also by the well-defined apical bands
to the abdominal segments in the $ .
11. Heriades truncoeum, Linn.
This little insect has not occurred for a great many years ; it is
one of our smallest bees, scarcely larger than a Prosopis, but in shape
more like an Osmia ; the carina at the base of the 1st abdominal
segment is a distinct characteristic of the genus. It is recorded from
Dulwich and Brentford.
12. BOMBUS IflVALIS.
Eecorded from Shetland, but the specimens in the British Museum
are much smaller than continental nivalis. More specimens, especially
males, for the examination of the genital armature are much wanted.
St. Ann's, Mason's Hill, Brouilej, Kent :
April 4th, 1884.
1884.] 273
DESCEIPTION OF A VAEIETY OF PHILOPOTAMUS MONT ANUS,
DONOVAN, FROM SCOTLAND.
BT KENNETH J. MOKTON.
In July last, at a small stream at the south of Lanarkshire, I took
the curious form of Phllopotamus which, at Mr. McLachlan's sugges-
tion, is here described. It is a beautiful and distinct-looking insect ;
but, notwithstanding a peculiar coloration and an apparently constant
neural character, I am inclined to look upon it as being only a remark-
able local variety or race of P. monta^ius, Donovan.
P. MONTANUS, Donovan, var. chutsopterus.
Anterior- wings with the 4th apical fork not reachiyig the anastomosis ; the mem-
brane of these wings is nearly hyaline (neuration darker and rather distinct) clothed
with bright golden-yellow pubescence, which is transversely and somewhat faintly
reticulated with pale greyish-fuscous ; there are also a few larger fuscous spots, one
at the arculus being especially conspicuous : fringes golden, excepting at the termin-
ation of the nervures, where there are fine fuscous points. Posterior-wings with
membrane rather more obscure, clothed more or less with golden pubescence in their
apical third ; at the apex are reticulated markings more distinct than in the typical
form (in the latter, too, the golden pubescence does not encroach on the disc) ;
fringes as in anterior-wings. Other characters and anal structure apparently agreeing
with the typical form.
Three (J at a little stream running down the side of Tinto, a hill
in South Lanarkshire.
In form of the wings, this insect is most like P. monfanus, but in
general appearance it more resembles P. instilaj^is, WcJj.,ivom Guern-
sey. However, in the latter species, for a type of which I am indebted
to Mr. McLachlan, the anterior-wings appear to be of a longer oval
shape, the fork No. 4 is sessile, and the pubescence dull pale yellow ;
the posterior-wings want the golden pubescence on the apical portion,
on which there are only a series of marginal festoons of this colour.
Carluke, N. B. : 27th March, 1884.
Dragon-flies near Worcester. — The species of these insects taken by me in this
locality are so few, and so common-place, that I have hitherto refrained from publish-
ing a list of them ; but Mr. McLachlan's welcome annotated list of the British species
has caused me to think of one or two matters anent the subject that I wish to treat
of, and I incorporate my local list (of 13 species) therewith.
Sympetridn vulgafttm. — I am pleased to see that the name striolatum is now
sunk, as the highly coloured specimens have long seemed to me only very mature
exponents of vulgatum.
274. 'May,
Platetrum depressum. — This of late years has become uncommon, and I rarely
see more than one or two in a summer.
Libellula quadrimactilata. — Only two have occurred to me.
Gomphus vulgatissimiis. — This also is less common than formerly.
Cor iuleg aster annulatns. — Only one specimen lias occurred to me.
^schna cyanea and ^sch. grandis.
Calopteryx Virgo. — C Vesta, Charp.,is accounted a form or race of this species.
C. Virgo I have never found away from a stream, where, as is well known, it fre-
quents the bushes and trees that fringe the water. C Vesta, on the other hand,
lias never occurred to me on any stream, but only in woods, where it disports on
and about the tops of sapling trees in the full sunlight. C. Vesta occurs in
Trench wood, situated on a limestone ridge, near which is no stream. The Bir-
mingham and Worcester Canal runs through the low gi'ound below, but it is
nowhere bordered by bushes or trees, and I have walked its towing-path for miles
scores of times in the proper season without seeing a Calopteryx. C. Virgo frequents
the river Teme, in parts wl^ere it is most shaded by trees, while within sight, and
almost within throwing distance, C. Vesta frequents a wood on a rising ground, in
which there is no stream and no body of water larger than a small pond which dries
up in summer.
