SOME DIARY NOTES ON THE SEASON’S COLLECTING. 935 
at dusk, and we accordingly both went in search of this little species as 
soon as the sun was down. Many insects soon began flying, many of 
which were noticed to be Noctuids. As soon as it was dark I lit an acety- 
lene lamp with which I had provided myself, and as the light was directed 
upon the bush by one of us, the other netted and boxed Meliana flammea, 
five, Apamea unaninis, seven, Neuria reticulata, one, Hadena dissimilis, 
one, besides some Collix sparsata and other commoner Geometrids. The 
following night the same insects were taken, but 4. wnaniinis was ‘ oft” 
and J. flammea much more ‘‘on.” Arsilonche venosa was taken the 
following evening singly. The extraordinary scarcity of this insect in 
Wicken now, after having been so abundant in 1895, is attributable, one 
is inclined to think, probably, to the parasitic Hymenoptera which attack 
this species haying got in the ascendancy. In the year quoted, when 
larvee (and imagines) were so abundant, not more than 7 or 8-per cent. 
produced moths. Since that time the species has got scarcer and 
scarcer until now when there are actual doubts as to whether the 
insect is going to maintain itself in Wicken. 
On Monday, the 11th, Chippenham was visited. Thoughts of a 
round number of Plusia orichalcea larvee betook themselves when the 
tall figure of Mr. Farren loomed in sight. An out-of-the-way corner 
gave me two larve, and I considered myself lucky. The same evening, 
in Wicken, Hydrelia uncula appeared. Four specimens were taken. 
On the 14th A. wnanimis completed my series, and besides Hadena 
dentina 1n abundance, a solitary specimen of Leucania obsoleta was 
secured on the sugared reeds. Netting produced Nascia cilialis and 
Herminia cribralis, probably the first of the season, as on the previous 
evenings they were absent. The work of the day was devoted to a run 
over to Tuddenham. Just previous to a severe thunderstorm a fine 
specimen of Acontia luctiuosa was secured, and also the specimen of 
Colias hyale (already recorded, Int. Rec., anted, p. 219). Nearly every 
night gave one specimen of Newria reticulata onthe sugar. But the 
12th produced three. On the 15th an annual visit was made to 
Leicester, where my good friend Mr. Dixon acted as host and guide to 
old collecting grounds. Next morning a journey was made to a wood 
near Uppingham, for Carterocephalus palaemon. The local skipper was 
found, but in such poor condition and in such few numbers that 
showed we were quite a fortnight too late, notwithstanding the back- 
ward season. This butterfly does not seem to be affected by the 
seasons much, if at all, the last week in May seemine to be its 
stereotyped time for appearance. Later in the day a “ hark back” was 
made to Owston Wood. Larve and pupe of Thecla w-album were 
unusually plentiful, and on tree-trunks Melanthia albicillata was quite 
the commonest imago. The choosing of fir-trunks for a resting 
place seems odd, unless this insect has an instinct that it may be 
mistaken for a bird- dropping. Quite a variety of Geometrids were at 
rest on tree-trunks. Citdaria silaceata, C. suffumata, CU. corylata, C. 
immanata, Lobophora hevapterata (going over), Lephrosia crepuscularia 
(one), gave a goodly bag for the day’s work. At dusk, round the maple 
bushes, Asthena luteata was plentiful, and as both of us were in want 
of this little species the few remaining boxes were quickly filled, and a 
race for the train ended the day. 
(Lo be continued.) 
