96 THE entomologist's record. 



Entomological Notes from the Riviera. 



By T. a. chapman, M.D., F.Z.S., F.E.S. 



Following up my notes, ante. pp. 78-80, 1 may add that on February 

 24th Ficrin napi and ( 'Jn-i/sojiJianiis jihlai'cu^were met with for the first time. 

 I also found an ant-lion larva on the sands at La Bocca, a most curious- 

 looking creature, very like a ( 'Jtri/sojia larva, but with arched back, and 

 legs curiously stretched out laterally like a X<it<i)mta, only it is the 

 first and second pairs that are so disposed, and not the third, Avhich are 

 short beneath the abdomen, directed backwards, and terminate in a 

 strong hook. Its most remarkable feature is the rapidity with which 

 it buries itself, by a backward movement, in the sand, about a second 

 being the time occupied. 



The flowers are progressing rapidly, the Xar(i.'<si(s ta^-,(tta is nearly 

 fully out, llannnculuH ficaria is in full bloom, and the alder, elm, ash, 

 and some poplars are flowering freely, but Avithout trace of leaves ; the 

 buds are hardly swelling yet on any deciduous trees. Since our arrival, 

 and probably for some time before, the wild rosemary and a large flowered, 

 cultivated species, have been in magnificent bloom, and a large plant of 

 the latter, with half a dozen Xiiloropa rioUu-ca nying round it, as well as 

 a number of Jlaiiibiis and Ajiis species and a few Andrenas, makes a scene 

 of insect life, to which the dark wings of the large bee give a sub-- 

 tropical aspect that we do not meet with in England, even in summer. 

 Next day, February 25th, everything was changed. English March 

 was in full force — a strong east wind, a leaden sky with a good deal of 

 rain, and a fall of temperature, made a combination only to be met by 

 a good deal of courage and a great coat. Insects were, of course, 

 quite invisible. I suppose this was about the Avorst day of the season. 

 Every one agrees there has been no winter, and ^I. Brabant tells me 

 he took ('alias cdiisa and Ann/nnis latlumia on January 24th. On the 

 following morning, February 2Gtli, the hills behind Grasse were snoAv- 

 covered doAvn to nearly 1500 feet, though the line rose gradually after 

 the sun got out, there being a very clear atmosphere and brilliant sun, 

 but Avith a nip in the air that made one Pi/ranK is atahi»fa and one 

 Pieris rapae the only butterflies seen in the course of a Avalk. EA-en 

 Macro;ilossa stcUataniiii AA'as not on the Aving, although, usually, it has 

 been A-ery abundant, studying Avails, banks, and rocks, in its Avell- 

 knoAvn manner, and sucking nectar from the rosemary and other 

 floAvers ; its condition is various, usually someAvhat AA-orn. It has no 

 doubt been on the Aving on suitable occasions all the winter, like 

 P. atalanta or Z'. cardiii. 



The conditions of flight for M. stcUatannu appear to be simply an 

 adequate temperature, either of the air, in Avhich case it Avill fly in dull 

 Aveather or by night, or of direct solar radiation, Avhen it flies at 

 Cannes at any time during the Avinter Avhen there is hot sunshine. It 

 settles frequently on rocks and stones, generally in shalloAv holloAvs, 

 Avhere it is very inconspicuous, and as it remains in these should the sun 

 become obscured, it is probable that it hibernates, so far as it does hiber- 

 nate, in such situations. I am still at a loss to understand Avhy it so 

 carefully examines Avails and banks. It cannot be employing so much 

 time in finding suitable resting-places, nor haA'e I met Avith any facts 

 to suggest that these are males looking for females at rest. It cannot 

 be mimicking Aiitliojilinraf or other similar bees, for the resemblance is 



