vr oe ~ i pt) ae ager tasers pa Pa ae Be VAS 8s: HARVARD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY FROM THE WILLARD PEELE HUNNEWELL (GLASS OF 1904) MEMORIAL FUND Eves Ce laine The income of this fundis used for the purchase of entomological books © Merch 13.41 famucony 4, 1919 a 7 2 P a ial ao j ae aes aS vg ar & ’ q z 3 j we ic ‘ eS : 7, t TA | ENTOMOLOGIST'S RECORD JOURNAL OF VARIATION ~Hpirep By RicHarb 8. BAGNAULL, F.1.s., F.E.s.| T. A. CHAPMAN, m.b., ¥.z.8., F.E.8. T. HUDSON eae Jas. H. COLLIN, F.5.s. B.SC., F.W.8., F.R.8.K, H. Sr. J. K. DONISTHORPE, Groree T, BETHUNH- BAKER, F.Z.8., F.E.S ¥.Z.S., F.L.S., F.E.S. JoHN HartLEy DURRANT, 'F. E, 3. M. BURR, D.sc¢., F.z.s., F.L.S., F.1.8. ALFRED SICH, F.z.s. (Rzv.) C. R. N,. BURROWS, ¥.z.s. J. R.le B. TOMLIN, M.A., F.E.S. Grorazt WHEELER, m.a., F.F.8. and Hunry J. TURNER, F.z.s., Uditorial Secretary. VOL. XXX. JANUARY to DECEMBER, 1918 ‘ PRICE 10s. 6d. Special Index (with every reference), 1s. 6d. We have successfully carried on during the time of stress and now that the} worst is over we hope our subscribers will continue their | Support, ) Unfortunately circumstance, the nature of which by now everyone is aware, cdinpels us to raise our subscription. 1t has been decided by our associated editors that ten shillings is to be the subscription tor the year 1919. Let us hope that we may not have to keep it so for long. , Numerous important articles have already come in for the ensuing year, but we wish to ask our readers to send us useful general notes, scientific notes, collecting notes, paragraphs of special interest, and aught, personal or otherwise, that entomologists should know. With kindly greeting to one and all we go forward to our thirty- first volume. HAD: Vol. XXX, I) FuO en _ ENTOMOLOGIST'S RECORD JOURNAL OF VARIATION Hipirep BY RicHarD §. BAGNALL, F.u,s., F.u.s. | TV. A. CHAPMAN, M.D., F.z.8., F.B.3, T. HUDSON BEARE, Jas. KE. COLLIN, F.z. 8. ; B.SC., F.E.S., F.R.S.E. 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Chapman, F.E.S., ‘‘ Phytophagic Species.”’— Prof. A. Radcliffe Grote, M.A. ‘“Varieties and aberrations of Noctusz from Doncaster.’—-H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S. ‘The ‘frenulum of the British species of Smerinthus.”’—@. C. Grifiths, F.Z.8., F.E.S. ‘Budxyas ste-johannis.,—A. Radelife Grote,.M.A. ‘* Parthenogenesis or Agamogenesis.’’— J.W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘ Larve.”’—Rev. G. M. A. Hewitt, M.A. ‘‘ Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1894.” —J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘ Generic Names in the Noctuides.’’—Pror. A. R. Grote, M.A. ‘ Pupa hunting in October.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘Polygamy and Polyandry in Moths.” ‘The nature of certain insect colours.”—W.S. Riding, M.D., R. Freer, M.B., J. W. Tutt, F.H.S., Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, J. dnderson, Jun. ‘The Lepidoptera of Swansea.’’—Major R. B. Robertson. ‘*Caradrina ambigua in the Isle of Wight.”—4. J. Hodges. ‘“‘The insects of Bourg St. Maurice.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. “* Orrhodia erythrocephala ab. glabra from Devonshire and comparison with O. vaccinil.”—Dr. W. S. Riding, F.E.S. “Notes on Caradrina ambigua and C. superstes.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘*Hntomology and Entomologists, being the Annual Address to the City of London Entom. Society.” Notes on Aphomia sociella’’ (with plate).—W. P. Blackburne Maze, F.H.S. ‘‘ Apterous females and Winter Hmergence ’—2#. F. Studd, M.A., B.C.L., F.#.8., L. B. Prowt, F.H.S. ‘* Collecting Noctuids by Lake Brie.”—A. Radclifie Grote, M.A. ‘‘Coleoptera at Ipswich.”’—Claude Morley, F.H.S. ‘‘ Notes on Bombus visurgies.’’ ‘‘Synonymic Notes on Acidalia humilata and A. dilutaria.”’—D. B. Prout, F.2.8, “The Lepidoptera of Grésy-sur-Aix.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘*Apatura iris.’—Rev. @. M. A. Hewett \ ‘Scheme of Classification of the Rhopalocera founded on the structure of the Pupee.”—T. A. Chapman, M.D., F.E.S. ‘‘ Glimpses of American Entomology.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. “The Genus Smerinthus.’’—dA. Bacot. ‘* Variation considered biologically : Some notes suggested by the Romanes Lecture of 1894."—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘ Wing structure.’—J. Alston Mofati. ‘‘On the development of sex in social insects.”—J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘‘The British representatives of the Genus Caradrina.”’— L. B, Prout, F.E.S. ‘‘ Habits and variation of Lithosia lutarella-and its variety pygmacola.”?— J.W. Tutt, F.E.S. On the gradual disappearance of Lepidoptera from South-Hastern London and its neighbourhood.’’—C. Fenn, F.H.S. ‘A hunt for Neuroterus aprilinus.”—T. 4. Chapman, M.D., F. HS. ‘©On the development of pigment in Nemeobius lucina.’’—F. J. Buckell, M.B. ‘‘The Macro-Lepi- doptera of Keswick.’’—H. A. Beadle. ‘‘ Varieties of Argynnis selene” (with plate).—S. G. C. Russell, F.E.S. ‘Hadenoid genera with hairy eyes.’—Prof. A. R. Grote, M.A. “ Zygeena minos and its varieties.”—J. W. Tutt, F..8. “Notes on the pupze of Castnia and Anthocharis.’’"—T. 4. Chapman, W.D., F.E.S. \ Besides these articles, a large number of short notes are.contained in every number under the follewing titlas; |“‘ Scientific Notes and Observations,’’ ‘* Variation,” ‘‘ Notes on Larvee and Life- histories,”’ ‘‘ Notes on Collecting,” ‘‘ Current Notes.”’ The reports of Societies are very carefully edited, and only scientific paragraphs published. The ‘‘ Practical Hints” and ‘‘ Field work” for each month are quite unique. | “ The entomologist who will read carefully through the back numbers of The Hntomclogist’s Record will find himself better equipped for the further study of his subject than by any other means. Price 7/6 per volume, of Mr. H. E. Page, “‘ Bertrose.” Gellatly Road, New Cross, 8.E. 14 OVA, LARVAE, AND PUP-E. The Largest Breeder of Lepidoptera in the British Isles is H. W. HEAD, Gitontologist, | BURNISTON, Nr. SCARBOROUGH. Full List of Ova, Larvae, and Pupae, also Lepidoptera, Apparatus, Cabinets etc., sent on application. Many Rare British Species and Good Varieties for Sale. Lantern Slides in Natural Colours. LEPIDOPTERA & LARV@ A SPECIALITY. Photographed from life and true to Nature in every detail. SLIDES OF BIRDS, WILD FLOWERS, &c., By same Colour Process. LANZERN SLIDES MADE TO ORDER FROM ANY SPECIMEN OR COLOURED DRAWING. PHGTOS IN COLOUR OF LARVA, LIFE SIZE, ON IYORINE TABLETS TO PIN IN THE CABINET. ; For List apply to— CHARLES D. HEAD, Cherrymount, Donnycarney, DUBLIN. eS >a aa somologise, | wy * Lop, yj wu Pe Id JOURNAL OF VARIATION. Orr ON NS oN Ome g January 157TH, 1918. Lepidopterology.—Two new European Lycenids. By T. A. CHAPMAN, M.D., F.E.S. In the 14th volume (Fascicule) of Etudes de Lépidoptérologie com- parée, M. Oberthiir enquires whether in such times as these one ought to continue the pursuit of science ; the difficulties are great, but he says time goes on all the same, age advances, for how long can he continue to work? To publish scientific works is to serve one’s country, a little effort, no matter how little (we all know that M. Oberthiir’s slight efforts would be a great deal for most of us), is better than stopping what is already begun, he therefore decides to carry forward the objects he has in view. M. Oberthiir is essentially a poet, and he expresses these conclusions and the reasons for them in the clear and artistic manner to which the French language so beautifully lends itself in his hands. He quotes a fine passage from Victor Hugo (written about 1836), defending the activity of the artist in trying times, and giving examples of how art is actually stronger and richer at such epochs. But this preface must be read, to reduce it to a resumé is to spoil it. The volume begins with ‘Contributions to the history of Lycaena argus, and the forms, races, and species hitherto included in it.” (Most British Lepidopterists (Tutt, South, Wheeler, etc.) having, following Staudinger, accepted the name argus for our British species aegon, it is necessary, therefore, to begin by pointing out that M. Oberthiir uses the name for the non-British species, for which they accept the name argyrognomon.| A magnificent form of this insect is found in M. Oberthir’s country, the Armorican peninsula, and justly increases M. Oberthiir’s interest in the species. This form (armoricana) is richly coloured and has large and bold markings, there is no other similar race described, nor ap- parently do aberrations often approach it. The first contribution is “On the genital armature of Lycaena argus and its varieties,” by Dr. J. Reverdin. The second is the ‘ Opinion of Dr. Courvoisier,” and the third is “A New European Lycaena, Plebeius argus (argyrognomon) and aegus sp. noy.,” by myself. The forms that M. Oberthtir specially suggested as requiring ex- amination included armoricana, ligurica, bellieri, and alpina, forms with definitely distinct facies. Dr. Reverdin says his first results were that there were sufficiently striking differences between ligurica and 2 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. armoricana, but it was evident that he must extend the examination to all the forms that he could obtain. From his own collection and by aid of various friends he obtained specimens from various parts of France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Asia. He mounted the armature of 198 examples, a large number being necessary because many of the preparations are more or less unreliable from the difficulty of getting the structures so spread as to be easily observed and com- pared. He does not consider that he has examined a sufficiency of specimens to give his conclusions with confidence except in regard to argus, armoricana, and ligurica. He is of opinion that these three are distinct species, but with a good many provisoes, ligurica he so regards with some, but not complete, confidence, armoricana is, he thinks, decidedly more doubtful. The view he says is founded entirely on ~ anatomical grounds, and he cannot always distinguish them in any ~ other way, and he questions whether possibly anatomical differences without others quite suffice. He reminds us that bellicri (from Corsica) cannot be separated anatomically from argus, yet its general facies is so different, that no confusion with typical argus is possible. My observations agree exactly in detail with those of Dr. Reverdin, but the confidence with which I formulate conclusions is in some instances greater, in some less than Dr. Reverdin’s. The number of preparations 1 made was not quite so great as did Dr. Reverdin, but my technique must be rather better, as very few of them failed to be perfect, if not artistically, at least for all practical — purposes of detailed examination. The conclusions I reached are that there are the following distinct species :— argus (argyrognomon), Europe. ligurica, Europe (aegus mihi). micrargus, China and Japan. melissa, North America. (scudderi, North America, no authentic specimens obtained for examination, those obtained, too few to depend on, were only melissa.) Loe sareptensis, n. Sp., Sarepta (Volga valley ?). The one error into which I fell in my paper, for want of first hand evidence, is corrected by Dr. Reverdin. This refers to the new species ligurica. I find I was in error in taking Dr. Courvoisier’s ligurica as the type of that form. He calls attention to the circumstance that though he suggested the name, its publication by him, in Jris, did not take place till 1911, and in the meantime it appeared in the Htudes de Lépidoptérologie comparée in 1910, in Fasc. iv. M. Oberthir describes — it on p. 200, noting the orange band extending to the extremities of the wings and the white outer borders of the ocelli. The type is the form from Cernobbio figured pl. xli., fig. 298, which does not, however, show the white border very distinctly, and knowing M. Culot’s accuracy made me doubt its being the same as the insect from Versoix and Veyrier. M. Oberthtr associates with it, as the same species, the Chinese micrargus. He also, however, says the Swiss insect is ligurica, though Dr. Courvoisier’s species is only noted as “analogue.” The type, therefore, of ligurica is not Dr. Couryoisier’s insett, but M. Oberthir’s from Cernobbio. The question, then, as to the correct name of the new species obviously turns on the Cernobbio insect. The LEPIDOPTEROLOGY. — TWO NEW EUROPEAN LYCAENIDS. 3 only way to settle the point was to examine the appendages of that form, and Monsieur Oberthiir very kindly sent me a specimen, a cotype, of argus var. ligurica from Cernobbio. This specimen, in its appendages and its androconia quite agrees with the Swiss and other forms of the new species. The falces are, in fact, rather longer than is usual in the Genevan specimens, but agree with them in every other respect. The difference does not exceed the amount of variation one finds within, specific limits in other species and groups. The new species is, therefore, Plebeins ligurica, and my name aequs falls as merely a synonym or varietal name for the Geneva race. It is to be regretted that the type of ligurica was not included in the first examinations, which would have prevented my falling into so undesirable an error. The mistake involves a question of nomenclature and not one of the actual facts under consideration. ' . My paper is illustrated by twenty plates from photographs. M. Oberthtr most kindly agreed to my request for half a dozen of the blocks for these plates to illustrate this resumé. These do not of course illustrate the subject so well as all the plates do, but for the present purposes they are quite sufficient. _ Plebeius argus.—The appendages are represented in Plate I. (VII. in Etudes) from a specimen from Cettinje, taken by our regretted friend Mr. Gibbs. JI find trifling variations from each other in my prepara- tions of argus, variations that are as great between specimens of one race from one locality as between different races. Dr. Reverdin says that the characters are different in argus, armoricana, and ligurica, but ligurica differed more from the’ two others than they do from each other. Dr. Reverdin notices that armoricana differs from argus in greater length of uncus, a deeper concavity behind the toothed end of the clasper, and a rounder extremity to this margin. I have not been able to find any such differences, and Dr. Reverdin’s plates 1 and 2 do not appear to demonstrate the two first, but show a rounder end to the toothed margin of the clasp. As regards this difference, it, like the others, is the subject of much individual variation. It is not one that attracted my attention, no one form constantly differing from any other. My plate (V. in Fase.), not reproduced here, is therefore unbiassed evidence, it shows armoricana so far as it differs, to have a less rounded margin than the forms alpina and belliert. On the other hand it happens to show armoricana with the subterminal angle less marked than in the others; but I havea specimen of armoricana with an angle at least as sharp as the average, and I have one specimen of Swiss argus with an angle nearly as small as in ligurica, and others as small . as average armoricana. These variations seem fully to justify my con- clusion that the variations within the limits of what I call argus are only variations, and are to be found in almost any race, though the average of each race does in some item or other differ a little from that of other races, as a variation of this sort, some specimens of var. nivea (Piynwald) have the toothed extremity very broad, beyond what I happen to have met with in other races. There are, no doubt, many well-marked geographical races of aryus (aryyrognomon) of which per- haps armoricana, bellieri, and nivea are the most marked, sufficiently so to be easily definable, but if they are therefore to be called not varieties SN 4 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S' RECORD. or races, but species, it must be done with practically no support from the structure of the male appendages. Plate I. (VI. in Etudes), fig. 1 shows the whole of the male appen- dages of Plebeius argus X 80 diameter. Fig. 2, the dorsal armature x 45, and fig. 3, the end of theclasp x 90. These can be compared with the appendages of Plebetus ligurica. In Plate II. (VII. of Etudes) I have reproduced three examples of ligurica xX 80, as being a new species it seemed desirable to show that its differences from argus are constant, as is illustrated by my other preparations. These differences are seen in the dorsal armature, of which the lateral portions are longer, larger, and of different form, more easily seized is perhaps the form of the falces, which have the ter- minal straight portion longer, straighter, and narrower than in argus. The ends of the clasps that carry the teeth are practically without the angle below the end, and the teeth are smaller, etc. The edeagus, as Dr. Reverdin notes, is rather larger than in argus. The three speci- mens are from different points in the Geneva locality. In Plate III. (IX. in Etudes) are shown, x 80, the appendages of the American Plebeius melissa, figs. 7 and 8, and the Hastern Asiatic P. micrargus, fig. 9. These are both much more like ligurica than argus, but there appears to be sufficient difference in the appendages to show that they are distinct specifically from it, and from each other. I have no desire to pronounce strongly on this point, as my material was not abundant, though I examined a good many of each form. I have, however, little doubt that melissa from California and from Toronto are specifically identical. My specimens, supposed to be scud- deri, were identical with melissa, so I think that I have not had speci- mens of the true scudderi. Specimens of micrargus from Amoor, China, and Japan, were (so far as appendages showed) all one species, though those from each locality appear to have received separate names to the extent of nearly a.score. Most of these I have not examined, but from their facies and the intermediate position of their localities I have little doubt I am correct in calling them all micrargus, which seems to be the oldest name. : In Plate IV. (XII. in Etudes) are shown the appendages of a species, of which specimens were given me by Mr. A. H. Jones and Mr. W. G. Sheldon. Fig. 10, the whole appendages, x 30; Fig. 11, the dorsal armature, X 45; and fig. 12, the end of the clasp, x 90. It will be seen that these are quite distinct from any of the other species so far considered, but perhaps nearest to melissa, the American species. The straight portion of the falces looks very long, being straight and slender, and the end of the clasp is very short, broad and straight. In the Etudes I give the exact measurements of some of these points of diffe- rence. That a form most nearly related to melissa should occur in extreme Eastern Europe is remarkable, of course the area of its habitat, of which only Sarepta has (so far as 1 know) ‘been sampled, remains unknown, but is probably considerable, possibly a large part of the basin of the Volga, from various parts of which avgus has been recorded. These records may really refer to argus, but possibly belong to sarep- tensis, a name to which this new species seems to be entitled. Plate VI. (XX. in Etudes) shows, in characteristic examples photo- graphed by Mr. Tonge, the differences that may almost always be = LEPIDOPTEROLOGY.—-TWO NEW EUROPEAN LYCAENIDS. 5 detected between argus and ligurica, though occasionally specimens occur that are not too typical. The differences are more decided in the males than in the females. The chevron marks of the marginal ocelli, are arrowhead shaped in argus, and invade the orange portions of the ocelli, making really dis- tinct ocelli, whereas in liyurica the orange portions are free to unite into a band along which a nearly straight line could be drawn, the chevrons being crescent-shaped. The outer element of the ocelli, cor- responding to the orange on the inner side, is white in liqurica, in argus is of the same colour ag the general ground colour of the wing, and therefore white only in var. nivea and allied varieties: Ligurica, sareptensis, and micrargus differ from argus in the marginal ocelli, the black basal element beine arrow-shaped in argus, crescent- shaped in the other three, in which also the outer pale element is white, whatever the general colour of the wing, in arqus it is the same as the general colour, and therefore only white in var. nivea. Of micrargus and sareptensis I have very few specimens, so that my diagnosis of these may be open to great correction ; so far as it goes, it depends on the post-discal row of spots. In micrargus and liqurica they tend to be small and rather near the hind margin. In sareptensis they are larger, the fifth spot comes almost under the discal spot, forming an angle with the other spots, that is usual in ‘‘ Blues,’ but is not. very evident in micrargus and ligurica. The sixth (double) spot is very oblique in sareptensis, pointing, through or close to the fifth, to the discal spot. This spot is much more up- right in micraryus and ligurica, and points outside the discal spot. In the hindwing a line through the first and sixth spots passes through the discal spot, or very nearly so, in all three species. In ligurica the seventh spot is basal to this line. In sareptensis it is on the line, and in micrargus the seventh spot is distal to this line. This character is not constant in micrargus, but I do not find it in any examples of the other species. In giving these points in gonaiaon. of the several species, I only suggest them as approximate and in some degree useful, but in many specimens not sufficiently pronounced to be depended on. The true distinctions are to be found in the appendages, in which the variations in each species do not extend far enough to lead to its being confused . _ with any other. The same may almost be said of the androconia, though here the variations are greater. Dr. Courvoisier’s paper refers almost entirely to the androconia, and on their characters he says that argus, armoricana, belliert, liqgurica, and nivea are all species distinct from each other. My own statement was “the evidence of the androconia is strongly in favour of Plebeius aegus (ligurica) being one species and all the other Huropean forms of argus being another. It is perhaps not quite decisive, for this reason, that in both aeyus and argus there is considerable variation.” Studying them with the advantage of Dr. Courvoisier’s paper and the figures he gives, I do not find sufficient reason for altering my opinion. Dr. Courvoisier’s figures and the notes on them suggest that he did not examine many specimens. For example he says the scales on argus have 10-11 lines. I find that seven specimens from one locality, present—1 specimen chiefly 8 lines; 2, chiefly 8 to 10; 1,9 to 13; 1,10 to 12; and 2, chiefly 11. To belliert he accords 18 to 14, one of 6 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S§ RECORD. my specimens shows 10 to 11, and equally the number of dots in a line is 10, and not 12 to 18 as Courvoisier finds. Iam therefore confirmed in my statement, that different individuals of the same race, and to some extent different scales on one individual differ so much, that only by very general definition can ligurica be distinguished from argus, and the various forms of the latter are hardly at all different, certainly not to a specific amount. I may add perhaps that he gives 13 to 14 rows. to var. nivea from Pfynwald, with 10 to 11 dots, my Pfynwald speci- mens show 8 to 18 rows and 8 to 9 dots, whilst one from Lago di Garda shows 8 to 9 rows with 8 to 9 dots, again showing, accepting Dr. Courvoisier’s figures, that this race, like the others, has great variation in these details. Taking the outlines of Dr. Courvoisier’s figures, he gives for argus very much the form that more or less characterises the whole species ; my nivea have a similar form, but Dr. Courvoisier’s figure shows them much more circular. Belliert he shows quite circular, some scales approach this, butin this form, as in others, the mass of the androconia are of the usual argus quadrilateral out- line. Ligurica is more nearly circular on the average than argus, and Dr. Courvoisier’s figures may be taken as fairly representative. It results that, as I stated, arvgus has a more or less quadrilateral outline, that is, it has somewhat straight sides, diverging a little with rounded ends, whilst liqurica (aegus) is more nearly rounded. This distinction applies to the majority of the scales, but each varies very much, so that specimens are easily found that differ very little. In sareptensis the outline is also quadrilateral as in argus, but the two sides are parallel. In micraryus the end of the scale is much less rounded, so that there is a definite angle where the side meets the end. Melissa has a similar outline to micrargus as to the squareness of the end with an angle, but the scale is proportionally much shorter and so appears to be broader. All these distinctions are founded, except as to argus and ligurica, on too few specimens to enable me to say how far they are constant, but they are sufficiently marked to be characteristic, and would require a much wider variation than occurs in argus to prevent their being dis- tinctive. In Plate V. (XIX. of Etudes) are photographs of fairly characteristic androconia of argus and of ligurica (aegus). They show a difference that I have so far omitted to call attention to, namely, that in ligurica these scales not only differ in form from those of argus but also in size, being obviously smaller. Argus is 0:058mm. long, inzluding the shafts, 0:08lmm. broad, ligurica 0:052mm. long and 0:026mm. broad, but in addition to the total length, the larger pro- portion of the total length is in the scale and less in the shaft in argus than in ligurica, the shafts are similar in length, the scale longer in ATGus. I ought perhaps to conclude that I consider the structure of the appendages establishes the species I have referred to, and gives no eup- port to other forms of argus found in Europe being distinct. At the - same time, other evidence, as of early stages, ete., might show some of them, as armoricana, nivea, and belliert, to be nevertheless specifically distinct, though of this I am very doubtful. LEPIDOPTEROLOGY.—-TWO NEW EUROPEAN LYCAENIDS. 7 AnproconiaA. Rough sketches x about 400. Fig. 1. Plebeius ligurica, usual form 11 rows of dots, type and Swiss. Fig. 2. Plebeius ligurica, one Swiss specimen has most scales like this, 12 rows of dots. : Fig. 3. Plebeius argus (argyrognomon), most specimens have the majority - of their scales like this. Fig. 4. Plebeius argus, a form dominant in one specimen from a locality’ from which five other specimens agreed with fig. 3. , Fig. 5. Plebeius argus var. nivea (Piynwald). Fig. 6. Plebeius argus var. belliert. Fig. 7. Plebeius sareptensis. Fig. 8. Plebeius melissa. Fig. 9. Plebeius micrargus, a form found in this species, but not seen in any other, the majority of the scales are much more like those of melissa. : I add rough outline sketches of the androconia to show both the general form in eaeh species, but also to show how much they vary in each species. These sketches are approximately to scale (about x 400). Their individual errors as to form and size are well within the limits of variation in the several species. Fig. 1 shows the usual form in ligurica from Switzerland, with which the Cernobbio type form agrees. But one Swiss specimen has most of the scales of the form in fig. 2, which is beyond the average form in argus and approaches micrargus. Fig. 8 is an average argus, with which nearly all Swiss specimens agree, as well as armoricana and the Pyrenean form. Five specimens from Val Veni agree very closely, but one specimen has most of the scales, as in fig. 4, again approaching fig. 2 and fig. 9. Fig. 5, var. nivea, 9 ribs, and fig. 6, var. bellieri, 10 ribs, are very close to fig. 3, but with a trace of tendency to figs. 2 and 6. Figs. 7, 8,and 9, sarep- tensis, 13 ribs, melissa, 14 ribs, and mierargus, 1% ribs, seem sufficiently different, but my series is too short to allow me to assert this posi- tively. As regards micrargus, the androconia show a range of varia- tion that strongly supports the view that little material can be found in them for specific definition. The scale sketched is of a form numerous in the specimen from which it is taken, and I have seen no such scale on any other form, but the same specimen presents scales — such as are\ more characteristic of each of the other species dealt with, argus, liqgurica, sareptensis, and melissa. 8. “THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S RECORD. EXPLANATION oF PLATES. Plate I. Male appendages of Plebeius argus (argyrognomon). Fig. 1, x 30. Fig. 2,'x 45. Fig. 3, End of Clasp, x 90. The specimen was from Cettinje. Plate II. Three specimens of appendages of Plebeius ligurica (aegus), x 30. Plate III. Figs. 7 and 8, Plebeiws melissa, and fig. 9, P. micrargus, x 30. Plate IY. Appendages of Plebeius sareptensis, fig. 10, x 30: fig. 11, x 45. fig. 12, End of Claspers, x 90. Plate V. Androconia, x 250. fig. 13, P..argus var. anaes fig. 14, Plebeius ligurica. Undersides, x 44. (from Lautaret). Plate VI. fig. 15, argus var. armoricana. fig. 17, P. ligurica (aegus). (Lo be continued.) fig. 16, argus - Some Notes on a Paper by Dr. Leach on Ants and Gnats in 1825. By H. DONISTHORPE, F.Z.S., F.E.S. My friend Mr. F. D. Morice called my attention to a paper by Dr. Leach, “ Descriptions of Thirteen* Species of Farmica and Three Species of Culex, found in the environs of Nice,’ [Zool. Journ., 2, 289-93 (1825)], and asked me if I knew whether Leach’s types were in. the National Collection. Having obtained the volume of the Zoologi- cal Journal in question, I find that the species described are as under. Opposite each of Leach’s names I give the identification of it suggested _ by v. Dalla Torre [Cat. Hym., 7 (1893)]. The notes of exclamation signify that v. Dalla Torre was unable to ascertain to what species the insects in question really belonged. [4 ewes) J] G2 Or 09 £9 2. 3. LEacsa. roussatre Huber). . Formica bicolor. . Formica testacetpes. . Formica fusca. . Formica affinis. . Formica castantpes. . Hormica Huberiana. . Formica Nicaeensis. . Formica haematocephala. . Formica rupestris. . Formica Rediana. . Formica megacephala. . Formica gigas. . Formica picea. Culex Meridionalis. Culea Nicaeensis. Culex musicus. v. Datta Torre. . Formica rubescens (Fourmis Polyergus rufescens Latr. (1798). ‘* Formica bicolor Leach !”’ (1825). “« Formica testacetpes Leach!’ (1825). Tetramorium caespitum Li. (1758). “ Formica affinis Leach !”’ (1825). Camponotus sylvaticus Olivier (1791). Messor barbarus L., v. niger André (1883). . “ Formica nicaeensis Leach!” (1825). Cremastogaster scutellaris Olivier (1791). “ Formica rupestris Leach !”’ (1825). “ Formica rediana Leach !” (1825). Messor barbarus Li. (1767). Camponotus cruentatus Latr. (1802). Camponotus lateralis Ol., v. picea Leach (1825). I may mention at once that I have been unable to find a trace of — * He actually describes 14 species, i he has numbered two species ‘‘9”’; see ae list. A ‘ e THE DIURNI OF BAST TYRONE. 9 any of Leach’s species of ants in the Natural History Museum ; and his descriptions are such that it is quite impossible to make out what the insects marked by v. Dalla Torre with a note of exclamation really are. If v. Dalla Torre is correct as to Leach’s no. 7, André’s var. niger of Messor barbarus L., will sink, and will have to be known as Messor barbarus L., var. huberianus Leach. ; The most unfortunate point in nomenclature which arises is that concerning the name Hormica picea. For over 50 years the species we now know as F. picea Nylander, was confused with F’. yagates Latr., until 1909, when Emery separated it from that species on the conti- nent (Deutsch. Ent. Zeitschr., 1909, 195), and in 1912 I put the matter right for the British species [Hnt. Rec., 24, 306 (1912) ; see also Hint. Ree., 25, 67-8 (1913) ; and Brit. Ants, 325-34 (1915)]. There cannot, however, be two species called ‘* Formica picea,” and as Leach’s name has 21 years’ priority, Nylander’s name must fall ! This being the species described by Farren White in 1883 as Formica glabra, the latter name would have to be used ; but unfortunately there is another Formica glabra Gmelin, Linné Syst. Nat., ed. 13, i. 5, 2804 (1790), which is fatal to the adoption of Farren White’s name. It is also probably not ascertainable what Gmelin’s species really is, but at any rate it cannot be what we know as F. picea Nyl., since the scale is described as bidentate. The next name in order of date for this insect is Formica transkaukasica Nassonow, Imp. Obsheh. Lyrrb. Est-Ant-Etn. Mose., 58, (1) 62 [=Tr. Lab. Zool-Mus., 2, (1) 62] (1889), and this is what the insect we know as Formica picea Nyl., will have to be called. I have given the names of Leach’s species of Culex, but must leave this matter for our Dipterists to deal with. The Diurni of East Tyrone. By THOMAS GREER. As an increasing interest is being taken in the local variation of Lepidoptera from Ireland, I have compiled the following notes on insects observed in this district. Although the butterflies met with, only number some twenty species, the lack of quantity is to a certain extent compensated by the diverse variation exhibited. Pieris brassicae —Almost entirely single brooded, although during some warm autumns, a certain number or larve may feed up rapidly and produce a partial second brood, the greater number remaining as pupe and not emerging till the following year. In some seasons very abundant, in others, very rare, or almost absent. P. rapae.—Unlike its larger relative this species is always double brooded ; many of the females of the summer brood are of a pale yellow colour. _ P.napi.—This species is in this locality more abundant in damp, meadows and marshes than in woodlands; these swampy localities are always more or less under several feet of water during the winter months, hundreds of pups of this, as well as other species being submerged, often for long periods. _ In the spring brood many of the males are without the apical blotch ' and discal spot, while others have the blotch and spot well developed ; oa e . r 10 : “THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. \ the females are characterised by the suffusion of grey scales along the nervures, this grey scaling often spreading over the wings. In the summer emergence the males in many instances have a second spot on the discal area and ina few specimens these spots are joined together, the markings thus approximating those of the females ; a fine large form is also frequent, having strong black dashes from the discal spot'to the outer edge of the wings, very similar to specimens taken by the Rev. G. Wheeler on the coast of Fife. The females of the second brood vary from a pale primrose to a deep yellow, var. flava, Kane, this latter form is however very rare; another form of the female has a distinct band parallel to the hind margin of the lower wings. The variation in size is also very marked, from 32mm. a female, to 54mm. also of the same sex. Euchloé cardamines.—This is generally an abundant species, although last season (1917), the males were comparatively scarce, the so-called sub-species ab. turritis, Och. is also frequent, but in many cases the black central spot is well within the orange blotch, the smallest specimen noticed being 29mm. The form of the female with . yellow tinged hindwings is also common, about 40 per cent. of the sex being of this aberration. A variety of the male was captured having a broad clouding of dark scales along the costa connecting the central spot with the basal area and the orange blotch much suffused with dark scales. Dryas paphia.—Very abundant in several demesnes and also in mountain glens, which are very sparsely wooded. The form with bleached spots on the wings occurs here. Melitaea aurinia.—Very local, its haunts being very varied ; old worked-out bogs, damp meadows, swamps, and even dry. hill sides; the most abundant form here is var. praeclara, Kane. ‘This year (1917), from a single web of the larvee found in a small meadow of about an acre in extent, surrounded by woodland, a series of very dark forms were bred; the males approaching the var. hibernica, Birchall; the central series of blotches being of a pale lemon colour, the marginal. spots very small, or absent, and the dark ground colour very intense ; in others the dark colour spreads out to the red marginal spots of the forewings, almost obliterating them; the females are all very dark and the colour very vivid, otherwise they correspond with the var. scotica ; a great contrast to these is, a fine large female, ab. virgata with the whole central area of wings of a bright straw colour. This nest of larve only produced about two per cent. of parasites. Other forms occurring here are type aurinia, Rott. very rare, and ab. artemis, Fb. Vanessa io.—This species has been gradually increasing in numbers for the last few years, and this season it was very abundant all over the district ; and a friend was fortunate in taking a fine ab. belisaria. Pyrameis atalanta.—This Berries was also abundant this season, 1917. . Pararge megera.—Abundant in both broods, the aberration with double apical ocellated spots is not rare, and the size of the dark ring itself is very variable. P. aegeria.—This species has generally three broods in a season the males of the third or autumn emergence are often very dark, only the four pale spots around the ocellated spot at the apex being present, the remainder of the wing being of a dark fulvous brown. ~ THE PAIRING HABITS OF CERTAIN BEES. 18 Aphantopus (Enodia) hyperantus.—Abundant generally, the only aberration noticed here is ab. obsoleta, Tutt. Coenonympha tiphon.—This occurs in two-widely separated districts, viz. the bogs to the South of Lough Neagh, which are only from fifty to sixty feet above sea level; and on the numerous boggy flats in the mountains at an elevation of seven hundred to one thousand feet; in the former locality, tiphon, Rott. is the almost universal form; on the other hand, on the mountains both téphon, and the northern form laidion are found, Callophrys rubii—The only representative of the Hairstreaks, found in the district , is very common on the bogs at Lough Neagh ; the larva feeding upon the flowers of the heath ; the var. immaculata is not rare. Polyommatus icarus.—This species has only one emergence here and is very local, being confined to sandy districts on Lough Neagh, and _to light soils. The males generally are of a large size; about forty per cent. being ab. celina, Obt. and varying in colour from a pale lavender to a bright blue like Ayriades thetis (bellargus) ab. clara, Tutt. The female is also a very fine insect, the following aberrations being taken, caerulea, caerulea-cuneata, pallida, angulata, and clara. A fine eynandrous specimen was captured in July, 1917, on the high sandy banks near the village of Coalisland; the right side being male ab. celina, left female ab. caerulea. But the most brillant examples of all were met with on the precipitous slopes of a lonely glen in the mountains surrounded by miles of bare moorland; the males here being larger and finer than any taken on the coast-line; the ab. melanotoxa (arcuata) also occurs in this wild spot. The Pairing Habits of certain Bees. By J. W. HESLOP HARRISON, D. Sc. One often notices accounts in the various entomological magazines of the pairing of Lepidoptera and, more rarely, of Coleoptera, but such notes on other orders one sees but once in a lifetime ; consequently Mr. Donisthorpe’s article in the November Record on wasps, is more than usually interesting. Further, as I can supplement it by similar notes on the genus Bombus, the present seems a suitable opportunity of doing so. My first experience was with the type form of Bombus terrestris— a very common insect indeed on the Cleveland moors. I had been tramping for some time over the thick heather on Eston Moor collect- ing spiders and anything in the way of the obscurer orders of insects that was swept up or netted. Amongst the latter, the Hymenoptera formed a considerable portion of my ‘bag in spite of the fact that the season was late September. Soon after boxing a fine Bombus smithianus, 1 caught sight of a pair of bees just rising from the herbage. All that I had perceived was that the female carried the male when they suddenly rose to a great height and vanished across the open moor. A year later, whilst botanising in Shropshire in August, I came across a lovely nook in some rocks all overgrown with Origanum, and what interested me more then, a fine growth of Cotyledon umbilicus and Sedum rupestre. These occupied my attention for some time, but in 12 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. ~ the end I got out the net to sample the insect guests of the Marjoram. Nothing very wonderful rewarded my efforts, for what I took were just what one would see any sunny day in summer in Middlesbrough Park. However, just as I was about to leave collecting bees, and to begin beating for Arachnida, I caught sight of a pair of bees in cop. which, as they rose, struck me as being excessively minute for Bambi. I therefore captured them and was amazed to find that the pairing was between species of different genera—a male of Psithyrus vestalis paired with a worker of Bombus hortorum. This is an important capture for, laying aside the fact that the insects were of different genera and species, we have two other noteworthy features: (1) a parasite or inquiline paired with its host, (2) a worker paired with a male. Both of these peculiarities appear to be of some considerable importance, and I hope to discuss the matter in full elsewhere. - Next day, I continued my botanical work, but on this occasion my labours carried me across the Radnorshire border into a little secluded valley near Knighton, where I neither took nor saw anything out of the ordinary (¢.e. to one accustomed to work in the north-eastern counties) save Campanula patula which grew in considerable abundance out of the hedges and the neighbouring whins. In plucking a fine example of this plant I accidentally laid my hand upon and disturbed - the mossy nest of a colony of Bombus derhamellus, which was betrayed by the angry buzz inside. ‘Being desirous of watching the journeying to and fro of the bees, I sat down to do so, and work continued uninterruptedly in spite of my presence. Shortly after I commenced my notes, a female crawled out of the nest followed by a group of half- a-dozen males, which, after circling round fora few moments, swooped down upon her. With one of these she paired, and immediately after both crept away amongst the moss and soft grass. Having noticed where they went, I turned the grass aside to continue my observations and found them still paired, although directly afterwards the female shook the male off two or three times. He, however, recovered himself, and they settled down quietly. The female was tightly held both by the legs and jaws of the male, the latter being buried deeply in the fur of the hinder parts of ‘the thorax. The first pair of legs likewise grasped the thoracic fur, but the second pair were interlocked with the female’s third pair thus constricting her wings at the base and forcing them upright, thereby rendering flight impossible. The third pair were tightly clasped round -her abdomen. All the while the male kept his antenne briskly vibrating. : When nothing further seemed to occur I boxed the pair, and soon after they separated. Of course I have not seen enough instances of pairing in the Bombi to generalise, but the difference in pairing habits between the burrowing Bombus terrestris and the surface-building B. derhamellus seems very significant. JOTES ON COLLECTING, Ete. Fiery Norges rrom Bate anp tHe Ner@HrourHoop.—On September 1st Hnnomos quercinaria occurred at Bathampton, and other specimens were seen later in the month. At Bathford a larva of Triaena (Acro- t NOTES ON GOLLEOTING. 13 nicta) tridens was found on grass. It had just assumed the last instar, and had doubtless been blown off the hedge above by the rough wind. It refused to touch any of the various leaves I provided it with and subsequently died. I heard of a second individual which behaved in the same way. Harly this month Gonepteryx rhamniappeared in Victoria Park, and I took a nicely banded form of Camptogramma bilineata, the only Geometer I have set for years. From a tall hawthorn hedge, near Combe Down, a single Semasia spiniana was boxed, but I could not disturb any further specimens. It was perhaps rather late for this species. Two specimens of Hudoria (Scoparia) angustea were found at rest on tree-trunks in Victoria Park, and two others in the Institution Gardens, and I believe I beat a fifth from a hedge near Swainswick, but it flew off too rapidly to identify it. This species appeared to be quite over in a few days, as though I looked for it I saw no more. There is, just beyond the Hampton Rocks, a beautiful and rather sheltered meadow, which I did not find till this month, unfortunately, as it looks a promising spot. In one place were a number of scabious - blossoms, and many of them supported Aglais urticae and a few Vanessa to. They made a brave show in the afternoon sunshine of the day I was there. from the hedge at the entrance of the field I took a grey Cerostoma vittella and disturbed a specimen of Chelaria huebnerella. Though birch is no doubt the favourite food-plant of this species, I fancy it may also ‘eat hazel, as 1 have beaten it out of this far away from any birches. On another occasion near the Rocks above men- tioned, hacodia caudana, a pale form, was netted, and a couple of Peronea sponsana were tapped out of beech. This species occurs spar- ingly in all the beech clumps here where I have tried for it. It gener- ally flies to the ground, and sometimes shuffles away like a Depressaria. I have seen none of the pale form. At Conkwell, in a wood, the only specimen seen of P. schalleriana was taken. It is no doubt common there as there are sallows, but the weather was against visiting the wood at the right time. The 8th of the month might be described as a ‘copper’ letter day, as I then saw the only Rumicia phlaeas of the whole year. It is strange that I have seen no other individual of this usually common butterfly. This event occurred at Bathford, where I also saw a fully grown larva of Macrothylacia rubi enjoying a leaf of clover. On the 14th I went through the lane to Swainswick, took a Hucosma lacunana and saw two other specimens, but these were worn, Barrett mentions a second flight of this abundant species in September. The next day the wood below the Hampton Rocks yielded, in response to beating, P. sponsana, Argyresthia semitestacella, and the larva of Dasychira pudibunda from beech, while from hazel came two larvee of Demas coryli. On the 19th a fresh male of the beautiful Himera pen- naria was seen at rest in Victoria Park, and also two fully grown larve of Acronicta megacephala. Three days later I searched two or three sallows which grow along the canal near Limpley Stoke, but only saw one larva of Notodonta ziczac. On the beech trunks a few Hadena protea were partly hidden among the moss and lichen. This species was quite common about this time, but all of them were of the grey form, one seen at Bathampton was handsomely marked with black. Much to my surprise I found a Pandemis heparana female in Victoria Park on the 24th. I had not seen this species since August 4th, Scopelosoma satellitia, of a dark brown form, occurred at Midford, and \ 1% 14 THE -ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. one specimen of Catocala nupta was seen at rest in the town on an electric metal standard about four feet from the ground. The 29th was very fine. Ima little garden near Bath Haston Pyrameis atalanta and Aglais urticae were feeding on the asters, and two Simaethis were flitting about round an apple tree, but when boxed they proved to be only S. fabriciana. Lyonetia clerkella had been mining the leaves of the same apple. The great feature of September here was the abundance and variety of Teras contaminana. It would not I think be an exag- — geration to say that in some hedges there were half a dozen individuals to every square yard of foliage.—Atrrep Sicu. October 27th, 1917. Furruer Notes rrom Neriey, Hanrs.—August 5th.—Lophopteryx camelina, Luperina caespitis, Cosymbia (Hphyra) pendularia and Selenia tetralunaria occurred at light. August 6th.—Bithys quercus was noted. Multochrista miniata came to light and a full fed larva of Pheosia (Notodonta) dromedarius was found. : August 9th.—On a small portion of the heath which had been burnt, Phycis fusca (carbonariella) and Hipparchia semele were abundant. Vanessa io was just coming out. Aglais urticae were met with but very small. Polycmmatus icarus, Epinephele tithonus and E. jurtina were now common, and several Pararge megera were obtained. Andaitis plagiata was common on fences. A full fed larva of Acronicta leporina was found, and several small larvee of Phalera bucephala. August 11th.—At sugar Amphipyra pyramidea 4, Mania maura 1, Thyatira batis 8, Amphipyra tragopogonts 1, Calymnia trapezina 1, and Apamea secalis (oculea) 1. A larva of Humorpha elpenor was found on vine. August 18th.—The first specimen noticed of Noctua xanthographa came to light with N. c-nigrum. August 19th.—Two full fed larvee of Cossus ligniperda were met with, and a cocoon of Orgyia antiqua was first seen. Luperina testacea 1, Selenia bilunaria (illunaria) 1, and Porthesia similis (auriflua) came to light. August 21st.—Sugar attracted Amphipyra pyramidea 7, Catocala nupta 1, and Thyatira batis 1. Spilodes verticalis came to light. August 22nd.—At light Lygris testata and Hydroecia nictitans. August 24th.—Sugar attracted Thyatira batis 2, Calymnia trapezina, Mania maura, Noctua xanthographa, and Hydroecia nictitans all three . singly. At light several Orneodes hewadactyla (polydactyla), Crocallis é@linguaria 1, and Amphipyra tragopogonis 1, were taken. August 25th.— Pieris brassicae larvee were common but very small. P. rapae larvee were also common but many were half grown. August 26th.—At light Luperina caespitis. August 380th.—Pararge megera several, Pieris rapae, P. napt, Aglats urticae 1, and Vanessa io 8, were obtained. September 1st.—Sugar produced Amphipyra pyramidea 8, Asphalia diluta 1, T’. batis 1, Noctua c-nigrum 1, and N. xanthographa 1. September 6th.—Dysstroma (Cidaria) citrata (immanata), Crambus geniculeus, Gonepterya rhamni, and Coenonympha pamphilus were met with. September 10th.—Neuwronia popularis and Luperina caespitis came to light. : September 12th.—One Colias edusa was seen. NOTES ON COLLECTING, 16 September 15th.—Hnnomos alniaria (tiliaria), Timandra amata, Plusia gamma and Luperina testacea came to light. September 23rd.—A full fed Pharetra (Acronicta) rumicis larva was ' found. September 25th.—One specimen of Hyloicus (Sphinx) pinastri was - taken. September 26th.—One Agrius convolvuli was taken. Pyrameéis atalanta was quite fresh out. The larve of Mamestra persicariae both small and full fed were common. September 27th.—Rumicia phlaeas was very common. The larve of Mamestra (Hadena) oleracea were first noticed. September 28th.—Timandra amata was taken, and larve of Dasychin a pudibunda, Hylophila prasinana, and Diurnea fagella, were met with. October 2nd.—A full fed larva of Drepana falcataria was taken. October 5th.—One Agriopis aprilina was taken. A pupa of Gonoptera libatrix was found spun up in a folded birch leaf. (It has since emerged.) October 10th.— Pyrameis cardui 1 was taken., October 15th.—Chesias spartiata came to light. October 17th.—-Himera pennaria 2 males came to light. October 25th.—Several Hpirrita (Oporabia) dilutata were obtained. —G. 5S. Rosertson, M.D., “St. Annes.,” Thurlow Park Road, S.E. 21. PAPILIO BIANOR IN Eneranp.—Mr. Bedford’s note on this subject (vol.. -xxix., p. 184 of the Hntom. Record) has interested me very much because I have had during the past season a considerable number of Papilio bianor in my possession in all stages. Several of the newly emerged butterflies were given their liberty in my garden in order that I might observe their habits and mode of flight, and that I might see whether they would be-attacked by birds; and it is quite possible that some of my escapes might have reached Lewes. I imagine, however, that the real centre of distribution is Bagshot, where Mr. Cecil Floersheim has been breeding this species in very large numbers in his butterfly house. Many of his butterflies have, I know, been allowed to escape. My stock was kindly presented to me by Mr. Floersheim who also, I believe, supplied the Zoological gardens. I think there can be no doubt that the “exotic Papilio” referred to by Mr. Ashby (vol. xxix., p. 171) will prove to be referable to this species. The place of its capture is scarcely a mile away from Mr. Floersheim’s garden. There is, I think, little room for doubt-that P. bianor could easily ‘be acclimatized in this country if its foodplants—Skimmia and other species of Aurantiaceae—were more widely cultivated. Mr. Floersheim tells me that a small colony have already established themselves naturally in a large and well stocked garden some 20 miles away from his house, that is to say the colony is the progeny of butterflies, escaped from his garden during the last few years, which have discovered the Skimmia plantasion in the distant garden and oviposited on them. My experience suggests that it is a hardy species, little given to disease or liable to parasites, and that it feeds up and completes its metamorphosis with a vigour which leaves little to be desired. The adult larva, with its anterior swelling and eye-spots reminiscent of Humorpha elpenor, with its oval turquoise markings so suggestive of the patterns of certain lizards and its general ‘‘snaky” appearance and attitudes, is a most interésting creature. I was surprised to find that the full-grown larva can extend its whole length horizontally from the edge ot a leaf supporting itself entirely by the last two pairs of claspers S ‘ ; ie oS f 16 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. —a feat which intensifies wonderfully the general suggestion of * snakiness’’ which no naturalist. could fail to recognise. The pupa when attached to the denuded twigs of Skimmia in a semi- natural state is practically always of a vivid green which harmonises well with the underside of a leaf. Some pupe, in one of my cages which is only lighted by a panel of perforated zinc, were of the bright green colour referred to, for some weeks after pupation, but they have now become much more mottled. In this house too I have found the ~ only pupa I have seen of this species which is of the dull brownish-buff form with which we are all familiar in Papilio machaon.—J. A. One, (F.E.S.), Greenacres, Woodside Rd, Woodford Green. AGRIADES CORIDON VaR. SYNGRAPHA.—There appear to have hon captured in the Chiltern Hills an extraordinary number of the syn- grapha form of A. coridon. In fact one must almost look upon the form which has hitherto been only met with asa really rare aberra- tion of quite sporadic occurrence as being a local race in that area.— H.J.T. G@XYURRENT NOTES AND SHORT NOTICES. Conte Emilio Turati has published a description of a new species — of Anerastiinae, taken at Tivoli, near Rome, under the name of Hmma- loeera palaearctella. It is closely related to EF. leucopleurella, described by Ragonot in the ‘‘ Memoires sur les Lépidoptéres”” (Romanoff). He gives a plate of figures of structure, the neuration of fore- and hind- Wings, the androconial tuft which is placed between the median and posterior lees below the fore-wings of the male, the genital armature of the male, the curiously elbowed antennae of the male, the antennae of the female, etc. At considerable length he discusses the genus Emmatocera established by Ragonot, and the two species it comprises with regard to their structural likeness to various species in other genera, including the imperfectly known species Biafra rhodiniella. LE. leucopleurella was taken at Accra, in West Africa. Another of the old time lovers of Nature has passed away in Arthur C. Vine of Brighton, a member of the 8. London Society since 1889. Although he was unknown as an attendant at the meetings, some of the older members who worked the Downs in the neighbourhood of Brighton knew him as a valued correspondent, ever ready to help them in aught entomological they had in hand. The Vasculum, the north of England quarterly, for which our col- league Mr. Richard S. Bagnall and‘his friend Dr. J. W. H. Harrison are largely responsible, has now reached its third year of publication nd the June and September parts lie before us. _ In the former our colleague has begun a series of articles entitled ‘“ Primitive-tails, Bristle-tails, and Springtails” dealing with the three most primitive orders of the class Insecta-Arthropoda often termed ‘“ Apterous Insects,” viz., the Protura, the Thysanura, and the Collembola. These will be of the utmost use to many naturalists, as there exists no literature sufficiently elementary to aid the ordinary lover of nature in getting details of these orders. In the September number, Mr. Bagnall quotes from the article he sent to ‘“‘ Knowledge” in 1912 giving an account of his discovery of insects of the order Protura in England for the first time. He first found the: species in 1909 and perceived at once that it was a quite new type of OURRENT NOTES. U7 ‘insect. On sending details and sketches to Prof. Silvestri he found that the three species he had met with belonged to the order lrotura established by the Professor in 1907. Much of the other matter is of more or less local interest. Small illustrations are inserted wherever necessary to aid the text. In the December number is an interesting article on ‘“ Hyeless Migrants,” by Mr. J. H. Hull. It deals with the mites such as one finds clinging to the bodies of beetles and other insects. He states that these mites, Gamasids, ‘‘are not parasites, but merely passengers. The food problem is the chief reason for the connection between the beetle and the mite.” Mr. J. W. H. Harrison describes the famous collecting ground, Birtley Fell, ‘co. Durham, and its insect fauna. There is also a.summary of the immigration of Ayrius convolvuli in 1917; a considerable number of specimens were met with in the Northern Counties of England, and one has been reported even from the Shetlands. Altogether this is a very useful quarterly. We eon- oratulate the Editors on their venture. A small book has been sent for review entitled “‘ Plant Material of Decorative Gardening: The Woody Plants.’’ It consists of a very full Analysis of “ trees, shrubs, undershrubs and climbers” met with both wild and under cultivation in N. America. The whole is an elaborate scheme of Keys of Groups, Genera and Species with a useful Synopsis of Terms. Its claim upon our pages may be instanced by the following extract from the introductory matter. ‘An entomologist comes to me with a branch of a tree badly infested with scale insects. The Synopsis of Groups leads me to Group A. It is obviously deciduous, not at all prickly or spiny, with rounded twigs, opposite leaves that are rather large, pinnately compound with five or seven somewhat toothed short- stalked leaflets green on both sides. Through Key A, I go by successive steps to 112. Here I cut the twig cleanly across midway between two nodes and find that the pith is of moderate diameter as compared with elder pith ; the succeeding steps lead on to 114 where I find that the scars from which last year’s leaves have fallen are squared off below this year’s twigs or any undeveloped buds of last season, so that I am convineed that it is a Hraxinus. In the key to the species of ash I go successively through to 14 where I find it to be Frawinus lanceolata.” As the work deals with a large number of garden varieties of shrubs and trees it will no doubt be of considérable use in identifying the food- plant of many a troublesome garden pest and thus help in the investi- gation of life-histories by the economic entomologist. In the Entomologist for October, Mr. W.G. Sheldon attacks a problem which many have attempted but failed to accomplish, that is to work out the real life-history of that most variable of the Tortrices, Peronea eristana. In the first portion the writer deals with the species historically and then describes the ovum, and the larva in its various instars. : In the death of Mr. W. West, of Sutton, the South London Ento- mological Society loses one of its oldest members. He joined the “Club,” as it was then familiarly called, in 1878, and for the whole forty years had kept up active work in it, being on the Council at the time of his death. He was in the chair in 1884. Another old member of the South London Entomological Society has just passed away in the death of Mr. W. T. Manger, of New Cross. ek) THE KNTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. — b \ He joined the Society in 1886, and until the commencement of his 4s lingering illness, some years ago, took an active interest for many years — in both the indoor and outdoor meetings. The South-Eastern Naturalist, the annual transactions of the South- Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, has recently come to hand. It contains a full account of the Congress held in June last at Burlington House. There is no natural history in the transactions except in a very broad way. Probably the most interesting to a naturalist is the paper by Prof. H. W. McBride, F.R.S., entitled, “‘ Are Acquired Charac- ters Inherited ? ,” a question which he answers in the affirmative. A portion of this paper discussed the experiments of Kammerer with the _ European salamanders, Salamandra maculosa and S. atra, the results of which if reliable (some authorities strongly doubt the evidence) give ~ much support to the view. There is a very strong Botanical Section in the Union, and a report of their work, etc., during the year occupies | some ten pages. Let us hope that in the near future there may also — - be a Zoological Section; there are we see by the list of members a good number of zoologists in the Union who might advantageously unite as the botanists have done, and forma similar section. There is only one plate this year. The first part of the Trans. \Ent. Soc. London for 1917 was issued. in November. It contains the papers read between December, 1916, and March, 1917, with the Proceedings of the meetings held from January to June. There are fourteen plates, of which six are coloured, and numerous diagrams. There are eight papers, of which five are systemic, the remainder being ‘“‘ On the Protocerebrum of Micropterya,” by P. A. Buxton, B.A., F.H.8., “Some Notes on Butterfly Migrations in British Guiana, af by (Oh les Williams, M.A., ¥.E.S., and ‘‘ The con- dition of the Seales in the Leaden Males of ‘Ayr iades vio. and in other Lycenids,” by E. A. Cockayne, M.D., F.H.S. The Proceedings: con- | tain some interesting notes, “‘ Lepidoptera from Salonika,” ‘‘ Notes on Pediculus species,” ** Some 8. Indian Hemiptera,”’ “The ovipositors of three Siricids, Paururus juvencus, noctilio, and cyaneus, * with a plate, “ Morpho adonis and M. eugenia distinct species,’ and many useful short items of new information. We have just heard that Mr. Harwood (Colchester) passed away at the end of December. He was one of those who held a good name as being most reliable in all his business transactions with lovers of nature. He had some literary attainments and was the author of numerous poetical pieces. In the Canadian Entomologist for October, Prof. Skinner ealls attention to the ‘‘confusion in the knowledge and determination of the American species of the genus Aryynnis ” to. which his attention was ealled by a letter from M. Oberthur. He points out that this confusion has largely arisen from the ‘lack of data,” “loss of types,” “ absence of fixed types,” ‘‘plastic or variable forms,” etc., and he suggests first the fixing of a single form as a type, and secondly the delimitation of the range of variation of each. ‘To do this, large series must be studied, and they should have exact locality, date of capture and altitude where taken. He illustrates his remarks by reference to the works of various — authors, American and Huropean, who have worked at this genus. \ SOCIETIES. 19 SOCIETIES. Tar Entomotocican Society or Lonpon. October 3rd, 1917.—Exection or a Fetinow.—Dr. George Granville Buckley, M.D., F.S.A. , Holly Bank, Manchester Road, Stafford, was elected a Fellow of the Society. Dears or an Honorary Fetnow.—The death of Dr. Emil Frey- Gessner was announced. CoLEoPTERA on uNnusuaL Foop-Puants, erc.—Mr. Donisthorpe _ exhibited the followiug Coleoptera :— 1. Miarus campanulae, L., taken on the downs at Findon (Sussex), June 14th, 1917, in some numbers, in a small species of buttercup only. 2. Lycoperdina succineta, L., taken at Barton Mills (Suffolk), ‘Sep- _ tember 9th, 1917, in fungus. 8. Cassida fastuosa, Schal., taken at Goring Woods (Sussex), July 28th, 1917, on Inula dysenterica. This is its first record on Fleabane ; and all the specimens were of a bright yellow and black colour when alive, and not as is usual red and black. Puotograpus or Sawrty Larv™.—The Rey. F. D. Morice exhibited with the epidiascope a set of photographs (mostly taken from living specimens feeding or resting on their usual food-plants) of several saw- _ fly larve. Parrr.—The following paper was read :— “ Purther notes on Recapitulatory oe in Lepidoptera,” by T A. Chapman, M.D., F.Z.8. October 17th.—Eecrion oF Ee en ine Jobn Williams Hockin, Castle Street, Launceston, Cornwall; Col. Turenne Jermyn, Highcliffe, Weston-super-Mare; Mr. Arthur Wallace Pickard-Cambridge, M.A., Balliol College, Oxford; and the Rev. Prebendary A. P. Wickham, Hast Brent Vicarage, Highbridge, Somerset, were elected Fellows of he Society. Hyrnr-parasives on APANTELHS GLOMERATUS.—Mr. Donisthorpe ex- hibited a number of small yellow cocoons which were taken on a fence at Putney on September 15th last, and which had emerged from the body of a White Butterfly larva. On October 8th Hymenopterous insects began to emerge from the cocoons and were still doing so; of. the specimens exhibited, some of which were alive, 23 belonged to the insect captured on September 15th, and two (a g and ¢?) to another Species of Hymenoptera. It would seem these belonged to a hyper- parasite, parasitic on the original parasites. A new Sus-senores or Moreno raerenor.—Mr. Dicksee exhibited a probable new sub-species of Morpho rhetenor, now received for the first time from Colombia. Aw aBerrant Wasp.—-Dr. Chapman exhibited an aberrant specimen of a wasp (Vespa yermanica) and miade observations upon it. A very rare Britise Beerur.—Mr. O. HK. Janson exhibited a fine example of Tapinotus sellatus, Fab., taken by him on June 9th last near Horning, Norfolk. Only two British specimens were previously known. He also showed some other Coleoptera of interest taken i in the same locality. - A British specimen or Noroponta sBrconorra.—Mr, O. EH. Janson _also exhibited on behalf of Mr. L. H. Bonaparte- Wyse, who was present as a visitor, a fine male specimen of Notodonta bicoloria, Shitf., taken by him near Killarney on June 7th last. > 20 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. . ; | ; ) Living Deruestip Larvm.—Mr. Green exhibited living larve of a Dermestid beetle, Tiresias serra, found under dead bark of an oak tree, in the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury. ‘ Mr. Green also read a “alla note on the oviposition of ya saw- fly Pteronus sertifer. Tuer Soutn Lonpon ENtomoLocicaL aNnD Natura History Society. September 18th.—Breepinc or C. campestris.—Mr. Hugh Main exhibited an observation cage with the burrow of Cicindela campestris, containing the already perfected 1mago, which would, however, not - emerge from the “dug-out”’ till the spring. He also showed a Mantid from Sicily, which readily took larvee and flies when offered to it, and he reported the large green grasshopper Locusta viridissima as ELLE readily on larvee of Pieris brassicae when offered to it. Aperrations oF C. pampuitus.—Mr. Leeds, a number of aberrations of Coenonympha pamphilus from Herts, including upperside specimens with absence and variations in size of the apical spot of forewing, variations in amount and depth of marginal shading of all the wings, ab. lyllus, several specimens with straw-coloured areas, ab. pallida, an additional spot on forewings, apical spots having small white centre, two spots on the hindwings, straw-coloured striations between nervures, and underside specimens, having small ocelli, very dark ground, ocelli with emphasised straw circles, the ocelli doubled, small additional black spots attached to the ocelli, with extra ocelli, and asymmetrically marked examples. AsnormaL Unron.—Mr. Turner reported that Dr. Chapman had carefully examined the trio of Hyponomeuta euonymella previously ex- hibited, and found that the second male was firmly attached to one of the abdominal segments of the first male by the claspers. Exursit oF THE Genus Georrupss.—Mr. Ashdown, the Coleop- _ teron Gevtrupes pyrenaeus from Oxshott, with other species of the, genus. / BRYOPHILA PERLA anD B. GLaNpIFeRa.—Mr. Barnett, a long varied series of Bryophila perla, including yellow, generally dark, and strongly marked examples, and a short series of B.muralis, both from Bognor. P. macnaon at Dover.—Mr. Pearson, a battered specimen of Papilio machaon recently captured at Dover. VaRIED SERIES OF British Leprpoprera.—Mr. Sperring, long varied series of Polyommatus icarus from Portsmouth, dark Spilosoma lubrict- peda with hindwings as dark as the forewings, a rich yellow Pterts napi from Donegal second brood, and a plum-coloured Aglais urticae. Reports on THe Season.—Reports were made as to Colias edusa, Agrius convolvuli, Plusia gamma, parasites and Pieris brassicae larve, and ants occurring with Agriades coridon. September 27th.—P. macnaon.—Mr. Moore exhibited Papilio machaon. — from Bayenghem, Pas de Calais. ABERRATIONS OF Britisa Lepipoprera.—Mr. Barnett, bred series of Ochyr ia ferrugata and Venilia maculata, and aberrations of Polyommatus icarus. Cocoons or Cypia pomonetia.—Mr. West (Greenwich), specimens of the cocoons with pups of Cydia pomonella formed in a rug of varied colours placed near stored apples. A. tanaceTi1.—Mr. Blair, living Adimonia tanaceti from the I. ae Man. The Back volumes (I-XXIX) of the Hint. Record, &c. (published at 10s. 6d. net), | can be obtained direct as follows—Single volumes, 7s. 6d., except vols. I. and IL., which ~ are 10s. 6d. each; of the remainder 2 or 3 volumes, 7g. 3d. each ; 4, 5, 6,7; 8 ov 9 vols., Js. each ; 10, 14, 12, 13 or 14. vols. at 6s. 9d. cach; 15, or more vols. at 68. 6d. each. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes to Vols. III-X XIX, sold separately, price 1s. 6d. each., Subscriptions for Vol. XXX. (7 shillings) should be sent to Mr. Herbert E. Page, ‘‘Bertrose,’”’ Gellatly Road, New Gross, S.E.14 [This subscription includes all numbers published from January 15th to December 15th, 1918.] Non-receipt or errors in the sending of Subscribers’ magazines should be notified to Mr. Herbert H. Page, “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.K. 14 f Subscribers are kindly requested to observe that subscriptions to, [he Hntomologist’s Record, &c.,are ~ payablein advance. The subscription (with or without the Special Index) is Seven Shillings, and must be sent to Mr. Herbert E. Page, ‘* Bartrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, $.E.14 Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to H. H. Paar. _ AbdverrisemMents of Books and Insects for Sale, or Books wanted will be inserted at a minimum charge of 2s. 6a. (for four lines). Longer Advertisementsin proportion. A reduction made for a series. Particulars of Mr. Herbert E. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, 8.H. 14 Subscribers who change their addresses must report the same to Mr. H. H. Page “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 3.E., otherwise their magazines will probably be delayed. Articles that require Illustration are inserted on condition that the author defrays the cost of the dllustrations. All Foreign Exchange Magazines must be forwarded to H. J Turner 98 Drakefell Road, New Cross, 8.H. 14 Duplicates.—Kuphrosyne, Selene, Blandina, Hyperanthus, Davus, Corydon, Aigon, Asiliformis, P. populi, Muadana, Russula, Moneta, Iota, Pulchrina, Festucse, Lupulinus, Hecta, Hricetaria, Leucophearia, Strigillaria, Didymata, Fumata, Muricata, Albulata, Imbutata, Atrata. Desiderata.—Pictaria, Notata, Bruaneata, Blomeri, Rubricata, Rusti- cata, Straminata, Subsericeata, Blandiata, Lobulata, Munitata, Quadrifasciaria, Fluviata, black pairs only.—James Douglas, Thorncote, Chellaston, nr. Derby. Duplicates. —*Dissimilis, Velleda, Fibrosa, *Ambigua, Fulva, *Lubricipeda var. Fas- ciata, *Plantaginis, Coracina, Captiuneula, Mundana, Lutosa, Togata, *Valerianata, @ilialis, Inquinatellus, Caledoniana, Variegana vars. ,Sauciana, Geminana, Cinerana, Brunnichiana, Schulziana, Congelatella, Occultana, Vectisana, Dorsana, Rusticana, *Suboccelana, *Strobilella, Nanana, Herbosana ,Petiverella, T’. corticella, *Cicop, Fulvi- gutella, ete. Desiderata.—Good Pyrales, Tortrices, ete.—T. Ashton Lofthouse, The Croft, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. : Duplicates.—Kast African butterflies wanted, butterflies of any country except species “occurring in Britain.—W. Feather, Kibwezi British East Africa. Desiderata.— Pieris napi—spring and summer broods with exact data (localities and dates)—trom all parts of the Kingdom, especially North of England and Scotland ; Pararge mgeria from Scotland, Ireland, and North of England—exact data needed. Will do my best in return or pay cash.—G. T. Bethune- Baker, 19, Clarendon Road, Edgbaston. Duplicates.—Machaon*, Sinapis, Kdusa, Hyale, Valezina, Artemis*, Cinxia, Athalia, C-album*, Polychloros*, Sibylla*, Cassiope, Blandina, Davus, Betules*, Artaxerxes, Arion, Acteon, Galii*, Scolieformis*, Minos, Exulans, Meliloti, Albulalis, Helveola*, Quadra*, Cribrum, Hera*, Fuliginosa*, Fascelina*, Cratesi*, Callune*, Trifolii*, Versicolor*, Lhapponaria*, Hispidaria, Glabraria*, Abietaria*, Obfuscata, Trepidaria*, Smaragdaria*, Orbicularia*, Auroria, Fumata, Pictaria*, Alternata*, Carbonaria, Pinetaria, Casiata, Ruficinctata, Salicata, Pygmeata*, Togata*, Sexalisata, Munitata, Fluviata, Lapidatag Undulata, Reticulata, Nubeculosa*, Chaonia*, Or, Flavicornis var. Scotica*, Ridens*, Leporina, Menyanthidis, Myrice, Concolor, Templi, Agathina*, Conspersa, Barrettii, Occulata*, Tineta*, Glauca, Rectilinea, Peltigera, Melanopa, Cordigera, Interrogationis, - _ Bractea, Cracce, etc. Desiderata.—Varieties and local forms.—drthur Horne, Bonn-nd- Coille, Murtle, Aberdeenshire. . f ___Waytep, for research purposes, during 1917, ova and larvee of almost any species of British Lepidoptera. Offered British beetles (many scarce or local) and microscopic mounts.—Geo. B. Walsh, 166, Bede Burn Road, Jarrow-on-Tyne. Norz.—Mr. Donisthorpe will be grateful for any ants from all parts of the British Isles, with localities, unset or otherwise, for the purposes of. study.—H. St. J. K. Donisthorpe, 19, Hazlewell Road, Putney, S.W. I would be very glad to exchange Californian butterflies for English blues especially the variable ?s, and’the blue 2s of coridon such as’ have been recorded by Keynes and i others.—Fordyce Grinnell, Jr., 712, Hast Orange Grove, Puradena, California, U.S.A. ‘ Duplicates.—Artemis* (Cornish), Tithonus extra spotted vars., Corydon var. Sem? Synegrapha (fair only), Tilice*, Angularia* (Quercinaria), fine banded vars., Bicuspis* and - many others, also Pups Lacertula, Falcula, Tiliee, Consortaria, Versicolor, ete. Deside- — rata.—Perfect only Cardamines ¢s, Cardui, Iris, Ocellatus, B. quercus, Chlorana, Ligni- ~ perda, Humuli, Convolvuli, and many others. Also Pup Carpini, Porcellus, Callune, — Dictza, Dicteeoides, Dodonea, Vinula, S. ligustri, and many others. Liberal exchange or cash.—L. W. Newman, Bealey, Kent. ~ Desiderata.—Euchloé cardamines from Ireland; also types of EH. cardamines from Switzerland, Italy, S. France; var, turritis (S. Italy), var. volgensis, var. thibetana, and of BH. gruneri, F. euphenoides, E. damone, and any palearctic species of the genus. Duplicates.—Loweia dorilis and vars., a few minor vars. of R. phleas (British), and many ~ British lepidoptera.— Harold B. Williams, 82, Filey Avenue, Stoke Newington, N. Duplicates.—Ova: Cervinaria, Neustria. Larve: Ornata, 5 Faleula, 5 Lacertula,. Caja; Pups Persicaria, 6 Populi. Imagines: Adonis, Corydon, Irish Napii, H. comma, Tages, Malve, Sylvanus, 2 Tipuliformis, 8 Cynipiformis, 1 Culiciformis, 2 Bembeciformis (fair only), 6 B. querefis, 9 Carpini, Humuli ¢, 13 Hirtaria, 7 Macilenta, | Papilionaria, ' Ornata, Gilvaria, 2 Crepuscularia, cervinaria, 4 Punctularia, 3 Palumbaria, 2 Falcula, Lunosa, Vaccinii, Spadicea, 4 Lutulenta, Cruda, Stabilis, Gothica, 6 Instabilis, Rumicis. ~ Desiderata.—Very numerous, pupe and imagines.—F. T. Grant, 37, Old Road W., — Gravesend. 3 % Duplicates.