1919 IN THE NEW FOREST. 9 



" Motliing " in July and August was very unproductive; 

 scarcely anything seemed flying. I kicked up the beautiful 

 little Hi/ria miiricata pretty commonly in places, and Diacrisia 

 sanio was abundant enough, but these were exceptions, " sugar- 

 ing " from July iBt to end of August producing literally nothing, 

 after which time A. pyramidea became common, and a few Cato- 

 cala sponsa and C. promissa put in a belated appearance, worn to 

 shreds, and accompanied by a solitary T. fimbria (which I have 

 never seen at sugar until September was well on). 



Eugonia polychloros to the number of six were seen on 

 August 1st, but apparently then went into hibernation or some- 

 thing as I saw them no more. The handsome dragonfly JEschna 

 ci/anea also became abundant from that date, and the extraordinary 

 uninteresting immature form of Sympetrum striolatum. Red males 

 were scarce even late in September. JEshna grandis, so common 

 in the Midlands, I did not see here. 



Several supposed fast-flying Diptera when caught turned 

 out to be the beetle Necropliorus mortuorum. I have not noticed 

 this species flying in bright sunshine before, but suppose it's the 

 habit of the beast. 



Hornets were very numerous in the autumn (c^ and ^ ), and 

 flew by night as well as day, as many as half a dozen at a time 

 on the sugar patch, where they were a great nuisance. The 

 following is a list of autumn Noctuse taken at treacle from 

 September 6th to October. Although the number of species is 

 gratifying, the scarcity of quite common things will be noted. 

 In ordinary years I should think my "pitch" would be ideal: 

 Asphalia diliita, Agrotis piita (1), A. ypsilon, A. saucia (a very 

 worn few), Hadena protea (the only really common thing, and 

 very varied), Amphipyra pyramidea (getting over), Calynnia 

 trapezina (2), Cirrhoedia xerampelina (one perfect and several 

 worn ; this pretty species would probably have been taken on ash 

 trunks in August commonly had I gone for it), Anchocelis lunosa 

 (2), Amathes lota, A. macilenta, A. circellaris (2 !), ^4. helvohi (1), 

 A. pistacina (scarce), A. litura (scarce), Ochria aurago (only one, 

 worse luck !), Xantliia liitea (Jiavago), X. fulvago, Lithophane socia, 

 Graptolitha ornitJiopus {rhizolitha), and Catocala !(ponsa and C. pro- 

 missa (much beyond their time, and from which I obtained a few 

 eggs). I forgot to mention Orrhodia vacclnii, Scopelosoma satel- 

 litia and Scoliopteryx libatrix, all of which were scarce. Moths 

 are still coming to date of writing (October 10th), and I may add 

 to above list. 



Taken all round the season has been very disappointing for 

 insects generally, although I have taken a good number of every- 

 thing, the above notes being little more than a brief summary of 

 the more popular orders. 



Lymington district appears to be the least worked portion of 

 the New Forest, and is exceedingly rich in insect life. Even in 



