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Entomologist’s Record

AND JOURNAL OF VARIATION

SS

EDITED BY J. M. CHALMERS HUNT, F.R.ESS.

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iii

CONTENTS 1979

Acherontia atropos L. (Death’s Head Hawk) in Surrey J. Porter, 24 Acronicta alni L. in September J. A. C. Greenwood 329

Aglais urticae L. Heat Aberration of C. G. Lipscomb, 326

Agonopteryx bipunctosa (Cuttis): Larval Foodplant R. J. Heck- ford, 283

Adela croesella (Scop.) (Lep.: Incur- variidae) in Argyllshire J. Cooter, 26

Agonopteryx scopariella Heinemann: Some Notes. of Differences between it and Allied Species in Britain J. R. Langmid, 51

Alpes de Haute Provence, France. A Ban on Collecting Lepidoptera in the Department of the J. McLeod, 37

Amathes agathina Dup. and Rhyacia

simulans Hufn. Immigrant ©

Species? Are B. R. Baker, 136 Andorra, 1978. Entomology in J. iM Chalmers-Hunt and C.

Luckens, 45

Andorra, July 1978. A Holiday col- lecting Butterflies in M. J. Symes, 205

Andraca bipuncta (Walter) (Lepidop- tera: Bombycidae). Density- Related Devedlopment in Bar- under Banerjee, 97

(Anthocharis cardamines L.) in East Lothian VC 82. The Orange-Tip A. G. Long, 246

Apamea oblonga Haw. and Slender Brindle (A. scolopacina Esp.) in Sussex. The Crescent-Striped M. Parsons, 293

Apatura iris L. Two Close Encounters with J. F. Green, 195

Apion semivittatum Gyll. (Col.: Apionidae )in S.E. London A. A. Allen, 328

Apomyelois bistratella neophanes Durr. in Shropshire D. J. Agassiz, 174

Aporia crataegi L. (Black-veined White) in Bournemouth, an Early Record S. C. S. Brown, 246

Aporophila nigra Haworth in Kent. one Black Rustic P. A. Sokoloff, 1

Ashurst, Hampshire in 1978. Notable wot Species at J. C. A. Craik, 135

Asiracine delphacidae (Homoptera: Fulgoridea). Tribal Classification of R. G. Fennah, 116

Athetis hospes Freyer (Lep.: Noctui- dae), First Record for Britain J. Porter, 22

Aurelian. Memoirs of an N. Wykes, 225, 261

Autumn Migrants, 1979 J. B. Fisher, 305

Bagpipes and Cider A. Archer-Lock, 211

(Bapta temerata Hiibn.) in October. The Clouded Silver J. A. C. Greenwood, 12

Blastobasis decolorella Wollaston (Lep.: Blastobasidae) at Sham- brook, Bradford D. V. Manning, qi

Book Talk Two J. M. Chalmers- Hunt, 280

Bradycellus csikii Lazlo (Col.: Cara- bidae) discovered in Suffolk D. R. Nash, 279

British Lepidoptera Collecting in

1978 C. G. M. de Worms, 162, 185

Buddleia davidii. Caterpillars feeding on D. G. Sevastopulo, 108

Buenoa (Hemiptera Notonectidae) from Peru. New Records of F. G. Zalam and J. M. Smilanik, 204

Cairngorms National Nature Reserve. The Lepidoptera of the E. A. M. MacAlpine, 1, 65, 213, 242

Calothysanis amata (The Blood-vein). Late Record of M. Parsons, 149

Carabus monilis F. & C. nemoralis Mull. in Suffolk, N.E. Essex and Wilts. Observations on D. R. Nash, 138

Carterocephalus palaemon L. Sexual cuuoephism in W. C. Tolman,

18

Cassida murraea (Col.: Chrysomeli- dae) Abundant in Wiltshire D. R. Nash, 284

Cercopis vulnerata 1::. (Hemiptera Heteroptera: Cicadoidea). A rare form of A. V. Measday, 285

Charaxes jahlusa Trimen from South- ern Africa. Description of a New oe of D. G. Sevastopulo, i

Charaxes, with the Description and Life History of Charaxes vansoni van Sommeren (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). History of some eco nnY Described S. F. Henning, ea,

Cheilosia bergenstammi Becker (Dip- tera: Syrphidae) with a summary of the known biology of the genus in Europe. The Larva and Pupation of K. G. Smith, 190

Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esp.) in South- ern Glamorgan D. R. Stephen- son, 269

iV

Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper) in Essex. The Golden Twin-spot A. J. Dewick, 269

Chrysilina menthrastri (Suffrian) (Col.: Chrysomelidae). An _ unusual Colour Variety of D. R. Nash, 140

Clap Net and the High Net. The R. S. Wilkinson, 78

Clostera anachoreta D. & S. in Essex. The Scarce Chocolate-tip A. J. Dewick, 284

Coleophora machiniella Bradley in Sussex A. M. Emmet, 137

Colephoridae. Notes on the J. New- ton, 234

Coleoptera in flood refuse in East Kent Coast Floods J. A. Parry, 113

Colias croceus Geoff. at Portland in 1979. The Clouded Yellow J. Platts, 283

Colias croceus Geoff. in Shropshire H. Heath, 283

Colombo, Sri Lanka. MHazards of Butterfly Collecting in T. B. Larssen, 221

Cols of the Cervennes, Butterflies of the J. Feltweill, 237

Comma Butterfly. Late emergence of the A. Archer-Lock, 310

Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants (Amendment) Bill (H.L.) E. H. Wild, 167

Continental Journeys during 1978. Two C. G. M. de Worms, 126

Correction: C. G. M. de Worms, 126

Correction: Tyria jacobaeae L. Ed. 259

Coscinia cribraria L. ssp. arenaurea Lempke. in Kent. Speckled Foot- man W. D. Bowden, 149

Cosmiotes consortella (Stainton, 1857) (exiguella Frey 1885) (Lep.: Elachistidae). The History and Status in Britain of A. M. Emmet, 13

Cosmorhoe ocellata L. Pupation Date of G. M. Hagget, 184

Curculionidae (Col.) taken in Cum- berland (V.C. 70). Records of R. W. J. Read, 27

Cyclophora puppillaria Hbn. in Hamp- shire J. R. Langmaid, 76

Danaus chrysippus L. in Malta G. Bonett, 142

Danaus plexippus L. in 1978 P. Hold- away, 27

Decorative Art in Butterflies D. G. Sevastopulo, 133

Deilephila elpenor (L.) in Inverness- shire E. A. M. MacAlpine, 125

Deilephila elpenor L. on Menyanthes trifoliata L. B. N. K. Davis, 27

Digitivalva perlepidella (Stainton) in East Kent J. Roche, 269

Diptera taken in 1976. Notes on I. F. G. McLean, 71

Donaciini (Col.: Chrysomelidae) with a list of recent East Kentish Localities known to the Author. Notes on the J. A. Parry, 323

Drepanepteryx phalaenoides L. (Neu- roptera: Hemerobiidae) in Surrey E. H. Wild, 285

Drymonia dodonaea D. & S. (trima- cula Esp.). A striking form of C. G. M. de Worms, 260

Early British ‘“‘Description’”’ by James Petiver of an American Eupty- chia (Lepidoptera: Satyridae) R. §. Wilkinson, 171

Eastbourne Area. Some Important Bae Records for the M. Hadley,

Ectoedemia quinquella (Bedell) in ine London A. M. Emmet, 5)

Eilema pygmaeola pygmaeola (The Pygmy Footman). The Larva of L. D. M. Packer, 9

Elachiptera uniseta (Dipt.: Chloro- pidae) A correction and further records A. A. Allen, 108

Emus hirtus Linnaeus (Col.: Staphy- linidae) at Canterbury in 1950 J. Parry, 102

Ennomos alniaria L. Prolonged Hatch- ing of G. M. Haggett, 241

Evrenolcgicy Cabinets R. L. E. Ford,

Epiblema cnicolana Zell. in Hamp- shire J. R. Langmaid, 125 Epiphyas postvittana Walker in Hamp- shire D. H. Sterling, 9 Euchromius ocellea Haworth (Lep.: Crambinae) in Monmouthshire G. A. Neil-Horton, 26 Euphydryas aurinia Rott. present in Cumbria J. H. Vine-Hall, 24 Eupithecia abietaria Goeze in Bed- fordshire. The Cloaked Pug V. W. Arnold, 322 (Eupithecia abietaria Goeze) (pini Retzius: togata Hbn.) in West- morland (V.C. 69) in 1978. The Cloaked Pug J. Briggs, 220 Eupithecia millefoliata Rossl. in S.E. London A. A. Allen, 257 Eupithecia phoeneciata Rambur in East Kent A. P. Foster, 305 (Euproctis chrysorrhoea 1.) at Wok- ing, Surrey. The Brown Tail Cc. G. M. de Worms, 288

(Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) in_ the Eastbourne District. Some Obser- vations on the habits of the Larvae of the Brown-tail M. Hadley, 210

Euproctis chrysorrhoea Hibn. (Lep.: Lymantriidae) Larvae in N.W. Kent J. F. Burton, 138 }

(Eurois occulta L.) A strange habit of the larvae in captivity. The Great Brocade J. Platts, 44

Eusomus ovulum Ill. (Col.: Curcu- lionidae). The probable Identity of the Reputed British A. A. Allen, 287

Family-Group Names of Butterflies. The C. F. Cowan, 61, 146

Formica lugubris (Hym. Formicidae) in Ireland. Flights of the Wood Ant J. Breen, 10

Gegenes pumilo (Lep.: Hesperiidae); A Record for Crete D. C. Hocken, 194

(Geometra papilionaria L.) in Scot- land. The Large Emerald D. C. Hocken, 257

Glyphipteryx lathamella Fletcher in Kent N. F. Heal, 269

Gonepteryx rhamni L. Some Obser- vations on B. W. Moore, 134

Gorham and some 19th Century Records. The Rev. H. S. J. Cooter, 18, 150, 197

Greece: June-July 1978. Butterflies in Northern J. V. Dacie, M. K. V. Dacie, P. Grammaticos, L. G. Higgins, 311

Harpalus (ophonus) rufibarbis (Fab- ricius 1792) Col.: Carabidae. Antennal deformity in an example of D. R. Nash, 137

Heliophorus tuberculatus Gyll. (Col.: Hydrophilidae) near Bristol J. A. Parry, 22

(Hepialus humuli L.) in 1978. A Late Ghost Swift D. Dey, 77

Hippotion celerio L. in Hampshire. The Silver-striped Hawk R. W. Watson, 76

Holly Blue. Raspberry as a Natural Pabulum of the J. V. Banner, 310

Hydrillula palustris and Wicken Fen R. P. Demuth, 54

Hyles dahlii Geyer (Lep.: Sphingidae) —a Local Species of Mediter- ranean Hawk Moth found in Sardinia (June 1976) N. F. Gosling, 296

Hypera venusta F. (Col.: Curculini- dae) found in Mid-winter A. A. Allen, 77

Idea vulpinaria atrosignaria Lempke (Least Carpet) found in Streatham G. Hancock, 257

Immigrant Lepidoptera in Dorset and Suffolk in 1978 H. E. Chipper- field, 24

Immigration of Lepidoptera to the British Isles in 1978 R. F. Bretherton and J. M. Chalmers- Hunt, 81

Inverness-shire — Newtonmore Dis- trict, Supplement 10. The Macro- lepidoptera of E. A. M. Mac- Alpine, 157

Judolia cerambyciformis Schk. (Col.: Cerambycidae). The First Kent Record of A. A. Allen, 316

Kyboasca bipunctata (Oshanin) (Homoptera: Auchenorrhynca, Typhlocybinae), a Species New to Britain M. R. Wilson, 194

La Palma, Canary Islands in 1976. Flies, Bees and Butterflies on P. J. Chandler, 103, 117

Lampronia praelatella D. & S. in Aberdeenshire D. C. Hockin, 285

Leiodes oblonga Er. Col.: Leiodidae) in S.E. London A. A. Allen, 153

Leopoldius signatus Weidemann (Dip- tera: Conopidae) in North East Hampshire S. R. Miles, 172

Lepidoptera in Britain during 1978. A Review of C. G. M. de Worms, 58

Lepidoptera of the Cairngorms National Nature Reserve. The E. A. M. MacAlpine, 1, 65

Lepidopterology in Belgium. R. Leest- mans, 189

Letters to the Editor: A. Kennard, 74 H. E. Chipperfield, 75 R. L. Harvey, 75

Licinus depressus Paykull (Col.: pee) in Suffolk D. R. Nash, 70

Limenitis camilla Linn. at Friston, near Eastbourne, East Sussex M. Parsons, 44

Lita virgella Thunberg (Lep.: Gele- chiidae) A Species New to Ireland D. N. Dowling, 73

(Lithophane leautieri Boisd.) Blair’s Shoulder-knot P. J. Gent, 291

Lithophane leautieri Boisd (Blair’s Shoulder-knot) in North West Kent P. A. Sokoloff, 302

Lithophane leautieri Boisd. in Wales. Blair’s Shoulder-knot D. R. Stephenson, 322

Lithophane leautieri Boisd. in War- wickshire D. C. G. Brown, 29

vi

Lithophane ornitopus Hufnagel at Hampstead. The Grey Shoulder- knot A. A. Softly, 305

Lithophane semibrunnea Haworth in North-West Kent. The Tawny Pinion J. M. Chalmers-Hunt, 285

Lozotaeniodes formosanus (Geyer) (Lep.: Tortricidae) in Glamorgan D. R. Stephenson, 302

Lyonetia clerkella L. (Lep.: Lyone- tidae) in large numbers S. N. A. Jacobs, 295

Macroglossum stellatarum L. in S. Devon, 1979 H. L. O’Heffernan, 293

Maniola jurtina L. and other curiosi- ties . An Albino J. M. Chalmers- Hunt, 219

Maruca testulalis (Geyer) (Lep.: Pyralidae) in the London Area C. G. M. de Worms, 286

Megaselia rondani (Diptera: Phori- dae) from Northamptonshire. A New Species of R. H. L. Disney, 317

Melitaea cinxia L. Unusual food- plant of A. Watson, 233

Macrolepidoptera in August. New Irish Records of K. G. M. Bond, 27

Microlepidoptera in Scotland 1978. A. M. Emmet, 92, 122

Migrants at M.V. Light on the 6th October 1979 at Studland, Dorset A. F. J. Gardner, 327

Migrants in Cumbria in 1978 at M.V. Light. Late J. Briggs, 78

Mormo maura (L.). A Late Date for the Old Lady D. Dey, 316

Mythimna unipuncta Haw. ‘The November Migration of J. R. Langmaid, 77

New Butterflies from South Africa. Six Further C. G. C. Dickson, 300

(Notodonta torva Hiibner) in East- bourne, Sussex and the first recorded instance of the capture of the imago in Britain. The Large Dark Prominent M. Hadley, 145

(Nycterosea obstipata F.) and an unidentified Catocala in Dorset. The Gem M. Parsons, 24

(Nymphalis antiopa (L.)) in Kent. Saba Beauty. E. G. Philp, 7

Nymphalis antiopa L. on the same date. Camberwell Beauties M. R. Britton, 316

Ochropleura plecta (L.) in November. The Flame Shoulder ZW. G. Parker, 29

Ochropleura praecox (L.) in Notting- hamshire. The Portland Moth J. Baker, 109

(Odontosia carmelita Esp.) at Epsom Downs. Scarce Pmominent M. J. Symes, 156

(Odontosia carmelita Esp.): Second only record for the Eastbourne District. The Scarce Prominent M. Parsons, 184

Oligia versicolor (Borkh.) in Co. Dublin K. G. M. Bond, 278

Orange-tip in Midlands. The A. G. Long, 219

Orange-tip. The Return of the A. G. Long, 16, 42, 158

Orgyia thyellina Butler ,and Orgyia antiqua (L.). Some Observations on C. Clarke, 315

Orgyia thyellina Butler. The Japanese Oregyia B. Kettlewell, 26

Painted Lady in December 1978. The T. G. Howarth, 9

Panagaeus _bipustulatus _ Fabricius (Col.: Carabidae) in Suffolk D. R. Nash, 222

Panaxia dominula LL. f. bimacula Cockayne, An Artificial Colony of the Scarlet Tiger H. B. D. Kettlewell, 221

Panaxia dominula L. Notes on the Deal Colony of R. W. Watson, 244

Pancalia latreillella Curtis 1830 (Lep.: Cosmopterygidae) in Britain. The Early History of S. C. S. Brown, 274

Pelosia obtusa H.-S. in Britain. A Third Specimen of the Small Dotted Footman T. N. D. Peet,

1

Phasmida II: Copulation with a Spermatophore in Baculum impi- gra Brunner von Wattenwyl. Contribution to the Knowledge of U. Carlberg, 306

Philereme transversata Hufn. and P. vetulata D. & S. Some Remarks on Larval Foodplants with special Reference to S. M. Jack- son, 139

Phoridae (Diptera) from Sandfly Cocoons (Hym.: Symphyta) A. D. Liston, 303

Phragmatobia fuliginosa L. Pheno- menal Swarm of the Ruby Tiger B. Wheeler-Holoran, 281

Phyllonorycta roboris (Zeller). The Voltinism of A. M. Emmet, 174

Phyllonorycta trifasciella Haworth. Foodplants of P. A.Sokoloff, 130

Pieris Butterflies. Exceptional Number of D. O. Elias, 282

(Pieris rapae L.). Sighting of a Yellow Form of the Small White. J. Payne, 57

Provencal Butterflies in April 1978 C. J. Luckens, 7

Psamathocrita argentella P. & M. (Lep.: Gelechiidae) in Hamp- shire D. J. Dickson, 286

Pseudophylotes vicrama_ schiffermul- leri Hering. The Foodplant of J. G. Coutsis, 25

Psylliodes weberi Lohse. Col.: Chry- somelidae) in Wiltshire D. R. Nash, 288

Purple Emperors at Play C. G. Lipscomb, 241

Rhodometra sacraria L. at East-

bourne. The Vestal M. Parsons, 285

(Rhodometra sacraria L.) in Inter- ness-shire. The Vestal TJ. C. Dunn, 29

Rhyacia simulans Hufnagel (Dotted Rustic) in Essex A. J. Dewick, 302

Rhyacia simulans Hufnagel. Dotted Rustic in Huntingdonshire R. E. Scott, 260

Rhyacia simulans (Hufnagel) in Kent in 1979. The Dotted Rustic A. G. J. Butcher, 316

Saperda populnea L. (Col.: Ceram- bycidae) and its Tachinid Para- site in Wiltshire D. R. Nash, 286

Saturnia pavonia L. A Gynandro- morph of V. W. Arnold, 219

Scale Transfer: L. G. O. Wood- house’s Method of R. S. Wilkin- son, 299

Scale Transfers of Lepidoptera R. S. Wilkinson, 133

Schiffermulleria subaquilea (Stainton) on Cairngorm P. D. Hulme, 56

Scythropia crataegella L. in SE. London A. A. Allen, 305

Selatosomus bipustulatus (Linnaeus) “al; Elateridae) in Wiltshire and Suffolk D. R. Nash, 135

Sending Mature Insects Alive by Post T. W. Jefferson, 236

Sicily in the Spring of 1977 and 1978. Collecting in A. Valletta, 247

Sicily. October in G. Summers, 23

Small Tortoiseshell. Curious behaviour of H. R. Jessop, 328

Solenobia lichenella (Lep.: Psychidae) Dispersal by wind? K. P. Bland, 327

“Stared and Grinned at by the Vulgar.”” On Being R. S. Wilkin- son, 289

Vii

Sterrha vulpinaria H.-S. (Lep.: Sterr- hidae) in South Devon A. Kennard, 56

(Strymonidia w-album Knoch), Alter- native Foodplant of the White Letter Hairstreak J. McFeelly, 191

Tenerife and Gomera, July 1978 N. J. Derry and A. C. Derry, 275

Teleiopsis diffinis (Haw.) (Lep.: Gele- chiidae). The voltinism of P. A. Sololoff, 329

Thassos, Greece. About two recent Butterfly Records from the Island of J. G. Coutsis, 57

(Thecla betulae L.). Rearing The Brown Hairstreak R. Revels, 281

Thecla betulae L. The Brown Hair- streak T. W. C. Tolman, 33, 154

Thera juniperata L. (Juniper carpet) in Warwickshire R. G. Warren, 142

Thetidia smaragdaria (Fabricius). Legal Protection for the Essex Emerald Moth A. Stubbs and J. Rudge, 258

Thomas Martyn’s The English Ento- mologist (1792). A Note on S. C. S. Brown, 64

(Thymelicus lineola Ochs.) at Bleack- heath and Elsewhere in South East London. The Essex Skipper J. F. Burton, 294

Tortoiseshell. An Unusual Abberra- tion of the Small J. R. Miller, 60

Trapping and Treachling J. Feltweil, 14

Triaenodes reuteri McLachlan in Kent (Trichoptera Leptoceridae) S. E. Whitebread, 156

Triphosa dubitata Linn. hiberating in Limestone Caves B. J. Tatlor, 173

Trosley Country Park (Trottiscliffe) near Maidstone, Kent N. F. Heal, 12

Tyria jacobaeae L. ab. pallidula forma nov. R. W. Watson, 153

Unusual Dates in the Summer and Autumn of 1978 C. G. M. de Worms, 121

Unusual Pupation Site. An S. N. A. Jacobs, 23

Utetheisa Hiibner (Lep.: Arctiidae) in the Western and Central Pacific with the Description of a New Species from Niue Island. Further Observations on _ the Species of G. S. Robinson and H. §. Robinson, 270, 319

(Vanessa atalanta) surviving Hard Winter. Red Admiral A. Archer- Lock, 157

Vill

(Vespa crabro L.) in Warwickshire. The Hornet J. F. Burton, 161 Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Migrants D. C. G. Brown, 17 Westwood in the Smithsonian Institu- tion Archives. The Papers of John Obediah R. S. Wilkinson, 245

(Zeuzera pyrina L.) in the Eastbourne Area. A Brief Note on the His- tory of the Leopard Moth M. Hadley, 273

CURRENT LITERATURE: 31, 79, 144, 176, 223, 332

OBITUARY NOTICES: Busbridge, William Edward, 15 Haxby, Cecil Ralph, 212 Kettlewell, Henry Bernard Davis (1907-1979), 253, 255 Lawson, Sir Henry, 175 Warren, Brisbane Charles Somer- ville, 111 Woollatt, George (1908-1978), 175

PRACTICAL HINTS: March-April, 29

July, 131

August, 168 September, 216 October-November, 252 December, 330

Agassiz, D. J., 174

Allen, Av A., 77, 108) 153, 257, 287, 305, 316, 328

Archer-Lock, A., 219, 322

Arnold, V. W., 219, 322

Baker, B. R., 136

Baker, J., 109

Banner, J. V., 310

Barunder Banerjee, 97 Bland, K. P., 327

Bond, K. G. M., 27, 278 Bonett, G., 142

Bowden, W.D., 149

Breen, J., 10

Bretherton, R. F., 81 Briggs, J., 78, 220

Britton, M. R., 316

Brown, D. C. G., 17, 29, 328 Brown, S. C. S., 64, 246, 274 Burton, J. F., 138, 161, 294

