136 THE entomologist's record. 



Kilmarnock (G. E.), Ayr (W. C, S. F.), Ballantrae (A. A. D.). Wigtonshiee 

 (portion) : Stranraer (A. A. D.). 



— A. Adie Dalglish, F.E.S., 21, Princes Street, Pollokshields, Glas- 

 gow. April 10th, 1900. 



Spring insects.— Until March 13th I had only taken one Nyssia 

 liispidaria and five male Amphidasys stvataria (in the trap). Hybernia 

 marginaria has been fairly common, but H. leucophaearia very scarce, 

 as also H. rupicapraria, whilst it has been quite the worst season for 

 H. defoliaria I have ever known. Phigalia pedaria has been represented 

 so far by six or seven, as against dozens in other years, and only one 

 3' Larentia multistriyaria has, as yet, appeared. Neither AsphaUa 

 fiavicornis nor Diurnea fayella has yet appeared, and the sallows are 

 only just budding. The season is very backward so far. — E. F. C. 

 Studd, M.A., Oxton. March IWi, 1900. 



At Selby the season has been, to date, very backward, and though 

 I have been out on most nights, when there has been a probability of 

 doing anything, I have taken nothing worth setting. Hyberma 

 rupicapraria has been, and still is, fairly plentiful, whilst H. maryinaria 

 is also getting well out, but at present no good aberrations have turned 

 up.— (Eev.) C. D. Ash, M.A., Selby. 21arch IQth, 1900. 



JP>RACTICAL HINTS. 



Field Work for May and June. 



By J. W. TUTT, F.E.S. 



1. — The imago of Xylomigcs couspicillaris is to be found in May 

 and early June on old stumps, fences and gate posts, and looks just 

 like a splinter of the wood on which it sits. 



2. — During late May and early June the reed-beds should be swept 

 after dark for the larvae of Leucania strajiiinea. I have seen the larvfe 

 near the tops of the reeds in large numbers, and used to pick ofi' those 

 within reach, and sweep for the more distant ones. The larva pupates 

 in (or on) the soil, and emerges without much trouble. 



3. — -At the end of May the heather should be swept for larvae of 

 Ayrotis agathina. The advice of the Eev. C. D. Ash, as to rearing this 

 species [antea, vol. ix., pp. 96-97) seems to have proved most valuable 

 to those who have followed it. 



4. — The larva of Taeniocampapopnleti are sometimes very abundant 

 in June on poplars and aspens, hiding between united leaves by day. 



5. — Towards the end of May tracks made by crawling larvae may 

 be seen on the coast sand-hills at the edges of the patches of dwarf 

 willow {Salix repens). If one of these be traced, it will be found to 

 end abruptly at a small upheaval in the sand. Under this is the larva 

 of Ayrotis praecox (Almond). The larva3 are very frequently stung by 

 ichneumons. Sea birds (gulls) look for their nocturnal tracks on the 

 sand-hills, and scratch them up for food in the daytime. Full-fed June 

 13th-20th (Kane). 



6. — The larvie of Geometra papilionaria are to be found towards 

 the end of May, firmly attached by the anal claspers to the twigs of 

 birch, alder and hazel. Their resemblance to the catkins is remarkable. 



7. — The imagines of Eupithecia plnmbeolata may sometimes be 

 obtained freely among Mclainpyruia pratensis, in woods and meadows, 

 flying at dusk in early June. 



