114 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
head of the moth was towards the tail of the pupa-case; they 
had split the case in the usual manner, but had been unable to 
emerge. What is the explanation of this anomaly ?—W. R. 
Bucket; Romsey, Hampshire, April 6, 1883. 
DASYCAMPA RUBIGINEA NEAR SALIsBuRY.—I have much pleasure 
in stating that I took the above insect at sugar, on the 31st 
of March last. The specimen is very fair for a hybernated one. 
—H. Powys Grezenwoop; Harnham Cliff, Salisbury, April 23rd, 
1883. 
ERASTRIA VENUSTULA.—I observe in Mr. Wright's article, 
last month (Entom. xvi. 81), that he indicates Tormentilla reptans 
as a food-plant for the above-named species. Although I have 
frequently searched carefully the leaves, and particularly the 
yellow blossoms of that plant at the proper time, viz., during 
July and August, I have failed to find any trace of the larva, 
neither have I seen any evidence of its feeding. Perhaps your 
correspondent can inform us authoritatively whether he has ever 
found the larva of EH. venustula feeding on the plant named, or 
may be some of your correspondents who have studied the life- 
history of this beautiful little Noctua may be able to throw some 
light upon it; for though it is the food-plant named in most, text- 
books, yet I cannot help thinking that although it may occa- 
sionally feed upon it, yet it does not absolutely confine its 
gastronomical powers to it-—WattEeR Scorr; Colonial Office, 
S.W., April 24, 1883. 
Breruos NorHa IN THE ONGAR Park Woops.—As this 
pretty and interesting species is, I believe, considered rather a 
“good thing” among entomologists of the London district, it 
may interest that section of your readers to hear that I have 
lately taken it in some numbers in the Ongar Park Woods. Its 
time of appearance in this locality is the first or second week in 
April, according to the season; but, in any case, it is not seen 
on the wing until its congener, B. parthenias, is almost, if not 
quite, over. One would infer from our standard authorities that 
both species were out simultaneously or nearly so; such, how- 
ever, I have not found to be the case. A sunny day, and a long 
pole on which to fix one’s net, are essential to the capture of B. 
notha, which, so far as my experience goes, is even more fond 
of keeping up aloft than its cousin B. parthenias. With the aid, 
