IPALD Aelita be et hadbedy 4ph . feb bottle: Mesh parte kiemy maces Hanan Ay an Pre RON Pen er Pron Pty ey errant erry Br Seren ae Bt ate WMS er aid aa it MoD alas be lhegtghag coe amie vane Wtien Whe gsieeiaalt yer ‘ tal Asn en) an idetiedtethestsitoy su aeen. . Cee i BReroramn Cnty) eny “Ml na ba eea ad Wea tb atepo a baghs deh tna alt thiag Me dateyh BA edt ha! i aia aad insMtotits label gh stad Wanted tee gale noc. UA ee Jee oiAahadolt SYED ALONE Tpke ah yaedbe ae ” Leeda wd hd baw es ‘ Wig tila pa Maa A “eh ) Gsheqetel @o4n} shgleeMeibsd ot aby tad bed, » dat Deb haent ved Wek od dally Coen Wier ea ae Aa acasedee ey Tyibaibeusied rerener ery ts or Tere h Fike Mad iy ashe sd eben Wy Pesce 1g a ygdalned ta aneoates | feghabe setae ' “ery Lal pee Dal reat " a4 ; lenoniaeie pt Dene vet, : r » ‘ ‘ *Matdak dey Ae bea deus MA ef} ‘ i HME: Lek the Mel tee LEAT OD bd oth mslg HPAL AR aD ee Pala eu 1 tet oll 9 a sath A “ : PRU My be iat ced ath ga tail Sede theay Ltt ah ie Te ‘ ‘i ' Hon aesiamie uae ubriteged Mobo tag hee donate a eat Pere Ta ESR Had o diezasaea a oie Wtibageg 20 Dad ge o Se i conn Meee sae vb gehen bepanen Moat bya steal edates thecken wa “h, * eons! seal oth om onside Paome at Data abet , Hotes) Se ee ene en Sh Wade vi yen nan) wri heldy, ” haataan este SRD OL ay ih atts Abit R Py ES) be yi Ora hn ee Pe err ae ee tele H4teaad Ot pe tne be bt yd WAR Dae ie shore ety yA ee uhy eAUigcanengcstetey ap sia anna ester nt ¥ Prana fee iden ob ibe Pol etay Ma tehal er ent tesa an rae Tidingnnd Neate ath pid a ve Held Chetan Ceca Deore cereal tele bey Habeas Periny aaa baitedes ne! eee gene vet lata eaneny A ii eeias Enemas Wade spbn tah * ‘ eteitene ee Hh Sree bit eben Pyare degetiath 1 beteg Hell of y a fen ieeten ORT ere Bey Veet yy tet S4Osh alt ae Widhanghew epee ae) eee ey “W STPine een Wer erry 1 ipeib en rn ent 24 a Hoon vi ep ianns Aba sNadneaie sw tanametanen sah: ighevenctas i i HDs. Roped Maung tee } : sail ACs A Rah Ch ged canta seine ie tat 5 re Wiebe ed she Shays Moy i PY DE bh aba lat Mitte e090 2p Ht i ry edhe re pede bare t4degs sheets} oh ote ms See Salas but id ter wil Trek MOST Tete ee Ppriveed Wen ctiat cpu Hostage s Ha ai tare sipraepte ore vi aged thn ine : SO on ree ey ees Loven yy ew ripe St UML neer Ent a way atelete Sey WA yes sever wae 4 5 pee ah pl avi tga Woke ris tu da terran ey aa tay ® No wen pra iaay waaay way Ayton i 44 th ned ody davayedte s od ivhey beat ype vise pth Ot gotewey Ae Atesieapterns APP rete Liat dt ete Bruce Tm Ine DT rene dagadudur eeeres tie ulirvaneeinhe iris cin yah amiinin tua ty anh go tes aid Teli Sur pewigdes AL ST PAPAL (Ym BL a ere Pave bat wed aa OD NCR CRT in Core Rt bet eile ET ed) ewe ae SEN sie Gomi Aina METAL ST WAG a1 sue shim ch 8 i Pantin Nab srt awe 419 ashi by enaarn jaan eat " ' eee i SAU lonu> '’ eles apsin ACEI 5: Bea eed SAR a tiche $4 ” ™ FOr ange tel ve fA oar 9 pntieura teams rsuau me ytie Crt CE ht Frew we) soft hora saith! ea Rat Foon sonny env Por erear yn (rie Wf Sehnert med “a q ° 2 be POUT | a a & " fox Fe »Y, AS Shears "ee = Pep Sets = ON NY ste “O, O / Negee 775) = ROS = 4, ‘ \ f | ‘be LB “a a, wy yy, ; oO” ia My SS = 4 oF ce: Rome i ANID HH > dp’ mi r} ih Pay tl f Pere eral) | aero, H bap ii?) amen te a THE ENTOMOLOGIST AN ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF GENERAL ENTOMOLOGY. EDITED BY JOHN T. CARRINGTON, F.L.S. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF FREDERICK BOND, F.Z.S. J. JENNER WEIR, F-LS., F-Z.S. EDWARD A. FITCH, F.LS. F. BUCHANAN WHITE, M.1I>., JOHN A. POWER, M.D. F.L.S. «= By mutual confidence and mutual aid Great deeds are done and great discoveries made.” Pors’s *‘ Homer. VOLUME THE SIXTEENTH. 223431 LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO., STATIONERS’ HALL COURT. 