252 THE entomologist's record. 



particular leaf, or condition of the leaf, in which the mine is situated. 

 In one case where the larva was free to continue in circles round the 

 earlier mine the tangential portion, if one may for distinction sake 

 so term it, was only 7nim. long, but the same portion of a mine in a 

 leaf rather crowded with mines, measured 19mm. The larva in the 

 fourth instar, when seen in the mine, appears of a beautiful yellow, 

 with a broad green stripe running down the centre of the body. 

 When viewed under a strong lens it has a peculiar appearance. The 

 larvfe of most species of the genus Nepticida can be plainly seen in 

 their respective mines, but not so that of N. acetosae. Owing to the 

 very strong cell walls of the cuticle of the sorrel leaves the outline of 

 the larva can only be guessed at, though its colours are plainly visible. 

 It reminds one of a beautiful yellow and green stamed-glass window. 

 When fullfed the larva, sometiij^ies at once, but more often, I think, 

 after some delay, bites a semi-circular slit through the upper cuticle 

 of the leaf and works its way out of the mine. The larva mines venter 

 uppermost, and, therefore, comes out on its back. When nearly free of 

 the mine its throws its head over its back, and, thus rolled almost in 

 a ring, falls to the ground among the herbage. 



(To he concluded.) 



The Genius Apion ; Notes from Sussex. 



By HEREWAED C. DOLLMAN, F.E.S. 



The varied and profuse flora of Ditchling, and surrounding down- 

 land, induced me this August to give my attention to the Apions. The 

 result has, I think, repaid the investigation, close upon fifty species 

 having been captured. Some of the records are of particular interest, 

 inasmuch as they refer to unusual foodplauts. 



The "subulate group" proved to be but poorly represented, perhaps 

 August is late for such species as Apion snbulatinn and A. craccae. A. 

 pamonae occurred sparingly on Lathyrus. Three species of the 

 " squamose " group were taken, the common A. ulicis on Ilex, A. 

 genistae locally common on both of the species of Genista, and the 

 recently-introduced A. kiet^ennetteri also on Geniata. The latter species 

 was only found on Ditchling Common, and, although it was not rare, 

 yet good examples were feAV and far between, as the insect is very soon 

 abraded. For the detection of A. kiesenicetteri in the field, I owe my 

 thanks entirely to Mr. H. St. J. Donisthorpe. A. urticarimn was 

 swept in small numbers off Urtica dioica at Alfriston ; it was very local 

 indeed. 



Most of the yellow-red-legged species were to the fore, A. ntrirostre, 

 A. viciae, A. difonne (two examples taken o& Hi/ peri cum quadvangidum), 

 and A. varipes. were common. I took some sixteen examples of the 

 latter species off Lathyrus pratennis, a pabulum not recorded for it 

 before. A. apricmu, A. trifoUi, A. boheviani, A. dichrouiu, and A. 

 nigritarse were all common. 



By sweeping ^latricaria, both A. ronjiurns and A. honkeri were 

 freely taken, the latter often in very great abundance. A. acneuni, A. 

 radiolus, A. cardnorum, and A. onopordi, of course proved themselves 

 not to be rarities ; I found A. onopordi not uncommonly on Arctiwn 

 lappa. Working thyme yielded A. vicinum (very rare), and also A. 

 atoinarium ; this little Apion was very prolific. A. virena and A. pisi 



