CATALOGtJE OF MOTHS. 37 



reported the species as abundant near that city, where Mr. Mad- 

 dison tells me it is still to be found. Mr. Eoss found it common 

 about Bishop Auckland. Further west, about Middleton-in- 

 Teesdale, Dr. F. A. Lees reported it "common on riverside 

 sallows in the larval state." Mr. Backhouse and many others 

 took it about Darlington, which is also given as a locality in 

 Stainton's Manual. JS'ear Stockton it was found commonly by 

 Mr. Sibson, whilst at and around Hartlepool we meet with the 

 imago occasionally, but find the larva very abundant wherever 

 there is Poplar. These localities cover most of the cultivated 

 portions of both counties, and there is no doubt but Populi will 

 be met with wherever there is plenty of the food plant. It 

 appears to prefer the Balsam Poplar, but it is found on other 

 species and also on Willow and Sallow. This year (1896) the 

 imago has been very abundant, and a specimen flew into the 

 library of the Eev. E,obt. Taylor, of Monk Hesleden, in the day 

 time, while I was paying him a visit with Mr. Howse in June. 



ACHERONTIA, Och. 



3. Acheron tia Atropos, (Linn.). The Death's Head 



Moth. 

 Acherontia Atropos. Staint. Man., vol. i., p. 88. 



,, ,, Newm. Brit. Moths, p. 5. 



,, ,, Barr. Lep. Brit. Is., vol. ii., p. 16. 



„ „ Meyr. Hdbk. Brit. Lep., p. 299. 



Larva. Buck., vol. ii., pl.xxi., fig. 1 ; O.Wils., pl.vi., fig. 1. 



This curious and interesting species has occurred in most 

 parts of both counties, and there is no doubt it frequently passes 

 through all its stages within our borders. Indeed, I have had 

 both larva, pupa, and perfect insect brought to me at various 

 times. But it is certain that frequent immigration takes place, 

 and possibly the race might die out without this aid. The earliest 

 record of its occurrence is found in Wallis (vol. 1, p. 358) : 

 '' The large, beautiful Moth, called the Bee Tiger, was taken 

 some years ago in one of the rooms at Felton -Hall, in October. 

 It is now in the collection of Mr. Thompson, of Northumberland 



