i6 



The principal feature in the Summer season of 1888 was the organ- 

 izing of a series of Sectional Excursions. The Entomological Section 

 arranged for five, but of these only the three following took place, the 

 others falling through owing to bad weather or clashing with other 

 arrangements. 



May 26 — Parson's Brake and Forest Banks, in conjunction with 

 the Botanical Section, under the leadership of Mr. J. T. Harris. 



June 16 — Knightley Park, under the leadership of Mr. J. E. Nowers. 



August 18 — Cannock Chase, in conjunction with the Botanical 

 Section, under the leadership of Mr. J. E. Nowers. 



At the first and last of these Excursions very little Entomological 

 work was done ; but at Knightley Park, a few interesting captures were 

 made, the best being the larvse of Thecla W-album and Xanthia gilvago. 



By far the most remarkable find of the year is that of Charocampa 

 nerii (the Oleander Hawkmoth) a specimen of which was taken in 

 Burton in August last, and given by the captor to Mr. J. T. Harris. 

 Only about half-a-dozen specimens of this insect have been taken in 

 Britain, and it is not generally considered a native, but specimens 

 occasionally either fly or are blown over from Sv')Uthern Europe, which 

 is its home. 



Other interesting captures during the past season are: 



Thecla "W-album — Found in great abundance in the larva state in Hoofie's Wood, 

 near Hartshorne. 



Larv'K of Anthocharis cardamines found by the Rev. C. F. Thornewill at 

 Appleby, feeding on Garden Rocket ; and at Stretton-en-le-Field, feeding on 

 Horse Radish. 



Hydroecia j)etasitis taken at the Forge, Newton Road, by Mr. G. Baker. 



Orthosia suspecta taken on Birches on Sherbrooke Valley, Cannock Chase, by the 

 Rev. C. F. Thornewill. 



The last t-d'o species are additions to our list. 



Asteroscopus sphinx (Petasia cassinea.) — Several larvte of this species 

 were taken by the Rev. C. F. Thornewill and Mr. L. Gibbs, in Hoofie's Wood, 

 while beating for T. W^-album. This species is mentioned in Mr. Brown's list, 

 but no precise locality is given for it. 



Zeuzera pyrina — Bretby Gardens (H. F. Gibson.) 

 Acronyca alni— One larva at Oakedge (C.F.T. ) 

 PoUa chi— Colwich (C.F.T.) 

 Plusia festucae— One at Burton (C.F.T.) 

 Cidaria prvuiata — Colwich (C.F.T.) 



THOMAS GIBBS, 



Hon. Secretary of Section. 



