Welsh Journals

birds or other insects. Typically they are 4-winged, though many species have degenerated to the stage of possessing only abbreviated vestiges or to being completely wingless. Perhaps the human bed- bug and its congeners which live on the blood of bats, pigeons, house- martins and swallows are the most degenerate of the Order. The aquatic species include the skaters which run and leap with such agility on the surface of ponds and streams, the boatmen with one pair of long oar-like legs and the scorpions whose forelegs have become adapted into savage jaw-like pincers for catching tadpoles and similar prey. Remarkably little is known about the life history of the British bugs. Edward Butler did a lot of work after retiring from school- mastering at the age of 60, and published a monumental Biology,' but he was the first to admit its dreadful incompleteness. The Kidwelly sandhills-now Pembrey Forest-were one of his happiest hunting grounds. To the mere collector these bugs offer no special difficulties. They are easily caught (once you know their habits), easily mounted, easily preserved and fairly easily identified. To the biologist there is an abundance of original work to be done. If any member of the W.W.F.S. would care to help in in- creasing our knowledge of these insects in Wales, he will not go unrewarded. BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. Small White (Pieris rapae (L.)). A specimen observed for the first time this year at Aber Magwr, Nr., Aberystwyth, Cards., on 21st April, 1956 (P. M. MILES). Orange-tip (Euchloe cardamines (L.)). Three newly emerged males seen at Trawscoed, Cards., on 4th May, 1956 (P.M.M.). Small Tortoise-shell (Aglais urticae (L.)). Two specimens came out of hibernation on 6th March, 1956, at Aber Magwr, Nr., Aberystwyth, Cards. Fifteen specimens have since been observed near Aber Magwr, up to the 28th April, 1956 (P.M.M.). Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta (L.)). One specimen seen visiting flowers at Llanbedr, Mer., on 9th March, 1956 (Rev. F. TOMLINSON). Snout Moth (Hypena proboscidalis (L.)). For the first time in four years of continuous operation of a mercury vapour light trap at Trawscoed, Cards., I took a specimen on 25th November, 1955. In favourable years there is sometimes a small second flight of this moth in the autumn (P.M.M.). Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia (L.)). First caught at Trawscoed, Cards., on loth April, 1956. Five specimens taken at m.v.l.t. during that month and four more in May, all females (P.M.M.). One female at Pontrhydfendigaid, Cards., on 6th May, 1956 (C. FARNSWORTH). One female near Llanafan, Cards.,