—Cardamines ¢ ?s, Brassice, Rhamni, Kuphrosyne, Selene, Aglaia, Adippe, Io,* Galatea, Egeria, Hyperantus, Ianira, Semele, Megera, Icarus, Bellargus, Argiolus, Lucina, Quercus, Rubi, Malve, Tages, Sylvanus, Comma, Filipendule, Trifolii, Jacobeee,* Mendica,* Russula gs, Caia*, Auriflua,* Falcula, Neustria,* Payvonia,* Flavi- cornis, Duplaris, Pallens, Areuosa, Rumicis, Graminis, Gemina, Comes,* Xanthographa,* Secalis, Pisi,* Piniperda, Gothica, Cruda, Baia, Meticulosa, Rufina, Brassice,* Litura, Satellitia, Oxyacanthse var. Capucina, Vaccinii, Lithargyria,* Incerta, Pistacina, Fulvago, Triangulum, Trapezina, Mi, Glyphica, Myrtilli, Parthenias, Maura,* Maculata, Advenaria - _ (very fair), Autumnaria,* Abruptaria, Pilosaria,* Hirtaria,* Obscurata, Biundularia,Con- _ sortaria, Consonaria,* Punctulata, Pendularia,* Belgiaria, Gilvaria, Adustata,* Clathrata, _ Pulveraria,* Pusaria,* Pictaria, Albulata, Multistrigaria, Fluctuata, Ocellata, Montanata,. Procellata, Albicillata, Bicolorata, Badiata, Aurantiaria, Marginata, Boreata, Dilutata, Leucophearia, Carpinata, Impluviata, Juniperata, Rufata,* Mensuraria, Firmata,* Obelis- cata, Pyraliata. Black pins and full data. Pup of Jacobs and Hispidaria. Deside-~ rata.—Local species and local forms of British Macro-Lepidoptera, particularly northern. —A. W. Buckstone, 807a, Kingston Road, Merton Park, London, S.W. 19. ; Mrsoporamia.—I should be glad of information on insects or news of other entomo- logists in this country.—P. A. Buxton, Fairhill, Tonbridge. CHANGE oF AppREss.—J. A. Simes, F.E.S., Greenacres, Woodside Road, Woodford Green. : i ; MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. Entomological Society of London.—11, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W., ‘ 8p.m. 1918, Jan. 16th, Annual Meeting. The South London Entomological and Natural History Society, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge.—Meetings : The second and fourth Thursdays in the month at 7 o’clock. January 24th, Annual Meeting—Hon. Sec., Stanley Edwards, 15, St. German’s Place, Blackheath, S.E. 3. ~ The London Natural History Society (the amalgamation of the City of London - Entomological and Natural History Society and the North London Natural History _ Society).—Hall 20, Salisbury House Finsbury Circus, E.C. The First and Third Tuesday in the month, at 7 p.m. Visitors invited. Hon. Sec., J. Ross, 18, Queens Grove Road, Chingford, N.E. 4 Toynbee Natural History Society.—Toynbee Hall, at 8 p.m. Entrance fee ls., annual subscription 1s. Meetings : Full particulars as to excursions can be obtained from — the Excursion Secretary, Miss L. Roberts, 11, St. James,’ Hatcham, S.H, Hon. Sec., Owen Monk, 8, Shooter’s Hill Road, Blackheath, $.H. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.—Meetings at the Royal Institu- tion, Liverpool, on the 3rd Monday in each month from October to April.—Hon. Sec., Wm. Mansbridge, 4, Norwich Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. East London Natural History Society.—Bromley Public Hall, E. Thursdays at 8 p.m.—Hon. Sec., J. C. W., Shears, 58, Selborne Road, Ilford. NOW READY.— PRICE a1 1s. Od. A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BRITISH BUTTERFLIES, THEIR WORLD-WIDE VARIATION AND DISTRIBUTION. A Text-Book for Students and Collectors. Vou. IV. By J. W. TUTT, F.ES. This volume comprises 373 pp. of text +43 plates. The species dealt with are treated most exhaustively, and Lepidopterists will find worked out for them what are probably the finest life-histories ever published. The work is regarded as the text-book on the eabieer: ; and in all probability will continue to be so for many years. All up-to-date students should have a copy for reference. To be obtained from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, “ Bertrose,” Gellaciy Road, New Cross, London, S.E. 15 NOW READY. BRITISH ANTS. By HORACE DONIS ERIORPE;. FES, Demy 8vo. Fully Illustrated. PRICE £1 5s. Od. post free. Deals with the classification and descriptions of all the Genera and Species now known to occur in the British Isles, with information as to their habits and _ life- histories. Fully illustrated by photographs, structural drawings, ete. The Book contains 380 pp. + x., with 18 plates and 92 figures. This form should be completed and returned as soon as possible to :— Mzssrs. Winuiam Brenpon anp Son, Lrp., Printers, Plymouth, England. | Please supply me, with .......... COPiscc)s 21% of ‘‘BRITISH ANTS,”’ by Horact DonistHoRePE, post free, and find remittance to value herewith, enclosed, | ; SCI T IOS RAI EES PUL SUEY ceo Baas Sp RM Cool NE TOI a PAU UTEB NS Sc PROS ES Com oOo DOr OH 6 COL mOe cd AOREO eS eeeereeee ee eee eee se eo oe tee see eee ee oe esos osees esas FOR SALE. Tutt’s British Lepidoptera,” vols. I to X. Tutt’s “ British Lepidoptera,” vols Ito Ill. Tutt’s “British Noctua,” vols I. to1V. Tutt’s ‘* Practical Hints for the Field Lepidopterist,” parts I to III, with Index. There are also a few copies of a en Noctue,” slightly soiled, to be sold cheaply. A. M. COCHRANE, — 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E, IMPORTANT. 3 BACK VOLUMES OF The Entomologist’s Record. and Journal of Variation. (Vols. I.-XXIX.) ; Single back volumes of the above can be obtained at 7s. 6d. per volume; except vols. I. and II., which are 10s. 6d. each, net; any two or three volumes of the remainder at 7s. 3d. per volume; four, five, six, seven, eight or nine at 7s. per volume; ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen at 6s. 9d. per volume ; fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen,'nineteen, twenty or twenty- one at 6s. 6d. per volume. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes, Vols. II-XXIX, sold separately, price is. 6d. each. Contents Of Vol. I. (Most important only Mentioned.) 2 Genus Acronycta and its allies.—Variation of Smerinthus tiliae, 3 coloured plates—Differentiation of Melitaca athalia, parthenie, and aurelia—The Doubleday * collection —Parthenogenesis— Paper on Taeniocampidae— Phylloxera— Practical Hints (many)—Parallel Variation in Coleoptera-—Origin of Argynnis paphia var. valesinu— Work for the Winter—Temperature and Variation—Synonymic notes— Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1890—Lifehistories of Agrotis pyrophila, Epunda lichenea, Heliophobus hispidus—Captures at light—Aberdeenshire notes, etc., etc., 360 pp. ¢ Gontents of Vol. Ii. Menanism anp Mutanocnroism—Bibliography—Notes on Collecting—Articles on Varrarion (many)—How to breed Agrotis lunigera, Sesia sphegiformis, Taenio- campa opima— Collecting on the Norfolk Broads—Wing development—Hybridising Amphidasys prodromaria and A. betularia—Melanism and Temperature—Differen- tiation of Dianthwcias—Disuse of wings—F'auna of Dulwich, Sidmouth, §. London — Generic nomenclature and the Acronyctidae—A fortnight at Rannoch-—Heredity in Lepidoptera—Notes on Genus Zyamna (Anthrocera)—Hybrids—Hymenoptera-— Lifehistory of Gonophora derasa, ete., etc., 312 pp. Gontents of Vol. HH. : Genus Acronycta and its allies (continued)—Scientific Notes—The British Goccinellidae—Notes on’ Breeding—Notes on ConnorTERa (very many)—Dates of appearance of Hupithecia pygmeata—Dimorphie pupe—Duration of Ova State of the Geometridae (with tables)—Effects of temperature on the colouring of Lepidop- tera—Hints on labelling—Melanic varieties—Changes in nomenclature—Keeping | Micro pups during winter—Notes on Genus Hepialus—Reviews, etc., etc., 320 pp. Contents of Vol. IV. - Additions to British Lists—Presidential Addresses of British Association and Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society—Autumnal collecting at Fresh- water, Isle of Wight—Captures of rarities—Collecting beetles—Critical notes on. certain Noctuae—A day’s collecting in the Western Highlands—Apparent dearth of Diurni—Double-brooded species—The early stages of certain Geometrina—Sensi- bility of larvee to sound—Collecting in North Kent—How to obtain and preserve ova—Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1893—Stridulation—Variety breeding—The Pupal and Imaginal wings of Lepidoptera, ete., ete., 354 pp. Gontents of Vol. V. On the larva of Arctia caia (with plates)—Evolution of the Lepidopterous Pupa—Rey. H. Burney’s collection (sale)—Life-History of a Lepidopterous Insect (Morphology and Physiology, etc.)—Among the Ancients—Hrebia epiphron and its named Varieties—Life-History of Agrotis agathina—Ten Days at Wicken Fen— Varieties of Spilosoma mendica—Butterfly Catching in the neighbourhood of’ Mt. Blanc—Life-History of Ocneria dispar—Zygaena collate and its Variations— Entomology at Rainham, Essex—Additions to the British List—New Method of» Relaxing Insects, etc., etc., 308 pp. To be obtained ‘only from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, “Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.E.14 to whom Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable. Ke TO ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES and MUSEUMS. — WATKINS & DONCASTER, Naturalists and Manufacturers of Entomological Apparatus and Cabinets. Plain Ring Nets, wire or cane, including Stick, 1/5, 2/2, 2/6, 3/2. Folding Nets, 3/9, 4/3, 4/9. Umbrella Nets (self- -acting), 7/-: Poeket Boxes (deal), 7d., 10d., 1/2, 1/10. Zine Collecting Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6, 2/-. Nested Chip Boxes, 9d. per four dozen, 1 gross, 2/-. Entomological Pins, 1/6 per ounce. Pocket Lanterns, ! 2/6 to 8]-. Sugaring Tin, with brush, 1/6, 2/-. Sugaring Mixture, ready for use, 1/7 per tin. Store-Boxes, with cainphor cells, 2/3, 2/9, 4/- 4/6, 5/6, 6/8. Setting-Boards, flat or oval, lin., 6d.; 14in., 8d.; 2in., 10d.; ge. , 1/-; 34in., 1/4; 4in., 1/6; Sin., 1/10; Complete Set of fourteen Boards, 10/6. Setting ouses, 10/6, 12/9 ; corked back, 15/9. Zine Larva Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6. Breeding Cage, 2/9, 4/6, 5/6, 8/3. Coleopterist’s Collecting Bottle, with tube, 1/6, 18. Botanical Cases, japanned double tin, 1/6 to 4/6. Botanical Paper, 1/1, 1/4, 1/9, 2/2 per quire. Insect Glazed Cases, 2/9 to 11/-. Cement for replacing Antennee 4d. per\bottle. Steel Forceps, 1/6, 2/-,'2/6 per pair. Cabinet Cork, 7 by 34, 1/2 per dozen sheets. Brass Chloroform Bottle, 2/6. Insect Lens, 1/- to 8/6. »Glass-top aa Glass-bottomed Boxes, from 1/3 per dozen. Zine Killing Box, 9d. to 1/-. Pupa Digger, im leather sheath, 1/9. Taxidermist’s Companion, containing most necessary implements for skinning, 10/6. Scalpels, 1/3; Scissors, 2/- per pair; Hgegdrills, 2d., 3d., 9d., 1/-; Blowpipes, 4d., 6d.; Artificial Kyes for Birds and Animals. Iiabel-lists of British Butterflies, 2d.; ditto of Birds’ Higgs, 2d., 3d., 6d.; ditto of Land and Fresh-water Shells, 2d. Useful Books on Insects, Higgs, ete. SILVER PINS for collectors of Micro-Lepidoptera, ‘etc., as well as minute insects of all other families and for all insects liable to become greasy. We stock various sizes and lengths of these Silver Pins which have certain advantages over ordinary entomological pins (whether enamelled black or silver or gilt). NESTING BOXES of various patterns which should be fixed in gardens or shrub- beries by lovers of birds before the breeding season." SHOW ROOM FOR CAB INETS Of every description for Inszors, Birps’ Hees, Coins, Microscorican Ossnors, Fossizs &e. Catalogue (84 pages) sent on application, post free. LARGH STOCK OF INSHCTS AND BIRDS’ HGGS (British, European, and Exotic), Birds, Mammals, etc., Preserved and Mounted by TWirst class Worlmen. 36, STRAND, LONDON, W.C., ENGLAND. SYNOPSIS OF THE ORTHOPTERA ue WESTERN _ EUROPE. By MALCOLM BURR, OD.Se., F.2.5., F.LS., F.ES., &e. Bound in Cloth, 160 pp., with good Index (Specific and Generic). Price 3s. met. A pocket handbook for the use of collectors in the field. Covers all species found west of ‘the Carpathian Mis. Description of each species, habits, habitats and distribution. Will be sent Post Free on receipt of Postal Order for 3s. to— A. H., 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. FINE 1917 INSECTS—ALSO PUPZ. Bicuspis, 5s.; Dominula var. Rossica, 2s. 6d.; Consonaria Kent Melanic, 3s. 6d. ; Tilie, rare brick-red var., 108. ; Coridon var. Syngrapha, 15s. ; Mendica var Rustica, 2s., ae Intermediate, 1s. 6d.; Papilionaria, 6d.; Varleyata, 12s. All per each, and many others. ; Fine Pupz.—Per doz., Versicolor, 5s.; Tiliz, 3s. 9d.; Ocellatus, 3s. 9d.; Hlpenor, 3s. 6d.; Bicuspis, 42s. Write for full list to L. W. NEWMAN E.E.S., Bexley, Kent. Wanted.—Mainy fine set insects and Pups; will be pleased to exchange. CONTENTS. PAGE Bee ee Two new ape eS Dr Tee ee M.D., E.S. 1 Some Nofes on a Pape by Dr. ne on Ante bud Giaes in 1825, H. H-_Donsthore, F.Z.S., F.H.S.. 8 The Diurni of’Hast Bronce, Thomas Greer = 55h x Be 5) The Pairing Habits of certain Bees, J. W. Heslop Harri rison, D. IS Cihiees EA 11 Norzs on Conzzctine :—Field Notes from Bath and the Neighbourhood, A. Sieh, F.E.S.; Further Notes from Netley, Hants, G. S. Robertson, M.D.; Papilio bianor in England, J. A. Simes, F.H#.S.; Agriades coridon vy. synerapha, HJ.T. 12 Current Notes AND SHort Novices .. A k 4 4 oe 16 Socretizs :—The ntomoreicy Society of Tonitont The South TEA Tuten: logical Society . aie ie site aa ie eis us et a 19 Communications have been received or have been promised from Rev. G. Wheeler, Messrs. R. §. Bagnall, Hy. J. Turner, C. P. Pickett, Parkinson Curtis, H. Donisthorpe, A. Sich, Dr. Verity, C. W. Colthrup, Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, Dr. T. A. Chapman, Capt. Burr, G. T.. Bethune-Baker, E. B. Ashby, P. A. H. Muschamp, J. H. Durrant, Orazio Querci, J. R. Allen, W. Bowater, etc., with Reports of Societies and Reviews. All MS. and editorial matter should be sent and all proofs returned to Hy. J. Turner, 98, Drakefell Road, New Cross, London, §.E.14 We must earnestly request our correspondents nor to send us communications IDENTICAL with those they are sending to other magazines. Lists of Dupricarns. and DrsipEratra should be sent direct to Mr. H. E. Page, Bertrose, Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.H. 14 FOR SALE. BOOKS. «=» ENTOMOLOGICAL The Entomologist, vols. 20-30, 1887-1897 (11 years) 99 49. oq vols. 39-46, 1906-1913 (7 years | Sages Stainton’s Manual of Butterflies and Moths, vol. 1. 2s. 6d. British Moths, Tutt, 2s. Natural History of the Brit. Butterflies and Moths, Ed. Newman, 2 vols. 17s. 6d. Lepidopterist’s Calender, Jos. Merrin. 4s. Out of print. To be sold for the benefit of the Wipow“of the late J. AtpmrRson. Apply :— ‘Mr. F. S. THOMAS, 23, Park Villas, Cheam, Surrey. Woodside, Burnside, Hillside and Marsh. (Crown 8yo., Illustrated, 224 pp. and 103 woodcuts and full-page\illustrations. Bound | in Cloth. (Price 2/6). eae Another series of collecting expeditions into well-known entomological and natural history localities, with description of botanical, geological, ornithological as well as entomological matters of interest to be found therein. The places dealt with include Cobham Woods, Cuxton Downs, the Western Highlands, Cliffe—all well known for their yich entomological fauna. To be obtained from J. Herserr Torr, Francemary Road, Ladywell Road, Brockley, 8.E. Subscriptions for Vol. XXX. are now overdue. ser 3p, THE ENTOMOLOGISI'S RECORD. (\ | 1 ae | ‘| JOURNAL OF VARIATION Kpirep BY Ricuarv 8. BAGNALL, F.L.s,, F.E.S, | yA. CHAPMAN, M.D., ¥.Z,8., F.E.S. ', HUDSON BHARE, Jas. EH. Conrrk F.E.8. B.SC., F-M.S., F.R8.M, H. Sy. J. K. DONISTHORPE, GrorGE T. BEVHUNE- BAKER, ¥.7..8., F.E.9- ¥.Z.8., F.L.8., E-2.S. Joun HartLey DURRANT, F.£.S. M. EUR D. 80., ¥.Z.S., F.L.S., '..8, Aurrep SICH, F-£.8. (Rev.) C. R. N. "BURROWS, F.R.S. J.R. le B. TOMLIN, .a., F.E.8. Groree WHEELER, w.a., ¥.F.s, and Henry J. TURNER, ¥.u:s., Wditoria] Secretary. FEBRUARY 14th, 1918. C} Price ONE SHILLING (xx). Subscription for Complete Volume, post free (Inéluding all DOUBLE NUMBERS, etc.) SEVEN SHILLINGS, vO BE FORWARDED TO HERBERT E. PAGE, F.E.S., ‘‘ BERPROSE,’”’ GELLATLY Roav, Naw Cross, S.E, 14 LONDON: a ELLIOT STOCK, 7, Parwrnosrur Rowdee: READ THE BACK Nos. OF THE Entomologist’s Record & Journal of Variation (Practical Hints, Field Work, etc. useful for.every year’s collecting). VOL. VI. : The tiTLEs of some of the articles areas follows :—Notes on Butterfly Pups, with some remarks on the Phylogenesis of the Rhopalocera.”—Dr. T. A. Chapman, F.H.S., ‘'Phytophagie Species.’’— Prof. A. Radcliffe Grote, M.A. ‘Varieties and aberrations of Noctuze from Doncaster.’—-H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S. ‘*The frenulum of the British species of Smerinthus.’’—G@. ©. Griffiths, F.Z.S., F.E.S. ‘‘Wudryas stee-johannis.,—A. Radeclife Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Parthenogenesis or Agamogenesis.”’ J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. “ Garvee. ”__Rev. G. M. A. Hewitt, M.A. ‘* Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1894.” ae —J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘Generic Names in the Noctuides.”—Pror. A. R. Grote, M.A. ‘* Pupa hunting in October.’’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘ Polygamy and Polyandry in Moths.” ‘*The nature of certain insect colours.”—W.S. Riding, M.D., R. Freer, M.B., J. W. Tutt, F.E.S., Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, J. Anderson, Jun. ‘*The Lepidoptera of Swansea. ”— Major R. B. Robertson. “ Caradrina ambigua in the Isle of Wight.”—A, J. Hodges. ‘*The insects of Bourg St. Maurice.’’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S, ‘‘ Orrhodia erythrocephala ab. glabra from Devonshire and comparison with O. vaecinii. h_pr. W. 8. Riding, F.E.S. “Notes on Caradrina ambigua and C. superstes.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.8. ‘‘Himtomology and Entomologists, being the Annual Address to the City of London Entom. Society.’’ Notes on Aphomia sociella’’? (with plate).—W. P. Blackburne Maze, F.E.S. ‘‘ Apterous females and Winter Emergence ’’—Z, F'. Studd, M.A., B.C.L., F.H.S., L. B. Prout, F.E.S. ‘‘ Collecting Noctuids by Lake Erie,”’—A. Radcliffe Grote, M.A. “ Coleoptera. at Ipswich.”—Claude Morley, F.E.S. ‘* Notes on Bombus visurgiee.”” ‘‘Synonymic Notes on Acidalia humilata and A. dilutaria.’’—Z. B. Prout, F.E.S, ‘© ™he Lepidoptera of Grésy-sur-Aix.”’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘Apatura iris.”.—Rev. G@. M. A. Hewett: ‘*Gcheme of Classification of the Rhopalocera founded on the structure of the Pupe.”—T. 4. Chapman, M.D., F.L.S. ‘Glimpses of American Entomology.”’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘4 ‘The Genus Smerinthus.”’—4. Bacot. ‘‘ Variation considered biologically : Some notes suggested by the Romanes Lecture of 1894.”—J. W. Tutt, F.B.S. ‘* Wing structure.”—J. Alsion Moffatt. ‘‘On the development of sex in social insects.’’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘The British representatives of the Genus Caradrina.’’— L. B. Prout, F.H.S. ‘* Habits and variation of Lithogia lutarella and its variety pygmaeola.’”’— J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. On the gradual disappearance of Lepidoptera from South-Hastern Horned and its neighbourhood.’’—C. Fenn, F.L.S. “A hunt for Neuroterus aprilinus.”’—T. 4. Chapman, U.D., F.H.S. ‘On the development of pigment in Nemeobius lucina.’’—F, J, Buckell, M.B. ‘The Macro- Lepi- doptera of Keswick.’’—H. A. Beadle. ‘* Varieties of Argynnis selene” (with plate). —S. G. C. Russell, F.E.S. ‘‘ Hadenoid genera with hairy eyes.’”—Prof. A. R. Grote, M.A. ‘ Zygena manos and its varieties.” —J. W. Tutt, FE. S. ‘*Notes on the pup of Castnia and Anthocharis.’—T. A. Chapman, M.D., F.E.S. Besides these ntiathe a Uailge number of short notes are contained in every number under the follewing titles: ‘Scientific Notes and Observations,” ‘‘ Variation,” ‘* Notes on Larve’ and Life- histories,’’ “‘ Notes on Collecting,” '* Curvent Notes.” The reports of Societies are very carefully edited, and only scientific paragraphs published. The ‘! Practical Hints’’ and ‘‘ Field work” for each month are quite unique, The entomologist who will read carefully through the back numbers of The Hntomologist’s Record will find himself better equipped for the further study of his subject than by any other means. Price 7/6 per volume, of Mr. H. E. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose.’”’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.E. 14 OVA, LARVAE, AND PUPAE. The Largest Breeder of Lepidoptera in the British Isles is H. W. HEAD, Gittontologist, BURNISTON, Nr. SCARBOROUGH. Full List of Ova, Larvae, and Pupae, also Lepidoptera, Apparatus, Cabinets etc., sent on application. Many Rare British Species and Good Varieties for Sale. Lantern Slides in Natural Colours. LEPIDOPTERA & LARVAE A SPECIALITY. Photographed from life and true to Nature in every detail. SLIDES OF BIRDS, WILD FLOWERS, &c., By same Colour Process. LAYGSRN SLIDES MADE TO ORDER FROM ANY SPECIMEN OR COLOURED DRAWING. PHSTOS IN COLOUR OF LARVA, LIFE SIZE, ON IYORINE . TABLETS TO PIN IN THE CABINET. For List apply to— CHARLES D. HEAD, Cherrymount, Donnycarney, DUBLIN. Gas ba MYRMECOPHILOUS NOTES FOR 1917. 21 Myrmecophilous Notes for 1917. By H. DONISTHORPE, F.Z.S., F.E.9. This year [ have not much to report from ants’ nests in nature. I spent two months in the summer at West Worthing, and it did not appear to be a good locality for ants—indeed the only species noticed in the Worthing district were Myrmecina graminicola Latr., Myrmica laevinodis Nyl., and its var. ruginodo-laevinodis Forel, M. scabrinodis Nyl., Acanthomyops (Donisthorpea) niger L., A. (D.) alienus Forst., A. (Chthonolasius) flavus F., and Formica fusca L. Myrmecophiles were also very scarce, the only species found being, the beetle Drusilla cana- liculata Li., the spiders Harpactes hombergi Sep., and Micaria pult- caria Sund., and the wood-louse Platyarthrus hoffmanseggi Brat., all taken with A. (D.) niger at West Worthing. When at Barton Mills, in September, very few ants were seen; A. (Dendrolasius) fuliyinosus Latr., was scattered all over the district, its nest, however, not being found. A large colony of A. (C.) umbratus Nyl., occurred at the roots of a fir stump; the only creature observed in company with the ants being a single Micaria pulicaria Sund. A. (D.) alienus Forst., was common in rabbits’ burrows, etc., Othius myrmecophilus Kies., occurring with it. Myrmicin =. Myrmecina graminicola Uatr.—This species was not uncommon in moss on the Downs at Findon in June; being also found in company with Myrmica scabrinodis in the same locality. For the third year winged females have been bred in my colony of this ant, which I have now kept in an observation nest for over seven years [see Brit. Ants, p. 81; Hint. Rec., 28, 1 (1916), 29, 30 (1917)]. On April 8th a 2 pupa was present, and by May 18th g, 9, and ¥% pupe were in plenty. June 2nd, the first winged ° hatched; June 13th, 5 winged 2 2 present, and the first g¢ putin an appearance ; by June 23rd over 20 of both g g¢ and winged ? 2 present; October 13th, only 1 winged @ to be seen, and all ¢ g had died off. The 2 2 removed their wings as before and proceeded to act as % 3, but copulation was not noticed this year though it probably took place when I was not there to see. The colony had again been well supplied with animal food throughout the year. To-day (December 31st) there are present avery large number of medium sized larve, and the numerous 8 8 and deilated ? 9 are resting on them. Iam unable, however, to detect any egg clusters. As will presently be seen, I have also bred winged @ ? of Lepto- thorax nylandert in my observation nest containing a colony of that species. It is perhaps as well again to call attention to the fact that, in spite of the numerous myrmecologists who have kept ants in obser- vation nests for the last 100 years, winged females have only once been bred from eggs laid in captivity (when, in 1880, Lord Avebury had five queens developed in one of his F’. fusca nests) until 1915, when such females were first produced in my Myrmecina colony. Ants do not rear the winged forms until the colony has reached a certain strength, and sufficient workers have been produced ; then given abundant and suitable food, they will bring up the sexes. Having Fesruary 157s, 1918. 29. THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. reached this stage, the ants are able to bring up the sexes (males may also be produced under certain circumstances from parthenogenetic eges); and judging from my experiments I do not believe that the queen lays eggs which must become females, but that the workers bring this about by extra feeding of their larve. Myrmica laevinodis Nyl., var. ruginodo-laevinodis Forel.—On July 13th a colony of this variety was found in the churchyard at Broad- water. The % 8 were hunting about on the stone path, and the nest was situated in the grassabove it; the wood-louse Platyarthrus hoff- manseggi being present in the nest. On a subsequent visit (July 21st) a single g was taken from this colony, which proves to be a gynan- dromorphous specimen. It is a mixed gynandromorph, nearly entirely normal g in appearance. The left antenna, however, is only 12- jointed and @ in shape; the right being 13-jointed and normal ¢. The gaster of 5 visible segments (¢ ) is somewhat twisted, and the Ist seoment on the right side is rounder than on the left; the genitalia being scarcely visible even when viewed from beneath. This makes the 86th gynandromorphous ant yet recorded, the 10th British speci- men, the 10th Myrmica, and the 9th specimen described by me. A marriage flight of this variety was observed at Richmond Park at 1.30 p.m. on August 21st. One couple was joined together on the ground, and many g g andafew ¢ ? were running about and rising into the air. The var. ruginodo-laevinodis also occurs at Putney, as I have captured ¥ % on a fence in a road near my house. Leptothorax nylanderi Férst.—I have had a colony of this species in my possession since 1912 [see Brit. Ants., 159-60 (1915); Hint. Ree., 28, 2 (1916)], and as stated above winged females were developed in it this year. March 18th, ¢ and 9° pupe present; May 24th, first 9 appeared ; June Ist, 8 winged 9 9 and7 gf gf ; June 6th, 14 winged 2? and 28 ¢ g ; June 9th, as a few of the 9 2 were starting to shed their wings, I marked the old queen by clipping off a bit of the right intermediate tarsus; June 17th, over 30 winged 9 @ and over 50 g S present; June 21st, the winged sexes were evidently desirous of taking their marriage flight, hurrying about all over the nest, and on the glass roof, and trying to fly as well as they could in the con- fined space. The 8 ¥% were also very excited and running about in every direction; only the old queen remained quietly resting on the larvee and pupe. The g g were not seen to pay any attention to the females, and copulation was not noticed. Similar attempts at a marriage flight were observed on June 28th, July 2nd, 10th, 12th, and 14th. June 28rd winged @ ¢ were seen to help carry about the larvee. June 27th, a gynandromorphous pupa was noticed (all the other sex pup having hatched), the head and thorax appeared to be chiefly 9 and the gaster g. The ¥ % took considerable interest in it, two or three generally sitting round it and tapping it with their antenne. By July 10th it was unfortunately dead, and the % $ had bitten holes in it. July 29th, only a few ¢ g’and winged 92 ¢ siill present. August 19th, all the g g dead, and the females had removed their wings. December 31st, very many larve (medium and small) present on the floor of the second dark damp chamber, and hung on the walls by their anchor-tipped hairs. There are also great numbers of MYRMECOPHILOUS NOTES FOR 1917. 93 % 8,and the old queen is alive and well, but very few of the new deiilated 9 2 have survived. No eggs can be seen. CaMPONOTINE. Acanthomyops (Dendrolasius) fuliginosus Latr.—On August 17th I visited the birch tree, near Woking, where the battle took place between 4. (D.) fuliginosus and A, (Chthonolasius) umbratus, on Sep- tember 8rd, 1915 [Hnt. Rec., 28, 2 (1916)]. The victors are now thoroughly established in the tree, andin considerable strength. g ants were present and several mymecophiles occurred in and about the tree. Myrmedonia cognata Mirk., Amphotis marginata E'., Scatopse transver- salis var., in some numbers, and a few individuals of Blanjulus (pul- chellus ?). The last three had not been found with this colony before. As I witnessed the fuliginosus taking possession of the tree, it is of interest to keep a record of the different myrmecophiles which occur from year to year here. The virgin fuliginosus ? which was accepted by wmbratus § % in one of my observation nests [see Hnt. Rec., 28, 2-3 (1916) ; 29, 32 (1917)] is still alive. I recorded that on January 28th, 1917, there were ten medium sized larvee, the brood of the ?, present in the nest. May ist, a small packet of eggs had been laid, andthe ? with her gaster considerably swollen was surrounded by a crowd of wmbratus 8%. May 22nd, the nest being foul, the whole colony was trans- ferred to a clean, new nest. There were present 231 wmbratus 3 8, the fuliginosus @ , 9 larvee, 1 packet of eggs, and 2 Amphotis marginata (these two beetles have lived in captivity since May 7th, 1916). May 24th, some ¥% 8 covering the larve with bits of plaster to help them to spin their cocoons. During my absence at West Worthing in June and July, this nest was allowed to get too dry, large numbers of the umbratus 8 8 died, and the eggs, larve, etc., disappeared ; the fuli- ginosus 2, a very few wmbratus 3 ¥ and the two Amphotis only surviving. August 18th, a number of A. (Donisthorpea) miger & cocoons from Woking were introduced into the nest, and collected by the umbratus 8 % ; also three wmbratus ¥ % (also from Woking), one of which had an Antennophorus uhlmanni on its chin. One of the strange % 8 attacked the ? slightly during the day; at night one of her legs had been pulled off and a dead ¥ lay near her. No more attacks were noticed. August 26th, the % ¥ from the niger cocoons began to appear (the Antennophorus had attached itself to one of the callow niger % 8), and by October 13th all had hatched and were sur- rounding the ?. October 16th, having taken a number of wmbratus % 8 at Weybridge, which had been established in a bowl with earth, I began to introduce a few at a time into the nest with the fuliginosus ?, to strengthen the colony. At first the niger ¥ % killed them, and this went on until November, when a few were received. From then up to date, 4, 5, and 6 8 3 have been added every day, the myer % & no longer attack them, and they neither attack the niger ¥ 8 nor the fuliginosus ¢. November 20th, the fuliginosus @ began to swell with. eges again. December 31st, there are now present 60 niger 3 3, a large number of wmbratus ¥ %, the fuliginosus 2 surrounded by a court of umbratus, and the two Amphotis. Acanthomyops (Chthonolasius) umbratus Nyl.—On August 22nd a marriage flight of A. (C.) wmbratus took place at Putney (and also of A. 94 THE ENTOMOLOGIST ’S RECORD. (C.) flavus, A. (D.) niger, and Myrmica laevinodis, all four occurring in my garden). Winged and deilated ? @ were found on the pavements round about, and one dealated ? was running on the stonework path near a small niger nest in my garden, carrying a niyer 8 which was not quite dead in her jaws. Formica easecta Nyl.—In July I received a letter from Mr. J. J. F. X. King, who was staying at Rannoch, stating that the ewsecta nest which I discovered near the Loch at Rannoch, on July 11th, 1911 (see photograph, British Ants, plate xvi., p. 278) is still in the same spot, not having been disturbed. Formica sanguinea Latr.—On August 17th I visited the colony of F, sanguinea containing pseudogynes at Woking. The nest was in the same spot it occupied last year, and numerous % cocoons were present. A number of these were taken home and introduced into my sanguinea observation nest, and when they hatched later some of them proved to be pseudogynes. Formica fusca L.—A single winged ? was captured flying in my garden at West Worthing on July 15th. COLEOPTERA. Claviger testaceus Preys.—Dr. Chapman kindly gave me a specimen of Claviyer which he had taken in a nest of Myrmica scabrinodis at Betchworth, on September 22nd, 1917. Lepidopterology.—Two new European Lycaenids. By T. A. CHAPMAN, M.D., F.E.S. (Continued from page 8.) The second part of the fourteenth volume of the Etudes de Lépidoptérologie. comparée is concerned with the genus Aetinote, the South American representative of the Acracidae. It begins with a criticism of Dr. Jordan’s treatise on the genus in Seitz’s Macro- lepidoptera of the World. The criticism is not, indeed, of Dr. Jordan, but of the Editor and Publishers, who promised “ the classification of each butterfly at first sight, no longer any museum or private collec- tion with unclassified butterflies.” M. Oberthur finds, however, that the species of Actinote figured are chiefly long and well known species, but that the new forms and species described by Dr. Jordan are rarely ficured. He trusted to the ease and certainty of the determinations, which he expected to find by consulting the work, and he complains that his hopes have been deceived. In this Fascicule he completes by means of the specimens in his collection at Rennes, the work published by Seitz, chiefly founded on the examples in the British Museum and at Tring. Fifty-one species are discussed, and there are 57 figures. Under the head of Actinote anteas, Doubl., he discusses at length the difficulties due to want of figures of the forms described by Dr. Jordan, and commends the Doctor’s dictum, ‘“‘ We have not reached satisfactory results.”” M. Oberthiir says we are left like Theseus, in a labyrinth, but with no Ariadne to extricate us by a guiding thread, in this case the necessary figures. He does not hesitate a moment, he regards as nil and non-existent all names not illustrated by a figure, and without hoping to clear up all difficulties, will do his best, with M. Culot’s aid, LEPIDOPTEROLOGY.—-TWO NEW HUROPEAN LYCAENIDS. 25 to enable all entomologists to recognise to what forms the names he gives to Actinote not hitherto figured apply. _ Then follows 250 pp. of Monsieur F. le Cerf’s Contributions a V Etude des Aigeriidae. ** Descriptions and figures of new or little known Species and Forms.’’ This is accompanied by seven plates with sixty- four figures. M. Oberthtr gives a preface to this important paper, a preface in which he tells us that the A/yeriidae have been the object of no complete work, unless we so regard what we find in Dr. Boisduval’s Species général de Lépidoptéres Heteroceres, published in 1874. He gives us various personal reminiscences of the attraction the clearwingsalways have for the collector, and illustrations of how comparatively common some very rare species prove to be when we know their habits. Andre- neformis in Emgland is a case that occurs to us all in this connection. He relates his experiences of Sesia wroceriformis-armoricana in regard to its sembling and the alertness of its enemies. This species feeds in the roots of gorse, and, though a south Huropean form, occurs in Brittany and might perchance turn up in our south-western counties. There are also some notes on their mimetism, remarkably illus- trated by Pl. celxxx., with Triscotia rubiginosa, a Javan wasp, closely resembled by a Javan Sesta, Sura ignicauda, and by an Indian species, Trilochana scolioides, and an even more close mimicry of T’riscotia procer by Trilochana oberthiiri, both from Java, in which the dark wings and black body, with yellow patches, are much the same in the wasp and in the clearwing. M. Le Cerf’s paper is the first written contribu- tion to the subject in the Etudes, his activities having been delayed and hindered by war duties. There appeared, however, in Fasc. xi., 8 plates with 82 figures, of species from Barbary, and 9 plates in Fase. xii., presenting exotic species. ‘These, with the seven plates in the present part, are all drawn by M. Culot in his usual masterly manner, and are nearly all from specimens in M. Oberthiir’s collection. M. le Certf’s introduction refers to various difficulties that meet the students of this family, and finds many of them can only be met by insisting on all descriptions of species being accompanied by a good figure, and by giving, as he does, certain text figures to elucidate special details. He says that figures and descriptions of Ageriidae require the underside of body and legs to be noted as well as the upper surface. There are text figures to give details, with names of the various parts of the sur- face anatomy. M. le Cerf proposes to publish a series of papers and detached notes, to be called Contributions to the study of Atgertidae, on the Systematics, the Morphology, the Biology, etc., without professing at present to make it a complete work. The present paper deals with the exotic species figured in the present and the xiith Fascicules. We come again in Part iv. to Considerations about some species of Lycaena. ‘These refer chiefly to observations on the habits of Lycaena alcon and Plebeius argus var. armoricana, to which M. Oberthir and Mr. Powell devoted much careful attention last summer, in which they were assisted by the sharp eyes of M. Oberthiir’s grandson, M. Hervé Oberthtr. Mr. Powell’s detailed notes on L. alcon extend to 17 pp. The point of departure was that the life history of alcon cannot be alto- gether different from that of L. arion, and that the larva was probably reared by ants in a similar way. This proved to be a correct surmise. M. Gillmer proved in 1907 that the larva of alcon feeds in the flowers 26 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. or mines in the succulent stems of Gentiana pneumonanthe, reaches its third instar, and then wanders, just as does L. arion in its fourth instar, and that in spite of anything we devised for its benefit (for I had the pleasure of rearing some of these larve so far, from eggs sent me by M. Gillmer), it shortly died, just as that of L. arion used to do. Tn dealing with larve, sent me as eges and as larve, by Mr. Powell, I had for some time a difficulty in understanding why Mr. Powell’s larvee were always in flowers and those I reared (so far only of course) always mined in low down succulent shoots. M. Gillmer knew them in the flowers, but had some idea this was not the right place, and got some to mine in the shoots, and he suppled me with plants with such shoots and with eggs. The larve mined in these shoots much as the larvee of L. vrion mine in the thick leaves of Sedum, but remained in the mines till in the 2nd or 8rd instar. The difference between the flower and the shoot is, however, in regard to the habits of L. alcon trifling. The larva enters the flower by boring a hole in it, and its favourite procedure is then to bore into the ovary and then act as a miner and devour the succulent ovules. Mr. Powell took a third stage larva, and placing it in a hopeful place in the field, had the pleasure, ~ with the assistance of M. Hervé Oberthtr, of seeing an ant, which he did not capture, but believes was the same as those captured, which proved to be Tetramorium caespitum, carry it off. They watched it for some distance, lost it once or twice amongst the grass, and after tracing it for a time finally lost it before it reached its nest. Thereafter he prolonged the life of a number of larve by letting them suck the juice of the pups of Formica rufa. Amongst the larve he sent me were three which are still (January 1918) in observation nests of Myrmica scabrinodis, these nests are very weak, so that | am not very optimistic as to their future history. I hope to give some account of these larvee when success or failure declares itself. In dealing with Plebeius armoricana, later, Mr. Powell relates an experiment, the facts of which are new to me, and may be to others, but are well known to myrmecologists. He says, in a note, ‘‘ To take the ant (Formica fusca var. glebaria, Nyl.) we made a little crack or hole in the ant hill, if the ants were not moving about outside (during rain for example). The ants came out at once, savage, with their mandibles wide, then one placed over the opening made in the nest the open end of a glass tube, into which several ants would climb up. We found, in the result, that 1t was much better to wait until the ants had ealmed down before capturing them in the tube, because all those taken whilst they were still enraged died in a few minutes, asphyxiated, apparently, by the formic acid they had set free. I repeated the experiment several ~ times, always with the same results. If one takes the ants quietly, when they have calmed down, one may keep them a long time in a tube plugged with cotton,” p. 443. Mr. Powell’s notes on P. argus var. armoricana oceupy 41 pages, and give many and interesting details of the habits of the butterfly and the larve. There are several observations of the egglaying. Ulea nanus would seem to be its usual food plant, but U. ewropaeus is also accepted. There are two broods, the larve pass the winter in the unhatched eggs, and the butterflies appear at the beginning of July. Of the eggs laid by these July specimens some hatch and produce butterflies in Sep- LEPIDOPTEROLOGY. —TWO NEW BUROPEAN LYCAENIDS. 27 tember, others remain over to pass the winter with those laid by the September emergence. The July eggs that do not hatch appear to be more numerous than those that do. It would seem that it cannot be called sin¢le-brooded, as it is further north, and at higher elevations, nor truly double-brooded, as it is further south. When I say, it, I mean aryus, not specially the var. armoricana, which has of course, only this restricted habitat. Mr. Powell had no difficulty in rearing the larve, but though he could find on the Ulea nanus larve of Hveres argiades and of Celastrina argiolus, he never could find, either on the Ulea or elsewhere, larvee of armoricana at large. They were there, of course, but where? One gathers that the larvae were hunted by searching, but we are not told whether beating or sweeping was tried, one would expect this to pro- duce one or two. Still, one seems forced to conclude that the larvee were elsewhere than on the Ulew. One is inclined to suspect, looking to my experiences in the Val Véni (Hnt. Mo. Mag., 1914), that the larvee were not far off, almost underground and possibly covered with rubbish by ants. The larve fed on the green bark of the Ulew at the bases of the young spines, this of course in captivity, possibly those at large got more delicate material in young shoots close to the ground. There are a good many observations on the relations of ants to various “ blues,” but perhaps more curious, because more novel, is that of a symbiotic relationship between the larva of C. argiolus and a small spider which was observed during the search for larve of armoricana, “‘ We were quite astonished to see frequently a caterpillar on flowers enclosed in the web of a little spider that often settled itself on the flower shoots of the Ulew. The larva of argiolus seemed in no way in- commoded by the spider and its web, and the spider took no notice of the caterpillar ” (p. 430). Mr. Powell gives careful notes of the progress of a specially observed larva and of others, with very full descriptions of the larva at each stage. In the last stage the few larve reared seem to have been very uniformly green, not unlike the palest form figured, Hnt. Mo. Mag., 1914, pl. i., and with no indication of the great rang® of varia- tion in colouring noted in the larve of argus found in the Val Veni (Courmayeur). Another point that seems clear is that these larve had only four instars; as five is the typical number, it will be desirable to determine whether this is characteristic of this race of argus, whether it is aber- rant, or whether perchance the spring and summer broods of larvee differ on this point. A strong suspicion is expressed that the young larvee are cannibalistic, but the proof is not complete. M. Oberthtir sums up on the question as to how many species we have been placing together as argus (argyrognomon) in some nine pages. It is impossible to summarise briefly a summary, and space forbids quoting itin full. We must, therefore, be satisfied with an extract. “No one would dream of disputing the necessity of indicating by special names, Lycaena nivea, armoricana, and belliert. Livery ento- mologist can easily distinguish nivea, armoricana, and belliert, and no one could confuse these Species or Forms with each other. Hence, being specialised, we must have a special name to indicate each of them. Then are these Species or merely Forms of a single species ? That is the enigmatic question.” 28 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. M. Oberthiir, recognising that it is largely a matter of opinion, and showing that other views may be held, says that armoricana, bellieri, and nivea are as good species as ligurica. It was to assist in getting further material to settle these points that he and Mr. Powell worked during last summer on armoricana, and appeal to their friends to study the forms at their disposal, in order finally to clear up these questions. Coleoptera at Barton Mills. By H. DONISTHORPE, F.Z.S., F.E.S. On September Sth I went to Barton Mills for a few days collecting, my principal object being Cicnus longicollis Bris., a beetle I had not taken before. Pool had kindly told me along which road I should best find the food-plant, Verbascum thapsus, but when J got on the ground I found I had forgotten which road he said, and of course took the wrong one! After tramping for a long time I only succeeded in finding a single, nearly dead, Mullein spike, but off this I obtained seven speci- mens of the Cionus. Subsequently, however, I found it in plenty on other Mullein plants all over the district, and no doubt it can always be taken wherever the plant occurs in this locality. After making sure of the Cionus I next endeavoured to locate Brachonya pineti Pk., a few specimens of which had previously been taken by Sharp (Dr.) and Fryer in the district. After beating innumerable young Scots Firs, I at length struck on a spot where the beetle occurred fairly freely, and some twenty specimens were bottled. It is very hard to see in the net, as it closely resembles the seeds, and especially the bits of buds beaten with it off the fir trees. Fryer told me that he had taken two or three indi- viduals in March off large old firs, but these no doubt were hybernating specimens. ‘The occurrence of this species so far south, which has only been found in the Highlands otherwise in Britain, is very interesting. I then proceeded to hunt for Lycoperdina succincta Li., a beetle which was only added to the British list, from this locality, last year by Dr. Nicholson [Hnt. Mo. Mag., 52, 253 (1916)], who captured nine speci- mens out of ripe Lycoperdon gemmatum, on October Ist, and six more on October 4th. Many “ puff-balls”” were examined without result, but one of the beetles was eventually found under some fungi on a fir stump. One Lycoperdon gemmatum, which was inhabited by a number of small white beetle larvee was brought home, and so far I have bred one L. succincta from it; the larva feeding up, pupating, and emerging in less than a month. Pocadius ferrugineus F., was very abundant in Lycoperdons, varying much in colour and size, the largest I took measures 4:5mm. in length, and the smallest 8mm. I have since bred several specimens from the “ ouff-ball’’ I brought home; these having taken much longer to emerge than the Lycoperdina. [Since the above was written I have bred a g and a 2 of Caenocara subglobosa Muls., a species new to Britain, from this same puff-ball.] Other beetles found on Mulleins were—Apion sanguineum De G., on the large lower leaves, and Lonyitarsus tabidus F., and its ab. thapsi F., in plenty. Another species ?, which Dr. Sharp had previously taken here in plenty, and thinks may be distinct, was also common. I had separated mine from tabidus before I sent them to him, and he tells me SOME ACCOUNT OF BRIDPORT AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 29 he had also tried to do the same with his. We must wait until he has leisure to dissect some of them and study the matter further. Licinus depressus Pk., was found at the roots of Mullein. “Lady Birds” were very abundant on the young firs, especially Coccinella T-punctata L., but though I examined hundreds of them, they only appeared to vary in the size of the body and spots. One specimen only has the 1st spot on each elytron somewhat triangular in shape, instead of being round. It is well known that aberrations are very scarce in this species. Hippodamia variegata Goez., was almost equally abundant, but they all appeared to belong to the ab. carpini Geot., with the exception of one specimen which has the head nearly all white (only the base being narrowly black) with four brown spots on the disc; there are four spots on each elytron, which are small, with the exception of the 4th and 5th, which are larger and joined together by a black band. The usual spot at the seutellum is present. Ganelbauer [Adfer Mitteleuropa, 3 ? 1019 (1899)] writes: ‘“‘The commonest varieties found in the south, in which the spots are larger and in part connected with each other, can be included under corsica.”” But this will not do; Reiche (Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1862, 299) described an aberration corsica, which was common under stones in Corsica, with more marked puncturation, head more black, thorax with yellow spots smaller and narrower side margins, anterior angles less advanced, posterior angles more obtuse, spots on elytra much larger, the 4th and 5th sometimes running into each other, etc. Now my insect does not agree with this description in any particular, with the exception of the 4th and 5th spots!, it would, therefore, be very inaccurate to call it by Reiche’s name, and I propose the name ab. ditylotus n. ab., for it. (I may mention that the forms of this insect present in my collection are—elytra with 6 spots on each, this is the type form; elytra with only 2 spots on each=ab. quinguemaculata ¥.; elytra with 3 spots on each=ab. constellata Laich ; elytra with 4 spots on each=ab. carpini Geof.; all taken at Hythe, September 29th, 1893. None of these abs. appear to have been recorded in Britain before, though no doubt they will be present in many collec- tions. There are several other abs. menticned in the European Cata- logue which may well occur in Britain.) Hyening sweeping produced Thalycra sericea Stm., and a fine large ? of what Janson tells me is Anisotoma pallens Stm. This very rare species has only once been taken in Britain before, when three speci- mens were swept by Walker on the sandhills at Deal, in 1873. Many other common beetles were observed, but are hardly worth recording here. Some Account of Bridport and its Neighbourhood from the point of view of the Lepidopterist, particularly having regard to the Geological Distribution of the Species. By W. PARKINSON CURTIS, F.E.S. Very little is known about the district. My available sources of information were :— (i.) My own and my wife’s observations. (ii.) My. A. E. Webber’s memory and an evening going through his collection. 30 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. (iii.) Mr. W. W. Male’s note book. (iv.) Dale’s Lepidoptera of Dorset, which it is well known is more than a little unreliable. ie Mrs. Hudson’s results at West Bay in August and September, ih (vi.) A few observations by my brother and myself, made on the occasion of pop visits to Charmouth in years gone by. I think that Bridport is quite one of the best collecting centres I have ever struck, and the country round is quite the most charming. I suppose readers may think that I was looking at the district through particularly rose-coloured spectacles, since the time was early June, the weather as perfect as English early summer can be, and I was enjoying all the pleasures of a new companionship with the most delightful companion I could possibly find; but putting aside that altogether, Bridport is a very rich district, of an entirely different character from the end of the county I knew best, viz., the eastern end, and I found it excessively interesting. It has one great drawback, which once or twice threatened to be serious. It is a cattle country, and like most cattle countries the hedges are indifferently repaired, the roads are thoroughly bad, and bulls are unnecessarily abundant and, as usual, exceedingly uncertain. The first thing that strikes one is that most of the hills are firtree crowned, and it is only the hills that are so ornamented, consequently pinivorous insects are very rare. Naturally, after the eastern end of the county, I drew the conclusion that the fir trees grew on outliers of the Reading Beds. I examined as well as I could three clumps. I think that at Drake North is on an Hocene Outlier (or perhaps, bearing in mind Dewlish, not far distant, Miocene), lying I believe on Chalk and not as the +-inch geological survey charts it on Greensand; that at Bottom Hill, outside Bridport, I am doubtful about. I think it is possibly a similar remnant lying on Oolite, as the soil is sandy. The Lewesdon clump, and possibly also the Langdown and Golden Cap clumps (which latter two I did not examine, and which at a dis- tance appear to be recently planted) are I believe drift. Lewesdon I examined ; I feel pretty confident that Lewesdon is capped with drift, as the stones at the top seemed to me to be Dartmoor Granite. Lewes- don also is the commencement of the bilberry-heather-gorse combina- tion so prevalent in Dartmoor and Exmoor, and as one would expect the typical insects of Hast Dorset begin to appear, but, oddly enough, mixed here and there with insects one inevitably associates with Sussex and Kent. Standing on Lewesdon one gets an interesting panorama. North- eastward is the typical Chalk downland of Dorset, petering out into Great Oolite as the hills reach Lewesdon, less bold hills with flatter tops and usually devoid of fir trees. Westward, Pilsdon, a Greensand outlier, commences the series of treeless, weatherbitten, stonestrewn, heatherclad hills that stretch across Devon, which is geologically so different. Northward, one looks into the limestone hills and hangers of Somerset, and southward and south-eastward, one has the deep rich valleys of the Great Oolite and Inferior Oolite, some cut as deep even as the Lower Laas, all fertilised with the rich detritus of the denuded Chalk and broken down Greensand and Gault. All this country was, when I looked on it in June last, brilliantly yellow with Lotus cornicu- SOME ACCOUNT OF BRIDPORT AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 31 latus and yellow rattle. Far to the eastward the towering chalk mass of Eggardon stands like a sentinel, barring the way to the centre of the county. At the foot of Eegardon and right across to Drake North runs a wild unkempt place called Powerstock Common. It is like a serubby piece of the New Forest with sparser trees, richer undergrowth, better watered, and less traversed ; it is rich with boggy spots, full of yellow flags and edged with scabious. Its call to me was powerful, but time forbade a closer examination than the leisurely G.W. Railway trains afforded, and my information as to this place is all therefore second- hand. From Drake North to the west, at the foot of a bold chalk shoulder, called Warren Hill, lies the biggest wood of the district, Hooke Park, according to the auction posters of a forthcoming sale of this district, 416 acres in extent, bearing a marked resemblance to Bere Wood, Dorset, superficially, but only superficially. The coast district is a contrast. Thorncombe, the furthest west I made, is Great Oolite piled on Lias and capped with Greensand, with an undercliff much like the Punfield end of Swanage Bay. It produces, Tam told, Hpipactis palustris, the Marsh Helleborine, to complete the likeness. Thornecombe, however, nearly touches 600 feet, and is almost sheer to the sea, being protected at the base with indurated masses of Lias. Burton Bradstock, the furthest east, is just at the end of some curious castellated overhanging cliffs of Fuller’s Earth, about 200 feet high. In contrast, the coast district is poverty stricken when compared to the exceedingly diversified and rich country of the higher ground behind Bridport. From the foregoing you can now picture Bridport standing on Middle Lias in the flat land of the confluence of the placid streams, the Allington, Mangerton, and Brit, which flow down from the hills behind, with a flat plain of rich alluvium between it and the sea. So flat is this land that from our bed-room window, at Bridport, we could see the sea two miles or so distant. Bridport is as it were in the bottom of half a saucer, the edge being the ring of hills which, starting from the sea at Thorncombe on the west, are Eype Down, Quarry Hill, Colmer’s Hill, Lambert’s Castle, Pilsdon Ren, Lewesdon Hill, Waddon Hill, Warren Hill, Drake North, Egegardon, Boar’s Barrow, Stone- barrow, Bottom Hill, a hill I called the 400 foot hill for want of a - better name, and the last eastern extremity at the sea again West Bay Cliffs. The formations running up from Lower Lias through the Oolite to the Chalk, or perhaps the Hocene or Miocene, and back through the same gamut to the Fuller’s Warth. A distinctly different facies from that of the eastern end of my native county, an argillaceous and calceous district, and not a silicious sand one. Greener, flowerier, more smiling, less wild, yet giving one the impression of being smaller and more cramped ; higher hills but less distance, more streams and less water, and no lakes of importance, and only the narrowest of fringes of rushes to the streams. The outerop of the Gault over the 500 ft. contours gave, however, marshy and rich marshy land at unaccustomed levels. Bogbean at 700 feet is a strange sight to me, Salix infuscata at 600 equally so, Hea I think of Littlesea and the abundant growth of Salix infuscata there. Bye THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. It seemed funny to me to climb to the marsh land and find it in narrow very wet valleys, high up, bedecked with marsh orchids, yellow with Iris, and edged with Rock Cistus and Scabious, with pink Lychnis floscuculi and Purple Bugle, and dotted with Hquisetum. Of course I was only in the district from June 2nd to June 16th, arriving late on June 2nd and departing on June 16th, and it was only on alternate days that collecting was indulged in at all seriously, so that my results, though seemingly meagre, represent only some 50 to 60 hours actual work, besides I was more anxious to explore and observe than collect. In addition we only had push bikes; the gradients are very severe, being more often than not single figures under 8. This curtailed our activity—one wants plenty of power. No night work was attempted in deference to the Defence of the Realm Regulations. A regular collecting expedition would be very fruitful, but per- sonally I should not care to do night work alone there, my hearing is too defective. I think that there is every chance of a bull charging searchlight, sheet, and everything else. _ Taking my captures as a whole they presented the appearance of a limestone country catch. Parasemia plantaginis, the colour of Polyommatus icarus, their size and abundance, the presence of Adscita (Ino) statices, Heliaca tenebrata, Zygaena filipendulae and Aricia medon (astrarche). Yet this is shown more by the relative abundance of Species rare with usin Hast Dorset than otherwise. The difference, however, between the sandier soil of the Fuller’s Harth and the rich lime laden soil of the Oolite and Chalk is very much more marked on the latter. Brenthis selene is very abundant, Huclidia glyphica, Adscita (Ino) statices, Heliaca tenebrata, Melitaea aurinia, and Parasemia planta- ginis occur, whilst the common insects are more abundant. The con- necting link between the two classes of formations is Avricia medon (astrarche), scarce on both, and atypical limestone soil insect, Zygaena filipendulae, and its race huppocrepidis, also forms a link. The most marked difference, however, existed between the strip of Gault and Greensand with its wetness and the residue of the area, as it was in that that insect life teemed, 1t was on that alone that 1 obtained Melitaea aurinia, whilst Polyommatus icarus was nearer the Irish blue and finer and better scaled. Rwmicia phlaeas was larger, Hemaris tityus (bombyliformis) was pretty sure to be seen but not to be caught, Odezia atrata (chaerophyllata) was flitting about, blueblack in the sun- shine, brenthis selene swarmed as [ have never seen it before, Callo- phrys rubi ornamented the bramble and Hamearis (Nemeobius) lucina the hazel. Plusia iota buzzed out of the rushes, whilst Huclidia glyphica fluttered uncertainly up the grass stems. On the other hand some insects not present on the Bagshot, the typical formation of Kast Dorset, but present on the London clay and Bracklesham Beds in the New Forest, and on the Purbeck Limestone and Wealden, which are yet not strictly limestone, are present and spread over the district, such as Pararge aegeria var. egerides, which I am accustomed to look upon as a wood insect. In West Dorset it is an insect of the deep lanes, as itisin Devonshire, not common, but almost never absent from deep and shady lanes, and, as will be noted, restricted to the Oolite. Leptosia sinapis, the Wood White, is still in the locality, SOME ACCOUNT OF BRIDPORT AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 33 but did not cross my path, though I had several false alarms, and have since my return had a definite record. I found that the }-inch Geological Survey Map is in many par- ticulars inaccurate as to the actual surface deposits ; whether by reason of its small seale, or intentional in the suppression of detail, 1 know not. Lest I may seem presumptuous to disagree I call attention to the contouring of the district. In the west of the map Gault and Green- sand occupy the 500 to 600 contour lines, although the north is badly faulted the faults are mostly north of the Lewesdon—Drake North Watershed (except near Hooke Park). This watershed is a true water- shed, and bounds the Brit Catchment area on the north; the faults interfere very little with this Brit Catchment area. Many eminences which reach above the contours assigned to the mentioned strata, are charted on the Geological Survey as being geo- logically below their horizon determined by contour; without being too dogmatic, my observations led me to believe this was nearly always inaccurate. The localities I visited were as follows :— Totter Porcorum.—This village is at 370 feet, in the valley of the Hooke River, a tributary of the River Froome. It is situate on the Great Oolite. My one and only capture there was the ubiquitous Cabera pusaria, which is a hazel feeder, and very widely distributed. Hicuer Kinecompe.—A small village one and a half miles to the north-west of Toller, higher up the Hooke River, a tributary of the Froome, about 420 feet, still on the Great Oolite. My one and only capture was Xylophasia rurea, sitting ona gate post close to the Hooke River. It is notable however that Genista tinctoria is very abundant at Higher Kingcombe. From Higher Kingcombe a charming and stony lane runs southward, to an. eminence called Mount Pleasant. Curiously enough this lane was mostly remarkable for the entire absence of Lepidoptera, no doubt accidental, some very tempting rough eround lies to the east of the lane, over the 600 foot contour, but as other game was afoot that day I did not stop to investigate it. At Mount Pleasant I started to part company with the Geological Survey Map. less than half a mile from Mount Pleasant, to the south, lies Drake North, and the whole dastance is over the 650 foot contour, and is charted Greensand and Gault. I believe this is only correct in part. - Draxz Norta.—This hill has a long narrow tumulus-shaped cap to it. Very sandy and very bracken covered, wooded with Scotch Fir, fine specimen trees of considerable age. Here I took Thera variata, and I saw, but did not take, Bupalus piniaria, which was of course the southern yellow form; it was fairly abundant. I could see no round pebbles, though I looked for them, hence, though I considered the cap- ping Hocene, I stated it with some trepidation, but Greensand and Gault the capping at Drake North is not and never was. The exact height I do not know, but the capping is over 700 feet. Behind the capping, at about 500 yards, are what look like three huge tumuli, just on the western edge of Powerstock Common. These are simply huge mounds of solid chalk, all apparently that is left of the heavy coating of chalk that once lay over this part of Dorset and frowns at one across the valley to the east from Hegardon. Drake North marks the dividing line between the Froome water- 34 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. shed and the Mangerton River watershed. The contours to the south of it are crowded, only 200 yards separates the 600 and 700 feet con- tours. An average gradient of lin 6. This piece of ground is a col- lector’s paradise. It is a rough, marshy piece of ground, with occa- sional peeps of Gault on the surface, scored with deep, very narrow, and very small valleys, with a fan of detritus at the end, oozy and messy, but quite safe. I have described the vegetation elsewhere, but when I stepped on to it first I looked at it, and “ Gault by all that’s wonderful,’ I thought. It had not oceurrod to me that I might strike Gault at over 600 feet. Altogether I paid three visits to this locality, and the result of seven to eight hours netting is as follows :— Melitaea aurinia.— Fairly abundant. The 9? s especially tend to ab. praeclara, Tutt. A nicely banded g that fell to Mr. Male’s net was handed over tome. Mr. Male told me he had repeatedly searched this piece of ground for aurinia without success. Brenthis euphrosyne.—Not common, very worn, and obviously over. Brenthis selene.—VYery common, very fresh, very fine and deep colour. I obtained a g with large white spot in the tornal angle of each hindwing. Callophrys rubi.—Not very common, and getting very worn. Polyonmatus icarus.—Fairly common, and a strong silvery-blue, not unlike the Irish form. Rumicia phlaeas—Not common, but very fine. A specimen taken by my wife is a fine aberration lacking the terminal copper band to the hindwings. Hamearis (Nemeobius) lucina.—Not common, but curious in its habits. There is a plentiful growth of primrose there, and the eminences between the valleys are dotted with hazel, very stunted bushes. The lucina sat upon these and also in some numbers on the bracken scattered about, indulging in warfare with passing ‘“‘ skippers ”’ and ‘“‘blues.’’ Previously I have only seen it in woodland. Hesperia malvae.—Very common, but I did not take any. Nisoniades tages.—Plentiful, but worn. Augiades sylvanus.—Swarmed every where, but especially in the lane between Mount Pleasant and Drake North. It was, however, sufficiently abundant at Drake North itself to be very pronouncedly in evidence. Pararge megera.—Present, but not very common. Coenonympha pamphilus.—Present and abundant. Pieris rapae.—Present, but I did not see P. napi nor Euchloé. cardamines. Thirteen species of butterflies to be met with at one and the same time in an area of about 200 aeres. Parasemia plantaginis.—A single specimen; no doubt plentiful if worked for. Mr. Male tells me he has no knowledge of the previous capture of this insect in this particular district. It may have wan- dered from Higgardon, as it is abundant on some of the northern chalk downs of Dorset, but in my experience it is an insect of the chalk downs, and I have only met with itin the south on chalk and in Germany on limestone. Plusia iota.—This insect I found on the marshy ground. I pro- cured three and missed four; they are by no means easy to catch in SOME ACCOUNT OF BRIDPORT AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 35 the day time. It is an insect which I had not seen alive before, and is absent from Hast Dorset. Euclidia glyphica.—l captured three. It was not uncommon, and could be worked up in the grass. This insect I had only previously met with on a limestone formation in Germany. Panagra petraria.—Very common. Odezia (Tanagra) atrata (chaerophyllata)—My wite captured a good series. It kept to the dry headlands covered with bracken. The only other localities that I have any personal acquaintance with are on the London Clay and Bracklesham Beds in the New Forest, Xanthorhoé montanata.—Extremely abundant, as usual. Zygaena trifolii—The Five-spot Burnet. There is a well estab- lished colony of this insect. I do not think it is lonicerae. I had no means of taking the larva and few cocoons were available, and I only bred one, which I consider to be this species. Adscita (Ino) statices.—One specimen, freshly emerged. This insect is absent from Kast Dorset, and in my experience I have only met with it on the cretaceous formation in Sussex and on a limestone formation in Germany, upon which latter it is very abundant. Hemaris tityus (bombyliformis).—This insect was busy ova-deposit- ing. Altogether I saw about a dozen, none of which gave me a sport- ing chance. Mr. Male, however, has taken it. Eriogaster lanestris— Webs of the larve were exceedingly abun- dant. Diaphora mendica.—Has been taken here by Mr. Male. A total of 23 species in this small area, most of them abundant. My greatest regret was ‘ny failure with Hemaris bombyliformis, which I have never seen alive before. I had intended to spend an afternoon on it, but a bull broke through two fences to get to the field where we were watching for bombyliformis, and as I knew the fence bounding the field was unsound (I do not mind owning to being afraid of bulls), and I was neither anxious to alarm my wife nor to run any risks with her safety, we beat a hasty retreat, when I found he was trying for weak places in the fence. Subsequent investigation showed our wisdom, as a day or two after I investigated only to find that he had broken both rails and rampaged up and down the field pretty vigorously. I will deal with my extreme western limit and take the next Greensand and Gault formation eminence. Lewespon Hinu.—This was a disappointment. Mr. Webber had led me io expect great things, but a disastrous fire which had swept the hill the preceding summer had thinned things out, and the hill had had no time to recover. This was strikingly exemplified by the num- ber of teratological specimens I took. Cattle difficulties arose on one of the best parts of hill, and after our Drake North experience my wife and I kept a wide eye open, and as these cattle showed a marked ten- dency to follow us about at a trot, we put as many fences as possible between us as quickly as was discreet. The hill itself reaches over 900 feet. It is crowned with fir trees and has a deep dell full of fine beech to the east, which dell was ringing with the woodman’s axe whilst I was there. It is capped with a very decided capping of the drift, before referred to, which is used as a gravel pit. The western slope of the hill is covered with heather and gorse, 36 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. freely intermixed with bilberry. The heath terminated about the 700 feet contour. Even allowing for the fact that Lewesdon Hill is half a mile south of a line of fault, I do not think it is correctly charted as Greensand from the 600 contour up. I should think 600 to 700, or perhaps 650 to 750 may be right, but the capping, I feel morally cer- tain, is drift. Of course the result from the insect point of view is curious. Amongst the fir trees Bupalus piniaria was abundant and wild. On the heath Diacrisia sannio was procured, and Ematurga atomaria and Phytometra viridaria were abundant. Mr. Webber tells me one or two specimens of Plebetus aegon have been taken there, and I should not be surprised, as that patch of about 20 acres was precisely like a bit of the heath at Bratley Plain in the New Forest. Between the 600 and 700 foot contour, on what I believe to be the Greensand and Gault, Adscita (Inv) statices is reported to be not uncommon, by Mr. Case of Broadwinsor. I failed however to get it. Hesperia malvae was abun- dant, so was Nisoniades tages, but it was going over. Mr. Webber tells me that the species at this station 1s particularly fineand well marked, but I had no opportunity of judging owing to the worn condition of the species. Callophrys rubi was in the same condition, flying to blue- bells. It was very generally distributed and quite abundant, which is in accordance with what Mr. Webber told me. Rumicia phlaeas was present but not abundant. Brenthis selene not as common as at Drake North, but still abundant. Mr. Male took Melitaea awrinia here on May 27th, 1912, whilst Mr. Webber says Dryas paphia, Argynnis aqlaia, and A. cydippe (adippe) are all abundant at this station. Hugonia polychloros was also taken here in 1902. Aphantopus hyperantus and Heliaca tenebrata are likewise recorded as plentiful by both these gentlemen, whilst Adscita (Ino) geryon can be obtained in the number of about a dozen for an after- noon’s catch. A drop below the 600 contour brought one down to the Inferior Oolite, where in shady places Pararge aegeria var. egerides appeared, usually singly, in shady lanes round the hill. Callophrys rubi was joined by Polyommatus icarus and Augiades sylvanus, all of which were abundant. Rumicia phlaeas was not common, but the single specimen I procured had the underside spotting sagittate. Pertzoma affinitata was quite common in the hedges and flew very wildly and high. Immediately to the east of Lewesdon is a rounded hill called Wad- don, bearing a British camp. I only had a few minutes hurried in- vestigation of this, it is just 600 feet, and reaches the Greensand horizon, but is charted Inferior Oolite. From the soil, I do not feel disposed to question this, nor do I from the solitary insect taken on the hill, viz., Heliaca tenebrata. (To be continued.) YJ OTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. Cotzortera Notes rrom Svurrotk, 1915 ro 1917.—At intervals during 1915, 1916, and 19171 have collected Coleoptera in the western part of Suffolk, along the line where the sandy warrens meet the fen- land. All the places mentioned in the following record are in Suffolk, excepting Weeting and Hochwold, which are just beyond the boundary CURRENT NOTES. 2 in Norfolk. At Brandon the most interesting things taken were Amara consularis, Cymindis awillaris, Platyderus rujicollis, Harpalus picipennis, Stpalra caesula, Heterothops quadripunctila, Sunius piliformis (five specimens taken on the warren by Dr. G. W. Nicholson and myself), Aleochara cuniculorum, Stenus vafellus, S. solutus, S. carbonarius, 8. palustris, 2, S. fuscipes, a single specimen of Ilyobates nigricollis ; Ana- caena bipustulata, Rhantus grapii, and R. ewoletus, Bithinus bulbifer and Euconnus hirticollis (also in abundance at Weeting), Silis rujficollis and Cardiophorus asellus, Aphodius constans and A. inquinatus, Longitarsus dorsalis (very abundant among ragwort on the warren in April, and occurred also at Freckenham), Gronops lunatus, Hypera fasciculata, and Hylastes palliatus. But the most remarkable capture among the weevils, at Brandon, was that of a specimen of Brachonyx pineti, found among Scotch firs on the warren on May Ist, 1917. This Highland species is recorded in the Supplement to Fowler as having been taken at ‘“‘ Middenhall,” Suffolk. Presumably this refers to Mildenhall, and if so it is no doubt spreading in this district. At and near Mildenhall were found Haliplus obliquus, Brychius elevatus and Octhebius nanus, Silpha atrata var. brunnea, Poophagus nasturtii, Gymnetron linartae and Ceuthorhynchus setosus. At Frecken- ham were taken Harpalus consentaneus and one specimen of H. discov- deus, Orthocerus muticus in numbers, Tychius venustus and Baris pict- cornis. But the great find here was made by Dr. Nicholson. Early m May, 1916, he found Dryophilus anobioides in abundance on a patch of broom. When he took me to the place some three weeks later the species was still present in some numbers, but in less abundance. At and near Lakenheath I have taken Crypticus quisquilius, Helo- phorus nvbilus, Cryptophagus pubescens, Corymbites tessellatus, VCardio- phorus asellus, Donacia dentipes and Chrysomela fastuosa. At Hockwold (Norfolk) I have found Bembidium varium, Stenus nigritulus. Dagous glabirostris, Gymnetron villosulus and G. beccabungae, Ceuthorhynchus melanostictus and Cionus pulchellus. Finally, at Weeting (Norfolk), I have taken badister sodalis, Bradycellus placidus, Chae- tarthria seminulum, Hydrochus brevis, Mycetoporus lucidus, Stenus pal- lipes, Quedius scitus (four specimens by Dr. Nicholson and myself), Ayathidium seminulum, Silvanus unidentatus, and Thanasimus formi- carius.—J. W. Auuen, 266, Willesden Lane, N.W. 2: 5. coNvoLyuLi.—A specimen was taken at rest on a sun blind of a house one and a half miles from the centre of Birmingham, on Sep- tember 15th, by Master Kerr, of Moseley.—W. Bowarzr, F.E.S., Moseley, Birmingham. GX)URRENT NOTES AND SHORT NOTICES. Mr. R. 8. Bagnall, as Chairman of the Sectional Committee, has communicated the series of Reports of the Field Meetings of the Northumberland, Durham and Neweastle-on-Tyne Natural History Society, for 1911 which has just been published. They include accounts of visits to the Derwent Valley in May, Ewesley, Longwitton and Hartburn in June, Harbottle in June and July, Haswell, Hasington and Deneholme in July, the Northumberland Coast near Beadnell in September, the Farne Islands in September, and Seaton Sluice and St. Mary’s Island in October. The object Mr. Bagnall and his co-workers 38 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. sought to accomplish was to study a small group of the Arthropoda, the Myriapods, familiarly called Centipedes and Millipedes, about which very little was known locally. This he has accomplished, a considerable number of species being listed. At the same time the other obscure groups of the Arthropoda were by no means neglected, and we find that in Mr. Bagnall’s favourite group the thrips or Thysanoptera, he has recorded several species as new to the British List. In fact during the year the additions to the British fauna were ‘‘one order, four families, eight genera and about sixty species of which thirteen or fourteen are new to science.” The Report shows that persistent effort on definitely laid out lines will produce in the study of these obscure groups a sure success, and it also shows that there is still a large amount of discovery to be made in this country. When it is remembered that many economic troubles are caused by the advent of vast numbers of minute and obscure insects, it must be recognised that such a study is all important. Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell is still adding to the number of known fossil insect. In the Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington he introduces three species of special interest. The first, the Hymen- opteron Trigonalys pervetus, which represents a family not previously known as fossil. Thesecond, the Protorthopteron Palaeocarria ornata, represents a family new to American strata. The third, another Protorthopteron, Genentomum carrt, an additional species of a rare family containing only two American and five European species. In the Naturalist for November Mr. T. H. Day gives a series of notes on ‘Cumberland Dragonflies.” He includes thirteen species, among them being Leucorrhinia dubia, locally abundant, and a speci- men of Orthetrum coerulescens. Still more Agrius convolvuli are reported, this time from the Louth district, and also an example of Hippotion celerto. In the Scottish Naturalist for November is a list of Diptera taken in the Isle of Bute by Mr. Percy H. Grimshaw, of the Royal Scottish Museum, in the spring of 1917. Ten species are new records for the Clyde faunal area. Two additions to the List of British Hemiptera-Heteroptera are announced in the Ant. Mo. May. for November, by Mr. EH. A. Butler, viz., Orthotylus virens, taken in Cumberland by Messrs. Day and Murray on sallow and alder, and Acalypta platychila, taken at Brandon some years ago by Mr. Harwood. Both are generally distributed continental species. The Canadian Entomologist for November contains an interesting and useful article by Harry B. Weiss, on the ‘Graphic Presentations of Entomological Facts.” He says, ‘‘ Much time and money is ex- pended in the collection of entomological data, and unless this material be presented in a clear and interesting manner, the maximum amount of benefit will not be secured.’ ‘‘ Many readers, when they arrive ata page containing detailed information in the form of printed tables .. . are inclined to pass hurriedly over this part and seek a summary if one is to be found.” ‘Not only is time saved for the reader by graphic presentations, but the facts are put before him in such a manner that they appeal to him more strongly, he remembers them beiter, and it is less possible for him to draw wrong conclusions when quantitative facts are placed before him in accurate proportions.’’ The writer urges that CURRENT NOTES. 39 ‘‘Graphic methods are used by banking houses, corporations, railroad companies, statisticians, engineers, and many others in business and professional occupations, and there is no reason why all entomologists should not use them whenever possible.” The article, with its examples, is well worth perusal. In the Hnt. Mo. Mag. for December Mr. EH. E. Green describes two species of Coccidae found in Britain as new to science. Pseudococcus newsteadi was found on beech at Camberley, and Lepidosaphes desmi- dioides on Nephrodium sp. (under glass), at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Mr. R. S. Bagnall announces a Cynipid, Phanacis centaureae, as new to Britain, from Ryhope Dene, Durham, bred from galls on the large knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa). Five separata on the Lepidoptera of Central Italy have been recently received from Dr. Roger Verity, of Florence. 1. “ The Geographical Variation of Lycaena coridon, Poda, in Central Italy,’ in which are introduced three of the newly differentiated races, (1) Race superapennina from the higher Apennine Mts., culminating in Mt. Pratofiorito. (2) Race apuana, frem the Apuana Alp, in Tuscany. (3) Race sibyllina, from the Sibylline Mts., near Florence. 2. ‘‘The Fauna of the Province of Macerata.’’ ‘This is largely a summary of the work of Signor Orazio Querci and his wife and daughter during the past few years. Many races and forms are differ- entiated. The whole of the Macro-lepidoptera of the district are summarised. 3. “ A Contribution to the Study of Variation in Lepidoptera, treating chiefly with the material from Tuscany, Macerata (Marche), and Calabria.” There is one plate of 49 figures. Numerous new races and forms are described in detail. 4 and 5. These are Statistical Summaries of the duration of ap- pearance of many species of Lepidoptera in the months of May, June, and July, on the Pian di Mugnone, near Florence (119-274 metres), as indicated by the captures made by Sig. Querci and his family. The tables show the numbers of each sex taken on each day throughout the three months. In the Entomologist for December, Prof. Selwyn Image describes a new aberration of the variable species Peronea cristana under the name of ab. subnigrana. It is the most common form of the species which occurs in Epping Forest, and is distinguished from the niyrana of Clark by having a division of colour on the forewing, only the upper portion is of a ‘‘ dull strong blackish-brown,” including the button, the lower portion being shining purplish-grey. The Scottish Naturalist has collected the records of the occurrence of Agrius convolvuli in Scotland this last year. Fourteen counties and the Shetlands, Orkneys and Outer Hebrides, have all been visited by this ‘“‘ hawk.” The Canadian Entomologist for December contains (1) An account of one of the numerous “Cutworms” of N. America, the larva of EKuxoa (Agrotis) excellens from British Columbia. (2) Descriptions of new N. American Phycitinae (Pyrales). (8) A Key to the Sub-families of Anthomyiidae (Diptera). (4) The known Nymphs of N. American Species of Sympetrum (Odonata), with two plates. (5) Observations on Chironomus decorus, one of the troublesome midges of N. America, with one plate. 40 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. Ss OCIETIES. Taz Sours Lonpon Entomonocican AND NaturaL History Society. October 11th—lLanrern Sutipes.—Mr. Dennis exhibited lantern slides of British Grasses. P. meerta In Devon.—Mr. Turner, on behalf of Dr. R. C. L. Perkins, a large number of Pararge aegeria, bred and captured this year in con- tinuation of his investigations of 1916, and summarised the conclusions so far arrived at by the late Mr. A. KE. Gibbs and Dr. Perkins. Dwarr race or A. contpon anp Seasonat Notss.—Mr. A. A. W. Buckstone, series of Agriades coridon, including (1) somewhat small specimens for the Surrey Hills; (2) dwarf specimens; (8) normal sized specimens from other Surrey localities and Royston for comparison, and read notes on the dwarf race. He also contributed ‘‘ Short Notes” (1) The abundance of Blatta yermanica at the Admiralty restaurant. (2) The abundance of Vanessa io near Dorking. (8) The occurrence of Hesperia malvae at Byfleet, July 7th, Guildford, July 12th. (4) Pupe of Lycia hirtaria passing three winters in that stage. (5) The perfec- tion of the imagines of Ligdia adustata in autumn in the pupa for emergence in the spring. (6) The large percentage of autumn larve which have been parasitised. (7) Reported the occurrence of both Colias hyale and C. edusa in Surrey, on October Ist. Tue THistiur Gaui, U. carpur.—Mr. Brooks the gall of the Cecido- myid, Urophora cardui, on thistle. Two pgesTRUCTIVE BEETLES.—Mr. West (Greenwich), the beetle Necro- bia rufipes which had devastated stores of copra and spread in numbers to neighbouring dwelling-houses, and Rhizophagus parallelocollis which had attacked decayed seed potatoes at Brockenhurst. LiycHnip aBERRaTIONS.—Mr. Leeds, many aberrations of Ayriades coridon and Polyommatus icarus from the Chilterns, Herts, and Hunts. Vanrssips in CuEesuire.—The Rev. F. M. B. Carr reported V. io and Pyrameis atalanta as very common in Cheshire this season. October 25th.—Dxcrase or a Memper.—The decease of a member Mr. Archer (1914) was announced. He was with the army in Egypt. Parer.—The President read a paper on “ The Pieridae,” dealing chiefly with the ‘lines of variation’? in each of the species which usually breed in Britain, and illustrated his remarks with diagrams and the specimens contained in the various collections of the Society. Aserrations oF British Prerips.—Mr. Leeds, aberrations of Pieris rapae, g without spots, g large, 3s third brood small, 2 deep yellow below; P. brassicae, 2 blotched with bright green, ? pale blue below, @ very large; P. napi, g third brood small. Exorrc Pisrips Not WHITE IN coLoRaTion.—Mr. Moore, exotic “‘whites” to show that many species were not white, Tachyris nero, red : Archonias critias, nearly all black; Appias celestina, blue; Nepheronia thalassina, pale green; Teracolus sp., irridescent at apex ; and Lepto- phobia sp., silvery lustre below. He also showed Leueidia brephos, the smallest Pierid known and the much debated Pseudopontia paradoxa. Cronus LoneicotLtis.—Mr. West (Greenwich), the local Coleopteron Cionus longicollis, a series. A CAYENNE PEPPER FEEDER.—Mr. Bunnett, the Coleopteron, Ptinus tectus, which had attacked some cayenne pepper, and also the curious concentrically formed fungus Daldinia concentrica. The Back volumes (I-XXIX) of the Hnt. Record, &c. (published at 10s. 6d. net), can be obtained direct as follows—Single volumes, 7s. 6d., except vols. I. and If., which are 10s. 6d. each; of the remainder 2 or 3 volumes, 7s. 3d. each; 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 vols., 7s. each ; 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 vols. at 6s. 9d. each; 15, or more vols. at 6s. 6d. each. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes to Vols. III-XXIX, sold separately, price 1s. 6d. each. Subscriptions for Vol. XXX. (7 shillings) should be sent to Mr. Herbert E. Page, “‘ Bertrose,”’ Gellatly Road, New Gross, 'S.E.14 [This subscription includes ali numbers published from January 15th to December 15th, 1918.] Non-receipt or errors in the sending of Subscribers’ magazines should be notified to Mr. Herbert E. Page, “‘ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Ovoss, S.E. 14 Subscribers are kindly requested to observe that subscriptions to Lhe Entomologist’s Record, &c.,are payable in advance. The subscription (with or without the Special Index) is Seven Shillings, and must be sent to Mr. Herbert EH. Page, ‘* Bertrose,’”’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, §8.H.14 Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to H. H. Paas. ADVERTISEMENTS of Books and Insects for Saie, or Books wanted will be inserted at a minimum charge of 2s. 6d. (for four lines). Longer Advertisementsin proportion. A reduction made for a series. Particulars of Mr. Herbert KE. Paga, ‘‘ Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.H. 14 Subscribers who change their addresses must report the same to Mr. H. H. Pages “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.E., otherwise their magazines will probably be delayed. Articles that require Iliustration are inserted on condition that the author defrays the cost of the illustrations. All Foreign Exchange Magazines must be forwarded to H. J Turner 98 Drakefell Road, New Cross, S.H. 14 Duplicates.—Kuphrosyne, Selene, Blandina, Hyperanthus, Davus, Corydon, Aigon, Asiliformis, P. populi, Mundana, Russula, Moneta, Iota, Pulchrina, Festuce, Lupulinus, Hecta, Hricetaria, Leucophzaria, Sirigillaria, Didymata, Fumata, Muricata, Albulata, Tmbutata, Atrata. Desiderata.—Pictaria, Notata, Brunneata, Blomeri, Rubricata, Rusti- sata, Straminata, Subsericeata, Blandiata, Lobulata, Munitata, Quadrifasciaria, Fluviata, black pairs only.—James Douglas, Thorncote, Chellaston, mr. Derby. Duplicates.—*Dissimilis, Velleda, Fibrosa, *Ambigua, Fulva, *Lubricipeda var. Fas- ciata, *Plantaginis, Coracina, Captiuncula, Mundana, Lutosa,. Togata, *Valerianata, Cilialis, Inquinatellus, Caledoniana, Variegana vars. Sauciana, Geminana, Cinerana, Brunnichiana, Schulziana, Congelatella, Occultana, Vectisana, Dorsana, Rusticana, *Suboccelana, *Strobilella, Nanana, Herbosana ,Petiverella, T’. corticella, *icop, Fulvi- gutella, etc. Desiderata.—Good Pyrales, Tortrices, ete.—T. Ashton Lofthouse, The Croft, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. Duplicates.—Hast African butterflies wanted, butterflies of any country except species occurring in Britain.—W. Feather, Kibwezt British Hast Africa. Desiderata.—Pieris napi—spring and summer broods with exact data (localities and dates)—from all parts of the Kingdom, especially North of England and Scotland ; Pararge sgeria from Scotland, Ireland, and North of England—exact data needed. Will do my best in return or pay cash.—G. T. Bethune-Baker, 19, Clarendon Road, Edgbaston. Duplicates.—Machaon*, Sinapis, Hdusa, Hyale, Valezina, Artemis*, Cinxia, Athalia, ‘C-album*, Polychloros*, Sibylla*, Cassiope, Blandina, Davus, Betule*, Artaxerxes, Arion, Acteon, Galii*, Scolieformis*, Minos, Exulans, Meliloti, Albulalis, Helveola*, Quadra*, Gribrum, Hera*, Fuliginosa*, Fascelina*, Crategi*, Callune*, Trifolii*, Versicolor*, Lapponaria*, Hispidaria, Glabraria*, Abietaria*, Obfuscata, Trepidaria*, Smaragdaria*, Orbicularia*, Auroria, Fumata, Pictaria*, Alternata*, Carbonaria, Pinetaria, Ceesiata, Ruficinctata, Salicata, Pygmezata*, Togata*, Sexalisata, Munitata, Fluviata, Lapidataf Undulata, Reticulata, Nubeculosa*, Chaonia*, Or, Flavicornis var. Scotica*, Ridens*, Leporina, Menyanthidis, Myrice, Concolor, Templi, Agathina*, Conspersa, Barrettii, “Occulata*, Tineta*, Glauca, Rectilinea, Peltigera, Melanopa, Cordigera, Interrogationis, Bractea, Cracce, ete. Desiderata.—Varieties and local forms.—Arthur Horne, Bonn-na- Coille, Murtle, Aberdeenshire. Wanrrp, for research purposes, during 1917, ova and larve of almost any species of British Lepidoptera. Offered British beetles (many scarce or local) and microscopic mounts.—Geo. B. Walsh, 166, Bede Burn Road, Jarrow-on-Tyne. Nore.—Mr. Donisthorpe will be grateful for any ants from all parts of the British Isles, with localities, unset or otherwise, for the purposes of study.—H. St. J. K. Donisthorpe, 19, Hazlewell Road, Putney, S.W. I would be very glad to exchange Californian butterflies for English blues especially the variable ?s, and the blue ?s of coridon such as have been recorded by Keynes and others.—Fordyce Grinnell, Jr., 712, Hast Orange Grove, Paradena, California, U.S.A. Duplicates.—Artemis* (Cornish), Tithonus extra spotted vars., Corydon var. Semf |} Synegrapha (fair only), Tilice*, Angularia* (Quercinaria), fine banded vars., Bicuspis* and} many others, also Pupee Lacertula, Falcula, Tiliz, Consortaria, Versicolor, ete. Deside- | rata.—Perfect only Cardamines gs, Cardui, Iris, Ocellatus, B. quercus, Chlorana, Ligni- |} perda, Humuli, Convolvyuli, and many others. Also Pups Carpini, Porcellus, Callune, } Dictzea, Dicteeoides, Dodonea, Vinula, S. ligustri, and many others. Liberal exchange or | cash.—L. W. Newman, Bexley, Kent. Desiderata.—EKuchloé cardamines from Ireland; also types of HE. cardamines from. Switzerland, Italy, S. France; var, turritis (S. Italy), var. volgensis, var. thibetana, and | of E. gruneri, F. euphenoides, H. damone, and any palearctic species of the genus. | Duplicates.—Loweia dorilis and vars., a few minor vars. of R. phlwas (British), and many | British lepidoptera.— Harold B. Williams, 82, Filey Avenue, Stoke Newington, N. | Duplicates.—Ova: Cervinaria, Neustria. Larve: Ornata, 5 Falcula, 5 Lacertula, | Caja; Pupe Persicaria, 6 Populi. Imagines: Adonis, Corydon, Irish Napii, H. comma, Tages, Malye, Sylvanus, 2 Tipuliformis, 8 Cynipiformis, 1 Culiciformis, 2 Bembeciformis. (fair only), 6 B. querefis, 9 Carpini, Humuli ¢, 13 Hirtaria, 7 Macilenta, | Papilionaria, | Ornata, Gilvaria, 2 Crepuscularia, cervinaria, 4 Punctularia, 3 Palumbaria, 2 Falcula, | Lunosa, Vaccinii, Spadicea, 4 Lutulenta, Cruda, Stabilis, Gothica, 6 Instabilis, Rumicis. | Desiderata.—Very numerous, pup and imagines.—F. T. Grant, 37, Old Road W., | Gravesend. | Duplicates.—Cardamines ¢ ¢s, Brassice, Rhamni, Kuphrosyne, Selene, Aglaia, | Adippe, Io,* Galatea, Egeria, Hyperantus, Ianira, Semele, Megera, Icarus, Bellargus, | Argiolus, Lucina, Quercus, Rubi, Malye, Tages, Sylvanus, Comma, Filipendule, Trifolii, | Jacobee,* Mendica,* Russula gs, Caia*, Aurifiua,* Faleula, Neustria,* Pavonia,* Flavi- | cornis, Duplaris, Pallens, Arcuosa, Rumicis, Graminis, Gemina, Comes,* Xanthographa,* | Secalis, Pisi,* Piniperda, Gothica, Cruda, Baia, Meticulosa, Rufina, Brassice,* Litura, | Satellitia, Oxyacanthe var. Capucina, Vaccinii, Lithargyria,* Incerta, Pistacina, Fulvago,, | Triangulum, Trapezina, Mi, Glyphica, Myrtilli, Parthenias, Maura,* Maculata, Advenaria | (very fair), Autumnaria,* Abruptaria, Pilosaria,* Hirtaria,* Obscurata, Biundularia, Con- | sortaria, Consonaria,* Punctulata, Pendularia,* Belgiaria, Gilvaria, Adustata,* Clathrata, | Pulveraria,* Pusaria,* Pictaria, Albulata, Multistrigaria, Fluctuata, Ocellata, Montanata,. Procellata, Albicillata, Bicolorata, Badiata, Aurantiaria, Marginata, Boreata, Dilutata, | Leucophearia, Carpinata, Impluviata, Juniperata, Rufata,* Mensuraria, Firmata,* Obelis— cata, Pyraliata. Black pins and full data. Pups of Jacobes and Hispidaria. Deside- | rata.—Local species and local forms of British Macro-Lepidoptera, particularly northern. | —A.W. Bucksione, 807a, Kingston Road, Merton Park, London, S.W. 19. Mersorotam1a.—! should be glad of information on insects or news of other entomo- | logists in this country.—P. A. Buxton, Fairhill, Tonbridge. | Duplicates.—European butterflies unset on long pins and some set English fashion. | Desiderata.—Common British Noctuids —Hy. J. Turner, 98, Drakefell Road, New | Cross, S.E. 14. Duplicates.—A. coridon vars., including semi-syngrapha, H. Comma. Desiderata. | —A. coridon var. Albicans (Spanish) and var. Hispana (do.), and good butterfly vars.., | especially from Ireland.—Douglas H. Pearson, Chilwell House, Chilwell, Notts. | MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. | Entomological Society of London.—1i, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W., 8p.m. 1918, Mar. 6th and 20th; Apr. 3rd; May Ist. | The South London Entomological and Natural History Scciety, Hibernia | Chambers, London Bridge.—Meetings : The second and fourth Thursdays in the month | at 7 o’clock.—Hon. Sec., Stanley Edwards, 15, St. German’s Place, Blackheath, S.H. 3. | The London Natural Histery Society (the amalgamation of the City of London | Entomological and Natural History Society and the North London Natural History | Society).—Hall 20, Salisbury House Finsbury Cireus, E.C. The First and Third | Tuesday in the month, at 7 p.m. Visitors invited. Hon. Sec., J. Ross, 18, Queens | Grove Road, Chingford, N.E. Toynbee Natural History Scciety.—Toynbee Hall, at 8 p.m. Entrance fee 1s., annual subscription 1s. Meetings : Full particulars as fo excursions can be obtained from the Excursion Secretary, Miss L. Roberts, 11, St. James,’ Hatcham, S.E. Hon. Sec., Owen Monk, 8, Shooter’s Hill Road, Blackheath, S.E. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.— Meetings at the Royal Institu- tion, Liverpool, on the 3rd Monday in each month from October to April.—Hon. Sec., Wm. Mansbridge, 4, Norwich Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. East London Natural History Society.—Bromley Public Hall, H. Thursdays at | 8 p.m.—Hon. Sec., J. C. W. Shears, 58, Selborne Road, Iford. NOW READY.—PRICE £1 1s. Od. Be IEA List bo LOE Y OF THE Belts OUT TERE LIBS: THEIR WORLD-WIDE VARIATION AND DISTRIBUTION. A Text-Book for Students and Collecturs. Vou. LY. By J. W. TUTT, K.E.S. This volume comprises 373 pp. of text +43 plates. The species dealt with are treated most exhaustively, and Lepidopterists will find worked out for them what are probably the finest life-histories ever published. The work is regarded as the text-book on the subject; and in all probability will continue to be so for many years. All up-to-date students should have a copy for reference. To be obtained from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.E. 15 NOW READY. BRITISH ANTS. By HORACE DONISTHORPE, F.E:S. Demy 8vo. Fully Itlustrated. PRIGE £1 Ss. Od. post free. Deals with the classification and descriptions of all the Genera and Species now known to occur in the British Isles, with information as to their habits and life- histories. Fully illustrated by photographs, structural drawings, ete. The Book contains 380 pp. + x., with 18 plates and 92 figurcs. This form should be completed and returned as soon as possible to :— Messrs. WinniAmM BRENDON AND Son, Lrp., Printers, Plymouth, England. Please supply me, with .......... COP) seuaiaiet: of “BRITISH ANTS,” by Horac® DonistHoRPE, post free, and find remittance to value herewith enclosed. INCLINE Tavaihn cavanee alte erekoie halarey a Wave arate rte sy MMAR RRNE DOD PAIOICH EES SERIA ASUS eve gree ae AME D. VAh Ata A OED PLE Ni ORM FOR SALE. Tutt’s “ British Lepidoptera,” vols. I to X. Tutt’s “ British Lepidoptera,” vols I to IM. Tutt’s “ British Noctua,” vols I. toIV. Tutt’s “Practical Hints for the Field Lepidepterist,” parts I to III, with Index. There are also a few copies of “British Noctuz,” slightly soiled, to be sold cheaply. A. M. COCHRANE, 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. IMPORTANT. TO ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES and MUSEUMS. BAGK VOLUMES OF The Entomologist’s Record and Journal! of Variation. (Vols. I.-XXIX.) Single back volumes of the above can be obtained at 7s. 6d. per volume; except vols. I. and II., which are 10s. Gd. each, net; any two or three volumes of the remainder at 7s. 3d. per volume; four, five, six, seven, eight or nine at 7s. per volume; ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen at 6s. 9d. per volume ; fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or twenty- one at 6s. 6d. per volume. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes, Vols. III-KXIX, sold separately, price ds. 6d. each. Gontents of Vol. i. (Most important only Mentioned.) Genus Acronycta and its allies.—Variation of Smerinthus tiliae, 3 coloured plates—Differentiation of Melitaea athalia, parthenie, and aurelia—The Doubleday collection — Parthenogenesis— Paper on Taeniocampidae — Phylloxera— Practical Hints (many)—Parallel Variation in Coleoptera—Origin of Argynnis paphia var. valesina— Work for the Winter—Temperature and Variation—Synonymic notes— Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1890—Lifehistories of Agrotis pyrophila, Epunda lichenea, Heliophobus hispidus—Captures at light—Aberdeenshire notes, etc., etc., 360 pp. Gontents of Vol. il. MrLanism aND Mrnanocuroism—Bibliography—Notes on Collecting—Articles en VARIATION (many)—How to breed Agrotis lunigera, Sesia sphegiformis, Taenio- campa opima— Collecting on the Norfolk Broads—Wing development—Hybridising Amphidasys prodromaria and A. betularia—Melanism and Temperature—Differen- tiation of Dianthwcias—Disuse of wings—Fauna of Dulwich, Sidmouth, 8. London —Generic nomenclature and the Acronyctidae—A fortnight at Rannoch—Heredity in Lepidoptera—Notes on Genus Zyeana (Anthrocera)—Hybrids—Hymenoptera-— Lifehistory of Gonophora derasa, etc., etc., 312 pp. Gontents of Voi. [fl. Genus Acronycta and its allies (continued)—Scientific Notes—The British Coccinellidae—Notes on Breeding—Notes on Conmoprera (very many)—Dates of appearance of Hupithecia pygmeata—Dimorphie pupe—Duration of Ova State of the Geometridue (with tables) —Effects of temperature on the colouring of Lepidop- tera—Hints on labelling—Melanic varieties—Changes in nomenclature—Keeping Micro pup during winter—Notes on Genus Hepialus—Reviews, etc., ete., 320 pp. Gontents of Vol. IV. Additions to British Lists—Presidential Addresses of British Association and Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society—Autumnal collecting at Fresh- water, Isle of Wight—Captures of rarities—Collecting beetles—Critical notes on certain Noctwae—A day’s collecting in the Western Highlands—Apparent dearth of Diwrni—Double-brooded species—The early stages of certain Geomeirina—Sensi- bility of larvee to sound—Collecting in North Kent—How to obtain and preserve ova—Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1893—Stridulation—Variety breeding—The Pupal and Imaginal wings of Lepidoptera, etc., efe., 354 pp. Gontents of Vol. V. On the larva of Arctia cata (with plates)—Hvolution of the Lepidopterous Pupa—Rey. H. Burney’s collection (sale)—lLife-History of a Lepidopterous Insect (Morphology and Physiology, ete.)—Among the Ancients—Hrebia epiphron and its named Varieties—Life-History of Agrotis agathina—Ten Days at Wicken Fen— Varieties of Spilesoma mendica—Butterfly Catching in the neighbourhood of Mt. Blanc—Life-History of Ocneria dispar—Zygaena exulans and its Variations— Entomology at Rainham, Hssex—Additiens to the British List—New Method of Relaxing Insects, etc., etc., 308 pp. To be obtained only from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, S.E.14 to whom Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable. WATKINS & DONGASTER, Naturalists and Manufacturers of Entomological Apparatus and Cabinets. Plain Ring Nets, wire or cane, including Stick, 1/5, 2/2, 2/6, 3/2. Folding Nets, 3/9, 4/3, 4/9. Umbrella Nets (self-acting), 7/-. Pocket Boxes (deal), 7d., 10d., 1/2, 1/10. Zine Collecting Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6, 2/-. Nested Chip Boxes, 9d. per four dozen, 1 gross, 2/-. Entomological Pins, 1/6 per ounce. Pocket Lanterns, 2/6 to 8/-. Sugaring Tin, with brush, 1/6, 2/-. Sugaring Mixture, ready for use, 1/7 per tin. Store-Boxes, with camphor cells, 2/3, 2/9, 4/- 4/6, 5/6, 6/8. Setting-Boards, flat or oval, lin., 6d.; 1din., 8d.; 2in., 10d.; 2hin., 1/- ; 84in., 1/4; 4in., 1/6; 5in., 1/10; Complete Set of fourteen Boards, 10/6. Setting ouses, 10/6, 12/9; corked back, 15/9. Zinc Larva Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6. Breeding Cage, 2/9, 4/6, 5/6, 8/3. Coleopterist’s Collecting Bottle, with tube, 1/6, 1/8. Botanical Cases, japanned double tin, 1/6 to 4/6. Botanical Paper, 1/1, 1/4, 1/9, 2/2 per quire. Insect Glazed Cases, 2/9 to 11/-. Cement for replacing Antennse 4d. per bottle. Steel Forceps, 1/6, 2/-, 2/6 per pair. Cabinet Cork, 7 by 34, 1/2 per dozen sheets. Brass Chloroform Bottle, 2/6. Insect Lens, 1/- to 8/6. Glass-top and Glass-bottomed Boxes, from 1/3 per dozen. Zine Killing Box, 9d. to1/-. Pupa Digger, in leather sheath, 1/9. Taxidermist’s Companion, containing most necessary implements for skinning, 10/6. Scalpels, 1/3 ; Scissors, 2/- per pair; Egedrills, 2d., 3d., 9d., 1/-; Blowpipes, 4d., 6d.; Artificial Hyes for Birds and Animals. Label-lists of British Butterflies, 2d.; ditto of Birds’ Mggs, 2d., 3d., 6d.; ditto of Land and Fresh-water Shells, 2d. Useful Books on Insects, Eggs, ete. SILVER PINS for collectors of Micro-Lepidoptera, etc., as wellas minute insects of all other families and for all insects liable to become greasy. We stock various sizes and lengths of these Silver Pins which have certain advantages over ordinary entomological pins (whether enamelled black or silver or gilt). NESTING BOXES of various patterns which should be fixed in gardens or shrub- beries by lovers of birds before the breeding season.’ SHOW ROOM FOR CABINETS Of every description for Inszots, Brrps’ Haas, Coins, Microscorican Ossnors, Fossins &c. Catalogue (84% pages) sent on application, post free. LARGE STOCK OF INSECTS AND BIRDS’ EGGS (British, European, and Exotic), Birds, Mammals, etc., Preserved and Mownted by Wirst class Workmen. 36, STRAND, LONDON, W.C., ENGLAND. SYNOPSIS OF THE ORTHOPTERA OF WESTERN EUROPE. By MALCOLM BURR, D.Sc, F.Z.8., F.LS., F.E5., &. Bound in Cloth, 160 pp., with good Index (Specific and Generic). Price 3s. net. A pocket handbook for the use of collectors in the field. Covers all species found west of the Carpathian Mts. Description of each species, habits, habitats and distribution. Will be sent Post Free on receipt of Postal Order for, 3s. to— A. H., 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. FINE 1917 INSECTS—ALSO PUPA. Bicuspis, 5s.; Dominula var. Rossica, 2s. 6d.; Consonaria Kent Melanic, 3s. 6d.; * Tilie, rare brick-red var., 10s. ; Coridon var. Syngrapha, 15s. ; Mendica var Rustica, 2s., pe Intermediate, 1s. 6d.; Papilionaria, 6d.; Varleyata, 12s. All per each, and many others. f Fine Pupz.—Per doz., Versicolor, 5s.; Tiliz, 3s. 9d.; Ocellatus, 3s. 9d.; Elpenor, 3s. 6d.; Bicuspis, 42s. Write for full list to L. W. NEWMAN E.ES., Bexley, Kent. Wanted.—Many fine set insects and Pups ; will be pleased to exchange.. CONTENTS. ' PAGE Myrmecophilous Notes for 1917, H. Donisthorpe, F.Z.S., F.E.S. .. ae ey : 21 Lepidopterology. Two new European Lycaenids, T. A. Chapman, M.D., F.E.S...< 24 Coleoptera at Barton Mills, H. Donisthorpe, F.Z.S., F.E.S... .. tg ne 28 Some Account of Bridport and its Neighbourhood, W. Parkinson Curtis, F.E.S. 29 Nores on CoLiectina :—Coleoptera Notes from Suffolk, 1916 & 1917, J. W. 7 Allen Sphinx convoivuli, W. Bowater, F.E.S: .. 36 Current Norms anp SHorr Norices .. c ae ae Ke ae App o1/f Socretizs :—The South London Entomological ae a 3 be 34 40 Communications have been received or have been promised from Rev. G. Wheeler, Messrs. R. §. Bagnall, Hy. J. Turner, C. P. Pickett, Parkinson Curtis, H. Donisthorpe, A. Sich, Dr. Verity, C. W. Colthrup, Rev. CR. N. Burrows, Dr. T. A. Chapman, Capt. Burr, G. T. Bethune-Baker, E. B. Ashby, P. A. H. Muschamp, J. H. Durrant, Orazio Querci, W. Bowater, Capt. P. P. Graves, etc:, with Ben of Societies and ney. All MS. and editorial matter should be sent and all proofs returned to Hy. J. TuRNER, 98, Drakefell Road, New Cross, London, §.E.14 We must earnestly request our correspondents nor to send us communications IDENTICAL with those they are sending to other magazines. Lists of Dupnicarrs and Drsiprrata should be sent direct to Mr. H. E. Page, Bertrose, Gellatly Road, New Cross, 8.B. 14 FOR SALE. BOOKS © 23), ERGROMOLOGICANE The Entomologist, vols. 20-30, 1887-1897 (11 ae i » vols. 39-46, 1906-1913 (7 years {=2 108 Od. Stainton’s Manual of Butterflies and Moths, vol. 1. 2s. 6d. British Moths, Tutt, 2s. Natural History of the Brit. Butterflies and Moths, Hd. Newman, 2 vols. 17s. 6d. Lepidopterist’s Calender, Jos. Merrin. 4s. Out of print. To be sold for the benefit of the Wipow of the late J. ALpERSoN. Apply bab Mr. F. S. THOMAS, 23, Park Villas, Cheam, Surrey. Woodside, Burnside, Hillside and Marsh. (Crown 8vo., Illustrated, 224 pp. and 103 woodcuts and full-page illustrations. Bound in Cloth. (Price 2/6). Seas” Another series of collecting expeditions into well-known entomological and sip history localities, with description of botanical, geological, ornithological as well as entomological matters of interest to be found therein. ‘The places dealt with include Cobham Woods, Cuxton Downs, the Western Highlands, Cliffe—all well known for their rich entomological fauna. To be obtained from J. Heursert Torr, Francemary Bend, Laieeen Rega Brockley, S.E. & eee ptions for cae Pe eee ree THI ENTOMOLO GiST!S RECORD pAb. / JOURNAL GF. VARIATION Wpirkp BY Ricuary 8. BAGNALL, v.1.s., F.m.s. | LT. A. CHAPMAN, 0LD.,1.2,8,; ¥.E.8, 7. HUDSON BIUARL, Jas. I. Ret PES, B.SC., F.L.8., F-R-S.1. Hesu Js Is. DONISTHORP]:, Grorer T. BETHUNE-BAKER, V.7.8.) F.E.S- T.Z.8., F.L.S.y F-E.S, Jonn HartLtEy DURRANT, f.£:5. M. a beaee D.SG., .Z.8., E-L-S., V1.8. Aurrep SICH, ¥.u.s. Pealis "BURROWS, F.E.S. J. BR. le B. TOMLIN, M.a., ¥.E.S. Grorer WHEETWK, m.a., v.85. and Henry J. TURNER, F.u.s.,: Wditorial Secretary. (Ruv.) C. MARCH. 16th, 1918. Price ONE SHILLING (vez). Subscription, for Complete Volume, post free (Including all DOUBLE NUMBIERS, etc.) SEVEN SHILLINGS, TO Be FORWARDED VO HERBERT E. PAGE, F.E.S., “¢ Burros,” GuLLATLY Roav, Nuw Cross, 8§.B. 14 ¥ — LONDON: ELLIOT STOCK, 7, Pavernosruk Row, E.C. ; St. q STEVENS’ AUCTION ROOMS (30). TUESDAY, MARCH 12th, at One o’Clock. Natural History Collection. aS Abe sere BLAIS SESS ee es Eade EN Mr. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION at his Rooms, 38, King Street, Covent. Garden, London, W.C. 2, LEPIDOPTERA, including an unusually fine selection of nyc sgrossu- lariata from the Rey. G. H. Raynor, M.A., a small collection of British Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, etc. Two 40-drawer mahogany Insect Cabinets; also British, Palearctic and Indian Eggs, the property at J. Wall-Row, Hsq., F.1.S., M. B.O. U., with full data. 3 view day pace and mor as of Sale. Paelgeuce on happen READ THH BACK Rae OF THE Briumologis® s Record & Journal! of Variation at Hints, Field Work, etc. useful for every year’s collecting). VOL. VI. The titLtrs of some of the articles are as follows :—Notes on puiterdy. Pipe: with some yemarks on the Phylogenesis of ‘the Rhopalocera.”—Dr. 7. A. Chapman, F.1.8., ‘ Phytophagie Species.” — Prof. A. Radcliffe Grote, M.A. “‘ Varieties and aberrations of Noctuze from Doncaster.”—-H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S. ‘*The frenulum of the British species of Smerinthus.’’—@. C. Griffiths, F.2Z.8., F.E.S. ‘“BWudzryas ste-johannis.,—A. Radelife Grote, M.A. ‘ Parthenogenesis or Agamogenesis.’’— J. W. Tutt, FHS. ‘* Larve. Rev. G. M.A. Hewitt, M.A. ‘Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1894.” —J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. “Generic Names in the Noctuides.”—Pror. 4, R. Gr ote, M.A. “ Pupa hunting in ~ October. li W. Tutt, FS. “Polygamy and Polyarifiry in Moths.” Besides these art sieles, a\large number of short notes are contained in every number under the follewing titles: ‘‘ Scientific Notes and Observations,’’ ‘‘ Variation,’ ‘‘ Notes on Tarvee and Life- histories,’’*‘ Nofes on Collecting,’ “Current Notes.” The reports of Societies are very carefully edited, and only scientific paragraphs published. The ‘‘ Practical Hints’? and “ Field work” for each month are quite unique. : The entomologist who wiil read carefully through the back numbers of Vhe Entomeologist’s Record will find himself better equipped for the further study of his subject than by any other means. Price 7/6 per eolumey of Mr. H. E. Fone, “ Bertrose.”’ Gellatly. Roa New Cross, S.E. “14 “OVA, LARVAE, AND PUPA. _ The Largest Breeder of Lepidoptera in the British Isles is H. W. HEAD, Gitonealogist, BURNISTON, Nr. SCARBOROUGH. Full List of Ova, Larvae, and Pupae, also Lepidoptera, Apparatus, Cabinets etc., sent on application. Many Rare British Species and Good Varieties for Sale. Lantern Slides in Natural Colours. LEPIDOPTERA & LARVZ A SPECIALITY. Photographed from life and true to Nature in every detail. SLIDES OF BIRDS, WILD FLOWERS, bea By same Colour Process. LAtYERN SLIDES MADE ''O ORDER FROM ANY SPECIMEN OR COLOURED DRAWING. PHOTOS IN COLOUR OF LARVA, LIFE SIZE, ON IVORINE TABLETS TO PIN IN THE CABINET. Fer List apply to— CHARLES D. HEAD, Cherrymount, Donnycarney, DUBLIN. INBREEDING A. BETULARIA. 41 Inbreeding Amphidasis betularia. By Cart. BOWATER, R.A.M.C.T., M.C., F.E.S. In the course of an experiment, undertaken in 1909 in order to investigate the heredity of melanism in Lepidoptera, Amphidasis betu- laria was one of the species used, and it proved itself capable of with- standing considerable inbreeding if due care be taken. In many cases pairings were infertile, and those fertile often pro- duced larvee so weak that they failed to reach maturity, but several families were carried through each year, and the strain was kept going till August, 1914, and then my wife, although quite untrained in entomology, took over the larvye, and with some aid from my sister, carried them through, and cared for a further generation in 1915, which successfully produced imagines in 1916. The 7th generation. I record this now as I fail to find in the literature a record of success with more than three generations of this species. The original parents were Black x Type, their offspring all inter- mediate. Four pairings amongst these produced four families consist- ing of type and intermediate specimens. A type g from one and an intermediate ¢ from another were paired and produced a family (the only one in the year) of 89 specimens (a good example of clean Men- delian segregation), 19 being strictly type, and 20 intermediate, and all the 20 are exactly the same style. A type § and an intermediate @ were paired, and in 1914 five moths emerged, two type and three intermediate. The darkest of the latter, a 2, paired with a wild Bexley black g, and deposited about 400 ova, from which 250 pupe were raised, and in 1915 107 black, 60 intermediate and 59 type moths emerged. Two of the black were paired, and their family of twelve, all black, appeared last year. Seven hundred and thirty-one specimens were reared in the whole experiment. Apple and sallow were used as food-plants. ao x ae Inter. 3X gx & dl | T & Inter. T & Inter. ri x 2 | B + Inter. + T ox | B Marcu 15tTu, 1917. 42, THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. I am much indebted to my friend Mr. Edwards, of Birmingham, for invaluable help, for he took care of the pupe, and killed and set the imagines for me, in spite of the very numerous calls on his time. I hope to record further details at a future date, as other small families of the same strain were reared during the six years, and all tend to prove that Mendelian laws of heredity prevail in A. betularia, although the occurrence of intermediate forms and the special liability to disease of this species when in captivity, have prevented the accumulation of much evidence to support this. Prolonged life in a headless ant. By T. A. CHAPMAN, M.D., F.E.S. October 15th, 1917.—Mr. Donisthorpe took a colony of Myrmica scabrinodis at Weybridge. October 21st.—Mr. Donisthorpe says that all the ants of this colony have entered the new nest. On one or other of these dates or on some intermediate one, a certain ant became decapitated. October 25th.—The above nest passed into my possession for the benefit of the larva of Lycaena alcon, and Mr. Donisthorpe pointed out to me the headless worker. November 2nd.—The headless ant is still alive. November 3rd.—It has moved to the next compartment, no doubt moved by ants; as it does not seem to move voluntarily, but sits up and moves a little when touched by passing ants. November 4th.—Moved to another compartment, no doubt carried. November 5th.—As well as usual. November 10th.—Seen to-day, quite lively, is away from other ants, moves when touched. November 13th.—Still living. November 14th.—Found in midden, lively, removed it from midden. November 15th.—Is being held by another ant, seemed as usual when released. November 18th.—Lively. November 19th.—Carried or held by an ant, kicks in a lively manner. November 24th.—Unseen for two days. It is to-day amongst the ants in brood nest, to which it must have been carried by ants, it is seen when they scattered, seems alive and well. November 26th.—In centre of a compartment, well. November 28th.—In middle of a compartment, seems strong, but doesn’t move unless touched. November 29th.—Now alone in space beyond the one in which it was yesterday, obviously carried by ants. A few days ago it was noticed to be without the second left leg. It was assumed that this had occurred in the original accident in which the head was lost, but had been over- looked, though it was looked at so often that it seemed an explanation hard to accept. ‘To-day all three left legs are missing. ‘Two of these, therefore, and almost certainly the first also, must have been removed by the ants, either intentionally or in struggles as to who should carry it off. It sits up on the three right legs and gets on them again when shoved over. PROLONGED LIFE IN A HEADLESS ANT. 43 November 30th.—Found in the midden, it is, however, quite lively, though it has now only two legs, the right bind lee being now missing. December Ist.—Is alive and with two legs, is nearly where left yesterday, an ant stood over it as if holding it, but went away when disturbed. December 38rd.—Alive and lively (for her). December 6th.—Not seen for two days, probably in ant mass, to- day is in midden, but, when washed, uses her (2) legs as actively as ever. Docember 7th.—Alive, alone. December 8th.—Lively. December 9th.—Alive and well. December 11th.—Rescued from midden, washed, quite lively. December 12th.—F ound in midden, apparently drowned in melted honey, the ants having made midden on the glass on which honey was offered them, when cleaned moved legs feebly, but doesn’t look likely to recover. December 13th.—Really dead. This ant lived possibly from October 15th, certainly from the 21st, until December 12th without its head, a minimum period of 52 days, or a possible maximum, October 15th to December 13th, of 59 days. Mr. Donisthorpe tells me there are records of a headless ant living 22 and 29 days. It had no initiative, and unless touched did not try to move, but moved its legs readily when disturbed. The ants carried it about; always, however, leaving it solitary in the middle of a compartment of the nest until the 29th day (dating from October 15th) when it was found in the ‘‘midden,” usually a bit of glass placed in the nest with tood for the ants on it. Rescued from this, it was found next day held by an ant, and again four days later. On the 40th day it was found in the brood-nest, where it had apparently been for two days, during which it had not been seen elsewhere. For some days after this it was left alone in the middle of one compartment or another, but carried to a fresh one, of course by the ants. About the 42nd day it lost a leg, and on the 45th it had lost all the left legs. On the 46th it was again in the midden and had lost another leg, having now only two, it was quite lively when rescued. On the 52nd day it wag found again in the midden, but from not being seen had probably been for two days in the brood-nest. Remained till the 57th day, alive as before, but was then found in the midden, rescued, and seemed lively. On the 58th day was found in the midden drowned in honey; when rescued and cleaned moved feebly, but was quite dead on the 59th day. This history shows how the ants treated the maimed individual, except as to whether they removed its limbs accidentally or inten- tionally. It may be worth noting that it survived 15 days after losing a leg in addition to its head, and for 12 days the loss of four of its legs. Its life was probably shortened. by the drowning, owing to my not having seen and rescued it in time, and not altogether due to debility from its injuries. [Norz.—The ant in question was probably decapitated with the glass roof pane of the observation nest, on the evening of October 15th, when a few % % were placed in the nest, to show the way to the 44 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. rest of the colony into their new home. I agree with Dr. Chapman that if it had not been partly drowned in the honey it would have lived even longer. The other two records of headless ants are—a % of M. ruginodis, which was kept alive by C. C. Best Gardner for 21 or 22 days [ Brit. Ants, 119 (1915)], and a Formica rufa 8 which Janet had under obser- vation for 29 days before it died [C. R. Acad. Sc. Paris, 127, 130 (1898] ; Brit. Ants, 249 (1915)|.—H. DonistHorps. | Some Account of Bridport and its Neighbourhood from the point of view of the Lepidopterist, particularly having regard to the Geological Distribution of the Species. By W. PARKINSON CURTIS, F.E.S. (Continued from page 36.) Hooxe Parx.—I now cross to the east again. This place is about half a mile west of Drake North, but occupies the talus slopes and foot of Warren Hill, from 300 feet to 520 feet. In composition it is a bit of a puzzle; it is a large wood, 416 acres, and when my wife and I were there it was so breathlessly hot that we were not precisely ener- getic. I don’t think I even scampered over one-eighth of its area. It appears to be a place easily able to live up to its reputation. It hardly ends abruptly at the foot of Warren Hill, as it peters out into stunted trees and bushes at 550 feet, above which Warren Hill reaches 661 feet. Just here matters are complicated by three parallel faults running about W.4N. Warren Hill is charted as Greensand and Gault. Actually the top of it is white Chalk, but the débris on which Hooke Park stands is puzzling. Nominally the upper part of the wood is narrowly bordered by Greensand, the main part of the wood is Great Oolite, the extreme southernmost fringe, where the wood runs from 25 feet below to 25 feet above the 300 feet contour line, is Inferior Oolite. In some places the soil has a tendency to a white clayey consistency, which is agreeable with the charting, but the major part has a surface soil of a light sandy nature, reminding one of the Reading Bed portion of Bere Wood (Hast Dorset), a resemblance heightened by the presence of rhododendron. This may be broken down Greensand and Gault, but I suspect with a strong admixture of what was once an Eocene or Miocene capping to. Warren Hill and Drake North. The most striking feature of the wood is the undergrowth, little hazel, some sallow, an abundance of alder, and no birch. Birch I never saw in the district at all. This gives the wood a rather sombre tone, and no doubt gives it a special fauna. There is a wealth of stunted sloe on the outskirts, but the little casual beating I did for Ruralis (Zephyrus) betulae was not productive of the desired result. My own captures in the wood were limited. Gnophria rudbricollis literally swarmed on two afternoons, dancing round the tops of the trees, but hardly ever coming within reach. They occasionally volplaned down to the tops of the alders. By using a tall ash beating stick as a handle for one net and a 15 foot green alder stick of uncertain weight and pliability for another, my wife and I managed to get about 80. It is no exaggeration to say that every tree had a tassel of 50 to 100 of these insects on the lee side, dancing like May flies, or skittering round the top of the tree like mice. A single specimen of Drepana falcataria was obtained notwith- SOME ACCOUNT OF BRIDPORT AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 45 standing the absence of birch. It is, moreover, an exceedingly large one. Argynnis selene was present, but less abundant than at Drake North. Both Mr. Male and Mr. Webber record this insect for the wood. Hemaris fuciformis I saw once flying at bugle, and later I saw a speci- men flying at bluebell. Mr. Webber has also seen it here and taken it, but says it is not common. This estimate is probably not correct. I have never seen H. fuciformis on the wing at Poole, but I can always find two or three dozen larve in an afternoon if I want to do so. Probably the larva would be readily obtained at Hooke Park if searched for properly. Xylophasia rwrea was picked up on a gate post entering the wood. Xanthorhoé montanata was abundant, of course. I got a single worn @ of Numeria pulveraria. Pyrameis atalanta was exceed- ingly abundant and as a rule in fine order considering the time of the year. I saw one large solitary butterfly, which could only have been Apatura iris or Eugonia polychloros, sailing round the top of an oak. I sat down and watched it for half an hour without getting any nearer to its identity than my first guess. The action was certainly that of A. iris. Of course it was late for the larva, and though I searched and beat sallow in that vicinity I saw nothing to confirm my guess. I feel sure the wood would amply repay investigation. Mr. Male (M) and Mr. Webber (W) record the following insects :— Melanaryia yalathea (M), Argynnis paphia, A. cydippe (adippe), A. aglaia, Brenthis euphrosyne, all abundant (M & W), Hemaris bombyliformis (M & W), 4. paphia var. valezina, by T.'T. Male in the early 1870's (fide W), Limenitis sibilla, in 1907 (fide W), Apatura iris, in 1902 (fide W), and Bithys (Zephyrus) quercus (W & M). Mr. Male used to take Melitaea aurinia in a damp field at the entrance to Hooke Park. I am satisfied I investigated the right field, I am equally satisfied that the field has of recent years been drained and probably the Drake North colony is the old colony (see Mr. Male’s remarks under Drake North). Zygaena trifolii var. confluens has also been obtained by Mr. Male. Broapwinsor.—This village is really out of the area, as it is on the northern side of the Lewesdon-Drake North watershed, and really belongs to the Axe catchment area, and not to the Brit catchment area. I visited this place to get Melitaeca aurinia, but ended up by missing the locality and running down into a flowery meadow lying on the Inferior Oolite, but rich with the detritus of the Great Oolite, Gault and Greensand higher up. This meadow was intersected with streams fringed with trees. Huchloé cardamines and Pieris napi were abundant. Brenthis selene was an occasional visitor. Pararge megera was abun- dant, as was Rumicia phlaeas, a nice specimen of var. schmidti falling to my wife’s net. Polyommatus icarus and Plusia gamma were com- mon. Huelidia mi and EK. glyphica were both not uncommon, though the latter eluded capture. Heliaca tenebrata was very abundant but very difficult to catch. (It will be noted that I got this insect no higher than the Inferior Oolite.) Hylophila prasinana 2 was found sitting in the grass at the foot of an oak tree. Melanthia ocellata and Xan- thorhoe montanata were taken in the hedges surrounding the field; a single Pyrausta cingulalis and Crambus dumetellus complete the list, save for an Hriocephalid which swarmed in the buttercups, and made | a really beautiful picture, their metallic bronze shining in the sun thrown up by the strong yellow background was very striking. They 46 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S REOGORD. were busy eating the pollen, as far as I could see, but I managed to lose sight of the dozen or so I caught, so I can hardly say I know what they are. In the field I considered them Microptery« seppella, Fab. Mr. Case, a local entomologist, obtained Melitaea aurinia regularly, but I missed the locality owing to working on too small a scale map. The same gentleman obtained Manduca (Acherontia) atropos here on Sep- tember 2nd, 1914, and Limenitis sibilla in 1917 at Four Ashes, quite near to Broadwinsor. Mr. A. E. Webber has also taken Argynnis cydippe (adippe) and Hamearis (Nemeobius) lucina here. Witb regard to the Melitaea aurinia this locality was on the Greensand and Gault I now know. Powerstock.—This village lies below the 500 contour line, just under Drake North, on the Inferior Oolite. There is a profusion of Lotus corniculatus and Anthyllis vulneraria. I passed through it once and obtained Pararye aeyeria var. eyerides and Polyommatus icarus. It will be noted that although var. egerides descended as low as the Lower Lias, I never obtained it higher than the Inferior Oolite, nor did I obtain it in woodland. Poorton.—This is a district rather than a village, mostly above 400 feet and below 500 feet, lying south of Hooke Park and south-west of Drake North. It is nearly all Inferior Oolite, and in the shady lanes I looked in vain for Leptosia sinapis, which Mr. Webber used to obtain there sparingly in the early 1880’s. I found P. aegeria var. eyerides fairly frequent, also Melanthia ocellata. | also found two empty cocoons and one pupa (unfortunately ichneumoned) of Cerwra bifida. In this district I crossed a small area of Great Oolite, and there I got a solitary Aricia medon (astrarche), an interesting capture, as Mr. Webber and Mrs. Hudson both record the insect as more nearly common at Bothenhampton Quarries, also on the Great Oolite. Pyrameis cardua was careering wildly about, and I got a single Cosmotriche (Odonestis) potatoria. Mr. Webber records Callophrys rubi. I did not see it myself, but Poorton was only taken en route for Drake North, and the exami- nation was casual. That practically finishes the high ridges to the north of Bridport. Poorton is strictly independent of the high ridge from Lewesdon to Drake North, but has the appearance in the distance of being a secon- dary ridge of foot hills. Dorrzry.—A bout five miles from Bridport, on the Lewesdon Road, is a village of this name on the Middle Lias. I merely passed through it, capturing Heliaca tenebrata, which was dancing about the hedges, and taking a single larva of Lasiocampa quercus. It will be noted that this was the lowest horizon I obtained H. tenebrata upon. Atiineton.—A small hill just outside Bridport, to the west. It has a capping of Inferior Oolite, and is just over the 200 foot contour. It has the appearance of having been entrenched at some time. Here I got Huchloé cardamines, which is a really common insect round Brid- port. Polyommatus icarus was abundant, and included a fair number of @ ab. caerulea. Aricia medon (astrarche) was not uncommon but over, and I was only able to pick one presentable specimen. It will be observed that Inferior Oolite is a calcareous rock. Huclidia mi was abundant, Pararye megera in evidence, whilst E'pinephele jurtina (ianira) was just emerging. Zyyaena filipendulae was present but not common. I obtained two. Having regard to the time of emergence, the width of SOME ACCOUNT OF BRIDPORT AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 47 the terminal band, the division of spot 6 by nervure 5 in the forewing, and their condition, which was past its pristine glory, I have no par- ticular hesitation in referring these specimens to the race hippocrepidis. True /ilipendulae is due out in Dorset about the third week in July. SymonpsBury.—I only walked round one evening; my captures were Cacoecia ministrana, a Tortrix I had always associated with birch copses in Hast Dorset, and Xanthosetia hamana, a fairly ubiquitous species. The actual place of capture in each case being on the Inferior Oolite. Mr. Webber records a single Colias hyale and an abundance of Brenthis euphrosyne for this locality. Briprorr Town.—tThis stands on the Lower Lias. It is a cheer- ful, clean country town, with wide streets that would do credit to many larger places. My captures were chiefly casuals that flew in at the windows. Hipocrita jacobaeae was common in the garden, having assembled to a crippled ¢ I broughtupfrom Hype. Arctia villica was also obtained. Mamestra (Barathra) brassicae and Triphaena pronuba, which are nearly domestic insects, were taken. Triaena (Acronicta) pst was found sitting on a poplar tree. Mr. Male gave me a bred series of Amorpha populi and Dicranura vinula of local origin. Mr. Male also, with great generosity, presented me with a very fine Hyloicus pinastrt, which had been taken on July 14th, 1917, on a wall in South Street, Bridport. The insect is in beautiful order, but the state of the fringes show that it had flown some distance. This is an odd capture in a district where Pinus sylvestris is scarce and presumably a migrant. Mr. Webber tells me Colias edusa was not uncommon at times, which record Mr. Male confirms for 1917, when the insect was by no means uncom- mon. Gonepteryx rhamni is not common as Rhamnus is a rare plant there. Mr. Male records Celastrina argiolus as not uncommon in 1900, 1901 and 1902, and in 1906 Isaw two myself. Mr. Webber says fairly common throughout the district. Mr. Male also records Cossus liyni- perda bred from plum, July 8rd, 1904, the second he has seen in 30 years. (Mr. Webber, however, says the larve are destructively plenti- ful.) Smerinthus ocellatus, Lachneis (Hriogaster) lanestris, Phalera bucephala, Manduca (Acherontia) atropos one, on November 6th, 1905, also in 1910 and 1911. Odontopera bidentata, Cucullia verbasci, and Amphipyra pyramidea. Pyrameis cardui was common in 1906 and 1917, Eumorpha elpenor first taken on June 24th, 1907, but bred from larvee both in 1909 and 1910. Habrosyne derasa and Thyatira batis. Sphinx ligustri was fairly common. Agrius convolvuli in 1911 and 1917, also by Mr. Webber. Mimas tiliae not common, though there are a fair number of limes in Bridport. Sesia (Macroylossa) stellatarum very abun- dant in the season 1911 (A. E. Webber). Aeyeria tipuliformis, Lasio- campa quercus, Amphidasis betularia not common, and Triphaena fimbria one specimen in 1917. In conversation with Mr. Male, and in going through his collection, I ascertained, however, that Plusta yamma, P. chrysitis, and P. iota were common on flowers in his garden, and P. pulchrina occasionally put in an appearance. Mr. Webber records Nudaria mundana occasionally at the lamps, Cybosia mesomella not commonly, Arctia caia common, A. villica fairly so, Phragmatobia fuli- ginosa occasionally at gas lamps, Diaphora mendica not common, D. lubricipeda very common, Hepialus humuliin swarms, H. sylvanus com- mon, Zeuzera aesculi one only, Porthesia similis (aurifua) common, Psilura monacha one only (actually in Bridport Town itself), Pericallia 48 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. syringaria fairly common, Epione apiciaria and Amphidasis strataria (prodromaria) as fairly common also. Borrom Hitx.—This is a hill about 400 feet high, close to Bridport on the East, it is Inferior Oolite with a sandy wood at the top with a good many fir trees in it. This sandy soil I have referred to before. Pararge megera, Pieris napi, P. rapae and P. brassicae were common, Polyommatus icarus less so. Rumicia phlaeas and Euclidia mi were both present, as was Xanthorhoé (Melanippe) sociata. I picked up a single @ Diaphora mendica. Mr. Webber records Gnophria rubricollis as common amongst the fir trees. I, however, did not see it, and he also records Bithys (Zephyrus) quercis at the foot of the hill. West Bay.—A low cap of Middle Lias, to the west of this town, produced to me many Polyommatus icarus, including a few good ab. caerulea. Mrs. Hudson was here from August 11th to September 10th, 1917, and I have set her captures and examined them. Aglais urticae was abundant, and included ab. nubilata, Raynor, and ab. radiata, Raynor. Pyrameis atalanta was also extremely plentiful. Vanessa io was not uncommon. Fpinephele tithonus was abundant but worn, the second or third brood of Pararye megera was getting worn but was much in evidence, a single P. aegeria var. egerides, very ragged was obtained, but the exact site of capture is a little uncertain, which is a pity in view of the fact that I never met with the first brood off the Oolite. Hpinephele jurtina (ianira) was worn to rags. Coenonympha pamphilus was very abundant. Colias edusa was seen in a clover field on the west side of the Brit, and Mrs. Hudson captured three ?s on September 6th, 1917, she also saw them on the cliff between Hype and West Bay, but estimates that she saw about 30 specimens altogether. Polyommatus icarus second brood was going over. I noticed that Mrs. Hudson’s catch contained very few ab. tearinus, and far less tendency to ab. caerulea than my captures of the first brood, and curiously in contrast to my wife’s experience at Poole, where on two days she worked assiduously at the second brood and caught a good number of fine ab. caerulea and a fair number of underside variations. Mrs. Hud- son’s only underside variation was an asymmetrical g, in which the dorsal spots on one of the hindwings were conjoined to form a streak. Rumicia phlaeas second brood was abundant, but going over. Pieris napi and P. rapae second broods were also fairly in evidence. Mrs. Hudson’s captures of Heterocera were one each of Hydroecia paludis, Noctua rubi, Bryophila perla, and Xanthorhoé (Melanippe) rivata, and many Crambus selasellus. Eypr.—A small seaside village about two miles south-west of Brid- port ; it is charted as standing on Middle’ Lias, which is I think only correct in part, the major part of the surface rocks and the cutting in the roadway to Bridport looked much more like Inferior Oolite. In this cutting there was always a single specimen of P. aegeria var. egerides, but never more. I caught one every time I passed through. I also disturbed Huplexia lucipara out of the herbage. Pteris napi, P. rapae, and P. brassicae also occurred, as well as Pararge megera and Polyommatus icarus, including ab. icarinus. Hipocrita jacobaeae was common, and I picked up eight wings belonging to two Arctia villica, evidently destroyed by a bird. Hesperia (Syricthus) malvae was com- mon on the beach sitting on damp seaweed; probably this was due to ‘ SOME ACCOUNT OF BRIDPORT AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 49 the extreme heat in June. Mr. Male records Nisoniades tages, CVolias edusa and var. helice (1917), and C. hyale for this locality. THorncome Beacon anp Hyex Down.—Thorncombe is a 590 foot eminence, rising sheer from the beach, with a tiny capping of Green- sand, and terminates Eype Down, which is entrenched. There is a huge beacon pile on the top, which afforded in June shelter to a num- ber of Pyrameis atalanta and P. cardui. I only obtained Xanthorhoé sociata, Aglais urticae, Coenonympha pamphilus, Aspilates ochrearva (citraria) here, but Mr. Male records Brenthis euphrosyne and Callo- phrys rubi, and Mr. Webber adds Argynnis aglaia, A. paphia, Aphan- topus hyperantus and Theretra porcellus, rather scarce. Localities I did not visit. (M=W. W. Male; W=A. HE. Webber.) Powerstock Common.—The following species are recorded :— Leptosia sinapis (olim M), Brenthis euphrosyne (M & W), B. selene (M& W), drgynnis aglaia (W), Melitaea aurinia (olim M), Aphantopus hyperantus (W), Satyrus semele (W), Melanargia galathea common but local (W), Bithys (Zephyrus) quercus (W), Callophrys rubi (W), Hesperia (Syric- thus) malvae (M), Nisoniades tages (M), Hamearis lucina (M), Taenio- campa miniosa, common in 1903 and 1911 (M), Trichiura crataeyi (M), and Adela viridella (M). Eeearpon.—Argynnis aglaia (M), Melanargia galathea (M), Agriades thetis (adonis) (M & W), and Agriades coridon (W). Maren Newton.—Aphantopus hyperantus (W), Agriades coridon (M), and A. thetis (adonis) (W & M). ' Boar’s Barrow near Lopers.—Brenthis selene and Bb. euphrosyne (W). Satway Asa.—Huvanessa antiopa, seen in 1882, but not captured (W). [Norz.—I have since met the actual person who saw this insect. He is a collector perfectly clear as to what he saw.—W.P.C.] Burron Brapstock.—Agriades thetis (adonis), August 21st, 1906 M). : BotHENHAMPTON AND Burton Quarrirs.—l saw this locality but did not visit it. It is the rough spoil heaps of quarries, where the Great Oolite was formerly (?) worked. Mr. Webber and Mrs. Hudson both record Aricia medon (astrarche), not uncommonly amongst the old quarries. Spatown.—WMelanargia galathea (M), and Satyrus semele (M). Gotpen Cap.—Satyrus semele (M), and a single Agriades coridon, on August 3rd, 1907. Mr. Male remarks in his diary, ‘‘ The first I have met with here, and no chalk near.’’ The nearest approach to Chalk is Greensand, which caps Golden Cap, though I think the cap- ping requires detailed examination by a geological expert, as the hill at the present time is heather and fir tree covered, and I surmise that it is probable that it is Greensand overlaid with Chalk and covered with drift. It is nearly 700 feet high, and this would, in comparison with Thorncombe just opposite, give about 180 feet thickness to the Green- sand, an excessive allowance if the top is plain Greensand. Cuarmoutu, which I have visited occasionally, is so near to Brid- port that I will include a few notes on it. Argynnis aglaia, bithys (Zephyrus) quercts, Angerona prunaria (W), Vanessa io, Hepialus humuli, Sesia (Macroglossa) stellatarum (HK. H. Curtis), a single speci- men of Nascia cilialis in the reeds in a ‘‘ weep” on the cliff, not captured, as I was geologizing, and by the time my brother had responded to my 50 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. frantic shouts and climbed the cliff with net and boxes, the little beast, after sitting within two feet of my face for quite ten minutes, dived into the reeds. I was quite mortified at its loss, because it was pre- cisely the last insect I expected to see there, but I could not mistake an insect I was so familiar with in broad daylight, within a few feet of me, that gave me time for leisurely examination, June 24th, 1911. Lyme Reeis.—Aricia medon (astrarche) plentiful (W & M). This sums up all the information, outside Dale’s Lepidoptera of Dorset, that I have been able to get together. Personally I think it is enough to make one long for more, and I wish a kindly fate would decree me three years leisure in three good seasons, with an unlimited supply of maps, petrol, and money, to explore the district thoroughly. I believe that the result would be astonishing, and any way the country is some of the most charming in Britain, in its variety of level, of strata, and hence of plants and general character. J]WoOTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. Tue Season’s Nores.—Bournemouth. Bees are out. Diacrisia sannio (russula) larvee are feeding and so are larvee of Arctia villica.— W. Parkinson Curtis (F'.E.S.), Parkstone. February 4th, 1918. Bournemouth. Hibernia leucophaearia, Phiygalia pedaria and Tor- tricodes tortricella (hyemana) are all out and flying about.—Ip. Freb- ruary 26th, 1918. Sherwood Forest. Hibernia leucophaearia and Phigalia pedarta are already common this season. — Witu1am Daws, Mansfield, Notts. February, 1918. Some Fietp Norrs ror 1916-17.—Owing to the strenuous times in which we live my opportunities for collecting and observation have been very much curtailed, but such opportunities as I have had have been very much appreciated, if only for the opportunity afforded of taking one’s mind off the war for a time. The winter of 1915-16 was very mild, and my first observation was of a queen wasp walking on the path, at South Norwood, Surrey, on January 4th, 1916, enjoying the brillant sunshine and mild temperature. On January 11th Isawa g Hibernia leucophaearia on an oak trunk at Midhurst, Sussex, and some honeysuckle in leaf. On April 25th I saw my first Pieris rapae, at Hast Dulwich, and on the 27th Celastrina argiolus was flying at Croydon. The following day I had a female of the same species emerge in my cage from pupz I collected at Christ- church, Hants, the previous autumn. On April 29th, at Edenbridge, Kent, wasps were plentiful and busily engaged gnawing at oak palings, while ‘‘ bluebottles ’’ were sunning on the trunks after hibernation. I mention the latter, because_I read an article in the Illustrated London News, about a year ago, in which it was suggested that observations were needed to find out whether the house fly and bluebottle fly hiber- nated through the winter as an imago. Surely there can be no doubt about the bluebottle hibernating as an imago, as I have frequently come across it on a warm day in the depth of winter, both inside and outside the house, and the chipped wings and dusty condition of the insect showed that it was not freshly emerged. On May 18th, at Dorking, the only insects seen were some Huchloé cardamines, flying along the edge of a wood, and C. arytolus round NOTES ON COLLECTING. 51 laurels and ivy, while P. rapae and P. brassicae were everywhere to be seen. At Bexley,on May 80th, I photographed a pair of Tree Creepers who were feeding their young on Cheimatobia brumata larve. The feature of the spring of 1916 was the great damage done to oak and other trees in the south of Hneland by the exceptional abundance of these larvee. On May 21st Minas tiliae started emerging from pupe taken at Hast Dulwich. When returning from a walk in Romney Marsh, on . May 22nd, I put up a Lapwing from eggs, and on going to the spot I Se found larvee of Pachyyastria trifolii feeding in some numbers. Some were small, while others were about two-thirds full size. This was at a spot where I had not taken them before, and although the imagines which I eventually bred from them were of the pale variety, they varied in general appearance from those I had bred from a different part of the marsh previously. On June 2nd I found the trees at Richmond and Wimbledon stripped of their leaves by larve of C. brumata. It was quite notice- able a mile off, as instead of being a beautiful green the trees had a dark red-brown appearance. | On June 16th I took two g Apatela (Acronicta) aceris on tree trunks in Dulwich village: and I noticed the whole of the way down the railway line from Herne Hill to Maidstone, Kent, the oak trees were stripped of their leaves by C. brumata larve. On June 20th a specimen of Minas tiliae was observed drying its wings, on a fence at Kast Dulwich, and on the 26th specimens of Ouspidia (A.) megacephala were seen at rest on elm trunks, while on a maple tree in my garden one Lycia hirtaria larva and some Orgyia antiqua larye were feeding. On July 8rd, at Brockenhurst, New Forest, a pair of T’riaena (A.) psi were observed at rest on a fir trunk. A colony of Plebeius aeyon were found at rest on a heath, the majority were resting head downward, some were resting with their wings parallel with the ground, while seven were resting head upward, these latter were all more or less worn. Plebeius aeyon seemed more lively than Polyom- matus icarus, as when about to be pillboxed they jerked themselves off the heather stem and wormed their way through the branches to the eround, whereas P. icarus seemed quite lethargic, and in some Cases walked slowly into the box. Coenonympha pamphilus were observed resting head upward, and a few Eimaturga atomaria 2s were also rest- ing on the heather. Metrocampa margaritaria was found at rest on a tree trunk, and at dusk two Hepialus hectus were flying around in circles on the road, evidently a g and @ courting. The ? Triaena psi, taken from the tree trunk on July 3rd, laid ova in a pillbox on the 9th, of a pale cream colour, which did not change cae the 18th, when they developed a purple spot, and hatched on that ay. On July 15th I went to Eastbourne for five weeks, where I had the pleasure of the company of Mr. EK. P. Sharp on most of my outings, which were mainly devoted to insect photography. On the 16th, at Abbott’s Wood, the following were found on tree trunks :—Moma orion 2, Apatela aceris 2 , Amoebe viridaria (pectinitaria), Hydriomena fur- cata (elutata) 9, and Cleora viminalis, also a full fed larva and two pup of Psilura monacha, the latter attached by a small web to the 52 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. trunk, a cocoon of Huprectis (Liparis) similis (auriflua) and a larva just spinning up. Another cocoon of LH. similis (auriflua) was found, which was full of the cocoons of an ichneumon fly, Microgaster connexus, which emerged in August. A pretty little grey orb-weaving spider (Meta merianoé), was also found sitting on its cocoon of eggs, on a willow trunk, where it remained for some weeks. Hpinepheie jurtina and Aphantopus hyperantus 3s were in fair numbers, but only one 3 Polyommatus tcarus was seen, and one g Dryas paphia. On July 19th I visited a colony of Huproctis (P.) chrysorrhoea at Beachy Head, and found the clump of blackthorns eaten bare of leaves, exposing to view a large number of winter hibernating nests. I was not surprised at this, as when | visited the spot on July 7th, 1915, the bushes and elder trees were nothing but a mass of cocoons, and the imagines were emerging everywhere and drying their wings, while others were busily laying their ova on blackthorn leaves and branches, nettles and elder leaves. Later it was quite easy to find the batches of fur-covered ova by the dozen, and it was obvious that if all the ova hatched the larve would be starved in the following season. The imagines were fine large insects, and some gs and 9s had the black spots which are occasionally to be found on their otherwise white wings, very well developed. ‘To return to 1916, it was only too obvious that after the bushes had been eaten bare starvation had followed, as was the case at Newhaven, which I recorded some years ago. On one or two of the winter hibernating nests I saw half fed larve resting, and in a very weak state. On a later visit 1 found some imagines emerged, very undersized, and a number killed by spiders and wound round with ¢ their silk. -On July 21st a specimen of Aglais urticae was sunning on a watered road, and at Abbot’s Wood Cymatophora duplaris, rather worn, was found at rest on a willow trunk, also a pupa of P. monacha and two cocoons of Cerura furcula. A banded specimen of Ptychopoda aversata was at rest on a leaf, and a freshly emerged 9 FE. similis (auriflua) resting on an oak trunk. On July 28rd, at Abbott’s Wood, a freshly emerged g Cleora lichenavia was at rest on an oak trunk. One Dryas paphia was seen, but no P. icarus, and only a few H. yurtina and A. hyperantus. On July 27th, a visit was paid to the Downs for Hremobia ochro- leuca, but not one specimen was seen. A’schna grandis was hawking up and down, anda 3 dArgynnis aglaia followed a zig-zag course along a bank covered with flowers of the greater knapweed, over which it occasionally hovered, but on which it did not settle; then it went for a flight over a field of waving corn, settling occasionally on a tall thistle in the middle of the field, then returning to the great knap- weed bank. This it continued to do all the afternoon, and it had eyi- dently made this spot its playground. On one of its trips it was attacked by an Aglais urticae, which however it ignored. Zygaena filipendulae were fully out in two colonies, and were very busily engaged in finding mates in the warm sunshine. I found a number of torn cocoons from which the pupz had been extracted by some enemy. The season for butterflies was very late, no Melanargia galathea were out, and I only saw one P. napi, one P. icarus, and three Agriades cortdon. ‘ - On the 28th a visit was made to Newhaven, to see if the colony of NOTES ON COLLEOTING. 53 E. chrysorrhoea still existed, but I could find no sign of cocoons, imagines, or winter larval nests. On the 80th, at Abbott’s Wood, Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris) larvee were found at the mouths of their burrows in bright sunshine, and were duly photographed. A ? LHpinephele tithonus was observed carrying the g when paired, and a ? P. monacha emerged from a pupa on a willow trunk between 2.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. (Greenwich time), while specimens of the Stinkhorn fungus (Phallus impudicus) were traced by their foetid odour. On August 1st. at Abbott’s Wood, three @ Psilura monacha emerged from pup on oak trunks, between 2.30 and 4.30 p.m. (G.T.). One specimen of Cleora viminalis was found freshly emerged on a willow trunk, and three FP’. similis (auriflua) 3s on oak trunks, also a fully fed larvee of O. antiqua, badly ichneumoned, and a specimen of Calymmnia trapezina drying its wings at 7-20 p.m. (G.T.). I saw only one P. tcarus and one Celastrina argiolus, but Dryas paphia was now fairly common. On August 4th Pteris brassicae and P. rapae were swarming in gardens and cabbage fields, near Hastbourne and at Abbott’s Wood. Bithys quercis were flying round oak and ash trees in some numbers, and sunning on the leaves out of reach. P. brassicae, P. rapae, P. napi, EH. jurtina and FE. tithonus were now common in the clearings in the wood, and a worn specimen of the second brood of Tephrosia bis- tortata was found at rest on a tree trunk, the only moth found at rest. A full fed larva of Notodonta dromedarius was taken wandering about the grass preparatory to going to earth to pupate. On August 11th the first Pachyyastria trifolii (Romney Marsh), a 3, emerged at 1.30 p.m. (G.T.), a 9 emerged between 2.0 and 5.0 p.m. (G.T.), and.a second g emerged at 7.15 p.m. (G.T.). I went to Beachy Head and took one larva of Theretra porcellus, about 14" long, on yellow bedstraw. Polyommatus icarus was now out in profusion, and Agriades coridon was also flying in some numbers; a few freshly emerged Zggaena filipendulae were resting-on greater knapweed heads. On August 13th the last H. chrysorrhoea, a 3, emerged, and a Cleora lichenaria larva, taken a month before, and which had turned out an ichneumon larva, still lingered on, whilea ? Arctia caja, which emerged on July 15th, was still very muchalive. P. trifolii continued to emerge, and my last specimen, a 2, came out on August 28th. At Abbott’s Wood Mr. K. P. Sharp found a specimen of Cerura furcula emerged and drying its wings at 3.30 p.m. (G.T.), on a willow trunk, where he had previously found the cocoon. On August 15th an attempt to assemble P. trifolit 3s, at Hast- bourne proved a failure, although we had been successful in other years. It appeared to be excellent weather, with asoftS.W. wind. A full fed larva and a pupa of Dianthoecia carpophaga were taken, also several empty cocoons of an ichneumon fly (Ophion luteus) which preys on the larvee of the first brood. On August 17th I counted 35 specimens of Microgaster connexus, which had emerged from an H. similis (auwriflua) cocoon. A visit to Beachy Head produced another larva of T. porcellus from yellow bed- straw, and a number of larve of Hecatera serena feeding on the flowers and buds of the hawkweed, in brilliant sunshine. On August 19th I returned home. During my stay at Eastbourne 54 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. I did- not see a single specimen of Colias edusa or Pyrameis cardut. (To be continued.)