134 NOTES ON LEPIDOPTERA. 



our object being to present a general view of the productions of this district, 

 rather than to compile a list of rare captures. 



Of the genus Triphcena, three species are distributed very generally throughout 

 the West of Scotland; namely, T. orhona, pronuha, and Janthma. T. pronuba,. 

 though common enough everywhere, seems to have a particular liking for 

 stack-yards, often appearing in hundreds, when a quantity of hay is being 

 removed. It is also frequently observed during the summer nights in the 

 streets of towns, probably attracted by the lights. T. orhona occurs in the 

 same localities, but is not nearly so common. T. Janthina, though generally 

 esteemed a scarce species, was particularly abundant last season throughout 

 Scotland, and was taken in great profusion at Govan, and elsewhere near 

 Glasgow, flying swiftly over the ivy, in the beginning of August, 



Charoeas graminis is very common in the month of August, during the 

 day-time, at Netherton, near Lanark, and at Kirkintilloch. The peculiar 

 habits of this insect, and its irregular period of flight, have been often noticed. 

 We have generally found it on the wing in the morning and afternoon, 

 hovering over the flowers of the ragwort or thistle, and sometimes appearing 

 to suspend itself by ^its sucker; during the heat of the day, however, we 

 have almost invariably taken it in a sort of dormant state, settled on the 

 flowers of the above plants; on being alarmed it would immediately attempt 

 to escape by tumbling down amongst the grass, and wriggling itself head 

 foremost ' into the roots. 



Garadrina cubicularis, Agrotis exdamationis, and A. Tritici, congregate 

 together in out-houses during the day, often in considerable numbers. 



Noctua plecta and N. Augur, are very plentiful in hedge-rows and woody 

 places everywhere; N. Dahlii, haja, hrunnea, and G. nigrum, though generally 

 distributed, are much less frequently met with. 



Rusina tenebrosa appears to be a scarce species in this district, as we are 

 only aware of its occurring a few miles from Glasgow. 



The more common species of Hadena, are H. Pisi, Ghenopodii, Brassicce, 

 hasilinea, and Oleracea, which are met with in abundance in many places; 

 IT. ihalassina and testacea, though far from rare, are still not very frequently 

 observed, while H. Protea, glauca, Gucubali, and adusta, might almost be 

 termed scarce. The two last species, indeed, we have only taken in the Carmi- 

 chael woods, near Lanark, towards the end of June. S. contigua also occurs in 

 the same locality, at the end of May. It is pretty common in the larva 

 state, feeding on the birch and various other shrubs in July. 



Scotophila Porphyrea and Anarta Myrtilli, are common on heaths everywhere. 



Gosmia trapetzina, Pyrophila Tragopoginis, Segetia Xanthographa, Orthosia 

 stahilis, 0. gothica, and O. instabilis, are very generally distributed; 0. Litura 

 also occurs in various places in Lanark and Renfrewshire, but is much 

 scarcer. 



Euplexia lucipara is found sparingly on the Frith of Clyde, in Argyleshire. 

 Thyatira Batis occurs also on the Frith of Clyde, in various localities, but 



