136 THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD. 
Kilmarnock -(G. R.), Ayr ee C, 8. F.), Ballantrae (A. A. D.). WueTonsHIRE 
(partion): Stranraer (A. A. D 
. ApiE Datewisn, EF’. E. al 21, Princes Street, Pollokshields, Glas- 
cow. April 10th, 1900. 
Spring insEcts.—Until March 18th I had only taken one Nyssia 
hispidaria and five male Amphidasys stvataria (in the trap). Hybernia 
marginaria has been fairly common, but H. leucophaearia very scarce, 
as also H. rupicapraria, whilst it has been quite the worst season for 
H. defoliaria Lhave ever known. Phigalia pedaria has been represented 
so far by six or seven, as against dozens in other years, and only one 
3 Larentia multistrigaria has, as yet, appeared. Neither Asphalia 
flavicornis nor Diurnea fagella has yet appeared, and the sallows are 
only just budding. The season is very backward so far.—H. F. C. 
Strupp, M.A., Oxton. March 18th, 1900. 
At Selby the season has been, to date, very backward, and though 
I have been out on most nights, when there has been a probability of 
doing anything, I have taken nothing worth setting.  Hybernia 
rupicapraria has been, and still is, fairly plentiful, whilst Hl. marginaria 
is also getting well out, but at present no good aberrations have turned 
up.—(Rey.) C. D. Asn, M.A., Selby. March 16th, 1900. 
BORACTICAL HINTS. 
Field Work for May and June. 
By J. W. TUTT, F.E.S. 
1.—The imago of Xylomiges conspicillaris is to be found in May 
and early June on old stumps, fences and gate posts, and looks just 
like a splinter of the wood on which it sits. 
2.—During late May and early June the reed-beds should be swept 
after dark for the larvee of Leucania straminea. I have seen the larve 
near the tops of the reeds in large numbers, and used to pick off those 
within reach, and sweep for the more distant ones. The larva pupates 
in (or on) the soil, and emerges without much trouble. 
8.—At the end of May the heather should be swept for larve of 
Agrotis agathina. The advice of the Rey. C. D. Ash, as to rearing this 
species (anted, vol. ix., pp. 96-97) seems to have proved most valuable 
to those who have followed it. 
4,.—The larva of Taeniocampa populeti are sometimes very abundant 
in June on poplars and aspens, hiding between united leaves by day. 
5.—Towards the end of May tracks made by crawling larvee may 
be seen on the coast sand-hills at the edges of the patches of dwarf 
willow (Salix repens). If one of these be traced, it will be found to 
end abruptly at a small upheaval in the sand. Under this is the larva 
of Agrotis praecox (Almond). ‘The larve are very frequently stung by 
ichneumons. Sea birds (gulls) look for their nocturnal tracks on the 
sand-hills, and scratch them up for food in the daytime, Full-fed June 
13th-20th (Kane). 
6.—The larvee of Geometra papilionaria are to be found towards 
the end of May, firmly attached by the anal claspers to the twigs of 
birch, alder and hazel. Their resemblance to the catkins is remarkable. 
7.—The imagines of Hupithecita plumbeolata may sometimes be 
obtained freely among Melampyrwm pratensis, in woods and meadows, 
flying at dusk in early June. 
