158 



THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. 



may yet appear. I mention the event as it shows how easily one might 

 jump at false conclusions. 



Lufpa lapidella, Goeze. Thanks to the kindness of the Eev. F. E. 

 Lowe, of Guernsey, I have had two consignments of larvas of this species. 

 Evidently change of climate, or my system of entertaining them, does 

 not suit these larvae, for they quickly go off, die and mildew. I have 

 almost despaired of rearing anything, so heavy has been the fatality — 

 only relieved by the appearance of a female yesterday (July 2nd). I 

 have asked Mr. Lowe to look out for males in my interest. These 

 larva9 leave their cases, when travelling by post and at other times, for 

 otherwise they could not keep up the pattern on their cases. 



Lulfia ferchaultella, Stephens. These cases are now in their prime. 

 They are swarming on posts and palings where suitable conditions 

 prevail. They appear to prefer a certain state of rottenness in the 

 wood upon which they reside. The cases, generally ringed, curved, 

 pointed, and bearing very often, longitudinally, fragments of rubbish, 

 are very distinct (yet very much like the preceding species), and their 

 activity makes them readily noticeable. It will be remembered that the 

 ring ornamentation and the activity were remarked upon by Step hens 

 when he introduced the species. These larvae also leave theircases, 

 readily when confined, and doubtless at night also when they redecorate 

 their homes. 



No Bacotia, Proiitia, nor as far as I know Masonia, have come my 

 way. Mr. Whittle sent me a case of P. hetulina, but it contained only 

 an empty pupa case. 



Finiiea casta, Pallas. I have had a limited number of samples sent 

 to me from different localities. Chiefly I am indebted to Mr. G. C. 

 Griffiths, of Bristol, for a further supply of the cases from rocks in his 

 neighbourhood. Of this form (or species) I reared quite a number 

 from the egg, and many of these emerged this year. Ail these, tame 

 and wild, are now set and off the boards, and Mr. Griffiths reports that 

 the insects in their native haunts are now over. I also reared a 

 limited number from eggs sent to me from the New Forest by Mr. 

 Whittle. These also are all out, at which I make no remark because 

 they have been reared indoors all their lives. 



But the Mucking specimens taken wild are only just appearing, the 

 first male as a matter of fact emerged this morning (July 3rd). There 

 is perhaps a suggestion here that there is specific difference. I was 

 able to make two experiments, which are I think worth record- 

 ing, with the earlier emerging insects. I paired a New Forest male 

 with a Bristol female. The pairing lasted the normal period (about 

 four minutes). After some time I opened the case and found a few 

 shrivelled eggs, evidently never living. I managed also to effect the 

 opposite pairing, a Bristol male with a New Forest female, and in this 

 case there were no eggs at all ! In both instances the pairing was 

 perfectly natural. There was no hesitation whatever, and the actions 

 of oviposition were performed as though all were correct. Knowing 

 the habits and peculiarities of these insects, the inference seems to 

 be that the species are not the same. I regret that I have not been 

 able to secure a pairing between the Mucking race and the others, but 

 it has so far been impossible. 



I have not received any casta material from Scotland, Ireland, 

 or Wales. 