Calopteryx splendens.
Platycnemis pennipes.
Ischnttra elegans. — Local.
Agrion puella.
Pyrrhosoma minium.
A specimen of Leiicorrhinia dubia was captured with Sympefrum scoticum at
Whitherslack, some three or four years since, by Mr. J. H. Thrclfall, of Preston, and
kindly sent to me. — J. E. Fletcher, Worcester : April, 1884.
[There can, I think, be no doubt that Calopteryx Vesta is founded on individuals
of C. Virgo that have not acquired their full colour, and that the difference in habits
of the two forms is due to the fact that C. Virgo (like most Agrionidce) shuns the
water in which it was bred until it is mature. — R. McL.]
Geographical distribution of Chrysopa venosa, Eambur. — Hitherto, so far as I
am aware, this insect has only been recorded from Spain. As a curious point in dis-
tribution it is worthy to note, that I have just received tliree examples (2 (J , 1 ? )
from my valued correspondent, Ilerr Max von zur Miihlen, of Dorpat, labelled
"Persien" (by which North Persia is intended), and I previously had an example
from another source labelled " Sharud, Persia." These agree with a Spanish example
received from the late Ed. Pictet.
The pretty markings on the dorsum of the abdomen, tolerably well indicated
by Rambur in his figure in the " Faune de I'Andalousie," ii, pi. ix, fig. 7, are an at-
tribute of tlie $ only. In the <J the dorsum is somewhat fuscous, with a pale band
at the posterior extremity of most of the segments. Also from North Persia I have
1884.] 275
an example of Ch. Zelleri, Schneider, but this has a wide range in Southern Europe,
and is probably scarcely more than a variety of prasina, Burm. — E,. McLachlan,
Lewisham, London : April \2th, 1884.
Alleged breeding of Trypeta alternata, Fall., from Impatiens {ante p. 163). — I
have just received a letter from Mr. Hodgkinson on the above subject, from which
it appears that he threw the mined leaves of Impatiens noli-me-tangere " and hips of
rose together " in his greenhouse, and when the imagos of Trypeta appeared, in-
ferred that they were from the larvse he saw in the balsam-leaves. It seems clear,
therefore, that the Trypeta were derived from their known food-plant, the hips.
Mr. H. purposes looking up the Impatiens-\iivL\\x\g larvae this year, so we may hope
to learn what it will yield. — J. E. Fletciiee, Worcester : April, 1884
The infuence of extreme cold on the Phylloxera of the vine. — In the Transactions
of the Hungarian Academic des Sciences, 1883, Dr. G-eza de Horvath has an article
giving the result of his experiments on this subject, from wliich we make the follow-
ing extract : — " It is known that insects in general are endowed with great vitality,
and that they can often endure cold by which many other animals and plants are
killed. In the spring, caterpillars are often found quite alive, which have hibernated
under shrubs destroyed by the winter." After adverting to the experience of M. J.
Fallou with eggs of Bombyx neustria, which sustained the temperature of — 26° C. ;
of M. J. Lichtenstein with divers Aphides, at — 11° and — 12° C. ; and of M. Girard
with the Phylloxera of the vine, at — 6° to — 10° for several days — all without detriment
to the insects — he continues with the narration of his own experiments : " On the
4th of February, I grubbed up in the experimental ground of the Hungarian
Phylloxera-stviiion at Farkasd (dept. of Pest) some old vine-stocks, which were
severely attacked. These stocks, of which the roots were covered with Phylloxera,
remained on the surface of the cleared ground ; on the 22nd February, that is 18
days afterwards, I examined the roots, with the expectation that the Phylloxera
would all be dead. But what was my surprise when I discovered on one stock, on a
little branched root, about 2 mm. in diameter, a Phylloxera living in a small group
of five dead ones. This example was living in its winter sleep, but it was distinguish-
able at once from its dead companions ; when taken into a heated room it soon
recovered, and four hours after it began to move and walk. This hibernating insect
then had been for 18 days in the open air, exposed on a place open on all sides to
cold, wind, snow, fog, and sunshine, and yet it remained alive."
