﻿ENTOMOLOGY OP THE PORTSMOUTH DISTRICT. 229 



Colias edusa. — May be met with throughout the district nearly every 

 year. It was very abundant during the last edusa year, and since then was 

 most abundant in 1885, when Mr. Larcom and myself met with seventy- 

 five specimens. In 1886, twenty-seven specimens were taken, but none in 

 1887 ; in 1888, eight only, and those not in the district; in 1889, thirteen 

 specimens. C. hyale. — Scarce; a specimen on Portsdown, August 16th, 



1885, Mr. Larcom. 



Nymphalhle. 



Argynnis selene and A. euphrosyne. — Common in woods north of Ports- 

 down Hill. In May, 1887, Mr. Larcom found a variety of A. euphrosyne 

 in Stakes Wood, the silver spots en the hind wings being very large and 

 almost confluent ; the black spots on the upper side formed lines, converging 

 from the centre. A. adippe. — Occurs some years rather freely in Stakes 

 Wood. In 1881 it was almost impossible to walk through the coverts and 

 see a thistle-head unoccupied by one or more specimens. It also occurs in 

 Havant Thicket and Scratch-face Lane, Stakes. The woods at Southwick 

 and the Forest of Bere are also probable localities. A. paphia. — In the 

 same localities as A. adippe. An old collector, Mr. H. Shelstou, tells me 

 he once found the variety valesina in Stakes Wood ; neither Mr. Larcom 

 or myself have found it nearer than Lyndburst. Several specimens of the 

 type were taken years ago at Great Salterns, by Mr. J. J. Moore. I am 

 sorry to say Great Salterns and Highgrove, the only happy hunting-grounds 

 left on Portsea Island, were closed to the public in 1889. 



Melitcea aurinia (artemis). — The only locality in this district is Purbrook 

 Common. In 1883, it was abundant; in 1884, it was scarcer ; in 1885 and 



1 886, not one was to be seen ; in 1887, about twelve females were seen by Mr. 

 Larcom and myself; in 1888 and 1889, none; on May 26th of the present 

 year, I hunted for more than an hour, and did not meet with a single speci- 

 men, and I have not heard of any being seen this season. 



Vanessa polychloros. — This insect appears to be disappearing altogether 

 from this district. In 1880, Mr. Larcom took a brood of larvae at Gosport, 

 and neither of us have seen the species there since. Although stray speci- 

 mens have occasionally been reported to me from other parts of the district, 

 I have not observed polychloros since August, 1883, when I saw two speci- 

 mens at Warblington, near Havant. V. urtica. — Uusually common; often 

 abundant. V. io. — Often common ; but rarely so numerous as V. urticce 

 and V. atalanta. V. antiopa. — One caught at Cosham, by Mr. Tranton, 

 July 29th, 1872. Recorded by Mr. Taylor, Entom. vi. 192. V. atalanta. 

 — Common ; often abundant. V. cardui. — Most eccentric in its appearance. 

 Very abundant in 1879, common in 1880 and 1881, very scarce in 1882 

 and 1883, common in 1884 and 1885, scarce in 1886, none in 1887, a few 

 in 1888, and a few hybernated specimens only in 1889 (the above are my 

 own experiences only). V. c-album. — Recorded in Newman's ' Butterflies 

 and Moths,' by the late Mr. Buckler, as occurring at Farlington. The larva 

 was taken at Purbrook, by Mr. J. J. Moore, in 1886. Neither Mr. Larcom 

 or myself have yet met with this species in any part of the district. 



Limenitis sibylla. — This species is probably to be found in all the woods 

 in the district. It is sometimes common in Stakes Wood ; I know a 

 collector who took over forty specimens there in one day. The other 

 localities are Havant Thicket; Scratch-face Lane, Stakes; the woods at 

 Southwick ; Forest of Bero ; and the Grange Wild Grounds, Gosport. 



