136 



Notes on the Fauna of Oxshott, as observed by the 

 Members on the occasion of the Society's Field 

 Meeting on June loth, 1893. 



Compiled by H. J. Turner, F.E.S. Read June 22nd, 1893. 



The railway is very convenient at this spot, for it lands one right 

 on the collecting ground. Turning to the left on leaving the station 

 the members quickly dispersed, and among the scattered fir and 

 birch trees, Eubolia plumbaria, Fb., was noted in fine condition ; 

 Epinepheh janira, L,., £. iithonus, L., Ccenonympha pamphilus, L., 

 Syrichthus malvce, L., and one or two Lyccena czgoji. Schiff., re- 

 presented the Rhopalocera ; from the heather Ematurga atomaria, 

 L,, which has been about so long this ye-ar, a few Aspillates 

 strigillaria, Hb., and an odd specimen of Nemeophila russula, L., 

 were disturbed ; while the wooded portion yielded Cabera pusaria, 

 L., Acidalia remiitaria, Hb., Asthenia candidaia, Schiff., Canipto- 

 gramma bilineata, L., and Lomaspilis marginata, L. In this part of 

 the heath the sundew {Drosera rotundifolia, L.) flourished, and 

 many patches of the parasitical dodder {Cuscuta epithymum, Murr.) 

 were seen. On entering the fir woods proper, going north, members 

 were astonished at the vast numbers of Bupaliis piniaria, L., and 

 Thera variata, Schiff., which the beating stick produced, many of 

 the former being in fine condition. On the trunks Scoparia 

 dubitalis, Hb., and .5. truncicolella, Sta. were present; ont Ellopia 

 prosapiaria, L., a few Macaria liturata, Clerck., in fine condition, 

 and plenty of Evpithecia indigafa, Hb., almost unrecognizable. 

 lodis ladearia, L., was flying, and Retinia pi^iivorana, Zell., was 

 reported. Specimens of the coleopterous family Coccinellidae were 

 observed in all four stages, pupae of Coccinella ocellata, L., being 

 especially noticeable for their curious habit of suddenly standing at 

 right angles to the trunk of the tree when disturbed. 



At length we reached a hedge of variable growth bordering the 

 fir wood, and here Aplecta ntbulosa, Hufn., and Melanthia albicillata, 

 L., were taken from the trees, while full-fed larvae of Panolis pini- 

 perda, Panz., were beaten, and Melanippe montanata, Bork., M. 

 sociata, Bork., Lareniia viridaria, Fb., and Ebulea sambucalis, 

 Schiff., were driven out, while Tortrix inridana, L., was certainly 

 there. Turning sharp to the left, we reached a damp situation 

 where the bog myrtle {Myrica gale, L.), so attractive to Lycsenidse, 

 grows, together with the marsh violet ( Viola palustris, L.) and the 

 pennywort [Hydrcotyle vulgaris, L.) Here was obtained Catadysta 

 leninata, L., and Hydrocampa nympheata, L., with a solitary specimen 

 of Leucania inipu^a, Hb. Under the shelter of the spreading fir 

 trees near, were several nightjars {Capri mulgits europcetis, L.), 

 whose eggs were unsuccessfully searched for. Now a beautiful 

 piece of undergrowth was reached, which with the adjoining palings 



