44. 



LEPIDOPTERA AT KANxVUCH IN JULY". 



Eaely iu July, 1861, I spent a few days Ib company with Mr. Bircliall 

 and several other friends at Eannoch. Fortunately we had some fine 

 hot weather, though we did not escape a few of the heavy storms of 

 rain so frequent in the Highlands. Insects in that neighbourhood 

 evidently know how to appi'eciate fine weather, for when the sun shone 

 they made the best of it, appearing in great abundance. Among our 

 captures were the following : — 



Oeometra Papilionaria. — This species, in company with swarms of Metro- 

 campa- margaritaria, flew in the evening round our sugared trees. 

 They were rather suspected of taking a sip on the sly. A specimen 

 that I beat from a young birch in the day time made no attempt 

 to fly, but fell to the ground. 



Dasydia dhfuscata. — On the heaths at the foot of Craig Cross. When 

 disturbed they dashed away with such rapidity that pursuit was 

 useless. I managed however to secure a specimen as it rose. 



Psodos trepidaria. — We mounted Craig Cross one day expressly for 

 this species, but could only find one specimen. It was flitting 

 about the sheltered hollows near the top of the hill, and settling 

 now and then on the herbage, something in the style of Syricthus 

 alveolus, but much more gently. 



Acidalia fumata. — Common among the long heath in the fir woods, 

 settling low down among the stems, but easily disturbed, when it 

 would flit a short distance and settle again in some hollow. 



Fidonia pinetaria. — Yery abundant in the same woods, but more local, 

 sometimes swarming over a spot of a few yards in extent ; indeed, 

 I have had half-a-dozen specimens in my net at once. The males 

 are very lively in the sunshine, though their flight is not powerful, 

 and they generally flutter quietly about the very tallest heath. 

 The females are not nearly so common as the other sex, and much 

 quieter in their habits, usually remaining settled on the tall heath 

 when undisturbed. 



Emmelesia ericetata. — Also very local, but on the open heaths ; I do 

 not recollect that we saw it in the woods. Its flight is slow and 

 graceful, the delicate markings on the fore wings being visible as 

 it flies. 



Coremia munitata. — Common on the hill sides among scattered trees, 

 especially in the ravines or water courses. Particularly fond of 

 settling on the under side of a fallen tree, or one which leaned 

 across a ravine. Tlie female was not at all common. 



