106 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 7: 1994 



obscure wainscot is expanding its range, especially in Yorks. and Lines. The satin 

 lutestring is common in the Weald of Kent and occurs in pockets along the west coast 

 but remains a nationally uncommon species. Dr Waring referred to the need to have 

 a regionally notable classification. He also circulated a map indicating "hot spots" 

 where scarce macrolepidoptera requiring further recording and research occur. 



Mr R. A. Jones showed specimens of Calopteron discrepans (Newm.) and 

 C. terminale (Say) (Coleoptera: Lycidae) and a large unidentified ichneumon species, 

 all from tropical oak woodland in central Florida, USA, in March 1994. Beetles of 

 the family Lycidae (net-winged beetles) are said to be distasteful to predators. Most 

 are brightly and warningly coloured red and black. Various other insects are said 

 to mimic them, including several black and red arctiid moths. Despite the obvious 

 differences between the set specimens of beetles and ichneumons, there exists a 

 remarkable similarity when observed on the wing. The Florida sunlight is strong and 

 harsh, and even in the dappled undergrowth, motes of light are bright and piercing. 

 The dark body and wings of the ichneumon contrast with the extremely pale antennae 

 which are held straight out sideways in flight. The pale flash of these antennae, seen 

 when the insect flies through a spot of light, resembles the lycid elytra, also held straight 

 out in flight. The resemblance, at least to the human eye, was quite startling. 



Mr Jones also showed some slides of what were thought to be fungus gnat larvae 

 (Diptera: Mycetophilidae), found under a fungoid oak log in Nunhead Cemetery, 

 9.iii.l994. The vermiform (worm-shaped) larvae were contained in tubules of slime, 

 through which they moved back and forth. Associated with them were several flexible 

 and mucilaginous cocoon-shaped structures also exhibited, though now dry and crisp. 

 These were thought to be either larval retreats or pupal cocoons. 



Mr P. Chandler suggested that the larvae might be those of the mycetophilid 

 subfamily Keroplatinae. 



Mr R. Uffen showed a live specimen of a solitary bee Andrena chrysosceles 

 (Kirby) which had a female Sty lops sp. (Strepsiptera: Stylopidae) protruding between 

 the fourth and fifth tergites. A live male Sty lops hammella Perkins swept from the 

 same bee colony at Datchworth, Herts, was also shown. 



Mr R. Softly showed a live tawny pinion moth, Lithophane semibrunnea (Haw.) 

 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) taken in a light trap in his garden in Hampstead. This is 

 a very local species in the London area although it does appear to have become more 

 frequent in recent years; 1992 was a record year with 13 being recorded in the trap. 

 Mr Softly noted that despite this moth emerging in the autumn and overwintering, 

 all of his records were of moths in the spring. He also displayed some publicity 

 brochures about books on African butterflies and Australian insects. 



Mr A. J. Halstead showed a male sawfly, Nematus myosotidis (F.) (Hymenoptera: 

 Tenthredinidae) taken in the Middle Marsh area of Dinton Pastures Country Park, 

 Berks., 27.vi.93. This specimen, of a common species, was noteworthy for its aberrant 

 antennae. Both had a small but distinct spur on the underside of the fifth segment; 

 normally the filiform antennae have no adornments. 



The President said that Mr Roger Morris, the Field Meetings Secretary, wished to give 

 up this post. A replacement is needed, preferably before the Annual Exhibition, which 

 is a good opportunity to line up leaders for the following year's programme of meetings. 

 He also reminded the meeting of the special meeting, to be held during the ordinary 

 meeting of 10 May, which would appoint a new trustee and amend the constitution. 



The President reported that he had found a common pug, Eupithecia vulgata (Haw.) 

 on his house. This appears to be an early emergence. 



Mr Halstead reported that the sawfly workshop held at Dinton Pastures on 19 March 

 had been very successful with 18 persons attending. 



