NOTES FROM BOURNEMOUTH. 201 
salis (common), and Hypenodes costestrigalis (less frequent), on 
heaths; and Macroglossa stellatarum of constant occurrence in 
the town; some fine specimens of Tortriz sorbiana, and a few 
fine specimens of Stathmopoda pedella, apparently just emerging. 
If I mistake not, Plusia gamma will be a perfect pest shortly. 
I first observed this species about the middle of May, and since 
that time it has been steadily on the increase. The pale colour- 
ing of the early specimens was very apparent, and I therefore 
suspect they had migrated from the Continent. Numbers of 
Cynthia cardui have also been observed (of course in worn 
condition), so that the insect will probably be commoner this 
autumn than it has been since 1879. 
From the above remarks I think it will be seen that Lepi- 
doptera have been far from scarce in this district; and, should 
the present wet and uncertain weather clear up shortly, I have 
reason to anticipate that my captures for 1883 will bear com- 
parison with those of previous years. 
8, Union Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, July 18, 1883. 
NOTES FROM BOURNEMOUTH; AND REMARKS ON THE 
SCARCITY OF LEPIDOPTERA. 
By W. McRag. 
Tue yearly increasing scarcity of Lepidoptera during the last 
few seasons has aroused a spirit of enquiry among naturalists as 
to the causes, or combination of causes, which have produced this 
result. Mr. F. De V. Kane, in his interesting remarks in the 
‘Entomologist’ (Hntom. xvi. 52), suggests three probable 
causes, viz., mild open winters, high winds and storms in spring, 
and unusual atmospheric conditions at the usual time of collect- 
ing. All these have, doubtless, as he has shown by careful 
investigation, and comparison of reports from various parts 
of the country, here as well as in Ireland, proved disastrous 
to lepidopterous insects. Whether they are of a sufficiently 
exceptional character to account for the extraordinary dearth 
of insects which prevails this season all over the country and in 
all situations, I would not pretend to say. I have no hesitation, 
however, in affirming that whether we attribute the scarcity to the 
RA 
