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APRIL 1978 Vol. 11, Parts 1/2 


Proceedings and Transactions of 
The British Entomological and 
Natural History Society 


jUN 20 1978 


Ss LibRANIES 


Price: £3.00 


Officers and Council for 1978 


President: 
G. Prior, F.L.S., F.R.E.S. 


Vice-Presidents: 


R. S. Tubbs, 0.B.E., F.R.1.B.A., F.R.E.S. 
Rev. A. J. L. AGassiz 


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B. F. Skinner Col. D. H. Sterling, F.B.c.s. 

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Editorial 


Editor: E. P. Wiltshire, C.B.E., F.R.E.S. 
Address: c/o National Westminster Bank, Cookham, Berks. 


with the assistance of: 


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E. S. Bradford 


Published at the Society’s Rooms, The Alpine Club, 74 South Audley Street, 
London, W.1, and printed by Charles Phipps Ltd., 225 Philip Lane, 
Tottenham, N15 4HL 


Proceedings and Transactions of 
The British Entomological and 
Natural History Society 


The correct abbreviation of THIS Volume is: 
‘Proc. Trans. Br. ent. nat. Hist. Soc.’ 


Vol. 11 
1978 


Published at the Society's Rooms, The Alpine Club, 74 South 
Audley Street, London, W.1, and printed by Charles Phipps 
Ltd., 225 Philip Lane, Tottenham, LONDON, N.15 


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PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 1 


EDITORIAL 


Apologies are doubtless due to readers who may have been confused by 
the editor’s address printed in the Proceedings and membership card 
during recent months. Selling a London flat and moving to the country 
is not a smooth or swift process these days. There have been several slips 
between the cup and the lip; one country address, too confidently proclaimed 
on the inside cover of Vol. 10 (1/2), had to be abandoned to a rival when 
two would-be purchasers of the flat in succession withdrew. As we go to 
press the contract for the purchase of a future house has not yet been 
signed and it seems safer to depend on my bank to forward contributors’ 
mail, even though this is a day or two slower. I trust that our next issue 
will give an address not so subject to mutations as these last three. 


The Society’s list of the Lepidoptera of the garden of Buckingham Palace 
(not yet sold out! ) has shown that Central London has at least one habitat 
where, if the only Monarch is the human one, not a few butterflies and 
moths, with humbler but perhaps longer titles, have either survived from 
rural days over two centuries, or have penetrated and colonised the royal 
oasis; however, from the window of my Westminster flat, the most I ever 
saw was a dancing male Vapourer Moth last August, nor had my abode 
a balcony on which I might have set a Robinson trap, to draw from the 
night sky one or two nocturnal fugitives from nearer gardens. The thirty- 
mile move to East Berkshire, therefore, to water-meads, chalk downs and 
beech woods, has been eagerly awaited, but having to be made in mid- 
January, was entomologically unsatisfactory. About once a week the Natural 
History Museum and the Society’s Rooms in Mayfair will draw me back 
along the M4. This motorway may be one of the better arterials into the 
metropolis; but my first morning’s trip was performed in a snow-storm, 
and weather and traffic conditions left much to be desired. Things can 
but improve from now on, I console myself. 


Having arrived in the Cookham neighbourhood, there is one old acquain- 
tance I am certain to find in the summer, if I but break open the seed- 
heads of the garden hollyhocks, for I have found it there already: this is 
the Gelechiid Pexicopia malvella (Hiibner), both a town and country moth: 
I first took it in marshmallow flowers in the Waveney marshes on the 
Norfolk-Suffolk border, and later in the hollyhocks of Vincent Square, 
Westminster. I am sure, too, that Her Majesty, if she would like a specimen 
of two, will find the creature in her hollyhocks, whether in her town 
garden or that of her residence in East Berkshire. 


CORRIGENDUM 


Vol. 10 (3/4), p. 117, line 48: FOR Curculionidae READ Scarabaeidae. 


2 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


THE 1977 ANNUAL EXHIBITION 
(see Plates I and II) 


The Annual Exhibition took place, as is customary, on the day imme- 
diately after the Annual Dinner, that is on Saturday, 29th October, the 
venue again being Chelsea Old Town Hall. The attendance exceeded the 
previous year’s remarkably high figure, 350 members and visitors signing 
the entry-book. One hundred and ten different exhibits, of which further 
details are given below, were on show. Considering that the season had 
been below the average for insects, these figures are remarkable and a 
cause for satisfaction. As usual, a high standard was achieved by exhibitors. 


BRITISH MACROLEPIDOPTERA 


The display of Macrolepidoptera was remarkably interesting, the results 
of the current poor season being supplemented by a large aftermath of 
captures and rearing from the brilliance of 1976. Some 60 exhibitors, out of 
about 100 in all, showed British Macrolepidoptera, either alone, or in a 
dozen cases along with Microlepidoptera, foreign species, or exhibits of 
other Orders. A few failed to provide notes, and their exhibits are not 
recorded here. 

Highlights were two Noctuid species new to the British list — Blepharita 
solieri (Bdvy.) (fig. 12), a Mediterranean species whose arrival in a light-trap 
in Roxburghshire is, even in such a year as 1976, hard to explain; and 
Herminia lunalis (Scop.), whose normal range extends through France and 
Belgium to the Netherlands and whose appearance in the Thames Valley 
is less surprising. Besides these, there was a preliminary exhibit of a new 
species or sub-species in the Thera group of Geometers; and among the 
Rhopalocera an Erebia, stated to have been caught in the Scottish High- 
lands in 1969, was recognised during the exhibition as an example of that 
legendary British species Erebia ligea (L.), the Arran Brown (PI. II, fig. 11). 

Immigrant species caught in 1977 were few; but they included a Coscinia 
cribraria arenaria Lempke from Kent, a single Hyles lineata livornica (Esp.) 
from north Lancashire, and two examples from Scotland of the many 
Eurois occulta (L.) which invaded eastern Britain in 1977. Among 1976 
captures not previously exhibited was a notable Trigonophora flammea 
(Esp.) from West Sussex, with several other scarce immigrants. 

The number and variety of aberrations was one of the striking features 
of the exhibition. Some had been caught in the field, others were the 
result of skilful selective rearing, or of temperature experiments. Among 
the former, there was a remarkable collection of twelve major aberrations 
of Argynnis paphia (L.) which had been caught in one wood during 1976 
and 1977 (figs. 2, 3), an extreme underside Plebejus argus L. ab. striata 
(exhibited on behalf of a non-member) (fig. 14), and a probably unique 
banded aberration of Xestia castanea (Esp.) (fig. 4), as samples of many 
good things. Among the results of selective breeding, some very fine 
Hipparchia semele L. ab. holonops Brouwer (fig. 1) were conspicuous. 

Exhibits of the scarcer resident species and of new county records were 
thinner than usual; but it was interesting to see specimens in various 
exhibits of the recently discovered Eriopygodes imbecilla F. (fig. 7) and all 
three sub-species of Luperina nickerlii Frr. A curious specimen of Clostera 
curtula L. bred from a larva found near Loch Ness is, if not the first 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 3 


record for Scotland, by far the most northerly. Probable first captures of 
Photedes extrema (Hiibn.) in Kent and of Leucochlaena oditis (Hibn.) in 
Sussex were also shown. 

Photographs and paintings both of imagines and of larvae were numerous 
and good, and some new types of distribution maps were on view. 

Apams, A. E. C. — Interesting species of Macrolepidoptera captured in 
East Sussex over the past two years, notably: Hyloicus pinastri (L.), Hyles 
lineata livornica (Esp.), Stauropus fagi (L.) and Odontosia carmelita (Esp.). 

Acassiz, D. and SKINNER, B. — A preliminary exhibit on the Thera 
variata (D. & S.) group, showing series of 7. obeliscata Hiibn., T. “‘variata”’ 
britannica Turner, and Continental specimens of the true 7. variata, with 
photographs showing the differences in the male antennae. 


ALLEN, A. A. — Cryphia muralis Forst.: a series taken at Dawlish 
Warren, 14/18.viii.77, illustrating a multiplicity of forms. 
Baker, B. R. — Species taken or bred from Southern Ireland in June 


1977: (A) from Co. Kerry: Conopia scoliaeformis (Borkh.), from cocoons; 
Leptidea sinapis juvernica Williams, Atolmis rubricollis (L.), Deltote 
bankiana (F.), all from Killarney area. Ectropis consonaria (Hibn.), 
Acronicta euphorbiae myricae Guen., from Minard, Dingle Peninsula. 
(B) from Co. Clare (Burren): Zygaena purpuralis hibernica Reiss., Adscita 
statices (L.), Erynnis tages baynesi Huggins, Euphydryas aurinia hibernica 
(Birchall), Semiothisa clathrata hugginsi (Baynes), Pseudopanthera macu- 
laria L., an extreme rayed variety (fig. 18), and Setina irrorella L., bred. 
(C) from both Co. Kerry and Co. Clare: Hadena perplexa capsophila Dup. 
and H. caesia mananii Gregson, the latter showing contrast between blue 
grey specimens from the Burren of Clare and blacker specimens from 
Dingle Peninsula. 

BaKeER, P. J. — Interesting garden trap records from Thorpe, N.W. 
Surrey, 1977: Apocheima pilosaria (D. & S.)—a perfect melanic, 5.iii.77; 
Eupithecia dodoneata Guen., five, being a new garden record, over the 
period 28.iv/12.v.77; Rhyacia simulans (Hufn.), a new garden record, 
3.vii.77; Dicycla oo (L.), a new garden record, 16.vii.77; Abrostola trigemina 
Wernb., new, 27.vii.77; Mythimna vitellina Hibn., new, 21.x.77. Cabera 
exanthemata (Scop.): examples of f., and f., generations bred from a 
melanic female, Studland, Dorset, 1976; Perconia strigillaria (Hiibn.) — two 
examples bred from a female taken in Surrey, 7.vi.76. 

Baker, P. J. and ParKeR, Wm. — Herminia lunalis (Scop.) (tarsiplumalis 
Hiibn.). A specimen taken at light in a garden at Dorney Reach, Bucks., 
in September 1976. First British record. 

BANNER, Dr. J. V. — British lepidoptera taken or bred in 1977: Agrius 
conyvolvuli (L.), from ova laid by a female taken in Surrey; Hesperia comma 
(L.), taken in Sussex: a male with pale ground colour and normal for 
comparison Pyronia tithonus (L.) taken in Sussex: ab. excessa Leeds and 
ab. pallidus Leeds. 

BRETHERTON, R. F. — Series of Spaelotis ravida (D. & S.) and Photedes 
fluxa (Hiibn.) from central Lincolnshire, 31.vii/1.viii.77; Helicoverpa armi- 
gera (Hibn.), three bred 14.v/6.vi.77 from larvae found on tomatoes, and 
one Spodoptera littoralis (Bdv.), 24.iv.77, from chrysanthemum, all ex 
Covent Garden, London; series of Mythimna vitellina Hiibn. reared from 
an f. pallida Warren female caught at Bramley in 1976, those reared wholly 
at 60°/70°F. being all f. pallida and those cooled in the last larval instar 
and as pupae being f. vitellina; Alcis repandata L. f. nigra Tutt, Bramley, 
18.vii.77; Dasychira pudibunda L. f. bicolor Cockayne, 3.vi.77, and f. nigra 


4 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Stdgr., 17.vi.77, from Bramley; Aporophyla lutulenta (D. & S.), a form 
near /Juneburgensis Frr., Bramley, 20.ix.77. 

British Museum (Natural History) — from the National Collection of 
British Lepidoptera (including Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection): 
Clostera pigra (Hufn.), including hybrids with C. curtula (L.), two drawers 
from the newly curated British Notodontidae; two drawers from the 
Huggins Collection, bequeathed to the National Collection. The Pyralidae 
include a specimen of the scarce migrant Hymenia recurvalis F., first 
recorded in Britain in 1951; the Geometridae show a fine series of Campto- 
gramma bilineata L., including ssp. isolata Kane. Also two drawers of 
Noctuidae from the collection of Mr. W. Reid, recently purchased by the 
Cockayne Trust, showing melanic froms of Acronicta spp. 

Britton, M. R. — Specimens of Bembecia chrysidiformis (Esp.), Aegeria 
culiciformis (L.) (yellow banded form), Hydraecia osseola hucherardi Mab., 
H. petasitis Doubl., Xylena exsoleta (L.), Lycia lapponaria (Bdv.), Orthosia 
gothica (L.) ab. gothicina, Anarta melanopa (Thunb.), Catocala promissa 
D. & S., with slides of larvae and imagines. 

BurToN, G. N. — Selected Heterocera from Minster, Isle of Sheppey, 
Kent, taken in 1977. They included a very dark melanic Tethea occularis 
L. and a fine male Coscinia cribraria L. ssp. arenaria Lempke (fig. 9), taken 
at light on 5th July. This is only the fifth specimen of this race recorded 
in Kent, the previous four having been taken between Sandwich and Deal, 
the last in 1937. 

CHIPPERFIELD, H. E. — On behalf of Mr. Clive Naunton, Plebejus argus 
L. female underside ab. striata (fig. 14), taken in a colony of the species 
on Westleton Heath, Suffolk. 

CoLLINSON, W. E. — Lasiocampa quercus L. ssp. callunae Palmer, forms 
luridens, olivaceo, pallidens, femina-colorata; also cross-pairings of quercus 
and callunae, with examples of varieties in the f., of this cross: all from 
original wild Yorkshire and Hampshire stock bred over several years. 

CrASKE, R. M. —Butterflies collected in Hampshire, Sussex and western 
Ireland in 1977: Pieris napi L., female, an extreme ab. radiata Rober 
(upperside), Sussex, July; Anthocharis cardamines L., two females with 
greenish hindwings, Sussex, May; Polyommatus icarus Rott. ssp. mariscolore 
Kane, a small series including male and female ab. obsoleta Gillmer, west 
Ireland, June/July; Celastrina argiolus L., two females from a third brood 
observed in Hove in early October; Maniola jurtina L., extreme female ab. 
anticrassipuncta Leeds (underside), Sussex, July; Pyronia tithonus L. ab. 
crassiexcessa Leeds, two females, Sussex, August; Melanargia galathea L., 
four with costal areas of the forewings heavily suffused with black: this 
is a very local recurrent form observed in Hants. and Sussex since 1972; 
a male with very wide border on hindwings, Sussex, August. 

Criss, P. W. — Euphydryas aurinia Rott., a series bred originally from 
West Sussex stock, showing considerable variability. Stock is available for 
any bona fide attempt at establishment in the wild; Melitaea cinxia L., 
examples from stock taken in the Isle of Wight, which has been breeding 
wild in Middlesex for six years; Mellicta athalia Rott. from Cornish stock, 
bred for three years on Plantago lanceolata, showing signs of aberration; 
one ab. eos Frohawk, another with a large homeotic area on the hindwing; 
Lycaena dispar batavus Obth., three heavily striated, bred from Dutch 
stock from an aberrant female in 1976; Nymphalis polychloros L., bred 
from larvae taken in south France. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOc., 1978 5) 


Datey, T. J. — Coenonympha pamphilus L., ab. partimtransformis Leeds 
(female), and ab. postexcessa Leeds (male); Maniola jurtina L. ab. partim- 
transformis Leeds (female) and ab. antialba Leeds (male); Melanargia 
galathea LL. with right wing more yellow than left (male); Pieris rapae L. 
ab. minor; Lysandra coridon Poda ab. discoelongata Leeds; a female Erebia 
with white pupils absent in eye-spots, and white-chequered fringes, caught 
with many E. aethiops in the Scottish Highlands in July 1969 (PI. II, fig. 11): 
exhibited as an aberration of E. aethiops (Esp.): further investigation has 
shown it to be an example of E. ligea (L.). 

Dogpson, A. H. — Hemaris fuciformis (L.), a second brood specimen 
caught on l.viii.77 at Whiteparish, Wiltshire; Catocala promissa (D. & S.), 
New Forest; a small selection of lepidoptera from Hampshire, including 
species obtained in a bog near Romsey. 

Epmunps, H. — Zygaena exulans (Hohenwarth) ab. pallida, from Brae- 
mar; a series of Polyommatus icarus Rott. ab. obsoleta, from Mull; Poly- 
mixis flavicincta (D. & S.), two contrasting specimens from different 
localities. 

FarrcLoucu, A. J. and R. — Luperina nickerlii (Frr.) ssp. gueneei Doubl., 
Clwyd, 20.viii.77; Scopula rubiginata (Hufn.), second brood, bred August 
1977, Suffolk; Lysandra coridon (Poda), male underside ab., Surrey, 
11.viii.77. 

FEARNEHOUGH, T. D. — Aberrations of butterflies captured in the Isle of 
Wight, Thymelicus sylvestris Poda, having whitish forewings and blackish 
hindwings, 27.vii.68, and ab. intermedia Fourc., 12.vii.69; Pyronia tithonus 
L. ab. albidus Cockerell, two female, one male, August 1974, 1975, 1977; 
Maniola jurtina L. ab. pallens Th-Meig., 31.viii.63, and ab. semi-intermedia 
Lempke, two females, 27.vii.68, 7.vili.72; Lycaena phlaeas L. ab. cuprinus 
Pey., 19.viii.73, and ab. latomarginata Tutt, 27.viii.74; Lysandra bellargus 
Rott., extreme underside ab., 26.viii.70; L. coridon Poda ab. caeca Courv., 
4.viii.70 and ab. discreta Tutt, 20.viii.67. 

HarRBoTTLe, Rev. A. H. H. and JONATHAN, JANE and DAvID HARBOTTLE. — 
Hipparchia semele, females from Cornish heath and Cornish sandhills; 
Clossiana selene D. & S., second brood (three); Mesoacidalia aglaja, dusky 
female, south Cornwall; Inachis io L., a remarkable ab. with large pale area 
in discoidal cell forewings; Plebejus argus L., series from south Cornwall, 
including one lavender-coloured male and two blue females; Leptidea sinapis 
L., second brood female ab. erysimi; Anthocharis cardamines L., bred series 
including one male with orange markings greatly reduced, and series of 
female ab. macula-punctata-quadripunctata; Zygaena fiilipendulae L., six 
yellow specimens. 

Harman, T. W. — Lepidoptera taken or bred in 1976 and 1977: particu- 
larly notable were: Photedes extrema (Hibn.), Dungeness, 2.vii.76: the first 
authenticated specimen for Kent; Cyclophora puppillaria Hibn., at mercury 
vapour light, Field Study Centre, Canterbury, 26.x.77; a Noctuid moth, not 
identified, bred from a larva found on board a shipload of Brazilian ginger. 
Reared on Veronica sp., emerged 24.x.77. 

Harmer, A. S. — Selected aberrations of British Lepidoptera taken 
1972-1977: these included Quercusia quercus L. female ab. depuncta 
Lempke (fig. 15); Lysandra bellargus Rott. male subtus-partim-radiata 
Oberthur=digitata Courv.; Mesoacidalia aglaja L. male abs. viridiata Strand 
and ab. noy.; Clossiana selene D. & S. male ab. medionigrans Cab. and 
female ab. transversa Tutt; C. euphrosyne L. male ab. albinea Lambillion= 
xanthos Frohawk; Euphydryas aurinia Rott. ab. melanoleuca Cab.: Mellicta 


6 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


athalia Rott. male extreme ab. corythalia Hitbn.=eos Frohawk; Erebia 
aethiops Esp. male and female transitional to ab. infasciata Warren; 
Hipparchia semele L., female ab. monocellata Lemke and ab. caeca Tutt. 

Harper, Dr. M. W. — Lomaspilis marginata L., melanic ab., Wood- 
walton Fen, Hunts., July 1976; Graphiphora augur L., albino, Ledbury, 
Herefordshire, 1976. 

Hart, C. — Orthosia gothica L. ab. circumsignata Hasebrk., from m.v. 
light, Hooley, Surrey, 21.111.77; Agrotis clavis Hufn., black suffused ab., at 
m.v. light, Hooley, 27.vii.77. 

HeatH, J. (BrloLoGicaAL RECORDS CENTRE). — Examples of distribution- 
maps for eleven Noctuidae, prepared from data assembled by R. Bretherton. 
These will appear, it is hoped, shortly, both in Vol. 9 of Butterflies and 
Moths of Great Britain and Ireland and The Provisional Atlas of the Insects 
of the British Isles. 

Horton, Dr. G. A. N. — Lepidoptera taken in Monmouthshire in 1977: 
(A) In his garden at Usk: Agriopis leucophearia (D. & S.); Orthosia miniosa 
(D. & S.); O. opima (Hibn.), Diaphora mendica (Clerck), female; Egira 
conspicillaris (L.); Harpyia bicuspis (Borkh.), two; Peridea anceps (Goeze); 
Cryphia muralis (Forst.), two; Agrotis puta ab. nigra Tutt (fig. 5.). (B) In 
north Monmouthshire: Acronicta menyanthidis (Esp.), Lacanobia biren 
Goeze; Parasemia plantaginis (L.). (C) In south Monmouthshire: Mythimna 
obsoleta Hubn., two. 

Hype, G. E. — A small selection of British butterflies caught or reared 
in the last 40 to 50 years, including some species now in danger of 
extinction; also an Issoria lathonia L., bred from British stock, and two 
Aporia crataegi L. from east Kent. Two small books on larvae recently 
published by Jarrold & Son. 

ImBER, S. F. — Aberrations of butterflies obtained mostly in garden and 
Ewhurst area, Surrey, including Limenitis camilla L. ab. nigrina Weym., 
and short series of ab. semi-nigrina; Coenonympha pamphilus L., ab. anti- 
excessa Leeds; Aglais urticae L., an unnamed ab. (fig. 10); Inachis io L. 
with scale abnormality; Lysandra coridon Poda ab. alba. 

JAcKSON, B. C. — Eupithecia insigniata (Hiibn.), Huntingdon, at m.v. 
light, 18.v.74; Xanthorhoe designata (Hufn.), Stapleford, Essex, Ist brood, 
22.v.76, 2nd brood, 14.viii.76; Diaphora mendica (Clerck), bred from larva, 
Rochester, Kent, 11l.iv.75; Plemyria rubiginata (D. & S.), Dunton, Essex, 
20.vi.74; Hyles lineata livornica (Esp.), Heysham, north Lancs., 5.vii.77. 


KETTLEWELL, H. B. D. — A selection of Lepidoptera collected at two 
stations in Scotland in summer 1977. 
KNILL-JONES, S. A. — Specimens taken at Freshwater or Freshwater 


Bay, Isle of Wight, Ist/16th August 1977: Eremobia ochroleuca (D. & S.); 
Celaena leucostigma (Hubn.); Apamea ophiogramma (Esp.); Eupithecia 
phoeniceata (Rambur); Cryphia muralis (Forst), a series showing local 
variation; Nonagria dissoluta (Treit.); Semiothisa liturata (Clerck) ab. 
nigrofulvata; Cosmia affinis (L.); Dypterygia scabriuscula (L.); Mythimna 
albipuncta (D. & S.), taken 10.vii.77. 

LANGMAID, Dr. J. R. — (A) Melanthia procellata D. & S., an aberration 
with suffused smoky brown forewings, which occurs regularly on the 
South Downs: taken near Petersfield, 5.vii.75; Xanthorhoe fluctuata (L.) 
ab., Southsea, 18.ix.77; Autographa gamma (L.), ab. with forewing ground 
colour velvety black, Southsea, 14.ix.77, with very pale example from Cape 
Cornwall, 1976. (B) Noctuidae taken at Inch, Co. Kerry, August 1977: 
Mesoligea furuncula (D. & S.), three of unicolorous pale sandy form, on 
dunes; Luperina nickerlii knilli Boursin, four; L. testacea (D. & S.), one, 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 7 


superficially very like L. knilli. (C) Taken in Co. Clare, August 1977 
Calamia tridens occidentalis Cockayne, four; Aspitates gilvaria burrenensis 
Cockayne, four; Perizoma minorata (Tr.) ab.; Photedes captiuncula tincta 
Kane, one. 

McFEELy, J. — Euphydryas aurinia (Rott.), bred examples from Glouces- 
tershire and Oxfordshire; Clossiana euphrosyne (L.), minor varieties bred 
1976/1977; Celastrina argiolus (L.), three females approaching ab. lilacina- 
suffusa Tutt; Argynnis paphia (L.), second brood examples bred 1976; 
Apatura iris (L.), examples bred from larvae which survived virus-like 
conditions, with photograph of pupa. 

Marcon, Rev. J. N. — Maniola tithonus ab. excessa Leeds, female; 
Polyommatus icarus (Rott.), four Irish, June/July 1977, one blue female, 
one male with large orange lunules, one male ab. obsoleta, one female 
obsoleta. 

MESSENGER, J. L. — Xestia castanea (Esp.) from Surrey: an extreme 
aberration with forewings crossed by blackish basal and terminal fasciae 
(Pl. I, fig. 4), with normal pink, biscuit-coloured and the rare yellow forms 
for comparison. 

Micuaetis, H. N. — Lepidoptera from North Wales: Apamea sublustris 
(Esp.), A. characterea (Hiibn.), Xestia agathina (Dup.) from heather 
growing on limestone pavement, Paradiarsia glareosa (Esp.), all from 
Pydew, Caerns.; Luperina testacea (D. & S.), Celaena leucostigma (Hiubn.), 
from Glanwydden, Caerns.; Luperina nicklerlii gueneei Doubl. from Den- 
bighshire and Anglesey; Apamea oblonga (Haw.) from Glan Conwy, 
Denbighshire; Rheumaptera undulata (L.) from Maenan, Denbighs. 

PELHAM-CLINTON, E. C. — Agrotis trux (Hiibn.), four specimens collected 
in September, Ventnor, Isle of Wight — ? second generation; Eurois 
occulta (L.), Winchburgh, West Lothian, two, 13th August, from a large 
immigration which occurred in Scotland at that time; 4 pamea ophiogramma 
Esp., melanic, 11th August, Winchburgh, West Lothian. On behalf of Royal 
Scottish Museum, Edinburgh: Blepharita solieri Bdv. (fig. 12), Denholm, 
Roxburghshire, August 1976, collected in a light trap by Mr. Andrew 
Buckham. New to the British list. 

Puetps, H. G. and Lipscoms, Major-General C. B. — Representative 
series of twelve major aberrations of Argynnis paphia L. taken by the 
exhibitors in one wood in 1976 and 1977, including ab. confluens, male 
and female, ab. valezina, ab. ater, female, ab. ocellata, male and female, 
ab. nigricans, female. 

PICKERING, R. R. — Immigrant and other unusual species taken at m.v. 
light in a garden at Aldwick Bay, West Sussex, during a period of south 
and south-westerly winds and heavy rain, 22nd September to 27th October 
1976, including: Acherontia atropos (L.), 22.ix, evidently chased in by a 
cat; Agrius convolvuli (L.), 3.x, also 25.ix (two); Trigonophora flammea 
(Esp.), 14.x; Leucochlaena oditis (Hubn.), 7.x 2, first Sussex record; 
Cyclophora puppillaria (Hiibn.), 21.x; Mythimna unipuncta (Haw.), 27.x, 
also 2.x.1975; M. albipuncta (D. & S.), 11 and 25.x, also 8.x.1977; M. 
vitellina (Hubn.), 28.ix and 3.x.1976, also 9.x.1977 (two), 13, 19 and 
25.x.77; Helicoverpa armigera (Hibn.), 14.x.76; Eumichtis lichenea (Hibn.), 
24.ix/23.x.76, eight shown for colour comparison; Lithophane leautieri 
(Bdy.), hesperica Bours., first specimens in 1977 on 2.x, thereafter rising 
to peak 8/10.x. 

PickLes, A. J. — Selected lepidoptera bred during 1977: Thecla betulae 
(L)., ex ovis, Sussex; Hemaris fuciformis (L.), e larvis, New Forest; Xanthia 
citrago (L.), e larvis, Lymington; Agrotis ripae (Hiibn.), at rest on marram, 


8 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


Hayling Island, Hants.; Xestia ashworthii (Doubl.), e larvis, Minffordd, 
Coris; X. agathina (Dup.), e larvis, swept in New Forest; X. castanea (Esp.), 
e larvis, swept in New Forest; Orthosia gracilis (Esp.), ex ovis, New Forest; 
Mythimna litoralis (Curtis), e larvis, Hayling Island; Acronicta alni (L.), 
ex ovis, New Forest. 

ReEveELsS, R. C. — Results of breeding Hipparchia semele L. ab. holonops 
Brouwer to the F, generation, which produced a fine female of this ab. 
(fig. 1); results of eight years breeding of Lysandra coridon Poda, abs. 
ultrafowleri B. & L. and semi-syngrapha Tutt, which include very extreme 
forms of these abs.; butterfly aberrations captured in 1977, the best being 
Lysandra coridon (Poda) female ab. antidigitata B. & L. (from Dorset) and 
ab: ultranubile B. & L. (from the Chilterns); Coenonympha tullia (Mill.) 
ab. lanceolata Arkle (Lake District); also abs. of Fabriciana adippe (D. & S.), 
Melanargia galathea L., Hipparchia semele L. 

Ricuarpson, N. A. — (A) from North Wales, 1976: Orthosia gothica 
(L.), melanic ab. (vol. 10, pl. VIII, fig. 10), Discestra trifolii (Hufn.) ab. 
(B) from Hunts., 1977: Zeuzera pyrina (L.), Hadena compta (D. & S.), 
Aporophyla lutulenta (D. & S.), Eremobia ochroleuca (D. & S.), etc. 

Russwurm, A. D. A. and MippLeton, H. G. M. — British butterfly 
aberrations, summer 1977, including: Plebejus argus L. ab. privata Courv., 
three males, New Forest; an infraobscura, three males, New Forest; ab. 
albopunctata, four females, Dorset; Lysandra coridon Poda, various abs.; all 
from Portland, Dorset; Hipparchia semele L. ab. mosleyi Obth., Dorset; 
Maniola jurtina L., six female abs. from Dorset; Pyronia tithonus L., six 
female abs. from Dorset; Pyronia tithonus L., five abs. from a Hampshire 
field. Also Syngrapha interrogationis L., an extreme example of the 
Continental form taken in m.y. trap at Boldre, Hants., 7.viii.68 (PI. I, 
fig. 6). 

Srmson, Brig. E. C. L. — Ectropis crepuscularia D. & S., ‘rayed’ form 
(fig. 16), with normal pale and dark forms for comparison; E. consonaria 
Hiibn. (fig. 17), male and female forms, South Wales. 

SKINNER, B. — Diarsia mendica orkneyensis B.-S., showing great variation, 
Orkney Mainland, July/August 1977; Clostera curtula L., bred from larva 
on aspen, Loch Ness, Inverness-shire; Eriopygodes imbecilla F., short series, 
Monmouthshire, 16.vii.77; Hylaea fasciaria L. f. prasinaria Schiff., bred 
from larvae on Douglas fir, Ham Street, Kent; Agrotis puta insula Rich., 
St. Mary’s, Scilly, on ragwort blossom, August 1977. 

TREMEWAN, W. G. — Zygaena trifolii palustrella Verity, series from 
chalk downs, and Z. trifolii decreta Verity from bogs and marshes, with 
blown larval skins, cocoons and photographs of habitats; Z. lonicerae 
transferens Verity, series, with blown larva skin and cocoon. All from 
various localities in England. 

Tupss, R. S. — Limenitis camilla L. ab. nigrina Weym., taken near 
Winchester: twenty eggs collected nearby with a view to breeding an F, 
generation; Hipparchia semele L. ab. holanops Brouwer, from eggs given 
by R. Revels, F, generation. This aberration appears to be a simple 
recessive. 

WALKER, D. G.—Rhopalocera obtained in Surrey 1969/1977: Polyom- 
matus icarus Rott. ab. caeca, female; Pieris napi L., asymetrical ab., bred; 
Coenonympha pamphilus L. ab. transformis Leeds, male. 

Watson, A. W. and Mrs. A. — Aberrations of British Lepidoptera, 
including: Pyronia tithonus (L.) ab. transformis Leeds; Melitaea cinxia 
(L.), temperature experiments; Aglais urticae (L.), temperature experiment 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOc., 1978 9 


(donated by M. Dukes); Polygonia c-album (L.), temperature experiments; 
Lasiocampa quercus callunae Palmer, bred by Amanda Watson from larvae 
collected in Scotland and donated by W. E. Collinson, Yorkshire; Calli- 
morpha dominula (L.), from larvae at Downton, Wilts., many specimens 
approaching f. basinigra Cockayne; Amphipoea oculea (L.), with discoidal 
extending to white streak; Tyria jacobeae (L.), four drawers of aberrations, 
many more extreme than those previously bred; Laothoe populi (L.) x 
Smerinthus ocellata (L.) (hybridus Steph.), a dozen resultant aberrant 
specimens. 

WHEELER, A. S. — Pararge aegeria (L.), representative series of bred 
specimens, Guernsey and Herm, Channel Islands, spring and summer 1972, 
and St. Mary’s, Scilly (ssp. insula Howarth), autumn 1976 and 1977. 

WiLp, E. H. — Aberrations of British lepidoptera taken in his garden 
at m.v. light, Selsdon, Surrey: Mimas tiliae L., pale grey form with 
transverse pink band and black hindwings; Phlogophora meticulosa L., 
heavily suffused with grey; Agrotis exclamationis L. ab. pallida-unicolor 
Tutt; A. segetum D. & S. f. pallida with stigmata outlined in black and 
without transverse lines, small—32 mm.; A. clavis Hufn., selected abs.; 
Xanthia icteritia (Hufn.) ab. virgata Tutt, an extreme pink suffused form; 
Aglais urticae L., a purple-transfused form, and a form with large addi- 
tional yellow area in the centre of the forewing. Also Tyra luctuosa 
(D. & S.), 2.viii.77 — the first in the area for many years; Aegeria culici- 
formis (L.), yellow banded, Wansford, 1948. 

WILTSHIRE, E. P. — Lithophane leautieri (Bdv.) hesperica Boursin, from 
larvae beaten from Cypress, Dunster, north Somerset, 17.vi.77, emerged 
mid-September: transparency of larva, cocoons, pupa cases, and two adults 
(male and female) showing range of dark and light variation. 

Worms, Dr. C. G. M. pe. — Selections of British Lepidoptera taken or 
bred in 1977, mainly from St. David’s (Pembrokeshire), the Lizard (West 
Cornwall) and Orkney, including Eilema caniola Hiibn., Euxoa obelisca 
D. & S., Luperina nickerlii leechi Goater, from the Lizard; Oligia versicolor 
Borkh., Autographa bractea Dup., Zygaena trifolii decreta Verity from 
St. David’s; Eupithecia venosata orcadensis Prout., Hadena confusa (Hufn.) 
from Orkney; Eriopygodes imbecilla F. from South Wales. A number of 
minor aberrations were shown, and also series of forms of Plebejus argus 
L.: from heathland in New Forest and Surrey and, as the extinct f. masseyi 
Tutt, from Westmorland; from sand dunes in south Cornwall; from chalk 
in Dorset and Hampshire, with the larger f. cretaceus Tutt from Eynsford 
in Kent, and also f. caernensis Thompson on limestone on Great Orme, 
Caernarvonshire. 

Younc, L. D. — Plebejus argus L., a series of five type and one ab. 
basijuncta bred from a wild female ab. basijuncta taken in the New Forest, 
June 1975; Lysandra coridon Poda, a second brood series from female 
collected in August 1976; L. bellargus Rott., a selection of the bluest 
females in F, from Berkshire parent, September 1974—F, produced 
entirely brown females; also six male variations bred in August 1977 from 
a parent collected on the North Downs on 14th June, 1977; Polyommatus 
icarus Rott. ab. caeca and an ab. with light yellow lunules on hindwings 
upperside, collected in Berks. and Hants., August 1976; also a female form 
with enlarged fore and hindwing discoidal spots, a feature maintained 
through three bred generations. 


10 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


FOREIGN LEPIDOPTERA 


Fifteen exhibitors showed foreign Lepidoptera, mostly Palaearctic, with 
France as the predominant source. Miss M. L. ARCHER exhibited two dozen 
species of Alpine butterflies from a visit to La Gorge de St. Pierre and 
Allos, Hautes Alpes, in August 1977, including interesting Erebia and 
Coppers. M. HapLey and M. J. Parsons showed the results of five weeks’ 
collecting at Chateau de Paron, Sens, Yonne, in July and August, including 
many Heterocera caught in a Robinson light trap. R. F. BRETHERTON, 
P. W. Crisp and R. C. Dyson showed representative selections of butterflies 
caught during a six-man expedition to the French Massif Central, with 
some stops during the journey there, from 4th to 16th July, an account of 
which will appear in the A.E.S. Bulletin. About half of the 110 species 
recorded were exhibited, some of the more interesting being Boloria 
aquilonaris (Stichel), Lycaena helle (D. & S.), Scolitantides orion (Pallas), 
Clossiana titania (Esp.), Melanargia russiae (Esp.), and local races of six 
species of Erebia. All these were from the Massif Central; the very local 
Hesperid Heteropterus morpheus (Pall.) was found in the Forét de Vierzon, 
Cher, and, along with Apatura iris (L.) and A. ilia (D. & S.), in the Foret 
de Rambouillet, Yvelines. G. N. Burton also showed species of Erebia 
from Cantal, Massif Central, and Lysandra coridon (Poda), whose presence 
in this purely “‘volcanic” area is surprising, collected in August 1977; he 
also had various species from the Jaca district in north Spain. From that 
country H. G. PHELPS exhibited a selection of Lycaenidae taken in May 
and June 1976 and 1977, including possible hybrids between Lysandra 
coridon asturiensis de Sag. and L. bellargus (Rott.), with bred specimens 
of the latter’s f. ceronus Esp. S. E. WHITEBREAD showed a large selection 
of Lepidoptera taken in Sicily and Calabria in August and September 1977, 
mostly not yet identified but including species of Heterocera which are 
familiar as immigrants to Britain. Completing the European exhibits, C. B. 
Asupy showed a first instalment of a representative collection of Swedish 
Macrolepidoptera which the Society has been pleased to accept from our 
member in Stockholm, Stic TORSTENIUS. 

From the Middle East, W. G. TREMEWAN showed a series of Zygaena 
cambyses Led. and Z. tamara Christoph. reared in England ab. ovis Iran: 
the life history of Z. cambyses was previously unknown. T. B. LARSEN 
showed from Lebanon Maniola telmessia (Z.), an extreme ab., Tripoli; 
Melitaea didyma libanotica Belter, female ab., Byblos; and an unidentified 
Lycaenid, probably a hybrid, from the Cedar mountain; from Jordan, 
Euchloe falloui Allard, Ras el Naqb, and E. belemia (Esp.), Ramtha, 
species which are rarely sympatric; from Israel Jolana alfierii Wiltshire; 
from Sinai Peninsula two recently described endemic species, Strymonidia 
jebelia Nakamura and Pseudophilotes sinaicus Nakamura; from Morocco, 
Gonepteryx cleopatra (L.), inter-sex, near Tetouan. 

From the Nearctic zone L. J. Evans had an interesting collection of 32 
species of butterflies taken in South Ontario, Canada, eight of which are 
also on the British list: From Africa D. M. TREMBATH showed six drawers 
of butterflies (104 species) from Kenya and two drawers from South Africa. 
Among the rarer Kenyan species were Bematistes quadricolor Rog., Amauris 
inferna Butler, Apaturopris cleocharis Hew., and various Cymothoe 
Hubner. G. H. MaAnsett exhibited a fine selection of butterflies from 
Malaysia. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 11 


BRITISH MICROLEPIDOPTERA 


There were many noteworthy microlepidoptera among those exhibited, 
including Gelechia sabinella Z., Eucosma metzneriana Treitschke (fig. 13) 
and Scythris potentillae Z., all three new to Britain. Among others of 
particular note were Olethreutes aurofasciana (Haw.), Coleophora hydrola- 
pathella Hering (bred), Stigmella aceris (Frey) (bred), Acanthophila alacella 
(Z.), Parameria gnomana (Clerck) and Pammene luedersiana (Sorhagen). 

Acassiz, Rev. D. J. L. — Gelechia sabinella Z., new to Britain, from 
Enfield. Four newly introduced species of Nymphulinae taken among exotic 
aquatic plants in nursery hothouses at Enfield: Nymphula enixalis Swinhoe 
(=linealis Moore); an unnamed Nymphula sp.; Parapoynx diminutalis 
Snellen and Oligostima angulipennis Hampson. All five species taken by 
the exhibitor in 1977. 

ALLEN, Dr. A. A. — Paracystola acroxantha Meyrick. Only 74 specimens 
(the ‘‘4” being a forewing) have been recorded from Britain, 34 of these 
in the 1920’s. The species was rediscovered in 1971 (cf. Agassiz, Ent. Rec., 
83: 39 (1971)) and the exhibit consists of the captures since then. Two were 
found in moorland near Dawlish, Devon, 23 and 26.vi.1976; the third was 
caught 18.viii.1977 in Dawlish. For a more complete ascount see Allen, 
A. A. in Proc. Brit. ent. nat. Hist. Soc., 9:119 (1976) and Ent. Rec., 89: 
14 (1977). Nemaxera corticella (Curtis), Sidlow, near Reigate, one in 
crevice of oak bark, 30.vii.1974. Ochsenheimeria mediopectinellus (Haw.), 
two of many specimens flying in mid-day sun in a localised part of Folke- 
stone Warren, 29.viii.1975. Pseudotelphusa scalella (Scop.), one, Bradfield, 
Berks., 17.vii.1977. Teloides decorella (Haw.), one on oak bark taken near 
Tilford Common, Surrey, 27.ii.1977. Stathmopoda pedella (L.), disturbed 
from Alnus glutinosa, Brownsea Island, Dorset, 9.vii.1977. Mompha lacteella 
(Stephens), one at actinic light in a wood at Salfords, Surrey, 12.vi.1976. 
Glyphipteryx linneella (Clerck), part of a series obtained at Manor Park, 
London, E.12, 25-26.vi.1977— the insects were caught as they flew in 
mid-day sunshine around limes. Olethreutes aurofasciana (Haw.), near 
Chiddingfold, Surrey, 26.vii.1975. Zeiraphera isertana (F.), form with 
marked green forewings, Newton Abbot, Devon, 27.vi.1976. Gypsonoma 
aceriana (Dup.), Salfords, Surrey, bred 21.vi.1975 from a larva in Populus 
tremula. Commophila aeneaa (Hbn.), Salfords, Surrey, 13.vi.1976, 3.vii.1977. 

BRADFORD, E. S. — A drawer of lepidoptera bred or taken during 1977. 
The most noteworthy, all from Kent, being: Scythris grandipennis (Haw.), 
bred from larvae on Ulex, Clowes Wood, Blean. Cydia (Cydia) conicolana 
(Heylaerts) bred from a pine cone taken at Covert Wood, Barham. /nfurci- 
tinea argentimaculella (Staint.), bred from larvae, Duncan Down, near 
Whitstable and Faversham. Cydia (Grapholita) modesta (Busck), found 
flying in a house near Blean. Dasycera oliviella (F.), East Blean. Stenodes 
alternana (Steph.), Sandwich, bred from larva feeding in flower-head of 
Centaurea scabiosa. Capperia britanniodactyla (Gregs.) and Anania funebris 
(Strém) taken on the Society’s field meeting at Ellenden Wood, 31.vii.77. 

BRETHERTON, R. F. — Eurrhypara perlucidalis (Hb.), one, Central Lincoln- 
shire, 31.vii/1.viii.77, probably the first Lincs. record. Dioryctria ? simplicella 
Heinemann (possibly only a form of D. abietella (D. & S.) or D. mutatella 
(Fuchs)), Bramley, Surrey, 1.ix.76, 21.viii.77; these (and others not exhibited) 
appear to be identical with D. simplicella, figured and described as a species 
new to the Netherlands in Ent. Bericht (1976), 36:98; the validity of this 
as a good species is, however, disputed. 


12 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


BROTHERIDGE, D. — A collection of about 170 moths, mostly micros, 
collected at or near Swindon, Wilts., including: Cyclophora puppillaria 
(Hbn.); Hoplodrina ambigua (D. & S.) (the second for Wilts.); Eupithecia 
intricata arceuthata Frr.; Parachromistis albiceps (Z.); Blastodacna hellerella 
(Dup.); Batia lunaris (Haw.); Teleiodes alburnella (Z.). (Note: the latter 
is perhaps a new county record. — J.M.C.-H.) 

CHALMERS-HuntT, J. M. — Anania funebris (Strom), Irish form, Rinna- 
mona, Co. Clare, 8.vi.77. Pyrausta sanguinalis (L.), Irish form, Carran, 
Co. Clare, 8.vi.77. Nymphula enixalis Swinhoe and Oligostigma anguli- 
pennis Hampson, Enfield, Middx., 22.ix.77, taken among tropical aquatic 
plants in nursery hothouses. Epinotia nisella (Clerck), striking black and 
grey ab., Gorswen, near Builth Wells, Breconshire, 3.ix.77. Coleophora 
saturatella Stainton, Dartford Heath, series bred vii.77 from cases found 
on broom, also two spp. of hymenopterous parasite. C. hydrolapathella 
Hering, Hickling, Norfolk, two bred 4, 6.vii.77 from cases collected by the 
exhibitor on Rumex hydrolapathum, 3.x.76. Scythris fletcherella Meyrick, 
Trottiscliffe, Kent, 5.vii.77. Cosmopterix drurella (F.), Derreen Wood, 
Lauragh, Co. Kerry, 5.vi.77, new to Ireland. Gelechia hippophaella 
(Schrank), Sandwich Bay, several bred 9-19.viii.77 from larvae on Hippophae 
rhamnoides collected 5.vii.77. Pancalia latreillella Curtis, Rinnamona, Co. 
Clare, 8.vi.77. 

EmMET, Lt. Col. A. M. — (i) New or rare Microlepidoptera from the 
county of Essex collected in the course of the compilation of a county 
list to be published in 1979. Bohemannia quadrimaculella (Boheman), 
Berechurch, 16.viii.77; new to Essex. Ectoedemia turbidella (H.-S.), Great 
Chesterford, 28.v.77; new to VC19. Etainia decentella (H.-S.), Thornden 
Park, bred 14.vi-14.vii.77; Ugley, bred 26.vi.77; Littlebury, 7.vii.77; new 
to Essex in both vice-counties (VC18 and 19). Stigmella tiliae (Frey), 
Chalkney Wood, Earl’s Colne, bred 4.viii.77; new to Essex. Nematois 
cupriacella (Hb.), Great Sampford, 6.vii.77; first Essex record since Victoria 
County History (1903). Diplomodoma herminata (Geoffroy), Thornden 
Park, bred 26.vi.77; first Essex record since 1951. Bacotia sepium (Speyer), 
Great Chesterford, bred 25.vii.77; new to VC19; first Essex record for over 
a century. Ochsenheimeria bisontella (L. & Z.), Sawbridgeworth Marsh NR, 
28.vill.77; new to VC19; first Essex record since 1936. Phyllonorycter 
ulicicolella (Stainton), Hainault Forest, 4.vii.77; new to Essex. P. scopariella 
(Z.), Woodham Walter, 4.vii.77; first Essex record since 1880. Coleophora 
trigeminella Fuchs, Benfleet, bred 24-27.vi.77; new to Essex. C. junicolella 
Stainton, Tiptree Heath, 3.viil.77; new to Essex. Stephensia brunnichella 
(L.), Saffron Walden, bred 3-7.v.77; new to Essex. Elachista biatomella 
(Stainton), Saffron Walden, bred 10.v.77; new to VC19; first Essex record 
since 1915. E. utonella Frey, Sawbridgeworth Marsh NR, 22.vii.77; new 
to VC19; first Essex record since 1951. E. scirpi Stainton, Vange, bred 
20-27.vi.77; Colne Point, bred 18.vi.77; first Essex record since 1911; new 
to VC19. E. cinereopunctella (Haw.), Saffron Walden, bred 1-9.iv.77; new 
to Essex. E. gleichenella (F.), Saffron Walden, bred 16.v.77; new to Essex. 
E. megerlella (Hbn.), Epping Forest, bred 16-17.iii.77; new to Essex. E. 
alpinella Stainton, Sawbridgeworth Marsh NR, 22.vii.77; new to Essex. 
Monochroa lucidella (Stephens), Matching Green, 14.viii.77; noted in this 
locality, then new to VC19, by R. W. Uffen in 1975. M. palustrella 
(Douglas), Malden, taken in light trap by Mrs. C. Harley; last Essex 
tecord 1909. Aristotelia ericinella (Z.), Tiptree Heath, 3.viii.77; new to 
VC19. Pulicalvaria piceaella (Kearfott), Little Baddow, 10.vii.77; new to 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 13 


Essex; this is believed to be the fourth British specimen of this North 
American species. Pseudotelphusa scalella (Scopoli), Thorndon Park, 23.v.77; 
a scarce species, but well known from south-west Essex. Teleiodes pari- 
punctella (Thunberg), Hainault Forest, 29.vi.77; a scarce species last 
recorded in Essex in 1949. Aroga velocella (Z.), Chigwell Row, taken in a 
Rothamsted trap by I. Sims; first Essex record since 1913. Neofriseria 
singula (Stgr.), Fingringhoe, bred 12-18.vii.77; new to Essex. Caryocolum 
fraternella (Douglas), Chingford, bred 30.vi-6.viii.77; new to Essex. Telephila 
schmidtiellus (Heyden), Littlebury, bred 6-14.vii.77; new to Essex. Stath- 
mopoda pedelia (L.), Little Baddow, 10.vii.77; first Essex record since 
VCH (1903). Dystebenna stephensi (Stainton), Hainault Forest, 30.vii.77; 
first Essex record from this locality since 1859. Aethes hartmanniana 
(Clerck), Great Sampford, 10.vii.77; new to VC19; first Essex record since 
VCH (1903). Clepsis spectrana (Treitschke), Newport, bred 20.vi-6.vii.77; 
on typical and two f. liverana Mansbridge, a form new to Essex. Cnephasia 
conspersana Douglas, Maldon, taken in a Rothamsted trap, 4.vili.77, by 
Mrs. C. Harley; first Essex record since 1886. Eana incanana (Stephens), 
Weeleyhall Wood NR, 4.vii.77; new to VC19. Dichrorampha sylvicolana 
Hein., Epping Forest, 30.vii.77; first Essex record since 1897. Gypsonoma 
oppressana (Treitschke), Saffron Walden, 12-15.vii.77; new to north-west 
Essex. Adaina microdactyla (Hbn.), Hatfield Forest Marsh NR, 28.viii.77; 
new to VC19, first Essex record since 1901. 

(ii) Nepticulidae from the county of Kent. Stigmella repentiella (Wolff), 
Sandwich, bred 12.iv-1.v.77; first recorded in Britain in 1976 after the 
detection of a misidentified specimen (bred 7.viii.1957) in coll. S. H. Wakely. 
S. aceris (Frey), Four Elms, bred 27.vii.77; the first British specimen since 
the one bred by Lord Walsingham from a larva taken at Lymington, Hants. 
on 22.viii.1914 and misidentified as S. speciosa (Frey). 

FarrcLouGu, A. J. & R. — Pelochrista caecimaculana (Hbn.), 18.vii.77. 
Coleophora saturatella Stainton, bred Suffolk vii.77. Acanthophila alacella 
(Z.), one specimen to m.v. light, Kent, 9.vil.77 (cf. Ent. Rec., 89: 283). 
Acleris cristana (D. & S.) f. fuscana Clark, f. nigrocapucina Manley, f. 
postchantana Webb, f. protolana Manley and another new form related 
to the one shown in 1976, all bred 1977 from Surrey and Sussex crosses 
and Sussex and Hunts. crosses. Coleophora artemisicolella Bruand, Surrey, 
living larvae on Artemisia vulgaris. C. wockeella Z., Sussex, living larvae 
on Stachys betonica. C. fuscocuprella H.-S., Sussex, living larvae on 
Corylus avellana. 

Goprray, H. C. J. — Parameria gnomana (Clerck), near Burwash, 
Sussex, viii.77; first confirmed British occurrence (cf. Ent. Rec., 89: 274). 
Evergestis extimalis (Scop.), Folkestone Warren, 28.vii.77. Pandemis cory- 
lana (F.), near Burwash, Sussex, two, including one with markings obsoles- 
cent, vii-viii.77. Lozotaeniodes formosanus (Geyer), near Burwash, Sussex, 
two, 21.vii.77. 

HARGREAVES, B. — Plates of Tortricoid Moths from Volume 2 of British 
Tortricoid Moths for intended publication by the Ray Society. 

Harper, Dr. M. W. — 36 species of Genus Phyllonorycter (Lep.: Gracil- 
laridae), from Herefordshire, bred between 1975-77. 

Harper, Dr. M. W. and LanGcmaip, Dr. J. R. — The leaf-mines of eight 
of our oak-feeding species of Phyllonorycter. The drawer demonstrated both 
upperside and underside views of the mines, and series of the following 
species: harrisella L., roboris Z., heegeriella Z., quercifoliella Z., messaniella 
Z., muelleriella Z., distentella Z., and lautella Z. 


14 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Horton, Dr. G. A. N. — Exhibited the following taken in his garden 
at Usk, Monmouthshire: Ptycholomoides aeriferanus H.-S., Palpita 
unionalis Hb., Pammene aurantiana Staud. 

Jounson, P. J. — A small selection of lesser-known species of micro- 
lepidoptera: Syncopacma vinella (Bankes), Ditchling Common, Sussex, 1976, 
bred from Genista tinctoria. Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Milliére), feeding larva 
and imago bred from pomegranate bought from a Cambridge greengrocer, 
1976. Scrobipalpa ocellatella (Boyd), Mucking Creek, Essex, 1976, bred 
from Beta maritima. Cydia leguminana (L. & Z.), Wicken Fen, bred 1976 
from a pupa. Lozotaeniodes formosanus (Geyer), Horseheath, Cambridge- 
shire, 1977. 

KNILL-JoneEs, S. A. — Galleria mellonella (L.), Freshwater, Isle of Wight, 
viii.1977. Aethes hartmanniana (Clerck) and Nemophora_ scabiosella 
(Scopoli), Featherbed Lane, Addington, Surrey, 24.vii.1977, taken on the 
occasion of the Society’s Field Meeting. 

LaNGMaID, Dr. J. R. — Clepsis spectrana (Tr.) f. liverana Mansbridge, 
Shrewsbury, v.1977, bred from Tanacetum vulgare. Syndemis musculana 
(Hbn.), Cape Cornwall, two specimens of a form similar to ssp. musculinana 
(Kennel), bred 1976. Crocidosema plebejana (Z.), Cape Cornwall, series 
bred from Lavatera arborea, 1976. Epiphyas postvittana (Walk.), Penzance, 
series bred 1976. Platyedra subcinerea (Haw.), Portsmouth and Southsea, 
series bred from Malva sylvestris, 1977. A series each of three species of 
Tortrix associated with Abies grandis in Hampshire: Pammene ochsen- 
heimeriana (L. & Z.), Epinotia fraternana (Haw.), E. subsequana (Haw.); 
the last two, previously considered rare, are very abundant in some 
localities. Pyrausta sanguinalis (L.), Eana penziana colquhounana (Barrett) 
and Epiblema incarnatana (Hbn.), all from the Burren, Co. Clare, taken 
viii. 1977. 

MicHAELIs, H. N. — Lepidoptera from N. Wales: Hypochalcia ahenella 
(D. & S.), Pydew, Caerns. Apodia bifractella (Dup.), Glanwydden, Caerns. 
Scrobipalpa instabilella (Dougl.), Conwy, Caerns. Mompha_ epilobiella 
(Roemer), Glan Conwy, Denbs. Cydia compositella (F.), Glanwydden, 
Caerns. C. internana (Guen.), Deganwy, Caerns. Hysterosia inopiana (Haw.), 
Glanwydden, Caerns. Phalonidia manniana (F. & R.), Glanwydden, Caerns. 
Phyllonorycter quinnata (Geoff.), Glan Conwy, Denbs.; leaf of hornbeam 
showing upperside mine — hornbeam is not native to these parts and the 
trees were introduced as a screen about 20 years ago; presumably the 
larvae came with the young trees. 

PELHAM-CLINTON, E. C. — Eutromula diana (Hbn.), Glen Affric, Inver- 
ness-shire, three, 21.vili.77. Pammene luedersiana (Sorhagen), Rannoch, 
Perthshire, 18.vi.77 —the third British specimen. 

REVELL, R. J. — Eucosma metzneriana Treitschke, a single specimen 
taken at m.v. light (tripod and sheet) at a waste chalky locality near 
Cambridge; the species is new to Britain. Also from the same locality, 
Homoeosoma nebulella D. & S. 


Rocue, J. — Specimens of Scythris potentillae Z. taken by the exhibitor 
in Suffolk, 30.vi.77. Previously unrecorded for Britain. 
SoKoLorFr, P. A. — A selection of microlepidoptera bred during 1977, 


including Galleria mellonella (L.), Guildford, ex honeycomb; Reuttia subo- 
cellea (Steph.), Bromley, Kent, ex Mentha aquatica; Chionodes distinctella 
(Z.), Trottiscliffe, Kent; Ptycholomoides aeriferanus (H.-S.), Andrews Wood, 
Shoreham, Kent, ex larch. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 15 


WHITEBREAD, S. E. — A selection of specimens taken in Sicily and 
Calabria in August and September 1977; the principle collecting areas were 
at Borgetto, near Palermo, Sicily and Nicotera and Sitizano in Calabria. 
(1) From Sicily Ancylolomia tentaculella (Hbn.). (2) From Calabria: Agri- 
phila trabeatella (H.-S.); Pleuroptya ruralis (Scop.); Aethes margarotana 
(Dup.); Endotricha flammealis (D. & S.); Dysgonia algira (L.); Pyrausta 
sanguinalis (L.); Angustalius malacellus (Dup.); Ancylolomia inornata 
(Stgr.). Also, Opostega crepusculella Z. which was flying in numbers over 
a species of Mentha growing in a small stream; the foodplant of crepuscu- 
lella is unknown but the species is thought to be associated with Mentha. 


DIPTERA 


CHANDLER, P. J. — (1) Some notable Diptera found during 1977: Limonia 
quadrimaculata (L.) (Tipulidae), Windsor Forest, Berks., 25.vi, on decaying 
beech; Solva maculata (Mg.) (Xylomyiidae), reared from puparia collected 
on 7.vi, ex rot hole in living beech, Windsor Forest, Berks., 2 emerged 
18.vi, @ 20.vi.; Rhadiurgus variabilis (Zett.) (Asilidae), 1l.vii, @ and 2 on 
sunlit boulders by River Dee, Invercauld Bridge, Grampian Reg.; Laphria 
flava (L.) (Asilidae), with Aphodius sp. as prey, Glen Lui, Grampian Reg., 
12.vii; Atherix ibis (Fab.) (Rhagionidae), ¢ on riverside by Dee, Bridge of 
Aboyne (clusters of dead females exhibited by A. E. Stubbs, were found 
further up the Dee at Ballater), 13.vii; Megasyrphus annulipes (Zett.) 
(Syrphidae), 15.vii, Invercauld Bridge, on Cirsium heterophyllum (L.) Hill 
flowers on river bank; Chamaesyrphus scaevoides (Fall.) (Syrphidae), Glen 
Ey and Claybokie, Grampian Reg., pine forest; Eurygnathomyia bicolor 
(Zett.) (Pallopteridae), the second British record, on low vegetation in 
alder wood, Scargill, N. Yorks., 16.vi; Amiota (Phortica) variegata (Fall.) 
(Drosophilidae) numerous at sap runs from a Cossus infected oak, New 
Forest, 10.ix. 

(2) Examples of two British species of Chorisops (Stratiomyidae), pre- 
viously confused under tibialis (Meigen) but recently distinguished by Dr. 
R. Rozkosny; tibialis which is darker in colour, is commoner and reaches 
Yorks. and south-east Ireland, while the new species is southern but already 
known from Kent/Sussex to Cornwall and S. Wales; one male of the latter 
was reared from flood refuse by the River Test at Leckford, Hants. 

(3) Some flies found in unusual associations at Windsor Forest, Berks. 
during 1977: (a) Microsania species (Platypezidae), the well known Smoke 
Flies, and Homopeza obliterata Zett. (Emphididae), a little known species 
attracted to burning pine wood, 22.vi, the second British record — both 
sexes of the latter settled on smouldering logs and their whitish wings made 
them inconspicuous against the ash, in the pooter they preyed on Micro- 
sania; (b) Astiosoma rufifrons Duda (Asteiidae), new to the British list, 
numerous on cold bonfire ash, vi-vii, and at smouldering elm wood, Old 
Windsor, 11.ix; (c) Chymomyza distincta (Egger) (Drosophilidae) on cut 
ends of pine logs with C. fuscimana (Zett.), a commoner species, but also 
only readily found on cut ends of logs left lying in woodland; (d) photo- 
graphs of the bonfire site and adjacent stack of cut logs at which the 
above species were collected. 

E_se, G. R. — (1) Some uncommon or local, mostly parasitic, Diptera 
collected in Hants. in 1977: Acrocera globulus Panzer (Acroceridae), New 


16 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Forest, 25.vii; Ogcodes gibbosus (L.) (Acroceridae), New Forest, 10.viii, 
beaten from sallow; Thyridanthrax fenestratus (Fall.) (Bombyliidae), New 
Forest on sandy path, 2.vii; Bombylius canescens Mikan (Bombyliidae), 
Porton Down, Wilts., 25.vi, at rest on Echium vulgare L. flower; Gastero- 
philus intestinalis (Deg.) (Gasterophilidae), flying around a pony with its 
ovipositor exserted, hanging vertically, Lyndhurst, 27.vii; G. pecorum 
(F.), flying low on heathland, New Forest, 27.vii (its rememblance to a 
worn Bombus pascuorum (Scop.) when in flight was noted); Hippobosca 
equina L. (Hippoboscidae), New Forest, 2/9.vii, common in the Forest 
during 1977; Eustalomyia histrio (Zett.) and E. vittipes (Zett.) (Antho- 
myiidae), Crab Wood, 10/11.ix on dead beech trunk. 

(2) Solva maculata (Mg.) (Xylomyiidae), 9.vii, settling on bracken and 
a dead beech tree near Lyndhurst, Hants.; this striking insect is rarely 
seen on the wing, most examples in collections like those exhibited by 
P. J. Chandler (see above). 

Jones, R. A. — Some uncommon Diptera collected during 1977, mostly 
in Sussex and Hants.: Myolepta luteola (Gmelin) (Syrphidae), taken in late 
vii at Braemore Wood (chalk), sitting on a bramble leaf; Xylotomima 
lenta (Mg.) (Syrphidae), Heathfield and Harewood Forest; Thecophora 
fulvipes (R.-D.) (Conopidae), South Heighton; Gymnosoma rotundatum 
(L.), on Heracleum flowers at Arundel and G. globosum (Fab.) (Tachinidae), 
swept on White Downs; Subclytia rotundiventris (Fall.) (Tachinidae), Hare- 
wood Forest; Cylindromyis interrupta (Mg.) (Tachinidae), Kingspark Wood; 
Mintho rufiventris (Fall.) (Tachinidae), Newhaven. 

Mixes, S. — Callicera aenea (F.) (Syrphidae), hovering over birch logs 
at Odiham Common, Hants., 11.vii.77; Laphria marginata (L.) and Dioctria 
oelandica (L.) (Asilidae) from the same locality. 

SoxoLorF, P. A. — A selection of Diptera of medical importance from 
the island of Mauritius, including the vectors of Malaria (Anopheles 
gambiae), Yellow Fever (Aedes aegypti) — now eradicated — and Filariasis 
(Culex fatigans) (all Culicidae). 

Stupss, A. E. — (1) A cluster of about 100 females of Atherix ibis 
(F.) (Rhagionidae), which assemble for oviposition on branches overhanging 
rivers in which the larvae are free living predators; they die in this 
characteristic aggregation; 

(2) Affected samples of the foodplants illustrating the life histories of 
some picture-winged flies (Tephritidae) whose larvae may be collected in 
the autumn: Euleia cognata (Wied.), a leaf-miner of Coltsfoot (Tussilago 
farfara L.), Rhagoletis alternata (Fall.) in rose hips (Rosa sp.) and Phago- 
carpus permundus (Harris) in hawthorn berries (Crataegus sp.); 

(3) A live pair of Tipula pagana Mg. (Tipulidae) to show the nearly 
wingless female; 

(4) A selection of flies from each of the groups which are currently the 
subject of Recording Schemes and a series of maps showing the distribution 
of examples of each of these groups: (a) the situation map for post 1960 
records of crane flies (Tipulidae) to indicate those areas from which records 
are most urgently required; (b) a comparison of the distribution of the 
widespread Tipula variicornis Schummel and the more local southern T. 
yerburyi Edwards, closely related species which are rarely found in the same 
locality; (c) Nephrotoma guestfalica (Westhoff) (Tipulidae), found on dry 
ground in the south-east but river banks in the north; apparently absent 
from N. Wales and Lancs.; (d) Villa modesta (Mg.) (Bombyliidae), coastal 
sand dunes but inland in the breck district; (e) Conops vesicularis L. 
(Conopidae), southern, on heathland reaching Cheshire and Anglesey with 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 17 


one record from the west of Ireland; (f) Dictya umbrarum (L.) (Sciomy- 
zidae), mainly western on base rich flushes; (g) Themira lucida (Stg.) 
(Sepsidae), widely distributed with comparatively few records; (h) Dixa 
submaculata Edw. (Dixidae), by streams in England, Wales and S. Ireland, 
not known from Scotland; (i) Xylota coeruleiventris Zett. and X. florum 
(Fall.) (Syrphidae), showing the mutually exclusive distribution of these 
closely related species. 


ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA 


Ese, G. R. — Local and rare aculeate Hymenoptera collected in Hamp- 
shire, the Isle of Wight and Lancashire during 1977. Among the 17 species 
exhibited, the following six are perhaps of special note (all except the last 
were collected on the Isle of Wight). Psen (=Mimesa) atratinus (Morawitz) 
(Sphecidae): a pair in cop., Luccombe Chine, 20.vii. These are the second 
and third British examples, the first was a 9 collected at Ladder Chine 
—also on the Island—on 7.viii.1950 by O. W. Richards. Methocha 
ichneumonoides Latreille (Tiphiidae): an example of the rare ¢, Luccombe 
Chine, 20.vii; Nysson interruptus (F.) (Sphecidae): 2 @ 2, Red Cliff, nr. 
Sandown, 3.vi; Sphecodes niger Sichel (Halictidae): 2 ¢ 2, 2 2 2, Black- 
gang area, 21 and 28.vii. This small bee, an inquiline of certain small 
Lasioglossum species (also Haltictidae) has always been very rare in Britain, 
with apparently only three published records — East Sussex, Buckingham- 
shire and Bedfordshire. In the British Museum (Natural History) there is a 
male collected on Hampstead Heath in 1938 and a female from Ruislip, 
1939. Another rare bee exhibited was a fresh @ Osmia xanthomelana 
(Kirby) (Megachilidae): Luccombe Chine, 21.v. The only Lancashire speci- 
mens were 3 @ @ Colletes cunicularius (L.) (Colletidae), a large bee much 
resembling the common honeybee. Cunicularius is a speciality of coastal 
dune slacks in north Wales, Lancashire and Cumberland. The specimens 
were collected at Ainsdale, 8.iv. 

Jones, R. A. — A display of various British insect Orders collected in 
1977 included a selection of aculeates and one sawfly, the local XY yphidria 
camelus (L.). The latter was a 9 from Heathfield, Sussex (no date available). 
Aculeates were —also without dates —as follows: Myrmosa atra Panzer 
(Tiphiidae): 1 2, Little Horsted, Sussex; Hedychridium roseum (Rossi) 
(Chrysididae): 1, Kingstone Common, New Forest, Hampshire — the 
uncommon inquiline of the Sphecid Astata boops (Schrank); Omalus panzeri 
(F.) (Chrysididae): 1, Ringwood Forest, Dorset; and Eumenes coarctatus 
(L.) (Eumenidae): a specimen of the ‘Potter Wasp’ from Kingstone 
Common. 

Mites, S. R. — A selection of aculeates from Odiham Common, north 
Hampshire, 1977. These included two uncommon species. Astata boops 
(Schrank) (Sphecidae): 1 @, 1.viii; Ceratina cyanea (Kirby) (Xylocopidae): 
1 ¢, 1 &, ex-Rubus stems, 3.i. Cyanea has hitherto been considered a 
rare bee, but a number of localities have been found for it in recent years 
in Kent, West Sussex and Hampshire (mainly as a result of gathering dead 
Rubus stems during the winter). During the spring the females excavate 
the pith of dry dead stems and construct their cells in the linear gallery. 
Burrows in the stems also act as hibernacula for both sexes. 

PACKER, L. — Some interesting aculeates from Kent, 1977 and a selection 
of inquilines and associated aculeate hosts from various British localities. 
The following species collected in Kent are of interest (these are not 
nationally rare but some are either specialities of, or of uncommon status 
in the county). Omalus violaceus (Scopoli) (Chrysididae): 1, Herne Bay, 


18 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


22.vi— collected in a garden as have the majority of British records; 
Colletes halophilus Verhoeff (Colletidae): 1 &, Faversham, 7.ix, a bee 
restricted to salt marshes in S.E. England; Andrena hattorfiana (F.) 
(Andrenidae): 1, Lydden, nr. Dover, 19.viii, our largest Andrena, has a 
preference for the flowers of Knautia arvensis L. A. apicata Smith: 1 ¢, 
Bonnington, iv. Both the Andrenas are the first Kentish records since the 
period 1900-19. Sapyga clavicornis (L.) (Sapygidae) was the most interesting 
of the inquilines exhibited. The species was represented by a ¢ from 
Heol-y-Gaer, nr. Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire/Wales border, 5.vii. According 
to the literature, this wasp is a cleptoparasite of Osmia species and Chelo- 
stoma florisomne (L.), all Megachilid bees. 


PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA 


There were two main contributors to this order and the quality of the 
exhibits reflected the growing interest in the Parasitica, helped not least 
by the increasing co-operation of Lepidopterists in saving their parasites. 
Amongst the more notable species shown were: Apanteles gades Nixon (a 
first British record) bred from Stauropus fagi L.; Microplitis strenuus 
Reinhd., bred from Diloba caeruleocephala L.; Astiphromma graniger 
Thoms.; Cratichneumon albifrons Steph.; Absyrtus vicinator Thb.; Apha- 
nistes xanthopus Shrk.; Cliocentrus excubitor Hal.; an unusually large 
brood of a Litomastix species, and Sympiesis dolichogaster Ashmead (a 
first British record). 

ALLEN, A. A. — A selection of Ichneumonoidea both caught and bred 
by himself, mainly during 1976-77. Omitting 13 species dealt with in our 
Vol. 10 (1977) Proceedings, there were: Rogas testaceus Spinola: One of 
several examples bred from Abraxas grossulariata larvae found at Salfords, 
Surrey. The exhibited ¢ was bred 16.vi.76 from a host larva found on 
Prunus spinosa, 9.v.76. Apanteles lacteicolor Viereck: A solitary species, 
regularly obtained as a parasite of Nola cucullatella larvae. The specimen 
shown was bred 21.v.76, from the aforementioned host found 9.v.76 at 
Salfords, Surrey. Apanteles fraternus Reinhd.: Several adults, representing 
a fraction of the total brood which hatched late July-early August 1977, 
from the characteristic cocoon mass discovered on a grass stalk, 2.vii.1977 
at Rye, Sussex. Protomicroplitis minuta Reinhd.: Six examples, from a 
total brood of 61 adults, bred in June 1976 from a larva of Alcis repandata 
obtained late March 1976, Salfords, Surrey. Microplitis strenuus Reinhard: 
The only host from which this uncommon species has been obtained is 
Diloba caeruleocephala L., and it was from this larva that the exhibit was 
bred. The young host was taken at Salfords, Surrey, 29.v.1977; the strenuus 
larva appeared early in June, and a 9 was bred 16.vi.77. Meteorus sp., nr. 
fragilis Wesmael: Apparently an uncommon species. The @ exhibited was 
bred 16.vi.1976 from a larva of Nola cucullatella beaten from Prunus 
spinosa, 26.v.76, at Salfords, Surrey. Casinaria orbitalis Gravenhorst: A 
2 bred 27.vi.1976 from a cocoon of Zygaena trifolii found 13.vi.76 at 
Salfords, Surrey. When taken, the freshly spun cocoon still contained the 
pre-pupal larva; shortly afterwards the host was killed. Casinaria moesta 
Gravenhorst: From a cocoon of this species, found 13.11.1977 on Prunus sp.., 
Salfords, Surrey, a specimen was bred 28.iii.77. The exhibitor had obtained 
identical cocoons in this area from Campaea margaritata, but unfortunately 
these had not been bred. Agrypon anxium Wesmael: A rather frequent 
species, bred 18.x.1976, from an unidentified larva of the Tortricidae dis- 
covered between birch leaves, 27.viii.76, on Studland Heath, Dorset. 
Cratichneumon albifrons Stephens: From a lepidopterous pupa dug under 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 19 


oak, 20.i.1974, near Reigate, Surrey; a @ of this rare (Perkins, 1959) 
species appeared 20.1iii.74. 

There then followed a collection of Ichneumonoidea caught in the field. 
Zele testaceator Curtis: A Q caught at 6w. actinic light (hereafter ‘acl.’) 
19.vii.1976, at Salfords. Zemiotes chrysophthalmus Nees: An example, ¢, 
swept from low vegetation at High Halstow, Kent, 23.vii.77. Meteorus 
scutellaris Nees: One of two (2) specimens which came to acl. 9.x.1976, in 
Plaistow Woods, West Sussex. Banchus volutatorius Lin.: Two specimens, 
2 &, illustrating the sexual dimorphism often encountered in this genus. 
They were obtained 23.vii.1977 at Funton Kent, as they flew in the late 
afternoon over low ground. Absyrtus ?vicinator Thunberg: A_ second 
species of this genus may occur in Britain. The exhibited insect (2) was 
obtained at myvl., 9.x.1976, in Plaistow Woods, W. Sussex. Enicospilus 
tournieri Snellen: One of several examples which came to acl. in Dawlish 
Warren, Devon, 14.viii.1977. Agrypon flaveolatum Gravenhorst: Perhaps 
the most common of the sub-family Anomoloninae, the @ displayed was 
secured on Brownsea Island, Dorset, 21.v.1977, as it flew in sunshine over 
heathland. Aphanistes xanthopus Schrank: The exhibit showed a @ of this 
rare species, which was swept from heather, 20.vi.1977, on moors near 
Dawlish, Devon. Coelichneumon microstictus Gravenhorst: The specimen 
(2) was captured in a shop window, 22.vi.1977, at Dawlish, Devon. The 
species appears to be local and attached mainly to the S.W. coast. Cratich- 
neumon corruscator Lin.: One example of the second generation, caught 
31.vii.1976, in Plaistow Woods, W. Sussex. Although the males of this 
generation are often marked with yellow, the exhibited male was so to an 
excessive degree, even the propodum was entirely yellow. 

The last four species consisted of common representatives of the 
Ichneumoninae (in addition to the previous sp.). They were: Barichneumon 
albilineatus Grav. (2), caught 24.ix.1977 at Reigate, Surrey; Jchneumon 
sarcitorius Lin. (2), caught 3.vi.1977 at Reigate, Surrey; Ichneumon 
deliratorius Lin. (@), caught at mvl. (unusually for this group), 9.x.1976, 
in Plaistow Woods, W. Sussex; Amblyteles armatorius Forster (@), caught 
3.vii.1977, in a cornfield, Reigate, Surrey. 

SHaAw, M. R. — Interesting parasites, all of which were generously 
donated by Lepidopterists, who thereby received acknowledgement of their 
contribution to these studies. Litomastix sp. nr. truncatellus Dalman: An 
exhibit of 100 examples of the above species (Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) 
selected from a total of 1,914 males, all bred by K. Noble from a larva 
of Apamea monoglypha Hufn. Macrocentrus grandii Goidanich: An all 
female brood (total=54) of the species (Braconidae: Macrocentrinae) was 
shown, complete with cocoon mass. The insects were bred by T. H. Ford 
from a larva of Pleuroptera ruralis Scop. Both this and the sp. above 
illustrate the phenomenon of the polyembryony; a mode of reproduction 
in which a single ovum laid by the female divides many times in the host; 
the resulting larvae necessarily produce adults of one sex only. Sympiesis 
dolichogaster Ashmead: Examples, all 92°92, were shown bred from 
Caloptilia leucapennella Stephens, collected by Lt.-Col. A. M. Emmet from 
Quercus ilex at Tresco, Isles of Scilly, 1974, and from C. ?fribergensis 
Fritzsche, collected by S. E. Whitebread from Acer pseudoplatanus at 
Neuewelt, Switzerland, 1976. Both of these records constitute new records 
for the two countries; subsequently, the exhibitor had obtained S. dolicho- 
gaster (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae) from various species of Caloptilia 
obtained from S. Cumbria and N. Cheshire. Possibly the sp. may be widely 
spread in Britain. Cliocentrus excubitor Haliday: An example of this 


20 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Braconid (Rogadinae) was shown, with the mummified host, bred by S. E. 
Whitebread, from a larva of ?Ancylis badiana D. & S., found in Switzer- 
land. Cliocentrus gracilipes Thomson: A specimen of this parasite was 
obtained by K. P. Bland from a larva of Anthophila fabriciana Lin.; this 
species is now known to be widespread in Britain. Trogus lapidator Fab.: 
(i) ssp. /apidator Fab.: The species is a common parasite of Papilio machaon 
Lin. (Lep.: Papilionidae) on the continent; the exhibits of this ssp. (found 
in S. Europe) were supplied by R. N. Hobbs and M. W. Cooper. (ii) ssp. 
coerulator Fab.: This N. European form differs in having less infumate 
wings than the type. The specimen exhibited was bred (out of the pupa) 
from a larva of P. machaon taken in Norfolk by M. Britton, and was of 
particular interest for a recent survey (Ecol. Ent., 1: 71-84, 1976) failed 
to confirm the British status of the ssp. Trogus violaceus Mocsary: This sp. 
has replaced 7. coerulator in Corsica and Sardinia, in which countries it is 
a notorius parasite of Papilio hospiton Géné; the host occurs above about 
600 m. The exhibit was especially interesting for it displayed a specimen 
of T. violaceus bred by R. Plumbley from a larva (but parasite emerging 
ex host pupa) of P. machaon, a host hitherto unrecorded for violaceus. 
The host was taken in Corsica, at sea-level. 

The only other exhibit of Parasitic Hymenoptera was by a non-member, 
who showed some African Braconidae. No notes have been received. 


OTHER ORDERS 


Kirsy, P. — Heteroptera collected July-August 1977 in Greece. 
The report on the Coleoptera was received too late to include. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


This year the quality and variety of photographs and illustrations rose 
once again, demonstrating the increasing swing towards these arts. 

A series of the original illustrations from his forthcoming book The 
Dragonflies of Great Britain and Ireland by Mr. C. O. HAMMOND were 
the subject of much interest, as were illustrations for a butterfly and moth 
stamp issue by Norfolk Island by Mr. B. HARGREAVES. 

Amongst the photographs were a display by Mr. W. A. VicKERS of 
prints from his complete collection of transparencies of the British butter- 
flies, incuding the regular migrant species. 

Messrs. P. A. SOKOLOFF and R. C. REVELS both showed prints of Rhopa- 
locera aberrations. The latter also included black and white photographs 
of the life histories of several butterflies. Mr. K. P. WitmMotr exhibited 
photographs of some of the rarer butterflies (by invitation of Mr. G. Prior) 
and Mr. R. W. J. UFFEN a number of subjects and natural history prints 
demonstrating his prowess at all the photographic processes. 

An interesting series of photographs showing inter-specific variation in 
pupal characters of British Pyllonorycter (Lep., Gracillariidae) was the 
subject of Mr. M. R. WiLson. These relate to the current construction of 
a key to the pupal stage. 

Lastly, a selection of colour prints of Lepidoptera by Mr. I. G. FARWELL, 
which included pictures of the finding of an Acherontia atropos pupa and 
following stages. 

It is to be hoped that the excellent standard set will be maintained and 
that the uses and scope of photography become more widely realised by 
entomologists. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 21 


INSTAR NUMBER AND PUPAL COLOURATION IN 
PALESTINIAN PIERIS BRASSICAE L. 


by Brian O. C. GARDINER 


(Agricultural Research Council, Unit of Invertebrate Chemistry and Physiology, 
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, 
CB2 3EJ) 


ABSTRACT 


Pieris brassicae L. larvae from Palestine have been reared at 15-20°C. 
and 25-30°C. At both temperatures the number of larval instars was five. 
This confirms recent statements by various workers and the early work of 
Klein, still quoted in the textbooks, that the number of instars varies with 
temperature is refuted and its basis queried. It is considered that brassicae 
always has five instars. A note was made that the pupal colouration of 
these Palestinian brassicae differed markedly from British examples. 


