S3CT 



PREFACE 



THE personal want of a suitable book in which to record 

 fresh observations of the various stages in the life histories 

 of the British Macro -Lepidoptera led to the compilation of 

 the following pages. The task entered upon proved heavier 

 than might have been expected, and took much research and 

 time to bring into shape. 



While descriptions have been avoided, an endeavour has 

 been made to provide active collectors with a work in which 

 they will not only find the more salient points connected 

 with the appearances, habits, etc., of Lepidoptera in their 

 various stages recorded, but one that will furnish at the same 

 time a simple medium for registering their own observations 

 in alphabetical order, and so save them the trouble and worry 

 of searching among old diaries and note-books for data they 

 may be asked for or require themselves. 



All names are given in Latin and English. 



The nomenclature generally followed is that adopted by 

 Mr South in his valuable book, The Butterflies and Moths of 

 the British Isles. Synonyms, specific and generic, however, 

 have been given as well. 



Under each food plant those larvae which commonly feed 

 on it are given in alphabetical generic order, together with 

 the times of appearance, but the specific names, as being more 

 commonly used, have been placed first. These lists should 

 lead to the quicker identification of species, give collectors 

 hints what to look for and at what times of the year to search, 

 and at the same time enable breeders to see at a glance what 

 insects can be bred on the trees, shrubs, and plants growing 

 in their own immediate locality. 



Every possible care has been taken to give facts that are 

 thoroughly reliable and generally accepted as being correct. 

 Many of the egg-laying data are new and hitherto unpublished, 



