A CATALOGUE OF THE LEPIDOPTERA OF IRELAND. 213 



(J.) ; one at Galway (A.) ; Ardrahan (Harker) ; Cionbrock, two 

 (R.E.D.); Sligo {R.) ; Markree Castle, a few; Tempo Manor 

 (Langham) ; Dramreaske, Co. Monaghan, a few; Cromlyn, Co. 

 Westmeath {Mrs. B.) ; Kenmare, Co. Kerry, &c. 



Plusia illijstris, Fah. — A specimen of this rarity in good 

 condition was netted flying to bramble-flowers at Castle Kevin, 

 Annamoe, Co. Wicklow, in August, 1887, by Miss Alice Hull, 

 daughter of Prof. Hull, F.G.S., who had taken the place during 

 the summer of that year. She was unaware of her prize, which 

 she gave to the National Museum, until Mr. Carpenter, F.E.S., 

 identified it. The only British captures (in Wales, and by a 

 Mr. Pratt on Salisbury Plain) took place previous to 1811, since 

 which no further records are known. That the insect has not 

 again been taken in Ireland proves nothing, considering the 

 plentiful lack of Irish entomologists ; and it may eventually 

 prove to be indigenous, and not a stray visitant ; as in more than 

 one instance — such as Plusia bractea and Dlanthoecia ccesia — 

 species for many years known as Irish from single specimens, 

 have proved to be plentiful when sought for. In France it 

 inhabits the mountains of Dauphine, the Hautes and Basses 

 Alj)es, the Pyrenees and Doubs (Braand), and is not rare, the 

 larvae feeding on various species of Aconite, &c., like that of 

 P. moneta. As the common monkshood is widely cultivated in 

 cottage gardens, there is no difficulty (as has been proved in 

 S.E. England in the case of the latter species) in regard to a 

 supply of a suitable food-plant in Ireland. 



Plusia chrysitis, L. — Abundant in most places. The Linnean 

 type has the two metallic-green areas separated by the unbroken 

 median brown band {Tiitt's Brit. Noct.). In Ireland, as in 

 England, however, this is a rare aberration. In some speci- 

 mens the metallic sheen is more blue than green, but I have 

 some doubt if this is the case in really fresh specimens. 



Plusia bractea, Fb. — Very widely distributed, though appa- 

 rently somewhat local. In suitable seasons it is abundant in 

 some localities. The metallic blotch varies somewhat in shape, 

 and in some instances inclines to a silvery tint. A second brood 

 was noticed by Miss Eeynell on Sept. 5th, 1893, at Killynon, Co. 

 Westmeath, where, and at Cromlyn {Mrs. B.), it is generally 

 plentiful. Trim, Co. Meath {G. V. H.) ; Cabra, Howth, and 

 Dundrum {Low)y Co. Dublin ; Co. Wicklow {B.) ; Mullingar 

 {Wilcox) ; Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny {S.) ; Glandore and Bal- 

 linadee, near Bandon (Z).), Co. Cork; Cappagh, Co. Waterford 

 {Miss V.) ; Kenmare, Co. Kerry ; Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare ; and 

 Killaloe, not rare; Westport, Co. Mayo {W.) ; Knocknarea, 

 numerous (7^.), and Markree Castle, Co. Sligo; Cionbrock, abun- 

 dant {R.E.D.), and one at Galway {A.) ; not rare near the town 

 of Donegal. 