Carlberg, U., 306

Carter, W. A. C., 252 Chandler, P. J., 103, 117 Chipperfield, H. E., 24, 75

Chalmer-Hunt, J. M., 45, 81, 169, 219, 280, 295

Chatelain, R. G., 169, 216, 217

Ciarke, Sir C., 253, 315

Cooter, J., 18, 26, 150, 197

Coutsis, J. G., 25, 57

Cowan, C. F., 61, 146

Craik, J. C. A., 135

Craske, R. M., 168

Dacie, M. K., 311

Dacie, Sir J. V., 311

Davis, B. N. K., 27 Demuth, R. P., 54, 168, 255 Derry, A. C., 275

Derry, N. J., 275

Dewick, A. J., 269, 284, 302 Dey, D., 77, 316

Dickson, C. G. C., 300 Dickson, D. J., 286

Disney, R. H. L., 317 Dowling, D. N., 73

Dunn, T. C., 29

Elias, D. O., 282 Emmet, A. M., 13, 56, 92, 122, 137, 174

Feltwell, J., 143, 237 Fennah, R. G., 116 Fisher, J. B., 305 Ford, R. L. E., 308 Foster, A. P., 305

Gardner, A. F. J., 327 Gent, P. J., 219

Goater, B., 252

Gossling, N. F., 296 Grammaticos, P., 311 Green, J. F., 195 Greenwood, J. A. C., 327

Hadley, M., 145, 210, 273, 288 Haggeit, G. M., 169, 184, 269 Hancock, G., 257

Harvey, R. L., 75

Heal, N. F., 12, 269

Heath, J., 283

Heckford, R. J., 283 Henning, S. F., 177

Hockin, D. C., 194, 257, 285 Holdaway, P., 27

Horton, G. A. N., 26 Howarth, T. G., 9

Huggins, L. G., 169, 311 Hulme, P. D., 56

Jacobs, S. N. A., 23, 217, 218, 293 Jefferson, T. W., 236 Jessop, H. R., 328

Kennard, A., 56, 74 Kettlewell, B., 26, 221

Langmaid, J. R., 51, 76, 77, 125 Larsen, T. B., 221

Leestmans, R., 189

Lipscomb, C. G., 327

Liston, A. D., 303

Long, A. D., 16, 42, 158, 219, 246 Luckens, C. ie

MacAlpine, E. A. M., 1, 68, 125, 157, 213, 242

Manning, D. V., 77

McFeely, J., 141

McLean, I. F. G., 71

McLeod, L., 37

Measday, A. V., 285

Miles, S. R., 172

Miller, J. R., 60

Moore, B. W., 134

Nash, D. R., 135, 137, 138, 140, 170, 222, 279, 284, 286, 288 Newton, J., 234

O’Heffernan, H. L., 293

Packer, L. D. M., 9

Parker, H. G., 29

Parry, J. A., 22, 102, 113, 323 Parsons, M., 24, 44, 149, 184, 285, 293 Payne, J., 57

Peet, T. N. D., 281

Philp, E. G., 76

Platts, J., 44, 283

Pooles, J., 169

Porter, J., 22, 24

Read, R. W. J., 27

Revels, R., 281

Richardson, A., 169, 217, 252 Robinson, G. S., 270, 319

1x

Robinson, H. S., 270 Roche, J., 269 Rudge, J., 258

Scott, R. E., 260

Sevastopulo, D. G., 76, 108, 133 Smilanek, J. M., 204

Smith, K. G. V., 190

Softly, A. A., 305

Sokoloff, P. A., 130, 302, 318, 329 Stephenson, D. R., 269, 302, 322 Sterling, D. H., 9

Stubbs, A., 258

Summers, G., 23

Symes, M. J., 156, 205

Taylor, B. J., 173 Tolman, T. W. C., 33, 154, 218

Valletta, A., 247 Vine-Hall, J. H., 24

Warren, R. G., 142

Watkinson, I. A. R., 169, 217, 218

Watson, A., 233

Watson, R. W., 76, 153, 212, 244

Wheeler-Holohan, B., 281

Whitebread, S. E., 156

Wild, E. H., 167, 176, 285

Wilkinson, R. S., 78, 133, 171, 245, 252, 289, 299

Wilson, M. R., 194

Worms, C. S. M. de, 58, 121, 126, 162, 175, 185, 260, 269, 286, 288

Wykes, N DO5) 261

Youden, G. H., 15 Zalom, F. G., 204

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91, No. 1 January, 1979 ISSN 0013-8916

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The Lepidoptera of the Cairngorms National Nature Reserve

Euan A. M. MACALPINE *

Introduction

The Aviemore district must be one of the most popular collecting areas in Scotland yet the lepidoptera of the Cairn- gorms NNR (hereafter referred to as the Reserve or the NNR) have remained relatively unknown. The reasons are not hard to find: most visitors stay only a few days in the valley and so do not have time to survey a significant part of the Reserve; Craigellachie NNR, Granish Moor and the Bogach at Alvie are all more accessable and, possibly more critically, contain known interesting species; and finally, by contrast, the Reserve is remote, exposed and very hard work to cover adequately.

In 1976 I was offered a sabbatical term by Winchester College and from late March until early September of that year I was employed by the Nature Conservancy Council to undertake as full a survey of the NNR as possible. In 1977 I returned for five weeks, the last week of July and the whole of August, and in 1978 I was in the area for three weeks, the last two weeks of August and the first week of September. On all these occasions the NCC kindly supplied me with transport and office facilities.

A full report of the survey is at present being prepared for the NCC and I am grateful to them for allowing me to publish this article first.

Anyone seeing this article who is able to add species to the list for the NNR, or can give additional localities, is kindly asked to contact the author, if possible enclosing two copies of his records. All letters will be acknowledged and one copy of the records forwarded to the NCC.

Brief Description of the Reserve

The Reserve, established in July 1954, now consists of 26,000 ha. and its main importance is that it contains the largest mass of really high land in Britain. Viewed from the north, the area appears as two high plateaux bisected by the Lairig Ghru, which runs from Coylumbridge, rises to a height of 835 m. and then decends to Deeside. The eastern plateau contains the summits of Cairn Gorm and Ben Macdui and the western plateau the summits of Braeriach and Cairn Toul. All four are over 1,240 m., the highest being Ben Macdui at

* Hawkins’, St. Cross Road, Winchester, Hants. $023 9HX.

MAP

Reproduced by courtesy of the NCC. The letters a to g indicate the positions of the main trap sites within the Reserve; the letter rf indicates the positions of casual trap sites; and the letter k indicates the main trap site at Kincraig, outside the Reserve.

Note: (i) St. Valery Hut and Curran Bothy no longer exist; (ii) the nature trail at Achlean is closed.

2 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

1,309 m. The high land is the most truely ‘arctic’ in Britain. Associated with these tops are a series of spectacular corries, high-level lochs and streams. On the western plateau, south of Gleann Einich and above Glen Feshie, there is the largest area of high blanket bog in the country, most of the land being above 900 m. This is known at the Moire Mhor or “The Great Moss’.

Between the high land and the lush margins of the Spey valley there is a succession of different habitats. At Rothie- murchus there is an extensive remnant of the old Caledonian pine forest, with its rich under-storey of bilberry-crowberry heath; at Craig Fhiaclach the pines reach their highest natural level in Britain at some 640 m.; heather dominates above this level, slowly becoming more wind-flattened with increasing altitude until it fades out at around 1,000 m. Patches of bear- berry and, at higher altitude, crowberry can become quite extensive in this heath-land. Above 1,000 m. Rhacomitrium heath dominates.

Anyone wanting much fuller details of the vegetation in particular or the area in general should see Nethersole- Thompson & Watson, 1974.

Previous Work on Lepidoptera in the NNR

In 1952 Comm. G. W. Harper went to live in Newton- more and from then until the late 60s collected and recorded over a large area. He wrote up his findings in a series of papers, Harper (1954-1968), and these papers give the only self-contained account of the macrolepidoptera of the region — roughly a circle of 20-mile radius centred on Newtonmore. At the request of the NCC he recorded as much as he could within the boundary of the Reserve but he limited his range to the area around Loch an Eilein, only occasionally going further affield.

E. C. Pelham-Clinton and R. M. Mere visited the Reserve soon after it was declared an NNR, and recorded particularly in Gleann Einich and on Braeriach plateau — and ran a trap on the summit! Pelham-Clinton also visited Glen Derry and Glen Luibeg in 1970 and Glen Derry again in 1971.

Sufficient to say that by 1976 there were approximately 115 species recorded on the NCC files, the majority of the macro records coming from Harper and the majority of the micro records from Pelham-Clinton.

There was an entomological survey sponsored by Shell but no records from this have seen the light of day — at least no records of moths or butterflies have appeared.

It is perhaps interesting to note that the provisional Atlas of the Insects of the British Isles, Part 2, Lepidoptera, had no records at all for the grid square:

NJO0O Gairn Gorm Summit, Coire Raibert, Loch Avon,

Loch Etchachan;

NN89 Carn Ban Mor, Coire Garbhlach;

NN99__— Loch Einich, Moine Mhor;

NN88_ Upper Glen Feshie.

THE LEPIDOPTERA OF THE CAIRNGORMS NNR 3

This Survey

In view of the rather fragmentary nature of the previous records, I decided to approach the area as if nothing were known. I therefore selected seven trapping sites around the north and north-western edge of the Reserve, trying to choose them to give maximum coverage of the area and maximum diversity of vegetation type. I chose an eighth site, Inshriach,

which I used whenever the NCC landrover was out of action, since this was the only locality that I could get my car to in the Reserve. In 1977, I dropped the sites at Loch Einich and Achlean and in 1978 I dropped Achnagoichan as well. A glance at the map will show that I got reasonable coverage of the lower area of the Reserve but, in view of the fact that I only trapped at each site once a week, I am sure that I have failed to get a complete picture at any of the sites.

During the day I covered as much of the Reserve as I could and I suppose I spent on average about six or seven hours a day in the hills — only just an adequate amount of time given the remoteness of so much of the NNR.

Traps and Trap Sites To save space in the systematic list, I use the following letters to repressent the trap sites:

A. Loch an Eilein NN/899072. 290 m. B. Cairgorm Club Footbridge NH/928078. 300m. C. Loch Gamhna NH/894073. 260 m. D. Loch Einich NN/921999. 510m. E. Inshriach Bothy NH/885056. 285 m. F. Allt Ruadh NH/864010. 380 m. G. Achlean NN/852985. 340 m. H. Achnagoichan NH/912083. 310m.

Apart from the restrictions mentioned above, these sites were all trapped once a week for the time I was in the area. In 1976 I used two 6-watt actinic Heath traps, and in 1977 and °78 I used a 125-watt Robinson trap.

Other trap-sites used were: Gleann Eninich — NH/925046 — 430 m. — July 10th, 15th, 24th, 29th, all 1976 — one Heath trap; Gleann Einich — NH/928066 — 350m. — 29.vii.76 — one Heath trap; Coire Garbhlach — NN/872947 — 510 m. 24.vii.76; Coire Garbhlach — NN/881939 — 900 m.— 11.viii.77 — one Heath trap; Moine Mhor — NN/895926 — 980 m. — one Heath trap; Moine Mhor — NN/904927 — 974 m. — 11.viii.77 — one Robinson trap.

Site outside Reserve

K. ‘Kincraig’ NH/8506. 220m.

Apart from the first three weeks in 1976, I lived at the above site and in 1976 and ’78 I ran a Robinson trap there every night. In 1977 I ran the Robinson trap in the Reserve and did no recording at all at Kincraig. Over all three seasons I did no day-time or dusk work there since I was always in the NNR. I have included these result in the systematic list so that they can be compared and contrasted with the results from the NNR and in the hope that all the results taken

4 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

together will eventually form the basis of a micro list for the whole area, and not just for the NNR. Weather

The weather during 1976 has been commented on many times in this journal and it is clear that I could not have picked a better year to ‘work’ the Cairngorms. Indeed, after reading Harper’s comments on the weather over the years, it is obvious that the weather in the Cairngorms was relatively even better than over the country as a whole. A few brief figures will confirm this.

Weather records kept at Achnagoichan for the period 1955 to 1964 gave the following:

Average warmest month: July, 16.2°C.

Average Minimum Monthly Rainfall: 40 mm. in April —

with March and May similar.

Average August Rainfall (the wetest month): 98 mm.

Compare 1976: the average temperatures in June, July, August were 20.6, 22.2, 21.2°C; the maximum monthly rain- fall was in May, 47 mm., all other months under 24 mm. and August had only 16 mm.!

Although 1977 and 1978 were not nearly so good as 1976, they were still better than average. In short, it is hard to imagine that any moth survey has been blessed with such good weather over such a long period of time in an area that is renowned for it’s bad weather!

Day-time Records

During the day I covered as much of the Reserve as I could and I list below the major areas of the NNR that I visited that were away from the trap sites. The numbers opposite each area indicate the number of visits specifically to these areas, as opposed to merely walking through the area on the way to somewhere else. The three sets of figures give the visits for each of the three seasons J was there.

(1) Cairn Gorm & Coire Railbert: 7-0-1. (2) Loch Avon & Loch Etchachan: 3-1-0. (3) Cairn Grom to Ben Macdui: 3-1-0. (4) Lairig to Sinclair Hut: 5-1-2. (5) Gleann Einich to the Loch: 5-0-0. (6). Creag Fhiaclach, Coire Follais, & Argyll Stone area: 4-0-1. (7) Geal-charn & Coire Follais: 1-0-0. (8) Achlean & Coire Garbhlach: 5-0-1. (9) Moine Mhor & Carn Ban Mor: 3-1-0. (10) Upper Glen Feshie: 0-1-1. (11) Loch Einich to Braeriach: 3-0-0. (12) Cairn Toul: 1-0-0. (13) Lairig to Linn of Dee: 0-0-1.

A brief glance at the map will show that I failed to cover adequately the areas drained by the Geusachan Burn, the lower River Eidart and the upper Feshie and Glen Derry and Glen Luibeg.

The Systematic List

In the list that follows I have tried to convey as much information as space allows. After each species I give the trap sites it was recorded from, using the letter abbreviations, then the day-flying records and any larvae or pupae found. The only exception to this is for the records from Kincraig: I have grouped all these under the trap site and have not given

THE LEPIDOPTERA OF THE CAIRNGORMS NNR 5 further details about day-flying, larvae, etc., since this report is mainly concerned with the NNR. To save space I use the following conventions:

A means at trap site A; Loch an Eilein means ‘in the area of Loch an Eilein but not actually at trap-site A’, similarly Loch Gamha, etc; Achlean/Coire Garbhlach means the area between these two places; above Loch an Eilein and above Loch Gamhna means the areas to the south of these places, where the land starts to rise.

This list contains all the records for the NNR that I have been able to find and unless otherwise stated all records are those of the author. In the case of records already on the files, I have only given these if I have failed to up-date them myself. In the event, additional records have come from Pelham- Clinton, abbreviated to E.C.P-C., Harper and two records from Charles Godfray and Mark Sterling, who visited the area in the summer of 1977.

The only species for which records are incomplete are those for the ‘ear’ moths: I killed only a few and, having identified all three species from the NNR, I then stopped recording them.

In general I have given full details of occurence, but numbers for only a few species, and I am grateful to the Editor for advice on which species might be of interest to his readers.

Vice Counties. All records in this list are from V.c.96, East Invernesshire, except for the following places:

V.c.94 Banffshire. Fords of Avon, Loch Avon, Cairn Gorm, Coire Raibert, Coire Domhain, Shetler Stone, Lochan Buidhe.

V.c.92 South Aberdeenshire. Loch Etchanchan, Coire Spuntan Dearg, Glen Derry, Glen Luibeg, Cairn Toul, Pools of Dee.

V.c.92/V.c.96. Braeriach & Einich Cairn lie on the boundary between these Vice Counties.

Brief Summary of Results

The systematic list gives 387 species for the Reserve. I failed to record eleven species that were on the NCC files. The total number of different species at each of the trap sites were as follows: A — 225; B — 130; C — 160; D — 32: E — 141; F — 123; G — 102; H — 122; (K — 322). These figures give a good indication of the relative richness of the sites though two things need to be taken into account: I never ran a 125-watt trap at G; and I recorded more from A, Loch an Eilein, than any Other site since it is the main entrance to the Reserve and without doubt the easiest place to see nearly all the butterflies. The figures for B, Cairgorm Club Footbridge, are slightly lower than I expected but this may be due to the fact that there is no really good birch in the area and the ants seemed particularly active there —the trap always had a lot of ants in it and I assume the toll on larvae is very great. Iam informed that the best ant-free area is between the two rivers that meet

at Cairngorm Club Footbridge but I never went there. Perhaps one day?

6 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

The records away from the trap sites, i. day-flying records only, give: Lairig to Sinclair Hut — 56; Gleann Einich — 54; Achlean/Coire Garhlach — 64; Upper Glen Feshie, from Ruigh-aiteachain bothy south — 27, this after only two visits, both in August when the main season was over. My guess is that Glen Feshie, from the bothy, would turn out to be the richest of these sites if only it could be adequately surveyed.

Acknowledgments

I wish to express my sincere thanks to Winchester College for granting me a sabbatical term and the Mathematics depart- ment for covering for me while I was away; to the Nature Conservancy Council and all the staff at Aviemore for the help they gave me; to Teddy Pelham-Clinton and the late Denzil Ffennell for the enormous amount of work they did on my behalf indentifying a lot of the micros; to Lord Dulverton and John Grant The Younger for granting me free access to all their land; and to all the entomologists who gave me help before, during and after my trips to the Cairngorms. These were: Bob Palmer, who gave me all the records he had for the south side of the NNR; Geoffrey Pyman, who sent me records of Venusia cambrica (Curtis) and Eupithecia goosensiata (Mabille) —I failed to find these in ’76 but recorded both in °77; Charles Godray and Mark Sterling, who kindly sent me a copy of their records for ’77; Col. A. M. Emmet, who indenti- fied all larval mines; and David Carter of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), who identified a large number of larvae I sent him, both as live specimens and as colour slides. To all these gentlemen thank you!

My thanks to the Edinburgh family who answered adver- tisement in The Times and offered the most marvellous acom- modation for all these seasons. The house was in an ideal position to enable me to cover a large area of the NNR, situated as it was in Inshriach, and, as shown in the systematic list, it turned out to be an ideal locality for moths in its own right.

Finally, my thanks to my wife and children for putting up with moths for about 17 hours a day for the whole period. They also contributed a good many records, my four-year-old daughter being particularly good at finding larvae at head- height, her head-height that is!

A Few Useless Statistics In the course of this survey I travelled over 7,000 miles by landrover, did over 130,000 vertical feet of hill-walking and open and shut gates while driving over 2,752 times.

References Harper, Cmdr. G. W., 1954-1968. The Macrolepidoptera of Inverness- shire, Newtonmore District. Ent. Rec. J. Var, Vols: 66, 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 80. Three main parts, in Vol: 66, and nine supplements. Nethersole-Thompson, D. and Watson, A. 1974. The Cairngorms. Collins, London.

(to be continued)

Provencal Butterflies in April 1978 By Dr. C. J. LUCKENS *

The snow and sleet which greeted us soon after we drove off the ferry at Le Havre and the bitter east wind which per- sisted right through to Provence did not make an encouraging start to our late April family holiday. Added to that was the increasing malaise of our motorcaravan which developed more and more ailments during our marathon 17-hour journey south. The warm, aromatic Mediterranean breeze was a wonderful tonic, however, as we drove in the darkness through the fringe of the Massif des Maures, and we finally arrived at our rented gite a few kilometres outside Ste. Maxime, in the early hours of the morning.

A few hours sleep, a late breakfast on the sun-filled balcony, and the sight of a large Iphiclides podalirius L. flapp- ing across the yard below, quickly restored morale, and [I lost no time in taking the three boys for a walk along the narrow roads behind Guerrevieille. The dominant butterflies were Euchloe crameri Butler and Pieris napi L., but there were also a few Anthocaris cardamines L. and Gonepteryx cleopatra L. In a small hollow beside the road I netted a female Pararge aegeria aegeria L., but not all subsequent captures were of the typical orange form of this butterfly, and pale specimens very similar to aegerides also turned up from time to time. Beside the house Celestrina argiolus L. flitted around the flowering prunus trees.

The next day was spent mainly arranging for repairs to our car and hiring a replacement, but I did have a short time to explore the lower Couloubrier valley north of Ste. Maxime. E. crameri was again widespread and the only new species were Erynnis tages L. and Callophrys rubi L.

Two hopelessly wet days followed, but April 19th pro- mised fair and we took the narrow hill road beyond Grimaud to Collobriéres. As we neared Collobriéres the first Anthocaris belia euphenoides Staud. appeared, fluttering over the yellow biscutella flowers beside the road. We eventually found a place to stop beside an orchard, and among some rough ground nearby single specimens of Heodes tityrus Poda and Clossiana dia L. turned up. A Nymphalis polychloros L. was seen feed- ing high up on a flowering cherry but flew off before I could net it. Just before leaving I caught a fresh female Colias croceus Geoff. which, over the next few days obliged with a number of ova. We left by the winding road over the Col de Babaou, stopping half way up to intercept a large female Papilio machaon L. which was fluttering oyer pink cistus, and which also produced a large batch of ova before her release three days later.

Thundery showers prevailed for two days, but the 22nd was hot and sunny and my second son came with me to explore the eastern edge of the Forét de Dom beyond Cogolin. In

*52 Thorold Road, Bitterne Park. Southampton SO2 4JG.

8 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

rough ground by a stream Colin spotted a worn female Zerynthia polyxena D. & S., a butterfly I particularly wanted to find. This prompted a more extensive search and after crossing the stream we eventually found ourselves in a lush meadow where this attractive butterfly was flying in numbers. The rich herbage harboured clumps of Aristolochia rotunda the main foodplant of polyxena and also several examples of the lovely yellow Southern tulip. On the far side of the meadow the fringe of the forét domaniale clothed a gently rising slope, and in the centre was an overgrown vineyard wtth several flowering fruit trees. The blossom was attracting podalirius and a few Nymphalids such as Polygonia c-album L., Nymphalis io L. and another wary polychloros. Just before leaving I casually searched one of the clumps of Aristolochia and almost immediately found two polyxena ova.

April 23rd was the warmest day of our holiday. In the morning Colin and I went to the terraces east of Draguignan where Mr. R. F. Bretherton had done some profitable collect- ing in 1962. Times had changed however, and there was a plethora of notices alongside the road stating “Proprieté Privée. Défense d’Entrer’ or more simply and perhaps more tellingly ‘Attention. Chien Méchant’?! We found one fairly good area however where several A. belia euphenoides were fluttering about like lemon-yellow flower petals, and Colin captured a single male Philotes baton Berg. in perfect condition. We also saw C. dia, G. cleopatra, Leptidea sinapis L. and Pyrgus malvae L. I was pleased to net a female Libthea celtis Laich., but to my chagrin failed to find any Celtis australis to sleeve her on.

