COLLECTING IN THE FENS. 



255 



aceris, A. psi, A. tridens, Hadena pisi, and Mamestra anceps 

 occurred from time to time. 



Although a fair number of things came to light each night 

 but the first, the red letter night was Monday, the 25th, when 

 nearly all the best things were taken, and common species were 

 very thick. So good was the night that I lengthened my four 

 days' stay to five, in the hope of another like it, but although 

 the Wednesday promised quite as well, a heavy storm of rain 

 about 10.30 spoilt it. 



The following were the best species taken, many of them, as 

 will be seen, very much behind their time. Sphinx ligustri and 

 Smerinthus popidi (one each at a neighbouring sheet on the 25th), 

 Earias chlorana (three worn specimens), Nolo, cacullatella (a few 

 only), Nudaria senex (abundant), Lithosia griseola, commonly, 

 and its var. stramineola, rarely; Chelonia caia, very abundant, 

 including a rather nice pale form ; and Odonestis potatoria, even 

 commoner, a fine pale yellow male and some intermediate forms 

 being taken. This species turns up directly the lamp has been 

 lit, and by the time C. caia comes on its flight seems nearly 

 over. 



Lasiocampa quercifolia was scarcely out, only about a couple 

 of dozen specimens occurring during the visit, and Bombyx 

 neustria was only just starting. Four very fair Macrogaster 

 arundinis turned up on the 25th (males of course), and on the 

 same night four species of Notodontidse, viz. Lophopteryx came- 

 lina, Ptilodontis palpina, Notodonta dictcea, and N. ziczac, the 

 latter occurring singly on several nights. N. dictcea was netted 

 immediately after two Cucullia umbratica, and until examined at 

 home was put down as a third specimen of that species, as flying 

 round the lamp they looked very similar. 



A few Leucoma salicis turned up each night, and a fine 

 Cymatophora ocularis on the 27th, evidently, from its condition, 

 only just out. Among Noctuse, Leucania pudorina took a long 

 lead, and was far commoner than its near neighbours L. pollens 

 and L. impura, which perhaps slightly outnumbered it at treacle. 

 Ccenobia rufa occurred in numbers on the last night only, when 

 a nice series was taken of pale, dark grey, and reddish forms. 

 Nonagria hellmanni and Calamia phragmitidis were not out, 

 neither were the second broods of Arsilonche venosa and Arctia 

 fidiginosa, but Cleoceris viminalis was just coming, and six 

 beauties were taken on the 25th, and another on the 27th ; all 

 these were boxed whilst fluttering up and down the lamp panes 

 with some difficulty, owing to the crowds of Crambites. Several 

 belated Noctuas put in an appearance, all very worn, except N. 

 plecta; but the Agrotids were absent, except for one or two A. 

 exclamationis, which, however, swarmed at treacle. Herminia 

 cribralis occurred frequently, and although very worn, were not 

 quite so bad as those taken at dusk and in the daytime. 



