172 ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES, AND 



XV. — Entomological Notes^ and List of Coleopterous Insects added 

 to our Fauna during 1858. By Thomas John Bold. 



In looking over my memoranda for the the year 1858, I find 

 two facts of considerable prominence ; the first, the great scarcity 

 of the commoner diurnal Lepidoptera ; and the second, the appear- 

 ance of three of the rarest species of our Catalogue. Of the 

 latter, J. C. Backhouse, Esq., has noted the capture, in Castle 

 Eden Dene, of Colias Edusa and of Vanessa Antiopa. P. J. Selhy, 

 Esq., has also taken Vanessa Antiopa, in fine condition, at Twi- 

 zell. And more wonderful still, the long searched for Vanessa 

 Polycldoros has been captured at Whitburn (as recorded by Mr. 

 John Hancock), and seen, but not taken, by Mr. C. Adamson, at 

 Jesmond. The latter capture is one of very great interest, form- 

 ing, as it does, a most pleasing confirmation of the truthfulness 

 of our oldest natural historian, Wallis. 



Of Bees and Wasps, we certainly have this year (1858) had 

 considerably less than our usual numbers, and this is the more 

 remarkable when we recollect how these insects revel in the 

 hottest of hot weather. The commoner species of Bomhi, how- 

 ever, were plentiful enough, whilst their parasites, the Apath\ 

 were by no means proportionately numerous. Coleopterous: 

 insects, also, were most certainly not abundant. This remark 

 was perhaps more applicable to the Brachelytra (of which I was 

 more particularly in quest), than to other groups ; although, in 

 the early part of the season, the Bemhidii were exceedingly scarce, 

 and were not to be found, in any thing like plenty, until rain had 

 fallen, towards the end of summer,* when some of the rarer 

 species were taken in tolerable abundance. Many Dipterous 

 insects were in plenty ; every one would observe the swarms of 

 large Muscat congregated on every patch of dung. The house- 



* I have often hacl cause to notice the sudden appearance of carnivorous beetles (especially 

 Bembidii and Staphylinidcv) in abundance after rain, in situations where, in dr^' weather, 

 you might seek for them in vain. This may either be caused by excess of rain, which per- 

 colating to their retreats, compels them to come to the surface to avoid being drowned ; or 

 it may be, that the dampness brhigs out the Insect or other prey on which they feed. 