In the afternoon we all went to the meadow west of Cogolin where polyxena, crameri, croceus and several more podalirius were flying. New species seen were Spialia sertorius Hoffmann. and Aricia agestis D. & S. Searching clumps of plantain, I found two Melitaea larvae which, bred out in May, produced large fine specimens of Melitaea didyma Esp.

Collecting was impossible for the next three days but on April 27th, our last full day at Guerrevieille the sun shone once more and my two older sons came with me to the disused railway line which runs along the coast east of Le Rayol. The track was bordered by Arbutus bushes in several places, but we searched in vain for larvae of Charaxes jasius L. The bright, orange-dappled form of P. aegeria was fairly common and I was also pleased to find Pieris mannii Mayer.

The following day we started north for home without a starter motor, which had broken with a horrifying noise the evening before. A veil must be drawn over the next two days, but suffice it to say we did not stall at any really inconvenient times and when we were finally pushed off the ferry at Ports- mouth, a satisfying harvest of specimens and livestock made all the tribulations of the journey seem worthwhile.

References

Bretherton, R. F., 1962. April Butterflies in Provence, 1962. Ent. Rec., 74: pp. 144-147.

PROVENCAL BUTTERFLIES IN APRIL 1978 9 Greenwood, J. A. C., 1967. June in the South of France. Ent. Rec., 79:

Higgins, L. G. and Riley, N. D., 1970. A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe — Collins. ; p

Polunin, O., 1974. The Concise Flowers of Europe — Oxford University Press.

Worms, de C. G. M., 1966. Easter on the French Rivera, April 1966. Ent. Rec., 78: pp. 192-197.

THE LarvA OF EILEMA PYGMAEOLA PYGMAEOLA (THE Picmy Footman). — During a field meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Kent Trust for Nature Conservation at Sand- wich Bay on the 11th June 1978, I found by a footpath on the Royal St. George’s Golf Course, a large concrete bollard which I turned over in the hope of finding some beetles. On the side of this lichen-encrusted piece of concrete I found two Arctiid larvae. One of these furry brown caterpillars was evidently parasitised and unfortunately both host and para- site died. However, the other larva soon spun a cocoon from which there emerged a perfect specimen of Eilema pygmaeola pygmaeola Doubleday. This specimen was shown at the Annual Exhibition of the British Entomological and Natural History Society, where Mr. Chalmers-Hunt informed me that little or nothing appears to be known of the immature stages of this insect, at least in this country. Being unaware of the significance of my capture at the time, I made no description of the full grown larva and its cocoon. However, as it seems likely that the two larvae were feeding on the lichen on the concrete bollard it should be possible to find more in 1979.— L. D. M. Packer, | Mary Green Walk, Canterbury, Kent.

[This is the first time to my knowledge that the larva of this species has been found in Britain, despite the fact that the moth has been known as an inhabitant of this country for

more than 130 years, and is not uncommon where it occurs.— J.M.C-H.].

THE PAINTED LADY IN DECEMBER 1978.— I was interested to see a Cynthia cardui L. here in our garden on 4th Decem- ber, a beautiful calm sunny day after a cold spell. It settled on Chrysanthemum and Senecio.— T. G. Howartu, Highview, 4 Clinton Road, Beer, Seaton, Devon.

EPIPHYAS POSTVITTANA WALKER IN HAMPSHIRE. — I recorded the second and third appearance of this species in Hampshire last year (in Ent. Rec., 90: 82). This year’s records strengthen the likelyhood that it is now breeding in the Win- chester area of Hampshire. I took two specimens in my Win- chester (V.c.11) m.v.t rap on nights 25th/26th October and Ist/2nd November 1978. In addition Rev. S. C. Pittis brought me a further specimen that had come to a 15 watt actinic trap in his garden on nights 27th/28th October. This also in V.c.11 about a mile away from mine towards the centre of Win- chester (V.c.11) m.v. trap on nights 25th/26th October and Lane, Winchester, Hants., SO22 5LF.

10 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

Flights of the Wood Ant Formica lugubris (Hym., Formicidae) in Ireland

By JOHN BREEN*

Most of the studies of the flight activities of Formica have been made on the North American species (Scherba, 1958; Talbot, 1959-1972; Kannowski, 1959, 1963; Clark & Comanor, 1972). These studies suggest a pattern of short morning flights on successive days with only small numbers of alatae taking flight each day. In contrast, there are few detailed studies of the flight activities of European Formica. Donisthorpe (1927: 297) observed a mating swarm of one of the F. rufa-group species at Aviemore, ‘‘in the middle of the afternoon”? of 15.vi.1911. Marikovsky (1961) recorded mass flights of alatae from wood ant nests and swarms of alatae congregating on mountain tops. There is also an old record of F. aquilonia Yarrow swarming on top of Ben Nevis in 1896 (Brice, in Collingwood, 1958). The purpose of this note is to report observations of flights made during a recent study of F. lugubris Zett. Further details of the localities mentioned can be found in Breen (1977).

Production of Alatae

Alatae occurred in most medium (diameter ca. 0.7m) to large-sized active nests and were first observed in the nests on 12.v.1973, 11.v.1974 and 23.iv.1975. Males seemed to appear first. Most nests produced both sexes, a few produced males only and none were seen with females only. Alatae (males) were last seen in the nests in late September during 1973. Alatae occurred in nests at all the known Irish localities (c.f. Breen, 1977).

There were considerable differences in the time of appear- ance of alatae in different nests in the South Tipperary planta- tion woods. During 1973, alatae were first observed in Moore’s Wood on 12 May and were present in all the active nests during the next few weeks. However, in some nests — gener- ally large, non-active and shaded, sexual larvae and pupae, but no alatae were observed as late as the 20 June, and callow males and many sexual pupae were present in one such nest (MW 284a) on 6 July. I do not know if these late emerging alatae ever flew from the nests. Similar observations have been made on the American species F. ulkei Emery: ‘“‘The mound that is shaded or has only a northern exposure to the sun lags in activities such as the development of brood and the initiation of activity in the spring” (Scherba, 1958).

Flights

Flights were first observed in 1975. However flight dates before this can be reasonably inferred from the appearance of dealate females on the ground: 26.v.1973, 13.vi.1974. During 1975, flights were observed from five nests in Kilcoran Wood on six days from 6-20 June (table 1) and the first and last flights at each nest may not have been witnessed.

* Department of Zoology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.

FLIGHTS OF THE WOOD ANT FORMICA LUGUBRIS 11

TasLe 1. Flight activities at five nests in Kilcoran Wood during June

1975. All times are in Irish summer time. Key: — no alatae on mound; + flights; ? alatae on mound but no flight; * no observation made. Date Nest 6 q 9 10 11 20 Take-off direction 440a + ae ? — — — ESE 440f ar + ar ? 3F af NNW 440g ar — — — — — SSE 437b ar — 2 — — WSW 7d “2 ae al =r NNW

43 lay Ma Starting 08.00 08.30 08.30 10.40 10.40 09.35 time

Males and females flew from the vegetation on or near the nest, and females also climbed nearby trees (up to 5m high) and flew from their highest points. Such differences between males and females were reported in F. ulkei (Talbot, 1959) and F. opaciventris Emery (Scherba, 1961). Flights of males only and of females only occurred from the same nest (KC-437d) on different days. All the flights lasted 30-45 minutes and although 20-30 alatae per minute was the highest number seen taking flight, the usual number was 5-10 per minute. Flights took place in the morning and the actual time of flight varied according to the temperature; each flight started after the first direct sun-rays hit the nest, air tempera- ture 17.5-18.0°C. Alatae about to fly flapped their wings beforehand (cf. Kannowski, 1963). One flight started at 16.2°C but the small number of alatae which took flight all landed on nearby trees. These observations are very similar to the observations made on the North American Formica (refer- ences above).

Observations made on 20.v.1977 in Kilcoran Wood (nest 440g) provide further evidence of the dependence of flights on air temperature. The observations began at 03.30. At 06.50 alatae (1 2, 4 o') appeared on the nest surface. However, cloud cover was 100%, air temperature 11.5°C and it was misting. At 10.30 it cleared (air temp. 13.6°C). At 10.45 ca. 200 alatae appeared on the nest. Clouds reappeared but this was followed by another clearance at 11.30 (air temp. 13.9°C).At 11.50 four males and one female took flight. At 12.00 a 5-minute count gave 17 males and 4 females taking flight (air temp. 19.4°C). Only a few more alatae took flight and it ceased by 12.30 (air temp. 20.6°C). This flight was the latest in the day I have seen and it appears to have been delayed by the repeated appear- ance of clouds.

The direction of take-off flight was quite constant at each of the five nests (cf. table 1). However the directions appeared to bear no obvious relationship either to each other, or to uphill/downhill direction, and may have been dictated by the tree positions at each site.

Alatae were rarely seen on the surface of the nest at other times, and this may be due to a circadian rhythm of alate emergence from the nest such as that demonstrated by McCluskey (1965) in alatae of five ant species, including the formicine Campanotus clarithorax Emery.

12 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79 Acknowledgements

Most of these observations were made while I was a

postgraduate student at the Department of Zoology, Univer-

sity College, Cork, under the supervision of Professor F. J.

O’Rourke. I was in receipt of a U.C.C. College Scholarship

and a Department of Education maintenance award.

References

Breen J. 1977. The distribution of Formica lugubris Zetterstedt (Hymen- optera, Formicidae) in Ireland, with a discussion of its possible introduction. Ir. Nat. J. 19: 123-127. ;

Clark, W. H. & Comanor, P. L. 1972. Flights of the western thatching ant, Formica obscuripes Forel, in Nevada (Hymenoptera, Formi- cidae). Gt Basin Nat. 32: 202-207.

Collingwood, C. A. 1958. Summit ant swarms. Entomologist’s Rec. J. Var. 70: 65-67.

Donisthorpe, H. St. J. K. 1927. British Ants. 436 pp. London.

Kannowski P. B. 1959. The flight activities and colony behavior of bog ants in southeastern Michigan. Insectes soc. 6: 115-162.

Kannowski, P. B. 1963. The flight activities of formicine ants. Symp. genet. 12: 74-102.

Marikovsky, P. I. 1961. Material on sexual biology of the ant Formica rufa L. Insectes soc. 8: 23-30.

McCluskey, E. S. 1965. Circadian rhythms in male ants of five diverse species. Science, N.Y. 150: 1037-1039.

Scherba, G. 1958. Reproduction, nest orientation and population struc- ture of an aggregation of mound nests of Formica ulkei Emery (‘“‘Formicidae’’). Insectes soc. 5: 201-213.

Scherba, G. 1961. Nest structure and reproduction in the mound- building ant Formica opaciventris Emery in Wyoming. JI N.Y. ent. Soc. 69: 71-87.

Talbot, M. 1959. Flight activities of two species of ants of the genus Formica. Am. Midl. Nat. 61: 124-132.

Talbot, M. 1964. Nest structure and flights of the ant Formica obscuriventris Mayr. Anim. Behav. 12: 154-158.

Talbot, M. 1971. Flights of the ant Formica dakotensis Emery. Psyche. Camb. 78: 169-179.

Talbot, M. 1972. Flights and swarms of the ant Formica obscuripes Forel. J. Kans. ent. Soc. 45: 254-258.

TROSLEY COUNTRY PARK (TROTTISCLIFFE) NEAR WROTHAM, KeEnT.— Entomologists may be interested to know that the 160 acres of woodland and downs south of Vigo Village has been a County Council Country Park since 1976. As an area of national importance biologically (Nature Conservancy S.S.S.I. Grade 1) the Council is keen to receive past records and observations which may be of use in formulating a man- agement plan that will help to conserve the natural history interest of the Park. If you can help, please write to the County Estates Officer and Valuer, Springfield, Maidstone. If you wish to collect specimens or are organising a group visit, would you please first contact the above address.—N. F. HEAL, Fosters, Detling Hill, near Maidstone, Kent.

THE CLOUDED SILVER (BAPTA TEMERATA HUBN.) IN OctToBER.— A fresh specimen of B. temerata Hubn. came to the m.v. light in my garden on 24th October 1978. Presumably this must be the result of our unusual weather this year. Today, 27th November, I have a group of purple and white spring crocus and a Narcissus bulbocodium conspicuus in full

bloom. — J. A. C. GREENwoop, Hambledon House, Rogate, West Sussex.

13

The History and Status in Britain of Cosmiotes consortella (Stainton, 1851) (exiguella Frey, 1885) (Lep.: Elachistidae)

By A. M. EMMEt *

Elachista consortella was named by Stainton from several specimens captured by Logan in March, 1850 near King Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh (V.c.82). Morris (1872) added Head- ley Lane, Surrey (V.c.17) as a locality and June-July as addi- tional months for its occurrence; Headley Lane, Stainton’s “sanctum sanctorum” of entomologists, lies in the ten- kilometre square which today holds records of more lepidop- tera than any other in the British Isles. Meyrick (1895) added Westmorland and east Ireland to the distribution pattern, but in his revised edition (1928), he degraded E. consortella to synonymy with E. nigrella (Hiibn.). Thereafter the species disappeared from our literature, though Waters (1928) recorded the capture in April, 1927 at Ventnor, Isle of Wight of E. nigrella, “mostly of the form described as E. consortella in the first edition of Mr. Meyrick’s Handbook”’.

Bradley (1952) introduced Elachista exiguella Frey as a species new to the British list on the evidence of a specimen taken between the 3rd and 8th of June, 1951 in the Burren, Co. Clare (V.c.H.9). The second British record under the name E. exiguella was captured at Tresco, Isles of Scilly (V.c.1) between the 29th of June and the 6th of July, 1957 (Richard- son & Mere, 1958). The third, again from Ireland, was taken at Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny (V.c.H.11) on the 27th of April, 1965 (Mere & Pelham-Clinton, 1966).

Bradley (1966) found Elachista consortella and E. exiguella to be synonymous and, in compliance with the Rule of Prority, sank exiguella as a junior synonym of consortella.

Bradley & Pelham-Clinton (1967) recorded the capture in the Burren of “‘a few” further specimens of Cosmiotes con- sortella, using a combination not previously found in our literature. Chalmers-Hunt (1970) recorded a ? taken on the 21st of July 1967, at Port Erin, Isle of Man (V.c.71). Emmet (1972) recorded a specimen taken in 1969 at Ballyconneely, Co. Galway (V.c.H.16). As far as is known, there is no sub- sequent reference in our journals.

_ The British collection in the British Museum (Natural History) contains only three specimens recognised as C. con- sortella, the first Burren example (see above), and two taken by Mr. W. G. Tremewan on the 24th of April, 1955 at Gwithian, Cornwall (V.c.1). Mr. E. C. Pelham-Clinton (in litt.) reports that he has additional specimens from West Lothian (V.c.83) and South Kerry (V.c.H.1). Mr. J. M. Chalmers-Hunt has a @ taken on the 2nd June 1957 at Halling, Kent (V.c.16) (gen. det. E. C. Pelham-Clinton). }

The history of the species in Britain gives the impression that it has a predominantly northern and western distribution, but this is not necessarily the case. Suspecting that I had taken

*Labrey Cottage. Victoria Gardens. Saffron Walden, Essex.

14 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79 specimens in Essex both of C. consortella and C. freyerella (Hiibner) (nigrella (Hiibner) nec (Fabricius)), I submitted some

of them to Mr. E. C. Pelham-Clinton, who pronounced three to be C. consortella; these bear the following data: Tiptree Heath, 3.vii.77, Great Sampford, 19.v.78 and Hadstock, 29.v.78 (all V.c.19). To these I add three (possibly four specimens taken at Benfleet (V.c.18) on 28.iv.66. Though this material is statistically insufficient, the indications are that the two Cosmiotes species are equally common in the county. If other microlepidopterists were to examine their series of “‘Elachista nigrella’, they well might find that they possess both species. Should this be the case, the records should be published to give a clearer picture of the distribution pattern.

The differences between the species are described by Traugott-Olsen & Schmidt Neilsen (1977). Compared with C. freyerella, C. consortella is generally smaller, has the forewing lighter grey and the median fascia more obscure; the frons is shining pale beige as opposed to sordid white and the neck- tufts are mottled with darker-tipped scales as opposed to being uniform brownish grey. The most obvious difference in the male genitalia lies in a spine at the distal end of the sacculus; in C. freyerella it is free and distinct, whereas in C. consortella it is appressed to the sacculus. If the scales are brushed from the tip of the abdomen, this character can usually be seen under high magnification without the dissection of the specimen.

The life history of C. consortella is unknown. Dates of capture (March-May, June-July, September) show that it its double- or triple-brooded. The habitat is open grassland, often on calcareous ground. C. freyerella feeds mainly on Poa spp. and C. consortella may do so likewise. I have a fortuitously bred specimen in my collection acquired in the following circumstances. In a series of collecting notes contributed to the AES Bulletin, I stated that elachistid larvae did not spin cocoons but pupated under a girdle like many species of butterfly (Emmet, 1970). Mr. J. L. Gregory of St. Austell, Cornwall (V.c.2) rightly took me to task for overgeneralisation, since he had bred elachistids from cocoons. On the Ist of April 1971 he wrote to me as follows (slightly adapted): ‘“‘The enclosed moth has just emerged (yesterday)—another cocoon- making Elachista! The cocoon was on the lid of a jar which was being used by my six-year-old daughter to rear some grass- feeding noctuids. The foodplant was probably Poa but might have been Holcus. I could not find the mine.” The moth arrived alive and in perfect condition. At the time, following Meyrick, I misidentified it as Elachista nigrella. February is likely to be the best month to look for the first generation of larvae, which should not be too difficult to find.

Abroad, C. consortella has been recorded from Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, South Spain and South Italy.

I am grateful to Mr. E. C. Pelham-Clinton for the indenti- fication of specimens and advice. I have drawn information freely from Traugott-Olsen & Schmidt Neilsen (loc. cit.).

THE HISTORY IN BRITAIN OF COSMIOTES CONSORTELLA 15 References

Bradley, J. D., 1952. Microlepidoptera collected in the Burren, Co. Clare in 1951, including two species new to the British list. Entomologist’s Gaz. 3: 185-192, 1 pl.

, 1966. Changes in the Nomenclature of British Lepidop- tera, Part 4, Microlepidoptera. Ibid. 17: 213-235.

Bradley, J. D. & Pelham-Clinton, E. C., 1967. Lepidoptera of the Burren, Co. Clare, W. Ireland. Ibid. 18: 115-153.

Chalmers-Hunt, J. M., 1970. The butterflies and moths of the Isle of Man. Trans. Soc. Br. Ent. 19: 1-171.

Emmet, A. M., 1970. Collecting Notes—the Smaller Moths. Bull. amat. ent. Soc. 29 (286): 1-5.

, 1972. More Lepidoptera in West Galway. Entomolgist’s Gaz. 22: 3-18.

Mere, R. M. & Pelham-Clinton, E. C., 1966. Lepidoptera in Ireland, 1963, 1964 and 1965. Ibid. 17: 163-182.

Meyrick, E., 1895.4 Handbook of British Lepidoptera, vi., 843 pp., London.

., 1928. A revised Handbook of British Lepidoptera, vi., 914 pp., London.

Morris, F. O., 1872. A Natural History of British Moths, 4: viii, 304 pp., index, 36 pls., London.

Richardson, A. & Mere, R. M., 1958. Some preliminary observations on the Lepidoptera of the Isles of Scilly with particular reference to Tresco. Entomologist’s Gaz. 9: 115-147, 2 pls.

Stainton, H. T., 1851. A supplementary Catalogue of the British Tineidae and Pterophoridae, 28 pp., London.

Traugott-Olsen, E. & Schmidt Neilsen, E., 1977. The Elachistidae (Lepidoptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark, 299 pp., figs. and pls. Klampenborg.

Waters, E. G. R., 1928. Early Micro-Lepidoptera in the Isle of Wight. Entomologist’s mon. Mag. 64: 140-141.

OBITUARY WILLIAM EDWARD BUSBRIDGE

William Edward Busbridge (known to many as Buzz) was born in London on 27th July 1904, and died suddenly from a heart attack on 30th September 1978. He was the son of William Reginald Busbridge who became Station Master at Dover Marine in 1918, and as such was the holder of many foreign decorations given by crowned heads as they passed through the port.

After attending school in Dover he, like his father, joined the Railway and was a clerical officer in London throughout his career, except for the 1939-1945 War, in which he served in the army.

Busbridge was a keen collector of lepidoptera and observer of bird life. He spent most of his leave in the country and much of his collecting was done around Dover in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and later at Sevenoaks where he lived after the war. Probably the best insect he ever took was at Atchester Wood, Stelling near Elham on 6th June 1930. This was the very rare ab. fuscaria Prout of the Orange Moth (Angerona prunaria L.), which specimen is now in the RCK collection in the BMNH.

Latterly he lived alone in an hotel — he was never married —and became interested in chess, becoming Hon. Secretary of the Hastings and St. Leonards Chess Club. He had no near

relatives but will be sadly missed by his many friends.— G. H. YOUDEN.

16 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

The Return of the Orange Tip By ALBERT G. LONG* (i) In Berwickshire VC 81

The Orange Tip, Anthocharis cardamines L., was a fairly well-known butterfly in the Eastern Scottish Borders about the time of the founding of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club in 1831. Thus, in 1832, the founder Dr. George Johnston described it as a local species, rare near Berwick but occurring on the road between Paxton and Swinton and also between Swinton Mill and Coldstream (H.B.N.C. 1, 8).

In 1850 it was seen at Coldingham Moor on June 19 (H.B.N.C. 3, 5), and in 1880 one was taken by Dr. Stuart at Broomdykes (H.B.N.C. 9, 295), while others were noted at Humebyres and Gordon Moss by Robert Renton (H.B.N.C. 9, 295).

About this time it was also known in Lauderdale, as recorded by Andrew Kelly in the book Lauderdale and Lauderdale by A. Thomson (1902), though apparently it was becoming scarce, as in 1897 William Shaw wrote “Once common at Gordon Moss but never seen now” (H.B.N.C. 16, 231).

George Bolam, writing in 1925, said that it occurred in the Eyemouth district many years prior to 1887 and also in Duns district, but he had no records for the twentieth century (H.B.N.C. 25, 522). The last recorded year of occurrence in Berwickshire therefore seems to have been 1880.

During the period 1945-1966, when I lived in Berwick- shire, I never saw or heard of a single specimen in the County and I thus regarded it as probably extinct. In my County List (1957), I wrote “Is it too much to hope for its rediscovery or is it extinct in the County?” (H.B.N.C. 34, nis2)

The first known recent occurrence of Orange Tips in Berwickshire, was on the North bank of Tweed below Leader- foot Bridge on 18.5.1975,, when about 10 specimens were seen by D. G. Long (4.B.N.C. 40, 104); and the following year, a male was seen on Aubretia in a garden at Earlston by Henry Polson (A. J. Smith, J. Edinb. nat. Hist. Soc. 1976, 12).

