102 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



insect as well as a soithern. Yet I have heard of no captures of 

 late years except in Sussex. It is nowhere coniinon. 



The egg is white and conspicuous, j-et I never heard of its 

 being found. It is less than that of Notodunta trepida. 



The larvae as well as those of N. chaonia, and other Promi- 

 nents, are occasionally cannibal, and iu mtmy localities it is not 

 easily reared. Here on a chalky soil I have found no difficulty. 

 The larva might be mistaken for that of Notodoiita trinuicula, but 

 is stouter in the middle, and tapers towards the ends. 



The moth pairs readily, and may be found paired generall}' 

 till the morning. Probably, therefore, a search for the moth 

 on palings or the branches of birch trees would be most success- 

 ful early in the mornings of May. 



I have never noticed a variety of this insect, but northern 

 specimens are much smaller than southern. 



Notodonta dictceoides is another interesting Prominent, and its 

 range is from the Higlilands to the New Forest. The egg is 

 white, and resembles that of L. carmelita, turning almost black 

 however before hatching. The larva is cannibal in its habits 

 from early youth, and it is necessary to isolate them as far as 

 possible. When large the yellow lateral stripe makes this 

 larva easily seen by birds, and I have lost many by the birds 

 drawing them through the muslin sleeves, when fed on the 

 growing trees. The remedy is a double sleeve. This larva likes 

 the shade. 



Notodonta dictaoides, as with N. dictcea, is in some seasons 

 double-brooded, at least partially. Perhaps one reason wiiy this 

 moth is still a rarity, is the tenacity with which the larvae cling 

 to the birch twigs. Hence many are wounded by the beating- 

 stick, and still more escape capture. It is probable the larva 

 should be searched for, and though the process is wearisome, it is 

 worth the trouble. This larva seems less attacked by ichneumons 

 than most others of this family. 



It is supposed to feed exclusively on the birch, but I have 

 heard that near Doncaster it is found on aspens. Tljis, however, 

 must be considered as the exception which only eonhrms and 

 proves the rule. 



Marlow, December 22, 1888. 



NOTES UPON THE BRITISH PTEROPHORL 



By KicHARD South, E.E.S. 



Oxyptilus heterodactylus. 



Every one interested in Pterophori will be obliged to 



Mr. C. A. Briggs for correcting the error first made by 



Dr. Mason, and subsequently perpetuated by me, in assigning 



lieterodactylus to Hawortli instead of De Villers. Without proof 



