NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. ©3 



Early appearance of Insects. — The effects ot the mild 

 vrinter we have just passed are now to be noticed in the 

 unusually early appearance of some of our spring species of 

 insects; and, should we not experience any very sharp frosts 

 or a long continuance of east winds, entomologists may look 

 forward to a season that promises to be a much more 

 successful one than we have enjoyed of late years. On the 

 3rd of March 1 saw a very lively specimen of Gonepteryx 

 rhanini in a garden at Wandsworth ; and a single specimen 

 oi' Biston hirtaria and Hemerophila abruptaria in a London 

 Square this morning. These are the earliest dates at which 1 

 have ever observed these species. Last week a specimen of 

 Mamestra brassier was brought to me, which had flown in 

 through an open window : it was in fine order, and had 

 evidently only recently emerged from the pupa. — Walter P, 

 Weston; 1, Duncan Terrace, N., March 20, 1878. 



Selenia illustrarl\. — I have already at this early period 

 of the season bred six specimens of Selenia illustraria, one 

 of which is a small female exceedingly rich in colour. This 

 is unusually early, and possibly forebodes an exceptional 

 season. — J. R. Wellman ; 14, Portland Place North, Clap- 

 ham Road, March 16, 1878. 



Sericoris Doubledayana. — While collecting during the 

 last week in July, 1877, on the banks of the River Bure, 

 Norfolk, I found Sericoris Doubledayana not infrequently. 

 This species may easily be overlooked, as it flies gently 

 amongst marsh-fern {Lastrea thelypieris), bog-myrlle {Myrica 

 gale), and reeds, in the late afternoon sunshine. It is neces- 

 sary to separate the stems and actually look for the moths, so 

 little do they rise above the under-growth. They were in 

 beautiful condition at this dale. — E. G. Meek ; 56, Brorapton 

 Road, London, S.W. 



Heusimene fimbriana. — A fine female of this species 

 appeared in one of my cages on the 20th of February last, 

 being the earliest date of appearance that has come under ray 

 notice. — W. Machin ; 22, Argyle Road, Carlton Square, E., 

 February 23, 1878. 



iECHMIA DENTELLA AND EPHIPPIPHORA NIGRICOSTANA. — 



At the end of May, 1866, 1 beat from the flowers of the 

 common elder four fine specimens oi ^chniia dentella ; and 

 from the same hedge, at Plumslead, six specimens of Ephip- 

 piphora nigricostana, which had evidently but recently 

 emerged from pups. I have since reared the lalier species 

 from the roots of Stachys sylvatica. — Id. 



