:il THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



the great genera were almost entirely absent, one's labours were rewarded 

 by the capture of a few specimens of species comparatively rare 

 hereabouts. 



The butterflies started with a great show of " Painted Ladies," 

 Pyrameis cardui (I do not think its name has been changed lately), 

 apparently hibernated specimens. Where they came from is somewhat 

 of a mystery, as 1 do not recollect noticing many during the previous 

 year. Owing to a succession of cold and frosty nights during May and the 

 early part of June, insect life received a check, and very few butterflies 

 were visible, even of what are our commonest species. The Theclas and 

 Pamphilas, usually abundant, were absent in nearly all species, and the 

 show of " Blues " was very meagre. Pieris rapce was rather more 

 numerous than usual, and the finding of an occasional larva in a dish of 

 cabbage made one for the moment almost fancy oneself once more 

 in England. This butterfly is certainly increasing in numbers, and before 

 long may become troublesome here. The only butterfly that was at all 

 numerous in September was Grapta progne, and I did not see one of the 

 other species of the genus that are usually equally abundant. 



Among the Noctuids, my first capture of any importance was a nice 

 series of all the varieties of Homoglcea hircina, both at light and at sugar. 

 This moth has in past seasons been rather a rarity with me, and, with the 

 exception of a single Taniocampa subterminata, was the only early species 

 taken. 



On May 12th I took a single specimen of Piston ursarius, a moth I 

 have not seen for many years. On May 14th I netted a dozen or so of 

 moths — and could have taken many more — flying, in the dusk, about some 

 wild plum trees that were then in bloom, and much to my disgust I found 

 them to be nothing but worn, hibernated Peridroma saucia. Where did 

 they come from? P. saucia was not in unusual numbers the year before, 

 and I have very seldom taken any at this early date in previous years. 

 Currant bloom (the wild black) did not yield anything like its normal 

 harvest. Cucullia intermedia was very scarce. Mamestra Famhami 

 was not so numerous as usual, but, besides Plusia simplex, which is 

 always to the front, I took some half dozen of Plusia preeationis, a very 

 scarce moth here, and one that I have only before taken in single 

 specimens, at light, in August. So long as the plums, cherries and 

 Amelancliier Canadense remained in bloom, sugar had no charms, and my 

 sugared trees remained unproductive till quite late in the season, the only 



