120 [> Ia y. 



Hastula hyerana, Mill., at Reigate. — In April 1911, 1 collected some larvae 

 of Hastula hyerana at Hyeres. These duly produced moths in the autumn of 



1911. From eggs laid by these, larvae emerged, and in the autumn of 1911 

 were placed on some plants of Asphodel that are in my garden here. In the 

 spring of 1912 I collected larva? from these plants, which duly produced moths 

 and eggs, and the resulting larvae were placed on the plants in the autumn of 



1912. Last spring (1913) I observed larvae on the plants, but partly from being 

 from home, and in some degree from forgetfulness, I simply left them on the 

 plants, and concluded that the experiment was ended. It seems, however, that 

 this was not so, since I now (April, 1914) find larvae on the plants. The 1913 

 larva? (those turned out newly hatched, August or September, 1912) must 

 therefore have succeeded in activating, in emerging as moths and in laying 

 eggs in August or September (or later) in 1913, with the larvae found now as 

 the result. 



It would thus appear that H. hyerana has lived at Reigate in the open- 

 air without any attention, from September, 1912, till April, 1914, more than 

 a full generation, with every prospect of completing the second full cycle. — 

 T. A. Chapman, Betula, Reigate : April, 1914. 



"A humble-bee attacked by a Dipteron." — The occurrence recorded under the 

 above heading by Mr. Richardson in the " Entomologist's Monthly Magazine " 

 for last month, p. 93, is easily explained. What was taken for " a medium- 

 sized black humble-bee " was really the female of Podalirius pilipes, Fab., one 

 of the Apidse ; and the supposed Dipteron hovering over it and vibrating its 

 wings in a state of great excitement was clearly the male of the same species ! 

 These two insects differ so widely in appearance that they may easily be mis- 

 taken for different species, but the black pubescence of the one and the golden- 

 brown appearance of the other, and their method of courtship are conclusive. 

 The only other insect they could possibly have been is Podalirius retusus, Linn. 

 These two species are superficially very much alike, but the latter is later in its 

 appearance and more local, whereas the former appears everywhere with the first 

 sunny days of March and remains on the wing for a long time, though its rich 

 golden-brown pubescence rapidly becomes griseous in brilliant weather. — 

 W. H. Harwood : April 1st, 1914. 



Apparatus designed for setting small insects. — A useful piece of apparatus 

 has recently been made to my design by Mr. O. E. Janson, and as it is we 

 both think the most practical and convenient apparatus at present designed for 

 setting small insects, I think the description will be of interest to you. It con- 

 sists of the head-band as used by medical men to hold the mirror with which 

 they examine throats, &c, but the mirror removed, and in place of it a metal 

 rod of measured length with a ball at one end to fit into the socket of the head- 

 band, while the other end consists of a clip to hold lenses of various powers. 

 In this way a lens of suitable strength is held in comfort at a convenient 

 distance from the eye, moveable with the head of the user, so that it can be 



