NOTES ON COLLECTING, ETC. 213 



flowers were thronged with Pliisia chrysitis, while almost every blossom 

 on the fruit bushes had its P. bractea, festuccB, iota, or pidchrina. Other 

 common species were of course present. — Lester Arnold. Oct. 1890. 



Differences between Cheimatobia boreata and C. brumata. — 

 C. boreata differs from brumata in many respects. The colour has 

 never that decided brown tint we see in brtimata, but shades off to 

 olive or blackish. The size is greater, and the form when expanded 

 is more triangular in boreata than in brumata. The hind wings are 

 paler, and this is so apparent when resting with wings raised above the 

 back, that they are separated at a glance ; in fact, the whole insect is 

 much lighter. The wings of the ? boreata are double the size of 

 those of brumata. — C. Fenn, Burnt Ash Hill, S.E. Oct. ^th, 1890. 



Larva of Cheimatobia boreata. — I have found that my larvae of 

 the above differ from those of C. brumata in three distinct ways, being 

 larger, head black, and black spiracles, and feeding upon birch prin- 

 cipally, but not exclusively. — A. E. Hall, Sheffield. Oct. 26///, 1890. 



Hybernating larv^. — Following the Rev. G. M. A. Hewett's 

 suggestion as to the desirability of accumulating notes on the various 

 methods by which hybernating larvs may be successfully wintered, 

 I venture the following : — 



Bombyx querciis. —I had about forty ova of this species, in August, 

 1886, and the young larvae on hatching, were immediately given 

 bramble, on which they fed steadily till about the middle of November, 

 when they were about as large as full-grown B. fieustria larvae. By 

 picking the bramble in shady spots, one is enabled to find green 

 leaves for the larvae throughout the winter. In cold weather they 

 remained on the stalks of their foodplant motionless, but on warmer 

 days \vould sluggishly feed. Mine were kept in a roomy cage in an 

 attic. By about the end of April of the next year, the larvae started 

 feeding again in earnest, and were easily reared, not one having died 

 during the winter. 



I have, at present, young larvas of Triphcena fimbria and Larentia 

 olivata, and should be very glad of any hints regarding their 

 management. — R. M. Prideaux, 9, Vyvyan Terrace, Clifton, Bristol. 



Results of Breeding, 1890, — Lasiocampa quercifolia {Record, p. 

 133) came out well, but larvae of Mamestra albicoloii died young. A 

 fair lot of Bombyx trifolii were all stung ; four Luperina cespitis 

 only, out of thirteen, have emerged, and I have only eight pupae out 

 of a whole brood of Hadena genistce. — G. M. A. Hewett, Winchester. 

 September K^th, 1890. 



I had a large number of larvae of Hadena genistce, and they fed 

 up in a most exemplary fashion. When full-fed, however, they began 

 wandering about the breeding cage, and finally suspended themselves 

 by one clasper to the side of the box and died. From eighty ap- 

 parently healthy larvae I have not obtained a single pupa. Mr. Tye, 

 of Birmingham, informs me he has often tried to rear H. giauca, but 

 they have all died in the same manner as my H. genista;. The genus 

 Hadena, perhaps, requires special treatment. — M. Kimber, Newbury. 

 October i^tk, 1890. 



