186 THE entomologist's record. 



II a.m., two not emerging. The ? that emerged at 7 a.m. is very 

 peculiar ; it approaches the scaleless specimens sometimes seen, and in 

 markings and colour partakes much of either sex, which coupled with 

 its emergence at the same time as the males is interesting. I had two 

 \? 's and one ? emerge the same day. A pair copulated between 

 3 and 4 p.m for about 45 minutes, and between 7 and 7.30 p.m. the 

 ? deposited a batch of ova, 18 in number j about 8 p.m. another 16; 

 and a third batch six in number. Part of the second and the last six 

 laid proved infertile, the others hatched on May loth. As is well 

 known the males in a state of nature fly between 2.30 and 4.30 p.m., 

 at which time the ? has just dried its wings ; and, as I have shown, 

 copulation takes place about that time, it suggests the probability that 

 unless the $ has emerged the same day, it would have no attraction 

 for the males, as otherwise you would expect them to fly at any time 

 during the day. The fact of males emerging four hours before the 

 female, strikes me as being interesting, and it might be worth while to 

 observe whether it occurs in other insects, as by that means an idea of 

 the natural time of flight might be obtained. — Ambrose Quail, 15, 

 Stamford Hill, N. 



Platyptilia pallidactyla. — I was pleased to read your note on this 

 interesting group {Pterophori?ia), also the table annexed, which, to my 

 mind, is invaluable. I should like to say a word or two on a few species. 

 I am glad to see you have put pallidactyla = hertrami the "yarrow- 

 feeding " plume. It is the larva of this, I believe, that Mr, Eales found 

 feeding on the flowers of Senecio aquatica, and not that of isodactyla. I 

 have specimens from him which appear to be all pallidactyla. They 

 were common, and he breeds plenty of the "yarrow" specimens as well. 

 I may here note I have some twenty or more from Witherslack, from 

 Mr. Eales, of all colours, some nearly as yellow as ochrodactyla, others 

 nearly white, but some nearly black. All the specimens in my series, 

 however, have the same markings, legs also, as the species which is 

 now called ochrodactyla {dichrodaciyla), a very good name. I cannot 

 And a single marking on this insect yet that is not on pallidactyla. 

 Ochrodactyla, in a long series, is perhaps larger and has the fore wings 

 more falcate. I bred most of my specimens from tansy, the others 

 came from Sang, So far, I am inclined to think they are but one 

 species. — J. B. Hodgkinson. [There is nothing in my note, I think, to 

 suggest that I supposed Mr. Eales' specimens were isodactyla. As 

 that gentleman very kindly gave me some of his specimens, and they 

 are now in my collection, I can only reiterate that they are like 

 pallidactyla, but whiter, even in bred specimens. — Ed.] 



Times of Flight. — On September 12th, at 2.30 p.m., I took last 

 season Celama haworthii flying over the mosses on the moors in this 

 neighbourhood. The afternoon was overcast and warm. My experience 

 of the species is that if the atmosphere be clear and the sun shining 

 brightly there are few insects on the wing, but if the afternoon be calm, 

 warm and moist the species flies pretty freely. I have also taken the 

 species on the blossom of the heather {Calliina vulgaris) at night in 



August. — J. FiNLAY. 



Breeding SoLENOBiiE, — I find the larvae of a Solenobia upon a stone 

 fence in some abundance. Can .my readers give me any hints 

 regarding the best method of rearing those insects ? Would it be a 



