7006 Insects, 



It is very evident that we have got through the easiest part of our 

 task in investigating the habits of the Micro-Lepidoptera, and that the 

 elucidation of the remainder will be proportionably difficult. As an 

 example of what has been accomplished we may refer to the four very 

 natural genera — Coleophora, Elachista, Lithocolletis and Nepticula. 

 In investigating the transformations of these we have positive infor- 

 mation respecting part of the species which we can safely apply in 

 our researches into the economy of the rest, and our labours are 

 rendered comparatively light. Thus we know that a Coleophora larva 

 is a case-bearer, and feeds on the seeds and leaves of plants, making 

 conspicuous blotches on the latter; that an Elachista mines long white 

 galleries in the leaves of grasses ; that a Lithocolletis feeds on the 

 parenchyma of the leaves of trees and shrubs, contracting the cuticle 

 in a manner peculiar to itself; and that a Nepticula makes a long 

 narrow contorted mine; and accordingly we are guided by such infor- 

 mation in our search. But there are many genera of which we know 

 little or nothing concerning their habits, and that little is calculated 

 to lead us astray rather than aid us, and many again are so rare that 

 we can make only the most remote guesses at their economy. Others 

 there are which feed in decayed wood, and present us with no sign by 

 which we may recognise their presence, and some, as with the genus 

 Gelechia, feed in every conceivable manner, and make a similarity of 

 habit the exception instead of the rule. 



These are some of the difficulties which we must be prepared to 

 encounter at every step, and therefore I think that all information, 

 however slight it may appear, is worthy of being recorded, as it may 

 at some time or other serve to form a connecting link in our chain of 

 knowledge. 



Talseporia pubicornis. 



Diplodoma marginepunctella. The larvae of this species are occa- 

 sionally met with on old palings, and have been found to have a car- 

 nivorous propensity. Whether this is their usual mode of feeding or 

 whether they are in reality lichen-feeders is not thoroughly decided. 

 Perhaps they like a change of diet. 



Ochsenheimeria bisontella. Judging from analogy one would sup- 

 pose this species, like O. Birdella, would feed in the stems of grass, 

 but in the spot where I am accustomed to take it commonly the only 

 grass to be found is the mat grass {Nardus stricta). It may feed in 

 this, but the hard roots seem scarcely suitable for a tender Micro-Lepi- 

 dopterous larva. I recently examined a large quantity of this plant 

 but ibund no trace of larva3. 