In 1932, working in Palestine, Klein (1932) produced a paper in which 
he claimed that the larvae of P. brassicae had a variable number of instars 
according to the temperature of rearing. These varied from three at rearing 
temperatures of over 25°C. to five at below 15°C. This report was shortly 
picked up by Hoskins & Craig (1935) in their review of insect physiology 
and has remained in the physiological literature ever since. However, the 
taxonomic and biological literature has continued to state there are five 
instars, without mention of variability (Frohawk, 1934; Howarth, 1973) and 
no confirmation of Klein’s results has come to my attention. On the 
contrary, all authors who have used brassicae as an experimental insect, 
when rearing at temperatures which, according to Klein, should have 
produced three or four instars, all state that they had five instars (Gibson 
& Silvestre de Sacy, 1956; Long, 1955; Schoonhoven, 1967; Srihari, 1970). 
In 1962 David & Gardiner published the results of very detailed work on 
large numbers and maintained that the number of instars was constant at 
five over the whole range of temperatures from 10-33°C. at which rearing 
of the insect is possible. They made the proviso that Klein’s contrary 
findings could perhaps be due to some physiological difference in brassicae 
originating in Palestine. After many years over which tens of thousands 
of larvae were bred, Gardiner (1974a) again reaffirmed the constancy of 
five instars. In spite of all these findings, however, Klein’s results continue 
to be quoted in the standard textbooks (Wigglesworth, 1972 for instance). 

In 1977, due to the kindness of Miriam Rothschild, who brought some 
brassicae eggs back with her from Palestine, I was able to rear Palestinian 
brassicae under the same temperatures at which Klein stated they had three 
and four larval instars. 

The eggs arrived in two batches, laid on Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus 
L.) and Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) respectively. All those on the Caper 
hatched, but only about 25% on the Nasturtium, to give a total of 96 
larvae. Half these were reared at 15-20°C. and half at 25-30°C. under 
normal British May daylight. According to Klein these should have had 
four and three instars respectively. Not so. The larvae were fed on cabbage 
and a control batch of the five instar ‘Cambridge’ brassicae (David & 
Gardiner, 1962) run alongside for comparison. All the larvae passed through 
five instars and 48 and 44 pupae respectively were obtained from the cool 
and the warm conditions. 

The chrysalids, however, were strikingly different from those of the 
Cambridge stock. It has already been reported that the Cambridge chrysalids 


22 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


are straw-coloured, or green when in diapause (Gardiner, 1974b). However, 
this is not so during the first few hours after formation. As the larval 
skin is shed all chrysalids are bright green with a bright yellow dorsal keel. 
They then change to their final colour. The Palestinian brassicae chrysalids 
on formation were a pale mauve colour and the dorsal keel was a very pale 
straw colour. This mauve gradually faded to give the final colour. In these 
non-diapause chrysalids this was silvery-grey, more nearly resembling in 
colour that of a P. rapae as figured by Poulton (1887), Fig. 35, his plate 26. 

The reason for this colour is not clear, but may be due to the necessity, 
in Palestine, of being cryptically coloured and this silvery-grey colour is 
one which can be associated with hot dry climatic conditions. 

David & Gardiner (1962) and Gardiner (1974a) based their results on 
literally tens of thousands of larvae. It is difficult to decide how many were 
used by Klein. Certainly his observations appear to be based on far fewer 
larvae than have just been reared from Palestine. He also suffered from 
appalling mortality and it is quite possible that at that time (1928-30) 
brassicae in Palestine were suffering from the outbreak of virus disease 
first reported by Paillot in 1924. In his introduction Klein states that he 
observed much material, but we find in his Table 8, a mere 17 records of 
larvae and it is on this table that the entire statement that brassicae has 
fewer instars at higher temperatures is based. It is worth quoting a transla- 
tion of his account in full. 

‘In the course of the year we have observed moulting of the larvae and 
we noticed that the duration of instars was different in different seasons. 
We set up breeding to investigate the number of moults in relation to 
climatic factors and the larval duration. We now observed that for each 
10-day duration of the larval period there is an additional instar. The least 
number of moults can be seen at the highest temperature and lowest 
humidity and this coincident with the shortest duration of the development 
of the larvae.’ 

Nowhere do we find any account of how he followed the instars. There is 
no mention of measuring of head capsule size, as was done by David & 
Gardiner (1962). If we turn to Klein’s Table 9 we find a sixth instar listed, 
which is not only unaccounted for by explanation in the text, but is in 
conflict with Table 9 as at the temperature 14.6-15°C. Table 9 lists six 
instars, but Table 8 only five. 

The very high larval mortality observed by Klein is given in his Tables 
20, 21 and 22. These are so incredibly high that in my opinion they are 
most likely to have been due to virus disease. It is also of interest that 
Table 22 again lists six instars. Additionally the 100% mortality in the first 
two instars at temperatures exceeding 25.3°C. must in themselves leave 
suspect that only three instars occur at these temperatures. 

Having now had the opportunity of rearing Palestinian brassicae, even 
though in small numbers, I feel that David & Gardiner’s (1962) statement 
that the larval instars are constant at five is reinforced and the statement 
in the textbooks that the instars decrease with temperature, needs to be 
expunged from future editions. 

I would like to thank Miriam Rothschild for bringing me the eggs from 
Palestine, and Dr. H. J. Pfliiger for the translating of Klein’s paper. 


REFERENCES 


David, W. A. L. & Gardiner, B. O. C. (1962). Observations on the larvae and 
pupae of Pieris brassicae (L.) in a laboratory culture. Bull. Ent. Res., 53: 
417-436. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 23 


Frohawk, F. W. (1934). The Complete Book of British Butterflies. London: Ward, 
Lock & Co., 384 pp. 

Gardiner, B. O. C. (1974a). Pieris brassicae L. established in Chile; another 
palearctic pest crosses the Atlantic. Jour. Lep. Soc., 28:269-277. 

Gardiner, B. O. C. (1974b). Observations on green pupae in Papilio machaon L. 
and Pieris brassicae L. Wilhelm Roux’ Archiv., 176: 13-22. 

Grison, P. & Silvestre de Sacy, R. (1957). L’élevage de Pieris brassicae L. pour 
les essais de traitements microbiologiques. Ann. Epiphyt., 7:661-674. 

Hoskins, W. M. & Craig, R. (1935). Recent progress in insect physiology. Phys. 
Reyv., 15:525-596. 

Howarth, T. G. (1973). South’s British Butterflies. Fred. Warne & Co.: London, 
pp. 1-210. 

Klein, H. Z. (1932). Studien zur Oekologie und Epidemiology der Kohlweissling. 
I. Der einfluss der Temperatur und Luftfeuchtigeit auf Entwicklung und 
Mortalitét von Pieris brassicae L. Z. angew. Ent., 19:394-448. 

Long, D. B. (1955). Observations on sub-social behaviour in two species of 
lepidopterous larvae, Pieris brassicae L. and Plusia gamma L. Trans. Roy. 
Ent. Soc. Lond., 106: 421-437. 

Paillot, A. (1924). Sur une nouvelle maladie des chenilles de Pieris brassicae L. 
et sur les maladies du noyau chez les insects. C.R. Hebd. Acad. Sci., 179: 
1353-1356. 

Poulton, E. B. (1887). An enquiry into the cause and extent of a special colour- 
relation between certain exposed Lepidopterous pupae and the surfaces which 
immediately surround them. Phil. Trans. (B)., 178:311-441. 

Schoonhoven, L. M. (1967). Chemoreception of mustard oil glucosides in larvae 
of Pieris brassicae. Koninkl, Nederl. Akademie Van Wetenschappen — 
Amsterdam Proceedings, Series C, 70, No. 5. 

Srihari, T. (1970). Etude quantitative de la consommation et de l'utilisation de la 
nourriture au cour de la croissance larvaire de Pieris brassicae (Lep. Pieridae). 
Ann. Soc. ent. Fr. (N.S.), 6: 1003-1014. 

Wigglesworth, V. B. (1972). The Principles of Insect Physiology. Chapman & 
Hall: London, pp. 827 


A REVISION OF THE BRITISH ASTEIIDAE (DIPTERA) 
INCLUDING TWO ADDITIONS TO THE BRITISH LIST 
by PETER J. CHANDLER 

(Weston Research Laboratories, 644 Bath Road, Taplow, Maidenhead, Berks.) 

The Asteltidae are a small family of about a hundred known species, 
arranged in ten genera, although nearly half belong to Asteia itself. Three 
genera including seven species may now be recognised as British; the 
discovery of Astiosoma rufifrons Duda under unusual circumstances has 
led me to pursue the problem of the identity of our species of Leiomyza 
which have hitherto been confused, although they were dealt with by 
Sabrosky (1956a) in the European context. 

They are small flies, which were formerly included among the Droso- 
philidae although recent taxonomic researches (Hennig, 1965; Griffiths, 
1972) have suggested that they are closer to the Anthomyzidae, Trixosceli- 
dae and Opomyzidae. They differ from all these groups in the unbroken 
costa. The wing venation is characteristic. the second basal cell being 
confluent with the discal cell (if present) and the anal cell absent (at least 
in British genera), while the subcostal vein is only visible basally and 
veins 3 and 4 are convergent apically. The legs are simple in both sexes 
and vibrissae are usually absent or weak (although quite well developed 
in our species of Asreia itself). Most species are brightly marked in black 
and yellow, although Leiomyza have uniformly dark bodies. 

Leiomyza is different in several respects from other members of the 
family, both in its association with fungi and structurally. Griffiths (1972) 
has mentioned the presence of double telomeres as had already been 


24 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 


depicted by Sabrosky, who included the genus in his sub-family Sigaloessinae 
with Astiosoma on the basis of the wing characters. Hennig (1969), when 
dealing with his fossil genus Succinasteia, concluded that Leiomyza had a 
sister group relationship with all other Asteiidae but otherwise recognised 
the remaining Sigaloessinae as a ‘Phlebosotera-group’, the Asteiinae being 
retained as his ‘Asteia-group’. Sabrosky (1977), however, discussed the 
genus Anarista (Papp, 1972) indicating that it cut across this sub-division 
in possessing a posterior cross-vein but lacking an alula. In any case, the 
genital structure confirms that Astiosoma is more closely related to Asteia 
than to Leiomyza. The telomeres in Astiosoma show slight asymmetry 
tending towards that found in Asteia, while they are completely symmetrical 
in Leiomyza. 


KEY TO BRITISH GENERA 


1. Second vein long, ending in costa well beyond first vein. Posterior 
cross-vein present. Mesopleuron with numerous fine hairs developed 
near upper margin. Alula present, margined with long hairs. One 
pair of strong proclinate orbitals. Arista short pubescent. 
Vibrissae short and weak. Only 1 pair of dorsocentrals ............... 

Leiomyza Macquart 
— Second vein short, ending in costa only a little beyond first vein. 
Mesopleura entirely bare. Two pairs of dorsocentrals (in British 
SPECIES)? gccslawseeaceadnrressuableweteacoet ae to cm nee eRe NCR eRe Ee: Eee EEE Ee eaees 2 

2. Hind cross-vein absent; alula absent, wing margin bare in alular 
region. One pair of strong reclinate orbitals. Arista branched in a 
zig-zag fashion (in British species). Vibrissae present ..... Asteia Meigen 

— Hind cross-vein present opposite end of second vein; alula present, 
margined with long hairs. Orbitals short and weak. Arista with 
very short pubescence. No distinct vibrissae ............ Astiosoma Duda 

There is only one other European genus, Phlebosotera Duda (two species 

in Greece and Cyprus), which agrees with Astiosoma in the venational 
characters except in the presence of a faint but clearly traceable anal 
vein and short quadrate anal cell; it agrees with Leiomyza in possessing 
mesopleural hairs. 


Genus Astiosoma Duda 


This is a small genus with only eight described species (Sabrosky, 1956a; 
1957) of which half are Nearctic, two Oriental and one Australian. In 
Europe it is previously known only from the single Yugoslavian female 
described as A. rufifrons by Duda (1927). According to Sabrosky, the Old 
World species are all very similar, his okinawae also described from a 
single female being particularly similar to rufifrons. The British material 
described here agrees essentially with Duda’s description and figure of the 
wing venation; the type (which was in the Budapest Museum) is presumably 
lost and in the absence of other European material the British specimens 
are considered conspecific with rufifrons. 


Astiosoma rufifrons Duda (Figs. 1-3) 

Mainly yellow with partly fused black thoracic stripes and dark pleural 
markings. Abdomen whitish yellow with reddish brown dorsal markings, 
differently arranged in the two sexes. Also a sexual difference in eye 
colour and in the ground colour cf head and thorax. 


25 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Astiosoma rufifrons Duda, male. 


1. 


Fig. 


26 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


Male. Head quadrate, with frons slightly projecting on anterior margin. 
Eyes bright green in life, becoming dull reddish when dried. Frons broader 
than an eye, dull orange brown with a pair of shining gold patches 
apparent from some aspects, touching eye margins and narrowly separated 


Figs. 2-3. Astiosoma rufifrons Duda, male; 2, dorsal view of thorax; 3, postero- 
ventral view of genitalia. 


on mid line on either side of black ocellar triangle. Occiput largely dark 
brown but face and broad jowls pale yellow. Palpi yellow, a little darkened 
apically. Antennae brownish yellow, darker on basal segments and upper 
margin of third joint; arista with short fine pubescence. 


Frons with short dark proclinate hairs on anterior part, denser on 
middle of anterior margin. No distinct orbitals but a row of six short fine 
reclinate orbital setulae, the last two a little stronger. Two short divergent 
vertical bristles near upper corners of each eye. No distinct vibrissae, only 
a row of fine hairs on lower margin of jowls. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 27 


4a Ab 


Sb 


Figs. 4-6. Asteia, male genitalia in posteroventral view: 4, A. elegantula Zett.; 
5, A. amoena Meigen; 6, A. concinna Meigen. 4/5 a-b, lateral view of right 
(a) and left (b) claspers. 


28 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Thorax mainly brownish yellow but mesonotal disc mainly shining dark 
brown, three broad anterior stripes fused on dorsocentral lines for the 
greater part of their length, but the lateral stripes produced to stop at 
level of posterior dc, the median stripe more abbreviated. A narrow dark 
postsutural stripe parallel with the outer band anterior to the strong 
postalar bristle. Pleura with shining dark diagonal band on mesopleura, 
which also bears parallel diagonal to vertical scoring on the middle part; 
greater part of sternopleura and a patch of hypopleura also dark. Scutellum 
yellow, postnotum dark brown. Two pairs of strong dc, the anterior level 
with wing base, the de row continued anteriorly by several very short 
fine hairs; similar rows of short uniserial ac and intra-alars. One pair of 
scutellars; two widely separated notopleurals; sternopleurals represented 
only by two short pale hairs and a similar short weak humeral. Halteres 
yellow with knob dark brown above. Legs entirely pale yellow, except 
slightly darkened last tarsal segment. 

Abdomen pale yellow except for dark markings as follows: a light 
brown tergal patch on segment 3, sometimes very pale; a pair of reddish 
brown rectangular spots on apical two-thirds of tergite 4 and extensive 
dark reddish brown markings on 5-6, the area around these markings 
on 4-6 = suffused reddish. Male genitalia (fig. 3) constructed similarly to 
A steia. 

Wings clear whitish with pale yellow veins; shorter and broader than 

in other British Asteiids. Venation as in Leiomyza except for short 
second vein upturned into costa as in Asteia; costa distinctly thickened 
beyond junction with first vein, tapered before junction with third; alula 
present, reflexed, margined with long hairs. Body 2.1-2.5 mm., wing 
2.1-2.7 mm. 
Female. Generally similar to male but eyes dull red in life and ground 
colour of head and thorax reddish brown. Frons a little more produced 
anteriorly; dark brown on anterior half. Antennae more extensively 
darkened on third joint. Legs with slight darkening above apical half of 
fore and hind femora. Abdomen more elongate, bluntly pointed at tip, 
mainly whitish yellow (strikingly white ventrally in life) except tergites 1-4 
which are reddish brown; a strongly reddish patch on the membranous 
sides of the abdomen adjacent to each side of tergal plates 2-3. Body 
2.3-2.9 mm., wing 2.1-2.7 mm. (one very small 2 with wing 1.9 mm.). 


MATERIAL EXAMINED 

BERKS.: Windsor Forest, 26.vi.1977, 1 9; 27.vi.77, 20 &, 19 9; 4.vii.77; 
96, 6 Oy 24.yi.77, 1 6. 1 2: Old) Windsor Wood, Mix779N3ae sue 
(P. J. Chandler). 

A. rufifrons was localised to one small area of the forest, where both 
sexes were equally attracted to cold wood ash spread out over the ground 
after bonfires. On 27.vi and 4.vii it was very numerous but could not 
be found elsewhere in the vicinity, although most flies were exuding a 
sticky material from their proboscis and it was concluded that they had 
been feeding at pine sap. It may be significant that my visits were during 
the evening from 7.0 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. On 24.vii only two examples 
could be found so it was assumed that the main peak of its flight period 
had passed; the male taken on this occasion was swept over damp 
fermenting wood chippings about one metre from the nearest area of ash. 
Then on 11.ix at Old Windsor Wood, A. rufifrons was found again about 
several still smouldering bonfires of elm branches, etc. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 29 


Nothing has been recorded previously of the habits of Astiosoma; the 
occurrence of some species on saw-mill windows in North America may 
have been fortuitous. The reason for the attraction to wood ash remains 
obscure but it is remarkable that such a distinctive (although small) fly 
which has not been collected in the British Isles before, should be found 
assembling in such large numbers in a circumscribed area while it could not 
be found by intensive collecting in the immediate surroundings. The 
discovery of Astiosoma as a British insect was a result of the previous find 
of the Empid ‘Smoke Fly’, Hormopeza obliterata Zett. (only the second 
British record) when the bonfires concerned were still smouldering. Hormo- 
peza and other insects found during several visits to the site are discussed 
elsewhere (Chandler, in press). 


Genus Asteia Meigen 


Asteia is better developed in the Mediterranean region than in northern 
Europe, where only three of the nine described Palaearctic species (Duda, 
1934; Sabrosky, 1956a; Lyneborg, 1969) occur, these three being found in 
Britain. 

Sabrosky (1956a) commented that Mr. J. E. Collin was investigating 
a new species of Asteia near elegantula. Dr. C. W. Sabrosky kindly 
forwarded to me copies of his correspondence with Mr. Collin about this 
matter during 1955. Sabrosky had examined a British example of elegantula, 
which he found to differ from other European material (including Zetter- 
stedt’s type) in several respects. The latter had a mainly yellow occiput 
and a narrow black band near the upper margin of the sternopleura. 
Through the kindness of Dr. H. Andersson, I have been able to study 
the holotype male of Asteia elegantula Zetterstedt (Sweden: V£Astergot- 
land) and compare it with British specimens. 

The holotype is smaller than the British material (having wing length 
2.8 mm.) but the sternopleural band, which is darker brown than the 
other dark thoracic markings, is the only significant difference that I can 
detect. Although there is no vestige of this band in the British examples 
seen, preparation of the male genitalia of the two forms failed to reveal 
any characters obviously of specific importance. Examination of a larger 
amount of material from throughout its range, would be necessary to 
establish the precise status of the British and continental forms of A. 
elegantula. 


Key TO BRITISH SPECIES 


1. Mesonotum yellow with four brown stripes on anterior part, 
stopping short before posterior dc; outer interrupted by suture and 
expanded laterally before suture; also narrow lateral presutural 
stripe extending along lower margin of humerus and notopleural 
area but pleura and scutellum entirely yellow. Frons with a pair 
of brown patches leaving orbits, fore margin and a median area 
yellow; a brown-edged white band above mouth margin as in 
amoena. Abdomen yellow with lateral and median irregular black 
sutural spots on the apical margin of tergites 2-4. Halteres yellow 
with a brown spot above base of knob. Second costal sector about 
length of anterior cross-vein. Wing 3.2-4 mm. ..... elegantula Zetterstedt 

— Mesonotum including humeri entirely shining dark brown to 
black 


30 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


2. Disc of scutellum also shining black but frons, face, antennae, 
palpi, pleura, abdomen and halteres pale yellow. Occiput, ocellar 
triangle, orbits and a triangular spot internal to vibrissa on each 
side of mouth margin shining dark brown to black. Second costal 
sector longer, about twice length of anterior cross-vein. Wing 
DABS) TDD. SEAS se ea an MAR. VR es concinna Meigen 

— Scutellum entirely yellow. Frons shining dark brown except yellow 
anterior margin. Face with a broad shining white transverse band 
edged with brown above and below. Antennae with basal joints 
brown but third joint yellow except around base of arista. Pleura 
yellow except brown markings on sternopleura and hypopleura. 
Abdomen yellow with curved dark lateral bands linked along 
sutures of tergites; in ¢ two brown spots on pregenital tergite and 
in 2 pregenital segments darkened. Halteres with some darkening 
on knob. Second costal sector short, equal in length to anterior 
CLOSS=VeINN WINS 223-2877 MIMS eee eee eae necoeetor eee ener amoena Meigen 


Asteia elegantula Zetterstedt (Fig. 4) 


The habits of elegantula have not been recorded; it is deduced from 
Jenkinson’s (1904) comment when adding it to the British list that it 
was taken on a river bank but its other localities suggest at least a 
preference for wooded habitats. 


MATERIAL EXAMINED 

MORAY: , Logie: ) 11x.1903," Ss 2-25.1x:095 12) 7G. 2 Oe tel) Ones 
6-22.ix.11, 66, 5 2; 19.ix.13, @ (F. Jenkinson, BMNH, Oxford and 
Cambridge Mus.); Grantown-on-Spey, 16.vii.45, ¢@ (J. E. Collin, Oxford 
Mus.). ROSS: near Ardgay, 28.vii.36, 2° (J. E. Collin, Oxford Mus.). 
HEREFORD: Devereaux Park, 25.viii.1902, 2 9; Dingle, churchyard, 
24.vili.09, ¢ (J. H. Wood, BMNH and Oxford Mus.). 


Asteia amoena Meigen (Fig. 5) 

Generally common in woods, 29.iii-28.x, and known to hibernate as an 
adult; it is frequently found amongst the branches of various trees, 
including yew and conifers, or sheltering among the foliage of shrubs such 
as Buxus or Cupressus. | have found it feeding at ivy flowers (Hedera) and 
it might also feed at sap exudations. It has been recorded as developing 
in wood detritus but the open habitats of A. concinna suggest that this 
cannot be a habit common to all species of A steia. 

Material has been seen from Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hants., Isle of Wight, - 
Berks., Bucks., Oxon., London, Herts., Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambs., 
Cornwall, Somerset, Hereford, Powys, Glamorgan, Lancs., Cumbria, Moray 
(Nairn, Falls of Tarnash, Glen of Drumloch), Wicklow, Dublin, Louth, 
Down, Scilly Is. and Jersey, but it is certainly not common in the north 
of its range. It occurs throughout Europe and also in the Canary Islands 
where I have found it commonly in the laurel and chestnut woods. 


Asteia concinna Meigen (Fig. 6) 

Local, chiefly in marsh (including saltmarsh), fen, dune slacks and other 
open habitats, 27.vi-18.viii. Most records are from the east coast but I 
have only found it at Cothill Fen, Oxon., where it was abundant in 
Phragmites beds on 1.vii.1976 and at Leckford, Hants., where one female 
was taken in chalk grassland, 4.vii.71, but near to the fens of the Test 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 31 


valley. All localities known to me are listed; it has occurred commonly 
at several of them. 

KENT: Deal; Oare; Sheppey; Lower Halstow; High Halstow; Gravesend. 
ESSEX: Frinton-on-Sea; Walton-on-Naze; Kirby-le-Soken. SUFFOLK: 
Flatford; Shingle Street; Felixstowe; Orford; Aldeburgh; Barton Mills; 
Newmarket, garden pond. NORFOLK: Waxham; Lodge Marsh; Beeston 
Common; Earlham; Blakeney; Ringstead Downs; Hunstanton. CAMBS:: 
Wicken Fen; Kirtling; Woodwalton Fen; Little Paxton, gravel pits; Heming- 
ford Grey, gravel pits. HUMBERSIDE: Spurn Point. LONDON: Cripple- 
gate. OXON.: Cothill. HANTS.: Leckford. 


Genus Leiomyza Macquart 


I previously discussed (1973) variation in British material of this genus 
which I had found in association with fungi. Unfortunately, I was then 
unaware of the work of Sabrosky (1956a and b, 1957) on the World 
Asteiidae in which he clarified the nomenclature in this genus. 

Formerly, all specimens with dark halteres were referred to laevigata 
(Meigen) but Sabrosky (op. cit.) established that there were three species 
with this character, two of them European, and I have found that both 
occur in Britain; L. dudai Sabrosky is here introduced as new to the 
British list. 

On the other hand, several names have been applied to Leiomyza with 
pale halteres, among which scatophagina (Fallén) has priority. Kloet & 
Hincks (1945) listed only laevigata and scatophagina as British species, 
with flavipes (Fallén) and glabricula (Meigen) as synonyms of the latter. 
In the revised edition of the British Check List (1975), glabricula is 
elevated to specific rank but this is evidently in error, Sabrosky (1956a) 
having placed it in synonymy with scatophagina, thus following earlier 
authors in this assessment. He recognised a second Holarctic species with 
yellow halteres, i.e. curvinervis (Zetterstedt) (=opacifrons Duda), dis- 
tinguished by a duller frons and its dorsocentrals being arranged as in 
laevigata as well as small genital differences. 

I have reared all of the three British species I can recognise from 
lignicolous gill fungi; visiting records include a soft Polypore and a 
terrestrial gill fungus. Sabrosky (1957) noted this habit in North America 
and it may be common to all members of the genus, although unknown 
elsewhere in the family. The published reference to the rearing of L. 
scatophagina from reeds attacked by Lipara (Séguy, 1934; Colyer & 
Hammond, 1951) is therefore considered unlikely and may have resulted 
from confusion with one of the smaller Anthomyzidae or Chloropidae. 

Leiomyza are all very similar, shining dark brown to black flies of wing 
length 2-3 mm., with the face and jowls brownish yellow, anterior margin 
of frons, palpi and antennae yellow except dorsal and apical darkening 
of the third antennal segment, and the legs pale yellow except for the 
darkened apical tarsal segment of each leg. There is a sexual difference in 
the relative lengths of the fore tarsal segments in scatophagina where the 
male has the metatarsus distinctly shorter than the combined length of 
the remaining segments (as in both sexes of the other species) while the 
female has it about equal to the remaining segments. All materia! of 
scatophagina and many older specimens of the other species I have 
examined have the ground colour of the frons brownish yellow in contrast 
both to the black orbits and to the pale yellow fore margin; Sabrosky 
stated that it was generally blackish in all species except curvinervis but 


32 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


9 


Figs. 7-9. Leiomyza, male genitalia in posteroventral view (cerci and aedeagus 


omitted); 7, L. scatophagina (Fallén); 8, L. dudai Sab.; 9, L. laevigata 
(Meigen). 


the frons is always distinctly shining in the British species which should 
enable recognition of curvinervis if it were subsequently found here. 


Key TO BRITISH SPECIES 


TF 


Knobrofthalteres ‘darkened! -59.).J52265.. 2 2G . SR eee 2 
Knob of halteres clear yellow. Dorsocentrals well in front of 
level of postalars and situated about opposite anterior edge of 
wing Bases!agsssc.< jets au. Ses ea ens scatophagina (Fallén) 
Dorsocentral bristles well forward as in scatophagina, their own 
length or more from scutellum. Orbitals nearly as strong as 
Verticalsacn.. 69s. aR. APR Pe Ee eee dudai Sabrosky 
Dorsocentral bristles at the level of the postalars and obviously 
less than their own length from the scutellum. Orbitals relatively 
shortvand iweaki vs. seas ies I cee laevigata (Meigen) 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 33 


Leiomyza scatophagina (Fallén) (Fig. 7) 

Probably common throughout the British Isles, 12.v-15.x. All pale 
haltered British material has been found to belong here and this includes 
those I recorded (1973) in association with Volvariella, Oudemansiella 
and reared from Armillaria; 1 have also taken examples on rotten Polyporus 
squamosus and on Coprinus radians. 

L. scatophagina has been seen from Kent, London (N.W. Kent), Sussex, 
Hants., Berks., Bucks., Oxon., Wilts., Gloucs., Devon, Hereford, Cambs., 
Suffolk, Powys (Cathedine Common), Moray (Logie, Brodie), Inverness 
(Aviemore), Tipperary (Woodrooff Woods, 22.vi.75, P. J. Chandler) and 
Mayo (Westport Demesne, 29.ix.77, P. J. Chandler) (there are two Irish 
females in Haliday’s collection, probably from Co. Down). 


Leiomyza dudai Sabrosky (Fig. 8) 

Only seen from south-east England but apparently common. there; 
16.vi-14.ix; the dark haltered material I recorded (1973) from Volvariella, 
Oudemansiella, Tricholoma and Hypholoma belong here as do those reared 
with scatophagina from Armillaria. Males from all these fungal associations 
have been dissected and found to be conspecific and it is concluded that all 
species of Leiomyza are probably polyphagous. The material reared by 
Buxton (1960) from Pleurotus included both dudai and laevigata, the 
former predominating. 

L. dudai has been seen from London (N.W. Kent), Surrey, Sussex, 
Hants., Berks., Bucks., Hereford, Cambs., Suffolk and Norfolk. 


Leiomyza laevigata (Meigen) (Fig. 9) 

This too is probably common throughout the British Isles, although 
again most records are from the south; dates range from 26.v-17.ix. The 
material I recorded (1973) rearing from Pleurotus cornucopiae were 
laevigata and Buxton’s 1952 rearing from this fungus was also /aevigata. 
Many were found about fungi on elms in his garden by Jenkinson but it 
appears probable that it will be found to attack other fungi. 

L. laevigata has been seen from Kent, London, Surrey, Sussex, Hants., 
Berks., Bucks., Cambs., Norfolk, Suffolk, Hereford and Moray (Nairn, 
Brodie); a single female, labelled ‘Ireland’ in Haliday’s collection (National 
Museum, Dublin), has been confirmed as /aevigata. 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

I am indebted to the authorities of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), the 
Oxford and Cambridge University Museums, the Norwich Museum and 
the National Museum, Dublin for the opportunity to examine the 
Asteiidae in their collections, also for the loan of examples of Asteia 
elegantula; to Dr. C. W. Sabrosky for information on A. elegantula and 
to Dr. H. Andersson for the loan of the type of that species. Mr. J. H. Cole 
and Mr. L. N. Kidd also kindly allowed the use of records from their 
collections. 


REFERENCES 

Buxton, P. A. 1960. British Diptera associated with fungi. III. Flies of all 
families reared from about 150 species of fungi. Entomologist’s mon. Mag., 
96 : 61-94. 

Chandler, P. J. 1973. Diptera and other insects associated with decaying elms at 
Bromley, Kent. Entomologist’s Gazette, 24:329-346. 

Colyer, C. N. & Hammond, C. O. 1951. Flies of the British Isles, 383 pp. 
London. 


34 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Duda, O. 1927. Revision der altweltlichen Astiidae. Deutsch Ent. Zeitsch., 
2 :113-147. 

Duda, O. 1934. Family 58b. Astiidae in Lindner, E. Die Fliegen der Palaeark- 
tischen Region. Vol. VI (1). 1-15, Taf. I. 

Griffiths, G. C. D. 1972. The phylogenetic classification of Diptera Cyclorrhapha, 
with special reference to the structure of the male postabdomen. Series 
Entomologica. 8. 340 pp. The Hague. 

Hennig, W. 1965. Die Acalyptratae des Baltischen Bernsteins und ihre Bedeutung 
fiir die Erforschung der phylogenetischen Entwicklung dieser Dipteren- 
Gruppe. Stuttg. Beitr. Naturk. No. 145. 215 pp. 

Hennig, W. 1969. Neue iibersicht iiber die aus dem Baltischen Bernstein bekannten 
Acalyptratae (Dip., Cyclorrhapha). Sruttg. Beitr. Naturk. No. 209. pp. 26-31. 

Jenkinson, F. 1904. Asteia elegantula Zett., a species of Diptera new to Britain. 
Entomologist’s mon. Mag., 15:4. 

Kloet, G. S. & Hincks, W. D. 1945. A check list of British Insects. 483 pp. 
Stockport. 

Kloet, G. S. & Hincks, W. D. 1975. A check list of British Insects. Second 
Edition (completely revised). Part 5: Diptera and Siphonaptera. Royal Ent. 
Soc. Lond. 139 pp. 

Lyneborg, L. 1969. Two new species of Asteia (Diptera, Asteiidae) from Spain. 
Ent. Medd., 37:27-46. 

Sabrosky, C. W. 1956a. Additions to the knowledge of old world Asteiidae 
(Diptera). Rev. franc. Ent., 23:216-243. 

Sabrosky, C. W. 1956b. Diptera: Asteiidae in Insects of Micronesia. 14, No. 2: 
29-40. 

Sabrosky, C. W. 1957. Synopsis of the new world species of the dipterous family 
Asteiidae. Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer., 50: 43-61. 

Sabrosky, C. W. 1977. 20. Fam. Asteiidae in La Faune terrestre de I’Ile de 
Sainte-Héléne. 3° partie. Mus. Roy. de Il’ Afr. Centr. Tervuren, Belg. Ann. 
No. 215:96-100. 

Séguy, E. 1934. Faune de France, 28. Muscidae Acalypterae et Scatophagidae. 
Paris. 


OBITUARIES 
DENZIL WALTER HUGH FFENNELL 


On 16th August, 1977, Denzil Ffennell died suddenly while attending his 
moth traps in his grounds at Martyr Worthy, Hampshire, at the early age 
of 56. The son of a banker, Denzil spent his life in his beloved Hampshire 
apart from schooldays at St. Peters Court, Broadstairs, and Eton College, 
a year at Cambridge before the war, and wartime service with the Hamp- 
shire Carabiniers Yeomanry and Hampshire Regiment which took him to 
North Africa and Italy, where he served with distinction in the rank of 
captain. He was wounded, and during his convalescence he caught four 
Bath Whites on the sea front at Ramsgate armed, appropriately enough, 
with nothing more than a bath towel! That was in 1945, and after 
returning for a few more months service in Germany, he was able to 
settle down at Martyr Worthy. There he ran a successful market garden 
which claimed his undivided attention in the early months of the year, 
but left him fairly free after that to follow the pursuits of a country 
gentleman: he was an excellent shot, a keen and skilful dry fly fisherman 
on the nearby Itchen, a knowledgeable field botanist and, above all, a 
first class lepidopterist with a rapidly expanding knowledge of the smaller 
Lepidoptera, which made him pre-eminent in Hampshire and one of the 
leading microlepidopterists in the country. 

Denzil’s is a collector’s collection. He was not particularly interested © 
in local races of insects and seldom took more than half-a-dozen specimens 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 35 


of a species; to him, entomology was a contest with Nature and, one 
suspects, with his fellow bug-hunters—every species added was a point 
scored, and he enjoyed a pleasant game of one-upmanship with his friends 
whenever he got a special rarity. The writer once received a postcard, 
written in green ink (!), announcing the capture of Daphnis nerii (Linn.) 
in the garden, with the comment that ‘he was pleased to get it, as it was 
the commonest migrant he had not yet taken’. That same garden, in which 
native species abounded, also yielded in its time such rare migrants as 
Euchromius ocellea (Haw.), Diasemiopsis ramburialis (Dup.), Cyclophora 
puppillaria (Hiibn.), Hippotion celerio (Linn.), Eurois occulta (Linn.), 
Mythimna unipuncta (Haw.), no less than three Tathorhynchus exsiccata 
(Led.), two Eublemma ostrina (Hiibn.) five E. parva (Hiibn.), a couple of 
Trichoplusia ni (Hubn.) and Catocala fraxini (Linn.). This last was also 
the subject of a ‘typical’ Denzil story: he opened the trap and there was 
this large Catocala with a few C. nupta (Linn.); lifting a forewing with 
forceps, he noted the mauve hindwings and said to himself, ‘Ah, fraxini’, 
and sauntered back to the house for a larger pillbox. The moth was still 
there when he got back so, after another look at the hindwings, he duly 
boxed it! My nupta always fly off if I so much as glance at them. Most 
of the native species had fallen to Denzil’s wiles, and he had visited most 
parts of the British Isles, doing good work in Shetland, parts of Ireland, 
the Scilly Isles and elsewhere. He was prevented from reaching the early 
spring Scottish species and had a few bétes noires, the most notable of 
which was perhaps Harpyia bicuspis (Bork.), which evaded him to the last. 
Denzil was also interested in the Trichoptera, and had a good representative 
collection. 

Denzil’s greatest interest was in the Lepidoptera of his own county, and 
as his knowledge of the micros grew, he added species after species to 
the county list, and two, Phyllonorycter dubitella (H.-S.) and Lampronia 
flavimitrella (Hibn.), which were new to Britain. ‘The Butterflies and 
Moths of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’ is a monument to Denzil’s 
energy. It was Denzil who persuaded the author to begin writing, Denzil 
who found support and financial backing, and Denzil himself who provided 
so many records — nearly fifty new county records and innumerable new 
records for each of the three vice-counties. It is understood that more 
records have come from Denzil’s own grid square than from any other 
10 km. square in the whole of Britain. 

Denzil wrote beautifully—even his postcards were masterpieces of 
elegance — and his contributions to the entomological journals were always 
most readable. He wrote several attractive articles for The Field and 
Country Life which could have been used with great advantage in the 
English classroom. Occasionally he wrote to amuse rather than to instruct, 
always applying the same high standard of craftsmanship. All those who 
had the privilege of knowing Denzil will testify to his good nature and sense 
of fun. Not only did he enjoy life, he was seen to be enjoying it: a happy 
man, a kindly, generous man, a mine of information on country lore 
which he took pleasure in expounding, a lover of the countryside, a 
raconteur abrim with amusing tales of insects, places and people, yet totally 
devoid of smut or malice which are sometimes thought to be essential 
ingredients of a ‘funny’ story. Denzil was a man folk will wish to remember. 
To Jane, his wife, and to Simon and Diana, we offer our sincere condolences 
and share their untimely bereavement. 


B.G. 


36 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


AN OBITUARY AND BIBLIOGRAPHY OF 
HENRY CHARLES HUGGINS, F.R.E.S.' 
by J. M. CHALMERS-HUNT 
(St. Teresa, Hardcourts Close, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 9LG) 

Henry Charles Huggins died on the 14th April, 1977, clinically from 
pneumonia following a relapse after an operation for prostatitis, though 
the real reason for his giving up was the realisation that he would lose 
his independence and never again be able to collect. He was born at 
Gravesend on the 17th May, 1891, the elder son of Henry Huggins, J.P., 
who was also an entomologist and contributed to some of the early volumes 
of The Entomologist’s Record. 

Very early in life H. C. Huggins showed a keen interest in natural 
history and especially the British lepidoptera, of which he started to form 
a collection at the age of eight and continued to add to it throughout his 
lifetime. He was fortunate in having as his chief mentors the Rev. C. R. N. 
Burrows (of whom he wrote an appreciation in 1954) and the renowned 
microlepidopterist Benjamin A. Bower. He was also helped in his youth 
by A. B. Farn (a second cousin of his grandmother, Mrs. Louisa Huggins 
née Farn). 

For the first forty years or so much of his collecting was done in his 
native Kent, and he was probably the only man still surviving to have 
taken there the Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia Rott.) and the Black- 
veined White (Aporia crataegi L.), the former at Ham Ponds in 1905, 
and the latter at Eastry in 1906. 

For a while he collected British and Irish land and freshwater mollusca, 
publishing a paper on the Irish Limnaeae in 1918, in which he suppressed 
two so-called species, L. involuta Thomp. and L. praetenuis Bowell. How- 
ever, his chief interest lay in the lepidoptera, particularly those of Ireland, 
to which country he undertook 36 visits, the first about 1913, and the last 
in 1973 in the company of the writer. Among a number of new Irish 
subspecies that he described were Erynnis tages baynesi, Gonopteryx 
rhamni gravesi, Eupithecia vulgata clarensis and E. venosata plumbea. 

After 1922, Huggins concentrated on micros of which he was later to 
become one of the leading authorities in this country. Although a prolific 
writer on the subject of lepidoptera, it seems it was not until 1923 that 
his first entomological contribution appeared in print. He was then already 
32, but during the next fifty years his output was to exceed 400 published 
communications. Many of these are of considerable interest, particularly 
his series ‘Notes on the Microlepidoptera’ which appeared at intervals from 
1951-74. 

He joined the (then) South London Entomological and Natural History 
Society in 1934, reading in 1956 a paper on the Burren, and in 1959 one 
on Kerry, both of which were published (see bibliography). 

Harry Huggins was a most interesting companion and entertaining 
raconteur with a fund of anecdote, much of it entomological reaching back 
to the beginning of the century. He was also an excellent correspondent 
and his letters no less than his published writings never failed to give 
enjoyment. 

His fine collection of lepidoptera down to the Tortricoidea (he did not 
collect Tineoidea) as well as his British and Irish land and freshwater 
mollusca have been presented to the British Museum (Nat. Hist.). 

To his only son, who like his father became manager of a branch of 
Westminster Bank, we offer our sincere sympathy. 


1 For further particulars of the subject of this memoir see his obituary in Ent. 
Rec., 89:223-224. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 PLATE I 


ANNUAL EXHIBITION (1977) 


PLATE I 
1. Hipparchia semele (L.) 2 ab. holanops Brouwer, R. C. Revels. 2, 3. Argynnis 
lathonia (L.) abs., H. G. Phelps. 4. Xestia castanea (Esp.) ab., J. M. Messenger. 
5. Agrotis puta (Hiibn.) ab. nigra Tutt, N. Horton. 6. Syngrapha interrogationis 
(L.) ab., A. D. A. Russwurm and H. G. M. Middleton. 7. Eriopygodes imbecilla 
(F.) @, B. Skinner. 8. Ochropleura plecta (L.) ab., B. K. West. 9. Coscinia 
cribraria (L.) arenaria (Lempke), G. Burton. 


PLATE II PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


ANNUAL EXHIBITION (1977) 


10. Aglais urticae (L.) ab., S. Imber. 11. Erebia ligea (L.), Arran Brown, T. J. 
Daley. 12. Blepharita solieri (Boisd.), E. Pelham-Clinton. 13. Eucosma metzneriana 
Tr. (x 44), R. J. Revell. 14. Plebejus argus (L.) ab. striata Frohawk (x 43), H. E. 
Chipperfield. 15. Quercusia quercus (L.) ab. depuncta Lempke, A. S. Harmer. 
16. Ectropis crepuscularia (Hiibn.) ab. and 17. E. consonaria (Hiibn.) ab., both 
E. C. L. Simson. 18. Pseudopanthera macularia (L.) ab. radiata Loritz, B. R. 
Baker. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 PLATE III 


D. W. H. FFENNELL 


PLATE TV PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


PLATE IV 


H. C. HUGGINS 


PROC. 


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1927 
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1927 
1927 
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1927 
1927 
1927 
1928 
1928 
1928 
1928 
1928 
1928 
1928 
1928 
1928 
1928 
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BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 37 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


(A) The Entomologist 
Notes on Tortrices observed in 1922. 56: 15-16. 
Variation in Lepidoptera. 56:188-190. 
Variation in Lepidoptera. 56:238-240. 
Catoptria aspidiscana rubescana (Constant) in Britain. 57:13-14. 
Tortrices observed in 1923. 57:41-43. 
A Few Notes on the habits of Peronea hastiana. 57 :281-282. 
Oxypitilus pilosellae (Zell.) in Kent. 58:6-18. 
Notes on Tortrices, 1924. 58: 98-99. 
Albinism in Tortrices in the Faversham district. 59:115. 
Notes on Tortrices, 1925. 59:115-116. 
Early Appearances of Tephrosia punctulata, etc. 59:126. 
The Pupation of Cryptoblabes bistriga. 59:128. 
Notes on Microlepidoptera. 60: 19-21. 
Notes on Microlepidoptera. 60:67. 
Notes on Microlepidoptera. 60: 186-188. 
Variation in the Genus Tortrix (=Sciaphila). 60:211-212. 
Evetria purdeyi in the Isle of Wight. 60: 232. 
Northern Tortrices Double-Brooded in the South of England. 60: 232. 
The Southern Food-Plant of Penthina dimidiana. 60 :233. 
Migrants in East Kent in 1927. 60:233. 
A further Kentish Record of Ephestia semirufa (and other observations). 
60 : 257-258. 
Variation in 'Gymnancyla canella. 60:279-280. 
The Scarcity of Catoptria albersana. 60 :282. 
A Trap for the Turnip Flea (Phyllotreta). 60:17-18. 
The Habits of Peronea fissurana Pierce. 61:17-18. 
Late Immigrants in 1927. 61:18. 
Periodicity of Aciptilia galactodactyla. 61:18. 
Collecting in the Aran Islands. 61 : 43. 
The Possible Breeding of Daphnis nerii in England. 61:67. 
The Habits of Bankia argentula. 61:81. 
Conchylis dipoltella in Kent. 61:112-113. 
Dioryctria splendidella in Kent. 61:113-114. 
Breeding Petasia nubeculosa. 61:114-115. 
Immigrants in Early June. 61:152. 
Brachytron pratense in Kent. 61:213-214. 
Laphigma exigua in Kent. 61: 223. 
The Tortrices of the Faversham District. 61 : 224-230, 243-250. 
Argynnis lathonia and Colias croceus in Hants. 61 :232. 
Early June Immigrants in East Kent. 61:232. 
Synanthedon flaviventris Stdg. in Kent. 61:233. 
Myelois neophanes Durrant. 62:20-21. 
Crambus alpinellus on the Chalk Downs. 62:44. 
Salebria obductella in Kent. 62:52-53. 
Percnoptilota fluviaia Hb. 62:70-71. 
Immigrants in East Kent in 1928. 62:71-72. 
Asymmetrical Variety of S. lubricipeda. 62:83. 
Acherontia atropos at Kingsgate-on-Sea. 62:83. 
The Food-Plant of Catoptria aemulana Schl. 62: 137-138. 
A Few Notes on Oxyptilia parvidactyla Haw. 62:138. 
Emergence Date of Oxyptilia parvidactylus. 62:161. 
The Emergence of Melanippe galiata. 62:230. 
Salebria obductella (Lep. Pyralidae) as a Resident Species. 62 : 162-163. 
Ephestia elutella in the Open. 62 :207. 
Colias croceus and C. hyale in East Kent. 62 :230. 
The Pupa of Homoeosoma cretacella Ross]. 62 :232. 
Sericoris latifasciana in Hants. 63:88. 
Dichrorampha aeratana Pierce in Kent. 63:88. 
Polygonia c-album in Kent. 63:235. 


38 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


1930 Immigrants in 1930. 63:237 

1930 The Pupating Habits of Eudemis euphorbiana Frr. 63: 284-285. 

1931 Dioryctria splendidella H.S. in the South of England. 64:18. 

1931 Laspeyresia conicolana Heylaerts: A Tortrix New to the British Isles. 
64 : 27-29. 

1931 Peronea latifasciana Haw. 64:64. 

1931 The Food-Plant of Sesia andrenaeformis. 64:64. 

1931 Laspeyresia conicolana (Heyl.). 64:85. 

1931 Laspeyresia conicolana Haylaerts, in Kent. 64:115-116. 

1931 Tortrix viridana in the New Forest. 64:213. 

1931 Myelois neophanes Durrant in the New Forest. 64:213. 

1932 The Habits and Distribution of Laspeyresia conicolana Heylaerts. 65:12. 

1932 Laspeyresia conicolana Heylaerts in Sussex. 65: 37. 

1932 Scoparia ulmella Knaggs in Devon. 65:86. 

1932 The Possible Occurrence of Capua (Dichelia) gnomana Clerck in the British 
Isles. 65:104-105. 

1932 Further British Captures of Phlyctaenia fulvalis Hb. 65:163. 

1933 Peronea fissurana Pierce and Metcalfe, in Essex. 66:39. 

1933 The Habits of Catoptria aspidiscana Hiib. Var. rubescana Constant. 
66 : 88-89. 

1934 Hemimene alpinana Tr. (K.) in Essex. 67:139. 

1934 Catoptria rubescana (Constant), a Distinct Species (Lep. Tortricidae). 
67 : 169-171. 

1935 Unusual Emergences of Insects in 1933-34. 68:138. 

1935 A Gynandrous Pieris rapae. 68 : 273. 

1935 Unusual Second Broods in 1935. 68:289. 

1936 Unusual Food-Plant of Sesia cynipiformis. 69:16-17. 

1938 A Black Variety of Salebria hostilis Steph. 71:183. 

1938 Pyralis glaucinalis. 71 :200. 

1938 Pyrausta nubilalis Hiitbner (Lep. Pyralidae) in South Essex. 71 :241-242. 

1939 Obituary: W. S. Giles, F.R.E.S. 72:80. 

1939 A Few Notes on Platyptilia tessera-dactylus. '72:177-178. 

1945 A ‘Plague of Ladybirds” in Essex. 78: 32. 

1947 Anania nubilalis (Lep. Pyralidae) in South Essex. 80: 206-207. 

1947. Grapholitha conterminana in the Thames Estuary. 80: 245-246. 

1947 Rhodometra sacraria in South Essex. 80: 269-270. 

1948 Margarodes unionalis at Leigh-on-Sea. 81:8. 

1948 Variation in Irish Insects. 81 : 35-36. 

1948 Schoenobius gigantellus and Nonagria sparganii in South Essex. 81:36. 

1948 Second Brood of Melitaea athalia. 81:69. 

1948 Limenitis camilla. 81:70. 

1948 A Further Record of Anania nubilalis in Kent. 81:152. 

1948 Calomotropha paludella in Essex and Kent. 81:172-173. 

(to be continued in Parts 3/4) 


PROCEEDINGS 
28th July 1977 


The President. Mr. R. S. Tusss, in the chair. 
EXHIBITS 


Rey. D. J. L. Acassiz. — Parapoynx diminutalis (Snellen), Nymphula 
linealis Moore, and an apparently unnamed Nymphula sp. (Lep., Pyralidae) 
all three introduced species from the Far East found breeding at Enfield, 
Middlesex. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN. — (i) A female of Aphanistes xanthopus Schrank 
(Hym., Ichneumonidae) which was obtained by sweeping moorland heather, 
20.vi.1977, near Dawlish, Devon. The species is considered to be rare and 
is parasitic on noctuid larvae and possibly other families of Lepidoptera. 
The Anomalinae, to which sub-family A. xanthopus belongs, are solitary 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 39 


endoparasites of lepidopterous larvae; the young larva is attacked, but the 
adult Anomaline always emerges from the host pupa. The group parasitises 
a very wide range of families, including ‘Microlepidoptera’. (ii) A short 
series of Clyphipteryx linneella (Clerck) (Lep., Momphidae) found as adults 
on trunks of Tilia sp. (lime), 25-26.vi.1977, at Manor Park, London, E.12. 
Meyrick (1927) states that the species is ‘very local, but common where 
it occurs’; certainly a number of imagines were observed flying around 
the trees in the midday sunshine. The larva feeds on the bark of Tilia. 
(iii) A specimen of Stathmopoda pedeilla (Linn.) (Lep., Stathmopodidae) 
disturbed from a well-established grove of Alnus glutinosa (alder) on 
Brownsea I., Dorset, 9.vii.1977. The moth is local and seems very uncom- 
mon; the larva feeds in the fruits of alder. 

B. R. Baker. — Ova of Bembecia scopigera (Scop.) (six-belted clear- 
wing). The larval habit of this species of tunnelling the roots of Lotus 
corniculatus is well known but details of the precise oviposition site appears 
to be missing from the literature; an investigation was therefore carried 
out on 19th July, 1977. Two males and two females were swept from a 
richly flowered chalk slope and these were subsequently placed in a large 
glass tank in which was planted some small clumps of Lotus corniculatus, 
Bird’s Foot Trefoil, and associated small plants; the tank was situated 
outside in the garden. Under dull conditions the moths were entirely 
inactive but in bright sunlight on the afternoon of 20th July all four 
specimens flew vigorously and the females oviposited between 3 and 4 p.m. 
Eggs were laid on the leaves of Lotus and occasionally on the stems and 
exposed roots; a few were laid on leaves of other plants such as Poterium 
sanguisorba, Salad Burnet. One of the males died after three days, the 
remaining three specimens lived for 5 days. The eggs are black, with faint 
whitish reticulations (only discernible under high power), in shape they are 
ovoid discs with longest axis 0.57 mm.; broadest 0.36 mm. and 0.27 mm. 
depth. As a control to check whether leaves were a natural oviposition site, 
a return was made to the chalk slope on 27th July and a total of five eggs 
were found; two of these were on leaves of Lotus, two on Polygala and 
One on an undetermined leaf, but all within easy access of abundant 
Lotus. 

A. M. Emmer. — A living imago, cocoons, and vacated mines of 
Stigmella aceris (Frey) from a locality near Edenbridge, Kent. The food- 
plant is Norway Maple (Acer platanoides). The first British specimen was 
bred by Lord Walsingham in 1914/15 and is unset, on a card, in the 
British Museum (N.H.). The second emerged earlier the same day as the 
example exhibited. Vacated mines had been found in Kent by S. N. A. 
Jacobs and S. A. Whitebread. 

G. Prior. — (i) Larvae of Eupithecia pulchellata Steph. f. hebudium 
Sheldon, from the N.W. coast of Argyle, received from Dr. Edwards. The 
larvae are rather darker than the southern British form and when about 
to pupate become almost black. (ii) Larvae of E. lariciata (Freyer) from 
larch, Watlington Hill, Oxfordshire. (iii) A handsome but undetermined 
moth taken in Westminster Cathedral. 


MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES 


S. N. Jacoss remarked that he wondered if the explosions at Denny 
Bog were connected with reported discoveries of dead New Forest ponies 
with broken limbs far from the roads. 


40 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


MEMBERSHIP 


The obligation book was signed by Miss Marrable, and Messrs. P. M. 
de Souza and D. C. Lees. 


COMMUNICATIONS 


R. F. BRreETHERTON stated that Heterographis oblitella (Zeller) (Lep., 
Pyralidae) which had such a population explosion in Southern England fast 
year, had reappeared this year at his light trap at Bramley, an inland 
locality, and was presumably breeding there. D. AGassiz said that its 
usual foodplant was Chenopodium, which was most persistent on salt 
marshes. Its captures had previously mainly been on such habitats, giving 
rise to the idea that they were immigrants from overseas. 

R. Dyke reported having taken Mythimna vitellina (Hiibner) on 13th-14th 
July, 1977 in Devon. R. F. BRETHERTON observed that this species was 
normally unable to overwinter in Britain and the examples were therefore 
most probably immigrants. 

Dr. S. A. Knitt-JoNes reported the capture of Gonepteryx rhamni 
(Linn.), a small female, in Shaftesbury Avenue, London. 

C. Hart reported that on 16th July, 1977 a male Cossus cossus (Linn.) 
had been taken at light at Sandwich. 

M. W. F. Tweepie then gave a talk briefly describing his methods of 
photographing butterflies and moths, and then showed excellent slides of 
these taken in Britain, Spain, St. Vincent, W.I., Turkey, Malaysia and 
Sumatra. The audience showed its appreciation of these in the usual 


OBSERVATIONS ON EXHIBITS 


Dr. J. D. Brapiey said that Mr. Prior’s third exhibit was probably a 
South African Oecophorid moth of the genus Cryptolechia Zeller. 


8th September 1977 


The President, Mr. R. S. Tupss, in the chair. 

The President announced with regret the deaths of (i) Professor H. E. 
Hinton, aged 64, who was Head of the Zoology Department, Bristol 
University, where he had worked since 1949, President of the Royal 
Entomological Society 1969-70, and President of our Society for its 
Centenary Year; and (ii) Denzil W. H. ffennell, well known to most 
members as a lepidopterist, particularly a micro-lepidopterist; he died 
suddenly in the middle fifties while attending his moth trap near 
Winchester. 

EXHIBITS 


Rev. D. J. L. AGassiz. — A seies of Oligostigma angulipennis Hampson 
(Lep., Pyralidae), new to Britain, from aquatic nurseries at Enfield, Middx. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN. — (i) Two parasitic species (Hym., Ichneumonidae), 
one primary, one secondary (true hyperparasite) of Quercusia quercus (L.) 
(Lep., Lycaenidae). The primary parasite was an unnameable species of 
the genus Phobocampa, the members of which are parasites of immature 
larvae of Lepidoptera. No keys exist for the majority of the Phobocampa, 
a problem which is also presented by the large genus Mesochorus to which 
the secondary parasite belongs. In an attempt to obtain the Phobocampa 
species, eleven young larvae of Q. quercus were collected by beating from 
oaks, 28.v.1977, in Vert Wood, East Hoathly, Sussex. Although nine of 
these were healthy and soon attained full size, two larvae remained rather 
small, an indication of parasitism. By early evening of 1.vi one larva had 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SoOc., 1978 41 


become motionless, and became paler brown than its companions. During 
the evening it became almost colourless and transparent and the parasite 
maggot could be seen moving inside the host’s skin. By 5 a.m. the following 
morning (2.vi) the parasite larva had appeared and spun its cocoon near 
to the empty skin of the host. The second affected larva underwent the 
same sequence of events, the parasite larva appearing and constructing 
its cocoon on 4.vi. The cocoons were dark purplish fuscous; had the 
humidity of the environment been lower they would probably have been 
lighter, approximately whitish-grey with blackish blotches. From the first- 
spun cocoon a female Phobocampa species hatched on 22.vi while the other 
cocoon gave rise on 26.vi to a male Mesochorus species, the primary 
parasite of this Phobocampa and in turn a secondary parasite of Q. quercus. 
The Phobocampa sp. has also been recorded from Thecla betulae (L.) 
(brown hairstreak) and appears to be a rare insect, perhaps only to be 
found in the south of England. Larvae collected at Salfords, Surrey, in late 
May, failed to give the parasite. (ii) A 2 of Paracystola acroxantha Meyr. 
(Lep., Oecophoridae) captured in an actinic light trap during the night 
of 17-18.viii.77 outside the first floor of a guest-house at Dawlish, Devon. 
The moth was in fresh condition and was kept alive, mainly in the dark 
at room temperature, and during the night of 19-20.vili three ova were 
obtained, the moth unfortunately dying in the process. When laid, the 
Ova were translucent and almost colourless, with a delicate pale yellow 
tinge. In shape they were oval (as opposed to elliptical), and slightly flattened 
top and bottom. They remained in this state until 31.viii when they 
became slightly darker and two larvae hatched during the night of 1-2.ix; 
an ovum was lost. The larvae, after hatching, were 2 mm. in length, and 
white with a shining mid-brown head. The body, clothed in some short 
fine, almost colourless hair, carried the usual number of legs; claw-legs 
on segments 2, 3 and 4, and pro-legs on ss. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14 (adopting 
Meyrick’s convention, with the head counted as the first segment). The 
larvae were very lively. The inevitable problem was the choice ‘of food 
on which to rear the species, for no foodplant had, to the exhibitor’s 
knowledge, been recorded for P. acroxantha; unfortunately this problem 
remains insoluble. As soon as the larvae had hatched, samples of the 
following were introduced to the receptable: elm, apple, bramble, dandelion, 
ivy, gooseberry, strawberry (cultivated), thyme, box, and heather. Eight 
hours later the larvae were still wandering restlessly, so further food, yew, 
privet, holly and birch leaves, were offered and finally a bay leaf was 
supplied. Unfortunately the larvae found none of these attractive, but 
possibly they nibbled a holly leaf. In any event, the larvae were not seen 
again and it must be assumed they died of starvation. There is a theory 
that they feed on eucalyptus. The ova were stored in a cool place, so 
presumably in the field they hatch before winter as in captivity. Kloet & 
Hincks (1972) gives the status of P. acroxantha in Britain as uncertain. 
The present capture constitutes only the seventh authentic record of the 
moth in Britain (although a fore-wing may be counted as an additional 
half-record), the years of capture being 1908, 1917, 1925, 1970 and 1976, 
all in the South Devon area between Torquay and Ottery St. Mary. The 
usual month given for the flight season is August (Meyrick, 1927 and 
Jacobs, 1949-50, in Proc. South Lond. ent. nat. Hist. Soc., p. 189) 
but the two specimens caught in 1976 by the present exhibitor were both 
in June. Although the summer of 1976 was very hot, the high temperatures 
had only just begun by late June, and it is possible that instead of a 
premature appearance being the explanation of the 1976 dates, the insect 


42 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


may be bivoltine. Slight further evidence is supplied by a consideration 
of the wing-span of the species, given by the above authors as 13-15 mm. 
The female captured in 1977 measured 13 mm. across, but the 1976 female 
spanned 18 mm.; often first broods are of a larger size. The exhibitor 
had visited the area in June 1977 in an attempt to secure P. acroxantha 
but was unable to find it, either in Dawlish nor the not-too-distant moors 
which were the locality of the 1976 discovery. The exhibitor gratefully 
acknowledged the kindness of the proprietress of the guest-house at whose 
suggestion the light was run on a flat part of the roof outside his room. 
His earlier capture was referred to also in Proc. and Trans. Brit. Nat. and 
nat. Hist. Soc., 9, 117 (1976) and the species, as exhibited in last year’s 
annual exhibition, was illustrated in Plate [IX of Vol. 10. 

E. S. BrapForp. — Four species of rather local microlepidoptera: (i) 
Cydia molesta (Busck) (Tortricidae): originally found in China and Japan 
but now found in many parts of the world. The larva bores into the shoots 
and fruit of peach and other fruit trees. It is usually imported into this 
country in fruit; this example was found flying in a house in Kent having 
probably emerged from some fruit on a bowl on the table in the living 
room and pupated somewhere in the house; the exhibitor had himself 
bred his first example of this species from a larva found in an imported 
peach. (ii) Cydia conicolana (Heylaerts), an example which had emerged 
from one of several cones of Pinus sylvestris picked up at Covert Wood, 
near Barham, Kent, first noted in this country in 1930 in the New Forest 
(by H. C. Huggins). (ili) Scythris grandipennis (Haw.) (Scythrididae) larvae 
were found rather sparingly in spun shoots of Ulex in Clowes Wood, 
Blean, Kent. (iv) Nemapogon albipunctella (Haw.) (Tineidae); a fresher 
specimen than the one previously exhibited; the larva is said to feed on 
decayed sticks. 

G. R. Ese. — Local and mostly uncommon aculeate Hymenoptera 
recorded from Leckford Estate, Stockbridge, Hants.: (i) Riparian species 
(riverbank, poplar plantation and carr vegetation adjacent to the Test). 
Anoplius caviventris Aurivillius (=piliventris (Morawitz); cardui Perkins). 
1 @, 1 9, 12.vii.1977, G. R. Else. An uncommon spider-hunting wasp at 
present recorded from only three Hampshire sites. Females nest in dead 
stems and wood. Symmorphus mutinensis (Baldini) (=sinuatissimus 
Richards). 2 2 2, 12.vii.1977, G. R. Else. A common wasp, usually charac- 
teristic of damp habitats. Some Leckford females have been disvovered 
nesting in the old reed thatch of riverside huts. Crossocerus walkeri 
(Shuckard). 1 @, 10.vii and 1 @, 30.vii.1977, G. R. Else. One of the 
specialties of the river bank, the wasp is rarely found more than a few 
yards from the water’s edge. Nests in dead wood and provisions its cells 
with Ephemeroptera (mostly Baetidae), rarely Diptera. Nationally a rare 
species, but widely distributed. Hylaeus pectoralis Forster. 1 2, 30.vii.1977, 
G. R. Else. Until recently this bee was known in Britain only from the 
East Anglian fens and from an old (1901) specimen collected in the New 
Forest. Since 1972 it has been recorded from about 13 Hampshire localities, 
from Dorset, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight. Females are known to 
nest only in the vacated galls of Lipara lucens (Meigen) (Diptera, Chloro- 
pidae) on the apices of reed stems. Common in most Hampshire localities 
but only a pair have been recorded from Leckford. Macropis europaea 
Warncke (=/Jabiata auctt. nec (F.)). Only one female has been recorded 
from Leckford, but the bee is no doubt established there. A local wetland 
species which provisions its subterranean nest with Lysimachia vulgaris L. 
pollen and nectar. The 2 specimen exhibited was collected at Browndown 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 43 


(fen), near Lee-on-Solent, Hants., 26.vii.1972, G. R. Else. (ii) Chalk down- 
land species. Andrena marginata F. One record only from Leckford, 
probably a stray from an undiscovered colony on nearby downland. Visits 
scabious flowers. The example exhibited was collected at Martin Down, 
Hants., 28.vii.1976, G. R. Else. Melitta tricincta Kirby. 2 8, 20.vii.1977, 
G. R. Else. A local bee with a preference for the flowers of Red Bartsia, 
Odontites verna (Bell.). Gii) Nationally declining species. Andrena rosae 
Panzer. 1 4, 13.iv.1947, D. McCarthy. Bombus ruderatus (F.). 1 2 (melanic 
form — endemic in Britain), 28.iv.1947, D. McCarthy. 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet. — (i) (on behalf of R. J. REVELL) a specimen 
of Eucosma metzneriana (Tr.) (Lep., Totricidae), captured at light in a 
chalk-pit on the Gog-Magog Hills, near Cambridge, on 22.vii.77. The 
species is new to Britain, but is known to occur in France and Belgium 
and to range eastwards to Japan. The larva feeds in the terminal shoots 
of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) and mugwort (A. vulgaris) from 
August until May. (ii) on behalf of I. Stms an example of an exotic 
Noctuid moth later determined as Agrotis deprivata (Walker), bred from 
a larva found in a warehouse in England. 

S. A. WiLLtiams. — Coleoptera from the Leckford Estate, taken 
27.vi1.1976: Amarochara umbrosa (Erichson) and Borboropora kraatzi Fuss., 
both in grass cuttings; Gnathoncus schmidti Reitter, in tawny owl nest; 
Epuraea distincta (Grimmer), in fungus; and Leptura fulva DeGee, on 
flowers. 


COMMUNICATIONS 


The President reported that he had captured one Ladoga camilla (L.) f. 
nigrina in a wood near Winchester and failed to obtain ova from females 
flying at the same spot, but later found ova there which he hoped to rear, 
but it would be two years before he could hope to obtain from them the 
same form. 

C. G. DE Worms stated that this year had been rather thin for the 
migrants, but he had heard from Mr. Warren of Folkestone that the latter 
had seen both Cynthia cardui (L.) and Aglais urticae (L.) there in small 
numbers, and also a single Polygonia polychloros (L.). There were other 
reports of C. cardui from the south-west. G. Prior had found Gonopteryx 
rahmni (L.) and Inachis io (L.) numerous on the Chilterns recently, but 
no Pug larvae on low herbs. A general discussion regarding the frequency 
of larvae obtainable this year respectively in England and Scotland ensued, 
and also on the scarcity this year in England of some species common last 
year. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN stated that during an eight-day holiday in Dawlish, 
Devon, an actinic 6-watt light trap was run each night from 13-14 to 
20-21.viii. The weather was usually dry and mild but rain fell throughout 
the night of 16-17.viii which was also very misty. Rain fell to a lesser 
extent on 20-21.viii. Forty-three species of Macro-lepidoptera were thus 
recorded in this residential area just outside the town; there were surpris- 
ingly few Micros, but for this the capture of P. acroxantha compensated. 
There appeared to be absolutely no second brood of Mythimna pallens (L.) 
and M. impura (Hubner), a strong contrast to their abundance on a similar 
date last year. Especially abundant species were Pieris brassicae (L.), 
Noctua janthina (D. & S.), Apamea monoglypha (Hufn.) and Agrotis puta 
(Hiibn.). Euplagia quadripunctaria (Poda) (Jersey tiger) was common during 
the week both night and day, and four examples of Eupithecia phoeniceata 
(Rambur) were taken; Cryphia muralis (Forst.) was also abundant. On his 


44 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


return to Surrey he had found at rest on a shop front in Reigate on 
26.viii.77 a specimen of Mormo maura (L.) (old lady moth) which had 
recently decreased in numbers in this district. G. N. Burton reported that 
on the Isle of Sheppey Euproctis chrysorrhaea (L.) (brown tail) had been 
a veritable plague, causing rashes on children; 250 examples came to light 
in a single night. 

Messrs. W. GiLcHRrist, A. E. Stupss, S. WILLIAMS and G. R. ELSE 
then gave an illustrated account of ‘The Leckford Survey’, both historical, 
ecological and with illustrations of some interesting species of animals, a 
plan and views. A duplicate list of the Lepidoptera of the Leckford valley 
and chalk hills (No. 4 in the Leckford Record), sponsored by the John 
Spedan Lewis Trust for the Advancement of the Natural Sciences, was 
circulated. A large attendance and the number of questions showed that 
this project evoked a lively interest. 


22nd September 1977 
The Vice-President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 
The Chairman welcomed Professor Ewan of Tulane University, New 
Orleans, as a visitor. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN. — (i) Two specimens, male and female, of Banchus 
volutatorius (L.) (Hym., Ichneumonidae), caught, along with a second 
male, flying by day, 23.vii.1977, at Funton, Kent. The genus Banchus 
belongs to the subfamily Banchinae, whose members are solitary endo- 
parasites of lepidoptera iarvae, especially Noctuidae; the larva is attacked 
before maturity but not killed until it has constructed its pupal chamber, 
within which the parasite larva spins a characteristic black elongate cocoon. 
The British species of Barchus are comparatively few in number. The 
exhibit provided a good example of the sexual dimorphism often encoun- 
tered in the group; the black-bodied female contrasts markedly with the 
yellow and black male. (ii) One example (@) of Coelichneumon microstictus 
(Gravenhorst) (Hym., Ichneumonidae) caught in a shop window, 22.vi.77, 
at Dawlish, Devon. This appears to be a coastal species and quite local, 
having been recorded from Cornwall, Devon and the Isle of Wight. In 
common with the rest of the sub-family Ichneumoninae, Coelichneumon 
attack mature larvae or prepupae of lepidoptera, in which they develop 
singly, but the adult always emerges from the host pupa. (iii) A series of 
Cryphia muralis (Forster) illustrating the wide variation of this moth, and 
all captured 14-18.viii.77 at actinic light, Dawlish, Devon, the light being 
run on the roof of a house covered with lichens. 

Prof. J. A. Owen. — Two specimens of Phloeosinus thujae (Perris) 
from Cupressus macrocarpa at Tooting, London, SW17, on 17th July, 
1977; first discovered in Britain on Cypress in Kew Gardens. 

G. Prior. — Two larvae of Eupithecia simpliciata Haworth (plain pug) 
on common orache (Atriplex patula) from a salt-marsh at St. Helens, 
Isle of Wight, now in final instar. They had undergone startling changes 
in colour markings and skin-texture in earlier moults. 


NOMINATIONS 

The following, their names having been read a second time, were 
declared elected members: Messrs. A. R. Barton, T. W. Wildridge, M. R. 
Brown, M. R. Love and T. J. Daley. Mr. T. J. Daley signed the obligation 
book. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 45 


ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The Vice-President announced that the widow of Mr. George Holroyd, 
a previous member, had presented a book belonging to her husband, viz. 
W. E. Kirby Butterflies and Moths of the U.K., and Miss Wakely had 
given Bradley, Tremewan, and Smith: British Tortricoid Moths Vol. 1; 
Miss Wakely, daughter of the late Mr. Stanley Wakely, had also promised 
to present a second album of photographs of field meetings, etc., compiled 
by her father. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. C. G. pE Worms reported having seen, last week, Lysandra bellargus 
(Rott.), the adonis blue, commonly; and also fresh L. coridon (Poda), the 
chalk-hill blue, at Ranmore Common; both Messrs. FaircLouGH and 
HILLIARD reported having seen Colias croceus Fourc., the clouded yellow, 
in Surrey recently, but not in great numbers; Mr. R. F. BRETHERTON 
mentioned that L. bellargus had in recent years made a recovery in the 
North Downs and regained nearly the whole of its former territory there, 
reaching Pewley Down in the extreme west. Mr. CHALMERS-HuNT had seen 
a single Cynthia cardui (L.) (painted lady) at West Wickham in early 
September. 

Dr. SATTLER then gave an illustrated talk: ‘A lepidopterist in Hawaii’, 
showing habitats and among other Lepidoptera, some remarkable photo- 
graphs of Eupithecia larvae, which genus had speciated richly in that 
group of islands and evolved unusual larval habits. 

Numerous questions showed that the audience had been greatly interested 
and the talk was applauded vigorously. 


13th October 1977 
The President, Mr. R. S. Tupss, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN. — (1) Two examples of Enicospilus tournieri Snell 
(2=ramidulus L.) (Hym., Ichneumonidae) caught, along with several others, 
at actinic light, 14.viii.77, at Dawlish Warren, Devon. Although the testa- 
ceous colour of the species is indicative of nocturnal flight, the exhibitor 
caught a specimen on the wing at noon the following day. In common 
with others of the sub-family Ophioninae, E. tournieri is a solitary parasite 
of lepidopterous larvae; the host is attacked when immature but not killed 
until it has constructed its pupal chamber. (2) A single 9 of Barichneumon 
lepidus Gravenhorst (Hym., Ichneumonidae) bred 11.v.74 from a lepidop- 
terous pupa dug 18.iv.74 from under Salix caprea at Salfords, Surrey. The 
species is of the sub-family Ichneumoninae and is not uncommon overall, 
but the exhibit was of interest as the female is very much less common 
than the male; Perkins (1960) gives the status of the former sex of lepidus 
as rare. This presents something of an anomaly for the disproportionate 
sex-ratio of parasitic Hymenoptera usually gives rise to a predominance 
of females over males. The exhibitor has however frequently obtained 
males of the genus Mesochorus (Hym., Ichneumonidae) in much greater 
numbers than the relatively scarce females. (3) A specimen of Evergestis 
extimalis (Scop.) (Lep., Pyralidae) which was one of two examples caught 
at actinic light, on a windy night at Funton, Kent. The species is local 
and uncommon; Beirne (1954) gives its British headquarters as the Breck 
district of Norfolk and Suffolk. (4) Ostrinia nubilalis (Hiibner) caught the 
same night as the preceding species, two imagines, both male, being 
obtained. As the larva of this moth hibernates, the exhibit resulted from 


46 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


a larva having survived the drought of 1976, and this is of interest as 
Beirne, 1954, p. 152, states that ‘dry summers, at the time of hatching [of 
the larva] are said to be very injurious to the species’. See also S. Wakely. 
1939, in Ent. Rec.. 51: 1-5. 

A. M. EMMET. A specimen of Pulicalvaria piceaella (Kearfott) (Lep., 
Gelechiidae) taken at Woodham Walter, Essex, on 10.vii.77. It is believed 
to be the fourth British example. The species is a native of N. America 
and appears to have been introduced accidentally into this country. The 
larva mines the leaves of spruce (Picea abies) in the autumn, overwinters 
in a hollowed-out needle, and completes its growth in the spring. A search 
was made at Woodham Walter on 2.x.77 and three tenanted spinnings 
were found, presumed to belong to this species; one of these was exhibited. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The Secretary confirmed to the meeting the Council’s decision to appoint 
Dr. A. A. Allen Acting Librarian until the end of the year as Miss V. 
Dick was unable to continue. Dr. Allen accepted. Lt.-Col. Emmet appealed 
to members having annotated copies of the Guide to the Smaller British 
Lepidoptera by L. T. Ford to submit their notes to him to enable fullest 
possible new data to be included in the projected revised edition. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Col. D. H. STERLING reported having taken Mythimna vitellina (Hubner) 
at Winchester on the night of 9th/10th October, and a specimen of 
Lithophane léautieri (Boisd.) there the previous week. Mr. R. F. BRETHER- 
TON also reported having taken the latter species in Surrey, the moth 
occurring in places where Cupressus macrocarpa was established. Dr. 
C. G. M. DE Worms and Mr. J. Brown also reported this moth’s capture 
in Surrey. Mr. E. S. BrapForpD reported disturbing specimens of the 
following Lepidoptera whilst clearing out a shed in a garden: Agonopteryx 
alstroemeriana (Clerck), A. heracliana (L.), A. nervosa (Haw.), A. arenella 
(D. & S.), A. propinquella (Tr.), Endrosis sarcitrella (L.), Mompha ful- 
vescens (Haw.), M. substrigella (Haw.), Hofmannophila pseudospretella 
(Stainton) and a Tineid sp. 

Dr. A. H. B. Rypon reported having seen numerous Rhopalocera 
in his garden on Michaelmas daisies and Sedum flowers, including Vanessa 
atalanta (L.). 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN reported that the poor summer of 1977 seemed to have 
retarded the appearance of the parasite Charops cantator de Geer (Hym., 
Ichneumonidae) by about two months; this may have been caused by the 
delayed development of its hosts: Zygaena sps Cocoons of Z. filipendulae 
(L.) collected at Dawlish, Devon, in late June 1976 produced a few 
specimens of cantator in mid-July 1976 and a small number of freshly 
emerged imagines of filipendulae were seen at the same time. However, 
on returning to the site in late June 1977 neither cocoons nor adults of the 
moth could be found; the former stage had always been well in evidence 
at this time in previous years in a local area on the cliffs. The cocoons 
were however obtained there in mid-August 1977 and examples of cantator 
were bred from these at the end of the month. This provides an example 
of how parasites are able to adapt to the behaviour of the host; sometimes 
the parasite deliberately modifies the rate of the development of the host. 
C. cantator attacks young larvae of Zygaena sps. but the host larva is not 
killed until it has constructed its cocoon, inside which the parasite spins 
its own. 

Other members also reported their recent light trap captures and 
discussed the comparative frequency of some species. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOc., 1978 47 


COMMENTS ON EXHIBITS 


Mr. S. N. Jacoss stated that Ostrinia nubilalis was established in this 
country where it fed on the roots of Artemisia (mugwort), and Lt. Col. 
A. M. Emmet confirmed that he had noted it as established on the banks 
of the Thames estuary. 

Mr. E. S. BRADFORD reported having taken an example of P. piceaella 
at light in his garden in Elstree in 1968 and had been given another taken 
in 1967 by Mr. P. Goddard; the only other previous record was one taken 
at Blackheath by Mr. Minnion. 

Then followed a selection of excellent and varied colour-slides of birds, 
plants and insects shown by Drs. A. A. Allen and W. H. Wain, and Messrs. 
E. S. Bradford, Merrifield, G. Prior and R. W. Uffen. 


10th November 1977 
The President, Mr. R. S. Tusss, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 


Dr. A. ALLEN. — (i) Two females of Agriotypus armatus Curtis (Hym., 
Ichneumonidae), a solitary ecto-parasite of Trichoptera, of which the 
genera Silo and Goera are selected as hosts. These two examples were 
obtained from the host cases found in the R. Pang, Bradfield, Berks., 
in the late winter of 1976. The adult armatus failed to appear at the 
expected time of the summer months and were only obtained by resorting 
to opening the cases and removing the perfectly formed insect from its 
cocoon. The wings were fully developed, and the examples, although dead, 
were readily mounted. The species parasitises the pupae and pre-pupae 
of Trichoptera. In order to oviposit onto the host, the female armatus 
enters the swiftly running water (the environment in which Silo and Goera 
occur) and seeks out the hosts, which are usually attached to stones on 
the stream-bed. The body-pubescence of the parasite traps air and enables 
the insect to remain submerged for up to thirty minutes (Askew, 1971). 
Parasitized cases may be recognised by the presence of a flattened, blackish, 
ribbon of about 30 mm. length issuing from the affected host case; it is 
formed when the parasite larva spins its cocoon inside the caddis-case, and 
serves as the respiratory apparatus of the developing adult. Oxygen from 
the water diffuses into the ribbon and ensures the parasite of a constant 
supply; the insect dies if the ribbon is removed. The species appears local 
but can apparently occur in large numbers at certain times (see Perkins, 
1960); the exhibitor could not find the species during the winter 1976-7 in 
this locality, inspite of finding many cases of the host. (ii) Two specimens 
(3 2) of Agrypon flexorius Thunb. (Hym., Ichneumonidae) bred 6.vii 
($) and 13.vii.1977 (2) from pupae of the Phycitinae (probably Phycita 
roborella (D. & S.). The hosts were obtained as larvae, being beaten from 
oak, 28.v.1977, in Vert Wood, East Hoathly, Sussex, and they pupated 
before 15.vi. Although the identity of the host was not definite, some 
imagines of roborella were bred mid-July from the larvae of which there 
were about eight. The Anomoloninae sub-family attack the host larva 
when young but emerge from the host pupa. A. flexorius has been recorded 
from Phycita sp. before; the exhibitor obtained a third example, ¢, from 
a third parasitized pupa. 

R. FarrcLoucH. — A live specimen of Palpita unionalis (Hiibn.) found 
on 10.xi.1977 outside the light-trap at Leigh, Surrey. The exhibitor had 
not seen this migrant since the early 1960’s when it was fairly frequent. 


48 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


C. Hart. — A specimen of Hippotion celerio (L.), the silver-striped 
hawk, which was reared from a batch of ten young larvae (not British); 
the exhibitor had four other pupae still to hatch. The larvae were 
obtained from Mr. B. Betts at the AES Exhibition on Ist October, and 
the larvae were reared on a mixture of Fuchsia and willow-herb. At a 
temperature of 78° F., an average of 26 days were spent as larva and 14 
days as pupa (slides of these larvae were shown later in the evening). 


