DRAGONFLIES IN 1898. 63 



63. Rheumaptera, Hb. (? 1810), as generic name for has- 

 tata, L. (Kirby, Handb. Lep. v. 249). 



64. Implicata, Vill. (1789), for montanata, Bkh. (Prout, 

 Entom. Rec. vii. 249). 



65. Spadicearia (Schiff.), Bkh. (1794), for fer rug ata (? CL), 

 Haw. (Meyrick, Handb. p. 229). 



66. Ferrugata, L. (1761), for untdentaria, Haw. {I. c, p. 229). 



67. Pyraliata? (Fb.), Bkh. (1794), for dotata of South's 

 'List' (Prout, Entom. Rec. ix. 201). 



68. Ortholitha, Hb., for Eubolia, Dup. (Tutt, Brit. Moths, 

 p. 284). 



Louis B. Prout, Hon. Sec. 

 246, Richmond Road, N.E. : 

 February 4th, 1899. 



DRAGONFLIES IN 1898. 

 By W. J. Lucas, B.A., F.E.S. 



In several respects the dragonfly season of 1898 was of more 

 than ordinary interest. Though of a different nature, the late, 

 ungenial spring had its effect on these insects as on the Lepi- 

 doptera and other orders. Owing to the fact that during the 

 winter, except in the coldest weather, the nymphs are more or 

 less active, and may perhaps feed to some extent, a cold spring 

 would not of itself harm them so long as it was possible to put 

 off the final change. Some of the early species certainly tried to 

 appear soon after their proper time ; whether many did so and 

 perished, I cannot say — probably not, though perhaps one or 

 two of the earlier species seemed less common than usual. 



Whereas in early seasons Enallagma cyathigerum, Pyrrhosoma 

 nymphula, Brachytron pratense, Libellula depressa, and L. quadri- 

 maculata appear at the end of April, in 1898, except for an odd 

 specimen here and there, they were a month later. I saw two 

 specimens of E. cyathigerum on May 18th, and they continued 

 increasing from that date, but were hardly well out till early in 

 June. As regards P. nymphula, I found an empty nymph-case 

 on May 8th, but did not see an imago till May 21st ; this species 

 also began to be plentiful early in June. Except for an empty 

 nymph-case on May 28th, B. pratense escaped me altogether ; 

 nor did I meet with L. depressa except on July 2nd, and perhaps 

 again on Aug. 11th. A single specimen of L. quadrimaculata 

 was certainly taken on May 11th, but I did not find it common 

 till June 5th. 



Towards the end of June the later dragonflies began to put in 

 an appearance at the proper time, unaffected apparently by the 

 prolongation of the cold weather, and in consequence the times 



