Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/229

Rh nests of Formica flava, under flints; and the specimen which I took was seized, immediately on my turning over the flint, by an ant, who was rapidly carrying it off in her jaws when I captured it.—Edwd. Doubleday; British Museum, May 30, 1843.

Note on Mancipium Daplidice. In a former No. (Zool. 113) I stated that Mr. Le Plastrier had in his possession last winter four specimens of Maneipium Daplidice, in the chrysalis state, which he had reared from eggs laid by a female after it had been captured by him near Dover; and I then ventured an opinion that the flies would come forth in May. In this respect my expectations have been realized. In a letter from Mr. Le Plastrier, bearing date May 18, 1843, he says—"I have the pleasure of fulfilling my promise, by informing you of the safe arrival of my four specimens of Maneipium Daplidice last week, and certainly they are a splendid-looking insect, and of course, in fine condition; there are three females and one male." The above notice may not, perhaps, be wholly without interest to your entomological readers, as it serves to point out with precision the period when this rare insect makes its first appearance on the wing. I may add that Mr. Le Plastrier states in his letter that he has the specimens to dispose of. I suspect he is the only English entomologist who has bred a native Daplidice.—W.T. Bree; Allesley Rectory, near Coventry, May 31, 1843.

Note on the capture of Noctuæ with Sugar, in the Autumn of 1842, at Epping.

Calocampa vetusta. I captured thirteen specimens of this fine species between the 8th of September and the 4th of October.

Calocampa exoleta. I saw the first specimen of this moth on the 6th of October, and during the remainder of the month and the beginning of November I took about thirty specimens.

Agrotis Saucia. I captured two females of this species the latter end of October.

Agrotis suffusa. The first specimens were seen on the 15th of August, and from that time to the end of October there was a constant succession of fine specimens: they were very abundant.

Glæa satellitia and Vaccinii were first seen on September 15, and G. subnigra on October 3: all abundant.

Graphiphora C-nigrum appeared on August 16, and was very abundant.

Orthosia litura, pistacina, rufina and ferruginea were also very common.—Henry Doubleday; Epping, May 31, 1843.

Note on the capture of Lophopteryx Carmelita, at Epping. I procured a fine pair of this species early in May, in Ongar-park woods; they were both sitting upon the trunks of birch-trees. The female laid a few eggs, from which I have obtained about a dozen caterpillars, which are now about two weeks old.—Id.

Note on the occurrence of Ceratopacha Octogesima at Epping. Soon after I sent to you on Friday, I was surprised to see in one of my breeding cages a beautiful pair of Ceratopacha Octogesima, an insect I never before saw alive, and did not possess a specimen of. Where I got the caterpillars from I do not at all know.—Id.

Note on Snails devouring Insects. In sweeping the long grass near Penzance, in July, 1836, numbers of middle-sized snails came into the net, most of them having in their mouth a Coccinella or some other small insect, which they were swallowing by degrees. From repeated observations I am confident this was not an accidental circumstance, but that the snails were actually devouring the insects; and as I never saw any notice of such a propensity, I mention it in the hope that my doing so may lead to some explanation.—''Fredk. Holme; C.C.C. Oxford, May'' 31, 1843.