1883. “Nature is a mine of pleasure,—new, boundless, and inexhaustible.” “The naturalist sees life where other men see naught: the woods, the mountain’s side, the opening glades, and shadowy burns,—where dwell the | new-born butterfly, the gnat, the speckled moth, and the smallest fiy; all to him are so many peopled worlds, with customs, habits, and language, of which he alone has the master key.” CONTENTS. ALPHABETICAL LIST Acer, F. W., 187 AnpErson, Mrs., 233 ANDERSON, JOSEPH, jun., 120, 182, 238 ArcEnt, W. J., 234 ArmorE, Epwarp A., 9, 115, 197, 271 Barnarp, GEORGE, 239 Baynrey, ELEANoR, 48 Brcuer, Capt. EK. F., R.A., 241 Benson, E. F., 90, 210 BrvERIDGE, W. W. O., 256 Bevis, J. L., 135 Biees, C. J., 163, 262 Bienen, G. C., 69, 166, 214, 263 Birp, G. W., 212 Buaser, W. H., 284 Buanprorp, W. F., 45 Buoomrietp, Rev. E. N., M.A., 41 Boprn, CHARLES, 186 Brazon, G. F., 259 Briveman, J. B., F.L.S., 33, 49, 100, 155, 225, 251 Bocxetu, F. J., 186, 234 Bucket, W. R., 113 Buin, H. EH: U., 259 Burry, R. G., 167 CaMpBELL, W. Howarp, 261 Capron, Epwarp, M.D., 230, 240 Carrinctron, JoHn T., F.L.S., 1, 85, 124, 160, 187, 236 Carter, A. HE. J., 161, 235 Curisty, Rearnatp W., 42 Curisty, Roperrt Minumr, 145, 177 CocxERELL, T. D. A., 233 Couxzs, F., 264 Conquest, Haroxup, 114 Corecrove, J. V., 253 CovERDALE, GrEoRGE, 116, 195, 219 Dare, C. W., 93 | Dosson, H. T., 204 Durrant, Hartuery-, JNo., 235 a | Durton, R., 207 Dynes, J. A., 135 Epwarps, W., 210, 211 Eepuez, TxHos., 186 EisHa, GrorGce, 243 EVERSHED, J., jJun., 236 OF CONTRIBUTORS. Firon, H. A., F.L.S., 33, 64, 89, 100, 155, 166, 190, 225, 259 FowuEer, Rev. W. W., M.A., F.L.S., 4, 55, 77, 283, 286 Freer, R., 260 Frouawsk, F. W., 43 Frost, J., 285 Fryer, H. Fortrsescur, 17 GARDNER, W., 136, 258 GELDART, W. M., 278 GopwIin, F., 287 Gossz, P. H., F.R.S., 42 GrirritH, A. F., 60 BipreGs G:, 14523 Harpine, H. J., 127 Harpine, Martin J., 41, 253, 257 Harmer, G. R., 19 Harper, W. J., 210 Harris, Haroup A., 62 Hervey, Rey. A. C., M.A., 23, 42 Hitn, Jonn, 264 HincucuirrE, JAMES, 47 Hopextnson, J. B., 213 Hupson, G. Vernon, 39, 71, 94, 215, 217 Hurcuinson, H. T., 261 Incupanp, P., F.L.S., F.Z.S., 193, 285 Jenkyns, M. §S., 14, 23 JENNER, J. H. A., 211, 216 Jopson, H., sen., 112, 117, 185, 211, 234, 283 Jones, A. H., 13 Jongs, EH. H., 121, 135 Kanz, W. F. ve V., 52, 124, 167 Kine, J. J., 136 Kinesrorp, Cxiara, 69 Kirgy, W. F., 122 | Lane, H. C., M.D., F.L.S., 281 | Livert, H. W., M.D., 44 Lows, Rey. F. E., 135 Macuin, Wm., 18, 64, 92, 164 Marston, Priors, 108 McDonatp, G. L., 263 McRaz, W., 187, 188, 201, 235, 250 1V CONTENTS. be Mexpona, R., F.C.S., F.R.A.S., 236 Mextprum, THomas, 236 Metymu, J. Cosmo, F.L.S., 15 Mines, W. H., 288 Mircuett, H. T., 284 Mounpin, Joun, 235 Norris, Hersert E., 24, 20%), 282 Norrucore, A. B., 240 Onurrr, A. Sipnery, 1, 97 Parry, Major G. S., R.A., 279 Parsons, W. E., 261 PAaSKELL, W., 230, 234 Prarce, W. T., 92 Perkins, V. R., 60, 93, 248, 249 Purprs, M., 90 Porritt, G. T., F.L.S., 46, 63, 91, 188, 212 Power, J. A., M.D., 95 Pratt, D., 168, 260 Prest, W., 161; 254, 273 Raynor, Ginpert Henry, 16 Rem, Wru1am, 62 Renpauu, P. J., 112 Ricketts, M., 113 Ripine, W. S., B.A., M.D., 246 Rorsuck, W. D., F.L.S., 71 Roaers, H., 46 Roure, R. AunEen, 29 Romans, Ropert, 214 Rosz, ArtHur J., 151, 223 Russ, Percy H., 135, 256 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF Abbot’s Wood, in, 183, 184 Abnormities in butterflies, 257 Abraxas ulmata at Lewes, 211; distri- bution of, 236, 261, 284 Acherontia atropos, odour emitted by, 14; near Edinburgh, 235; near Southampton, 259 Acidalia contiguaria and ” ” > ” Brischke. Lasiocampa pini*; Ratz., Brischke. Clostera anastomosis* ; Gir. Diloba ceruleo- cephala; Brischke. Plusia chrysitis; Perkins. P. gamma; Brischke. Apanteles glomeratus; Marshall, Vollenhoven, Fitch. A. congestus; Taschenberg?, Reinhard, Fitch. A. spurius ex Hadena oleracea; F. Low. Selandria pusilla; Brischke. Spider’s eggs ; (Brischke) Ratz. Microgaster