322 THE entomologist's record. 



we have only half the materials for tracing the means by which the 

 struggle for existence of any species is carried on, the conditions of 

 the long warfare, and the circumstances which decide the ultimate 

 issues. 



Lepidoptera at Burgess Hill, Sussex. 



By J. C. DOLLMAN. 



The following list, though it may not contain any very specially 

 rare species, may possibly be of interest as a record of a locality not 

 much known. The insects mentioned were seen or taken between 

 July 26th and September 10th. In a clover field between Burgess 

 Hill and Hassocks Gate, on the London Road, a female Pcqdlio 

 machaon was netted on August 11th. It was a large insect, but much 

 worn and broken. There is a large sheet of water with a reedy bank 

 and a mill stream in the vicinity which may be explored. Colias edtisa 

 and Colias lujale were both found on August 10th in the clover field 

 mentioned. C. edusa was in fairly large numbers, and continued to be so 

 all through August, both in clover fields and on the adjacent South 

 Downs up to September 10th, the day of leaving the locality. A pair 

 was taken on September 5th and ova obtained. C. hyale was found 

 frequently in this and other clover fields in the neighbourhood up to 

 the date of my leaving, and the insect Avas taken on the following 

 dates : August 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 

 25th, September 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th— 24 in all. This butterfly does 

 not appear to locate itself for long in this district upon the clover fields 

 where it is bred, but after a day or two will betake itself to the downs 

 and there flies strongly and warily on the slopes. With reference to 

 the capture of this insect in the open on the downs it will be found 

 that if three or more persons be engaged it may be headed off 

 cautiously, and on being approached from three points at once will not 

 attempt a headlong escape, but seems to get confused and takes refuge 

 on the ground, from which it may be taken with comparative ease. 

 After adopting these tactics not one specimen escaped capture. "While 

 on the clover it does not seem a shy or cunning thing, and can be 

 taken without much trouble as it flies along the edges of the field. It 

 is altogether a different creature in the open on the downs. Neither 

 C. edtisa nor C. hijale seem to resort to a soaring flight as a means of 

 escape, and one seldom sees either species flying at an altitude of more 

 than five or six feet from the ground. Gonepteryx rhamni was well out 

 and numerous early in August on the clover, and in fine condition. 

 Argynnis aylaia was flying on Ditchling Beacon in fairly good 

 numbers, though worn and faded, in August. Vanessa io was 

 numerous in the same place, but suddenly disappeared at a day's 

 notice, still in perfect condition, the same thing was noticed with Pyra- 

 ineis cardid, though the insect had not been plentiful like the preceding 

 one. P. atalanta was present sparingly, and Pararye meyaera fairly 

 numerous, and from a female of the latter species ova were obtained and 

 larvfe bred. The larvffi thrive well on common couch-grass. Satyrus semele 

 was in great strength on the downs in the neighbourhood of Ditchling 

 Beacon, and in all conditions, from the newly-emerged insect to the 

 worn-out example, in the middle of August. Epinephele titJtonus, swarm- 

 ing on every roadside, was out for some time, and frequently on the 



