b A. E. GIBBS LEPIDOPTERA 



our eyes witli its brightness in early spring. The late Mr. C. E. 

 Barrett pointed out that it is one of the longest-lived butterflies 

 known, for it generally issues from the chrysahs in July or 

 August, and worn hybernated specimens have been seen flying 

 so late as July 7tli in the following year. In very forward 

 seasons freshly-emerged specimens have been on the wing so 

 early as June 30th. It is probable, therefore, that individual 

 specimens may sometimes attain the advanced age of twelve 

 months. Most of the butterflies that frequent the Chalk downs 

 were to be found in their usual haunts last year, though I have 

 received no notes of the occurrence of the Clifton blue (Lycxna 

 adonis) . Mr. P. J. Barraud, of Bushey Heath, TNoites : " I only 

 paid one visit to Aldbury Downs during the season (August 5th) . 

 Lycssna corydon and Hesperia comma were plentiful as usual, as 

 was also Epinepliele janira. I also saw or took Gonepteryx 

 rhamni, Vanessa cardui, V. urticie, Epinepliele tithonus, Poly- 

 ommatus plilseas, Lycmna astrarche, and L. alexis." 



Only two correspondents report the presence of the death's- 

 head hawk-moth, our largest British lepidopteron, which owes 

 its popvilar name to the fact that the markings on its thorax 

 resemble a skull and cross-bones. Although it is regarded with 

 dread by many people, I need scarcely say that it is perfectly 

 harmless. It possesses the power of uttering a curious squeaking 

 sound, and is said to enter beehives in the search of honey. The 

 larvae feed on potato-tops, and pupate in the earth, both 

 caterpillar and chrysalis being occasionally found in potato- 

 fields. This hawk-moth has a wide range, being distributed 

 over the whole of Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. It is 

 irregidar in its appearance, being far more abundant in some 

 years than others. Miss Dickinson received a pupa found at 

 Leasey Bridge on October 18th, and she heard of the discovery 

 of another, unfortunately injured, at Sandridgebury Farm. 

 Mr. A. H. Foster, of Hitchin, had a fine specimen of this moth 

 brought to him on June 30th, it having been picked up on the 

 middle of the North Eoad near Baldock. He, however, did not 

 hear of a single specimen of the larvae being found this season. 



Miss Dickinson informs me that she found a goat-moth 

 {Cossus ligniperda) on a hawthorn -tree at sugar, this being the 

 second time she has taken the insect at or near sugar. I am 

 inclined to think that this moth is attracted by sweets, for I have 

 seen it myself on the sugar patches. Other insects reported by 

 the same observer are Notodonta camelina, beaten from hazel in 

 Sparrowswick Wood ; Bryophila pierla, on sugar in garden in 

 July ; AcTonycta tridens, a larva of which was found by 

 Mr. Arthur Dickinson at Symond's Hyde in August, 1904, the 

 perfect insect emerging in Jime, 1905 ; Neuria reticulata 

 (saponarix), three specimens taken at sugar ; Dianthecia 

 cucubali, several at sugar ; CticnUia vmbratica, six taken hovering 

 over delphinium in garden ; Plusia moneta, P. chrysitis, and 

 P. ptdchrina, fairly plentiful hovering over flowers ; Venilia 



