29S 



DEILEPHILA GALII IN 1888. 



GEORGE T. PORRITT, F.L.S.. F.E.S.. 

 Huddersficld ; Aitthor of the List of YorksJiirc LfJ>ido*>tc7-a , etc. 



It is satisfactory to note the occurrences of DeilepJiila galii in 

 Yorkshire this season, specimens being already recorded from Scar- 

 borough, Harrogate, and Bradford. The species seems this year to 

 have been scattered pretty well over Britain, though more imagines 

 appear to have been taken on the Kent coast than anywhere else. 

 After the advent of the moths in July, it was natural that the larva? 

 should be eagerly looked for as soon as they were big enough to be 

 readily seen, and as was anticipated they have already been taken in 

 some numbers. On August 30th and 31st, I had the pleasure of 

 taking twelve on Galium growing on the shingle near Deal, and one 

 in St. Margaret's Bay, and my friend, Mr. W. H. Tugwell, who was 

 with me, and to whom I was indebted for the information that a 

 number of the moths had been taken there several weeks previously, 

 secured ten more, making twenty-three between us. They varied 

 much in size, some being quite small, others apparently almost full- 

 grown. Unfortunately, I had to return to Huddersfield early next 

 morning, or should no doubt have taken more. Two of mine have 

 •gone down." and except one, the remaining eleven appear to be 

 doing well, so that next summer I hope to breed a nice series of this 

 beautiful moth. Since my return home I have been informed of the 

 capture of about 400 larvce near Deal by several collectors together. 



But not only on the south-east coast, but also on the opposite coast 

 and much furtlier north has searchins; been rewarded with success. 

 As several moths had been taken near Liverpool, the Lancashire and 

 Cheshire entomologists were eager in anticipation of again seeing the 

 large spotted larva? on the Wallasey sand-hills, where they were taken 

 in abundance in 1S70, but I believe had never been seen there since. 

 One collector, I am told on good authority, has already secured 150 

 larva? there, and two others have also taken it in some numbers. 

 Probably more ^"^7/// larvae will be taken this year than ever were 

 found in any previous season in Britain. Notwithstanding the 

 numbers taken, on the Kent coast at any rate, from the extent and 

 nature of the ground, only a very small proportion of the larv:s which 

 must be there, can possibly be found, and yet, why, as is most likely, 

 hardly a moth will be seen at large in Britain next summer ; and still 

 further, why they are here this year, and where they have come from, 

 are enigmas I will leave for others to try and explain. 



Sept cm ber 15///, i S S S . 



Naturalist, 



