280 THE entomologist's record. 



the British Islands, with dates of actual captures, particularly interest- 

 ing for comparison with those of 1888, the most backward season of 

 which we have any record. We should be glad of any such notes from 

 any part of the United Kingdom. 



The third volume of JSn'tish Tjcpidnptera has been issued during the 

 last month, and all subscribers should have received a copy. If any 

 subscriber has not yet had his copy he should apply direct to the 

 Editor. Those who have received copies and not yet acknowledged 

 the safe receipt thereof are kindly requested to do so. 



We should be glad to know of any lepidopterist who can send any 

 facts based on personal observation of the egg-laying, larval habits, 

 dates of capture, and localities (with counties), of Theretra porcdlus, 

 KnmoypJia clpenor, Phri/.riis livornica, Hippotiou celerio, and J>aphnis 

 nerii. We make an especial appeal to those lepidopterists who have 

 met the three last-named species abroad for information, and if they 

 are in a position to supply material, eggs, larva^ (in spirit or otherwise) 

 and pupa-shells, Avould be very acceptable. 



The Hon. N. C. Rothschild describes {Knt. Mo. Mag.), with plate, a 

 new British flea, ('eratoplnjllnx i/arci, a species closely allied to C. 

 (lallinae, Schrk., taken from a nest of GaUinida cldnyopus in July last 

 near Tring. 



Mr. Wainwright adds {Knictii.) a new Tachinid to the British list, 

 viz., Meriania arf/cntifera, Meig. The specimen was taken by Mr. W. 

 Lucas in the New Forest on April 30th last. 



Mr. Johnson records the capture on June 18th last, on the Welsh 

 coast, a specimen of Anthmcera piirpKialis without any trace of 

 crimson, both upper and lower wings being entirely bronzy-black. The 

 melanic form of this species was described in British T.rjiiiloptera, 

 vol. i., p. 437. 



Mr. Walter E. Hardy, 52, Ikdford Street, Moss Side, Manchester, 

 wishes to hear from entomologists willing to help in the formation of 

 a local entomological society at Manchester. 



Mr. G. B. Browne VQ\^orts {Kiitaiu., p. 269) Af/rotis obdisca as being 

 l)y far the most abundant species on the Deal sandhills at sugar for 

 the fortnight commencinj]; Auoust 10th. He also records lAt/iosia 

 }iiolijbiU'nla at Dymchurch, near Hythe. We beg to suggest the hrst of 

 these records, and possibly the second, to be self-evident errors. A 

 mere list of captures from a well-known locality is useless unless 

 accurate. If accurate, all lists are useful as supplying data for distri- 

 l)ution and times of appearance. 



:^OTES ON LIFE-HISTORIES, LARY^, &c. 



Ovum of Crambus auipellus. — The egg of Cranihim adipdlus 

 (si/lvdliis) is of a very pale yellow tint, the surface shiny and slightly 

 iridescent ; much more quadrilateral than oval in outline, the ends 

 being somewhat square, one end ( ? the micropylar) being, however, 

 rather more rounded than its nadir. The eggs ai'e laid loosely in a 

 box, they are plump, with no hollow due to sinking, and there are 

 seven very distinct longitudinal ribs observable when the egg is lying 

 naturally on one of its broad sides, the transverse striations being 

 hardly noticeable under the power at disposal. The egg is exceedingly 

 small, the length : breadth : height as about 5:4:3. Eggs laid 

 August 9th, by a $ taken on Mont Joly at about 4000ft. elevation. 

 Described August 12th, 1902.— J. W. Tutt. 



