THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



No. 56.] AUGUST, MDCCCLXVIII. [Price 6d. 



Doings at Douglas. By Edwin Birch all, Esq. 



Accompanied by Mr. T. Hutchinson, of Leominster, and 

 Mr. D. Baxendale, of Halifax, I spent a few days in the Isle 

 of Man dining the early part of last June. I append a list of 

 the species of Lepidoptera observed, omitting those of uni- 

 versal occurrence; the number is small, but it must be 

 remarked that our time was almost exclusively devoted to the 

 capture of Sesia Philanthiformis by day and DianthcBcia 

 caesia by night, other specie^ being only taken as they came 

 in our way. 



Sesia Philanthiformis was just emerging, and we found a 

 considerable number in the pupa state. The best situations 

 are the detached rocks at the base of the cliffs, both north 

 and south of Douglas Bay. It is little or no use looking 

 amongst the luxuriant growth of Arraeria on the mainland; 

 the stiuited plants (often not larger than could be covered by 

 a half-crown piece) scattered in the clefts of the water- worn 

 rocks which fringe the shore, and maintaining a precarious 

 existence amid the salt spray, in which they are perpetually 

 bathed, are those selected by the Sesia for attack. A little 

 red patch on the green cushion betrays the work of the larva, 

 and when the eye is once accustomed to its appearance the 

 infested plants may be recognized at a great distance. The 

 moths emerged from June 18lh to July 3rd. 



Dianthoecia caesia was abundant, hovering over the flowers 

 of Silene maritima at dusk ; its evening flight is of very short 

 duration, and the situations in which the collector must place 

 himself so dangerous that it is likely to be a scarce insect in 

 collections for years to come. Stationed upon our rocky 

 shelves, patiently waiting the hour of caesia's flight, we were 

 the objects of much speculation and satirical remark by the 

 sea-side loungers of Douglas. At length these depart, and, 

 as slowly comes on the evening, the burly fox-moth careers 



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