IS73.] ' 153 



THE LjEFIBOPTERA OF IRELAND. 

 BY EDWrN BIRCHALL. 



I hare not been able for several years to give miieh attention to 

 the Lepidoptera of Ireland. A number of insects not included in the 

 list published in the Entomologist's Monthly Magazine, Yol. iii, ISGG, 

 have, however, been noticed by other entomologists, and I think a 

 summary of them may be useful to those interested in Irish IS'atural 

 History. 



Nothing to my knowledge has yet been done towards the investi- 

 gation of the South Coast from Waterford to Cork, an exceedingly 

 promising district ; for here, if anywhere in the British Islands, we 

 may expect to find species derived from France and the Spanish 

 Peninsvila. 



The province of Ulster also remains unexplored, but the occur- 

 rence of Phihalapteryx lapidata in considerable numbers, will, I hope, 

 induce a search in the north of the island for other migrants from 

 the shores of Scotland ; I have little doubt it will meet with success. 



Belfast and Letterkenny are each fortunate enough to possess 

 an entomological clergyman, and to them I commend the matter. 



I regret to notice that Irish entomologists pay little attention to 

 the Tortrices, and none at all to the Tineina, and consequently our 

 knowledge of the distribution of these groups in Ireland remains 

 very imperfect. 



No trustworthy confirmation has been obtained of the occurrence 

 in Ireland of the following species included in the list of 1866 ; and 

 I am of opinion that they should be struck out. Erroneous ideas or 

 theories of Natural History are of comparatively little consequence, 

 critics and time will certainly dispose of them ; but it is obvious we 

 can never arrive at correct conclusions if the facts from which they 

 are deduced, or rather by which they must be tested, are false. 



Fieris cratcegi. | Notodonta hicolora. 



Vanessa poJychJoros. Notodonta tntop)'kus.\ See the Rev. 



Lyc(B7ia Aqestis. Nonagria concolor. \^- ^'■^''"'^'/ ^'-"■ 



J 'J . . Vmarks, Entomo- 



Thc food-plaut, Helianthemum vulgare, JSfeuria saponavKB. loaist, Vol. iii, 



is uot, I believe, fouud in Ireland. Aqrotis ravida. ) p. 157. 



LyccEiia Corydon. 



Deilephila fxpliofbice. 



£omhyx castrensis. I DiantJioscia carpophaga. 



Epione vespertaria. Ophiodcs luna7'is. 



Euperia fulvago. 

 Dianthoecia compta. 



