NOTES ON THE SEASON 1911. 137 



trunks of large beeches to any other resting place. Acronycta 

 menyanthidis was taken in fair numbers at rest on stone walls, it has 

 not been nearly so common this year as it is in some seasons. 

 Acronycta ruwicis was very common everywhere. Amongst the 

 " wainscots " Leucania iwpura was very common at dusk over swampy 

 ground, L. pallena decidedly scarce in comparison. Only one example of 

 Leitcania litharyyria was seen this year, a very fine fresh $ at rest on 

 a clump of rushes. Xylophasia rurea and var. alnpecums, X. hepatica 

 and A', monoylypha were all more or less common at rest on fence-posts. 

 The last named species and Triphana pronuba were the only two 

 insects which occurred in any numbers at sugar. Barathra {Mamestra) 

 brassicae as usual w^as common everywhere. A fine series of Naenia 

 typica was bred this month from a batch of ova, accidentally collected 

 with some dock leaves last year. The larvae were kept indoors and 

 fed throughout the winter on cabbage leaves. They are very 

 hardy and easy to rear. Apaniea yemina, A. badUnea and A. secalis 

 [didyiiia, oculea) were taken in fair numbers on waste places overgrown 

 with rank herbage, in company with numerous Miana striyUis, M. 

 fasciiincida, M. literosa and M. bicoloria. One or two Petilampa 

 arcHosa were found at rest on the rushes after dark. The Agrotids 

 were decidedly scarce, the only species occurring in any numbers was 

 A. exclamationis. T did not see a single specimen of the usually 

 common Ayrotis aeyetiim this month. Triphaena proiutba, Noctua 

 auyur, N. plecta, N, primiilae (festiva) and N. ruhi, Caradrina quadri- 

 piinctata and a few others were all common, but net so numerous in 

 individuals as they are in some years. A few examples of Dianthoecia 

 capsincola were taken at rest on stone walls. Phloyophora meticulosa as 

 usual was abundant, but Euplexia lucipara was decidedly scarce, not 

 more than two or three examples were seen. I did not see a single 

 specimen of either Aplecta nebulosa or A. tincta this year, the former 

 species, as a rule, occurs in the district in fair numbers, but A. tincta 

 is rare, the only examples I have seen were three specimens I took 

 last year at rest on larcb and birch. At the beginning of the month 

 Mamestra [Hadena) ylauca was taken in fair numbers at rest on stone 

 walls, in company with a few worn Mamestra [Hadena) tJtalasshia and 

 M. contiyna. A single Matnestra [Hadena) trifulii was taken, flying 

 at dusk over rough herbage. Mamestra oleracea was abundant every- 

 where. I did not notice Cucullia umbratica this year, as a rule a few 

 are taken each year at rest on fence-posts and at the flowers of ragged 

 robin at dusk. The same remarks apply to Abrostola triplasia and A. 

 tripartita. Plusia chrysitis was fairly common at the bramble blossoms 

 at dusk, and Plusia festacae, as usual, was the common Plusia of the 

 district, and was to be taken at every patch of ragged robin. This 

 beautiful insect is common throughout the district, whilst curiously 

 enough the, in most districts, abundant P. gamma is quite scarce. At 

 the beginning of the month the large cocoons of Plusia festucae are to 

 be found, commonly enough, attached to rushes, nearly everywhere 

 throughout the district. A few Plusia pulchrina were taken at bramble 

 blossom at dusk. I have not as yet seen P. iota in these valleys. A 

 few worn Euclidia ylyphica and E. mi were still to be found up to the 

 middle of the month. 



Opisthograptis luteolata was common everywhere. Metrocampa 

 margaritaria was to be beaten out of bushes in all our woods. Roarmia 



