324 THE entomologist's rkcord. 



collected by light all through that month for two seasons, nightly, but 

 without meeting it, in a locality where it abounds in May, and J may 

 add that these parts of Ireland are parallel as to climate with the 

 portion of Yorkshire about Sheffield and Rotherham, where I have 

 resided, except that we have somewhat more rain. — W. F. dk V. Kane, 

 M.A., F.E.S., Drumreaske House, Monaghan. 



I have a fairly long series of a Tcphnma, from County Cork, that I 

 have no hesitation in referring to T. crepuscularin [biimdulana). — R. 

 Adkin, F.E.S., Welllield, Lingards Road, Lewisham. 



The absence, up to the present, of Tephrosia bistortata {crepuficiilaria), 

 in Ireland, is, indeed, remarkable. The distribution of this, and the 

 closely allied species, T. crepiiscularia {biundularia), when the whole 

 of the Palasarctic region is considered, leads me to support Dr. 

 Riding's suggestion that T. bistnrtata is the older form. I have 

 seen specimens of this latter species from almost all parts of this area, 

 whilst T. crepusvvlaria appears to be exceedingly local and restricted. 

 The occurrence of the latter species in Ireland, north and midland 

 England generally, and south of England locally, and apparent 

 absence in Scotland and Scandinavia, is also very remarkable, and 

 were we in possession of some reliable detail of the distribution of the 

 two species in Europe and Asia, the results, I doubt not, would prove 

 interesting. I trust Mr. Hewett's appeal for material from abroad has 

 been, and will be, generously answered. — J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. 



Jp>RACTICAL HINTS. 



On keeping Pupae through the Winter. 



During last winter and spring a discussion was carried on between 

 some of the members of the Exchange Club, on the subject of keep- 

 ing pupfe through the winter. The subject appears to us to be of such 

 general interest to those lepidopterists who rear insects, that we have 

 summarised the remarks made by some of those who discussed the 

 matter, and now offer them to a wider public — Ed. 



To bring pupte through the winter successfully requires experience, 

 for what will suit one species may be the worst possible for others. 

 As a general rule, the best plan is to place the pup^e in a cage or box 

 with a leno covering. The floor of the cage should be covered with 

 stones for drainage, and, on the top of this layer, about six inches of 

 earth should be placed. Cover this with moss. Pupje in cocoons 

 should be laid on the moss. Above the moss, so as to cover the 

 cocoons, lay four inches of loosely laid fern fronds. This is sufficient, 

 also, to keep the extreme frost from naked pupae. Leave the cage 

 open (except for the leno) to the weather, and, as a rule, there will be 

 no reason to regret the result. Leaf -spinning species should have the 

 leaves kept moist. Moisture must never accumulate. Still, dilierent 

 pupa; often require different treatment. Some pupfe can hardly be 

 kept too wet, others can hardly be kept too dry — so long as dryness 

 and warmth do not go together. A few species, of which Pharctra 

 tnenijanthidiH is a good example, must be exposed to the weather if 

 they are to emerge at their normal time. Vermin prey upon pup^B — 

 mice, ants, Tineid lai-vte (those of EndroHia foicstrella and (Ecophora 

 pseudospretella), and beetle larvae are the worst, and a white fungus 



