1902.] 257 



specimen I found a small larva which had for some little distance 

 eaten its way along the midrib, going in the direction from the apex 

 to the centre stem, in a manner common to many leaf-miners. 



Being then in search of galls, more especially than for the causes 

 of gall-growth, I paid little attention to the specimens, and as these 

 curled pinnules are not classed as a true gall, I made no further 

 attempts to rear the imagines, and the larva? perished. Each summer, 

 however, since then T have gathered a few specimens, and endeavoured 

 to rear the imagines, but without success, until the present season. 



In the Hastings district they are not rare. I have found them in 

 nine different localities * They are somewhat local in situation. My 

 experience is that the moths are difficult to rear, mainly on account 

 of the necessity of gathering the bracken fronds at the particular 

 time necessary to ensure the emersion of the imagines in captivity, 

 and previous failures appear to have been attributable on my part to 

 error of judgment in that respect. The drying of the plant after 

 removal from the rachis is another difficulty to overcome. Unless the 

 larva is fully fed, and preparing to pupate, it will perish of starvation. 



Under normal conditions it appears the larva pupates in the 

 earth. The larva? of the imagines 1 bred did not leave the plant. 

 What length of time is passed in a state of pupation in the earth I 

 have not been able to determine, but in confinement it is about 10 — 

 14 days. I have not found more than one larva in each affected pin- 

 nule. According to climatic conditions, and the early or late nature 

 of the season, the last time to search must vary somewhat, but from 

 about June 7th to 25th appears to be the best time to collect the 

 curled pinnules, and, from June 21st to July 8th, the imagines may be 

 expected to appear. 



To any one desirous of rearing the moths next summer, I offer 

 the following notes : — 



Begin to search among the bracken as early as the last week in May. Remove 

 each affected pinnule and place at once in a tin box, or in the customary vasculum. 

 At the same time secure also about a handful of common moss. Upon returning 

 home put as much earth as will fill a tea-cup on a tin or old plate, and bake it in the 

 kitchen oven for a couple of hours. When cold, place the earth between six or eight 

 sheets of newspaper, and with an old bottle, as a roller, crush tbe earth to a powder, 

 removing all small stones and grit. Thoroughly wash the moss in several lots of 

 water, removing all earth from the roots and stems. Procure a 21b. jam glass, and 

 in it put the earth. Draw off from the boiler about a pint of water, set it aside, 

 and when cold, use enough to make the earth in the glass fairly moist. Put the 

 remainder of the water in a clean small bottle, and cork it in the usual manner, 



* The following are the localities : Guestling, Icklesham, Fairlight, Staplecro»s, Niufield 

 Hollington, Battle, Beaufort Park, and St. Helen's Wood. 



