76 



ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 



Thecla laeta — One specimen of this rare insect was taken by my friend, Mr. James 

 Walker, in a cedar swamp not far from a running stream ; the specimen wa3 a female in 

 gocd case. As the insect was taken on a cedar bush, it would have been interesting to 

 know if this is the food plant of this species. I believe it is not known. I intend, if all 

 is well, to thoroughly search this locality next May for a duplicate. The date of capture 

 was May 12th. 



Melltcea Harrisii. — Three specimens of this species were taken in the first days of 

 July beside the railway track passing through a piece of low land. Thi3 insect is rare 

 here. 



Papilio troilus. — Took my first Orillia specimen of this butterfly on Asclepias in the 

 month of August. 



Lyccena comyntas. — This is also an addition to our fauna. The one I took this year 

 was in a clover-patch at the side of the railroad. Date August 4th. 



Colias philodice variety nigra. — On the afternoon of August 12th I was watching a 

 large number of C philodice disporting themselves in a clover field when I was suddenly 

 aware of the presence, amongst them, of a butterfly, which I was sure I had never seen 

 before. I Was much puzzled at the time as to what genus it belonged to. After a hard and 

 long chase, and I am afraid to the detriment of the gentleman's clover, I captured it, and 



Fig. 47 



on examination I at once recognized it from the painting in " Edwards's Butterflies " in 

 one of his places of Philodice. Of course it was not an exact reproduction, the bases of 

 the wings on the underside being darker olivaceous, and the upperside being covered with 

 long greenish hair near the bases, producing a pretty effect ; it was altogether a hand- 

 some insect. Philodice was remarkably abundant this season, and the female in great 

 variety. The albino specimens were nearly as numerous as the yellow type, and differed 

 greatly in markings from each other. 



Megalostoma ccesonia (Fig. 39). — I searched in vain for this eccentric butterfly this 

 Beason, which last year was moderately common, but did not see a specimen. It will prob- 

 ably be due again in thirty years, as it is about that length of time since I captured it in 

 my father's garden when a boy. 



I had good success among the Sphingidte, and captured no less than nineteen different 

 species ; most of these were taken at flowers in June and July, from one to three of each, 

 with the exception of Triptogon modesta (Fig. 47), which was found at the base of a 

 poplar, newly emerged from cocoon, and some which were taken at light ; the abundance 

 of Smerinthus exccecatus (Fig. 48) was remarkable, eight specimens coming into the house 

 one evening in July, attracted by an incandescent light. 



