THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
Vou. XVI] DECEMBER, 1883. [No. 247. 
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE PAST SEASON. 
By Ricuarp Sours. 
Ty the localities I have visited during the past season I found 
Macro-Lepidoptera decidedly scarce, except in one or two notable 
instances, to which more particular reference will presently be 
made; on the other hand, many species of Micro-Lepidoptera 
were especially numerous. In this respect my experience would 
seem to coincide with that of other collectors. 
As to the causes at work which influence the propagation of 
some species of insects and the suppression of others, I have 
but little to say beyond intimating my conviction that electrical 
and other meteorological conditions have a potent effect upon 
insect-life generally. 
It would perhaps be difficult to point out what meteorological 
conditions would be considered favourable, but as we certainly 
observe a decided diminution of tree and plant foliage-feeding 
species of Lepidoptera after abnormally severe weather (as, for 
instance, in the spring of 1882), it would seem not altogether 
unreasonable to suppose that meteorological influences having a 
beneficial effect on vegetation would also be favourable to foliage- 
feeding insects. Such an hypothesis is, however, hardly tenable 
in face of the contrary experience of many of us during the past 
season. Hlectrical disturbances have been frequent and often of 
an exceptionally violent character this year, both at home and 
abroad. May not those electrical storms have had much to do 
with the paucity of Lepidoptera in some districts this year ? 
It has occurred to me that if the entomologist, more especially 
the lepidopterist, would take up the study of meteorology, and 
carefully compare the results of his research in both branches of 
QI 
