O 24 British Columbia. 1923 



Saanichton. — This year we have the pleasure in welcoming to our ranks two enthusiastic 

 collectors in the persons of the Hon. J. G. Colville and Captain J. Wise. Commencing in April, 

 these two gentlemen, with the assistance of the Hon. A. Colville, collected continuously every 

 suitable evening until the middle of October. Their comhined efforts have resulted in forming 

 the nucleus of a fine collection. The majority of their captures were made at " light " and 

 included a numher of very desirable species, the most interesting of which are as follows : 

 Euxoa divergens abar Streck. A single specimen taken on June 6th. This is a most interest- 

 ing capture, as our only previous record of this form is a couple of specimens taken at Duncan 

 many years ago hy the late E. M. Skinner; Aplectoides occidcns Hamps. (see "Illustrated 

 Lepidoptera ") ; Acronyeta illita Sm. ; Arzama obliqua Wlk.; a fine female specimen of this 

 uncommon species was taken on July 5th; Autograplia spcciosa Ottol. Amongst the Geometridre 

 the best captures are Lygris atrifasciata Hulst; Dysstroma sobria ochrofvscaria Swett; several 

 specimens were taken in June. It is rather an uncommon species, as with the exception of a 

 worn specimen taken in 1920, these are the first records that I have had since it was described 

 in 1917 (Can. Ent, Vol. 49, page 70). Dysstroma walherata Pears; this is one of the rarest 

 of our species in this genus. Mr. Cockle has taken it at Kaslo and I have a single specimen 

 taken on Mount Arrowsmith, Vancouver Island. Caripeta wquliaria Grt. ; Clcora latipemiis 

 Hulst. ; and a single male specimen of Sabulodes cervinaria Pack. 



Duncan. — In this district noctuids have been scarce, hut geometers have been fairly abundant, 

 although they were mostly of the common kinds. 



Mr. G. O. Day took three fine specimens of Dysstroma ethela Hulst. in July. A figure of 

 this beautiful species was given in Report, Prov. Mus., 1921, Plate IV. Mr. A. W. Hanham's 

 best captures were Heliothis phloxiphaga G. & E. (rare on Vancouver Island, hut taken more 

 frequently in the Interior) ; Agrotis havilw Grt. (very rare) ; Polia sutrina Grt. (rare), the 

 first specimen taken here for many years; Polia pulverulcnta Sm. (uncommon); Autograplia 

 brassica; Riley ; two specimens taken on flower-blossoms on August 25th. Although this species 

 is common throughout the continent, it is rare in British Columbia. Mr. Hanham's capture is 

 the first record from Vancouver Island, and I believe Mr. Cockle, of Kaslo, has also taken one or 

 two specimens. 



Maillardvillc. — Mr. L. E. Marmont reports a very poor season on the whole, although he 

 has taken a few very good things, chief amongst them being a single specimen of that very 

 rare arctid Aemilia roseata Wlk. (see "Illustrated Lepidoptera"). Papaipema inaulidena 

 Bird; this is the first record from the Mainland (see "Illustrated Lepidoptera") ; Ercmobia 

 claudens attertina Hamp. ; Autograplia metallica Grt. (first record from this district). Amongst 

 the Geometridai were Cleora albescens Hulst. (two fine specimens) ;. Gabriola dyari Taylor; and 

 two specimens of Plagodis approximaria Dyar: this is rather a rare species and has only 

 previously been recorded from Duncan, Kaslo, and Trail, but this year we have had it recorded 

 from Agassiz and Vavenby as well. While spending a week with Mr. Marmont in June, the 

 writer was successful in capturing a specimen of Euthyatira scmicjrc-nlaris Grt. [see " Illustrated 

 Lepidoptera"), a fine specimen of Eustroma nubilata macditnnoughi Blackm., and a specimen 

 in good condition of Euphyia luetuata obdurtata Moesch, the first that I have ever taken. 



Nicola Lake. — During the past season Mr. E. R. Buckell, Assistant Entomologist of tbe 

 Provincial Department of Agriculture, has been stationed in this locality investigating the grass- 

 hopper situation. In addition to his regular duties he has made a small collection of Lepidoptera, 

 some of which are of more than ordinary interest. Euxoa murdocki Sin.; this rather bandsome 

 noctuid is exceedingly rare in British Columbia ; in fact, the only other record of it that I have 

 is a specimen taken some years ago by Mr. A. W. Phair at Lillooet. Dr. J. B. Smith (Bull. 44. 

 U.S.N.M., Cat. Noctuida?, 1S93) gives Utah, North-west British Columbia. Oregon, and Colorado 

 as localities for murdocki, but it is almost certain that his North-west British Columbia relates 

 to Alberta. Oncocemis umbrifascia Sm. ; this rather delicate species is also very rare. It is the 

 third specimen that I have had recorded from the Province, the first being taken by Mr. Phatr 

 at Lillooet, and the second by Mr. W. B. Anderson at Fort Steele. Xylena thoracia Put-Gram; 

 Trachea inordmata montana Sm.; a single specimen taken on June 13th. Our previous records 

 are Chilcotin (E. It. Buckell) and Vernon t.M. Rulnnann). Gortyna oiliqua Ilarv. ; a single 

 specimen of this rather rare species was taken on August 29th. 1 have seen single specimens 

 from Duncan (A. W. Ilanham). Kaslo (J. W. Cockle), and Armstrong (W. Downes). 