P. A. SoxoLtorr. — A short but variable series of the local moth Acleris 
hastiana (L.) recently bred from sallow at Dungeness, Kent. 
S. A. Wittiams. — A single specimen of Anthicus bifasciatus (Rossi) 


(Col., Heteromera), a very local beetle, sieved from compost on the Bristol 
municipal allotments. 


NOMINATIONS 
Their names having been read a second time, the following were declared 
elected members: Messrs. L. J. R. Day, K. H. Halstead, R. D. Tilt, P. E. 
Barton, R. G. St. Leger and J. M. Walters, Rev. S. C. Pittess, Dr. J. C. A. 
Craik and Dr. A. N. Simpson, and Mrs. D. R. Rees. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The President announced that a letter had been received from a visitor 
to the Annual Exhibition expressing high appreciation of the work done 
by the ladies responsible for catering. This sentiment was warmly echoed 
by all present. The Hon. Secretary announced that the Chelsea Town Hall 
had been booked for the Annual Exhibition next year on 28th October, it 
having proved so satisfactory two years in succession. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

The President reported that on a visit to Fingringhoe Centre, south of 
Colchester, he had been fortunate enough to see a pair of bearded tits 
in the reeds there. 

Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms commented on the diminished numbers of 
Lepidoptera appearing at light recently, and Lt. Col. A. M. Emer stated 
that Oporophtera brumata (winter moth) was already out in Essex. Other 
members similarly reported recent observations of Hymenoptera and Lepi- 
doptera, showing the season was drawing to a close, though Aglais urticae 
(L.) (small tortoiseshell) and Inachis io (L.) (peacock) were today still 
to be seen around London on the wing, and this evening a Tinea pales- 
centella Stainton was taken indoors at the Alpine Club itself. J. Heath said 
that the furthest north locality recorded for Lithophane leautieri (Boisduval) 
was North Bucks. 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet reported on a Field Meeting following the Annual 
Exhibition, at Banbury Ridge and Woodham Walter, Essex. 

A discussion of the 1977 Annual Exhibition then followed. The overall 
attendance was higher than last year, despite the poor season that preceded 
it. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN then exhibited slides, mostly on parasites of Lepidop- 
tera. Messrs. C. Harr and P. HamMMmonp also exhibited excellent slides 
showing various insects and flowers. 


24th November 1977 
The President, Mr. R. S. Tupss, in the chair. 
EXHIBITS 
Dr. A. A. ALLEN. — Of twenty-one larvae of Cucullia chamomillae 
(D. & S.) (Lep., Noctuidae), all taken on Tripleurospermum maritimum 
(scentless chamomile) at Dawlish Warren, Devon, on 19th June, 1977, eight 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 49 


contained parasites belonging to two species of Ichneumonoidea, four of 
each parasite species; these, exhibited, were (i) two examples (4, 2) of a 
Rogas sp. (Hym., Braconidae) in the circumscriptus Nees species group; 
the four young host larvae of chamomillae were killed (mummified) by 
the solitary endoparasite 1-2.vii, and the adults were bred 10.vii (2 6) 
and 1l.vii. (2); the fourth mummified host failed to produce a parasite. 
Both the males hatched in the normal manner from a hole chewed 
in the posterior end of the mummy, but the female was of exceptional 
interest, making its exit from a hole at the front end of the mummy, just 
behind the head, the first such case in the exhibitor’s experience. Rogas 
sp. are often reared from young larvae of Noctuidae, and a species of 
this group has been recorded from Cucullia verbasci (L.). (ii) two specimens 
(both 9) of Campoletis annulata Gravenhorst (Ichneumonidae) from a 
total of four females obtained from four young chamomillae larvae. The 
host larvae were killed 22-25.vi.77 (one killed each day) when only about 
12 mm. in length. The parasite-maggot devoured the entire host’s contents 
before constructing its brownish, rather elongate, cocoon among the 
vegetation, attaching the skin of the host to its exterior. The adults were 
bred on 3-5.vii.77. Campoletis sp. number about a dozen in Britain; the 
present is one of the more widespread but most records are for the adult. 
The exhibitor had not heard or seen mention of any host for C. annulata. 


R. F. BRETHERTON. — A couple of graphs of moth attendances at his 
moth-trap at Bramley, Surrey, for 1976 and 1977. 
Lt. Col. A. M. EmMmMet. — Mined leaves and statistics illustrating the 


abundance and scarcity in 1977 of certain species of Nepticulidae (Lep.) 
mining leaves of oak. Four leaves were shown: (i) from Madingley, Cambs., 
collected on 19.xi, a leaf containing about 38 mines of Ectoedemia 
quinquella (Bedell) and three of E. subbimaculella (Haworth); (ii) from 
the same locality and date: a leaf containing 18 mines of E. quinquella, 
30 of E. subbimaculella, one of Heliozela sericeella (Haworth), three of a 
Phyllonorycter sp. and the external feedings of three other larvae belonging 
to two species of Microlepidoptera; (iii) from Mistley, Essex, collected on 
26.x.77, a leaf containing 30 mines of E. subbimaculella and one of E. 
quercifoliae (Toll); (iv) the stastistics, covering 784 mines in 116 leaves 
from three localities where the exceedingly local and scarce E. quinquella 
occurs, showed that in 1977 that species comprised 51% of the mines, 
E. subbimaculella 46.7% and E. quercifoliae only 2.3%; in most years 
E. quercifoliae and E. subbimaculella are found in more or less equal 
numbers. It was suggested that in 1977 there could be anything up to a 
million mines of E. subbimaculella on a single mature oak in numerous 
favoured localities, and the same was true of E. quinquella, but only in 
its very restricted haunts. E. quercifoliae, however, had been scarce every- 
where. A table was also shown of the leaf-mining species which had been 
unusually common or scarce in 1977, together with their larval season in 
relation to the drought of 1976. The table showed that many species whose 
larvae had fed during the summer while the drought was at its height, 
were more scarce than usual this year, and that others whose larvae had 
fed in the autumn after the drought had broken were common; there 
were, however, exceptions to these generalisations. 

J. HEATH. Old cases of the psychid Narycia monilifera (Geoffroy) 
from crevices in the bark of a sycamore tree in Ramsey Road, St. Ives, 
Huntingdon, Cambs. (VC.31). These were found by Mr. Brian Elliott 
who drew the attention of the exhibitor to them. A new vice-county 
record. It is found in adjacent Cambridgeshire (VC.29) and Bedfordshire 
(VC.30), as well as in much of south and south-east England. 


50 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


P. A. Soxotorr. — A dwarf example of Xanthorhoe fluctuata (L.), 
taken at light on 15.viii.76, wingspan only 16 mm. (typical range of wing- 
span: 27-31 mm.). Perhaps attributable to the drought. 

R. W. J. Urren. — A series of Coleophora machinella Bradley with 
their larval cases, from Botley Wood, South Hampshire, found by Dr. J. R. 
Langmaid. The specimens had been reared from Achillea ptarmica (sneeze- 
wort) and constituted the second British record of the species. 


NOMINATIONS 


The name of Mr. D. A. Chambers was read for the first time. 

The following were duly declared elected members, their names having 
been read for the second time: Messrs. P. Arak, R. W. Crowthers, R. H. 
Cummings, A. J. Edmunds, J. M. Guthrie, W. Lockyer, M. J. Noble, 
C. G. Penny and I. Platt; the Drs. P. J. Edwards and C. S. Robinson; 
Mrs. D. J. Burns, Mrs. J. Dyke and Mrs. R. Oates, and Miss J. A. Burton. 

Mrs. Doreen Burns, Mrs. J. Dykes and Mr. J. H. Clark signed the 
obligation book. 


COMMUNICATION 


Mr. Roche produced a memorandum from Dr. P. J. L. Rocue, a resident 
of Andorra on a valley in that country in which 67 different species of 
Rhopalocera had already been taken and suggesting that a survey of it 
might be a long-term project. Members interested were invited to read the 
memorandum and get into touch with one of the brothers Roche with 
a view to holding European field-meetings at this site, and Dr. Roche 
could organise hotels, etc. 

The main event of the evening was a discussion of the 1976 drought 
and its after-effects. Some of the exhibits had illustrated this subject. The 
President began the discussion with a few meteorological statistics, e.g. on 
the January to August rainfall in the years 1976 and an average year 
were respectively 5.27 in. and 17.25 in., but in the month of September 
1976 alone 6.2 in. fell. The last four months of 1976 brought up the 
annual total to about 1 in. only less than the yearly average. Not only 
was there a drought, there was a heatwave: in August the temperature 
had stood at 90° F. day after day. 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet’s contribution is summarised under his 
exhibit above. The next speaker, J. HEATH, said that 1976 was the last 
and worst of a series of drought-years; for the last three or four years 
walking in Monks’ Wood in light shoes had become possible owing to 
the drying out of the soil, though previously this had not been so. Probably 
the local extinction of Carterocephalus palaemon (Pallas) (chequered 
skipper) was attributable to this cause. A decline in numbers in members 
of the genus Micropterix Hiibner was also probably due to the same recent 
climatic tendency. 

E. S. BRADFORD opined that such fluctuations must have occurred several 
times during the last thousand years. A. E. Stusps mentioned the very 
extensive heath fires, particularly those that had devastated Chobham and 
Thursley, Surrey. Although fire was a regular feature in the formation of 
heathland, as heather grew again on burnt ground, there was a fear that, 
when they were so extensive, not enough high heather would be left for 
the survival of some insect species. Some species of Diptera had been 
affected by the drought, the crane-flies having suffered; certain flies 
associated with dung seemed to have extended their range further north 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 51 


in Britain than usual and this probably was due to the south becoming 
less favourable. 

G. Prior. — Larvae of the genus Eupithecia (pugs) reacted variably to 
the drought: early-feeding species seemed unaffected, and rather surprisingly 
their oval stage was not desiccated. The leaf and needle-feeding species 
were also unaffected, at least they appeared in equal numbers in 1977. 
However, late summer feeders, particularly those on ragwort and other 
herb-flowers, were less numerous in 1977 though these included the very 
commonest of our pugs, e.g. E. centaureata and absinthiata. In 1977, owing 
to the drought ragwort flowers all dried up by August instead of remaining 
fresh and edible into autumn. 

A general discussion then followed; Mr. J. HEATH thought that numbers 
at light traps did not necessarily indicate numbers of a given species 
surviving, as cold conditions inhibited moths from flying to light, contrasting 
with the abundance of arrivals in very hot weather. Dr. C. G. M. DE 
Worms remarked on the greater numbers of moths coming to light in 
Western England than in Eastern England in 1976; both regions were 
affected by heat but the west less affected by drought. 

Opinions differed on whether Argynnis paphia (L.) (silver-washed 
fritillary) had had an equally good year in 1977 as in 1976. 

R. FarrcLouGH had counted 2,600 examples of Acleris cristana 
(D. & S.) in 1976, but much fewer in 1977. He thought the reduction in 
1977 might be rather due to rain and cool conditions than to the drought 
in 1976. 

A discussion on the mortality of bees in hives ensued: its causes were 
thought to be the exhaustion of honey supplies combining with a cool, 
late spring in 1977. 

Many other members contributed to what proved to be a highly 
interesting debate. 


8th December 1977 
The President, Mr. R. S. Tupss, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

A recently received review copy of P. Hammond’s book of dragon-flies 
was passed round for members to see. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN. — (i) Two pairs of Apanteles sp. (Hym., Braconidae); 
each pair consisting of a common species and a closely related species only 
recently separated from its partner. The new species were described by 
Nixon, Bull ent. Res., 63, 169-230 (1973). (a) A. fulvipes Haliday and 
A. acasta Nixon: both are gregarious species. A. fulvipes is one of the 
most frequently encountered sp. of Apanteles and usually obtained from 
the Noctuidae. The exhibited examples represented a fraction of a brood 
of about 70 individuals bred 5.vi.1974 from a larva of Allophyes oxyacanthae 
(L.) (Lep., Noctuidae) obtained when young on hawthorn at Salfords, 
Surrey. The host was killed as a pre-pupa on 22.v.74, on which date the 
Apanteles spun their cocoons. The exhibitor had also obtained fulvipes 
in abundance in the mid-sixties from mature larvae of Diloba caeruleo- 
cephala (L.) near the same locality. In recent years, however, larvae of 
this latter moth did not appear to be attacked by fulvipes; they were 
however parasitized by other Ichneumonoidea. A. acasta resulted when 
twelve cocoons, attached to which was the dead host, were taken on hazel, 
30.iii1.74 at Reigate, Surrey, and the adults bred 11.iv.74. Since the species 
has only been described recently its distribution is not certain; it has 


52 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


probably been overlooked as fulvipes. Hosts from which acasta has been 
recorded include A. oxycacanthae and Diarsia mendica (Fabr.). (b) 
Apanteles vitripennis Curtis and A. mygdonia Nixon: these are both 
solitary parasites. A. vitripennis attacks a wide range of immature larvae 
of Lepidoptera and is widely distributed. The exhibit showed (a 2) bred on 
4.vi.77 from a young larva of D. caeruleocephala found on 24.v.77 at 
Salfords. The parasite larva appeared 27.v, and the host died a few days 
later. A. mygdonia is very similar to vitripennis and, as before, has probably 
been mistaken for it in some instances. The 2 displayed was bred 3.iv.77 
from an immature larva, probably of Alcis repandata (L.) (Lep., Geome- 
tridae), beaten from privet in a wood at Salfords, Surrey, 6.11i.77. The 
parasite larva spun its cocoon 15.i1i.77. (ii) A female specimen of Zimmeria 
dirus Wesmael (Ichneumonidae) bred 20.v.1967 by Mr. P. Cordell from a 
larva of Eriogaster lanestris (L.) (Lasiocampidae). Two such larvae were 
found, both full-grown, at Wareham, Dorset, 12.vii.1966 and they pupated 
about a week later. One cocoon produced the expected moth the following 
spring. Z. dirus, bred from the other, is a rare species, sec. Perkins, 1959; 
this may in part be attributable to the scarcity of E. lanestris the only host, 
from which dirus has been obtained. The exhibitor expressed his thanks 
to Mr. Cordell for the gift of the set parasite. (iii) A selection of biscuits, 
mainly plain chocolate wheatmeal, infested with larvae and larval working, 
of probably Plodia interpunctella (Hibn.) and/or Ephestia elutella (Hibn.) 
(Pyralidae). The biscuits arrived in fresh condition at a clerical laboratory 
in Reigate, Surrey, vi.1977! a few were stored away and forgotten until 
5.xil.77, whereupon their present condition was discovered. On 15.vi.1977 
the exhibitor had caught adult specimens of P. interpunctella (especially) 
and E. elutella in the very same laboratory and had encountered both 
species on previous occasions there. The moths were evidently breeding 
in the laboratory and the biscuits would afford suitable nourishment. A 
specimen of each moth caught on 15.vi was also exhibited, together with 
one of the larvae extracted from the fouled biscuits. Recourse to Beirne 
(1954) revealed the larva was almost certainly interpunctella. 

K. GuIcHARD. — Some insects to illustrate his talk that evening, with a 
é Qaboosia splendens Popov (Orth., Acrididae), the largest grasshopper in 
Arabia; observation of the former had revealed the hitherto unknown 
purpose of its Krauss’s organ, namely stridulation. 

B. C. Jackson. — Unidentified beetles found at Barking, Essex, but 
imported in containers from abroad, the smaller of two types feeding on 
ginger from India. 


NOMINATIONS 

The name of Mr. D. A. Chambers having been read for the second 
time, he was duly elected a member. The obligation book was signed by 
Mr. Day. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

With regard to the oak-leaf mines mentioned at the previous indoor 
meeting, Mr. S. N. A. Jacoss stated two oaks in his garden had no mines 
at all this autumn, as he had been able to inspect fallen leaves; however, 
these oaks had last year had an abundance of cynipid galls. Lt. Col. EMMET 
observed that this year galls were everywhere scarcer than last year; he 
had heard from an observer in Bournemouth, Mr. S. C. S. Brown, that 
Ectoedemia subbimaculella (Haw.) was very common there too, but E. 
quercifoliae (Toll) was absent. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 53 


Mr. K. GuicHArD then gave a talk, illustrated with transparencies, 
entitled ‘A naturalist in Oman’. This described his recent expedition made 
with Mr. P. Granville White in September and October to Oman, and 
the previous visit made in April of the preceding year to a different part 
of the same country. The landscape photographs of the two regions showed 
a striking contrast; the Jebel Akhdar, Musandam Peninsula, and Jebel 
Aswad, near Muscat in Eastern Oman were dry, whereas the seaward 
slopes of the Qara mountains at Dhofar in south-west Oman were com- 
pletely verdant with grass and short trees, due to an exceptional climatic 
conjuncture, the monsoon favouring Dhofar every summer. Photographs 
were however also shown of the northern, desertic slopes of these moun- 
tains, where the frankincense trees grew in a restricted area. Transparencies 
showed some characteristic habitats, vegetation, flowers, butterflies, larvae, 
and other interesting creatures of all these localities. Appreciation was 
shown by the audience in the usual way of the lecturer’s most interesting 
talk. 


12th January 1978 
The President, Mr. R. S. Tusss, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

Rev. D. AcGassiz. — A series of Acleris hastiana (L.) (Lep., Tortricidae) 
from County Cork, Ireland. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN. — Two females of the species Argypon clandestinum 


Gravenhorst (Hym., Ichneumonidae), obtained on the wing in the day- 
time at Salfords, Surrey, on 23.vii.1976, and at Plaistow, Sussex, on 
31.vii.1976. The sub-family, Anomaloninae, to which it belongs, are all 
solitary endoparasites of lepidopterous larvae; the young host is attacked 
but the adult parasite emerges from the host pupa. A. clandestinum 
appears to be moderately common in the southern half of Britain and, to 
judge from published host lists, seems to be particularly attached to the 
genus Eupithecia. Also two examples (¢ and @) of the common species 
Amblyteles armatorius Forster (Hym., Ichneumonidae). The g was caught 
by the exhibitor at Teignmouth, Devon, on 20.vi.1977, while the 2 was 
bred on 1.vii.1977 by Mr. P. Cordell from a larva of Noctua pronuba 
L. (Lep., Noctuidae) that he found at Nutfield, Surrey. The species belongs 
to the sub-family Ichneumoninae, all of which emerge, as adult parasites, 
from the host’s pupa. The exhibit also served to illustrate the degree of 
sexual dimorphism often found within this sub-family. 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet. — A leaf of alder (Alnus glutinosa) collected 
by Dr. Daphne Levinge at Whinning, Portlick, Glasson, Co. Westmeath, 
Eire, on 13.ix.77, containing a mine and subsequently spun fold considered 
to have been made by Caloptilia falconipennella (Hiibner), a species of moth 
not previously recorded from Ireland. A second alder leaf, collected by the 
exhibitor at Ballynahinch, Co. Galway, on 16.x.76, containing two mines 
and a spun roll made by Caloptilia elongella (L.) was shown for comparison. 
The differences between the larval feeding habits of the two species were 
described. 

Col. D. H. STERLING. — A specimen of Epischnia bankesiella (Richard- 
son (Lep., Pyralidae), taken to light on Durleston cliffs, near Swanage, 
Dorset, at the field meeting of 18th September 1976, only recently identified. 
The exhibitor suggested that this rather late date might mean that the 
species was bivoltine, at least in 1976. It is a rare and local species. 


54 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


NOMINATIONS 
The following was declared elected to membership, his name having been 
read a second time, P. J. Hodge. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The President announced that the Council had unanimously decided 
to elect Mr. Eric Classey to honorary membership. The Librarian 
announced that the library would be open in future at the end of indoor 
meetings until 8.45 p.m., and that the period for which a book might be 
kept without being returned was extended to two months; he reminded 
members, however, that the bye-laws provided that a fine of 2p per day 
over the permissible period which a book might be kept was payable by a 
person taking it out. The President announced the receipt from a donor, 
Mr. W. Parker, of 200 transparencies of lepidoptera. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. C. G. M. pE Worms mentioned that there were again records of the 
moths Apocheima pilosaria (D. & S.) and Agriopis leucophaearia (D. & S.), 
both more usually captured after the New Year, coming to light before 
Christmas in Southern England. The capture of the rare Trigonophora 
flammea (Esper) by Dr. Peak in Jersey was especially noteworthy among 
other interesting captures which he had recently made. Mr. L. K. Evans 
reading a cutting from the Daily Mail regarding a new law introduced in 
Belgium by the City Council of that country’s capital penalising any person 
who failed to destroy ‘caterpillars, their eggs and their nests’. Col. D. H. 
STERLING reported that the capture at Winchester of a single specimen of 
Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Tortricidae), only the second known record 
from Hampshire. The species is now somewhat commoner in Devon and 
Cornwall. Circumstances seemed to indicate that it had bred up on Coleus 
plants, some of which having been reared from seed in a near-by green- 
house, were growing in the window-box of Mr. George Else. He also 
reported an example of Idaea seriata (Schrank) found on 7th January, an 
exceptionally early date. Other members reported having seen umbellifers 
flowering in January. 

Mr. C. G. Rocue then gave an illustrated talk entitled ‘An Island called 
Australia’, describing his own three-months’ travels single-handed in a 
small car from West to East and from South to North of the continent, 
and concentrating on lonely and unspoilt habitats of which there were 
many excellent transparencies; also some good pictures of flowers and a 
few of animals and birds. The number of questions at the end showed that 
the lecturer had greatly interested his audience. 

In comments on exhibits afterwards, some members doubted whether 
the above mentioned capture of Epischnia bankesiella Richardson really 
meant that the species was bivoltine, but rather that it had a single extended 
emergence. Mr. CHALMERS-HUNT stated that the larva was slow-growing 
and he had bred some and found that small larvae found in May were 
full-grown at end of June or early July; and Mr. R. F. BRETHERTON recalled 
having taken several examples of the moth at Portland on 10th August, 
1972. 


26th January 1978 
106th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 
(with which was combined the Ordinary Meeting) 
The President, Mr. R. S. Tupsss in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 
Dr. A. A. ALLEN. — (i) A few specimens of the gregarious endoparasite 
Apanteles inclusus Ratzeburg (Hym., Braconidae), bred from two larvae 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 55 


of Euproctis similis (Fuessly) (Lep., Lymantriidae). The larvae were captured 
by Mr. G. King around late June 1977 in Lichfield, Staffordshire. In mid- 
July the hosts spun their cocoons in the usual way, but on 26.vii.1977 
several larvae of the parasite appeared from each of the host pre-pupae, 
spinning their rather satiny-white cocoons within that of the hosts. The 
adults were bred 31.vii-3.vii.1977. A. inclusus is of interest as it closely 
resembles its near relative Protomicroplitis connexus Nees; both attack 
Euproctis spp. and both kill the host as a pre-pupa, spinning their cocoons 
in that of the host. A. inclusus, however, appears to be considerably less 
common than the often abundant P. connexus and as these are the only 
examples of inclusus the exhibittor has seen, he was most grateful to Mr. 
King for sending the cocoon. (ii) Two examples (4 and 2) of one of the 
commonest ichneumonids, Pimpla instigator (Fabricius) The 2 was 
obtained in the light-trap (probably as a casual visitor) of Mr. P. Fairclough 
on 14.ix.1977 at Leigh, Surrey, while the exhibitor swept the ¢ from rough 
grass at Dawlish Warren, Devon, 15.viii.1977. Points of interest of the 
exhibit were the absence of the constricted gaster (present in many 
Parasitica), the entirely reddish legs, and the filiform antennae, providing 
a marked contrast to the overall stout build of the insect. An additional 
point of interest was that in captivity, P. instigator exudes a pungent 
Tepelling odour, perhaps of a protective nature. P. instigator parasitises 
pupae of a wide range of Lepidoptera. 

J. T. DaLtey. — An example of Erebia ligea (L.) (Lep., Satyridae) (the 
Arran brown) captured among many E. aethiops (Esper) by the exhibitor 
on 5th July 1969 on a desolate moor in Scotland near a wood (shown at the 
1977 Annual Exhibition but not identified as this species then), only authori- 
tatively determined as such quite recently. The exhibitor had only twice 
been abroad to collect butterflies and each time had done so in S. European 
localities where this species did not occur, so a possibility of confusion of 
locality was ruled out. 

B. GOATER. — (i) A series of the red aberrations of Tyria jacobaeae (L.) 
(Arctiidae) presented to the Society by our member, Mr. R. W. Weston, 
who developed the strain. (ii) Two males and two females of Eriopygodes 
imbecilla (Fabr.) (Noctuidae) bred ab ovis. They are the first specimens 
to have been bred in Britain; a female was obtatined flying by day in July 
1977, which laid six eggs. From these six moths were bred in late October, 
the larvae feeding at room temperature on withering leaves of dandelion 
(Taraxacum). A pairing was obtained and about 250 eggs were laid and 
larvae distributed to a number of members of the society, some of whom 
have already obtained moths. The exhibitor’s own larvae, again kept at 
room temperature, are pupating at the present time. (iii) Two full-grown 
larvae of E. imbecilla. In reply to questions, the exhibitor stated that he 
surmised that in a wild state the larva was nocturnal and polyphagous and 
would hibernate, the moth being univoltine; tthe favoured wild foodplant, 
however, might be Viola hirta, which was common on the breeding-ground 
in Monmouthshire. 


OBSERVATIONS ON EXHIBITS 


Mr. C. Hart remarked on the bulky abdomens of the freshly hatched 
females of Eriopygodes imbecilla (F.) and wondered whether they succeeded 
in flying. Mr. Goater replied that the females had on several occasions 
been taken on the wing, but that when this happened the abdomens had 
contracted, doubtless due to having laid many eggs. Mr. J. HEATH reported 


56 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


that Bohemian reports on the habits of this moth were that the males 
were exceedingly abundant but did not mention capture of females. Mr. 
Goater repeated that he himself had taken females on the wing by day; at 
night it appeared that a second flight occurred not until 2 a.m. and only 
males came to light; he would not like to say that this observation 
constituted an absolute rule. 

After the reading of the minutes of the previous Annual General 
Meeting, the President referred to the resolution passed at the Special 
General Meeting and stated that this matter would be raised in the 
Treasurer’s Report. 


COUNCIL’S REPORT 


During 1977 61 new members were elected, while in the same period 
the Society suffered the loss of six members by death and 14 by resignation. 
19 members were also struck off membership under the provisions of 
Bye-law 14(b). We have thus a welcome net increase of 22 to the member- 
ship which now stands in the region of 700. We have elected two of our 
most distinguished members to the Honorary membership: Dr. H. B. D. 
Kettlewell in February 1977 and Mr. E. W. Classey in January 1978. The 
Annual Dinner was again held at Imperial College; it was attended by some 
79 members and their guests, five more than last year. 

The Annual Exhibition was once more held at Chelsea Town Hall. It 
was well attended, some 350 members and guests signing the attendance 
register. It was felt by most of those present that this year the exhibits 
were outstanding, they included some insects new to the British Isles. 

A new Christmas Card was produced and for its design we are again 
indebted to Mr. R. Dyke. The sale of the cards was once more the 
responsibility of Mr. M. Ventom and it is thanks to his energy and that of 
his helpers that all our stocks of past cards, as well as a large proportion 
of this year’s cards, have been sold. 

Nineteen Indoor Meetings on varied subjects were organised by Mr. G. R. 
Else and were well attended. Mr. E. H. Wild arranged 15 well distributed 
and interesting Field Meetings, six of which were two day meetings. 

During the year substantial progress has been made towards the publica- 
tion of a new and up-to-date edition of Ford’s ‘Guide to the Smaller British 
Lepidoptera’; it is hoped that this will be published in the Autumn of 
1978. The Council feels that a great help towards its early publication 
has been the generous financial donations made by some of our members 
and would welcome further financial assistance from the membership for 
this most worthwhile enterprise. 

The Council wishes to thank Mrs. Lois Parker and Mrs. Bettina Prior, 
and the wives and daughters of members, for again organising and providing 
the excellent refreshments at the Exhibition; these again contributed to 
the success of the event and helped to defray its cost. The Council also 
wishes to thank Dr. B. J. MacNulty and Mr. K. G. Evans for their untiring 
efforts in once more organising the two successful events, the Annual 
Dinner and Exhibition. 


TREASURERS REPORT, 1977 
The Accounts for 1977 have been approved by our auditors, Mr. 
Messenger and Mr. Stoughton-Harris, and copies are available here for 
inspection. I thank them warmly for completing the audit so promptly, and 
also Mr. L. J. D. Wakely for his untiring management of the subscriptions 
side of the work. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 Si 


We have had another good year. The Income and Expenditure Account 
shows a surplus of £484; and in addition we have received a legacy of 
£100 from our late member Sir Eric Ansorge, and gifts of £500 and £100 
from members who wish to remain anonymous. These I have placed to 
reserve, in order to help to pay for the forthcoming revised edition of 
Ford’s ‘Guide to the Smaller British Lepidoptera’, to which Council has 
decided to devote them. 

The surplus on Income and Expenditure Account is due to several 
circumstances, not all of which are likely to be repeated; we have had a 
year with no unexpected expenditure but much unusual income. Though 
postage and other administrative costs have continued to rise steeply with 
inflation, the cost of printing the Proceedings, which is by far our largest 
single item, has gone up much more slowly, while there has been a boom 
in sales of back numbers. As a result, the grant needed by the Publications 
Account has fallen by £140 for the first time for many years, though it was 
still over £1,000. Christmas Cards showed a useful profit of £43, after 
covering the cost of printing a new card, which we did not have in 1976. 
We also covered the cost of the Annual Dinner, though the surplus of £57 
shown in the account was largely due to recovery of an over-charge 
which caused a loss in 1976. As in 1976, a good part of the hire of Chelsea 
Town Hall for the Annual Exhibition was met from the gain on sale of 
refreshments skilfully managed by Mrs. Prior and her team. The Exhibition 
also provided the opportunity for a sale of unwanted cabinets, boxes and 
equipment which contributed no less than £163. Finally, subscriptions were 
up by £72: this is a balance between the welcome increase in membership 
and the very unwelcome continuance of excessive arrears in payment by 
some 50 other members. 

Turning to the balance sheet, we have added 500 Imperial Metal 
Industries shares to our investments, at a cost of £260; and the Standard 
Investment Trust was taken by the Prudential Assurance Company, in 
which we therefore now hold 843 5p shares, whose market value is consider- 
ably greater than that of our old holding. I have not invested the large 
bank deposit balance, £1,821, in view of the expected need to use most 
of it during 1978 to finance the new edition of Ford’s ‘Guide’, which I 
have already mentioned. On the liabilities side, the Housing Fund has 
increased by receipt of interest to nearly £1,700, and Reserve Fund, with 
added interest and the gifts I have mentioned, to over £2,000. The balances 
of the Library and Hering Memorial Funds have also grown slightly 
because they spent rather less than their income. 

I make no prophecies about results in 1978. Some of the windfall income 
of 1977 is not likely to be repeated.. Administrative costs will certainly go 
on rising. Much extraordinary expenditure is also needed: for shelves and 
binding for the Library, on Hills unit cabinets if we can get them, on 
duplicating equipment which we at present lack, and biggest of all, for 
the new edition of Ford’s ‘Guide’. We aim to recover from sales the cost 
of this, as we have done very handsomely on the first edition published 
in 1949; but it will certainly be some years before we break even. Because 
of these uncertainties, Council considers that the power which was given 
to it last year to vary subscription rates for a calendar year ahead without 
summoning a Special General Meeting should be retained, subject to further 
review a year hence. As things are, I think it unlikely that we shall need 
to use this power in 1979; but prudence requires that we should be able 
to act quickly if later action on this becomes necessary. 


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60 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


EDITOR’S REPORT 

Our 1977 Proceedings were again printed in two double parts, appearing 
this time in May and October. The index for the year is in the press and 
will be distributed shortly. We have continued along similar lines to those 
of 1976; in both years there have been 128 pages of text and a liberal and 
varied supply of illustrations. About one-tenth of the year’s matter dealt 
with foreign lepidoptera; the other nine-tenths dealt with British insects or 
general matter. Lepidoptera received more attention than any other order, 
with diptera a good second, and parasitic hymenoptera particularly well 
expounded in the indoor meeting reports. Reports on indoor and field 
meetings together occupied about one-third of the volume. Short notes, 
contributed as such, have been lacking this year; but the reports on the 
indoor meetings continue to give abstracts about exhibits and communica- 
tions by members; these together with the field meeting reports have 
provided a great variety of observations, so that our publication cannot 
be said to lack this feature except in a formal sense. An innovation was 
made in introducing a feature entitled ‘Entomological Misadventures’, to 
consist of light-hearted short narratives. Further contributions to this 
series are invited and if few or none are received one must conclude that 
our members are invariably fortunate and pursue their hobby or profession 
most uneventfully; or alternatively cannot bring themselves to tell of their 
misadventures. It appears from comments received that readers are satisfied 
with our Proceedings as now published and it is therefore proposed to 
continue along the same lines for another year at least. Thanks are again 
due to the editorial assistants Prof. T. R. E. Southwood, and Messrs. T. G. 
Howarth, M. Tweedie and R. W. J. Uffen, and to our printers Messrs. 
Charles Phipps Ltd.; and not least the contributors without whom the editor 
would edit in vain and the printers have less employment. 


CURATOR’S REPORT 

The past year has been one of satisfying progress in nearly all spheres 
of activity. A further re-arrangement of cabinets and equipment allows 
members more space and makes things easier for everyone. 

Work on most orders is progressing very well. The lepidopterous larvae, 
which are in fine order, have been completely re-housed in two Hill units 
by the energy of Mr. W. Parker. The re-organisation of the British and 
European Rhopalocera is gradually taking place. Members now travel and 
collect abroad much more frequently, and the Society, in line with this, 
hopes to have the Palaearctic lepidopterous fauna well represented. We 
have been very fortunate in the donation to the Society of a collection of 
Scandinavian lepidoptera, both Rhopalocera and Heterocera, by one of 
our members, Mr. S. Torstenius, who lives in Sweden. The negotiations and 
transport of the specimens is being undertaken by Mr. C. B. Ashby. The 
first selection of lepidoptera, in beautiful condition, were shown at the 
Annual Exhibition at Chelsea Town Hall on 29th October 1977. I would 
like to thank Mr. Torstenius and Mr. C. B. Ashby for their efforts on 
behalf of the Society. I must also thank another of our members, Mr. L. 
McLeod, who kindly presented the Society with four store boxes of 
Microlepidoptera, amongst which were some uncommon and rare species. 

The response made during 1977 for duplicate specimens and sub-species 
of the British Rhopalocera has been very poor, and I appeal once again 
to members for duplicate specimens. Those species most required are: 
Luperina nickerlii (Freyer) s.sp. Knilli Boursin, Trisateles emortualis (D. & 
S.), Eupithecia phoeniceata (Rambur), and Spargania luctuata (D. & S.). 

Work is continuing on the new Diptera cabinet, which is being laid 
out with more space allowed for new species and more specimens. The 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 @ 61 


Tipulidae especially, have been much enhanced over the past year by the 
admirable work of Mr. P. J. Chandler and Mr. A. E. Stubbs. 

The incorporation of the Massee collection of Coleoptera is progressing 
well in the capable hands of Mr. R. D. Weal, and when completed 
a start will be made on the re-housing of the Joy colection of Coleoptera. 
I am grateful to Mr. Weal who also collected and brought back from the 
National Museum of Wales some store boxes containing coleoptera 
belonging to the Society. 

Three small cabinets, a number of store boxes and various items surplus 
to requirements were sold at the Annual Exhibition by Mr. W. Parker, 
who I must thank once again for undertaking the task of selling the same 
and realising the handsome sum of £145. 

A microscope placed on loan by the late Mr. A. E. Gardner and of no 
known whereabouts has, I am pleased to report, been returned by the 
person whom it was loaned. 

Members have taken advantage of the number of duplicate specimens 
made available during the year and some specimens of a few species have 
been loaned to specialists for research. 

The thanks of the Society are due to the following members for donations 
to the collections: Prof. J. Owen (Coleoptera), Mr. R. D. Weal (Coleoptera), 
Mr. P. Sokoloff (Coleoptera), Mr. S. A. Williams (Coleoptera) and Mr. 
E. S. Bradford (Microlepidoptera). Also, thanks must go to Mr. M. Tweedie, 
Mr. W. Parker and Mr. A. A. Allen for the contribution of a number of 
colour transparencies on various subjects to the Society’s collection. This 
increasing stock of transparencies is now being catalogued by Mr. E. H. 
Wild. 

Lastly, I must thank the assistant curators who have borne the brunt of 
the work on collections during the year. 


LIBRARIAN’S REPORT 

During the year Miss V .Dick resigned and in October I was appointed 
her successor. 

I am pleased to say that considerable progress has been made towards 
sorting out the library, an exercise which at first seemed insurmountable. 
In particular, many of the interesting journals received by the Society have 
been classified and shelved and are now readily accessible to members, who, 
it is hoped, will take advantage of the more spacious arrangement. 

There still remains a considerable amount of work to be done, and the 
offer of one or two members to act as assistants during the course of this 
year would be very welcome. Two matters of immediate concern are, 
firstly, the requirement of more shelves, and secondly the need to bind 
certain of the journals. 

For a library to be run efficiently, books must be returned by the stipu- 
lated date; far too many members have borrowed books and failed to 
return them on time, despite annual requests at each AGM. In some cases 
the books are literally years overdue. The matter is serious, for while 
depriving other members of the opportunity to read the books, the mis- 
conduct strikes a distinctly discordant note with the standards set by the 
Society. I would remind offenders that under the bye-laws, a fine is 
chargeable on overdue books. 

Before naming some of the books generously donated to the library, I 
should like to thank Messrs. G. Prior and E. Bradford for their invaluable 
guidance and assistance during my induction period to this office. In reading 
out some of the books donated, I must apologise for any omissions and 
trust that the donors are not unduly offended. Omitting some reprints of 
some value, the books include: British Tortricoid Moths, Vol. 1, by J. 


62 ‘es PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Bradley, W. G. Tremewan and A. Smith, donated by Miss Wakely. Butter- 
flies and Moths of the U.K., by W. G. Kirby, donated by Mrs. Holroyd. 
An Atlas of the Marine Mollusca of the British Isles, by National Environ- 
ment Research Council, donated by Mr. J. Heath. Dragonflies of the 
British Isles, by C. Hammond, donated by the author. The Scientific Results 
of the Oman Flora and Fauna Survey 1975, by various authors, donated 
by Mr. E. P. Wiltshire. I must also mention receipt of Alexanor and other 
publications, regularly donated by Mr. S. N. A. Jacobs. 


REPORT ON THE HERING MEMORIAL RESEARCH FUND IN 1977 

No reports have been received from recipients of awards in the year 
1976-77. 

A sum of £200 was available for grants for the year 1977-78. A request 
early in the year for an immediate payment to defray the cost of the 
publication of a paper was rejected, since awards are not normally made 
for this purpose or ahead of the closing date for applications. 

Subsequently there were three applicants, all of whom are receiving 
awards of £160, they are follows: — 

(i) S. Trifourkis, for travel expenses to study Mycetophilidae (fungus- 
gnats) in the field. Since receiving his grant, Mr. Trifourkis has had a 
Ph.D. degree conferred on him for his work on this project. He is con- 
tining his research and is currently writing a paper on the taxonomy of 
the group. 

(ii) M. R. Wilson, of the Department of Zoology, University of Cardiff, 
for travel expenses to collect larval mines of the British Phyllonorycter 
(Lep., Gracillariidae). He is working on a key to the pupae, which he will 
make available to Dr. I. A. Watkinson for inclusion in the section on that 
genus in The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 2. 
The purpose of the key is to help lepidopterists to record species from the 
early stages alone. It will also be of value to students of the parasitic 
Hymenoptera wishing to identify hosts which have been killed in the pupal 
stage. 

(iii) A. M. Emmet, towards the cost of travel to the extreme north of 
Scotland to study lepidopterous leaf-miners restricted to that area. Three 
of these, Bucculatrix capreella Kogerus, Parornix alpicola (Wocke) and P. 
leucostola Pelham-Clinton, have life-histories which are unknown or 
imperfectly known and which need to be described in The Moths and 
Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 2. There are also four species 
of Nepticulidae requiring further study and there is a possibility of finding 
certain Scandinavian species not yet recorded from Britain. 

The Council’s report was read by the Hon. Secretary and Vice-President, 
its approval being proposed and seconded by Messrs. Baker and Jacobs 
respectively. The Hon. Treasurer moved the adoption of his report, and 
this was seconded by Mr. Bowden. The editor similarly moved the adoption 
of his report, and this was seconded by Lt. Col. Emmet. Messrs. Chalmers- 
Hunt and Jacobs seconded the approval of the reports of the Curator and 
Librarian respectively, which those officers moved; Lt. Col. Emmet proposed 
and Mr. J. Heath seconded the acceptance of the Hering Memorial Report. 
All the above were passed without opposition. 

Under Bye-law 25(b) the meeting was thrown open for queries and 
suggestions, and Mr. Bowden asked whether the older slides were being 
copied on to smaller size transparencies. The Hon. Secretary explained the 
situation and Mr. J. Heath undertook to see whether this task was 
practicable at his laboratory. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 63 


The President then declared the following elected for 1978: President, 
G. Prior, F.L.S., F.R.E.S.; Vice-Presidents, R. S. Tubbs, O.B.E., F.R.1.B.A., 
F.R.E.S. and Rev. D. J. L. Agassiz, M.A.; Treasurer, R. F. Bretherton, 
C.B., M.A.; Secretary, E. H. Wild, L.Inst.Biol.; Curator, E. S. Bradford; 
Librarian, Dr. A. A. Allen, Ph.D., B.Sc.; Lanternist, S. A. Knill-Jones; 
Editor, E. P. Wiltshire, C.B.E., B.A., F.R.E.S., M.L.I.; Ordinary Members 
of Council: P. A. Sokoloff, M.Sc., M.I.Biol., A.I.S.T., F.R.E.S.; R. Dyke; 
B. F. Skinner; W. G. Tremewan, M.I.Biol.; Col. D. H. Sterling, F.R.E.S.; 
Bees vackson: ©. G, Roche, F.G.A; A. E, Stubbs; B:Sc.;> Mrs. FE. M: 
Murphy, B.Sc.; R. Fairclough. 

The President then gave his address, illustrated by beautiful transparencies 
made by R. Revels. He then inducted the new President into the chair. 
The latter proposed a vote of thanks to his predecessor for the work on 
the Society’s behalf he had done during the year and also for the address. 
Dr. C. G. de Worms then remarked on the healthy finances of the Society 
and thanked the Treasurer in this connexion; he proposed a vote of thanks 
to all the officers. These motions were passed nem. con. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS 


The President said that a secretary of field meetings and a recorder, who 
would attend to chairs and books at indoor meetings, were needed and 
asked for members to volunteer for these positions. He also asked that 
the auditors, Messrs. J. L. Messenger and A. G. Stoughton-Harris, should 
be re-elected, which was done. 


FIELD MEETINGS 


SWANAGE — 14th May 1977 
Leader — Mr. P. J. BAKER 


This meeting was the first in the series in which it was intended to 
produce a detailed survey of the Lepidoptera and other insect orders to 
be found in the Durlston County Park. 

Four members and two guests attended on a sunny though cool day. 
A light breeze moderated at dusk and a rapid fall in temperature dis- 
couraged any intent to work with lights after dark. 

Pieris rapae (L.) and Parage egeria (L.) were the only butterflies noted. 
Larvae of Endothenia gentianaeana (Hiibn.) were found in the heads of 
the previous year’s teasles (Dipsacus spp.) and Myelois cribrella (Hibn.) 
in the dried stems of thistles. 

Holm oak and hawthorn were worked for larvae, which proved to be 
few in number and small in size. Those which were large enough to permit 
identification included: Nola cucullatella (L.), Operophtera brumata (L.), 
Euproctis similis (Fuess.) and Allophyes oxyacanthae (L.)—all on haw- 
thorn. 

The following imagines were flushed or otherwise seen in flight: Pseudo- 
swammerdamia combinella (Hiibn.), Ancylis comptana (Froélich), Incurvaria 
masculella (D. & S.), Cydia succedana (D. & S.), Elachista rufocinerea 
(Haw.) and E. argentella (Clerck). 

Professor Owen kindly provided the following Coleoptera records with 
the comment that though no rarities are included, several species are quite 
local: Harpalus ardosiacus Lut., H. smaragdinus (Duft.), Metabletus trun- 


64 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


catellus (L.), Brachinus crepitans (L.), Astenus gracilis (Payk.) f. lyonessius 
Joy, Drusilla canaliculata (Fabr.), Timarcha goettingensis (L.), Phyllotreta 
diademeta Foudras, Psilothrix viridicoeruleus (Fouc.), Apion fuscirostre 
(Fabr.), Otiorrhyncus clavipes (Bonsd.) and Phyllobius oblongus (L.). 

A feature of the area was the relative profusion of orchids in flower — 
these were: Orchis sphegodes (Mill.), the early spider; O. mascula (L.), the 
early purple; O. morio (L.), the green winged, and O. fuchsii (Druce), the 
spotted orchid. 


BROXBOURNE WOODS, HERTS. — 28th May 1977 
Leader — Rev. Davib AGASSIZ 

The scheduled leader, Mr. J. Reid, was prevented from attending by a 
family bereavement, so a substitute was found at short notice with a 
consequent lack of preparation. However, the fine weather did much to 
compensate, with cloudless skies and warm sunshine it was about the hottest 
day so far in 1977. Six members, with members of their families making 
up a party of 12, met at Broxbourne Station and proceeded by car to the 
woods near Hoddesdon. 

Seven butterfly species were noted on the wing: Erynnis tages (Linn.) 
(grizzled skipper), Pieris rapae (Linn.) (small white), P. napi (Linn.) (green- 
veined white), Anthocharis cardamines (Linn.) (orange tip), Callophrys rubi 
(Linn.) (green hairstreak), Lycaena phlaeas (Linn.) (small copper) and 
Lasiommata megera (Linn.) (wall). Other macrolepidoptera seen by day 
were Cyclophora albipunctata (Hufn.), Xanthorhoe montanata (D. & S.), 
Asthena albulata (Hufn.), Petrophora chlorosata (Scop.), Pseudopanthera 
macularia (Linn.) and Callistege mi (Clerck). Among the ‘micros’ were 
Ectoedemia argyropeza (Zell.), Incurvaria masculella (D. & S.), Nemato- 
pogon swammerdamella (Linn.), Adela reamurella (Linn.), Psyche casta 
(Pallas), Esperia sulphurella (Fabr.), Cydia jungiella (Clerck), Epiblema 
scutulana (D. & S.), Syndemis musculana (Hiibn.) and Eulia ministrana 
(Linn.). 

Larvae of the following species were noted and some were subsequently 
bred. ‘Macros’: Alsophila aescularia (D. & S.), Anticlea badiata (D. & S.), 
A. derivata (D. & S.), Apocheima pilosaria (D. & S.), Bupalus piniaria 
(Linn.), Diloba caeruleocephala (Linn.) and Cosmia trapezina (Linn.); 
‘micros’: Paraswammerdamia lutarea (Haw.), Coleophora hemerobiella 
(Scop.), Epiblema roborana (D. & S.), Croesia bergmanniana (Linn.), 
Eurhodope advenella (Zinck.), Stenoptilia pterodactyla (Linn.) and Cnaemi- 
dophorus rhododactyla (D. & S.). This last-named species was the most 
interesting, but larvae in their characteristic spinnings were scarcely half 
grown. It was noted that this species seems to be very selective about the 
type of rose it chooses to feed on, but none of the members was able to 
name the species with any confidence. 

Among the more noteworthy birds in evidence the President recorded 
the following: Nightingale, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Cuckoo, Reed 
Bunting and Great spotted Woodpecker. 

Two members stayed on for night collecting and were joined by another 
local member. The night was clear and cold and the catch consequently 
disappointing, but one member was rewarded with a specimen of Selenia 
lunularia (Hubn.); other species added to the daytime list were: Nemapogon 
cloacella (Haw.), Tinea trinotella (Thunb.), Pseudotelphusa scalella (Scop.), 
Epiblema cynosbatella (Linn.), Lobesia abscissana (Doubl.), Capua vulgana 
(Froél.), Crambus pratella (Linn.), Scoparia ambigualis (Treits.), Epirrhoe 
alternata (Mill.), Eupithecia vulgata (Haw.), Cerura vinula (Linn.), Clostera 
curtula (Linn.) and Colocasia coryli (Linn.). 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 65 


CANEWDON SALTMARSH AND HOCKLEY WOOD — 11th June 1977 


Leader — Mr. R. W. J. UFFEN 


Messrs. Uffen, Hammond, Lindsley and Tomlinson went to Hockley 
Station for the start of this meeting, but as the leader was unaware of 
the existence of two entrances to this small station, the party split into 
two at once. In view of the blustery weather and threatened showers the 
first three members sought the protection of Hockley Wood, whilst the 
fourth went to the marsh towards Creeksea Ferry Inn, an area visited 
at the end of the day by the leader. 

Hockley Wood is a fine, mixed deciduous wood, approaching a square 
mile in area. The canopy is open in parts, allowing a rich, continuous 
ground flora with much grass. Within 200 m. of an entrance to the north- 
west of the wood Luzula pilosa (L.) Willd., Chamaenerion angustifolium 
(L.) Scop., Stellaria holostea L., Endymion nonscriptus (L.) Garcke, Urtica 
dioica L., Rumex sp., Melampyrum pratense L., Melica uniflora Retz., Poa 
nemoralis L., Rubus fruticosus agg. and Sarothamnus scoparius (L.) 
Wimmer were noted. The oak standards had produced an abundant crop 
of seedlings. 

Holly, honeysuckle and nut accompanied saplings of the main trees in 
the understory, with aspen in the lower, damper south-east. An area of 
chestnut here had been cut to leave one standard from each neglected 
stump of coppice. An examination of the abundant wood mould in the 
crotches of these coppice stumps revealed no obvious signs of insect 
inhabitants. The trunks provided a crop of cases of the psychid moth 
Taleporia pseudobombycella (Hubn.) and many adult Ectoedemia argenti- 
pedella (Zeller) nepticulid moths. 

Groups of small Service trees (Sorbus torminalis (L.) Ehrh.) were noted 
in the eastern part of the wood. Formica ants abounded in the higher, drier 
parts and diverse common insects appeared there between the showers. 

The leader drove through Canewdon to end the afternoon at Creeksea 
Ferry. On the way marsh vegetation in the bottom of a worked-out gravel 
pit looked worth further attention before the active programme of filling 
in destroys it. Adjacent was a large area of willow, some shrubs carrying 
dense clusters of bud-like galls up to 3 cm. diameter growing from axils 
on their twigs. 

Near Creeksea Malacosoma castrensis \|arvae were sought where they 
have been found in recent years, but none were seen. Much time was spent 
searching for insects on Artemisia maritima L. along a causeway and 
beside the road, but only one species could be found: a homopteron covered 
in white, waxy filaments and feeding mainly on the woody stems at the 
base of the plants. Several were maintained in captivity until July, when 
they became nomadic and drowned after long periods of immersion in 
the water keeping their foodplant fresh. Baby individuals appeared at 
this time, but they too failed to settle. 


DENNY BOG, NEW FOREST — 18th June 1977 


Leaders — Col. D. H. STERLING and Mr. M. J. STERLING 


Seven members and three visitors attended; the day was cold and over- 
cast. Nothing was on the wing, and the morning was spent working the 
heath and bog on the Lyndhurst side of the railway towards Matley. 
Perconia strigillaria (Hibn.), the grass wave, Ematurga atomaria (L.), the 
heath moth, and Phytometra viridaria (Clerck), the small purple bar, were 


66 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


quite easily disturbed from the heather. Chlorissa viridata (L.), the small 
grass emerald, was fairly common, but more inclined to sit than be dis- 
turbed. All members requiring this species obtained it, including females 
for breeding. Micros found included Plutella xylostella (L.), Pleurota 
bicostella (Clerck), Cochylis nana (Haworth) and Lampronia fuscatella 
(Tengstr6m). A single penultimate instar larva of Dasychira fascelina (L.), 
the dark tussock, was found. 

The afternoon and early evening were spent working the heath and bog 
adjoining both sides of the railway, and some time was devoted to close 
searching of the heather. This produced large numbers of newly hatched 
larvae of Saturnia pavonia (L.), the Emperor moth, and also some 
unhatched egg-batches. Egg-batches of Macrothylacia rubi (L.), the fox 
moth, were also very common, and a dead female was found. A further 
larva of D. fascelina, this one in its last instar, was also taken, as were 
a number of fully grown larvae of Pachycnemia hippocastanaria (Hubn.), 
the horse chestnut. Two pupal cases of the large Psychid, Pachythelia 
villosella (Ochs.) were found on heather and a number of another, Taleporia 
tubulosa (Retzius), on near-by pine-trunks. Three more species of macro- 
lepidoptera and some micros were added to the imagines taken in the 
morning. 

The party left the heath and bog for an area dominated by ancient 
woodland oaks, near Denny Lodge, at about 9 p.m. A mixture of eight 
mercury-vapour and actinic lamps were set up and an area sugared. Insects 
appeared, but only in ones and twos. One large and very persistent visitor 
to an actinic lamp was a very large queen hornet, Vespa crabro (L.), 
which finally had to be boxed for later release. In all, some 20 different 
species of Lepidoptera were identified, including Acronicta alni (L.), the 
alder moth, both marbled browns: Drymonia dodonaea (D. & S.) and 
ruficornis (Hufn.), Ectropis extensaria (Freyer), the brindled white spot, 
Dipterygia scabriuscula (L.), the bird’s wing, and Aethes smeathmanniana 
(L.). Some micros are still to be identified. 

The weather turned colder about 1.30 a.m. and the meeting ended after 
a long day thoroughly enjoyed by all, even if the catches were rather 
small. 


SANDWICH BAY, KENT — 18th/19th June 1977 
Leader — Dr. I. A. WATKINSON 


A wet and windy night greeted the eight or nine people who attended 
the evening-half of this joint field meeting with the Kent Field Club. In 
the few hours before dusk, a considerable effort was put into searching for 
larvae, mainly of micros and several of the area’s specialities were recorded, 
often in numbers. The larvae of Stenodes alternana (Steph.) were very 
common in the unopened flower heads of Centaurea exuding characteristic 
piles of frass from their entry holes and a number of these were subse- 
quently reared. Larvae of Agonopterix cnicella (Treit.) were as usual very 
common on sea holly. Spinnings in sea buckthorn later produced a series 
of Spilonota ocellana (D. & S.) whilst the bulk of all the other spinnings 
subsequently produced adults of Cnephasia longana (Haw.), C. interjectana 
(Haw.) and C. incertana (Treit.). The other larvae of note were a number 
of Marasmarcha lunaedactyla (Haw.) well camouflaged on the shoots of 
the rest harrow, a few Mesotype virgata (Mufu) feeding at night on bed- 
straw and Cochylis atricapitana (Steph.) feeding in the heads of Senecio, 
all of which were subsequently reared. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 67 


By kind permission of Princes Golf Club, a convoy of six cars were 
allowed to drive across the links in heavy drizzle to the edge of the nature 
reserve where we were able to set up some nine mercury vapour and 
actinic lights in what little shelter could be found. The light in the lee of the 
small pine plantation produced an unexpectedly high catch and boosted the 
list of species considerably. Several species typical of the area were recorded 
including Sideridis albicolon (Hubn.) Pyrrhia umbra (Hufn.), Cucullia 
umbratica (Linn.), Deilephila porcellus (Linn.) and Arctia villa (Ober.) In 
addition, a fine fresh Thisanotia chrysonuchella (Scop.) was netted at dusk 
by Paul Sokoloff. 

The leader left sometime in the early hours to arrive back the next 
morning as the last of the night’s collectors were departing after having 
stayed on the golf links all night. Five more entomologists gathered in 
dryer but still windy conditions and several of the species seen the night 
before were gathered. The breeding reports from these activities are still 
not complete, but in addition to those previously mentioned, a series of 
Gypsonoma sp. were reared from larvae feeding commonly in the terminal 
shoots of Populus alba and one Anacampsis populella from leaves of the 
same plant. Many of the sea buckthorn plants were being defoliated by 
full grown larvae of the brown-tail Euproctis chrysorrhoea (Linn.). Several 
Gelechiids were taken by Eric Bradford flying in sheltered spots out of the 
breeze but these need confirmation. A number of Coleoptera and other 
orders were swept in small numbers by two other members of the society, 
of which Martin Newcombe supplied several records which include Platy- 
arthrus hoffmannseggi Brandt, a local species of woodlouse recorded from 
the nest of an ant believed to be Lasius flavus. Amongst the Orthoptera 
were taken Chorthippus parallelus (Zett.), Conocephalus discolor Thunb. 
and Tettigonia virridissima Linn. A specimen of Ectobius panzeri Steph., 
one of our native cockroaches, was tentatively identified from a nymph 
taken under marram grass. The Hemiptera-Heteroptera were represented 
by Anthocoris nemorum Linn., Kleidocerys resedae (Panz.), Liocoris. tripus- 
tulatus (Fab.), Notostira elongata (Geoff.), Pithanus maerkeli (H.-S.), Podops 
inuncta (Fab.) and Scolopostethus affinis (Schill.). A balanced afternoon 
was rounded off by finding a young leveret crouching in long grass by the 
Toad. 

On the way home, the leader stopped near Ashford to check for larvae 
of Acleris sheperdana (Steph.) in Spiraea shoots. Several spinnings were 
taken and from these a very good series was later reared. Altogether a 
most enjoyable weekend. 


NORTHWARD HILL N.N.R., KENT — 25th June 1977 
Leader — Mr. M. J. NEWCOMBE 

Apart from the leader, the only other member to attend this meeting 
was the curator, Mr. E. Bradford, despite weather conditions which proved 
almost ideal for collecting. Whilst waiting at the church for the arrival 
of other members, a look was taken at the churchyard, which contained 
a number of lichen-encrusted memorial stones, from one of which a rather 
melanic specimen of the dipteron Tabanus bromius L. was taken. 

The reserve was rich in species, and Mr. Bradford collected a number 
of new records for this site, of which Alabonia geoffrella (L.), Scoparia 
ambigualis (Treits.), and Anthophila fabriciana (L.) were especially abun- 
dant, the latter especially so amongst stinging nettle. The most impressive 
find of the day was that of Ectoedemia subbimaculella (Haw.), several 
thousand of these tiny moths being seen resting on the trunks of oak 
trees in a particularly sheltered part of the wood. A single larva of 


68 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Quercusia quercus (L.) was taken from beneath a log. Other species 
recorded included Hepialus lupulinus (L.), Nemophora degeerella (L.), 
Tinea semifulvella (Haw.), Argyresthia curvella (L.), Epinotia trimaculana 
(Don.), Orthotaenia undulana (D. & S.), Hedya pruniana (Hiibn.), Pseudar- 
gyrotoza conwagana (F.), Chrysoteuchia culmella culmella (L.), Scoparia 
arundinata (Thunb.), Udea olivalis (D. & S.), Camptogramma bilineata 
bilineata (L.), and Hypena proboscidalis (L.). 

The leader examined the heteropterous fauna and recorded the rather 
local bug Legnotus limbosus (Geoff.) which was extremely abundant 
amongst moss and litter covering a small heap of discarded tarmacadam. 
On stinging nettles Eysarcoris fabricii Kirk., Heterogaster urticae (F.), 
Scolopstethus affinis (Schill.), S$. grandis Horv., Himacerus mirmicoides 
Costa, Anthocoris nemorum (L.), Orius niger (Wolff), Psallus varians (H.-S.), 
Heterotoma merioptera (Scop.), Liocoris tripustulatus (F.), and Calocoris 
norvegicus (L.), were recorded. The oak fauna was equally rich, with bugs 
such as the shoot-sucking Calocoris quadripunctatus Villers abundant on 
solitary oaks, whilst Phylus melanocephalus (L.), Cyllecoris histrionicus 
(L.), and a single late adult of Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus (Deg.), 
were found in oak stands. Other bugs noted were Podops inuncta (F.), 
Kleidocerys resedae (Panz.), Drymus sylvaticus (L.), Cymus melanocephalus 
Fieb., Tingis ampliata (H.-S.) and T. cardui (L.) (both on spear thistle, 
Cirsium vulgare Ten.), Nabis rugosus (L.), Deraeocoris scutellaris (F.), 
Plagiognathus arbustorum (F.), Dicyphus epilobii Reut. (unusually scarce 
on the willowherb, Epilobium hirsutum L.), Phytocoris dimidiatus Kirschb., 
Capsus ater (L.), Notostira elongata (Geoff.), and Leptopterna dolobrata 
(ie): 

Finally, the assistance of the warden, Mr. R. E. Scott, in so kindly 
allowing us to visit all parts of the reserve, must be most gratefully 


acknowledged. 
CURRENT LITERATURE 
BOOKS 
The British Butterflies: their origin and establishment by R. L. H. Dennis. 

E. W. Classey Ltd., 1977, 318 pp. Price £10.00. 

Pioneer studies on this subject were made by E. B. Ford and B. P. 
Beirne more than thirty years ago, and up-dating and re-examination are 
long overdue. Mr. Dennis devotes the first section of his book to a compre- 
hensive survey of recent research into the glacial and post-glacial geography, 
climate, flora and remains of coleoptera in the British Isles and northern 
Europe, both on a national and regional basis, in order to set the framework 
within which he believes that the present species of butterflies arrived and 
established continuous existence here. The evidence which he uses is, 
though detailed, still very incomplete, and much of it is uncertain or 
contradictory on the vital point of dating; and his handling of it is marred 
by excessive use of technical terminology which is not well explained and 
is hard to follow. His conclusions, however, are in startling contrast to 
those of the earlier writers. Though he does not deny that butterflies 
may have existed here earlier, he states categorically that none could have 
survived the maximum of the last main glaciation, either on the present 
land surface or, as Ford and Beirne suggested, on ice-free land since 
submerged as sea levels rose with the melting of the ice sheets. This 
maximum, which he calls Devensian in the British Isles, Weichselian in 
Europe, he dates to about 15,000 to 18,000 years ago. Indeed, he goes 
further, arguing that one at least of the cold periods (‘Zone III’) which 
followed the initial warming of the climate and withdrawal of the ice 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 69 


would have made the establishment of all but a handful of our present 
species improbable until the pre-Boreal period about 12,000 years ago, after 
which the climate became for a time better than at present. If these 
conclusions are correct, they have much biological significance, since they 
allow vastly less time than previously for the development of British and 
Irish subspecies and local races, which is dealt with in Section C of the 
book. But the conclusions are not beyond question. Mr. Dennis himself 
finds difficulty in discovering for so recent a date a land connection with 
Ireland, which is necessary to explain the presence there today of nearly 
half of the British species. Further, he endorses both in text and map the 
view that in England Devensian ice sheets did not extend south-east of 
the Humber/Severn line; yet his contention that the country between it 
and the present shores of the North Sea and English Channel was clima- 
tically uninhabitable for butterflies seems to overlook the fact that some 
twenty species on the British list now breed in Fenno-Scandia within the 
Arctic Circle. 

Section B deals competently with the distribution of species within the 
period of record, discussing both their discontinuities and apparent changes 
in recent times; and there is interesting discussion of the forces governing 
the adaptation of several species to different or changing environments. 
Subspecies and local races are treated in Section C, subject always to the 
argument that their existence or non-existence gives little or no clue to 
the dates of which species became established in Britain. The long last 
Section suggests a new arrival sequence, which is compared in tabular 
form with the sequences provided by Beirne and Ford, from which it differs 
greatly. In building up his own argument the author gives much weight 
to the large oscillations of climate, both as regards temperature and 
humidity and sunshine, since the maximum of the Devensian ice age. His 
picture is one of a general arrival and extensive spread of most species 
during the warm pre-Boreal and Boreal periods, followed by contractions 
of range in the British mainland and probably by extinctions in Ireland, 
outlying islands, and even Britain itself during one or other of the cooler 
or damper periods which followed, or resulting from man-made changes 
in environment. Once considerable barriers of sea had appeared between 
the British Isles themselves and between Britain and Europe, further 
colonisation or recolonisation became almost impossible for any butterfly 
species except those now recognised as migratory. 

This book is full of interesting material and stimulating interpretation 
of it. Much of both is, however. more uncertain and controversial than 
the author seems to recognise. He could with advantage have written it in 
simpler language and with more thought for presentation to the many 
non-technical entomologists who may try to read it. The bibliography is 
excellent, and the printing is good and accurate, although more conspicuous 
and larger type for the numbering and captions of the many figures and 
tables would have been an improvement. 

R.F.B. 


Insect Photography for the Amateur by P. E. Lindsley. Amateur Ento- 
mologists’ Society. 

In the pursuit of insects, both as trophies and as objects of research, 
the camera is already an established rival of the net. Mr. Lindsley takes 
us right through the whole subject of insect photography, including basic 
principles, choice of camera and other equipment and the numerous 
accessories designed for close-up work. Throughout he does not simply 


70 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


lay down the law, but explains why this accessory is useful in photographing 
insects and that one can be dispensed with. Lighting, with the emphasis 
on electronic flash, is treated in the same way. 

In his chapter 5, ‘Getting Down To It’, he makes it clear that he is 
writing from experience, and the first paragraph ends with the words: ‘I 
cannot emphasise too strongly that the key to success is practice and 
experimentation, coupled, particularly in early days, with keeping meticulous 
details of every picture you take.’ Good advice indeed. He distinguishes 
between the ‘record shot’, usually taken indoors to show the subject’s 
visible characteristics, and the ‘natural history shot’ which is taken in the 
field to show some aspect of its behaviour. Each of them is as important 
and valid a branch of insect photography as the other, and useful advice 
is given on both. 

The final section on photographing mounted or set specimens is contri- 
buted by Mr. D. Carter and completes a practical and valuable summary 
of the subject. 

M.W.F.T. 


The Dragonflies of Great Britain and Ireland by C. O. Hammond. Curwen 

IBEESSn Lou. 

The British list of Odonata numbers no more than 44, and all are 
relatively large insects. Nevertheless, identification of the species is by no 
means easy. The separation characters, largely of pattern and colour, are 
difficult to describe verbally, often variable and frequently as distinct 
between conspecific males and females as between the same sexes of allied 
species. An added complication is the change in coloration that often takes 
place as newly eclosed or ‘teneral’ specimens grow to imaginal maturity. 

By means of keys and descriptions carefully correlated, item by item, 
with numbered drawings and diagrams, all in colour, this beautifully 
produced and illustrated book provides, for the first time, a means of 
confidently determining specimens of dragonflies and damselflies in the 
British fauna. Mr. Hammond, who is both author and artist, deserves 
congratulations and thanks from us all, and his book will do much to 
stimulate interest in our native Odonata. 

The well known keys and drawings by the late A. E. Gardner, illustrating 
the aquatic early stages, are incorporated as a final chapter. It is a matter 
for deep regret that Mr. Gardner’s untimely death prevented him from 
contributing an expanded version of this section of the book. Distribution 
maps from John Heath of Monk’s Wood provide a valuable appendix. 

Many beginners in entomology are dismayed and put off by the standard 
‘key’, in which one, or at the most two, characters are selected to serve 
for separation and are supported by quite inadequate illustrations or none 
at all. Books modelled on Hammond’s ‘Dragonflies’ are laborious to produce 
and expensive to publish, but surely they are worth while. Let us hope 
that some other suitable categories of British insects will before long 
receive similar treatment. 

M.W.F.T. 


Naamlijst van de Nederlandse Lepidoptera by B. J. Lempke. Koninklijke 
Nederlandse Natuurhistorische Vereningung, Amsterdam, 1976, 99 pp. 
No price stated. 

This list complements the ‘Check List of British Insects’ as revised by 

Bradley, Fletcher and Whalley in 1972. Like that, it lists all taxa at sub- 

specific level, and it follows it closely in arrangement and nomenclature. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 71 


Changes to take account of later published work are most evident in the 
Nepticulidae, which have been recast, and in the Oecophoridae, which have 
been split into three sub-families with revision of generic names. In the 
Papilionoidea no less than fifteen more sub-families have been introduced, 
without apparent profit to anyone except the printer. It is interesting that 
in the Noctuidae Actinotia polyodon (Clerck) has returned to Boursin’s 
place for it among the Amphipyrinae, while another taxonomic lost soul, 
Axilia putris (Linnaeus), is retained among the Noctuinae at the price of 
a change in generic spelling. The foreword, introduction, and commentary 
on special points in families are in Dutch, but there is a one-page epilogue 
in English. This reviewer regrets that numbering of the taxa has not been 
used for the text and index: this would be of much help in finding them 
quickly and in references. 

The two lists together provide an easy means of comparing the lepidop- 
tera of the two countries. The epilogue tells us that, after excluding extinct, 
doubtful, and casual species, which are marked by symbols, the British 
list counts 2,247, the Dutch 2,109. However, much of the British superiority 
comes from the larger number counted as separate sub-species. Thus in the 
Hesperoidea and Papilionoidea the British list counts 100 taxa (? not all 
worthily), of which only 66 represent separate species, while the Dutch 
count is 86, of which all but one are specific: so by the usual standard 
the Netherlands wins easily after all! 

The Naamlijst is very clearly printed on excellent paper, and it has an 
attractive colour picture of Arctia caja (Linnaeus) on its cover. It deserves 
a place in all entomological libraries. 

R.F.B. 


Die Schillerfalter by Ekkehard Friederich. Die Neue Brehmbiicherei, 
A. Ziemsen— Wittenberg Lutherstadt, 1977, 112 pp., 2 colour plates, 
64 figs. Price 12 DM. 

This attractively presented paper-back summarises what has _ been 
published on the three Apatura species iris (L.) (our Purple Emperor), 
ilia (D. & S.), and metis Frr.), of which only the first inhabits Britain, and 
the third is probably known to our readers, if at all, from the British 
Museum’s fine material, or the pages of Seitz, Vol. 1. It is a group of 
perennial popular appeal. 

The morphology of all stages is illustrated and described, the figures 
including electron-scanning microphotographs of the eggs and the wing 
scaling. However, the details for A. metis refer mainly to the Far Eastern 
form substituta Butler studied by Takakura, rather than the East European 
metis metis of which, apart from good black and white photographs of 
Hungarian adults, there is comparatively little. On the vexed question of 
its specific distinctness from ilia, the author, after a literary-historical 
review, concludes that this has been established, thereby differing from 
Niculescu 1977, reviewed in our Vol. 10 (3/4): 125. It may here be added 
that the British Museum’s arrangement of the forms also presents metis 
as a distinct species. A black and white figure shows the underside 
differences between A. metis and ilia; these would appear to be greater than 
the male genitalia of the two forms. The female genitalia are not illustrated. 

Details and photographs of the eggs, larvae their foodplants and habitats, 
in Europe and Japan, are reproduced; not unexpectedly, observations from 
intermediate Asiatic localities are lacking. Heslop’s well-known notes are 
quoted at some length in the section on the habits of A. iris. A detailed 
section on breeding, hand-pairing and hybridisation appears to contain the 


ap? PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


results of considerable original work by the author, whose other personal 
contribution of interest concerns A. iris ab. iole D. & S., which he bred 
and subjected to temperature experiments; these tended to disprove an 
earlier supposition that this aberration was the consequence of unusual 
temperatures affecting the pupa. The numbering of the hindwing veins in 
fig. 24 is decidedly unorthodox; after counting the two anals as 1 & 2, the 
author arrives at a figure 9 for the costal! 

On the whole we warmly recommend this most useful guide and summary 
to all students of Rhopalocera who can read and understand German. 

E.P.W. 


A Guide to the Butterflies of Central and Southern Africa by E. Pinhey 
and I. Loe. 1977, Causton, London and Eastleigh. Long 8vo., 106 pp. 
with 29 coloured plates in watercolours depicting 135 species, together 
with a further 64 species in colour photographs taken in the field and 
numerous line drawings. Price £4.95. 

This is an excellent book and should prove most popular with those 
interested in the more common and spectacular butterflies of this area of 
Africa. The 280 life-size watercolour illustrations of adults are truly out- 
standing in their detail and accuracy. The 144 colour photographs of adults 
and sometimes larvae are extremely interesting subjects and help to convey 
the charm of these insects in their natural surroundings. 

There is a brief introduction and chapters on features of a butterfly, 
life cycle, variations in form and colour, warning coloration and mimicry, 
habits, collecting, preservation, rearing, names, families and some of their 
characteristics, a glossary, entomological dealers, African reference collec- 
tions, further reading and an index of scientific and common names. The 
various families are dealt with in their systematic order and each has 
a brief introduction with colour photographs and line drawings to illustrate 
various points. These are followed by the excellent life-study photographs 
arranged six to a page. The captions of these are placed in the page gutter 
and give brief details of habitat and distribution where these are not given 
in the main text. If these are mentioned in the text then a number is given 
which refers to the species, each of which is numbered consecutively 
throughout. The figures on the plates are also given these numbers so that 
cross references are easily found. It would have helped if reference numbers 
could have been given to illustrate various points in the introductory 
chapters and in the captions of the figures immediately associated with 
them. 

As is pointed out by the authors, the book is primarily intended for the 
beginner who should be able to identify his or her specimens quite easily 
from the excellent illustrations and at the same time to learn a little about 
the insects themselves from the necessarily brief text. 

In the reviewer’s opinion it would have been better if the scientific 
names were italicised throughout rather than use roman capitals in the 
captions of the plates and photographs. On page 13 the names Precis and 
Colotis should be in italics and also bohemani on page 24 line 8. In the 
section dealing with names no mention is made of author’s names and the 
significance of the brackets sometimes used with them, though the names 
themselves are used in the main text. It would have helped had the author’s 
name been separated from the common name by an extra space, for one is 
confronted with such strange combinations as Neave Marshall’s Highflier 
(69), Dixey Paradox (87), Trimen Bowker’s Hairstreak (68) and many 
others. Apart from these few minor criticisms, the authors and publishers 
are to be congratulated on a well produced book which is well worth its 
price for the illustrations alone. 

T. G. Howartu 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 73 


Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (Odonata) by David Keen. A.E.S. 

Leaflet No. 12. Revised Edition 1977. £1.60. 

The title suggests an essentially practical approach to the subject which 
David Keen has tackled admirably, presenting a wealth of information in 
the compass of 24 pages. 

Sections deal with habitats, life-history, collecting equipment, rearing, 
killing, pinning and setting and arrangement of the collection; amply 
helped by useful illustrations and followed up by suggestions for further 
studies. 

In dealing with the nymphs the author is careful to emphasise the 
importance of replacing in the water unneeded pond weed and debris and 
to leave the locality as it was found, and Appendix I gives a code of insect 
collecting. He rightly suggests ethyl acetate as the most suitable killing 
agent for adults but this is very difficult to obtain from local chemists. 
However, a similar product under the name of ‘Killing Fluid’ can be 
purchased at the A.E.S. Exhibition annually. Ammonia should never be 
used as this quickly removes the powder-blue pruinescence from adult 
males of Libellula and Lestes species. 

Limitation of space has precluded the inclusion of classification, though 
Appendix II gives a loose check-list for labelling the collection. There is a 
useful bibliography which will enable the student to continue the study 
after he has made himself familiar with this very readable booklet. 

COnr 


OUR CONTEMPORARIES 
Lepidoptera, 3 (2/3), 1976/77 
The Lepidoptera Society of Copenhagen has for several years been 
producing a new series under this title of high quality, with plentiful 
illustrations, particularly good of larvae, on good paper and with subject 
matter of interest to British lepidopterists. The latter will find the text 
entirely Danish and the final summaries in English, present in most articles, 
very short. The illustrations usually make up for those disadvantages and 
our readers are therefore recommended to watch out for this magazine for 
helpful material. In the current number we single out for mention a fine 
colour plate of a remarkable aberration of Mesoacidalia charlotta (L.), a 
report by J. E. Jeines on the discovery of Eriopygodes discalis (F.) in 
Denmark, in the shape of a single male at Charlottenrud, ‘probably a 
migrant from Sweden’, and an article by Michael Fibiger on the group of 
grey Cucullia species. 


Applied Entomology and Zoology, 12 (2), 1977 (Tokyo) 

Sometimes a journal of applied entomology has matter of general ento- 
mological interest, and in such cases we single out for mention here the 
articles; in the present case, this well produced review, produced by the 
Japanese Society of App. Ent. and Z., Tokyo, entirely in English despite 
its Japanese origin, contains eleven longer articles of which we select one, 
and eight shorter articles, of which we mention another. The longer is by 
K. Nakamura and K. Kawasaki and is entitled ‘The active space of the 
Spodoptera litura (F.) sex pheromone’ (pp. 162-177). This gives account of 
experiments involving the release and recapture at pheromone traps of 
moths of this species, to determine the range of effectiveness of the scent 
released by the living female or the synthetic pheromone. The maximum 
range down-wind for one virgin female was estimated at about 80 metres 
for a wind velocity of 0.50 m./sec. This distance decreased with an 
increase in wind velocity but decreased greatly with a decrease in wind 
velocity. The reason for the decreased range at low wind velocity was said 


74 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


to be deposition of the pheromone. In a windless greenhouse, the active 
space was limited to a small area close to the attractant. Quite apart from 
its relevance to recent controversies on the mode of assembling males 
of lepidoptera, which the authors do not comment on, they point out that 
this characteristic of pheromone diffusion, dependence on wind-velocity, 
will seriously affect the application of pheromone as a sampling tool of 
insect population and as a method of insect pest control. Secondly, and 
more briefly, Harushisa Wago (pp. 203-5), describes ‘Mating behaviour 
of Zizeeria maha argia in connection with visual stimuli from Zizina otis’. 
These are two allopatric but rather similar Japanese blues, differing mainly 
in upperside colouring. The optical properties of the wing undersurface 
of both species are shown by the experiment to be similar and probably to 
play an indispensable role in the male’s attraction and its attempt to 
copulate. In figure 1 the author shows a photograph of an argia male 
attempting to copulate with the undersurface of ‘a dummy of otis’ male. 
Dummies of pinned specimens of both sexes of otis placed on a leaf were 
used in these experiments, which compared the number of argia males 
approaching argia in similar conditions. The author states that mating in 
these butterflies occurs most frequently when males respond to motionless 
individuals with the undersurface exposed. The author certainly seems to 
have discovered a hitherto unsuspected factor in the courtship of blue 
butterflies, which ought to be possible for experimentalists in many parts 
of the world to confirm, or to disprove, with their own local species. 


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 Trypetidae and Agromyzidae, 

(c) Lepidoptera, particularly microlepidoptera, 

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

Awards may be made to assist travelling and other expenses necessary 
for field work, for the study of collections, for attendance at conferences, 
or, exceptionally, for the costs of publication of finished work. In total, they 
are not likely to exceed £200 in 1978/79. 

Applicants need not be resident in the United Kingdom, and research 
in any part of the world may qualify. 

Applicants should send, if possible in sextuplicate, a statement of their 
qualifications, of their plan of work, and of the precise objects and amount 
for which an award is sought, to A. M. Emmet, M.B.E., T.D., M.A., F.L.S., 
F.R.E.S., Hon. Secretary, Labrey Cottage, Victoria Gardens, Saffron Walden, 
Essex, CB11 3AF, as soon as possible and in any case not later than 
30th September, 1978. 


HANDBOOKS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF BRITISH INSECTS 
Recent additions to this series include parts on the Thysanoptera, two 
families of aphids, and a completely new edition of Kloet and Hincks 
Checklist of the Coleoptera and Strepsiptera. Thirty seven other Handbooks 
are currently in print. 
A full list of available Handbooks can be obtained from the Royal 
Entomological Society, 41 Queens Gate, LONDON, SW7 SHU. 


The Society’s Publications 


THE NEW AURELIANS 


By Dr. M. J. JAMES 


A Centenary History of the Society 
with an account of the collections 
by A. E. GARDNER, F.R.E.S. 


Price £1.00 


A GUIDE TO THE SMALLER BRITISH 


LEPIDOPTERA 
by L. T. FORD, B.A. 


This important work on the British Microlepidoptera is still available. 


Price £2.50 


SUPPLEMENT TO THE GUIDE TO THE 
SMALLER BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA 
by L. T. FORD, B.A. 
Printed on one side of the page only so that it can be cut up and inserted 
into the correct place in the Guide. 


Price £0.59 


A CATALOGUE OF BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY OF THE 
SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL 
HISTORY SOCIETY 
Compiled by T. R. EAGLES and F. T. VALLINS 

; £0.25 


THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE GARDEN 
OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE 


(Proceedings and Transactions 1963, Part 2) 
Compiled by a team of specialists. 


£1.00 


A LEPIDOPTERIST’S HANDBOOK 


The Amateur Entomologist’s Society is pleased to announce the publication 
of its latest Handbook, written by Richard Dickson. It is intended as a 
‘vade mecum’ for both beginners and initiated lepidopterists and deals with 
all aspects of the subject in a series of eleven chapters and four appendices. 
There are 34 line illustrations and 13 photographs to augment the text 
and the binding has been sewn to meet constant use. 


