PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIED ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING »97 



noticed T. tilkirga flying in similar spots during the day and it is well 

 known that night-flying butterflies will take to the wing during the day 

 in dark, shady jungles). 



5. Gynacantlia baymlera. 



This very local insect appears on the wing only after night has set 

 in for good. At such times specimens may only be taken by watching 

 for their silhouette against the evening sky and as they have a rapid, 

 skipping flight, this is done with difficulty. It is more easily captured 

 by beating it up during the day from its resting-places in deep jungle 

 arui then observiag where it comes to rest again. Usually its flight then 

 is but for a short distance, some 20 yards or so, but on account of the 

 invisibility of its wings and the foliage-green colouring of its body, it is 

 not easily recognizable amongst the foliage. The wings of the last 

 three species are remarkable for the fineness of their neuration and delicacy 

 of structure and I note that other Gijnacanthce resemble them in this 

 respect so that it may well be that the species of this genus are all night- 

 fliers. 



The food of all consists of mosquitos although I have occasionally 

 seen them making a meal off the smaller moths. If the mouth of any one 

 be examined directly after capture it will be found stuffed with an im- 

 mense number of mosquitos ; very probably the insect makes the most 

 of its time and then retires to finish the meal at leisure. 



Major Fraser's observations are not only interesting but economically Mr. Fletcher. 

 important because, as he notes, these night-flying dragonflies seem to 

 feed principally on niosquitos. I expect that most of us have seen 

 dragonflies on the wing at dusk but have merely put them down as belated 

 individuals capturing their suppers. These species are not at all easy 

 to catch as a rule but I have no doubt that, now that attention has been ■ 

 directed to them, we shall be able to make considerable increases to the 

 list of night-flying species. Certainly we have several at Pusa including 

 at least one large species, which I have as yet been unable to catch. 



57.— NOTE ON THE LAHViE OF CATOCHRYSOPS STB ABO 

 FEEDING ON CYC AS. 



By Major F. C. Eraser, I.M.S. 

 In Madras it would probably be impossible to examine any single 

 plant of Cijcas which has not suffered from the depredations of a small 

 caterpillar, the larva of a Lycsenid, Catocliryso-ps straho. In the Horti- 

 cultural Gardens, Mount Road, I noticed that every plant was eaten and 

 at one time of the year when Cycas throws ,up its young crown of leaves, 



