THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 257 
Knautiata larva distinctly, whilst we fail to find it in its 
allies. 
Some of our “ quid nuncs,” without seeing its larva, set it 
down as EH. absynthiata, whilst others go in for its being 
Minutata; but, with considerable experience of this genus, 
both in the larval and imago state, I am quite sure it is not 
the former; and from its larval differentiation and larger size, 
distinctly different, and darker colour and habit in the perfect 
insect, we can hardly construe it into the latter well-known 
heath-feeder. I therefore propose the specific name of 
Knautiata for it. 
The insect was first bred from the flower and seed of 
Knautia arvensis by Mr. Porter, of Bolton, who discovered 
it feeding in October, a few years ago, and who not only 
supplied me copiously with it in its early state, but directed 
me to his localities, where | took its larva freely on the 19th 
of September, and again on the 27th, full fed. 1t feeds on 
the flowers and seeds of the Knautia arvensis, which grows 
in profusion on the banks of Ball Hill Lodges, near Bolton, 
burrowing down into the flower and seed, until only one-half 
of the larva is visible: it turns to a large, light, rich, 
golden brown pupa. I may say, en passant, that I have fed 
a few of these larve from the young state on heath-flowers, 
to see if I could make them assume the beautiful pink colours 
of E. minutata; but my experiment has failed. 
C.S. GREGSON. 
September 30, 1874. 
Entomological Notes, Captures, &c. 
“ Do Hornets ever Build in the Ground ?”—This question 
is asked by Mr. Henry Reeks in the last number of the ‘ Ento- 
mologist’ (Entom. vii. 232). I can, from personal observation, 
assure him that they do so. In the month of August, 1871, 1 
found a hornet’s-nest in a bank at a wood side, near Sid- 
mouth: it was at the latter part of the month, when the 
colony was numerous. I stood within two yards of the 
entrance to the nest for some time, the hornets passing in and 
out, but exhibiting no dislike to my close observation: I was 
anxious to ascertain whether hornets posted a sentinel within 
the mouth of the burrow; I failed, however, to detect one. 
In the fifth volume of the ‘ Entomological Magazine’ (p. 479) 
2L 
