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ISSN: 0952-7583

British Journal of
ENTOMOLOGY
and Natural History

Volume 18
2005

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Published by the British
Entomological and Natural History
Society and incorporating its
Proceedings and Transactions

British Journal of Entomology and Natural History is published by
The British Entomological & Natural History Society
Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Reading, Berkshire RG10 OTH, UK.
Tel: 01189-321402. The Journal is distributed free to BENHS members.

Editor:
J. S. Badmin
Ecology Group
Canterbury Christ Church College
The Mount
Stodmarsh Road
Canterbury
Kent CT3 4AQ
Tel/Fax: 01227-479628
email: jsbS5@cant.ac.uk

Associate Editor:

M. R. Wilson, Ph.D., FR.E.S., F.L.S.
Department of Biodiversity & Systematic Biology
National Museums & Galleries of Wales
Cardiff CF10 3NP
Tel: 02920-573263
email: Mike. Wilson@nmgw.ac.uk

Editorial advisory panel:
D. J. L. Agassiz, M.A., Ph.D., FR.E.S.
R. D. G. Barrington, B.Sc.
P. J. Chandler, B.Sc., FR.E.S.
B. Goater, B.Sc., M.I.Biol.
A. J. Halstead, M.Sc., ER.E.S.
R. D. Hawkins, M.A.
P. J. Hodge
T. G. Howarth, B.E.M., ER.E.S.
I. EF G. McLean, Ph.D., F.R.E.S.
M. J. Simmons, M.Sc.
P. A. Sokoloff, M.Sc, C.Biol., M.I.Biol., FR.E.S.
R. W. J. Uffen, M.Sc., F.R.E.S.
B. K. West, B.Ed.

© 2006 British Entomological and Natural History Society

Registered charity number: 213149

Printed in the United Kingdom by Henry Ling Limited
at the Dorset Press, Dorchester, DT1 1HD.

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY
AND NATURAL HISTORY

Index to Volume 18, 2005

Compiled by D. A. Young and R. D. Hawkins with the assistance of
P. J. Chandler, A. J. Halstead, N. M. Hall, P. J. Hodge and A.W. Jones

Dates of publication:

Part 1 — April 2005
Part 2 — June 2005
Part 3 — September 2005
Part 4 — December 2005

Plates:

Annual Exhibition 2004: Plates 1 and 2 are between pages 192 and 193.
Plate 3 is facing page 256.

CONTENTS
Aculeate Hymenoptera of Horton National Nature
Reserve, Gower, West Wales 213
Additional records from the Rothamsted Light Trap
Survey of the Horse Chestnut Moth Pachycnemia
hippocastanaria (Hb.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
in Southern England 104
Additional records of Dolerus megapterus Cameron
(Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from Wiltshire
126
Adults of the Horse Chestnut Pachycnemia
hippocastanaria (Hb.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
occur throughout the year on the Purbeck heaths,
Dorset 50
An ant’s home is its castle: further notes on the
synanthropy of Lasius brunneus (Latr.)
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae) 51
An interesting insect assemblage reared from the
bracket fungus /nonotus hispidus (Bull. ex Fr.)
Karst from Hyde Park, Middlesex 41
Announcements:
A change to our library loans policy 127
Changes to subscription rates 158
Cribb Award 158
Dr. Mark Telfer, BENHS President 2005-2006
157
Library stock-taking at Dinton Pastures 2005-
2006 258
Society’s building manager rear cover part 3
Annual Exhibition: 2004:
British Butterflies 171
British Macrolepidoptera 175
British Microlepidoptera 183
Coleoptera 201
Dictyoptera 211
Diptera 197
Foreign Lepidoptera 189
General 212
Hemiptera 208
Hymenoptera 210
Trichoptera 212
Are pitfalls biased? A comparison of carabid
composition from pitfall trapping and hand

searching in forest habitats 17
Corrigendum rear cover part 3
Behavioural observations of Chorthippus parallelus
(Orthoptera: Acrididae) adults in managed
grassland |
Book and CD-Rom Reviews:
Arthropods of economic importance: Diaspididae
of the world 60
Arthropods of the beech-wood belt in the Northern
Appennines 16
Atlas des Coccinelles de la Manche 286
Auchenorrhyncha of Central Europe: Volume 1:
Fulgoromorpha, Cicadomorpha excl.
Cicadellidae 226
Aurelian’s Fireside Companion — an entomological
anthology 290
Black Flies (Simultidae) of North America 218
Bumblebees 58
Dead Wood: A key to Biodiversity 57
Dragonflies of Bedfordshire 59
Dragonflies of Europe (revised edition) 59
Hazards of Butterfly Collecting 289
Insect development and evolution 61
Insect sampling in forest ecosystems 292
Insects: an outline of entomology 228
Jewels in the Air DVD 292
Larval foodplants of the butterflies of Great
Britain and Ireland 264
Leafhoppers and planthoppers of Germany
(Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha): patterns and
strategies in a highly diverse group of
phytophagous insects 288
Living Jewels 170
Monarch Butterfly, biology and conservation 291
Moths of Essex 225
Night visions: the secret designs of moths 227
Provisional atlas of the British aquatic bugs
(Hemiptera: Heteroptera) 289
Cerodontha rohdendorfi Nowakowski and Cerodontha
staryi (Stary) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) new to
Britain 101
Contribution to the distribution of Zicrona caerulea
(L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Scotland 223

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

Dark form of Waved Carpet Hydrelia sylvata (D.&S.)
(Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Perry Woods, Kent
Zoe

Dolerus megapterus Cameron (Hymenoptera:
Tenthredinidae) in Southern Britain 44

Eulecanium excrescens (Ferris) (Hemiptera: Coccidae),
an Asian pest of woody ornamentals and fruit
trees, new to Britain 45

Expanding northern ranges of aquatic invertebrate
species: a possible effect of climate change ? 219

Female Oriental Fruit Moth Grapholita molesta
(Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) reared from
larva found in a nectarine 52

Field Meetings (indexed in date order):

Slapton Ley, Devon, 30 August 2003 62

Watersmeet, Exmoor, Devon, 1 May 2004 62

Hatfield Forest, Essex, 15 May 2004 63

Rushy Meadows, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, 21 May
2004 64

Dinton Pastures, Berkshire, 22 May 2004 68

Bernwood Forest, Buckinghamshire, 22 May 2004
274

Quoditch Moor, Devon, 29 May 2004 70

Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR,
Lincolnshire, 1-3 June 2004 131

Ferry Marshes, Kent, 13 June 2004 70

National Insect Week, Indoor Lecture, The Natural
History Museum, London, 17 June 2004 136

Wood of Cree RSPB Nature Reserve near Newton
Stewart, Kirkcudbrightshire, 18-20 June 2004
137

Whiddon Down (Deer Park), Devon, 26 June 2004
72

Otmoor, Oxfordshire, 26 June 2004 278

Castor Hanglands NNR, Northamptonshire, 27
June 2004 138

Askham Bog, Yorkshire, 30 June 2004 140

Barnham Cross Common, Norfolk/Suffolk, 1 July
2004 140

First Societas Europa Lepidopterologica Field
Congress, Sesvenna, South Tyrol, Italy, 6-11
July 2004 143

Hittisleigh Woods, Devon, 10 July 2004 149

London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London, 17 July 2004
149

Stoborough Heath RSPB reserve, Wareham,
Dorset, 30 July-1 August 2004 285

Quoditch Moor, Devon, 31 July 2004 152

Coppice Wood, Riseley, Bedfordshire, 12 August
2004 153

Gutner point, Hayling Island, Hampshire, 26
September 2004 156

Field Meetings Programme 2005 rear cover part 2

First record of multiple allelomorphism in a British
butterfly: Coenonympha tullia (Miller) ssp.
polydama (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Satyridae) 253

Gerris lateralis Schummel (Hemiptera: Gerridae) 1n
Hampshire 252

Heleodromia irwini Wagner (Diptera: Empididae), an
English boreo-alpine relict ? 263

Hemiptera of Bracknell as an example of biodiversity
within an urban environment 233

History, ecology and current status of the Brighton
Wainscot Oria musculosa (Hiibner) (Lepidoptera:

Noctuidae): is this species on the verge of
extinction in the United Kingdom ? 81
Homonotus sanguinolentus (Fab.) (Hymenoptera:
Pompilidae): some recent records and observations
from the New Forest, Hampshire 163
Hypseloecus visci (Puton) (Hemiptera: Miridae) a
mistletoe bug new to Britain 159
Indoor Meetings:
14 September 2004 123
9 November 2004 124
11 January 2005 125
8 March 2005 272
10 May 2005 272
Influence of emptying frequency of pitfall traps on the
capture of epigeal invertebrates, especially
Pterostichus madidus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) 259
Invertebrate assemblage of some arable fields in West
Cornwall: a mismatch between invertebrate and
plant conservation prioritisation 165
Lasius brunneus (Latreille) (Hymenoptera:
Formicidae) in Monmouthshire 162
Maitland Emmet BENHS Research Fund rear cover
part |
Miscophus bicolor Jurine (Hymenoptera:
Crabronidae), a wasp new to Britain 229
Nomada signata Jurine (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in
Wales 224
Obituaries:
David Alfred Porter 55
Edward P. Wiltshire 129
G.A.Neil Horton 265
Odynerus melanocephalus (Gmelin) (Hymenoptera:
Vespidae) and Lasioglossum malachurus (Kirby)
(Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in Berkshire 8
Officers’ Reports for 2004:
Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society
(BWARS) Report 119
Building Manager’s Report 117
Council’s Report 105
Curator’s Report 115
Dipterists Forum Report 118
Editor’s Report 118
Librarian’s Report 114
Maitland Emmet BENHS Research Fund 113
Professor Hering Memorial Research Fund 114
Treasurer’s Report 107
Trustees’ Report 107
Planning a new national macro-moth recording scheme
26
Presidential Address, Part 1: Report 120
Professor Hering Memorial Research Fund rear cover
part 1
Recent observations of Hippobosca equina L. (Diptera:
Hippoboscidae) in ‘South Devon 37
Recent occurrence of Sturmia bella (Meigen) (Diptera:
Tachinidae) in south-west England, including
rearings from two host species of Nymphalidae
269
Recent records of scarcer Ephemeroptera from
Southern England 49
Record of Grizzled Skipper butterfly Pyrgus malvae
(L.) on field meeting, greatly valued 156
Records of Hemiptera from England in 2001-3 271
Rotherfield Park, North Hampshire: An important site

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

for saproxylic Coleoptera, Diptera and other
insects 9

Selective mortality of stag beetles in Orpington, Kent

267

Sericomyia silentis (Harris) (Diptera: Syrphidae)
reported from Northamptonshire 272

Southern bush-cricket Meconema meridionale Costa
(Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Kent 271

Study of grasshopper populations in countryside
stewardship scheme field margins in Essex 73

Ten additions to the Heteroptera (Hemiptera) of
Cornwall 54

Torstenius Collection 128

Winter occurrence of Euptervx filicum (Newman)
(Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in east Kent 126

CONTRIBUTORS

Agassiz, D. J. L. 175, 183, plate 2 (part 3)

Albertini, M. V. 175, 274

Alexander, K.N. A. 16, 54, 57, 162, 165, 197, 201

Allen, A. A. 269

Allen, A. J. W. 202

Anthoney, M. 265

Appleton, D. 202

Archer, M. E. 210

Badmin, J. S. 60, 61, 70, 118, 126, 170, 208, 211,
226,227, 228, 252, 288, 292

Bailey, K. E. J. 171, plate 1 (part 3), cover part 4

Barclay, M. V.L. 41

Barrington, R, D, G. 172, 253, 264, plate | (part 3),
plate 3 (part 4)

Beaumont, H. E. 140, 183

Bland, K. P. 184, 223

Booth, R. G. 202, 204

Bowdrey, J. P. 203, 210

Boyd, G. 204, 272

Brook, J. 59

Brooke, S. E. 208

Brown, D.C. G. 175, plate 2 (part 3)

Butler, A. L. 172, plate 1 (part 3)

Cadbury, J. 137, 285

Chandler, P. J. 9, 115, 197

Cheke, R. A. 218

Clancy, S. P. 175, 184

Clarke, J. H. 176

Clifton, J. 176, 184

Collins, G. A. 44, 119, 184

Cook, R. R. 176, 184

Cronin, A. R. 176, 189, plate 2 (part 3)

Crossley, R. 140

Denton, J. S. 8, 9, 44, 49, 252, 271

Dewhurst, C. 179, 187, 198, 211

Dickson, R. J. 176, 184, 198, 208

Dobson, A. H. 176, 185

Dolman, P.M. 17

Edwards, M. 124

Elliott, B. 185

ElseG.uR. 229

Eyre, M. D. 219

Ezard, A. S. 176, 185

Ferguson, I. D. 225

French, M.-A. 198

Fox, R. 26

Galsworthy, A. C. 204

Gardiner, T. 1, 73

Gibbs, D. J. 101, 159, 185, 204, 208, 210, 212

Gill, N. V. 176

Grearson, K. J. 126

Green, D. G. cover part 2

Hall, N. M. 189, 212, plate 2 (part 3)

Halsey, J. 173, 177

Halstead, A. J. 123, 124, 198, 204, 210, 272, plate 2
(part 3)

Harman, T. W. 177, 191

Harmer, A. S. 192, plate 2 (part 3)

Harper, M. W. 185

Hart, C. 177

Hawkins, R. D. 123, 124, 125, 198, 205, 208, 211

Hayward, R. 177

Heckford, R. J. 186

Helden, A. J. 233

Henwood, B. P. 62, 178

Heppenstall, R. I. 186

Higgott, J. B. 178

Hill, we 1, 73

Hodge, P. J. 55

Holland, J. M. 259

Humphrey, D. A. 173, plate | (part 3)

Ismay, J. W. 200

James, R. 17

Jenkins, A. 178

Jennings, M. T. 271

Jones, A. M. 173, plate 1 (part 3)

Jones, A. W. 199

Jones, R.A. 178, 198, 199, 205, 209, 211, cover parts
1, 3 and 4, plates 1 & 2 (part 3)

Kiddie, R. 175, 183

Killeby, M. 212

Knill-Jones, S. A. 174, 178, 187, plate 2 (part 3)

Knowles, A. P. 229

Kolaj, A. J. 179, plate 2 (part 3)

Langmaid, J. R. 156, 179, 187

Larsen, T. B. 129

Leather, S. R: 233

Legrain, A. 130

Levey, B. 206

Lin, Y-C 17, corrigendum rear cover part 3

Love, M. R. 179, 187, 198, 207, 211

Love, S. 179, 187, 198

Luckens, C. J. 174

Lato. 219

Lush, M. J. 51

Lyszkowski, R. M. 223

Macadam, C. 59

Malumphy, C. P. 45

Mann, D. J. 37, 200

plate 2 (part 3)
Merrifield, R. K. 118,212
Merrifield, R. M. 212
Miles, S. R. 123, 212
Milner, J. E. D. 123
Miquel, M. E. 267
Morris, M. G. 207
Moyse, R. I. 290
Muggleton, J. 105, 113, 273, 286
Nau, B.S. 159, 208, 209
Oram, D. A. 211

McCormick, R. F. 62, 70, 72, 149, 152, 179, 187, 191,

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

Owen, J. 181, 187 Agapanthia villosoviridescens 203
Parker, M. J. 199 Agonum nigrum 202
Parker, R. 289 Agrilus biguttatus 201
Parsons, M. S. 26, 81, 181, 187 A. sinuatus 15
Pavett, P M. 213, 224 Alosterna tabacicolor 15
Perry, I, 199 Amara 260
Phillips, J. W. 81 A. aenea 19, 21, 23
Phillips, R. K. 189 A. convexior 19
Philp, E. G. 289 A. curta 205
Pickess, B. P. 50, 104 A. eurynota 205
Pickles. A. J. 107, 128, 158, 192, plate 2 (part 3) A. lunicollis 17, 19, 20, 23, 24
Pinchen, B. J. 163 A. tibialis 19, 20, 23
Plant, A. 263 Amarochara forticornis 203
Plant, C. W. 194 Anaglyptus mysticus 205
Porter, J. 188 Anaspis frontalis 15
Prichard, A. W. 188 A. humeralis 15
Pugh, P. 273 A. lurida 15
Reynolds, C. J. M. 259 A. rufilabris 15
Rouse, T. 181 Anchomenus dorsalis 260
Schofield, A. 285 Anisotoma humeralis 14
Schulten, B. 200 Anisoxya fuscula 201, 207
Scoble, M. J. 114 Anommatus diecki 56
Sherman, N. 182 Anobium inexspectatum 15
Simpson, A. N. B. 188 Anomognathus cuspidatus 15
Simpson, M. L. 212 Anoplodera sexguttata 201
Sims, I. R. 114, 127, 182, 188, 194, 258 Anotylus hamatus 202
Smith, C. J. 201 Anthracus consputus 204
Spalding, A. 26 Anthrenus 116
Sterling, M. J. 195, plate 2 (part 3) Anthribus nebulosus 11, 13
Stewart, A. J. A, 126, 210, part 2 (part 3) A. niveovariegatus 46, 48
Stewart, J. 291 Apion frumentarium 167
Tebbutt, P. E. 174, plate I(part 3) Aplocnemus nigricornis 201
Telfer, M: 'G. 137,. 157,273 Aspidapion soror 204
Thirlwell, I. R. 182, 188 Aspidiphorus orbiculatus 15
Thomas, R. 143 Atheta aquatilis 203
Townsend, M. C. 64, 278 A. fussi 203
Tunmore, M. 26 A. hybrida 13
Turner, C. R. 37 A. liturata 15, 63
Uffen, R. W. J. 123, 124 A. zosterae 203
Waring, P. M. 64, 131, 136, 138, 140, 143, 149, 153, Athous bicolor 167

156, 197, 274, 278 Atrecus affinis 15
Warrington, S. 63 Bagous collignensis 71, 203
Wedd, D. J. 68, 117, 174, 182, 189 B. subcarinatus 71, 202
Wheeler, K. 183 Baris scolopacea 71, 202
White, M. C. 253, plate 3 (part 4) Batrisodes venustus 201
Whitton, P. 208 Bembidion ephippium 203, 204
Williams, P. 58 B. lampros 19, 20, 23
Wilson, M. R. 120, 123 B. properans 23
Winokur, L. 52, 175, 183, 189, 197, 201 B. schueppelii 23
Woodward, J.C. 219 Biphyllus lunatus 15

Bitoma crenata 15

COLEOPTERA Bledius bicornis 204
Abdera biflexuosa 201 Bolitochara lucida 15
Abraeus globosus 14 Brachinus crepitans 204, 273
Acalles misellus 15 Bradycellus harpalinus 19
Acrotona pseudotenera 204 Bruchela rufipes 205
Acrotrichis sanctaehelenae 202 Bruchidius varius 56
Actenicerus sjaelandicus 16 Brundinia meridionalis 72
Actocharis readingii 203 Calathus ambiguus 20, 21, 22
Acupalpus maculatus 158 C. fuscipes 260
Adalia bipunctata 287 Calvia 14-guttata 287
Aderus oculatus 15 Carabus 23
Adota immigrans 203 C. nemoralis 20, 21
Agabus uliginosus 138 C. problematicus 20, 21

vi

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

Carpelimus obesus 202 Dolichosoma lineare 71, 202
Cerapheles terminatus 202 Donacia crassipes 138
Cerylon ferrugineum 15 D. thalassina 138

C. histeroides 15 Dorcatoma dresdensis 206
Cetonia aurata 269 Dorcus parallelipipedus 15, 267, 268, 269
Ceutorhynchus 114 Dorytomus filirostris 204

C. alliariae 207 Dromius linearis 205

C. chalybaeus 207 Dropephylla ioptera 14

C. constrictus 207 D. vilis 15

C. hepaticus 207 Drupenatus nasturti1 207

C. minutus 167 Dryocoetinus villosus 15

C. obstrictus 167 Dytiscus dimidiatus 221

C. pervicax 207 Eledona agricola 15

C. picitarsis 207 Endomychus coccineus 15

C. pulvinatus 207 Enicmus brevicornis 15

C. sulcicollis 207 Ennearthron cornutum 15

C. syrites 207 Enochrus melanocephalus 221

C. thomsoni 207 Epilachna argus 287

C. typhae 167 Epiphanis cornutus 202

C. unguicularis 207 Epuraea marseuli 15
Chaetocnema concinna 167 E. silacea 15
Chrysolina oricalcia 205 Ernoporus fagi 15

C. sanguinolenta 205 Euplectus fauveli 63
Cicindela campestris 20, 21, 22, 23 Eupotosia mirifica 58
Cionus nigritarsis 11, 13 Exochomus nigromaculatus 287
Cis bilammelatus 41, 43 Feronia melanaria see Pterostichus melanarius

C. boleti 15 Gabrius splendidulus 15

C. micans 15 Galeruca tanaceti 205

C. nitidus 15 Gasterocercus depressirostris 58

C. pygmaeus 15 Gastrophysa polygoni 167
Clytus arietis 15 Glocianus moelleri 207
Coccinella magnifica 204 G. punctiger 207

C. septempunctata 167, 204 Glischrochilus quadriguttatus 15

C. undecimpunctata 167 Grammoptera ruficornis 15
Coccinula 14-pustulata 287 Gronops inaequalis 56
Coeliodes ruber 207 Grynobius planus 15

C. transversealbofasciatus 207 Gymnetron rostellum 167, 168
Coeliodinus nigritarsis 207 G. villosulum 64
Coelostoma orbiculare 63 Gyrophaena latissima 15
Conopalpus testaceus 15, 201 G. lucidula 203
Corticaria fagi 203 G. minima 15
Corticeus unicolor 201 Hapalaraea pygmaea 15
Cryptocephalus bilineatus 205 Harmonia axyridis 204, 205

C. hypochaeridis 206 Harpalus affinis 20
Cryptolestes ferrugineus 15 H. ardosiacus 204, 205
Cryptophagus dentatus 15 H. attenuatus 167, 168

C. ruficornis 15 H. latus 20, 21

C. scanicus 41, 43 H. rubripes 20
Cteniopus sulphureus 167, 168 H. rufipalpis 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Ctesias serra 15 H. rufipes 18, 20, 167, 260
Curculio villosus 205 H. smaragdinus 20, 22, 23
Cyanostolus aeneus 206 H. tardus 20
Cytilus sericeus 206 Hemicoelus fulvicornis 15
Dacne bipustulata 15 Hippodamia variegata 287
Dasytes aeratus 15 Hister quadrimaculatus 202
Datonychus angulosus 207 Homalota plana 15

D. arquata 207 Hydroglyphus geminus 221

D. urticae 207 Hydroporus angustatus 63
Demetrias imperialis 204 Hygrobia herrmanni 221
Dendroctonus micans 272 Hylesinus crenatus 15, 63
Denticollis linearis 15 H. varius 15
Dicheirotrichus obsoletus 205 Hypera arator 167
Dinaraea aequata 15 H. nigrirostris 167

Diplocoelus fagi 15 H. rumicis 167

Vii

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

Hypulus quercinus 201
Ischnomera caerulea 63

I. cyanea 204
Julodis hirtiventris 170
Kalcapion semivittatum 206
Laccobius sinuatus 221
Laccophilus hyalinus 221
Lagria hirta 167
Lampyris noctiluca 126, 277
Lathrobium pallidum 202
Lebia chlorocephala 64, 204
Leiopus nebulosus 15
Leptura maculata 15

L. melanura 15
Leptusa fumida 15

L. ruficollis 15
Lissodema quadripustulata 15
Litargus connexus 15
Lomechusa emarginata 203
Longitarsus dorsalis 206

L. kutscherae 167

L. pellucidus 167, 168
Loricera pilicornis 23, 260
Lucanus cervus 267, 268, 269
Lymexylon navale 201
Malachius aeneus 113

M. bipustulatus 15

M. vulneratus 71, 202
Malthinus flaveolus 15

M. frontalis 15

M. seriepunctatus 15
Malthodes crassicornis 201

M. marginatus 15

M. minimus 15
Mantura obtusata 204
M. rustica 165, 167, 168
Mecinus janthinus 71, 202, 206
Medon piceus 202
Melanotus villosus 15
Melasis buprestoides 201
Meligethes aeneus 167
M. rotundicollis 203
Meloe proscarabaeus 202, 215
M. violaceus 202
Melolontha melolontha 68, 269, 276
Microplontus rugulosus 167
Mogulones geographicus 207
Molorchus umbellatarum 202
Mononychus punctumalbum 208
Mordellistena humeralis 201

M. pseudoparvula 203
Mordellochroa abdominalis 15
Mycetochara humeralis 201
Mycetophagus quadriguttatus 11, 15

M. quadripustulatus 15
Nanophyes gracilis 203

Notiophilus aquaticus 17, 19, 20, 23, 24

N. biguttatus 19, 260
Notolaemus unifasciatus 201
Ochrosis ventralis 165, 167, 168
Octotemnus glabriculus 15
Oedemera nobilis 167
Oenopia conglobata 287
Olibrus flavicornis 206

vill

Olisthopus rotundatus 19
Oncomera femorata 124
Oprohinus suturalis 207
Orchesia micans 41, 42, 203

O. minor 15

O. undulata 15
Osmoderma eremita 58
Osphya bipunctata 207
Oulema erichsoni 204
Oxythyrea funesta 272
Paederus fuscipes 202
Paramecosoma melanocephalum 203
Paromalus flavicornis 14
Pediacus dermestoides 15
Pelenomus canaliculatus 204

P. comari 138, 208

P. waltoni 208
Phaedon tumidulus 167, 205
Philhygra parca 203
Philonthus cognatus 260
Phloeocharis subtilissima 15
Phloeonomus punctipennis 15
Phloeopora testacea 15
Phloiophilus edwardsi 201
Phosphaenus hemipterus 125
Phyllobius vespertinus 206
Phyllotreta nemorum 167
Phymatodes alni 205

P. testaceus 15
Plateumaris affinis 138
Platycis cosnardi 56

P. minuta 15
Platyderus ruficollis 205
Platydracus fulvipes 202
Platypus cylindrus 15
Poecilus versicolor 20
Pogonocherus hispidus 15
Polystichus connexus 71, 202
Prionocyphon serricornis 15
Procraerus tibialis 63, 201
Proteinus crenulatus 202
Pseudaplemonus limoni 71, 202
Psilothrix viridicoeruleus 167
Psylliodes 114

P. cuprea 167, 168
Ptenidium gressneri 63
Pterostichus angustatus (= P. quadrifoveolatus)

P. gracilis 204

P. macer 204

P. madidus 140, 259, 260, 261

P. melanarius 18, 260

P. oblongopunctatus 204

P. quadrifoveolatus 20, 21, 22, 23, 204
Ptilinus pectinicornis 15
Ptinella aptera 14
Ptinomorphus imperialis 15
Pyrochroa serraticornis 15
Quedius aetolicus 203

Q. invreae 13

Q. riparius 203
Raymondionymus marqueti 56
Rhagium mordax 15
Rhagonycha fulva 167
Rhamphus subaeneus 207

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

Rhinoncus pericarpius 167
Rhinosimus planirostris 15
Rhizophagus bipustulatus 15

R. dispar 15

R. ferrugineus 15

R. grandis 272

R. picipes 206
Rhyzobius chrysomeloides 206, 287
Rutidosoma globulus 208
Scaphidium quadrimaculatum 15
Scaphisoma agaricinum 15
Scolytus intricatus 15

S. multistriatus 15

S. rugulosus 15

S. scolytus 15
Scydmaenus rufus 10, 14
Scymnus 286

S. femoralis 287

S. schmidti 287
Sepedophilus bipunctatus 15
Siagonium quadricorne 15
Sibinia primitus 204
Silvanus unidentatus 15
Sinodendron cylindricum 15
Sirocalodes quercicola 165, 167, 168
Sitona lineatus 167

S. sulcifrons 167
Smicronyx reichi 203
Stenagostus rhombeus 15
Stenocarus ruficornis 165, 167, 168, 207
Stenclophus teutonus 205
Stenus canescens 202

S. fuscicornis 13
Symbiotes latus 63
Synchita humeralis 15
Syntomus foveatus 19

S. truncatellus 204
Tachyporus 260
Tachys scutellaris 204
Tapeinotus sellatus 207
Taphrorychus bicolor 11, 15
Tetratoma desmaresti 201

T. fungorum 15
Thamiocolus viduatus 207
Tillus elongatus 15
Trachys scrobiculatus 206
Trichius zonatus 208
Trichonyx sulcicollis 63
Trichosirocalus barnevillei 207

T. dawsoni 207

T. horridus 207

T. rufulus 207

T. thalhammeri 207
Triplax aenea 15
Trypodendron domesticum 15
Tychius breviusculus 203
Uleiota planata 202, 204
Variimorda villosa 11, 221
Velieius dilatatus 207
Vincenzellus ruficollis 15
Xantholinus angularis 63

X. glaber (= X. angularis)
Xestobium rufovillosum 15
Xyleborus dispar 15

Xyleborinus saxeseni 15
Zacladus exiguus 207
Z. geranii 207

DIPTERA
Acrocera orbiculus 197, 286
Agathomyia falleni 199
Atypophthalmus inustus 11
Bithia modesta 200
Bombylius canescens 199, 215

B. discolor 215

B. major 215

B. minor 212, 286
Brachyopa insensilis 199
Brachypalpus laphriformis 198
Camarota curvipennis 198
Campiglossa misella 199

C. plantaginis 198

C. producta 198
Cerodontha angulata 101

C. caricicola 103

C. mellita 101

C. rohdendorfi 101, 102, 103

C. scutellaris 101, 103

C. staryi 101, 102, 103
Cheilosia soror 198
Chorisops caroli 16
Chrysops relictus 140

C. sepulcralis 199, 286
Chrysotoxum elegans 215
Cistogaster globosa 198, 200
Ctenophora flaveolata 199

C. pectinicornis 200
Dexiopsis lacustris 71
Diaphorus oculatus 140
Diazosma hirtipenne 11
Dicraeus styriacus 71
Dilophus bispinosus 198
Ditomyia fasciata 11
Doros profuges 199
Dorycera graminum 198
Drosophila 61
Ectophasia 201
Epistrophe diaphana 199
Eupeodes lundbecki 199
Exechia dizona 201
Exechiopsis membranacea 11
Freraea gagatea 200
Gaurax dubius 43

G. fascipes 41, 43
Gymnosoma nitens 199

G. rotundatum 12, 13, 198
Heleodromia irwini 263
Hippobosca equina 37, 38, 39

H. longipennis 37

H. maculata 37
Lasiambia brevibucca 41, 43, 201
Leptogaster cylindrica 167
Lucilia sericata 39
Megamerina dolium 12
Melieria picta 71
Merzomyia westermanni 199
Metopia argyrocephala 215
Micropeza lateralis 198

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

Mycetophila hetschkoi 11 Aguriahana stellulata 242
Mycomya occultans 11 Alebra albostriella 239
Myopites eximius 156, 198 A. wahlbergi 239, 241

M. inulaedyssentericae 64, 156, 199 Alnetoidia alneti 239
Neoitamus cothurnatus 198 Alydus calcaratus 208

N. cyanurus 198 Amblytylus nasutus 240
Noeeta pupillata 198 Anthocoris confusus 240
Odinia maculata 199, 200 A. nemoralis 240
Oedalea tibialis 201 A. nemorum 240
Oxycera locuples 16 Aonidia lauri 61
Oxyna nebulosa 199 Aphanus rolandri 165, 167, 168, 208
Paraclusia tigrina 12 Aphrodes aestuarinus 209
Paracrocera orbiculus see Acrocera orbiculus A. albifrons 238
Paraplatypeza bicincta 12 A. duffieldi 227
Paritamus geniculatus 198 A. flavostriatus 238
Periscelis winnertzi 200 A. makarovi 238
Phaonia cincta 201 A. serratulae 238

P. fusca 71 Aphrophora alni 238
Phasia barbifrons 200 Aradus depressus 242

P. hemiptera 201 Arboridia ribauti 239
Phryxe magnicornis 270 Arenocoris falleni 208

P. vulgaris 270 Arthaldeus pascuellus 238
Physocephala rufipes 215 Arytainilla spartiophila 242
Pipiza luteitarsis 199 Asciodema obsoleta 167
Platycheirus melanopsis 199 Asiraca clavicornis 209, 271

P.rosarum 140 Aspidiotus destructor 61

P. splendidus 199 A. ner 61
Pocota personata 197, 199 Athysanus argentarius 238, 247
Rhagio annulatus 199 Atractotomus 160

R. notatus 198, plate 2 (part 3) A. magnicornis 159
Rhagoletis meigenii 123 A. mali 240
Rhingia rostrata 198 Aulacaspis rosae 61
Sapromyza albiceps 12 Balclutha punctata 239, 241
Saraiella consigliana 13 Bathysolen nubilus 208
Sarcophaga argyrostoma 200 Berytinus 241

S. jacobsoni 200 B. hirticornis 208
Sciara militaris 197 Blepharidopterus angulatus 242
Sericomyia silentis 272 Buchananiella continua 208
Sicus ferrugineus 215 Cacopsylla fulguralis 238, 246
Solva marginata 197 Calligypona reyi 271
Sturmia bella 269, 270 Calocoris norvegicus 167
Suillia affinis 198 C. striatellus 242

S. variegata 198 Campyloneura virgula 240
Systenus scholtzii 201 Capsus ater 140, 240

S. tener 11 Cardiastethus fasciiventris 240
Tephritis matricariae 198 Carulaspis minima 61

T. praecox 199 Cercopis intermedia 208

T. ruralis 198 C. vulnerata 208
Terellia tussilaginis 167 Chionaspis salicis 61

T. vectensis 199 Chlamydatus saltitans 240
Thecophora atra 215 Chloriona dorsata 271

T. fulvipes 215 C. glaucescens 271
Thereva plebeja 199 Chorosoma schillingi 167, 168
Thyridanthrax fenestratus 212 Chrysomphalus aonidum 61
Trichonta clavigera 11 Cicada orni 210, plate 2 (part 3)
Xanthogramma pedissequum 64 Coccus hesperidum 47
Xylophagus ater 16 Conomelus anceps 242

Coreus marginatus 167, 242

HEMIPTERA Coriomeris denticulatus 241
Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale 241 Cyllecoris histrionicus 242
Acutaspis perseae 61 Cymus melanocephalus 54
Adarrus ocellaris 242 Deltocephalus pulicaris 239
Aelia acuminata 242 Deraeocoris flavilinea 208, 209, 240, 246
Agallia ribauti 238 D. lutescens 242

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

D. ruber 72, 242
Diaspidiotus ostreaeformis 61

D. pyri 61
Diaspis boisduvali 61

D. echinocacti 61
Dicranocephalus agilis 167, 168
Dicranotropis hamata 239
Dicyphus epilobi1 242

D. globulifer 167

D. pallicornis 242
Dikraneura variata 239
Ditropis pteridis 242
Dolycoris baccarum 167, 242
Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus 242
Dynaspidiotus britannicus 61
Edwardsiana crataegi 239
. frustrator 239
. hippocastani 239
. prunicola 239
.Tosae 239
. Salicicola 239
. spinigera 239
Elasmostethus interstinctus 242

E. tristriatus 241
Elasmucha grisea 241
Empoasca decipiens 239

E. vitis 239
Eulecanium excrescens 45, 46, 47, 48
Eupterycyba jucunda 242
Eupteryx aurata 72, 242

E. filicum 126

E. notata 239

E. urticae 72, 239
Eurhadina loewu 239

E. pulchella 239
Eurybregma nigrolineata 72
Eurydema oleracea 208, 242
Eurygaster maura 209
Euscelidius variegatus 271
Euscelis incisus 239
Eysarcoris aeneus 208

E. fabriciit 242
Fagocyba cruenta 239
Furchadiaspis zamiae 61
Gerris lacustris 290

G. lateralis 64, 252
Gonocerus acuteangulatus 241, 247
Graphocephala fennahi 242
Graphocraerus ventralis 242.
Graptopeltus lynceus 208
Grypotes puncticollis 242
Harpocera thoracica 242
Hauptidia maroccana 242
Hemiberlesia cyanophylli 61

H. lataniae 61
Hesperocorixa moesta 220
Heterocordylus genistae 54

H. tibialis 242
Heterogaster urticae 242
Heterotoma planicornis 242
Himacerus apterus 54

H. mirmicoides 167, 240
Hypseloecus visci 159, 160, 161, 208
Iassus lanio 242

Ammmm mH

Xl

Idiocerus albicans 238

I. confusus 238

I. populi 238
Ilyocoris cimicoides 209, 220
Ischnaspis longirostris 61
Issus coleoptratus 242
Javesella dubia 239

J. pellucida 239
Kleidocerys resedae 54, 241
Kosswigianella exigua 239
Kuwanaspis pseudoleucaspis 61
Kyboasca bipunctata 239
Kybos betulicola 239

K. populi 239

K. strigilifer 239
Ledra aurita 140
Legnotus limbosus 242
Lepidosaphes pinnaeformis 61

L. ulmi 61
Leptopterna dolabrata 72
Lindbergina aurovittata 239
Liocoris tripustulatus 242
Loricula elegantula 240
Lygocoris contaminatus 240

L. populi 240

L. rugicollis 240
Lygus rugulipennis 240
Macropsis infuscata 238
Macrosteles 239

M. quadripunctulatus 271

M. viridigriseus 242
Malacocoris chlorizans 242
Mecomma dispar 54
Megaloceraea recticornis 240
Megalonotus chiragra 241

M. dilatatus 208

M. emarginatus 167, 168

M. praetextatus 208

M. sabulicola 208
Megophthalmus scanicus 238
Micronecta scholtzi 220
Miris striatus 242
Monalocoris filicis 242
Muellerianella 240

M. brevipennis 241

M. fairmairei 241
Myrmus miriformis 209
Nabis ferus 167

N. lineatus 54
Naucoris maculatus 209
Neophilaenus lineatus 72, 238
Neottiglossa pusilla 209
Nezara viridula 123
Notostira elongata 240
Nysius graminicola 208

N. senecionis 56
Odontoscelis lineola 208
Oncopsis avellanae 238

O. carpini 238

O. subangulata 238

O. tristis 238
Orius 241

O. vicinus 208
Orsillus depressus 241, 246

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

Orthocephalus coriaceus 54

O. saltator 167, 240
Orthops campestris 242

O. viscicola see Pinalitus viscicola
Orthotylus flavinervis 240

O. marginalis 240

O. tenellus 240

O. viridinervis 54, 240
Ossiannilssonola callosa 239

Palomena prasina 12, 241, 242, front cover part |

Paralimnus phragmitis 271
Parlatoria proteus 61
Parthenolecanium corni 47
Pediopsis tiliae 12, 13, 238, 247, 271
Pentatoma rufipes 242
Peritrechus lund 208
Philaenus spumarius 72, 238, 241
Phoenicocoris obscurellus 240
Phylus coryli 240

P. pallipes 240

P. melanocephalus 240
Physatocheila dumetorum 240

P. smreczynskn 54
Phytocoris tiliae 242
Piesma quadratum 72, 209
Piezodorus lituratus 242
Pilophorus 159, 160, 161
Pinalitus cervinus 240

P. viscicola 64, 159, 161
Pinnaspis aspidistrae 61

P. buxi 61

P. strachani 61
Pithanus maerkelit 72, 240
Plagiognathus arbustorum 240

P. chrysanthemi 240
Plea minutissima 220
Podops inuncta 167, 241
Psallus albicinctus 64

P. ambiguus 242

P. assimilis 240

P. betuleti 240, 241

P. confusus 240

P. flavellus 240

P. lepidus 240

P. mollis 240

P. perrisi 159, 242

P. varians 240

P. wagner 54
Psammotettix confinis 239

P. putoni 72
Pseudaulacaspis pentagona 61
Psylla alni 238

P. brunneipennis 238

P. foersteri 238

P. hartigi 238

P. mali 238

P. melanoneura 238

P. peregrina 238

P. pulchra 238

P. sorbi 238
Psyllopsis discrepans 238

P. fraxini 238

P. fraxinicola 238
Raptalus panzeri 271

Xil

Rhinocola aceris 238
Rhopalus subrufus 242
Ribautiana debilis 239

R. scalaris 239

R. tenerrima 239

R. ulmi 239
Ribautodelphax angulosus 271
Sciocoris cursitans 199, 209
Scolopostethus affinis 241

S. pictus 165, 167, 168
Sehirus luctuosus 208
Sigara scotti 290

S. selecta 290

S. stagnalis 220, 221
Spathocera dahImanni 208
Stenodema calcarata 240

S. laevigata 242
Stenotus binotatus 167
Sthenarus rotermundi 240
Stictopleurus abutilon 209

S. punctatonervosus 208, 209
Streptanus marginatus 239

S. sordidus 72, 239
Struebingianella dalei 240
Stygnocoris rusticus 242
Syromastes rhombeus 208, 209
Tachycixius pilosus 242
Tetraphleps bicuspis 241
Tingis cardui 167
Trigonotylus ruficornis 167
Trioza rhamni 238

T. urticae 72, 238
Tuponia mixticolor 208
Typhlocyba bifasciata 239

T. quercus 239
Xanthodelphax stramineus 240
Zicrona caerulea 223
Zygina flammigera 239
Zyginidia scutellaris 239

HYMENOPTERA

Ancistrocerus oviventris 217
A. scoticus 217

Amauronematus amentorum 211
A. longiserra 211

Andrena alfkenella 229

. barbilabris 216

A. bicolor 216

. cineraria 214, 216

.coitana 214, 216

. denticulata 216

. flavipes 211, 215, 216

fulva 216, 224

haemorrhoa 216

. hattorfiana 214, 216

marginata 214, 216

. minutula 216

. nigroaenea 216

. ovatula 216

. proxima 210

. pubescens 216

.rosae 214, 215, 216

. scotica 216

. thoracica 216

>

>>> PPP PPP > PSP >>>

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

A. trimmerana 214, 216

A. wilkella 216, 224
Andricus aries 211

A. grossulariae 210

A. quercusramuli 212
Anoplius infuscatus 217

A. nigerrimus 217
Anthidium manicatum 217
Anthophora 215

A. furcata 217

A. plumipes 215, 217
Apanteles 43
Apis mellifera 52, 124, 217, 272
Arachnospila consobrina 214, 217

A. minutula 210
Arge berberidis 210
Bethylus cephalotes 217

B. fuscicornis 217
Bombus 124

B. campestris 217

B. distinguendus 59

B. hortorum 217

B. humilis 211

B. jonellus 217

B. lapidarius 71, 217

B. lucorum 217

B. monticola 59, 224

B. muscorum 59

B. pascuorum 71, 217

B. terrestris 217
Cerceris 211

C. arenaria 217

C. quinquefasciata 229
Ceropales maculata 210
Chrysis gracillima 229

C. ignita 119, 217

C. viridula 217
Cimbex femorata 211
Coccophagus obscurus 45, 46, 48
Coelioxys rufescens 214, 217
Colletes fodiens 217

C. marginatus 210, 229

C. similis 217
Crabro cribrarius 217
Crossocerus distinguendus 210

C. elongatulus 217

C. leucostoma 210

C. podagricus 217

C. quadrimaculatus 217 _
Cryptocheilus notatus 214, 217
Dolerus anthracinus 210

D. megapterus 44, 126
Dolichovespula norwegica 217

D. saxonica 210

D. sylvestris 217
Dryudella pinguis 210
Ectemnius continuus 217
Entomognathus brevis 217
Episyron rufipes 217
Eucera longicornis 214, 217
Evagetes crassicornis 217
Formica 159

F. cunicularia 217
Gorytes tumidus 217

xlll

Gymnomerus laevipes 8
Halictus confusus 229

H. tumulorum 217
Halidamia affinis 210
Harpiphorus lepidus 210
Hedychrum niemelai 211

H. nobile 211
Helorus nigripes 41, 42

H. rugosus (= H. nigripes)
Heptamelus ochroleucus 210

Homonotus sanguinolentus 163, 164

Hoplitis spinulosus 217
Hoplocampa rutilicornis 210
Hylaeus hyalinatus 217

H. signatus 210, 211
Hypoponera punctatissima 211
Lasioglossum calceatum 70, 217
. leucopus 214, 217
. leucozonium 217
.malachurus 8
. minutissimum 214
.morio 214, 217
. pauxillum 8
. punctatissimum 217
. quadrinotatum 210
. smeathmanellum 217
Lasius 119

L. alienus 217

L. brunneus 12, 51, 52, 64, 162

L. flavus 217

L. niger 52, 217, 268

L. umbratus 217
Leptothorax acervorum 64

L. albipennis 214, 217

L. nylanderi 64
Lindenius albilabris 217
Macrophya rufipes 210
Megachile dorsalis 229

M. maritima 217
Melecta albifrons 210, 215, 217
Meloboris crassicornis 92
Meteorus obfuscatus 41, 42

en pa ais oe Gea Coa | Goa

Methocha ichneumonides 210, 214, 217

Miscophus ater 230, 231, 232
M. bicolor 229, 230, 231, 232
M. concolor 230, 231, 232
Monosapyga clavicornis 70
Myrmecina graminicola 211, 217
Myrmica rubra 64
M. ruginodis 217
M. sabuleti 64
M. scabrinodis 217
Myrmosa atra 217
Nematus fagi 211
Nomada fabriciana 217
. flava 217
. flavopicta 214, 217
. fucata 211, 214, 215, 217
. fulvicornis 118
. goodeniana 70, 217
.lathburiana 214, 217
. marshamella 215, 217
. obtusifrons 214, 217
.tuficornis 217

Zu Li Ly Ly 2 Lg LiL Z,

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

N. signata 224 aegeria, Pararge 69, 151, 172, 270

N. striata 217 ssp. insula 172
Nysson dimidiatus 214, 217 aerugula, Nola 181

N. spinosus 217 aestimaria, Chiasmia 175, 177

N. trimaculatus 8 aestuariella, Coleophora 156
Odynerus melanocephalus 8 aethiops, Erebia 174

O. spinipes 217 affinis, Cosmia 155, 225
Omalus auratus 217 agathina, Xestia 179

O. violaceus 210 ab. scopariae 176
Osmia 215 agestis, Aricia 174

O. bicolor 214, 217, 229 aglaja, Argynnis 171
Oxybelus argentatus 210, 214, 217, 229 ab. pallida 174, plate 1 (part 3)

O. mandibularis 210 albago, Xanthodes 190

O. uniglumis 217 alberganus, Erebia 147
Panurgus banksianus 216 albicillata, Mesoleuca 72

P. calcaratus 216 albicincta, Erebus 191
Paravespula see Vespula albicolon, Sideridis 133, 135, 176, 179
Passaloecus gracilis 217 albipuncta, Mythimna 179
Pemphredon lethifera 70, 217 albipunctata, Cyclophora 70, 277, 285
Phobocampe 270 albovenosa, Simyra 176
Podalonia hirsuta 214, 217 albovenosana, Earias 189
Pompilus cinereus 217 albula, Meganola 285
Ponera coarctata 211 albulata, Asthena 276
Pontania herbacea 21 1 albulata, Perizoma 134, 135, 181
Priocnemis exaltata 217 alcyonipennella, Coleophora 188

P. gracilis 214, 217 algae, Cryphia 176, 179, 181

P. parvula 217 algira, Dysgonia 181

P. pusilla 217 aliena, Lacanobia 144, 148

P. schioedtei 214, 217 almana, Precis
Pristiphora biscalis 210 f. asteria 189

P. testacea 210 alni, Acronicta 72
Sapyga quinquepunctatus 217 alniaria, Ennomos 155
Sphecodes ephippius 217 alpicola, Xestia

S. geoffrellus 217 ssp. alpicola 194

S. longulus 213, 214, 215, 217 ssp. alpina 194

S. monilicornis 217 alpinana, Dichrorampha 185

S. reticulatus 210 alpinella, Platytes 185, 187
Stelis punctulatissima 214, 217 alpium, Moma 180
Symmorphus crassicornis 211 altensis, Polopeustis 192
Tachysphex pompiliformis 217 alternata, Epirrhoe 70, 177
Tetramorium caespitum 217 ssp. obscurata 176
Trichrysis cyanea 217 alternata, Macaria 285
Trypoxylon figulus 217 alyssumata, Idaea 191
Vespa crabro 12, 124 amatrix, Catocala
Vespula germanica 217 f. selecta 197

V. vulgaris 119, 217 ambigua, Hoplodrina 155, 178

ambigualis, Scoparia 185

LEPIDOPTERA ambiguella, Eupoecilia 183
abbreviata, Eupithecia 70, 179 amplana, Cydia 184, 187, 188
abietella, Dioryctria 184 anastomasalis, Omphisa 197
abrasaria, Xanthorhoe 193 anceps, Peridea 276, 277
abruptaria, Menophra 70 andrenaeformis, Synanthedon 138, 139, 182
accalis, Diasemia 183, plate 2 & front cover part 3 angustella, Nephopterix 187
accentifera, Ctenoplusia 190 annotinata, Xanthorhoe 193
aceris, Acronicta 180 apollo, Parnassius 146
aceris, Stigmella 185 arenacearia, Tephrina 192
acetosae, Enteucha 184 argentilauta, Plutodes 191
acutellus, Sclerocona 187 argentina, Spatalia 192
adelphella, Sciota 183 argiolus, Celastrina 69, 151
adjunctella, Coleophora 156 argus, Plebejus 286
adoratrix, Eutelia 192 argyropeza, Ectoedemia 186
Adscita 146 aridella, Pediasia 185
adscitella, Elachista 188 arion, Maculinea 272, 291
adusta, Blepharita 147 armigera, Helicoverpa 177, 179, 182

XIV

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

aruncella, Micropterix 69
arundinetella, Monochroa 187
ashworthii, Xestia 147
asinalis, Mecyna 184
asteris, Cucullia 176
astrea, Argina 191
atalanta, Vanessa 134
athalia, Mellicta 291
ab. cymothoe 171
atra, Blastodacna 183
atrata, Odezia 137, 146, 147
atriplicis, Trachea 175, 178, 182
melanic 182
atropos, Acherontia 62, 180
augur, Graphiphora 283
aurantiaria, Agriopis, 70
aurinia, Eurodryas 278, 280
gynandromorph front cover part 4
aurita, Pammene 184
autumnitella, Acrolepia 186
aversata, Idaea 178
baja, Xestia 62, 153
balteata, Pleuroptya 192
bankesiella, Epischnia 189
bankiana, Deltote 181
basalis, Milionia 191
beatricella, Aethes 188
beirnei, Trifurcula 185
belemiata, Idaea 191
bellargus, Lysandra 146, 172
ab. alba + limbojuncta 171
ab. krodeli 174

hybrid polonus (bellargus x coridon) 173, plate 1

(part 3)

melanic 172, plate | (part 3)
bellissima, Cyana 191
bembeciformis, Sesia 183
bennetii, Agdistis 185, 187
berbera, Amphipyra

ssp. svenssoni 274
betulae, Thecla 280
betularia, Biston 147, 180
betulina, Proutia 188
biangulata, Euphyia 72, 149, 176
bidentata, Odontopera 148, 277
bifasciata, Grammodes 192
bifasciata, Perizoma 180
bifida, Furcula 180
bilineata, Camptogramma 71
binaria, Watsonalla 191
bipars, Vamuna 191
bipuncta, Zobida 190
biren, Papestra 137
biviella, Vitula 183
blanda, Hoplodrina 183
blandella, Brachmia 186
boeticus, Lampides 174
bolina, Hypolimnas 189
bombycina, Polia 176
borealis, Xestia 194
boreella, Bryotropha 184
borelii, Gortyna

ssp. lunata 225
brassicae, Pieris 69, 151

XV

Brenthia sp. 196
breviculata, Eupithecia 192
britannica, Thera 176, 178
brockeella, Argyresthia 152
brumata, Operophtera 66, 70
brunnea, Diarsia 62, 178
brunnearia, Selidosema

ssp. scandinaviaria 181, 285
caeruleocephala, Diloba 65
caesia, Hadena

ssp. mananii 182
caja, Arctia 67, 176, 181
calabra, Rhodostrophia 192

c-album, Polygonia 69, 151, 174, 269, 270

dwarf 174
calidalis, Aethaloessa 196
calthella, Micropterix 69
cambrica, Venusia 137, 178, 180
canella, Gymnancyla 185, 187
caniola, Eilema 191
caprana, Epinotia 184
caprimulgella, Triaxomasia 185
capucina, Ptilodon 177, 277
caradjai, Oegoconia 189
cardamines, Anthocharis 69, 146
cardui, Vanessa 71, 167, 168

ab. elymi 174

ab. priameis 174

ab. rogeri 171, 174
carpinata, Trichopteryx 178
casta, Psyche 69, 188
castrensis, Malacosoma 179
catoptrana, Eucosma 183
celebensis, Mythimna 195
centuriella, Gesneria 192
cerasi, Orthosia 66, 139
cerealis, Polythlipta 191
cerisyi, Allancastria 129
cervantaria, Idaea 191
chaerophylli, Depressaria 185
chalcites, Chrysodeixis 175
chi, Antitype 190
chioleuca, Aporophyla 189
chloerata, Pasiphila 67, 284
chlorosata, Petrophora 70, 152
chrysitis, Diachrysia 142
chrysorrhoea, Euproctis 151
cicatricella, Haimbachia 184
cilium, Spodoptera 190
cingulata, Pyrausta 187
cinnamomella, Ancylosis 192
circumvoluta, Myelois 189
citrata, Chloroclysta 180
clathrata, Chiasmia 147, 151
clavipalpis, Paradrina 147
clavis, Agrotis 178
clorana, Earias 189, 283
cloraria, Chlorissa 192
c-nigrum, Xestia 66, 70, 147, 178
Coenodomus sp. 196
cognata, Thera 181

comae, Timandra 152, 179, plate 2 (part 3)

comariana, Acleris 253
combustella, Oncocera 192

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

comes, Noctua 62

ab. sagittifer 181
cometes, Pyrrhopyge 189
comma, Mythimna 67
communimacula, Calymma 194
complana, Eilema 147, 285
compta, Mythimna 195
concinnata, Chloroclysta 176
confinis, Cosmia 192
confusa, Macdunnoughia 175, 176
congrua, Mythimna 192
conjuncta, Catocala 178
consanguis, Mythimna 195
consociella, Acrobasis 183, 186
consonaria, Paradarisa 70
convolvuli, Agrius 62, 178
coracina, Glacies 193
cordigera, Coranarta 193
coridon, Polyommatus

ab. alba + caeca 171

ab. radiata + albescens 173, plate | (part 3)

gynandromorph 171

hybrid polonus (coridon x bellargus) 173, plate 1

(part 3)

corollaria, Protorhoe 190
coronata, Phlyctaenia 152
correptaria, Peribatodes 192
corylata, Electrophaes 151
coryli, Colocasia 70, 276, 277
cossus, Cossus 200
costaestrigalis, Schrankia 67
crassiorella, Psyche 188, 194
crenana, Epinotia 186
crenata, Apamea 66, 144

ab. alpecurus 176
cribraria, Coscinia 147, 182, 194, 285

ssp. arenaria 182

ssp. bivittata 182
croceus, Colias

ab. nigrofasciata 174, plate | (part 3)

ab. pseudomas_ 174
crocopterata, Thinopteryx 191
cryptella, Trifurcula 186
cucullatella, Nola 66, 70, 140
cucullina, Ptilodontella 180
culiciformis, Synanthedon 183
cultraria, Watsonalla 69
cupressata, Thera 175, 178, 179, plate 2 (part 3)
cupressella, Argyresthia 187
cupriacella, Nemophora 188
curtula, Clostera 285
curvatula, Drepana 175, 179
damone, Anthocharis 197
dardanus, Papilio 253
dascon, Doleschallia 189
debiliata, Pasiphila 149, 176
decentella, Ectoedemia 186
decississima, Mythimna 196
decoloraria, Xanthorhoe 181, 193

ssp. arcticaria 193

ssp. hethlandica 193
defoliaria, Erannis 70
degeerella, Nemophora 69
degeneraria, Idaea 176, 190, 191

XVI

delunella, Eudonia 137, 149, 152
demodocus, Papilio 189
dentaria, Selenia 70
depressa, Eilema 285
designata, Xanthorhoe 178
detersa, Auchmis 144
deversaria, Idaea 192
didyma, Melitaea 146
didyma, Mesapamea 177
diffidalis, Synaphe 190
diffinis, Cosmia 153, 155
diffusalis, Harpadispar 192
discalis, Dysphania 191
Discestra sp. 190
dispar, Lycaena 272, 291
dispar, Lymantria 179
distensa, Xestia 194
distincta, Mythimna 195
distinctata, Aleucis 177
ditrapezium, Xestia 72
dodonaea, Drymonia 142, 178
dodoneata, Eupithecia 63
dominula, Callimorpha

ab. bimacula 176, plate 2 (part 3)
dorinda, Porphyrosela 196
dracunculi, Cucullia 194
dromedarius, Notodonta 70
dryadella, Bryotropha 186
dumerilii, Luperina 190
dysodea, Aetheria 176, 177
eaphthalma, Aeolarcha 196, plate 2 (part 3)
Earis sp. 189
electa, Catocala 175
elinguaria, Crocallis 152, 176, 180, plate 2 (part 3)
elongaria, Idaea 192
elongatus, Metura 195
elongella, Monochroa 187
elymi, Chortodes 135, 176
emarginata, Idaea 142
emutaria, Scopula 176, 285
ephemeraeformis, Thyridopteryx 195
ephemerella, Acentria 152
ericella, Crambus 187
erythrocephala, Conistra 175, 177, 180
euphorbiae, Acronicta

ssp. myricae 176
euphorbiae, Hyles 175
euphrosyne, Boloria 258
eutychea, Catocala 191, 192
everate, Junonia 172
exclamationis, Agrotis 70, 144, 152, 179
exigua, Spodoptera 178
exiguata, Eupithecia 179
exsiccata, Tathorhynchus 190
extimalis, Evergestis 184, 187
extrema, Chortodes 175
exulans, Zygaena

ssp. subochracea 192

ssp. vanadis 192
falconipennella, Caloptilia

f. oneratella 187
fascelina, Dicallomera 286
fasciana, Pammene 184
fasciaria, Hylaea

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

ab. prasinaria 147 hammoniella, Heliozela 186
fasciata, Mythimna 195 hannoverella, Ectoedemia 184, 188
fatimata, Idaea 190 harpagula, Sabra 113
ferrago, Mythimna 148, 225 hastata, Rheumaptera 137, 193
ferrugata, Xanthorhoe 67 ssp. nigrescens 193
ferruginea, Rusina 137, 144 hastiana, Acleris 185
festucae, Plusia 72, 278 hecta, Hepialus 70, 179
fibulella, Adela 69 helicoidella, Apterona 195
filicivora, Psychoides 62 heliophila, Sympistis 193
filipendulae, Zygaena 67 helvola, Agrochola 179, plate 2 (part 3)
fimbriata, Noctua 62, 144 hepatica, Lithophane 63
flammealis, Endotricha 183 heringi, Ectoedemia 186
flavalis, Mecyna hippocastanaria, Pachycnemia 50, 51, 104, 285

ssp. flaviculalis 189 hirsuta, Canephora 194
flavicans, Setina 190 hochenwarthi, Syngrapha 193
flavicaput, Spuleria 185 hohenwartiana, Eucosma 187
flavicornis, Achlya 63, 138 hornigi, Monochroa 187
flavofascia, Alucita 197 hospes, Proxenus 175, 181, 182
flavofasciata, Perizoma 67 humidalis, Hypenodes 285
flexula, Laspeyria 283, 284 hyperantus, Aphantopus 282
fluctuata, Xanthorhoe 66, 70, 180, 181 ab. arete 174
fluctuosa, Tethea ab. caeca 174

ab. albilinea 176 ab. marpurgensis 174
follicularis, Coleophora 225 hyperici, Actinotia 192
formicaeformis, Synanthedon 182, 183, 282 hypermnestra, Othreis 191
formosana, Mythimna 196 icarus, Polyommatus 69, 71, 134, 174
formosicola, Mythimna 196 ab. confluens 172
fovealis, Duponchelia 183, 186 ab. extensa 173
frischella, Coleophora 188 ab. radiata 173
frustata, Euphyia 148 ssp. mariscolore 173
fuciformis, Hemaris 180 ichneumoniformis, Bembecia 151, 178, 182
fuliginosa, Phragmatobia icteritia, Xanthia 66

ssp. borealis 194 Idaea sp. 189
fulminea, Catocala 194 ilia, Catocala 197
fulvana, Eucosma 187 imbecilla, Eriopygodes 265, 266
fulvata, Cydia 148 Imma sp. 196
funebrana, Grapholita 53 immorata, Scopula 147
funesta, Aedia 192 immutata, Scopula 142, 178, 181
furcula, Furcula 67 imperialis, Areas 191
fusca, Pygmaena 193 impleta, Alphaea 191
fusconebulosa, Hepialus 72 impura, Mythimna
fuscovenosa, Idaea 285 f. scotica 176
galactina, Areas 191 incarnata, Chazaria 192
galathea, Melanargia 175, 282 incerta, Orthosia 66
gamma, Autographa 70, 144, 175, 179 inconspicuaria, Tephrina 190
gardetta, Coenonympha 147 indigenata, Eucrostes 192
gelida, Xestia 194 infuscata, Chloroclysta 193
genistella, Pempelia 187 inquinatalis, Udea 193
genitalana, Cnephasia 155, 186 inspersella, Scythris 186
geoffrella, Alabonia 69 insularis, Mythimna 196
gibbosella, Psoricoptera 185 interjecta, Noctua 67
gigantella, Schoenobius 189 interrogationis, Syngrapha 175
glarearia, Heliomata 192 inturbata, Eupithecia 180
glaucata, Cilix 69 10, Inachis 69, 269, 270
glyphica, Euclidia 70, 140 ipsilon, Agrotis 144, 177, 179
gothica, Orthosia 177, 178 iris, Apatura
grandaevana, Epiblema 183 ab. atava 173
granella, Nemapogon 41, 42 ab. iolata 171
graslinella, Phalacropterix 195 ab. monophana 173
graslini, Agrotis 182 irrorella, Setina 148
gredosi, Discestra 190 islandicus, Stenoptilia 185
griseola, Eilema 155 italica, Metalampra 186
grossulariata, Abraxas 66, 67 jacobaeae, Tyria 70
halterata, Lobophora 178, 276, 278 janthina, Noctua 176, 179, 181

XVil

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

jubata, Alcis 153 lupulinus, Hepialus 69, 132
judith, Catocala 197 luridata, Scotopteryx 285
juno, Lagoptera 191 lurideola, Eilema 183
jurassicella, Mompha 186, 188 luteago, Hadena
jurtina, Maniola 71, 174, 258 ssp. barrettii 182

ab. postaurolancea 172 luteolata, Opisthograptis 66, 70, 152, 178, 276

ab. nov. 172, plate 1 (part 3) luteum, Spilosoma 137
kadenii, Platyperigea 175, 192 lutosa, Rhizedra 181
kermesifolia, Phyllodesma 190 lutulenta, Aporophyla 66, 178
kirbyi, Oiketicus 195 luzella, Lampronia 186, 188
kitti, Heliophobus 144, 147 lychnitis, Shargacucullia 146
labecula, Dryobota 178 macellaroides, Mythimna 195
lacertinaria, Falcaria 193 machaon, Papilio 291
lacustrata, Dipleurina 185 macilentaria, Idaea 191
laetabilis, Xestia 194 macrogamma, Autographa 193
laetana, Ancylis 187 macularia, Pseudopanthera 146, 178
langiella, Mompha 188 magnolii, Hadena 192
languida, Mythimna 190, plate 2 (part 3) maia, Macrocilix 191
lariciata, Eupithecia 145 maillardi, Apamea 147
lateritia, Apamea 147 malvae, Pyrgus 146, 156
latreillei, Callopistria 192 manicaria, Idaea 189, 190
leda, Melanitis 189 margaritella, Catoptria 186, 187
leucographa, Cerastis 180 marginaria, Agriopis 66
leucostigma, Celaena 67 marginata, Lomaspilis 70
leucotelus, Cebysa 195 marginepunctata, Scopula 191
libatrix, Scoliopteryx 152 maritima, Phycitodes 183
lichenaria, Cleorodes 285 maura, Mormo 62, 67, 177
ligula, Conistra 181 medusa, Erebia 146
ligustri, Craniophora 137, 180 megacephala, Acronicta 142, 152
ligustri, Sphinx 137 melanopa, Anarta see Hadula
limbata, Evergestis 187 melanopa, Hadula
limbella, Scythris 188 ssp. brunnea 177, 193
lineana, Nyctegretis 187 ssp. melanopa 193
linearia, Cyclophora 177 meliella, Phycita 192
lineata, Siona 226 mendica, Diarsia 67
lineella, Chrysoclista 12 mercurella, Eudonia 184
lithoxylaea, Apamea 144 mesomella, Cybosia 137, 284
litigiosaria, Idaea 19] ab. flava 179
litoralis, Mythimna 176, 179 Metaxmeste 147
littoricola, Elachista 185 meticulosa, Phlogophora 70, 225
liturata, Macaria 144 mi, Callistege 70
livida, Amphipyra 194 microgamma, Syngrapha 193
livornica, Hyles 176, 180 microglossa, Victrix 190
ljungiana, Argyrotaenia 183 miniata, Miltochrista 285
lobulina, Cosmotriche minimus, Cupido 147

ssp. junia 193 ab. postobsoleta 174
logiana, Acleris 185 ministrana, Eulia 69, 70
lonicerae, Zygaena minor, Phycodes 196

ssp. jocelynae 105 minorata, Perizoma

ssp. latomarginata 175, plate 2 (part 3) ssp. ericetata 178, 181
loreyi, Mythimna 179, 196 minos, Zygaena 146
lotella, Anerastia 185 moldavica, Synaphe 192
lotella, Leucoptera 188 molesta, Grapholita 52, 53
loti, Zygaena 146 molliculana, Cochylis 188

ssp. scotica 105 monacha, Lymantria 155
louisella, Ectoedemia 156 monachella, Monopis 184
lubricipeda, Spilosoma 70, 137, 178 moniliata, Idaea 192
lucida, Acontia 176 monilifera, Narycia 184
lucifuga, Cucullia 147 monoglypha, Apamea 147, 283
lucipara, Euplexia 142 montanata, Xanthorhoe 62, 70, 144, 147
luctuosa, Tyta 156, 178, 181 f. lapponica 193
luedersiana, Pammene 184 ssp. shetlandica 193
lunula, Calophasia 146 mucronellus, Donacaula 184
lunularia, Selenia 63, 70, 176, 178 munda, Orthosia 178

XVIil

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

muralis, Cryphia 176
muricata, Idaea 176, 285

f. auroraria 176
murinella, Scrobipalpa 186

muscaeformis, Synansphecia 179, 182

muscerda, Pelosia 181, 182
muscosella, Gelechia 188

musculosa, Oria 81, 82 (fig), 83 (fig), 84, 85, 86, 87,
88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100,

cover part 2
musiva, Ochropleura 147
myopaeformis, Synanthedon 182
myrtilli, Anarta 285
Mythimna spp. 195, 196
napi, Pieris 69, 151
nebulosa, Catocala 197
Nemapogon 43
neustria, Malacosoma 283, 284
ni, Trichoplusia 179
nickerlii, Luperina 190
nigropunctata, Nonagria 196
nilotica, Characoma 190
nivea, Catocala

ssp. kurosawai 191
nobilella, Elachista 184, 188
notata, Macaria 285
notatella, Carpatolechia 186
nubigera, Heliothis 190
nubilalis, Ostrinia 152, 189
nubilis, Euparthenos 197
nudalis, Achyra 192
nymphaea, Catocala 192
nymphaeata, Elophila 283
obelisca, Euxoa

ssp. grisea 180
obeliscata, Thera 148, 277
obesa, Agrotis 190
obliterata, Phyllophila 192
oblonga, Apamea 176, 179
obscurata, Charissa 285
obsitalis, Hypena 181
obsoleta, Mythimna 179, 283, 284
obstipata, Orthonama 179
ocellata, Smerinthus 69, 70
ochrata, Idaea 146, 176
ochroleuca, Eremobia 155
ochsenheimeriana, Pammene 185
octogenaria, Hoplodrina 183
ocularis, Tethea 194
oditis, Leucochlaena 178
ohridella, Cameraria 184, 188
oleracea, Lacanobia 147, 225
olivalis, Udea 62
olivata, Colostygia 181
olivina, Copiphana 190
ophiogramma, Apamea 177, 283
oppressana, Gypsonoma 185
or, Tethea 179, 276
ornata, Miniodes 191
orstadil, Elachista 185
osseana, Eana 187
ostrinaria, Idaea 192
otregiata, Lampropteryx 153
oxyacanthae, Allophyes 65

X1X

f. capucina 179
melanic 179
pactolana, Cydia 188
palaeogama, Catocala 197
palealis, Sitochroa 187
pallida, Eudonia 184
pallidata, Evergestis 187
pallorella, Agonopterix 185
pallustris, Athetis 131, 132, 133, 134, 135
palpina, Pterostoma 177
paludella, Calamotropha 183, 283
pamphilus, Coenonympha 71, 134
ab. anticastanea 174
ab. excessa + latiora 172
ab. unicolor 172
paphia, Argynnis
ab. confluens 174
ab. nigricans 174
ab. ocellata 174
melanic 171
papilionaria, Geometra 148
parasitella, Ephestia 184
parilis, Syngrapha 193
parvulana, Eucosma 187
pascuella, Crambus
ab. obscurella 184
pastinum, Lygephila 66, 67, 283, 284
patulella, Anarsia 196
pavonia, Saturnia 281
pectinataria, Colostygia 66, 70, 132, 276
pectinicornis, Cleonymia 189
pedella, Stathmopoda 188
peltigera, Heliothis 179
pendularia, Cyclophora 178, 179, 285
pennaria, Colotois 177, 277
perflua, Amphipyra 194
perlucidalis, Phlyctaenia 185, 187
permixtaria, Catarhoe 192
perornata, Cyana 191
perplexa, Hadena
ssp. capsophila 182
petropolitana, Lasiommata 146
phegea, Amata 145
phlaeas, Lycaena 69, 134
ab. alba 257
ab. bipunctata 173
ab. caeruleopunctata 172
ab. extensa 172, 174
ab. fuscae 175
ab. latomarginata 174
ab. melanophlaeas 172, plate | (part 3)
ab. radiata 173, plate | (part 3)
ab. remota 174
ab. schmidti 257
gynandromorph 173
homoeosis 173, plate | (part 3)
phoeba, Melitaea 146
phoeniceata, Eupithecia 177, 181
phragmitidis, Arenostola 180
picta, Spodoptera 196
picta, Tatargina 191
pigra, Clostera 176, 285
pilosaria, Phigalia 253
f. monacharia 253

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

f. pedaria 253 ssp. insula 182
pinastri, Hyloicus 142, 145 gynandromorph 182
pinguis, Euzophera 189 pygmaeata, Eupithecia 131
pini, Dendrolimus 175 pyralina, Cosmia
plagiata, Agleomorpha 191 ab. obscura 177
plantaginis, Parasemia melanic 177

ab. hospita 176 quadra, Lithosia 178, 179, 180
plebeja, Hada 66 quadrimaculana, Endothenia 62
plebejana, Crocidosema 187 quadrimaculella, Bohemannia 188
plecta, Ochropleura 66, 70, 148, 178 quadripunctaria, Euplagia 175
plexippus, Danaus 291 ab. lutescens 182
plumifera, Ptilocephala 195 quercifolia, Gastropacha 278, 283, 284
Plusia spp. 192 quercinaria, Ennomos_ 177
polaris, Synanthedon 192 quercus, Lasiocampa 179
politaria, Idaea 192 quieta, Xestia 194, plate 2 (part 3)
pollinalis, Eurrhypis 192 radians, Apsarasa 191
polycommata, Trichopteryx 177, 274, 275 radiata, Mythimna 195
polygonalis, Uresiphita 188 ramburialis, Diasemiopsis 184, 187
polysticha, Mythimna 196 rapae, Pieris 69, 151
polytes, Papilio 189 raptricula, Cryphia 175
populella, Anacampsis rectangulata, Rhinoprora 183

f. fuscatella 185 rectilinea, Hyppa 176
populeti, Orthosia 180 regalis, Attatha 191
populi, Laothoe 69, 70, 137, 178, 277 regalis, Pyralis 192
porata, Cyclophora 274, 275, 276, 277 regificella, Elachista 62
porcellus, Deilephila 132, 142 renati, Conisania 190
porphyrea, Lycophotia 285 repandana, Conobathra 189
postvittana, Epiphyas 69, 188 repandaria, Epione 153, 155
potatoria, Euthrix 69, 70, 177 repandata, Alcis 62, 67, 148
potentillella, Scythris 183 reticulata, Heliophobus 140, 142, 144, 147, 148
prasina, Anaplectoides 137 reticulatum, Eustroma 181, 194
prasinana, Pseudoips 177 retiella, Epichnopterix 185
pratella, Crambus 184, 187 retusa, Ipimorpha 286
pretiosa, Stigmella 184 revayana, Nycteola 178, 284
primaria, Theria 66 f. ramosana 179
problematica, Trychophysetis 197 reversa, Mythimna 195
proboscidalis, Hypena 62 rhamni, Gonepteryx 69
processionea, Thaumetopoea 175, 179, 180 rhomboidea, Xestia 182
procopia, Nevrina 191 ribeata, Deileptenia 149
pronuba, Noctua 70, 144, 191 ripae, Agrotis 132, 135, 176, 178
pruinata, Pseudoterpna 142, 285 rivularis, Hadena 66, 70
prunata, Eulithis 155 robusta, Pandesma 190
pruni, Odonestis 192 roseorufa, Mythimna 195
pruni, Satyrium 280 rostralis, Hypena 150, 151, 179, 183
Psychidae sp. 196 ruberata, Hydriomena 176, 190
pudibunda, Calliteara 70 rubi, Callophrys 134
pudorina, Mythimna 178 rubi, Macrothylacia 132, 135, 142, 281
pulchrimella, Cosmopterix 187 rubiginalis, Ecpyrrhorrhoe 192
pulinda, Semiothisa 190 rubiginata, Plemyria 152, 280
pulla, Scotochrosta 190 rubraria, Idaea 190
pulmonaris, Atypha 192 rubricollis, Atolmis 137, 145, 180
pulveraria, Plagodis 276 rufa, Coenobia 286
punctaria, Cyclophora 155, 181, 276, 277, 285 rufaria, Idaea 192
punctata, Dysauxes 192 ruficiliaria, Cyclophora 182
punctidactyla, Amblyptilia 149 ruficornis, Drymonia 178
punctinalis, Hypomecis 276, 277 rufifasciata, Gymnoscelis 151
punctulata, Aethalura 180 rufobrunnea, Tarsolepis
purpuralis, Zygaena 146, 147 ssp. malayana 191
purpurata, Rhyparia 147 rusticata, Idaea 151, 179, 183, 252
purpurina, Eublemma 175, 182, 192 sabini, Psychophora 193
pusaria, Cabera 276 sacraria, Rhodometra 62, 179
pustulalis, Epascestria 192 sagittigera, Pachetra 148
puta, Agrotis 66, 183 salaminia, Eudocima 191

ab. obscura 177 saleri, Idaea 190, 191

XX

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

sambucaria, Ourapteryx 67, 148, 152 subfusca, Scoparia 70
sannio, Diacrisia 137, 142, 182 subfuscata, Eupithecia 178
saucia, Peridroma 62, 177, 178 subhastata, Rheumaptera 193
saxonellus, Xanthocrambus 192 sublustris, Apamea 142, 147
scabriuscula, Dypterygia 142, 180, 285 subtusa, Ipimorpha 155, 180, 225
schumacherana, Olindia 149 suffusella, Monochroa 185
schwarzella, Pancalia 188 suspectana, Pammene 185
scolopacina, Apamea 151, 153, 183 swammerdamella, Nematopogon 69
secalis, Mesapamea 177 sylvata, Hydrelia 252
secedens, Lasionycta 193 sylvestraria, Idaea 285
segetum, Agrotis 181 sylvestrella, Dioryctria 183, 184, 185, 187
selene, Boloria 138, 258 Synemon sp. 189
ab. vanescens 171 syringaria, Apeira 72
selini, Paradrina 190 taenialis, Schrankia 181
semele, Hipparchia 146, 174, 286 taeniata, Perizoma 62, 176, 178, 180
ab. monocellata 174 taeniolaria, Selidosema 190
semibrunnea, Lithophane 67, 180 tages, Erynnis 146
semihyalina, Krananda 191 taiwana, Mythimna 196
semirubella, Oncocera 189, 286 tangala, Mythimna 196
senex, Thumatha 67, 283, 284 tarsicrinalis, Herminia 176
serena, Catocala 197 tecta, Xestia 194
sericealis, Rivula 155 tenebrata, Panemeria 66, 67, 144
serraria, Thera 193 tentacularia, Polypogon 193
serveti, Cyclophora 190 tenuidactyla, Geina 228
sexalata, Pterapherapteryx 283, 284, 285 terebinthi, Parocneria 192
sexstrigata, Xestia 225 terminella, Mompha 186
sicula, Mythimna 190, 192 ternata, Scopula 137, 180
signaria, Macaria 176 terrealis, Mutuuraia 190
silaceata, Ecliptopera 70, 178 tessellalis, Loxostege 190
silvella, Crambus 185, 285 thalassina, Lacanobia 70
similis, Euproctis 181 Thisizima sp. 196, plate 2 (part 3)
simpliciata, Eupithecia 180 thrasonella, Glyphipterix 137
simplonia, Agrotis 148 tibiaria, Pachycnemia 191
sinensis, Neospastis 196 tiliae, Mimas 142
skraelingia, Lasionycta 194 tineana, Ancylis 188
smaragdaria, Thetidia 148, 191, 194 tipuliformis, Synanthedon 179, 182
sobrina, Protolampra 177 tithonus, Pyronia 151
somnulentella, Bedellia 185 trabealis, Emmelia 194
sordens, Apamea 66 transalpina, Zygaena 146
sororcula, Eilema 70, 274 transversa, Eupsilia 277
spadicearia, Xanthorhoe 276 transversata, Philereme 284
sparganii, Archanara 176 trapezina, Cosmia 66, 155, 225
speciosa, Xestia trauniana, Pammene 185
ssp. arctica 194 tremulifolia, Phyllodesma 191, 192
spheciformis, Synanthedon 183 trichonella, Ypsolopha 190
sphinx, Asteroscopus 66 tricorna, Mythimna 196
spilodactylus, Pterophorus 184 tridactyla, Merrifieldia 186
sponsa, Catocala 175, 179 tridens, Calamia 194
stachydalis, Phlyctaenia 149 — trifasciata, Argyresthia 185
statices, Adscita 281, 282 trifolu, Zygaena 71, 182
stellatarum, Macroglossum 32, 144 trigeminata, Idaea 285
stetinensis, Megalophanes 195 trigrammica, Charanyca 66
f. viadrina 195 trinotata, Eilicrinia 192
stevenaria, Neognopharmia 192 tripartita, Abrostola 70
sticticalis, Loxostege 187 triquetra, Gonospileia 192
straminata, Idaea 142, 277, 285 truncata, Chloroclysta 66, 177, 193, 277
straminea, Mythimna 284 trux, Agrotis
stratiotata, Parapoynx 152 ssp. lunigera 178
strigulatella, Phyllonorycter 186 tullia, Coenonympha
strix, Xyleutes 191 ssp. polydama 253, 257, plate 3 (part 4)
sturnipennella, Mompha 184 ab. ejecta 255, 257, plate 3 (part 4)
suasa, Lacanobia 133, 135, 180 ab. lunaris 254, 255, 257, 258, plate 3 (part 4)
subbimaculella, Ectoedemia 186 tumidana, Conobathra 187
suberifolia, Phyllodesma 190, 191 turbidella, Ectoedemia 186

XX1

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

turca, Mythimna 72, 178 f. fulvana 185
typhae, Nonagria 62 zonaria, Lycia

typica, Naenia 225, 284 ssp. atlantica 176
uliginosalis, Udea 187 zoraida, Ocnogyna 190

uliginosellus, Crambus 186
umbra, Pyrrhia 283, 286

umbraria, Peribatodes 192 OTHER INSECT ORDERS
umbratica, Cucullia 147, 282
unangulata, Euphyia 72, 142 DICTYOPTERA

unanimis, Apamea 72, 134, 135, 283
uncinula, Watsonalla 191
uncula, Deltote 137, 181
undulata, Rheumaptera 285
uniformis, Sesamia 196
unipuncta, Mythimna 62
unitana, Aphelia 188
urania, Acontia 192
urticae, Aglais 69, 71, 269, 270
ab. pallida 175

Mantis religiosa 211

EPHEMEROPTERA
Brachycercus harrisella 49
Ephemera danica 49

E. lineata 49

E. vulgata 49
Siphlonurus armatus 49

ab. pseudoconnexa 171 NEUROPTERA

ab. semiichneusoides 171 Chrysopa 42

ssp. ichneusa 171, plate | (part 3) C. nigricostata 42
ustella, Ypsolopha 188 C. septempunctata 42
ustulana, Dichomeris 188 Nemoptera 212
ustulata, Phyllodes 191
uterella, Phereoeca 194, 195 ODONATA
valerianata, Eupithecia 137 Aeshna grandis 219
venata, Ochlodes 73, 138 Anax imperator 220
venosata, Eupithecia 148 Brachytron pratense 220
verhuella, Psychoides 188 Calopteryx splendens 69
verhuelli, Phyllodes 191 Cordulegaster boltonii 286
vernana, Earias 189 Enallagma cyathigerum 69
vespertaria, Epione 147, 178 Erythromma najas 69
vespiformis, Synanthedon 138, 139, 182 Ischnura elegans 69, 71
vestigialis, Agrotis 142, 179, 182 Libellula depressa 69
vetulata, Philereme 284 Orthetrum coerulescens 286
vetusta, Xylena 63, 180 Platycnemis pennipes 67
vibicella, Coleophora 187, 188 Pyrrhosoma nymphula 69
viburnana, Aphelia 184 Sympetrum danae 286
viciae, Lygephila 148 S. striolatum 71, 282
viciella, Megalophanes 195
vicinella, Caryocolum 187 ORTHOPTERA
vidua, Catocala 197 Chorthippus albomarginatus 76-78
villica, Arctia 148 C. brunneus 76-78, 157
viminalis, Brachylomia 149, 153, 278 C. parallelus 1-7, 76-78, 167
viridana, Tortrix 69, 140 Meconema meridionale 271
viridaria, Phytometra 181, 285 Nemobius sylvestris 123
viriplaca, Heliothis 190 Tetrix undulata 167
vitalbata, Horisme 155 Tettigonia viridissima 167

vitissoides, Heortia 197

vittaria, Parietaria 193

vittata, Orthonama 70, 176, 283, 284
vittata, Paradrymonia 192

vulgata, Eupithecia 70

SIPHONAPTERA
Orchopeas howardi 272

wagae, Teleiodes 187 THYSANOPTERA
w-latinum, Lacanobia 70, 134 Anaphothrips obscurus 200
xanthographa, Xestia 177

xenia, Phyllocnistis 156 TRICHOPTERA
xeranthemi, Cucullia 194 Agrypnia varia 212

ypsillon, Parastichtis 283, 284 Ceraclea senilis 212

yu, Mythimna 196 Hydropsyche pellucidula 212
zeta, Apamea 147 Limnephilus affinis 212
ziczac, Notodonta 70 Sericostoma personatum 212
zoegana, Agapeta Tinodes waeneri 212

XXil

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

OTHER ORDERS

AMPHIBIA
Bufo bufo 140
B. calamita 132, 135

ARACHNIDA

Argenna patula 212

Argiope bruennichi 4, 5, 123
Atypus affinis 123

Cheiracanthium erraticum 163, 164
Dolomedes plantarius 123
Larinioides cornutus 124
Macroeris nidicolens 123
Neoscona adianta 124

Pisaura mirabilis 124

AVES
Accipiter gentilis 37
A. nisus 135
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 68, 70
A. scirpaceus 68, 70, 282
Aegithalos caudatus 70
Aix galericulata 70
Alauda arvensis 135
Alopochen aegyptiacus 70
Anas platyrhynchos 70
Anser anser 279
Anthus pratensis 135
Apus apus 68, 70
Ardea cinerea 37, 70
Asio flammeus 280
A. otus 280
Athene noctua 282
Aythya fuligula 70
Botaurus stellaris 281
Branta canadensis 70
Caprimulgus europaeus 285
C. solala 157
Carduelis chloris 70
Cettia cetti 68, 70
Columba palumbus 70
Corvus corone 70
C. frugilegus 70
Cygnus atratus 70
C. olor 70
Delichon urbica 70
Dendrocopos major 65
Dromaius novaehollandiae 218
Egretta garzetta 135, 282

Emberiza calandra see Miliaria calandra

Erithacus rubecula 65, 70
Falco subbuteo 68, 70, 282
F. tinnunculus 70
Fulica atra 70
Gallinago gallinago 67, 280
Gallinula chloropus 70
Hirundo rustica 70
Larus argentatus 70
L. ridibundus 70
Luscinia megarhynchos 68, 70
Meleagris gallopavo 218
Miliaria calandra 92, 284
Motacilla alba 70

XX1i1

M. cinerea 70
Numenius arquata 280, 282
Parus caeruleus 70

P. major 70
Passer domesticus 70
Pelecanus 149
Phalacrocorax carbo 70
Phoenicopterus 149
Phylloscopus collybita 70

P. trochilus 70
Pica pica 70
Picus viridis 65
Podiceps cristatus 282
Ramphastos 150
Recurvirostra avosetta 71
Rhea americana 151
Struthio camelus 218
Sturnus vulgaris 70
Sylvia atricapilla 68
Turdus merula 65, 68, 70

T. philomelos 65, 68, 70, 284

Tyto alba 135
Vanellus vanellus 70

CRUSTACEA
Astacus 279

ISOPODA
Armadillidium 52

A. vulgare 167
Philoscia muscorum 167

MAMMALIA
Acinonyx jubatus 37

Bos taurus 9, 37, 38, 39, 54, 65, 67, 143, 279, 280

Canis familiaris 37
Cavia cobaya 37
Cervus elaphus 37

C. nippon 285
Equus asinus 145

E. caballus 37, 38, 39, 152
Homo sapiens 37
Mustela erminea 282

M. putorius 65
Neomys fodiens 280
Oryctolagus cuniculus 37, 148
Ovis aries 38
unidentified bat 68
unidentified deer 271
Vulpes vulpes 135

MOLLUSCA

Assiminea grayana 219, 221
Candidula intersecta 167, 168
Cochlicella acuta 167, 168
Helix aspersa 167

Theba pisana 167, 168

OSTEICHTHYES
Gasterosteus aculeatus 68

PROTOZOA
Leucocytozoon 218

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

REPTILIA
Natrix natrix 280

PLANTS
Acer 46, 185, 202, 209

A. campestre 63, 156, 185

A. pseudoplatanus 9, 11, 46, 199, 208, 209
Achillea millefolium 211
Aesculus hippocastanum 43, 51, 184, 188, 197, 199,

204
Agrostis curtisi 285

A. stolonifera 74, 78
Alliaria petiolata 151
Alnus 54, 178, 187

A. glutinosa 152

A. incana 186
Althaea officinalis 204
Antennaria dioica 186
Anthriscus sylvestris 64, 65
Anthyllis vulneraria 178
Arabis glabra 146
Arrhenatherum elatius 2, 3, 89
Artemisia absinthium 199

A. maritima 206

A. vulgaris 187
Aster 198
Atriplex 209
Avena Sativa 88, 89
Berberis thunbergii 123
Betula 138, 186, 211, 285

B. nana 193

B. pendula 50
Borago officinalis 168
Bromopsis erecta 89
Bryonia dioica 287
Buddleja davidii 175
Calendula officinalis 199
Calluna vulgaris 50, 184, 208
Calystegia 185
Camellia sinensis 196
Carduus tenuiflorus 71
Carex 102, 103, 137, 138
. acutiformis 252
. brizoides 178
. hirta 178
. pallescens 103
. panicea 178
. remota 103
. sylvatica 103
Carpinus betulus 63
Castanea sativa 9, 252
Centaurea 89

C. nigra 187

C. scabiosa 187
Centaurium 203
Cerastium 208
Ceratocapnos claviculata see Corydalis
Ceratophyllum submersum 71
Chenopodium 209
Chrysanthemum segetum 166
Circaea lutetiana 186
Cirsium 151

CEOGBOKO ©) 1A O)

XXIV

C. arvense 71, 166, 175
C. vulgare 166
Cochlearia danica 54
Coincya wright 114
Convolvulus arvensis 168
Cornus sanguinea 146
Corydalis claviculata 208
Corylus avellana 9, 140, 199, 276, 277
Cotoneaster 124
Crataegus 9, 54, 63
C. laevigata 185
C. monogyna 51, 64, 65, 66, 140, 151, 152, 279
Crepis 198
Crinum 196
Cupressocyparis x leylandii 195
Cynosurus cristatus 2
Cypripedium calceolus 124
Cytisus scoparius 198
Dactylis glomerata 89
Daucus carota 71, 199, 200, 214
Desmodium heterocarpum 196
Dianthus 144
Dryopteris filix-mas 126
Elaeagnus 246
Elymus repens 166
Erica 208, 224
E. cinerea 50
E. tetralix 163, 164
Eriophorum angustifolium 163, 164, 186
Erodium cicutarium 208
Euphorbia amygdaloides 199
Fagus sylvatica 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 38, 63, 177, 194,
197, 199, 201, 211
Festuca pratensis 102
Ficus 196
F. simplicissima 196
Filago 168
Filipendula ulmaria 67, 281
Fraxinus excelsior 41, 63, 151, 154, 201, 279
Fumaria 168
F. occidentalis 166, 169
F. officinalis 168
F. muralis 168
F. purpurea 169
Galium 142, 145
G. verum 176
Genista tinctoria 54, 185, 187, 188
Geranium 214
Geum rivale 184
Glyceria 64
Halimione portulacoides 202
Hedera helix 124
Heracleum mantegazzianum 151
H. sphondylium 202, 205
Hippophae rhamnoides 131, 134, 135
Hordeum 74, 75, 88, 89, 92, 166, 280
Humulus lupulus 150, 151, 183
Hypericum pulchrum 208
Inula crithmoides 156, 198
Juglans regia 46
Juncus 67, 271
J. gerardii 156
Knautia arvensis 146, 214
Laburnum 43

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

Larix decidua 146 P. tremula 154, 206, 207, 211, 277
Lavandula 151 Potentilla anserina 187
Ledum 193, 194 P. palustris 138
Legousia hybrida 166 Prunus 45, 46, 47
Leontodon 206 P. armeniaca 46
L. autumnalis 206 P. dulcis 46
Leucanthemum vulgare 186, 205 P. persica 45, 46, 48
Ligustrum 66 v. nectarina 52
L. vulgare 140, 151, 177, 274, 275 P. spinosa 9, 65, 152, 210, 212, 280
Limonium 202 Pteridium aquilinum 37, 38, 50
Linaria vulgaris 71, 202, 204, 206 Pulicaria dysenterica 64, 199
Lolium perenne 74, 78 Pyracantha coccinea 177
Lotus corniculatus 2, 145, 151, 178, 181 Pyrus communis 45, 46, 48, 212
L. uliginosus 186 Quercus 9, 11, 12, 38, 63, 102, 137, 154, 162, 177,
Luzula sylvatica 62 186, 189, 193, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 210, 212,
Lychnis 146 2) oy 21 OS ddI be
L. flos-cuculi 67 Q. cerris 151, 201, 210
Lycopersicon esculentum 271 Q. petraea 146, 194
Malus 45, 46, 48, 161 Q. robur 51, 138, 140, 194, 200, 201, 210, 279
M. sylvestris 63 Reseda 211
M. domestica 51, 54, 207 R. lutea 205
Malva 142 Rhododendron ponticum 50
Matricaria 168, 208 Rhodomyrtus 195
Melastoma 195 Ribes nigrum 66
Melilotus 203 R. rubrum 66
Mercurialis annua 206 Rosa 272
Misopates orontium 166 Rumex 168
Molinia caerulea 54, 163, 164 R. acetosa 184
Muscari neglectum 229 R. acetosella 204, 229
Myosotis 208 R. obtusifolius 151
Myrica gale 137, 164, 184 Salix 152, 194, 237
Nymphaea 138 S. aurita 186
Oenanthe 208 S. caprea 66
Orchis morio 280 S. caprea/cinerea 65, 124, 179, 206, 211, 285
Origanum vulgare 151, 226 S. fragilis 279, 282
Paeonia 208 S. herbacea 211
Papaver hybridum 166 S. lapponum 192
P. rhoeas 168 S. repens 176, 184, 185, 285
Pastinaca sativa 269 Salsola kali 187
Petroselinum segetum 166 Sambucus nigra 151, 152, 201
Phaseolus coccineus 123 Saponaria officinalis 141, 144
Phleum arenarium 229 Sarothamnus scoparius see Cytisus scoparius
P. pratense 74 Scabiosa columbaria 214
Photinia glabra 195 Scandix pecten-veneris 166
Phragmites australis 63, 187, 271, 281, 288 Schefflera octophylla 196
Phyllitis scolopendrium 188 Scirpus 138, 271
Picea abies 193, 194 S. maritimus 71
Pinus 10, 102, 194, 198 Secale cereale 89
P. nigra Sedum spectabile 187
ssp. laricio 123 Senecio 206
P. pinaster 50 S. jacobaea 166, 199, 201
P. sylvestris 50 Serratula tinctoria 187, 282
Pisum sativum 260 Silene 142
Plantago lanceolata 134 S. alba = uniflora (maritima) 141
Platanus 41, 151 S. conica 229
P.x hispanica 41 S. dioica 144
Poa chaixii 102 S. noctiflora 166
Podranea ricasoliana 45, 47 S. otites 229
Populus 151, 152, 186, 189 S. vulgaris 141, 144
P. alba 156 Sisymbrium officinale 168
P.x canadensis 184, 188 Solanum dulcamara 168
P.x canescens 156 S. nigrum 180
P. nigra 185 S. tuberosum 62
‘Italica’ 204 Sonchus arvensis 166

XXV

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, 2005, VOLUME 18

Suaeda 209 LICHEN

S. maritima 156 Unidentified lichen 195
Tamarix 208
Taxus baccata 9

Thuja orientalis 195 OTHER PABULA
Thymus 145
Tilia 12, 151, 198, 201, 247 Beans 177

T. cordata 247 Bird’s nest 11, 43

T. petiolaris 124 Carpet 211

T. x europaea (= x vulgaris) 9, 271 Chinese mushrooms 188
Trifolium 89, 214 Fruit (various) 52, 53

T. pratense 188 Squirrel’s drey 203

T. squamosum 71
Tripleurospermum see Matricaria
Triticum 74, 84, 88, 89, 90, 91, 280
Typha 283
Ulex europaeus 38, 186
Ulmus 46, 54, 153, 154, 155, 269, 270

U. glabra 154

U. minor 154

U. procera 154
Urtica dioica 72, 151, 270, 288
Vaccinium 224
Valeriana dioica 67
Verbascum 145, 146

V. nigrum 11, 146
Veronica 168
Viburnum lantana 138, 139
Vicia 214

V. cracca 66

V. faba 74, 200
Viscum album 63, 64, 159, 161
Wisteria 45, 46, 47, 48

MOSSES
Campylopus flexuosus 186
Sphagnum 194

FUNGI
Coriolus 43
Daedalea 11
Fistulina hepatica 42
Fomes fomentarius 42
Gymnosporangium sabinae 212
Hydnum 11
Inonotus 206
. dryadeus 42
. dryophilus 42
.hispidus 41-43, 203
. obliquus 42
. radiatus 42

I. rheades 42
Meripilus giganteus 42
Phellinus 42
Piptoporus betulinus 11, 43
Pluteus cervinus 12
Ramaria 11
Taphrina pruni 212
Tuber 198

en ont el oe |

XXVI1

<F

wii
3 9088 01256 3177

April 2005 ISSN 0952-7583 Vol. 18, Part 1

RITISH JOURNAL OF

ENTOMOLOGY

AND NATURAL HISTORY

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY
Published by the British Entomological and Natural History Society
and incorporating its Proceedings and Transactions

Editor: J. S. Badmin, Coppice Place, Perry Wood, Selling, nr Faversham, Kent ME13 9RB (Tel:
01227 752291) email: jbadmin@btinternet.com
Associate Editor: M. Wilson, Ph.D., F.R.E.S., F.L.S. Department of Biodiversity & Systematic
Biology, National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Cardiff CF10 3NP. (Tel: 02920 573263)
email: Mike. Wilson@nmegw.ac.uk

Editorial Committee:
D. J. L. Agassiz, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.E.S. T.G. Howarth, B.E.M., F.R.E.S.
R. D. G. Barrington, B.Sc. I. F. G. McLean, Ph.D., F.R.E.S
P. J. Chandler, B.Sc., F.R.E.S. M. J. Simmons, M.Sc.
B. Goater, B.Sc., M.I.Biol. P. A. Sokoloff, M.Sc., C.Biol., M.I.Biol., F.R.E.S.
A. J. Halstead, M.Sc., F.R.E.S. T. R. E. Southwood, K.B., D.Sc., F.R.E.S.
R. D. Hawkins, M.A. R. W. J. Uffen, M.Sc., F.R.E.S.
P. J. Hodge B. K. West, B.Ed.

British Journal of Entomology and Natural History is published by the British Entomological and
Natural History Society, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Reading, Berkshire
RG10 OTH, UK. Tel: 01189-321402. The Journal is distributed free to BENHS members.

© 2005 British Entomological and Natural History Society.

Typeset by Dobbie Typesetting Limited, Tavistock, Devon.
Printed in England by Henry Ling Ltd, Dorchester, Dorset.

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Registered charity number: 213149

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Cover photograph: Green shieldbug Palomena prasina L.
Photo: Richard Jones.

NOTE: The Editor invites submission of photographs for black and white reproduction on the
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BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 |

BEHAVIOURAL OBSERVATIONS OF CHORTHIPE

PARALLELUS (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDA#

ADULTS IN MANAGED GRASSLAND / y

Tim GARDINER!* AND JULIAN HILL? Ms 4 y

Centre for Environment & Rural Affairs (CERA), Writtle College,
Essex, UK, CM1 3RR. *email: tg@writtle.ac.uk.

*Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Writtle College, Chelmsford,
Essex, UK, CM1 3RR.

ABSTRACT

A small-scale behavioural study was undertaken in 2002 to determine whether
Chorthippus parallelus primarily inhabited the ground zone (<20cm) or field layer
(>20cm) of a hay meadow at Writtle College, Essex. Observations of male and
female behaviour were made in July and August 2002 and the frequency and
duration of activities such as resting/basking, stridulation and walking were
recorded. The most frequently observed behavioural activity for both male and
female grasshoppers in the ground zone was resting/basking. Male individuals were
rarely observed ascending into the field layer to find singing perches, most
observations of stridulation were on grass stems in the ground zone. Females also
rarely ventured into the field layer, perhaps because they preferred to remain close to
egg laying sites. Since both sexes spent most of their time in the ground zone
(<20cm) this indicates that they are particularly prone to being killed by
mechanised cutting blades which cut hay between 5—10cm from the soil surface.

INTRODUCTION

Behavioural studies of Orthoptera have often focused on locusts in desert
conditions (Chappell & Whitman, 1990). However, there have been very few
behavioural observations published for species of grasshoppers endemic in the UK.
Clarke (1948) described observations of the feeding of grasshoppers in the field and
of the movement of the insect on disturbance. The study described the normal
movement of adults without disturbance to be deliberate walking or climbing,
interspersed by bouts of stridulation or feeding. Jumping only occurred when an
adult found crawling difficult or was disturbed by a potential predator. These
observations were confirmed by Richards & Waloff (1954) who described the small-
scale movements of grasshoppers and re-iterated Clarke’s view that jumping only
occurred when the grasshopper was disturbed. Stridulation by male grasshoppers
was most evident when solar radiation was intense and air temperatures high
(Richards & Waloff, 1954).

Morris (2000) discusses the importance of vegetation structure for a wide range of
arthropods, particularly Auchenorrhyncha (leafhoppers and planthoppers). How-
ever, the interaction between grasshoppers and vegetation structures in either the
ground zone (<20cm) or field layer (>20cm) of grasslands is poorly understood.
This apparent lack of information could have important consequences for habitat
management and conservation of Orthoptera. When hay meadows are cut and
harvested, the cut herbage remaining ranges from 5 to 10cm in height (Ausden &
Treweek, 1995). If grasshoppers spend the majority of their adult life in the field layer
(>20cm) then mowing for hay in July may remove singing perches for males.
However, if adult life cycles are conducted predominantly in the ground zone

2 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

(<20cm), then the process of cutting and harvesting may lead to serious disturbance
to reproduction.

The aim of the study reported in this paper was to assess whether Chorthippus
parallelus Zetterstedt adults utilise the ground zone or field layer in a managed hay
meadow and to observe the incidence of behavioural activities such as resting/
basking and walking.

METHODS

Study site

The site chosen for the observation of behavioural activities was a traditionally
managed hay meadow (Stoneyshotts Meadow) on the Writtle College Estate,
Chelmsford, Essex, UK (OS grid ref: TL 672069). The meadow is approximately | ha
in area overlaying a well-drained sandy clay loam with flints (Bengeo complex, pH
7.5—8). The meadow was formerly a gravel pit (Neate, 1979) and has since been filled
with refuse and soil to create a conservation area on the estate (meadow established
in 1996). The vegetation of the meadow is predominantly grasses such as Cynosurus
cristatus L. and Arrhenatherum elatius L., however other chalk grassland species such
as Lotus corniculatus L. also occur. The sward height is variable with some very tall,
coarse patches of grass (>50cm sward height) and shorter areas (<5cm sward
height) with an abundance of bare earth. The grassland is mown once a year in
summer (late August) and the crop harvested.

Behavioural observation sessions

Observations of adult C. parallelus activity were made in July and August 2002.
The durations of all the behavioural activities exhibited by male and female adults
were timed in sessions varying from 20 minutes to one hour, all between 1200 and
1600h. During each session a number of individuals were observed. Adult
individuals were approached very carefully to minimise disturbance. This often
involved crawling through the vegetation to get near to a stridulating male or
ovipositing female. Once in position, 2m away from the individual to be observed, a
five minute recovery period was allowed before observations commenced, to reduce
the effect of any disturbance created during the approach. After the recovery time
had elapsed, the duration in seconds of the following behavioural activities was
recorded: feeding, interaction (intra-specific and inter-specific), jumping, mating,
oviposition (2 probing ground with ovipositor; eggs may or may not be being laid),
resting/basking (individual stationary on vegetation or soil surface and either directly
or indirectly basking), stridulation (3 rubbing row of stridulatory pegs on the inside
of hind femur against the flexed forewings, whole sequence of ‘chirps’ counted as one
stridulation) and walking. For each behavioural activity, the location was recorded
as having occurred at sward heights <20cm (ground zone) and >20cm (field layer)
to ascertain the vertical distribution of behavioural activities in the sward.
Additionally, the location of each activity on grass leaf, grass stem and inflorescence
or bare earth was recorded.

Sward characteristics

The number of observations of each behavioural activity in the ground zone and
field layer was compared with the vertical distribution of herbage biomass, leaf area

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 3

and temperature in the sward microclimate. A stratified clip method for the
estimation of biomass and its vertical distribution was used (Rhodes, 1981). A
herbage gripping device, a plier-like instrument with extended jaws that had parallel
gripping surfaces, was used (Barthram ef al., 2000). The gripping surfaces were lined
with rubber and were 9cm long, | cm deep and opened to approximately 2cm wide.
The device was placed into the sward and a sample of herbage gripped before cutting
to ground level. The device gripped an area of sward approximately 10cm?. Ten
samples were randomly taken from the sward, transported back to the laboratory in
paper bags and cut into two layers: <20cm height and > 20cm height. The herbage
was dried at 80°C for two days and the dry matter yield was calculated.

To determine the location of leaves in the sward, 10 samples of herbage were taken
using the herbage gripping device. The area of each leaf in the ground zone and field
layer was calculated by measuring leaf length and width in mm and then multiplying
this by 0.95 (Robson & Sheehy, 1981).

Sward temperature has an important influence on insects, especially for those that
need to bask (Unwin & Corbet, 1991). To record the sward temperature, Tinytag
temperature dataloggers (Gemini Data Loggers, Chichester, West Sussex, UK) were
used. One datalogger was positioned in the ground zone (< 20cm) and another in the
field layer (>20cm) and hourly temperatures recorded from 9 August until
3 September 2002. The dataloggers were placed at the study site in an area
dominated by A. elatius.

Statistical analysis

The number of observations of each behavioural activity for male and female
C. parallelus in the ground zone (<20cm) and field layer (> 20cm) were compared
using chi-square analysis (y) to ascertain if each activity was randomly distributed
throughout the two vertical sward layers. To further analyse the usage of different
sward components, the frequencies of selected behavioural activities for male and
female C. paraillelus on grass leaf and stem were compared for the ground zone
(<20cm) and field layer (> 20cm) using x7. All statistical analyses were performed
using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 12 (SPSS, 2003)
according to the methods of Mead et al. (1993).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 459 minutes were spent observing male behavioural activities, a similar
duration was recorded for female observations (444 minutes). Male C. parallelus
spent 90% of the observation time resting/basking compared with 86% of the total
observation time for females. Other behavioural activities accounted for very small
proportions of the total observation time for both male and female C. parallelus. Adult
grasshoppers in this study were sedentary, spending the majority of their time resting or
basking interspersed with bouts of oviposition (9), stridulation (4) or walking.

The most frequently observed behavioural activity for both male and female
C. parallelus was resting/basking, with 208 (mean event time 119 seconds) and 211
(mean event time 109 seconds) behavioural observations for males and females,
respectively. Walking and jumping were also commonly recorded for both sexes (105
and 138 observations for males and females, respectively), although walking was the
most frequent method of locomotion in this study (80.2% and 74.2% of all
locomotion bouts recorded for males and females, respectively). However, the mean
duration of a walking bout for a female was approximately three times that for a
male (7.7 seconds vs. 2.6 seconds).

4 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Forty-one bouts of stridulation were observed for males (mean singing time 13.4
seconds), but there were only 15 sightings of oviposition for females (mean time of 71
seconds). Mating was seen on only one occasion and seems to confirm the
conclusions of Reinhardt et a/. (2001) who noted that mating was rarely observed in
grasshopper populations. For example, C. parallelus was only sighted mating on
three occasions out of a total of 70 observation hours in their study. Feeding was not
observed for either male or female C. parallelus and it may be that feeding is also
rarely observed in the field. In a study of the feeding preferences of captive
C. parallelus at Writtle College in 2003, feeding damage of grass by adult individuals
ranged from 1—20 feeding signs per grasshopper per week (Gardiner, unpublished
data).

Both male and female C. parallelus were most frequently observed in the ground
zone (Table 1). For males, observations of jumping (y?7=12.5, d.f. 1, P<0.01),
resting/basking (y*= 145.6, d.f. 1, P<0.01), stridulation (y7= 33.4, d.f. 1, P<0.01)
and walking (y7=86.0, d.f. 1, P<0.01) were not randomly observed between the
ground zone and field layer, indicating that males preferred to inhabit grassland close
to the soil surface. It is particularly interesting that most observations of singing male
C. parallelus were in the ground zone and not the field layer, as previous studies of
Orthoptera have demonstrated that adults ascend into tall vegetation to find singing
perches (Samways, 1994; Robinson & Hall, 2002). However, singing adult
grasshoppers in tall vegetation may be particularly susceptible to predation by birds
and bats (Robinson & Hall, 2002). A further indication of the dangers of ascending
into the field layer was made apparent by the observation of a male individual which
leapt from a height of approximately 35cm into the web of a Wasp Spider Argiope
bruennichi Scopoli (Araneae: Araneidae), where it was quickly killed (Fig. 1).

The locations of females in the sward were similar to those of the male. Jumping
(y° = 30.1, d.f. 1, P<0.01), resting/basking (y= 176.5, d.f. 1, P<0.01) and walking
(y7 = 122.5, d.f. 1, P<0.01) were also not randomly distributed between ground zone
and field layer (Table 1). Adult female grasshoppers need bare earth for oviposition
(Choudhuri, 1958) and it is reasonable to suggest that they spend the majority of
their life cycle in the ground zone searching for suitable oviposition sites and mates.
In this study, 15 sightings of females probing the ground with their ovipositor were
made, but no egg pods were deposited during any of these occasions. It is suggested
that the hardness of the soil surface (sandy clay loam) at the study site would have
made it difficult for the ovipositor to penetrate the soil as C. parallelus females prefer
to lay eggs in moist soil (Choudhuri, 1958).

Having established that the majority of behavioural activities were recorded in the
ground zone (Table 1), the duration of time of each behavioural activity in the
ground zone was higher than the same behavioural observations in the field layer for
both sexes. For example, 99% and 95% of male stridulation and walking time,
respectively, was spent in the ground zone. Females spent 96% and 90% of the
observation time, walking and resting/basking in the ground zone. Particularly long
bouts of resting/basking were observed for both male and female grasshoppers
(maximum duration of 18 and 22 minutes, respectively) in this sward layer.

Male individuals were frequently observed resting/basking, stridulating and
walking on grass leaves and stems in the sward (Table 2), with the usage of bare
earth and grass spikelets being very infrequent. There were two occurrences of males
singing from grass spikelets in the ground zone although neither bout lasted for long
(<5 seconds for each bout). Females were often observed on the soil surface,
probably searching for suitable oviposition sites or utilising the warm microclimate
of bare earth for basking purposes (Key, 2000).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 2)

Table 1. Number of observations of each behavioural activity for male and female Chorthippus
parallelus in the ground zone (< 20cm) and field layer (> 20cm) of a hay meadow, Chelmsford,
Essex, 2002

re) =

Sward height (cm) Sward height (cm)
Behavioural activity <20 > 20 7 <20 >20 7
Interaction 4 l 1.8 + 0 T
Jumping 22 4 125" 43 5 30.1%
Mating I 0 i l 0 i
Oviposition — - - li5 0 if
Resting/basking 191] Ly 145.6* 202 ) 176.5*
Stridulation So 2 33.4* - ~ -
Walking 100 5 86.0* 134 4 [22-57
Total 357 29 Ziel 399 18 348.1*

*observations not randomly distributed between <20cm and >20cm at P<0.01
+ =test not applicable due to lack of observations or zero values

Fig. 1. Male Chorthippus parallelus captured by Argiope bruennichi. Photo: Tim Gardiner.

6 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Table 2. Number of observations of all behavioural activities on different sward components by
male and female Chorthippus parallelus

Behavioural 3 2
activity

Bare Bare

earth Spikelet Leaf Stem earth Spikelet Leaf Stem
Interaction 0 3 l 2 0 0 2
Jumping 0 l 1] 14 6 0 33 2)
Mating 0 0 l 0 0 0 1 0
Oviposition - - - - 15 0 0 0
Resting/basking 1] + O2 101 61 0 102 48
Stridulation 0 2 14 25 - - - -
Walking 8 0 49 48 35) 0 78 25
Total 20 7 170 189 11g 0 214 84

Males were frequently observed resting/basking, stridulating and walking on either
leaves or stems in the ground zone (Table 3), although observations of resting/
basking in the field layer were not randomly distributed between grass leaf and stem
(y?=7.1, d.f. 1, P<0.01), with a preference for stems in the field layer. Females were
often observed on grass leaves in the ground zone, particularly when resting/basking
(y? = 26.4, d.f. 1, P<0.01) or walking (y* = 28.4, d.f. 1, P<0.01). It is suggested that
females found particularly large leaves of grasses in the ground zone (mean leaf
area=524+86mm) more favourable basking perches than the smaller leaves
situated in the field layer (mean leaf area=443+68mm). In a similar fashion to
males, female grasshoppers utilised grass stems more frequently when they ventured
into the field layer.

Although male C. parallelus were most frequently observed in the ground zone,
movement between different vegetational structures within this layer, particularly for

Table 3. Number of observations of selected behavioural activities of Chorthippus parallelus on
grass leaf and stem in the ground zone (<20cm) and field layer (> 20cm)

Behavioural activity 3 2
Leaf Stem 7 Leaf Stem 7

<20cm <20cm
Resting/basking 89 87 02 101 40 26.4**
Stridulation 14 23 22 a = fs
Walking 46 46 0.0 76 23 28.4**

> 20cm >20cm
Resting/basking 3 14 Teles | 8 5.4*
Stridulation 0 2. + es GH zi
Walking 3 2 T Z D oF

* = observations not randomly distributed between leaf and stem at P<0.05
** — observations not randomly distributed between leaf and stem at P<0.01
+=test not applicable due to lack of observations or zero values

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 7

100 ~
J
90 |
~ tare \
g 80 | ~~ Grasshopper located at8cm | _—_ Grasshopper located at 15
= | ' cm
Pf 3
g ga. | [_] on grass leaf :
> | i [_] on grass stem
| | 1
5 50) :
= Lae
eae '
= | he
5 3077
-— 1
= 1
5 20 -
a |
10 4 :
I
er iageoam :

S J S R S J S R J R S R

Behavioural sequence

Fig. 2. Observation of a male Chorthippus parallelus starting with stridulation (S) at 8cm; note
how the singing sequence is interspersed by jumping (J) and resting/basking (R).

singing purposes, was frequent. The authors commenced observing one singing male
situated on a grass leaf (approximately 8cm from the soil surface) at 1300h (temp:
25°C, cloud cover: 40%; Fig. 2). Three fairly long sequences of singing (maximum
duration: 83 seconds) were observed on grass leaves. The grasshopper then leapt
onto a grass stem at approximately 15cm, where it proceeded to sing loudly once
again, before jumping back onto a nearby grass leaf for a final bout of stridulation. It
seemed that this grasshopper was utilising a wide range of singing perches (grass leaf
and stem) within the ground zone to effectively broadcast its stridulation.

Although the observations of behaviour were only conducted for a few hours, it
seems that both male and female C. parallelus mainly utilise the ground zone
(<20cm) for all behavioural categories. This is unusual as_ microclimatic
temperatures in this zone were much lower than in the field layer (17.4°C +0.23
vs. 20.6°C + 0.47, respectively) where conditions were more favourable for insolation.
Sward temperatures in the ground zone may be lower due to increased vegetation
biomass (1.53 vs. 0.71 kg dry matter per m’). However, 67% of the total grass leaf
area was found in the ground zone and females in particular, favoured the abundant
grass leaves for resting/basking purposes.

Since both male and female C. parallelus grasshoppers resided for the majority of
time in the ground zone (<20cm) this may lead to high mortality when cutting of
hay occurs. Grasshoppers are however very mobile and can jump long distances to
escape from predators (Clarke, 1948; Richards & Waloff, 1954) and as a consequence
may be able to escape damage or death during harvesting of the crop. Further
research is needed to determine whether grasshoppers are killed by mechanised
cutting blades. However, the process of cutting hay will produce large-scale
disturbance to grasshoppers inhabiting the ground zone in the important
reproductive phase of their life cycle.

8 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

REFERENCES

Ausden, M. & Treweek, J. 1995. Grasslands. In: Sutherland, W.J. & Hill, D.A. (Eds.) Managing
habitats for conservation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge pp. 197-229.

Barthram, G.T., Elston, D.A. & Bolton, G.R. 2000. A comparison of three methods for measuring
the vertical distribution of herbage mass in grassland. Grass & Forage Science 55: 193-200.

Chappell, M.A. & Whitman, D.W. 1990. Grasshopper thermoregulation, pp. 143-172. In:
Chapman, R.F. & Joern, A. (Eds.) Biology of grasshoppers. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

Choudhuri, J.C.B. 1958. Experimental studies on the choice of oviposition sites by two species
of Chorthippus (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Journal of Animal Ecology 27: 201-215.

Clarke, E.J. 1948. Studies in the ecology of British grasshoppers. Transactions of the Royal
Entomological Society of London 99: 173-222.

Key, R. 2000. Bare ground and the conservation of invertebrates. British Wildlife 11: 183-191.

Mead, R., Curnow, R.N. & Hasted, A.M. 1993. Statistical methods in agriculture and
experimental biology (2nd edition). Chapman & Hall, London.

Morris, M.G. 2000. The effects of structure and its dynamics on the ecology and conservation
of arthropods in British grasslands. Biological Conservation 95: 129-142.

Neate, D.J.M. 1979. Writtle Agricultural College wildlife and landscape survey: report and
recommendations. Writtle College, Chelmsford.

Reinhardt, K., Samietz, J., Wagner, G., Opitz, S. & Kohler, G. 2001. Diel and seasonal mating
peaks in grasshopper populations (Caelifera: Acrididae). Journal of Orthoptera Research
10: 263-269.

Rhodes, I. 1981. Canopy structure. In: Hodgson, J., Baker, R.D., Davies, A., Laidlaw, A.S. &
Leaver, J.D. (Eds.) Sward measurement handbook. British Grassland Society, Hurley
pp. 141-158.

Richards, O.W. & Waloff, N. 1954. Studies on the biology and population dynamics of British
grasshoppers. Anti-Locust Bulletin 17: 1-182.

Robinson, D.J. & Hall, M.J. 2002. Sound signalling in Orthoptera. Advances in Insect
Physiology 29: 151-278.

Robson, M.J. & Sheehy, J.E. 1981. Leaf area and light interception. In: Hodgson, J., Baker,
R.D., Davies, A., Laidlaw, A.S. & Leaver, J.D. (Eds.) Sward measurement handbook.
British Grassland Society, Hurley pp. 115-139.

Samways, M.J. 1994. Insect conservation biology. Chapman & Hall, London.

SPSS. 2003. SPSS version 12. SPSS Inc, Chicago.

Unwin, D.M. & Corbet, S.A. 1991. Insects, plants and microclimate. Richmond Publishing Co,
Slough.

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Odynerus melanocephalus (Gmelin) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and Lasioglossum
malachurus (Kirby) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in Berkshire.—I swept a single female
Odynerus melanocephalus from open, disturbed clayey ground, at margins of old
gravel workings near Field Farm, Berkshire (SU6770) on 11.vi.2003. Although
widespread in Southern England (Falk, 1991), there do not appear to be any
previous recordings from Berkshire (VC22). Other scarce wasps present included
Gymnomerus laevipes (Shuckard) and Nysson trimaculatus (Rossius) (Sphecidae).
Other aculeates included two female Lasioglossum malachurus (Kirby) (Halictidae)
swept in the same area, new to Berkshire. Lasioglossum pauxillum (Schenck) was also
present at this site on the 30.viil.2003, and at Theale Lake (SU6670) on the same day;
the only previous record for this species from Berkshire dates from 1906 (Falk,
1991).—JONTY DENTON, Kingsmead, Wield Road, Medstead, Hampshire GU34 5NJ

REFERENCE

Falk, S. 1991. A review of the scarce and threatened bees, wasps, and ants of Great Britain. JNCC,
Peterborough.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 9

ROTHERFIELD PARK, NORTH HAMPSHIRE:
AN IMPORTANT SITE FOR SAPROXYLIC COLEOPTERA,
DIPTERA AND OTHER INSECTS

JONTY DENTON! & PETER CHANDLER?

Kingsmead, Wield Road, Medstead, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 5NJ,
2 Peter Chandler, 606b Berryfield Lane, Melksham, Wiltshire, SW12 6EZ

ABSTRACT

The insect fauna of Rotherfield Park, North Hampshire was sampled in 2002. A
rich coleopteran and dipteran fauna was identified, with several new Vice-county
records. The saproxylic beetle fauna was used to calculate site quality indices, which
were compared with other sites in north-east Hampshire, and show the Park to be of
considerable local importance. The richest Dipteran fauna was associated with the
more closed woodland habitats rather than around the open parkland trees. In
contrast, most of the more important coleopteran records were made on standards in
the open parkland.

INTRODUCTION

Rotherfield Park lies between Alton and Petersfield in North Hampshire
(VC12). It is one of the most complete examples of early 19th Century
Picturesque, the house and landscape being of immense historic and cultural
interest (Hussey, 1967). The complex of parkland and woodland also provides
important habitats for wildlife, and our surveys in 2002 revealed an important
invertebrate assemblage.

The Park was first mentioned in 1564 (Coates, 1989) and in its current form covers
approximately 200 hectares of rolling terrain on chalk with areas of clay-with-flints,
and consists of open pasture land grazed by cattle with scattered mature standards
mostly of beech, oak, sycamore and sweet chestnut. There are also scattered small
groups of 3-10 mature trees as well as more extensive copses with abundant beech,
hawthorn, sloe and yew. The Park encompasses two larger woodland blocks: Plash
Wood (SU6932) lies to the north of the house and appears on an estate map of 1635,
but is clearly much older, and Stonybrow Wood and Plantation (SU6830) stand
along the south-western edge of the estate. Both woods have abundant beech
including many fine mature trees, and extensive coppice woodland with abundant
hazel.