In 1978, one was seen at Abbey St. Bathans on 24.5.78, and another at Stichcill on the same date (A. G. Buckham). One was observed at Eccles on 24.5.78 by P. Summers, and on the North bank of Tweed below Lennel Churchyard I saw two males and two ova on Alliaria petiolata on 27.5.78. One female was also seen at the same site on 11.6.78. The above constitute all the records for VC 81 known to me.

(ii) In East Lothian VC 82

In East Lothian (VC 82) less seems to be known of the Orange Tip than in Berwickshire. W. Evans could only record two at Tynefield in May 1860 and 1861 (Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist. 1897, p.91). It would therefore be of interest if any reader has knowledge of records this century.

* Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

THE RETURN OF THE ORANGE TIP lif

(iii) In North Northumberland VC 68

The decline of the Orange Tip in Berwickshire towards the end of last century was matched by a similar decline in north Northumberland (VC 68).

Thus, in 1839, P. J. Selby recorded it on his estate at Twizell near Belford (Ann. of Nat. Hist. 3, 372); in 1843, Dr. Johnston observed it on May 3rd on the south bank of Tweed between Horncliffe and Norham (H.B.N.C. 2, 44); and in 1857, George Wailes noted it near Callaly on 4th June and added “Generally distributed over the two counties (i.e. Durham and Northumberland) (7.7.N.F.C. 3, 195).

In 1867 the butterfly was recorded at Lilburn Tower on 28.3.1867 (a very early date), and again on 10.6.1869 at the same place by R. F. Wheeler (7.N.H.S. 3, 28 and 478); and in 1872 it was stated to be scarce at Rothbury by R. F. Wheeler and R. E. Hooppell (7.N.H.S. 5, 99).

George Bolam, writing in 1925, recorded it for Hetton Hall near Belford. He wrote: “In W. B. Boyd’s collection, in 1883, I saw a considerable series all taken at Hetton Hall, where as he informed me it used to be common” (H.B.N.C. 255 522)!

In the Phenological Report of the Royal Meteorological Society for 1929 the Orange Tip was recorded for Thornton (nr. Shoreswood), Berwick and for Lemmington nr. Alnwick. It is interesting to note that it was seen at Gargunnock, near Stirling (VC 85), on the early date of 27.3.1929.

Since the above we have no further records for VC 68 until 12.6.1976, when two males were seen by P. Summers on the old railway track. It is thus obvious that in north North- umberland, as in Berwickshire, the Orange Tip suffered a long period of eclipse.

(to be continued)

WARWICKSHIRE AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE MIGRANTS.— There was a great deal of migrant activity in Warwickshire during October as the following m.v. light trap records show. 10th October: two Rhodometra sacraria L. at Charlecote, a og and 9. 13th October: Cosymbia puppillaria Hbn., at Alves- ton Village (New County Record). 14th October: Leucania vitellina Hbn., one each at Charlecote and Hampton Lucy; R. sacraria, two at Hampton Lucy, one at Thelsford (A. Gardner) and one at Charlecote; Nycterosea obstipata F., two at Charlecote. 25th October: Leucania unipuncta Haw. at Marton (R. Allen) (New County Record). 9th November: L. unipuncta 2 at Charlecote (A. Gardner). 11th November: L. unipuncta @ at Charlecote.

On the night of 12th October 1978, two Peridroma por- phyrea D. & S. and a good specimen of Leucania unipuncta Haw. were visitors to an m.v. trap situated in the grounds of the Primary School in Deanshanger Village. This appears to be the first Northamptonshire record for unipuncta.— D. C. G. BBOWN, Jacksons Farmhouse, 25 Charlecote, near War- wick.

18 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

Rev. H. S. Gorham and Some 19th Century Records By J. COOTER * (Continued from Volume 90, page 286) THE DIARY, SELECTED ENTRIES

The entries given below I have chosen as being represen- tative but perhaps somewhat biased towards rarity and by personal opinion. Many captures would appear to be un- recorded, and others when quoted by other authors differ in point of fact or detail. I have also tried to put across something of the “flavour” of the journal, and atmosphere of the Vic- torian entomological world, a time when transport as we known it today and take it for granted was not available.

Entry Date No. 1869 April 12 From E. C. Rye, one Acylophorous glabricollis captured on Barnes Common, April. 13 From E. W. Janson, three Bitoma cre- nata, one Helophorus intermedius. 14° Wimbledon Common, Paederus cali-

gatus, Tachyporus transversalis, one Stenol. dorsalis.

May 13th 19 Bagot Park,— out of old oak, one Bat. venustus, one Cis fuscatus, one Omal. pusillum. In garden, Oc. brunnipes.

June 29th 29 Found one Leptinus testaceus’ in Bees’ nest in the Church yard, note its activity. 30th a Found one more, and saw another which retired into the nest. July 2nd 31 Nimrod caught one Leptinus in the Bees’ nest and saw two others. 3rd 5 Got two Leptinus about half past eight

in the same Bees’ nest. They hide in the loose [?] litter near the mouth of nest.

4th 32 Nimrod brought two Leptinus and two black T. flavilabris from Hoarcross. Sth Dug out Bees’ nest, Bombus pratorum,

found many Leptinus testaceus (about 50)’, two Antherophagus pallens, Cryp- tophagus, two setutosus, one saginatus, one Epurea aestiva’.

July 20th 37 Bournemouth, 16 Serica brunnea drowned in sea among detritus. August 46 From Llewellyn, four Trichius fasciatus, North, South Wales’. 1870 March 8th 8 Examined rubbish from Bees’ nest 32.69, found two Leptinus, three Epurea melina. March 31st 12 Beyond Crystal Palace on sallows Dor.

, Ls [? Dorytomus]. Cutting up rushes, one 3 Quedius maurorufus, Brad. distinctus. 4. See Fowler 1888, 2: 323, Gorham found three further specimens at

Wimbledon April 15th, 1870. Stenol.=Stenoloph 7 dorsalis (Fab.). nolophus, i.e. Acupalpus

See Fowler 1889, 3:93. Epuraea aestiva, see Fowler 1889, 3:228 See Fowler 1890, 4:61.

nau

* 20 Burdon Drive, Bartestree, Hereford.

PLATE I

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EXTRACTS FROM GORHAM’S DIARY

REV. H. S. GORHAM AND SOME 19TH CENTURY RECORDS 19

In hayrick rubbish, Sunius angustatus abundant, neglectus also abundant. April Ist Pr Atomaria sericoderus, Crypt. pilosus ?, Dromius obscuroguttatus abundant, Mic- raspis 12 punctata, profusion, Corticaria. 6th 14 Hampstead, four Aphodius testudinarius, two Hetaerius sesquicornis*, one Ate- meles, one Myr. limbata.

May 3rd 20 Lewisham Loam Pit, two Bem. 5- striatum. 28 Pool near Stonehams Farm, one Bem.

sturmii’, Stenus incrassatus, plancus, Playts. cornutus.

30th 31 Went to pool near Stonehams Farm, Bembidion quadripustulatum”’, new to Britain. On the way, Pachyta collaris, Ceuthor. inaffectatus.

June Ist 5 Went to pool near Stonehams Farm, one

Saprinus virescens, Stenus incrassatus, Bembidion bistriatum, Stenus picipennis, on Cochleria Phaedon armoriciae. In wood Polydrusus flavipes.

7th 36 Pool near Stoneham’s, wind north, some- what cloudy, on the way, Dasytes flavipes, Pachyta collaris common, Tel. oralis (three), Rh. fuscicornis. At pool, Deleas- ter dichrous (one), Bem. quadripustula- tum, Stenus incrassatus. Stream below pool, Grap. consobrina, Cionus blattariae common and hortanulus. On the hills, one Orchestes pratensis, Th. anchusae.

11th Went to Stoneham’s pool, five Bemb. 4pustulatum. 13th Went to Stoneham’s pool, ? Bem.

4pustulatum, Donacia sagittariae. On the way, P. collaris, Grapt. consobrina, one Mordella fasciata.

July 9th 5] Banks of stream near Otham on Spiraea 60 [crossed through] 74 Cercus pedi- cularis [crossed through], bipustulatus pale specimens.

20th 38 Sweeping 7 o’clock to 8.30, damp copse near road, Anisotoma calcarata (small

2), one calcarata, Col. dentipes, one Catops.

8. See Janson in Entomologist’s Annual for 1857, p. 77. “Found by myself at Hampstead, in

stones on a loamy hed again in 1856, where I

uring the intervening years, but without success.” On page 92, in his “Oservations on th

“And if after a long day’s search, weary and perhaps disappointed at not having found H hly destroy the homes of the LE ance of future success — the morrow may prove more propitious; this I can assure him, the simple plan just described is one I have invariably pursued, vainly day after day for seven years it is true, but at length successfully.” 9. Previous entry dated May 24th. See Fowler, 1887, 1: 107, and Allen, 1965. Gorham has thus captured Bembidion octomaculatum in three localities, Stoneham’s Farm, near Bearstead, May 1870; near Love

Groves, May 24th, 1872; and Hookl 10. See Fowler, 1887, 1: 114. Se ee eee

20 August 10th

23rd 26th

Next entry, number August 26th November 2nd

7th

1871 May 30th

June 6th

17th

October 16th 17th

26th

27th

November 4th 16th

21st

December 29th

30th

1872 January 1

2nd

11. The River Len flows throu

ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91

66

71

72

73

84 86

43

50

85

86

87

1/1/79 In Gore Court, one Laemophloeus bima- culatus on stump of felled tree (Wych Elm?), one Euplectus. Near sand pit, Ware Street, three Apion meliloti, two Crep. modeeri. :

At Hastings, two Harp. rubripes green vars. Sit. puncticollis.

Sweeping in damp copse, one Anis. cal- carata.

Dried stream near Snorkhurst [Snark- hurst], 13 Agabus frontalis, two Hydro- porus memnonius.

number 73, is dated August 27th, thus the Agabus were captured on August 26th.

In moss, one Phloiophilus edwardsi, one Bythinus bulbifer. Sand Pits Hd. Searched in vain for Phloiophilus, under bark of oak bough, one D. 4signatus, in fungi Bol. exoletus.

With Power, Banks of Len., one Ampho- tis (in nest), three Bembidion, 4pus- tulatum™, Bem. bruxellense.

Before breakfast sought for 4pus- tulatum without success.

Fungi on old stumps. Bolitochara lucida” in great numbers, took 50, Triplax rus- sica, Mycetoph. multipunctatum, Epurae limbata, Engis and Ips 4pustulatus were in profusion. Sent box to Scott.

From R. Lawson, one Bol. lunulata, one Oc. latipennis, one T. saliciti.

From E. A. Waterhouse —one H. ser- vus, four Ag. nigripenne, five Hetero- thops praevius.

From Power, six Sphindus, five Tychius pygmaeus, three Rhin. bruchoides, two L. dissimilis, four Lypus cylindrus, four Monanthia.

From J. R. Hardy, two C. viduatus, four C. distingueneum.

From C. O. Waterhouse, two Cincindella sylvatica.

From D. Sharp, one Dendrophagus cre- natus.

From Fred Smith, two Meloe rugosus, four Ceuth. resedae, one Ceuth. melano- stictus, six Tychius lineatus.

From G. C. Champion, nine Apion Limonii, three Sybynes arenariae Tom- ovia biguttata, two Hydaticus hybneri. Sir. H. Meux’s one broken Elater bal- teatus.

Clayhill, Cossuss infested elm, a young tree. One Cryptarcha imperialis, two C. strigata, one Rhyn. concinus.

Clayhill, Enfiield, Cossuss tree, three Crytarcha strigata, three C. imperialis, two Litargus bifasciatus, one Baris lepidii, several Hypodphloeus bicolor.

One imperialis, two strigata.

gh Bearstead.

12. See Fowler, 1888, 2: 168 (Sandwich).

13. See Fowler, 1891, 5: 98.

14. LS),

16. 17. 18. 19.

REV. H. S. GORHAM AND SOME 19TH CENTURY RECORDS 21

3rd or)

6th 22

4

17th 7

20th 8 February 17th 9 March 30th 14 April 1st 14

16

April 24th 19 May 24th 26 June 14th 36

See Fowler, 1889, 3: 268.

Two imperialis, one strigata, one Cory- phium, two Om. lucidium, Hypophloeus, four litargus.

Hypophloeus, four litargus. __ : From Janson for Crotch, six Apion astralagi. : From Sidebotham, four Dorcat. bovistae (Barmouth), four Nemosoma_ eclonga- tum”, four Pach. comari, four Lim. disi- milus (Llandudno).

From Lennon, Dumfries — 16 Ph. con- cinnum, five Erirh. bimaculatus, four Omosita depressa, two Apion cerdo, four Cryto. maritimus.

From Canon Hey, York, two Hydrop. nitidulus, eight Hyd. scalesianus, H. tristis.

From Rev. H. Gore, two Licinus dep- ressus, one Necrophorus vespillio, one interuptus, two Toxotus, one Leptura nigra, one Lucanus cervus @, one Chrys. goettingensis.

Clay Hill, Enfield, Sir H. Meux’s with Power, two Ptinus subpillosus 2, one Scaphidema, Homalota aequata, two Apion vorax, Cerylon.

Prittlewell. Looked for Plagiodera in damp willow copse near Priory, found two dead. One Mymedonia Haworthi® in cut wet stuff, four Qu. maurorufus, Stenus plancus.

Prittlewell Priory, worked for Haworthi got one and then lost my bottle! Qu. maurorufus common, Qu. scintillans, Qu. peltatus.

Rusper in pond in garden, Hal. fulvus, Hal. flavicollis, Hyd. pictus, H. palustris, H. erythrocephalus, Heloch. lividus, Lac- cobius nigriceps, L. minutus — right. Two Corixa Geoffroyi, Hel aeneipennis.

See photograph, plate I.

Pond near Love Groves, two Bembidion quadripustulatum, Bem. lampros (velox var.), One Bem. sturmii®, Lath. termina- tum., one Stenus morio.

Boxhill to Headley Lane — 31 Cryto- cephalus nitidulus*, one C. coryli, C. labiatus, 26 Crepidodera atropae”, Apion rufirostre and malvae in profusion. Thy- amis anchusae, two", seven Th. bal- lotae”?, Ceuth. floralis on fumitory. C. C. curx, Malth. one Clytus myticus, one Asphidophorus, one Nec. violacea, one D. lardarius.

See Fowler, 1888, 2: 56. Donisthorpe (1927, p. 63) states that these

specimens found were found in a nest of Lasius fuliginosus.

See Fowler, 1890, 4: 292. See Fowler, 1890, 4: 385. See Fowler, 1890, 4: 339. See Fowler, 1890, 4: 348.

D2 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

August 21st 57 Gathered pods of Lathyrus with Apion larvae. Gathered pods of Vetch (V. sepium) with A. punctigerum ?. Swept near Lyne for Anisotomae, got only two Colenis, one Hydnobius strigosus, one Om. striatum. do. near Axsmith.

22nd 57 Four Apion subulatum” came out of Lathyrus pods! Collected yesterday. 23rd 59 Five more Apion subulatum came out

and on till end of the month. Towards Altons. Ten Sitona suturalis on [???]. 26th 60 Went to Portsmouth, visited H. Mon- creaff”. He gave me — two Tychius hae- matocephalus, seven Apion confluens, five A. anmune, five C. thaspi, one Lesteva sharpi (from Sh.), eleven Sitones Water- housei, five Poly. chrysomela, two Mea- tropis rufescens. 61 Collected with him along shore. One Phil.

fumigatum, one ebininum. 20. See Fowler, 1891, 5: 139. 21. See Fowler, 1891, 5: 267.

(to be continued)

Notes and Observations

ATHETIS HOSPES FREYER (LEP.: NOCTUIDAE).: FIRST REcoRD For BritTaIn.— On the night of 26th/27th August 1978, I was fortunate to take a female Athetis hospes Freyer at m.v.l. in Kynance Cove, Lizard, Cornwall.

This species is similar in size and colour to Photedes pygmina (Haw.) (Small Wainscot), but unlike pygmina sits with its wings flat on its back. It was because of this that I noticed it among the numbers of pygmina present.

Other interesting species that Paul Stirling and I recorded there that night, were Euxoa obelisca D. & S., Mythimna putrescens Hbn., Polymixis xanthomista Hbn., Lithosia quadra L. and Eilema caniola Hbn.; and of the migrants, Cynthia cardui L. (1), Vanessa atalanta L. (1) and Autographa gamma L. in great abundance.

The specimen of hospes was kindly determined genitali- cally by Mr. M. R. Honey of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), and I would like to thank Bernard Skinner for arranging for the identification. — J. Porter, 16 Firdene, Tolworth, Sur- biton, Surrey.

HELOPHORUS TUBERCULATUS GYLL. (COL.: HYDROPHILIDAE) NEAR BRISTOL.— Whilst looking over boxes of beetles taken long ago and never sorted, I discovered a specimen of Helo- phorus tuberculatus, labelled 11.5.1950, and taken with num- bers of other species such as Grammoptera ruficornis F. and Orsodacne cerasi L. (which is abundant there) on the flowers of Mountain Ash, in Leigh Woods on the outskirts of Bristol.

This specimen gave me much food for thought, but un- fortunately casts no light at all upon the beetle’s habits, which appear not to have been properly revealed. There are so few

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS 23

records of this species that the occurrence is worth noting, but that is all there is to be said about it— JouHn A. Parry, 38 Heather Drive, St. Michaels, Tenterden, Kent.

[This interesting and distinctive black Helophorus is scarce throughout its Holarctic range and has only once been found in any numbers in Britain — on a peaty moor near Coatbridge, Lanark, mostly in 1911-12. The other records (a mere hand- ful) are of single specimens in diverse situations, suggesting stragglers from undected colonies or, as some think, casual immigrants. Mr. Parry’s capture should be a notable addition to the fauna of Somerset and is the first Helophorus I know of to have been beaten off flowers. — A.A.A.].

AN UNusuaL PupaTION Sire.—I have read with interest Lt. Col. Emmet’s note (antea 244) on his having hatched 16 specimens of Ectoedemia argentipedella (Zeller) from the con- tents of a nest box cleared out for the coming season. No mention is made of the bird which occupied the box, but I take it that the occupants were either blue tits or great tits.

Would it not be a more likely explanation of the presence of argentipedella to consider the possibility of their having been introduced to the box dangling from the side of a paren- tal beak and dropped wide of the half a dozen or more com- peting gaping beaks of its young? These small larvae must be exceedingly difficult for the parent to retain in the beak when adding others to its collection, and to carry them home to their families.

Looking at almost any nepticulid larva, one sees that its claspers are hardly developed, and while they have a bad habit of slithering up the side of a glass tube and spinning up against the glass and the cork, one can hardly credit them with the ability to transport their bodies over what must be ex- ceedingly rough and uneven surfaces leading down from a leaf nee in a tree into the entrance hole of an occupied nesting

OX.

On the other hand, it is a fairly general habit of nepticulid larvae when kept in a breeding recepticle for the cocoons to be spun in a fairly close colony, but when a comparison is made between the distances separating the individuals in say a three inch diameter tin box, and in the full area of a birch tree from mine to nest box, one can hardly think that the gather- ing instinct could extend so far.—S. N. A. Jacoss, 54 Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent, BR2 9EE. 23.xii.1978.

OcToBER IN SciLLy.—I visited the Isles of Scilly from 4th to 18th October 1978. Based on St. Mary’s I made day trips to St. Agnes, St. Martin’s and Tresco. The weather was excellent and most days were warm and sunny enough to tempt butterflies on the wing.

_I recorded the following species: Pararge aegeria L., easily the commonest species and seen on all islands visited. Maniola jurtina L., two late specimens on St. Martin’s on 11th October. Vanessa atalanta L., seen on all islands visited in small numbers and on St. Mary’s imbibing at ivy flowers. Polyommatus icarus Rott., a fleeting view of a blue on St.

24 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

Mary’s was probably of this species. Celastrina argiolus L., two on St. Mary’s and one in the Abbey Gardens on Tresco. Lycaena phlaeas L., seen on all the islands except Tresco; most in one day was four on St. Mary’s on 5th October. Pieris brassicae L. and P. rapae L., a few on all suitable days. Colias croceus Geoffroy, not seen personally but reliable reports of odd specimens on St. Mary’s and St. Agnes. I also saw two species of moth — Macroglossum stellatarum L., one seen on St. Mary’s on 13th October and two more reported from the same island; and Autographa gamma L., two seen on each of St. Mary’s and St. Martin’s—G. Summers, 23 West Close, Stafford.

ACHERONTIA ATROPOS L. (DEATH’S HEAD Hawk) IN SuRREY.— I wish to record the capture of a male of this species at m.y.l. in my garden at Tolworth. It arrived at approximately 2 a.m. on the 30th June 1978.— J. Porter, 16 Firdene, Tol- worth, Surrey.

IMMIGRANT LEPIDOPTERA IN DORSET AND SUFFOLK IN 1978.— There have been so many reports of rare migrant lepidoptera this autumn that I would not have reported any except for the fact that some have found their way to this extreme eastern part of the British Isles.

Whilst on holiday in Somerset in early October I ran an actinic light at Charmouth, Dorset on the night of 10th and noted one specimen each of Mythimna vitellina Hiibn. and Palpita unionalis Hubn.

On my return to Suffolk I took a specimen of Udea fer- rugalis Hubn. on the night of 7th November and a Mythimna unipuncta Haw. on 10th. The only previous record of this species of which I am aware is of a specimen taken at Leiston in August, 1878 according to the Memoirs of the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society published in 1937.

On 16th October 1977 I took what I thought was a rather unusual Agrochola circellaris Hufn., but on closer examina- tion this has proved to be Mythimna vitellina. As far as I am aware the only other specimen reported from Suffolk was one at sugar at Gorleston on Ist October, 1922. Gorleston was at that time in Suffolk.— H. E. Chipperfield, The Shieling, Wal- berswick, Southwold, Suffolk.

THE GEM (NYCTEROSEA OBSTIPATA F.) AND AN UNIDENTIFIED CATOCALA IN Dorset.— On the cold and foggy evening of November 10th 1978, a battered female Nycterosea obstipata Fab. was taken at a hotel light in Swanage. Also, in Swanage, on the morning of November 12th a large Catocala sp. was seen sitting on a wall, unfortunately this was not secured. Could this have been Catocala fraxini Linn? —M. PARSONS, 43 Kings Avenue, Eastbourne.

EUPHYDRYAS AURINEA ROTT. PRESENT IN CUMBRIA. — The Note on the disappearance of this species from Monmouthshire contributed by Dr. G. A. Neil Horton (Vol. 90, No. 9, pp. 246- 7) makes sad reading, which one fears could be parallelled

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS DS

from other areas. The situation in Cumbria is rather more reassuring, though it needs constant vigilance. The previous County of Cumberland is alone of concern as the species is absent from what were formerly Westmorland and Furness.

1. The famous field near Great Orton which Dr. Ford deals with (Butterflies, New Naturalist, Vol. 1, 1945) was ploughed up nearly 25 years ago, notwithstanding S.S.S.I. status. The butterfly hangs on — only just — in a nearby field owned by the Cumbria Naturalists’ Trust. As long as it hangs on there is hope that it might increase.

