TOBTRICES TAKEN IN SOUTH ESSEX. 209 



C. cana, Haw. — Very common amongst thistles, in the heads of 

 which the larva may be found in abundance in September. From 

 one of several larvae taken near Clacton in September, 1888, I bred a 

 female in 1890. This is the only instance known to me of this species 

 taking two seasons to arrive at the perfect state. 



C. scopoliana, Haw. — Fairly common amongst Centaurea nigra, in 

 the heads of which the larva feeds. Much more commonly met with 

 some seasons than others. Its near ^\\y, fulvana, St., I have only met 

 with in the north of the county, strictly confined to Centaurea scabiosa. 



C. ccBcimaculana , Hb. — Apparently rare and local in the county. I 

 once took a pair amongst Centaurea nigra, &c., on a piece of chalky 

 waste ground near Grays, but unfortunately lost the boxes, so that I 

 am still without any Essex examples ! 



C. mmulana, Schl. — Strictly confined to places where its food- 

 plant, golden-rod, grows. I have found the larva very sparingly 

 between Brentwood and Ingatestone. Very much more abundant on 

 the Kentish side of the Thames, from whence I have bred it freely. 



C. tripoliana, Barr. — I have found this variable species wherever 

 Aster tripolium grows in the " saltings." The larva may be found 

 full-fed early in October in the seed-heads. Not difficult to breed if 

 kept fully exposed to all weathers. 



C. expaJlidayia, Haw. — Very local ; I have only met with it in a 

 rough field not far from Upminster early in July. 



C. citrana, Hb. — Mr. Machin used to get this species sparingly on 

 the sloping banks between Southend and Leigh, but I fear it is not 

 likely to be met with there now. Still occurs, I believe, on Canvey 

 Island. Larva feeds in flower heads of Achillea vnUefolium. 



Trijcheris aurana, Fb. — Local ; I have netted a few in rough fields 

 near Hadleigh, but I am told that it occurs in many places. 



Lobesia perwixtana, Hiib. — Very abundant in Epping Forest, 

 Brentwood district, and many other places, generally amongst oak. 1 

 have never met with the larva to my knowledge, but it has been bred 

 from blackthorn and birch. It is almost sure to be found on oak as 

 well some day. 



Eupcecilia nana, Haw. — Common amongst birch shrubs generally. 

 I once bred two specimens from a dead thistle stem, much to my 

 surprise, until I came to recollect that the stem was picked (in Wan- _ 

 stead Park) from beneath a birch tree. 



E. dubitana, Hb.— Eather local. Wanstead, Upminster, Waltham 

 Abbey, Danbury, Wakering, &c. I have bred it from golden rod, 

 Hieracium tridentatmn and nmbellatum, and Senecio jacobcea. Feeds on 

 the young seeds in September. 



E. atricapitana, St. — Local and uncommon in South Essex. I 

 have bred it once or twice from dead stems of Senecio from near 

 Thames Haven, and the second brood from the green stems of the 

 same plant from the railway bank near Harold "Wood. 



E. maculosana, Haw. — Not uncommon in plantations and woods 

 where its food-plant, Scilla nutans, grows. The larva feeds on the 

 green seeds in July, and then leaves to spin- up amongst rubbish. 

 Very quick on the wing when flying in the sunshine over a bed of its 

 food-plant. I have met with it in the woods round Warley more 

 abundantly than elsewhere. 



