222 ' - March, 



Euchromia purjyurana. — The first seen in the season was sitting on 

 a large leaf in the garden, but before a net could be obtained it was 

 gone. However, by following up a clue obtained last year, I found the 

 species in some numbers in a clover field near the limestone quarries, 

 where it flew freely, from about 7 p.m. till dusk. Some of the most 

 perfect specimens have dull ochreous indications of fascise. 



Ortliotcenia eria'tuna — The value of my discovery of the habit of 

 furpurana was not diminished when I found that it was accompanied 

 by this species in plenty, and in most lovely condition. Previously, 

 I have thought myself fortunate if, in the course of a long afternoon's 

 work, I have taken one or two little males, but in this field they were 

 flying in scores, with large velvety females in equal numbers, some 

 specimens varying to a purple-brown. The time of flight, however, 

 was very short, just before dusk, and they would only move on calm, 

 warm evenings. 



The clover-field at this time was a lively spot, — the crop in some 

 places had failed, and grass, coltsfoot, and silver-weed were taking its 

 place, and these spots seemed to be the most favoured by the moths, 

 probably because their larva? had here destroyed the clover roots. 



Halonota jBrunnichiana was a nuisance, flying in the sunshine about 

 the coltsfoot ; the pretty little Stit/monota composana was at the same 

 time flying over the clover ; Spilodes cinctalis was ready to spring up 

 whenever disturbed. As the sun declined, Semasia rujillana appeared 

 with Euch. purpurana (already mentioned). A little later appeared 

 3^anthosetia liamana in swarms ; then Ortliotcenia ericetana, followed 

 very soon by O. antiq^uana, Coleopliora annulatella, and occasionally a 

 GeJecliia, which still remains (I grieve to say) unnamed and undescribed, 

 because, although it is evidently a novelty, no specimen sufliciently 

 perfect could be obtained. Last, and by no means least welcome, 

 when it was nearly dark, on warm, still evenings, three or four Catop- 

 tria expcdlidana occurred. Orthotcenia antiqunna is worthy of special 

 notice from the extent of its variations. From the type- — pale drab 

 with brown markings — it ranged to pink, with the markings reddish- 

 brown, to entirely reddish-brown, except a dark shade from the base, 

 to glossy dark brown, in which the markings are obscured or obsolete, 

 and to pale drab without the shade of a marking. There was little or 

 no S/acJit/s in this field, and it must feed on some other plant also. 

 My impression is, that this and two or three of the other species find 

 the clover roots entirely to their taste. O. ericetana and antiquana 

 lasted till far into August, and the latter species occurred also, of 

 course, among its usual food-plants — Sts^hys st/Jvnficn and ambiqua. 



