PRACTICAL HINTS. 55 



2.- — In Portland the green larvte of Kjniiida Ih-Jicnea are to be found 

 from the middle of February to the end of April, at night, on the top 

 of grass stems, generally in little colonies of five or six, in sheltered 

 spots at the foot of banks, beside large boulders, or in the crevices of 

 the rock. When older they become olive-coloured, and hide among 

 the roots of low plants (Brown). 



;-',. — The larv;e of Klacliista sfahihila mine the leaves of Aha cesjii- 

 tosa v,n chalk, and may be found in February in the brown withered 

 tips of the leaves, from which they make pale yellow mines to the 

 stem, pupating in April at the base of the blade under an oval-shaped 

 web (Warren). 



I. — Those Avell-placed for sallowing should commence work as 

 soon as the earliest sallows are in blossom. The Taeniocampids and 

 hylternated Hoporima cnxraiio, Xi/lina si-iiiihnnmea, &c., are on the 

 move as soon as the earliest catkins show. The pistillate catkins are 

 just as attractive as the staminate ones. 



,5. — Always sugar in the spring, when sallowing, for Dasijcfuiijio 

 t^diiiliiica. 



G. — Never forget in ]\Iarch and April to fill a large linen bag with 

 sallow catkins (not too old). Many Noctuids and Tortricids will be 

 bred. 



7. — The larvie of Apamca iiuaniiiiis are to be found in March under 

 the bark of old trees on the borders of marshes, etc. They arc also to 

 be found in Iklarch and April among grass at the roots of willows in 

 similar places. 



8. — Alciiri^ picUiria appears with the first fine days of spring, flying 

 in the evening about the sloe-bushes in flower (Guenee). 



9. — In March, with a fern-scoop, dig up roots of thistles, plantain, 

 ragwort, knapweed, dandelion, etc., for root-feeding larva. Place in 

 flower-pots, etc. In this way OrtJintaenia striana (from dandelion) , and 

 many other species, may be bred (Barrett). 



10. — In March and April collect teazle heads and keep in bandbox, 

 you will breed I'lnthina ijcntiana. 



11. — A female Auqihidasjfs atrataria enclosed in a small muslin bag 

 (8in. diameter) hung in a sheltered position on the outskirts of a wood 

 will attract males in suitable Aveather from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. (Alderson). 



12. — Those who can should grow Tritoma iiraria (popularly known 

 as Red-hot Poker or Torch-floAver). It is as attractive as ivy-bloom to 

 autumnal moths, and stupefies them in the same manner (Mason). 



13. — By the end of March those who want TepJnosia bistortata 

 should connneuce to search the tree-trunks regularly. 



14. — In March and April the pale-coloured larva of JJoaniiia npan- 

 ^lata is very conspicuous at night on sloe and bramble twigs. 



15. — A supply of small calico bags is one of the most important 

 items in the lepidopterist's outfit. They are infinitely better than tins 

 for many larv* — especially those feeding in flower or seed-heads, rolled 

 leaves, Sec. 



^s.jS.—Foi- siiaihir series of " Practical Hints " for February and 

 March see vol. x., pp. 17-18, pp. 49-50; vol. ix., pp. 42-43, etc. 



X^OTES ON LIFE-HISTORIES, LARY^, &c. 



Ctdakia russata singlk-reoodki) IX ScoTL.\ND. — It is usually held 



