S54 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Mackoglossa stellatakum abundant at Barmouth. — Macrorjlossa 

 stellatarum is very abundant this year at Barmouth and in the surrounding 

 district, and may be seen in hundreds flying over the numerous patches of 

 red valerian which grow on the tops of the walls. All appear, however, to 

 be in a very worn condition. — Alfrkd J. Johnson ; Erdiugton, July 9. 



SOCIETIES. 



South London Entomological and Natural History Society. — 

 Jxdy Vdth, 1893. — C. G. Barrett, Esq., F.E.S., Vice-President, in the chair. 

 Mr. C. Oldham exhibited specimens of Macaria Uturata, Glerck., Melanthia 

 albicillata, L., and many others ; some fine forms of Odonestis potatoria, L. ; 

 and a specimen of Plusia moneta, captured at Woodford on the 2nd June. 

 Mr. Adkin remarked that this last exhibit was interesting as showing a 

 continued spreading of the species in this country. Mr. South, on behalf 

 of Mr. Blagg, exhibited a remarkable form of TriphoEna pronuba, L., which 

 was typical pronuba on one side and the variety innuba, Tr., on the other. 

 Mr. South also showed a variable series of Coccyx tcBdella, and two examples 

 of C. ochsenheimeriana, Zell., from Middlesex. Mr. Fenn exhibited long 

 bred series of Dicramira bifida, Hb., Boarmia roboraria, SchifF., and Nolo- 

 donta dictcsa, L., from Bexley, the New Forest, and Deal respectively. 

 Messrs. K. Adkin, South, Frohawk, and C. A. Briggs showed very long 

 series of Pieris brassicce, L., from many parts of the British Isles, the con- 

 versation which followed turning chiefly upon the question of the grey- 

 tipped form, which Mr. Briggs suggested occurred in its extreme phase only 

 in the midland counties. It was, however, pointed out that among the 

 series from Folkestone, Harwich, Sutherland, and other places, many 

 of the specimens had the black tips thickly sprinkled with white scales, 

 thus giving them a very grey appearance, closely approaching the midland 

 county examples ; and the conclusion arrived at was that the variation was 

 one ot general, rather than local or seasonal, occurrence. Mr. Frohawk also 

 exhibited a specimen, the tip of one wing of which had been brushed, thus 

 giving the insect the appearance of having one grey and one black tip, and 

 said that of a very large number that he had reared, all had the tips more 

 or less grey on emergence, but that the white scales were so lightly 

 attached that the slightest rubbing, probably even that caused by flight, 

 would be suflBcient to remove them, A specimen taken at Lynmouth, N. 

 Devon, and shown by Mr. South among other examples of this species, was 

 of very small dimensions, not exceeding an ordinary P. rapce, L., in size ; 

 and one in Mr. Briggs 's series had the black tips, spots and streak of inner 

 margin very strongly developed and to some extent confluent. Mr. H. 

 Moore showed three specimens of the harlequin beetle, Acrocinm lotiyi- 

 manus, from Trinidad, &c. Mr. Auld, a fine variety of LomaspUis 

 marginata, L., from Folkestone. Mr. Step, a number of pupae of the 

 bacon beetle, Dermestes lardarius, which he stated were being experi- 

 mentally tried as bait for fishing when in the larval condition. Mr. 

 Barrett mentioned a curious instance in which a number of lepidopterous 

 larvae had been found in earthen cells in a book drawer, and were supposed 

 to have been placed there by one of the Fossorial Hymenoptera. Mr. West, 

 of Streathara, showed Sesia bembeciformis , D.L. Mr. Turner, two varieties 

 of Argynnis selene, Schiff., and a number of Tortrices and Tinea, 