2. A very fine site nearly 1,000ft. above sea level near Lamonby, was also more recently ploughed up, despite appeals by Conservationist Bodies to the local farmer. S.S.S.I. status again proved to be of no avail, as the development was purely agricultural. However, the butterfly occurs not far away in a small area of Greystoke Forest left unplanted with conifers by Lord Lonsdale because of its Natural History importance. We are grateful to Lord Lonsdale for this gesture, but we wonder what will happen when the conifers, at present about 5-8ft high, have become large trees enclosing the small unplanted site.

3. The species occurs in a rough marshy field not far from Ivegill. It is possible that the Cumbria Naturalists’ Trust, which is interested in it, may eventually gain at least some control over it. Meanwhile there seems to be no serious threat.

4. There is a strong colony far to the West in Ennerdale on Open ground with a road running through. The terrain concerned is rough and marshy. One hopes that no interfer- ence will take place. It is apparently Common Land, so effective control is very difficult. There seems to be no immediate threat.

5. A colony at Finglandrigg, which produced large brick- red specimens differing markedly from those from any other Cumberland colony, became extinct about 1953. At least, sub- sequent attempts to find specimens there have proved negative, in spite of the fact that up to the present there has been no interference with the site, which was in any case small, with the result that the number of specimens was always small too.

6. There are reports that the species is turning up again in the Salta Moss area inland from Dubmill Point. It seemed to have become extinct there at about the same time as the Finglandrigg colony. So, provided there is no gross interference with a site, it is unwise to take apparent extinction as the final word, as the species seems to be able to hold on at a very low density indeed. — THE REVEREND J. H. Vine-HALt, 3 The Green, Melmerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1HG.

THE FOODPLANT OF PSEUDOPHILOTES VICRAMA SCHIFFER- MUELLERI HEMMING. — During a short visit to Spetsai Island, Greece, a number of female P. v. schiffermuelleri were observed laying eggs on the upper side of young leaves of Satureia thymbra L. (Labiatae). The eggs were pearly white, echinoid and strongly reticulated with ridges and hollows in

26 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79 the form of rosettes. — Joun G. Coursis, 4 Glykonos Street, Athens 139, Greece.

ADELA CROESELLA (ScCop.) (LEP.: INCURVARIIDAE) IN ARGYLLSHIRE (VC98).— Two specimens of this pretty little moth were taken on an unidentified umbellifer on the roadside verge at Elleric, Glen Creran (grid ref. NN(27) 03.48) on 15th June, 1978. This would appear to be only the second record of the species in Scotland, and the first for Argyll (see MBGBI, 1: 298).

Although privet is given as the normal foodplant, none was noted in the vicinity of capture, and it is thought that ash, common in Glen Creran, would possibly act as a suitable alternative.

One specimen was given to Rev. David Agassiz, the other to Dr. John Langmaid who were collecting at Glasdrum about two miles down the Glen, and it is to these gentlemen that I owe the above information. The captures were made during the course of a Nature Conservancy Council inverte- brate survey of certain sites in the County. — J. Coorer, Art Gallery and Museum, Kelvingrove, Glasgow, G3 8AG. 26th September, 1978.

EUCHROMIUS OCELLEA HAWORTH (LEP.: CRAMBINAE) IN MONMOUTHSHIRE. — On the night of 14th-15th October, 1978 a male specimen of the rare migrant Pyralid Euchromius (Eromene) ocellea Haw. in perfect condition appeared in my garden m.v. trap at Usk. This species, I believe, has not been previously recorded from Monmouthshire and I am told that probably the last British occurrence was in 1968.

For more than a week the weather here had been warm and sunny with mild humid nights and south-westerly breezes and two nights earlier (12th-13th October) a male Mythimna unipuncta Haw. had come to my trap. This moth too was in perfect condition and is also a species new to Monmouthshire. — Dr. G. A. Nem Horton, Plas Newydd, Usk, Gwent.

THE JAPANESE ORGYIA: ORGYIA THYELLINA BUTLER. — Many of us for a long time have been interested in the female dimorphism of this species which was known to occur in Japan. This year Sir Cyril Clarke obtained stock and was good enough to send me pupae, which in due course hatched and contained both winged and semi-winged females. I was unable to satisfy myself that the so-called “‘winged” specimens were capable of flight. The young larvae were sleeved on Salix in my garden, and on my return from Scotland imagines were hatching, and it was interesting to observe a very large number of our indigenous Orgyia antiqua (L.) assembling around the sleeve from mid-day onwards. On 3rd October I obtained a cross between a thyellina ? (winged) and a ¢ antiqua and eggs were subsequently laid, though I fear these may be infertile. It was interesting to see that the speed of metamorphosis varied greatly; there were imagines and half-grown larvae at the same time which were siblings. Further details of this interesting species will be published later. — BERNARD KETTLE- WELL, Genetics Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS 2H

DEILEPHILA ELPENOR L. ON MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA L. —- Eight nearly full grown larvae of Deilephila elpenor were seen feeding on bog-bean Menyanthes trifoliata at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at Wisley on 29th August, 1978. They were seen from the path so probably several more could have been found with a little effort. Mr. A. J. Halstead tells me that the insect is fairly common at Wisley but has not previously been noted on Menyanthes. It normally feeds on members of the Onagraceae — Epilobium spp. Chamaenerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana and Fuchsia magellanica — but also on Galium spp. and Impatiens spp. and has been recorded on Lysimachia sp., Vitis vinifera and Malus sp. These belong to seven different orders of flowering plants, the Geraniales, Rhamnales, Rosales, Myrtales, Primulales, Con- tortae and Rubiales which is an exceptional degree of polyphagy for British Sphingidae. —B. N. K. Davis, Institute of Ter- restial Ecology, Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambs.

Tue Monarcu, DANAUS PLEXIPPUS L. IN 1978. — A speci- men of this butterfly was observed by Mrs. Y. Stevens in her garden at Epsom, Surrey on the afternoon of the 11th Septem- ber, 1978. Mrs. Stevens gave a good description of the insect, including its mode of flight and positively identified it as a male when shown these in my collection.

Williams (1958, Insect Migration) states that most examples of the species observed in this country are seen in the autumn with a peak in the second half of September, but I am concerned about the possibility that releases or accidental escapes from captivity may sometimes give rise to inaccurate reports of implied migration. If anybody reading this has allowed specimens of the species to escape this year, I strongly feel that this should be reported in the interests of scientific accuracy. — P. Hotpaway, 41 Willow Crescent, Durrington, Worthing, Sussex.

New IrISH RECORDS OF MICROLEPIDOPTERA IN AUGUST. —On 3.viii.78, I took a specimen of the Pyralid Platytes alpinella (Hb.) on sandhills at Inchydoney, near Clonakilty, Co. Cork (VC H3). The identification of this specimen was confirmed by Mr. E. C. Pelham-Clinton of the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.

Another species determined by Mr. Pelham-Clinton and which appears new to Ireland is Cochylis flaviciliana (Westw.). I caught this specimen at The Hollow 6 km N.W. of Roscom- mon (VC H25) on 9.viii.78. — K. G. M. Bonn, Luetzowstr. 4, 32 Hildesheim, West Germany.

RECORDS OF CURCULIONIDAE (COL.) TAKEN IN CUMBERLAND (VC70). — The following three species of Curculionidae are here recorded from West Cumbria and are new records for Cumberland (VC70). Barypeithes sulcifrons (Boheman), one dead specimen was found on sand below a stunted gorse bush Ulex europaeus Linnaeus on top of a coastal sand hill on 15th April near Summer Hill, Silecroft, SD11/82. This species is regarded as scarce in this country and Joy (1932, Practical

28 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79 Handbook of British Beetles, 1:183), states “‘very local England, Scotland and Ireland’. In personal communication from Dr. M. G. Morris, the weevil has been recorded from 14 vice counties in England and Wales, five from Scotland and 13 from Ireland. It has a scattered distribution and most records are from coastal localities. E. B. Britten recorded the species from the Isle of Man (1945, North Western Naturalist, 20:195), and remarks “‘occasional at roots of heather and by sweeping’ and he gives the months of capture from April to July. Crowson, R. A. (1971, Entomologist’s mon. Mag., 107: 49) records the species from Castle Hill Point, Rockcliffe Kircudbridgeshire and Duddingstone, Edinburgh. The weevil being taken from calciphilous vegetation with Helianthemum chamaecistus. Dorytomus salicinus (Gyllenhal), two specimens were beaten from the bare branches of common sallow, Salix atrocinerea Brot. growing in a hedgerow by the side of a cart track near Monk Moors, Eskmeals, SD08/91 on the 8th April. Due to the cold weather in early spring catkins were still present in large numbers on these trees. The specimens collected are in good condition and well marked. A further four specimens were taken near the above site by beating sallow at Stub Place, Eskmeals, SD08/90 on the 13th May. These specimens are also in good condition with a good clothing of scales and are quite dark in colour. The weevil is very rare in Britain and is extremely localised and has only been recorded from five vice counties in England and one in Scotland. These are East Norfolk, (27), West Norfolk, (28), Cambridgeshire, (29), Huntingdonshire, (31), South West Yorkshire, (63) and Dumfrieshire, (72). M. G. Morris (1968, Entomologist’s Gaz., 19(4):219) gives a summary of the records for D. salicinus in Britain; and Welch, R. C. (1973, in Steele, R. C. and Welch, R. C. (edit.) ““Monks Wood, a nature reserve’, 230) a distribution map for the species based on the 10 kilometer grid. The species occurs in France where the foodplants are Salix aurita L. and S. capraea L. (Zetterstedt), as stated by Hoffmann, A. (1958, Faune Fr., 62 Coléoptéres Curculionides, 3: 1456). Ceutorhynchus rapae Gyllenhal, one specimen was tapped from its foodplant Sisymbrium officinale (Linnaeus) growing on waste ground at Haverigg near Millom, SD16/78 on the 29th July and two more specimens were taken at the same site on the 5th of August, again on S. officinale. This species is stated as being rare in this country by Joy (l.c.: 199) who gives the distribution as Southern England. A list of host plants of C. rapae is given by Dickmann, L. (1972, Beitr. Ent., 22(1-2):75) together with notes on the biology; and Scherf, H. (1964, Abh. senckenb naturforsch. Ges., 506: 205- 206 describes the early stages. According to Hoffmann (l.c., 1954, 2: 992) it is found on various species of Brassica, especi- ally parsnips in France and that the female oviposits in the flowers and the larvae pupate in the soil.

I wish to thank Dr. M. G. Morris for kindly confirming the identity of the species and for supplying the vice county records. —R. W. J. Reap, 43 Holly Terrace, Hensingham, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 8RF.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS 29

THE FLAME SHOULDER: OCHROPLEURA PLECTA (L.) IN NoveEMBER.— A specimen of this noctuid in good condition was attracted to my m.v. trap at Pont-a-dulas near Builth Wells, Breconshire, on the night of Ist November 1978, an extraordinarily late date— Dr. H. G. Parker, 2 Oaks Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

LITHOPHANE LEAUTIERI BOISD. IN WARWICKSHIRE.— This rapidly spreading species made its first appearance in Warwick- shire when a specimen was found in my garden m.v. trap on the morning of 9th October 1978.— D. C. G. Brown, Jacksons Farmhouse, 25 Charlcote, near Warwick.

THE VESTAL (RHODOMETRA SACRARIA L.) IN INVERNESS- SHIRE.— When sorting and listing the Rothamsted Insect Trap catches from the Forestry Commission Research Station, Fort Augustus, I found a specimen of the Vestal in the box for 10th October 1978. I do not know whether or not the moth has been recorded from so far north before, but in any case it must be sufficiently rare from such a high latitude as to be worth noting. It is a male and exceptionally large, 27 mm. wingspan.— T. C. Dunn, The Poplars, Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham.

Practical Hints—March & April

The Orange Underwings — Archiearis parthenias L. and A. notha Hbn.— are usually the quarries of the first active daytime collecting of the season. A warm, sunny morning at the end of March is often good for both species, but notha is usually a week later than parthenias, with the two overlapping and notha continuing into the first week of April. Choose the edge of, or rides in, a fairly mature birch wood for the former, and a wood containing plenty of tallish aspen for the latter, and start operations about 10 a.m. In sunny conditions, the moths sit on bare patches of ground or dead leaves, but get up sharply on one’s approach, and have a very erratic flight, making them difficult to net. One rarely gets a second chance before they are out of reach and fly up to the tree tops. If the presence of the species is not known in the locality proposed to be worked, carry out a preliminary reconnaissance on a sunny afternoon, when the moths (if any) will easily be seen flying round the tops of the trees. Both species are partial to sallow catkins, but a net on a stick is usually necessary to reach them, and one strike will scare off any others on the bush. During dull weather the moths may sometimes be shaken from smallish trees. Up till about 1 p.m. the moths are usually within reach, but later they fly high round the tree tops in a most tantalising manner (POOLES).

In April examine any stumps found in marshy areas where Salix viminalis occurs. A flat-topped two year old stump is an ideal oviposition site for Conopia formicaeformis Esp. Carefully peel back the bark and if a whitish larva is found

30 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

near the top of the stump, tape back the bark and cut off the entire top to a depth of from 6-8 ins. Place in damp sand; moths emerge over a long period, late May until late July. Failing to find text-book stumps look for any brown stains near trunk scars or twisted branches, examine as above and remove the appropriate section (B. R. BAKER).

As soon as the blackthorn is in bloom is the time to beat for larvae of the Sloe Pug (Chloroclystis chloerata Mab.). The larger bushes are best. The larva is stumpy, of a dull whitish or whitish-green ground with varying amounts of pinkish- brown marking. If the larvae beaten are very small, keep the blossom that falls in the tray as this will often yield further larvae if kept for a week or so. They feed up very quickly, and spin amongst their food. They should be left therein and not disturbed. The moths emerge about the last week in May (POOLES).

When working marshy localities in early spring remove any loose bark at the base of willows —larvae of Apamea unanimis Hbn. seem to favour these hiding places. Also in early spring place pieces of sacking or polythene sheeting (weighted down with a brick) up in the flat crowns of pollarded willows. Examine every three to four days. Larvae of Graphiphora augur F. have been taken from below these coverings (B. R. BAKER).

The larvae of Elachista cinereopunctella Haw. may be found during the first week of March mining the leaves of Carex glauca; and in mid March those of Agonopterix assimilella Tr., spinning together the twigs of broom. Larvae of Tischeria marginea Haw. mine the leaves of Rubus, are long-lived and feed during the winter, and the collection of the mines should be left until March (HEAL).

Late April or early May is a good time to search plants of cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) growing on northern moors for larvae and pupae of micro-lepidoptera. The blackish larva of Olethreutes mygindiana D. & S. spins several leaves together in the form of an inverted tent and pupates within the tent. Other Tortricoid larvae which spin leaves together are Aphelia viburnana D. & S. and the abundant Rhopobota unipunctana Haw. but along with the latter may be R. ustomaculana Curt. which has recently been found in Derby- shire and Staffordshire.

Small brown spots on the upper surface of a leaf may reveal the presence beneath of the black pistol-shaped case of Coleophora vitisella Gregs. It has a two-year cycle; only the larger cases will produce moths the same year.

The mines of Phyllonorycter junoniella Zell. occupy the whole of the underside of a leaf, causing it to pucker, while Fomoria weaveri Staint. causes a blistered appearance on the upperside (R. G. WARREN).

31

Current Literature

Pennington’s Butterflies of Southern Africa, edited by C. G. C. Dickson with the collaboration of Dr. D. M. Kroon. 674 pp. including frontispiece portrait of the author and 198 coloured plates, folding map. Thick 4to. (280 mm. high, 210 mm. wide). Ad. Donker, Johannesburg, 1978. Price £45.

: This magnificent reference book is the first definitive work

ever published, to be devoted solely to Southern African but- terflies. It covers all the species that have been described to-date from the subregion concerned, that is, the area extend- ing from the Cape to the Kunene River on the western side of Africa and the main portion of the Zambezi River on the eastern side.

K. M. Pennington had been working on the ms. of the book for some 25 years before his death, but the script of his final version was far from complete when he died, unexpectedly, in 1974. Shortly after this sad event, the Pennington family asked C. G. C. Dickson if he would take over the ms., and complete it fully, which he agreed to do. This entailed over three years’ concentrated work in order to make the essential portion of the book as representative as possible, while at the same time endeavouring to retain to a large extent Penning- ton’s attractive style and approach to the subject. In time, others became involved in the project as regards several sub- sidiary, or complimentary portions of the work, chief among these being Dr. D. M. Kroon. Almost from the start of the undertaking, Dr. Elliot Pinhey (National Museum, Bulawayo, Rhodesia) assisted the editor on countless matters of a technical nature, as well as on the relative status of many of the more northern South African butterflies, for information concerning Botswana and Rhodesian taxa (very poorly repre- sented in the original script), and from this standpoint as well as regards essential data in certain other directions, he was by far the most important source.

The first 31 pages include a Foreward (3 pp.) by the author’s son, R. Pennington, and Acknowledgment (4 pp.) and an Introduction (13 pp.), both by C. G. C. Dickson. The main text which is in double column, then follows. In this are treated the different species (781 in all) and various races. The name of the author of each species and race is cited together with the original reference and date. Description and relative differences are given, as are distribution, localities, historical particulars, food-plants in nature (when known), references to life histories if recorded, and times of appearance often with mention of the names of recorders. Throughout the text one is impressed by the lucid and informal yet concise style of the author, as well as by his immense knowledge of the subject gained over a period of sixty years of field experience.

32 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD, VOL. 91 1/1/79

Plates 1-38 depict over 1,000 minutely detailed coloured figures, from hand paintings by the late Gowan C. Clark, of the life histories of 37 species of Hesperiid butterflies. These illustrations are among the most remarkable features of this book, and the meticulousness with which they have been executed is marvellous. They are based on material obtained in the field by the artist and C. G. C. Dickson, and with but two exceptions are published here for the first time. Descrip- tive notes are given in the legends facing each plate, thus allowing ease of reference. About half of these life histories appear to have been previously unknown.

Plates 39-198 consist of 3,422 reproductions of coloured photographs of the perfect insects, of which 2,471 are shown natural size and the rest slightly smaller. We should have preferred that all these figures had been reproduced natural size, but one realises that to have done so would have further increased the bulk as well as added to the cost of the volume. However, the editor has wisely indicated precisely the degree of reduction in size in nearly every case where this has been done. Again, in order to facilitate reference, the particulars of each specimen figured appear opposite the plates. Moreover, we rejoice to see that every example is fully authenticated by, in addition to a note of the name of the species, subspecies or form, its sex, locality, date of capture, name of captor (when known) and a statement of whether the specimen is a holotype, paratype, allotype, metallotype or lectotype. These illustrations of the perfect insects are among the finest we have seen and do great credit to everyone in- volved in their production.

Pages 604-643 follow, with ““Recorded South African but- terfly foodplants and foodsources’’, compiled by D. M. Kroon. This is a most useful and interesting source of information pre- sented in three columns with the genus and species of plant or other foodstuff arranged alphabetically in the first column, the name of the plant family in the second column, and in the third column the relevant butterfly species or subspecies. A bibliography of some 350 titles (pp. 646-650), and a splendid index of scientific names in which all taxa are listed alphabeti- cally (pp. 651-669) complete the work.

Paper and printing are of good quality, and the book is strongly bound in dark blue boards in an edition of 2,650 copies. Two other editions were issued: a ‘‘Subscriber’s Edition” of 300 copies bound in quarter leather (price about £233); and, a “‘Collector’s Edition”’ in half leather limited to 50 copies. However, both these editions had been sold in advance before publication.

Mr. C. G. C. Dickson and his collaborators are to be con- gratulated on their efforts at bringing to completion this out- standing work, though it is sad that K. M. Pennington did not live to see the consummation of an undertaking that owed its existence to him in the first place.— J.M.C-H.

== NOOO O00 es

THE PROFESSOR HERING MEMORIAL RESEARCH FUND

The British Entomoligical and Natural History Society announces that awards may be made from this Fund for the promotion of entomological research with particulars emphasis on:

(a) Leaf miners,

(b) Diptera, particularly Trypetidae and Agromyzidae,

(c) Lepidoptera, particularly Microlepidoptera,

(d) General entomology, in the above order of preference, having regard to the suitability of candidates and the plan of work proposed.

Awards may be made to assist travelling and other expenses necessary to field work, for the study of collections, for the attendance at conferences, or, exceptionally, for the costs of publication of finished work. In total they are not likely to exceed £300 in 1979/1980.

Applicants should send a statement, if possible in sextuplicate, of their qualifications, of their plan of work, and of the precise objects and amount for which an award is sought, to A. M. Emmet, M.B.E., T.D., M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S., Hon. Secretary, Labrey Cottage, Victoria Gardens, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 3AF, as soon as possible, and in any case not later than 30th September, 1979.

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THE MICROLEPIDOPTERA OF ESSEX. — I am currently engaged on compiling a list of the microlepidoptera of the county on behalf of the Essex Naturalists’ Trust and the Essex Field Club; it is proposed to publish the list in 1979. I should therefore be grateful if collectors who have not already done so will send me their records. Localities even for the common species help to complete distribution patterns. Entomologists who are planning their season’s collecting shoud bear in mind that Essex is rich in microlepidoptera (over 1,000 species of “micro” are already in the list) but almost devoid of microlepidopterists and hence seriously underrecorded. They could profitably make 1978 their “Essex year’. — A. M. Emmet, Labrey Cottage, Victoria Gardens, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 3AF, 30.iv.1978.

EXCHANGES AND WANTS

Wanted — The Entomologists Record, Vol. 71 1959, entire. Bound or unbound. — Offers to Paul Stirling. Tel. 01-660 4766.

Help Wanted — with records of British Gelechiidae for publication in Vol. 4 of “Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland”. Vice-County records only wanted at this stage. A complete check-list will be supplied to those willing to help. If you have any records for this group, please write to: Paul Sokoloff, 4 Steep Close, Orpington, Kent BR6 6DS.

Wanted — Records of daily totals in traps of Agrotis segetum for as many past years as available. — Rosemary Kay, Ent. Section, National Vegetable Research Station, Wellsbourne, Warwick.

For Sale —a run of the Entomologist’s Record from Vol. 76-89 inclusive (1964-1977). In wrappers. Issues 6, 11, 12 of Vol. 78 are missing, otherwise complete. A bargain at £55.—P. A. Sokoloff, 4 Steep Close, Orpington, Kent BR6 6DS.

Wanted — 20, 30 or 40 (preferably) drawer cabinet by Brady, Gurney or Crocket. — Col. W. A. C. Carter, Briarfields, Sandels Way, Beaconsfield, Bucks. Telephone 04946-3828 atfer 6.15 p.m. or weekends.

For Sale —40 drawer mahogany cabinet, overall size 42” x 37” x 19”. Drawers 164” x 163” x 2”. Framed glass lids, hidden bearer runners, camphor cells. In very good condition. Best offer over £700 secures. — T. W. Harman, Little Oaks, Church Lane, Westbere, Canterbury, Kent. Tel. Canterbury 710282.

