126 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



absence of any species worthy of remark, for, although most of 

 the commoner Noctusewere abundant, one specimen of Acronycta 

 strigosa was the only rarity taken. The number of species 

 observed was upwards of four hundred, but the following only 

 seem to deserve mention : — 



Sesia formiciformis. — This species appears to occur plentifully in 

 nearly all willow-holts, but we find it hard to obtain in good condition. 

 Trochilium bembeciformis, which usually occurs with it, is easily bred, 

 but the few larva of S. formiciformis which we have taken have died 

 in the willow-stumps before becoming pupse. 



Acronycta strigosa. — One specimen at sugar near Chatteris. As far 

 as we are aware, this is the only record for some thirty years in this 

 district. When it is remembered that its food-plant (hawthorn) is so 

 universally distributed, and that the species is reported to be not hard 

 to breed in confinement, it seems curious that it should occur so in- 

 frequently. 



Senta maritime/, (ulvas). — Although the food-plant is common in the 

 district, this species occurs in one locality only, and that one of 

 extremely limited extent. It would seem natural to attribute the 

 absence of this and other reed species such as Lencania straminea and 

 L. obsoleta to the fact that the reeds are cut nearly every year when 

 the dykes are cleansed, but if this be so, it is difficult to explain the 

 profusion of Caiamia phragmitidis, which feeds in a very similar way. 



Ccenobia despecta. — The above remark applies as to locality, but 

 despecta occurs there in much greater numbers. The insect appears to 

 be confined to that part of the habitat where the food-plant is liable 

 during a considerable portion of the year to be covered with water. 

 Last year we succeeded in breeding several specimens from plants of 

 Jancus lamprocarpus (?). 



Hydnecia nictitans. — -Noted only on account of the occurrence of 

 the greyish yellow form at Hunstanton, and one of a dark chocolate at 

 Waxham. It is strange that, considering that the localities are so very 

 similar in character, that not a single dark specimen was taken at 

 Hunstanton, nor yellow one at Waxham. 



Noctua xanthographa. — Occurred at Waxham in immense numbers. 

 On each of thirteen posts there was an average of over thirty insects on 

 several evenings, so that there was really no room for any other species. 



Aglossa aiprealis. ■ — Plentiful in one cake and meal granary. We 

 have endeavoured to establish ''colonies" in similar situations, but 

 hitherto without much success. 



Aceentropus niveus, — About thirty years ago this occurred in large 

 numbers at light. Since then, although the dykes containing its food- 

 plant have many times been diligently searched, no specimen has been 

 seen. Our ?urprise was therefore great on taking a single specimen at 

 an acetylene light exposed on the top of a house between fifty and sixty 

 feet high, the house itself standing some twenty-five feet above the 

 level of the surrounding fen-land. One would hardly associate such 

 powers of flight with this insect. 



Crambus salinellus. — A single specimen at Weybourne, and that a 

 variety. Although we have collected in salt-marshes for years, we 

 have not found the way of taking this species. 



