IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM, IN 1875. "279 



The larvae of the Cinnabar-Moth {Euchelia Jacobcece) were to be 

 found in swarms at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, feeding on the com- 

 mon ragwort. About one-half of them were affected by the 

 Ichneumon fly. I possess a remarkable variety of this common, 

 but beautiful moth ; the fore and hind wings being nearly black, 

 with the crimson markings scarcely perceptible. It was bred 

 by the Rev. W. L. Kay, late Yicar of Christ's Church, Shield- 

 field, JSTewcastle-on-Tyne, who kindly presented it to me. 



GEOMETRM (GEOMETERS). 



In September, I had the good fortune to find, in Thornley 

 Woods, a fine male example of Ennomos erosaria (the September 

 Thorn) . This species is new to the locality, and is an uncommon 

 insect. It had newly escaped from the pupa, the wings being 

 quite limp. 



Phigalia pilosaria {the Pale Brindled Beauty'). — The earliest 

 appearance of this moth was at Corbridge, on February 4th, 

 when males were found at rest on the trunks of oak and elm. 



Oporabia filigrammaria (the Autumnal Moth). — Three speci- 

 mens of this moth were taken at light, near Newcastle, in 

 September. The larvae are supposed to feed on heather, but 

 without doubt willows and sallows are the food-plants of the 

 larvae. No heather is to be found within a mile or two of the 

 place of their capture. 



Larentia olivata. — I met with this local species in Chopwell 

 Woods, in July. 



Cidaria populata. — I took a rather worn specimen in Chopwell 

 "Woods, in August. It is new to the district. C. immanata and 

 testata were also rather plentiful ; many varieties of the former 

 resemble those taken in Scotland. 



NOCTURE (NOCTUAS or OWL MOTHS). 



I have no captures of note to report of this group of moths ; 

 those of usual occurrence appeared in swarms. On the coast, 

 Agrotis valligera, Tritici and cursor ia and Luperina testacea, were 

 very numerous. 



