THE ENTOMOLOGIST 



Vol. XXXV.] MAY, 1902. [No. 468. 



A LIST OF TORTEICES TAKEN IN SOUTH ESSEX 

 BETWEEN 1885 AND 1901. 



By a. Thurnall. 



Having recently left Stratford, after residing there more 

 than twenty-six years, I have drawn up the following list, with 

 a few notes, in the hope that it may prove useful to the small 

 number of collectors who are interested in the Micro-Lepidoptera 

 of Essex. During the sixteen or seventeen years which were 

 devoted (as far as my very limited time would allow) to collecting, 

 I have taken in South Essex — principally in the south-western 

 portion of the county — about two hundred and ten species ; if I 

 had had more time to spare it is probable that a few more 

 species might have been added to this list. I have included 

 some half-dozen which have been taken in past years by the 

 late Mr. Machin and others, and which in all probability only 

 want looking for to be taken again. I will at some future time 

 make out a list, with notes, of the Pyralididse, Pterophoridse, 

 and Crambidee (including the Phycitidse), which have been met 

 with by me during the same period and in the same district. 

 In conclusion, if any beginner in the above groups should require 

 assistance in naming captures, I should be most happy to help 

 him, and also to impart what little knowledge I may have ac- 

 quired as regards habits and food-plants of these most interesting 

 little insects. 



Tortrix podana (Scop.). — Generally abundant ; the beautiful velvety 

 var. fiisca (St.) is not rare in both sexes ; I bred a number some years 

 ago from larvae feeding on elder at Stratford. A var, of the female 

 occasionally occurs in colour between the type and this variety. 



T. cratafjana, Hb. — Decidedly rare ; in fact I did not meet with it 

 until last season (July, 1900), when a single specimen, a worn female, 

 was beaten from an oak on the borders of Monkwood, Loughton. 

 Mr, Machin used to take it in the same district years ago. 



ENTOM. — MAY, 1902. L 



