Practical hinTs. 21 1 



Ji>RACTICAL HINTS*. 



Field work for August. 



1. — Larvne of Fenthina (H)iiidiana &ve to be found during August in 

 the spun-together leaves of terminal shoots of Mi/rica i/ale. 



2. — If the patches of Aniieria vuhjaris, growing on salt marshes, 

 are carefully Avatched on a bright afternoon in August, Sericoris lit- 

 toralis will, in all probability, be seen flying over them in numbers. 



3. — Towards the end of this month the larv^ of rhtlienchroa riit/o- 

 sana are to be found feeding in the fruit of Unjonia dioica, which 

 they often attach to the stems with silk. As these larvaj do not pupate 

 until the spring it is expedient to keep them in a cool, and not too 

 dry, place. 



4. — About the close of August a careful examination of the leaves 

 of various species of tyali.v may result in some being found drawn 

 together at the edges, so as to form a pod-like chamber. These leaves 

 should contain the active larvje of Plioxoptenjx biarcnana. 



5.— From the middle of the month Scinasia spiniana may be 

 captured flying over whitethorn in the bright sunshine. Its time of 

 flight commences about midday and lasts well into the afternoon. 

 By stooping down by a close-cut hawthorn hedge, so as to get a clear 

 view of the moths against tbe sky as they fly along, great quantities 

 are sometimes to be obtained, 



6. — A visit to some grassy spot, from noon to 2 p.m., on a sunny 

 day about the middle of August, is likely to disclose small moths fly- 

 ing amongst the vegetation. These are very likely to prove the local 

 OchsenheUiieria birdeUa, as so it is procured. 



7. — The larvae of Enicoi^tonm lobelia occur from the middle to the 

 end of August. They are found on the underside of leaves of Pnnuis 

 coDDinmis and its cultivated varieties. The larva spins silk on the 

 under-surface of a leaf, which causes it to contract, but not to a very 

 marked extent. Unless great care is exercised in gathering the 

 tenanted leaves their occupiers will be found to have abandoned their 

 homes. 



Q.—Psi»ic(>ptera (jibboaella occurs towards the end of August, and 

 is best found by searching oak stems. It sits tightly pressed into a 

 crevice in the bark, and when the stems are lichen-covered it is well 

 nigh imperceptible. Under such conditions it may be dislodged by 

 gently blowing on the stems. 



9.— Larvte of Teleia miptdla are to be found at the end of August 

 in leaves of Acer cmnpestre having a corner turned over. The larvae 

 occur on the lower shoots of their foodplant, and appear to have a 

 liking for those in close-cut hedges. 



10. — From six to a quarter-past seven, on calm and mild evenings 

 throughout August, the imagines of Lita macnUferella may be found 

 flying along whitethorn hedges. This species is local, but generally 

 abundant where it occurs. 



11. — If the seed-heads of Dacti/lis (jhimcrata are ga':hered about the 

 middle of August, they will often yield a good supply of larvae of 

 Giyphipteryx fischerella. 



* " Practical Hints for the Field Lepidopterist," Pts. I and II each contain 

 some 1250 practical hints similar to these, but relating chiefly to the Macro- 

 lepidoptera. Interleaved for collector's own notes. Price 6s. each part. 



