290 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Francaise,' says it occurs in " Basses Alpes, Auvergne, Alsace, 

 Bourgoyne — but not in environs of Paris." 



Berce places it in the genus Strenia, with which its affinity is 

 evident ; but according to Staudinger's arrangement it should 

 stand in our lists close to Acidalia emarginata. 



Its food-plant is Calluna vulgaris, and it was among this 



plant that the two specimens here mentioned were taken. It is 



probable that if places where Calluna vulgaris grows abundantly 



are well worked about the end of June or beginning of July the 



insect will be found in other localities. 



J. H. A. Jexner, 

 i, East Street, Lewes, Oct. 11th, 18S7. 



NOTES ON THE NOTODONTID^. 



By the Rev. Bernard Smith. 



No. S.—STAUROPUS FAGI. 



Obsekving many discrepancies in the accounts of this singular 

 insect, I wish to record the result of my own observations. 



The moth emerges about the middle of June in our beech 

 woods, but is rarely found. A female, however, taken into a 

 wood and hung up in a cage of muslin will attract many males, 

 between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. on a warm night, showing that the 

 insect is more plentiful than it seems. It was in this way that 

 the black variety was discovered here. 



The insect is, however, difticult to pair, and the second 

 night after the female has emerged seems the only favourable 

 one. In the woods the eggs are at first wliite, laid singly under 

 a leaf of beech or oak, and may occasionally be found in shady 

 spots. I have never found a second one on the same bush. 

 The egg turns almost black before hatching, and the larva 

 appears lobster-like from the first, or rather resembling an ant. 

 It has not been observed to eat before its first moult. 



Staurojms fagi larvae are found on oak, beech, hazel, and 

 birch, and have even occurred on wild rose and hawthorn. It 

 will also thrive well on apple. The larva is not often cannibal, 

 though instances have occurred. It is certainly pugnacious, if 

 kept in close quarters, and will not bear want of fresh air. 



When full-fed, about September, it falls from its food, and 



