NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 173 



eavly brood may also feed upon nettle and false-nettle. The adulfc 

 butterflies developing from the first brood of larvfe begin to breed at 

 the end of June, and fly until late in August. In hop-growing regions 

 the majority of the eggs of this set of butterflies are laid upon hop- 

 vines. The resulting caterpillars feed well on in August, and the 

 butterflies which are to hybernate make their appearance from the 

 latter part of this month until the latter part of September. They 

 enter hybernating quarters almost immediately, since they are rarely 



seen in October The hybernating form has been called harrisii, 



and the summer form dnjas. The distinction between the two forms 

 is not as marked as with the preceding species (P. interroijationis), nor 



is the relegation to distinct broods as marked In its southern 



range the species is three-brooded, the first brood being composed of 

 dryas, the second of both forms, and the hybernating brood of harrisii 

 only." 



The ova of P. comma, like those of P. interrofjationis, are deposited 

 in depending columns or chains, varying in number from two to nine 

 eggs. " Frequently several of these columns will be found upon a 

 single leaf, usually upon the under surface, but occasionally upon the 

 stem or upon the tendrils. Although frequently a large number of 

 eggs are thus found upon the same leaf, the caterpillars are in no 

 sense gregarious. On hatching they almost invariably migrate to 

 other leaves, and each one lives singly. At first it feeds without con- 

 cealment on the under surface of the leaf, then it begins to draw the 

 outer edges together by silken threads as a sort of protection, appa- 

 rently, from the daylight, as it feeds mainly at night. The young 

 larvaB are dark-coloured and nearly black, but grow lighter with 

 successive moults." 



Seeing how very much alike are the imagines of the English and 

 American Comma butterflies, it seems remarkable that the method of 

 egg-laying and the habits of the larvffi should be so very diflerent in 

 the two species. Mr. Frohawk, in his very detailed account of the 

 life-history of V. c-album (Entom. xxvii. pp. 257-202, 287-289), says, 

 " The ova are laid singly, and principally on the upper surface of the 

 leaf, and generally many upon one leaf" {I.e. p. 258). Then, with 

 regard to the habits of the larvae, he states (/. c. p. 2G2) that they are 

 gregarious, " living in small companies, but sometimes many will 

 crowd upon a certain leaf." — K. S. 



Sesia tipuliformis an Injurious Insect. — Among other interesting 

 articles dealing with injurious insects in the March issue of the 

 ' Journal of the South-Eastern Agricultural College ' is one on H. tipu- 

 liformis, an insect that is not always well represented in collections. 

 It would appear, however, that in some places at least the species is 

 common enough to be regarded as a pest. Under the name " Currant 

 Borer," it is well known to fruit growers, and seems to be dreaded by 

 them for the havoc it creates among all kinds of currant bushes. 

 Certain suggestions are advanced, as being more or less likely to 

 prevent attack or to clear out the insect from any place it may be in 

 possession of. Probably a good plan would be to invite one or two 

 practical entomologists to visit tlie infested plantation about the end 

 of April or beginning of May, when the Sesia is in pupa ; the prunings 

 ENTOM. — JUNE, 1897. P 



