Insects. 9261 
Spiracular and central ventral lines dingy black or brown. Central dorsal spots 
becoming corpulent and merged in the central line on the anterior and posterior seg- 
ments. Skin rough and wrinkled, sprinkled with a few short whitish hairs. Feeds upon 
the unripe seeds and seed-capsules of Campanula trachelium, Z.: till nearly full fed 
remains on the surface of the capsule, just at the crown. When very young lives in 
the dry corolla-tube. In confinement will feed upon various garden species of Cam- 
panula. Full-fed end of August and beginning of September. Pupa enclosed in a 
slight earthen cocoon. Thorax and wing-cases golden yellow. Abdomen reddish. 
Abdominal divisions and tip red. Resembles the pupa of E. expallidata. The perfect 
insect in sume respects resembles E. expallidata, but is very distinct from all the 
other members of the Absiuthiata group.— H. Harpur Crewe ; The Rectory, Drayton- 
Beauchamp, Tring ; September 7, 1864. 
Agrotis Segetum and the Turnip Crop.—I yesterday found thirty larve of Agrotis 
Segetum at the root of ove small turnip: I could not have believed this possible had 
I not dug them up with my own hands, and seen them with my own eyes.—H. 
Harpur Crewe. 
[I have received an almost incredible number of communications on this subject: 
the ravages of the larva are doing incalculable mischief in almost every part of the 
kingdom. I am preparing its life-history for publication in the ‘ Entomologist,’ but 
must await the emergence of the imago, being uncertain as to the species —Edward 
Newman. | 
The Beating-Net or the Umbrella ?—The question has been mooted, which fof these 
is best to use in our researches after larve. I have used and found serviceable the 
former (consisting of an iron folding ring, such as anglers use for a landing-net, to 
which is attached a bag of stout holland), which I have already commended in print. 
This is portable, as it can be conveyed in the pocket, though it necessitates the carry- 
ing of two sticks; one to serve as a handle, and the other as a striking implement. 
Latterly [ have found that an umbrella (gingham or alpaca) does decidedly answer 
best. It takes in a much greater extent of leaves and twigs, aud the objects precipi- 
tated into it by beating are more readily seen and secured. In the holland bag, to 
examine ils contents, you must pause occasionally and turn it inside out, a tedious, and 
when the wind is rough a rather difficult, process. For sweeping, or for beating low 
plauts or grasses, it is handiest, and way be occasionally resorted to. The entomo- 
logical umbrella does not certainly improve in its personal appearance. Its ribs become 
bulgy, its outer surface rough, and it is known and shunned by everybody but its owner. 
A true naturalist, however, lightly esteems this and similar annoyances. I have found 
that a much larger proportion of the larve taken by beating die in the process of rearing 
than of those captured in other ways. With some, there is no doubt, it arises from an 
injury inflicted by this method ; and the weakly or diseased larve of certain species 
will more readily fall from their positions. Sharp, jerking taps given to the branches 
or twigs are more effective in obtaining larve than a prolonged and gradual shaking. 
It must not be forgotten that searching must not be neglected entirely ; as there are 
some species of which we shall ouly find the larve in this way. I may instance 
Gonopteryx Rhawni and the genus Dicranura.—J. R. S. Clifford ; 21, Robert Terrace, 
Cheisea, September 7, 1864. 