—C. W. Couturup. GXYURRENT NOTES AND SHORT NOTICES. A writer in the Globe a few weeks ago, writing on the topic ‘‘ Dig! Dig !! Dig!!!,” after eulogising the virtues of this now so necessary newly self-imposed task, turns to the fascination of discoveries to be made on the natural history side. After discussing the incidents connected with the spade dropping into a wasp’s nest from which a pair of garden mice scuttle out he proceeds as follows—‘‘ Then on you go and bring to light an uncommon butterfly paupa. A minute examination and a reference to a book tells you it 1s a paupa of the peacock butterfly. Then up come all sorts of grubs or catterpillars, uninteresting and harmful varieties, and what a feast the waiting robins have,” and so on to the “ battered penny ” and the digger ‘‘as pleased as Punch.” Our correspondent’s marginal note to the extract “ Evidently in forma pauperis”? no doubt is intended to be caustically personal. In the Naturalist for December still other Agrius convolvuli are reported to have turned up in the North. The advent of this and other large moths is often attended with remarkable incidents. Mr. W. J. Clarke says, “I was attending the funeral of an old friend at the cemetery, and an old lady in the company suddenly made a furious onslaught with her umbrella upon some object in the grass. Presently one of the grave-diggers went to her help, and assisted in hammering with his spade the object of her attentions. After the funeral was over I went to the spot to see what they had been killing, expecting to find a frog or a toad, but instead I found the battered remains of a Con- volvulus Hawk Moth. The grave-digger was standing by, and when I stooped to pick it up he hastily exclaimed, “ Deaen’t touch it, it’s a hoss-teng.” I had some difficulty in persuading the man that the object of his attentions was after all buta harmless moth.” Mr. Clark goes on to give an incident which is too good not to be repeated. “A Death’s Head Moth had flown upon the deck of a Scarborough fishing boat while out at sea. The crew viewed the intruder with great dread, and turned the hose on it, washing it into a corner, where, half dead, it was transfixed to the deck by a daring member of the crew, armed with a hammer and big wire nail. To make it additionally secure a fish box was turned over it, and so it arrived in port, where I saw it shortly afterwards, still alive in spite of its ill-usage.” SociETIES. Tar Sourn Lonpon EnromonocicaL anpD Naturat History Society. November 8th.—Deceasr oF a Mrmper.—The decease of a life- member, Mr. R. Standen (1873), was announced. Aperrations oF British Leucanupm.—Mr. Leeds exhibited forms and aberrations of various British Leucaniidae, ieluding Leucania impura, with ab. punctina, ete.; L. pallens, with ab. ectypa, ab. arcuata, ete.; L. phragmitidis, with ab. rufescens, ete.; Coenobia rufa; Tapt- nostola fulva; Nonagria geminipuncta, with ab. wnipuncta, ab. obsoleta, etc. ; N. dissoluta; N. brevilinea, with ab. sinelinea, ete. SOCIETIBS. 55 A sMALL RACE or A. MEDON.—Mr. A. W. Buckstone, a series of a small race of Aricia medon (astrarche) from Wendover, May 1912, with Surrey series for comparison. Pierips WHICH EMIT sceNTs.—Mr. Edwards, a number of species of Pieridae, and referred to the different odours which were emitted by the specialised scales in many species. . Liocat races or A. cRAMERI (BELIA).-—Mr. Turner, examples of the Pierid Anthocharis crameri (belia) from some twenty localities and referred to the local and seasonal forms. November 22nd, 1917.—Mr. Bowman exhibited several series of Hemerophila abruptaria bred in 1916 and 1917, spring and summer emergences, and gave details of the results, a wild typical male having been paired up each time with a melanic bred female. Mr. Brooks, a fine aberration of Lomaspilis marginata, the dark markings confined to the costal area, almost ab. pollutaria, from Wicken, in 1910. Mr. Edwards, a series of Papilio nireus, and pointed out variation in the underside markings. Mr. B. Adkin, three aberrations of Ayriades coridon, (1) ab. swavis, with red scales in margin of hindwing above; (2) ab. sem-syngrapha, both from Sussex; and (8) ab. syngrapha from ay Mr. Hy. J. Turner, a series of the Satyrid, Satyrus statilinus, with its §. Huropean larger form, var. allionia, and the very large race from Sicily, var. martiani; they were from various localities, from Spain to Asia Minor. Mr. Ashdown, a dark form of Lophopteryx camelina, and a dwarf pale form from Oxshott, with Pheosia dictacoides and Himera pennaria from Wimbledon. Mr. Newman, a living Amorpha populi, bred Nov. 21st, in a cold greenhouse. December 18th.—Annuat Exurertion.—Mr. R. Adkin exhibited a Pieris brassicae with the apical blotches of the forewings crossed by distinct yellow streaks on the veins. Mr. W. G. Sheldon, about 600 Peronea cristana and its various forms and his long series of Leptogramma literana in great variety. Mr. B. Adkin, a cabinet drawer of Noctua primulae (festiva), and one of Dianthoecia carpophagqa. The Rev. J. HK. Tarbat, a Pieris napi having two small white patches centred with black on the underside of the right hindwing, and a Mimas tiliae without the central band on the right forewing. Mr. W. J. Ashdown, a varied series of Hmaturga atomaria, includ- ing a very dark almost uniform male, and a very white ground female deficient in two inner transverse lines on the hindwings. Mr. Prideaux, living larve of Pararge megera, and read notes on the oviposition habits of the species. Mr. West, on behalf of the Society, several drawers of the ‘“ Free- man ” collection of European butterflies. Mr. Bowman, specimens of Cosymbria pendularia, including various forms of the ab. nigro-subroseata: dark marginal bands narrow ; white transverse lines extra well defined ; all four wings purple ; white lines wholly missing; and striated. Also Tiliacea (Xanthia) aurago with reddish forms, from Horsley. 56 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. Mr. Brooks, series of T. (X.) aurago from Horsley, and representa- tives of various local races of Ematur ga atomaria. Mr. Hammond, a perfectly symmetrical gynandromorph of Poly- ommatus icarus from Boscastle. Mr. Newman, for Mr. G. B. Oliver, a very long series of picked aberrations of Agriades coridon taken in 1917, including many aberra- tions of var. syngrapha, forms of ab. semi-syngrapha, a gynandrous Specimen, various colour aberrations, a series showing variation to var. fowleri, underside aberrations, etc. Mr. Tonge, a bred series of Hnnomos quercinaria (angularia), half being dark banded; males of A. coridon showing red scales on the margin of the hindwings, and an example of ab. fowleré from Surrey ; and the Dipteron E'chinomyia grossa, bred from a larva of Lasiocampa quercus var. callunae from near Preston. Mr. A. Lawrence, a rare aberration of the female of the Australian race of Hypolimnas bolina from Rockhampton, an almost uniformly black specimen. Mr. L. W. Newman, long series of aberrations of Abramwas grossu- lariata, including forms of ab. varleyata, of ab. lacticolor, and of ab. migrosparsata, etc., long series of Cosmotriche potatoria from W. Sussex, many females approaching the rich dark males in coloration ; a long series of hybrid ocellatus x populi, bred 1917, very uniform in marking, most were gynandromorphs ; a number of brick-red Mimas tiliae ; bred series of Boarmia roboraria, extremely small although well fed; an extreme melanic Boarmia consortaria from Sutton Coldfield; large female Cerura bicuspis, bred from Tilgate Forest; and black-banded Agriopis aprilina, bred from pupe dug in Delamere Forest. Mr. W. J. Kaye, Morpho perseus from French Guiana, a polymor- phic species spread over a considerable area of 8. America; and a painting of the Byfleet Canal. ; Mr. Hy. J. Turner, butterflies recently received from Sicily, includ- ing Charaxes jasius, Gonepteryx cleopatra, Polygonia egea, Papilio podalirius, Fumicia phlaeas var. eleus, Pieris manni (2), a very dwarf Aricia medon, etc., and read notes on the exhibit. Mr. E. M. Gibb, salmon coloured examples of Zygaena filipendulae from Hast Sussex. Mr. H. A. Leeds, a large number of aberrations of British butter- flies taken in 1917, including Agriades coridon, pale g, ab. semi- syngrapha, varied ground in 2s, ab. syngrapha (Chiltern Hills), dwarf 9; Polyommatus icarus ab. icarinus, underside aberrations ; Huchloé cardamines; Pieris napi, large black markings on forewings ; Melanargia galathea, much yellow developed; Coenonympha pamphilus, varied ground, ab. lyllws, ete. Mr. H. Moore, Huvanessa antiopa and Pyrametis cardui, examples from numerous localities over the whole of their areas of distribution. Mr. A. W. Buckstone, a series of Spilosoma lubricipeda var. fasciata, the result of inbreeding across between type and zatima; and bleached forms of H’pinephele jurtina. Mr. O. J. Williamson, photographs of the nest and nesting habits of the Great Crested Grebe. LANCASHIRE AND CHEsHirE H\nromoLocicaL Society, October 15th, 1917.—Eixureition or THE SEason’s CaPpruRRS.— SOcIBTINS., 57 According to custom the first meeting of the session was devoted to _ exhibits of the last season’s work ; this year, as all the younger mem- bers were away on military service, there was not such an extensive display as usual; still some interesting insects were brought forward. Mr. F'. N. Pierce exhibited specimens of the true Hupoecilia luridana, Gregson, captured this year by the Rev. John W. Metcalfe, in Glouces- tershire, which recent investigation had proved to be a good species and entirely distinct from the manniana of Fischer von Roeslerstamm. Mr. Pierce also exhibited a long series of Hpiblema solandriana from the collections of Messrs. W. Mansbridge, H. C. Hayward of Derby, and John Gardner, along with the wing-parts of a number of test speci- mens sent to him for the purpose of proving by the gendtalia that the form sinuana, Hub., was a distinct species. A discussion ensued regard- ing the latter part of the exhibit, in the course of which Mr. W. Mans- bridge stated as his opinion that much further evidence was needed before it could be conclusively proved that sinwana, Hub., was not a variation of solandriana. Mr. Brown showed preparations of the gall- fly, Cyntps kollari, bred from the oak marble gall, and contributed notes. Mr. S. .P. Douduey, a nice collection of Lepidoptera from various localities, including, from Aberdovey, two xanthic aberrations of Kpine- phele jurtina (janira), series of Aryynnis aglaia, A. cydippe (adippe), Bithys (Thecla) querciis, a specimen of Xanthorhoé (Melanippe) unangu- lata, etc. Fron Witherslack and Grange :—Brenthis euphrosyne, Celas- trina argiolus, Nisoniades tages, Hamearis lucina, and a series of Bapta taminata, taken in Hggerslack Wood, Grange, being the first Lanca- shire record for many years. Mr. J. W. Griffin brought the results of his work from the Wallasey district during the summer; the exhibit comprised some 70 species, many of them in bred series, the most interesting being as follows :—A specimen of Agrius convolvuli, Cerwra furcula, Notodonta dictaea, Dasychira fascelina, Macrothylacia rubi, a fine bred series, Acronicta leporina, and a series of Pharetra (A.) mega- cephala, containing some fine dark examples; he reported that the larva of this last moth has been very common in some of the Lancashire towns thissummer; Agrotis ripae, three specimens, this has never before been reported from Wallasey; a single specimen of Cleoceris viminalis, also a new record for Wallasey, Plusia festucae, Mesotype virgata, and Nyssia zonaria, both the last had been commoner on the Cheshire sand- hills than for many years past. Mr. W. A. Tyerman also had nice series of M. virgata and N. zonaria, a very pretty yariety of Rumicia phlaeas from Woolton, near Liverpool, which had the red marginal band of the hindwings broken up into narrow red streaks; a male Bryoplhila perla with strong rosy ground colour, from Cronton, and a fine banded form of Carsia paludata, from Simonswood. Mr. W. Mansbridge exhibited bred series of Malenydris (Larentia) salicata, Ochyria (Corentia) unidentaria, both red and black-banded forms, and Numeria pulveraria, second brood, from Witherslack; a varied series of Thera obeliscata from Silverdale; also a number of species of Lepi- doptera from Delamere Forest, which included a nice intermediate variety of Amphidasis betularia and a fine lot of Evetria (Retinia) buoliana, from the young pine plantations in the forest, where they appeared to be doing a great amount of damage to’the young trees. 58 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. FWEVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. RivisioNE DELLE SyntTomis PaLEARTICHE A DOPPIO CINGOLO GIALLO, E SAGGIO DI UNA CLASSIFICAZIONE DELLE VARIE SPECIE E Formp. (Revision of the Palzarctic Syntomis with double yellow girdle, and an attempt at the Classification of the various Species and Forms). With seven plates. By Conte Huitio Turat1.—Count Emilio Turati has been doing interesting and useful work in reviewing the Palearctic species of the Syntomis group. He has illustrated his monograph with seven plates, containing 76 figures of the moths’ wings and 19 of the different organs of the § genitalia. The latter are very instructive so far as they go, the former rather less so. When we look through a long series of Syntomis phegea we are immediately struck by the irregularities in size and form and the varying markings on the wings. Between pheyea ab. fenestrata 9 —nearly entirely white—and phegea ab. iphi- media——without a single white spot—there is an uninterrupted scale of intermediate forms, for very many of which names may be hunted out if required. Now plate I. gives us figs. of sixteen forms of S. phegea and five of Turati’s new species S. aequipuncta, four of which latter resemble one another so closely that they almost may be said to sin against the law of Syntomid variability. Now we must confess that we find these figures very unconvincing. We have taken many uncon- testable pheyea in Northern Italy that are spotted exactly as aequi- puncta is spotted. Feeling unconvinced we turn to the male genitalia and find a single fig. of aequipuncta with nothing distinctive about it save the uncus, and only one phegea with which to compare it. Ina certain number of genitalia of phegea that we have examined we have noted that the uncus is not very constant in form, and the aequipuncta here figured might not impossibly be taken for a phegea; we should suggest then that several other figs. of this moth’s genitalia should be given together with an equal number of the organs of phegea similarly exposed. From the text we should deduce that aequipuncta runs the risk of being confounded with mariana, Staudinger (or marjana, Turati spells it both ways), but this view is not supported by the figures either of the wings or of the genital organs. S. nagazzt, Tti., another newly described species from the South of Italy, is satisfactorily differentiated from marandica and cocandica, with which there is small danger of confounding it, but far less so from our old friend phegea; here again we should like to be able to consult a series of figures. Turati explains at some length the impossibility of cocandica being found on the Jura range, and tells us that two specimens in the British Museum make this false claim of having been captured in Switzerland. I happened to call on Dr. Chapman a few hours after he had received a letter from the Count asking for his opinion on the veracity of these two moths, and I suggested to him that Turati, or his authorities, had probably read Jura for Tura, and this indeed proves to be the case. The Syntomis wings have been described very carefully, and Turati makes it easy for a collector to determine the varietal or aberrational name of any of these moths about whose nomenclature he may feel uncertain. We cannot but regret that more space and time were not given to other and more convincing ways of differentiating species. In a word, if we are sure of our species, Turati’s very complete tables will at a glance tell us the name of the insect we are examining ; but if we OBITUARY. 59 are to differentiate species, the wing-spotting of which overlaps one another, we shall require more figures of the genitalia, and we sincerely hope that Count Turati will give them to us.—P. A. H. Muscnamp. [I am glad to see Mr. Muschamp’s review of Count Kmilio Turati’s “Revision,” which through the kindness of the Count has been on my table for some time, and which I had already seen was open to some friendly criticism. First of all I would draw the attention of our readers to the nomen- clature. In February, 1916, I went carefully into the question of the synonymy of Syntomis, as also of Zygaena and Adscita, and J think I proved there (Ht. Record, vol. xxviil., p. 25) that Syntomzs must fall to the genus Amata, Fabricius. Fabricius himself revised his genus Zygaena, wherein till that time pheyea had been placed, and created Amata for passalis and cerbera, leaving phegea under Aygaena—the details are given in my other paper. This action was so definite that we have no option but to accept Amata with the type as‘passalis ; phegea is con-generic with passalis, and therefore Ochsenheimer’s genus Syn- tomis—made for pheyea—must sink as a synonym to it. We can of course use the word Syntomidae for the group, though personally I should like to see it dropped for Amatidae. I should add that since my note in 1916, so conservative a worker as Hampson has accepted the genus Amata in place of Syntomis. There is another point I should like to give a serious warning on, the genitalia of the genus. Muschamp has drawn attention to this point in the cases of aequipuncta versus pheqea, but he refers to the uncus only. I would, however, go further, the genitalia are normally, I believe, subject to constant asymmetry in many parts. I will mention two, the organ that represents the “ furca’’ is I believe always asymmetrical and most variable ; and the clasps are the same. I have no preparation with the clasps like figure 1 on plate vi. of the Count’s paper, and in all my “ mounts ”’ the two clasps differ from each other both in size and shape and when compared . “inter se.’ The uncus agrees generally with the figure there given, but only “ generally,” the size and length and stoutness vary much. It might be interesting to draw attention to the furca in Amata, this organ rises from the rear of the clasps and forms a sort of open cone-shaped tunnel between the clasps, whilst ascending in the rear are two sclerites, which project forward in two more or less long arms over the clasps, these arms being always I believe of different lengths. The same principle without the asymmetry occurs in several other groups of the Heterocera, and in the Rhopalocera a somewhat similar type of organ exists throughout the Chrysophanidae. I think we are indebted to the Count for his very interesting paper, and the illustrations will make it all the more valuable, but I feel that the genitalia are not a safe guide for us in this group, unless a very large number were available for comparison.—G.T.B-B.] BITUARY. The Rey. Frank E. Lowe, M.A., F.E.S. To his many friends the news of the death of the Rev. F. E. Lowe, will come with something of a shock, for though he has been out of health since last autumn, and his more intimate friends were aware that no hope was entertained of his ultimate recovery, yet the end 60. THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. came with unexpected swiftness. On February 11th he was taking part in the funeral of Dr. Aikman, and on the 21st his own call came, so that he has died ‘“‘in harness,” as he himself would certainly have wished. Born in 1854, he entered the University of Durham as a scholar in 1872, becoming Grieve Exhibitioner the following year, and taking his B.A. in 1875, L.Th. in 1876, and M.A. in 1879. He was ordained in 1877 to the Curacy of St. Paul’s, Burton-on-Trent, where he remained till 1880, when he entered on his long incumbency of St. Stephen’s, Guernsey, first as Curate-in-charge and from 1885, when it became a separate parish, as Vicar. This is not the place to speak of his clerical activities, which were both strenuous and success- ful, and we must content ourselves with the statement that he will be most sorely missed in the Church life of the island, and above all in the parish, where for nearly 88 years he had been so much loved and respected. But it was not only in Guernsey that he won admiration and affection ; there are not many people whose company on an entomo- logical expedition, and even more whose companionship in a hotel gave to their friends more sincere delight; it was always felt that if Mr. Lowe was going to be there we should have “a good time.” He married young, in 1878, and Mrs. Lowe was (and is) also an enthusi- astic entomologist and a notable wielder of the net. Many a delight- ful day have my wife, her sister, and I spent in their company in various parts of Switzerland, more especially in the Rhone valley and on the Simplon Pass. We first met at Sépey in 1897, and have thus enjoyed over twenty years of unbroken friendship. Mr. Lowe became a Fellow of the Entomological Society in 1894, and though his distant home precluded all possibility of regular attendsnee, he generally contrived to arrange his occasional visits to London in such a way as to attend one of the Society's meetings. His first contri- bution to this magazine was in 1897, his last in December, 1917, and between those dates it was indeed rarely that his name failed to appear in the “ List of Contributors.” In addition to many interesting notes on the entomology of his island home, his expeditions in France, Spain, Germany, N. Italy, the Tyrol, and various parts of Switzerland have been chronicled for us in his own cheerful and breezy style, and his writings seem to embody much of his sunny character. His keen sense of humour, his imperturbable good temper and readiness to make the best of a situation are, for instance, all unconsciously portrayed in his account (vol. xiv., p. 380) of his capture as a spy at Neu Breisach, in 1902. He also wrote for many years in the’ ‘‘ Hnto- mologist ” to which he contributed notes and occasionally longer articles, beginning as far back as 1883, his last note being in November, 1917. For entomologists his name is enshrined in the name of Dianthoecia (Luperina) luteago var. lowet, Tutt, which he discovered, and in the Chrysophanid genus Loweia, Tutt, to which such well-known forms as dorilis, alciphron, gordius and anphidamas belong. Mr. Lowe leaves a widow and one daughter, who is married to the Rey. Charles Lucas, Rector of Kettering, with whom all his friends will feel the deepest sympathy.—G.W. Correction.—Page 25, lines 19 and 21 for “ Tviscotia’”’ read “ Triscolia.” The Back volumes (I-XXIX) of the Hint. Record, &c. (published at 10s. 6d. net), can be obtained direct as follows—Single volumes, 7s. 6d., except vols. I. and II., which are 10s. 6d. each ; of the remainder 2 or 3 volumes, 7s. 3d. exch ; 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 vols., 7s. each ; 10, 44, 12, 13 or 14 vols. at 6s. 9d. each; 15, or more vols. at 6s. 6d. each. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes to Vols. ITI-XXIX, sold separately, price 1s. 6d. each. Subscriptions for Vol. XXX. (7 shillings) should be sent to Mr. Herbert E. Page, “‘Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.E.14 [This subscription includes all numbers published from January 15th to December 15th, 1918.] Non-receipt or errors in the sending of Subscribers’ magazines should be notified to Mr. Herbert E. Page, “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, S8.E. 14 Subscribers are kindly requested to observe that subscriptions to The Entomologist’s Record, &c.,are payable in advance. The subscription (with or without the Special Index) is Seven Shillings, and must be sent to Mr. Herbert E. Page, “‘ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.E.14 Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to H. EH. Paes. ADVERTISEMENTS of Books and Insects for Sale, or Books wanted will be inserted at a minimum charge of 2s. 6d. (for four lines). Longer Advertisementsin proportion. A reduction made for a series. Particulars of Mr. Herbert E. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.H. 14 Subscribers who change their addresses must report the same to Mr. H. li. Paau “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 9.E., otherwise their magazines will probably be delayed. Articles that require Illustration are inserted on condition that the author defrays the cost of the illustrations. All Foreign Exchange Magazines must be forwarded toH. J Turner 98 Drakefell Road, New Cross, 8.E. 14 Duplicates.—Euphrosyne, Selene, Blandina, Hyperanthus, Davus, Corydon, Aigon, Asiliformis, P. populi, Mundana, Russula, Moneta, Iota, Pulchrina, Festuce, Lupulinus, Hecta, Ericetaria, Leucophzaria, Strigillaria, Didymata, Fumata, Muricata, Albulata, Imbutata, Atrata. Desiderata.—Pictaria, Notata, Brunneata, Blomeri, Rubricata, Rusti- cata, Straminata, Subsericeata, Blandiata, Lobulata, Munitata, Quadrifasciaria, Fluviata, black pairs only.—James Douglas, Thorncote, Chellaston, nr. Derby. Duplicates.—*Dissimilis, Velleda, Fibrosa, *Ambigua, Fulva, *Lubricipeda var. Fas- ciata, *Plantaginis, Coracina, Captiuncula, Mundana, Lutosa, Togata, *Valerianata, Cilialis, Inquinatellus, Caledoniana, Variegana vars. Sauciana, Geminana, Cinerana, Brunnichiana, Schulziana, Congelatella, Occultana, Vectisana, Dorsana, Rusticana, *Suboccelana, *Strobilella, Nanana, Herbosana, Petiverella, T. corticella, *Gicop, Fulvi- gutella, etc. Desiderata.—Good Pyrales, Tortrices, ete.—T. Ashton Lofthouse, The Croft, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. ' Duplicates.—East African butterflies wanted, butterflies of any country except species occurring in Britain._W. Feather, Kibwezit British East Africa. Desiderata.— Pieris napi—spring and summer broods with exact data (localities and dates)—from all parts of the Kingdom, especially North of England and Scotland ; Pararge egeria from Scotland, Ireland, and North of England—exact data needed. Will do my best in return or pay cash.—G. T.. Bethune-Baker, 19, Clarendon Road, Edgbaston. Duplicates.—Machaon*, Sinapis, Edusa, Hyale, Valezina, Artemis*, Cinxia, Athalia, C-album*, Polychloros*, Sibylla*, Cassiope, Blandina, Davus, Betule*, Artaxerxes, Arion, Actzxon, Galii*, Scolieformis*, Minos, Exulans, Meliloti, Albulalis, Helveola*, Quadra*, Cribrum, Hera*, Fuliginosa*, Fascelina*, Crategi*, Callune*, Trifolii*, Versicolor*, Lapponaria*, Hispidaria, Glabraria*, Abietaria*, Obfuscata, Trepidaria*, Smaragdaria*, Orbicularia*, Auroria, Fumata, Pictaria*, Alternata*, Carbonaria, Pinetaria, Cesiata, Ruficinectata, Salicata, Pygmeata*, Togata*, Sexalisata, Munitata, Fluviata, Lapidata Undulata, Reticulata, Nubeculosa*, Chaonia*, Or, Flavicornis var. Scotica*, Ridens*, Leporina, Menyanthidis, Myrice, Concolor, Templi, Agathina*, Conspersa, Barrettii, Occulata*, Tineta*, Glauca, Rectilinea, Peltigera, Melanopa, Cordigera, Interrogaticnis, Bractea, Craccer, ete. Desiderata.—Varieties and local forms.—Arthur Horne, Bonn-na- Coille, Murtle, Aberdeenshire. Wanrep, for research purposes, during 1917, ova and larve.of almost any species of British Lepidoptera. Offered British beetles (many scarce or local) and microscopic mounts.—Geo. B. Walsh, 166, Bede Burn Road, Jarrow-on-Tyne. Norzt.—Mr. Donisthorpe will be grateful for any ants from all parts of the British Isles, with localities, unset or otherwise, for the purposes of study.—H. St. J. K. Donisthorpe, 19, Hazlewell Road, Putney, S.W. I would be very glad to exchange Californian butterflies for Minglish blues especially the variable ?s, and the blue ¢s of coridon such as have been recorded by Keynes and others.—Fordyce Grinnell, Jr., 712, Hast Orange Grove, Paradena, California, U.S.A. Duplicates.—Artemis* (Cornish), Tithonus extra spotted vars., Corydon var. Semi Syngrapha (fair only), Nilico*, Angularia* (Quercinaria), fine banded vars., Bicuspis* an many others, also Pupro Lacertula, Maloula, ilies, Consortaria, Versicolor, ete. Deside. : rata,— Perfect only Cardamines ¢ 8, Cardui, Iris, Ocellatus, B. quercus, Chlorana, Ligni- perda, Humuli, Convolvuli, and sta others, Also Pupe Carpini, Porcellus, Callunes Dieta, Dictwoides, Dodonea, Vinula, 8. ligustri, and many others. Liberal exchange : onsh. Wi. Newman, Bewley, Kent. poli. Wuchloé cardamines from Ireland; also types of Wi. cardamines ool Switzerland, Italy, 8. France; var, turritis (S. Italy), var. volgensis, var. thibetana, and | of i. gruneri, I’. euphenoides, 1. damone, and any palearetic species of the genus. Duplicates.—Lowein dorilis and varg., © few minor vars. of KR. phleas (British), and many British lepldoptern, Harold B, Williams, 82, iley Avenue, Stoke Newington, N. Duplicates.-Ova : Cervinarin, Neustuia, Larve: Ornata, 5 Faleula, 5 Lacertula, Caja; Pupm Persicaria, 6 Populi. Imagines: Adonis, Corydon, Irish Napii, Hl. comma, | Tages, Malve, Sylvanus, 2 Tipuliformis, 8 Cynipiformis, 1 Culiciformis, 2 Bembeciformis (fair only), 6B. queretis, 9 Carpini, Wumuli ¢, 18 Hirtaria, 7 Macilenta, J Papilionaria, Ornata, Gilvarin, 2 Grepuseularia, cervinaria, 4 Punctularia, 8 Palumbaria, 2 Faleula, § Lunosa, Vaceinii, Spadicea, 4 Lutulenta, Cruda, Stabilis, Gothien, 6 Instabilis, Rumicis. | Desiderata.—Vevy numerous, pups and imagines.I’. 7. Grant, 87, Old Road W., Gravesend. Duplicates. —Oardamines ° 98, Brassicw, Rhamni, Muphrosyne, Selene, Aglaia, Adippe, To,* Galatea, Meeria, Hyperantus, Ianira, Semele, Megera, Icarus, Bellargus, Aygiolus, Lueina, Quercus, Rubi, Malve, Tages, Sylvanus, Comma, Milipendulm, Trifolii, | Jacobam,* Mendien,” Russula és, Cain”, Auriflua,* Maleula, Neustria,” Pavonia,* Mlayi- | cornis, Duplaris, Pallens, Avcuosa, Rumicis, Graminis, Gemina, Comes,* Xanthographa,* Necalis, Pisi,* Piniperda, Gothica, Cruda, Baia, Meticulosa, Rufina, Brassice,* Litura, | Satellitia, Oxyacanthw par, Capucina, Vaceinti, Lithargyria,* Incerta, Pistacina, Fulvago, Triangulum, ‘rape zine, Mt i, Glyphiea, Myrtilli, P arthenias, Maura, * Mac ulatia, Advenaria (very fair), Autumnaria,* Abruptaria, Pilosaria,* Hirtaria,* Obscurata, Biundularia, Con- sortaria, Consonarin,” Punctulata, Pendularia,* Belgiarin, Gilvaria, Adustata,* Clathrata, ’ Pulveraria,* Pusaria,* Pictavin, Albulata, Multistviparia, Muetuata, Ocellata, Montanata, | Procollata, Albicillata, Bicolorata, Badiata, Aurantiaria, Marginata, Boreata, Dilutatia, | Leucophearia, Carpinata, Impluvinta, Juniperata, Rufata, Mensuraria, Pirmata,* Obelis-— entu, Pyraliata, Black ping and full data. Pups of Jacobre and Hispidaria. Deside- rila.e-TLoen! species and local forms of British Macro-Lepidoptera, particularly northern, A, W. Buekstone, 807d, Kingston Road, Merton Park, London, SW. 19. Musororamra.— | should be glad of information on insects or news of other entomo- logists in this country.—P. A. Buston, Mairhitl, Tonbridge. Duplicates. —Wuropean butterflies unset on long ping and some set Wnglish fashion. Desiderata,—Common British Noetuids.—Hy. J. Turner, 98, Drakefell Road, New | Oross, Sid, 14 Duplicates.—A. covidon yars.," including semi-syngrapha, FH. Comma. Desiderata. | A. coridon var. Albicans (Spanish) and var. Hispana (do.), and good butterfly vars., especially from Ireland. —Douglas IH, Pearson, Chilwell House, Chilwell, Notts. Cranana ow Anonruss.—C. W. Colthrup, to '* Montana,’ The Crescent, Leatherhead, | Surrey; RS. Bagnall, to “ Rydal Mount,” Blaydon-on- Tyne; Reo, Ld. Mannering, to | " Rostrevor,”? Wiekham Road, Beckenham, Kent. ; A A TEEN ATI ARN Te Ree cee om meee ere emnemmemares MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. Entomological Society of London,—-11, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W., | 8 p.m. 1918, Max. 20th; Apr. 8rd; May Ist. The South London Entomological and Natural History Society, Hibernia Chambers, London Hides — Meetings: The second and fourth Thursdays in the month | it 7 o’clock.—-/7on, See., Stanley Wdwards, 15, St. German’s Place, Blackhenth, 5... 8. The London Natural History Society (the amalgamation of the City of London | Entomological and Natural History Society and the North Tondon Natural History | Society).—Hall 20, Salisbury House Finshury Cireus, B.C. The Virst and Third Tuesday in the month, at 7 pam. Visitors invited. I/on, See., J. Ross, 18, Queens Grove Road, Chingford, N.W. Toynbee Natural History Society.—loynbee Hall, at 8 p.m. Wntrance tee Ls., annual subseription Is. Meetings: Mull particulars as to oxeursions can be obtained from | the Mxeursion Secretary, Miss Tu. Roberts, 11, St. James,’ Hatcham, $.8. Hon, See., § Owen Monk, 8, Shooter's Hill Rond, Blackheath, 8.1. i Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.—Mectings at the Royal Mnstita- tion, bivatnel on the 8rd Monday in each month from October to April.—Hon, See., Wm. Mansbridge, 4, Norwich Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. East London Natural History Society.—Bromley Public Hall, @. Thursdays at| 8 p.n.—JZon. Sec., J. O. W. Shears, 58, Selborne Road, Iford, NOW READY.—PRIGE £1 1s. Od. BA NATURAL . HISTORY OF THE bali BULTERFLIES, THEIR WORDELD-WIDL. VARIATION AND DISTRIBUTION. A Yext-Book for Students and Collectors. Worle By J. W. TUTT, F.ES. This volume comprises 373 pp. of text +43 plates. The species dealt with are treated most exhaustively, and Lepidopterists will find worked out for them what are probably the finest life-histories ever published. The work is regarded as the text-book on the subject; and in all probability will * continue to be so for many years. All up-to-date students should have a copy for reference. To be obtained from— Mr. H. KH. PAGE, “ Bertvose,”’ Gellatly Road, NOW READY. BRITISH ANTS. By, FIORACE DONISHRORPE | FES. Demy 8vo. Fully Illustrated. PRIGE £1 Ss. Od. post free. Deals with the clagsification and descriptions of all the Genera and Species now known to occur in the British Isles, with information as to their habits and_ life- histories. Fully illustrated by photographs, structural drawings, etc. The Book contains 380 pp. + x., with 18 plates and 92 figures. This form should be completed and returned as soon as possible to :— Mrssrs. Winnram Brenpon Anp Son, Lirp., Printers, Plymouth, England. New Cross, London, S.E. 15 | Please supply ane, with i. 22220... COD iste of ‘“‘BRITISH ANTS,” by HoraczE DonistHorPE, post free, and find remitiance to value herewith enclosed. IGM Ga tae avid GAO nh GEBlsIae DIG O DOO MS Od UCOo Ob nOnOG ZIG eg det ooo ud OobOGh 6 Une One RGEh One CURIOS JOTTIAG % AEUSIAS oom RiP ets CRESTS ies PULA A LL Reo eset Gils cao tt Mosddanvndbdader Dono Dd oLODD0D0OO FOR SALE. Tutt’s British Lepidoptera,” vols. I to X. ‘Tutt’s “ British Lepidoptera,” vols I to III. Tutt’s “ British Noctua,” vols I. to IV. Tutt’s ‘‘ Practical Hints for the Field Lepidopterist,’ parts I to III, with Index. ‘There are also a few copies of “ British Noctuz,” slightly soiled, to be sold cheaply. A. M. COCHRANE, 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. IMPORTANT. TO ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES and MUSEUMS. BACK VOLUMES OF The Entomologist’s Record and Journa! of Variation. (Vols. I.-XXIX.) Single back volumes of the above can be obtained at 7s. 6d. per volume; except vols. I. and II., which are 10s. 6d. each, net; any two or three volumes of the remainder at 7s. 3d. per volume; four, five, six, seven, eight or nine at 7s. per volume; ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen at 6s. 9d. per volume ; fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or twenty- one at 6s. 6d. per volume. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes, Vols. III-XXIX, sold separately, price 1s. 6d. each. Gontents of Vol. I. (Most importunt only Mentioned.) Genus Acronycta and its allies.—Variation of Smerinthus tiliae, 3 coloured plates—Differentiation of Melitaea athalia, parthenie, and awrelia—The Doubleday collection — Parthenogenesis— Paper on Taeniocampidae — Phylloxera— Practical Hints (many)—Parallel Variation in Coleoptera—Origin of Argynnis paphia var. valesinua— Work for the Winter—Temperature and Variation—Synonymic notes— Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1890—Lifehistories of Agrotis pyrophila, Epunda lichenea, Heliophobus hispidus—Captures at light—Aberdeenshire notes, etc., ete., 360 pp. Gontents of Vol. II. Mxrnanism aND MrnanocHroism—Bibliography—Notes on Collecting— Articles on VARIATION (many)—How to breed dgrotis lunigera, Sesia sphegiformis, T'aenio- campa opima— Collecting on the Norfolk Broads—Wing development—Hybridising dmphidasys prodromaria and A. betularia—Melanism and Temperature—Ditfferen- tiation of Dianthecias—Disuse of wings—Fauna of Dulwich, Sidmouth, S. London —Generic nomenclature and the Acronyctidae—A fortnight at Rannoch-—Heredity in Lepidoptera—Notes on Genus Zyemna (Anthrocera)—Hybrids—Hymenoptera--— Lifehistory of Gonophora derasa, etc., etc., 312 pp. Gontents of Vol. III. Grnus Acronycta and its allies (continued)—Scientific Notes—The British Coccinellidae—Notes on Breeding—Notes on ConeopTERa (very many)—Dates of appearance of Hupithecia pygmeata—Dimorphie pupe—Duration of Ova State of the Geometridae (with tables)—Eiffects of temperature on the colouring of Lepidop- tera—Huints on labelling—Melanie varieties—Changes in nomenclature—Keeping Micro pups during winter—Notes on Genus Hepialus—Reviews, etc., etc., 320 pp. Gontents of Vol. iV. Additions to British Lists—Presidential Addresses of British Association and Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society—Autumnal collecting at Fresh- water, Isle of Wight—Captures of rarities—Collecting beetles—Critical notes on certain Noctwae—A day’s collecting in the Western Highlands—Apparent dearth of Diwrni—Double-brooded species—The early stages of certain Geometrina—Sensi- bility of larves to sound—Collecting in North Kent—How to obtain and preserve ova—Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1893—Stridulation—Variety breeding—The Pupal and Imaginal wings of Lepidoptera, ete., etc., 354 pp. Gontents of Vol. V. - On the larva of Arctia caia (with plates)—EKvolution of the Lepidopterous Pupa—Rev. H. Burney’s collection (sale)—Life-History of a Lepidopterous Insect (Morphology and Physiology, etc.)—Among the Ancients—Hrebia epiphron and its named Varieties—Life-History of Agrotis agathina—Ten Days at Wicken I'en— Varieties of Spilosoma mendica—Butterfly Catching in the neighbourhood of Mt. Blane—Life-History of Ocneria dispar—Zygaena exulans and its Variations— Entomology at Rainham, Essex—Additions to the British List—New Method of Relaxing Insects, etc., etc., 308 pp. To be obtained only from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, ‘“ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.E.14 to whom Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable. WATKINS & DONGASTER, Naturalists and Manufacturers of Entomological Apparatus and Cabinets. Plain Ring Nets, wire or cane, including Stick, 1/5, 2/2, 2/6, 3/2. Folding Nets, 3/9, 4/3, 4/9. Umbrella Nets (self-acting), 7/-. Pocket Boxes (deal), 7d., 10d., 1/2, 1/10. Zine Collecting Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6, 2/-. Nested Chip Boxes, 9d. per four dozen, 1 gross, 2/-. Entomological Pins, 1/6 per ounce. Pocket Lanterns, 2/6 to 8/-. Sugaring Tin, with brush, 1/6, 2/-. Sugaring Mixture, ready for use, 1/7 per tin. Store-Boxes, with camphor cells, 2/3, 2/9, 4/- 4/6, 5/6, 6/8. Setting-Boards, flat or oval, lin., 6d.; 14in., 8d.; 2in., 10d.; 2tin., 1/- ; 34in., 1/4; 4in., 1/6; 5in., 1/10; Complete Set of fourteen Boards, 10/6. Setting ouses, 10/6, 12/9; corked back, 15/9. Zine Larva Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6. Breeding Cage, 2/9, 4/6, 5/6, 8/3. Coleopterist’s Collecting Bottle, with tube, 1/6, 1/8. Botanical Cases, japanned double tin, 1/6 to 4/6. Botanical Paper, 1/1, 1/4, 1/9, 2/2 per quire. Insect Glazed Cases, 2/9 to 11/-. Cement for replacing Antenne 4d. per bottle. Steel Forceps, 1/6, 2/-, 2/6 per pair. Cabinet Cork, 7 by 3%, 1/2 per dozen sheets. Brass Chloroform Bottle, 2/6. Insect Lens, 1/- to 8/6. Glass-top and Glass-bottomed Boxes, from 1/3 per dozen. Zinc Killing Box, 9d. to 1/-. Pupa Digger, in leather sheath, 1/9. Taxidermist’s Companion, containing most necessary implements for skinning, 10/6. Scalpels, 1/3 ; Scissors, 2/- per pair; Hggdrills, 2d., 3d., 9d., 1/-; Blowpipes, 4d., 6d.; Artificial Wyes for Birds and Animals. Jabel-lists of British Butterflies, 2d.; ditto of Birds’ Megs, 2d., 8d., 6d.; ditto of Land and Fresh-water Shells, 2d. Useful Books on Insects, Hggs, ete. SILVER PINS for collectors of Micro-Lepidoptera, etc., as well as minute insects of all other families and for all insects liable to become greasy. We stock various sizes and lengths of these Silver Pins which have certain advantages. over ordinary entomological pins (whether enamelled black or silver or gilt). NESTING BOXES of various patterns which should be fixed in gardens or sbrub- beries by lovers of birds before the breeding season.’ SHOW ROOM FOR CABINETS Of every description for Insrcrs, Birps’ Hees, Corns, Microscorican Ossnors, Fossits &c. Catalogue (84 pages) sent on application, post free. § LARGE STOCK OF INSECTS AND BIRDS’ EGGS (British, Huropean, and Exotic), lg Birds, Mammals, etc., Preserved and Mounted by Wirst class WVorlmen. 36, STRAND, LONDON, W.C., ENGLAND. A 3 4 i" ‘ ‘a hy 5 x a ; SYNOPSIS CF THE ORTHOPTERA | or WESTERN EUROPE. By MALCOLM BURR, D.Sc, F.Z.5., F.L.S., F.E.5., &. Bound in Cloth, 160 pp., with good Index (Specifie and Generic). : Price 3s. met, A pocket handbook for the use of collectors in the field. Covers all species found west of the Carpathian Mts. Description of each species, habits, habitats and distribution. Will be sent Post Free on receipt of Postal Order for 3s. to— A. H., 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. FINE 1917 INSECTS—ALSO PUPZ. Bicuspis, 5s.; Dominula var. Rossica, 2s. 6d.; Consonaria Kent Melanic, 3s. 6d, _ Tilie, rare brick-red var., 10s. ; Coridon var. Syngrapha, 15s. ; Mendica var Rustica, 2s., _ fine Intermediate, 1s. 6d.; Papilionaria, 6d.; Varleyata, 12s. All per each, and many others. 4 Fine Pupz.—Per doz., Versicolor, 5s.; Tilix, 3s. 9d.; Ocellatus, 3s. 9d.; Elpenor, _ 38. 6d.; Bicuspis, 42s. Write for full list to L. W. NEWMAN F.E:S., Bexley, Kent. -Wanted.—Many fine set insects and Pupex ; will be pleased to exchange. . CONTENTS. ' PAGE.» Inbreeding Amphidasis betularia, Capt. Bowater, R.A.M.C.T., F.E.S. AS ab 41 Prolonged life in a headless Ant, 7. A. Chapman, M.D., F.H.S. .. . ieee stra: 6 Some Account of Bridport and its Neighbourhood, W. Parkinson Curtis, F.E.S. -. 44 Norzs on Cornecrine :—The Season’s Notes, W. P. eS W. Daws ; Some Field Notes for 1916-1917, C. W. Colthrup aah : ; 50 Socretirs :—The South London Entomological society : The lageeanies aa ae Cheshire Entomological Society ae a ae = is ies 54 ReviEnw es er se si ie By zs 58 Oxziruary :—The Rev. To H. oe M. A.—G. LW. er ean Ss ae o 59 c Communications have been received or have been promised from Rev. ae Wheeler, Messrs. R. S. Bagnall, Hy. J. Turner, C. P. Pickett, Parkinson Curtis, H. Donisthorpe, A. Sich, Dr. Verity, C. W. Colthrup, Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, Dr. T. A. Chapman, Capt. Burr, G. T. Bethune-Baker, E. B. Ashby, P. A. H. Muschamp, J. H. Durrant, Orazio Querci, W. Bowater, Capt. P: P, Graves, Rey..F. D: _ Morice, Russell James: etc., with Reports of Societies and Reviews. Ali MS. and editorial matter should be sent and all proofs returned to Hy. J. TURNER, 98, Drakefell Road, New Cross, London, 8.1.14 We must earnestly request our correspondents nor to send ws communications a with those they are sending to other magazines. Lists -of Dupricares and Dusiprrava should be sent direct to Mr. H. H. Page, Bertrose, Gellatly Road, New Cross, 5.H. 14 es : So FOR. SALE. BOOKS =: «. ENTOMOLOGIGAE The Entomologist, vols. 20-30, 1887-1897 (11 years , Be vols. 39-46, 1906-1913 (7 years | 8s 10s. Od. Stainton’s Manual of Butterflies and Moths, vol. 1. 28. 6d. . British Moths, Tutt, 2s. Natural History of the Brit. Butterflies and Moths, Ed. Newman, 2 vols. 17s. 6d. Lepidopterist’s Calender, Jos. Merrin. 4s. Out of print. . To be sold for the benefit of the Wipow of the late J. ALpERSoN. Apply :— Mr, F. S. THOMAS, 23, Park Villas, Cheam, Surrey. Woodside, Burnside, Hillside and Marsh. (Crown 8vo., Illustrated, 224 pp. and 103 woodcuts and full-page illustrations. Bound in Cloth. (Price 2/6). ; Another series of collecting expeditions into well-known snterivlbewell and patigetak history localities, with description of botanical, geological, ornithological as well as entomological matters of interest to be found therein. The places dealt with include Cobham Woods, Cuxton Downs, the Western Highlands, Cliffe—all well known for their * yich entomological fauna. To be obtained from J. Hersere Torr, Francemary Road, Tadgeett Road, Brockley, §.H. ; fo Ar AV 6" (Rev.) C. 1 } Fred ode JOURNAL OF Y 7. HUDSON BA B.SC., GeEorGE T. BETHUNE- BAKER, F.Z.S., F-L.S.) F-E.S. M. aa pe D.SC., F.Z.S., U-L.S., F.E.S. BiyNG, "BURROWS, ¥.E.S GrorGE WHIEELE FR, M.A., FEN. ELLIOT eae 4 Pavernosrex Row, B.C. r Vol. KA. are now overaue. -'' THI ENTOMOLOGIST: o RECORD f \ /aND/ VARIATION Hipp BY Ricuarp 8S. BAGNALL, F.1.8.,F.u.8. | 2. A. CHAPMAN, M.D., F.Z.8.; F.E.S. Ri, Jas. EB, CODVLIN, F-5. 8. ¥.U.8., F.R.8.H. H. St. J. K. DONISTHORPE, ¥.Z.8., F.E.S- Joun HartLteEy DURRANT, F.E.S. Anrrep SICH, F.B-S. J.R.le B. TOMLIN, ™.A., F-E-S, and Henry J. TURNER, F.4.s., Kiditorial Secretary. APRIL 18th, 1918. g, Price ONE SHILLING (xe). Subscription for Complete Volume, post free (Including all DOUBLE NUMBERS, etc.) SEVEN SHILLINGS, TO BE FORWARDED 10 HERBERT E. PAGE, F.ES., “ Berrross,’’ GELLATLY Roab, New Cross, §.B. 14 LONDON : * Ai STEVENS’ AUCTION ROOMS (5). _ TUESDAY, MAY 14th, at 12.30.— British and Exotic Lepidoptera, etc. Mr. J. C. STEVENS will SHELL by AUCTION at his Rooms, 38, King Street, Covent: Garden, London, W.C. 2, The Collection of BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA, formed by the late J. H. R. Allen, Hsq., comprising good series of the rarer species, mostly bred with data, interesting varieties of Huphrosyne, Selene, Artemis, Urtice, Tages, etc., together with the mahogany Cabinet of 40 drawers, also rare varieties of EXOTIC LEPIDOPTERA, ete. : On view day prior and morning of Sale. Catalogues on application. RHAD THE BACK Nos. OF THE i Entomologist’s Record & Journa! of Variation (Practical Hints, Field Work, ete. useful for every year’s collecting). VOL. VI. : The trvuEs of some of the articles are as follows :—Notes on Butterfly Pup, with some remarks on the Phylogenesis of the Rhopalocera.’’—Dr. T. A. Chapman, F.1.8,, ‘* Phytophagic Species.”— Prof. A. Radcliffe Grote, M.A. “ Varieties and aberrations of Noctuzs from Doncaster.’—A. H. Gorbett, M.R.G.S. ‘The frenulum of the British species of Smerinthus.”—G@. C. Grijiths, ¥.Z.S., F.E.S. ‘“Budzyas ste-johannis.,’—4, Radcliffe Grote, M.A. ‘* Parthenogenesis or Agamogenesis.”"— J. W. Tutt, F.B.S. “ Larve.’—Rev. G. M, A. Hewitt, M.A. “ Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1894.” —J, W. Tutt, FBS. Generic Names in the Noctuids,” —Pror. 4. h. Grote, M.A. “Puna hunting in October.’—J. W.) Vudi,) W.w.8.) “Polygamy and Polyanidry in Moths.” ‘ Besides these articles, a large number of short notes are contained in every number under the follewing titles:/ Scientifiq Notes and Observations,” “ Vaxriation,”’ “* Notes on Larve and Life- histories,” ‘* Nofes op Collecting,” ‘“Current Notes.” The reports of Societies are very carefully edited, and only scientific yaragraphs published. The ‘‘ Practical Hints” and “ Field work ” for each month are quite unique. The entomologist who will read carefully through the back numbers of The Hniomologist’s Record will find himself better equipped for the further study of his subject than by any other means. Price 7/6 per volume, of Mr. H. E. Page, “ Bertrose.”? Gellatly Road, New Cross, §.H. 14 ne Largest Breeder of Lepidoptera in the British Isles is H.W. HEAD, Gutontrologist, BURNISTON, Nr. SCARBOROUGH. Kull List of Ova, Larvae, and Paupae, also Lepidoptera, Apparatus, Cabinets etc., sent on application. Many Rare British Species and Good Varieties for Sale. Lantern Slides in Natural Colours. LEPIDOPTERA & LARVA A SPECIALITY. Photographed from life and true to Nature in every detail. SLIDES OF BIRDS, WILD FLOWERS, &c., By same Colour Process. LAN ZHRN SLIDES MADE TO ORDER FROM ANY SPECIMEN OR COLOURED DRAWING. PHOTOS IN COLOUR OF LARVA, LIFE SIZE, ON IVORINE TABLETS TO PIN IN THE CABINET. Fer List apply to— 3 CHARLES D. HEAD, Cherrymount, Donnycarney, DUBLIN. ZYGHNA TRIFOLII, Z. FILIPENDULE, ETC. 61 Zygena trifolii, Z. filipendulz, ete. By G. T. BETHUNE-BAKER, F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.B.S. In the Bull. Soc. ent. France, no. 15, p. 262 et seq., M. Chas. Oberthiir calls attention to the observations of Dr. Verity on Zyyaena filipendulae, 4. stoechadis, Z. angelicae, 4. lonicerae, and Z. trifolii, who considers these species merely forms or varieties of one, Z. filipendulae. M. Oberthir draws attention specially to 4. trifolii and Z. filipendulae as he finds them at Rennes. He says that Z. trifolii appears from May 25th to the end of June, and that it is of the form palustris, or of a smaller form, according to its locality being more, or less, humid. (At this time it is useless to look for 2. filipendulae.) He says Z., tri- folvi frequents meadows, whilst 4. filipendulae frequents the borders of paths in the woods and the edges of fields, and he says that it does not begin to emerge until July 15th, and continues till the middle of August. He then goes on to point out that Z. trifolit varies in one direction on certain lines, whilst 2. filipendulae varies on other lines in another direction, that the six-spotted Z. trifolit is not rare in its var. palustris, but is easily differentiated from Z. filipendulae, and that in his opinion they are not forms of one species, but are two distinct species at Rennes. Readers of the Hint. Record may possibly remember that I have paid much attention to these two species, as also to 4. lonicerae, both in England and on the continent. My experience in Hngland corres- ponds closely with that of the famous French observer, only that in Devonshire and on the south coast 4. érifolii appears in early July and continues all the month. It is especially fond of damp meadows with rivulets flowing through, settling on rushes and the stems of “ ragged _robin,”’ the heads of which are favourite resting and copulating places. I do not think, or at least I cannot recall that I have seen Z. /ilipen- dulae in such meadows, but in the broad roads crossing Dartmoor and its neighbourhood, with their wide grass “‘sidings’’ on each hand, 4. filipendulae is quite frequent, though it prefers the edge of the moor and the more sheltered portions of the grass paths. Again, as with M. Oberthtir, I should date its first appearance at the middle of July. I have had a somewhat similar experience with the same species in the Isle of Wight.. 4. lonicerae appears rather later than Z. trifolii, and I cannot remember finding these two in the same bitof country. In the Isle of Wight 4. jilipendulae was very much commoner than Z. lonicerae and 4, trifolii, the latter of which was not infrequent on the edges of the cornfields, whilst I found the same habit in Cornwall. There is, however, another point to consider. I have preparations of the genitalia of all the species, and there is no question of the distinctness of these. The clasps and the uncus of Z. lonicerae are quite different in shape from those of Z. filipendulae, and the same difference applies to 4. trifolii. Of 2. stoechadis I have very little personal experience. Turning now to my continental observations, I should say that the habits of 2. filipendulae and Z. lonicerae differ considerably from those obtaining with us. Their habitats are essentially meadows and pastures —the mountain sides and the valleys are the localities for both species, Aprit 157H, 1918. 62 . THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. and they fly together, the times of emergence differing, according to the latitude or altitude. I well remember in one of my walks across the Great St. Bernard Pass, when we had got well down towards Aosta, a sight I shall never forget, field after field of hay in all their superb “ richesse ” of flowers, and almost every head of flowers covered with one or more specimens of Zygaena—five-spotted and six-spotted forms freely copulating. The day was brilliant and the heat great—a perfect day to wanton and indulge in all one’s lazy whims and fancies. My father-in-law and I spent hours amongst those fields taking notes and specimens, and we both came to the conclusion that any species of Zygacna found no difficulty in copulating with any other species. Whether the ova would prove fertile is another question, but the fact remains that such species of Z. filipendulae and Z. purpuralis (minos as we used to call it in those days) were found in copula. Further examination and more experience of the genitalia convince me that there is no structural reason why different species should not copulate with each other, the only thing that is needed is a super- abundance of specimens such as I witnessed in the Aosta Valley, when apparently as soon as a female emerged and had got over the flaccid or limp condition that obtains immediately on emergence, it is merely a case of which male species arrives first. In this genus also I have no doubt that the males copulate more than once, for to quote one instance only, Zygaena carniolica var. heydisart, at Alvaneu Bad, where I found more than one case of a male, that was almost denuded of scales, copulating with quite fresh females. But to return to the species in question, the whole genitalia show decided differences in shape, and I have no doubt that Z. filipendulae, Z. lonicerae, Z. trifolii, and Z. stoechadis are different species. I am now having photographs made of my preparations of the genitalia, and at a later date I will illustrate the differences in this magazine and thus confirm my observations. Collecting in various places (1914-1917). By Cart. P. P. GRAVES, F.E.S. The following notes re collecting at certain places, some of which are not too well known to naturalists, may be of interest to readers of the Hntomologist’s Record. After escaping from Constantinople I spent three or four days at Dedeaghatch, in ‘“‘ Western Thrace,” which I finally left on November 3rd, 1914. The country round Dedeaghatch looked promising, but it was too late in the year and too wet to expect any diurnals and a damaged Pararge megera with a few Pyrameis cardut, seen during a fine spell, were all the butterflies I observed. I have already described my experiences in Egypt in November, 1914, and thence till March, 1915. At the end of March, 1915, I repaired to Athens for Tenedos, where I spent four days. Tenedos, March 28th-April 1st, 1915.—The bareness of the island, which is windy, boasts singularly few trees, and must be very much dried up in summer, did not lead me to expect many captures, but during the four days I spent there I saw a number of insects, all, or COLLECTING IN VARIOUS PLACES (1914-1917). 63. almost all, belonging to ‘‘ distinguished” species. Pieris brassicae was commonest; my only P. napi resembled the Constantinople spring race, and my Anthocharis crameri (belia) var. espert, were somewhat smaller than the fine race which occurs in Mitylene, near Athens, and near Constantinople. The one female I took had the upperside hind- wings decidedly yellowish. The butterflies seen or captured here were, Hrynnis alceae, Rumicia phlaeas, Pieris brassicae, P. rapae, P. napi, Pontia daplidice g.v. bellidice, Anthocharis crameri (belia) var. espert, Colias edusa (one seen), Pyrametis cardui, P. atalanta, Pararye megera (not uncommon), and Coenonympha pamphilus (apparently the northern form). On April 2nd I was at Mitylene. Here conditions were very different. There were trees (chiefly fruit trees and olives) in great abundance, the ground was much dryer, the outcrop of rock on the hills more considerable, the flora far more Mediterranean than Tenedos, which seemed to me, as far as I could judge in a brief stay, to be much more like the Bosphorus shores in respect of its vegetation. But though Mitylene seemed attractively southern, it was by no means rich in Lepidoptera. A gully in the limestone, about three miles from Mity- lene Port, gave me four specimens of Thais cerisyi, one already worn. These specimens appeared to me to be large, but typical, examples of the normal Asia Minor race. With them I took a very battered Doritis apollinus. At Hiera, a warm sheltered place on the shore of one of the gulfs (that lying 8.S.E. of Mitylene Town), which are so marked a feature of the coast line of the island, I enjoyed some delightful views but caught little beyond a good short series of Anthocharis cramert (belia) var. espert. I saw no “blues” in the island and no sign of Cal- lophrys rubi on the hills above Mitylene, on ground that seemed very favourable for this insect. My captures and observations in Mitylene, April 2nd, 1915, were the following :—Rumicia phlaeas, Iphiclides poda- lirius (one seen), Thais cerisyt, Doritis apollinus, Pieris brassicae, P. rapae, Pontia daplidice (very few), Anthocharis crameri var. espert, Pyramets cardui, P. atalanta, and Pararge meyera. I left for Athens on April dth, by a nocturnal boat. I regretted having such little opportunity of exploring the interior of Mitylene, and am still of opinion that the Lesbian Olympus and the pine clad “Chamlk” area might produce some interesting insects in early summer. Athens, March 27th, April 6th-30th, and May, 1915.—Athens is sufficiently well known to entomologists to excuse a lengthy treatment of the entomological results of my stay there. I may say at once that these results were rather disappointing. Butterflies were only frequent. at one or two places, notably on the Daphne Road, about four miles. out of Athens, at one or two points on the way up Hymettus (beware fellow collector of the large and really dangerous sheep dogs which dwell there!) and on Mendeli Mountain (Pentelicos), during the last week of April. My most interesting captures were Hallia marloyi, of which I took a small specimen near Daphne, on April 10th, Melitaea phoebe, a very large brightly coloured and generally heavily marked form of which was not rare near Daphne, and occurred sparingly else- where. Cupido sebrus, of which I took a female on Mendeli, below the Monastery, on April 28rd. Thais polyaena var. cassandra, two speci- mens, and the fine second brood form of Anthocharis crameri var. espert, rightly named ‘‘ mazima,” which was just coming out on May 8rd. L 64 THE ENTOMOLOGIST 'S RECORD. never hit the right spot for Agriades thersites, only three males of which fell to my net, and though I took several very hispulla-like males of Epinephele jurtina at the beginning of May, I am not prepared to say definitely what form it is, having no females. An expedition to Tatoi, on April 26th, in the hope of obtaining Pieris krueperi, was unsuccess- ful. I saw some Pierids, which might have been P. krueperi, gambol- ling in the depths of an inaccessible gorge, but Glaucopsyche cyllarus and Leptosia sinapis were the only insects I brought back with me from ex-King Constantine’s estate. : In the following list H. signifies Hymettus, D. Daphne, A. Athens, T. Tatoi, K. Kephisia, and M. Mendeli. Hallia marloyi, D., October 14th, 1915; Hrynnis alceae, sparingly everywhere; H.? orientalis, generally distributed and more frequent than H. alceae. This insect was slightly darker than Constantinople specimens of H. orientalis, and it may possibly prove to be althaeae. Powellia orbifer, D.A., rare; Thymelicus acteon, just emerging in some numbers on May 8rd, D.A.; Rumicta phlaeas, A., March 27th, and later, D.H.; Callophrys rubi, D., April 10th, M., April 23rd; Polyommatus icarus, from April 7th, generally common, blue females frequent; | Agriades thersites, three males only, D., April 15th, M., April 28rd, H., April 25th ; Aricia medon, frequent everywhere ; Cupido sebrus, M., April 23rd; Glaucopsyche cyllarus, generally frequent; Scolitantides baton, D., fairly frequent but going over, April 7th-15th ; Papilio machaon, twice seen on the Mendeli Road; Iphiclides. podalirius, A., March 27th, M., April 28rd, T., April 26th, always singly; Thats polyxena var. cassandra, D.H., rare; Pieris brassicae, common, but going over everywhere after April 10th ; P. rapae, generally common and worn in late March, second brood specimens taken on May 5th; Pontia daplidice, A.D., common and worn from March 27th to April 15th; Anthocharts crameri var. esperi, A.D., frequent in April, one g.aes. maxima on May 5th,at Daphne; Colias edusa, a few seen everywhere ; Gonepterya cleopatra, A.D., fresh on Mareh 27th, and worn in April; G. rhamni, seen at Tatoi only, April 26th; Leptosia sinapis, M., rare, April 23rd, K., April 25th, T., April 26th; Pyramets cardut, here and there ; P. atalanta, A.M., occasionally ; Melitaea phoebe, D., fairly frequent, H.M.; Pararye megera, sparingly at all localities except Kephisia; P. maera, M., April 28th; P. aegeria, one only, M., April 28th; Hpinephele gurtina, D., May 5th; C'oeno- nympha pamphilus var. lyllus (seuthern form), D.H.M.K., sparingly. The total amounts to only 31 species. My Egyptian results in 1916 and 1917 must be described on another occasion. Hn passant I may here remark that I spent eight days at Bude, from June 20th to June 27th inclusive, in 1916, and though the weather was not too favourable saw a fair number of common butter- flies, and captured Brenthis selene and Melitaea aurinia not very far from one of the Lycaena arion localities. Returning eastward all too soon, I was held up for a week at Marseilles, from July 1st to July 7th, and while waiting for a transport paid three visits to a locality, which is doubtless well known to French collectors, but is not familiar to me, to wit the pretty little village of Allauch, which is reached by tram (time about 40 minutes from the Hotel de la Grande Bretagne), and had quite an abundant Satyrid and Pierid population. My captures there were, Erynnis alceae (2), Polyommatus tcarus, Aricia medon (second broods of both just emerging), Pieris brassicae, P. rapae, P. manni, in IN MAOEDONIA IN 1917. 65. pine woods, not rare; P. napi g.a. napaeac, Colias edusa, Gonepterya cleopatra, Pyrameis cardui, P. atalanta (seen in the town), Polygonia egea (one'seen in the Marseilles suburbs), Pararge megera, Satyrus circe, a few very large specimens; S. alcyone, just emerging ; Hipparchia briseis, fresh and frequent, males smaller than the Sea of Marmora race, both female forms occurring; H. semele, just emerging, large and brightly coloured ; H’pinephele jurtina, southern in facies ; H. pasiphae, a few worn specimens: H. ida, abundant and small; Coenonympha dorus, abundant, but going over. Total 21 species. Malta.—Here, on May 7th, 1917, I saw Pieris. brassicae, P. rapae, Pontia daplidice and Colias edusa with the inevitable Pyrameis cardut. The fine dragonfly, Anaw imperator, was flying round some tanks in a garden near the tunnel which precedes the last station on the Malta Railway. In Macedonia in 1917. By Cart. MALCOLM BURR, D.Sc., F.E.S.. The first entomological observations for the year were in Greeces and are extremely meagre ; walking over the Acropolis, at Athens, on January 27th, I saw a small Fritillary, and a single Hpacromia thalas- stna. More interesting, that early in March I came across freshly hatched specimens of Locusta viridissima at Corinth; the weather was far from mild, but this was afull month before I should have expected them at this latitude. The first of May found me enjoying summer weather on the Struma. front ; the rocks were a mass of a mauve Cistus, and the valley ablaze with spring flowers of every kind and colour, in rank luxuriant growth; last year’s trenches were hidden by the young vegetation, and fields of Opium poppies, abandoned by the population, gave a mass of flowers to. adorn the messes. The gorgeous bee-eater was already flashing in the sun, wheatears and warblers abounded, and the clumsy but brilliant roller, called by the Serbs the ‘stinking crow,’’ was very much in evidence. Our common British grasshoppers, Omocestus viridulus and the universal Stawroderus bicolor, were already in full buzz. Bright _ green Cetonias were flying around, and the commonest butterflies were a Wood White, the two Swallow-tails, and worn Pyrameis cardut. Within a week Decticus verrucivorus, which is very common, had already reached the nymph stage; in the south of England this species would hardly yet be hatched. Acridiwm aegyptiwm was common, and the two red-winged species of Acrotylus. The yellow-winged A. lonyipes, Charp., I only once came across out here, a single specimen on the beach on the Gulf of Orfano, in the beginning of November in the previous year. Cuckoos, nightingales, and whitethroats were in full song, and night- jars were whirring in the valley, although there was no timber there. I found dead teazle-heads full of freshly hatched macrolabious For/i- cula auricularia, L., on May 10th, but saw no other earwigs this year except the usual Labia minor, L., which flew to light in numbers in the middle of the summer. On May 28rd I heard the first chirp of Decticus verrucivorus, took a female nymph of Glyphanus obtusus, and saw the first adult Dinarchus dasypus, lig. This portly creature is a great favourite in Macedonia ; his insistent stridulation, which is loud and prolonged, his startling black and bronze coloration, and his cor- 66 THE KENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. pulent figure, render him very prominent; he constantly attracts a great deal of attention even from the least observant, and as he is very common in places, specimens are often submitted to me, usually with a query whether or not they are dangerous. On May 31st, Locusta viridissima, L., was adult, and fresh Decticus werrucivorus, L.; I came across a belated Acrotylus insubricus, Scop., tiny Cidipodid larvee, and fairly numerous nymphal Glyphanus. A pretty green apterous Phaneropterid, with black and pale markings on the dorsum, was in evidence on shrubs, but it is hopeless to attempt to name the numerous species of this group; it is difficult enough witha good library and collection for reference; in the field it is out of the question. Gampsocleis abbreviatus, Br., appeared, but not in such num- bers as last season at Lembet; several species of Platycleis, and some other Decticids, were abundant but immature. One small incident about this time was for a moment rather start- ling; our anti-aircraft guns were popping away in the distance, a pretty regular occurrence, when I saw against the bursts of shrapnel and clear blue sky, a fleet of fifteen aeroplanes coming straight over the village where we were quartered; ‘here comes a bombing squadron,” I thought, and made a bee-line for the nearest cover, then the squadron resolved itself into a flock of storks, flying low and straight, with im- movable wings. Storks frequent the villages in great numbers in the summer, and I have counted fifteen nests in one old plane-tree. The other common birds of the villages are incredible flocks of starlings, innumerable sparrows, and a few quaint and noisy little owls. Karly in June, on scrub in a little donga, I found nymphs of Acro- metopa; a little later, when they were mature, they turned out to represent two species, one grass-green, one bluish-green, one with rounded elytra, the other with truncated elytra; they must be A. mac- ropoda, Sery., the common Mediterranean form, and the rare Levantine A. syriaca, Br. By the middle of the month Acrotylus insubricus, Scop., was adult, and also Platycleis grisea, F., and one of its allies, probably P. affinis or P. laticauda. In Blattids, only Loboptera decipiens and Hololampra marginata, Schreb., were to be found. Beetles were numerous. After the Cetonias, the most prominent. were Longicorns ; one handsome black and red species, of medium size, occurred in numbers on the lofty and powerful thistles; these squeak angrily when handled, and continue to squeak protests and to kick for quite a long time when plunged into alcohol. Fine, sleepy Buprestids were common, and on the heads of the same thistle were numbers of very sluggish, biggish, black weevils, with long curved snouts, the whole body dusted with a mustard-yellow. The snout was usually buried in the stem of the thistle; a small Prussian blue Elaterid was common, on the same thistle, which was a good collecting ground. There were numerous Hemiptera, the commonest being a purplish Pentatomid and a black Capsid. Immature Mantids appeared to be all M. reliyiosa and Ameles sp., but the mess-waiter brought me in triumph one day a “very peculiar fly,’’ which turned out to be a much dilapi- dated adult Hmpusa, probably E’. egena, Charp. On June 28th, I met Lieut. C. D, Day, R.A.M.C., whom I found a most enthusiastic field naturalist; he had made extensive collections of almost all groups, but especially reptiles and Diptera, which he con- stantly sent home in small packets. I persuaded him to take up Or- NEW AND RARE BRITISH CECIDOMYIDA. 67 thoptera, and before the end of the season he had accumulated a pretty representative collection. At an altitude of about 100 feet above the sea he found Dinarchus dasypus very abundant, and I came across Ectobius lapponicus, L., for the first time out here; these were of the typical form. On the last day of the month Acrometopa of both species was fully developed and numerous in the same donga, and a species of Olynthoselis, the first I have noticed out here, as far as memory serves, and then Entomology finished for me for theseason. I had no chance of collecting again this year, and only by chance added a species to the list of those which I have noticed in Macedonia, picking up a belated Euprepocnemis plorans at Lembet, late in the autumn. The collections which I made last year were fairly extensive and representative. I had hesitated to send them home, for fear of losing them, preferring to store them temporarily at Salonika. They were destroyed, with some other property, in the famous fire which ravaged the town in August, so now I have the mortification of having little or nothing to show for two complete years spent in Macedonia. The only entomological satisfaction which came to my lot this year was a few minutes chat with my old and highly esteemed friend Dr. Alfredo Borelli, who came to the station to see me when passing through Turin in the middle of March. Let us hope that 1918 will bring us all better luck, in every respect. New and Rare British Cecidomyida.—III. By RICHARD S. BAGNALL, F.L.S., and J. W. H. HARRISON, D.Sc. (Continued from Vol. xaix., page 230.) The following records are some that we have been able to add to our “ Preliminary Catalogue of the British Cecidomyidae”’ whilst going through the press, and any that we may record after this present short contribution will be additional to the catalogue. The discovery of Miastor is of particular interest. Trotteria umbelliferarum, Kieffer. On Anthriscus. Duruam, Gunnergate, J.W.H.H. Rhabdophaga pseudococcus, Rubsaamen. On underside of Salix caprea leaves; larva broad and flat, under a silky covering, which gives it a curiously Coccid-like appearance. Douraam. Plentiful on isolated trees, Ryhope Dene and Hesledene, | R.5.B. Rhabdophaga pulvini, Kieffer. Houard, S(alia) 19. Characteristic galls on Salia aurita and S. vitellina. NorraumBertand, Ovingham, R.8.B. Perrisia lithospermi, H. Loew. Houard, 4741. On Lithospermum officinale. NortHuMBERLAND, Ovingham, on an isolated patch of the host-plant, R.S.B. Perrisia panteli, Kieffer = Cecidomyid sp. Houard, 1315. On oak, affecting the midrib as well as the secondary nervures of the leaf. 68 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. Yorxsurre, Leeds, numerous examples from one old tree, R.S.B. NorTHUMBERLAND, Ovingham, one example only, H. 8. Wallace. Previously known from Spain. The British examples more strongly affect the leaf than described by Houard, and are not limited to a ner- vure secondaire. It may prove to be another species. Miastor sp. In dead wood, increasing paedogenetically. Duruam, Birtley, J.W.H.H. Endaphis perfidus, Kieffer. Endoparasite of Aphis plantanoides on Sycamore. NortHumBrrLAND, Warkworth, R.S.B. Endaphis sp. Endoparasite of an Aphis on Ononis. Duruam, Penshaw Hill, R.S.B. Cecidomyid sp. Houard, 5450. Leaf pustules on Knautia arvensis. NorTHUMBERLAND, Ovington. Duruam, Ryhope, R.S.B. Cecidomyid sp. Houard, 8.60. On Salix spp. NortTHUMBERLAND, Ovingham, on S. aurita. Duruam, Easington, on S. caprea, R.S.B. Cecidomyid sp. On Achillea ptarmica, galls singly situated on stem at angle caused by juncture with leaf; about 3mm. long by Jmm. broad, more or less fusiform ; cavity containing a solitary yellowish-orange larva (which may be that of a parasite). Integument thin, but hard. Cecidomytid sp. Larve crimson feeding in rotten turnips. Duruam, Birtley, J.W.H.H. |Norre.—lt should be noted that the Cecidomyid sp. recorded on p. 229 of our last contribution without foodplant, is from honeysuckle. The record should read, ‘“‘ On honeysuckle leaves, reddish larva feeding externally on what seem to be parenchymatous galls.”’] I OTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. Lurrerina (Apamna) TEStaceaA.—A long series of Luperina testacea, taken some years ago in West Cornwall, and not in prime condition, has recently been sent for inspection. The ground colour and general coloration of all the specimens is of a somewhat deep dull umbreous brown, and not one has the hindwings of the pure white, which always distinguishes the usual inland forms. Only two very dwarf specimens have hindwings which can be called white. There is con- siderable variation inter se, although none are very dark and none very NOTES ON COLLECTING. 69: light. Several are very uniform with markings almost wholly sup- pressed by the ground becoming as deep brown as the markings. In no examples are the markings present with any emphasised degree of definition except the double lines bounding the submarginal lighter band. The transverse central band only in some cases is ‘distinguish- able from the general ground. In one or two specimens the blackish bar below the stigmata is well marked. The females have the hind- wings browner and are larger. This is certainly quite a distinctive race. Possibly some of our readers who have more recent series from the West will look them up and compare them with the inland races. Barrett says, “‘ Not a very variable species inland, but on the coast, and especially on the western coasts, it is quite otherwise.” Is this so ?—H.J.T. Since writing the above I have again referred to Seitz, “ Mac. Lep.,” vol. iii., Palaearctic Noctuidae. There is a figure on plate 43, named rufa, which is in no way referred to in the text or Index, but in the Appendix is stated to belong to testacea. This figure agrees very well with the average appearance of the Cornish specimens, so that they may be referred to as var. rufa. However, one would like to know where the original description of this form occurs and the author of the name. Possibly one of our readers can help me with the references. —H.J.T. Frrip Norrs From Batu, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ‘TmRAS CON- TaAMINANA, Hp.