176 Report on 



number were captured varying remarkably in colour from red 

 to grey, brown, tawny, and almost black. Cerastis vaccinii is 

 also common generally. Of the genus Xanthia, we have four 

 out of six species, and of the genus Cosinia three out of four, 

 the pretty C. diffinis and affiiiis being taken at sugar even in 

 our gardens. Ereniobia ochroleuca, a good insect has been 

 taken at Reigate, also at Caterham, on thistle heads. The genus 

 Dianthecia is not well represented, four out of eight being the 

 number recorded ; D. conspersa is known to occur on a fence 

 near Caterham Junction Station, near which spot its food plant 

 grows. Plilogophora metictdosa is one of our most common 

 late summer moths, flocking to sugar with Saucia and other 

 frequenters of treacle. Euplexia lucipara however is rarer, 

 but we have several records of its capture. Xylocanipa 

 litliorizn may be taken in West Wickham and Shirley roads 

 at sugar early in the year, even when the snow is on the 

 ground. The larvae of Cncullia verbasci has been taken on 

 the mullein in the chalk pit. Park Hill Road, and other spots 



Anarta myrtilli, the beautiful little Yellow Underwing 

 may be taken plentifully on the top of Shirley in April and 

 May. It flies with great rapidity over the heather in the 

 bright sunshine. Its larvae may be obtained with the aid of a 

 sweeping net. Heliodes arbuti is recorded from fields near the 

 Ashburton Road. 



Brephos parthenias may be seen, sometimes in swarms, in 

 West Wickham Wood, wherever the birch tree grows, in the 

 month of March. It flies in the sunshine, and generally at a 

 considerable height from the ground. Abrostola nrticce and 

 triplasia both occur, and Plusia fesUuce is recorded from a 

 garden in North End. Plusia iota has been taken at Reigate, 

 South Croydon and Addiscombe, and the common silver Y 

 P. gamma occurs in extraordinary numbers, some seasons 

 flying about in our gardens, not only in the evening, but in the 

 full blaze of the sun. Gonoptera libatrix, the herald moth, 

 seems to have been often captured. It has the peculiarity of 

 hybernating soon after it emerges from the pupa, hence it is 

 most frequently found in stables, barns, out-houses, &c. 

 Amphipyra pyramidca, may be frequently taken at sugar, in 

 the autumn, Croham Hurst and West Wickham being good 

 localities. Ncenia typica {sv&vy common, in gardens especially, 

 and Mania Maura is fairly abundant, often coming into 

 dwelling-houses ; some good varieties of this moth have been 

 taken. 



Catocala Nupta, the red underwing is plentiful ; it comes 

 to sugar in gardens, and may often be found on palings in the 

 morning. 



