THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Vol. XXIL] JUNE, 1889. [No. 313. 



NOTES ON SOME VARIETIES of TRIPTIJENA COMES, Hb., 

 = ORBONA, Fb. 



Bv J. A. Clark, M.P.S., L.D.S., F.E.S. 

 (Plate VI.) 



In the autumn of last year I obtained a series of the variable 

 Forres form of this species, together with a number of ova. 

 These hatched, and I reared the larvae through the late autumn 

 on dock leaves (Rimex pratensis) in a warm room, thereby avoid- 

 ing the large percentage of loss which usually occurs when it is 

 attempted to hybernate them. On December 3rd the first of tlie 

 specimens appeared, and the bulk of the remainder by the 15th, 

 a few stragglers lagging behind till the last week in January. 



The result was a fine series, consisting of thirty-six specimens 

 the whole of which were totally different from our usual southern 

 forms, and, inter se, they presented a very considerable difference, 

 both in shade and markings, as will be seen from the accompany- 

 ing plate. The series may be divided into four main groups, and 

 a fifth containing varieties, which can hardly be collated with any 

 of the other forms. They are as follows : — 



Group A. — The pallid or clay-coloured form, which more 

 nearly resembles the typical South of England form than any 

 other. This is illustrated by two examples. Fig. a, 1, where we 

 have the markings similar to the usual South of England type, 

 but the coloration intensified. Fig. a, 2, like fig. 1, but the fore 

 wmgs more suffused with reddish colour, and the lunules on the 

 lore wings rufous. 



Group B. — Fig. b, 1. Fore wings rufous, with but indistinct 

 markings ; the submarginal line is almost absent. Fig. b, 2. A 

 more intensified form of fig. 1, with the subterminal line very 

 distinctly marked. Fig. b, 3. This is a beautiful variety, tli'e 

 fore wDigs having a rich, almost crimson, shade suffused over 



ENTOM. — JUNK, ISft'J. p 



