256 CATALOGUE OF MOTHS. 



EUPITHECIA, Curt. 



This large genus has not received the attention it deserves 

 from the collectors of I^rorthumberland and Durham. About 

 fifty species are recognised as British, and there are at least 

 half-a-dozen named varieties that some have considered worthy 

 of specific rank. The great similarity in some of the imagines, 

 their dull coloration and indistinct markings, and consequent 

 difficulty of naming except when in the finest condition, have 

 combined to render the group unattractive, l^early three- 

 quarters of the British species are enumerated below, but it will 

 be observed some of them rest on single records only, I have 

 most carefully investigated all doubtful claims, and if I have 

 erred it is in being too particular. In many cases I have seen 

 the specimens, and as it is often extremely difficult and some- 

 times impossible to be certain of the name of a worn pug, I 

 have passed over all doubtful insects. My friend, Mr. Gardner, 

 has given me very able assistance with the group, and has 

 taken much trouble in examining specimens, and comparing 

 them with those in his own collection. Several melanic forms 

 have also been submitted to Mr. Barrett and Mr. Porritt. 



It will be observed that there are no references to Stainton's 

 *' Manual" for several of the species. The second volume of 

 that work was completed and published in 1859. Shortly 

 afterwards the Eev. H. Harper Crewe undertook the investi- 

 gation of the genus, and reared nearly all the pugs from the 

 egg. In doing this he found it necessary to introduce several 

 additional species. Some of them had been previously known 

 under a wrong name ; some, considered variable, were found to 

 be two distinct species, and others were either new to Britain 

 or new to science. These, added to our fauna after the publica- 

 tion of the Manual, could not, of course, be included in that 

 work. "Where it has appeared advantageous I have referred 

 more fully to these investigations and discoveries under their 

 respective heads. 



I would strongly urge upon our local collectors to give more 

 attention to the pugs, and especially to increase their know- 



