106 THE entomologist's record, 



affected reed should be examined, when a small circular hole will be 

 found, pierced by the young larva in its wanderings from one stem to 

 another, or even from one joint to another of the same stem, the hard 

 joints in the stem not allowing it a free passage. Should, however, 

 the search be postponed too long, the quicker growth of the healthy 

 reeds overtops the stunted and withered stems in which the objects of 

 our search are concealed, and renders the detection of a new locality a 

 much more difficult matter. 



When, however, a locality is known, it is quite unnecessary to cut 

 the reeds before the last week in July, when it will be found, as a rule, 

 that only the larger stems contain larvcC, which often appear even when 

 full fed, to wander and attack fresh ones, evidently in search of more 

 roomy quarters in which to pupate. When searched for at this time 

 it may be seen at once with certainty which reeds are tenanted, as the 

 full fed larva prepares for itself a means of exit by eating its way 

 through the inner coats of the stem, leaving only the thinnest outer 

 skin, which may be called the "sheath" or "case," and has a whitish 

 and transparent appearance, is of an oval shape, and very easily 

 detected. 



The larva does not pupate for some little time after preparing the 

 " case," but may then be considered as full fed. In cutting the reeds 

 it will be found that the " case " is almost always in the lower and 

 stouter joints of the reed, and care must be taken to cut tlie stem 

 under the next joint below the "case," as otherwise the pupa is likely 

 to slip out and be lost, or where this does not happen, the cut section 

 of the reed soon shrivels, often killing the enclosed larva or pupa by 

 compression, even if stood, as they should always be, in sand and 

 water, and kept continually damp. As soon, however, as the larva has 

 pupated, it is the best plan to split the reed with great care, especially 

 when near the " case," which will fairly indicate the position of the 

 pupa (it being mostly found a few inches above the "case ") and take 

 out the pupa or pupce, of which two and occasionally three are found 

 in the same stem, and even in the same joint, laying them on very 

 damp moss, when the imago will emerge in two or three weeks. This 

 process, if carefully !)erformed, results in the proportion of "cripples '' 

 being very small. Should the reeds be cut too early, even although 

 kept very damp, the larva is apt to wander towards night from its food, 

 doubtless seeking for more healthy plants, but if put back upon the 

 reeds, usually gnaws its way in again, causing a very audible sound 

 during the operation. 



The imago invariably emerges in the early evening, generally between 

 6.30 and 8.30 p.m., and crawling up the reeds to expand its wings, 

 very rapidly develops ; it is well not to kill them too soon, as the wings 

 are for some time extremely flaccid and the insect consequently difficult 

 to set. — Albert J. Hodges, 2, Highbury Place, N. 



Notes on Epunda lichenea. — E. lichenea is found at Portland very 

 plentifully in the larva state, but although common in this stage I have 

 only taken eight imagines in two seasons, viz., two in 1888, boxed off 

 grass when drying their wings, and six in 1889, three at sugar and three 

 at ivy. 



The larvae I find from the middle of February to end of April, on 

 the top of grass stems, generally in little colonies of five or six, in 



