112 
A. E. GIBBS-LEPIDOPTERA 
Kneb worth and Welwyn informed him a few years ago that they 
not infrequently saw a beautiful purple butterfly settling on dead 
birds, rats, etc., hanging in their “larders.” I agree with 
Mr. Foster that although this is only hearsay evidence it is very 
suggestive, and coupled with the sight which he obtained of 
a specimen near the wood, it appears to be conclusive. Mr. Foster 
further informs me that the late Mr. Frank Latchmore used to tell 
how, whilst driving by Hitch Wood, he saw a specimen settled in 
the road, and how he stopped his horse and tried to catch it with 
his hat, but failed, an experience very similar to Mr. Foster’s. 
Another of Stephens’ early records which has received confirmation 
is that of the occurrence of Acontia luctuosa. For this also we are 
indebted to Mr. Foster, who possesses two local specimens, one 
taken on Willbury Hill in 1902, when he missed a second, and 
another captured in a clover-field on the top of Pegsden Hills in 
1903. Mr. Grellett also took a specimen last year near Hitchin. 
A. luctuosa is generally regarded as a south-country insect, but 
Mr. Barrett says that it is extending its range. Another of 
Stephens’ insects which has again been noted is Myelophila 
cribrella , a pretty spotted black and white Pyralid, which was 
taken at light at Cheshunt by Mr. Boyd. There is no reason why 
cribrella should not be taken in other parts of the county, for the 
food-plant is abundant. The larvae feed in the stems of thistles, 
and the cocoon, in which pupation takes place in the spring after 
hybernation, is formed inside the excavated stem. The moths are 
to be found settled on the thistle-heads in July and August. I have 
discovered them in considerable numbers in Suffolk, and have even 
found them come to sugar. 
The year 1903 will long be remembered by entomologists as 
one of the worst seasons on record. The long-continued spell 
of cold wet weather was apparently the chief cause of the great 
scarcity of insects. Hundreds of young larvae must have been 
drowned on their food-plants, and doubtless the low temperature 
which prevailed throughout the greater part of the Summer pre¬ 
vented the emergence of imagos, causing the pupae to lie over 
until another season. From all quarters the same complaint of 
a dearth of insects is heard. Mr. Arthur Cottam, who usually 
contributes valuable material for the annual Report, is unfortunately 
unable this year to afford any assistance in consequence of the bad 
weather, and his experience in this respect is, alas ! only that of 
field-naturalists throughout the country. Writers in the entomo¬ 
logical magazines have told the same story of woe. “ Light ” was 
unattractive, “sugar” a failure, and “dusking” yielded poor 
results. The excessive rainfall and the prevailing low temperature 
were most prejudicial to insect-life, and consequently collectors 
experienced a very poor season. The bright interval at the 
beginning of October appears to have been the sole redeeming 
feature of a bad year. So far as my own garden at St. Albans is 
concerned, I never remember seeing so many insects at sugar 
as were to be found on several evenings at this time. Folia 
