INSECTS 



throughout the county in the larval stage. The Convolvulus Hawk Moth (Sphinx convolvuli) is another 

 erratic insect, but is never really common. I have many recent records of its occurrence, singly or 

 in small numbers, in the Nottingham, Mansfield, Southwell, Tuxford, Edwinstowe, and Worksop 

 districts. The Privet Hawk Moth (Sphinx ligustri) is of frequent occurrence. A single specimen of 

 the Bedstraw Hawk Moth (Deilephila galii) is recorded by Sterland as having been taken in Sherwood 

 Forest. Mr. W. Daws captured two specimens of this species at flowers of honeysuckle in his 

 garden at Mansfield, on 20 and 24 June, 1 866, and a third specimen was taken in the same neighbour- 

 hood by another collector about the same date. The rare Choerocampa celerio has been taken several 

 times in the county, my notes recording captures of single specimens at Chilwell, at Edwinstowe in 

 1876, at Retford in 1884, and again in 1885, and in Nottingham in 1860 and 1892. The Small 

 Elephant Hawk Moth (Choerocampa panel/us) occurs most seasons in the Mansfield district (Daws) ; 

 specimens were also taken at Worksop and Wellow in 1901, and in Nottingham in 1902. The 

 Large Elephant Hawk (C. elpenor) is much more frequent and generally distributed, larvae being 

 sometimes fairly common about Mansfield (Daws). The Eyed Hawk (Smerinthus ocellatus) and the 

 Poplar Hawk (S. populi) are both fairly plentiful, especially in the larval stage, the former feeding on 

 wild crab and willow, and on apple trees in orchards, and the latter chiefly on poplar, but once found -^ 

 on ash at Worksop (Miss Alderson). S. populi appears to be partially doubled-brooded, eggs deposited 

 in June, 1898, produced imagines in the following September (Daws). The Lime Hawk (S. ti/iae) is 

 rare, but is recorded from Mansfield (Daws) and Marnham, where several specimens were bred by the 

 Rev. E. Cunningham from larvae found on lime trees in his garden. The Humming-Bird Hawk 

 Moth (Macroglossa stel/atarum) occurs throughout the county and is frequently common. In 1899 and 

 1900 it was particularly plentiful all over the county. The Broad-bordered Bee Hawk (Macroglossa 

 fuciformis) occurs in two woods, many miles apart, on the eastern side of the county, and is a recent 

 addition to our list, the first authentic specimens having been taken in May, 1895. It has since been 

 seen in all stages, sometimes plentifully. 



SESIIDAE 



The Hornet Clearwings (Trochiitum aptformis and T. crabroniformis] have both been taken in the 

 county several times, but are very rare. Of the smaller Clearwings Sesia tipuliformis is widely dis- 

 tributed and often common in gardens where currant bushes grow, but the other recorded species are 

 very rare. Sesia asUiformis, S. myopiformis, and S. tulieifirmis are all recorded from Sherwood Forest, 

 and S. myopiformis has also been taken by Daws at Mansfield. 



ZYGAENIDAE 



The Forester (Ino stances), at one time common in Sherwood Forest, is now rare there, if 

 indeed it still exists. It has, however, been taken recently in the south of the county, near Bunny. 

 Of the Burnets, Zygaena trifolii is reported from Sherwood Forest and Gedling, but is certainly very 

 rare. Z. lonicerae is in some seasons very plentiful but extremely local in the Mansfield district ; 

 it also occurs in old pastures at Welham near Retford. The Six-Spot Burnet (Z. filipendulae) is 

 widely distributed in the county, but has a knack of disappearing suddenly from localities where it 

 was formerly common. It occurred in a single meadow at Gedling some years ago in the utmost 

 profusion, but has not been seen there lately. It is also found more or less commonly in the Retford, 

 Southwell, and Mansfield districts, and in several places south of Nottingham. In Sherwood Forest 

 it is now apparently rare. 



BOMBYCES 

 NYCTEOLIDAE 

 Hylophila prasinana occurs throughout the county, but is nowhere common. 



NOLIDAE 



No/a cucullatella is widely distributed, variable in its appearance, but some years very abundant. 

 In 1899 it swarmed in gardens at Mansfield, from 20 June to the middle of July (Daws). N. con- 

 fusalis was taken in the north of Nottinghamshire by Brameld many years ago, but there are no 

 recent records. 



LITHOSIIDAE 



Nudaria senex has been taken ' on the railings near the Normanton Hotel [Clumber Park], 

 several times,' (J. R. Hardy), and N. mundana occurs in Sherwood Forest and near Worksop. 

 Calligenia miniata, Lithosia mesomella, and L. deplana, are all reported from Sherwood Forest, the 

 last named only once, however. L. lurideola is widely diffused and common in one or two localities. 

 Mr. J. R. Hardy took nine specimens of L, complana by beating larches near Worksop, in June, 



HI 



