Cae . cet . earned cd phat i Bate Radio r : eater pee Pee Fe eos weeny weenie SA ese Bs Se eee a >. “ v = — Sie eae es = Sana se iat | Nua ; tis D =e, [he HA) , the Ue ) fat Pity NA x Wy iea eft 4 ae Peyiticd Hue suae s gs sant y Rr ain ae oe : THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY The Society was founded in 1853. Its activities include the promotion of archaeological and historical work and the study of all branches of natural history within the County; the safeguarding and conservation of the antiquities and the flora and the fauna of the region; the issue of a Magazine and other publications; excursions to places of archaeological and historical interest; and the maintenance of a Museum and Library. NATURAL HISTORY SECTION The object of this Section is to promote the study of all branches of natural history in the County by encouraging field observations, maintaining records, arranging field and other meetings and by putting observers in touch with each other. Particulars of the Section are available from the Honorary Treasurer. The subscription rate for membership of the Section is as follows: Single £3, Family £4. Natural history observations should be sent to the County Recorders: Plants: Mrs. J. Swanborough, Amberley, Pew Hill, Chippenham. Lepidoptera: J.N. d’Arcy, Esq., 18 Westbury Road, Edington, Westbury. Birds: G.L. Webber, Esq., 66 Southbrook Extension, Swindon. Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians: Mrs. M. Browne, Latimer Lodge, West Kington, Chippenham. Records for all other groups should be sent to The Biological Records Centre, c/o The Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire. OFFICERS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SECTION, 1979—80 Chairman: C.E. Jennings, Esq., 1 Perrys Lane, Seend Cleeve, Melksham. Hon. Secretary: Mrs. E. Stephens, 95 Leigh Park Road, Bradford-on-Avon. Hon. Treasurer: Mr. A. Edwins, Esq., 69 Countess Road, Amesbury, Salisbury. Hon. Editors: R.S. Barron, Esq., Holly Cottage, West Lavington, Devizes and P.J. Dillon, Esq., Monkton Lea, Winterbourne Monkton, Swindon. Hon. Programme Secretary: Mrs. J. Rayment, c/o Biological Records Centre, The Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes. Printed by Kingston Press, Bath The Wiltshire ; Natural History Magazine \ ISSN. 0309 3468 VOLUME 74 1979 CONTENTS A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE SPIDERS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL RANGES AT PORTON DOWN IN WILTSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE by R. B. COLEMAN .............. 2 WILTSHIRE WEEVILS (COLEOPTERA, CURCULION OIDEA): ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS by M.G. MORRIS .. 1.0.0.0... 0... eee eee ee ee eee 10 SOME FUNGI OF SOUTH-WEST WILTSHIRE PART V by J.B. HINDLEY ............... Is HE WEATHER ORS 7 3,by cE /ROGERS sage.0, call ahanore aetrapeg Atha) eraiebel begs lelieget ote 2 WILTSHIRE PLANT NOTES (30) compiled by JOAN SWANBOROUGH ................. 23 ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT 1978 by JOHN d@ARCY WILTSHIRE BIRD REPORT FOR 1977. Recorder: G. L. WEBBER compiledsby nee SMI Hes “arin: otras semen shies te oneachew. 6 Geis; (aie) eet Seed. 82 MAMMAL REPORT bysMARION. BROWNE. sect. a0 See ee Se. ee 38 REBORTSE tate ry oat Rae Se Se Seeley Deals, nie eG), ORY oh MES ied BED be one 42 A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE SPIDERS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL RANGES AT PORTON DOWN IN WILTSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE by R.B. COLEMAN In 1973 a party of eight Arachnologists, under the leadership of Dr. Eric Duffey collected in three localities at Porton Down and completed about 70 hours hand collecting in one hour units during three days. Many interesting spiders were found during this survey and through the support of Dr. Duffey and the Nature Conservancy Council (Southern Region) further studies of twelve and six months duration were carried out by me in 1973—74 and 1976—77 using 10 pitfall traps in each of the three original areas. These studies have shown the remarkable arachnological potential of this area which consists of 6800 acres of grass/downland, scrub and deciduous woodland (Nature Conservancy Council 1973). The nature of the terrain and the fact that large areas are not disturbed by agriculture, nor by sheep and cattle grazing make these ranges an area of special scientific interest in Wiltshire/Hampshire. Localities A detailed description of the vegetation, soils and land-use history of the Porton Ranges is given by Wells et al (1976) and the notes which follow only describe in general terms the main characteristics of the vegetation of the sites studied. The three sites studied since 1973 are:— (a) The ‘Breck’ area in Hampshire (Grass Heath) SU 253379 2. BA (b) Roche Court Down, Wiltshire/Hampshire Border SU 246 366... 