274 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



and Catocala nupta conclude the list, none of them being now in 

 such numbers as formerly. 



At some future date a list of the remaining division in this list 

 may be forthcoming, but it must suffice for the present to say 

 that there is good working ground for the Micro-lepidopterist. 



I should here like to call attention to a curious fact which has 

 become known to me only lately ; possibly it is one already noted, 

 but I do not remember its mention in any of the entomological 

 works I have read. Upon several nights I found my sugar prove 

 very unattractive, though there were evidently numbers of Lepi- 

 doptera about ; upon looking for the cause I found that there 

 was a superior attraction in the shape of the patches of thistles 

 growing near, but I was surprised to find that it was not the 

 flowers which were attractive. Many of the thistles were densely 

 covered at the top with dingy green Aphides, and moths in great 

 numbers were busily engaged in feeding upon the excrement 

 which came from them ; so intent were they upon the feast that 

 the glare of my lantern had very little disturbing efl"ect. The 

 assemblage was composed chiefly of Apamea oculea, Triphcena pro- 

 nuba, and Leucania impura ; but many other species were sparingly 

 represented. I am aware that ants are in the habit of feeding upon 

 the excrement of Aphides, and have read that they even keep 

 herds of them, if that term can be used ; but the fact of Lepi- 

 doptera being attracted in the manner described was entirely 

 new to me. 



In conclusion, it may be safely inferred that several species 

 not included in this list are in existence upon the marshes, chiefly 

 amongst the species which are found towards the end of autumn, 

 as the writer has not been enabled to pay such regular visits at 

 that time as in the spring and summer. No doubt such species as 

 Agrotis saucia, A. suffiisa, Gouoptera lihatrix, &c., would repay the 

 searcher during September ; and I trust those entomologists 

 living near will turn their attention to the locality, which may 

 again produce the coveted Xylina lambda {Zinckenii), which 

 hybernates, and should be sought for also in spring. 



4, Gascoyne Road, South Hackney, September, 1882. 



