208 tllE entomologist's flECORt). 



ditions, it would appear that the grey form is well protected, although, 

 under other conditions, the melanic form is the better protected. The 

 Linnean type is described as " rufo cinereis ; fasciis duabus linearibus 

 luteis flexuosis " {Sj/s. Nat., xiith Ed., p. 846). Some specimens show a 

 strong tendency to form a dark band across the fore-wings. This 

 form might be well called ab. rin/ata. The deep brownish-black 

 melanic form might also be called ab. obscum. — Ed.] . 



:]P>RACTICAL HINTS. 



Field Work for August and September. 



By J. W. TUTT, F.E.S. 



1. — In the middle of September, the larva of Ebnlca atachijdalis 

 feeds on the leaves of StacJn/s Ni/lvatica, living in a sort of tube, formed 

 either by turning down the top of a leaf and folding it closely to 

 the under surface with a quantity of silk, or else by drawing together 

 a fold of the under surface, and covering it over with a thick silken 

 web, in either case leaving an opening at the end. It comes out at 

 night to feed. The larvae are usually found low down on the plants, 

 eating large holes through the substance of the leaves, but leaving the 

 margin and veins untouched (Buckler). 



2. — The spruce -fir cones should be collected during September for 

 the larvfe of Enjdthecia t<M/ata. They feed between the scales of the 

 cone, upon the ripe seed at the base. The protruding frass makes an 

 affected cone quickly recognisable. 



3. — Seedheads of Daucus carota, collected in September, some- 

 times give imagines of Depressaria ilf2)ressclla the following month. 



4. — The larva of Einmelesia decolorata may be found in the flowers 

 of the campion [Lychnu dioica) in August. Its presence is first 

 made known by the half-eaten petals, and it is usually found within 

 the calyx of the unopened flower-bud. Later on it re-enters the 

 seed-capsule. 



5. — The larva of Anarta iin/rtilli should be swept for on heaths 

 (covered with Calluna) with a circular net, which is better than beat- 

 ing into an umbrella for this species. August and September are the 

 best months. Does this species still occur on Wimbledon Common 

 (the side near the park) '? 



6. — In early September the conspicuous white mines made by 

 larvfe of Gdcdna naerifcrella are to be seen in leaves of C/icnopodiuni. 

 At the same time, and on the same plant, the less conspicuous mines 

 of (t. hermandla are also to be found. 



7. — At the end of August, sweep the flowers of Calluna vuhjarh 

 for the larvaa of Kupitkccia nanata. 



8. — During August, collect the twisted tops of osiers for the larvae 

 of Earias chlorana. The larvae of Perunea Jta.stiana are often abund- 

 ant in a similar situation, a week or two earlier. 



9. — TajiinnstDla lielhnanni, iisually supposed to be a fen species, 

 occurs abundantly in Monk's Wood (Hunts) in August. It is much 

 more abundant on the outskirts of Wicken Fen than in the Fen itself. 



10. — Thistles in sheltered situations give, in early September, the 

 cases of Coleophura therinella. 



