140 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



being dark varieties. A little work was done at sallow-blossoms, but 

 only common species were seen, viz., Pachnohia rnbricosa, Ttenlocampa 

 stabilis, T. instabilis, T. criida, T. munda, and Calocampa cxoleta — the 

 only hybernated species seen. 



Apeil. — Diurnea fagcUa, on oaks ; several nearly black, and the 

 majority much darker than Northamptonshire specimens taken during 

 the same month. At sallows, in addition to the species above named, 

 Mamestra brassiccE, T. gracilis, and T. gothica were seen. 



June. — Sugar was remarkably successful. The localities worked 

 were chiefly the dykes intersecting the ordinary cultivated fen fields, 

 and occasionally the woods mentioned before. Gate-posts and thistle- 

 heads were sugared ; the latter only because of the scarcity of posts, 

 for it was very difficult to select the moth required from among the 

 struggling mass of Agrotis exclamationis, A. segetum, and other common 

 species. The posts were the best, but even on these it was hard to 

 make sure of everything wanted, owing to the endeavours of an 

 attendant host of moths waiting for a chance to force their way on to 

 the sugar. The species obtained in June and the first few days in 

 July were Tlieda pruni, very local in Hunts, but common where it 

 occurred. M. arundinis, nine specimens were taken by the writer and 

 a friend one night at Wicken. One of these is noticeable for its large 

 size in comparison with most of the modern Wicken specimens. 

 Spilosoma (Arctia) urtiav, three specimens at light at Wicken. Cymato- 

 phora ocularis, one at sugar on poplars. Leucania straminea, three 

 specimens; a new record for this district. L. obsolcta, appeared in 

 fair numbers ; this species, too, we have never noticed here before. 

 Senta maritima (ulva), a few among reeds, but none of any marked 

 variety. Xylophasia polyodo)i, a positive nuisance ; in the fen many 

 were of a very dark brown form. Neuiia reticulata [saponaricc), fairly 

 common. Miana strigilis, common ; nearly all the specimens noticed 

 during the early part of June were var. cTthiops; later the numbers 

 of type and variety were about equal. Agrotis exclamationis, more 

 numerous even than A', polyodon, and in great variety, the most 

 striking form being one having the ground colour rather light, and 

 the three stigmata an intense black. A. corticea, rare, two specimens 

 of a smoky black colour. Acidalia emutaria, plentiful in the fen dykes. 

 Bapta himaculata (taminata), common and variable in size. Cidaria 

 sagittata, although we see the larva every year in its natural habitat, 

 this is the first time the imago has been taken in flight. Nascia 

 cilialis, a few at light at Wicken, Dioryctria ahietella, one specimen, 

 the only one ever noticed here. This is a curious occurrence, as it 

 was taken in the garden, where there are only one or two old fir-trees, 

 and there is no fir plantation in the district. 



August. — Three specimens of Tupinostola ehjmi were taken on the 

 Norfolk sand-hills. At home, one morning's beating produced two 

 larvae of Acronycta strigosa, but nothing else. On the whole, August 

 was the worst month of the year ; nothing came to sugar, nor was 

 anything of note obtained in any other way. 



Septejiber and October. — Keed-heads were more productive than 

 sugar, and the species taken were Calamia lutosa, Agrotis saucia, 

 Xanthia cerago, X. silage, and X. gilvago, Cirrhcedia xeramj)elina, and 

 Epunda lutiilenta ; of the latter the males were largely in excess at 



