lyig. Halbert. — Lepidoptera collected by R. E. Cusack, 59 



mc'uded on account of the interesting varieties which 

 were found. In the case of the small moths, known as 

 the " Microlepidoptera," it has been thought advisable to 

 record all of Lieutenant Cusack's captures as so little is 

 known of their distribution in this country. Indeed the 

 study of these interesting and often beautifully coloured 

 insects has been greatly neglected in Ireland, and 

 comparatively little advance has been made since Birchall's 

 time, so that accurate local lists are greatly needed. Many 

 of the microlepidoptera were unnamed in the collection ; 

 these, and indeed all of the species, have been carefully 

 re-examined, and I am much indebted to Mr. J. H. Durrant, 

 F.E.S., of the British Museum, for kind help in their 

 identification ; such species as were seen by him are 

 marked with an asterisk in the list. Quite a number of 

 these small species are unrecorded from the Dublin and 

 Wicklow district, and at least t shelve are apparently 

 additions to our known Irish fauna. 



There has probably been an extension in the range of 

 certain pine-feeding moths into .the district due to the 

 planting of coniferous trees in recent years. The following 

 insects may be mentioned in this connection : — Panolis 

 piniperda, Bnpalis piniaria, Eupithecia togata, Eupithecia 

 lariciata and Retinia pinivorana, and it is interesting to 

 notice that none of these insects are to be found in Birchall's 

 " Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Ireland," which was 

 pubhshed in the year 1868. 



A great many changes have recently been made in the 

 names of our native lepidoptera, more especially amongst 

 the smaller moths where well-known names have been 

 altered. Unfortunately our 'eading entomologists are not 

 yet agreed about the correct names for many species, so, 

 with a few exceptions, it seems best to follow the 

 nomenclature and arrangement of Mr. Kane's " Catalogue 

 of the Lepidoptera of Ireland," thus facilitating reference 

 for those who are not interested in questions of priority. 



Through the kindness of Mr. E. Cusack, this collection 

 of insects is now preserved in the Irish Nationa' Museum. 



A ^ 



