LEPIDOPTERA, ETC., AT SCOTTISH LIGHTHOUSES 129 



LEPIDOPTERA AND OTHER INSECTS AT 

 SCOTTISH LIGHTHOUSES IN 1915. 



By William Evans, F.R.S.E. 



The year 19 15 has been a lean one as regards entomologi- 

 cal data from Scottish lighthouses. This was, of course, 

 inevitable under the circumstances. Owing to the war, 

 many of the lighthouse lanterns, especially those on the east 

 coast, have only been lighted occasionally and for the 

 briefest of intervals. Consequently at the majority of 

 stations few opportunities for obtaining moths or other 

 insects have presented themselves. 



From the Isle of May lighthouse, formerly so productive, 

 a single consignment sent by Mr Baigrie in August is all 

 that I have received. Of the seven other light-stations, 

 which in my first Report ^ are referred to as the Forth 

 group, the Bell Rock, whence Mr M'Cormick sent a few 

 specimens in July, alone falls to be mentioned on the present 

 occasion. 



On the west coast, with more opportunities, better results 

 were forthcoming. From Killantringan, Wigtownshire coast, 

 Mr D. A. Mowat has forwarded several lots of specimens, 

 including among other additions to the list for this station 

 an example of Xylophasia lithoxylea^ a moth I have not 

 previously seen from any of the lighthouses. On 24th 

 August Mr Mowat wrote as follows : — " I am sending a few 

 moths I have got. They are very scarce this season, but 

 they may come yet." Nothing in the nature of a "rush" 

 would appear, however, to have taken place. In September 

 Mr W. Begg, formerly stationed at Inchkeith, kindly sent 

 about forty moths (representing twelve species) and a beetle 

 from Little Ross lighthouse, on the coast of Kirkcudbright- 

 shire. These were especially welcome, seeing they came 

 from a station not previously on the contributing list. 



^ Scottish Naturalist, 1914 and 1915. 



54 R 



