162 [December, 



[I find that my friend Herr Anton Schinid, who was with me when we found 

 the larva of G. peliella, near Soden, in May, 1859, describes it as " dunhelrothbraun," 

 Berlin Ent. Zeit., 1863, p. 62, and the fact remains that, whereas I did breed peliella, 

 I did not breed the " other species with a black larva." I have frequently on other 

 occasions bred Sericoris lacunana, from larvue sent me as those of some other species, 

 so that I am not altogether unfamiliar with that kind of proceeding. — H. T. 

 Stainton]. 



Phibalapteryx lapidata in Argyllshire. — In the Ent. Mo. Mag. for November, 

 1887, vol. xxiv, p. 131, I noted the occurrence of Phibalapteryx lapidata at Glen 

 Nevis in Inverness-shire. On the 10th of October this year I found a very faded 

 specimen on a moor near Taynuilt in Argyllshire. — A. H. Clarke, 109, Warwick 

 Koad, S.W. : November 12th, 1888. 



Pterophorus heterodactylus, Haworth, and Scoparia gracilalis, Doubleday. — 

 The type specimen of Haworth's Pterophorus heterodactylus has come into my 

 possession, with his label attached. After careful examination I believe it to be 

 identical with leucrii, Greening. Haworth's name, which is now sunk as a (doubtful) 

 synonym of hieracii, Zell., should therefore replace teucrii, Greening. I have also 

 some of Doubleday's original specimens of Scoparia gracilalis. These are un- 

 doubtedly 8. alpina, Dale. They were given by Doubleday himself to Mr. Edwin 

 Shepherd. I may add that Mr. Barrett agrees with both these determinations. — 

 Philip B. Mason, Burton-on-Trent : October, 1888. 



The scarceness of autumnal Lepidoptera. — One has been struck by the abund- 

 ance of insect life, especially Lepidoptera, during the early spring and summer, 

 which has been one of the wettest and most unfavourable seasons for collecting we 

 have had for many years. Despite the weather, the insects were there, and in great 

 abundance too ; but directly summer flies were over, and the autumnal ones com- 

 menced to emerge, there was a great change observable, although the weather has 

 been perfect during the last month or two, and has had every appearance of being 

 most beneficial to the production of insect life. But the result has been the opposite, 

 Lepidoptera have been excessively scarce, and very few of the commonest kinds were 

 observed, as far as this neighbourhood is concerned. 



Can any of your readers suggest a reason for this unusual paucity ? My own 

 explanation would be as follows, but doubtless may be incorrect in many details : — 



Last summer (1887) was an exceptionally beneficial one to the production of 

 insect life. The winter 1887 — 88 has been an exceptionally dry one, also very 

 beneficial, especially to pupae and hibernating larvae. Now nearly all Lepidoptera 

 which fly in spring and early summer are either in pupa during the winter, or 

 hibernate in the larval stage ; hence, putting these facts together, viz., a fine hot 

 summer for the imagines and young larva?, a dry winter for the pupa? and hibernating 

 larvae, and a tolerably fine early spring for the development of these latter, we 

 have an explanation for the abundance of insects during the inclement summer. 



Now with regard to autumnal Lepidoptera. These feed during early spring or 

 summer, and, as a general'rule, on low plants, which receive moisture more readily 

 than shrubs or trees. Now low temperature seems rarely prejudicial (within limits) 



