Page:VCH Surrey 1.djvu/162

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A HISTORY OF SURREY I have seen it frequently about Oxshott and Esher, from which localities it is also recorded by Mr. Kaye and Mr. Hewat. Mr. Briggs has also taken it at Wimbledon and Leatherhead, and Mr. E. B. Bishop reports it from Chobham. As a rule it is more plentiful in the larval state. The Oak Eggar (B. guercus, L.) is generally distributed and sometimes plentiful in the larval state. The Drinker (Odonestis potatoria, L.) is very common throughout the county, especially in the larval state, even in the metropolitan district. The Lappet (Lasiocampa quercifolia, L.) is widely distributed, but much less common than the five last-named species. Mr. Webb records it as being scarce about Redhill and Reigate, Mr. Kaye mentions its occurrence at Worcester Park, and Mr. Bishop reports it from Effingham. I have never met with it in the county. The Emperor (Saturnia carpini, SchifF.) is generally distributed on heaths and is often common on Oxshott Heath, Abrook Common and other similar localities near Esher, and by the aid of bred females a large number of males may be assembled. I have myself seen num- bers of males flying about in the beginning of May in the localities mentioned, and Mr. Kaye and Mr. Hewat also record the species from the same places. It is also included by Mr. Barrett in his list for Haslemere, and is doubtless common in that district. Mr. Briggs says it formerly occurred on Wandsworth and Wimbledon Commons and at Riddlesdown. GEOMETRY The Swallow-tail Moth (Uropteryx sambucata, Dup.) is generally distributed and usually abundant. Epione apiciaria, SchifF., was formerly plentiful, according to Mr. Webb, in low marsh lands near Redhill railway station, and it used to be abundant on Tolworth Common, Surbiton, before the locality was destroyed by builders and land grabbers. It still occurs near Surbiton, and is pretty generally dis- tributed throughout the county. That local species E. qdvenaria, Hb., is reported from Leith Hill, and Mr. Webb says it was formerly abun- dant near Gomshall. I have found it comm&nly amongst bilberry in a wood close to St. Martha's Chapel near Chilworth. The Brimstone (Rumia cratagata, L.) is of course abundant everywhere as in other counties. Venilia maculata^ SchifF., is generally distributed in woods and thickets and is common about Redhill, Leith Hill, Buckland Hill, West Horsley, Merrow Downs, the Claygate Woods and elsewhere. Angerona prunaria, L., is very local in the county but has been recorded from Reigate, Gomshall and several other localities. The Light Emerald (Metrocampa margaritafa, L.) is generally dis- tributed throughout the county, and is common in many places. The Barred Red (Ellopia fasciaria, SchifF.) is not uncommon in fir woods, and I have taken it at Oxshott and Esher. Mr. Briggs records it from Wisley, Mr. Barrett from Haslemere, and Mr. Webb says he has taken it everywhere amongst fir trees. The Scorchwing (Eurymene dolobraria, L.) is widely distributed, and occurs sparingly at Haslemere, Redstone, Box Hill, Gomshall, Dorking, Godstone, Bentley, Oxshott, and elsewhere 120