ex Pieris brassice ; (Nordlinger Ratz., Boie, Brischke. Apanteles octonarius ex Lithosia quadra; Ratz. Lipara lucens; Brischke. Agelena brunnea; Smith, Bridgman, Bignell. EKmphytus cinctus ; Wilson [? error]. Pieris brassicee ; Kawall, Drewsen, Gir., Kalten- bach Coll. Vanessa c-album; Holmgren. Coleophora Giraudi; Gir. Pieris brassicee; Brischke. Fumea interme- diella*; Siebold. Solenobia triquetrella; Hofmann. Eggs of Epeira diademata; Brischke. Chrysopa sp.; Brischke. Hyperparasitic on Diloba ceruleocephala, Acro- nycta psi, Botys verticalis; Brischke. Bombyx quercus; Tasch. BB. neustria; Gr. Fumea intermediella*; Voll. Scythropia crateegella; Coleophora anatipennella; Tasch. Microgaster ex Liparis dispar; Gir. Cynips kollari galls; Billups. Chrysopa perla; Gir. Chrysopa sp.; Brischke. Microgaster ex Chrysopa perla; Ratz. Heliodines Reesella; Heeger. Anobium domes- ticum; (Wissmann) Ratz. Pissodes notatus ; (Reissig) Ratz. Scolytus destructor ; (Radzay) Ratz. Orgyia pudibunda; (Nordlinger) Ratz. Lasio- campa pinix; Ratz. Dicranura furcula; Tasch. Tortrix viridana; Ratz. Tortricid; Brischke. Psyehe calvella, Fumea interme- diellax; Siebold. . affinis; Hofmann. Psyche sp.?; Ratz. ‘Taleporia pseudobom- bycella; Carrington, Fitch. Cerostoma cos- tella; Voll. Hyponomeuta padella ; ( Brischke) Ratz. H. malinella*; Brischke. H. evony- mella (cognatella); Ratz. Gelechia albipal- pella; Marshall. G. vulgella; Elisha. Coleophora currucipennella ; (Goureau) Dours’ Cat. C. nigricella; Gir. C. anatipennella, C. therinella; Marshall. Lithocolletis sp. ; Brischke. Trichiosoma betule, Lophyrus pini or similis; Ratz., Brischke. Fenusa 108 80. melanarius, Gr. ,, 33 castaneus, Jasch. ,, 36. fragilis, Gr. ss 37. monozonius, Gr. ,, 39. tenerrinus, Gr. __,, 42. cingulator, Gr. ” palpator, Gr. - gyrini, Parfitt 7 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. pumilia; Brischke. Cryptus incubitor [cim- bicis] ex Trichiosoma betule; Voll., Bridg- man, Bignell. Phygadeuon basizonus ex Lophyrus pini; Ratz. Macrocentrus thora- cicus ex Phycis betulella; Fitch. Microgaster ex Lasiocampa pini; Ratz. Microgaster ex Pieris brassice ; Gir. Cynips kollari galls ; Weston. Andricus terminalis galls ; Walker. Hedobia imperialis and other xylophagous oak-feeders ; (Nérdlinger) Ratz. Anthrenus sp.; Westwood. Cecidomyia rosaria, Chry- sopa sp.; Brischke. Pieris brassice; Drewsen, Tasch. P. napi; Curt. Argynnis paphia; Bignell. Vanessa e-album; Holmgren. Psyche sp.; (v. Sie- bold) Ratz. Solenobia triquetrella; Siebold. Pissodes notatus, Hylurgus piniperda; (Reissig) Ratz. Spider’s eggs [female of Pez. agilis] ; (Goureau) Dours’ Cat. [? Exeeretia allisella; Sang]. Trichiosoma betule ; Bignell. Clavellaria amerine ; Brischke. Lophyrus pini or similis, Chrysopa sp.; Brischke. Emphytus cinctus; Wilson. Spider's nests ; Brischke. Perilitus unicolor; Hartig. Microgaster cocoons; Parfitt. Agelena brunnea nests ; (Goureau) Gir. Hyperparasitic on Cucullia argentea*: Brischke. Tinea biselliella; Boie. | Coleophora nigri- cella; (De Graaf) Voll. Chrysocorys festa- liella; Barrett. Pieris brassicee ; Tasch. Scoparia crategella ; (Snellen) Voll. Fumea intermediella* ; Voll. Clavellaria amerine ; Brischke. Cylindrical black and white spotted cocoon {? Limneria sp.]; Tasch. Egg-bag of spider; Reinhard, Dours. Gyrinus natator; Parfitt, Hellins, Bignell. BRITISH VERSUS EUROPEAN LEPIDOPTERA. By Priors Marston. A PaPER which appeared in ‘Land and Water’ for March 10th, entitled “British versus European Lepidoptera — what is a British Subject?” by M. A. Wailly, calls, I think, for some notice from British entomologists. It is surprising that this paper did not appear in one or other of the periodicals especially BRITISH Vé7SUS EUROPEAN LEPIDOPTERA. 