Page:VCH Buckinghamshire 1.djvu/143

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INSECTS

the larva feeding upon sow-thistle ; the moth visiting flowers in gardens in the summer

Plusia chrysitis, Linn. (Burnished Brass Moth). Halton, Chesham, Chalfont St. Peter, Buckingham, High Wycombe ; probably generally distributed in lanes and gardens

——pulchrina, Haw. ; v-aureum, Gn. Only noticed at Chesham and in the Chiltern district

—— iota, Linn. (Golden γ). Halton, Chesham, Chalfont St. Peter, Taplow, Buckingham, High Wycombe and the Chiltern district ; widely distributed, frequenting gardens and lanes

—— gamma, Linn. (Silver γ). Abundant everywhere, but the larva is by no means so common. There is reason to believe that vast migrations of this moth take place now and then from the continent

Habrostola urticae, Hb. ; tripartita, St.C. Buckingham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chesham, Halton ; usually taken hovering at flowers, or its larva upon nettles triplasia, Linn. Buckingham, Halton, at flowers, often in gardens ; High Wycombe at the electric light

Heliodes arbuti, Fab. ; tenebrata, St.C. Halton, Buckingham ; common in the sunny corners of meadows

Erastria fuscula, Bkh.; fasciana, St.C. Taken near Chalfont St. Peter by the Rev. J. S. St. John

Bryophila perla, Fab. Generally common, sitting upon walls ; its larva feeding on the minute wall lichens at night, hiding itself in a chamber in an interstice in the wall by day

Phytometra ænea, Hb.; viridaria, St.C. Common at Halton and in the Chiltern district in rides of woods

Anarta myrtilli, Linn. Black Park ; taken flying swiftly over heather in the sunshine

Gonoptera libatrix, Linn. (Herald Moth). Generally distributed but not very common, hiding during the winter in houses or under roofs of outhouses

Catocala fraxini, Linn. (Clifden Beauty). The Rev. J. Greene refers to a rumour or statement that a specimen of this noble insect had been either captured or reared by Mr. W. E. Parsons of Aylesbury. This statement does not seem to have been confirmed or contradicted

—— nupta, Linn. (Red Underwing). Buckingham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chesham, High Wycombe, Black Park, about willows. This noble moth forms a great brown triangular figure as it sits on a tree trunk, or occasionally on a wall ; the development as it opens its brilliant red hind wings in flight is somewhat startling

Catocala sponsa, Linn. (the Crimson Underwings).
—— promissa, Esp.

Both these beautiful species were captured in Black Park by the late Mr. Samuel Stevens in the year 1 844, but neither appears to have been seen in the county since that date. Both abound in certain years in the New Forest, Hants

Euclidia glyphica, Linn. Widely distributed in flowery pastures and meadows and on railway embankments

—— mi, Clerck. Even more generally distributed in similar places

Aventia flexula, Schiff. Taken occasionally at Halton by the Rev. J. Greene, at Black Park by the late Mr. S. Stevens, and near Leckhampstead on the borders of Whittlebury Forest by the Rev. C. F. Thornewill. An uncommon species, usually found in old lichen-covered crab and thorn trees

Herminia barbalis, Linn. Black Park, Marlow ; in woods among sallow

—— grisealis, Hb. Amersham

Hypenodes albistrigalis, Gn. Marlow

—— costaestrigalis, Steph. Black Park. It is probable that both these small and insignificant looking species are frequently overlooked

Hypena rostralis, Linn. Marlow ; among hop

Brephos notha, Hb. The capture of a single specimen near Buckingham is recorded by Mr. W. Slade

Ourapteryx sambucata, Linn. (Swallow-tail Moth). This fine geometra moth is common throughout the county, and is very conspicuous as it flies wildly along hedges at dusk. Its larva often feeds on ivy

Angerona prunaria, Linn. (Orange Moth). Black Park, and also on the borders of Whittlebury Forest. A conspicuous and handsome species, its male dancing vigorously at dusk along the rides and through the openings of the woods ; its female flying later at night

Rumia cratasgata, Linn. ; luteolata, St.C. (Brimstone Moth). Abundant everywhere about hawthorn hedges

Venilia maculata, Linn. Chalfont St. Peter ; local, flying in woods in the sunshine

Cabera pusaria, Linn. This pretty snowy-white moth is common in woods among sallow and alder

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