5392 Insects. 



under moss and at the roots of beech : it appears to be exclusively 

 attached to that tree. Bucks. 



Harpalyce ruptaria. Common at roots of elm and lime. The pupa 

 is enclosed in a web-like cocoon, and is greenish yellow, powdered 

 with brown spots. October, &c. 



„ russaria and immanaria. Common at roots of willows. 



Ypsipetes elutaria. In abundance at roots of willows : most extra- 

 ordinary varieties may be thus obtained. July. 



„ impluviaria. Common under moss on alders. October, 

 &c. 



„ ruberaria. I once took about a dozen of this insect 

 under loose bark on poplar. Bucks. April. The larva hybernates, 

 I think ; for, if I remember rightly, some had not turned when I found 

 them in the spring. 



The pupae of the three last-named species are all black and 

 very active. 



Phaesyle miaria. Very common at roots of willows. August. 

 „ Psittacaria. Much rarer. Birch and sycamore. 



The pupae of both these species (together with that of Epione api- 

 ciaria, which I forgot to mention in its right place) may be found spun 

 up in loose grass, or attached to the trunk : the latter species at 

 willow. The pupae of all three have a purple bloom, and I cannot see 

 any difference between them. 



Cheimatobia dilutaria and brumaria. These two common insects 

 may be found in the utmost profusion at the roots of almost any tree 

 throughout the summer. There appears to be an impression on the 

 minds of some that autumnaria and filigrammaria are only varieties of 

 these species. Of course the best way to decide the question is by 

 breeding them : this I have not done, but out of many hundred pupae 

 of dilutaria I have never had anything like either of them. I am aware 

 that, up to this time, they have only been taken in Scotland, or, at any 

 rate, in the North. As I have had no " digging" in either of those 

 localities the above fact may be thought of little value. I would ven- 

 ture to recommend the northern collectors to dig at the roots of elm 

 and oak any time during the summer, and to collect as many pupae as 

 possible. (N.B. I suppose every one knows the pupa of dilutaria.) 

 Should the three insects, or two of them, be or not be produced from 

 these pupae, it would, I think, assist considerably in solving the ques- 

 tion. In my opinion all three are abundantly distinct. 



Eupithecia exiguaria. Occasionally under bark on hawthorn. 

 October, &c. 



