1898.] 127 



developed by feeding only on the Salix alha and 8. caprea pendula. 

 They also thrive well on the Australian black wattle {Acacia decur- 

 rens) and Cupressus macrocarpa. In their natural state they appear 

 to become parasitized when about half grown, and do not attain to 

 the size, before dying, of those of non-parasitized larvse. Several of 

 the cases of those fed, as described, in our sitting room, attained the 

 size of 3f to 4 inches. Mature examples found in their natural state 

 do not generally attain to more than 3i to 3| inches in length. Both 

 in a natural state and in captivity they are extremely sensitive, and 

 instantly withdraw into the case and close the opening on the slightest 

 disturbance. 



Notwithstanding the present long and intense drought experi- 

 enced on the Canterbury Plains, L. omnivora has flourished concealed 

 in the dense willows growing on the margins of the lakes and streams 

 in our district. In looting over my scanty captures of other insects 

 for the season, I fear, unless matters improve greatly, it will result in 

 a "winter of discontent" when autumn has passed. 



Ashburton, N. Z. : 



March 9th, 1898. 



SOME NEW BRITISH TENTHREDINIBM. 

 BY THE REV F. D. MOKICE, M.A., F.E.S. 



Among a number of saw-flies taken by Mr. W. H. Harwood near 

 Colchester, three species of Dolerus occur, which are (I believe) 

 additions to the British list, viz. : gihhosus, Htg. ,fumosus, Zadd., and 

 ruffosulus, d. Torre. 



All three species are black. Gibbosus and fumosus are large 

 insects, about the size of Dolerus niger, L., from which they both 

 differ in having no distinct transverse furrows on the tempera above 

 (behind the eyes). Fumosus, also, has no definite longitudinal furrows 

 bounding the vertex laterally ; but in gibbosus such furrows are con- 

 spicuous. 



Gibbosus in the above characters resembles nigratus, Miill. (=Jlssus, Htg.) ; 

 but it is larger, the S 8th abdominal segment above is not triangularly excised at 

 the apex, and the ? saw-sheath (seen above) is widest not at tlie apex, but some 

 way before it. The ? abdomen has a decided tinge of metallic-blue. Rugosiilus 

 (= rugosus, Knw.) is a smaller species, about the size of ceneus, Htg. It has, also, 

 the sharply margined temporal furrows of that species. But in both sexes the 