One of the most striking features of the Park is the avenue of lime Tilia x vulgaris
L. trees, which run southward from the main house. These were already large trees
200 years ago and these have developed much side growth, forming what can only be
described as two giant hedgerows lining the old driveway. The Park falls within SU63
and SU73 10 km squares of the National Grid.

Dead wood, both standing and fallen, is locally abundant across the Park and
many large fallen trees have been left in situ where they continue to attract
invertebrate interest. Large boles of fallen trees have also been placed along the
margins of the copses.

The mature parkland trees were the main focus of the saproxylic beetle survey (i.e.
those species associated with wood decay and deadwood), whilst the more sheltered
wooded areas were targeted for Diptera.

10 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

SITE VISITS AND METHODS

Site visits were made from mid March—late October 2002, when standard field
techniques of beating, sweep netting and grubbing were employed to sample the
invertebrate fauna. In addition small bottle traps primed with a fermenting ‘sap’
mixture were placed in hollow trees and emptied at weekly intervals during May and
June 2002.

The quality of the saproxylic beetle fauna of Rotherfield Park was assessed using
two recognized indices, and the result compared with other important sites in North
and East Hampshire.

Index of Ecological Continuity (IEC)

This method of measuring the quality of the saproxylic Coleoptera fauna was
developed by Harding & Alexander (1994), using the scores assigned to 195 species in
Harding & Rose (1986), which were divided into three groups ‘according to the
extent to which they have been consistently recorded from areas of ancient woodland
with a continuity of dead wood habitats’. Grade | indicators (those species deemed
the most dependent on ancient dead wood habitats) scored 3 points, Grade 2 scored
2 points, and Grade 3 species scored | point. Alexander (2004) refined this method
using data collected over the past decade or so. This has resulted in some minor
modifications to the original list of qualifying species, see Appendix 1.

Species Quality Index (SQI)

The Species Quality Score (SQS) and Species Quality Index (SQI) are different
ways of comparing sites, which are not dependent on cumulative sampling effort.
Fowles et al. (1999) assigned quality scores to native saproxylic Coleoptera, ranging
from | for common species to 32 for Red Data Book (RDB) taxa (but the statuses
have in many cases been revised from those in Hyman & Parsons (1992)). The SQS is
produced by adding together the assigned scores for the species captured: the SQI is
then calculated by dividing the SQS by the total number of species and multiplying
by 100. This gives a score that can be used for comparative purposes which
overcomes the problems of differences in sampling effort, providing at least 50
species are recorded.

RESULTS

In all, 175 species of Coleoptera were recorded of which 125 (71%) were taxa
included in the checklist of invertebrates of living and decaying timber (Alexander,
2002), and of 270 species of Diptera recorded, 80 (30%) were also included in this
checklist. The richest dipteran fauna was associated with the more closed woodland
habitats rather than around the open parkland trees. In contrast, most of the more
important coleopteran records were made on standards in the open parkland. Species
of Notable status are listed below:

Coleoptera

Scydmaenus rufus Miller & Kunze (Scydmaenidae) (RDB2). Occurs under bark of
hardwoods and pines. This species appears to be increasing, and is not uncommon in
North-East Hampshire/Surrey and Berkshire (Denton, 1999).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 11

Mycetophagus quadriguttatus Miller (Mycetophagidae) (Notable A in Hyman &
Parsons, 1992). A male found under the bark of a dead but standing sycamore on
2.vi.2002 may be the first record for North Hampshire.

Variimorda villosa (Schrank) (Nb) (Mordellidae). This species is not uncommon in
Surrey and North Hampshire, especially on the chalk. Though formerly included in
the IEC (Harding & Rose, 1986), doubt has been cast on whether it is a saproxylic
species, but the female captured in the park flew to, and began to probe a large beech
stump with her abdomen, on the 28.v.2002.

Anthribus nebulosus Forster (Anthribidae) (Nb). This species is often found on
large oak trees in old parkland. It was beaten from a large oak on 2.vi.2002.

Cionus nigritarsis Reitter (Curculionidae) (Na). Abundant on Dark Mullein
Verbascum nigrum L. The chalk of North Hampshire and Wiltshire is a stronghold
nationally for this species.

Taphrorychus bicolor (Herbst) (Na). Found in beech bark near Plash Wood on
28.v.2002. This may be the first record for North Hampshire.

Diptera

Atypophthalmus inustus (Meigen) (Limoniidae). Notable according to Falk (1991).
This is a local species that develops in wood-encrusting fungi and is usually found in
low numbers, mostly in ancient woodland sites.

Ditomyia fasciata (Meigen) (Ditomyiidae) (N). Associated with a wide range of
hard polypore wood-decaying fungi in old woodlands mainly beech. Widespread in
Southern England.

Exechiopsis membranacea (Lundstr6m) (Mycetophilidae) (N). A local species of
woodland and carr in southern England, 11 sites listed in Falk & Chandler (in prep.)
including the New Forest and Leckford in Hampshire. Biology unrecorded but
probably develops in gill fungi.

Mycetophila hetschkoi Landrock (Mycetophilidae) (N). This is a local fly found
mostly in damp woodland, throughout Britain but mostly in the north and west,
although recorded from Hampshire. It develops in soft terrestrial fungi such as
Hydnum and Ramaria.

Trichonta clavigera Lundstrom (Mycetophilidae) (N). Previous Hampshire records
include several sites in the New Forest and Selborne Hanger. Biology unrecorded but
probably. in wood encrusting fungi.

Mycomya occultans (Winnertz) (Mycetophilidae). Recognized as RDB2 in Falk &
Chandler (in prep.) which lists six sites in South Wales and Kent; but has since been
recorded at sites in Buckinghamshire, Somerset and Suffolk so is proving more
widespread than first- thought and further downgrading may be necessary. It
develops in bracket fungi such as Daedalea and Piptoporus growing on broad-leaved
trees.

Diazosma hirtipenne (Siebke) (Trichoceridae) (N). This species is widespread in
Britain as far as northern Scotland, but seems very local, occurring mainly in dry
woodland; there are records from Hertfordshire and Berkshire and it was recorded at
Lackham, Wiltshire in 2002 (Chandler, 2003). It has been found around dead wood
but also reared once from a bird’s nest. This is the first record for Hampshire.

Systenus tener Loew (Dolichopodidae). RDB3 in Falk (1991), but considered
insufficiently known by Falk & Crossley (in prep.), with old records from the New
Forest and Herefordshire and recent records from Kent. Members of this genus
develop in tree rot holes and are most often recorded by rearing, so it is considered
that they are significantly under-recorded by general collecting methods.

12 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Paraplatypeza bicincta (Szilady) (Platypezidae). This species was only added to the
British list in 2002 (Chandler, 2002a) from a single female found at West End
Common, Esher, Surrey in 2001. A further female was found at Waggoner’s Wells,
Hants on the same day as the find at Stonybrow Wood (Chandler, 2002b). The
biology is unknown but the allied species P. atra (Meigen) develops in gill fungi,
mainly the lignicolous species Pluteus cervinus. As P. bicincta is evidently widespread
it is curious that it has not been recorded previously, but it is scarce throughout its
European range, which includes Holland and Denmark.

Sapromyza albiceps Fallen (Lauxantidae). Downgraded from RDB3 (Shirt, 1987)
to Notable in Falk 1991 and in Falk & Ismay (in prep.), which refers to 20 post-1960
sites. This is a local but widespread species throughout Britain. Adults are usually
swept from tree foliage, though the biology of this species is unrecorded; this family
mainly develop in decaying vegetation.

Megamerina dolium (Fabricius) (Megamerinidae) (N). A single male was found in a
rotting hollow of a large beech tree in Stoneybrow Wood on 3.vii.2002. This species
develops under the bark of hardwoods where the larvae are predatory (Alexander, 2002).

Paraclusia tigrina (Fallen) (Clusiidae) (RDB2). Associated with decaying timber,
including beech and lime. This species is proving to be widespread in southern
England, but the authors are not aware of any other North Hampshire records.

Gymnosoma rotundatum (L.) (Tachinidae) (RDB3). This record constitutes the
most south-westerly for the species in Britain (Chris Raper, pers. comm.). This fly is
quite frequent within a very limited area of the South of England, centred on Surrey
and adjacent counties, where it is thought to parasitize shieldbugs including
Palomena prasina (L.) (Hem: Pentatomidae).

Other locally important records included:

Hemiptera

Pediopsis tiliae (Germar) (Cicadellidae) (Notable B). A leafhopper associated with
lime trees, abundant in the lime avenue during June and July. This is probably the
first record for North Hampshire (VC12).

Lepidoptera

Chrysoclista lineella (Clerck) (Cosmopterigidae). A beautiful micro-moth which
develops in the bark of lime trees; adults were swept from the lime avenue on the
31.vii.2002. The only previous record in North Hampshire is from Northington
(Goater & Norriss, 2001).

Hymenoptera

Lasius brunneus (Latreille) (Formicidae) (Na). Found on two large oaks in the
open park. Rotherfield Park occurs at the most south-western edge of the known
range of this very localised arboreal ant in the UK.

Vespa crabro L. (Vespidae) (local). The hornet is surprisingly scarce in Surrey and
North Hampshire, which both have huge areas of suitable-looking habitat. In recent
years there are signs that it is spreading in both counties, and this is the first time JD
has encountered the species in the Alton area, though he has also recorded it in
recent years at Bartley Heath near Hook.

COMPARISON OF SAPROXYLIC BEETLE FAUNAS

The beetle assemblage identified in 2002 had an Index of Ecological Continuity
(IEC) of 27, comprising one Grade 2, and twenty-five Grade 3 indicators. This score
is quite impressive for just one year’s field-work at a site with few veteran oaks.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 13

Table 1. Important sites for saproxylic Coleoptera in North and East Hampshire

No.of

species IEC SQS SQI
Harewood Forest 102 42 430 422
Bramshott Common/Chase 140 39 524 374
Rotherfield Park 120 21 404 337
Woolmer Forest 100 22 330 330
Henwood/Chappetts Copse 88 20 260 S10
Micheldever Spoil Heaps 57 13 160 280
Odiham Common 95 7 263 274
Binswood 80 17 Pale: 265

The 120 saproxylic Coleoptera which made up the Species Quality Score (SQS) are
shown in appendix 1. These produced a SQS totai of 404, which gives a SQI of 337.
Within the East Hampshire District this site is clearly one of the richest for dead
wood beetles, and is only surpassed by Bramshott Common and Chase (table 1).

Few scores have been generated for sites further afield in North Hampshire, except
from JD’s data, and for Harewood Forest (see Fowles et al., 1999; Martin
Townsend, pers. comm.), so at present it 1s difficult to assess the site’s importance.
However, the beetle fauna in the Park 1s likely to be very representative of the typical
saproxylic fauna of old wooded habitats on the chalk in North-East Hampshire, with
species associated primarily with beech well represented.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The parkland and associated woodland of Rotherfield Park supports a varied and
rich invertebrate fauna associated with dead wood habitats. New county records of
Nationally Scarce Diptera and Coleoptera confirm the Park’s importance as a
regionally significant site for saproxylic beetles and flies. Other Nationally Scarce
arboreal insects such as the leafhopper P. tiliae and the fungus weevil A. nebulosus
appear to favour large parkland trees.

Important finds from other groups indicate that the woodland edges and rough
grassland habitats across the Park also support some important insects such as
G. rotundatum and C. nigritarsis, and PC made one of the first British records of the
moth fly Saraiella consigliana (Sara) (Withers, 2004). Further records include three
very local staphylinid beetles Atheta hybrida (Sharp), Quedius invreae Gridelli
(Denton, 1998) and Stenus fuscicornis Erichson, made in 1997.

The Park is a working estate, which is managed sympathetically for wildlife, and
the continued survival of such a rich invertebrate assemblage within an important
historic landscape remains a challenge, requiring a long-term perspective. It is
significant that mature native trees set in open parkland prove especially attractive to
many rare beetle species, which are absent or rare in closed woodland. The
maintenance of old parklands is pivotal for the survival of many of our rarer species,
and provides an opportunity to marry the cultural and ecological disciplines for the
benefit of both.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to extend their thanks to Sir James Scott for supporting
this survey work across the estate, and to Lou Elderton for providing much useful

14 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

background information on the history of the Park. Thanks also to East Hampshire
District Council, in particular to Gavin Musk for help in providing funds to support
the survey, and to English Nature for providing funding via the Biodiversity Grant
Scheme. Many thanks to Adrian Fowles for checking the SQI scores and useful
comments on the data.

REFERENCES

Alexander, K.N.A. 2002. The invertebrates of living and decaying timber in Britain and Ireland.
English Nature Research Reports. No. 467. English Nature, Peterborough.

Alexander, K.N.A. 2004. Revision of the Index of Ecological Continuity as used for saproxylic
beetles. English Nature Research Report Number 574. English Nature, Peterborough.
Chandler, P.J. 2002a. Paraplatypeza bicincta (Szilady, 1941) (Diptera, Platypezidae) new to

Britain. Dipterists Digest (Second Series) 9: 23-24.

Chandler, P.J. 2002b. Agathomyia sexmaculata (von Roser) (Diptera, Platypezidae) new to
Britain and some other recent records of Platypezidae. Dipterists Digest (Second Series) 9:
161-163.

Chandler, P.J. 2003. Syntormon macula Parent (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) and other Diptera
new to Wiltshire. Dipterists Digest (Second Series) 10: 66.

Coates, R. 1989. The place names of Hampshire. Batsford.

Denton J.S. 1998. Atheta hybrida (Sharp) (Staphylinidae) in Hampshire. Coleopterist 7: 6.

Denton, J.S. 1999. Is Scydmaenus rufus Miller & Kunze really vulnerable? Coleopterist 8: 89.

Falk, S. 1991. A review of the scarce and threatened flies of Great Britain (Part 1). Research and
survey in nature conservation No. 39. Peterborough, Nature Conservancy Council.

Falk, S. & Chandler, P.J.. (in preparation) A review of the scarce and threatened flies of Great
Britain: Nematocera and Aschiza. JNCC.

Falk, S. & Crossley, R. (in preparation) A review of the scarce and threatened flies of Great
Britain: Empidoidea. JNCC.

Falk, S. & Ismay, J. (in preparation) A review of the scarce and threatened flies of Great Britain:
Acalyptratae. JNCC.

Fowles, A.P., Alexander, K.N.A. & Key, R.S. 1999. The saproxylic index: evaluating wooded
habitats for the conservation of dead wood Coleoptera. Coleopterist 8: 121-141.

Goater, B. & Norriss, T. 2001. Moths of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Pisces.

Harding, P.T. & Alexander, K.N.A. 1994. The use of saproxylic invertebrates in the selection
and evaluation of areas of relic forest in pasture woodlands. British Journal of Entomology
and Natural History 7 Suppl. 1: 21-26.

Harding, P.T. & Rose, F. 1986. Pasture Woodlands in lowland Britain. Monks Wood, Institute
of Terrestrial Ecology.

Hussey, C. 1967. Picturesque: Studies in a point of View. Frank Cass.

Hyman, P.S & Parsons, M.S. 1992. A review of the scarce and threatened Coleoptera of Great
Britain. Part 1. JNCC, Peterborough.

Shirt, D.B., ed. 1987. British Red Data Books: 2. Insects. Peterborough, Nature Conservancy
Council.

Withers, P. 2004. Additions to the British Moth Fly fauna (Dip., Psychodidae) Pericoma
sziladyi Szabo and Saraiella consigliana (Sara). Dipterists Digest (Second Series) 10:
111-113.

APPENDIX 1.
SAPROXYLIC COLEOPTERA USED TO CALCULATE SPECIES QUALITY SCORE AND
INDEX OF ECOLOGICAL CONTINUITY (IEC) AT ROTHERFIELD PARK

Histeridae: Abraeus globosus (Hoffmann), Paromalus flavicornis (Herbst). Ptilidae:
Ptinella aptera (Guerin-Meneville). Leiodidae: Anisotoma humeralis (Fab.). Seyd-
maenidae: Scydmaenus rufus Miller & Kunze. Staphylinidae: Dropephylla ioptera

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 15

(Stephens), Dropephylla vilis (Erichson), Phloeonomus punctipennis Thomson,
Hapalarea pygmaea (Paykull), Phloeocharis subtilissima Mannerheim, Atrecus affinis
(Paykull), Gabrius splendidulus (Gravenhorst), Sepedophilus bipunctatus (Grave-
nhorst), Gyrophaena minima Erichson, Gyrophaena latissima (Stephens), Siagonum
quadricorne Kirby, Homolota plana (Gyllenhal), Anomognathus cuspidatus (Erich-
son), Leptusa fumida Kraatz, Leptusa ruficollis (Erichson), Bolitochara lucida
(Gravenhorst), Atheta liturata (Stephens), Dinaraea aequata (Erichson), Phloeopora
testacea (Mannerheim), Scaphisoma argaricum (L.), Scaphidium quadrimaculatum
Olivier. Lucanidae: Dorcus parallelipipedus (L.), Sinodendron cylindricum (L.).
Scirtidae: Prionocyphon serricornis (Miller). Buprestidae: Agri/us sinuatus (Olivier).
Elateridae: Denticollis linearis (L.), Stenagostus rhombeus (Olivier), Melanotus
villosus (Fourcroy). Cantharidae: Malthinus flaveolus (Herbst), Malthinus frontalis
(Marsham), Malthinus seriepunctatus Kiesenwetter, Malthodes marginatus (La-
treille), Malthodes minimus (L.). Lycidae: Platycis minuta (Fab.). Dermestidae:
Ctesias serra (Fab.). Anobiidae: Ptinomorphus imperialis (L.), Xestobium rufovillosum
(De Geer), Hemicoelus fulvicornis (Sturm), Anobium inexspectatum Lohse, Grynobius
planus (Fab.), Ptilinus pectinicornis (L.). Melyridae: Dasytes aeratus Stephens,
Malachius bipustulatus (L.). Cleridae: Tillus elongatus (L.). Nitidulidae: Epuraea
marsueli Reitter, Epuraea silacea (Herbst), Glischrochilus quadriguttatus (Fab.).
Laemophloidae: Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens). Rhizophagidae: Rhizophagus
bipustulatus (Fab.), Rhizophagus dispar (Paykull), Rhizophagus ferrugineus (Paykull).
Sphindidae: Aspidiphorus orbiculatus (Gyllenhal). Cucujidae: Pediacus dermestoides
(Fab.). Silvanidae: Si/vanus unidentatus (Olivier). Cryptophagidae: Cryptophagus
dentatus (Herbst), Cryptophagus ruficornis Stephens. Biphyllidae: Diplocoelus fagi
Guerin-Meneville, Biphyllus lunatus (Fab.). Erotylidae: Dacne bipustulata (Thun-
berg), Triplax aenea (Schaller). Cerylonidae: Cerylon ferrugineum Stephens, Cerylon
histeroides (Fab.). Endomychidae: Endomychus coccineus (L.). Latridiidae: Enicmus
brevicornis (Mannerheim). Ciidae: Octotemnus glabriculus (Gyllenal), Cis boleti
(Scopoli), Cis micans (Fab.), Cis nitidus (Fab.), Cis pygmaeus (Marsham),
Ennearthron cornutum (Gyllenhal). Mycetophagidae: Litargus connexus (Fourcroy),
Mycetophagus quadriguttatus Miller, Mycetophagus quadripustulata (L.). Colydiidae:
Synchita humeralis (Fab.), Bitoma crenata (Fab.). Tenebrionidae: E/edona agricola
(Herbst). Tetratomatidae: Tetratoma fungorum Fab. Salpingidae: Lissodema quad-
ripustulata (Marsham), Vincenzellus ruficollis (Panzer), Rhinosimus planirostris
(Fab.). Pyrochroidae: Pyrochroa_ serraticornis (Scopoli). Melandryidae: Orchesia
minor Walker, Orchesia undulata Kraatz, Conopalpus testaceus (Olivier). Scraptidae:
Anaspis frontalis (L.), Anaspis humeralis (Fab.), Anaspis lurida Stephens, Anaspis
rufilabris (Gyllenhal). Mordellidae: Mordellochroa abdominalis (Fab.). Aderidae:
Aderus oculatus (Paykull). Cerambycidae: Rhagium mordax (De Geer), Grammoptera
ruficornis (Fab.), Alosterna tabacicolor (De Geer), Phymatodes testaceus (L.), Leptura
maculata (Poda), Leptura melanura (L.), Clytus arietus (L.), Leiopus nebulosus (L.),
Pogonocheirus hispidus (L.). Curculionidae: Acalles misellus Boheman. Scolytinae:
Scolytus intricatus (Ratzeburg), Scolytus multistriatus (Marsham), Scolytus rugulosus
(Miller), Scolytus scolytus (Fab.), Hylesinus crenatus (Fab.), Hylesinus varius (Fab.),
Drycoetinus villosus (Fab.), Taphrorychus bicolor (Herbst), Trypodendron domesticum
(L.), Ernoporus fagi (Fab.), Xyleborus dispar (Fab.), Xyloborinus saxeseni (Ratze-
burg). Platypodidae: Platypus cylindrus (Fab.).

16 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

BOOK REVIEW

Arthropods of the Beech-wood Belt in the Northern Appennines. Edited by P.
Cerretti, A. Tagliapietra, M. Tisato, S. Vanin, F. Mason & M. Zapparoli.
Conservazione Habitat Invertebrati 2. 2003. Gianluigi Arcari Editore, Mantova,
256pp. ISBN 88-88499-11-3.

The National Centre for the Study and Conservation of Forest Biodiversity at
Mantova in Italy has been undertaking a series of studies on the invertebrates of the
state’s protected areas. The first book Invertebrates of a Padana Plain Forest: Bosco
della Fontana was published in 2002 and the book now being reviewed is the second
in the series. In both volumes the text appears in both Italian and English.

Italy claims to be the first country in the world to have responded to the call made
in the Convention of Biological Diversity for countries to identify the components of
biodiversity that are important for its conservation and sustainable use and to carry
out the corresponding monitoring. They began in 1995 to conduct censuses of the
animal species present in the country, and arrived at a checklist of 57,500 species, and
two monographs later have added 240 invertebrate species to the Italian fauna.

The monographs draw on the expertise of more than 60 taxonomists from home
and abroad —including our own Peter Chandler as well as other such well-respected
people as Emilia Nartshuk of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Martin Speight
of the National Parks & Wildlife Service in Ireland. The results are being gathered in
the Nature Conservation Management database and are intended to be of practical
use for improving the management of the areas concerned. The monograph has a
preface from Government ministers who state that the work is to be extended to
other areas of the country.

An introductory section locates the areas surveyed and provides excellent maps
and colour plates of the reserves covered. Geomorphology and botany are outlined,
and there is then a section which discusses the zoogeographic aspects of the
communities present. A final section briefly discusses the conservation implications.

The bulk of the book is devoted to a series of taxonomic sections which list the
species found during the survey work carried out between 1999 and 2001. It starts
with 12 colour drawings of some of the insects found, mostly Diptera, and including
Xylophagus ater Meigen, Chorisops caroli Troiano and Oxycera locuples Loew. The
sections deal with Arachnida, Chilopoda, Odonata, Orthoptera, Dermaptera,
Plecoptera, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, Siphonaptera, Diptera, Trichoptera, Lepidop-
tera and Hymenoptera, on a family by family basis. For each family the species are
listed in full together with codings for locality and how they were collected, ie by
trapping, netting, sieving, etc. For key species there is also some discussion of its
status and distribution. As an example the elaterid beetle Actenicerus sjaelandicus (O.
F. Miller) is described as occurring in damp grasslands, on the edges of lakes and in
peat-bogs, much as in Britain, but it has a mainly alpine distribution in Italy.

Overall this book is an important record of the fauna of these Italian beech-woods
and provides an interesting model for similar inventory and conservation work
elsewhere. It would be excellent if other countries were to initiate similar projects and
make the site records available to wider audiences in this way — site inventories are all
too often consigned to appendices or annexes to site Management Plans and never
see light of day beyond the site office. There are too few records of this quality.
Increasingly we are seeing an interest in Europe-wide co-operation in invertebrate
conservation; this is one of the few examples where something tangible has already
resulted. The Mantova centre is to be congratulated on its visionary approach.

KEITH N. A. ALEXANDER

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 17

ARE PITFALLS BIASED? A COMPARISON OF CARABID
COMPOSITION FROM PITFALL TRAPPING AND HAND
SEARCHING IN FOREST HABITATS

YING-CHI LIN!, ROBERT JAMES? & PAUL M. DOLMAN!

'School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ.
*School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ.
yingchilin@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

There have been concerns over potential biases from the use of pitfall trapping in
carabid research. However, few studies have compared the results obtained from
pitfall traps with those of other methods. Forty-five paired pitfall traps and hand
searching samples were obtained from nine habitats in Thetford Forest, Breckland,
for comparison. With much less effort, pitfall traps produced over three times the
number of individuals as hand searching, although both methods produced the same
number of species. Harpalus rufipalpis Sturm, Amara lunicollis Schiddte and
Notiophilus aquaticus L. were over-represented in pitfall traps. Overall, pitfall
trapping preferentially captured larger species (> 8 mm) while hand searching resulted
in more individuals of smaller species (<8 mm). Despite these biases, both methods
gave a qualitatively similar ordination of community composition across habitats.

Keywords: pitfall traps, hand searching, biases, activity-abundance, carabid
assemblage

INTRODUCTION

Pitfall trapping has been one of the most extensively used methods for carabid
research (Desender & Maelfait, 1986). It is low-cost, simple to carry out and
relatively efficient at catching, so that it is possible to obtain a greater number of
individuals with relatively less effort than other methods (Southwood & Henderson,
2000). As this group tends to show slow species rarefaction (i.e. even when many
individuals have already been examined, catching a few more can still produce
additional species), it is important to obtain sufficient material when studying species
composition. Consequently, pitfall trapping has been widely adopted in studies of
carabid abundance and assemblage composition (Thiele, 1977).

Despite the widespread acceptance of pitfall trapping in carabid research, there are
a number of concerns regarding potential biases that can arise with this method. The
catch efficiency of pitfall traps is influenced by other factors in addition to
population size (Adis, 1979; Southwood & Henderson, 2000). The catch size of pitfall
trapping is a function of both the density of the population and the activity of
individuals (Briggs, 1960; Mitchell, 1963; Thiele, 1977). Greenslade (1964) showed
that the size, behaviour and activity strata of different carabid species can all
influence their trapability. Different species have different susceptibilities toward
traps, and some ‘investigative’ behaviours (i.e. suspending over the edge of the trap
with hind tarsi or walking down inside the trap and climbing out again) can affect
capture rates (Hawthorne, 1994). Even within the same species, individual beetles
which moved rapidly were more likely to be captured in laboratory experiments
(Morrill e¢ al., 1990). Moreover, considering the behavioural change of species in
response to microhabitat, the comparison of carabid faunas between habitats that

18 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

are structurally different based on pitfall trapping alone raises further concerns
(Topping & Sunderland, 1992; Hawthorne, 1994; Andersen, 1995).

Details of the traps such as size, material and type of preservative or attractant,
also influence capture efficiency (Luff, 1975; Benest, 1989; Holopainen, 1990; Morrill
et al., 1990; Spence & Niemela, 1994; Work et al., 2002). This can make it hard to
compare results from different experiments and highlights the importance of
standardising protocols within any one study.

Andersen (1995) stated that “Although pitfall traps have been used extensively in
ecological field studies of carabid beetles, few studies have made direct comparisons
between this method and absolute quantitative methods such as quadrat sampling’.
By a comparison of pitfall trapping and soil sampling, Briggs (1960) discovered a
strong relationship between temperature and catching rates of Harpalus rufipes De
Geer and Feronia melanaria I\liger and suggested that the increase of locomotor
activity of beetles with increasing temperature was the main determining factor of the
pitfall trapping result. Spence & Niemela (1994) compared samples taken from pitfall
trapping and a litter-washing technique and found pitfall samples yielded mostly
large-sized beetles. By comparing the results from mark—release—-recapture to those
from pitfall trapping, Hawthorne (1994) concluded pitfall trapping was useful for the
comparison of individual species abundance between habitats as long as the species
behaviour did not differ significantly in response to habitat differences.

In this study, the relative abundance of species collected by pitfall trapping was
compared with the absolute density estimated by hand searching. Samples were
taken from different habitat structures in Thetford Forest, Breckland, to see if
microhabitat influenced both methods similarly. Results are discussed in relation to
possible biases and the usage of both methods.

METHODS

Pitfall trapping and hand searching were carried out in June, 2002 in nine locations
within Thetford Forest, a lowland managed coniferous forest located in Breckland,
eastern England (TL 7882). Sampling was carried out in six recently re-planted
clearfelled stands (planting year ranging from 1997 to 2002), one felled but unplanted
stand (felled trees removed but ploughing of planting rows had not yet been carried
out, referred to as planting year 2003), one ride margin supporting heathland-like
vegetation (ride margin), and one stand with 54 year-old trees (mature forest stand).

At each of the nine sampling locations, five pitfall traps were placed about 30
metres apart along a single line transect. Pitfall traps were 7.5cm in depth, 6.5cm in
diameter transparent plastic cups containing 50 ml of ethylene glycol. Each trap was
kept separately when collecting, however for analysis, results of each transect were
pooled to represent each habitat. Pitfall traps were set up between 21 and 25 June,
2002 and collected five days later. The mean (+SD) maximum temperature
measured from eight of the stands (no measurement was taken from the planting
year 2000 stand) during this sampling period was 30.5+1.8°C and the minimum
temperature was 0.75+3.3°C. The large diurnal range and low minimum
temperature are not atypical for Breckland, which is famous as a semi-continental
region of Britain where frosts may occur in any month of the year.

Hand searching was conducted about two metres from each pitfall trap. Searching
was carried out within a 100cm long, 80cm wide and 30cm high hardwood frame,
placed to prevent beetles from escaping during the hand searching period. All ground
vegetation, debris and the upper few centimetres of sand were removed and searched
destructively in order to obtain all the carabids within each quadrat. Quadrat

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 19

samples from each transect were pooled for comparison with those from pitfall traps.
To reduce the bias caused by temporal dynamics, hand searching was carried out the
day after pitfall traps were collected. Seven of the nine transects were hand-searched
during daytime on 29 June, 2002, ride margin and mature forest stands were done the
following day. Carabids were identified to species mainly according to Lindroth
(1974) with nomenclature updated following Luff & Duff (2002).

Chi-square tests were used to compare the size spectra of captured carabids
between the two methods. The species composition of different habitats was analysed
by ordination, using correspondence analysis conducted in CANOCO for Windows
4.5 (ter Braak & Smilauer, 1997). Due to low numbers of individuals captured in
each stand, samples taken from clear-fells of similar planting years were pooled prior
to correspondence analysis. Correspondence analysis was therefore conducted on
five pooled pitfall samples and their corresponding five hand searched samples. The
relative position within the ordinations, of samples obtained from different habitats
and by different methods (pitfall vs. hand searching) was compared by paired /-tests.
As very few individuals were caught by either method in the plant-year 2002 stand,
data from this stand have not been included in correspondence analysis, but are
included in tables of total catches. Independent-samples f-tests were applied to test
the size tendency in correspondence analysis graphs.

RESULTS

In total, 236 individuals of twenty-three species were caught by hand searching
and pitfall trapping. Twelve species were found by both methods and eleven species
were only found by one or other method. Pitfall trapping collected 188 individuals
and 19 species, while hand searching produced fewer individuals (48) but only three
species less.

The numbers of individuals of each species caught by the two methods are shown
arranged by body size in Tables 1 and 2. Harpalus rufipalpis Sturm was the most
abundant species caught by either method, however, its relative frequency was

Table 1. The total numbers of individuals caught by hand searching and pitfall trapping for
each species less than 8 mm in length. Species are arranged in increasing size order, according to
Joy (1932).

Species Hand searching Pitfall trapping Size (mm)

Syntomus foveatus Fourcroy (*) 4 5 2.5-3.5
Bradycellus harpalinus Audinet-Serville 2 0 3
Bembidion lampros Herbst 0 l 3
Notiophilus biguttatus F. p 2 3.5—5.5
Notiophilus aquaticus L. l 13 So)
Amara tibialis Paykull 9 6 4.5—-5
Olishopus rotundatus Paykull (*) l 0 6-7
Amara convexior Stephens (*) l l 7-7.5
Amara lunicollis Schiddte 4 14 7-8
Amara aenea De Geer l 0 6-8
Total number of species y) i}

Total number of individuals 25 42

(*) species with British distribution mainly restricted to Breckland, according to Collier (1995)
and Luff (pers. com.).

20 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Table 2. The total numbers of individuals caught by hand searching and pitfall trapping for
each species greater than 8mm in length. Species are arranged in increasing size order,
according to Joy (1932).

Species Hand searching Pitfall trapping Size (mm)

Harpalus rufipalpis Sturm (*) I'S lly) 8-10
Pterostichus quadrifoveolatus Letzner (Nb) 3 5 8—10.5
Harpalus rubripes Duftschmid | 8-11
Harpalus latus L. l l 8-11
Poecilus versicolor Sturm 0 l 8—11.5
Harpalus tardus Panzer l 3) 9-11
Harpalus smaragdinus Duftschmid (Nb*) 0 4 9-11
Harpalus affinis Schrank (*) l 4 9-12
Calathus ambiguus Paykull (Nb) 0 10-13
Cicindela campestris L. 0 10.5—14.5
Harpalus rufipes De Geer 0 14-16
Carabus nemoralis Miller 0 D 18-28
Carabus problematicus Herbst 0 + 20-30
Total number of species ii 12

Total number of individuals 23 146

(Nb) Nationally Scarce B species; (*) species with British distribution mainly restricted to
Breckland, according to Collier (1995) and Luff (pers. com.).

significantly greater in pitfall than in hand searching samples (62% and 31% of the
total number of individuals caught by pitfall traps and hand searching: d.f.=1,
y°= 13.7, P<0.001). Individuals of larger species (28mm) formed the major
proportion of the total catch in pitfall samples (146 larger compared with 42 smaller),
in contrast, larger species contributed just less than half of the catch in hand
searching samples (23 larger, 25 smaller). This size bias between the two methods was
highly significant when considering the total catch (d.f.=1, y7=15.2, P<0.001),
however, when H. rufipalpis was excluded, the size bias between pitfall sampling and
hand searching was non-significant (d.f.=1, y*=2.0, P=0.154).

Of those species that were smaller than 8mm (shown in Table 1), three out of nine
were only found in hand searching samples, while only one species Bembidion
lampros Herbst was found solely in pitfall traps. More individuals of Amara tibialis
Paykull were found in hand searching than by pitfall trapping. The abundance of
Notiophilus aquaticus L. and Amara lunicollis Schiddte collected by pitfall trapping
was much higher than that by hand searching, with these species represented in five
and eight out of the total of 45 pitfall traps, respectively.

Of the species larger than 8 mm (shown in Table 2), six out of thirteen species were
only caught by pitfall trapping and only one species, Calathus ambiguus Paykull, was
found by hand searching but not in pitfall traps. For all other larger species except
for C. ambiguus, numbers obtained by pitfall traps were at least equal to or greater
than those obtained by hand searching.

Figure 1 showed the sample of ordination in the correspondence analysis. The
general pattern of habitat association in relation to the primary ordination axis was
similar for the two different methods, with samples from the mature forest habitat
having a markedly different species composition and occurring to the right on axis 1,
and clear-fell and ride margin samples occurring towards the left. However, samples
obtained by the two different methods were separated on axis 2, with hand-search

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 21

Ride margin H
Mature forest H
97/98P

99/00P

01/03P

Ride margin P
Mature forest P

small species
large species

=
A
@
Vv
o
oO
A
O
Vv
©
A
+

Fig. 1. Correspondence analysis of carabid composition in samples collected by hand searching
and pitfall trapping with species. The first axis explained 25% of the total species variance, with
axis 2 explaining an additional 16%. Numbers refer to plant years of pooled clear-fell samples.
For example, 97/98 refers to a pooled sample of individuals taken from stands with planting
years 1997 and 1998. H: samples taken by hand searching; P: samples taken by pitfall trapping.
Beetle species were categorised as either small (<8 mm) or large (>8 mm).

samples tending to be located above respective pitfall samples obtained from the
same habitat (with the exception of pooled samples from 1997/98 planting years
which showed the opposite trend). Carabid composition of composite samples
collected from the same habitats did not differ between the two methods on axis |
(mean+SD for hand searching = 0.46 + 1.98; for pitfall trapping =0.61 + 1.57; paired
t-test: d.f.=4, t= —0.623, P=0.567), or on axis 2 (mean+SD for hand
searching =0.65+0.97; for pitfall trapping= —0.11+0.45; paired t-test: d.f.=4,
t= 1.89, P=0.132).

Most of the small-sized species were located at the mid to upper part of axis 2, with
the exception of Amara aenea De Geer. In contrast, larger species tended towards the
lower part of the ordination, with the exception of C. ambiguus and Cicindela
campestris L. However, overall, larger and smaller species did not differ significantly
in their location on axis 2 (mean+SD for smaller species =0.37+ 1.25; for larger
species = —0.15+0.93; d.f.=21: t=1.44, P=0.265). The four species near mature
forest samples were Carabus problematicus Herbst, Carabus nemolaris Miiller,
Harpalus latus L. and Pterostichus quadrifoveolatus Letzner. They were all found in
mature forest samples, by either one or both methods.

Figure 2 showed the results of correspondence analysis with H. rufipalpis excluded.
By comparing Figures | and 2, the distance between the mature forest samples and
those from clear-fell habitats was reduced. Most of the smaller species were located
from the mid to the right hand side of the ordination compared with the larger

NO
i)

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Cic. campestris

Ride margin H
Mature forest H

Ride margin P
Mature forest P
small species
large species

+rOdTOP0O<4 © Pe

Fig. 2. Correspondence analysis of carabid composition in samples collected by hand searching
and pitfall trapping, performed on species matrix excluding Harpalus rufipalpis. Beetle species
were categorised as either small (<8 mm) or large (>8 mm). The first axis explained 21.4% of
the total species variance, with axis 2 explaining an additional 17.6%. Explanations of legends
see Fig. I.

species which were located to the left, with the exception of C. ambiguus and C.
campestris. The difference in location of species from the two carabid size groups was
significant (axis 1 scores, mean+SD for smaller species=0.52+0.91; for larger
species = —0.48+0.85; d.f.=20; t=2.69, P=0.014). Similarly, hand searching
samples were located to the right of their respective pitfall samples. This trend was
not so obvious in 1997/98 samples, but they were not as exceptional as the pattern
shown in Figure |. The carabid composition obtained by the two different methods
showed no significant differences on axis 1 (mean+SD for hand _search-
ing =0.35+1.24; for pitfall trapping = —0.43 +0.83; paired t-test: d.f.=4, t=1.91,
P=0.128), but this difference was significant on axis 2 (mean+SD for hand
searching = 0.44+0.95; pitfall trapping = —0.04+0.94; paired /-test: d.f.=4, t=3.43,
P=0.027).

DISCUSSION

In total, twenty-three species were caught in this study, representing 31% of the
known Thetford Forest carabid fauna (Y. C. Lin, unpublished data). Among the 23
species, three are categorised as Nationally Scarce B: P. quadrifoveolatus, Harpalus
smaragdinus Duftschmid and C. ambiguus (Hyman & Parsons, 1992) and six,
including H. smaragdinus, have their UK distribution restricted to the Breckland

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 23

(Tables 1 and 2). These eight species are all associated with heathland or sandy
habitats, though some also occur in other habitats, such as P. quadrifoveolatus which
occurs in woodland, and H. smaragdinus which favours arable fields (Luff, 1998).
Other sandy, heathland or moorland affiliates found in this study include C.
campestris (Field Tiger Beetle), A. tibialis and N. aquaticus. The Breckland region has
long been known to support scarce species of disturbed and sandy habitats, including
species normally associated with coastal dunes (Morley, 1908; Telfer & Eversham,
1996). However, the once extensive heathland of Breckland has been greatly reduced
by coniferous afforestation and conversion to arable fields (Dolman & Sutherland,
1992) and the persistence of scarce sandy and heathland species in the converted
areas needs further investigation.

The effort of taking hand searching samples is greater than that of pitfall trapping,
however, a greater volume of material was obtained by pitfall sampling. The hand
searching samples took a total of 40 people-hours, while pitfall samples were
collected by one person in six hours. Despite the markedly lower sampling effort, the
pitfall traps provided more than three times the number of individuals obtained by
hand searching. This advantage of pitfall trapping explains why it is one of the most
frequently used sampling methods in research on carabids (Thiele, 1977; Desender &
Maelfait, 1986).

There was a tendency for pitfall samples to be dominated by larger species. This
size bias was non-significant when the total catch was considered after exclusion of
H. rufipalpis (y?-test). However, when the species composition in different habitats
was considered, the location of samples obtained by the two methods differed
significantly (t-test on axis 2 scores in Fig. 2). A similar phenomenon has also been
observed by other researchers. Arneberg & Andersen (2003) found the slopes of size-
abundance relationships using data from pitfall traps were significantly more positive
than those from hand searching. By comparing samples taken from litter washings,
Spence & Niemela (1994) also found pitfall trap catches to be biased toward larger
carabids. A number of possible explanations for the apparent bias can be considered.
Firstly, although hand searching was intended as a true measure of absolute density,
large nocturnal burrow-forming carabids may be under-represented in diurnal
samples compared with their true abundance in a particular habitat. Secondly, larger
carabid species may be more active than smaller ones and therefore more likely to be
caught in pitfall traps (Spence & Niemelad, 1994). For example, large carnivorous
carabids such as Carabus spp. tend to move more because their food resource is more
scattered (Andersen, 1995). Finally, the smaller carabid species may be capable of
entering, but then climbing out of pitfall traps (Hawthorne, 1994). Although smaller
carabid species tended to be relatively less abundant in pitfall samples compared with
hand searching samples, two smaller species, A. /unicollis and N. aquaticus were much
more common in pitfall than handsearch samples. It is possible that these two species
were preferentially captured due to a behavioural response to the glycol preservative.

The high representation of H. rufipalpis in pitfall compared to hand searching
samples, was a major factor contributing to the size bias in pitfall trapping. Over-
representation of certain species has also been found in previous research. Desender
& Maelfait (1986) suggested the overestimation of some observed species (Bembidion
properans Stephens, B. lampros, Loricera pilicornis F. and A. aenea) was due to their
high mobility and active hunting during daytime. Andersen (1995) found that
Bembidion schuppelii Dejean was over-represented in sub-optimal microhabitats,
which was in accordance with the results of Griim (1971) who found that the activity
of satiated individuals was higher in sub-optimal than in optimal habitats (Andersen,
1995).

24 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

The species composition of pitfall samples was dominated by H. rufipalpis, and the
ordination gave a qualitatively different result when this species was excluded. With
H. rufipalpis included, the primary correspondence analysis axis represents a marked
contrast between mature forest and all other habitats, while the contrast between
sampling methods was reflected on the secondary correspondence analysis axis
(Fig. 1). Excluding H. rufipalpis, although the location of the mature forest samples
still contrasted with that of the other habitats, this dichotomy was less extreme. This
might be due mainly to the absence of H. rufipalpis in mature forest samples and with
this species excluded, the differences between samples obtained by the two methods
were apparent on the primary correspondence analysis axis (Fig. 2). Despite this, the
community structure revealed by the ordinations was broadly similar for both
methods. This shows that the differences in carabid compositions taken from
extremely different habitat structures (mature forest vs. open clear-felled and re-
stocked habitats and ride margins) was revealed by both sampling methods.
However, the two methods differed in the manner in which they represented carabid
species composition between samples taken from structurally similar habitats. The
correspondence analysis composition of carabid samples collected by these two
methods did not differ significantly when H. rufipalpis was included, but the
difference on axis 2 was close to significant. After the exclusion of this species, axis 2
scores of samples obtained by the two methods differed significantly.

To conclude, the popularity of pitfall trapping is easily understood by its much
greater catching rate compared with hand searching. For the relative composition of
the carabid assemblage in different habitats, the major pattern of results gained from
pitfall trapping reflected those from hand searching, but some differential biases of
the two methods remain apparent. The tendency to catch larger species in pitfall
traps and the over-representation of some species such as N. aquaticus, A. lunicollis
and H. rufipalpis, re-emphasise the need for caution in the interpretation of
community composition from pitfall results.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank Mark Telfer (RSPB) for advice, also Han-I Chao,
Amy Eycott, Yi-Yuan Hwang, Tan-Li Hwang and Yi-Ying Lee (UEA) for helping
with field work.

REFERENCES

Adis, J. 1979. Problems of interpreting arthropod sampling with pitfall traps. Zoologischer
Anzeiger 202: 177-184.

Andersen, J. 1995. A comparison of pitfall trapping and quadrat sampling of Carabidae
(Coleoptera) on river banks. Entomologica Fennica 6: 65-77.

Arneberg, P. & Andersen, J. 2003. The energetic equivalence rule rejected because of a
potentially common sampling error: evidence from carabid beetles. Oikos 101: 367-375.

Benest, G. 1989. The sampling of a carabid community: II. Traps and trapping. Revue
d’Ecologie et de Biologie du Sol 26: 505-514.

Briggs, J. B. 1960. A comparison of pitfall trapping and soil sampling in assessing populations
of two species of ground beetles (Col.: Carabidae). Annual Report of the East Malling
Research Station for 1960, pp. 108-112.

Collier, M. 1995. The effectiveness of five land management regimes on the regeneration of
grassland heath in the Norfolk Breck, as indicated by the carabid (ground beetle) fauna.
Unpublished report. Forest Enterprise, Brandon.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 25

Desender, K. & Maelfait, J. P. 1986. Pitfall trapping within enclosures—a method for estimating
the relationship between the abundances of coexisting carabid species (Coleoptera:
Carabidae). Holarctic Ecology 9: 245-250.

Dolman, P. M. & Sutherland, W. J. 1992. The ecological changes of Breckland grass heaths and
the consequences of management. Journal of Applied Ecology 29: 402-413.

Greenslade, P. J. M. 1964. Pitfall trapping as a method for studying populations of Carabidae
(Coleoptera). Journal of Animal Ecology 33: 301-310.

Griim, L. 1971. Spatial differentiation of the Carabus L (Carabidae, Coleoptera) mobility.
Ekologia Polska 19: 1—34.

Hawthorne, A. J. 1994. Variation in the distribution of carabid beetles in cereal field headlands.
PhD thesis, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

Holopainen, J. K. 1990. Influence of ethylene glycol on the numbers of carabids and other soil
arthropods caught in pitfall traps. The Role of Ground Beetles in Ecological and
Environmental Studies, Stork, N. E. (Ed.), pp. 339-341. Intercept, Andover.

Hyman, P. S. & Parsons, M. 1992. A Review of the Scarce and Threatened Coleoptera of Great
Britain. Part 1. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

Joy, N. H. 1932. A Practical Handbook of British Beetles. H. F. and G. Witherby, London.

Lindroth, C. H. 1974. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects— Coleoptera, Carabidae.
Royal Entomological Society of London, London.

Luff, M. L. 1975. Some features influencing the efficiency of pitfall traps. Oecologia 19: 345—
S51

Luff, M. L. 1998. Provisional Atlas of the Ground Beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of Britain.
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Huntingdon.

Luff, M. L. & Duff, A. 2002. The Checklist of Carabidae in the Coleopterist. http://
www.coleopterist.org.uk/ last update: 2-28-2002.

Mitchell, B. 1963. Ecology of two carabid beetles, Bembidion lampros (Herbst) and Trechus
quadristriatus (Schrank). H. Studies on populations of adults in the field, with special
reference to the techniques of pitfall trapping. Journal of Animal Ecology 32: 377-392.

Morley, C. 1908. The insects of the Breck. Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’
Society 579-586.

Morrill, W. L., Lester, D. G. & Wrona, A. E. 1990. Factors affecting efficacy of pitfall traps for
beetles Coleoptera: Carabidae and Tenebrionidae. Journal of Entomological Science 25:
284-293.

Southwood, T. R. E. & Henderson, P. A. 2000. Ecological Methods, 3rd ed. Blackwell Science,
Oxford.

Spence, J. R. & Niemela, J. K. 1994. Sampling carabid assemblages with pitfall traps—the
madness and the method. Canadian Entomologist 126: 881-894.

Telfer, M. G. & Eversham, B. C. 1996. Ecology and conservation of heathland Carabidae in
eastern England. Annales Zoologici Fennici 33: 133-138.

ter Braak, J. C. F. & Smilauer, P. 1997. CANOCO for Windows 4.5. Plant Research
International, Wageningen.

Thiele, H. U. 1977. Carabid Beetles in Their Environment—A Study on Habitat Selection by
Adaptations in Physiology and Behaviour. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

Topping, C. J. & Sunderland, K. D. 1992. Limitations to the use of pitfall traps in ecological
studies exemplified by a study of spiders in a field of winter-wheat. Journal of Applied
Ecology 29: 485-491.

Work, T. T., Buddle, C. M., Korinus, L. M. & Spence, J. R. 2002. Pitfall trap size and capture
of three taxa of litter-dwelling arthropods: implications for biodiversity studies.
Environmental Entomology 31: 438-448.

26 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

PLANNING A NEW NATIONAL MACRO-MOTH
RECORDING SCHEME

RICHARD Fox!, ADRIAN SPALDING?,
MARK TUNMORE? and MARK PARSONS!

' Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Dorset BH20 5OP.
Spalding Associates (Environmental) Ltd., Norfolk House,
16-17 Lemon Street, Truro, Cornwall TRI 2LS.
3Trewhella Cottage, Cury Cross Lanes, Helston, Cornwall TR12 7AZ
Corresponding author: Richard Fox rfox@ butterfly-conservation.org

INTRODUCTION

Thanks to the expertise and dedication of amateur naturalists, the level of
knowledge of the distribution, population levels and conservation status of Britain’s
fauna and flora is unique. No other country benefits from such an in-depth
understanding of its natural heritage. For the best-worked groups, objective
measures of change over time can be calculated from repeated, comprehensive
distribution surveys and population monitoring. This knowledge is the essential
foundation for almost all aspects of nature conservation at a time of widespread
declines in biodiversity. Furthermore, the data generated by recording can be used
for many other purposes, such as assessing the impacts of climate change, identifying
shifts in phenology and voltinism, and raising awareness and appreciation of wildlife
amongst the general public.

Vascular plants, birds and butterflies are sufficiently well worked to provide trend
and status information. Indeed, repeated national surveys of these three groups have
afforded the first opportunity to compare country-scale trends in an invertebrate
group (1.e. butterflies) with those of vascular plants and birds (Thomas et al., 2004).
In addition to these three main groups, there is good knowledge of population or
distribution trends in mammals and certain (often rare) species in other taxa.
However, for the vast majority of British species knowledge of distribution and
changing status is lacking. Insects make up the largest portion of UK biodiversity
(Department of the Environment, 1994) and so to adequately assess changes to our
biodiversity, it is vital that information 1s available for at least one, species-rich and
ecologically diverse insect group. We believe that the Lepidoptera are particularly
well suited for this purpose. This paper reports on the findings of a year-long
planning and consultation project carried out by a partnership of organisations led
by Butterfly Conservation and designed to pave the way towards a national
recording scheme for macro-moths.

WHY MACRO-MOTHS?

Some 2500 species of Lepidoptera have been recorded in Britain so far (the precise
number varying according to source), so the group clearly meets the criteria of being
species-rich. Lepidoptera are also ecologically diverse and might be expected to be
good indicators of change in most terrestrial biotopes. At the ecosystem level, moths
are significant herbivores and pollinators, as well as hosts for numerous
hymenopteran and dipteran parasitoids and important prey items for many
predators, including birds (see review by Glen, 2004) and bats (see review by
Vaughan, 1997).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 27

Questions of the suitability of most insect groups pale almost into insignificance
when compared with those of feasibility. To generate information on trends in
abundance or distribution, comprehensive recording and monitoring is needed and
there are simply too few recorders to achieve this is for all of the species-rich insect
taxa at present, with the exception of the Lepidoptera.

There are already comprehensive distribution surveys of butterflies, organised by
the national recording scheme, Butterflies for the New Millennium (Asher ef ai.,
2001), and population monitoring transects at over 500 sites (Brereton & Stewart,
2003). There are also four active national recording schemes for groups of micro-
moths (covering the Incurvaroidea, Pyralidae and Pterophoridae, Gelechiidae and
six small families, and the leaf miners). Together these four schemes represent over
half of the 1600 micro-moth species in Britain (N. Greatorex-Davies pers. comm.).
However, the 800 or so species of macro-moths, which make up the remainder of the
Lepidoptera, are not covered by a national recording scheme at present, although the
National Scarce Moth Recording Scheme has operated since 1991, collating records
of Red Data Book and Nationally Scarce macro-moths across the UK. This scheme
is co-ordinated by Butterfly Conservation with financial support from the Joint
Nature Conservation Committee. Despite the absence of a national recording
scheme covering all macro-moths, there is clear potential to produce comprehensive
trend information about this significant group of insects for the following reasons:

e Macro-moths are popular with amateur entomologists and natural history
recorders

e Moths and moth recording appear to be growing rapidly in popularity

Much recording effort is already taking place at site and county levels

e There is an existing network of county moth recorders, each collating records for
their area and many maintaining computer databases

e Many local moth groups have been set up to encourage recording, study and
enjoyment of moths

e A growing number of popular journals, magazines, newsletters, web sites and
internet discussion sites cover macro-moths

e Good identification guides exist for the group

e Many organisations run training events for macro-moth recording and
identification

e Moth traps and other useful equipment are readily available

e Many counties have a published macro-moth list or distribution atlas

e There is a long history of macro-moth recording in Britain and much historical
distribution data could be collated from various sources (e.g. computerised
records, publications, collections etc.)

e Considerable knowledge exists as to the taxonomic status and ecology of macro-
moths, and there is much active research

e Many moth recorders are now computerising their sightings due to good,
affordable recording software.

With the addition of data on macro-moths from a new national recording scheme,
there would be potential to examine status and trends from some 1700 of the 2500
Lepidoptera species in Britain. This would really start to redress the bias towards
vascular plants and vertebrates that exists in nature conservation policy and practice,
and improve the public perception of moths!

There is yet another good reason to attempt to set up a national macro-moth
recording scheme: there is already a national monitoring network for macro-moths,
in the form of the Rothamsted Insect Survey (Woiwod & Harrington, 1994). Since

28 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

1968, standard Rothamsted-design light traps have operated at a total of over 430
sites throughout Britain, with a mean of 83 sites operating per year. National
distribution data from a new national macro-moth recording scheme (NMRS) would
greatly complement such population monitoring. Together the two schemes would
provide reliable assessments of changing conservation status, phenology and the
impact of climate change (as has been achieved for butterflies; Asher et al., 2001).
Recent analysis of 35-year population trends from the Rothamsted Insect Survey for
338 species of common macro-moth has shown that 54% had declined in abundance,
whilst 22% had increased (the remaining 24% being stable) (Conrad et al., 2004).
Convincing evidence of such widespread declines provides an increased sense of
urgency for national distribution recording of macro-moths, for without knowledge
of their distribution any attempts to conserve rare or common moths will likely be
futile.

THE PLANNING AND CONSULTATION PROJECT

The increasing need for a national macro-moth recording scheme (NMRS) led to
discussions over recent years between Butterfly Conservation and a number of other
organisations. By May 2003, a strong partnership had been built and sufficient
funding obtained in order to commence a thorough consultation, planning and
development project aimed towards the implementation of a new NMRS in Britain.
The core partners included the Biological Records Centre, the British Entomological
and Natural History Society (BENHS), Butterfly Conservation, English Nature,
Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Rothamsted Research and representatives of
the volunteer moth recording community. Many other organisations expressed their
support. The Heritage Lottery Fund provided much of the funding for the planning
project, with additional funds donated by some of the partners as well as the
Biodiversity Challenge Group and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB). Adrian Spalding and Mark Tunmore, working under the umbrella of
Spalding Associates (Environmental) Ltd. were employed to take on the project,
working with Butterfly Conservation staff and under the guidance of a project
steering group.

The main aims of the planning project were to:

e consult moth recorders and the wider biological recording and nature
conservation community and engage them in the development of the proposed
NMRS

gauge and build support for the proposed scheme

assess Current recording capacity and existing data sets

develop the aims and objectives of the proposed NMRS

identify potential sources of moth records and effective routes for data flow
consider survey methodologies, data verification and access issues

assess computer options, health and safety and insurance issues

arrange and evaluate a series of moth identification and recording workshops
develop proposals for recorder training and accreditation

suggest ways to increase numbers of moth recorders and remove barriers to
participation

provide recommendations to form the backbone of the proposed NMRS.

The planning project took just over a year to complete and its findings were
compiled into a report (Spalding & Tunmore, 2004). This paper provides the first
published review of these findings.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 29

THE CONSULTATION

The success of a national macro-moth recording scheme would depend on the
support of the existing moth recording community. All of the project partners felt
that it was vital that individual recorders and relevant organisations were given
chances to voice their opinions and be involved in planning at the earliest possible
stage and before any key decisions were made. The only decision made prior to the
consultation process was that the scheme would be restricted to macro-moths.
Therefore, an extensive consultation with existing moth recorders, entomological
societies and moth groups, as well as nature conservation and biological recording
organisations, formed the central theme of the planning project. The consultation
would also yield information to address the other aims of the planning project, such
as assessing current recording activity.

The consultation involved three discrete phases:

1. Publicity for the planning project, which was achieved through a project leaflet
and web site (www.mothrecording.org.uk), announcements in the entomological
journals and presentations at public events.

2. Questionnaires to the moth recording community and to the county moth
recorders. The detailed results of these two questionnaires will be covered
elsewhere (Spalding et a/., 2005 and Tunmore et a/., in prep.).

3. Discussion meetings, which included three national conferences (at Perth,
Swansea and Warwick), three seminars (with the British Entomological and
Natural History Society, the British Trust for Ornithology and moth recorders in
North Wales), several smaller meetings with moth recorders, and meetings with a
wide range of nature conservation and biological recording organisations.

The consultation was extremely thorough and successful. Six thousand five
hundred copies of the project leaflet and questionnaire were distributed and 1032
completed questionnaires were returned (both via the project web site and by way of
the leaflet/questionnaire). In addition, 68% of county moth recorders responded to
the separate, detailed questionnaire sent to them. Over 200 people attended the three
national conferences, which proved both popular and very enjoyable, and 32
different organisations were consulted during the planning project, including the
three statutory nature conservation agencies, local records centres and museums,
research organisations and nature conservation charities.

Thanks to the high level of response to the questionnaires and the support of
recorders and organisations at meetings, the consultation provided an enormous
amount of detailed information to inform the planning project, along with
suggestions and concerns to guide the development of the proposed NMRS, and a
unique insight into the current status of moth recording in Britain.

The most important finding of the consultation was that there is widespread
support for the development of a national macro-moth recording scheme. Over 97%
of respondents to the main project questionnaire and 100% of the respondents to the
county recorders questionnaire were broadly supportive of the concept.

THE CURRENT SITUATION IN MACRO-MOTH RECORDING:
RECORDING CAPACITY AND EXISTING DATA SETS

People have been collecting and writing about moths for at least 300 years, but
early accounts of species distributions tended to be restricted to the London area
(Young, 1997). During the Victorian era the great upsurge of interest in natural

30 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

history led to the first generalised distributions for macro-moths throughout Britain.
However, no systematic national recording of macro-moths existed until 1967, when
John Heath organised a recording scheme for Lepidoptera at the Biological Records
Centre (BRC) by appointing recorders for each county. Standard recording cards
were distributed, training arranged for recorders and a number of leaflets were
published which described the key identification features of critical species. The
scheme ran until John Heath’s retirement in 1982, at which time there was not
sufficient funding to continue it and the scheme came to an end. During the scheme
over 50,000 record cards were amassed and these are still held at BRC (P. Harding
pers. comm.). Distribution maps for some macro-moth species were published in The
moths and butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland series and other provisional maps
were made available to recorders. The original record cards and other paper archives
held at BRC would provide a good source of historical records for macro-moths, but
would require verification and computer input.

Since the end of the BRC scheme in 1982, there has been no centralised system for
collecting macro-moth records (other than those of Red Data Book or Nationally
Scarce moths). The main repository of moth records is the county recorder network.
However, a wide range of other organisations hold moth records, including local
record centres, conservation organisations (e.g the Wildlife Trusts and RSPB), local
natural history societies, museums, local moth groups and Butterfly Conservation
branches. A significant proportion of records reside only with the original recorder
(see below).

Despite the disparate nature of macro-moth recording over recent decades, there
has been a huge increase in activity. The growth of local moth groups and
publication of many county lists and atlases is evidence of this increase in recording.
As part of the planning and consultation project, we attempted to quantify the
increase by assessing the numbers of macro-moth records held by county recorders
(Spalding & Tunmore, 2004). In almost all cases, there are many more records in
recent years than previously. Figure | shows the scale of this recent increase in moth
recording in selected counties. In another example, 63% of the total moth records
held by the county recorder for South Lancashire (VC 59) are for the years 2000—
2003 (C. Darbyshire, pers. comm.). The picture is similar for West Lancashire (VC
60) with 61% (C. Darbyshire, pers. comm.). Although these trends are widespread
across Britain (two-thirds of county recorders who returned the detailed
questionnaire felt that the number of records they receive is increasing each year),
they are not replicated in all counties; for example, macro-moth records for
Herefordshire have shown a slight decrease after a peak in the early 1990s.

HOW MANY MOTH RECORDS ARE THERE?

The consultation with county moth recorders provided information to estimate the
number of moth records already in the network. Thirty-two counties provided
estimates of their holdings, which ranged from 3000—500,000 records (Spalding &
Tunmore, 2004). In total, these 32 county recorders hold over 3 million moth
records. There are 61 county recorders covering Britain, so a rough estimate of the
total holding would be 6.3 million records. In addition to this are many records held
by individual recorders, local records centres, the National Trust (some 30,000 moth
records), RSPB and others, as well as the 50,000 record cards (containing an
unknown number of records) archived at BRC. The Rothamsted Insect Survey data
set consists of 10 million moth records. With the number of records increasing

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 31

100,000
80000 -
60000
40000 —
20000 ~

0

no of moth records

1970— 1975- 1980- 1985- 1990— 1995-— 2000-
1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2002

(

oO
—

no of moth records

1970—- 1975—- 1980—- 1985- 1990—- 1995-— 2000-

1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2002

“~~
2)
—

no of moth records

1970— 1975- 1980—- 1985—- 1990—- 1995~- 2000-
1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2002

year classes

Figure 1. The numbers of macromoth records held by county recorders in selected areas of
Britain, 1970-2002. (a) Suffolk, (b) Worcestershire, (c) Cheshire.

32 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

rapidly, a reasonable and conservative estimate of the total existing (but dispersed)
data set would be c. 18 million records.

HOW MANY MOTH RECORDERS ARE THERE?

It is difficult to estimate the total number of active moth recorders in Britain
today. This difficulty stems in part from the plethora of national and local
organisations whose members have an interest in moth recording, in part from the
lack of a national recording scheme and in part from a feeling that the number of
recorders is increasing rapidly. The best estimate to date has been ‘several thousands’
(Fox, 2001).

However, the consultation undertaken as part of this project yielded some real
data on which to base a minimum estimate. 1032 people responded to the planning
project questionnaire, all of whom were either active moth recorders (91%) or just
starting to record moths (9%). In addition, the county recorders’ questionnaire
provided data for 39 areas and an estimate of 1086 recorders who regularly submit
records (Tunmore ef a/., in prep.). Extrapolating up to the full county recorder
network gives a figure of 1700 moth recorders. However, we also discovered that
22% of recorders who completed the main project questionnaire do not send their
records to county recorders, so an extra 202 moth recorders can be added to the
estimate.

The project questionnaires, therefore, suggest a minimum estimate of c. 2000
active macro-moth recorders in Britain at the present time. This is likely to be an
underestimate. The main project questionnaire also supports the perception that the
number of moth recorders is growing rapidly. Thirty-six per cent of respondents had
been recording moths for less than four years (Spalding et al., 2005).

Estimating the number of active macro-moth recorders is difficult enough, but
attempting to quantify the potential for new recorders 1s even more so. Nevertheless,
we believe this potential to be large. Many organisations run moth trapping evenings
and workshops aimed at beginners and these have proved very popular. Eleven such
workshops were organised as part of this planning project, and were attended by 206
people. Over 50% of beginners who attended these workshops expressed an interest
in taking up moth recording (Spalding & Tunmore, 2004).

Analysis of data from Butterfly Conservation’s Garden Butterflies Count project,
which encouraged members of the public to record 22 species of butterflies and 4
macro-moths that are commonly seen in gardens, also supports this perception. In
2002, the first year of Garden Butterflies Count, 20% of the 11,000 participants
recorded at least one of the macro-moth species. This rose to an astonishing 49% of
8,200 participants in 2003 (R. Fox, unpublished data). Whilst this increase was
probably largely a result of high numbers of one of the four target species during
2003, the Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum (L.) (Fox, 2004), the
general findings of this ‘citizen science’ project and the popularity of moth trapping
evenings and training events for beginners, suggest that there is indeed considerable
potential to recruit new macro-moth recorders in the future. Such potential would be
best developed within the infrastructure, publicity and support of a new national
macro-moth recording scheme.

AIMS OF THE PROPOSED NMRS

Distribution records of macro-moths could be used in many different ways in
nature conservation, development control, policy and legislation, research into

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 33

climate change and phenology, education and raising awareness. In the consultation
questionnaire, moth recorders were asked for their views on what should be the main
aims of the proposed NMRS. Most respondents felt that highlighting trends in moth
populations and using records to help conservation were the most important aims.
Approximately 80% of respondents highlighted these two aims respectively. Sixty-six
per cent of respondents also expressed the view that the proposed NMRS should
work towards the production of a national atlas of macro-moths over a period of
years.

SOME KEY ELEMENTS OF A FUTURE NMRS

As a result of the extensive consultation, the planning project report makes 39
summary recommendations for the development of the proposed NMRS (Spalding
& Tunmore, 2004). These will be reviewed by the project partners and developed into
funding bids with the aim of setting up a recording scheme within the next two years.
The recommendations can be viewed in full on the project web site (www.mo-
threcording.org.uk), but some of the key elements that will form the backbone of a
future scheme are reviewed here.

As endorsed by clear majorities of recorders attending the three national
conferences, the proposed NMRS should be run by a partnership of relevant
organisations, led by Butterfly Conservation. This partnership would not be
restricted to the organisations involved in this planning project.

The proposed NMRS should comprise a number of different activities. At its core
would be a national recording scheme for all macro-moths, designed so that existing
moth recorders can feed in their records easily, be aware of what will happen to their
records and receive useful and interesting feedback. However, other activities would
run in parallel to this core recording scheme, under the umbrella of the NMRS.
These might include targeted surveys of threatened species and habitats, public
participation surveys to raise awareness of moths and moth recording, and education
projects with schools. In addition, the NMRS should form close links with existing
recording projects such as National Moth Night (Tunmore, 2004).

The core recording scheme should be based upon the existing network of county
moth recorders. Recorders would be encouraged to submit records via this network
and the NMRS would provide support to county moth recorders as appropriate.
However, alternative routes for data submission should also be considered to
maximise participation in the scheme. Even in such cases, data should flow back to
the appropriate county recorders for verification. The NMRS should seek to collate
existing (recent and historical) moth records so that the changing status of macro-
moth species can be assessed.

The reputation of the NMRS would depend on high standards of data quality and
clear systems must be put in place to ensure adequate verification of records and
validation of computerised data. Verification is a key issue for species-rich taxa such
as macro-moths and presents a qualitatively different challenge compared to
national recording of butterflies. Verification issues are discussed further in the
following section.

The proposed NMRS must deliver practical benefits for moths (i.e. by supporting
nature conservation efforts), but also for participating recorders. Feedback to
recorders is an essential element of any successful recording scheme, and can be
achieved through newsletters, meetings, web sites and articles in journals, as well as
by working towards a national atlas. The NMRS would utilise all of these methods.
However, discussions with recorders during the consultation suggested that the

34 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

NMRS could deliver great practical benefits by providing recorders with direct
access to view the NMRS database (at an agreed level of geographical resolution) via
the internet (e.g. via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway, www.searchnbn.-
net). As well as providing up-to-date feedback regarding recording coverage and
poorly worked areas, such a facility could yield much of interest to recorders, for
example the progress of species that are expanding their ranges, the macro-moth
fauna already recorded from a particular area to help identify new 10 km or county
records, by suggesting likely areas for recording scarcer species and by assisting with
the determination of observed moths. An internet database might also be an efficient
way to deliver the information needed by conservation agencies and partners in the
Biodiversity Action Plan process.

Training of moth recorders, whether beginners or experienced recorders, should be
an important part of the proposed NMRS. Training in moth identification,
recording techniques, difficult groups, determining specimens, use of computer
software and organising public events could all be part of the programme. Training
will be a vital element in encouraging new moth recorders, particularly in areas of the
country or sectors of the community in which there are currently few people
interested in moths.

In addition to training programmes, elements should be developed within the
proposed NMRS to specifically encourage beginners. For example, projects
concentrating on easily identified and conspicuous macro-moths and/or their larvae
would help overcome current barriers to involvement in moth recording created by
ignorance, identification difficulties and dependence on expensive moth-trapping
equipment. These projects could be supported by popular publicity, a range of visual
aids such as colour identification charts, and web pages with photographs and
distribution maps. As well as repeating the formulas of successful public
participation projects such as Garden Butterflies Count, Big Garden Birdwatch
and the Great Stag Hunt (for the Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus L.), the NMRS should
seek to link in to other, more comprehensive initiatives aimed at increasing
individual and community participation in environmental issues and decision
making.

DIFFICULT ISSUES: VERIFICATION, OWNERSHIP AND ACCESS

Whilst there was great support for the proposed national macro-moth recording
scheme throughout the planning and consultation project, concerns were raised
consistently about certain issues. Verification, ownership, and access to records all
provoked strong, often contrasting, reactions and must be addressed clearly by the
proposed scheme. The planning project provided a lot of information on these issues
and it will take time to formulate the best approach to take in the future. Here we
present some initial thoughts on these complex and heartfelt issues.

Verification of records is essential and, ideally, the appropriate county moth
recorder(s) would verify all NMRS data. However, in order to make the verification
process as efficient as possible, the NMRS should, where necessary, aim to support
county moth recorders and others by producing and publicising lists of critical
species, encouraging accurate recording and developing national or regional
verification panels to share the workload and responsibility. The scheme should
promote the continuing importance of specimens, where appropriate, for accurate
identification and hence nature conservation and research.

Moth recorders would retain ownership of their records and their legal rights (e.g.
moral rights, intellectual property rights) over the way that their records can be used.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 35

However, for the proposed NMRS to function, recorders would have to agree that
the scheme could use their records in certain ways. The NMRS would try to make
this clear and simple by publicising information about how records will be stored and
used by the NMRS and providing feedback to recorders, showing how records are
being put to use to benefit moths.

Access to records was another issue that generated much interest during the
consultation. Opinions covered a wide spectrum of views from complete openness to
severe restrictions on access to records. We recommend that all data entered into the
recording scheme should be as fully available as possible to all for the advancement
of knowledge and understanding of our native fauna and flora and its conservation.
On the other hand, if making records available increases the risk of damage to
populations or their habitats, then access may need to be controlled.

Clearly, there are risks to consider and balances to be struck. Not all users require
access to records at the same level of detail (e.g. the general public might only have
access to data at a 10 km square level) and the sensitivity of some records is greater
than others for genuine reasons (e.g. a legal requirement by a landowner not to
disclose records). The precise proposals have yet to be formulated, but it is certain
that the new scheme should develop a clear data access policy, so that all recorders
understand who else will be permitted access to their records once in the NMRS, and
under what circumstances. Records must be accessible if they are to be used in nature
conservation and in informing the planning process, but recorders have the right to
know how their records will be used (and by whom) before they decide to contribute
to the proposed national macro-moth recording scheme.

CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS

This planning project for a national macro-moth recording scheme has achieved
many successes, including a very thorough consultation with the existing moth
recording and nature conservation communities, high levels of publicity to raise
awareness of the proposed scheme, and the collation of a vast array of views and
information to inform the development of the proposed NMRS. The questionnaire
produced the largest and most thorough survey of Britain’s moth recording
community.

There has never been a more opportune time to create a recording scheme for
macro-moths. Many species appear to be in decline and over 20 are considered
extinct, while others are colonising our islands or expanding their former ranges
(Parsons, 2003). The number of active recorders and the quantity of records being
generated and computerised are unprecedented and suggest that a comprehensive
assessment of species’ national distribution and distribution change may be
achievable for all macro-moths for the first time. Such data could be used to greatly
increase awareness and conservation of macro-moths, and provide the first rigorous
assessment of the changing status of a species-rich invertebrate taxon, particularly
when considered alongside population monitoring trends from the small number of
Rothamsted Insect Survey sites.

Thanks to your support, we have a clear view of the main elements that will make
up the proposed NMRS and will now seek funding with the aim of bringing it into
existence. Securing the necessary funding will not be easy or quick. Furthermore,
long-term security of funding is what the proposed NMRS will need; a significant
challenge in today’s financial climate. Nevertheless, with your help and the planning
project we have done much already to pave the way for a national macro-moth
recording scheme.

36 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank all of the moth recorders and many organisations who
participated in the planning and consultation project for all their support and input.
We are grateful to Tony Prichard, Tony Simpson, Steve McWilliam and Chris
Darbyshire for providing analysis of the numbers of macro-moths they hold for their
counties (used in Figure | and text). We wish to acknowledge the financial support of
the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Nature, the British Entomological and Natural
History Society, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Biodiversity Challenge
and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, as well as help in kind from the
National Biodiversity Network Networking Naturalists Project, Scottish Natural
Heritage, BRISC, Warwick University, Cellcreative and many individuals, too
numerous to list here. Finally, we thank all of the members of the project steering
group for their support and guidance during the planning project.

REFERENCES

Asher, J., Warren, M., Fox, R., Harding, P., Jeffcoate, G. & Jeffcoate, S. 2001. The millennium
atlas of butterflies in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Brereton, T. & Stewart, K. 2003. Agri-environment schemes and butterflies newsletter July 2003.
Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.

Conrad, K. F., Woiwod, I. P., Parsons, M., Fox, R. & Warren, M. 2004. Long-term population
trends in widespread British moths. Journal of Insect Conservation 8: 119-136.

Department of the Environment. 1994. Biodiversity, the UK action plan. HMSO, London.

Fox, R. 2001. Butterflies and moths. In The changing wildlife of Great Britain and Ireland, (ed.
D.L. Hawksworth), pp. 300-327. Taylor and Francis, London.

Fox, R. 2004. A tale of two surveys. Butterfly 86: 30-31.

Glen, D. M. 2004. Birds as predators of Lepidopterous larvae. In Insect and bird interactions,
(Eds. H.F. van Emden & M. Rothschild), pp. 89-106. Intercept Ltd., Andover.

Parsons, M. 2003. The changing moth and butterfly fauna of Britain during the twentieth
century. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 115: 49-66.

Spalding, A. & Tunmore, M. 2004. Planning phase of a national macro-moth recording scheme.
Unpublished report to Butterfly Conservation. Spalding Associates (Environmental) Ltd.,
Truro.

Spalding, A., Tunmore, M., Parsons, M. & Fox, R. 2005. The state of moth recording in
Britain: the results of the national macro-moth recording scheme consultation
questionnaire. Atropos 24: 9-19.

Thomas, J. A., Telfer, M. G., Roy, D. B., Preston, C., Greenwood, J. J. D., Asher, J., Fox, R.,
Clarke, R. T. & Lawton, J. H. 2004. Comparative losses of British butterflies, birds, and
plants and the global extinction crisis. Science 303: 1879-1881.

Tunmore, M. 2004. National moth night 2003. Atropos 22: 11-13.

Tunmore, M., Spalding, A., Parsons, M. & Fox, R. In prep. The county moth recording
network in the 21st century: the results of the national macro-moth recording scheme
consultation questionnaire for county recorders.

Vaughan, N. 1997. The diets of British bats (Chiroptera). Mammal Review 27: 77-94.

Woiwod, I. P. & Harrington, R. 1994. Flying in the face of change: The Rothamsted Insect
Survey. In Long-term experiments in agricultural and ecological sciences, (Eds. R. Leigh and
A. Johnston), pp. 321-342. CAB International, Wallingford.

Young, M. (1997). The natural history of moths. Poyser Natural History, London.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 37

RECENT OBSERVATIONS OF HIPPOBOSCA EQUINA L. (DIPTERA:
HIPPOBOSCIDAE) IN SOUTH DEVON

CLIVE R. TURNER! & DARREN J MANN?

179 Bowers Park Drive, Woolwell, Plymouth, Devon PL6 7SH; *Hope Entomological Collections,
Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford OXI 3PW

Widespread in the Palaearctic region (Soos & Papp, 1986), Hippobosca equina L. is
the only member of this genus likely to be encountered in the wild in the UK,
although H. longipennis Fab. has been recorded on imported animals (cheetahs and
other carnivores) on a number of occasions (Hutson in Chandler, 1998), and most
recently from Ireland (O’Connor & Sleeman, 1987). Historically H. equina has been
recorded from many of the southern counties of England, westwards through much
of Wales and north to Lincolnshire and Edinburgh, although the latter record is
considered dubious (Hutson, 1984). In recent years, H. equina has been frequently
recorded only from the New Forest with occasional records from the southern
counties. Hutson (1984) found H. equina to be formerly common in Hampshire,
Dorset and much of Wales. Falk & Pont (1996) considered H. equina a nationally
Notable species whose decline in the last century, despite an increase in horse
numbers, could be attributed to changes in the use and husbandry of horses. The
modern stronghold of H. equina was considered to be the New Forest (VC11)
(Hutson, 1984; Falk & Pont, 1996). Now recent records indicate a second breeding
population existing in Dartmoor National Park, Devon (VC03).

Typical of the Hippoboscidae, H. equina is an obligate ectoparasite feeding on the
blood of its hosts, with a flight period in Britain from May to October. As its name
implies, the primary host is considered to be the domestic horse, but this species has
been known to maintain populations on domestic cattle (Roberts, 1925; Thompson,
1955; Maa, 1969; Askew, 1971; Hutson, 1984). Other hosts in Britain have included
man and domestic dogs (Roberts, 1925; Thompson, 1955; Hutson, 1984). Additional
hosts in the Palaearctic include the red deer (Kadulski, 1996), camel (Maa, 1969),
rabbit (Maa, 1969) and amongst birds the grey heron (Olafsson, 1985) and northern
goshawk (Kristofik & Stefan, 1980). In laboratories, H. equina has survived and bred
on guinea pigs and also been successfully reared artificially through use of a parafilm
membrane providing defibrinated bovine blood (Fouda, 1984a, b). Hippobosca
equina is known to copulate on the host animal and gravid females are noticeable by
their distended abdomens. Typical of members of the Hippoboscidae all three larval
instars are passed within the uterus (Ferrar 1987; McAlpine et a/., 1987) and after an
estimated 12 to 14 days developing in the uterus (refers to H. maculata L.,
Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1926) the fully grown larva is rapidly deposited by the
female at her chosen pupation site (Roberts, 1925; Thompson, 1955; Hutson, 1984).
Unlike the Glossinidae where the female deposits an active third instar larva to crawl
or burrow to the pupation site, the Hippoboscidae deposit an already immobile
offspring in a suitable location (Askew, 1971; Ferrar, 1987). Roberts (1925) produced
the only published observations (5) of British H. equina depositing full grown larvae
in the wild. The females were observed alighting on fronds of bracken (Preridium
aquilinum L.) then dropping to the earth to exude the larva. The deposited larvae
were left partially buried in thick humus; all were immobile and pupated within a few
hours. Of fourteen other pupae located by handsearching, twelve were found in the
organic humus at the base of bracken stems, the remainder in crevices amongst the
twisted roots of grass not far from bracken. Roberts (1925) reasoned that the female

38 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

H. equina required a thick humus layer, bracken and a degree of sunshine for
successful breeding. This factor should be considered when contemplating searching
for H. equina or when intending to manage suitable habitat. Thompson’s review (1955)
included records of H. equina from 1752 onwards with the first detailed record from the
New Forest data ca. 1781. Also quoted was an account of Samouelle obtaining six
handfuls of flies from the flanks of a horse, capturing in total over one hundred
specimens. An equivalent event has not been subsequently recorded. Thompson (op.
cit.) included a single record of H. equina ostensibly from Devon when some Dartmoor
ponies were found to have the flies some seven days later on arrival in Cheshire. The
first author first encountered H. equina in the late summer of 1996. A specimen was sent
for verification and its identification confirmed by J. E. Chainey (pers. comm. 1996,
specimen retained Natural History Museum, London). Subsequently several more
records for the species have been collated from the Dartmoor area.

Devon entomologist Peter Smithers (pers. com., 1997) communicated his captures
of the species in the area and his subsequent donation of specimens to the Plymouth
University collection. He had captured two individuals, the first from Mary Tavy
(SX5079) in July 1989 and the second from Horrabridge (SX5169) on 20.vi.1993,
both localities on the fringes of Dartmoor. The first author initially encountered the
species when it landed on his neck in early August 1996; this was during a short walk
across Roborough Common, Dartmoor National Park (SX5064). Several more
specimens were captured in the next two hours. That same month a specimen was
captured when it alighted on the author’s forehead on 31.vi1.1996 (SX507647) and
later numerous individuals were captured flying in the same area on 11.1x.1996
(SX5164 & SX5064). Roborough Common is an area of open heathland grazed by
horses, sheep and occasionally cattle with areas of bracken and gorse, Ulex europaeus
L., with rotational scrub management creating a diverse site. The following year the
fly was recorded on 15.v.1997 in Holne Wood, Dartmoor (SX7070). On this occasion
the encounter was on a well-worn track along the Dart River valley in the shade of
mature beech, Fagus sylvatica Fab., and oak Quercus spp. The fly alighted on the first
author’s shoulder and quickly flew off to land on another part of his coat until he
captured it on the lapel. Later in that year H. equina was recorded in numbers at
Roborough Common on 16.ix.1997. Unfortunately no records were obtained from
early 1998 to 2000 due to absence from the area but on return in August 2000 a large
hippoboscid flew around the first author and alighted on a horse in the vicinity. This
occurred during a brief walk on Roborough Common on 2.1x.2000. It was
considered to be H. equina but unfortunately the example was not captured or
observed closely thus preventing reliable confirmation of the record. In 2001 Foot
and Mouth problems delayed all fieldwork and consequently no records were
returned for H. equina in this year. Concerned about the continued presence of the fly
in the Dartmoor area following the Foot and Mouth outbreak it was a relief to
obtain a positive record for H. equina on 24.viii.2002, the specimen alighted on Sarah
Turner’s dark top during a walk across Roborough Common (SX5064). Close
observance clearly revealed it as an example of H. equina. The continuance of records
over a period of seven years from Roborough Common and the occasional captures
elsewhere on Dartmoor strongly suggest that there is a local breeding population on
Roborough Common with a potentially larger breeding population distributed
across Dartmoor. Records for H. equina presented here have, without exception,
been collated from incidental captures of flying adults on sunny days and not from
careful examination of the host or intentional pursuit of the species therefore adding
credence to the belief that the population in the area could be much greater than
previously considered.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 39

When attracted to the first author, H. equina was observed consistently alighting
on any dark clothing worn, even when the option of lighter areas of attire were
available. This attraction to coloured clothing may be attributed to colour sensitivity
in this species. On one occasion, when a number of H. equina were in flight, they were
observed alighting on two parked cars, one white and one dark green. Whilst they
were more obvious to the observer on the white car’s surface they were evidently
more attracted to the darker vehicle and spent a significantly greater time on and
around this vehicle. Furthermore, in groups of people wearing various coloured
clothes and walking in H. equina habitat the presence of H. equina was restricted to
those wearing darker clothing, in particular dark greens, blues and blacks. This has
been a predictable, consistent and regular response to colour during the first author’s
experience of walking through habitat when H. equina has been in flight. These
observations were compelling although not necessarily borne out by the observations
of Roberts (1925). In his brief study on H. equina, colour preference was examined
using six cows. The cows comprised three colours—black, blue/grey and roan.
Averages of 9.8 H. equina were observed across the six cattle with the frequency on
black being 17, 9 and 4, blue/grey 15 and 4, roan 10, respectively. Clearly, in his small
experimental sample Roberts (op. cit.) experienced large variation between
individuals as exemplified in the results from the black cattle. These observations
were contradicted by those of a Mr Bentley in the summer of 1818 when he observed
a preference for light coloured horses (Thompson, 1955). There has been extensive
research (Green, 1994; Gibson & Torr, 1999; Briscoe & Chittka, 2001) on the visual
cues employed by other Diptera. Studies on the sister group Glossinidae showed blue
and black screens increased trapping success as did movement (Laveissiere & Couret,
1982; Vale, 1974a, b, 1982) suggesting that qualitative field observations of live
subjects may produce more robust data. There have been contradictory experiments
indicating within species variation with respect to colour preference. Lucilia sericata
(Meigen) (Calliphoridae) in the UK preferred white, yellow, aluminium, black, red
then blue (Wall et a/., 1992) but in Hungary preferred black, blue, white then yellow
(Hall et al., 1995). These anomalies may be attributable to subtle experimental
procedures, movement, geographical race, ultraviolet reflectance or thermal response
and may explain the contradictory behaviour of H. equina as well as the requirement
for carefully designed studies of visual cues. In H. equina the subject of colour choice
currently remains open and despite the qualitative nature of the observations there
appears to be a case for further study into the visual cues involved in host selection.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank Peter Smithers of Plymouth University for his assistance in
locating old records and access to the University collection and John Chainey of the
Natural History Museum, London for his generous assistance in confirming the
identification of submitted material. We also thank Dartmoor National Park
Authority, in particular Norman Baldock, for permission to conduct research in the
region.

REFERENCES

Askew, R. R 1971. Diptera Pupipara: Louse Flies and Bat Flies. Parasitic Insects. Heinemann
Educational Books, London, pp. 51-72.

40 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Chandler, P. 1998 (ed.). Checklists of insects of the British Isles (New Series). Part I: Diptera
(incorporating a list of Irish Diptera). Handbook for the Identification of British Insects
12(1):i-xx, 234 pp. Royal Entomological Society, London.

Briscoe, A. D. & Chittka, L. 2001. The evolution of colour vision in insects. Annual Review of
Entomology 46: 471-510.

Falk, S. J. & Pont, A. C. 1996. A review of the scarce and threatened flies of Great Britain. UK
Nature Conservation series, JNCC, Peterborough.

Ferrar, P. 1987. Family Hippoboscidae. A Guide to the Breeding Habits and Immature Stages
of Diptera Cyclorrhapha, Part 1: text. Entomonograph 8.

Fouda, M. A. 1984a. Maintenance of Hippobosca equina (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) fed through
parafilm membrane on defibrinated blood. Zeitschrift ftir Angewandte Entomologie 97:
490-493.

Fouda, M. A. 1984b. Significance of symbionts in Hippobosca equina (Diptera: Hippoboscidae).
Zeitschrift fiir Angewandte Entomologie 97: 376-378.

Gibson, G. & Torr, S. J. 1999. Visual and olfactory responses of haematophagous Diptera to
host stimuli. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 13: 3-23.

Green, C. H. 1994. Bait methods for tsetse fly control. Advances in Parasitology 34: 229-291.

Hall, M. J. R., Farkas, R., Kelemen, F., Hosier, M. J. & El-Khoga, J. M. 1995. Orientation of
agents of wound myiasis to hosts and artificial stimuli in Hungary. Medical and Veterinary
Entomology 9: 77-84.

Hutson, A. M. 1984. Keds, Flat-Flies and Bat-Flies. Diptera, Hippoboscidae and Nycteribiidae.
Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects 10(7). Royal Entomological Society,
London.

Kristofik, J. & Stefan, P. 1980. Novel knowledge about the family of Hippoboscidae (Diptera)
in Slovakia. Biologia 35: 137-140.

Kadulski, S. 1996. Ectoparasites of Cervidae in north-east Poland. Acta Parasitologica 41: 204—
210:

Laveissiére, C. & Couret, D. 1982. Essai de lutte contre les glossines riveraines a l’aide d’écrans
impregnes d’insecticide. Cahiers ORSTOM. Entomologie médicale et Parasitologie 19: 27\—
283.

Maa, T. C. 1969. A revised checklist and concise host index of Hippoboscidae (Diptera). Studies
in Hippoboscidae (Diptera), Part 2. Pacific Insects Monograph 20: 261-299.

McAlpine, J. F. (Ed.), Peterson, B. V., Shewell, G. E., Teskey, H. J., Vockeroth, J. R. & Wood,
D. M. 1987. Manual of Neartic Diptera. Vol. 2, Research Branch Agriculture Canada
Monograph, 28: 675-1332.

O’Connor, J. P. & Sleeman, D. P. 1987. A review of the Irish Hippoboscidae (Insecta: Diptera).
Trish Naturalists’ Journal 22: 236-239.

Olafsson, E. 1985. A heron carrying louse flies to Iceland. Bliki 3: 12-14.

Roberts, J. I. 1925. On the bionomics of Hippobosca equina. Annals of Tropical Medical
Parasitology 19: 81—90.

Schuurmans Stekhoven, J. H. 1926. Studies on Hippobosca maculata Leach and H. equina L. in
the Dutch East Indian Archipelago. Parasitology 18: 35-50.

Soos, A. & Papp, L. (Eds) 1986. Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera: Scathophagidae—
Hypodermatidae, Volume 11. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Thompson, G. B. 1955. I: Contribution toward a study of the ectoparasites of British Birds and
Mammals, No. 4. Annual Magazine of Natural History 12: 25-35.

Vale, G. A. 1974a. New field methods for studying the response of tsetse flies (Diptera:
Glossinidae) to hosts. Bulletin of Entomological Research 64: 199-208.

Vale, G. A. 1974b. The responses of tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) to mobile and stationary
baits. Bulletin of Entomological Research 64: 545-588.

Vale, G. A. 1982. The trap-oriented behaviour of tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) and other
Diptera. Bulletin of Entomological Research 72: 71-93.

Wall, R., Green, C. H., French, N. & Morgan, K. L. 1992. Development of an attractive target
for the sheep blowfly Lucilia sericata. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 6: 67-74.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 4]

AN INTERESTING INSECT ASSEMBLAGE REARED FROM
THE BRACKET FUNGUS INONOTUS HISPIDUS (BULL. EX FR.)
KARST FROM HYDE PARK, MIDDLESEX.

M.V.L. BARCLAY
Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD

ABSTRACT

The insect inhabitants of a large bracket fungus /nonotus hispidus were examined.
Sixty-nine insects of eight species and four orders were extracted, including Orchesia
micans (Panz.) (Coleoptera: Melandryidae), its parasitoid Meteorus obfuscatus
(Nees) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Helorus nigripes Forster (Hymenoptera:
Heloridae), Gaurax fascipes Becker (Diptera: Chloropidae) and Lasiambia brevibucca
(Duda) (Diptera: Chloropidae). New ecological and distributional data for the
chloropids are presented.

A large bracket fungus Inonotus hispidus (Bull.ex Fr.) Karst (Hymenochaetales)
was found in March 2000 in Hyde Park, Middlesex (TQ2780: VC21), lying on the
footpath having recently fallen from a London Plane tree Platanus x hispanica Miller
ex Miinchh. (Platanaceae), where it had been growing about 3 metres above ground
level. Though generally regarded as being associated with Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.,
Oleaceae) in the UK, this species is known to attack Platanus spp. (Ryvarden &
Gilbertson, 1993), and commonly grows on such trees in some German cities
(G. Kleist, pers. comm.).

The fungus from Hyde Park was decayed and waterlogged, and contained several
pink tenebrionoid larvae. From their size and distinctive pink colour (which is
referred to by Donisthorpe, 1939) it was assumed they were larvae of Orchesia micans
(Panzer) (Melandryidae). Part of the fungus (approximately 18 x 18 x 10cm) was
collected and placed in a plastic tray with a glass lid, which was examined daily for
emerging insects, which were placed in alcohol. As the fungus was kept indoors, the
exact dates of emergence of the insects have little relevance, and were not recorded.

In June the insects that had emerged were examined, and the fungus was broken
up under a hand lens to search for further insects and remains of immature stages.
The following species were recorded from the fungus:

Order Family Species No.
Lepidoptera Tineidae Nemapogon granella (L.) 8
Coleoptera Melandryidae Orchesia micans (Panzer) 32
Ciidae Cis bilammelatus Wood l
Cryptophagidae Cryptophagus scanicus (L.) 5
Hymenoptera Braconidae Meteorus obfuscatus (Nees) 15
Heloridae Helorus nigripes Forster 2
Diptera Chloropidae Gaurax fascipes Becker 5
Lasiambia brevibucca (Duda) 3

42 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Orchesia micans is listed as ‘Notable B’ by Hyman (1992). In the author’s
experience the adults of this species are the least frequently collected of the three
British Orchesia species, but are probably under-recorded because of their skulking
habits, their association with arboreal fungi (which in summer are still attached to
the host tree) and their ability to jump to avoid capture. The larvae are encountered
much more easily than the adults. Nikitsky (1996) associates micans with Inonotus
obliquus, I. radiatus, I. hispidus, I. dryophilus, I. rheades, Phellinus spp. (Hymeno-
chaetales) and Fomes fomentarius (Poriales) in the Moscow District, Russia, and
suggests a preference for the non-British [. rheades. Donisthorpe (1939) lists the
following hosts utilised at Windsor Forest, Berkshire: Fistulina hepatica (Fistuli-
nales), Merpilus giganteus (Poriales) and Inonotus dryadeus (Hymenochaetales). It
will apparently exploit a wide range of bracket fungi growing on deciduous trees.

The braconid Meteorus obfuscatus (Nees), a parasitoid of Orchesia spp., was
reared in some numbers. Orchesia micans and M. obfuscatus have been reared
together from J. hispidus in Norfolk (Evans, 1988b), and the association between
them 1s well established (Huddleston, 1980). This braconid has previously been
reported from this grid square (TQ28), in Regent’s Park, London (Huddleston, /.c.).
It is noteworthy that the ratio of parasitised to non-parasitised Orchesia was
approximately 1:2. Pupal cells of Orchesia were readily found, containing the head
capsule of the beetle larva, and often a coarse yellow silk cocoon of Meteorus.

The presence of a second hymenopteran, the proctotrupoid Helorus nigripes
Forster, was initially surprising as this species is usually associated with green
lacewings (Chrysopa spp.: Chrysopidae) (Townes, 1977), not typically inhabitants of
fungi. However, two spherical white silk cocoons were found among the gills of the
fungus, resembling baskets with circular hinged lids, and with a few brown hairs
attached to the outside. One of these was located only 2cm from a freshly emerged
Helorus, and was still damp with mucus from the emergence. As proctotrupoids do
not form cocoons, it was suspected that these were the cocoons of lacewings, which
was confirmed using Withycombe (1923). Such cocoons are often found under the
bark of plane trees in London, and probably the lacewing larvae, which are active
predators on foliage, pupate in any available crevice, in this case the gills of the
fungus. It was unfortunate that both of the lacewing larvae were parasitised, as an
adult chrysopid would have permitted identification to species, thus adding
information on the host preferences of H. nigripes. Withycombe (1923) reared
H. nigripes from Chrysopa septempunctata Wesmael, and it has been reared from the
non-British C. nigricostata Brauer on the continent (Fergusson & Smith, 1974).

Helorus nigripes is a very infrequently recorded species; Fergusson & Smith (/.c.)
give an account of its British distribution (as H. rugosus Thomson), admitting only
four British records, three from Middlesex (VC21), Bedford Park (TQ27), ‘London
N12’ (i.e. Finchley, TQ28) and Islington (TQ38), and one from Surrey; Oxshott
(TQ16: VC17). Cooter & Fergusson (1993) add a fifth, Tupsley, Hereford (SOS4:
VC36), but no subsequent published records were found. D. Quicke (pers. comm.)
states that Malaise Trapping has shown it to be ‘more abundant than the literature
suggests’.

The moth Nemapogon granella (L.) was found to have developed in the outside
layer of the fungus among the gills, indicated by frass and pupal exuviae. This
species, which has a very wide global distribution, has previously been recorded from
bracket fungi; G. Robinson (NHM) has a toy yak from Nepal made from poriale
fungi infested with this moth. The species also occasionally attacks stored products
(e.g. Somerfield e¢ al, 1980) but, despite its common name ‘corn moth’, it is not now a
major pest of grain. According to M. Honey (pers. comm.) this is only the second

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 43

Middlesex record for this species, but this is probably due to under-recording, given
its wide distribution and occasional pest status. Evans (1988a) refers to a species of
Apanteles (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attacking Nemapogon in fungi, but none
emerged from this fungus.

Two species of chloropid fly were reared from the fungus. Gaurax fascipes Becker
has previously been reared from birds’ nests (Collin, 1939) and from laburnum bark
(BMNH collection, Coll. C. Pugh, vi-1934). Records from the bracket fungus
Piptoporus betulinus (Bull. Ex Fr.) Karst (Poriales) were considered to represent
immature Gaurax dubius (Macquart) by Smith (1965). The specimens considered
here were also slightly immature but had a dark spot on the hind tibia, a character of
G. fascipes (J. Ismay, pers. comm.). This would therefore appear to be the first record
of G. fascipes from fungi. Specimens in the BMNH collection labelled ‘Primrose Hill,
K.A. Spencer 1957’ indicate a previous record from TQ28.

The second chloropid species, Lasiambia brevibucca (Duda) is listed as ‘Notable B’
by Ball (1992), who associates it with ‘old woodland and parkland’ stating that
‘larvae develop in rotting wood and sap runs’. It has been reared from sappy bark of
Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Godfrey, 1998). Ismay (2000) states
‘associated with sap flows, damaged trees or rot-holes, but the exact nature of the
association is unclear’. Apparently, an association with tree fungi has not previously
been noted. Both species of fly certainly emerged from the fungus, as they were still
teneral when collected into alcohol in May. Ismay (/.c.) lists eleven vice-counties
where brevibucca has been recorded, mainly in the south of England, extending north
to Yorkshire, but not including Middlesex. This is apparently the first record for this
sparsely wooded vice-county.

The remaining insects, Cryptophagus scanicus (L.) and a single female Cis
bilammelatus Wood, were found alive as adults inside the dried fungus. It is probable
they did not develop in the fungus as only small numbers were present, and there was
no evidence of immature stages, but they were almost certainly feeding on the
fungus. Cis bilammelatus is a naturalised species from Australia, but is now one of
the commonest members of the Ciidae in Britain; however, this is apparently the first
record from Inonotus hispidus (G. Orledge, pers. comm.). It is generally associated
with the poriale genera Piptoporus and Coriolus (Cooter, 1991). Cryptophagus
scanicus 18 a common generalist scavenger and fungivore in a wide variety of
substrates.

The absence of Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) and larvae of nematoceran Diptera (on
which many staphylinids presumably feed) from the fungus is perhaps worthy of
mention.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Because of the number of higher taxa involved, this paper relied heavily on the
kind help of a number of expert friends and colleagues. In particular I would like to
thank John Ismay (OUMNH) for identifying the Diptera, and for helpful comments.
Thanks also to Gaden Robinson (BMNH) who named the Nemapogon, Glenda
Orledge (University of Bath) for identifying the ciid, Gavin Broad (Imperial College)
for confirming my identifications of the Hymenoptera, and Simon Archer and
Gunnar Kleist (Imperial College) for the essential task of naming the fungus. I would
like to thank all the above, as well as Darren J. Mann, Martin Honey, Donald
Quicke, Howard Mendel and Justin Smith for helpful discussions and advice.

44 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

REFERENCES

Ball, S. 1992. Recorder Version 3.2, a database for site based species occurrence records, JNCC,
Peterborough.

Collin, J.E. 1939. On various new or little known Diptera, including several species bred from
the nests of birds and mammals. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 75: 134-154.

Cooter, J. 1991. A Coleopterist’s Handbook. Grosvenor Press, Portsmouth. 294 pp.

Cooter, J. & Fergusson, N.D.M. 1993. Helorus nigripes Forster (Hym., Heloridae), a fifth
British record. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 129: 29.

Donisthorpe, H.St.J.K. 1939. A preliminary list of the Coleoptera of Windsor Forest, London,
Nathaniel Lloyd: 126 pp.

Evans, R. 1988a. Fruit Flies from Fungi. Norfolk Natterjack 28: 3

Evans, R. 1988b. A common bracket fungus and its inhabitants. Norfolk Natterjack 28: 4

Fergusson, N. & Smith, K.G.V. 1974. Helorus rugosus Thomson (Hym., Heloridae) in Britain.
Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 109: 222.

Godfrey, A. 1998. The Diptera of Moccas Park National Nature Reserve. Dipterists Digest (2nd
Series) 5: 44-48.

Huddleston, T. 1980. A revision of the western Palaearctic species of the genus Meteorus
(Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) (Ento-
mology) 41: 1-58.

Hyman, P.S. (revised Parsons, M.S.) 1992. A review of the scarce and threatened Coleoptera of
Great Britain. Part 1. UK Nature Conservation 3. Peterborough: JNCC.

Ismay, J.W. 2000. The British species of Lasiambia Sabrosky (Diptera, Chloropidae). Dipterists
Digest 7: 59-70.

Nikitsky, N.B., Osipov, I.N., Chemeris, M.V., Semenov, V.B. & Gusakov, A.A. 1996. The
beetles of Prioksko—Terrsny Biosphere Reserve—Xylobiontes, Mycetobiontes and Scar-
abaeidae (with the review of the Moscow Region fauna of these groups). Archives of the
Zoological Museum of Moscow. 36: 196 pp.

Ryvarden, L. & Gilbertson, R.L. 1993. European Polypores, part 1: Abortiporus—Lindtneria.
Gronlands Grafiske, Oslo, 387 pp.

Smith, K.G.V. 1965. The immature stages of Gaurax (= Botanobia) dubius (Marquart) (Dipt:
Chloropidae), with notes on the specific status of G. fascipes Becker. Entomologist’s
Monthly Magazine 100: 237-239.

Somerfield, K.G., Manson, D.C.M. & Dale, P.S. 1980. Insects and mites associated with dried
milk product storage areas in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Experimental
Agriculture 8: 83-85.

Townes, H. 1977. A revision of the Heloridae (Hymenoptera). Contributions of the American
Entomological Institute 15: 1-12.

Withycombe, C.L. 1923 Notes on the biology of some British Neuroptera (Planipennia).
Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, 55: 501-94.

Dolerus megapterus Cameron (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) in Southern Britain.
A male sawfly collected in carr woodland adjacent to the Kennet & Avon canal at
Burghfield Bridge, Berkshire (SU6770) on 17.vi.03 was identified as Dolerus
megapterus, which according to Benson (1958) is associated with Cyperaceae. With
several records from northern Scotland, and also found in the Manchester area of
England. — JONTY DENTON, Kingsmead, Wield Road, Medstead, Hampshire, GU34
5NJ, UK & GRAHAM A. COLLINS, 15 Hurst Way, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2
7AP, UK.

REFERENCE

Benson, R.B. 1958. Hymenoptera 2. Symphyta. Section (b). Handbooks for the Identification of
British Insects, 6.2(b), 51-137.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 45

EULECANIUM EXCRESCENS (FERRIS) (HEMIPTERA:
COCCIDAE), AN ASIAN PEST OF WOODY ORNAMENTALS
AND FRUIT TREES, NEW TO BRITAIN

C. P. MALUMPHY
Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ

ABSTRACT

Eulecanium excrescens (Ferris) is reported causing serious damage to ornamental
Wisteria plants in Greater London, England. This is the first record of this
polyphagous Asian pest in Europe. In China, it is a pest of apple, pear and peach
trees although in the USA it does not cause economic damage. The host range,
biology, geographical distribution and economic importance of E. excrescens are
reviewed. Coccophagus obscurus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) is recorded
parasitising the scale for the first time.

INTRODUCTION

In the autumn of 2001, a member of the public reported that unusually large, soft-
scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccidae) were causing leaf loss and dieback to a 15m tall
Wisteria sp. plant in a private garden in Vauxhall, London. Samples received at the
Central Science Laboratory (CSL), via Andrew Halstead of the Royal Horticultural
Society (RHS), could not be identified at the time because only old, heavily-
sclerotised, post-reproductive adult females and second-instar nymphs were present.
However, repeat samples were regularly sent to the Central Science Laboratory until
April 2002, when the presence of young adult females allowed the identity of the pest
to be confirmed as Eulecanium excrescens (Ferris). This species is known as the
‘Excrescent scale’ in the USA and is now called the ‘Wisteria scale’ in the UK. A
follow-up visit to the garden by the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (PHSI)
found enormous numbers of the pest on Wisteria sp. and smaller numbers on cherry
(Prunus sp.) and South African trumpet vine (Podranea ricasoliana (Tanfani) T.
Sprague). A limited survey of Wisteria spp. in Central London found E. excrescens at
eight further locations during 2002 and 2003. The presence of this new pest was
publicised by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
(Anon., 2002; Malumphy & Matthews, 2002) and widely reported in the media,
including the radio, national broadsheets, magazines and on the internet (Anon.,
2003a, 2003b, 2003c, 2003d, 2003e; Gianfrancesco, 2002; Whitsey, 2003). The
purpose of this communication is to publish collection details for the first time and
review the host range, biology, geographical distribution and economic importance
of E. excrescens.

Slide-mounted specimens of E. excrescens have been deposited at the Central
Science Laboratory and the Natural History Museum, London (BMNH). Dry
specimens have also been stored at the Central Science Laboratory.

DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION

All developmental stages of E. excrescens occur on the bark of the host plant. The
'first- and second-nymphal instars also occur on the undersides of foliage. Adult
females are globular, dark brown and usually covered in a grey powdery wax that
resembles mould growth (Figs. 1 & 2), but the waxy bloom is lost in older specimens

46 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

(Fig. 3). The adults attain a length of 13 mm and height of 10 mm and are larger than
any other species of Coccidae found in Britain. The first instars are orange (Fig. 4),
and second and third instars brown with discrete blocks of translucent wax dorsally
(Fig. 2).

Teneral adult females are required for identification and were described and
illustrated by Gill (1988) and Kosztarab (1996); both provided diagnostic keys.
Eulecanium excrescens may be distinguished from the six native British species of
Eulecanium by the high density of multilocular pores present on the ventral surface
between the posterior and anterior spiracles, extending over the head as far as the
antennal bases. The multilocular pores on the ventral surface of the native
Eulecanium spp. are sparse between the posterior and anterior spiracles and are
rarely present near the antennal bases.

HOST PLANTS AND BIOLOGY

Eulecanium excrescens 1s highly polyphagous and is recorded feeding on many
deciduous orchard and ornamental trees in the USA (Essig, 1958; Gill, 1988;
Kosztarab, 1996). Many of the known host plants are widely grown in the UK, for
example, apple (Malus spp.), almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb), apricot
(Prunus armeniaca L.), cherry (Prunus spp.), elm (U/mus spp.), peach (Prunus persica
(L.) Stokes), pear (Pyrus communis L.), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), walnut
(Juglans regia L.) and Wisteria spp. The last appears to be a preferred host genus in
both the USA and the UK.

The following biological observations were made on populations of E. excrescens
breeding on Wisteria sp. in London between November 2001 and May 2003.
Eulecanium excrescens had one generation a year and appeared to be parthenoge-
netic, as no male nymphs or adults were observed in the large samples examined. The
nymphs overwintered and reached maturity in April. Eggs were laid under the body
of the female, which became strongly concave, hard and sclerotised. Each female laid
approximately 2000 eggs, which hatched over several days but the first instars
emerged en masse (Fig. 3) from the end of May to the end of June. The nymphs fed
on the foliage before moving to the woody parts of the plant in the autumn prior to
leaf fall.

A low level of parasitism was observed in populations of E. excrescens collected in
London, and Coccophagus obscurus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was
reared from parasitised scales for the first time. In China, natural enemies of
E. excrescens include the beetle, Anthribus niveovariegatus (Roelofs) (Coleoptera:
Anthribidae) and an unidentified entomopathogenic fungus (Deng, 1985).

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

Eulecanium excrescens originated from Asia and has been accidentally introduced
to the USA, where it has been recorded from California, Connecticut, New York,
Oregon and Pennsylvania (Kosztarab, 1996). The origin of the UK outbreaks is
unknown, although the size of the pest populations, their distribution and the extent
of damage to Wisteria sp. plants, suggest that E. excrescens has been present in
London for several years. This is the first record of E. excrescens in Europe.

It is possible that E. excrescens is more widespread within London than is
currently known, since potential host genera such as Acer, Malus, Prunus, Ulmus and
Wisteria are very common and the first-instar scales are readily dispersed on air
currents, such as those generated by passing traffic. Furthermore, the presence of

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 47

Fig. 1. Young adult female Fulecanium Fig. 2. Adult female Eulecanium excrescens
excrescens on Wisteria sp. covered in a grey powdery wax bloom and
nymphs with small rectangular wax plates.

Fig. 3. Post-reproductive adult female Eu/e- Fig. 4. Swarming horde of first instar
canium excrescens on Wisteria sp. The scale Eulecanium excrescens.
bar is in mm.

E. excrescens in the Pacific Northwest of North America, which has a maritime
climate somewhat similar to the UK, suggests that it may also be able to establish
outside of London.

RECORDS OF EULECANIUM EXCRESCENS IN BRITAIN

Eulecanium excrescens has been found at thirteen private premises and one public
garden in Greater London:

Belgravia (SW1), on Wisteria sp., 24.iv.2003, D. Alford; Chelsea (SW13), at five
separate private gardens, on Wisteria sp., 8.v.2002 and 13.v.2002, PHSI; Chiswick
(W4), private garden, on Wisteria sp., 1.v.2003, Mrs. Lang; Earl’s Court (SW10),
private garden, on Wisteria sp., 22.iv.2002, G. Watson; Kew (TW9), botanical
garden, on Wisteria sp. (together with Coccus hesperidum L. and Parthenolecanium
corni (Bouché)), 2.x.2003, PHSI; Northfields (W13), private garden, on Wisteria sp.,
17.11.2003, S. Ericson; South Kensington (SW7), private garden, on Wisteria sp.,
28.v.2002, N. Coleman; Teddington (TW1), private garden, on Wisteria sp.,
11.11.2003, E. Twyman; Vauxhall (SE11), two adjacent private gardens, on Wisteria
sp., 12.x1.2001, 21.1.2002, 16.11.2002, 7.iv.2002, H. Renier, and on Podranea
ricasoliana, Prunus sp. and Wisteria sp. (an enormous infestation), 17.iv.2002, PHSI.

48 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Eulecanium excrescens feeds on plant phloem sap, which weakens the host and can
cause leaf loss and slow dieback, as has been apparent on heavily infested Wisteria
sp. in London. In addition, it eliminates excess sugar-rich plant sap as ‘honeydew’;
this encourages the growth of black sooty mould, detracting from the aesthetic
appeal of ornamental plants, reducing their area of photosynthesis and promoting
leaf drop.

In China, FE. excrescens is recorded as a pest of apple, pear and peach trees and the
predatory beetle A. niveovariegatus has been studied as a possible biological control
agent (Deng, 1985). In California, where it is rare, it is not considered an economic
pest (Gill, 1988).

CONCLUSIONS

Eulecanium excrescens is a polyphagous pest of economically important orchard
trees in China and has been introduced accidentally into the USA and Britain. Large
populations have been found at several locations in London and it is likely that the
pest has been present outdoors for several years. What effect the organism may have
on commercial orchards in the UK is unknown. Eradication of E. excrescens from
the UK by chemical means would be difficult, as it is present on large woody plants
in private premises and there are few, if any, fully effective control products available
(MacLeod & Matthews, 2003).

Suspected outbreaks, or interceptions, of E. excrescens on growing plants should
be reported to the local Defra Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate office or to the
PHSI HQ, York (Tel.: 01904 455174, Fax: 01904 455197) and samples should be
submitted to the Central Science Laboratory for identification.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Andrew Halstead, senior entomologist of the RHS, Wisley, sent the initial sample
to CSL. Dr Gillian Watson of the BMNH confirmed the original species
identification and reported several populations of the scale to CSL. David Alford
also notified CSL of a finding in London. Dr John Noyes of the BMNH identified
the Coccophagus. This work was funded by the Plant Health Division, Defra.

REFERENCES

Anon. 2002. Wisteria ‘excrescens’ scale (Eulecanium excrescens). Plant Health Newsletter.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. No. 3 July 2002. 2 pp.

Anon. 2003a. News. New-to-Britain 2002. Wisteria scale (Eulecanium excrescens) The Royal
Horticultural Society. http://www.rhs.org.uk/news/newtop10pests.asp

Anon. 2003b. News and Reviews. New Garden Pests. Crocus, Gardeners by Nature. http://
www.crocus.co.uk/whatsgoingon/sciencenews

Anon. 2003c. Alien Creatures. Wisteria Scale Insect (Eulecanium excresens). Down Garden
Services. http://www.dgsgardening. btinternet.co.uk/aliens.htm

Anon. 2003d. Foreign pests are feasting on our plants. Bugwatch.info, In the news. http://
www.bugwatch.info/InTheNews.html

Anon. 2003e. Rural News. Visiting bugs threaten British plants. NFU Countryside. http://
www.nfucountryside.org.uk/news/shownews.asp?newsid = 637

Deng, D.L. 1985. Anthribus niveovariegatus (Reolofs)—a natural enemy of Eulecanium
excrescens Ferris. Plant Protection (Zhiwu Baohu) 11, 14-15.

Essig, E.O. 1958. Insects and Mites of Western North America. Macmillan, NY. 1050 pp.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 49

Gianfrancesco, R. 2002. Foreign Foes. Gardening Which? August 2002. 354-7.

Gill, R.J. 1988. The scale insects of California. Part 1. The soft scales (Homoptera: Coccoidea:
Coccidae), California Department of Food and Agriculture, Technical Series in
Agriculture Biosystematics and Plant Pathology No. 1.

Kosztarab, M. 1996. Scale Insects of the Northeastern North America: Identification, Biology &
Distribution. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publication 3. Martinsville,
USA. 650 pp.

MacLeod, A. & Matthews, L. 2003. Pest risk analysis for Eulecanium excrescens. Central
Science Laboratory, UK. 5 pp.

Malumphy, C. & Matthews, L. 2002. Wisteria scale Eulecanium excrescens (Ferris). Plant Pest
Notice No. 33. Central Science Laboratory, UK. 3 pp.

Whitsey, F. 2003. Oh dear: more predators on the horizon. 01/02/2003. www.telegraph.co.uk/
gardening.

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

Recent records of scarcer Ephemeroptera from Southern England.—Although rated
as RDB2 in Bratton (1991) Ephemera lineata Eaton (Ephemeridae) is locally
abundant in the Reading area on the Kennet and Holybrook, and also from the
Tilehurst area where it can be abundant at light (Chris Raper, pers. comm.). Light
trapping at Burghfield Mill (SU6770) in July 2003 attracted large numbers of E.
lineata, and E. vulgata L. Ephemera danica Miller was the rarest of the three in the
district, and only found close to the Holybrook, (SU6871), the silty sections of
which, also yielded several distinctive larvae of Brachycercus harrisella Curtis
(Caenidae) in May 2003.

On 28th June 2004, I caught a single adult male E. /ineata in Bushy Park (TQ 1469)
approximately 200m from the Thames. This appears to be the first modern record
from the London area, and the first in Middlesex since 1902. Previous records from
VC21 were from Teddington in 1901, and Laleham in 1902. Subsequently, adults
proved to be widespread and abundant on foliage, especially on lower branches of
trees across the park, throughout July into early August. Given the distribution of
adults, it would appear likely that it is breeding in the Longford River which crosses
the park.

On 20th May 2004, I saw three male mayflies performing a ‘yo-yoing? display flight
adjacent to a recently created shallow pond, remote from any significant flowing
water on Carswell Golf Course, Oxfordshire (SU3396). I caught one which proved to
be FE. vulgata, a puzzling record given the suggested association with muddy-
bottomed rivers.

Siphlonurus armatus Eaton (Siphlonuridae) is described as being associated with
lakes, ponds and slow flowing streams and rivers (Elliot & Humpesch, 1983). In Botany
Bay-Fisher Lane Woods, Surrey (SU9834) this species occurs in small ephemeral
streams, which are often reduced in summer to a series of stony bottomed pools, in
which larvae were often abundant. It was first recorded in the late 1970s (Don Tagg
pers. comm.), and was still present in the early 1990s at least. - JONTY DENTON,
Kingsmead, Wield Road, Medstead, Hampshire, GU34 5NJ. JontyDenton@aol.com.

REFERENCE

Bratton, J.H. 1991. A review of the scarce and threatened Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera of Great
Britain. Peterborough, JNCC.

Elliot, J.M. & Humpesch, U.H. 1983. A key to the adults of British Ephemeroptera, with notes on
their ecology. Freshwater Biological Association Key No. 47.

50 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Adults of the Horse Chestnut Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hb.) (Lepidoptera:
Geometridae) occur throughout the year on the Purbeck heaths, Dorset — On reading
through the details of the emergence times of Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hb.)
(Horse Chestnut) in the excellent recently published field guide of Waring and
Townsend (2003), I was surprised to find that they still give the main emergence
periods as April/May and August, with just a passing mention to ‘odd records from
January and November’. This was certainly not my experience when I operated a
Rothamsted Light Trap (200 W Tungsten bulb) nightly for six years during 1971—
1976. The trap was located in open mature lowland heath on the RSPB’s Arne
Nature Reserve, which is situated on a peninsula on the western side of Poole
Harbour, Dorset.

I recently located copies of my Rothamsted trap data and find that other than for
the occasional bulb failure, the light trap was run continuously between 1.1.1971 and
31.xu1.1976. The trap was placed in a shallow valley of open mature dry heath on the
southern edge of Arne Heath (map reference SY 98 970877). The vegetation was
dominated by mature Calluna vulgaris (L.) (Ling), with some Erica cinerea L. (Bell
Heather). There was also a little Pteridium aqulinum (L.) (Bracken), a scattering of
Betula pendula Roth (Silver Birch), some at least 20 years old and to the south and
southwest of the trap 50m away were a few mature Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots Pine)
and P. pinaster Aiton (Maritime Pine) but mostly <15 year old invading Scots Pine
and bushes of Rhododendron ponticum L. (Rhododendron). The trap was deliberately
located to catch primarily lowland heath species.

The catches of P. hippocastanaria are given in Table 1, together with the number of
months that it was recorded during the six years. In the period October—January a
total of 19 insects was caught, with the exception of two on 8.x.1971, all were single
individuals. There were no February records during 1971—1973 but in the next three
years it was recorded in small numbers (1—12) scattered through the month, with an
exceptional catch of 56 on 26.11.1976. During March, there was an increase of records
spread through the month, usually of 1—8 individuals but 16 on 3.111.1976.

Table 1. The occurrence of Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Horse Chestnut) during 1971-1976
from a Rothamsted light trap located on lowland heath at Arne Nature Reserve, Dorset.

No. of years Total no. of Total number Range of 6 year
Month occurred nights recorded recorded catch size monthly mean
January 5 il 7 | |e?
February 3 18 105 1-56 hss)
March 6 23 97 1-16 16.2
April 6 42 156 1-18 26.0
May 5) 20 26 1-6 4.3
June 6 29 62 1-23 10.3
July 6 124 1096 1-70 182.7
August 6 114 582 1-39 97.0
September 3) DS i 1-12 12.0
October 3} 4 5 1-2 0.8
November 3 4 4 l OW
December YD, 3 3 1 0.5

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 51

I raise the matter of ‘early and late’ emergence with reference to the on-going
discussions concerning climate change and global warming. These so-called ‘early
and late’ emergences would appear to be of normal occurrence 40 years ago on
the Purbeck heaths. Might the apparent dearth of records be as a result of
lepidopterists not running light traps on open lowland heath between January—
March and November—December? Because of this, the small but regular emergence
in these months on these southern heaths has gone unnoticed. The value of the
Rothamsted trap, if placed in a particular habitat, is that the catch can be generally
associated with the general environs of the trap site. This trap was sited on open
heath that would have been contiguous with over 250 ha of lowland heath. From the
data presented it would suggest that at least on the Purbeck heaths,
P. hippocastanaria occurs throughout the year but in small numbers during the
winter months. It is interesting to note from the Rothamsted Insect Survey trap at
Yarner Wood, Devon, which borders heathland, that this species was recorded
regularly during 1992 from mid-March onward (Riley, 1993).

If these records were associated with the current time, we would probably be
suggesting that this could be an effect of milder winters, which we are now
experiencing in south Dorset. However, the records presented refer to the early
1970s, when winters were colder, with regular hard frosts and some snow were the
norm.

The data would also suggest that the main time for emergence in this part of the
country for the first brood is February to April, and for the second brood from July
to August.

REFERENCES

Riley, A. (1993). Important Lepidoptera records from the Rothamsted Insect Survey national
light-trap network. Entomologist’s Gazette 44: 173-177.

Waring, P. & Townsend, M. (2003). Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland.
British Wildlife Publishing. Hampshire.

