INSECTS 



Vanessa io, Linn. (Peacock butterfly). Gener- 

 ally distributed, its larva also feeding in 

 large colonies on nettles 



antiopa, Linn. (Camberwell Beauty). Very 



rare ; one was taken at Newport Pag- 

 nell in 1872, another near Uxbridge in 

 1901 but in this county, and two more 

 at Gerrard's Cross in the same year 



atalanta, Linn. Generally distributed, 



its larva feeding solitarily upon nettle, 

 bending a leaf so as to form a habita- 

 tion 



cardui, Linn. (Painted Lady). This beau- 



tiful insect is most irregular and uncer- 

 tain, sometimes appearing suddenly in 

 plenty, at other times scarcely seen for 

 years. Most frequently found in the 

 sunny corners of clover fields ; but its 

 larva feeds on thistle, and forms a 

 curious silken tent among its prickly 

 leaves. Recorded here from High Wy- 

 combe, Chesham, Halton and Taplow, but 

 certainly in its favoured seasons occur- 

 ring more generally 



Argynnis paphia, Linn. (Silver-washed Fritil- 

 lary). Found apparently in all large 

 woods ; formerly abundant at Black 

 Park ; also recorded at Buckingham, 

 Chesham, and the Chi/terns ; and found 

 abundantly on the borders of Whittle- 

 bury Forest 



adippe, Linn. (High Brown Fritillary). 



Also an inhabitant of large woods, 

 but sometimes found in open wooded 

 districts ; recorded here from Bucking- 

 ham, Cbesham, Claydon, Chalfont St. Peter 

 and the woods lying among the Chi/tern 

 Hills 



[ dia, Linn. Nearly half a century ago 

 entomologists generally were startled 

 by the news of the capture of a speci- 

 men of this well known continental 

 species. The Rev. Bernard Smith, 

 then resident at Marlow, reported that 

 a specimen had been captured by 

 knocking down with his cap by a 

 village lad, and brought to him for 

 examination. This specimen was sent 

 on to Mr. H. Doubleday at Epping, 

 and was certainly the species stated, 

 but some confusion arose as to the 

 details of its capture, and a rather hot 

 controversy arose, with the result that 

 this species was not included in the 

 British fauna] 



euphrosyne, Linn. (Pearl-bordered Fritil- 



lary). Marlow, Claydon floods, Leck- 

 hampstead, Chesham, Chalfont St. Peter 

 and many other woods 



selene, Schiff. (Small Pearl-bordered Fritil- 



lary). Black Park, Chalfont St. Peter, 

 Chesham, Claydon floods, Leckhampstead 

 and elsewhere, in the damper portions 

 of the woodlands and commons 

 Melitxa artemis, Hb., aurinia, St.C. (Greasy 

 Fritillary). Found in some of the marshy 

 hollows among the Chiltern Hills, and 

 in some seasons even on the tops of the 

 hills, where the scabious is growing ; 

 very local 



athalia,Esp. (Heath Fritillary). This species 



seems to have formerly inhabited this 

 county, but to have died out as has 

 been the case in various other counties. 

 The Rev. J. Greene records it as rare ; 

 but no certain locality seems to have 

 been preserved 



Melanargia galathea, Linn. (Marbled White). 

 Wendover, High Wycombe, Halton, 

 Black Park, Claydon. Usually a chalk- 

 frequenting species ; very local, but 

 occurring in plenty in very restricted 

 localities 



Satyrus semele, Linn. (Grayling butterfly). 

 High Wycombe and elsewhere ; on rough 

 chalky hillsides and open commons 



Pararge aegeria, Linn. (Speckled Wood butter- 

 fly). Abundant at Black Park ; also 

 found generally in shady lanes and the 

 edges of woods, flitting about the trees 

 and highest bushes 



megaera, Linn. (Wall Brown butterfly). 



Generally distributed in lanes and 

 roads 



Epinephile janira, Linn. (Meadow Brown). 

 Abundant everywhere in meadows and 

 other grass land 



tithonus, Linn, (the Gatekeeper). Plenti- 



ful in lanes and about hedges, especially 

 around brambles when in blossom 



hyperanthus, Linn. (Ringlet). In the 



damper portions of most woods, abun- 

 dant in some of these ; especially so on 

 the borders of Whittlebury Forest 



Coenonympha pamphilus, Linn. (Small Heath 

 butterfly). Everywhere abundant in 

 grass fields and on hillsides 



Syrichthus alveolus, Hb., malvae, St.C. (Griz- 

 zled Skipper). Buckingham, Marlow, 

 Halton, Chalfont St. Peter, Leckhamp- 

 stead ; more especially attached to rail- 

 way banks 



Hesperia linea, Fab., thaumas, St.C. (Small 

 Skipper). Chesham, Halton and else- 

 where, in damp places near the edges 

 of woods 



sylvanus, Esp. (Common Skipper). Gene- 



rally common in lanes, marshy meadows 

 and the borders of woods ; most alert 

 and swift in its motions 

 89 12 