—To complete my notes from this district in 1917, L may mention that several larve of Hupithecta subfulvata occurred on yarrow, under a hedge, at Swainswick, on October 6th, and that a 9 ' Asteroscopus sphinx was found at rest in a hawthorn hedge on November 11th. She subsequently laid a few ova. Harly in October I took several pups of Aealla logiana off Viburnum lantana growing in the more sheltered lanes. This was really too late to look for them, as many of the dwellings had been rifled by birds (?) and a few pupe had already emerged. Probably in the middle of September dozens might have been found, as the puckered leaves were abundant. Of those I bred, the first appeared on October 6th, and the last on November 12th. The specimens vary from unicolorous brown to those with the ground colour soft pale grey speckled with rich brown dots, with the usual large irregular costal triangle of the same rich tint. Occasionally the triangle is broken up into three spots. My few specimens make me wish I had gathered the larve at the end of August, then I might have bred some really striking forms from the number that might have been obtained. As this was the first autumn that I ever collected the com- mon Acalla (Teras) contaminana, may I say a few words about this species. At dusk the imagines fly rather gently over the hedges, making short zigzags in their progress, and usually settling after a short flight on the leaves or twigs on the outside of the hedge. They abounded on every hedge or bush of whitethorn, even in the outskirts of the town. On the road towards Combe Hay there is a long row of blackthorn, and there is no whitethorn very near, but the moths were quite plentiful on the blackthorn, on which their larve: hat probably fed. On one occasion I saw a moth of the red-brown variety at rest on a red-brown leaf of whitethorn which had exactly the same ground 70 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. colour as the moth. This would have been probably overlooked but for the white cilia on the termen. The moths mostly rest on the green leaves and usually beneath. When beaten out they either fly briskly straight-away for a short distance and then return to another part of the hedge, or they flutter down to the herbage below, where, if followed, they drop among the roots of the grass. They have an awkward habit of resting on the grass, after having been disturbed, with the under- side exposed to view, so that it is generally necessary to box them for examination, which leads to loss of time. Even the dark specimens appear pale on the wing on account of the light colour of the hind- wings and underside. The first specimen was seen August 14th, and a few were noted still lingering in the thorns on October 15th; they were most abundant during the second and third weeks of September. In October I placed a @ witha twig of hawthornin a box. She laid several ova on the box, especially along a seam where the lining joined, but none on the twig or leaves. On February 25th, this year, I noticed that some of these ova had hatched, and also that the hawthorn was showing green buds in sheltered situations. A few more larve came out on the following days. One, which was very active, burrowed into a hawthorn bud, but I could not find it in the bud the next day | though it had evidently fed a little. Having no microscope here, I can only say the eggs are of the form usual to this group, they were laid singly or in very small patches. The head of the newly hatched larva is black, prothoracic shield brown witha pale collar, and the body pale ochreous. The imagines vary much in size, my smallest measuring 14mm. and the largest, a male, 19mm. Among those I took there are - four quite distinct forms and these all vary in themselves. It would be interesting to obtain two specimens exactly alike, a feat I have not succeeded in doing. The most abundant form, which far outnumbered the other three all put together, was that in which the forewings are reddish-ochreous, with a darker, more or less complete, central fascia. Some specimens are nearly brown, others nearly orange, as regards the ground colour. Some are nearly unicolorous, the fascia and reticula- tion being lightly marked, while in others these markings are quite dark brown, and in addition the costal spot is present. In this form the white raised tuft 1s often conspicuous. I suppose this form is the ciliana mentioned by Wilkinson (Brit. Tort., p. 150), but there is no marked difference in the cilia. The neatest specimen is one with a very bright ground colour and the central fascia sharply marked in outline only. The next most common form, in point of numbers, was that with the thick Y-like mark and very strong reticulation, which, according to Wilkinson, is the type contaminana. In the palest speci- men the ground colour is nearly white and the mark dark grey. In another the wings are bright ochreous, and the strong reticulations and mark are formed of a mixture of black and chestnut. Sometimes the markis brown. In all except one specimen the mark comes to a point before reaching the dorsum. The third and fourth varieties were rather scarce but occurred with the others. The third, in its best form, is quite handsome. The forewings are of the colour of the ab. ciliana in its more orange phase, but the reticulation is less noticeable. The central fascia is of the ciliana form till just above the fold, here it swells out into a large blackish patch, which is continued to the dorsum. NOTES ON COLLECTING. alt The costal patch is elongated and reaches to the middle. The angu- lated basal patch in the other forms is marked in outline only, it is the same here, but at the angle there is a large dark spot, which some- times has a pale centre. This subbasal spot is the most distinctive feature of this aberration. One specimen approaches straw colour and has the first portion of the central fascia only in outline. This spotted form is mentioned by Stainton (Manual, vol. ii., p. 227). The fourth form is a very dark insect. The ground colour rich chestnut, clouded at the base with very dark grey. The central fascia and the whole of the apical part of the wing blackish grey. The hindwings are decidedly erey, much darker than those of any of the other forms. In some specimens the forewings show an almost even mixture of black and chestnut. This form I take to be the rhombana mentioned by Wilkin- son. The most interesting specimens are those which connect the different forms. Among these are two ab. ciliana in which the costal spot joins the central fascia, making thus the Y-like mark. A third, which is distinctly of the Y form, shows the dorsal enlargement of the fascia, the basal spot and prolonged costal spot, which are the distinc- tions of the spotted form. One ciliana connects this with rhombana, and one rhombana has the basal spot. I should be glad to know if there are any other distinct forms of this variable species, for among the specimens collected here some show further possibilities. For instance have the following ever occurred: the only marking, a dark costal triangle; any form with a thick streak from the central fascia to the base; with three dark fascie, a basal, the central and the costal spot prolonged to the dorsum, and lastly with forewings entirely black? In conclusion I will note the figures in Barrett’s work (Lep. Brit. Isles, vol. x., plate 450). Figure 3 shows the form I have alluded to as ciliana, figure 8a the Y-form, and 3b a pale and poorly marked speci- men of what I have quoted as rhombana. I have never seen a figure of the handsome spotted form.—Aurrep Sicu. March 18th, 1918. Some Fiextp Nores ror 1916-17 (Continued).—On August 23rd, 1916, about 20 g Orgyia antiqua were observed assembling to a @ in a small tree at Hast Dulwich, at about eleven o’clock in the morning, and on the 24th three batches of Porthesta chrysorrhoea ova hatched. When in the Isle of Wight in September, a friend informed me that in the previous winter, when doing some repairs to a building, 172 queen wasps were found hibernating under the ridge along the top of the roof. On October 12th worn specimens of Hpirrita (Oporabia) dilutata were found at rest on fences at Hast Dulwich. At Midhurst, Sussex, on November 13th, specimens of Xylina ornithopus (rhizolitha) were resting on fir trunks, and in a road through a wood I discovered a number of wings of Hibernia aurantiaria lying on the ground. Specimens of Cheimatobia brumata were resting on fences at Hast Dulwich on December 1st, and up to December 31st ova obtained from a 2 B. trifolii, from Dorset, were still unhatched, but on February 24th, 1917, the first four larve hatched out, and they continued to hatch at intervals until April 7th, when the last two appeared. They all took very kindly to the ordinary grass found in a garden. At Three Bridges, Sussex, on February 28th, I saw the first Hibernia leucophaearia at rest on a fence, as against January 11th in the previous 72 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. year. At Wimborne, Dorset, on March 14th, a single specimen of Hibernia marginaria {progemmaria), at rest on a lime trunk, was the only insect seen. On March 16th, at Bromley, Kent, 4 H. lewcophaearia (2 worn), 4 H. marginaria (progemmaria) (2 worn), and a 3 Phigalia pedaria (pilosaria), were found at rest on fences. On the Isle of Wight, during the nights of April 3rd and 4th, a heavy snowstorm came on, and the following morning snow was lying in drifts four feet and six feet deep in places, quite an unusual thing in the island, and conse- quently no entomological observations were possible. The scarcity of potatoes and other vegetables in London led to my trying my hand at a little gardening about this time, and enabled me to devote a little thought to economic entomology, and to wonder why some insects. were on the earth at all, they certainly would not be missed if it were possible to exterminate them, but the conclusion I eventually came to. was that, while they destroyed some of our food, they in turn fed the birds, whose songs were an ample compensation. On April 7th I dug up three hunting spiders, which were very lively, one larva of the beetle Ocypus olens, two millipedes, and a full fed larva of Triphaena pronuba. Unfortunately for the beetle larva I put it in the same tin as one of the millipedes, which immediately seized it behind the head with its mandibles and carried it off. I also turned up a centipede, and various batches of semi-transparent eggs, which I believe were those of a slug, but I failed to get them to hatch, as even when they were placed in a tin with damp earth, they shrivelled up. On April 18th I sawa 3 Apocheima (Biston) hirtaria at rest on a. fence at Kast Dulwich. On April 21st [ dug up a larva of Agrotis segetum, together with some 7’. pronuba larves, and a millipede half an inch long, and another two inches long. As showing the backward- ness of the season, almond blossom was only just coming out on April 25th, whereas in some seasons it is out at the end of February, and I do not think I have ever been so pleased to see a swallow as | was on this day, when I saw four at Alton, Hants. On May Ist I was awakened by the twittering of swallows outside my bedroom window, at Petworth, Sussex, to find a glorious day, with a cloudless sky. On the way to the station Pieris brassicae, P. rapae, Gonepterya rhamnt (3), Aglais urticae, and Celastrina argiolus were seen, and I heard that six Hugonia polychloros were taken two days previously. IT went on to Midhurst, and in walking through a wood found one Taeniocampa pulverulenta (cruda) and two Tephrosia bistortata 2s at rest on tree trunks. Both the latter laid ova on the following day (May 2nd), which hatched on the 15th. The ova and young larve from one ? (brown) were quite noticeably smaller than those from the other ? (dark grey), the ova of the former were pale cream colour with hardly any trace of green, and laid loose in the pillbox, whereas the latter were a rich green and laid in strings. I subsequently fed the larve on maple. The first pupated on June 18th and the last on June 29th, and contrary to my expectations one batch produced only a partial second brood, the first imago emerging July 6th, the other none, the remainder of the pup going over the winter, with the exception of one imago which emerged on December 18th, during a heavy frost, but failed to expand its wings. All the emergences were from the dark grey ?. During a walk on the Downs, near Brighton, on May 7th,. although birds were plentiful, the only insects seen were a few Pieris NOTES ON COLLECTING. 73 vapae, Hmaturga atomaria gs, Humble-bees, and a small black Lady- bird with red spots. The weather now continued fine right on into the summer, and as it promised well for a ‘“‘ butterfly year’ I decided to work the summer broods of butterflies, especially as, owing to the restriction on the use of the camera, outdoor insect photography was all but impossible. On May 9th I saw a § Huchloé cardamines and some Celastrina argiolus flying in the streets of Lewes, Sussex, and during a walk on the Downs a Tiger Beetle was carried away on a strong cold N.H. wind, and was the only insect seen. At Dulwich, on May 138th, P. rapae was flying in abundance and ovipositing in the kitchen gardens, and C. argiolus was not uncommon. Larvee of 7. pronuba had now changed to pupz, and pupee of Mamestra brassicae were far too commonly met with. Two earwigs were more than once disturbed, in association, in a cavity in the earth and once in a flower head, and later on in the season, at Boxhill, I came across another pair, and in each case the pincers differed ; in one individual they were small and semi-circular, and in the other they were straight. I know nothing of earwigs, but was under the impression that, apart from minor variations, the difference in the pincers denoted a different species. ‘T’wo ichneumon flies emerged from pups of Hecatera serena (larvee taken at Hastbourne, August 17th, 1916), which I have not yet been able to get identified. The ichneumon larve spun no cocoon, and it is obvious that these flies must prey on another host in the spring, and are probably double-brooded. Ayrotis segetum larve had now pupated. On May 18th I found in my garden a freshly emerged Taeniocampa instabilis at rest on the fence, and a number of Cheimatobia bruimata larvee spun up between apple leaves. A g and @ Hemerophila abrup- taria were also resting on the fence, and in the evening a number of P. rapae were found at rest on apple trees, grass and cabbages, and a number of batches of ova were destroyed in the day time on the under- side of cabbage leaves. At Farningham, Kent, on May 22nd, Anaitis plagiata was seen at rest on a fenee, and cn the 28rd a g H. abruptaria was taken at rest on a fence at Dulwich. On the 31st Xanthorhoé fluctuata and Hupithecia venosata were found at rest on fences at Swanley, Kent, and a 2 Apamea basilinea was flying in the midday sunshine. A strong wind developed in the aiter- noon, and the platform, etc., of St. Mary Cray Station was alive with C. brumata larvee, which had been blown down from the birch trees which they had stripped nearly bare. On June 5th Triaena (Acronicta) psi was taken off tree trunks at Dulwich, and Mamestra brassicae started emerging. On the following day a 2 Spilosoma lubricipeda was found at rest on the fence, while rose sawfly larve and C. brumata larve were discovered busily engaged in defoliating the rose trees. At this time C. brumata larve were reported as doing an immense amount of damage to the apple trees in Kent, and large acreages were to ve seen in both Hast and West Kent practically bare of foliage. On June 8th Dianthoecia carpophaga started emerging from Hast- bourne pupe. Orgyia antigua larvee were found devouring the leaves of my plum trees, and caterpillars of one of the small ‘“‘ermine” moths 74. THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. were found in webs defoliating my apple trees. A @ Spilosoma lubri- cipeda was found at rest in the garden, and laid a batch of ova during the night, which hatched on June 15th. Specimens of Apatela (Acro- nicta) aceris were also found at rest on the trunks of some elm trees. On June 9th T. pronuba started emerging, and Abraxas grossulariata larvee were now yielding small ichneumon larve which spun the familiar grey cocoons with a black band round the centre. Three of these flies emerged on the 16th and one on the 18th June. I am writing these notes away from home, so cannot give their scientific name. On the 10th a 2 Amphidasis betularia var. doubledayaria emerged. I found the larva on Mountain Ash in my garden in the previous autumn. Agrotis segetum also started emerging. On June 11th I went for a walk to Shirley Hills and Addington, and on the way Coenonympha pamphilus and Polyommatus icarus were indulging in mock combats, while a Rumicia phlaeas settled on a stone to sun itself, and a pair of Preris brassicae were disturbed in cop, when the g was observed to carry the 9. Both P. brassicae and P. rapae were in abundance, and busily engaged in making love in the hot sun- shine, the ¢ flying in circles in a rising flight, the g¢ flying just below her in larger circles. While butterflies appear to revel in the hot sunshine, most birds seek the shelter of trees and sing little during the midday heat. In the sides of the wood Huchloé cardamines, Camp- togramma bilineata, and Venilia macularia were lazily flying. Oak and hazel trees were stripped nearly bare of their leaves by C. brumata larvee, and a number of ichneumon flies were running over the remain- ing leaves, waving their white tipped antenne vigorously while search- ing for victims. An opening in the ride, which allowed the sunshine to penetrate, was the playground of the Diptera Bombylius major and B. minor and a large bee-like fly, which spent their time hovering in the air, the last every now and then darting to one side to capture an unhappy fly that was also hovering with its fellows. The latter’ apparently were not alarmed at the fate of their companion, and scon suffered the same fate themselves. A hunting spider was running over the leaves in search of victims, while a green lacewing fly was busily engaged devouring aphides on a leaf stalk, and a luckless larva was found that was shedding through its skin four dipterous larve, and not far off an orb-weaving spider sat in the middle of her snare waiting for something to turn up. These notes and observations were made on the spot within the space of about ten minutes, and one can scarcely imagine the enormous destruction of insect life that goes on at almost every hour of the day during the spring, summer and autumn. A little further on I came across a hornbeam whose leaves were riddled by a species of sawfly larve, and watched a hunting spider carry off a C. brumata larva, while a dipterous fly attacked a larva that already looked half dead with ichneumon attacks. One Tephrosia punctularia, one Xanthorhoe fluctuata, and a number of Triaena pst were found at rest on oak trunks. On the way home across the fields in the dusk the only day flying insect seen was a Humble Bee, busily engaged in fertilising the flowers of the Broad Bean, which reminds one of Wordsworth’s lines, and testifies to the accuracy of his observations. One June 12th more Apatela aeeris were seen on dark elm trunks, at Dulwich, where they showed up as a light, almost white patch, and NOTES ON COLLECTING. 75 on the following day a fairly large ichneumon fly, with a yellow band round the body and looking very wasp-like, emerged from a pupa of 7’, pronuba (Dulwich). I had seen the flies hovering in my garden, and was very pleased at discovering the identity of their host. C. brumata larvee which I had collected in the garden were now pupating. About this time I was continually discovering batches of various Noctuid ova laid on potato leaves, cabbages, Brussels sprouts, delphinium, and other leaves, also larve, most of which I reared to the pupa or ichneumon stage, but as my ignorance of some of the com- mon larve is profound, and as most are still in the pupa stage, I shall have to reserve my note on them for a future occasion. On June 16th I found a 2 Spilosoma menthastri just emerged, and an 4d. hirtaria larva feeding on plum, which had three ova of a dipterous fly attached to its skin near the head. On the following day it had shea its skin and with it the three fly ova, which remained attached to the old skin and still unhatched.—C. W. Contrurur. (To be continued.) ABUNDANCE OF Harty GEOMETERS AND THE Harty Season.—During a short stroll over Ludshott Common from Hindhead, on February 11th, I found Hibernia leucophaearia and Phigalia pedaria (pilosaria) out in astonishing numbers. Not only out, but in spite of the early date the greater part of them were worn, although others were still emerging, as several were found drying their wings. The numbers were quite phenomenal ; especially so on a scattered belt of small oaks and birches edging a wood. On the first one of these trees that we approached, there were five P. pedaria (pilosaria) and several H. leuco- phaearia, and this tree proved to be no exception. There was scarcely a tree without one or more P. pedaria (pilosaria) and FH. leucophaearia often numbered as many asa dozen. 4H. pedaria (pilosaria) was very lacking in variation, and mostly rather small in size, while H. leucophaearia produced nothing beyond the ordinary plain and banded forms and intermediates. The dark unicolorous form that occurs somewhat commonly in Richmond Park and Epping Forest was never seen, nor anything approaching it. No females occurred and only three of P. pedaria (pilosaria). These latter were all well out of reach and had to be brought down with a long stick. It is probably due to this habit of ascending at once to the higher branches that accounts for the apparent scarcity of the apterous females. H. leucophaearia flew freely in the sun, and those at rest, unless freshly emerged, were difficult to box owing to their skittishness. ; One or two Hibernia marginaria (progemmaria) occurred, also two quite fair Hibernia defoliaria, and a single Cheimatobia brumata. As things were so early at Hindhead, I ran down to Chingford for an hour on the 14th to see if Apochemma (Nyssia) hispidaria was about. Here H. leucophaearia was scarcely out, only one freshly emerged specimen occurring, but I succeeded in finding four male A. (N.) his- pidaria—one very much worn—and the others quite fresh, two of them actually drying their wings. Two P. pedaria (ptlosaria) and one H. marginaria (progemmaria) were the only other moths seen. A spell of severe cold followed, but on the 21st I picked a nice olive-coloured P. pedaria (pilosaria), without any markings, off an oak tree at Ongar, and on the 23rd again walked through the forest from 716 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. Chingford to Loughton. Two more fresh male A. (N.) hispidaria were taken and another P. pedaria (pilosaria) just out, but A. lewco- phaearia were still rare—only three seen. At Ongar yesterday the sallows were almost out, the yellow in the catkins already showing quite strongly on sheltered bushes and the moths are evidently going to keep pace with them as last evening (the 24th) a specimen of Taentocampa stabilis flew in the house where Iam staying. This isa record for earliness, as far as my experience goes, and is nearly two full months ahead of last year, when at Hind- head the sallows were only just ready to work on April 24th.— Russert James, Brockenhurst, Bloomfield Road, Highgate, N. February 25th, 1918. Tue Season.—lI think it may perhaps be of some interest to record that butterflies are plentiful here (near Chelmsford) this spring. I have seen a good many Aglais urticae and Vanessa io flying in our © garden and also in other parts of this town during the past week and both species in very good condition. 1 also saw on the 20th inst. two good specimens of Pieris rapae flying in the hot sunshine, but these may have emerged in the hothouses and escaped through the ventilators, as one or two have been noticed flying in the hothouses here lately. I noticed one P. rapae flying towards the roof of our house, when a sparrow, sitting on the trough, darted at it several times and missed it ; then the bird gave it up and allowed the butterfly to fly off un- molested. While travelling in the train on the 21st I noticed three Gonepteryx rhamni within about five minutes, all flying in the hot sun- shine on the side of the railway bank, which faces the morning sun, between Shenfield and Brentwood about twenty miles from London. One wonders whether this is going to be a good butterfly year.—(Miss) K. Minxar, The Croft, Rainsford Lane, Chelmsford. March 26th. A New Mersop or Mountine ann Paresekvine 1n Series.—Dr. Roger Verity, of Florence, has contributed an article to the Bull. Soc. ent. de France, on a new method of mounting and preserving Lepidop- tera in series. He points out the great advance which the study has made during the past decade and that the material required for the continuance of this is much greater than hitherto has been necessary. Hach locality, each season should be represented, as well as each race. In fact thousands of specimens are necessary, now, where only dozens were wanted before. Such being the case our present system of pinning and arranging in drawers and cabinets is, he says, unnecessarily cumbrous and costly, often necessitating the moving of large numbers of specimens to view the undersides, with the possible chance of much damage. In conjunction with M. Orazio Querci the following method has been adopted by him. “The butterflies are mounted, without pins, between two plates of glass separated by a small frame formed of squared slips of wood, a centimetre wide, along the margin of the glass plates and keeping them sufficiently apart to allow for the thickness of the bodies of the butter- flies. Frame and glass are held by a band of paper attached around the margin and overlapping on to the glass. The butterflies arranged in horizontal and vertical rows are held in place by dark threads, very thin, but strong, stretched on the frame of wood and holding the wings OURRENT NOTES. Wi extended against the upper plate of glass. ‘The vertical threads are arranged in pairs and pass right and left of the bodies of the butterflies; the horizontal threads are single and separate the horizontal rows; in addition, between the various specimens each horizontal thread is fixed to the glass by a small label of paper which serves to number the examples, and in this way all derangement is prevented in a vertical direction, the horizontal thread strongly holding the vertical thread against the glass.” This plan is claimed to be a great economy in space and expense. The glass frames can be arranged on the shelves of a bookcase. The collection takes up a minimum of space. There is absolute security against mites. Comparisons can be made so much easier. The two surfaces of the wings can be seen with equal facility. The wings can be viewed on a changeable ground. ‘The pin is never in the way of a lens for close examination. All specimens are in exactly similar positions for comparisons. All labels can be placed close to the insect. Dr. Verity concludes by giving further details of the arrangement and methods for converting collections already made.—H.J.T. @YURRENT NOTES AND SHORT NOTICES. The 23rd Annual Congress of the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies will be held in London, under the Presidency of Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., ete., from Wednesday to Saturday, May 29th to June Ist, 1918. We understand that the Headquarters will be as last year, the rooms of the Linnean Society at Burlington House, Picéa- dilly, which have been again kindly lent to the Union. On Thursday evening, May 80th, Lieut.-Col. Sir Ronald Ross, R.A.M.C., K.C.B., etc., will open a discussion on the subject of mosquitoes in England. Members of affiliated Societies are admitted to the Congress on pay- ment of 3s., and will receive a copy of the annual volume of the South- Eastern Naturalist. The Programme of the arrangements, list of papers to be read, and exeursions, will be ready shortly. In the Bull. Soc. ent. Fr. for October last are several interesting and useful notes and articles. M. du Buysson gives particulars of the parasitisation of the nymphs of Coccinella septempunctata, met with on leaves of the vine, by the Dipteron Phora fasciata. M. Peyerimhoff demonstrates in a long series of observations that the Chironomids Ceratopogon species not only attack mammals, including man, but also insects and their larvee, e.g., species of Culew (Dip.), Cidaria didymata, Hrinnys ello (Sphingid) larva, and Meloé (Col.). M. Demaison con- tributes notes on the various forms of Parasemia plantaginis, viz., var. laemmermanni, var. caucasica, ab. flava, race floccosa, race altaica, race. sifanica, var. insularum, var. hatipennis, ab. hospita, and the British © race. Dr. Roger Verity gives observations on certain speciés of Zygaena, which Mr. Bethune-Baker is dealing with on another page of this magazine. In addition there are numerous new species described in various other orders, and some biological notes of importance. The Canadian Entomologist for January contains an account of “A Week’s Collecting on Coliseum Mountain, Nordegg, Alta,” when such things as Brenthis triclaris, Colias nastes, Cineis brucei, Gi. jutta, Pieris napt, Phyciodes pratensis, Lycaena aquilo, Brenthis chariclea, B. freija, Argynnis meadi, A. lais, Huchloé creusa, Papilio zolicaon, Hrebia 718 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. epipsodea, KH. disa, Brenthis astarte, and many other good insects were met with. Mr. F. H. Wolley Dod contributes the first part of a long detailed and critical article on the recently published ‘“‘ Check List of Lepidoptera of Boreal America,’ by Barnes and McDunnough, ‘“ Geo- metrid Notes’ are continued by L. W. Swett, and deals with the genus Xanthorhoé, describing three new species. Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell discusses the ‘‘ Bee-genus Brachynomada,”’ and describes a new species from the Argentine. The Jrish Naturalist for January contains more Entomology than usual. The Rev. W. F. Johnson gives a “ List of Aculeate Hymen- optera from the Counties of Armagh and Donegal,” and regrets that records of such have hitherto been so scanty. Mr. Thos. Greer writes ‘‘ Notes on the Lepidoptera of Kast Tyrone in 1917.” Mr. W.H. Workman discusses the great increase of Butterflies and Moths in Ireland during the past summer. Our colleague, the Rev. C. R.N. Burrows acknowledges help with his Psychid investigations and asks for more. Messrs. W. W. Flemyng and J. N. Halbert discuss the occurrence of a living’specimen of Ayrius convolvuli having been attacked*by a Dipteron. The moth was captured at Inchicore, Dublin, in September, 1916, and shortly afterwards no less than 76 examples of Phora rufipes (?) emerged from it while still alive. In the Hnt. Mo. Mag. for January Mr. D. Sharp continues his “‘ Studies in Rhyncophora,” dealing in this paper with the British Red Apions, in the course of which he proposes a new genus, Hrythrapion, which he describes, and also describes three new species as British, viz., Mrythrapion desideratum, differentiated from HF. cruentatum, EH. fraudator, very close to Lf. frumentarium, and EH. brachypterum doubt- fully differentiated also from the last species. Dr. Chapman in the same number gives further observations on the sawflies, Cladius vimi- nalis and Trichiosoma tibiale, their egglaying and emergence from cocoon respectively. The Naturalist for January contains the “ Annual Report of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union” for 1917. The Report of the Entomo- logical Section consists of more than three pages. Reference is made to the extraordinary abundance of insects; many species generally scarce in the North, such as Vanessa io, have occurred in numbers. Huvanessa antiopa and Agrius convolvult are among the records; of the former two were taken and of the latter a fair nnmber. Considerable attention has been paid to the Hymenoptera. In the January number of the Antomologist Mr. W. G. Sheldon concludes his observations on Peronea cristana, the Messrs. HK. and H. Drabble give Notes on the Diptera of Derbyshire, and Mr. J. W. H. Harrison, D.Sc., contributes a series of notes and observations on the rarer species of Hemiptera- Heteroptera in the North-Hastern Counties. | Our colleague, Mr. J. R. le B. Tomlin, during the year 1916, occupied the Presidential chair of the Malacological Society of Great Britain, and his Address to the Society at their Annual Meeting reached us a short time ago. Although the subject, «A Systematic List of the Maryinellidae,’ is not entomological, yet we must refer to it as a piece of real hard work, which no one, we know from experience, could produce without many months of sheer hard research work, with its verification and reverification and comparison with all original references. We congratulate Mr. Tomlin on the achievement. REVIEWS, 79 The Bull. Soc. ent. Kr. for November contains for the most part articles on Coleoptera, and a contribution by Dr. Roger Verity, “A New Method of Mounting and of Preservation of Lepidoptera in Series,” which we propose to deal with in detail. SOCIETIES. Lancasnire inp OCnrsuire E\ntromonocicaL Socimry. November 19th, 1917.—Parrr.—Mr. H. M. Hallett, F.H.5., read a paper entitled “ Wallasey and Porthcawl Sandhills, a Comparison.” The paper dealt chiefly with the Hymenoptera and the Flora of the two localities, and it appeared from the author’s observations that Porthcawl was, in point of numbers, a richer locality than Wallasey ; this probably being accounted for by its more southerly situation. A discussion ensued, in which Mr. Pierce and Mr. Wilding took part, a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. West and seconded by Dr. Cotton, was carried by acclamation. Parer.—Mr. F’. N. Pierce contributed a paper on ‘‘ The Lepidoptera of an Essex Garden,” in which, after describing the garden and trees, etc., he enumerated some 70 Tortrices, 100 species of Tineidac, besides Pyrales, Plumes, and Knothorns, ali having been captured by the Rev. C. R. N. Burrows and sent to Mr. Pierce for setting. The paper was illustrated by some 2,000 specimens, among them being a single example of Cnephasia genitalana, a series of both broods of Parornia (Ornix) anglicella, P.torquilella and P. finitimella, Diplodoma herminata and D. melanella ; the exhibit was greatly admired and an animated discussion followed the paper. Exotic Lepmorrera and CoLourep Drawines.—Mr. H. b. Prince exhibited exotic Lepidoptera received from the Rey. A. Miles Moss, also an album of watercolour drawings of larve of exotic Sphingidae, executed by the Rev. A. M. Moss from living speeimens. LirpiopTera FRoM Liverpoon Waresousus.—Mr. W. A. Tyerman showed a collection of moths which were taken in the neighbourhood of warehouses in Liverpool; four species of the genus Hphestia were represented, viz.:—H. elutella, FH’. passulella, MH. ficella and F’. kithniella also Plodia interpunctella, Mellissoblaptes cephalonica and Sitotroga cerealella, all having been more abundant than usual this year. LeprpopteRa FRom DeLAMERE and AnvantEy.—The Rev. F. M. B. Carr had the results of his collecting in the Delamere Forest district this year; besides the usual species found in the district, the exhibit included a specimen of Plusia moneta bred from a larva found at Tarporley, this beng the second record for Cheshire, the other, by Mr. R. Tait, being from Ashton-on-Mersey. Mr. Carr also had a nice series of each of the following, taken in his garden at Alvanley— Plusia iota, P. pulchrina and P. festucae. SPHINX convoLvuLtI.—Dr. John Cotton exhibited a specimen of Sphine convolvuli, taken in a back yard at St. Helens in September. FR EVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS Tue Transactions or tHE Lonpon Natura History Society, 1916. Price 3s.—The London Natural History Society, Salisbury House 80 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. Finsbury Circus, London, W.C.—This Annual Volume was published during the autumn, and consists of over a hundred pages with Index and one plate. The first thirty pages contain the List of Members, Extracts from the minutes of the meetings giving notes on the various exhibits, the Council’s Report for the year, and the various reports of the eight committees and branches into which the Society divides its work. The remaining seventy pages are taken up with the President’s Address and the Papers read at the meetings. The President, Dr. E. A. Cockayne, in the Address, dealt with the subject of Evolution, summarising the application of Darwin’s Natural and Sexual Selection, De Vries’ Mutation Theory, Mendel’s Theory of Heredity, Galton’s Law of Ancestral Heredity, the Determinants of Weismann in his Theory of Heredity, etc. Hereferred to the advance made in microscopical investigation by. modern Cytologists, and dis- cussed Bateson’s views on the inheritance of acquired characters. The view is expressed that “it is impossible to doubt that acquired charac- ters are inherited,” and the President instanced how ‘‘ such acquisition of a useful character may readily and rapidly alter a whole species,” by pointing out “the rapid spread of melanism in some British Lepi- doptera.”’ Mr. L. B. Prout has an importaut paper entitled “‘ Some Points of Interest in the Geometridae.” He deals with larval and imaginal structures, characteristics and habits in their bearing on classification, he refers to the occurrence of winglessness in the family, and points out that ‘a very wide and interesting field of investigation is opened up by the numerous and varied ‘secondary sexual’ structures in the Geometridae, particularly on the legs or wings.” ‘The paper is a most suggestive one for future lines of work. More than forty pages are taken up by a paper and the subsequent discussion on ‘‘ Apterousness in Lepidoptera,” by Dr. T. A. Chapman. After referring to previous articles and notes on this subject, the writer summarises the phenomenon in ‘“ other orders,” and endeavours to find out in these orders a cause and origin, which may be applicable in the cage of the Lepidoptera. He then tabulates the Palearctic species under four chief heads. 1. Lay their eggs on or in their cocoons or pupa cases. Hmergence of imago in summer (spring and autumn but to the summer margin). 9. Moths appearing in winter or very late autumn, or very early spring. 8. Certain Alpine or mountain species. 4. Desert species. The sub-groups or species in each of these sections are then dealt with in considerable detail. This is followed by a consideration of the results arrived at by Prof. Poulton in his paper, ‘‘Hxternal Morphology of the Lepidopterous Pupa: an examination of the question of Degene- ration in Female imagines in Lepidoptera.” (Trans. Linn. Soc., vol. v., Qnd ser., p. 248, etc.) The paper concludes with a short Bibliography. The remaining three papers are concerned with bird life. We must congratulate the Society upon its suecess as pourtrayed by the Transactions year by year, but why not continue to place upon the cover the time-honoured name of the fine little Society from which the present one sprang and of which it is really a continuation, The City of London Entomological Society.—H.J.T. The Back volumes (I-XXIX) of the Hnt. Record, &c. (published at 108. 6d. net), can be obtained direct as follows—Single volumes, 7s. 6d., except vols. I. and II., which ‘are 10s. 6d. each ; of the remainder 2 or 3 volumes, 7g. 3d. cach; 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 vols., 7s. each ; 10, 44, 12, 13 or 14 vols. at 6s. 9d. each; 15, or more vols. at 68. 6d. each. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes to Vols. III-X XIX, sold separately, price 1s. 6d. each. Subscriptions for Vol. XXX. (7 shillings) should be sent to Mr. Herbert E. Page, “‘Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Gross, S.E.14 [This subscription includes all numbers published from January 15th to December 15th, 1918.) Non-receipt or errors in the sending of Subscribers’ magazines should be ‘notified to Mr. Herbert E. Page, “‘ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, S8.E. 14 Subscribers are kindly requested to observe that subscriptions to he Untomologist’s Record, &c.,are payable in advance. The subscription (with or without the Special Index) is Seven Shillings, and must be sent to Mr. Herbert K. Page, “‘ Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, §.E.14 Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to H. EH, Pager. ADVERTISEMENTS of Books and Insects for Sale, or Books wanted will be inserted at a minimum charge of 2s. 6d. (for four lines). Longer Advertisementsin proportion. A reduction made for a series, Particulars of Mr. Herbert HE. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.H. 14 Subscribers who change their addresses must report the same to Mr. H. I. Paar ‘' Bertrose,”’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.K., otherwise their magazines will probably be delayed. Articles that require Illustration are inserted on condition that the author defrays the cost of the illustrations. All Foreign Exchange Magazines must be forwarded to H. J Turner 98 Drakefell Road, New Oross, S.H. 14 7 Desiderata.—Hupithecia nanata var. satyrata, for genitalia only, condition imma- terial. H. A. Cockayne, Surgeon, R.N., R.N. Hospital, Haslar, Gosport. Duplicates.—Kuphrosyne, Selene, Blandina, Aegeria, Hyperanthus, Aglaia, Athalia, . Davus, T. queretis, Corydon, Aegon, Asiliformis, P. populi, Mundana, Moneta* (northern form), Geryon, %. trifolii, Carpini, Obelisca, Orichalcea (fair), Rufina, Lunosa, Pedaria, Hricetaria, Strigillaria, Ulmata, Didymata, Fumata, Muricata (northern), Albulata, Imbutata, many others. Desiderata.—Vespertaria, Apiciaria, Advenaria, Prosapiaria, Dolobraria, Pictaria, Brunneata, Blomeri, Rubricata, Straminata, Subsericeata, Blan- diata, Lobulata, Munitata, Quadrifasciaria, Fluviata, and many others. Blackjpins only. —James Douglas, Thorncote, Chellaston, nr. Derby. Duplicates.—*Dissimilis, Velleda, Fibrosa, *Ambigua, Fulva, *Lubricipeda var. Fas- ciata, *Plantaginis, Coracina, Captiuncula, Mundana, Lutosa, Togata, *Valerianata, Cilialis, Inquinatellus, Caledoniana, Variegana vars. Sauciana, Geminana, Cinerana, Brunnichiana, Schulziana, Congelatella, Occultana, Vectisana, Dorsana, Rusticana, *Suboccelana, *Strobilella, Nanana, Herbosana, Petiverella, T. corticella, *@icop, Fulvi- gutella, etc. Desiderata.—Good Pyrales, Tortrices, ete.—7. Ashton Lofthouse, The Croft, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. 5 Duplicates.—Kast African butterflies wanted, butterflies of any country except species occurring in Britain.—W. Feather, Kibwezi British Hast Africa. Desiderata.—Pieris napi—spring and summer broods with exact data (localities and dates)—from all parts of the Kingdom, especially North of England and Scotland ; Pararge sgeria from Scotland, Ireland, and North of England—exact data needed. Will do my best in return or pay cash.—G. T. Bethune-Baker, 19, Clarendon Road, Edgbaston. Duplicates.—Machaon*, Sinapis, Edusa, Hyale, Valezina, Artemis*, Cinxia, Athalia, C-album*, Polychloros*, Sibylla*, Cassiope, Blandina, Davus, Betule*, Artaxerxes, Arion, Acton, Galii*, Scolizeformis*, Minos, Exulans, Meliloti, Albulalis, Helveola*, Quadra*, Cribrum, Hera*, Fuliginosa*, Fascelina*, Crategi*, Callune*, Trifolii*, Versicolor*, Lapponaria*, Hispidaria, Glabraria*, Abietaria*, Obfuscata, Trepidaria*, Smaragdaria*, Orbicularia*, Auroria, Fumata, Pictaria*, Alternata*, Carbonaria, Pinetaria, Cesiata, Ruficinctata, Salicata, Pygmmata*, Togata*, Sexalisata, Munitata, Fluviata, Lapidata Undulata, Reticulata, Nubeculosa*, Chaonia*, Or, Flavicornis var. Scotica*, Ridens*, Leporina, Menyanthidis, Myrice, Concolor, Templi, Agathina*, Conspersa, Barrettii, Occulata*, Tineta*, Glauca, Rectilinea, Peltigera, Melanopa, Cordigera, Interrogationis, Bractea, Craccr, etc. Desiderata.—Varieties and local forms.—Arthur Horne, Bonn-na- Coille, Murtle, Aberdeenshire. Wantep, for research purposes, during 1917, ova and larve of almost any species of British Lepidoptera. Offered British beetles (many scarce or local) and microscopic mounts.—Geo. B. Walsh, 166, Bede Burn Road, Jarrow-on-Tyne. Norr.—Mr. Donisthorpe will be grateful for any ants from all parts of the British Isles, with localities, unset or otherwise, for the purposes of study.—H. St. J. K. Donisthorpe, 19, Hazlewell Road, Putney, S.W. I would be very glad to exchange Californian butterflies for English blues especially the variable ¢s, and the blue ?s of coridon such as have been recorded by Keynes and others.—Fordyce Grinnell, Jr., 712, East Orange Grove, Paradena, California, U.S.A. Duplicates.—Artemis* (Cornish), Tithonus extra spotted vars., Corydon var. Semi Syngrapha (fair only), Tilice*, Angularia* (Quercinaria), fine banded vars., Bicuspis* and many others, also Pup Lacertula, Falcula, Tiliz, Consortaria, Versicolor, ete. Deside- rata.—Perfect only Cardamines ¢s, Cardui, Ivis, Ocellatus, B. quercus, Chlorana, Ligni- perda, Humuli, Convolvuli, and many others. Also Pup Carpini, Porcellus, Callune, Dictza, Dicteeoides, Dodonea, Vinula, S. ligustri, and many others. Liberal exchange or cash.—L. W. Newman, Bexley, Kent. Desiderata.—Kuchloé cardamines from Ireland; also types of E. cardamines from Switzerland, Italy, S. France; var, turritis (S. Italy), var. volgensis, var. thibetana, and of EK. gruneri, F. euphenoides, E. damone, and any palearctic species of the genus. Duplicates.—Loweia dorilis and vars., a few minor vars. of R. phleas (British), and many British lepidoptera.— Harold B. Williams, 82, Filey Avenue, Stoke Newington, N. Mesororamia.—I should be glad of information on insects or news of other entomo- logists in this country.—P. A. Buxton, Fairhill, Tonbridge. Duplicates.—European butterflies unset on long pins and some set English fashion. Desiderata.—Common British Noctuids.—Hy. J. Turner, 98, Drakefell Road, New Cross, S.H. 14. Duplicates.—A. coridon vars.,? including semi-syngrapha, H. Comma. Desiderata. —A. coridon var. Albicans (Spanish) and var. Hispana (do.), and good butterfly vars., especially from Ireland.—Douglas H. Pearson, Chilwell House, Chilwell, Notts. CHancEe or AppRrEss.—Harold G. Williams, 131, Queen’s Road, Wimbledon, S.W.19. EE RIESE MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. Entomological Society of London.—11, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W 8p.m. 1918, May Ist; June 5th; October 2nd; 16th. 5) The South London Entomological and Natural History Society, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge.— Meetings : The second and fourth Thursdays in the month | at 7 o’clock.—Hon. Sec., Stanley Edwards, 15, St. German’s Place, Blackheath, S.E. 3. The London Natural History Society (the amalgamation of the City of London Entomological and Natural History Society and the North London Natural History Society).—Hall 20, Salisbury House Finsbury Circus, H.C. The First and Third Tuesday in the month, at 7 p.m. Visitors invited. Hon. Sec., J. Ross, 18, Queens | Grove Road, Chingford, N.E. Toynbee Natural History Society.—Toynbee Hall, at 8 p.m. Entrance fee 1s., annual subscription 1s. Meetings : Full particulars as to excursions can be obtained from the Excursion Secretary, Miss L. Roberts, 11, St. James,’ Hatcham, §8.E. Hon. Sece., Owen Monk, 8, Shooter’s Hill Road, Blackheath, S.E. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.— Meetings at the Royal Institu- | tion, Liverpool, on the 3rd Monday in each month from October to April.—Hon. Sec., Wm. Mansbridge, 4, Norwich Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. - East London Natural History Society.—Bromley Public Hall, E. Thursdays at 8 p.m.—Hon. Sec., J. C. W. Shears, 58, Selborne Road, Ilford. | NOW READY.—PRICE £1 1s. Od. A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE Biel Si Be il BRE LTES, THEIR WORLD-WIDE VARIATION AND DISTRIBUTION. A YText-Book for Students and Collectors. Women liVe By J. W. TUTT, E.E:S. This volume comprises 373 pp. of text +43 plates. The species dealt with are treated most exhaustively, and Lepidopterists will find worked out for them what are probably the finest life-histories ever published. The work is regarded as the text-book on the subject; and in all probability will continue to be so for many years. All up-to-date students should have a copy for reference. To be obtained from— Mr. H. KE. PAGE, “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.E. 15 NOW READY. BRITISH ANTS.. By HORACE DONISTHORPE, F.E.S. Demy 8vo. Fully Illustrated. PRICE &1 95s. Od. post free. Deals with the classification and descriptions of all the Genera and Species now known to occur in the British Isles, with information as to their habits and life- histories. Fully illustrated by photographs, structural drawings, etc. The Book contains 380 pp. + x., with 18 plates and 92 figures. This form should be completed and returned as soon as possible to :— Messrs. Wiuuiam Brenpon anp Son, Lrp., Printers, Plymouth, England. Please supply me, with .......... COD eeyetate of ‘‘BRITISH ANTS,’’ by Horack DonistHoRPE, post free, and find remittance to value herewith enclosed. ICH IOA SHO Ges SSA GANS COBOOBOOb OD oabinooonAceded coe VACANCES Siealsioloeleleveltevehalel set telsicreteleneloisrshsrel eieistelslote ate DORR Si 64S 8 HOSA RS ISHS oe HURT P NTE GeS eae eae aE ADM SL KS RO Ui TEA FOR SALE. Tutt’s “ British Lepidoptera,” vols. I to X. Tutt’s “British Lepidoptera,” vols I to III. Tutt’s “British Noctua,” vols I. tolV. Tutt’s ‘Practical Hints for the Field Lepidopterist,” parts I to III, with Index. There are also a few copies of “ British Noctuz,” slightly soiled, to be sold cheaply. A. M. COCHRANE, 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. IMPORTANT. TO ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES and MUSEUMS. BACK VOLUMES OF The Entomologist’s Record and Journa! of Variation. (Vols. I.-XXIX.) Single back volumes of the above can be obtained at 7s. 6d. per volume; except vols. I. and II., which are 10s. 6d. each, net; any two or three volumes of the remainder at 7s. 3d. per volume; four, five, six, seven, eight or nine at 7s. per volume; ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen at 6s. 9d. per volume ; fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or twenty- one at 6s. 6d. per volume. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes, Vols. III-XXIX, sold separately, price 1s. 6d. each. Gontents of Vol. Ii. (Most important only Mentioned.) Genus Acronycta and its allies.—Variation of Smerinthus tiliae, 3 coloured plates—Differentiation of Melitaea athalia, parthenie, and aurelia—The Doubleday collection — Parthenogenesis— Paper on Taenioeampidae— Phylloxera— Practical Hints (many)—Parallel Variation in Coleoptera—Origin of Argynnis paphia var. valesina— Work for the Winter—Temperature and Variation—Synonymic notes— Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1890—Lifehistories of Agrotis pyrophila, Hpunda lichenea, Heliophobus hispidus—Captures at light—Aberdeenshire notes, etc., etc., 360 pp. Gentents of Vol. Il. Mruanism and Mrtanocnroism—Bibliography—Notes on Collecting—Articles on VARIATION (many)—How to breed Agrotis lunigera, Sesia sphegiformis, Taenio- campa opima— Collecting on the Norfolk Broads—Wing development—Hybridising Amphidasys prodromaria and A. betularia—Melanism and Temperature—Differen- tiation of Dianthecias—Disuse of wings—Fauna of Dulwich, Sidmouth, 8. London —Generic nomenclature and the Acronyctidae—A fortnight at Rannoch-—Heredity in Lepidoptera—Notes on Genus Zyamna (Anthrocera)—Hybrids—Hymenoptera-— Lifehistory of Gonophora derasa, etc., etc., 312 pp. Gontents of Vol. fll. Genus Acronycta and its allies (continued)—Scientific Notes—The British Coccinellidae—Notes on Breeding—Notes on Conzoprmra (very many)—Dates of appearance of Hupithecia pygmeata—Dimorphic pupse—Duration of Ova State of the Geometridae (with tables)—Effects of temperature on the colouring of Lepidop- fera—Hints on labelling—Melanic varieties—Changes in nomenclature—Keeping Micro pups during winter—Notes on Genus Hepialus—Reviews, etc., etc., 320 pp. Gontents of Vol. iV. Additions to British Lists—Presidential Addresses of British Association and Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society—Autumnal collecting at Fresh- water, Isle of Wight—Captures of rarities—Collecting beetles—Critical notes on certain Noctwae—A day’s collecting in the Western Highlands—Apparent dearth of Diurni—Double-brooded species—The early stages of certain Geometrina—Sensi- bility of larvee to sound—Collecting in North Kent—How to obtain and preserve ova—Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1893—Stridulation—Variety breeding—The Pupal and Imaginal wings of Lepidoptera, etc., etc., 354 pp. Gontents of Vol. V. On the larva of Arctia caia (with plates)—Hvolution of the Lepidopterous Pupa—Rev. H. Burney’s collection (sale)—Life-History of a Lepidopterous Insect (Morphology and Physiology, ete.)—Among the Ancients—Hrebia epiphron and its named Varieties—Life-History of Agrotis agathina—Ten Days at Wicken Fen— Varieties of Spilosoma mendica—Butterfly Catching in the neighbourhood of Mt. Blanc—Life-History of Ocneria dispar—Zygaena exulans and its Variations— Entomology at Rainham, Essex—Additiens to the British List—New Method of Relaxing Insects, etc., etc., 308 pp. To be ayia only from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.E.14 to whom Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable. WATKINS & DONCASTER, Naturalists and Manufacturers of Entomological Apparatus and Cabinets. Plain Ring Nets, wire or cane, including Stick, 1/5, 2/2, 2/6, 3/2. Folding Nets, 3/9, 4/3, 4/9. Umbrella Nets (self-acting), 7/-. Pocket Boxes (deal), 7d., J0d., 1/2, 1/10. Zine Collecting Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6, 2/-. Nested Chip Boxes, 9d. per four dozen, 1 gross, 2/-. Entomological Pins, 1/6 per ounce. Pocket Lanterns, 2/6 to 8/-. Sugaring Tin, with brush, 1/6, 2/-. Sugaring Mixture, ready for use, 1/7 per tin. Store-Boxes, with camphor cells, 2/3, 2/9, 4/- 4/6, 5/6, 6/8. Setting-Boards, flat or oval, lin., 6d.; 14in., 8d.; 2in., 10d.; 24in., 1/-; 3hin., 1/4; 4in., 1/6; 5in., 1/10; Complete Set of fourteen Boards, 10/6. Setting Houses, 10/6, 12/9; corked back, 15/9. Zine Larva Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6. Breeding Cage, 2/9, 4/6, 5/6, 8/3. Coleopterist’s Collecting Bottle, with tube, 1/6, 1/8. Botanical Cases, japanned double tin, 1/6 to 4/6. Botanical Paper, 1/1, 1/4, 1/9, 2/2 per quire. Insect Glazed Cases, 2/9 to 11/-. Cement for replacing Antennm 4d. per bottle. Steel Forceps, 1/6, 2/-, 2/6 per pair. Cabinet Cork, 7 by 34, 1/2 sis dozen sheets. Brass Chloroform Bottle, 2/6. Insect Lens, 1/- to 8/6. Glass-top and Glass-bottomed Boxes, from 1/3 per dozen. Zine Killing Box, 9d. to 1/-. Pupa Digger, in leather sheath, 1/9. Laxidermist’s Companion, containing most necessary implements for skinning, 10/6. Scalpels, 1/3 ; Scissors, 2/- per pair; Eggdrills, 2d., 3d., 9d., 1/-; Blowpipes, 4d., 6d.; Artificial Hyes for Birds and Animals. Label-lists of British Butterflies, 2d.; ditto of Birds’ Mees, 24., 3d., 6d.; ditto of Land and Fresh-water Shells, 2d. Useful Books on Insects, Higgs, ete. SILVER PINS for collectors’ of Micro-Lepidoptera, etc., as well as minute insects of all other families and for all insects liable to become greasy. We stock various sizes and lengths of these Silver Pins which have certain advantages over ordinary entomological pins (whether enamelled black or silver or gilt). NESTING BOXES of various patterns which should be fixed in gardens or shrub- beries by lovers of birds before the breeding season. Ny SHOW ROOM FOR CABINETS : OF every description for InsEers, Brrps’ Haas, Corns, Mrcroscoricat Ossmcrs, Possins &e. Catalogue (84 pages) sent on application, post free. LARGE STOCK OF INSECTS AND BIRDS’ I6GGS (British, Huropean, and Exotic), Birds, Mammals, etc., Preserved and Mounted by Wirst class Workmen. 36, STRAND, LONDON, W.C., ENGLAND. SYNOPSIS OF THE ORTHOPTERA OF WESTERN EUROPE. By MALCOLM BURR, D.Sc, F.Z.S., F.LS., F.ES., &. Bound in Cloth, 160 pp., with good Index (Specific and Generic). Price 3s. met. A pocket handbook for the use of collectors in the field. Covers all species found west of the Carpathian Mts. Description of each species, habits, habitats and distribution. Will be sent Post Free on receipt of Postal Order for 3s. to— A. H., 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. FINE 1917 INSECTS—ALSO PUPA. Bicuspis, 5s.; Dominula var. Rossiea, 2s: 6d.; Consonaria Kent Melanie, 3s. 6d. Tilie, rare brick-red var., 10s. ; Coridon var. Syngrapha, 15s. ; Mendica var Rustica, 2s., fine Intermediate, 1s. 6d.; Papilionaria, 6d.; Varleyata, 12s. All per each, and many others. ‘ Fine Pupz.—Per doz., Versicolor, 5s.; Tiliz, 3s. 9d.; Ocellatus, 3s. 9d.; Elpenor, 3s. 6d.; Bicuspis, 42s. Write for full list to fis L. W. NEWMAN F.E.S., Bexley, Kent. Wanted.—Many fine set insects and Pupe ; will be pleased to exchange. CONTENTS. Paes) Zygene trifolii, Z. filipendulm, ete., G. T. Bethune-Baker, F.L.S., F:-Z.S... Ne 61 q Collecting in various places, 1914-17, Capt. P. P. Graves, F.H.S. .. i fo 62) ie In Macedonia in 1917, Capt. Malcolm Burr, D.Sc.,F.E.S. .. i 65 New Be Rare Naa ne ES ohiase pao F.L.S., and J. W. H. Harrison, AS oa NorEs on Cas Scan. testacea, H. ees ‘Field Notes re Bath, A, Sich, F.H#.S.; Some Field Notes fér 1916- 17, C. W. Colthrup ; Abundance of Early Geometers, Russell James ; The Season, Miss H. Millar ; A new method of Mounting and Preserving i in n Series, ER Be ne A : 68 Current Nores & ; BS ae ay oe ne ne sehen Socrrrizs :—The Danewcne and Cheshire Entomological Society .. .. pls 79 Revinws and Notices or Books .. Sms Ags Be: a Be Biase RH TOD Communications have been received or have been promised from Rey. G. Wheeler,. — Messrs. R. 8S. Bagnall, Hy. J. Turner, C. P. Pickett, Parkinson Curtis, H. 4 Donisthorpe, A. Sich, Dr. Verity, C. W. Colthrup, Rev. C.B.N. Burrows, Dr. TA. @ Chapman, Capt. Burr, G. T. Bethune-Baker, E. B. Ashby, P. A. H. Muschamp, — J. H. Durrant, Granio Querci, Capt. P. P. Graves, Rev. F. D. Morice, etc., with Reports of Societies and Reviews. All MS. and editorial matter should be sent and all proofs returned to Hy. J. Tunner, 98, Drakefell Road, New Cross, London, S.H.14 We must earnestly request our cor responden fs NoT to send us communications IDENTICAL with those they are sending to other magazines. Lists of Durnicarms and Drstprrara should be sent direct to Mr. H. BH. Page, my Bertrose, Gellatly Road, New Cross, 8.B. 14 ; FOR SALE. BOOKS) 2 2 ENTFOMOLOGICAE The Entomologist, vols. 20-30, 1887-1897 (11 years s vols. 39446, 1906-1913 (7 years | 83 10s. Od. Stainton’s Manual of Butterflies and Moths, vol. 1. 2s. 6d. British Moths, Tutt, 2s. Natural History of the Brit. Butterflies and Moths, Ed. Newman, 2 vols. 17s. 6d. Lepidopterist’s Calender, Jos. Merrin. 4s. Out of print. To be sold for the benefit of the Winow of the late J. ALDERSON. Apply :— Mr. F. S. THOMAS, 23, Park Villas, Gheam, Surrey. To be Sold. The Extensive Collections of ENGLISH MACRO and MICRO LEPIDOPTERA _ made by the late JOHN HILL, Also Preserved Larve, Exotics, Shells, Eggs, Coins, etc., etc. For full particulars apply to the Hxecutor— JOHN DOUGLAS THORNCOTE, Chellaston, nr. Derby. ‘ bscriptions for Vol. XXX. are now overdue. 3u THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD J, FANDE | 1) (| JOURNAL OF VARIATION Hpirmp By RicHarD S. BAGNALL, F.u.s., F.u.s. | T. A. CHAPMAN, M.v.,1.z.s., F.E,8, T, HUDSON BEAR, Jas. BH. COLLIN, F.z.s, ' B.SC., F.H.S., F.R.S.E. H. Sr. J. K. DONISTHORPE, Grorct T, BETHUNE-BAKER, F.7.9., F.E.S. F F.Z.S., F.L.8,, F.E.S. JoHN Hartrry DURRANT, F.z:.s. M. BURR, D.S¢., F.Z.S., F.L.8., F.E.8. AtrreD SICH, F.u.s. (Rry.) C. R. N. BURROWS, F.n.3s. J. R.le B. TOMLIN, M.A., F.E.S. : Grorce WHIEELER, M.A.,F-F.8. and Hryry J. TURNER, F.«.s., Hditorial Secretary. : MAY 185th, 1918. Price ONE SHILLING (xxx). “Subscription for Complete Volume, post free (Including all DOUBLE NUMBERS, etc.) SEVEN SHILLINGS, TO BK FORWARDED TO HERBERT E. PAGE, F.E.S., ‘s BERTROSE,”’ GELLATLY Roav, Nzw Cross, S.B. 14 READ THE BACK Nos. OF THE a Entomologist’s Record & Journal of Variation” (Practical Hints, Field Work, ete. useful for every year’s collecting). 3 VOL. VI. a The trrues of some of the articles are as follows :—Notes on Butterfly Pupe, with some remarks 4 on the Phylogenesis of the Rhopalocera.”—Dr. T. 4. Chapman, F.1.S., ‘'Phytophagic Species.”-— ~ Prof. A. Radclifie Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Varieties and aberrations of Noctuze from Doncaster.”—H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S. ‘‘The frenulum of the British species of Smerinthus.”—G@. C. @rifiths, F.Z.S., ~ F-E.S. “Budryas ste-johannis.,,—4. Radelife Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Parthenogenesis or Agamogenesis.’’— J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. . “ Garvee.’—Rev. G. M. A. Hewitt, M.A. ‘‘ Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1894.” — —J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘Generic Names in the Noctuide.’’—Pror. A. R. Grote, M.A. “ Pupa hunting in October.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘ Polygamy and Polyandry in Moths.” ‘he nature of certain insect colours.”—W.S. Riding, M.D., R. Freer, M.B., J. W. Tutt, F.E.S., Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, J. Anderson, Jun. ‘The Lepidoptera of Swansea.’’—Major R. B. Robertson. ‘‘Caradrina ambigua in the Isle of Wight.’’—4. J. Hodges, ‘‘The insects of Bourg St. Maurice.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. “‘ Orrhodia erythrocephala ab. glabra from Devonshire and comparison with O. vaccinii.’”’—Dr, W. S. Riding, F.#.S. ‘Notes on Caradrina ambigua and C. superstes.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘Entomology and Entomologists, being the Annual Address to the City of London Entom, Society.’’ Notes on Aphomia sociella’’ (with plate).—W. P. Blackburne Maze, F.@.8. ‘‘ Apterous females and Winter Emergence’’—Z#. F’. Studd, M.A., B.C.L., F.U.S., L. B. Prout, V.H.S. ‘‘ Collecting Noctuidee by Lake Brie.”—A. Radclife Grote, M.A. ‘‘Coleoptera at Ipswich.’—Claude Morley, F.H.S. ‘‘ Notes’ on Bombus visurgie.’’ ‘Synonymic Notes on Acidalia humilata and A. dilutaria.’’—ZL. B. Prowt, F.E.S, “The Lepidoptera of Grésy-sur-Aix.”—J. W. Tutt, F.W.S. ‘‘ Apatura iris..—Rev. G. M. A, Hewett “Scheme of Classification of the Rhopalocera founded on the structure of the Pupe.”—T. A. Chapman, M.D., F.@.S. ‘‘ Glimpses of American Entomology.”—J. W. Tutt, F.E.S.. ‘The Genus Smerinthus.’’—A. Bacot. ‘‘ Variation considered biologically : Some notes suggested by the Romanes Lecture of 1894."—J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘‘ Wing structure.’’—J. Alston Moffatt. ‘‘On the development of sex in social insects.”—J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘‘The British representatives of the Genus Caradrina.’”’— L. B. Prout, F.E.S. ‘‘ Habits and variation of Lithosia lutarella and its variety pygmaeola.’’— J, W. Tutt, ¥.E.S. On the gradual disappearance of Lepidoptera from South-Mastern London and its neighbourhood.’’—C. Fenn, F.E.S. ‘‘A hunt for Neuroterus aprilinus.’’—T. 4. Chapman. M.D., F.E.S. On the development of pigment in Nemeobius lucina.’’—F. J, Buckell, M.B, ‘*The Macro-Lepi- doptera of Keswick.’!—H. A. Beadle. “ Varieties of Argynnis selene”’ (with plate).—S. G. C. Russell, F.E.S. ‘*' Hadenoid\ genera with hairy eyes.’—Prof. A. R. Grote, M.A. “ Zygena minos and its varieties. ’—J. IW. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘Notes on the pupe of Castnia and Anthocharis.’’—7. A. Chapman, M.D, FB-S, . Besides these articles, 2 large number of short notes are contained in every number under the follewing titles: ‘‘ Scientific Notes and Observations,” ‘‘ Variation,” ‘‘ Notes on Jharvee and Life- histories,’ ‘‘ Notes om Collecting,” ‘‘Current Notes.”’ The reports of Societies are very carefully edited, and only scientific paragraphs published. The ‘‘ Practical Hints” and ‘ Field work’ for each month ave quite unique. - + : The entomologist who will read carefully through the back numbers of Lhe Hntomologist’s Recora will find himself better equipped for,the further study of his subject than by any other means. Price 7/6 per volume, of Mr. H. E. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose.”’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, §.E. 14 OVA, LARVA:, AND PUPAE. ‘The Largest Breeder of Lepidoptera in the British Isles is H. W. HEAD, Gittontralonist, BURNISTON, Nr. SCARBOROUGH. © Kull List of Ova, Larvae, and Pupae, also Lepidoptera, Apparatus, Cabinets etc., sent on application. Many Rare British Species and Good Varieties for Sale. Lantern Slides in Natural Colours. LEPIDOPTERA & LARVA A SPECIALITY. Photographed from life and true to Nature in every detail. SLIDES OF BIRDS, WILD FLOWERS, &c., By same Colour Process. LANZHRN SLIDES MADE TO ORDER FROM ANY SPECIMEN OR COLOURED DRAWING. PHOTOS IN COLOUR OF LARVA, LIFE SIZE, ON IYORINE TABLETS TO PIN IN THE CABINET. Fer hist apply to— CHARLES D. HEAD, Cherrymount, Donnycarney, DUBLIN. THE LEPIDOPTERA OF AN ESSEX GARDEN. 81 The Lepidoptera of an Essex Garden. By F. N. PIERCE, F.E.S. Picture a large square house, standing back from the road, with a short carriage drive leading to the front door; on the porch large-leaved ivy clings, climbing side by side with rose trees and honeysuckle on the face of the house, peeping in at the windows as they wander at will to hide the somewhat stiff appearance of the early Victorian architecture. It is here in the spring one sees the delicate little Celastrina (Lycaena) argiolus flitting from leaf to leaf, as it seeks a suitable spot whereon to deposit its egg. To the right of the house is a miniature spinny, with a narrow overhung pathway leading to the church. Behind this path is a kitchen garden with a plentiful supply of fruit trees, always a pro- ductive spot on an evening’s sugaring. To the left we can wander along one of two pathways ranning parallel with the road, two delight- ful paths, shaded by the foliage of laburnums, hornbeam, yew, elm, with numerous lilac bushes, whilst in rough rock-like beds daffodils, narcissus and anemones abound ; again an ideal treacling ground. At the end we enter a waste field, used until the so-called improvement in educational matters, as a playground for the children attending the little church school. This field is separated from another vegetable garden by a thick myrabolum plum hedge. At one part is a little rustic seat, in front of which grows a large patch of valerian, so that, net in hand, the watcher can sit awaiting the arrival of ‘“‘ Hawks” and “Plusias,” which put in an appearance as the dusk settles. Still pro- ceeding up one of the pathways we arrive at the garden proper, a large square grass plot surrounded with a thorn hedge, and a single huge lime tree, planted to shade the house from the glare of the Hssex sun. The grass plot itself has a surround of flower beds, in which many rare and lovely flowers thrive and bloom amidst the ubiquitous weeds, that in such a large garden are almost impossible to keep under. Nor must I forget to mention the collection of Artemesias that have been intro- duced with a view of feeding Phorodesma smaragdaria, and here and there a non-native tree, which seems out of its element and struggles for existence, a poor thin ash, a birch that pines for the moisture of our moss land, tall scrubby fir trees, and a single little bushy oak, perhaps the only one that has accommodated itself to its new home. Such then is the garden of my old friend the Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, at Mucking, in Hssex, truly an oasis in the flat, uninteresting (except to the ento- mologist and botanist) salt marshes. Perhaps we may be permitted to glance into the hallowed sanctuary of the study. We enter by a glass door that leads to the lawn. In front of a window facing the drive is a large leather-covered desk, surrounded by bottles, pocket boxes, spirit lamps, etc., whilst in the centre is a little Leitz dissecting microscope, ready for use. This is the instrument that does all the work. Toone who has had the advantage of the latest prismatic binocular it looks impossible that much can be seen, but it is a true illustration that it is not the instrument, but the user, that produces the marvellous results. The brain versus the machine. To the left is a part of his Entomo- logical library, where we see rows of Hntomologists, Records, etc., and a huge ledger labelled Indea Hntomologicus. This huge tome is the great index. Does Mr. Burrows want a reference, he turns up the species, May 15rx, 1918. 82 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. then he can run his eye down—aryiolus, egg described “ Eint.,” so and so page ; first capture in Mucking; the date; recorded as feeding on Por- tugal laurel, Hnt. Record, etc., etc. A marvellous accumulation of references that has taken a life time to gather, and which if published would be invaluable to the working entomologist. To the right is a large oak cabinet, with pigeon-holes, spaces for his large microscope, store-boxes, and all the impedimenta of a working naturalist. A large slide cabinet, originally filled with the collection of mites, which Mr, Burrows has since presented to the Lister Institute, but now holding his wonderful collection of genitalic slides of the Geometers, series of both English and Foreign species, to throw light on species ‘represented in England by single species, mostly provided by Louis B. Prout. Of cabinets there are two, one an upright mahogany one, containing the butterflies, hawks, Bombyces, and Noctuee ; the other of black oak, in the form of a sideboard, with the Geometers, Plumes, SSeS, and Crambides. Early in 1916 Mr. Burrows conceived the idea of working his garden for Micros, visiting at various times the long fence at the bottom of the garden, and also sweeping and netting the various hedges and plants. The captured moths thus obtained were killed and pinned and sent almost daily tome. These were relaxed and set as they arrived. During 1916 about 2000 specimens were obtained, and this year (1917) this number has been even exceeded. ‘The result has been the intro- duction of one new species to England, viz., Parornix jfinitimella, Zell. I should explain that Mr. Burrows took what came to hand, and not being a microlepidopterist did not trust himself to discriminate. The Tortrices and Tine received most attention, but the boxes sometimes contained odd specimens of the Macro-Micros. One of the most inter- esting was Nephopterya spissicella, a well known oak feeder, and there- fore not expected in that locality; two specimens form a new addition to the Mucking list. Homoeosoma sinuella is another species taken, including a nice whitish variety. Amongst the Knothorns were two very small specimens that bothered us. I submitted them to Mr. Thurnall, who said they were new to him. These proved to be very late, if not second brood, Huzophera cinerosella, a species Mr. Burrows takes in his garden. Achroea grisella, one specimen, is another curi- osity, as all the bees of Essex have been exterminated with the Isle of Wight disease. In the Tortrices we have Tortrix podana, T. rosana, T. ribeana, and T. «ylosteana common; a rather well marked form of T. untfasciana, which seems to me to perhaps account for the inclusion of Dichelia gnomana in our lists. One 7’. forsterana, a couple of Ptycholoma lecheana, and some fine forms of Batodes angustiorana represent the group Tortrix. The Cnephasias received much attention. In all some 300 specimens were set, tho four common species being Onephasia sub- jectana, O. virgaureana, C. pascuana, and C. longana (ictericana). The three former being very variable and running into each other in wing- markings so closely as to make it imperative to examine the genitalia of each specimen before definitely deciding on the species. In doing this I came across one of those monstrosities, of which Mr. Burrows has already discovered four specimens, viz.,\Acronicta pst, Hydroecia nictt- tans, and two Fumea casta, showing the absence of the valve externally, these being unextruded and internal. A full account of this malfor- THE LEPIDOPTERA OF AN ESSEX GARDAN, 83 mation and the reproduction of it, by injury of the larva, has been dealt with by Dr. Chapman in the Trans. of the Ent. Society of London. The ©. longana series is particularly interesting, and differs much from last year’s take. There seem to be two races, one the large ordinary yellowish form, and a much smaller silvery white form. This at first mieht be thought to be bleached, but bleaching would not reduce the size; this small form would appear to be abundant this year. Some six or seven Cnephasia chrysantheana with numerous C. nubilana complete the list, except for one prize, a specimen of the new C. genitalana. One in 800! last year (1916) in about the same num- ber there were three specimens; the form taken at Mucking might easily be passed as a specimen of OU. subjectana or C. pascuana. Olindia ulmana, Argyrotowa conwayana, Dictyopteryx loeflingiana, D. holmiana, D. berymanniana, and, D. forskaleana show that this genus is fully represented. One specimen of Tortrix viridana! the only one seen, shows this species to be a great rarity in the vicinity. The Peroneas are poorly represented, three forms of Peronia variegana, and a single specimen of P. sponsana being the only ones seen; Teras contaminana occurs abundantly, with many lovely varieties. The Conchylidae produeed two specimens of Phtheochroa rugosana, Xanthosetia hamana commonly (by the way, what has become of its brother, X. zoegana? I used to take it at odd places commonly ; now I never see it). Hupoecilia dubitana, one specimen of LH. angus- tana, and although not exactly from the garden, Mr. Burrows sent me a nice series of H. affinitana from the saltings. Conchylis smeathman- iana was abundant, and amongst the series I detected one specimen of C. francillana. In the Penthinas a lovely series of Antithesta salt- cella (not actually out of the garden), Penthina pruniana and P. varie- gana were common ; of the latter was a very handsomely marked speci- men of the var, nubiferana, which I had not seen before, and could hardly realise it as belonging to the genus at all. A single specimen of P. ochroleucana occurred. In the Spilonotidae, Sericoris lacunana and Orthotaenia striana were abundant. The Grapholithidae are represented by bactra lanceolana, Paedisca corticana, Ephippiphora trigeminana one specimen, the only Phoxopteryx being P. achatana. A single Grapholitha penkleriana and another of G. niyromaculana are augmented by countless thousands of every form of G. trimaculana. These Mr. Burrows found so numerous that he had to exercise a censorship, otherwise we should have been overwhelmed. Hedya ocellana was abundant with its numerous varieties ; H. dealbana occurred sparingty with its dark var. ainetana. H. aceriana also put 1» a modest appearance, and occasional speci- mens of Spilonota trimaculana and S. roborana and Pardia tripunctana. Aspis udmanniana was represented by two specimens. A single specimen of Retinia buoliana was a curiosity, as with the exception of one or two fir trees in the garden I saw no others in the neighbour- hood. A single Catoptria citrana, another of C. hypericana, with numerous C, fulvana, C. scopoliana, and a single C. cana, represent the Catoptrias. The Dichroramphas produced numerous Dichrorampha petiverella, with some very fine forms of its variety flavidorsana, a nice series of D. plumbagana, a single specimen of Stigmonota compositella, one only last year, probably indicates it is difficult to see and capture ; two S. regiana, with numerous Semasia janthinana, complete the list of 84 THE. ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. this year’s takings. To this must be added a single specimen of Penthina betulaetana taken last year, also a single Hupoecilia atricapi- tana, and a solitary Chrosis alcella. . The Tinea are equally well represented. Perhaps the most in- teresting find has been the Psychid Xysmatodoma melanella, Mr. Burrows’ sharp eyes detecting numerous examples of the moth as well as the liehen-covered cases of the larva and pupa. This year Mr. Burrows successfully reared Diplodoma herminata from a neighbouring fence, whilst F'umea casta, Solenobia inconspicuella, and Luffia fer- chaultella turned up by the same assiduous search. Ochsenheimeria vaculella put in an appearance in the garden, but O. birdella required a visit just down the lane, where quantities of goosefoot (Atriplex) occurred. This species has the reputation of being very difficult to catch and only flying at stated times. Mr. Burrows seems to have found it “‘at home” as often as he went for it. In its company he secured a fine specimen of the brillant little Tinea argentimaculella. Scardia granella were in abundance; Slabophanes ferruginella was rare, but five specimens were secured against one last year; Bb. rusti- cella was common; Tinea tapetzella was a prize, one each year in the outhouses; 7’. lapella, fine large well-marked specimens ; a single very small 7. semifulvella, corresponding with a slightly larger specimen in 1916; Lampronia praelatella was common on the plum hedge in the spring; Zncurvaria musculella were common and included a specimen I have so far been unable to identify. It is dark, with a long dorsal blotch, reminding one forcibly of the true Paedisca solandriana type. The Adelas are represented by Nemophora swammerdammella and the gorgeous Nematois faseiella. The Swammerdammia turned up strong and again require the aid of the genitalia to really satisfactorily deter- mine the species, S. combinella, S. caesiella, S. lutarea, finishing with a couple of S. pyrella. By the way, we have too many species in our lists. Meyrick is right in coupling S. oxyacanthella and S. lutarea, and S. caesiella with S. spiniella. The Hyponomeutas produce three species, Yponomeuta padellus, H. cagnagellus, and H. evonymellus ; whilst the light form of Prays curtisellus turned wp in two specimens. Plutella cruciferarum was common, Cerostoma vittella in profusion, with some well-marked varieties. Harpipterya aylostella, on the other hand, claims a place by reason of one specimen only. The Gelechiidae are well represented hut hardly worked out yet, Phibalocera quercana, was represented by fine beautifully marked specimens, Depressarias would be well represented but occur rather too late for Mr. Burrows’ opera- tions. Single specimens of* Depressaria purpurella, D. liturella, and examples of D. arenella, D. applanella, D. subpropinquella were taken, whilst D. zephyrella appears to be common. The curious little Cla- dodes gerronella turned up sparingly, as did examples of Ceratophora yufescens ; Oecogenia quadripunctata is evidently much at home and I have some very beautiful specimens of this moth; a single example only of Harpella geoffrella was taken; Dasycera sulphurella, as one might expect, is abundant among rotten wood: a nice series of Oeco- phora lunaris, Oe. fuscescens, Oc. fenestrella, Oe. pseudospretella, and single examples of each of Oe. umnitella, and Oe. augustella. At the Tinea birdella spot Mr. Burrows secured nice specimens of Nannodia herman- nella and its satellite N. stipella. One of the most beautiful and abundant species was Poecilia albiceps, the rich black and white mark- THE LEPIDOPTERA OF AN ESSEX GARDEN. 