1870.} gy 
viata, pumilata, and coronata. On the 7th of this month it became much warmer, 
and I spent a few hours in a neighbouring wood, and found EH. pendularia, P. pe- 
traria, N. pulveraria, L. lobulata, H. impluviata, P. tersata, C. silaceata, P. lacertula 
and falcula, and other commoner species, already on the wing ; but the great capture 
of the day was a splendid Dicranura bicuspis just emerged, sitting on a birch-trunk 
close to its pupa-case. 
Is it generally known that the larva of B. callune in confinement will feed well 
on ivy? I proved this to be the case last winter.—i’. Hutcurnson, Grantsfield, 
Leominster, 13th May, 1870. 
Captures of larve of Lepidoptera at Southport.—On April 15th, I spent three or 
four hours at Southport, for the purpose of collecting larve. The most abundant 
Species noticed (not excepting Chelonia caja) was Orgyia fascelina, of which I boxed 
about sixty from the dwarf sallows, and might have collected more had I required 
them. Bombyx querctis was common, more especially on the south sand-hills, whilst 
O. fascelina appeared to be most numerous on the north, where IJ also took B. rubi, 
which species appeared to be rather scarce, however. On the south shore, I 
examined the willows for the purpose of ascertaining whether the larvee of Liparis 
salicis had recommenced feeding. The bushes were only just bursting into leaf, 
and not a larva was to be seen, though the species occurs there in profusion. A 
search in the cracks of a decayed branch, and under the copings, &c., of a row of 
palings running close beside the willow bushes, however, discovered the small 
cocoons in numbers, which, on being broken open, revealed the little larve still 
inside. Doubtless, they would soon spread themselves all over the trees. I picked 
up a pupa of a Smerinthus (doubtless ocellatus) protruding from the sand under 
one of the willows.—Gro. T. Porritt, Huddersfield, April 23rd, 1870. 
Xylomyges conspicillaris in Worcestershire.—1 have much pleasure in recording 
the capture of a fine male specimen of this insect at rest on an oak tree on May /th, 
at Middleyards, Bransford Woods, this being the second time I have taken this rare 
species.—C. R. Dowarp, Pitmaston Road, St. John’s, Worcester, 9th May, 1870. 
Early appearance of Acronycta aceris.—I noticed this species yesterday at rest 
on the trunk of a poplar tree in this dockyard. It seems rather early, especially 
as we have had such a continuance of cold easterly wind. Last year it was tolera- 
bly numerous, and I observed it in fine condition as late as the middle of August, 
at which time its full-fed larva was also to be found. Cerura vinula appeared for 
the first time yesterday.—G. F. MatnEew, Royal Naval Barracks, Sheerness, 12th 
May, 1870. 
Effect of the past winter upon hybernating larve.—With reference to what Mr | 
Barrett said of Lithosia stramineola and griseola at p. 277 of Vol. vi, I am sorry to 
have to state that the bitter weather in February and March killed every larva I 
had; up to that time they had thriven remarkably well. I had a large number of 
both species, and was full of hope that I should have some decisive result to 
_ announce in due time: now I can only beg for more eggs. The past winter has 
done more harm to my hybernating larve than any I can remember.—J. HELLINs, 
_ Exeter, May, 1870. 
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