Insects. 6905 



Food of the Larva of Depressaria ullimella, Staint. — The larva of this species 

 appears to be unknown. I bred a specimen early in June from a larva found feeding 

 on the flowers of Conium niaculaluui, near Freshwater, Isle of Wight, last May; the 

 larvae were gaily coloured, and, judging from descriptions, must resemble those of 

 Depressaria nervosa. Mr. Bond, who was with me at the time, saw them, but con- 

 sidered them to be those of D. heracliana. Perhaps this may serve as a hint to those 

 who are looking for it, where to find it. — H. S. Gorham; 10, Alfred Street, Monlpelier 

 Square, Brompton. 



Cryplialus Fagi, Fabr. — About Christmas, last year, I found several specimens of 

 this species in the bark of a decaying beech near Westerham. With the exception of 

 the specimen exhibited by Mr. Janson at the February meeting of the Entoipological 

 Society, I believe it has not been met with previously in Britain. — Id. 



Capture of Diachromus germanus at Hastings. — A specimen of this insect was 

 taken on the 25th of September, 1859, by Henry Case, Esq., in the neighbourhood of 

 Hastings, and, through the kindness of Mr. Case, the specimen is now in my posses- 

 sion. I have little doubt that additional specimens may be secured in the ensuing 

 season, if powerful eflForts are made. — Hemy Adams. 



Facts connected with the History of a Wasp's Nest ; with Observa- 

 tions upon the Parasite, Ripiphorus paradoxus. By S. Stone, 

 Esq., F.S.A., &c. * 



Observing a number of wasps entering an aperture in the ground, 

 at Cokethorp Park, on the 25th of July, I revisited the spot in the 

 evening, with the view of obtaining the nest. Accordingly, having 

 taken the precaution to render the inmates insensible, by pouring a 

 wine-glass full of spirits of turpentine into the aperture, which was 

 then closely stopped up with clay for a short time, I proceeded to dig 

 it out. In doing this, so hard and dry had the ground become that I 

 broke the covering to pieces, displacing and scattering the combs. 

 Finding that I had utterly ruined the nest as a specimen, 1 determined, 

 at any rate, on securing the combs; I therefore began to collect 

 them, and, placing them singly on the floor of the vehicle in which I 

 had driven to the spot, brought them away, unaccompanied by a 

 single wasp, the whole number, including of course the foundress of 

 the colony, being left behind. The nest was one belonging to Vespa 

 vulgaris, and being composed of decayed wood its destruction was 

 the more complete, for so fragile are nests of this species that even a 

 touch of the finger, unless extraordinarily light, is fatal to their 

 beauty. 



* Read before the Entomological Society of London, November 7, 1869. 

 XVIII. Q 