85 ings of this lovely species being much in evidence. A long and variable series of what I take to be Lita instabilella were obtained from the saltings. Teleta vulyella and T. fugitivella were abundant, with odd specimens of Recurvaria nanella, R. leucatella (one last year), + Bryotropha terella, b. domestica, Lita fraternella, L. maculiferella, L. hitbnerella, Anarsia spartiella, and Gelechia sororculella completes the Gelechias as far as I have them named, though there are several other species. Argyresthias, as one would expect, were very numerous, Argyresthia ephippella, A, albistria, A. nitidella, with its white var. ossea (Haworth), A. mendica, A. curvella, with an odd specimen of A. goedartella and one A. brockeella show that they were not neglected. In order to test the occurrence of Parornia finitimella, Mr. Binion neglected no opportunity of capturing specimens of this genus; in all, 108 specimens were secured and set. By far the most abundant was Parornix anglicella, then in point of numbers P. finitimella made a good second, with P. torquilella by no means common. Mr. Burrows ob- tained specimens of both broods of these three species. With the series now separated out by genitalia it is possible to see what a hand- some species P. finitimedla is, though here again are two specimens so different that Iam inclined to mount them to see if there is not another species only awaiting discovery. I had hoped to duplicate the single example of this genus sent me by Mr. Whittle, of Southend, which so far is the only British example of the two specimens that form, with the type specimen of P. finitimella, Zeller’s series of three specimens over the label P. finitimella. These three (Whittle’s one and Zeller’s two specimens) are a perfectly distinct species and are so far unnamed and undescribed. I hope to deal with them in a forth- coming paper on the genus Parornix, when I propose to give a plate showing how easily the different species may be separated by the genitalia. Gracilaria syringella was in profusion, with some magnificent dark varieties. The Coleophora are represented by many species, but only a few are worked out so far. The very lovely bronzy green Coleophora deauratella, the white C. anatipennella, C. fuscedinella, C. annulatella, C. lutipennella, C. salinella and C. caespititiella, the latter evidently from the rushes in the adjoining marsh-land. These, with single specimens of C. conyzae and C. lineola, being all so far determined. The same may be said of the genus Hlachista. Mr. Burrows was greatly pleased at turning up a single example of Chrysoclysta linniella, a species he knows well, and has often searched for in vain at Mucking. Batrachedra pracangusta was numerous, as was Laverna atra, Chauliodus chdero- phyllellus, only one specimen, Hlachista rufocinerea common, with several specimens of the lovely white H. argentella, and some few examples of Tischerta marginea, with a single Elachista atricomella. In Lithocolletis, L. cramerella, L. spinicolella, L. messaniella, L. pomi- foltella, L. soRmeheralic, L. lantanella, L. scopariella, L. sorbi, L. coryli- foliella, occurred with hosts of L. trifasciella, among which I detected one with a strange genitalia, which will possibly prove to be one of the nearly allied species. A single specimen of Lyonetia clerkella hid itself for some time amongst the Cemiostoma laburnella and C. scitella. A couple of specimens of Bucculatria boyerella brings us to the difficuit group Nepticula, of which the only specimens so far I have been able to identify are Nepticula trimaculella and N. crataegi. Of the Pterophoridae 86 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. only four species have been included Platyptilia ochrodactyla (bertramt) Stenoptilia (Mimaeseoptilus) bipunctidactyla, S. (M.) pterodactyla and Oidaematophorus (Pterophorus) monodactylus, of which he has sent me both the grey and brown forms. This shows what can be done by systematically collecting even in © a garden—provided that garden is in such a favourable locality as the Essex marshes. Some New Australian Ants. By W. C. CRAWLEY, B.A., F.E.S. The following paper contains descriptions of new species of Pone- vinae, Myrmicinae, Dolichoderinae, and Camponotinae, captured by Prof. E. B. Poulton, Mr. G. F. Hill, and others in 1914-16. Those taken by Professor Poulton include the true female of Huponera lutea, Mayr, entirely different from the ant described as such by Mayr, who qualifies his determination by the words “ probabiliter ad hanc speciem pertinens.” Hither Mayr’s ° (an ant continually occurring in collections without accompanying %s), should be referred to another species, or the new @ (taken with the ¥s in the nest) must be considered as a B form. Sub-fam.: PonEeRinm. Euponera (Brachyponera) lutea, Mayr. °@. (Hitherto undescribed.) L. 7mm. Rather lighter castaneous brown than the 8 , which it very much resembles ; the upper surface of thorax darker than the rest of the body. (Mayr’s ? is almost entirely black.) Mandibles triangular, proportionately longer than in the 8 , terminated by a large tooth, which is preceded by two smaller blunt teeth ; the rest of the terminal border irregular, but not properly dentate. Head as broad as long, narrowing somewhat behind, where the occipital border is nearly straight; clypeus flatter than in the %, with a shallow longitudinal erooyve, the anterior border feebly convex; frontal caring as in the §; eyes large (larger in proportion than in Mayr’s ¢ ), placed close to the anterior border of head ; ocelli large (also larger than in Mayr’s ?). Thorax longer and narrower proportionately than in Mayr’s ?, narrowing very slightly behind the wings; anterior border of pronotum less convex, and angles more shouldered ; scutum of mesonotum longer than broad ; there is hardly any angle between the two surfaces of epinotum, and the fall of the declivity is much less abrupt than in Mayr’s ?. Scale seen from above, twice as broad as long, convex in front, straight behind ; seen in profile, slightly inclined forward at the top, and convex behind from the half-way line to the apex, which is much narrower than at the base; it is as high as the first segment of gaster. It thus approximates to the form of the scale in the 8 , and is quite unlike the extremely thin scale of Mayr’s ¢?. Gaster similar to that of the %, and more pointed than in Mayr’s ¢. Mandibles smooth and shining, with scattered punctures. Upper surface of head closely and very finely punctured, the punctures cover the frontal carinae, but do not extend to the sides of the head, nor to the space between the frontal caring and eyes; clypeus opaque but not sculptured ; under surface of head smooth and shining. Back of thorax much more shining than the head, and with fine punctures, which are much less numerous than on the head ; sides of thorax and declivity of epinotum mostly smooth; scale smooth, gaster shining and with exceedingly fine puncturation. Antenne and legs with a fine yellow pubescence ; head, and aentodlecale the gaster, with a longer yellow pubescence. Antennse without erect hairs ; tibies with SOME NEW AUSTRALIAN ANTS. 87 erect hairs only on the under surface. The whole body furnished with long hairs, dark on thorax, yellow and particularly long and abundant on the scale and gaster. The ¢?, doubtfully attributed to this species by Mayr, is consider- ably larger, measuring 10 mm. in length, and black in colour, whereas the above-described insect is similarly coloured to the %, which it resembles otherwise very closely. It was taken with the whole nest of %s under a stone (Nest EK) on Aug. Ist, 1914, Picton Junction, nr. Perth, W. Australia. It is noteworthy that a single specimen, with- out &s, of Mayr’s ?, was taken in the Perth district by H. M. Giles in 1914y about the same time, and 1 ¢ with 5 gs (Mayr) also with- out %s, on Aug. 3rd, 1914. The 3 taken in a different nest of H. lutea, and which I hope to describe later, is also entirely different in size and form from the ¢ described by Mayr as belonging to this species. (2) Rhytidoponera (sensu stricto) foreli, sp.nov. %. L. 5:7 mm. : Dark brown, almost black; mandibles, seapes, legs and apex of gaster red- rown. Head much longer than broad, with feebly convex sides, widest at cheeks, narrowest at occiput, which i8 deeply emarginate and produced into acute angles. Mandibles large, broad, and minutely denticulate, the denticles increasing in size towards the apex. Clypeus convex, with the anterior border obtusely angu- late; frontal area deeply impressed. Frontal carinae converging behind, with a small angle in the middle at each side; they extend half way to the occiput. The antennal scapes extend for nearly half their length beyond the occiput; the second joint of funiculus somewhat longer than the first, and more than twice as long as broad ; all the joints are longer than broad, the last twice as long as the penulti- mate. Eyes situated immediately behind the middle of the sides of the head, medium-sized, and very prominent. Thorax hardly, if at all, wider in front than behind; pro-mesonotum only slightly convex ; there is a slight emargination between the meso- and epinotum. Pro-mesonotal suture distinct and angular. Teeth at the inferior angles of pro- notum small. Base of epinotum nearly flat, passing by a very obtuse angle to the declivity, which is shorter than the base, and hollowed to receive the petiole. The node of the latter viewed from above, broader than long, with convex sides ; viewed from the side, slightly higher than the angle of the epinotum, rounded and some- what narrower at top, and underneath in front armed with an acute, almost vertical, spine. First segment of gaster rounded in front, where it is narrower than behind, shorter than the second segment. The ventral lamella of first gastric segment is produced into a blunt projection beneath the petiole. Mandibles finely and densely striated longitudinally. Clypeus coarsely reticu- late-punctate, the bottom of the punctures perfectly smooth and shining, without ‘any trace of reticulation; on the occiput the punctures have a tendency to merge into each other. The whole of the back of thorax sculptured like the vertex, with the exception of the front of the pronotum, which has a few irregular transverse lines. The sculpture on the sides of the thorax becomes finely reticulate in patches. Scapes and anterior tibiae finely striate longitudinally, the anterior coxae circularly striate. Node of peticle coarsely rugose transversely, but the sculpture is less coarse than that on the thorax. First segment of gaster finely striate transversely, the striae on the base of the segment semicircular, curving round the sides until they reach the anterior mar- gin ; second segment very superficially striate, the lines assuming more of a horse- shoe form than those on the first segment. The remaining segments faintly reticulate. The whole body covered with short erect hairs; scapes and tibiae with short erect hairs; apical section of gaster fringed with longer hairs. The effect of the polished sculpture is to give the whole insect a shining appearance under a lens. v Koolpinyah, Northern Territory, 1915 (G. F. Hill). No. 589. 88 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. (3) Rhytidoponera (Chalcoponera) numeensis, Krn-André, subsp. borealis, subsp. nov. % | This ant agrees very well with André’s description of R. (C.) numeensis from New Caledonia, but differs in being smaller (4:0 mm. as against 5—5°5 mm.), and in the following characters :— Clypeus hardly, if at all, produced between the mandibles, its longitudinal rugae irregular, with faint reticulation between, this reticulation covering all the space between the coarse pits and rugae of the head, thorax and node. On the first segment of gaster the semicircular striae are almost lost in the dense and fine reticulation that covers this segment, which has in addition the fossae, some of them elongate, of numeensis. The second segment, as in nwmeensis, finely and semicircularly striate with scattered shallow fossae. The head is longer than wide, and widely emarginate behind ; the antennae extend a fifth of their Jength beyond the occipital border. Thorax widest in front, the inferior angles of pronotum with short teeth. Back of thorax regularly arched, descending to the declivity of the epinotum by a very obtuse angle. Node of petiole, viewed from above, wider than long, convex in front and nearly straight behind; viewed from the side, both edges are straight; under- neath the petiole is a flat process with a tooth at eachangle. Pilosity and colour as in nwmeensis. Stapleton, Northern Territory (G. F. Hill). No. 641. (4) Lthytidoponera (sens. str.) reticulatum, Forel. This species 1s very characteristic owing to the shape of the node. Workers were taken by G. F. Hill in the act of carrying off winged termites after a shower of rain. Darwin, Northern Territory, Oct. 16th, 1915. No. 672. (5) Rhytidoponera (Chalcoponera) metallica, Sm. & . Aug. 10th, 1914. Adelaide, Mt. Lofty Range. These 3s taken from Nest L. by Prof. Poulton, might be considered as a variety of the typical metallica. They are a uniform dark metallic green, and the coarse long striae on the front do not continue so far as in the typical form. ‘The scale also is straight, not concave behind, and the first seement of gaster has shallow punctures amongst the fine striation, and the second segment is similar, but the punctures are fewer and shallower. The anterior border of clypeus approaches more to a pointed form than in the typical metallica, and the head is not que so emarginate behind. (6) Lhytidoponera (C.) victoriae, Krn-André. Six 8s and two gs were taken by Prof. Poulton under a log (Nest M.), Aug. 15th, 1914, Victoria, in Healesville. The 3 of this species, which is not described, I hope to describe later. (7) Rhytidoponera (Chalcoponera) metallica, Sm. var. cristulata, Forel. g. (Hitherto undescribed). L. 7-5 mm. Black ; tarsi dark ferruginous, wings pale brown, nervures dark brown. Mandibles triangular, dentate. Clypeus swollen behind, the anterior border convex, with an impression running parallel with, and close to, the border. Antennal carinae short and divergent. See SS era SOME NEW AUSTRALIAN ANTS, 89 Antennae long, the scape much shorter than the second joint of funiculus, all the joints of which, except the second, are much longer than broad. Head longer than broad, widest behind the eyes, the occipital border feebly concave. Thorax ; Mayrian furrows deeply impressed ; the declivity of epinotum longer than the base, with a faint raised border surrounding it; a slight angle separates the two surfaces. Petiole, from above, is longer than wide; in profile, it is surmounted behind with a rounded node, and beneath anteriorly bears a pointed process. Gaster elongate, with a distinct constriction between the first and second segments. Mandibles densely and finely striate, with a few elongate punctures. Clypeus longitudinally rugose, with a fundamental fine reticulation. Mesonotum coarsely reticulate between the Mayrian furrows; this reticulation extends beyond the furrows and merges into a fine longitudinal striation. Scutellun: longitudinally rugose-striate; base of epinotum coarsely rugose transversely, the declivity more finely so. Node transversely rugose. First segment of gaster finely striate transversely on the anterior portion, the centre of the base (in one specimen) having longitudinal striae (absent in the other specimen) ; the remaining segments microscopically striate transversely. The whole body with plentiful long reddish erect hairs, the tibiae with erect hairs. Anterior legs and gaster with a fine grey pubescence. Two specimens (Nest R.) taken in nest with %s, Aug. 23rd, 1914, Blue Mountains, N.S8.W., near Mt. Victoria, by Prof. Poulton. (8) Rhytidoponera (C.), sp. nov. (To be described later.) 9%. July 31st, 1914, near Perth, W. Australia (EH. B. Poulton). (9) Rhytidoponera (C.), sp. nov. (To be described later.) 8 3. August 23rd, 1914, Blue Mts., N.S.W. (Nest R.) (H.B.P.) Sub-fam.: Myruiciw2. (10) Meranoplus minor, sp. nov. § L, 2°7-2:8mm. Castaneous; gaster palest, clubs of antenne, vertex and nodes, darkest. Ter- minal border of mandibles edged with dark brown. Mandibles quadridentate. Frontal area triangular, in some specimens very indistinct. Clypeus bidentate, not deeply emarginate between the teeth. Head square, upper surface regularly convex, sides parallel, occiput hardly con- cave ; scapes swollen towards the apex ; posterior halves of frontal carine parallel, anterior halves curving inwards and forming a blunt projection on each side of the clypeus; the scrobes extend about an eye’s width beyond the eyes. Pro-mesonotum wider than long, terminated in front by two flat triangular teeth, each lateral border has a broad shallow excision in front, and two deep circular ones behind, the posterior angles terminating in two long blunt teeth which curve inwards; the sides are in addition furnished with flat transparent plates, subparallel, which cover the excisions. The posterior border of mesonotum, which is broadly concave, has a wide and shallow excision in the centre, which is also covered with a membranous plate. Epinotum vertical, with two straight spines in the middle of the sides, the spines are directed outwards, and are shorter than the interval between their bases. The first node of the pedicel wedge-shaped, its superior border horizontal ; second node, seen from above, feebly convex in front, and strongly so, almost angu- lar behind ; in profile regularly convex from below to the apex, and concaye behind, forming a slight overhanging lip. Gaster broad and pointed, emarginate at base. Mandibles striate; clypeus superficially coriaceous, with two or three broken longitudinal ridges. The-upper surface of head with longitudinal parallel ridges, 90 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. somewhat wide apart; below. the eyes are similar ridges, but behind the eyes and between them and the base of the mandibles the ridges are broken up by eross bars. The pro-mesonotum has similar sculpture to the head, but the ridges are less regu- lar, more vermicular, broken here and there by cross bars. Both nodes have a few broken ridges on their upper surfaces, and a few longitudinal ones on their pos- terior surfaces. In addition, the entire body, including the scapes and legs, is covered with an extremely delicate fundamentual reticulation, which is most dis- tinct on the head and gaster (which latter has no other sculpture), and faintest inside the scrobes and beneath the projecting plates of the thorax, and on the epinotum. There are a few long stiff hairs on the front of the clypeus, and the whole body, including the legs and antenne, is furnished with short, stiff, erect hairs, which on the antenne, legs, and under surface of the gaster are pale testaceous, and on the rest of the body, brown. Pubescence nil. Koolpinyah, Northern Territory, April 6th, 1915. (G. F. Hill, no. 603.) Nest in small hole on a gravel ridge. Sub-fam.: DoticHopERIN”. (11) Lridomyrmex emeryi, sp. nov. &. L. 8°5mm. Black ; tarsi, basal half of scapes, and mandibles, ferruginous, the tarsi palest. ee with a bronze sheen. Some specimens have a faint iridescence on the ead. Mandibles triangular, terminated by a long curved tooth, which is preceded by five or six large and small ones. Clypeus convex in centre, the anterior border widely and shallowly emarginate. Frontal area triangular, fairly distinct, not impressed. Frontal carine short and parallel. Head sub-triangular, longer than broad, widest just behind the eyes, sides convex, occipital border feebly concave, almost straight. Hyes flat, placed in centre of sides. The scapes extend just beyond the occiput. Pronotum nearly as broad as long; mesonotum narrow, about twice as long as broad, sloping downward to the base, where the stigmata are prominent; there is a, deep narrow impression between the mesonotum and epinotum, and the base of the latter rises high above, rounded in profile, the declivity, which is concave at the base, descending sharply ; seen from above, the base is longer than wide, and narrower at apex; scale high, but lower than epinotum, somewhat thick, feebly convex in front, straight behind; seen from above, is more than twice as broad as long. Gaster a rounded oval, not overhanging the scale. The whole insect somewhat shining; mandibles punctured, head, thorax and gaster microscopically reticulate. a del. W. C. Crawley TuHorAX OF IRIDOMYRMEX EMERYI ¥% SP.NOV. A grey pubescence is fairly abundant on the sides of head, thorax and gaster ; mandibles with abundant hairs, a few long ones on occi- put, pronotum, epinotum, and borders of apical gastric segments. | SOME NEW AUSTRALIAN ANTS. 91 9. L. 8-8:5mm. Colour as in 8, but no trace of metallic sheen; the antenne, however, are almost entirely ferruginous, and the legs more so than in the %, and the borders of the segments of gaster are edged with a thin but distinct greyish-white margin. Mandibles and clypeus as in ¥% , but the whole head is broader behind and much more narrowed in front, and there is an impressed line from the frontal area to the anterior ocellus; the occiput border is almost straight. The eyes also are more prominent than in the %. The thorax is distinctly impressed between the scutum and scutellum of meso- thorax; there is hardly any angle between the two surfaces of the epinotum, which, seen in profile, shows the upper # evenly rounded, and the lower quarter concave ; -seen from above the segment is broader than long, and is somewhat broader in front than behind. There is a distinct central longitudinal impression near the upper border of epinotum. The scale is much broader and flatter than in the 3, is slightly convex in front, and flat or concave behind; the superior border rises to -a feeble angle in the centre. Gaster elongate-oval, large, nearly as long as the rest of body. Sculpture and pilosity as in %. Pubescence more abundant, particularly on the head, epinotum and gaster, on the latter it is most plentiful on the borders of the segments and beneath, giving the whole -segment a silvery sheen. Wings slightly infuscate, the upper with two closed cubital cells. Ea wal Ds 3-3°3 mm. Black, with a distinct metallic blue sheen ; antennae and legs fusco-ferruginous, tarsi testaceous. Mandibles narrow, pointed, edentate, almost straight. Clypeus broad, arched, the anterior border entire, feebly convex. Head depressed, about as broad as long, narrowing behind the eyes, which are large, prominent, and placed slightly in advance of the middle of the sides. Frontal -earinae indistinct; scape shorter than the second joint of the funiculus, and all the joints of the latter, except the first, longer than broad. Scutellum in profile high and rounded, almost overhanging the epinotum ; seen from above, it is narrowed and rounded behind. Base of epinotum in profile, rounded, the declivity, which is much shorter, is nearly vertical; epinotum seen from above is longer than broad, slightly narrowing and convex behind ; in the -centre of the base is a deep and broadimpression. Scale small, broader than long, convex in front and straight behind, from both aspects ; gaster small and oval. Mandibles shining, with a few punctures. Sculpture of rest of body similar to, but fainter than, that of the other sexes. Pilosity similar, except on scutellum and epinotum, but sparser. Pubescence fairly plentiful on the whole body. Neuration. Upper wing with one closed cubital cell. Nests M. and N., under stone, Victoria, in Healesville (H.B.P.). ncaa considers this species nearest his J. calvus, from New Cale- -donia. (12) Iridomyrmex, sp. A single 8, Yallingup to Mammoth and Lake Caves, under log or stone in bush, July 31st, 1914 (H.B.P.). This ant does not agree with any of the published descriptions of the genus, but in default of further material it is perhaps better to leave it undescribed at present. Sub-fam.: Componotinak. (13) Camponotus (Myrmosaga), sp. A single % media which 92 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. appears to be an undescribed species, but I prefer to wait in the hope of further material before describing it. (14) Camponotus (Myrmogonia), sp. 8% sminor. In default of soldiers I propose to give a brief description of this ant, which I cannot trace in any published description, though it appears to come close to Forel’s gibbinotus. L. 7-8 mm. — Dark castaneous, pronotum and anterior half of head clearer, antennae and legs clear testaceous. Basal borders of gaster segments testaceous. Mandibles 5-6 dentate, clypeus carinate; head longer than broad, with parallel sides, narrowing behind the eyes, the occipital border feebly emarginate. The whole thorax in profile forms a high and regularly curved arch, the base of epinotum sharply compressed. The whole body is superficially and transversely reticulate-striate. Body with a few stiff erect hairs, none on the scapes, and on the tibiae only on the underside. Under log or stone in bush, Yallingup, July 31st, 1914 (E.B.P.). Anopheles and Malaria. Malaria is due to the presence of the terrible little parasite dis- covered by Laveran, a French medical man, some thirty years ago, and called Laverania malariae. In the spread of Malaria the part which the mosquito plays is that of a carrier of the young parasites or spores, which are present in large numbers in the saliva of the mosquito. Thus, when the Anopheles bites a human being to feed upon the blood, some of this saliva carrying spores enters a minute capillary through the wound. ‘The spores thus introduced into the circulation immediately attack and penetrate the red corpuscles of the blood, where they develop and multiply. This multiplication of the spores, by simple division or splitting, is termed “ Schizogony,”’ and the spores are themselves called “‘ Hnhaemospores.”’ The attacked corpuscles are destroyed, setting free spores which attack other corpuscles. Sexual forms of the parasite soon appear in the blood of the infected person and pass into the next mosquito, which bites the sufferer to feed upon the blood. These male and female forms are sausage-shaped when transferred to the alimentary canal of the gnat (Anopheles), but in a short time become sphericle. The male form produces spermatozoa, which fuse with and fertilise the female spheres or ege-cells. A series of metamorphoses then ensues in which a worm- like form partly pierces the intestinal wall and is nourished by the enat’s blood. Cysts are formed which finally break up and produce fresh spores, which accumulate in the salivary glands in the body of the affected mosquito, ready to still further spread this fell disease. This second spore production is known as ‘‘Sporogony,” and the spores produced are termed ‘ Exotospores,” to distinguish them from the former series. Thus the parasite is absolutely dependent upon the mosquito for part of its development, and the moral therefore is ‘‘ Do away with the Anopheles and you do away with the parasite.’’ In order to do this the carrier of the parasite must be located, and this is the task which the Local Government Board want to carry out; to map out with all r SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 93 accuracy the area of distribution of Anopheles maculipennis in these islands. A curious fact is, that if these sausage-like sexual forms had been swallowed by a common gnat or mosquito of the genus Culew, they would have been digested and destroyed. It is only in the gut of Anopheles species that the parasite can undergo its sexual union and development—.H.J.T. SSCIENTIFIC NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. Trina (Acroniora) psi aND T. rripens.—I have been asked to differentiate between the imagines of these two species. South says of T. tridens, Moths of Brit. Isles, Ser. 1, p. 195, in 1907, ‘I am unable to indicate any character that will serve to distinguish this moth from T. pst.” IJ think this is the feeling of most of us. Tutt, Brit. Noct. and their Var., in 1891, vol. 1., p.17, on the other hand, from informa- tion “derived almost entirely from Dr. Chapman,” goes into more than a page of detailed points of differentiation, at the same time he remarks, ‘It is well known, however, that the markings of both are so similar that very few Lepidopterists can separate them with any degree of satisfaction.” Barrett, in 1896, Lep. Brit. Isles, vol. iii., p. 245, says, ‘‘ The description of A. tridensis also that of A. psi so very nearly that the only advantageous course appears to be to point out the slight distinctions.” These he goes on to enumerate. In A. psi, “The thorax and abdomen seem to be slightly more robust and the shoulders a little more square ; forewing slightly broader. and more triangular ; the ground colour of a colder grey—devoid of either pinkish or yellowish tone—but varying from whitish-grey to shades very much darker than are observed in A. tridens. The second line of the forewings at its origin on the costa, runs at first more parallel with that margin, and so, as it bends, makes a broader and more squared curve above the middle of the wing. Costal spots usually rather less distinct. In the female the hindwings are usually more smoothly and generally suffused with brownish-grey, which in some instances is quite dark.” ‘ A. psi is also very much more variable in ground colour than the last, from a whiter-grey to a deep slate-grey or grey-black, but the markings are always distinctly deeper black and, in the vast majority of instances, the ground colour, whether darker or paler, is uniform.’ Nearly all these points appear to be of that class of difference which one sees in two undoubtedly rightly named series of specimens when placed side by side, but which when applied to separate a number of examples of the two species mixed together, leaves a very considerable margin of doubt, and a decision one always feels liable to be reversed at any time. Dr. Chapman, quoted by Tutt, Brit. Noct. and their Var., says, “ When you look for any marking apart from tint and tone, to separate psi from tridens, | must confess that I have been able to find none that has been invariable.” He also adds a very pregnant remark, “It is curious how similar varieties affect these species.’ Dr. Chapman refers to the shortness of the dagger handle in ps7, and the whiteness of the wings in the male, but these do not hold universally. The double mark in the fringe at the anal angle at the end of the dagger, exaggerated con- sists of two lines in pst, two blotches in tridens, but this fails frequently, 94 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. and is not distinct enough. Tutt adds, (1) The dark shade on the costa between the stigmata differs in the two species. (2) The trans- verse line parallel to the hind margin is distinctly doubla in tridens, but the inner edge is to a great extent lost in psi. (8) Lower part of this line generally nearly vertical or slightly turned back in psi. (4) Line in the fringes, inner half ochreous and outer half whitish in tridens, in pst the inner half is not ochreous but darker gray than outer. (5) Hindwing of psi darker and more or less traces of the dark trans- verse line, which is rarely, if ever, developed in tridens. (6) A. pst has the black lines running through the fringes better developed. Here again the points of difference are all put forward with qualifying terms as to universal application, and must be taken for what they are worth. In 1906 Dr. Chapman read a short paper at the City of London Entomological Society on this question (Trans. City Lond. Ent. Soc.) of which the following is ashortsummary. Although his own experi- ence and breeding of the two species has enabled the Doctor to separate them with practical certainty, he expresses his “ absolute inability to lay down any characters by which someone unfamiliar with these two species’ can do so. The following points are then dealt with. 1. Colour of the hindwing.—“ In tridens the hindwings are without any dark scales, except in the actual hind margin, pst has dark shading along the veins in the spaces, and often has a dark central shade.” “A good many tridens resemble pst very much in this matter.” “A speci- men of pst with pure hindwings is certainly very rare.” <‘‘ A male specimen with quite white hindwings is almost certainly tridens, with very slight dark scaling is probably tridens, with moderately dark scaling is probably psi, and with very dark scaling is certainly pst.” 2. Form of the wing.—“ Psi has altogether a broader wing.” ‘The measures I have compared are the length of the wing (from centre of thorax to apex) with the breadth (from anal angle to costa). This is quite a definite difference and can be seen without measurement.” But there is great difficulty in actual measurement as the results overlap. 3. Difference in marking.—‘‘I have no hesitation in saying that the markings present no differences.” Yet ‘some are unquestionably very constant throughout whole broods of one or the other species; but then they may equally be found to be similarly constant in the other species.” ‘‘T'he separation of the marginal dots from the anal dagger in psi, and their junction, especially the upper one, with it, in tridens, is more constant than any other in the markings; still it has not infrequent exceptions.” 4. Coloration.—‘ Psi is pure- black and white; tridens has red, green, brown, and yellow. The pale form of psi, with white pre-. dominating, is probably always unmistakable. So in trédens, when richly suffused with pink, brown, or olive.” ‘‘ Tridens very commonly has the interior of the orbicular stigma coloured, or definitely of a different tint from the rest of the wing; ps?, I think, almost always has it of the same colour as the rest of the wing.” ‘‘ Some dark speci- mens of psi have a series of pale patches down the hind margin. Itis never so pronounced in tridens.” ‘Still, all these matters of colour are, in fact, questions of degree rather than absolute difference.” Referring to his own and Mr. Tutt’s remarks in brit. Noct., quoted _ above, Dr. Chapman says, “‘ Whilst they are equally valid now as when they were written, they are open to the same observation ’—‘ that, NOTES ON COLLECTING. 95 whilst generally applicable, there are a good proportion of specimens of both species that present, not the markings here predicated of them, but those of the other species.” At the same time Dr. Chapman read his notes he showed speci- mens obtained from various collections, viz.:—(1) Dr. Mason’s. Several appeared to him wrongly determined and on examination were proved so in each case. (2) Mrs. Bazett’s. The series of tridens. Seven out of eight appeared to him to be ps7, and this opinion was verified on examination. (8) C. G. Barrett's. On examination of these it was found that two specimens of psi were placed with tridens —three specimens of tridens with psi. In conversation with Dr. Chapman a few days ago he said that males with dark hindwings are always psi, while the males with white hindwings are sure to be ¢ridens. Also that the bidens form of pst never occurs in tridens, nor does the pink form of tridens ever occur in pst. As a result to differentiate the imagines in words is practically im- possible. The only reliable differences are biological and structural. Pierce, in 1909, Gen. Brit. Noct,, gives the clasper of tridens as trifur- cate, while that of psi is bifurcate ; and an examination of the figures on the plate leave no hesitation in one’s mind as to the definite difference of the two, it is not a difference of degree. The best and only satisfactory way, of course, is to obtain the larve and breed the species, which are easily separable in that stage. With Dr. Chapman’s. paper as published in the Trans. City Lond. Ent. Soc. is a plate show- ing photographs of the clasps of the two species, where the differences. are shown very well indeed.—H.J.T. [It is a curious coincidence that the name tridens might have referred to the clasps rather than to the wing-markines, three processes in tridens, two in psi. Even the pupa presents a similar coincidence.—T.A.C. ] JOTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. PHIGALIA PEDARIA (PILOSARIA) FROM SHERWOOD Forsust.—I have just had sent to me by Mr. Daws, of Mansfield, some twenty examples of Phigalia pedaria (pilosarvia) as a sample of the forms that have been taken in Sherwood Forest this spring. There are four main types of ground and general colouration and three subsidiary ones. 1. Six specimens in which there is a greenish coloration, in one of which the green is slightly tinged with yellow in places. The costal clouds of these specimens are well marked, but the lines are not well defined on the five former examples. The one partially tinged with yellow is well marked, in some of the markings black prevails, in others. brown. There is good contrast between ground and markings, so that the specimen is a very pretty one. 2. Five specimens are of the soft grey general coloration, four of them being light in appearance and very much dusted with black, not brown. The costal clouds are well developed in all five specimens. The lines in the four are black, fairly well defined although diffuse. In the fifth specimen the forewing is devoid of most markings except the well marked costal clouds, and the grey is somewhat darker. The hindwings have the central transverse irregular band perfect and. prominent, but the submarginal in the fifth is not nearly so perfect. 96 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. 3. One specimen is of an olive grey with much brown powdering, the marking of a deep brown with well developed costal blotches. There is no ochreous colour. The brown powdering is very fine and the lines clear cut, not fuzzy. 4, Five specimens in which the general colour is black or blackish grey. One is to be put down as ab. monotonia. ‘It is thinly sealed, somewhat worn (possibly one of the causes of the semitransparency), ground of hindwings the same shade as that of the forewings. The veins are opaque black. There are no markings, not even traces of the usual costal blotches. The other four are dark blackish (not brownish) grey with darker veins. The costal clouds are marked, but most parts of the transverse lines are obsolescent, or very indistinct. In forewing coloration two specimens are of the same shade, the darkest, the third is somewhat lighter, and the fourth somewhat lighter still. The hind- wings of three of these are of the same shade of general coloration as the forewings, but one of the darkest forewinged specimens has lighter hindwings. 5. Five examples may be termed ochreous in general appearance. Three of these are decidedly ochreous, while two are grey with a slight tinge of ochreous. Of the three ochreous ones, one is somewhat lighter than the other two and has hindwings much lighter than the forewings, while the other two have the fore- and hindwings of the same colora- tion. The two grey with slight ochreous tinge differ inter se. The one has a very slight tinge only, with the two basal transverse lines distinct, while the two outer ones are obsolescent except on costa and inner margin; the other is darker and more uniform with only slight costal clouds, and all the transverse lines obsolescent, or very ill-defined in part. In the former the transverse central line of the hindwing is well developed, while in the latter it is practically absent. In my own cabinet series I had none of the greenish coloration, none of the soft grey and none of the blackish. The olive-grey | had from West Wickham, Brockley, Richmond, Chislehurst, etc. The light ochreous from West Wickham, Chislehurst, Chattenden, etc. In addition I have two rieh ochreous specimens, one darker than the other, from Brockley and the New Forest respectively, two which are of a light, not olive, grey, with ill-defined lines in one and obsolescent lines in the other, from Richmond and Delamere Forest respectively, and a fine specimen of the Huddersfield race of a deep rich uniform brown- black, with hindwings only very slightly thinner in coloration, having no markings, but with darker veins and no trace of the costal clouds. It seems to be more thickly scaled than many specimens are. T have, as will have been noticed, only dealt with the males. This series is a very good instance, showing how interesting sets of examples of a common species, from various parts of the country, may turn out, when brought together and compared. That the above does not exhaust the potentiality of the variation in this species will no doubt be noted by reference to the reader’s local series, and by a perusal of Barrett’s summary, Lep. Brit. Isles.—H.J.1T. GXYURRENT NOTES AND SHORT NOTICES. The Rev. C. R. N. Burrows and myself have collected a Register of all the Localities of which accounts of the Lepidoptera have been SOCIETIES. 97 given by various collectors in the whole of the volumes of the Hntomo- mologist’s Record, the Kntomoloyist, the E'ntomologists Monthly Mayazine, the Proceedings of the South London Hntomological Society and the Transactions of the City of London Entomological Society. The references are to the Volume, Page, Collector, and generally Month and Year. If any subscriber to our Magazine wishes to know the possibilities of a locality, which he intends to visit, we shall be pleased to give the references in the number subsequent to receiving a postcard from him, assuming of course that the request be made before we go to press. No reply will be sent otherwise than in the pages of the magazine. In the Irish Naturalist for December we read “ Colias edusa was not uncommon near Tranmore, Co. Wexford, from the beginning of Sep- tember.” A var. helice was taken on September 29th. A larva of Manduca atropos was reported from Moyallen, Co. Down. We should be very pleased to receive personal notes of the doings and whereabouts of entomologists, who are taking duties either directly or indirectly in “active service,” for insertion in this column. We have had communications from Capt. Malcolm Burr, Capt. P. P. Graves, and H. W. Andrews, all in the Hastern area, more or less recently. In the Scottish Naturalist for February reference is made to more captures of Agrius (Sphina) convolvuli, one in Bute and another at Stronvar, Perthshire. Phibalapteryx lapidata has also turned up in a new locality, viz., Blawhorn Moor, Linlithgow, in the Lothian Hills. In the Naturalist for February Mr. F. H. Day gives a summary of his work during 1917 among the Coleoptera of Cumberland. His best capture was Hydroporus rufifrons, and H. discretus was recorded as new to the district. In the Ent. Mo. Mag. for February Mr. H. Britten describes a new species of the genus Choleva (Col.), Choleva glauca, which he differen- tiates from C. cisteloides, to which it is closely allied. SOCIETIES. Tue SoutH Lonpon Entomotocicat anp Naturat History Socrety. January 10th, 1918.._Dratus.—The dezease of two members was announced. Mr. W. West (Sutton), a member of the Council, aged 71, and Mr. W. Manger (New Cross), aged 75. Inpran Burrerriuies.—Mr. Edwards exhibited three species of the N. Indian genus Dodona, viz., D. adonira, LD. durga, D. ouida of the Nemeobiinae. He also showed Riodina lysippus, Mesene phareus, Apo- demia glaphyra, and Echenais penthea belonging to the Lemoniinae from S. America. Variation 1n A. contpon.—Mr. B. Adkin, series of Agriades coridon ab. semi-syngrapha and ab. synyrapha, with a graduated series of inter- mediates, and read notes on the exhibit. A short discussion took place on the naming of aberrations. Tue Genus TxHars.—Mr. Turner series of the three species of the genus Thais, T. rumina, T. polywena, and 7. cerisyi, and read notes on their variation and distribution. ABERRATION oF A. uRTICH.—Mr. Bowman, a bred example of Aglais urticae with curious leaden patches. Revorts oF Frerp Mrrrines anp Visits.—The Reports of the Field 98 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. Meetings and Visits were communicated to the Society by Messrs. Bowman and Turner. January 24th.—AnnuaL Mertine.—The Balance Sheet and Report of the Council were received and adopted. The following members were elected as Officers and Council for 1918-19.— President, S. Kdwards, F.L.8. Vice-Presidents, R. Adkin, F.E.S., and H. J. Turner, F.E.S. Treasurer, T. W. Hall, F.E.S. Librarian, A. W. Dods. Curator, W. West. Editor of Proceedings, H. J. Turner, F.E.S. Secretaries, 8. Edwards, F.L.8., and Hy. J. Turner, F.E.S. Council, W. J. Ashdown, K. G. Blair, B.Se., R. T. Bowman, A. W. Dennis, F. W. Frohawk, F.E.S., M.B.O.U., Lachlan Gibb, F.E.S., C. W. Sperring, A. KE. Tonge, F.H.S., and B. W. Adkin, F.E.S. The President, Mr. Hy. J. Turner, read the Annual Address. Mr. Edwards took the chair. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring President, Officers, and Council. Orpinary Meretinc.—Aserration oF P. Brassice.—Mr. Dennis exhibited enlarged photographs of Mr. Adkin’s P. brassicae, with white bars on the apical black patch, to show there was no absence of sealing. C. sorana.—Mr. Turner, series of the beautiful Catagramma sorana from Paraguay. Tue Genus Arnzea.—Mr. Edwards, species of the genus Aenca from 8. America, and spoke of their affinities and neuration. LANCASHIRE AND CHesHirE Einwromonocican Society. December 17th, 1917.—Annuat Mrrrine.—The following were elected officers and couneil of the Society for the ensuing year; viz :— President—Wm. Webster, A.R.S.A, Vice-Presidents.—L. West, R. Wilding, and R. §. Bagnall, F.L.8., F.E.$. Hon. Treasurer.—Dr. J. Cotton. Hon. Librarian.—F. N. Pierce, F.E.S. Hon. Secretary. Wm. Mansbridge, F.E.S. Council—Messrs. C. F. Burne, A. W. Hughes, H. F. Carter, F.E.S., Wm. Buckley, J. W. Griffin, J. Collins, Dr. P. F. Tinne, Prof. R. Newstead, F.R.S., and S. P. Doudney. AnnuaL Appress.—The President delivered an address entitled ‘« Some Aquatic Insects,’ which was illustrated by a collection of 1380 lantern slides representing the life-histories of many species of insects which live in or about the water. In his introduction Mr. West touched upon the general conditions of aquatic environment, such as the effect of the geological formation upon the character of the water and the flora maintained by it, and consequently, the species of insects found in a particular district. The saline and acid or alkaline quality of water was discussed and the reaction upon insect and vegetable life resulting from a particular condition, wasillustrated by various examples. The photographs, nearly all taken by the President himself, were very fine examples of such work done under conditions of exceptional diffi- culty. The series included life-histories of the following species :— Chironomus, Culex, various HE’ phemeridae, Trichoptera and Perlidae, aquatic Coleoptera, as Dytiscus and the ‘‘ whirligig”’ beetles, the whole presenting a very clear and connected idea of the lives of these interesting creatures in their natural element. REVIEWS. 99 FIVEVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS. “Report or rue Proceepincs or tHe Sxeconp Mnromonocican Meerine, held at Pusa, 1917. Edited by T. Bainbrigee Fletcher, R.N., F.L.8., F.E.S., F.Z.8., Caleutta, 1917.—From fhe Imperial Entomologist of India, T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, R.N., F.L.8., we have received a copy of the above Report of the meeting held at Pusa, February 5th to February 12th, 1917, recently published. It consists of a quarto volume of more than 800 pages with 34 coloured plates, and is practically a very full abstract of the current knowledge of Indian crop-pests. It is hoped that it may be of ‘‘ assistance to non-entomo- logical members of the Agricultural Departments and to others inter- ested in the minimising of damage to crops by insects.” References are constantly given to “Some South Indian Insects,” a book by the same author reviewed in this magazine some years ago. The coloured plates are illustrative of a series of life-histories which have been printed and issued from Pusa at various opportunities during the past few years, and are admirably executed by Indian artists on the Staff. In an opening address the chairman, Mr. Fletcher, explained the objects of the Meeting and the methods of procedure, incidently touched on a few biological problems of general interest, and emphasised the necessity of the exactitude of records. The various crops were dealt with in groups. Hill Crops including Tea, Coffee, Rubber, etc. Leguminous Field Crops including Beans, Peas, Grain, Lentils, Hemp, Indigo, ete. Oil-seeds: Castor, Linseed, Sunflower, etc. Malvacezx: Cotton, ete. Fibre Plants: Jute, etc. Cereals and Fodder Plants: Sugar-cane, Rice, Wheat, Oats, Grasses, Bamboos, Lucerne, etc. Fruit-trees: Orange, Mango, Guava, Grape, Peach, Fig, Mulberry, Cashew, Tamarind, etc. Palms: Coconut, etc. Garden Plants. Drugs and Dyes: Tobacco, Opium, etc. Cruciferous Crops: Cabbage, Turnip, Beet, ete. Vegetables and Condiments: Potato, Chillies, Ginger, Yam, Celery, Pepper, Gourd, etc. All the known enemies of each crop are considered in detail and means of control are discussed, each repre- sentative in turn giving the results of his observation and experience in that spirit of ‘‘mutual confidence and mutual aid” which the chair- man in his address urged should be their motto. The life histories of Htiella zinckenella, Agrotis ypsilon, Heliothis armigera, Utetheisa pulchella, Terias hecabe, Ypsolophus ochrophanes, Cirphis loreyi, Herse convolvuli, and Glyphodes indica are among the Lepidopterous subjects dealt with on the plates. Mr. Fletcher has taken the opportunity to illustrate one of the “ plumes,’ Sphenarches caffer, a member of the group which he studied in considerable detail a decade or more ago. In all the plates the figures of the earlier stages and of the methods of attack are faithfully depicted and must be of great use to agriculturists more or less unfamiliar, as most of them are, with the less noticeable portions of the life-histories of these pests. On a good proportion of the plates, illustrations of the parasites, which tend to control the increase of the species, are included. | _ The larva of two species of Harias, H. insulana and EF. fabia, whose life-histories were admirably pourtrayed in “ South Indian Insects,” cause an immense amount of damage to the “bolls” of growing cotton. The following extracts from the discussion on the attempts at control are very interesting. ‘The control of the boll- worm can be attained by introduction of the parasite’’ [Rhogus, sp. ? (Hymen,)] “ We have sent living parasites from Pusa to the Punjab ~ 100 THE ENTOMOLOGIST 'S RECORD. during the last two years with this object in view.” “We (in the Pun- jab) receive the parasites from Pusa im June and July and liberate them in the parasite breeding plots, and in this way we get them established by the time the cotton is in the ‘boll.’ When the parasites get well established in the parasite-breeding-plots we remove the affected bolls and place them in parasite-boxes which are sent out and placed in badly affected cotton fields.” ‘‘ By the second week in August we get the parasites established and from that time onwards we begin to distribute them until about November.” These parasite-boxes were “placed in boll-worm affected cotton-fields and left for a fortnight; at the end of that time, affected cotton-bolls in the adjacent area were collected and placed in other parasite boxes and distributed further.” ‘* These were used over and over again because all the parasites leave them within fifteen days. When the parasites were established the’ boxes were refilled with bollworm-affected bolls and distributed again.” ‘The conclusion we have arrived at is that by the use of the parasite boxes the attack of bollworm is generally lessened. Where the parasite-boxes are not used the attack is always bad.’”’ Mr. Fletcher sums the whole evidence, “I think that a great deal more investigation is required before we can say much definite about the real value of these parasites. Our experience at Pusa, in breeding these parasites under the most favourable conditions in special plots which are kept full of Harias, is that the percentage of parasitization is extremely low. The con- ditions of course may be different in the Punjab, but we want to know a great deal more about the matter.” ‘Rice is far and away the most important crop grown in the Indian Empire” and nearly thirty pages are devoted to the consideration of the various pests. Attacking the seedlings we get the Hadenid moth Spodoptera mauritia, Thrips oryzae, a crab (Paratelphusa hydrodromus), etc. Attacking the leaves there is a long list of Lepidoptera of which Cirphis unipuncta (“ Army Worm.”), C. loreyi, and Nymphula depunctalis are the worst enemies, but the damage done by the many other species of Noctuidae, etc., dealt with, which are general grass feeders, must in the aggregate be very large. Two species of grasshopper attack the leaves as well as nearly a dozen species of Coleoptera. Insects which bore the stems of rice come next, two of which are of great importapce. Cecidomyia oryzae (Dip.), coloured Plate, and the moth Schoenobius bipunctifer, (Some 8. Ind. Ins.,” plt. xxix.), the latter a pest spread over the whole of South-Eastern Asia and estimated to cause damage to the amount of 100,000,000 rupees annually in Southern India alone, are fully discussed. The roots of paddy are apparently attacked by but few insect pests. Among Khyncophora or sucking insects most are minor pests, occasionally, and then only locally, doing damage to any extent. Of these Leptocorisa varicornis and Nephotettix bipunctatus, have hitherto been the most troublesome enemies. From the above extracts it will be seen that this is a most useful publication, which registers the actual work and observations carried on by the workers themselves under the guidance of a skilled and experi- enced organiser. We must congratulate Mr. Fletcher on the work he has furthered so well, and wish him all success in his endeavours to keep in touch with so wide-spread a band of skilled practical entomo- logists, and at the same time so to organise these biennial congresses — that each worker may in turn impart his detailed skill to others.— Bese a The Back volumes (I-XXIX) of the Hnt. Record, &c. (published at 10g. 6d. net), can be obtained direct as follows—Single volumes, 7g. 6d., except vols. I. and II., which are 10s. Gd. each; of the remainder 2 or 3 volumes, 7s. 3d. each ; 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 vols., /%s. each ; 10, 441, 12, 13 or 14 vols. at Gs. 9d. each; 15, or more vols. at 6s. 6d. each. ' Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes to Vols. III-XXIX, sold separately, price 1s. 6d. each. Subscriptions for Vol. XXX. (7 shillings) should be sent to iMr. Herbert E. Page, *‘ Bertrose,”’ Gellatly Road, New Gross, (S.E.14 [This subscription includes all numbers published from January 15th to December 15th, 1918.) Non-receipt or errors in the sending of Subscribers’ magazines should be ‘notified to Mr. Herbert E. Page, “‘ Bertvose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.E. 14 Subscribers ave kindly requested to observe that subscriptions to Lhe Hntomologist’s Record, &c.,are payable in advance.. The subscription (with or without the Special Index) is Seven Shillings, and ‘must be sent to Mr. Herbert E. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, 8.E.14 Cheques /and Postal Orders should be made payable to H. H. Pace, ADVERTISEMENTS of Books and Insects for Sale, or Books wanted will be inserted at a minimum ' charge of 2s. 6d. (for four lines). Longer Advertisementsin proportion. A reduction made for a series, Particulars of Mr. Herbert H. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, 8.E. 14 Subscribers who change their addresses must xeport the same to Mx. H. HW. Paar " Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.E., otherwise their magazines will probably be delayed. Articles that require Illustration are inserted on condition that the author defrays the cost of the illustrations. All Foreign Exchange Magazines must be forwarded to H. J Turner 98 Drakefell Road, New Cross, S.H. 14 Desiderata.—Kupithecia nanata var. satyrata, for genitalia only, condition imma- terial.—H. A. Cockayne, Surgeon, R.N., R.N. Hospital, Haslar, Gosport. Duplicates.—Huphrosyne, Selene, Blandina, Aegeria, Hyperanthus, Aglaia, Athalia, Davus, I’. querctis, Corydon, Aegon, Asiliformis, P. populi, Mundana, Moneta* (northern form), Geryon, Z. trifolii, Carpini, Obelisca, Orichalcea (fair), Rufina, Lunosa, Pedaria, Hricetaria, Strigillaria, Ulmata, Didymata, Fumata, Muricata (northern), Albulata, Imbutata, many others. Desiderata.—Vespertaria, Apiciaria, Advenaria, Prosapiaria, Dolobraria, Pictaria, Brunneata, Blomeri, Rubricata, Straminata, Subsericeata, Blan- diata, Lobulata, Munitata, Quadrifasciaria, Fluviata, and many others. Black}pins only. —James Douglas, Thorncote, Chellaston, nr. Derby. Duplicates. —*Dissimilis, Velleda, Fibrosa, *Ambigua, Fulva, *Lubricipeda var. Fas- ciata, *Plantaginis, Coracina, Captiuncula, Mundana, Lutosa, Togata, *Valerianata, —Cilialis, Inquinatellus, Caledoniana, Variegana vars. Sauciana, Geminana, Cinerana, -Brunnichiana, Schulziana, Congelatella, Occultana, Vectisana, Dorsana, Rusticana, *Suboccelana, *Strobilella, Nanana, Herbosana, Petiverella, T. cortjcella, *@icop, Fulvi- gutella, etc. Desiderata.—Good Pyrales, Tortrices, ete.—T'. Ashton Lofthouse, The Croft, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. Duplicates.—Kast African butterflies wanted, butterflies of any country except species occurring in Britain.—W. Feather, Kibwezi British East Africa. Desiderata.— Pieris napi—spring and summer broods with exact data (localities and dates)—from all parts of the Kingdom, especially North of England and Scotland ; Pararge egeria from Scotland, Ireland, and North of England—exact data needed. Will do my best in return or pay cash.—G. T. Bethune-Baker, 19, Clarendon Road, Edgbaston. Duplicates.—Machaon*, Sinapis, Edusa, Hyale, Valezina, Artemis*, Cinxia, Athalia, C-album*, Polychloros*, Sibylla*, Cassiope, Blandina, Davus, Betules*, Artaxerxes, Arion, Actreon, Galii*, Scolieformis*, Minos, Exulans, Meliloti, Albulalis, Helveola*, Quadra*, Cribrum, Hera*, Fuliginosa*, Fascelina*, Crategi*, Callune*, Trifolii*, Versicolor*, _Lapponaria*, Hispidaria, Glabraria*, Abietaria*, Obfuscata, Trepidaria*, Smaragdaria*, | Orbicularia*, Auroria, Fumata, Pictaria*, Alternata*, Carbonaria, Pinetaria, Cesiata, Ruficinctata, Salicata, Pyemeata*, Togata*, Sexalisata, Munitata, Fluviata, Lapidata Undulata, Reticulata, Nubeculosa*, Chaonia*, Or, Flavicornis var. Scotica*, Ridens*, _Leporina, Menyanthidis, Myricse, Concolor, Templi, Agathina*, Conspersa, Barrettii, | Occulata*, Tineta*, Glauca, Rectilinea, Peltigera, Melanopa, Cordigera, Interrogationis, 'Bractea, Cracce, ete. Desiderata.—Varieties and local forms.—Arthur Horne, Bonn-na- Coille, Murtle, Aberdeenshire. WantTeEp, for research purposes, during 1917, ova and larve of almost any species of British Lepidoptera. Offered British beetles (many scarce or local) and microscopic mounts.—Geo. B. Walsh, 166, Bede Burn Road, Jarrow-on-Tyne. Norr.—Mr. Donisthorpe will be grateful for any ants from all parts of the British Isles, with localities, unset or otherwise, for the purposes of study.—H. St. J. K. Donisthorpe, 19, Hazlewell Road, Putney, S.W. I would be very glad to exchange Californian butterflies for English blues especially the variable ?s, and the blue ?s of coridon such as have been recorded by Keynes and others.—Fordyce Grinnell, Jr., 712, Hast Orange Grove, Paradena, California, U.S.A. Duplicates.—Artemis* (Cornish), Tithonus extra spotted vars., Corydon var. Semi Syngrapha (fair only), Tilice*, Angularia* (Quercinaria), fine banded vars., Bicuspis* and many others, also Pup Lacertula, Falcula, Tilie, Consortaria, Versicolor, ete. Deside- -rata.—Perfect only Cardamines 3s, Cardui, Iris, Ocellatus, B. quercus, Chlorana, Ligni- perda, Humuli, Convolvuli, and many others. Also Pup Carpini, Porcellus, Callune, Dictza, Dictaoides, Dodonea, Vinula, 8. ligustri, and many others. Liberal exchange or cash.—L. W. Newman, Bexley, Kent. Desiderata.—EKuchloé cardamines from Ireland; also types of EH. cardamines from Switzerland, Italy, S. France; var, turritis (S. Italy), var. volgensis, var. thibetana, and of EH. gruneri, F. euphenoides, EH. damone, and any palearctic species of the genus. Duplicates.—Loweia dorilis and vars., a few minor vars. of R. phleas (British), and many British lepidoptera.— Harold B. Williams, 82, Filey Avenue, Stoke Newington, N. Mesoproramta.—I should be glad of information on insects or news of other entomo- logists in this country.—P. A. Buxton, Fairhill, Tonbridge. Duplicates.—KHuropean butterflies unset on long pins and some set English fashion. Desiderata.—Common British Noctuids.—Hy. J. Turner, 98, Drakefell Road, New Cross, S.H. 14. Duplicates.—A. coridon vars.,' including semi-syngrapha, H. Comma. Desiderata. —A. coridon var. Albicans (Spanish) and var. Hispana (do.), and good butterfly vars., especially from Ireland.—Douglas H. Pearson, Chilwell House, Chilwell, Notts. Cuances or Appress.—Lieut. H. O. Armytage, Penrosa, Millhook, Poundstock, nr. Bude, Cornwall; R. S. Mitford, C.B., 3, Alexandra Gardens, Ventnor, I. of Wight. Entomological Society of London.—1l1, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W., 8 p.m. 1918, June 5th; October 2nd; 16th. The South London Entomological and Natural History Society, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge.—Meetings: The second and fourth Thursdays in the month a 7o’clock. May 23rd, ‘‘ Mimas tiliae.’’ June 13th, Exhibition of Living Objects of Natural History.— Hon. Sec., Stanley Edwards, 15, St. German’s Place, Blackheath, Seleise The London Natural History Society (the amalgamation of the City of London Entomological and Natural History Society and the North London Natural History Society).—Hall 20, Salisbury House Finsbury Circus, H.C. The First and Third Tuesday in the month, at 7 p.m. Visitors invited. Hon. Sec., J. Ross, 18, Queens Grove Road, Chingford, N.E. Toynbee Natural History Society.—Toynbee Hall, at 8 p.m. Entrance fee 1s., annual subscription ls. Meetings : Full particulars as to excursions can be obtained from the Excursion Secretary, Miss L. Roberts, 11, St. James,’ Hatcham, S.E. Hon. Sec., Owen Monk, 8, Shooter’s Hill Road, Blackheath, S.E. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.—Meetings at the Royal Institu- tion, Liverpool, on the 3rd Monday in each month from October to April.—Hon. Sec., Wm. Mansbridge, 4, Norwich Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. East London Natural History Society.—Bromley Public Hall, H. Thursdays at 8 p.m.—Hon. Sec., J. C. W. Shears, 58, Selborne Road, Ilford. NOW READY.—PRICE £1 1s. Od. A NATURAL HISTORY THE BRITISH BUTTERFLIES, VHEIR WORLD-WIDE VARIATION AND DISTRIBUTION. A Text-Book itor Students and Collectors. Vor Ve By J. W. TUTT, E.E:S. This volume comprises 373 pp. of text +43 plates. The species dealt with are treated most exhaustively, and Lepidopterists will find worked out for them what are probably the finest life-histories ever published. The work is regarded as the text-book on the subject; and in all probability will continue to be so for many years. All up-to-date students should have a copy for reference. To be obtained from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, ‘“ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, S.E. 15 NOW READY. BRITISH ANTS. By mOKACE® DONISHHORPES ES: Demy 8vo. Fully Illustrated. PRICE £1 Ss. Od. post free. Deals with the classification and descriptions of all the Genera and Species now known to occur in the British Isles, with information as to their habits and _ life- histories. Fully illustrated by photographs, structural drawings, ete. The Book contains 380 pp. + x., with 18 plates and 92 figures. This form should be completed and returned as soon as possible to :— Messrs. WitniAM Brenpon AnD Son, Lrp., Printers, Plymouth, England. Please supply me, with .......... COD pear of ‘‘BRITISH ANTS,”’ by Horack |DontstuHoren, post free, and find remittance to value herewith enclosed. INDUC N revopet rey Pen Vereen he vette encuetee rotetcncrsl over ict siekeysTetsrs AIEGHOSS 5 6.00 vloo's cooodooo obOb OD SDbUOUIDOOOOONOOS 00 FOR SALE. Tutt’s ‘ British Lepidoptera,” vols. I to X. Tutt’s * British Lepidoptera,” vols Ito Ill. Tutt’s ‘British Noctue,” vols I. toIV. Tutt’s ‘‘Practical Hints for the Field Lepidopéterist,” parts I to III, with Index. There are also a few copies of ‘“British Noctuz,” slightly soiled, to be sold cheaply. A. M. COCHRANE, 441, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. IMPORTANT. TO ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES and MUSEUMS. BACK VOLUMES OF The Entomologist’s Record | and Journal of Variation. (Vols. I.-XXIX.) Single back volumes of the above can be obtained at 7s. 6d. per volume; except vols. I. and II., which are 10s. 6d. each, net; any two or three volumes of the remainder at 7s. 3d. per volume; four, five, six, seven, eight or nine at 7s. per volume; ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen at 6s. 9d. per volume ; fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or twenty- one at 6s. 6d. per volume. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes, Vols. III-XXIX, sold separately, price 1s. 6d. each. Gontents Of Vol. I. (Most important only Mentioned.) Genus Acronycta and its allies.—Variation of Smerinthus tiliae, 3 coloured plates—Ditferentiation of Melitaea athalia, parthenie, and awrelia—The Doubleday collection — Parthenogenesis— Paper on Taeniocampidae— Phylloxera— Practical Hints (many)—Parallel Variation in Coleoptera—Origin of Argynnis paphia var. valesina— Work for the Winter—Temperature and Variation—Synonymic notes— Retrespect of a Lepidopterist for 1890—Lifehistories of Agrotis pyrophila, Epunda lichenea, Heliophobus hispidus—Captures at light—Aberdeenshire notes, etc., etc., 360 pp. Gontents of Vol. II. MeEnLanism AND MrnanocHroism—Bibliography—Notes on Collecting—Articles on VARIATION (many)—How to breed Agrotis lunigera, Sesia sphegiformis, Taenio- campa opima— Collecting on the Norfolk Broads—Wing development—Hybridising Amphidasys prodromaria and A. betularia—Melanism and Temperature—Differen- tiation of Dianthwcias—Disuse of wings—Fauna of Dulwich, Sidmouth, 8S. London —Generic nomenclature and the Acronyctidae—A fortnight at Rannoch-—Heredity in Lepidoptera—Notes on Genus Zyamna (Anthrocera)—Hybrids—Hymenoptera-— Lifehistory of Gonophora derasa, etc., ete., 312 pp. Gontents of Vol. Ill. Genus Acronycta and its allies (continued)—Scientific Notes—The British Coccinellidae—Notes on Breeding—Notes on CoLrorrEra (very many)—Dates of appearance of Hupithecia pygmeata—Dimorphic pupe—Duration of Ova State of the Geometridae (with tables)—Hffects of temperature on the colouring of Lepidop- tera—Hints on labelling—Melanic varieties—Changes in nomenclature—Keeping Micro pupe during winter—Notes on Genus Hepialus—Reviews, etc., etc., 320 pp. Gontents of Vol. !V. Additions to British Lists—Presidential Addresses of British Association and Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society—Autumnal collecting at Fresh- water, Isle of Wight—Captures of rarities—Collecting beetles—Critical notes on certain Noctuae—A day’s collecting in the Western Highlands—Apparent dearth of Diurni—Double-brooded species—The early stages of certain Geometrina—Sensi- bility of larvee to sound—Collecting in North Kent—How to obtain and preserve ova—Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1893—Stridulation—Variety breeding—The Pupal and Imaginal wings of Lepidoptera, etc., etc., 354 pp. Gontents of Vol. V: On the larva of Arctia caia (with plates)—Evolution of the Lepidopterous Pupa—Rev. H. Burney’s collection (sale)—Life-History of a Lepidopterous Insect (Morphology and Physiology, ete.}—Among the Ancients—Hrebia epiphron and its named Varieties—Life-History of Agrotis agathina—Ten Days at Wicken Fen— Varieties of Spilosoma mendica—Buttertly Catching in the neighbourhood of Mt. Blanc—Life-History of Ocneria dispar—Zygaena exulans and its Variations— Entomology at Rainham, Essex—Additions to the British List—New Method of Relaxing Insects, etc., ete., 308 pp. To be obtained only from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, “Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.E.14 to whom Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable. ¥ WATKINS & DONCASTER. uralists and Manufacturers of Entomological Apparatus and Cabinets. Plain Ring Nets, wire or cane, including Stick, 1/5, 2/2, 2/6, 3/2. Wolding Nets, 3/9, 4/9. Umbrella Nets (self-acting), 7/-. Pocket Boxes (deal), 7d., 10d., 1/2, 1/10. Zine lecting Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6, 2/-. 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LARGE STOCK OF INSECTS AND BIRDS’ EGGS (Brilish, Muropean, and Exotic), Birds, Mammals, ete., Preserved and Mounted by Iirst class Worlmen. )» STRAND, LONDON, W.C., ENGLAND. OPSIS OF THE ORTHOPTERA OF WESTERN EUROPE. By MALCOLM BURR, D.Sc., F.Z.8., F.LS., F.ES., &. Bound in Cloth, 160 pp., with good Index (Specific and Generic). : Price 3s. net. Bleek handbook for the use of collectors in the field. Covers all species found wes? he Carpathian Mts. Description of each species, habits, habitats and distribution. Lhe sent Post Free on receipt of Postal Order for 3s. to— A. H., 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. ne summer a very large selection of OVA—LARY@ AND PUPA. many wild collected and bred from wild females. Write for full price. free. This is owing to huge rise in metal, ete. L. W. NEWMAN E.E.S., Bexley, Kent. CONTENTS. The Lepidoptera of an Essex Garden, F. N. Pierce, B. E.S. Some New Australian Ants, IV. @. Crawley, B.A., F. es S. (with fig.) 5c Anopheles Malaria, H.J.T. Scrmnriric Nores.—Triaena psi and T. tridens, HATS Norns on CotiEctine :—Phigalia pedaria framsier@oud Forest, H.J.T... Current Notes anp SHort Notices ste on Naas 50 Soctertes :—The South London Entomological Society. The Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society Ps Sat Revimws :—Report of the Proceedings of the Second Entomological Meeting at Pusa, 1917, H.J.T. .. eo ue ts an os ae ig ae Communications have been received or have been promneed from Rev. G. Whe Messrs. R. S. Bagnall, Hy. J. Turner, C. P. Pickett, Parkinson Curtis, Donisthorpe, A. Sich, Dr. Verity, C. W. Colthrup, Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, Dr. T Chapman, Capt. Burr, G. T. Bethune-Baker, E. B. Ashby, P. A. H. Muscha: J. H. Durrant, Orazio Querci, Capt. = Bs oe Rev. F. D. Moncey ones Reports of Societies and Reviews. All MS. and editorial matter should be sent aa all peer returned to Hy. ‘ Tor 98, Drakefell Road, New Cross, London, §.H.14 We must earnestly request our correspondents nor to aia us communications IDENTIC! with those they are sending to other magazines. Lists of Dupricarms and Drsiprrata should be sent direct to Mr. ide ‘. Pag Bertrose, Gellatly Road, New Cross, 8.H. 14 FOR SALE. : : BOOKS :: ENTOMOLOGICAL., The Entomologist, vols. 20-30, 1887-1897 (11 years 3° 9 ‘ vols. 39-46, 1906-1913 (7 years | 83 10s. 0d. Stainton’s Manual of Butterflies and Moths, vol. 1. 2s. 6d. British Moths, Tutt, 2s. Natural History of the Brit. Butterflies and Moths, Ed. Newman, 2 vols. 11s Lepidopterist’s Calender, Jos. Merrin. 4s. Out of print. q To be sold for the benefit of the Wipow of the late J. ALpERson. Apply :— . Mr. F. S. THOMAS, 28, Park Villas, Cheam, Surr ibscriptions for Vol. XXX. are now overdue. ~— ENTOMOLOGIST’S. RECORD i) rae Pe ie 2d a JOURNAL OF VARIATION Kpirep By RICHARD 8. BAGNALL, F.L.8., F.E.8, | T. A, CHAPMAN, m.v., ¥.z.s., F.B.8; M. BURR, D.S8C., F.Z.8., W.L.9., F.E.S. ALFrRup SICH, F.x.s! (Rzv.) C. R. N. "BURROWS, F.E.S. J.B. le B. TOMLIN, M.A., F.B.S: Guoren WHIELER, M.A., F.E.S. and Hynry J. TURNER, v.w.s., Wditorial Secretary. } T. HUDSON BEAR, JAS. H. COLLIN, F.E. 8. Ki B.SC., B.E.S., VRS. He Sas de lke DONISTHORPR, b Grorcz T, BETHUNE-BAKDR, F.Z.8.y BLESS, By ¥.Z.S.5 F.L.8., F.E.S. JOHN HartLEy DURRANT, ¥.E.S. i JUNE Lédth, Igle: Price ONE SHILLING (ner), Subscription for Complete Volume, post free (Including all DOUBLE NUMBERS, ete.) SHVEN) SHrVLLIN'G S; TO BE FORWARDED TO HERBERT E. PAGE, F.E.S., “ BeRTROSE,’’ GELLATLY Roav, Naw Cross, $.B, 14 hy ‘ i ‘ READ THE BACK Nos. OF THE Entomologist’s Record & Journal of Variation (Practical Hints, Field Work, etc. useful for every year’s collecting). VOL. VI. The virnes of some of the articles are as follows :—Notes on Butterfly Pupe, with some remarks on the Phylogenesis of the Rhopalocera.”—Dr. T. A. Chapman, F.H.S., ‘ Phytophagie Species.” — Prof. A. Radcliffe Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Varieties and aberrations of Noctuz from Doneaster.’--H. H. | Corbett, M.R.C.S. ‘‘The frenulum of the British species of Smerinthus.’’—G@. C. Grifiths, F.2.8., | F.B.S. ‘“Eudryas ste-johannis.,—A. Radelife Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Parthenogenesis or Agamogenesis.’’— J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘ Larve.”’—Rev. G.M. A. Hewitt, M.A. ‘' Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1894.” —J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘Generic Names in the Noctuide.”’—Pror. 4. R. Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Pupa hunting in October.’’—J. W. Tutt, F/H.S. ‘*Polygamy and Polyandry in Moths.’ ‘‘The nature of certain insect colours.” —W.S. Riding, M.D., R. Freer, M.B., J. W. Tutt, F.H.S., Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, J. Anderson, Jun. ‘The Lepidoptera of Swansea.’’=Major R. B. Robertson. ‘‘Caradrina ambigua in the Isle of Wight.”—4. J. Hodges. ‘‘The-insects of Bourg St. Maurice.”’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. “ Orrhodia erythrocephala ab. glabra from Devonshire and comparison with O. vaccinii.’’—Dr. W. S. Riding, F.H.S. ‘‘Notes on Caradrina ambigua and C. superstes.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘Hntomology and Entomolozists, being the Annual Address to the City of London Entom. Society.”” Notes on Aphomia sociella’’ (with plate).—W. P. Blackbwrne Maze, F.H.S. ‘‘ Apterous females and Winter Hmergence’’—E. F. Studd, M.A., B.C.L., F.H.S., L. B. Prowt, F.H.8. “‘ Collecting Noctuids by Lake Brie.”— A. Radcliffe Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Coleoptera at Ipswich.’—Claude Morley, F.H.S. ‘‘ Notes on Bombus visurgie.’’ ‘‘Synonymic Notes on Acidalia humilata and A. dilutaria.’?—ZL. B. Prout, F.£.S, The Lepidoptera of Grésy-sur-Aix.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘Apatura iris..—Rev, G@. M. A. Hewett: ‘©Scheme of Classification of the Rhopalocera founded on the structure of the Pupe.”’—T. A. « Chapman, M.D., F.L.S. ‘Glimpses of American Entomology.’’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘The Genus ; Smerinthus.’’—A. Bacot. ‘‘ Variation considered biologically : Some notes suggested by the Romanes Lecture of 1894."—J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘‘ Wing structure.”—J. Alston Moffatt. ‘‘On the development — of sex in social insects.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘The British representatives of the Genus Caradrina.”— L. B. Prout, F.H.S. ‘Habits and variation of Lithosia lutarella and its variety pygmaeola,’’— J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. On the gradual disappearance of Lepidoptera from South-Hastern London and its neighbourhood.’’—C. Fenn, F.H.S. ‘‘A hunt for Neuroterusaprilinus.”—T. A. Chapman. M.D., F.E.S. “On the development of pigment in Nemeobius lucina.’’—F. J, Buckell, M.B. ‘‘The Macyro-lepi- doptera of Keswick.’’—H. 4. Beadle. ‘‘ Varieties of Argynnis selene”’ (with plate).—S. G@. C. Russell, F.E.S. ‘* Hadenoid genera with hairy eyes.’—Prof. A. R. Grote, M.A. ‘: Zygena minos and its varieties.”’—J. WW. Tutt, FBS, ‘“‘Notes on the pups of Castnia and Anthocharis.’’"—T7. 4. Chapman, M.D., F.E.S, } : Besides these articles, a large number of short notes are contained in every number under ~ the follewing titles: ‘Scientific Notes and Observations,”’ ‘‘ Variation,” ‘‘ Notes on Laryes and Life- histories,’ ‘‘ Notes‘on Collecting,” ‘‘Current Notes.’’ The reports of Societies are very carefully edited, - and only scientific paragraphs published. The “‘ Practical Hints” and ‘‘ Field work” for each month” are quite unique. The entomologist who will read carefully through the back numbers of The Hntomologist’s Record will find himself better equipped for the further study of his subject than by any other means. Price 7/6 per volume, of Mr. H. E. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose.” Gellatly Road, New Cross, §.E. 14 OVA, LARVAE, AND PUPA. The Largest Breeder of Lepidoptera in the British Isles is H. W. HEAD, Gaittontologist, — BURNISTON, Nr. SCARBOROUGH. Full List of Ova, Larvae, and: Pupae, also Lepidoptera, Apparatus, Cabinets etc., sent on application. Many Rare British Species and Good Varieties for Sale. Lantern Slides in Natural Colours. LEPIDOPTERA & LARVZ A SPECIALITY. Photographed from life and true to Nature in every detail. SLIDES OF BIRDS, WILD FLOWERS, &c., By same Colour Process. : d \ LAS“ERN SLIDES MADE TO ORDER FROM ANY SPECIMEN OR COLOURED DRAWING. PHGTOS IN COLOUR OF LARVA, LIFE. SIZE, ON IVORINE TABLETS TO PIN IN THE CABINET. ee For List apply to— CHARLES D. HEAD, Cherrymount, Donnycarney, DUBLIN. JUL 24 1918 MOSQUITOES AND MALARIA. 101 Mosquitoes and Malaria. Readers will no doubt call to mind that in the ‘‘ Current Notes,” pp. 188-9, vol. xxix. (1917), there was printed the substance of a memorandum received from the Local Government Board as to infor- ‘mation desired regarding the prevalence of Anophelines. As consider- able apprehension is felt that malaria may be introduced in various parts of the country by returning soldiers, this memorandum has been reissued with much additional matter as to the identification of specimens. The South-Hastern Union of Scientific Societies has constituted a standing Committee, with the Rev. T. W. Oswald Hicks as Hon. Secretary, to further this investigation through the Societies affiliated to the Union. We print below the additional information as to the Identification of Specimens, which may be of use to those who have a considerable knowledge of entomology. But in all cases it would seem best to for- ward the specimens to a specialist for full identification or veritication. This is neither a difficult nor laborious task, for the gnat suspected can be placed in an envelope such as collectors use to send butterflies from abroad, and forwarded enclosed with a letter giving the details asked for to the Rev. IT’. W. Oswald Hicks, ‘‘ Lesware,’’ Linden Road, London, N. 15, or direct to Mr. A. J. Grove. c/o Medical Officer, Local Govern- ment Board, S.W. 1. “ Anopheline mosquitoes may be distinguished from Culicines by the following characters :— (a) The attitude.—An Anopheline mosquito resting on a wall holds itself so that its body (which forms almost a straight line with the head and proboscis) projects so as to form a distinct angle with the substratum. In the case of the Culicine mosquito, the body (which is hump- backed 1 in appearance) - is held parallel to the supporting surface. “(b) The length of the palpi in the female.—The palpi of male mos- quitoes, both Anopheline and Culicine, are long, and furnished with long hairs, which together with the plumose antenna, give the head of the male mosquito a feathery appearance. The palpi in the female Anopheline are simple slender rod- like structures, and are as long as the proboscis, whilst in the female Culicine they are short, insignificant appendages. “‘ There are three species of Anophelines found in the British Isles, viz., A. maculipennis, A. bifurcatus, and A. plumbeus (nigripes). “A. maculipennis may be distinguished from other British Anophe- lines by the fact that the legs and palpi are unbanded, and that the wings have four spots in the body or field of the wing, but no spots on the costal margin. ‘A. bifurcatus resembles A. maculipennis, but differs from it in that JunE 15tH, 1918. 102 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. the wings are without spots, that it has two broad bare lines in the front of the thorax, and golden coloured hairs on the abdomen. “4. plumbeus (nigripes) is smaller than A. bifurcatus, the wings are unspotted but darker in colour. The thorax has grey markings on it and the palpi are bandea. ‘«« The adults of all three species are active during the warmer months of the year, from May to October, during which time both males and females are present, but the females of A. maculipennis hibernate, and are found in suitable hiding places, such as cowsheds, stables, cellars, ete., throughout the winter. “The larve of Anophelines may be distinguished from Culicines by the fact that when they come up to the surface of the water to breathe they lie parallel to the surface film, whereas the C'ulicine larvee hang head downwards, supported in the surface film by the tip of a prolonga- tion of the hinder end of the body. ‘“‘Tt is not so easy to distinguish between thepupe of Anopheline and Culicine mosquitoes as between the larvee and adults, and it is preferable to keep the pupze and allow the perfect insects to emerge and then determine their identity. « Arrangements, in which the British Museum (Natural History) are co-operating, have been made for identification in cases of doubt.” Quoting from ‘ Mosquitoes and their Relation to Disease,” issued by the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), we read, “ The Anopheles mos- quito can be distinguished from the others by several characteristics :-— ‘1, The position of rest: the whole body extends in a straight ae at an angle with the surface on which the mosquito is resting ; other mosquitoes the body-line is bent, owing to the more ee or humped shape of the thorax. “9. In the great majority of the Anopheles the wings are spotted, whereas in the great majority of the others they are not. “3. In the female Anopheles the palpi are as long as the proboscis, while in most of the other genera they are much shorter. “4, When viewed under a microscope most mosquitoes are seen to have the abdomen covered with seales like those on a pu wings, but in nearly all Anopheles these scales are absent. “5. The larve of Anopheles when at rest lie parental with and touching the surface of the water, being held to the surface-film by a number of remarkable rosette-shaped tufts; the breathing organ is small. Other mosquitoes have larve which hang head downwards in the water when at rest, and have no rosettes, but on the other hand have the breathing organ developed in a tube.” Attention should not be too exclusively directed to the larger and more obvious ponds or streams; the grass-grown ditches, swamps, and shallow impermanent breeding places are generally free from many of the mosquitoes’ enemies, which can only live and breed in the deeper pools and permanent collections of water. It is vital, therefore, that TUTT’S BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA, VOL. I. 103 these inconspicuous breeding haunts be carefully searched and examined, It is important to remember also that the absence of Anopheles larve on cold, sunless days is not sufficient evidence that the water is untenanted. Experience has proved that they may only be in conceal- ment, and will often reveal their presence on warmer or more sunny days. Figures will be given next month to illustrate these notes. —H.J.T. Tutt’s British Lepidoptera, Vol. I. By W. PARKINSON CURTIS, F.E.S. Being kept in bed and not allowed to do anything for a day or two, as a result of influenza and too much work, I have been amusing my- self by reading Tutt’s British Lepidoptera, a book presented to me with Stainton’s Tineina, when I got married. It is a very interesting book, and is crammed full of the things that one wants to know. But two things have aroused my curiosity, and I wonder whether, without giving yourself a lot of trouble, you could enlighten me. Cambridge is given as authority for “Wareham ” as a locality time after time. Now I don’t believe Wareham means Wareham any more than Bland- ford (Cambridge) in an earlier era meant Blandford. Bloxworth, where the Rey. O. P. Cambridge lived, was once in the Blandford postal area. Bloxworth to-day is in the Wareham postal district, but faunistically Bloxworth is at the parting of the ways. Wareham is a Tertiary and later district. Blandford is a Cretaceous district. Bloxworth stands at the junction. To the south is the typical moorland of Dorset so very pronounced around Wareham. Northward is the heavy loam and chalk downs of the Dorset development of the upper chalk. Bloxworth itself having very close to it the junction beds of the Reading, Woolwich and London Clay series. My brother and I know, in the dark, Mi there, when we are off, or on, the London Clay, in late June and early July, because Noctua ditra- perium never comes off the London Clay into the parts of the local woods with other geological formations. We know according to where we sugar if we are going to pick up N. ditrapeziwn or not, and it never seems to trespass on to, say Bagshot sand, even if it only be a few yards. It is very wonderful really that, as it is a local rarity in Dorset, not a common insect as it is in the London district. We all know that Hulepia cribraria (form bivittata) is still taken south of Bloxworth, and got recorded by Frederick Bond for Blandford, where it never did occur and probably never will, because Bloxworth was included for postal purposes in Blandford. It occurs to me that “ Wareham ”’ may sometimes fall into the same category as an imagi- nary locality invented by H.M. Post Office. Particularly was my attention called to this by vol.1., p. 154, where stress is laid on the liking of M. thunbergella for the chalk, as of course the Fens are Gault, and so many of the localities given have pure carbo- nate of lime as a very material part of the soil. In fact of the localities given, that I know of, Brockenhurst is the only one not definitely in a carbonate of lime soil, but then there are (notably on Ramnor) many places where beds bearing much lime come to the surface in the New 104 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. Forest, and in many places the Bracklesham Beds are highly charged with lime. The New Forest is really known very superficially indeed. Millions of insects are caught there, especially by dealers. If labelled at all, it is “‘ New Forest.’’ Almost as well label them “ England.” It is too big, too varied, and too many localities rolled into one, to be treated as if it were what it is not, a homogeneous whole, and as there is hardly a decent cutting in it, and very few borings, I don’t lay much store on the geological survey of it ; that is decidedly on the skin deep side. It really wants careful study over a long period. Of course I may be absolutely wrong in associating strata with the distribution of insects, but it is more or less an untried key to distribution, and to some extent I have found it does account for absence or presence. On p. 155, is given Dorset, Kimpton (Curtis). Where is Kimpton in Dorset? I don’t know. If the “Curtis” is not the famous father of British Entomology, the betting is in favour of its being me, though I was not vastly interested in tiny things in 1898, but for at least three years prior to that date I had been catching small stuff for Mr. Kustace Bankes pretty regularly, sending it to him with very closely localised data. Is it now possible to tell whence Mr. Tutt.got that particular locality 2? The name is not to a Dorset ear Dorset language, it sounds like Sussex to my ear. There is a village called ‘“‘ Drimpton” on the Dorset-Somerset border, that is on the Upper Oolite, think. ‘“ Imp” is not a Dorset combination, it is a Sussex one. I cannot think, if the name be right, why I have not heard of it. If I am supposed to be the “Curtis” in question, I never have been to Drimpton. If it was my great namesake, I did not know he collected in Dorset. We have Knighton, Kniton, Kinson, Kingston, Compton, etc., lots of them mainly on chalk or limestone, but no “imps.” I only found Drimp- ton after a careful study of the Ordnance Survey map, and that section in colours for the geology is £2 12s. 6d., and so I have not got it, but guess my strata from contouring off from Pilsdon. Of course Dorset possesses no end of “duns,” “‘ dons,” ‘‘ tons,” ete., as one would expect in a primeval “ Flanders” front, likewise no end of “ Knights,“ Kings,’ and “Regis,” ‘“‘ Abbas” and “ Abbots’ of a later medizeval time. Don’t go into a research to try to answer this, but the point may be worth clearing up, as I am very careful about data and usually print my locality labels, I never write them; but Mr. Bankes might have taken it from a letter, misread the word, and passed it on without realising that he had been trapped, especially as, for so critical a man, he rarely questioned my localisations. When he did sol could always draw him a map, which enabled him to go straight to the place, and nearly always resulted in getting the insect for himself by way of confirma- tion. j On page 899, under Adscita statices, the locality ‘‘ Hodd Hill, nr. Shillingstone (Fowler),’’ I do question seriously. Do you know any- one who saw a statices taken by Fowler on Hodd Hill? (which has two “‘dd’s”’), because I failed to find it there, and so did H. R. Bankes, and so did the two of us together, when we made a special effort to settle it. I always told Fowler his Hodd Hill statices were geryon, and he never believed me, although I have taken geryon in Sussex, and have them from Malvern, and I have a few globulariae from Sussex, and a tremendous series of statices from the limestone hills in the Weser 5 NOTES ON COLLECTING, 10 district of Germany so I do know the insect. Ihave a long series of geryon from Hodd Hill, and EK. R. Bankes took a good series in my company, but he was as satisfied as | was that what we got were geryon, and we worked the entire hill very carefully. Adscita geryon is the only Dorset ‘‘ forester’ approaching even regular occurrence according to my own experience. [Possibly some of our readers may be able to comment on the above.—H.J.T.| WOTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. ELATER SANGUINOLENTUS SCHR., RETAKEN on.WimMBLEDON Common. — On May 28th, when hunting for bees for my friend the Rev. F. D. Morice, on Wimbledon Common, I observed a red “ Elater”’ crawling up a grass stem, and on picking it up I was surprised to find it was Elater sanguinolentus. A few more were netted as I strolled about looking for Hymenoptera, and others were seen flying over the birch trees, ete. On June Ist a friend who was anxious to obtain this beetle accompanied me to the same spot, and a nice series was taken on young birch, oak, and sallow; others being captured on the wing. As far as I am aware this species has not been taken on Wimbledon Common for some 25 years, when the last specimen was captured by Prof. Hudson Beare. I have always regarded it as one of those beetles (in company with such as Stenus kiesenwettert, Anchomenus sexpunctatus, etc.) which have disappeared from Wimbledon, probably on account of the large numbers of people who frequent the common on high-days and holidays, etc. Rye [British Beetles, 183 (1866)| writes—‘‘ EHlater sanguinolentus occurs at the roots of heath on Wimbledon Common, where it has also been taken copiously on the blossom of the nettle.” I personally did not want the insect, as I have taken it (in common with many other Coleopterists) in the New Forest, where it is usually found by beating young Scots Firs. It has been recorded from the following other British localities :—Darenth Wood, Richmond Park, Epping Forest, Salisbury, Christchurch, Oxford, Bewdley Forest, Woking, Newbury, and Wellington College.—Horacr DonistHorpE. Nores on Enromotoeican Cotiections in THE Mountains oF Sicrty. —On April 10th of the current year my wife and my daughter Hrilda left Florence to go to Sicily to collect Lepidoptera. They arrived at Palermo on the 15th of the same month, but had to spend several days ‘to find a convenient locality in which to make collections. On April 20th they took up their abode in San Martino delle Scale, a little village of about 200 inhabitants, near Monreale, at about 2,000 feet above the sea, and at once began collecting along the slopes of the neighbouring Monte Cuccio (8,000 feet). . The vernal broods of Pieris rapae, Pontia daplidice, Gonepteryx cleopatra, Pararge megera, Callophrys rubi, and Rumicia phlaeas were already in full decline, and only a few defective specimens were collected. Even the specimens, all males, of Colias edusa (croceus) were a good deal damaged. The form does not correspond at all to the vernal form of Tuscany, named vernalis by Dr. Verity, but in size and colour appear to be that of our second brood. Of Polyommatus icarus, of the Italian vernal form, there were as many 106 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. worn individuals as there were of fresh ones. The Anthocharis cramert (belia) and Kuchloé cardamines were in full development, but it was not possible to collect many specimens on account of the inclemency of the season. ‘The Avicia medon emerged in a form which differs from that of the continent by the presence of a complete series of fulvous lunules well marked even in the males. The vernal brood of Coenonympha pamphilus and Cupido minimus were nearly over, still it was possible to collect several good specimens. Both Species appeared in races such as I had never met with in other parts of Italy. The C. minimus is especially notable for its extreme small- ness ; the largest specimen measures only 18mm. across the wings, from point to point, whilst the smallest specimen from other localities which I have seen measures at least 21mm. Both males and females are entirely black on the upperside. Of Pyramets cardwi and P. atalanta there flew as many tattered specimens, all females, as there were fresh ones (males and females). On May 8rd, 1918, Melitaea cinwia began to emerge in a race which seems to me identical with that of Tuscany. Thesame day there appeared also Amata (Syntomis) marjana,a superb new species recently discovered by Stauder, and Zygaena ovytropis. There were also captured or seen to fly out of reach of the nets, perfect males of Papilio podalirius and P. machaon. On May 5th a male of Aporia crataegi race augusta and one of Melanargia pherusa were captured. From May 7th to the 11th it was impossible to collect on account of the rain. I will communicate the results of the further collections as soon as I receive the material and observations from my daughter.— Orazio Qurrci, Florence. May 16th, 1918. Rare British Burrerrry.—“ Mr. L. G. EKsson, the well-known Aberdeen naturalist, who is at present on an entomological excursion to Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, has had the good fortune to secure a specimen of the rare butterfly, Vanessa antiopa, the Camberwell Beauty of the white-banded form. Thisis one of the rarest British butterflies. The specimen secured measures four inches across the wings.” (From an Aberdeen paper.)—C. Nicuonson. April 20th, 1918. REFERENCES FOR Couiectine at Bournemoutu.—HFnt. Record, Vol. IL, p. 235, August, 1891; Vol. ILI., p. 209, July-August, 1892; Vol. XI., p. 801, 1899; Vol. XIL.. p. 840, July-August, 1900; Ht. Mo. Mag., Vol. IL., p. 21, July, 1864; Vol. XXXI., p. 142, August, 1892; Proceed. S. Lond. Ent. Soc. (1899), p. 96, July, 1899 ; Entomologist, Vol. XV1., p. 201, 18885) Voli XX XT) p) 57, Manch soi Voll) XXVIII., p. 840, 1895. REFERENCES FoR ConuEectinc at BarmoutH, NorrH Wates.—AHnt. Mo. May., Vol. II., p. 21, July, 1864; Vol. IV., p. 210, August, 1867 ; Entomologist, Vol. XXX., p. 248, July, 1896; Vol. XXVIIL., p. 161, July, 1894; Vol. XXXVIII., p. 290, July, 1904. REFERENCES FoR Cotuectinc in Norra Watss.—FH nt. Record, Vol. IL., p. 63, March, 1891; Vol. XII., p. 269, June, 1900; Vol. XIII., p- 869, September, 1901; Vol. XVII., p. 259, July, 1904; Hnt. Mo. Mag., Vol. X., p. 179, Summer, 1873; Vol. XIII., p. 211, October (sugar), 1876 ; Entomologist, Vol. VI., p. 405, March, 1873; Vol. X., NOTES ON COLLECTING. 107 p. 256, July, 1877; Vol. XXII., p. 294, 1889; Vol. XXV., p. 815, July, 1892; Vol. XXVL., p. 196, Spring, 1898; Vol. XXIX., p. 289, May-June, 1896; Vol. XXX., p. 67, August, 1896; Vol. XXXL, p. 20, 1897; Vol. XXXII, p. 95, 1898; Vol. XLI., pp. 64, 91, 1907. Sizes or Brivish Burrerrims.—I was interested in reading the measurements of British Lepidoptera in the Record some time ago, and thought that a few more might perhaps be of interest to other readers. The specimens measured are in my own collection and mostly captured. The measurements are given in millimeters. P. machaon, small 3 60; large 9 94. P. brassicae, small g 42, 9 44; large g 69, 2? 73. P. rapae, small g 34, 9 85; large g 59, @ 55. P, napi, small g 88, 9 35; large J 52, 9 54. FE. cardamines, small g 34, 2 85; large § 48, 2 50. A. urticae, small 9 385, ? 35; large g 58, 2 58. V. io, small g 42, 9 45; large § 70, 2? 68. P. cardwi, small g 45, 2 47; large, fg 74, 2 72. B. quercus, small 9 25; large 3g 40. P. icarus, small 3 24, ? 21; large 9 36, 2 38. P. atalanta, small g 50, @ 52; large g 72, 2 74. L. sibilla, small g 49; large 9? 64. I also have four or five Abraxas grossulariata that were taken at large that only measure 26mm. There were plenty of the normal sized specimens flying at-the same time, but all the foliage was completely stripped from the currant trees on which the larve had fed, so I think that these small specimens were probably some of those starved for want of sufficient food.—Wm. Daws, Mansfield, Notts. April 12th. A rew Nores rrom Mansrietp, Norrs.—My first visit in search of Lepidoptera this year was on February 1st, when I went to my favourite woods, or rather what is left of them, for the greater portion has been cut down for war purposes and the ground cleared of all the under- growth, which has been burnt ready to reafforest with young trees. My journey was a blank, I did not capture a single insect. On February 20th I paid another visit, and this was almost a blank. I pulled off a great quantity of bark from old fallen trees in search of pups. At times Fhave found plenty of Jocheaera (Acronicta) alni by this method, but this time I had no luck, the only insect I found under bark was an Ichneumon. On March 27th I again went over the same locality and took a few Phigalia pedaria and Alsophila aescularia, a pupa of Dasychira pudt- bunda spun up between old oak leaves at the base of an oak tree, anda cocoon with an empty pupa-case of Orgyia antiqua, the cocoon covered by a mass of ova. On this date I also took a male Tephrosia crepus- cularia (biundularia), the earliest date on which I have ever taken this species. To fill up my time I collected a quantity of oak-galls, the round ones like marbles, both recent and old ones with holes in them. From them I have had emerge a female Diurnea fagella, the larva of which, for the purpose of pupation, no doubt had entered the gall by the hole made by the original tenant, and also an Ichneumon. On March 29th the same round was taken. This time P. pedaria and A. aescularia were out in plenty, but there was not much variety. 108 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. I took one hybernated specimen of Cerastis vaccinti at rest on a post in the wood.—Ws. Daws, Mansfield, Notts. April 12th. Visits to Saerwoop Forest in 1918.—My son, W. J. Daws, made his first visit to that portion of Sherwood Forest known as Bricklands this year, on February 38rd, in search of Lepidoptera. He keeps no collection of his own, but is a zealous collector and has been the means of adding some good things to my collection in the past. He was the first to record the capture of Plusia moneta in Nottinghamshire. On this date, February 8rd, Phigalia pedaria was fresh out, and he selected a few of the best marked forms and took a fine dark olive form. Cheimatobia brumata was still out in numbers, and a few were secured in good condition. Hibernia leucophaearia was in numbers, both the type and the variety marmorinaria, which latter varied much in the colour of the bands. Hibernia rupicapraria was well out at this date, and both Diurnea fagella and Tortr tcodes hyemana (tortricella) put in an appearance. His next visit was on February 17th, when Phigalia pedaria was out in numbers, and among those picked out were three of the olive SEQUIM. tell. leucophucar ia was now in scores, and Alsophila aescularia in profusion. There were hundreds of D. fagella, from the typical form to the melanic form known as dormoyella. He also took a fine male example of Hibernia defoliaria on this date, a very heavily banded speci- men with a distinct narrow band on the lower wings. It is the finest example I have in my series. On February 24th, his next visit, he found all the species previously mentioned in the utmost profusion, except of course H. defoliaria. Four of the very nice olive form of P. pedaria and one black female were brought me. P. pedaria and A. aescularia were still out in great number on March 3rd, and on March 10th several more of the olive form of P. pedaria were obtained on both visits. March 17th again found him in the Forest and two more of the olive form were obtained. Major R. B. Robertson. “ Caradrina ambigua in the Isle of Wight.”—A. J. Hodges. ‘‘The insects of Bourg St. Maurice.’’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘' Orrhodia erythrocephala ab. glabra from Devonshire and comparison with O. vaccinii. >_Dr. W. S. Riding, F.H.S. ‘Notes on Caradrina ambigua and C. superstes.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘Entomology and Entomologists, being the Annual Address to the City of London Entom. Society.”’ Notes on Aphomia sociella’’ (with plate).—W. P. Blackburne Maze, F.E.S. ‘‘ Apterous females and Winter Emergence’’—H. F. Studd, M.4., B.C.L., F.E.S., L. B. Prout, F.H.S. ‘Collecting Noctuidss by Lake Hrie.”—A. Radelifie ” Grote, A. “Coleoptera at Ipswich. "—Claude Morley, F.H.S. ‘* Notes on Bombus visurgie.’’ ‘‘Synonymic Notes on Acidalia humilata and A. dilutaria.’’—ZL. B. Prout, F'.E.S, “The Lepidoptera of Grésy-sur-Aix.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. “ Apatura ivis.”—Rev. @. M. A. Hewett: ‘Scheme of Classification of the Rhopalocera founded on the structure of the Pupe.”’—T. A. Chapman, M.D., F.£.S. ‘‘Glimpses of American Entomology.”—J, W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘*The Genus Smerinthus.’’—A. Bacot. ‘ Variation considered biologically : Some notes suggested by the Romanes Lecture of 1894.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘ Wing structure.”’—J. Alston Moffatt. ‘‘On the development of sex in social insects.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘The British representatives of the Genus Caradrina.”’— L. B. Prout, F.E.S. ‘Habits and variation of Lithosia lutarella and its variety pygmaeola.’’— J.W. Tutt, F.E.S. On the gradual disappearance of Lepidoptera from South-Hastern London and its neighborehood.’'—C. Fenn, F.H.S. ‘A hunt for Neuroterus aprilinus.”’—T. A. Chapman. U.D., F.H.S. On the dévelopb-ant of pigment in Nemeobius lucina.”-—F. J, Buckell, M.B. “The Macro- Lepi- doptexa of, Keswick.’’—H. A. Beadle. ‘‘ Varieties of Argynnis selene”’ (with plate).—S. G. C. Russell, FLAS. | “SHadenoid ‘genera; with hairy eyes.”’—Prof. A. R. Gro'e, M.A. “ Zygena minos and its varieties.’’—J. W. Tutt, F.#.S. ‘‘ Notes on the pup of Castnia and Anthocharis.’—Z. 4. Chapman, MD), FES, Basiiles these articles, a jarge number of short notes are contained in every number under the follewing titles: ‘‘ Scientific Notes and Observations,”’ ‘‘ Variation,’’ ‘‘ Notes on Larvee and Life- ° histories,’ ‘* Notes on Collecting,” ‘‘ Current Notes.” The reports of Societies are very carefully edited, and only scientific paragraphs published. The ‘‘ Practical Hints’’ and ‘‘ Field work” for each month are quite unique. - The entomologist who will read carefully through the back numbers*of The Hntomologist’s Record will find himself better equipped for the further study of his subject than by any other means. Price 7/6 per volume, of Mr. H. E. Page, ‘“‘ Bertrose.”’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.E. 14 OVA, LARVA, AND PUPZE. The Largest Breeder of Lepidoptera in the British Isles is H. W. HEAD, Gitontwlegist, BURNISTON, Nr. SCARBOROUGH: Full List of Ova, Larvae, and Pupae, also Lepidoptera, Apparatus, Cabinets etc., sent on application. ~Many Rare British Species and Good Varieties for Sale. Lantern Slides in Natural Colours. LEPIDOPTERA & LARVA A SPECIALITY. Photographed from life and true to Nature in every detail. SLIDES OF BIRDS, WILD FLOWERS, he. A By same Colour Process. LAT «®RN SLIDES MADE TO ORDER FROM ANY SPECIMEN OR COLOURED DRAWING. “PHOTOS IN COLOUR OF LARVA, LIFE SIZE, ON IYORINE TABLETS TO PIN IN THE CABINET. For List apply to— CHARLES D. HEAD, Chuceqaae Donnycarne ; DUBLIN. ABERRATIONS OF COCCINELLA. 121 On the Subspecies and Aberrations of Coccinella Il-punctata L. (With a plate.) By HORACE DONISTHORPH, F.Z.S., F.E.S. There appears to be a considerable diversity of opinion amongst Entomologists as to the advisability of giving names to varieties and aberrations of insects—some, such as Sir George Hampson, object to it entirely, others take the opposite view. Others again are inconsis- tent accepting some and not recognising other such named forms (not wishing such new. names to be given, but admitting those which have been already published; and even accepting some such name for one Species, and objecting to an exactly parallel form in another species of the same genus having a name). In an admirable paper read before the Entomological Society of London, on February 6th, 1918, Lord Rothschild showed very clearly the reason for giving names to geographical races and aberrations. With his views I entirely agree, and I propose to quote some extracts from the paper in question. ‘‘Nomenclature was invented to enable people at a distance and also when in company to discuss the objects of their mutual study in the easiest and shortest manner possible. Now Linnezus, the father of our zoological nomenclature, established the categories of genus and species, and used the word varietas to denote local or geographical race . . .. . but later authors used the word varietas to denote both local rage and individual variation, so the bulk of modern zoolo- gists have abandoned the use of the word varietas altogether. They substitute for it the words susspscies, denoting local or ae at race, and ABERRATION denoting an individual variation ‘‘ As to the desirability of naming local races and individual varia- tions, surely the case is its own justification. It is much clearer, much shorter and less cumbersome to say Colias fieldi chinensis than. to be obliged to put the ‘large Chinese brilliantly coloured race of Colias fieldi,’ or the ‘broad banded variety without blue submarginal oe of Vanessa antiopa,’ instead of Vanessa antiopa ab. hygeia ‘¢The rules laid down by the International Commission on No! omen- clature are the only possible ones to be followed, viz., each species must have a generic and specific name, and a subspecies must be treated trinomially by adding the name after the specific name of the typical, or rather nymotypical form, while the names of individual _ variations should be written after the specific name but preceded by AB.” I will now proceed to consider the subspecies and aberrations of the Hleven spot Lady-Bird (Coccinella 11-punctata L.). It may be as well, however, to point out that in any investigation such as this paper deals with, it is absolutely necessary to consult all the original descriptions oneself : as not only are the references, dates and pages often given incorrectly in catalogues, etc., but some authors take the liberty to construe the original descriptions to suit themselves, adding to some parts of them and disregarding others, which not only leads to confusion, but is, moreover, unscientific and inaccurate. Jury 157H, 1918. 122 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. The following list gives the original description of all the sub- species and aberrations of Coccinella 11-punctata known to me. The aberrations appear to be rare, and are usually only found singly. There are very few examples of such forms in the series of this insect in the general collection at the Natural History Museum, and none in the British collection. Some, however, may be repre- sented in private collections belonging to British Coleopterists ; as is the case in my own. I give the British records in all such cases as I am aware of, and perhaps if our Coleopterists will examine their series they will be ‘able to add further instances. Let us state here that it is much clearer, and much shorter and less cumbersome, to say Coccinella 11-punctata boreolitoralis than to be obliged to put ‘the brightly coloured race of Coccinella 11-punctata with spots two and three, and four and five, on the elytra large and confluent, which is found in the north, in Iceland, Scotland and Ireland, on sand-hills in restricted areas by the sea,’ and Coccinella 11-punctata ab. confluens, instead of “the variety of Coccinella 11- punctata with the spots two and three on the elytra confluent.” ! I have to thank Dr. Chapman and Lord Rothschild for kindly allowing me to quote their views, and Dr. Sharp for kindly lending me his copy of the Bestimmungs-Tabellen der europiéischen Coleoptera, ii.- Heft. Coccinellidae ii. (J. Weise), 1885; which I was unable to find in any other library. Coccinella 11-punctata L., Syst. Nat., 10th edtn. 14, 3866 (1758). ‘«11-punctata, 11 C. coleoptris rubris : punctis nigris undecim. Faun Svec., 394. Merian europ., 168. Habitat in Buropa.”’ This species occurs in Europe, N. Africa, Asia, N. America to California ; chiefly in the neighbourhood of the sea. It is generally distributed and common in the British Isles. Coccinella 11- poe L., ab. pura Weise, Bestimmungs- Tabellen, Hur. Col., 29 (1885). ‘*(b) Fld. einfarbig roth—vy. pura Ws.” Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. tripunctata L., l.c. 365. ‘«3-punctata. 3. C. coleoptris rubris: punctis nigris tribus. Habitat in Europa. Puncta duo ad apicem coleoptrorum.”’ Coccinelia 114-punctata L., ab. 4-maculata F., Mant. Ins., 1, 56 (1787). ‘4 maculata. 30. C. coleoptris rubris: punctis quatuor baseos nigris, thorace atro: macula marginali aiba. Differt manifeste a C. 4-punctata. Caput nigrum punctis duobus baseos pallidis. Thorax niger, nitidus macula marginali, magna, alba. Elytra rubra punctis duobus 1.1. nigris. Corpus nigrum. Habitat Halae Saxonum, Dom. Hybner.” Weise [l.c. 110 (1879)] gives the formula for this aberration “P. 3, 5, 4”; and Ganglbauer [Kafer Mitteleuropa, 8, 1008 (1899)] ABERRATIONS OF COCCINELLA. 123 ‘writes “... die Punkte 1, 2, 3, fehlen.” Neither of these views appear to me to agree with the description of Fabricius. — Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. peregrina Weise, l.c. 110 (1879). FE )0)0)5 15 IB op Mots a) op io. Wo ROCRagRaniS »? The Kuropean Catalogue [868 (1906)] incorrectly gives page “ 23°” instead of 110. Coccinella 11-punctata boreolitoralis n. subsp. (= C. 11- punctata L., var. confluens Donis. [Hnt. Rec., 14, 99-100 (1902)] nec. confluens Haworth. This variety is very brightly coloured, with the basal pair of spots on the elytra (2 + 3, and 4 + 5) two and three, and four and five, large and connected by a broad black band. The insect has a very distinct appearance, looking quite unlike the type form and aberrations found further south. It is confined to sand-hills by the sea, in restricted areas in the north. The following records of this striking looking subspecies may be found :— ‘Coccinella 11-punctata L. Specimens all brightly coloured, and the lower pairs of spots on the elytra confluent ; four specimens only. All taken near Reykjavik.” (Mason) Insects in Iceland, 1889 [ Ent. Mo. Mag., 26, 199 (1890)]. “© C, 11-punctata. The only form of this insect which I found is the var. d. of Mulsant, with the side spots large and confluent, called brevifasciata of Weise. I have never seen this form before; it does not appear to have been taken by many English or Scotch collectors. The type form did not turn up at all ; the larva occurred on the salt marsh, under sea-weed, rubbish, etc., it is a puzzle to me what it usually feeds on.” (Chitty) Cullin Sands, Morayshire [Hnt. Mo. Mag., 29, 70 (1893)]. Chitty wrote “var. d of Mulsant”’ in error for ‘“‘ var. g”’; and he probably intended to write “‘ any,” instead of ‘‘ many ”’ collectors. “ Coccinella 11-punctata, abundant on Machrihanish beach, nearly all the specimens observed having very large and confluent black spots, giving them a very different aspect from southern examples of this abundant species.” (Walker.) Cambletown, N.B. [Hnt. Mo. May., 32, 111 (1896).] “ Qoccinella 11-punctata var. confluens, n. var. In 1890, in. the int. Mo. May., p. 199, Pr. Mason records amongst other Coleoptera from Iceland, a form of Coccinella 11-punctata, brightly coloured, and with the lower pairs of spots on each elytron confluent. This reminded me of a specimen sent for me to see by Canon Cruttwell some time ago. He now writes to me, ‘It was taken in considerable numbers on a patch of sandy coast near Renvyle, co. Galway, in August, 1899, and quite apart from any colony of the ordinary form, though that also occurred sparingly on other portions of the same coast. Iam quite certain of this, for I searched carefully on two occasions expressly to satisfy myself that the common type was really absent from the locality.’ Dr. Mason also mentioned that none of the type form were found. Mr. Gorham tells me it is the var. G. of Mulsant, and he further says, ‘IT think it is a fact that the Coccinellidae tend to vary both ways, par 124 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. exces, or par défaut, at the extreme latitudes of their distribution.’ ” (Donisthorpe.) [Hnt. Rec., 14, 99-100 (1902).] My name must sink, as Haworth had already described a form of C. ee in 1812 as confluens. oS aR . the var. confluens Donis., occurred in numbers on the sandhills, in a similar place to that in which the Rev. Canon Cruttwell took it in Galway—with us it was accompanied by the type. It is evidently a regular Irish and Northern form, having been found in Iceland, and then, as with Canon Cruttwell, not accompanied by the type. The larvee were feeding on Aphis on Lotus corniculatus.” (Donis- thorpe) Coleoptera in Kerry. [Irish Nat., 12, 62-68 (1908).] What I referred to as the type is of course an aberration of this subspecies with 11 spots, it was, moreover, very scarce. In the same way, among Chitty’s series of this subspecies from Morayshire (now at Oxford), are specimens of an aberration with spots 2 and 8 confluent, as in the ab. confluens Haw., in the type species. “O. 11-punctata L., var. confluens Donis. (Ent. Rec., 1902, p. 99). This form has the lower pairs of spots on each elytron confluent, it is also brightly coloured.” The localities are then given and we state— ‘This seems to be the var. brevifasciata Weise, but as that appears to include three different forms, it is perhaps as well to retain Mr. Donis- thorpe’s name, which is recognised in the last European Catalogue.” (The italics are mine.) A very good coloured illustration of this variety is given on Plate xii., fig. 8. (Fowlér and Donisthorpe.) [Col. Brit. Isles, Supplement, 6, 105. 6 (19138).] “Finally, there remain a few cases which I think we might attribute to the specializing effect of insularity—a factor which possibly explains some of the peculiar forms noted from Lundy and Scilly Islands—for it is obvious that the more circumscribed the area the less chance would there be of any particular variation, arising how it might, from becom- ing obliterated by free crossing with normal forms. Suchis . ; the var. confluens Donis., the only form of Coccinella 11-punctata seen intheisland, . . . .” (W.4H. Sharp.) On Coleoptera taken by Donisthorpe on Tiree. [Hnt. Rec., 25, 20, 22 (1918).] This subspecies was abundant in restricted areas, on sand-hills amongst Lotus, on the Isle of Tiree; no aberrations being seen nor taken with it. “In Coleopt. Brit. Isl., vi., p. 106, the name of C. 11-punctata var. confluens Donisth., is retained on the ground that it is recognised in the last European Catalogue; but there are at least three reasons why the name in question is untenable: (a) the name con/luens is pre- occupied for a variety of the same species by Haworth, 1812; (b) the the insect has a prior name, ¢.g., brevifasciata Weise; (c) the publica- tion of the name was unaccompanied by a description of the insect.” (Edwards.) [Hnt. Mo. Magq., 50, 148 (1914).] Mr. Edwards’ statement as to the reason why the name con/luens is retained in the Supplement (Fowler, vol. vi.) is incorrect, as will be seen above. As to his reasons why he considers the name untenable— (a) is correct, except that Haworth’s insect is an aberration and not a variety ; (b) is not the case in my opinion, as Weise’s name, as I have tried to show, refers to an aberration of the type form; (c) is not the case, as § confluens Donis., is sufficiently described to validate the name, had it not been invalid as a homonym of confluens Haw. ABERRATIONS OF COCCINELLA. 125 I submitted the above evidence to my friend Dr. T. A. Chapman, and he writes—“ The facts re C. 11-punctata seem from the history you give to be very clear and distinct. There is the type form 1.—11-punctata. 2.—A subspecies, northern and littoral, which wants a name (confluens being preoccupied) implying Northern or littoral, or, if possible, both, would be appropriate. “ 1.—C.11-punctata type has certain abs. Ja, confluens Haw. 1b, tamaricis Weise. lc, brevifasciata Weise; etc. Y “«2.—C. confluens Donis., 1s a distinct race, not an ab., is very like brevifasciata, but differs by having a much higher ground colour. But if it were absolutely identical in facies, it would not alter the fact that it is a race, the other only an ab. “2.—O, (conjfluens Donis.), has an ab. parallel to 11-punctata type, but with brighter colouring, and probably has abs. parallel to confluens Haw., and tamaricis Weise, etc. ‘“‘Tt may be doubtful if these abs. are entitled to the same names as the similar abs. of the type, especially if they have the ground colour of the subspecies. “Staudinger uses the formula var. et ab., i.e., giving the same name to a race that had been given to an ab. This cannot be sound, what- ever any authorities may say. “T assert that a ‘race’ differs from the typical race if it is geographi- cally distinguishable, but as regards forms represented, need not differ more than by having the several forms in different proportions to those that are present in the type, 7.e., all forms in the one may be present in the other, but in different numbers.” Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. vicina Weise, 1.c. 110 (1879). [The Huropean Cat. gives page 23 in error. | ; ‘ec. P. 3, 4, 5,35; 4 und 5 oft leicht verbunden, v. vicina.”’ Coccinella 11-punotata L., ab. variegata Weise, l.c. SC Gl, IP By By Shee 0 0 oo Wo WMMMagaia,”” Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. litoralis Weise, l.c. ‘fee. P.2,4,5,% . . . . Vz. litoralis.”’ Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. 9-punctata L., l.c. 365. ‘‘9-punctata. 9. C. coleoptris rubris: punctis nigris novem. Uddm. diff. 14. Coccinella nigra, elytris rubris, punctis novem nigris. Habitat in Huropae Juniperetis.”’ I swept up a specimen of this aberration in company with the ab. confluens Haw., and the type, at Sandown, I. of W., August 12th, 1913; Oxshott, iv. 16; Mickleham, ix. 16 (Ashdown). Coccinella 14-punctata L., ab. westmani n. ab. [= Cocci- nella oculata (Westman). Thunberg Dissertationes Academicae Upsaliae, 3, 117 (1801), Tab. vii., Fig. 18 (described in Dissertatio de Insectis Suecicis) ; nee Coccinella oculata Thunberg Diss. Nov. Ins. Spec., 14-15 (1781) ‘‘ Hab. in Capite bonae spei;’’ nec. Coccinella ocu- 126 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. lata F. Ent. Syst., 1 (1) 287, sp. 98 (1792), “Hab. in America borealis.”’]. ‘©G, oculata Mus. Acad. P. 3. p. 33. diversa a C. oculata Fab. Ent. Syst., p- 287. i Magnitudine C. 5-punctatae. Caput nigrum, flavo-maculatum. Thorax niger, angulo antico flavo. x Elytra rubra : punctis 9 nigris, quorum 1 scutellare commune, 1 in basi, 1 pone medium, 1 in ipso margine antice et 1 intra marginem pone medium singuli Elytyri. Abdomen uti et pedes nigri.”’ The European’ Catalogue gives ‘ oculata Thunb. Diss. 107” asa synonym of the ab. 9-punctata L. The page should be 117, as shown above. We here find there are no less than three species with the name oculata. Fabricius’s oculata, 1792, sinks as a homonym Thun- berg’s 1781. Thunbere’s oculata, 1781, is quite a different insect to that of his 1801, and belongs to another genus; the description is as follows :— ‘ “©, ocunata: Elytris rubris, punctis novem nigris, circulo flavo circum oculos. Fig. 18. Habitat in Capite bonae spei. Corpus magnitudine C. 7-punctatae. Caput nigrum, margine antico et circulo oculorum flavo. Oculi nigyi. Thorax ater puncto in angulo antico utrinque flavo. Elytra rubra, punctis novem nigris: unum in ipsa costa, unum versus mar- ginem exteriorem ante medium, unum versus suturam in medio elytri, et unum commune in sutura prope basin. Abdomen et Pedes atra. Valde similis Cocc. NOVEM-PUNCTATAE; differt vero : (a) Longitudine fere quadrupla. (8) Punctis inverso ordine positis. (v) Capite immaculato cum circulo oculorum flavo.”’ Coccinella 14-punctata, L., ab. saloslae Weise, |.c. GU Tao IPordl, By 2h Hy, Eg oo) 0) Wa allasiiang.+? Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. cakiles Weise, l.c. COT IEG Pas Bh, Bp ay eo soo Won Galea?” Ganglbauer (l.c.) spells it with a k. Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. obliquesignata J. Mull., Ver. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien., 51, 521 (1901). ‘Hs sind hier, wie bei ab. novempunctata, auf den Fliigeldecken die Punkte 4, 2, 3, 4, and 5 vorhanden, jedoch fliessen die Punkte 4 und 5 zu einer schragen Makel zusammen.’’ Dalmatia. Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. confluens Haworth, 7rans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1, 274 (1812). (=v. longula Weise, l.c.) ‘8. confluens, punctis duobus disci anticis confluentibus. Long. Corp. i? lin. Varietas rarissima. Communicavit S. Wilkini.’’ Mr. W. EH. Sharp took one specimen of this ab. in company with the type, which occurred in abundance, under bark of palings near the sea at Skegness, in 1912. As before mentioned I swept a specimen at Sandown, I. of W., in 1913. Mr. Ashdown has taken it at Ripley, Oxshott, Mickleham, and Leatherhead. The bands which join the spots together vary in breadth. ABERRATIONS OF COCOINELLA, 127 Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. tamaricis Weise, l.c. ‘‘Normalfarbung. f. P. 4und 5 bilden eine Querbinde . . . . v. tamaricis.’’ Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. ocellata Churcheville, Mis. Ent. Rev. Ent. Int., 8, 26 (1900). The European Catalogue gives the date incorrectly as “1901.” *¢ Thorax noire avec une tache flave subtriangulaire aux angles anieneure: Elytres rouges, marquées de 11 points noirs ocellés de jaunatre: disposés 1, 2, 2, 4; dimension 4. Cette forme différe doncdu type par les ocellations des aay lesquelles lui donnent un aspect fort agréable. Nous avons capturé cette belle variété sur un Ulex, commune de Bignon (Loire- Inférieure). I saw a specimen of this pretty aberration at Barton Mills, on October 6th, 1917, which had just been taken by beating young Scots firs. Coccinella 11-punctata L., ab. brevifasciata Weise, l.c., 111. The European Catalogue gives the page as “24.” ‘* Normalfarbung. §. P,2+38,4+ 5breit verbunden . . . . v. brevifasciata.”’ In 1885 Weise [l.c. p. 30 (1885)] endeavoured to include his abs. longula (which as has been shown is asynonym of Haworth’s confluens) and tamaricis, with his ab. brevifasciata. This form is evidently only an aberration, found with the type, of the normal colour, etc. It is evidently the var. 5 (var. 6. Syst. Cat.) of Stephens [Man 4, 368 (1831)], and the var. G. of Mulsant [Sécuri- palpes, 75 (1846)]. Had it been a highly coloured local race found on sand-hills near the sea, Weise, Stephens, and Mulsant, would have stated the fact. Rye [Trans. Leicester Lit. Phil. Soc., 8, 481 (1895)] records a specimen from Swanage of a form of C.11-punctata with “ the spots on disc of elytra confluent,’ and I took it near Millwall Docks on July 4th, 1893, when the type was very common. Coccinella 414-punctata L., ab. nigrofasciata Rossi, [avn. Etrusca, 1, 62 (1790). ‘¢ Coleoptris rubris, punctis nigris octo; fascia mediaatra. Ommnino simillima antecedenti. Differf tantum quod habet ulterius fasciam atram, flexuosam in medio elytrorum a puncto communi baseos enatam.”’ Hdwards (l.c.) states—‘‘ Some specimens of (. 11-punctata from Renyyle, co. Galway, given to me by the late Canon Cruttwell, belong to var. nigrofasciata Rossi (2+8+4, 4+5).” It is probable that Cruttwell took these specimens in company with my subsp. boreolito- ralis (confluens Donis., 1902), in which case they would be an aberration of my subspecies. Edwards’ formula, however, does not agree with Rossi’s descerip- tion, which, as correctly stated by Ganglbauer, has spots 4 and 3 united. Coccinella 11-punctata menestriesi Mulsant, Spec. Col. Sécuripalpes, 104 (1850) ; (=aeyyptiaca, Reiche. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1861, 212) . ‘‘ Ovalaire. Prothorax noir, paré sur les cétés d’une bordure d’un blanc flave, 128 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. plus large en devant, plus étroite sur les deux cinquiémes. lytres d’ un jaune roux, flaves sur les cétés de l’ecusson; parfois unicolores, ordinairement marquées d’une tache scutellaire et chacune de cing points, noirs: un sur le calus, et deux paires obliques, d’avant en arriére, de dehors en dedans : les externes, vers les deux septiemes et deux tiers dela longueur. Epiméres des médi-et postpéctus, blanches.” This subspecies occurs in Kgypt, Syria, S.K. Russia, Siberia, and California. All the above names of vars. and abs. are given in the Huropean Catalogue [363 (1906)], (though some of ‘them, following Weise, are incorrectly given as synonyms), with the exception of boreolitoralis which of course is mentioned as conjluens Donis. Coccinella 14-punctata L. ab. magnopunctata Rybakow, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross, 28, 289 (1889). “Var. magnopunctata m—Die Fliigeldecken mit 11 typischen Punkten; es treffen nur 4, 3, und5 ungemein gross auf, und dadurch ist leicht diese Varietat von allen bis jetzt bekannten zu unterscheiden.”” Ganglbauer gives the spots 4, 2, and 4 as being larger. Mosquitoes and Malaria. By the kind permission of the Trustees of the British Museum we are able to reproduce the following figures, which may still further aid in the identification of specimens, whether they are harmless Culicine gnats or the malaria-carrying Anophelines. ip 5 A AAS Win Pol h Wine of THE Common House-Gnar or Mosquito, CULEX PIPIENS. x about 16. la. Portion of 2nd longitudinal vein, greatly enlarged, to show covering of scales. a. Median vein-scales. b. Lateral vein-scales. 1b. Portion of hind-margin of wing, greatly enlarged, to show the fringe. a. Border-scales. b. Fringe-scales. MOSQUITOES AND MALARIA. 129 \ % ANOPHELES MACULIPENNIS, Mia. @ x4. The carrier of malaria in Southern Europe. THE SITTING POSTURE ADOPTED BY MosqQuiTogs. A. Anopheles. B. Culex. The above figures are taken from a pamphlet entitled Mosquitoes and their Relation to Disease, issued by the Trustees of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), Heonomic Series no. 4. Price one penny. It will be remembered that in a previous number the larve of the Anopheles were stated to lie under and parallel to the surface of the water, communicating with the outer air by a series of rosette-shaped tufts situated along the body, by which it is held to the ‘“‘skin” of the water. The larve of other mosquitoes, it was stated, hang head down- 130 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. ward, attached to the undersurface of the water-film by a long tube for breathing. At a recent meeting of the South London Entomological Society the different habits of the larve of these two sections of the Mosquito family were demonstrated by numerous examples shown by Mr. K. G. Blair, of the British Museum. It is hoped that in answer to the appeal specimens of gnats from all over the country will be sent in from one and all. If any be sent to me I shall be pleased to forward them to the right quarter and to acknowledge their receipt and the result in the magazine when the identification has been made.—H.J.T. IDOTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. HarLY sUMMER ON THE SuRREY HILLs.—Advantage was taken of a few days of leisure afforded by Whitsuntide and the extremely fine weather of mid-May to put in some hours on the Surrey hills in the neighbourhood of Redhill and Reigate. A preliminary ramble on business other than entomology showed that Rumicia phlaeas was out in numbers on the Common near Redhill, between the scattered masses of golden broom and gorse, flying over the abundant flower stems of Rumex acetosella here and there displaced by brilliant patches of the small dog violet, Viola canina, the whole scené looking beautifuily fresh after the storm of the previous afternoon. A tap on one of the gorse bushes brought out a Taeniocampa stabilis, but nothing else could be stirred. A fence was the resting place of 7. gothica, again a solitary capture. Along a road near where some ten years of my boyhood days were spent was a recent cutting in the sand, and I was pleased to see that the sand-martins had already discovered this ‘ coign of vantage ” for them and made dozens of excavations for the prosecution of their annual domestic matters. The sand bees were in numbers on the hill where the grass was studded with the small mounds of earth thrown out from their burrows. A solitary Cilia glaucata (spinula) came in the house to the light and subsequently specimens of Hupithecia vulgata and Hemerophila abruptaria were brought to me. As yet hedges seemed very unproductive for beating produced only Dasycera sulphurella. Although Aglais urticae were flying about, and had been for weeks, there seemed as yet no traces of the larve on the abundant and well placed groups of nettles, which however already were contorted by the larve of both Spilodes verticalis and Hypena proboscidalis. On a moist common at the foot of the chalk range the “‘ whites’ were common and Cenonympha pamphilus was noted. Conspicuous here were the large dense patches of blue flowers of Veronica chamaedrys. A neighbouring fence in a lane near by, usually fairly productive, only gave a belated Taeniocampa yracilis. In faet I have found fences and tree trunks of late years particularly unproductive compared with what they were some twenty years ago. On a moist moss-covered wall a beautiful delicate little alien plant, drenaria balearica, was flowering freely. How this “stray’’ has got located here is a mystery. Its native habitat, as its name implies, is the far off Mediterranean, and no other spot in Britain has so far as I know been favoured by its presence. Turning down an old footpath, one of the many branches of the Pilgrims’ Ways, leading out of this lane to some old chalk quarries, to NOTES ON COLLECTING. 131 our disgust we found, what had been a most prolific collecting ground in days of old, enclosed, gardened and built over, I had almost said « devastated,” the home of innumerable insects, the spot where the nests of pipits, larks, redstarts, warblers, whitethroats, ete., could each ear be found. However not a)l the area has been ‘ devastated,” although the very special spot of thirty years ago for the orchids, the bee and fly, has been absorbed, there is still sufficient area left to harbour many a choice plant and many a local insect, especially as ‘adjoining banks formerly cultivated but for some years abandoned, may be added to the collecting ground. Here an hour or two is spent while the population is sampled and a frugal meal is taken. Gonepteryx rhamni females are about their annual business. DNisoniades tages is very common and very variable, from specimens almost uniform in coloration to others in which there are large areas of light colour producing quite prettily mottled aberrations. (allophrys rubi is still flying, some in excellent condition, and when resting are good exponents of the Ruralid habit of curving the tails of the hind-wings outwards exposing the stronger markings to deceive any aggressive enemy. Hesperia malve (alveolus) is in numbers, quite fresh and apparently just out. They strike one as being somewhat more covered with lighter spots than usual. Polyommatus icarus is out, males only as yet, and as yet only few in number. Male Euchloé cardamines are now quite common, and the usual ‘“‘ whites’ are always in sight. A swing of the net at a brilliant gleam of colour proves that early examples of Hypocrita jacobaeae are stirring, and a succeeding stroke at a different gleam shows Aglais urticae still in good condition. The shrubs and_ bushes, ‘Viburnum lantana, hawthorn in full flower, nut, yew, festoons of traveller’s joy, are beaten with very little result. Not a Vortriw is disturbed and only odd examples of Xanthorhoé rivata and Ochyria ferrugata occasionally fly out and, if not netted on the instant, up out of reach. Very swift little gleams of colour are captured to reveal the two species of Pyralide, Pyrausta aurata and P. ostrinalis. A belated female Hmaturga atomaria is noted and a few micros are swept trom the wealth of early summer flowers and growth, among which the forget-me-not is a conspicuous colour impression. The micros noted here were Cacoesia musculana, Dichrorampha sequana, E'phippiphora brunnicheana, and a specimen of Catoptria ulicetana probably from the gardens. This old haunt of orchid species seems particularly devoid of them so far, but perhaps it is somewhat too early to expect them. A ‘move to a long sun-lit bank fringing ground that is now allowed ‘to run wild, however, produced several fine spikes of the man orchid, Aceras anthropophora, while abundant patches of the beautiful little Tepresentative of the Family Polygalaceae, Polygala vulgaris, with its Bytite, blue, whitish blue, or lilac flowers, were a pleasing picture. Crossing the well-known Reigate Hill road, which leads up to the * suspension bridge,” a deep cut ancient path, ascending the very steep escarpment of the North Downs in an oblique direction, was taken. How the ensenrble of bush and tree and chalk, ete., with the brilliant ‘sky, reminded one of alpine scenes and ascents now unhappily ‘compulsorily foregone, perhaps for some of us never to be renewed! There is however one thing missing, and that 1s the insect life, for all one sees here is the bright orange of FH. cardamines as it crosses above one’s head. At the top of the Downs, where the beech reigns supreme, f q ‘a 132 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. plenty of Cephalanthera ensifolia are coming up, but not yet showing their white scarce-opening flowers. Lanes and hedgerows at this higher level seem equally unproductive of insect life. Fine clumps of hedge- mustard are searched in vain for ova of H. cardamines, and the failure © ealls to mind that such situations rarely afford a single ovum ; close by the scattered plants along the road-side, where the females so love to fly, are dotted as usual with the little yellow atoms. On a roadside bank subsequently are found plenty more of the man orchid, with Elachista argentella sitting on the grass stems around. What a fortunate thing it is that such a long stretch of the steep North Down slope to the north of Reigate has been acquired as an Open space, and still more is it fortunate for the nature lover that so far the so called ‘‘improvements of civilization’ have not been applied to the ‘‘ Park.” Let us hope that the present recime may continue. Fringed at the top by a muddy, very muddy lane, the upper old Pilgrims’ Way, and at the foot by a winding path under overhanging yews and bushes, the lower Pilgrims’ Way, the very steep, quite “alpine”? slopes are a grand collecting ground for most chalk frequenting species. Here in the season if, and only if, one has nailed boots, can be found abundance of Agriades coridon, A. thetis, Zygaena filipendule, Setina irrorella, ete., etc., among the Macros, while in propitious years Colias edusa will give the very active chances to exploit their agile limbs, and the micros will afford enough to do for many a long hour of setting. ‘“ Plumes’’ and Coleophorids abound in the choice corners of this favoured spot in season, but to-day it is too early for imagines, although one can find Coleophora onosmella cases on the Hehium, or C. livella cases on the Holcus grass, and perhaps O. ochrea on Helianthemum vulgare which plant in one or two Spots is even in mid May opening its frail but brilliant blossoms. To- day want of nailed boots keeps one to the level and the trodden path, and the unusual heat, precursor of the subsequent storm, makes one lazy, on this lower-path. A steep, stony, “alpine” path at the western end of the ‘‘acquired”’ slopes, beyond a hollow I have named ‘“‘ snaky hollow”’ from its denizens adder, green snake and slow worm, leads, laboriously on such a day, to the top where we reach a secluded, wild corner of an extensive heath land. On this spot between high bushes of hawthorn over brambles, gorse, heather, and last year’s fern “‘ brakes,” flies a Geometer we expect and find to be Lozoyramma petraria, although the ferns are not yet up. A Brenthid suddenly crosses the ~ space and it is found that we have hit upon a spot favoured by Brenthis euphrosyne, which is apparently fully out. The muddy lane, referred to previously, now margined by masses of brilliant blue-bells, is negotiated without acquiring too much earthy matter and the open down is reached, where the welcome breeze meets us accompanied, however, by the intermittent sound (or inward feeling) of distant guns, a reminder of the devilry that is going on across the | Channel. Here we note Rumicia phlaeas, Caenonyympha pam- philus, Callophrys rubi, Hesperia malve, and Drsoniades tages, | which are flying freely. The two Pyralidae are also abundant and several micros occur sparingly. The extensive scene, the hot sun, and the day’s exertions have been too much for continued work ; and little more is done beyond noting the natural grouping of the plant-life in this highly favoured, not yet, and let us hope never to be, “‘improved’’, open space.—H.J.T. NOTES ON COLLECTING. 183 Notes From Maceponia, 1917.— Between March 28rd and May 10th, I have had opportunities for doing occasional collecting from four different centres. I have had the good fortune to succeed in eapturing every species of butterfly that I am conscious of having seen on the wing. So far, thirty-seven species have been recognised. All things go into papers as soon as they are brought home, so that close comparisons are not always possible, and the total may really be greater. About twenty-two of the number I believe to be British, but do not care to venture to give many names at present, as my knowledge of British species is very imperfect, and that of their European allies is practically nil. The thirty-seventh species came to hand only a few days ago, as a badly battered specimen, with only three wings, of _ Pararye aegeria. A thirty-eighth of probably Macedonien origin, I found in a letter I had for censoring, Aglais urtice, though so far I have not recognised this on the wing. I passed it on as of “no value to the enemy.” I have as yet found no locality where any species has been abundant, even Piers brassicae appearing in quite moderate numbers in village gardens. A few are extremely local, anda certain Chrysophanus I have not yet seen off a three-acre patch. Colias edusa is widely distributed, but I have only secured two of the var. helice and no others of this genus. The commonest butterfly so far has been a « blue,” which I think I recognise as British. It first appeared on March 23rd, and is apparently still hatching. J have seven species of “blues,” and six “skippers.” Rumicia (Chrysophanus) phlaeas occurs everywhere. This was on the wing when I arrived on March 28rd, _and is still going strong. Quite recently I received a quite fresh male which is a very near approach to the form I described from the Canadian Rocky Mountain region under the name arethusa. This differs from the typical form in its larger size and is dark fuscous bronze. I believe it to be the form known in Europe and Asia as eleus. I hope to get more of this. The only Argynnid so far observed is apparently Issoria lathonia. This has been flying since April 1st, and is still in its prime. Of the Vanessidae I have seen hybernated Vanessa io, Hugonia polychloros, Polygonia c-album, Pyrameis atalanta, and P. cardui. The latter has increased in numbers lately, and can be seen on the wing after sunset. I have seen no Theclid yet except Callophrys rubi, and no Papilio but P. podalirius. Of the three common British “ whites,” Pieris napi has been very scarce, and I have taken another species unknown to me which recalls the North American sisymbri, It re- - mains to be seen later whether I have P. manni. Leptosia sinapis _has not been rare, but is short-lived. Of the moths I have less to say, as I find species even harder to recognise with certainty. _ Sesia (Macroglossa) stellatarum was on the wing when J arrived. It used to come and look in at the carriage windows when the train stopped. I have seen very few lately, and those badly worn. Saturnia pavonia, one 2 taken, and a few more, probably this species, seen on © the wing. ; My list of Noctwidae does not exceed 16 species, about half of those represented by only a single specimen. They include Agrotis (Huwoa) puta, Plusia gamma, FEuclidia glyphica, Heliothis armigera (1), _ A. dipsacea, and Dipterygia scabriuscula (1). As might be expected, the Geometrae have shewn up a little better, and I have probably some 134 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. 30 species. Andaitis plagiata is amongst the commonest, Camptogramma bilineata has just appeared, and Venilia macularia is locally much in evidence. Of Xanthorhoé (Melanippe) fluctuata and X. (M.) sociata I have only seen two or three specimens, and of Opisthograptis (Rwmnia) luteolata only one.—(Lieut.) F. H. Wotnsy Don, (F.H.5) B.S.F._ May 10th, 1918. [Aporia crataegi has become common since I last wrote and I have seen Argynnis paphia.—F.H.W.D.] Frerp Nores From Batu, 1918.—After reading Mr. Sheldon’s excellent account of Peronea cristana in the Entomologist, | made some | attempts to find moths hibernating on the stems of hawthorn in hedges. — The game however is hardly worth the candle as I only succeeded in getting one moth, a quite good specimen of Acalla boscana var. scabrana, on January 24th, 1918. In the middle of March Xylina ornithopus and a white Tephrosia bistortata were seen at rest on larches at Conkwell. On the 18th Tinea pallescentella occurred in the house. Early in April I picked up a dead but little damaged Amphidasis strataria in Victoria Park. On the 23rd at Bathford the larve of Porrittia (Aciptilia) galactodactyla were busy making holes in the burdock leaves. Pammene argyrana on oaks, Lithocolletis corylifoliella on apple, and larve of Gracilaria tringipennella in mines on ribwort plantain were noted this month. A fine Acronicta alni emerged on May 4th, the produce of the larva found here last August. IJncurvaria muscalella was flying over hawthorn in Victoria Park. On the 8th I struck a colony of Laspeyresia perlepidana in a small hollow near a wood at Combe Down. Both males and females were flying briskly in © the afternoon sunshine. It occurs in many places round here but is © abundant in that hollow. Two days later, at Bathford, many things were on the wing, the only species seen and not mentioned in my notes of last year was Phragmatobia (Spilosoma) fuliyinosa. Ina lane near the town, on the 11th, I noticed a large bird’s dropping on a leaf of Viburnum Jantana and should have passed it by but the centre was curiously thin and extended. On exaniination it proved to be a pair of Cia glaucata in cop. Except parts of the tarsi of some of the legs no limbs were visible. Everything was tucked away beneath, even the heads. The dark grey thoraces furnished appropriate ends to the false dropping which appeared fresh and moist. Though I looked closely | and took a pencil sketch of them, neither moth made the slightest movement. Many species under similar conditions would move away, or even separate. In this lane I also saw Coleophora lineolea mining in the leaves of Stachys sylvatica. On May 14th, in a stone quarry, 1 searched a patch of oxeye-daisy and found some circular cocoons on the upper sides of the leaves. All had a hole in them and contained a larval skin. They were the cocoonets made by the larva of Bucculatria nigricomella for the final larval moult. After more searching ten | proper cocoons were found. These were not spun on the daisy but on grass growing just outside the patch. They resemble the cocoons of B. cristatella but are I think longer. Nine of these have now produced the moths. I was fortunate in seeing the emergence of one specimen. It pushed the pupa case out of the cocoon, as far as I could judge, nearly half way, and then rather suddenly freed the head, thorax and the limbs, except the ends of the legs. It then rested and again with a sudden movement completed the exit. It retained the wings lying | 7 NOTES ON COLLECTING. 135 along the body in the attitude of rest usual to this species until they were fully expanded. It then suddenly threw them over the body like a butterfly, the tips of the forewings just touching each other, the hindwings and body were thus freely exposed to the air. After about seven minutes it again folded the wings along the body in the usual manner. This species emerges in the morning, that is to say my nine specimens did so. The cocoon is spun on grass like that of a Zyyaena and the moth emerges with its back to the grass. In a small wood near the quarry above mentioned Hriocrania subpurpurella and Nemophora schwarziella were noted. On the 18th, near Midford Pammene rhediella was flying over hawthorn blossom, and on the bank of the railway a few cases of Humea casta {?) were taken off old sleepers and forwarded to the Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, Near the old canal many Lipoptycha saturnana were flying briskly over a patch of. tansy in the afternoon sunshine. On a grassy patch just above the platform of the little country station of Midford I found two larve of Cosmotriche (Odonestis) potatoria, the only ones Ihave seen here. Four days later I went to Bannerdown. In the lane Eupithecta coronata was seen at rest and Chrysoclista aurifrontella on the wing, while the first Hucosma pruniana of the season flew out of the blackthorn. At Bannerdown there is a group of fine trees mostly beech and oak. I was surprised to see many pupe of Pieris brassice fixed to the tree trunks from 7-12 feet up. Two had emerged and those I could touch were alive. They were perhaps in rather an exposed position which retarded their emergence. The butterfly has been now at least three weeks on the wing. There were no Cruciferous plants beneath the trees but rubbish had been dumped there, and probably some badly attacked cabbages had been thrown down last autumn. On the 24th, at Combe Down, I saw a Pyrameis cardui chasing another butterfly. They presently settled in front of me, the P. cardui was a ? and the other was Pararge megera §. They settled a short time, the P. cardui keeping just behind the other. ‘Then the ‘ Wall” flew off with the P. carduiin hot pursuit. The game continued for some minutes till I lost sight of them. At Bathford Hpiblema tedella was shaken out of spruce. They were all very dark. There appears to be a tendency towards darkness in the Lepidoptera here if compared with those found, say, in Surrey. Some light coloured moths flying gaily over a white-thorn at the edge of a wood proved to be gs of Capua favillaceana, and I took one ¢@ off the grass below, as well as Blabophanes ferruginella. A company of small moths was flying about the top of a small hawthcrn, I netted some and was surprised to find they were Glyphipteryx fischeriella. I have not previously seen this species behaving in this manner. They did not attempt to settle on the twigs but continued dancing in the air. The late Mr. MacArthur told me that in the Shetlands the g of Hepialus humuli, after _ pairing, flew in companies round the tops of the higher rocks. Perhaps the little moths above mentioned were enjoying a post nuptial dance. On the way back I took Bucculatrix boyerella off a nettle leaf near a large elm. On 27th Pammene regiana directed my attention to a sycamore trunk by its bright orange dorsal spot. Shaking spruce firs at Bathford on the 29th, I obtained four specimens of a Blastotere which I believe is glabratella. Their position at rest was not quite the same as that of an Argyresthia. They spread out 136 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. the anterior and middle pairs of legs and hold the posterior pair more or less along the body, but this is very little elevated so that their head does not touch the surface on which they rest. I think B. illuminatella rests in the same way. A moth in the habit of standing on its head can easily do so on a flat leaf with space around, but this position may not be convenient when resting among fir or pine needles.—ALFRED Sicn. Jay 81st, 1918. LiwvENITIS SIBILLA IN SurRREY.— Sitting in the garden here (Godalming) feeding young pheasants on ants’ larve, my attention was drawn to a couple of beautifully fresh Limenitis sibilla love- making on the syringa blossom. This was on Monday, July 8th. This butterfly was dear to my childhood when I counted it a rarity and considered the New Forest its headquarters. I see that South does not give Surrey as one of the localities where it occurs, and shall be interested to learn if there are other records for this county.— P. A. H. Muscuamp, Charterhouse, Godalming, Surrey. July 10th. ToRTRIX VIRIDANA aT Ranmore.—Being at Ranmore on June 12th I could not help noticing that many oak trees were much defoliated. At one spot some dozen trees were in view that had very little foliage left, and that presented a very brown tint. Of these trees one at- tracted especial attention. All the cracks in the bark of the trunk were full of the cocoons of Tortrix viridana. So numerous were they that on a selected strip of bark on one side, six inches (6’’) wide and thirty inches (80) high, 163 (one hundred and sixty-three) cocoons were counted, and they were equally numerous elsewhere on a trunk four or six feet in circumference, and extending upwards as far as could be readily seen. Seated on the trunk up to about nine or ten feet, 64 (sixty-four) imagines of 7. viridana were counted, several still expanding their wings. These sixty-four were obviously those that had emerged that morning up to the time of observation (11 a.m. Greenwich time). The moths, so far as could be seen, were equally abundant above, but could not readily be counted. The remarkable circumstance was that, though there were at this spot a good many trees, and at Ranmore generally, a great nnmber of trees denuded of leaves in apparently the same way and to an equal extent as this particular one, on no other tree were there any cocoons on the bark, beyond a few odd ones. Knowing that 7’. viridana pupates amongst the leaves of the tree, and often on low plants, to which the larva falls from the tree, a tree was selected because it had some branches within reach, a tree that looked as if punished by larve to as full an extent as any other. On this tree cocoons and pup were very abundant in the leaves, or what remained of them. The leaves, in fact, had all disappeared, except of most leaves just so much as was necessary to contain the cocoon of T. viridana. Selecting a twig on an accessible branch of this tree, a -twig 16 inches long with three shorter twigs arising from it, the cocoons and pup on it were counted and found to number 34 (thirty-four). Itis difficult from this to calculate how many were on the whole tree. The twig examined was probably less than a thousandth part of the tree, but if so, this would give the tree 30,000 7. viridana chrysalids. NOTES ON COLLECTING. EY / How came it that in the case of the tree first referred to, and that one only of dozens looked at, the Tortrix pupated on the bark. It certainly did not look as if it was defoliated in excess of the others, leaving no places for pupation in the foliages; it was bare enough of leaves, but certain other trees seemed more so. A fortnight or so earlier, birches and oaks and other trees had plenty of winter geometer (Hibernia, etc.) larvee, but these were not in evidence on the Ranmore oaks, possibly most had gone down, but the abundance of 7’. viridana showed that their assistance was not at all necessary to produce the devastation observed.—T. A. Cuapman, Betula, Reigate. June, 1918. Turr’s British Lermortera, Vou. I.—I was much interested in Mr. Parkinson Curtis’ article on Tutt’s British Lepidoptera, and can confirm some of his statements. My father gave Stainton on one or two occasions a long list of his captures at Bloxworth; then in the Blandford postal district, and Stainton recorded all these as taken at “ Blandford,’ I remember my father telling me that Stainton was never at Blandford himself, and I think it issafe toassume that Tutt’s “‘ Blandford (Stainton) ”’ should really be ‘‘ Bloxwo1th (Cambridge).”’ The case is not so clear in regard to “Wareham.” My father collected a good deal in one or two localities just outside that town—especially on the heath in the direction of Morden Park, and in the Water- Meadows between Wareham and Stoborough, and the Wareham records (e.g., of Micropteryax seppella and thunbergella) are, I believe, correct, though the species so recorded were also taken at Bloxworth. The record given by Tutt for Nepticula salicis, viz., Glanvilles Wootton (Cambridge) is very doubtful, my father was, I think, never at Glanvilles Wootton in the days when he was collecting Nepticulae, and the species is common at Bloxworth. The record was probably made by C. W. Dale. The record of N. ruficapitella from Bloxworth is also an error, and that of N. anomalella covers N. fletcheri as well. *‘ Bloxworth ” is also wrongly given by Tutt as a locality for Phryxus livornica; the two specimens in my father’s collection were taken respectively at Dorchester in May 1860, and at Warmwell in May, 1904. (It happens that I have been spending my odd time, since his collection came into my possession, in labelling with localities, etc., the specimens about which there is any certain record in his notes or in my own. Unfortunately he did not keep a record of every specimen). What Mr. Curtis says of Bloxworth as a locality is, of course perfectly true; it owes its extraordinary productiveness to its position at the junction of the heath, the clay and the chalk; and I can also confirm his remark on the fastidiousness of Noctua ditrapezium in the matter of soil. ; I should add that Frederick Bond was often at Bloxworth, and knew that it was 9 miles from Blandford, but even he used to record Bloxworth specimens under “ Blandford.” —A. W. Pickarp-CamMBRIDGE, St. Catharines, Headington Hill, Oxford. June 19th 1918. Norres rrom Dorset.—I have done no collecting yet but have seen a fair amount about. Stauropus fagi g sitting on a fence at Park- stone on the 12th June. Bryophila perla on 13th June is early, is it not? but it is coming out freely now. Yesterday at Poole I got 138 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. 17 Cochlidion avellana (Limacodes testudo) sembling to a wild female, which I stumbled across more or less by accident. I am glad to have established the fact that it is there in fair numbers, but the wood is coming down for aeroplane work. ‘This war is rapidly destroying, what money cannot replace, our beautiful English Woods. My wife and I saw, but failed to catch, though we both did our best, a large butterfly yesterday rather larger than Argynnts paphia and asandier brown, it flew extremely fast and wildly, not unlike Pyramets cardut. I feel confident it was not Anosia pleatppus (archippus), whieh is a lazy leisurely flier. I have seen that on the wing twice so I know its flight. The insect would be about the size of A. archippus, but though I know a fair number of exotics, I can’t guess its identity, it is very likely to have been an ese¢ape, or a liberated insect. It wasa Nymphaline of that I feel satisfied (nasty puzzle to meet a butterfly you don’t know, anda great vexation to fail to catch it). The flight was nearly as wild as Saturnia pavonia, but more sailing and less buzzy. Pavonia flaps all the time and never banks to turn ; this insect banked to turn as Limenitis sibilla does——W. Parxinson-Curtis (F.H.8.), Parkstone, Dorset. June 24th 1918. Dares oF APPEARANCE oF Limucania viteLtina.—Mr. W. Daws is wrong in his belief that September 20th is the earliest date for the appearance of Leucania vitellina in Britain (Hint. Rec., June, 1918). I have repeatedly taken it before that date on the South Devon coast. A reference to my series gives the dates of the specimens in it as follows. The first three are labelled September 1st to 7th, 1899; the next seven September 16th to October 2nd, 1900, but there is no indication as to how many of them were captured before the 20th; and the last four September 18th, 19th, 23rd and 25th respectively. On September 19th, 1908, Mr. T. A. Lofthouse and I took five and missed a sixth, as I recorded in the Hnt. Mo. Mag. of November, 1908, p. 255. All these specimens were taken at sugar on the same ground. I send this note, that Lepidopterists wishing to take this insect may not go for it too late-—Gno. T. Porrirr, Huddersfield. June 25th, 1918. : A SWIMMING GRASSHOPPER.— When I| was looking for Hemiptera in a pond here, I knocked a grasshopper into the water. It fell about 18 inches from the bank and commenced to struggle, and I then saw it was getting under the water. When it was well under it began to swim, using its hind lees and its front ones, but not its intermediate ones. It swam back to the bank and climbed up a stem out of the water. I put the insect back into the water and let it swim again. The insect was not apparently much exhausted after its swim. I do not know what species of grasshopper it is so I enclose it for examina- tion. Could you return it if possible. I enclose stamps to cover the postage.—-G. E. Hurcuinson, ‘‘ Woodlands,” Holt, Norfolk. June 20th. [The species is Tetria bipunctatus. Neither Dr. Chapman nor I were aware of the fact that a grasshopper would apparently be so much at home in the water.—H.J.T.] Notrs rrom Hy&res: THE IMMIGRATION oF PyramEtis cARDUI.— We had a great invasion of Pyrameis cardwi along the Riviera at the NOTES ON COLLEOTING. 139 beginning of May. They appeared suddenly in swarms, and when I was out on Ascension Day, I saw the butterflies in hundreds feeding on the flowers of Clover, Pittosporum, etc. They were to be seen everywhere; in the plain, along the shore, and on the hills. These cardut, although not fresh, were in fairly good condition. They looked as if they might have left the pupa 15 or 20 days before their arrival here. The question is: ‘‘ Where did they come from?” I have seen a similar swarm on the Hauts Plateaux in Algeria, in May, and they were in avout the same condition as those we had here a month ago. I fancy they must come from very far south, from the Sahara or the Soudan perhaps. The new arrivals laid their eggs on artichoke, on thistles, and on mallows. The artichoke fields in the plain of Hyéres have been stripped bare by the larve, but the loss to gardeners is not very great, as the flower-heads were fully developed before the plague appeared, and most of them had been cut by the end of May. Millions of larve must have starved for want of food. The roads in the plain at the beginning of June were absolutely covered with them, rushing wildly along in search of more food, everything available having been eaten up. The gardeners were very much concerned about this mass of caterpillars, thinking they would attack cultivated plants other than artichoke. Many of them came to me about it and I found it difficult to convince them that they need have no fear of this. Flying with the cardui at the beginning of May were large numbers of Plusia gamma and Nomophila noctuella. The P. gamma were probably immigrants, but it seems hardly likely that N. mnoctuella can have come a long distance, or that it can have crossed the Mediterranean. I wonder if the flight of P. cardui reached England? It would be interesting to know. There will soon be a great emergence of P. cardui on the Riviera. Perhaps another flight north may take place, starting this time from §. Kurope.—Harotp Powent, Hyeéres. June, 1918. British Leprorrera, Von. I.—With reference to Kimpton, Dorset, mentioned in the notes by Mr. Parkinson-Curtis on British Lepidoptera, Vol. I. in the June Hntom. Record, possibly this may mean Kimpton, Hants, nearest railway station, Weyhill, on the Midland and South Western Joint Ry. It is near Bulford and Tidworth, and possibly on the borders of Dorset.—L. EH. Dunster, 44, St. John’s Wood Terrace, Regents Park, N.W.8. Harty Norzs rrom Onear, — As in 1916 the oak trees in this part of Essex are almost denuded of their leaves from the ravages of spring larve, although not quite to the same extent as in May of that year. The vast majority of the larve are those of a grey sawfly and Tortria viridana, although Cheimatobia brumata and various Hibernia species are also in great force. Among these Hylophila bicolorana has appeared in unusually large numbers. I beat, a few large oak trees in open fields on the evening of May 26th, and in half-an-hour or less had obtained thirty larve. These commenced to pupate at once and two evenings later the same amount of beating on similar trees resulted in 13 only. I put the difference in quantity down to pupation, as by this time more than half of the larve of May 26th had 140 THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S RECORD. spun up. I did not try again as by the 30th every larva had made its cocoon, and I believe had I started a week earlier I could have obtained almost unlimited quantities. I have never yet worked for this larva before May 28th, and therefore assume its previous scarcity to be more apparent than real—the great majority having by that time spun up. Another larva in the district in unusual numbers is that of Plusia moneta. On May 18th from three plants of Monkshood in a cottage garden I picked off over 30 larvee and left many more small ones in the flower-beds. Many of these also commenced to spin at once. Arctia caja and Cosmotriche (Odonestis) potatoria have been obtainable in almost any numbers; forty of the latter being picked off grass at the foot of fifty yards of hedge in a few minutes, and some Ayglais urticae are by this date (June 5th) already full fed. So far parasite attacks are not in evidence at all, so there should be a great abundance of perfect insects later on. In addition to larve, spring butterflies have been in more than usual abundance. Hibernated A. urticae, Vanessa to, and Gonepterya rhamni made a marvellous show during the late days of March and the condition of the Vanessidae was wonderful. I believe this to be due to the fact that the warm June of 1917 brought these two species along so fast that they produced a fairly complete additional brood late in the year which went almost straight into hibernation. This was the case at any rate in this part of Essex. G. rhamni, on the other hand, was in its usual more or less wasted spring condition. These have been followed by more than usual abundance of Euchloé cardamines, especially females, and now WNisoniades tages, Rumicia (Chrysophanus) phlaeas, Coenonympha pamphilus, Pararge me- gera, Heliaca tenebrata, and Fuclidia mi are abounding. On the other hand, the Pierids, Hesperia malvae and Celastrina argiolus are decidedly fewer than last year. If this is generally so in the case of the Pierids, it is a matter for congratulation for allotment holders and others, as last year they worked sad havoc among the cabbages and their kindred.—Russett James, Ongar Park Cottage, Ongar. June 5th, 1918. Apatura Iris on Aspen.—During an evening stroll on Blackdown, Haslemere, on June Ist, I noticed a group of small aspens very much eaten and commenced searching for Taeniocampa populeti larvee, which - proved to be not uncommon. Whilst doing so I found, to my great surprise, a half-grown larva of Apatura iris. A very careful search failed to produce another, but this is the only case within my knowledge of A. iris feeding away from its usual food plant. There was no sallow in the immediate neighbourhood from which it could have come. It continued to eat aspen for the two days I spent at Haslemere, but I have now sleeved it on sallow and it takes readily to the change and is growing rapidly.—I». Spring Lepmorrera in Surrey.—On June 2nd I spent three or four hours in a wood not far from the Hampshire border of Surrey and found Leptosia (Leucophasia) sinapts already nearly over. CURRENT NOTES. 141 Things were very forward and Brenthis euphrosyne and Huchloé cardamines were also nearly done. B. selene, on the other hand, were swarming, Nisoniades tages was in most phenomenal numbers and Augiades (Pamphila) sylvanus already well out. On the whole, butter- flies were scareely in such numbers as I have sometimes seen here. Callophrys (Thecla) rubi, Celastrina argiolus and Hamearis (Nemeobius) lucina, amongst others, were very scarce, and of Hulype (Melanippe) hastata only about a dozen were seen, where generally they appear at every turn. Zygaena (Anthrocera) trifolit and Hipocrita (Huchelia) jacobaeae, which were well out, made a brilliant sheen in two meadows, and in a sunny hollow Ruralis (Thecla) betulae larvee were abundant, half an hour’s beating resulting in forty-five and at the same time three T'richiura crataegt. : A useful lot of things were picked up, including Minoa murinata (euphorbiata), Aspilates strigillaria, Numeria pulveraria, Boarmia con- sortaria, and Anaitis plagiata, and Hemaris fuciformis at blossoms ot ragged robin. On an earlier visit of two hours only on May 22nd, I found Leptosta (Leucophasia) sinapis in quite its usual numbers, and took a nice series of Ennychia octomaculata, which was abundant in a sunny corner. In all, on these two days, I noted twenty-one species of butterflies alone, and not counting the Apatwra iris larva recorded separately from Haslemere.—Ib. Hymenoptera or Cumpertanp.—Recently I have been working among the Humble-bees and other Aculeate Hymenoptera to furnish further material and records for the Fauna of Cumberland. Yesterday (June 10th) I turned up my first specimen of Bombus distinguendus @ , it 1s the first time I have seen the insect. Bombus terrestris var. leucorum, B. pratorum, and B. hortorum are all very common here. Bombus terrestris is not so common as its var. leucorum. Queen wasps are this year common, and I have seen Vespa sylvestris, V. rufa, and V. norvegica in this neighbourhood.—G. B. Routteper (F.H.S.), Tarn Lodge, Head’s Nook, Carlisle. June 11th. G{URRENT NOTES AND SHORT NOTICES. Owing to the failure to return proofs it has been impossible to bring out a July-August number this year. Instead we shall issue an August- September number including, through the kindness of Mr. G. T. Bethune-Baker and Mr. John Hartley Durrant, an extra dealing with the ‘ Tentamen ”’ and the “ Verzeichniss”’ of Hibner. We have much pleasure in stating that Prof. F. A. Dixey, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., has been unanimously elected as an Honorary Member of the South London Entomological and Natural History Society. The following is a list of the present Hon. Members with the dates when they were elected. Dr. W. Bateson, F.R.S., F.L.8. (1912), Prof. H. B. Poulton, D.Sc., M.A., F.B.S. (1912), and The Right Hon. Lord Walsingham, M.A., F'.R.S., F.L.8. (1886). The University of Michigan has in its entomological library a col- lection of photographs of the more eminent students of the family Formicidae. We understand that a recent addition is that of H. St. J. K. Donis- 142 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. thorpe, to whom the felicitations of the Staff and Subscribers of The Entomologist’s Record are offered herewith.—H.EK.P. The wife and daughter of our correspondent Signior Orazio Querci are going now to colleet for a few weeks in the great Sibilini Moun- tains of the Piceno (1,300m.). As soon as the butterflies taken in the Sicilian trip are set we shall publish an account of the trip and its results. The Annual Congress of the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies held a satisfactory meeting under the Presidency of Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., at Linnean Society’s Rooms, Burlington House, from May 29th to June 1st. There was, as usual lately, but little natural history dealt with. A very interesting, and at the present time most useful discussion took place on ‘ Mosquitos in England,” opened by Sir Donald Ross, K.C.B., F.R.S. There was also an after- noon visit to the Horniman Museum, led by Dr. H. 8. Harrison, A strong Botanical Section has been formed under the chairmanship of Professor G. 8. Boulger, F.L.8,, and the Report presented by them recorded much progress. We look forward to the establisnment of a Zoological Section under an able chairman in the near future. The success of such sections as these will do much to remove the bias in the Union hitherto supreme, in favour of Archeological Studies. To replace the six retiring members of the Council the following were elected by the Delegates to the Congress :—Mr. A. N. Butt, F.R.Hist.S. (Hampstead Soc.) ; Mr. R. C. Frost (Woolwich Soc.); Mr. J. H. Hop- kinson, F.L.8., F.Z.S. (Herts. Soc.) ; Mr. E. L. Pontifix, M.A, (Tun- bridge Wells Soc.); Hr. H. Sparks (Hastbourne Soc.) ; Mr. Hy. J. Turner, F'.K.S. (South London Soc.). . Mr. G. B. Routledge has not been Secretary of the Carlisle Natural History Society, as stated in the last number of the magazine, but has previously been its President. Mr. F. H. Day has been the Secretary for nearly the whole of the past twenty years. The Canadian Entomologist for April contains short accounts of the various public and private collections of insects existing in the maritime provinces of Canada, Studies of Canadian Spiders in 1917, with notes and descriptions of many new species of Diptera, Hymen- optera, etc. There is a short article in the Hnt. News entitled ‘“‘ The Generic Bugbear,”’ which contains a few apt remarks. ‘‘ Those who refrain from subdividing large genera, on the ground that they are facilitating the remembrance of names, are likely to exaggerate the importance of their service.” ‘The idea that few generic names facilitate remem- bering is not a fact, and even, if it were true, would be worthless in practical application. You can remember one generic name better than a dozen, but you can not remember one hundred names in one genus as easily as you can one hundred names in a dozen genera.” ‘The generic name does not increase the difficulty of remembering the name of a species any more than the surname increases the diffi- culty in remembering the name of a man. If every one hundred of your acquaintances had the same surname, do you think you could remember their names more easily?” ‘* The taxonomists who object to genera have adopted the wrong study.” “If they distinguish sroups which they will not designate with single words, their generic determinations are probably erroneous.” OURRENT NOTES. 143 From an article entitled the “ Determination of Generic Types in the Lepidoptera” by Sir George Hampson in the December number of the Hnt. News, the following quotation is made: “‘ American authors, in the Lepidoptera at all events, and, I believe, universally, are to be congratulated on not having adopted the insidious German specific polynomial nomenclature, by which the specific name is broken up even unto the sixth degree (vide R. Verity’s ‘ Rhopalocera palaeartica’), to which we in Britain have to a considerable extent succumbed of late years.” Again, ‘‘There is no such thing in nature as a sub- species, if a form is not connected by intergrades with its nearest ally in another locality and does not interbreed with it, then it is a species; if this is not the case then it is a variety, geographical or otherwise, and the term ‘subspecies’ is merely a confession of ignorance as to whether a form is a species or a variety. The naming of minor varieties is rapidly reducing the whole subject to an unworkable farce, and it is to be hoped that one of the minor benefits of the present war will be that we in Britain will return to a simple binomial nomen- clature and purge ourselves from this form of ‘ Kultur.’ ”’ In the Hint. News for July, 1917, are some Notes on the Harwigs (Dermaptera) of North America, north of Mexico, by Morgan Hebard, Among the species are Labia minor and Frficula auricularia, both importations from Europe. A total of fifteen species are reported and it is remarked that the Order is but weakly represented in the region treated. 5 In the Hint. News two swarms of butterflies are recorded. The one oecurred on September 4th, 1916, near Kagle Pass, Texas, when the air was fairly alive with swarms of Libythea bachmani (the Snout butterfly), which were flying towards the north. There were said to be literally millions of them. Late in October near the same place several large trees were seen almost covered by swarms of the ** Monarch ”’ butterfly, Anosia plexippus. They nearly all left the next day within an hour or so. A little later the willows on the banks of the Rio Grande were the resting plaees for a still larger swarm. A photo of the latter species on the trees is shown. In the same num- ber (October, 1917) a List of the Butterflies of Iowa is given. It consists of over a hundred species. There is an interesting account of Sex Attraction in the Hnt. News for last October. Hemales of Zelea polyphemus had emerged and were put out in a cage to attract males if any were in the neighbourhood. At the same time some five or six feet from the cage was a moth trap with a brilliant electric light. Several male moths arrived in due course, but their attention seems to have been distracted from their quest, and instead of*going to the cage, or remaining there, if possibly they reached it, they all without exception made their way into the trap. The brilliant light seems to have had so strong an influence upon them as to have counteracted their previous inclination, rendering it powerless. The /nt. News for May contains an important article by Prof. J. MecDunnough on the vexed question of Nomenclature, in reply to three recent articles by Messrs. H. G. Dyar, G. T. Bethune-Baker, and Sir George Hampson, especially dealing with the validity of the Tentamen of Hubner, the dates of issue of the various parts of Ver- 144 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. zeichniss and the Zutraege of the same author, and the subsequent adoption or rejection of certain names. In the Ent. News for January there is a summary of some very curious observations on the cocoons of Philosamia cecropia, entitled ‘‘ Moonstones in a cecropia cocoon.” A damaged cocoon of this moth was found in a rut in a road, which contained three moonstones. To this record several previous records are added of a grain of corn being also found in cocoons of the same species at different times during the past fifty years. As to how these objects got into the cocoons is un- known, some were even found with the pupa still in sit#. The blue jay was suggested as the agent depositing the moonstones or corn for safe keeping ; other birds which this storing habit, such as the titmouse, the woodpecker, the nuthatch, other jays, etc., have been all suspected. It seems scarcely credible that a mere accident would be the method of deposition in so many cases. Does anyone know of similar records in this country. In the Bull. Soc. ent. de France ’ Abbé J. de Joannis calls attention to and discusses a very curious nomenclatorial point. In 1857, Mann described a species Coleophora drymidis from the neighbourhood of Fiume, the cases of the larvee being found on the plant then known as Drymis spinosa and hence the specific name of drymidis. In the course of his study of this species the author of the paper consulted the Index Kewensis, and there found that the botanical genus should be Drimys and not Drymis, and that Drimys is*a genus of the Mag- noliaceae, a most unlikely group of plants upon which to meet with the larvee. of a Coleophorid. Again, magnolias do not possess spines. Further research pointed to a plant indigenous to the neighbourhood of Fiume, and that was one of the Caryophyllaceae, having the name Drypis spinosa. Still further research led to Stainton’s The Tineina of Southern Hurope, p. 357, where, although he previously mentions Coleophora drymidis (p. 98), his words are ‘‘ Drypis spinosa: eases of the larvee of Coleophora drypidis collected in June on the plant. (At p- 98 I have copied Herr Mann’s mistake and printed it Drymis).” In 1891 and 1901 Staudinger copies the error, as does also Spuler in 1910. In the Hint. Mo. Mag. for May, Dr. R. C. L. Perkins describes a species of Stylops as new to science, by the name of Halictorenus arnoldi, found on the bee Halictus wanthopus, on a flower of Ulew, in S. Devon. Mr. R. §. Bagnall describes the following new species of Campodeidae, (1) Campodea gardneri, in turf and peat in many places, (2) Campodea westwoodi, at Rhinefield, in the New Forest. The Entomologist for May contains (1) Descriptions of new forms of Lycaenidae from Egypt, by Capt. P. P. Graves,-F.H.8., with a plate of 10 figures. (2) Notes on “blues” occurring near Cambridge. (8) A list of insects found in Burmese amber, and (4) Notes on various species of Hymenoptera. We hear with much regret that Dr. Norman H. Joy, of Theale, Berks, who met with a motor-cycle accident on Wednesday, June 26th, had not regained consciousness yesterday—H.D. July 5th, 1918. The Back volumes (I-XXIX) of the Ent. Record, &c. (published at 10s. 6d. net), can be obtained direct as follows—Single volumes, 7s. 6d., except vols. I. and II., which are 10s. 6d. each ; of the remainder 2 or 3 volumes, 7s. 3d. each; 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 vols., 7s. each ; 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 vols. at 6s. 9d. each; 15, or more vols. at 68. 6d. each. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes to Vols. ITI-X XIX, sold separately, price 1s. 6d. each. Subscriptions for Vol. XXX. (7 shillings) should be sent to Mr. Herbert £. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose,’”’? Gellatly Road, New Gross, S.E.14 [This subscription includes all numbers published from January 15th to December 15th, 1918.) Non-receipt or errors in the sending of Subscribers’ magazines should be notified to Mr. Herbert E. Page, “‘ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, §.H. 14 Subscribers are kindly requested to observe that subscriptions to The Wntomologist’s ecord, &c.,are payable in advance. The subscription (with or without the Special Index) is Seven Shillings, and must be sent to Mr. Herbert E. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, 8.E.14 Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable to H. H. Page. ADVERTISEMENTS of Books and Insects for Sale, or Books wanted will be inserted at a minimum charge of 2s. 6d. (for four lines). Longer Advertisementsin proportion. A reduction made fora series, Particulars of Mr. Herbert E. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.H. 14 Subscribers who change their addresses must report the same to Mr. H. EH. Paar ‘Bertrose,’’ Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 3.E., otherwise their magazines will.probably be delayed. Articles that require Illustration are inserted on condition that the author defrays the cost of the illustrations. All Foreign Exchange Magazines must be forwarded to H. J Turner 98 Drakefell Road, New Oross, S.E. 14 a Desiderata.—Kupithecia nanata var. satyrata, for genitalia only, condition imma- terial.—H. A. Cockayne, Surgeon, R.N., R.N. Hospital, Haslar, Gosport. Duplicates.—Euphrosyne, Selene, Blandina, Aegeria, Hyperanthus, Aglaia, Athalia, Davus, T’. queretis, Corydon, Aegon, Asiliformis, P. populi, Mundana, Moneta* (northern form), Geryon, Z. trifolii, Carpini, Obelisca, Orichalcea (fair), Rufina, Lunosa, Pedaria, Ericetaria, Strigillaria, Ulmata, Didymata, Fumata, Muricata (northern), Albulata, Imbutata, many others. Desiderata.—Vespertaria, Apiciaria, Advenaria, Prosapiaria, Dolobraria, Pictaria, Brunneata, Blomeri, Rubricata, Straminata, Subsericeata, Blan- diata, Lobulata, Munitata, Quadrifasciaria, Fluviata, and many others. Blackjpins only. —James Douglas, Thorncote, Chellaston, nr. Derby. Diuplicates.—*Dissimilis, Velleda, Fibrosa, *Ambigua, Fulva, *Lubricipeda var. Fas- -ciata, *Plantaginis, Coracina, Captiuncula, Mundana, Lutosa, Togata, *Valerianata, Cilialis, Inquinatellus, Caledoniana, Variegana vars. Sauciana, Geminana, Cinerana, Brunnichiana, Schulziana, Congelatella, Occultana, Vectisana, Dorsana, Rusticana, *Suboccelana, *Strobilella, Nanana, Herbosana, Petiverella, T. corticella, *@cop, Fulvi- gutella, etc. Desiderata.—Good Pyrales, Tortrices, ete.—-T'. Ashton Lofthouse, The Croft, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. Duplicates.—Kast African butterflies wanted, butterflies of any country except species occurring in Britain.—W. Feather, Kibwezi British East Africa. Desiderata.— Pieris napi—spring and summer broods with exact data (localities and dates)—from all parts of the Kingdom, especially North of England and Scotland; Pararge sgeria from Scotland, Ireland, and North of England—exact data needed. Will do my best in return or pay cash.—G. 7. Bethune-Baker, 19, Clarendon Road, Edgbaston. Duplicates.—Machaon*, Sinapis, Edusa, Hyale, Valezina, Artemis*, Cinxia, Athalia, C-album*, Polychloros*, Sibylla*, Cassiope, Blandina, Davus, Betulee*, Artaxerxes, Arion, Acteeon, Galii*, Scolieformis*, Minos, Exulans, Meliloti, Albulalis, Helveola*, Quadra*, Cribrum, Hera*, Fuliginosa*, Fascelina*, Crategi*, Callunss*, Trifolii*, Versicolor*, Lapponaria*, Hispidaria, Glabraria*, Abietaria*, Obfuscata, Trepidaria*, Smaragdaria*, Orbicularia*, Auroria, Fumata, Pictaria*, Alternata*, Carbonaria, Pinetaria, Cesiata, Ruficinctata, Salicata, Pyemeata*, Togata*, Sexalisata, Munitata, Fluviata, Lapidata Undulata, Reticulata, Nubeculosa*, Chaonia*, Or, Flavicornis vur. Scotica*, Ridens*, Leporina, Menyanthidis, Myrice, Concolor, Templi, Agathina*, Conspersa, Barrettii, Occulata*, Tineta*, Glauca, Rectilinea, Peltigera, Melanopa, Cordigera, Interrogationis, Bractea, Craccsr, etc. Desiderata.—Varieties and local forms.—Arthwr Horne, Bonn-na- Coille, Murtle, Aberdeenshire. Wantep, for research purposes, during 1917, ova and larva of almost any species of British Lepidoptera. Offered British beetles (many scarce or local) and microscopic mounts.—Geo. B. Walsh, 166, Bede Burn Road, Jarrow-on-Tyne. Norr.—Mr. Donisthorpe will be grateful for any ants from all parts of the British Isles, with localities, unset or otherwise, for the purposes of study.—H. Sé. J. K. Donisthorpe, 19, Hazlewell Road, Putney, S.W. I would be very glad-to exchange Californian butterflies for English blues especially the variable ¢s, and the blue ¢s of coridon such as have been recorded by Keynes and others.—Fordyce Grinnell, Jr., 712, Hast Orange Grove, Paradena, California, U.S.A. Duplicates.—Artemis* (Cornish), Tithonus extra spotted vars., Corydon var. Semi Syngrapha (fair only), Tilice*, Angularia* (Quercinaria), fine banded vars., Bicuspis* and many others, also Pup Lacertula, Falcula, Tiliz, Consortaria, Versicolor, ete. Deside- | rata.—Perfect only Cardamines ¢s, Cardui, Iris, Ocellatus, B. quercus, Chlorana, Ligni- perda, Humuli, Convolvuli, and many others. Also Pups Carpini, Porcellus, Callune, Dictsea, Dicteeoides, Dodonea, Vinula, S. ligustri, and many others. Liberal exchange or cash.—L. W. Newman, Bexley, Kent. Desiderata.—HKuchloé cardamines from Ireland; also types of HK. cardamines from Switzerland, Italy, S. France; var, turritis (S. Italy), var. volgensis, var. thibetana, and of BE. gruneri, F. euphenoides, KH. damone, and any palearctic species of the genus. Duplicates.—Loweia dorilis and vars., a few minor vars. of RK. phleas (British), and many British lepidoptera.— Harold B. Williams, 82, Filey Avenue, Stoke Newington, N. Mesoporamra.—I should be glad of information on insects or news of other entomo- logists in this country.—P. A. Buxton, Fairhill, Tonbridge. Duplicates.—European butterflies unset on long pins and some set English fashion. Desiderata.—Common British Noctuids.—Hy. J. Turner, 98, Drakefell Road, New | Cross, S.H. 14. Duplicates.—A. coridon vars., including semi-syngrapha, H. Comma. Desiderata. —A. coridon var. Albicans (Spanish) and var. Hispana (do.), and good butterfly vars., — especiallv from Ireland.—Douglas H. Pearson, Chilwell House, Chilwell, Notts. | MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. { Entomological Society of London.—11, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, W 8 p.m. 1918, October 2nd; 16th. my) The South London Entomological and Natural History Society, Hibernia — Chambers, London Bridge.—Meetings : The second and fourth Thursdays in the month | at 7 o’clock. July 20th, Visit to the Zoological Society’s Gardens. F. W. Frohawk | will conduct the members.—Hon. Sec., Stanley Edwards, 15, St. German’s Place, — Blackheath, S.E. 3. . The London Natural History Society (the amalgamation of the City of London Entomological and Natural History Society and the North London Natural History Society).—Hall 20, Salisbury House Finsbury Circus, H.C. The First and Third Tuesday in the month, at 7 p.m. Visitors invited. Hon. Sec., J. Ross, 18, Queens Grove Road, Chingford, N.E. Toynbee Natural History Society.—Toynbee Hall, at 8 p.m. Entrance fee ls., | annual subscription 1s. Meetings : Full particulars as to excursions can be obtained from the Excursion Secretary, Miss L. Roberts, 11, St. James,’ Hatcham, S.H. Hon. Sec., Owen Monk, 8, Shooter’s Hill Road, Blackheath, S.H. Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.—Mectings at the Royal Institu- tion, Liverpool, on the 3rd Monday in each month from October to April.—Hon. See., Wm. Mansbridge, 4, Norwich Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. East London Natural History Society.—Bromley Public Hall, E. Thursdays at 8 p.m,—Hon, Sec., J. ©, W. Shears, 58, Selborne Road, Ilford. NOW READY.—PRIGE £1 1s. Od. Bo ONALORAL oHISTORY OF THE Sei on BUTTER LIES, THEIR WORLD-WIDE VARIATION AND DISTRIBUTION. A Yext-Book for Students and Collectors. Vor ve By J. W. TUTT, F.ES. This volume comprises 373 pp. of text +43 plates. The species dealt with are treated most exhaustively, and Lepidopterists will find worked out for them what are probably the finest life-histories ever published. The work is regarded as the text-book on the subject; and in all probability will continue to be so for many years. All up-to-date students should have a copy for reference. To be obtained from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, 8.E. 15 NOW READY. BRITISH ANTS: By HORACE DONISTHORPE, F.E.S. Demy 8vo. Fully Illustrated. PRIGE £1 5s. Od. post free. Deals with the classification and descriptions of all the Genera and Species now known to occur in the British Isles, with information as to their habits and life- histories. Fully illustrated by photographs, structural drawings, etc. The Book contains 380 pp. + x., with 18 plates and 92 figures. This form should be completed and returned as soon as possible to :— Messrs. WinuIAM Brenpon anv Son, Lrp., Printers, Plymouth, England. Please supply me, with .......... GW Isncooe of ‘‘BRITISH ANTS,’’ by Horack DonIsTHORPE, post free, and find remittance to value herewith enclosed. IN QIN rapeteccashis! Seeie a Voreus| seecoumbora hone exec eh ontns valle ie yeiar ater aie: sretets AGEN D365 os ooe cH oO ONG COMODO UE ba OUOCEODOOGUGOO OLR TTRE NG: So SCL Cr) FOR SALE. Tutt’s ‘ British Lepidoptera,” vols. I to X. Tutt’s “ British Lepidoptera,” vols I to Ill. Tutt’s “ British Noctuz,” vols I. toIV. Tutt’s ‘Practical Hints for the Field Lepidopterist,” parts I to iI, with Index. ‘here are also a few copies of “ British Noctue,” slightly soiled, to be sold cheaply. A. M. COCHRANE, 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. > IMPORTANT. TO ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETIES and MUSEUMS. BACK VOLUMES OF The Entomologist’s Record and Journai! of Variation. (Vols. I.-X XIX.) Single back volumes of the above can be obtained at 7s. 6d. per volume; except vols. I. and II., which are 10s. 6d. each, net; any two or three volumes of the remainder at 7s. 3d. per volume; four, five, six, seven, eight or nine at 7s. per volume; ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen or fourteen at 6s. 9d. per volume ; fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or twenty- one at 6s. 6d. per volume. Back copies of the Magazine at double the published price (plus postage). Special Indexes, Vols. I[{-XXIX, sold separately, price ds. 6d. each. Contents of Vol. I. (Most important only Mentioned.) Genus Acronycta and its allies.—Variation of Smerinthus tiliae, 3 coloured plates—Differentiation of Melitaea athalia, parthenie, and awrelia—The Doubleday collection — Parthenogenesis— Paper on Taeniocampidae— Phylloxera— Practical Hints (many)—Parallel Variation in Coleoptera—Origin of Argynnis paphia var. valesina— Work for the Winter—Temperature and Variation—Synonymic notes— Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1890—Lifehistories of Agrotis pyrophila, Epunda lichenea, Heliophobus hispidus—Captures at light—Aberdeenshire notes, etc., etc., 360 pp. Gontents of Vol. Il. Me.anism and MrtanocHroism—Bibliography—Notes on Collecting—Articles on VARIATION (many)—How to breed dgrotis lunigera, Sesia sphegiformis, Taenio- campa opima—- Collecting on the Norfolk Broads—Wing development—Hybridising Amphidasys prodromaria and A. betularia—Melanism and Temperature—Differen- tiation of Dianthecias—Disuse of wings—Fauna of Dulwich, Sidmouth, 8. London —Generic nomenclature and the Acronyctidae—A fortnight at Rannoch-—Heredity in Lepidoptera—Notes on Genus Zyemna (Anthrocera)—Hybrids—Hymenoptera-— Lifehistory of Gonophora derasa, etc., etc., 312 pp. Gontents of Vol. fil. Genus dAcronycta and its allies (continued)—Scientific Notes—The British Coccinellidae—Notes on Breeding—Notes on Coxmoprmra (very many)—Dates of appearance of Hupithecia pygmeata—Dimorphic pupe—Duration of Ova State of the Geometridae (with tables)—Etfects of temperature on the colouring of Lepidop- tera—Hints on labelling—Melanic varieties—Changes in nomenclature—Keeping Micro pupe during winter—Notes on Genus Hepialus—Reviews, etc., etc., 320 pp. Gontents of Vol. IV. Additions to British Lists—Presidential Addresses of British Association and Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society—Autumnal collecting at Fresh- water, Isle of Wight—Captures of rarities—Collecting beetles—Critical notes on certain Noctwae—A day’s collecting in the Western Highlands—Apparent dearth of Diwrni—Double-brooded species—The early stages of certain Geometrina—Sensi- bility of larvee to sound—Collecting in North Kent—How to obtain and preserve ova—Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1893—Stridulation—Variety breeding—The Pupal and Imaginal wings of Lepidoptera, efc., etc., 354 pp. Gontents of Voi. V. On the larva of Arctia caia (with plates)—Hvolution of the Lepidopterous Pupa—Rev. H. Burney’s collection (sale)—Life-History of a Lepidopterous Insect (Morphology and Physiology, etc..—Among the Ancients—Hrebia epiphron and its named Varieties—Life-History of Agrotis ayathina—Ten Days at Wicken Fen— Varieties of Spilosoma mendica—Butterfly Catching in the neighbourhood of Mt. Blane—Life-History of Ocneria dispar—Zygaena exulans and its Variations— Entomology at Rainham, Essex—Additions to the British List—New Method of Relaxing Insects, etc., etce., 308 pp. To be obtained only from— Mr. H. E. PAGE, “ Bertrose,” Gellatly Road, New Cross, London, S.E.14 to whom Cheques and Postal Orders should be made payable. WATKINS & DONCASTER, “Naturalists and Manufacturers of Entomological Apparatus and Cabinets. BS Plain Ring Nets, wire or cane, including Stick, 1/5, 2/2, 2/6, 3/2. Folding Nets, 3/9, 4/3, 4/9. Umbrella Nets (self-acting), 7/-. Pocket Boxes (deal), 7d., 10d., 1/2, 1/10. Zine Collecting Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6, 2/-. Nested Chip Boxes, 9d. per four dozen, 1 gross, 2/-. Entomological Pins, 1/6 per ounce. Pocket Lanterns, 2/6 to 8]-. Sugaring Tin, with | brush, 1/6, 2/-. Sugaring Mixture, ready for use, 1/7 per tin. Store-Boxes, with camphor "cells, 2/3, 2/9, 4/- 4/6, 5/6, 6/8. Setting-Boards, flat or oval, lin., 6d.; 14in., 8d.; 2in., 10d.; Bo 1/- ; 34in., 1/4; 4in., 1/6; 5in., 1/10; Complete Set of fourteen Boards, 10/6. Setting a ouses, 10/6, 12/9 ; corked back, 15/9. Zine Larva Boxes, 9d., 1/-, 1/6. Breeding Cage, 2/9, 4/6, 5/6, 8/3. Coleopterist’s Collecting Bottle, with tube, 1/6; 1/8. Botanical Cases, be _japanned double tin, 1/6 to 4/6. Botanical Paper, 1/1, 1/4, 1/9, 2/2 per quire. Insect # Glazed Cases, 2/9 to 11/-. Cement for replacing Antenne 4d. per bottle. Steel Forceps, 1/6, 2/-, 2/6 per pair. Cabinet Cork, 7 by 3%, 1/2 per dozen sheets. Brass Chloroform Bottle, 2/6. Insect Lens, 1/- to 8/6. Glass-top and Glass-bottomed Boxes, from 1/3 per © dozen. Zinc Killing Box, 9d. to1/-. Pupa Digger, in leather sheath, 1/9. ‘Taxidermist’s F Companion, containing most necessary mene for skinning, OS Scalpels, 1/3 ; " Scissors, 2/- per pair; Egedrills, 2d., 3d., 9d., 1/-; Blowpipes, 4d., 6d.; Artificial Hyes for Birds and Animals. Label-lists of British Butterflies, 2d. ; ditto of Birds’ Heggs, 2d., 3d., 6d.; ditto of Land and Fresh-water Shells, 2d. Useful Books on Insects, Eggs, ete. 4 SILVER PINS for collectors of Micro-Lepidoptera, etc., as well as minute insects of E all other families and for all insects liable to become greasy. We stock various sizes and lengths of these Silver Pins which have certain advantages _ over ordinary entomological pins (whether enamelled black or silver or gilt). pRETING BOXES ery various patterns which should be fixed in gardens or shrub- SHOW ROOM FOR CABINETS Of every description for Inskovs, BirDs’ Haas, Coins, MicroscopicaL Ossnors, Bossins &c. Catalogue (84 pages) sent on application, post free. LARGE STOCK OF INSECTS AND BIRDS’ ISGGS (British, Huropean, and Iixotic), Birds, Mammals, ete., Preserved and Mounted by Wirst class WVorkmen. 36, STRAND, LONDON, W.G., ENGLAND. SYNOPSIS OF THE ORTHOPTERA OF WESTERN : EUROPE. By MALCOLM BURR, D.Sc., F.2Z.S., F.LS., F.E.S., Qe. Bound in Cloth, 160 pp., with good Index (Specific and Generic). Price 3s. net. A pocket handbook for the use of collectors i the field. Covers all species found west of the Carpathian Mts. Deseription of each species, habits, habitats and distribution. Will be sent Post Free on receipt of Postal Order for 3s. to— A, H., 41, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S.E. : : During summer a very large selection of OVA—LARVZ AND PUPA. ‘Very many wild collected and bred from wild females. Write for full price ; list. NOTICE.—My relaxing tins are now 8/- small and 5/- large size, post free. This is owing to huge rise in metal, etc. L. W. NEWMAN F.E.S., Bexley, Kent. CONTENTS. PS PAGE. — The Subspecies and Aberrations of Coccinella 11- ee lips ele Donisthorpe, F.Z,S. (with plate) -.. oe ue 2 3 : Be Be peano ad ye! Mosquitoes and Malaria, H.J.7'. (with three fioures) ae te a Se Bere US Notes on CouuEecrine :—Early Summer on the Surrey Hills, H.J.T.; Notes from Macedonia, cane F. H. Wolley Dod, F.H.S.; Field Notes from Bath, A. Sich, F.H.S.; Li. sibilla in Surrey, P. A. Muschamp, F.H.S.; T. viridana at Ranmore, Dr. T. A. Chapman, F.R.S.; Tutt’s British Lepidoptera, Vol. I.. A.W. Pighard: Cambridge; Notes from Dorset, W. Parkinson-Curtis, F.H.S. ; Dates of Appearance of L. vitellina, G. ZT. Porritt, F.H.S.; A Swimming Grasshopper, G. H. Hutchinson ; Notes from Hyéres, Harold Powell, PLES. ; British Lepidoptera, Vol. I., Lee Dunster; Early Notes from Ongar, Russell LUE, F.E.S. ; ; Apatura iris on ae Id.; Spring Pes in Surrey, Id. ; - Hymenoptera i in Cumberland, G. B. Routledge, L.E.S. 130 Current Norrs anp SHort Noricus zs Ae tas He SES i ese eSivo dll Communications have been received or have been promised from Rev. G. Wheeler, © Messrs. R. 8. Bagnall, Hy. J. Turner, C. P. Pickett, Parkinson Curtis, H. Donisthorpe, A. Sich, Dr. Verity, C. W. Colthrup, Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, Dr. T. A. Chapman, Capt. Burr, G. T. Bethune-Baker, H. B. ee Pp. A. H. Muschamp, J. H. Durrant, Orazio Querci, Capt. P. P. Graves, Rey. F. D. Morice, Russell James, etc., with Reports of Societies and Reviews. All MS. and editorial matter should be sent and all proofs returned to Hy. J. “Poaxen; 98, Drakefell Road, New Cross, London, 8.H.14 We must earnestly request our correspondents nor to send ws conimunications IDENTICAL with those they are sending to other magazines. Lists of Dupricarzs and Dmsitpprara should be sent direct to Mr. H. H. Page: Bertrose, Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.H. 14. ~ FOR SALE. BOOKS :: ENTOMOLOGICAL. The Entomologist, vols. 20-30, 1887-1897 (11 years a » vols. 39-46, 1906-1918. (7 years | 3 108. Od. Stainton’s Manual of Butterflies and Moths, vol. 1. 2s. 6d. British Moths, Tutt, 2s. Natural History of the Brit. Butterflies and Moths, Hd. Newman, 2 vols. 17s. 6d. Lepidopterist’s Calender, Jos. Merrin. 4s. Out of print. a To be sold for the benefit of the Wipow of the late J. ALDERSON. - Apply :— Mr. F. S. THOMAS, 23, Park Villas, Cheam, Surrey. ENTOMOLOGIST’ 5 RECORD D ee Vee) JOURNAL OF VARIATION (HIDILED: BY | AN hae mae RicHarD S. BAGNALL, F.L.s., F.2.8. ped O72 CHAPMAN, ™.b., ¥.2.8., F-H.8; | T, HUDSON BEAR, ; Jas. BH. COLLIN, Fz. s. B.SC., F.U.S., V-R.S.E. H. Sr. J. DONISTHORPRH, GrorcE T. BETHUNE- BAKER, E.Z.A., F.E.S. 2.Z.8,, F.L:8., F.H.S: Joun Harttty DURRANT, F.£.S, M, BURR, D. sos W.Z.S., F-L.S., 0.8, Aurrep SICH, F.2.S. (Rev.) C. R. N “BURROWS, F.E.S. J.R. le B. LOMLIN, M.4., F.E.S. Grorakt WHEELER, wa. F-E.S. and ; Hunry J. TURNER, F.u-s., Editorial Secretary. AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1I5th, 1916. ¢ a Price TWO SHILLINGS (x2). (WITH TWO PLATES AND SUPPLEMENT.) Subscription for Complete Volume, post free (Including all DOUBLE NUMBERS, etc.) SEVEN SHILLINGS TO Bi FORWARDED TO ~ HERBERT E. PAGE, F.E.S., ‘6 BurrRoss,”’ GHLLATLY Roap, Nauw Gross, §.B. 14 a : : a READ THE BACK Nos. OF THE Entomologist’s Record & Journal of Variation - ; (Practical Hints, Field Work, ete. useful for every year’s collecting). = VOL. VI. The TirmLEs of some of the articles are as follows :—Notes on Butterfly Pups, with some remarks on the Phylogenesis of the Rhopalocera.”—Dr. T. A. Chapman, F.E.S., ‘‘Phytophagic Species.”— Prof. A. Radcliffe Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Varieties and aberrations of Noctue from Doncaster.’—-H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S. ‘‘The frenulum of the British species of Smerinthus.”’—G@. C. Qrifiths, F.Z.S., F.H.S. ‘“ Hudryas ste-johannis.,—d. Radelifie Grote, M.A.” ‘‘ Parthenogenesis or Agamogenesis.’— J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. “ Larvee.’’—Rev. G. M. A. Hewitt, M.A. ‘‘ Retrospect of a Lepidopterist for 1894.7 —J. W. Tutt, F.E.8. ‘*Generic Names in the Noctuide.”’—Pror. 4. R. Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Pupa hunting in October.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘Polygamy and .Polyandry in Moths.” ‘‘The nature of certain insect colours.” —W.S. Riding, M.D., R. Freer, M.B., J. W. Tutt, F.E.S., Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, J. Anderson, Jun. ‘**The Lepidoptera of Swansea,’’—Major R. B. Robertson. ‘‘Caradrina ambigua in the Isle of Wight.’’—A. J. Hodges. ‘The insects of Bourg St. Maurice.”’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘* Orrhodia erythrocephala ab. glabra from Devonshire and comparison with O. vaccinii.’—Dr. W. S. Riding, F.E.S. ‘Notes on Caradrina ambigua and C. superstes.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘Hntomology and Entomologists, being the Annual Address to the City of London Entom. Society.’’ Notes on Aphomia sociella’’ (with plate).—W. P. Blackburne Maze, F.E.S. ‘‘ Apterous females and Winter Emergence ’’—H. F’. Studd, M.A., B.C.L., F.H.S., L. B. Prowt, F.H.S. ‘Collecting Noctuids by Lake Erie.”—A. Radclife Grote, M.A. ‘‘ Coleoptera at *Ipswich.’—Claude Morley, F.E.S. ‘Notes on Bombus visurgie.’’ ‘‘Synonymic Notes on Acidalia humilata and A. dilutaria.”—Z. B. Prout, F.H.S, “ The Lepidoptera of Grésy-sur-Aix,’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘‘Apatura ivis.’_—Rev. @. M. A. Hewett: ‘’Scheme of Classification of the Rhopalocera founded on the structure of the Pups.”—T. A, — Chapman, M.D., F.E£.S. ‘‘Glimpses of American Entomology.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘*The Genus ~ Smerinthus.’’—A. Bacot. ‘* Variation considered biologically : Some notes suggested by the Romanes Lecture of 1894.”—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘* Wing structure.”—J. Alston Moffatt. ‘‘On the development of sex in social insects.”_—J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ‘‘The British representatives of the Genus Caradrina.’’— L. B. Prout, F.H.S.. ‘‘ Habits and variation of Lithosia lutarella and its variety pygmaeola.’’— J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. On the gradual disappearance of Lepidoptera from South-Hastern London and its neighbourhood.’’—C. Fenn, F.H#.S. ““A hunt for Neuroterus aprilinus.’’—7. A. Chapman. M.D., F.E.S. ‘On the development of pigment in Nemeobius lucina.’’—F. J, Buckell, M.B. ‘The Macro-Lepi- doptera of Keswick.’’—H. A. Beadle. ‘‘ Varieties of Argynnis selene” (with plate).—S. @. C. Russell, F.H.S. ‘‘Hadenoid genera with hairy eyes.’—Prof. A. R. Grote, M.A. ‘ Zygeena minos and its varieties.’—J. W. Tutt, F.H.S. ‘* Notes on the pups of Castnia and Anthocharis.’—T7. A. Chapman, M.D., F.E.S. : Besides these ariicles,\a large number of short notes are contained in every number under the follewing titles: ‘‘ Scientific Notes and Observations,” ‘‘ Variation,”’ ‘‘ Notes on Larye and Life- histories,’ “Nc t¢s dn Collecting,’? ‘Current Notes.” The reports of Societies are very carefully edited, and only scieritific paragraphs published. The ‘‘ Practical Hints’’ and ‘‘ Field work’’ for each month are quite unique. The entoroologist who wili vead carefully through the back numbers of U’'he Hntomologist’s Record. will find himself better equipped for the further study of his subject than by any other means. Price 7/6 per volume, of Mr. H. E. Page, ‘‘ Bertrose.” Gellatly Road, New Cross, S.E. 14 OVA, LARV4:, AND PUP-E. The Largest Breeder of Lepidoptera.in the British Isles is 7H. W. HEAD, Gitontaloagist, — BURNISTON, Nr. SCARBOROUGH. © Hull List of Ova, Uarvae, and Pupae, also Lepidoptera, Apparatus, Cabinets etc., sent on application. Many Rare British Species and Good Varieties for Sale. Lantern Slides in Natural Colours. LEPIDOPTERA & LARVA A SPECIALITY, 2 Photographed from life and true to Nature in every detail. SLIDES OF BIRDS, WILD FLOWERS, &c., By same Colour Process. LAt «BRN SLIDES MADE TO ORDER FROM ANY SPECIMEN OR COLOURED DRAWING, PHOTOS IN COLOUR OF LARVA, LIFE SIZE, ON IYORINE TABLETS TO PIN IN THE CABINET. For List apply to— CHARLES D. HEAD, Cherrymount, Donnycarney, DUBLIN. hans 2 iol War aac tag Sore tet VARIETAL AND ABERRATIONAL NOMENCLATURE. 145 The Genus Hesperia. (With two plates.) By T. A. CHAPMAN, M.D., F.R.S8. (Continued from vol. xxix., p. 145.) Various circumstances, of which questions of paper and printing have not been the least, have interfered with the continuation of this exposition of the Huropean Hesperias, founded on Dr. Reverdin’s Revision in the Htudes de Lépidoptérologie comparée, Fasc. xii. I now offer the plates of the undersides of imagines, that ought strictly to have appeared with the last portion. These are those of five species of the cacaliae group and H. antonia for comparison with H. sidae. These reproductions from Mr. Tonge’s photographs are rather pale and weak, and not so satisfactory as those in pl. ix. of vol. 29. Still they show the forms and dispositions of the markings. These have been already dealt with, so that it is unnecessary to go over the same ground again. In the photographs of H. sidae and H. antonia the two species do not look so much alike as the actual specimens do. The orange in antonia is yellower than in sidae. The effect is a difference in the photographic values that does not strike one at all strongly in the insects themselves, the orange in sidae comes out as very much darker than that of antonia does, so that the photographs make the differences between the two species quite obvious. In the insects themselves the feature of both having orange bands that we hardly expect in Hesperias, impresses one with the resemblances and obscures the differences. The male appendages of H. sidae and H. antonia show that they belong to very different sections of the genus. Varietal and Aberrational Nomenclature. A Protest. By GEORGE WHEELER, M.A., F.Z.S., F.E.S. I feel impelled to write a few lines of friendly but emphatic protest against the position taken up by my colleagues, Dr. Chapman and Mr. Donisthorpe, in our July issue (pp. 124, 125), with regard to racial and aberrational nomenclature. Their contention is summed up in the following words written by Dr. Chapman and quoted, apparently with approval, by Mr. Donisthorpe. ‘¢ Staudinger uses the formula var. et ab., i.e., giving the same name to a race that had been given to an ab. This cannot be sound, what- ever any authorities may say. ~“T assert that a ‘race’ differs from the typical race if i€ is geo- graphically distinguishable, but as regards forms represented, need not differ more than by having the several forms in different proportions to those that are present in the type, 7.e., all forms in the one may be present in the other, but in different proportions.” I cannot imagine a piece of reasoning more unsound, nor a practice which, if followed out, would be more calculated to cause confusion, and to produce a burdensome and quite unnecessary addition to the already somewhat superabundant list of varietal and aberrational names. The only purpose of a name is to make the object named recognisable without a description (as Mr. Donisthorpe allows when quoting with marked approval Lord Rothschild’s paper on the subject), Avueust-Sepremsrr 15rx, 1918. 146 THE ENTOMOLOGIST ’S RECORD. and has nothing whatever to do with the numbers or the proportion to other forms in which the object named may be found. (For instance, an arm-chair is an arm-chair, whether it occurs in the lounge of a Club where it is the dominant form, or as the seat of the President at the meetings of the Entomological Society, where it is a unique aberration.) I hold no _ brief for Staudinger’s Catalogue, and probably few people have spoken or written stronger criticisms upon it than I have, but I am convinced that his expression “var. et ab.” is entirely correct, for it is well known to everyone, and the fact is referred to by Dr. Chapman in the passage quoted above, that any form of a species which is racial in any locality is liable to appear as an aberration in others where the dominant form — is different, and the same name must apply to all insects of the same facies wherever they come from and in whatever proportions they may happen to be found. Let us follow out the opposite suggestion and see where it must and where it might land us. The blue ? of Agriades coridon appears in many places as an occasional aberration and is called ab. syngrapha; the corresponding form of A. thetis, which appears in the same way, is known as ab. ceronus ; but in some parts of the French department of Charente Inférieure the blue form of the 9? of both these species is racial; we must not then use the aberra- tional names syngrapha and cevonus for these races, and are at once confronted with two new extra names, and shall have an aberrational and a racial name for absolutely identical insects, and furthermore shall never know, unless we possess exact locality data, by which name we are to call any given specimen of the form. In the case of Lycaena arion matters would be far worse. There are a number of named racial forms of this species, most of which turn up as occasional aberrations in other localities, so that the type form may appear in one locality as an aberration of the racial form liywrica, in another as an aberration of the racial form arcina, in another of laranda, etc., etc., etc., and for each of these it ought logically to have a different name, in order that we may know of which racial form it is an individual aberration ; and to this would be added new names for each of these local races when they appeared as aberrational forms in the areas where others were dominant. These are merely typical instances representative of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of others. The proposition indeed has only to be stated thus to carry its own refutation. The only alternative is the simple and natural conception of a wame as applicable to any and every insect (or other object) of the form to which the name was originally applied, quite indepen- dently of the proportion in which the form may appear, the fact that it is aberrational in any given locality being sufficiently notified by the prefix ‘“ab.,’’ which can be omitted in writing or speaking of a locality where it is racial. Lampronia quadripunctella, Fab., and its aberrations. By ALFRED SICH, F.E.S. Lampronia quadripunctella is a dusky moth with pale spots. It varies greatly in the number of spots present on the forewing. This variation has prevented some authors from understanding the descrip-. LAMPRONIA QUADRIPUNCTELLA, FAB. 147 tion given by Fabricius, and consequently caused the naming of certain varieties as separate species. I will first briefly explain the position of the pale spots and then notice the more important descriptions of the insect. In fine examples the forewings are dark greyish-brown, and in fully marked specimens there are five more or less distinct pale spots. For convenience I number the spots. Spot 1 is vertical and rather elongate, and situated on the dorsum before the middle of the wing; more often present in the @?. Spot 2, subquadrate or triangular, rises from the dorsum beyond the middle. This is the most conspicuous, and present in all specimens that I have seen. . Spot 8, usually small, just above spot 2, but generally slightly nearer the base of the wing, often connected with 2. Spot 4, small and triangular, situated on the costa near the apex of the wing. Spot 5, the smallest, les between spot 3 and the costa; usually absent. In 1781, Fabricius describes Tinea quadripunctella as follows :— _** Alis fuscis punctis duobus albidis. Alae anticae omnino fuscae nitidae, punctis duobus in medio approximatis albis, altera ad marginem tenu- iorem majori transversa.”’ With two exceptions this diagnosis exactly describes that form of the species which exhibits only the second dorsal spot and the smaller spot immediately above it, that is the only con- Spicuous spots are 2 and 3. The word ‘‘nitidae’’ seems unsuitable, but if the wings be viewed without the aid of a lens there is a slight sheen visible. In a later description (Hnt. Syst., ili., 2, p. 311) this word is omitted. Again, though the spots are not exactly in the centre of the wing, the lower one commences and the upper one lies near the middle. This form with spots 2 and 8 is then the type of the species. Duponchel describes another form in 1844, under the name of Jn- curvaria bipunctella, he says his moth has two white spots on the inner margin of the forewings, one near the base and the other at the anal angle. He then had the form with spots 1 and 2 conspicuous. Spot 2 is not at the anal angle, but I haye seen the original drawing for the figure of this species in Duponchel’s work, and it certainly represents this insect and shows the form with two spots on the dorsum, one before and the other beyond the middle. Zeller, who captured two specimens at Glogau, and had three others probably sent to him by Stainton, describes the species in 1852. But curiously none of his specimens belonged to either of the forms previously described. He calls his moth Lampronia morosa, and states that it has a small whitish or yellowish triangle at the anal angle, and very obliquely opposite, beyond the commencement of the costal fringe, is an indistinct dot of the same colour. Here then we have a descrip- tion of that form of the species in which spots 2 and 4 only appear. He also mentions a form with no costal spot, which he calls ‘‘ variety b.” Here all spots but 2 are absent. Haworth, Stephens, and Stainton all recognised the insect described _ by Fabricius and employed the name he gave it, but the insect is known on the continent by Zeller’s name, morosa. The Abbé Joannis, writing in 1915, said that if a specimen of morosa should be found having a pale spot on the dorsum near the base, 148 . THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. it must be concluded that Duponchel’s and Zeller’s insects are the same Species. In May, 1916, Mr. Ebray Sich took a fine ? with this spot clearly marked, at Northwood, Middlesex.. This specimen was shown to Mr. J. H. Durrant, and it was then seen that several specimens in the ~ British Museum collection exhibited this spot or traces of it. There is no doubt that quadripunctella, bipunctella, and morosa are merely forms of the same species. Had Zeller had a good series of this insect he would not have written the long note he appended to his description of morosa. The pale spots vary in size, shape, and distinctness. I have seen British specimens of all the five forms mentioned here. The subjoined | key many be useful. 1. Spots 2 and 38 conspicuous, there may be traces of other spots . , quadripunctella, Fab. (Fab., Species Insect., ii., p. 298, 52, 1781). 2. Spots 1 and 2 conspicuous, 38 may be present, if so connected | with 2. . ab. bipunctella, Dup. (Dup., Hist. Nat. Lep., Suppl., iv., pp. | 513-524, pl. 89, f. 9., 1844). 3. Spots 2 and 4 alone present . . ab. morosa, Zell. (Zell., Linn. Fint., vi., p. 181, 1852). 4. Spot 2 alone present . . ‘‘ab. b” of Zeller. This may be called ab. unipunctella. 5. Spots 1-5 all visible .. This may be called ab. quinquepunc- tella n. ab. Hybrids of Zygaena filipendulae and of Z. lonicerae. By Hon. H. ONSLOW. In an interesting note in the April number of the H'ntomologist’s Record, Mr. Bethune-Baker came to the conclusion that “ any species : of Zygaena found no difficulty in copulating with any other species.” This refers to continental races in the wild state, which of course is a | very different set of conditions from those experienced in artificial breeding. Some observations on an attempt to breed hybrids between Z. fili- | pendulae and Z. lonicerae in 1916-17 may not, however, be without interest. | The only record I can find of such hybrids is by W. H. Fletcher, ‘‘ Notes on hybridising Burnet Moths,” in the Ent. Mo. Magq., vol. 29, On wo) a In 1916 I procured about 200 males and females of the above species. By judiciously retarding it was so arranged that the insects emerged at the same time. A number of cages were arranged each | containing five or six male jilipendulae with a similar number of female | lonicerae, and vice versa. ‘These cages were filled with flowers and put in the sun. The males of both species made every attempt to pair, flying round and round the females while curving in their abdomens, but their attempts to copulate were in vain, in spite of the fact that the female did not appear to resist. After many failures the males would renew their attempts again and again, sometimes almost sue- ceeding. The proportion of males to females in the cage was frequently varied, and many single pairs were also placed together. Certainly FIELD NOTES FROM MACEDONIA, 1918. I. 149 while watching these efforts it was difficult not to believe that there existed some structural modification of the genitalia which prevented copulation, for as soon as an insect was given a mate of the same species copulation was instantaneously effected. Only one pairing between Z. filipendulae @ and Z. lonicerae 3 was obtained. It lasted a normal time and the female laid nearly 300 eggs, most of which were fertile. I had also a few hippocrepidis and trifolii, and obtained pairings between a hippocrepidis 2 x trifolii 3, hippocrepidis 2 x lonicerae 3, and lonicerae 2? x hippocrepidis g. The first two females laid eggs which were infertile. The last pairing only lasted five minutes, and no eges were laid. - The larvee of the first cross fed well and hibernated successfully, but owing to a heart-rending accident were all killed just before they began to feed up. A similar attempt was made in 1917, and three pairings were obtained between filipendulae and lonicerae, but none of the eggs were fertile. On the other hand no great difficulty was found in obtaining pair- ings between trifolii 2 and lonicerae § , which proved fertile. If any reader were to find five-spot and six-spot burnets in copula, he would be conferring the greatest favour if he would place the insects in a cardboard box lined with moist filter paper firmly sewn to the sides, and would send them to the author, at 8, Selwyn Gardens, Cam- bridge. The material is required for genetic research work. [Unfortunately the above did not reach us until after the July number was published, and hence the request is probably too late for the present season.—H.J.T.] Field Notes from Macedonia, 1918. I. By Caprain M. BURR, D.Sc., F.E.S., Htc. The following few observations are the continuation of a little series of “ Field Notes from Salonika,’ which appeared in the F/ntomologist’s Record during 1916. Unfortunately, the collection of Orthoptera made in that year was destroyed in the great fire that ravaged Salonika in August last year, together with a quantity of other things that I valued. In 1917, partly from lack of time, and partly from lack of energy, I looked for little, took less, and lost that. All I have to show for last year is the record of asecond, as yet unidentified, species of Acrometopa, which I found, together with A. macropoda, in one of the numerous gulches that split the hills on the right bank of the Struma valley ; this second species differs from A. macropoda in the decidedly bluish tinge of its colour, in the shorter elytra, which are rounded at the apex, and not obliquely truncate, and the wings do not project beyond them. It is not gratifying to have spent two anda half summers in so interesting and unworked a country as Macedonia, and to have little or nothing to show for it, so I have resolved for the rest of the present season to do as much collecting as time and circumstances permit. It is very desirable to make some observation on the habits of these creatures, and to make long series of the species which are abundant here, but unknown in other districts. By the second half of February it really seemed that spring had begun ; we had enjoyed some five or six weeks of fine sunny weather, broken by occasional sand storms, varied with blizzards. On February 150 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. 11th, Colias edusa was flying freely on the rocky hillsides at the back of Lembet village, and the stones were crowded with a little fluffy black moth, folding its wings penthouse fashion, with strongly pecti- nate antenne; mauve and yellow crocuses were springing up all around,. and the Egyptian Vulture was soaring overhead, while Partridges and Crested Larks were beginning to discuss their domestic arrangements in the fields. But a month of wild weather followed; it was not until March 19th that I saw the first hibernated grasshopper, the inevitable Hpa- | cromia, on the wing; Pieris brassicae was flying, and big ants had made | their appearance. Gryllus domesticus was chirping in our field kitchens, | and the Stone Curlew giving his weird whistle in the plains around. On March 28th a violent blizzard stripped all the fruit trees of their blossom, yet two days later I saw one benumbed Swallow. By the end of April the weather was milder again, and immature dull black crickets, probably G. burdiyalensis, were swarming on the banks of the Struma. Fpacromia and Acridium aegyptiun: were flying freely. On May 4th, Papilio machaon and P. podalirius, and a hand- some Thais, were flying freely, Lycaenids were numerous, and a fairly advanced female Poecilimon was picked up near Deve Kran. On the 26th, among the thorn thickets and glades on the north side of Lake Beshik, Thais and Limenitis camilla were observed; the delicate Nemoptera coa, apparently a prey for all raptorial insects, was flutter- ing helplessly about, and huge horse-flies with great emerald-green | eyes, pestered our animals. On an excursion for a few days to the | monasteries on Mt. Athos, I was struck by the richness of plant-life, but by the apparent poverty of the fauna; I noticed no Orthoptera, and practically no Lepidoptera, except a couple of Gonepteryx cleopatra. On June 10th, Glyphanus heldreichi, Br., was mature at Mikra. On the 18th there were clouds of immature Cidipodids and Acridiids on the rocky hills between Lembet and Derbend, and I saw the richly contrasted black and yellow Ascalaphus kolyvanensis dash past; in a mulberry orchard at Derbend there was a colony of Olynthoscelis ; I took an adult male, which seems to be (. chabrieri or else one of the closely related species. I had previously been struck by the scarcity of this genus here, for it is abundantly represented in the more northern Balkan countries, and in past years I have taken several species in Wallachia, Hercegovina, Montenegro, and Dalmatia. On June 4th, Mr. F. H. Wolley-Dod called, and we climbed together to the top of a jagged peak in the neighbourhood of my camp, where we saw several Melanargia, the first which he had observed out here. Glyphanus was common, but all specimens from the rocks were of a slaty-blue colour, quite different from the brown ones from the sandy plains; perhaps this is Brunner’s second species. Arcyptera flavicosta was freshly adult, as also the purely Macedonian Gampsocleis abbreviatus, Br., an active and ferocious Decticid, which has been referred to in previous notes in these pages. The red-winged form of Celes variabilis was numerous, and Platycleis, of the P. grisea group was swarming, probably representatives of several species. Decticus albifrons is a very conspicuous insect out here, his loud and self-asserting stridulating calling attention to himself on all sides in dry grass and scrub. On June 28rd Captain Campbell, R.A.M.C., brought me a fine series of MOSQUITOES AND MALARIA. 151 the slaty-blue Glyphanus from the rocks, but he is not yet able to throw any light on the lemon-yellow and bright blue thigh-linings, brick-red occiput and ultramarine neck-membrane, which are not visible when the creature is in a normal attitude. On June 30th, Major Burstal, R.A.M.C., showed me specimens recently collected by by him at Karaburun; these included practically all species mentioned hitherto, with the addition of several fine Saga vittata, F. de W., and another splendid species without the white stripes of S. vittata, and very decidedly larger; this veritable tiger of the Orthoptera-world is very likely S. ephippigera, so far re- corded, to the best of my memory, only from Constantinople and Castellastua in Dalmatia, where, in 1901, I went in the hope of finding it, but without success. In the mess tent, after dinner, the characteristic short, sharp buzz, ending abruptly on a higher note, attracted my attention to a fine fresh male Acrometopa macropoda, Ser. The next evening I saw the first adult Caloptenus italicus, L., and in my hut found an adult male Olynthoscelis chabriert (?) which had strayed in from goodness knows where. (To be continued.) Mosquitoes and Malaria. 2. (The following further notes have been received). (a) Anopheles maculipennis, the malaria-carrying gnat, does not, as a rule, if ever, pass the winter in the larval stage, and, so far as is known, does not, in the strict sense of the word, hibernate as an adult. The females prefer, even if it is not their invariable custom, to winter in occupied cowsheds, stables, etc., which promise continued food, warmth, and humidity (owing to the presence of animals) throughout inclement seasons. (b) Anopheles bifurcatus, however, so far as is known, hibernates in the larval stage. (c) These habits of the insects make it easy to attack them. They can be driven out in hundreds, and each one driven out will probably die before it can find shelter again. Hunts organised for this purpose will be found to yield productive results. (d@) During summer, when the larvye appear in ditches, swamps, ponds, pools, streams, etc., they may be considerably diminished by clearing such ditches, etc., of weeds and leaving them open to attack. (e) If the reasons for the investigation and extermination of Ano- pheles, and the benefit accruing through success, were explained to farmers and other agriculturists, gardeners and land-workers, observers would, in all-probability be assisted in their work, and interest, even enthusiasm, in many cases, might be aroused. (f) While no need for immediate alarm exists, precautions must be taken at once against the possible spread of malaria in this country by Anopheles mosquitoes consequent upon the return of so many soldiers who have contracted the disease abroad. (g) Information is also wanted as to the life-history of larve in all stuges of their existence. All who can give such information are very earnestly invited to do so. To enable beginners to share in the investigation, it is proposed to 152 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. secure the services of experts in various parts of the country and to arrange for a Lecture or a Field Meeting or both. The latter will be: particularly valuable as object lessons and for discovering the haunts of the mosquito. If therefore you can furnish me with the names of. one or more persons sufficiently aw fait with any part of this subject either to lecture or conduct a field party or both or who will undertake to arrange such lectures and field parties, I shall be glad if you will let me know by an early post so that the necessary plans may be made. If, on the contrary, you desire to be provided with a lecturer or a conductor for a field party, the Committee will endeavour to arrange accordingly on your applying to me. Dates must be left to the con- venience of the gentleman willing to help in this respect. Joint meetings, between two or more Societies in the same or adjoining locality, might be concerted. This grouping arrangement would be immensely and mutually strengthening, and conducive to productive and continuous work provided a good leader were chosen. The Committee urge you to lose no time in beginning operations, and I am sure that you will realise the importance of promptly com- municating with me. As stated on page 101 ante, all specimens of Anopheles should be sent by the method therein stated ; but if there be a local expert who can identify the specimens it will be sufficient if absolutely authentic particulars of the species of Anopheles and where found are for- © warded.—Rry. T. Oswarp Hicks (Hon. Sec. Mosquito Committee §.H.U.S.8.), «‘ Lesware,’ Linden Road, London, N. 15. SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. Parrep LepmporrEra IN FLIGHT.—I haveseen an unsually large number of species of paired Lepidopterain flight during my holiday this summer and on two separate days’ hunting earlier and one later in the year. In every case where there could be the slightest doubt as to which sex was carrying the other I have captured the pair and started them off in flight again from the net, so that the following records may be regarded as absolutely certain. The only species seen with regard to which I am not sure, as the pairs were flying too high to be within reach, /’ieris brassicae, seen at Guildford, July 29th, and at Prince’s Risborough on August 18th, | have not included. Polyommatus tearus, May 8lst, 2 pairs, f carrying ? , Guildford. July 28th, 1 pair, Agriades covidon, Aug. 13th, 1 pair, a Chilterns. Plebeius aeyon, Jaly 4th, 1 pair, ae Snodland. Pieris rapae, July 28th, 1 pair, ‘ ' Guildford. a a July 81st, 1 pair, is ve Of i August 6th, 1 pair, iH Cotswolds. 8) ACHING August 3rd, 1 pair, Hf bE zak ts August 7th, 1 pair, Eas Wolford. Dryas paphia, July 18th, 1 pair, 45 Bude. Aphantopus hyperantus, July 80th, 1 pair, @ carrying g , Guildford. Epinephele jurtina, July 18th, 1 pair, re Bude. is tithonus, July 24th, 2 pairs, ” Tavistock. Pararge megera, July 31st, 1 pair, _ Guildford. Melanargia galathea, July 18th, 1 pair, _ Bude. NOTES ON COLLECTING. ae Both at Guildford and at Bourton-on-the- Water, in the Cotswolds, I saw several pairs of Zygaena filipendulae on grass stems, the 3 always being below the ?, and tried to induce them to fly, but in vain; failing in this I threw them up into the air, to see which would carry the other when compelled to fly. Owing doubtless to the weight of their bodies they were unable to fly more than enough to guide their descent and prevent themselves from falling; when only thrown a short distance it was invariably the g that spread his wings and guided the descent, but if thrown to a greater height the ? also spread her wings and helped to act as a parachute. I tried the experiment a good many times but always with the same result. close WuerEter, BT, Gloucester Place, W.1. VaRIATION IN CoccINELLIDAE.—Mpilachna corrupta, Mulsant, which abounds at Boulder, Colorado, is one of the comparatively few plant- feeding Coccinellids, and is extremely destructive to beans of the genus Phaseolus. It is very constant in its elytral markings, with eight spots on each elytron. Ihave not found the variety juwncta, Johnson, which has the apical spots confluent. There is, however, at least, in the second generation, a distinct-looking variety with the ground-colour deep brown instead of yellowish, with a distinct metallic coppery lustre on the elytra. It may be called var. cuprea, n. var.— T. D. A. Cocxerety, Boulder, Colorado. WOTES ON COLLECTING, Etc. LiMEnITIS sIBILLA IN SurREy.—Mr. P. A. H. Muschamp, in the July number of the Record asks if there are other records of this species for Surrey. Last summer (1917) I was in hospital at Holm- wood, near Dorking, and on July 17th I saw a single specimen in the woods between Holmwood and Coldharbour. I have also seen the species in several woods in Sussex.—(Lieut.) Harotp 8. Witiiams, Victoria Barracks, Belfast. July 80th, 1918. SUBSTITUTES FOR NATURAL FOOD oF PyRAMEIS caRDUI, ETc.—I found the larvee of Pyrametis cardui at Cibali, Catania, Sicily, enclosed in webs on thistle leaves. As I could nof get thistles often enough, the larvee were practically reared on lettuce leaves. It is very strange how almost any caterpillar will eat lettuce when one cannot get their proper food. I had about six of these larvee in a box, and on one occasion when they were short of food I found that they started eating one another. In my garden—where I grow vegetables and flowers—I have left a fennel plant to go to seed (the root is eaten here as we do celery in England). On it the other day I found the Lee) of Papilio machaon. —Perrcy Sxetcutey, Catania, Sicily. A GynanpromorH or AGRIADES Said *< Or August 8rd last, whilst collecting with my wife on the downs in the Blandford district, I had the good fortune to take a perfectly halved gynandromorphous Agriades coridon, the left wings being male, and slightly smaller, and the right side female. The colouring of the body and head on each side follows the wing. The insect is in perfect condition and was apparently in its first flight. Tutt, in his British Lepidoptera, records three similar specimens, + 154 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. one from the same district in 1887, one from Horsley, 1887, and one in the Webb collection. T also took an example of var. roystonensis, but apart from this all . the females were of very ordinary type, and without traces of blue.— 8. G. Castie-Russett, ‘“* Monkswood,” Woking. August 9th, 1918. Tue Szason at Royston.—We have had various reports or partial reports, verbal and otherwise, from Royston of this season’s results in the famous Herts locality. Some say it was not so good for variation, others that plenty of aberrations could be picked up by persistent effort. Mr. Pickett has promised later on to give our readers an account of his sojourn: there in the past two years. Meanwhile, he says, ““It was a very good year, especially for males; I have never seen such quantities in any year I have been there. Ab. suffusa of Agriades coridon was very common and some lovely forms of it were taken. Ab. fowleri turned up more than usual, as far as I could hear about fourteen were taken. The ‘blue’ was later in appearing this season and seemed to go over mere quickly than usual.”