688 Insects. 



upon Sedum Telephium, and the insect to appear on the continent in April and July. 

 J. F. Stephens ; Eltharn Cottage, Foxley Road, Brixton, August, 1844. 



Note on the early capture of Sarrothripus Ilicinus. Is the capture of Sarrothripus 

 Ilicinus on the 25th of March, worth recording ? It was a male, and in fine condi- 

 tion. We have always before taken this insect in autumn. This one had most pro- 

 bably hybernated, or perhaps, as the winter was so very mild, may have continued in 

 an active state of existence during that period. — Robt. C. R. Jordan; Lympstone. 



Note on Conops jiavipes. This beautiful little Dipteron was common last week on 

 the flowers of Senecio Jacobaea, at Buddon-wood, but I should suppose it is not a rare 

 insect in such situations anywhere. Our neighbourhood, I think, is rich in Dipterous 

 and Hymenopterous insects ; but an insuperable bar is opposed to our attaining any 

 knowledge of these creatures, from there being no complete work of specific reference 

 in the English language, and it is scarcely worth while learning German on purpose 

 to plough through Meigen's ' Zweiflugen.' The attention of London entomologists, 

 who have the opportunities, ought to be called to this. A good work on the British 

 Diptera, with a few plates of figures of typical forms, would be a valuable addition to 

 English scientific literature. — H. W. Bates; Leicester, August \5, 1844. 



Note on a small Grub which attacks Wheat. It has lately been discovered in Scot- 

 land, that the failure of the wheat crop in many places is owing to the presence of a 

 small maggot, which appears to make his entrance into the stem of the young wheat, 

 about two inches below the surface of the soil ; he then eats his way up the centre of 

 the stem, until he reaches the light. The plant appears to make fresh shoots from the 

 joint beneath the entrance-hole made by the grub ; but the remaining vitality seems 

 too weak for these to reach any considerable size. I have found the same grub in our 

 fields, near Garstang, and enclose some for your inspection. The farmers here sup- 

 pose the damage to be occasioned by the wire-worm, as the ground, in many places, 

 was last year planted with potatoes; but Professor Low, and others who have had an 

 opportunity of examining them, regard them as a new evil to the farmer. I trust 

 that some of your readers will be able to throw some light on the nature and habits of 

 this creature, and point out some way in which its ravages are likely to be arrested. — 

 M. Saul ; Fort Green Cottage, Garstang, Lancashire, July, 1844. 



[The grubs were quite dead and shrivelled before I received them ; but from the 

 description of their ravages, I have no doubt that they are the larvae of a small fly 

 (Chlorops ?). I have often observed a similar grub in the wheat-fields of Surrey and 

 Herefordshire, causing great destruction to the wheat in the months of April and May. 

 The injury is always attributed to the wireworm ; and even those farmers who have 

 taken the trouble to examine it, still call it by that name. — E. Newmaii]. 



Note on capturing Insects with Sugar. I have received many communications on 

 this subject, several of them complaining of entire want of success, and others as warm- 

 ly commending the plan recommended by Mr. Douglas (Zool. 399), and thanking 

 that gentleman for the information afforded. Mr. S. Stevens informs me that he finds 

 a mixture of sugar and beer more attractive than one of sugar and water. It will be 

 found that not only moths, but wood-lice, earwigs and slugs by night, and flies, bees, 

 wasps and butterflies by day, are attracted by the sweets. The admiral butterfly {Va- 

 nessa Atalanta) is a constant visitor at this period of the year. — Edward Newman ; 

 Pechham, August 21, 1844. 



