1895.] 267 



p. 405) writes as follows : " Cette espt'ce est iiieridioiiale. On le trouve en Provence, 

 en Langucdoc, elle est rare dans les environs do Lyon." The locality at Whitsand 

 Bay is not at all easy of access, and is moreover commanded by the rifle range at 

 Fort Tregantle, so it is to be hoped that the Psammohius will continue to hold its 

 own there for many years to come. — James J. Walker, H.M.S. •' Northampton," 

 Tortsmouth : October 'Jth, 1895. 



PsUota atra. Fin., and Didea intermedia, Lio., as British Insects. — These two 

 species are not included in Mr. Verrall's list of British Diptera, but are mentioned 

 in the paper on " Bare British Diptera \n the British Museum " {ante p. 113). It 

 may be well, therefore, to give some moi'e detailed notice. 



Psilota atra, Fin. — In Mr. Verrall's list of "Reputed British Diptera" is 

 Psilota anthracina, Mg., doubtless because the species is given as British by Walker 

 in " Insecta Britannica Diptera," vol. i, p. 269, where he says, " this species is in 

 Mr. Stephens' collection." Mr. E. E. Austen writes as follows : — " The two speci- 

 mens which now appear above the label Ps. anthracina in Stephens' collection both 

 belong to Pipizella, and it is significant that Walker's figures of the head and wing 

 are simply copied from Meigen. Whether Ps. anthracina, Mg., is a synonym of 

 Ps. atra. Fin., it is impossible to determine without examining the types, which may 

 no longer be in existence. Fallen only describes the male, while Meigen's description 

 is based solely on the female. But Meigen's figures sliow the face excavated below the 

 antenna; and the fourth vein outwardly concave at the tip, which is not the case in 

 the above mentioned specimens in the British Museum. In any case, Fallen's species 

 has the priority." The captui'e of three specimens of this species, 1 J , 2 ? , in the 

 New Forest is therefore of interest. 



Didea intermedia, Lw. — This may not be distinct from D.fasciata, Mg., but 

 would seem to be at least a very well marked form. 



Both of these species may therefore be admitted as New British Diptera. — 

 E. N. Bloomfield, Guestling : October YOth, 1895. 



Mylemyia f estiva, Zett. — Sixteen specimens of this handsome fly were bred by 

 Mr. C. J. Watkins from the burrows of Pemphredon lugubris, and recorded in Ent. 

 Mo. Mag., December, 1893, p. 285, and the Entomologist, October, 1894, p. 286. 

 Hence it was rendered very probable that the Uylemyia was a parasite on the 

 Fossor. This is now almost certain, as Mr. E. Saunders has also bred the same fly 

 from the burrow of a Pemphredon. — Id. 



CatocaJafraxini, L., and C. sponsa, L., d('c., in the Hastings district. — Catocata 

 fraxini, L., was taken in a house at Ciive Vale, in the outskirts of Hastings, by Mr. 

 Langdon on the evening of September 25th ; it is a rather worn specimen. C. sponsa, 

 L., was captured at sugar at Ewhurst, in Sussex, by Mr. W. Esam on August 8lh ; a 

 very nice specimen. Besides this species Mr. Esam took at Ewhurst, about the 

 same date, Epunda ^tulenta, Bork., and Psoricoptera gibbosella, Zell. Colias 

 Edusa, var. Jlelice, was taken near Hastings early in Sepbember. — lu. 



