116 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



by Mr. Butler, Mr. Horton and Mr. Meek. Mr. Butler re- 

 cords the emergence of a perfect specimen of Acronycta Psi 

 after two small ichneumons, apparently the same as those in- 

 festing Pieris Brassicae, had escaped. Mr. Horton's new 

 locality for Gastropacha ilicifolia is near Lyuton, North 

 Devon. Mr. Meek found two larvae of Clostera anachoreta 

 feeding on the Ontario poplar at Folkestone. 



Entomological Notes, Queries, Captures and Duplicates. 



53. Ivy-hlossoms at Torquay : Laurel-box versus Pill-hox. 

 — Since my arrival at this place, equally remarkable for its 

 natural beauty and the profusion and quality of its Lepi- 

 doptera, I have had the pleasure of renewing my acquaint- 

 ance with " ivy-hunting." With the exception of two or 

 three " nights " with my friend Mr. Birchall in Ireland, thir- 

 teen years have elapsed since, lantern in hand, I examined 

 the ivy-bloom. I therefore experienced all the delight of a 

 novice, and had, moreover, the pleasure of taking several spe- 

 cies which 1 had never seen alive. I have only been " out" 

 three nights. My young friend Mr. B. M. Stewart, of 

 Worcester College, Oxford, was my companion, and he very 

 kindly showed me the best localities. There is not much 

 ivy, and what there is, is extremely difficult to get at, as it 

 grows on the face of steep rocks sloping towards the sea. 

 But the excellence of the insects found here is ample com- 

 pensation for the fatigue, and, I may add, peril. Though 

 labouring under the double disadvantage of cold east winds 

 and a too bright moon, we took the following species, mostly 

 in first-rate condition, viz., Anchocelis rufina, A. pistacina 

 and A. lunosa, Orthosia lota and O. macilenta, Noctua gla- 

 reosa, Epunda lichenea and E. nigra, Agrotis saucia, Polia 

 flavicincta, Xylina rhizolitha and X. petrificata, Cidaria psit- 

 tacata, &c. Mr. Stewart showed me in his collection two 

 specimens of Heliothis armigera, and one magnificent H. 

 unionalis, all captured by himself at ivy. The above re- 

 marks are intended as introductory to a reply to the question 

 asked by Mr. Gibson (Entom. 101), as to the best method of 

 capturing moths on trees. As to the relative merits of "pill-box- 

 ing" and the tin box with laurel-leaves, I fear that the advocate 



