136 THE entomologist's record. 



Agahus bipustulatus and nebiilosns ; Hyphydrus ovatus (8), which I 

 wanted, as well as specimens of Ranatra litiearis. — F. Milton, 

 Stamford Hill, N. 



Captures of rare Coleoptera. — A specimen of the rare Coleop- 

 teron, Deleastcr dichrous, was recently captured on the wing in the 

 London district, by Mr. E. A. Newbery. The same gentleman also 

 cai^tured a fine series of Telephoriis iranslucidus on July 4th, at 

 His^hgate. 



Two living specimens of Trachys troglodytes, captured by Mr. Battley 

 at Deal, were recently exhibited at the meeting of the City of London 

 Entomological Society. This beetle, though comparatively scarce, 

 appears to be widely distributed. — G. A. Lewcock, 73 Oxford Road, 

 Islington. July 6th, 1S90. 



CuspiDiA (Acronvcfa) alni. — Having long had a desire to see this 

 favourite a little more frequently taken, I put together a few remarks with 

 this object in view. It is widely distributed, although Hampshire seems 

 one favoured haunt. The egg is first lemon-coloured, then mottled 

 with red, and then jet black. The larva is more conspicuous, and 

 should be the object of search. Sitting on the upper side of the leaf, it 

 is more easily seen than most larvse, and it is eosily dislodged. When 

 young it is black and white, and more likely to be free from parasitic 

 larvae. The larva is to be found throughout July, and pupates usually 

 before the end of August, so that from July 20th to the end of August 

 a special search may be made for it. As it likes sunshine, and mounts 

 up to the top of a bush or hedge to enjoy it, the sunny side of a haw- 

 thorn hedge is a likely place to find it. The moth is capable of laying 

 360 ova, so where one larva is found another should be looked for 

 near. These when found should be provided Avith cases of elder or 

 raspberry cane, ready bored and dried to pupate in. When by these, 

 and, if necessary, any other means at your disposal, you have 

 got together about twenty pupae of aliii, you may wish to multiply 

 your store by breeding. For this purpose you may divide your pupse 

 in spring, and keep half of them in a cooler place than the rest. Then 

 the (^'s of the earlier batch will come out first and may be kept as 

 specimens^; but the ? 's of the first batch will come out at the same 

 time as the (J's of the later batch, or, still better, a day or two later. 

 Place rC's and $ 's in a soft roomy cage of muslin, and feed every 

 night with honey and water. They should live for ten days or more, 

 and will lay before dying, more or less freely, on the muslin. If the 

 cage can be kept at an open window with a north or east aspect, the 

 prospect of success will be greater. The larvas thus obtained can be 

 fed in sleeves on the growing trees, if at hand, and I have found lime 

 most convenient. The capture of larvae from the wild is still necessary 

 to continue the brood in health ; and the protection of the larvae from 

 ichneumons and other foes, including birds, will give the collector 

 exercise for his patience and ingenuity. A few more remarks upon aim 

 and the young collector may set to work, either in the way above indi 

 cated, or some modification of it, and help to make this rarity more 

 known. I submit with some diffidence that August is the best month 

 to look for this larva, especially in the New Forest and the southern 

 counties ; but in the more northern localities, including Yorkshire, 

 captures have been recorded in September. It seems partial to 



