A CATALOGUE OF THE LEriDOPTERA OF IRELAND. 199 



coloured ground is traversed by grey striae, and bears the black 

 wedge-shaped space upon which are the reniform and orbicular 

 stigmata, which is thrown into bold relief by the pale ground 

 and broad costal streak of same tint. I possess another of a 

 lavender-grey ground, somewhat shaded on the central area ; the 

 costal streak broad and whitish, the stigmata large and pale, the 

 transverse strife broadly pencilled in black edged with pale ; a 

 very distinct white ante-marginal waved line, broadened at the 

 anal angle, is margined by a greyish black shading, which partly 

 absorbs the cuneiform dashes. Hind wings very pale, with the 

 ordinary shade and markings well represented. There is also a 

 lavender-grey form almost unmarked except by a narrow costal 

 streak, and the dark wedge bearing two small stigmata. The 

 costal streak is often almost obsolete and of the ground colour, 

 and the stigmata vary from almost white to a ruddy brown. 

 All the above are aberrations, and not, as far as I know, stable 

 varieties. Most of them are to be taken at Howth, together with 

 the ordinary vinous-tinted form ; a purple-brown one of the dark 

 colour of A. strigula ; and a pale rose-coloured one, var. rosea, 

 Tutt. I have also met with a very dark specimen at Howth, and 

 Mr. Dillon one at Clonbrock approaching var. scoparice, Mill., 

 but of full size and distinctly marked. This insect seems to vary 

 extremely in comparative abundance in suf^cessive seasons. 

 Usually scarce, and occurring sparingly ; I have on occasions 

 found it in abundance on a very restricted area of heather. Mr. 

 Birchall used to take it by sweeping at night, but the specimens 

 suffer considerably. The female when taken in cop. lays her ova 

 freely on heather twigs in confinement, but I have never suc- 

 ceeded in rearing the larvae through the winter ; and even when 

 taken almost full fed, they rarely survive to pupate. Localities : — 

 Howth ; near Derry, not common (C) ; Clonbrock, Co. Galway 

 {B. E. D.). 



Agkotis STRIGULA, Thnh. — Widely and generally distributed 

 through Ireland wherever there are bogs or heathery hills. The 

 ordinary form is somewhat variable in colour, and in the strength 

 of the white markings. Sometimes a browner tint is observable, 

 and in such specimens the pale markings are fainter, especially 

 the streaks on the hind margin. I have noticed one red speci- 

 men, perhaps the var. viarmorea, Gras., from Westmeath. It is 

 unnecessary to adduce localities. It is very abundant on the Bog 

 of Allen near Shannon Harbour, and Toberdaly, King's Co. ; on 

 the slopes of Slieve Beagh on the Tyrone side ; at Oughterard, 

 Connemara; and is not uncommon at Howth, Derry {€.), &c. 



Agrotis (Acetebia) precox. — Very widely spread on the Irish 

 coast. The larvae suffer much from ichneumons, and from sea- 

 gulls, who trace their trail on the sand and dig them up. Some- 

 times rather abundant, as at Magilligan, Co. Derry; Tramore, 

 Co. Waterford; Dundrum, Co. Down (TF.). I have not seen the 



