1348 Insects. 



for my figure. I found ihese larva? in stony spots on the open hill-side, generally 

 lurking among the grass at the side of the stones when raised, and sometimes sunning 

 themselves on the outside of the stones themselves. When thus exposed, their colour 

 assimilates very closely to that of the gray whinstone, and must be a great protection 

 against insectivorus birds. They feed on various grasses, but will not refuse chick- 

 weed, spinach, &c, although nothing of the kind is to be found in their native 

 locality. — R. F. Logan ; Hawthorn Brae, Duddingstone, March 28th, 1846. 



Miana Strigilis and Mthiops.— In the December No. (Zool. 1199) I was much sur- 

 prised to see stated by Mr. Harding, amongst other places in which strigilis had not 

 occurred, was that of Hammersmith. I cannot conceive on whose authority he could 

 record that, as it is far from uncommon in the marshes as well as in my own garden ; 

 and I find from enquiries amongst my friends who visit the former locality, that most 

 of their collections are supplied by specimens obtained there, iEthiops is exceedingly 

 abundant and beautiful, intermediate varieties frequently occur. I have been informed 

 also that strigilis is taken in Battersea fields. I quite agree with Mr, Doubleday, in 

 thinking that there is but one species ; I have always found that both insects appear 

 simultaneously. — S. Stevens ; 38, King Street, Covent Garden, Dec. 22nd, 1845. 



Pterophorus tridactylus, captured on the 25th of February. — Whilst capturing 

 moths on the 25th of February last, I beat from a box-tree a specimen of Pterophorus 

 tridactylus, which in Mr. Westwood's ' British Moths,' is described as appearing in 

 June. Could you or any of your readers inform me whether this species hybernates, if 

 so, I should esteem a favour. I may add, the insect was not in the least rubbed or 

 otherwise injured. — W. Hambrough ; Dunton, Bucks, March 26th, 1845. 



Capture of Lepidopterous Insects at Hammersmith. — In the c Entomologist ' 

 (Entom. 397), I recorded the capture of some rare moths in the marshes (Little Whit- 

 tlesea, as it has been aptly called) ; since that time a few other species have occurred 

 which are probably worth noticing in your pages, I also wish to make some additional 

 remarks on those previously noticed. 



Leucania obsoleta. This species, which was formerly so rare in cabinets, maybe 

 taken at sugar and on the wing early in June till the end of July ; the larva may be 

 procured in the months of September and October feeding at night on the leaves of the 

 reed ; it is very difficult to breed, as it lives through the winter, and may be found 

 laying torpid in hollow reeds : it changes early in the spring without feeding, to a 

 chrysalis. 



Leucania straminea, Treits (Vectis, Curtis). Is taken at sugar and on the wing, 

 from the end of June until early in August ; the larvae, which are very delicately 

 marked, may be procured young in October, but are best taken feeding at night 

 on the young leaves of the reeds the following May ; they remain about three weeks 

 in pupae, and spin a slight web for themselves generally between the leaves. 



Leucania or Nonagria geminipuncta, Haw. (paludicola, Hub.) This also is 

 taken at sugar in the month of August; the larvae feed in the interior of the stems of 

 the reed, and previously to changing into pupae they eat away a hole nearly through 

 the stem sufficiently large for themselves to escape when arrived at maturity, leaving 

 only a very thin film over to protect themselves from the wet. The larvae arc full-fed 

 in July. 



Nonagria crassicomis. This has been very abundant the last two seasons, and va- 

 ries greatly, both in size and colour ; it makes its appearance the end of August, ami 

 I liavc taken it till December, but the best month is October, and a warm, windy night 





