39 



The eggs are white, and are somewhat like those of Quercus. They are 

 attached to the twigs of the food-plant, and do not hatch before the spring. 



The caterpillar is of a bright apple-green, with pale yellow lines and two 

 rows of oblique streaks of the same colour. It feeds on blackthorn, birch, 

 and alder in May and June. 



The chrysalis is short, obese, and of a clear red-brown colour. 



Three species of Hymenopterus parasites, belonging to the family Ichneu- 

 monidae, have been bred from Thecla betulte, viz. : Agrypon flaveolatum, 

 Campoplex pugillater, and Campoplex eurynotus. 



Thecla betulce has not a wide range, but occurs in Central Europe, and the 

 South of Russia. It also extends into the Southern parts of Siberia and the 

 valley of the Amoor. 



It has not been noticed in the Isle of Man, nor in Scotland, but is very 

 common in the lanes and road-side hedges in the South and West of Ireland 

 in August, frequenting the flowers of the bramble, and settling the moment 

 the sun is obscured. It has not been observed in either Ulster or Leinster. 

 In England it is very widely distributed, being most common in the counties 

 of Devonshire, Lancashire, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. It appears to be 

 entirely absent in the North- Eastern portion, not occurring in Yorkshire, 

 Durham, nor Northumberland, and seems to have become extinct in the 

 counties of Dorsetshire and Norfolk. 



The first specimen recorded in England appears to have been taken at 

 Croydon, by the Rev. John Ray, on August 31st, 1702. 



Eleazei Albin, in 1720, writes thus, " The caterpillar is of a light sea green 

 colour. It was taken near Hornsey Wood, on the 8th of June ; it tyed 

 itself up after the manner of the White Butterflies, and on the 16th of July 

 came forth the Hair-streak Butterfly. This caterpillar is very rare and scarce 

 to be met with." 



Lewin, in 1795, writes, " This insect is very far from common, but the fly 

 may be taken on the tops of hedges, and particularly on the maple tree, on 

 which it delights to settle. The caterpillars are very singular in their form, 

 and at first sight appear like woodlice, lying flat on a leaf or twig, without 

 the least sign of feet ; and when they travel their motion is more like that of 

 a slug than that of a caterpillar." 



Haworth, in 1803, records it as being rare. 



Stephens, in 1828, writes "Coombe and Darenth Woods are its chief resi- 

 dences near London, but it cannot be esteemed a common species anywhere." 



Curtis adds, " It has also been taken in Norfolk, Suffolk, Devon, Dorset, 

 &c." 



None appear to have been taken in Dorsetshire since 1842. 



