INSECTS 



Dianthtecia carpophaga is common on the coast, but does not occur inland. D. cucuhali, also a 

 coast species, but not so plentiful as the last. D. capslncola, commoner than either, and much 

 more generally distributed. D. compersa is a rare insect and very irregular in its appearance. 

 It has only been t.-iken at Hartlepool and Durham. Polla chi is tolerably common, and the 

 variety ollvacca occurs in most places ; the variety is scarcest on the moors. P. Jiavodncta is 

 very general, but never very common. Dasypolia templl is perhaps more plentiful than 

 appears. Its habits arc peculiar, and it comes out so late in the year that it is seldom seen. 

 It is recorded from Barnard Castle, Darlington, Durham, and Hartlepool, and probably occurs 

 everywhere. Epunda lutuh-ntiiy on the sandhills and about Hartlepool generally. It comes 

 freely to light. It probably occurs all along the coast, but it also flies late in the year, though 

 earlier than templi. E. nigra is reported from Bishop Auckland. E. viminalis is not very 

 common, but well distributed. Mlselia oxyacanthie, generally common. Agriopn april'may 

 common in the centre and west of the country, but very rare on the coast. Phlogophora 

 meticulosa is common enough in the autumn, but much rarer everywhere in spring. Euplexm 

 lucipara is generally distributed, but abundant nowhere. Aplecta herhida is not common, but 

 occurs all over the county. A. occulta is but an occasional visitor, sometimes disappearing 

 for years. A. nebulosa is fairly common in woods and denes. A. advena is a rare species. 

 Mr. Sang took three between 1853 and 1857. A single specimen was taken at Elwick near 

 Hartlepool about the same time, but there are no more recent records. Hadena adusta has 

 been taken around Hartlepool and once in Teesdale. H. protea has only been met with in 

 the west — Upper Teesdale and Weardale. H. dentina, generally distributed and not 

 uncommon. H. chenopodii, very rare, odd specimens only have been met with. H. suasa 

 appears to occur only on Greatham salt marsh, where it is rare. H. olcracea swarms every- 

 where. H. phi is common in most places, perhaps more abundant on the coast. H. tbalassina, 

 well distributed, but never very common. Xylocampa Uthoriza, not uncommon in early spring. 

 Cahcampa vetusta is very rare, only occurring singly. C. exoleta, common generally in autumn 

 and spring. A single specimen of Xylina petrificata wdts taken in Hesleden Dene in 1898 

 by Mr. Gardner. Cucullia chamomillce has occurred occasionally at Hartlepool, both larvae 

 and imagines. C. umbratica is generally distributed and never very rare. Hcliothis marginata 

 is ver)' common on the coast. In some years it is quite the commonest noctua at Hartlepool. 

 The larvae are abundant on Rest-harrow, and are most persistent cannibals. H. peltigera has 

 been taken, singly only at South Shields and Byers Green and twice at Hartlepool. H. armigera 

 has also been taken twice at Hartlepool and once at Sunderland. Anarta myrtilli is common 

 on the moors and not unfrequent wherever there is ling. Brephos partheniai occurs at 

 Wolsingham and in that district, but has not been observed elsewhere. AhroUola urttca is 

 common in the south-west of the Tyne river, and occurs occasionally elsewhere. It is not 

 very rare about Hartlepool. A. triplasia is a scarce insect. It was taken by Dr. Lees in 

 Upper Teesdale occasionally, and I took one at Hartlepool long ago. Plusia chrysitis is 

 generally distributed, but never very common. P. hractea is a great rarity. It has been taken 

 only at Darlington and at Durham. P. festucts is also very scarce, but it may be that it has 

 not been sought for in the right places. Mr. Sang took it at Hell Kettles in 1880. Near 

 Hartlepool I have taken three, but no one else has met with it. P. iota is generally distributed 

 and common. P. v-aureum^ even more plentiful than the last. P. gamma swarms in autumn 

 and spring. P. interrogationis, on the moors. A solitary specimen was taken at rest on palings 

 at Hartlepool some years ago. Gonoptera libatrix is well distributed, but not common 

 anywhere, and apparently becoming scarcer ; it has almost left the coast. Amphipyra 

 tragopogonii is generally plentiful in autumn. Mania typica is another generally abundant 

 insect. Its larger relation M. maura is very much rarer than typica, but occurs all over the 

 county. Stilbia anomala was once taken at Black Hall Rocks by Mr. Gardner, flying in the 

 sun. Catocala fraxini was taken at Hartlepool by the same gentleman, at rest on the paling 

 of his own timber yard. Euc/idia mi is generally common in rough pastures and grassy 

 places. E. glyphica, not plentiful and very local, occurring on railway banks and similar places. 

 Phytometra cenea is well distributed, but never abundant. It occurs all along the coast and in 

 many places inland. 



DELTOIDES PYRALIDES 



Hypena proboscidalis. Common among nettles Pyralis glaucinalis. Once in Heskden Dene 



Rivula scricealis. Once in Heskden Dene — farinalis. Generally common 



Herminia griscalis. Common in woods Aglossa pinguinalis. Common in stables 



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