THE LEPIDOPTERA OF THE CENTKAX, SPANISH SIERRAS. 95 



My Scotch friend has gone ; but a day or two later an entomologist 

 from Middlesborough arrived, and for a fortnight we w^ere David and Jona- 

 than. Onthe9th, Cosiniapaleacea, NoctuadahliiandAmphipyra tragopo- 

 (jojiis come to swell the crowed at sugar, while Dyschorista suspecta on 

 the 11th, and Hydroecia micacea and Calymnia trapezina on the 12th, 

 join the convivial party ; Geometers, including Melanthia var. plumhata 

 and Cidaria immanata are sipping with their heavier comrades, one 

 fine large dark 5 M. var. plumbata being specially noticeable. From 

 the 13th, Polia cM was to be found on trunks and walls, and the stone 

 ladies and gentlemen attached to the beautiful ruins of Elgin cathedral 

 seemed specially attractive to this insect. Halia ivavaria was also 

 seen about in the evening. On the 14th, Hydroecia nictitans appeared 

 at sugar with Luperina teatacea, and the first and only Plusia chrysitis. 

 A drive inland on the 16th, took us to a w^ood where Cidaria populata 

 appeared in all grades of variation, while the Rypsipetessordidata here were 

 interesting forms. An earlier visit would have found both insects in 

 better condition. Sugar, on the 16th, introduced Citria jiavai/o and 

 Cleoceris viminalis. A fine fresh Aporophyla nigra, and a couple of 

 Noctua glareosa newly out on the 19th, were followed by Hadena protea 

 and Anchocelis litura on the 21st. During the whole period, insects 

 came freely to sugar. 



We did very little work among the larvte ; there was too much 

 weather to make beating or sweeping an agreeable occupation. Spruce- 

 cones infested with Kupithecia togata and Coccyx strohilella were 

 plentiful for those who cared for the collecting ; larvse of Chariclea 

 umbra, of all sizes, as usual, were on rest-harrow, while the imago was 

 to be seen at flowers ; and Galeopsis tetrahit furnished larvae of 

 Emmelesia alchemillata to the patient. The peculiar crowding together 

 of species could scarcely fail to strike one accustomed to the more 

 leisurely succession in the home counties. 



The difference between the collecting in 1902 and in 1905, was very 

 marked. In 1902, the Plusias were represented by many Plmia 

 bractea, P. chrysitis and P. pulchrina at flowers. In 1905, one P. 

 chrysitis at sugar was the only representative. Many other insects 

 taken in 1905, did not show in 1902, and vice versa. Nearly all the 

 insects common to the two years were taken in 1902 at flowers, in 

 1905 at sugar. In 1902, I took no Noctua depuncta (my companion 

 took two), no Cosmia paleacea, no Noctua dahlii. In 1905, these 

 insects were extremely common. 



The Lepidoptera of the Central Spanish Sierras {with plate). 



By W. G. SHELDON, F.E.S. 

 {Concluded from vol. xviii., p. 60.) 



We started at 4 a.m. on July 25th for Albarracin (see Ent. Record, 

 xiv., pi. iii, for map of district), arriving on the afternoon of the next 

 day. Passing through Madrid, we had several hours to spare in the 

 middle of the day, which we intended to spend in seeing the picture 

 galleries. The natives, however, thought otherwise, and we found all 

 the exhibitions closed, and the people having their noonday sleep. 

 The temperature in the shade was somew^here on the wrong side of 

 100°, and the streets were deserted. The only recourse appeared to 



