Societies and Academies

Abstract

LONDON.Entomological Society, September 2.—Mr. Frederick DuCane-Godman, F.R.S., President, in the chair.—Mr. G. F. Scott-Elliot exhibited a series of various species of Diptera collected on Ranunculaceæ, Papaveraceæ, and Cruciferæ. He said that during the past summer he had studied about forty species of plants belonging to the orders named, and that they had all been visited by insects which were probably necessary for nectariferous flowers. The majority of the Diptera caught were not confined to one species or even genus, but, in view of the unmodified character of the flower in the orders named, this was only to be expected. Mr. Verrall observed that certain insects affected certain plants, but that the Geraniaceæ were seldom visited. The discussion was continued by Mr. McLachlan, Mr. Kirby, and others.—Mr. W. L. Distant exhibited a specimen of the orthopterous insect Hemisaga hastata, De Sauss., which, in the Transvaal, he observed to attack and feed on Danais chrysippus, a butterfly well known from its protective character and distasteful qualities to have a complete immunity from the usual Lepidopteral enemies. The Hemisaga lurked amongst the tops of tall flowering grasses, being consequently disguised by its protective resemblance to the same, and seized the Danais as it settled on the bloom. From close watching and observation, Mr. Distant could discover no other danger to the life of this well-known and highly protected butterfly. —Mr. T. R. Billups exhibited four species of Diptera, which he believed to be respectively Oxycera terminata, Pipezella annulata, Clidogastra puncticeps, and Oxyphora arnicæ, taken at Oxshott, Surrey, on July 11 last. He mentioned that all of them were recorded in Mr. Verrall's list only as “reputed British.” He also exhibited a specimen of Hypoderma bovis, Deg., taken at Plumstead on July 29 last.—Dr. D. Sharp, F. R. S., exhibited several species of Forficulidæ, and called attention to the diverse conditions of the parts representing the wings in the apterous forms.—Mr. H. Goss exhibited living larvæ of Scoria dealbata, reared from ova. They were feeding on Polygonum aviculare, but not very freely; Brachypodium sylvaticum had been named as a food-plant for this species, but he did not find that the larvæ would eat this or any other grass.—The Rev. Dr. Walker exhibited, and read notes on, a collection of Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, and Diptera, which he had recently made in Norway.