A HISTORY OF ESSEX 



occasionally with dipsacea. H. armigera is a scarce migrant, worn speci- 

 mens of which once appeared in some numbers in a clover field at 

 Colchester. Ghariclea umbra (marginata, Fb.) is found on the coast, and 

 also in inland woods, where its larva? feed on the young shoots of hazel 

 and birch. 



ACONTIID.E; 



Agrophila trabealis (sulphuralis^ Lin.) cannot be considered a native of 

 the county, but was once found at Temple Mills by Mr. Machin. 

 Acontia luctuosa has been taken at Grays and Benfleet, and occurred some- 

 what freely in 1900 at Maldon and Mucking. It has not been met with 

 in north Essex. 



ERASTRIID/E 



Erastria venusfu/a is a very local species, but has occurred rather 

 freely in several parts of Epping Forest and also at Warley. E.fasciana 

 (Juscula, Bork.) is a widely distributed woodland species, sometimes occur- 

 ring in fair numbers, but often scarce for long periods. 



POAPHILID.E 



Phytometra viridaria (cenea, Hb.) is found commonly at Epping. It 

 frequents open spaces in woods and was plentiful at Dedham previous to 

 1890. 



EUCLIDIID^: 



Euclidia mi is common on the coast, but had not been seen in the 

 neighbourhood of Colchester till much of the land for a time became 

 derelict, during which period it established itself in several fresh locali- 

 ties where it still continues common. E. glyphica is of frequent occur- 

 rence at Epping and Southend, but is not found in the northern part of 

 the county. 



CATEPHIIDjE 



Catephla alchymlsta is one of the rarest of the British Lepidoptera, 

 and is unique as regards the county. A single example was found at rest 

 on an oak tree near Colchester by W. Tillaney on June 9, 1875. 



CATOCALID^ 



Catocala fraxlnl is also a rarity. Two specimens were captured at 

 Southend by Mr. Hope in 1846, and one was taken at Colchester in 

 September, 1869. C. nupta is common and generally distributed. An 

 example of the rare variety ccerulescens was once taken by Mr. Laver at 

 Colchester. C. promissa and C, sponsa are both rare. A larva of the 

 former was once beaten from oak in Langham Lodge Wood, and the 

 latter was taken at Hainault by Mr. Machin. 



AVENTIID^E 



Aventia flexula is scarce, but has been found at Colchester, Halstead, 



Hazeleigh and Langham. 



156 