Wanted — lam presently engaged in the evaluation of two insects which New Zealand authorities intend to introduce to combat gorse, which is a serious weed there. The species are Agonopterix ulicitella Stnt. (Lep. Oecophoridae) and Apion scutellare Kirby (Col. Curculionidae).

I will require large numbers of these insects to carry out experiments to show that they are specific to gorse before they are introduced into New Zealand. I would be grateful if readers could suggest localities where, in Southern England, I might collect several hundred of each species this summer. I would be interested to hear of records from further North, and of any host plants recorded other than gorse. — Richard Hill, Imperial College Field Station, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks. SL5 7PY.

THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD

AND JOURNAL OF VARIATION (Founded by J. W. TUTT on 15th April, 1890)

The following gentlemen act as Honorary Consultants to the magazine: Orthoptera: D. K. Mc E. Kevan, Ph.D., B.Sc., F.R.E.S.; Coleoptera: A. A. ALLEN, B.Sc.; Diptera: E. C. M. d’Assis-FoNSECA, F.R.E.S.

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CONTENTS

The Lepidoptera of the Cairngorms National Nature Reserve. E. A. M. MacALPINE oe

Provencal Butterflies in April 1978, Dr. C. J. “LUCKENS .

Flights of the Wood Ant Formica lugubris (Hym., Formicidae) in Ireland. Dr. J. BREEN MY

The History and Status in Britain of Cosmiotes ‘consortella Stainton, 1851) (exiguella Frey, 1885). Lt. Col. A. M. EMMET . aM

The Return of the Orange Tip. Dr. A. G. LONG _...

Rey. H. S. Gorham and Some 19th Century Records. J. COOTER .

Practical Hints — March and April bee

Notes and Observations:

The Larva of Eilema pygmaeola pygmaeola Poubleday Cs Pigmy Footman). L. D. M. PACKER ue

The Painted Lady in December 1978. T. G. HOWARTH A

Epiphyas_ postvittana Walker in Hampshire. Col. D. H. STERLING tee

Trosley Country Park ‘(Trottiscliffe) near “Wrotham, Kent. N. F. HEAL . ANE

The Clouded Silver (Bapta temerata Hbn.) in October. ThwAS Cc. GREENWOOD f oe en

Warwickshire and a en Migrants. DD: GG BROWN _.... sae suet

Athetis hospes Freyer “(Lep.: Noctuidae): First Record for Britain. J. PORTER Hi Bee ate sae

Helophorus tuberculatus Gyll. (Col: dropmilaie near Bristol. diy ANG TRANG 5) é

An Unusual Pupation Site. S. N. iN JACOBS .

October in Scilly. G. SUMMERS . NA

Acherontia atropos L. (Death’s isla) in Buncen| J. PORTER

Immigrant Lepidoptera in Dorset and Suffolk in 1978. H. E. CHIPPERFIELD

The Gem (Nycterosea obstipata F.) and an “Unidentified Catocala in Dorset. M. PARSONS as

Euphydras aurinia Rott. present in Cumbria. Rev. J. H. VINE- HALL

The Foodplant. “of Pseudophilotes ‘vicrama D. & Si Beh G COUTSIS tis unt

Adela croesella Scop. in Argyllshire (VC98). I “COOTER ae

Euchromius ocellea Haw. in Monmouthshire. Dr. G. A. N. HORTON . A bast ve te ae LB

The Japanese Oregyia: “Oreyia thyellina Butler. Dr. H. B. D. KETTLEWELL ...

Deilephila elpenor L. on Menyanthes trifoliata iS B. N. K. DAVIS

New Irish Records of Microlepidoptera in August. K. LG M. BOND

Records of Curculionidae (Coleoptera) taken in Cumberland (VC70). R. W. Jj. READ

The Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta be in November. Dr. H. G. PARKER 4h ay ue ue aan

Lithophane leautieri Boisd. in Warwickshire. D. C. G. BROWN

The Vestal (Rhodometira sacraria L.) in Inverness-shire. T. C. DUNN

Obituary: W. E. Busbridge

Current Literature ...

31

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The Brown Hairstreak: Thecla betulae L. I: Searching for Ova By T. W. C. Toiman, Ph.D., F.R.E.S.*

The traditional method of collecting the Brown Hair- streak butterfly is to beat the blackthorn bushes in May and June. This recommendation has been perpetuated, if not actually endorsed, by the entomological fraternity over a con- siderable period, and appears in nearly every textbook dealing with British butterflies. Writing in 1934, in ““The Complete Book of British Butterflies”, F. W. Frohawk observes . . “Nearly all specimens in collections have been bred from larvae obtained by beating blackthorn bushes, the larval food- plant for this species”. Over 40 years later, in “Aberrations of British Butterflies’, my good friend Donald Russwurm com- ments... “The larvae, however, can be beaten from the bushes in a blackthorn thicket and most collectors obtain their short series in this way’’. These two statements are, I am Sure, accurate in regard to the method as well as the propor- tion of collectors who employ it. The acquisition, or indeed, the detection of T. betulae can be effected by this means but perhaps because the advice is so often given, it is assumed to be the best available.

When considering the relative merits of two methods of securing the same object, it rarely happens that one has so little in its favour that the other becomes the automatic choice. It is, however, my firm contention that ova searching, as an alternative means of locating betulae, has so many advantages that, if given a fair try, would soon relegate the business of beating to obscurity — at least, as far as betulae is concerned.

Only once have I attempted to beat for larvae. I was neither enamoured of the process nor pleased with the result. The first difficulty I encountered was that of laying out the bed sheet I had chosen as a collecting surface. The frequency with which blackthorn thickets are surrounded by tussocks of strong grasses, brambles and, predictably, blackthorn seedI- ings, is pronounced, and I found this seemingly simple task quite tedious. More often than not, the sheet duplicated the contours of some miniature mountain range — hardly a sur- face conducive to retaining those numerous species of larvae which instinctively roll themselves into mobile little balls when rudely disturbed. Ironically, this habit, adopted in the course of evolution as a protective device serves only to enhance the probability of their premature demise, for it seems likely that a proportion of the larvae finding themselves in the grass some distance from their preferred habitat, do not regain the security of the blackthorn twigs. When asked what happens to the larvae which fall to the ground, the proponents of the beating technique almost invariably reply, ‘““Oh, they crawl back up’. Well, I must admit, I hardly expect to be told that a number don’t make it, having fallen prey to whatever. As far

* 1 Clanfield Drive, Chandler’s Ford, Hants., SO5 2HJ.

34 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1/II-I11/79 as I know, the reality of this aspect of beating is one of ignorance and in the absence of concrete evidence substantiat- ing what appears to be little more than wishful thinking, I am inclined to the view that one should afford the inhabitants of blackthorn thickets, amongst which may be counted numerous creatures other than lepidoptera, rather more consideration.

Apart from this, minor irritations arising from inadver- tently disarranging the sheet in an effort to get at the black- thorn of interest, manoeuvering the same into a suitable position without becoming impaled on the thorns and finding enough room to wield the beating stick, added to my grow- ing reservations. When I discovered how much detritus was dislodged along with scores of insects — everything it seemed except betulae—my disillusionment was complete. However, one is advised to count one’s blessings and in deference to this pearl of wisdom I am obliged torecord that my singular experience of wrestling with blackthorns, bed sheets and beating sticks, was unattended by strong winds or rain. The thought of inclement weather obtruding upon my adventure, conjures up a vivid picture of a sodden white sheet marooned high in some oak like a stricken kite!

The problem of working in confined spaces may be over- come to some extent, by substituting the ground sheet for a hand held tray. However, the limitation in the size of the collecting surface is a detraction and it would also seem that the efficient use of the device requires three hands — one for the tray, one for the blackthorn and one for the beating stick.

The one situation for which, I believe, any variation on the beating theme is totally impracticable, relates to the machine-trimmed hedgerows, now a familiar sight in the British countryside. In Devonshire and Wales particularly, the hedge- rows comprise the most important, and in some areas, the sole retreat of betulae. The short, dense convoluted growth is the most characteristic feature of these hedges. The blackthorn is often entwined with other shrubs such as dogrose, bramble and hawthorn which demand respect in their handling, but it is the strength and resilience of close-cropped hedges, conferred by repeated clipping, which render them quite unsuited to beating. The frequent association of ditches with roadside hedgerows is an additional deterrent. Of 141 new betulae sites I’ve located in the past three years by ova searching, all but three have occurred in hedgerow habitat which is either incoveniently sited or subject to periodic clipping, so that the self-imposed restriction suffered by the beater in his choice of collecting ground is considerable.

Despite the aforementioned difficulties, some of which may relate simply to my own inexperience, beating for larvae has, over the years, proved an efficacious means of obtaining betulae. That is a fact I would not question. However, efficiency, in terms of time as well as energy expenditure, is altogether a different consideration and it is on this basis that ova search- ing, in my opinion,offers its greatest advantage. To my own satisfaction at least, I have demonstrated that the examination

THE BROWN HAIRSTREAK: THECLA BETULAE L 35

of a blackthorn stand, divested of its foliage in winter, takes somewhat less than a fifth of the time required for beating. Moreover, in considering the rate at which ova or larvae are found — the real measure of efficiency —it is clear that ova searching has a greater potential than would be indicated by a mere comparison of searching time. This is, of course, due to the higher incidence of ova than, say, half-grown larvae in a given locality and arises from natural depletion which accumu- lates in progressing through the metamorphic stages. Whilst it is true that not all ova will be seen, it is, presumably, equally true that not all beaten larvae will be detected and, indeed, some may even reside in scrub inaccessable to the beater but not to the ova seeker. I do not know what the average ratio of ova to half-grown larvae is, but I would be surprised if it was less than 5:1. Whatever it might be, the ratio of ova to larvae will be relevant to the maintenance of betulae colonies which receive attention from collectors, for propor- tionately less damage will be incurred by the removal of ova. Assuming, for the sake of argument, the quoted ratio is correct, it is evident that the consquence of removing five ova is equivalent to the removal of one half-grown larva. More- over, if on average, 20 ova give rise to one pupa, the damage inflicted by the inadvertent elimination of a pupa whilst beat- ing for caterpillars would be four times greater than that of removing a single half-grown larva.

It would seem therefore the beater needs to exercise care in choosing his time for beating. If he goes too early he may overlook the smaller larvae and if he goes too late, some may have pupated and of those that have, some may be damaged. I have no experience of betulae larvae in the wild, but in the absence of uniformity in the rate of larval development, the risk to the species, as well as the practical implication of detecting beaten larvae, is ever present.

In contrast, ova may be sought in a much more leisurely fashion at any time from the beginning of winter to the onset of spring and with relatively much less regard to weather con- ditions. I well remember finding my first ovum during a light fall of snow.

For anyone who has never seen a wild betulae ovum, it may be difficult to appreciate how easy it is to spot the large, brilliant white egg against its sombre background. It is entirely due to this marked contrast which enables the blackthorn to be inspected so quickly. It is not necessary to examine every twig individually, one simply scans rapidly but systematically and if ova are present they will catch the eye. My wife once discovered a new Welsh site for betulae by spotting an ovum in a roadside hedge through the window of our slowly moving car. Subsequently, we found another 56 ova deposited on the residue of hedge clippings, strewn about the verges and the road. More recently I discovered a new locality for betulae in Devonshire by locating several ova at night with the aid of a torch. The fact that, in the light of the following day, I found

36 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1/II-II1/79

ova on just about every twig of every bush in the area perhaps lends credibility to a remarkable example of serendipity!

Proficiency at any task improves with practice — I suppose even I could learn to beat for larvae were I so motivated — and one soon recognises that particular types of twigs on particular types of bushes are shown more favour than others as sites for Ovipositing. I believe that the greatest dissuasion confronting the novice in the interesting and even exciting diversion of ova searching is, paradoxically, the easiest to overcome and that is the important psychological step of finding one’s first ovum. As a very good friend —a former, confirmed beater — once remarked, “It’s only a matter of getting your eye in”’.

It is worth mentioning that by rearing betulae from ova, a bonus awaits the collector whose predilection is for large insects. I have measured the fore-wing length of the 28 male and 25 female betulae of the R. W. Watson collection, and the mean values are 20.0 (standard deviation, 1.08) and 21.2 mm. (S.D., 0.73) respectively. All 43 insects originated from beaten larvae. The corresponding means of 57 males and 52 females — all from wild ova—in my own collection are 21.8 mm. (S.D., 0.55) and 22.2 mm. (S.D., 0.57) respectively. The differences are statistically highly significant. It will be appreciated that the comparison of a linear dimension does not adequately convey the subjective impression of the overall size difference.

A similar size disparity, associated with the same two methods of collecting, is also apparent in Quercusia quercus L. and Strymonidae w-album Knoch. Regarding the cause of the difference, I favour the hypothesis presented to me by Dr. Christopher Luckens, that beaten larvae undergo a trauma, as a result of their violent eviction, which induces premature pupation. Although the association is admittedly rather tenuous, it is interesting to consider this hypothesis in relation to the rather large difference in the standard deviations of the mean sizes of insects originating from beaten larvae and wild ova. If, as I suspect, the variation about the mean rate of development of wild larvae differs significantly from that of larvae captively reared from ova, it follows that a random sample of wild larvae will have a greater size variation than a corresponding sample of captive caterpillars. Now, if the full extent of the subsequent development of the wild larvae is related to their size at the time of their removal from the wild, it is clear that this will reflect on the variations in the size of the adult insects. The definitive test of the hypothesis is, of course, a comparison of adults reared from wild ova and those from larvae which have been carefully removed, rather than beaten, from their natural environment.

Acknowledgment

I wish to express my thanks to Mr. Robert Watson for allowing me access to his collection.

ST

A Ban on Collecting Lepidoptera in the Department of the Alpes de Haute-Provence, France

L. McLeop, B.Sc., M.Phil., F.R.E.S.* |

As early as the end of last century Digne was a noted venue for lepidopterists because of localised species and rare aberrations to be found there (e.g. Jones 1890, 1894, Brown 1900). During the last fifty years many lepidopterists including French as well as other nationalities, have descended on the town each year. The attraction of the area is reflected in the number of papers published over the years concerning the lepidoptera of Digne and its neighbourhood. More recently, because of the higher level of living and easier travel facilities, the annual invasion of lepidopterists has sometimes reached very high levels. This has been to the benefit of local commerce and tourism, but apparently to the detriment of certain of the rarer butterflies and moths, the target species of many of the visitors. In order to protect these species the departmental authorities prohibited the collecting of lepidop- tera in the area of Digne on the 18th April 1973.

In the years following 1973, the influx of lepidopterists into the department continued and some of our colleagues upset the local authorities by “overcollecting”. Thousands of specimens of certain of the rarer species (both butterflies and moths) have been taken for commercial purposes. Resulting from this regrettable behaviour of a small minority, we have seen a gradual strengthening of the legislation against the collecting of lepidoptera. Decrees were published in 1976 and 1977 concerning the protection of wild life. In 1978, following advice from the departmental biological adviser, the Chamber of Agriculture, and the Departmental Commission on Sites, Panorama and Countryside, the capture of butterflies and moths in the entire territory of the department of the Alpes de Haute-Provence was prohibited as from 22nd June.

I have not yet seen or heard of anything in the entomo- logical press concerning this action on the part of depart- mental authorities, which I think is unique in being the first of its kind in Europe. The entomological revues ‘‘Alexanor”’ and “‘Entomops” have not mentioned the subject despite the latter being a review of the entomologists of the Alpes Maritimes and Corsica, “‘almost on the doorstep” as it were. One must remember that the area in question is not a National Park or Nature Reserve but a department, i.e. similar to a county in Britain. The Alpes de Haute-Provence covers an area of 692,522 hectares.

Perhaps many lepidopterists have already experienced being told to pack their nets and go! The first I have heard of (I would have placed bets on it being an Englishman) was Mr. Russel Bretherton, who, accompanied by friends were collecting on the Montagne du Lure during July. A local forester soon appeared on the scene and informed them in no

* Quartier des Ecoles, St. Pierre de Vassols, 84330, France.

38 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1 /TI-I11/79

uncertain terms of the new legislation. Having travelled such a long way specifically to collect on that mountain, how un- fortunate to have one’s holiday marred in such a fashion. It is worthy therefore to reproduce herea translation of the bye- law so that other British entomologists know of the new restrictions.

Prefecture des Alpes de Haute-Provence, Service de la Coordination et de l’Action Economique, Bureau de |’Environ- ment, du Tourisme, et de l’Amenagement due Territoire.

ARRETE No. 78 — 2536 Prohibition of capture of butterflies and moths in all the territory comprising the department of the Alpes de Haute- Provenc. Article 1 Capture of moths carried out at night using artificial light sources and all other methods, also that of their cater- pillars, is prohibited in all the territory of the Alpes de Haute- Provence. Article 2 The capture of butterflies and day-flying moths is prohibited in all the territory of the Alpes de Haute-Provence for a period of ten years following publication of this bye-law in the collection of administrative records of the Prefecture. Article 3 Capture or destruction of eggs, chrysalids and caterpillars of butterflies and moths is prohibited except those which are agricultural, horticultural or forestry pests. Article 4 Exception from article 2 is made for children under twelve years of age who catch butterflies with pocket nets of a diameter not exceeding 20 c. Article5 Capture for scientific purposes of butterflies and moths as well as their eggs, chrysalids, and caterpillars is possible under exceptional authorization from the depart- mental Director of Agriculture, on the express condition that the request is made to him not less than one month in advance, the validity of such authorization not exceeding two months. Article6 The Secretary General ofthe Alpes de Haute- Provence, the Sub-Prefects, the mayors, the Colonel com- manding the police of the Alpes de Haute-Provence, the Departmental Director of Agriculture and the employees of the National Forestry Offic and municipal guards are en- trusted, each and every one, with the carrying out of this present bye-law. Digne 22ndJune 1978 Signed: Paul Rouaze

It would appear form article 5 that collecting permits can be obtained under certain conditions. Perhaps being a member of an entomological society might be sufficient evidence of scientific intent? However, I doubt it because some commercial dealers are also members of entomological societies. In time, no doubt, the situation will became clearer.

In several European countries, laws are in force which protect certain species of lepidoptera. In Germany Parnassius species are protected in all their stages. Likewise Zerinthia species have been protected in Czechoslovakia since 1965. I

A BAN ON COLLECTING LEPIDOPTERA 39

belive that there are similar laws in Austria and Switzerland but I have no information concerning which species are pro- tected. Perhaps other readers can supply more information on this subject? The present collecting controversy and focus on conservation stimulated me to expand this paper more than I originally intended with the objective of making further information available to those interested.

In Britain we have seen many papers during the past few years concerning the misuse of light traps (e.g. Smith & Smith 1978) also ther have been one or two papers specifically on insect/butterfly conservation (Owen 1974, Gardiner 1976). I echo the views of Smith & Smith in confirming that it is nearly always members of national organisations who run light traps which kill everything which enters them (i.e. Rot- hamstead traps). Although I have little knowledge of what goes on in the Alpes de Haute-Provence, I can present here some information concerning the Vaucluse. During ten years of collecting experience in the Vaucluse, the only light traps I have encountered which kill all the insects which enter, are those run by employees of the Institute Nationale de la Recherche Agronomique (I.N.R.A.). Both the Montfavet Agricultural Research Station and the Laboratoire d’Ecologie de Mont Ventoux both run severalsuch traps. I am informed that those positioned on Mont Ventoux and which are con- cerned mainly with the monitoring of populations of [haume- topoea pityocampa Schiff., the Processionary Caterpillar of the Pine, frequently require emptying three or four times per night in mid-summer. The thousands of dead moths are later examined and identified (when possible) by students who act as temporary employees during summer months. All the light traps used by visiting amateur lepidopterists have been without exception of the “Robinson” or ‘Heath’ design, and made use of a sheet or egg packing trays. These traps alow the lepidopterist to select the desired specimens and to release the remainder, usually the vast majority, unharmed.

In the case of the light traps used by Montfavet Agricul- tural Research Station, they are used to monitor the arrival of migrations and population fluctuations of twenty or more pest species of Noctuidae. The light traps are positioned in agricultural areas around Avignon. This type of use is perhaps acceptable to most lepidopterists.

In the case of the light traps used by the Laboratoire d’Ecologie du Mont Ventoux, Malaucene, I would query the necessity for using light traps to monitor the population of T. pityocampa. Having had some professional experience during 1963 involving a serious outbreak of the Pine Looper, Bupalus piniarius L. (the Bordered White) in Cannock Chase, I feel that 1 can discuss the matter with some authority. Although there will undoubtedly be correlation betweeen numbers of moths killed in the traps and actual populations, for one reason or another the figures obtained are not very accurate and can only be used as an indication of fluctuations. The same indica-

40 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1/ I-III /79

tion may be obtained by other methods involving larvae. The ease with which one can count the web nests of larvae in the springtime also makes possible the counting of nests by aerial photography either using daylight or infra red film. Surely it is not necessary to kill thousands if not millions of moths in order to know when the adult moths are emerging and laying eggs. A further disadvantage of such semi-permanent light traps is that large numbers of moths are eaten by bats which soon learn that light traps are a good source of food. The numbers of bats involved can be large and fluctuations in the bat popula- tions will be reflected in the numbers of moths taken in the traps.

My friend Mr. Gerard Luquet, the editor of ‘““Alexanor’’, who is employed as a lepidopterist in the Museum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris and sometimes at the Laboratoire d’Ecologie due Mont Ventoux, on being questioned about the effect of the “complete mortality” light trap, informed me that the statistics taken by his colleagues over a number of years indicate that there are no adverse effects on populations from the use of such traps. Personally I feel that this is an incorrect conclusion based on inadequate data. Perhaps it is correct for certain common species with wide distribution but I would suggest incorrect for uncommon species with restricted distribution. Populations normally fluctuate from generation to generation depending on parasitism, predation, food supply and weather. Should large numbers of an uncommon species be taken when a population is extremely low, long term damage can be inflicted on the population and it may take several years to regain its normal density. Thus we find conflicting evidence: that of personnel of I.N.R-A. on the one hand and _ that of the advisers to the Prefecture of the Alpes de Haute- Provence on the other. It appears obvious to me that the latter are ‘correct.

I have already pointed out that it is not the effect of light traps upon common species with wide distribution which worries the conservationist. It is their effect upon uncommon species with restricted distribution. In the Alpes de Haute- Provence I presume that one of the major subjects for con- servation is the Saturniid Graellsia isabellae Graells., un- doubtedly one of the species most concerned with the present ban on collecting. There has been for some years, publicity concerning the rarity of this and other insect species in France, where it is restricted to two or three departments in the south. Despite this ““warning”’, large numbers have been collected annually by both French and German commercia! dealers. I fear that Mr. Gardiner’s supposition (Gardiner 1977) that Al specimens are more easily obtained by breeding is just not true. Soon after emergence most wild specimens are perfect. Unscruplous dealers will kill and sell even damaged specimens. Mr. Gardiner also states, ““There is no known proved instance of any butterfly or moth ever having been exterminated by over-collecting’’. This is, of course, very

A BAN ON COLLECTING LEPIDOPTERA 41

difficult to prove, but a recent example of disgraceful behaviour on the part of a South African dealer/lepidopterist comes to mind. A recently discovered species of Lycaenid, Oxychaeta dicksoni (Gabriel) with a very restricted distribution was, as far as is known, collected to the point of extinction within one season so that the individual concerned could charge high prices for his “rarities”. Mr. C. G. C. Dickson, after whom the species was named, informed me that it has not been seen since. Following on from this there is now a list of butterfly species protected by law in South Africa, with heavy fines or imprisonment for anyone transgressing the law. Laws such as this are very hard to implement especially in wild, mountainous areas, forests, etc. Far better is to prohibit the sale, as well as the collection, of the insects concerned.

