NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 21 



particularly favourable one for sugaring in consequence of the 

 exposed situation chosen (a row of posts on an almost bare hillside), 

 and upon which the rays of an almost full moon were directed. 

 One of the moths taken flew off from the sugar as I approached and 

 the net had to be brought into action for its capture. The thought 

 has occurred to me that possibly the bright moonlight may have 

 been in some way responsible for the late activities of this usually 

 sun-loving species. It would be interesting to know if other readers 

 have observed this unusual habit in luctuosa. — A. T. Postans ; 

 148, Fawcett Eoad, Portsmouth. 



Thalpochaees (micra) paeva. — Whilst searching ivy here at 

 9 p.m. on November 1st, 1921, I took a good specimen of T. parva at 

 rest on an ivy leaf immediately below an ivy bloom on which it had 

 most probably fed. It sat with wings depressed after the fashion of 

 Pionea forficaMs and Margarodes unionalis, and was very active when 

 the " closure " was applied. Mr. J. W. Metcalfe, with his usual 

 kindness, has verified my capture. Several Noctuce were observed 

 taking long and rapid flights in the bright October sunshine. Most 

 of them appeared to be Agrotids, but one that was netted proved to 

 be a male Aporophyla nigra. Autumn " sugar " was a failure. — 

 P. P. Milman ; Cyprina, Lower Conway Road, Paignton. 



Notes on Butteeflies feom the Bucks Chilteens, 1921. — ■ 

 Generally speaking butterflies were abundant on the hills. The 

 spring broods all appeared early, and were perhaps only normal in 

 numbers, but the unbroken hot dry weather from May to July was 

 favourable to larvae, etc., and second and third broods of some species 

 were very plentiful. I saw no evidence of scarcity of food-plants 

 adversely affecting any species ; the chief effect of the drought 

 seemed to be the unusual rapidity with which insects became worn. 

 It was difficult to get " cabinet " specimens a fortnight after 

 emergence — such was my experience, at any rate. The following 

 notes on certain species from one area may be of interest : Pieris 

 rapce, perfectly fresh specimens taken in September suggest a third 

 emergence. Gonepteryx rhamni (July 14th)p Vanessa io (July 11th), 

 Aglais urticce (July 3rd), Pyrameis atalanki (July 3rd), a fair number 

 about for two or three weeks subsequent to these dates, then 

 altogether disappeared. P. cardui, only worn insects seen, early in 

 July. Dryas paphia, first seen June 26th, fairly common in several 

 woods. Brenthis euphrosyne, common and well distributed. Melan- 

 argia galatea, emerged about June 22nd, abundant in certain localities. 

 Pararge megcera, fairly common in May and August though rather 

 local. P. egeria, var. egerides, four broods occurred, and the butterfly 

 was common in most woods all the season. Emergences approxi- 

 mately as follows : (1) middle of April, (2) June 10th, (3) July 25th, 

 (4) first week in September. The females of the spring brood are an 

 unusually yellow form, I think. Fourth brood males very dark ; one 

 taken has all yellow obsolete except for two small spots towards tip 

 of fore wings. Zepkyrus quercus, Thecla ic-album, very local. 

 Chrysophanus phlceas, spring brood rather scarce, second and third 

 plentiful. The last emerged early in September. Polyommatus 

 icarus, three emergences, May 12th, July 16th and September 1st. 



