138 THE entomologist's record. 



or saw A. myriccc taken on the moors in Aberdeenshire. We take the 

 Lirvse commonly on the coast, and at nearly every roadside, or on the 

 edges of the fields, in fact almost anywhere where there is an abundance 

 of sorrel and plantain, which are its chief foodplants. But they are 

 not by any means confined to these plants, as I have taken them from 

 r.igwort, bramble, Scotch thisde, etc., but never from sweetgale 

 {iiiyrica). — A. Horne, Aberdeen. July 30///, 1890. 



[Mr. Reid, of Pitcaple, wrote me most fully about the habits of this 

 species in Aberdeen, more than a year ago. His experience coincides 

 almost entirely with Mr. Home's. — Ed.] 



Habits of Phoxopteryx upupana. — The imago of this species 

 flies very rapidly over the tops of oaks, birches, and other trees in their 

 immediate vicinity. It flies in the sunshine from 2 p.m. or a little 

 earlier, until an hour before sunset. It frequents woods, and appears 

 to be very local. In flying it somewhat resembles mitterpacheriana, 

 but the latter flies later in the day, and is heavier on the wing. I had 

 no opportunity of searching for the larvpe until last autumn, but was 

 then unsuccessful. It should feed on oak or birch in September. 



I am afraid notes like these on Tortrices are not very interesting to 

 collectors in general, but I know no group which is so fascinating 

 when once the study is begun. Many a blank day among the Macros 

 is redeemed from unprofitableness by turning attention to Tortrices, 

 and they are generally easy to rear and set out with a little practice. — 

 C. Fenn, Eversden House, Burnt Ash Hill, S.E. May ()th, 1890. 



[It will be seen from our " Current Notes " that this species has 

 been bred from birch, probably it feeds on oak also. — Ed.] 



Rearing Lobophora viretata, — Instead of this insect being dififi 

 cult to rear, I have now proved it to be one of the easiest, and in 

 captivity ivy is its food /<:?;- exceUeiice. The larva; stick to the leaf like 

 "grim death," while there is a particle left, devouring ribs, stalk and 

 tissues alike, and do not wander, — in fact those feeding now are 

 uncovered in glass jars. — H. Tunaley, Birmingham. June 24///, 1890. 



Notes on Asthena blomeri (pulchraria). — Is this insect double- 

 brooded ? I invariably take a few specimens during the second and 

 third weeks in June (generally much worn). From this time until the 

 3rd week in July not a specimen is to be seen, then the second brood 

 (if such) appears in beautiful condition, at rest on trunks of trees, when 

 it is difficult to take with the net. I have never been able to get ova 

 from females in confinement. The localities in which it is found are 

 wooded hill-sides, with a thin undergrowth of wych-elm. — J. Mason, 

 Clevedon Court Lodge. June^ 1890. 



Attractive influence of Ballota nigra. — Any one wanting Plusia 

 io/a, P. c/irysiiis, or Habrostola urticce will find them swarming on 

 favourable evenings at the flowers of Ballota nigra. I took dozens in a 

 very limited area, and have planted a bed of B. nigra in the garden to 

 attract them. — Hope Alderson. June, 1S90. 



Time of appearance of Plusia festuc.e. — I have taken odd 

 specimens of jP.y^i'/'//T(^ at bramble and campion flowers in June. In 

 1888 I took a fine specimen on June 15th at sugar ! ! I never heard of 

 festuccc being taken in this way before. Last year I got 5 pupte in July, 