In the case of the Alpes de Haute-Provence, protection of certain uncommon species would likewise be hard to imple- ment (as it is in Britain). Those personnel required to assist in the carrying out of such a law are not likely themselves to be able to tell one species from another. Undoubtedly in cases such as this, it is better to establish a nature reserve or put a total ban on collecting.

While completing this paper, the October issue of “The Record”’ was delivered and with great interest I read various ‘Letters to the Editor’ from Messrs. Jacobs, Hyde and Will- mott (Ent. Rec. 90: 272-274). Undoubtedly permanent destruc- tion of habitat is the major cause of the disappearance of insect species, with other factors such as over-collecting, temporary destruction of habitats by fires, droughts, etc., and interference in the natural balance of an ecosystem uch <s the introduction of myxamotosis, all playing lesser rdles. It is urgently necessary to protect as many unspoilt areas as possible from the ravages of mankind. To this end, local naturalist’s trusts greatly need our support. I would also like to see greater action on the part of learned societies (ornithological, zoo- logical, entomological and botanical) working together with government. Wild life must be protected for scientific interest and leisure activities of future generations. Action is needed now and anything which aids conservation should be welcomed, however irritating it might be to some individuals. For this reason I fully support the Prefecture of the Alpes de Haute- Provence in their present ban, which for butterflies is in force until 1988. We must wait ten years to see whether the ban will be a permanent one.

References Brown, R., 1900. Digne revisited. Ent. Rec. J. Var., 12: 57. Gardiner, B. O. C., 1976. Collecting Controversy — Facts Wanted. Ent. Rec. J. Var., 88: 110-112. Tones etatl 1890. Notes on the Lepidoptera at Digne. Ent. mon. Mag., —_____—., 1894. Ent. mon. Mag., 30: 175. Owen, D. F., 1974. Trade threats to butterflies. Oryx, 12: 479-483. Smith, D. C. N. & Smith, F. H. N., 1978. The use of the Rothamstead Trap. Ent. Rec. J. Var., 90: 218-219.

42 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1/TI-111/79

The Return of the Orange Tip By ALBERT G. LONG* (Continued from page 17)

(iv) In South Northumberland VC 67

In south Northumberland (VC 67), as in County Durham (VC 66), the Orange Tip apparently suffered a decline in numbers towards the end of last century, but it seems never to have become completely extinct. The first record is that of John Wallis at Simonburn: ‘Frequent in warm shady vales in May and June” in 1769 (Natural History and Antiquities of Northumberland, p.353).

The next three known records are in a notebook of Albany Hancock. They are for the Newcastle area: 4.6.1826 and 29.4.1827, ‘‘Sides of lanes common’’; and his bother, John Hancock, similarly recorded it for Ponteland Road, 3.6.1827.

George Wailes recorded it on 1.6.1860 at Riding Mill between March Burn and Dilston Castle (7.7T.N.F.C. 5, 3); between 1861 and 1866, it was recorded each year at Stam- fordham by J. F. Bigge and H. T. Mennell (7.7.N.F.C. 5, 209; 6, 50); and in the same period for Burradon 26.5.1861, Cambo 19.5.1862; and Plessey Woods 26.5.1865 (ibid. and T.N.H.S. 1, 237).

1 MS. Notebook of Albany Hancock, in Hancock Museum, Newcastle- upon-Tyne.

Between 1867 and 1871 it was noted each year at Walling- ton by R. F. Wheeler, and on 16.6.1872 at Cresswell (7.N.H.S. 5, 99). This was the last known record for the century in VC 67, but in 1899, J. E. Robson wrote, ‘“‘For some years this pretty species all but disappeared but it has resumed its usual numbers” (7.N.H.S. 12, 4).

The earliest records I know of Orange Tips in VC 67 this century occur in a notebook of G. T. Nicholson?. For 4.6.1900 he wrote, “At Dipton near Hexham Rosie took one male Orange Tip’. Again on 28.5.1901, he wrote — “‘Allendale, noticed this species flying in the locality’. Similarly, on 4.6.1906 at West Dipton Burn, “Orange Tips seen but not caught’’. It is thus certain that Orange Tips were established in south Northumberland in the first decade of this century.

George Bolam, writing in 1925, said that Abel Chapman saw several about Houxty in 1918 — “‘The first he had ever seen anywhere in Northumberland. Since then it has appeared about Wark, in small numbers, in most years; and almost the same may be said of several other Tynedale localities, both to east and south” (H.B.N.C. 25, 522).

Other early records are to be found in the journal of W. G. Watson® for Sidwood (N. Tyne). Orange Tips are there recorded for the garden at Sidwood on 1.5.1920, 30.5.1920, 2.6.1920, 5.6.1920 and on 27.5.1920 at Red Heugh Wood.

In 1930, J. R. Robinson wrote “‘“A female Orange Tip, from which I now have eggs, taken at Ponteland, with one seen by Professor Harrison at Corbridge, shows that this

* Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. *MS. Notebook of Albany Hancock, in Hancock Museum, Newcastle- upon-Tyne.

THE RETURN OF THE ORANGE TIP 43 butterfly can still be seen in South Northumberland” (Vasculum, 16, 119).

In 1932, G. Bolam recorded one male in the glen below Staward Peel on 22.5.1932 (Vasculum, 19, 123);and in 1934, F. C. Garrett wrote “Not uncommon in South Northumber- land, but seems to be becoming more scarce” (Vasculum, 20, 46). However, this interpretation may have been the exact reverse of the truth.

In the mid-thirties, Robert Craigs recorded Orange Tips in Redesdale, at Catcleugh, two on 27.5.1935, and at Rochester two on 27.5.1935 and 1.6.1935 (H.B.N.C. 29, 17).

In 1941 it was observed as increasing near Stocksfield “between middle to end of June” (J. W. H. Harrison in Vasculum, 27, 6); and in 1942 the species was again recorded for Stocksfield by Mrs. T. E. Hodgkin — two seen (Vasculum, 27, 32).

Similarly, in 1945 it was seen at Bardon Mill on 6.5.1945 by C. J. Gent (Vasculum, 30, 47), and commonly in Allendale by J. S. Ash (Vasculum, 30, 55).

In 1946 F. W. Gardner recorded it as “now quite common at Riding Mill’? and added: “Has increased considerably of recent years” (Vasculum, 31, 6).

In 1951 it was observed at Apperley Dene, 2.6.1951; in 1960, at the Sneap 21.5.1960 (J. W. H. Harrison (Vasculum, 36, 11 and 45, 11); and in 1963, F. W. Gardner again recorded it for Riding Mill as “‘of regular occurrence throughout the district and fairly common in favourable years” (Vasculum, 48, 23 and Ent. Gaz. 13, 22).

The increase continued in the seventies. Thus, it was seen in June 1970 by J. T. B. and D. Bowman south of Caw Lough near Bonnyrighg Hall not far from Hadrian’s Wall (Vasculum, 59, 44); and in the same year, J. D. Parrack saw one male just emerged at Plashett’s Pond (N. Tyne) on 6.5.1970.

In 1971 one was seen on 1.5.1971 by A. M. Tynan at The Belling (N. Tyne), two more were seen at Plashett’s Pond by J. D. Parrack on 28.5.1971 and 6.7.1971; and in 1972, the same observer saw specimens at Plashetts on 5.6.1972; at Bolam 5.6.1972, Smalesmouth, 28.4.1972 (a pupa) and at Williamstone (S. Tyne) on 28.6.1972.

In 1973, several pairs were seen at Slaggyford (S. Tyne) by Gfl Fenwick on 9.6.1973, J. D. Parrack observed one near Cresswell 11.7.1973 and three at Williamstone; in 1975 it was seen at Low Shilfurd near Stocksfield by O. L. Gilbert (Vasculum, 61, 8), and also at Warden near Hexham by D. A. Sheppard and M. Eyre on 1.6.1975; and in 1976, it was noted at Stocksfield 8.6.1976 and at Close House near Newcastle on 27.5.1976 by D. A. Sheppard, and J. D. Parrack recorded six at Staward on 13.6.1976 (Vascuulum, 61, 96).

In 1977, it was again seen at Warden on 28.5.1977 by A. Garside, D. A. Sheppard and M. Eyre, and also at Whittle 3 MS. Journal of W. G. Watson, in Library of Northumbria Nat. Hist.

Soc., at Hancock Museum.

2MS. Notebook of G. T. Nicholson, in Hancock Museum, Newcastle- upon-Tyne.

44 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1 /TI-111/79

Dene 4.6.1977, and was observed at Heddon on the Wall by H. T. Eales on 21.5.1977. A male was seen flying across an open bare field between Bolam Lake and Shaftoe Crags on 22.5.1977 (A.G.L.). A single ovum was found at Wallington on Alliaria petiolata, by P. Summers on 20.6.1977.

In 1978 the increase was much in evidence in the S. Tyne and N. Tyne areas. It was seen at Brunton, Humshaugh and Haughton on 28.5.1978 by M. E. Braithwaite, at Chirdon Burn by A. M. Tynan, at the Kielder Dam site on 3.6.1978 (A.G.L.), and between Riding Mill and Slaley on 29.5.1978 by Mrs. Pybus of Dipton House.

It is clear therefore that in south Northumberland (VC 67), there is evidence of almost a continued presence of the Orange Tip from the time of John Wallis (1796) to the present (1978), with a possible diminution of numbers in the period between 1872 and sometime before 1899, when Robson pub- lished the first part of his ‘‘Catalogue’”. This partial break coincides more or less with the apparent extinction in Berwick- shire lasting the greater part of a century.

(to be continued)

THE GREAT BROCADE (EuROIS OCCULTA L.): A STRANGE HaBIT OF THE LARVAE IN CaPTivity. — Whilst in Scotland this year I collected a number of larvae of this species, and fed them up on birch at home. After about a week I noticed in one cage a larva infested with a hymenopterous parasite. These parasites had spun up a communal “candy floss” cocoon on a birch stem. Being a bit lazy at the time I left the stem in the cage as the occulta had plenty of foodplant. On preparing to change over to fresh food a few days later, I noticed with amazement a full grown occulta larva with its _ head and front segments actually inside the parasite cocoon. The following day the cocoon had vanished. I can only assume the larva had devoured the entire cocoon with its unsavoury occupants (my apologies to hymenopterists). There was no shortage of birch in the cage.

No doubt this change of diet suited the larva, but I wonder if this particular instance classes occulta as a can- nibal. The larvae certainly do not eat one another in captivity. Incidentally, I have found they have a great liking for birch catkins which they devour readily, usually leaving some of the catkin uneaten. — J. PLatts, 11 Maydowns Road, Chestfield, Whitstable Kent.

LIMENITIS CAMILLA LINN. AT FRISTON, NEAR EASTBOURNE, East Sussex. — In rather dull weather on the 20th July, 1978, I observed two Limentis camilla flitting through the trees in an area of Friston Forest where honeysuckle abounded. This prompted further investigation and on the 21st of July, another dull day, a further five were seen in the same locality. I decided to wait for a sunny day and luckily I only had to wait until the 24th July, when I returned to see at least 20 in flight, basking in the sun or resting on bramble flowers. — Mark Parsons, 43 King’s Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex.

45 Entomologising in Andorra, 1978 By J. M. CHALMERS-HunT! and C. J. LUCKENS?

The customs patrol scattered as we swept over the frontier into Andorra. Not that we had anything against them but when peaked-capped figures appeared suddenly out of the thick mist in the middle of the road it was only the skilful driving of J.M.C-H. that avoided an international incident.

It was towards the end of an exhausting journey south in which we had already been delayed the evening before by a dock strike at Dieppe necessitating a longer route via Boulogne. We had looked forward to some collecting on our way through France but the weather was far from favourable until we reached the delectable limestone country around Cahors and then the sun came out for a while.

We sampled an area of rough ground near Payrac and almost immediately a mint female Maculinea arion L. was netted. There were further examples of this butterfly nearby in an overgrown orchard and they were of a large bright form with considerable variation in the forewing spotting. Brintesia circe D. & S. was fairly common and several other species were flying including Papilio machaon L., Leptidea sinapis L., Thymelicus actaeon Rott., Cupido minimus Fuess., Nord- mannia ilicis Esp., Brenthis daphne D. &S., Melitaea didyma fsp. and Coenonympha dorus Esp.; and among the moths, Zygaena hippocrepidis Hb. (det. W.G.T.). A large ichneumon wasp was netted that turned out to be Stauropoctonus bomby- civorus (Grav.) (det. I.D.G.), rare in Britain, but known for example from the New Forest, and has been reared from the Lobster Moth (Stauropus fagi L.).

Pressing on, we reached the foothills of the Pyrenees and then the weather turned sour once more and there was thick mist all the way up the tortuous road from Ax le Thermes to Andorra. After negotiating the aforementioned customs officers, who were rather angry over their lost dignity and told us so in at least two languages, we made better progress in the rapidly improving road conditions and finally reached our destination at St. Julia de Loria in the late evening.

Apart from an occasional shower we saw no more rain during the five days we stayed in the principality and enjoyed collecting in glorious weather and amongst superb mountain scenery. We recorded over 90 species of butterflies alone. Dr. P. J. L. Roche, who resides in Andorra, met us the following morning and remained an invaluable guide and entertaining companion throughout our stay.

The first day, July 20th, was spent at about 3,500 ft. just east of S. Julia, in a lightly wooded valley which Dr. Roche has made the subject of an ecological survey. Insect life was abundant in this relatively lowland part of Andorra. The larger fritillaries, Argynnis adippe D. & S., Argynnis paphia L. and Brenthis daphne D. & S. sailed among the thistles, and a

*] Hardcourts Close, West Wickham, Kent. *52 Thorold Road, Bitterne Park, Southampton.

46 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1 /II-I11/79

white-flowered elder-like bush attracted hairstreaks and cop- pers, and also, to our delight, Libythea celtis Laich. There was a good selection of blues and Melitaea species, including a large race of Melitaea phoebe D. & S.; Melanargia lachesis Hb. was common, and Hipparchia alcyone D. & S. skipped around the tree trunks with elusive agility. Satyrus actaea Esp. was represented by newly emerged males. A few rather worn Aporia crataegi L. floated around the bushes and occasionally visited thistles in the lower part of the valley. The previous day Dr. Roche had taken a fine male Apatura ilia D. & S. f. clytie beside the shallow stream, and in the same spot, just after mid-day another male of this magnificent butterfly swept by J.M.C-H. who narrowly missed netting it. By 4.30 p.m. the prospect of liquid refreshment in Dr. Roche’s residence was irresistible, but we felt that 49 butterfly species recorded on our first day was no mean score.

Among the moths noted were: Zygaena filipendulae L. (det. W.G.T.), a five-spotted form which we were to encounter later in the vicinity; the geometrid Pseudoterpna coronillaria Hb. (det. D.S.F.) which is similar to our P. pruinata Hufn. though greyer; Chrysocrambus dentuellus P. & M. (det. M.S.), and en route to the valley, Dysauxes punctata F. (det. D.S.F.).

The following morning we set off for some higher level, collecting between 6,000 and 6,500 ft. at Encamp Cortals. At this height one could feel the bite in the air and a slight tachycardia — quite apart from that caused by chasing the fast-flying Colias phicomone Esp. which were careering over the flowery slopes. We both collected a short series of this butterfly, and J.M.C-H., as well as netting micros and insects of several other orders, also managed to capture two Euchloe ausonia ausonia Hb.—a butterfly not previously on Dr. Roche’s Andorran list. The little alpine fritillary Boloria napaea Hoffmannsegg was very common here — we thought we had Boloria pales D. & S. as well, but all the specimens sub- sequently shown to Dr. L. G. Higgins were found to be napaea. In the damper parts of the valley Palaeochrysophanus hippothoe L., Brenthis ino Rott. and the usually local Pro- clossiana eunomia Esp. were also well represented. Among a carpet of scabious C.J.L. took two Euphydryas aurinia Rott. which, though of a darkish and small form, were not quite true debilis in appearance. There were five species of Erebia in evidence, but one of these, Erebia cassioides Hohenwarth was only just emerging at this relatively late date and we found a single fresh male each. FE. meolans de Prunner was locally common (in the superb form bejarensis Chapman) but E. oeme Hb., E. epiphron Knoch., and EF. euryale Esp. were common and widespread. We were pleased to find the lovely blue Plebicula dorylas D. &S. on a stony dry slope; and even more locally, around the clumps of geranium, fluttered the little dark Eumedonia eumedon Esp. This latter species was past its best, however, and anything that looked like a fresh

ENTOMOLOGISING IN ANDORRA, 1978 47

specimen invariably turned out to be Cupido minimus Fuess. on closer inspection.

Moths seen include Macrothylacia rubi L., Diacrisia sannio L., Odezia atrata L., Gnophos obfuscata D. & S. (det. D.S.F.), Udea uliginosalis Steph. (det. M.S.), Pyrausta cerealis Hbn. (det. M-S.), Eudonia lineola Curtis (det. M.S.), E. murcurella L. (det. M.S.). Also, an attractive black and white Oecophorid which according to Mr. Jackh conforms to Schiffermuelleria raetica Frey, and on comparison with the series of S. rhaetica in the B.M.N.H. it seems nearest to ssp. graslinella Staudinger, though in the opinion of Dr. Sattler our specimen may well be specifically distinct.

The next day we went to Juberri a few kilometres into the mountains south east of St. Julia, and here a magnificent large race of Parnassius apollo L. sailed about. J.M-C-H. at one point was observed in a sort of dervish whirl in the wake of a white butterfly which flew and behaved very like Par- nassius mnemosyne L. and which led him a fine chase only to reveal itself as A. crataegi. He got a round of applause from a chalet balcony high up on the hill however! Though the precipitous stony slopes were difficult to explore we found a marvellous wealth of butterfly species flying alongside the road. Among the abundant lachesis a good proportion of Melanargia russiae Esp. were to be found, Heodes virgaureae L. was common and a single example of H. alciphron gordius was taken. Fritillaries were represented mainly by Argynnis adippe D. & S., A. paphia L. and a bright form of Melitaea didyma Esp., but a solitary Jssoria lathonia L. put in a brief appearance and there were one or two worn Mellicta athalia celadussa Fruh. and M. phoebe. During our stay only two Laeosopis roboris Esp. were taken, (one of them here at Juberri), but normally this butterfly is abundant by this date Dr. Roche informed us, and it seemed yet one more evidence of the lateness of the season. Among the burnets we took at Juberri was Zygaena hilaris Ochs. (det. W.G.T.).

In the early afternoon we drove back through St. Julia, and after negotiating the traffic in Andorra la Vella turned off the main road just short of Soldeu into the Val d’Incles. The high meadows here were carpeted with wild flowers — geranium, gentian, viola and cistus and flying among them a host of butterflies. Cyaniris semiargus Rott., Lycaeides idas L. and P. hippothoe were the commonest lycaenids and worn Clossiana selene D. &S. flew with the similar P. eunomia. B. ino, B. napaea and Pyrgus serratulae Ramb. were common as were the two Erebias, epiphron and oeme. We patrolled the thickly-growing stands of Gentiana lutea hoping to turn up Maculinea alcon D. & S. but to no avail. J.M.C-H. captured an enormous Tabanid fly just as it was about to feast on C.J.L. who was totally unaware of his peril. There was some dispute afterwards whether a warning had been given before or after the net descended!

Moths we recorded from there included: Hemaris tityus L., Parasemia plantaginis L., Epirrhoe molluginata Hbn. (det.

48 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1 /11-I11/79 D.S.F.), Omorphina cymbalariae Hbn. (det. D.S.F.), Stenop- tilia coprodactyla Stn. (det. M.S.), Udea ferrugalis Hbn. (det. F. (det. M.S.), Argyroploce stibiana Gn. (det. K. T.) and Eana argentula Clerck (det. K.T.).

We started operations the following day above El Serrat at approximately 7,600 ft. Several species were flying at, or just below, the snow line including Erebia pandrose Bork- hausen., C. phicomone, C. croceus Geoff., and Pieris brassicae L. Dr. Roche also recorded a specimen of the ubiquitous Coenonympha arcania L. Our main butterfly quarry was Pontia callidice Hb., but the only whites we saw were of the larger plebeian variety. A little lower down, at around 6,000 ft., E. meolans appeared, and also a large Pyrgus which was subsequently identified by Dr. Higgins as P. cacaliae Rambur and probably new to Andorra. On the lightly wooded hillside at 5,600 ft. where we concentrated our activities for the remainder of the day, P. apollo was fairly numerous — nearly all of them fresh males of a large race (pyrenaicus Harcourt- Bath). There was also a strong colony of Mellicta parthenoides Kef. and many Lasiommata maera L. Plebejus argus L. was represented by a fine race, hypochiona Ramb., with silvery blue undersides in the males. A striated aberration of P. hippothoe was captured and also our only specimen of H. tityrus Poda.

Among the moths noted were: Euplagia quadripunctaria Poda, Zygaena purpuralis Brimnich (det. W.G.T.), O. cym- balariae Hbn. (det. D.S.F.), Anaitis praeformata Hbn. (det. D.S.F.), Catoptria falsella falsella D. & S. (det. M.S.) and Pyrausta porphyralis D. & S. (det. M.S.).

Thunder clouds blew up during the latter part of the afternoon and there were a few heavy showers on our way

back to S.Julia.

The 24th was our last full day in Andorra, and we were determined to make the best of it. The morning was spent in the valley east of St. Julia where we met Dr. Roche accompanied by Michael Symes, who was just commencing his holiday in Andorra. A. ilia failed to put in another appearance but Michael Symes recorded a specimen of the large fritillary Pandoriana pandora D. &S. a species new to this area. L. celtis seemed more in evidence than it had been a few days before and the two blues Plebicula escheri Ub. and Plebicula amanda Schneider were also about in better numbers. Single examples were taken of P. apollo and M. arion.

After lunch J.M.C-H. and C.J.L. took themselves off to the road verges near Juberri where so many species had been flying two days before. Fluttering down a precipitous stony slope was a lemon yellow Anthocaris belia euphenoides Staud. — the only one we had seen. Instead of turning back towards the road when it reached the dense shade of some alders, as all the other butterflies seemed to do, it kept on going and we failed to intercept it further down the road. We decided to glance at the yellow biscutella plants and the very first one

ENTOMOLOGISING IN ANDORRA, 1978 49 examined had a well-grown larva of belia euphenoides. Several more were found but unfortunately they suffered badly from the heat and only three survived the return journey to England. Those that did survive took very well to ordinary garden honesty in the absence of their natural pabulum. A single specimen of the emerald Thetidia smaragdaria F. was netted here, and a number of empty mines collected on Malus of Lyonetia clerkella L. (det. A.M.E.).

