290 NOTES ON SOME MACROLEPIDOPTEBA 



species of all the larger Lepidoptera in our districts. As will, 

 probably, be known to most, tbe species of this group, with 

 very few exceptions, are attracted by sugar, which is the usual 

 way of collecting them. I have seen, on a fine night in July, 

 certainly not less than fifty moths, sitting on and flying round 

 a small patch of treacle or sugar, which has been rubbed on a 

 rail; a very singular sight. They are also attracted by flowers; 

 consequently, a garden, situated as mine is, close to the cliffs, is 

 as good a collecting ground for this class of moths as one could 

 well wish for and this is the reason of its being so often given 

 as a locality. 



Bryophila Perla. — Plentiful on lichen-covered walls. 



Acronycta tridens. — Is occasionally found at rest on palings 

 and walls, in August. 



Acronycta Psi. — Is found in similar positions in June. In the 

 imago state, this and the last species are almost exactly similar, 

 and the collector has only the time of appearance to guide him 

 in deciding which is which. The larvae are, however, very dif- 

 ferent in appearance. 



Leucania conigera, lythargyria, impura, and pollens. — Are all 

 common on both sides of the river; between the end of June and 

 the end of August. All come to sugar. 



Nonagria (Tapinostola) fulva. — Is found at times near ditches 

 and marshy places. 



Nonagria Ely mi. — This, one of the rarest species of British 

 insects, occurs in some numbers at South Shields. It is found 

 in the imago state from the end of June till August, and flies at 

 dusk, near the Lyme grass, JElymus arenarius. Besides South 

 Shields, it only occurs in the fens of Cambridgeshire and in 

 Lancashire ; and it seems an open question whether it is an in- 

 troduced species or not. If any botanist, who has studied the 

 flora of the district, would kindly inform us if Elymus arenarius 

 is indigenous to the locality or not, it would go a long way 



