LEPIDOPTERA OF THE SHETLAND ISLANDS. 99 



that several species of Lepidoptera, obtained in previous years 

 in the Islands, were not observed at all last year, and that of 

 those met with the majority were scarce. 



Having heard that Kowness Hill was a likely place to get 

 insects, as it was said to be well covered with sallow and birch, 

 Mr. McArthur explored that district thoroughly last year, but 

 only to find that it was a bleak and bare mass of red granite, 

 almost devoid of vegetation, and without any entomological pro- 

 mise whatever. He therefore returned to Lerwick, where he 

 settled at Cunningsburgh until it was time to go on to Unst, the 

 most northern isle of the Shetland group. 



The following list of the species taken last year has been 

 kindly communicated by the captor : — 



Vanessa cardui, common in 1891 ; I saw many pinned to the walls 

 in some cottages in Unst ; last season there was not one to be seen, 

 and I could not find any larv^. Sphinx convolvidi, two only, in poor 

 condition. Macrocjlossa stellatarum, only one seen last season. Hepialus 

 hwimli, not abundant, and the forms were not so striking as those 

 taken in other seasons. H. velleda, very rare; other years in thousands. 

 Xylophasia monoglypha, never very plentiful in the Shetlands. Charceas 

 (jraminis, two only ; abundant in other seasons. Mamestra furva, fairly 

 common at flowers. M. brassiccs, one worn specimen. Apamea hasi- 

 linea, one ; this species and M. hrassicm are very rare in the Islands ; 

 I have only met with one or two each season. Celcena haworthii, rare 

 last season, but in previous years it was in abundance. Agrotis suffusa, 

 always rare, two or three each season. A. cursoria, one only ; this 

 fine form {vide Entom. xvii.) I found very abundant ten years ago ; the 

 following year Mr. Curzon found it common ; since then it had not 

 been taken until last season. Noctua glareosa, fairly common. N. /estiva 

 var. thides, abundant. N. xanthographa, rare. jV". c-nigrum, one only. 

 Triphcena pronuba, fairly common, but never so abundant as it is in 

 the south. Pachnobia hyperborea, one female only ; a fewlarvse in their 

 first year, but it would have been useless to take these. Dianthacia 

 nana, saw one specimen ; larvae fairly common later in the season. 

 Dasyp>olia templi, larvse common. Aplecta occulta, three ; always rare ; 

 as a rule only two or three specimens have been obtained each season. 

 Crymodes exxdis, this prize I took more commonly than before, but the 

 forms are not nearly so good. Hadena adusta, fairly common. H. den- 

 tina, rare last season ; odd specimens were met with from May to the 

 end of August. H. oleracea, one very much worn. Plusia gamma, 

 common last season. Anarta melanopa, common ; fortunately there 

 happened to be three or four fine days just at the time this species was 

 out. Larentia didymata, rather rare ; some seasons in swarms. L. 

 ccBsiata, generally very abundant, but rare last year ; the few examples 

 taken were darker than usual. Emmelesia albulata, rare in all stages 

 last season. E. blandiata, a few each season. Eupithecia venosata, 

 common in all stages. E. nanata, not common. Melanippe montanata, 

 not common last season. M.fluctuata, always very rare ; two in 1879; 

 three last season. Coremia munitata, fairly common. Camptogramma 

 bilineata, very rare ; formerly abundant. Cidaria immanata, fairly 



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