38 



ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES FROM ASHFORD. 



Considering the reports from all parts, of the general scarcity of insects this year, it is gratifying 

 to be able to record several species as occurring for the first time (as far as knowii) in the neighbour- 

 hood of Ashford, as follows: — 



Myelois suavella. — A number reared from larvse fouud in their curious silken galleries, on stunted 

 sloe bushes. 



Acrobasis angustella. — Larvje found in the fruit of the spindle tree, Euonymus Europxus, feeding 

 on the seed and its beautiful aril. 



Lai-erna RaschkieUa. — Taken on leaves of Ejnlohium angustifolium, also the larvte detected mining 

 the leaves of the same plant, which grows in profusion in Long Beechwood, near Charing. 



A few of the more interesting species met with, though observed in former seasons, were Laverna 

 conturbatella, both larvs and the perfect insect, also attached to Epilobium angustifolium, in this case 

 puckering the shoots. 



Srythropia cratxgella. — Bred freely from larvse found in a loose web on sloe, a sluggish larva. 

 Phis, when found before in the district, was un its more usual food plant, hawthorn. 



The pretty little Pyrale, Eunychia octomaculata, was met with in June, and its larva, feeding on 

 Golden-rod, in September. 



By visiting its habitat at the right time, several specimens of the local Botys hyalinalis were 

 taken, and «ome of the interesting, flat, scale-like eggs obtained, laid on glass, for study under the 

 microscope. 



Of Geometers perhaps the best taken were Angerona prunaria and Aspilates gilvaria ; also the 

 somewhat anomalous Aventia Jlexula, the beautiful Hook-tip Moth. 



Of the larger moths Drymonia chaonia must not be omitted, a pair were taken on the trunk of an 

 oak tree, and. eggs being obtained, a number of larvse were successfully fed up, and are now safely in 

 the pupa state. 



Acronycta leporina was taken, and the larva met with later on. Anyone who has not seen this 

 larva has a treat in store, for it is a most singular and lovely caterpillar. 



Speaking of larvce, that of the remarkable Ltmacodes testiido must not he forgotten. The only 

 one met witn this year was taken over to Wye College that others might see the extra-rdinary 

 structure of tbis footless, woodlouse-shaped larva, so very different from the ordinary Lepidoptefous 

 caterpillar. 



The beautiful Wood Leopard Moth, Zenzena JEsculi, has occurred more frequently than usual 

 with us. A fine female moth was picked up in Ashford Warren by my son. 



Of the Sphinges but little can be said ; Sphinx Conwlvidi, so abundant last year, was just as 

 scarce this ; S. ligustri being as usual fairly common. Smerinthus Tilie was not scarce — one fine 

 specimen was taken resting on the mahogany case of my standard regulator! 



Most decidedly the rarest species met with this year was Cucullia Giiaphalii, two or three larva; 

 of which were found feeding on Solidago rirjawrea, accompanied by its handsome congener C. asteris, 

 of more frequent occurrence. Of course the gay caterpillars of C. verbasci were common enough on 

 the species of Mullein, not neglecting the rather scarce Verhascum lychnitis, while those of 

 C. chamomilla, of which several were taken last year, on Matricaria and Anthemis, were not observed 

 this. I hare not heard that this year produced any more larvce of the Swallow-tail butterfly in this 

 district, though last year a fine grown caterpillar was brought to me for identification which had been 

 found feeding on carrot in a garden close to the town, on the Hythe Road. The Purple Emperor 

 Butterfly was seen on the wing, but not taken. 



A rather striking-looking Beetle, Oncomera femorata, was taken off one of the sugared tree trunks 

 in the early summer. 



When walking with Mr. W. H. Hammond in Penny Pot Wood on August 29th, he drew my 

 attention to a lari^e fly, bearing a considerable resemblance to a wasp, which was fortunately secured. 

 On taking it over to Professor Theobald at Wy&, he kindly named it for us, Volucella inanis, saying it 

 was a rare insect in this country. Strangely enough, on reaching home, I found another specimen 

 had been taken in a small garden in the town the same afternoon. In this garden was a wasps' nest, 

 and an interesting question arose as to how far the Volucella might have been connected with it, as 

 the species of this genus are parasitic in their habits, their larva? feeding on those of Bomhus, and two 

 species are known to live in the nests of Vespa on the Continent. 



Other Dipterous insects might be alluded to, notable a Mosquito, that sorely torments those who 

 visit the woods in the Weald in summer. This Professor Theobald told me was Culex cantans, and as 

 he wanted specimens for study, I had but to go down to the wood, boxing them alive as they attacked 

 me. I understood some of these blood-thirsty creatures were to find a place in the South Kensington 

 Museum, as they had no good British examples of the species there. 



W. K. JEFFREY. 

 37, Bank Street, 

 Ashford. 