"The temperature fell evei-y night below zero, once it was — 8°, twice — 9°, once —
10°, and once — 12° C. If in the winter the soil is frozen, it is certain that many
Phylloxera will be killed, but there remain a large number, and that not only in deep
situations where the frost does not penetrate. I have often obsei'ved living
Phylloxera even in upper strata of frozen soil, and more than once I have found in
hard, frozen ground, at a depth of 10 centimetres, some of the insects in hibernal
lethargy, yet alive. To the insects which have taken refuge in the deeper strata of
the soil not even the most rigorous winter can do any harm."
" It results then, that in the contest with Phylloxera the insecticidal action of
cold and the frosts of winter cannot be absolutely counted upon to aid."
276 [Mny,
Ammoecius brevis, Er., at Betvdley. — Towards the end of last moiitli (March)
I captured three specimens of Ammoecius brevis in a sandy bank of the Severn near
Bewdley. Besides my previous note of its occurrence at Matlock (Ent. Mo. Mag.,
xix, p. 117) I have seen no record of this beetle being found in an inland district. —
"W. G. Blatch, 214, Green Lane, Smallheath, Birmingham : April loth, 1884.
Homalota (Leptusa) testacea, Ch. Bris., at Weymouth. — I found this exceed-
ingly rare beetle in some numbers on the coast near Weymouth in tlie early part of
last June. It occurred under stones embedded in the sands, below high water mark,
in company with Biglossa mersa and the two species of Phytosus, which latter it
somewhat resembles in appearance as well as in habit. Homalota testacea must be
fairly plentiful in the neiglibourhood of Weymouth, as I captured about thirty spe-
cimens, and could, doubtless, have taken more had not the wet weather interfered
with my collecting. — Id.
Notes from Cambridge. — Tlie extremely mild winter and spring has had its
natural influence on insect life. The spring-feeding larvse, especially, show an in-
creased abundance, and this, I think, iiromiscs well for the prospects of the season
of 1884, especially as regards the late summer and autumn Lepidoptera. The larvae
of KepiaJus humuli, for instance, have been excessively abundant at roots of low
plants ; I never remember them more so. I have found several larva? of Noctiiina
in the early morning, such as Leucania lithargyria, L. pudorina, Grammesia trilinea,
Cerigo cytherea, as well as such species as Noctua c-nigrum and N. xanthographa, of
common occurrence everywhere, together with some others more worthy of mention,
of which I will send notes later on. — Albeet H. Watees, Cambridge : April, 1884.
Thirsty Butterjlies. — In " Nature," for May l7th, 1883 (p. 55), appeared a
letter from Mr. E. Dukinfield Jones, in which the author stated that he had
observed a kind of moth in Brazil engaged in sucking up water in large quantity
through its proboscis. I may say that this strange habit is not confined to the moth
in question, as I have observed the same thing in two species of butterfly {Papilio
Orizaba, B., and Appias saia, F.),and imagine that the phenomenon is by no means
rare. These two butterflies are very common by the sides of streams and damp
places on the Ankay plain in Madagascar.
One morning, while sitting by the side of one of these streams, I noticed the
Papilio, which is an insect measuring about four inches from tip to tip of its wings,
resting on a wet bank ; and wishing to procure it as a specimen, I approached it as
gently as possible, the creature being apparently so absorbed in what it was about as
to be totally unconscious of my proximity to it. Noticing strange and unaccountable
movements — sundry jerks and probings with its proboscis — I quietly sat down near
it in order to watch it more closely. I observed tliat every second or two a drop of
pure liquid was squirted (not exuded merely) from the tip of its abdomen. I picked
up a leaf that was lying near, and inserted the edge of it between the insect's body
and the ground, so as to catch the liquid. Unfortuately, I had no watch with meat
the time, nor means of measuring liquids ; but I reckoned that about thirty drops
1884.] 277
were emitted per minute. I held the leaf for about five minutes — as nearly so as I
could reckon — and at the end of that time there was caught in it about a salt-spoon-
ful of what seemed to be pure water, without either taste or colour. After watching
the butterfly for a time, I seized it by the wings between my thumb and fingers with
the greatest ease, so utterly lost did it appear to me to what was going on near it.
