10 THE entomologist's RECORD. 



ypsilon, Rott., and means to question the accuracy of the present 

 accepted synonymy, and can justify his use of the name in this new 

 direction. 



2. On page 377 Agrotis subgothica, W2i\v. = Feltia diicens, Walker. 

 As is well known to British lepidopterists, subgot/iica, Haw., is not a 

 distinct species at all, but simply a synonym oi A. tritia\ Linn., or at 

 most a variety of that species. Why does Mr. Butler treat subgothica 

 as a distinct species? Is there anv fresh reason for treating it thus? 



I see, too, our Agrotis segetum, Schiff., becomes se^^etis, Gmel. I am 

 sorry to open up this matter, but it appears r;ecessary that the publica- 

 tions of the Ent. Society of London should be as correct as pos- 

 sible.— J. W. TuTT, Westcombe Hill, S.E. 



Origin of Dimorphism and Polymorphism. — One thing well borne 

 out by the notes on "Dimorphism and Polymorphism in the Tortri- 

 cidae " you sent me, is the view that all sexual dimorphism arises 

 primarily as simple dimorphism, and finally becomes representative of 

 the sexes. I think the fact that in members of the same group some 

 have the dimorphism common to both sexes, and some have it sexual, 

 is in favour of this view. Of course it is possible to urge that the non- 

 sexual dimorphism arose as sexual, and finally became inherited, and 

 occurred in both sexes ; but that I cannot believe, for, if so, how did 

 polymorphism arise ? Personally I do not attach so much value to the 

 influence of food as some do. 1 think phytophagic varieties are 

 quite rare. I do not easily see how the food-plant can directly and 

 chemically affect the colour of an insect, though other things coincident 

 with the food-plant {e.^., temperature, dryness, etc.) may do so. — 

 T. D. A. CocKERELL, West Chff, Colorado, U. S. A. 



[I quite agree with Mr. Cockerell as to colour variation rarely, if 

 ever, being due to phytophagic causes. My own impression is that 

 v.iriations due to such causes are almost always variations in size. — 

 J. W. T.] 



IIURRENT NOTES. 



Mr. C. G. Barrett sinks Catoptria parviilana as a small form of C. 

 scopoliana. 



A new species of Nepticnla {N. pyri) has been added to the British 

 fauna by Dr. Wood. 



Dr. Chapman has succeeded in definitely differentiating the larvae of 

 Gla;a spadicea and G. vacci/iii. 



The local Aciptilia pallidum was taken near Lyndhurst (New Forest) 

 last August. The Rev. O. P. Cambridge also records it from its old 

 haunts at Bloxworth. 



Mr. Blandford by breeding imagines of Dianthcecia carpophaga and 

 D. capsopliila from larvae taken at Tenby, has again brought to the 

 front the old suggestion that the latter is an extreme form of carpophaga. 

 Mr. C. G. Barrett appears inclined to agree with him, but says, "the 

 two forms are definitely to be distinguished." It must be remembered 

 the specimens were bred from larvae taken at large, with those of D. 

 conspersa and D. capsiiicola, and not bred from ova. 



