0330 



Insects. 



Food-plant of Lyccena Agestis. — I have perused with great interest the different 

 articles which have lately appeared in the ' Zoologist ' respecting the identity of Lycaena 

 Artaxerxes and L. Agestis, as well as on the habits, haunts, &c, of the latter 

 species. As I have never had an opportunity of seeing L. Artaxerxes in its native 

 localities, I cannot presume to express an opinion respecting the former part of the 

 subject ; but as I may say that I am tolerably well acquainted with the habits of 

 L. Agestis, which occurs in this neighbourhood in abundance, I am induced to trouble 

 you with these few lines, especially as I observe that many of your correspondents are 

 either pledged to an opinion, or have had but limited opportunities of seeing L. Agestis 

 in anything like profusion. I cannot help thinking also that much misapprehension 

 arises from entomologists believing that what takes place in one locality must of 

 necessity occur everywhere else. In the present instance the controversy respecting 

 the connexion of the insect with Helianthemum or Erodium, strongly reminds me of 

 the well-known fable of the " Chameleon," Mr. Harding's last communication 

 especially, which is much in the style of the disputant who exclaims, — 



" And when before your eyes I've set him, 

 If you don't find him black I'll eat him." 



It does not follow because Mr. Harding finds L. Agestis where Erodium grows that it 

 should not also occur where Helianthemum is found, and that it does so must be 

 admitted by all who are at all acquainted with the chalk downs of the South of Eng- 

 land, and Mr. Harding is certainly much mistaken when he wishes to make it appear 

 that the insect is almost confined to the localities he mentions. L. Agestis is often very 

 abundant on the Downs in this neighbourhood, where the Helianthemum is also 

 plentiful, being dotted all over the soft short turf; whereas Erodium, if it occurs at all, 

 cannot be in any quantity, as it prefers, I believe, the sand, of which there is little or 

 none in this locality. At Caterham also (still on the chalk) it is very common (more so 

 in August than in May), I find it flying in company with L. Alexis and L. Corydon, and 

 sometimes with L. Alsus and L. Adonis. Here again the soil is chalk, and the commonest 

 plants are Hypericum, Origanum, Helianthemum, plenty of wild thyme, &c, but 

 not, I think, Erodium, or at any rate very little, as I have never observed it at all. I 

 have also taken L. Agestis at different times in localities so far from the chalk or sand 

 that I am certain there was neither Erodium nor Helianthemum within miles ; and, 

 both this season and last, the insect occurred on the bank of a canal at Norwood, far 

 from either of the above plants, and so far from the localities where it is found in 

 abundance that I cannot think it could have been driven there by stress of weather. 

 I cannot help thinking therefore that the larva will be ultimately found to feed on 

 more than one plant, or at any rate on some one of more general distribution than 

 either of those which are now believed to be its food-plants ; this question, however, 

 I trust will be decided next season, as this controversy will no doubt lead many to look 

 for the larva. I am, however, exceedingly surprised at a man of Mr. Harding's ex- 

 perience asking why the insect is not found in plenty where Helianthemum is 

 abundant ? My reply is that it frequently is, and that I should have thought that 

 Mr. Harding must have visited Riddlesdown in August at some time or other ; if so, 

 he must have been aware that both Helianthemum and L. Agestis were common there, 

 and if he has not I advise him to do so, and I am convinced that " one trial will 

 sufficiently prove the fact." — W. II. Morris; Croydon, December 3, 1858. 



