1891. 219 



Notes on the food-plants of Thecla ruhi. — The ova were laid freely in oiiptivity 

 on sprays of gorso (Ulex europceus), the females being confined with those in a glass 

 jar, placed in the sunshine. 



Although the young larva; began at once eating the young undeveloped shoots 

 of the gorse, this was found to be unsatisfactory as a food-plant j partly owing to 

 the ease with which they concealed themselves amongst it, rcTidering the changing 

 of food a tedious business. Broom not being handy, I tried Lotus corniculatus and 

 Lotus major, with great success, the larvae growing rapidly upon these plants, the 

 leaves being occasionally eaten, but the flowers vastly preferred. 



As I have frequently seen birch mentioned as a food-plant for Thecla ruhi, I 

 may remark that I could never persuade my larva to touch it, and Mr. Ilarwood, of 

 Colchester, informs me that his experience has been the same. I found that the 

 larv89 would also eat various kinds of clover, but did not find these as convenient food- 

 plants as the species of Lotus referred to. When full-fed, some of the larvoe pupated 

 upon the earth provided (but never beneath it), others on the sides or corners of the 

 cage, spinning a few threads, in no definite direction, but just enough to hold the 

 pupa in the spot selected, from which it is easily dislodged. The ova were laid on 

 the 10th of June, larvae hatched 18th of June, and were full-fed about July 14th. — 

 E. M. Peideaux, 9, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton, Bristol : August Qth, 1891. 



Stenophyfax alpestria in Yorkshire. — In a small box of insects of various Orders, 

 which Mr. John Harrison, of Barnsley, gave me on July 18th last, I found two 

 specimens of Stenophylax alpestris. As was the case with the three specimens 

 taken by Mr. Chappell (see Ent. Mo. Mag., iv, p. 205), Mr. Harrison unfortunately 

 does not know exactly where he took them, but says it must have been at no great 

 distance from Barnsley, and probably at Dunford Bridge, which is some ton miles 

 from Barnsley, and about the same distance from Huddersfield. — Q-EO. T. Poebitt, 

 Huddorsfield : July ^Ist, 1891. 



[I received four specimens from Mr. Chappell in two instalments in 1868 ; the 

 first was distinctly indicated as from " Burnt Wood, Staffordshire," the others from 

 " Staffordshire " only. — R. McLachlan.] 



Nothochrysa capitata near Weymouth. — I have pleasure in recording the oc- 

 currence in this neighbourhood of Hemerobius concinnus on August 8th, 1889, and 

 Nothochrysa capitata on June 29th, 1891. I took a single specimen of each species 

 in a wood composed of various kinds of firs, a few oaks, &o., near here. The latter 

 specimen was, I think, beaten out of a spruce or flying near it, and presented a most 

 remarkable appearance when flying. I could not make out at all what sort of insect 

 was before me — the effect of the reddish body and the Chrysopa-lWo wings was very 

 curious. I have to thank Mr. C. W. Dale for kindly naming these specimens. — 

 Nelson M. Ricuaedson, Moute Video, near Weymouth : August \Uh, 1891. 



Dufourea vulgaris, Schk., at Chohham, Surrey. — On the \st of August, 1881, 

 Mr. T. R. Billups captured the $ of this rare bee at Woking on a flower of ragwort. 

 On the 1st of August, 1891, I took a c? on a dandelion flower at Chobham. As I 

 have repeatedly looked for this insect about here without success, I think it may be 

 fairly concluded that it is a great rarity. It is so like a small black Ilalictus that 



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