300 [November, 



MICROPTERYX CALEBONIELLA : ANOTHER NEW SPECIES, 

 PROBABLY FROM BIRCH. 



BY A. F. GRIFFITH, M.A. 



In April, 1SS5, I took in Sutherland twelve specimens of a 

 Mlcroptcri/x, which is very distinct from all our other British species. 

 They differ from all except Sparmannella in having the fringes uni- 

 formly pale golden, the antenna) are short, and the markings on the 

 wings are otherwise very similar to those of purpurella, but the fore- 

 wings are brighter and more regularly and completely reticulated with 

 golden, and the golden anal spot is more distinct. 



As the species does not seem to have been observed elsewhere, 

 the name ealedoniella seems appropriate. Two of my specimens are 

 now in Mr. kStainton's collection, and two in that of Mr. Vine, of 

 Brighton. 



In June, 18S9, I found a Micropterijx larva not uncommonly on 

 birch in the same neighbourhood, feeding like SparmanneUa, but in 

 consequence of an unfortunate accident the whole batch were killed. 



The only other Micropterijx which I have met with in Sutherland- 

 shire is a single specimen of SparmanneUa, with the ground a most 

 rich peacock-blue. 



M. ealedoniella may be thus described: — 



Exp. alar., 45'" — 5'". Head grey, antennae less than half as long as the fore- 

 wings. Fore-wings bright reddish-purple, often shot with peacock-blue, delicately 

 and regularly reticulated with golden. A large distinct anal spot pale golden, not 

 however extending to the middle of the wing ; fringes pale golden. 



Brighton : October, 1891. 



Notes on Micropteryx Sangii and KaltenhacMi, Sfc. — My series of M. Sangii 

 have been for two years waiting for a name. They have been collected partly at 

 Sandridge (Herts), and partly in several localities in Sussex. Both when bred and 

 when caught they appear to run somewhat smaller than semipurptirella. 



Three seasons ago I found a Micropieri/x larva local and scarce on nut and horn- 

 beam at Abbot's Wood, in Sussex, the blotches appeared to be identical on the two 

 food-plants, and I have no doubt but that they were M. Kaltenhachii. They oc- 

 ciu'red singly, and were even more scattered than the larvee of SparmanneUa. I 

 failed entirely in rearing the raoths. 



I have three specimens of a Micropteryx, one taken at Highgate, and two at 

 Tilgate, which appear to answer to the description of salopiella, the ground-colour 

 being reddish rather than purple, and the large distinct anal spot being rather 

 silvery, but they are as large as the largest semipurpurella in my series. Are these 

 true salopiella 1 — Id. : September, 1891. 



rinsia moneta at Cambridge in 1890. — A fine specimen of this species was taken 

 at rest in August, 1890, by Mr. J. C. Rickard just outside Downing College Grounds. 

 —Id. : October I2th, 1891. 