109 devoted to the subject of Entomology, unless, indeed, it appeared in ‘Land and Water’ only after being rejected by these magazines. That it may have been so rejected seems likely enough, for a more illogical paper I have rarely read, displaying both an ignorance of British Lepidoptera and of English litera- ture on the subject which is simply depressing. M. Wailly may “already see a simile,” as he anticipated; but it is at no cracking “of one of his jokes,” but rather in pity. M. Wailly informs us that, besides exotic Lepidoptera, “I also rear Kuropean species whenever I receive ova or pupe of such that I do not know, and I know but few of them.” This is a reasonable thirst for know- ledge. But he tells us that “on October 27th, 1879, he received 500 ova of Ennomos autumnaria (= alniaria)” ; this strikes one as an enormous number for one person to receive, if it is only a reasonable thirst for knowledge he desires to slake—a dozen eggs would suffice. ‘‘The ova hatched from May 10th, 1880, but I kept no notes on the rearing of the larve, which were of little interest to me.” Then there was not much thirst after all; yet why again in 1881 did M. Wailly rear them “for the second time” and obtain “‘a large quantity of fertile ova”? Surely our philosophic entomologist takes a deal of trouble about a species of “little interest” to him. Having introduced a species which was of extreme rarity here, M. Wailly not only attempts to defend this procedure, but attacks those entomologists who limit their studies to British Lepidoptera. As regards defence, I will remark, ‘‘qui s’excuse s’accuse”; the attack, however, requires some special notice. M. Wailly delivers himself of this extraordinary remark :— “He who imports and rears species which he cannot find or obtain in his own country is a creator, as it were; he who ransacks every nook and corner to hunt down rare species is a destroyer”; and he asks, ‘‘ which of the two renders the greatest service to entomological science?” He continues, “It is un- necessary to state why entomologists who sell pure British species object to the introduction of continental species for an obvious reason.” The reason may be obvious enough, but surely not more obvious than M. Wailly’s reason for upholding the importation of continental species—and, mind, especially the importation of those species the British examples of which command a high price. I will ask M. Wailly, did he not import 110 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. the 500 ova of EH. autumnaria for sale—quite apart from any desire for knowledge ? and why, if not for mere pounds, shillings, and pence, are the importations from abroad almost limited to species which as British are of extreme rarity? When viewed by this light your importer does not figure favourably as one who does a great “service to entomological science.” ‘The man ‘‘ who ransacks every nook and corner to hunt down”’ (which does not mean exterminate) “rare species” does render great service to entomological science, by not only discovering species new to the country he may be in, but also species absolutely new to science. This has been done over and over again, even by those British entomologists on whom M. Wailly is so hard. It surely is unnecessary to point out the aid to science which a more or less definite knowledge of the purely British Lepidoptera renders. It never seems to strike M. Wailly that a man can study foreign Lepidoptera and yet keep a collection of purely British speci- mens. What is protested against—and simply on the score of morality, and quite independent of any entomological love—is, that dealers should import almost entirely foreign specimens— ova, larvee, pup, or imagos—of species which may be fraudulently used. Does M. Wailly think that the demand for his ova of EF. autumnaria would have been so great if they had been of a species which had never occurred in this country, and which was never likely to do so? M. Wailly