200 THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S RECORD. 



two Pyrameis cardui. P. atalanta is now on the wing in rather larger 

 numbers than last season. 



I have bred over 200 Arctia caja, the second brood this season, but 

 only had four or five worth setting ; one had the white of the top wings 

 more extended, a pretty form, one with a different pattern on each top 

 wing, and one with each underwing of a different pattern. I have a 

 number of ova, the third brood, which are fertile, and are turning dark 

 coloured and will no doubt haich directly, but I hope they will all 

 hybernate, as I do not want the trouble to feed them up this winter. 

 About the best specimen I have put in my collection this season from 

 local species is a black Boarmia rhomboidaria. It was found by my 

 wife resting on the wall at the back of the house, where the Virginia 

 Creeper grows on the wall — the larvaa of B. rhomboidaria for several 

 seasons have fed on the creeper. — William Daws, 39, Wood Street, 

 Mansfield, Notts. October, 1921. 



M. atropos near Weymouth. — On October 15th, a very fine and 

 perfect specimen of Manduca (Acherontia) atropos was brought to me 

 alive, captured at Eodwell, Weymouth, Dorset. — (Commander) J. C. 

 Woodward, H.M.S. Colossus, Portland. October 22?znL 



The paucity of butterflies in the past summer. — The paucity of 

 butterflies (locally at least) this past season was remarkable. Even of 

 the commonest species few were to be seen. The first appearance 

 noted of a few of them may be of some interest. The first butterfly 

 observed was Pieris rapae, on March 24th. Gonepteryx rhaimri the 

 next day was seen flying in the street ; Euc/doe cardamines commonly 

 on April 28th ; one Colias croceus (edusa) on July 9th; Limehitis sibilla 

 on July 11th, Pyrantels cardui, one in the garden August 1st. One 

 special feature of the season, however, in contrast generally with the 

 scarcity of the rest was the abundance of Rumicia (GhrysophaHus) 

 phlaeas. These made a delightful sight as they flitted over, and settled 

 on, the gaily coloured flowers in the borders of the garden, flashing- 

 like specks of copper in the sunshine. — Joseph Anderson, Chichester. 



Silex gigas at Chichester. — The largest specimen (a female) of 

 this giant sawfly was taken hereon August 6th. The insect is generally 

 to be found in this locality each year. — Joseph Anderson, Chichester. 



The Mosquito Investigation. — The Committee of the South- 

 Eastern Union of Scientific Societies on the above have just issued, 

 under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, their circular No. 5, in 

 which they state that "The researches following upon the issue of 

 Circular No. 4 established still further the fact that the species (Ano- 

 pheles plumbexts) is found extensively distributed throughout the south- 

 eastern area of England. In some districts all stages have been found, 

 in others only larvae and imagines; that it hibernates as partly grown 

 larv;e. mainly in tree holes of beech, birch, chestnut, and holly; and 

 that imagines are found in every season of the year except winter." 

 The Minister of Health, in acknowledging the Committee's second 

 report on Anopheles plurnbens, desires a further report as to " any cur- 

 tailment of distribution or decrease in numbers of the species that may 

 have been caused by the severe drought of the past summer." The 

 Committee now want definite information — 



