PRACTICAL HINTS. 81 



two, and is either distinct, or with other forms, a link to show they 

 are all one species ; in any case it requires a name. 



Habitat : Val Maggia, near Bignasco (Tessin), abundant, bred by 

 Mr. Bacot and myself. 



Field Work for February and March. 



By J. W. TUTT, F.E.S. 



1. — iMild evenings in February give larvae of Triphaena orbona, 

 T. ianthina, Loicania Utliarni/Ha, Plihuiopliora metindoi^a at the base 

 of hedges ; they are easier to find now than later, the vegetation bemg 

 less thick (Mathew). 



2. — During February the larv« of Epimda lichenea are to be found 

 stretched on stems of dead grass, dock, twigs, &c., the smallest in a 

 sphinx-like attitude, generally in small groups of five or six ; those 

 that were feeding ate dock, sorrel, chickweed, and a common sort of 

 grass. 



3. — r>asypolia tniipli hibernated females laid ova March 1st and 

 6th-13th. The latter emerged April 5th, transparent yellow with 

 black head. Some burrowed into the leaf stem of Heradeiivi sphon- 

 i/ijliinn (cow-parsnip), two others spun a slight silk protection and 

 devoured the cuticle of a leaf. By April 13th nearly all were hidden 

 in the leaf stems. On June 18th found a full-fed larv* (stung, 

 however, and full of a mass of small maggots) under a stone near 

 Athlone. Howth is also a locality (Kane). 



4. — Early hatching (January and February) eggs of Asteroscopus 

 ^phin.r can be reared on birch catkins by cutting the latter open ; the 

 larv8P Avill not touch the catkins unless split (Greene). 



5. — Afirotis liu-eniea larvje hide in daytime in isolated tufts of 

 grass growing in clefts on bare cliff' faces. On February 12th they 

 are large and not far from full-fed. Look for them at night with 

 a lantern (Kane). 



6. — From oak galls collected in February I bred a fine long series 

 of Heusiviene jivibriana and < 'ocri/.r splcndididana (Elisha). 



7. — During February pull gently the last year's flower-stalks of 

 ragwort, and you will find that when the root contains a larva of Acro- 

 lepia aeneana, the stem breaks off readily, leaving a piece about two 

 inches high which is slightly webbed over the hole that leads down to 

 the root. Dig up the roots, plant in pots or boxes, and bring indoors 

 in May. 



8. — To rear larvte of Aiirotis agatliina plant in pots some shoots 

 of Krica cuierea, surround the shoots with moss to serve as a hiding- 

 place for the larvae during the day, place 12-15 larvae in each pot, 

 cover the whole with a carefully fastened gauze bag, place the pot in 

 a saucer full of Avater, and the whole out in the open air, a most 

 important factor for success ; leave the pots in the sun, but they must 

 be protected against heavy rain. After about a fortnight they want 

 attending to, the moss lifted and searched with care so that no 

 hidden larvse be thrown away, the grass cleared, fresh moss added, 

 and the larvae placed back. If the heath be too much eaten a fresh 

 piece must be planted. When full-fed the larvas prefer to spin up 

 between the stems of the heath almost on the ground ; once they have 



