1922.] y 



by Dr. Staudinger and Dr. Mason. Tlic entire absence of the character- 

 istic Arctic genus Anarta is espcciallj noteworthy, and is attributed by 

 Dr. Staudinger to the usually unsuitable weather for these sun-loving 

 insects. Only three well-defined species appear to be peculiar to Iceland : 

 Melanippe thulearia Staud., allied to our M. hastata ; Crambus 

 extinctellus Zell., near C. pascuellus, but j)robably distinct ; and Ptero- 

 pJiorus {Stenoptilki) islandicus Staud., a well-marked form. Certain 

 other species, such as Hadena {Crt/modes) exulis (perhaps the most 

 characteristic moth of Iceland), Maniestra pisi, Gidaria truncata, 

 G. immanata, G. munitata, G. designata, Hupitliecla sohrinata, and 

 E. valerianata, present remarkable pliases of variation, some which are 

 altogether confined to the island. 



There being no true night on Iceland during most of the smnmer 

 months, the Lepkloptera may be found on the wing throughout the 

 whole twenty-four hours, the flowers most favoured by them, according 

 to Dr. Staudinger, being Spiraea ulmaria, Silene acciclis and mariiima, 

 and Thymus serpyllum, all of which, especially the last, grow in pro- 

 fusion througliout the island. Although the species are so few in 

 number, many non-entomological travellers have been strongly impressed 

 by the enormous numbers of individuals met "with in favourable seasons 

 and situ.ations. And Dr. Walker remarks (Entom. vol. xxvi, p. 223) : — 

 " As though to make up for the total absence of diurnal Lepidopfera, 

 the quantity of certain species of moths is something astonishing. I do 

 not recollect ever having seen Geometridae so abundant elsewhere — 

 rising in a cloud from the scrub vegetation when the dwarf willow 

 or birch was lashed by the riding-whip of our guide, on the grassy 

 slopes of the mountains, and likewise on the m.eadows adjoining the 

 hoinestead — everywhere m^ost numerous." A larva, in all probability 

 that of Episema {Gliaraeas) graminis, is reported to work great havoc 

 in the pasture-lands and hayfields, in certain years, just as is the case 

 with the same species in Britain. 



As it is doubtful whether the estimate of Dr. Staudinger, made 

 nearl^^ seventy years ago, of a maximum number of 500 indigenous 

 species of insects of all Orders, has up to now been exceeded or even 

 attained, it is evident that Iceland holds out but few inducements to 

 the entomologist, except perhaps the chance that a truly native butterfly 

 may at some future time be found in one or other of Its sequestered 

 valle^^s. 



Aoraugi, Lonsdale Road, Summertown, Oxford. 

 December IGth, 1921. 



