2114 Insects. 



Notes on the Halticce of the Isle of Wight. By the Rev. J. F. Dawson, M.A. 



This interesting tribe, being (from the circumstance of their affecting peculiar 

 plants) less generally distributed, have always proved more particularly acceptable to 

 my entomological friends ; and perhaps a notice of the various species which are found 

 in this part of the kingdom may not be out of place, more especially as out of the 

 whole number (about one hundred) which are found in England, nearly one half occur 

 within six or seven miles of this place. My experience, however, does not extend be- 

 yond the beginning of June in each year, from which time till near Christmas I have 

 no opportunity of ascertaining what further species our island possesses, in consequence 

 of my absence, particularly during the autumn — that best of all seasons for this par- 

 ticular tribe. 



Phyllotraia antennata. This species is extremely abundant on various early plants, 

 but more particularly on the sunny sides of stone walls, where they may be found in 

 great profusion, in company with P. consobrina. 



Phyllotrata consobrina. By far our commonest species, and occurring as early as 

 February. I have also taken it on the opposite coast. Such being the case, it is ra- 

 ther singular that it should so long have continued unique in Mr. Curtis's collection. 

 Since, however, I rediscovered it (as recorded in the ' Zoologist '), that gentleman in- 

 forms me he has taken it in his garden. I suspect that dispar, Rudd, is merely a va- 

 riety of this species. I have never seen Mr. Rudd's specimens, but have been in the 

 habit of taking females corresponding with his description ; and these females, with 

 red basal joints to their antennae, are certainly the $ consobrina. 



Phyllotrata atra. Abundant on hedges near Cowes, also in the copses at St. Law- 

 rence, as well as by sweeping the herbage along the edge of the cliffs to the east of 

 Sandown. 



Phyllotrata ne?norum. Too generally distributed. 



Phyllotrata flexuosa. By no means abundant, but taken by sweeping, and from 

 moss in winter. 



Aphthona Pseudacori. Very abundant on Iris Pseudacorus in Newchurch Marshes, 

 and at Ryde. 



Aphthona Euphorbice. Very common on hedges and a dwarf species of nettle. 

 An early species. 



Aphthona atroceerulea. Not very common early in the spring. 



Aphthona herbigradus. By sweeping, on the sides of the Downs, in April. 



Graptodera oleracea. Plentiful, by sweeping in grassy places. 



Graptodera Erucce. Common on the hazel. 



Graptodera Mercurialis. On the plant whose name it bears, and, as usual, in 

 abundance. 



Podagrica fuscipes. Of very early appearance, and in great profusion, on the 

 dwarf mallow, on which it feeds. 



Podagrica cerata. Everywhere in abundance on the bramble with us, though con- 

 sidered scarce in most parts of England. 



Crepidodera ferruginea and exolela do not appear till June, after which they pro- 

 bably become as abundant here as elsewhere, in the localities they affect. The former 

 is found both in damp meadows and pond-banks, and also in the driest upland pas- 

 tures, where not another beetle apparently has life (except indeed Sphaeroderma Car- 

 dui) : the latter is found in situations commanding some degree of humidity. 



