72 tHE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Botys ruralis and B. urticata, plentiful ; also Hydrocampa nymphcEata. 

 Nemophora swaminenlameUa, scarce ; Adela Degeerella and A. viridella, 

 both extremely common in the forest. In the foregoing I have 

 mentioned a lot of common species ; perhaps my notes of next season 

 may contain some of the rarer kinds that are to be found in this dis- 

 trict, It is impossible to take all the different species in one season, 

 and this being my first here, I am well satisfied with my captures. — 

 J. Hy. Fowler ; Poulner, Bingwood, January, 1891. 



Notes from Plymouth. — This year (1890) larvae have been far more 

 abundant in ibis district than imagines, at least this is my experience. 

 Natural attractions in the way of favourite flowers were unproductive 

 until towards the end of the year, when some common species were 

 ■abundant at ivy bloom. At sallow blossom scarcely anything was taken 

 until the end of March, when Tceniocampa stabilis, T. cruda, and T. 

 rubricnsa, made their appearance, and were joined early in April by 

 T. gothica, which was then more abundant, perhaps, than any of them. 

 As early as the 13th of March, a specimen of Selenia illunaria came to 

 light. From the end of February till towards the end of March, 

 Hyhernia leucopliearia was very common in oak woods, accompanied 

 during March by H. progeimnaria and Anisopteryx cescularia. Out of a 

 number of larvae and pupae of Trochillum bemheciformis obtained from a 

 willow-bed in April, I only succeeded in rearing one specimen, the rest 

 being attacked by mildew. Coremia ferrugata and Melanippe subtristata 

 were a perfect pest during May, June, and the early part of July. 

 Tephrosia crepuscularia and T. consonaria, Newman, were abundant in 

 Bickleigh Vale at the end of May; Fidonia atomaria on heathy ground 

 near by. Six larvae of Psilura monacha fell to the beating-stick ; this larva 

 seems especially fond of the short weak shoots that so often encircle the 

 trunks of oak trees. Two larvae of Pcecilocampa populi, and three each of 

 Petasia cassinea [Asteroscopus sphinx) and Tethea subtusa were taken about 

 the beginning of June. Thecla betulce larvae were abundant in some 

 localities not far from here. As before recorded (Entom. xxiii. 264), two 

 specimens of Heterogenea asella were beaten on June 20th. I am nearly 

 certain that a third specimen which was secured was the same species, but 

 not knowing the rarity of the species it was discarded, as it had been 

 rubbed in capturing. During July larvae of Dianthcecia capsincola were 

 very abundant, feeding on the seeds of Lychnis dioica; D. carpophaga and 

 D. cucubali rarer on Silene inflata. This year I have come across both 

 varieties of the larva of Trichiura cratcegi. In former years we have found 

 the variety of the larva with golden rings the commoner. This year only 

 one of this variety was beaten, while I obtained a couple of the other. Has 

 it been positively ascertained that these two most dissimilar larvae are not 

 separate species producing very similar imagines ? There seems to be no 

 more reason for classing them as varieties of one species, than for regard- 

 ing the larvae of Acronycta tridens and A. psi as belonging to one species, 

 unless, indeed, the two varieties (?) of the larva of T. cratcBgi have been 

 obtained from the same parent. I beat a larva of Notodonta dodonea or 

 N. chaonia (am uncertain which until moth emerges) on 21st June, and on 

 2nd July found a full-fed larva of Cymatophora ridens drowned in a stream* 

 This year I reared Boarmia rhomboidaria var. perfumaria from larvae taken 

 in the neighbourhood ; I believe this variety to be new to the locality. 

 Young Demas coryli larvae were taken as early as Aug. 6th ; they seem to 