It is a practical book on the various facets of breeding, collecting, storing, 
conservation and photography of lepidoptera and should appeal to most 
lepidopterists. Although the various techniques relate to the British fauna, 
most are valid for lepidopterists anywhere. 


The price is £3.00 plus postage and is available from A.E.S. Publication 
Agent, 137 Gleneldon Road, London, SW16 2BQ. (An invoice will be sent 
with orders, including postage.) 


CONTENTS 


Annual Exhibition, The 1977 


Chandler, P. J., A revision of the British 
Asteidae (Diptera) including two additions 
to the British list 


Current Literature 
Editorial 
Field Meetings 


Gardiner, B. O. C., Instar number and pupal 
colouration in Palestinian Pieris brassicae 


(L.) 
Hering Memorial Research Fund, The Professor 
Hering Memorial Research Fund, Report on the 
Obituaries: (i) D. W. H. Ffennell 


(ii) H. C. Huggins (and _biblio- 
graphy) 


Officers Reports for 1977 


Proceedings 


MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY 


are held regularly at the Society’s Rooms, 


the well-known ANNUAL EXHIBITION 


63 


21 
74 
62 


34 


36 
56 
38 


but 
takes 


place 28th October, in Chelsea Old Town Hall. 


Frequent Field Meetings are held at weekends in 
the summer. Visitors are welcome at all meetings. 


The current Programme Card can be had on 


application to the Secretary. 


i 
B5 al 
rig 


OCTOBER 1978 Vol. 11, Parts 3/4 


Proceedings and Transactions of_ 
The British Entomological and 
Natural History Society 


Price: £3.00 


Past Presidents 


1872-4 J. R. WELLMAN (dec.) 1939 H. B. WILLIAMS, LL.D., F.R.E.S. 
1875-6 <A. B. Farn, F.E.S. (dec.) (dec.) 
1877 J. P. BARRETT, F.E.S. (dec.) 1940 E. A. COCKAYNE, D.M., F.R.C.P., 
1878 J. T. WILLIAMS (dec.) F.R.E.S. (dec.) 
1879 R. STANDEN, F.E.S. (dec.) 1941 F. D. Coote, F.R.E.S. (dec.) 
1880 A. FICKLIN (dec.) 1942 S. WAKELY (dec.) 
1881 V. R. PERKINS, F.E.S. Jdec.) 1943 R. J. BURTON, L.D.S., R.C.S.ENG. 
1882 T. R. BILLUPS, F.E.S. (dec.) (dec.) 
1883 J. R. WELLMAN (dec.) 1944 STANLEY N. A. JACOBS, F.R.E.S. 
1884 W. WEST, L.D.S. (dec.) 1945-6 Capt. R. A. JACKSON, R.N., 
1885 R. SOuTH, F.E.S. (dec.) F.R.E.S. (dec.) 
1886-7 R. ADKIN, F.E.S. (dec.) 1947 L. T. Forp, B.A. (dec.) 
1888-9 T.R. BILLUPS, F.E.S. (dec.) 1948 Col P. A. CARDEW (dec.) 
1890 J. T. CARRINGTON, F.L.S. (dec.) 1949 J. O. T. Howarp, M.A. (dec.) 
1891 W. H. TuGWELL, PH.c. (dec.) 1950 Air-Marshal Sir ROBERT SAUNDBY, 
1892 C. G. BARRETT, F.E.S. (dec.) K.B.E.,. C.B:, M.C:, DiRsG. AchiGes 
1893 J. J. WEIR, F.L.S., etc. (dec.) F.R.E.S. (dec.) 
1894 E. STEP, F.L.S. (dec.) 1951 T. G. Howarth, B.E.M., F.R.E.S., 
1895 T. W. HALL, F.E.S. (dec.) EZ.S. 
1896 R. SOUTH, F.E.S. (dec.) 1952 E. W. CLASSEY, F.R.E.S. 
1897 R. ADKIN, F.E.S. (dec.) 1953 F. STANLEY-SMITH, F.R.E.S. 
1898 J. W. TuTT, F.E.S. (dec.) 1954 STANLEY N. A. JACOBS, S.B.ST.J., 
1899 A. HarRISON, F.L.S. (dec.) F.R.E.S. 
1900 W. J. Lucas, B.A., F.E.S. (dec.) 1955 F. D. Buck, A.M.1I.PTG.M., F.R.E.S. 
1901 H. S. FREMLIN, M.R.C.S., (dec.) 
TR. CP. RAE. S2) (dec?) 1956 Lt.-Col. W. B. L. MANLFY, F.R.E.S. 
1902 F. Noap Crark (dec.) 1957 B. P. Moore, B.SC., D.PHIL., 
1903 E. STEP, F.L.S. (dec.) F.R.E.S. 
1904 A. SICH, F.E.S. (dec.) 1958 N. E. HICKIN, PH.D., B.SC., F.R.E.S. 
1905 H. MAIN, B.SC., F.E.S. (dec.) 1959 F. T. VALLINS, A.C.I.1., F.R.E.S. 
1906-7 R. ADKIN, F.E.S. (dec.) (dec.) 
1908-9 A. SICH, F.E.S. (dec.) 1960 R. M. MERE, F.R.E.S. (dec.) 
1910-11 W. J. Kaye, F.E.S. (dec.) 1961 A. M. MASSEE, O.B.E., D.SC., 
1912-13 A. E. TONGE, F.E.S. (dec.) F.R.E.S. (dec.) 
1914-15 B. H. SMITH, B.A., F.E.S. (dec.) 1962 A. E. GARDNER, F.R.E.S. (dec.) 
1916-17 Hy. J. TuRNER, F.E.S. (dec.) 1963 J. L. MESSENGER, B.A., F.R.E.S. 
1918-19 STANLEY EDWARDS, F.L.S., etc. 1964 C. G. ROCHE, F.G.A., F.B-E.S: 
(dec.) 1965 R. W. J. UFFEN, F.R.E.S. 
1920-1 K.G. Biarr, B.SC., F.E.S. (dec.) 1966 J. A. C. GREENWOOD, O.B.E., 
1922 E. J. BUNNETT, M.A. (dec.) F.R.E.S. 
1923-4 N. D. RILEY, F.Z.S., F.E.S. 1967 R. F. BRETHERTON, C.B., M.A., 
1925-6 T. H. L. GROSVENOR, F.E.S. F.R.E.S. 
(dec.) 1968 B. GOATER, B.SC., F.R.E.S. 
1927-8 E. A. COCKAYNE, D.M., F.R.C.P., 1969 Capt. J. ELLERTON, D.S.C., R.N. 
F.E.S. (dec.) (dec.) 
1929 H. W. ANDREWS, F.E.S. (dec.) 1970 B. J. MACNULTY, B.SC., PH.D., 
1930 F. B. Carr (dec.) F.R.LC., F.R.E.S. 
1930 C. N. HAWKINS, F.E.S. (dec.) 1971 Col. A. M. EMMET, M.B.E., T.D., 
1931 K. G. BLAIR, B.SC., F.Z.S., M.A. 
F.E.S. (dec.) 1972 Prof. H. E. HINTON, PH.D., B.SC., 
1932 T. H. L. GROSVENOR, F.E.S. (dec.) F.R.S., F.R.E.S. 
1933 C. G. M. DE WORMS, M.A., PH.D., 1973 J. M. CHALMERS-HUNT, F.R.E.S. 
A.1.C., F.R.E.S., M.B.O.U. 1974 C. MACKECHNIE JARVIS, F.L.S., 
1934 T. R. EAGLes (dec.) F.R.E.S. 
1935 E. E. SYMS, F.R.E.S. (dec.) 1975 M. G. Morris, M.A., PH.D., F.R.E.S. 
1936 M. NIBLETT (dec.) 1976 W. G. TREMEWAN, M.I.BIOL. 
1937 F. J. COULSDON (dec.) 1977 G. PRIOR, F.L.S., F.R.E.S. 
1938 F. STANLEY-SMITH, F.R.E.S. 
Editorial 


Editor: E. P. Wiltshire, C.B.£., F.R.E.S. 
Address: Wychwood, High Road, Cookham, SL6 9JS, Berks. 
With the assistance of: 
T. R. E. Southwood, B.sc., PH.D., A.R.C.S., M.BIOL., F.R.E.S. 
T. G. Howarth, B.E.M., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S. 


M. W. F. Tweedie, M.A., F.Z.S. 
R. W. J. Uffen, F.R.E.s. 


Published at the Society’s Rooms, The Alpine Club, 74 South Audley Street, 
London, W.1, and printed by Charles Phipps Ltd., 225 Philip Lane, 
Tottenham, N15 4HL 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 75 
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 
(Read on 26th January 1978 by Ratpu Tupss, O.B.E., F.R.E.S.) 


I. TopicaAL REMARKS 

From the Report of the Council, which has just been read, you will 
know that the Society is still flourishing. The membership continues to 
increase and there are now about 700 members. Sixty-one new members 
elected during 1977 is a most encouraging sign. There is no doubt that a 
further increase in membership would add to the influence of the Society, 
increase the scope of its debate and make financially possible more illus- 
trations in our already excellent Proceedings and Transactions. 1 would, 
therefore, ask all members to encourage any keen entomologist whom 
they know and who is not already a member to join at once. 

There is one action taken by your Council this year to which I would 
like specially to draw your attention —and that is the decision to publish 
as soon as possible a new and completely revised edition of L. T. Ford’s 
most valuable book A Guide to the Smaller British Lepidoptera. It is 
nearly thirty years since this Society first published this book and during 
those years there has been a great deal of work done on the ‘micros’ — 
work partly inspired by the book itself. The text will now be brought 
competely up-to-date with much new information and the very distinguished 
team of authors, under the expert leadership of Col. A. M. Emmet, have 
already made very good progress. I would like to thank all who are 
co-operating in this work. We have obtained a very reasonable price for 
printing and I hope publication will be achieved this summer. I feel that 
this Society, which already has pre-eminence in field entomology, has a 
special responsibility to share the knowledge obtained in the field and 
thereby make its own contribution to science. 

Our Annual Exhibition is another form of communication by which 
we share our knowledge. This year there was a record attendance and 
the standard of exhibits was remarkably high. 

Links with other societies are also valuable. In 1977 the Lancashire 
and Cheshire Entomological Society celebrated their Centenary. I had the 
honour and pleasure of attending their Centenary Exhibition and Con- 
versazione at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool at the invitation of their 
President, Mr. R. C. R. Crewdson. We were also glad to welcome Mr. 
W. A. Watson, their Vice-President, at our Annual Dinner at Imperial 
College, which again was well attended. 

It is now my sad duty to remember with you those of our members 
who have died during the past year. 

Professor H. E. Hinton, F.R.S. died on 2nd August 1977 at the age 
of 64. He joined our Society in 1945 and was our President in 1972. Born 
in Mexico in 1912, he went to university in Berkeley, California. Then 
in 1934 he came to England and took a Ph.D. under A. D. Imms at 
Cambridge. In 1939 he was appointed a taxonomist in the Department 
of Entomology at the British Museum (Natural History). Ten years later 
he joined the staff at the Zoology Department of Bristol University, where 
he continued to work, becoming Head of the Department in 1970. He 
was elected to the Royal Society in 1961 and President of the Royal 
Entomological Society 1969-70. He always worked immensely hard, con- 
tinuously publishing the results of his research. It was typical of him that, 
when he learnt he had only a short time to live, he worked harder than 
ever, completing his long-planned three volume work on the biology of 
insect eggs just before he died. 


76 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


H. C. Huggins died at Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, on 14th April 1977, in his 
86th year. Before retirement he had worked with Westminster Bank, 
becoming a branch manager. At the time of his death, he had been a 
member of the Society for forty-three years. He began collecting when 
a boy of eight and was helped in his early years by A. B. Farn, who 
was a relative. During his long entolomogical career he encountered such 
knowledgeable entomologists as J. W. Tutt, Charles Fenn and Richard 
South. He was primarily a lepidopterist, concentrating after 1922 largely 
on micros, at a time when the knowledge of these was much more limited 
than it is today. He had a special interest in the Pyralidae and Tortricidae. 
At one period, however, he took a serious interest in British land and 
freshwater mollusca, publishing in 1918 a significant paper on ‘The 
Lymnaeae of the Alpine Lakes of the Glengarriff District, West Cork’. 
Indeed Ireland always had a great appeal for him and he made collecting 
trips there nearly every year. He was a considerable writer and made 
regular contributions to the entomological journals, many of them on new 
subspecies and aberrations. His fine collection has been given to the 
British Museum (Natural History). 


D. W. H. ffennell died in August at the age of 56, beside the moth-trap 
in his garden. He was educated at Eton College, where he was a fellow 
pupil with E. C. Pelham-Clinton, and at Cambridge University. He joined 
the Society in 1940. He inherited a fine country house and a large garden, 
part of which he converted into a market garden. Although he had a 
special interest in Microlepidoptera and Neuroptera, his interests were 
wide and there are few people who have had a more comprehensive 
knowledge of the Lepidoptera. He recorded approximately 1,000 species 
from his estate, Martyr Worthy Place, near Winchester. He added to the 
British List, Phyllonorycter dubitella (Herrich-Schaffer) (Lep.: Gracil- 
lariidae) and Lampronia flavimitrella Hiibner (Lep.: Incurvariidae). He 
played a considerable part in the preparation of Barry Goater’s ‘Butterflies 
and Moths of Hampshire’, especially for the Microlepidoptera, and was 
engaged in the Oecophoridae for the next volume of the ‘Moths and 
Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland’ and had done valuable preliminary 
work. 


Clifford Crauford died on 23rd March 1977, at the age of 94. He 
joined the Society in 1918 and was made a Special Life Member in 1971. 
He was educated at Clayesmore School and Edinburgh Academy. His 
parents lived in British East Africa, where his father was Consul-General, 
so that many of his school holidays were spent at school where a master 
started his life-long interest in entomology. In the early ‘twenties’, when 
he was living at East Molesey, much of his collecting was done in Surrey. 
However, he moved to Bishops Stortford in 1925 and ten years later was 
a founder member of the Bishops Stortford and District Natural History 
Society. His principal interest was in the moths, keeping constantly a trap 
in his garden and compiling full statistical records. He was a friendly 
and helpful person and he held an oft-stated opinion that a//l entomologists 
are nice people! 


Dr. D. Kyle, O.B.E., died in 1976. He lived in Brecon, Powys, where 
he was a distinguished doctor, receiving his O.B.E. in 1972. He specialised 
in Odonata. 


You have already stood in memory of these members, so I will not ask 
you to do so again. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 Ti 


Finally, before coming to the subject of my address, I would like to 
express my thanks to the officers and members of Council who have not 
only worked so hard for the Society but also given me so much support 
and help during my term of office. Mr. G. Prior, your next President, has 
as Secretary given me invaluable assistance, and is one of those who come 
frequently to these premises on non-meeting days and work in the base- 
ment. There you will have seen how much better laid out is the room 
housing our collections, largely the work of our dedicated curator, Mr. 
Eric Bradford, and his assistants. The library is also better arranged and 
Dr. Allen is now working hard on this. Our Editor, Mr. E. P. Wiltshire, 
has produced excellent Proceedings and Transactions and has achieved 
the very difficult task of bringing them out on time, for which he must 
be congratulated. Our Treasurer, Mr. R. F. Bretherton, has as usual kept 
our finances in good shape. The Society is also much indebted to Mr. 
G. R. Else and Mr. E. H. Wild for arranging the programmes for the 
Indoor Meetings and Field Meetings respectively. I should also like to 
thank Mr. R. Dyke for his excellent drawing for the Christmas Card. All 
these and other members give their time and expertise. There is something 
about our Society which inspires not only loyalty, but real affection. 


I now come to the second part of my address, the title of which is: — 


THE BREEDING OF BUTTERFLIES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE 
GENETICS OF ABERRATIONAL FORMS 
(with Plates VI & VII and two text figures) 
by RALPH Tupss, O.B.E., F.R.E:S. 
(9 Lingfield Road, Wimbledon Common, London SW19 4QA) 


1. Introduction 

For thirty years I have been breeding butterflies and have bred from 
the egg most of the indigenous species. It is only by breeding that you 
really get to know an insect. Although starting with typical insects, my 
interest soon turned to aberrations. I am an inquisitive naturalist: I am 
not satisfied with just having a set aberration killed on capture in the 
wild. I want to know how it came to be different. To kill an aberration 
without getting eggs or a pairing is killing the Golden Goose. I do not 
collect butterflies, I collect genes. Then if you have friends with similar 
interests you can exchange genes. For example, I am indebted to Mr. R. 
Revels for exchanging genetic material with me—sometimes an imago 
sent by post on the evening of capture, sometimes eggs. Of course, it is a 
gamble, the insect may ruin itself without laying eggs — but the prize, both 
in terms of knowledge and in bred specimens, is worth the risk. I shall be 
showing you later slides of many of the aberrations I have bred. 


2. Breeding techniques 

Although many members are themselves experienced breeders of lepi- 
doptera, I feel it might be helpful if I give a brief description of the 
methods I use. Almost every person has a slightly different technique. 
As I need to breed several generations, I try to simulate fairly natural 
conditions. I do not use continuous breeding techniques with high intensity 
lighting for 24 hours a day to overcome diapause, as this frequently 
leads to failure to get pairings due to imagines emerging in the winter 
months and the whole strain may be lost. I would advise every breeder 
always to get an F2 generation to see what this reveals. It is very wasteful 
of time only to breed one generation. 


78 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


(a) The horticultural problem 


Let us begin by considering the foodplant — no food, no butterflies! 1 
try to pot up the foodplant well in advance, preferably in February or 
March. Some foodplants such as honeysuckle simply will not move in the 
summer months. 

It is not easy to keep the plants healthy when there is fine netting 
over the plant as this reduces the enlivening movement of air. If the plant 
leaves are kept too dry, aphids will be a serious menace. I find it, therefore, 
useful to spray the leaves regularly. If the plant is too damp in the winter, 
mould is likely to grow. This especially applies to Poa annua, a plant also 
very susceptible to aphids, so, if you are breeding the ‘grass feeders’ I 
would strongly recommend the use of a grass less liable to mould, such 
as the creeping lawn grass (Agrostis species). Another horticultural problem 
occurs with Hippocrepis comosa, which is sometimes attacked by ‘powdery 
mildew’ in mid-summer. This is disastrous as the only treatment is a 
poisonous spray. I think this disease is again encouraged by keeping the 
leaves too dry. 


(b) Humidity 


Keeping the correct degree of humidity is indeed the key to success in 
the overwintering of larvae. After thirty years I still feel I do not know 
enough about this. I keep a light roof, covered with transparent plastic, 
over the pots containing the hibernating larvae. This frame used to have 
sides partially covered with plastic sheet, but I have now changed to 
completely open sides—open, that is to say, apart from fishing net 
provided to keep out cats and squirrels! The intent is to keep the larvae 
fully exposed to natural weather conditions, while not allowing rain to 
fall directly on the pots. Some entomologists are brave enough to leave 
their pots completely exposed to every rainstorm and they have consider- 
able success. One must not think in anthropomorphic terms and it is 
better for the larvae to be too wet than too dry. In early years I lost a 
whole brood of Boloria euphrosyne (L.) as the little larvae desiccated. 
Humidity is not only important for larvae: those species which pupate 
just below the earth’s surface, such as Hipparchia semele (Hubner), also 
need the soil to be kept moist if losses are to be avoided. I also spray 
my over-wintering eggs once a week. 


(c) Predators 


However, it is not sufficient to have the correct environmental conditions, 
for constantly waiting for their opportunity are the predators. The most 
devastating are the pale coloured carnivorous slugs, spiders and earwigs 
(Dermaptera). I keep all my pots on trestle tables to keep them further 
away from pests, but, alas, the slugs are introduced with the soil when 
the foodplant is dug up and slugs lay 300-500 eggs in batches under stones, 
in moss, etc. It is important therefore to put slug pellets around the edge 
of the pot. I am not aware that these do any damage to the larvae but, 
to be on the safe side, I place them as far from the plant as possible. 

As for spiders, I must be one of the finest spider breeders in the 
country! They also come in with the foodplant. I immerse the plants in 
water at the time of planting to drive the spiders out, but this seems a 
totally inadequate precaution. Regular inspection seems the only answer. 
The same applies to earwigs. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 79 
3. Keeping records 


I always keep very detailed records. These fall into two categories — 
an analysis of the forms of the imagines for genetical purposes and details 
of every event in the insect’s life history. It is interesting to note, for 
example, that Aphantopus hyperantus (L.) usually emerge between 7.00 
and 8.00 a.m., whereas Lysandra coridon (Poda) emerge between 10.30 
and 11.30 a.m. Exact sizes of hibernating larvae will be useful in future 
breeding and so on. 


4. The Genetics of Aberrations 


Few things in Nature are entirely clear-cut — Nature is four-dimensional. 
Thus it is difficult to give a clear demarcation line between an aberration, 
a variety or an example of polymorphism. However, each of these devia- 
tions from the normal form have one thing in common—they are 
genetically produced. (I am excluding here those forms produced by drastic 
temperature change.) For breeding purposes, it is useful to consider the 
varying forms of butterflies under five categories: — 

(a) The distinct and definitive aberration —e.g. ab. syngrapha Kef. of 
L. coridon. This aberration is quite clear-cut; the butterfly is either 
ab. syngrapha or it is not. There are no grades. 

(b) Aberrations which graduate from one form to another, e.g. ab. 
lanceolata Shipp of A. hyperantus —in which there is every grada- 
tion from the slightly elongated dot to the extreme form with bold 
streaks across the wing. 

(c) Inconstant characters found in various populations which are due 
to genes regularly present in the gene pool, e.g. the variation in the 
extent of blue colour in female Polyommatus icarus Rottemburg. 

(d) Dimorphic species such as Argynnis paphia (L.) which has the two 
forms of the female — the typical and var. valesina Esp., or Coleas 
crocea Fourcroy which has the var. helice Hiibn. form of the 
female. 

(e) Distinct local races such as the very striking form of Maniola jurtina 
(L.) found on the Isles of Scilly. 

In addition to these five categories, mention should be made of those 
aberrations produced by drastic temperature change. Particularly striking 
forms have been produced artificially in this way with some of the 
Nymphalidae, especially Aglais urticae (L.) and Polygonia c-album (L.), 
in which the pattern is suffused and there is a considerable increase in the 
black areas. Some suffusion of the black markings in Argynnis paphia and 
the white markings in Vanessa atalanta have also been thus artificially 
induced. I have not tried this technique myself, but I understand that the 
pupa is put 5-6 hours after pupation in a refrigerator at a temperature 
of approximately 25°F. for between 6 and 12 hours. It is not certain 
whether temperature alone creates these aberrations or whether certain 
abnormal genes also have to be present. 

I will now turn from a general study of the breeding of butterfly 
aberrations to the consideration of individual species, illustrating the 
argument with slides. 

Every aberration which I am showing was either bred or caught by 
myself. I would like to express my gratitude to R. Revels for taking the 
photographs for me. 

I will consider a number of species selected for their particular interest 
in variation in the order which proceeds from the most specialised to the 


80 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


most primitive, starting with the Satyridae. The names used are those 
given in the new edition of Kloet (G. S.) and Hincks (W. D.) ‘A Check 
List of British Insects’ (1972). 


Lasiommata megera (L.) 

This species is subject to great enlargement of the ‘eye’ spot ab. 
anticrassipuncta Lempke. To my shame, I killed the fine female which I 
took at Beer, Devon in 1964. In the light of my experience in breeding 
other Satyridae, 1 think that it is likely that this form is caused by a 
single gene with modifying resistance from other genes and is therefore 
likely to breed with a gradation in the size of ‘eye’ spot. 

Erebia aethiops (Esper). Bred female. Ova 13.8.62, imago 17.7.63 

This specimen has unusually large spots and brilliant markings. There 
are two distinct colour forms of the female underside hindwings: — 
(a) Ochre banded — which seems to constitute the form ochracea Tutt. 
(b) Silver banded —as specimen taken at Morar, 12.8.6]. 

Further work is required to find out the relationship of the two colour 
bands. 

Incidentally, there is no need to find Blue Moor Grass (Molinia coerulea) 
on which to feed the larvae, which feed happily on Poa annua. 

This seems to be one of the few butterflies that needs neither foodplant 
nor sunshine to encourage it to lay eggs. On 12th August 1962, four 
females were brought by car from Aviemore. On arrival in Surrey it was 
found that 75 eggs had been laid in the tins during the journey. 


Melanargia galathea (L.) 

In July 1974, I was generously given by Robert Craske six living imagines 
(four male and two female) of an aberration which consists of a consider- 
able enlargement of the forewing costal blotch. This new and very local 
aberration has been found since 1970 in two restricted localities in Sussex. 
I have been breeding it since 1974 in small numbers; unfortunately over- 
wintering the larvae is not easy. They remain very small low down in 
the dead brown grass (in the winter they never sit on green blades), at 
almost soil level — perfect prey for slugs. By April (after eight months), 
they are still less than + in. long! The aberration is quite distinct from 
ab. valentini H.B.W., another aberration involving enlarged black markings. 
As the aberration occurs in the F.1 generation in approximately equal 
numbers, it would appear to be a dominant gene. Pairing two aberrations 
produces some examples which are blacker than the others, but it would 
require a great deal of breeding to prove that these were the homozygotes, 
although this would seem likely. I propose to name this aberration ab. 
craskei (see Appendix). 

Three examples were shown: — 

Male aberration bred 30.6.76, Fl of male ab. x female ab. 

Female aberration bred 6.7.76, Fl of male ab. x female ab. 

Female aberration with pale russet tinting to hind wings, bred 27.7.75, 

F1 of wild caught female ab. 


Hipparchia semele (L.) ab. holanops Brouwer 

This aberration, which has a total absence of eye spots, occurs in the 
same quarry in Dorset nearly every year. In August 1976, R. Revels sent 
me some eggs which had been laid on the netting. No grass had been put 
in with the female as it had been found the previous year that this was 
not necessary. These eggs were an F2 generation from an ab. holanops 
taken in 1975. The larvae feed high up on the grass, coming up in the 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 81 


summer in late evening as it is getting dark. This aberration is a simple 
recessive, not occurring till the second generation and even then below 
the numbers to be expected, so the gene may have a slightly debilitating 
effect. I only obtained one holanops out of thirteen bred. 

A sister of the ab. holanops was also shown with striking bands in the 
hind wing. 


Pyronia tithonus (L.) ab. excessa Tutt 

This aberration breeds out so uncertainly that I feel that more than one 
gene is involved, or perhaps it would be better expressed as one gene 
with modifiers. It is clearly not recessive as specimens with additional 
spots occur in the Fl generation almost in equal numbers to the typical 
form (R. Revels, Ent. Record, Vol. 89, p. 43). Out of ten specimens 
in an F2 generation bred in 1976, in which both the parents had additional 
spots, I was disappointed to find that none had heavily marked additional 
spots, only one specimen had two extra spots and four had one extra 
spot. 

Some localities have quite a high proportion of ab excessa, such a place 
being North Hill, Minehead, in 1952. Sometimes the extra spots occur on 
one forewing only. 

Examples shown: — 

Female ab. excessa taken at Slapton, Devon, 30.7.70. 

Male ab. excessa with additional spots on right wing only. Taken Somerset, 
20.7.52. 

Female aberration, completely asymmetrical, both in size of wing and 
extent of fulvous colouring. Minehead, 18.7.52. 

Male ab. excessa, underside. Slapton, 20.7.70. 

I am now going to consider briefly the extreme racial forms of two 
satyrid species — Maniola jurtina (L.) and Coenonympha tullia (Miller) — 
which illustrate well the build-up of special genes where races are 
geographically separated. 


Maniola jurtina (L.) 

On the Atlantic coast from Scotland to Spain several fine local races 
have evolved. 

I show first a male and a female taken in 1963 at Clifden, Connemara. 
M. jurtina in this district is larger and more strongly marked than the 
typical subspecies iernes Graves, originally described from specimens from 
Kerry. The two shown are remarkable for the size of their ‘eye’ spots, 
being good examples of ab. anticrassipuncta Leeds. It is indeed rare for a 
male to have such enlarged spots. Selective breeding from such specimens 
would not only reveal the genetics of these large spots but would no doubt 
produce some very striking specimens. 

Females with very large ‘eye’ spots also occur on the Isles of Scilly, in 
the local race cassiteridum Graves. But it is the undersides of females 
from Scilly which are so magnificent — almost like a different butterfly. 
The males have far larger fulvous patches on the upperside. The fact that 
the Scillonian Meadow Browns have been totally isolated for many 
thousands of years has made this specialisation possible. 


Coenonympha tullia (Miller) 

The geographical races are familiar, the two extreme forms being the 
sub-species scotica Staudinger found in Scotland and the sub-species 
philoxenus Esper in Whixall Moss, Shropshire; the former being pale with 
reduced spots and the latter dark on the upperside and heavily spotted 
on the underside. In Scotland there occur specimens without any spots at 


82 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


all. In Whixall Moss (and also Meathop Moss) aberrations occur with 
large elongated spots, this probably being caused by a recessive gene as in 
the case of ab. lanceolata in Aphantopus hyperantus (L.). 


Aphantopus hyperantus (L.) 


In recent years there has been considerable research into the genetics 
of aberrations of this species. 
ab. arete Miller, New Forest, 18.7.65 

Only small white dots remain on the underside of the wings. Almost 
certainly the same gene is responsible as in ab. obsoleta Tutt, in which 
there is not a trace of any spots, and ab. caeca Fuchs, which is inter- 
mediate between the two. It would appear to be another case of a recessive 
gene with modifying resistance from other genes —in this relationship I 
do not like to use the description ‘multi-factorial’ as this gives the wrong 
impression. 

The best visual description which I can give of a recessive gene in these 
circumstances is as follows: Imagine the splash caused by a stone being 
dropped from a given height in a bucket full of liquid; the stone is the 
recessive gene, the extent of the splash is the extent of the aberration. 
Now the nature of the splash will be affected by the type of liquid in the 
bucket, e.g. petrol, water or oil, and also the shape of the bucket. You 
could say, therefore, that the nature of the splash is conditioned by three 
factors —the stone, the liquid and the bucket. But the liquid and the 
bucket cannot create a splash on their own, only the stone (in our simile — 
the recessive gene) can cause the splash. 

Major A. E. Collier, who was one of the important pioneers in the 
breeding of aberrations, crossed ab. caeca with ab. lanceolata in 1964. The 
Fl generation specimens were typical but there was a wide range of 
aberrations in the F2 generation exhibited at our Exhibition in 1966. It 
included specimens with nothing but elongated white dots. Collier pointed 
out that ab. caeca is rarer in the female than the male. 
ab. lanceolata Shipp 

The genetics are similar to the previous aberration. Once again there 
is a very wide range in the extent of influence of the recessive gene, the 
elongation of the spot varying greatly. I have bred this aberration for 
four generations. Another form occurs with elongated spots, which is not 
ab. lanceolata and has a rather pale background. I took a female in the 
New Forest and, in an Fl generation of 31 specimens, six were similar to 
the parent. 

I took a mixed gynandromorph at Lyndhurst in 1962, primarily male 
but in which on the underside streaks of the paler ground colour of the 
female occur. 

When breeding A. hyperantus, the females must be provided with shade 
if they are to lay eggs. They hate high temperatures and fierce sunlight 
and if exposed to it soon die. The dark colouring means they absorb heat 
rapidly. In the heatwave of 1976, with temperatures day after day in the 
nineties, it was nearly impossible to keep them alive. 

The breeding requirements of the members of the next family, the 
Nymphalidae, are very different from those of the species we have just 
been considering. Let us first consider the small fritillaries. 


Boloria euphrosyne (L.) 


On 29th May 1966, I put a female on a pot of violets over which there 
was netting supported on stout galvanised wire. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 83 


Within five days 150 eggs had been laid on the galvanised wire, a few 
on the netting and only three on the violets. By 20th July, a total of 153 
larvae, now in their third instar, had stopped feeding, and were taking up 
their winter resting place beneath the dried leaves. It is not possible now 
to give a detailed report, suffice it to say that only one larva survived 
the winter to produce an imago. I am convinced that this was because 
the larvae were kept too dry, and I would recommend spraying at least 
once a week. 

Two male aberrations were shown: ab. pallida Spuler, which has an 
almost white background, and ab. albinea Lamb, with pale yellow back- 
ground. These were both taken in the same wood, within a few days of 
each other, which would suggest that the same gene, probably a recessive, 
is responsible. 


We now come to best known British example of dimorphism — the 
two forms of the female of Argynnis paphia (L.)—the normal form and 
var. valesina Esper. The latter is a sex controlled dominant, the gene 
being carried equally by the male and the female, but having visual effect 
only in the female. I started breeding from var. valesina in 1964 when 
I obtained 250 eggs from three females. Do not use a large cheese tub 
with netting over it as sometimes recommended; this gets much too hot 
and there is a lack of ventilation. Make a netting cage about 3 ft. high 
and at least 18 in. in diameter, and provide ample fresh flowers, including 
thistle. Nearly all the eggs are laid on the netting. They can easily be 
lost as they fall off if the netting is knocked. In 1965, sixty-eight imagines 
were bred, including twenty-four var. valesina, in which there was consider- 
able variation in ground colour. This varied from a very deep sea-green 
in the dark specimens, to a creamy colour in the lightest examples. I tried 
an F2 generation, but fertility of this inbred generation was apparently 
low as only 18 larvae emerged from 176 eggs. The slide shows a specimen 
of the F2 generation which again has a pale background. 

Interested in this and finding a female in the New Forest in 1965 with 
almost white background, I tried breeding from this. Unfortunately I only 
succeeded in obtaining one var. valesina in this brood the next year, and 
this was unusually dark, so I failed in my intention. I now show a chart 
illustrating the relative emergence dates of typical males, typical females 
and var. valesina. 

The next slide was of an underside aberration of Mellicta athalia 
Rottemburg, bred in 1949 when I bred 31 imagines from a single captured 
female. All the larvae, which were fed on Narrow-leaved Plantain (Plantago 
lanceolata), were hibernating by 25th September. On 13th February 1950, 
I brought the hibernaculum indoors, and all the larvae left the hibernaculum 
on 16th February. 


Nymphalis polychloros (L.) usually shows little variation. There was a 
quite exceptional immigration of this butterfly in the spring of 1948, and 
it was common around Tunbridge Wells. On 12th March I saw as many 
as four specimens in one suburban road. Six weeks later I caged a female 
for egg-laying and she obliged with one batch of 110 eggs and one of 59 
eggs, and from these I obtained 128 pupae. The only variation in the 
imagines was some extra black scaling on a few specimens. Although a 
number of the adults were released, not one was seen in the area of 
Tunbridge Wells the following year. 


The next butterfly I would like to consider is Polygonia c-album (L.). 
This butterfly appears in two different forms —the typical form and f. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 


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hutchinsoni Robs. —and a slide was shown illustrating the differences. 
There is a lot of confused thinking about the relationship of these forms 
even in the most recent textbooks, so I bred large numbers to illustrate 
the relationship of the two forms. The hibernating imagines are of the 
typical form; these lay eggs and produce a summer brood, the majority 
of this brood are f. hutchinsoni, these emerging first, and some are of the 
typical form. The relative numbers and the date of emergence can be 
clearly seen in the emergence chart. 

The f. hutchinsoni immediately pair and lay eggs and these produce the 
typical form seen on the wing in the autumn before hibernating. Those 
specimens of the typical form which emerge in the summer brood soon 
go into hibernation. Thus in the following spring there are both first 
generation and second generation butterflies from the previous spring’s 
specimens. 


Ladoga camilla (L.) is subject to varying degrees of obliteration of the 
white transverse bars by the black ground colour; specimens with partial 
obliteration have been named ab. obliterae Robson and Gardner and those 
with completely black uppersides are referred to as ab. nigrina Weymer. 
This is very artificial as there is every gradation of suffusion of the bar 
from slight black scaling to total blackness. It is very probable that the 
same recessive gene is responsible for all these aberrations, its effect being 
modified by other genes present—-very much as in the case of ab. 
lanceolata in A. hyperantus. 

In July this year I took a female ab. nigrina in a wood near Winchester. 
Two weeks after taking this aberration, I collected 20 eggs from honey- 
suckle within a few yards of where it was found and I now have 18 
hibernating larvae. Attempts will be made to get several pairings and breed 
a second generation. 


We now come to that family which provides such wide scope for genetic 
research — the Lycaenidae. 

With regard to Polyommatus icarus, I have already referred to the 
wide variation in the colour of the female uppersides, from brown to 
almost pure silvery blue, as in the specimen illustrated taken on Tresco, 
Isles of Scilly, which resembles ab. caerulea Fuchs. Many females are of 
this colour in the local race found on these islands. 

The genetics of the confluence or radiation of the spots on the underside 
is still very uncertain. Breeding from a female ab. arcuata Weym., taken 
on Tresco in May 1953, the autumn FI generation consisted of 23 males 
all of which were normal, except two male basijuncta Tutt, and 20 females 
of which 14 were either arcuata, costajuncta or basijuncta, either separately 
or in combination. A smaller F2 generation produced rather similar results. 
Note the much greater susceptibility of the female to aberration compared 
with the male (see R. A. Fisher and E. B. Ford, ‘The variability of species 
in the Lepidoptera, with reference to abundance and sex’. Trans. Ent. Soc. 
Lond., 1928, p. 367—a paper emphasising the greater variability of the 
female sex). It would appear, too, that the different confluent forms are 
not genetically separate, and that any genes governing this type of 
aberration are responsible merely for the tendency for confluence. L. D. 
Young breeding in 1977 from a female Plebejus argus (L.) ab. basijuncta 
Tutt obtained an FI generation of five typical and one basijuncta. 


Lysandra coridon (Poda) is a butterfly which I have bred extensively. In 
1967 my wife caught an ab. syngrapha Keferst., and I have kept the stock 


86 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


going ever since, that is for ten generations. This aberration is a sex-linked 
recessive, the syngrapha gene being attached to the x-chromosome in the 
female. Thus in the first generation all the males are heterozygotes and 
carry the syngrapha gene, while none of the first generation females carry 
the gene at all. In the F2 generation half the females are ab. syngrapha. 
In 1970, in the F3 generation, I bred an ab. syngrapha which was a 
somatic mosaic incorporating streaks of the normal brown female colour. 
There is some variation in the ground colour of this aberration and in 
1974 I bred a syngrapha/viridescens Tutt with continuous dark fringes. 

In ab. fowleri South the borders are white instead of black, the white 
band being intersected by black nervules. This aberration would appear 
to be the result of a simple recessive gene, which receives modifying 
resistance from other genes, so that there is every gradation from ab. 
ultra-fowleri B. & L. to ab. punctata Tutt. 

In July 1971 I took a male ab. infra-fowleri in Dorset and paired it with 
a bred female ab. syngrapha. Three years later I bred from this stock two 
females which combined in themselves both ab. syngrapha and ab. fowleri. 

In October 1972 R. Revels kindly gave me 105 eggs, being the F2 
generation from an ab. semi-syngrapha Tutt, taken at Royston in 1971. 
I kept this stock going until last year. Ab. semi-syngrapha is, like ab. 
syngrapha, a sex-linked recessive. There is, of course, no relation between 
them. Again the ab. fowleri gene was introduced and I bred four abs. 
semi-syngrapha + fowleri. 1 am showing a slide of L. coridon ab. marginata 
Tutt, this being one of an F2 generation from a male ab. marginata taken 
in 1971 paired with a typical female. In this aberration the black outer 
border of the forewings extends over the blue as far as the discoidal cell. 
I bred this strain for three generations but found that you had to select 
very good males to get results. It would suggest that this is, therefore, a 
very genuine case of a multi-factorial aberration. When breeding the ab. 
marginata, an interesting form with dark nervules appeared. 


In Lysandra bellargus (Rottemburg), the extent of blue scaling in the 
female varies greatly, the extreme blue form being known as ab. ceronus 
Esper. I have bred a number with considerable blue suffusion and so has 
L. D. Young, and for both of us the bluest females occurred in the spring 
brood. It may be that the blue is the product of a gene whose influence is 
modified by environmental conditions. More breeding is required. 

Lycaena phlaeas (L.) is subject to two major aberrational forms — one 
in which the orange sub-marginal band in the hindwings is totally absent 
(ab. obsoleta Tutt) or reduced to a series of small streaks (ab. radiata 
Tutt) and one in which the ground colour is silvery white (ab. alba Tutt). 
L. D. Young who did very valuable work in a breeding programme between 
1963 and 1965 in which he obtained continuous broods without diapause 
by the use of continuous fluorescent lighting at close range, showed that 
ab. obsoleta and ab. radiata are produced by the same recessive gene, the 
former merely being the more extreme expression. Ab. alba has been 
bred by Dr. J. W. O. Holmes who has shown that both this and the 
pale cream coloured ab. schmidtii (Gerh.) are controlled by recessive 
genes, although the exact relationship between the two seems still 
uncertain. 


We now come to the Pieridae. From 1950 onwards a laboratory culture 
of Pieris brassicae (L.) was maintained by B. O. C. Gardiner, assisted 
by C. F. Rivers, at the Unit of Insect Physiology, Department of Zoology, 
Cambridge, the original stock having been collected in the Cambridge area. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 87 


After more than ten years of inbreeding, two aberrations appeared in this 
stock, each caused by a gene, later proved to be a simple recessive: an 
albino form named ab. albinensis Gardiner (1962) and a form with a blue 
tint to the hindwings named ab. coerulea Gardiner (1963). In May 1967, 
I was kindly given a batch of eggs of a pure strain of ab. coerulea and 
obtained 125 pupae, and also eggs of a strain of the double aberration 
coerulea + albinensis and obtained 115 pupae. Although I bred a number 
of perfect females of each type, the strain suffered from a serious scale 
defect, which was more serious in the males than in the females and 
almost all the males were unable to extricate themselves from the pupa- 
case. The very few males which did manage to do so, all showed large 
areas of scale defect, the scales having stuck to the inner surface of the 
case. It is extremely interesting that the aberrations occurred after so 
long a period of in-breeding and it would appear that they are classical 
examples of the mutation of genes. 

In those years when Colias crocea Fourcroy appears in good numbers 
in this country (and many of us will remember 1947 when it was very 
abundant) quite a number of the pale form of the female (var. helice 
Hibn.) is seen. The gene is a sex-controlled dominant affecting the 
colouring of the female only, the male heterozygotes being normal in 
appearance. I have also bred a very much less common form in which 
the colour is intermediate between the rich orange of the normal form 
and the milky white of the var. helice, but I only obtained two in a brood 
of four. If a wild-caught female is on migration and has only recently 
arrived, it can be very difficult to get her to settle down and lay eggs. 
I do not know the genetics of this intermediate colour form. 


In the last family, the Hesperiidae, occasional aberrations occur in some 
of the species, e.g. the ground colour of Thymelicus sylvestris Poda may 
be white (ab. pallida Tutt) instead of the usual copper-brown colour, but 
the most striking is that form of Pyrgus malvae (L.) in which the white 
spots of the forewing join together and form a large white blotch, known 
as ab. taras Bergstrasser. The example shown was taken in a wood in 
Sussex where this aberration quite frequently occurs —TI have seen eight 
on one day. The extent of confluence of the white markings graduates 
from just two spots being joined together on the costal margin to specimens 
in which most of the centre portion of the wing is white. I have bred 
moderate examples of this aberration, but to achieve striking results I 
think that it would be necessary to do selective breeding. 


I have now given you a brief glimpse of thirty years’ work in sixty 
minutes. With only two minutes per year it has not been possible to give 
much detail and the review has had to be cursory, but I hope that I have 
given you the urge to breed from the next aberration you see instead of 
killing it and that you will then come back and tell us what you have 
found out. 


APPENDIX 


A new aberration of Melanargia galathea (L.) (Lep.: Satyridae) 
from Sussex 
by R.,S,, Tuprs,. O.B-E.,, F.R.E.S: 
ab. craskei ab. nov. 
Since 1970 Mr. R. M. Craske has observed annually in two restricted 
localities, one in Sussex and one in Hampshire (now alas ploughed up), a 


88 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 


new form of M. galathea. He informs me that the ratio of the aberrant 
form to typical varies from 1 in 20 to 1 in 50. Mr. Craske has given a 
series of 27 specimens of this new aberration to the British Museum. It 
should be pointed out that this aberration is quite different from ab. 
valentini H. B. Williams, which was described in the Entomologist’s Gazette, 
Vol. 2, No. 4. 


In July 1974, Mr. Craske kindly gave me two living female aberrations 
and these produced a total of 180 eggs, 30 of which were given to Mr. R. 
Revels. These eggs produced only a few specimens the following year, but 
the aberration occurred in this first generation for both of us. Since then 
the stock has been kept continuously breeding. It would appear that this 
aberration is produced by a dominant gene. Indeed this year (1978) one 
brood of eleven specimens bred by Mr. Revels from a male aberration 
out-crossed with a wild fresh female consisted entirely of this aberrational 
form. This suggests that the male may have been homozygous for this 
aberration. 

Description 

On the upperside and the underside of the forewings of both sexes the 
central costal blotch is extended outwards along the costa and firmly 
joins the sub-apical bar. This blotch is also extended outwards distally to 
become confluent with the marginal markings. 

The aberration is slightly variable in the extent to which the white area 
between the central costal blotch and the sub-apical bar is obliterated. In 
some examples this is almost total. 

On the hindwings of both sexes (upper and under) the central band is 
broader than in typical galathea, in some cases markedly so. 

Holotype &: Sussex, 21.7.73. (Figured bottom left-hand specimen on 
Plate VI.) 
Paratypes: 
17 @ and 4 @. Sussex, 1972-1977. 
36 and 2 2. Hampshire, 1972-1975. 
All the above were taken by R. M. Craske and are in the National 
Collection. 

I have pleasure in naming this very distinct and constantly recurring 

aberration after Mr. R. M. Craske, who first discovered it. 


NOTES ON THE LARGE TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY 
(NYMPHALIS POLYCHLOROS (L.)) OVERWINTERING IN 
CAPTIVITY IN ENGLAND 


by HowarpD PHELPS 
(Green Oak, Potter’s Hill, Crockerton, Warminster, Wilts., BA12 8AD) 
and E. P. WILTSHIRE 
(Wychwood, High Road, Cookham Rise, Berks., SL6 9JS) 

(At the request of H.P., these lines are written by E.P.W., though all 
the credit goes to H.P. for obtaining the original larvae and resulting 
adults, for the successful overwintering of the latter and for obtaining 
pairing and a further batch of larvae, some of which E.P.W. reared to the 
butterfly stage.) 

Late in May 1977, larvae of Nymphalis polychloros (L.) were found on 
elm in Central Spain; they were then in their final instar. They duly 
pupated and imagines emerged in England about the middle of June. A 
few of these were kept for possible hibernation and were confined in a 
large half-barrel with netting over the top, and fed on a solution of sugar 
and honey. They showed no signs of pairing and stopped feeding in July. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 89 


Until then the barrel had been kept in a fairly sunny position out of doors, 
but thereafter H.P. kept it in a shed. 

Having read E.P.W.’s notes (1967 and 1977), H.P. wrote to him on Sth 
September saying that as he gathered from these that there might be a 
reappearance on the wing in late summer, he wondered whether to 
encourage this by bringing them out again. They were keeping together ‘in 
a tight huddle’ at the time of writing, although occasionally one or two 
woke up and wandered round the barrel. 

E.P.W. in his reply stated that he himself had twice taken the butterfly 
on the wing in late summer on the East Coast (September 1923 and 
August 1928) but these individuals were probably immigrants. He also 
mentioned having seen the butterfly after hibernation on 30.i1i.1942 in 
Mazanderan, N. Iran; 9.iv.64, near Geneva, Switzerland; 18.iii.72, during 
an early heat-wave, in N. France; also in the same district on 7.v.72 and 
30.ii1.74; of midsummer individuals he had seen one, on 26.vi.70 in the 
East Pyrenees; and he had bred some others from caterpillars in Switzer- 
land. He quoted a passage from Verity 1950: 352, not quoted in his 1967 
notes: ‘There are plenty of records from Central Europe of its appearance 
in mid-autumn and winter on sunny days, but irregularly; however, . . . 
during 50 years of observations he (Verity) had never seen it in Tuscany 
between August and March.’ From which it appeared that Verity thought 
the aestivation of the butterfly would continue without interruption into 
hibernation; this might be the case, too, with Spanish polychloros, if the 
behaviour was not merely a reaction to local conditions. E.P.W. therefore 
recommended H.P. to keep the butterflies in natural conditions at War- 
minster. He presumed no pairing would take place until the next spring. 

The barrel, with the butterflies inside, remained in the large airy shed 
for autumn and winter. At the end of February some of the butterflies 
were moving, so H.P. transferred the barrel to a greenhouse, where almost 
immediately they began to feed and bask in the sun. On the 2nd of March 
a pairing was observed (late afternoon) and the pair remained in cop. 
until the following morning. The @2 was put on a small potted sallow 
in the greenhouse and eggs were laid in a large batch around a twig on 
25th March. The twig, with eggs attached, was removed from the bush 
and put in a small plastic box, where the larvae hatched in about three 
weeks and were fed on cut elm, pupating at the end of May. 

E.P.W.’s batch of larvae gave no trouble feeding up on elm and pupated 
on 31st May. with one exception which lagged behind about a week. They 
emerged on June 10th (1), 11th (2) and 12th (5); the laggard duly appeared 
on June 19th. All were beautiful specimens. 

The rearing thus confirmed the long imaginal life and vernal pairing 
habit of the Large Tortoiseshell. It would, however, be interesting to know 
whether immigrants to England leave Europe before or after aestivation; 
perhaps aestivation and emigration are alternatives in the life-cycle, and 
one or the other is taken probably depending on local conditions at the 
breeding place. A case of immigration after hibernation is reported in the 
Presidential Address in this number. There is very little evidence of 
migration in the southern part of its range, and I know of no reliable 
evidence of a second generation there, still less of such a thing in Northern 
Europe. 


REFERENCES 
Verity, R. 1950. Le Farfalle d’Italia, 4. 
Wiltshire, E. P. 1967. Ent. Rec., 79: 243-5. 
Wiltshire, E. P. 1977. Ent. Rec., 89:151. 


90 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


PHORESY AND COMMENSALISM IN 
BRITISH PSEUDOSCROPIONS 


by PuiLip E. JONES 
(Natural Environment Research Council, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, 
Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon) 
Introduction 

Phoresy has long been known to occur in pseudoscorpions and has been 
reported from various parts of the world besides Great Britain, including 
a large part of Europe, America, Africa and Australia. Pseudoscorpions 
have been found clinging (by one or both of their palpal chelae) to the 
legs of insects, especially Diptera, Hymenoptera and Coleoptera, and also 
harvestmen (Opiliones). They have also been recorded on the bodies of 
birds and small mammals. In Britain, most observations have been of them 
clinging to the legs of insects or harvestmen. 

The attachment of pseudoscorpions to other, larger animals was first 
described by an Austrian, Poda, in 1761: ‘Repertus in pedibus muscae, 
quos chelis suis firmissime apprehendit’. The first reference to its occurrence 
in Britain was made in 1787 by George Adams who recorded that the 
eminent coleopterist Marsham found one of these ‘lobster insects’ ‘firmly 
fixed by its claws to the thighs of a large fly, which he caught on a flower 
in Essex the first week in August, and from which he could not disengage 
it without great difficulty, and tearing off the fly’s leg’. The term phoresy 
was first used by Lesne in 1896. Since it was first described, phoresy by 
pseudoscorpions has been the subject of numerous notes and papers, 
especially extensive reviews in Britain by Kew (1901) and, abroad, by 
Vachon (1940) and Beier (1948). 

This paper collates both published and unpublished references to phoretic 
behaviour in British pseudoscorpions. The records date from 1950, except 
where no records since then were available or where the use of older 
records contributed additional important information. (The administrative 
counties referred to are those in existence prior to the Local Government 
Act 1972.) Records of species from the nests of social insects, birds and 
small mammals are also included in this paper and are treated under 
commensalism. The data will be reviewed to determine the light they throw 
firstly on current views on phoresy and secondly on the nature of relation- 
ships with other animals. 

I am indebted to the various museums and individuals who have sent 
me records or preserved specimens for identification and they are duly 
acknowledge after the appropriate record(s). 


Records of Phoresy 
Species found attached to the legs of insects: 

Chelifer cancroides (L.). Two attached to legs of Musca domestica L. 
(Dipt.: Muscidae), Rathmines, Co. Dublin, October 1908 (N. E. Stephens). 

Lamprochernes godfreyi (Kew). 1 2 on Lonchaea sp. (Dipt.: Lon- 
chaeidae), Wytham Wood, Berks., July 1964 (Wytham Ecological Survey); 
one attached to leg of Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Dipt.: Muscidae), Bessacarr, 
Yorks., September 1970 (C. A. Howes). 

Lamprochernes nodosus (Schrank). Numerous records of this species 
being found on the legs of flies have been received. Therefore, only a small 
selection of the records appear below. 

One on Eristalis arbustorum L. 2 (Dipt.: Syrphidae), Maidenhead, 
Berks., July 1950 (B.M. (N.H.)); one on lesser house-fly, Fannia canicularis 
(L.) (Dipt.: Fanniidae), London, August 1934 (B.M. (N.H.)); one on leg 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 91 


of Sargus iridatus (Scop.) (Dipt.: Stratiomydae), Berkhamsted, Herts., 
August 1937 (C. Oldham); one attached to Musca (Eumusca) autumnalis 
Deg. (Dipt.: Muscidae), St. Leonard’s, Sussex, September 1906 (W. R. 
Butterfield); one on leg of Musca domestica L., Blewbury, Berks., October 
1965 (Reading Museum); 1 @ attached to Lonchaea chorea (F.) (Dipt.: 
Lonchaeidae), Monks Wood Experimental Station, Hunts., August 1963 
(E. Duffey); 1 @ on fly in laboratory, Haughley, Suffolk, August 1970 
(P. T. Harding); 2 $, 1 2 on fly, Lonchaea sp., on window pane of house, 
Bramley, Hants., August 1975 (R. Cheke). 

Lamprochernes chyzeri (Témésvary). On Lonchaea chorea (F.), British 
Museum, Entomology Department, 1953 (B.M. (N.H.)); on fly, Romsey, 
Hants., 1963 (B.M. (N.H.)). 

Pselaphochernes scorpioides (Hermann). Attached to leg of Musca 
domestica, Blackheath, London, October 1957 (B.M. (N.H.)); 8 2 attached 
to Limonia (Achyrolimonia) decemmaculata (Loew) (Dipt.: Tipulidae), 
New Forest, Hants., May 1970 (A. E. Cooper). 

Chernes cimicoides (F.). On leg of Ephialtes mesocentrus G. 9 (Hym.: 
Ichneumonidae) on dead tree stump, Epping Forest, Essex, June 1953 
(B.M. (N.H.)). 

Dendrochernes cyrneus L. Koch. Attached to leg of Phymatodes testaceus 
(L.) (Col.: Cerambycidae), Richmond Park, Surrey, June 1914 (H. W. 
Kew). 


The occurrence of pseudoscorpions attached to the legs of insects seems 
to be confined to the family Chernetidae in the British Isles. This is 
probably related to the fact that many insects, especially flies, occupy 
similar habitats to the Chernetidae and also have a similar period of 
greatest activity (May-September, occasionally October). Members of the 
Chernetidae are mostly found in grain/straw residues, vegetable detritus 
and compost and manure heaps (although there are occasionally records 
of specimens from woodland leaf litter and from under the bark of trees). 
L. nodosus is by far the commonest species of this family demonstrating 
phoretic behaviour. It occurs frequently in compost and manure _ heaps. 
The common house-fly, Musca domestica, is a regular visitor to such heaps 
during the summer months. The female selects decomposing organic matter 
as a breeding ground and thus it is possible that an adult L. nodosus 
will come into contact with a female house-fly when she settles to lay her 
eggs (Jones 1970). It is interesting to note that three of the specimens of 
L. nodosus recorded above are phoretic males. Although this is a very 
small number compared with the total number of phoretic individuals 
on record, it is significant in view of the fact that both Vachon (1947) and 
Beier (1967) assert that it is only usually gravid females which are phoretic 
(see Discussion below). Like L. nodosus, P. scorpioides is frequently found 
in heaps of vegetable refuse and could come into contact with flies in 
exactly the same way. 

C. cimicoides and D. cyrneus are typically found under the bark of 
decaying trees. C. cimicoides could have attached itself to the ichneumon 
if the latter had alighted on the dead tree stump during its search for a 
suitable host to parasitize. The Cerambycidae are wood-feeding insects 
and therefore D. cyrneus might be expected to come into contact with 
members of this family fairly frequently. 


Species found attached to the bodies of arthropods other than insects: 
Lamprochernes nodosus. Attached to Opilio parietinus (Deg.) (Opil.: 
Phalangidae), Wye, Kent, 1944 (J. Sankey); attached to Phalangium opilio 


92 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


L., Wye, Kent, 1944/45 (J. Sankey); attached to Mitopus morio (F.), Wye, 
Kent, 1946 (J. Sankey); two nymphs attached to Nelima sylvatica (Simon), 
Dale, Pembs., 1948 (J. Sankey); attached to P. opilio, East Bergholt, 
Suffolk, 1948 (J. Sankey). 


Allochernes dubius. One adult attached to leg of Mitopus morio, in leaf 
litter, Wytham Wood, Berks., September 1953 (Wytham Ecological Survey); 
2 2 attached to legs of Oligolophus meadii Cambridge, in a garden, Esher, 
Surrey, September 1954 (J. Cloudsley-Thompson). 

All the records in this category are of pseudoscorpions phoretic on 
harvestmen. This occurrence is not as common as pseudoscorpions being 
phoretic on flies and appears to be restricted to the Chernetidae. This is 
consistent with Beier’s (1948) suggestion that species living in more open 
and drier habitats, such as members of the Chernetidae, will frequently 
attach themselves to more mobile creatures because of a modification of 
their original hunting instinct. 

The instance of two nymphs being attached to Nelima sylvatica is of 
interest as it is the only record, as far as I am aware, of nymphs being 
phoretic. It is unlikely, because of their size, that they would be attacking 
the harvestman for food or even utilising it as a means of transport and 
so this must be regarded as an accidental occurrence of unknown 
significance. 


Discussion—the function of phoresy 

The above records show that pseudoscorpions do cling on to the bodies 
of larger arthropods and animals and that they may be transported as a 
result. Why they do this is not known with any certainty. Two main 
theories exist. First, phoresy is predatory in nature. The pseudoscorpions 
are simply attacking their host for food. Secondly, phoresy is ‘the non- 
parasitic association of one kind of animal with another in order to obtain 
transportation’ (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary). 

Most of the records of phoresy refer to females and both Vachon (1947) 
and Beier (1967) link phoretic behaviour with the restlessness and intense 
hunger particularly experienced by gravid females. From the date of 
capture of his phoretic specimens (end of August in the case of Allochernes 
dubius) and the presence of spermatozoa in the spermathecae, Vachon 
concluded that fertilisation of the females had just finished and that it was 
this that had released in them an intense hunger, driving them, in cases 
where the normal smaller prey had become scarce, to seize any larger 
insect/arthropod passing within reach of them. Transport could then have 
resulted if the insect/arthropod moved off before the pseudoscorpion had 
relinquished its hold. (In the case of pseudoscorpions being carried on the 
bodies of birds or small mammals, it is unlikely that they are trying to 
attack them for food and one must therefore conclude that it is movement 
of the animal or possibly bodily warmth which is the stimulus causing the 
pseudoscorpions to cling on to them.) Vachon also concludes that male 
pseudoscorpions probably do not exhibit phoretic behaviour because they 
have different behaviour patterns generally and have a much more restricted 
range of movement within the habitat. This is because the advantage of 
movement to males is different to that of females which need to cover 
larger areas to satisfy their intense hunger. 

True phoretic behaviour has not been recorded in Britain in the 
Chthoniidae and Neobisiidae, but occurs frequently in the Chernetidae and 
Cheliferidae (Weygoldt 1969). Six of the ten British members of the 
Chernetidae and one of the three British members of the Cheliferidae have 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 93 


so far been shown to demonstrate phoresy. Members of the Chernetidae 
and Cheliferidae have a fairly large body size, are relatively dark in colour 
and possess a somewhat heavy exoskeleton (compared with the Chthoniidae 
and Neobisiidae). The problem of desiccation is not so great and they 
are therefore found associated with relatively dry habitats, which are often 
temporary and less stable ones (C. Clayton Hoff 1959), such as barn refuse 
and animal nests (although some of them have exploited more permanent 
habitats, such as the bark of trees). They also possess spermathecae and 
are able to store sperm for prolonged periods (Legg 1975). Thus, a female 
with spermathecae fertilised, and stimulated by a desire for food, can 
reach another habitat as a result of phoresy and on reaching that habitat 
can find a new source of food and initiate a new population. Here, phoresy 
can be regarded as a mechanism which will facilitate dispersal to another 
habitat when the temporary habitat in which the pseudoscorpions are 
living is threatened. 

The Chthoniidae and Neobisiidae are unable to store sperm for pro- 
longed periods and are associated with permanent and fairly stable habitats, 
such as woodland leaf litter and soil. Southwood (1962) regards phoresy 
to be the main, if not the only, regular migratory movement in pseudo- 
scorpions but in view of the lack of records of phoretic behaviour in these 
two families, it seems clear that there must be other means of dispersal 
for these in addition to phoresy. The subject bears further investigation. 

In conclusion, it seems clear to me from the evidence given above, that 
phoretic behaviour in pseudoscorpions has developed as a modification of 
their original hunting instinct (particularly in pregnant females), which 
causes them to seize large arthropods/animals which go past, at the same 
time allowing themselves to be carried along by them. The association 
is only profitable to one animal—the one being transported—and is moti- 
vated by stimuli arising only within that animal. These stimuli, released 
by the inadequacy of the biotope, arise from hunger and the need to find 
a more favourable environment for the development of the young. Probably 
the most important outcome of phoretic behaviour is the geographical 
distribution of the species. 


Records of commensalism 
Species found in the nests of social insects: 

Chthonius ischnocheles (Hermann). In nest of Lasius fuliginosus (Lat.) 
(Hym.: Formicidae), Oxshott, Surrey, about 1902 (H. St. J. K. Donis- 
thorpe); in nest of L. flavus (F.), Prestatyn, Flints., 1913 (H. St. J. K. 
Donisthorpe); 1 @ in debris in L. fuliginosus nest, Woking, Surrey, May 
1976 (P. A. Boswell). 

Neobisium muscorum (Leach). In nests of Formica rufa L. (Hym.: 
Formicidae), Weybridge and Oxshott, Surrey, 1902 (H. St. J. K. Donis- 
thorpe); one tritonymph in material from nest of F. aquilonia Yarrow, 
Aberfoyle, Perths., July 1974 (R. Paul). 

Roncus lubricus L. Koch. With L. flavus, Dartmouth, Devon, April 1908 
(H. St. J. K. Donisthorpe). 

Allochernes dubius (O.P.-C.). 2%, 29, all nymphal stages, in nest of 
F. rufa, near Blean, Kent, October 1966 (J. M. Anderson). 

Chernes cimicoides. With F. rufa, Ashton, Devon, April 1931 (B.M. 
(N.H.)); many specimens from nest of L. brunneus (Lat.) under the bark 
of an oak tree, Oxford, May 1953 (J. Pontin). 

Pselaphochernes scorpioides. 68, 2@, in nest of F. rufa, nr. Blean, 
Kent, October 1966 (J. M. Anderson); 1 @, 1 @, in nest of F. rufa, 
Maulden, Beds., December 1975 (A. J. Rundle). 


94 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Toxochernes panzeri (C. L. Koch). In nest of L. fuliginosus, Oxshott, 
Surrey, about 1902 (H. St. J. K. Donisthorpe); 1 @ in debris of nest of 
Vespa crabro L. (Hym.: Vespidae); in tawny owl pellet, Wytham Woods, 
Berks., December 1950 (O. Gilbert); one tritonymph in debris in nest of 
L. fuliginosus, Woking, Surrey, May 1976 (P. A. Boswell). 


None of the British genera of pseudoscorpions is restricted in habit 
to associations with social insects. It is probable that most individuals find 
their way into nests of social insects purely by chance. This is undoubtedly 
the case with members of the Chthoniidae and Neobisiidae, which are 
ground-dwellers, mainly in moss and leaf litter, and in the case, cited 
above, of C. cimicoides, which usually lives under bark. They would easily 
find their way into the nests of social insects in such habitats and once 
there would find favourable temperatures and an abundance of small 
anthropods on which to feed, e.g. small mites, beetle and fly larvae. As 
synoeketes, they seem to do no harm to their hosts and their hosts seem 
to treat them with indifference. Donisthorpe (1927) showed this by intro- 
ducing specimens of P. scorpioides into observation nests of F. rufa: 
‘ .. the ants treated them with indifference. If a rufa worker was forced 
to take hold of a chelifer (pseudoscorpion), it dropped it at once.’ The 
distribution of pseudoscorpions from nest to nest and the founding of new 
colonies in other localities probably occurs phoretically. 


Species found in birds’ nests: 

The records in this category form the basis of a paper published elsewhere 
(Jones 1975) and therefore only a small selection of the more interesting 
records appears below. 

Chthonius ischnocheles. One in house-martin‘s nest, Churcham, Glos., 
September 1954 (R. S. George). 

Cheiridium museorum (Leach). One in nest of house-martin at 1,500ft., 
near Rannoch, Perthshire, April 1964 (J. Cooper); 1 @ in nest of tree 
sparrow under bungalow floor, Woodwalton Fen N.N.R., Hunts., September 
1966 (J. Crocker); nine in nest of swift in roof of house, Salisbury, Wilts., 
June 1967 (J. Cooper). 

Pselaphochernes scorpioides. Three nymphs in jackdaw’s nest at 1Sft., 
in oak tree, Wytham Wood, Berks., July 1952 (O. Gilbert). 

Toxochernes panzeri. 1 ¢ in an owl’s nest, Wickham, Kent, August 1940 
(O. Gilbert); five in nest of great tit, Churchdown, Glos., July 1957 
(R. S. George). 

Chernes cimicoides. One in nest of grey heron, High Halstow, Kent, 
December 1973 (R. C. Welch). 

Pseudoscorpions may be brought into birds’ nests on nest-building 
materials, such as dried grass or straw, or phoretically on parasitic or 
nidicolous flies, or possibly even on the bodies of the birds themselves. In 
the case of C. museorum and C. cimicoides, which are bark-dwelling species, 
they may arrive in nests during the course of their normal wanderings 
in search of food. P. scorpioides and T. panzeri are frequently found in 
hay and straw debris and therefore it is most likely they find their way 
into nests on the nest-building materials. 

Birds’ nests provide favourable conditions for pseudoscorpions to live 
and breed—warmth, a high humidity and a plentiful supply of food in the 
form of mites and the young larval stages of various insects. This habitat 
is only a temporary one though and pseudoscorpions may be distributed 
to more favourable habitats on the bodies of the birds when they leave 
the nest. There is, as yet, no evidence to confirm this. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 95 


Species found in the nests of small mammals: 

Chthonius ischnocheles. 1 @ in vole nest, Wytham Wood, Berks., January 
1961 (M. J. Cotton); in mole-fortress bedding, Sawbridgeworth, Herts., 
April 1970 (G. Legg). 

Neobisium muscorum. 1 @ in harvest mouse nest, North Cave, E.R. 
Yorks., December 1974 (A. Norris). 

Pselaphochernes scorpioides. In grey squirrel drey, Brookethorpe, Glos., 
June 1954 (R. S. George). 

Toxochernes panzeri. Immature specimens in winter nests of long-tailed 
field mice, Altrincham, Cheshire, February 1917 (J. R. Hardy). 

Chernes cimicoides. One nymph in grey squirrel nest in ash tree, Chosen 
Hill, Glos., May 1958 (R. S. George). 

C. ischnocheles and N. muscorum belong to genera, whose members are 
more usually found in ground litter, rotting vegetation and soil. P. 

Scorpioides, T. panzeri and C. cimicoides are frequently found under the 
bark of dead or rotten trees or logs. As all these species occur in similar 
habitats to those in which small mammals build their nests, it seems likely 
that the association of pseudoscorpions with small mammals has come 
about quite by chance. As with birds’ nests, mammal nests provide a 
readily available source of food for pseudoscorpions in the form of mites 
and larvae of Coleoptera and Diptera. Pseudoscorpions are undoubtedly 
transported to other habitats on the bodies of the mammals, having possibly 
being stimulated to cling on to them by the presence of warmth generated 
by the mammal’s body. This certainly seems to be the case in Lasiochernes 
pilosus (Ellingsen), a central European species absent from Britain, that 
lives in the nests of moles (Weygoldt 1969). 

In conclusion, one may say that the association of pseudoscorpions with 
social insects, birds and small mammals is primarily one of commensalism 
rather than phoresy, although phoretic behaviour may be employed in the 
distribution of the species to new habitats. This commensal relationship 
comes about purely by chance, the species involved occurring in similar 
habitats to those in which social insects, birds and small mammals build 
their nests. The pseudoscorpions benefit from the relationship by finding 
favourable temperatures in which to live and breed and particularly by an 
abundance of small arthropods on which to feed. 


REFERENCES 


Adams, G. 1787. Essays on the microscope. London, G. Adams. 

Beier, M. 1948. Phoresie und phagophilie bei pseudoscorpionen. Ost. zool. Z.., 
1: 441-497. 

Beier, M. 1967. Ein phoretischer Allochernes (Pseudoscorp.) aus Afghanistan. 
Beitr. naturk. Forsch. StidwDtl, 26 (1):17-18. 

Cloudsley-Thompson, J. L. 1956. Notes on Arachnida, 25—An unusual case of 
phoresy by false-scorpions. Entomologist’s mon. Mag., 92:71. 

Donisthorpe, H. St. J. K. 1927. The guests of British ants: their habits and life 
histories. London, George Routledge & Sons. 

Godfrey, R. 1908. The false-scorpions of Scotland. Ann. Scot. nat. Hist., 1908: 
90-100. 

Graham-Smith, G. S. 1916. Observations on the habits and parasites of common 
flies. Parasitology, 8 (4):440-544. 

Grimpe, G. 1921. Chelifer als Schmarotzer. Naturw. Wschr., 20:628-631. 

Hoff, C. Clayton and Clawson, D. L. 1952. Pseudoscorpions from rodent nests. 
Am. Mus. Novit., 1585: 1-38. 

Hoff, C. Clayton. 1959. The ecology and distribution of the psedoscorpions of 
North-Central New Mexico. Univ. New. Mex. Publs. Biol., 8:1-68. 


96 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 


Jones, P. E. 1970. Lamprochernes nodosus (Schrank)—an example of phoresy in 
pseudoscorpions. Bull. Br. arachnol. Soc., 1 (8): 118-119. 

Jones, P. E., 1975. The occurrence of pseudoscorpions in the nests of British birds. 
Proc. & Trans. Br. entomol. & natur. Hist. Soc., 1975: 87-89. 

Kastner, A. 1927. Pseudoscorpiones. Biologie Tiere Ditl., 25 (18): 1-68. 

Kew, H. W. 1901. Lincolnshire pseudoscorpions: with an account of the associa- 
tion of such animals with other arthropods. Naturalist, Hull, 1901: 193-215. 

Legg, G. 1975. The possible significance of spermathecae in pseudoscorpions 
(Arachnida). Bull. Br. arachnol. Soc., 3 (4):91-95. 

Muchmore, W. B. 1971. Phoresy by North and Central American pseudoscorpions. 
Proc. Rochester Acad. Sci., 12 (2): 79-97. 

Muchmore, W. B. 1971. On phoresy in pseudoscorpions. Bull. Br. arachnol. Soc., 
2 (3): 38. 

Nordberg, S. 1936. Biologisch—Okologische Untersuchungen tiber die Vogelnidi- 
colen. Acta zool. fenn., 21: 1-168. 

Orési-Pal, Z. 1938. Afterskorpione in der Wohnung der Honigbiene. Z. angew. 
Ent., 25:142-150. 

Poda, N. 1761. Insecta Musei Graecensis. Graz. 

Ressl. F. and Beier, M. 1958. Zur Okologie, Biologie und Phianologie der 
heimischen pseudoskorpione. Zool. Jb. Syst., 86 (1/2): 1-26. 

Ressl, F. 1963. K6nnen Végel als passive Verbreiten von Pseudoscorpioniden 
betrachtet werden? Vogelwelt, 84:114-119. 

Ressl, F. 1965. Uber Verbreitung, Variabilitat und Lebensweise einigen Oster- 
reichischer Afterskorpione (Arachnida: Pseudsocorpiones). Dt. ent. Z., 
12 (4/5):289-295. 

Southwood, T. R. E. 1962. Migration of terrestrial arthropods in relation to 
habitat. Biol. Rev., 37: 171-214. 

Turk, F. A. 1951. On the swarming of pseudoscorpions and their association 
with ants. Entomologist’s mon. Mag., 87:169. 

Vachon, M. 1935. Le phénoméne de phorésie chez les pseudoscorpionides. Bull. 
scient. Bourgogne, 4H158-159. 

Vachon, M. 1940. Remarques sur la phorésie des pseudoscorpions. Annis. Soc. 
tn. Fr., 109: 1-18. 

Vachon, M. 1947. Nouvelles remarques a propos de la phorésie des pseudo- 
scorpions. Bull. Mus. natn. Hist. nat., Paris, 19: 84-87. 

Vachon, M. 1954. Nouveaux cas de phorésie chez les pseudoscorpions. Bull. Mus. 

natn. Hist. nat., Paris, 25:572-575. 

Weygoldt, P. 1969. The biology of pseudoscorpions. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard 
University Press. (Harvard books in Biology, No. 6) 145 pp. 

Wheeler, W. M. 1911. Pseudoscorpions in ant nests. Psyche, Camb., 18: 166-168. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 97 


BUTTERFLIES IN SPAIN: SIERRA DE ALCARAZ, SIERRA 
DE GUDAR, SIERRA DE JAVALAMBRE 


by RusseLL F. BRETHERTON 
(Folly Hill, Birtley Green, Bramley, Guildford, Surrey, England) 
and OTAKAR KUDRNA 
(Portsmouth Polytechnic, Department of Biological Sciences, Portsmouth, England. 
Present address: Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, D-5300 Bonn, 
W. Germany) 

During an expedition to Spain in 1976, besides some well known areas, 
Sierra de Alcaraz in proy. Albacete was visited by both authors, and 
Sierra de Gudar and Sierra de Javalambre in prov. Teruel by Kudrna 
alone—returning there after a previous visit made in 1974 which is also 
reported here—after Bretherton’s return to England. As we have been 
unable to find published accounts of the Rhopalocera and Grypocera of 
these Sierras, we list below the species which we recorded there, with 
comments, relating some of them to the distribution maps of Spanish 
butterflies previously given by Bustillo and Fernandez-Rubio (1974) in 
their admirable book on Spanish Rhopalocera. 

The Sierra de Alcaraz is a considerable mountain massif in prov. 
Albacete, reaching 1,790m. at its highest point; it forms part of the 
watershed between the river systems of the Guadalquivir, flowing to the 
Atlantic, and the Mundo flowing to the Mediterranean. Its central valley, 
at about 1,100 to 1,200m., is covered with mixed deciduous and coniferous 
woodland and is well watered by small streams bordered by damp meadows. 
According to the geological map the barer summits consist of triassic 
limestone, the lower ground of lias. The massif is crossed by a secondary 
road for some 60km. from the town of Alcaraz over two passes and 
through the central valley to the village of Riopar below its steep southern 
escarpment. We collected on three days—13-16.vil.1978—-mainly near this 
road, staying for the nights at a small quiet pension in Riopar. 

Sierra de Alcaraz produced a number of surprises. Of the 63 species 
whose presence was verified, five are not shown on the distribution maps 
(Bustillo and Fernandez-Rubio 1974) to occur at all in prov. Albacete. 
The discovery of Brenthis daphne Denis & Schiffermiiller, which was 
abundant in several places, has already been recorded (Bretherton and 
Kudrna, 1977). This represents an extension of its range by some 160km. 
southwards from Serrania de Cuenca (Amor, 1977) and even more from 
the other localities in east-central Spain, where the species has also been 
very recently recorded (Garcia and Leyva y Vega, 1977; Ortiz and Lyeva, 
1978; Bustillo, 1978). Much the same is true of Brenthis ino Rottemburg, 
of which a few worn but clearly identifiable examples were taken on 
damp ground near a spring. The same is true of the surprising capture of 
a single female Agrodiaetus, probably referable to fabressei Oberthiir rather 
than to ripartii Freyer, which was caught on the bare slopes above the 
descent to Riopar. Limenitis reducta Staudinger, of which examples were 
taken in several places in the central valley, is mapped only so far as the 
border of prov. Cuenca, some 80km. to the north. Plebicula amandus 
Schneider is also mapped in southern Spain only on the Sierra Nevada. 
Besides these additions to the list of butterflies for prov. Albacete, Mellicta 
deione Geyer, Brenthis hecate Denis & Schiffermiiller and Argynnis paphia 
(Linnaeus), all of which we found commonly in the Sierra de Alcaraz, 
are shown only on distant fringers of the province. It is apparent that that 
Sierra, possibly because of its abundance of water and rich vegetation, 
both permits a considerable intrusion of northern species into southern 


98 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Spain and also fills part of the gap in distribution for some other species 
which were previously known only considerably north and south of it. 

The Sierra de Javalambre and the Sierra de Gudar are parts of the 
geologically very complicated mountains of prov. Teruel and Cuenca; but 
they lie to the north-east of the area surrounding the well explored area— 
rich in Lepidoptera—of Albarracin, Bronchales and Tragacete. The Sierra 
de Javalambre lies to the south of the main trunk road from Teruel to 
Sagunto, where it joins the coastal motorway just north of Valencia. Its 
highest point is 2,200m., but only the lower levels of 1,200-1,500m. were 
investigated on 22 and 23.vii.1974 and 3 and 4.viii.11976, mainly along the 
small road which passes through the villages of Manzanera and Torrijas 
and along forest tracks leading to the higher Sierra. This area is mostly 
lias, with triassic limestone on the summits, with a small stream running 
through the main valley, bordered with cultivated agricultural land in 
some places and wooded (mostly pine trees) or covered with small areas 
of garigue shrub in others, situated mostly on drier slopes a little way 
from the stream itself. The Sierra de Gudar is situated north-east of the 
same main trunk road mentioned above; it is crossed by a secondary road 
which runs north from Mora de Rubielos. The highest point of the Sierra 
de Gudar is 1,909m. The areas collected on 20 and 21.vii.1974 and 30.vii- 
2.viii.1976 were along the above mentioned secondary road between the 
passes Puerto de Alcala and Puerto de Gudar and in the vicinity of the 
village Alcala de la Selva, at altitudes 1,400-1,850m. These mountains, 
covered by a mixture of vegetation types (woodland, meadows, pastures, 
etc.) are cold, much cooler than the Sierra de Javalambre, even in summer, 
as is especially noticeable at night and early in the morning; also the 
butterflies, especially at higher levels in somewhat more exposed localities, 
start flying much later in the morning than in other parts of central and 
east-central Spain at comparable altitudes. Unlike Javalambre, Sierra de 
Gudar is geologically eocretacian. The Hesperiidae of Sierra de Javalambre 
and Sierra de Guda were not recorded, but those collected incidentally 
were given to Dr. R. de Jong (Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, 
Leiden). 

The following species were collected and recorded in the above described 
three Spanish Sierras, which are in the list of species abbreviated for 
convenience thus: Sierra de Alcaraz=A, Sierra de Javalambre=J, Sierra 
de Gudar=G. For ease of reference the order of families, genera and 
species and their nomenclature also follows that used by Bustillo and 
Fernandez-Rubio (1974). 


HESPERIIDAE 

Carcharodus boeticus Rambur; C. alceae Esper; C. lavatherae Esper; 
Pyrgus cirsii Rambur; P. alveus Hubner; Spialia sertorius Hoffmannsegg; 
Muschampia proto Ochsenheimer; Thymelicus sylvestris Poda; T. actaeon 
Rottemburg; Ochlodes venata Bremer & Grey: All A. 


LYCAENIDAE 

Laeosopis roboris Esper: A; Strymonidia spini Denis & Schiffermiiller: G; 
S. esculi Hiibner: A, J, G; S. ilicis Esper: A, G; Lycaena phlaeas 
Linnaeus: A, J, G; Lampides boeticus Linnaeus: A, J, G; Syntarucus 
pirithous Linnaeus: A, J, G; Celastrina argiolus Linnaeus: A; Cupido 
minimus Fuessly: G; Plebejus argus Linnaeus: A, G; Lycaeides idas 
Linnaeus: G; Cyaniris semiargus Rottemburg: G; Plebicula thersites 
Cantener: J, G; Polyommatus icarus Rottemburg: A, J, G; Plebicula 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SoOCc., 1978 99 


amandus Schneider: A; P. dorylas Denis & Schiffermiiller: G; P. nivescens 
Keferstein: A; P. escheri Hibner: A; Lysandra albicans Herrich Schaffer: 
A, J, G; L. bellargus Rottemburg: A, G; Agrodiaetus damon Denis & 
Schiffermiller: G; A. fabressei Oberthir: A(?), G; A. ripartii Freyer: 
J, G; Aricia cramera Eschscholz: G; A. montensis Verity: A, J, G. 


