1872.] 91 



LaLor in July and in the beginning of August, Lithosia niuscerda became quite 

 common, %ing about the alder and sallow bushes at dusk ; L. slramineola and 

 griseola were much less plentiful, the latter being, curiously enough, the scarcest of 

 the three ; but Nudaria senex abounded so as to be a nuisance, and Acidalia emar- 

 ginata was pretty common. PericalUa syringaria also occurred, with Eiqnsteria 

 heparata and JSupithecia tenuiata and siibfulvata. Apamea fibrosa and Epunda 

 viminalis flew at night, and Senta ulvce came to the lantern at midnight. The light 

 also attracted various Toririces, such as Peronea hastlana, Dittda semifasciana, and 

 Pcedisca semifiiscana in considerable variety, as well as Pteropliorus microdaciylus. 

 At this time, the second broods of Phoxopteryx paludana and siculana appeared, 

 flying at sunset, as well as Peronea Shepherdana among its food-plant, the meadow- 

 sweet. By energetic and persevering sweeping of the alder bushes, a fine series of 

 the lovely little Bohemannia qiiadrimaculeUa was secured ; one specimen of Gelechia 

 suhdecurtella, and two more of Opostega auritella occurred, flying before dusk ; and 

 Elachista paludum (second brood), Lithocolletis stettinensis , Acrolepia pygmaana, 

 Laverna rhamniella and Depressaria conterminella all appeared. Crambus uligino- 

 sellus was still common, flying at sunset, but badly used by repeated storms of rain 

 and wind ; and in the beginning of August its congener, C. sylvellus, began to appear. 

 A couple of dragon-flies, carrying on rival collecting operations, fell victims to their 

 temerity, and proved to be a scarce species, ^schna rufescens. 



At this time the fens are being mown, and the larvse of Papilio Macliaon being 

 fully grown, are constantly found by the mowers. These men say that they know 

 directly they have disturbed one by its strong scent, which they compare to rotten 

 apples. It is, however, much more like that of the pine-apple, and is given off very 

 powerfidly when the larva, by pressure between the thumb and finger, is induced to 

 protrude the forked tentacle from its second segment. It would seem as though 

 this perfume was voluntarily given off when it is alarmed by the sudden cutting of 

 its food-plant. At the same time, the handsome larva of iSiiiiyra veno.sa is occasion- 

 ally to be found feeding on reed {Aruiido phragmites). 



On August 16th, I joined my j-oiuig friend Mr. Frank Wlieeler, at the fen. He 

 had been there all day, and had taken specimens of the (partial) second brood of 

 Papilio Machaon on the wing, and also the larva of Orgyia gonostigma. When we 

 had worked together for some time, he called my attention to a Noctiia sitting on a 

 reed stem, which I instantly recognised as a $ Nonagria brecilinea in decent condi- 

 tion. This might be called (in classic language) a sell for me, especially as wc both 

 worked long and fruitlessly for more. A few Crambus sylvellus occurred at sunset, 

 Nemotois mlnimellus and Glyphipferyx schcenicolella (second brood) on rushes, and 

 Gelechia muscosella and sororvuleUa flying. At night, worn specimens of Lithosia 

 niuscerda condescended to patronize our sugar, as did Noctua uinhrosa and Apamea. 

 fibrosa. 



Later in the month, Semasia jiojjulana made its aj)pcarance, and I found one 

 specimen sitting in an open flower of the lovely grass of Parnassus {Pariiassia 

 pal list ris). A second or third brood of Penthina marginana was out, and I picked 

 up a specimen of Laverna phragmitella, fiying (a most unusual circumstance for 

 this lazy species) near some plants of Typha latifolia. 



At tliis time, stray specimens of a second brood of Schxiiobius mucronellus made 

 their appearance, and plenty of Phibalapteryx ligiiata. — C'liAS. G. Baebett, Nor* 

 wieh ; VltJi 3Ia/i, 1872. 



