50) THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
future observations. The botanic differences between Iris and 
Sparganium are so great that it was scarcely to be expected one 
insect would attack both plants. 
It appears that the further discovery in the summer of 1879 
of this larve was due rather to an accident than otherwise. 
Mr. Webb with Mr. W. R. Jeffrey were in search of Lepidoptera 
in one of the south-eastern counties on a wild gusty day in 
July last. Finding all the usual methods of collecting failed, 
these gentlemen turned their attention to the bored stems of 
the yellow flag (Iris pseudo-acorus). Myr. Webb had long noticed 
these borings in the wild Iris, but had hitherto failed to rear the 
larve. The result of the search in that instance was, however, 
the addition of this very fine species to the British list of 
Lepidoptera. The familiar green larvee of the previous season 
was found last summer in bur-reed (Sparganiwm ramosum), also, 
thus confirming the species. 
Those who have reared the larvee of Nonagria sparganiw have 
been beset with difficulties; one of the greatest is the very large 
quantity of food required by an individual larva before reaching 
the pupa condition. Probably the most convenient food is one of 
the dwarf garden varieties of the ris, but when we remember that 
a very few larva will consume or waste more than all the plants 
usually found in a garden, it will be understood how much 
food may be required for a goodly batch. A further difficulty 
appears to be the facility with which the larve escape from 
confinement, especial care being necessary to see they do not 
get out of bounds, for their rambling habits make a search 
for the lost ones of little avail. Nor do the troubles end with 
the attainment of the pupa condition of this species. Mr. Webb 
states that upon emergence of the imago the fluids of the wings 
take so long to harden or dry, that many are injured both in 
confinement and in a state of nature. From twelve to forty-eight 
hours seem to be the normal time necessary for this process of 
hardening to be completed, and many moths have crippled wings 
in consequence. ‘The majority of the moths appear to emerge 
between eight and nine o'clock p.m.; the flight extends from 
about six to seven in the evening in August and September, like 
that of Nonagria fulva. It can be imagined, therefore, that 
should the wings be not dry on the afternoon following the 
emergence from pupa, the moth, in its attempt to fly, loses much 