SATYRIDAE 

Lasiommata megera Linnaeus: J, G; L. maera Linnaeus: A, J, G; Coeno- 
nympha iphis Denis & Schiffermiller: G; C. dorus Esper: A, J, G; 
Melanargia lachesis Hiibner: A, J, G; M. russiae Esper: G; Hipparchia 
alcyone Denis & Schiffermiller (*): A, J, G; H. semele Linnaeus: A, J, G; 
Arethusana arethusa Denis & Schiffermiller: J, G; Brintesia circe 
Fabricius: A, J, G; Satyrus actaea Esper: J, G; Chazara briseis Linnaeus: 
A, J; Hyponephele lycaon Kuhn: A, J, G; Pyronia tithonus Linnaeus: 
A, J, G; P. cecilia Vallentin: J; P. bathseba Fabricius: A, J, G; 
Maniola jurtina Linnaeus: A, J, G; Erebia meolans Prunner. 


NYMPHALIDAE 

Limenitis reducta Staudinger: A, J, G; Vanessa atalanta Linnaeus: A, G; 
Cynthia cardui Linnaeus: A, J, G; Aglais urticae Linnaeus: G; Nymphalis 
polychloros Linnaeus: A; Polygonia c-album Linnaeus: A, G; Euphydryas 
aurinia Rottemburg: A; Mellicta deione Geyer: A, J, G; M. parthenoides 
Kerferstein: A, G; Melitaea didyma Esper: A, J; M. phoebe Denis & 
Schiffermuller: A, J, G; Brenthis hecate Denis & Schiffermiiller: A. G; 
B. daphne Denis & Schiffermiiller: A; B. ino Rottemburg: A, G; Issoria 
lathonia Linnaeus: A, J, G; Fabriciana niobe Linnaeus: A, G; F. adippe 
Denis & Schiffermiiller: A, J, G; Mesoacidalia aglaja Linnaeus: A, J, G; 
Argynnis paphia Linnaeus: A, J, G; Pandoriana pandora Denis & Schiffer- 
miller: A, J. 


PIERIDAE 

Leptidea sinapis Linnaeus: J; Aporia crataegi Linnaeus: A, J, G; Pieris 
brassicae Linnaeus: A, G; P. rapae Linnaeus: A, J, G; P. napi Linnaeus: 
A; Pontia daplidice Hibner: A, J; Colias australis Verity: A, J, G; C. 
crocea Geoffroy: A, J, G; Gonepteryx rhamni Linnaeus: A, J, G; G. 
cleopatra Linnaeus: A, J, G. 


PAPILIONIDAE 
Papilio machaon Linnaeus: J, G; Iphiclides podalirius Linnaeus: A; 
Parnassius apollo Linnaeus: J. 


REFERENCES 

Amor, F. P., 1977. Ropaloceros en la inmediaciones de Guenca. Revta Lepid., 
5: 83-86. 

Bretherton, R. F. and Kudrna, O., 1977. The discovery of Brenthis daphne 
(Denis & Schiffermiiller) in south Spain. Nota lepid., 1:17-18. 

Bustillo, M. R. G., 1978. La distribucion de Brenthis daphne (D. & Schiff., 1777) 
en Espana. Revta Lepid., 5: 340-342. 

Bustillo, M. R. G. and Fernandez-Rubio, F., 1974. Mariposas de la Peninsula 
Iberica. 2. Ropaloceros. Icona, Madrid. 

Garcia, M. O. and Leyva y Vega, J. M. de, 1977. Nuevas citas para Guadalajara: 
Cyaniris semiargus, Plebicula nivescens y Brenthis daphne. Revta Lepid., 
5: 243-246. 


* Hipparchia hermione Linnaeus according to Kudrna (1977). 


100 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


Kudma, O., 1977. A revision of the genus Hipparchia Fabricius. Classey, 
Farringdon. 

Ortiz, M. and Leyva, J. M. de, 1978. Nota aclaratoria sobre Brenthis daphne 
D. & Schiff. Revta Lepid., 5: 320. 


FOR SALE — HEWITSON ON BUTTERFLIES, PRICE 6d. 
by B. O. C. GARDINER 
(Agricultural Research Council, Unit of Invertebrate Chemistry and Physiology, 
Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge, England) 

Between 1867 and 1877 W. C. Hewitson published a number of important 
pamphlets describing new species of Lepidoptera. This was apparently done 
in order to claim priority of nomenclature in advance of his more com- 
prehensive and expensive illustrated descriptions which were slowly being 
published in parts. Taxonomically these leaflets are of great importance 
and they have recently been reprinted (Higgins, 1972). 


It is stated that they are one of the rarest of modern entomological 
publications and it is not known if they were ever offered for sale. I now 
have definite evidence that the first one at least was offered for sale and 
it is also my belief the publications may be much commoner than is 
generally believed. 


Proof of the first number to be issued having been advertised appears 
on the verso of the back wrapper to a part of Hewitson’s Illustrations 
where it states below other advertisements for his more expensive works 
with coloured plates: — 


Will be published April 15th, 1867 Price 6d. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF FIFTY NEW SPECIES OF HESPERIDAE 
By 
W. C. HEWITSON, 

JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW 


Above this is the statement that Part III of the Lycaenidae, with 16 
coloured plates is ‘just published, April Ist, 1867, price 25s.’ (see fig. 1). 
It is therefore reasonable to assume that this part of the illustrations 
appeared between these two dates. It is also interesting that the advertised 
date of publication is five days in advance of that generally taken, April 
20th, 1867. It seems probable that an examination of other similar 
ephemeral covers would reveal further advertisements and prices for the 
other parts. 


Hewitson’s works nowhere appear to be that common, but are present 
in most of the major Libraries. His publications on birds and butterflies 
were however lavishly illustrated with coloured plates and like so many 
similar works of the time, expensive to all but the leisured classes and 
produced in small editions. His ‘Descriptions’ however, octavo size, 16 to 36 
pages, un-illustrated, published over a ten-year period, one of which, as 
now know, was priced at 6d. are likely to have been in larger editions, 
possibly several hundred. The Contemporary Journals such as the Ento- 
mologist and Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine were also priced at 6d. 
per issue (1/- for double numbers) and the ‘Descriptions’ could therefore 
have been afforded by the average Entomologists. In view of the price 
stability of the Victoria era, I consider it probable that all the numbers 
were sold at the same price as the first. Even if individuals were: not 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 101 
Price 21s. 
A CATALOGUE OF LYCANIDA 


W. C. HEWIISON, F.L:S. 


With Eight Coloured Plates illustrating the 
Genera Ogyris and Amblypodia 


PUBLISHED BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM 


ALSO, BY THE SAME AUTHOR, 


Price 25s. each, 
ILLUSTRATIONS OF DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA 
PARTS I & II. LYCAENIDAE 
With, together, Thirty Coloured Plates 


Just Published, April Ist, 1867, price 25s. 
PART III. LYCANIDAE 
With Sixteen Coloured Plates 


Will be Published April 15th, 1867, price 6d., 


DESCRIPTIONS OF FIFTY NEW SPECIES 
OF HESPERID/© 


BY 


W. C. HEWITSON 


JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW 
Fig. 1 


102 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


interested, there were hundreds of small local Entomological and Natural 
History Societies in existence at the time and many of these possessed 
libraries. 


I have in my possession several parts of the ‘Descriptions’. They are as 
follows: — 


The first four parts of ‘Equatorial Lepidoptera collected by Mr. Buckley’ 
bound in a Continental style with title page and index and bearing on the 
flyleaf ‘Donatio auctoris’ with on page one in the same hand, ‘Hewitson’. 
It also bears the label of ‘Ortner, Wien No. 7196 Lepidoptera’. Ortner was 
a well-known dealer of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 


My ‘Descriptions of new species of Lycaenidae’ has in its early days been 
bound up with other pamphlets into a book. This is a common occurrence. 
Small items like this either end up in a box, gather dust and get forgotten, 
get thrown out or get bound up with other material, the mix depending 
on the preference of the owner. When they pass into other hands, 
particularly those of dealers, they are then frequently torn apart into 
their original parts and re-distributed. That is what has happened here. 
It was obtained through an advert in the Insektenbourse. 


My ‘Bolivian Butterflies collected by Mr. Buckley’ bears the stamp of 
the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle- 
upon-Tyne and the shelf mark or catalogue reference EAh5. It was an 
uncut copy! Having also seen a copy bearing the stamp of the Norwich 
Natural History Society, I am therefore of the opinion that many copies 
may well be lying around in local libraries, if they have not already been 
disposed of. Very many libraries have in recent years been disposing of old, 
little or never used, stock, either to make room for new, or to raise 
funds. Many items such as these Hewitson pamphlets have been thrown 
onto the market and lately I have seen the parts on Lycaenidae, Equatorial 
Lepidoptera and Bolivian Butterflies advertised in booksellers’ catalogues. 
They would be worth keeping an eye open for. 


REFERENCE 
Higgins, L. G. (1972). Hewitson on Butterflies. E. W. Classey Ltd., Abingdon. 


HOW SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLIES PASS THE NIGHT 


by KATE GARTON and MrrRIAM ROTHSCHILD 
(Ashton Wold, Peterborough) 


Very few of us in the U.K. have visited the Archbold Biological Station 
of the American Museum of Natural History. We were two of the lucky 
ones. The station is located in the southern part of the Florida peninsula, 
mid-way between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, in slash pine/sugar 
sand country. All members of the museum staff can work there free. 
One wishes that our Natural History Museum could collaborate in such 
an enterprise, for we can think of no greater stimulus to systematics or 
taxonomy than a visit to the Archbold. 


All entomologists enjoy pottering about, and the station provides an 
inspired synthesis of serious research and watching butterflies in the sun. 
Furthermore the secluded 2,000-acre estate in which it is situated is 
sufficiently unspoilt and undisturbed for the wild life round the central 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 103 


building to have become as tame as animals on an uninhabited south sea 
island. You can set up a feeding tray for scrub jays in the garden of your 
bungalow and you won’t require a hide or field glasses to see which 
butterflies are accepted or rejected. For a naturalist with a well planned 
piece of field work in mind this is paradise on earth. 


On both occasions when we were at the Archbold Station three species 
of swallowtails were common in the garden, Papilio cresphontes Cramer, 
Papilio palamedes Drury, Battus polydamas Linnaeus. Four others were 
seen only as single individuals. 


We have often wondered what butterflies do when they wake up and 
drop off to sleep. Is there a preparatory phase equivalent to reading in 
bed? Here was the chance to watch the giant swallowtail settling down 
for the night. In early March in Florida there are about 12 hours of 
daylight and the maximum temperature at the time was 80°-91°F. by day 
and 66°-68°F. by night. 


Up to 4.15 p.m. the females of P. cresphontes were ovipositing on the 
young leaves of Citrus trees. At 4.20 p.m. all the specimens in that area 
were to be seen together on beds of flowering plants or bushes, where 
they put in 25 minutes intensive feeding. 


P. cresphontes goes to bed early, about 30-40 minutes before either P. 
palamedes or B. polydamas, and a good hour before the skippers which are 
both notoriously early risers and late feeders. At about 4.40 p.m. five 
specimens left the flowers and began to fly about slowly between the trees 
just above our heads, obviously searching for a suitable roosting site. They 
eventually decided on a small Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia) about 20 feet 
in height and surrounded by towering pine, bamboo, pepper, mango and 
other introduced species. The branches were laden with dried pine needles 
which had fallen from the trees above. This Laurel Oak was the initial 
choice of these butterflies on three consecutive nights. 


It was difficult to follow each individual in the deep shade. Moreover 
the black and yellow pattern tones in so well in these dappled surroundings 
(Fig. 1) that it is sufficient only to let one’s eyes wander for a second 
to lose the specimens for good. One ‘pair’ however kept very close 
together, and settled within a few centimetres of each other on the slender 
outermost twigs and leaves, about 10 feet from the ground. They imme- 
diately spread their wings horizontally towards the setting sun. This 
behaviour is reminiscent of Heliconius charitonius tuckeri (Comstock and 
Brown) which we have seen assembling here in small communal roosts, 
except that this latter species waves its wings gently to and fro eventually 
closing them, whereas the swallowtails sat motionless—each forming a 
flat-topped perfect triangle, tilted at an angle to catch the last rays of 
the sun, and held them open indefinitely. 


Between 5 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. these butterflies were disturbed six times, 
but after flying around they returned to the same tree. On four occasions 
the disturbances were caused by other giant swallowtails, either latecomers 
or roosting specimens which had been shaken out of neighbouring trees 
by squirrels. They attacked the sleeping butterflies mercilessly, striking at 
them again and again. The ‘pair’ in view flickered their wings rapidly 
in unison but the pugnacious intruders returned to the attack and soon 
all five would-be roosters were on the wing. Squirrels jumping into their 
tree was the cause of the next flurry and finally a car passed by, and all 
five butterflies once again rose into the air. At 6.15 p.m. the largest of the 


104 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


‘pair’ was once more back in the outermost branches, with wings spread, 
rocking almost imperceptibly in the breeze. By seven o’clock it was too 
dark to see them without a torch but up to eleven o’clock they had not 
moved. Next morning about 7.20 a.m. squirrels again created a disturbance 
and one butterfly began to fly around in the half-light, but we kept our 
eyes fixed grimly on the largest of the ‘pair’ which did not stir. With 
wings spread and tails at a slight angle in classical swallowtail fashion, 
it slept on for a total of 14 hours 25 minutes. At 8.45 a.m. the right 
forewing twitched slightly and it flopped out of bed. There was no 
warming-up process. Observers and observed then moved away in search 
of breakfast, one decidedly more stiffly than the other. 


Unlike P. cresphontes, P. palamedes roost alone. This is scarcely surpris- 
ing since its violent and pugnacious temperament creates a barrier to 
companionable night life. This swallowtail attacks almost any species, 
including its own, which it encounters during periods on the wing, 
particularly on arrival at a communal nectar source, when it strikes, 
apparently at random or capriciously, at any other butterfly in sight. 
Especially as evening approaches it engages in long strenuous combats with 
members of the opposite sex—a pair sometimes battering each other 
continuously for 13-20 minutes. Whether such flights are sexual in nature, 
with the male trying to subdue a reluctant female by force, is not known. 
Suffice to say both butterflies may receive severe injuries in the process 
(Fig. 2), mostly to the hind wings or ‘tail’ area—injuries which could 
easily be mistaken for bird beak marks (Rothschild, 1978). As bedtime 
approached P. palamedes made sudden long circuitous flights from the 
feeding grounds, often returning to the flowers, but soon or later disap- 
pearing around 4-4.30 p.m. Sleep would become virtually impossible unless 
a discreet approach was made from the communal feeding area to the 
roost. During these flights they are almost impossible to track amidst 
the branches of the trees and the luxuriant growth of creepers and vines. 
By observing flight lines and organising observation posts—and only after 
many repeated failures—were we eventually able to observe these butterflies 
roosting. Occasionally they chose sites among pine needles twenty feet up, 
but usually the situations selected were in bushes within 5-6 feet of the 
ground. Unlike P. cresphontes which, unless disturbed by squirrels, or 
other untoward events, remained all night in the original site of their 
choice, P. palamedes is a tremendous fidget. For quite long periods, 20 
minutes or more, it remained with its wings fully spread in the permanent 
roosting position characteristic of P. cresphontes, and then suddenly 
fluttered off to select another site, sometimes close at hand but at other 
times far distant. This performance may be repeated several times, with 
quite a lot of wing-fanning in between. Eventually when it does go to 
sleep it is with wings closed held vertically above the thorax, but any 
disturbance in its vicinity elicits a few rapid wing claps. 


Awakening in the morning the wings were fully extended in the direction 
of the rising sun; occasionally the butterfly would shut them again—like a 
man reluctant to leave a comfortable bed who temporarily pulls the bed 
clothes over his head—and remained motionless for several minutes. At 
last it decided to take off, but resettled almost immediately on a patch of 
sunlit grass and stretched fully towards the rays of the sun. The warming 
up, like the settling down process of this species, is a protracted affair. 


Battus polydamas, the commonest species at the Archbold Station in 
November, also roosts singly. It is the last of the swallowtails to leave the 


105 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


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106 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


flowering spikes of the red Pagoda flower (a species of Clerondrum intro- 
duced from Asia) around 5 p.m. It flew directly upwards into one of the 
surrounding trees, preferably a pine, immediately chose the appropriate 
spot between a bunch of the long pine needles—some 12-15 feet off the 
ground—settled, snapped its wings together and never moved again for 
approximately 16 hours. Even when struck at by another passing individual 
they did not move their wings. Similarly it left the tree in the morning 
without any preliminary movements equivalent to ‘stretching in bed’. On 
overcast days B. polydamas extended its roosting period to 19 hours, and 
possibly longer. On one occasion this butterfly was found asleep beside a 
large dragonfly. 

Of the four species represented in the garden by single individuals we 
were able to track down Papilio glaucus Linnaeus one afternoon feeding 
at 2.55 p.m. on a patch of Sedum (which had just come into bloom along 
the main asphalt drive), in company with a single P. cresphontes. After 
two hours at this nectar site the butterfly flew around for about one 
minute, apparently reconnoitering the roosting possibilities, but returned 
to feed for a further five minutes. This manoeuvre was repeated several 
times. It then suddenly rose to considerable heights above the trees, gliding 
down to settle for the night in the outermost twigs of a pine immediately 
above the road. The wings were closed vertically and after a slight fanning 
movement the butterfly remained perfectly still for 15 hours. 

Papilio troilus Linnaeus however completely defeated us. This butterfly 
patrolled a special area which surrounded the principal feeding site. It 
excited animosity even in the usually unexcitable B. polydamas which drove 
it off—sometimes several in unison—whenever it attempted to feed on the 
Pagoda blooms. At intervals of about 15-20 minutes during the day it 
passed at high speed through the glade. Again and again as dusk fell it 
entered the main roosting area, flying in a more leisurely fashion and 
vanished, as if by magic, under our very noses. Although we knew within 
inches where it snapped out of sight we failed completely to find its roosting 
site. Some other observer was evidently smarter than we, for on our last 
afternoon at the Archbold, waiting around 4.30 p.m. in the roosting area, 
we found the four bodiless wings of our troilus lying spread out in 
butterfly array on the ground. Since there were no marks at all on the 
wings we assumed a small rodent was the culprit. We were utterly dismayed: 
it was like losing an old friend. 

This brief account of the sleeping habits of four species of swallowtails 
demonstrates that, although the group as a whole share a general pattern 
of behaviour (Table I) each species displays characteristic features of its 
own. P. cresphontes, for example, roosts communally with its wings spread 
horizontally, while the other three are lone roosters with wings closed 
above their backs. B. polydamas dispenses with any late evening flights 
and never moves so much as a centimetre once it has settled down, while 
the pugnacious palamedes engages in long circuitous preroosting per- 
ambulations and—like one of the most distinguished fellows of the Royal 
Entomological Society—demonstrated its ability to clap while sound asleep. 


REFERENCES 
Rothschild, M. 1978. Hell’s Angels. Antenna, 2 (2) 38-39. 


A note on the Archbold Biological Station 

The station was established in 1941 by Richard Archbold and is supported by 
the non-profit biological research organisation which he created, and which also 
finances offices, collections and curatorial staff in the Department of Mammalogy 
at the Museum. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 Plate \ 


Figure 1. P. cresphontes roosting with wings extended during the hours of 
darkness. Note the cryptic effect of the wing pattern among the branches of the 
Laurel Oak. 


Figure 2. P. palamedes returning at dusk to the Pagoda flowers after a 20 minute 

flight. It has lost a greater part of one hind wing. [Note: In the failing light it 

is impossible to obtain a sharp picture of a moving object with Kodacrome II.|} 
(Photographs by Miriam Rothschild.) 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 Plate VI 


tn B Ww 


7. 
All 


Erebia aethiops (Esper.) with enlarged eye spots. 2 bred 17.7.63. 

Melanargia galathea (L.) ab. craskei Tubbs. @ bred 6.7.76 F.1 of ¢ ab. x Q 
ab. 

Hipparchia semele (L.) ab. holanops Brouwer. 2 bred 28.8.77. 

Aphantopus hyperantus (L.) ab. lanceolata Shipp. 2 bred 26.6.76. 

Pieris brassicae (L.) 2 albino form ab. albinensis Gardiner + ab. coerulea 
Gardiner, bred 16.7.67. 

Lysandra coridon (Poda.) 2 ab. syngrapha Kef + ab. fowleri South, bred 
IS e7e70: 

L. coridon Q ab. semi-syngrapha Tutt + ab. fowleri, bred 15.7.76. 

specimens bred by R. S. Tubbs. 


Plate VII PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. sSoc., 1978 


Melanargia galathea (L.) ab. craskei Tubbs ab. nov. 
A series taken in 1973 in Sussex by Mr. R. M. Craske. These specimens are 
now in the British Museum collection. The uppersides are all males. The top 
three undersides are males, and the bottom two females. The bottom left-hand 


specimen is the holotype. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 107 


Five of the major terrestrial habitats of the region are found in the main 
property stations (2,000 acres). These include South Florida slash pine/turkey 
oak woodland, sand pine scrub, scrubby flatwoods, low flatwoods and bay tree 
forest. The station also owns a tract of about 80 acres on the north side of 
nearby Lake Placid. The biota of the region is unusually diversified. The dry 
pine-oak habitats contain a number of endemic forms of plant and animal life 
such as the Florida scrub jay, scrub lizard, sand skink and Florida mouse. 
Aubudon’s caracara, sandhill crane and burrowing owl are characteristic of the 
nearby flatland region. (A dead armadillo on the highway quickly attracts a 
hoard of vultures.) The number of species thus far recorded on the station 
property includes 15 fish, 54 amphibians and reptiles, 142 birds, 36 mammals, 
about 350 vascular plants, and more than 1,100 insects and other invertebrates. 
It is not unusual to see half a dozen species of swallowtail butterflies in the 
station garden. 

The mean annual temperature is about 72°F. with an average annual rainfall 
of approximately 55 inches with over 60% falling (mainly in the form of short 
but heavy thunderstorms) between June and September. Maximum-minimum 
summer temperatures are 93°F.-69°F. and winter temperatures 76°F.-49°F. 

Research centres on the ecology of the highland area of southern peninsula 
Florida, with special emphasis on the natural ecosystems represented on the 
station. The several distinctive and completely protected habitat types together 
with well equipped laboratories and other facilities combine to make the station 
an ideal site for in-depth long-term ecological investigations. In the course of 
their studies the laboratory staff and visiting scientists have marked and released 
thousands of individuals of many kinds of reptiles, birds and mammals on 
permanant sampling grids in each major habitat or on the whole station property. 

The laboratory is supplied with most standard equipment and there are 
invaluable reference collections and library facilities. There are also outdoor 
cages for animals (two with concrete pools) and a greenhouse. My only suggestion 
for improvement of this fantastic set-up is that nectar sources for butterflies and 
insects in the immediate vicinity of the laboratory—the garden area—could be 
increased with advantage. 

Living facilities for visiting workers include rooms in the main building or 
one, two or four bedroomed, air-conditioned cottages (equipped for self-catering, 
although visitors can have their meals in the main building). Charges for food 
and lodging are nominal (a current fee schedule is available). 

Persons wishing to utilise the station’s facilities must submit an application with 
a research programme. Applications are reviewed by an Advisory Board and 
should be received as far as possible in advance, preferably two months, of the 
proposed date of the visit to allow sufficient time for review by the Board. 
Application forms and additional information may be obtained from The Director, 
Archbold Biological Station, Route 2, Box 180, Lake Placid, Florida 33852. 


H. C. HUGGINS, BIBLIOGRAPHY 
by J. M. CHALMERS-HuUNT 


(St. Teresa, Hardcourts Close, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 9LG) 
(A) The Entomologist (continued from p. 38) 


1949 Daphnis nerii at Leigh-on-Sea. 82:15. 

1949 The Yellow Female of Colias hyale. 82 :118-119. 
1949 Feeding Habits of Spilosoma lutea. 82:119. 

1949 Anania nubilalis in S. Essex. 82:119. 

1949 Two New Varieties of Peronea cristana. 82:156. 
1949 Early Emergences in 1949. 82:212-213. 

1949 Melanargia galathea in Essex. 82: 236. 

1950 Migrant Lepidoptera in 1949. 83:88. 

1950 Epirrhoe tristata in Kerry. 83:211-212. 

1950 Sterrha muricata Hufnagel in Ireland. 83: 234-235. 
1950 Aberration of Anaitis plagiata. 83:251. 

1950 Celastrina argiolus in South-West Ireland. 83 : 265-266. 
1951 Migrants in 1950. 84: 46-47. 


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Thecla betulae in Ireland. 84:69. 

Crambus contaminellus Hiibner at Leigh-on-Sea. 84: 95-96. 

Tephrosia bistortata Goeze in Ireland. 84:119-120. 

Obituary: Percival Frederick Harris. 84:120. 

Eupithecia innotata Hufnagel at Whitstable. 84:142. 

The Present Status of Agrotera nemoralis Scopoli. 84:142-143. 

Eucnemidophorus rhododactyla Schiff. at Leigh-on-Sea. 84: 238. 

Emus hirtus at Southend-on-Sea. 84: 264. 

Eucnemidophorus rhododactyla Schiff. in Essex. 84:280. 

Phlogophora meticulosa ab. roseo-brunnea Warren at Westcliffe-on-Sea. 
84: 280. 

Migrants in 1951. 85:42-43. 

A Late Form of Lophopteryx capucina. 85:45. 

Angerona pruneria ab. pickettaria Prout. 85:168. 

Two Noctuid Aberrations. 85:185. 

Eupithecia pulchellata ab. hebudium Sheldon at Glengarrif, Co. Cork. 
85 :196. 

Pararge aegeria at Chattenden. 85:214. 

Cacoecia pronuba Hiibner in Kent. 85:214. 

Obituary: Alfred Fogo Common. 85:216. 

Argynnis aglaja in West Cork. $5:220-221. 

Sterrha rusticata Schiff. in Kent. 85: 237-238. 

Minucia lunaris in South-East Essex. 85 :270. 

The Lepidoptera of Glengariff, Co. Cork. 86:12-17, 242-254. 

Tabanus tropicus (L.) in Glengariff, Co. Cork. (Dipt. Tabanidae). 86:33. 

Strangalia aurulenta (F.) in West Cork (Col., Cerambycidae). 86:40. 

Agrochola lychnidis ab. conjuncta Cockayne in South-East Essex. 86:58. 

Adoxophyes orana (V. Roesl) (Lep., Tortricidae) in South-East Essex. 
86 :189. 

Adoxophyes orana (F. V. Roesl) in Eseex. 87:128. 

Erratic Emergence of Insects, Spring 1954. 87:132. 

Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens in West Cork. 87:147-148. 

Late Emergence of Insects in 1954. 87: 173-174. 

Migrants in South-East Essex. 87:219. 

Late Appearance of Lepidoptera in 1954. 88:63. 

Pyralidae and Politics. 88:106. 

Early Emergences in 1955. 88:115. 

Early Appearances of British betularia. 88:141. 

A Few Further Notes on Margaronia unionalis Hiibner (Lep., Pyralidae). 
88 : 141-142. 

Hadena suasa in May. 88:152. 

Dr. Ford and Irish Lepidoptera. 88: 193-198. 

Aegeria andrenaeformis in North Essex. 88:198. 

Donacaula mucronellus Schiffermuller in South-East Essex. 88: 203. 

Dioryctria splendidella H.-S. in South-East Essex. 88:211. 

The Emergence Date of Euphyia luctuata. 88:212. 

The Burren in July, 1954. 88:212. 

Heterographis oblitella in South Essex. 88 : 263. 

The Southern English Captures of Itame fulvata de Villiers. 88 : 283-284. 

New Aberrations of British Lepidoptera. 89:1-2, Plate 1. 

Ephestia woodiella in South-East Essex. 89:8. 

Loxostege sticticalis Linn. in the Breck. 89:24. 

The Irish Race of Gonopteryx rhamni (Lep., Pieridae). 89: 65-66. 

Later Migrants in 1955. 89:72. 

A Parasite of Nephopterix obductella F.R. 89:121. 

The Irish Supspecies of ‘Gonopteryx rhamni. 89: 130-131. 

Curious Cocoons of Cerura furcula. 89 :147. 

Heterographis oblitella Zeller (Lep., Pyralidae): A Resident British Species. 
89 : 152-154. 

An Early Larva of Pieris brassicae. 89:173. 

Some Aspects of Melanism. 89: 185-187. 


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Phymatodes variabilis in the Southend area. 89: 219. 

Hadena lepida at Westcliffe-on-Sea. 89: 231. 

The Habits of Hydraecia hucherardi Mabille (Lep., Noctuidae). 89 : 232-233. 

Volucella zonaria at Westcliffe-on-Sea. 89: 234. 

The Burren Subspecies of Erynnis tages Linn. 89:241-242. 

Cucullia absinthii in South-East Essex. 89: 252. 

Nephopterix similella at Westcliffe-on-Sea. 89: 256. 

An Early Date for Cirrhia icteritia, 89 :256. 

Habitat of Leptidea sinapis L. 89: 283. 

Erannis defoliaria in September. 89: 297. 

The Origin in England of Hydraecia hucherardi Mabille. 89:298-299. 

Rare Pyralids in Essex in September 1956. 90:41. 

Immigrants in 1956. 90:50-51. 

Lepidoptera of the Burren in May and June 1956. 90: 139-142. 

Early Emergences in 1957. 90:61. 

Biston betularia F. carbonaria in ISreland. 90: 188. 

Platytes alpinellus Hiibner and other Micro-Lepidoptera at Westcliffe-on- 
Sea. 90: 269-270. 

Thread Spinning of the Larva of Apatele aceris. 90:272. 

The Swarming Habit of Acentropus nivea Ol. 90:315. 

A New Aberration of Gymnancyla canella. 91:14. 

Crocidosema plebeiana Zeller Resident in the British Isles (with R. M. 
Mere). 91: 20-22. 

The Larval Colour of Nonagria typhae Thunberg. 91:22. 

C. Granville Clutterbuck. 91:52. 

An Early Plusia gamma. 91:99. 

Euchromius ocellea Haw. as a British Insect (Lep., Crambidae). 91:123- 
125: 

A Further Devonshire Record of Ephestia woodiella Richards and 
Thompson. 91:155. 

Migrant Arrivals in May in South-East Essex. 91: 162. 

A New Aberration of Ectropis crepuscularia Huebner (Lep., Geometridae). 
91 : 208-209. 

Cuculla absinthii L. at Westcliffe-on-Sea. 91:232. 

Plusia ni Huebner in Essex. 91 : 250. 

Immigrants (Lepidoptera) on Tresco, Isles of Scilly, 1958. 91:251-252. 

Eupithecia millefoliata in South-East Essex. 91 :254. 

Nephopteryx semirubella Scopoli in Essex. 91: 254. 

Myelois ceratoniae Zeller at Westcliffe-on-Sea. 91 : 262. 

Evetria purdeyi Durrant in South-East Essex. 91 :269. 

Eulia formosana Huebner in Essex. 91 : 269. 

Lepidoptera on Tresco in June. 92:14-17. 

Cetonia aurata ab. nigra (Col., Melolonthidae) in the Isles of Scilly. 
92:26. 

The Further British Records of Euchromius ocelleus. 92:26. 

Ectropis crepuscularia ab. stovinaria, 92:37. 

Rhodometra sacraria in North Essex. 92 : 37. 

A Note on Breeding Nycterosa obstipata. 92:129. 

Review: An Illustrated List of the British Tortricidae Part II: Olethreutinae 
by J. D. Bradley. 92: 129-132. 

Plusia interrogationis Linn. at Westcliffe-on-Sea. 92 :157. 

The Food-Plant of Celaena leucostigma Huebner. 92 :157. 

A British Capture of Crambus leucoschalis Hampson. 92:176. 

The Breck Race of Crambus inquinatellus Schitt. 92 :236. 

Heterographis oblitella Zeller in the Southern Area. 92:243. 

Lepidoptera on Tresco in 1959. 92: 246-249. 

Notes on Coleoptera at Tresco, Isles of Scilly. 93:61. 

Autumn Immigrants in 1959 in South-East Essex. 93:74. 

Heterographis oblitella Zeller (Lep.) A Correction. 93:85. 

A Halved Gynandromorph Laothoe populi L. (Lepidoptera) at Westcliffe- 
on-Sea. 93:224. 


110 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC.. 1978 


1960 Euzophera cinerosella Zell. (Lep.) at Westcliffe-on-Sea. 93: 224. 

1960 A Melanic Aberration of Endotricha flammealis Zell. (Lep.). 93:231. 

1960 Lasiocampa quercus (Linn.) Flying at Night. 93:235. 

1961 Some Notes on Oidaematophorus bowesi Whalley (Lep., Pterophoridae). 
94 :9-10. 

1961 Lepidoptera on Tresco in 1960. 94 :26-28. 

1962 A New Subspecies of Eupithecia vulgata Haworth (Lep.: Hyriomenidae). 
95 : 45-46. 


(B) Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 
1951 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 63: 181-182. 
1951 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 63 : 221-222. 
1951 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 63: 250-251. 
1951 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 63 : 300-301. 
1952 The Dorset Swallowtail Butterfly. 64 :23-24. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64: 25-26. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64: 50-51. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64 : 84-85. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64:120-121. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64:144-145. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64:177-178. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64:211-213. 
1952 Killing Specimens for the Cabinet. 64:222. 
1952 Hydrophilus piceus L. at Light. 64:228. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64: 250-251. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64: 285-286. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64 : 319-320. 
1952 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 64 : 345 : 346. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65: 14-15. 
1953 Aberrations of Arctia villica Linn. 65:17. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65: 50-51. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65 : 85-86. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65:116-117. 
1953. A Note on Spatalistis bifasciana Hiibn. 65 : 132-134. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65 : 137-138. 
1953 Some Notes on Strangalia aurulenta Fab. 65 :149-150. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65:176-178. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65 :213-215. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65 : 255-256. 
1953 Foodplants of Polychrisia moneta Fab. 65 :256-257. 
1953 Melanism in Tethea ocularis Linn. 65 :277-278. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65 : 287-288. 
1953 Nola albula Schiff. at Chattenden. 65 : 308-309. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65 : 320-321. 
1953. Calophasia lunula Hufn. Larvae in Essex. 65 : 322-323. 
1953. A Few Notes on Cirrhia ocellaris Bork. 65 : 347 : 348. 
1953 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 65 : 360-361. 
1954 A Further British Specimen of Hererographis oblitella Zell. 66:2-3. 
1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66: 18-18. 
1954 Maniola tithonus L. on Marshes. 66: 22. 
1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66: 54-55. 
1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66 : 82-83. 
1954 Late Emergence of Nycterosia obstipata Fab. 66:83. 
1954 Heterographis oblitella Zell.: A Further British Specimen. 66:84. 
1954 The Burren in 1953. 66:104-107. 
1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66:115-117. 
1954 Sphinx ligustri Linn. Feeding on Holly. 66:120-121. 
1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66:150-152. 
1954 The Wood Leopard Moth on the Essex Coast. 66 : 162-164. 
1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66 : 167-168. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 111 


1954 irregular Dates of Spring Insects. 66:171-172. 

1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66 : 196-197. 

1954 Pararge aegeria Linn. in East Essex. 66:199. 

1954 A Staggered Emergence of Notodonta dromedarius Linn. 66: 199-200. 
1954 Aprctia villica ab. bruyanti Defour in South-East Essex. 66: 201. 
1954 Sterrha rusticata Schiff. in North-West Kent. 66:201-202. 
1954 Clearwings in Essex. 66:210-212. 

1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66 : 226-227. 

1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66 : 252-253. 

1954 Lithomoia solidaginis Hub. in South-East Essex. 66:255. 
1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66: 271-272. 

1954 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 66 : 293-294. 

1957. Notes on Microlepidoptera, June. 69:130-131. 

1957 Rearing Mamestra albicolon Hb. and Heliothis dipsacea Linn. 69 :174. 
1957 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 69: 193-194. 

1957 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 69: 216-217. 

1957 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 69 :244-245. 

1957 Ireland, Then and Now. 69:267-269. 

1957 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 69 : 281-282. 

1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70:21. 

1958 Leucania unipuncta Haw. as a Resident Species. 70:29. 
1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70:53-55. 

1958 A Further Record of Laspeyresia lobarzewskii Nowicki in Kent. 70:71-73. 
1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70: 80-81. 

1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70: 107-109. 

1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70: 136-137. 

1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70:162. 

1958 The Supposed Irish Record of Lycaena dispar Haw. 70:182-183. 
1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70:191-192. 

1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70:218-219. 

1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70: 266-267. 

1958 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 70 :299-300. 

1959 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 71 :21-22. 

1959 Notes on Microijepidoptera. 71:51. 

1959 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 71 :75-76. 

1959 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 71: 97-99. 

1959 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 71:121. 

1959 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 71: 153-154. 

1959 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 71: 181-182. 

1959 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 71 : 228-229. 

1959 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 71 : 262-263. 

1959 Notes on Microlepidoptera. 71 : 284-285. 

1960 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 72 :16-17. 

1960 British Entomologists and the British Fauna. 72:19. 

1960 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 72 : 30-31. 

1960 Honest Doubt. 72: 31-33. 

1960 The Foodplant of Tiliacea aurago Schiff. 72:72. 

1960 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 72:125. 

1960 British Entomologists and the British Fauna. 72:134-135. 
1960 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 72 : 141-142. 

1960 Gonepteryx rhamni Linn. Migrating. 72 :168-169. 

1960 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 72 :172-173. 

1960 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 72:185-186. 

1960 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 72 :214. 

1961 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 73: 10-11. 

1961 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 73 : 89-90. 

1961 The Emergence Date of Eupithecia fraxinata Crewe. 73:95. 
1961 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 73 :113-114. 

1961 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 73: 149-152. 

1961 Cosymbia puppillaria Hiibn. in South-East Essex. 73:163. 


n2 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


1961 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 73:181. 

1961 The Present Status of Euphyia bilineata L. ab. isolata Kane. 73 :203-206. 
1961 A Dilute Aberration of Leucania lithargyrea Esp. 73:221. 
1961 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 73 : 229-230. 

1961 An Entomological Mystery. 73 :240. 

1961 The Dingle Peninsula in July 1961. 73: 247-249. 

1961 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 73 : 257-258. 

1962 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 74: 39. 

1962 Insect Movements in 1961. 74: 40-41. 

1962 Cryphia muralis Forst. In Kerry. 74:119-120. 

1962 A New Subspecies of Eupithecia venosata Fabr. 74:171-172. 
1962 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 74: 202. 

1962 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 74: 218-219. 

1962 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 74 :240-241. 

1962 Dingle in 1962. 74:249-252. 

1962 The Habits of Bomolocha fontis Thunb. 74 :278-279. 

1962. Emus hirtus L. in the Southend District. 74:279. 

1963 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 75:138-139. 

1963 Lampropteryx otregiata Metcalfe. 75:218-219. 

1963 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 75:219. 

1963 Obituary: Mrs. Ethel Ada Huggins. 75:228. 

1963 Eupithecia virgaureata. 75 :228-229. 

1964 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 76: 16-17. 

1964 Dingle 1963. 76:18-20. 

1964 Melanism in Lepidoptera in the West of Ireland. 76:155-158. 
1964 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 76: 158-159. 

1964 Ireland 1964. 76:223-227. 

1964 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 76:230-231. 

1964 A New Aberration of Xylocampa areola Esp. 76 :286, 77:36. 
1964 The Hibernation and Pupation of Cossus cossus L. 76:294-295. 
1965 Ireland in 1964, a Postscript. 77 :13-14. 

1965 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 77:14-15. 

1965 More About Cossus cossus L. (Lep., Cossidae). 77:176. 

1965 Procus versicolor Borkh. (Lep., Noctuidae) in Kent. 77: 186-187. 
1966 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 78:110-111. 

1966 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 78 : 166-167. 

1966 The Second Broods of Irish Hadenidae. 78:183. 

1966 Celastrina argiolus L. 78:183-184. 

1966 Plusia gracilis Lempke at Wicken. 78: 255-256. 

1966 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 78: 256. 

1966 Dingle 1966. 78:294-297. 

1967 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 79:14. 

1967 A Note on the Hydraecias in the West of Ireland. 79: 99-100. 
1967 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 79: 100-101. 

1967 A Curious Conduct of Alsophila aescularia Schiff. 79:118. 
1967 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 79 :256. 

1967 The Dingle Peninsula, 1967. 79: 280-284. 

1968 A New Aberration of Eupithecia venosata Fabr. 80:157. 
1968 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 80: 233-235. 

1968 “‘Innisfallen’? Fare Thee Well! 80: 315-318. 

1969 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 81:104. 

1969 Hydraecia lucens Freyer at Dingle. 81:120. 

1969 Ireland 1969. 81:319-321. 

1970 Some Notes from Essex. 82:15-17. 

1970 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 82:17-18. 

1970 Ireland 1969, A Postscript. $2 :193-194. 

1970 Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 82:194. 

1970 The Food Plant of Celastrina argiolus L. 82:201. 

1970 ‘“‘Another Last Day.” 82:314-316. 

1971 Hydraecias in the Coastal Areas of Western Ireland. 83 : 37-38. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 113 


1971 
1972 
1972 
1972 
1972 
1973 
1973 
1973 
1974 
1975 
1975 
1975 
1976 


1976 
1976 
1976 


Dingle, 1971. 83 :343-346. 

Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 84 : 163-164. 

Euphydryas aurinia Rott. in the Isle of Wight. 84: 291. 

Obituary: Edward Stuart Augustus Baynes, O.B.E., F.R.E.S. 84:209-210. 

Obituary: Dennis Alfred Smith, F.R.E.S. 84:291. 

Ireland, 1972. 85: 65-67. 

Nymphalis polychlorus L. in South Essex. 85:225. 

“They Were Irish Gannets.”’ 85 : 234-237. 

Notes on the Microlepidoptera. 86: 70-71. 

Essex Insects in 1974. 87:60. 

The Black Larva of Abraxas grossulariata L. 87:268 

A Few Notes on Clearwings. 87: 275-276. 

The Second Brood of Apatele euphorbiae s.sp. myricae Gn. in the West 
of Ireland. 88:82. 

Apropos of Dr. Young’s Letter. 88:119-120. 

Epiblema grandaevana (L. & Z.). 88:206-207. 

Chloroclystis chloerata Mab. at Westcliffe-on-Sea. 88 : 239. 


(C) Entomologist’s Gazette 


A Further Old Record of Parascotia fuliginaria Linn. (Waved Black). 2:75. 

Farniana. 3:231-233. 

The Dillon Enigma. 4: 305-307. 

The Dispersal of Insects. 5: 63-64. 

Burrows of Mucking. 5:113-115. 

Foodplants of Aricia agestis Schiff. 5: 234-235. 

The Old Days at Chattenden Roughs. 6: 55-57. 

The Irish Subspecies of Alucita icterodactyla Mann (Lep.: Pterophoridae). 
6:124-126. 

A Note on Paramesia gnomana Clerck (Lep.: Tortricidae). 8:19. 

Papilio podalirius L., as a Genuine Immigrant (Lep.: Papilionidae). 
9:82. 

Notes on Variation in Cryphia muralis Forster (Lep.: Noctuidae). 13: 
94-96. 

Pyrausta funebris Strom, 1768 (Lep.: Pyralidae). 15: 95-96. 

Robin Mere in the Field. 18:110. 

Review: The Butterflies and Moths of Kent, Vols. I and II, by J. M. 
Chalmers-Hunt. 21:57. 

Lasiocampa quercus (L.) subspecies callunae Palmer. 21 :239-240. 


(D) Various 


The Limnaeae of the Alpine Lakes in the Glengarriff District, West Cork. 
Irish Nat., 27:119-128. 

Occurrence of Hartmannia septemspiralis (Razoumoysky) and H. patula 
(Drap.) in England. Jn/. Conch., 16 (2), 51:52. 

A Survey of Essex Lepidoptera in the Past Fifty Years. Essex Nat., 
29 (5S), 1-4. 

Lepidoptera of the Rochford Hundred. S. Essex Nat., 1955 :23-41. 

A Naturalist in the Burren. Proc. S. Lond. ent. nat. Hist. Soc., 1956: 
176-183. 

A Naturalist in the Kingdom of Kerry. Proc. S. Lond. ent. nat. Hist. Soc., 
1959 : 176-183. 

Obituary: Edward Stuart Augustus Baynes, O.B.E., F.R.E.S. Proc. Brit. 
ent. nat. Hist. Soc., 5 (2), 80. 

A Guide to the Butterflies and Larger Moths of Essex (with J. Firmin, 
F. D. Buck, A. J. Dewick, D. G. Down, G. A. Pyman, E. F. 
Williams). Essex Naturalist’s Trust. 


114 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


DATE OF THE ARRAN BROWN AND SCOTCH ARGUS 
(a correction) 


In our last number in the current volume (1/2):5 and 55, we gave an 
account of the exhibit of a 2 Erebia ligea (L.) captured in the Scottish 
Highlands ‘in July 1969’ by T. J. Daley ‘together with many E. aethiops 
Esp.’. 


Our member C. Edwards of Oban, Argyll, wrote to us to say that in 
his experience E. aethiops males start flying in late July and the first 
females a week or ten days later. He considered ‘Sth July’ too early a date 
for aethiops and pointed out that Higgins & Riley (Field Guide) give 
‘end of June to August’ for the flight season of ligea. 


While confirming the fact of the capture by T. J. Daley of ligea in 
Scotland, we must apologise for an error of date that crept in due to the 
circumstances of organising data of exhibits at the Annual Exhibition. On 
learning that the Society wished to photograph for publication his ‘aethiops 
form’ (as he thought it), Mr. Daley was questioned about the date and 
replied ‘late July 1969’, speaking from memory. Later, after confirmation 
of the identity of the specimen, he changed this, both verbally and in 
written account, to ‘Sth August 1969’. A confusion occurred in drawing 
up the account between the two versions which became combined. We 
have no doubt of the genuineness and circumstances of Mr. Daley’s capture 
of ligea, but must request readers to correct both this mistake and one 
or two others which, we regret, occurred in our report and plate on the 
Annual Exhibition.—Editor. 


ERRATA 
Vol> tl Cy2) 


2, line 44 and p. 8 line 6: FOR ab. holonops READ ab. holanops. 
5, line 7: FOR July READ August. 
, line 34: FOR C.B. READ C.G.; line 36: BEFORE ab. confluens 


INSERT ab. valezina; line 37: FOR ab. ater female READ ab. ater 
male. 


p. 55, line 25: FOR July 5th READ August Sth. 
Plate 1, captions: fig. 2: FOR lathonia read paphia. 


PROCEEDINGS 


9th February 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 


p. 
p. 
Dp. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — (i) A 2 example of Apanteles pinicola Lyle (Hym., 
Braconidae) bred 25.ix.1977 from an immature larva of Thera obeliscata 
(Hiibner) (Lep., Geometridae), the grey pine carpet. The young host larva 
was beaten, together with other larvae of the same species, from low 
branches of Pinus sylvestris, 3.ix.1977, on Brownsea Island, Dorset. The 
host larva was killed on 12.ix, on which date the parasite larva spun its 
rosy-tinted white cocoon, attaching it to the dead host skin. A. pinicola 
seems to be a regular parasite of Thera spp., but its distribution in Britain 
is uncertain. (ii) A 2 example of Platylabus pulchellatus Bridgman (Hym., 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 115 


Ichneumonidae) bred 15.viii.1977 by Mr. R. Cordell, from a full-grown 
larva of Eupithecia pulchellata Stephens found at East Prawle, Devon, 
June 1977. In common with other members of this sub-family the Ichneu- 
moninae, pulchellatus attacks the full-grown host or pre-pupa but emerges 
from the host’s pupa. All the species are solitary parasites. Perkins (1960) 
writes of the species being ‘infrequent’ in occurrence: possibly it is limited 
by the distribution of E. pulchellata, apparently its only host. The exhibitor 
was grateful to Mr. Cordella for the gift of the specimen. 

E. S. BrapForD — (i) Gelechia scotinella H.-S., an uncommon moth 
found among other micros in a box and recently confirmed as this species. 
The larva feeds in the flowers of blackthorn in April, the adult moth 
appearing in June-July. (ii) Pyralis farinalis L. bred from original wild 
stock taken in Kent. There is a marked difference in the size of the two 
broods that occurred in 1977. The food supply was plentiful, so there 
must have been another cause for the smaller size of the second brood 
specimens. The moth is usually single brooded; at times taking two years 
to complete the life-cycle. 

S. N. A. Jacops — A leaf of an American poplar bearing the gall and 
mine of the Nepticulid moth Ectoedemia populella Busck, together with 
drawings of the mine and also of the mine and gall made by the British 
moth Ectoedemia turbidella (Z.) for comparison. 


MEMBERSHIP 
The obligation book was signed by Messrs. Cumming, Tranter and 
Smith. 


COMMUNICATIONS 


Mr. E. S. BraprForpD reported that in his 1976 light-trap material he 
had found two broods of the moth Stenoptilia saxifragae Fletcher (Lep., 
Pterophoridae), in fact 39 specimens of the first (vi-vii), and 10 specimens 
of the second (viii-ix) at Boreham Wood, Herts. The species was first 
found in Dublin nearly forty years ago. 

Mr. K. G. B. SmitH then gave the Society a very comprehensive yet 
succinct illustrated talk on ‘Changes in the British Diptera fauna’. This 
was followed by a keen discussion on the many interesting aspects of the 
subject. 


OBSERVATIONS ON EXHIBITS 
Some members reported having observed in the wild a second brood of 
fyralis farinalis, while others declared they had never observed this. 


23rd February 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 


J. BRown — Two species of Lycaenidae from an isolated mountain in 
.orthern Greece, recently discovered by the exhibitor and Mr. J. Coutsis, 
sith transparencies illustrating the habitat. After performing chromosome 
counts, the exhibitor was proposing to consider them as (i) a new species 
near Lysandra coridon (Poda) and (ii) a new species of Agrodiaetus, subject 
to reserves. 

M. W. F. Tweepie — A photograph of the Arachnid Anelasmocephalus 
cambridgei (Westwood) (Opiliones, Trogulidae) from a wood near Rye, 
Sussex. 


116 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


The President then announced that two books had been presented to 
the library, and exhibited them; they were Dragonflies of Great Britain 
and Ireland (Hammond and Gardner), and Insect Photography (P. E. 
Lindley). 


NOMINATIONS 


Having been read a second time, the following were declared elected 
new members: A. R. Cronin, Lt. Col. G. Eastwick-Field, C. A. Guy, D. 
Budworth, M.Sc., R. Allison, A.C.A., N. F. Heal and R. A. Softly. 


COMMUNICATIONS 


B. HarGREAVES then gave an illustrated talk on ‘The versatility of 
entomological illustration’. In addition to revealing his own techniques and 
showing some examples of early artists whom he admired, the speaker 
showed reproductions of a mass of recent, unpublished illustrations. In 
the ensuing discussion members were interested to learn the artist’s views 
on various questions, such as the capacity of a non-entomological artist 
to reveal diagnostic characters; the speaker said that for this purpose he 
had had the benefit of repeated advice from entomological experts on the 
groups concerned. 


9th March 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 


Dr. A. A. ALLEN — Two examples (¢, 2) of Dusona pulchripes 
Holmgren (Hym., Ichneumonidae), bred singly from two larvae of Thera 
obeliscata (Hiibner) (Lep., Geometridae). The hosts were beaten, in the 
company of others, from low branches of Pinus sylvestris, 14.viii.1977, on 
Haldon Moors, near Dawlish, Devon. The larvae attained full size at 
irregular intervals, the majority producing moths in the early autumn. 
The two parasitised by pulchripes were characteristically killed as pre- 
pupae; one in late August, from which a @ was bred 18.ix.77, and one on 
27.ix, the Q being bred 28.x. Not only is T. obeliscata a new host for the 
parasite, but this record seems to represent the first incidence of pulchripes 
in Britain. The exhibitor was compelled to send the insect to an authority 
on Dusona, Dr. R. Hinz, in Germany, who kindly identified the species; 
it was not in the British section at the British Museum, nor listed in the 
(1945) Kloet & Hincks check-list. On the Continent the species is a parasite 
of Thera juniperata (L.). It is possible that the species was introduced 
when conifer trees were imported from Scandinavia and planted in 
Britain. 

L. N. Baxter — Actias maenas (Doubl.), an example of the adult 
(Lep., Saturniidae), the larva of which was reared wholly on sumach 
(Rhus typhira) after the third instar; the rearing was started on a mixture 
of walnut (Juglans) and sumach, the latter by accident; it showed a 
strong preference for this instead of the recommended walnut. The ova 
were purchased from R. N. Baxter of Wanstead, and the adult hatched 
One Zo 1LOTTE 

Dr. B. J. MacNutty — Myrina silenus (F.) (Lep., Lycaenidae), four 
examples, as an additional illustration to his talk. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 117 


MEMBERSHIP 
The obligation book was signed by Mr. A. R. Barton. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms reported that, after the severe cold spell, fair 
numbers of moths had now appeared, among those reported being Biston 
strataria (Hufn.) and the common Orthosia spp. Dr. ALLEN stated that the 
first Gonepteryx rhamni (L.), a @ at Coulsdon, Surrey, was seen on 
23rd February. Mr. E. WILD stated that he had so far only seen Apocheima 
pilosaria (D. & S.) and Alsophila aescularia (D. & S.) to his light in 
Surrey. 

Mr. A. E. Srupss stated that the Nature Conservancy had declared 
530 acres of the Wyre Forest, in Hereford and Worcestershire, as a 
National Nature Reserve by agreement with the Forestry Commission. 
Mr. M. Brown reported that Darenth Wood, Kent, considered by the 
Nature Conservancy as a site of National Importance was under threat of 
being quarried and subject to an enquiry in April. He had a list of old 
records of Lepidoptera, but would be grateful for a list of species still 
inhabiting it which might be endangered. 

Dr. B. J. MacNutty then gave an illustrated talk on West African 
Lepidoptera early stages; this one dealt particularly with Acraeidae, Lycae- 
nidae and Hesperiidae. 


30th March 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 


NOMINATIONS 

Their names having been read for the second time, the following were 
duly declared elected members: Messrs. G. G. Cleland, M.Sc., A. J. 
Halstead, M.Sc. and T. C. Rednall. The Rev. S. C. Pettis and Mr. M. 
Sterling signed the obligation book. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms reported that three examples of Gonepteryx 
rhamni (L.), the brimstone, had been seen recently near Staines. In Dorset 
Orthosia munda (D. & S.) had been noted as plentiful near Ringwood, 
with Biston strataria (Hufn.) still on the wing, but Achlya flavicornis 
(L.) was scarce; the first Yylocampa areola (Esp.) had been noted. Mr. R. 
FAIRCLOUGH reported an unusually early appearance of one Thera variata 
(D. & S.). 

A discussion on ‘Conservation, help or hindrance to entomologists?’ 
then ensued, led by Mr. A. E. Stubbs, a member who is also one of the 
Nature Conservancy staff. He said that entomologists, if they wished their 
interests to be defended, should voice their concern, with details of an 
endangered species’ place of flight, so that appropriate measures of 
management could be taken before it became too late. Mr. John Rudge, 
also of the Conservancy, spoke of the 1975 Act which at present forbade 
under penalty the taking of Maculinea arion (L.), the large blue; he asked 
members to state whether any of those present desired other species to be 
named in future legislation. Nobody present suggested any other species 
of Lepidoptera in need of protection in this way. However, a very animated 
discussion on the topic of conservation as it related to this order and 
other creatures, followed, and a variety of opinions, some critical of these 
laws, were voiced. 


118 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


13th April 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 
EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — (i) A @ Alexeter nebulator Thunberg (Hym., 
Ichneumonidae), caught at m.v. light at Plaistow, Sussex, 17.vii.1976. The 
species is apparently very widely distributed but perhaps rather irregular 
in its appearance. Most genera of the tribe Mesolerini (of the Ctenopel- 
matinae) to which Alexeter belongs, are endoparasites of Symphyta larvae. 
However, no reliable host records appear to exist for nebulator. It shares 
with the following exhibit the ‘Ophionoid facies’, i.e. a testaceous colouring 
and nocturnal flight, inter alia. (ii) A Q@ Ophion minutus Kriechbaumer 
(Hym., Ichneumonidae), captured by Mr. P. Cordell, 20.v.1974, in a light 
trap at Nutfield, Surrey. Ophion species are solitary endoparasites of 
Lepidoptera and usually of large size; the present species may be recognised 
by its small size and wing venation. Although widely distributed through 
Southern England, it does not seem to be common, and is much rarer in 
northern counties. (iii) Two larvae of Euplagia quadripunctaria (Poda) 
(Lep., Arctiidae) (Jersey tiger) found on cliffs at Dawlish, Devon, 1 and 
2.iv.1978; one larva was found at night feeding on groundsel, while the 
other was beaten from bramble nearby, by day. Both were about lin. long 
when captured. Although the moth is abundant at Dawlish in August, 
these larvae were hard to find; but larvae of the scarlet tiger (Callimorpha 
dominula (L.)) were abundant on nettle on the cliffs in late March and 
early April 1978. (iv) A specimen of Phlogophora meticulosa (L.) (the 
angle-shades moth) captured at 18.00 hours on 13.iv.1978 at South Audley 
Street, London. 

Mr. E. S. BRADFoRD — Eudonia angustea (Curtis) (Lep., Pyralidae). The 
larvae of this species were found feeding on moss on walls in Faversham, 
Kent. In 1977 the larvae were numerous on these same walls, almost 
completely destroying the moss by their workings; however, the species 
reappeared this year. 

Mr. and Mrs. T. G. HowartTu exhibited three larvae, in their last instar, 
of Euplagia quadripunctaria (Poda), bred from ova laid by a female 
captured in Seaton, E. Devon, in August 1977, the easternmost station 
of the moth in Britain. These having been reared indoors, were much 
more advanced than those shown by Dr. Allen. 

J. MuGGLETON — Morphs of the two-spotted ladybird (Adalia bipunctata 
(L.)) (Col., Coccinellidae) commonly found in Britain, together with one spe- 
cimen of the form fasciatopunctata of this beetle; examples of the latter 
form have been found in 1976-77 at Staines, Datchet and Milford, though 
apparently previously only known from Mongolia where it makes up over 
50% of the population. Breeding experiments with the Staines form 
indicate that fasciatopunctata is controlled by an allele recessive to the 
typical form. The reason for its sudden appearance at Staines is a mystery. 
It will be interesting to see whether the frequency increases in the next 
few years. 


MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MINUTES 
Mr. A. E. Stuspss spoke regarding the passage of Lord Cranbrook’s Bill, 
reported to have been recently ‘nodded through’ its third reading in the 
House of Lords. It is still not known whether the contestable portions 
will still be in the Bill when it reaches the House of Commons. Dr. C. G. M. 
DE Worms said he understood Lord Cranbrook had agreed to drop his 
long list. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 119 


MEMBERSHIP 
Mr. Softly signed the Obligation Book. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Review copies, presented to the Society’s library by the authors of two 
books, were exhibited. Peter Coates: ‘The Gardens of Buckingham Palace’ 
and Pinhey: ‘The Butterflies of Central and S. Africa’. 

Mr. G. ELseE announced that, Dr. J. Alison having died, it would be 
necessary to organise a substitute to speak at the meeting of 8th February 
1979. 

Mr. D. STIMPSON mentioned reports of tidying up Hampstead Heath 
resulting in protests. Mr. SoFTLy said he understood that the Parks Depart- 
ment had cleared scrub in the Old Kenwood Estate or Highgate Valley 
sector. It was hoped that someone knowledgeable in conservancy would 
be associated with these measures. The President undertook to find out 
if such were the case. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms reported that Celastrina argiolus (L.), the holly 
blue, had been reported on the wing at Brighton, and that Lithophane 
semibrunnea (Haworth) had recently visited his own light trap in Surrey. 
Dr. ALLEN described the comparative frequency of larvae observed feeding 
at night in March-April recently in Devon. Mr. R. Tusss reported that 
hibernating larvae were about a fortnight late, 18 overwintering Limenitis 
camilla (L.), white admiral, larvae only beginning to leave their hibernacula 
on 8th April. Mr. G. ELse reported having, with Mr. D. Appleton, dug 
out the rare beetle Anostris castaneus (L.) (Col., Elateridae) from sandy 
hillocks on the southern coast-line of the Isle of Wight on 8th April 
1978. Mr. MEREDITH reported the flight of Inachis io (L.), peacock, Aglais 
urticae (L.), small tortoise-shell, and Polygonia c-album, comma, butterflies 
on 3lst March in South Dorset, also the sighting of lizards and a badger. 

Miss M. A. Grr_inc then gave an illustrated talk entitled: ‘Evidence 
from fossil assemblages of Coleoptera of extinctions from the British 
Fauna during the last 9,000 years’. Those present evinced great interest 
in the data and conclusions revealed in this unusual talk, and the hope 
was expressed that much of this might shortly be published in the Society’s 
Proceedings. 


27th April 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — A cocoon, alive and unhatched, of Apanteles 
formosus Wesmael (Hym., Braconidae) obtained from a larva of Ourap- 
teryx sambucaria (L.) (Lep., Geometridae) beaten from privet, 24.iii.1978, 
in a wood at Salfords, Surrey. The host fed well on privet but did not 
increase appreciably in size, and on 15.iv the parasite larva appeared and 
spun its most characteristic cocoon near by to the dying host. The cocoon 
was finally a rather discoloured yellow, but the outstanding feature was 
the firm, thin stem which extended from the base of the cocoon to the 
floor of the container for a distance of about 10mm. Shortly after the 
parasite had appeared (from the rear half of the host), the host experienced 
a series of violent convulsions, after which it died; it was dead within 
twlve hours. This behaviour contrasted with the more usual gradual 


120 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


deterioration of the host after the appearance of other solitary spp. of 
Apanteles; in the experience of the exhibitor, death usually takes 3-6 days. 
The host record is of interest for A. formosus has a known life-cycle: it is 
bivoltine, the usual overwintering host larva in which A. formosus hiber- 
nates is Abraxas grossulariata (L.), while the summer brood larva are 
parasitic on larvae of Lycia hirtaria Clerck. Very old records list sambucaria 
as a host, but G. T. Lyle, an experienced hymenopterist, failed to obtain 
this species from the many sambucaria which he collected in the early part 
of this century. 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmer — A larva of Epinotia nanana (Tr.) (Lep., Tortri- 
cidae) mining leaves of Norway spruce (Picea abies), to show the unusual 
method of feeding. The larva was taken in Hatfield Forest, Essex on 
23rd April 1978. 

G. Prior — (i) A ‘Handylite’ to which a fluorescent tube had been fitted 
after purchase for £4.59, which can be hung from a tree and run from a 
car battery to catch moths. (ii) Larvae of the slender pug (Eupithecia 
tenuiata (Hibn.)) which had been beaten from the catkins of a female 
Salix caprea by a member, John Fell, at Hockwold, near Thetford. 


MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES 

The President stated that he had made the promised enquiries about 
work at Hampstead Heath, but the G.L.C. was not telling the Camden 
Borough Council anything about it. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms said it had been a ‘blackthorn winter’ with 
only two nice days in the spring period. However, A. Harbottle had seen 
Vanessa atalanta (L.) on 23rd April; and another member, Mr. Messenger, 
had seen Odontosia carmelita (Esper) on a telegraph-pole. Mr. G. R. ELSE 
reported having seen Pyrgus malvae (L.) on the wing on 23rd April, on 
which day also Polygonia c-album (L.) had been seen at Wimbledon by 
Mr. R. Tusss. Other sightings or captures of various lepidoptera species 
were also reported. 

Mr. R. S. GeEorGE then gave an illustrated talk entitled “Trying to 
record the distribution of British fleas’, full of anecdotes and salt. 


llth May 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

Rey. D. J. L. AGassiz — An extreme aberration of Nymphula nym- 
phaeata (L.) (Lep., Pyralidae) taken in 1971 by Mr. J. D. Bonny at Crews 
Hill, Enfield, Middx. The forewings were almost unicolorous ochreous 
brown with a darker subterminal line. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — Examples of Apanteles spurius Wesmael (Hym., 
Braconidae) and an unidentifiable species of Mesochorus (Hym., Ichneu- 
monidae) occurring together as parasite and hyperparasite, respectively, of 
Biston betularia (L.) (Lep., Geometridae). The host larva was found when 
about half-grown, on 4.ix.77 in a lane near Reigate, Surrey, on elm. On 
10-11.ix, eight larvae of A. spurius appeared from the host and spun their 
yellowish cocoons. Normally these hatch in the spring of the following 
year, but on 28-30.ix four specimens of a Mesochorus sp. (2 and 3 @) 
were bred, while the remaining four cocoons hatched at the expected time 
in late April 1978, giving rise to A. spurius (2 and 3 @). The exhibit 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 121 


was of interest because it illustrated only partial parasitism, exactly half 
of the gregarious parasite A. spurius being themselves parasitised by the 
Mesochorus. The female Mesochorus oviposits directly into some or all of 
the Apanteles larvae contained in the B. betularia. The occurrence of 
hyperparasites may be readily inferred from Braconid cocoons by the 
appearance of the hatched cocoon. The Mesochorus (like other Ichneu- 
monids) chew an irregular hole in the cocoon to make their exit, while the 
Braconidae all make a more or less neat slice across the top of the 
cocoon. 


E. S. BrapForp — A larva of Monochroa palustrella (Douglas) (Lep., 
Gelechiidae), a very local species, taken from the rootstock of a plant 
of Rumex crispus from Stoke, Kent, in 1978. 


B. O. C. GarpINER — Larvae of the American hawkmoth, Manduca 
sexta (Johan.), being reared on an artificial diet, the subject of his talk 
later in the evening; they were thriving, but of an unusual bluish hue. 


Col. D. H. STERLING — Two larvae of Lithophane léautieri Boisd., bred 
from ova obtained from a female which came to light at Winchester on 
22nd October 1977 and laid five ova before it died, of which only two 
hatched. These fed up on a species of Cupressus. After three months 
feeding they were only just lin. long. Also three larvae and an emerged 
pupal case of Luffia ferchaultella (Stephens) (Lep., Psychidae), from the 
bark of trees in the Denny Bog area of the New Forest, Hants. The 
exhibitor’s son, M. J. Sterling, found a pupal case of this moth on Ist 
April from which a female emerged on 10th April. On the 14th April 
he and his son discovered over 50 larvae on lichens growing on pines, 
birches and oaks. Two more females hatched, but so far no male. He 
surmised that the Denny Bog population was parthenogenetic, as this 
phenomenon has been remarked on in some Psychids. 


A. E. Stusss — A fig which he had brought back from a holiday in 
Corsica, together with wingless males of a wasp said to fertilise the 
figs. 


COMMUNICATIONS 


Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms reported that recently in Sussex both the 
orange tip and holly blue butterflies had been seen on the wing in numbers. 
Mr. CHALMERS-HUuNT reported having bred an example of the grey form 
of Eupithecia venosata (Fab.) from County Clare, West Ireland. In reply 
to a query by G. Prior whether there was a case-bearing larva on juniper 
in Britain, Lt. Col. A. M. Emmert replied in the negative and it was 
suggested that a sloe Psychid might be the identity of the case-bearer which 
Mr. Prior had beaten at Wendover (?) from an isolated juniper. 


B. O. C. GarpINER then gave a talk, with illustrations, on the rearing 
in his laboratory at Cambridge of various lepidopterous larvae on an 
artificial pabulum obtainable from Harris Biological Suppplies, Old Nixon 
Estate, Weston-super-Mare, Avon. This talk evoked the liveliest interest 
among listeners. 


122 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


25th May 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — A 6 Agrypon flexorium Thunberg (Hym., Ichneu- 
monidae) bred from Drepana falcataria (L.) (Lep., Drepanidae). The nearly 
full-grown host was beaten out of young birch, 16.x.1977, on Hackhurst 
Downs, Gomshall, Surrey. The host pupated at the end of the month, and 
the parasite emerged from the pupa of the host on 10.v.1978. The 
exhibitor had previously exhibited A. flexorium, but this is apparently the 
first time it has been reared in Britain from D. falcataria. (ii) A larva, 
as a pre-pupa, of Epirrita dilutata (D. & S.) (Lep., Geometridae) found 
on birch, 21.v.1978, in Reigate Priory, Surrey. The larva was of interest 
because of the presence of two cream ova of an ectoparasite, probably 
of the genus Nefelia, lodged on its thoracic segments. The ova were 
expected to hatch shortly and the hymenopterous larvae would then 
consume the host. 

Mr. G. Prior — Larvae of Eupithecia inturbata (Hibner) from Acer 
campestris at Medmenham, 22.v.1978, showing the dorsal colouring which 
serves to distinguish this species from the larvae of Operophtera brumata 
(L.) (winter moth) in its later stages. 


COMMENTS ON PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmert stated that in England Luffia ferchaultella (L.) 
was always parthenogenetic, though ¢@ @ were known from the Channel 
Isles. 

Mr. G. Prior stated that the record of Eucosma pauperana (Dup.), 
from Thetford, Norfolk, on 5.v.1978, had by an oversight been omitted 
from the minutes; the capture had been made by Mr. J. L. Fenn in his 
garden light trap. From East Anglia the previous record had been that of 
a capture on the wing on Fleam Dyke, Cambs. Mr. BRETHERTON stated 
that he had searched the Surrey locality where Rosa canina was abundant, 
and from which this moth had been previously recorded, in vain. Lt. Col. 
A. M. Emmet also made statements regarding this moth in the later 
communications, reminding members that the first British record had been 
made at Darenth Wood, 1854. He had recently himself captured it on 
Fleam Dyke, between 6.00 and 6.30 p.m., and he suggested that the time 
of flight might be limited which would account for its elusiveness. 


MEMBERSHIP 
After the reading of their names for the second time, Mr. A. Valetta 
and Dr. J. Feltwell were declared elected members. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS 
The President announced that Mr. Rudge had informed him that the 
third reading of Lord Cranbrook’s Bill was not yet assured. With reference 
to the letters written to Mr. Rudge in March and April by the Society 
on this topic, the list of prohibited species was now reduced from 129 to 
16. This short list included the heath fritillary and the chequered skipper 
butterflies and three species of grasshopper. 


COMMUNICATIONS 
Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms had visited the Wye Valley where orange 
tip butterflies were noted to be numerous. At light two species of moth 
deserved mention: the typical form of Egira conspicillaris (L.), usually 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 123 


the rarer of its two forms, and a number of Nola confusalis (H.-S.). He had 
also had reported to him the abundance of the holly blue in Sussex, whence 
also H. lucina (L.), Boloria euphrosyne (L.) and Leptidea sinapis (L.) 
were reported as now out. 

Mr. BRETHERTON reported no more than ten moths per night on the 
average as coming to his moth trap in Surrey, though the variety of 
species was good, to which Mr. E. WILDE reported that to his trap in his 
part of Surrey an average of nine had been noted. 

Mr. R. J. VANE-WricuT then gave an illustrated talk on the evolution 
and biology of Danaid butterflies. This evoked great interest in those 
present. 


8th June 1978 
The Vice-President, Rev. D. J. L. AGassiz, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 
Rev. D. J. L. AGassiz — Larva of Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla 
(D. & S.) on a wild rose bud. 
Dr. A. A. ALLEN — Two specimens of Meteorus versicolor Wesmael 


(Hym., Braconidae), both obtained from moorland near Dawlish, Devon. 
A female was bred 27.viii.1977 from a cocoon found on heather, 14.vili.77, 
and a male was bred 4.v.1978 from a larva of Lycophotia porphyrea 
(D. & S.) (Lep., Noctuidae), swept, with others, 30.i11.1978 from heather 
on the same stretch of moorland. When captured, the host larva was 
about half-grown and grew fairly slowly until the parasite larva appeared 
from within the host on 14.iv. For the six days immediately prior to the 
appearance of the parasite larva, the host did not feed, a phenomenon 
which the exhibitor had noticed with other larvae parasitised by Mefeorus 
spp. (e.g. M. near fragilis Wesm., ex Nola cucullatella (L.)). The female 
exhibited was unremarkable, but the male was an unusually dark example, 
a character communicated to the exhibitor by Mr. T. Huddlestone of the 
British Museum (Natural History), to whom he was grateful for determining 
the species. A second very dark male was also bred 22.iv.1978 from 
another L. porphyrea larva found at the same time. 

Lt. Col. A. M. EMmet — (i) Eucosma pauperana (Dup.) (Lep., Tortri- 
cidae): two specimens taken at Fleam Dyke, Cambs. on 14 and 17.v.1978. 
(ii) Mompha propinquella (Stainton) (Lep., Momphidae): pressed/willow- 
herb leaves (Epilobium hirsutum) showing the larval-mine; this is normally 
confined to the underside of the leaf and not visible from above. The 
leaves were collected at West Wickham, Cambs., 29.v.1978: also leaves 
containing cocoons spun in the final larval mines. The cocoon, being 
generally spun along the midrib, contorts the leaf conspicuously. These 
leaves were collected at Little Baddow, Essex, 2.vi.1978. 

A. J. HatsteAD — Examples of the black citrus aphid (Toxoptera 
aurantii (Boy.) (Hem., Aphididae): the world’s only stridulating aphid. A 
faint, high pitched sound is made when the aphids jerk their bodies up 
and down in unison. They have a roughened area on the side of their 
abdomen which is brought into contact with hairs on the hind tibia, and 
this presumably produces the sound. It has been suggested that stridulating 
is a defence mechanism against predators and parasites. At Wisley, however, 
the colonies are heavily parasitised by aphid spp. by mid-summer. 

The black citrus aphid is a pest of citrus, coffee, tea and cacoa in 
tropical and subtropical regions. It was first recorded in Britain on camellias 
near Flint, Clwyd, in 1928. It then disappeared or was overlooked until 


124 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


1968 when thriving colonies were found at the Royal Horticultural Society’s 
garden at Wisley, Surrey. Since then it has continued to occur at Wisley, 
although only camellia is attacked. It can be found even in the winter in 
small numbers on outdoor camellias, but peak numbers occur in late 
May-June when the new shoots and leaves are colonised. 

E. H. Witp — Cocoon of Psychoides verhuella Bruand (Lep., 
Tinaeidae) from Weston-super-Mare, on heart’s tongue fern. 


MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES 
Dr. A. A. ALLEN stated that the Nefelia ova deposited on the larva 
exhibited at the previous meeting had failed to hatch, perhaps because 
infertile; the host had pupated successfully. 


MEMBERSHIP 

The following names were read for the first time: Messrs. J. K. Packer, 
J. B. Jobe, I. McClenaghan and D. W. Yendall. 

Dr. R. BLAcKMAN then gave an illustrated talk entitled ‘The puzzle of 
the adaptable aphid’. Aphid life-cycles are renowned for their complexity, 
largely because of all the terms that are used to describe the seasonal 
succession of different morphs. Stripped of this burdensome terminology, 
aphids can be seen to have evolved a variety of alternative reproductive 
strategies, whereby they can exploit the short-term advantages of partheno- 
genesis, but at the same time balance this with the long-term need to 
retain sexual reproduction. Some of these alternatives and other related 
aspects of aphid biology were explored in this talk, which provoked many 
questions from the audience who thus evinced how much they had been 
interested by it. 


DISCUSSION OF EXHIBITS 
In reply to a question, Lt. Col. A. M. Emer said that the cocoon of 
Mompha lacteella (Stephens), which also fed on willow-herb, was, in 
contrast to that of M. propinquella, almost impossible to find, perhaps 
being formed later in the year. 


22nd June 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — Four specimens of the gregarious parasite Apanteles 
chares Nixon (Hym., Braconidae), obtained with seven others from a larva 
of Colotois pennaria (L.) (Lep., Geometridae), beaten from oak, 30.v.1978, 
on Brownsea Island, Dorset. During the late evening of 31.v eleven parasites 
appeared from the nearly full-grown host, around which they spun their 
pale straw-coloured cocoons, mostly arranged in one group held together 
by a tough, woven silk. Ten adult A. chares emerged during the night of 
5-6.vi; the remaining cocoon yielded a hyperparasite, also exhibited, of the 
genus Mesochorus (Ichneumonidae). The bred series of chares included 
one male, which is the first apparently known occurrence of this sex of 
chares. Although the host is a common species, especially as a larva, the 
exhibited parasite, A. chares, appears to be very uncommon; the first 
known example was caught in 1941, and the only records prior to this are 
1944 and 1961; in the latter year a series was bred, also from pennaria. 
All were caught in Southern England; see G. E. J. Nixon, Bull. ent Res., 
65: 722 (1976). Writing in that journal, Dr. Nixon suggests that A. chares 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 1125 


is closely related to the more commonly occurring species Apanteles 
spurius Wesmael; great care is needed to differentiate between the two. 
A short series of A. spurius (ex. Biston betularia (L.)) was also exhibited 
for superficial comparison with chares. 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet — A bird’s nest from a nest-box from Shadwell 
Wood Nature Reserve, Ashdon, Essex, from which specimens of Tinea 
piercella Bentinck were emerging. This moth species was added to the 
British list in 1943 by S. Wakely and appears to have been recorded only 
seldom since then. A second, very flimsy, nest from Colne Point Nature 
Reserve, St. Osyth, Essex, from which no fewer than 71 Tineids emerged, 
consisting of Monopis rusticella (Hubner) and Tinea trinotella Thunberg 
in about equal numbers. 

P. A. SoxoLtorr — An intersex form of Agrotis cinerea (D. & S.) taken 
on a recent Society Field Meeting at Ranmore, Surrey, 27th May. The 
moth is predominantly male, the left forewing being streaked with female 
characters, and each hindwing having a wedge of black scales. Also cases 
of Coleophora vibicella (Hiibner) collected by Mr. J. M. Chalmers-Hunt 
from Botley Wood, Hants. In the absence of the normal foodplant, Dyer’s 
greenweed (Genista tinctoria L.), the exhibitor had successfully transferred 
the larvae to a potted ornamental species, Genista lydia, purchased from 
a garden centre. 


MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet referred to his previous exhibit of Mompha 
propinguella (Stainton). These on hatching had in fact proved to be a 
mixture of M. propinquella and M. ochraceella (Curtis) and constituted a 
new record of the feeding habit of the latter. 


NOMINATIONS 

Their names having been read for the second time, Messrs. J. K. Packer, 
J. B. Jobe, I. McClenaghan and D. W. Yendall were duly elected members. 
The obligation book was signed by Mr. I. McClenaghan and Miss Burton. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Mr. G. Prior said that he had spent two weeks at Ambleside in the 
Lake District and had there noticed extensive defoliation of bushes by moth 
larvae, particularly of sallows by Opisthograptis luteolata (L.), the brimstone 
moth. He also remarked that in the London suburb of Hampstead great 
numbers of the Tortricid Cacoecimorpha pronubana (Hibner) had been 
noticed flying on privet hedges. The same had been noted by Mr. S. A. 
KNILL-JONES in Balham, another suburb. Lt. Col. Emmet remarked that 
this moth’s first record in the British Isles dated only from this century, 
since when it had been gradually spreading northwards. Other members 
also spoke of its occurrence and its polyphagy, Mr. E. S. BRADFORD saying 
it had been recorded in London on indoors aspidistra! 

D. G. CHELMICK then gave an illustrated talk on our rarer British dragon- 
flies (Odonata). Of the 44 species of dragonfly on the British list (Kloet 
& Hincks), 21 are common, or locally so, three are very rare vagrants, 
and three others probably extinct. The remaining 17 are either restricted 
to particular habitats or even to a handful of localities. The talk centred 
upon these species, considered on the basis of the habitats in which they 
occur and with particular emphasis on the threats to those habitats and 
the need for much more intensive study of the British Odonata fauna. The 
audience showed its appreciation at the end of this interesting talk in the 
usual way. 


126 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


13th July 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 
The President welcomed two visitors from overseas: Mr. S. Gupta from 
India and Mr. Schmidt Nielson from Denmark. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — Four species of adult Ichneumonidae (Hym.), all of 
which were caught on the wing or beaten from vegetation. They were: 
(i) Banchus pictus F. (@), 13.v.1978, scrub woodland, Arundel, Sussex; 
(ii) Agrypon flaveolatum Gravenhorst (2), from oak, also 13.v, Arundel, 
Sussex; (iii) Platylabus indipennis Gravenhorst (@), from Salix caprea, 
20.vi.1977, Dawlish, Devon; and (iv) Ichneumon xanthorius Forster (2), 
30.v.1978, flying over heather, Brownsea Island, Dorset. 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet — Sixteen specimens of Ectoedemia argentipedella 
(Z.) from pupae in a nest-box in Birch Wood Nature Reserve, Little 
Baddow, Essex, reared 14.v-2.vi.1978; also eight specimens of Tinea piercella 
Bentinck, bred from nest-boxes at Shadwell Wood Nature Reserve, Ashdon, 
Essex (30.v-5.vi.1978). These specimens are being given to the Society. 