then goes on to discuss, “ What is a British subject?” Not, however, it would appear with a view to answer his question, but rather to throw as much doubt as he can upon species some of which, at least, are British. As regards Vanessa antiopa, M. Wailly states that, so far as he knows, it has only occurred singly. It may interest him to know that two gentlemen saw a great many one morning flying round poplars near Cambridge; and six or seven or more specimens have been taken by one person, and that on more than one occasion. M. Wailly seems to infer that this species is not able to “be in existence during the winter” here. It may interest him to know that hybernated specimens have been taken in this country. M. Wailly appears to think that A. atropos is not “a British subject,” as it appeared two or three years ago so abun- dantly on the Southern Coast of England, and has not devastated the potato-fields. He asks, ‘‘ What has become of those thousands of Atropos found in Sussex and Kent?” I must confess my BRITISH Versus EUROPEAN LEPIDOPTERA. Tt ignorance of the fact—and a. fact I suppose it is if M. Wailly states it—that thousands of Atropos were so found. Surely M. Wailly does not base an argument adverse to Atropos being “a British subject” simply because it is much more numerous in some seasons than in others; if so, we should be poorly off indeed for indigenous species. Polyommatus phleas some few years ago had become so scarce that I heard it hinted that its extinction would follow that of P. dispar. V. polychloros, after being very common for many years, became very scarce, and is again common. Both Catocala sponsa and C. promissa for some years prior to 1871 had been very scarce. Lithosia quadra larve many years ago appeared in countless numbers in the New Forest, with a proportionate number of imagos, yet in 1871 and a few years prior but very few were taken—now they are again common. In 1871 again Dicycla 0o was exceedingly common, but has been scarce since then; and many other instances might be quoted. Yet few, if any, I think, would doubt that they are as purely indigenous British species as any can well be. M. Wailly refers to Sphinx convolvuli, Deilephila livornica, Cherocampa nerii, and C. celerio as other species of the Sphingide which cannot be con- sidered British. S. convolvuli larve have year after year been found by an entomologist, feeding on bindweed in an old gravel- pit. D. livornica, I am informed, can be taken regularly on the South Devon Coast. C. nerii is but an occasional visitor. C. celerio may be so also, but larve of it have been found in this country. Will M. Wailly name the “several species of the finest British Lepidoptera” which have entirely disappeared, and those “others — which at no very distant period may also become extinct” ? I will not specially notice M. Wailly’s quotations from W. J. Coleman’s book on British butterflies, as the book cannot be con- sidered as carrying any weight as a standard work. M. Wailly states, as regards Papilio machaon, that “it is con- fined within comparatively very narrow limits—the fens of Cam- bridgeshire ; I do not know that it is found anywhere else.” It seems almost incredible that anyone taking an interest at all in British Lepidoptera should reside here for even six months and not know that P. machaon has a wide range in the Norfolk fens. As regards extinction of species of Lepidoptera. Can M. Wailly point to a single species which has become extinct here solely from the efforts to those collectors who ransack every nook and corner for rare species ? 112 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. It would, I think, have conduced to a fair valuation of M. Wailly’s article by the readers of ‘ Land and Water’ if he had let it be at once known that he imported continental species for sale, and not endeavoured to figure solely as the sarcastic philosopher. Byfield, Northamptonshire. ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES, CAPTURES, &c. PIERIS DAPLIDICE IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE.—I was very pleased to read, in the ‘ Entomologist’ of February last, of the capture of Pieris daplidice by Mr. Baker; and seeing that it was captured near Newmarket, I have thought it would be interesting to some of the Cambridgeshire collectors to know that in 1859 I met with three of this interesting insect, one at Bottisham Rise (about Aug. 11th), the second near the ‘ Prince Albert,’ and the third at Quy Church, on September 12th. At that time I always walked down to Newmarket, and was generally very well repaid for the journey, as I came across many good things; and no doubt if other collectors would work the same district we should hear of more P. daplidice being captured. During the same season Colias edusa and C. hyale were common. On the same road I found four larve of Deilephila galii. Cherocampa porcellus and C. elpenor were plentiful, and many other things that occur on chalky districts, and now and then some of the fen insects put in an appearance. As the distance is very short, I have no doubt it would pay some of our young entomologists to stay a few days at Bottisham, as they might spend one day at Newmarket Ditch and the ‘next in the Fen, thus varying their collecting. Possibly Reach would be better than Bottisham, as it is only four miles off Wicken and joins Newmarket Ditch.—H. Jogpson; 3, Clarendon Road, Walthamstow. ARGYNNIS DIA AT Hppinc.—About a month ago I saw a fine specimen of the above insect, in the collection of a gentleman living at Shepherd’s Bush, which was recently advertised for sale. He informed me that he had taken it at Epping some years ago, and he drew my attention particularly to the under-side. The specimen was in excellent preservation, not at all rubbed, and NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 118 smaller than A. selene.—P. J. Renpati; 20, Ladbroke Square, London, W., Feb. 20, 1883. [We insert the above statement of our correspondent, but decline to give an opinion upon the probability of A. dia occurring in Epping Forest, not having seen the specimen.—J. T. C.] NoTES ON THE REARING OF CHELONIA PLANTAGINIS.—Think- ing that it may possibly interest some of the readers of the ‘Entomologist,’ I have ventured to give a brief account of my experience in the rearing of the above mentioned insect, so that if any should have a desire to breed it they may have the benefit of my notes on the subject. In May of last year I obtained a female of C. plantaginis, which laid a brood of about three hundred eggs. They all hatched in about twenty days, and I supplied them with their proper food, viz., the narrow-leaf plaintain. I kept them on this food for about three weeks, and noticed that during that time about a third of the number made more rapid strides in growth than the others. At the suggestion of Mr. Wellman I now substituted lettuce for the plantain, and placed the breeding-cage in the sun. They all continued to thrive, but the one-third above mentioned grew rapidly and pupated about the last week in August, and emerged, very fine and perfect specimens, during October. ‘The remainder con- tinued feeding until the third week in November, when I placed them in a cold dry cellar. During the winter I supplied them weekly with a small quantity of groundsel, upon which they occasionally fed. On the 24th of January they began to feed freely on groundsel, upon which I kept them until the middle of March, when lettuce becoming again procurable I re-transferred - them. Upon this diet they made rapid strides, and finally pupated during the first week in April. I may mention that during the winter I only lost about one-third of the number, and can strongly recommend the use of lettuce, not only as a food- plant for the above-mentioned species, but also for C. villica, which I have reared upon it with greater success than upon chickweed, its ordinary food.