BRYAN P. PICKESS,
8 Shaw Drive, Sandford, Wareham, Dorset BH20 7BT

An ant’s home is its castle: further notes on the synanthropy of Lasius brunneus (Latr.)
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae)— Over Christmas 2003 I visited Berkeley Castle,
Gloucestershire, where Castle Director Elizabeth Halls mentioned that they had
ants in the roof timbers within the Great Hall. They had been brought down with
debris throughout the summer for at least the previous two years when the cleaners
had swept one of the stone corbels. Being rather intrigued by the idea of ants nesting
in wooden timbers 16 feet up inside a 13th century room, I requested that some of
these ants be collected when they were next found.

In mid-May 2004, I discovered a jar of sawdust from the Castle on my desk. The
sawdust contained a number of dead ants and they were identified as Lasius brunneus
(Latrielle). This species is very abundant at Whitcliff Deer Park nearby, where it
inhabits its more usual habitat of tree trunks. Here I have confirmed it from Quercus
robur L., Aesculus hippocastanum L. and Crataegus monogyna Jacq., and have also
seen it on Malus domestica Borkh. elsewhere.

Jones (2003) notes that this species had been found raiding a tin of biscuits,
though they may have originated from outside. Attewell (2004) reports four

52 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

occasions of the species either entering buildings to raid food cupboards, or dwelling
within the wooden timbers of buildings and utilising an unknown food source.
However, there was no available food source near the Great Hall and it seemed
unlikely that the roof itself would be able to provide sufficient food, so further
investigation was made.

Having realised that the only food source nearby would be either dead animal
matter within the wooden beams or food outside, the roof was checked. Sure enough,
L. brunneus was found on the masonry, though these appeared to be nesting within
the masonry itself and could be watched entering holes beside one of the stones.
Czechowski et al. (2002) note that the species is occasionally found in brick or stone
buildings, though this may be the first time that this habit has been recorded in the
UK. The only other ant species that was noticed sharing the castle roof with the L.
brunneus were a small number of L. niger (L.) s.s.

Further observation of this colony clearly showed two trails of L. brunneus
workers, one of which was followed about a metre to the carcass of a pill woodlouse
(Armadillidium sp.). The workers were clearly scavenging from this carcass, carrying
small pieces back to the nest.

The other trail led along some electrical cables, which went over the wall and
about three metres down the side of the castle. These cables then fed into a hole in
the wall, where honeybees Apis mellifera L. had made their nest. It is likely, therefore,
that the ants were entering the bee colony and stealing honey. The bees themselves
did not seem concerned and the steady stream of ants moving up and down the
cables indicated that this may have been a major source of food. Certainly, it would
more than make up for the lack of aphids and therefore honeydew on the castle roof,
which is their normal food source (Czechowski et al., 2002).

Another observation was the much smaller size of the masonry nesting L. brunneus
when compared with those from inside the castle. The reasons for this seem unclear,
as 1t would appear that their food supply would not be limiting their maximum size.
One speculation is that the available crevices in the masonry were narrower than the
beetle bore holes in wood that they normally nest in, and that this was in turn
affecting the size of the ants themselves. This would lead to the conclusion that they
do not excavate nest sites themselves, but instead rely entirely upon already available
tunnels and crevices.

—MIKE LUSH, Just Ecology, The Old Wheelwrights, Ham, Berkeley, Gloucestershire
GL13 9QH.

REFERENCES

Attewell, P. J. 2004. Lasius brunneus (Latr.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): house ant, hero and
coward. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 17: 24.

Czechowski, W., Radchenko, A. & Czechowska, W. 2002. The ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae )
of Poland. Museum and Institute of Zoology PAS, Warsaw.

Jones, R.A. 2003. Lasius brunneus (Latr.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) found indoors. British
Journal of Entomology and Natural History 16: 219.

Female Oriental Fruit Moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
reared from larva found in nectarine—On 12 September 2003 I purchased a 1kg
punnet of nectarines from the Lidl supermarket in Shirley, Southampton, Hampshire
(VC 11), when I noticed a bore-hole in one of the fruits. The punnet-label specified
the nectarines, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nectarina (Aiton), as being Italian

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 53

variety Stark Red Gold. On carefully prising the flesh apart I found an orange-pink
larva, which I placed in a 7.5x5x2.5cm transparent Perspex box with fresh
nectarine pieces. The food was replaced daily, but after the first day the larva showed
a tendency to wander away from the food without feeding. By 14 September it had
started spinning up in an upper corner of the box and on 17 September it pupated.
The moth emerged on 28 September 2003, and was provisionally classified as
Grapholita |= Cydia] molesta on the basis of a description (Bradley ef al., 1979) and
summary Internet images of the larva and exhibited as such at the BENHS Annual
Exhibition on 8 November 2003. Damage incurred during setting had prevented the
adult from being reliably distinguished from G. funebrana (Treitschke) on the basis of
wing morphology, and the specimen was therefore handed to Kevin Tuck, at the
Natural History Museum, London, for confirmation. Dissection of the genitalia
confirmed that it was indeed G. molesta, a female, based on comparison with the
illustration in Razowski (2001). I am also grateful to the museum for providing
photomicrographs of the slide preparation. These were produced using the
Synoptics'™ Imaging System, a Microsoft Windows-based system that analyses
the field of view 10 pixels at a time at progressive focusing distances through the
preparation, recording at each distance those components of the image which are in
focus, and then combines these sets of components to give a sharp entire image.
Separate photomicrographs of the bursa, sterigma and ostium were provided, and
were then joined using the Adobe Photoshop image-editing program to produce the
photograph shown in Fig. 1.

This specimen is the third G. mo/esta known to have been reared in Hampshire
from imported fruit (see Goater & Norriss, 2001). However, the number reported by

Fig. 1. Genitalia of the female Grapholita molesta. Diagnostic features are the corpus bursa (at
bottom) bearing two spine-like signa, and the sterigma (indicated by arrow) surrounding the
ostium. For comparison see also Bradley er al. (1979). For explanation of genital anatomy see
Scoble (1995). Dissection and photomicrography by Kevin R. Tuck.

54 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

consumers will almost certainly be lower than the total they encounter, on account of
their tendency to discard infested fruit without further consideration. At the same
time, the poor provision on the part of the UK agricultural pest monitoring agencies
of specimens suitable for preservation has resulted in a paucity of genuine British
adventives in museum collections. An enquiry to the distributors, Milani & Fragor
Group S.p.A. of Verona, Italy identified the fruit batch and accordingly the insect as
having originated from northern Italy, though they were unable to trace the specific
locality. Following Mr Tuck’s request, I was delighted to donate the specimen,
together with the pupal exuviae and punnet-label, to the Natural History Museum
collection where these are all now safely housed.—L. WINOKUR, Flat 3, Charles
Court, 7 Darwin Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO15 SBS.

REFERENCES

Bradley, J. D., Tremewan, W. G. & Smith, A. 1979. British Tortricoid Moths. Tortricidae:
Olethreutinae. Ray Society, London. (Reproduced and released on CD in 2004 by Pisces
Publications, Lymington, Hampshire).

Goater, B. & Norriss, T. 2001. Moths of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Pisces Publications,
Newbury and Hampshire County Council.

Razowski, J. 2001. Die Tortriciden Mitteleuropas. F. Slamka, Bratislava.

Scoble, M. J. 1995. The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity. The Natural History
Museum and Oxford University Press.

Ten additions to the Heteroptera (Hemiptera) of Cornwall.—During the course of a
detailed review of the Cornish bug fauna it has become apparent that a number of
new county records have been made over the past fifteen years: Kleidocerys resedae
(Panzer), Vicarage Cliff, Morwenstow (SS11), one at flowers of Cochlearia danica
close to a wet valley with alders, 18.iv.2003; Cymus melanocephalus Fieber, Dizzard
Wood (SX19), one swept, 13.vii.1989; Physatocheila smreczynskii China, Boconnoc
Park (SX15), beaten from old orchard apple trees, 20.v.1990; Nabis lineatus
Dahlbom, Cam Draught, Crackington (SX19), one in cattle-grazed wet valley with
Molinia tussocks, 11.vii.1989; Himacerus apterus (Fab.), Boconnoc Park (SX15), off
an open-grown hawthorn, 20.v.1990, and Ethy Park (SX15), 30.v.2000; Psallus
wagneri Ossiannilsson, Dizzard Wood (SX19), male dissected, 10.v11.2001; Orthoce-
phalus coriaceus (Fab.), Pednvadan, Porthcurnick (SW83), 20.viii.2002; Hetero-
cordylus genistae (Scopoli), Lower Predannack Cliff (SW61), swept from Genista
tinctoria, 14.vi.1989; Lizard Point (SW61), G. tinctoria, 15.vi.1989; Pedngwinian,
Gunwalloe, Penrose Estate (SW62), plentiful on G. tinctoria, 5.vi.1989; Orthotylus
viridinervis (Kirschbaum), Nare Head (SW93), beaten from elm, 4.vii.1989, and
Cotehele (SX46), 21.vi.1989; Mecomma dispar (Boheman), Millook Valley (SX19),
single male swept, 10.vu1.2001.

The results of the full county review will be published in due course. Anyone with
bug records which they have not previously forwarded to the county records centre is
invited to send the details to me as soon as possible if they would like them included.

Thanks to the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
for access to their county record compilation and to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Federation of Biological Recorders for encouragement to publish. — KEITH N. A.
ALEXANDER, 59 Sweetbrier Lane, Heavitree, Exeter EX1 3AQ.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 55

OBITUARY

DAVID ALFRED PORTER
1940-2003

David Alfred Porter was born in Bridport, Dorset on 24 October 1940. Son of a
stone mason and a children’s nurse he died on 21 July 2003 aged 62, after a long and
bravely fought illness. He was educated at Grove School, St Ronan’s School and
Bridport Grammar School and after taking his ‘A’ levels in Biology and Chemistry,
moved to Saffron Walden, Essex, for his first teaching appointment in October 1959
where he taught general subjects including English, History, Agricultural Science and
Games at the local Technical and Secondary Modern School. In October 1960 David
enrolled for a three year course at Westminster Teacher Training College.
Afterwards he taught Biology at Barnwell Secondary Modern School at Stevenage,
Herts and in 1964 initiated the school’s Natural History Society and soon found
room in his laboratory for moth emergence cages and store boxes for insect
collections. The society proved so popular that at one time over 100 of the school’s
700 pupils were members! David subsequently moved into an old rectory that
adjoined the school and with its sizeable basement the society’s storage space was
expanded to include tropical freshwater fish, animal hutches and even a tank of marine
crustaceans. Between September 1966 and June 1970, David undertook a University of
London external degree in Botany and Zoology with Geology as a subsidiary and
continued to teach at Stevenage whilst attending classes at Luton College.

Following his marriage to Celia Susan Furness on 29 July 1972 at St Mary’s
Church, Shephall, Stevenage, David moved to Hailsham, East Sussex where he was
appointed Head of Biology at the town’s Comprehensive School. He took early
retirement in 1993 and this at last allowed him to devote more time to entomology.

David joined the society in 1987 and his entomological interests are recorded as
Coleoptera, Heteroptera and Diptera. In fact David took an active interest in all
insect Orders, but beetles were always his favourite group. He travelled to many

56 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

parts of Britain in pursuit of his hobby but was especially fond of the coastal cliffs
near his birthplace in Dorset and it was his ambition to publish an update to the list
of Coleoptera recorded from that county. David also made several noteworthy
entomological discoveries in Dorset and Sussex. He was co-author of a paper
introducing the lygaeid bug Nysius senecionis (Schilling) to Britain (Hodge & Porter,
1997). Other important finds included the fourth British specimen of Platycis
cosnardi (Chevrolat) (Col., Lycidae) in June 1984 near Duncton, West Sussex
(Porter, 1987), Annomatus deikei Reitter (Col., Bothrideridae) in 1995 in a
subterranean pitfall trap set in his Hailsham garden (Porter, 1998), Gronops
inaequalis Boheman (Col., Curculionidae) from the Crumbles near Eastbourne in 1996
(Porter, 1998), the subterranean weevil Raymondionymys marqueti Aube (Raymondio-
nymiidae) in a subterranean pitfall trap set in his father’s garden at Bridport, Dorset in
1997 (Porter, 1998), and he was the first to find a British male of Bruchidius varius
(Olivier) (Col., Bruchidae) in September 1996 on a road verge near Plumpton, East
Sussex, thus solving the mystery of its specific identity (Hodge, 1997).

The photograph above captures David’s sense of humour perfectly and it is fitting
that this one was chosen for publication. Even when incapacitated by illness, David
retained his enthusiasm for entomology. For example, on a bright sunny day in early
May 2003, after what was to be his penultimate appointment at Eastbourne District
General Hospital, Celia drove him onto the Downs, and although not strong enough
to walk unaided and sweep at the same time, he was still on the look out for
opportunities to do a little collecting. So, as they drove home along the coast road
towards Birling Gap, David held his sweep net out of the sun roof, the material
billowing as the car moved along! He was still interested and wondered what was ‘out
and about’ to the very end.

David’s collections of immaculately mounted British insects, mainly Coleoptera
but also some Diptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera, have been donated to the
Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton. Our sincere condolences are extended
to David’s widow Celia, his son Richard, daughter Vanessa and his father Albert.

Much of the above information was extracted from ‘‘A tribute to David Alfred
Porter, 24th October 1940—21st July 2003” prepared and read at David’s funeral
service on 29 July 2003 at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Hellingly, East Sussex
by his son Richard. A copy of the full text will be stored in the BENHS archives at
Dinton Pastures.

PETER HODGE

REFERENCES

Hodge, P.J. 1997. Bruchidius varius (Olivier) (Chrysomelidae) new to the British Isles.
Coleopterist 5: 65—68.

Hodge, P.J. & Porter, D.A. 1997. Nysius senecionis (Schilling) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) new to
the British Isles. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 10: 1-2.

Porter, D. A. 1987. Platycis cosnardi (Chevrolat) (Col., Lycidae) in West Sussex. Entomologist’s
Monthly Magazine 123: 106.

Porter, D.A. 1998. Gronops inaequalis Boheman (Curculionidae) in East Sussex. In Hodge, P.J.
(Ed.): Coleoptera report for 1997 Annual Exhibition. British Journal of Entomology and
Natural History 11: 109-110.

Porter, D.A. 1998. Raymondionymys marqueti Aube (Raymondionymiidae) in Dorset. In
Hodge, P.J. (Ed.): Coleoptera report for 1997 Annual Exhibition. British Journal of
Entomology and Natural History 11: 109-110.

Porter, D.A. 1998. Anommatus diekei Reitter (Bothrideridae) in East Sussex. In Hodge, P.J.
(Ed.): Coleoptera report for 1996 Annual Exhibition. British Journal of Entomology and
Natural History (1997) 10: 176.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 57

REVIEWS

Dead Wood: A key to Biodiversity. Proceedings of the International Symposium,
Mantova (Italy), 29-31 May 2003. Edited by F. Mason, G. Nardi and M. Tisato.
Sherwood 95, Suppl. 2, 100 pp. A4 card-bound report. ISBN 88-901223-0-7.
Available from Corpo Forestale dello Stato, Centro Nazionale per lo Studio e la
Conservazione della Biodiversita Forestale, Via C. Ederle 16 a, 37100 Verona, Italy.
Also available on the website www.cnbfverona.org.

Another publication from the dynamic National Centre for the Study and
Conservation of Forest Biodiversity at Mantova in Italy. The title is more of a strap-
line since the publication is really a series of conference papers based around the
general theme of the role of dead wood conservation in maintenance and
enhancement of forest biodiversity. The delegates also had a round-table session
which resulted in the formulation of a three point ‘““Recommendation” on the dead
wood issue, for transmission to institutional and European Union bodies. This is
perhaps the most important outcome of the Symposium and is repeated here as the
BENHS’s own contribution to spreading the word.

The Mantova Symposium ‘Saproxylic’s’ Recommendation

“The participants in the symposium ‘Dead wood: a key to biodiversity’, held in
Mantova, May 2003, recommend, on the basis of the information provided by the
presentations during the course of the meeting that:

1. A workshop at international level be arranged between specialists in the study of
saproxylic flora (including fungi, lichens and mosses) and fauna (vertebrate and
invertebrate) and those responsible for managing and monitoring forests selected
for inclusion in the Natura 2000 series of sites, with a view to reviewing
maintenance of these organisms and how they might be used in monitoring forest
conditions, in different types of forest and different parts of Europe, taking (at
least) one forest in each EU member State as a case study and with the particular
objective of identifying any procedures that might be open to standardisation.

2. The saproxylic species mentioned as characteristic/typical of forest types within
the Interpretation Manual of the Habitats Directive be augmented, to cover a
greater diversity of the threatened habitats listed in the Directive.

3. Urgent consideration be given to how a computerised database can be provided,
of the biological information available for the saproxylics listed as characteristic/
typical in the Interpretation Manual, for use as an interpretative tool in all
member States.”

I think that we would all support this recommendation, although with the
reservation that existing EU devices remain inadequate for promoting long-term
conservation of saproxylic communities. The underlying basis for the Natura 2000
series of sites remains the CORINE vegetation classification system which does not
adequately recognise the importance of such vital structural components as living
ancient trees and the wood-pasture management systems which favour the greatest
structural diversity. This has made it difficult—if not impossible—to get many of our
Own important saproxylic sites added to the Natura 2000 series. And conservation of
sites alone will undoubtedly prove inadequate in the absence of sympathetic land
management throughout the landscape. Invertebrate populations are dynamic, and
site-based measures will not promote successful conservation in isolation.

58 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Also the Symposium’s definition of a saproxylic organism as ‘‘a species dependent,
at some stage in its life cycle, upon the dead wood of senescent trees or fallen timber,
or upon other saproxylics” is woefully inadequate. Decaying wood is produced by all
trees, not just senescent ones. Live healthy trees produce more decaying wood in the
long term than dead or dying trees. This is an important message and it is
disappointing to see tree ecology so poorly understood by this gathering of experts.
This definition somehow promotes morbidity rather than vitality in forest
conservation.

Returning to the various papers. These are either in English or Italian (with or
without an English summary) and cover such diverse subjects as: bird and beetle
communities in a 30 year old non-intervention forest in Germany, floodplain
saproxylic invertebrates in the Czech Republic, a review of hermit beetle Osmoderma
eremita (Scopoli) conservation in southern Europe, knowledge of the scarab
Eupotosia mirifica (Mulsant) across Europe, work on the weevil Gasterocercus
depressirostris (F.) in northern Italy, a description of the development and use of
rearing boxes filled with wood shavings, management proposals for increasing the ©
amounts of dead wood in forests, educational experiences with promoting dead
wood, dead wood in French and Swedish managed forests, and a description of the
LIFE project in Bosco Della Fontana, Italy.

Key papers, in my view, are a paper on the dynamics of wood-decaying fungi by
Pertti Renvall of Finland, and a discussion of the “‘development of eco-friendly
forestry practices in Europe and the maintenance of saproxylic biodiversity” by
Martin Speight and Jervis Good from Ireland. The former is a valuable contribution
to helping entomologists to understand the dynamics of decaying wood, while the
latter covers the vitally important point that maintenance of quantities of coarse
woody debris—so beloved of foresters—is largely irrelevant to the maintenance of
biodiversity in saproxylic hoverflies. The authors quite rightly point out that this
overlooks the importance of decay micro-habitats in live trees and it is good to see
this being so forcefully stated outside of a purely entomological gathering.

Overall, this is a key publication for those of us involved in the conservation of
saproxylic organisms, and will be especially valuable for site managers as well as
people working at the strategic level in conservation.

KEITH N. A. ALEXANDER

Bumblebees by Murdo Macdonald. (Battleby: Scottish Natural Heritage, 2003)
36 pp. Paperback £4.95. ISBN 1 85397 364 5.

This book is an excellent short introduction to bumblebees, with enjoyable text
and superb photographs. It is highly recommended.

The book is organised under eight main sections. The first asks what is special
about bumblebees and explains the names given to them. The second, on foraging,
emphasises their importance as pollinators. The third outlines their life cycle and
how cuckoo bumblebees parasitise colonies of the other social species. Next are
comments on flight and why bumblebees sting. There is a longer, nicely illustrated,
fifth section on their habitats, followed by sections on threats and conservation. A
final section addresses finding further information.

A short book like this can only give a taste, but can entice readers to find out more
about a group. Although bumblebees are already popular, these photographs will
certainly help to capture attention. There are beautiful illustrations of several
attractive bumblebees that are particularly associated with Scotland, including the

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 59

dark island form of Bombus muscorum (L.), the rare B. distinguendus Morawitz and
the colourful B. monticola Smith.

The information on bumblebee habitats and conservation should help to
encourage people to look more closely at their local bees and at what those bees
are doing. If one has to find an area where such a book might be strengthened, it
might be in providing more detailed guidance towards further information on
bumblebee biology and identification, particularly on the web, and towards
involvement in the different recording activities. The author has done a good and
original job in a limited space, so that the book should have very broad appeal.

PAUL WILLIAMS

Dragonflies of Bedfordshire by Steve Cham. Bedfordshire Natural History Society,
2004, 139pp, 157 colour photographs. Hardback £24.50+ £2.50 postage and
packing. ISBN 0 9506521 7 2. Available from Mrs S. E. Brooke, 18 Park Hill,
Teddington, Beds LUS 6AW.

This latest addition to the growing number of county dragonfly books is much
more than just a distribution atlas. It has information about dragonflies which will be
of interest to all entomologists. Almost every page has one or more excellent colour
photographs and each species found in Bedfordshire has a county distribution map
and also a map showing the distribution for Britain in general. The species accounts
are laid out in a more informal manner than those of most other county books and
include interesting field notes of the author’s personal observations and also some
from other observers in Bedfordshire. The usual notes on habitat, status, flight
period and records past and present are of course also included. More general
information specific to Bedfordshire includes articles on watching dragonflies,
collecting records, and habitats for dragonflies. However, much of this is useful
information that can be applicable to other counties also. There are several
appendices, one of which is devoted to the British Dragonfly Society’s Code of
Practice. One particularly interesting article is concerned with the different methods
of distribution mapping currently in use, illustrating the various degrees of accuracy
achievable depending on the method adopted by the recorder.

The author, Steve Cham, is a well known and respected active member of the
British Dragonfly Society. His book is a testimony to his hard work and great
knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, these beautiful and fascinating insects, and to his
skill and patience with photographic equipment. I have to agree with the writer of the
Foreword, Ruary Mackenzie Dodds, who states ‘“‘Steve’s book sets a standard for
others to follow’. It is also a useful and worthwhile addition to any dragonfly
enthusiast’s library, whether they be a resident of Bedfordshire or from another part
of the country.

JOHN BROOK

The Dragonflies of Europe (revised edition) by R. R. Askew. (Colchester: Harley
Books, 2004). 308pp. Hard cover £30.00. ISBN 0 946589 75 5.

The increased attention focussed up dragonflies and damselflies over the past
15 years has resulted in a greater understanding of the biology and distribution of
Odonata around the world. While there have been many popular titles on dragonflies

60 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

and damselflies to compliment this increase in interest, “The Dragonflies of Europe’
by Richard Askew remains as one of the most useful texts on the Odonata fauna of
Europe. First published in 1987, the text in this revised edition remains broadly
similar to that of the original, however minor corrections have been made to the text
and details of ten new European species of Odonata have been included.

The introduction to this title is clear and concise and provides a sound basic
understanding of the biology and ecology of the subject matter. The main body of
the book is devoted to detailed descriptions of the European fauna. Taxonomic keys
to both adults and larvae are provided, together with detailed descriptions of the
adult, their biology, European distribution and flight period.

Particular points in the descriptions are emphasised by the use of clear line
drawings. In addition, figures of the whole insects are included on 30 colour plates,
however these are collected together at the end of the book rather than alongside the
relevant description.

This book has another somewhat irritating feature. Although this is a revised
edition, revisions to the text are grouped together in a supplement at the end of the
volume, rather than being inserted into the text at the relevant point. This results in
the reader having to flick backwards and forwards between the main text and the
supplement to ensure that the page you are reading is correct. Fortunately, the list of
revisions 1s not extensive, and mainly relates to changes in nomenclature.

The 10-page supplement also provides brief descriptions of species that have been
recognised from Europe since the publication of the original text. The remainder of
the supplement is devoted to describing changes in the recorded ranges of species
within Europe, and a list of new distribution records for individual countries.

The list of references included at the end of this book is impressive, containing 650
pieces of literature pertaining to the Odonata fauna of Europe and beyond. This
revised edition also includes references to the European fauna that have been
published since the publication of the original text.

In summary, ‘The Dragonflies of Europe’ remains one of the best all round texts
available. It combines a detailed introduction to the subject with the necessary
descriptions and keys to allow the identification of dragonflies and damselflies from
across Europe.

CRAIG MACADAM

Arthropods of economic importance: Diaspididae of the world. CD-ROM by G.W.
Watson, (2002). Expert Center for Taxonomic Identification (ETI), University of
Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Mac and Windows versions on one CD-ROM. ISBN
90-75000-48-0. Suggested retail price £77.95 excluding VAT and p.p. Order from:
ETI Information Services Ltd, 83 Clifton Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 I NJ;
tel: +44 (0)118 962 7072.

Armoured scale insects are important agricultural, horticultural and forestry pests
that are difficult to identify. This CD-ROM holds an interactive identification guide
and information source on economically important diaspidids of the world. It aims
to enable agricultural entomologists working in agriculture, horticulture and forestry
and plant quarantine inspectors to identify the most important species for
themselves. The CD-ROM contains a pictorial key to adult females of 100 species
in 48 genera, detailed information on their taxonomy, and information on their host-
plants, biology and ecology, economic impact, natural enemies, distribution and

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 61

common names. Diagnostic characters, distribution and host-plant information are
provided on a further 85 similar species.

This work was prepared using the most recent literature from the best experts in
the field and illustrations provided by numerous scientists, institutes and publishers
around the world. It includes full identification and datasheet coverage of 25 species
known to occur in Britain: Acutaspis perseae (Comstock), Aonidia lauri (Bouche),
Aspidiotus destructor Signoret, A. nerii Bouche, Aulacaspis rosae (Bouche),
Carulaspis minima (Signoret), Chionaspis salicis (L.), Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.),
Diaspidiotus ostreaeformis (Curtis), D. pyri (Lichtenstein), Diaspis boisduvalii
Signoret, D. echinocacti Bouche, Dynaspidiotus britannicus (Newstead), Furchadaspis
zamiae (Morgan), Hemiberlesia cyanophylli (Signoret), H. Jlataniae (Signoret),
Ischnaspis _ longirostris (Signoret), | Kuwanaspis — pseudoleucaspis | (Kuwana),
Lepidosaphes pinnaeformis (Bouche), L. ulmi (L.), Parlatoria proteus (Curtis), Pinnaspis
aspidistrae (Signoret), P. buxi (Bouche), P. strachani (Cooley) and Pseudaulacaspis
pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti).

This is the first up to date account for at least SO years of the most economically
important species of diaspidid scale found in the British Isles. Although not a
complete account of the British fauna, this work will go a long way to filling the gaps
in our knowledge of this fascinating group of insects. The illustrations are superb and
can be zoomed in at with ease to see the fine detail necessary for positive
identification. The CD is worth it just for the illustrations.

System requirements: Windows 95/98/ME, Pentium CPU, Mac OS 8.x/9.x,
PowerPC CPU, 16MB RAM, 4x speed CD-ROM or higher.

JOHN BADMIN

Insect development and evolution by B. S. Heming. (Ithaca: Cornell University
Press, 2003). 444pp. Hard cover £58.50. ISBN 0 8014 3933 7.

No other class of organisms on earth shows as much variation in development
from immature to adult stage as the Insecta. We witness and marvel at the process of
metamorphosis as a dull brown caterpillar gives rise to a brightly-coloured moth or
butterfly. Over the last three decades our understanding of the underlying processes
has been revolutionized by the effective application of developmental genetics and
molecular biology to embryos and larvae of Drosophila culminating in the
publication of its genome in March 2000. The discoveries of the identity and mode
of action of genes specifying the development of larval and adult body plans in
insects and their commonality in other organisms including humans has profound
implications. This book provides a wealth of information on insect development with
chapters on embryogenesis, evolution of larval forms, wing formation and pattern
differentiation in butterflies, polymorphism in eusocial insects (still a lot to be
discovered). The final chapter is devoted to ontogeny and hexapod evolution and
provides an excellent summary account of the evolution of the various orders of
insects that we know today. This is a worthy successor to The Biology of Drosophila
(Demerec, 1965) my treasured bible for many years.

JOHN BADMIN

62 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

FIELD MEETING REPORTS

Slapton Ley, Devon, 30 August 2003

Leader: Roy McCormick. — Car parking spaces were at a premium as we arrived at
19.50h, as there was a bird ringing session in progress at the Field Centre and people
had to park on the roadside. By the time everyone had arrived we numbered 20.
Brian Bewsher brought along a fully-grown larva of Acherontia atropos (L.)
(Death’s-head Hawk-moth), that he had found in a potato field near his home at
Hennock so members could see it. We then set about positioning the twelve light-
traps along the various footpaths and tracks available. These were started around
21.00h on what promised to be a cold night; Mars was spotted rising above the
horizon and many of the constellations could clearly be seen.

After the traps had been running for a while they were inspected, and we found
there was little coming in, with more people present than moths. The trend continued
with little moth activity and so it was decided to call it a night at 23.00h with the
temperature at 9°C, by which time we had recorded a total of 32 species, with the
best of these: one worn Endothenia quadrimaculana (Haw.); one Rhodometra sacraria
(L.) (The Vestal); one very worn Agrius convolvuli (L.) (Convolvulus Hawk-moth);
two Peridroma saucia (Hb.) (Pearly Underwing); one Mythimna unipuncta (Haw.)
(White-speck Wainscot) and one Nonagria typhae (Thunb.) (Bulrush Wainscot).
Despite the cold conditions the meeting was successful with several people seeing
moths they had not encountered before.

Watersmeet, Exmoor, Devon, 1 May 2004

Leaders: Roy McCormick and Barry Henwood—tThe forecast for the night was
rain and in North Devon that is usually the case, but four of us set out from
Teignmouth and hoped for the best. After an hour and a half’s journey we reached
the site and found that most of the people had already arrived; though we waited
until just after 20.00h before we left the meeting spot and drove down into
Watersmeet to place our traps. We had to take into account the large house that is on
the site (Watersmeet House) where a member of the National Trust staff lives.
Sixteen people attended, including one member and his family and another member
with his son; the remainder were mostly Devon Moth Group members. Thirteen
traps were set out along the available tracks and started at dusk.

The main reason for the visit was to look for larvae of Perizoma taeniata
(Stephens) (Barred Carpet), as adults were abundant at the site in the previous year
and it was thought we might have a good chance of finding a larva in the wild as an
indication of a breeding colony. After darkness had fallen, we searched with torches
and lanterns finding larvae of Psychoides filicivora (Meyrick); Elachista regificella
(Sircon); Udea olivalis (D.&S.); Xanthorhoe montanata (D.&8.), (Silver Ground
Carpet); what was thought to be Alcis repandata (L.), (Mottled Beauty); Noctua
comes (Hiibn.) (Lesser Yellow Underwing); Noctua fimbriata (Schreber), (Broad-
bordered Yellow Underwing); what was thought to be YXestia baja (D.&S.) or
Diarsia brunnea (D.&8.), (Dotted Clay or Purple Clay); Mormo maura (L.), (Old
Lady) and Hypena proboscidalis (L.), (Snout) were found. Alan Jenkins found a
couple of small geometrid larvae on the flower/seed heads of Luzula sylvatica
(Woodrush) and a couple of us picked a bag of these heads to see if anything was
present when we got home; a few small larvae were found and they are being bred
through.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 63

The traps were looked at after we had just about given up searching for larvae and
a good number of species had come in, although despite the night being reasonably
warm at 11°C with a cloud cover, there were few individuals, but we still finished up
with 40 adult species with the best of these: four Achlya flavicornis L., (Yellow
Horned); one Eupithecia dodoneata Guenée, (Oak-tree Pug); one Selenia lunularia
Hiibn., (Lunar Thorn); two Lithophane hepatica Clerck (Pale Pinion) and one Xylena
yetusta Hiibn. (Red Sword-grass). Most of us had cleared the site by around 01.00h
with Peter Franghiadi, a DMG member, staying for the night; his effort produced
eight more species to the list of 32 that had been recorded when we left.

Footnote: despite all our efforts, none of us managed to breed the larvae through.

Hatfield Forest, Essex, 15 May 2004

Leader: Stuart Warrington (SW). Twelve entomologists belonging to BENHS and
Essex Field Club met by the Café in the centre of Hatfield Forest on a bright, warm
spring day. Hatfield Forest is a large (450 ha) National Nature Reserve, owned by
The National Trust, and is one of the best preserved medieval hunting forests in
Britain. The multiple land use is to be seen in the mixed landscape of grazing lawns,
coppice woodland with standards and open pasture woodland with hundreds of
veteran trees. The veteran trees are mostly three to four hundred years old, although
there are several trees that are considerably older. There are pollards of oak, beech,
hornbeam, ash, field maple, crab apple, hawthorn, many of which support mistletoe
and important epiphytic communities of mosses and lichens.

Some rare beetles were known to occur at Hatfield Forest but until the last 15 years
there was surprisingly little regular recording of insects. A detailed Coleoptera survey
by Tony Drane (1999-2000) focussing on the saproxylic species produced an
impressive list. With so many veteran trees and with an abundance of fallen timber
left to decay naturally saproxylic insects were one focus of the day.

The first exciting find was Trichonyx sulcicollis (Reichenbach) (Pselaphidae). Peter
Hammond found this RDB2 saproxylic beetle in an ancient, hollow ash pollard with
litter and powdery wood and many tree ants. This is possibly the first record for
Eastern England. Further rarities found by Peter were the scarce (Na) staphylinid
Xantholinus angularis Ganglbauer |= X. glaber] by sifting litter and wood from the
cavity of an old pollard field maple, the RDB2 Ischnomera caerulea (L.)
(Oedemeridae) with two adults beaten from hawthorn blossom, and five new
localities for Procraerus tibialis (Boisduval & Lacordaire) (Elateridae) RDB3, a
species known from the Forest since 1973.

Peter Hammond added several more saproxylic beetles to the Forest list such as
Ptenidium gressneri Erichson (Ptiliidae) (Notable), Atheta liturata (Stephens)
(Staphylinidae), Euplectus fauveli Guillebeau (Pselaphidae) (Notable), Symbiotes
latus Redtenbacher (Endomychidae) (Notable b) and Aylesinus crenatus (F.)
(Scolytidae). Adding these species to those found by Tony Drane, Nigel Cuming
and others lifts the Saproxylic Species Quality Index (SQI) to 595 and the Index of
Ecological Continuity (IEC) to 91, thus Hatfield Forest is clearly a nationally
important site for this fauna.

There are some significant marshy wetland areas, which are in good condition
because the sources of water come almost entirely from within the Forest, where no
fertiliser or pesticides are used. Over 100 species new to the Forest were recorded in
the marsh and reedbed by the Lake, for example 21 carabid species were found in the
reedbed debris. Shallow pools in the marsh lifted the water beetle total to 43 species by
adding Hydroporus angustatus Sturm (Dytiscidae) and Coelostoma orbiculare (F.)

64 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

(Hydrophilidae) (by SW). Gymnetron villosulum Gyllenhal (Curculionidae) (Nb) was
swept from the marsh by Jerry Bowdrey. Jerry also found, amongst the many galls that
he identified, the galls in the capitulum of Pulicaria (fleabane) of the RDB3 picture-
winged fly Myopites inulaedyssentericae Blot (Tephritidae).

Just above the marsh is an old gravel pit, a significant area of acid grassland in the
clayey soils of north-west Essex. Here Jerry Bowdrey caught the metallic green and
orange ground beetle Lebia chlorocephala (Hoffmannsegg) (Nb).

Heteroptera are often an under-recorded group and this was true for Hatfield
Forest, so it was a pleasure to have Bernard Nau and Sheila Brooke along for the
day. They added over 75 species from this day and a July visit, including the local
Orthops viscicola (Puton) (Miridae) associated with mistletoe, the little pond-skater
Gerris lateralis Schummel (Gerridae) from lakeside Glyceria and the nationally
scarce Psallus albicinctus (Kirschbaum)(Muiridae).

Mike Fox searched for ants (Formicidae) and found many new locations for the
scarce (Nb) tree-dwelling Lasius brunneus (Lat.). He also added Leptothorax
acervorum (F.), Leptothorax nylanderi (Forster), Myrmica rubra (L.) and Myrmica
sabuleti Meinhert, the latter species in the drier soils of the gravel pit and Portingbury
Hills, an ancient monument with chalk soils brought to the surface. For other insect
Orders, there were fewer records, but several were of interest such as Simon Damant
adding the local Xanthogramma pedissequum (Harris) (Syrphidae) to the good list of
70 species of hoverflies compiled for the Forest by Charles Watson.

It is also important to mention that Dave Nellist and Doug Marriott found 42
species of spider on the day, of which six were new to the Forest, bringing the site
total to 190 species.

This was an extremely productive day with over 500 species records submitted,
including a number of nationally rare and scarce species. Hatfield Forest is a very large
site and few people venture far from the central car-park and café. There are plenty of
new species to find and in the western coppices you won’t see anyone all day!

Rushy Meadows, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, 21 May 2004

Leaders: Paul Waring (PW) & Martin Townsend (MT).—This was the sixth and
concluding meeting of the planned five year series and with it Rushy Meadows has
now been visited by the BENHS to record moths and other invertebrates in every
month from April to September (see references below). The meetings have spanned
the first five years of a management agreement between the private land-owner and
English Nature and have helped to monitor and record the results. This was an
evening meeting only and was attended by seven of us, on a Friday night before a
field meeting in Bernwood Forest the next day. We met at 20.00h which gave us over
one hour of daylight for a good walk around the site and for beating the hedgerows
for larvae before setting up light-traps. The earlier part of the week had been hot and
sunny but a cold front had arrived the day before the meeting and this evening was a
cool one. It proved to be a cold night too, with the air temperature falling to 4°C by
23.00h and a dew forming. Otherwise all weather factors were favourable. It was
calm and dry, after a sunny day and there was only a crescent moon after dark. The
Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) was tall in the grassy verges of the bridle-way
that runs from Kidlington over the canal and along the south end of the Rushy
Meadows to Begbroke. The hedgerows which form the boundaries of the site and
grow along the canal are predominantly Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Common
Hawthorn) and these were all covered in white blossom. As we entered the site we

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 65

Fig. 1. The Rushy Meadows SSSI, Oxfordshire, from the south end (Begbroke Lane), on 21
May 2004 after five years of light-grazing by cattle. (Photo: P. Waring)

were surprised to encounter a chap walking a polecat ferret on a lead but the ferret
seemed to be enjoying itself, running along ahead of its owner and exploring the
verges. The cow parsley on each side of the track was practically meeting across the
bare earth of the centre of the track and the branches of sallows and other trees
arched over it, which was not the case when it was more actively used by the late
farm manager Mr Jefferies, his tractor and his cattle in the 1970s (PW pers. obs.).
Aesthetically, the track looks much more wildlife friendly now, but it will be shadier
and damper by day as a consequence. Both Green woodpecker and Greater-spotted
woodpecker were heard and seen as we climbed over the entrance gate and Song
thrush, Blackbird and Robin were singing from the trees by the track.

On arrival our first objective was to beat the hedgerows for moth larvae, hoping to
find in particular those of the Figure of Eight Diloba caeruleocephala (L.). This is a
species recently reported by the Rothamsted Insect Survey to be experiencing a
national decline in both abundance and distribution, according to data from the
light-trapping network. The Figure of Eight was recorded annually by PW at Park
Farm, adjacent to the Rushy Meadows, when he operated a light-trap there from
1976-1986. Despite beating much of the ample and accessible common hawthorn
and Blackthorn Prunus spinosa L. in the hedgerows at this site, we found no larvae of
the Figure of Eight. However, we found none of the Green-brindled Crescent
Allophyes oxyacanthae (L.) either. This species is much more frequent in the area.
The phenology of the larvae of both species is similar and PW’s conclusion is that 21
May was a little too late to find them in 2004 at this site. He had earlier beaten two
larvae of the Figure of Eight from Castor Hanglands NNR, Northamptonshire, on
22 April 2004, when both were 1—2cm in length.

66 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

The most noteworthy moth larva found while beating the hedgerows on this
meeting was of a Magpie moth Abraxas grossulariata (L.). This is another species
known to be in a protracted decline which has taken place since at least the 1960s, at
least in southern England where it was frequently numerous in gardens, often feeding
as larvae on cultivated privet Ligustrum and on bushes of Ribes nigrum L. (Black
Currant) and R. rubrum L. (Red Currant).

Other species of larvae beaten from hawthorn during this field meeting included
the Early moth Theria primaria (Haw.), Winter moth Operophtera brumata (L.),
Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria (Fab.), Brimstone moth Opisthograptis luteolata
(L.), Short-cloaked Nola cucullatella (L.), Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi (Fab.),
Clouded Drab O. incerta (Hufn.), Dunbar Cosmia trapezina (L.) and Sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx (Hufn.). A larva of the Sallow Xanthia icteritia (Hufn.) was
found and subsequently reared to adult on Goat Willow Salix caprea L. by MT.

An adult Small Yellow Underwing Panemeria tenebrata (Scop.) was beaten
after dark from a flowering bush of Common Hawthorn standing on its own in
the open sward near one of the hedges. This day-flying moth was at rest and it
remained sluggish on the beating tray and was easily boxed, for examination by
everyone before release back on site. Probably the moth was simply using the
bush as a roosting site, but it is possible it had been feeding at the flowers by
day. This is the first time the Small Yellow Underwing has been recorded from
the Rushy Meadows.

Four members of the party continued beating for larvae and netting adult moths
while the leaders set up a total of four Robinson light-traps in time to have them
running by dusk. Lots of Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch.) were seen
on the wing and netted at dusk and released again after inspection.

Once the traps were running and darkness had fallen, a brief search of the open
grassy sward was made for additional species of larvae. A heavy dew was forming by
now and we could see our breath condensing but these conditions did not deter a
number of larvae from climbing herbs and grasses to feed nearer the growing points
and in more exposed positions. Our most noteworthy finds were a single larva of the
Black-neck Lygephila pastinum (Treit.), 3cm in length, on Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca
L. and a Deep Brown Dart Aporophyla lutulenta (D. & S.) also about 3cm long
amongst the herbage. Both were reared to adult. These are the first larval records for
both species from the site. The status of the Blackneck moth on the Rushy Moors
and its environs has been reported in some detail previously (Waring & Townsend,
2001). Adults were recorded on the BENHS field meetings at this site on 22 July 2000
and 15 June 2002 and five were seen on the wing at dusk by PW here on 24 June
1984. The species was only recorded occasionally at the nearby light-trap site at Park
Farm (the first one in 1983). The Deep-brown Dart was recorded from the Rushy
Meadows as adults on the field meeting on 23 September 2000 (Waring & Townsend,
2003a) and was trapped annually at Park Farm.

The catches in the four Robinson light-traps at midnight ranged from four to
twelve moths only, and after recording and releasing them we packed the gear away
and carried the traps off-site. The species comprised Green Carpet, Garden Carpet
Xanthorhoe fluctuata (L.), Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata (Hufn.),
Brimstone moth, Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta (Hbn.), Setaceous Hebrew
Character Xestia c-nigrum (L.), Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens (Hufn.),
Clouded-bordered Brindle A. crenata (Hufn.), Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta
(L.), Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica (Hufn.), The Shears Hada plebeja (L.) and
Campion Hadena rivularis (Fab.). We had recorded more species as larvae than in
the light-traps as adults.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 67

The condition of the sward has changed gradually over time since the first BENHS
field meetings on the site in 2000. This is as a result of the low intensity cattle-grazing
which has taken place as part of the management agreement between the site owner
and English Nature. In the opinion of PW, the changes are for the best and have
brought the site closer to the situation existing in the 1970s and early 1980s. The
dominance of rushes Juncus spp. over much of the site has been reduced from dense
blanketing stands to small clumps and the sward height is more varied and shorter
than in 2000. Ragged Robin Lychnis flos-cuculi L. was in bloom and plentiful and
Meadow-sweet Filipendula ulmaria (L.) was abundant, as previously. There were no
cattle present on site on this visit however. Overgrazing has been avoided. Marsh
Valerian Valeriana dioica L. is one of the wild plants for which the site is important
in Oxfordshire and on 14 May 1984 PW noted that this plant was more frequent in
the areas where farmer Jefferies had mown and then sprayed the rushes with MCPA
herbicide in 1982 and 1983 than where the rushes were dominant and there was less
grass. On that occasion the valerian was in flower and PW was able to count 20-30
flowering heads in two minutes. It would be interesting to survey the valerian again
in the flowering season of 2005 for comparison.

The total number of species of macro-moths recorded from the Rushy Moors as a
result of the six visits by the BENHS now stands at 166, about half the expected total
of resident species. In PW’s experience, an increase in light-trapping frequency, from
once per month to once per week, would probably double the number of species. 98
were new to the list of 79 species compiled by PW from occasional visits during the
1980s. Of those recorded during the early 1980s, all but the following eleven were
found during the BENHS meetings: Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe
ferrugata (Clerck), Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica (Fab.), Least Yellow Underwing
Noctua interjecta (Hbn.), Old Lady Mormo maura (L.), Mottled Beauty Alcis
repandata (L.), Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula (Clerck), Sandy Carpet Perizoma
flavofasciata (Thunb.), Shoulder-striped Wainscot Mythimna comma (L.), Six-spot
Burnet Zygaena filipendulae (L.), Swallow-tailed moth Ourapteryx sambucaria (L.)
and Tawny Pinion Lithophane semibrunnea (Haw.). It is likely, and to be hoped, that
most, if not all, of these eleven will be found given additional search effort.

During the BENHS meetings over the last five years, key species recorded in the
1980s, such as the Black-neck and Magpie moth have been found still breeding on
the site and others such as the Garden Tiger Arctia caja (L.) and Round-winged
Muslin Thumatha senex (Hbn.) have been seen as adults. A number of key species
were discovered on the site for the first time as a result of the BENHS meetings and
are important in an Oxfordshire context, including the Small Yellow Underwing,
Crescent Celaena leucostigma (Hbn.) and Pinion-streaked Snout Schrankia
costaestrigalis (Steph.). Although we failed to find the Sloe Pug Pasiphila chloerata
(Mab.) as larvae during the meeting on 12 April 2003 (Waring & Townsend, 2004),
two adults were recorded to light on the meeting of 15 June 2002 (Waring, 2003). The
White-legged Damselfly Platycnemis pennipes (Pallas) was found to have survived a
past instance of pollution of the stream running through the site and was seen on the
meeting on 22 July 2000, and a range of other invertebrate groups was sampled,
mostly for the first time.

We trust that favourable management will be continued on this site, for the benefit
of all the wildlife and, in particular, that Snipe will once again start to breed here.
Hopefully, the BENHS will have opportunities to re-visit the Rushy Moors in the
future. However, the programme of annual BENHS meetings will now move to
Otmoor, which is another Oxfordshire wetland where PW intends to organise a series
of meetings over the next five years.

68 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

The leaders would like to thank everyone who attended one or more of the
meetings on the Rushy Meadows, and English Nature and the private land-owner for
permission to hold these meetings. Copies of all the reports of these meetings, and
the lists of species recorded, have been supplied to the Moths of Oxfordshire
Recording Scheme, the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
and the local office of English Nature. PW would like to dedicate the reports from
this series of meetings to the memory of the late Angus McCrae who was a stalwart
supporter of the meetings until his terminal illness prevented him attending this last
of the series. Angus features in the photograph illustrating the report of the meeting
of 15 June 2002 (see Waring, 2003).

REFERENCES

Waring, P., 2003. Field meeting report—15 June 2002. Rushy Meadows SSSI, Kidlington,
Oxfordshire. British Journal of Entomology & Natural History 16: 253-254.

Waring, P. & Townsend, M., 2001. Field meeting report: Rushy Meadows SSSI, Kidlington,
Oxfordshire,—22 July 2000. British Journal of Entomology & Natural History 14: 59-64.

— 2003a. Field meeting report—23 September 2000. Rushy Meadows SSSI, Kidlington,
Oxfordshire. Ibid. 16: 51—S3.

— 2003b. Field meeting report—18 August 2001. Rushy Meadows SSSI, Kidlington,
Oxfordshire. Ibid. 16: 66—67.

— 2004. Field meeting report— 12 April 2003. Rushy Meadows SSSI, Kidlington, Oxfordshire.
Ibid. 17: 124-126.

Dinton Pastures, Berkshire, May 22 2004

Leader: David Wedd—The National Moth Day/Night at Dinton Pastures proved
both enjoyable and successful, and was a deserved reward for the careful planning
put in jointly by BENHS and the staff of the Country Park.

The day’s activities fell naturally into three sections. In the morning BENHS
members spent several hours recording all branches of wildlife, and with some good
all-round naturalists in the group, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera,
Odonata and also birds were deemed as important as moths, so an interesting list was
made. For the afternoon session the members were joined by local children and their
families for a variety of activities, including pond-dipping, under the guidance of
Ranger Dave Webster, which resulted in the capture of dozens of sticklebacks as well
as an impressive variety of aquatic insects. The youngsters also learnt how to use
butterfly nets, and to ‘sweep’ vegetation for larvae. There was time as well for a visit
to the BENHS collections and library, and to the Park’s Exhibition Room with its
‘underwater world’ and many paid their first (but surely not their last) visit to
Dinton’s delightful cafe.

The evening was magical. By now, plenty more families had arrived, and after
switching on the various moth-traps, the large group set out on a walk across the
Pastures, between Black Swan and White Swan, the Park’s two biggest lakes. The
swifts and hobbies that had been wheeling overhead in the daylight gave way to
countless bats, visible in the dusk and then, as it grew dark, with their calls picked
out in astonishing clarity by ‘bat detectors’. At Middle Marsh, nightingales, Cetti’s,
reed and sedge warblers, blackcaps, song-thrushes and blackbirds were all singing
together in unforgettable competition. We returned soon after 23.00h, and had
biscuits and drinks, while BENHS Secretary John Muggleton showed slides of moths
that should be flying in May. Then we inspected the traps and although John’s
predictions were very accurate, truth to tell the catch was disappointing. It was a cool
night, and moths were outnumbered by may-bugs. This did not seem to deter

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 69

Figure 1. Members of the public pond dipping at Dinton Pastures. Photo: David Wedd.

youthful enthusiasm, however, and one had to admire the astonishing stamina of the
children, some of whom had been at Dinton in non-stop activity for nearly twelve
hours. Ironically, the temperature must have risen later in the night, for on the
Sunday morning the two traps that had been left out overnight in the Park proved
far more productive. The one at the Sailing Club alone had eight Poplar and one
Eyed hawk-moth.

After such an enjoyable occasion, thanks are due to the BENHS members who
loaned traps and gave their time and knowledge so freely, and to the staff of the
Country Park and in particular the inexhaustible Dave Webster. We hope he enjoyed
his day/night as much as we did!

Species list:

Odonata: Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens Harris, Large Red Damselfly
Pyrrhosoma nymphula Sulzer, Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum
Charp., Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans Vander Linden, Red-eyed Damselfly
Erythromma najas Hans., Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa L.

Lepidoptera: Micropteryx aruncella Scop., M. calthella L., Hepialus lupulinus L.,
Nematopogon swammerdamella L., Nemophora degeerella L., Adela fibulella D.& S.,
Psyche casta Pallas (cases), Alabonia geoffrella L. (strong colony), Epiphyas
postvittana Walk., Eulia ministrana L., Tortrix viridana L., Brimstone, Large White,
Small White (lots), Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Small Copper, Common Blue
(lots), Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood (lots),
Euthrix potatoria L. Drinker (2 larvae), Watsonalla cultraria F., Cilix glaucata Scop.,

70 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Xanthorhoe montanata D.&S., X. fluctuosa L., Epirrhoe alternata Muller,
Ecliptopera silaceata D.& S., Colostygia pectinataria Knoch, Operophtera brumata
L. larvae, Eupithecia vulgata Haw., E. abbreviata Steph., Lomaspilis marginata L.,
Petrophora chlorosata Scop., Opistograptis luteolata L., Selenia dentaria F., Agriopis
aurantiaria Hb. larvae, Erannis defoliaria Clerck larvae, Menophra abruptaria
Thunb., Smerinthus ocellata L., Laothoe populi L., Notodonta dromedarius L..,
Notodonta ziczac L., Calliteara pudibunda L., Spilosoma lubricipeda L., Tyria
Jacobaeae L., Nola cucullatella L. larva, Agrotis exclamationis L., Ochropleura plecta
L., Noctua pronuba L., Xestia c-nigrum L., Lacanobia w-latinum Hufn., Phlogophora
meticulosa L., Colocasia coryli L. (1 typical, 1 melanic), Autographa gamma L.,
Abrostola tripartita Hufn., Callistege mi Clerck, Euclidia glyphica L.

Hymenoptera: Monosapyga clavicornis L., Pemphedron lethifera Shuckard,
Nomada goodeniana Kirby, Lasioglossum calceatum Scopoli.

Aves: Hobby, Kestrel, Swift, Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie, Robin, Coot,
Moorhen, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Mandarin
Duck, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Mute Swan, Black Swan, House Sparrow,
Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Heron, Long-
tailed Tit, Starling, Lapwing, Sedge Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cormorant,
Swallow, House Martin, Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Nightingale, Herring Gull
and Black-headed Gull.

Quoditch Moor, Devon, 29 May 2004

Leader: Roy McCormick—Peter Franghiadi and I arrived at the site at 20.00h, to
find most of the people who were coming were already there. Twelve people attended
along with the owner of the site, Richard Douglas-Green and his wife. We made our
way to the various habitats the site offers and set up our traps; we had twelve in all.
The night was another cold one with the temperature around 11°C at dusk with a
clear sky and half a moon; not at all promising. At dusk the traps were started and
very little was flying at all, although we did see Hepialus hecta L. (Gold Swift) flying
low over the grasses and one was netted. The moths eventually started to come in,
but again in singles and the list built slowly, although we soon had more species than
people. A couple of rounds were completed and we achieved about 40 species by
23.00h; a couple of the people then decided to leave. At around 23.30h, the
temperatures were 7°C in the woodland and 5°C in the open, and as nothing new was
coming in, it was decided to pack up. We finished with a total of 59 species, which
included some mummified and one live Drinker larvae, with the best of the other
species: two H. hecta (L.); one Eulia ministrana (L.); one Scoparia subfusca (Haw.);
one lovely fresh male Cyclophora albipunctata (Hufn.) (Birch Mocha); two
Orthonama vittata (Borkh.) (Oblique Carpet); five Selenia lunularia (Hiibn.) (Lunar
Thorn; one Paradarisa consonaria (Hitbn.) (Square Spot); one Eilema sororcula
(Hufn.) (Orange Footman); one Lacanobia thalassina (Hufn.) (Pale-shouldered
Brocade) and one Hadena rivularis (F.) (Campion). We left the site soon after 00.30h,
with the owner well pleased with the event and a lot of digital photographs in his
camera of species seen in the traps.

Ferry Marshes, Kent, 13 June 2004

Leader: John Badmin—The intended objective of reaching the remote Chetney
marshes on the peninsula that juts out into the Swale west of the Isle of Sheppey was
unfortunately not realized. This vast expanse of low-lying marsh is privately owned

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 71

and managed primarily as a bird reserve. It is best-known as a locality where avocets
breed, but little is known or has been published on the major animal groups that
occur there. Without agreed access we concentrated our efforts on the adjoining
Ferry marshes.

BENHS and Kent Field Club members met by Kingsferry Bridge (that joins
Sheppey with the mainland) with the hot sun bearing down. The air was still and the
water beautifully calm except for the occasional mini-tsunami created by high-speed
motor boats as they ploughed up and down the channel towing water skiers behind
them, the waves flooding across the fragile saltmarsh vegetation.

The first part of the morning was spent close to the bridge inspecting rank
vegetation along both sides of the sea wall and the narrow strips of fringing
saltmarsh. Heads of Daucus carota (Wild carrot), Carduus tenuiflorus (Slender thistle)
and Cirsium arvense (Creeping thistle) proved attractive to butterflies and larger bees,
while lower-flowering plants such as Trifolium squamosum (Sea clover, a local
species) formed patches attractive to smaller insects. Small Tortoiseshell, Painted
Lady and Common Blue were frequently seen, together with occasional individuals
of Small Heath and Meadow Brown. We were also pleased to spot several Five-spot
Burnet Zygaena trifolii Ver. and Yellow Shell Camptogramma bilineata L. flying in
the sunshine.

By far the dominant bumblebee was Bombus lapidarius (L.) (Red-tailed bumblebee),
but a few workers of Bombus pascuorum (Scop.) (Common carder bee) were also
recorded. Parts of the area away from the bridge looked suitable for some of our rarer
endangered species of coastal bee, but too few individuals were seen long enough for
any positive identifications to be made, the reason being that the grass had been
recently cut here and there were few flowers present to attract bees. The occasional
specimens of Sympetrum striolatum (Charp.) (Common darter) and Jschnura elegans
(Vander Linden) (Blue-tailed damselfly) were seen, the latter remaining faithful to the
taller vegetation skirting the dykes (mainly Scirpus maritimus).

Laurence Clemons recorded a total of 124 insect species. Among the Diptera these
included the nationally rare/scarce muscids Phaonia fusca (Meade) and Dexiopsis
lacustris Karl, the chloropid Dicraeus styriacus (Strobl) and ulidiid Melieria picta
(Meigen). As national scheme recorder for picture-winged flies (Tephritidae) he was
disappointed not to add any records to his list on the day. He mentioned that he
keeps hoping lepidopterists will begin to record this family of flies, with their
distinctive wing patterns, since so little is known about their present distribution in
the UK. All one needs apparently is the RES Handbook which has all the wings
displayed and an enquiring mind.

Tony Allen and Roger Booth rummaged around for beetles using a variety of
sampling techniques and produced a long list of species — more than 60 in total. Those
with a localized distribution included Mecinus janthicus Germar on Common toadflax
near the bridge, Malchius vulneratus Abeille and Baris scolopacea Germar from
saltmarsh vegetation, Polystichus connexus (Fourcroy) by sieving tidal refuse and
Dolichosoma lineare (Rossi) by sweeping. They also recorded Bagous subcarinatus Gyll.,
a Notable A aquatic weevil usually associated with Ceratophyllum submersum (Soft
hornwort), and Bagous collignensis (Herbst), a RDB 3 weevil recorded from very few
localities post 1969, and possibly the first recent record for Kent. Laurence also
managed to find the small (Notable) weevil Perapion limonii Kirby.

By lunchtime we were very hot and thirsty and were attracted to a nice grassy
patch beside a stretch of brackish water on the edge of Chetney marshes. Here we
lunched while Tony sampled the brackish vegetation for aquatic beetles. The party
then split into two, along taxonomic lines: the non-beetlers beetled back (slowly)

72 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

leaving the coleopterists to the enjoyable task of sieving through piles of wet
vegetation laid out on plastic sheets.

The leader concentrated on sweeping for Hemiptera and recorded about 20 species.
The common froghopper Philaenus spumarius (L.) was ubiquitous whereas only two
individuals of Neophilaenus lineatus (L.) were found. Rare patches of windswept nettle
supported a few individuals of Eupteryx urticae (F.) (no E. aurata), Deraeocoris ruber
(L.) and many Trioza urticae (L.). Species swept from long grass included the local
delphacid Eurybregma nigrolineata Scott, the cicadellid Streptanus sordidus (Zett.), and
the plantbugs Leptoterna dolabrata (L.) and Pithanus maerkeli (H.-S.). Piesma
quadratum Fieber and Psammotettix putoni (Then) were present on the saltmarshes.

All in all, we had a pleasant day and returned to our cars about 5 p.m. Before we
left we had a good look at the new Sheppey bridge which should be ready for traffic
in late 2005. A massive area of ground had been cleared and it will be interesting to
see what effect this will have on the local fauna and flora in the near future.

A nice postscript to the day was to learn from Roger Booth that he had discovered
a staphylinid, Brundinia sp. near meridionalis which has yet to be identified, but is
almost certainly new to Britain.

Whiddon Down (Deer Park), Devon, 26 June 2004

Leader: Roy McCormick—It had been raining all day and the evening did not look
promising, but the forecast said that it would clear and I, as leader, had to make an
appearance. We assembled at the meeting place with a couple of the people uncertain
as to how long they might stay in view of the pervading drizzle. Those who decided
to remain made their way to Whiddon Deer Park, along a minor road. We entered
and decided where to place our lights; and, because of the drizzly conditions opted
for only two traps each.

The lights were started, the rain came down heavily, and we all rushed for cover,
but five minutes later it stopped and we had no rain after that. The temperature
stayed at 9-10°C for the rest of the night, despite the cloud cover clearing, and there
was a fairly keen easterly wind from which we were able to shelter our traps. The
direction of the cold wind kept a lot of moths down and the numbers were slow
coming in, but the list built steadily and by 23.00h we had recorded approximately 60
species. We soldiered on until midnight when several members left and finally we
packed up a quarter of an hour later. We finished up with 94 species with the best of
these: ten Hepialus fusconebulosa Deg. (Map-winged Swift); two Mesoleuca
albicillata L. (Beautiful Carpet); two Euphyia biangulata Haw. (Cloaked Carpet);
two Euphyia unangulata Haw. (Sharp-angled Carpet); one Apeira syringaria L. (Lilac
Beauty); four Xestia ditrapezium D.&S. (Triple-spotted Clay); 20 Mythimna turca L.
(Double Line), one of the BAP species of the night; one Acronicta alni L. (Alder
Moth); two Apamea unanimis Hb. (Small Clouded Brindle) and three Plusia festucae
L. (Gold Spot). Quite a good night after all, with the people who came learning from
the*expenience:

THE MAITLAND EMMET BENHS RESEARCH FUND

In 2001 the family of the late Lt. Col. Maitland Emmet, a distinguished amateur
microlepidopterist, made a generous donation to the Society’s Research Fund in his memory
As a result the Society has renamed its Research Fund the Maitland Emmet BENHS
Research Fund. The Society is very grateful to the Emmet family for their generosity.

The Society invites applications for grants, from the Maitland Emmet Research Fund,
to be awarded in December 2004. Awards are open to both members and non-members of
the BENHS and will be made to support research on non-marine arthropods, with
reference to the British fauna, and with preference given to insects, arachnids, myriapods
and isopods. Grants will be given for:

(a) the assistance of fieldwork on non-marine arthropods with relevance to their
conservation,

(b) work leading to the production of identification guides and distribution lists, but not
the cost of publishing such items.

Travel to examine museum collections and to consult taxonomic specialists would be
included. The work and travel is not limited to the British Isles but must have a
demonstrable relevance to the British arthropod fauna. Individual grants are unlikely to
exceed £500.

Preference will be given to work with a clear final objective (e.g., leading to publication
or the production of a habitat management plan). Work on leaf miners and gall forming
insects should be submitted to the Society’s Professor Hering Memorial Research Fund.

Applicants should send seven copies, if possible, of their plan of work, the precise objectives,
the amount for which an award is requested and a brief statement outlining their experience
in this area of work, to Dr J. Muggleton, 32 Penton Road, Staines, Middx, TW18 2LD, as
soon as possible and not later than 30 September 2005. Further information may be
obtained from the same address (email: jmuggleton@compuserve.com).

THE PROFESSOR HERING MEMORIAL RESEARCH FUND

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

(a) leaf-miners

(b) Diptera, particularly Tephritidae and Agromyzidae
(c) Lepidoptera, particularly Microlepidoptera

(d) general entomology |

in the above order of preference having regard to the suitability of applicants and the plan
of work proposed.

Awards may be made to assist travelling and other expenses necessary for fieldwork, for
the study of collections, for attendance at conferences, or, exceptionally, for the costs of
publication of finished work. In total they are unlikely to exceed £1000 in the year 2005.

Applicants should send seven copies, if possible, of a statement of their qualifications, of
their plan of work, and of the precise objectives and amount for which an award is sought,
to Dr M. J. Scoble, Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell
Road, London SW7 5BD, UK as soon as possible and not later than 30 September 2005.

Applications are also invited from persons wishing to borrow the Wild M3
Stereomicroscope and fibre optics illuminator bequeathed to the Fund by the late
Edward Pelham-Clinton, 10th Duke of Newcastle. Loan of this equipment will be made
for a period of up to six months in the first instance.

54

62

55

TITUTION LIBRARIES

WLLL

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY

VOLUME 18, PART 1, APRIL 2005
ARTICLES

Behavioural observations of Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) adults in managed:

grassland. T. GARDINER AND J. HILL

Rotherfield Park, North Hampshire: an important site for saproxylic Coleoptera, Diptera and
other insects. J. DENTON AND P. CHANDLER

Are pitfalls biased? A comparison of carabid composition from pitfall trapping and hand
searching in forest habitats. Y.-C. LIN, R. JAMES AND P. M. DOLMAN

Planning a new national macro-moth recording scheme.
R. Fox, A. SPALDING, M. TUNMORE AND M. PARSONS

Recent observations of Hippobosca equina L. (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in South Devon.
C. R. TURNER AND D. J. MANN

An interesting insect assemblage reared from the bracket fungus Jnonotus hispidus (Bull. ex Fr.)
Karst from Hyde Park, Middlesex. M. V. L. BARCLAY

Eulecanium excrescens (Ferris) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), an Asian pest of woody ornamentals
and fruit trees, new to Britain. C. P. MALUMPHY

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS
Odynerus melanocephalus (Gmelin) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and Lasioglossum malachurus
(Kirby) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in Berkshire. J. DENTON

Dolerus megapterus Cameron (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) in Southern Britain.
J. DENTON AND G. A. COLLINS

Recent records of scarcer Ephemeroptera from Southern England. J. DENTON

Adults of the Horse Chestnut Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hb.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
occur throughout the year on the Purbeck heaths, Dorset. B. P. PICKESs

An ant’s home is its castle: further notes on the synanthropy of Lasius brunneus (Latr.)
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae). M. LUSH

Female Oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) reared from
larva found in a nectarine L. WINOKUR

Ten additions to the Heteroptera (Hemiptera) of Cornwall. K. N. A. ALEXANDER

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BRITISH JOURNAL OF

ENTOMOLOGY

AND NATURAL HISTORY

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY
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BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 1B

A STUDY OF GRASSHOPPER POPULATIONS IN COUNTRYSIDE
STEWARDSHIP SCHEME FIELD MARGINS IN ESSEX

TIM GARDINER! AND JULIAN HILL?

farmland. A small scale study of grasshopper eee of 6-m wide connec.
Stewardship Scheme grass margins on a lowland farm in Essex was undertaken to
ascertain whether these margins were favourable habitats for grasshoppers in
comparison with other agricultural sites. Grasshopper population densities were not
significantly higher in 6-m grass margins than in intensively managed agricultural
habitats. The abundance of grasshoppers and species richness/assemblage diversity
were reduced in later years of the scheme agreement. The authors suggest that further
research is needed into the effects of initial establishment, location and management
of these field margins on grasshopper abundance.

INTRODUCTION

Government agri-environmental initiatives such as the Countryside Stewardship
Scheme are aimed at improving the environmental quality and biodiversity of
agricultural areas (Smallshire & Cooke, 1999; Kleijn & Sutherland, 2003). However,
it is not known whether such prescribed management techniques promote these aims
or actually impede colonisation of grasslands by insects. A limited amount of
research has been conducted on habitats created by field margins developed as part
of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and on increasing invertebrate abundance in
long-term experimental plots reflecting the aims and objectives of agri-environmental
policies (Haughton et al., 1999; Meek et al., 2002).

A study of butterfly populations on Countryside Stewardship Scheme grass
margins has demonstrated that these artificial linear habitats are not favourable for
species such as Large Skipper Ochlodes venata Bremer & Grey due to adverse
management regimes and establishment of non-native aggressive grass species (Field,
2002; Field et a/., 2004 in press). However, a study of tenthredinid sawflies (Barker &
Reynolds, 1999) found that margins lead to higher densities of larvae than cereal
fields.

Orthoptera are an important invertebrate component of grassland ecosystems,
particularly as prey for bird and spider species (Joern, 1986; Belovsky & Slade, 1993).
However, Orthoptera on farmland have not been extensively studied in the UK. It
has been thought that the abundance of grasshoppers is influenced by sward height,
density and composition (Clarke, 1948; van Wingerden er al., 1992; Gardiner et al.,
2002), although precise data on this subject in the UK are scarce.

The aim of this paper is to present the results of a small-scale study of grasshopper
populations on 6-m Countryside Stewardship Scheme field margins on a lowland
farm in Essex, and to assess whether these margins are favourable habitats for
grasshoppers in comparison with other agricultural and conservation areas.

74 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

METHOD
Study sites

Nine study sites (A—I) were surveyed, encompassing a wide variety of habitats
including 6-m Countryside Stewardship Scheme field margins, grazed pastures and
hay meadows located on agricultural land at Writtle College, Chelmsford in Essex
(Table 1; Figure 1). The approximate size of the College Estate is 210 hectares,
mainly comprised of farmland and horticultural areas, with some designated
conservation sites. A high proportion of the arable area is sown with winter cereals
(wheat and barley). The estate extends over many different soil types, but most
originate from glacial boulder clay and have variable pH (5.8-8.1) and high moisture
content in winter (Neate, 1979). The Writtle area has a temperate climate with an
annual mean air temperature of 10°C and total yearly rainfall of approximately
550mm (Writtle College, 2003).

Sites B and D were 6-m Countryside Stewardship Scheme field margins established
in 1996, the former using natural regeneration, the latter created from the existing
grass ley. Field margin B was located on the northern edge of an arable field sown
successively with winter beans and winter wheat during the study period. Site D
extended along the eastern extremity of a field managed as grassland under the set-
aside scheme. Both field margins were established on alluvial soils and were bordered
by rivers which often flood in winter. The margins were cut after mid July in each
year and the cuttings removed in accordance with Countryside Stewardship Scheme
guidelines (MAFF, 2000).

A disused farm track situated on well drained glacial gravel was included in this
study (Site I) as it represented a linear habitat not under Countryside Stewardship
Scheme management. The track was used as an access route to arable fields until
1995 and was frequently traversed by vehicles thus establishing a short sward with
sizeable patches of bare earth. However, since 1995 the track has had very infrequent
vehicular usage. The track bordered arable fields on its northern and southern edges
which were sown with winter beans, winter barley and winter wheat during the study
period.

A range of intensively managed farmland habitats were also surveyed, allowing a
comparison with grasshopper populations in linear field margins. These intensively

Table |. Main characteristics of the study sites

Grid Area Dominant
Site Plot Reference Dominant habitat type (m7) species
A S TL669070 Arable field 100500 Hordeum spp.
B L TL680073 CSS grass field margin 4500 Lolium perenne
C S TL664067 Lightly grazed horse pasture 3750 L. perenne
D L TL688071 CSS grass field margin 4320 L. perenne
E S TL674068 Heavily grazed cattle pasture 10600 L. perenne
F L TL672069 Hay meadow 11250 L. perenne
G S TL675069 Set-aside grassland 30000 Phleum pratense
H S TL663068 Heavily grazed sheep pasture 10100 = L. perenne
I L TL663073 Disused farm track 750 Agrostis stolonifera

S=standard plot (10 x 10m).
L=linear plot (5 x 20m).
CSS = Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 75

Fig. |. Location of the study sites on the Writtle College Estate.

managed habitats included an arable field (Site A— winter barley) and heavily grazed
pastures (Sites E and H), all of which received inorganic fertiliser applications during
the study.

Sampling method for grasshopper populations

The method used for surveying grasshoppers in this study 1s published in Gardiner
et al. (2002). The size of the quadrats used in the survey was 4m? (2 x 2m). Ten
quadrats were positioned at random in a 100m plot at each study site. The corners
of each quadrat were marked using poles without the observer disturbing the
grasshoppers within by casting shadows. Two types of plot were used: a standard
10 x 10m plot and a plot of 5 x 20m for linear grasslands such as field margins where
it was impossible to accommodate the former plot. Each plot at the study sites was
surveyed to ascertain grasshopper abundance and species richness once in July and
once in August, in both 2000 and 2001. Only adult grasshoppers were recorded in
this study, because during this life stage, identification can be confirmed without the
need for capture of individuals (Richards & Waloff, 1954).

The numbers of adult individuals of each species were recorded by visual sighting
in each quadrat. The vegetation of each quadrat was brushed with a pole to cause
any grasshoppers present to jump (Richards & Waloff, 1954). This ‘flushing’ of
grasshoppers was conducted in a standardised method ensuring coverage of the
whole quadrat by moving from one edge to the other, sweeping the vegetation in an
180° arc. Only grasshoppers within the quadrat at the start of the sweep were
recorded. One observer conducted all of the grasshopper surveys to minimise any
recording error. The surveys were undertaken between 1045 and 1545 hours, if the
air temperature was 17°C or above (Marshall & Haes, 1988: Pollard & Yates, 1993).
Total and individual species densities per m* were calculated for each site by
combining the data collected in both years.

716 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Statistical analysis of habitat preferences and assemblage diversity

Relationships between the densities per m* of each grasshopper species at each of
the nine sites were tested using the Kruskal—Wallis multiple comparison statistic
(Heath, 1995) to investigate habitat preferences. For ease of analysis, abundance
data for each site were pooled for 2000 and 2001. Dunn’s non-parametric procedure
(Gardiner, 1997) was used to determine significant differences in grasshopper density
between sites.

Species Diversity and Richness (Version 3.02) software (Pisces Conservation Ltd,
IRC House, The Square, Pennington, Lymington, Hampshire) was used to analyse
the assemblage diversity for each of the study sites. The Shannon—Wiener diversity
Index (H’) (Kent & Coker, 1992) was calculated for each site using the total number
of individuals recorded for each grasshopper species (2000 and 2001 data combined).

Changes in grasshopper abundance and assemblage diversity
during margin establishment

To study the colonisation of the two Countryside Stewardship Scheme margins by
grasshoppers (Sites B and D), the authors surveyed the margins at three (1999), five
(2001) and seven (2003) years after establishment, using the standard 2 x 2m quadrat
methodology outlined previously. Additionally, a control plot was established in a
lightly grazed pasture (Site C) to determine how grasshopper populations fluctuated
in the wider countryside. In all three years, grasshoppers were counted in at least 10
randomly located quadrats at each site. The Shannon—Wiener diversity Index (H’)
was calculated for each of the sites in all three years of the agreement using the total
number of individuals recorded for each grasshopper species.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Habitat preferences of grasshoppers

The most frequently observed acridid in this study was Lesser Marsh Grasshopper
Chorthippus albomarginatus De Geer accounting for 69% of total sightings for 2000
and 2001 combined (219 observations). Meadow Grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus
Zetterstedt and Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus Thunberg were rarer on the
College Estate with approximately 31% (98 observations) and 1% (1 observation) of
all sightings respectively for 2000 and 2001 combined. Chorthippus albomarginatus is
often found in inland areas beside rivers in flood meadows and wetlands in the UK
(Haes & Harding, 1997) and this may explain its presence on Countryside
Stewardship Scheme field margins at the study site (Table 2). Chorthippus brunneus,
however, prefers dry habitats with sparse vegetation (Marshall & Haes, 1988) which
are infrequent habitats at the study site.

All three grasshopper species were recorded at only one study site in 2000 and 2001
(lightly grazed pasture, Site C), whereas at five sites, which included both the
Countryside Stewardship Scheme field margins (Table 2), two species
(C. albomarginatus and C. parallelus) were recorded. Chorthippus albomarginatus
was not recorded in intensively managed agricultural habitats such as arable fields
(Site A) or heavily grazed pasture (Site H), suggesting that field margins may provide
a valuable refuge for this species in areas of intensively managed farmland.
Assemblage diversity in both field margin sites was higher than in two intensively
managed habitats (Sites A and H; Table 2) indicating that these grass margins had a

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 77

Table 2. Adult density per m? of three Chorthippus species and assemblage diversity (H’) for
2000 and 2001 combined

Combined Diversity
Site Density C. albomarginatus C. brunneus C. parallelus (H’)
I 1.45 (232) 1.08* (173) 0.00* (0) 0.37% (59) 0.57
C 0.35 (56) 0.21° (34) 0.01* (1) O13" 21) 0.74
F 0.09 (14) 0.03° (4) 0.00* (0) 0.06°° (10) 0.60
B* 0.06 (9) 0.03° (4) 0.00* (0) 0.03° (5) 0.69
D* 0.03 (4) 0:02° (3) 0.00* (0) 0.01 (1) 0.56
E 0.02 (2) 0.01° (1) 0.00" (0) 0.015 (1) 0.69
A 0.01 (1) 0.00° (0) 0.00* (0) 0.01° (1) 0.00
G 0.00 (0) 0.00* (0) 0.00* (0) 0.00° (0) 0.00
H 0.00 (0) 0.00° (0) 0.00* (0) 0.00° (0) 0.00

( ) values indicate sample size.

* Countryside Stewardship Scheme 6-m field margin.

Significant differences at P<0.05 between grasshopper densities within columns are denoted by
different superscripts— Kruskal-Wallis test.

positive effect on the diversity of grasshoppers at the study site. However, due to the
low numbers of grasshoppers recorded at some of the study sites, the species richness
and assemblage diversity data should be viewed with some caution. A higher number
of species and recorded individuals are required to fully elucidate the effect of field
margins on grasshopper assemblage diversity.

Field margins had little impact on grasshopper density. For example,
C. albomarginatus was more numerous on lightly grazed pasture (Site C) and the
disused farm track (Site I) than on any of the other survey sites (P<0.05; Table 2).
Chorthippus albomarginatus was recorded in very low numbers in the two grass field
margins that were established in an effort to enhance farmland biodiversity in the
area under the UK Government’s Countryside Stewardship Scheme. However,
densities of this species were not statistically different in these two field margins than
in the intensively managed agricultural habitats such as Sites A and H.

Densities of C. parallelus were particularly low in intensively managed agricultural
habitats such as Sites A and H, sites which were also not favoured by C. albomarginatus
or C. brunneus. In a similar fashion to C. a/bomarginatus, densities of C. parallelus were
not statistically different on the two Countryside Stewardship Scheme grass field
margins than in the more intensively managed farmland sites such as heavily grazed
pasture (Sites E and H) or arable fields (Site A). Chorthippus brunneus was absent from
intensively managed pastures (Sites E and H) and Countryside Stewardship Scheme
grass field margins in 2000 and 2001 (Sites B and D).

The two grass field margins in this study were established with funding from the
UK Government’s Countryside Stewardship Scheme. The aim of the Countryside
Stewardship Scheme is to maintain and enhance wildlife and other landscape features
(Smallshire & Cooke, 1999; Peach et a/., 2001). Uncultivated grass field margins have
been created over large parts of Britain under such agri-environmental schemes.
However, this study provides some evidence that grasshopper populations in these
margins are no higher than in intensively managed agricultural land. This may be
due to both field margins being situated adjacent to habitats (arable fields and set-
aside grassland) which, in this study, had low grasshopper populations. Colonisation
of margins in such isolated locations is therefore likely to be slow and it may take

78 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

many years for grasshoppers to attain large populations. The authors suggest that
the large populations of both C. a/bomarginatus and C. parallelus at Sites C and I
reflect the maturity of the grassland swards at these sites. Historical records show
that both sites have had continuous grassland cover for at least 10 years allowing
grasshoppers to colonise and sustain large populations.

Soil type and sward composition may also be important factors in the colonisation
of field margins by grasshoppers. For example, both field margins were located on
moist, nutrient rich, alluvial soils that promoted the growth of grass species such as
Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne L. which dominated in both margins (Table 1).
Gardiner ef al. (2002) suggest that this grass species produces an unfavourable
habitat for grasshoppers on fertile soils, perhaps because it forms a tall and dense
sward with a ‘cold’ microclimate (van Wingerden er a/., 1991). Contrastingly, the
disused farm track (Site I) which was located on well drained soil, had an abundance
of the fine-leaved grass species, Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera L., which may
provide a short, sparse sward with a favourable ‘warm’ microclimate, ideal for
sustained grasshopper activity.

Changes in grasshopper abundance and species richness/diversity
during margin establishment

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme margins in this study were poor habitats for
grasshoppers in comparison with other agricultural areas. There is also evidence
from this study that the grasshopper populations declined in size over the course of
the 10-year Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreement for both margins (Sites B
and D; Figure 2). However, grasshopper populations in the lightly grazed control
plot (Site C) actually increased.

In the 6-m margin established from a L. perenne grass ley (Site D) there were
initially quite high grasshopper densities (three years after establishment). However,
as the margins matured, in years five and seven of the agreement, grasshopper
densities were much reduced. There was also a decline in species richness of
grasshoppers and assemblage diversity in the margins. All three Chorthippus species
were recorded three years after establishment in both margins, however, after seven
years of the College Stewardship agreement only C. parallelus was recorded at Site B,
whereas both C. albomarginatus and C. parallelus were observed at Site D.
Chorthippus brunneus was not sighted in either margin seven years after establish-
ment, perhaps due to the absence of short, open vegetation in the mature margins,
that this species requires (Haes & Harding, 1997).

The decline in species richness was reflected by assemblage diversity which was
high at both field margin sites three years after establishment (H’ values; Site
B=0.95, Site D=0.87), but much lower seven years after establishment (H’ values;
Site B= 0.00, Site D = 0.50). In contrast, assemblage diversity in the control area (Site
C) increased (H’ values; year three of agreement=0.43, year seven of agree-
ment = 0.58).

It is suggested that the reduced populations of grasshoppers and reduced species
richness/diversity in later years of the agreement were due to the annual cutting of
the margins for hay in August. This management removed the entire grassland
habitat in one event, leaving only a very short sward (< 100mm in height) that was
unfavourable for adult grasshoppers (Gardiner ef a/., 2002). Consequently, after
cutting, grasshoppers may have dispersed into the surrounding areas in search of tall
vegetation which provides more shelter from inclement weather and avian predation
than the mown field margin.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 79

1.40
1.90 | @B (CSS margin) 4)
“5 CI C (grazed pasture)
41.00 [1D (CSS margin)
2
= (63)
= 0.80
v
a)
ae
& 0.60
=
= (17)
= 0.40 (13)
he
ie)
0.20 (5)
(5) 4 (5)
(1) (4) |
0 i 0 0) Legere rec Se eT SEE eet ICS eee
3 5 7

Year of agreement

Fig. 2. Changes in total adult grasshopper density in two Countryside Stewardship Scheme
(CSS) field margins (Sites B and D) and a control plot (Site C) over the course of the Writtle
College CSS agreement. ( ) denotes sample size.

This small scale study suggests that 6-m Countryside Stewardship Scheme field
margins may not be a particularly favourable habitat for grasshoppers, as population
densities were no higher than in intensively managed agricultural areas (Table 2).
However, other authors such as Barker & Reynolds (1999), suggest that field margins
provide a valuable habitat for insects such as sawflies in intensively farmed areas.
The number of insect species in field margins is likely to be high and management
that favours grasshoppers may not be suitable for other insect groups. For example,
grasshoppers prefer relatively short, open swards of 100-200 mm in height (Gardiner
et al., 2002), which may not be suitable for Heteroptera that are most numerous in
taller swards (Morris, 1979). It is clear that field margins should possess a wide range
of vegetation heights and floristic composition to satisfy the ecological requirements
of as many different insect groups as possible.

Field margins have the potential to develop into a wide variety of grassland
habitats depending on plant species composition, history of land use, location, soil
type, and the seed mixture used during establishment. More quantitative research is
therefore required to substantiate whether Countryside Stewardship Scheme field
margins provide favourable habitats for grasshoppers.

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80 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Belovksy, G. E. & Slade, J. B. 1993. The role of vertebrate and invertebrate predators in a
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Heteroptera. Journal of Applied Ecology 16: 417-432.

Neate, D. J. M. 1979. Writtle Agricultural College Wildlife and Landscape Survey: Report and
recommendations. Writtle College, Chelmsford.

Peach, W. J., Lovett, L. J., Wotton, S. R. & Jeffs, C. 2001. Countryside stewardship delivers cirl
buntings (Emberiza cirlus) in Devon, UK. Biological Conservation 101: 361-373.

Pollard, E. & Yates, T. J. 1993. Monitoring Butterflies for Ecology and Conservation. Chapman
& Hall, London.

Richards, O. W. & Waloff, N. 1954. Studies on the biology and population dynamics of British
grasshoppers. Anti-Locust Bulletin 17: 1-182.

Smallshire, D. & Cooke, A. I. 1999. Field margins in UK agri-environment schemes. In:
Boatman, N. D., Davies, D. H. K., Chaney, K., Feber, R., de Snoo, G. R. & Sparks, T. H.
(eds) Field Margins and Buffer Zones: Ecology, management and policy. Association of
Applied Biologists, Warwick, pp. 19-28.

van Wingerden, W. K. R. E., Musters, J. C. M. & Maaskamp, F. I. M. 1991. The influence of
temperature on the duration of egg development in west European grasshoppers
(Orthoptera: Acrididae). Oecologia 87: 417-423.

van Wingerden, W. K. R. E., van Kreveld, A. R. & Bongers, W. 1992. Analysis of species
composition and abundance of grasshoppers (Orth., Acrididae) in natural and fertilized
grasslands. Journal of Applied Entomology 113: 138-152.

Writtle College 2003. Writtle College Annual Weather Report 2003. Writtle College,
Chelmsford.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 81

THE HISTORY, ECOLOGY AND CURRENT STATUS OF THE
BRIGHTON WAINSCOT ORIA MUSCULOSA (HUBNER)
(LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE): IS THIS SPECIES
ON THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM?

J.W. PHILLIPS! and M.S. PARSONS?

!“Vaytime’’, St Peters Road, Northney, Hayling Island, Hampshire POI1 ORT
Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP

ABSTRACT

The history of the Brighton Wainscot Oria musculosa (Htibner) and its decline are
discussed. A county by county chronology is presented. Recent records, along with a
measure of recording effort, are given. The life cycle and ecology are covered and
possible reasons for the moth’s decline explored.

INTRODUCTION

Early in 1998 the British Entomological & Natural History Society’s (BENHS)
Conservation Working Group (CWG) produced a short list of species of macro-
moths to which it felt that the Society could contribute to their conservation (Phillips
& Dobson, 1998). Included in this listing was the Brighton Wainscot Oria musculosa
(Htibner) as there was ‘Some evidence of decline; possibly due to changes in
agricultural practices?’ (Phillips & Dobson, /oc. cit.). Phillips (2000) again raised the
opportunity for BENHS members to contribute to the conservation of this and other
UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) species.

The Brighton Wainscot (Fig. 1) was considered nationally scarce (Notable B,
estimated to occur in between 31 and 100 10km squares of the National Grid) in
Hadley (1984). Waring (1999) graded the species Notable A (thought to occur in 30
or fewer 10 km squares) and just four years later Waring, Townsend & Lewington
(2003) treated the Brighton Wainscot as a provisional Red Data Book species.

The species was listed on the Medium List of the UK BAP (UK Biodiversity
Group, 1995) and a formal Action Plan was published in 1999 (UK Biodiversity
Group, 1999). Within this plan it was stated that ‘Since 1980 it [the Brighton
Wainscot] has been reported from less than 25% of the ten km squares with previous
records’ and suggested factors causing decline could probably be attributed to
changes in farming practices, including choice of crops and the time of sowing, along
with the use of insecticides. The Plan lists a range of actions involving several
organisations with the dual aim of maintaining populations at all known sites and
maintaining 20 viable populations within the known range. The plan stipulated
undertaking surveys to determine the status of the species. Butterfly Conservation
(BC) was given the Lead Partner role for this Plan.

In 1999, Butterfly Conservation, with contributory funding from English Nature,
employed full-time staff on The Action for Threatened Moths Project (Parsons et al.,
2000). A major part of the role of this project was to oversee the implementation of
the Action Plans for the UK BAP moths for which BC is Lead Partner. At this time,
the BENHS Conservation Working Group offered to assist specifically with the
investigation of the requirements and distribution of three species, one being the
Brighton Wainscot. The project that was developed, supplementing the work of BC,
was envisaged as a three year survey programme and also included a questionnaire
(prepared by JWP) that was sent to a few farmers on Salisbury Plain. This

82 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Fig. 1. The Brighton Wainscot Oria musculosa Photo: D.G. Green, Butterfly Conservation.

questionnaire aimed to determine farming practices in the area. The project has been
ongoing since 2000. This paper summarises both this effort and our knowledge of the
species in Great Britain.

HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION
The Nineteenth Century Records

Pratt (1999) comprehensively covers the history of this moth in Sussex. This can be
summarised chronologically as follows:

1843— First known British capture by a Mr Lambert at Brighton.

1855—On 17 August, a local surgeon, J.N. Winter, took a perfect male example at
a gas lamp inside the Sussex County Hospital on the outskirts of Brighton. At this
time, the hospital was probably surrounded by open downland and large fields of
cereals. The moth was then named “the Brighton Wainscot” (Fig. 2).

1856—Two specimens were taken, one of these in the middle of Brighton town, the
other probably from the Hospital site.

1857—One example at the Hospital on 26 July.

1858— Four found in the Brighton area.

Following years up until about 1860—about 20 examples seen in the Brighton
area.

After 1860, it would seem that the moth had very nearly died out in this area, with
a singleton recorded in 1883 at Brighton. The final report coming in 1899 when a
specimen was obtained at Devil’s Dyke, Brighton.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 83

Fig. 2. The Entomologist’s Annual 1856 —Page 46—Rare British species captured in 1855. Synia
musculosa (Frontispiece Fig. 3): a specimen of this pretty rarity was taken by Mr Winter on a
gas-light at Brighton—17 August. Reproduced by kind permission of Dr. S. Legg, Booth
Museum of Natural History, Brighton.

84 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

The moth was also reputedly captured at Bexhill in the mid 1870s (probably 1876
and/or 1877). At least six specimens were auctioned with this provenance.

The species has been presumed extinct in the county since the Devil’s Dyke
capture. There have been several subsequent reports, e.g. Brighton (between 1944
and 1962), Cadborough (1968), Northiam (1981 and 1982), Udimore (1996), but
none of these have been confirmed and consequently all have been rejected. There
was also an attempt to re-establish the moth in Sussex. In 1952 about a dozen
Wiltshire moths were released into a wheat field near Brighton. This establishment
attempt was unsuccessful.

The only other accepted 19th century records are from Wye, Kent, where a single
example was recorded in 1881 (Chalmers-Hunt, 1962-1970) and a single example
from south Devon in 1899 (McCormick, 2001).

The Twentieth Century Records

Table | summarises the history of the Brighton Wainscot on a county basis. The
moth has been recorded from Wiltshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire,
Oxfordshire during the twentieth century, with single or a few examples/records also
from each of Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isle of Wight, Northamptonshire, Somerset
and Surrey. The headquarters of the species in the mid twentieth century has
generally been considered to be central southern England, particularly the Salisbury
Plain area.

No up-to-date county list 1s available for Wiltshire, although in 1962 C.G.M. de
Worms produced The Macrolepidoptera of Wiltshire. It is of interest to note in this
publication that de Worms referred to O. musculosa as the ““Downland Wainscot”.
Why this was the case seems to be something of a mystery, though presumably it
reflected its habitat and he felt that the original name was by then somewhat
inappropriate!

de Worms (1962) states that this species was “‘Now found to be very widespread in
Wiltshire where it was originally discovered at Salisbury in 1909 by the late Harry
Haynes’’. In total, six individuals were found in 1909 by Haynes. Other individuals
were found in 1910 (3), 1911 (1), 1929 (1), 1932 (1) and another single example was
said to have been taken in 1938, but it was not until 1939 that the species was proved
to be well established in the wheat fields on the plain north of Salisbury (Cockayne &
Kettlewell, 1940). Bearing in mind the 1909 and subsequent records, there is every
possibility that it was well established before this time.

South Wiltshire subsequently produced the majority of the records with sightings
from wheat fields on the northern outskirts of Salisbury (1940, 1941 & 1942—common);
Shrewton (abundant in 1940); Trowbridge (1948—1 individual); Clarendon (1948 &
1949); Pepper Box Hill (1949); Codford (almost annually, notably 1951, 1954 and
1955); Salisbury (1954); Chitterne (sometimes abundant, including 12 on 30 July 1955);
West Lavington (22 seen on 3 August 1959) and also reported from Camp Hill near
Stratford; Larkhill (common); and Tilshead (sometimes abundant) (de Worms, /oc.
cit.), including heavy infestation in 1951 (Jackson, 1952). It is interesting to note that
Jackson (/oc. cit.) reports that the moth was still to be found in its old headquarters
north of Salisbury, but possibly not in the numbers in which it occurred during the war.
The moth was still reported from several sites and, occasionally plentifully, from the
Tilshead area during the 1960s, e.g. Harper (1963), and the 1970s, e.g. Brown (1976).
During the 1980s, it was seen in a few sites, including Tilshead, and primarily from the
Tilshead area in the 1990s (see Appendix 1). The species was last recorded from the
county in the Tilshead area in 2001 (see below and Appendix 2).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

85

Table 1. Summary of the history of the Brighton Wainscot on a county basis.

County Date range Notes/Source(s)

Sussex 1843 to 1899 See history above (Pratt, 1999).

Kent 1881 A single example at Wye. There are also two records one
from Pittard near Darenth Wood (undated, but 19th
century) and one from Wye Downs (1885), however these
are both considered questionable (Chalmers-Hunt, 1962—
1970).

Devon 1899 A single example in South Devon (McCormick, 2001).

South Wiltshire

Surrey

North Hampshire
South Hampshire
Buckinghamshire

Somerset

Berkshire
North Wiltshire
Isle of Wight
Gloucestershire

Dorset

Oxfordshire

Northamptonshire

1909 to 2001

1925 to 1976

1933 to 1983
1935 to 1976
1938 to 1976
1955 to 1976

1950 to 1981
19S1to 1953
1952

1953 & 1970

1959 to 1971

1962 to 1973

~ 1970

Doubtful county records

Shropshire

Hertfordshire/
Bedfordshire/
Cambridgeshire

undated

1961 onwards

(de Worms, 1962). Last records: 27 July 2001 (a single
example, B. Fox) and 3 August 2001 (two, D. Green/
J. McGill) (Fox, 2002).

Noted in 1925 (a singleton); 1951; 1953; 1956 (2 sites);
1970; 1971; 1976 (a singleton) (Collins, 1997).

(Goater, 1974 & 1992).
(Goater, 1974 & 1992).
Ansorge (1969) and M. Albertini (pers. comm.).

1955, Weston-Super-Mare (C.S.H. Blathwayt) (Turner,
1955); 1956, Curry Rivel (G. Ford) (J. McGill, pers.
comm.); 5 July 1976, a single example, Weston-Super-
Mare (K. Poole) (J. McGill, pers. comm.). There 1s also a
record from 1945 of an example found on a car radiator,
the car having just made a journey from Burnham-on-Sea
to Bristol and back (Heslop, 1945).

(Baker, 1994) and NSMRS.
(de Worms, 1962).
A single example, Freshwater Marsh (Goater, 1974).

Single examples, Bourton-on the Water (1953) and
Tetbury (1970) (Newton & Meredith, 1984).

Single examples at Iwerne Minster, 24 August 1959 and
5 August 1963 (P. Davey, pers. comm.); 1971, two, Over
Compton (N. Greatorex-Davies, pers. comm.).

J. Campbell and M. Townsend (pers. comm.), also Hugo
(1974). There is a record from BRC for post 1961 and one
on the NSMRS database for 1918 which has not been
confirmed.

A single example, 9 August, edge of Salcey Forest (C.C.
Smith) (J. Ward, pers. comm.). There is also an undated,
though post 1944 report in South (1961). No further
details of this record have been traced.

South (1961). Record considered doubtful, not included in
Riley (1991).

There are records for 1961 onwards for grid squares TL1 1
and TL24 on the map in UK Biodiversity Group (1999).
These records are on the NSMRS database, giving the
BRC as the source. There are no cards at BRC to support
these records (H. Arnold, pers. comm.) and therefore these
records are treated as dubious.

86 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

In North Wiltshire there are records from Holt (1951); Ramsbury (1953);
Marlborough (1957) (de Worms, /oc. cit.); and also Alton Barnes (1951 —in numbers)
(Jackson, /oc. cit.). Surprisingly, no later records have been traced.

Goater (1974) suggests that the species spread from Wiltshire into Hampshire, being
first recorded in the county at Micheldever in 1933. The moth was occasionally
recorded commonly during the 1960s, e.g. 150 recorded at MV light by D.H. Sterling at
Worthy Down in 1968. The species got scarcer in the county during the 1970s
particularly after about 1976. It was last recorded in 1983 at Burghclere (Goater, 1992).

In Berkshire, it was considered that the moth had spread into the county from north
Hampshire (Baker, 1994), possibly from as early as the late 1940s. The moth became
common on at least one or two sites, for example over 50 were seen at East Garston
between 31 July and 6 August 1970. The moth was recorded as common at Chieveley in
1978 (Baker, Joc. cit.), but by 1982 it had been apparently lost to the county.

Ansorge (1969) states that ““There are few records of its [Brighton Wainscot]
occurrence in Buckinghamshire’. The moth appears to have been first recorded in
1938 at Eton (Ansorge, /oc. cit) with other records from Fawley and Medmenham,
both in 1962. Harman (1963) referring to Medmenham, suggests that the species was
“in my opinion, breeding within a mile of here’. Subsequently, it was reported on the
Chilterns in 1966 (Harman, 1967) given as “‘the third I had seen in the county”, and
again in 1970 (Harman, 1971) and also seen at Bletchley in the same year (Ellerton,
1970), Turville Heath area (in 1971) and last recorded at Marlow in 1976 (M.
Albertini, pers. comm.).

Many of the available records require further clarification but suggest that the
moth was never resident in Oxfordshire, although it may have been overlooked,
given the possible breeding in Buckinghamshire. The moth seems to have been first
recorded in the county in 1962 (at SP5804), although the Biological Records Centre
(BRC) has a record for post 1961 from near Henley-on-Thames and there is a also
record on the National Scarce Moth Recording Scheme (NSMRS) from 1918 for
Waterperry Wood. In 1964 the moth was found at Studley. The last record that can
be traced is from Chipping Norton in 1973 (Hugo, 1974).

There are several other counties with just one or a few records. A few of these may
possibly be explained through immigration (which may also account for at least one
or two of the nineteenth century records), although the paucity of coastal records
suggest that at most this is a very infrequent immigrant. Other records may be the
result of wanderers or strays from the main populations in central southern England.
It is worth noting that six Brighton Wainscot have been found at a ship 1.5 miles
(2km) off the coast of Cyprus showing that they do at least wander some distance
from where they emerge (Darlow, 1951).

The Decline

The Brighton Wainscot’s ‘shay-day” in this country was probably during the late
1930s and 1940s, but it still occurred regularly and sometimes commonly up until the
late 1970s. It was occasionally noted in numbers during the 1980s and early 1990s,
but these records all seem to refer to one site: north of Tilshead. All records that we
have been able to research from 1980 to 1999 are given in Appendix |. Three of these
are from Berkshire, one from North Hampshire, the remaining records coming from
Salisbury Plain in South Wiltshire. Although the majority of these are from the
Tilshead area, particularly since 1990, this could reflect the recording effort being
concentrated on this site, as this was a widely known site for the species amongst
lepidopterists.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 87

O prel9sO |
1980 - 1998
}@ 1999 - 2003

Fig. 3. Distribution of the Brighton Wainscot Oria musculosa in southern England. Map
produced using MapMate (Teknica Ltd.).

Survey effort during the recent project (2000-2003) concentrated on Salisbury
Plain again centring on Tilshead. The BENHS, along with BC, organised trapping
sessions as part of a comprehensive field meetings programme (e.g. Phillips, 2003a,b,
2005). With contributory funding from English Nature, BC also employed a
consultant (Barry Fox) to undertake surveys of key sites on the Plain and adjacent
areas during 2001 and 2002 (Fox, 2002, 2003). In addition, a grant from the
Maitland Emmet BENHS Research Fund enabled survey work to be undertaken in
2003. Several other individuals also assisted with the survey effort.

The results from this survey are very disappointing and would seem to confirm
that the species is at a very low ebb and possibly on the verge of extinction in this
country. Despite over 50 separate trapping sessions (Appendix 2), with, in most
cases, more than one trap being used, only four Brighton Wainscot have been
recorded, all from the north of Tilshead site (SU035486). The records are:

30 July 2000—1 male (S. Swift)
27 July 2001—1 male (B. Fox)
3 August 2001—2 males (D. Green/J. McGill)

However, although many sites have been surveyed, there are areas on the Plain
that have not been trapped recently and may still have the potential to support this
species.

To illustrate the decline of the Brighton Wainscot the distribution map (Fig. 3)
gives records from pre-1980 and in the date classes 1980 to 1999 and 2000 to 2003.
This breakdown approximately coincides with the collation of records, primarily by
Dr P. Waring, for the as yet unpublished Review of Nationally Scarce and Threatened
Macro-moths of Great Britain which forms the basis for the summary (with a
distribution map) in the Action Plan (UK Biodiversity Group, 1999), and the
duration of the current project.

88 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

European Distribution and Status

Bretherton, Goater & Lorimer (1983) give this species as Eurasiatic. In western
Europe, it is widespread from Spain and Portugal to the Paris region, probably
migratory in north-western France and south-eastern Belgium and very occasionally
recorded in Denmark. Karsholt & Razowski (1996) add that the moth has also been
recorded from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Hungary,
Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Malta, Italy and Greece, including Crete,
and Turkey. South (1961) includes Syria, North-west Africa and southern Russia.

An initial assessment of the European status of this moth was undertaken by
Parsons (2001). Experts in a number of European countries responded to a
questionnaire enquiring about the distribution and status of this, and the other UK
BAP species, in their countries. The results for this moth were far from encouraging.
Oria musculosa was confirmed as present from Bulgaria (12 sites, based on an
incomplete return); Germany (Baden-Wiirtemmberg only) (approx. 10 sites);
Portugal (3 sites, based on an incomplete return); Belgium (1 site), with the species
being reported from Spain and Italy, but the number of localities being unknown.
Further to this, the moth was thought to be declining in Germany, Belgium and
Portugal, and its trend in Spain was not known.

Between 14-18 May, 2004, JWP found eight moths on white walls of buildings and
shop windows in the town of Paphos, Cyprus; indicating that the species was
possibly relatively common in this area of the eastern Mediterranean.

ECOLOGY

Life Cycle

Between 1941 and 1942, H.M. Edelsten succeeded in rearing the moth in captivity
from the egg stage (Edelsten, 1944). Cockayne & Kettlewell (1940) give the life
history as described by continental authors. The descriptions that follow are based
on these papers supplemented by Haggett (1957).

Ovum

The eggs are generally laid in August in rows, usually under one of the lower
sheaths of grasses and cereals. In nature these are said to be in two lines of twenty
alongside each other (from continental authors, in Cockayne & Kettlewell, /oc. cit.).
They have also been reported to be laid on posts in fields etc. The ovum is described
in Edelsten (1944).

Larva

The larva develops within the egg-shell in November and December and can be
seen as a dark mass towards one side of the egg (Edelsten, 1944). They begin to hatch
around April, and possibly earlier. On hatching the larva enters a grass stem near
ground level, first probably eating wild grasses and later moving on to winter wheat,
summer rye, oats or barley (in Cockayne & Kettlewell, Joc. cit.). In captivity the larva
has also been noted making its way down the centre of the shoot. The larva feeds
internally boring into a stem, making a small round hole near the ground. When the
old stem can no longer sustain the growing larva it wanders off to find a new shoot.
The root-stock and lower parts of the shoot survive, but the old shoot withers and
turns brown above the infected part. Only one larva occurs in each shoot, but

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 89

frequently every shoot in a plant is attacked in turn by the same larva (Cockayne &
Kettlewell, /oc. cit.). The larva has also been found in spring-sown oats and barley,
though this is probably atypical and dependent on farming conditions.

When nearly full grown the larva leaves the stalk and takes up position beneath
the sheathing leaf, which covers the ear of the cereal, and feeds on the unripe grains,
filling the whole sheath with white frass (Cockayne & Kettlewell, /oc. cit.). Based on
field observations the whole ear and indeed several ears may be eaten. The presence
of a larva may be betrayed by a small entry hole below the ear, though this can be
hard to find (Edelsten, Joc. cit.). A withered ear sheath usually indicates that the larva
has left. The larva is described in Edelsten (1944) and described and illustrated in
Haggett (1957). We are not aware of any recent searches for the larva.

Pupa

The full grown larva probably leaves the sheath from around the first week of June
to mid June and pupates in the earth under an infected stem in a slightly earthen
cocoon; when this is pulled out the pupa may be found exposed in the earth beneath.
Pupation extends from June to July. The pupa is described in Edelsten (1944).

Imago

Univoltine, the adult moth is generally on the wing from late July to mid August,
the peak emergence varying depending on the season.

The moth flies at dusk over cereal fields and later comes readily to light, even on
cold nights. It can also be found at night, sitting on the ears of wheat and other
cereals (Haggett, 1957). A standard way of finding the moth used to be by following
harvesters when the moth was readily disturbed and could be netted (Bretherton,
Goater & Lorimer, 1983). We are not aware of this being attempted recently. The
adult has been reported to have been found by day, for example on clover heads and
on a knapweed flower (in Cockayne & Kettlewell, /oc. cit.).

Habitat requirements

The species frequents cereal fields, particularly those of wheat, barley or oats over
chalk (Fig. 4). Cockayne & Kettlewell (1940) reported that the only unusual feature
where the moth was found was the absence of boundary hedges, which were replaced
by narrow strips of grassy ground separating one field from another. In 1939, the
place where the moth was most numerous was a large field of winter wheat which
abutted an enclosure of coarse grass, chiefly Cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata L., False
Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius L. and Upright Brome Bromopsis erecta (Hudson),
approximately 4 hectares in size and which had been allowed to go wild for some
years. This enclosure provided breeding cover for game.

There appears to have been some difference in opinion as to the specific
requirements of this species. Edelsten (1944) suggested that the eggs could survive
being ploughed in with the stubble and those laid higher up could survive the
threshing machine. This latter suggestion was supported by the observation of a
threshed stack of wheat from a field that supported the Brighton Wainscot the
previous year that had stood by the edge of a field of barley. All around this stack
was a considerable infestation of barley, hinting that the larvae had wandered out of
the straw into the growing crop. Edelsten (/oc. cit.) also stated that there was ‘‘no
trace of larvae in any of the grasses on the farm drove, and from the distribution of

90 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Fig. 4. Typical habitat, cereal field Tilshead. June, 2001. Photo: D. G. Green, Butterfly
Conservation.

the larvae in the fields it was evident that the eggs were laid on the cereal crops and
not on the grasses bordering the fields, as is reported to be the habit in Russia’’.

Haggett (1957) suggested that Kettlewell (1945) gave the most likely solution
proposing that the main reservoir of the insect would be found outside the cultivated
areas and that the larvae feed initially in grasses surrounding the fields from which
the moths can invade the cereal crops and breed more successfully in them. However,
Cockayne & Kettlewell (1940) suggested that the absence of bare earth for the larva
to pupate in would render large areas of wild coarse grasses unsuitable. Kettlewell
(/oc. cit.) considered Edelsten’s findings to be under abnormal conditions, 1.e. in 1943
Edlesten found the species during a period of unusual farming practices due to war
needs and the necessity for growing the maximum amount of cereals with the normal
crop rotation being abandoned, something that Edelsten himself also commented on.
It is worth mentioning here that Cockayne & Kettlewell (1940) note that abroad the
presence of this moth is looked upon as a sign of untidy farming and that the
rotation of crops 1s recommended. Skinner (1984) concisely summarises the habitat
of this species by noting it can be found in fields of wheat and other cereals, and
surrounding grass verges.

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR DECLINE

Stubble burning: This may well have been a significant contributory factor to the
decline of the species. The species was considered to be declining at Micheldever,
Hampshire, because of almost universal stubble burning (Goater, 1992). Jackson
(1952) also suggested the practice of burning straw and stubble in dry weather was
affecting the species. Since 1993 the practice of stubble burning had ceased although

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 9]

by then the moth was already very uncommon and had last been recorded from
Hampshire ten years prior to this date.

Crop rotation: There is some anecdotal suggestion that crop rotation does
influence the population levels of this moth, for example, the usual crop rotation in
the Salisbury area was dropped during the war years and led to an abundance of this
species. Cockayne & Kettlewell (1940) also suggest that crop rotation is
recommended on the continent as a counter measure against the species. Any move
away from cereal farming would obviously remove the habitat of this species.
However, at least some farmers continue to plant cereals in the Salisbury Plain area
on an annual basis.

Winter/spring cereal planting: Kettlewell (1945) notes that searches of winter sown
cereal crops were unsuccessful, although Edelsten found larvae in considerable
numbers in spring sown cereals. Edelsten (1944) also noted that owing to the mild
winter [in 1942/1943] that the main stem of the autumn sown wheat he was using for
his rearing experiments was too hard for the larvae to enter and they mostly perished.
Consequently it may be that the current apparent bias, although not universal in the
area, towards winter as opposed to spring planting could be having an effect upon
populations. One farmer on Salisbury Plain suggested that the switch from spring
planting to winter planting took place 20 to 30 years ago. Another suggested that
winter planting is now the norm in the area. Ploughing takes place almost
immediately after harvesting and crop harvesting 1s also likely to take place earlier in
winter sown crops, although at least some crops on the Plain are cut after the flight
period of the moth. Fox (2003) noted that the sites trapped during 2002 still had the
cereal crops in place at the end of July, but in the Tilshead area these were partially
cut by 12 August.

Use of combine harvesters: Jackson (1952) suggested that the increasing use of
combine harvesters along with stubble burning “‘must re-act heavily against the
imsect”’:

Modern cereal varieties: [t could be that modern cereal varieties, which tend to be
shorter, may also be thicker and consequently more difficult for the young larvae to
access. However, on farms that also require straw, very short varieties tend not to be
used. It has been suggested that when the moth was found around Brighton in the
mid nineteenth century that the wheat grew to 5ft in height (Pratt, 1999).

Insecticides: The modern use of spraying chemicals as a means of pest control
could be a major impact on this species, although insecticides are certainly not used
on all farms in the Salisbury Plain area. To what extent applications and methods
have changed since the 1940s needs to be researched further.

Decline in arable weeds/grasses: Oria musculosa is considered to be dependent for
its survival upon the existence of grasses along field margins and possibly also within
the cereal crop itself. The modern use of herbicides and fertilisers will have severely
reduced, if not eliminated, the presence of many arable weeds from the fields. No
doubt spray drift has also affected the field margins. Godfrey Smith (pers. comm.),
along with his brother, who have both farmed in the Steeple Ashton area of Wiltshire
for well over 40 years, suggest this may be a significant contributory factor in this
species’ decline. Cockayne & Kettlewell (1940) commented on the ‘thickness of the
undergrowth of weeds” in a small area of wheat. It is of interest to note that Fox
(2003) reported that at a former site, Winterslow, herbicides and fungicides had been
used on the fields during the previous decade, but only once a year. This application
had not prevented the growth of many of the arable weeds.

Decline in the quantity of field margins: Although the margins of the fields in the
Tilshead area are still bordered by grassy boundaries, these tend only to be one or

92 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

two metres deep at most. There are a few areas neighbouring fields where there are
more expansive areas of grass, but very little that approaches the 4 hectares or so
noted by Cockayne & Kettlewell (1940), which they suggested was a practice
frequently adopted in areas away from copses etc. at the time.

Bacterial/viral/fungal infection and parasite load: Little is known of the
susceptibility of this species to infection, however Edelsten (1944) notes finding
many larvae dead, presumably from bacterial disease. Edelsten (/oc.cit.) also records
that Meloboris (Diadegma) crassicornis (Grav.) (Ichneumonidae: Campoplegini) was
bred from a parasitised larva. There is little available evidence to suggest that these
are major factors.

Climate change: It may be that the climate for this moth has become unsuitable in
this country. There is, however, little evidence to suggest this to be the case.

Development: The disappearance of the Brighton population in the nineteenth
century has been attributed to the expansion of Brighton itself (Pratt, 1999).

Relatively few recorders visit the Salisbury Plain area on a regular basis and no
static traps are operated in the area. Whilst it is possible that the species has been
overlooked, there has, however, been considerable effort during the course of the
survey to suggest that the few examples seen is very probably a real reflection of the
current status of the species. Although it has not been possible to identify any single
reason for this species’ decline in central southern England with any certainty there
are many potential contributory factors. The most likely factors, however, would
seem to involve a combination of changes in farming practices, including stubble
burning, changes in crop varieties and land management practices.

CONSERVATION MEASURES

In undertaking an assessment of the European status of this species, Parsons
(2001) concluded that the UK had an international responsibility for the
conservation of O. musculosa. At that time a few moths were being found in the
Tilshead area of Salisbury Plain and there was little reason to suggest that the status
had changed much since the early 1990s. However, since 2001, no Brighton Wainscot
has been seen, despite survey effort and there are now real concerns for the survival
of this species in this country. It is possible that the moth still occurs at Tilshead in
very low numbers and may well occur on some other part of the Plain, although
continued survey effort is needed to ascertain this. Until a colony is located, no real
conservation measures can be implemented.

In 2002 the Environmental Support Team of Defence Estates, under the auspices
of Dominic Ash and Paul Toynton, had a trial barley field planted, with the aim of
encouraging arable weeds, Brighton Wainscot and the Corn Bunting. This was
planted near Tilshead and was left to grow. No further management occurred on this
site until spring 2004, when half the area was ploughed with, at the time of writing,
plans to resow with barley. Whether this field will prove to be suitable for Brighton
Wainscot remains to be seen, although there must now be a concern that it may be
too little too late.

CONCLUSIONS

The history of the Brighton Wainscot in this country is certainly an interesting
one. Why the species disappeared from the Brighton area can only be speculated
upon, though the expansion of Brighton does seem to be a possible explanation.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 93

Having said that, there must have been other similar habitats in the general area at
the time and bearing in mind its later abundance on Salisbury Plain and the
superficial similarity of the two areas its disappearance from around Brighton does
seem rather puzzling.

The moth would seem to have been resident on Salisbury Plain some considerable
time before the 1930s. However, it expanded its range from Salisbury Plain from the
1930s onwards, spreading into neighbouring Hampshire and subsequently Berkshire,
becoming locally common. It is clear that the moth became increasingly frequent
during the war years on Salisbury Plain and for a little time after that, the most likely
explanation being a change in farming practices. The moth continued to be frequent
up until around the mid 1970s when it appeared to go into decline, being
subsequently found in numbers only on the Salisbury Plain area. It is clear that the
moth wanders, which probably accounts for some records from some counties;
others, such as the Devon record, may well be the result of primary immigrants. As
to the origin of the populations both in Sussex and on Salisbury Plain one can only
speculate. It may be that the Brighton population was the result of a temporary
colonisation from the continent, whereas that on Salisbury Plain may have been a
longer-term, albeit overlooked, establishment.

There are a number of possible reasons for its current scarcity, but it is likely that a
combination of changes in farming practices have had the most impact, from the
practice of stubble burning, to changes in cereal varieties, increased tidiness in fields
and a decline in the amount and quality of the field margins. This species does also
appear to be under threat in at least some parts of Europe.

The Brighton Wainscot is certainly currently at a low ebb at its former stronghold
in the Tilshead area and possibly on the verge of extinction in this country. However,
as with many other insects, it 1s well known that species can exist at very low levels
which can escape detection only to reappear when conditions become more suitable.
Despite increased survey effort over recent years there are areas of the Plain that
have not been searched and may well support the moth.

If you have any further information, records, particularly recent records, or
observations relating to this species, MSP at Butterfly Conservation would be
pleased to hear from you.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Environmental Support Team
of Defence Estates, Dominic Ash, Paul Toynton and Hannah Etherington, for
assisting with permissions and access to the MoD’s Salisbury Plain Training Area
(SPTA). We would like to thank Henry Arnold (BRC), John Campbell (Oxfordshire
Biological Records Centre), Sean Clancy, Peter Davey, John Dawson, Ian Ferguson,
Phil Gould (Rothamsted), Nick Greatorex-Davies, James McGill, Tony Pickles,
Colin Plant, Colin Pratt, Sally Scott-White (Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records
Centre), Bernard Skinner, Martin Townsend, John Ward and David Young for
assistance with various records, Martin Albertini for details of records and for
locating the Ansorge reference, and Tony Davis, Tony Dobson, Barry Fox, David
Green, Fiona Haynes, Dan Hoare, Frank Lowe, Godfrey Smith, Paul Waring for
their support and assistance with this project. We would also like to thank Dan
Hoare for producing the map. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee are
thanked for their continuing support of the National Scarce Moth Recording
Scheme and English Nature for their continued support of Butterfly Conservation’s
The Action for Threatened Moths Project. Finally we would like to thank the four

94 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

farmers, H. Edmunds, J. Grant, D. Kyte and R. Nicholls, who took the time to

complete the questionnaire and all those who contributed records or assisted with the
fieldwork.

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Aylesbury

Baker, B.R. 1994. The butterflies and moths of Berkshire. Hedera Press, Uffington.

Bretherton, R.F., Goater, B. & Lorimer, I. 1983. Noctuidae (continued), pp. 36-413. In Heath,
J. & Emmet, A.M., The moths and butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 10.
Harley Books, Colchester.

Brown, D. 1976. Collecting Diary, 1975. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 88: 89—
OD:

Chalmers-Hunt, J.M. 1962-1970. The butterflies and moths of Kent. Part 2. Heterocera
(Sphingidae to Plusiidae). Published as supplements to the Entomologist’s Record and
Journal of Variation.

Cockayne, E. A. & Kettlewell, H.B.D. 1940. Oria (Synia) musculosa, Hb., indigenous in Britain.
Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 52: 37-43.

Collins, G. 1997. Larger moths of Surrey. Surrey Wildlife Trust, Pirbright.

Darlow, H.M. 1951. Observations on migrant Lepidoptera in the Mediterranean. Entomologist
84: 246-253.

de Worms, C.G.M. 1962. The Macrolepidoptera of Wiltshire. Wiltshire Archaeological and
Natural History Society, Salisbury.

Edelsten, H.M. 1944. Contribution to the life history of Oria musculosa Hiibn. (Lep.
Noctuidae). Entomologist 77: 144-148.

Ellerton, J. 1970. Oria musculosa Hubn. and Hadena compta Schiff. in north Bucks.
Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 82: 273.

Fox, B.W. 2002. The Brighton Wainscot moth Oria musculosa (Htibner 1808) survey 2001
Salisbury Plain and Bentley Wood. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham. (Butterfly
Conservation Report No. SO2-02).

Fox, B.W. 2003. The Brighton Wainscot moth Oria musculosa (Htibner 1808) survey 2002
Salisbury Plain and Bentley Wood. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham. (Butterfly
Conservation Report No. SO3-—01).

Goater, B. 1974. The butterflies and moths of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. E.W. Classey,
Faringdon.

Goater, B. 1992. The butterflies and moths of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight—additions and
corrections. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. (UK Nature Conserva-
tion No. 7).

Hadley, M. 1984. 4 national review of British Macrolepidoptera listing both national and regional
rarities. Nature Conservancy Council, London. (Invertebrate Site Register Report no. 46).

Haggett, G.M. 1957. Larvae of the British Lepidoptera not figured by Buckler. Proceedings &
Transactions of the South London Entomological & Natural History Society 1955: 152-163.
Reprinted 1981. Larvae of the British Lepidoptera not figured by Buckler. British
Entomological & Natural History Society, London.

Harman, T.W. 1963. Collecting notes for 1962 from Bucks and further afield. Entomologist’s
Record and Journal of Variation 75: 105-109.

Harman, T.W. 1967. Season °66. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 79: 129-135.

Harman, T.W. 1971. The end of a decade. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 83:
171-179.

Harper, G.W. 1963. Summer 1962 in the New Forest. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of
Variation 75: 110-114.

Heslop, I.R.P. 1945. Oria musculosa in Somerset. Entomologist 78: 175.

Hugo, P.D.J. 1974. Hyles gallii Rott., Oria musculosa Hubn. and Rhyacia simulans Hufnagel in
Oxfordshire. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 86: 25.

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Jackson, R.A. 1952. Some notes on Oria musculosa Hiibner in Wiltshire. Entomologist’s Record
and Journal of Variation 64: 107-109.

Karsholt, O. & Razowski, J. 1996. The Lepidoptera of Europe. A distributional checklist. Apollo
Books, Stenstrup.

Kettlewell, H.B.D. 1945. The life-history of Oria musculosa in Britain (Lep. Agrotidae).
Entomologist 78: 85-86.

McCormick, R. 2001. The moths of Devon. John Walters, Buckfastleigh.

Newton, J. & Meredith, G.H.J. 1984. The Macrolepidoptera of Gloucestershire. The Cotteswold
Naturalists’ Field Club, Gloucester.

