136 THE entomologist's record. 



The meeting of the Birmingham Entomological Society on April 

 1 Gth, appears to have been a more than usually interesting one. Mr. G. H. 

 Kenrick, in some " Notes on the Migration of Insects," suggested that, 

 in some cases at least, the migration might possibly be similar to what 

 was observed in birds ; that in the case of Pyrameis cardui, for example, 

 which occurs during the winter in North Africa, Egypt, &c., there 

 might be a migration northwards to moister climates for the production 

 of the summer brood, and a return south again for the winter brood.* 

 Exact information was desirable as to the actual hybernation of this and 

 other species in this country. Exhibits : Mr. W. Harrison ; living larvae 

 of Melitaea anrinia, taken in considerable number on devil's bit scabious 

 (Scahiosa succisa) at Arley. Mr. P. W. Abbot ; three specimens of 

 Stauropus fagi, bred from larvae obtained in Wyre Forest last year ; also 

 Neuria reticulata from Wicken. Mr. C. J. Wainwright ; the following 

 Diptera taken in Wyre Forest at Easter : a long series of an Ech'nomyia 

 (perhaps ursina), which was extremely abundant, especially on the 

 sallows ; Cheilosia grossa, C. flamcornis, Syrphus lasiophthabnus and 

 Melanostoma quadvimaculata, all taken on sallow blossom : he remarked 

 on the bee-like appearance of the Echinomyia and Cheilosia, the latter 

 resembling Andrena fulva so closely that he had had much difficulty in 

 recognising them. Mr. K. C. Bradley ; Bomhus latreillus from Sutton. 



Records have reached us of meetings of the Leicester Literary 

 AND Philosophical Society (Entomological Section), on Feb. 27th 

 and April 2nd. Mr. Bouskell recommended, and the recommendation 

 is well Avorthy of being acted upon, the formation by the Section of 

 collections of local and of British insects with life-histories. Economic 

 entomology received attention. As the result of an enquiry as to the best 

 means of dealing with the Onion grub, which is very prevalent in the 

 district, it was recommended that cultivation in trenches and the 

 covering up of the bulbs should be adopted. As the result of excur- 

 sions to Charnwood Forest at Easter, the following captures, amongst 

 others, were announced : — Brephos j^dt'thenias in good condition (out 

 fourteen days earlier than last year) ; Asphalia flavicornis, one at rest 

 and one on the wing in the bright sunshine ; two Taeniocampa mnnda 

 and one T. gracilis. Of Coleoptera : Rhagium inquisitor (8) and a number 

 of larvae out of an old stump ; Ips 4:-guttatus, plentiful under bark ; 

 Ips ^-pustulatus at sap ; Rhizophagus dispar, R. bipustulatus, Rhinosoiuus 

 planirostris, Ilybius ater, I. ohscuris and Aclius sulcatus. The following 

 among other exhibits were made : Mr. Moss ; Sinondedron cylindricnm, 

 Dorcas paraUelopipedus, Barynotus ohscurus and B. schunherri, all from 

 near Loughborough : larva? of Acherontia atropos, Cossus ligniperda, 

 Notodonta ziczac, N. dictea, &c. from the same district. Mr. Bouskell ; 

 a series of Nyssia hispidaria from oak trunks in Budden Wood ; none 

 were found at a gi-eater height from the gi-ound than one foot. Mr. 

 Headley ; Monohammus sartor, taken in Leicester on a willow trunk. 



* We should like to hear whether the author of this paper has collected 

 any information hearing on the return to the South of this or any other 

 migrating species of insect. Information relating to the possibility of Anosia 

 archippus doing so has been collected in America, but beyond the fact that the 

 latter are known to " swarm " in the autumn nothing further seems to have been 

 proved. There is, we believe at present, no shadow of reason even for the 

 supposition that they return South. If there be any material or observations 

 on the subject, we should be glad to have references. — Ed. 



