1904,] 9 



ON INSECTS OBSERVED AT THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE IN 

 THE AUTUMN OF 1901 



MY WM. EAOLIi CLARKE, F.H.S.K., P.L.S. 



The following notes form another slight contribution to a subject 

 which has received but little attention from Entomologists, namely, 

 the migrations and wanderings of insects. They relate to a few 

 s))ecies, chiefly moths, observed during a month's residence in the 

 Eddystone Lighthouse during the autumn of 1901 ; they must, how- 

 ever, be regarded as a mere indication of the frequency and extent 

 of the visits of insects to a pelagic station (if I may so term this 

 outlying tower) rather than a record of species, for on nearly every 

 occasion on which the insects appeared migratory birds were also 

 present in considerable, sometimes vast, numbers, and demanded all 

 my attention. 



This well-known lighthouse lies well out in the waters of the 

 English Channel olf the Cornish coast, and fourteen miles S. W. of 

 Plymouth ; the nearest point of the land, Eame Head, being about 

 ten miles distant. 



The following are extracts from my journal, the identity of the 

 species being in some cases determined on my return to the Museum : 



September 23rcl.— A specimen of Agrotis segetum captured in the lightliouse. 



October 1st. — At 4.15 a.m. a number of moths appeared, and were observed 

 until daylight (wind S., light; rain). At 11.45 a.m. a humming-bird hawk-moth 

 {Macroglossa slellaiarum) was flying round the tower for some time. At 10 p.m. 

 and until 1.30 a.m. (2nd), and, perhaps, beyond, many hundreds of moths of all 

 sizes were flying around, and great numbers alighted on the windows of the lantern 

 and elsewhei-e ; they presented a very remarkable and pretty spectacle, resembling 

 innumerable brilliant sparks as they careered in the dazzling rays from the lantern, 

 indeed, the lighthouse presented the appearance of a chimney on fire, and emitting 

 quantities of sparks. There were many species present, but I only captured Agrotis 

 ypsUon (suffusa), A. .segetum, and Hadena meticulosa. (Wind W., light to calm ; 

 some haze). 



October 10th. — Between 2 and 4 a.m. a few moths appeared (wind W.S.W., 

 gentle breeze ; overcast, dark). 



October 12th. — From 1 a.m. to 3.30 a.m. moths and flies were present in great 

 numbers (wind S.S.E., light breeze ; showery). The moths captured were H. 

 meticulosa, A. ypsilon, A. segetum, Plusia gamma. The flies, which were very 

 abundant, have been determined by Mr. P. H. Q-rimshaw as Catabomba pyrastri. 



October 12th. — Hundreds of moths from 7 p.m. until 5.30 a.m. (13th), also 

 vast numbers of migrating birds passing south (wind N.E., gentle breeze ; overcast). 



October 15th.— Many moths from 9.50 p.m. to 2.30 a.m. (16th) (wind E.N.E., 

 moderate breeze ; overcast). 



That such a sun-loving species as Catabomba pyrastri should have made its 