Parsons, M.S. 2001. The European status of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan moths.
Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 113: 49-62.

Parsons, M., Green, D. & Waring, P. 2000. The Action for Threatened Moths Project. British
Journal of Entomology and Natural History 13: 57-63.

Phillips, J.W. 2000. Butterfly Conservation—Action for Threatened Moths Project. An
opportunity for participation by BENHS members. British Journal of Entomology and
Natural History 13: 63-66.

Phillips, J.W. 2003a. Tilshead/Salisbury Plain, Wilts.-5 August 2000. British Journal of
Entomology and Natural History 16: 50—S1.

Phillips, J.W. 2003b. Tilshead/Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, 21 July 2001. British Journal of
Entomology and Natural History 16: 59-60.

Phillips, J.W. 2005. Tilshead, Salisbury Plain, Wilts.—19 July 2003. British Journal of
Entomology and Natural History 17: 252-253.

Phillips, J.W. & Dobson, J.R. 1998. The BENHS Conservation Working Group Priority
Species Lists: Macro-moths and Diptera. British Journal of Entomology and Natural
History 11: 73-77.

Pratt, C.R. 1999. A Revised history of the butterflies and moths of Sussex. Booth Museum of
Natural History, Brighton. (CD Rom only).

Riley, A.M. 1991. A natural history of the butterflies and moths of Shropshire. Swan Hill Press,
Shrewsbury.

Skinner, B. 1984. Colour identification guide to moths of the British Isles. Viking, London.

South, R. 1961. The moths of the British Isles. Warne & Co., London. (New Edition).

Turner, A.H. 1955. Lepidoptera of Somerset. Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History
Society, Taunton.

UK Biodiversity Group. 1995. Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report. Volume 2: Action
Plans. HMSO, London.

UK Biodiversity Group. 1999. Tranche 2 Action Plans. Volume IV —invertebrates. English
Nature, Peterborough.

Waring, P. 1999. Priority species covered by the National Recording Network for the rarer British
macro-moths. The list includes all the Nationally Scarce & Red Data Book macro-moths
recorded in the United Kingdom, including the Channel Islands, and some species previously
considered Nationally Scarce or potentially likely to become so. National Moth
Conservation Project, News Bulletin 10.

Waring, P. in prep. Review of nationally scarce and threatened macro-moths of Great Britain.
Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

Waring, P., Townsend, M. & Lewington, R. 2003. Field guide to the moths of Great Britain and
Ireland. British Wildlife Publishing, Hook.

96

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

APPENDIX 1. Records of the Brighton Wainscot Oria musculosa from 1980 to 1999

Locality/ Vice- OS Grid No. of
Year county reference Date individuals Recorder Source
1980
Fence Wood pp SUS5071 8 August 1 M.R.Britton Baker (1994)
& N.M.Hall
1981
Lambourn 22 SU3780 ? l Rothamsted NSMRS
Insect Survey
Longworth 22 SU3899 4 August ? A.Kennard Baker (1994)
1982
Steeple Ashton 8 ST894580 26 July 2 E.G.Smith NSMRS
1983
Pepperbox Hill 8 SU215248 ? ? Unknown National
Trust, per
NSMRS
Winterslow 8 SU23 is ? P.Waring NSMRS
Burghclere 12 SU477618 18 July ] G.G.Eastwick- NSMRS
Field
1984
Tilshead 8 SU041465 = 24 July 3 A.J.Pickles pers. comm.
West Lavington 8 SU0052 6 August ? E.G.Smith NSMRS
1985
Winterslow 8 SU23 30 August ? Salisbury & NSMRS
District Nat.
Hist. Soc.
1986
Gore Cross, 8 SU0052 8 August ? J.N.d@Arcy NSMRS
West Lavington
1987
Tilshead (West) 8 SU029477. =7 August 3 J.W.Phillips J.W.Phillips
West Lavington 8 SU0051 10 August ? E.G.Smith Wiltshire &
Swindon
Biological
Records
Centre
1989
Bentley Woods 8 SUZ55323) 7 l Rothamsted NSMRS
Insect Survey
Tilshead 8 SU0349 15 July 20 J.Chainey, NSMRS
J.H.Clarke,
R.Cool
Tilshead 8 SU033486 27 July approx. 12 B.Skinner pers. comm.

(continued) |

|

i
|

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

APPENDIX 1 (continued)

Locality/ Vice-
Year county
1990

Tilshead (West) 8

Tilshead (North) 8

1991
Tilshead (North)

oo

Tilshead 8

West Lavington 8

1992

Tilshead (North) 8
1993

Tilshead 8
Tilshead 8
Tilshead 8
1994

Horse Down, 8
Tilshead

1998

Tilshead (North) 8

NSMRS, National Scarce Moth Recording Scheme.

OS Grid
reference

SU017471
SU036488

SU034486

SU034487

SU0051

SU034486

SU033486
SU033486
SU033486

SU023476

SU034487

97

No. of
Date individuals Recorder Source
19 July 3 A.J.Pickles pers. comm.
25 July + A.J.Pickles pers. comm.
4 August 17 J.W.Phillips, = J.W.Phillips
D.A.Young
8 August 4 R.F. NSMRS
McCormick
12 August ? J.d’Arcy Wiltshire &
Swindon
Biological
Records
Centre
27 July l D.A.Young pers. comm.
22 July l B.Skinner pers. comm.
27 July 3 B.Skinner pers. comm.
6 August 2 B.Skinner pers. comm.
5 August 1 G.A.Collins NSMRS
27 July l R.F. Wiltshire &
McCormick Swindon
Biological
Records
Centre

98

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

APPENDIX 2. The Brighton Wainscot Oria musculosa: record of sites visited and surveyed
between 2000 and 2003 inclusive

No. of Comments
Lepidoptera ( ) No. of
OS Grid species individuals
Site reference Date Recorder Method _ recorded recorded
2000
Tilshead (North) SU035486 30 July J.W.Phillips, MV light 30 Brighton
S.Swift (125 W) Wainscot (1)
Tilshead (North) SU035486 5 August J.W.Phillips MV light 50 BENHS
(125 W) Field
Meeting
Tilshead (South) SU035475 5 August R.Banks MV light 44 BENHS
(125 W) Field
Meeting
Gore Cross, SU001501 5 August G-.Smith, MV light 52 BENHS
West Lavington A.Dobson (125 W) Field
Meeting
Ansty Hill ST965431 5 August F.Lowe Actinic 38 BENHS
Field
Meeting
2001
West Bustard Inn SU084462 16 July B.Fox MV light 39 BC
Tilshead (North) SU019488 19 July B.Fox MV light 43 BC
Orcheston SU054449 21 July B.Fox MV light 22 BC
Tilshead (North) SU035486 21 July C.Hart MV light, 47 BENHS
Actinic Field
Meeting
Gore Cross SU0051 21 July G Smith MV light 23 BENHS
Field
Meeting
Ansty Hill ST965431 21 July F.Lowe MV light 44 BENHS
Field
Meeting
Lavington Down SU001501 21 July A.H.Dobson MV light 23 BENHS
Field
Meeting
Winterslow, SU249308 23 July B.Fox MV light 33 BC
Bentley Wood
Orcheston SU054449 24 July — B.Fox MV light 24 BC
Winterslow, SU250325 25 July ~~ B.Fox MV light 60 BC
Bentley Wood
Tilshead (North) SU035486 27 July B.Fox MV light 47 BC,
Brighton

Wainscot (1)

(continued)

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

APPENDIX 2. (continued)

No. of

99

Comments

Lepidoptera ( ) No. of

OS Grid species individuals

Site reference Date Recorder Method — recorded recorded

2001 (continued)

Tilshead SU042483 28 July B.Fox MV light 68 BC

(North-east)

West Dean, SU245281 30 July B.Fox MV light 56 BC

Bentley Wood

Tilshead (North) SU018491 31 July —B.Fox MV light 13 BC

Tilshead (North) SU035486 3 August D.Green, MV light, 40 BC,

J.McGill Actinic Brighton
Wainscot (2)
Tilshead (North) SU034487 3 August B.Fox MV light 22 BC
Greenlands SU066467 6 August B.Fox, MV light 42 BC
J.W.Phillips

Boscombe SU180410 10 August B.Fox MV light 39 BC

Tilshead (North) SU035486 14 August F.Lowe MV light 31 BC

2002

Bentley Wood, SU258325 15 July B.Fox MV light, 75 BC

Noads Copse Actinic

Roundway Hill SU004647 16 July — B.Fox MV light, 45 BC
Actinic

Bentley Wood, SU256327 17 July B.Fox Actinic 2 BC

Noads Copse

Bentley Wood, SU2826 20 July B.Fox MV light 27 BC

East Dean MoD

Bentley Wood, SU256327 24 July B.Fox Actinic ? BC

Noads Copse

Tilshead (North) SU035486 26 July B.Fox MV light, 50 BC
Actinic

Tilshead SU018475 27 July =‘ J.Porter MV light ?

Bentley Wood, SU253324 28 July B.Fox MV light 68 BC

Moodys Field

Upavon (West) SU116543 29 July —B.Fox MV light, 19 BC
Actinic

Bentley Wood, SU256327 30 July B.Fox Actinic 73 BC

Noads Copse

Bustard Hotel SU090462 30 July F.Lowe Actinic 23 BC

Bentley Wood, SU229325 4 August B.Fox Actinic 48 BC

All Saints Church

Netheravon SU132485 6 August B.Fox MV light, 54 BC

Actinic

(continued)

100

APPENDIX 2. (continued)

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

No. of Comments
Lepidoptera ( ) No. of
OS Grid species individuals
Site reference Date Recorder Method _ recorded recorded
2002 (continued)
Tilshead (North) SU035486 7 August B.Fox, MV light, 66 BC
M.Parsons Actinic
Bentley Wood SU249308 10 August B.Fox MV light, 42 BC
Actinic
Tilshead (North) SU035486 11 August B.Fox, MV light, 27 BC
J.W.Phillips Actinic
Tilshead (North) SU042483 12 August B.Fox MV light, 42 BC
Actinic
2003
Tilshead (West), SU023476 19 July J.W.Phillips, MV light 83 BENHS
Horse Down M.Parsons Field
Meeting
Field Barn Farm ST875398 22 July F.Lowe Actinic ? ~
Pen Hill Wood ST878363 22 July F.Lowe Actinic ? ~
Lower Pentwood ST882365 22 July F.Lowe MV light ? —
Farm
Tilshead (North) SU035486 4 August J.W.Phillips MV light 25 —
Westbury Down ST890501 3 August F.Lowe Actinic 2 -
(SPTA)
Pen Hill Wood ST878363 6 August F.Lowe Actinic ? --
Summerside Down ST874378 6 August F.Lowe Actinic Ng —
Lower Pentwood ST882365 6 August F.Lowe MV light ? ~
Farm
Tilshead, West- SU041480 12 August H.Ethering- MV light 18 ~
down Camp ton
Tilshead, West- SU041480 13 August H.Ethering- MV light 8 -
down Camp ton
Nortons Hide SU065504 ~=13 August B.Fox, MV light, 22 —
O.Howells, Actinic
H.Ethering-
ton, D.Ash

BC, Butterfly Conservation commissioned survey, part-funded by English Nature.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 101

Cerodontha rohdendorfi Nowakowski and Cerodontha staryi (Stary) (Diptera:
Agromyzidae) new to Britain

DAVID GIBBS
6 Stephen Street, Redfield, Bristol BSS 9DY davidjgibbs(@aol.com

Abstract

The addition to the British species list of two leaf-mining flies of the genus
Cerodontha subgenus Butomomyza, Cerodontha rohdendorfi. Nowakowski and
Cerodontha staryi (Stary) found in Scotland and Gloucestershire respectively, is
reported.

Cerodontha rohdendorfi Nowakowski

This species was first noticed in Britain by Peter Chandler who collected a male in
Argyll in 1974 although its identity was only recognised in 2002. This year eight more
specimens came to light while I was identifying Malaise caught material collected
along the River Nethy on Speyside in 1999.

Identification: using Spencer (1972) specimens run to subgenus Dizygomyza (which
then included Butomomyza), then to C. angulata (Loew) from which it differs
externally only in the slightly shorter apical part of M3+4. Using the key to
subgenus Butomomyza in Spencer (1976) it runs easily to couplet 4(2) where it only
just falls within the first part of the couplet, males having a wing length of up to
2.4mm. At this point C. rohdendorfi is separated on the length of the apical part of
M3 + 4 relative to the penultimate part. In some specimens the apical part of M3 + 4
is quite short but in others it is close to three quarters the length of the penultimate
part so would run to C. angulata.

The genitalia provide the only certain means of identification. The aedeagus is
similar to that of C. angulata, C. mellita Spencer and C. scutellaris (von Roser) but in
C. rohdendorfi the proximal part of the distiphallus 1s conspicuously longer before the
first bend. It also differs in numerous details of the mesophallus and basiphallus (Fig.
1). The epandrium of C. rohdendorfi is very distinctive having the ventral corners
roundly swollen and rather shiny, the spines of the surstylus being displaced upwards

distphallus——__

basiphallus

Fig. 1. Cerodontha rohdendorfi aedeagus and aedeagal apodeme.

102 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Fig. 2 Cerodontha rohdendorfi genitalia, (a) internal view of epandrium, (b) sternite 9.

(Fig. 2a). Dorsally, just above the bases of the cerci, is a low swelling, but this is
variable and barely visible in some specimens.

Biology: on the continent this species is known to mine the leaves of Poa chaixii
Villars, Festuca pratensis Hudson and probably related species, unusual in this
subgenus as all other Butomomyza are associated with Carex spp. (Spencer, 1990).
They form a mine in the upper or lower surfaces, filling the whole leaf blade. The
British specimens examined came from an oakwood and from a river bank in
Caledonian pine forest. On the continental mainland it is only known from Finland
and Poland (Spencer, 1976).

British specimens examined.

SCOTLAND, Argyllshire, Kenna Craig, 11 July 1974, 1¢ P.J.Chandler.

SCOTLAND, Grampian, Abernethy Forest RSPB Reserve, River Nethy, 19 June
to 5 July 1999 53 RSPB.

SCOTLAND, Grampian, Abernethy Forest RSPB Reserve, River Nethy, 5 to 19
July 1999 33 RSPB.

Fig. 3. Cerodontha staryi puparium, (a) rear view, (b) posterior spiracular process.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 103

Cerodontha staryi (Stary)

During a Gloucestershire Invertebrate Group field meeting at Strawberry Banks
Nature Reserve in April 2003 I found three mines in the leaves of a Carex plant. All
the larvae had pupated in the mines so in order to preserve the leaves with the mines I
removed the three puparia and placed them in a 30ml glass tube in the hope of
rearing them. On examination of the puparia it transpired that there were two species
present, a single Cerodontha caricicola (Hering) and two with remarkably elongated
rear spiracular processes. Both Hering (1957) and Nowakowski (1973) illustrated the
puparia of numerous species and the only one exhibiting this modified spiracular
process is Cerodontha staryi. As far as can be discovered this elongation of the rear
spiracular processes is unique to C. staryi (M. von Tschirnhaus pers comm.),
certainly no other Carex feeding species are known to possess such a character.

Unfortunately neither of the puparia produced adult flies, one seemed to become
mouldy and the other was parasitised by a chalcid. Searches for further puparia in
spring 2004 were not successful.

Identification: the long processes of the puparium are diagnostic (Fig. 3). For
identification of adults see Nowakowski (1973). No adults have been examined but in
Spencer (1976) C. staryi should run to couplet 3 where it is most similar to
C. scutellaris from which it 1s separable by examination of the genitalia.

Biology: host Carex, Nowakowski (1973) give Carex sylvatica Hudson, Carex
pallescens L. and Carex remota L., all species which are associated with woodland.
The Gloucestershire specimens were in Carex sylvatica growing along a track in
beech woodland on the Cotswold limestone. Cerodontha staryi is a rare species with
only a few records, all from Central Europe (M. von Tschirnhaus pers comm.).

British specimens examined.
ENGLAND, Gloucestershire, Strawberry Banks nature reserve, 12 April 2003 two
puparia.

Acknowledgements

The author is very grateful to Peter Chandler for the loan of his specimen of C.
rohdendorfi and to Dr Michael von Tschirnhaus for his comments on C. staryi. I
would also like to thank the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for providing
the Malaise samples and the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust for access to their
Strawberry Banks nature reserve.

References

Hering, E.M. 1957. Bestimmungstabellen der Blattminen von Europa. Vol. 1 & 3. Dr W. Junk, s-
Gravenhage.

Nowakowski, J.T. 1973. Monographie der europaischen Arten der Gattung Cerodontha Rond.
(Diptera, Agromyzidae). Annales zoologici, Warszawa. 31: 1—327.

Spencer, K.A. 1972. Diptera, Agromyzidae. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects.
Vol. X, part 5(g), Royal Entomological Society.

Spencer, K.A. 1976. The Agromyzidae (Diptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. Fauna
Entomologica Scandinavica 5 part 1, 304pp.

Spencer, K.A. 1990. Host specialization in the world Agromyzidae (Diptera). Series
Entomologica 45, 1-444. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

104 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Additional records from the Rothamsted Light Trap Survey of Horse Chestnut
Moth Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hb.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Southern
England.—Since producing the recent note (Pickess, 2005) about the seasonal
occurrence of Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hb.) (Horse Chestnut) at Arne, Dorset,
Ian Woiwod has kindly provided me with details from other light traps in the
Rothamsted Insect Survey Network (Woiwod & Harrington, 1994), that are also in
proximity to heathland in southern England and have recorded P. hippocastanaria.
Of particular interest is the long series of data from three sites (No. 78 Linford, nr.
Ringwood (Hampshire) (8 years, 1968-1975), No. 266 Yarner Wood I (Devon) (26
years, 1974-2000) and No. 368 Denny Lodge nr. Brockenhurst (Hampshire) (25
years, 1978—2003)) (Table 1). Although catches at these three sites are much smaller
than those at Arne, they mirror those observations. A point of interest is that at
Yarner Wood, like Arne, the second brood was frequently recorded well into mid-
September in most years. These additional data would support my proposition that
on southern heaths the species may be found in small numbers during the late
autumn and winter. These long data series from 1974 to almost the present time also
show that the pattern of emergence has changed little over the past 30 years.

Table 1. Total catches of Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Horse Chestnut) from each of three
long running Rothamsted Traps located in Hampshire and Devon during 1968-2003

No. 78 No. 266 No. 368 Total No.
Month Linford Yarner Wood I Denny Lodge recorded
January = ~
February ~ 3 4 i
March 3 10 25 38
April 6 3 14 23
May 12 8 6 26
June 9 13 | 23
July 36 230 31 OHI
August 74 611 55 740
September 4 118 4 126
October 4 10 3 17
November - | 2 3
December 2 ~ l 3
REFERENCES

Pickess, B. P. (2005). Adults of the Horse Chestnut Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hb.)
(Lepidoptera: Geometridae) occur throughout the year on the Purbeck heaths, Dorset.
British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 18:

Woiwod, I. P. & Harrington, R. (1994). Flying in the face of change: The Rothamsted Insect
Survey, pp. 321-342 in Leigh, R. A. & Johnston, A. E. (Ed.) Long-term Experiments in
Agricultural and Ecological Sciences. CAB International. Wallingford.

BRYAN P. PICKESS,
8 Shaw Drive, Sandford, Wareham, Dorset BH20 7BT

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 105

OFFICERS’ REPORTS FOR 2004

COUNCIL’S REPORT 2004

As has been the custom in recent years the Council met seven times in the course of
the year with, on average, 14 Council members attending each meeting. We are
grateful to the staff of the Royal Entomological Society who stay late in the evening
so that we can use the RES Council Room for these meetings.

This year the Council approved 52 applications for membership and _ the
reinstatement of one former member. Against this, 17 members resigned and 22
were struck-off for non-payment of their subscription. Alas the deaths of 11
members were reported to the Society during the year. These included two of our
Honorary members and one Special Life Member. The net result of these changes is
that at the end of the year the total membership stood at 901, an increase of three on
the previous year. Two members, Mr B.McC.Gerard and Dr A.J. Showler
completed 50 years’ continuous membership at the end of the year and the Council
was delighted to elect them to Special Life Membership.

Although the Society’s membership continues to increase we cannot afford to be
complacent. A small annual increase in membership could easily become a decrease,
especially as we suspect that the average age of our members is increasing. With this
in mind, and at the President’s suggestion, the Council has discussed circulating a
questionnaire to the members asking them what they like about the Society and what
kind of changes and activities they would like to see in the future. We hope that the
contents of the questionnaire will be finalised early in 2005 and sent to members later
in the year.

Conservation matters continue to play a large part in the Council’s deliberations
and the Society is represented on Invertebrate Link by Raymond Uffen and John
Phillips; John Phillips also serves on the executive committee of Invertebrate Link.
Some time was spent considering and drafting a reply to the anticipated DEFRA
consultation document on the Fourth Quinquennial Review of Schedules 5 and 8 of
the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Bernard Skinner’s help was sought in
drafting the reply and he attended a Council meeting to help us understand the
situation regarding the proposal to give two subspecies of Burnet moths, Zygaena
lonicerae ssp. jocelynae and Zygaena loti ssp. scotica, full protection under Schedule 5
of the Act. The Council is of the opinion that no evidence has been offered which
justifies giving these species full protection under the Act. Stephen Miles and John
Muggleton gave a poster presentation describing the Society’s Heathland Fly project
at a two day English Nature meeting in Sheffield to promote Biodiversity Action
Plans. Further funding has been received from English Nature which enabled the
project to continue in 2004. As a result of information gained from the project,
Stephen Miles has produced a code of practice for the management of heathland
paths to the benefit of the many insects for whom sandy paths are an important
habitat.

The Society made a written submission to the Inquiry into Scientific Publications
by the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology. The
submission concentrated on the need to make provision for amateur and unwaged
entomologists to have full access to electronically published scientific periodicals. It
also highlighted the increasing tendency of scientific societies in the English speaking
world to use commercial publishing houses to produce their journals. This tendency

106 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

has led to these journals being sold at a price beyond that affordable by individual
subscribers and indeed by the libraries of the very institutions whose staff provide
their services free to the journals.

The poor attendance at the Society’s weekday evening meetings in South
Kensington was discussed in last year’s report. It was felt that it was difficult to
justify holding these meetings on a monthly basis, and the meetings programme for
2004/05 was drawn up with meetings reduced to one every two months. In the last
twelve years we have gone from two meetings a month to one meeting every two
months. However, no complaints have been received from members as a result of this
change. As a new venture this year, two all day meetings were held at Dinton
Pastures. One was for lepidopterists on the proposed macromoth recording scheme
and the other a general meeting for coleopterists. Four workshop meetings were held
in the Pelham-Clinton Building and covered the identification of groups of
Hymenoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera. BWARS used the P-C Building for a
workshop associated with their AGM and the British Myriapod and Isopod Group
held a committee meeting in the P-C Building. The Society’s collection and library
were open to members on 1I5 scheduled occasions during the year and, by special
arrangement, to individual members on a number of other occasions. The Council
thanks Dr Ian McLean for arranging the meetings, Peter Chandler for attending to
open the P-C Building for the scheduled meetings and David Wedd for opening the
building at the special request of members.

The Council must also congratulate Dr Paul Waring for, once again, organising a
varied field meetings programme with 39 meetings being held from May to October.
In contrast to the indoor meetings the number of field meetings has more than
doubled in the last twelve years and this 1s in no small way due to the enthusiasm of
our Field Meetings Secretary and the willingness of the meeting leaders. It is also
good to be able to report an increase in the number of members signing the
attendance book at the Annual Exhibition to 184 compared with 165 in 2003; 51
visitors also signed the book. The number of exhibits was also higher than in 2003,
while the number of diners at the Annual Dinner fell slightly. Mike Simmons’
apparent effortless organisation of both the Exhibition and the Dinner belies his key
role in this most important event in the Society’s calendar. A possible alternative
venue for the Exhibition and Dinner has been identified for 2006 and the Council will
be discussing the pros and cons of this venue in the coming year.

Disappointingly there have been no new publications this year, although all our
authors have reported progress with their projects. We must remember, however,
that all our authors are busy people writing these books in their spare time and
without payment, and we are sure that our patience will be rewarded. Our current
publications continue to sell, with receipts for the year of £5967 for books and
£967.25 for subscriptions to the Journal and back numbers. These sales would not be
possible without the effort put in by Gavin Boyd in dealing with orders by post and
manning the Society’s stand at exhibitions. One unexpected pleasure this year was an
offer by Julie Tennent, the wife of one of our members, to produce a new Christmas
Card for the Society. The offer was accepted, Julie provided the artwork and, with
her husband John, made all the arrangements for the card to be printed. The card,
which showed a pair of Holly Blue butterflies, had sold out before the close of the
Annual Exhibition and had to be reprinted to satisfy further orders, a first for the
Society. Julie Tennent has volunteered to produce another design for 2005.

As well as those named above, many others have contributed to the continued well
being of the Society in 2004. These include the lecturers, workshop and field meeting
leaders, David Young for ensuring that the Society’s journals and notices are

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 107

distributed on time, Andrew Godfrey for welcoming and informing new members,
Roger Hawkins for relentlessly pursuing subscriptions and Andrew Halstead for his
multi-tasking skills which include taking the minutes at indoor meetings, managing
the photographic slide collection and keeping the shrubbery at the side of the
Pelham-Clinton Building under control. The Council is happy to thank all these
people for their contributions to the Society.

JOHN MUGGLETON

TREASURER’S REPORT

FINANCIAL YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2004

Financially 2004 has been a very similar year for the Society to 2003. Again we
have had no new publication and as a result sales activity and the resulting income to
the Special Publications Fund has been reduced. It 1s expected that 2005 will see new
publication and a revival in this aspect of the accounts.

The stock exchange has remained modestly buoyant and further unrealised gains
on investments have been made. Last year I said that we had agreed to reinvest one
part of our portfolio. However, the consideration that we may have had an
opportunity to extend our premises at Dinton Pastures, in which case we would have
needed to sell some investments, caused a decision to keep the investment as it was
rather than risk incurring double charges. We have adequate liquid funds to finance
our normal activities for 2005 without selling investments.

Our income is up by some £2,000, largely as a result of the generosity of past and
present members with the sale of surplus cabinets from the Maitland Emmet
collection, a donation of £800 towards the cost of colour plates in the journal from
Graham Howarth and £200 from the estate of John Bradley. These additional
amounts more than compensated for the drop in sales income. Direct charitable
expenditure has increased also by some £2,000; principally an increase of £2,800 in
journal costs and a reduction of £700 in grants paid out. Overall the diminution in
value is reduced to £2,273 this year. Although this level of annual deficit can be
sustained for some time I feel the time to increase our very modest subscription rate
is approaching in order to compensate for the increasing cost of the journal and our
full programme of services offered to members.

This year, in addition to the sterling work of Roger Hawkins as Assistant
Treasurer dealing with all aspects of membership subscriptions, I have enjoyed the
help of John Flynn dealing with routine matters. My job has been made very much
easier by these gentlemen to whom I extend my thanks. Once again A. S. Harmer has
undertaken the independent examination of the financial records together with H. G.
M. Middleton. I thank both of our auditors for their contribution.

A. J. PICKLES

Trustees’ Report

The principal activities of the Society are to hold meetings at the Society’s Rooms
for the reading of original papers, discussions and lectures, to hold an annual
exhibition and field meetings; to issue publications and to form typical collections
and a library. These activities are carried on with the object of promoting and
advancing research in Biological Science and its diffusion.

108 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

The Society has enjoyed another successful year with a varied programme of Field
Meetings, Indoor Meetings and Workshops. Further grants for entomological
research have been made from the Maitland Emmet BENHS Research Fund and
from the Hering Fund.

A detailed risk assessment has been ongoing during the year.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees
J. MUGGLETON, Secretary

Independent Examiners’ Report

We report on the accounts of the Society for the year ended 31 December 2004,
which are set out on the following pages.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiners

As the Charity’s Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts,
you consider that the audit requirement of Section 43 (2) of the Charities Act 1993
does not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in
the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under Section 43(7)(b)
of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.

Basis of Independent Examiners’ Report

Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given
by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting
records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those
records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the
accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such
matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be
required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the
view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiners’ Statement

In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:

1. which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respects the
requirements
a. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 41 of the Act; and
b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply
with the accounting requirements of the Act. have not been met; or

N

or to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.

A. S. HARMER and H. G. M. MIDDLETON

Dated 3 March 2005

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31 December 2004

109

Total Total
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds
Funds Funds Funds 31.12.04 31:12.03
Incoming Resources
Bequests and donations 1000 = = 1000 351
Subscriptions 13237 - ~ 13237 12133
Investment Income 5744 4042 851 10637 10613
Trading Income 2467 8106 - 10573 12346
note 2
Sundry Income 3151 - - 315] 1302
note 3
Total Incoming Resources 25599 12148 851 38598 36745
Resources Expended
Direct Charitable Expenditure:
Cost of Journal & Distribution 15806 ~ ~ 15806 12958
Cost of facility at Dinton Pastures 2 4592 - 4592 3768
Members Meetings & Services 6902 = = 6902 7523
Library & Curation 1616 - - 1616 2394
Grants 2000 — 750 2750 3404
notes 10,11
Depreciation 3736 2210 - 5946 5946
30060 6802 750 37612 35993
Other Expenditure
Management costs 2780 - ~ 2780 2416
Trading costs 254 5192 = 5446 9980
note 2
3034 5192 - 8226 12396
Total Resources Expended 33094 11994 750 45838 48389
Net Resources before transfers (7495) 154 101 (7240) (11644)
Net Incoming /Outgoing Resources (7495) 154 101 (7240) (11644)
Gains & Losses on Investment
assets
Realised = = - = _
Unrealised 2683 1887 397 4967 6470
Net movement in Funds ( 4812) 2041 498 (2273) (5174)
Fund Balances brought forward
at | January 2004 102080 280694 15901 398675 403849
Fund Balances carried forward
at 31 December 2004 97268 282735 16399 396402 398675

110

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Summary Income and Expenditure Account

2004 2003
Gross Income of continuing operations 38598 36745
Total expenditure of continuing operations 45838 48389
Net Income(Outgoings) for the year (7240) (11644)

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2004

Notes 2004. = 2004 2003 2003
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets 4 158104 164050
Investments 5 207828 202861
365932 366911
Current Assets
Stocks 14127 17009
Debtors 6 9717 10468
Cash at Bank and in hand | 15688 13197
39532 40674
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 8 9062 8910
Net current assets 30470 31764
Net assets 396402 398675
Funds 9
Endowment Funds~— Hering Fund 16399 15901
Restricted Funds— Housing Fund 207597 208470
Special Publications Fund 75138 282735 72224 280694
Unrestricted Funds:
Maitland Emmet BENHS Research Fund 51438 50786
General Fund 45830 97268 51294 102080
396402 398675
The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 3 March 2005 and signed on their
behalf.
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2004
1. Accounting Policies

The Accounts of the Charity are prepared in accordance with the Charities
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995, the statement of recommended
practice, Accounting by Charities, and with applicable accounting standards.
They are drawn up on the historical accounting basis except that investments held
as fixed assets are carried at market value.

1.1 Income

Donations and legacies are accounted for as soon as their amount and receipt are
certain. In the case of donations this is usually when they are received. All other
income is accounted for under the accruals concept. Gifts in kind are valued at
their estimated value to the Charity.

1.2 Expenditure

Expenditure is accounted for under the accruals concept. The irrecoverable
element of VAT is included with the item of expense to which it relates.
Depreciation is allocated over the expenditure headings on the basis of the use of
the assets concerned.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 111

1.3 Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost or trustees valuation less depreciation
which is calculated at rates to write off the excess of cost over estimated residual
values of individual assets over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Leasehold Buildings at Dinton Pastures 1/70th of cost
Fixtures and Equipment 10% of written down value

1.4 Investments
Fixed asset investments are stated in the balance sheet at mid market value at the
balance sheet date.

1.5 Stock
Stock is valued at the lower of cost, including irrecoverable VAT, and market
value and consists of publications and sundries held for resale.

1.6 Restricted Funds
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions laid down by the donors as to
how they may be used.

2. Trading Income and Expenditure
Trading income is derived from the sale of the British Journal of Entomology to
non-members of the Society and from sale of the Society’s other publications and
products, costs are those of producing and distributing these items.

3. Sundry Income
Sundry income has been derived from the sale of surplus books, cabinets and

specimens, photocopying and income from the annual dinner.

4. Tangible fixed assets

Leasehold Fixtures

Property & Equipment Total
Cost £ ze E
At | January 2004 154736 69399 224135
Additions — — —
Disposals =
At 31 December 2004 154736 69399 224135
Depreciation
At | January 2004 24310 35775 60085
Charge for year 2210 3736 5946
On disposals - — -
At 31 December 2004 26520 39511 66031
Net book values
At 31 December 2004 128216 29888 158104
At 31 December 2003 130426 33624 164050

Leasehold premises represent the cost of building and equipping the headquarters at
Dinton Pastures Country Park. The total cost of these premises, which were
completed during the year to 31 December 1993, are being amortised over the
Seventy year term of the lease. Fixtures and equipment includes a value for the
library and collections as well as computers, microscopes and other ancillary
equipment.

112

5. Investments

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

In accordance with accounting requirements investments are shown in the balance

sheet at market value.

MV

Shell T & T 5831
Unilever 10030
M & G Charifund 63749
Hendersons Bond 56184
AXA Sun Life Bond 47942
Barings Bond 24092
207828

2004

Cost

1250

248

20238

58000

56000

25000

160736

MV
5501
9598

61893
54684
47234
23951

202861

2003

Cost
1250
248
20238
58000
56000
25000

160736

Unrealised gains arising in the year are shown in the Statement of

Activities.

6. Debtors

Due within one year
Trade debtors
Recoverable Taxation
Prepayments and accrued income

7. Cash at Bank and in Hand

In interest bearing accounts at
National Westminster Bank

15688

8. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade Creditors 2342
Accruals 6720
9062
9. Funds
Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible
Fixed
Assets
Endowment Funds:
Hering Fund —
Restricted Funds:
Housing Fund 128216
Special Publications -
Unrestricted Funds:
Maitland Emmet
BENHS Research Fund _
General Fund 29888
158104

Investments

16399

79381
54410

33822
23816

207828

Net

Current

Assets

20728

17616
(7874)

30470

Financial

Total
16399
207597
75138

51438
45830

396402

The Hering Fund was endowed to make grants out of income for research in specific

areas of entomology.

The Housing Fund consists of the property at Dinton Pastures and money put aside
to finance its upkeep and eventual replacement. The funds were derived principally
from bequests from the late Duke of Newcastle, Mr Crow and Mr Hammond.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 113

The Special Publications Fund finances the Society’s publications other than the
British Journal of Entomology and surpluses from such publications are credited to this
fund to finance future publications. Investment income is not accrued to this fund.

10. Bequests & Donations
The Maitland Emmet BENHS Research Fund was established in 1996 with the
intention of financing future grants for entomological research which would be
less narrowly defined than those made by the Hering Fund.

11. Grants
Grants of £750 were paid from the Hering Fund and of £1000 from the Maitland
Emmet BENHS Research Fund. An additional grant of £1000 was paid towards
the publication costs of The Moths of Essex.

REPORT OF THE MAITLAND EMMET BENHS RESEARCH FUND

Three applications for grants were received this year and each was successful,
although the full amount requested was reduced in some cases where the panel felt
that parts of the work were not appropriate for support by the Fund. The three
awards, totalling £1000, were made as follows:

1. Mr Robert Coleman, £300, to support an investigation into the ecology of the
Scarlet malachite Beetle, Malachius aeneus (L.), an RDB2 species known from
just eight localities and declining in numbers.

. Mrs Jane Smith, £500, to allow Dr Frank Menzel from Germany to visit the UK
as part of a collaboration with Mrs Smith to produce a revision of the Handbook
for the Identification of British Sciarid Flies. This is the second award from the
Fund to this project.

3. Dr Paul Waring, £200, towards an investigation into the larval ecology of the

Scarce Hook-tip Moth, Sabra harpagula (Esp.), to provide information to assist
the conservation management of the habitat of this species.

i)

I would like to thank the members of the panel and the external referees we
consult, when we need additional expertise, for their time and careful consideration
of the applications.

Reports were received from Dr M.E. Archer and Mrs J. Mackay who received
grants in 2002 and from Dr R.G. Field, Mrs J.E. Smith and Dmitry Telnov who
received grants in 2003.

During the year the Council decided that following the affiliation of the British
Myriapod and Isopod Group (BMIG) to the Society grants from the Research Fund
should be available for research on myriapods and isopods. It was agreed, therefore,
that the groups covered by the Fund should be widened to “‘non-marine arthropods,
with preference given to insects, arachnids, myriapods and isopods’’. We now await a
myriad of applications from BMIG.

Applications for future awards from the Fund in the fields of taxonomy, field
biology and conservation of non-marine arthropods and related to the fauna of the
British Isles should be sent to the Society’s Honorary Secretary (from whom further
details can be obtained) before 30 September in any year.

JOHN MUGGLETON

114 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

PROFESSOR HERING MEMORIAL RESEARCH FUND

The Committee considered four applications to the Fund for 2005. Two of these
were supported and one was withdrawn. Jenny Craven from the Department of
Biology, University of Leeds, was granted £500 to enable her to collect specimens
from two species of leaf-mining Coleoptera, Psylliodes (Chrysomelidae) and ~
Ceutorhynchus (Curculionidae), from sites on the Scandinavian coast. This work
forms part of a broader PhD study on the ecology and evolution of endemic beetles
associated with the Lundy cabbage (Coincya wrightii) and their relatives.

Dr Henry Disney, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, was
awarded the sum of £250 to support his work on scuttle flies (Phoridae). The grant
will help towards travel and consumables needed to continue or complete various
projects on the revisionary taxonomy of this family of Diptera.

I have received a report from Dr Vladimir Zlobin, who received a grant for 2004 to
support his fieldwork on Agromyzidae in the Russian Far East. The expedition, to
the central part of Primorsk Territory, took place between | July and 10 August. Dr
Zlobin collected about 2000 agromyzid specimens belonging to 15 genera.
Preliminary investigations suggest that there are probably six new species among
this material. The information obtained will be used for the preparation of an
identification key to Agromyzidae of the area and for further revisionary work. A
number of specimens were reared from the mining stage. Observations on
agricultural crops revealed the presence of at least 2 quarantine pests in the Russian
Far East, which have been introduced from neighbouring territories during the last
five or six years. Many Palaearctic species were recorded from the region for the first
time.

I am very grateful to the other members of the Hering Committee for the work
they have done in assessing applications to the Fund.

MALCOLM J. SCOBLE

LIBRARIAN’S REPORT

The year 2004 has seen advances in the computerised cataloguing of our library
database. Around 150 newly purchased, donated or bequeathed titles have been
catalogued and placed on the shelves. However, there are many more items yet to be
processed, and to this end I am very grateful to Gavin Boyd for offering his
assistance with this project. Before much more progress can be made with this, there
will have to be a radical reorganisation of the shelf space occupied by various
subjects. Space is running out particularly on the Lepidoptera, local list,
Hymenoptera and Diptera shelves, to mention but a few.

The treatment of old leather bound journal bindings continues, though at a slower
pace this year than previously. The benefits of this restoration procedure are obvious
when one compares treated items with untreated ones. I am pleased to report that the
end of this project is now in sight, although the next stage is to address the leather
bound books.

This year I am sorry to report, once again, that the Library has benefited following
the loss of one of our more senior and highly respected members. It was with great
regret that I visited the house of Ted Wiltshire at Cookham during August to help
Martin Albertini select titles from Ted’s library that his family had said the Society
could remove. I am very grateful to them for their generosity and to Martin for
boxing and transporting the books, journals and other items to Dinton Pastures at
relatively short notice.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 115

Another acquisition of a more agreeable kind took place towards the latter half of
the year with the incorporation of the British Myriapod and Isopod Group’s library
with our own. The items concerned are held on the relevant shelf, are identifiable as
belonging to BMIG and can be accessed by all members.

In my report last year I drew attention to a proposal that had been put to Council
concerning the prohibition of journal loans from the library. The opinion of library
users on this was canvassed, with the outcome that a small majority were in favour of
halting the current practice of allowing journals to be taken out on loan by members
(13 for prohibition, 11 against). I have analysed the number of library loans from
1989 up to and including 2004. The analysis showed that the trend, identified in my
Report for 1998, for loans to be predominantly of books rather than journals has
continued. Annual journal loans, as a percentage of total annual loans, have fallen
from 48% in 1989 to just 16% in 2003, and remained at this level in 2004. Therefore,
on the basis of usage and of the opinions expressed by library users, I wish to take
this opportunity to announce a change in our policy regarding journal loans. This
change, subject to ratification by the Society’s Council, will take effect in 2005. From
then members will no longer be permitted to borrow journals. However, if members
have specific research needs which involve the intensive use of journals, they can
contact me regarding their needs and I will endeavour to arrange a limited loan
period with them. This arrangement will be for a trial period. It will be reviewed if
there is no demand for it or if the practice proves disruptive for other library users.

During the year some of the late Baron de Worms’ diaries were returned to the
Library by a member who had had them on long-term loan. It did not seem
appropriate for these diaries to be held by the Society when the collections they
related to were housed in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Mark
Shaw of the National Museum confirmed that reuniting the diaries with the
collections would be useful and be welcomed by the Museum. Accordingly the
Council agreed that the diaries should be given to the National Museum of Scotland,
and their transfer will be arranged in 2005. The Society also has a small collection of
Baron de Worms’ correspondence and moth records for the London area. Whether
the Society should retain these is being discussed.

I would like to end this year’s report, my tenth as Librarian, by thanking Dr John
Muggleton for his assistance with collating and recording new journal arrivals. I also
wish to thank John Harold, David Young, Robin Williams, David Cork and Dr A. E.
Whittington for donating books and off-prints to the Library during the past year.

IAN SIMS

CURATOR’S REPORT

I can report that a net reduction in our holdings of cabinets and specimens has
taken place during 2004 so that there is a little more space for members to make use
of the facilities, and fewer central obstructions; this has been appreciated by our
regular users.

As reported last year we set out to dispose of approximately 10,000 surplus
specimens of macrolepidoptera and the duplicates weekend advertised in the

_ programme took place as planned in April. The recording of data before dispersal
_ had been considered a priority and this was achieved for significant specimens among

the general duplicates. I thank David Wedd for this, while Tony Davis is to be
congratulated for documenting all macro specimens in the Emmet collection as a

_ permanent record, available to members, now that the collection has been dispersed.

116 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

The duplicates weekend was attended by 26 people, with the Saturday especially
busy, thanks to some unexpected arrivals, but generally went well. A list of the more
desirable specimens had been prepared by David and Tony and circulated
beforehand to those known to be coming, with the option that these could be
reserved. This proved successful as, where there was an overlap in requirements, ©
there were usually sufficient specimens to satisfy most requests. Not surprisingly, a
residue of a few thousand specimens remained at the end of the weekend and
sufficient space had been freed in the duplicates cabinet to transfer these, so that the
three surplus cabinets could be cleared ready for sale.

These cabinets were advertised to all members. Previous sales have been largely
restricted to those members who have enquired about availability or are aware of this
through attendance at Society events. Interest in this sale was, however,
disappointing in that only four bids were received for the cabinet in the best
condition and none for the other two cabinets, which required some repair. It was
consequently necessary to sell the two latter to a member who had made an offer for
them, with repair in mind, prior to the general advertisement. Nevertheless, if any
other cabinets become available for sale in the future we have decided to continue
offering them to all members in this way.

Last year I thanked John Robbins of Porlock, Somerset for work he had done on
Eric Bradford’s leaf mine collection during 2003. This collection has now been
returned to the Society by Brian Gale, unfortunately subsequent to John’s death. The
mines have been identified as far as practicable although some further curation will
be necessary in cases where there are several mines in the same envelope which have
not been identified individually, only a list of contents being provided.

I also mentioned last year that duplicate material of Coleoptera was still being
processed. This mainly comprised unnamed specimens given to us by Charles
Mackechnie Jarvis. Richard Wright and Steve Lane completed work on the bulk of
this during 2004. They identified all specimens apart from aleocharine staphylinids
and returned the material arranged by family in 22 store boxes. By previous
agreement with them, examples of about 135 species were retained for the collection
of the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry at which Steve is based. This
newly named material will fill some gaps in the Society’s collection, but it remains to
be assessed. Work on the carabids by Mark Telfer has also been completed and they
are to be returned shortly.

We have also had one major acquisition during 2004, a gift from our Swedish
member Stig Torstenius. We have had for many years an excellent collection of
Scandinavian macrolepidoptera donated by him, arranged by the late Brad Ashby
and housed in three Hill units. Stig has now donated a further 400 specimens of
about 220 species, many of them new to our collection while others provide the other
sex of species where only one sex was previously represented. I am indebted to Stig
for this kind donation and to Tony Pickles for transporting the collection from
Sweden. Tony has also generously offered to rearrange the entire collection so that
the additional specimens can be incorporated in appropriate order.

In September I again attended the annual meeting of collection managers. This time
it was held at Manchester where it was of interest to see the facilities for their
collections. Pest control was again discussed and since we still experience occasional
introductions of Anthrenus, although not necessarily in incoming collections, we have ©
decided to carry out freezing of all future acquisitions and any items returned after
being away for some time, like the beetles and leaf mines that have come back in the
past year. When there was a discussion about taking over the exhibition area at the
front of our building the installation of a deep freeze was one of the options we |

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 117

considered for its use. As this takeover has not happened, the Country Park have
agreed to us installing a freezer in their barn. This acquisition will be a priority for 2005.

Once again I am grateful to all those who have filled gaps by donating specimens
to the Society in the past year and to those who have assisted in other ways, including
correction of misidentifications in the collections. I am also appreciative of the
regulars who ensure that most of our open days and workshops are lively events, but
I also urge all who have not previously made use of our facilities to consider a visit.

PETER CHANDLER

BUILDING MANAGER’S REPORT

It was perhaps too much to expect another year like 2003, in which everything at
our headquarters at Dinton Pastures seemed to function smoothly, month after
month. Considering the large number of Open Days and weekend workshops that
have been held in the Pelham-Clinton Building, we have had few problems, but there
have been occasional minor blips with the air conditioning and the strip-lighting,
although none of these has disrupted meetings. One mysterious alarm-call (at
midnight) was gallantly answered by the Librarian and the police, while the Building
Manager slept. No reason for it was discovered, and any annoyance caused was
tempered by the value of a ‘trial run’, and the knowledge that the system still works!

I am grateful to those members who have provided extra cutlery and utensils for
the kitchen, and who have helped with the cleaning of the collection-room and the
library. There is still a shortage of space. In my last report I expressed hope that this
might be solved, at least in part, by the sale of some surplus cabinets after the
‘Duplicates Weekend’. This duly took place in April, and for a while the Building
seemed blissfully roomy, but BENHS Law states that space created by the removal
of equipment and possessions will be immediately filled by the arrival of more boxes,
files and journals. There is no doubt, however, that part of the enjoyment of Open
Days comes from meeting other members, and a crowded room is more satisfactory
than an empty one. There does seem to be enough table-space (and microscopes) for
everyone, and all in all the Pelham-Clinton Building is a convenient and pleasant
place to have as our headquarters.

During the year the Society has continued to develop a close relationship with the
Dinton Pastures management, and an increasing number of members now spend
time exploring the beautiful lakes and meadows — and socialising in the café — as well
as working in the Building. National Moth Day and Night in May 2004 proved a big
success, as BENHS members joined the rangers from the Country Park to combine
scientific recording with the teaching of natural history to visitors of all ages. The
event was very well received, and we are already making ambitious plans for the 2005
event. The walls of the P-C Building now display many photos of the lakes, flora and
fauna of the Park, and of members at work indoors on Open Days and in the field.
There is also a distribution-map of the impressive range of clearwing moths to be
found at Dinton Pastures.

Although Open Days are well attended, and a growing number of members
arrange to come mid-week, I still meet people who say that they have never been to
Dinton Pastures because they have no interest in looking at collections, however
impressive. Clearly this must be a personal opinion, and I can only stress that there is
so much more to offer at the Pelham-Clinton Building; that the library alone is worth

Zz day’s visit; and that the Park is beautiful and perpetually interesting. Other
members lament that Open Days are always on Sundays, although I have repeatedly

118 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

said that I can open the Building midweek for those who would prefer to come then,
and that it is a pleasure and not a chore. Those who do visit will discover that
whereas the ‘indoor’ part remains reassuringly the same, Dinton Pastures ‘outdoors’
varies spectacularly throughout the seasons. Please come and see!

DAVID WEDD —

EDITOR’S REPORT

Volume 17 of the British Journal of Entomology & Natural History was published
in four parts in April, July and October 2004 and January 2005, respectively. Fewer
large manuscripts were submitted during the year so the issue length, 256 pages was
shorter than in 2003. The Volume length, however, was about average when
compared with issues of the journal published over the past ten years.

The experimental technique of incorporating individual colour portraits of insects
in the text in magazine format was discontinued in favour of full colour plates. A
record number of plates, 14 in all, was published during the year. The majority of
these formed the basis of the 2003 Presidential Address given by Basil Harley on the
life of the publisher Lovell Reeve (1814-1865). The plates chosen were designed to
show the genius of Reeve in employing the best artists and printers of the day and the
breadth of wildlife subjects that he covered. Two plates of butterflies and one of
Nomada bees were also printed in addition to the two colour plates illustrating
species shown at the annual exhibition. The cost of preparing and printing the extra
plates was met by the generosity of Graham Howarth and Basil Harley.

There were 33 articles in Volume 17 in addition to the standard reports of Society
indoor meetings, the Annual Exhibition, and Officers’ summaries. Eight species new
to Britain and a new form of Nomada fulvicornis Fab. were described. Observations
of several insects reported in the Journal have resulted in follow-up articles, and this
extra information has proved beneficial in providing a wider understanding of the
biology of these species. This goes to show that ordinary members can make a real
contribution to the Journal. Two articles even referred to global warming. There
were 19 book reviews and one obituary, of Dr John Bradley, an Honorary member
of the Society.

Special thanks go to David Young and Roger Hawkins for preparing the Index to
Volume 16 (2003). I would also like to thank those members who have given their
time on behalf of the Society; in photographing insects (Richard Jones), in refereeing
papers, in writing the Annual Exhibition reports and proof-reading.

I look forward to receiving more papers in 2005.

JOHN BADMIN

DIPTERISTS FORUM REPORT

Dipterists Forum have had another successful year in 2004 with membership
standing at 278 fully paid up members. A publicity display was organised by our
Membership Secretary at the AES Exhibition where six new members joined and
copies of our journal Dipterists Digest were sold. There are now 262 subscribers to
Dipterists Digest and colour plates may now be included in one issue each year.

A Dipterists Forum BAP Species Officer has been appointed to review and submit
recommendations regarding the review of BAP species of Diptera via Buglife.

The Dipterists Forum Website (http://www.dipteristsforum.org.uk) continues to
be developed as a publicity and recruiting aid. It is becoming an increasingly useful

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 119

resource with the recent addition of a searchable list of the articles published in
Dipterists Digest and a downloadable version of the current Diptera Checklist of the
British Isles.

The Spring Workshop, “Introduction to Acalypterate Families’ was successful
and well attended. A parallel Workshop “Introduction to the Families of Diptera’”’,
aimed at beginners, was less popular. The Dipterists Forum Summer Field Meeting
was based at Wiltshire College, Lackham and, as usual, we were joined by some
Hymenopterists and Coleopterists. The accommodation and food were among the
best we have had on our Summer Meetings. Despite the drought the previous year
good numbers of fungus gnats and craneflies were found. Many of the other families
of Diptera were less plentiful, but a number of significant finds were made.

The Autumn Field Meeting took place in East Sussex. We were fortunate in
having a local dipterist to act as our guide to the excellent sites in the area. Although
the weather forecast was for rain each day, it only occurred in our area on the day of
arrival, although it rained every night. Reports of these meetings will be published in
Dipterists Digest.

KEN MERRIFIELD

BEES, WASPS AND ANTS RECORDING SOCIETY (BWARS) REPORT

After a slight decline in membership in 2003 there was an encouraging surge in
interest in bees, wasps and ants last year and the society’s membership rose to an all
time high of 307, of which 274 were paying (as opposed to corresponding) members.

Following the trial of a “northern” BWARS weekend in Liverpool in 2003, last
year the meeting returned to the south and was held at the BENHS headquarters at
Dinton Pastures. Numbers attending the weekend were high, so much so that the
capacity of the Pelham-Clinton building was exceeded and activities overflowed into
the adjacent Country Park buildings. In addition to the usual AGM business,
workshops were held on separation of the black Lasius ants and the various members
of the Chrysis ignita (L.) group, both as a follow-up to the preliminary investigations
of the previous year. Beginners were catered for by a workshop on identifying bees to
genera, at which two new generic keys were tested. Members’ talks included an
introduction to a Europe-wide project to investigate declines in pollinating insects
(ALARM), an overview of research into soft rock cliff faunas in Wales, a description
of the foraging activity of Vespula vulgaris (L.), and an account of recording
aculeates in Shropshire.

As in previous years there were no BWARS field meetings, but members were
invited to the summer field meeting of Dipterists Forum held in Wiltshire in early
June.

Two newsletters were published during the year, the second extending to some 60
pages. Contents included society business, discussions of the BAP review and the use
of members’ data in the NBN, draft species profiles for the provisional atlas, notes
from around the country and book reviews. Although both Atlas 5 and the newly
revised members’ handbook had both been completed, neither appeared due to
delays at the publishers. They are expected to be available early in 2005 and will be
circulated to all fully paid up members.

During the year BWARS distribution data was provided to the Aculeate
Conservation Group, RSPB, the National Biodiversity Network, the Irish Bee
Biodiversity Project, ALARM, the Natural History Museum and Buglife.

GRAHAM A. COLLINS

120 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
PART 1: REPORT

MIKE WILSON

Head of Entomology Section, Department of Biodiversity & Systematic Biology,
National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Cardiff CF10 3NP

Like others before me in this position I do not intend to depart very far, if all, from
the usual format of this report. As outgoing President I am ‘allowed’ to comment on
wider aspects of Society business, or on those aspects not covered by the Council and
Officers reports given by others and to put the Society year into a wider context — and
that I intend to do.

Although we are a largely amateur Society we are a registered charity, a situation
that gives certain advantages as well as wider responsibilities. The “promotion of
entomology” is clearly one of our charitable responsibilities, a position we share with
other, ‘professional’ entomological societies. However, it is frequently difficult to
present the relevance (let alone significance or importance) of what we do, as a hobby
or even as a full-time entomologist to a wider public. Indeed many members may
well consider it unnecessary even to begin. Many organisations have ‘mission
statements’ — usually of mind numbing mediocrity. I am pleased that scientific
societies have generally not yet succumbed to this trend. However, the Entomolo-
gical Society of America newsletters include the phrase “Entomology: A proud
profession” I wonder if anyone is convinced?

But a certain sector of the public is genuinely interested in our activities — either
leisure or professional — although as professionals it might be a case of “you get
paid to do that?’ The public do seem interested in the idea of finding new species
— whether new to Britain or undescribed; and in the idea of naming species. It is
more of a challenge to explain rules of nomenclature. The general public are also
certainly interested in entomologists being able to see signs of climate change
using insect examples and to use invertebrates in conservation discussions. I do
worry though that the conservation debate is carried on at a relatively esoteric
level when the vast majority of the public are very unlikely now to be able to
identify even the commonest plants and animals. Even more worrying is that they
don’t seem to care.

It is a continuing challenge to find new ways to engage wider attention in any
scientific activities and to show their relevance. Several events took place in 2004 that
are partly or wholly designed for a better public understanding of the breadth of
interest and importance in the study of entomology.

Spring 2004 saw the official launch of Buglife, The Insect Conservation Trust
(even though it has been in operation for a couple of years). The launch, held at the
Wetland Centre, Barnes, ensured good publicity by inviting the natural history
presenter Nick Baker to be President and having Professor Germaine Greer and
Professor Edward Wilson as Vice Presidents. At the launch, Lord May, the current
President of the Royal Society, stressed again the importance to global life of
invertebrates. We wish Buglife future success in its aims to “prevent invertebrate
extinctions and to maintain sustainable populations of invertebrates in the UK”.

National Insect Week, in June 2004, was the first event to attempt to promote the
study of insects at a national level. It was initiated by the Royal Entomological
Society, with collaboration with the Natural History Museum and sponsors and
invited linked events with other Societies and Institutes, which included BENHS.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 121

The events during the week gained some good press coverage and the week seemed
generally very well received. It will be repeated again in 2006 so there is an
opportunity for other Societies to plan or link field meetings or activities that could
involve the public. This includes such events as the well-established National Moth
Night (organised by Butterfly Conservation) which occurred during National Insect
week in 2004.

The communication of our interests in insects occurs at various levels. Interactions
with the general public usually form a small part of communicating our interests. For
many it is social contacts with friends and colleagues to discuss entomological
interests that is more important. Indeed it may have been an important reason we
joined this and also join other societies.

2004 was also the year of the International Congress of Entomology (ICE), which
coincides with the Olympics every 4 years. Also like that sporting event, countries
compete and bid to hold the next one. They are also quite a marathon. This year it
was in Brisbane, Australia and around 3000 entomologists gathered for a week in
August to participate in multiple parallel sessions of huge diversity. One day was
devoted to public talks and activities and each morning started with wide-ranging
‘plenary’ talks often of significant wider public interest. Brightly-coloured Congress
backpacks were issued to all and it was interesting to see them throughout the city
and beyond during that week. It was also pleasant to come across old colleagues (and
new ones) by just walking around the city centre. A significant number of delegates
combined attendance at the Congress with visits to the Brisbane Museum to examine
the collections and even carry out some collecting (permits allowing).

Some entomologists dislike such large gatherings, preferring only to attend
specialist meetings. But at such large meetings, as the ICE, it is possible to widen
personal general knowledge of topics and to hear presentations from leaders in their
fields. At a smaller scale our Society meetings offer the opportunity to hear a wide
range of talks through the year as well as specialist workshops, field meetings and the
Annual Exhibition. It could be considered a microcosm of the study and pursuit of
entomology in the UK.

You have already heard the reports from officers of the society and again I would
not wish to depart from tradition in thanking a number of individuals for their
contribution to the Society. Margaret Thatcher famously said there was “‘no such
thing as society, only individuals” whatever she did actually mean by that phrase
there would certainly not be a Society without the individuals who keep the BENHS
moving forward.

On behalf of Society members I would very much like to thank all Council
members and Officers for their contributions to the effective running of the Society in
2004. Among all of these I would like to thank: John Badmin for editing the Journal
with patience and good humour (which is much needed at times); David Young for
co-ordinating the sending of Journals and maintaining the website; Ian McLean for
organising the Indoor Meetings Programme and for coordinating the Publications
Committee; Paul Waring for arranging the field meetings programme; David Wedd
for looking after Dinton Pastures and Peter Chandler and Ian Sims the insects and
library housed there, and Tony Pickles as Treasurer continues to ensure the finances
of the Society are run smoothly. I dare to single out the Secretary John Muggleton
for personal thanks for his assistance during the year and guiding me through the
various duties as President. It has been an interesting and enjoyable year that has
passed very quickly.

It is the sad but inevitable duty to record the passing of some members during the
year. In the past twelve months we have noted the deaths of the following.

122 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

DEATHS IN YEAR

Dr D.B. Baker. A Special Life Member, who had joined in 1939.
Mr E.P. Wiltshire. A member since 1967. Died in September at the age of 94.
Spent over 40 years in the Consular service, mostly in the Middle East, but also in

South America and Europe. Ted Wiltshire made extensive studies of the Lepidoptera —

of the Middle East, and published the Lepidoptera of Irag in 1957. In retirement he
was a frequent visitor to the Entomology Department of the Natural History
Museum. Ted Wiltshire was also Editor of the Society’s Proceedings (1976-1980).

V.W. Philpott of Ashford, Kent. Special Life Member (joined 1946). Interested in
Lepidoptera.

John Robbins of Porlock, Somerset. Member since 1989. Interested in Micro-
lepidoptera.

Mr J. Michael Chalmers-Hunt of West Wickham. Honorary Member and twice
President. Joined in 1946. Apart from Lepidoptera he was especially interested in the
history of entomology and his publication on Natural History auction catalogues is
of fundamental importance in tracing the fate of early collections sold at auction.

Dr D.H. Howton of Northants. A member since 1994 and interested in
Leipdoptera, Hymenoptera and Coleoptera.

Peter Alan Lees, died January 2004 (notified April 2004).

The Hon. Miriam Rothschild of Ashton Wold, Peterborough, a member since 1964.

Dr P.F.G. Twinn died in October 2004 aged 88. A member since 1962. Peter
Twinn was a wartime cryptographer and the first Briton to break an Enigma cipher.
Twinn became interested in entomology after the war and studied the jump of the
click beetle for a PhD.

Sir John Dacie FRS died February 2005 aged 92. John Dacie had been a member
since 1956 and was interested in Lepidoptera as a hobby. In his professional life he
was one of the most influential haematologists in the world.

I have already asked you to stand in memory of these members so I will not ask
you to do so again.

I suspect that entomologists are a fairly optimistic group of individuals looking
forward each year to seeing new habitats or visiting new localities or of course
visiting familiar sites to see what changes are occurring. The coming year will see the
demolition of the building housing the Entomology Department in the Natural
History Museum. There will be many happy memories of that building, its staff and
collections for many of us and for colleagues around the world. We can only hope
that when the “‘Darwin Centre II” is built on the site and the collections are again
together it will provide facilities that will fulfil all expectations.

Among the various topics discussed at Council during the year most cover the
routine aspects of the yearly cycle of activities; field meetings, indoor meetings, the
annual exhibition and the Journal. Towards the end of the year Council discussed
what Members ‘got out of the BENHS’ and did the Society know what members
thought of it and its activities. From these discussions has come the development of a
simple questionnaire. In order to plan for future developments of the Society the
Council would like to know what Members think about various aspects of the
activities from the Journal to the website. This questionnaire will be distributed in
early 2005 and we look forward very much to your views.

In deciding on a topic for the Presidential Part 2, the subject I wished to avoid
discussing was the biology or taxonomy of my own research interests, thinking them to
be of rather narrow appeal. I decided instead on attempting to review an aspect of change
that has affected us all over the past few years— Entomology in the digital age.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 123

BENHS INDOOR MEETINGS

14 September 2004

The President, Dr M.R. WILSON, welcomed members of the London Natural
History Society to the tenth Brad Ashby Memorial Lecture meeting. He announced
the deaths of Mr J. Robbins, Mr E. Wiltshire, Special Life Member Mr V. Philpott
and Honorary Member Mr J. Chalmers-Hunt.

Mr R. UFFEN showed a specimen of the picture-wing fly Rhagoletis meigenii
(Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae). This was one of two females found on foliage of
Berberis thunbergii DC seen in a garden at Welwyn, Herts on 17.vii.2004. Some of the
mature berries contained a single fully-fed larva. The only other recent record of this
fly in Britain was a specimen taken by Richard Jones in Battersea Park, London.

Mr R.D. HAWKINS showed a live male wood cricket, Nemobius sylvestris (Bosc)
found in the Forét de Crécy in northern France on 24.vi.2004. It had been fed in
captivity on a diet of lettuce and dead insects with a little apple. Mr O. Crundall
noted that N.sy/vestris had been found recently on Bookham Common in Surrey.
Previous records from the county showed it to be confined to Wisley Common and
the adjacent RHS Garden.

The following were approved as members: Dr Howard A. Bell, Dr Jacobus C.
Biesmeijer, Mr Peter A. Clarke, Mr Peter N. Floyd-Spong, Dr Andrew M. George,
Mr Andrew Grayson, Mr Derek Hallett, Mr Gregory R. Hitchcock, Mr Duncan E.
Jackson, Mr Peter M. MacDonald, Mr Neil E. Marks, Mr Peter D. Masters, Mr
Mark R. Payne, Miss Patricia M. Walker and Miss Claudia M. Watts.

Mr A.J. HALSTEAD reported he had found a cluster of first instar nymphs of the
Southern green shield bug, Nezara viridula (L.) on runner beans on his allotment at
Sheets Heath, Brookwood, Surrey. This insect was reported as breeding for the first
time in the UK during 2003 in some London localities. Dr Wilson said that samples
of N. viridula have been sent to the Natural History Museum from Kent. This insect
has a world-wide distribution but there is some variation in the acoustic
communication it produces in different parts of its distribution.

Dr WILSON also reported that a search for leafhoppers at Pant-y-Sais fen, near
Swansea the previous week had produced few specimens, although the site had
produced good results in early September in previous years. This may indicate an
early end to the 2004 season, or a consequence of either the wet weather in August or
the drought last summer. Despite the lack of leafhoppers, the giant raft spider,
Dolomedes plantarius (Clerck) was seen at its third UK locality.

Mr S. MILES reported he had recently seen the wasp spider, Argiope bruennichi
(Scopuli) in Hanworth Air Park, West London.

Mr EDWARD MILNER, the London Natural History Society spider recorder, gave the
tenth Brad Ashby Memorial Lecture. His subject was “Spiders in Urban London”.
London’s spider fauna is relatively well known but changes are occurring due to factors
such as climate change, loss of habitat and changes in the way habitats are managed. A
species of jumping spider new to Britain, Macroeris nidicolens (Brown) was found on
Corsican pines at Mile End Park in 2002. Some species had been rediscovered after a
long period of no sightings. A good example was the tube web spider, Atypus affinis
Eichwald, recorded by Bristowe on Hampstead Heath in the last century. After careful
searching, the speaker was able to locate suitable habitat on Hampstead Heath and was
able to find the spider again. The use of pit-fall traps on Black Heath recorded two
specimens in 2003. Some spiders were expanding their range. The wasp spider, Argiope
bruennichi (Scopuli) used to be confined to the south coast but had now spread

124 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

northwards up to Warwickshire. It had now been found in five London sites, including
Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Park. This spread could be due to global warming.
This spider preys mainly on grasshoppers in long grass and it may be benefiting from a
greater abundance of prey. The orb web spider, Neoscona adiantum (Walckenaer) had

also expanded back into London recently, possibly recolonising in response to cleaner °

air in central London. Reduced frequency of mowing in some London parks has
benefited some spiders, such as Larinioides cornutus (Clerck) and Pisaura mirabilis
(Clerck). The speaker stressed the importance of allowing vegetation to grow up in
order to provide places where spiders can spin their webs.

In addition to recording spiders on plants, the speaker had been using pit-fall traps.
These were used to provide monthly samples and to provide a standardised recording
technique. Such traps help detect under-recorded species that are active in autumn and
winter. Pit-fall trapping can indicate changes in the spider fauna in relation to changes
in site management, and also allows comparisons to be made between sites.

9 November 2004

The President Dr M.R. WILSON opened the meeting.

Mr R.D. HAWKINS showed a male hornet, Vespa crabro (L.). This was one of
many flying around a clump of trees in Reigate, Surrey on 6.x.2004.

Mr A.J. HALSTEAD showed a live Oncomera femorata (F.) (Col.: Oedemeridae)
swept from shrubs at Fairlight Glen, Hastings Country Park, Sussex on 15.x.2004.
This is a local beetle in England and Wales. It is active at night and often found on
the flowers of ivy and sallows.

The following persons were approved as members by Council: Mr C. A. Searle,
Miss J. Locke, Mr T. Fayle, Professor M. Burrows, Mr B. Blagden, Mr J. H.
Bentley, Mr R. B. Angus and Mr K. Ward.

Mr R. UFFEN referred to his observation of dead bumblebees near a Cotoneaster
that he had reported at the September indoor meeting. It had since been suggested to
him that the bees may have been killed by hornets. Mr R.D. HAWKINS asked why
bumblebees are sometimes found dying under lime trees. Mr HALSTEAD replied that
the type of lime usually associated with this phenomenon is Tilia ‘Petiolaris’. The
nectar of this plant contains a sugar called mannose that bumblebees cannot
metabolise. Their digestive enzymes become irreversibly locked onto the mannose
molecules, causing bumblebees to starve even though their stomachs may be full of
nectar. Honey bees and many other insects also feed at Tilia ‘Petiolaris’ flowers but
do not seem to suffer this fate.

Mr MIKE EDWARDS spoke on the subject of whether insect assemblages can be
used as a monitoring tool to assess sites and contribute to management plans.
Compared with plants, birds and mammals, insects and other invertebrates present
problems when a conservation site is being surveyed. They may be difficult to find
or identify, and their abundance cannot be easily assessed. Many sites will have
some sort of insect list but this may be nothing more than a list of species. Species
lists of insects need annotating to provide site managers with information, where
available, about habitat requirements, geographical range and conservation status.
Insect surveys need to record the common species as well as rarities, since it is the
more common, and hence more easily found species that define the broad
invertebrate habitats. Animals higher up the food chain usually depend on the
more common species lower down, rather than feeding on rare species. No insect in
the UK is dependent on the Lady’s Slipper Orchid, although that plant may need
insects for pollination. It is those species in the middle range of scarcity that are

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 125

likely to be most helpful in assessing a site. These species may occur at low
densities over a wide area or may be relatively abundant under certain localised
conditions. They often have specific needs and it is these species that form the
backbone of the idea of assemblages, i.e. groups of species that might be found
together in roughly similar situations.

Defining habitat types in too much detail can lead to problems. Broad
descriptions, such as heathland, deciduous woodland or grassland are useful starting
points that can be sub-divided to bring in other characteristics, such as vegetation
types, soil moisture and aspect. When recording species assemblages, it is advisable
to base the assemblage on a wide range of insect Orders. This may require the
involvement of several entomologists to provide the necessary specialisms to cover
the principal invertebrate groups found on a site. There is a danger that management
plans may be based on “‘flagship”’ species in the belief that what suits those particular
species will also benefit others that live in similar habitats. That may be true but
ecosystems are usually much more complex than that.

The speaker’s interest in insect assemblages began when he and Peter Hodge were
involved in a survey of West Sussex heathlands in 1993. When the data were collated
from this and other surveys carried out earlier, including one in 1992 by Francis
Rose, it was clear that some species were present on many sites, while others were
apparently on only a few. This led to a consideration of whether combinations of the
scarcer species could be related to habitat features on the heaths. Lists of “Indicator
species of West Sussex heathlands”’ were compiled according to the habitat features
these species required. These were tabulated against the sites being surveyed and the
decade during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in which the indicator species had been
most recently recorded. Consideration of the recording effort and the presence of
suitable habitat features allows individual sites to be described in terms of their features
for invertebrate assemblages and to predict what extra species might be present. The
West Sussex heaths survey was repeated in 2003-2004. The indicator species identified
in the earlier survey were still present, although not necessarily on the same sites.
Nevertheless the basic assemblages have proved reasonably consistent and can be used
to indicate whether a site has gained or lost important features. This means that site
managers can be given better guidance on what is needed to maintain habitats.

The speaker said that, in his experience, vegetational succession, both in terms of
species and structure, will take place, whatever efforts are made to halt the process.
The role of management should not be to arrest the succession process but to allow it
to proceed and then restart it. This implies destroying one habitat to create another.
The single most important thing for management is not to do the same thing
everywhere at the same time — variety is the spice of life!

11 January 2005

The President, Dr M. R. WILSON chaired the meeting.

Mr R. D. HAWKINS showed on behalf of Mr P. J. HODGE a male Phosphaenus
hemipterus (Goeze) (Col: Lampyridae) collected 24.vi.04 in the Forét de Crécy, Somme,
northern France. This was one of at least six swept from the grassy verge of a forest
track at midday. Half an hour later, none could be found. This beetle is rare in Britain;
it might be worth sweeping known sites at midday to see if it can be found more easily.

The following persons were approved as members by Council: Mr Robert Gaffney,
Mr Jason Gosling, Miss Sophie I. Hine, Mr Malcolm W Humphries, Mr Roger James,
Mr M. Killeby, Mr Simon M. Knight, Mr Richard M. Lyszkowski, Dr Andrew
Mitchell, Mr Richard Price, Mr Ian C. Cross and Mr Stuart G. I. Cole.

126 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 |

Dr ALAN STEWART spoke on ““Glow-worms and light pollution—an urban myth
or insidious threat?’ There are three species of glow-worm in Britain, of which
Lampyris noctiluca (L.) is the only widespread species. It has a two-year life cycle
spread over three years. Eggs are laid in the soil in June-July and these hatch in late

summer. The larvae feed on snails, doing most of their development in the second:

summer and pupating in the following spring. The adult beetles do not feed and are
short lived. The females are flightless; this means the species has limited dispersal
powers and is vulnerable to changes in land use.

The female beetles emit a cold whitish green light from the last three abdominal
segments as a means of attracting males. Male beetles and the larvae can also emit
light. The females crawl up plant stems in the evening and begin to glow when it is
fully dark. After mating has taken place females stop producing light. Males have
colour vision and locate glowing females by sight.

Glow-worms appear to be in decline. They are under threat from habitat destruction
or deterioration because of vegetation succession. Habitat fragmentation is also a
problem. Light pollution is a growing problem that may be affecting glow-worms.
Low-pressure sodium street lights produce an intense light in a narrow colour spectrum.
High-pressure sodium lights give a less intense light over a wide spectrum, including
short wave. Male glow-worms respond most strongly to the yellow-green part of the
colour spectrum, similar to the light produced by female glow-worms. Males are
inhibited by short wave light and so may be affected by high-pressure sodium lights.
Females do not glow during the day and could be affected by lighting at night. Females
glow on average for about 30 minutes but may do so for up to three hours. Producing
light has a metabolic cost and longer periods of glowing may result in reduced fecundity
because of delayed mating or reduced female body weight.

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

Additional records of Dolerus megapterus Cameron (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae)
from Wiltshire. —Jonty Denton and Graham Collins recently reported the occurrence
of this rare sawfly in carr woodland adjacent to the Kennet & Avon canal in
Berkshire (BJENHS 18 (2005): 44). I collected single males of this species at a
fenland site near Pewsey, Wilts. on 7.vi.2000 and from North Meadow NNR, near
Cricklade, Wilts. on 12.vi.2001. Interestingly the former site is close to the banks of
the Kennet & Avon Canal.—K. J. GREARSON, 10 Eastfield, Ashton Keynes,
Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 PR.

Winter occurrence of Eupteryx filicum (Newman) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in east
Kent.—This leafhopper appears to be common in suitable areas of southern and
western England including Kent. Nymphs and adults feed on a range of ferns often
causing appreciable frond damage. According to the RES Handbook on Cicadellidae
(Le Quesne & Payne, 1981) E. filicum occurs as late as September and October.
Adults of this species were swept from male fern Dryopteris filix-mas in Perry
Woods, Selling on 28.xi. and 10.xii.04, 16.1.05 and 3.11.05 indicating that a proportion
of individuals survive through the winter months. In east Kent, snow fell virtually
every day for two weeks during late February—early March (up to 2m recorded in
Slade hamlet higher up on the Downs) causing structural damage to plants. The
ferns were totally crushed and no live E. filicum was found once the snow had
receded.—J. S. BADMIN, Coppice Place, Selling, Kent ME13 9RP.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 127

ANNOUNCEMENT

A change to our library loans policy.— For some time now members have suggested
that we prohibit the loaning of journals from the library. The reasons for this move
are:

e to prevent the inconvenience to visiting members wishing to consult a specific
reference, only to find that another member has it out on loan

e to increase security, as old journal numbers are hard to replace

e this is common practice in other libraries.

In response to this suggestion, last year I put a questionnaire in the library to
canvas the opinions of library users on this issue. The results showed that a small
majority (13 for, 11 against) were in favour of prohibiting loans of journals.

Analysis of trends in loaned material over the past few years (Fig. 1) shows a
decline in journal loans, and a corresponding increase in book loans. Annual journal
loans, as a percentage of total annual loans, have fallen from 48% in 1989 to just
16% in 2003, and remained at this level in 2004. Therefore, on the basis of usage and
of the opinions expressed by library users, I wish to take this opportunity to
announce a change in our policy regarding journal loans.

From 30 June 2005 members will no longer be able to borrow journals from the
library. However, Council has authorised me to make two exceptions to this rule.

1) Titles that we have duplicates of (Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation,
and the Entomologists Gazette), one set will be reference only, the other set may be
borrowed.

2) If members have specific research needs, which involve the intensive use of
journals, they can contact me regarding their requirements and I will endeavour
to arrange a limited loan period with them. This arrangement will be for a trial
period. It will be reviewed if there is no demand for it, or if the practice proves
disruptive for other library users.

Personally speaking I hope this does not interfere with the research needs of
members, but feel that the time for this change is now right. Also, I would like to ask
all members with journals out on loan to return them as soon as possible so that a
stock take can be undertaken by the end of the year.

IAN SIMS (Hon. Librarian)

60 ~

Journals as % of total loans

|

ee a a aa ae ee

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Year

Figure 1. Trend in percentage journal loans vs total loans, 1989-2004.

128 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

THE TORSTENIUS COLLECTION

Many members will be familiar with the ‘Torstenius Collection of Scandinavian
Lepidoptera’ which is housed at Dinton Pastures. Stig Torstenius of Stockholm,
Sweden, a special life member of this Society, donated this collection to us some
years ago at the instigation of the late Brad Ashby. The majority of his private
collection has now passed to the Stockholm Museum but he has kindly made a
further donation to the British Entomological & Natural History Society.

I recently had the great pleasure of visiting him at home in Stockholm and
receiving on behalf of the Society four store boxes of additional insects. These
comprise some 60 species of macro lepidoptera not previously represented and many
additional specimens and forms. It is hoped that these will be curated into the
existing collection during the winter of 2004 to 2005.

We express our sincere thanks to Stig and to the other Scandinavian lepidopterists
who have participated in this gift.

TONY PICKLES

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 129

OBITUARY
EDWARD P. WILTSHIRE 1910—2004

Ted Wiltshire has passed away at the ripe old age of 94—very possibly unknown to
most younger readers of this journal. He was one of England’s most prominent
‘amateur’ entomologists, mostly dealing with butterflies and moths from further
afield than Europe. He was editor of the British Journal of Entomology and Natural
History from 1976 to 1980.

A typical middle class education culminated with graduation in classics from Jesus
College, Cambridge. Again — typically —his education had involved the collection and
study of butterflies and moths, its effects rather more enduring than usual.

In 1932 he joined the Consular Service and held a large number of increasingly
senior postings in Beirut, Mosul, Baghdad, Tabriz, Ahwaz, Teheran, Kermanshah,
Cairo, Bahrain, Buenos Aires, and Geneva. In 1967 he was posted to London with a
brief detour to le Havre.

During this time he travelled much~— what did a British consul in Kermanshah in
the 1950s actually have to do apart from some mild gathering of intelligence? — and
collected butterflies and moths along the way. He published the most detailed
accounts yet of the Lepidoptera of Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt and Bahrain which remain
primary sources to any study of these faunae. He also wrote numerous smaller
papers, some of a technical nature but many of general information.

During the 1970s he fortuitously became associated with the fauna of Saudi
Arabia project and published many papers, culminating in an up-to-date list of all
the moths of the Arabian Peninsula. He ceded the butterflies to me. I am not sure
how many new moths were described as part of the Arabian project, but it might well
exceed 100—in addition to the clarification of the status of many others.

I was first in touch with Ted in 1974 when living in Lebanon. I was preparing a
book on the butterflies of that country and had just—with considerable pride—
published a paper demonstrating that Allancastria cerisyi (Godart) in Lebanon

130 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 |

Wiltshire on consular duty. His Lepidoptera of Iraq was first published in 1944.

consisted of two distinct species. A letter arrived from Ted congratulating me on
solving a matter about which he had had suspicions so vague that he never
committed them to paper. I was dumbfounded. With the short time horizons of
youth and since the Lebanon butterfly paper was published seven years before my
birth, I had assumed he was long-since dead. Well, he was not. We had many long
and interesting discussions about the fauna of the Middle East and Arabia. We last
met in 2000 at the Royal Entomological Society in London. He insisted that we walk
down to the closest pub for a beer and a more informal chat than could be had in
those august halls.

Ted Wiltshire described his life in a series of autobiographic reminiscences cited
below. They show the amazing changes between the world of the 1940s and the end
of the 20th century.

TORBEN B. LARSEN

Edward Wiltshire was a true gentleman and one of the best amateur lepidopterists
of the 20th century; his production was exceptional. He was a wonderful nature
observer and he liked to share his knowledge; he was for me an example, a guide, a
master, and I had the high honour to be his friend and I will not forget him. A new
Cucullia species (Noctuidae), endemic to South-West Arabia, will be dedicated to
him soon, and probably an African Acontia as well, as he had a special interest in the
two genera.

ALBERT LEGRAIN

SELECTED AUTOBIOGRAPHY

1991. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 103: 63-68, 119-124, 175-180, 251-256,
307-312.
1992. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 104: 33-38, 71—74, 149-154, 203-206.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 131

FIELD MEETINGS

Saltfleetby—Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, Lincolnshire, 1-3 June 2004

Leader: Paul Waring. — The aim of this event, which took place over the nights of 1/2
and 2/3 June 2004, was to achieve large-scale light-trapping cover of the Saltfleetby—
Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR now that recent surveys have shown that this may be the
only remaining site in the British Isles to support the Marsh Moth Athetis pallustris
(Hbn.) (see Waring, 2004a,b). During the 1970s the Marsh Moth was also recorded
from three other sites in Lincolnshire (Pilcher, 1971, 1973). These were Calceby Beck
Marsh, Swaby Valley Marsh and Gibraltar Point. The first two sites do not appear to
have been searched for the Marsh Moth since Pilcher’s work in the 1970s until
Waring (2001) light-trapped at Calceby Beck Marsh on 13 & 27 June 2000 & 15 June
2001 and at Swaby Valley Marsh on 13 June 2000, following this with the well-
known technique of litter-piling for larvae of this moth at Calceby on 6 September
2001 and at Swaby on 6 September and 19 October 2001. All these searches produced
negative results. In contrast, the Marsh Moth has been recorded at Gibraltar Point
regularly up to the mid 1990s. A singleton on 17 May 1997 (Kevin Wilson) appears
to be the most recent record. However, a BENHS field meeting involving 11 light-
traps on 16 June 2001 (Waring, 2003) failed to find the moth, as did further light-
trapping with 9 light-traps on 23 June 2001 (Adrian Russell & Ron Follows) and on
apparently similar habitat on the adjacent Seacroft Golf Course with 10 light-traps
on 6 June 2002 (Adrian Russell & Ron Follows). Likewise, litter-piling at Gibraltar
Point in October 2000 (PW) and August & September 2001 & August 2002 (Gerry
Haggett & PW) was unsuccessful. Another promising site of similar habitat exists at
Red Farm Flash near North Somercotes on the Lincolnshire coast just north of
Saltfleetby and this was also explored during two BENHS field meetings, again with
negative results (see Waring, 2005a). The history, status and ecology of the Marsh
Moth at these and other sites has been reviewed by Waring (Entomologist’s Gazette,
in press) and this covers the unsuccessful efforts to find the moth at such well-known
sites as Woodwalton Fen, Huntingdonshire, and Chippenham Fen, Cambridgeshire,
where the Marsh Moth has not been recorded since the 1960s. There have been many
attempts to refind the moth on these fens and indeed the leader organised BENHS
field meetings aiming to do so on 3 & 17 June 1989 without finding this species (see
Waring, 1996).

This field meeting was held jointly by the BENHS, Butterfly Conservation and the
Amateur Entomologists’ Society and was advertised in advance notices in the
journals of the latter in addition to inclusion in the BENHS field meetings
programme. Twelve people joined the leader for the first night and a different group
of nine joined him for the second night. Earlier visits in 2004 by Mark Parsons and
Tony Davis from Butterfly Conservation on 27 May and by Sean Clancy on 28 May
had already confirmed the moth was flying in the Sandbanks Meadow dune-slack
from which it has been recorded every year since 2000 by the leader. Mark and Tony
recorded about fifty species of macro-moths, including one Marsh moth, a slightly
worn male, despite a cold night with a slight frost. They had operated five MV traps
in the meadow, one in the adjacent sand-dunes and one near the small area of reeds
in the field to the west of the meadow — the trap-site being only about 20m from the
entrance gate. The Marsh moth was in this last trap, where it has not been recorded
previously. One Marsh Pug Eupithecia pygmaeata (Hbn.) was also recorded. Sean
Clancy operated five traps the following night, all around a clump of Hippophae

132 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

rhamnoides L. (Sea Buckthorn) at the north end of the Sandbanks Meadow, the
traditional site, on a mild, dry night. His total was 65 species of macro-moths
including seven Marsh Moths. All seven arrived between 01.30 and 03.30h, evenly
distributed between the traps, and were mostly rather worn, which surprised both
Sean and the rest of us. Sean also recorded a single Sand Dart Agrotis ripae (Hbn.). —

The good attendance on | and 2 June enabled us to cover the following additional
parts of the NNR, from north to south to determine how widespread the Marsh
moth might be on this large site, as well operating traps at Sandbanks as a control:

(a) the reclaimed field to the north of the traditionally known breeding grounds,
which is being restored from arable land to habitat resembling the breeding area.

(b) the central part of the reserve, known as Rimac, which is immediately south of
Sandbanks Meadow.

(c) the extreme southern part of the site, known as Churchill Lane.

The leader took everyone attending to the proven breeding grounds, where he has
found confirmed larvae to show all parties the nature of the occupied sward before
dividing people into groups. They were now able to recognise and select similar
habitat for investigation elsewhere on site. PW displayed and distributed site maps
showing where he and the assistant site manager, John Walker, had identified
suitable trap-sites during reconnaissance earlier in the day.

The night of 1/2 June 2004

On this first night we had nineteen light-traps operating. This comprised two light-
traps in the habitat restoration field (Roger Labbett & PW), four in Sandbanks
Meadow (PW, Alec, Leslie and Lucy Kolaj), one on the other side of the gate from
the south end of Sandbanks into the field to the west (Alec), five all night and one
until 01.00h at Rimac (Peter Clarke, Adrian Wander, Peter Hutchinson and Geoff
Wright) and six at Churchill Lane (Paul Bryant, Matthew Deans, Lee Gregory,
Roger Labbett and Colin Smith). Male Fox moths Macrothylacia rubi (L.) were
patrolling before dusk as we set up the traps. As darkness fell we kept in contact
using mobile phones. The night started well. It was calm and dark at first and there
were soon swarms of flies around the lamps. Common Swifts Hepialus lupulinus (L.),
Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch) and Small Elephant Hawk-moths
Deilephila porcellus (L.) were quick to arrive. We came across two Natterjack Toads
Bufo calamita L. moving along the paths and others were heard calling. However a
mist formed and a bright moon arose by midnight. The first Marsh Moth of the night
was recorded at 00.30h at Rimac. From then onwards the light-traps were left to run
all night while we slept in our cars. The leader rose at 03.30h for a short walk
round but there was little evidence of moths flying at this time. No Marsh Moths
were seen at the Sandbanks traps, the restoration field or Churchill Lane but a
total of six individuals, all males, was recorded at Rimac. These had all arrived
between 00.30 and 03.30h. Four of them were in one Skinner trap at Site A at the
base of a huge conical sandhill and two in another trap nearby at Site B, both in
traps belonging to BENHS member Peter Clarke. The Marsh Moths arrived after
the mist had formed. All the Marsh Moths were in good condition but only one
was immaculate, the others having some signs of wear on the fringes or scales. An
important feature of both trap-sites was their height up away from the marshy
ground (about 17m). Both were in swards that are grazed annually but are not cut
for hay, and in this they differ from Sandbanks. The sites are shown in the
accompanying photographs.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 133

Fig. 1. Rimac Site A (TF 4691091669) (above) and Rimac Site B (TF 4696991657) (below),
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, Lincolnshire, 2 June 2004. Peter Clarke and Adrian
Wander standing by light-trap containing Marsh Moths.

Sward heights were measured at both sites using the Boorman drop-disc method
slightly modified by dropping the 30cm hardboard disc freely from waist height (see
Waring, 1992 for illustrated description). Other noteworthy moth species in the
catches included the White Colon Sideris albicolon (Hbn.) (e.g. Peter Clarke trapped
six individuals and Adrian Wander five), Dog’s-tooth Lacanobia suasa (D.&S.),

134 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Light Brocade L. w-/atinum (Hufn.), Small Clouded Brindle Apamea unanimis (Hbn.)
and Grass Rivulet Perizoma albulata (D. & S.). As an indication of the productivity
of the night, 100 macro-moths of 24 species were captured by the Robinson trap
fitted with 125W MB/U bulb operated just to the north of the clump of scrub at the

north end of Sandbanks and 125 individuals of 20 species in a similar trap just to the |

south of the clump (PW).

After the traps had been packed away and breakfast eaten, the leader, accompanied
by Peter Clarke and Adrian Wander, spent part of the morning photographing the sites,
measuring sward heights and recording other botanical details. Most of the Rimac area
where the Marsh Moths were captured and the meadow at Sandbanks produced sward
height measurements in the range 7-21cm, average 13cm, except at Rimac Site A
where sward heights were up to 29cm. Later the leader drafted notes upon which to
base this report and a more detailed one for Butterfly Conservation’s Action for
Threatened Moths Project (Waring, 2005b). By this stage butterflies were well on the
wing on what developed into a glorious sunny afternoon with a clear blue sky. In
Sandbanks Meadow the Common Blue Polyommatus icarus (Rott.) was the most
numerous species. Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi (L.), Small Copper Lycaena
phlaeas (L.) and Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus (L.) were also seen. A Red
Admiral Vanessa atalanta (L.) was seen sun-bathing on a tree-trunk. After an outdoor
camp meal it was soon time to welcome arriving lepidopterists for a second night of
light-trapping, in which we were wondering whether the pattern of results from the
previous night would be reinforced or not.

The night of 2/3 June 2004

On this second night eighteen light-traps were operated. The leader set up two
Robinson light traps again in the traditional spot by the clump of sea buckthorns in
Sandbanks Meadow. Paul Chapman operated three MV light-traps in the grassy
dunes on the seaward side of Sandbanks Meadow, where Ribwort Plantain Plantago
lanceolata L. (the larval foodplant) was also frequent. Colin Hutchinson also
operated an actinic trap in these dunes for part of the night. Roger Labbett operated
one MV trap in the habitat restoration field, assisted by John Janes. Peter Clarke
operated his two MV traps in the same productive area at Rimac as on the previous
night. Glen and Lana Summers operated four MV traps in similar habitat between
the large vegetated mounds of sand at Rimac, just north of Peter Clarke’s operations,
using their four-wheel drive vehicle to reach the northern-most hollow several
hundred metres north of the Rimac car-park. Churchill Lane was covered by Vats
Jaros and Tony Rouse operating five MV lights.

The air temperature at dusk was 10°C, falling to 8°C by 23.00h. It was a dry night
and the wind had dropped. Initially it was very dark but the sky was clear and when
the low yellow, near full moon rose after midnight, it shone brightly, and a mist
formed. The temperature continued to fall and a minimum of 4°C was recorded by
the leader at Sandbanks. However, it got even colder at Churchill Lane and Vats and
Tony reported that their sheets were frozen stiff as boards when they wrapped them
up at dawn. At Rimac, Glen Summers found ice had formed on his cables as he
wound them in. Despite these conditions, Peter Clarke recorded two male Marsh
Moth, one in each of his traps, but everyone else’s traps were blank for this species.
Peter’s traps were not in exactly the same places as the previous night. One was 30m
from the trap at Site A which had captured four males. The other was 120m south of
the huge conical sandhill near the car park. Peter’s trap-sites encompassed an area at

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 135

least as large as the occupied area in Sandbanks Meadow. Neither of the males were
flighty at 07.45h when released back on site.

The most noteworthy of the other moths recorded on this night were a Lyme-grass
Photedes elymi (Treit.) and a Sand Dart down on the beach at Churchill Lane (Tony
Rouse). Fox moths, Grass Rivulet, Dog’s-tooth and Small Clouded Brindle were
seen by most of us and the White Colon was reported again. As an indication of the
size of the light-trap catches, the leader recorded 31 macro-moths of 9 species in his
standard Robinson trap on the north edge of the Sandbanks Sea Buckthorn clump
and 70 individuals of 17 species in an identical trap on the south edge. The catches
were much smaller than the previous night.

Paul Chapman saw a Barn Owl Tyto alba L. patrolling the dunes in the evening and
a Fox Vulpes vulpes L. hunting out on the saltmarsh while being mobbed by a pair of
Sky Larks Alauda arvensis L. and a Meadow-pipit Anthus pratensis (L.) in the morning.
The Natterjack Toads were heard calling at Rimac during the night. The leader saw a
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (L.) fly past with a small bird in its talons after he had just
enjoyed his own breakfast by the car. A Little Egret Egretta garzetta (L.) was also seen,
one of five regularly present on the reserve, although the nearest nesting is at Holkham,
Norfolk, where there are currently about 30 pairs (John Walker).

DISCUSSION

It is odd that no Marsh Moths were captured in the traditional spot at Sandbanks,
where they had been recorded on the wing the previous week, yet they were flying at
Rimac on both nights, some in quite fresh condition. John Walker reported an
interesting observation when informed of this result. He recalled that the Natterjack
Toads spawn at Sandbanks in advance of the spawning dates at Rimac, sometimes
by up to a fortnight earlier. This is presumed to be due to some temperature or other
microclimatic difference between the sites and this could be affecting the emergence
of the Marsh Moth likewise. Rimac is more open and exposed than Sandbanks.

The results of this event are important in demonstrating that the Marsh Moth is
not confined solely to the Sandbanks Meadow, but still occurs on the Rimac part of
the reserve where it was first found by Bernard Skinner (pers. comm.) in the 1970s.
The Rimac part of the reserve differs from Sandbanks Meadow in that it is not cut
for hay. From a management point of view it is most helpful to know that the moth
is not restricted to a single part of the reserve and has survived under two different
management regimes. From a scientific point of view, the results open up a much
larger area within which to study the ecology of the Marsh Moth and to compare
and contrast different breeding situations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The leader thanks all who attended, especially John Walker, Assistant Site
Manager, English Nature, for his assistance in reconnoitring the nature reserve
during the day and for much background information on the site management. He
also thanks Adrian Wander for the use of his Garmin 12 Global Positioning System
(GPS) on the first night to supply the ten figure grid references for the trap-sites in
which the Marsh Moths were captured.

REFERENCES

Pilcher, R.E.M., 1971. Hydrillula palustris Hubn. in Lincolnshire. Entomologist’s Record and
Journal of Variation 83: 23.

136 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Pilcher, R.E.M., 1973. Hydrillula palustris (Hubner) in Lincolnshire. Entomologist’s Record and
Journal of Variation 85: 230-233.

Waring, P., 1992. Slipping a disc in the grass. British Butterfly Conservation Society News 50:
51-53.

Waring, P., 1996. The 1994 Presidential Address — part 2: Field meetings—a celebration of some
past glories and the present role of field meetings as an increasingly valuable part of our
activities. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 9: 21-43.

Waring, P., 2001. The Marsh Moth Athetis pallustris (Hbn.) in Lincolnshire. Research and
Survey in 2001. Report to Butterfly Conservation & English Nature. 22 pp.

Waring, P., 2003. Field meeting report— Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Lincoln-
shire, 16 June 2001. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 16: 55-57.

Waring, P., 2004a. News on the conservation of some UK Biodiversity Action Plan moths in
2003. Entomologists’ Record & Journal of Variation 116: 134-137.

Waring, P., 2004b. Marsh Moth in decline—light-trappers needed. Bulletin of the Amateur
Entomologists’ Society 63: 71-72.

Waring, P., 2005a. Field meeting report— Red Farm Flash, North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, 31
May 2003. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 17: 196-198.

Waring, P., 2005b. The Marsh Moth Athetis pallustris (Hbn.) in Lincolnshire: Research and
survey in 2004. Butterfly Conservation Report No. S05-09. Wareham.

National Insect Week, Indoor lecture, The Natural History Museum,
London, 17 June 2004

Speaker: Dr Paul Waring.— As one of the many events held as part of the first
“National Insect Week”, in June this year, the BENHS was invited to provide an
indoor presentation introducing itself to the public in a lunch-time slot at the Darwin
Centre in the Natural History Museum. Accordingly, Dr Paul Waring, Field
Meetings Secretary and a past President of the Society, delivered a short lecture

Paul Waring showing a hawkmoth at a BENHS lecture during National Insect Week 2004.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 137

covering the origin of the Society in 1872, the indoor meetings, workshops, annual
exhibition, web-site, journal and books published by the Society and in particular the
field meetings and expeditions organised for members. The lecture was illustrated by
photographs taken on past field meetings and expeditions and by live hawk-moths,
eggs, caterpillars and cocoons brought from home (Fig. 1). A Privet Hawk-moth
Sphinx ligustri (L.) was introduced as the largest moth in Great Britain and quickly
became a star attraction amongst the children. The live audience numbered about
twenty people, only a few of whom were members of any entomological society but
about a third of whom had either photographed or reared at least one insect. The
presentation was filmed on a video-tape for on-line viewers within the museum. An
edited version omitting the informal examination of the moths will be available for
world-wide viewing via the museum website www.nhm.ac.uk.

Wood of Cree RSPB Nature Reserve near Newton Stewart, Kirkcudbrightshire,
18-20 June 2004

Leaders: James Cadbury and Mark Telfer (RSPB). This BENHS, Grey Daggers and
RSPB joint meeting was attended by nine participants, focusing on Lepidoptera and
Coleoptera, but aiming to increase knowledge of invertebrates in general at a reserve
with rich potential but few records. Wood of Cree (NX 3772) 1s one of the largest
remaining ancient broad leaved woodlands (163 ha) in southwest Scotland. However,
much of it is fairly dense oak-wood with trees no more than about 80 years old
following clear-felling in the early 1920s. Perhaps the most interesting habitat is 13 ha
of herb-rich swamp-fen (with 50 species of vascular plants including 10 sedges) that
borders the River Cree (NX 374720). Much of the fen is flooded in winter. MV light
traps were run at five sites on the reserve and the fen was surveyed during the day.

The first night (before the official meeting) was distinctly cool, but there was plenty
of moth (and midge) activity the following night (19/20 June) when the northerly
wind dropped and the temperature rose. A total of 80 moth species (74 ‘macros’) and
five butterflies were identified. Among these were three Nationally Notable and ten
Local species. The previous total for the reserve was only 55 species of moths.

Four-dotted Footman Cyhosia mesomella (L.) (Local) was one of the most
frequent moths (54 individuals recorded), not only at light but also at dusk in the
wetter areas. Other abundant species were both White and Buff Ermine Spi/osoma
lubricipeda (L.) and S. luteum (Hufn.), Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea (Esp.), Poplar
Hawkmoth Laothoe populi (L.), the attractive Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina
(D. & S.) and Chimney Sweeper Odezia atrata (L.) which abounded by day in the
grassland. A visit to a flushed mire (NX 375726) in the late afternoon produced 20
Silver Hooks Deltote uncula (Clerk) (Local) and several Smoky Waves Scopula
ternata (Schrank) (Local), but neither were still flying at dusk. The attractive
burnished green Glyphipterix thrasonella (Scop.) was abundant in the fen in the
afternoon. Considering that there was little heathland at all near the trap sites 14
male Clouded Buffs Diacrisia sannio (L.) (Local) were a pleasant surprise. The
Coronet Craniophora ligustri (D. & S.) is local in Scotland but five specimens were
trapped. Three of the most noteworthy moths were single individuals of the pyralid
Eudonia delunella (Stainton) (Nb), Welsh Wave Venusia cambrica Curtis (Local), and
Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis (L.) (Local).

Among the larvae swept by day from the fen were those of the Argent and Sable
Rheumaptera hastata (L.) (Nb) and Glaucous Shears Papestra biren (Goeze) (Local)
from Myrica gale (Bog myrtle) and possibly Valerian Pug Eupithecia valerianata

138 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

(Hb.) (Nb). The larva of the Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis (L.) was beaten from
birch.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries Boloria selene (D. & S.) were on the wing in small
numbers and one Large Skipper Ochlodes venata (Bremer & Grey), which is near the
northern limit of its British range, was seen.

Mark Telfer identified 63 species among the beetles that he collected at the Wood
of Cree. Among 41 species from the fen he discovered five Nationally Scarce (Nb)
wetland beetles. Agabus uliginosus (L.) (Dytiscidae) is a southern water-beetle
recorded from only two 10-km squares in Scotland and this would be the first record
for Kirkcudbrightshire. Donacia crassipes F. (Chrysomelidae) is associated with
water-lilies while D. thalassina Germar feeds on club-rushes and sedges. Plateumaris
affinis (Kunze) is another chrysomelid associated with sedges on the margins of
lakes, ponds and ditches. Pelenomus comari (Herbst) is a weevil that feeds on Marsh
Cinquefoil; it does not extend further north in Britain than south-west Scotland.
These records demonstrate that the fen at Wood of Cree is a valuable habitat of at
least regional importance. By contrast, the wood-pasture where 22 species were
recorded yielded little of significance. This perhaps reflects the impacts of past
management by coppicing and clear-felling.

Further invertebrate surveys at Wood of Cree, particularly the wetlands, would be
worth undertaking at other times of year. Our thanks go to the site warden, Paul
Collin for ensuring a rewarding trip.

Castor Hanglands NNR, Northamptonshire, 27 June 2004

Leader: Paul Waring.—On 27 June 2004 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the
declaration of Castor Hanglands as a National Nature Reserve with a BENHS day-
time field meeting on site. This was part of a larger and very well attended event
organised by English Nature which involved on-site marquees, side-shows and food-
stalls. The leader brought along two Robinson light-traps full of live moths and gave
a brief presentation on mothing and the BENHS to the party-goers in one of the
tents at 13.00 h. As always, the live moths proved very popular with the children and
the hawk-moths were admired by everyone. The main aim of the field part of the
meeting however, was to see if we could detect the presence of the Orange-tailed
Clearwing Synanthedon andrenaeformis (Lasp.) and the Yellow-legged Clearwing
Synanthedon vespiformis (L.) on the site. The Yellow-legged Clearwing had not been
confirmed from the site but a single pupal case suspected to be of this species was
found by the site manager, Chris Gardiner, on 19 July 1996 and has been retained in
his collection. The pupa was projecting from between the bark and the heartwood of
a stump of a Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur L. felled two years previously, at the
south end of the reserve. The Orange-tailed Clearwing was first recorded from the
site by Rothschild some time prior to 1910 and an adult had been last seen here in

1996. The leader was joined by twelve members and others and, armed with his set of |

pheromone lures, a beating tray, nets and other equipment, we set off for the rough |
grassland and scrub in the centre of the site. This habitat is surrounded by some |

ancient broad-leaved woodland and larger conifer plantations. A large bush of
Wayfaring-tree Viburnum lantana L. had been selected in advance and at 14.00h a

‘‘vesp”’ lure was hung up on it, hoping to attract the Orange-tailed Clearwing, for —

which this is the main larval foodplant. Instead two Yellow-legged Clearwings were |
attracted to the lure, both arriving within five minutes and viewed by all of us. Both |

flew in from downwind, along the broad-leaved edge of woodland of which the ©

Wayfaring-tree was part. This was at the other end of the reserve from where |

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 139

Fig. |. Castor Hanglands, 27 June 2004. Successful luring of Yellow-legged Clearwing. Photo:
P. Waring.

the above pupa was found, suggesting the moth may be widely distributed within the
wood.

I generally find that luring clearwings is most productive between noon and 15.00h
and in warm, sunny, dry and calm conditions, so it is interesting to report that
although this day was predominantly warm and sunny, a cloud was over us and there
were actually a few spots of rain when the moths arrived. The first moth was boxed
and passed around so that everyone could view it closely. The second settled on a
Wayfaring leaf by the lure, then flew down to alight on the flowerhead of a grass,
where it sat for some time as a dark cloud passed over. Then it approached the lure
again. The accompanying photograph shows the group with the leader’s right hand
by the lure and his left hand passing round the boxed moth. The lure is in situ where
it attracted the moths. I was both pleased, and relieved, that the technique had
produced clearwings for the assembled people to see. Of the dozen persons in the
group, only two had seen a clearwing moth previously, so for most it was a life-time
first, befitting the historic nature of the occasion. No Orange-tailed Clearwings were
seen however, but this does not mean they are not here. Further attempts will be
made to find them.

Elsewhere in Northamptonshire the Orange-tailed Clearwing has only been
recorded from nearby Bedford Purlieus (in 1962, the 1990s and most recently in
2000), with a much older record from Ashton Wold. The Yellow-legged Clearwing was
found at nearby Bedford Purlieus in 1925. It was first found in Northamptonshire in
1882 and has since been reported also from Hazelborough Forest, Geddington Chase,
Weekley Hall Wood and to pheromone lure at Thrapston (John Ward, County
Macro-moth Recorder for Northamptonshire). Note that these records, together with
distribution maps and notes on the status of the moths in Northamptonshire, can
now be viewed on the web-site www.northamptonshirewildlife.co.uk/nmoths.

A little beating for larval Lepidoptera took place after the clearwing luring. This
produced a final instar larva of the Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi (F.) from Hazel

140 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Corylus avellana L. and single adults of the Short-cloaked moth Nola cucullatella (L.)
from Common Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and the Green Oak Roller
Tortrix viridana (L.) from Pedunculate Oak, respectively. A Burnet Companion
moth Euclidia glyphica (L.) was flushed from the open grassland. Gavin Boyd
recorded the following insects of other Orders: a female of the widespread and
comon yellow and black horsefly Chrysops relictus Meigen (Diptera: Tabanidae)
which settled on one of our party and is associated with damp grassland, the
widespread and frequent ground beetle Prerostichus madidus (F.) (Coleoptera:
Carabidae) which ran across the track at the site entrance, the widespread grass-
dependent capsid bug Capsus ater (L.) (Hemiptera: Miridae), swept from long grass
and the more local cicadellid bug Ledra aurita (L.) beaten from Wild Privet
Ligustrum vulgare L. but more usually associated with oaks which were growing
above the privet.

A year old Common Toad Bufo bufo L., about the size of a large thumb-print, was
found under a rotting log. The ponds on the site are well-known for numbers of
breeding toads but in the spring of 2004 few were seen and there was little evidence of
spawn (Mick Beeson, pers. comm.).

The leader thanks John Ward, and the web-site which he has compiled, for the
background information on these moths in Northamptonshire. I thank all those who
attended and English Nature for permission to hold this meeting. A copy of this
report has been deposited with English Nature.

Askham Bog, Yorkshire, 30 June 2004

Leaders: Roy Crossley & Harry Beaumont—This was a joint meeting of the
Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union (Entomological Section) and the British Entomological &
Natural History Society. The leaders and six other brave members gathered at this
well known site in continuous rain. The intensity of the precipitation increased
progressively, consequently little could be achieved. With unrealistic optimism
several individuals ventured into the bog only to abandon the unequal struggle when
themselves and their nets became waterlogged, a list of nine common moths and a
few flies being the result. R.C. returned in the evening when the rain had lessened and
managed to record 30 species of flies as part of an ongoing investigation of a recently
cleared fen area. These included the syrphid Platycheirus rosarum (Fabr.) and the
dolichopodid Diaphorus oculatus (Fall.).

Barnham Cross Common, Norfolk/Suffolk, 1 July 2004

Leader: Paul Waring.—A good attendance of ten people turned up for this Thursday
evening meeting at Barnham Cross Common near Thetford, on the Norfolk/Suffolk
boundary. The main aim was to search for the Bordered Gothic moth Heliophobus
reticulata (Goeze). The adult moth was recorded here as recently as the mid 1990s
(Dudley, 2003) but we now know of no locality in the British Isles where it can be
encountered reliably and it may have been lost since 2000 as a British resident. The
larvae appear never to have been found within the British Isles on any foodplant (see
Waring, 2002). The Barnham area has been searched by locally-based recorders on a
number of occasions in favourable weather and on suitable dates in the last five ©
years, including BENHS field meetings covering the RAF holdings (Tony Prichard, ©
Co-County Moth Recorder for Suffolk) and this meeting was a last attempt to find |
the moth here. We covered a large part of the Common, from the car park on the
northern edge by the A134 and playing fields on the outskirts of Thetford to the

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 141

Fig. 1. L-R: Peter Clarke, Rob Dyke, Tony Prichard and Andy Musgrove, Barnham Cross
Common, | July 2004.

southern edge by the Barnham—Elveden road. Fifteen light-traps were operated and
most were placed near flowering White Campion Silene alba and Bladder Campion
Silene vulgaris which I believe to be the most likely larval foodplants in the area. We
saw no Soapwort Saponaria officinalis, which is sometimes quoted as the foodplant
and is still frequent in some parts of Breckland, such as around Hockwold and
formerly at Maid’s Cross Hill (Rob Dyke, pers. comm.). Steve Dudley (pers. comm.)
lived at 46 Bracken Road (TL 867 819) until 1999 when he left the area. He captured
Bordered Gothic on a number of occasions in the light-trap he operated in his
garden. Unfortunately, he has lost his field notebooks from this era, so no longer has
the exact dates and other details, but he is sure he encountered the moth up until
about the year he left. On this field meeting I (PW) personally covered the part of the
Common nearest to the houses on Bracken Road, operating two Robinson light-
traps there until 02.00h and inspecting nectar plants by torchlight. These traps were
removed after 02.00h only because of local warnings of potential vandalism and theft
of equipment near the housing estate if traps were left unattended for a couple of
hours while the owner was getting some sleep in his car. Tony Prichard (TP) operated
his light-traps in the first major area of open grassland south of the playing fields and
just south of mine. Rob Dyke and Andy Musgrove (AM) set up their traps on the
east side of the A134, around the second parking area to the south, employing two
80W and one 125W Skinner traps and an actinic trap respectively. Peter Clarke
operated two Skinner traps with 125W bulbs on the east side of the Common near
the access point from Nunnery Drive. Lee Gregory and Allan Jenkins and his family

covered the southern end of the Common on the west side of the A134, employing

_two 80W and three 125W Skinner traps, and a Skinner trap with a 11 W actinic tube.

142 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

In several of the places banks have been created recently to act as barriers to stop
motorists leaving the roads, car parks and tracks and parking on the Common. We
found these banks particularly rich in flowering plants, including campions,
bedstraws and mallows (see accompanying photo).

There had been rain showers in the area during the afternoon and we felt a few
spots while we were selecting trap-sites. However, the clouds cleared and there was
only 10% cloud cover as dusk fell. It was dark by 22.30h. The air was dead calm. A
low, pale, full moon was soon visible above the horizon, though it was often
obscured by low cloud. There was no further rain. By 23.00h we had recorded a
number of Small Elephant Hawk-moths Deilephila porcellus (L.), a freshly emerged
Pine Hawk-moth Hy/oicus pinastri (L.) and an assortment of noctuid species. Moths
continued to arrive steadily, in small numbers, until 00.30h, after which only a few
species were added, such as the Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala (D. & S.) and
Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara (L.). By 01.30h there was very little activity
and hardly any new arrivals at the traps so we began packing up. Most of the traps
had been cleared away by 02.00h. Peter Clarke and Lee Gregory operated their
combined total of five Skinner traps all night but after 02.00h the Burnished Brass
Diachrysia chrysitis (L.) was the only new species added to the list for the night.

The catches of moths in the traps were not large. I counted 70-80 macro-moths in
each of my standard pattern Robinson light-traps fitted with 125W MB/U mercury
vapour bulbs. No Bordered Gothic were seen at any of the trap-sites. While the
possibility that the moth survives at Barnham Cross Common cannot be ruled out, this
negative result, added to those of all the other sessions since 2000, makes it increasingly
unlikely. In mid-June 2004 Tony Prichard and others had two very good warm nights
light-trapping in this area, recording over 100 species of moths on each occasion, but
again no Bordered Gothic. Prior to the mid 1990s the moth was not difficult to trap
here and could almost be expected to light (Steve Dudley and others, pers. comm.). Rob
Dyke and Allan Jenkins both reported that in past years they had seen the Bordered
Gothic at light before midnight, and sometimes soon after dark, at Maid’s Cross Hill,
Norfolk, and on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, respectively. I have never seen the
Bordered Gothic in the UK, despite exploring both of these localities and others (see
also Waring, 2004) but just after the meeting, from 7-11 July, I obtained a number of
adults at light-traps operated during the first ever Field Congress of Societas Europaea
Lepidopterologica (the European Lepidopterists’ Society) in the Sesvenna district in
South Tyrol, Italy. We found the Bordered Gothic frequent in the Sesvenna area, with
most in fresh condition, and it came to light from soon after dark, both on various
mountain-sides where we operated traps, and to a 6W actinic trap I set up on the
balcony of my accommodation in the village of Burgeis. It was certainly not a difficult
species to obtain where there was a sizeable population.

The most noteworthy of the macro-moths we recorded on the field meeting at

Barnham Cross Common included a somewhat worn male Clouded Buff Diacrisia —
sannio (L.) at the north end (PW); Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi (L.), Grass Emerald —
Pseudoterpna pruinata (Hufn.), Lesser Cream Wave Scopula immutata (L.), Small |

Scallop Idaea emarginata (L.), Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata (Haw.),

Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonaea (D. & S.) & Archer’s Dart Agrotis vestigialis |

(Hufn.) (AM); Plain Wave /daea straminata (Bork.), Lime Hawk Mimas tiliae ((L.) _
(late date), Reddish Light Arches Apamea sublustris (Esp.) and Bird’s wane
Dypterygia scabriuscula (L.) (TP).

The full list of the species we recorded has been supplied to Andy Musgrove of the
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) who is co-ordinating the marshalling of ©

|

biological data about the site, the Norfolk Moth Survey and Tony Prichard, County |

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 143

Moth Recorder for Suffolk. Biological information about the site is especially
important at present in view of current proposals to build a new road in the area.

REFERENCES

Dudley, S., 2003. Bordered Gothic Heliophobus reticulata. Atropos 20: 59.

Waring, P., 2002. Bordered Gothic Heliophobus reticulata. Atropos 16: 76-77.

Waring, P., 2004. Searches for the Bordered Gothic Heliophobus reticulata around Peter-
borough, 2001—2003. Entomologists’ Record & Journal of Variation 116: 131-133.

First Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica Field Congress, Sesvenna, South Tyrol,
Italy, 6-11 July 2004.

Paul Waring (PW) & Rachel Thomas. — This event was the first ever Field Congress of
the European Lepidopterists’ Society. The aim was to bring together members of the
society who are active fieldworkers and provide opportunities for them to record the
moths and butterflies of an area for which the data would be appreciated, such as in
special conservation areas, or localities which are under threat. The event was held in
response to many requests from SEL members for more opportunities for fieldwork
than are usually provided by the well-established biennial, primarily indoor
Congresses which have been held by SEL since the 1970s. This Field Congress was
included in the BENHS Field Meetings Programme for 2004 to alert members to an
opportunity to conduct fieldwork in mainland Europe. Forty seven SEL members
registered including Keith Bland and Mark Shaw from the UK.

The location chosen for the Congress was the Sesvenna region of South Tyrol in
northern Italy, an area known to be rich in Lepidoptera. The event was well-
organised by Sylvia Mader and Gerhard Tarmann, with invaluable assistance from
Stefan Heim. Sylvia arranged all the local accommodation and handled the advance
liaison with delegates. Before we set off from Britain we knew that Sylvia had
organised lodgings for us on the outskirts of the village with opportunities to run a
light-trap from our balcony. The Sesvenna is a mountainous region, within the Alps,
in which the higher slopes are seasonally grazed by cattle or cut for hay and the lower
slopes and valleys are either cultivated for crops and orchards or maintained as
pasture or woodland. Some parts are farmed using somewhat traditional, low
intensity methods, but increasingly intensive agricultural systems are being adopted,
particularly over most of the lower altitudes. This was explained in a series of indoor
lectures as part of the Congress. During these lectures the changes to the flora and
fauna were described and the locations of the less altered habitats and their
characteristic species identified. Hermann Mantinger from the Research Centre for
Agriculture and Forestry, Laimburg, South Tyrol, lectured on ‘“‘Development of
agriculture in the Venosta Valley”, Thomas Wilhalm of Naturmuseum Sudtirol,
Bolzano, covered ‘“‘The Flora of the Sesvenna region”, and Peter Huemer and
Gerhard Tarmann, from Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum, Innsbruck,
presented heavily illustrated lectures on “The Butterflies of South Tyrol” and “A
Bio-database for the SEL Study Area Sesvenna’’. The database which Gerhard and
others have developed already contains an impressive amount of data, which
Gerhard was able to demonstrate using overhead displays and distribution maps
from his computer. These lectures were most helpful in providing a background and
context for our fieldwork, of which our records of larvae and nocturnal Lepidoptera
were probably our most valuable contribution to the database. With so many pairs

144 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

of trained eyes on the day-time excursions, a good number of larvae were found. By
night we operated light-traps in groups in remote places and/or by our lodgings.

On our arrival in Burgeis, Gerhard Tarmann informed us that the moth season in
the Tyrol was running late this year: for example, few sphingids had been seen and
only the Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum (L.) was in any
numbers.

Some delegates ventured out with light-traps on the evening of 7 July, but as we
needed to settle our daughter Kirsty in on her first night, we both stayed in the
apartment. PW contented himself with running the ‘Waring Tropical’ actinic light-
trap on the balcony although it was difficult to contain the urge to head off into the
mountains on what proved to be a good night weather-wise. The following morning
there were just over one hundred moths in the trap, of about 25 species. Amongst
these the Bordered Gothic Heliophobus reticulata (Goeze) and the rather similar
H. kitti (Schw.) were among the more numerous moths. This was a fantastic and
unexpected result. Some readers will be aware of PW’s special interest and recent
efforts to investigate the status of the Bordered Gothic in Britain, in view of its
current decline to virtual extinction, and his keenness to obtain livestock and study
the habits of the larvae (see Waring, 2004a). On each night of the Congress several
others captured the species at light and eggs and egg-laying females were brought
back to the UK, from which larvae were subsequently reared to pupation (see
Waring, 2004b). This Congress was invaluable in demonstrating a habitat and
climate regime in which the Bordered Gothic was widespread and numerous, in the
apparent absence of Soapwort Saponaria officinalis L. (Caryophyllaceae), the
supposed main larval foodplant in Britain. What was noted during the field
excursions was that other members of the Caryophyllaceae were frequent in some
areas, particularly Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris Garcke, Red Campion S. dioica
(L.) and pinks Dianthus spp. Rearing the larvae showed that they were able to grow
from egg to fully-fed final instar larvae on Soapwort but that they would accept
campions. In both cases the developing seed-heads were strongly preferred over the
foliage.

Another feature of the Congress was a daily ““Roundtable” in which members
brought specimens for identification or confirmation to experts in the group. This
was invaluable to PW who was seeing some of the European species for the first time.
For example, it was a pleasure to be able to have the diagnostic features and
differences between H. reticulata and H. kitti explained by Lazlo Ronkay, the
internationally respected noctuid specialist and one of the authors of the Noctuidae
Europaeae series (Fibiger et a/.). Lazlo was able to demonstrate diagnostic features
with reference to live individuals and to tell us what is known of the larval habits of
these and other moths in mainland Europe.

In addition to H. reticulata and H. kitti, the light-trap catch on the first night
comprised lots of familiar species including the Heart & Dart, Agrotis exclamationis
(L.), Dark Swordgrass Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.), Large Yellow Underwing Noctua
pronuba (L.), Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata (Schrb.), the
Light Arches Apamea lithoxylaea (D. & S.), Clouded-bordered Brindle A. crenata
(Hufn.), Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea (Esp.), a Small Yellow Underwing
Panemeria tenebrata (Scop.) and many Silver Y Autographa gamma (L.). Noctuids
not present in Britain included Auchnis detersa (Esp.) a moth with the appearance
of a robust shoulderknot (Lithphane spp.) and Lacanobia aliena (Hbn.). There were
rather few geometrids, possibly because the trap was operating at balcony height
rather than nearer the ground. Geometers included the Silver-ground Carpet
Xanthorhoe montanata (D. & S.) and Tawny-barred Angle Macaria liturata

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 145

Fig. 1. Paul Waring and daughter Kirsty, near Taufers, 8 July 2004.

(Clerck). The Larch Pug Eupithecia lariciata (Frey.) was the only geometrid
represented by more than one or two individuals. Members of other families
included the Pine Hawk-moth Ayloicus pinastri (L.) and Red-necked Footman
Atolmis rubricollis (L.).

Castle Furstenburg in Burgeis was our base for all the indoor lectures and the
Roundtables. It was here on the morning of 8 July that we gathered for the first of
our two major excursions. This was a guided walk from the ruins of the castle
Schloss Rotund near Taufers to the village of Schleis along the historically significant
and panoramic Eselsweg trail. This took approximately 5 hours, and involved
trekking through some of the most attractive and wildlife-rich mountain scenery in
the Alps, with various semi-natural habitats, particularly dry, grassy, herb-rich and
rocky steppe, scrubby areas and larch woodland. Kirsty was safely transported in a
carrier on PW’s back as we crossed some very steep slopes with considerable drops
below. The route is an ancient track for mules and donkeys and was used as a short-
cut to carry goods from the Mustair valley in Switzerland to the Reschenpass which
has been part of both Austria and Italy at different times. The trail became famous in
1499 when it was used by Swiss soldiers to avoid and then corner and slaughter the
massed troops of the Austrian emperor Maximillian I.