In another spot, I saw as many as sixteen of these large butterflies within the
space of a square foot, all engaged in the same strange action. Some of them
emitted the liquid more frequently than others ; and one of them squirted the
liquid so as to drop fully a quarter or a third of an inch beyond the point on the
ground, perpendicular with the end of its body. It was at this spot that I saw the
second species of butterflies alluded to also engaged in the same curious proceeding.
— E. Baeon, Antananarivo, Madagascar: January 27-d, 1884 {extracted from
"Nature" March 27th, 1884).
[That most butterflies drink must have been observed by all entomologists even
in England, and more especially in the Alps of Europe, where it is not at all un-
usual to see groups of fifty or sixty individuals engaged at a damp spot on a hot day.
The interesting points in the above extract are, firstly, the great quantity of water
taken in by an individual in a short space of time ; and, secondly, the fact that it
was apparently discharged as fast as taken in — a kind of bath taken internally. —
Eds.]
Food-plant of Sciajjhila pascuana, ^'c. — As supplementary to Mr. Barrett's
notes on the genus Sciaphila in this month's Ent. Mo. Mag., pp. 241 — 4, I may add,
that two seasons ago I bred S. pascuana freely from larvse collected spun up in the
flowers of Ranunculus bulbostis, in a rough uncultivated field near here. S. ictericana
also emerged from the flowers in about equal numbers with S. pascuana, and with
them one specimen of *S. octomacidana. — Geo. T. Poeeitt, Huddersfield : April
3/-rf, 1844.
leuituj.
EovAETANi Lapok : Budapest, 1884.
This is a new Entomological Magazine in the Hungarian language published
monthly by the Editor Dr. G-. Horvath, who is assisted by Messrs. J. Frivaldsky,
Al. Mocsary, J. Paszlavszky and Dr. Edm. Tomosvary. All communications should
be sent to the Editor at Budapest (au palais du ministere de I'agriculture).
With No. 3 is given, in French, a Supplement (to be continued) containing a
summary of all the articles published, in order to put entomologists in general in
possession of a concise idea of the contents of the publication. From the Introduc-
tion we learn that during the last 15 years tlie natural sciences have made considerable
progress in Hungary, and that a general progressive activity is discernible in
entomological studies ; and this journal is established to encourage and assist in
developing and making popular knowledge of insects, especially of such as are
beneficial or injurious to agriculture, in other words, to make entomology scientific,
popular and practical in that country. The contents are varied ; the chief articles
278 [^i^'y
in the three numbers published are ; An elementary lesson on the morphology of
Insects, illustrated ; On the evolution of CEcanthtts pellucens, with a plate ; On tlie
organization of Agricultural Entomology in Hungary ; Metamorphoses of Lethrus
apterus, with a plate ; On the respiratory organs of the nymph-state of Sitnulia,
illustrated ; Hermaphrodite Insects in the Hungarian National Museum, illustrated ;
Description of a new species of Tenthredinida, — Dolerus 4-notatus : there are also
short notes, with figures. Altogether, such a well-conducted journal as this should
be of essential service to the objects in view, and we wish it every success.
This publication has no kind of connection with the " Rovaraszati Lapok,"
noticed ante p. 20, which, indeed, is defunct for want of efficient nourishment and
support.
Sir Sidney Smith Saunders, C.M.G-., died suddenly at his residence, Gatestone,
Upper Norwood, on the 15th April ; he had sufPered from one of his frequent
attacks of bronchitis for a few days previously. He died truly " in harness," for
he had just been engaged in correcting the proof of a paper he read at the meeting
of the Entomological Society on April 2nd.
