LEPIDOPTERA IN SUSSEX. 197 



Lepidoptera in Sussex. 



By JOHN ALDEKSON. 

 To the July number of the [■'jnt())i)olo iixt\ Uecnrd, I contributed a 

 brief note relating to collecting in the neighbourhood of Eastbourne. 

 In the following notes I have endeavoured to give a cursory review of 

 my collecting during the four weeks I spent in that locality. I was at 

 Eastbourne from May 17th to Jure 13th, and during that time the 

 collecting was not lacking in interest, for, on the whole, the weather 

 was very favourable. Tde days were usually warm and bright, and, 

 generally speaking, the nights were close and oppressive, with tem- 

 peratures that were unusually high for early summer. Consequently, 

 " sugar " ought to have paid well, for the conditions were often ideal ; 

 but, at Abbot's Wood, where I " sngared " fairly regularly, the 

 " sugaring" ground is much enclosed by high trees with thick under- 

 growth, and experience shows that, in this particular locality, a fairly 

 strong wind is necessary to carry the scent of the " sugar " in order to 

 ensure success. Though no very important captures were made at 

 " sugar," the results were fairly interesting. By far the commonest 

 visitor was Cirammenia trifjranuinca, and I was able to pick out a nicely 

 varied series, including var. bilinea, which was not uncommon. The 

 most interesting insect at "sugar" was A/dectn prasina, which was 

 fairly common throughout the whole period, the specimens being 

 generally in very fine condition, and the green ground colour very 

 bright. Ci/iiiatophnra or was an occasional visitor, but, as usual, was 

 very skittish and very restless when boxed. T/n/atira batis made its 

 appearance on .June 1st, but only occasional specimens were subsequently 

 seen. A few specimens of Lithosia sororcula were attracted, and 

 Enryiiiene dolabraria was a fairly frequent visitor. Moma orion was 

 just making an appearance at the end of my stay, and only a few 

 specimens were captured. Xoctiia brunnea became very common from 

 June 6th, and X festira appeared on the 9th, becoming quite as 

 common, and nicely varied. Miana strigilis was very common, 

 ranging from the type to ab. aethiops. Other species taken or noted at 

 "sugar" were — Xoctua rubi, N. plecta, Triaena psi, Craniophora 

 liiiaatri, Apainea basilinea, Rusina tenebrosa, Af/rotin segetum, A. 

 exclamationis, Leucania comma, Mamestra brassicae, Miana fasciuncida, 

 Hadena pisi, H. dentina, H. thalassina, H. oleracea, H. trifoln, 

 Xylnphasia rurea and ab. combusta, X. hepatica, Euplexia Incipara, 

 Pldoiiophora meticnloRa, Aplecta nebidnna, Gonoptera lihotrix, and 

 Erastria fasciana : amongst the Geometers at "sugar" Melanippe 

 montanata, Acidalia remutaria, and lodis lactearia were very common ; 

 other species less frequently met with being Boarmia repandata, B. 

 conaoitaria, Tephrosia luridata, Cidaria trnncata, and C. corylata. 

 Reference has been made to Lithosia sororcida visiting the " sugar," 

 but it was met with much more commonly earlier in the evening, 

 when it could be seen flying high round the oak trees. This species 

 was getting worn by June 3rd. The evening of June 12th was spent 

 on the downs working for Agrotis cinerea by means of light. Seven- 

 teen specimens of A. cinerea were taken, this being the only species 

 attracted, except for occasional specimens of /yar/c/m f/c?«f/?m and Agrotis 

 corticea. A solitary larva of Hipparchia seuiele was picked off a stem 

 of grass. 



September 15th, 1910. 