3< =. RCD (c) Battery Hill in Wiltshire SU 198 344..... BH The ‘Breck’ area is a grass heath rich in Lichens and has shallow nutrient-poor soil with numerous flints, chalk rubble and stones on the surface. The vegetation is predominantly short (2—8 cms) and open with approximately 80% cover of Lichens and flowering plants. Amongst this are also interspread small tufts of Sheeps Fescue (Festuca ovina), Golden Oat Grass (Trisetum flavescens) and other grasses. Herbs such as Mouse-Ear Hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella), Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus) and colourful annuals such as Common Centaury (Centaurium erythaea), Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acer) and Purging Flax (Linum catharticum) are plentiful. During July large patches of Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) and Birds Foot Trefoit (Lotus corniculatus) provide a brilliant yellow carpet. The Lichen Mat is, however, predominant and may occupy up to 60% of the ground vegetation. Rabbit grazing is very evident throughout this area. At Roche Court Down the soil is fairly shallow with quantities of chalk rubble in the upper soil layer. Typically in the area studied the vegetation is a close turf of Sheeps Fescue/Red Fescue (Festuca ovina/F. rubra) and a variety of other grasses. Herbs such as Stemless Thistle (Cirsium acaulon), Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus) and Birds Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) are also common here. A feature of this area is the large number of mounds of the Yellow Hill Ant (Lasius flavus) which support predominantly Thyme (Thymus drucei) and Common Rock Rose (Helianthemum chamaecistus). These plants also occur in the intervening grassland between the mounds. Rabbit grazing is also in evidence in this area. At Battery Hill a Beech Hanger was studied together with an area of tall grasses (20—60 cms) with quantities of Horse-Shoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) growing within the field layer, scattered bushes and Yew Trees (Taxus baccata) are also present. The plants of Horse-Shoe Vetch (H. comosa) are restricted to one area on the ranges and it is an important food plant for the colonies of Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon) Butterflies which are found locally in such habitats in Wiltshire. On the north facing scarp of this study area there are grasslands for which no records of cultivation exist. Of the grasses which grow generally in the study area Sheeps Fescue (Festuca ovina) Meadow Oat Grass (Helictotrichon pratense) and Hairy Oat Grass (Helictotrichon pubescens) are the most common. bo Collecting Methods:— The following methods were used when collecting spider material from the various habitats: Methods 2—6, initial 3 day survey: E. Duffey & Party (1973) Method 1 twelve and six months survey: R.B. Coleman 1973/74 & 1976/77 1. At Ground Level: Collecting by means of pitfall traps which consisted of burying a series of glass jars in a straight line with their rim just below the surface level. The jars were spaced approximately one metre apart and ethylene glycol 4 cm. deep was placed in each jar. All the jars were emptied of specimens and replaced at one month intervals. 2. Beech Litter & Dead Wood: Specimens were taken by shaking handfulls of leaves into a plastic sheet. Bark was also removed and replaced from deadwood, all spider material being retained. Hand collecting from crevices and spaces in tree stumps and large fallen branches were also carried out. 3. Short Turf, Herbs, Lichens & Stones: Collections were made by hand, by turning over stones, and then by cutting out pieces of turf and shaking these over a plastic sheet. 4. Medium Tall Grasses: Specimens were collected by shaking handfulls of vegetation over a plastic sheet and also by grubbing and handsorting amongst the detritus in the ground layer. 5. Tall Grasses and Shrubs: These were swept with a collecting net. Collections were also made by hand in the vegetation and debris in the field layer. 6. Juniper, Pine and Yew Trees: Collections were made by beating the foliage of branches onto a collecting tray and then extracting the spider material by use of a pooter. Key to Site Habitats: The following habitat abbreviations are used to indicate the occurrence of various spiders given in the annotated list for Porton Down. These distribution records are supplementary to those given by Locket, Millidge & Merrett (1974). Breck Area:— (a) Pitfall traps in short turf with herbs, lichens and stones. (b) Small Juniper trees. (c) Tall grasses with plants and shrubs. (d) Medium tall grasses interspread with short turf and some ant hills. (e) Short turf with herbs, lichens and stones. Roche Court Down: (f) Pitfall traps in tall grasses interspread with short turf and many ant hills. (g) Mature Juniper trees. (h) Pine and Yew trees. (i) Tall grasses with few ant hills. (j) Short turf with Thyme and Rock Rose. Battery Hill: (k) Pitfall traps in tall grasses with Horse-Shoe Vetch. 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