A HISTORY OF ESSEX occasionally with dipsacea. H. armigera is a scarce migrant, worn speci- mens of which once appeared in some numbers in a clover field at Colchester. Ghariclea umbra (marginata, Fb.) is found on the coast, and also in inland woods, where its larva? feed on the young shoots of hazel and birch. ACONTIID.E; Agrophila trabealis (sulphuralis^ Lin.) cannot be considered a native of the county, but was once found at Temple Mills by Mr. Machin. Acontia luctuosa has been taken at Grays and Benfleet, and occurred some- what freely in 1900 at Maldon and Mucking. It has not been met with in north Essex. ERASTRIID/E Erastria venusfu/a is a very local species, but has occurred rather freely in several parts of Epping Forest and also at Warley. E.fasciana (Juscula, Bork.) is a widely distributed woodland species, sometimes occur- ring in fair numbers, but often scarce for long periods. POAPHILID.E Phytometra viridaria (cenea, Hb.) is found commonly at Epping. It frequents open spaces in woods and was plentiful at Dedham previous to 1890. EUCLIDIID^: Euclidia mi is common on the coast, but had not been seen in the neighbourhood of Colchester till much of the land for a time became derelict, during which period it established itself in several fresh locali- ties where it still continues common. E. glyphica is of frequent occur- rence at Epping and Southend, but is not found in the northern part of the county. CATEPHIIDjE Catephla alchymlsta is one of the rarest of the British Lepidoptera, and is unique as regards the county. A single example was found at rest on an oak tree near Colchester by W. Tillaney on June 9, 1875. CATOCALID^ Catocala fraxlnl is also a rarity. Two specimens were captured at Southend by Mr. Hope in 1846, and one was taken at Colchester in September, 1869. C. nupta is common and generally distributed. An example of the rare variety ccerulescens was once taken by Mr. Laver at Colchester. C. promissa and C, sponsa are both rare. A larva of the former was once beaten from oak in Langham Lodge Wood, and the latter was taken at Hainault by Mr. Machin. AVENTIID^E Aventia flexula is scarce, but has been found at Colchester, Halstead, Hazeleigh and Langham. 156
