NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 279 



show all the usual markings. — H. C. Hayward, F.E.S. ; Repton, 

 October 18th, 1922. 



Scarcity of Spilosoma lubricipeda and S. menthastri. — I am 

 much interested in the notes of Mr. Stowell and the Rev. J. E. 

 Tarbot (Entom., pp. 231 and 257) on the growing scarcity of 

 Spilosoma lubricipeda, because I had got a notion that the pheno- 

 menon was probably only occurring in the north of England. In 

 my early collecting days, sixty or more years ago, S. lubricipeda 

 abounded here in every garden and on every piece of waste land 

 where docks grew luxuriantly, so much so that its larva? were often 

 .a destructive pest. It gradually became scarcer, and is now prac- 

 tically non-existent. I do not remember to have seen a single larva 

 for more than twenty years, and during that time not more than 

 three moths in any one season, often two or one, sometimes none. 

 This year I have seen one example only. Nor am I at all sure that 

 the few specimens seen were bred here, as they have usually occurred 

 on the road-sides just outside the town, probably attracted by the 

 gas or electric lights, and may easily have been brought here on 

 railway w T aggons. I never see one in my own or other people's 

 gardens. S. menthastri used to be almost as abundant on the field 

 sides, but it, too, has almost disappeared, though more recently than 

 lubricipeda. Odd moths are still occasionally to be seen on the 

 country walls, or a larva now and then crossing the road, seeking a 

 place in which to spin up, but I have not seen even one of either 

 this year. — Geo. T.Porritt; Elm Lea, Dalton, Huddersfield, 

 November 3rd, 1922. 



Scarcity of Spilosoma lubricipeda, etc. — I have worked 

 "light" consistently during the past three seasons and found this 

 insect quite scarce during 1920 and 1921, first appearing on June 

 20th, 1920, and May 24th, 1921. During 1922, however, it was 

 quite common, appearing on May 30th (nine days after S. menthastri) 

 and being about half as common as menthastri. Agrotis nigra, which 

 was common at sugar in 1921, never appeared at all in 1922. 

 Lobophora carpinata — always less common here than L. poly- 

 ■commata — failed to turn up this year. Ligclia adustata was unusually 

 abundant from May 18th, being quite a pest.— Dr. R. Lowther ; 

 Eernleigh, Grange-over- Sands, N. Lanes, November 15th, 1922. 



Spilosoma lubricipeda and Seasonal Notes. — With regard to 

 the scarcity of this species, I have not seen it at all in this district 

 this year and only took one specimen last year. Larva 1 are very late in 

 pupating this season. I have a half-grown larva of Smeriuthus 

 populi still feeding, and the last of some birch-feeding Geometer 

 larvae obtained by beating in early October only went down on 

 November 9th. — G. V. Bull, M.B. ; Montagu House, Hoddesdon, 

 Herts. 



Scarcity of Spilosoma lubricipeda. — I took two of these insects 

 in 1919 and have not seen one since. It used to be very common 

 here. — Ered F. Wood ; Eastons, Ditchling, Sussex. 



Scarcity of Spilosoma lubricipeda. — I took a small batch of 

 newly hatched larvae of this species this last summer on red currant 