Mr. G. Prior — Larvae of five Pug species (Eupithecia, Lep., Geome- 
tridae): (i) E. dodoneata Guenée, from hawthorn (Crataegus), near 
Watlington, Oxon, 8.vii.78; (ii) E. egenaria H.-S., from Tilia europaea; (iii) 
E. innotata Hufn., F.1 generation from larvae taken on sea-buckthorn 
(Hippophae), at Rye, Sussex, in September 1977; (iv) E. venosata (F.), 
on bladder campion (Silene inflata) from Watlington, Oxon, 8.vii.78; and 
(v) E. insigniata (Htbn.), on hawthorn and crab apple, same date, same 
place. 


MEMBERSHIP 
Mr. Yendall signed the obligation book. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS 
The President reminded all members desiring to borrow slides to register 
with Mr. S. Knill-Jones. 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Mr. R. S. Tusss who has been breeding the white admiral (L. camilla 
nigrina) (Lep., Nymphalidae) from twenty ova, reported that the larvae 
overwintered and F.2 imagines refused to pair, probably because of the 
impossibility of a nuptial flight in captivity. 

Lt. Col. A. M. EMMET again spoke about Eucosma pauperana (Dup.) 
(Lep., Tortricidae), describing spinnings obtained on wild rose; it appeared 
that the larva fed on the pericarp rather than on the ‘hip’. The Rev. 
D. J. L. AGassiz reported that he had obtained over 100 spinnings on wild 
rose from Royston; from some of these Archips rosana (L.) was obtained, 
but there had been among them about ten E. pauperana, of which he 
could later find little sign; it was a species that hid itself well. 

Mr. E. P. WILTSHIRE mentioned that the British species of early moth 
(Theria, Lep., Geometridae) would henceforth have to be called primaria 
Haworth, the true rupicapraria (D. & S.) occurring in Europe but being 
unknown from Britain; the latter had the forewing cross-lines more 
convergent at the hind-margin. This had already been known in the 
British Museum (Natural History) but now a Danish magazine had 
published the distinction between the two forms. He secondly appealed 
to members to follow the correct spelling of the eyeless grayling aberration 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 127 


(Hipparchia semele ab. holanops Brouwer) as a persistent but erroneous 
school of entomologists continued to spell it holonops. He also mentioned 
the receipt in the British Museum of a dead noctuid larva from Africa 
for identification, said to have been found in the faeces of the mountain 
gorilla. He wondered if Mr. David Carter would be able to name the 
caterpillar which looked like an internal-feeding caterpillar. 

A discussion of the pronunciation of the name Haworth then ensued, 
and a member reported that a relative of the entomologist Haworth stated 
that his family had always pronounced it ‘Hayworth’. 

Mr. T. G. Howartu reported having seen a 2 Polygonia c-album (L.) 
(comma butterfly) ab. hutchinsoni on 13th July at Canons Park. 

Mr. CHALMERS-HunT reported than on 30th June at Ranmore, near 
Dorking, he saw some Lysandra bellargus (Rott.), of which one male was 
in mint condition. 

Mr. BERNARD D’ABRERA then gave an illustrated talk on ‘Photographing 
Birdwing Butterflies by available light’. He preferred to use Ektochrome 
film in the tropics; he disliked using flash on living specimens. He described 
the rapacious collecting and corrupt governments or wardens of some of 
the states where these butterflies flew; owing to these, and deforestation in 
some areas, he was gloomy about the future of Ornithoptera. 

Many questions put to the lecturer by the large audience showed their 
appreciation of his subject. 


OBSERVATIONS ON EXHIBITS 


Mr. CHALMERS-HunrT said that although Eupithecia insigniata had been 
bred before from the ova, the larva had seldom been found before in the 
wild state, to his knowledge. Mr. Prior said he had found them in the 
Chilterns in a ride where old hawthorn and crab-apple were abundant, 
also maple. Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms said that the moth had been taken 
in apple orchards in the south of England. 


FIELD MEETINGS 
WESTBERE MARSHES, KENT — 9th July 1977 
CHURCH WOOD, KENT — 10th July 1977 
Leader —T. W. HARMAN 


Five members joined the leader and the expedition started with a 
general survey of the lakes and marshes. A number of interesting plants 
were observed, including Conium maculatum L. (hemlock) and Oenanthe 
fistulosa L. (tubular water dropwort). Insects were rather scarce, though 
some larvae were found spun in shoots of Artemisia vulgaris L. (mugwort). 

More careful searching later in the day revealed a number of larvae of 
Eupithecia valerianata Hibn. on the flowers and seeds of Valeriana 
officinalis L. Their camouflage on the seedheads was particularly good. 
In the same marshy area were a number of plants of Typha latifolia L. 
(reedmace) and, as these showed signs of larval attack, they were split 
down to reveal their occupants. Nearly all contained larvae or pupae of 
Archanara sparganii (Esp.), with a few only of Nonagria typhae (Thunb.). 
A vain search was made for larvae of Catocala nupta (L.) on trunks of 
large willows. 


128 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


After refreshments at the ancient hostelry nearby, a number of m.y. 
lights and Heath traps were set up in some excellent sites right in the 
marsh. Although the temperature was not high, the sky was overcast, but 
results were rather disappointing, almost certainly due to the late season. 
A few Macrochilo cribrumalis (Hibn.), Mythimna obsoleta (Hubn.), M. 
straminea (Tr.), and a fresh Spilosoma urticae (Esp.) were among the less 
than 40 species of macrolepidoptera seen. 

One member supplied a list of Hemiptera-Heteroptera, of which 
Sthenaris roseri (H.-S.) and Calocoris sexguttatus (F.) were worthy of note. 
Our lone micro-lepidopterist observed 14 species, of which Microthrix 
similella (Zincken) was of particular interest. 

The leader collected several species of Trichoptera from the various 
lights. Among 12 species since identified was a specimen of Grammataulius 
nitidus (Mull.), a local species only once previously observed in Kent, at 
Deal in 1888. 

From our observations it is obvious that this area has great potential and 
further visits should be rewarding. 

On Sunday the leader and one member visited Church Wood to ascertain 
the status of Mellicta athalia athalia (Rott.). Although the foodplant was 
abundant over large areas, the butterfly was in small numbers and very 
local, and obviously not fully out in this late year. 


SWANAGE, DORSET — 16th/17th July 1977 
Leader — Mr. P. J. BAKER 

The second meeting of the year to the Durlston County Park was not 
well attended as only two members and a guest turned up. 

The afternoon was pleasantly sunny but a persistent on-shore wind 
restricted flight activity. Nevertheless, Maniola jurtina (L.), Coenonympha 
pamphilus (L.) and Polyommatus icarus (Rott.) were flying freely and a 
number of Clepsis consimilana (Hibn.), Eucosoma fulvana (Steph.), Pem- 
pelia dilutella (Huibn.) and Agapeta hamana (L.) were flushed. 

A feature of the area was the profusion of those flowers which are 
characteristic of chalk/limestone areas. Especially abundant was Anacamptis 
pyramidalis, the pyramidal orchid, with the occasional Ophrys apifera, the 
bee orchid. 

Examples of both M. jurtina and C. pamphilus were found with orchid 
pollonia adhering to their proboscides. This must surely have been causing 
the affected insects some inconvenience as they were unable to completely 
retract these organs. 

Towards dusk patches of Ononaria spp., the rest harrow, were found, 
over which the plume Marasmarcha lunaedactyla (Haw.) was swarming in 
very large numbers. 

Due to the persistent breeze, which was south-westerly, lamps were sited 
on the footpath and cliff edge adjacent to the Castle Hotel. These gave 
very good results and turned up a number of interesting insects: Ancylis 
achatana (D. & S.), Archips podana (Scop.), Crambus perlellus (Scop.), 
Chrysotenchia culmella (L.), Ebulea crocealis (Htbn.), Aphomia sociella 
(L.), Dioryctria abietella (D. & S.), Gastropacha quercifolia (L.), Malaco- 
soma neustria (L.), Thyatira batis (L.), Habrosyne pyritoides (Hufn.), 
Pseudoterpna pruinata (Walker), Hemithea aestivaria (Hubn.), Jodis 
lactearia (L.), Scopula imitaria (Hibn.), S$. marginepunctata (Goeze), Idaea 
aversata (L.), I. biselata (Hufn.), Xanthorhoe designata (Hufn.), Catarhoe 
rubidata (D. & S.), Epirrhoe galiata (D. & S.), Camptogramma bilineata 
(L.), Eulithis pyraliata (D. & S.), Cidaria fulvata (Forster), Colostygia 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 129 


pectinataria (Knoch), Hydriomena furcata (Thun.), Thera  obeliscata 
(Hibn.), Horisme tersata (D. & S.), Eupithecia centaureata (D. & S.), E. 
subfuscata (Haw.), Chloroclystis rectangulata (L.), Gymnoscelis rufifasciata 
(Haw.), Pterapherapteryx sexalata (Retz.), Abraxas grossulariata (L.), Ligdia 
adustata (D. & S.), Lomaspilis marginata (L.), Semiothisa alternaria (Hubn.), 
S. liturata (Clerck), Opisthograptis luteolata (L.), Ourapteryx sambucaria 
(L.), Selenia dentaria (Fabr.), Crocallis elinguaria (L.), Apeira syringaria 
(L.), Peribatodes rhomboidaria (D. & S.), Alcis repandata (L.), Biston 
betularia (L.), Ectropis bistortata (Goeze), Campaea margaritata (L.), 
Cabera exanthemata (Scop.), Lomographa temerata (D. & S.), Bupalus 
piniaria (L.), Hyloicus pinastri (L.), Sphinx ligustri (L.), Deilephila porcellus 
(L.), D. elpenor (L.), Eligmodonta ziczac (L.), Phalera bucephala (L.), 
Spilosoma lutea (Hufn.), Eilema lurideola (Zincken), Nudaria mundana 
(L.), Nola cucullatella (L.), Agrotis segetum (D. & S.), A. exclamationis 
(L.), A. clavis (Hufn.), A. trux (Hiibn.), A. ipsilon (Hufn.), Noctua fimbriata 
(Schreb.), N. pronuba (L.), N. comes (Hiubn.), Lycophotia porphyrea 
(D. & E.), Melanchra persicariae (L.), Discestra trifolii (Hufn.), Hecatera 
bicolorata (Hufn.), Hadena bicruris (Hufn.), Cucullia umbratica (L.), 
Mythimna pallens (L.), M. l-album (L.), Acronicta megacephala (D. & S.), 
A. psi (L.), A. leporina (L.), A. aceris (L.), Phlogophora meticulosa (L.), 
Enargia ypsillon (D. & S.), Rusina ferruginea (Esp.), Apamea monoglypha 
(Hufn.), A. lithoxylea (D. & S.), A. sublustris (Esp.), A. characterea 
(Hiibn.), Mesapamea secalis (L.), Oligia fasciuncula (Haw.), Caradrina 
morpheus (Hufn.), Hoplodrina blanda (D. & S.), Lithacodia pygarga (Hufn.), 
Pyrrhia umbra (Hufn.), Autographa gamma (L.), Diachrysia chrysitis (L.), 
Polypogon tarsipennalis (Treit.). 


FEATHERBED LANE, ADDINGTON, SURREY — 25th July 1977 
Leader — J. M. CHALMERS-HUNT 


Sixteen people attended this meeting despite a poor weather forecast. 
But the weather turned out not at all bad: it kept dry; for much of the 
meeting, the wind was light and there were sunny spells about mid-day. 


Many of those in the party were microlepidopterists who had hoped to 
take the beautiful and very local Tortricoid Cochylis flaviciliana Westwood, 
of which this is a noted locality. However, in this exceptionally late season 
we were perhaps a fortnight too early as none was seen, though one was 
taken here about a week later. 


Several interesting lepidoptera were recorded, among which may be 
mentioned: Ostrinia nubilalis (Hb.), Homoeosoma sinuella (F.), Aethes 
hartmanniana (Clerck) (fairly numerous), Stenodes straminea (Haworth), 
Reuttia subocellea (Stephens) (among Origanum vulgare), Stephensia brun- 
nichella (L.) (mined leaves of Calamintha clinopodium) and Nemophora 
scabiosella (Scopoli) (a number on flowers of Knautia arvensis). 


Several species of butterfly were noted, including Argynnis aglaia L. 
(dark green fritillary), Strymonidia w-album Knoch (white-letter hairstreak) 
and Aphantopus hyperantus L. (ringlet). 


Mr. Paul Sokoloff observed a slow worm which, according to Mr. Wild, 
is very seldom seen in this locality. 


130 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


ELLENDEN WOOD, near WHITSTABLE, KENT — 31st July 1977 
Leaders — Mr. M. J. NEwcomee and Mr. E. S. BRADFORD 

The leaders, the last to arrive at the meeting place, were greeted by 
eight members who had already noted several species of lepidoptera, 
including: Coleophora limosipennella (Dup.), Teleiodes vulgella (Hibn.), 
Pyronia tithonus (L.) and Maniola jurtina (L.); the last two species jostling 
each other at bramble flowers. Larval cases of the rather local Coleophora 
limosipennella appeared to ‘be in some numbers on the scrubby elms 
bordering the wood and road verges at Denstroude. 

Various areas in Ellenden Wood were visited and numbers of insects 
seen or taken. One small clearing produced two interesting species, viz. 
Anana funebris (Strom). and Capperia britanniodactyla (Gregs.), as well 
as Paltodora cytisella (Curt.), a number of which were taken by members. 
Along one ride several specimens of Quercusia quercus (L.) could be 
picked from the leaves of the trees, so lethargic they appeared. 

Larval mines of Stigmella basiguttella (Hein.), Stigmella malella (Staint.), 
Nepticula marginicolella (Staint.), Ectoedemia  pulverosella  (Staint.), 
Tischeria ekebladella (Bjerk.), Tischeria marginea (Haw.) and Mompha 
raschkiella (Zell.) were seen, some being taken for pressing. Larval cases 
of Taleporia tubulosa (Retz.) and Psyche casta (Pall.) turned up occasionally 
on the trunks of trees and bushes. Three micros of interest taken during 
the day were Recurvaria nanella (D. & S.), Epinotia (Evetria) demarniana 
(F.-R.) and Phalonidia curvistrigana (Staint.), all fairly local. Other Lepi- 
doptera either seen or taken were: Bucculatrix ulmella (Zell.), Parornix 
betulae (Staint.), Callisto denticulella (Thunb.), Phyllonorycter corylifoliella 
(Hiibn.), Argyresthia brockeella (Hiibn.), A. goedartella (L.), A. curvella 
(L.), Ypsolopha nemorella (L.), Ypsolopha parenthesella (L.), Plutella 
xylostella (L.), Coleophora hornigi (Toll.) larval cases, Batia lunaris (Haw.), 
Borkhausenia fuscescens (Haw.), Carcina quercana (F.), Byrotropha terrella 
(D. & S.), Sorhagenia janiszewskae (Riedl.), old feeding sites in shoots of 
buckthorn, Cydia fagiglandana (Zell.), Cydia janthinana (Dup.), Spilonota 
ocellana (D. & S.), Epiblema uddmanniana (L.), Zeiraphera isertana (F.). 
Ancylis mitterbacheriana (D. & S.), Olethreutes lacunana (D. & S.), Clepsis 
consimilana (Hibn.) Cnephasia incertana (Treits.), Aleimma loeflingiana 
(L.), Acleris emargana (F.), Crambus perlellus (Scop.), Agriphila straminella 
(D. & S.), Agriphila tristella (D. & S.), Eudonia mercurella (L.), Endotricha 
flammealis (D. & S.), Pieris brassicae (L.), Idaea biselata (Huf.), Lomaspilis 
marginata (L.) and Scotopteryx chenopodiata (L.). Towards the end of the 
meeting an interesting Eucosma was taken, which proved to be another 
local species, Eucosma aemulana (Schlager). 

Mr. M. J. Newcombe spent a busy day and recorded the following list of 
Hemiptera-Heteroptera: Anthocoris nemorum (L.), Calocoris norvegicus 
(L.), Dicyphus epilobii (Reut.), Elasmostethus interstinctus (L.), Halticus 
apterus (L.), Heterotoma merioptera (Scop.), Kleidocerys resedae (Panz.), 
Leptopterna dolobrata (L.), Liocoris tripustulatus (F.), Mecomma ambulans 
(Fallen.), Nabis rugosus (L.), Orthotylus virescens (D. & S.), Phytocoris 
tiliae (F.), Pithanus maerkeli (H.-S.) and Plagiognathus arbustorum (F.). 
H. apterus (L.) and M. ambulans (Fallen) were two of note, the rest being 
common or abundant. 


DUNGENESS, KENT — 10th/11th September 1977 
Leader — Mr. P. J. BAKER 
Four stalwart members turned up at the venue, to be greeted with gale 
force winds which prevented almost all flight activity both by day and 
night. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 131 


Large numbers of Pieris rapae (L.) and P. brassicae (L.) were seen 
sheltering from the wind, possibly the results of a migration or possibly 
locally bred as Crambe maritima (L.), the sea kale, was abundant every- 
where. 

A small bag of the flower heads of Achillea millefolium (L.) was 
collected in the hope that larvae of the pug Eupithecia millefoliata (Ross.) 
would be found. An intensive search over the whole area for Linaria 
vulgaris (Miller) produced not a single plant, which possibly bodes ill for 
the present status of Calophasia lunula (Hufn.) in the area. The only 
results from the search was a single larva of Smerinthus ocellata (L.) and 
a number of Agriphila geniculea (Haw.). 

A little before dusk a pleasant few minutes were spent searching the 
toilets (male) in the Britannia Inn. This produced Noctua comes (Hiubn.), 
C. geniculea, Mesapamea secalis (L.) and Xestia xanthographa (D. & S.). 

At dusk sheets were laid and anchored with copious gravel in the lee of 
some sallows. Little came to the lights, however, and an early night was 
enjoyed by those present. Additional species at light: Agonopterix nervosa 
(Haw.), Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.), A. puta (Hiibn.) and Phlogophora 
meticulosa (L.). 


DANBURY, ESSEX — 30th October 1977 
Leader — A. M. EMMET 


The meeting was attended by twelve members in fine, mild weather. The 
area worked was one of mixed woodland extending between the parishes 
of Little Baddow and Woodham Walter. Interest centred on spinnings on 
Norway spruce, believed to be those of Pulicalvaria piceaella (Kearfott) 
which had been taken there as an adult earlier in the year; they were 
plentiful enough, but many were vacated. Leaf-mines were collected from 
oak, beech, birch, hawthorn, apple, species of sallow, aspen and wild 
service-tree; those on the last foodplant were suspected to be of Phyilo- 
norycter mespilella (Hubn.), which is known to occur in the area. Some 
excitement was aroused by a P/yllonorycter mine on aspen, but as no 
other could be found it was concluded that it was an example of xenophagy 
and not the recently discovered P. sagittella (Bjerkander). 

Another puzzle was an Elachista larva feeding in the leaves of the 
rare sedge Carex laevigata (smooth sedge); the larvae were too small to 
offer much prospect of successful rearing and another visit to the locality 
in spring will be necessary to establish their identity. One of the less 
common Nepticulids to be collected was Ectoedemia intimella (Z.) which 
was found mining Salix fragilis, as well as C. caprea and S. cinerea. 

Few adults were observed, but Diurnea phryganella (Hiibn.) was not 
uncommon in the more open parts of the woodland. In the afternoon 
R. and A. J. Fairclough broke away from the main party to beat for 
Acleris cristana (D. & S.) in the neighbouring Backwarden Nature Reserve. 
In addition to that species, they noted Ypsolophus notella (Clerck), Acleris 
ferrugana (D. & S.), Epinotia maculana (F.), Epirrita dilutaria (D. & S.) 
and Nyceteola revayana (Scop.). 


SANDY DOWN, BOLDRE, HAMPSHIRE — 25th, 26th March 1978 
Leader —R. W. WATSON 
Once again Mr. and Mrs. Watson opened their house to members and 


friends to view the Watson collection of British butterflies and larger moths, 
now part of the National Collection. 


132 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


There were 26 visitors on the first day and a further 15 on Sunday, 
confirming the popularity of the meeting. 

There were a number of new acquisitions among the butterfly varieties 
to interest those who had previously seen the collection, and for those 
for whom this was the first visit to ‘Porcorum’ the whole collection, 
especially the butterfly and Arctiidae varieties, was of great interest. 

Our thanks are due for the customary warm hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. 
Watson and for the buffet lunch which Mrs. Watson and her helpers, 
Jackie Dyke and Cathy Pickles, provided. 


KINGSPARK WOOD, PLAISTOW, SUSSEX — 20th May 1978 
Leader —K. G. W. Evans 


This was a joint meeting with the Croydon Natural History and Scientific 
Society and some 26 members and friends of the two societies attended 
during the course of the day and night meeting at this delightful woodland 
locality. 

A severe challenge by a senior Forester points to the increasing need 
for field meeting leaders to obtain the necessary permits to enter land 
administered by the relevant authority. Fortunately, such a permit had 
been obtained from the Forestry Commission, but without such it is clear 
that the visit would have had to be aborted. 

The day was warm and sunny and those attending had an enjoyable 
time with most of the insects sought putting in an appearance. With the 
season a little later than usual, the Wood White and the Broad-bordered 
Bee Hawk were only just on the wing. Unfortunately, there was no sign 
of our other quarry, the Drab Looper (Minoa murinata (Scop.)) and it is 
probable that being a late season this little moth had not yet emerged. 

In sharp contrast to a rewarding and pleasant day, the night was cold 
and unsatisfactory. Although approximately 14 lights were operated, the 
moth attendance was poor and nothing remarkable was reported. 

Over the course of the meeting the following identifications were made: 
LEPIDOPTERA: Erynnis tages (L.), Pyrgus malvae (L.), Leptidea sinapis 
(L.), Gonepteryx rhamni (L.), Pieris brassicae (L.), P. rapae (L.), P. napi 
(L.), Anthocharis cardamines (L.), Callophrys rubi (L.), Celastrina argiolus 
(L.), Aglais urticae (L.), Inachis io (L.), Polygonia c-album (L.), Pararge 
aegeria (L.), Falcaria lacertinaria (L.), Drepana falcataria (L.), Polyploca 
ridens (Fab.), Cyclophora albipunctata (Hufn.), C. linearia (Hubn.), Epirrhoe 
alternata (Miull.), Thera obeliscata (Hubn.), Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch), 
Eupithecia abbreviata (Steph.), E. dodoneata (Guenee), E. lariciata (Freyer), 
E. tantillaria (Boisd.), Lobophora halterata (Hufn.), Petrophora chlorosata 
(Scop.), Plagodis pulveraria (L.), Opisthograptis luteolata (L.), Pseudo- 
panthera macularia (L.), Lomaspilis marginata (L.), Thera variata britannica 
(Turner), Asthena albulata (Hufn.), Lycia hirtaria (Clerck), Menophra 
abruptaria (Thunb.), Ectropis consonaria (Hibn.), E. crespuscularia (Schiff.), 
Lomographa bimaculata (Fab.), Cabera exanthemata (Scop.), Laothoe 
populi (L.), Hemaris fuciformis (L.), Cerura vinula (L.), Stauropus fagi (L.), 
Eligmodonta ziczac (L.), Pheosia gnoma (Fab.), Peridea anceps (Goeze), 
Ptilodon capucina (L.), Pterostoma palpina (Clerck), Drymonia dodonaea 
(Schiff.), D. ruficornis (Hufn.), Clostera curtula (L.), Orgyia antiqua (L.), 
Dasychira pudibunda (L.), Diaphora mendica (Clerck), Orthosia gothica 
(L.), O. incerta (Hufn.), Autographa gamma (L.), Callistege mi (Clerck), 
Colocasia coryli (L.), Monopis rusticella (Hiibn.), Adela reaumurella (L.), 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 133 


Pyrausta aurata (Scop.), and larvae of the following: Thecla betulae (L.), 
Quercusia quercus (L.), Ochlodes venata (Br. & Grey), Ladoga camilla 
(L.), Apatura iris (L.), Pyronia tithonus (L.), Maniola jurtina (L.), Trichiura 
crataegi (L.), Prays fraxinella (Bjerk.), Hydriomena furcata (Thunb.), 
Operophtera brumata (L.), Epirrita dilutata (Schiff.), Chesias legatella 
(Schiff.), Apeira syringaria (L.), Crocallis elinguaria (L.), Colotois pennaria 
(L.), Apocheima pilosaria (Schiff.), Agriopis marginaria (Fab.), Erannis 
defoliaria (Clerck), Euproctis similis (Fuessly), Orthosia cruda (Schiff.), 
Cleoceris viminalis (Fab.), Eupsilia transversa (Hufn.), Xanthia aurago 
(Schiff.), X. icteritia (Hufn.), Ipimorpha retusa (L.), Cosmia trapezina (L.), 
and pupae of Lasiommata megera (L.). 

DIPTERA: Bombylius major (L.), Phytomyza ilicis Curt. 

ODONATA: Libellula depressa (L.). 

HYMENOPTERA: Bombus lucorum (L.), B. pratorum (L.), Nomada 
ruficornis (L.), Biorhiza pallida (Olivier), Diplolepis rosae (L.). 
COLEOPTERA: Coccinella 7-punctata (L.), Psyllobora 22-punctata (L.), 
Melolontha melolontha (L.), Rhinoncus pericarpius (L.), Endomychus 
coccineus (L.), Helophorus aquaticus (L.), Dorytomus dejeani Faust. 


CURRENT LITERATURE 
BOOK REVIEWS 


Henry Doubleday, the Epping Naturalist, by Robert Mays. (Precision 

Press, Marlow.) 118 pp., 3 plates. £4.20. 

In his time Henry Doubleday was Britain’s great authority on Lepidoptera, 
as well as no mean taxidermist, ornithologist and horticulturalist. Even 
today, considering he hardly moved out of Epping all his life and was by 
profession a grocer, his influence is unusually enduring; his collection of 
Lepidoptera is housed in the British Museum, his techniques are still 
followed to a great extent, at least three of his scientific pug-names are 
still used and considered valid, and many of his more controversial opinions 
have been vindicated. He was an original member of the Entomological 
Society and was made a patron of our own Society in 1872. On his death 
in 1875, the Society summed up his services to entomology as ‘of immense 
value’ and added that ‘his invariable kindness had endeared him to all 
who knew him’. Our present member, Robert Mays, in this handsome 
little book, has collected and summarised his life, work, and background, 
giving us also a fascinating picture of the naturalists and quakers in the 
19th century and of a part of Essex now, alas, largely suburbanised. The 
main section of the book is about 90 pages long and very easy to read; 
it is followed by a 28-page appendix of notes and references with much 
further matter of interest. Its appearance is timely as 1978 is the centenary 
year of the Act which conserved for posterity Epping Forest, the scene 
of Henry Doubleday’s birth in 1808, life, and death. I think none of our 
members will regret acquiring, and all who do get it, will reopen it 
frequently. 

E.P.W. 


Baltic Amber —a Palaeobiological Study, by S. G. Larsson. Entomono- 
graph, Vol. 1, 1978. Scandinavian Science Press Ltd., Klampenborg, 
Denmark. 

This interesting book, written entirely in good English, begins with a 
section on amber itself, its stability, chemical and physical characteristics; 


134 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


the next section deals with the origin of Baltic amber, and also shows the 
location in the rest of the world of ambers as old or older than the Baltic, 
and the relative position of the Continents at the end of the Cretaceous; 
a third section deals with the world flora of the past, the flora found in 
amber, the biological decline from the Eocene optimum and recent amber 
floras. The fourth and longest section deals with the fauna of the amber 
territory; it embraces virtually all orders of insects. A final section of ten 
pages, entitled ‘Review’, summarises the whole and shows how the coni- 
ferous plants, towards the end of the Palaeozoic, were the first to secrete 
resin in large amounts. The greater part of amber known today is young 
Cretaceous or early Tertiary. The formation of amber in the Baltic seems 
to have stopped early in the Oligocene, somewhat later in Rhineland and 
Roumania, but continued in Sicily into the Micocene, but the Pinites 
‘amber’ forest had a much wider distribution in the world than this. 
Chironomid fossils are especially abundant in ambers deriving from the 
Scandinavian Pinites forest. The author endeavours to deduce ecological 
conditions from the fauna of this amber prior to the destruction of the 
fauna by the encroaching ice, as climatic belts were displaced towards the 
equator. The fauna which postglacially replaced the Baltic amber fauna 
consists mainly of purely boreal elements which during the Ice Age were 
preserved in an Asiatic refuge. The original Baltic amber fauna appears 
to be totally extinct. 


All thinking entomologists interested by the palaeontology of their field 
of study will find much stimulating food for reflection in this masterly 
book, which inaugurates a new series designed to provide scope for larger 
papers on entomological subjects. Following volumes announced are by 
various English, American or Danish specialists, such as Gaden S. 
Robinson and E. P. Wiltshire, from whom the publishers promise mono- 
graphs on their specialities. 


Butterflies on my Mind, by Dulcie Gray. Foreword by Sir Peter Scott. 
Illustrated by Brian Hargreaves. Angus & Robertson (U.K.) Ltd., 16 Ship 
Street, Brighton, Sussex; 123 pp., 30 coloured plates, other black and 
white drawings, 10 maps. £5.75. 


This book is addressed to the general British public. The authoress is a 
writer of crime novels, children’s books and also an actress. However, 
she is no newcomer to the subject of Rhopalocera, having been for ten 
years Vice-President of the British Butterfly Conservation Society. The 
artist, a member of our Society, whose work on butterflies most members 
will know already, has been assisted by his wife in the lay-out of the 
many striking pictures which mostly depict, in quite a new style, butterflies, 
their foodplants and their habitats. 


A strict biologist might protest that five scenes are unnatural, as they 
show the butterfly on the plant, blooming, or in fruit, at a season when 
the creature is not on the wing. This, however, would be rather unfair, 
as the purpose of the pictures is to help the uninitiated reader to identify 
both the butterfly and the foodplant, also in many cases to show the sort 
of country they are found in, and not to represent what actually happens 
when bug meets plant. Were the classical illustrators any more natural? 


The text is a skilful tissue of the author’s own views, interwoven with 
opinions of others; it should give pleasure and information to many. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 135 


Quotations from old writers alternate with the utterances of doctors of 
science or movie-stars; Miss Gray quotes not only Aristotle but has 
consulted those now in the forefront of British entomological activity, 
incidents from whose childhood are quoted with equal zest with what they 
have to say on problems of ecology and conservation. There is quite a lot 
by, or about Robert Goodden, and she assures us that his being an officer 
of the Butterfly Conservation Society does not mean there is any connection 
between it and his commercial butterfly farm, World Wide Butterflies, 
Over Compton. This Society is indeed the one which she puts first among 
five others which she recommends her readers to join (we are included! ). 
In the chapter discussing the various enemies of butterflies, and in discussing 
various cases of extinction in the present century, her attitude to the 
collector, though not friendly, is not unreasonably hostile nor unbalanced. 
In one passage she describes an exhibit contrasting the ancient and the 
modern collector’s tools, at the Chequered Skipper Inn at Ashton Wold; 
the modern collector is apparently well-off, for he is content with field 
glasses, a camera with a zoom lens, a cine-camera, and electronic flash! 
Her own views are summed up in the sentence: ‘there are now so many 
excellent collections on exhibition, it seems silly to encourage people 
without knowledge to pillage the countryside and make our environment 
even bleaker . . . The fright butterflies receive on being caught must be 
considered pain.’ 

We doubt whether, as claimed on the jacket, that this book will be ‘a 
standard reference for every butterfly lover’, but even for the hardened 
lepidopterist it contains a few useful passages, and for those unversed in 
the lore of butterflies it would make a charming and informative present. 
Sir Peter Scott’s foreword sums up in a dozen lines Dulcie Gray’s achieve- 
ment; we consider she has performed the task she set herself most 
successfully. 

E.P.W. 


Libro rojo de los Lepidopteros Ibericos, by Manuel G. de Viedma and R. 
Gomez Bustillo. (Instituto nacional para la conservacion de la Naturalezza, 
Madrid, 1976.) 117 pp. No price stated. 

The stated object of this book is to provide a basis for an adequate 
policy of conservation for some of the lepidoptera of Spain and Portugal. 
It covers 35 species of Rhopalocera and 15 Heterocera. These are classified, 
with pages cornered in different colours, as ‘in danger of extinction’ (3), 
‘vulnerable’ (8), ‘endemic’ (some of these are sub-species only) (13), ‘rare’ 
(19), ‘immigrant’ (5). Each species is well figured in colour photographs 
and has a map of its present range in Iberia and brief accounts of its 
life-cycle, the reasons for fears about its future, and recommendations for 
further study of its habits. The text is in Spanish, but there is a one-page 
explanatory summary in English. 

The 35 Rhopalocera regarded as requiring some form of special attention 
are about one-sixth of the total Iberian list. This may seem rather pessi- 
mistic, in view of the fact that even the Rhopalocera of many parts of 
Spain and Portugal are still little known, despite the considerable growth 
of interest and recording, mainly by amateur collectors, in recent years. 
The number is, however, swollen by the inclusion of almost all the 
‘endemic’ species as a separate category. This is rather awkward, since, as 
the text admits, some of these are widespread and common, while others 
are probably in greater danger than some of the species classed as 
‘vulnerable’; and, though it is certainly desirable to collect information 


136 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1978 


about the ‘immigrant’ species, it is not clear what conservation could do 
for them. The few Heterocera selected include only some diurnal 
Zygaenidae, Graellsia isabelae and some other Bombycoidea, with two 
introduced species, and two immigrant Sphingidae. 

The recommendations for protection concentrate heavily on prohibition 
of capture of the rarer species, followed by statements of the need for 
more study of their biology and search for more localities for them to be 
communicated to the appropriate authorities. There is very little mention 
of the need for public or private action to protect their habitats from 
agricultural changes or from massive afforestation such as are now taking 
place in many known localities. While this attempt to identify and define 
the needs for deliberate conservation of endangered species is to be 
welcomed, one is bound to suspect that the recommendations for action are 
likely to be more discouraging than helpful. 

R.F.B. 


Guide des Papillons Nocturnes d’Europe et d’Afrique du Nord: Héterocéres 
(Partim), by P. C. Rougeot and P. Viette. (Delachaux et Niestlé, Paris, 
1978.) 227 pp., 40 colour plates. No price stated. 

This book is presented as a successor to the French edition of the ‘Field 
Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe’, by L. G. Higgins and 
N. D. Riley, which it follows closely in matter and textual arrangement. 
It covers, however, only a small part of the European Heterocera, namely 
153 nominotypical species and 59 additional sub-species in the Notodon- 
tidae, Ctenuchidae, Lemoniidae, Brahmeidae, Saturniidae, Lasiocampidae 
and Sphingidae. Nearly all these taxa are figured, most of them in both 
sexes, by colour photography on an effective blue blackground. The texts 
cover with admirable conciseness the French, and often other, popular 
names for each species, its world range, description, season of flight, habitat 
and foodplants, and European and North African distribution. There is a 
well selected bibliography, mainly on a country and regional basis, but 
also listing a number of recent taxomonic works; and a good check list 
of the species covered, which does, however, lack synonyms. 

Unfortunately, distribution maps have been omitted. The reason given, 
that in the present state of the authors’ knowledge these would have 
inevitably been very incomplete, seems to show some faint-heartedness; but 
it is perhaps intelligible, since even for France the most recent collected 
account of the distribution of Heterocera is L’Homme’s famous Catalogue, 
of which the relevant part is more than fifty years old. 

This Guide should be used by every British lepidopterist who collects on 
the Continent, if only during his holidays; and we must all hope that the 
authors will produce soon other volumes of similar excellence to deal 
with other families of the Heterocera. 

R.F.B. 


OUR CONTEMPORARIES 


Bericht nat.-Med. Verein, 64 (Oct. 1977). Innsbruck. 

On pp. 107-132 of this German-language periodical, not often consulted 
by English entomologists, appears a most interesting article by Alois 
Trawoger, entitled “Der Alpenwollafter, Eriogaster arbusculae Frr. Ein 
Beitrag zur Kenntnis und Erforschung der Alpinen Schmetterlingsfauna’’. 

This seems to have been evoked by a draft copy of part of the reviewer’s 
article about the Swiss, French, and other European Small Eggar larvae 
which appeared in full in our Proceedings, Vol. 10 (3/4): 98-99 (Pl. XII, 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1978 Si 


fig. 1), sent to the author about a year earlier. Herr Trawoger, a resident 
of Innsbruck, has had a 25-year long experience of these Eriogaster forms 
in that district, and in the article now under review sums up his observations 
and conclusions; consequently the article constitutes an important advance 
in our knowledge of these moths. 

The article deals with the deposition of the ova of the Alpine Small 
Eggar, its larval stage, its pupation, its pupal period which lasts between 
three and eight years (sic! ), the hatching of its imagines, which takes 
place in 5-10 minutes during the daytime at the moment when the snow 
recedes from the cocoon, the short mating flight (20-30 minutes) which 
occurs just after sunset, and the mating (duration: 5-11 minutes). The 
males live 6-8 days, the females seldom longer than a single day. There is 
also a section on a hymenopterous parasite, and another on the variability 
of the imagines. In captivity the author found it easy to obtain hybrid 
couplings between arbusculae and lanestris, but impossible between ¢@ and 
2 lanestris! The plates illustrate not only the life-history and the larval 
form of arbusculae, but also hybrid larval and imaginal forms between it 
and Janestris. Although the author obtained intermediates, he does not 
consider the two forms necessarily conspecific. 

Nevertheless, in a letter to me, kindly enclosing his article, Herr 
Traw6ger informed me that he considered the Swiss Vissoie form which 
I called the ‘southern form’ of larva and illustrated in Pl. XII, fig. 1b 
(1977), as ‘lanestris under the influence of arbusculae’. 

It would still be interesting to know whether this form occurs elsewhere 
in Southern Europe, particularly if it occurs away from the high alps; 
if this should be the case, its origin must be different from the suggestion 
contained in Herr Trawé6ger’s letter. The latter’s article reveals him to be 
the greatest authority on the E. Janestris group of our day and the 
Innsbruck society have done science a service in publishing this important 
article. 


Lepidoptera (n.s. IID) (5) 1978/1. Copenhagen. 

We quite recently drew attention to this excellent magazine and do so 
again on account of the interesting articles in the above number which 
will concern nearly all our readers, particularly the first article mentioned 
below. 

Michael Fibiger: “Theria primaria (Haworth 1809) (ibicaria (H.-S.) 1852) 
found in Denmark’ is, we believe, the first actually to publish the correct 
names, and give good illustrations, of the two Theria species inhabiting 
Europe, hitherto confused. British collectors must henceforth cease to call 
their Early Moths 7. rupicapraria (D. & S.) as in the new edition of Kloet 
and Hincks. The males of the two species are easily distinguished in habitus, 
for in true rupicapraria the cross lines are more convergent towards the 
hind margin. I understand from D. S. Fletcher of the British Museum that 
despite considerable search in various collections no example of rupicapraria 
having been taken in Britain has been found, and there can therefore be 
little doubt that Haworth’s name is the earliest for the one English species 
which we all know. Fibiger’s artice shows the habitus differences and also 
the differences in both sexes’ genitalia. 

The same number contains a further article, also well illustrated, by 
Henning Hansen entited ‘Aleucis distinctaria H.-S., new Danish moth’. If 
new for Denmark, this moth, the Sloe Carpet, is not unknown, though 
rather local in Britain; it is somewhat similar in appearance and biology 
to T. primaria, and so its inclusion in the same number is very apt. 


138 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1978 


Other articles include a good one by P. L. Holst entitled ‘Supplementary 
Notes on Pyrausta ostrinalis Hibn.’ which presents a coloured plate of 
this species and also of P. purpuralis (L.), P. aurata (Scop.) and P. 
porphyralis (D. & S.). Male and female genitalia of these four species, also 
a good plate of their undersides, accompany the text. 

A fourth article on three Cochylidia species of Denmark completes the 
number under review. 


Entomops 46: June 1978. 

In this number of our well-known French contemporary, the French 
Noctuid Quadrifine specialist Dufay, evinces proof of wider lepidoptero- 
logical interests, for his first article reports the occurrence in the Greek 
mountains of Kaljakouda of some interesting butterflies and moths, 
including Cyaniris helena Staudinger; Noctua haywardi Tams, hitherto 
known from Cyprus, has now turned up in Macedonia and on Mt. Olympus; 
and the eastern subspecies of Dendrolimus pini, namely cederensis Dan., 
proves to be, at least in the author’s material, the most widespread form 
of this handsome Lasiocampid in Greece. A second article by Claude Dufay 
deals with four Thera species, all of which he now shows to inhabit 
France; these are T. variata D. & S., T. obeliscata Hiibn., T. stragulata 
Hibn., and 7. albonigrata Gornik. The author illustrates the forms and 
shows the structural differences in their antenna, genitalia, etc., and also 
recapitulates their literary history. It constitutes a useful revision of the 
group, only two of which are known from the U.K. as far as we know. 

Other articles in the same number are by Balletto and Toso on Zygaena 
minos D. & S. in the Ligurian Alps and G. S. Tempere and J. Giudicelli 
on Coleoptera. 


Nota Lepidopterologica 1 (2), 1978. 

SEL (Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica) has begun to take its place 
in the literature and other activities of British and Continental lepidop- 
terists; last year its first puplication ‘Acta’ (the Hipparchia Revision reviewed 
in our Proceedings, 10 (3/4): 122) appeared; and a Congress was held in 
March this year in Paris. And now a second part of its ‘Nota’ has reached 
us. This last is a plurilingual 48-page number with a scarlet cover and 
contains articles under headings Faunistic, Genetic, Environment, respec- 
tively by H. E. Back (Saharan Rhopalocera), E. Suomalainen (Partheno- 
genesis of Nemophora) and G. Ebert (‘red lists’). There is also an 
‘Autobibliography with an autobiographical note’ by B. C. S. Warren, the 
first of a planned series of similar contributions, and some intelligent 
unilingual reviews of contemporary publications. 

The good paper and printing, and well-planned editorial policy, make this 
magazine, which will doubtless appear more regularly and frequently than 
the ‘Acta’, a welcome addition to Our Contemporaries, particularly as the 
articles, if not written in English, contain résumés in English and another 
European language. We recommend all British Lepidopterists, with an 
interest in Europe, to subscribe to the Society (annual membership fee 
D.M.20/-, entrance fee D.M.5/-); membership should certainly be higher 
than 353, the latest published figure (1st March 1978). The cost of a single 
number for non-members is D.M.8/-. Applications for membership should 
be sent to the Membership Secretary, S. Wagener, at Hemdenerweg 19, 
D-4290 Bockholt, West Germany. 

E.P.W. 


The Society’s Publications 
ILLUSTRATED PAPERS ON BRITISH MACROLEPIDOPTERA 


The Society announces the publication shortly in one volume of twelve 
articles reprinted from the ‘South London’ Proceedings between 1944 and 
1957 with the twelve original colour plates. 

These papers comprise LAMPRONIIDAE and ADELIDAE, LITHO- 
COLLETIS and OECOPHORIDAE (three parts) and ALLIED FAMILIES 
by S. N. A. Jacobs; PSYCHIDAE, PLUTELLIDAE and GLYPHIP- 
TERYGIDAE and ALLIED GENERA by L. T. Ford; CALOPTILIA and 
LYONETIIDAE by S. C. S. Brown; ERIOCRANIIDAE and MICROP- 
TERYGIDAE by J. Heath and MOMPHA by S. Wakely. For ease of use 
the pages and plates have been renumbered and are fully indexed 
accordingly; in addition there is a new appendix drawing attention to 
species belonging to these groups which have been added or sunk. There 
is also a list of species which relates names used in the text to up-to-date 
nomenclature and classification. 

A limited edition of 500 copies is being published in the Autumn of 
1978. The book will be bound in cloth. Price: £9; £6 to members of the 
Society. Postage, where applicable, 60p extra. 

Cheques should be sent to the Hon. Treasurer, R. F. Bretherton Esq., 
C.B., Folly Hill, Birtley Green, Bramley, Surrey. 


A CATALOGUE OF BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY OF THE 
SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL 
HISTORY SOCIETY 
Compiled by T. R. EAGLES and F. T. VALLINS 
£0.25 


THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE GARDEN 
OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE 


(Proceedings and Transactions 1963, Part 2) 
Compiled by a team of specialists. 


£1.00 


A LEPIDOPTERIST’S HANDBOOK 


The Amateur Entomologist’s Society is pleased to announce the publication 
of its latest Handbook, written by Richard Dickson. It is intended as a 
‘vade mecum’ for both beginners and initiated lepidopterists and deals with 
all aspects of the subject in a series of eleven chapters and four appendices. 
There are 34 line illustrations and 13 photographs to augment the text 
and the binding has been sewn to meet constant use. 


It is a practical book on the various facets of breeding, collecting, storing, 
conservation and photography of lepidoptera and should appeal to most 
lepidopterists. Although the various techniques relate to the British fauna, 
most are valid for lepidopterists anywhere. 


The price is £3.00 plus postage and is available from A.E.S. Publication 
Agent, 137 Gleneldon Road, London, SW16 2BQ. (An invoice will be sent 
with orders, including postage.) 


CONTENTS 


Bretherton, R. F. and Kudrna, O., Butterflies 
in Spain: Sierra de Alcaraz., Sierra de 
Gudar, Sierra de Javalambre 


Chalmers-Hunt, J. M., H. C. Huggins Biblio- 
graphy (continued) 


Corrigenda, Date of the Arran Brown and 
Scotch Argus 


Current Literature 
Field Meetings 


Gardiner, B. O. C., For sale, Hewitson on 
Butterflies, Price 6d. 


Garton, K., and Rothschild, M. 
(i) How Swallow-tail butterflies pass the 
night; 


(ii) A note on the Archbold Biological 
Station 


Jones, P. E., Phoresy and commensalism in 
British Pseudoscorpions 


Phelps, H., and Wiltshire, E. P., Notes on the 
Large Tortoiseshell butterfly overwintering 
in captivity in England 


Proceedings 
Tubbs, R. (Presidential address): 
(i) topical remarks 


(ii) the breeding of butterflies, with special 
reference to the genetics of aberrational 
forms 


(iii) Appendix: a new aberration of Melan- 
argia galathea (L.) from Sussex 


MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY 


97 


107 


114 
133 
Tea | 


100 


102 


106 


90 


88 


114 


75 


77 


87 


are held regularly at the Society's Rooms, but 


the well-known ANNUAL EXHIBITION 


takes 


place 28th October, in Chelsea Old Town Hall. 
Frequent Field Meetings are held at weekends in 
the summer. Visitors are welcome at all meetings. 
The current Programme Card can be had on 


application to the Secretary. 


B5 A 
nT, : 


PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSACTIONS OF THE 
BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL 
HISTORY SOCIETY 


INDEX VOLUME 11 (1978) 


Aphids, 123, 124 

Annual! Exhibition, 122 

Archbold biological Station, 106 

Australia, an island called, 54 

Bibliography of H. C. Huggins, 37, 107 

Birdwing butterflies, photographing by available light, 127 

Breeding of butterflies, genetics of aberrational forms, 77 

Coleoptera, fossil assemblages, evidence of extinction from the British fauna, 119 

Conservation, a help or hindrance to entomologists? 117 

Council’s and officers’ reports, 56 

Corrigenda, 1, 114 

Current literature, 68, 133 

Danaid butterflies, evolution and biology, 123 

Diptera fauna, changes in the British, 115 

Dragon-flies, rarer British,125 

Editorial 1, 

Entomological illustration, the versatility of, 116 

Field Meetings: Broxbourne Woods, Herts., 64; Canewdon Marsh and Hockley 
Wood, Essex, 65; Danbury, Essex, 131; Denny Bog New Forest, 65; Dun- 
geness, Kent, 130; Ellenden Wood, Kent, 130; Featherbed Lane, Addington, 
Surrey, 129; Kingspark Wood, Sussex, 132; Northward Hill, Kent, 67; 
Sandy Down, Boldre, Hants., 131; Swanage, Dorset, 63 128. 

Fleas, distribution of, 120 

Hawaii, a lepidopterist in, 45 

Hering Memorial Research Fund, 62, 74 

Hewitson on Butterflies, 100 

Large tortoiseshell, overwintering in captivity, 88 

Leckford survey, 44 

Melanargia galathea, a new aberration, 87. 

Obituaries: Ffennell, D.W.H., 34; Huggins, H. C., 36 

Oman, a naturalist in, 52, 53 

Phoresy and commensalism in British pseudoscorpions, 90 

Photography of butterflies, etc., 40, 127 

Pieris brassicae, instar number and pupal coloration, 21 

Presidential address, 75 

Proceedings, 38, 114 

Rearing larvae on artificial pabulum, 121 

Revision of the British Asteiidae (Dipt.), 23 

Spain, butterflies in, 97 

Swallow-tail butterflies, how they pass the night, 102 

West African Lepidoptera, early stages, 117 


PLATES 


I, II (facing p. 36): Annual Exhibition, 1977 

III (ditto): D. W. H. Fennell 

IV (facing p. 37): H. C. Huggins 

V (facing p. 106): How swallow-tail butterflies pass the night 

VI, VII (facing p. 107): Presidential Address: aberrational forms of butterflies 


CONTRIBUTIONS 


Adams, A. E. C., 3 

Agassiz, D., 3, 11, 38, 40, 53, 64, 120, 
123 

Allen, A. A., 3, 11, 18, 38, 40, 43, 44, 
45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 55, 54, 55, 114, 
116, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 126 

Archer, M.L., 10 

Ashby, C. B., 10 

Baker, B. R., 3, 39 

Baker, P. J., 3, 63, 128, 130 

Banner, J. V., 3 

Baxter, L. N., 116 

Blackman, R. 124 

Bradford, E. S., 11, 42, 46, 47, 50, 115, 
118, 121 

Bradley, J.D., 40 

Bretherton, R. F., 3, 11, 40, 45, 49, 56, 
68, 71, 123, 136 

Brethertony, RoE.) Gribbs sPa Wace 
Dyson, R. C., 10 

Bretherton, R. F., & Kudrna, 0, 97 

British Museum, (Natural History), 4 

Britton, M. R., 4 

Brotheridge, D., 12 

Burton, G. N., 4, 10 

Chalmers-Hunt, J. M., 12, 36, 54, 107, 
127 

Chandler, P. J., 15, 23 

Chelmick, D. G., 125 

Chipperfield, H. E., 4 

Collinson, W. E., 4 

Craske, R. M., 4 

Cribb, P. W., 4 

D’Abrera, Bernard, 127 

Daley, T. J., 5, 114 

Dobson, 5 

Dyke, 40 

Edmunds, H., 5 

ElsenG eRe. los 16 1742-9 

Emmet, A. M., 12, 39, 43, 46, 48, 49, 
53) 120512250235 124. 125. 12691131 

Evans, K.G. W., 132 

Evans, L. J., 10 

Fairclough, A. J. & R., or R. alone, 5, 
13, 45, 47, 51 

Farwell, I. G., 20 

Fearnehough, T. D., 5 

Gardiner, B. O.C., 21, 100, 121 

Garton, K. & Rothschild, M., 102, 106 

George, R. S., 120 

Gilchrist, W., Stubbs, A. E. Williams, 
S., & Else, G. R., 44 

Girling, M. A., 119 

Goater, B., 34, 55 

Godfray, H. C. J., 13 

Guichard, K., 52, 53 

Hadley, M., & Parsons, M. J., 10 

Halstead, A. J., 123 


Hammond, C. O., 20, 48, 73 

Harbottle, A. H. H., 5 

Hargreaves, B., 13, 116 

Harman, T. W., 5, 127 

Harmer, A. S., 5 

Harper, M. W., 6, 13 

Hart, C., 6, 48, 55 

Heath; 3.16; 495 SO oie5 

Hilliard, R. D. Y., 45 

Herton, G. A. N., 6, 14 

Howarth, T. G. 72, 118, 127 

Hyde, G. E., 6 

Imber, S. F., 6 

Jackson, B. C., 6 

Jacobs, S. N., 39, 47 

Johnson, P.J., 14 

Jones, P. E., 90 

Jones, R. A., 16, 17 

Kettlewell, H. B. D., 6 

Kirby, P., 20 

Knill-Jones, S. A., 6,14, 40 

Langmaid, J. R., 6, 13, 14 

Larsen, T., 10 

Mansell, G. H., 10 

Marcon, J. N., 7 

McFeely, J., 7 

MacNulty, B. J., 116, 117 

Messenger, J. L., 7 

Michaelis, 7 14 

Miles, S., 16, 17 

Muggleton, J., 118 

Newcombe, M. J., & Bradford, E. S., 
130 

Owen, J. A., 44 

Packer lee 

Parker, W., 3 

Pelham-Clinton, E. C., 7, 14 

Phelps, H. G., 10 

Phelps, H. G. & Lipscomb, C. B., 7 

Phelps, H. G. & Wiltshire, E. P., 88 

Pickering, R. R., 7 

Pickles, A. J., 7 

Pnor, G., 39, 44, 51, 122, 125, 126 

Revell, R. J., 14 

Revels, R. C., 8, 20 

Richardson, N. A., 8 

Roche, C. G., 50, 54 

Roche, J., 14 

Russwurm, A. D. A., & Middleton, G. 
M., 8 

Rydon, A. H. B., 46 

Sattler, K., 45 

Shaw, M. R., 19 

Simson, L. D., 8 

Skinner, G., 8 

Smith, K. G. G., 115 

Sokoloff, P., 14, 16, 20, 48, 50, 125 

Sterling, D. H., 46, 53, 65 

Stubbs, A. E., 16, 50, 117 

Torstenius, S., 10 


Trembath, D. M., 10 
Tremewan, W. G., 8, 10 
Tubbs, R. S., 8, 75, 77, 87, 126 
Tweedie, M. W. F., 69, 70, 115 
Utten, R. W. J., 20, 50, 65 
Vane-Wright, R. J., 123 
Vickers, W. A., 20 

Walker, D. G., 8 

Watson, A. W. & A., 8 
Wheeler, A. S., 9 

Whitebread, S. E., 10, 14 
Wild, E. H., 9 

Williams, S. A., 43, 48 
Wilmott, K. P., 20 

Wilson, R. W., 20 


Matsuare, 6. P., 1, 9,60; 71,' 73, 126, 


133, 136 


Worms, C. G. de, 9, 43, 45, 46, 48, 51, 


545 117, 119) 120; 122 
Young, L. D., 9 


ARACHNIDAE 
cambridgei, Anelasmocephalus, 115 
BIRDS 


bearded tit, 48 

chiff-chaff, 64 

cuckoo, 64 

great spotted woodpecker, 64 
nightingale, 64 

owl, tawny, 43 

reed bunting, 64 

willow warbler, 64 


COLEOPTERA 


Coleoptera collected at Kingspark 
Wood, 133 
ardesiacus, Harpalus, 63 
aurata, Cetonia, 117 
bifasciatus, Anthicus, 48 
bipunctata, Adalia, f. fasiatopunctata, 
118 
canaliculata, Drusilla, 64 
castaneus, Anostris, 119 
clavipes, Otiorrhynchus, 64 
crepitans, Brachinus, 64 
diodemata, Phyllotreta, 64 
fuscirostre, Apion, 64 
goettingnensis, Timarcha, 64 
gracilis, Astenus, 64 
distincta, Epuraea, 43 
fulva, Leptura, 43 
kraatzi, Borboropora, 43 
oblongus, Phyllobius, 64 
schmidti, Gnathoncus, 43 
smaragdinus, Harpalus, 63 
thujae, Phloeosinus, 44 


truncatellus, Metabletus, 63, 64 
umbrosa, Amarochara, 43 
viridicoeruleus, Psilothrix, 64 


DIPTERA 


aenea, Callicera, 16 

alternata, Rhagoletis, 16 
amonena, Asteia, 27, 30 
annulipes, Megasyrphus, 15 
biocolor, Eurygnathomyia, 15 
bromius, Tabanus, 67 
canescesns, Bombylius, 16 
cceruleiventris, Xylota, 17 
cognata, Euleia, 16 

distincta, Chymomyza, 15 
fatigans, Culex, 16 
fenestratus, Thyridanthrax, 16 
flava, Laphria, 15 

florum, Xylota, 17 

fulvipes, Thecophora, 16 
fuscimana, Chymomyza, 15 
gambiae, Anopheles, 16 
gibbosus, Ogcodes, 16 
globosum, Gymnosoma, 16 
globulus, Acrocera, 15 
guestfalica, Nephrotoma, 16 
histrio, Eustalomyia, 16 

ibis, Atherix, 15, 16 

ilicis, Phytomyza, 133 
interrupta, Cylindromyis, 16 
intestinalis, Gasterophilus, 16 
curvinervis, Leiomyza, 31 
dudai, Leiomyza, 31, 32, 33 
elegantula, Asteia, 29, 33 
flavipes, Leiomyza, 31 
glabricula, Leiomyza, 31... 
laevigata, Leiomyza, 31, 32, 33 
lenta, Xylotomima, 16 

lucida, Themira, 17 

luteola, Myolepta, 16 
maculata, Solva, 15, 16 
major, Bombylius, 133 
marginata, Laphria, 16 
Microsania sp., 15 

modesta, Vildla, 16 
obliterata, Hormopeza, 15, 29 
oelandica, Dioctria, 16 
pagana, Tipula, 16 

pecorum, Gasterophilus, 16 
permundus, Phagocarpus, 16 
quadrimaculata, Limonia, 15 
rotundatum, Gymnosoma, 16 
rotundiventris, Subclytia, 16 
rufifrons, Astiosoma, 15, 23, 24, 28 
rufiventris, Mintho, 16 
scaevoides, Chamaesyrphus, 15 
scatophagina, Liomyza, 31, 32, 33 
submaculata, Dixa, 17 
tibialis, Chorisops, 15 


umbrarum, Dictya, 17 
yariablis, Rhadiurgus, 15 
variegata, Amiota, 15 
variicornis, Tipula, 16 
vesicularis, Conops, 16 
vittipes, Eustalomyia, 16 
yerburyi, Tipula, 16 


EPHEMEROPTERA 


Baetidae, 42 
Ephemeroptera, 42 


HEMIPTERA 


affinis, Scolopostethus, 67, 63 
ambulans, Mecomma, 130 
ampliata, Tingis, 68 

apterus, Halticus, 130 
arbustorum, Plasiognathus, 68, 130 
ater, Capsus, 68 

aurantii, Toxoptera, 123 
cardui, Tingis, 68 

dimidiatus, Phytocoris, 68 
dolobrata, Leptoterna, 68, 130 
elongata, Notostira, 67, 63 
epilobii, Dicyphus, 68, 130 
fabricii, Eysarcoris, 68 
grandis, Scolopostethus, 68 


flavoquadrimaculatus, Dryophilocoris , 


68 
histrionicus, Cyllecoris, 68 
Homopteron sp., 65 
interstinctus, Elasmostethus, 130 
inuncta, Podops, 67, 68 
limbosus, Legnotus, 68 
maerkeli, Pithanus, 67, 130 
melanocephalus, Cymus, 68 
melanocephalus, Phylus, 68 
merloptera, Heterotoma, 68, 130 
mirmicoides, Himacerus, 68 
niger, Orius, 68 
norvegicus, Calocoris, 68, 130 
resedae, Kleidocerys, 67, 68, 130 
roserl, Sthenarus, 128 
rugosus, Nabis, 68, 130 
scutellaris, Deraeocoris, 68 
sexguttatus, Calocoris, 128 
sylvaticus, Drymus, 68 
tiliae, Phytocoris, 130 
tripustulatus, Liocoris, 67, 68, 130 
urticae, Heterogaster, 68 
varians, Psallus, 68 
virescens, Orthotylus, 130 


HYMENOPTERA 
acasta, Apanteles, 51 


albifrons, Cratichneumon, 18 
albilineataus, Barichneumon, 19 


annulata, Campoletis, 49 
anxium, Agrypon, 18 
armatorius, Amblyteles, 19 53 
armatus, Agriotypus, 47 

atra, Myrmosa, 17 

atratinus, Psen, 17 

bees, 51 

boops, Astata, 17 

camelus, Xyphidria, 17 
cantator, Charops, 46 
caviventris, Anoplius, 42 
chares, Apanteles, 124 
chrysophthalmus, Zemiotes, 19 
circumscriptus, Rogas, 49 
clandestinum, Agrypon, 53 
clavicornis, Sapyga, 18 
coarctatus, Eumenes, 17 
connexus, Protomicroplitis, 55 
corruscator, Cratichneumon, 19 
crabro, Crabro, 66 
cunicularius, Colletes, 17 
cyanea, Ceratina, 17 

cynipid galls, 52 

deliratorius, Ichneumon, 19 
dirus, Zimmeria, 52 
dolichogaster, Sympiesis, 18, 19 
europaea, Macropis, 42 
excubitor, Cliocentrus, 18, 19 
flaveolatum, Agrypon, 19, 126 
flavus, Lasius, 67 

flexorius, Agrypon, 47, 122 
florisomne, Chelostoma, 18 
Fermica, 65 

formosus, Apanteles, 119, 120 
fragilis, Meteorus, 18, 123 
fraternus, Apanteles, 18, 51 
gades, Apanteles, 18 
gracilipes, Cliocentrus, 20 
grandii, Macrocnetrus, 19 
graniger, Astiphoromma, 18 
halophilus, Colletes, 18 
hattorfiana, Andrena, 18 
ichneumonoides, Methocha, 17 
inclusus, Apanteles, 54, 55 
indipennis, Platylabus, 126 
instigator, Pimpla, 55 
interruptus, Nisson, 17 
lapidator, Trogus, 20 
Lasioglossum sp., 17 

lepidus, Barichneumon, 45 
Litomastix sp., 18 

lucens, Lipara, 42 

lucorum, Bombus, 133 
marginata, Andrena, 43 


Mesochorus sp., 40, 41, 45, 120, 124 
microstictus, Coelichneumon, 19, 44 


minuta, Protomicroplites, 18 
minutus, Ophion, 118 
moesta, Casinaria, 18 
mutinensis, Symmorphus, 42 


mygdonia, Apanteles, 52 
nebulator, Alexeter, 118 
niger, Sphecodes, 17 
orbitalis, Casinaria, 18 
Osmia spp., 18 

pallida, Biorhiza, 133 
panzeri, Omalus, 17 
pascuorum, Bombus, 16 
pectoralis, Hylaeus, 42 
Phobocampa sp., 40, 41 
pictus, Banchus, 126 
pinicola, Apanteles, 114 
pratorum, Bombus, 133 
pulchellatus, Platylabus, 114 
pulchripes, Dusona, 116 
Rogas sp., 49 

rosae, Diplolepis, 133 

rosae, Andrena, 43 

roseum, Hedychrydium, 17 
ruderatus, Bombus, 43 
ruficornis, Nomada, 
sarcatorius, Ichneumon, 19 
scutellaris, Meteorus, 19 
spurius, Apanteles, 120, 125 
strenuus, Microplitis, 18 
testaceator, Zele, 19 
testaceus, Rogas, 18 
tournieri, Enicospilus, 19, 45 
tricincta, Melitta, 43 
truncatellus, Litomastix sp. nr., 19 
verna, Odontites, 43 
versicolor, Meteorus, 123 
vicinator, Absyrtus, 18, 19 
violaceus, Omalus, 17 
violaceus, Trogus, 20 
vitripennis, Apanteles, 52 
volutatorius, Banchus, 19, 44 
walkeri, Crossocerus, 42 
xanthomelana, Osmia, 17 
xanthopus, Aphanistes, 18, 19 38 
xanthorius, Ichneumon, 126 


LEPIDOPTERA 


Lepidoptera spp. at Durlston, Swanage, 

Lepidoptera spp. at Kingspark Wood, 
Plaistow, 132-3 

absissana, Lobesia, 64 

absinthiata, Eupithecia, 51 

aceriana, Gypsonoma, 11 

aceris, Stigmella, 11, 13, 39 

acroxantha, Paracystola, 11, 41, 42, 43 

adippe, Fabriciana, 8 

advenella, Eurhodope, 64 

aegeria, Pararge, ab. insula, 9 

aemulana, Eucosma, 130 

aeneana, Commophila, 11 

aeriferanus, Ptycholomoides, 14 

aescularia, Alsophila, 64, 117 


aethiops, Erebia, 5, 6, 80, 114 

affinis, Cosmia, 6 

agathina, Xestia, 7, 8 

aglaia, (aglaja), Argynnis, Mesoacidalia, 
5 


ahenella, Hypochalcia, 14 
alacella, Acanthophila, 11, 13 
albiceps, Parachromistis, 12 
albicolon, Sideeridis, 67 
albipuncta, Mythimna, 6, 7 
albipunctata, Cyclophora, 64 
albipunctella, Nemapogon, 42 
albonigrata, Thera, 138 
albulata, Asthena, 64 
alburnella, Teleiores, 12 
alfierii, Iolana, 10 
algira, Dysgonia, 15 
alni, Acronicta, 8 66 
alpicola, Parornix, 62 
alpinella, Elachista, 12 
alstroemeriana, Agonopterix, 46 
alternana, Stenodes, 11, 66 
amandus, Plebicula, 97 
ambigua, Hoplodrina, 12 
ambigualis, Scoparia, 64, 67 
anceps, Peridea, 6 
angulipennis, Oligostigma, 11, 12, 40 
arbusculae, Eriogaster, 136, 137 
arenella, Agonopterix, 46 
argentella, Elachista, 63 
argentipedella, Ectoedemia, 126 
argiolus, Celastrina (holly blue), 
121, 122; ab. lilacina-suftusa, 7 
argus, Plebejus, 5, 9; abs. albopunt- 
tata 8; basijuncta, 9, 85; caernensis, 
9; cretaceus, 9; infraobscura, 8; 
masseyi, 9; privata, 8; striata, 2 
arion, Maculinea, 117 
armigera, Helicoverpa, 7 
argentimacula, Infurcitinea, 11 
argentipedella, Ectoedemia, 65 
argyropeza, Ectoedemia, 64 
artemisicolella, Coleophora, 13 
arundinata, Scoparia, 68 
ashworthii, Xestia, 8 
atalanta, Vanessa, 46, 79, 120 
athalia, Mellicta, 83, 128; 
corythalia, 6 
atcmaria, Ematurga, 65 
atricapitana, Cochylis, 66 
atropos, Acherontia, 7. 20 
augur, Graphiphora, 6 
aurantiana, Pammene, 14 
aurinia, Euphydryas, 6, 7; 
noleuca, 5 
aurata, Pyrausta, 138 
aurofasciana, Olethreutes, 11 
badiana, Ancylis, 20 
badiata, Anticlea, 64 
bankesiella, Epischnia, 53, 54 


119, 


ab. eos= 


ab. mela- 


bankiana, Deltote, 3 

belemia, Euchloe, 10 

bellargus, Lysandra, 5, 9, 45, 86, 127; 
abs. alba, 86; ceronus, 10, 86; digi- 
tata, 5; obsoleta, 86; radiata, 86; 
schmidtii, 86 

bergmanniana, Croesia, 64 

betulae, Parornix, 130 

betulae, Thecla, 7, 41 

biatomella, Elachista, 12 

bicostella, Pleurota, 66 

bicuspis, Harpyia, 6, 35 

bifractella, Apodia, 14 

bilineata, Camptogramma, 68 

biren, Laconobia, 6 

biselata, Idaea, 130 

bisontella, Ochsenheimeria, 12 

bractea, Autographa, 9 

brassicae, Pieris, 21, 22, 23, 43, 86, 87, 
88, 130, 131; ab. albinenensis, 87; 
ab. coeurulea, 87 

britanniodactyla, Capperia, 11, 130 

brockeella, Argyresthia, 130 

brumata, Oporophtera, 48, 63, 122 

brunnichella, Stephensia, 12, 129 

caecimaculana, Pelochrista, 13 

caeruleocephala, Diloba, 18, 51, 64 

caesia, Hadena, ssp. mananii, 3 

caja, Arctia, 71 

c-album, Polygonia, 9, 83-5, 119, 120, 
127; f. hutchinsoni, 84-5 

cambyses,, Zygaena, 10 

caniola, Eilema, 9 

camilla, Ladoga (Limenitis), 85, 119, 
126; ab. nigrina, 6, 8, 43, 85; semi- 
nigrina, 6 

capreella, Bucculatrix, 62 

captiuncula, Photedes, ssp. tincta, 7 

cardamines, Anthocharis (orange-tip), 
5, 64, 121 

cardui, Cynthia, 45 

carmelita, Odontosia, 3, 120 

casta, Psyche, 64, 130 

castanea, Xestia, 2, 7, 8 

castrensis, Malcosoma, 65 

celerio, Hippotion, 35, 48 

centaureata, Eupithecia, 51 

chamomillae, Cucullia, 48 

characterea, Apamea, 7 

charlotta, Mesoacidalia, 73 

chenopodiata, Scotopteryx, 130 

chlorosata, Petrophora, 64 

chrysonuchella, Thisanotia, 67 

chrysorrhoea, Euproctis, 44, 67 

cinerea, Agrotis, 125 

cinereopunctella, Elachista, 12 

cinxia, Melitaea, 8 

citrago, Xanthia, 7 

clavis, Agrotis, 6, 9 

cleocharis, Apaturopsis, 10 


Vi 


cleopatra, Gonepterix, 10 

cloacella, Nemapogon, 64 

cnicella, Agonopterix, 66 

combinella, Pseudosuammerdamia, 63 

comes, Noctua, 131 

comma, Hesperia, 3 

compositella, Cydia, 14 

compta, Hadena, 8 

comptana, Ancylis, 63 

cenfusa, Hadena, 9 

confusalis, Nola, 123 

cenicolana, Cydia, 11, 42 

consimilana, Clepsis, 128, 130 

consonaria, Ectropis, 3, 8 

conspersana, Cnephasia, 13 

censpicillaris, Egira, 6, 122 

convolvuli, Agrius, 3, 7 

conwagana, Pseudargyrotoza, 68 

coridon, Lysandra, 5, 8, 9, 10, 45, 85-6, 
115; abs. alba, 6; antidigitata, 8; 
asturiensis, 10; caeca, 5; discreta, 5; 
marginata, 86; punctata, 86; infra- 
fowleri, 86; semi-syngrapha, 8; syn- 
grapha, 79, 85, 86; ultra-fowleri, 8, 
86; ultranubile, 8 

viridescens, 86 

corticella, Nemaxera, 11 

corylana, Pandemis, 13 

coryli, Colocasia, 64 

corylifoliella, Phyllonorycter, 130 

cossus, Cossus, 15, 40 

crataegi, Aporia, 6, 36 

crepuscularia, Ectropis, 8 

crepusculella, Opostega, 15 

cresphontes, Papilio, 103, 104, 105, Pl. 
Vv 


D) 


a 


cribraria, Coscinia, f. arenaria, 

cribrumalis, Machrochilo, 128 

cristana, Acleris, 13, 51, 131 

croceus, Colias, 45, 79, 87; ab. helice, 
79, 87 

Cryptolechia sp., 40 

cucullatella, Nola, 18, 63, 123 

culiciformis, Aegeria, 9 

culmella, Chrysoteuchia, 68 

cupriacella, Nematois, 12 

curtula, Clostera, 2, 8, 64 

curvella, Argyresthia, 68, 130 

curvistrigana, Phalonidia, 130 

Cymothoe spp. 10 

cynosbatella, Epiblema, 64 

cytisella, Paltodora, 130 

daphne, Brenthis, 97, 99 

decentella, Etainia, 12 

decorella, Teleiodes, 11 

degeerella, Nemophora, 68 

deione, Mellicta, 97, 99 

demarniana, Epinotia, 130 

denticulella, Callisto, 130 

deprivata, Agrotis, 43 


derivata, Anticlea, 64 

designata, Xanthorhoe, 6 

diana, Eutromula, 14 

didyma, Melitaea, 10 

dilutata (dilutaria), Epirrita, 122, 131 
dilutella, Pempelia, 128 

diminutalis, Parapoynx, 11, 38 
dissoluta, Nonagria, 6 

distinctaria, Aleucis, 137 

distinctella, Chionodes, 14 
dodonaea, Drymonia, 66 
dodonaeata, Eupithecia, 3, 126 
dominula, Callimorpha, 9 

drurella, Cosmopterix, 12 

dubitella, Phyllonorycter, 35, 76 
egenaria, Eupithecia, 126 

egeria, Pararge, 63 

ekebladella, Tischeria, 130 

Elachista sp., 131 

elongella, Caloptilia, 53 

emargana, Acleris, 130 

emortualis, Trisateles, 60 

enixalis, Nymphula, 11, 12 
epilobiella, Mompha, 14 

Erebia spp., 10 

ericinella, Aristotelia, 12 
euphorbiae, Acronicta, ssp. myricae, 3 
euphrosyne, Clossiana, 7; ab. albinea, 


Eupithecia spp. 51, 53 
euphrosyne, Boloria, 7, 78, 82, 83, 123; 
ab. albinea, 83; ab. pallida, 83 
exanthemata, Cabera, 3 
exclamationis, Agrotis, ab. pallida- 
unicolor, 9 
exsiccata, Tathorhynchus, 35 
extensaria, Ectropis, 66 
extimalis, Evergestis, 13, 45 
extrema, Photedes, 3, 5 
exulans, Zygaena, ab. pallida, 5 
fabressei, Agrodiaetus, 97 
fabriciana, Anthophila, 20 
fagi, Stauropus, 3, 18 
fagiglandana, Cydia, 130 
falcataria, Drepana, 122 
falconipennella, Caloptilia, 53 
falloui, Euchloe, 10 
farinalis, Pyralis, 115 
fascelina, Dasychira, 66 
fasciaria, Hylaea, prasinaria, 8 
ferchaultella, Luffia, 121, 122 
ferrugana, Acleris, 131 
filipendulae, Zygaena, 5, 46 
flammea, Trigonophora, 2, 7, 54 
flammealis, Endotricha, 15, 130 
flaviciliana, Cochylis, 129 
flavicincta, Polymixis, 5 
flavimitrella, Lampronia, 35, 76 
fletcherella, Scythris, 12 
fluctuata, Xanthorhoe, 6, 50 


Vii 


formosanus, Lozotaeniodes, 13, 14 

fraternana, Epinotia, 14 

fraternella, Caryocolum, 13 

fraxini, Catocala, 35 

fribergensis, Caloptilia, 9 

fuciformis, Hemaris, 5, 7 

fulvana, Eucosma, 128 

fulvescens, Mompha, 46 

funebris, Anania, 11, 12, 130 

furuncula, Mesoligia, 6 

fuscatella, Lampronia, 66 

fuscescens, Borkhausenia, 130 

galathea, Melanargia, 8, 80; craskei, 
ab. noy. 80, 87, 88, Pl. VI, fig. 2, 
VII; valentini, 80 

gamma, Autographa, 6 

geniculea, Agriphila, 131 

gentianaeana, Endothenia, 63 

geoffrella, Alabonia, 67 

gilvaria, Aspitates, burrenensis, 7 

glareosa, Paradiarsia, 7 

glaucus, Papilio, 105, 106 

gleichenella, Elachista, 12 

gnidiella, Crytoblabes, 14 

gnomana, Paramesia, 11, 13 

goedartella, Argyresthia, 130 

gothica, Orthosia, ab. circumsignata, 6 

gracilis, Orthosia, 7 

grandipennis, Scythris, 11, 42 

grossulariata, Abraxas, 18, 120 

Gypsonoma, sp., 67 

hamana, Agapeta, 128 

hartmanniana, Aethes, 13, 14, 129 

hastiana, Acleris, 48, 53 

haywardi, Noctua, 138 

hecate, Brenthis, 87, 89 

helle, Lycaena, 10 

hellerella, Blastodacna, 12 

hemerobiella, Coleophora, 64 

heracliana, Agonopterix, 46 

herminata, Diplodoma, 12 

hippocastanaria, Pachycnemia, 66 

hippophaella, Gelechia, 12 

hirtaria, Lycia, 120 

hornigi, Coleophora, 130 

hospiton, Papilio, 20 

hydrolapathella, Coleophora, 11, 12 

hyperantus, Aphantopus, 79, 82, 129: 
ab. arete, 82; lanceolata, 79, 82; 
obsoleta, 82 

icarus, Polyommatus, 7, 9, 79, 85; abs. 
arcuata, 85; basijjuncta, 85; caeca, 
8, 9; caerulea, 85; costijuncta, 85; 
obsoleta, 5, 7 

icteritia, Xanthia, ab. virgata, 9 

ilia, Apatura, 10, 71 

imbecilla, Eriopygodes, 2, 8, 9, 55, 73 

impura, Mythimna, 43 

incanana, Eana, 13 

incarnatana, Epiblema, 14 


Viil 


incertana, Cnephasia, 66, 130 

inferna, Amauris, 10 

inopiana, Hysterosia, 14 

ino, Brenthis, 97, 99 

inornata, Ancylolomia, 15 

insigniata, Eupithecia, 6, 126, 127 

instabilella, Scrobipalpa, 14 

interjectana, Cnephasia, 66 

internana, Cydia, 14 

interpunctella, Plodia, 52 

interrogationis, Syngrapha, 8 

intimella, Ectoedemia, 131 

intricata, Eupithecia, f. arceuthata, 11 

inturbata, Eupithecia, 122 

ino, Brenthis, 97, 99 

io, Inachis, 5, 6, 48, 119 

ipsilon, Agrotis, 131 

iris, Apatura, 7, 10, 71, ab. iole, 72 

irrorella, Setina, 3 

isabellae, Graellsia, 136 

isertana, Zeiraphera, 11, 130 

jacobaeae, Tyria, 9, 55 

janiszkewskae, Sorhagenia, 130 

janthina, Noctua, 43 

janthinana, Cydia, 130 

jebelia, Strymonidia, 10 

juncicolella, Coleophora, 12 

jungiella, Cydia, 64 

juniperata, Thera, 116 

jurtina, Maniola, 8, 128; anticrassi- 
puncta, 81; cassiteridum, 81; iernes, 
81; pallens, 5; semi-intermedia, 5 

lacteella, Mompha, 11, 124 

lacteicolor, Apanteles, 18 

lacunana, Olethreutes, 130 

lanestris, Eriogaster, 52, 136-7 

lariciata, Eupithecia, 39 

lathonia, Issoria, 6 

latreillella, Pancalia, 12 

leautieri, Lithophane, hesperica, 7, 9, 
12, 46, 48 

leguminana, Cydia, 14 

leucopennella, Caloptilia, 19 

leucophaearia, Agriopis, 6, 54 

leucostigma, Celaena, 6, 7 

leucostola, Parornix, 62 

lichenea, Eumichtis, 7 

ligea, Erebia, 2, 5, 55, 114 

limosipennella, Coleophora, 130 

linealis, Nymphula, 38 

lineata, livornica, Hylas, 2, 3, 6 

linneella, Glyphipteryx, 11, 39 

litoralis, Mythimna, 8 

liturata, Semiothisa, nigrofulvata, 6 

loeffiingiana, Aleimma, 130 

lonicerae, Zygaena, transferens, 8 

longana, Cnephasia, 66 

lucidella, Monochroa, 12 

lucina, Hamearis, 123 

luctuata, Spargania, 60 


luctuosa, Tyta, 9 

luedersiana, Pammene, 11, 14 

lunaedactyla, Marasmarcha, 66, 128 

lunalis, Herminia, 2, 3 

lunaris, Batia, 12, 130 

lunula, Calophasia, 131 

lunularia, Selenia, 64 

lupulinus, Hepialus, 68 

lutarea, Paraswammerdamia, 64 

luteolata, Opisthograptis, 125 

lutulenta, Aporophyla, 8 

machaon, Papilio, 20 

machimella, Coleophora, 50 

maculana, Epinotia, 131 

macularia, Pseudopanthera, 3, 64 

maculella, Incurvaria, 64 

maenas, Aetias, 116 

malacellus, Angustalius, 15 

malella, Stigmella, 130 

maha, Zizeeria, f. argia, 74 

malvae, Pyrgus, 87, 120 

malvella, Pexicopia, 1 

manniana, Phalonidia, 14 

margaritata, Campaea, 18 

margarotana, Aethes, 15 

marginata, Lomaspilis, 6, 130 

marginea, Tischeria, 130 

marginicolella, Nepticula, 130 

masculella, Incurvaria, 63 

maura, Mormo, 44 

mediopectinellus, Ochsenheimeria, 11 

megera, Lasiommata, 64, 80; anticrassi- 
puncta, 80 

megerlella, Elachista, 12 

mellonella, Galleria, 14 

mendica, Diaphora, 6 

mendica, Diarsia, 6; orkneyensis, 8 

menyanthidis, Acronicta, 6 

mercurella, Eudonia, 130 

mespilella, Phyllonorycter, 131 

meticulosa, Phlogophora, 91, 131 

metis, Apatura, 71 

metzneriana, Eucosma, 11, 14, 43 

mi, Callistege, 64 

microdactyla, Adaina, 13 

Micropterix spp., 5 

millefoliata, Eupithecia, 131 

miniosa, Orthosia, 6 

ministrana, Eulia, 64 

minorata, Perizoma, 6 

minos, Zygaena, 138 

mitterbacheriana, Ancylis, 130 

molesta, Cydia, 11, 42 

monoglypha, Apamea, 19, 43 

montanata, Xanthorhoe, 64 

monylifera, Narycia, 49 

morpheus, Heteropterus, 10 

munda, Orthosia, 117 

muralis, Cryphia, 3, 6, 43, 44 

musculana, Syndemis, 14, 64 


nana, Cochylis, 66 

nanana, Epinotia, 120 

nanella, Incurvaria, 130 

nebulella, Homoeosoma, 14 

nemorella, Ypsolopha, 130 

nervosa, Agonopterix, 46, 131 

ni, Trichoplusia, 35 

nickerlii, Luperina, 2, 60; gueneei, 5, 
7; knilli, 6; leechi, 9 

nisella, Epinotia, 12 

notella, Ypsolophus, 131 

nubilalis, Ostrinia, 45, 47, 129 

nupta, Catocala, 35 

nymphaeata, Nymphula, 120 

Nymphula sp., 38 

obelisca, Euxoa, 9 

obeliscata, Thera, 3, 114, 116, 138 

oblitella, Heterographis, 40 

oblonga, Apamea, 7 

obsoleta, Mythimna, 6, 128 

occulta, Eurois, 35, 2, 7 

ocellana, Spilonota, 66, 130 

ocellata, Smerinthus, 131; hybridus, 9 

ocellatella, Scrobipalpa, 14 

ochraceella, Mompha, 125 

ochroleuca, Eremobia, 6, 8 

ochsenheimeriana, Pammene, 14 

oculea, Amphipoea, 9 

oditis, Leucochlaena, 3, 7 

olivalis, Udea, 68 

oliviella, Dasycera, 11 

ophiogramma, Apamea, 6, 7 

opima, Orthosia, 6 

oppressana, Gypsonoma, 13 

orion, Scolitantides, 10 

ostrina, Eublemma, 35 

ostrinalis, Pyrausta, 138 

ctis, Zizina, 74 

oxyacanthae, Allophyes, 51, 52 

palaemon, Carterocephalus, 50 

palamedes, Papilio, 103, 104, 106, Pl. V 

pallens, Mythimna, 43 

pallescentella, Tinea, 48 

palustrella, Monochroa, 12, 121 

pamphilus, Coenonympha, 128; 
anti-excessa, 6; transformis, 8 

paphia, Argynnis, 51, 79, 97, 99; abs. 
ater, 7; confluens, 7; nigricans, 7; 
valesina, 7, 79, 83, 84 

parenthesella, Ypsolopha, 130 

paripunctella, Teleiodes, 13 

parva, Eublemma, 35 

pauperana, Eucsoma, 122, 123, 126 

pavonia, Saturnia, 66 

pedella, Stathmopoda, 11, 13, 39 

pennaria, Colotois, 124 

penziana, Eana, colghounana, 14 

perlellus, Crambus, 130 

perlucidalis, Eurrhypara, 11 

perplexa, Hadena, 3 


abs. 


