Field Notes. 293 



suspects speculation as the origin of the theory as a consequence. Even 

 the males are spasmodic in their visits to light. On some nights there is 

 no attraction for any species ; on others, certain species come freely, 

 while at other times still other species ai^e the only visitors. Thus, on 

 Wicken Fen, where light is the principal mode of collecting, the terms are 

 'a bad night,' or 'an albovenosa night,' or 'a quercifolia night,' and so on. 

 It would seem therefore that certain atmospheric conditions are against 

 the attraction altogether, while other conditions are suitable to other 

 species. Yet again there are still other problems ; geometrid species like 

 Scotosia vetulata and 5. rhamnata, which were both common on the fen in 

 early July, 191 2, both at the sugar posts and flying around buckthorn 

 bushes, contrary to the expectations of the writer never put in an ap- 

 pearance at light at all. 



It is a fact that there cannot be a light without heat and the consequent 

 vibrations, and possibly with the proper atmospheric condition to give the 

 exact tone to the vibrations it is probable that the males of every species 

 of night-flying moth in existence could be attracted, while on the other 

 hand the females are not responsive to the vibrations because there is 

 not the least reason why they should be. 



[Surely Mr. Morley's first note (pp. 234-5) is ample proof that scent is 

 the attraction. He tells us that after he had boxed the pair of moths, 

 and placed the box a few yards away on the ground, none of the flying 

 males ever flew near it, but that in the immediate space around where the 

 female had been, the males eagerly searched for her for towards twenty 

 minutes. There could be no vibration then, but the scent evidently 

 remained for that time before it completely evaporated. Besides, many 

 female moths, probably the vast majority indeed, do not vibrate their 

 wings at such a time. After the wings are fully dry, except that their 

 position is changed as darkness approaches in the evening, they remain 

 apparently absolutely quiescent until pairing occurs. Moreover, some 

 female moths have no wings, and so cannot vibrate them. I have known 

 a female Nyssia hispidaria, a perfectly wingless moth, caged up in Epping 

 Forest, attract a large number of males. There is practically no doubt 

 that scent is the attraction. — G.T.P.] 



: o : 



Eccentric Nests of Humble Bee. — Early in August 

 my attention was called to two nests of Humble Bees on Kings- 

 land, Shrewsbury. The first was on the flagged floor of a cup- 

 board in a disused stable, and was a domed mass about twelve 

 inches in diameter, composed entirely of bits of hay and paper 

 which the bees {B. lapidarms) had bitten off the larger pieces 

 which littered the adjacent floor. The other nest was that of 

 the Common Humble Bee {B. terrestris) and was not remarkable 

 in itself, but from its juxtaposition to a Wasp's nest. A friend 

 of mine had destroyed a Wasp's nest in a hedge-bank, and went 

 to dig it out. As soon as he began to do so he was astonished 

 to see a number of Humble Bees about it. On opening the bank 

 he discovered that the entrance hole was common to two nests ; 

 from this hole two passages branched — that to the left leading 

 to a Wasp's nest, in which all the insects were dead ; while 

 that to the right led to a Humble Bees' nest, the insects in 

 which were all ' alive and kicking.' It seems strange that bees 

 and wasps should thus dwell together amicably, and both use 

 the same vestibule. — H. E. Forrest. 



1918 Sept. 1. 



