NOTES ON COLLECTING, ETC. 137 



elevated spots, and this may account for some of the later appear- 

 ances. The larva seems of a thirsty hal)it, and in dry weather canni- 

 balism is apt to show itself. The use of the syringe in the evening, 

 before the larvae begin to feed for the night is obvious. The same has 

 been remarked of the larva of JV. trepida. 



Although I have known instances of the larva q{ aini being taken in 

 gardens, the wilder woodlands are its usual haunts. I have indicated 

 hawthorn as a favourite foodplant, but the broad leaves of the lime and 

 wych-elm have their attractions, and the nut no less, and the bramble 

 on a sunny bank. In wet weather the larva lies under the leaf as an 

 umbrella. 



Beautiful and interesting in all its stages, aliii is not difficult to rear ; 

 and, when once ensconced in a bit of raspberry cane, it is a pupa ready 

 packed for travelling or storing, ready to place in the sun any morning 

 early in June that you wish to bring out the imago. While the wings are 

 still hanging down the ? is readily distinguished by a glance at the 

 ovipositor. If the ? is kept two nights regularly fed, before the $ 

 is put into the cage, the result is more favourable, as a rule ; and if 

 your object be to obtain a brood the sacrifice of a few specimens must 

 be made cheerfully. Warm nights and patience to wait are two con 

 dicions necessary for success. — (Rev.) B. Smith, Marlow, June 30/// 

 1890. 



Larv/e of Tethea subtusa and T.eniocampa populetl — Mr. Dutton 

 is quite right {ciiite^ p. 100) in his supposition as to the distinguishing 

 character in the habits of the larvse of Teihea subtusa and Tccniocampa 

 pt>puleti. Subtusa uses a single leaf only, turning over one side and 

 fastening it firmly around at the edge with silk. Populeti as far as my 

 experience goes invariably uses two leaves, one fastened firmly on the 

 tt)p of the other. Both species when at rest will be found coiled round 

 inside, and the best way to find them is to get beneath or below the 

 branches of the trees, when the fastened leaves are readily seen, and in 

 bright weather the larvae can often be distinctly seen through. The 

 different method of spinning together the leaves is so marked, that a 

 V ry little practice will enable anyone to know at once which species is 

 secured. At Bishop's Wood, where Mr. Dutton found his larv;i2, 

 T. populeti seems to be by far the commoner species, but in many 

 districts the reverse is the case. — Geo. T. Porritt, Huddersfield. 

 July 2)°ih, 1890. 



Haiuts of the larv^ of T.eniocampa populeti. — The larva of 

 this species feeds between united poplar and aspen leaves, and is easily 

 seen by holding the leaves up to the light. It occurs about the end of 

 May, and is probably one of our most overlooked species. When it 

 occurs it is generally abundant, at least in the larval state. I have 

 known it to occur in profusion in localities where its presence was never 

 suspected. — C. Fenn. May ()t/i, 1890. 



Habits of Viminia (Acronycta) myric/E. — In the course of a 

 conversation with Mr. Salvage, I happened to mention that I took five 

 specimens of Acronycta myricce at sugar on the coast, one night last 

 week. He was somewhat surprised, and tells me that in Rannoch the 

 species is only found on the moors or at some distance above the sea- 

 level. This, on the other hand, quite surprised me. I never heard of, 