—M. Ricxerrs; Bouverie House, Folkestone, April 20, 1883. CYMATOPHORA FLAVICORNIS.—I had this winter some pupe of C. flavicornis, and as several of the insects did not emerge I opened a few of the pup, and in four of them found that the N 114 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. head of the moth was towards the tail of the pupa-case; they had split the case in the usual manner, but had been unable to emerge. What is the explanation of this anomaly ?—W. R. Bucket; Romsey, Hampshire, April 6, 1883. DASYCAMPA RUBIGINEA NEAR SALIsBuRY.—I have much pleasure in stating that I took the above insect at sugar, on the 31st of March last. The specimen is very fair for a hybernated one. —H. Powys Grezenwoop; Harnham Cliff, Salisbury, April 23rd, 1883. ERASTRIA VENUSTULA.—I observe in Mr. Wright's article, last month (Entom. xvi. 81), that he indicates Tormentilla reptans as a food-plant for the above-named species. Although I have frequently searched carefully the leaves, and particularly the yellow blossoms of that plant at the proper time, viz., during July and August, I have failed to find any trace of the larva, neither have I seen any evidence of its feeding. Perhaps your correspondent can inform us authoritatively whether he has ever found the larva of EH. venustula feeding on the plant named, or may be some of your correspondents who have studied the life- history of this beautiful little Noctua may be able to throw some light upon it; for though it is the food-plant named in most, text- books, yet I cannot help thinking that although it may occa- sionally feed upon it, yet it does not absolutely confine its gastronomical powers to it-—WattEeR Scorr; Colonial Office, S.W., April 24, 1883. Breruos NorHa IN THE ONGAR Park Woops.—As this pretty and interesting species is, I believe, considered rather a “good thing” among entomologists of the London district, it may interest that section of your readers to hear that I have lately taken it in some numbers in the Ongar Park Woods. Its time of appearance in this locality is the first or second week in April, according to the season; but, in any case, it is not seen on the wing until its congener, B. parthenias, is almost, if not quite, over. One would infer from our standard authorities that both species were out simultaneously or nearly so; such, how- ever, I have not found to be the case. A sunny day, and a long pole on which to fix one’s net, are essential to the capture of B. notha, which, so far as my experience goes, is even more fond of keeping up aloft than its cousin B. parthenias. With the aid, NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 115 however, of a good ash-pole one can get on even terms with them, as they are easy enough to capture when within reach. They frequently alight on the topmost sprays of the underwood, and folding their wings when at rest, are in that position almost invisible. I found it a good plan to walk along the wood ridings, tapping the highest branches within reach ; they fly at once, when disturbed, and can then be seen and perhaps caught. The female seems much rarer than the male; probably, however, this is owing to their more sluggish habits. After the series of diminu- tive bred specimens one sees so commonly in collections, I was surprised at the size of the species when fed in the open. Mr. English, of Epping, informs me that years ago he took the insect in the same locality in plenty, but it gradually became scarcer, and he had not observed it at all of late years. I was therefore all the more pleased at “turning it up” again.— Harotp Conquest; Chingford, April 23, 1888. MIXODIA RUBIGINOSANA, AND OTHER LOCAL MIcRO-LEPIDOPTERA In NorFoLk DuRING 1882.