154 THE entomologist's record. 



-t to be either Ardia caia or Callimcrpha dominula, but a glance into 

 the net disclosed its real nature. The second specimen (which I 

 believe to be a male) was taken on August 25th, and is slightly larger, 

 and even finer than the first. The third, of smaller size, was captured 

 on August 30th. No other specimen was seen, though the hedge was 

 beaten carefully nearly every day. An entomological friend saw the 

 insects shortly after their capture (the last one alive) and gave it as his 

 opinion that the hind wings differed slightly from those of some that he 

 had taken last year in the islands of Jersey and Sark.^ I have had, as 

 yet, no opportunity for making the comparison. 



I am not aware that there is on record any authenticated account 

 of the capture of three specimens of Callimorpha hera in England 

 in one week, and it appears to me a most remarkable occurrence, and 

 although Newman, Stainton, Knaggs and many other authorities do 

 not include the insect in their British lists at all, I hope that in future 

 this insect will find its place among British Lepidoptera. The 

 appearance of three foreign specimens cannot be accounted for by 

 any of the familiar theories ; and, even if we assume that a female 

 was brought over last autumn, still the ova must have hatched and 

 the larvae fed up and hibernated in this country. Besides, where three 

 are taken, there are probably more behind. I should be curious to 

 hear of any other captures being made this season. I intend to 

 exhibit my specimens at an early meeting of the City of London 

 Entomological and Natural History Society, and shall be glad if any 

 one can throw any light on the subject of their appearance this year 

 in Devonshire. 



It may be interesting to observe, in conclusion, that in Merrin's 

 Lepidopterist's Calendar are to be found the following notes :-^(i). 

 Under 'Warvce" for September, " C. hera. Doubtful native. On the 

 continent it feeds on Echiitm zndgare and various low plants." (2). 

 Under imagos for August, " C. hera. Has occurred at sugar at 

 Exeter." There seems reason to believe, then, that the Exeter 

 district is this insect's headquarters in England. — George Hollis, 

 London. September, 1890. 



[Mr. Hollis seems to be unaware of Mr. Jager's captures in the 

 same district spread over the last few years. From ova obtained, Mr. 

 Tugwell, Mr. jager, and others have bred specimens, undoubtedly 

 native as far as the bona fides of Mr. Jager's captures are concerned. 

 Great doubt has been expressed by some lepidopterists, concerning 

 Mr. Jager's specimens, but I have not the remotest doubt as to their 

 authenticity myself. I have printed Mr. HoUis's note in full, as 

 affording additional proof of the genume character of Mr. Jager's 

 captures. — Ed.] 



Capture of Lithosia molybdeola. — I have to record the capture 

 of a few specimens of the above species some miles from Manchester. 

 The few I took were captured after dark on grass stems by searching 

 with a lantern. — J. Collins, Warrington. August 27///, 1890. 



Capture of Lithosia caniola. — On the 26th July I took an imago 

 of Lithosia caniola on the identical ground where Mr. Barrett discovered 

 the moth in i860. It was taken in large numbers by Mr. Edwin 

 Birchall and other entomologists on the same ground afterwards, but as 



^ There is a great deal of variation in the colour of the hind wings from bright red 

 to yellow (var. lutesccns). — Ed. 



