Insects. 5539 



Butterflies attracted by Sugar. — My attention was directed, in the early part of 

 September last, to a dark, moist substance, on the trunk of an oak tree, and on which 

 were feeding a quantity of Vanessa Polychloros and V. Atalanta, of which, in less 

 than an hour, I took thirty-live. It struck me that if the insects were thus attracted 

 by this natural discharge, it would prove more so if I dressed the same with my mix- 

 ture used for taking moths : 1 dressed the tree, and it was, in a few minutes, covered 

 with the above-named insects, and a female Aputura Iris came and partook so plenti- 

 fully of the mixture as to actually fall on the ground when struck at with my net 

 (quite "burly"). I feel confident that the same fly may be easily taken as stated in 

 its season, and where they are known to resort. — A. Russell; Ashford, Kent, 

 February 14, 1857. 



Caterpillar of Phalcena escula. — The caterpillar of Phalaina escula commits great 

 depredations in the olive trees. The egg having been deposited in the wood of an 

 olive tree, the grub bores a broad round passage for itself in the length of the branch, 

 beneath the bark. Nothing is seen outside, and an unpractised eye fails to detect 

 even the original aperture (which is closed by a substance resembling the wood). On 

 cutting open this part, a long cylindrical cavity is seen, and by following the direction 

 of it, with a long wire, they destroy the insect, and prevent further injury to the tree. 

 It appears that measures have only been taken of late to kill them, and these grubs 

 have long been allowed to commit their depredations with impunity. — Sir J. G. Wil- 

 kinson's ' Dalmatian i. p. 177.* 



On the use of the Anal Fork of the Puss Moth (Cerura vinula). — The observations 

 of Mr, Gosse on this subject (Zool. 5254), though made with his usual accuracy and 

 minute detail, and therefore very interesting, are not, as he seems to think, new. The 

 same facts have been observed by many naturalists, and an account of them may be 

 found in the entomologist's vade-mecum, " Kirby and Spence," in the letter on " The 

 Means of Defence in Insects." As the passage is very concise, I venture to extract 

 it : — " From each of the branches of the tail there issues a long, cylindrical, slender, 

 fleshy and very flexible organ, of a rose-colour, to which the caterpillar can give every 

 imaginable curve or inflection, causing it sometimes to assume even a spiral form. It 

 enters the tube, or issues from it, in the same manner as the horns of snails and slugs. 

 These tails form a kind of double whip, the tubes representing the handle, and the 

 horns the thong or lash with which the animal drives away the ichneumons and Hies 

 that attempt to settle upon it. Touch any part of the body, and immediately one or 

 both the horns will appear and be extended ; and the animal will, as it were, lash the 

 spot, where it feels that you incommode it." — Vol. ii. (Oth ed.) p. 205. This account 

 and that given by Mr. Gosse mutually confirm each other in every particular. — 

 Alfred Merle Norman ; Kibworth, January 16, 1857. 



Note on the Economy of Psyche opacella. — In exchanging with Mr. H. Tompkins, 

 I sent him some pairs of Psyche opacella. I sent the females to him, just as I had 

 sent them to other entomologists, but Mr. T. said he did not for a moment suppose I 

 was going to take the females out of their cases, as they never left the case : I assured 

 him that I did not do so, but that, as soon as the females deposit their eggs, they 

 become feeble and shrivelled, and drop out of the case. Mr. Tompkins replied that 

 if the fact was as I stated I ought to give some public notice of it, that I 



* Communicated by Mr. Walker. 