Reluctantly we had to start our preparations for the homeward journey and the following morning drove up the high winding pass out of Andorra. We had completely different weather from that we had experienced the previous time and the sun shone brilliantly — also there were no customs officers in the way. Stopping at the highest part of the road we briefly explored and another P. cacalia came our way. The only other butterflies were E. pandrose, P. rapae, C. minimus, and the yellow and black day-flying moth Psodos quadrifaria Salzer.

A large buddleia patch beside the road at Le Castellet near Ax le Thermes caught our eye, and on our inspecting it Araschnia levana L. was taken among numerous B. daphne and A. adippe imbibing from the mauve blossoms together with a magnificent carpenter bee Xylocopa valga Gerstaecker (det. G.R.E.).It was interesting to note that here, only a few miles north of the Pyrenees, lachesis appeared to be replaced by a Melanargia intermediate in form between that and galathea.

We drove most of the afternoon until we found ourselves once again in the limestone region around Cahors. Here we sampled a dry hillside covered in wild lavender and noisy with cicadas. Both Zygaena sarpedon Hbn. (det. W.G.T.) and Z. fausta L. (det. W.G.T.) were flying here, as well as numbers of the curious dragonfly-like Libelloides longicornis L. (Neurop- tera, Ascalaphidae) (det. P.C.B.). P. machaon was numerous and there were plenty of the fine large Satyrus ferula F. flying over the dusty slopes. Gonepteryx cleopatra L. and G. rhamni L., both freshly emerged were frequent and we also recorded Philotes baton Berg. but so worn as to be virtually un- recognisable. The black and white Brintesia circe made life difficult for both butterflies and collectors by mobbing every- thing that came within range of their chosen perch. C.J.L. missed a large Iphiclides podalirius L. because of the aggres- sive antics of circe but just before we left J.M.C-H. dexterously netted one of these fine swallowtails in full flight.

This proved to be the last butterfly captured of the expedition as the following day the weather broke down, we inspected the Forét de Rambouillet in heavy rain, and only when we were within a few miles of the Channel did the sun shine once more.

Species other than Lepidoptera noted in Andorra

TRICHOPTERA. Goeridae: Silo graellsi Pictet (det. P.C.B.), Val d’Incles, 3, 22.vii. Sericostomatidae: Schizopelex furcifera McLachlan (det. P.C.B.), Juberri, 3, 22.vii.

MECOPTERA. Panorpidae: Panorpa meridionalis Ram- bur (det. P.C.B.), St. Julia, 9, 20. vii.

50 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1/II-I11/79

PLECOPTERA. Perlodidae: /soperla grammatica (Poda) (det. P.C.B.), Juberri, 3, 22.vii.

ORTHOPTERA. Oedipoda caerulescens L. (det. D.R.R.), St. Julia, 20.vii; Juberri, 22.vii. Stauwroderus scalaris F.v.W. (det. D.R.R.), Encamp Cortals, 21.vii.

DIPTERA. Syrphidae (det. R.A.H.): Volucella zonaria Poda, San Julia, 24.vii; Sericomyia lapponica L., El Serrat (7,500 ft.), 23.vii; Scaeva selenetica Mg., Encamp Cortals (6,500 ft.), 21.vii. Conopidae (det. K.G.V.S.): Sicus ferrugineus L., Juberri, 22.vii. Asilidae (det. R.A.H.): Cyrtopogon rufi- cornis F., El Serrat, 23.vii; Molobratia teutonus L., El Serrat (5,600 ft.), 23.vii. Bombyliidae (det. D.J.G.): Bombylius canescens Mg., Val d’Incles, 22.vii; Anthrax anthrax Schrank, St. Julia, 20.vii. Tabanidae (det. J.E.C.): Tabanus sudeticus Z., El Serrat, 23.vii; Val d’Incles, 20-vii. Tipulidae (det. P.S.C.): Nephrotoma flavescens L., Encamp Cortals, 21.vii.

COLEOPTERA. Lepturinae: Stenopterus rufus (L.), 9, Juberri, 22.vii; Judolia cerambyciformis (Schrank), ?, Juberri, 22.vii; Leptura rubra L., &, Juberri, 22.vii. Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae: Amphimallon fuscus (Scop.), St. Julia, 24.vii. Cleridae: Trichodes apiarius (L.), St. Julia, 24.vii. The Ceram- bycidae det. by C.R.S.; the Scarabaeidae and Cleridae det by R.D.P.

HYMENOPTERA. Apidae (det. LH.H.Y.): Bombus ruderarius ssp. montanus Lepeletier, °, Encamp Cortals (6,500 ‘ft.).

Acknowledgments

We thank the following specialists for kindly undertaking determinations: Dr. P. C. Barnard, Mr. J. E. Chainey, Mr. P. S. Cranston, Mr. G. R. Else, Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet, Mr. D. S. Fletcher, Mr. I. D. Gauld, Dr. D. J. Greathead, Miss Rose A. Hayman, Dr. L. G. Higgins (for determining difficult butterfly species especially among the genus Pyrgus), Mr. E. Jackh, Mr. R. D. Pope, Dr. D. R. Ragge, Dr. G. S. Robinson, Dr. K. Sattler, Mr. M. Shaffer, Mr. C. R. Smith, Mr. K. G. V. Smith, Mr. W. G. Tremewan, Mr. K. Tuck and Dr. I. H. H. Yarrow.

Our grateful thanks go especially to Dr. Patrick Roche who accompanied us to several rich entomological localities, most of which he discovered himself, and who entertained us royally at the end of each days collecting. And finally to our wives, for letting us go to foreign parts without undue complaint!

References Bretherton, R. F., 1966. A Distribution List of the Butterflies (Rhopolo-

cae of Western and Southern Europe. Trans. So. Brit. Ent., 17(1): Bretherton, R. F., R. E. Ellison and W. B. L. Manley, 1952. Lepidoptera

in the Eastern Pyrenees, 1951. Entomologist, 85: 197-204, 222-229. Greenwood, J. A. C. and D. F. and Roche, P. J. L., 1977. Andorra —a

Visit in July 1976. Ent. Rec., 89: 277-282.

Higgns, L. G. and Riley, N. D., 1970. A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe, Collins.

Higgins, L. G., 1976. The Classification of European Butterflies, Collins.

Manley, W. B. L. and Allcard, H. D., 1970. A’ Field Guide to the

Butterflies and Burnets of Spain, Classey. Polunin, O., 1969. The Flowers of Europe, Oxford.

51

Agonopterix scopariella Heinemann: Some notes of differences between it and allied species in Britain

By JOHN R. LANGMAID *

Quite why this species was ever confused with Agonop- terix pulverella Hubner seems a mystery, because the imagines are distinct macroscopically; and the foodplant of scopariella is Sarothamnus scoparius, while that of pulverella is Genista tinctoria.

Agonopterix scopariella Heinemann.

Sexes similar. Exp. 20-22 mm.

Head, thorax and tegulae brownish, scales paler-tipped.

Face whitish.

Palpi pale brownish buff, the rough-scaled second joint with fuscous-tipped scales; terminal joint with two blackish bands ventrally, more obscure dorsally; tip minutely black.

Antennae fuscous, somewhat paler toward base.

Abdomen dorsally greyish-brown with a row of paler scales of the segment below, giving a somewhat banded appearance; anal tuft brownish; ventrally pale greyish buff with a broad sooty black stripe laterally on each side sometimes interrupted at seg- ments, and a row of black dots medially on each side.

Forelegs brownish buff, medial side of tibia distinctly reddish superiorly and and fuscous inferiorly; coxa and femur blackish, sprinkled buff; tarsi spotted dark fuscous superiorly.

Middle legs —coxa and femur blackish, sprinkled pale buff; tibia buff, sprinkled fuscous, with lateral hair- scales reddish; spurs fuscous; tarsi greyish-brown.

Hindlegs — coxa and femur blackish, sprinkled buff; tibia buff; spurs fuscous; tarsi brownish.

Forewings — costa straight.

Upperside brown, pinkish brown or reddish brown, more or less dotted black, a short black or dark brown line from dorsum near base obliquely upwards and outwards stopping half way to costa, in some speci- mens more or less obsolete; two black dots in disc at 1/3, the inner one obliquely above the outer which is sometimes edged with white above; a distinct white dot in disc at 1/2 and another beyond it some- times edged with black, a darker suffusion in disc above inner white dot; a row of terminal blackish dots or dashes, sometimes obscure; cilia darkish brown, paler around tornus. Underside shining fus- cous with a paler margin along costa which is dis- tinctly marked with four to six blackish spots.

* 38 Cumberland Court, Festing Road, Southsea, Hampshire.

52 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1/II-I11/79

Hindwings grey, paler basally; cilia greyish with 3 to 5 concentric fuscous bands, sometimes very obscure. Underside grey, brindled with blackish toward apex.

Agonopterix pulverella Hubner.

Sexes similar. Exp. 20-22 mm.

Head, thorax and tegulae pale buff to light brown, some- times with a pinkish flush, and more or less sprinkled darker brown.

Face paler.

Palpi unicolorous pale buff.

Antennae dark shining fuscous with pinkish or purplish reflections.

Abdomen dorsally fuscous, mottled buff; anal tuft buff; ventrally pale greyish-buff with a row of sooty black spots laterally on each side and another row of smaller black dots medially on each side.

Forelegs buff; tarsi broadly banded fuscous.

Middle legs brownish-buff; spurs fuscous; tarsi banded fuscous.

Hindlegs brownish-buff; medial spurs buff, shorter lateral spurs fuscous; tarsi faintly banded fuscous.

Hindlegs brownish-buff; medial spurs buff, shorter lateral spurs fuscous; tarsi faintly banded darker.

Forewings — costa distinctly arched.

Upperside pale buff, dorsal 2/3 more or less suffused pinkish or rusty at base, this suffusion broadening to apex, more marked in disc and upper part of termen; a blackish dot in disc tward base, sometimes obsolete; one whitish dot in disc posteriorly, also sometimes obsolete; many blackish scales scattered along veins; a row of indistinct terminal dark fuscous dots; cilia more or less pinkish or rusty, paler around tornus. Underside shining light fuscous, with pale buff perimeter broader on costa which is scarcely marked fuscous.

Hindwings greyish-white, darker toward apex where there are two or three fuscous dashes around margin; cilia greyish-white with two to four concentric light fus- cous bands. Underside pale shining greyish-white, more buff toward apex where it is brindled fuscous.

The only species of the genus Agonopterix which could be confused with scopariella is A. subpropinquella Stainton, but the latter never has the white dots in the disc, and is generally of a smoother appearance.

The larvae of scopariella can be beaten from broom in the latter half of June and early July. If beaten in June, larvae of A. nervosa Haworth will almost certainly be found as well. Nervosa appears slightly earlier than scopariella, so in June the larger larvae are likely to be nervosa, while in July nervosa will most probably have pupated, and the larvae are more likely to be scopariella. If larvae of A. assimilella Treitschke. are beaten out also, then there is no problem with identifica-

AGONOPTERIX SCOPARIELLA HEINEMANN 53

tion as these are either dark brown or olive-green with a black head and plate. The larvae of scopariella and nervosa are quite distinct as juveniles, but can be almost indistinguishable when full grown. Similarly, as nervosa also feeds on Genista tinctoria, its juveniles and those of pulverella are also distinct, but again very similar when full grown. There follows descrip- tions of the larvae of the three specie:

A. nervosa Juvenile — yellowish brown, dorsal and sub- dorsal lines blackish, head dark brown, plate of 2 yellowish, dots black, and the larva has a slight downy appearance.

Full grown — extremely variable. It can be green, yellowish or brownish- yellow; dorsal and subdorsal lines darker green in the green larvae, but brown or blackish-brown in the yellowish ones; head brownish or black; plate of 2 greenish in the green larvae sometimes with a black crescentic mark on each side, but yellowish-brown in the yellowish larvae; anal plate pale green or yellowish; dots black.

A. scopariella Juvenile — green or pale green; head, plate of 2, and dots black. Full grown — green; dorsal and subdorsal lines

darker green; head light yellowish- brown or greenish-brown, some- times with a small black dot on each cheek; plate of 2 green or pale yellowish-brown, with two small black dots sometimes con- fluent into a crescentic mark on each side; anal plate green; dots black.

A. pulverella Juvenile — greenish-white; head pale brown; plate of 2 greenish-brown edged with black; dots black.

Full grown — green; dorsal and subdorsal lines darker green; head pale brown; plate of 2 pale brown or greenish- brown, sometimes with black edg- ing of a variable degree; dots black.

So far, scopariella has been found in central-south and south-east England. East Anglia, South Yorkshire and several parts of Scotland. The distribution of pulverella seems to be confined to the southern half of England and south Wales. Both nervosa and assimilella are widely distributed throughout the British Isles.

54 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1/II-I11/79 Hydrillula palustris and Wicken Fen

R. P. DEMUTH *

It is difficult to imagine what a hold palustris had on the previous generation of entomologists. It was “‘the’’ collectors moth and the old generation were collectors, not conserva- tionists, and of course magnificent field naturalists into the bargain. It was the obscurity of palustris that made it so attractive. Nothing was known about it. It turned up as single specimens in widely spread localities. The female was hardly ever seen. The larvae quite unknown.

Only in Wicken Fen was it taken fairly regularly and then there were many years when none were caught. The result was that weekends in the Fen in early June were fully booked. In the 1920’s, when I first knew Wicken, it was financed and run by entomologists for entomologist. Barnes was the keeper. You booked with him and he did the rest. This meant providing and setting up a vertical sheet in the main drove, an acetylene lamp, table and chair and sugaring a number of cork strips fixed to posts. About six sheets was the maximum capacity and these occupied the whole length of the drove. The first thing was to claim ones pitch from Barnes and pay ones dues. All the older collectors had their favourites. ““Can I have the second one from the near end?” “Mr. Edelsten always has that.” ““The next one along?” “The Doctor (i.e. Cockayne) likes to collect next to Mr. Edelsten.” One fitted in in the end.

Wicken was a wonderful place fifty years ago. To begin with there was no bridge across the Cam and it was a dead end off a dead end. I used to bicycle over from Cambridge along the road to Waterbeach and then along the top of the flood bank along the river until one reached Upway where one had to cross. There was an inn on the opposite bank and -on its gable end the words ‘Five miles from anywhere. No Hurry!’ You shouted ‘grind’— local term for a ferry — and if there was no one about or the wind in the poplars drowned your call, your expedition failed.

Once at Wicken, there were several places to stay. Norton House was square Victorian with a famous notice ‘Compart- ments’ in the garden. Food was good and the visitors book held the signatures of most of the great early entomologists. I tried to get hold of it when Norton House closed, but failed. My other choice was Rose Cottage down on the Load. In those days there was a row of tiny timber framed cottages on both sides of the track from Barnes’ cottage to the Fen. Each had a small flower filled garden and this was as good a place as any to watch machaon. All this has completely gone.

Tea was usually taken at Barnes cottage. Here the young entomologist sat at the feet of his betters! I remember Cockayne saying to me ‘Never taken quercifolia larvae! Go into the Fen and find a small buckthorn bush with leaves heavily eaten. Hold the top of the stem in one hand and slide

* Watercombe House, Oakridge, Gloucestershire.

HYDRILLULA PALUSTRIS AND WICKEN FEN 55

the other hand down the stem and through the reeds as far as the ground. About six inches above ground you will touch something furry. They should be as big as your finger by now.’ I did as I was told and it works like magic.

I took my first palustris on June 7th 1929. My diary reads ‘Palustris came at 11.10 (S.T.), fluttered about in the grass for some time (while I was putting on a sweater) and then climbed up a support of the sheet away from the light.’ This is just as Barrett describes its behaviour. My capture was greeted with a great shout down the drove from Barnes “Mr. Demuth, he got palustris. I always gets extra when they gets palustris’!

My next meeting with palustris was on June 18th 1932 when Arnold Hughes and I put lights on the old railway line near Worlington and not far from Mildenhall. The line at this point ran through what was then open dry Breckland. A male was the first insect to arrive, a second male arrived at 1.30 a.m. This much drier type of locality was nearer to its continental habitat where I understand it occurs on damp heathlands rather than wet fens.

A few years later palustris was found at Wood Walton Fen and after the war males were sometimes found in some numbers, but no females. I paid my first visit on June 11th 1948. Eric Classey, when he heard that I was going, rang me up and asked me to get him a female as he wanted to breed from it. On June 11th I got plenty of males. On June 12th I put my Colman petrol lamp on a sheet right in the middle of a clump of meadow sweet (its foodplant) and to quote from my diary “At 1.30 B.S.T. a palustris female crawled out of the meadow sweet onto the sheet. It appeared like a beetle, with tiny wings and long black legs and crawled slowly towards the light.”

East Lincolnshire was the next area where palustris turned up. Richard Pilcher got it at light in his inland garden and it was found quite commonly on the coast on the wet areas on the sea side of the coastal sand-dunes. It was interest- ing to note that although Pilcher had plenty of meadow sweet near his garden there was hardly any in its coastal localities so there must have been alternative food plants. It was also interesting that although it was first found in the wetter parts of the coastal strip, it was subsequently found commoner on the drier areas.

I last visited Wicken in late May 1974. There were no other entomologists about and palustris was also absent (I was a bit early) and I saw none of the re-introduced machaon. Wicken is now on a main road holiday route. The “compart- ment’ notice has gone and so have the cottages on the path to the load. Barnes’ cottage remains and Barnes’ son was carry- ing on the fine work of his father. There is a good car park and a grand laboratory and exhibition centre in a corner of the Fen. The old windmill which pumped and squeaked all night has been handsomely restored (but doesn’t pump any

56 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1/II-111/79

more) and the Fen itself is in fine fettle — probably much better than in the 1920’s. Missing is that marvellous feeling of remoteness, of being in a place untended, not conserved. Serengeti not Whipsnade. This is inevitable. Due to the fall in the water table of the surrounding land, the Fen would become scrub woodland if not continuously cleared, and what was in the old days the privilege of the few to visit lonely places has now become the right of many.

SCHIFFERMUELLERIA SUBAQUILEA (STAINTON) ON CAIRNGORM. —It seems that the foodplant of this species is unknown and the rather irregular occurrence of the moth makes it difficult to identify and search likely foodplants in its haunts. Con- sequently it may be of interest to record that we found specimens on 17th June 1978 at 3,250-3,500 ft. on Cairngorm, Easter Ness, on the shoulder which runs north west down from the restaurant (Nat. grid ref. NJ 003053). The moths were fly- ing in sunshine at about 3.00 p.m. over the short vegetation and there was little wind. The specimens were identified for us by Mr. E. C. Pelham-Clinton to whom we are most grate- ful. —P. D. Hutme and M. R. Youna, Aberdeen.

STERRHA VULPINARIA H.-S. (LEP.: STERRHINAE) IN SOUTH Devon. — On the night of 8th July 1978 a single specimen of Sterrha yvulpinaria H.-S. came to mercury vapour light near Hopes Nose, Torquay. Only 78 individual macro-lepidoptera were in or around the trap the following morning, representing 28 species none of which were recognised migrants. To my knowledge this is the first record of the species from Devon for a considerable period of time. The species may still be . resident therefore in the Torquay area rather than be an immigrant to it. (Ref. A. H. Dobson, Ent. Rec., 68: 121). — ALAN KENNARD, Chancery Cottage, 79 Old High Street, Head- ington, Oxford.

ECTOEDEMIA QUINQUELLA (BEDELL) IN GREATER LONDON. — This species is known only from south-east England, north- west France and Belgium and is often sought by continental collectors on their visits to this country. It occurs in a few isolated but often populous colonies which are usually confined to two or three trees; this is the species for which Meyrick once counted 123 mines in a single oak-leaf. Microlepidopterists may be interested to hear of a colony within easy reach of London where the population in 1978 was to be counted probably in millions rather than thousands. It is at Belhus Wood (TQ 565824), a “public access” wood belonging to the Essex County Council. The part of the wood where E. quin- quella occurs is immediately south of the car-park.

Collectors used to visit Madingley in Cambridgeshire for this species, but one of the two trees on which it was found has been felled; the colony I am now recommending is there- fore to be preferred. A visit should not be made before the leaves begin to fall as the foliage is mostly out of reach. — A. M. Emmet, Labrey Cottage, Victoria Gardens, Saffron Walden, Essex. 8.11.1979.

ai, About two recent butterfly records from the Island

of Thassos, Greece By JoHN G. CourTsis *

During an inspection of the butterfly collection at the Goulandris Museum, near Athens, two male Palaeochrysopha- nus hippothoe Linnaeus were encountered, that bore the following data: Griechenland Insel Thassos Limin 28.6.1968 leg. A. Kutsaftikis. The specimens were subsequently dissected, with the kind permission of the museum directors, and their genitalia showed them to belong to ssp. hippothoe, an inhabi- tant of central and northern Europe, and not, as had been expected, to ssp. leonhardi Fruhstorfer, which replaces the former in the Balkans and which is essentially a high mountain butterfly.

2

Fig. 1. Side view of exterior face of right valva of Palaeochrysophanus hippothoe hippothoe Linnaeus, bearing the following data: Griechenland Insel Thasso Limin 28.6.1968 leg. A. Kutsaftikis.

Fig. 2. Side view of exterior face of right valva of Palaeochrysophanus hippothoe leonhardi Fruhstorfer. 5 kms. south of Florina, Macedonia, Greece, 1300 m., leg. J. Stamatiades.

In view of the altogether unexpected presence of this ssp. on Thassos island and of the recently reported record of Colias phicomone Esper from the same island (Koutsaftikis, 1974), it becomes evident that more field work ought to be undertaken there in hope of solving some of the mysteries and perplexities presented by the island’s faunal composition.

References Higgins, L. G., 1975. The Classification of European Butterflies. Collins, London. Koutsaftikis, A., 1974. Recent Butterfly Records from Greece. Ent. Record, 86: 15-17. * 4 Glykonos Street, Athens 139, Greece.

SIGHTING OF A YELLOW FORM OF THE SMALL WHITE (PIERIS RAPAE L.). — In late July 1978, I was returning home through the New Forest on the dual carriageway by Picket Post and the junction on the right to Burley; a little further on but before the then diversion, the traffic was stopping and moving for some distance. On the left grass verge four Small Whites were playing and feeding, and after looking at them a few times I saw that one was pure yellow. I had a really good look, and cursed my bad luck for being in the outside lane and helpless. — JoHN Payne, 10 Ranelagh Road, Welling- borough, Northants.

58 ENTOMOLOGIST’S RECORD 1 /II-I11/79

A Review of Lepidoptera in Britain during 1978 by C. G. M. DE Worms *

Those early months of 1978 were appreciably different from those of their immediate predecessors, in that quite severe wintry conditions prevailed during both January and February, and very little was on the wing till right at the end of the latter month. However, quite a mild spring-like spell prevailed during the first half a March bringing out the early species of noctuids, mainly the Orthosias on normal time with the flowering of the sallows which were at their