238 THE entomologist's record 



In July last, Mr. Fenn mentioned that Z. salicis has the power of 

 ejecting a fluid from (apparently) glands, situated on the thorax, and 

 I find that that species is not the only one similarly provided. At 

 the time I read Mr. Fenn's note, I was breeding Ardia caia, and 

 found ihat if the thorax of that species is gently pressed, or the insect 

 irritated, two glands situated just in front of the red collar of the 

 thorax, give out drops of greenish fluid. These glanis appear, under 

 the microscope (after denuding the thorax of scales), as whitish pro- 

 cesses, larger at the orifice than below, and the fluid when tested with 

 litmus paper, gives a slightly acid reaction. The species is certainly 

 a distasteful one to birds, as also is salicis according to Mr. Poulton's 

 experiments, and it seems as if this fluid may be one of its means 

 of defence, as it would probably be sufficiently acrid to disgust any 

 bird which might approach it. On mentioning the matter to my frier.d 

 Mr. Prideaux, I found that he also had this summer, noticed for the 

 first time these glands in A. caia. I hope, as opportunity offers, to 

 examine other species with a view of ascertaining whether they possess 

 these organs. — G. C. Griffiths, Clifton, Bristol. November, 1890. 



These glands are present in many Cuspidates I believe. Is the 

 acid not a form of formic acid? — Sydney Webb, Dover. Ahr.\, 1890. 



[I have repeatedly noted these glands, and, like many other 

 subjects, thought it was hardly worth recording until brought to my 

 notice by someone else. It is to be hoped that further attention may 

 now be given to the subject. — Ed ] 



^URRENT NOTES. 



The Young Naturalist, which has now become quite a recognised 

 entomological Magazine, is to commence the new year under the title of 

 the British Naturalist. 



Mr. E. A. Butler, F.E.S., records the capture of a 5^ and a $ 

 specimen of Nabis boops, near Gomshall, Surrey, in August last. 



Mr. Nelson M. Richardson, F.E.S., records {E.M.M.) the larvs of a 

 Nepticula in osier {Salix alba) ; which differ from the larvje of 

 N. salicis, feeding in sallows, although the wings appear the same. 



Mr. G. T. Baker, F.L.S., records (E.M.M.) rearing Eulepia crihrum 

 on ordinary grasses. Mr. Goss, F.L.S., says the same species feeds 

 well on Erica cinerea and E. ietralix, but starved on Calluna 

 vulgaris. 



Mr. W. W. Smith {E.M.M.) notes great flights of Culex, Tipula and 

 Tetramoriutn in New Zealand. 



Professor C. II. Fernald, Mass., U.S.A., says that : — " Mr. Meyrick's 

 revision of the Pyralidina of Europe {Trans. Ettt. Soc. of London., 

 Part III., 1890) is one of the most important papers on Systematic 

 Entomology that has appeared for a long time." 



A specimen of Chcerocanipa nerii is reported to have been captured 

 by a lad of twelve, flying round honeysuckle near Dartmouth. 



