﻿1869.] 117 



Scarcity of insects in 1869. — From letters I have received from my corres- 

 pondents, and from notices which have appeared in various Natural History 

 periodicals insects (at any rate so far as Lepidoptera are concerned) appear to have 

 been unusually scarce this season. If this be the rule, I think this neighbourhood 

 is decidedly an exception, as, although insects cannot be said to have been 

 particularly abundant, I consider we have hada fair average season. Several 

 notices have appeared in the " Entomologist " on the great scarcity of the Fieridw 

 in the south, and the Editor of that periodical seems to think this to be the case 

 generally throughout the country. Rapes we have had in plenty, though I do not 

 recollect noticing so many of brassier as usual. Larvae of Dicranura vinula have 

 been more numerous this season than I ever noticed before ; I have repeatedly 

 had them brought to me as " remarkable creatures " from widely separated 

 parts of the district. Spring insects were rather scarce, probably owing to the 

 wet winter having destroyed the pupse, but taking the season as a whole, I think 

 the Lepidopterists here will agree with me that they have no cause for complaint. 

 — Geo. T. Porritt, Clare Hill, Huddersfield, 4th September, 1869. 



[White Butterflies (especially brassicw) have certainly been unusually scarce 

 this year in most parts of the country ; and notably so, as compared with their 

 extreme abundance in 1868, when our cabbage-gardens, from their ravages, made 

 an unsightly exhibition of skeletonized leaves. — Eds.] 



The larva of Bombyx quercHs ivill eat heather. — I have once or twice been asked 

 by correspondents " Will the larva of quercus eat heather ?" and this season, 

 having collected on the Lancashire coast a few larvee of that species, have had an 

 opportunity of satisfying myself on the point. 



On supplying them with heather (Calluna vulgaris), they immediately began 

 feeding with apparent relish, although an abundance of fresh hawthorn (on which 

 they had previously fed) had just been taken out of the cage. Of course it is well 

 known that callunai will eat almost anything that querc&s will. — Id. 



Variation m Zygoma filipendulce. — Out of some fifty specimens of this insect 

 bred from pupae, I have three varieties. The most extraordinary is of a splendid 

 orange-colour instead of red. Two others had one under-wing red and the other 

 orange. — W. Jagger, St. Ives, Hunts, 20th July, 1869. 



The Entomological Society of London. — The first meeting of the next session 

 of this Society will be held in the rooms of the Linnean Society, in Burlington 

 House, on Monday, the 1st of November. Instituted in 1834, the Society has, by 

 its publications, obtained a standing second to no kindred association in Europe ; 

 but it scarcely receives the support from active entomologists which it deserves, 

 especially when the advantages connected with it are duly considered. The present 

 forms a favourable opportunity to gentlemen wishing to enter its ranks. Any 

 information respecting the Society will be readily afforded on application to either 

 of the two Secretaries (Mr. J. W. Dunning, of 24, Old Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, 

 W.C. ; or Mr. E. McLachlan, of 20, Limes Grove North, Lewisham, S.E.) The 

 Anniversary Meeting will take place towards the end of January, 1870 ; but 

 Members or Subscribers joining before that time, will not be called upon for any 

 Subscription for the remainder of the present year. 



