1892.] 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



200 



species of Micro-lepidoptera that feed upon them, the hedgerows and 

 waste places at this time Htcrally teem with an abundance of ripening 

 vegetation, that gives plenty of occupation to the assiduous worker in 

 his eager search after some of the rarer or unknown larva}. The haw- 

 thorn is now at its full growth, and by examining its leaves we notice 

 some have a slight web across tliem, causing them to contract slightly; 

 under this web will be seen the brown-striped, yellow^ish larvae of 

 Swam, pyrella, and some of its leaves are turned over into a sort of 

 cone by the larvae of Ornix anfrlicella, and on its leaves the flounced 

 cases of Col. pavipennella. The larvae of P. tvistana will now be found 

 drawing the leaves and shoots of the wayfaring tree ( Viburnain lantana ) 

 together, the larvae of P. dorasana is now to be taken in folded leaves 

 of Rhatmnis fraiignlc ; they fold the entire leaf over, forming a sort of 

 pod ; and feeding in the seed heads of ragwort, the larva of G. 

 nigvomaailaiia . The very conspicuous seed pods of the bladder 

 campion (Silene inflata), which is seen occasionally in profusion on 

 hedgebanks of meadows and cornfields, have the unripe seeds eaten 

 by the larya of Col. injlatella. The white cases of the larva of this 

 species are very conspicuous as they are fixed at right angles on the 

 seed pods, it is as well to take a good supply for they are very local. 

 The seed heads of the hawkweeds Hievaciiim should now be examined 

 for the larva of £. dubetana, and the leaves of the wild convolvulus for 

 the larva of B. sommdentella, these larvae mine the leaves between the 

 upper and lower cuticle and are vety erratic in their appearance, 

 being seen in profusion one year anlTThen disappearing for several 

 years. Now is the time to collect the fallen acorns for the larva of 

 C. splendana and jidiana, and the beech nuts for the larva of C. grossaiia, 

 we can also take the larvae of D. nmlvella in seeds of hollyhock, and 

 those of G. vibclla in seeds of mallow growing in sandy places. The 

 thistle leaves are being conspicuously mined by the larvae of G. 

 ncuiiiinetella, and the long whitish cases of Col. therinella will now be 

 found on the underside, the larvae of G. atviplicella is now to be seen 

 in a sort of silken gallery among the seeds of Cheiiopoduim, and those 

 of G. triparella between united oak leaves. The pinkish larva of the 

 very beatiful Cosniop. dnirella may now be seen mining along the 

 midrib of the leaves of wild hop, which spreads itself over the 

 hedges in many places. The cones formed by the larva of 

 Grnc. stig)}iatella are now to be seen on leaves of poplars and 

 sallows, and those of Grac. aurogiitella on Hypericum. The very 

 curious snail like tracks on the leaves of Poplars now to be 

 seen, are formed by the larvae of Phyl sitffii sella ;; and in turned down 

 leaves of wild apple the larva of Oniix giittcUa may now be taken ; the 

 seeds of xAngelica should be examined for larvae of CE. ftav 'unaciili'lla , 

 and hawthorn berries collected for larva of Lav. atrn, the larvai' of 

 that little gem A. trictskiella is now to be seen busily mining the leaves 



