THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 183 



Abraxas Grossulariata Infested by Parasites. — I notice 

 in this month's 'Entomologist' (Entom. vi. p. 172), Mr. J. R. 

 S. Clifford observes that the larvce of Grossulariata are rarely 

 affected by any ichneumonideous parasite. My experience 

 with this species is just the opposite. I collected a large 

 number of both larvae and pupae this year, bred fourteen 

 hundred imagos, and a host of ichneumons (of which latter 

 there were two kinds) ; of the larger size, but one emerged 

 from a larva, and formed into a burnt-brown chrysalis ; of the 

 latter I obtained three fair varieties. — Edward F. Bisshopp ; 

 Museum Street, Ipswich, August 13, 1872. 



Variety of Chelonia caja. — I had the good fortune to breed 

 a nice variety of Caja on the ' 15th July : all the parts 

 usually coloured red are of a bright yellow. Do you con- 

 sider this the commonest variety ? — Id. 



[I have seen specimens of Caja with yellow hind wings; 

 but they are certainly uncommon.] 



Variety of Limacodes Testudo. — I have a curious variety 

 of Testudo, a male, in which the colouring of the fore wings 

 is nearl)' as dark as the hind wings, consequently the lines 

 across the fore wings are scarcely perceptible ; there is one 

 conspicuous yellow-brown mark on the inner margins of the 

 fore wings. I shall be very happy to lend you this specimen 

 for figuring in the 'Entomologist,' if you think it worth doing 

 so. — Id. 



[I am much obliged, but will not trouble you to send the 

 specimen ; the insect is too small to make a good figure.] 



Musquitoes. — As usual at this period of the year I am 

 assailed with specimens and enquiries whether they are not 

 "true musquitoes." It is not only my pleasure, but my duty, 

 to give a courteous reply to every question. This is one of 

 the objects for which the 'Entomologist' was established; 

 but there are some subjects, for instance, "true musquitoes" 

 and " poisonous caterpillars," would become — like Mrs.Wilfer, 

 in 'Our Mutual Friend' — a little wearing. In the first place, 

 I would remark that a "true musquito" is a nonentity: 

 there is no such thing. Englishmen, whether travelling or 

 residing abroad, provide in their own persons a grateful 

 banquet to the nocturnal Diptera, — Culicidae and Simnliidae, 

 which are indigenous to the country through which tliey 

 pass, or in which they pitch their tents. The bite of such 



