Page:VCH Cornwall 1.djvu/269

 INSECTS Bodmin. Drepana binaria was taken near Millook in 1902, and has been doubtfully reported from Doublebois. D. cultraria has been obtained by Thomas near Liskeard. LASIOCAMPIDAE Lasiocampa quercus is with its form callunae generally distributed and common all over the county, including Scilly. L. trifolii was plentiful about Whitsand Bay East till the early sixties, when it began to dwindle in numbers and gradually became extinct. It has been found by Marquand and by Baily in the Penzance district, chiefly in the larval stage, and was taken at light by Jenkinson at Scilly on 16 August, 1871. Eriogaster populi is not infrequently obtained in the south-east of the county, and has been once recorded from near Liskeard. E. lanestris is not uncommon, but extremely local. It occurs in the south-east of the county, at Falmouth, and somewhat sparingly at Penzance. E. rubi literally swarms at times on much of the Cornish cliff- land in the larval state, but is not often seen on the wing ; it occurs all over the mainland, but has not been recorded from Scilly. Two specimens only of E. crataegi have been taken in the county one much worn at Mount Edgcumbe, and one in perfect condition above Liskeard. Cl'ulocampa neuitria is generally distributed, but not usually plentiful, and therefore not so injurious to the leafage of orchard trees as it is on the continent. No serious attack has been reported since systematic records began seven years ago, though the larva is occasionally sent in for identification. Odonestis potatoria is widely spread, and in places abundant. Gastropacha quercifolia is occasionally found in the east and south-east of the county, but is apparently scarce. PYRALIDES PHYCITIDAE Anerastta lotella has been taken sparingly on the towans near Carbis Bay. It has also been reported from the sandhills at Bude. Pempelia dilutella has been often taken around the coast. P. ornate/fa seems to be confined to a little patch of cliff land between Millook and Crackington, and is rather scarce even there. Salebrla fusca was recorded by Marshall and was obtained by Baily, but appears to be very local. S. palumbella has been taken just beyond the Fern Pits on East Pentire, Newquay. Allspa angustella is probably rare, as the only county record is one taken by Baily near Godolphin in June, 1895. Hypochatcia ahenella was obtained by Marryat near Trevillis, Liskeard, 'in some numbers in a sloping grass field just beyond the railway to Looe.' Phycita spissicella is sometimes not uncommon in the early part of August among the oaks in Millook valley, and has been taken near Truro. Plod'ta interpunctella was captured on a grocer's window at Falmouth, in July, 1900, the only record for the county. Ephestia elutella has been taken by Atmore and by Baily in the neighbourhood of Penzance, and seems to be fairly common there. It also occurs at Falmouth, and in 1901 was very common about Truro. E. ficuhlla was obtained by Tellam at Bodmin in September, 1900. E. kuehniella occurred in some numbers in a bakery in Truro in July, 1902, evidently an introduction. Euzophera cinerosella was recorded by Marshall from the east of the county. Homoeosoma sinuella was reported by Fust, H. binaevella by Marshall from near Saltash, and H. cretacella by H. Thomas from near Portscatho. //. nimbella bred freely from larvae found by F. Jenkinson in the heads of Pyrethrum on Great Ganilly, Isles of Scilly. H. nebulella appears to be scarce, but is recorded both by Fust and by Baily. Eurhodope advenella was taken by C. W. Dale at Penzance, and Baily found E. suavella fairly common near the Land's End. Cryptoblabes biitriga was obtained by Marshall at Botus Fleming, by J. J. Lory at Bishop's Wood, Truro, and by Atmore in the woods at Trevaylor valley, Penzance. Acrobasis comoctella seems to be fairly common among the oak -lined valleys in the north-east of the county and along the south coast as far as Truro. A. zelleri has a similar distribution but is decidedly scarcer. GALLERIDAE Melipbora grisella is occasionally very destructive in old bee-hives about Truro, Falmouth, and probably elsewhere. In 1879 it was taken by Jenkinson at Scilly. Baily described Melissoblaptes anellus as abundant about Paul, but in all probability M. bipunctanus was the species referred to. Aphomia sociella is abundant all over the county, and at Scilly. Galleria mellonella is not uncommon about Truro, feeding on the comb in bee-hives. It is reported by Marshall from the east of the county. CRAMBIDAE Crambus hamellus was common at Falmouth till 1902, but has not been seen there since. C, pascuellus has been taken between Wadebridge and Bodmin, about Truro and near Penzance. C. dumetellus occurs at Millook, near Saltash, at Truro and at Penzance. C. pratellus and C. I 217 28