124 [Appendix B.N.F.C, 



appreciably over 2,400 feet, which is the lowest limit of alpine 

 insects, and the upper part of this mountain is too bare and 

 shelterless for Lepidoptera to exist there. 



The most promising-looking parts for such insects are the 

 actual tops of the few mountains which are crowned with rocks, 

 like Bingian, Bearnagh, and Commedagh. Round these rocks 

 the vegetation is luxuriant, and Salix herbacea grows freely. 

 A few species occurring lower down may be mentioned. Satumia 

 pavonia is common, and its larva, together with that of Dicra- 

 nura vinula and Pygcera pigra, is common on willow bushes by 

 the streams. Hadena contigua occurs, Anarta myrtilli is 

 common, also Stilbia anomola, Pachnobia rubricosa and Phyto- 

 metra viridaria. The Geometrae include Gnophos obscurata, 

 Pseudoterpna pruinata, Scodiona belgiaria, Larentia cceszata, 

 Eupithecia nanata, E. minutata and E. sobrinata — this last 

 feeding on juniper. A few micros may be mentioned : — Phycis 

 fusca occurs in the Happy Valley and also above Donard 

 demesne, Mixodia Schnlziana is pretty common, and Pamplusia 

 mercuriana occurs at the top of Slieve Bingian. 



No doubt further search would result in many additions to 

 this rather meagre list, but there is so large an extent of country 

 to be covered that for anyone living at a distance it would take 

 many years to make anything approaching a complete list of 

 the lepidoptera of the Mournes. 



In conclusion, I may say that specimens of nearly all the 

 species mentioned are now in the Belfast Museum collection, 

 and that it is much to be hoped that some member of the Club 

 will take up this branch of field work and add to our knowledge 

 of our local Lepidoptera. 



