92 MR. bold's entomological notes, etc. 



and as the duties of reproduction are over at an earlier period 

 than those of V. vulgaris, it accounts for the comparatively trifling 

 damage they do to our ripening fruits." The Andremdce, or 

 Bees, were also very scant; and although I hunted for them 

 with considerable assiduity, yet I have very little of novelty to 

 record. I took Andrena Collinsonana at Gibside, in the begin- 

 ning of September. Nomada ochrostoma, in some plenty, near 

 the Ouseburn, at Long-Benton, and near Mitford: it appears to 

 be parasite either on Andrena albicans, A. cineraria or on 

 Halicti, as I found it frequenting a mixed colony of these 

 species. I have also taken Nomada borealis at Long-Benton, 

 Gosforth, and Mitford ; it is parasitic on Andrena Clarkella. 

 Although females of this species are common enough, yet males 

 are difficult to secure. I only took two of the latter, whilst I 

 would have had little trouble to take an hundred females. 

 Nomada furva, I have taken but sparingly. Of Nomada alternata, 

 an early spring species, I caught a fine male at Gibside, in 

 September, perhaps tempted from his winter quarters by the 

 fineness of the weather. Of Apathi and Bomhi, although some 

 very fine varieties have been taken, yet I am unable to record 

 any novelties. 



Not collecting Lepidoptera, I am unable to report on the 

 scarcity or abundance of the rarer species: of the White, Tor- 

 toise-shell, and other common Butterflies, very few indeed were 

 seen on wing in the district around Newcastle. At Twizell, 

 P. J. Selby, Esq., informs me, that "with the exception of those 

 species of the genus Pontia, which, towards autumn, became 

 numerous, the Diurnal Lepidoptera were very scarce; indeed, 

 of some species usually very abundant, I did not see or take a 

 single specimen. The nocturnal species, especially the Noc- 

 tuidce, were in very diminished numbers; at least, so far as I 

 could judge from the few that resorted to the trees, &c., smeared 

 wdth honey or syrup." I may mention, in conclusion, that I 

 had a specimen of the Humming -bird haivk moth brought me, 

 which had been taken in a garden at Slaly, near Minsteracres, 

 rather a high elevation for this tribe of insects. 



THOS. JNO. BOLD. 

 Long-Benton, ]\[au 8, 1856. 