The most memorable sight was seeing several dozen Nine-spotted moths Amata
phegea (L.) during the walk. It is considered very local in Europe although
sometimes, as here, it is numerous where it occurs. The larva feeds on a range of
small plants, usually in the early stages of plant colonisation of broken or disturbed
ground, such as slippages, or the margins of fields in low-intensity agricultural
systems, particularly fallow fields. There were lots of plants in flower where we saw
these moths, including thyme, Common Bird’s-foot Trefoil, bedstraws and mulleins

146 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

and the moths were visiting some for nectar at noon and throughout the afternoon.
Other individuals were resting on grass-stems and several pairs were seen in
copulation. This species is very obvious and makes no attempt to conceal itself. It
flies slowly and was easy to net. The white tips of the antennae were very striking in
flight, rather like those of some sawflies and ichneumonid wasps. Several adults of
the Transparent Burnet moth Zygaena purpuralis (Brnn.) were seen on the mauve
flowers of a legume. These burnets were identified by Gerhard Tarmann, who
assured us they were not the very similar Z. minos (D. & S.), a very much more
localised species in the Tyrol.

Butterflies seen on the first stage of the trek included several Woodland Ringlet
Erebia medusa (D. & S.) on the wing and a Northern Wall Brown Lasiommata
petropolitana (Fab.) settled on the bark of a tree trunk. Several of the Chimney-
sweeper moth Odezia atrata (L.) were also noted on the wing. Some larvae of the
Striped Lychnis Shargacucullia lychnitis (Ramb.) were found on a small mullein.
A number of the burnet moth Z. transalpina (Esp.) (det. Tarmann) were encountered
on the flowers of Field Scabious Knautia arvensis (L.). The Slender Scotch Burnet
Zygaena loti (D. & S.) was also recorded. An Apollo butterfly Parnassius apollo (L.)
was found resting on Dogwood Cornus sanguinea L. A number of spiny larvae of the
Spotted Fritillary Melitaea didyma (Esp.) were found by the path, possibly
attempting to bask. An adult Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoeba (D. & S.) was
found at rest in the same location. A Forester moth Adscita sp. was netted by one of
the delegates who knew that it could be one of about nine possible species. Several
more Z. purpuralis were seen more than | km from the first ones, flying in the same
place as an Adonis Blue Lysandra bellargus (Rott.) and a Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus
malvae (L.).

We next encountered some Sessile Oak Q. petraea (Matt.): these individuals are
reputedly the highest oak trees growing in the Alps, at an altitude of about 1600 m.
There were also clumps of European Larch Larix decidua Mall. which have been
shown by core samples to be over 1000 years old. Several Speckled Yellow
Pseudopanthera macularia (L.) were on the wing in this biotope, which looked very
different to the more open meadows at the start of the trek. A larva of the Toadflax
Brocade Calophasia lunula (Hufn.) was found on its food plant and PW noted a
Bright Wave Jdaea ochrata (Scop.) in the same place. A Grayling butterfly
Hipparchia semele (L.), was flitting around the rocks by a mountain stream where
a pink-flowered Lychnis was being visited for nectar by a Knapweed Fritillary. A
second Apollo was found here. This species is of course protected by law and was left
on site, as indeed were the majority of the insects recorded on the trek.

After lunch we were hill-walking with more forest and green fields below and
clearly leaving the steppe areas which were the most interesting places for the
Lepidoptera. A Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages (L.) was encountered. We came across a
whole area of hillside covered in a multi-stemmed form of Verbascum which
otherwise looked like the Dark Mullein V. nigrum L., with deep yellow petals and a
purplish red centre to the flower. At some point Mark Shaw found a larva of the
Orange-tip butterfly Anthocharis cardamines (L.) feeding on a plant later identified by
Thomas Wilhalm as Tower Mustard Arabis glabra L.

The walk ended in heavy rain. The evening meal was taken at a local hotel and
consisted of traditional South Tyrolean dishes and wine accompanied by Stefan
playing local folk music on a harp. Professor Niels Kristensen gave a brief and
amusing Presidential Address. After the meal the rain was teeming down so none of
us went out with light-traps, however, the ‘Waring Tropical” was switched-on on
the balcony of our apartment.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 147

The morning of 9 July was beautifully calm with a clear blue sky. The night’s catch
consisted largely of the same species as the previous night, but fewer in number,
totalling about fifty individuals. Additional species included the Dark Arches
Apamea monoglypha (Hufn.), Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis (Scop.),
Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea (L.), Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia
c-nigrum (L.) and a Scarce Footman Ei/ema complana (L.).

After lunch we travelled with Rolf Morter in his car up to the hay meadows high in
the mountains just below snow-covered peaks near Taufers. Rachel walked about
with a net to intercept a few of the Lepidoptera. Several Lewes Wave Scopula
immorata (L.) were found in a shallow open valley with a waterfall. The flowering
herb-rich alpine meadows were an attractive sight to see but unfortunately the
weather was windy and overcast and it began to spot with rain soon after we arrived.
Some lycaenids were seen including the Small Blue Cupido minimus (Fuess.). Other
moths we saw included the Latticed Heath Chiasmia clathrata (L.), Chimney
Sweeper and Silver-ground Carpet. Rolf showed us some strange-looking sooty
pyralid moths of the genus Metaxmeste which he had collected in his more extensive
wanderings in this area, as well as the Almond-eyed Ringlet Erebia alberganus
(Prunner), the Alpine Heath Coenonympha gardetta (Prunner) and more Z.
purpuralis. On his setting boards in the car he had specimens of the tiger moth
Rhyparia purpurata (L.) from dry, lower montane habitat and a selection mainly of
larger noctuid moths from higher altitudes including the Scarce Arches Apamea
lateritia, Apamea maillardi (Geyer), A. zeta (Treit.), Reddish Light Arches 4A.
sublustris (Esp.), Dark Brocade Blepharita adusta (Esp.), Ashworth’s Rustic Xestia
ashworthii (Doubl.), the Shark Cucullia umbratica (L.) and Cucullia lusifuga (D. &
S.). Other moths Rolf had obtained at the higher altitudes included a Dark Bordered
Beauty Epione vespertaria (L.) at 1100m and some Speckled Footman Coscinia
cribraria (L.) and the green form of the Barred Red Aylaea fasciaria (L.) from
1300 m above sea level.

From the high mountain meadows we descended to the outskirts of Taufers, where a
barbecue was being organised for us. While the food was being prepared we set up
light-traps, but our mothing session here was not to be. Rain soon began and became
so heavy that the sheets and lights were literally rained off. Fortunately there were
shelters purpose-built for eating at the barbecue where we consumed chicken, sausages
and pollenta (a type of cornbread from maize) and had a most entertaining time.

Amazingly, the rain continued all night and it was still falling when we awoke well
after dawn the next morning (10 July). The catch in our balcony trap comprised
thirty species of macro-moth but the only new addition was a Peppered moth Biston
betularia (L.) of the typical white form. As the morning was time-tabled for the
lectures and an identification workshop, followed by lunch, the weather had time to
clear up. There was a cultural trip including a lakeside welcome by local dignitaries
and a visit to the Museum of the village of Graun. Later, quite a number of us went
up to the mountain slopes above Taufers, for a recording session. PW spent a large
part of the time with Axel Steiner’s group, sitting around his mercury vapour bulb
and actinic black-light tube operating in tandem, suspended above a vertical sheet
and powered by a generator. Axel was not the only one operating this type of
trap and the operators considered that more species were obtained as a result. Others
were using actinic lights from batteries but generally larger tubes than the 6W
frequently used in the UK and USA.

A female H. kitti arrived at Axel’s lights soon after dark and was retained for eggs.
Shortly afterwards she was followed by a male Bordered Gothic. Ochropleura
(Albocosta) musiva (Hbn.) was the next interesting moth to arrive, at 22.30h. This

148 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

species is associated with hot dry slopes. It 1s twice the size of the familiar Flame
Shoulder O. plecta (L.) with a very striking and distinctive leading edge to the
forewing. A male Essex Emerald Thetidia smaragdaria (F.) arrived a few minutes
later. Axel remarked that he sees them in ones and twos per night in various parts of
Germany he has worked in recent years. PW noted that a golden central spot and
pair of cross-lines were present on the forewings of this individual but that these
markings were weaker than in the normal British form, with which this was similar in
size. In some parts of Europe individuals are distinctly smaller with obscure
markings. After another few minutes the Feathered Ear Pachetra sagittigera (Hufn.),
Lacanobia aliena, Agrotis simplonia (Geyer), Lygephila viciae (Hbn.) and the Dew
Moth Setina irrorella (L.) arrived in quick succession. The Feathered Ear can vary
greatly in wing markings, even within a single site, as it is known to do at this
locality. This individual was strongly variegated on the forewings. Others can be
uniformly pale or dark. The moth was last seen in Britain in 1963 but formerly had
breeding populations in south-east England (Waring ef al., 2003). Its sward
preferences in the UK are poorly documented but the decline and disappearance
coincides with the decrease in rabbit-grazing brought about by the introduction of
myxomatosis 1n the 1950s. The sparsely vegetated slopes at Taufers can be very hot,
parched places in the summer and the Feathered Ear has been recorded here in some
numbers. Agrotis simplonia is generally known as a xerophilic alpine species which
has been recorded up to 3000m above sea level in the Alps. It is named after the
Simplon Pass in Switzerland.

Manfred Strohle had a most interesting set-up involving two triangular vertical
sheets at different orientations, a mv bulb and black mv bulb in tandem and a string
of about a dozen pheromone lures tied like sausages along the length of a lady’s
stocking. He did not appear to be obtaining noticeably more moths than Axel Steiner
but he was in a location with more trees and shrubs. Additional species included a
slightly worn Cream-spot Tiger Arctia villica (L.), Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata
(L.), Barred Yellow Cydia fulvata (Forst.), Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx
sambucaria (L.), Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria (L.), Scalloped Hazel
Odontopera bidentata (Clerck), Netted Pug Eupithecia venosata (F.) and a Euphyia
frustata (Treit.).

On 11 July we were ready to return home, having added only Grey Pine Carpet
Thera obeliscata (Hbn.) and Clay Mythimna ferrago (Fab.) to the list from the
balcony trap during the night. Over the four nights this small trap had recorded
about forty species of macro-moths, which was a small fraction of the species
recorded in our exploration of the region. The balcony trap was evidently picking up
mainly species closely associated with altered habitats in the village; many of these
are also numerous in gardens in Britain. From the numbers of Bordered Gothic seen,
this species must have been breeding around the village, as well as in the semi-natural
habitats higher up the mountainsides.

We would like to thank all those named above for their help and company which
made this Ist SEL Field Congress a great success. In particular, we thank Sylvia
Mader, Stefan Heim and Gerhard Tarmann for all their organisational work before,
during and after the event. Forthcoming meetings of the society may be found on the
SEL website at www.soceurlep.org.

REFERENCES

Fry, R. & Waring, P., 2001. A guide to moth traps and their use. Amateur Entomologist 24.
Amateur Entomologists’ Society. London.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 149

Waring, P., Townsend, M. & Lewington, R., 2003. Field guide to the moths of Great Britain and
Treland. British Wildlife. Rotherwick. 432 pp.

Waring, P., 2004a. Searches for the Bordered Gothic Heliophobus reticulata around
Peterborough, 2001-2003. Entomologists’ Record & Journal of Variation 116: 131-133.

Waring, P., 2004b. Wildlife reports— Moths. British Wildlife 16: 58—60.

Hittisleigh Woods, Devon, 10 July 2004

Leader: Roy McCormick—Another unsettled day preceded this meeting with the
sky looking decidedly ominous as evening approached, but it still did not prevent
nine people from attending an evening that turned out better than expected. We had
all assembled at John Milverton’s house and because there is limited parking space in
the wood, we transferred people who did not have equipment into other vehicles.
John led the way for the two mile journey to Hittisleigh Wood, a woodland owned
by him. Two of us had equipment and six traps were put out along the available
tracks; the night stayed dry with a moderate cloud cover which cleared later, but this
did not affect the temperature which stayed at 12°C. As the weather of the last month
had been very wet, wellies were essential although the vegetation was dry and moths
started flying to our lights as soon as we started them going. A bit of dusking
brought in very little, but the list of moths to our lights increased steadily and by
23.30h we had recorded 64 species; four of our party decided to leave at this point
having had a very enjoyable evening seeing species they had never seen before.

The traps were visited a couple more times before we decided that things were
quietening down and it was time to pack up. We finished up with 93 species and one
micromoth still to be identified, with the best of these: one Olindia schumacherana
(F.); six Eudonia delunella Stt.; one Phylctaenia stachydalis (Germ.); four Amblyptilia
punctydactyla (Haw.); 2 Euphyia biangulata (Haw.) (Cloaked Carpet); one Pasiphila
debiliata (Hb.) (Bilberry Pug); six Deileptenia ribeata (Cl.) (Satin Beauty) and four
Brachylomia viminalis (F.) (Minor Shoulder-knot). Another good night with better
than anticipated results and a learning curve for some of the people who came, but
low numbers of specimens seem to be the order of our times.

London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London, 17 July 2004

Leader: Paul Waring —The BENHS field meeting of 17 July was unusual in that it
was held in the grounds of London Zoo at Regent’s Park. The aim was to survey the
native invertebrate wildlife living on and amongst the plants growing within and
between the enclosures of exotic animals. There is actually a considerable amount of
wildlife habitat on site. The habitats include: a newly established Woodland Walk
area which is a belt of mature trees and shrubs on the bank of the Regent Canal
which runs past the zoo; emergent and marginal vegetation by the canal; hedges and
mature trees which separate the zoo from the rest of Regent’s Park, which also has a
broad range of mature trees; various recent plantings of exotic and native flora,
including a wildlife garden; several ponds for exotic creatures such as flamingoes and
pelicans. Such habitats are obviously at a premium in Central London.

The meeting was attended by thirteen people of which five were BENHS members
and three were friends or relatives. Our hosts from the Zoological Society of London
(ZSL), who run the zoo, were Kevin Frediani (Plant Curator), with his son Ben, and
Paul Pearce-Kelly, Invertebrate Curator. At my invitation we were also joined by
Rebecca Ellis and her daughter Mila. Rebecca is in the third year of a three year
post-doctorate research project at Lancaster University, part of which is to study

150 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Fig. 1. London Zoo, 17 July 2004. Discovery of larvae of Buttoned Snout on Golden Hop.
Andrew Halstead, Rita and Ken Merrifield standing. Paul Waring, Len Winokur and Paul
Pearce-Kelly kneeling. Photo: P. Waring.

volunteer wildlife recorders, so she was studying us studying the invertebrates! I was
introduced to Rebecca at my presentation at the Natural History Museum on behalf
of the BENHS during National Insect Week (BJENH 18: 136).

Our field meeting began at 14.30h in warm, slightly overcast, humid weather,
which rapidly improved to full sunshine for the rest of the afternoon and early
evening. Calm weather continued throughout the night, with a dusk temperature of
20°C and a minimum for the night of 18°C. Most of us stayed all night within the
zoo, serenaded by the peculiar sounds of the animal inhabitants. Rebecca stayed up
until about 02.00 h with member Len Winokur and his colleague Alan Phillips who
were manning two mercury vapour lights over sheets near the Regents Canal while
being interviewed. The leader, his family (Rachel & Kirsty) and Mila operated two
standard-pattern Robinson light-traps with 125W MB/U bulbs all night from the
mains supply at the “Bugs” building where we also got some sleep amongst the live
invertebrate exhibits. In the morning we awoke to the rather harsh calls of toucans in
the neighbouring enclosure! Kevin and Paul were on hand throughout our activities.

During the afternoon we beat, swept and netted insects, while explaining our
modus operandi and objectives to Rebecca and to curious members of the public.
One of the most interesting discoveries of this session occurred when the leader
spotted and beat Golden Hop Humulus lupulus L. growing along a wooden fence by
the wildlife garden. Almost immediately a green half-grown larva of the Buttoned
Snout moth Hypena rostralis (L.) fell onto the beating tray and writhed and wriggled
across it in characteristic fashion. This is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority
Species, the first such species ever to be recorded from the zoo. There are only two
plants of hop in the grounds of the zoo and both had been present only for the last
five to ten years, since planting (K. Frediani, pers. comm.). Both are of the golden
variety and within a couple of metres of each other. While other members gathered

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 151

round to see the larva, Len and I beat several more and established that both the hop
plants were occupied. The larvae were returned to the bushes after inspection, except
for two, one of which was successfully reared to an adult by Len. The moth emerged
from the pupa on 12 August and was subsequently exhibited at the annual
exhibitions of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society (AES) and BENHS in October
and November 2004, respectively. The leader wondered whether there was any wild
hop along the canal or elsewhere near the zoo, but none was seen during the meeting.
The good news for the Buttoned Snout is that Kevin has obtained an additional
twenty hop plants which are now ready to install. This is an example of how data and
knowledge from BENHS meetings can be used to improve the conservation value of
the site for native wildlife. The accompanying photograph shows some of the party
with the larva on the beating tray and the occupied host-plants growing along the
fence. A larva of the Comma butterfly Polygonia c-album (L.), lcm in length, was
also beaten from the hop and returned to it.

Other moth larvae beaten by the leader during the afternoon session included one
of the Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata (Haw.) from the flowers of a lime
tree Tilia sp. and a larval Broken-barred Carpet Electrophaes corylata (Thunb.) on
Common Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Jacq., both in the Woodland Walk area.
Butterflies seen in this area included a Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus (L.) nectaring at
the flowers of a lime and a Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria (L.) flitting amongst the
trees. Gatekeepers Pyronia tithonus (L.), Large White Pieris brassicae (L.) and a
Comma were seen feeding at flowers of thistles Cirsium spp. which are deliberately
being allowed to grow here, along with Common Nettle Urtica dioica L. and other
plants often removed as weeds. Andrew Halstead and Ken & Rita Merrifield filled
pooters and other vessels with Diptera and other insects from flowers. They hope to
identify them over the winter. The scent of Wild Privet Ligustrum vulgare L. was
heavy in the air. Flowering Marjoram Origanum vulgare L. in the wildlife garden on
the other side of the zoo was being avidly visited by Green-veined Whites Pieris napi
(L.), Gatekeepers and a Holly Blue. A Small White Pieris rapae (L.) was seen
nectaring at Lavender Lavandula sp.

A female Latticed Heath moth Chiasmia clathrata (L.) was netted by Ken
Merrifield. The various ponds appeared too eutrophic for much odonatan interest
and we recorded no dragonflies or damselflies, but it was nearly 18.00h and the zoo
visitors were leaving by the time the ponds were inspected.

For the nocturnal session one of the Robinson traps was operated by the open
paddock occupied by the Rhea Rhea americana. This supported an almost breckland-
like sward including Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus L. Len had inspected an
adjacent caged area unsuccessfully for burnet moths and Six-belted Clearwing
Bembecia ichneumoniformis (D. & S.) in the afternoon, causing some puzzled interest
as he wielded his net within the cage like some unusual exhibit. The other trap was on
the wooded edge of the zoo under trees of plane, poplars, ash and Turkey oak, with
ground vegetation consisting of common nettle, Elder, Giant hogweed, Jack-by-the-
Hedge and Broad-leaved dock. The traps caught respectively 39 macro-moths of 16
species and 97 macros of 17 species, providing a combined list of 24 species. The most
noteworthy of the captures was the Least Carpet /daea rusticata (D. & S.), which came
to all four lights, with the highest total being five individuals at the trap by the Rhea
paddock, and a single male Brown-tail Euproctis chrysorrhoea (L.) in good condition.
Both species are south-eastern in Britain but well known, well-distributed and often
frequent in the London area. Len and Alan added a single Slender Brindle Apamea
scolopacina (Esp.) in good condition. This was a surprise because the moth is usually
associated with grassy places in long-established woodland and is distinctly local in

152 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

distribution. The specimen was exhibited at the AES & BENHS exhibitions. It is a
local species in the woodlands around London but is unusual in the inner, urban parts
of the City (Plant, 1993). Most of the catch comprised almost ubiquitous species, the
most numerous of which, in both traps, was the Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis
(L.). Species such as the Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix (L.), Brown Silver-line Petrophora
chlorosata (Scop.) and Blood-vein Timandra comae (Schm.) provided the new-comers
to moths with strikingly attractive examples to admire and photograph. Among the
moth species Len and Alan added from down by the canal were the Blue-bordered
Carpet Plemyria rubiginata (D.& S.) which is associated with Alder Alnus glutinosa
(L.) and Blackthorn Prunus spinosa L., the common semi-aquatic pyralids Water
Veneer Acentria ephemerella (D. & S.) and Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata
(L.), and the European Corn-borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hbn.), a rare immigrant until the
1930s but now well-established in London and the Thames Estuary, with other
populations elsewhere (Goater, 1986). The presence of moths such as the Garden Elder
Pearl Phiyctaenia coronata (Hufn.), Brimstone Opisthograptis luteolata (L.), Swallow-
tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria (L.), Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria (L.),
Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala (D. & S.) and Herald attested to the value of the
Elder Sambucus nigra L. and common hawthorn understorey that has been allowed to
develop beneath the trees of the Woodland Walk, and the poplars Populus spp. and
willows Salix spp. along the canal and elsewhere on the boundaries of the zoo.

The leader would like to thank all those who participated and made this unusual
meeting so interesting, worthwhile and enjoyable, and Kevin Frediani and Paul
Pearce-Kelly of the Zoological Society of London for their guidance and hospitality,
which included accommodation plus tea and biscuits between sessions and a walk
round the animal collections afterwards. A copy of this report and the field notes has
been supplied to Kevin for the ZSL records.

REFERENCES

Goater, B., 1986. British pyralid moths—a guide to their identification. Harley. Great Horkesley,
Essex.
Plant, C.W., 1993. Larger moths of the London area. London Natural History Society. London.

Quoditch Moor, Devon, 31 July 2004

Leader: Roy McCormick—This was the first organised meeting for 2004 that was
not preceded by bad weather, but although the weather was fine, there was a full
moon. A total of 18 attended. Four of us brought equipment and the two with four-
wheel drive cars were able to drive a good way into the wooded part of the site where
we laid out our traps, eight in all.

A couple of rounds of the traps were made with people gathering round each trap
in turn to record the species and to improve their identification skills. The open parts
of the site were being grazed by ponies, so the vegetation was a lot shorter here and
this made walking through the area a lot easier. Species were coming in in small
numbers and with the moon rising early with a clear sky the temperature dropped to

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around 6°C in the open parts and 12°C in the woodland. By around 23.00h we had

recorded approximately 50—60 species with very little else coming in. A couple more
rounds were made with the understanding that the second of these would be for
individual trap owners to clear away their equipment. A final tally was taken after
this task and we finished up with 94 species with a lot of these in single figures, the
best being: one Argyresthia brockeella (Hiibn); five Eudonia delunella (Stt.); one

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 153

Lampropteryx otregiata (Metcalf), (Devon Carpet); two Epione repandaria (Hufn.),
(Bordered Beauty); one Alcis jubata (Thunb.), (Dotted Carpet); 15 Xestia baja
(D.&S.) (Dotted Clay); one Brachylomia viminalis (F.), (Minor Shoulder-knot) and
three Apamea scolopacina (Esp.), (Slender Brindle). A couple of the people had left
before we finished packing up the traps, but they, along with all the people who
attended, thoroughly enjoyed the evening. We left the site at around 01.00h with the
owner, Richard Douglas-Green, very pleased with the digital pictures he had taken
of species new to him.

Coppice Wood, Riseley, Bedfordshire, 12 August 2004

Leader: Paul Waring.—This all-night field meeting was held on a Thursday
evening, with sleeping in cars overnight to enable the over-night operation of light-
traps. The main aim was to search for the elm-dependent White-spotted Pinion moth
Cosmia diffinis (L.), a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species (Waring et al.,
1999). This moth has declined greatly in distribution in Great Britain as a
consequence of Dutch elm disease and is now only being reported from
Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Bedfordshire (Waring ef al., 2003).
Until 2002 the White-spotted Pinion had not been seen in Bedfordshire since 1985
when it was recorded in Coppice Wood near Riseley. On 2 August 2002 one adult
was recorded by John Day (the younger of two John Days working for RSPB) in his
garden light-trap at Potton, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. This was followed by a
second adult at the same site in August 2003, indicating that the moth was in the
county and possibly breeding nearby (Waring, 2004). Meanwhile, the former
breeding site of Coppice Wood was inspected by day by the leader and John
Comont, Bedfordshire County Ecologist, to see if it might be in a suitable condition

Figure 1. David Manning and Peter Clarke at Skinner trap on main ride through Coppice
Wood, Riseley, 12 August 2004.

154 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

to support a resident population of the moth. The wood has not been explored for
moths in recent years, partly due to difficulties in obtaining access permission and
also due to restrictions owing to former military use (David Manning, personal
communication). We found that the wood contained much elm, of more than one
species, age-class and growth form. The edges of the rides (see Fig. 1), and some large
blocks of the woodland, are full of elm regrowth dating from after the first ravages of
Dutch elm disease in the 1970s. There are also some quite tall but not mature elm
trees. Consequently, we made the arrangements for this field meeting which was
attended by David Manning (County Micro-moth Recorder for Bedfordshire) who
remembered visiting the site in the mid-1980s, Charles Baker (County Butterfly
Recorder for Bedfordshire), Peter Clarke who drove down from Manchester, John
Comont and the leader. Between us we had five mercury vapour light-traps and one
actinic trap. Charles had brought one of the newly available but conventional
designed light-traps with a netting base, as supplied by Worldwide Butterflies, fitted
with a mercury vapour bulb (see Fig. 2). He also used a small actinic trap. Peter had
two Skinner traps and the leader had two standard-pattern Robinson traps. David
Manning collected micro-moths from all of these.

Once we had all arrived, we began by exploring the woodland tracks by car and
selected sites for our five mercury vapour light-traps at the base of the tallest elms we
could find. There was a large amount of lower elm regrowth at all the sites. Some of
the elms had the small leaves of English Elm U/mus procera Salis., other plants
looked like Small-leaved Elm U. minor Miller and some had very large leaves
reminiscent of Wych Elm U. glabra Hud. Quantities of Aspen Populus tremula L.,
Ash Fraxinus excelsior L. and oaks Quercus spp. were also noted. There had been
heavy rain before dusk and there were puddles on the tracks but the night was free of
rain. It was clear and calm as well as dry, shaded under the trees, with a dusk

Figure 2. Charles Baker using a new-style light-trap.

—— Se

en

eg aiaias cac RTRs

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 155

temperature of 17°C and a night minimum of 14°C. Rain did not start falling again
until after we had inspected all the traps after dawn and were departing from the site.

In the morning the leader found 42 macro-moths of 17 species in the Robinson
trap he had placed at TL041640 (Trap A) under elm trees near a gate on the main
ride and 37 macro-moths of 16 species at his Robinson trap in a nearby side ride at
TL041639 in the area known as Flints Wood (Trap B). Somewhat surprisingly,
neither trap contained any exclusively elm-dependent species and the only Cosmia
was a single male Dunbar C. trapezina (L.) in the first trap. Numbers of individuals
were not counted at the other traps but Peter had 21 species of macros in his trap (C)
on the main ride at TL037645 (shown in Fig.l) and 19 species in Trap D in a side-
ride at TL037646. Charles had 14 species in his netting trap (E) by the main ride at
TL038643 but very little in his actinic trap nearby. The only exclusively elm-
dependent species we saw was a single Lesser-spotted Pinion Cosmia affinis (L.) in
Trap D. The Dunbar was present in both of Peter’s traps but not in Charles’s. The
most noteworthy of the other species recorded were two Bordered Beauty Epione
repandaria (Hufn.) in Trap B, two Vine’s Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua (D.&S.) in
Trap B and at least one in Trap E, two or three Straw Dot Rivula sericealis (Scop.) in
each of Traps A-D, a Dusky Sallow Eremobia ochroleuca (D.&S.) in Trap A and
Maiden’s Blush Cyclophora punctaria (L.), Phoenix Eulithis prunata (L.), Small
Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata (D.&S.), Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos
alniaria (L.), Black Arches Lymantria monacha (L.), Dingy Footman Eilema griseola
(Hbn.) and Olive Ipimorpha subtusa (D.&S) in Trap C.

As shown above, numbers of macro-moths were not high on this night, probably
because of the rain before dusk, and the Lesser-spotted Pinion was only detected by
one trap. In these circumstances, a small population of the White-spotted Pinion
could easily have been missed and additional light-trapping of this site to try and find
it is recommended.

The catch of micro-moths was also rather small in numbers and predominantly
common tortricids and pyralids, with virtually no gelechiids or smaller moths. Again,
this was probably the result of adverse weather. David collected a selection of
Cnephasia specimens for dissection, and all have since proved to be C. genitalana
Pierce & Metcalfe. This species is not listed for Bedfordshire by Arnold et al. (1997).
David reports that it has expanded its distribution in the last few years. It has now
been recorded in Bedfordshire at eight sites, in eight different 1OKm squares, between
1996 and 2004. Over 170 individuals have occurred in one trap, where it was absent
until 1996.

A full list of the results has been supplied to Charles Baker for the files of the
Bedfordshire Natural History Society and to John Comont for the files of
Bedfordshire County Council. The leader thanks all those who attended and John
for his liaison with a representative of the private owner, whom we all thank for
allowing us to hold this meeting. The event was organised by the leader as part of
Butterfly Conservation’s Action for Threatened Moths Project with contributory
funding from English Nature, to advance the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

REFERENCES

Arnold, V.W., Baker, C.R.B., Manning, D.V. & Woiwod, I.P., 1997. The butterflies and moths
of Bedfordshire. Bedfordshire Natural History Society. Bedford.

Waring, P., 2004. News on the conservation of some UK Biodiversity Action Plan moths in
2003. Entomologists’ Record & Journal of Variation, 116: 134-137.

Waring, P., Townsend, M. & Lewington, R., 2003. Field guide to the moths of Great Britain and
Ireland. British Wildlife. Rotherwick. 432pp.

156 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Gutner Point, Hayling Island, Hampshire, 26 September 2004

Leader: John Langmaid.— Eleven members and guests attended this meeting in
conjunction with the British Plant Gall Society on one of the few dry Sundays in the
autumn of 2004. We met up in the car park of a local garden centre by kind
permission of the owners. Recording at Gutner Point Nature Reserve, known as the
richest saltmarsh in Hampshire for flora, was by kind permission of Mr David Ball,
Senior Ranger, Hampshire County Council Countryside Service.

Records for the day included those made down the leafy lane leading to the
Reserve. Fifteen species of plant-gall were found including two Red Data Book
(RDB3) species: Myopites eximius Seguy and Myopites inulaedyssentericae Blot
(Diptera: Tephritidae) on Inula crithmoides. A total of seven dipterous, one
hymenopterous and two coleopterous leaf-mines were recorded and fifty species of
Lepidoptera, the majority of which were of leaf-miners. A new vice-county record for
south Hampshire (VC 11) was a mine of Ectoedemia louisella (Sirc.) in a samara of
Acer campestre. Other notable species were mines of Phyllocnistis xenia Hering
(pRDB3), only found new to Hampshire in 2003, on Populus alba and P. x canescens,
and, among seven species of Coleophoridae, cases of Coleophora aestuariella Bradley
on Suaeda maritima and C. adjunctella Hodgk. on Juncus gerardii (both Notable B).

The day was enjoyed by all, and it was pleasing to have recorded no less than
seventy-six insect species, three species of powdery mildew and two other fungi on
plants.

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Record of Grizzled Skipper butterfly Pyrgus malvae (L.) on field meeting, greatly
valued.— Members may be interested to hear that the sighting of the Grizzled Skipper
butterfly Pyrgus malvae (L.) on the BENHS field meeting at Red Farm Flash, North
Somercotes, Lincolnshire on 31 May 2003 has created considerable interest in
Lincolnshire. Allan Binding, Butterfly Recorder for the Lincolnshire Branch of
Butterfly Conservation contacted me following publication of the relevant field
meeting report (BJENH 17: 196-198) to inform me that he has no records of this
species from the Lincolnshire Coast (VC54) since 1965 when it was seen at
Mablethorpe. All recent Lincolnshire records of the Grizzled Skipper have been from
South West Lincolnshire (VC53) where it still remains at a few sites. The butterfly
was seen by the leader of the field meeting and is an absolutely certain record. It is
highly unlikely that this species would have been released by anyone, especially at
such a remote location.

Records of the Grizzled Skipper, including four adults on 16 May 2004, from the
transect route walked weekly by the author at Peterborough since 2000, are also
greatly valued (Val Perrin, Butterfly Recorder for Butterfly Conservation,
Cambridgeshire & Essex Branch). The butterfly appears to be thriving at this site,
where it benefits from site management directed mainly at the nationally scarce
Four-spotted moth Tyta luctuosa (D.&S.). A photograph of this site can be found in
a recent issue of Butterfly (88: 18). Comparison with the photograph of Red Farm
Flash in BJENH 16: 251-252 shows that the habitat at the two sites is similar in
many ways. Both are completely open with light, calcareous soils and a
predominantly short to medium-length, herb-rich sward.—PAUL WARING, 1366
Lincoln Road, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6LS.

i
t

May 7
May 8
May 8
May 14
May 14
May 15

May 21
May 22
May 25
May 26
May 30
June 5
June 9
June 11
June 12
June 18
June 19
June 24—26

June 25
June 25
June 25
June 26
June 28
July 1
July 2
July 3
July 5
July 9
July 9-15
July 9
July 10

BENHS FIELD MEETINGS PROGRAMME 2005

Whipsnade Wildlife Park, Bedfordshire. MV. Paul Waring.

Syon Park, Middlesex. Edward Milner (c/o LNHS).

Saltern Wood, IOW. David Biggs & Bill Shepard.

Beacon Hill, Leics. Paul Waring.

Chudleigh, Devon. MV. Roy McCormick.

Thurlbear Quarrylands, Blackdown Hills, S. Somerset. Janet Boyd &
Robin Williams.

Seal Chart, nr Sevenoaks, Kent. John Badmin.

Dunwich Heath SSSI, Suffolk coast. Stuart Warrington.

Hatfield Moor, Yorks. MV. Bob Marsh.

Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, Lincs. MV. Paul Waring.

Yeading Brook Fields & Islip Manor LNRs, Middlesex. Neil Anderson.
Bedford-Purlieus NNR, Northants. Sean Karley.

Godmersham Downs, Kent. Paul Waring.

Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon. John Ismay & Barbara Schulten.

Merryfield Airfield, near Ilminster, S. Somerset. Janet Boyd & Robin Williams.
Tidcombe Fen, Devon. MV. Roy McCormick.

Ashtead Common, Surrey. Roger Booth & Libbie Worth.

Scottish Entomologists’ Meeting, based at Newton Stewart,

Dumfries & Galloway. MV. Mark Telfer.

Wolvercote Green & Somerford Mead, Oxon. MV. Paul Waring.
Horsenden Hill, Middlesex. Rachel Terry & Andy Culshaw.

Wimbledon Common, Surrey. Deborah Harvey.

Chobham Common, Surrey. Paul Wheeler & Andy Wragg.

Wye Valley woodlands, Gloucs & Monmouthshire MV. Paul Waring.
Noar Hill, nr Selbourne, N. Hants. Margaret Refern & Robin Williams.
Porton Down, S. Wilts. Lena Ward.

Esher Commons SSSI, Surrey. Brian Spooner, Keith Harris & Margaret Redfern.
Wye Valley woodlands, Gloucs. & Monmouthshire. MV. Paul Waring.
National Moth Day & Night.

Dipterists Summer Field Meeting, Durham. Roger Morris.

Wye Downs NNR, E. Kent. Eric Philp.

St Margaret’s at Cliffe, E. Kent. Eric Philp.

Sheringham Park. nr Cromer. Norfolk. Stuart Warrington.

Chudleigh, Devon. MV. Roy McCormick.

Otmoor, nr Beckley, Oxon. MV. Paul Waring & Martin Townsend.

The Glynhir Estate, Carm. BPGS & BSBI residential meeting. Richard Pryce.
Bettyhill & Invernaver, W. Sutherland. BPGS residential. Phil Entwistle.
Bridfrod and Dunsford Woods, Devon. MV. Roy McCormick & Paul Butter.
Far Ings SSSI NR, N. Lincs. Graeme Clayton.

Redgrave-and-Lopham Fen, E. Norfolk. Rex and Barbara Hancy.
Rainworth Heath SSSI, Notts. MV, Sheila Wright.

Elmley Marshes RSPB Reserve, Kent. MV. Mark Telfer & James Cadbury.
Bilingham-Beck Valley LNR, Durham. Stephen Robbins & David Laing.
Wye Valley woodlands, Gloucs. & Monmouthshire. MV. Paul Waring.
Tandle-Hill Country-Park, Royton. S. Lancs. Norman and Alan Bamforth.
Cressbrook Dale, Derbyshire. Tom Higginbottom & Joan Egan.
Sherrardspark Wood. Herts. Chris Leach & Alan Draper.

Wyre Forest, Bewdley, Worcs. John Meiklejohn & Tony Simpson.
Browndown, S. Hants. David Biggs & John Langmaid.

Wisley, Surrey. Jan Sims & Andrew Halstead.

Saltern Wood, IOW. David Biggs & Bill Shepard.

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY
VOLUME 18, PART 2, JUNE 2005

ARTICLES

73 A study of grasshopper populations in countryside stewardship scheme field margins in Essex.
T. GARDINER AND J. HILL

81 The history, ecology and current status of the Brighton Wainscot Oria musculosa (Hubner)
(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): is this species on the verge of extinction in the United Kingdom?
J. W. PHILLIPS AND M. S. PARSONS

101 Cerodontha rohdendorfi Nowakowski and Cerodontha staryi (Stary) (Diptera: Agromyzidae)
new to Britain. D. GIBBS

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

104 Additional records from the Rothamsted Light Trap Survey of Horse Chestnut Moth
Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hb.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Southern England.
B. J. PICKESS

126 Additional records of Dolerus megapterus Cameron (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) from .
Wiltshire. K. J. GREARSON

126 Winter occurrence of Eupteryx filicum (Newman) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in east Kent.
J. S. BADMIN

156 Record of Grizzled Skipper butterfly Pyrgus malvae (L.) on field meeting, greatly valued.
P. WARING

PROCEEDINGS & TRANSACTIONS / SOCIETY NEWS

Officers’ Reports for 2004
105 Council’s Report 2004
107. Treasurer’s Report
113. Report of the Maitland Emmet BENHS Research Fund
114 Professor Hering Memorial Research Fund

8
114 Librarian’s Report ooNa
115 Curator’s Report HI
117 Building Manager’s Report
0

118 Editor’s Report 39
118 Dzipterists Forum Report

119 Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society (B3WARS) Report
120 Presidential Address — Part 1. Report. M. R. WILSON

123 Minutes of BENHS Indoor Meetings

127 Announcement

128 The Torstenius Collection

131 Field Meetings

OBITUARY
129. Edward P. Wiltshire 1910-2004. T.B. LARSEN

September 2005 ISSN 0952-7583 Vol. 18, Part 3

a1)
BRITISH JOURNAL OF

ENTOMOLOGY

AND NATURAL HISTORY

Ce,

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY
Published by the British Entomological and Natural History Society
and incorporating its Proceedings and Transactions

Editor: J. S. Badmin, Coppice Place, Perry Wood, Selling, nr Faversham, Kent ME13 9RB (Tel:
01227 752291) email: jbadmin@btinternet.com
Associate Editor: M. Wilson, Ph.D., F.R.E.S., F.L.S. Department of Biodiversity & Systematic
Biology, National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Cardiff CF10 3NP. (Tel: 02920 573263)
email: Mike. Wilson@nmegw.ac.uk

Editorial Committee:

D. J. L. Agassiz, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.E.S. T. G. Howarth, B.E.M., F.R.E.S.

R. D. G. Barrington, B.Sc. I. F: G. McLean, Ph.D7F:R-E:S

P. J. Chandler, B.Sc., F.R.E.S. M. J. Simmons, M.Sc.

B. Goater, B.Sc., M.I.Biol. P. A. Sokoloff, M.Sc., C.Biol., M.I.Biol., F.R.E.S.
A. J. Halstead, M.Sc., F.R.E.S. T. R. E. Southwood, K.B., D.Sc., F.R.E.S.

R. D. Hawkins, M.A. R. W. J. Uffen, M.Sc., F.R.E.S.

P. J. Hodge B. K. West, B.Ed.

British Journal of Entomology and Natural History is published by the British Entomological and
Natural History Society, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Reading, Berkshire
RGIi0 OTH, UK. Tel: 01189-321402. The Journal is distributed free to BENHS members.

© 2005 British Entomological and Natural History Society.

Typeset by Dobbie Typesetting Limited, Tavistock, Devon.
Printed in England by Henry Ling Ltd, Dorchester, Dorset.

BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Registered charity number: 213149

Meetings of the Society are held regularly in London, at the rooms of the Royal Entomological
Society, 41 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 and the well-known ANNUAL EXHIBITION is
planned for Saturday 12 November 2005 at Imperial College, London SW7. Frequent Field
Meetings are held at weekends in the summer. Visitors are welcome at all meetings. The current
Programme Card can be obtained on application to the Secretary, J. Muggleton, at the address
given below.

The Society maintains a library and invertebrate collections at its headquarters in
Dinton Pastures, which are open to members on various advertised days each
month, telephone 01189-321402 for the latest meeting news. The Society’s web site is:
http://www.BENHS.org.uk
Applications for membership to the Membership Secretary: A. Godfrey, 90 Bence Lane, Darton,
Barnsley, South Yorkshire $75 5DA.

Subscriptions and changes of address to the Membership Secretary: R. D. Hawkins, 30d
Meadowcroft Close, Horley, Surrey RH6 9EL.

Non-arrival of the Journal, faulty copies or other problems arising from distribution of the
Journal or notices to the Distribution Secretary: D. Young, 22 Wordsworth Close,
Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 IWF. Tel: 01728 603568.

Orders for books and back numbers of the Journal and Proceedings to the Sales Secretary: G.
Boyd, 91 Fullingdale Road, Northampton NN3 2PZ. Tel: 01604 410056.

General Enquiries to the Secretary: J. Muggleton, 30 Penton Road, Staines, Middlesex TW18
2LD. Tel: 01784-464537. email: jmuggleton@compuserve.com

Society Website: www.benhs.org.uk for recent information on the Society’s meetings
programme and general society details.

Cover photograph: Diasemia accalis (Walker), an adventive pyralid new to Britain, Gravesend,
Kent, exhibited at the 2004 Society Annual Exhibition. Wingspan 16mm. Photo: R. Jones.

NOTE: The Editor invites submission of photographs for black and white reproduction on the
front covers of the journal. The subject matter is open, with an emphasis on aesthetic value
rather than scientific novelty. Submissions can be in the form of colour or black and white
prints or colour transparencies.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 157

SOCIETY NEWS

i,

Dr Mark Telfer, BENHS President 2005-2006

It was birds rather than insects which first captured my attention as a naturalist.
Ironically, it was a former President of the BENHS and eminent lepidopterist who
was instrumental in developing my interest in birds into a serious passion. I refer to
Barry Goater who ran the Ornithological Society at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for
Boys, Elstree. Barry led minibus trips to many parts of Britain at all seasons, and
took a ‘rugged’ approach to sleeping, eating and other comforts! These were great
adventures in search of rare birds and I was hooked. From 1983 I started keeping a
British list and travelled throughout Britain, from Shetland to Scilly in search of
‘ticks’.

Of course, twitching is frowned upon by most serious naturalists but I have always
had a broader interest in wildlife, starting with dragonflies on the school pond and
branching out into other groups wherever I could get my hands on good
identification literature: bumblebees, grasshoppers and crickets, butterflies, mosqui-
toes, moths, fungi and vascular plants.

I was discouraged from a biological career and so did not study Biology at A-level
and went up to Cambridge to read Engineering. However, after the first year I
changed courses to read Natural Sciences, concentrating on Ecology, with a mind to
a career in conservation. During the summer of 1990 I led a conservation expedition
to Nechisar National Park in Ethiopia during which we discovered the Nechisar
Nightjar Caprimulgus solala (Safford et al., 1995) new to science.

After university, I had the great good fortune to get a short-term post at the
Biological Records Centre, Monks Wood, assisting Brian Eversham, who was then
working as the Invertebrate Recording Schemes Co-ordinator. I was put to work on
the atlas of British ground beetles (Carabidae). At the time, I was keen to develop a
specialism as a naturalist and not to become a ‘jack of all trades’. With Brian’s help
and encouragement, I began to try and get to know the British carabids and joined
the BENHS.

After BRC, I moved to Norwich to study for a PhD at the University of East
Anglia. My thesis was entitled ‘‘The life history of the grasshopper Chorthippus
brunneus: geographical variation and climatic effects.” I found considerable genetic
variation between populations of grasshoppers and constructed a model which
showed this variation to be adaptive to the sunniness of the local climate.

158 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

During my PhD I maintained a keen interest in carabids, concentrating on the
fauna of Breckland. After leaving Norwich I worked for short periods carrying out
entomological survey work firstly on Salisbury Plain and subsequently with the
National Trust’s Biological Survey Team in southern and eastern England. Then in
1998, I moved' back to Monks Wood to fill Brian Eversham’s shoes as Invertebrate

Recording Schemes Co-ordinator. Soon after taking up my appointment, I also took
over the role of Ground Beetle Recording Scheme organiser from Martin Luff.
~“"T enjoyed nearly five years at BRC, at the hub of biological recording, seeing
through the publication of several atlases and playing my part in several National
Biodiversity Network projects and biodiversity research projects. During this period
I also achieved an ambition: to find a beetle new to Britain (Acupalpus maculatus
Schaum at Dungeness (Telfer, 2003)). But in 2003, yearning to spend more time in
the field, I joined the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, based at Sandy,
Bedfordshire as the ““Reserves Ecologist (non-avian biodiversity)’. I cover the RSPB
reserves across the UK, aiming for better conservation of biodiversity through better
survey, monitoring and habitat management.

More recently, I have started working part-time as a freelance entomological
consultant. In what spare time remains, I am working with John Walters towards a
photographic identification guide to British carabid beetles.

I’m keen to broaden the appeal of entomology. The more people who understand
and appreciate our invertebrates, the more people who will support their
conservation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Changes to Subscription Rates

With effect from Ist January 2005 annual subscription rates will increase to the
following; Ordinary and Corporate Members, £19.00, Junior and Concessionary
Members, £6.00. Life Membership may be purchased after that date for £380.00.

I am conscious that this is a significant increase in percentage terms, but would
emphasise that there has been no increase since January 2001 and it is our intention
to hold the new rate for a similar length of time. Some societies opt to increase
subscriptions annually in line with inflation, but we choose to have less frequent
increases and keep disruption and administration to a minimum for ourselves and
the membership.

The new subscription is no more than sufficient to cover increased costs over the
period and we consider represents very good value for money even for those
members who are not able to take full advantage of the Society’s facilities and
extensive programme of events, but only receive the Journal.

Honorary Treasurer, A. J. PICKLES,
2a Park Avenue, Lymington, Hants., SO41 9GX.

The Cribb Award

The Amateur Entomologists’ Society invites nominations for the Cribb Award,
which is available annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to
invertebrate conservation. Details can be obtained from: Dr. D. Lonsdale, 33 Kings
Road, Alton, Hants GU34 1PX (E-mail: d-lonsdale@supanet.com). !

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 159

Hypseloecus visci (Puton) (Hemiptera: Mirida
a mistletoe bug new to Britain

DAVID GiBBs! AND BERNARD NAU?

'6 Stephen Street, Redfield, Bristol, BSS 9DY. davidjgibbs(@aol.c 1,
*15 Park Hill, Toddington, Dunstable, Beds LUS 6AW. nau.bs(@ btinterneSghhy

ABSTRACT

The first occurrence in Britain of the plant bug Hypseloecus visci (Miridae:
Phylinae: Pilophorini) is reported, from two sites in Somerset in July 2003. The
problems of identification using existing keys to British species are discussed. The
species is described in detail and modifications to the keys in Southwood and Leston
(1959) are presented which enable the species to be determined. The European range
of this species is described and short notes on the biology are given.

INTRODUCTION

While surveying gardens and orchards in Somerset for the National Trust, one of
us (DG) had the opportunity to sample mistletoe which was low enough to reach. As
expected the mirid Pinalitus viscicola (Puton) was present at some sites but from two
orchards an unfamiliar small black mirid was taken. Three specimens were found, a
male and female at Tintinhull House (ST5S019) on 22 July 2003 and one female at
Barrington Court (ST3918) on 30 July. When DG tried to identify them using both
Southwood & Leston (1959) and Nau (draft keys, unpublished manuscript) it proved
impossible to reach a convincing determination, not even the subfamily could be
determined. He then took the specimens to Dinton Pastures, to check against the
British Entomological and Natural History Society collections and library, and took
the opportunity to ask Roger Hawkins if he recognised the species. After consulting
Stichel (1956) and Wagner and Weber (1964), the latter identified them as
Hypseloecus visci (Puton) (Miridae: Phylinae: Pilophorini), a species and genus
hitherto unrecorded in the British Isles. Subsequently, Bernard Nau confirmed this
diagnosis by reference to Stichel (1956) and Wagner (1973).

IDENTIFICATION

The initial difficulty in identifying these specimens was in large part due to H. visci
belonging to the tribe Pilophorini yet having a quite different appearance to the four
existing British members of this tribe, all in genus Pilophorus. Our Pilophorus are
very distinctive bugs which somewhat resemble wood ants. They have several silver
bands across brown hemelytra, the side margins of the latter expand markedly
behind the middle, and their average length is 4.0-5.0 mm. Hypseloecus visci (Fig. 1)
has neither the silver bands nor the expanded hemelytra and is considerably smaller,
the male length is given by Wagner (1973) as 3.2-3.5mm and female 3.0-3.6 mm. By
contrast, H. visci superficially resembles the mirids Psa/lus perrisi (Mulsant & Rey)
and Atractomus magnicornis (Fallen) due to its blackish appearance, ovate form and
small size, the length of the Somerset specimens being about 3.3 mm.

Closer inspection reveals that H. visci shares a very characteristic feature of
Pilophorus spp., this is the form of the ‘back’ of the head. Viewed from the side this is
strongly concave, arching over the pronotal collar and forming a sharp keel along the
hind margin of the vertex. Also the head is short and wide, with protruding eyes

160 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Fig.l. Male (left) and female (right— appendages omitted) of Hypseloecus visci, x 10.

flattened posteriorly. In H. visci, males and females differ in form. Males are more
elongate and the membrane is coplanar with the corium and cuneus. The female is
more strongly ovate, the pronotum more transverse, and the membrane is angled
sharply downwards. In both sexes the hemelytra have an incision directed inwards
from the lateral margin at the base of the cuneus, appearing more developed in the
male. Other details are as follows:

The upperside 1s uniformly brownish-black or black except the apex of the corium,
which is narrowly whitish, and the base of the cuneus which has a rusty tinge; the
apex of the scutellum may also be rufous. The membrane 1s dusky with whitish veins.
The head has the apices of clypeus and paraclypeus white, and also the vertex along
the inner border of the eye. The pubescence of the upper side takes two forms:
adpressed gold scales which are quite densely distributed, and adpressed hairs which
appear pale or dark, depending on the lighting. The antennae are brownish-yellow
with segments A3 and A4, and the apex of A2 dusky; the base of A2 and A3 is
narrowly white. The thickness of A2, at the middle, is less than or equal to that of
Al. The legs are whitish-ochre, the femora with a dusky reddish wash; the tibiae have
dark erect spines, longer or equal to the tibial thickness and set in large dark spots
that have a tendency to form narrow bands. The tarsi have segment T3 about as long
as T1+ 72, and T3 1s dark. The tarsal claws are slender and become progressively
convex apically. The form of the aedeagus (Fig. 2) is very similar to that of
Pilophorus spp. but differs in basal and apical details; also its long slender form
somewhat resembles that of Atractotomus spp., but in these there is no terminal
‘spatula’.

This species does not fit comfortably in the keys in Southwood and Leston (1959)
as the tribe Pilophorini has since been moved from sub-family Orthotylinae to sub-
family Phylinae (Aukema & Rieger, 1999). Also, on entering the key within
Orthotylinae it leads to tribe Halticini and then to genus Strongylocoris. The simplest
solution is to add a couplet to the beginning of the key to sub-families (page 202) as
follows:

0. Head strongly concave posteriorly in side view. [Pilophorus spp. have distinctive
forewings: clearly expanded posteriorly, brown in colour with several
conspicuous transverse bands of silver hairs.].......... Pilophorini (p. 242)
Not .as abovelw: 34.04 20g Maddy. ¢ eee eee ee l

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 161

Figure 2. Aedeagus of Hypseloecus visci (based on Wagner, 1973).

Also, in the Orthotylinae key (page 242) the first couplet should be deleted and, on
the lower half of the page, in the section headed ‘Pilophorini’ the following couplet
should be inserted before the key to genus Pilophorus:

1. Forewings expanded posteriorly, brown in colour and bearing several transverse
Bands or stiver ams: 3.7 SM ews oe Saye es os ae Sele 4 ee Pilophorus
Forewings not expanded posteriorly, blackish, no silver bands. L<3.75mm. .

ME TAN ts oer Oat te ey eae GOW ehutin Bisel Exige ele Hypseloecus visci

BIOLOGY

Within continental Europe, the range of H. visci extends from The Netherlands
and Germany, south to France and Italy, and east to Poland, the Ukraine and
Turkey; two other species in the genus only occur further east (Aukema & Rieger,
1999). Ehanno (1987) maps the distribution in France, showing this species scattered
throughout the country but with more records in the north, particularly Brittany. In
The Netherlands there are only a handful of records from the extreme south-east, in
Limburg (Aukema, 1998).

The three specimens found in Somerset in late July were shaken from mistletoe
growing on apple trees in orchards, and mistletoe is the host in continental Europe
too, Wagner (1973) states that the adults are found in July and August, and the eggs
overwinter. It appears to be phytophagous (Wachmann et al., 2004).

In 1889 J.W. Douglas (Ent. Mon. Mag., 25: 256) reports that Dr A. Puton had, the
previous year, described two species of Heteroptera ‘taken on mistletoe in the
environs of Paris’. He goes on to say that ““These should be of special interest to
British collectors, for it is not at all improbable that both may be found in England.”
The species were: Orthops viscicola, found in Hereford later the same year, and the
present species, H. visci. He was correct but premature!

Subsequently, there have been records in 2004 as follows: Jonty Denton found
‘H. visci on mistletoe in Bushy Park, Middlesex, in great numbers on 27 June; and
Richard Dickson took several at mercury vapour light in his garden at Fareham,
Hampshire on 2 August and 8 August.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

David Gibbs is very grateful to Roger Hawkins for identifying the specimens. Also
to Matthew Oates of the National Trust, who commissioned the work, and Floyd
Summerhayes and Tanis Roberts of Tintinhull House and Christine Brain of
Barrington Court for their hospitality during his visits. We also thank Jonty Denton
for details of the Middlesex record.

162 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

REFERENCES

Aukema, B. 1998. Vondsten van Pinalitus viscicola en Hypseloecus visci in Limburg
(Heteroptera: Miridae). Entomologische Berichten, Amsterdam 58: 244.

Aukema, B., & Rieger, C. 1999. Catalogue of the Heteroptera of the Palaearctic region Volume
3, publ. by the Netherlands Entomological Society, Amsterdam.

Ehanno, B. 1987. Les Hétéroptéres Mirides de France. Tome 2-B: Inventaire biogéographique et
atlas. Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris.

Nau, B.S., —. Hemiptera—Heteroptera. Key to Miridae. unpublished manuscript.
Southwood, T.R.E. & Leston, D. 1959. Land and water bugs of the British Isles. Warne.
London.

Stichel, W. 1956. I/lustrierte Bestimmungstabellen der Wanzen. II. Europe. Volumen 2. W.
Stichel, Berlin.

Wachmann, E., Melber A., & Deckert J. 2004. Wanzen Band 2. Die Tierwelt Deutschlands 75,
Goecke & Evers, Keltern.

Wagner, E. 1973. Die Miridae Hahn, 1831, des Mittelmeerraumes und der Makaronesischen
Inseln (Hemiptera—Heteroptera). Entomologische Abhandlungen Staatl. Mus. Tierkde.
Dresden: Band 39 Suppl.

Wagner, E. & Weber, H.H. 1964. Heétéroptéres Miridae. Faune de France 67, Fédération
Francaise des Societes de Sciences Naturelles, Paris.

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Lasius brunneus (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Monmouthshire. — Workers
of the Nationally Scarce brown tree ant Lasius brunneus were found on an ancient
oak tree within the former deer park of Llantilio Crossenny (SO412141), 12.vi.2005,
during a visit by members of the Ancient Tree Forum (ATF). The species has only
recently been detected in this part of Wales but this is a very under-recorded area and
the ant may well have been present for some time. The earlier records have not been
formally published. Peter Hammond noted its presence in Wyelands Park, Chepstow
(ST522918), 13.vi.1994, during specialist survey of old parklands for the Country-
side Council for Wales; A.P. Fowles subsequently found it to be widespread there,
7.v1.1999. P. Skidmore found it deeper into Wales in Clytha Park, west of Raglan
(SO3608) during 2002, and A.O. Chater identified it from Dingestow Court Park
(SO452097), 10.1v.2004. These sites appear consistent with the ant’s known
distribution through the lower Severn catchment (Alexander & Taylor, 1997) and
all lie between the Rivers Wye and Usk. It is unclear whether the species is a long-
overlooked resident or has undergone a recent range expansion westwards.

Thanks to David Parsons for suggesting the Ancient Tree Forum visit this gigantic
tree, to Adrian Fowles for permission to refer to the unpublished CCW records, and
to Glenda Orledge for details of the Dingestow record.— KEITH N. A. ALEXANDER,
59 Sweetbrier Lane, Heavitree, Exeter EX] 3AQ

REFERENCE

Alexander, K.N.A. & Taylor, A. 1997. The Severn Vale, a national stronghold for Lasius
brunneus (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). British Journal of Entomology and
Natural History 10: 217-219.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 163

HOMONOTUS SANGUINOLENTUS (FAB.) (HYMENOPTERA:
POMPILIDAE): SOME RECENT RECORDS AND OBSERVATIONS
FROM THE NEW FOREST, HAMPSHIRE

BRYAN J. PINCHEN

7 Brookland Close, Pennington, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 8JE.
E-mail: bryan.pinchen@lineone.net

ABSTRACT

A number of recent records of the Red Data Book 1 spider-hunting wasp
Homonotus sanguinolentus are reported. An observation of a female apparently
searching for the host spider in the New Forest, Hampshire is also described.

INTRODUCTION

The spider-hunting wasp Homonotus sanguinolentus (Fabricius) has always been
regarded as something of a rarity in Britain (Day, 1988; Falk, 1991). It is currently
included on the Biodiversity Action Plan Priority list and is classified as Red Data
Book | (Endangered) (Anon, 1995). It is known from a few records in southern
England, largely centred on the New Forest, Hampshire and the Purbeck heathlands
in Dorset.

The host spider has been identified as the clubionid Cheiracantheum erraticum
Walkenaer (Edwards, 1997). One of the most recent New Forest records was of a
single male captured on dry heathland by G.R. Else on the southern end of the
Cranesmoor valley mire complex (SU1902), on the western side of the New Forest
near Burley in 1990. After this record, there appear to have been no more until a
series of my own records since 1999.

RECENT NEW FOREST RECORDS

Here I outline these recent records gathered between 1999 and 2002, and an
observation of a female apparently hunting for its host, during 2004.

On 4 August 1999 I was visiting Markway Inclosure and Duckhole Bog
approximately 2km west of Brockenhurst (SU2502) in the New Forest when I
came across the web refuge of the spider C. erraticum clustered in the top of a dead
purple-moor grass Molinia caerulea seed head. Out of curiosity, I opened the web to
discover an off-white coloured cocoon and a few remains of the original arachnid
occupant within. This was collected and kept in a sheltered location out of doors
‘over the winter.

On 19 June 2000 an all black-coloured female H. sanguinolentus emerged from the
cocoon. Day (1988) notes that the females usually have a ‘reddish thorax’, but this is
something that appears to have rarely been seen in British specimens.

On 11 August 2000, with a better understanding of how to find the web refuges of
the host spider, a visit was made to the Vales Moor area (SU1904) approximately
1 km to the west of Burley village. Cheiracantheum refuge webs were easily found in
the tops of dead flower spikes and occasionally within the folded leaves of purple-
moor grass. A number of web refuges were also found in the seed heads of common
cotton sedge Eriophorium angustifolium and a smaller number of web refuges were
found in the flowerheads of cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix. Many of the webs were
found to contain either well grown hymenopterous larvae which may have been the

164 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

larvae of H. sanguinolentus, or cocoons; some simply contained adult female spiders
or clusters of spiderlings. On the nearby Kingston Great Common National Nature
Reserve (NNR) (SU1802), a web containing a cocoon was found, and collected. On
28 June 2001 an all black male H. sanguinolentus emerged.

On 26 March 2002, whilst surveying invertebrates on Kingston Great Common
NNR for the English Nature Hampshire team, I discovered a C. erraticum web,
complete with grey coloured cocoon, amongst cross-leaved heath seed heads. This
was collected and kept indoors on a cool window sill. On 23 May 2002, another all-
black female H. sanguinolentus emerged. This specimen has been deposited in the
collections of Hampshire County Museums and Archives Service, housed at
Chilcomb House, Winchester.

AN OBSERVATION OF A HOST-SEARCHING FEMALE

On 30 July 2004, while visiting Shatterford Bog (SU3405) in the south of the New
Forest near Beaulieu, I was alerted by a predominantly black spider-hunting wasp
frantically moving through the stems of bog myrtle Myrica gale on the edge of a wet
flush. I was able to watch this specimen searching meticulously each individual leaf
and leaf node of the myrtle bush for some minutes. It appeared as though a very
thorough search was being made for the web refugia of C. erraticum. The wasp was
then seen to fly lower down amongst the wetland vegetation, including cross-leaved
heath, common cotton sedge and purple-moor grass. All the while this specimen was
searching by means of crawling and walking rapidly with slightly jerking movements
across the vegetation, every inch of leaf stem and flower head was covered before
moving to the next stem or flower head. On netting and examining the specimen fully
I was able to confirm that it was a female H. sanguinolentus, this time, with a deep
blood-red coloured thorax. On release she flew off rapidly towards a stand of
common cotton sedge some distance away in the nearby wet flush. No further
sightings were made during the course of prolonged observations at this site.

CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS

These records and observations show that contrary to the habitat requirements
described by Falk (1991), H. sanguinolentus is a species more closely associated with
wet heath and valley mire and not open woodland in heathy districts or verge
heathland. Such sites need to be free from heavy grazing pressure to allow the host
spider to construct its web refugia in the uppermost parts of the vegetation. All of
these records and sightings have been from areas with considerably lower grazing
pressure than many parts of the New Forest.

REFERENCES

Anon. 1995. Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group report. Volume 2: action plans. London,
HMSO.

Day, M.C. 1988. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects Vol. 6, Part 4. Spider Wasps
Hymenoptera; Pompilidae. Royal Entomological Society of London.

Edwards, R. (Ed.) 1997. Provisional atlas of the aculeate Hymenoptera of Britain and Ireland.
Part 1. Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society. Huntingdon: Biological Records Centre.

Falk, S. 1991. A review of the scarce and threatened bees, wasps and ants of Great Britain.
Research and Survey in Nature Conservation. No. 35. JNCC, Peterborough.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 165

THE INVERTEBRATE ASSEMBLAGE OF SOME ARABLE FIELDS
IN WEST CORNWALL: A MISMATCH BETWEEN INVERTEBRATE
AND PLANT CONSERVATION PRIORITISATION

KEITH N. A. ALEXANDER
59 Sweetbrier Lane, Heavitree, Exeter EX] 3AQ

ABSTRACT

The invertebrate fauna of a complex of arable fields is described on the basis of a
single day’s survey. These fields are well-known to support important arable plant
species and are good for farmland birds but the invertebrates had not previously
been studied. About 60 species were recorded, mostly Coleoptera and Heteroptera.
These include one Red Data Book beetle Ochrosis ventralis (Illiger) and eight
Nationally Scarce species, most notably another flea beetle Mantura rustica (L.)
(Chrysomelidae), the weevils Sirocalodes quercicola (Paykull) and Stenocarus
ruficornis (Stephens) (Curculionidae), and the seed bugs Aphanus rolandri (L.) and
Scolopostethus pictus (Schilling) (Lygaeidae). This assemblage is very important in
the context of Cornwall and probably of significant interest nationally.

INTRODUCTION

The opportunity arose on 11 July 2003 to investigate the invertebrate fauna of an
area of species-rich arable land on the West Pentire headland in Crantock Parish, close
to Newquay in west Cornwall (SW7760). Arable plants are known to have been subject
to huge decline as a result of 20th century agricultural development (Wilson, 1992). It
is assumed that the same is true of arable invertebrate assemblages although this is
much less well documented. Donald (1998) comments that there are invertebrates
which are restricted largely to farmland, particularly arable land, and many of these
formerly common species have declined to such a level that they are now rare and
threatened. He provides no examples, however. Some of the best remaining arable
habitat is on coastal farmland in Devon and Cornwall (Ford, 2003).

Management of rich arable flora is also good for farmland birds (Ford, 2003) and
provides a type of sparsely-vegetated, frequently disturbed habitat that was
previously much more widespread in the countryside but which has to a large
extent been lost outside arable farmland. Seed of most arable plant species can
remain dormant in the soil when the fields are not cultivated, although many of the
more uncommon species have seed with limited dormancy periods and require
ploughing in order to survive (Wilson, 1992). Arable invertebrates do not have the
luxury of such dormancy and may be expected to have been lost to a far greater
extent than the plants. So does one of the richest arable plant sites still support an
interesting invertebrate fauna?

WEST PENTIRE AND ITS ARABLE PLANTS

The field system at West Pentire comprises eleven arable fields totalling 16 ha, on
an exposed headland surrounded by herb rich maritime grassland, or inland by
housing. The shallow, freely-draining, loamy acid soils receive significant influence of
wind-blown shell sand from the bay below and are accordingly more calcareous than
might otherwise be expected from the situation —it is also possible that local farmers

166 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

may have in the past brought this lime rich sand up onto the fields deliberately, to
sweeten the ground further (I. Kemp, pers. comm.).

The special interest of this site for ““arable weeds” has been known for many years,
the local abundance of corn marigold Chrysanthemum segetum being one of the more
eye-catching features. It also has many less obvious rarities such as Venus’s-looking-
glass Legousia hybrida, rough poppy Papaver hybridum, shepherd’s-needle Scandix
pecten-veneris and lesser snapdragon Misopates orontium. There are also more
widespread species such as western ramping-fumitory Fumaria occidentalis, night-
flowering catchfly Silene noctiflora and corn parsley Petroselinum segetum (Ford,
2003).

LAND MANAGEMENT

The agricultural tenant had been farming in a somewhat haphazard way since the
land was acquired by the National Trust in 1960, the exposure of the headland in
particular ensuring that any chemical inputs did not last long. The tenant died in
1989 enabling new arrangements to be developed (Ford, 2003). After a number of
attempts to let the farm with herbicide restrictions, the local National Trust
managers decided that it was not possible to marry the protection of such an
important site with a commercial farming system, and decided to run it “in hand” to
ensure the protection of the rare arable plant interest. In 1994 it became the first
arable area to be awarded a grant under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Using a local contractor, the fields are cultivated following a detailed plan drawn
up in advance between the property staff and a local volunteer botanist. With a
comprehensive annual survey, it is possible to give a fairly accurate assessment of the
required management of each field. This includes fields which should be spring
ploughed, those which should be autumn ploughed and those which should be left
fallow to encourage biennials such as corn parsley. In most cases a shallow plough is
used. A late light topping and occasional winter grazing have been used to control
the amount of vegetation, which was clogging the plough. Initially no crop was sown,
but after discussion with RSPB, it was decided to plant a thin crop of barley to act as
a winter seed source for the many finches and buntings, which are a feature of the
site. This management has resulted in a particularly fine arable plant flora and arable
bird assemblage, but no-one had investigated the invertebrate assemblages.

The biggest problem is that of aggressive weeds such as couch grass Elymus repens,
perennial sow thistle Sonchus arvensis, spear thistle Cirsium vulgare, creeping thistle
C. arvense and ragwort Senecio jacobaea. The first two tend to suppress many of the
rarer species, while the latter three are not popular with local farmers. Trials of small
strip applications of glyphosate—a total weed killer—in September have been
successful. The herbicide application has subsequently been used every five or so
years on a rotational basis. The autumn application appears to only take out the
target species while the desirable plants have already set seed. Unfortunately the
herbicide use appears to be becoming less successful in controlling couch grass, and
changes to the management system are now being considered, including a crop
rotation (J.A. Lister, pers. comm.)

THE INVERTEBRATE FAUNA

A full day was spent on site and the main techniques used were standard sweep-
netting and hand search. Conditions were ideal for observing insect activity— hot and
sunny with a light onshore breeze. Emphasis was placed on certain Coleoptera and

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

167

Table 1. Full list of species recorded in arable fields at West Pentire, Cornwall, in July 2003.

Coleoptera

Apionidae

Apion frumentarium (Paykull)
Cantharidae

Rhagonycha fulva (Scopoli)

Carabidae

Harpalus attenuatus Stephens

Harpalus rufipes (Degeer)
Chrysomelidae

Chaetocnema concinna (Marsham) s. str.
Gastrophysa polygoni (L.)

Longitarsus kutscherae (Rye)
Longitarsus pellucidus (Foudras)
Mantura rustica (L.) Nb
Ochrosis ventralis (Illiger) RDB3
Phaedon tumidulus (Germar)
Phyllotreta nemorum (L.)

Psylliodes cuprea (Koch, J.D.W.)
Coccinellidae

Coccinella I1-punctata L.

Coccinella 7-punctata L.

Curculionidae

Gymnetron rostellum (Herbst) Na
Ceutorhynchus minutus (Reich)
Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham)
Ceutorhynchus typhae (Herbst)
Microplontus rugulosus (Herbst)
Rhinoncus pericarpius (L.)

Sirocalodes quercicola (Paykull) Na
Stenocarus ruficornis (Stephens) Nb
Sitona lineatus (L.)

Sitona sulcifrons (Thunberg)

Hypera arator (L.)

Hypera nigrirostris (Fab.)

Hypera rumicis (L.)

Elateridae

Athous bicolor (Goeze)

Melyridae

Psilothrix viridicoeruleus (Fourcroy)
Nitidulidae

Meligethes aeneus (Fab.)

Oedemeridae

Oedemera nobilis (Scopoli)
Tenebrionidae

Cteniopus sulphureus (L.) Nb
Lagria hirta (L.)

Heteroptera

Coreidae

Coreus marginatus (L.)

Lygaeidae

Aphanus rolandri (L.) N
Megalonotus emarginatus (Rey)
Scolopostethus pictus (Schilling) N
Miridae

Asciodema obsoleta (Fieber)
Calocoris norwegicus (Gmelin)
Dicyphus globulifer (Fallen)
Orthocephalus saltator (Hahn)
Stenotus binotatus (Fab.)
Trigonotylus ruficornis (Geoffroy)
Nabidae

Himacerus mirmicoides (Costa, O.)
Nabis ferus (L.)

Pentatomidae

Dolycoris baccarum (L.)

Podops inuncta (Fab.)
Rhopalidae

Chorosoma schillingi (Schummel)
Stenocephalidae

Dicranocephalus agilis (Scopoli) Nb
Tingidae

Tingis cardui (L.)

Orthoptera

Chorthippus parallelus (Zett.)
Tetrix undulata (Sowerby)
Tettigonia viridissima L.
Lepidoptera

Vanessa cardui (L.)

Diptera

Leptogaster cylindrica (De Geer)
Terellia tussilaginis (Fab.)
Molluscs

Candidula intersecta (Poiret)
Cochlicella acuta (Miller)

Helix aspersa Miller

Theba pisana (Miller)

Woodlice

Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille)
Philoscia muscorum (Scopol1)

Heteroptera, and the species counts were 35 and 17, respectively. Three species of
Orthoptera, two of Diptera, four molluscs and two woodlice were also noted. The
full species lists for the site are presented in Table 1. One species of Red Data Book
(RDB) status and eight of Nationally Scarce status were found. Flea beetles
(Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionidae) provided the main interest amongst the
beetles, while seed bugs (Lygaeidae) were prominent amongst the Heteroptera.

168 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

The key find was the RDB listed flea beetle Ochrosis ventralis (Iliger), associated
with bittersweet Solanum dulcamara, and plentiful at this site. This has been known
in Cornwall from a number of sites despite the county not featuring in the species
account in Hyman & Parsons (1992). One Nationally Scarce species was also found
to be plentiful here, Mantura rustica (L.), associated with broad-leaved docks Rumex
spp on sandy soils. Two local species were also found: Longitarsus pellucidus
(Foudras), which feeds on Convolvulus arvensis in ruderal situations, and Psylliodes
cuprea (J.D.W. Koch) associated with hedge mustard Sisymbrium officinale and
other Cruciferae.

The key finds amongst the weevils were large populations of the Nationally Scarce
Sirocalodes quercicola (Paykull) and Stenocarus ruficornis (Stephens), as well as the
presence of Gymnetron rostellum (Herbst). Sirocalodes quercicola is a particularly
rare species nationally and which feeds on fumitories Fumaria spp, especially
common fumitory F. officinalis (Hyman & Parsons, 1992) where it grows in disturbed
soils. Common fumitory and common ramping-fumitory F. muralis both occur
widely here as well as rarer ramping-fumitory species (Meredith, 2003) — one wonders
if the entomologists who recorded the particular plant on which they have found the
weevil were sufficiently good botanists to be able to distinguish these difficult
fumitories successfully. Is such fumitory rich habitat a clue to the occurrence here of
such a rare weevil? Gymnetron rostellum is also a rare species of disturbed soils,
thought to be associated with mayweeds Matricaria spp, cudweed Filago and
possibly speedwell Veronica spp (Hyman & Parsons, 1992). Stenocarus ruficornis 1s
more widespread, the larvae developing in the roots of poppy species growing in
disturbed soils, especially common poppy Papaver rhoeas. Neither S. quercicola nor
S. ruficornis have been reported in the county since they were listed in the Victoria
County History in 1906 (information from the Environmental Records Centre for
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly).

Aphanus rolandri (L.) 1s the most interesting of the bugs found. Arable land is a
typical situation for this Nationally Scarce species although it is not confined to the
situation. The key habitat features are given by Kirby (1992a) as: sunny, sheltered
and well-drained, with a covering of dry leaf litter. It is not known which seeds it
feeds on. The other Nationally Scarce bug found Scolopostethus pictus (Schilling) is
mostly associated with stacks of dried plant material, particularly corn-stacks. It
seems to favour base-rich sites (Kirby, 1992a). This is the first record for A. rolandri
in Cornwall since 1956 (Alexander, 1997) while there is just one old unpublished
record for S. pictus (S. Judd, pers. comm.). The third seed bug found Megalonotus
emarginatus (Rey) 1s an uncommon species with only three previous records in the
county (Judd, 1998).

Ground beetles (Carabidae) were disappointing although more species might be
apparent at other times of the year. The presence of the local southern coastal species
Harpalus attenuatus Stephens probably reflects the sparsely-vegetated sandy soils of
this coastal headland rather than arable per se. Two of the other Nationally Scarce
species present, the beetle Cteniopus sulphureus (L.) and the spurge bug
Dicranocephalus agilis (Scopoli) are also primarily coastal species and are present
here because of its situation and structural content rather than its arable habitat per
se and both are local but widespread in the county. The bug Chorosoma schillingi
(Schummel) and the mollusc fauna also fit into this category—wrinkled snail
Candidula intersecta (Poiret), pointed snail Cochlicella acuta (Miller) and sandhill
snail Theba pisana (Miller) all have a coastal distribution in the county.

The presence of larvae of painted lady Vanessa cardui (L.) on borage Borago
officinalis in these fields has been reported elsewhere (Alexander, 2003).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 169
BIODIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS

The rich findings from a single day’s recording in July suggest that this particular
site is of great interest for invertebrates that are able to exploit the special conditions
provided by a species-rich arable system, and that further recording would be well
worthwhile, particularly at other times of year when a different suite of species might
be expected to be active. The invertebrate fauna of arable fields is a very neglected
area other than in the pest control industry. It 1s instructive that Kirby (1992b) only
covers the conventional semi-natural habitats so beloved of nature conservationists.
There is not even a miscellaneous section covering other features of the cultural
landscape. Fry & Lonsdale (1991) do cover these other aspects to some extent and
include two pages on arable fields—in comparison with twenty on open grasslands.
There appears to be no review of the special interest of arable land for invertebrates.
Conservation research on arable invertebrates has tended to focus on their role as
biomass for birdlife, and especially game birds (Donald, 1998; Boatman & Stoate,
1999). Nevertheless, these broad studies have been able to demonstrate that there are
long-term trends of decreases in abundance of a wide range of invertebrate orders.

The habitat is not adequately covered by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)
(www.ukbap.org.uk). Cereal Field Margins (CFM) are a Priority Habitat but not the
arable crop itself. The emphasis is very much on managing the margins to benefit
wildlife without having a detrimental effect on the remaining cropped area. This is
like allowing the core of ancient woodlands to be managed for conifer crops while
protecting only the wood edge! The CFM Habitat Action Plan mentions that some
2000 species of invertebrates are commonly found in cereal fields but provides no
breakdown on their conservation significance. It goes on to provide more detailed
information about rare arable flowers and states that they are of conservation
concern because of enormous national declines in their distribution and abundance.
Overall, some 300 species of vascular plant can occur in arable fields, it states—
vascular plant species are clearly much less significant than invertebrates in cereal
fields and yet get all of the detailed attention.

Conservation in field margins may well be the most sensible way forward for
conserving arable communities at landscape scale without having significant impact
on agricultural cropping but this does not mean that the conservation of rare arable
invertebrates should be overlooked. Interestingly, some of the rare arable plants
known to be present at West Pentire are amongst the Priority Species in the UK
BAP, including the two ramping-fumitories Fumaria occidentalis and F. purpurea.
The inclusion of these arable plants as BAP species should help ensure conservation
of extensive arable habitat. But it is not these plant species which are host to the
rare invertebrates—these are dependent on host plants which are much more
widespread. Choosing sites for special conservation measures based on rare
- vascular plants will not necessarily result in conservation of the rare invertebrates.
The West Pentire example does suggest, however, that the underlying reasons why
the rare plants have survived at this particular site may be the same or similar for
the rarer invertebrates.

While it is possible for a few sites such as West Pentire to be managed as a nature
reserve, true landscape scale conservation of these assemblages must be achieved
mainly within the conventional farming system. Agri-environment schemes provide
useful mechanisms for this but the key thing that is needed is a change of image, for
arable plants and insects to be seen as part of our heritage by the people who farm
the land, for them to be part of the products of land management, not an
embarrassment and a nuisance.

170 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Simon Ford was Property Manager North Cornwall for the National Trust until
2003 and was a key player in establishing the arable plant reserve. Thanks also to Ian
Kemp, current Property Manager, for permission to carry out the invertebrate
survey. Phil Wilson and Rose Murphy first drew attention to the great botanical
interest of the fields. Hazel Meredith is a local volunteer botanist who monitors the
plant interest. Janet Lister, Regional Nature Conservation Adviser for the National
Trust also provided some background information.

Thanks to Mike Cox for help with Chrysomelidae and Peter Hodge with
Ceuthorhynchinae.

REFERENCES

Alexander, K.N.A. 1997. Hemiptera. In: A. Spalding (Ed.) Red Data Book for Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly. Camborne: Croceago Press.

Alexander, K.N.A. 2003 Vanessa cardui (L.) (Lep.: Nymphalidae) reared from Borago
officinalis. Entomologist’s Record 115: 223.

Boatman, N. & Stoate, C. 1999. Arable farming and wildlife—can they co-exist? British Wildlife
10: 260-267.

Donald, P.F. 1998. Changes in the abundance of invertebrates and plants on British farmland.
British Wildlife 9: 279-289.

Ford, S. 2003. Arable plant conservation on National Trust land in Cornwall. In: Lister, J.
(compiler) Conservation of Arable land Flora. Notes taken on Training Days held at
Kingswear, Devon, 10 July 2003 and Cubert, Cornwall 11 July 2003. National Trust Devon
& Cornwall Region (Unpublished).

Fry, R. & Lonsdale, D. 1991. Habitat conservation for insects—a neglected green issue.
Middlesex: Amateur Entomologists’ Society.

Hyman, P.S. & Parsons, M.S. 1992. A Review of the Scarce and Threatened Coleoptera of Great
Britain. Part 1. UK Nature Conservation: 3. Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
Judd, S. 1998. New national, regional and county records of British seed bugs (Hem.,

Lygaeidae). Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 134: 311-314.

Kirby, P. 1992a. A review of the scarce and threatened Hemiptera of Great Britain. UK Nature
Conservation No. 2. JNCC.

Kirby, P. 1992b. Habitat Management for Invertebrates: a practical handbook. Sandy: RSPB for
JNCC.

Meredith, H. 2003. National Trust Arable Fields: West Pentire nr. Newquay Cornwall.
Unpublished report to National Trust Devon & Cornwall Region.

Wilson, P.J. 1992. Britain’s arable weeds. British Wildlife 3: 149-161.

BOOK REVIEW

Living Jewels by P. Beckmann. (Prestel Publishing, London, 2004). 12pp. Hard cover
£24.99. ISBN 3-7913-2528-0.

This is another book in the Prestel series on insects as art and consists of
approximately 100 large beautiful colour photographs of beetles. Species selected are
the large and beautiful with a high preponderance of tropical scarabaeids and
cerambycids and not a dull staphylinid in sight. The author, Poul Beckmann is a
printer and photographer with an interest in jewellery design as is his collaborator
Ruth Kaspin, who prepared the insects for close-up studies. My favourite beetle is a
challenge, not only because of its name, Julodis hirtiventris sanguinipilig, but because it
has orange-tufted elytra and appears to use a mix of coleopterous and lepidopterous
wing patterns, suggesting there is a commonality of gene expression in the imaginal
‘discs’ of the two Orders. A book to enjoy over a nice cup of organic coffee.

JOHN BADMIN

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 17]

2004 ANNUAL EXHIBITION

Imperial College, London SW7-13 November 2004

The following account of exhibits has been compiled by R.D.G. Barrington
(British butterflies), A.J. Pickles (British Macro-Lepidoptera), H.E. Beaumont
(British Micro-Lepidoptera), N.M. Hall (Foreign Lepidoptera), P.J. Chandler
(Diptera), P.J. Hodge (Coleoptera), A.J.A. Stewart (Hemiptera), and M.N. Smith
(Hymenoptera and other Orders). The photographs of individual insects were taken
by R.A. Jones and the cost of printing these was met by a grant from the Hammond
Memorial Fund.

Forty or so members and guests attended the Society’s Annual Dinner which took
place in the Senior Common Room at Imperial College immediately following the
exhibition. The meal was certainly enjoyable and the excellent company suitably
relaxed after a day’s intense entomology.

BRITISH BUTTERFLIES

BAILEY, K.E.J.— Butterfly aberrations from the collection of the late W. Graham
Smith. Polyommatus coridon (Poda) from the Cambridge district, a fine female ab.
alba B.& L. + caeca Courv. which shows a pure white ground colour on the
underside, with all spotting absent except the discoidals. Also a gynandromorph
showing a mixture of male and female on the left forewing, the rest of the insect
being male. Polyommatus bellargus (Rott.), a male ab. alba B.& L. + limbojuncta
Courv. Mellicta athalia (Rott.) an example of the melanic ab. cymothoe Bertolini.

Specimens reared in 2004 from various temperature experiments:

(1) Aglais urticae ichneusa (L.). A very interesting short series of specimens
showing melanism, reared from heat-shocked pupae (Plate 1, Fig. 2). This strain
originated from adults collected in Sardinia. This subspecies differs from the
nominate A. urticae (L.) chiefly by a reduction in dark markings and absence of the
small twin spots on the discal area of the forewing. However the melanism exhibited
here followed the same pattern as that in temperature-shocked A. urticae (L.),
tending towards the classic ab. semiichneusoides Pronin, of which examples from
heat-shocked pupae were also shown.

(2) Aglais urticae ab. pseudoconnexa Cabeau, extreme specimens of this genetically
multifactorial aberration, reared under normal conditions.

(3) Apatura iris (L.) ab. iolata Cabeau, which shows a reduction of the white
banding, from heat-shocked pupae.

(4) Cynthia cardui (L.) ab. rogeri Meilhan from heat-shocked pupae. Rogeri is
- towards the extreme end of the range of aberrations that can be produced in this
species from temperature-shock treatment.

(5) Argynnis paphia (L.)—very interesting aberrations from cold-shocked pupae
showing heavily melanic forewings but nearly typical hindwings. Melanic aberrations
of this species usually show the variation on all wings. However a few of the present
form have been captured and reared in the past.

(6) Argynnis aglaja (L.) minor aberrations from heat-shocked pupae -—this species
appears to be very resistant to the effects of heat on patterning.

(7) Boloria selene (D.&S.) ab. vanescens Cabeau (reduced central spotting and
extended outer spotting on the upperside, with streaked pearl colouring on the
underside of the hindwings) from heat-shocked pupae.

172 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

(8) Parage aegeria (L.) a captured specimen with orange coloured spotting from
Devon, July 2004, resembling ssp. insula (Howarth) from the Isles of Scilly.

(9) Junonia everate (Cr.), melanic aberrations reared from cold-shocked pupae
(they could not survive below 0°C). The strain originated from wild female butterflies
collected on Tobago, December 2003.

BARRINGTON, R.D.G.-— Butterflies captured in 2004.

A melanic male Polyommatus bellargus (Rott.) from Dorset where the species had
a very good season (Plate 1, Fig. 8). This aberration does not conform to the usual
kind of melanism in be/largus. This specimen is essentially brown-black with a
sprinkling of normal blue scales, mainly on the costa and outer areas of the
forewings. Dark or melanic forms of this species usually show an even colouring
without the sprinkling of typical scaling. The underside of the present specimen was
more or less typical.

A female Maniola jurtina (L.) of an unnamed aberration from Dorset in which the
underside of the hindwing entirely lacks the usual pale central band (Plate 1, Fig. 3),
only three previous examples of this aberration are known.

Specimens bred in 2004:

(1) M. jurtina ab. postaurolancea Leeds, two male and three female examples of
this rare aberration bred in an F, generation from a female aberration captured in
2003. 50% of this brood were aberrations, suggesting that it is controlled by a
dominant gene.

(2) Coenonympha pamphilus (L.) A female ab. unicolor Tutt. This aberration shows
no patterning to the underside of the hindwings, the whole wing being unicolorous
and the normal white central patch absent. She laid about 80 eggs and two
generations of butterflies were reared from these but no unicolor appeared in either
brood. It would appear this aberration 1s controlled by a gene or gene system which
has lethal effects, although this fails to explain the appearance of the aberration in
the wild. Two male specimens bred in the F, generation were ab. excessa
Leeds + /atiora Leeds, having broad dark borders to the upperside and dark
marginal spotting on the hindwings.

(3) Polyommatus icarus (Rott.), specimens from the Isles of Scilly bred in an
F, generation from a captured female ab. confluens Courv. Most of the F,
generation of about 80 butterflies showed some degree of this aberration
though most were minor expressions. A pair was shown, both full confluens.
Also shown from this brood were a pair in which the blue upperside scaling
was paler than normal. It has been suggested that the Scillonian populations of
this species show more variation in the colour of the blue scaling than on the
mainland.

BUTLER, A.—Butterfly aberrations caused by temperature-shock treatment to the
pupae.

A range of Lycaena phlaeas (L.) were shown, including some extreme aberrations.
These were produced by treating the young pupae to heat shocks followed by a
prolonged period of cool interrupted by brief periods of higher temperatures. The
resulting butterflies ranged from those showing typical uppersides to extreme
suffused examples in which the copper coloration was entirely obliterated by dark
scaling (ab. melanophlaeas Villiers & Guenne—an extremely rare form in the wild)
(Plate 1, Fig. 10). Some of these also showed inward elongation of the forewing
spotting (ab. extensa Tutt). The original female was ab. caeruleopunctata Ruhl in
which there is a row of small blue spots on the upperside of the hindwings. Some of
the bred aberrations showed this form, but the colour of the spotting was steely-grey
rather than blue.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 173

The underside pattern and colour of some of these butterflies was also aberrant. In
those showing heavy upperside dark suffusion, the normal underside orange colour
was replaced by dirty buff or brown. Two very striking examples were shown with
outward elongation of the forewing spotting (ab. radiata Frohawk) and a similar,
though less extreme tendency on hindwings (Plate 1, Fig. 11). Very few wild examples
of this extreme form are known.

Apatura iris (L.) aberrations reared from stock given to the exhibitor by K.E.J.
Bailey. Multiple heat shocks to the pupae produced a range of aberrations. Two were
shown—ab. atava Verity and monophana Cabeau.

HALSEY, J.—An attractive female Po/yommatus icarus (Rott.) ssp. mariscolore
(Kane) from the Burren, Co. Clare, Eire (1.vi.2004) showing strong blue upperside
scaling and white rings around the discoidal spots.

HUMPHREY, D.A.— Various aberrations of Polyommatus coridon (Poda) including
a very good male ab. radiata B.& L. + albescens Tutt in which the spotting is
radiated towards the marginal lunules and the ground colour is whitish, from
Wiltshire, 2004 (Plate 1, Fig. 7).

JONES, A.M.—The results of breeding from a female Po/yommatus icarus (Rott.)
ab. extensa Tutt captured 10.viii.2003. This aberration shows enlargement, and some
slight outward elongation, of the underside submedian spotting. The F, which
emerged in October 2003 contained 30 typical examples and 20 showing extensa. A
small F, generation in December 2003 contained 13 type, 27 extensa and a single
radiata Courv. showing the spotting strongly streaked out to the marginal lunules on
all wings (an extreme form of exfensa). Diapausing F, larvae gave rise to six adults in
spring 2004 including a strong female aberration, which was paired to an unrelated
typical male. The F, from this pairing contained 42 type and 25 strongly marked
extensa. The F, contained 52 type, 91 extensa and 42 radiata. Most of this breeding
work was carried out by the exhibitor’s father, R. Jones. The strain is being
maintained for further study.

Three rare aberrations of Lycaena phlaeas (L.). A captured male (18.1x.2004)
approaching ab. bipunctata Tutt. The only spotting remaining on each upperside
forewing of this aberration were the discoidal and the two nearest submedian
spots which were displaced close to the discoidal. A bred female showed strong
homoeosis on the upperside of the right forewing (Plate 1, Fig. 9). This consisted
of large splashes of hindwing upperside colour and pattern. The shape of this
forewing also showed hindwing characteristics. This was the only aberration to
emerge from a brood of 71 adults. Homoeosis appears quite regularly in this
species but the usual form shows small areas of forewing underside colour and
markings reproduced on the underside of the hindwing. Very few examples as
extreme as the present example have been recorded. The third specimen was a
bilateral gynandromorph and was the only aberration to emerge in a brood of 44

. adults.

A fine male example of a natural hybrid between Po/yommatus coridon (Poda) and
Polyommatus bellargus (Rott.), known as polonus Zeller, captured 13.vi.2004 (i.e.
towards the end of the be//argus spring brood but before the emergence of coridon)
(Plate 1, Figs. 5 & 6). It has always been of very rare occurrence in England and this
is the first example recorded for many years. The blue colour and upperside pattern
are clearly intermediate between the species but the underside is closer to coridon.
Polonus is recurrent on Mt Chelmos, Peloponesos. Studies by de Lesse (in Higgins &
Riley, 1975) on nine specimens of po/onus have shown that chromosome numbers
varied from 52—70. Typically bellargus has a chromosome count of 45 and coridon
has 80-90, depending on the race.

174 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

KNILL-JONES, S.—Two examples of Polygonia c-album (L.) from the exhibitor’s
garden at Totland, Isle of Wight. The first was a dwarf example with a wingspan of
33mm, captured 18.x.2004. The second was an unusual form of aberration in this
species in which the central dark spots of both fore and hind wings are joined.

LUCKENS, C.J.—Three bred examples of Hipparchia semele (L.) showing dark
russet replacing much of the normal beige markings on the upperside. They were
bred from a similar captured female from Dorset. From 30 ova, 11 butterflies
emerged, eight showing this aberration to varying degrees. Pairings between them
produced infertile eggs.

An example of Cupido minimus (Fuessl.) with obsolete hindwing undersides, ab.
postobsoleta Tutt, captured in Wiltshire, May 2004.

An Aricia agestis (D.&S.) in which the normal reddish lunules on the underside
are outlined in black on a grey ground. Captured in Wiltshire, May 2004.

Two examples of Polyommatus bellargus (Rott.) ab. krodeli Gillmer, in which the
underside spotting 1s absent apart from the discoidal spots (this aberration and
similar less extreme expressions of it appeared regularly in some areas, and in both
broods, during 2004, which was an outstanding season for the species).

TEBBUTT, P.— Butterflies bred from various temperature experiments.

Cold shocks on pupae of Argynnis paphia (L.) produced a range of melanic
aberrations including the abs. confluens Spuler, oce//lata Frings and the extreme form
nigricans Cosm. A single heat shock on Cynthia cardui (L.) produced a gradation of
aberrations from ab. priameis Schultz to abs. e/ymi Rambur and rogeri Meilhan.

Heat shock to Colias croceus (Geoffroy) produced an attractive pair of ab.
nigrofasciata Verity, in which the main feature is the joining of the forewing discoidal
spot to the black margins by a streak of black scaling (Plate 1, Fig. 4). Other minor
aberrations emerged from over 100 treated pupae, including female ab. pseudomas
Cockerell, in which the yellow spotting is missing from the black margins.

Mixed shock regimes on Lycaena phlaeas (L.) produced a range of aberrations
including ab. remota Tutt (forewing submedian spotting displaced outwards); ab.
extensa Tutt (forewing submedian spotting streaking inwards), an unnamed form
with just the three upper submedian spots of the forewings remaining and ab.
latomarginata Tutt in which the dark outer border of the forewings is very broad,
almost reaching the discal spots.

Two specimens bred under natural conditions were Erebia aethiops (Esper), an
unnamed aberration with the median band on the underside of the hindwing
shortened, and an Hipparchia semele (L.) ab. monocellata Lempke, showing on the
underside only.

Captured specimens included Coenonympha pamphilus (L.) ab. anticastanea Leeds
in which the basal half of the underside forewing is suffused with darker coloration
and a series of Aphantopus hyperantus (L.) taken in a period of thirty minutes. This
included ab. caeca Fuchs (no underside spotting), ab. arete Miller (spotting absent
except for the white pupils) and ab. marpurgensis Strand (six hindwing spots). The
highlight of this exhibit was a fine male of the rare Argynnis aglaja (L.) ab. pallida
Tutt captured in northern England in 2004, in which the ground colour was
approaching white (Plate 1, Fig. 1).

WEDD, D.—A female Lampides boeticus (L.) captured at Marsh Lock on the
Thames in September 2003 and a pair of specimens reared from her in the winter of
2003.

Butterflies from Alderney, Channel Islands included four examples of a striking
race of Maniola jurtina (L.), two blue females of Polyommatus icarus (Rott.) (the
exhibitor states that this race consistently produces blue females) and Lycaena

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 175

phlaeas (L.) ab. fuscae Robson (forewing copper colour suffused with darker
scaling— usually a product of high temperatures acting during the early pupal stage).

WINOKUR, L.—A striking example of Aglais urticae (L.) ab. pallida Frohawk in
which the ground colour is white. This was caught by a friend of the exhibitor on
28.viii. 1983 (when the captor was aged eleven) from Buddleja at the corner of Manor
Road and Drove Close, Twyford, Hampshire VC11 (SU478242).

Typical white specimen and a ‘buff-tinted’ example of Me/anargia galathea (L.)
captured 6.vii. and 26.vii.2004 respectively, along “The Avenue’ at Black Wood near
Micheldever Station, Hampshire VC12 (SU536434). The population was at its
highest level at this location for eight years.

BRITISH MACROLEPIDOPTERA

Exhibits of moths from the Channel Islands are included under British
Macrolepidoptera although it is recognised that they are not part of the British
fauna. Only D. Wedd exhibited Channel Isles insects this year and they are listed
under his name. One guest, S. Clancy, exhibited and his details are included with
those of members.

AGASSIZ, D.J.L. & KIDDIE, R.— Migrant species. Trachea atriplicis (L.), Gravesend,
Kent. 24.vii.2004; Syngrapha interrogationis (L.), Gravesend, Kent. 13.viii.2004.

ALBERTINI, M.— Eublemma purpurina (D.&S.). This migrant species was seen in
the UK for the first time during 2004. There have been 11 published records from
31.vii.2004 to 22.viii.2004. Most records have been more or less coastal: three for the
Isles of Scilly, three for Cornwall, two for Dorset, and two for Hampshire. The
exception is one for Buckinghamshire, about 80 miles inland from the nearest other
record (Portsmouth). The Bucks specimen, (exhibited), was seen at Coombe Hill
(National Trust), near Wendover, Bucks on 17.viii.2004 by Martin Albertini and
Peter Hall. In about three hours only 41 macro species were found, with Autographa
gamma (L.) being the only other migrant. In mainland Europe the species ranges
from Spain to southern Scandinavia and east over much of the continent. The larval
foodplant is Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense.

BROWN, D.-—Zygaena lonicerae (Scheven) ssp. latomarginata Tutt, Combrook,
Warks., 20.vi.2004. An extreme confluent abberation. (Plate 2, Fig. 9).

CLANCY, S.—Moths recorded during 2004 in South-East Kent unless otherwise
stated.

Godonella |Chiasmia| aestimaria (Hb.), New Romney, 28.1x.2004, the second
British record. Three species new to the county in 2004:—Dendrolimus pini (L.),
Littlestone, 2.vii.2004; Proxenus/ Athetis] hospes (Freyer), Dungeness, 25.viti.2004
and Catocala electa (Vieweg), Lydd-on-sea, 24.vii.2004. Two examples of
Platyperigea kadenii (Freyer), New Romney, 29.i1x.2004 and 5.x.2004. Cryphia
- raptricula (D.&S.), Dungeness, 14.vi1i.2004. Other immigrant specimens— Drepana
curvatula (Bork.), New Romney, 11.vii.2004; Hyles euphorbiae (L.), Lydd-on-Sea,
7.vill.2004; Thaumetopoea processionea (L.), Lydd, 12.viii.2004; Conistra erythroce-
phala (D. &S.), Dungeness 25.x. and Lydd-on-Sea 2.xi.2004; Trachea atriplicis (L.),
New Romney, 26.vi.2004; Chortodes extrema (Hb.), Dungeness, 7.vi.2004; Macdun-
noughia confusa (Steph.), Lydd-on-sea, 29.vii.2004; Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esp.),
Lydd, 14.x.2004, and Catocala sponsa (L.), Dungeness, 7.viii.2004. Species likely to
now be breeding in South-East Kent or on the verge of colonising the area. Thera
cupressata (Geyer), Lydd, 2.xi.2004, the third county record since 1999 and the
second consecutive year that this species has occurred in the area. Euplagia
quadripunctaria (Poda), two examples of at least six area records in 2004. Noctua

176 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

janthina (D.&S.), two examples of at least 59 area records in 2004. Aetheria
[Hecatera] dysodea (D.&S.), two examples of at least 16 area records in 2004.
Cryphia algae (F.), two examples of at least 13 area records in 2004. Also exhibited
was a female Macaria signaria (Hb.) from Barham, Kent on 4.viii.2004. With a
second having been taken nearby in the Canterbury area a few days later this
provides further evidence that this species may be a low-level resident in the county.
Aberrations shown included a banded Thera britannica (Turner) from Orlestone
Forest, Kent on 19.x.2004; a suffused example of Crocallis elinguaria (L.) from
Minsmere, Suffolk on 26.vii.2004; an extreme melanic male Arctia caja (L.) taken at
Dungeness, Kent on 28.vi.2004 and the melanic ab. scopariae Mill. of Xestia
agathina (Dup.) from Buxton, Cheshire on 5.1x.2004.

CLARKE, J.—Moths taken or bred in the year. Jdaea muricata (Hufn.), Meathop,
Cumbria, 10.vu1.2004, taken in flight. Perizoma taeniata (Steph.), Myrtleberry Cleave,
Watersmeet, Lynton, North Devon, 12.vu.2004. Herminia tarsicrinalis (Knoch.),
Tunstall, East Suffolk, bred ex female which came to MV on 3.vui.2003. Euphyia
biangulata (Haw.), Churchstanton, Somerset, bred ex female beaten from hedge
17.vu1.2004. Hydriomena ruberata (Freyer), Blawagown River, Strathrory, Scotland,
at MV, 28.v.2004. Selenia lunularia (Hb.), near Tenterden, Kent, 21.vu.2004, a
second brood example at MV. Hyles livornica (Esp.), Durlston Head, Swanage,
Dorset, at MV, 15.vi.2004. Parasemia plantaginis (L.) ab. hospita D.&S., Meikle
Elrick, Braemar, 6.vu.2004, in flight. Agrotis ripae (Hb.), Brean/Berrow, Weston-
super-Mare, Somerset, vii.2004 at MV. Acronicta euphorbiae (D. &S.) ssp. myricae
Guen., Blawagown River, Strathrory, 28.v.2004 and Rannoch Moor, Scotland,
27.V.2004. Apamea crenata (Hufn.) ab. alpecurus Esp., Braemar, Scotland, 6.vii.2004.
Very dark examples of this form. Hyppa rectilinea (Esp.), Blawagown River,
Strathrory, Scotland.

CLIFTON, J.—Polia bombycina (Hufn.), Norfolk, 2004. Idaea ochrata ochrata
(Scop.), Norfolk, 2004.

Cook, R.—Tethea fluctuosa (Hb.) ab. albilinea L., Loch Arkaig, Inverness
7.vu1.2004. Orthonama vittata (Bork.), bred from Troublefields Reserve, Hurn,
Dorset and fed on yellow bedstraw. Chloroclystis debiliata (Hb.), bred from larvae
found at Abinger, Surrey on 8.v.2004.

CRONIN, A.R.—Callimorpha dominula (L.), an extreme example of ab. bimacula
Cockayne from stock bred to generation F,; (Plate 2, Fig. 5).

DIcKSON, R.—A rare migrant, Macdunnoughia confusa (Steph.), Fareham,
Hampshire, 5.v.2004.

Dosson, A.H.—Jdaea muricata (Hufn.), form auroraria (Borkh.), Stoborough
Heath, 31.vii.2004. Flushed from the mire, a new record for the reserve. A male
Clostera pigra (Hufn.), which was swept by day from Salix repens; Idaea degeneraria
(Hb.) a tattered specimen rescued from the Rothamsted trap catch for the night of 26
to 30. viii.2004, Starcross. This is only the second migrant specimen from Devon
since the species became extinct at Redgate Cliffs, Torquay. Acontia lucida (Hufn.),
Sherborne St John, 13.viii.2004, new to VC12 and found resting on his MV light trap
by N. Montegriffo.

EZARD, A.S.—Species recorded at Spurn Peninsula, East Yorkshire. Archanara
sparganii (Esp.), Simyra albovenosa (Goeze), Scopula emutaria (Hb.), Cryphia muralis
(Forster) (first Yorkshire record), Sideridis albicolon (Hb.), Cucullia asteris (D. &S.),
Chortodes elymi (Treitschke), Apamea oblonga (Haw) and Mythimna litoralis (Curt.)

GILL, N.—Moths taken on trips to Scotland during 2003/04. Epirrhoe alternata
(Miill.) ssp. obscurata South, Mythimna impura (Hb.) f. scotica Cockayne and Lycia
zonaria (D. &S.) ssp. atlantica Harrison, from Lewis, Outer Hebrides. Chloroclysta

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 177

concinnata (Steph.) bred from Arran. Chloroclysta truncata (Hufn.) and Protolampra
sobrina (Dup.) from Carrbridge, Inverness and Anarta melanopa (Thunb.) from
echt:

HALSEY, J.—Ennomos quercinaria (Hufn.), Bonchurch, Isle of Wight, 7.vii.2003.
Xestia xanthographa (D.&S.), Wicken Fen, 6.1x.2004. Cosmia pyralina (D.&S.),
Wicken Fen, 19.vii.2004, almost certainly the first melanic recorded in Britain and
perhaps similar to ab. obscura Hoffman & Kloss. Colotois pennaria (L.), Kilchoan,
Ardnamurchan. 28.x.2003, a very dark example. Conistra erythrocephala (D. &S.),
Bonchurch, Isle of Wight, 13.11.2004. After a month in captivity she produced
hundreds of infertile eggs. Euthrix potatoria (L.), female with good coloration.

HARMAN, T.-—The first British specimen of Chiasmia [Godonella\ aestimaria (Hb.),
Sholden, Deal, Kent. 16.vi1.2004. Taken by Lynn Hirst.

HART, C.—Records, mainly from Buckland, near Reigate, Surrey in 2004.
Eupithecia phoeniceata (Ramb.), the second specimen recorded in 23 years in
Buckland. Another one was recorded in Surrey at the same time, which indicates it
was part of a migration, rather than a chance vagrant. Trichopteryx polycommata
(D.&S.). Mr Hart regularly visits the north downs near Dorking in the summer in
search of plume moths and noticed a good stand of wild privet at one spot. He
returned on 31.111.2004 and found two female 7. polycommata settled on small privet
bushes. These are the first Surrey records for 43 years. Both moths were kept for eggs
which they duly laid. In mid May he returned over 40 fully-fed larvae to the site.
Aleucis distinctata (H.-S.). Collins (1997) describes Sloe Carpet as ‘very local and
scarce [in Surrey] and this is only the third specimen of this local moth recorded at
Buckland in 23 years. It is assumed these records are of vagrants which have flown in
from the wealden clay further south. Helicoverpa armigera (Hb.). A larva found
whilst slicing beans for dinner on 12.x1.2004. It is a Surrey specimen as the beans
were bought at Waitrose in Horley, although the packet label claims Spain as the
country of origin.

HAYWARD, R.~— Epirrhoe alternata (Miull.), Roo Turlough, Gort, Co. Galway,
3.vil.2004. To actinic light of Ian Rippey and passed live to the exhibitor as an
example with the central band reduced to a dot. Although this is apparently a
recurrent form it does not appear to have been named. Prerostoma palpina (Cl.),
Slough, 15.vu1.2004, a very dark form to MV. Agrotis puta (Hb.), Slough, 17.v.2004, a
melanic male with ‘shuttles’ obscure, possibly ab. obscura Tutt. Orthosia gothica (L.),
Slough, 28.1v.2004, a plain dull grey form with basal line joining the quadrate marks
missing. Mesapamea secalis (L.)/Mesapamea didyma (Esp.), Inch, Co. Kerry,
9.viii.2004.

It was a poor year for migrants in Slough in 2004 and the following were exhibited.
Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.), Slough, 6.1x.2004 and Peridroma saucia (L.), Slough,
24.1x.2004. Some moths bred during 2004-—Cyclophora linearia (Hb.), emerged
- 30.vili.2004, part of a dark second brood bred from a Chilterns’ female taken
18.vii.2004. The larvae refused beech and all other food plants except oak. Some of
the pupae from this brood are overwintering. All specimens so far have been female.
Mormo maura (L.), bred 23.vi.2004 from larva found on garden pyracantha.

New species added to the site list from the exhibitor’s town garden in Slough,
Berkshire during 2004 where the total of macro-moths now stands at 363— Prilodon
capucina (L.), 18.v.2004, Pseudoips prasinana (L.), 14.v1.2004, Apamea ophiogramma
(Esp.), 28.vii.2004 and Aetheria [Hecatera] dysodea (D. &S.), 10.vii.2004. Five wild
larvae of A. dysodea were found during August within a few hundred metres of the
garden trap, and of these, four produced overwintering pupae and one produced a
parasitoid.

178 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

HENWOOD, B.— Mythimna turca (L.) reared from larvae found feeding on Carex
panicea, carnation sedge near Hatherleigh, North Devon by B.P. Henwood and R.J.
Wolton. Carex panicea is a previously unknown foodplant. Larvae have not been
found feeding on Carex spp. before in Britain but on the continent have been found
on Carex hirta and Carex brizoides.

HiGGoTT, J.B.—Catocala conjuncta (Esp.), Minsmere RSPB Reserve, East
Suffolk, 14.1x.2004, the first British record. The individual was trapped at MV light
by Robin Harvey and identified by J.B. Higgott. C. conjuncta is a circum-
Mediterranean species, occurring as close to Britain as interior north-west France
(Goater, Noctuidae Europaeae Vol 10, 2003).

JENKINS, A.— Perizoma taeniata (Steph.). Two taken at light in North Devon and
two taken at light in Scotland. Cyclophora pendularia (Cl.), second generation
examples from Dorset larvae. Selenia lunularia (Hb.) from Inverness-shire at MV.
Lobophora halterata (Hufn.), Inverness-shire, a contrasting form typical of the area.
Pseudopanthera macularia (L.) from South Devon with speckles forming bands in
both fore and hind wings. Epione vespertaria (L.), males taken at light and females
found at rest on alder trees. Ecliptopera silaceata (D. &S.), taken at light in Inverness-
shire and displaying rings in the central bands. An unusually white Venusia cambrica
(Curt.) from North Devon. Perizoma minorata (Treitschke) ssp. ericetata (Steph.)
netted in late afternoon sunshine at Aviemore, Scotland. Spilosoma lubricipeda (L.), a
Scottish form from car headlamps at Trinafour, Scotland. Agrius convolvuli (L.),
bred from wild larva found at Swanage, Dorset in 2003 when over forty were seen.

JONES, R.A.— Bembecia ichneumoniformis (D. &S.), swept on a flowery brownfield
site beside the River Medway, central Rochester, 15.vi.2004. This uncommon moth
breeds in the roots and stems of bird’s foot trefoil and kidney vetch and is usually
found on chalk downland or coastal grasslands; it was exhibited as part of a larger
exhibit of insects found on brownfield sites.

KNILL-JONES, S.—Moths taken at Totland, Isle of Wight unless otherwise
indicated. Nycteola revayana (Scop.), 10 and 12.1v.2004; Trichopteryx carpinata
(Borkh.), 14.1v.2004; Scopula immutata (L.), 29.vi.2004; Eupithecia subfuscata
(Haw.), 3.vi.2004; Idaea aversata (L.), 31.vu1.2004; Aporophyla lutulenta (D.&S.),
Afton Down, 24.1x.2004 and Agrotis clavis (Hufn.), 18 and 26.vi.2004, aberrations.
Orthosia munda (D. &S.), 27.11.2004 and 11.iv.2004. An aberration of Agrotis trux
(Hb.) ssp. /unigera (Steph.), 26.v1.2004. An aberration of Ochropleura plecta (L.).
Aberrations of Hoplodrina ambigua (D.&S.), 25.vi. to 5.1x.2004. Diarsia brunnea
(D.&S.), 28.vii.2004; Leucochlaena oditis (Hb.) 2.x1.2004; Mythimna_ pudorina
(D. &S.), 9.vii.2004; Agrotis ripae (Hb.) 10.vi.2004 and Drymonia ruficornis (Hufn.)
30.1v.2004. Drymonia dodonea (D.&S.), a pale form from Parkhurst Forest
25.v.2004. Agrius convolvuli (L.), bred from a larva found at Niton, Isle of Wight
and hatched 5.vi.2004. Laothoe populi (L.), a dwarf form with a wing expanse of only
48mm, taken on 7.vii.2004 and a reddish form on 31.vu.2004. Two extreme
aberrations of Orthosia gothica (L.), 18.1v.2004 and 1.v.2004. An extreme aberration
of Xestia c-nigrum (L.) with the right forewing plain and the Hebrew character
washed out, 27.v.2004. Thera cupressata (Geyer) having a central band on the
forewing similar to Thera britannica (Turner), 27.vii.2004, (Plate 2, Fig. 7).
Xanthorhoe designata (Hufn.), an example with differing red bands on the forewings.
A well marked specimen of Opisthograptis luteolata (L.) with a central bar. Tyta
luctuosa (D. & S.), 5.viii.2004. Three Lithosia quadra (L.) on 8, 10 and 21.viii.2004.
Trachea atriplicis (L.), 17 & 24.vu.2004. Peridroma saucia (Hb.), 19.1x.2004, a
melanic variation. Dryobota labecula (Esp.) 31.x.2004. The following specimens were
taken in the period of considerable migration during February 2004:— Spodoptera

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 179

exigua (Hb.) three specimens on 4, 7 and 11.11.2004; Heliothis armigera (Hb.), two on
12.11.2004 and Heliothis peltigera (D.&S.), three on 11 and 12.11.2004. Mythimna
loreyi (Dup.), taken by D.B. Wooldridge at Freshwater on 13.11.2004; where he also
took Autographa gamma (L.) by day on 18.11.2004. Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) and
Trichoplusia ni (Hb.) both on 11.11.2004.

KOLAJ, A.J.—Agrochola helvola (L.) from Balgowan, Highlands, Scotland
1.ix.2004. A striking aberration with the outer quarter of the wing dark brown
except for the fringe and the inner quarter shaded in dark brown (Plate 2, Fig. 1).
Lasiocampa quercus (L.), Hamstreet, Kent 23.vii.1996, a small, pale specimen.
Hypena rostralis (L.), Lakenheath, Suffolk ex larva, 3.vu.2004. Unicolorous form
with a broad, pale band along the costa and a pale patch on the outer area of each
wing. Noctua janthina (D. & S.), Swanage, Dorset 31.vi1.2004. Xestia agathina (Dup.),
a melanic example bred in 1994 ex larva from Cannock Chase, Staffs. A//ophyes
oxyacanthae (L.), a melanic example much darker than f. capucina Mill., from
Coventry, Warks. 14.x.2004. Nycteola revayana (Scop.), f. ramosana Hb.,19.1x.2004,
Bradwell, Essex and an unknown form from Coventry, Warks. Eupithecia exiguata
(Hb.), a melanic specimen exhibited with a typical form and a melanic Eupithecia
abbreviata (Steph.) for comparison.

LANGMAID, J.R.—Agrotis exclamationis (L.), an asymmetrical aberration with
smudge-like fuscous markings on the right forewing. Southsea, Hants, 1.vi.2004.
Noctua janthina (D. & S.), Southsea, Hants, 22,vi1.2004. Cryphia algae (F.), Southsea,
Hants, 9.viii.2004.

Love, S. & M. and DEWHURST, C.-—AIl moths except otherwise stated from
Ellanore Farm, West Wittering, West Sussex. Drepana curvatula (Bork.), 9.viti.2004,
Pagham Harbour, West Sussex; a migrant taken by C. Glanfield. /daea rusticata
(D. & S.) viii.2004 from a strong local population. Rhodometra sacraria (L.), the only
specimen of this migrant in 2004. Orthonama obstipata (F.), 3.vii.2004. Thera
cupressata (Geyer) 4.1x.2004; this species 1s probably naturalised in West Sussex.
Lymantria dispar (L.), 3.vii.2004, a migrant. Cybosia mesomella (L.) ab. flava de
Graf, 4.v11.2004. Lithosia quadra (L.), 9.viii.2004, a migrant from Pagham Harbour,
West Sussex taken by C. Glanfield. Agrotis vestigialis (Hufn.), vi1.2004, from coastal
dunes. Noctua janthina (D.&S.), 6 and 8.vii.2004. Sideridis albicolon (Hb.),
6.v1.2004. Mythimna albipuncta (D.&S.), 1x.2004, a specimen having an aberrant
marking on the left forewing. Mythimna litoralis (Curt.), 5.vii.2004, locally frequent.
Mythimna obsoleta (Hb.), 2004. Thaumetopoea processionea (L.), 18.vili.2004 and
one from a later date in August, migrants. Cryphia algae (F.), 2 and 11.viii.2004.
Apamea oblonga (Haw.), 9 and 26.vi1.2004. Trichoplusia ni (Hb.), 11.viti.2004.
Catocala sponsa (L.), 10.viti.2004, a presumed migrant recorded during a period of
intense migrant activity with other records of this species elsewhere on the south
coast.

McCormick, R.F.—Species seen in Devon during 2004. Hepialus hecta (L.),
Quoditchmoor, near Ashwater, 29.v.2004. Synanthedon tipuliformis (Cl.), Kenwith
Valley, 7.vi.2004; Stephen Hatch attracted three to pheromones. Synansphecia
muscaeformis (Esp), Westward Ho, 14.vi 2004, Stephen Hatch attracted 11 to
pheromones. Malacosoma castrensis (L.), Axmouth Saltings, 29.vii.2004; larvae were
found commonly in June by Barry Henwood. Tethea or (D. & S.), Coombe Meadow,
near Hatherleigh, vi.2004. The species is now found in at least four sites in the
Hatherleigh area. Cyclophora pendularia (Cl.), from a known Dorset locality where
larvae of varying sizes were beaten from sallow on 28.viii.2004. The imagines
emerged from mid ix.2004, with some laying over. Timandra comae (Schmidt), from
Garden Lodge, Wembury, near Plymouth, 26.vii.2004 (Plate 2, Fig. 10). This over-all

180 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

red form was taken by Paul Stubbs and is now in the exhibitor’s collection. Scopula
ternata (Schrank), Challacombe Farm, Dartmoor, 5.vii.2004; Redlake, South
Dartmoor, 29.vi.2004; Braunton Burrows, 2.vi.2004; Headland Warren, Dartmoor,
15.vi.2004. Xanthorhoe fluctuata (L.), a miniature specimen taken at Treedown Farm,
near Bow on 6.v.2004. Chloroclysta citrata (L.), a miniature specimen taken at
Tavistock 20.1x.2004, the late date and size indicating it was probably a second brood
specimen. Perizoma taeniata (Steph.), Watersmeet, 12.vii.2004. The species has now
been found in four | kilometre squares in the Watersmeet valley. On this date and
previous visits only males were seen. Perizoma bifasciata (Haw.), one of three
specimens seen at Wembury on 15.vi.2004. Eupithecia inturbata (Hb.), Axmouth
Saltings, 29.vu.2004, together with one from the exhibitor’s garden at Teignmouth
on |.vin.2004. Eupithecia simpliciata (Haw.), Axmouth Saltings, 29.vi1.2004. Venusia
cambrica (Curt.), Watersmeet, 12.v11.2004, where several were seen throughout the
valley. Crocallis elinguaria (L.), a very small specimen taken in Teignmouth on
8.vi.2004, with an odd shaped band (Plate 2, Fig. 8). Biston betularia (L.), an odd
colour form taken at Teignmouth on 15.vu.2004. Aethalura punctulata (D.&S.),
from Stover Park, 4.vi.2004. Acherontia atropos (L.), Exeter, St Thomas. Three
larvae were found in a garden under a bush of a cultivar of Solanum nigrum, black
nightshade from 15 to 23.1x.2004. There were at least four more sightings in the
Exeter area after the first of these was publicised in a local newspaper. Hemaris
fuciformis (L.), Roborough Down, north of Plymouth, 28.vi.2004, observed and
photographed by Peter Norwood and verified with the retained picture. Hy/les
livornica (Esp.), Tavistock, 9.vi.2004, taken by Fred Slatter in his light trap. Furcula
bifida (Brahm.), Coombe Meadow, near Hatherleigh, 9.vi.2004, taken by Rob
Wolton, the first confirmed specimen since 1997. Ptilodontella cucullina (D.&S.),
Watersmeet, 12.vil.2004, a site where this species is seen on a regular basis.
Thaumetopoea processionea (L.), the first specimen for Devon, was taken in
Teignmouth on 9.viii.2004. Atolmis rubricollis (L.), Lydford Butterfly Conservation
Reserve, seen on 5.vi.2004, by Jim and Cath Braven. This species is infrequently seen
in Devon. Lithosia quadra (L.), Warleigh Point Nature Reserve, Plymouth,
6.vill.2004 and Lopwell Dam, 17.vi1.2004, seen by members of the Devon Moth
Group. Euxoa obelisca (D. &S.) ssp.grisea (Tutt.), the first specimen recorded since
1999, this one at Hartland Point, 31.vi.2004. Cerastis leucographa (D.&S.),
Lewmoor, near Hatherleigh, 14.iv.2004. This is a new site for this species in Devon.
Lacanobia suasa (D. & S.), Axmouth Saltings, 4.vi1.2004. Two worn specimens were
seen. Orthosia populeti (F.), Coombe Meadow, near Hatherleigh, 14.1v.2004. The
species can now be found in at least four 1-kilometre squares in the Hatherleigh area.
Lithophane semibrunnea (Haw.), seen at Wembury, near Plymouth, iv.2004 and
Axmouth, 1|1.iv.2004. Xy/ena vetusta (Hb.), Hatherleigh area, 26.x.2003 with several
sightings in April time and one at Watersmeet, 1.v.2004. Conistra erythrocephala
(D. &S.), taken at Shaugh Prior, Shaugh Bridge, Dartmoor on 12.11.2004. This male,
taken by Andy Trout is the first in Devon since the Victoria County History (1906).
Moma alpium (Borkh.), recorded from a trap sited in Rosemoor Gardens, Great
Torrington, 26.vi.2004, and which now adds another 1-km square for the species
along the Torrington valley. Acronicta aceris (L.), Sampford Peverell, near Tiverton,
15.vii.2004, from Waggs Plot Farm, near Axminster, vi.2004, and Holyford Wood,
near Colyford, 17.vii.2004. Craniophora ligustri (D. & S.), an overall black specimen
from Tavistock, vii.2004. Dypterygia scabriuscula (L.), Rosemoor Gardens, Great
Torrington, 19.vi.2004. This area seems to be a reliable place to see this species.
Ipimorpha subtusa (D. & S.), from Hatherleigh area, 10.vii.2004 and Treedown Farm,
near Bow on 13.viii.2004. Arenostola phragmitidis (Hb.), Axmouth Saltings,

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 181

4.viii.2004, a species that has not been recorded for a few years. De/tote uncula (Cl.),
Tavistock, 4.vi.2004, a rarely recorded species confirmed by description and drawing
of the moth. Tyta luctuosa (D.&S.), Dundson Farm, near Holsworthy (NNR),
6.vi.2004, netted by John Gregory. Phytometra viridaria (Cl.), Whiteleigh Meadows,
Hatherleigh, 22.v.2004. This rarely seen species was recorded by Rob Wolton, who
has been responsible for most of the Hatherleigh based records of the aspen feeding
species. Hypena obsitalis (Hb.), one of three specimens seen in the old army
installation at Prawle Point on 1.11.2004. (see Entomologist’s Rec. J.Var, 116: 90,
where it is stated that this is probably the first published record of the species being
found overwintering in the wild in Great Britain). Schrankia taenialis (Hb.), this
almost black specimen was taken at Teignmouth on 10.viii.2004.

