PRACTICAT, HINTS. 22l 



J^RACTICAL HINTS. 



Field Work for August. 



By J. W. TITT, F.E.S. 



1.— In August the tops of the willow shoots are ofton tied into a 

 close bunch by the hirva of Haliax ildoraua. 



2. — In late August and early September the imagines of Cirrhocdia 

 xerampdina are to be obtained from 8-5 p.m., on and around the ash- 

 trees, usually resting on the grnss or among dead leaves, when careful 

 searching is necessary (Jiiger). 



3.— In August out down plants of /'///>/(« latihdia with a yellow 

 central shoot, for pui>a' of Xonat/riu annidinis (fi/idiae). 



4.— In August cut down the tall thistles that show drooping 

 flower heads. You will obtain the pupje of Gort>/ua ochracea {fiaccujo). 

 They are also to be found in burdock stems. 



5.— In late August and early September the females of Stilbia 

 anomala sit on the flowers of ragwort in the early evening (Jiiger) . 



6. — Sugaring the flowers of Kupatorinm in August is sonietimes a 

 splendid attraction both for Noctuids and Geometrids. 



7.— I find searching the ragwort shortly after dusk, say from 9-10.30 

 p.m., more productive than any other method for capturing Noctuids 

 at Howth, in August (Hart). 



8. — In August, after dark, the palings and fences around pasture 

 lands and meadows shoidd be searched for the imagines of Lxpcrina 

 testacea. 



9- — The larva of Ptrrostuwa palpina feeds on poplar and sallow in 

 August and September, and when full-fed forms a rather large silken 

 cocoon at the foot of the tree. 



10. — The low plants growing along the sides of marshy ditches 

 Bhoiild be carefully searched during August and September for larvje 

 of Spilosoma urtirai'. 



11- — The larva' of I'hoerocampa pnrccUiis are to be found feeding on 

 Oalium verum or ir. molli„in in August and September. Often to be 

 found most readily by night. 



12. — The larvfe of lladena pisi are frequently abundant in August 

 and September on broom, bracken, sallow, &c., and although they are 

 to be found somewhat freely in the daytime, they may be found much 

 more commonly after dark. 



13. — The imagines of Gnojdws obsenrata fly freely at dusk. After 

 dark they settle again, and may then sometimes be taken in large 

 numbers with a lantern. 



14. — Search carefully any suitable rocks, walls. Sec. (especially near 

 the sea) for the imagines of Acidalia promutata. This species is on 

 the wing from June to September (most abundant in August and 

 September). 



15. — The larva of (Tcometra sniaraifdaria should be searched for on 

 Arteinisia maritimn on the marshes at the mouth of the Thames, in 

 August and September (and after hybernation in May). It covers 

 itself with small pieces of its food-plant, and is difficult to detect with- 

 out experience. The larva can be hybernated on common southernwood. 



16.— The imagines of PacdUca scmijuacona fly at dusk among 

 sallows in August and September. The larva^ are to be obtained in 

 May feeding on terminal shoots of sallow. 



