ATTRACTION TO LIGHT. 
107 
of other Acridiidce have the same habit. Conocephalus among Locus- 
tidce , as well as Schizodactylus and a few green species, are found at light. 
Of Gryllidce , the burrowing mole crickets, Br achy try pes, Gryllus , Nemo- 
bius and other Gryllince , are attracted ; the little Tridactylince come 
in hordes to lamps and are extraordinarily abundant at some seasons 
even at a feeble railway station lamp. Embiids, winged termites and 
Myrmeleonids come readily ; Phryganeids are conspicuous by their pre¬ 
sence, as are Ephemerids , Mantispides, Ascalaphides and Chrysopides. 
Nearly all Hymenoptera are diurnal, but the flying ants are often caught 
in very large numbers at light traps and some few Parasitica. Of Coleop- 
tera the nocturnal Scarabceids, principally Melolonthids and Bynastids 
with some of the Coprids (Geotrupids ) are attracted, as are the Carabidce 
(especially Scaritides), Paussidce, Cantharidce , some Malacodermids and 
an occasional weevil (. Asemus ). 
Moths come freely, especially the Noctuids and Pyralids, with some 
Sphingids but not every species is attracted and the fact has to be 
ascertained for each species. Cydnince are the only Pentatomids known to 
me to be freely attracted to light and this is possibly due to their habits; 
the Ganges ferry steamers are sometimes swarming with Stibaropus, and, 
as all know, the ‘ ‘Gundi’ ’ ( Cydnus ) is only too fond of coming to the lamp 
at dinner time. Nezara viridula, Linn., is exceptional as being attract¬ 
ed to light, and there are others. Aquatic Rhynchota are not uncommon 
at light and the little Corixa hieroglyphica is occasionally very abundant. 
Cicadids are caught at light occasionally, the giant water bug ( Belostoma ) 
constantly. 
Of the Fulgoridce, the small Delphacince come in swarms, as do the 
Jassidce ; I am not aware of other Homoptera though there are very like¬ 
ly others, and I am not acquainted with any Diptera, except Chirono- 
midce and Psychodidce. The reader can see from the above how 
diverse are the insects that are attracted and what a curious selection of 
the nocturnal insects it is ; whether there is a real physiological explana¬ 
tion, whether some are more curious than others, or whether some have 
more leisure to investigate strange phenomena, we must leave to others 
to decide. 
The use of lights and light traps has been a favourite method with 
agriculturists in dealing with certain classes of pests, but .it is a method 
of very uncertain value and it is not a method generally useful ; it is 
essential to be certain that the pest to be captured does really come to 
light freely and this is a point usually neglected. 