—On the 16th of June last year, amongst other insects my brother brought home from a day’s collecting were five specimens of Mixodia rubiginosana. They were taken in extensive fir-woods, about seven miles from King’s Lynn. - The species being so decidedly northern, and therefore one unlooked for in this county, I have instituted enquiries as to the source from whence the Scotch fir-trees of these woods were obtained, and find that they were brought from Scotland some twenty or thirty years ago; therefore it would appear that the species was introduced with the trees. In the same woods and on the same day, two fine specimens of Cryptoblabes bistrigella, were captured; and on very wet ground, among reeds, about half a mile from the woods, a single Cosmopteryx lienigiella was boxed During the next month (July), whilst collecting Strathmopoda pedella, by beating some old alders, four splendid specimens of the brilliant little Bohemannia quadrimaculella were dislodged and secured. lHarlier in the season (May) Tinagma resplendella also occurred in this district. In conclusion, let me add, that not being sure that I had correctly identified some of these species, they were sent to Mr. C. G. Barrett, who has kindly named them for me——Epwarp A. Atmore; 8, Union Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, April 19, 1883. 116 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. SoLENOBIA INCONSPICUELLA AT CLrapHam.—On the 31st March I took a male of this species from some palings on Clapham Common. A careful search on the trunks of some old elms produced the cases in considerable abundance, a few slowly crawling upwards with their burden; the majority, however, had become fixtures ; there were also empty cases of this and the last season.—GEORGE CovERDALE; 24, Fleming Road, Lorrimore Square, S.E., April 2, 1883. Spring Notes anp Hinvs on Breepinc.—The prospect of an early season has been completely changed by the cold weather which commenced in the first week in March. The unusually mild December, January, and February had brought out several of our spring Lepidoptera, notably Endromis versicolor, three very fine males having emerged in my breeding-cages during February, fully a month before their usual time, and this with the cages out of doors. The extremely cold weather of March, however, entirely stopped emergence, and a male and female moth hung in an almost lifeless condition for three weeks, without once changing their position until the 31st of the month. A mild change occurring they commenced to move sluggishly, but appeared too weak to copulate; so were killed. The warmer weather that prevailed during the early part of this month soon showed its effect on pupe. On the Ist of the month a beautiful female Petasia nubeculosa emerged, followed by a second the next day; and to this date, April 17th, six males and seven very grand females of H. versicolor. These were all from two-years’ old pup, and both species I obtained from Mr. McArthur, from Rannoch, in 1881. From thirty-three fertile eggs of E. versicolor I have now bred twenty-one moths, eight in 1882, of which seven were males and one female, and thirteen up to date this spring— six males and seven females. From seven fertile eggs of P. nube- culosa, one male, bred 1882, and two females this month; and I quite hope to see others from: the four remaining pupe next season. P. nubeculosa has the credit of being difficult to breed, so that I congratulate myself on my success with this rare species. I may remark, en passant, that the description of the larva, as given in Newman’s ‘ British Moths,’ is evidently described from life, and is very correct. I compared it with the larva when full fed, and it agreed perfectly. From the one female LH. versicolor, bred NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC.