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Vol. XXXIV. LONDON, MAY, 1902. No. 5 



NEW HISTORIES AND SPECIES IN HYDRCECIA. 



BY HUNRY BIRD, RYE, N. Y. 

 ( Continued from Vol. XXXIII., p. 6S.) 



In searching out the boring larvae of the Noctuid genus Hydrcecia, 

 that large and showy species, speciosissima, has continued to prove a 

 decided enigma. This great tawny fellow, with its distinctive white spots, 

 must in the early stages leave some flagrant evidence of its whereabouts 

 behind, yet try as we may all efforts seem in vain, and the conclusion was 

 finally reached that Rye could not number this species in its local list. So 

 the few records of its capture are looked up, and the determination is 

 made to have a trial elsewhere. In 1S6S, Grote and Robinson described 

 this species, together with inqucesita, under the generic term Gortyna 

 (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. I., 342), and relate receiving their types from 

 Seekonk, Rhode Island. Knowing the tenacity with which a colony 

 clings to a favourite resort, a couple of days in July, 1900, were taken for 

 a flying trip to that place ; the writer believing that should conditions yet 

 remain favourable, the desiderata might still be found. Not being down 

 on ordinary maps, it was inferred Seekonk might be some rural hamlet, 

 perchance having the good fortune to remain unchanged all these years. 

 But this ancient township, so strongly associated with Puritan days and 

 Roger William episodes, has now merged into a suburb of the progressive 

 city of Providence, and our hopes sank as we sped in electric cars through 

 its byways. But hold ! On passing some shady nooks, do we see aright ? 

 Yes, there is that brown, withered fern leaf — i/iqucesita is here sure 

 enough. It cannot deceive us now, and soon there are plenty more in 

 sight. At any rate, here is one of Mr. Grote's friends, but then inqucesita 

 has a rather ubiquitous food-plant, and may be expected anywhere, while 

 speciosissima is an unknown quantity entirely. 



The following day the hunt is on in full vigour, but, search as we may, 

 borers are scarce, in no way approaching the numbers of our home haunts. 



