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1957
The Lepidopterists' Ne<ws
43
FIELD NOTES
A SOUTHERN VISITOR COMES NORTH (SPHINGID/T)
It is a constant surprise to me, the variety and quantity of Lepidoptera to be found on that narrow strip of sand known as Fire Island, New Yo;k. I set up a light trap on the side of my cottage the summer of 1956 with most fruitf jl and interesting results, — particularly on the night of July 28th. It was a very warm still night — with moonlight if I recall correctly. For this reason I did not expect much to show up. I set my alarm for 3 A.M. and went out shortly after. The first thing I saw was a vivid yellow blob down on the marsh grass below the light — a perfect Eacles imperialis Drury, which I promptly captured. Turning my attention to the sheet, I found it literally covered — and the air alive with quantities of Pholus achemon Drury, Pholus pandorus Hiibner, and of course the large noisy Phlegethontius sextus Johannsen. A ring of toads below were inhaling them as fast as they fell to the sand. Fortunately for me — and this article — one particular sphingid was safely ( ?) perched on the sheet. At first glance I thought it was Celerio lineata Fabricius, but on closer inspection I saw it was a perfect male Pholus fasciatus Sulz, looking as if freshly hatched. I lost no time in maneuvering him into the cyanide jar and thereby adding a most interesting "stray" to my collection.
E. Lincoln Thaxter, 681 Lexington Ave., New York 22, N. Y., U. S. A.
CARTEROCEPHALUS PALJEMON IN CALIFORNIA (HESPERIID^)
This species has been regarded previously as rare or casual in California. J. A. Comstock {Butterflies of California: p. 216) refers to occasional captures within the state, mostly in the northern counties and the Sierra Nevada. The only authentic specimen seen by the author was one taken at Guerneville Sonoma County, May 30, 1910, by E. C. Van Dyke.
On May 22, 1954, the author and Don Burdick took a number of specimens near Plantation, Sonoma County. In 1955, Mr. Burdick and Mr. Don MacNeill took additional specimens somewhat earlier in May, in the same locality. These records establish Carterocephalus palcemon Pallas as a breeding resident in California.
The material from Sonoma County is composed of specimens of unusual size. The possibility was discussed with Mr. MacNeill, also a studeni: of the Hesperiidae, that the Sonoma County population might represent a hitherto unrecognized subspecies. At hand for comparison are specimens from Maine and Michigan, supposedly representing the subspecies mesapano Scudder, and material from British Columbia, Oregon, Wyoming and Alaska, supposedly representing the subspecies mandan Edwards.
The individual size of the California material is larger (forewing 13-14.5 mm. as against forewing 11.5-12 mm. for material from British Columbia.) However, one specimen from Green River Lake, Sublette County, Wyoming, collected by G. De-Foliart, is as large as the Sonoma County specimens. Since there are no apparent differences except size, it is advisable to refer the California specimens to mandan Edwards, at least for the present.
The specimens were collected mostly in deep shade or around the edges of clearings in the forest. Some were found on roadsides. In the open grassy clearings, Polites sonora siris Edwards was taken, but very few palamon were found in these exposed places. One peculiar habit was noted. These skippers were attracted to the flowers of Iris, and habitually perched on the corolla tubes of these flowers, sitting with the head down. In this position, they presented a very un-butterfly-like appearance. It would be interesting to know if other collectors have noted this habit.
J. W. Tilden, San Jose State College, San Jose, Calif., U. S.A.