phoeniceata, Eupithecia, 6, 43, 60 

phloeas, Lycaena, 64; abs. cyprinus, 
5; latomarginata, 5 

phryganella, Diurnea, 131 

Phyllonorycter spp., 13, 20, 49 

piceaella, Pulicalvaria, 12, 46, 47, 131 

piercella, Tinea, 125, 126 

pilosaria, Apocheima, 3, 54, 64, 117 

pinastri, Hyloicus, 3 

pini, Dendrolimus, ssp. cederensis, 138 

piniaria, Bupalus, 64 

plantaginis, Parasemia, 6 

plebejana, Crocidosema, 14 

polychloros, Nymphalis, 83, 88, 89 

polydamus, Battus, 103, 104, 105 

polyodon, Actinotia, 71 

populella, Anacampsis, 67 

populella, Ectoedemia, 115 

populi, Laothoe, hybridus, 9 

porcellus, Deilephila, 67 

porphyralis, Pyrausta, 138 

porphyrea, Lycophotia, 123 

postvittana, Epiphyas, 14, 54 

potentillae, Scythris, 11, 14 

pratella, Crambus, 64 

primaria, Theria, 126, 137 

proboscidalis, Hypena, 68 

procellata, Melanthia, 6 

promissa, Catocala, 5 

pronuba, Noctua, 53 

pronubana, Cacoecimorpha, 125 

propinquella, Mompha, 123, 124, 125 

pruniana, Hedya, 68 

pseudobombycella, Taleporia, 65 

pseudospretella, Hofmannophila, 46 

pterodactyla, Stenoptilia, 64 

pulchellata, Eupithecia, 115; ssp. hebu- 
dium, 39 

pulverosella, Ectoedemia, 130 

puppillaria, Cyclophora, 5, 7, 12, 35 

purpuralis, Pyrausta, 138 

purpuralis, Zygaena, hibernica, 3 

puta, Agrotis, 43, 131; abs. insula, 8; 
nigra, 6 

putris, Axylia, 71 

pyrina, Zeuzera, 8 

quadrimaculella, Bohemannia, 12 

quadricolor, Bematistes, 10 

quadnpunctaria, Euplagia, 43, 118 

quercana, Carcina, 130 

quercifolia, Ectoedemia, 49, 52 

quercus, Lasiocampa, f. callunae, 9 

quercus, Quercusia, 40, 41, 68, 130; 
ab. depuncta, 5 

quinquella, Ectoedemia, 49 

quinnata, Phyllonorycter, 14 

ramburialis, Diasemiopsis, 35 

rapae, Pieris, 22, 63, 64, 131 

raschkiella, Mompha, 130 

reaumurella, Adela, 64 


reducta, Limenitis, 97, 99 

repandata, Alcis, 18, 52 

repentiella, Stigmella, 13 

revayana, Nycteola, 131 

ripae, Agrotis, 7 

rhamni, Gonepteryx, 
36 

rhododactyla, Cnemidophorus, 64, 123 

Rhopalocera, list of spp., three Spanish 
Sierras, 98-99 

roborana, Epiblema, 64 

roborella, Phycita, 47 

rosana, Archips, 126 

rubi, Callophrys, 64 

rubi, Macrothylacia, 66 

rubiginata, Plemyria, 6 

rubiginata, Scopula, 5 

rubricollis, Atolmis, 3 

ruficornis, Drymonia, 66 

tufocinerea, Elachista, 63 

rupicapraria, Theria, 126, 137 

ruralis, Pleuroptya, 15, 19 

russiae, Melanargia, 10 

rusticella, Monopis, 125 

sabinella, Gelechia, 11 

sagittella, Phyllonorycter, 131 

sambucaria, Ourapteryx, 119 

sanguinalis, Pyrausta, 12, 14, 15 

sarcitrella, Endrosis, 46 

saturatella, Coleophora, 12, 13 

saxifraga, Stenoptilia, 115 

scabiosella, 14, 129 

scabriuscula, Dypterygia, 6, 66 

scalella, Pseudotelphusa, 11, 13, 64 

schmidtiellus, Telephila, 13 

scirpi, Elachista, 12 

scoliaeformis, Conopia, 3 

scopariella, Phyllonorycter, 12 

scopigera, Bembecia, 39 

scotinella, Gelechia, 115 

scutulana, Epiblema, 64 

secalis, Mesapamea, 131 

segetum, Agrotis, f. pallida, 9 


117; f. gravesi, 


selene, Clossiana, 5; abs. medioni- 
grans, 5; transversa, 5 
semele, Hipparchia, 5’ 8, 78; abs. 


caeca, 6; holanops, 3, 8, 80, 81, 127, 

RAR Veaiens 
semifulvella, Tinea, 68 
sepium, Bacotia, 12 
seriata, Idaea, 54... 
sericeella, Heliozela, 49 
sexta, Manduca, 121 
sheperdana, Acleris, 67 
silenus, Myrina, 116 
similella, Microthrix, 128 
similis, Euproctis, 55 
simplicella, Dioryctria, 11 
simpliciata, Eupithecia, 44 
simulans, Rhyacia, 3 


sinaicus, Pseudophilotes, 10 

sinapis, Leptidea, 123; ab. erysimi, 5; 
ssp. juvernica, 3 

singula, Neofriseria, 13 

sinuella, Homoeosoma, 129 

smeathmanniana, Aethes, 66 

solieri, Blepharita, 2, 7 

sparganii, Archanara, 127 

speciosa, Stigmella, 13 

spectrana, Clepsis, 13, 14 

statices, Adscita, 3 

stephensi, Dystebenna, 13 

stragulata, Thera, 138 

strataria, Biston, 117 

straminea, Mythimna, 128 

straminea, Stenodes, 129 

straminella, Agriphila, 130 

strigillaria, Perconia, 3, 65 

subbimaculella, Ectoedemia, 49, 52, 67 

subcinerea, Platyedra, 14 

sublustris, Apamea, 7 

subocellea, Reuthia, 14, 129 

subsequana, Epinotia, 14 

substrigella, Mompha, 46 

succedana, Cydia, 63 

suphurella, Esperia, 64 

swammerdamella, Nematopogon, 64 

sylvestris, Thymelicus, ab. intermedia, 
5 

sylvicolana, Dichrorhampha, 13 

tages, Erynnis, 64; baynesi, 36; hug- 
ginsi, 3 

tamara, Zygaena, 10 

telmessia, Maniola, 10 

tentaculella, Ancylolomia, 15 

tenuiata, Eupithecia, 120 

terrella, Bryotropha, 130 

testacea, Luperina, 6, 7 

tiliae, Mimas, 9 

tiliae, Stigmella, 12 

titania, Clossiana, 10 

tithonus, Pyronia, 8, 81, 130; abs. 
albidus, 5; excessa, 7, 81; pallidus, 


trabeatella, Agriphila, 15 

trapezina, Cosmia, 64 

tridens, Calamia, occidentalis, 7 

trifolii, Discestra, 8 

trifolii, Zygaena, 18; subsp. decreta, 8, 
9; palustrella, 8 

trigemina, Abrostola, 3 

trigeminella, Coleophora, 12 

trimaculana, Epinotia, 68 

trinotella, Tinea, 64, 125 

tristella, Agriphila, 130 

troilus, Papilio, 106 

trux, Agrotis, 7 

tubulosa, Taleporia, 66, 130 

tullia, Coenonympha, 81, 82; ab. lanc- 
eolata, 8, 82 


turbidella, Ectoedemia, 12, 115 

typhae, Nonagria, 127 

uddmanniana, Epiblema, 130 

ulicolella, Phyllonorycter, 12 

ulmella, Bucculatrix, 130 

umbra, Pyrrhia, 67 

umbratica, Cucullia, 67 

undulana, Orthotaenia, 68 

undulata, Rheumaptera, 7 

unionalis, Palpita, 14, 47 

unipuncta, Mythimna, 7, 35 

urticae, Aglais, 6, 8, 9, 48, 119 

urticae, Spilosoma, 128 

utonella, Elachista, 12 

vapourer moth, 1 

variata, Thera, 3, 138; f. britannica, 3 

velocella, Aroga, 13 

venosata, Eupithecia, 121, 126; subsp. 
orcadensis, 9; plumbea, 36 

verbasci, Cucullia, 49 

verhuella, Psychoides, 124 

versicolor, Oligia, 9 

vibicella, Coleophora, 125 

villica, Arctia, 67 

villosella, Pachythelia, 66 

vinella, Syncopacna, 14 

vinula, Cerura, 64 

vigata, Mesotype, 66 

viridaria, Phytometra, 65 

viridata, Chlorissa, 66 

vitellina, Mythimna, 3, 7, 40, 46 

vulgana, Capua, 64 

vulgata, Eupithecia, 64; 

vulgella, Teleiodes, 130 

w-album, Strymonidia, 129 

wockeella, Coleophora, 13 

xylostella, Plutella, 66, 130 


clarensis, 36 


MAMMALS 
hare (leveret), 67 
MISCELLANEOUS ARTHROPODS 


hoffmannseggi, Platyarthrus, 67 
Pseudoscorpions, genera & spp., 90-96 
woodlouse, 67 


MOLLUSCA 


involuta, Limnaea, 36 
praetenuis, Limnaea, 36 


ORTHOPTERA 


discolor, Conocephalus, 67 
panzeri, Ectobius, 67 
parallelus, Chorthippus, 67 
splendens, Qaboosia, 52 
viridissima, Tettigonia, 67 


PLANTS 


Abies, 14, 120 

Acer, 19, 39, 122 

Achillea, 50, 131 

Agrostis, 50, 131 

Agrostis, 78 

Alnus (alder), 11, 15, 39, 53 

Anacamptis, 128 

Armillaria, 33 

Artemisia, 13, 43, 47, 65, 127 

Atriplex, 44 

bamboo, 103 

Bartsia, red, 43 

bedstraw, 66 

beech, 16 

Beta, 14 

Betula (birch), 18, 122 

broom (Sarothamnus), 12, 65 

buckthom, 130 

cacao, 123 

Calamintha, 129 

camellia, 123 

Carex, 131 

Centaurea, 11 

Chamaenerion, 65 

Chenopodium, 41 

Cirsium, 15, 68 

Citrus, 103, 123 

Clerodendrum (Pagoda flower), 106 & 
BE Wai 2 

coffee, 123 

Conium, 127 

Coprinus, 33 

Corylus (hazel), 13, 51 

crab apple, 126 

Crambe, 131 

Crataegus (hawthorn), 16, 51, 63, 126 

Cupressus, 44, 46, 121 

Dipsacus, 63 

Echium, 16 

elm, 130 

Endymion, 65 

Epilobium (willow-herb), 48, 68, 123 

frankincense, 53 

Ficus (fig), 121 

Fuchsia, 48 

Genista, 14, 125 

heather, 19, 123, 126 

Heracleum, 16 

Hippocrepis, 78 

Hippophae (sea buckthorn), 12, 66, 67, 
126 

holly, 65 

honeysuckle, 65 

hornbeam, 14 

Hypholoma, 33 

Juglans, 116 

Knautia, 18, 129 

Lavatera, 14 


Linaria, 131 

Lotus, 39 

Luzula, 65 

Lysimachia, 42 

Malva, 14 

mango, 103 

Melampyrum, 65 

Melica, 65 

Mentha, 14, 15 

Molinia, 8 

Oenanthe, 127 

Ononaria, 128 

Ophrys, 128 

Orchys, 64 

Origanum, 129 

Oudemansiella, 33 

peach, 42 

pepper, 103 

Picea (spruce), 46, 120 

pine (Pinus), 11, 42, 103, 107, 114, 116 

Pinites, 134 

Plantago, 83 

Pleurotus, 33 

Poa, 65, 78, 80 

Polygala, 39 

pomegranate, 14 

Populus (poplar), 11, 42; alba, 67; 
(aspen) tremula, 65, 131 

Poterium, 39 

privet, 52 

Prunus, 18 

Quercus ilex (holm oak), 19, 63 


Quercus (oak) File 13s Ts (G5s. 24s 


126; turkey oak, 103, 107 
ragwort, 51 
rest-harrow, 66 
Rosa (rose), 16, 122, 123, 126 
Rubus (bramble), 17, 65, 130 


Rumex sp., 65, 121; R. hydrolapa- 


thum, 12 
Salix (sallow), 16, 45, 120, 126, 131; 
(willow), 65, 131 


xii 


scabious, 43 

Sedum, 106 
Senecio, 66 

Silene, 126 

Sorbus, 65 

Spiraea, 67 

Stachys, 13 
sumach, 116 
Tanacetum, 14 
Taraxacum, 123 
teas 123 

Tilia, 39, 126 
Tricholoma, 33 
Tripleurospermam (chamomile), 48 
Tussilago, 16 
Typha, 127 

Wilexa 1ile42 
Urtica, 65 
Valeriana, 127 
Viola (violet), 55, 82 
Volvariella, 33 

wild service tree, 131 


REPTILES 
slow worm, 129 
TRICHOPTERA 


Goera spp., 47 
nitidus, Grammataulius, 128 
Silo spp., 47 


ERRATA 


Vols 11/2) *paiSeiessr 

for discalis (F.) read imbecilla (F.) 
(3/4) cover, p.2. for 1977 G. Prior, 
etc., read: 

1977, read R: Tubbs; (OBE. vb Reees. 
1978) G>> Prior) alc S- a eaeeess 


ays 

a-< 

if iy a 
1 


B5 A 


it MARCH 1979 Vol. 12, Parts 1/2 
EI ESS Sr acl 


Proceedings and Transactions of 
The British Entomological and 
Natural History Society 


Price: £3.50 


Officers and Council for 1979 


President: 
Rev. D. J. L. Agassiz 


Vice-Presidents: 


G. Prior, F.L.S., F.R.E.S. 
R. Fairclough, F.R.E.S., F.R.H.S. 


Treasurer: 
Col. D. H. Sterling, F.B.c.s. 


Secretary: 
E. H. Wild, M.1.BI0L. 


Curator: 
E. S. Bradford 


Librarian: 
G. Prior, F.L.S., F.R.E.S. 


Lanternist: 
S. A. Knill-Jones, A.R.c.M. 


Ordinary Members of Council: 


Mrs. F. M. Murphy, B.Sc. J. Muggleton 
W. G. Tremewan, M.1.BIOL. 


B. J. Jackson 

T. J. Daley C."G; Roche, ec: 

W. Parker A. A. Allen, PH.D., B.SC. 

R. S. Tubbs, 0.B.E£., F.R.I.B.A., F.R.E.S. A. E. Stubbs, B.Sc., F.R.E.S. 


Editorial 


Editor: E. P. Wiltshire, c.B.E., F.R.E.S. 
Address: Wychwood, High Road, Cookham, SL6 9JS, Berks. 


with the assistance of: 


T. R. E. Southwood, B.SC., PH.D., A.R.C.S., M.I.BIOL., F.R.E.S. 
T. G. Howarth, B.E.M., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S. 
M. W. F. Tweedie, M.A., F.Z.S. 
R. W. J. Uffen, F.R.£.s. 
E. S. Bradford 


Published at the Society’s Rooms, The Alpine Club, 74 South Audley Street, 
London, W.1., and printed by Charles Phipps Ltd., 225 Philip Lane, 
Tottenham, N15 4HL 


Proceedings and Transactions of 
The British Entomological and 
Natural History Society 


The correct abbreviation of THIS Volume is: 
‘Proc. Trans. Br. ent. nat. Hist. Soc.’ 


Vole? 
1979 


Published at the Society’s Rooms, The Alpine Club, 74 South 
Audley Street, London, W.1, and printed by Charles Phipps 
Ltd., 225 Philip Lane, Tottenham, LONDON, N.15 


rifts: OMe 
4 4 > wget 
Sayh 


We 7s 
atta t.. saA5 
rae 
\ t 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 1 


EDITORIAL 


In recent years, the first double-part of these Proceedings has included 
reports on both the Annual Exhibition of the preceding autumn and 
the Annual General Meeting of January of the current year. 

This year the Annual General Meeting on January 25th was adjourned 
to a later date due to a combination of bad weather and transport strikes 
affecting the attendance. We are, however, able to hold over the meeting 
report (usually running to some eight pages) without reducing size, thanks 
to one or two weighty constributions in hand. An early appearance is 
very desirable for various reasons, mainly financial, and it is still our aim, 
but a further snag may frustrate the hope: — our printers are trying to 
catch up the time lost last autumn when a break-down set them back six 
weeks in printing a monthly contemporary and our own Proceedings; may 
they succeed! 

These explanations will enlighten members who may not have received 
the index to Vol. 11 or the reprints of their own contributions as promptly 
as desired, or who may miss certain customary features in the present 
double-part. As for our hope to appear as early as late March, more or 
less emerging in step with the Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria (Clerk)). 
our readers, who are mostly lepidopterists and used to making allowances 
for the vagaries of the weather or other forces majeures, will, we trust, 
pardon us if, after all, we should not hatch before April. 


THE 1978 ANNUAL EXHIBITION 


(see Plates I, ID 


The Society’s Annual Exhibition was again held at Chelsea Old Town 
Hall on the day immediately following the Annual Dinner, Saturday, 
October 28th. The attendance was good, and considering that the season 
had been as unfavourable for insects as any could remember the total of 
over 100 exhibitors was creditable, even if there was a slight falling-off 
compared with last year. Of these over seventy were of Lepidoptera. 

The Editor is indebted to Messrs. B. Skinner, R. Bretherton, J. Chalmers- 
Hunt, D. Stimpson, G. Else and Dr. A. A. Allen for their reports on the 
various classes of exhibits, and to Mr. D. Wilson for the photographs in 
the Plates. Wholehearted thanks are also due to Mrs. Murphy for organis- 
ing the refreshments and to members of certain members’ families for 
assisting her in serving them. 


BRITISH MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA 


Aacassiz, Rey. D. J. L.—A short series of Alcis jubata (Thunb.) from 
South Wiltshire. An aberrant specimen of Boloria selene (D. & S.) from 
Argyllshire. 

ALLEN, A. A.— Bembecia scopigera (Scop.) captured on a grassy cliff 
face at Shaldon, S. Devon on 7.viii.78. 

Baker, B. R.—A small brood of Diaphora mendica (Clerck), f. rustica 
Hubn. bred from a female, taken near Killmallock, Co. Limerick on 
13.iv.77. A selection from a garden m.v.l. trap at Caversham, Berks includ- 


ing Orthonama obstipata (F.), Hadena compta (D. & S.) and Xestia 
agathina (Dup.). 


2 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


BLAND, K. P. — Apamea exulis assimilis (Dbl.) taken at m.y.l. at 
Blackford, Edinburgh on 19/20.vii.78. 
BRETHERTON, R. F.— Hepialus fusconebulosa (de Geer), a new record 


to the Bramley garden light trap. A distribution map relating to the 
October migration together with daily weather charts from the Times. 

BriTISH Museum (NaturaL History). — Four drawers of Eilema spp. 
from the newly curated collection of British Lithosiinae. Single drawers of 
both Biston strataria (Hufn.) and Noctua pronuba L. including a number 
of recent acquisitions. 

CuaLMERS-Hunt, J. M.—A pair of Arctornis I-nigrum (Miller), O.F. 
bred from a female taken at Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex by A. J. Dewick. 

CHAMBERS, D. A.—A specimen of Cosmorhoe ocellata (L.) from East 
Malling with the central band of the left forewing broken. 

CiassEy, E. W. and Demuru, R.—Immigrant moths from Central 
Gloucestershire: Helicoverpa armigera (Hubn.), Oakridge on 12/14.x.78., 
Mythimna_ vitellina (Hibn.), Southrop, 13/14.x.78., Peridroma saucia 
(Hiibn.), Mythimna unipuncta (Haw.), both from Oakridge 13/14.x.78 
and Diachrysia orichalcea (F.), Southrop, 14/15.x.78. The last two are both 
new county records. 

CRASKE, R.M. — Aberrant examples of Boloria selene (D. & S.), Pyronia 
tithonus (L.) and Melanargia galathea (L.) including an extreme specimen 
of the latter species. 

Crow, P. N.—A melanic form of Acronicta alni (L.) and a specimen 
of Hemaris tityus (L.), both uncommon in North Wales. 

FAIRCLOUGH, R. and A. J.—Bred series of Euphyia biangulata (Haw.) 
from the Forest of Dean and bred examples of Noctua orbona (Hufn.) from 
larvae collected in the Suffolk Breckland in early spring. 

GREENWOOD, J. A. C.—A detailed record of the rearing of Euphyia 
biangulata (Haw.) from females collected in an area on the West Sussex/ 
Hants. border where some 40 specimens were noted during 1978. 

GOATER, B.—The first bred specimens of Eriopygodes imbecilla (F.) 
from South Wales. A female is depicted on Plate I fig. 4. 

HarMer, A. S. — Aberrant lepidotera taken or bred during 1978 including 
an extreme form of Oporinia dilutata (D. & S.) from Lymington, Hants. 
(Plate II, fig. 15). Also a selection of original specimens figured in the 
recent publication ‘‘Aberrations of British Butterflies’ by A. D. D. 
Russwurm which included a male Euphydryas aurinia aurinia (Rott.) ab. 
melanoleuca Cabeau (Plate II, fig 23). 

Hiccs, G. E.— An extreme pale example of Arctia caja (L.) found at 
rest on a Blackthorn bush at Doolin, Co. Clare (see Plate I, fig. 2). 

Horton, Dr. G. A. NEILL. — A case of Lepidoptera collected mainly in 
Monmouthshire during 1978. Of particular interest was a short series of 
Mythimna pudorina (D. & S.) not having been previously recorded from 
the county. 

Howarb, Dr. Guy.—A small selection of moths taken in Glengarry, 
West Inverness-shire, including a Palpita unionalis (Hibn.) in October 1977 
and a streaked example of Spilosoma lubricipeda (L.) (see Plate II, fig. 18). 

Hype, G.—A “freak” Zygaena filipendulae (L.) bred by the late H. 
Spencer. See Pro. S.L.E. & N.H.S. 1949-50 (see Plate III, fig. 7). 

ImMBerR, S. F. — On behalf of B. Jewson: an Aglaia urticae (L.) ab. lutea 
Raynor (see Plate II, fig. 12). 

James, R. — Two aberrations of Agrotis exclamationis (L.) taken 
during 1978. 


+ 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 3 


Lreecu, M. J.—A series of Luperina nickerlii gueneei Doubl. from 
North Wales. A series of Egira conspicillaris (L.) and single specimens of 
Rhyacia simulans (Hufn.) and Rhodometra sacraria (L.), all from Here- 
fordshire. A series of Prilophora plumigera (D. & S.) from the Cotwolds. 


Lorimer, R. I. — An unusual aberration of Opisthograptis luteolata (L.) 
with the costa of the forewings broadly red-brown, a large median subcostal 
blotch and having the other markings greatly reduced. A strongly grey- 
tinged Agrochola litura (L.) resembling the typical form which is said not 
to occur in Britain. 


MacNutty, Dr. B. J.—A short bred series of Xylena exsoleta (L.) from 
a female taken at Rannoch, Perthshire on 23rd April 1978. 


Marcon, Rev. J. N. — Paintings of 112 varieties of British Butterflies, 
many of great historic interest, and now mainly housed in the British 
Museum (Nat. Hist.) and the Saruman Museum. 


Martin, P. A.—A small but select collection of Lepidoptera including 
an unusually marked Comibaena pustulata (Hufn.) (see Plate I, fig. 8). 


Pearce, C. E.—A dark aberration of Deilephila elpenor (L.) (see Plate 
Leary Sb) 


PELHAM-CLINTON, E. C.— From Winchburgh, West Lothian: Rhodometra 
sacraria (L.) 11.x.78; Mythimna unipuncta (Haw.) 20.ix.78. 


Puetpes, H. G.— Butterfly aberrations bred during 1978, including two 
Lysandra coridon Poda ab. syngrapha-inframarginata B. & L., bred in the 
F2 from a female of the same variety taken in Wiltshire during 1976. 


Picktes, A. J. and C. T.—A case of local and migrant Heterocera. 
From the 2d June Field Meeting to Hayling Island were examples of Agrotis 
ripae (L.), Sideridis albicolon (Hibn.), and Lasiocampa trifolii trifolii (D. 
& §.). From Lymington Hants. were single examples of Rhodometra 
sacraria (L.), Cyclophora puppillaria (Hiibn.) and Spodoptera littoralis 
(Bois.). 


PLatrs, J.— A drawer of Lepidoptera from widely separated areas of 
the British Isles illustrating many local forms. The gem of this exhibit was 
a striking aberration of Cymatophorima diluta (D. & S.). 


Pratr, C.— A case of migrant and aberrant lepidoptera taken in Sussex 
during the past years. This included an example of Lithacodia deceptoria 
(Scop.) from Peace haven, 7.vi.76. 


REVELL, R. J. — Lepidoptera from South Cambridgeshire during 1975-78: 
Eupithecia millefoliata Ross, first county record, Xestia rhomboidea (Esq.). 
Orthosia opima (Hibn.), Cucullia absinthii (L.), and Lithophane ornitopus 
(Hiifn.) all of rare occurence in the county. 


ReEveLts, R.—Six cabinet drawers of Butterfly aberrations: One of 
varieties caught during which include Ladoga camilla (L.) ab. nigrina 
Weymer and ab. obliterae Robson and Gardener from Hants. One drawer 
each of Aphantopus hyperanthus (L.) ab. pallens Schultz and ab. lanceolata 
Shipp and Melanargia galathea (L.) ab. craskei Tubbs. Three drawers of 
Lysandra coridon (Poda) abs. semi-syngrapha Tutt, fowleri South, tithonus 
(syngrapha Kef), and antidigitata B. & L., bred over the past nine years. 


RicHarpson, Austin. — Eight Luperina nickerlii gueneei Doubl. from 
North Wales including an ab. fusca Turner. Hadena caesia mananii Greg.. 
bred from Islay. and Uresiphita limbalis (D. & S.y from the Isles of Scilly. 
All taken or bred during 1976. 


4 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


Russwurm, A. D. A. and MippLeton, H. G. M.—A selection of 
varieties taken or bred during 1978. These include a series of Aglais urticae 
(L.) subjected to low temperatures, an example of which is depicted on 
Plate II, fig. 11, and a teratological male Maniola jurtina (L.) ab. atrescens 
Leeds. Also exhibited was a heavily marked specimen of tame wauaria 
(L.) and a melanic male Hyloicus pinastri (L.) both taken M.V.L. at 
Brockenhurst, Hants. 

SAUNDERS, D. A.—A dark female and an interesexed example of 
Lasiocampa quercus (L.) together with a pair of typical specimens. 

Sims, I. R.—A female Agrotis deprivata Walker, Fam. Noctuidae, bred 
from a larva found at the Spitalfields Fruit Market in June 1977. Evidence 
seems to support its arrival in a consignment of onions from Chile. A 
female aberration of Acasis viretata (Hibn.) taken at a Rothamsted light 
trap at Chigwell Row, Essex, on 8th August 1978 (see Plate II, fig. 22). 
Simson, Brig. E. C. L.— Examples of Paradiarsia glareosa (Esp.), Xestia 
agathina (Dup.), Amphipoea oculea (L.) and Dichonia aprilina (L.) from 
Hampshire showing normal variation. 

SKINNER, B.-—A bred series of Cabera pusaria (L.) from Abinger, 
Surrey, including pink forms. A short bred series of Ectropis consonaria 
(Hiibn.) ab. waiensis Richardson from Monmouthshire. A male aberrant 
Xanthorrhoe fluctuata (L.) from Addington, Surrey, depicted on Plate II, 
fig. 14. A female Trigonophora flammea (Esp.) taken at Swanage, Dorset, 
on 14/15.x.78. 

SoxoLorr, P. A. — Lepidoptera bred or collected during 1978 including 
a male intersex Agrotis cinerea (D. & S.) (see Plate I, fig. 5). 

STERLING, Col. D. H.—A specimen of Heterogenea asella (D. & S.) 
taken by P. H. Sterling at the Society’s New Forest Field Meeting on 29th 
July 1978. A small selection of moth abberrations mainly from Winchester 
district including several unusual forms of Xanthia aurago (D. & S.). 

Tuspss, R. S.— The results of breeding Melanargia galathea (L.) ab. 
craskei Tubbs since 1974 from wild caught specimens received from R. M. 
Craske. 

Tuck, K. and Ropinson, G. S.—A specimen of Cosmia trapezina (L.) 
ab. nigra Tutt. (see Plate I, fig. 6). 

Wacker, D. H.—QA series of Hipparchia semele (L.) from an isolated 

locality in Westmorland which resembeld the drawf form thyone Thompson. 
Examples of this race from the Great Orme, North Wales were also 
exhibited. 
WATKINSON, Dr. I. A.— Migrants taken in mid October at Boughton, 
Kent were two Helicoverpa armigera (Htibn.), one Mythimna unipunta 
(Haw.), one Rhodometra sacraria (L.) and two Mythimna albipuncta (D. & 
S.). The first authenticated record of Rhyacia simulans (Hufn.) from Kent, 
taken at Boughton on 8.ix.78. 

Watson, R. W. and A.—A variable series of Erebia aethiops (Esp.) 
from Dalmally, Argyllshire. Two drawers of Argynnis paphia (L.) show- 
ing genetic variation and the results of subjecting the pupae to low 
temperatures, an extreme example of this experiment is shown on Plate I, 
fig. 1. Four drawers of aberrant Lasiommata megera (L.), many of which 
have been previously illustrated in past proceedings and South’s Butterflies. 

WILD, E. H.— A male Diloba caeruleocephala (L.) having the ‘80’ marks 
absent (see Plate II, fig. 17). One Mythimna unlpuncta (Haw.) from Selsdon, 
Surrey, 14th October, 1978 and a male Clostera anachoreta (D. & S.) from 
Dungeness, Kent, 18th August 1978. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 5 


Winter, P. Q.—The first recorded Mythimna vitellina (Hubn.) from 
Yorkshire, taken at Filey on 11th October 1978. Three specimens of Eurois 
occulta (L.), bred from a pairing between a virgin female taken at sugar 
near Malton on 8th July 1977 and a male assembled to it near Filey on 
the 14th July. 


Wituers. B. G.—The first recorded British specimen of Lomographa 
trimaculata (Vill.), taken at m.y.l. on 13/14th June and a specimen of 
Spodoptera littoralis (Bois.) on 13/14th October, both taken during 1978 
at Stowborough, Dorset (see Plate I, fig. 7). 


Woks, Dr. C. G. M. de.—Aberrant and local Lepidoptera taken 
during 1978, including examples of Cryphia muralis (Forst.) and Scotopteryx 
peribolata (Hiibn.) from Guernsey in September. A male Cossus cossus (L.) 
from Horsell, Surrey, 7th July. The uncommon type form of Xyloyges 
conspillaris (L.) from the Severn Valley, and a small male Xanthorhoe 
designata (Hiibn.) having a very narrow central band, taken at Horsell on 
September 7th. 


Younc, L. D.—A selection of outstanding Lycaenid varieties taken or 
bred during the past 40 years. One extreme example of Polyommatus 
icarus (Rott.) is illustrated on Plate I, fig. 9. 


Younc, M. R.—A series of Diarsia mendica (F.) from Hoy and a 
halved gynandromorph of the same species from Inverpolly, Wester Ross. 
Specimens of Eupithecia pygmaeata (Hiibn.) from the Kincardine Coast. 


FOREIGN LEPIDOPTERA 


Some twenty members showed foreign lepidoptera, covering a wide range 
of origins and interest. For Scandinavia there was a large display by Stic 
TorsTENius and C. B. Asnpy of the collection of Geometridae and other 
species which the former has generously given to the Society. This is now 
being arranged and incorporated in our cabinets. It is of great interest as 
a basis for comparison of the forms of species which are found in 
Scandinavia and in Britain, and also as a guide to many species (47 among 
the 248 Geometridae alone) which we are not known to have, and which 
members may be tempted to seek in Scandinavia and possibly as new 
discoveries in the British Isles. 


From France, P. W. Crisp and R. W. Dyson showed selections from 130 
species of Rhopalocera seen during a two weeks expedition from Calais to 
the Parc National des Ecrins and the Montagne de Lure, and R. F. 
BRETHERTON a case of eleven species of Erebia and some of the Zygaenidae 
and nocturnal Heterocera from the same expedition; but the late season 
inhibited study of high level species. Dr. C. LuckKENS showed butterflies 
collected in the Var department in April and in Andorra July, and G. N. 
Burton lepidoptera taken in the Cevennes from 13th to 16th August, 
including Chazara briseis (L.), f. pirata Esp. and Lysandra coridon (Poda), 
f. syngrapha Kef., and Amphipyra livida (D. & S.), a species allied to our 
A. pyramidea (L.). He also showed lepidoptera from Sierra de Guadarrhama, 
Picos de Europa, and Jaca, in Spain; and T. G. Homer comparative selec- 
tions of Spanish species taken in the spring of 1978 and the early summer of 
1974. Dr. C. G. M. pe Worms exhibted Melanargia (eight species) and 
Plebicula (six species) from Europe and North Africa, and also Rhopalocera 
caught in High Atlas of Morocco, 19th to 29th July 1978. G. Prior 
displayed coloured illustrations of Eupithecia larvae from “Biologie der 
Eupithecien” by Karl Dietze. 


6 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


From the Middle East Guy Broome had 57 Rhopalocera species from 
Turkey and Cyprus; and T. B. LarsEN showed examples, caught by the 
British Ambassador in the Yemen in 1974, of Papilio machaon rathjensi 
Warnecke, Pararge felix Warnecke, Lycaena phlaeas shima Gabriel, and 
Carcharodus alceae wissmanni Warnecke, with a map showing the wide 
separation of these species and sub-species from their nearest relatives. 

From West Africa H. C. J. Goprray had various Syntomidae collectd on 
the Oxford expedition to Mount Numba, Liberia in July to September 1978; 
and from the Western Pacific G. S. and H. S. Rosinson illustrated the 
spread and displacement in the Solomon Islands of species and forms of 
Arctiid genus Utetheisa, familir to us as the rare immigrant U. pulchella. 

Str Cyrit CLARKE and the Hon. MiriaAM ROTHSCHILD jointly exhibited 
typical and mutant specimens of Danaus plexippus erippus Cr. reared 
from Argentine stock, and a photograph of that species attracted to flowers 
of the Orchid Epidendrum paniculatum by their scent: this mimics 
pyrrolizidene alkaloids which are sequestered by the butterflies. Sir CyriIL 
CLARKE also showed specimens of the Japanese Vapourer moth (Orgyia 
thyellina Butl.): it is closely related to O. antiqua (L.), to which its females 
will readily assemble. Finally, P. J. Crorr illustrated apparent Batesian 
mimicry between species in unrelated families in Wenezuela, Trinidad, 
Canada, Borneo, and Taiwan. 


BRITISH MICROLEPIDOPTERA 

AGassiz, Rev. D. J. L.—(1) From Argyll: Clepsis rurinana (L.), one; 
Pammene populana (F.); Epinotia mercuriana (Fr6l.); E. crenana (Hbn.); 
Kessleria saxifragae (Stt.) and Adela crocsella (Scop.). (2) From Enfield 
Eucosma pupillana (Clerck) and an exotic Nymphuline species probably 
belonging to the genus Oligostigma Guenée taken October 1978. 

ALLEN, Dr. A. A. — (1) Parocystola acroxantha Meyrick, five (all 2 2), 
taken at actinic light on the roof of a guest house, in a residential part of 
Dawlish, Devon, on 30.vii, 3, 5, 7, and 11.viii.1978. One was also captured 
there in the same manner on 8.vili, but unfortunately escaped. The 2 
caught on 30.vii, laid 66 eggs from which the larvae hatched on 10.viii.78, 
and fed well on Eucalyptus sp. Ova were also laid by another moth but in 
lesser quantity. A live pupa was exhibited, as well as a photograph of the 
young larvae (seven days old) feeding on Eucalyptus. A more detailed note 
will appear later. (2) Other micros taken in 1978: Lampronia luzella, Hbn., 
Shaldon, Devon, 7.viii; Zelleria hepariella Stt., Salfords, Surrey, 5. iii; 
Recurvaria leucatella Clerck, Dawlish, Devon, 31.vii; Teleoides alburnella 
Z., Reigate, Surrey, 28.vii; Bryotropha domestica Haw., Dawlish, 5.viii; 
Oegoconia quadripuncta Haw., Dawlish, 5.viii; Eucosma aspidiscana Hbn., 
Folkestone, Warren, Kent, 27.v; Aethes francillana F., Holcombe, Devon. 
11.viii. 

BLaNbD, Dr. K. P.— Species from Scotland: Scoparia ulmella (Knaggs.), 
Craigroyston, Loch Lomond, Stirlingshire, in m.v. tray, 11.vii.78; Schif- 
fermuelleria similella (Hbn.), reared from bracket-fungi, i.e. ex Piptoporus 
betulinus Fries on birch cillected 27.x.76 at Crichton Glen, Midlothian 
bred 1.v.77; ex Daedalea quercina Pers. on oak collected 13.v.78 at 
Craigroyston, Stirlingshire, bred 4.vi.78; Blastobasis decolorella (Woll.), at 
m.v.l., Blackford, Edinburgh, 31/1.vi.78 and Musselburgh, Midlothian, 
9/10.vii.78; only once previously recorded from Scotland. Acleris abietana 
(Hbn.), Craigroyston, Loch Lomond, Stirlingshire, in m.v. trap, 16/17.iv.78; 
new to Stirlingshire. Eana incanana (Steph.). Craigroyston, Loch Lomond 
Stirlingshire, several, 1978; Nemophora minimella (D. & S.), Gordon Moss 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 7/ 


Nat. Res., Berwick, larva found under Scabious, 15.iv.78, stopped feeding 
30.v, moth bred 21.vi.78; Adela cuprella (D. & S.), Gartocharn, Dum- 
bartonshire, a young larva taken from leaf-litter under Salix aurita L., 
1.v.78 at a time when many imagines were flying around the tree; the case 
had not been enlarged since 1.vi.78 although larva is still alive inside, thus 
indicating the species has a two-year larval life. Stigmella basiguttella 
(Hein.), Devil’s Beef Tub, Moffat, Dumfriesshire, vacated mine in oak, 
2.ix.77; new to scotland. 

BRETHERTON, R. F.—(1) From Inverness-shire, 1.v.78: Amblyptilia 
acanthodactyla Hbn.; Rhyacia logaea Durrant; Cydia cosmophorana Tr. 
(emerged from a nodule of Petrova resinella L.); Olethreutes metallicana 
Hbn. and O. lacunana D. & S., both bred from spun shoots of Vaccinium 
vitis-idaea. (2) From West Surrey: Asara terebrella Zinck.; Amblytilia 
punctidactyla Haw.; Acleris cristana D. & S., various forms; Neophaloptera 
nubilana Hbn.; Ancylis unculana Haw. 

CHALMERS-Hunt, J. M. — Eutromula diana (Hbn.), a male bred 11.vii.78, 
from a cocoon found by the exhibitor on the underside of birch leaf in 
Inverness-shire on 29.vii.78; the first time any of the early stages of this 
beautiful and local insect had been found in Britain. 

Emmet Col. A. M.—(1) Specimens taken in Scotland 19th July-9th 
August 1978, or bred subsequently from larvae taken betwen these dates. 

Stigmella drydella (Hofmann): Erribol, Sutherland, bred 5.ix.78. Stig- 
mella tengstroemi (Nolcken): Cairngorm, Inverness-shire, bred 21/26.viii.78. 
Leucoptera orobi (Stainton): Tulloch Moor, Inverness-shire, 23.vii.78. 
Bucculatrix capreella Krogerus: Kincraig, Inverness-shire, seven bred 
1/12.vili.78. Caloptilia populetorum (Zeller): Ullapool, West Ross, bred 
16.viii.78; Glen Affric, Inverness-shire, bred 19.viii.78. Caloptilia rufipennella 
(Hubner): Yair Hill Forest, Selkirkshire, five bred 16/19.viii.78. New to 
Scotland. Eutromula diana (Hubner): Glen Affric, Inverness-shire, bred 
from pupa, 4.viii.78; believed to be the first bred British specimen. Elachista 
kilmunella Stainton: Glen Affric, Inverness-shire, two 29.vii.78. Bisela- 
chista serricornis (Stainton): Alvie, Inverness-shire, four 26.vii.78. Bisela- 
chista eleochariella (Stainton): Loch Thom, Renfrewshire, two 20.vii.78. 
Schiffermuelleria similella (Hubner): Glen More, Inverness-shire, 24.vii.78. 
Depressaria olerella Zeller: Kincraig, Inverness-shire, bred 21.viii.78. 
Depressaria silesiaca Heinemann: Kingcraig, Inverness-shire, three bred 
16/20.viii.78. Acleris logiana (Clerck): Glen Affric, Inverness-shire, bred 
28.viii.78. Acleris hyemana (Haworth): Invernaver, Sutherland, bred 7.ix.78 
from Dryas octopetala, a hitherto unrecorded foodplant. Olethreutes arbutella 
(Linnaeus): Tulloch Moor, Inverness-shire, 23.vii.78. Olethreutes palustrana 
(Lienig & Zeller): Tulloch Moor, Inverness-shire, three 23.vii.78. 

(2). Essex — species new to or rare in the county. 

Ectoedemia argentipedella (Zeller): Litthke Baddow, some of 16 specimens 
bred from pupae in a single nest-box in Birch Wood Nature Reserve. 
Stigmella tiliae (Frey): Woodham Walter, seven bred 26.iii/23.v.78; new 
to VC18. Stigmella glutinosae (Stainton): Brook Street, Navestock (VC18); 
Audley End (VC19); new to VC18. Stigmella alnetella (Stainton): Little 
Baddow, Navestock (VC18); Audley End, Berechurch (VC19); new to 
VC19. Lampronia morosa Zeller: Little Hales Wood, Ashdon, 6.vi.78; new 
to VC19. Niditinea piercella (Bentinck): Little Baddow, Harlow and 
Shadwell Wood Nature Reserve, Ashdon, specimens bred from nest-boxes: 
new to Essex. Leucoptera lotella (Stainton): Hainault Forest, bred 10.iv.78: 
new to Essex. Bucculatrix thoracella (Thunberg): Chalkney Wood, Earls 


8 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOc., 1979 


Colne, bred 2.v.78; new to Essex. Elachista gleichenella (Fabricius): Little 
Baddow, six bred 14/24.v.78 from Carex laevigata, a new foodplant; also 
new to VC18. Elachista apicipunctella Stainton: Foxearth, two 22.v.78; 
new to Essex. Biselachista serricornis (Stainton): Hatfield Forest Marsh 
Nature Reserve, three 25.viii.78; new to Essex. Cosmiotes consortella 
(Stainton): Great Sampford, 19.v.78; Hadstock, 29.v.78; new to VC19. 
Cosmiotes stabilella (Frey): Finchingfield, 27.v.78; first Essex record since 
1916 and new to VC19. Eulamprotes unicolorella (Duponchel): Pods Wood, 
Messing, two 29.vi.78; new to Essex. Cosmopterix zieglerella (Hubner): 
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve, three bred 12/25.v.78. Cosmopterix 
lienigiella Lienig & Zeller: Mucking, bred 22.11.78; new to Essex. Phalonidia 
manniana (Fischer von Roslerstamm): Hatfield Forest Marsh Nature 
Reserve, two 9.vi.78. Aethes hartmanniana (Clerck): Great Stamford, 
seven, 19 and 27.v.78. Aethes williana (Brahm): Foxearth, four 3.vi.78; 
first record for VC19 since 1887. Commophila aeneana (Hubner): Hatfield 
Forest Marsh Nature Reserve, 9. vi.78; new to VC19. Cochylidia rupicola 
(Curtis): Hatfield Forest Marsh Nature Reserve, two 9.vi.78; Cochylis 
atricapitana (Stephens): Foxearth, two 3.vi.78; new to VC19. Endothenia 
oblongana (Haworth): Foxearth, three 3.vi.78; new to VC19. Epinotia 
nanana (Treitsche): Little Baddow, bred from Abies, 30.v/3.vi.78. Pam- 
mene trauniana ({Denis & Schiffermuller]): Wimbish, 2.vi.78; new to 
Essex. 


(3) — Cambridgeshire. 


Eucosma pauperana (Duponchel): Fleam Dyke, two 14 and 17.v.78; a 
species not recorded in Britain since 1931, but not the earliest record for 
1978. Elachista pomerana Frey: Wicken Fen, five taken at light on 30.vii.67. 
Shown to draw attention to this species which is little known in Britain. 


FaircLouGH, R. & A. J. — The following bred or caught in 1978: 
Coleophora glitzella Hofmann and C. idaeella Hofmann, Aviemore, bred 
vi; Bucculatrix thoracella (Thunb.), Argyresthia sorbiella (Treits.) and 
Oecophora bractella (L.), Gwent, caught vi; Elachista poae Stt., Essex. 
bred v; Epinotia cinerana (Haw.), Kent, caught 28.vii; Leioptilus lienigianus 
(Z.), Essex and Suffolk, bred vi-vii. 


HeEcKForRD, R. J. — The exhibit consists entirely of microlepidoptera 
taken in Cornwall and Devon. (1) Species apparantly new to Cornwall. 
Myelois cribella (Hbn.), Near Millbrook three bred 29.vi.77, from larvae 
found in thistle stems in winter. Aethes williana (Brahm), Whitsand Bay, 
two bred 10/11.v.77, from larvae found in wild carrot (Daucus carota) 
stems in winter. Eriopsela quadrana (Hbn.), Luckett, one, 30.iv.76. Eriopsela 
quadrana (Hiibn.), St. Blazey one, 14.v.77, St. Ives, one, 30.iv.76 and 
Ancylis geminana (Don.), Predannack Downs, near the Lizard, two, 
15.vi.77. Apotomis sauciana sauciana (Fr6l.), Callington, bred 12/13.vi.77 
from larvae on bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Metzneria carlinella (Stt.), 
Whitsand Bay, 29.vi/2.vii.78, four bred from larvae in seedheads of Carline 
thistle (Carlina vulgaris). Caloptilia robustella Jackh, near St. Blazey, 
14.v.77, one taken. Bucculatrix cristatella Z., Whitsand Bay, 27.v./3.vi.78, 
six bred from larvae on Achillea millefolium. Agonopterix bipunctosa 
(Curtis) (gen. det. J. R. Longmaid), Mullion Cove, 15/16.vii.77, two bred 
from larvae on Saw-wort (Serratula tinctoria. (2) Species apparently not 
recorded from Cornwall since the Victoria County History (1906). Scrobi- 
palpa ocellatella (Boyd), Whitsand Bay, 29.ii/8.iv.77, two bred from larvae 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 9 


feeding on Beta martima. Caryocolum  yicinella (Dougl.), Tregardoc, 
12/15.vii.78, two bred from larvae feeding in stems of Silene maritima. 
(3) — Species new to Devon, and possibly recorded from one or two other 
localities in Britain. Elachista collitella (Dup.). South Devon (locality not 
disclosed), three specimens taken 6.vi.76, and three taken 30.v.78, exhibited 
with specimens of E. subocellea Stephens and E. dispunctella (Dup.) for 
comparison. Dr. J. D. Bradley, who determined these specimens, informed 
the exhibitor that at present the only other confirmed record is of 
specimens taken at Tenby, Pembrokeshire in 1875, but there are specimens 
in Bankes coll. in BMNH, taken at Sandwich, Kent prior to 1898 which 
may also be this species but have not been dissected for identification. Also 
in Bankes coll. are three specimens without data other than a label on 
one marked ‘Machin’: these may also be collitella but no dissection of 
genitalia has been made. (4) — Species taken in Devon and Cornwall of 
local distribution. Gypsonoma aceriana (Dup.), Plympton, Devon, one 
21.vii.78.Nothris congressariella (Bruand), Tresco, Isles of Scilly, one bred 
14.v.77 from larva on Scrophularia scorodonia. Aristotelia brizella (Treits.), 
Near Noss Mayo, Deven, three 27/30.v.78. Syncopacma cinctella (Clerck), 
Plympton, Devon, three 21/22.vii.78. Caryocolum viscariella (Stt.). bred 
from larvae in stems of Silene dioica, 3/8.vii.78, Tregardock, Cornwall and 
25.vi.78, Lutton, Devon. Phyllonorycter ulicicolella (Stt.), Noss Mayo, 
Devon, 6.vi.78. Adela cuprella (D. & S.), Callington, Cornwall, 15.vi.78; 
St. Blazey, Cornwall, 28.iv.78; Goss Moor, Cornwall, 28.iv.78. 


Horton, Dr. G. A. N.— Species new to Monmouthshire: Euchromius 
ocellea sHaw.), Usk, 14.x.78. Dioryctria abietella (D. & S.), Usk, 4.viii.78. 
Nemophora scabiosella Scop., S. Monmouthshire, 25.vii.78. Cydia jungiella 
Clerck, S. Monmouthshire, 27.v.78. Epinotia ramella L., Wye Valley, 
14. viii.78.E. subsequana Haw., 30.v.78. Cydia compositella F., Usk, 25.vi.77. 


Howarp, Dr. Guy. — Palpita unionalis (Hbn.), Glengarry, West 
Inverness-shire, taken at night, October 1977. 
LancMaip, Dr. John. — Coleophora machinella Bradley, Wickham, 


Hants., series bred from Achillaea ptarmica, 1978. Teleiodes wagae 
Nowicki, Botley Wood, Hants., 30.v.76, the first record from England. 
Gypsonoma minutana Hbn., Portsmouth, Hants., 1978, series bred from 
Populus alba. Pammene populana F., Colonsay, 1978, series bred from 
Salix aurita. Agonopterix subpropinquella Stt., Colonsay, series bred from 
Cirsium arvense, 1978. A. scopariella Heinemann, Argyll 1978, series bred 
from Sarothamnus  scoparius A. carduella Hbn., Argyll, 1978, series bred 
from Cirsium vulgare. 


Leecu, M. J.— Pyralis farinalis (L.), Herefordshire, a series. 


MartTIN, PETER A.— Aphomia sociella (L.) (The Bee Moth), mounted 
display showing set specimens and cut sections of the pupal nest. 


Mrcnwaecis, H. N. — Dichrorampha simpliciana Haw., Llandudo Junction, 
Caerns., ex Artemisia vulgaris. Cochylidia rupicola Curt., Newborough, 
Anglesey, ex Eupatorium, probably new to North Wales. A podia bifracte!la 
Dup., Caerns. and Denbs., ex Pulicaria, new to Denbs. Scrobipala insta- 
bilella Doug., Caerns. and Denbs., ex mined leaves of Halimione, new to 
Denbs. Phyllonorycter sagitella (Bjerk.) (tremulae Z.), Mochdre, Denbs., 
ex. mined leaves of aspen, possibly the first Welsh record of this recently 
discovered species new to Britain. Argyresthia sp. possibly J/aevigatella 
H.-S., Aber, Caerns. 


10 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


PELHAM-CLINTON, E. C.— Species collected during 1978: Ectoedemia 
intimella (Z.), Danbury, Essex, from larvae mining Salix fragilis. Nemophora 
cupriacella (Hbn.), Great Samford, Essex, from case under radical leaves of 
Knautia arvensis. Adela cuprella (D. & S.), Gartocharn, Dumbartonshire. 
Solenobia lichenella (L.), Longniddry, East Lothian, from cases on stone 
wall. Elachista kilmunella Stainton, Glen Affric, Inverness-shire, ab. with 
white costal bar, a recurring form in this locality. Batrachedra pinicolella 
(Z.), Danbury, Essex, from larva on Picea abies. Celypha woodiana (Bar- 
rett)), North Currey, Somerset. from larva mining Viscum. Acleris abietana 
(Hbn), Winchburgh, West Lothian, 27.v, in light trap; the most southerly 
British record. 

RIcHARDSON, A. — Uresiphita limbalis D. & S., Scilly, taken ix.1976. 

Stimpson, Dr. A. N. B.—(1) From Worcestershire: Aethes beatricella 
(Wals.); Epinotia fraternana (Haw.); Gelechia scotinella (Z.); G. sabinella 
(Z.); Lampronia fuscatella (Teng.); Chrysoesthia hermannella (F.); Phyl- 
lonorycter sagitella (Bjeck.); P. muelleriella (Z.). (2) From Warwickshire: 
Elachista poae (Stt.); Monochroa lucidella (Steph.). (3) From Cornwall: 
Batia lambdella (Don.). (4) From Glamorgan: Apomylois neophanes (Durr.). 
(5) From Cardigan. Epinotia pygmaeana (Hbn). 

SoKoLorFr, P. A.—40 species of microlepidoptera bred or captured 
during 1978 including: Catoptria falsella D. & S., Eudonia truncicolella 
Stt. and E. crateaegella Hbn., all bred from moss on dry stone wall, Priddy, 
Somerset, 8/11.viii. Orthopygia glaucinalis L., bred from blackbird’s nest, 
Orpinton, Kent, 25.vili. Neofriseria singula Staud. ex Rumex acetosae, 
Dungeness, 14.vii. Oncocera genistella Dup. and Brachmia gerronella Z. 
ex Ulex, Dungeness, vii. Pterophorus spilodactyla Curt. ex Marubium 
vulgare, Gt. Orme, Wales, 16.viil. Capperia brittaniodactyla Greg., ex 
Teucrium, Dungeness, 29.vi. Colephora vibicella Hbn., Botley Wood, Hanis. 
on Genista tinctoria, fed up on G.lydia. C.otitae Z., er Silene nutans, 
Dungeness, 29.vii. Apomyelois bistriatella neophanes Durr., third record 
for Kent, Orpington, 29.vii. Plodia interpunctella Hbn. and Ephestia para- 
sitella Staud., both found indoors, Orpington, Kent, vii. 

STERLING, Col. D. H.— Ypsolopha ustella (Clerck), Ampfield, Hants. 
21.vu1.78, pale form taken by P. H. Sterling. Agonopterix bipunctosa 
(Curtis), Winchester, female taken on the night of 19/20.vii.76 in the 
exhibitor’s garden see Plate II, fig. I); the specimen was dissected by the 
late Denzil Ffennell and was the first bipunctosa he could confirm. Epiphyas 
postvittana (Walker), Winchester, one taken in an m.y. trap on the night 
of 27/28.x.77 is the second recorded Hampshire specimen. Acleris literana 
(L.), some Hampshire forms of this variable species taken by the exhibitor, 
M. J. Sterling and P. H. Sterling. Hypsopygia costalis (F.), Leckford, Hants. 
an unusal form, having the usual two yellow costal spots merged to form 
a single costal patch; the lines on the underwings are faint, close together 
and meet at three points to give the overall appearance of three circles; 
taken at light, Leckford, Hants., on the night of 2/3.vii.78. Epischnia 
bankesiella (Rich.), Swanage, 18.vii.76, taken by M. J. Sterling. 

WALTERS, JoHN. — A selection of Nepticulid leaf-mines collected autumn 
together with a series of drawings. Paintings of Ectoedemia erythrogenella 
(de Joannis), Hayling Island, Hants. 

WATKINSON, Dr. I. A.— Series of some Rosaceae-feeding species of the 
genus Phyllonorycter chosen to illustrate the similarity in appearance of 
the different species. The specimens exhibited: P. oxyacanthae (Frey); 
P. sorbi (Frey); P. blancardella (F.); P. cydoniella (D. & S.) and P. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 itil 


mespilella (Hbn.) had all been checked by genitalia. Particular note was 
made of the last two, which are rare and local respectively and frequently 
misidentified in collections. The feeding preferences of the species were 
discussed, particulary in respect of cydoniella whose preferred foodplant is 
Cydonia (quince) and whose distribution in UK is apparently very limited. 
Among those exhibited were two P. cydoniella (det. I.A.W.), taken by S. 
E. Whitebread at the Danbury, Essex 1977 field meeting ex crab apple. 
The exhibitor requested supposed specimens of cydoniella and mespilella 
for confirmation by genitalia preparation. 

WiLp, E. H.— Eurrhypara terrialis (Treit), series bred from larvae on 
golden rod (Solidago virgaurea). N. Pembrokeshire, vii.1977. 

Younc, Dr. M. R.—Metzneria lapella (L.) and Cochylidia rupicola 
(Curtis), St. Cyrus N.N.R., Kincardine (both species new to Scotland. Acleris 
abietana (Hbn.) and Epinotia pygmaeana (Hbn.), both from Aberdeenshire. 
Myrmecozela ochraceella (Tengstrom), upper Deeside. Catoptria permuta- 
tella (H.-S.), Aberdeenshire. 


COLEOPTERA 
APPLETON, D.— Coleoptera from Hampshire and Isle of Wight taken 
during 1978. Prionocyphon serricorne (Muller), 6.vi.1978, Apes Down, 
1.0.W., swept below an ancient ash tree. Probably new to I.0.W. Eubria 
palustris Germar, 8.vi.1978, Totland Bay, 1.0.W., swept from Equisetum. 
Probably new to both I.0.W. and Hampshire. Gracilia minuta (Fabr.), 
9.vii.1978, Titchfield Haven, Hampshire, on dead bramble stem. The 
species was found breeding there in great numbers in dead bramble stems. 
Darsy, M.—A display of books on the British Coleoptera published 
between the late 18th to early 20th century, all from his personal library. 
This was a rare opportunity to see such a range of rare classic works 
together, the illustrations being of timeless value. The 18 works ranged 
from Martyn, 1792 to Fowler, 1887-1913. 
Hopce, P. J.—A selection of interesting Coleoptera taken during 1977- 
1978, including: Trechus rivularis Gyll., Dromius longiceps Dej. and D. 
sigma Rossi from Yorkshire; Haliplus mucronatus Steph., Graptodytes 
flapipes Ol., Anthicus bimaculatus Ill., Anthonomus brunnipennis Lat., and 
Apion cerdo Gerst. from Sussex. The last named species is northern in its 
British distribution, but is in fact quite a common and widespread species 
in Kent and East Sussex, and has perhaps been confused with the closely 
related species A. subulatum Kirby and A. cracce (L.). Also from Sussex 
was Magdalis barbicornis (Latr.) a species rediscovered in Sussex. Leptura 
rubra (L.) from the ‘Breckland’ of Norfolk (see Plate II, fig. 20): the 
exhibitor has been unable to ascertain whether or not this species is of 
regular occurrence now-a-days; there are no records that he can find since 
the 1940s. Agabus striolatus Gyll., Hydroporus scalesianus Steph. and 
Ceuthorrhychus querceti Gyll. from the Norfolk Broads. 
Paary, J.A.—A selection beetles including: Emus hirtus (L) taken at 
Canterbury in 1949, Dyschirius angustatus (Aherns) from sandhills at Rye, 
Sussex 1974, and Thalassophilus longicornis (Sturm) from Betws y Coed in 
July 1978. 
Younc, M. R.— The distribution of three northern water beetles, Pota- 
monectes griseostriatus (Degeer), Dytiscus lapponicus Gyllenhal and Gyrinus 
opacus Sahlberg was illustrated, accompanied by specimens of each. 
Although thought of as strictly northern, only G. opacus is exclusively 
Scottish. All show the common pattern of lower altitudinal preferences at 
higher latitude. 


12 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


DIPTERA 
Mites, S. R. — A selection of local and rare species taken in 1978, 
Xylomyia marginata (Mg.) (Xylomyiidae), Burnt Common, Hants., 29. vii. 
1978: Brachypalpus bimaculatus (Mcq.) (Syrphidae), 1 ¢ Mark Ash Wood, 
New Forest. Hants., 27.v.1978; 1 @ Didea fasciata Mcq. (Syrphidae), 
Odiham Common, Hants., 11.vi.1978; Myolepta luteola (Gmelin) (Syrphidae), 
Savernake Forest, Wilts., 1 @ 26.viii.1978; Leopoldius signatus (Wied.) 
(Conopidae), Alton, Hants., ¢ and @ 7.x.1978. 
Packer, L.— Flies caught in Kent in 1978, including: Volucella inflata 
(Fabr.) (Syrphidae) Kingston; V. zonaria (Poda), Faversham and Vanoyia 
tenuicoris (Mcq.) (Stratiomyidae), Westbere Marshes. 
Stusss, A. E. — Diptera Recording Schemes; maps and specimens illustrat- 
ing purpose and scope of the scheme. 
HEMIPTERA (HETEROPTERA) 
Kirky, P.—Polymorphism in British Heteroptera, illustrating sexual 
dimorphism: Psallus ambiguus (Fallén), Orthonotus rufifrons (Fallén), 
Notostira elongata (Geof.), Leptopterna dolobrata (L.); alary polymorphism: 
Ischnodemus sabuleti (Fallén), Myrmus myriformis (Fallén), Dicyphus 
epilobii Reuter, Gerris lacustris (L.); and dichroism (colour forms): Myrmus 
myriformis (Fallén), Dicyphus pallidcornis (Fieber), Capsus ater (L.), 
Stenodema calcaratum (Fallén). 
HYMENOPTERA 

Etse, G. R.— Aculeate Hymenoptera collected in Dorset and Devon, 
May-June 1978, in conjunction with an inauguaral field meeting of the 
recently launched ‘Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Scheme’. The twenty 
species exhibited included two national rarities (both from Devon) — the 
wasp Euodynerus quadrifasciatus (F.) (Eumenidae), &, and the bee Nomada 
sexfasciata Panzer (Anthophoridae), 2 2 2 (known today from only one 
site in Britain, but formerly widely distributed over southern England; it is 
the inquiline of the bee Eucera longicornis (L.). Other Devon specimens 
included: Vespula austriaca (Panzer) (Vespidae), 2, Stover Park, Near 
Bovey Tracy, 28.v. (inquiline of V. rufa (L.);Andrena cineraria (L.) 
Andrenidae). @, Rushlade Common, Dartmoor, 29.v. and 2 Man Sands, 
Near Brixham, 31.v.; A. bucephala (Stevens), 2 2 2, and its scarce inquiline 
Nomada hirtipes Pérez, 3 2 2, both species from New Bridge, Near Holne, 
29.v.; A. labiata F., 8, Man Sands, 31.v.;Lasioglossum cupromicans Pérez 
(Halictidate), 2, Corndon Down, Near Widecombe, 29.v. Dorset specimens 
included: Andrena labiata,é 9, and Osmia bicolor (Schrank) (Megachildae), 
2, both species from Chideock (Undercliff) 27.v. A second exhibit was 
mainly devoted to aculeates collected in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 
during May-June 1978. These included: Andrena labiata, 2 2 2, Warsash, 
Hans., 20.v. and, from the Isle of Wight, Argogorytes fargei (Shuckard) 
(Sphecidae), ¢, Red Cliff, Near Sandown, 11.vi.; Andrena proxima (Kirby), 
4 2, Steephill Cove area, Near Ventor, 13.v.; A. cineraria, 9, Apes Down, 
west of Newport, 6.vi.; Osmia xanthomelana (Kirby), 2 2 2, coastal site, 
11.vi. (formerly widespread as far north as North Wales and Lancashire, 
but today the most recent records are from two sites on the Isle of Wight). 
Another Hampshire specimen exhibited was Xylocopa violacea (L.) (Xylo- 
copidae), 2, Cove, Near Farnborough, on the floor of a greengrocer’s and 
florist’s, 16.1., H. Schonhut (the shop assistant). This large and striking bee 
with an almost hairless black head and body and violet wings is a rare 
vagrant to Britain, almost certainly arriving in imported timber and produce 
from the Continent. It is a ‘Carpenter bee’, the female excavating nesting 
galleries in timber. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 13 


KENNER-BOOKER, W. — Psen bruxellensis Bondroit (Sphecidae), °&, 
Ainsdale N.N.R., Near Southport, Lancashire, 11.viii.78. Until this wasp 
was recorded from Ainsdale in 1977 the most northerly site for this very 
local species in Britain was in Middlesex. 

Mites, S. R. — A small selection of wasps and a bee from Hampshire and 
Middlesex. Hampshire specimens included the Sphecid wasps Ectemnius 
ruficornis (Zetterstedt), ¢, Odiham Common, 16.vii.77; E. lituratus Panzer, 
@ 2, Odiham Common, 13.viii.78; and the Megachilid bee Heriades trun- 
corum (L.), @,Burnt Common, Near Silchester, 29.vii.78 — new to Hants. 
Also, Ectemnius dives (Lepeletier & Brullé), ¢, Crane Park, Near Feltham, 
Middlesex, 28.vii.78. 

Packer, L. D. M.— Eleven wasps collected in Kent during 1978. The most 
interesting were the Pompilids Evagetes pectinipes (L.), 2, Sandwich Bay 
(the only known British locality), 13.viii.; Episyron rufipes (L.), 2, Sand- 
wich Bay, 9.vi. (the presumed host of pectinipes in Britain), and the Sphecids 
Passaloecus insignis (Vander Linden), @, Near Canterbury, swept from 
hawthorn, vi. (apparently only the fourth Kent record); Crossocerus dis- 
tinguendus (Morawitz), ¢, Sturry, Near Canterbury, 18.vi. and a @, 27.vii. 
(new to Britain); Ectemnius sexcinctus (F.), @, Faversham, 6.vili. (pro- 
visionally the fourth Kent record); E. rubicola (Dufour & Perris), ¢, 
Westbere, 15.vii., 2, Sturry, 28.vii. The exhibit also included an example of 
the sawfly Macrophya blanda (F.), ¢@, Ham Street Wood N.N.R., 27.v. 

PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA 

Species of note included: Dusona pulchripes Holmgren, new to Britain; 
bred ex Thera obeliscata (Hiibn.); Charops cantator de Geer (although 
exhibited on a previous occasion, a new locality was described for this rare 
species;) Apanteles chares Nixon; Rogas pulchripes (Wesmael) (the second 
and third recorded British species) and a species of Holocremnus (Ichneu- 
monidae) of intriguing interst (see below under SHAw, M. R.). 

Once again the co-operation of Lepidopterists and other specialists, in 
saving reared parasites and the host-remains, is gratefully acknowledged by 
the two main exhibitors and is hoped that other entomologists will be 
encouraged to follow their example. 

ALLEN, A. A. — Firstly, an exhibit illustrating nocturnal species of para- 
sitic hymenoptera — nearly all these species possess constant, superficial, 
features, viz. —testaceous colouring, large occelli and elongate antennae 
(Gauld, Ent. Gaz., 27, 35 (1976)). Species previously not shown, or of 
especial interest were: Macroncentrus thoracicus (Nees), caught 11.viii.1978, 
Holcombe, Devon, at m.v.l.; Charmon extensor L., —9.ix.1978, Plaistow, 
Sussex, at m.v.l. This species is atypical of this group, since the colouring 
is blackish —it seems fairly common, yet the host is unknown; Zemiotes 
chlorophthalmus Nees (erroneously published earlier as Chrysophthalmus) 
—two species: (22) from Reigate, Surrey, 28.vii.and Dawlish, Devon, 
12.viii. both 1978, at actinic light; Nefelia cristatus Thomson, 92, taken at 
m.yv.l., 9.ix.1978, Plaistow, Sussex (this genus — with that of Ophion — is 
one of the commonest Ichneumonoidea at light) and Ichneumon deliratorius 
L.— an anomalous species, for although quite common, it is very different 
in appearance from the other noctural parasitica. The present specimen 
came from Plaistow, Sussex —takenn at m.v.l., 9.ix.1978. 

A second exhibit illustrated some bred British Apanteles species, their 
host preferences, their various — sometimes characteristic — cocoon formu- 
tion. The examples included: Apanteles inclusus Ratzeburg, from two 
sources —a series bred from Euproctis similis Fuessly, at Lichfield, Staffs.. 


14 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


while the other arose from cocoons found by the exhibitor, 12.i.1974, on 
an oak branch, Earlswood Common, Surrey. Although mostly empty, the 
cocoons yielded a few intact species of inclusus, which seems to be difficult 
to come across. The cocoon mass is formed in that of the host. A. limbatus 
Marshall, bred from, and seemingly exclusively parasitic on, Abraxas 
grossulariata (L). The series exhibited were from Camber, (host on Salix 
alba 20.v.) and Littlehampton (host on Prunus spinosa, 19.v.) both in Sussex, 
1978. In each case several larvae from each locality were affected — the size 
of the brood varied from three to fourteen. 


Lawton, F. D.— An exhibit consisting of an unidentified species of Meso- 
chrous (Ichneumonidae) and the cocoon from which it had emerged, 
namely the characteristic cocoon of Apanteles gonepterygis Marshall. 


The genus Mesochorus are hyperparasites —the oviposits directly into a 
parasite larva already contained in its own host. In this instance, the 
primary host was Gonepteryx rhamni (L.) (LEP, Pieridae), three larvae of 
which were collected in Ferndown Forest, Near Wimborne, Dorset, in June 
1978. All three were parasitized by the host-specific gonepterygis,; a solitary 
endoparasite. The host is destroyed before the full growth is attained and 
the larva of gonopterygis then spins its curious, bright orange, cocoon on the 
centre of which is a large, filamented, tuft of silk in a fan-like arrangement. 


A Mesochorus sp. emerged from one cocoon in early August; the othef 
two cocoons remained intact — probably the primary (Apanteles) parasite 
would hatch in the Spring. (See Nixon, G. E. J. in Bull. ent. Res., 64, 
465 et seq. and Wilkinson, D. S., Trans. Roy. Ent. Soc., 95, 95-98 (1945). 


The exhibitor expressed his grateful thanks to Miss M. Brooks for pro- 
viding the material and to Dr. G. Nixon and Dr. I. D. Gauld (both of the 
B.M. (N.H.) for assistance in determining the identity of the insects. 


Martin, P.— An example of Mesostenidea obnoxius Gravenhorst, bred 
as a secondary parasite — from the cocoon — of a species of Z)gaena. 
Apanteles plutellae, Kurdjumov — exhibited earlier in the year from 
Noctua orbona, the exhibitor now showed individuals bred singly from a 
more familiar host — Aglais urticae, L. The exhibitor had found many of 
these larvae on Urtica in Dawlish Warren, Devon, 3.viii.1978 in various 
stages of development, but of the many larvae taken, only the smalest (least 
developed) larvae harboured the parasite — perhaps yet another example of 
parastites slowing down the rate of growth of their host. Some of the adult 
plutellae from urticae were bred in late August, and presumably seek 
another host in which to overwinter as larvae (? e.g., Noctua sp.) but some 
cocoons had not hatched by mid-December. A. immunis Haliday —a single 
example bred in September, 1978, from an unidentifiable geometrid larva 
swept from heater, 30.viii.1978 on Hankley Common, Elstead, Surrey. 

Another exhibit consisted of a few adult Ichneumonidae taken in 1978. 
Amongst the species were: Charops cantator, de Geer (9), taken 10.viii. 
at Bugle, Cornwall; Heteropelma amictum Fab. (2), caught on the wing- 
low down —at Tywardreath, Cornwall, 10.viii; Rhexidermus thoracicus 
Gravenhorst (@), swept from laneside herbage, Shaldon, Devon, 7.viii; 
Ichneumon validicornis Holmgren, 2, swept from very damp vegetation 
along a stream at Tywardreath, Cornwall, 8.viii; Hepiopelmus leucostigmus 
Grav. 2, swept by the sea at Littlehampton, Sussex, 27.viii; Barichneumon 
ridibundus Grav. ¢, often taken in 1978 —the example shown was from 
Plaistow, Sussex, 9.ix; B. monostagon Gravy., a @ from Shaldon, Devon, 
7.viii; Amblyteles elongatus Brischke, 2, captured when flying low over 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 15 


rough ground in fine rain at Bugle, Cornwall, 10.viii; and A. palliatorius 
Grav., which although common, gave rise to a @ exhibit unusually heavily 
marked with reddish-orange. It was captured flying around young pines on 
Hankley Common, Surrey, 30.viii. 


Crow, P. — A few representatives of a brood of an Apanteles sp. (later 
det. as bignellii (Marshall; det. A. A. Allen) bred from Euphydryas aurinia 
Rott. from a locality in Wales. The species is a notorious parasite of” 
aurinia. 


SHaw, M. R. — Examples of reared Ichneumonoidea of particular signi- 
ficance, all bred in 1978. They included a part of an all-male brood of an 
unidentifiable species of Holocremnus obtained as an endoparasite of 
Cimbex femoratus (L.) (HYM. Cimbicidae) from Chat Moss, Manchester. 
This was the only incidence known to the exhibitor of gregarious endo- 
parasitism in the Ichneumonidae. Also with this exhibit were an adult of 
the host sp. and an example of each sex of the common gregarious ecto- 
parasite of Cimbicid cocoons, Agrothreutes mandator (L.) (Ichneumonidae, 
Hemitelinae). Next, some rare British species of Rogas (Braconidae, 
Rogadinae) were shown, amongst which were two specimens of R. pulch- 
ripes (Wesmael) bred from ‘mummified’ larvae of Acronicta psi (L.) and 
Acronicta tridens (D. & S.) (Noctuidae), both taken on Chat Moss, Man- 
chester. Previously, the species pulchripes was only known in the British 
Isles from a single female taken in Ireland, 193. Another species of Rogas 
was R. rugulosus (Nees), two examples of which were displayed; they were 
bred from Acronicta rumicis (L.) and A. menyanthidis Esper, both as a 
result of induced parasitism in captivity. The parents were from Meathop 
Moss, Cumbria; the species is also known in Wickham Fen and in an 
Irish locality. 


A third species of Rogas shown was R. praetor Reinhard, the single 
example was reared from the larva of Mimas tiliae (L.) (Sphingidae) found 
on Hampstead Heath, London as a ‘mummy’ by R. A. Softly. The species 
is widely distributed in Southern England, but infrequently collected. Notes 
on the species described above accompanied the exhibit; the exhibitor 
appealed for reared parasites to be sent to him. 


The exhibitor also showed the parasite complexes (primary and secondary- 
hyper-parasites) of the host species Zygaena filipendulae (L.) and Leucoma 
salicis (L.). The notes with the exhibit exjlained that the composition of 
each complex was similar —a small number of more or less host-specific 
primary parasites (e.g. Apanteles zyganarum Marshall on Zygaena sp. and 
a larger number of secondary parasites, whose occurrence was opportunistic 
rather than obligatory, by virtue of their far lesser host specificity. Many of 
these latter are parasites of cocoons and are not encountered if the host 
larva is collected. These hyperparasites play a large part in stablizing the 
host-primary parasite interactions, helping to prevent large fluctuations in 
the populations of both, which could otherwise lead to local extinction of 
one or more of the species. 


The exhibitor was of the opinion that at times of high population density 
of the hosts, large, overwintered larvae left almost no food for younger, pre- 
hibernating larvae of the following generation (since the foodplant is used 
by successive generations in the same summer) and it is this factor which 
cause often spectacular falls in the abundance of these colonial species, 
tather than parasitism. 


16 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 
PHOTOGRAPHS 


Photographs each year are more in evidence and this year is no exception. 

Photography particularly lends itself to illustrating life histories and 
insects in their habitats. 

Mr. R. C. REvELS’ exhibit showed the life history of the white admiral, 
Ladoga camilla (L.), an unusual picture of 70 silver studded blues, Plebejus 
argus (L.) s. sp. caernensis Thompson on one bush in Great Ormes Head, 
N. Wales; and the Ringlet Aphantopus hyperanthus (L.) with the aberra- 
tions lanceolata, arete and pallens. 

Mr. M. Tweepie — photographs of various Australasian lepidoptera; and 
Mr. P. Crow, on behalf of Mr. F. C. BEst — a photograph of pale specimen 
of Boloria selene (D. & S.). 

Mrs. F. Murpuy — photographs of spiders from Kenya, Yugoslavia and 
Malaya and Diaea dorsata (F.) (female) in Surrey. 

Mr. DE Souza — interesting series of the Broad Bordered Bee Hawk 
Hemaris fuciformis (L.) including larvae, pupae and imago in Chiddingfold 
Woods, the larva and imago of the Purple Emperor (Apatura iris (L.) — 
a male which landed on a hand to suck perspiration and the Dark Green 
Fritillary Argynnis aglaja (L.) with white spots towards the margins. 

Dr. Mirt1AM ROTHSCHILD — Danaus plexippus (L.) erippus (G.) searching 
for nectar on the orchid Epidendrum paniculatum having been attracted by 
the odour. 


THE MYSTERIOUS SWARMS OF SEPSID FLIES AND THEIR 
UNPALATABILITY TO SPIDERS 


W. S. BRISTOWE 

(We have recently received the sad news of Dr. Bristowe’s death at his 
home in Susser on 11th January, 1979. He was an eminent arachnologist and 
the author of two of the most widely read books about spiders in the 
English language: The Comity of Spiders (1939-41) and The World of 
Spiders (1958). In 1922 his first scientific paper appeared in the Proceedings 
of this Society (Spiders Found in the Neighbourhood of Oxshott) and so 
we have the distinction of having published the first and last of his numerous 
contributions to arachnology. — Editor). 

Introduction 

The unusual occurrence of vast but strictly localised swarms of small ant- 
like flies (Dipt. Sepsidae) is a mystery without satisfactory explanation. One 
such swarm persisted for more than a month in my garden on one Box 
(Buxus) clump and adjoining herbs. Their purpose did not seem to be 
mating, egg-laying or feeding. Perhaps it is a chemical attraction. The flies 
have a faint aromatic odour themselves; perhaps their congregation magni- 
fies its intensity for protection (or other) purposes. 

Their odour encouraged experiments as to their palatabilty to spiders. In 
nature they were not seen in the webs of spiders and as they spend most of 
their time walking with wings waving up and down they might be more 
vulnerable to attack from hunting spiders. Was their wing-waving a 
“Warning Movement’? Or did their odour serve as a deterrent? 

Notes on the Flies 

Sepsid flies are known to be breeders in animal dung but there were 
neither dung nor drains nearby. Hundreds of thousands of small ant-like 
male and female Sepsis fuleens Wied. were noticed walking actively over 
the leaves of one Box (Buxus) clump on 25th August 1978. They were not 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 17 


visible anywhere else, nor even on ten similar Box clumps nearby, except 
feeding on the heads of umbelliferous flowers. At night they remained 
quiescent under the leaves or within the clump. They did not seem to be 
congregated for mating, feeding on the Box or laying eggs. A month later 
they were congregated chiefly amongst low herbs besides this Box clump — 
grass, nettles, convolvulus, ground elder and a small azalea. Their number 
had been gradually diminishing and by 26th September they had vanished 
following one day of rain and a ground frost. 