Interesting species seen on a trip to the Lake District and Scotland in 2004. Thera
cognata (Thunb.), taken at Cairngorm on 25.vul. 2004. Xanthorhoe decoloraria
decoloraria (Esp.), Meall nan Tarmachan, Cairngorm and Duthill, 24 and
25.vu1.2004; various forms including a banded variety. Eustroma_ reticulatum
(D.&S.), an asymmetrical specimen taken on 23.vii.2004 at Lake Coniston,
Cumbria. Colostygia olivata (D. &S.), Lake Coniston, 22 and 23.vii.2004. Perizoma
minorata (Treit.) ssp. ericetata (Steph.), Cairngorm, 24.vii.2004. A few days earlier
the moth was seen commonly, but only four were seen on this date along with
P. albulata (D.&S.), which was abundant. Selidosema brunnearia (Vill.) ssp.
scandinaviaria Staud.; Meathop Moss, 22.vii.2004, several seen during the day,
mostly males.

OwEN, J.—All specimens from the garden at Eastbridge House, Dymchurch in
Kent and taken at MV lamp. Dysgonia algira (L.), 1.viti.2004, possibly the
seventh British record; Cryphia algae (F.), 9.viti.2004 and Proxenus [Athetis]
hospes (Freyer), 18.viti.2004, believed to be the first Kent record and the most
easterly so far. These three migrants, plus Scopula immutata (L.) were all new
records of macros for the garden and bring the total to 490 since 1974. Nola
aerugula (Hb.), 27.vi.2004 & 29.vii.2004. Several others were seen during the year.
It has turned up in most years since the first record here in 1994 and the food
plant, Lotus corniculatus, bird’s-foot trefoil is plentiful in the garden. Deltote
bankiana (F.), 26.v1.2004. This is another species which has appeared regularly in
small numbers every year since 1989. There was a single record in 1977. Pelosia
muscerda (Hufn.), 9.vi.2004 & 12.vit.2004. Noctua janthina (D.&S.), 12.vii,
17.vu & 18.vu.2004. Nearly all of the early janthe/janthina specimens were of this
species.

PARSONS, M.S.— Pelosia muscerda (Hufn.), Walditch, Dorset, 8.viii.2004.

ROUSE, T.— Cryphia algae (F.), two of four specimens taken at Folkestone Warren
9.vii.2004 and 10.vill.2004. Eupithecia phoeniceata (Ramb.) taken at Folkestone
Warren 22.viii.2004. Xanthorhoe fluctuata (L.), a specimen showing reduced black
‘markings taken at Folkestone Warren 9.vili.2004. Noctua janthina (D.&S.),
Folkestone Warren 11.viii.2004. Rhizedra lutosa (Hb.), Densole, Folkestone Kent
9.1x.2004 showing extensive black dusting to wings. Noctua comes Hb. ab. sagittifer
Cockayne, Folkestone Warren, 20.vii.2004. This form is found commonly in the
Isles of Scilly, Lundy and North Devon. Arctia caja (L.), Folkestone Warren,
Kent 20.vii.2004, showing reduced hindwing spotting. Euproctis similis (Fuess.),
Folkestone Warren, Kent 29.ix.2004; a possible second generation specimen.
Conistra ligula (Esp.), Densole Folkestone Kent 19.x.2004; an aberrant specimen.
Cyclophora punctaria (L.), Densole, Folkestone, Kent 4.ix.2004; a specimen showing
extensive spotting on the wings. Agrotis segetum (D.&S.), Densole, Folkestone,
Kent. 2.1x.2004, a melanic specimen.

182 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

SHERMAN, N.—All moths from Ipswich Golf Club. Syanthedon vespiformis (L.),
found in a polytunnel on 20.vu.2004; Pelosia muscerda (Hufn.) 29.vii.2004 and
Proxenus [Athetis| hospes (Freyer) 19.viu.2004.

SIMS, I.— Heliothis armigera (Hb.) to house lights 17.vii.2004, Earley, Reading,
Berkshire.

THIRLWELL, I.R.— Eublemma purpurina (D. &S.) 16.viii.2004, Portsmouth, South
Hampshire. One of two of this new British species recorded in Hampshire this year.

WEDD, D.—Specimens bred or captured in 2003-4. From Alderney. — Euplagia
quadripunctaria (Poda); two examples of ab Jutescens Stdgr. In Jersey and Guernsey
this form represents about 5% of the population; in Alderney 30-40%. Synansphecia
muscaeformis (Esp.); abundant everywhere in Alderney. Zygaena trifolii (Ver.);
another abundant moth, which seems different from the various mainland sub-
species. Hadena luteago (D.&S.) ssp. barrettii (Doubl.), two examples of the
distinctive Channel Islands’ form.

From Guernsey.— Trachea atriplicis (L.). The exhibitor has been breeding this
species for three years; two specimens were of the typical green form; one was from a
strain first shown last year in which the green is replaced by a purplish tinge; the
other was a melanic ab. nov. which emerged in 2004.

From Jersey. — Diacrisia sannio (L.); examples showing the variation in colour (and
size!) of the second and third broods, from Les Quennevais, Jersey. Cyclophora
ruficiliaria (H.-S.); second and third broods of this recently identified species. The
original pairing was from Waterworks Valley, Jersey, v.2004. Coscinia cribraria (L.);
continuation of the breeding programme from last year. This form seems to be
midway between ssps. bivittata South & arenaria Lempke; it is found only on the
coastal sandhills of West Jersey and, new this year, Alderney. Agrotis vestigialis
(Hufn.); a pair of the Channel Islands’ form of this common species for comparison
with Agrotis graslini (Ramb.), of which two males were exhibited of this recently
discovered Channel Islands species (taken by R. Woods) from Le Braye, Jersey. A.
graslini and A. vestigialis were both abundant in the Jersey sand-dunes in August 2004.

From Inis Meain, Aran Islands (western Ireland)— Hadena perplexa (D. &S.) ssp.
capsophila (Dup.); two from a series bred from larvae found in vu.2003 which
emerged v.2004. Hadena caesia (D.&S.) ssp. mananii (Gregs.); bred from a larva
found on Inis Meain in vii.2003 and which emerged v.2004. This is a new locality for
this species. From St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly.— Agrotis puta (Hb.) ssp. insula (Rich.);
specimens of the third brood, including a bilateral gynandromorph. Ova were
obtained in vii/ix.2004 and the first moths in x.2004.

New or uncommon species from Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire— Synanthedon
andrenaeformis (Lasp.); common on the Chilterns, but this one to pheromone in the
exhibitor’s Henley garden, a new record. Xestia rhomboidea (Esp.); to MV, a new
Henley record

The Clearwing Moths of Dinton Pastures, Hurst, and California Park,
Finchampstead, Berks.—A record of the eight species discovered by searching for
larvae and pupae and use of pheromones for attracting the adults, plus a map of both
parks, with sites indicated, and a series of photographs of those sites. Sites at Dinton
Pastures—Synanthedon tipuliformis (Cl.), one site, High Chimneys, attracted to
pheromone lures, plus other sites outside the Park. Synanthedon vespiformis (L.), two
sites between Black and White Swan Lakes, attracted to pheromones. Synanthedon
myopaeformis (Borkh.); one site in the cafe garden! A pupal case was found and
pheromones were successful. Synanthedon formicaeformis (Esp.), many sites. It was
most abundant near the Sailing Club and was attracted to pheromones and found as
larvae and pupae. Bembecia ichneumoniformis (D. & S.), two sites at the edge of Black

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 183

Lake; to pheromones, also sites in California Park. Sesia bembeciformis (Hb.), larvae
and pupae on Long Moor. Synanthedon spheciformis (D. & S.), several sites on Long
Moor and Longmoor Bog. To pheromones in 2003 and 2004 and as pupae in 2004.
Synanthedon formicaeformis (Esp.), several sites on the edge of Longmoor Bog, using
pheromones. Synanthedon culiciformis (L.); one to pheromones at the edge of Long
Moor.

WHEELER, K.—Agrotis puta (Hb.), an aberration from Fareham, Hants,
25.v.2004. Rhinoprora [ Pasiphila] rectangulata (L.) 14.vi.2004, an aberration from
Fareham, Hants.

WINOKUR, L.—A selection of moths from the London Zoo and BENHS Joint
Field Meeting on 17.vii.2004 held in London Zoo. Hypena rostralis (L.) reared from
a larva beaten from one of only two hop plants. Apamea scolapacina (Esp.), normally
associated with larger areas of woodland habitat. /daea rusticata (D.&S.).
Hoplodrina_ octogenaria (Goeze)[alsines (Brahm)] showing its most consistent
differences from H. blanda (D.&S.). Eilema lurideola (Zincken).

BRITISH MICROLEPIDOPTERA

AGASSIZ, D.J.L. & KIDDIE, R.—Diasemia accalis (Walk.), Gravesend, Kent,
24.v.2004, an adventive species new to Britain (Plate 2, Fig. 6). Sciota adelphella (F. v
R.), Gravesend, 7.vi.2004, first West Kent (VC16) record. Vitula biviella (Zell.),
Gravesend, 29.v1.2004 & 16.vii.2004. Dioryctria sylvestrella (Ratz.), Bedgebury
Pinetum, Kent, 8.vi.2004, first West Kent (VC16) record.

BEAUMONT, H.E.— Blastodacna atra (Haw.), West Melton, Rotherham, South-
West Yorks. (VC63), 30.vu1.2004. There are only two previous Yorkshire records
(one each from vice-counties 62 & 63) the last in 1922. Eupoecilia ambiguella (Hb.),
Spurn NNR, South-East Yorks. (VC61), 7.vii.2004 (M.J. Coverdale leg.). The first
Yorkshire record, this moth is local in southern England occurring in a single
generation. Double brooded on the continent, the date of this specimen points to it
being of immigrant origin. Argyrotaenia ljungiana (Thunb.), Strensall Common,
York, North-East Yorks. (VC62), 20.v1i.2004. Although double brooded in southern
England this moth has hitherto only been recorded in a single generation in
Yorkshire, occurring in May/early June. The present record suggests at least a partial
second generation. Eucosma catoptrana (Rebel), Spurn NNR, South-East Yorks.
(VC61), 25.v.2004 (B.R. Spence leg.), the first Yorkshire record. Calamatropha
paludella (Hiibn.), Old Moor wetlands reserve, Broomhill, South-West Yorks.
(VC63), 7.vili.2004. The most westerly Yorkshire record, this moth 1s still very local
in the extreme south of vice-counties 61 & 63 following the first Yorkshire record in
1995. Duponchelia fovealis (Dup.), West Melton, Rotherham, South-West Yorks.
(VC63) indoors 5.111.2004. The first Yorkshire record. Endotricha flammealis
-(D.&S.), Old Moor wetlands reserve, Broomhill, South-West Yorks. (VC63),
7.vii.2004. Following the first Yorkshire record in 1991 this moth has slowly spread
westwards in the south of vice-counties 61 & 63, this is the most westerly to date.
Acrobasis consociella (Hb.), West Melton, Rotherham, South-West Yorks. (VC63),
9.vili.2004, after an absence of almost a century this moth has re-appeared at several
South Yorks. localities during the past few years. Phycitodes maritima (Tengst.),
West Melton, Rotherham, South-West Yorks. (VC63), 9.viii.2004, there have been
an increasing number of inland records in Yorkshire during the past few years.
Epiblema grandaevana (Lien. & Zell.), Elveden Forest, West Suffolk (VC26),
11.vi.2004 (G. Finch leg.). A local moth nationally, this may be the first VC26 record.
Scythris potentillella (Zell.), Lakenheath, West Suffolk (VC26), 13.vi.2004, numerous

184 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

amongst short turf. A very local moth whose distribution in Britain is restricted to
East and West Suffolk. Ephestia parasitella Staud., Elveden Forest, West Suffolk
(VC26), several 11—13.vi.2004.

BLAND, K.P.—Enteucha acetosae (Staint.), Alva Glen, Perthshire (VC87),
occupied mines in Rumex acetosa collected 8.1x.2004, one moth emerged indoors
30.x.2004. Second Scottish site. Stigmella pretiosa (Heine.), Muchra Glen, Selkirks
(VC79), occupied mines in Geum rivale collected 8.ix.2004 (originally recorded at this
site in 1990s), some moths emerged 20—21.x.2004, others are overwintering;
Kippenrait Glen, Stirlings (VC86), occupied mines in Geum rivale collected
23.x.2004, all overwintering as pupae. Bryotropha boreella (Dougl.), Red Moss,
Midlothian (VC83), a female 25.vii.2004. The female, which has reduced wings, is
rarely taken, this is only the second seen by the exhibitor. Pammene luedersiana
(Sorh.), Drumcroy Hill, Perthshire (VC88), taken flying over Calluna/Myrica wet
heathland in sunshine, 13.v.2004. Rarely taken due to its early occurrence. Aphelia
viburnana (D.&S8S.), Fair Isle (VC112), a well marked female reared from Salix
repens, larvae collected 29.v.2004, imago emerged 11.vi.2004. Crambus pascuella (L.)
ab. obscurella, Lyndhurst, Hampshire (VC11), flying with the typical form,
19.v1.2004. Epinotia caprana (F.), Inneshewan Wood, Perthshire (VC88), a
diminutive specimen reared from larva on Myrica gale collected 27.vi.2004. Imago
emerged 16.viii.2004, a few days after normal sized moths.

CLANCY, S.—Monopis monachella (Hb.), Minsmere, Suffolk, 26.vi.2004. Cydia
amplana (Hiibn.), Dungeness area, Kent, four examples of at least seven in Kent
during vii.2004, the first Kent records. Haimbachia cicatricella (Hb.), Lydd-on-Sea,
one of each sex taken 3 & 5.vii.2004. All thirteen British records have been from
East Kent, eight of these since 1999. Eudonia mercurella (L.), Barnham, Kent, a
melanic banded example taken 4.v111.2004. Diasemiopsis ramburialis (Dup.), Lydd-
on-Sea, Kent, 27.vii.2004, the second record from the area following the first at New
Romney in 2003. Dioryctria sylvestrella (Ratz.), Dungeness, Kent, 21.vii.2004.
Pterophorus spilodactylus (Curt.), Icklingham, Suffolk, 27.vii.2004.

CLIFTON, J.—Staffordshire moths including Narycia monilifera (Geoff.), Fradley
Junction, 28.vu.2004, the only previous county record was in the 1930s. Mompha
sturnipennella (Treits.), Fradley Junction, 28.vu.2004, the first Staffs record.
Pammene aurita Raz., Wolseley Bridge, vii.2004, fourth county record; Fradley
Junction, 28.vu.2004, fifth county record. Pammene fasciana (L.), Wolseley Bridge,
29.vii.2004, fifth county record. Ectoedemia hannoverella (Glitz,), Ispwich golf
course, Suffolk (VC26), reared from mines on Populus x canadensis collected x.2003,
new to Britain.

COLLINS, G.A.— Elachista nobilella Zell., White Downs, Dorking, Surrey, vi.2003,
new to Britain, subsequently found at Hurt Wood, Peaslake, Surrey in 2004 by the
exhibitor and J. Porter. Cameraria ohridella Desc. & Dim., Croham Hurst, south
Croydon, Surrey, a horse chestnut leaf found a few days previously of which half the
surface area was covered with larval mines. Although only some ten miles from the
original British site there had been no sign of mines there until 1x.2003, by autumn
2004 mines were quite common.

COOKE, R.R.—Pyralidae taken in 2004 including: Crambus pratella (L.), Granish,
3 & 4.vii.2004 and Lindisfarne, Northumberland. Donacaula mucronellus (D. &S.),
Morden Bog, Dorset. Mecyna asinalis (Hb.), Durlston, Dorset, 29.vi1.2004.
Dioryctria sylvestrella (Ratz.), Trigon, Dorset, 28.vii.2004 with D. abietella
(D.&S.), Durlston, Dorset, 29.vii.2004 for comparison.

DICKSON, R.—From Hampshire: Evergestis extimalis (Scop.), 2004. Some late
season records of Scopariinae, Eudonia pallida (Curt.), this moth has increased

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 185

greatly during the past few years, latest record 16.1x.2004. Dipleurina lacustrata
(Panz.), Fareham, 29.1x.2004. Scoparia ambigualis (Treits.), Wickham Common,
6.xi.2004. Agapeta zoegana (L.) f. fulvana Haw., Wickham Common, 30.vii.2004, the
only site where the exhibitor has encountered this form but six have been seen during
the past two years leading to speculation that it is increasing.

Dosson, A.H.—Argyresthia trifasciata Staud., Greywell, Hampshire 26.v.2004
(P.A. Boswell leg.) a new site in VC12. Depressaria chaerophylli Zell., Basingstoke,
Hampshire, 5.111.2004 (M. Wall leg.); Greywell, Hampshire, 29.1x.2004 (P.A. Boswell
leg.), the first VC12 records. Agonopterix pallorella (Zell.), Tilshead, Wiltshire (VC8),
10.vii.2004. Crambus silvella (Hb.), Stodborough Heath Reserve, Dorset (VC9), a
moth disturbed by day 31.vu.2004. Phlyctaenia perlucidalis (Htibn.), Millfield, Old
Basing, Hampshire (VC12), one of several flying at dusk 13.vi.2004, a new site.
Dioryctria sylvestrella (Ratz.), Ladycross Inclosure, New Forest, Hampshire (VC11),
29.v1.2004, the first New Forest record.

ELLIOTT, B.—Stigmella aceris (Frey), Winchester, Hampshire, reared from
mines on Acer campestre, these have been found commonly during the past two
years, uncommon elsewhere in the area. Elachista orstadii Palm, Knockgranish,
Inverness-shire, small numbers to MV light in early v.2004. Elachista littoricola
Le March., Hurst Castle, south Hampshire, 2004. Monochroa suffusella (Dougl.),
New Forest, Hampshire, common in boggy areas in early June. Psoricoptera
gibbosella (Zell.), Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, frequent at MV light. Anacampsis
populella (Cl.) f. fuscatella Bent., Formby, Lancs., reared ex. Salix repens.
Spuleria flavicaput (Haw.), Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, flying abundantly around
a Crataegus laevigata cultivar ‘Paul’s Scarlet’. Acleris logiana (Cl.), Knockgranish,
Inverness-shire, a few at MV light in early v.2004, a search for larvae later in the
year proved fruitless. Acleris hastiana (L.), Emer Bog, Hampshire, a reared series
showing consistent facies. Pammene trauniana (D.&S.), St Catherine’s Hill,
Winchester, Hampshire, reared from a seed of Acer campestre collected
22.1x.2003. Stenoptilia islandicus (Staud.), Meall Nan Tarmachan, Inverness-shire,
reared from larvae from two sites at an elevation of 750m, collected early
v.2004.

EZARD, A.S.—Moths from Spurn NNR, South-East Yorkshire (VC61), Pediasia
aridella (Thunb.), Platytes alpinella (Hb.), Anerastia lotella (Hiibn.), Gymnancyla
canella (D.&S.) and Agdistis bennetii (Curt.).

GiBBs, D.J.—Epichnopterix retiella (Newm.), Havergate Island RSPB Reserve,
Suffolk, swept from shingle vegetation 17.v.2004. Bedellia somnulentella (Zell.),
Staple Hill, Glos., mines in Calystegia collected 3.x.2004, adults emerged 17.x.2004.
The last Gloucestershire record was in 1929. Gypsonoma oppressana (Treits.),
Keynsham (playing fields), Somerset, swept from black poplar 28.vi.2004, the second
Somerset record. Dichrorampha alpinana (Treits.), Blagdon Lake, North Bank,
‘Somerset, in a flower rich meadow 5.v1.2004, the second Somerset record.

HARPER, M.-—Trifurcula beirnei Pupl., Cother Wood, Malvern, Worcs., two
female moths, 31.viii.2004 & 2.1x.2004, flying or crawling amongst low vegetation
including Genista tinctoria, the possible foodplant. New to Worcestershire.
Triaxomasia caprimulgella (Staint.), Ledbury Park, Herefords., in crack of bark of
a veteran maple 17.vi1.2004. There are few recent records, most being from south-
eastern England and East Anglia. New to Herefordshire and West Midland counties.
Pammene suspectana (Lien. & Zell.), Ledbury, Herefords., a male (gen. det.) to MV
light, date not stated, new to Herefordshire. Pammene ochsenheimeriana (Lien. &
Zell.), Cefn Hill, West Herefords., flying in daytime 24.vi.2002, new to Herefordshire
and West Midland counties.

186 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

HECKFORD, R.J.—Metralampra italica Bald., Plympton, Devon (VC3) at light
7.vill.2004. The second specimen of this species taken in the exhibitor’s garden, the
first on 16.vi1.2003 was the first British record of a moth formerly believed to be
endemic to Italy. Bryotropha dryadella (Zell.), near Gammon Head, South Devon
(VC3), larva amongst unidentified moss 28.11.2004, moth reared 13.iv.2004.
Scrobipalpa murinella (Dup.), Monawilkin, Co. Fermanagh (H33), larvae mining
Antennaria dioica 19.1v.2004, moths reared 2 & 6.vi1.2004, new to Northern Ireland.
Brachmia blandella (F.), Crownhill Down, South Devon, (VC3), larva in withered
flower of Ulex europaeus 16.v.2004, moth reared 9.vi.2004. Possibly the first record of
the larva being found feeding in the wild either in Britain or on the Continent.
Epinotia crenana (Hb.), Cliffs of Magho, Co. Fermanagh, (H33), larva in spun leaf of
Salix aurita 20.vi.2004, moth reared 31.vii.2004, new to Northern Ireland. Crambus
uliginosellus Zell., Goss Moor, East Cornwall (VC2), one worn specimen, confirmed
by dissection, 12.vi.2004, first confirmed Cornish record since 1906. Catoptria
margaritella (D. & S.), Trowlesworthy Warren, South Devon (VC3), larva amongst
Campylopus flexuosus 9.iv.2004, in captivity initially feeding on this and then on
Eriophorum angustifolium, moth reared 25.v.2004. Possibly the first record of the
larva being found in the wild either in the British Isles or on the Continent.
Duponchelia fovealis Zell., Plymouth, South Devon (VC3), one inside office premises
14.x1.2003, new to Devon. Merrifieldia tridactyla (L.) (= fuscolimbatus (Dup.)),
Rahugh Ridge, Co. Westmeath (H23), 18.vi.2004, confirmed by dissection, new to
Co. Westmeath.

HEPPENSTALL, R.I.—Ectoedemia decentella (H.-S.), Rossington, Doncaster,
South-West Yorks. (VC63), at MV light 7 & 8.vi.2004. Ectoedemia argyropeza
(Zell.), Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster, mines on hybrid grey leaved
poplar, autumn 2003, moths emerged from 4.111.2004. Previous Yorkshire records
were in the 19th century. Ectoedemia turbidella (Zell.), Potteric Carr Nature Reserve,
Doncaster, South-West Yorks. (VC63), mines on hybrid grey leaved poplar, autumn
2003, moths emerged from 8.111.2004 (gen. det.) New to Yorkshire. Ectoedemia
subbimaculella (Haw.), Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster, reared 5.v.2004
from mines on oak. Ectoedemia heringi (Toll.), Potteric Carr Nature Reserve,
Doncaster, reared 7.v.2004 from mine on oak, first VC63 record. Trifurcula cryptella
(Staint.), Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster, swept from Lotus uliginosus
16.v.2004 (gen. det.), first WC63 record. Lampronia luzella (Hb.), Potteric Carr
Nature Reserve, Doncaster, 27.vi.2004, few Yorkshire records. AHeliozela
hammoniella (Sorh.), Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster, swept from birches
25.v.2004, second VC63 record. Phyllonorycter strigulatella (Lien. & Zell.), Potteric
Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster, mines on Alnus incana, moths emerged from
18.11.2004, second Yorkshire and first VC63 record. Acrolepia autumnitella Curt.
Rossington, Doncaster, 7.viii.2004, the third Yorkshire locality. Carpatolechia
notatella (Hb.), Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster, reared 10.iv.2004, the third
VC63 record. Mompha_ terminella (H.&W.), Potteric Carr Nature Reserve,
Doncaster, reared 18.v.2004 from mine on Circaea lutetiana. Previous VC63 records
were in the 19th century. Mompha jurassicella (Frey), Potteric Carr Nature Reserve,
Doncaster, 13.iv.2004, first recorded at the site in 2000 and also in 2001. Scythris
inspersella (Hb.), Bawtry Forest, Doncaster, South-West Yorks. (VC63), 17.vii.2004.
The first VC63 record and only the second Yorkshire locality. Cnephasia genitalana
P. & M., Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster, reared 3.vii.2004 from flowerhead
of Leucanthemum vulgare, second Yorkshire locality. Acrobasis consociella (Hb.),
Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Doncaster, reared 9.vi.2004 and subsequently from
spinnings on oak.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 187

KNILL-JONES, S.A.—Microlepidoptera from Totland, Isle of Wight (VC10)
including: Crocidosema plebejana Zell., 10.vi.2004. Cydia amplana (Hb.), a small
series taken 30.vii—21.vil.2004. Evergestis extimalis (Scop.), 5 & 9.1x.2004.
Phlyctaenia perlucidalis (Hb.), 15.vi.2004. Diasemiopsis ramburialis (Dup.), 2.x1.2004.

LANGMAID, J.R.—Caloptilia falconipennella (Hb.) f. oneratella Zell., Hambledon,
Surrey, reared from pupa on alder 8.v1.2004. Argyresthia cupressella Wals., Southsea,
Hampshire, 4.vi.2004. Monochroa arundinetella (Staint.), Staverton, Wiltshire,
13.vui.2004. Conobathra tumidana (D.&S.), Southsea, Hampshire, |.viit.2004. The
Eucosma hohenwartiana group of species. An exhibit showing four each of the
recently separated species: E. hohenwartiana (D.&S.) whose host plant is Centaurea
nigra; E. parvulana (Wilk.) whose host plant is Serratula tinctoria and E. fulvana
(Steph.) whose host plant 1s Centaurea scabiosa. Also a photograph of the female
genitalia of each species showing the means of separation.

Love, S. & M. & DEWHURST, C.— From Ellanore Farm, West Wittering, Sussex
(VC13): Coleophora vibicella (Hb.), vii.2004, the only remaining known British
colony occurs on the other side of Chichester Harbour, effort will be made in 2005 to
locate and search the foodplant (Dyer’s Greenweed) in the West Wittering area.
Platytes alpinella (Hb.), vii.2004. Evergestis limbata (L.), 15.vi.2004. Sitochroa
palealis (D.&S.), 1.viti.2004. Phlyctaenia perlucidalis (Hb.), 14.vi.2004. Pempelia
genistella (Dup.), vii.2004. Dioryctria sylvestrella (Ratz.), 2.viil.2004 and on a later
unrecorded date that month, presumed primary immigrants. Nephopteryvx angustella
(Hb.), 2004. Agdistis bennetii (Curt.), recorded regularly vii.2004. Sclerocoma
acutellus (Eversm.), Roman Landing, West Wittering 13.vi.2000, presumed to have
been imported with reeds used to thatch a neighbouring roof. Gymnancyla canella
(D.&S.), East Head, West Wittering, larvae on Salsola kali 7.x.2003, one adult
reared 2004.

McCormick, R.F.-—Interesting moths from Devon in 2004 (the specimens
exhibited were not necessarily the ones on which the records were based): Ancylis
laetana (F.), recorded from two new sites in the Hatherleigh area. Cydia amplana
(Hb.), Teignmouth, 9 & 13.vi1.2004, two of several seen 1n the area and at other sites
in Devon during the year. Evergestis limbata (L.), Kingsteignton, 15.vu.2004 (B.
King leg.), new to Devon. Evergestis pallidata (Hufn.), Exminster Marshes,
23.vil.2004 (M. Young leg.) and Axmouth Saltings, 4.vii.2004. Pyrausta cingulata
(L.), Braunton Burrows, 2.v.2004 and again in August (S. Hatch). Eana osseana
(Scop.), Grey Knott, Cumbria, several of both striated and brown forms 22.vu1.2004.
Crambus ericella (Hb.), Grey Knott, Cumbria 22.vii.2004, the only one seen.
Crambus pratella (L.), Bowerstone, Cumbria, 22.vii.2004. Udea uliginosalis (Steph.),
Meall nan Tarmachan, Inverness-shire, males and females flying amongst grass.

OWEN, J.—Specimens from the exhibitors garden at Dymchurch, Kent.
Nyctegretis lineana (Scop.), 19.vii.2004, the first record from the site. Loxostege
‘sticticalis (L.), a regular annual visitor in small numbers since 1994. An early
specimen on 26.vi.2004 came to MV light but the species is more frequently seen in
sunshine at flowers of Sedum spectabile. The larval foodplant, mugwort, is common
in the garden.

PARSONS, M.S.— Monochroa elongella (Hein.), Tilshead, South Wiltshire (VC8),
reared from larva on Potentilla anserina 26.iv.2004. Monochroa hornigi (Staud.),
Shaggs, Dorset (VC9), 2.viii.2004, new to Dorset. Teleiodes wagae (Now.), Piddles
Wood, Dorset, 22.v.2004. Caryocolum vicinella (Dougl.), Cogden Beach, Dorset,
reared from larva 2.v.2004. Cosmopterix pulchrimella Chamb., West Bay, from
larvae 17.1.2004. Cydia amplana (Hb.), Walditch, 2.viii.2004 (17 seen at the site
between 2 & 18.viii.2004). Catoptria margaritella (D.&S.), Walditch, 23.vii.2004.

188 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Uresiphita polygonalis (D.&S.), Walditch, 24.viii.2004. Dichomeris ustulana (F.),
Shorn Cliff, W. Glos., (VC34), 3.vi.2004, new to Gloucestershire. Aphelia unitana
(Hb.), Whitlaw Mosses, Roxburghshire (VC80), 18.vi.2004. Pancalia schwarzella
(F.), Conic Hill, Stirlingshire (VC86), 21.vi.2004. Ancylis tineana (Hiibn.),
Coylumbridge, East Inverness-shire (VC96), 19.vi.2004 (also seen at Newtonmore,
Inverness-shire, 21.vi.2004).

PoRTER, J.—Elachista nobilella (Zell.), the first British specimen was caught at
Westcott, Surrey on 5.vi.2003 by G.A. Collins. Exhibited specimens from a second
locality, Hurt Wood, Surrey, where many were seen v—vi.2004. The habitat is totally
different from the Westcott locality which is downland, this site being on the
greensand ridge. Bohemannia quadrimaculella (Boh.), Weybridge, Surrey, 20.vii.2004
(A.R. Mitchell leg.), new to Surrey. Mompha jurassicella (Frey), South Croydon,
Surrey, 31.11.2003 and Chessington, Surrey, 22.1x.2004, new to Surrey. Aethes
beatricella Wals., Weybridge, Surrey, 14.vi.2004 (A.R. Mitchell leg.), new to Surrey.
Moths scarce in Surrey: Lampronia luzella (Hb.), Ashtead, 22.v.2004. Proutia
betulina (Zell.), Malden Rushett, 24.1v.2004. Leucoptera lotella (Staint.), Hambledon,
reared 8.vi.2004. Elachista adscitella (Staint.), Bookham, 7.vu.2004. Mompha
langiella (Staint.), Bookham, reared 7.vi1.2004. A selection of specimens of Ypsolopha
ustella (Cl.) and Epiphyas postvittana (Walk.) from Surrey showing variation.

PRITCHARD, A.W.-—Ectoedemia hannoverella (Glitz), reared from mines on
Populus x canadensis from Mildenhall, Suffolk (VC26), 3.x.2003 and Ipswich,
Suffolk (VC25), 7.x1.2003, new to Britain. Gelechia muscosella (Zell.), Belton,
Suffolk (VC25), at MV light 16.vii.2004, new to Suffolk.

SIMPSON, A.N.B.— Notable Worcestershire (VC37) species: Coleophora frischella
(L.), Great Malvern, 23.v.2004, six of many swept from, and apparently associated
with, Trifolium pratense in an old meadow. Coleophora alcyonipennella (Koll.),
Bransford, to MV light 16 & 26.vili.2004. These two species have been confused until
recently, frichella has now been identified from three sites in VC37. All records are in
May from old hay meadows or pastures, whilst a/cyonipennella appears to be a recent
arrival in VC37 with all records in August and early September 2003-04. Nemophora
cupriacella (Hb.), Tiddesley Wood, 20.vii.2004. This moth has now been found at
three sites in recent years but only females have been seen. Stathmopoda pedella (L.),
Bransford, by River Teme, 14.vii.2004, new to Worcestershire, also recorded by
River Stour, Worcs. by D. Scott in 2004 and possibly newly arrived in the county. An
unknown tineid species reared 2003-04 from larvae in a jar of Chinese mushrooms
believed to have been imported, and passed to the exhibitor by the purchaser.
Exhibited on behalf of J.R. Rush: Scythris limbella (F.), Stoke Prior, at MV light
6.vi.2004, the first county record since 1871. Cochylis molliculana Zell., Hawford,
7.vi.2003, new to Worcestershire. Cydia pactolana (Zell.), Stoke Prior, at MV light
10.vi.2004, new to Worcestershire.

SIMS, I.—Psychoides verhuella Bru., adults and cases, Medmenham, Marlow,
Bucks., larvae on Phyllitis scolopendrium in disused chalk quarry 1.v.2004, hatched
25.v.2004, new to VC24. Psyche casta (Pall.), males and cases (for comparison with
P. crassiorella), Burnham Beeches, Slough., Bucks., cases on tree trunks 13.v.2004,
hatched 25.v.2004. Cameraria ochridella Desch. & Dim., mines found on white
flowered Aesculus hippocastanum at Hainault Forest, Chigwell Row, Essex (VC18),
8.ix.2004 and Blandford Forum, Dorset (VC9), 8.x.2004. Both are new to the
respective vice-counties.

THIRWELL, I.R.—Moths from the exhibitor’s garden MV trap in Portsmouth
south Hampshire (VC11). Coleophora vibicella (Hb.), 5.viii.2004, several miles from
its nearest larval foodplant, Genista tinctoria. Cydia amplana (Hb.), 8.viti.2004, one

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 189

of several in the county during vii.2004. Oncocera semirubella (Scop.), 18.vu.2004,
likely to have wandered from known sites, mainly on chalk downland, in Hampshire
and the Isle of Wight.

WEDD, D.-— From Alderney, Channel Islands, 2003—04: Oegoconia caradjai P-G. &
Cap., recorded at house lights but not at MV light. Epischnia bankesiella Rich., the
first Alderney record. Schoenobius gigantella (D. & S.), Henley-on-Thames, Oxford-
shire, occasionally recorded by the Thames these two specimens were found
fluttering over the exhibitor’s tiny garden pond.

WINOKUR, L.— Mecyna flavalis (D. & S.) ssp. flaviculalis Carad., disturbed by day
on set-aside land adjoining the junction of Shroner Wood main drive and the A33
Winchester to Basingstoke road (VC11), 28.vii.2004. A new Hampshire site, it
supplements the seven known 2 x 2km squares and sets a new eastern county limit.
During the past 25 years this moth has suffered losses of its mainly southern coastal
chalk downland habitat, in Hampshire its only stronghold is at Porton Down on the
Wiltshire border.

WINOKUR, L. & PHILLIPS, R.K.—A selection of moths from the London Zoo and
BENHS joint field meeting, the first ever insect recording event at London Zoo on
17.vu.2004, led by Paul Waring and hosted by the Zoo’s plant curator, Kevin
Frediani and invertebrates keeper Paul Pearce-Kelly. Species exhibited included:
Ostrinia nubilalis (Hb.), Conobathra repandana (F.), Euzophera pinguis (Haw.) and
Myelois circumvoluta (Geoff.).

FOREIGN LEPIDOPTERA

CRONIN, A.R.—A selection of butterflies and moths from San Pablo, Luzon,
Philippines vu &vi.2004: Pyrrhopyge cometes Cramer, Papilio polytes L., Papilio
demodocus Esp., Doleschallia dascon Godm. & Salv., Precis almana L. f. asteria L.,
Hypolimnas bolina L., Melanitis leda L. Three female lymantrids, two with wings,
one wingless and a Synemon sp. (a ‘clearwing’) with black hairy larvae that eat
dandelion-like weeds.

HALL, N.M.—Specimens collected in Spain or bred from Spanish stock. All
collected with authorisations from the governments of the relevant Autonomous
Communities: Basque Country, Aragon, Catalufia, Castilla y Leon and Andalucia.

(1) Andalucia: (a) Ronda, Malaga. The site comprised poplar, evergreen oak, good
grassland, diverse vegetation and a permanent gushing spring which had cut a 5 metre
deep V-shaped channel in the bottom of a wider gorge. (i) Aporophyla chioleuca
H.-S., 20.x.2003. Noctuidae Europeae Vol 5 states that ““some decades ago it used
to be abundant but due to intensive urbanization and agricultural land use it has
become scarce and is now local....At present it should probably be regarded as
an endangered species”. (11) An Earias sp., 2 & 3.vi.2004, thought to have come
from Populus in the stream bed, matching specimens of E. albovenosana Ob. in
the BMNH. For comparison: EF. clorana L., Olonne sur Mer, Vendée, France,
10.vi.1984 & 31.vii.1994, FE. vernana Hb., Ontifiena, Huesca, Spain, 4.vii.1991 &
Olonne sur Mer, Vendée, France, 31.vii.1994 & 23.vii.1995. Earias albovenosana
may be just a southern form of E. vernana, which feeds on Populus. (iii) Cleonymia
pectinicornis Stdgr, 2.vi.2004. Noctuidae Europaea Vol. 7 describes this as ‘local and
usually rare’. (iv) Jdaea manicaria H.-S., two spring-generation females 2 &
3.v1.2004 and autumn generation males and females 16 & 17.1x.2004. Adults from
these two generations were of very different sizes and (to N.M.H.) jizz. Both spring
females laid fertile eggs, but all larvae died in an early instar for no obvious reason.
The exhibitor had not recognised the species, but knew they were /daea spp. because

190 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

they had only one pair of spurs on the hind tibiae. Referring to illustrations in
Culot Vol 3 and to information in Redondo (Los Geometridae de Aragon, 1999) it
seemed possible that they could be /. manicaria and this was later confirmed by
comparing them with specimens in the BMNH. The spring generation matched
Idaea fatimata Stdgr and the autumn generation Jdaea manicaria H.-S., but these
taxa have recently been synonymised. (v) Synaphe diffidalis Guen., 3.vi.2004,
common in grassy areas and easily disturbed. (vi) A red form of Mythimna sicula
Treit., 3.vi.2004. (vii) Ctenoplusia accentifera Lefeb., 3.vi.2004. (viii) Selidosema
taeniolaria Hb., 16.1x.2004, an unusual form. (ix) Victrix microglossa Ramb.,
16.1x.2004. (b) Cala Bordonares, Mojacar, 24 & 25.v.2004: (i) Characoma nilotica
Rogenhofer, 22.1x.2004 (not reported on the Spanish mainland until 1998). (ii)
Tathorhynchus exsiccata Led., Mojacar, 25.v.2004. (ii) “Semiothisa’’ pulinda Walk.,
25.v.2004. (iv) Pandesma robusta Walk., 24.v.2004 & 23.1x.2004. (v) Ypsolopha
trichonella Mann, 25.v.2004. (vi) Heliothis nubigera H.-S., 22 & 24.v.2004. (vii)
Victrix microglossa Ramb., 23.1x.2004. (c) Cabopino, Malaga, 18, 19 & 20.ix.2004:
(1) Mythimna languida Walk.. (Plate 2, Fig. 2) This looks unlike any other European
wainscot (more like a Discestra sp.). It has only recently been reported from Spain
and Portugal, and may be increasing in range. (ii) Jdaea saleri Dominguez &
Baixeras, 200km west of its previously known distribution. The exhibitor has been
fascinated by this little-known species for several years. It was first described in 1992
from El Saler in the Parque Natural Albufera, Valencia, Spain, but N.M.H. has
now found it at eight different sites—three in Tarragona, two in Valencia, two in
Almeria, and (now) one in Malaga, and has extended the known distribution several
times. Autumn generation specimens have been bred ex females from Tarragona,
Valencia (including the type locality) and Almeria, and currently larvae are being
raised ex females from Malaga in the hope of successfully breeding a spring
generation for the first time. Specimens from Almeria and Malaga have darker
abdomens than specimens from Valencia and Tarragona, which makes it more
difficult to see the characteristic abdomen pattern, with black spots either side of a
central line of the abdomen ground colour. (iti) Spodoptera cilium Guen. (iv)
Tephrina inconspicuaria Hb., an unusual form. (d) Punta Umbria, Huelva, 3.ix.2002:
“Semiothisa’’ pulinda Walk., previously exhibited in 2003 as a ‘possible’ pulinda. (e)
El Pozo del Esparto, Almeria, 24.ix.2004: (1) Xanthodes albago F. (1) Victrix
microglossa Ramb. (e) Puerto de los Blancares, Granada, 21.1x.2004: (1) Luperina
dumerilii Dup. (11) Ocnogyna zoraida Graslin. (f) Matalascanas, Huelva, 4 &
5.vi.2004: Zobida bipuncta Hb.

(2) Castilla y Leon: (a) Pradales, Segovia, 12.ix.2004: (1) Agrotis obesa Boisd., an
aberrant form. (11) Scotochrosta pulla D. & S. (ii) Luperina nickerlii Freyer. (b) Uzquiza,
Burgos, 8.vi.2004: (1) Hydriomena ruberata Freyer. (11) Cyclophora serveti Redondo &
Gaston (to be confirmed). (ii) Setina flavicans Geyer (iv) Paradrina selini Boisd. (c) Los
Cogotas, Avila: (i) Discestra gredosi Laever, 13.1x.2004. (11) Antitype chi L., 13.1x.2004.
(iii) Luperina dumerilii Dup.,13.1x.2004. (iv) Heliothis viriplaca Hufn.,13.1x.2004. (v)
Phyllodesma suberifolia Dup., 19.v.2004. (vi) Copiphana olivina H.-S., 7.vi.2004. (vii)
Conisania renati Ob., 7.vi.2004. (viii) Loxostege tessellalis Guen. (ix) Mutuuraia terrealis
Treit. (d) Cebreros, Avila, 20.v.2004: Protorhoe corollaria H.-S.

(3) Valencia, Albufera, 8.x.2003: Idaea degeneraria Mill., a red form, thought at
the time of capture to be J. rubraria Stdgr.

(4) Basque Country: (a) Garaio, Alava: (i) Phyllodesma suberifolia Dup., 5.v.1999.
(ii) Phyllodesma kermesifolia Lajonquiere, 18.v.2004. (i11) Luperina nickerlii Freyer,
10 & 11.1x.2004.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 191

(5) Cataluna: (a) La Jonquera, Girona, 3.x.2003: Phyllodesma suberifolia Dup.
(b) El Torn, Tarragona, 28.1x.2004: Pachycnemia tibiaria Ramb., to be confirmed.

(6) Aragon: Santa Barbara, Huesca, 28.vi.2001 & 23.v.2000: Phyllodesma
tremulifolia Hb.

Bred specimens, mostly Sterrhinae: (1) Watsonalla uncinula Borkh. (Drepanidae)
Mini Hollywood, Almeria, ex female. Emerging 17—24.vii.2004, from parent
31.v.2004. Images were also shown of an uncinula larva (photography: Malcolm
Storey). The ranges of W. uncinula and W. binaria overlap, uncinula occurs from the
south of Spain up to at least mid France, whereas binaria occurs from England down
to the Pyrenees and just across into northern Spain (de Freina & Witt, 1987). The
larvae of W. uncinula have one hump on ring 3, where binaria have two. (11) Idaea
belemiata Mill., spotted and unspotted forms from the same female, emerging
27.x1.2003 & 16.xii.2003, respectively. Parent 15.vi.2003, La Albufera, Valencia.
Most larvae fed slowly over the winter. ?partially double-brooded (at least in
captivity). (i) Z. cervantaria Mill., emerging 13—18.11.2004, parent 12.x.2003, Cala
Bordonares, Mojacar, Almeria, possibly continuously brooded. (iv) Scopula
marginepunctata Goeze, emerging 1—9.viil.2004, parent 7.vi.2004, Embalse de las
Cogotas, Avila, possibly multiple brooded. (v) /daea litigiosaria Boisd, emerged
111.2004, parent 6.vi.2003, Biel, Zaragoza, possibly single brooded. (vi) J. macilentaria
H.-S., emerging 26.iv.2004 & 17.v.2004, parent 20.v1.2003, Garaio, Alava, possibly
single brooded. (vil) /. alyssumata Himm. & Mill., emerging 3l.v. & 16.v1.2004,
parent 5.x.2003, Bonastre, Tarragona, possibly double brooded. (vi) J. degeneraria
Mill., a red form emerging 16.11.2004 ex female taken Albufera, Valencia, 9.x.2003.
(ix) J. saleri Dominguez & Baixeras, emerging 21.vii.—8.1x.2004, parent 23.v.2004, El
Pozo del Esparto, Almeria.

HARMAN, T.W.—Some exotic moths from Borneo, Thailand and Nepal. (1) Nepal:
Miniodes ornata Moore, Vamuna bipars Moore, Cyana bellissima Moore, Erebus
albicincta Koll., Lagoptera juno Dalm., Catocala nivea kurosawai Owada, Areas
imperialis Koll., Agleomorpha plagiata Walk., Alphaea impleta Walk., Thinopteryx
crocopterata Koll., Krananda semihyalina Moore, and Polythlipta cerealis Led. (2)
Borneo: Cyana perornata Walk., Dysphania discalis Walk., Tarsolepis rufobrunnea
malayana Nak., Xyleutes strix L., Apsarasa radians Walk., Milionia basalis Walk..,
Macrocilix maia Leech and Plutodes argentilauta Prout. (3) Thailand: Eudocima
salaminia Cram., Othreis hypermnestra Stoll, Phyllodes ustulata Westw., Phyllodes
verhuelli Voll., Attatha regalis Moore, Tatargina picta Walk., Argina astrea Drury,
Areas galactina Van der H. and Nevrina procopia Cram.

McCormick, R.F.—Two weeks in Himmaros, north Greece, surveying the moths
of Lake Kerkini Nature Reserve, near the Bulgarian border. The exhibitor was
invited to run moth traps in an hitherto untrapped area (though Gordon Ramell,
who lives at Himmaros had studied the butterflies). Five sites were surveyed with
ultra-lightweight fully collapsible MV light traps that weighed 5 kilo each with the
choke unit. All the MV bulbs survived the flight in the hold. He was surprised that so
many species were common to Greece and the UK and was able to identify at least
50% of the species seen. Species that you expect to find only in coastal regions in the
UK, such as Eilema caniola Hb., Thetidia smaragdaria F. and Idaea degeneraria Hb.
could be found half way up a mountain in Greece. All the specimens brought back
were pinned and most were set. The setting process was very short because of the
very dry heat in Greece. Some specimens were attacked by small red ants while on
the setting boards indoors. Anyone collecting in Greece should never leave boards of
set specimens unprotected. The most common of all the moths were the catocalids:
Catocala eutychea Treit. was as common as Noctua pronuba L. in the UK. On one

192 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

visit to a wetland habitat flies and small beetles gathered on the wetland side of the
traps and half way through the night were at least three inches deep and could be
scooped up by the handful.

The exhibitor was aware that some of his identifications may have been incorrect,
as he had access to little modern literature on the European Lepidoptera. In the list
that follows corrections pointed out at the Exhibition have been incorporated and an
attempt has been made to update the names. The sites were Himmaros (HI, 9—
26.v1.2004), where he stayed, just outside the main conservation area, Varonia (VA,
12.vi.2004)—a wetland site, Rupell (RU, 17.vi.2004)—a heathland/river site, and
Belles (BE, 10.vi.2004) and Krousia (KR, 14 & 20.vi.2004)— both mountainside sites.
The moths displayed not on the British list (or only recently added) were: Synaphe
moldavica Esp., (H1). Pyralis regalis D. & S., (BE). Oncocera combustella H.-S., (HI).
Phycita meliella Mann, (KR). Ancylosis cinnamomella Dup., (HI). Xanthocrambus
saxonellus Zinck., (RU). Epascestria pustulalis Hb., (BE & VA). Eurrhypis pollinalis
D.&S., (RU) 9.iv.2004. Achyra nudalis Hb., (HI & VA). Ecpyrrhorrhoe rubiginalis
Hb., (RU). Harpadispar diffusalis Guen., (RU). Pleuroptya balteata F., (KR).
Phyllodesma tremulifolia Hb., (KR etc). Odonestis pruni L., (BE & HI). Heliomata
glarearia D.&S., (KR). Tephrina arenacearia D.&S., (HI & VA). Neognopharmia
stevenaria Boisd., (BE). Eilicrinia trinotata Metzner, (HI & KR). Peribatodes
umbraria Hb., (BE). P. correptaria Zell., (KR). Chlorissa cloraria Hb., (BE etc.).
Eucrostes indigenata Vill., (RU). Idaea rufaria Hb., (BE & KR). I. moniliata D. &S.,
(RU). I. elongaria Ramb., (HI & RU). J. politaria Hb., (HI). I. ostrinaria Hb., (KR).
I. deversaria H.-S., (RU). Rhodostrophia calabra Petagna, (HI). Catarhoe permixtaria
H.-S., (KR). Eupithecia breviculata Donzel, (HI & KR). Paradrymonia vittata Stdgr,
(VA). Spatalia argentina D.&S., (HI). Catocala nymphaea Esp., (KR, VA etc.).
C. eutychea Treit., (BE, HI & KR). Grammodes bifasciata Petagna, (HI). Aedia
funesta Esp., (HI etc.). Gonospileia triquetra D.&S., (RU) 9.iv.2004. Eutelia
adoratrix Stdgr, (BE, KR & RU). Acontia urania Frivaldszky, (KR & RU).
Phyllophila obliterata Ramb., (HI, KR & VA). Eublemma purpurina D.&S., (BE).
Chazaria incarnata Freyer, (HI). Platyperigea kadenii Freyer, (HI?). Atypha
pulmonaris Esp. and Actinotia hyperici D.&S., (BE, KR & RU). Callopistria
latreillei Dup., (HI & KR). Cosmia confinis H.-S., (HI etc.). Hadena magnolii Boisd.,
(KR). Mythimna congrua Hb., (BE). Mythimna sicula Treit., (KR & RU). Parocneria
terebinthi Freyer, (KR & RU). Dysauxes punctata F., (HI & KR).

PICKLES, A.J. & HARMER, A.S.—Some moths from Lapland listed here in
systematic order following Karsholt & Razowski (1996). Of the localities visited five
were in Torne Lappmark, Sweden: (i) Jukkasjarvi (1—11.vi1.2004), (11) Kalixfors,
Kiruna (2.vii.2004), (111) Krotvik, Kiruna (8.vu.2004), (iv) Low hills south of Abisco
(5.vii.2004) & (v) Mt Njulla, Abisco (7.vii.2004), three were in Norrboten, Sweden:
(1) Overkalix, Landsviksudden (1.vii.2004), (ii) 5km north of Talvik (12.vi1.2004) &
(iii) near Person (12.vii.2004) and two were in Troms Indre, Norway: (1) Mountains
S5km south of Gargia (9.vii.2004) & (ii) 10km west of Alta (9.vii.2004).

Zygaena exulans (Hohen.) ssp. vanadis Dalm., Gargia. The subspecies from
Lapland appears larger and brighter than the British ssp. subochracea White. The
exhibitors only encountered this subspecies on limestone hills above 800m, where it
was frequent, but were told that it is usually abundant in lowland tundra as well.
(ii) Synanthedon polaris (Stdgr), Krotvik. This clearwing was attracted to
pheromones intended for Plusia spp., recorded in wet bogs where Salix lapponum
was present. (ili) Polopeustis altensis (Wocke), Abisco. This pyralid had colonised
areas of loose chippings on the edges of roads and the railway near Abisco.
(iv) Gesneria centuriella (D. & S.), Alta. A large scopariine species occurring both in

PLATE 1. BENHS Annual Exhibition. Imperial College. 13 November 2004

1: Argynnis aglaja ab. pallida, 13.vii.2004, northern England, P. Tebbutt. 2: Ag/ais urticae ichneusa, temperature
shock, K. Bailey. 3: Maniola jurtina ab. nov., (unicolorous hindwings), Dorset, viii.2004, R. Barrington 4: Colias
croceus ab. nigrofasciata, male, temperature shock (pupa), P. Tebbutt. 5 & 6: Polyommatus coridon x P. bellargus
hybrid, ‘polonus’, North Downs, 13.vi.2004, A.M. Jones 7: Polyommatus coridon ab. radiata, male, Wiltshire, 2004,
D.A. Humphrey. 8: Polyommatus bellargus, melanic male, Dorset, vi.2004, R. Barrington. 9: Lycaena phlaeas
forewing homoeosis, bred, Surrey, 8.xi.2004, A.M. Jones. 10: Lycaena phlaeas ab. melanophlaeas, temperature
shock, A. Butler. 11: Lycaena phlaeas ab. radiata, temperature shock, A. Butler.

All illustrations are near life size unless otherwise stated. Photographs by Richard A. Jones.

PLATE 2. BENHS Annual Exhibition. Imperial College. 13 November 2004

1: Agrochola helvola, Balgowan Highlands Scotland, 1.ix.1004, A. Kolaj. 2: Mythimna languida, Dunas de
Capopino, Malaga, 18.ix.2004, N.M. Hall. 3: Xestia quieta, Gargia, Norway, 9.vii.2004, A.J. Pickles & A.S.
Harmer. 4: Aeolarcha eaphthalma, Hong Kong, M. Sterling. 5: Ca/limorpha dominula ab. bimaculata, Merseyside,
vi.2004, A.R. Cronin. 6: Diasemia accalis, Gravesend, Kent, D.J.L. Agassiz, 2 x life size. 7: Thera cupressata,
Totland, Isle of Wight, 27.vi.2004, S. Knill-Jones. 8: Crocallis elinguaria, Teignmouth, Devon, 8.vii.2004, R.F.
McCormick. 9: Zygaena lonicerae, Combrook, Warks., 20.vi.2004, D. Brown. 10: Timandra comae, Wembury
near Plymouth, Devon, 27.vii.2004, R.F, McCormick (captor P. Stubbs). 11: Cicada orni, Tunbridge Wells, Kent,
2004, A. Stewart. 12: Thisizima species, Hong Kong, M. Sterling, 2 x life size. 13: Rhagio notatus, Savernake
Forest, Wilts., 30.v.2004, A.J. Halstead, 1.75 x life size.

All illustrations are near life size unless otherwise stated. Photographs by Richard A. Jones.

faving a: “An
ud ENE we

ached Fi

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 193

boreal lowland bogs and mountains. (v) Udea inquinatalis (Lien. & Zell.), Kalixfors,
a species with a wide distribution in Scandinavia, frequent at Jukkasjarvi.
(vi) Cosmotriche lobulina (D.&S.) ssp. junia Saarenmaa, Jukkasjarvi, 5.vi.2004.
They were surprised to encounter this species so far north. It flew high, straight and
fast at about midnight and two were taken. (vil) Falcaria lacertinaria (L.),
Jukkasjarvi, 1.vii.2004. This occurred commonly in a large single generation form
in the woods at Jukkasjarvi, where it presumably feeds on Betula nana which forms
the understorey beneath ‘Bottlebrush’ Spruce. The spruce in certain areas of Lapland
is stunted to no more than 10 metres in height and has reduced growth of branches
because of the extremely poor growing conditions. Apparently many of the small
spruces at Jukkasjarvi are 300 years old. The timber is dense as a result and hence
valuable. There has been some recent felling and it is possible to see environmental
problems even in this remote wilderness. (vill) Pygmaena fusca (Thunb.), Gargia, a
montane species which flies together with Glacies coracina Esp. (1x) Parietaria vittaria
(Thunb.), Jukkasjarvi, 1.vu.2004, found flying slowly through woodland at mid
height in the early evening. (x) Glacies coracina (Esp.), Gargia, frequent on limestone
hills where it displays a seemingly greater range of variation than in Scotland. (x1)
Xanthorhoe abrasaria (H.-S.), Jukkasjarvi, 3.vii.2004 and Mt Njulla. This was found
frequently in bogs and wet, open woodland. (xii) Xanthorhoe decoloraria (Esp.),
Gargia and Talvik. It was noticeable that the form encountered was more like that
from Scotland than either ssp. hethlandica Prout or ssp. arcticaria Keferstein which
the exhibitors had previously seen from Iceland. (x11) Xanthorhoe montanata
(D. &S.) f. lapponica Stdgr, Jukkasjarvi, |.vii.2004. Specimens seen in woodland at
Jukkasjarvi were presumably referable to /apponica Stdgr but closely resembled ssp.
shetlandica Weit. (xiv) Xanthorhoe annotinata (Zett.), Jukkasjarvi, 2.vi1.2004 and Mt
Njulla, a northern carpet moth from wet tundra bogs. (xv) Chloroclysta infuscata
(Tengst.), Jukkasjarvi, 11.vii.2004, superficially resembling C. truncata (Hufn.) (xvi)
Thera serraria (Lien. & Zell.), Jukkasjarvi, 5.vu.2004, seen flying high but very
slowly. The larvae feed on the stunted spruce. (xvi) Rheumaptera hastata (L.),
Jukkasjarvi, 2.vii.2004 and Kalixfors. The form found in Lapland resembles that
from our southern oak woods rather than ssp. nigrescens Prout from Scotland. (xviii)
Rheumaptera subhastata (Nolken), Kalixfors and Jukkasjarvi, 7.vu1.2004. Encoun-
tered commonly in the woods at Jukkasjarvi, wet and dry bogs round Kiruna and in
the mountains at Abisco. (xix) Psychophora sabini Kirby, Gargia. This species is
seldom seen below 1000 metres and was only found in the Norwegian mountains.
(xx) Polypogon tentacularia (L.), Jukkasjarvi, 2.vii.2004, the commonest species
encountered, found in every locality visited. (xxi) Autographa macrogamma
(Eversm.), Person, 12.vii.2004, associated with lowland flowery meadows in northern
Scandinavia. (xxi) Syngrapha microgamma (Hb.), Overkalix, a lowland species
which visits the flowers of Ledum in particular. (xxi) Syngrapha parilis (Hb.),
Gargia. A plusiine of high mountains, where it flies with its rarer congener,
Syngrapha hochenwarthi (Hochenwarth). (xxiv) Sympistis heliophila (Paykull),
Kalixfors. A beautiful little cuculliine, ubiquitous in Lapland, seemingly on the
wing 24 hours a day. However it flies mostly in sunshine when it darts around close
to the ground like the hadenids it resembles. (xxv) Hadula melanopa melanopa
(Thunb.), Krotvik. Represented in Britain by ssp. brunnea Tutt, a form with cleaner
white hindwings and paler forewing ground colour. (xxvi) Coranarta cordigera
(Thunb.), Krotvik. Although no name seems to separate the Lapp and Scottish
forms the Lapp specimens seem larger and cleaner. They were found in low bogs
feeding on Ledum. (xxvii) Lasionycta secedens (Walk.), Krotvik. At night this species
flew very high and fast at Jukkasjarvi where an occasional flash of yellow betrayed its

194 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

presence, but it proved impossible to catch in these conditions. During the day
however it visited Ledum. (xxvii) Lasionycta skraelingia (H.-S.), Jukkasjarvi,
3 & 5.vu.2004. The ‘High Flyer’ to beat them all, appearing between 22.00—02.00h
when it could be seen commonly as a black blob zig-zagging at tree top height at
tremendous speed. Securing them was tremendous sport and involved standing
between clumps of Bottlebrush spruce waiting for one to dash wildly across the open
space and flailing equally wildly with a net on a four metre pole! (xxix) Xestia quieta
(Hb.), Gargia. The first of the Xestias for which the area is famous. This is a
mountain species found above 800 metres in barren, rocky terrain and is restricted to
the extreme north of Scandinavia. One of the specimens was a particularly striking
black form (Plate 2, Fig. 3). (xxx) Xestia speciosa (Hb.) ssp. arctica (Zett.),
Jukkasjarvi, | & 5.vu.2004, one of two subspecies occurring in Scandinavia.
(xxxi) Xestia borealis (Nordstrom), Jukkasjarvi, 5.vui.2004. A Jukkasjarvi speciality
that flies very high but slowly around midnight. (xxxu) Xestia laetabilis (Zett.),
Jukkasjarvi, 11.vu.2004. This flies in the woods at Jukkasjarvi quite slowly and at
head height and is comparatively easy to catch. (xxx) Xestia distensa (Eversm.)
Jukkasjarvi, 11.vi.2004. Although distensa was first named in 1851 it was then
confused once more with /aetabilis and not re-separated until recently. Although the
two moths are extremely similar in appearance they fly in a subtly different way, with
distensa displaying marginally more ‘attack’ to its flight and frequenting slightly
damper and lower parts of the woods. (xxxiv) Xestia gelida (Sparre-Schneider),
Jukkasjarvi, 5.vi.2004. This moth was the first for which Jukkasjarvi became well
known and flies fast at medium height through the woods. Later in the emergence
period it frequently appears at wine baits. (xxxv) Xestia alpicola alpicola (Zett.),
Jukkasjarvi, 5.vi.2004. Very different from our ssp. a/pina (Humph. & Westw.),
behaving in a similar way to gelida. (xxxvi) Xestia tecta (Hb.), Jukkasjarvi,
11.vui.2004. Another woodland species flying low and quite slowly at Jukkasjarvi.
(xxxvil) Phragmatobia fuliginosa (L.) ssp. borealis Stdgr, Jukkasjarvi, 5.vii.2004. The
same form as from north Scotland and the Northern Isles—very distinct from our
usual English form.

PLANT, C.W.~—A selection of moths from eastern Europe (Slovakia & Hungary),
2004: (1) Sirok (Heves), Hungary, MV, 19.viii.2004. Quercus petraea dominated
woodland and associated Salix dominated marsh with Sphagnum: (i) Thetidia
smaragdaria (F.) (2) Sar Hegy (Heves), Hungary, MV, 20.viii.2004. Dry, steeply
sloping volcanic hillside with xerophilic vegetation at 510 metres above sea level:
(i) Calamia tridens Hufn. (11) Calymma communimacula (D.&S.) (iii) Cucullia
xeranthemi Boisd. (iv) C. dracunculi Hb. (v) Tethea ocularis (L.) (vi) Amphipyra livida
(D. &S.) (3) Senyd Valley (Borsod), Hungary, MV, 18.viii.2004. Edge of mature
beech forest, with pedunculate oaks and other broad leaved species, at 490 metres
above sea level: (i) Eustroma reticulatum (D.&S.) (4) Mikulasov (Malacky
Bratislavsky), Slovakia, MV, 17.vili.2004. Ride with deciduous trees through pine
plantation on sand. (i) Coscinia cribraria (L.) (1) Emmelia_ trabealis (Scop.)
(5) Priesmyk Branisko (Levoca, Presovsky Kraj), Slovakia, MV, 15.viii.2004. Mixed
broad leaved and deciduous woodland at 692 metres altitude. (1) Amphipyra perflua
(F.) (11) Catocala fulminea (Scop.)

SIMs, I.R.—Foreign lepidoptera, all Psychidae except for Phereoeca uterella
Walsingham which is a tineid despite being called the “‘Plaster bagworm’”’. From
material provided or collected by Uwe Widowski (UW), Thomas Sobczyk (TS),
Reinhard Maschler (RM), Gaden S. Robinson (GSR), Brian Freeman (BF) and Don
Herbison-Evans (DHE): (i) Psyche crassiorella (Bru.), male and case, Rheinland-
Pfalz, Saarburg, Germany, 16.v.2000 (UW). (ii) Canephora hirsuta (Poda), male and

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 195

case, Hansestadt, Boberg, Hamburg, Germany, collected by TS 25.v.2000, hatched
15.vi.2000, via UW. (iti) Ptilocephala plumifera (Ochsen.), male, Hansestadt, Boberg,
Hamburg, Germany,1.v.2001 (RW). (iv) Megalophanes viciella (D.&S.), male and
case, Croatia. collected by TS 12.vi.2000, via RM. (v) Megalophanes stetinensis
(Hering), male, female and cases, Rathenow, Brandenburg, Germany, 25.vi.1999
(RM). (vi) Megalophanes stetinensis f. viadrina, male, female and _ cases,
Mecklenburg-Vorpommen, Anklamer Stadtbruch, Germany, 29.11.1998 (RM).
(vii) Phalacropterix graslinella (Boisd.), male and case, Niederohe, Lower Saxony,
Germany, 17.v.2002 (UW). (vill) Apterona helicoidella (Vallot), cases, Luneburg,
Lower Saxony, Germany, 27.vili.2000 (UW). Parthenogenetic. (1x) Thyridopteryx
ephemeraeformis (Haw.), adults and cases. F, generation, ex larvae. Lake of the
Ozarks, Laurie, Missourie, North America. Larvae hatched 10.11.2003, reared on
Thuja orientalis (first instar) and Cupressocyparis leylandii (subsequent instars). Cases
fixed prior to pupation mid vi.—mid vii.2003. Males (29) hatched 1—27.viu.2003
(mostly around 16.30h). Females (29) emerged 16.viii—9.1x.2003 (mostly during the
early morning). Cases collected by GSR 19.x1.2002. (x) Oiketicus kirbyi Guilding,
female and case, Campus of the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
Found as large larva by BF on unknown species of conifer, 22.1.2002. Reared on
Thuja orientalis, case fixed 21.1v.2002, hatched 9.vi.2002. (x1) Cebysa leucotelus
Walk., female and case, Concord, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, collected by
DHE 20.x.2003. Fed on various spp. of lichens, fixed case early 1.2004, pupated
15.1.2004, hatched 1—6.iv.2004. (xi) Metura elongatus (Saunders), male, female and
cases, Concord, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, collected by DHE 25.iv.2004.
Fed on Photinia glabra. Male fixed case 10.v.2004, hatched 18.1x.2004. Female fixed
case 19.viii.2004, hatched 13.x.2004. (xi) Phereoeca uterella Walsingham, adults and
cases, Four Seasons Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Collected as larvae on
exterior walls 20.1.2002, male hatched 26.1.2002, female hatched 20.11.2002.
STERLING, M.J.—(1) The Wainscots of Hong Kong, collected 1998—2004. There
are 30 species of Mythimna recorded from Hong Kong of which 22 were exhibited.
This range appears at first sight remarkable as Hong Kong has comparatively little
grass. The foreshores of the harbour and the lowlands in the New Territories, which
used to be paddy fields, are largely built up or agricultural and the grassland species
are not very diverse. Most of the hillsides are heavily wooded with dense sub-
montane rainforest. Grassland species tend to be restricted to path edges, clearings
and the banks of streams, but diversity is high. Probably the best expanses of
grassland occurs on the higher slopes of the hills where the rainforest gives way to
scrub dominated by Rhodomyrtus and Melastoma and on coastal cliffs. The other
extensive area of grassland is centred on the mangrove which occurs around the old
fishponds at Mai Po. The exhibitor has not worked either the fishponds or the
hilltops and it is likely that further species of Mythimna remain to be discovered in
Hong Kong. Some identifications were tentative or provisional. No genitalia have
been examined yet: (i) Mythimna distincta (Moore), a few specimens at 340m and
550m (11) M. consanguis (Guen.), common in the car park under the exhibitor’s flat
(on the coast) but also found elsewhere. (111) M. compta (Moore), also found
principally in the car park under the flat. (iv) M. celebensis (Tams), mostly at 340m
and Kadoorie, but a few on the coast. (v) M. fasciata (Moore), six specimens at
550m at Kadoorie. (vi) M. reversa (Moore), a common species. The sexual
dimorphism of this species is unusual for a Wainscot. (vii) M. radiata (Bremer), fairly
common. (vill) M. macellaroides Poole, a few specimens at 340m at Kadoorie. This
and the next species are figured as conspecific in Haruta, Moths of Nepal, though this
is unlikely based on physical appearance. (ix) M. roseorufa (Joannis), the only two

196 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

specimens seen. Taken at 186m and 340m at Kadoorie. Not previously recorded
from Hong Kong. (x) M. decississima Walk., widely distributed but not common.
(x1) M. loreyi (Dup.), scarce in lowland areas of the New Territories. (xii) Mythimna
polysticha Turner. Kendrick (in prep) suggests that po/ysticha is an Australian species
so the identity of the specimens needs verification. A few specimens at 340m at
Kadoorie. (xin) M. tangala (Feld. & Rogenh.), scarce, but found in the lowlands in
the New Territories and at 340m at Kadoorie. (xiv) M. formosana (Butler), fairly
common. Darker than illustrated specimens of formosana, though worn specimens
are much paler. (xv) Mythimna nr. taiwana (Wileman), fairly common. The
underside had iridescent metallic scaling (M. decississima has similar scaling).
(xvi) M. tricorna (Hreblay et al.), fairly common and widespread although not found
on the coast. (xvii) M. insularis (Butler), the only two specimens seen, both taken at
550m. (xvi) M. formosicola (Y oshimatsu). The formosicola group are difficult to tell
apart, these were taken at 340m and Kadoorie. (xix) Mythimna sp. A nr formosicola,
the commonest formosicola group species in the lowlands. (xx) Mythimna sp. B nr
formosicola. A specimen according to Kendrick’s nr. formosicola sp. B—but further
work is necessary to determine whether it is a good species. (xxi) M. yu (Guen.), a
fairly common species. (xx11) Mythimna sp. (xxii) Sesamia nr. uniformis (Dudgeon)
The identity needs checking. (xxiv) Nonagria nigropunctata (Wileman), fairly
common at 186m.

(2) Spodoptera picta (Guerin) from Hong Kong. Bred from Crinum (Liliaceae).
Exhibited as an example of what can happen to the genus Spodoptera outside
temperate Europe.

(3) Microlepidoptera of Hong Kong, 1998-2004.

(1) Psychidae: A psychid sp. taken at light on the summit of Kwun Yam Shan at
550m. (i1) Tineidae: Thisizima sp. Seven species of Thisizima are known to occur in
Asia, all characterised by their extraordinary antennae. The species exhibited (Plate
2, Fig. 12) is fairly common at Kadoorie at 186m but is probably undescribed.
(11) Gracillaridae: Porphyrosela dorinda (Meyrick), very small and almost impossible
to set. The larvae make conspicuous white blotch mines in Desmodium heterocarpum
(Fabaceae). (1v) Choreutidae: Brenthia sp., probably undescribed, bred from various
species of Ficus. Brenthia species are unusual in having a colour pattern almost as
well developed on the underside as on the upperside. Species similar to the one
displayed have been described from Japan, and occur in Taiwan. (v) Brachodidae:
Phycodes minor (Moore), new to Hong Kong. The larvae spin the terminal leaves and
fruits of Ficus simplicissima. Commonest near the coast but also occurs at Kadoorie.
(vi) Oecophoridae: (a) Neospastis sinensis Bradley. The type series is described as
being bred from tea leaves from Tai Mo Shan. It is also fairly common at night at
Kadoorie which suggests it feeds on other Theaceae. Endemic to Hong Kong.
(b) Aeolarcha eaphthalma Meyrick. (Plate 2, Fig. 4). This or a similar species is a
minor pest of tea in Taiwan (Yen, pers. com.). There are however only two specimens
in the BMNH collection, Meyrick’s type which is a shattered stump and a fresh
specimen deposited by Kendrick. (vii) Gelechiidae: Anarsia patulella (Walk.), a
common tropical species which is also the commonest Anarsia in Hong Kong.
Identity confirmed this year. (viii) Immidae: Imma sp., bred from Schefflera
octophylla. The larvae are gregarious and skeletonise the lower surface of the leaves.
A common species on Hong Kong island but does not obviously match a described
species. (ix) Pyralidae: Coenodomus sp. Well known from Hong Kong but
undescribed. It is much brighter green when first taken but fades after a couple of
years. (x) Crambidae: (a) Aethaloessa calidalis (Guen.), first recorded from Hong
Kong in 2001. Widely distributed in the old world tropics and apparently also known

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 197

from Africa (Cameroon). (b) Trychophysetis problematica (F.) There are records of
this species from Hong Kong and Japan. (c) Heortia vitissoides (Moore), Hong
Kong’s commonest pyralid. It is not uncommon to find over 1000 individuals
attracted to a single MV light. (d) Omphisa anastomasalis (Guen.), one of the more
spectactular pyralids. Apparently scarce in Hong Kong, but recorded from Australia
to America in the tropics. (x1) Alucitidae: A/ucita flavofascia (Inoue), the only known
records for China.

WARING, P.M.—Southern Catocala moths (Noctuidae) in Kentucky and Illinois,
USA, 29.vii-5.vil.2004. About 110 species have been recorded in North America,
and in 2004 the exhibitor fulfilled a long held ambition to visit America to study
them. A full account will be published soon in the Bulletin of the Amateur
Entomologists’ Society. P.M.W. saw at least sixteen species, of which eight were
displayed chosen to illustrate some of the diverse forms that have evolved.
Accompanying photographs showed some of the Kentucky lepidopterists he met,
the sites visited and the techniques used. Permission for bona fide moth recording in
the US was straightforward to arrange by working through local recorders and
making arrangements in advance. He recommends joining the Lepidopterists’
Society (of America) before going. He took a small transformer to be able to use his
British appliances from 110V supplies—including mains power points at recognised
camping sites. There were no problems bringing pinned material back to the UK for
setting, confirmation and reporting. From Otter Creek Park, Jefferson Co.,
Kentucky: (1) Catocala amatrix (Hb.) f. selecta, 30.vui.2004. (11) C. palaeogama
Guen., 29.vu.2004. (i) C. nebulosa Edw., 31.vu.2004. (iv) C. serena Edw.,
31.v11.2004. (v) C judith Stkr., 31.vu1.2004. From Cross of Peace, Bald Knob, Union
Co., Illinois: (1) C. ilia (Cram.), 3.vii.2004. (11) Euparthenos nubilis (Hb.), 3.viti.2004.
From War Bluff, Shawnee Nat. Forest, Pope Co., Illinois: (1) C. vidua (J.E. Smith),
2.vii,2004.

WINOKUR, L.— Anthocharis damone Bsdv. (Pieridae), females: one typical, and one
a possible new aberration with grey-dusted upper forewing ‘tips’ and ‘pin-point’
upper hindwing discoidal spot. Emerged 31.11 & 4.1v.2004 respectively from pupae of
Sicilian stock purchased from Nigel South of Chard, Somerset, 28.11.2004 and
maintained indoors at 16—21°C.

DIPTERA

ALEXANDER, K.N.A.~—Three species from historic parkland sites in Derbyshire
(VC 57) in 2004. Solva marginata (Meig.) (Xylomyidae), Hardwick Park (SK 46), one
on collapsed tree of Aesculus hippocastanum, 19.vii; Acrocera orbiculus (F.)
(Acroceridae), Calke Park (SK32), one swept from dry acid grassland, 28.vi; Pocota
personata (Harris) (Syrphidae), Kedleston Park (SK34), one at moist white heart-rot
of a split trunk of Aesculus hippocastanum, 18.v and another in Calke Park, at wet
rot-hole material on an old tree of Fagus sylvatica, 19.v.

CHANDLER, P.J.— Photographs of larvae and adult specimens of the ““army worm”’
Sciara militaris Nowicki (Sciaridae), a new record for the British Isles, exhibited on
behalf of Clive Craik. The name army worm relates to larval behaviour, involving
aggregation into moving columns, which were observed on 30 & 31.vii.2004 by Jane
Eaton and Tom Webster in coniferous forest near Oban, Argyllshire. About ten long
moving columns of fly larvae up to 3 metres long were found on a footpath: the
columns were of very variable width, height and length, in total containing
uncountable thousands of constantly writhing, closely adpressed larvae, each a few
mm long. Movement of the larvae forced the columns forward at about 1—-2cm per

198 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

hour. Larvae found a few days later, just below the litter layer after the columns had
dispersed, were reared and adults emerging in mid August were identified by Frank
Menzel. The phenomenon is known widely in central and eastern Europe although
the purpose is unknown. The absence of previous observations suggests that it is a
recent arrival in Scotland; early stages may have been transported from continental
Europe in soil, probably around the roots of young conifer saplings. A full account
of this discovery is given in Dipterists Digest 12: 21—27.

DEWHURST, C., LOVE, M. & LOVE, S.—Myopites eximius Seguy (Tephritidae),
Ellanore Marshes, West Wittering, West Sussex (SZ7799, VC13), 19.vii, adults swept
from saltmarsh vegetation and 10.xi.2004, galls collected from the host plant Jnula
crithmoides.

DICKSON, R.—Gymnosoma rotundatum (L.) (Tachinidae), Botley Wood, Hants
(SU5309), 27.vi1.2004, collected by D.M. Appleton; he and the exhibitor had
recorded this species on 35 occasions over the past three seasons.

FRENCH, M.-A.— Adults and puparia of Diptera reared from truffles Tuber species
collected near Royston, Herts between vii & x.2004: Cheilosia soror (Zett.)
(Syrphidae); Suillia affinis (Meig.) (Heleomyzidae), a new rearing record although
several other species of Sui/lia have previously been reared from truffles in Europe.
Also exhibited was a live adult of Suillia variegata (Loew) (Heleomyzidae), from the
same source, also a new rearing record. Observations were reported on the mating of
S. affinis, which continued for three hours with the female stroking the male many
times with her middle legs.

HALSTEAD, A.J.~Some uncommon or local Diptera collected in 2004. Rhagio
notatus (Meig.) (Rhagionidae), Savernake Forest, Wilts (SU237656), swept 30.v,
(Plate 2, Fig. 13); Rhingia rostrata (L.) (Syrphidae), Pewley Down, near Guildford,
Surrey (TQ009489), 23.v, swept; Micropeza lateralis Meig. (Micropezidae), Brook-
lands, near Byfleet, Surrey (TQ067618), 17.vil, swept from Cytisus scoparius; Noeeta
pupillata (Fall.) (Tephritidae), Brown’s Folly, North Somerset (ST794659), 4.vi,
swept; Campiglossa producta (Loew) (Tephritidae), Box Hill, Surrey (TQ176521),
swept from calcareous grassland; Tephritis ruralis (Loew) (Tephritidae), London Zoo
(canal area), Regent’s Park, London (TQ281836), 17.vii, swept; Cistogaster globosa
(F.) (Tachinidae), Box Hill, Surrey (TQ176521), swept from calcareous grassland.

HAWKINS, R.D.—(1) Some uncommon flies found in Surrey during 2004. Dilophus
bispinosus Lundstr6m (Bibionidae), Nonsuch Park, Cheam, 1.1x; Brachypalpus
laphriformis (Fall.) (Syrphidae), Oxted, 31.v, male landed on trunk of dead Pinus
tree; Dorycera graminum (F.) (Ulididae), Priory Park, Reigate, 8.vi, male and female
swept from foliage of Tilia species by a field of coarse grass.

(2) A non-British robberfly (Asilidae) from just across the Channel. Paritamus
geniculatus (Meig.), Forét de Crecy, Somme, France, 24.vi; it was flying with
Neoitamus cyanurus (Loew) and was at first mistaken for N. cothurnatus (Meig.), but
the facial knob and male genitalia were quite different.

JONES, R.A.—Some Diptera, as part of a larger exhibit of insects found on
brownfield sites, mostly derelict bulldozed zones of broken rubble and overgrown
abandoned plots in 2004: Campiglossa plantaginis (Hal.) (Tephritidae), swept from
Aster in fragment of saltmarsh on the River Medway, central Rochester, Kent, 9.vi.
Tephritis matricariae (Loew) (Tephritidae), several swept in former car parks and
wharfs, Chelsea Harbour, London, 18.vi and several swept in overgrown derelict car
parks and railway sidings, 26.iv, 15.vi and 1.1x. This fly which develops in flower
heads of Crepis species is probably a recent arrival in Britain, having first been found
at Sandwich, Kent in April 2000. Tephritis ruralis (Loew) (Tephritidae), one swept at
the edge of polluted pond in a derelict wharf area, Rochester, Kent, 26.1v. Camarota

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 199

curvipennis Lat. (Chloropidae), many swept from flowery site beside the River
Medway, central Rochester, Kent, 26.1v and 1.1x.2004. Gymnosoma nitens Meig.
(Tachinidae), several visiting flowers of Daucus carota in overgrown and derelict car
park, central Rochester, Kent, 9 and 15.vi. This parasitoid of the ground-dwelling
shield bug Sciocoris cursitans F. has recently been found in a number of typical
brownfield sites in the East London Corridor of the Thames Estuary.

JONES, A.W. & JONES, R.A.—Several specimens of Tephritis praecox (Loew)
(Tephritidae). Since first found in 2002 and 2003, this species has continued to
appear regularly in a Malaise trap in a garden at Newhaven, East Sussex
(TQ455021); in 2004, 29 were recorded including several found sitting on the leaves
of the likely food plant, Calendula officinalis; most have occurred from July to
September, with a single example in April.

PARKER, M.—Some rare or unusual Diptera from Dorset, Wiltshire, Easterness
and the Western Isles of Scotland in 2004. Rhagio annulatus (De Geer)
(Rhagionidae), Savernake Forest, Wilts (SU237656, VC 7), 30.v, female swept from
a woodland ride, a new county record. Chrysops sepulcralis (F.) (Tabanidae),
Stoborough Heath, Dorset (SY9284, VC9), l.vii, female swept from a bog pool.
Bombylius canescens Mikan (Bombyliidae), Pewsey Down NNR, Wilts (SU1163,
VC8), 4.vi, male swept from calcareous grassland. Thereva plebeja (L.) (Therevidae),
Colerne Park, Wilts (ST8372, VC 7), 2.vi, female swept from a woodland clearing.
Brachyopa insensilis Collin (Syrphidae), grounds of The Wiltshire College, Lackham
(ST936701), Wilts (VC7), 2.vi, male hovering adjacent to sap run on Aesculus
hippocastanum. Epistrophe diaphana (Zett.) (Syrphidae), Martin Down NNR
(SU035198), Wilts (VC8), 5.vi, male at umbel flowers. Eupeodes lundbecki (Soot-
Ryen) (Syrphidae), female swept from Senecio jacobaea adjacent to a dune system at
Tangasdal (NF6400), Isle of Barra (VCI110), 25.vil. Pipiza luteitarsis Zett.
(Syrphidae), Cranbourne Chase, Dorset (ST9718, VC9), 18.vi, male hovering in
semi-shade in a woodland clearing. Platycheirus melanopsis Loew (Syrphidae)
female, Cairngorm Mountain Car Park, Easterness (NH988059, VC96), 21.viil.
Platycheirus splendidus Rotheray (Syrphidae), Yellowham Hill, Dorset (SY731933,
VC9), 13.v, male at Euphorbia amygdaloides flowers. Myopites inulaedyssentericae
Blot (Tephritidae), Drakenorth, near South Poorton, Dorset (SY525978, VC9),
25.vii, large numbers swept from Pulicaria dysenterica. Campiglossa misella (Loew)
(Tephritidae), West Cliff, Portland, Dorset (SY6872, VC9), 18.vii, female swept from
Artemisia absinthium. Merzomyia westermanni (Meig.) (Tephritidae), Drakenorth,
near South Poorton, Dorset (SY525978, VC9), 25.vii, a few swept from herb-rich
neutral grassland. Oxyna nebulosa (Wied.) (Tephritidae), locality and date as
previous species, several swept from herb-rich neutral grassland, the only known
Dorset site for the species. Terellia vectensis Collin (Tephritidae), data as previous
species, known from two other sites in Dorset, an old record from Hod Hill and a
recent one for Lulworth.

PERRY, I.—A selection of uncommon Diptera found during 2004. Ctenophora
flaveolata (F.) (Tipulidae), Pondhead Inclosure, New Forest, Hants, 25.v, a male
resting on vegetation at the edge of a ride. Agathomyia falleni (Zett.) (Platypezidae),
at Ickworth, Suffolk, 1.x, running around on leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus near
ancient Fagus sylvatica, at Wayland Wood, Norfolk, 7.x. on leaves of Corylus
avellana and at Wandlebury, Cambs, 16.x, all new county records and a considerable
northern extension to its range. Doros profuges (Harris) (Syrphidae), Devenish
Reserve, Wilts, 2.vi, swept from calcareous grassland at edge of Fagus sylvatica
woodland. Pocota personata Harris (Syrphidae), Denny Wood, New Forest, Hants,
26.v, a female flying around rot holes in a small tree of Fagus sylvatica. Odinia

200 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

maculata (Meig.) (Odiniidae), Churchplace Inclosure, New Forest, Hants, 28.v on
Quercus attacked by Cossus. Periscelis winnertzi Egger (Periscelididae), Ickworth,
Suffolk, 1.1x on mature Quercus robur bearing numerous small sap runs. Sarcophaga
argyrostoma (R.-D.) (Sarcophagidae), Lode, Cambs, 17.vii, on aphid infested Vicia
faba in garden; Sarcophaga jacobsoni Rohdendorf (Sarcophagidae), Gun _ Hill,
Holkham, Norfolk, 27.vii, males resting on path through edge of saltmarsh, first
British record since 1954. Freraea gagatea R-D. (Tachinidae), King’s Forest, Suffolk,
15.v, a male swept from calcareous heathland. Cistogaster globosa (F.) (Tachinidae),
D’Engaynes Meadow, Stow-cum-Quy, Cambs, 24.vii, at Daucus carota flowers in a
recently created meadow, first county record of a species that has extended its range
in recent years. Phasia barbifrons Girschner (Tachinidae), King’s Forest, Suffolk,
17.vill, swept from calcareous heathland, first found at the site in 1994 but not
recognised as such at the time. Bithia modesta (Meig.) (Tachinidae), Church Ope
Cove and Broadcroft Quarry, Isle of Portland, Dorset, 5.vii, at Daucus carota
flowers.

SCHULTEN, B., ISMAY, J.W. & MANN, D.J.—A new design of flight interception
trap (Fig. 1) intended to collect Coleoptera and Diptera was exhibited, designed by
Darren Mann and constructed by Dr Curt Lamberth (to whom enquiries
concerning the construction or purchase of these
traps should be directed at curt@oxfordenviron-
ment.co.uk). This trap consists of a plastic washing-
up bowl, into which are set four Perspex vanes at
right angles. The trap is protected by a piece of wood
above the vanes. It is suspended by a circa 16m long
rope, which is attached to the trap by four cords tied
to a knot above. Additional ropes attached to the
bowl can be used to steady the trap in windy
conditions. In use the rope is thrown over a branch,
the washing-up bowl at the bottom is filled with up
to one litre of 50-100% car antifreeze (which
contains ethylene glycol) and then raised into a tree.
The trap is simple and sturdy in construction. It has
proven to be extremely useful in dead wood habitats.
It can be used high up trees and is unlikely to be
noticed, thus reducing the chances of vandalism. The
trap catches a small number of specimens, but if
placed close to a rot hole or dead wood, it especially
targets saproxylic species.

The exhibitors used the trap in 2002 in a survey of
Chigwell Row Wood LNR, Essex, which was funded
by Countrycare, Epping Forest District Council, and
English Nature. Three traps placed in this woodland
bordering Hainault Forest caught 205 species of
Diptera and 71 species of Coleoptera. In the ancient
part of this wood one trap was placed in a veteran
Quercus robur close to a rot hole. This trap caught 49
species of Coleoptera and 146 species of Diptera,
which included almost 20% of the British Mycetophi-
lidae (Diptera) fauna, among them 16 species with
Fig. 1. Vane interception trap Conservation status. Among species caught were
for sampling aerial insect fauna. Ctenophora_ pectinicornis (L.) (Tipulidae), Odinia

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 201

maculata (Meig.) (Odiniidae), Exechia dizona Edwards (Mycetophilidae), Notolae-
mus unifasciatus (Lat.) (Cucujidae, Coleoptera) and Mycetochara humeralis (F.)
(Tenebrionidae, Coleoptera).

The second trap placed at the edge of the ancient woodland bordering a small
patch of heathland was also very successful, catching 39 species of Coleoptera and 58
species of Diptera. Some significant species recorded by this trap include Phaonia
cincta (Zett.) (Muscidae), Systenus scholtzii (Loew) (Dolichopodidae), Conopalpus
testaceus (Olivier) (Melandryidae, Coleoptera) and Mordellistena humeralis (L.)
(Mordellidae, Coleoptera).

The third trap was placed in secondary woodland within Chigwell Row Wood, in
another veteran Quercus robur and caught 27 species of Coleoptera and 55 species of
Diptera. The findings from this trap include Lasiambia_ brevibucca Duda
(Chloropidae), Oedalea tibialis Macq. (Hybotidae), Melasis buprestoides (L.)
(Eucnemidae, Coleoptera) and Tetratoma desmaresti Lat. (Tetratomidae, Coleop-
tera).

WINOKUR, L. & SMITH, C.J.— Phasia hemiptera (F.) (Tachinidae), Dodsley Wood
(SU539385), near East Stratton, Hants (VC12), 30.vu.2004, first noticed feeding
from Senecio jacobaea flowers (its resemblance to an Ectophasia species depicted on
the cover of volume 14(1) of this journal led to its identification from a website).

COLEOPTERA

ALEXANDER, K.N.A.—A selection of rare wood decay beetles from historic
parkland sites in northern England including many close here to their northern limits
in Britain: Batrisodes venustus (Reichenbach) (Pselaphinae), Windypits, Duncombe
Park Estate, North-East Yorkshire (VC62), SE58, one from red-rotten oak, 3.vi.2003.
Agrilus biguttatus (F.) (Buprestidae), Calke Park, Derbyshire (VC57), SK32, adults
and galleries in collapsed oak bough, 29.vi.2004; also in Kedleston Park, Derbyshire,
SK34. Melasis buprestoides (L.) (Eucnemidae), Hardwick Park, Derbyshire, SK 46,
one tapped from lower dead branch on mature open-grown Turkey oak, 18.v.2004.
Procraerus tibialis (Boisduval & Lacordaire) (Elateridae), Calke Park, adults in wood
mould in hollow beech tree, 19.v.2004; also in wood-mould in hollow ashes in
Kedleston Park. Malthodes crassicornis (Maklin) (Cantharidae), Windypits, Dun-
combe Park Estate, one from lime foliage, 3.v1.2003. Lymexylon navale (L.)
(Lymexylidae), Calke Park, one swept beneath ancient oak pollard, 29.vi.2004.
Phloiophilus edwardsii Stephens (Phloiophilidae), Calke Park, small numbers tapped
from lower dead branches on mature open-grown oak trees, 16.1x.2004; more
plentiful in Kedleston Park. Aplocnemus nigricornis (F.) (Melyridae), Calke Park,
Derbyshire, one swept beneath ancient oak pollard, 29.vi.2004. Notolaemus
unifasciatus (Latreille) (Laemophloeidae), Kedleston Park, one tapped from dead
twigs of fallen oak branch in open parkland, 1.vii.2004. Tetratoma desmaresti
Latreille (Tetratomidae), Hardwick Park, one tapped from dead lower branch on
mature open-grown Turkey oak, 13.x.2004. Anisoxya fuscula (Illiger) (Melandryi-
dae), Kedleston Park, beaten from elder beneath ancient open-grown ash tree,
21.vii.2004; also Castle Hill, Duncombe Park Estate, off oak, vi.2003. Abdera
biflexuosa (Curtis), Kedleston Park, tapped from lower dead branches on mature
open-grown oaks, 30.vi.2004. Hypulus quercinus (Quensel), Beech Wood & Castle
Hill, Duncombe Park Estate, north-east Yorkshire, four on ancient oak pollards,
2.vi.2003; Castle Gill, Duncombe, one swept beneath ancient lime tree, 10.vi.2004.
Corticeus unicolor Piller & Mitterpacher (Tenebrionidae), Calke Park, frequent
beneath moist bark on ash stump, 28.vi.2004. Anoplodera sexguttata F.

202 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

(Cerambycidae), Castle Gill, Duncombe Park Estate, North-East Yorkshire,
frequent at hogweed blossom, 7.vi.2003.

ALLEN, A. J.—(1) Some beetles collected by A.J. Allen. Meloe violaceus Marsham
Kingston Dorset SY9479 13.11.2004, although M. proscarabaeus L. is not
uncommon near the Dorset coast this is the first example of M. violaceus that the
exhibitor had seen. It was crossing a minor road and immediately caught the
exhibitor’s attention by the bright blue green head and pronotum. Alex Ramsay
(British Wildlife, October 2002: 27-30) says that adults are commonly encountered
walking along paths, but this is not the exhibitor’s experience in Dorset or elsewhere.

(2) The following species were found on a BENHS field trip to the shore and
marshes north of Kingsferry Bridge, Kent (TQ9169) on 13 June 2004. None of the
species 1s new to the area but all have a localised distribution and a Nationally Scarce
or Red Data Book national status. Another visit was made on 14.viii.2004 when the
only one of these species found was Pseudaplemonus limonii. Polystichus connexus
(Fourcroy), one by sieving tidal refuse; Dolichosoma lineare (Rossi), one by sweeping;
Malchius vulneratus Abeille, several in one small area of saltmarsh; Pseudaplemonus
limonii (Kirby), on sea-lavender; Bagous subcarinatus Gyllenhal, in vegetation at the
edge of a small pool; Baris scolopacea Germar, on sea-purslane; Mecinus janthinus
Germar, on common toadflax beside the road close to the bridge.

APPLETON, D.—Some uncommon beetles from South Hampshire (VC11) in 2004.
Platydracus fulvipes (Scopol) (Staphylinidae), Botley Wood, SU5310, on gravel
path, 26.v.2004; Epiphanis cornutus Escholtz (Eucnemidae), Botley Wood, SU5309,
beaten off maple at dusk, 19.1v.2002 and swept, 28.vi.2004; Cerapheles terminatus
(Menetries) (Melyridae), Hook Park, SU4904, swept on the coast, 19.v.2004; Uleiota
planata (L.) (Cucujidae), Botley Wood, SU5310, under loose bark of fallen bough,
9.x.2004; Molorchus umbellatarum (von Schreiber) (Cerambycidae), Botley Wood,
SU5309, on hogweed umbel, 5.vi1.2004.

BOOTH, R.G.-— Locally interesting or notable species collected mainly during 2004.
Agonum nigrum Dejean (Carabidae), Syon Park, Middlesex, TQ1776, at edge of ditch
joining River Thames, 16.1x.2004, there are very few Thames Estuary records for this
predominantly coastal species. Hister quadrimaculatus L. (Histeridae), Graveney
Marshes, East Kent, TR06, under strandline debris, 20.iv.2004. Acrotrichis
sanctaehelenae Johnson (Ptiliidae), Aldreth, Cambridgeshire, TL438735, sieved from
grass cuttings on a large pile of straw and manure etc., 6.vil.2003 and Brockington
Down, Dorset, SU0111, sieving silage, 15.x.2003, further records for this relatively
recent arrival. Proteinus crenulatus Pandelle (Staphylinidae), Rockford, North
Devon, SS755478, sieving wet moss and debris on rocks at side of East Lynn River,
4.vi.2004, apparently new to Devon. Carpelimus obesus (Kiesenwetter) (Staphylini- —
dae), Chetney Marshes, East Kent, TQ896701, on wet mud, 13.vi.2004 and Bewl
Water, West Kent, TQ697317, on wet mud at edge of reservoir, 29.vii.2004, this
species continues to spread in south-east England. Anotylus hamatus (Fairmaire & |
Laboulbéne) (Staphylinidae), Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve, West Kent, TQ5256, |
from wet hollow alongside track, 20.v.2004. Stenus canescens Rosenhauer
(Staphylinidae), Morden Hall Park, Surrey, TQ2668, on wet mud and swept |
vegetation, 8.vii.2004. Paederus fuscipes Curtis (Staphylinidae), Sand Gate Marsh, |
Westmorland, SD3575, grubbing under stones etc. at edge of saltmarsh, 12.vi1i.2004, |
this is more or less at the species’ northernmost limit of its range in Great Britain. |
Lathrobium pallidum von Nordmann (Staphylinidae), Bookham Common, Surrey,
TQ1256, one female from underground pitfall trap at base of old dead oak, 10.vii— |
l.viii.2004, apparently new to Surrey. Medon piceus (Kraatz) (Staphylinidae), |
Bookham Common, Surrey, TQ1256, singletons from underground pitfall traps at

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 203

base of old dead oak, 10.1.—21.11.2004 and 13.111.—10.1v.2004, also recently recorded
from the Common by Professor J.A. Owen. Quedius aetolicus Kraatz (Staphylini-
dae), Bookham Common, Surrey, TQ1256, two females sieved from squirrel’s drey,
13.x11.2003, previously recorded from the Common by Dr A.M. Easton during the
1940s. Quedius riparius Kellner (Staphylinidae), Rockford, North Devon, SS755478,
sieving wet moss and debris on rocks at side of East Lynn River, 4.vi.2004,
apparently new to North Devon. Gyrophaena lucidula Erichson (Staphylinidae),
Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve, West Kent, TQ5256, from wet hollow alongside track,
20.v.2004. Actocharis readingii Sharp (Staphylinidae), Woody Bay, North Devon,
SS678489, under stones near upper tide line on beach, 3.vi.2004, a post-1970 record
for the North Devon coast. Adota immigrans (Easton) (Staphylinidae), Studland
Heath, Dorset, SZ032860, under strandline debris at edge of Poole Harbour,
12.v.2004. Philhygra parca (Mulsant & Rey) (Staphylinidae), Bookham Common,
Surrey, TQ1256, sieved from leaf litter at base of old oak tree, 21.11.2004 and
subsequent dates, possibly new to Surrey. Atheta aquatilis (Thomson) (Staphylini-
dae), Martinhoe, North Devon, SS666493, sieving wet moss from Hollow Brook
waterfall, 3.vi.2004. Atheta fussi Bernhauer (Staphylinidae), Bookham Common,
Surrey, TQ1256, under burnt wood at fresh bonfire site, 11.1x.2004, although
recorded before from Surrey there are very few UK records of this species. Atheta
zosterae (Thomson) (Staphylinidae), Bewl Water, West Kent, TQ697317, on wet
mud at edge of reservoir, 29.vi1.2004. Lomechusa emarginata (Paykull) (Staphylini-
dae), Detling, East Kent, TQ789588, in suction sample from short chalk-downland
turf, 20.1v.2004. Amarochara forticornis (Lacordaire in Boisduval & Lacordaire)
(Staphylinidae), Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve, West Kent, TQ5256, from sandy bank
alongside track, 20.v.2004, a post-1970 record for Kent. Meligethes rotundicollis
Brisout, Beddington Sewage Farm, Surrey, TQ2866, several on various yellow-
flowered crucifers, 2.v.2004 and subsequent dates. Paramecosoma melanocephalum
(Herbst) (Cryptophagidae), Rockford, North Devon, SS755478, sieving wet moss
and debris on rocks at side of East Lynn River, 4.vi.2004, there appear to be very few
records of this species from south-west England. Corticaria fagi Wollaston
(Latridiidae), Bookham Common, Surrey, TQ1256, on burnt wood at fresh bonfire
site, 11.1x.2004, apparently new to Surrey there are very few UK records of this
species. Orchesia micans (Panzer) (Melandryidae), Heddon’s Mouth Cleave, North
Devon, SS654489, larvae from fallen Jnonotus hispidus sporophore, 3.vi.2004 and
adults later emerging up to end of June, apparently new for North Devon.
Mordellistena pseudoparvula Ermisch (Mordellidae), Canvey Island, South Essex,
TQ7683, sweeping track-side vegetation, 19.vi.2004. Agapanthia villosoviridescens
(De Geer), (Cerambycidae), Ferry Marshes, Iwade, East Kent, TQ9069, sweeping
along sea wall, 13.vi.2004. Nanophyes gracilis Redtenbacher (Apionidae), Sevenoaks
Wildfowl Reserve, West Kent, TQ5256, from wet hollow alongside track, 20.v.2004,
possibly new for Kent. Smicronyx reichi (Gyllenhal) (Curculionidae), Sevenoaks
Wildfowl Reserve, West Kent, TQ5256, grubbing and sieving moss at base of
Centaurium plants where lower leaves were shot-holed, 20.v.2004, a post-1970 record
for Kent. Bagous collignensis (Herbst) (Curculionidae), Ferry Marshes, Iwade, East
Kent, TQ9069, water netting in ditch adjacent to sea embankment, 13.vi.2004, a
post-1970 record for Kent. Tychius breviusculus Desbrochers (Curculionidae),
Canvey Island, South Essex, TQ7783, sweeping melilot on sandy bank, 19.vi.2004,
apparently the second British record although also collected here and elsewhere in
Essex by others in 2004.

BOWDREY, J.P.—(1) Some Coleoptera found in North Essex (VC19) in 2004.
Bembidion (Notaphemphanes) ephippium (Marsham) (Carabidae), Stone Point,

204 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Walton-on-the-Naze, TM2525, under stones on sandy spit, 17.iv.2004. Harpalus
(Ophonus) ardosiacus Lutschnik (Carabidae), Walton-on-the-Naze, TM2623, under
stone on stabilised cliff, 20.11.2004. Lebia chlorocephala (Hoffmannsegg) (Carabi-
dae), Hatfield Forest, TL5419, running on the ground, 15.v.2004. Harmonia axyridis
Pallas (Coccinellidae), The Moors, Colchester, TM0124, 22.x.2004. Ischnomera
cyanea (F.) (Oedemeridae), Hatfield Forest, TL5320, on the ground near rotten horse
chestnut, 15.v.2004. Sibinia primitus (Herbst) (Curculionidae), Thorpe-le-Soken,
TM1821, in vacuum sample in disused gravel pit, 11.1x.2004.

(2) Live examples of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coccinellidae) from Colchester,
North Essex.

BoyD, G.—(1) A selection of ground beetles (Carabidae) collected during 2003 and
2004. Pterostichus (Platysma) macer (Marsham), Titchmarsh Reserve, Northants
(VC32),TLO080, 17.iv.2003. Prterostichus (Bothriopterus) oblongopunctatus (F.),
Harlestone Heath Reserve, Northants (VC32), SP7264, 12.iv.2003. Pterostichus
(Bothriopterus) quadrifoveolatus Letzner (=P. angustatus Duftschmid), Rothwell
Gullet Reserve, Northants (VC32), SP8081, 7.1v.2003. Pterostichus (Pseudomaseus )
gracilis (Dejean), Holcot, Northants (VC32), SP7970, bank of Pitford Reservoir,
16.v.2004 and Dinton Pastures Country Park, Winnersh, Berkshire, SU7872,
22.v.2004. Anthracus consputus (Duftschmid), Holcot, Northants (VC32), SP7970,
bank of Pitford Reservoir, 16.v.2004. Demetrias (Aetophorus) imperialis (Germar),
Summer Leys Reserve, Wollaston,, Northants (VC32), SP8863, 25.1v.2004. Syntomus
truncatellus (L.), Sewell Cutting Reserve, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, SP9922,
24.iv.2004.

(2) A photograph of the Bombardier Beetle Brachinus crepitans (L.) taken by
Henry Stannier, Sammock Hill, Ring Haw Reserve, Yarwell, Northants (VC32),
TLO0597, one of a pair found by the exhibitor under an ancient prostrate wooden
gatepost, 4.vi1.2004.

GALSWORTHY, A.C. & BOOTH, R.G.—A rove beetle new to Britain. Acrotona
pseudotenera (Cameron) (Staphylinidae), Merton Park, Surrey, TQ26, sieving grass
cuttings from garden compost heap, 13.viti.2004 and subsequently. An adventive
oriental species collected by A.C. Galsworthy and identified by R.G. Booth.

GIBBS, D.J.—Coleoptera collected in 2004. Tachys scutellaris Stephens (Carabi-
dae), Minsmere RSPB Reserve, East Suffolk, TM4766, in pitfall trap on brackish
lagoon margin, 18.v.—1.vi.2004. Bembidion (Notaphemphanes) ephippium (Marsham)
(Carabidae), Havergate Island RSPB Reserve (North Lagoon), East Suffolk,
TM4148, in brackish lagoon, 17.v.2004. Bledius bicornis (Germar) (Staphylinidae),

Minsmere RSPB Reserve, East Suffolk, TM4766, in pitfall trap on brackish lagoon ©
margin, 18.v.—1.vi.2004. Oulema erichsoni (Suffrian) (Chrysomelidae), Blagdon Lake, |
North Somerset, ST5258, on lake margin, 26.1v.2004 and 6.vii.2004, first record |

north of the Mendip Hills. Mantura obtusata (Gyllenhal), (Chrysomelidae),

Havergate Island RSPB Reserve, East Suffolk, TM4046, reared from mines in |
Rumex acetosella growing on shingle, 17.v.2004. Aspidapion sorror (Rey) (Apioni- |
dae), Minsmere RSPB Reserve, East Suffolk, TM4766, on Althaea officinalis, |
10.viii.2004. Pelenomus canaliculatus (Fahraeus) (Curculionidae), Blagdon Lake, |
North Somerset, ST5160, 6.vii.2004, second Somerset record. Dorytomus filirostris |

(Gyllenhal) (Curculionidae), Keynsham Environmental Park, North Somerset,
ST6668, swept off lombardy poplar, 13.v.2004.

HALSTEAD, A. — Uleiota planata (L.) (Cucujidae), Mimbridge Meadow, south-west —
of Chobham, Surrey, SU993607, on oak log, 15.xi.2003. Coccinella magnifica |
Redtenbacher (Coccinellidae), Flatropers Wood, Peasmarsh, East Sussex, —
TQ865226, swept, 15.x.2004. Coccinella septempunctata (L.) (Coccinellidae), Pewley —

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 205

Down, Guildford, Surrey, TQ009489, melanic form swept, 18.vil.2004. Harmonia
axyridis (Pallas) (Coccinellidae), Steep near Petersfield, North Hampshire,
SU739264, 1.xi.2004. Cryptocephalus bilineatus (L.) (Chrysomelidae), Zig-Zag Road,
Box Hill, Surrey, TQ176521, swept, 15.vi.2004. Chrysolina sanguinolenta (L.)
(Chrysomelidae), Two Mile Bottom, Thetford Forest, West Norfolk, TL852880,
swept off Linaria vulgaris, 22.viii.2004. Curculio villosus (F.) (Curculionidae),
Brooklands near Byfleet, Surrey, TQ068625, swept, 25.1v.2004.

HAWKINS, R.D.—(1) Observations on some common beetles found in Surrey
during 2004. Chrysolina oricalcia (Miller) (Chrysomelidae), Nonsuch Park, Cheam,
110 adults on six plants of Heracleum sphondylium among long grass, 6.vii; Phaedon
tumidulus (Germar) (Chrysomelidae), Nonsuch Park, Cheam, 190 adults on the same
hogweed plants, 6.vii—the leaves of these plants had been shredded by the beetle
larvae. Galeruca tanaceti (L.) (Chrysomelidae), South Nutfield, five larvae on or
under flower heads of Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, 27.v (one adult reared).
Dromius linearis (Olivier) (Carabidae), Nonsuch Park, Cheam, fully-winged male,
6.vill (stated in Lindroth’s RES handbook to be probably always short-winged in
Britain). Anaglyptus mysticus (L.) (Cerambycidae), South Godstone, 25.v; Phyma-
todes alni (L.) (Cerambycidae), Park Downs, Banstead, 23.v. The elytra of these two
longhorn beetles have a similar pattern which can confuse the unwary.

(2) A selection of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coccinellidae) from the USA
(previously shown at an indoor meeting). This species has now arrived in Britain.

JONES, R.A.—Some Coleoptera, as part of a larger exhibit, found on brownfield
sites, mostly derelict bulldozed zones of broken rubble and overgrown abandoned
plots. Dicheirotrichus obsoletus (Dejean) (Carabidae), several found under herbage
on derelict concrete wharf, Rochester, 1.1x.2004. This is a salt-marsh species, most
often found in the Thames Estuary, but found in other small pockets from Penzance
to Hull— Nationally scarce (notable B). Stenolophus teutonus (Schrank) (Carabidae),
one found under a piece of broken concrete at the muddy edge of a polluted pond,
Rochester, 15.vi.2004. This scarce beetle occurs only in southern England, mainly
Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex. It is a species of damp open ground such as gravel
pits and pond margins. Although it 1s recorded from the Estuary coast of South
Essex, on the north of the river Thames, this appears to be the first time it has been
found in Kent. Nationally scarce (notable B). Amara curta (Dejean) (Carabidae), one
collected by suction sampler on ‘ecoroof on the Horniman Museum, 16.vi.2004.
This is a very local species usually associated with dry localities such as gravel pits,
limestone grassland, dunes and heathland. It is coastal in distribution but has been
recorded on several brownfield sites in the London area. Nationally scarce (notable
B). Amara eurynota (Panzer) (Carabidae), one in a pitfall trap on an ‘ecoroof
Canary Wharf, 25.vi.2003; also several found under broken bricks and concrete in
derelict ground, Beckton, | & 3.xi.2004. Although widespread through most of
England and Wales, this beetle is not common and usually occurs in open ground
with sparse vegetation and areas of bare soil. Harpalus ardosiacus Lutschnik
(Carabidae), one found under brick in bulldozed pile of rubble, Beckton, 3.xi.2004.
This is mainly a species of southern England, and most localities are coastal or
estuarine. Nationally scarce (notable B). Platyderus ruficollis (Marsham) (Carabi-
dae), one under brick in bulldozed pile of rubble, Beckton, 3.xi.2004. This southern
and eastern species occurs in dry sandy or chalky places in open situations.
Nationally scarce (notable B). Bruchella rufipes (Olivier) (Urodontidae), several
found on Reseda lutea on former railway sidings, Rochester, 9.vi.2004 and flowery
brownfield site next to the river Medway, central Rochester, 1.ix.2004. It is more or
less confined to Essex, Kent and the London area, where it was discovered new to

206 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Britain in the late 1980s. Cytilus sericeus (Forster) (Byrrhidae), several in pitfall traps
on ‘ecoroofs’, Canary Wharf, 6.v.2003, 6.viii.2003; one collected dead by suction
sampler on ‘ecoroof on the Horniman Museum, 24.1x.2004. Although not
considered a very scarce species, the exhibitor had never found it in London until
it appeared on these roofs. Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Herbst) (Coccinellidae), one
beaten from sallow tree in rough ground near the Grand Union Canal, Southall,
27.x.2004. This beetle was only recognised as British in 2000 when it was found in
several Surrey localities (the first being a roadside verge). It is probable that this is a
recent arrival in Britain and its spread has so far been monitored in Surrey, Kent,
Middlesex and Berkshire. Olibrus flavicornis (Sturm) (Phalacridae), many swept in
overgrown former car park and derelict former wharfs, Chelsea Harbour, 18 &
24.v1.2004; very many specimens swept in flowery overgrown derelict carparks,
railway sidings and wharfs, Rochester, 26.iv, 19.vi and 1.1x.2004; many swept in
flowery derelict land, Beckton, 1 & 3.xi.2004. This beetle is associated with autumn
hawkbit Leontodon autumnalis, and possibly with other species in that and related
genera. The larvae are thought to develop in the flower heads, while the adults feed
on pollen. At the time of the national review of beetles, this species had not been seen
since 1t was recorded in 1950 from Camber on the East Sussex coast. However, it has
recently been recorded very frequently in the London and Thames Valley region,
particularly on the flowery brownfield post-industrial sites that now characterise the
area. Nationally rare but insufficiently known (Red Data Book category K), but
status needs revision. Cryptocephalus hypochaeridis (L.) (Chrysomelidae), several
specimens swept in flowery derelict wharfs next to the River Medway, central
Rochester, 15.vi.2004. A rather local, but quite widespread beetle associated with
chalk downland and other dry places where it feeds on hawkbits. Longitarsus dorsalis
(F.) (Chrysomelidae), two swept in overgrown railway sidings and wharfs,
Rochester, 26.1v.2004; two swept in flowery derelict land, Gallions Reach, Beckton,
1 & 3.x1.2004. Although widespread across much of England, this is mainly a
southern species. It occurs on ragworts, usually on dry sandy or chalky soils or on
coastal cliffs and landslips. Nationally scarce (notable B). Kalcapion semivittatum
Gyllenhal (Apionidae), several swept from the foodplant Mercurialis annua on
disturbed ground, Rochester, 1.1x.2004. This species is more or less confined to
south-east England, the Thames Estuary and the Thames Valley, where the plant
grows in disturbed places. Nationally scarce (notable A). Mecinus janthinus Germar
(Curculionidae), several swept on flowery derelict wharf near saltmarsh fragments on
the River Medway, central Rochester, 26.iv and 15.vi.2004. First discovered in
Britain in 1948, it is recorded only from Kent, Surrey, Middlesex and Essex where its
foodplant is Linaria vulgaris, usually in disturbed places. Nationally scarce (notable
A). Phyllobius vespertinus (F.) (Curculionidae), several swept in saltmarsh fragments
next to derelict wharfs on the river Medway, central Rochester, 16.1v and 15.vi.2004.
This saltmarsh beetle is associated with Artemisia maritima. Nationally scarce
(notable B).

LEVEY, B.—(1) Six rare and notable species collected in 2004. Trachys scrobiculatus
Kiesenwetter (Buprestidae), Perham, South Tidworth, North Hampshire, SU236463,
ten specimens were collected by suction sampling chalk grassland on 30.v.2004.
Dorcatoma dresdensis Herbst (Anobiidae), by the River Monnow, Kentchurch,
Monmouthshire, SO4025, three specimens bred from a bracket fungus (/nonotus
sp.?) collected from a dead aspen, 18.v.2004, the first record for Wales. Rhizophagus
picipes (Olivier) (Rhizophagidae), by the River Monnow, Kentchurch, Monmouth-
shire, SO4025, five specimens under bark of cut aspen logs, 18.v.2004. Cyanostelus
aeneus (Richter) (Rhizophagidae), by the River Monnow, Kentchurch, Monmouth-

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 207

shire, SO4025, 16 specimens under bark of cut aspen logs, 18.v.2004. Anisoxya
fuscula (Illiger) (Melandryidae), Whitchurch, Cardiff, Glamorgan, ST1579, eight
specimens bred from dead twigs of a cultivated apple collected in the autumn of 2003
from the exhibitor’s garden, adults emerged 12.vi.2004. Osphya bipunctata (F.)
(Melandryidae), Castle Combe, north Wiltshire, ST8476, a single specimen beaten
from flowering shrubs, 3.vi.2004.

(2) A nineteenth or early twentieth century British specimen of Rhamphus
subaeneus Illiger (Curculionidae). The specimen was collected at Tring, Hertfordshire
by E.C. Elliman, who lived in Chesham, and who collected beetles between about
1891 and 1909. The specimen was found in the collection of J.R. Le B. Tomlin, who
purchased Elliman’s collection in 1929. This species has recently been found in the
Epping region of south Essex by Peter Hammond and was thought to be new to
Britain.

Love, M.R.—A specimen of the Hornet Rove Beetle Velleius dilatatus (F.)
(Staphylinidae), Bignor, West Sussex, SU9916, found dead (?drowned) in bath inside
house, vii.2003, new to Sussex.

Morris, M.G.—A selection of continental specimens of species of Ceutorhynch-
inae (Curculionidae) which are rare or uncommon in Britain. Ceutorhynchini:
Ceutorhynchus alliariae Brisout, H. Flirey, Meuthe-et-Moselle, France, 29.v.1983;
C. chalybaeus Germar, near Chia, Sardinia, 3.v.1996; C. constrictus (Marsham),
Galicica National Park, Macedonia, 15.vi.1990; C. hepaticus (Gyllenhal) [possibly
extinct in Britain; last recorded in 1909], near Trapzica, Macedonia, 12.vi.1990;
C. pervicax Weise, Jaszcze, Gorce National Park, Poland, 31.v.1992; C. picitarsis
Gyllenhal, near Tallard, Hautes-Alpes, France, 20.v.2001; C. pu/vinatus (Gyllenhal),
Danube delta, Roumania, 4/5.v.1995; C. sulcicollis (Paykull), near Lacourt, Ariége,
France, 16.vui.2003 and Gerardmer, Vosges, France, 30.v.1983; C. syrites [probably
extinct in Britain], Causse Mejean, Lozere, France, 18.v.2001; C. thomsoni Kolbe,
near Montecote, Cadiz province, Spain, 4.iv.1992 and near Tallard, Hautes-Alpes,
France, 20.v.2001, and C. unguicularis Thomson, Causse Mejean, Lozere, France,
18.v.2001; Coeliodes ruber (Marsham), Domfront, Orne, France, 24.v.1983;
C. transversealbofasciatus (Goeze (Goeze) [= erythroleucus (Gmelin)]), near Essay,
Orne, France, 24.v.1983; Coeliodinus nigritarsis (Hartmann), near Gerardmer,
Vosges, France, 30.v.1983; Datonychus angulosus (Boheman), St Junien-la-Bergere,
Creuse, France;, 16.vii.1998 and Koswzynska, Pieniny National Park, Poland,
6.v1.1992; D. arquata (Herbst), Notre-Dame-des-Landes, Loire-Atlantique, France,
14.vii.2003; D. urticae (Boheman), near Les Gras, Doubs, France, 19.v.1992;
Drupenatus nasturtii (Germar), near Barao de Sao Jodo, Algarve, Portugal, 5.v.2003;
Glocianus moelleri (Thomson), Triglav National Park, Slovenia, 21.vi.1990;
G. punctiger (Gyllenhal), near Les Allies, Doubs, France, 19.v.1992 and Silves,
Algarve, Portugal, 26.v.2004; Mogulones geographicus (Goeze), Ria Formosa
National Park, Algarve, Portugal, 7.1v.2000 and near Zahora, Cadiz province,
Spain, 6.1v.1992; Oprohinus suturalis (F.), [very dubiously recorded from Britain],
near Orchid, Macedonia, 13.vi.1990; Stenocarus ruficornis (Stephens), Causse
Mejean, Lozere, France, 10.vii.2003; Tapeinotus sellatus (F.), near Coloz, Ain,
France, 2.vi.1983; Thamiocolus viduatus (Gyllenhal), Senheim, Mosel, Germany,
29.vii.1978; Trichosirocalus barnevillei (Grenier), near Mont-Louis, Pyrenées-
Orientales, France, 20/21.vii.2002; 7. dawsoni (Brisout, Ch.), Pointe du Raz,
Finistere, France, 21.iv.1994; T. horridus (Panzer), Causse Majean, Lozere, France,
17.vi.1999; T. rufulus (Dufour), near Fontaine-les-Grés, Aube, France, 3.vi.1997;
T. thalhammeri (Schultze), Agon-Coutainville, Manche, France, 4.1x.1996; Zacladus
exiguus (Olivier), Barragues, Isere, France, 4.vi.1983; Z. geranii (Paykull),

208 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Sunndalen, More og Romsdal, Norway, 22.vi.1991; Mononychini: Mononychus
punctumalbum (Herbst), near Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal, 2.v.2003; Phytobiini:
Pelenomus comari (Herbst), near Villiersexel, Haute-Saone, France, 15.ix.1985;
P. waltoni (Boheman), Notre-Dame-des-Landes, Loire-Atlantique, France,
13.viit.2003; Scleropterini: Rutidosoma globulus (Herbst), Genissiat, Haute-Savoie,
France, 2.vi.1983.

