17 



Random Notes on the Entomology of the Lowlands of 

 Oahu (Hawaiian Islands). 



By G. W. Kirkaldy, F.E.S. Read August lot/z, 1905. 



There is no doubt that the Hawaiian Islands are at the same 

 time the most and the least interesting entomologically of any 

 islands in the world. 



The interest consists in their extreme remoteness from continental 

 lands and isolation from other islands, their endemic fauna, almost 

 entirely confined to altitudes above 1000 or 1500 feet, being highly 

 specialised. The disappointment consists in the poverty of the 

 fauna, not only in species but in individuals (excepting in the case 

 of a few introduced species), and in the difficulty of " working the 

 country." 



On landing at the Port of Honolulu * the delighted entomologist 

 finds himself amidst a profusion of palms — cocoanut, royal, date, 

 etc. — banyans (Ficus indica), algarobas, tamarinds, poincianas, 

 bananas, orange-trees, hedges of scarlet or vermilion hibiscus, 

 oleander-trees, etc., while further out are enormous stretches of 

 Lautana camara and sugar-cane, as well as guava and gluebush 

 (Mimosa). But the elated " bugologist " (as he is termed in America, 

 of which it seems necessary to remind these islands form a part 

 politically, though not zoologically ; also Hawaii is not in the South 

 Pacific, as most people seem to imagine) is grievously disappointed 

 and enlightened in a short time. 



Myriads of the cosmopolitan dragon-fly Pantala flavesce?is are seen 

 everywhere, and occasionally the splendid cobalt-blue-bodied Anax 

 Junius and the curious " pecked-looking " Tramea lacerata ; on 

 orange-trees and other places where Aphids do herd is seen the lace- 

 wing Chrysopa microphya in all stages. 



One of the most beautiful butterflies in the world has his sole 

 habitation in the mountain forests of Hawaii, sometimes wandering 

 to the lowlands. Compared to Pyrameis tammeamea,\ the three 

 introduced species, viz. P. aialanta, P. virginiensis, and P. cardui, 

 look like tiny London street flower-sellers by the side of the "belle 

 of the ball." The cosmopolitan Anosia erippus (if that indeed be 

 the latest fashionable name) is not uncommon, while Pieris rapa 

 works havoc in the Chinaman's cabbage-patch ; the pretty little 

 Lyccena blackburni (with green underside), endemic but found often 

 below the forest levels, L. boeticus(vi\\\z\\ has found its way here from 

 Europe via the Orient and Australia and has not yet penetrated to 

 America), and two Mexican Lycsenids introduced to combat the 



* Hawaiian, " a calm, level, sheltered spot on the leeward side of a precipice." 

 t Named after the most famous Hawaiian monarch, Kamehameha the Con- 

 queror, " Kamehameha " meaning " the lonely one " ! 



