230 THE entomologist's record. 



captures. Arcfia caia used to swarm in the larval state on every Aveedy 

 bank, but this is no longer the case. I have seen the imagines flying 

 in dozens round our street lamps, now it is only an occasional 

 visitor. A. villica and Spilosoma merulica, formerly very common, 

 are now very scarce. Psilura mouacha was formerly common at 

 Darenth, in the larval state, but I do not think it occurs there now. 

 Erioijaster lanesiris is quite extinct. Bomhyx neusiria, formerly one of 

 our greatest pests, is now comparatively scarce. Porthesia similis is very 

 greatly reduced in numbers, and seems likely to follow the example of 

 B. neustria. Bomhyx rubi is never seen now. Bomhyx querciis and 

 Odonestis potatoria were formerly abundant as larvte ; now a day's 

 work within a radius of ten miles from Lewisham, would hardly yield 

 a dozen. 



Of Geometers the list is a fairly long one. Of course, in the case 

 of a few very local species the destruction of their habitat is the cause 

 of the disappearance. Angerona prnnaria and Enrymene dolohrarid, 

 once locally common, are now never seen. Eugonia quercinaria and 

 Boarmia repanddta seem to be getting scarcer. Tephrosia Inrid^tta is 

 less common than it was. Epliyra porata, E. punctaria and E. annulata, 

 all formerly abundant, are now nearly extinct. Acidalia snhsericeata 

 not scarce in the past, is now never seen. BajHa ternerata and B. htma- 

 cidata, which were locally common, are now almost extinct. Aleucis pictaria 

 does not occur now in the old Dartford locality. Nameria jmheraria is 

 gradually getting scarce. Minoa murinata, once locally abundant, is now 

 extinct. Ahraxas sylcata formerly occurred sparingly over the district, 

 especially at Abbey Wood. I have heard of no captures for many years. 

 Ligdia adiistata used to be very abundant everywhere, but is now much 

 less common. Eupithecia pmlcheUata, once locally common, is now extinct. 

 E. castigata and E. vulgata, formerly pests, are now, the former scarce, 

 the latter far from abundant. E. dodoneata and E. exiguata, formerly 

 very abundant everywhere, are now scarce and local. E. sohrinata 

 used to abound on all the palings round gardens, it is now only 

 noticed on street lamps. Melanippe hastata was never common, 

 but is now extinct. Anficlea ruhidata, formerly abundant along every 

 hedgerow, is now decidedly scarce and local. A. nigrofasciaria, once 

 not uncommon, is now rarely seen. Camptogramma Jiuriata was fairly 

 common at street lamps between 1863 and 1870. I have not heard of 

 any captures in the last ten years. PhilhalajHeryx tersaia used to be 

 common where clematis grew, it is now scarce. Scotosia vetidata was 

 formerly excessively abundant in several localities, but I only know of 

 one spot where it occurs now, and that spai'ingly. Cidaria suffumata 

 was locally common, it is now extinct. C. fulvata and C. pyraliata 

 were abundant everywhere, now they are far from common. 



Among the Pseudo-Bombyces the only noteworthy absentee is 

 Dtloha caeruleocephala ; save for an occasional specimen on the street 

 lamps, it is rarely seen now. It used to swarm in the larval state. 



The causes which affect the Nocture are, I think, different from 

 those which influence the other groups. So many of their larvae are 

 c(mcealed by day, either under the lower leaves of low plants or in the 

 ground, that atmospheric conditions concern them little. I'he 

 reasons for their disappearance must be sought elsewhere. I append 

 the list for what it is worth. Cymatophora flitduosa used to be occasion- 

 ally taken in our home woods, and the larvae were not rare at Darenth 