Sir S. S. Saunders was the son of Mr. William Saunders, of Wandsworth, and
was born in June, 1809 ; he was a cousin of the late Mr. W. Wilson Saunders.
In 1826 he obtained an appointment in the Consular Department of the Foreign
Office. In 1835 he was made British Consul in Albania ; was transferred to
Alexandria in 1859 ; in 1861 and 1862 — 1863 was Acting Agent and Consul-General ;
and Consul-Q-eneral in the Ionian Islands, from 1864 — 1870 ; all of them onerous
positions viewed in the light of the political history of the period. In 1860 he was
made a Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and was knighted
in 1873.
As an entomologist, the list of memoirs by him at the foot of this notice speaks
for itself. His studies were eminently biological, and in every published result of
them he showed the thoroughness of his working ; not a point of habits, anatomy, or
bibliography, being left without personal investigation. His studies on Strepsiptera
and fig-insects naturally led him to microscopic examination, and those who have seen
his beautifully mounted microscopic dissections of insects microscopic in their en-
tirety, can do naught but marvel at the patience and skill displayed by an old man,
for many of his best preparations were made when he was already past three score
years and ten. Those who listened to his papers read before the Entomological
Society could not but feel admiration at the enthusiasm, and utter obliviousness of
surroundings, displayed by him. In his particular branch of investigation it will be
difficult to find a successor. He was one of the original members of the Entomolo-
gical Society of London (now reduced to five), was President in 1874-75, and was
one of the Yice-Prcsidents at the time of his death.
Sir Sidney Saunders leaves a widow, and four sons and four daughters, to mourn
his loss. Invariably courteous in bearing as became a diplomatic official of high
standing, it can truly be said he had only friends. He was a good classical scholar,
and was a master of several European languages, including some (such as modern
Greek) known to only few Englishmen. '
1S84.1 279
His published papers, numerous though they be, probably afford a poor compari-
son with the notes he lias left behind him, and from his method of work, it is not
probable that these latter can be utilized.
The following is a probably complete list of his published memoirs, all of which
appeared in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London.
Descriptions of some new Coleopterous Insects lately received from Monte
Video : Tr. Ent. Soc, ser. i, vol. i, pp. 149—157 (1836). On a new genus of Diptera
allied to Stratiomys : ser. i, vol. iv, p. 62 (1845). Descriptions of two new Strep-
sipterous insects from Albania, parasitical on Bees of the genus HylcBus : ser. 2, vol.
i, pp. 43 — 59 (1851). Descriptions of some new Aculeate Hymeyioptera from
Epirus : ser. 2, vol. i, pp. 69 — 75 (1851). Notes on some new species of Strepsipter-
ous Insects from Albania, with further observations on the Habits, Transformations,
and Sexual Economy of these Parasites: ser. 2, vol. ii, pp. 125 — 144 (1853). Ob-
servations on the habits of the Dipterous genus Conops : ser. 2, vol. iv, pp. 285 —
291 (1858). Stylopidarum, ordinem Strepsipterorum Kirbii const it uentium, mihi
tamen potius Coleopterorum Farailiae Ehipiphoridis Meloidisque propinquse, Mono-
graphia : 1872, pp. 1 — 48. On the habits and economy of certain Hymenopterous
Insects which nidificate in briars ; and their Parasites : 1873, pp. 407 — 414. On
the adult larvse of the Stylopidiv and their puparia : 1877, pp. 195—197. On the
habits and afiinities of Apocrypta and Syoophaga, with description of a new species
of Apocrypta from the figs of Ficus sycomori of Egypt : 1878, pp. 313 — 320.
On the habits and afiinities of the Hymenopterous genus Scleroderma, with descrip-
tions of new species : 1881 : pp. 109 — 116. Notes on Euchalcis vetitsta, Dufour
(Fara. ChalcididcB) and on the terminal segments of the females in Halticella and
its allies : 1882, pp. 291—305. Descriptions of three new genera and species of
fig-insects allied to Blastophaga, from Calcutta, Australia, and Madagascar ; &c. :
1883, pp. 1 — 27. On the Cynips cariecB of Hasselquist, and other fig-insects allied
thereto : 1883, pp. 383—392. On " Pediculus melittcB :" 1884.