WHITTON, P.—A male Trichius zonatus Germar (Scarabaeidae), Beckley, Oxford-
shire, SP557110, on a peony flower in a south-facing garden, 5.vii.2004.

HEMIPTERA

BADMIN, J.S.—Cercopis intermedia Kirschbaum (Cercopidae), Castro Verde,
Alentejo, southern Portugal, 19.1v.2004. Compared to specimens of Cercopis
vulnerata Rossi (Cercopidae).

BROOKE, S. & NAU, B.S.—Eysarcoris aeneus (Scopoli) (Pentatomidae), 20 plus
adults and one fifth instar nymph, New Forest, September 2003, swept from mature
heather (Calluna vulgaris) in sunny sheltered places amongst open scrub. Host plant
assumed to be C. vulgaris, and possibly the Erica spp. growing with it; no sign of
Slender St John’s-Wort which is claimed as the host plant in Southwood & Leston’s
(1959) The Land and Water Bugs of the British Isles.

Exhibit of some bugs on the Bedfordshire Greensand, associated with sandy,
south-facing, sparsely vegetated areas with mosses and plants such as Erodium,
Myosotis and Cerastium, possibly disturbed by rabbits and/or trampling: Mega-
lonotus dilatatus (H.-S.) (Lygaeidae), M. praetextatus (H.-S.) (Lygaeidae), M.
sabulicola (Thomson) (Lygaeidae), Graptopeltus lynceus (F.) (Lygaeidae), Peritechus
lundii (Gmelin) (Lygaeidae), Spathocera dahlmanni (Schilling) (Coreidae), Syro-
mastes rhombeus (L.) (Coreidae), Arenocoris falleni (Schilling) (Coreidae), Bathysolen
nubilus (Fallen) (Coreidae), Alydus calcaratus (L.) (Alydidae), Sehirus luctuosus
(Mulsant & Rey) (Cydnidae), Odontoscelis lineola (Rambur) (Scutelleridae).

DICKSON, R.— Hypseloecus visci (Puton) (Miridae), 13, 229, Fareham, SU579069,
MV, 2004; Eurydema oleracea (L.) (Pentatomidae), Wickham Common, SU5810,
swept from annual crucifer, 7.vi.2004 (red form); Whiteley, SU5309, nymphs on
yellow crucifer, 19.vi1.2004 bred D.M. Appleton (typical form). Nysius graminicola
(Kolenati) (Lygaeidae), Botley Wood, SU5510, swept 1.i1x.2004, 21.viii.2004 and
25.vili.2004. Stictopleurus punctatonervosus (Goeze) (Rhopalidae), swept various
dates and localities in Botley Wood during 2004. Also recorded by D.M. Appleton
from Botley Wood, SU5309, on Oenanthe, 4.vi.2004, and Whiteley SU5309 on
Matricaria or similar 2.vi.2004.

GiBBS, D.— Tuponia mixticolor (A. Costa) (Miridae), Minsmere RSPB Reserve
(TM4766), Suffolk, 13.vii.2004, swept from tamarisk on dunes.

HAWKINS, R.D.—Some Heteroptera found in Surrey during 2004 that appear to
be expanding their range: Aphanus rolandri (L.) (Lygaeidae), Park Hill, Reigate,
23.vii et seg., many adults and nymphs around upturned root-plate of fallen tree (the
site had recently been cleared of trees to create a viewpoint; with Corydalis
claviculata (L.) prominent among the sparse ground flora). Also three species from
Nonsuch Park, Cheam: Berytinus hirticornis (Brull) (Berytidae), 6.vili, male and
female swept from long grass; Buchananiella continua (White) (Anthocoridae), 1.1x,
beaten from Acer pseudoplatanus, along with many specimens of Orius vicinus
(Ribaut) which it closely resembles; Deraeocoris flavilinea (Costa) (Miridae), 6.vil,
beaten from Acer pseudoplatanus (the last two species have only recently been
discovered in Britain).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 209

JONES, R.A.—Some Hemiptera, as part of a larger exhibit, found on brownfield
sites, mostly derelict bulldozed zones of broken rubble and overgrown abandoned
plots. Aphrodes aestuarinus (Edwards) (Cicadellidae), many specimens were swept
from various tiny fragments of saltmarsh that have recolonised against derelict wharfs
on the River Medway, central Rochester, | & 14.1x.2004. Limited to saltmarshes
along southern coasts of Britain, it is thought to be associated with sea-blite, Suaeda
species. Nationally scarce (notable B). Asiraca clavicornis (F.) (Delphacidae), many
specimens swept in overgrown and derelict railway sidings and flowery brownfield
sites, central Rochester, 9 & 16.vi and 1.1x.2004. Although once more widespread, this
insect is now more or less confined to the Thames Estuary and the London area in the
UK. It is associated with dry grassy places with areas of bare ground and has been
found in several urban brownfield sites in London. Nationally scarce (notable B).
Eurygaster maura (L.) (Scutelleridae), one swept in overgrown and derelict railway
sidings, central Rochester, 9.vi.2004. Known almost entirely from the chalk downs of
Hampshire, Surrey and Kent, it has previously been recorded from dune grasslands.
It is thought to have been more widespread during the middle of the 20th century but
has declined with changing land use on limestone downs. Nationally scarce (notable
B). Stictopleurus punctatonervosus (Goeze) (Rhopalidae), many specimens swept in
overgrown former car park and wharfs, Chelsea Harbour, 18.vi & 19.vi1.2004; many
specimens in derelict overgrown railway sidings, car parks and wharfs, Rochester,
26.iv, 15.vi and 1.1x.2004; several specimens swept in flowery derelict land, Gallions
Reach, Beckton, 1.x1.2004. Since recolonising southern England in the 1990s this
species 1s now widespread on urban brownfield sites. Stictopleurus abutilon (Ross!)
(Rhopalidae), several specimens swept in flowery derelict land, Gallions Reach,
Beckton, 1.x1.2004. This species, too, has spread widely since recolonising southern
England in the 1990s. Sciocoris cursitans (F.) (Pentatomidae), one swept in derelict
overgrown car park, central Rochester, 9.vi.2004. Known only from scattered
localities in the south of England, from Essex to Cornwall, it is found in dry sunny
locations, usually on chalky or sandy soils. Nationally scarce (notable B). Neottiglossa
pusilla (Latreille) (Pentatomidae), one swept from grassy brownfield site of derelict
wharf next to the River Medway, Rochester, 1.1x.2004. This is typically a bug of acid
grassland and heaths; although not given nationally scarce status, this bug appears to
be much less common than previously noted. Syromastus rhombeus (L.) (Coreidae),
one taken in pitfall trap in derelict ground, Deptford Creek, 11.vi.2003. This very
local shieldbug of dry sandy heaths appears to have declined seriously in recent years.
The only other recent London record is from Southwark Park, also on the River
Thames, 1997. Piesma quadratum Fieber (Piesmidae), many swept in saltmarsh
fragments next to derelict wharfs on the River Medway, central Rochester, 26.iv and
9.vi.2004. This bug is confined to saltmarshes around Britain, and is associated with
oraches and goose-foots. Myrmus miriformis Fallen (Rhopalidae), one swept from
overgrown former wharfs, the River Medway, Rochester, 1.ix.2004. This is mainly a
species of coastal downs and cliffs, but has recolonised this urban brownfield site.
Deraeocoris flavilinea (Costa) (Miridae), one swept in overgrown former car park,
Chelsea Harbour, 18.vi.2004. Since it was first discovered in Britain, in the Lea Valley
of north-east London, in the 1990s, this bug has continued to spread. Sycamore and
maples are its primary food-plant, but it is also often found by general sweeping of the
herbage.

NAUv, B.S.— Naucoris maculatus F. (Naucoridae), breeding in a pond near Dover,
September 2004. Exhibited with //vocoris cimicoides (L.) (Naucoridae), hitherto the
only British saucer bug. Obvious differences are size and the patterning on the
pronotum.

210 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

STEWART, A.J.A.—Cicada orni L. (Cicadidae), single female found dead by non-
entomologist lady in a garden in Tunbridge Wells in late August or early September
2004, no further details available. This species (Plate 2, Fig. 11) is one of the common
cicadas in the Mediterranean region; southern England is considerably beyond the
northern edge of its range. Possible explanations for its discovery in Kent include: (a)
the adult insect arrived in Britain through natural dispersal—this would not be
impossible in a warm summer, but nevertheless seems unlikely; (b) it was transported
(alive or dead) in something that the owners of the garden brought back from a visit
to southern Europe; or (c) it emerged as an adult from a nymph that had been
feeding on the roots of a plant that in turn had been imported into Britain from
somewhere within the species’ native range. The nymphal stages of C. orni feed on
the roots of woody plants such as bushes and trees.

HYMENOPTERA

ARCHER, M~—Some British aculeate wasps and bees from 2002 and 2003.
Chrysididae: Omalus violaceus (Scopoh), St Nicholas Fields, York, 23.vi.2003.
Tiphiidae: Methocha ichneumonides Latreille, Highgate Common, Staffordshire,
10.vi.2003. Pompilidae: Ceropales maculata (F.), Walney Island, Cumbria,
25.v1.2005, Arachnospila minutula (Dahlbom), Chiswick Dunes, Northumbria,
17.vu1.2002. Sphecidae: Crossocerus distinguendus (Morawitz), Sand Hutton, North
Yorkshire, 21.vi.2003; Crossocerus leucostoma (L.), Pollington Quarry, East Riding,
Yorkshire, 13.vu.2002; Oxybelus argentatus Curtis, Sandscale Haws, Cumbria,
26.v1.2003; Oxybelus mandibularis Dahlbom, Walney Island, Cumbria, 25.vi.2005;
Dryudella pinguis (Dahlbom), Holy Island, Northumbria, 17.vi.2003. Vespidae:
Dolichovespula saxonica (F.), Sand Hutton, North Yorkshire, 30.vii.2002. Colletidae:
Hylaeus signatus (Panzer), York University, York, 15.vi.2002; Colletes marginatus
Smith, Upton Dunes, Cornwall, 18.vui.2003; Lasioglossum quadrinotatum (Kirby),
Rampart Field, Suffolk, 4.1x.2002. Halictidae: Sphecodes reticulatus Thomson,
Pollington Quarry, East Riding, Yorkshire, 1.ix.2002. Anthophoridae: Melecta
albifrons (Forster), Reighton Cliffs, North Yorkshire, 1.vi.2003.

BOWDREY, J.P.—A species of gall wasp (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) new to Essex.
Andricus grossulariae Giraud, galls on Quercus cerris catkins, Hinault Forest,
TQ4792, 9.v.2004; gall on Quercus robur acorn cup, Chelmsford, TL7006, 29.1x.2004,
agamic female expected to emerge spring 2005.

GiBBs, D.—Hymenoptera collected in 2004. Andrenidae: Andrena proxima
(Kirby), 3.vi, Monk Woods, Somerset, ST7570.

HALSTEAD, A.—(1) Recent records of Arge berberis Schrank (Hymenoptera:
Argidae), the Berberis sawfly, currently recorded from in and around London but
likely to spread.

(2) Some uncommon or local Hymenoptera. Tenthredinidae: Heptamelus
ochroleucus (Stephens), female, swept, 30.v.2004, Savernake Forest, Wilts.,
SU2365; Dolerus anthracinus (Klug), female, 7.vi.2002, Pinchbeck Fen Slipe, nr
Spalding, Lincs., TF1823, col. J. Bratton; Pristiphora biscalis (Foerster), female,
10.v.2002, south of Pen y Park reservoir, Anglesey, SH5874, col. J. Bratton;
Pristiphora testacea (Jurine), female, 29.vili.2004, Bonseys Common, nr Woking,
Surrey, TQ0161; Halidamia affinis (Fallen), male, malaise trap, 15.v.2004, Richmond
Park SSSI, col. D. Baldock, males are rare in this species; Harpiphorus lepidus (Klug),
female, swept from oak, 30.v.2004, Savernake Forest, Wilts., SU2366; Macrophya
rufipes (L.), female, 4.vi.2004, White Hart Down (east), north-west of Mere, Wilts.,
col. A. Stubbs; Hoplocampa rutilicornis (Klug), female, swept from blackthorn,

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 211

17.1v.2004, Great Bookham Common, Surrey, TQ1256; Amauronematus amentorum
(Foerster), female, swept from sallow, 24.1v.2004, Bourne Fields (west), nr Chobham,
Surrey, SU9961; Amauronematus longiserra (Thomson), female, swept from sallow,
4.iv.2004, Bourne Fields (west), nr Chobham, Surrey, SU9961; Nematus fagi
Zaddach, female, swept from beech, 4.vi.2004, west Woods, south-west of
Marlborough, Wilts., SU1566; Pontania herbacae (Cameron), female, Elidir Fach,
nr Dinorwig, Caernarvon, SH6061, bred from galls on Salix herbacea, collected by
J.Bratton 29.vi.2003, emerged 5.11.2004. Eumenidae: Symmorphus crassicornis
(Panzer), male, swept from aspen, 5.vu1.2004, Orchid Field, nr Grasslands, Horsell
Common, Woking, Surrey, SU9860.

HAWKINS, R.D.—Specimens of Hedychrum niemelai Linsenmaier (Chrysididae)
taken in Surrey during 2004. Male and female near nests of Cerceris spp., 6.vul,
Nonsuch Park, Cheam; male at flowers of Achillea millefolium, 21.viii, Priory Park,
Reigate. The brilliantly coloured female was not described by Morgan (1984,
Cuckoo-wasps Hymenoptera, Chrysididae. Handbooks for the Identification of
British Insects Vol 6, Part 5. RESL). This species is considered as a synonym of
H. nobile by Kunz (1994, Die Goldwespen Baden-Wiirttembergs) and indeed, the male
genitalia of both specimens appear to be a better match to H. nobile than H. niemelai.

JONES, R.A.—Hymenoptera found on brownfields sites in Rochester, Kent.
Formicidae: Hypoponera punctatissima (Roger), alate female, 1.1x.2004, central
Rochester, under dumped old carpet in derelict wharf area. Most records of this
secretive ant are from heated buildings, although winged females are sometimes
recorded outside in urban areas; Ponera coarctata (Latreille), 24.1x.2004, Horniman
Museum, collected on an ‘ecoroof’ by suction sampling. This secretive ant makes
small colonies beneath stones and mosses and is more or less restricted to coastal
sites in southern England; Myrmecina graminicola (Latreille), 1.1x.2004, alate female,
central Rochester, swept from derelict overgrown railway sidings. Colletidae:
Hylaeus signatus (Panzer), 9.vi.2004 and 15.vi.2004, derelict railway sidings, central
Rochester. This bee is recorded from various counties in southern Britain, associated
with the flowers of Reseda sp. on warm sunny sites. Apidae: Bombus humilis liger,
1.1x.2004, visiting flowers in derelict car park, central Rochester. Once common, this
species 1s known to have declined drastically in the last 50 years.

Love, M. & DEWHURST, C.— Hymenoptera. Andrenidae: Andrena flavipes Panzer,
female, Ellanore Farm, West Wittering, West Sussex, SZ7799, 9.iv.1998. Antho-
phoridae: Nomada fucata Panzer, female, Ellanore Farm, West Wittering, West
Sussex, SZ7799, 9.iv.1998, cleptoparasite of the preceding species. Cynipidae:
Andricus aries (Mayr), Emsworth, West Sussex, SU7505.

ORAM, D.A.— Cimbex femorata (L.), a female found at Sutton, Surrey 27.1v.1997.
The insect was found resting on the ground approximately 3m away from a silver
birch tree.

DICTYOPTERA

BADMIN, J.—A Praying Mantis Mantis religiosa (L.) (Dictyoptera: Mantidae)
outdoors in London, 2004. A female individual was found living outdoors on the
wall of a house in Brentwood, Middlesex, by the owner Mr David Hillman, in mid-
September 2004 and was observed for several days. The mantis was captured and fed
daily with flies until dying on the 9.1x.2004. The origin of this insect has not been
determined, as neither the house owner nor his immediate neighbours had recently
been abroad.

212 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

TRICHOPTERA

KILLEBY, M.—Caddis flies recorded in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The
many miles of still and slow moving waters, lakes and damp woodlands make Milton
Keynes an excellent area for the study of caddis flies. The exhibit showed adult
specimens of some of the 57 species recorded during the last five years by a
combination of light trapping and sweeping. Common species were Limnephilus
affinis (Curtis), Agrypnia varia (F.), Tinodes waeneri (L.), Hydropsyche pellucidula
(Curtis) and Sericostoma personatum (Spence). Ceraclea senilis (Burmeister) was
collected on 24.vii.2004 in SP84, a notable species becoming more common as it
extends its range northwards.

GENERAL

GiBBs, D.— Araneae collected in 2004. Dictynidae: Argenna patula (Simon), 17.v,
Havergate Island RSPB Reserve (N. Lagoon), Suffolk, TM4148. An example of a
dry-pinned spider prepared by soaking overnight in 2-ethoxyethanol, followed by a
few hours in ethyl acetate. Male palp mounted separately in DMHF (dimethyl
hydantoin formaldehyde) resin.

HALL, N.M.—Exhibition of a specimen of a Nemoptera sp. (Neuroptera:
Nemopteridae), Spain, El Pozo del Esparto, Almeria, and illustrations of the logos
of the BENHS and the Asociacion Espanola de Entomologia, both based on
Nemoptera. Because of the two-dimensional nature of the logos, they can not show
the true shape of the ribbon like hindwings. The tails of these are twisted through
180°, giving the impression that the tails contract along the centre portion.

MERRIFIELD, K. & MERRIFIELD, R.—Some photographs of plant galls. Cotton-
wood gall on Quercus sp. caused by the wasp Andricus quercusramuli (L.)
(Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), 31.v.2004, Hodson Estate, Chiseldon, Wilts., SU1780;
large numbers of pocket plum galls on Prunus spinosa L. caused by the fungus
Taphrina pruni Tul. (Ascomycotina: Taphrinales), 4.vi.2004, Folly Farm Avon
Wildlife Trust Reserve, Avon, ST6060; European pear rust on domestic pear Pyrus
sp. caused by the fungus Gymnosporangium sabinae DC (Teliomycetes: Uredinales),
ix.2003, Eastcoate, Middlesex, TQ1087.

MILES, S.R.—A poster summarising the results of the Society’s ‘Heathland flies
Project’. This six year study has focused on the biology and habitat requirements of
the Heath bee-fly Bombylius minor L. and the Mottled Bee-fly Thyridanthrax
fenestratus (Fallen), both Red data book species. A draft code of practice for the
management of heathland paths and tracks in support of these and other localised
heathland insects has now been produced and is available from the exhibitor.

SIMPSON, M.L.—The Simpson collection of Entomological Memorabilia. Items
exhibited were a Garner’s New Killing Bottle, ca. 1900 purchased on Ebay, old
entomological pins donated by Eric Gowling-Scopes, an oval zinc collecting tin, a
zinc sugaring tin with internal brush and fitting for attaching to belt, and a “Bulls eye’
entomologist’s lantern made by E.T. Wright of Ontario (last three items donated by
Mrs. Chalmers-Hunt).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 213

THE ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA OF HORTON NATIONAL
NATURE RESERVE, GOWER, WEST WALES

P. M. PAVETT

Department of Biodiversity & Systematic Biology,
National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Cardiff, CF10 3NP, UK

ABSTRACT

Horton NNR, Glamorgan (VC41), is highlighted as a site of importance for
aculeate Hymenoptera with one hundred and eighteen species so far recorded.
Sphecodes longulus von Hagens is recorded for the first time in Wales from the
reserve, extending its distribution westward from southern England. Other scarce
species that occur on the reserve are discussed and a full species list provided.

INTRODUCTION

The aims of this paper are to highlight some of the noteworthy species of aculeate
Hymenoptera that occur at Horton National Nature Reserve, species which are not
only rare in the county of Glamorgan but are rare in the principality, and to
underline the conservation importance of the site in a regional context.

Very little has been published on the aculeate Hymenoptera of Glamorgan since
Hallett’s 1928 faunal list of the county (Cooter, 1987, Blacker, 1989, Archer, 1992,
1994, Pavett, 1999, Skidmore, 1999). Also, there have been no sites within the county
for which a complete list has been published. However, a number of reports
commissioned by the Countryside Council of Wales have been written highlighting
the importance of certain aculeate species in Wales or of habitats that support them
(Fowles, 1994, 1996, Howe, 1998, 2002). There has also been a considerable amount
of work undertaken by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Bumblebee Working Group
between 1998 and 2002 (Edwards, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002).

SITE DESCRIPTION

Horton National Nature Reserve is situated on the south Gower coast, between
Port Eynon to the west and Oxwich Bay to the east and extends for approximatly
one kilometre along the coast. (Grid reference SS479854-SS492852). The richness of
the site is due to a combination of factors. These include the south facing aspect, vital
for such warmth-loving insects and the head deposits of periglacial weathered sand,
clay and gravel overlying the Carboniferous limestone of the lower slopes which
provide a large area of substrate that are ideal for nesting sites. There are also
extensive areas of calcareous grassland and maritime heath with a rich flora, that
provide pollen and nectar sources and areas in which to hunt other invertebrates as
prey. This combination of features makes Horton NNR one of the richest sites for
aculeate Hymenoptera in Glamorgan, and indeed, in Wales.

RDB AND NOTABLE SPECIES OCCURRING AT HORTON NNR

There are very few sites in Wales where the aculeate fauna exceeds a hundred
species, Horton NNR is one of them, boasting an aculeate fauna of one hundred and

214 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

eighteen species. A number of species hold Notable or RDB status, with two RDB2,
Andrena rosae Panzer, Cryptocheilus notatus (Rossius); three RDB3, Andrena
hattorfiana (F.), Nomada lathburiana (Kirby), Arachnospila consobrina (Dahlbom);
six Na, Andrena marginata F., Eucera longicornis (L.), Nomada fucata Panzer,
Sphecodes longulus von Hagen, Leptothorax albipennis (Curtis), Oxybelus argentatus
Curtis; and nine Nb, Andrena trimmerana (Kirby), Nomada flavopicta (Kirby), Osmia
bicolor (Schrank), Stelis punctulatissima (Kirby), Priocnemis gracilis Haupt,
Priocnemis schioedtei Haupt, Nysson dimidiatus Jurine, Podalonia hirsuta (Scopoli)
and Methocha ichneumonides Latreille.

SPHECODES LONGULUS NEW TO WALES

Sphecodes longulus von Hagen (Apidae: Halictinae) is a cleptoparasite of
Lasioglossum species (Apidae: Halictinae), Lasioglossum minutissimum (Kirby), L.
morio (F.) and L. leucopum (Kirby) having been cited as possible hosts (Falk, 1991),
the latter two species occurring at Horton NNR. Sphecodes longulus is regarded as a
rare and local species and was considered until recently to be confined to southern
England (Falk, 1991). It is most frequently recorded from dry, sandy heathland but
also occurs in other sandy areas such as sand pits and coastal cliffs and rarely in
open, broadleaved woodland. A single female was taken on Daucus alongside the
coastal path at Horton on 22.vii.1996, this being the first record for the species from
Wales (det. confirmed by M. Edwards). This record greatly extends its distribution
into western Britain, see Falk (1991).

NOTABLE HYMENOPTERA

A number of species that occur at Horton NNR are of very restricted distribution
in Wales enhancing the value of the reserve. Until recently the only known colony of
Andrena hattorfiana (F.) in Wales was found to be at Horton NNR where it visits
Knautia arvensis (L.) and probably Scabiosa columbaria L. for pollen. The species has
however, recently been recorded at Caerwent, an abandoned Ministry of Defence
site, near to Newport in Gwent by M.A. Howe and about a mile to the west of
Horton NNR on the south Gower coast at Overton SSSI by M. Edwards (pers.
comm.). The species is far from common on the reserve but does occur in most years,
most frequently in odd years, i.e. 2001 & 2003. Andrena rosae has only been recorded
in Glamorgan from this reserve and from the coastal cliffs at Lavernock in the east of
the county (Hallett, 1928). On the 30.iii.2002, I recorded a single male from the
reserve.

Nomada lathburiana (Kirby) has only been found once on 26.v.1997 and its host,
Andrena cineraria (L.) is not common on the reserve. This species seems to be
commoner in the north of Glamorgan. Eucera longicornis (L.) is common, visiting
flowers of Trifolium, Vicia and Geranium. A single Arachnospila consobrina (Dahlbom)
was recorded on Daucus on 26.v.1997. This species, however, is characteristic of dune
sites and it is probable that this was a stray individual from the nearby sand dunes of
Port Eynon which lie at the western end of Horton NNR. The tiny ant, Leptothorax
albipennis (Curtis) occurs fairly commonly on the limestone grasslands and screes,
often being recorded nesting in the cracks of fallen limestone boulders.

There are four species, Andrena coitana (Kirby), Nomada obtusifrons Nylander,
Coelioxys rufescens Lepeletier & Brulle, Cryptocheilus notatus (Rossius) that were
recorded from Horton in the past which have not been found since the 1920s. Three
of these species are still to be found at other sites in Glamorgan but C. notatus has

i

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 215

not been recorded from Wales since 1914 (Fowles, 1996) and may now be extinct in
the principality. It should be remembered however, that such sites are not static, but
that species leave and may recolonise, with populations fluctuating markedly from
year to year as habitat and climatic conditions change. In the 1930s H.M. Hallett
regarded the bee Andrena flavipes Panzer as rare in the county of Glamorgan, and in
Wales as a whole, and its cleptoparasite Nomada fucata Panzer was unrecorded
(Hallett, 1928). Today this Andrena is the commonest bee at Horton NNR and the
Nomada, with the exception of Nomada marshamella (Kirby), the most frequently
recorded of its genus.

Another example is the anthophorine bee Melecta albifrons (Forster), a very scarce
species in Wales. For the last fifteen years I have searched a large nesting aggregation
of its host, Anthophora plumipes (Pallas) at Horton NNR without any success. In the
spring of 2001 the Melecta was apparently outnumbering the host. Whether this
species has always occurred at the site in small numbers, moved in from an
undiscovered colony of its host nearby, or has come from farther afield is unknown,
the former being the most likely explanation. On the other hand the RDB bee, A.
rosae was recorded by Hallett on one occasion, July 1914 (Hallett, 1927), and has
only been recorded on one occasion since.

Whilst there are many sites in the south and south east of England that have larger
aculeate faunas, Horton NNR is one of the most important sites in Wales and
western Britain on account of the number of species and associated insects that occur
there. It is important, that monitoring and recording continues at Horton NNR, so
that, as complete a picture as is possible, may be obtained of this important reserve.
It is also important to monitor any changes in the aculeate fauna that may take place
and to identify any detrimental changes that may be occurring. A full list of species is
given in the Appendix.

INSECTS ASSOCIATED WITH ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA

A number of non-hymenopteran parasitic species that are dependent on the aculeates
as hosts for their larvae occur on the reserve. The beetle Meloe proscarabaeus L.
(Meloidae), which is parasitic primarily on bees of the genera Anthophora and Osmia, is
very common as an adult in the early spring, whilst its triungulins are to be found ona
wide variety of bees and wasps during the summer months.

The Diptera form an important component of this fauna. Three species of bee fly,
Bombylius major L., B. canescens Mikan and B. discolor Mikan, whose larvae prey
upon the larvae and/or pupae of aculeates, are recorded from the site. Bombylius
discolor is a notable species and Horton NNR supports a good population of this fly,
the adult being frequently met with in the early spring.

The Conopidae are a family of flies that are internal parasites of adult bees and
wasps. Four species have been recorded at Horton, Physocephala rufipes (F.),
Thecophora atra (F.), the notable Thecophora fulvipes Robineau-Desvoidy and Sicus
ferrugineus (L.). Additional species of interest include the sarcophagid fly Metopia
argyrocephalus (Meigen) and the RDB hoverfly Chrysotoxum elegans Loew which
also occur frequently on the reserve. Clearly there is scope for more intensive
recording of these groups at Horton.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my thanks to Mike Edwards for confirming my
identification of S. /ongulus and for his helpful comments regarding this paper.

216 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

REFERENCES

Archer, M.E. 1992. Notable wasps and bees (Hymenoptera, Aculeata) taken on Welsh sand
dunes and a plea for help. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 128: 218.

Archer, M.E. 1994. A survey of Aculeate wasps and bees (Hymenoptera) on the sand dune
systems of south Wales, during 1994. CCW Contract Science. 100. Countryside Council for
Wales.

Blacker, N.C. 1989. The ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of the Gower peninsula, West
Glamorgan, South Wales. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation, 101: 261-266.

Cooter, J. 1987. Symmorphus crassicornis (Pz.) (Hym., Eumenidae) in S. Wales. Entomologist’s
Monthly Magazine 123: 54.

Edwards, M. 1998. UK BAP Bumblebee Working Group Report.

Edwards, M. 1999. UK BAP Bumblebee Working Group Report.

Edwards, M. 2000. UK BAP Bumblebee Working Group Report.

Edwards, M. 2001. UK BAP Bumblebee Working Group Report.

Edwards, M. 2002. UK BAP Bumblebee Working Group Report.

Falk, S. 1991. A review of the scarce and threatened bees, wasps and ants of Great Britain.
Research and Survey in Nature Conservation. No. 35.

Fowles, A.P. 1994. Invertebrates of Wales: a review of important sites and species. Joint Nature
Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

Fowles, A.P. 1994. A review of the ecology of the red wood ant Formica rufa L. (Hymenoptera,
Formicidae) and its status in Wales. Countryside Council for Wales.

Fowles, A.P. 1996. A provisional checklist of the invertebrates recorded from Wales. 2.
Aculeate wasps, bees and ants (Hymenoptera: Aculeata). Countryside Council for Wales.

Hallett, H.M. 1928. The Hymenoptera Aculeata of Glamorgan. Transactions of the Cardiff
Naturalists Society 60: 33-67.

Howe, M.A. 1998. Countryside Council for Wales Natural Science Report 98\5\2. Field meeting
of the Dipterists Forum at Abergavenny, June 1997.

Howe, M.A. 2002. Countryside Council for Wales Natural Science Report 02\5\1. A Review of
the Coastal Soft Rock Resource in Wales, with particular reference to its importance for
invertebrates.

Kloet & Hincks 1978. Handbooks for the identification of British Insects Vol. XI, Part 4. Royal
Entomological Society of London.

Pavett, P.M. 1998. Monitoring of bumblebees and other aculeate Hymenoptera populations on
the south Gower cliffs. Countryside Council for Wales Contract Science Report No. 328.

Pavett, P.M. 1999. Crossocerus vagabundus (Panzer) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) in Wales.
British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 12: 25.

Pavett, P.M. & Fowles, A.P. [in prep. To be published 2004] Hallet’s Aculeate Hymenoptera of
Wales.

Skidmore, P. 1999. Entomological survey of South Gower Coast nature reserve. Section 2:
Overton Cliff 1999, Glamorgan Wildlife Trust.

APPENDIX
CHECKLIST OF SPECIES RECORDED FROM HORTON NNR

Species recorded by Hallett which have not been found since are marked with an asterix™. It
should be noted that Hallett made a number of records from ‘‘Porteynon”’, several of which
probably refer to Horton, and not to the sand dunes and cliffs at Porteynon, so it was thought
better to leave these records out of the checklist. Voucher specimens for all species recorded below
are held in the collections of the National Museum of Wales and in P.M.Pavett’s private collection.

Apidae— Andreninae

Andrena barbilabris (Kirby), A. bicolor F., A. cineraria (L.), *A. coitana (Kirby), A. denticulata
(Kirby), A. flavipes Panzer, A. fulva (Miller), A. haemorrhoa (F.), A. hattorfiana (F.), RDB3,
A. marginata F., Na, A. minutula (Kirby), A. nigroaenea (Kirby), A. ovatula (Kirby),
A. pubescens Olivier, A. rosae Panzer, RDB2, A. scotica Perkins, A. thoracica (F.), A. trimmerana
(Kirby), Nb, A. wilkella (Kirby), Panurgus banksianus (Kirby), P. calceratus (Scopol).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 217

Apidae— Anthophorinae

Anthophora plumipes (Pallas), A. furcata (Panzer), Eucera longicornis (L.), Na, Melecta
albifrons (Forster), Nomada fabriciana (L.), N. flava Panzer, N. flavopicta (Kirby), Nb, N. fucata
Panzer, Na, N. goodeniana (Kirby), N. lathburiana (Kirby), RDB3, N. marshamella (Kirby),
*N. obtusifrons Nylander, N. ruficornis (L.), N. striata F.

Apidae— Apinae

Apis mellifera L., Bombus hortorum (L.), B. lapidarius (L.), B. jonellus (Kirby), B. lucorum
(L.), Bombylius major L., B. canescens Mikan and B. discolor Mikan. B. pascuorum (Scopolh),
B. terrestris (L.), B. campestris (Panzer).

Apidae — Colletinae
Colletes fodiens (Geoffroy), C. similis Schenck, Hylaeus hyalinatus Smith.

Apidae — Halictinae

Lasioglossum calceatum (Scopoli), L. leucopum (Kirby), L. leucozonium (Schrank), L. morio
(F.), L. punctatissimum (Schenck), L. smaethmanellum (Kirby), Halictus tumulorum (L.),
Sphecodes ephippius (L.), S. geoffrellus (Kirby), S. longulus von Hagen Na, S. monilicornis
(Kirby).

Apidae-— Megachilinae
Anthidium manicatum (L.), *Coelioxys rufescens Lep. & Serv., Hoplitis spinulosus (Kirby),
Megachile maritima (Kirby), Osmia bicolor (Schrank) Nb, Stelis punctulatissima (Kirby) Nb.

Bethylidae
Bethylus cephalotes (Foerster), B. fuscicornis (Jurine).

Chrysididae
Chrysis ignita (L.), C. viridula L., Omalus auratus (L.), Trichrysis cyanea (L.).

Formicidae

Formica cunicularia Latreille, Lasius alienus (Forster), L. flavus (F.), Lasius niger (L.),
L. umbratus (Nylander), Leptothorax albipennis Curtis Na, Myrmica scabrinodis Nylander,
M. ruginodis Nylander, Myrmecina graminicola (Latreille), Tetramorium caespitum (L.).

Mutillidae
Myrmosa atra Panzer.

Pompilidae

Anoplius nigerrimus (Scopoli), A. infuscatus (Vander Linden), Arachnospila consobrina
(Dahlbom) RDB3, *Cryptocheilus notatus (Rossius) RDB2, Evagates crassicornis (Shuckard),
Episyron rufipes (L.), Pompilius cinereus (F.), Priocnemis exaltata (F.), P. gracilis Haupt Nb,
P. parvula Dahlbom, P. pusilla Schiodte, P. schioedtei Haupt Nb.

Sapygidae
Sapyga quinquepunctatus (F.).

Sphecidae

Cerceris arenaria (L.), Crabro cribrarius (L.), Crossocerus elongatulus (Vander Linden), C.
podagricus (Vander Linden), C. quadrimaculatus (F.), Ectemnius continuus (F.), Entomognathus
brevis (Vander Linden), Gorytes tumidus (Panzer), Lindenius albilabris (F.), Nysson dimidiatus
Jurine Nb, N. spinosus (Forster), Oxybelus argentatus Curtis Na, O. uniglumis (L.), Passaloecus
gracilis (Curtis), Pemphredon lethifer (Shuckard), Podalonia hirsuta Scopoli Nb, Tachysphex
pompiliformis (Panzer), Trypoxylon figulus (L.).

Tiphiidae
Methocha ichneumonides Latreille Nb.
Vespidae

Odyneres spinipes (L.), Ancistrocerus oviventris (Wesmael), A. scoticus (Curtis), Dolichove-
spula norwegica (F.), D. sylvestris (Scopoli), Paravespula germanica (F.), P. vulgaris (L.).

218 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

REVIEW

The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America. By Peter H. Adler, Douglas C. Currie
& D. Monty Wood. 1072 pages, 255 maps, 888 drawings, 97 b & w photographs, 24
pages of coloured illustrations. Cornell University Press. £57.95 (US$99.95). ISBN
0-8014-2498-4

This is a landmark publication. Part IV of the book (Systematics and Taxonomy,
from page 123 onwards) includes information on all 254 species of blackflies that
occur in North America. Before this ‘“‘meat” the book is introduced by 122 pages of
eight fascinating chapters. These cover background material with a short overview,
then a remarkable history of research, complete with portraits of blackfly scientists,
and a techniques chapter. Next is the biology, divided into three chapters on
structure and function, cytology and then behaviour and ecology, followed by two
chapters on economic aspects: social and economic impact, and management. To cap
it all the illustrations are superb.

Although there is no human onchocerciasis for North American blackflies to
transmit, the flies occur there in some areas in such numbers that their biting
renders day-to-day outdoor activities unbearable. This nuisance activity has led to
much work on the culprits, 33 species being involved, but also on biters of
livestock and birds. For the latter, the vectors of the protozoan Leucocytozoon spp.
are the most important causing economic losses to turkey farmers. Because of such
ornithophilic blackflies, the authors have provided a list of species of avian hosts
“based on confirmed biting records in the field’. But it begins with emu and
ostrich so presumably “the field’ includes zoos! But, rather than using this as a
complaint I prefer it to be remembered as a compliment to the encyclopaedic
nature of the book. The accounts, not only of such hosts but also of the various
parasites that afflict blackflies (nematodes, microsporidia, true fungi, bacteria,
viruses, ectoparasites etc.) are thorough and the authors have compiled a vast and
disparate literature into one, albeit large and heavy, book.

Since the pioneering work of the late Klaus Rothfels, whose portrait looks at the
reader quizzically on page 19, cytology has dominated blackfly taxonomy with ever
more cytospecies and cytoforms overtaking identifications based on morphotax-
onomy. This is well explained and illustrated in Chapter 5, but it has not been
allowed to dominate the systematics section. Rather, we are given a sensible
compromise linking external characters with chromosome data and molecular
results. Here the keys “‘emphasise ease of use rather than phylogenetic arrangement”’
and there are separate keys for adults, pupae and larvae. In the latter, chromosome
data are included but they are not always essential and many identifications can be
made without them, which is where the excellent illustrations come in. Once you have
run down your specimen, the text provides details of the diagnosis, overview,
taxonomy, morphology, cytology, molecular systematics, bionomics (habitat,
oviposition, development, mating, natural enemies) and hosts and economic
importance. There are distribution maps for every species and 57 pages of references.

This book is a labour of love for which the authors must be congratulated and
thanked. Everyone interested in blackflies, will need access to this mine of
information, and any entomologists working on the Simuliidae within the North
American continent should certainly buy it, as it will become the standard work.
Given the variety of topics covered and the importance of blackflies, the book will
also be a valuable resource for entomologists of all specialisms.

ROBERT A. CHEKE

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 219

EXPANDING NORTHERN RANGES OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATE
SPECIES: A POSSIBLE EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

M. D. Eyre, J. C. WOODWARD AND M. L. LUFF

Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability, Devonshire Building,
The University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NEI 7RU.

ABSTRACT

Recent recording of aquatic invertebrate species in north-east England has
generated records of a number of species either new to the region or spreading
northwards. Two species were found in a brackish water site but 11 others, a mixture
of dragonflies, water bugs and beetles, were all recorded from permanent, open
ponds with vegetated edges. Aquatic habitat availability has increased in north-east
England, mainly as a result of land reclamation of mining operations, but the
observed changes of northern ranges of species are likely to be related to temperature
rise, in line with other species such as butterflies.

INTRODUCTION

There is a history of intensive recording of aquatic invertebrates in north-east
England, especially of water beetles with work carried out in the late 1960s and early
1980s, culminating in the production of a species atlas (Eyre et al/., 1985) and habitat
definition (Eyre et al., 1986). Water bugs have also received considerable attention
(Eyre & Foster, 1989). The records generated in the late 20th century enable
temporal comparisons to be made with recent surveys, together with those in a
number of recently published atlases.

Survey work in 2002, 2003 and 2004 has generated a number of species
distribution records indicating expanding northern British ranges of some species.
These records are given below and the observed trends discussed.

NOTEWORTHY RECORDS
GASTROPODA

Assimineidae
Assiminea grayana Fleming

A snail species found at the top of saltmarshes, the records in the atlas of Kerney
(1999) show records north to the River Humber estuary. It was found by the coast at
Druridge Bay in Northumberland (NZ2798, VC 67) in August 2004 by the outflow of
a lake connected to the sea.

ODONATA

Aeshnidae
Aeshna grandis (L.)

Larvae of this species were found in both a small vegetated pond and in an open
large lake at Big Waters (NZ2273, 2373, VC 67), just north of Newcastle upon Tyne
_ In May 2004 and in a vegetated pond at Minsteracres (NZ0256, VC 67) in July 2004.

These sites are just north of the records given in the dragonfly atlas (Merritt et al.,
1996) and may be the first proof of this species breeding in north-east England.

220 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Anax imperator Leach

The most northerly records for this species in Merritt et a/. (1996) are from the
Humber area and south Lancashire coast. Larvae have been found in ponds with
sparse edge vegetation at Coatham Sands by the mouth of the River Tees (NZ5725,
VC 62), at Portrack Marshes near Stockton (NZ4619, VC 66) in June 2003 and at
Favordale, Darlington (NZ2816, VC 66) in September 2003. However, the most
northerly record was from Mount Pleasant near Boldon (NZ3461, VC 66), also in
June 2003.

Brachytron pratense (Miller)

Although there are records from south-west and central Scotland for this species
(Merritt et al., 1996), these are on the west coast of Britain. On the eastern side, the
most northerly records are from south Yorkshire. The larvae were found at Cowpen
Bewley near Billingham (NZ4825, VC 66) in May 2003 and at Warden Law, west of
Sunderland (NZ3750, VC 66) in September 2003.

HEMIPTERA

Corixidae
Hesperocorixa moesta (Fieber)

Huxley (2003) did not map old records for this species from Cumbria, with the
most northerly recent record from south Lancashire. It was found in a fishing pond
with sparse vegetation at Tursdale (NZ3036, VC 66) in September 2003.

Micronecta scholtzi (Fieber)

This species was found in an urban lake at Silksworth, Sunderland (NZ3754, VC
66) in July 2003 and in a small reservoir near Edmundbyers (NZ0049, VC 66) in July
2004, both man-made water bodies with mainly bare substrata and little vegetation.
Huxley (2003) shows records north to the River Humber.

Sigara stagnalis (Leach)

This brackish water species was found in a pool at Druridge Bay (NZ2798, VC 67),
sometimes connected to the sea at very high tides. This record is north of those for
the Solway area in the west and for the Teesmouth area in eastern England (Huxley,
2003).

Naucoridae
Ilyocoris cimicoides (Linnaeus)

Huxley (2003) indicates that this species occurs as far north as north-east
Yorkshire but a nymph was found at Big Waters in south Northumberland
(NZ2373, VC 67) in May 2004.

Pleidae
Plea minutissima Leach

This is now a common species in north-east England. It has been found in 2002—
2004 at sites in grid squares NZ03, 14, 21, 22, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 42, 43, 44
and 52, with the most northerly record from Druridge Bay (NZ2798) in May 2004.
However, this expansion is recent as the species was not found during survey work in
the 1980s (Eyre & Foster, 1989).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 221

COLEOPTERA

Hygrobiidae
Hygrobia herrmanni (Fabricius)

An example of the squeak beetle was recorded from Brinkburn Pond, Darlington
(NZ2816, VC 66) in September 2003. There is a 19th century record from Edinburgh,
possibly associated with travelling fairs, but the previous northernmost recent British
record was in north Yorkshire in 2002.

Dytiscidae
Laccophilus hyalinus (DeGeer)

This species was first found in north-east England in August 2002 in County
Durham (VC 66) at Wingate (NZ4037) and Waldridge Fell (NZ2449), the latter the
most northerly British record. It has also been found in this county at Billingham
(NZ4623), Tursdale (NZ3135) and Favordale, Darlington (NZ2816) in 2003.

Hydrophilidae
Enochrus melanocephalus (Olivier)

Initially recorded in County Durham from Brinkburn Pond, Darlington (NZ2816)
in 1986, this species has since been found in other sites in the county at Brasside Pond
(NZ2945) in 1992, at Rainton (NZ3248), Tursdale (NZ3135) and Hylton, Sunder-
land (NZ3658) in 2002, at Cowpen Bewley (NZ4825) and Billingham (NZ4623) in
2003 and at Quarrington (NZ3337) in 2004. It has also been found in south
Northumberland (VC 67) just north of Whitley Bay (NZ3575) in 2003 and at Small
Burn (NY9480) and Ellington (NZ2793) in 2004, the latter the most northerly British
record.

Laccobius sinuatus Motschulsky

Eyre et al. (1985) reported this species from Stargate (NZ1663, VC 66) in 1981 and
there were further records in County Durham from New Herrington (NZ3353) in
1991 and Chilton Moor (NZ3248) in 2000. Recent recording has generated more
records in this county from Wingate (NZ4037) and Black Hurworth (NZ4134) in
2002 and North Gare (NZ5327), Murton (NZ4046) and Tursdale (NZ3135) in 2003.
It was also found at Wallsend (NZ3169) and Cambois (NZ3083), both in south
Northumberland (VC 67), in 2002 but the most northerly British records are from a
mosaic of ponds next to Druridge Bay (NZ2698/2798/2796/2796) in June and July
2002.

DISCUSSION

There is an obvious trend of aquatic invertebrate species spreading northwards in
Britain. The recording of mainly southern British water beetle species in north-east
England, such as Hydroglyphus geminus (F.) in the mid-19th century and Dytiscus
dimidiatus Bergstraesser in 1969 (Eyre & Foster, 1984), indicates that there have been
previous range expansions and contractions. However, the recent distribution
changes across a range of aquatic invertebrate species groups, and with some species
recorded from a considerable number of new sites, appear to show a stronger trend
than those observed previously.

All the species with expanding ranges had similar habitats, except perhaps for the
brackish water snail A. grayana and bug S. stagnalis. The other species were all
recorded from relatively open, permanent ponds with vegetated edges and open

222 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

water. There were differences in the extent and coverage of vegetation in the pond
edges but the edges tended to be relatively open with considerable bare substratum.
Another common factor was that a number of the sites were relatively new and the
product of land reclamation or construction for leisure activity. There appears to
have been a change away from the pattern of lowland freshwater habitat removal
with the provision of these new water bodies, at least in north-east England. The
ponds at Tursdale are small square fishing ponds, those at Big Waters and
Silksworth the product of deep mine reclamation and those next to Druridge Bay an
exercise in wetland habitat construction following opencast coal extraction. As
Merritt et a/. (1996) pointed out, the reclamation of mining sites has produced new
ponds and lakes and therefore new aquatic invertebrate habitats.

Houghton ef a/. (1996) predicted increasing British temperatures and there has
been much recent work on invertebrate species distribution change relative to British
temperatures, especially on butterflies (e.g. Hill et a/., 2002). Other work based on the
data in national recording schemes has concentrated on the potential effects of
temperature rise on distribution change, with, for instance, work with dragonfly and
hoverfly species (Eversham & Cooper, 1998; Morris & Ball, 2005). There are
considerable problems in using phytophagous invertebrate species as monitors of
environmental change because of restricted habitat availability, as Hill et a/. (2002)
pointed out for butterflies. It 1s possible that predator and scavenging species such as
water beetles and dragonflies will be more suitable for assessing environmental
change, given sufficient water bodies. The recording of so many aquatic species with
expanding northern ranges is in line with observations on other invertebrate groups.
The relatively comprehensive coverage of Britain by such recording schemes as those
for dragonflies and water beetles, and the ease of sampling and generation of
distribution data, mean that observed changes in aquatic invertebrate species
distribution patterns are likely to reflect ongoing environmental change.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors would like to thank Garth Foster for information on the present
knowledge of water beetle species distribution.

REFERENCES

Eversham, B.C. & Cooper, J.M. 1998. Dragonfly species-richness and temperature: national
patterns and latitude trends in Britain. Odonatologica 27: 307-316.

Eyre, M.D., Ball, S.G. & Foster, G.N. 1985. An Atlas of the Water Beetles of Northumberland
and County Durham. Hancock Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Eyre, M.D., Ball, S.G. & Foster, G.N. 1986. An initial classification of the habitats of aquatic
Coleoptera in north-east England. Journal of Applied Ecology 23: 841-852.

Eyre, M.D. & Foster, G.N. 1984. A revision of the aquatic Coleoptera of Northumberland and
County Durham. Entomologist’s Gazette 35: 111—135.

Eyre, M.D. & Foster, G.N. 1989. A comparison of aquatic Heteroptera and Coleoptera
communities as a basis for environmental assessments in static water sites. Journal of
Applied Entomology 108: 355-362.

Hill, J.K., Thomas, C.D., Fox, R., Telfer, M.G., Willis, S.G., Asher, J., & Huntley, B. 2002.
Responses of butterflies to twentieth century climate warming: implications for future
ranges. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B— Biological Sciences 269: 2163—
2071

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 223

Houghton, J.T., Meira Filho, L.G., Callander, B.A., Harris, N., Kattenberg, A. & Maskell, K.
(eds) 1996. Climate Change 1995: the science of climate change. Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge.

Huxley, T. 2003. Provisional atlas of the British aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera).
Biological Records Centre, Huntingdon.

Kerney, M. 1999. Atlas of the land and freshwater molluscs of Britain and Ireland. Harley Books,
Colchester.

Merritt, R., Moore, N.W. & Eversham, B.C. 1996. Atlas of the dragonflies of Britain and Ireland.
HMSO, London.

Morris, R.K.A. & Ball, S.G. 2005. Sixty years of Volucella zonaria (Poda) (Diptera: Syrphidae)
in Britain. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 17: 217-227.

SHORT COMMUNICATION

A contribution to the distribution of Zicrona caerulea (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
in Scotland.— The small bright blue plant-bug, Zicrona caerulea (L.) is unlikely to be
overlooked-—or is it? Its distribution seems to be poorly documented. In spite of
Southwood and Leston (1956, Land and Water Bugs of the British Isles) giving the
distribution of Z. caerulea as “‘most areas of Britain’, and both Bedwell
(Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 81 (1945), 253-273) and Massee (ibid. 91
(1955), 7-27) recording the species from “Scotland”, we can find only a single
Scottish locality recorded in the literature viz. I. Patterson reported larvae on
bramble near Ayton (VC81, Berwickshire), 14.vii1.1961 (see McNeill, History of the
Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club 36 (2) (1963[1964]), 175-183). In spite of this the
National Museums of Scotland’s collections contain a number of specimens from
Scottish localities, namely:

VC73 ~~ ~=Gatehouse of Fleet, vi.1946 (D. E. McK. Kevan coll.)
VC82 = Garvald, 2.vui.1951 (A. Clarke coll.)

VC83 ~~ Edinburgh, pre-1858 (R. K. Greville coll.)

VC85 _—_— Kinross, 12.vii.1940 (D. E. McK. Kevan coll.)

VC89 ~~ Kirkmichael, 16.vi1.1937 (R. W. Brown coll.)

VC90_——s Tarfside, 13.vi.1958 (T. Huxley coll.)

VC96 Newtonmore, vi.1903 (J. E. Black coll.)

To these can be added further records by the authors, namely:

VC79 ~~ Williamshope, 29.v.1994 (K.P.B.)
VC86 Dunmore Moss, 3 & 4.vili.1982 (R.M.L.)
VC89 Lower slopes of Beinn a’Ghlo, 29.vi.1986 (R.M.L.)

The species is thus widely distributed throughout the southern half of Scotland but is
always very local. K. P. BLAND, National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh EH1
1JF and R. M. LySZKOwsKI, “Glenwood”, 57 Henderson Street, Bridge of Allan,
Stirling FK9 4HG

224 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Nomada signata Jurine (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Wales.— Nomada signata is a
cleptoparasite of the common mining bee Andrena fulva (Miller). Nesting of the host
occurs in light soils in warm and sunny situations, particularly along well trodden
paths, on lawns and other short cropped or sparsely vegetated areas. The host, A.
fulva, is particularly common in parks and other suburban areas but it would appear
that N. signata does not favour these situations (Falk, 1991; Fowles, 1996).

In the past, N. signata was rare but widespread in the southern half of Britain
being recorded from eighteen vice-counties, but in recent times it has become very
rare and is accorded RDB2 status. Both Falk (1991) and Fowles (1996) refer to only
three post-1970 records for this species, Falk stating ‘“‘This species has declined
greatly, with post-1970 records confined to three sites in S. Hampshire, Herefordshire
and Glamorganshire’’. However, the decline, though alarming, may not be as great
as Falk and Fowles intimate as it has been recorded from several other vice-counties
(M. Edwards pers. comm.). Certainly this is the case for south Wales with a number
of recently reported occurrences.

In Wales, N. signata has to date, only been recorded from Monmouthshire (ve 35)
and Glamorganshire (vc 41) with the greatest concentration of records from suburban
areas in the Cardiff district. The species was first recorded from Wales around 1897
by R. C. L. Perkins at Raglan Vicarage in Monmouthshire. It was further recorded
from this county at Abergavenny on the 15.v.1992 by Robert Paxton. Paxton also
recorded it from Bute Park, Cardiff on the 5.v.1987 and again on the 21.v.1987. He
again recorded the species in the Cardiff district on the 1.v.1988 and 18.11.1993, the
latter record from a suburban garden. During 2002, numerous visits were made to
Bute Park by the author but only a single male N. signata was recorded, though its
host was very common. On the 4.v.2002 the author was recording aculeates on the
mountainside above the village of Cwmbach near Aberdare, Glamorgan, when he
took a male and female of this species flying among Erica and Vaccinium in company
with Bombus monticola Smith and Andrena wilkella (Kirby). Its host at this site must
be very scarce and localised as I have recorded within this area for over ten years and
have never seen it. The full set of Welsh records is summarised in the table below.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to R. Paxton, Zoologisches Institut,
Universitat Tiibingen, for sending his records of this species and to M. Edwards for
his comments on the subject.—P. M. PAveETT, Department of Biodiversity &
Systematic Biology, National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Cardiff CF10 3NP.

REFERENCES
Falk, S. 1991. A review of the scarce and threatened bees, wasps and ants of Great Britain.
Research and Survey in Nature Conservation. No. 35.
Fowles, A. P. 1996. A provisional checklist of the invertebrates recorded from Wales. 2. Aculeate
wasps, bees and ants (Hymenoptera: Aculeata). Nature Conservancy Council, UK

Summary of Welsh Records

39 Raglan Vicarage S040 c. 1897 R. C. L. Perkins
35 Sugar Loaf Mt, Abergavenny SO277180 I'5.v.1992 R. Paxton

4] Bute Park, Cardiff ST171778 7.V.1987 R. Paxton

4] Bute Park, Cardiff ST171778 21.v.1987 R. Paxton

4] Cardiff ST 197777 1.v.1988 R. Paxton

4] Cardiff, Cathays ST 178787 18.11.1993 R. Paxton

4] Bute Park, Cardiff ST173777 3.v.2002 P. M. Pavett

4] Cwmbach, mountain S$O027032 4.v.2002 P. M. Pavett

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 225

BOOK REVIEWS

The Moths of Essex. By B. Goodey. (Lopinga Books, 2004). 362 pp. Softback £19.75.
ISBN 0-9530362-5-1.

The book contains an appreciation of the late A. Maitland Emmet followed by
chapters on Essex and its moths, Fisher’s Estuarine moth—an Essex speciality,
Recent population trends— the view from my garden, Long term moth-monitoring at
Writtle College, Introducing the species accounts, Species accounts, Species excluded
from the species accounts, Recorders plus references and a species index. All of the
guest chapters are interesting to read and that by Dr Ringwood summarising the
findings from her PhD thesis research into the ecology of Fisher’s Estuarine moth
(Gortyna borellii ssp. lunata Freyer) is particularly informative and well written. The
main part of the work is the distribution maps and related data.

With some 1,849 species to cover, there is necessarily a trade-off between the
amount of detail that can be included and the size of the resultant book. The author
opted to use maps and minimalist text summarised under four icons representing
larval food-plant, habitat, status and flight time. For the very rarest taxa the records
are given. The maps show dots for the distribution from 1990 onwards and the
10-km squares are shaded to show the historical range with light shading
representing pre-1960 and dark shading for 1960-1989. In general, I thought this
worked rather well. The dots themselves are at tetrad level for the macros and 5-km
for micros, reflecting the usually smaller data sets. The maps for micros were thus
smaller (27 mm long) than those for macros (43 mm long). From my experience (in
Kent) a few species of micros, and most of the Pyrales, have a reasonable number of
records and I would like to have seen some of these at tetrad level rather than
slavishly follow a formula, even at the price of loss of uniformity. The dots
themselves were of three types to indicate the number of underlying records. This is
an important issue and it is pleasing to see it tackled. The results however, especially
with the very small maps but even at tetrad level, took some getting used to. With
practice the maps could be interpreted but the overall effect was to confuse with too
much detail. Where there was enough data, the phenology was shown as a vertical
graph beside the distribution map and the flight icon omitted. I greatly appreciated
this but found the vertical format a positive irritation. Worse still, when turned
sideways, the dates ran backwards from December to January. With some small
adaptations, this general idea could well prove popular and be adopted more widely.

Most of the macros, and a proportion of the micros, are illustrated with black and
white photographs of the imago in life, all bar one from Essex examples. The greatest
failing in the work is that the names have been switched in far too many instances
(Six-striped Rustic/Gothic on page 277, Bright-line Brown-eye/Clay on page 288,
Angle Shades/Olive on page 308, Dunbar/Lesser-spotted Pinion on page 309 to
mention but a few). These should be glaringly obvious to most entomologists —
including the proofreaders!—but could cause confusion to general readers. A few
photographs were either not of the most typical form or possibly incorrect. I do not
see the point of pictures for the macros, as good colour illustrations are available in
other works (e.g. Skinner, 1998; Waring & Townsend, 2003). With the micros, there
is some point in illustrating a few as they are not covered by any single work and
fewer people are familiar with them. The illustration of Coleophora follicularis
(Vallot) on page 89 is clearly of a larval case, but this is not stated anywhere, and the
details are well separated being given on page 95. Even then, no distinguishing
features of this rare species are mentioned.

226 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

With confidence in the proofreading challenged by the photograph captions, it was
worrying to notice a few funny quirks in the species accounts. For example, the larval
food-plant of the Black-veined Moth is given as ““unknown*” on page 245. It has
clearly been established that it uses Marjoram, etc. and says so on page 187 of
Waring & Townsend; the **” indicates that Essex data were not available so
standard textbooks had been consulted, but evidently not in this instance. It was
pleasing to see the “‘unconfirmed” species treated in a separate section rather than
confuse the picture with numerous records of clearly doubtful authenticity. Some
mention of these doubtful records is essential lest others think they have been over-
looked rather than discarded but treating them in the same manner as valid records
gives a distorted picture. It is a pity that compilers of checklists do not follow similar
conventions. Scientific names are included in the index with the genus first but many
lepidopterists remember far more specific names than generic ones so this proved
tedious. Given that the best part of 1,900 species of Lepidoptera were covered, it
seems a little odd to omit 50 or so day-flying specialist species just because they are
called butterflies.

Overall, I liked the work and think it useful. It has made a brave and innovative, if
not wholly successful, attempt to push out the boundaries a little on mapping data
but I would have cheerfully dispensed with the photographs, especially of the
macros, and used the space created to give a little more interpretation. For this you
have to go back to the earlier, and now out of date The Smaller Moths of Essex
(Emmet, 1981) and The Larger Moths and Butterflies of Essex (Emmet et al., 1985).
The latter publication, despite its title, also contains an update on the micros.

IAN FERGUSON

REFERENCES

Emmet, A.M. 1981. The smaller moths of Essex. 158 pp. Essex Field Club.

Emmet, A.M., Pyman, G.A. & Corke, D. 1985. The larger moths and butterflies of Essex. 90 pp.
Essex Field Club.

Skinner, B. 1998. The colour identification guide to moths of the British Isles. 276 pp. Viking,
London.

Waring, P. & Townsend, M. 2003. Field guide to the moths of Great Britain and Ireland. 432 pp.
British Wildlife Publishing, Hook.

The Auchenorrhyncha of Central Europe. Volume 1: Fulgoromorpha, Cicadomorpha
excl. Cicadellidae by W.E. Holzinger, I. Kammerlander & H. Nickel. (Brill NV,
Leiden, 2003). 673pp. Hardback £99.00. ISSN 1570-775X.

This is the first of three planned volumes on the taxonomy of the Auchenor-
rhyncha (leafhoppers and planthoppers) of central Europe and is a valuable addition
to the literature since the keys published by Haupt (1935) and Melichar (1896). All
British species are covered in the text. Unlike its predecessors this treatise is
published in two languages, with each page divided vertically, English on the left and
German on the right-hand side. This format may have resulted in a slight reduction
in the length of the keys and descriptions, but no significant problems leading to
incorrect diagnoses are apparent. Indeed, simplicity in keys is to be applauded and
often of great benefit, since unnecessary time is often spent unravelling the many
either/or combinations of couplets that run to full-length paragraphs.

Keys allow easy identification to the 250 species reported from central and
northern Europe, including the UK. Species identification is helped by 284 superb

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 227

b/w illustrations and 700 colour photographs covering most described species. The
whole-insect colour microphotographs are a novel feature and work pretty well.
Colour plates of butterflies and moths are relatively easy to accomplish by
comparison, as many specimens can be laid out together, and so long as their wings
are In a common plane, one photograph will include as many as 90 individuals in
perfect focus (vis. Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles, B. Skinner,
photographs by David Wilson). This approach is not possible with Auchenor-
rhyncha for the simple reason that most species are relatively small (<< 1 cm) and the
standard mounting procedure involves staging insects on micro-pins with their wings
folded around the body. Each species has therefore been photographed separately,
either dorsally to show body shape and antennal features, or laterally to show
additional face and leg characters. Each plate comprises up to 20 insect images laid
out on a white background. Having whole insect images for the first time is a luxury
which cannot be understated (RES Handbooks have only one whole insect
illustration per book, on the front cover) and with photos of related species
arranged on the same plate it is possible to identify minute morphological differences
between species that cannot be explained easily in words.

Each species account includes the currently recognised scientific name and
authority, synonyms and relevant literature. Body length is given for both
macropterous and brachypterous individuals. Brief ecological and biological data
(time of adult occurrence, overwintering stage, number of generations, hostplants)
are based mainly on Nickel (2003). Distribution maps are in the form of dots for rare
species and shaded areas for more widespread species. The maps are a broad brush
approach, born out of necessity as they cover a large area of Europe, and do not
contain the intriguing detail of dot maps familiar to British entomologists. Perhaps
we will see some more detailed maps in the future, as these undoubtedly act as stimuli
to field entomologists.

This book is obviously an important volume on European Auchenorrhyncha and
is likely to set the standard for many years to come. The authors are to be
congratulated. The authors consider conservation to be important and at the end of
the book provide a complete listing of common German names for each species. This
need appears to be a common one that crosses national boundaries and I have
succumbed too, naming one rare leafhopper, Colonel Duffield’s Sharpshooter
(Aphrodes duffieldi Le Quesne) albeit somewhat tongue in cheek. At some stage it
would be useful to have a translation of these common names so that we might
consider adopting them in the UK. However I feel confident that fellow
entomologists will continue to converse in perfect Latin for many years to come,
so long as we understand each other’s accents.

JOHN BADMIN

Night visions: the secret designs of moths by Joseph Scheer. (Prestel Publishing,
London, 2003). 120pp. Hard cover £29.99. ISBN 3-7913-2968-5.

Most of the books reviewed in this journal fall into the category of purely
scientific, as by one means or another they assist us in identifying or understanding
more about the insects we are interested in. We take for granted that insects are
fabulously beautiful or totally weird — we just love studying them. From time to time
those with an artistic bent turn their attention to the world of insects and fall in love
too. The Royal Entomological Society recently promoted a show “Insects and Art”
at Plymouth University which attracted large audiences and may tour the U.K.

228 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Artists in residence showed how insect shapes could be incorporated in modern
designs. Insects come in a fantastically amazing range of shapes and colours, largely
unseen and unappreciated by most of mankind.

Professor Scheer’s book is a testament to the beauty of moths. His journey started
when his Department of Electronic Art at Alfred University, New York received a
high resolution Creo scanner and an Iris printer, designed for high quality
commercial colour printing (86 x 117cm prints). Once set up and prompted with
the words “‘ready to scan’, he panicked a little and then his eyes alighted on a small
genat flying round a potted plant, which he captured and scanned at maximum
resolution. Even though it was a fly he was amazed by the metallic pearlescent wings,
microstructure of the compound eyes and arrangement of body hairs. His interest
soon expanded to include other insect Orders and finally moths. This book contains
over 200 fine art prints of North American moths of stunning beauty (some extend
over two pages — one metre in width).Even a tiny plume moth Geina tenuidactyla is in
perfect focus at >40cm diameter (x40) showing the minutest details of wing
sculpturing and microtrichia arrangements. The author has now extended his
interests to studying moth biodiversity and cataloguing photographically moths
found in his native land. This is a book to enjoy and browse through from time to
time, to remind yourself just how lucky you are to be an entomologist.

JOHN BADMIN

The Insects. An Outline of Entomology (3rd edition) by P.J. Gullan & P.S. Cranston.
(Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, 2005). 505 pp. Hardback £29.99. ISBN 1-4051-1113-5.

Whilst I cherish my “General Textbook of Entomology by O.W. Richards and
R.G. Davies’, as my bible on insects, I have to admit this new textbook is a superb
replacement for learning entomological facts. All aspects of insect biology are
covered including anatomy, physiology, taxonomy, development, behaviour and
ecology. Written in an accessible style, the book includes boxes highlighting key
themes, suggestions for further reading, and is extensively illustrated with wonderful
drawings by Hansen McInnes. The relatively few colour plates are of very high
quality.

This third edition contains new chapters on insect phylogeny and evolution, a
systematic review of the ‘new’ Order Mantophasmatodea, and successful strategies
for insect conservation. Insects are not merely names to be crossed of recording
cards, there is a lot to learn about the biology of what is the dominant form of life on
earth and this is a very useful book to begin the study of entomology. This remains
the standard text.

J. S. BADMIN

THE SOCIETY’S BUILDING MANAGER

We are sorry to report that David Wedd has had to resign from the post of
Building Manager because he has moved to the Channel Islands. After three years in
this post, in the course of which he has done a magnificent job, we are sure that
members will join the Council in thanking David and wishing him well in his new
location.

The Society is now seeking a member who can take over the duties of manager of
the Pelham-Clinton Building at Dinton Pastures Country Park near Reading. The
basic duties are, (1) making regular inspections of the building to ensure that all
services are functioning correctly, (11) opening the building for maintenance of the air
conditioning and alarm systems (two planned visits each per year) and for meter
reading, (iil) keeping the interior of the building clean and tidy and ensuring a supply
of consumable items, (iv) liaising with the staff of the Country Park, (v) attending the
Society’s Council meetings. In addition it would be helpful if the Building Manager
was able to be one of the official keyholders (to be able to open the building at the
request of the Emergency Services) and could, at times convenient to him/her, open
the building for members wishing to visit the Library and Collections other than on
Open Days. The Building Manager is assisted in all these duties by other members.
The Building Manager is an Officer of the Society and a member of the Society’s
Council. A benefit of the post is that the holder has access to the Society’s Library
and Collections at all times.

Ideally the Building Manager would be retired or self-employed, as visits during
working hours are required, and live within 20 minutes travelling time of Dinton
Pastures. If members were interested in sharing the job with others, this could be
arranged. If you wish to know more or would be interested in becoming Building
Manager then please contact the Honorary Secretary, Dr John Muggleton, 17
Chantry Road, Wilton, Salisbury, SP2 OLT, tel. 01722 741487 or email
Jmuggleton@aol.com.

CORRIGENDUM

Re: Lin, Y.-C., James, R. & Dolman, P. M. (2005) Are pitfalls biased? A comparison of
carabid composition from pitfall trapping and hand searching in forest habitats. The
British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 18: 17-25.

In the footnotes of Table 1 and Table 2 of the above paper, the first author wrote
“(*) species with British distribution mainly restricted to Breckland, according to
Collier (1995) and Luff (pers. comm.)”. This remark on the carabid species UK
distribution is incorrect due to my misreading the report by Collier (1995) and
miscommunication with Dr Luff. The five species denoted with (*) in the Tables were
described as having “‘strong association with dry grassland heath in Breckland, based
on Norfolk records but also found in other suitable habitats” [i.e. elsewhere in UK]
in the report by Collier (1995). I wish to offer my sincere apologies to Mr M. Collier
and Dr M. Luff for my mistake and also to the readers of the journal for any
confusion caused by the footnotes.

YING-CHI LIN

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES |
MAINE
3 9088 01176 6102
BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY
VOLUME 18, PART 3, SEPTEMBER 2005

ARTICLES

159. Hypseloecus visci (Puton) (Hemiptera: Miridae) a mistletoe bug new to Britain. D. GipBs &
B. NAU

163. Homonotus sanguinolentus (Fab.) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): some recent records and
observations from the New Forest, Hampshire. B. J. PINCHEN

165 The invertebrate assemblage of some arable fields in West Cornwall: a mismatch between
invertebrate and plant conservation prioritisation. K. N. A. ALEXANDER .

213 The Aculeate Hymenoptera of Horton National Nature Reserve, Gower, West Wales.
P. M. PAVETT

219 Expanding northern ranges of aquatic invertebrate species: a possible effect of climate change?
M. D. Eyre, J. C. WOODWARD AND M. L. LUFF

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

162 Lasius brunneus (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Monmouthshire.
K. N. A. ALEXANDER

223 A contribution to the distribution of Zicrona caerulea (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in
Scotland. K. P. BLAND & R. M. LYSZKOwWSKI

224 Nomada signata Jurine (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Wales. P. M. PAVETT

PROCEEDINGS & TRANSACTIONS/SOCIETY NEWS
171 2004 Annual Exhibition, Imperial College, London SW7—13 November 2004.

171 British butterflies 208 Hymenoptera
175 British Macrolepidoptera 210 Hymenoptera
183 British Microlepidoptera 211 Dictyoptera
189 Foreign Lepidoptera 212 Trichoptera

197 Diptera
201 Coleoptera
157 President’s Profile: Dr Mark Telfer, BENHS President 2005-2006
158 Changes to Subscription Rates
158 The Cribb Award
ibc The Society’s Building Manager

212 General

REVIEWS

170 Living Jewels by P. Beckmann. J. BADMIN

218 The Black Flies (Simuliidae) of North America by P. H. Adler, D. C. Currie & D. M. Wood.
R. A. CHEKE

225. The Moths of Essex by B. Goodey. I. FERGUSON

226 The Auchenorrhyncha of Central Europe. Volume 1: Fulgoromorpha, Cicadomorpha excl.
Cicadellidae by W.E. Holzinger, I. Kammerlander & H. Nickel. J. BADMIN

7 Night Visions: The Secret Designs of Moths by J. Scheer. J. BADMIN

22
228 The Insects. An Outline of Entomology (3rd edition) by P.J. Gullan & P.S. Cranston.
J.S. BADMIN

CORRIGENDUM
ibc Re: Lin, Y.-C., James, R. & Dolman, P. M. (2005). YING-CHI LIN

December 2005 ISSN 0952-7583 Vol. 18, Part 4

att

BSD ARK”
=) i

BRITISH JOURNAL OF

ENTOMOLOGY

AND NATURAL HISTORY

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY
Published by the British Entomological and Natural History Society
and incorporating its Proceedings and Transactions

Editor: J. S. Badmin, Coppice Place, Perry Wood, Selling, nr Faversham, Kent ME13 9RB (Tel:
01227 752291) email: jbadmin@pbtinternet.com
Associate Editor: M. Wilson, Ph.D., F.R.E.S., F.L.S. Department of Biodiversity & Systematic
Biology, National Museums & Galleries of Wales, Cardiff CF10 3NP. (Tel: 02920 573263)
email: Mike. Wilson@nmgw.ac.uk

Editorial Committee:

D. J. L. Agassiz, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.E.S. T. G. Howarth, B.E.M., F.R.E.S.
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P. J. Hodge B. K. West, B.Ed.

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BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 229

MISCOPHUS BICOLOR JURINE (HYMENOPTERA:
CRABRONIDAE), A WASP NEW TO BRITAIN

ADRIAN P. KNOWLES! AND GEORGE R. ELSE?

'12, Blackbrook Road, Great Horkesley, Colchester, Essex CO6 4TL;
*Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road,
London SW7 SBD.

ABSTRACT

Richards (1980) includes only two species of sphecid wasp within the genus
Miscophus as having been recorded from the British Isles. This paper records a third,
M. bicolor Jurine, as new to the British list. A key to allow for the separation of the
three British species is presented.

MISCOPHUS BICOLOR JURINE, 1807, IN BRITAIN

During the summer of 2003, A. Knowles paid a series of visits to Maidscross Hill
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), vice county West Suffolk, at the request of
Forest Heath District Council, to gather base-line data on the aculeate Hymenoptera
to be found there. Maidscross Hill is a renowned botanical site located at Ordnance
Survey grid reference TL 7282 adjacent to Lakenheath village and the American
airbase at RAF Lakenheath. The site comprises a gravel-topped hill, with chalk
coming to the surface in places, as is typical in the Brecks. It supports many
Breckland grassland specialities, such as the plants Sand Catchfly Silene conica,
Spanish Catchfly S. otites, Sand Cat’s-tail Phleum arenarium and Wild Grape
Hyacinth Muscari neglectum. Many of these plants grow on hummocky,
sparsely vegetated ground associated with old gravel-extraction operations,
providing conditions that ought to also favour ground-nesting aculeate
Hymenoptera.

The most threatened British insects were originally listed in a national Red Data
Book (usually shortened to RDB) by Shirt (1987), noting species as being
Endangered (RDB1), Vulnerable (RDB2) or Rare (RDB3). Revisions to the statuses
of the Hymenoptera were subsequently proposed by Falk (1991), including
assessments of less threatened Nationally Scarce species. Preliminary results from
this present survey suggest that a diverse and important aculeate fauna does indeed
exist at Maidscross Hill, with records for several such Red Data Book or Nationally
Scarce species, namely:

Chrysis gracillima Forster, Red Data Book category 2 (Vulnerable), a new county
record.

Andrena alfkenella R.C.L. Perkins, RDB3 (Rare).

Cerceris quinquefasciata (Rossi), RDB3 (Rare); a national Biodiversity Action Plan
species and a subject of English Nature’s Species Recovery Programme.

Halictus confusus Smith, RDB3 (Rare).

Colletes marginatus F. Smith, listed as RDB3 (Rare) in Shirt (1987) but proposed as
Nationally Scarce (Na) in Falk (1991).

Oxybelus argentatus Curtis, proposed as Nationally Scarce (Na) (Falk, 1991).
Megachile dorsalis Perez and Osmia bicolor (Schrank), both proposed Nationally
Scarce (Nb) (Falk, 1991).

230 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

On 9 July 2003 numerous aculeates were collected, including material from
temporary pan traps. Not until the specimens were taken away for determination
was it seen that the catch included a large female Miscophus with prominent orange-
red markings on the gaster. Reference to Richards (1980) indicated that the only
British Miscophus in which the female has red abdominal segments is M. concolor
Dahlbom, but the specimen clearly did not match this species in terms of size, the
extent of red on the abdomen, wing venation and also details of propodeal
sculpturing. The specimen was suggested to be Miscophus bicolor Jurine by P.
Harvey, a view which was supported by G.R. Else at the Natural History Museum,
London (NHML) and finally confirmed by Professor S. Gayubo of the University of
Salamanca in Spain, to whom our thanks are due.

CHECKLIST OF THE BRITISH SPECIES OF MISCOPHUS

The following checklist provides a revision to that given in Richards (1980).
Miscophus Jurine, 1807
ater Lepeletier, 1845
maritimus, F. Smith, 1858
bicolor Jurine, 1807
concolor Dahlbom, 1844
bicolor, F. Smith, 1858 misident.

IDENTIFICATION OF MISCOPHUS BICOLOR

Superficially, both sexes of M. bicolor show similarities to M. concolor females, in
that the gaster has a greater or lesser degree of orange/red coloration, whereas the
gaster of M. concolor males is generally at best orange-brown or even only orange-
brown marked basally. In M. ater Lepeletier the gaster is entirely black in both sexes.
However, M. bicolor is generally larger than M. concolor and there are differences in
the proportions of the size of the second cubital cell in relation to its petiole and also
in the sculpturing of the dorsal surface of the propodeum. Bitsch ef al. (2001)
separate M. concolor from M. bicolor (along with other species not found in Britain)
using several characters, including differences in the puncturation of the
mesopleuron but reference to the collection of these species held at the NHML
suggested that this feature was difficult to discern and discriminate between,
especially with poorly mounted or old specimens. Dollfuss (1991) also uses this
mesopleuron character, along with the relative length of the petiole of the second
submarginal cell in relation to the height of that cell. Differences in the sculpturing of
the dorsal surface of the propodeum are also noted. Examination of the material at
the NHML suggests that the submarginal cell and its petiole is a reliable character,
even though the precise ratio between the two is quite variable and care needs to be
taken to examine both wings. However, for the British species, the sculpturing of the
dorsum of the propodeum is suggested as a clear and easy discriminator between
M. concolor and M. bicolor.

The following is presented as a key for the British species of Miscophus, based on
the material held at the NHML. Characters for M. bicolor females are taken from the
Lakenheath specimen, but confirmation of these characters, and also those for males,
is based upon continental material, mainly from France, Israel and Eastern Europe.
The authors would welcome comments based on reference collections elsewhere in
the country, particularly concerning other specimens of M. bicolor that might have
gone previously unnoticed.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 231

7) BLES aE GAS) Ae Wom Le i ne a Og ee ee 2
Seen rece ey eye, ies eye al eae ean Sew eben oR eee Mates @ Bebe 4
Pago nibeastraltercites Clack? 97 02. Bites A YO Ge OS on Hi wee OBES ater
Syevrt least hrst castral tereite-orange-red . «6... os ks ow ee ea dee ees 3

3. ~Dorsal surface of propodeum with slightly oblique but essentially longitudinal
ridges predominating, occasionally with weak lateral branches (Fig. la). Petiole
of second submarginal generally roughly equal to, or slightly longer than, the
height of the cell (Fig. 1b) (check both wings). First, and usually the second
Sasthar cervites,. Oranee-red In COlOUL \) s.0c) ae ae wd Oa oe a ee concolor

— Dorsal surface of propodeum with strong transverse or widely oblique ridges,
with short, irregular but strong lateral branches, giving an overall coarse
reticulate appearance (Fig. Ic). Petiole of second submarginal usually distinctly
shorter than the height of the cell (Fig. 1d). First three and occasionally the
fourth gastral tergites marked with orange-red................. bicolor

RIAA kee SB os Sa eee aes dent OLA tee aR a! Stem cee, ate hay eee bicolor

— At most, the first gastral tergite orange-brown, occasionally only thus coloured
at the base close to the gaster articulation with the propodeum. Otherwise,
PUStCMENUNClY DlACK a4 oko ew weed Seas Bie eel at, AS et at 5

Figure 1. (a) Miscophus concolor 2, propodeal dorsum; (b) Miscophus concolor 2, venation of
forewing, showing long petiole of second submarginal cell; (c) Miscophus bicolor 2, propodeal
dorsum; (d) Miscophus bicolor 2, venation of forewing: note shorter petiole of second
submarginal cell.

tO
Ww
bo

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

5 Gaster entirely black. [Upper frons surrounding and in front of the anterior
ocellus very densely punctate so that they are generally separated by ridges, with
faintly reticulate interstices]... 22 20 63-0. 24 ee eee oe ater

— Gaster often with some orange-brown coloration on the first tergite, although
this may be much reduced. [Upper frons surrounding and in front of anterior
ocellus less densely punctate, so that the punctures are separated by narrow but
distinctly flattened, smooth and shiny interstices] .............. concolor

EUROPEAN CONTEXT

The NHML has specimens of M. bicolor from France, Spain, Austria, Switzer-
land, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Turkey, Bulgaria and Sicily. Bitsch et al. (2001) add
Iran, Syria and Kazakhstan, whilst Dollfuss (1991) notes its presence also in north
Africa, from Algeria. Bitsch et al. show the species to be quite widely distributed
across France, but it would appear that this species is, if native to Britain, at the
extreme northwestern edge of its range in Europe.

ADDENDUM

On July 12th 2005 Adrian Knowles re-visited Maidscross Hill in an attempt to
establish whether or not the wasp was still present on the site. Using small yellow
plate pan-traps and hand-netting it soon became apparent that a healthy and
widespread population was present, with 13 males and 3 females being collected in
only 2 hours, with many more individuals being seeing but not taken. It would
therefore appear that this wasp is at the very least well established if not a long-
overlooked native species.

It appeared to favour moderately steep (at least 45 degree) slopes with a southerly
aspect and sparse vegetation cover, principally Sheep’s Sorrel Rumex acetosella and
small tufts of grasses. The majority of the specimens observed were males, moving
over the ground in a rather agitated manner, rather reminiscent of a pompilid wasp,
although readily taking to the air when disturbed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank Professor S.F. Gayubo of Salamanca, Spain for
confirming the identity of the specimen and also B. Pinchen for providing the
illustrations.

REFERENCES

Bitsch, J., Dollfuss, H., Boucek, Z., Schmidt, K., Schmid-Egger, C., Gayubo, S.F., Antropov,
A.V. & Barbier, Y. 2001. Hyménopteres Sphecidae D’Europe Occidentale Vol. 3. Faune de
France, France et Regions Limitrophes 86: 1-459.

Dollfuss, H. 1991. Bestimmungsschliissel der Grabwespen Nord- und Zentraleuropas
(Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) mit speziellen Angaben zur Grabwespenfauna Oesterreichs.
Stapfia 24: 1-247.

Falk, S. J. 1991. A review of the scarce and threatened bees, wasps and ants of Great Britain.
Research and Survey in Nature Conservation, No. 35. Peterborough: Nature Conservancy
Council.

Richards, O.W. 1980. Scolioidea, Vespoidea and Sphecoidea, Hymenoptera, Aculeata,
Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Vol. 6, Part 3(b), Royal Entomological
Society of London, London.

Shirt, D.B. (Ed.) 1987. Insects. British Red Data Books, 2. Nature Conservancy Council,
Peterborough.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 233

THE HEMIPTERA OF BRACKNELL AS AN EXAMPLE OF
BIODIVERSITY WITHIN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

ALVIN J. HELDEN! AND SIMON R. LEATHER?

'Dept of Environmental Resource Management, Faculty of Agri-Food and the Environment,
University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland (alvin.helden@ucd.ie )
*Dept of Biological Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot,
Berkshire, SLS 7PY, UK (s.leather(ic.ac.uk )

ABSTRACT

There is a relative lack of information regarding the biodiversity of arthropods
within urban areas. In this study an initial assessment was made of the species
richness of Hemiptera on roundabouts within the town of Bracknell. Hemiptera were
collected from grassland using suction sampling and from arboreal habitats using a
tree beating technique. Comparison of species-richness estimators indicated that the
Jack-knife 1 was the best suited for this system. A total of 138 species was recorded,
although comparison of estimated and observed species-richness indicated that 52
more species may have been present but un-recorded. An additional 49 species,
recorded at other times, are known from the town, giving an known species richness
of 187. Overall, even with relatively limited sampling, it is estimated that Bracknell
supports at least 20% of the UK’s Hemiptera species.

INTRODUCTION

With the exception of work on synanthropic pest species, the study of insects and
other arthropods within urban environments has been a relatively neglected area of
study, despite the large and ever increasing size of such areas (Davis, 1976; McIntyre,
2000; McIntyre ef al., 2001). Those studies that have been published have reported
that considerable insect biodiversity exists within towns and cities (Davis, 1976, 1978;
Zapparoli, 1997; McIntyre, 2000).

Urban areas consist of a heterogenous mixture of habitat types such as buildings,
transport infrastructure, parks, gardens and unused areas sometimes referred to as
waste ground (Owen & Owen, 1975; Zapparoli, 1997; McIntyre, 2000). These of
course vary in their species richness and diversity, and the overall balance between
land use types has an important effect on the relative biodiversity of different parts of
urban areas (Davis, 1978; McIntyre, 2000). Within each habitat or habitat patch
many factors have been suggested as important in determining the relative species
richness and diversity including the levels of isolation and fragmentation, manage-
ment practices, disturbance, and habitat type, age, area, diversity and connectivity,
as well as the characteristics, such as relative mobility, of different taxonomic groups
(Davis, 1976; Davis & Glick, 1978; Zapparoli, 1997; Denys & Schmidt, 1998;
Fernandez-Juricic, 2000; McIntyre, 2000; Savard et a/., 2000; Rudd et al., 2002:
Whitmore et al., 2002).

Species-richness is one of the most important and frequently used measures of
biodiversity (Magurran, 2004). Quantifying the total species-richness of a given study
system is however, frequently difficult and costly. Consequently it is common
practice to employ species-richness estimation methods to gain a measure of the true
species richness from a limited number of replicated samples (Foggo et al., 2003;
Petersen & Meier, 2003; Magurran, 2004). A number of these estimation methods
have been developed, including a range of non-parametric estimators (Colwell &

234 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Y

Figure |. Map of Bracknell showing the position of the 18 sample sites. Roads are shown with
solid lines, the dashed line is a railway, and the dotted lines indicate the outer edge of the urban
area. To the north and west of the town the land use in principally agricultural, while to the
south and east there are large areas of forestry. Sample sites: 1, Baldocks roundabout; 2,
Running Horse roundabout; 3, Eastern Road roundabout; 4, Meteorological Office round-
about; 5, Bracknell Station roundabout; 6, Broad Lane roundabout; 7, Bill Hill; 8, Bracknell
Sports Centre roundabout; 9, Hanworth roundabout; 10, Mill Pond roundabout; 11, Mill Pond
Park; 12, Mill Lane slip road; 13, Downshire Way; 14, Twin Bridges roundabout south; 15,
Twin Bridges roundabout north; 16, The Point roundabout; 17, 3M roundabout; 18, Arlington
roundabout.

Coddington, 1994; Magurran, 2004). Evaluation of the various estimators, using a
variety of taxa, has been equivocal, with different estimators being judged the most
useful in different contexts (Colwell & Coddington, 1994; Condit et al., 1996;
Walther & Morand, 1998; Longino et al., 2002; Foggo et al., 2003).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 239

In this study the species-richness of Hemiptera (Auchenorrhyncha, Heteroptera,
Psylloidea) of roundabouts within the town of Bracknell, England was estimated
using four non-parametric species-richness estimators, Chao 1; Chao 2, Jack-knife 1;
and Jack-knife 2. Hemiptera were chosen as a diverse, abundant and easy to collect
group of insects (Morris, 1971; Duelli, ef a/., 1999; Fauvel, 1999), which has been
relatively little studied in urban areas (McIntyre, 2000). The Chao | estimator was
chosen given its overall good performance (Foggo et al., 2003), and Chao 2 and
Jack-knife 1 and 2 have been found to be particularly useful when sampling is limited
(Colwell & Coddington, 1994; Walther & Morand, 1998). Given the time constraints
of the study it was not possible to gain a complete enough inventory of species to
accurately assess the performance of estimators directly, but it was possible to gain
some measure of their relative merit by comparing the estimates from overall and
habitat based samples, and to use the estimates to generate species-area relationships
for comparison with those previously described for the same study system by Helden
& Leather (2004).

METHODS

Bracknell is a town located in southeast England between latitude 51°23’ and
51°26’ N, and longitude 0°43’ and 0°47’ W. It is part of the unitary authority of
Bracknell Forest, which also includes several other smaller settlements, as well as
considerable areas of farmland, heathland and forest. Although a settlement did exist
earlier, it was the New Towns Act of 1946 that led to the great expansion of the town
to its present population of approximately 52000. Despite the urbanisation and
population growth, the development of the town of Bracknell has been managed in
such a way as to preserve several large parkland areas and numerous smaller open
areas, and it has also retained a very large number of trees.

Table 1. Details of the names and locations of the sample sites.

Site number and name Grid reference Area (m7?)
1 Baldocks roundabout SU891689 401
2 Running Horse roundabout SU883691 1962
3 Eastern Road roundabout SU880693 1800
4 Meteorological Office roundabout SU874695 6275
5 Bracknell Station roundabout SU871689 5198
6 Broad Lane roundabout SU871685 4132
7 Bill Hill SU869684 43574
8 Bracknell Sports Centre roundabout SU873677 3866
9 Hanworth roundabout SU863671 ZAGS

10 Mill Pond roundabout SU860678 2050

11 Mill Pond Park SU85968 1 63 681

12 Mill Lane slip road SU858683 7118

13. Downshire Way SU863688 4340

14. Twin Bridges roundabout south SU863690 3268

15S Twin Bridges roundabout north SU863691 2144

16 The Point roundabout SU867693 489

17 3M roundabout SU867695 5016

236 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Figure 2. Mill Pond roundabout (site 10) was typical of many roundabouts, with no pedestrian
access.

1

ue
:

Hj : Wi

Figure 3. Twin Bridges roundabout south (site 14) was representative of several roundabouts
which were sunk below the level of the road and dissected by one or more pedestrian/cycle paths

accessed via subways.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 231],

The study sites were 18 more or less road-enclosed areas, 14 of which were
roundabouts (Fig. 1). These sites were selected as part of a study of species-area
relationships (Helden & Leather, 2004). The four non-roundabout sites were: Bill
Hill (7), an area of woodland and parkland enclosing an ancient monument; Mill
Pond Park (11), which is a park containing a mixture of grassland and woodland
surrounding a large lake; Mill Lane slip road (12), which is an area of grassland
interspersed with mature willow trees (Sa/ix), and which is very like a roundabout as
it is completely surrounded by a major road and a curved slip road; and Downshire
Way (13), a small patch of unused land that has been widely planted with trees but
contains quite a large area of completely unmanaged grassland. Further details of the
sites are shown in Table |. Two typical roundabout sites are illustrated in Figures 2
and 3.

Grassland Hemiptera were sampled between 15 and 17 July 2002, using a Vortis
Insect Suction Sampler (Burkard Manufacturing Co Ltd, Rickmansworth, Herts,
UK) (Arnold, 1994). A five second sample was taken at ten randomly chosen points
on each of either four or eight transects per site, and the total catch from a single
transect was retained as one overall sample. The number of transects was dependent
on the number of management regimes present, with four transects per regime.

Prior to sampling arboreal Hemiptera, the location and species of all trees at the 18
sites, that could be sampled and were not enclosed within larger blocks of woodland,
were recorded. Then at each site between one and four trees of each species were
sampled by vigorously beating part of each tree for five seconds above a sweep net
(45 x 60cm) and then collecting all the adult Hemiptera from the net with a pooter.
All arboreal Hemiptera sampling was done between 13 and 20 July 2002.

In addition to the systematic sampling of grassland and arboreal Hemiptera in the
summer of 2002, a number of additional species were recorded on a more casual
basis between 1996 and 2002. Samples were collected at various times of the year and
from a range of terrestrial habitats including from bushes and various ruderal plants
that were not sampled during the main study.

Insects were identified using Leston & Scudder (1956), Southwood & Leston
(1959), Wagner & Weber (1964), Le Quesne (1960, 1965, 1969), Le Quesne & Payne
(1981), Hodkinson & White (1979), Ossiannilsson (1981), Miller (2001) and Nau
(2002b), and are listed according to Hodkinson & White (1979), Le Quesne & Payne
(1981) and Nau (2002a).

Maximum species estimates were made by calculating the Chao 1, Chao 2,
Jack-knife 1 and Jack-knife 2 species richness estimators, using EstimateS version
6.0b1 (Colwell, 2001). Overall Bracknell roundabout species-richness was
estimated for each of the three Hemiptera groups using all the replicated samples
from all sites and habitats. Similar estimates were also made for the two principal
habitat types, grassland and arboreal, using all the samples from all sites from
each habitat.

To enable comparison with the previously published species-area relationship of
arboreal Hemiptera at these sites (Helden & Leather, 2004), maximum species-
richness estimates were made for arboreal Hemiptera only, using samples within each
site as replicates. In this case the three Hemiptera groups were combined in each
sample. Regressions between species-richness estimates and log (In) area and the log
(In) number of tree species were carried out using the R statistical package (version
1.7.1) (Ihaka & Gentleman, 1996). The area and tree species data were taken from
Helden & Leather (2004).

An estimate was made of the relative area of land, within the town of Bracknell,
under the following categories of land use: buildings, railways, gardens, open space,

238 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Table 2. Species of Hemiptera recorded on urban Bracknell roundabouts and related sites

Species identity Number of individuals Number of sites

Suborder Sternorrhyncha
Superfamily Psylloidea
Family Aphalaridae

Rhinocola aceris (L.) 10 4
Family Psyllidae
Cacopsylla fulguralis (Kuwayama) 1M 5
Psylla alni (L.) 6 1
Psylla brunneipennis Edwards 5 4
Psylla foersteri Flor 9
Psylla hartigi Flor 14 6
Psylla mali Schmidberger 83 +
Psylla melanoneura Forster 42 11
Psylla peregrina Forster 133 9
Psylla pulchra (Zetterstedt) 2 1
Psylla sorbi (L.) [55 6
Psyllopsis discrepans (Flor) 4 1
Psyllopsis fraxini (L.) 2 3
Psyllopsis fraxinicola (F6rster) 95 6
Psylla sp. | 1
Psyllopsis sp. 9 pI)

Family Triozidae

Trioza rhamni (Schrank) l

Trioza urticae (L.) 23 7
Suborder Auchenorrhyncha
Family Cercopidae

—

Aphrophora alni (Fallen) | 1
Neophilaenus lineatus (L.) 9 5
Philanenus spumarius (L.) 6 4

Family Cicadellidae
Subfamily Megophthalminae

Megophthalmus scanicus (Fallen) 9 3
Subfamily Idiocerinae

Idiocerus albicans Kirschbaum 2 I

Idiocerus confusus Flor l

Idiocerus populi (L.) 1

Subfamily Macropsinae

Macropsis infuscata (J. Sahlberg) 2 1
Oncopsis carpini (J. Sahlberg) 6 3
Oncopsis avellanae Edwards 1
Oncopsis subangulata (J. Sahlberg) 10 6
Oncopsis tristis (Zetterstedt) 3 1
Pediopsis tiliae (Germar) l l
Subfamily Agalliunae
Agallia ribauti Ossiannilsson 7 3
Subfamily Aphrodinae
Aphrodes albifrons (L.) 7 4
Aphrodes bicinctus (makarovi) (Schrank) 1] 3
Aphrodes flavostriatus (Donovan) 1 l
Aphrodes serratulae (Fabricius) 71 12
Subfamily Deltocephalinae
Arthaldeus pascuellus (Fallen) 28 8
Athysanus argentarius Metcalf 2

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 239

Table 2. (continued)

Species identity Number of individuals Number of sites

Balclutha punctata (Fabricius)
Deltocephalus pulicaris (Fallen)
Euscelis incisus (Kirschbaum)
Psammotettix confinis (Dahlbom)
Streptanus marginatus (Kirschbaum)
Streptanus sordidus (Zetterstedt)
Macrosteles sp.
Psammotettix sp.

Subfamily Typhlocybinae
Alebra albostriella (Fallen) 31
Alebra wahlbergi (Boheman) 43
Alnetoidia alneti (Dahlbom) 135
Arboridia ribauti (Ossiannilsson)
Dikraneura variata Hardy
Edwardsiana crataegi (Douglas)
Edwardsiana frustrator (Edwards)
Edwardsiana hippocastani (Edwards)
Edwardsiana prunicola (Edwards)
Edwardsiana rosae (L.)
Edwardsiana salicicola (Edwards)
Edwardsiana spinigera (Edwards)
Empoasca decipiens Paoli
Empoasca vitis (Gothe)
Eupteryx notata Curtis
Eupteryx urticae (Fabricius)
Eurhadina loewii (Then)
Eurhadina pulchella (Fallen)
Fagocyba cruenta (Herrich-Schaeffer)
Kyboasca bipunctata (Oshanin)
Kybos betulicola (Wagner)
Kybos populi (Edwards)
Kybos strigilifer (Ossiannilsson)
Lindbergina aurovittata (Douglas)
Ossiannilssonola callosa (Then)
Ribautiana debilis (Douglas)
Ribautiana scalaris (Ribaut)
Ribautiana tenerrima (Herrich-Schaeffer)
Ribautiana ulmi (L.)
Typhlocyba bifasciata Boheman
Typhlocyba quercus (Fabricius)
Zygina flammigera (Geoffroy in Fourcroy)
Zyginidia scutellaris (Herrich-Schaeffer)
Edwardsiana sp.
Kybos sp. (virgator/strigilifer/calyculus)
Kybos sp. (rufescens/butleri)
Kybos sp. (smargdula/betulicola)
Zygina (angusta/ordinaria)

Family Delphacidae
Dicranotropis humata (Boheman)
Javesella pellucida (Fabricius)
Javesella dubia (Kirschbaum)
Kosswigianella exigua (Boheman)

W W

NN COW BH BA PO
—_— |W Woe ~) CO —

N

NO ww Be Re Re RS DK KS OO ~AYTN

oS)

RB REE RE DADE NE KERN BNE KK EE WNHENNWE ESB ENE REANNABRA

—

—

— ph
BNR RR RR WRK NON ONY NK WY CO CON

NOR ne
Nene

240 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Table 2. (continued)

Species identity Number of individuals Number of sites
Struebingianella dalei (Scott) pall 2
Xanthodelphax stramineus (Stal) 2 l
Javesella sp. 7 7
Muellerianella sp. 4 2

Suborder Heteroptera
Family Tingidae

Physatocheila dumentorum (Herrich-Schaffer) 6 a)
Family Microphysidae
Loricula elegantula (Barensprung) l 1

Family Miridae
Amblytylus nasutus (Kirschbaum)
Atractotomus mali (Meyer-Dir)
Campyloneura virgula (Herrich-Schaffer)
Capsus ater (L.)
Chlamydatus saltitans (Fallen)
Deraecoris flavilinea (A. Costa)
Lygocoris contaminatus (Fallen)
Lygocoris populi Leston
Lygocoris rugicollis (Fallen)
Lygus rugulipennis Poppius
Magaloceroea recticornis (Geoffroy)
Notostira elongata (Geoffroy) l
Orthocephalus saltator (Hahn)
Pithanus maerkelii (Herrich-Schaffer) 14
Phoenicocoris obscurellus (Fallen) 14
Phylus coryli (L.) 14
Phylus pallipes Fieber
Phylus melanocephalus (L.)
Pinalitus cervinus (Herrich-Schaffer)
Plagiognathus arbustorum (Fabricius)
Plagiognathus chrysanthemi (Wolff)
Psallus assimilis Stichel
Psallus betuleti (Fallen)
Psallus confusus Rieger
Psallus flavellus Stichel
Psallus lepidus (Fieber)
Psallus mollis (Mulsant & Ray)
Psallus varians (Herrich-Schaffer)
Orthotylus flavinervis (Kirschbaum)
Orthotylus marginalis Reuter
Orthotylus tenellus (Fallen)
Orthotylus viridinervis (Kirschbaum)
Stenodema calcarata (Fallén)
Sthenarus rotermundi (Scholtz)
Psallus sp. (confusus/mollis)

Family Nabidae
Himacerus mirmicoides (O. Costa)

Family Anthocoridae
Anthocoris confusus Reuter 2
Anthocoris nemorum (L.) 10
Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) Z
Cardiastethus fasciiventris (Garbighietti) 3

— WN
NR NRK CONN BYR ND

—

—
AOR WNNN ORK OWDPWRK DOHA NW

—_ —
NNR NNNRK PK NNK WRK WRK NNR HPNWRK HR RK NDA SCHK WN

N
—

WNNbdv

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 24]

Table 2. (continued)

Species identity Number of individuals Number of sites
Tetraphleps biscuspis (Herrich-Schaffer) l l
Orius sp. | l

Family Berytidae
Berytinus sp. nymph 4 2

Family Lygaeidae
Kleidocerys resedae (Panzer) 103 3)
Megalonotus chiragra (Fabricius) I l
Orsillus depressus Dallas Ds l
Scolopostethus affinis (Schilling) l l

Family Coreidae
Coriomerus denticulatus (Scopoli) l l
Gonocerus acuteangulatus (Goeze) | ]

Family Pentatomidae
Palomena prasina (L.) 2 2
Podops inuncia (Fabricius) l

Family Acanthosomatidae
Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale (L.) 3 l
Elasmostethus tristriatus (Fabricius) l l
Elasmucha grisea (L.) 2 2

woodland and open water. Using a 1:25000 scale map (Ordnance Survey, Explorer
Series, map number 160), the land use was recorded every | mm on the map for 4cm,
equivalent to 1 km, along north, east, south, west transects from each of the 18 sites.

RESULTS

The species and number of individuals of Hemiptera recorded are shown in
Table 2. Only four species were collected during both tree and grassland sampling:
Philaenus spumarius (L.), Balclutha punctata (F.), Alebra wahlbergi (Boheman) and
Psallus betuleti (Fallen). In total 1336 individuals of 96 species were recorded from
trees, and 635 individuals of 46 species were found in grassland. Of these, 67 species
were Auchenorrhyncha, 55 were Heteroptera and 16 were Psylloidea. A further 49
species have either been found during previous unsystematic field collecting, or were
recorded at the field sites but not during the sampling procedure, and these are
shown in Table 3. Addition of the these further species increases the known
Bracknell species richness totals to 81 Auchenorrhyncha, 89 Heteroptera and 17
Psylloidea.

Species richness estimates are given in Table 4. Observed species-richness values
given in Table 4 are slightly different from those given above, because those in the
table are from the EstimateS analyses which included a number of species which could
be identified as being one of two or more species, both or all of which were not found
elsewhere, but could not be specifically named with certainty. For example this occurred
in the case of the four female specimens of Muellerianella planthoppers (M. brevipennis
(Boheman) or M. fairmairei (Perris)), as these are distinguishable from other female
delphacids but only the males of these species can be identified specifically (Booij, 1981).

Table 4 also shows species-richness estimate values, standard deviation and 95%
confidence limits. Auchenorrhyncha estimates varied from 91—111 species, while for
Heteroptera and Psylloidea the range was between 67-86 and 16~25, respectively.

242

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Table 3. Species of Hemiptera found during unsystematic sampling in Bracknell at different
locations and at times outside the sampling period, between 1996-2002

Suborder Auchenorrhyncha
Cicadellidae

Adarrus ocellaris (Fallen)

Aguriahana stellulata (Burmeister)
Eupterycyba jucunda (Herrich-Schaeffer)
Eupteryx aurata (L.)

Graphocephala fennahi Young
Graphocraerus ventralis (Fallen)
Grypotes puncticollis (Herrich-Schaeffer)
Hauptidia maroccana (Melichar)

Tassus lanio (L.)

Macrosteles viridigriseus (Edwards)

Delphacidae
Conomelus anceps (Germar)
Ditropis pteridis (Spinola)

Issidae

Issus coleoptratus (Fabricius)
Cixidae

Tachycixius pilosus (Olivier)

Suborder Heteroptera
Acanthosomatidae
Elasmostethus interstinctus (L.)

Aradidae
Aradus depressus (Fabricius)

Coreidae
Coreus marginatus (L.)

Cydnidae
Legnotus limbosus (Geoffroy)

Lygaeidae
Heterogaster urticae (Fabricius)
Stygnocoris rusticus (Fallen)

Miridae

Blepharidopterus angulatus (Fallen)
Calocoris striatellus (Fabricius)
Cyllecoris histrionius (L.)
Deraeocoris lutescens (Schilling)
Deraeocoris ruber (L.)

Dicyphus epilobii Reuter
Dicyphus pallicornis (Fieber)
Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus (DeGeer)
Harpocera thoracica (Fallén)
Heterocordylus tibialis (Hahn)
Heterotoma planicornis (Pallas)
Liocoris tripustulatus (Fabricius)
Malacocoris chlorizans (Panzer)
Miris striatus (L.)

Monalocoris filicis (L.)

Orthops campestris (L.)
Phytocoris tiliae (Fabricius)
Psallus ambiguus (Fallen)
Psallus perrisi (Mulsant & Rey)
Stenodema laevigata (L.)

Pentatomidae

Aelia acuminata (L.)

Dolycoris baccarum (L.)
Eurydema oleracea (L.)
Eysarcoris fabricii (Kirkaldy)
Palomena prasina (L.)
Pentatoma rufipes (L.)
Piezodorus lituratus (Fabricius)

Rhopalidae
Rhopalus subrufus (Gmelin)

Suborder Sternorrhyncha
Superfamily Psylloidea
Psyllidae

Arytainilla spartiophila (Forster)

The mean value of the four estimators is also given. For Heteroptera and Psylloidea
the Jack-knife 1 estimates were closest to the mean value, while for Auchenor-
rhyncha it was Chao 2, closely followed by Jack-knife 1. The standard deviation was
consistently lower for Jack-knife 1 than for the other estimators, with the exception
of Chao | for Psylloidea. No standard deviation is given for Chao 2, as this is not
calculated by EstimateS version 6.0b1.

Species richness estimates for Auchenorrhyncha and Heteroptera from the two
principal habitat types, grassland and arboreal, are shown in Table 5. Table 6 shows
the comparison between the species richness estimates using all samples, and by
combining the estimates from grassland and arboreal samples. For Auchenorrhyncha

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 243

Table 4. Observed and estimated species-richness of Hemiptera on Bracknell roundabouts,
using all samples

Estimator Auchenorrhyncha Heteroptera Psylloidea

Chao | 91.0 66.7 16.3
Standard deviation 12.8 7.6 3
95% confidence interval 250 14.9 2.6

Chao 2 97.0 TA 24.3
Standard deviation 14.3 11.8 Vat
95% confidence interval 28.1 pee) 33.6

Jack-knife | 96.8 75.8 210
Standard deviation 4.7 4.7 22
95% confidence interval 9.3 9.3 4.3

Jack-knife 2 10.7 85.8 24.9

Standard deviation a a =
95% confidence interval = = =

Observed species richness 70 56 16

Mean of estimators 98.9 ISS 21.6
Difference between observed and Jack-knife | 26.8 19.8 5.0
Difference as % of estimated (Jack-knife 1) Ql 26.2 231

Table 5. Observed and estimated Hemiptera species-richness from grassland and arboreal
habitats on Bracknell roundabouts

Estimator Auchenorrhyncha Heteroptera

Grassland Arboreal Grassland Arboreal

Chao 1 35.0 61.1 23.0 39.6
Standard deviation 8.3 22 4.8 2.8
95% confidence interval 16.2 24.0 9.4 SP)

Chao 2 37.0 69.9 30.6 41.3
Standard deviation 9.0 16.4 125 4.0
95% confidence interval [77 32.0 24.4 7.8

Jack-knife 1 36.8 64.8 P55 | 45.9
Standard deviation 24 4.1 2.9 ie)
95% confidence interval 5.3 8.0 a 6.8

Jack-knife 2 41.7 Ia6 33.5 46.0

Standard deviation = a = a
95% confidence interval 7 = = =

Observed species richness 28 44 19 Su
Difference between observed and Jack-knife 1 8.8 20.8 8.7 8.9
Difference as % of estimated (Jack-knife 1) 24.0 B21 31.5 19.4

the sum of the habitat based estimates were consistently higher that estimates based
on all arboreal samples, whereas for the Heteroptera they were lower. For both
groups the Jack-knife 1 estimates showed the closest agreement.

Table 7 shows the results of regressions between log (In) species-richness estimate
values, based on all samples, and both log (In) area and log (In) tree species richness
at the 18 sites. All regressions were significant. The area regression (species-area

244 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Table 6. Comparison of species-richness estimates using all samples and from using the sum of
habitat-based estimates

Estimator Auchenorrhyncha Heteroptera
Chao |
All samples 9] 66.71
Grassland + arboreal samples 96.07 62.58
Difference —5.07 4.13
Chao 2
All samples 97 75.05
Grassland + arboreal samples 106.94 71.83
Difference —9,.94 322
Jack-knife |
All samples 96.83 75:83
Grassland + arboreal samples 101.64 73.64
Difference —4.81 2.19
Jack-knife 2
All samples 110.74 85.75
Grassland + arboreal samples 11935 79.47
Difference — 8.61 6.28

Table 7. Regressions between log (In) arboreal Hemiptera species-richness estimates and both
log (In) roundabout area and log (In) number of tree species at each roundabout

Comparison Estimator t p 1? df.
Area Chao 1 252 p<0.05 0.30 Las
Chao 2 pe p<0.05 0.29 1,15
Jack-knife | 2.99 p<0.01 0.37 eS)
Jack-knife 2 2.85 p<0.05 0.35 IBIS)
Tree species richness Chao | 8.52 p<0.001 0.83 Ls
Chao 2 6.17 p<0.001 0.82 ts
Jack-knife | 10.25 p<090.001 0.88 1b
Jack-knife 2 10.33 p<09.001 0.88 Bae)

Table 8. Mean (+SE) land use found within 1km of the 18
sample sites

Land use type Mean % area
Water 0.6 (0.4)
Strongly man affected habitats
Road/railway 26.7 (1.6)
Building 18.6 (1.6)
Total 45.3 (2.5)
Semi-natural terrestrial habitats
Other open area 34.0 (1.9)
Garden 14.4 (1.3)
Woodland Sah (2.0)

Total 54.2 (2.4)

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 245

a)
100

70

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Sample

b)
100

No. of species
al
So

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Sample

c)
100

90

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Sample

Figure 4. Observed (OB) and Jack-knife 1 species richness estimates (JK 1) for the number of
species of (a) Auchenorrhyncha, (b) Heteroptera and (c) Psylloidea found within Bracknell
roundabouts. Estimates were calculated using all samples, both grassland and arboreal, from all
sites.

246 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

relationship) with the highest t and r’ values was that using Jack-knife 1 estimates,
while for tree species richness Jack-knife 2 had the highest t and r* values, but these
were only very slightly higher than those for Jack-knife 1.

Comparison of the four species-richness estimators in terms of overall mean
estimates and their standard errors, differences between habitat-based and all sample
estimates, and regressions indicated that overall the Jack-knife | estimator gave the
best species-richness estimates for Bracknell Hemiptera. Figure 4 shows the observed
and Jack-knife 1 estimated species-richness for the three Hemiptera groups. For the
Auchenorrhyncha and Heteroptera both observed and estimated species-richness
clearly have not reached an asymptote with the number of samples taken, indicating
that further sampling would result in higher estimates (Coddington e/ al., 1996). In
contrast the estimate for the Psylloidea rises only very slowly with sample number,
indicating that it is much closer to an asymptote.

Table 4 shows the difference between the observed and estimated Jack-knife 1
species richness for each Hemipteran group. These figures indicated that 27
Auchenorrhyncha, 20 Heteroptera and 5 Psylloidea species were unsampled, which
would approximate to 28%, 26% and 24%, respectively, of the estimated species
richness. A similar approach using habitat specific data (Table 5) indicated that the
most under-sampled category was arboreal Auchenorrhyncha, with 21 species
representing 32% of the estimated species-richness, remaining unsampled. A very
similar proportion of the grassland Heteroptera may be unsampled but in this
numerically smaller group this equated to only 9 further species. The arboreal
Heteroptera appeared to be the least incompletely sampled with a further 9 species
likely, equating to 19% of the estimate.

Mean percentage land use categories are shown in Table 8. Grassland, gardens and
woodland together made up an average of approximately 54% of Bracknell land use,
with buildings and transport infrastructure contributing around 45%.

DISCUSSION

Notable species

Several notable species were recorded in the study, and some of these were species
that have recently colonised the UK. The most recent colonist was the psyllid
Cacopsylla fulguralis (Kuwayama), a pest of Elaeagnus spp., which is native to
eastern Asian countries such as China, Korea and the Philippines, and was first
found in the UK in 2000, having been first recorded in Europe a year earlier. By 2002
it had been recorded at a number of widely spaced locations within Britain, including
Surrey, the county which borders Bracknell Forest to the south (Malumphy et al.,
2002; Malumphy & Halstead, 2003). In our study, eleven individuals were found at
five of the sites and on five different tree species, although not on Elaeagnus,
indicating that it may be quite widespread in the area.

Twenty-four individuals of the mirid Deraeocoris flavilinea (A. Costa) were
recorded from eleven different species of tree at eight of the sample sites. This species
was first recorded in the UK in 1996, but has subsequently been found quite
frequently, having become rapidly established within this country (Jones, 1999;
Miller, 2001; Nau & Brooke, 2003). Another relatively newly established species was
Orsillus depressus Dallas (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), which was first recorded in the
UK in 1989, and which has subsequently been found in a number of sites scattered
over South-East England (Hawkins, 1989; B.S. Nau, pers. comm.).

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 247

Gonocerus acuteangulatus (Goeze) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) has been known to be
present in the UK for many years but until relatively recently was restricted to Box
Hill in Surrey and has been listed as endangered (Southwood & Leston, 1959; Kirby,
1992). This species has however, shown a recent range increase, 1s now described as
common in Surrey and has also been recorded in Kent, Middlesex and Sussex
(Hawkins, 2003). It 1s possible that the specimen found in Bracknell is the first record
of this species in Berkshire. The two most notable leafhopper species to be recorded
were, Athysanus argentarius Metcalf and Pediopsis tiliae (Germar) (Auchenor-
rhyncha: Cicadellidae). Athysanus argentarius is a grassland species, which was first
found in Britain in 1866, then not again until 1951. Since the 1950s until fairly
recently, it was largely only recorded from coastal areas, but has now also been
found in a number of inland sites having also shown an apparent range increase
(Badmin, 1981; Stewart, 1987; Verdcourt, 1994; Salmon & Chapman, 2000).
Pediopsis tiliae is an uncommon species, which feeds on lime (Tilia sp.), particularly
Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata). Interestingly in the context of the present study
many records of this species come from urban or other semi-natural areas (Badmin,
1991, 1994),

Species richness

Of the four non-parametric species-richness estimators used, Jack-knife 1
appeared to the best for Bracknell Hemiptera. Generally Jack-knife 1 showed the
closest values to the means of the four estimators, showed the smallest differences
between estimates made using all samples and those calculated from the sum of
estimates from grassland and arboreal habitats, the smallest standard deviations, and
the best regressions with area and tree species-richness (Tables 4, 5, 6 & 7).
Consequently Jack-knife 1 estimates were used to compare with observed species-
richness.

The Hemiptera species richness in Bracknell was considerable, with the 18 study
sites yielding 67 Auchenorrhyncha, 55 Heteroptera and 16 Psylloidea species (Table
2), which represented approximately 18%, 12% and 20% of the respective UK
species totals for these three groups of Hemiptera (the national total of Heteroptera
used excluded the aquatic and semi-aquatic species, which were not sampled in the
study). These figures were the result of a single set of samples taken over a very short
space of time, and hence the true species richness is likely to be somewhat higher.
This is illustrated by the further 49 species that were recorded in Bracknell but
outside the main study during the period 1996-2002 (Table 3). With these further
species the totals rise to 81 Auchenorrhyncha, 89 Heteroptera and 17 Psylloidea,
which equate to approximately 22%, 19% and 22% of the respective national totals.

Calculations of the Jack-knife 1 estimator gave species-richness figures of 97
Auchenorrhyncha, 76 Heteroptera and 21 Psylloidea, which would equate to 26%,
13% and 27% of the respective national totals. The results also indicate that the
estimates had not reached an asymptote relative to the number of samples (Fig. 4),
which indicates that further sampling would result in higher estimates (Coddington
et al., 1996). Thus our data, both in terms of actual species recorded and estimated
species-richness, indicates that at least 20% of the UK Hemiptera species can be
found within the town of Bracknell.

The species richness of Auchenorrhyncha found was comparable with that found
during six years of suction sampling at Silwood Park, which is located 10km to the
east of Bracknell (Waloff, 1973). At Silwood Park 115 species were recorded, but this
was over six complete years, and when just July catches were included this figure was

248 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

reduced to 67, which is exactly the same number of species recorded at the 18 study
sites. Thus even though Bracknell 1s considerably more urbanised, the rather limited
sampling of the present study indicated a comparable species richness to that of
Silwood Park.

The difference between observed and estimated species-richness gives a measure of
the number of species that occur in the sampled area but remain unrecorded. There
remains some uncertainty about the number of such species unless the estimate has
reached an asymptote at the level of the true species-richness (Foggo et al., 2003),
and consequently comparison of observed and estimated values will under-estimate
the number of un-recorded species. Although the reported estimates had not reached
an asymptote (Fig. 4), the difference between estimated and observed species-
richness can still be useful, particularly in comparative terms, in giving at least some
idea, all be it an under-estimate, of the number of un-sampled species. In this study it
was estimated that 27 Auchenorrhyncha, 20 Heteroptera and 5 Psylloidea were un-
recorded, which would represent 28%, 26% and 24% of the estimated totals
(Table 4). Thus in all three Hemiptera groups approximately a quarter of estimated
species remained un-recorded. When different habitat types were considered
separately, the data indicated that arboreal Heteroptera were the most completely
sampled (19% un-recorded), followed by Psylloidea and grassland Auchenorrhyncha
(24%), then grassland Heteroptera and arboreal Auchenorrhyncha (32%).

The number of species found in this study and the related species richness
estimates were limited by temporal, spatial and habitat related constraints. The
timing of sampling is one of the most important of these. For the arboreal part of the
study all the samples were taken within a nine day period in mid June, while the
grasslands were sampled over three days in mid July. Given that the phenology of
insect species differs, the limited sampling carried out would have meant that many
species would either not have been found or would have been in the larval stages, and
therefore in most cases unidentifiable. This would have been particularly the case for
the grassland Auchenorrhyncha, for which adult species richness and abundance
reach a peak during the late summer months of August and September
(Andrzejewska, 1965; Morris, 1971, 1973; Waloff & Solomon, 1973; Morris &
Lakhani, 1979; Morris, 198la; Lawton, 1983; Sedlacek et a/., 1988; Morris, 1990b),
and this problem is reflected in that large numbers of immature individuals were
caught in the grassland samples. A further factor limiting the estimate of species
richness is that the study was limited in terms of the location of sampling. At Bill Hill
(7) and Mill Pond Park (11) only the trees at the edges of the areas of woodland were
investigated, while at all sites sampling was restricted to trees and grassland, but
many species are associated with other habitats such as bushes and herbaceous plants
such as nettles (Davis, 1991).

Using Bracknell as an example of an urban area clearly shows that high species
richness can be maintained within towns and cities. One of the most important
factors in maintaining urban biodiversity is the proportion of open space. Davis
(1978) found that species richness correlated positively with the percentage of open
space within a one kilometre radius of sample sites. In this study it was found that
Bracknell had approximately 54% ‘open space’ (Table 8), which although relatively
low compared with some of the suburbs studied by Davis (1978), still indicated that
approximately half of the land area was made up of grassland, woodland, verges,
‘waste ground’ and gardens. The fragmentation of such habitats in urban areas has a
strong influence on species richness through its effect on population sizes, isolation,
and the processes of colonization and extinction. The effects of fragmentation vary
between different species according to their habitat specialization, trophic level,

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 249

population dynamics, rarity and dispersal ability (Davis & Glick, 1978; Steffan-
Dewenter & Tscharntke, 2002). Andren (1994, 1999), reported that relatively low
levels of habitat loss and fragmentation resulted in little loss of species but when the
proportion of habitat remaining fell below 20 to 30% there would be an exponential
loss of species. Woodland habitat in Bracknell is very fragmented and only about 6%
remains within the town (Table 8). Although areas of woodland are rare, the town
does have a very large number of trees of many species, both planted and those
retained during development, which provide a semi-continuous habitat throughout
much of the urban area. These trees maintain the habitat connectivity that is so
important in maintaining biodiversity (Andreén, 1994, 1999; Gonzalez et al., 1998;
Fernandez-Juricic, 2000; Savard, et a/., 2000; Steffan-Dewenter & Tscharntke, 2002;
Rudd et al., 2002). Connectivity in grassland habitats is to some extent maintained
by gardens, parks and other open areas and by road verges, but these areas are very
variable in their quality because of the differing level of management, which has a
very strong effect of grassland Hemiptera abundance and species richness (Morris,
1979, 198la, 1981b, 2000; Helden & Leather, 2004). Despite this, the relatively high
level of open habitat and good dispersal ability of many species (Morris, 1990a) are
likely to be important factors in maintaining grassland Hemiptera diversity within
Bracknell.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank Dr Stuart McNeill for permission to use the Vortis suction
sampler. Dr Bernard Nau provided draft copies of his key to the Miridae and
Heteroptera checklist, and helped with the identification of several species.
Assistance with identification was also provided by Dr Alan Stewart and Dr Ian
Hodkinson. We are very grateful to Bracknell Forest Council and Bracknell Town
Council for allowing sampling on the eighteen sites, and to those in various council
departments who provided assistance in the initial stages of the study. We would also
like to thank Jane Helden and Terry Mawdesley for assisting with some sampling.

