THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 145 



SUNFLOWERS AS A LURE FOR THE PLUSIID^ 



This season most of my sunflowers, being self-sown, were in 

 bloom a good two weeks earlier than usual and were in greater 

 profusion. They also lasted well into the fall. 



I had noticed in previous years, when I had a good show of 

 the flowers, that quite a number of species were attracted; conse- 

 quently this year, with such a quantity out at once, and so early, I 

 was particularly on the watch for things moving at dusk in that 

 part of my garden. 



Early "sugaring" having proved a failure, I had fallen back on 

 collecting "at light" on suitable evenings when I could manage it, 

 with a preliminary stroll around the flower beds with my net. 

 Many good evenings were missed early in August, owing to other 

 engagements or occupations, but during the latter part of the 

 month, and the first two weeks of September, I was able to make 

 a round nearly every evening, when the weather was favorable. 



The list of species taken is as follows: 



2475. — Plusia aeroides Grote. Aug. 3rd (1). Half a dozen speci- 

 mens were also taken at light in July this year. 

 I never took aeroides in Victoria, and but a 

 single specimen during the previous seven years 

 of my residence on Quamichan Lake. 



2477 .—Plusia metallica Grote. Aug. 30th to Sept. 13th (3). One 



of them my small daughter, Phyllis, netted off 

 the flowers in the afternoon. I have always 

 found the species rare. 



2479. — Euchalcia putnami Grote. Aug. 21st to 24th (3). Also 



one at light on July 24th. I think this species 

 may be double brooded with us, for I have 

 taken it earlier in the year. I have always 

 found it rare, however. 



2481. — Eosphoropteryx thyatiroides Guenee. Aug. 10th (1). I 



have captured this rarely in previous years off 

 a small species of sunflower, coming into bloom 

 earlier. I took the species one season in Elm 

 Park, Winnipeg (Aug. 18th) off a species of 

 wild sunflower, when I was out sugaring. 