In addition to these, his notes and materials formed the subject-matter of
several papers by the late Frederick Smith, and his surviving colleague Prof. West-
wood, upon whom the death of his old friend has fallen as a severe blow.
No where will he be more missed than at the Meetings of the Entomological
Society ; at which, since his retirement from ofiicial duties, he was a constant
attendant.
Entomological Society of London : Zth March, 1884. — Special General
Meeting. J. W. Dunning, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., President, in the Chair.
It was proposed by Prof. Westwood, and seconded by Mr. Stainton, that it is
desirable to obtain a charter for the Society. After some slight discussion this was
carried nem. con.
Ordinary Meeting. — Prof. Westwood, Honorary Life President, in the Chair.
H. H. C. J. Druce, Esq., of St. John's Wood, and the Rev. A. Fuller, of
Chichester, were elected Members.
280 ~ [M'ly. 1884.
Mr. E. A. Fitch exhibited a large Coleopterous larva, apparently Geodcphagous,
which he was assured had been coughed up by a young man at Maldon who was
sufEei'ingfrom bronchitis. Some Members present appeared to be slightly incredulous,
and suggested the possibility of an error in observation.
Mr. E. Saundera read the concluding portion of his Synopsis of British Aculeate
Symenoptera, and also a paper on the anal segments of insects of the same group.
A discussion on nomenclature ensued, arising from some remarks by the President
respecting a recently-described butterfly which the describer avowedly named after
himself,and respecting the gcneTCicierxaaDarioinhydrus, Tyndalhydrus, Spencerhydrus,
&c., employed by Dr. Sharp a few years ago.
2nd April, 1884. — The President in the Chair.
The following were elected Members, viz. : — Stanley Edwards, Esq., of Black-
heath, E. P. Collett, Esq., of Kentish Town, J. A. Finzi, Esq. (formerly a Subscriber),
of Q-ower Street, F. Lovell Keays, Esq., of Cobham, and Edward Shuttleworth, Esq.,
of Preston.
The President read a letter received from the describer of the butterfly noticed
in the report of the previous meeting.
Mr. Billups exhibited Diospilus oleraceus, Hal., and Sigalphus ohscurellus, Nees.,
two species of Jiraconidce parasitic on Ceulhorhynchus sulcicollis ; he remarked that
whereas one of these underwent its transformation within the swellings caused by
the beetle-larva, the other came out and formed cocoons in the earth. He also
exhibited Dimeris mira and Ceroptres cerator, new to Britain, the latter also indicating
a new British genus. Also Philontkus thermarum from cucumber frames at West
Ham. Mr. Pirn said he had taken the latter at Dulwich.
The Rev. A. Fuller exhibited a small number of figures of the larvse of British
Lepidoptera, made by the late Mr. Buckler.
Sir S. S. Saunders read a long and interesting historical and biological sketch,
respecting the vexed question : — What is Pedicuhis melittce, Kirby ? He considered
that, in all probability, it is founded on young larvoe of Meloe proscarahcBus that have
been arrested in their development, the black colour being only the result of age.
Mr. Elwes read a paper, illustrated by specimens and diagrams, on the "pouch"
of the females of the genus Parnassins. After alluding to the supposition that these
pouches are not developed until after the insect has paired, he proceeded to demon-
strate that they were of great value as a means of grouping together and separating
the numerous species, some of which he considered were, on this character, little
more than local forms. A discussion ensued in which Messrs. Fitch, Weir, Pascoe,
Kirby, and others, took part.
Mr. Meyrick read a further paper on the classification of the Australian Pyralidina
treating on the families Masotimidce, Botydidce, and Scopariidce.
Lord Walsingham coinmuni9ated a paper on North American Tortricidce.
f
END OF YOL. XX.
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