REFERENCES

Andren, H. 1994. Effects of habitat fragmentation on birds and mammals in landscapes with
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Gerris lateralis Schummel (Hemiptera: Gerridae) in Hampshire.—The Wildgrounds
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include an area of fen, with shallow flooded swampy ground dominated by Carex
acutiformis. On the 26.iv.2005, I took several wingless pond-skaters at the base of
the emergent sedges. These proved to be G. /ateralis, which according to the recent
Atlas (Huxley, 2003, Provisional Atlas of the British Aquatic bugs (Hemiptera,
Heteroptera). Huntingdon: BRC), are the first modern records from Hampshire. The
previous most southerly record was made by Peter Kirby, in 1997 in Berkshire, close
to the border with North Hampshire. I am unaware of any old Hampshire records.

These observations were entirely consistent with my previous experience of the
insect in Cumbria and North Norfolk, with adults active on slimy mud and
duckweed-covered shallow water.-JONTY DENTON, Kingsmead, Wield Road,
Medstead, Hampshire, GU34 5NJ.

Dark form of Waved Carpet Hydrelia sylvata (D. & S.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
in Perry Woods, Kent.—A dark form of this Nationally Scarce B geometer was
recorded in my Rothamsted light-trap in Perry Woods on the night of 5.vi1.2005 (det.
A. Pickles). This is the first record of this species from this locality following > 20
years of continuous light-trapping. Ferguson in his most recent Kent Moth Report
2003 (2005) records H. sy/vata from 16 ten-km squares in the county, indicating that
it is now more widespread in the South-East than perceived a few years ago. Some of
this range in-filling is due to more thorough recording, but also represents a
noticeable spread of the moth. Its predilection for Sweet chestnut Castanea sativa
probably accounts for its presence in Perry Woods and it will be interesting to see
whether it becomes firmly established here. This was certainly the case for the Least
Carpet /daea rusticata (D. &S.) which first appeared in Perry Woods in 1994 and is
now one of the most regularly appearing species of the genus. The records for 2005
show that it appeared on 16 nights during July-August with a total of 31
individuals. JOHN BADMIN, Coppice Place, Selling, Kent ME13 9RP

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 253

THE FIRST RECORD OF MULTIPLE ALLELOMORPHISM IN A
BRITISH BUTTERFLY: COENONYMPHA TULLIA (MULLER) SSP.
POLYDAMA (HAWORTH) (LEPIDOPTERA: SATYRIDAE)

RUPERT D. G. BARRINGTON! & MARTIN C. WHITE?

118 Codrington Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8ET;
212 Kedleston Road, Worksop, Nottinghamshire S81 OLX.

ABSTRACT

Breeding work (carried out since 1988 by Martin White) with two unnamed
ground colour aberrations of the Large Heath butterfly Coenonympha tullia (Miller)
has revealed the first recorded instance of multiple allelomorphism in a British
butterfly. Both colour forms have proven recessive to type. They show grey and
orange ground colour, respectively. When the two aberrations are crossed together
the F, generation contains 100% butterflies which exhibit a shimmering or
translucent effect on an otherwise typically coloured background. Back crossing
these hybrids with (typically coloured) individuals that were heterozygous for either
grey or orange aberrations, produces an F, generation containing 50% typical: 25%
either grey or orange: 25% translucent. This 2:1:1 ratio demonstrates that the grey
and orange aberrations involve the same gene locus.

INTRODUCTION

Genes occur in pairs in Lepidoptera, one inherited from each parent. Each gene
of a pair occurs at a particular location (‘the locus’) on its particular chromosome.
Either gene in a pair may be typical or it may be a mutation. The alternative forms
of a gene at a locus are termed alleles (Majerus, 1998). If a mutation occurs in a
gene which codes for an element of the adult wing pattern or colouring, then the
adult insect may display aberrant patterning or coloration. For example, many
melanic forms of British moths are due to the existence of a mutant (frequently
dominant) allele. However, a gene may not necessarily have just two alternative
forms. In some cases there may be several alternative forms of a gene that may
lead to various alternative wing patterns or colours. These alternative mutations
are termed multiple alleles and the condition is called multiple allelomorphism
(Majerus, 1998).

The most famous and well-studied example in the Lepidoptera occurs in the
widespread African Mocker Swallowtail butterfly Papilio dardanus (Brown). The
adult male has a black and yellow pattern, but the female occurs in a number of quite
different forms, each one a mimic of an unpalatable model butterfly unique to its
region. Each of these female forms is controlled by one of ten alleles at one locus
(Ford, 1964; Nihout, 1991; Majerus, 1998).

Multiple allelomorphism is also known from British moths, for example in the
Pale Brindled Beauty Phigalia pilosaria (D. &S.). In this case the typical pale form,
the fully melanic form monacharia (Staud.) and the intermediate form pedaria are all
controlled by different versions of the same gene (Majerus, 1998). The condition has
also been recorded in the tortricid Ac/eris comariana (Lienig & Zeller) (Ford, 1964;
Majerus, 1998).

Despite British butterflies being such a well-studied group, multiple allelomorph-
ism has not previously been recorded. In 1945, the geneticist E.B. Ford wrote ‘The

254 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

phenomenon is of much interest from evolutionary and other points of view, and
when found in a British butterfly, the fact should be published’.

MULTIPLE ALLELOMORPHISM IN COENONYMPHA TULLIA

This involves two very local colour forms which have not previously been named
or described. They have been found in an isolated population on the Humberhead
Levels (an area of lowland peat stretching from Goole Moors in North Lincolnshire,
through South Yorkshire east of Doncaster, to Gringley Carr in Nottinghamshire).
They are best described as butterflies in which the wing markings are unaffected, but
which lack the typical ‘cinnamon’ ground colour of typical Humberhead specimens,
centred on Munsell colour co-ordinates 7.5YR 5.5/7 (Munsell, 1994). (Munsell co-
ordinates provide a standardised numerical reference system for identifying and
comparing colours to a high degree of precision.)

One of the newly described colour forms has been captured on a few occasions in
the past, but the other may be entirely new. As regards the Humberhead Levels, it is
possible that this new aberration mutated or evolved in the same ‘colony-enclave’,
together with a number of other distinctive ground colour forms, sometime after 1901
when a major drainage scheme isolated their parent sub-population from the main
Humberhead Levels meta-population. Neither of the two forms, described below, nor
indeed any of the other forms, have so far been observed or recorded from the main,
much larger, ancestral population despite the enthusiastic activities of naturalists
studying the species here for well over a hundred years. The genetic inheritance of the
other (concomitantly occurring) forms remain unstudied. Further breeding work will
therefore be needed to determine whether these are also controlled by separately
mutated alleles at the same locus as the two forms described below.

THE TWO GROUND COLOUR FORMS

ab. lunaris

In this aberration the cinnamon ground colour is replaced by shades of grey (Plate 3
Figs 5—8 compared to typical specimens Figs 1—4). Three specimens of this aberration
are held in the National Butterfly Collection at the Natural History Museum,
London. Their data are as follows: Grange, 1904, W. Feather; Witherslack, 1905,
F.W. Frohawk and Aviemore, 1915, S.G. Castle Russell. As regards the Humber-
head Levels population, the earliest known example was a perfect male first noticed
by Malcolm Simpson and subsequently captured by another observer on 8 July 1982.
Between this date and 1998 a further 48 individuals were recorded or captured at an
approximate ratio of 1 in 400 butterflies observed. Most of these original grey
examples were, or have been, closely examined and in all but two cases scored a near
monochromatic appearance (centred on Munsell: 1OYR 5/3). The two remaining
specimens, both male, exhibited a yellowish-green tint (IOYR 5.5/4). The second of
these ‘yellowish-green’ grey males (captured 27 June 1996) was captive-paired with
reared virgin females and gave rise to a large part of the stock for this breeding
programme.

A cross between a grey aberration and a typically coloured homozygote produces
an F, generation all typical in appearance (all being heterozygotes) and an F, that
contains 75% typical butterflies: 25% grey examples. This represents the classic
Mendelian ratio for a recessive form of 1 typical homozygote: 2 typical heterozygote:
1 aberration, thereby proving that the grey aberration is recessive to type. Extensive
breeding work has revealed considerable variation in the expression of the grey

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 255

aberration, from pure monochromatic grey individuals without a trace of typical
cinnamon colour, through to those of a yellowish-green tint. This range currently
models exactly the same shape in visible ‘colourspace’ (in terms of hue (wavelength),
brightness (luminosity) and chroma (saturation)) as the corresponding range of
variation and relative abundance in typical butterflies (including sexual dimorphism).
This is perhaps to be expected, as the same set of modifier genes will be involved in
controlling the expression of the ground colour in both the aberrant and typical
butterflies. There is still, however, an obvious gap between the range of colour
displayed by the grey butterflies and their typical counterparts.

ab. ejecta

This is the most striking colour form of the species yet discovered on the Levels. It
is best described as having typical markings but a reduction in melanin pigments.
The result is an orange butterfly with paler markings replacing the normally deep
black rings around the eyespots (Plate 3 Figs 9-12). By comparison with the current
colour dynamics of the grey form, far less variation has, so far, appeared within this
aberration. Before 1994, variation in its wing coloration corresponded to just a single
point in visible colourspace at 7.5YR 6/10, but now extends from here, through a
series of intermediates, to approximately 7.7YR 5.5/9, contiguous with examples at
the brightest extreme of the typical range.

The earliest known specimen of this form was a male captured by Reg Carter on
28 June 1981. Between this date and 1998 a further nine authenticated examples were
recorded at an approximate ratio of 1 in 2000 individuals observed. Most of these
aberrations, especially those taken before 1986, showed minor signs of wing-
crumpling. However a perfect orange male, captured on 17 June 1999, was mated
with home-reared virgin females, giving rise to most of the stock for this experiment.
Subsequent back-crossings increased stock vigour and proved that this orange
aberration is recessive to the type.

The release of progeny resulting from both /unaris and ejecta stocks between 1999
and 2003 by Martin White (under a licence issued by Butterfly Conservation) has
increased the abundance of these rare aberrations in the wild and helped re-establish
a new Humberhead Levels colony. As a result the yellowish-green forms of /unaris
have now replaced the monochromatic form as the most commonly encountered grey
‘sub-form’ found in the wild.

CROSSING THE TWO FORMS

It was found that when the grey /unaris was crossed with the orange ejecta they
gave rise to an F, generation made up entirely of a new (provisionally named) ‘Rosy’
aberration. The variability in hue, brightness and chroma of this aberration was
exactly the same as that found in typical butterflies, but all “Rosy’ aberrations were
characterised by a supplementary translucent or shimmering effect to varying
degrees.

When one of these aberrations was back-crossed to a heterozygote of either
lunaris or ejecta (typical in appearance due to the recessive nature of the aberrant
alleles) the offspring closely followed the ratios of 50% typical specimens (all
heterozygotes): 25% either /unaris or ejecta (depending on which heterozygote was
introduced into the back-cross): 25% Rosy aberrations. This ratio of 2:1:1 was
exactly as would be expected if /unaris and ejecta were due to mutations of the
same gene. This demonstrates that these aberrations are the result of multiple
allelomorphism.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005
Legend for Plate 3:

Allelomorphism in the Large Heath

l )
typical male typical female
upperside upperside
3 4
typical male typical female
underside underside
5 6
male ab. /unaris female ab. Junaris
upperside upperside
fi 8
male ab. /unaris female ab. /unaris
underside underside
9 10
male ab. ejecta female ab. ejecta
upperside upperside
1] 12
male ab. ejecta female ab. ejecta
underside underside

All specimens bred by M.C.White
Specimens in collection of R. Barrington

Allelomorphism in the Large Heath Coenonympha tullia ssp. polydama

Pee
ee
1
Wasted
pecan,

fe de

~

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 257

The following genetic diagram illustrates such an experiment. In this example a
Rosy aberration was back-crossed to an ejecta heterozygote.

E=typical ground colour allele

e= ejecta allele

1=/unaris allele

ejecta
heterozygote
(typical colour)

Reproductive
cells

Offspring f } | (eE} ( EI )

Offspring ratio 25% 25% 50%
ejecta heterozygote heterozygote

Offspring colour orange __ rosy ab. typical

DISCUSSION

Ford (1945) wrote that it is to be expected that the aberrant alleles in a multiple
allelomorph condition will usually show no dominance to each other. This means
that when two aberrant butterflies are crossed together their offspring should be
intermediate in appearance between the parents. Since 1945 various cases have been
found in Lepidoptera (Majerus, 1998) and coccinelids (Majerus, 1994) in which there
is dominance or semi-dominance between the different aberrant alleles. In such cases
the F, adults take after one or other of their parents rather than being intermediate.
However, the present situation illustrates a case similar to the one proposed by Ford
(1945).

It is likely that multiple allelomorphism is common amongst other aberrations of
British butterflies. Ford (1945) suspected that in the Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas
(L.), the aberrations schmidtii (Gerhard) (creamy ground colour replacing the usual
copper) and a/ba (Tutt) (pure white instead of copper) will prove to be multiple

258 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

allelomorphs. Probably any aspect of butterfly coloration that varies in a step-like
way will be an example of multiple allelomorphism. For example, there are various
aberrations in the Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina (L.) in which the colour of the
normally fulvous forewing bands ranges from a paler version of the typical form
through orange-yellow and towards pure white. There are the aberrations of the
Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria euphrosyne (L.) and the Small Pearl-bordered
Fritillary B. selene (D.&S.) in which the ground colour varies in the same manner
(Russwurm, 1978).

However, the opportunities to carry out further experiments along the lines
described above will be few and far between. Such aberrations are often rare and
becoming more so as populations of many species dwindle in our ever diminishing
countryside. Even if two suitable aberrations can be found there is then the
challenge of maintaining them in captivity for long enough to determine their
genetic make-up.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to Martin Honey of the Natural History Museum, London for
supplying the data from the three specimens of ab. /unaris in the National Collection.
We also thank Malcolm Simpson and Reg Carter for information supplied over the
years which has been drawn upon for this publication.

REFERENCES

Ford, E.B. 1945. Butterflies. Collins, London.

Ford, E.B. 1964. Ecological genetics. Methuen, London.

Kettlewell, H.B.D. 1973. The evolution of melanism: The study of a recurring necessity.
Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Majerus, M.E.N. 1994. Ladybirds. HarperCollins, London.

Majerus, M.E.N. 1998. Melanism: Evolution in action. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Munsell, A.H. 1994. Book of Color. Macbeth Instruments Corporation, New York.

Nihout, H.F. 1991. The development and evolution of butterfly wing patterns. Smithsonian
Institution Press, Washington and London.

Russwurm, A.D.A. 1978. Aberrations of British butterflies. Classey, Faringdon.

Library stock-taking at Dinton Pastures 2005—2006

The year 2004 saw advances in the computerised cataloguing of our library
database at Dinton Pastures. From March 2005 onwards I have been conducting a
thorough stock-taking of the Society’s library holdings. This has included all books
available on the shelves for general loan, the antiquarian books and all out-standing
new acquisitions and bequests. All new holdings have been processed, labelled and
added to the general stock on the shelves. This stock-taking is now nearing
completion, but to facilitate the process and to aid completeness of the task I wish to
ask all members with books or journals out on loan, especially those who may have
had them for a considerable amount of time, to return these items to Dinton Pastures
before the end of February 2006. This is most important and I would appreciate your
cooperation in making the stock-taking as complete as possible. This will enable me
to have a clearer picture of the current status of our holdings and where we may be
deficient in subject matter.

IAN SIMS

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 259

THE INFLUENCE OF EMPTYING FREQUENCY OF PITFALL
TRAPS ON THE CAPTURE OF EPIGEAL INVERTEBRATES,
ESPECIALLY PTEROSTICHUS MADIDUS
(COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE)

JOHN M. HOLLAND AND CHRISTINA J.M. REYNOLDS

The Game Conservancy Trust, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1EF, UK.
Jholland@gct.org.uk

ABSTRACT

Pitfall trapping has many inadequacies but remains the most used method of
collecting epigeal invertebrates. Trap data are often standardised to numbers per
day, however, invertebrates already captured may cause attraction making this
standardisation invalid. To test for attraction, pitfall traps were emptied at different
frequencies and the impact on capture examined. The catch comprised 83%
Coleoptera, of which 90% were Pterostichus madidus Fabricius. Traps which were
emptied after six or nine days had higher capture rates of P. madidus than those
emptied daily or every two or three days. Staphylinidae and Araneae catches were
unaffected by emptying frequency.

INTRODUCTION

Pitfall trapping is the most frequently used method of collecting epigeal
invertebrates in experimental studies because it is cheap and quick, allowing many
samples to be taken (Adis, 1979). However, there are many well-known problems
associated with the use of pitfall traps and although the technique provides some
estimation of diversity for Carabidae (Ulber & Wolf-Schwerin, 1995) it is considered
an unsuitable method for estimating abundance because the capture rate is a result of
abundance, activity and species trappability (Greenslade, 1964; Luff, 1975).
Observations of beetle behaviour at pitfall traps have highlighted many of their
inadequacies (Halsall & Wratten, 1988). There have also been periodic reviews
emphasising the need for caution when interpreting pitfall data (Luff, 1975; Adis,
1979; Sunderland et al., 1995). In addition, many different forms of trap are used,
containing a variety of trapping solutions, some of which are strong attractants, such
as ethylene glycol (Holopainen & Varis, 1986; Weeks & McIntyre, 1997). Moreover,
the number of days over which traps remain open often differs and this may create
additional bias if attraction or repellency occurs, although whether emptying
frequency influences capture rate has not been investigated. This information is
needed if comparisons are to be reliably made between and within studies where
the total capture has been adjusted to a number per trap per day. Information on
emptying frequency may also be used to optimise sample size or used to ensure
that no attraction occurs through the adoption of an appropriate emptying
frequency.

Many of the problems associated with pitfall trapping were listed by Adis (1979),
however emptying frequency was not discussed except for the recommendation that
only season-long trapping should be conducted with an emptying frequency of 2-4
times a month. In many studies this is not logistically or financially possible and
instead periodic trapping is conducted. In this study, the influence of the frequency of
emptying pitfall traps on the total numbers of captured invertebrates was
investigated in a pea field in southern England.

260 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An off-set grid of pitfall traps with 40 x 20m spacing was set up across six arable
fields in April 2000 in Dorset, UK (Holland et al., 2004). A block of fifty sampling
positions centrally located in one of these fields (a fodder-pea field) was utilised for
this study. At each position, a single 6 cm diameter trap half-filled with 50% ethylene
glycol solution was used, protected by a plastic rain cover mounted on nails. Ten
positions were randomly allocated to five time treatments. The initial aim was to
empty pitfalls and replace with new traps every 1, 2, 3, 6, or 12 days for a 12-day
period, starting 24 July 2000. However, trapping had to cease after 9 days to allow
farming operations to continue, therefore for data analysis trapping was considered
over two time periods. All invertebrates were removed and stored in 70% alcohol.
Carabidae and Staphylinidae were identified to species or genus, Araneae to family.
Catches were totalled over the nine days for each position emptied every 1, 3 and 9
days. Catches were totalled over the first six days for traps emptied every 1, 2, 3 and 6
days. Totalled catches at each position were transformed to log))(x + 1), and analysis
of variance (ANOVA) applied for the major groups.

RESULTS

The catch comprised 83% Coleoptera, of which 90% was Pterostichus madidus
Fabr. (Table 1). The other Carabidae captured were those typically found on arable
farmland such as Anchomenus dorsalis Pontoppidan, Amara spp., Calathus fuscipes
Goeze, Harpalus rufipes De Geer, Loricera pilicornis Fabr., Notiophilus bigutattus
Fabr. and P. melanarius Illiger. Staphylinidae were predominantly Philonthus
cognatus Stephens and Tachyporus species.

The frequency of emptying of traps had a significant effect on the catches of
P. madidus, total Carabidae and total Coleoptera over both the six- and nine-day
trials, and of P. melanarius in the nine-day trial (Tables 2a and b). No other
coleopteran species was captured in sufficient numbers for statistical analysis. When
P. madidus captures were excluded from the analyses then there were no significant
effects for total Carabidae or total Coleoptera. In the six-day trial there were
according to Fisher’s LSD test significant differences in the capture rate for traps
emptied every | (P=0.001), 2 (P=0.015) and 3 (P=0.005) days compared to 6 days
(Table 2a). For the nine-day trial, capture differed significantly for traps emptied
every | (P=0.002) and 3 (P=0.005) days compared to 9 days (Table 2b). However,
the capture of P. madidus was found by regression analysis to significantly increase
(P=0.005) as the emptying frequency was decreased (Fig. 1). Staphylinidae and
Araneae catches were unaffected by emptying frequency.

Table 1. Composition of the total catch over nine

days.

Group N
Pterostichus madidus 6691
Other Carabidae 203
Staphylinidae 111
Other Coleoptera 43]
Linyphiidae 1487

Other Araneae 34

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 261

Table 2. The frequency of trap emptying on the mean number of individuals (+1 SE) per trap in
a 6 and 9 day trial.

(a) Six-day trial emptied every I, 2, 3 or 6 days

Emptying frequency l 2 3 6 F336 =P

P. madidus 754+9 94+ 13 844+9 141+12 5.3 0.004
Carabidae 76+ 10 96+ 13 854+9 142+ 13 Daz 0.004
Coleoptera $2+11 103 +15 95+11 149+ 13 4.7 0.008
Staphylinidae 135-05 1.7+0.6 0.8+0.2 1.6+0.4 0.6 > 0.05
Araneae 26+2.8 24+ 3.0 22+2.4 203A 0.6 > 0.05

(b) Nine-day trial emptied every 1, 3 or 9 days

Emptying frequency l 3 9 FS 36 P
P. madidus 97+12 118+13 163+15 6.0 0.007
Carabidae 100+ 12 120+ 14 171 +17 6.0 0.007
Coleoptera 110+14 134+15 181+17 5.6 0.009
Staphylinidae 1.7+0.6 1.0+0.4 3.741 Ze > 0.05
Araneae 33+4.3 29+ 3.1 31+3.1 0.2 >0.05
25
ZAP. madidus
— y=0.98x+10.8
20,7 pe sog
>
3
as)
3 15
g
210
=
@)

4 5 6 | 8 5
Emptying frequency (days)

—
nN
Cand

Figure 1. Effect of emptying frequency on the capture rate of Prerostichus madidus.

DISCUSSION

The carabid P. madidus dominated the catch of epigeal invertebrates, because this
is a large active species which is readily captured in pitfall traps and it was also very
abundant in this field at the time of sampling. The capture of P. madidus also
increased if the traps were emptied less frequently indicating that attraction was
occurring. Moreover, this attraction effect was most noticeable after six days
indicating that this species was relatively sensitive to the presence of other beetles in
the traps. This may have occurred through a variety of mechanisms. The beetles may

262 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

have been attracted to the odour generated from the dead beetles in the traps, which
although masked to some extent by the preservative became more noticeable as the
traps were emptied less frequently. Males may have been attracted to females
captured in the traps but this would need verification. This has been found to occur
with live pitfall trapping (Thomas & Sleeper, 1977). Dying beetles may emit an audio
or chemical signal that attracts other beetles. Whatever the mechanism, demonstrat-
ing that attraction occurs has implications for how the data from pitfall trapping are
interpreted. Further work is needed to verify whether attraction occurs for other
species and between species, but it is likely that attraction will occur when other large
carabid species (pers. obs.) are in abundance. Whether there is an interaction
between the type of fluid used in the trap and emptying frequency also needs
investigation, especially as it is already known that there is differential attraction
between species using the same fluid (Adis, 1979). Whether the linear increase in
attraction continues to increase beyond the nine-day period measured here also needs
examining.

The study indicates that when emptying frequency differed between and within
studies, converting total capture to a capture rate per day may generate some bias
and should be avoided. Every effort should be made to standardise the emptying
frequency within studies if numbers captured are to be measured. Even where season
long capture is used, emptying frequency needs to be standardised within a study.
Likewise, this should be done if a comparison is made with another study whilst also
ensuring that all other factors known to influence capture efficiency, such as size of
trap and preservative (Spence & Niemelad, 1994) are kept constant.

Despite the extensive research conducted on pitfall traps and their widespread use,
there still remains considerable variation in their design and use. A standardised
procedure and design as recommended by Adis (1979) has yet to be developed even
though this would greatly enhance the opportunities for comparative ecological
research.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The study was conducted as part of the 3D Farming Project which was funded
under the Sustainable Arable LINK Programme by the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Scottish Executive Environmental Rural
Affairs Department with additional financial support from Dow AgroSciences,
Home-Grown Cereals Authority, Horticultural Development Council, Processors
and Growers Research Organisation, Tesco, Unilever, The Game Conservancy
Trust, The Chadacre Agricultural Trust, The Dulverton Trust, The Manydown
Company, The Worshipful Company of Farmers and The Yorkshire Agricultural
Society. Our thanks to Sue Southway, Katherine Robinson, Matt Collier and Vicki
Carter for assistance with field work and to Cranborne Estates for providing the
study site.

REFERENCES

Adis J. 1979. Problems of interpreting arthropod sampling with pitfall traps. Zoologischer
Anzeiger Jena 202: 177-184.

Greenslade P. 1964. Pitfall trapping as a method for studying populations of Carabidae
(Coleoptera). Journal of Animal Ecology 33: 301-310.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 263

Halsall N.B. & Wratten S.D. 1988. Video recording of aphid predation by Carabidae in a wheat
crop. Brighton Crop Protection Conference: Pests and Diseases, 1988. Vol. 3, pp. 1047—
1052.

Holland J.M., Begbie, M., Birkett, T., Southway, S., Thomas, S.R., Alexander, C.J. & Thomas,
C.F.G. 2004. The spatial dynamics and movement of Prerostichus melanarius and
P. madidus (Carabidae) between and within arable fields in the UK. Jnternational Journal of
Ecology and Environmental Sciences 30: 35-50.

Holopainen J.K. & Varis A.L. 1986. Effects of a mechanical barrier and formalin preservative
on pitfall catches of carabid beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in arable fields. Journal of
Applied Entomology 102: 440-445.

Luff M.L. 1975. Some features influencing the efficiency of pitfall traps. Oecologia 19: 345-357.

Spence J.R. & Niemela J.K. 1994. Sampling carabid assemblages with pitfall traps: the madness
and the method. The Canadian Entomologist 126: 881-894.

Sunderland K.D., De Snoo G.R., Dinter A., Hance T., Helenius J., Jepson P., Kromp B., Samu
F., Sotherton N.W., Ulber B. & Vangsgaard C. 1995. Density estimation for beneficial
predators in agroecosystems. Acta Jutlandica 70: 133-164.

Thomas D.B. & Sleeper E.L. 1977. The use of pit-fall traps for estimating abundance of
invertebrates, with special reference to the Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera). Annals of the
Entomological Society of America 70: 242-248.

Ulber B. & Wolf-Schwerin G. 1995. A comparison of pitfall trap catches and absolute density
estimates of carabid beetles in oilseed rape fields. Acta Jutlandica 70: 77-86.

Weeks R.D. & McIntyre N.E. 1997. A comparison of live versus kill pitfall trapping techniques
using various killing agents. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 82: 267-273.

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Heleodromia irwini Wagner (Diptera: Empididae), an English boreo-alpine relict? —
Heleodromia irwini was first described (Wagner, 1985, A revision of the genus
Heleodromia (Diptera, Empididae) in Europe. Aquatic Insects 7: 33-43) from
material collected on shingle and sand around the Dorback Burn [VC 95] and the
European Alps. These and subsequent records from the Rivers Dee, River Lui and in
Glen Derry (Falk & Crossley, 2005. A review of the scarce and threatened flies of
Great Britain. Part 3: Empidoidea. Species Status 3: 1-134. JNCC, Peterborough)
suggest an exclusively boreo-alpine distribution with adults associated with exposed
marginal sediments of upland rivers and streams. On 8.vii.2005 I found a male
specimen at the edge of a narrow, shallow stream passing through an area of ‘sugar’
limestone but which originated from a small area of blanket bog immediately
upstream on Widdybank Fell, Upper Teesdale (NZ 8130, VC 66). Upper Teesdale is
well known for its relict boreo-alpine fauna and flora and it is suggested that this
isolated occurrence of H. irwini, well removed from its Scottish and Alpine
populations may be indicative of a post-glacial relict population marooned by
retreating ice at the end of the last glaciation.— ADRIAN PLANT, Department of
Biodiversity and Systematic Biology, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, CF10 3NP.

264 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

REVIEWS

Larval foodplants of the butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland by Peter May.
(The Amateur Entomologists’ Society, Orpington, 2003), 56pp. Softback £5.75.
ISBN 0-900054-69-7.

This booklet aims to summarise the known larval foodplants of British butterflies,
both those recorded in nature and those accepted in captivity. The format is simple,
running through the species in taxonomic order with a brief introductory line or
paragraph for each and a list of recorded foodplants below. There is a list of
references, a section on further reading, a short list of entomological suppliers and an
index. An additional article is included as a tribute to Peter Cribb, for many years a
fulcrum of the AES and an expert butterfly breeder. It is called “How to encourage
butterflies to live in your garden’. It was originally published in the AES Bulletin in
1982.

The introduction to this booklet states that its purpose 1s to ‘gather together in one
place all the published records of known foodplants...in a way that will be helpful
to both inexperienced and experienced entomologists’. It undoubtedly will be
helpful, though with some qualifications.

The exact purpose of the introductory line or paragraph for each species is not
always clear. Some state what is/are believed to be the main foodplant/s in the wild.
These make a useful quick reference and are in line with the purpose of the booklet.
However others simply make some general comment on the distribution of a species
or its status under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In the latter case not all
species so protected are noted as such. One is left uncertain when no comment has
been made on preferred foodplants, whether this is because the species is generally
polyphagous, its preferences are unknown, or they are known but simply have not
been stated.

The lists of foodplants given under each species may be quite long. The
introduction states that no attempt is made to list in order of preference due to the
potential geographic variability of this choice. This is understandable, but apart from
some of the introductory lines for each species, no attempt has been made to separate
those foodplants on which larvae have been observed in the wild from the wider
range accepted in captivity.

This booklet is undoubtedly a very useful resource for the butterfly breeder who
may need to resort to alternative foodplants. It is recommended for this purpose as it
circumvents the need to trawl through a wide range of references. However it has
rather more limited use for field studies because one would need to go back to the
original reference to see if a certain foodplant was recorded as being eaten in the
wild, or only in captivity. This is a problem because there is no system of cross
referencing between the foodplants listed and the source of that information. As a
result, in order to discover the circumstances under which a species was recorded on
a particular foodplant one would need access to all the references listed. Then there
would be no alternative but to work through them until the record is found.

In conclusion this is a very useful booklet for the butterfly breeder but of more
limited use to the field worker.

RUPERT BARRINGTON

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 265

OBITUARY
DR G. A. NEIL HORTON 1915-2005

Dr Neil Horton, who famously
discovered the Silurian moth
Eriopygodes. imbecilla (Fabr.),
new to Britain, died on 29 August
2005, aged 89.

Neil was raised in Monmouth-
shire, attending Newport High
School. In his book Monmouth-
shire Lepidoptera, published in
1994, he talks of searching in his
youth for butterflies at Llantar-
nam and “The Plantations’,
Croesyceiliog, (now the site of
County Hall). He also had a great
love of the Wye valley. His family
had a long association with Red-
brook in the Wye valley, where
they ran the Redbrook Tinplate
Co. (making the thinnest tinplate
in the world!). The Angiddy
Valley, above Tintern, was one
of his favourite areas for ento-
mology.

On completing his schooling,
he went to Christ’s College, Cam-
bridge, where he obtained an MA
degree. In addition to his medical
qualifications, he studied for a
degree in Botany and Zoology.
After Cambridge and a period at
St Bartholomew’s Hospital in
London he served as a doctor in
the RAF in India, Burma and
Ceylon.

Neil moved to Usk in the 1950s. In 1958 he moved within Usk to Plas Newydd
where, running a light trap in his garden for 25 years, he accumulated a long list of
first VC moth records (31 macros in all) and many county rarities. He also started
trapping elsewhere in Monmouthshire and further afield, often in the company of his
two great friends Dr John Bradley of the Commonwealth Institute of Entomology
and Lieut.-Col. R.B. Humphreys. In addition to Lepidoptera he also recorded other
insects, particularly Coleoptera, and was an excellent botanist. He was a frequent
participant and visitor to various entomological societies’ exhibitions and
contributed several articles to entomological journals.

In 1968, Neil was invited by John Heath to be County Recorder and Referee for
Monmouthshire butterflies and moths, a post he held for 27 years, but he is best
remembered for the events of 1972. He was keen to investigate the upland moths of
the north-west of the county, and on a fairly windy day (29 July) he looked at the

266 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

maps for sheltered sites and spotted an old disused quarry (Blaentillery Quarry)
above Cwmtillery. The story goes that a car was parked in the quarry. Neil
hammered on the window, telling the occupants that this is where he needed to put
his trap. The occupants obviously thought he was a dangerous madman, and quickly
acquiesced! A small, male, brown noctuid moth came to light which Neil did not
recognise. It was subsequently identified by D.S. Fletcher of the British Museum of
Natural History as E. imbecilla, a species new to Britain. Neil named it the Silurian
after the previous human inhabitants of the area. It was confirmed as a British
resident when further individuals were seen in 1976, and Neil used to tell many
stories of how other entomologists tried to find the site. This year, 33 years after the
first discovery, larvae of the Silurian moth have been found 1n the wild in Britain for
the first time. It 1s sad that Neil died only four months later.

After retiring from practice as a GP in 1983, Neil moved to Llansoy where he had
a magnificent view over east Monmouthshire and, still running a light trap, compiled
another impressive species list for his new garden.

I first met Neil Horton in 1985. He and his wife, Sheila, were very kind with their
hospitality and I thoroughly enjoyed the field trips with Neil, learning a lot about the
best Monmouthshire sites. He also had an encyclopaedic knowledge about
Monmouthshire in general. The slow onset of old age was evident though, and he
became increasingly frustrated with his difficulty in seeing the detailed markings on
specimens in the field and his decreasing dexterity in catching, handling and setting
them. Eventually, about three years ago, his collection of Lepidoptera specimens was
given to the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff.

Ever since its formation in 1963 Neil had a close association with the Gwent
Wildlife Trust. He wrote several articles for the newsletter and in 1974 used the Trust
to publish a leaflet on the Butterflies and Moths of Wentwood which sold for the
princely sum of 10 pence. Twenty years later, the Trust encouraged him to write a
county guide to Lepidoptera and helped seek funding for the project. Much of the
credit must go to the late and much-missed Patrick Humphreys, then President of the
Gwent Wildlife Trust. Patrick’s company, Comma International Biological Systems,
was used to publish the book. Ever the perfectionist, Neil regretted two aspects of his
book. The photographers assigned to produce plates of Neil’s set specimens were
more used to dealing with commercial advertisements than biological specimens. The
first set of plates was scrapped and Neil was still unhappy with the second attempt,
but lack of time and money meant they had to be used—hence the “shadows” on
some of the specimens. He also committed the cardinal sin of missing a typesetting
error which led to his wife’s name being misspelt in the dedications! Then, soon after
publication in 1994, the company producing the book went into liquidation and the
stock of unsold books disappeared, though copies have resurfaced in second-hand
bookshops at Hay-on-Wye and elsewhere.

Eleven years on, Monmouthshire Lepidoptera is still regarded as a bible by local
lepidopterists and I feel sure Neil would be delighted if he knew how much his book
has done to stimulate interest in, and recording of, local butterflies and moths. We
owe him a lot and his contribution will not be forgotten.

Thanks are due to Neil’s son, Steve Horton, for providing the photograph of Neil
and some of the information.

MARTIN ANTHONEY

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 267

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

Selective mortality of stag beetles in Orpington, Kent.—In Britain, the European stag
beetle Lucanus cervus L. (Lucanidae) has traditionally been associated with broad-
leaved woodland areas, however, two recent national surveys (Percy ef al., 2000;
Smith, 2003) have demonstrated its strong presence in urban and suburban areas of
south-east England where this nationally scarce species appeared to be fairly common.
The Borough of Bromley in Greater London is one of those population hotspots.

I started collecting data on dead stag beetles in Orpington in June 2004 when a
fellow commuter deliberately crushed one in front of me. All dead specimens and
body parts were collected daily between June and August 2004. Approximately 30%
of the patrolled route is made of public footpaths covered in tarmac and running
between back gardens or crossing a park (Fig.1). Adult beetles are allegedly attracted
to the warm surfaces of tarmac and pavements (London Biodiversity Partnership,
2000). Records (both live and dead) of stag beetle and lesser stag beetle Dorcus
parallelipipedus L. are marked on the map. There were two clear zones (A and B,
Fig. 1) with high concentrations of stag beetles separated by the most urbanised part
of Orpington (zone C, Fig.l). Zone A is mainly houses with large gardens and small
patches of broadleaved trees. The public footpaths run between back gardens and are
partly lined with edges containing dead wood. This part of Orpington contained
small woodland areas and orchards in the 19th century (Taylor, 1995). Zone A is
probably much larger including the three isolated specimens found further north-
east. The second zone includes part of a large park, a cemetery, small patches of
broadleaved trees and a lane lined with edges containing clear oviposition sites. A
high concentration of dead and live specimens was observed near a pile of decaying
wood. The major changes in this area since the 19th century are the addition of a
large road (Orpington bypass) and ee sinha seas on fields tee me

Lucanus cervus
dead specimen ¢¢
dead unknown sex 4
live specimen e¢

Dorcus lage pred +

Fig. 1. Distribution map of Lucanus cervus and Dorcus parallelipipadus in Orpington, Kent.
Zone C represents the only part of the town centre which can be classified as urban.

268 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

A total of 49 specimens was collected, including 19 thought to have been killed by
pedestrians (19 2) and 23 by natural predators (4 9, 3 3, 16 non-identifiable).
Secondary predation by black ants was observed in nine cases. Specimens which
appeared to have been crushed by pedestrians were complete or nearly complete,
usually with a broken pronotum and commonly had their reproductive organs
outside their abdomen. Stag beetles killed by natural predators were incomplete,
usually a single part of the body (elytron, leg) or different parts found in close
proximity. Some specimens had clear evidence of tooth marks. A further six
specimens (3 2, 3 3) were complete with no apparent signs of crushing and possibly
died of natural causes. One incomplete female specimen apparently crushed by a
pedestrian was probably first killed by a predator. In total, 25 complete or nearly
complete specimens (3 3, 22 2) were collected. Sizes were in accordance with the
literature (Harvey & Gange, 2003) with a median size of 33.8 mm (range 31-38 mm) for
males and 36.3 mm (range 25-45 mm) for females. The smallest female was smaller than
the largest male lesser stag beetle (29mm including mandibles). This illustrates the
identification problems encountered during the national stag beetles survey where smaller
female L. cervus and large D. parallelipipedus might be confused by the general public.

All the specimens assumed crushed by pedestrians were female. This fact could have
three origins (or be a combination of the three): a bias in the collected data, the beetle’s
sex ratio and/or difference of behaviour between the sexes or the behaviour of the
offender. The study is based on a small population size and the difference could be due
to a sampling bias. It is hard to exclude this fact, but males were present in all the other
sampled populations. However, this is just anecdotal evidence and not a solid proof.

The difference could be solely due to a higher proportion of females or a difference
of behaviour between males and females. Such a difference in sex ratio in an area
with an established population can be safely excluded: during the same period over
50% of stag beetles observed during the 2002 national stag beetle survey were males
(Smith, 2003). However, if the females were to be found far more commonly on the
ground than males (especially on tarmac areas) this might explain the difference.
There is no indication in the 1998 and 2002 surveys to back-up this assumption.
Furthermore, during this study seven out of 16 live L. cervus observed on the ground
were males and six out of 14 of the identifiable L. cervus collected (excluding obvious
death by crushing) were males. Finally, in D. parallelipipedus, where it is harder for
members of the general public to differentiate between sexes, eight out of 13 of the
crushed specimens were males.

Finally, the difference could be explained by human behaviour: pedestrians might
be more likely to kill female stag beetles. Such a statement seems blunt, but one could
develop different theories to explain this. People might, for example, recognise male
stag beetles but not females and therefore make a conscious effort of avoiding males
but not females. An alternative theory, proposed by one of my colleagues, is that
people probably do not recognise either but will not go near male stag beetles
because of their more “‘fearsome”’ look.

To test this hypothesis, a small survey of the local residents and people using those
public footpaths was carried out with the help of my wife. The main aim of the
questionnaire was to establish if people could recognise male stag beetles more
readily. It included questions about their perception of stag beetles (national and
local distribution) and details on if and where they had seen a stag beetle. They were
then asked to identify L. cervus from fifteen drawings of insects (mainly Coleoptera).
The overwhelming majority (93%) of the 104 persons who answered “knew” what a
stag beetle was and “had seen” (77%) a stag beetle (72% a live specimen, 28% a dead
one, a third of the sightings occurred this year, over 80% in an urban or suburban

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 269

environment). Interestingly, people did not know the sex of the specimen in the
majority of cases (69%). When asked to identify L. cervus, male stag beetles were the
most common answer but represented by less than a third of the total answers (29%)
but it was nearly three times more often than the females (11%). The two most
incorrect answers were the cockchafer Me/olontha melolontha (L.) and the rose chafer
Cetonia aurata (L.) (18% each), while D. parallelipipedus was chosen in 8% of the
cases. Nearly 50% thought that stag beetles were common in England (25% had no
idea), and none considered it endangered or protected. In terms of local distribution
60% had no idea, 20% thought the species was rare and 20% common. However, the
results of such a small public survey should not be considered as concrete evidence
that the females are more targeted than the males.

It is hard to assess the overall effect of pedestrians on urban population of stag
beetles. Other human activities such as cars or even grass mowing equipments (Jones,
2001) are known to kill stag beetles; and there is little doubt that the biggest damage
is done through the destruction of suitable habitats. Unlike cars or machinery, this
loss of beetles could easily be reduced through education leading to a_ better
recognition of the species.-MARC E. MIQUEL, 7 Albert Road, St Mary Cray,
Orpington BRS 4AF. (marc.miquel@kcl.ac.uk)

REFERENCES

Harvey D. & Gange A. 2003. Presentation on size variation in the stag beetle. Proceedings of the
second pan-European conference on saproxylic beetles. London, People’s Trust for
Endangered Species.

Jones R. A. 2001. Grass-mowing machinery, an important cause of stag beetle mortality in a
south London park. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 14: 221-223.
London Biodiversity Partnership 2000. Species action plan: stag beetle. London Wildlife Trust

http://www.lbp.org.uk/O3action_pdfs/ac20_stagbeetle.pdf

Percy C., Bassford, G. & Keeble, V. 2000. Stag Beetles. Findings of the 1998 National Stag
Beetle Survey. London, People’s Trust for Endangered Species.

Smith M. N. 2003. National Stag Beetle Survey 2002. London, People’s Trust for Endangered
Species.

Taylor P. 1995. Old Ordnance Survey Maps— Orpington 1868. Alan Godfrey Maps, Gateshead.

The recent occurrence of Sturmia bella (Meigen) (Diptera: Tachinidae) in south-west
England, including rearings from two host species of Nymphalidae.—In late summer
2003 I reared five examples of a tachinid fly which I could not identify using the
Royal Entomological Society key of Belshaw (1993). I sent two specimens (9, 3) to
the Natural History Museum whereupon Nigel Wyatt determined them as Sturmia
bella (Meigen). These two examples are now in the Natural History Museum
collection. This parasitoid fly was first recorded from the UK from Hampshire in
July 1998, a male being reared from a pupa of Jnachis io (L.) (Ford et al., 2000).

Collection details: six larvae of Ag/ais urticae (L.) (Nymphalidae) were collected on
3.vili.2003 in a field amongst farmland, Dawlish, Devon (SX 9577). One of these
produced two 3 bella adults early 1x.2003; a second individual (as a pupa) gave one
2 bella, also early ix.2003.

Seven larvae of Polygonia c-album (L.) (Nymphalidae) were collected on
25.vili.2003 from Ulmus on a cliff-top path, Dawlish (SX 9777). One of these gave,
from the pupa, two larvae of S. bella (tachinid larvae appearing 29 and 30.viii), with
two adults (23) hatching on 12.1x.2003.

The next encounter with S. be//la occurred on 24.vii.2004, when I captured three
3¢ on flowers of Pastinaca sativa (L.) (Wild Parsnip) at Studland, Dorset.

270 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

On 29.vii.2004 I collected 28 almost full-grown larvae of A. urticae at Dawlish (SX
9577) two fields away from where the first sample was collected in 2003. I had noted
these as very young larvae on 17.vii.2004 but declined to take them at this stage. The
larvae were divided into two batches of 14, five of one batch died from unspecified
causes; of the remaining, 22 pupated over the period 1—3.viii.2004. All 22 pupae gave
S. bella larvae. The remaining host larva yielded five slightly smaller tachinid pupae;
three of these were of S. bella.

The tachinid maggots all appeared 4—5.vii.2004; as they emerged from the
suspended host pupae they provided a glistening impermanent ‘thread’ which seemed
to assist their descent from the urticae pupae.

The 22 A. urticae pupae produced 23 bella larvae (so, as in 2003, one pupa yielded
two bella larvae). The incidence (rare, apparently) of multiple occupancy of S. bella
in a host was further confirmed when three of the five tachinid pupae ex. the urticae
larva yielded bella adults; a fourth pupa produced a 2 Phryxe sp. [either P. vulgaris
(Fallen) or P. magnicornis (Zetterstedt) (Tachinidae)]. The fifth pupa has (so far)
failed to hatch. All the tachinid adults were bred 12—13.viii.2004.

A total of 26 bella adults were bred: 10 99, 16 33 including | 9, 2 ¢¢ from one
A. urticae larva.

The high rate of parasitism (23 of the 23 surviving larvae) may have implications
for local populations of selected nymphalids.

The details above provide the first known records for S. bella in Dorset and
Devon. Additional records are cited below:

Six larvae of P. c-album collected on 2.v1.2004, Dawlish (SX 9777) failed to yield bella
(all produced butterflies); I was unable to find any second brood P. c-album larvae at
this site. Thirty larvae of Inachis io (L.) collected in the same locality on 2.vi.2004, gave
either butterflies (~ 50%) or a Phobocampe sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).

During August—October 2004 I encountered several more adults of S. bella, all
female. Two of these records (*) were from new localities. The species is evidently on
the wing well into the autumn and is obviously well established in South Devon.

Collection details: all 2004, Devon. All single captures unless indicated.

*Little Haldon (SX 9376) 31.vili.—laneside herbage near moorland. *Newton
Abbot (SX 8572) I.ix.—amongst nettle on a shaded path on semi-marshland.
Dawlish (SX 9777): 2.1x (2929); 7.1x (229), 30.ix., 7.x, and 8.x (all around nettles on a
cliff-top path along which elm grows). Dawlish (SX 9577): 19.1x.—amongst nettle
from where parasitised A. urticae larvae had been found.

All of the above adults were easy to capture: no net was necessary. It is interesting
to speculate how S. bella overwinters. It gains entry to its hosts by laying ova on
foodplants: these are swallowed by the host larva and hatch in the gut (Herting,
1960). Larvae of its above nymphalid hosts are unavailable until spring. A published
record (Chandler et al/., 2001) refers to a male S. bella being reared from Pararge
aegeria (L.) [Nymphalidae] in March—the host pupa being found in February.

The author is indebted to Nigel Wyatt, of the Natural History Museum, for
determining the original specimens, and for describing how to recognise future
examples. Additional information provided by Nigel Wyatt, Matt Smith and Peter
Chandler is gratefully acknowledged.

A. A. ALLEN, 20 Kingsdown Crescent, Dawlish, Devon

REFERENCES

Belshaw, R., 1993. Tachinid flies. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects Vol. 10 Part
4(a)(i). Royal Entomological Society, London.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 271

Chandler, P., Ford, T. H. & Falk, S., 2001. Blepharipa schineri (Mesnil) new in Britain and
notes on recent additions to the British Tachinidae (Diptera). Dipterists’ Digest 8: 11-17.

Ford, T.H., Shaw, M.R. Robertson, D.M. 2000. Further host records of some west Palaearctic
Tachinidae (Diptera). Entomologists’ Record and Journal of Variation 112: 25—36.

Herting, B. 1960. Biologie der westpalaarktischen Raupenfliegen (Dipt., Tachinidae) Mono-
graphien zur agnew. Entomologie 16: 1-188.

Records of Hemiptera from England in 2001-—3.—This note summarises records of
scarce Hemiptera from Southern England in 2001—3, including some new Vice-
County records.

South Hampshire (VC11) Two males of Calligypona reyi (Fieber) (Delphacidae) were
swept from Scirpus and Juncus with Paralimnus phragmitis (Boheman) (Cicadellidae)
in a marshy area behind a belt of stable shingle at Gilkicker Point (SZ6097),
2.vill.2002; new to Hampshire. West Sussex (VC13) Adult Pediopsis tiliae (Germar)
(Cicadellidae) on large isolated Tilia x vulgaris, and Raptalus panzeri Low (Cixiidae),
abundant in open deer grazed parkland pasture, Petworth Park (SU9622), vii—
vii.2001. Surrey (VC17) R. panzeri, several in revegetating pit, Holmethorpe
Sandpits (TQ2951), 14.vii.2001. Asiraca clavicornis (F.) (Delphacidae) abundant on a
flower rich bank, Wimbledon Common (TQ2272), on 18.vi.2001. Berkshire (VC22)
P. tiliae on mature lime T. x vulgaris, at Burghfield Mill (SU6770) on vi—vui.2003.
Euscelidius variegatus (Ribaut) (Cicadellidae) at light trap, Sheffield Bottom
(SU6569) on 7.viii.2003. According to Kirby (1992) this species is restricted to the
coastal counties along the south coast and Yorkshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, with no
previous Berkshire records. Macrosteles quadripunctulatus (Kirschbaum) (Cicadelli-
dae) in MV light-trap at Sheffield Bottom (SU6569) on 7.viii.2003. According to
Kirby (1992), only known from six sites, including Silwood Park in Berkshire. Two
males of Ribautodelphax angulosus (Ribaut) (Delphacidae) were swept from dry
grassland at Field Farm (SU6770) close to the River Kennet, on 15.vu.2003. Mid-
West Yorkshire (VC64) Two males of Calligypona reyi (Fieber) (Delphacidae) were
swept from Juncus in a marshy area on the site once occupied by Fryston Main
Colliery (SE4426) on 4.vi.2004; new to Yorkshire. A large reed bed on the site also
supported Chloriona dorsata Edwards and C. glaucescens Fieber (Delphacidae). —
JONTY DENTON, Kingsmead, Wield Road, Medstead, Hampshire GU34 5NJ.

REFERENCE

Kirby, P. 1992. A review of the scarce and threatened Hemiptera of Great Britain. UK Nature
Conservation No. 2. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.

Southern bush-cricket Meconema meridionale Costa (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in
Kent.—On 6.1x.2005 a male Meconema meridionale was found on a tomato plant
growing against the south facing wall of the author’s house in Gravesend Kent
TQ6773. This was the only specimen found. The bush-cricket was readily identified
by reference to Hawkins, 2001, British Journal of Entomology and Natural History,
14: 207-213. The male cerci are distinctive. Hawkins (op. cit.) details the first British
records of this species found in 2001 in Surrey and Berkshire. Whether the Kent
specimen represents a further consolidation of the range of this species, or another
introduction, is unknown.—M. T. JENNINGS, 206 Lower Higham Road, Gravesend,
Kent, DA12 2NN.

272 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Sericomyia silentis (Harris) (Diptera: Syrphidae) reported from Northamptonshire. —
The large hoverfly Sericomyia silentis is a common and generally widespread species
in Britain, with almost 3000 records from some 830 10 km grid squares included in
the Provisional Atlas of British Hoverflies. However, a glance at the distribution map
in the Aflas reveals large tracts within which this fly is very local, or even, apparently,
absent. In particular it seems to be a rare insect in the south and east midlands of
England.

It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise to be shown a specimen of S. silentis netted on
09.vi.2005 by Dr Kathleen Ann Smith from a restricted wetland area included in the
Lings Wood LNR, Northampton (Grid ref. SP 803641). The fly was spotted at rest
on tall vegetation adjacent to the “‘Dew Pond” part of the reserve. This is a small,
very shallow pool, tending to dry out in summer, surrounded by deciduous
woodland, and well encumbered with dead logs and other debris (thanks to the
activities of youths from adjacent estates). Lings Wood mostly grows on a fine,
podsolic sand, which would probably have supported heathland in the 19th century
before trees were planted.

This may be the first record of S. si/entis from Northants. (VC32); there are not
even any dots on the At/as map from the Peterborough area, much better recorded
for hoverflies than the rest of the county.

I am grateful to Dr Smith for permission to publish her record, and to the Beds.,
Cambs., Northants and Peterborough Wildlife Trust for encouraging insect
recording on reserves such as Lings Wood.—GAVIN BoyD, 91 Fullingdale Road,
Northampton NN3 2PZ.

INDOOR MEETINGS

8 March 2005

The President, Dr M. R. WILSON announced the deaths of Dr D. H. Howton,
Professor Sir John Dacie and Dame Miriam Rothschild.

The following persons were approved as members by Council: Miss Arabella K.L.
Bramley, Dr Andrew W. Coleman, Dr Roy C. Hilton, Mr Adrian P. Knowles,
Mr Michael Massie and Mrs Emma Ross.

The President reported on a discussion with a colleague concerning the date of
arrival in Britain of the grey squirrel flea. He wondered whether there had been any
deliberate introductions of insects into Britain that has succeeded in becoming
established. Several suggestions were made, including continental strains of the
Large Copper and Large Blue butterflies, non-native strains of the honeybee and
some insects introduced as biological controls for pests, such as Rhizophagus grandis
(Gyll.) for the control of the great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans Kug.

The Ordinary meeting was then followed by the AGM and the Presidential
Address.

10 May 2005

The President, Dr M. TELFER, opened the meeting.

Mr A. J. HALSTEAD showed some live flower chafer beetles, Oxythyrea funesta
(Poda) sent to him from a garden in Provence, France, where they were damaging
rose flowers. This species does not occur in Britain.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 273:

Dr M. TELFER showed a specimen of the bombardier beetle, Brachinus crepitans
(L.) (Carabidae). This local beetle was taken on 3.v.2005 at Rye Harbour, Sussex.

The following persons were approved as members by Council: Mr Richard P.
Chadd, Mr Paul B. Chapman, Mr I. Jim Fairclough, Mr Andy M. Harmer and
Mr Derek J. Mills.

Dr J. MUGGLETON announced that the Society’s Curator, Peter Chandler, was due
to receive the H. H. Bloomer Award, presented by the Linnean Society, on 24th
May. This is awarded for an outstanding contribution to Natural History in a non-
professional capacity.

Dr PHILIP PUGH spoke on Mr Pye’s shells—a rescued Victorian collection. The
study and collection of shells is known as conchology and it has a long history. Shells
of marine molluscs have been found in stone-age graves hundreds of kilometres from
the nearest coast. Two houses excavated in Pompeu had shell collections with
specimens from as far away as the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The first British
books on shells were published in the 17th and 18th centuries. Interest in shell
collecting increased in the 19th century as increasing international trade and travel
opened up new areas for collecting. Many collections were amassed by collectors
buying specimens from dealers, with the trade in exotic shells continuing well into the
twentieth century. Around 1980, increasing concern about conservation led to some
countries placing bans on the export of shells and introducing regulations on the
trade.

The speaker’s introduction to the Pye collection came about when he attended a
lecture on Invertebrate Surveying given by Roger Key. After the lecture, Dr Key
mentioned that the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union had a Victorian shell collection
in store in a Lincoln museum. It needed a new home because the museum was being
renovated and items considered to be not relevant to Lincolnshire were being cleared
out. The collection was housed in three cabinets and contained about 6000
specimens. The collector, Alfred William Pye was born at Clee, near Grimsby in 1861
but little else is known about him.

The collection was in need of cleaning and conservation. The shells have been
degreased by gentle washing in water and detergent, soaking and rinsing, followed by
slow air drying. The original labels were on pieces of paper that had become very
dirty. The data have been transcribed on to a spreadsheet and edited into a single
database. About half the shells were damaged but the rest were in good condition. Of
the original collection, about 2800 shells have been transferred to metal cabinets. The
rest have been given away as reference collections to students at the Anglia
Polytechnic University or to children visiting the annual Cambridge Natural History
Conversazione.

Mr Pye’s collection had most of the specimens named but no information on
where and when they were collected. This lack of provenance data means that the
collection is of little interest to museums. Pye’s collection has some species that are
now extinct and some that must have been collected before these species had been
formally described and named. The principal areas from which Pye’s specimens had
come were marine molluscs from Western America, the Caribbean, the Red Sea and
East Africa, South Australia, South west Pacific and New Caledonia. Land mollusc
Shells included those from the Philippines and Hawaii. In the future, the Pye
collection, now in the ownership of the speaker may be made available to the public
through the medium of digital images on a website.

The speaker warned modern shell collectors who buy specimens from dealers or on
e-bay to check the provenance to ensure they were collected ethically and not in
contravention of CITES regulations.

274 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005
FIELD MEETINGS

Bernwood Forest, Buckinghamshire, 22 May 2004 — National Moth Night

Leaders: Paul Waring (PW) & Martin Albertini— This field meeting was the third
attempt by the BENHS to find the False Mocha Cyclophora porata (L.) at Bernwood
Forest in recent years. The previous attempts on 24 August 2002 and 24 May 2003
were unsuccessful. On the 2002 meeting 17 light-traps were operated but the evening
session was preceded by a heavy downpour and resulted in very small light-trap
catches. Many species which were known to be present were not seen in the catches.
The second meeting was successful in recording the Orange Footman Eilema
sororcula (Hufn.) for the second year running, after many years without a sighting.
Russell Bretherton had recorded a singleton of the moth in Hell Coppice on 12 May
1944 and one across the road in Waterperry Wood on 23 May 1943. The last prior to
2001 was one captured in Hell Coppice by Roger Clarke at m.v. light on 14 June
1958 and retained in his collection. The 22 May 2004 was National Moth Night and
because the False Mocha was one of the target species, the leaders resolved to make
another attempt to find the moth at Bernwood, where it was recorded annually in
small numbers from 1984-1986 but had not been seen since (Waring, 2002).

As always at this site, this meeting was held jointly with the Buckinghamshire
Invertebrate Group and the Moths of Oxfordshire Recording Scheme (MORSE) and
was very well attended, fifteen of us all together. On this occasion it was a night
meeting only. Patrick Boston, David Maunder and I were all early to arrive which
enabled us to beat in good light (20.00—20.25h) for larvae of the Barred Tooth-
striped moth Trichopteryx polycommata (D.&S.) along the roadside edge of Hell
Coppice and in the hedge on the opposite side of the road, in both of which there is
abundant Wild Privet Ligustrum vulgare the main larval foodplant (Fig. 1).
Unfortunately, despite a thorough beating of the accessible privet, we found none.
We did however obtain a larva of Svensson’s Copper Underwing Amphipyra berbera
svenssoni Fletcher with a distinctive red tip to its tail, and this larva continued to feed
on privet in captivity. Russell Bretherton and E.B. Ford recorded finding eight adult
Barred Tooth-striped sitting on small bushes of L.vulgare in the hedgerow on the
southern edge of Hell Coppice after dark on 15 March 1938 and many more on
17 March 1938 but they noted that they did not come to the car headlights unlike
other moths were doing (Bretherton, 1940, 1941; diary extracts). When Maitland
Emmet visited the site on 28 March 1950 he found a number of Barred Tooth-striped
moths here, two of which are now in PW’s collection. Both specimens are labelled
Hell Coppice. They were acquired by PW from Maitland’s collection at the
duplicates day held by BENHS at Dinton Pastures on 17 April 2004 when specimens
surplus to the requirements of the Society were disposed amongst members. These
records of Maitland’s appear to be the last of the species from Bernwood Forest
(Waring, 1990).

A possible reason for the decline or disappearance of the Barred Tooth-striped
from this woodland edge was suggested by observations made on this field meeting.
Both the hedge and verge had evidently been trimmed back hard to maintain road
visibility around the entrance to the wood and the curves in the road. Many of the
trimmings were still lying green on the ground so the operation must have taken
place in the week before the meeting, at a time when it may have impacted on any
larvae. This trimming happens most years and perhaps over time losses have been
more than the populations could withstand. Dunk (1956) reports a more likely cause
for the apparent loss however, namely serious damage and destruction of the

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 275

Fig. 1. Hell Coppice, Bernwood Forest, Bucks. 22 May 2004. Beating for larvae of the Barred
Tooth-striped moth on wild privet on roadside, which has been tightly trimmed.

hedgerow by the Forestry Commission in the early 1950s shortly after they acquired
the site. This was followed by spraying of broad-leaved woody plants with herbicides
on a number of occasions during the 1960s to prevent native trees and shrubs
competing with the newly planted conifer crops (Cribb, 1962). A fairly comprehen-
sive list and partial collection of macro-moths from Bernwood Forest and its
environs were made by Roger Clarke during the 1960s but the Barred Tooth-striped
was absent from both. On several occasions between 1984 and 1986 PW searched
both the roadside hedge and a couple of other stands of L.vulgare within Oakley and
Shabbington Woods in the hope of rediscovering adults or larvae of this species, but
without success. But he has still not given up hope that it may survive somewhere on
this 450ha site.

A total of six Robinson traps and two actinic Heath traps was set up just before
dusk fell. All of these were in the Oakley Wood part of the site where PW had seen
the False Mocha regularly from 1984-1986. For the record, a 6W actinic Heath trap
was placed at FC ride intersection 7 (the southern of the two in Oakley Wood) in
exactly the same place, and of exactly the same design as the trap used at least weekly
by PW in this position in 1984 and 1985, so that the results could be compared with
catches from twenty years ago (Fig. 2). Two Robinson traps were operated in the
ride heading east from this intersection, two more in the main ride heading north to
the next intersection, a Robinson in the ride heading east from the latter, an actinic in
the ride heading west from this and a Robinson trap in FC compartment 12 in a
recently coppiced portion between the two intersections. As dusk fell various
members of the group patrolled around any low oak foliage and walked the rides
with nets looking for C. porata, which are sometimes seen on the wing at this time.

276 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Fig. 2. Oakley Wood, Bernwood Forest, Bucks. 22 May 2004. Actinic trap in FC Ride
Intersection 7.

At 22.50h a singleton of the closely-related Maiden’s Blush Cyclophora punctaria (L.)
was netted on the wing and another was seen arriving at one of the traps at 22.30h,
along with several Cockchafers Melolontha melolontha (L.). Other moths netted on
the wing at dusk included several Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria Knoch, two
Brimstone moth Opisthograptis luteolata (L.), two Common White Wave Cabera
pusaria (L.), two Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia (D.&S.) and the
most noteworthy - three Small White Wave Asthena albulata (Hufn.), which PW had
indeed recorded here two decades previously and had beaten as larvae from the hazel
understorey. No False Mocha were seen in this exercise however. It is worth noting
that small saplings and bushes of oaks are now harder to find than in the mid-1980s,
because all the trees and shrubs have grown larger in the last two decades and have
extended further up and into the ride edges, where the smaller oaks were mainly
found. Even in the small coppiced plot, which is rather shaded by trees, the regrowth
is mainly hazel and small oaks, which C. porata 1s believed to favour, are notable by
their absence.

The weather conditions were not promising for large hauls of moths on this night.
The air temperature at dusk was only 10°C, falling to 8°C at 22.00h, 6°C at 23.30h,
3°C at 01.45h and only 1°C at 05.00h. The sky was completely clear, but at least there
was no rain and only a very light breeze. A Great Prominent Peridea anceps (Goeze)
had arrived by 22.30h in the trap amongst the oak trees and coppice stools in compt.
12, by which time we had also recorded the Barred Umber Plagodis pulveraria (L.),
the Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli (L.), the Pale Oak Beauty Hypomecis
punctinalis (Scop.), the Seraphim Lobophora halterata (Hufn.), and the Poplar
Lutestring Tethea or (D. & S.) as singletons at light in this compartment or along the

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 277.

main ride. All of these are woodland moths of some note in the Oxford area,
principally associated with hazel, oak and aspen, respectively, mainly in large ancient
woods. By 23.30h a male and a female Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi (L.) had
been added.

Some of the group departed at midnight, while others stayed all night and caught
some sleep in their cars. As a measure of how relatively poor the catches were, the
actinic trap operated all night at the southern ride intersect captured just six moths,
of six species—a Poplar hawk, a Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina (L.), a
Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata (Clerck), a Pale Oak Beauty, a Common
Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata (Hufn.) and a Grey Pine Carpet Thera
obeliscata (Hbn.). The Robinson traps did little better, with only twenty or fewer
macro-moths per trap. In addition to some of the above named, the Plain Wave
Idaea straminata (Borkh.) was the most noteworthy additional species. No additional
species were added after 02.00h on this cold night. The leader recorded the catch at
his two Robinson traps in full, that on the main ride capturing fourteen macro-moths
of ten species, the other in the coppiced area eleven macro-moths of seven species. He
was prepared to believe that the low catches were mainly a function of the weather
on the night, but Martin Albertini and Peter Hall reported that catches had been
below average almost every night they had been out light-trapping in Buckingham-
shire that season. For comparison, the catch at the actinic trap in the intersection on
23 May 1984, when the dusk temperature was 13°C, dropping to a minimum of 5°C
for the night, was 58 macro-moths of 21 species and this included two False Mocha,
seven Maiden’s Blush, two Birch Mocha C. albipunctata (Hufn.) as well as six Nut-
tree Tussock and two Great Prominent.

Beating some of the hazel for larvae produced a Satellite Eupsilia transversa
(Hufn.) and a Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria (L.). At midnight a female Glow-
worm Lampyris noctiluca L.was seen illuminating to attract a mate on the main ride
through Oakley Wood near its northern intersection.

The total list of adult macro-moths recorded on the night was 34 species. A copy
of the full tabulation of results has been lodged with Martini Albertini as County
Moth Recorder for Buckinghamshire.

According to Davis & Brook (2005) no False Mocha were seen anywhere in the
British Isles on this National Moth Night but PW has been informed that one was
seen in Sussex on 20 May, so at least this showed the flight season had started in the
south.

The leaders thank all those who attended and helped to make this a very sociable
and enjoyable evening, and especially the hardy people who stuck it out to run their
traps all night. We thank the Forestry Commission for permission to hold the
meeting and to bring our vehicles into the wood.

REFERENCES

Bretherton, R.F. 1940. A list of the macro-lepidoptera of the Oxford district. Proceedings and
report of the Ashmolean Natural History Society 1939: 25-70.

Bretherton, R.F. 1941. Additions to the list of macro-lepidoptera of the Oxford district.
Proceedings and report of the Ashmolean Natural History Society 1940: 22-23.

Cribb, P.W. 1962. Dis-afforestation. Entomologist’s Gazette 13: 153-154.

Davis, T. & Brook, S. 2005. National Moth Night results: 22 May 2004. Atropos 25: 23-32.

Dunk, H.C. 1956. Hell Coppice. Entomologist’s Record & Journal of Variation 68: 158-159.

Waring, P. 1990. The status in Bernwood Forest of moth species which are recognised as
nationally uncommon. Entomologist’s Record & Journal of Variation 102: 233-238.

278 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Waring, P. 2002. Some observations on False Mocha Cyclophora porata (Linn.) in Oakley
Wood, Buckinghamshire, and Waterperry Wood, Oxfordshire. Atropos 15: 19-24.
Waring, P. 2004. Wildlife reports— Moths. British Wildlife 15: 433-435.

CORRIGENDUM

In a previous field meeting report on this wood (BJENH 17: 250), a wrong
photograph was selected at the printing stage. The lower photograph is Oakley
Wood Ride Intersection 7 on the afternoon of 25 August 1985. The upper
photograph is the same Intersection on 17 April 1984. However, the intention was to
show how the trees and ride-side vegetation have encroached upon the rides in the
last twenty years and made them narrower, and to show the deer fence that has been
installed, by reproducing a photograph from the recent field meeting. This is now
achieved with this report. Fig. 2 of this report shows Oakley Wood Ride Intersection
7 on 22 May 2004.

Otmoor, Oxfordshire, 26 June 2004

Leaders: Paul Waring (PW) & Martin Townsend (MT)—Otmoor in Oxfordshire is
a site of which PW is especially fond, having explored it on a casual basis for
Lepidoptera and other wildlife over a period of 35 years. Part of it was notified as an
SSSI by the Nature Conservancy as early as 1952. This field meeting was the first of a
planned series of five PW intends to lead for the BENHS, jointly with the Moths of
Oxfordshire Recording Scheme (MORSE) and Butterfly Conservation’s Upper
Thames Branch. One meeting will take place annually in a different month each year,
much as has just been completed for the Rushy Meadows SSSI, a site of somewhat
similar habitat, also in Oxfordshire (see Waring & Townsend, 2005, and references
within). As in the Rushy Meadows project, the opportunity is taken here to provide
some background information to the site and to the recording of the Lepidoptera
that has taken place there. The aims both of the field meetings and the reports that
will follow are to compliment and augment the entomological records for various
Orders summarised recently by John Campbell in Tremayne & Lackie (2001), with
particular emphasis on the macro-moths, and to examine the effects of habitat
management on the fauna. In the case of Rushy Meadows there appeared to have
been no previous recorder of moths and no records prior to the 1970s. The
Lepidoptera of Otmoor have been explored over a much longer period of time,
although Walker (1926) does not mention the site once in his account of the macro-
moths of the Oxford District. The only macro-moth record from an Otmoor locality
mentioned in the section on Lepidoptera in the Victoria County History for
Oxfordshire (Walker & Hobby, 1939) is a Minor Shoulder-knot Brachylomia
viminalis (Fab.) taken in Prattle Wood by J.J. Walker. This record is repeated with
only one other record from Otmoor, a Seraphim Lobophora halterata (Hufn.) also
from Prattle Wood, captured by Russell Bretherton, date unspecified, in Bretherton’s
list of the macrolepidoptera for the Oxford District (Bretherton, 1940). The first
supplement to this list (Bretherton, 1941) includes another record from Otmoor, a
Gold Spot Plusia festucae (L.) “bred from pupa, June 1936, by A. Maitland Emmet”’.
The second and last supplement to this list (Emmet, 1948) adds two additional and
very important records for Otmoor: a Lappet Gastropacha quercifolia (L.) from
‘Studley one larva 17 May 1942 (Mrs Plant)’’ evidently considered a noteworthy
find, and Marsh Fritillary butterflies Euphydryas aurinia (Rott.) on “Otmoor,
common, 30 May 1944, B.B. Osmaston’’. The latter is in the section of the list

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 279

entitled “‘new localities for species previously recorded” and is presumably the
discovery of this species on Otmoor, which is not listed among the Oxfordshire sites
for the species by Walker (1926) or Walker & Hobby (1939).

The above few records are evidence that Otmoor was being visited by
lepidopterists before and during the Second World War, but it is noteworthy that
neither Walker nor Bretherton mention Otmoor as a special locality, unlike Cothill
Fen and Bullingdon Bog, in their introductions to important Oxfordshire sites for
Lepidoptera. It would appear from the above that Otmoor was not considered an
unusual habitat or a special destination at that time (a conclusion also reached by
John Campbell (ibid.) on the basis of the recording of other groups of insects at this
time. It is concluded that there were probably no resident moth recorders in the
“seven towns” of Otmoor before the Second World War or Bretherton would have
mentioned more records, as he did in the case of other contributors to his list.

As yet the work of all the moth recorders since the Second World War has not
been gathered together and there is currently no definitive historical list of moths for
the site. It is hoped that one outcome of these meetings will be to stimulate the
locally-based moth recorders to compile that list. This will enable us to see if each
meeting is adding any new species or rediscovering species for which there are no
recent records. Another major reason for embarking on this project now is that the
RSPB has recently initiated an extensive programme of land acquisition, habitat
change and management on Otmoor and the results of the field meetings will help
monitor any changes in the moth fauna. An equally important reason for this series
of meetings is that Otmoor still retains something of a timeless and wilderness
quality, even though it is heavily managed, and it can be a magical locality in which
to explore at night and to awake at dawn to inspect light-trap catches. We hope that
other BENHS members will take the opportunity to join us over the next four years.

Otmoor means “fen of Otta” and is a roughly circular, very flat, poorly drained
bowl of mainly Oxford clay, about 10 square kilometres (1000 hectares) in extent,
lying on the north-east side of Oxford and is uninhabited, remarkably for lowland
Britain today. Most of the surface is a uniform 59 m above sea-level. It is bordered by
the villages of Beckley, Horton-cum-Studley, Murcott, Fencott, Charlton-on-
Otmoor, Oddington, Islip and Noke which are on slightly higher ground consisting
of Cornbrash to the north-west and Corallian grits and limestone to the south and
east. The River Ray winds slowly through the site, fed by smaller streams and
ditches. Habitats include an extensive system of ditches or dykes, mostly from the
19th century, with well vegetated banks, much open, rough pasture, some of which
floods, with old and mature hedgerows and thickets, mainly of Common Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna. There 1s aquatic and marginal vegetation by the River Ray and
developing reed-beds. Tree cover is limited. There are many willow trees, especially
Crack Willow Salix fragilis, some pollarded, with the range of other broad-leaves
increasing to the edges of Otmoor and including ash and Pedunculate Oak Quercus
robur. These trees are mainly confined to the hedgerows but a block of oak woodland
known as Otmoor Spinney was planted about one hundred years ago beside Otmoor
Rifle Range, a part of the Moor which has been used for decades by the Ministry of
Defence, initially from the 1930s for bombing exercises and latterly for fire-arms
practice. There are a few small remnants of native broad-leaved woodland on the
margins of Otmoor, notably Noke Wood and Prattle Wood on the south-west side,
and in the north-east corner is Whitecross Green Wood, which has been planted
extensively with introduced conifers. For most of its recorded history Otmoor has
been a producer of wildfowl, crayfish, domestic geese and other produce associated
with wetland and has been rough-grazing for cattle. It was not until well after the

280 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Second World War that other agricultural uses were successful, though drainage had
been attempted by the digging of the Outer and Inner Ring ditches which were
installed between 1815 and 1820, following the Enclosure Acts (Tremayne & Lackie,
2001).

From 1969 to 1976 a major part of the western half of Otmoor was cleared and
ploughed and big ditches installed in an attempt to drain it to grow arable crops,
encouraged by numerous government grants and subsidies of that time. PW well
remembers how deep, steep and hazardous the banks of the new dykes looked just
after excavation and could hardly believe this engineering was happening. He fully
expected to find mammals falling into the deep ditches and drowning. Once the
banks and water margins became colonised by native vegetation it became clear that
these works offered considerable additional opportunities for wildlife. Ron Louch
(pers. comm.) monitored a great increase in many species of nesting song birds as a
result, and these would have been exploiting increased populations of insects.
Meanwhile barley and wheat were grown for some years on the drained fields, then
this area was left uncultivated as agricultural ‘‘set-aside’ and to revert until
acquisition by the RSPB began in September 1997. Previously this ground had been
wet grassland used as rough-grazing for beef cattle. The eastern half of Otmoor, of
which the ““Hundred-Acre Field” is a large proportion, has remained as rough
grazing throughout this period and remains so today (see Hobson & Price, 1961 for
an annotated map showing the traditional field names to be used in these reports).
This particular field has also retained a particularly wet area, known as Fowl’s Pill,
on its west edge adjacent to the line of an old Roman Road. Fowl’s Pill, or pool,
floods in winter and remains damp most of the rest of the year. This was always the
best place to flush Common Snipe, which are still present, and in winter it is
frequented by flocks of various species of duck. Flooding of much larger areas occurs
in some winters. The whole area was hunted by Short-eared Owls during the winter
and sometimes three or four could be seen together in one day, which remains the
case today. PW and Ron Louch regularly found Long-eared Owls roosting in the
thorn hedges and bushes, especially in Joseph Stone Field in the centre of Otmoor,
and breeding was confirmed. Curlew were heard every spring. Long-eared owls and
curlews are still resident. Along the old ditches around the Hundred Acre field PW
has had a number of sightings of Water Shrew and Grass-snake, especially in the
mid-1970s when he visited Otmoor particularly frequently, and both species are still
present. Those outer fields of Otmoor that have not been ploughed and reseeded still
contain herb-rich grassland which is sometimes cut for hay or silage. One field on the
north side by Charlton-on-Otmoor, known as Arthur’s Acre has a traditional hay-
cut in July. This field is full of Green-winged Orchids which are apparently one of the
first plants to be lost following any artificial enrichment of the soil. Arthur’s Acre
was visited by PW briefly en route to the start of this field meeting, and a Blue-
bordered Carpet moth Plemyria rubiginata (D.&S.) was flushed from the dense
hedge of predominantly blackthorn which surrounds this field. Blackthorn in various
places in and around Otmoor also supports the Black and Brown Hairstreak
butterflies Satyrium pruni (L.) and Thecla betulae (L.), both of which PW has
recorded personally, both as adults and larvae. The populations of the 7. betulae are
currently monitored annually in the overwintering egg stage by David Redhead and
his team of volunteers from Butterfly Conservation’s Upper Thames Branch. The
other lepidopteron for which Otmoor was well-known from the 1970s to the 1990s
was the Marsh Fritillary. A sizeable population of this butterfly existed on the Range
and in a couple of the neighbouring fields. The population was studied intensively by
Keith Porter for his Ph.D. thesis (Porter, 1981). However, despite all the

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 281

accumulated knowledge that resulted from this study, the population was
subsequently lost due to later mis-management of the habitat by cutting and over-
grazing, the last butterflies being seen in 1996 (John Campbell, ibid.).

Among the many moths noted on Otmoor over the years and considered
important in an Oxfordshire context are the Forester moth Adscita statices (L.),
Emperor moth Saturnia pavonia (L.) and Fox moth Macrothylacia rubi (L.). PW saw
the Forester moth in the fields known as Moor Leys and Otmoor Closes in the 1970s
(i.e. by the current RSPB car park), and also on Otmoor Range. Mature larvae of the
Emperor and Fox moths were sometimes encountered wandering over the ground in
and around the range and young larvae of the Emperor were found on several
occasions feeding gregariously on the leaves of Meadowsweet, which appears to be
the principle foodplant used on this site, although others are available. Walker (1926)
comments that the Emperor was considered scarce in the Oxford area in the 1920s
and that indeed he had no recent records.

The RSPB has already made a considerable impact on Otmoor by creating scrapes
and lagoons of open water in the western half where the arable crops were growing in
the 1970s (Fig. 1). Many thousands of plants of Common Reed Phragmites australis
have been grown and planted out by the water to establish large areas of reed-beds
quickly, with the aim of attracting birds such as Bittern which have been recorded
visiting Otmoor occasionally in the last few years.

In terms of monitoring the responses of the invertebrate fauna, the numbers of
species and individuals of such reed-dependent moths as various of the wainscots
(Noctuidae), the semi-aquatic species such as the China-marks (Pyralidae) and other
species associated with the water’s edge will be of particular interest and will be
scrutinised during field meetings.

This first meeting comprised an afternoon session from 14.30h and an evening
session from 20.00h, with the opportunity for meals in the Abingdon Arms Public

Fig. 1. New lagoons created by RSPB at Otmoor, 24 June 2004.

282 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

House in the nearby village of Beckley prior to each session. For the daytime meeting
PW was joined by Ivan Wright, and Gordon and Joyce Ushaw.

Unfortunately the weather was unfavourable for insect activity throughout the
afternoon. It was cool and overcast with intermittent showers, some heavy, as
forecast, which undoubtedly deterred attendance. Apart from the occasional insect
disturbed as we walked through the wet rough swards, very few flying insects were
seen. The vegetation was too wet to beat or sweep but the uncut swards in the fields
by the Rifle Range were full of flowers of such localised plants as Saw-wort Serratula
tinctoria. With the aid of his waterproof map, Nick Droy from the RSPB gave us an
excellent introduction to the RSPB acquisition of land at this site, the objectives and
the recent habitat management by the RSPB since 1997.

For about the thirty minute duration of Nick’s open-air presentation, PW had
pheromone lures suspended in a stand of crack willow at the RSPB car park by
Moor Leys field in the faint hope of attracting Red-tipped Clearwing Synanthedon
formicaeformis (Esper). As his experience is that clearwings are seldom attracted
except in warm, usually sunny, weather, this was more a demonstration of the
method than an effort likely to produce a positive result. No clearwings were seen
and the lures were packed away when it began to spot with rain.

A Shark moth Cucullia umbratica (L.) was found at rest on one of the posts of the
boundary fence of the field adjacent to the MOD Rifle Range. A female Common
Darter dragonfly Sympetrum striolatum (Charp.) was plucked torpid from its roost in
the sward. We disturbed a Little Owl from one of the mature oak trees by the main
access track to the range and a curlew flew over. A few Ringlet butterflies Aphantopus
hyperantus (L.) were flushed and a single male Marbled White Melanargia galathea
(L.). No Forrester moths were found.

Next we inspected the areas where the RSPB has created a system of scrapes,
lagoons, channels and redbuds. Reed Warblers were already established in the reed
beds and calling. We saw four Little Egrets by the scrapes, and a Great Crested
Grebe with a chick in one of the lagoons. A stoat and a hobby were also seen. There
were plenty of mosquitoes along the dykes and in rank vegetation but PW managed
to keep the inside of his car a mosquito-free zone.

PW was pleasantly surprised that the traffic on the M40, which was built in the late
1980s, could not be heard on this occasion and there were virtually no street lights or
domestic lighting visible from the central part of Otmoor—so the wilderness quality
of the place is still somewhat unspoilt when the wind is blowing in the right direction.
PW operated two Robinson light-traps all night, one on the top of the raised ditch
bank on the northern edge of Moor Leys and Otmoor Closes in the shelter of tall
willows near the pump-house (SP 568129) (Fig. 2), the other in open rough grassland
by a water channel, the main dyke and on the edge of grazing marsh. There was soon
a cluster of moths and other flying insects around the bulbs— which is always a sign
of a promising night. PW had wanted to operate light-traps here for many years, ever
since his couple of productive sessions trapping on Otmoor Range in the mid-1980s,
and now it was happening.

MT arrived in time to set up his light-traps before dark, operating two Robinson
traps near the RSPB car-park, in the ancient hedge-lined track that leads out across
the Moor (SP 571128).

The dusk air temperature was 15°C and there was full cloud cover but no rain.
A light wind dropped to almost nothing as darkness fell. Weather conditions were as
near to ideal as this throughout the night while we slept in our cars for a few hours.
We were up from 04.30h to examine the catches in our traps as soon as it was light
and it took until 07.15h to record the catches in full. Fortunately continuing cloud

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 283

Fig. 2. Moth trap site on northern edge of Moor Leys, Otmoor, 24 June 2004.

cover ensured it was not bright and sunny at this time and the moths remained
quietly at rest until released.

The two traps captured a combined total of 84 species of macro-moth, the trap on
the bank trapping 267 individuals of 70 species, the trap in the open 285 macro-
moths of 59 species. In the catches the more noteworthy of the macro-moths, and
other moths associated with wetland included, with numbers for open ground and
hedged ditch bank respectively, the Obscure Wainscot Mythimna obsoleta (Hbn.)
(3, 3), Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata (Borkh.) (1, 0), Round-winged Muslin
Thumatha senex (Hbn.) (1, 2), Blackneck Lygephila pastinum (Treit.) (2, 4), Double
Lobed Apamea ophiogramma (Esper) (1, 0), Small Clouded Brindle Apamea unanimis
(Hbn.) (1, 0), Cream-bordered Green Pea Earias clorana (L.) (one in good condition
by the willows), Small Seraphim Pterapherapteryx sexalata (Retz.) (2, 3) , Beautiful
Hooktip Laspeyria flexula (D.&S.) (1, 3), Bordered Sallow Pyrrhia umbra (Hufn.)
(0, 1) and Double Dart Graphiphora augur (Fab.) (3, 1). Large numbers of Dingy
Shears Parastichtis ypsillon (D.&S.) were found by the hedgerows and ditches (14)
but not in the open ground (5). Quite the opposite was found for the Dark Arches
Apamea monglypha (Hufn.), which feeds as a larva on grasses: there were 17 1n the
Robinson trap on the ditch bank by a hedge and 105 in the identical trap in the open
ground beyond. The catch for the night included two male Lappet (one in each trap)
and eight Lackey moth (4, 2) including one female, and both yellow and reddish
forms of the male. Both the last two species have been flagged up by the Rothamsted
Insect Survey as in decline nationally, so it was good to see them still present at this
site. Amongst the microlepidoptera there were four of the Typha-dependent pyrale
Calamotropha paludella (Hbn.) in the bank trap and ten by the water channel. Two
Brown China-mark Elophila nymphaeata (L.) were recorded at the former, three at
the latter.

284 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

The two Robinson traps operated by MT in the lane captured a total list of 77
species of macro-moth and 44 species of microlepidoptera, including 22 Lackey
moths, 19 Beautiful Hook-tip, three Sloe Pug Pasiphila chloerata (Mab.), two Oak
Nycteoline Nycteola revayana (Scop.) but no Lappet moths. The Dark Umber
Philereme transversata (Hufn.), the Brown Scallop Philereme vetulata (D. &S.), the
Small Seraphim and the Dingy Shears were also recorded amongst more numerous
geometrids, prominents and others, and the woody larval foodplants of all of these
were well represented in these old hedgerows. Many species dependent on field
layer plants of more open ground were also captured here, including Round-
winged Muslin, Four-dotted Footman Cybosia mesomella (L.), one Southern
Wainscot Mythimna_ straminea (Treit.), nine Blackneck and the Double Dart.
Noteworthy wetland species as the Oblique Carpet and the Obscure Wainscot were
not detected this distant from the ditches and water margins on this occasion, and
no Lappet moths despite the traps being adjacent to hedgerows.

While packing up the traps in the morning a Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra was
singing near PW’s car parked on the dyke bank, possibly the first noted for five years
(det. Peter Barker). A Song Thrush was also in full chorus.

From all the above, it can be concluded that much of the fauna that PW had
recorded on Otmoor during the 1970s and 1980s, was still present, and that we can
look forward to further discoveries and rediscoveries in future field meetings.
Excitingly, it is reasonable to expect that the populations of many of the distinctive
wetland species will increase as a result of the various new habitat management
projects, and that the results from further field meetings, together with monitoring by
the RSPB and others, will help to demonstrate this.

The previous evening (25 June) PW had operated a single Robinson trap all night
on the edge of Otmoor in the garden of Gordon and Joyce Ushaw at The Grove.
This produced exactly 200 macro-moths of 33 species, including five Lackey moth, a
Double Dart and a Gothic Naenia typica (L.). That night was clear and calm with a
half moon, a dusk temperature of 14°C and a night minimum of 7°C.

The leaders would like to thank Neil Lambert, John Harrison and Barbara Reason
of the RSPB for their permission and assistance in holding this meeting, Harvey
Swift, Range Manager, for permission to examine the MOD Rifle Range and
neighbouring holdings, Nick Droy from RSPB for explaining the RSPB plans to us,
Gordon and Joyce Ushaw for their hospitality and for supporting the meeting, along
with Ivan Wright. A full list of the species recorded during this meeting, together
with a copy of this report, has been deposited with MT, as County Moth Recorder
for Oxfordshire.

REFERENCES

Bretherton, R.F., 1940. A list of the macrolepidoptera of the Oxford district. Proceedings of the
Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire 1939: 25—70.

Bretherton, R.F., 1941. Additions to the list of macrolepidoptera of the Oxford district.
Proceedings of the Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire 1940: 22-23.

Emmet, A.M., 1948. Second supplement to the list of macrolepidoptera of the Oxford district
by R.F. Bretherton. Proceedings and report of the Ashmolean Natural History Society of
Oxfordshire 1941-47: 47-SS.

Hobson, M.G. & Price, K.L.H., 1961. Otmoor and its seven towns. Oxford.

Porter, K., 1981. The population dynamics of small colonies of the butterfly Euphydryas aurinia.
Ph.D. thesis. Oxford University.

Tremayne, B. & Lackie, A., 2001. Otmoor 2000A D. The Otmoor Group. Charlton-on-Otmoor.

Walker, J.J., 1926. The natural history of the Oxford district. Oxford University Press. Oxford.

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 285

Walker, J.J. & Hobby, B.M., 1939. Lepidoptera. In: Salzman, L.F. (Ed.) The Victoria history of
the County of Oxfordshire 1: 82-106.

Waring, P., 2004. Wildlife reports— Moths. British Wildlife 15: 433-435

Waring, P. & Townsend, M., 2005. Field meeting report— Rushy Meadows SSSI, Kidlington,
Oxfordshire, 21 May 2004. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 18: 64-68.

Stoborough Heath RSPB reserve, Wareham, Dorset, 30 July—1 August 2004

Leaders: James Cadbury and Andy Schofield.— There were 11 participants and on
the night of 31 July/1 August fifteen mv light traps were operating. These covered dry
open heath, wet/damp mire and birch/sallow scrub. The weather was fine, good for
netting in the day but a clear moonlit sky was not ideal for moth trapping. With
churring nightjars and the explosive alarm whistles of Sika deer it was exciting to be
out on the heath after dark.

The aim was to update the Lepidoptera records for Stoborough Heath which had
been somewhat neglected by comparison with the nearby Arne RSPB reserve where
Bryan Pickess (former warden) recorded 431 species of macro-moths and 366
‘micros’ between 1966 and 1996. Stoborough, however, was in the 1970s and 80s a
collecting ground for B. Withers who lived locally. Target species were the Dingy
Mocha Cyclophora pendularia (Cl.) and Speckled Footman Coscinia cribraria (L.),
two Red Data Book species.

One fresh Dingy Mocha (a Biodiversity Action Plan species) obliged at a site
where Withers had taken specimens in 1983 and 1984. Members of the group had
recorded Speckled Footman at another Dorset heath the previous night but none
came to light at Stoborough, even though traps were specially located on an
extensive area burnt in 2001 where Bristle bent Agrostis curtisii, the now considered
food-plant, was abundant.

Among the most abundant moths were some characteristic heathland species:
c.200 Scarce Footman Eilema complana (L.), 100 True Lover’s Knot Lycophotia
porphyrea (D. &S.), 60 Grass Emerald Pseudoterpna pruinata (Hufn.)— mostly netted
by day, 30 July Belle Scotopteryx luridata (Hufn.)—also day-flying, 30 Horse
Chestnut Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hb.) and 20 Beautiful Yellow Underwing
Anarta myrtilli (L.) most of which came to light.

Netting by day and at dusk produced ten Bordered Greys Selidosema brunnearia
(Vill.) Na. and eight Small Purple-barred Phytometra viridaria (C\.). Four Notable
(Nb) species associated with the botanical rich mires were a Rosy Wave Scopula
emutaria (Hb.), a Purple-bordered Gold Jdaea muricata (Hufn.), five Small
Chocolate-tip Clostera pigra (Hufn.) including one on Creeping willow Salix repens,
a food plant, and 21 diminutive Marsh Oblique-barred Hypenodes humidalis Doubl.
The p RDB Crambus silvella (Hbn.) was another species of the mires.

Two other Nb species were three Dotted Border Waves Idaea sylvestraria (Hb.)
and less expectedly two Kent Black Arches Meganola albula (D.&S.). Among the
nationally local species were Birch Mocha Cyclophora albipunctata (Hufn.),
Maiden’s Blush C. punctaria (L.), Dwarf Cream Wave Idaea fuscovenosa (Goeze),
Treble Brown Spot J. trigeminata (Haw.), Plain Wave J. straminata (Borkh.),
Scalloped Shell Rheumaptera undulata (L.), Small Seraphim Pterapherapteryx
sexalata (Retz.)—12 individuals, both Peacock Macaria notata (L.) and Sharp-
angled Peacock M. alternata (D.&S.), Brussels Lace Cleorodes lichenaria (Hufn.),
Annulet Charissa obscurata (D.&S.), Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula (L.), Rosy
Footman Miltochrista miniata (Forst.)—15 individuals, Buff Footman Ei/ema
depressa (Esp.), Bird’s-wing Dypterygia scabriuscula (L.), Double Kidney

286 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Ipimorpha retusa (L.), Small Rufous Coenobia rufa (How.) and Bordered Sallow
Pyrrhia umbra (Hufn.). Most if not all the ten Dark Tussocks Dicallomera
fascelina (L.) were females. They characteristically rest with their fore legs
stretched out in front of the head. Four Oncocera semirubella (Scopoli), an
attractive Nb pyralid with pink forewings, may have wandered from the chalk on
the coast.

A total of 134 ‘macro’-moth species that included one RDB3, 1 Na, 7 Nbs and 23
local species plus 56 ‘micros’ were recorded.

In addition, Silver-studded Blues Plebejus argus (L.) were flying in small numbers
over the damp heath while Graylings Hipparchia semele (L.) were frequent on the
tracks and other bare ground. Dragonflies included a Golden-ringed Cordulegaster
boltonii (Donovan), small numbers of Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens
(Fab.) around mires and flooded craters, and Black Darters Sympetrum danae
(Sulzer). Mike Parker and Andy Schofield benefited from the fine weather to collect
Diptera. The meeting coincided with an emergence of the RDB Small Bee Fly
Bombylius minor L. (RDB2). The horsefly Chrysops sepulcralis (Fab.) (RDB1) and
the local hunchback fly Paracrocera orbiculus (Fab.) (Acroceridae), were among the
species recorded.

The RSPB was delighted with the outcome and wishes to thank participants for
their important contribution to the knowledge of the biodiversity of the Stoborough
Heath reserve.

BOOK REVIEWS

Atlas des Coccinelles de la Manche by Y. Le Monnier & A. Livory. ISSN 1259-5411.
Dossier no. 5 (Manche-Nature, Coutances, 2003) 206 pp. Hardback 40€, p&p, 7€,
available from manche-nature(@wanadoo.fr

As there may be some confusion, I should start by saying that the ‘la Manche’ in
the title of this book is the département of France which lies south of Cherbourg and
is not the stretch of sea separating France from England. It may also seem strange to
review a local French distribution atlas in this journal. However, many of the species
included are found in the British Isles, others could well appear here in the future,
and the region is one often visited by travellers from Britain.

The atlas covers 53 species, although only 48 were found during the fieldwork for
the atlas which took place from 1998 to 2001. For each of the species there is a
distribution map, a colour illustration (one species is represented by a black and
white line drawing) and an account of the species’ biology. In addition there are
introductory sections covering the geology, climate and habitats of la Manche, the
methodology of the survey and general ladybird biology. There is an illustrated key
to the adult ladybirds of la Manche which also includes some additional species so
that the key may be used throughout north-west France (the regions of Brittany,
Normandy and the northern part of the Pays de la Loire) and, for that matter, with
the exception of Scymnus (s. str.) in the British Isles. The book concludes with short
sections on the present status of the species in la Manche, the attraction of ladybirds
to MV light and species lists for each of the Channel Islands (les iles Anglo-
normandes).

SSS ee

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 287

The colour illustrations are the most striking feature of this book. Most of these
are taken from original watercolours of local specimens by one of the authors Yves
Le Monnier (a professional entomologist and amateur watercolourist). Each
illustration is many times life size occupying about a quarter of the 300 x 210mm
sized page. The large illustrations are accompanied by much reduced versions
showing the specimens at life size. For the more variable species a selection of colour
forms is also shown. The illustrations are generally accurate and make species
recognition easy, but for some species the colours seem too saturated. Thus the
ivory/white colour of the pronotums of Hippodamia variegata Goeze, Adalia
bipunctata (Linn.) and Oenopia conglobata (Linn.) have become a lurid yellow and
the white spots of species such as Calvia 14-guttata (Linn.) have become yellow. This
overuse of yellow may, of course, be a fault of the printing process rather than of the
original painting but it could mislead the novice more concerned with colour than
with pattern and should be corrected if the illustrations are ever reprinted.

Aside from the illustrations, many readers will be struck by the distribution maps
which, rather than being traditional dot maps, show the distribution by commune
(the smallest French administrative area) of which there are 648 of a variety of
irregular shapes and sizes in la Manche. The authors refer to the ‘dilemma’ of
deciding upon a recording unit and give their reasoning for the use of the commune.
Having made their decision, it is interesting to see that the distribution map of the
plant Bryonia dioica Jacq. in la Manche, which they reproduce on p. 187, uses a map
grid which would have been perfectly acceptable for this atlas. Part of the problem
may be in obtaining grid references from the French Institut Geographique National
(IGN) maps. It is to be hoped that the inclusion of the 1km UTM grid on the latest
1:25000 IGN maps will make recording easier in future. At a quick count there are
records for 60% of the 648 communes. It is disappointing to see that most of the
northern half of the Contentin peninsula is unrecorded and there are other large
gaps. The authors point out that there was a limit to what could be achieved in four
years but do not say why the field work was limited to four years. If it had to be
limited then an effort should have been made to make the recording more evenly
spread. As it is, the maps are clearly incomplete which means that they are the least
useful part of this work.

The accounts of each species vary greatly in length, with more pages being devoted
to the common species for which there is a greater amount of information. Many of
the observations are quantified rather than just anecdotal. These accounts contain
much useful information which, in many cases, has been derived from observations
made in la Manche. The habitat information is particularly helpful as is the
phenological information which is summarised for each species in a histogram
showing the number of records by month. There are frequent references to the
British literature with which the authors are clearly familiar.

I have not had an opportunity to test the key but as it relies more on structural
characters than on colour pattern it should be effective. An additional nine species,
not included in the species accounts, have been included in the key to make it useful
over a larger geographical area. Only two species from the British Isles, Scymnus
schmidti Firsch and S. femoralis (Gyllenhall), are not included in the key. The key
includes species such as Rhizobius chrysomeloides (Herbst) and Epilachna argus
(Geoffroy) which have recently become established in the British Isles and others
that have been recorded occasionally, for example Coccinula 14-pustulata (Linn.) and
Exochomus nigromaculatus (Goeze), It also includes species that are likely to find
their way here in the future. The key should, therefore, be useful to British and Irish

288 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

entomologists when confronted with unusual ladybirds that might have originated
from the near Continent.

Overall this is a good book and compares favourably with Roger Hawkins’
Ladybirds of Surrey (published by the Surrey Wildlife Trust in 2000) which must be
the benchmark for this type of publication. Like Hawkins’ book it will be useful over
a greater geographical area than its parochial title would suggest. I recommend it to
all readers with an interest in the ladybirds of the British Isles and the closer parts of
the Continent, even if you have to brush up on your French first.

JOHN MUGGLETON

The leafhoppers and planthoppers of Germany (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha): patterns
and strategies in a highly diverse group of phytophagous insects by Herbert Nickel.
(Pensoft Publishers, Sofia, 2003). 460pp. Hard cover £50.00. ISBN 1312-0174.

It is surprising that relatively few entomologists have taken up the study of
leafhoppers and planthoppers in the UK despite a full set of RES Handbooks on
British species and a national Recording Scheme. Primary movers in this field have
tended to be central European and this applies especially today with a group of
German, Austrian and French hemipterists cooperating to describe and catalogue
the central European fauna in a holistic way. An essential part of this process has
been to identify the host plant range of the various species. The first part of this book
is devoted to brief accounts of 145 fulgoromorph and 474 cicadomorph species
known to occur in Germany with information on their life cycle, phenology, habitat
requirements, host plants, relative abundance and distribution. Although some of the
information was obtained from the literature, a substantial amount of new data is
included based on the author’s field studies which span a 12 year period. During this
time he accumulated approximately 30,000 site records, 8,600 referable to plant
species. Dubious records are discussed in the light of current knowledge. The book is
thus a checklist of the German fauna.

The second part of the book is devoted to analysing feeding preferences with useful
tables listing species according to host plant. More than 45% of species are
associated with graminaceous and dicotyledonous plants, with smaller numbers
found on pteridophytes, gymnosperms and non-graminoid monocots. The highest
numbers of species are associated with Poaceae and Cyperaceae (300 sp.) whereas
Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Salicaceae and Rosaceae are attacked by approx. 50 species.
Some highly diverse plant groups such as the Caryophyllaceae, Brassicaceae,
Apiaceae (umbellifers) and Scrophulariaceae are rarely attacked. Due to large
differences in the number of plant species per family, the ratio of hopper species per
plant is higher for woody plants than graminoids. Thus Auchenorrhyncha species
richness is highest on plant groups that are either rich in species (graminoids) or in
biomass (trees and shrubs), a conclusion that supports the apparency hypothesis.

Host specificity is discussed in detail, with most hoppers restricted to one or a few
plant species. Hidden within this book is a wealth of information about leafhopper
biology and a quick glance through suggests that quite a number of new species
remain to be discovered in the UK based solely on hostplant associations. New
insights abound, and though I appreciate that nettle supports a rich fauna, I had
never considered Phragmites australis (Common reed) in a similar light. This book is
the leafhopper equivalent of Maitland Emmet’s ‘Life history and habits of the British
Lepidoptera’ (WBGBI 7:2) and as such is a key work on this group of insects. The

BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 289

author is to be congratulated on amassing and analysing so much data and making it
available in a highly readable and interesting form. Verdict: a must buy.

JOHN BADMIN

Hazards of Butterfly Collecting. By Torben B. Larsen. A compilation of previously
published accounts, with 147 illustrations and photographs. 256 pages. Cravitz
Printing Company, 2004. Softcover £11.99 UK, £13.99 overseas, including postage.
ISBN 0-9548375-0-9. Available from the publisher, cravitzprinting(@btconnect.com

How much entomologising can be squeezed into a lifetime? BENHS members will
be aware that Torben Larsen has chased butterflies in many of the world’s exotic if
unsavoury localities, and has experienced more than his share of adventure whilst
naming over a hundred new taxa. Many will have read his light-hearted accounts as a
series entitled ““Hazards of butterfly collecting”, published over the years in the pages
of Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation. These articles have taken us from
Copenhagen to Hanoi by way of New Delhi and Benin, experiencing arrest,
blindness, cyanide, Kalashnikovs, malaria and leeches, not to mention the
encounters with drunken soldiers, snakes, wild animals and colourful locals.

This little volume pulls together 95 of these entertaining episodes, not in
chronological sequence, but in a way that allows the reader to dip in to particular
themes. Every tale is about the pursuit of butterflies, and many have a moral to them,
but the main purpose, as Torben explains, is to raise a chuckle. Amongst my
favourites were two stories about ad hoc experimentation into the effectiveness of
aposematic coloration and mimicry; the first involved feeding butterflies to a
chameleon, the second proved the instinctive fear that monkeys have for snakes—a
fear that offers some protection to larvae large enough to imitate snake behaviour.

Readers repelled by the idea of such experiments, or by talk of killing jars and
butterfly collections, will be placated by his shrewd insights on eco-systems, habitat
destruction and butterfly ecology. Many of these were observations made ahead of
their time to government departments able to influence the development of
agriculture and ecotourism, and revealing his true colours as a_ pioneering
conservationist.

An earlier and slimmer compilation of these stories was described by an unkind
reviewer as “A pointless and irrelevant exercise in self-glorification”. Judge Torben’s
modesty for yourself, but I expect that new readers will warm to the entomological
expertise and ready wit of our Danish Indiana Jones.

ROB PARKER

Provisional atlas of the British aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera). By Thomas
Huxley. (Biological Records Centre, 2004). 118 pp. Paperback. Price £8.00. ISBN
1 870393 67 8. Available from the BRC, Monks Wood, Huntingdon PE28 2LS.
This is the most recent of a series of provisional atlases published by BRC, and this
is the best yet. It starts off with the usual Foreword, Acknowledgements, Checklist
and Introduction. In the introduction water bugs are clearly defined and most of
their life histories and requirements briefly explained. Here are found illustrations of
all the eleven families so that anybody, even the raw novice, will have no problems in

290 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

placing any species to family. The introduction also gives details about the atlas, the
history of recording, how the records were gathered, checked and managed.

The main part of the book comprises the distribution maps and species accounts.
With one species per page, each species has a map showing its recorded distribution
in Great Britain, pre-1970 records shown in open circles, post-1970 records with solid
dots. Recording the distribution of any plant of animal can never be 100% complete,
first is the problem of getting full coverage over the whole country, and secondly, the
range and status of any species is constantly evolving. However, the resultant maps
in this Atlas give a very clear picture of the present known distribution of each
species. Gerris lacustris (L.) 1s to be found throughout Great Britain, Sigara selecta
(Fieber) only along the south-east coast, whilst Sigara scotti (Douglas & Scott) is
mainly a northern species but with a few scattered records throughout the rest of the
country, are examples of the various distribution patterns for each species. On each
page the distribution is discussed in detail to help clarify the map. There is also a line
or two on the actual habitats in which each species is to be found, of particular value
if one is searching out any specific bug. Finally, there is one particularly useful
paragraph called Helpful Hints. These really are what they say with tips on
distinguishing between similar species, often with a line drawing of the critical
feature. With these helpful hints together with the line drawings to families it should
be possible for recorders without previous experience of this group to name a high
percentage of any species that they find. For the more critical species reference is
given to where further details can be found.

There follow some six appendices which map and list vice-county totals, give
tables of species per vice-county, provide a gazetteer of localities, list suggestions for
improving recording, and give hints on mounting specimens plus details of obtaining
identification guides, records cards and maps. A very helpful glossary, three pages of
references, and a full and clear index follow these.

A national scheme for recording aquatic bugs was launched in 1983 and this has
plodded along steadily until Thomas Huxley took the helm in 1999. In five short
years he has, among other things, sorted out the backlog of records, encouraged
recorders for fresh data, gathered up data and written up this Atlas, and must be
congratulated in producing such a splendid publication. This Provisional Atlas of
British aquatic bugs is a must for the shelves of every entomologist, or pond-dipper,
with even the slightest of interest in the aquatic Heteroptera.

ERIC G. PHILP

The Aurelian’s Fireside Companion—an entomological anthology by Michael A.
Salmon and Peter J. Edwards. Paphia Publishing Ltd 2005. 428 pp. Hardcover
£35.00 plus £5.00 postage and packaging. ISBN 0 9537236 1 5.

In putting together The Aurelian’s Fireside Companion, Michael Salmon and
Peter Edwards have created a weighty (over four hundred pages) anthology of
writing on butterflies and moths and their study by generations of entomologists.

The compilers have selected more than two hundred articles and extracts from
entomological journals (and occasionally other sources) as far back as the first issue
of The Entomological Magazine in 1833. The focus is not on the science, however,
but, in the best tradition of other fireside and bedside books, on items considered
likely to inform, entertain and amuse. Most of the articles are from the Nineteenth

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BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005 291

Century and the first half of the Twentieth Century, when, it seems, there was ample
room in the journals for anecdote, reminiscence and even doggerel verse.

Yet this book has more than just literal weight. We learn about the early
experience of sugaring and the first ‘Eddystone Light’ traps, and join intrepid
(perhaps sometimes foolhardy) entomologists on collecting trips to places as far
apart as The Burren and Dalmatia. We sit in on heated debates on collecting and its
impacts on population survival. We see new knowledge unfold, from an under-
standing of which species properly belong on the British list (and which were the
result of wishful thinking or deliberate fraud) to the life-cycle of the Large Blue.

One of the delights of the book is to come across references to places you know —in
my case, a swallowtail butterfly pursued over Darland Banks, near Chatham in Kent,
in 1857—and one of the sorrows the clear impression of how much the countryside
has changed. To read of the Large Copper, of swarms of Heath Fritillaries, of the
great abundance of insects encountered by Victorian collectors is to realise the
unhappy, current state of our invertebrate fauna.

But the clearest impression left by this chunky volume is of the individual
entomologists themselves. The old photographs may show forbidding countenances
and fearsome whiskers, but the words demonstrate the warmth, wit and passion
which lay beneath. And not least the plain, physical fortitude required if field
naturalists were to pursue their hobby without cars or even properly paved roads.

The book would have benefited from a little more care in lay-out. The authors
have clearly aimed for a book which can be dipped into rather than tackled in
chunks; more spacing between items, and arrangement of the material into more
than just seven chapters would have made this far easier. As it is, articles are, in many
cases, grouped together and have to be tackled as a piece in order to get the benefit:
not a problem for a reviewer, but perhaps less inviting for a fireside reader.

Nonetheless, I read this book with genuine enjoyment. I found myself informed,
amused and entertained by turn, and with a greater appreciation of what it meant to
be an entomologist a hundred and more years ago.

RICHARD MOYSE

The Monarch Butterfly, biology and conservation. Edited by K.S. Oberhauser & M.J.
Solensky. (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 2004). 248 pp. Hardback £22.95. ISBN
0-8014-4188-9.

This book was inspired by a conference on the monarch butterfly hosted by
‘Monarch Watch’ and ‘Monarchs in the Classroom’, two dedicated watch groups
organised by staff at the Universities of Kansas and Minnesota, respectively. There are
27 chapters covering the latest information on breeding, migration and overwintering
biology of Danaus plexippus (L.). The content of these varies tremendously, though the
editors are to be congratulated on maintaining a similar general style throughout. This
book is aimed largely at an American audience and it will be interesting to learn how
popular it has been with the general public. Having a national butterfly is a wonderful
way of bringing scientists and the public together to work for a common cause. Perhaps
we might benefit from having a national butterfly in the U.K.

JOHN STEWART

292 BR. J. ENT. NAT. HIST., 18: 2005

Insect sampling in forest ecosystems, edited by S.M. Leather. (Blackwell Publishing,
Oxford, 2005). 303 pp. Softback £34.99. ISBN 0-632-05388-7.

One of the interesting facets of reading scientific entomological literature is
to discover how the authors conducted their sampling, as new techniques can lead to
discoveries and new insights into how insects live. This book brings together
professional entomologists from around the world who have experience of sampling
insects from a wide range of habitats, to write critical essays about their own
specialist areas. Rather than reiterate established methods, the authors have been
encouraged to discuss new technologies, often borrowed from other disciplines that
ecologists can apply to their work. There are chapters on sampling insects from
roots, pitfall trapping, sampling forest canopy and understorey vegetation, sampling
insects from trees: shoots, stems, trunks and rot-holes.

There are additional chapters on sampling insects in flight, termites in soil (a more
difficult problem that you might imagine) and how to estimate numbers of predators
and parasitoids. There is a lot of good information and advice in each chapter and it
would be invidious to select any one for special attention — they all need reading.
However I most enjoyed reading the opening chapter on sampling theory and
practice by Simon Leather and Allan Watt- a must for any field ecologist to read.
This is a book to delve into, when you need some inspiration on how to sample
insects, since a novel method might prove to be significantly superior to the one you
have been using — all those rare beetles are really quite numerous. I recommend
acquiring a copy for your bookshelf.

JOHN BADMIN

Jewels in the Air DVD. By Roger Kemp (Pukka Home Entertainment, 2006). £19.99,
available via info(@jewelsintheair.com

Originally produced as a combined booklet and video guide to British butterflies,
this is now available in DVD format. All the butterflies known to breed in the British
Isles are filmed in their natural habitats—the footage is remarkably natural and
obviously taken by an expert rather than a professional with an eye for the
spectacular. Conservation of butterflies is stressed throughout. The DVD would
make an ideal present for any entomologist, young or old, and it might turn out to be
one of those films one revisits from time to time to remind oneself how common
some butterflies used to be ‘just a few years ago’.

The DVD also contains an extensive stills gallery with detailed images of
individual species for use as a reference guide. One can easily zoom in and out to
look at the finer details of wing patterning to confirm identification. For those who
take digital photographs of insects, it would be nice to have a split computer screen
facility to compare photos taken in the wild, with those on the the DVD-—something
for the future.

JOHN BADMIN

British Entomological and Natural History Society

Past Presidents

1872-4 J. R. WELLMAN 1947 L. T. Forp, B.A

1875-6 A. B. Farn, FES 1948 Col. P. A. CarDEw

1877 J. P. BARRETT, F-E.S 1949 J. O. T. Howarp, M. A.

1878 J.T. WiLtiAMs 1950 Air-Marshal Sir Ropert SAUNDBY,

1879 R. STANDEN FES. K.B.E., C.B., M.C., D.F.C., A.F.C., F.R-ES.

1880 A. FICKLIN 1951 T. G. HowartTn, M.B.E., F.R-ES., F.ZS.

1881 V.R. PERKINS, F.E.S 1952 E. W. CLASSEY, F.R.ES.

1882 T. R. Bitiups, F.£.s 1953 F. STANLEY-SMITH, F.R.E.S

1883 J. R. WELLMAN 1954 STANLEY N. A. JAcoss, S.B.ST.J., F.R.ES

1884 W. WEST, L.D.S. 1955 F. D. Buck, A.M.LPTG.M., F.R.E.S

1885 R. SouTn, F.ES. 1956 Lt-Col. W. B. L. MANLEY, F.R.E.S

1886-7 R. ADKIN, FES. 1957 B. P. Moore, B.Sc., D-PHIL., F.R.E.S

1888-9 T.R. BiLLups, F.Es 1958 N. E. HIckIn, ph.D., B.Sc., F.R.E.S

1890 J. T. CARRINGTON, F.L.S 1959 F. T. VALLINS, A.C.LL, F.R.ES

1891 W. H. TuGweELt, PH.c 1960 R. M. Merge, F.R.E.S

1892 C. G. BarreTT, FES. 1961 A. M. MaAsseg, 0.B.E., D.Sc., F.R.E.S.

1893 J. J. WEIR, F.LS., etc. 1962 A. E. GARDNER, F.R.ES.

1894 E. STEP, F.LS. 1963 J. L. MESSENGER, B.A., F.R.ES.

1895 T. W. HALL, FES. 1964 C. G. ROocue, F.C.A., F.R.ES

1896 R. Sout, F.ES. 1965 R. W. J. UFFEN, F.R.ES

1897 R. ADKIN, FES. 1966 J. A. C. GREENWOOD, O.B.E., F.R.E.S

1898 J. W. Tutt, FES. 1967 R. F. BRETHERTON, C.B., M.A., F.R.ES

1899 A. Harrison, F.L.S 1968 B. GOATER, B.Sc., F.R.E.S

1900 W. J. Lucas, B.A., FES. 1969 Capt. J. ELLERTON, DS.C, R.N

1901 H. S. FREMLIN, M.R.CS., L.R.CP., F.ES. 1970 B. J. MACNULTY, BSc., Ph.D., F.R-LCS., F.R.ES

1902 F. Noap CLarK 1971 Col. A. M. Emmet, M.B.E., T.D., M.A.

1903 E. STep, F.LS. 1972 Prof. H. E. Hinton, ph.b., F.RS., F.R-ES

1904 A. SICH, F.ES. 1973 J. M. CuHAtmers-HUunt, F.R.ES.

1905 H. Main, B.Sc., F.E.S. 1974 C. MACKECHNIE JARVIS, F.L.S., F.R.E.S

1906-7 R. ADKIN, FES. 1975 M. G. Morris, M.A., Ph.D., F.R-E.S

1908-9 A. Sicu, F.ES. 1976 W. G. TREMEWAN, M.LBIOL.

1910-1 W. J. Kaye, FES. 1977 R. Tusss, 0.B.E£., F.R.LB.A., F.R-ES

1912-3 A. E. Tonce, FES. 1978 G. Prior, F.LS., F.R.E.S

1914-5 B.H. Situ, BA. FES. 1979 Rev. D. J. L. AGassiz, M.A

1916-7 Hy. J. Turner, FES. 1980 R. FAIRCLOUGH, F.R.ES.

1918-9 STANLEY EDWARDS, F.L.S., ETC 1981 A. E. Stupss, BSc., F.R.ES.

1920-1 K. G. BLarr, BSc., F.E.S 1982 J. HEATH, F.R-ES

1922 E. J. BUNNETT, M.A. 1983 B. R. BAKER, BSc., A.M.A., F.R.ES.

1923-4 N.D. RILEY, Fz. FES. 1984 P. A. SOKOLOFF, M.Sc., M.LBIOL., F.R-E.S

1925-6 T.H.L. GROSVENOR, FES. 1985 P. J. BAKER, C.ENG., F.R.HS.

1927-8 E. A. CocKAyYNE, D.M., F.R.C.P., FES. 1986 J. M. CuHacmers-Hunt, F.R.ES.

1929 H. W. Anprews, F.ES. 1987 Prof. J. A. OWEN, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.E.S

1930 F. B. Carr 1988 I. F. G. MCLEAN, Ph.D., F.R.E.S

1930 C. N. Hawkins, F.E.S 1989 Mrs F. M. Murpny, BSc.

1931 K. G. Bair, BSc., F.Z.S., F-E.S 1990 C. W. PLANT, BSc., F.R.ES.

1932 T. H. L. Grosvenor, FES. 1991 A. J. HALSTEAD, M.Sc

1933 C. G. M. De Worms, 1992 J. MUGGLETON, MSc. Ph.D. M.LBIOL., F.R.ES.
M.A., Ph.D., A.LC., F.R.E.S., M.B.O.U. 1993 D. LoNSDALE, Ph.D, B.Sc

1934 ite R. EAGLES 1994 P. M. WarING, M.A., Ph.D., F.R-ES.

1935 E. E. Syms, F.R.ES. 1995 M. J. ScoBLE, B.Sc., M-Phil., Ph.D., F.R-ES.

1936 M. Nis_etr 1996 C. Hart, BSc

1937 F. J. CouLson 1997 Rev. D. J. L. AGAssiz, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.E.S.

1938 F. STANLEY-SMITH, F.R.ES. 1998 B. C. EversHAM, BSc., F.R.E.S

1939 H. B. WILLIAMS, LL.D., F.R-E.S 1999 S. R. MILEs, F.R-ES.

1940 E. A. CocKAYNE, D.M., F.R.C.P., F.R.E.S 2000 E. G. PHiLp, F.R-ES.

194] F. D. Coore, F.RES. 2001 R. A. JONES, B.Sc., F.R-E.S., F.L.S.

1942 S. WAKELY 2002 P. C. BARNARD, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.E.S

1943 R. J. BurTON, L.D.S., R.C.S.ENG 2003 B. H. Harey, M.A., F.L.S

1944 STANLEY N. A. JAcoss, F.R.ES. 2004 M. R. WILSON, Ph.D.. F.R.E.S

1945-6 Capt. R. A. JACKSON, R.N., F.R-ES 2005 M. G. TELFER, B.A., Ph.D

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUT a

3 90

88 01209 1914

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY
VOLUME 18, PART 4, DECEMBER 2005

ARTICLES
229 = Miscophus bicolor Jurine (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), a wasp new to Britain.
A. P. KNOWLES & G. R. ELSE

233 The Hemiptera of Bracknell as an example of biodiversity within an urban environment.
A. J. HELDEN & S. R. LEATHER

253 The first record of multiple allelomorphism in a British butterfly: Coenonympha tullia (Miiller)
ssp. polydama (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Satyridae). R.D.G. BARRINGTON & M. C. WHITE

259 The influence of emptying frequency of pitfall traps on the capture of epigeal invertebrates,
especially Pterostichus madidus (Coleoptera: Carabidae). J. M. HOLLAND & C. J. M.
REYNOLDS

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS
252. Gerris lateralis Schummel (Hemiptera: Gerridae) in Hampshire. J. DENTON
252 Dark form of Waved Carpet Hydrelia sylvata (D. &S.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Perry
Woods, Kent. J. BADMIN
263 Heleodromia irwini Wagner (Diptera: Empididae), an English boreo-alpine relict?
A. PLANT
267 Selective mortality of stag beetles in Orpington, Kent. M. E. MIQUEL

269 The recent occurrence of Sturmia bella (Meigen) (Diptera: Tachinidae) in south-west England,
including rearings from two host species of Nymphalidae. A. A. ALLEN

271 Records of Hemiptera from England in 2001-3. J. DENTON

271 Southern bush-cricket Meconema meridionale Costa (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) in Kent.
M. T. JENNINGS

272 Sericomyia silentis (Harris) (Diptera: Syrphidae) reported from Northamptonshire. G. BoypD

PROCEEDINGS & TRANSACTIONS/SOCIETY NEWS
272 Indoor Meetings
274 Field Meetings
265 Obituary: G. A. Neil Horton 1915-2005. M. ANTHONEY

REVIEWS

264 Larval foodplants of the butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland by P. May.
R. BARRINGTON

287 Atlas des Coccinelles de la Manche by Y. Le Monnier & A. Livory. J. MUGGLETON

288 The leafhoppers and planthoppers of Germany (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha): patterns and
strategies in a highly diverse group of phytophagous insects by H. Nickel. J. BADMIN

289 Hazards of Butterfly Collecting by T. B. Larsen. R. PARKER

290 Provisional atlas of the British aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) by T. Huxley.
E. G. PHILP

291 The Aurelian’s Fireside Companion — an si rccnoragica! anthology by M. A. Salmon
& P. J. Edwards. R. Moyse

292. The Monarch Butterfly, biology and conservation edited by K. S. Oberhauser
& M. J. Solensky. J. STEWART

292 Insect sampling in.forest ecosystems edited by S. M. Leather. J. BADMIN
292 Jewels in the Air (DVD) by R. Kemp. J. BADMIN

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