I could only conclude that the odour of this Box clump had attracted 
them. Mr. A. C. Pont (British Museum, N.H.) kindly indentified the flies 
and confirmed the occasional swarming habit of this species though he has 
no other explanation to offer. He records that printing presses sometimes 
attract swarms due apparently to their use of ammonia in the process. 


The flies have a keen sight for movement and rapidly take to flight when 
a person approaches. They fly delicately and seldom get entangled in spiders’ 
webs. If they do get entangled, they rapidly escape. 


Their odour has been variously described. I would simply describe it as 
faint, aromatic and not unpleasant. 


Tests on Palatability to Spiders 


I must explain that in many cases they escaped from Argiopid webs and 
especially from Linyphiid webs before the spiders could catch them. When 
web-builders did catch them my early tests confused me considerably. Some 
spiders accepted them with or without hesitation; others rejected them after 
a touch, after wrapping them in silk, after biting them, or after hesitation. 
Several times I was to see spiders retire to a neighbouring leaf to wipe 
away a drop which had developed from their mouths which provided com- 
plete proof of the flies’ unacceptability to them. Why the variation in 
behaviour? 


In the field I could not be certain of the flies’ sex or whether the one 
was more unpalatable than the other. After taking away some of the flies 
which had been readily accepted by spiders and finding these were of both 
sexes, I came to a fresh conclusion after watching the differing reactions of 


Meta segmentata. 


When Meta was sitting in the centre of its web, it usually pounced and 
bit the fly instantly without wrapping it up. Then it usually (though not 
always) went on eating it as though the body fluid was not distasteful. When 
Meta took some time to emerge from a retreat and got involved in a 
struggle before it could wrap it up the Mera often abandoned the fly after 
(or before) a bite. Sometimes it paused after wrapping for two or three 
minutes in order to go through chewing motions with its chelicerae and to 
pass the tips of its palps and legs through its chelicerae. Sometimes it would 
retire to a leaf bordering the web and dab away a drop of fluid which had 
appeared from its mouth. The inference drawn was that the fly which was 
not killed or paralyzed instantly had had time to exude or squirt some 
substance which the spider found objectionable. 


Experience with seven other small or immature species of web-builder 
did nothing to upset this conclusion. Brief notes will show what I mean, but 
it must be mentioned that the apparent deterrent seemed to be more 
effective against small than against large spiders like adult Araneus diade- 
matus which sometimes wrapped four or more flies in one bundle and then 
ate them without hesitation. 


18 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


Results with Web-building Spiders 


1 


N 


Meta segmentata (Clerck) 

(a) 13 females and 1 male bit immediately and ate. 

(b) 4 females wrapped, bit, drew back for two to three minutes. 
Chewing movements and tips of palps and legs chewed before 
returning to eat the fly. 

(c) 8 females and 1 male wrapped the fly and rejected it. 

(d) 5 females withdrew after touching the fly. 

(e) 10 females and 1 male ran to a leaf to wipe away a drop of fluid 
from mouth after biting. 

Zygiella x-notata (Clerck) 

(a) 10 accepted. 

(b) 2 paused after wrapping. Chewing motions with chelicerae then 
returned to eat. 

(c) 9 wrapped and withdrew without eating. 

(d) 7 rejected after touching. 

Araneus diadematus Clerck 

(a) 1 immature accepted. 

(b) 7 immature wrapped and withdrew without eating. 

(c) 3 immature rejected after touching. 

(d) 4 large adults wrapped and ate without hesitation. 

Araneus umbraticus Clerck 

(a) 1 immature accepted. 

(b) 5 immature wrapped and withdrew. 

(c) 1 immature touched and withdrew. 

Linyphia triangularis (Clerck) 

These spiders sometimes seemed to chase the flies out of the web after 

half-hearted attempts to catch them. 

(a) 4 accepted. 

(b) 4 accepted after killing and then pausing for two minutes during 
which cheliceral chewing movements and palp and leg tips chewed. 

(c) 4 killed flies and withdrew. 

(d) 3 ran to leaves to wipe away a drop from their mouths. 

Linyphia montana (Clerck) 

(a) 2 accepted. 

(b) 2 accepted after three minute pause for cheliceral chewing motions 
and chewing tips of palps and legs. 

(c) 6 withdrew after killing. 

(d) 4 ran to leaf and wiped away drop from their mouths. 

Tegenaria gigantea Cham. and Ivie 

(a) 1 immature accepted after biting followed by five-minute with- 
drawal for cheliceral chewing. 

(b) 5 immature killed and withdrew. One of these had killed eight 
flies because it could not resist response to web vibrations. Chew- 
ing motions ensued. Then it returned to spin web over the dead 
flies to avoid contact with them. 

(c) 2 withdrew after touch and allowed the flies to escape. 


Results with Hunting Spiders 


Here I was particulary anxious to see if Salticids were deterred by the 


flies’ wing waving as they walked. Could this be classed a Warning Move- 
ment (see W. S.fl Bristowe The Comity of Spiders, Vol. 2, p.279, 1941)? 
The only ones easily available to me in September were Salticus scenicus. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 19 


8. Salticus scenicus (Clerck) 
4 enclosed in glass-bottomed boxes watched the flies and avoided them. 
Though significant this provided no reliable proof. 

9. Pardosa amentata (Clerck) 
Similarly enclosed in boxes with flies, 2 made no attempt to catch the 
flies and 2 others pounced, held, and then released them. 

10. Xysticus acerbus Thor. (from Corfu) 
In the course of weeks, this spider had eaten several small Halictus 
bees. It made no attempt to hold or bite the flies. 

11. Clubiona reclusa O.P.-Camb. 
1 opened chelicerae but made no attempt to capture the flies. 


Conclusions 


1. That the sepsid flies probably congregate in huge numbers in response 
to some odorferous attraction in their vicinity not in itself connected with 
their mating, egg-laying or feeding. 


2. That in nature these flies do not often fall victim to spiders for what 
may be a variety of reasons. The most obvious is an odour which the 
chemo-tactic senses of a spider can detect by touch. This odour seems to be 
reinforced in the course of struggle after which a spider’s taste senses are 
often affected by the emission of the odoriferous substance. These con- 
clusions are based on repeated observation only. 


3. Ants are not favoured as a diet by many spiders. Sepsis is ant-like in 
appearance and spends much of its time walking actively. In the course of 
this it waves its wings and this may represent a Warning Movement which 
may deter long-sighted Hunting Spiders from leaping on them. This would 
not apply when entrapped in an orb-weaver’s web where the odour deterrent 
comes into play but the flies fly delicately and seem, in nature, seldom to 
become so entrapped; and when they do they are able to release themselves 
quite quickly. 

4. The body fluid of the sepsid fly does not in itself seem to be un- 
palatable to spiders and the emitted deterrent substance is not so distasteful 
to spiders as the flavour of Mycetophilid flies of the genus Sciara. (The 
Comity of Spiders vol. 2. p.230). In the course of a month’s close observation 
I never saw the swarm attacked by insectivorous, birds or other predators. 
The close congregation of the flies may well have the effect of enhancing 
the deterrent powers of the odour. 


THE NATIONAL COLLECTION OF 
BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA (R.C.K.) 
by Davip J. CARTER 
(Entomological Department, British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, 
London, S.W.7) 

Since its formation in 1947, the Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collec- 
tion, usually referred to as as the R.C.K. collection, has represented a Mecca 
for students of British Lepidoptera and Lepidoptera genetics. Following the 
transfer of the collection from Tring, Hertfordshire, to London in 1969 
it was decided to amalgamate with it all British Lepidoptera in the British 
Museum (Natural History) to form a unified National Collection. This was 
in fact an extension of the original agreement relating to the formation of 
the R.C.K. collection (Cockayne and Kettlewell, 1953) which permitted 
selected specimens from the B.M. collections to be incorporated in the 


20 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


R.C.K. The National Collection, which includes Microlepidoptera and 
Pyralidae, is now considerably larger than the original R.C.K. collection (at 
present some 5,000 drawers compared to 2,000 drawers in the R.C.K. in 
1969) and provides an even more comprehensive source of reference for 
further study. 

The R.C.K. collection was formed by the amalgamation of the Rothschild 
British collection at Tring with the combined collection of Drs. E. A. 
Cockayne and H. B. D. Kettlewell. A great deal of the amalgamation work 
was carried out by Cockayne but, due to failing health, he was unable to 
finish this mammoth task and it was left to Mr. A. L. Goodson to complete 
the curation. After the formation of the R.C.K., Cockayne continued to 
support the collection by the purchase of specimens, including the famous 
Castle Russell collection of Rhopalocera (Williams, 1953) and endowed the 
R.C.K. with a fund to further enrich the collection after his death. Dr. 
Kettlewell has continued to support the collection by donations and has 
shown a lively interest in the R.C.K. over the years, culminating in the 
presentation of his extensive research collection in 1978. 

Before their amalgamation with the R.C.K., the collections of British 
Lepidoptera in the B.M. were many and varied, including such historically 
important collections as those of H. Doubleday, H. T. Stainton, J. F. 
Stephens and J. H. Wood together with much material from the A. H. 
Haworth collection. The Rhopalocera included the W. Rait-Smith collection 
of Lycaenidae and among the Macrolepidoptera were the collections of R. 
Adkin, C. N. Hawkins, A. V. Hedges and F. G. Whittle. The Micro- 
lepidoptera and Pyralidae, which were not included in the R.C.K., were 
richly represented by such collections as those of R. Adkin, E. R. Bankes, 
L. T. Ford, T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, W. Purdey, W. Rait-Smith, W. G. 
Sheldon, W. Tyerman and F. G. Whittle. 

The National Collection is in the process of re-curation to bring all 
material together in a coherent form. Each species will be dealt with under 
three main categories. The first will be that of geographic variation and 
this will be shown by series of specimens arranged on a county basis to cover 
the whole of the British Isles. This category was inadequately covered in 
the R.C.K. collection and the new arrangement is based on series originally 
arranged at the B.M. by the late Mr. H. M. Edelsten. The second category 
is that of named aberrational and varietal material which comprised the main 
body of the R.C.K. This section is being greatly expanded but, wherever 
practical, Cockayne’s original handwritten labels are being retained. Within 
this category is included the results of breeding experiments to establish the 
genetic foundations of variation, melanism, temperature effects and similar 
phenomena. The final category is that of historical material and constitutes 
series Of specimens from such famous collections as those of Doubleday 
and Haworth. 

Detailed accounts of accessions to the R.C.K. collection weere published 
by Riley (1948 and 1950), Cockayne (1953 and 1954) and Goodson (1960 
and 1968) but no recent list has been produced. It is not practical to give a 
detailed account of the extensive accessions since 1968 but the following is 
a résumé of the more important acquisitions. 

1968 

The Bessemer collection of British Macrolepidoptera was purchased by 
the Cockayne Trust. This large and valuable acquisition of some 17,000 
specimens, including many rarities and figured specimens, is the most impor- 
tant purchase to have been made by the Trust. 

1969 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 21 


A bred series of Eugraphe subrosea Stephens from Wales was presented 
by Mr. J. M. Chalmers-Hunt, the first representatives of this Welsh popula- 
tion for the collection. 

1970 

The R. M. Craske collection of British Rhopalocera was purchased by 
the Cockayne Trust. This fine collection of some 5,600 specimens contained 
many rare aberrations and forms and has been subsequently augmented by 
annual donations of new material from Mr. Craske. 

The late Mr. A. J. Wightman bequeathed 1,348 specimens of Noctuidae. 
These had previously been selected by Mr. Goodson from Wightman’s 
extensive collection which is now in the care of Mr. G. Haggett. 

1971 

Mr. W. G. Tremewan presented about 2,800 Macroheterocera from Corn- 
wall to the National Collection. This area of the British Isles was previously 
very poorly represented. 

The late Sir Robert Saundby bequeathed his comprehensive collection of 
some 15,000 specimens of Macrolepidoptera including many from areas 
previously unrepresented and a number of rare aberrations. 

The L. T. Ford collection of varieties of Acleris cristana Denis & Schiff. 
and Acleris literana L. was purchased by the Cockayne Trust. This impor- 
tant collection, containing many types, was one of the finest in private 


1972 

The late Col. A. E. Collier bequeathed his fine collection of British 
Rhopalocera containing approximately 3,000 specimens with many rare 
forms and bred series with notes on genetics. 

1973 

The late Mr. G. A. Cole bequeathed 1,042 specimens of Macroheterocera 
selected from his extensive collection with many specimens from Northern 
Ireland and a number of rarities including one specimen of Luperina zolli- 
koferi Freyer. 

Dr. C. G. M. deWorms presented the first specimens of Chloroclystis 
chloerata Mabille to have been taken in the British Isles. 

Mr. L. A. Durden presented the second specimen of Ochropleura 
fennica Tauscher to have been collected in the British Isles. 

1974 

The N. A. Watkins collection of British Rhopalocera was presented to 
the National Collection. This collection of some 10,000 specimens was one 
of the finest in private hands and contained many rarities and fine bred 
series. 

The collection of the late Mr. D. A. Ashwell was presented by Mrs. 
P. H. Ashwell. It consisted of about 3,000 British Macrolepidoptera and 
included series of forms of Abraxas grossulariata (L.), which were the 
results of extensive breeding experiments. 

The first British specimen of Semiothisa signaria Hiibner was presented 
by Mr. R. Tomlinson. 

1975 

The R. W. Watson collection was presented to the National Collection. 
This magnificent collection of some 50,000 specimens immaculately curated 
in 52 ten drawer Hill units comprises the largest and most valuable donation 
since the formation of the R.C.K. collection. It is particularly rich in 
Rhopalocera and contains many figured specimens and types of aberra- 
tions. Among the Macroheterocera are remarkable bred series of Tyria 


92 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


jacobaeae f. coneyi Watson and related forms. The collection bears a 
Museum registration but remains in the hands of Mr. Watson until such 
time that he sees fit to relinquish its care. 

Mr. B. Goater presented the type series of Luperina nickerlii ssp. leechi 
Goater. 

1976 

The J. M. K. Saunders collection of Macrolepidoptera was presented by 
Pinner Junior College.This contained some 5,000 specimens with many 
rare aberrations and material from areas otherwise poorly represented in 
the National Collection. 

1977 

The late Mr. H. C. Huggins bequeathed his collection of British Lepidop- 
tera to the Museum. This contained about 19,000 specimens and included 
Rhopalocera, Macroheterocera, Pyralidae and Tortricidae. Many rare species 
and forms were represented including fine series from Southern Ireland. 
His collections of Pyralidae and Tortricidae were among the finest in 
private hands. 

Mr. S. N. A. Jacobs presented his large collection of British Microlepidop- 
tera. This important collection of approximately 14,000 specimens contained 
many of historic importance, including the Microlepidoptera collected by 
W. Fassnidge. 


Mr. A. T. Hedger presented the first specimen of Arethusana arethusa 
Denis and Schiff. to be taken in Britain. 

Mr. J. B. Fisher presented a series of Gortyna borelii, previously un- 
represented in the National Collection. 


Dr. G. A. N. Horton presented the first specimen of Eriopygodes 
imbecilla F. to be taken in the British Isles. 
1978 

Dr. H. B. D. Kettlewell presented his important research collection of 
British Macroheterocera formed during his investigations of Lepidoptera 
genetics and melanism. This collection of some 3,000 specimens contained 
bred series of many species. 

The W. Reid collection of British Macroheterocera was purchased by the 
Cockayne Trust. This contained about 10,000 specimens, mainly from the 
Sheffield area, and was very rich in melanic examples. 

Many other donations have been received during the last ten years but 
it is not possible to list them all. Among those who have regularly presented 
specimens are Messrs. L. Christie, R. Ford, B. Goater, R. I. Lorimer and 
A. S. Wheeler. Mr. Lorimer has presented a fine collection of Orkney 
Lepidoptera over this period, a most important acquisition from an area 
otherwise poorly represented. 

In parallel with the development of the British Lepidoptera collection of 
imagines, the collections of immature stages have also been expanded in 
recent years. These collections were founded on 30 drawers of blown larvae 
in the R.C.K. collection and a small spirit collection made by the late Mr. 
H. M. Edelsten. The present collection, consisting of 60 drawers of blown 
larvae and about 700 jars of spirit collection, is supplemented by a collection 
of about 3,000 colour transparencies of immature stages to show their 
natural coloration. A great deal of this progress has been made possible by 
the efforts of a number of field entomologists, particularly Messrs. G. 
Haggett and R. I. Lorimer, who have provided a steady stream of live 
material during the last few years. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 23 


It is apparent from this account that support for the National Collection 
has not diminished since its inception but indeed the flow of material over 
the last few years has considerably increased. Unfortunately it is not 
possible to accept all collections indiscriminately as storage space is limited, 
even though individual collections are not retained intact but are incor- 
porated into the existing system. Many generous benefactors have donated 
rare or interesting specimens from their collections whilst others have made 
provisions enabling a Museum representative to select interesting specimens 
from their collections after their death. An area in which the collection is 
still in particular need of support is that of immature stages. Whilst this 
part of the collection is being actively expanded, there are still many species, 
particularly of Microlepidoptera and Pyralidae, which remain unrepresented. 

The National Collection is housed in the Entomology Department of the 
British Museum (Natural History) and access to specialists and serious 
students is by appointment only during working hours from Monday to 
Friday. The Watson Collection is the venue of an annual Spring field meeting 
of this Society and is also open to study at other times by personal appoint- 
ment with Mr. R. W. Watson, “Porcorum’’, Sandy Down, Boldre, Lyming- 
ton, Hampshire. 


REFERENCES 


Cockayne, E. A., 1950. The Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection. Bull. 
amat. Ent. Soc. 9 (110): 12-13. 

Cockayne, E. A., 1953. The Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection. Entomolo- 
gist’s Rec. J. Var., 65: 97-99. 

Cockayne, E. A., 1954. Additions to the Rothschild~-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collec- 
tion. Entomologist’s Rec. J. Var., 66: 185-186. 

Cockayne, E. A. and Kettlewell, H.B.D., 1953. The Rothschild-Cockayne- 
Kettlewell Collection of British Lepidoptera. Entomologist’s Rec. J. Var., 
65: 303-304. 

Goodson, A. L., 1960. Additions to the Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection 
of British Lepidoptera in the British Museum (Natural History) at Tring. 
Entomologist, 93: 126-127, 146-149, 173-175. 

Goodson, A. L., 1968. Additions to the Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection 
of British Lepidoptera in the British Museum (Natural History) at Tring. 
Entomologist’s Gaz., 19: 241-249. 

Hall, W. J., 1957. Edward Alfred Cockayne. Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond. (C), 21:65. 

J[acobs], S. N. A., 1957. Obituary: Dr. E. A. Cockayne. Entomologist’s Rec. J. 
Var., 69: 120-122. 

Kettlewell, H. B. D., 1973. The evolution of melanism. Oxford. 447pp. 

Rliley], N. D., 1947. The Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection of British Lepidoptera. 
Entomologist 80: 147. 

Riley, N. D., 1948. The Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection of British 
Lepidoptera. Entomologist 81: 145-146. 

Riley, N. D., 1950. The Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection of British 
Lepidoptera. Entomologist 83: 19-20. 

R{iley], N. D. and Whfilliams], H. B., 1957. Obituary: Dr. E. A. Cockayne. 
Entomologist 90: 78-80. 


es H. B., 1953. The Castle Russell Collection. Entomologist’s Rec. J. Var., 
5):) 97. 


Williams], H. B., 1957. In Memoriam: E. A. C. Proc. Trans. S. Lond. ent. nat. 
Hist. Soc., 1956: xlv-xlvui, pl. 1. 


24 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


A REVIEW OF VARIATION IN PIERIS BRASSICAE (L.) 
(LEP., PIERIDAE) 


(with Plates III-VI and text figs. 1, 2) 
by BRIAN O. C. GARDINER 
(Unit of Invertebrate Chemistry and Physiology, Department of Zoology, Univer- 
sity of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge) 
Introduction 

Altogether some seventy races, forms, varieties or aberrations of Pieris 
brassicae L. have been described, of which fifty are said to have been 
found in the British Isles. Some races are distinctive and geographically 
isolated; e.g. race cheiranthi Hiibn. in the Canary Islands. Some forms have 
been shown to be due to simple recessive alleles; e.g. albinensis Gardiner 
(Gardiner, 1962) or to environmental factors; e.g. minor Ksienschopolsky 
(Gardiner 1963). The first generation or spring form throughout its range is 
of a lighter colour than the summer or later generation broods and is 
generally considered so by being designated chariclea Stephens. Apart from 
a few forms which in my opinion are certainly due to a recessive allele, such 
as flava Kane and two or three which may well prove to be environmental 
(for example vasquezi Oberthur), the majority of the various forms which 
have been named vary solely in the size and positioning of the black mark- 
ings on the wings, or, in a few cases, the degree of darkening of the 
underside of the hindwing. The last general description of these varieties 
is that of Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith (1929-30) who dealt with the 
subject as a whole, and of Lempke (1953) who reviewed those found in the 
Netherlands. What little is known about the genetics of brassicae variation 
is briefly summarised by Robinson (1971). The present paper is the result 
of breeding some 200 generations of brassicae over a period of 25 years, 
during which time both a number of varieties have been observed and most 
of the named transitional and local seasonal forms have appeared. It has 
also been possible to do a number of breeding and hybridization experi- 
ments. These show that the factors governing the underside colour of the 
hindwing and the factors governing the extent of the black markings are 
controlled by multiple alleles. They also show that there is a graded series 
and that many of the named varieties gradually merge into each other 
which makes it difficult, indeed at times impossible, to say specifically that 
a particular specimen should be referred to var. “‘A’’ or to var. “B’’. In a 
sense many of the varieties named on account of the variation in the black 
markings should be considered transitional forms towards race cheiranthi. 
The various combinations possible between the named varietal forms are 
seemingly endless, as also is the degree of any particular variation. For 
instance, the variety biligata Cabeau, as described, consists of a few black 
scales joining the apical blotch to the upper discal spot under nervures 2 and 
4. In fact it is found that all stages exist from the few scales along the 
nervures to the complete fusion and enlargement of the apical blotch and 
the upper discal spot into one continuous and inseparable whole—which 
may then go on to fuse with the lower discal spot and the submedian streak. 

The schematic representation of some of the varieties and combinations 
that are possible in the extent of the black markings are shown for the 
female uperside in Fig. 1. 

I also feel that the validity of some of the varietal names is untenable. 
For instance different names have been put forward for what is in fact the 
same variety, but in separate sexes. For example, the name infrafasciata 
Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith was introduced specifically for the 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 DS 


Fig. 1. Some of the possibilities in variations of black markings on the female 
P. brassicae upperside. A. Typical brassicae; B. ab. striata Rocci, as described; 
C. ab. striata extreme form; D. ab. fasciata Kieffer (= cheiranthi Hubner = 
striata plus mariat; E. ab. maria Mellaerts; F. ab. maria extreme form. 


joining of the discal spots on the underside of the wings. Lempke (1953) 
states that he has never seen a case of (in the female) the variety fasciata 
occurring on one surface only, as stated by the Graham-Smiths’ and neither 
have I in the tens of thousands of examples I have seen, including original 
Graham-Smith material. Since therefore fasciata covers all cases the names 
suprafasciata and infrafasciata must be considered superfluous. In my 
opinion the type of infrafasciata can in any case be referred to as true 
fasciata. The original type is shown in Figs. 10 (upperside) and 13 (under- 
side). 

Many of the varieties have been found randomly over the years in the 
continuously brooded stock of brassicae designated the ‘‘Cambridge”’ stock. 
This stock is still being maintained, is now over 25 years in culture, is used 
by many laboratories and the culture methods as described by David and 
Gardiner 1952, 1966 are still in use. The other stocks examined were the 
“virus free’? which originated in Oxford; the cheiranthi, and the Hereford, 
which have been described in previous papers by David and Gardiner 1965, 
1966 and Gardiner 1973. 

Additionally the original material on which Graham-Smith and Graham- 
Smith based their 1929-30 paper has been re-examined together with the 


26 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


series of Pieris species in Cambridge University, Department of Zoology, 
various private collections, and much European material supplied to me by 
various colleagues and the collection in the British Museum (Natural 
History). All rearing was done under non-diapause conditions so all varieties 
bred are of course of the summer form. 

In the continuously brooded Cambridge stock of brassicae approximately 
eight generations a year are obtained, and have been, for the past twenty- 
six years. The stock is normally reared on such varieties of brassica Cabbage 
species as may be available and sometimes several generations are run 
through on an artificial diet. The fact that a number of varieties occasionally 
turn up in this stock has already been noted (Gardiner 1973). From time to 
time over the years unusual looking specimens have been noted in the 
culture, killed and retained. It is considered almost certain that others have 
been overlooked. 

Apart from the distinctive recessive alleles, and the gynandromorphs, 
most such varieties have shown a reduction in the extent of their black 
markings, or have had unusual wing shapes. The culture has been main- 
tained under a variety of conditions of temperature and humidity from 
time to time and it has been noticed that the general appearance and size 
of the adults tends to fluctuate. This is certainly due to the differing 
environmental conditions under which they have been reared and has had 
the interesting result that many of the named races generations, forms and 
sub-species of brassicae have been bred from the one culture with the 
exception of those isolated populations such as nepalensis which show a 
consistent major variation in the extent of black markings. 

Actual experiments with breeding where multifactorial effects have been 
involved have basically been confined to the cross of Cambridge brassicae 
with Canary Islands cheiranthi. These crosses and the evidence from the 
Hereford stock show that the amount of black markings is controlled by 
multiple alleles and so also is the colouration of the underside of the hind- 
wing. (Gardiner in preparation). 

In a number of publications the wingspan of insects is often quoted. The 
two extremes of size in brassicae, minor and major arte so quoted and 
named on account of their small and large size respectively. 

The wingspan of Lepidoptera (and other insects) can be measured and 
expressed in at least two ways. Unfortunately most of the authors who quote 


Cc 


B 


Fig. 2. Parameters that should be used for wingspan measurements. For explana- 
tion see text. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 27 


wingspan do not quote the parameters of which method they used. This is 
unfortunate as it leads to ambiguity and consequent misinterpretation by 
subsequent authors, even when at times the parameters of measurements 
may be clear (although not quoted) from an illustration. 


The usual method apparently quoted is that shown in Fig. 2 when the 
specimen is set with the hind margin at right angles to the line of the 
body. However this can be variable on two accounts, firstly if the specimen 
is poorly set and secondly if the outer wingmargin be convex which permits 
the measurement to be taken either at the apex or at the widest part. It 
can be seen from Fig. 2 that the only constant method is to measure the 
distance from the centre of the thorax to the wing apex, call this distance 
H and multiply by 2. This method is independent of the angle of set of the 
wings and also can be carried out much more easily on live specimens, 
although perhaps requiring more care on dead ones. 


From Fig. 2 it can be seen that H is the hypotenuse of a right-angled 
triangle and is also the radius of a circle at a centre A. In set specimens 
the angle 6 of this triangle can be measured. Since H is a radius, it is 
independent of the angle — that is to say the ‘set’ of the wings — but the 
distance AB, so often used in wingspan measurements, is not. For 
specimens which have been measured wing-tip to wing-tip, distance Y, 
then H = .5Y/Cos @ or, conversely, as it may sometimes be easier for 
comparative purposes to convert the other way, Y = 2 Cos 6H. When a 
published figure is given by an anthor it is usually possible to measure it and 
this may tell which parameter of measurement has been used. When there 
is no published figure, or other evidence, the usual (but unfortunately not 
invariable) method of quotation has been to use Y, the wing-tip to wing-tip 
measurement of a set specimen but not necessarily with the hind margin 
set at right angles to the body. 


There exists considerable confusion in the literature over various seasonal 
forms and races. Verity (1916) stated for instance “The migratory habits of 
P. brassicae have probably contributed in maintaining the lack of variation 
observed in the whole of Europe. Seasonal dimorphism is however, well 
marked in the whole of its range’. Never-the-less he later (Verity, 1947) 
illustrated and listed many seasonal forms. These forms will be discussed 
below under their respective names. The fact that so many of them have 
appeared in the Cambridge stock and that it is rarely possible to decide 
between them, leads me to the opinion that all colour and marking varia- 
tions in brassicae are due to environmental factors modifying the facies with 
the result that, given the appropriate weather conditions a form believed 
peculiar to one region can appear in another. It does seem quite obvious 
that overwintered pupae do produce specimens with darker undersides and 
paler black markings (chariclea Stephens). But all other slight colour and 
size variations — and they are but slight on the whole — run gradually into 
each other and vary enormously from year to year and indeed from 
month to month in the continuously brooded Cambridge stock. 


In the account which follows I have not been able to see all the named 
forms, although I have had examples of many, in order to compare with 
my own bred specimens. In some cases it has not been possible either 
to get an expert translation of the original description nor, in two or three 
cases even track down the original reference. Never-the-less it is felt that 
even these should be included in the list of varieties to follow for the sake 
of completeness. In the majority of cases, however, I have personally looked 


28 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


at the original references, some of which I discovered, had been misquoted 
previously. Those not tracked down are from references quoted, but without 
title, by Graham-Smith & Graham-Smith (1929-30). 

Varieties 

In so far as they are known to me, all the various varieties, forms, 
abberrations, and races of brassicae are described below in alphabetical 
order. 
albinensis Gardiner (1962) 

This variety is characterised by the absence of any black pigment in the 
wingscales or body hairs. The imago has difficulty in emerging from the 
chrysalis. It is due to a recessive allele and its origin and breeding from the 
‘Cambridge’ brassicae stock has been described by Gardiner (1962). 
aestiva Zeller (1847). 

This name was applied to the second generation specimens and as inter- 
preted by Verity (1908) really applies only to South European brassicae. 
Whether or not successive broods should have differing names, is a matter 
of opinion. To my mind many of the differing forms of brassicae. blend 
into each other and it is usually quite possible to find the ‘wrong’ form 
amongst the right ones (as specified) at any given time. Over the many 
years of breeding the same strain so many of the named forms have turned 
up, at times in quantity, it is, in my opinion, certain that they are due to 
climatic factors which of course vary not only from region to region but 
also from season to season. There is also confirmed evidence that differing 
foodplants (coupled perhaps with semi-starvation) and temperature of 
rearing can affect the facies of the adult. 
aestivalis Turati (1924) 

This is a variety of race cyniphia Turati, which occurs in Cyrenaica and 
in which the underside of the male is described as whitish-green instead of 
greenish-yellow. Specimens of cyniphia can be produced from the Cambridge 
stock (see below under cyniphia) and the underside colour of these may or 
may not also be of var. aestivalis. It is probably environmental, caused by 
hot dry conditions but since underside colouration changes can also be 
caused by multifactorial factors, genetic isolation of the North African 
population cannot altogether be dismissed. 
aligata Cabeau (1924) 

Is a synonym of fasciata Kiefer (1918) 
alpina Rocci (1919) 

Erected to describe a population found above 1,200 m. in the Pied- 
montese Alps, where it is univoltine and the single generation possesses 
characters of both the spring (chariclea) and summer (aestiva) forms. 
anthrax G-S and G-S (1930) (syn. nov.) (Fig. 14) 

Described from a male in which the undersides of the hindwings are so 
densely suffused with black scales that they have a very dark appearance. 
I have bred nomotypical examples as illustrated by the Graham-Smiths’ 
and such dark undersides appear to be common in examples I have from 
Spain, Malta, Chile and from weakly diapausing pupae. In my opinion, 
this is the opposite extreme to pallida and one end of a continuous variation 
controlled by multiple alleles. 

After careful consideration and examination of examples including the 
Graham-Smiths’ original material I am also of the opinion that anthrax 
as described cannot be separated from nigroviridescens Rocci (1919) which 
takes precedence and it must therefore fall as a synonym. See further 
discussion under nigroviridescens. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 29 


The Graham-Smiths suggested that a specimen, exhibited by Leeds 
(1909) “with undersides of the hindwings a very distinct blue” was perhaps 
an example of this aberration. In this they were mistaken for I have seen 
this specimen which is undoubtedly coerulea. Furthermore later in their 
paper the Graham-Smiths state that this same specimen is a very marked 
example of their ab. pallida! 
autumnalis Rocci (1919) 

According to Rocci this is the form of specimens found in October 
through November around Genoa and the Ligurian litoral. It is described 
as smaller than chariclea but larger than /epidii or meridionalis, and has 
slightly differing colour than typical. Here again we have what I consider 
an environmental form, not really distinguishable from many others. 
aurea Moseley (1896) 

Is a synonym of flava Kane (1893). 
aversomaculata Lempke (1953) 

A variety known only in the male where there is a spot formed by 
black scales on the underside of the forewing near the apex. An occasional 
specimen has been found in both the ‘Cambridge’ brassicae and in the 
cheiranthi hybrids but otherwise this variety has not been investigated. 
azorensis Rebel (1917) 


There is obviously some confusion over this one. Specimens from the 
Azores have been described both as a sub-species and as “‘indistinguishable 
from typical brassicae”’. 


I would suggest that here is a clear case of facies in any particular year 
being directly modified by climatic factors. In support of this is the fact 
that a number of authors (see Verity, 1907 and Graham-Smith and Graham- 
Smith, 1930) had previously considered it as the European spring form 
chariclea. 
basi-nigrescens Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith (1930) (syn. nov.) 

Although figured in their work (as a copy of a previous line engraving) 
Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith did not describe, but designated the 
specimen captured at Leicester in 1842 (Plant, 1844) as the type and I 
have not been able to trace its present whereabouts. The veinal shading as 
is shown in the illustration in the Graham-Smith paper does not exist in 
the original illustration to Plant’s note, which is dated 1844, although the 
date 1843 is given by the Graham-Smiths’. Further discussion on this and 
other subdivisions of nigrescens, will be given under that variety, of which 
it is in fact a synonym. 
biligata Cabeau (1925) 

Is a synonym of striata Rocci (1919). 
bi-nigronotata Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith (1929) 


Occurs only in the male. In addition to the male spot of nigronotata (see 
below) there is an additional spot between nervures 1 and 2. Such specimens 
exist in the Graham-Smiths’ material but I have never come across this 
variety in any specimens bred by mae. 
carnea Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith (1930) 

Described most unsatisfactorily by the Graham-Smiths’ as follows: — 
“Newman (1916) exhibited two pairs (a part of a series) of Pieris brassicae 
bred from wild Aberdeenshire larvae, the males especially showing a 
decided pink colouration all over the wings”. They make no further 
comment nor do they illustrate the variety. Since no type can now be desig- 
nated and for the reasons given below, I propose this variety be suppressed. 


30 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


The pink colouration can be produced in two ways, both of which I 
have tried. The first is by staining with meconium from another specimen 
just as eclosion occurs and before wing expansion. The second, which only 
sometimes produce the pink suffusion, is to kill the specimenn while the 
wings are still soft and the same time rupture one or more of the wing 
nervures thereby causing leakage of fluid onto the wings. Apart from these 
purpose-produced specimens, I have examples which appeared postmortem 
after possing through a potassium cyanide killing-bottle. Usually the effect 
is partial and it is more common for the hindwing to be affected. 


It is perhaps interesting to note the Graham-Smiths’ quotation comes 
from the reports of exhibits shown at a meeting of the Entomological 
Society of London on March 15th 1916. Newman, however, had already 
exhibited them a few days earlier at a meeting of the South London 
Entomological and Natural History Society on March 9th, 1916 and their 
exhibition report gives more information. Both reports are to be found on 
the same page, 116, of the Entomologist for 1916. The former is already 
quoted above; the latter is as follows: “Mr. Newman exhibited, on behalf 
of A. Horne, Esq., bred specimens of Pieris brassicae from Aberdeen, with 
a very distinct pink tint over all the wings, and a Noctuid . . .”’. Between 
the two exhibition dates the specimens no doubt changed ownership. 
Interestingly enough these were bred specimens and I can trace no case 
of a wild caught pink specimen. 
catoleuca Rober (1896) (Fig. 22 

This name was originally applied to second generation specimens from 
the Syrian region but these specimens cannot be distinguished from other 
brassicae throughout Southern Europe and Graves (1925) considers it a 
synonym of verna. As usual it can be found in both the Cambridge and 
virus-free stocks even in wild caught specimens from the local population. 
chariclea Stephens (1828) “ 


This is the spring form in which the intensity of all the black markings, 
but especially that of the apical blotch, is considerably reduced. In the 
majority of such specimens examined by me, from all the sources, the 
hindwing underside is also of a darker and greener colour than in summer 
brood species. The form can be produced at will by allowing the chrysalids 
to enter diapause and then keeping them for several months at or near 
freezing point. If pupae, in diapause, are kept warm, instead of being 
chilled, there is often a steady trickle of emergences over several months. 
This may well be associated with the diapause having been initiated by a 
minimal response. In these specimens the wingtips are usually normal but 
the dark underside is always present. Investigation of chariclea has not 
been undertaken in view of the fact that the brassicae are kept in con- 
tinuous culture without diapause and are not therefore normally of this 
variety. It is clearly an environmental form and occurs whenever there is 
a diapausing stage. 
cheiranthi Hubner (1806) (Figs. 17, 34) 


This is the race from the Canary Islands. It is large; in my experience 
with fresh specimens more yellow; with all the black markings very exten- 
sive and the males all nigronotata. Obviously it is an isolated race and 
non-migratory. The larvae feed only on Nasturtium (Tropaeoleum) 
(Fernandez, 1955) and when fed on cabbage I have found there is a high 
mortality. It pairs readily with Cambridge (and other) brassicae to produce 
an F.1 intermediate between the two parents. The F.2 shows a complete 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc.. 1979 31 


gradation of forms between the original Parent generation thus demonstrat- 
ing the multiple allele control of the black markings, size and underside 
colouration. How did it arise? There is a strong (but quite unprovable on 
present evidence) probability that it was introduced as nomotypical 
brassicae some time in the sixteenth century after the introduction of 
Nasturtium from the newly discovered Americas. Subject then to a new 
environment the genetic drift eventually, even quickly, produced the 
present facies. Already we have evidence that such a thing is happening 
in Chile (Gardiner, 1974). The evidence from the Hereford stock of bras- 
sicae, in which this English stock produced in effect specimens indistin- 
guishable from F.1 cheiranthi/brassicae hybrids shows that the halfway 
step already exists. Gardiner (1973) has already shown that selection of 
the blacker specimens leads back to the cheiranthi end of the facies 
variation. 

This is also the only race of brassicae in which the larva and pupa show 
a marked difference from the nymotypical form. 
colliurensis Gelin (1914) 

In this variety the black costal blotch on the hindwing is absent. There 
is considerable variation in the intensity of colour and, but to a lesser 
extent, the size, of this black spot. In all examples in my possession or seen 
by me the size and intensity is directly related to size and intensity of the 
other black markings on the insect; as they are reduced, so is this spot; in 
specimens which have been reared at high temperature; in var. minor; in 
specimens reared on white ‘‘Dutch pride” cabbage, it tends to be absent. 
It would appear therefore that colliurensis is part of the multifactorial 
complex governing the amount of black present and, like the other black 
areas, is capable of being modified by environmental conditions. fischeri 
John (1922) is a synonym. 
coerulea Gardiner (1963) 

In this variety the wings are of a pale blue colour and difficulty is 
experienced in eclosion. It has previously been shown to be due to a 
recessive allele (Gardiner, 1963). A particularly fine example was figured, 
but not named, by Frohawk (1924), Plate 3 in his famous book of British 
Butterflies. 
cyniphia Turati (1924) 

Described to distinguish a race occuring in Eastern Lobya (Cyrenaica), 
they are allegedly small with reduced black markings. The upper side of 
the hindwing is said to be greenish-white and the underside greenish-yellow. 
Here again we have a race of which specimens appear in the Cambridge 
brassicae and in the virus-free stock. The matter is confused, however, as 
my own specimens from Derna do not agree with Turati’s description and 
appear to be perfectly ordinary nymotypical, brassicae in both their size 
and facies. In my opinion therefore cyniphia can be considered an environ- 
mental form and by no means confined to Cyrenaica. 
cyniphiodes Rocci (1930) (syn. nov.) 

Described as having the female resembling cyniphia with small spots and 
the subtriangular mark extremely short, its lower extremity hardly reaching 
the level of the upper dorsal spot. It is dusted with white in its apical 
portion and crossed or interrupted by the nervures. Here again we have 
another example of pale specimens and these occur in the Cambridge 
stock either when fed on white (Dutch pride) cabbage or are reared at 
high temperatures. In any case I really do not consider one can tell it 
apart from cyniphia and the name should be sunk as a synonym. 


39 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


The cause of the blue colour is apparently due to xanthopteron and 
erythropteron which are present in normal brassicae (Harmsen, 1964). 
elongata Gelin (1914) (Fig. 28) 


This was described as with marked narrowing of all four wings. The 
type was a small specimen (50 mm.) but not so small as to be referable to 
ab. minor. Such distorted specimens occur from time to time in all bred 
stocks of brassicae and are due to mechanical deformation in the pupal 
stage. Gelin did in fact suggest this in his original description and I concur 
in the fact that it is a teratological specimen. 
emigrisea Rocci (1919) (syn. nov.) 

I consider this to be synonomous with vazquezi. 


fasciata Kiefer (1918) (Figs. 10, 13, 15, 16) 


In this variety the discal spots are joined to each other and to the apical 
blotch by a sprinkling of black scales. The Cambridge stock has produced 
virtually no such specimens but the cross brassicae x cheiranthi are 
invariably all strongly fasciata, as was also a brood of brassicae originating 
from Hereford. When taken to the F.2 an infinite series is produced and it 
is not really possible to define the point at which ‘fasciata’ fades out, or, 
alternately merges into ‘cheiranthi’ or some of the other named varities. 
In all the tens of thousands of specimens seen, when fasciata occurs it is 
present equally on both upper and under wing surfaces and on the under 
surface of the sibling males when present in the female. The use of the 
names infra-fasciata Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith and supra-fasciata 
Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith are therefore superfluous and these 
names must sink as synonyms. 

The situation governing this variety is clearly very complex. It occurs 
regularly in the isolated races cheiranthi, nepalensis Doubl., and wollastoni 
Butl. When produced by the cross brassicae x cheiranthi, the F.2 produces 
an infinite graded series but when the ends and middle of this series are 
crossed inter se they tnd to reproduce themselves and, as has been shown 
(Gardiner, 1973) for cheiranthi we eventually return to the original parental 
forms. The stock from Hereford was clearly unusual in that fasciata just 
appeared shortly after it was obtained and these bred true. 

Could this be a chance combination of alleles which, given the right 
conditions of isolation would be capable of forming a new subspecies? 

In the late 1920’s the Graham-Smiths reported a high percentage of 
fasciata from Aberdeenshire stock, often combined with other varieted 
forms. All of these were very ‘weak’ in the sense that the extra block 
scaling consisted of a small proportion of black scales scattered amongst 
the white. In the specimen illustrated by for example Frohawk (1934) as 
fasciata these black scales are very extensive and the joining of the normal 
black areas becomes continuous. Thisvariety does not occur in the Cam- 
bridge stock and this fact, together with its unexpected and very strong 
appearance in the Hereford stock, its occasional and variable appearance 
in the other stocks, and the evidence from the cheiranthi leads to the 
opinion that, given the right combination of genes, fasciata will appear, 
and once there selective breeding can maintain its strength. 


fischeri John (1922) 


Is a synonym of colliurensis Gelin (1914) but in any case the type of 
John’s fischeri as illustrated is P. rapae L. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 33 


flava Kroulikovski (1902) 

Is a synonym of flava Kane (1893). 
flava Fischer (1925) 

Is a synonym of flava Kane (1893). 
flavus Frohawk (1938) 

Is a synonym of flava Kane (1893). 
fldvopicta Rocci (1919) 


This name is applied to specimens with very pale underside colouring to 
the hindwings. Rocci’s original description (translated) is “from the base 
of the hindwing underside yellowish slightly dusted with black”. It is 
in fact one end of the continuous variability in underside appearance. It 
should not be confused with jauni (seq) as has been suggested by Goodson 
(in lit), but which is of entirely different aspect and in which the pupal 
colour is also affected. 
flava Kane (1893) 

The wings of a lemon-yellow colour. This appears to be the rarest of all 
the varieties, although quite common in the related P. napi L. Two 
specimens have turned up in the Cambridge stock and unfortunately it 
was not possible to breed from them. In my opinion, it is due to a recessive 
allele, as in coerulea and may well also be coupled with difficulty in eclosion. 

The names aurea Mosley (1896); Jutea Rober (1907); flavus Frohawk 
(1938) and brassicae-flava Fischer (1925) have all been applied to a yellow 
form of brassicae. The description of each author varies and the only real 
method of comparison would be to get all their respective specimens side 
by side. Kane’s flava is in fact the specimen recorded (but not named) by 
Mosely who then, three years later named the same specimen aurea. 
Perhaps the earliest specimen was that recorded (but again not named) by 
Schoyen in 1885. Kane described both these specimens as sulphur-yellow 
whereas Mosley (who was of course describing the same specimen) likened 
the ground colour to golden-yellow. R6ber’s aurea was described as bright 
yellow. Frohawk’s flavus is sulphur yellow and Fischer’s figure of brassicae- 
flava is canary yellow. In these circumstances I consider, as have others 
before me, that the name flava Kane applies to all yellow forms of brassicae 
and all other names are synonyms. The name flava Krulikovsky (1902) falls 
as already occupied. 
fuscosignata Lempke (1953) (Figs. 8, 9) 

The dark markings on the upperside of the wings brown-black. I am 
a bit suspicious of this variety and strongly suspect it is due to chance 
environmental conditions. I have two such male specimen and a few others 
in which the effect is bilateral and which are known to have been produced 
postmortem so it is certain that this form can be produced as the result of 
some accidental contamination or chemical change under certain (but un- 
identified) conditions. One of the former was bred from onto the F.4 
without obtaining anything but normal brassicae. It is my opinion that 
the browning of the black colour is either due to its being overridden with 
pink (meconium, as for example carnea) or a change due to chance 
contact with some chemical or perhaps fungal spores or other. Exposure 
to direct sunlight over a period of several weeks does not produce it. 
glaseri Muller (1925) (Figs. 27, 29) 

Absence of terminal black streak. This is another aspect of the multiple 
allelics control of size and intensity of the black markings. Appears 
occasionally in Cambridge stock. 


34 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


griseopicta Rocci (1919) (syn. nov.) 

In this variety the female is described as having the black markings pale 
grey instead of the normal black and it occurs solely in the first (spring) 
generation. I consider this to be merely a pale form of chariclea Stephens 
(1828) as his description of his var. B: ‘‘with the apical spot of the anterior 
wings unclouded, very pale, cinerous . . .”. exactly fits the above description. 
In any case the name vasguezi Oberthur (1913) would have priority when 
this form occurs in the summer generation, as it sometimes does. 


gynandra Rocci (1930) 

Created as a name for a halved gynandromorph caught at Milan, the 
name is unnecessary and the use of such a term for gynandromorphic 
Lepidoptera has not in fact been generally followed. 


gynandromorphs 

Examples of both halved and partial gynandromorphs appear from time 
to time in the Cambridge stock. A number of sexual mosaics appeared in 
the Hereford Stock and two or three partial examples in the cheiranthi 
hybrids, while two examples were found in the early days of the virus-free 
stock. I do not consider that any special naming of these is required and a 
full account has already been published (Gardiner, 1973). It seems quite 
clear that, although rare, gynandromorphism, complete or partial, is of 
regular occurrence in brassicae. 


henriettae Pionneau (1924) 
Is a synonym of vasquezi Oberthur (1913). 


homeosis 

This name is applied to specimens where the pattern or part thereof of 
one wing is repeated on another wing where it does not normally occur. 
Occasional specimens are known, three of which occurred at one time in 
the brassicae/cheiranthi hybrid stock. One of these was illustrated by 
Gardiner (1963) and an earlier example by the Graham-Smiths (1930). No 
other examples are known to me and I suspect they are due to miscegena- 
tion when pairing occurrs between isolated stocks —something which 
chance migration could ensure as a regular happening. 
infratrinotata Caruel (1954) (syn. nov.) 

As described this variety consists of a male infrafasciata (see below) 
with an additional spot, composed of a mass of grey scales, situated in line 
with the other spots not far from the costa. But such a spot is of course 
aversomaculata! Whether a combination of two or more varieties should 
receive yet a third name is a matter for opinion. I do not think so. In any 
case this type of specimen occurs in a few of the cheiranthi hybrids. 
infra-fasciata Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith (1929) (syn. nov.) (Figs. 
10, 13) 

The Graham-Smiths’ applied this name to fasciata occurring only on the 
underside of the wing. I agree with Lempke (1953) that there is no known 
example. I have examined the specimen labelled as type in the Graham- 
Smiths’ material. The underside is indeed faintly fasciata but so also is 
the upperside, sufficiently so in relation to the total relative weak scaling, 
in my opinion, to invalidate the use of a separate name which therefore 
sinks as synonym of fasciata. 
italorum Stauder (1921) 

Another local form named from some specimens taken in the Appenines. 
Again I am of opinion this is environmental and does not occur every 
year in its type locality. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 35 


jauni Gardiner (1963) 

Another variety due to a recessive allele (Gardiner 1963), in which both 
the chrysalis and the hindwing of the adult are affected, being a golden 
colour. This variety is interesting in that it is the only known instance in 
brassicae of a gene effecting two stages of the insect. In all other instances 
this is not so, indeed it is known that the chrysalis may be of several colours 
without any affect on the adult (Gardiner, 1974). This variety appeared in 
the virus-free stock and has never been seen elsewhere. It was unfortunately 
lost before it could be more fully investigated and in spite of many years 
continued breeding of the stock has not reappeared. 
lacticolor Lempke (1953) 

The ground colour of all wings not white but creamy. It is not easy to 
decide whether this may be a partial stage towards var. flava or even a 
form like jauni but with the golden colour transferred to the upperside. 
I have some cheiranthi hybrids of this form — indeed the hindwing is even 
more extreme, being of an orange colour along the fore-edge. Sometimes 
whole batches of the Cambridge stock specimens are creamy rather than 
white. 

There is a definite tendency for weakly diapausing specimens, emerged 
by constant warmth without prior chilling to be creamy rather than white. 
The whiter specimens in fact seem to be those which are produced under 
warmer conditions, although cheiranthi is an exception. This rather argues 
that it may be caused by some, at present unknown, combination of environ- 
mental factors. It is at any rate impossible to tell in a graded series exactly 
at which point the term Jacticolor should be applied and it does seem to be 
near the middle point of a range of colour from an almost pure white to 
the bright yellow of flava even though I am of the opinion this is produced 
by a dfferent cause. 
lepidii Rober (1907) 

This name was applied by R6ber to the summer form on the grounds 
that it differed from the spring form. Here we again have a form whose 
facies is caused by the environmental conditions and which grades into all 
the other seasonal and local named forms. It does of course occur in all 
stocks bred by me. 
longomaculata Lempke (1953) 

The discal spots distinctly lengthened. They do indeed vary in size and at 
times there is a distinct cut-off along the edge of the nervures instead of 
the spots spreading over. This gives them an elongated look. Additionally 
the spots elongate very markedly in races cheiranthi, wollastoni, and 
nepalensis, and in some fasciata forms, but the effect is obscured as they 
thicken also. This variety would seem therefore to be part of the multi- 
factorial complex and to be brought about by certain combinations of the 
alleles involved. Spots of normal size, but otherwise elongated, I have not 
come across. 
lutea Rober (1907) 

Is a synonym of flava Kane (1893). 
major Verity (1947) 

A varietal name applied by Verity to larger than normal specimens. But 
what is normal size? It depends on various factors; cheiranthi for instance 
are larger than normal and so are any specimens I have bred which are 
both well fed, not too crowded and not too hot. Size is relative; there is a 
continuous graded series from the 25 mm. of small minor to the 90 mm. 
of cheiranthi and in my opinion the name is illogical and ill-applied since, 
as defined by Verity (translated): “gigantic with an expanse of 62 to 


36 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


66 mm. and the length of the hindwing from 55 to 36’. Unfortunately 
the parameter of measuring are not given. Never-the-less I have a complete 
range of specimens going up to 90 mm. and many normal British examples 
are of the size quoted by Verity. 


The size of brassicae appear to vary according to two factors. First, it 
would seem to be genetic in some cases. For instance all pure bred race 
cheiranthi reared by me are larger than typical brassicae. The hybrid is of 
intermediate size, and the F.2 generation produces a range of size, which 
are quite clearly coupled with the wing markings: — the larger specimens 
with the most cheiranthi-like facies and the smaller specimens the more 
typical brassicae facies. 


The size of the adults can also be varied by environmental factors, those 
being reared at low temperatures and low densities, (10-15°C) being 
markedly larger than those reared at 25-30°C and high densities. 


marginata Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith (1929) 

This has a band of black scales running along the costa and termen of 
the upper surface of the hindwing. According to the Graham-Smiths’ it is 
particularly prevalent in brassicae from the Eastern half of its range but 
certainly also occurs in European examples, but not cheiranthi. It is 
confined to the male and appears also to be associated with nigronotata. 
It is of course always present in the related species P. deota Nicér and 
P. brassicoides Guérin. 


marginavenata McLeod (1968) 

This variety originated in a sub-division of the Cambridge stock. It is 
characterised by the veins on the under-side of the male hindwing being 
stressed by borders of black and grey scales tapering towards the margins. 


maria Mellaerts (1926) 

As described by van Mellaerts this varity has the two dots in the female 
joined by a sprinkling of black scales. It does not also have the dots 
joined to the apical blotch and since the type of facciata does have all 
three black areas so joined, it should be considered a separate variety and 
I cannot therefore agree with Lempke’s suggestion (1953) that the name 
is illogical and should fall as a synonvm of fasciata. This variety is quite 
common in the various cheiranthi hybrids that were produced and continues 
to appear in the cheiranthi hybrids strain still maintained at the Glass 
House Crops Research Institute, Littlehampton and was also common in 
the Hereford stock. 


minor Ksienchopolsky (1911) 

The name applied to small specimens. It has already been shown that 
this variety is environmental, being produced by semistarvation of the 
larvae (Gardiner, 1963). Never-the-less extra small larvae are sometimes 
noticed in a batch of normally fed healthy stock. Attemps have been made 
to rear these but without any adults being obtained. Usually the larva dies, 
but three or four chrysalids were obtained, very small, one of which 
weighed only 98 mg. (normally 300-400 mgm.). All died. It is therefore 
just possible that some of the minor in collections originated from such 
small larvae and not from the more probable cause of semistarvation. Un- 


suitable food, such as Dutch pride cabbage, may also produce these speci- 
mens. 


PRUC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 PEATE 


ANNUAL EXHIBITION (1978) 


1. Argynnis paphia (L.) ab. 2 (Watson, R. W. & A.) (temperature experiment). 
2. Arctia caja (L.) ab. (G. E. Higgs). 3. Deilephila elpenor (L.) ab. (C. E. Pearce). 
4. Eriopygodes imbecilla (F.) Q (B. Goater). 5. Agrotis cinerea (D. & S.) inter-sex, 
(P. Sokoloff). 6. Cosmia trapezina (L.) ab. nigra Tutt (K. Tuck). 7. Lomographa 
trimaculata (Vill.) (B. G. Withers). 8. Comibaena pustulata (Hufn.) ab. (P. A. 
Martin). 9. Polyommatus icarus (Rott.) ab. (L. D. Young). 10. Lysandra coridon 
(Poda) ab. antidigitata B. & L. @ (R. C. Revels). 


PLATE II PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


11. Aglais urticae (L.) temperature experiment (A. D. A. Russwurm & H. G. M. 
Middleton). 12. A. urticae, ab. lutea Raynor (S. F. Imber & B. Jewson). 13. 
Agonopterix bipunctosa (Curtis) (X2) (D. H. Sterling). 14. Xanthorhoe fluctuata 
ab. (B. Skinner). 15. Oporinia dilutata (D. & S.) ab. (A. S. Harmer). 16. Maniola 
jurtina (L.) ab. atrescens Leeds (A. D. Russwurm & Middleton). 17. Diloba 
caeruleocephala (L.) ab. (E. H. Wild). 18. Spilosoma lubricipeda (L.) ab. (G. 
Howard). 19. Gelechia sabinella Z. (X2). 21. G. scotinella H.-S. (X2) (both A. N. 
B. Simpson). 20. Leptura rubra (L.) (P. J. Hodge). 22. Acasis viretata (Hibn.) 
ab. (I. R. Sims). 23. Eurodryas aurinia (Rott.) ab. melanoleuca Cabeau (A. S. 


Harmer). 


PROC. 


Fig. 
Fig. 
Fig. 


Fig. 


Fig. 
Fig. 
Fig. 
Fig. 


BRIT. 


Ain Ww 


10. 


ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


ab nigronotata, Arnage. 

ab nigronotata, Hereford. 

Simullated ab. nigronotata (Sales missing). 

Example from Dover with a white apical spot in the normally black 
area of the wingtip. 

ab. vazquezi Oberthur, Arnage. 

Example with left apical spot brown (ab. fuscosignata Lempke). 
Example with both apical bloches brown (ab. fuscosignata Lempke). 
Upperside of ab. infrafasciata G-S a G-S. Type specimen. Note black 
scaling between the spots. 


PEATE SRY, 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


Fig. 
Fig. 
Fig. 


Fig. 
Fig. 
Fig. 
Fig. 


Fig. 


ile 


12 


13 


14. 


15 


16. 
We 


18. 


ab. pallida G-S & G-S. The type specimen. 
Dark underside example from Alicante, Spain. 


l 
1( 


nderside 


of ab. infra-fasciata G-S & G-S. The type specimen (see Fig. 


) for upperside). 


nderside 
nderside 


Jnderside 


ieffer). 


nderside 


ab. nigroviridescens Rocci (= anthrax G-S & G-S). 


of typical ab. fasciata Kieffer from Arnage. 
of typical ab. fasciata Kieffer from Hereford. 
of typical male race cheiranthi Hubner (= extreme fasciata 


of nymotypical Cambridge stock brassicae. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 PLATE, V 


Fig. 19. Typical female example from Bavaria. 

Fig. 20. Female from Cyprus. Note ab. striata. 

Fig. 21. Female example from Morocco. 

Fig. 22. Female cataleuca from Tuscany. 

Fig. 23. Female of race nepalensis from Bengal. 

Fig. 24. Female from Hereford. Note similarities to nepalensis. 

Fig. 25. A rather pale female from Italy; could be referred to meridionalis 
Rocci. 

Fig. 26. Another female from Hereford. Note virtual absence of lower discal 
spot (= ab. reducta Fritsch). 


PLATE VI PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


Fig. 27. ab. glaseri Muller, Cambridge stock. 

Fig. 2). ab. glaseri Muller combined with ab. reducta Fritsch. Cambridge. 

Fig. 30. An unusual Cambridge example bred on ‘Dutch Pride’ cabbage. 
3 


Fig. 31. Teratological specimen showing machanical deformation of left hind- 
wing. Cambridge stock. 

Fig. 32. Teratological specimen. An otherwise typical Cambridge female with 
unequal wing development. 

Fig. 33. Cambridge female with loss of black scaling on one side only. 

Fig. 34. Teratological specimen of race cheiranthi Hubner with unequal wing 
development. Letfthand wings are extreme ab. maria Mellaerts while 
righthand are fasciata Kieffer. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 SH 


meridionalis Rocci (1919) (Fig. 25) 

This is another pale form of brassicae localised in Italy. Again I believe 
this to be another manifestation of environmental factors as such forms 
appear from time to time in the Cambridge and virus-free stocks. 
nana Rocci (1919) 

Is a synonym of minor Ksienchopolsky (1911. 
nepalensis Gray (1846) Fig. 23) 

This is the Himalayan race, and is sufficiently isolated by mountains and 
desert to avoid internal or external migration from its range. It is 
charcterised by having more extensive black areas than the nymotypical 
but these are extremely variable and some examples are not separable from 
type. In particular, however, it shows a marked percentage of marginata 
and strigata. In addition fasciata and nigronotata are often present. 

I have no experience of breeding this race. It is known to be sometimes 
a pest on cabbage crops but I suspect it has other foodplants. Some of the 
Hereford examples bred by me were similar, as indeed have been some of 
the cheiranthi hybrids, and I have no doubt that nepalensis is controlled by 
multiple alleles and that, having such a wide area of distribution (unlike 
the Island races) there has been less opportunity to stabilize into a uniform 
pattern of facies. 
nigrescens Cockerell (1889) 

Bramwell (1869) described a black specimen thus: “It is a female and is 
of a uniform black dusky colour, both on the upper and undersides; the 
black spots on the wings are quite distinct being of a much more intense 
and shining black than the ground colour’. The Graham-Smiths (1929-30) 
introduced the name semi-nigrescens and basi-nigrescens for partial (as 
opposed to uniform) dusky brown colouring on the wings and both Gardiner 
1974 and Wilde 1957 carefully avoided creating new names for their 
specimens wihich did not fit the descriptions of the above three forms. Care 
also needs to be taken to distinguish nigrescens in which the scales are 
grey in colour (Gardiner 1974) from specimens in which the scales are 
malformed being upturned at their edges and have a ‘mealy’ or ‘shaggy’ 
appearance, which gaves the same effect through optical illusion as does 
the grey colour of true nigrescens. I have examined the type of semi- 
nigrescens and it is of this form. The type of basi-nigrescens is, by 
designation, the specimen captured by Plant in 1843 of which there is a 
good colour illustration in Morris 1857, and it certainly appears to be due 
to grey scales as in true nigrescens. We therefore have the situation where 
nigrescens and semi-nigrescens are due to different causes. 

I have had a number of examples of the ‘mealy’ or ‘shaggy’ variety all 
of them amongst broods of the recessive varieties coerulea and albinensis. 
In no sense can they be referred to nigrescens nor do they show colouring 
called for in the description of the type basi-nigrescens by the Graham- 
Smiths. It is quite clear to me that these ‘mealy’ examples are due to 
faulty eclosion, and would be better not named. To return to nigrescens, 
the Graham-Smiths describe the variety this: ‘The parts usually white are 
dark, greenish grey on both upper and underside, while the usual dark 
markings are distinct’. They figure a completly black suffused example. 
They then go on to say that “Cockerell (1889) gave the name to a female 
captured two miles from Perth in 1868 and thus described by Bramwell” 
(Bramwell, 1869). But this is just what Cockerell did nor do. In his article 
on the variation of insects most of his definitions are the briefest of the 
brief and his full statement as regards brassicae is as follows ‘Pieris 
brassicae nigrescens, Newman, Brit. Butt., 165”. If we now turn to New- 


38 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


mans book (Newman, 1868) we find on page 165. “At page 471 of the 
second volume of the ‘Zoologist’, Mr. J. Plant of Leicester, figures a variety 
of this butterfly with a sharply defined black patch at the base of all the 
wings. At p.258 of the fourth volume of the ‘Entomologist’? Mr. J. M. 
Bramwell of Perth mentions that he has in his collection a female and of 
a uniform dusky black colour’. Plant’s specimen must obviously take 
priority over Bramwell’s and since we have both male (Plant 1844) and 
female (Bfamwell 1869) the former is by designation, due to line precedence 
the type, and the latter the neallotype. This interpretation has the great 
advantage of leaving nigrescens as a variety subject to considerable varia- 
tion and therefore capable of accommodating the partial dusky specimens 
which have been reported by Gardiner and Wilde. Var. basi-nigrescens 
consequently falls as synonym of nigrescens. This variety is obviously of 
great rarity and is most likely due to a fortuituous mishap in early cell 
division which concentrates some black scales where they do not normally 
occur. The only recent specimens known to me are those of Wilde (1957) 
from Germany and my own from the Cambridge stock (Gardiner 1974). 
This last was partial and had the effect confined to one side. There are in 
the British Museum (Natural History) several specimens with areas of 
intense black scaling, but they cannot be strictly be referred to nigrescens, 
although I feel they are due to the same cause. 

nigronotata Jachontoyv (1903) (Figs. 3, 4) 

In this variety there is a streak or oblong patch of black scales on the 
upper side of the male forewing between nervures 3 and 4 and just terminal 
to the discal cell. Although described from a Western Russian specimen 
this form of male is the most usual in brassicae on the edge of its range, 
particularly in the races cheiranthi, wollastoni and nepalensis. It was 
recorded as present in 1.7% of the specimens from Aberdeen by the 
Graham-Smiths. I have never come across this variety in either Cambridge 
or virus-free stock. It occurred amongst the cheiranthi hybrids however, 
as One might expect, and also commonly in the Hereford stock. The extent 
of the black is quite variable, from a few black scales, just visible, to a 
very prominent and intense black streak. Its shape is invariably different to 
the round or square dot found in the female. Its concentration in isolated 
races and occasional appearance when it breeds true —from time to time 
elsewhere leads me to conclude that it is due to a combination of two or 
more alleles. 
nigropunctata Walcourt (1920) 

It is a synonym of posteromaculata Verity (1911). 
nigroviridescens Rocci (1919) (Fig. 14) 

In this variety the underside of the hindwings are densely suffused with 
black scales giving a very dark appearance. The name anthrax Graham- 
Smith and Graham-Smith must be considered a synonym. This is yet another 
case of its being impossible to say where one variety begins and the next 
ends, pallida dissolves into type into venata into nigroviridescens. The 
colouring of the brassicae underside seems to be dependent on locality and 
I would like to put forward the suggestion that it is due to selective pres- 
sure by predators. For instance cheiranthi has a very light yellow-buff, some 
examples almost orange, in colour with virtually no strewing of black 
scales. It feeds only on Tropaeoleum (Fernandez, 1955) in the Canary 
Islands, and when settled amongst this foodplant or feeding from flowers of 
the island flora, it really is an inconspicous insect, whereas a dark under- 
side would stand out amongst the green and the yellowing leaves of 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 39 


Tropaeoleum. Specimens I have from Malta and Spain, however, are 
mostly of this variety and so too are those from Chile. I have already 
(Gardiner 1974b) put forward the theory that this dark underside colour 
is due to pressure from predators and more suited to the survival of 
brassicae in its new environment of South America. 

obenbergi Tykac (1947) 

Described from a summer brood example, this variety has the ground 
colour fundamentally of a yellow colour but the apex grey and the under- 
side “light green’? powered black with the veins brown. I have not seen 
the type and can only conjecture that it does in fact differ from flava with 
which it might perhaps be confused from the description given. 
obscurata Oberthur 

Oberthur stated it had all the wings of a dusky dark grey. As described 
this is a synonym of nigrescens Cockerell (1889) as redefined in present 
paper. 
ocellata-loberi Kraut (1938) 

Described from a female which has the upper discal spot of a steel blue, 
or light blue with a dull silver sheen, appearing as a metallic “eye” with 
a black border, giving to the insect an exotic appearance. I have not seen 
this specimen, nor come across another example. I am inclined to the 
belief that it is due to some mechanical defect in the scales. 
ottonis Rober (1907) 

This name was given to spring specimens from Fergana but Verity (1908) 
illustrated such specimens and was of the opinion there was “no reason to 
distinguish them particularly’. I cannot separate these from other spring- 
form chariclea either and the name is therefore a synonym of chariclea. 
pallida Graham-Smith and Graham Smith (1930) Fig. 11) 

As described “The undersides of the hindwing and of the apical areas 
of the forewings are pale, lacking to a great extent the yellow colour 
normally present”. In most cases in the spring generation, the black pig- 
mentation commonly present on the hindwing is slightly developed. This 
variety is simply one end of the range varying from very pale to very dark 
colouration of the underside. It occurs from time to time in all my stocks 
and has already been commented on under nigro-viridescens. 
parvomaculata Rocci (1919) 

In the female the upperside spots not larger than those of P. rapae and 
the apical mark pale grey. Several such examples have appeared in the 
Cambridge stock. No two are quite alike and some (although they cannot 
strictly be called this name), having only one, it may be either, of the 
spots reduced. It should not be confused with the very pale examples 
sometimes produced by environmental conditions, as it is part of the 
multifactorial complex covering spot size and intensity. 
perflava Lempke (1953). 

As described ‘Ground colour of the underside of hindwings and the 
apex, of the forewings deep yellow’. Lempke (1955) knew only females of 
the spring brood. I have had examples of cheiranthi and brassicae/ 
cheiranthi hybrids such as described but tending rather to orange par- 
ticularly along the costa of the hindwing. It seems probable that this is a 
more extreme form of pallida. It does not, however, appear to be jauni 
with which it might perhaps be confused. 
plasschaerti Dufrane (1912) 

Ts a synonym of venata Verity (1908), see below. 


40 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOc., 1979 
postice-ochreata Verity (1919) 

This name is applied to first brood females of Northern races (including 
Britain) which have the upperside of the hindwing a bright ochreous colour. 
It also occurs in summer brood specimens at times and is part of the 
series from almost dead-white to nearly orange that occur. It is not possible 
to say where this variety begins or ends. 
posteromaculata Verity (1909) 

Verity’s original description is “Il est intéressant de remarquer que chez 
la 2 on rencontre quelquefois une forme ayant une tache noire sur le 
disque des postérieures correspondent a celle qui est constant chez deota 
et qui s’observe quelquefois aussi chez la 2 de P. manni forme rossii, 
ainsi que chez P. napi forme napaeae et trés rarement meme chez rapae; 
le nom de posteromaculata (page 331) proposé pour napaeae doit, 4 mon 
avis, servir pour toutes ces espéces’’. 

The french word ‘tache’ should be translated as ‘spot’ whereas in the 
two specimens illustrated by the Graham-Smiths only a light speckling of 
black appears and while this variety is clearly not too uncommon, the 
degree of black present varies to a large extent and perhaps only when 
the black spot is as clear as it is in P. deota de Niceville, should the name 
be applied. This variety has in fact only occurred with me in a few females 
of brassicae/cheiranthi hybrid broods. 
pseudocataleuca Rocci (1929) 

Another local form named from specimens obtained on the Tuscan 
Appenines in Italy. Again environmental; variable from year to year and 
grading into other forms, it occurs in both Cambridge and virus-free stocks. 
punctigera Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith (1930) 

As mentioned by the Graham-Smiths this variety is sometimes seen in 
Himalayan specimens. I too have only seen it in examples of race nepalensis. 
It is characterised by having black spots or radial streaks on the upper 
surface of the hindwing. This patterning is normal in the related P. deota 
Nicér,P. canidia Sparrm, and P. brassicoides Guérin. 
rammei Knop (1923) 

In this variety the apical blotch is traversed by the nervures traceable as 
four yellow-brown streaks. The Graham-Smiths quote several examples and 
go on to state that recently emerged specimens can rub the tips of their 
wings in such a manner that rammei is simulated. I have examined several 
such specimens under the microscope and the normal black scales are 
lacking or very sparse in the streaked area. 

I have a few examples, in particular a rather striking one from Chile. 
All were noticed postmortem and all give me the impression of being 
artificial in some way. I am of the opinion therefore that this variety is 
due to some environmental factor, possibly difficulty in clearing the pupal 
skin causing rubbing or perhaps a haemolymphal leak towards the ends of 
certain nervures. This opinion is confirmed by the fact that by very carefully 
rubbing the apical blotch of fresh specimens between finger and thumb, 
examples referrable to rammei can be produced. 
radiata Rober 

I do not have any information on this variety. 
reducta Fritsch (1913) (Figs. 26, 29) 

In this variety the lower discal spot in the female is absent. Although 
not so stated in the orignal description, all the examples I have seen have 
the black absent on both upper and underside of the wing. Generally, but 
not always, it is accompanied by a reduction in size and intensity of the 
other black markings. I have a series of transitional forms collected over 


the years from the Cambridge stock and also a rather striking example 
from cheiranthi hybrid stock. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 F 41 


semi-nigrescens Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith (1930) 

As defined by the Graham-Smiths and as already mentioned examples of 
this variety are due to mechanical deformation of the wing scales and 
there is no relationship with nigrescens. Examples with such deformation 
occur from time to time in all stocks except the cheiranthi hybrids and 
are particularly prevalent combined with vars. coerulea and albinensis 
separata Pionneau (1928) 

Described for a specimen where on the underside of the forewing the 
lower discal spot is divided into two parts. From time to time examples 
occur where one or other of the discal spos, either on the upper or the 
underside is divided into two distinct halves by a band of white scaling. 
There is insufficient evidence to show whether it is due to some mechanical, 
genetic, or environmental effect or is a true genetic abberation. 
striata Rocci (1919) (Fig. 20) 

In this variety the apical blotch is joined to the upper discal spot by lines 
of black scales along the nervures 3 and 4. This variety is very common in 
races wollastoni, nepalensis and cheiranthi. It often appears from time to 
time in specimens from many localities and is frequently but not invariably 
associated with fasciata. Its extent also can vary from weak black tracery 
along the nervures to a complete solid black bar confluent between the 
apical blotch and black spot. This variety was common among _ the 
cheiranthi hybrids and the Hereford stock but I have not otherwise bred it. 

The variety is clearly part of the multifactorical complex governing the 
extent and size of the black markings. I consider biligata Cabeau (1925) 
to be a synonym. 
sublutea Turati (1924) 

In this variety the black scales which are normally present at the base 
of the wings on the upper surface are absent. It was originally described 
from examples of the race cyniphia, but is not present in any of these in 
my possession or seen by me, including examples from Cyrenaica. In 
specimens with much reduced black markings generally the black wingbase 
scaling is also much reduced and of course ab. albinensis and coerulea also 
lack the black scaling, but for other reasons. 
supra-fasciata Graham-Smith and Graham-Smith (1929) (syn. nov.) 

Neither Lempke (1953) nor I agree that this form really exists as we have 
never come across a specimen. The type is not among the Graham-Smiths 
material in my possession. As already stated earlier, and in view of the 
doubt created by a re-examination of the type of infra-fasciata, I consider 
the name should be sunk as a synonym of fasciata. 
teratological specimens (Figs. 31, 32, 34) 

From time to time specimens of insects are found in which the anatomy 
is some way abnormal. I have one specimen of brassicae in which the 
abdominal segments are twisted, with one of them being wedgeshaped. This 
was first noticed in the larva and can now be seen best in the cast chrysalis 
skin. Many other examples have occurred in which the wings are distorted. 
Similar effects can be produced by deliberate mechanical damage to the 
appropriate area on the chrysalis and the appearance of many of the 
examples lead me to the conclusion they are due to constriction and pres- 
sure on the wingbud area by the silken retaining girdle spun by the larva. 

In some specimens the wings are larger on one side. While this could be 
explained by other causes an equally valid explanation is the similar one of 
mechanical damage affecting the full functioning of the expansion 
mechanism. 


42 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


tertia Verity (1919) 

Created to describe third brood examples (which occur particularly in the 
Mediterranean region) and is described as midway in appearance between 
2nd and 4th broods. In view of the variability of facies according to seasonal 
and climatic variations it is not possible to separate fertia with any 
certainty from either typical or catoleuca (2nd brood). 
trimacula Rocci (1919) (syn. nov.) 

This name was erected for those examples in which both fasciata and 
striata were present. It should be borne in mind, however, that Kieffer’s 
illustration of the type of fasciata is also striata; that is to say, the apical 
blotch is joined to the costal dot, as well as the two dots being joined 
together with black scales. The name is therefore a synonym of fasciata. 
ultimogenata Verity (1909) 

This was sunk as a synonym of autumnales Rocci (1919) by Verity in 
later work (Verity, 1947). 

In this variety the apical blotches are very pale, being ashy-grey in colour. 
The effect is produced by a quantity of the normal black scales being 
replaced by white ones. Although apparently common in the spring broods 
from Southern Europe (Verity 1916) I have a few summer brood examples 
from the Cambridge stock. Verity (1916) who originally figured an example 
in Rhopalocera Palaeartica, then considered it the culminating form of the 
spring brood generation. It is of course very similar to chariclea. I concur 
with Verity that it is the culminating form of the spring brood, and further, 
I suggest that it may be due to the environmental cause of the chrysalis 
being subjected to a mild winter. 
venata Verity (1908) 

In this varity the underside basal area of the wings are distinctly dusted 
with violet grey scales. In the female this occurs on the upperside also. 
Named by Verity to cover examples from Morocco, where it appears to be 
the normal form. It has also been seen occasionally in specimens from 
other areas and I have two examples from the Cambridge stock. The 
specimen shown in Fig. 21 from Morocco does not meet Verity’s descrip- 
tion. 

I would suggest that this is another manifestation of the background 
colour change which takes place in response to predator pressure and then 
stabilises. The suggestion that the explanation could be that the violet is 
produced by the exceptionally strong sunlight of North Africa is rather 
unlikely since similar violet tinged specimens do not seem to have to have 
been recorded from Cyrenaica or Palestine. 
wollastoni Butler (1885) 
verna Zeller (1847) 

Graves (1925) considers this second generation form to be a synonym of 
aestiva Zeller and Verity (1947) agreed with this view. 
vasquezi Oberthur (1913) (Fig. 7) 

This is the race from Madeira. The black markings are not so extreme as 
in cheiranthi but the race is characterised by being strongly ab. fasciata 
and the underside is undoubtedly darker and greener than in nymotypical 
specimens. The larvae are the same. I have bred this race but was unable 
to obtain cross pairings to other brassicae. Race wollastoni would appear 
to be due, as I believe has happened with cheiranthi and is happening in 
Chile, to selective pressure of predators stabilising the facies to fit in with 
their surroundings and I suggest also that the original introduction took 
place only a few hundred years ago. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 43 


Discussion 

Variation in P. brassicae falls into four main groups: (1) Those in which 
there is a major colour change and which is controlled by a recessive allele; 
the varieties coerulea, albinensis and probably fllava fall into this category. 
(2) Those in which the amount and intensity of the black markings varies. 
These I consider to be controlled by multiple alleles but to be capable of 
modification by environmental factors. (3) Those in which the underside 
colour varies. This I consider to be due to multiple alleles but again 
modifiable by environmental factors. (4) Miscellaneous variation which may 
be due to various other factors not at present fully understood. In this 
group I include gynandromorphs, nigrescens, pink, brown or grey apical 
spots which turn up at random but of which there is certainly some evidence 
that they are due to chance mechanical or unusual environmental con- 
ditions. 

Throughout its range the first brood of the year which is derived from 
diapausing pupae, differs from later broods derived from pupae of short- 
lived duration. It is lighter in colour (due to less black and more white 
scales) on the upperside, but darker in colour on the underside of the 
hindwing. Imagines derived from pupae weakly in diapause tend to have 
the first-brood underside facies, but non-diapause type upperside. By 
splitting of eggbatches and rearing under the appropriate conditions it is 
possible to have all three forms in the sibs of one pairing. It is quite clear 
therefore that the first or spring brood of the year (chariclea) is environ- 
mentally controlled. 

In addition to this spring form, various authors have considered that 
second third and fourth broods are also deserving of a separate name. In 
addition to these a considerable number of local forms have also been given 
a name. There is absolutely no doubt that, over its range, the facies, does 
vary considerably, in size intensity of the white background colour, intensity 
of colour of the black spots, and also the colour of the underside of the 
hindwing. But is this variation enough, or constant enough, to justify so 
many names being used? I think not. P. brassicae is a noted migrant. 
Except therefore at the extremes of its range, where geographically isolated 
populations occur, there is a constant intermingling of all these local forms. 
This could well explain why there has been, indeed still is, so much con- 
fusion and synonmy concerning them. Many of these forms have been 
illustrated by various authors (R6ber 1907; Verity, 1907; 1947). If we take 
a quantity of ova laid by an individual of my Cambridge stock brassicae 
and rear them under a variety of different conditions, then the resulting 
imagines will fit the description or illustrations to most of these local named 
forms of brassicae. When I rear brassicae from distant locations in Cam- 
bridge they too vary with the conditions of rearing rather than fitting in 
with the named form from the area whence they came. (This does not 
apply to isolated races, like cheiranthi, which are genetically controlled and 
are discussed below). In any particular area too, over a period of years, 
even when the climate is relative stable and constant, there will be a period 
of exceptional weather and the brassicae facies will change from what it 
normally is in that area. This, coupled with migration, explains the con- 
fusion over local forms in the literature and indeed perhaps explains why 
a name was given, for I believe that some local forms were named (alpina 
for instance) because it was noticed they were different from usual and it 
could well be that this difference was caused by exceptionally abnormal 
climatic conditions in a particular year or two in that area. That such 


44 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


plasticity is inherent in brassicae is confirmed by both the Cambridge and 
virus-free stocks, bred under varying conditions as they have been, pro- 
ducing so many of the named forms. 

At the geographically isolated extremes of its range we have, however, 
other conditions prevailing. There is no migration. There may well be 
selective predation pressure not apparent elsewhere. We have already seen 
in the Aberdeen material studied by the Graham-Smiths (Graham-Smith and 
Graham-Smith 1930) and more recently in the Hereford stock, how other- 
wise typical British brassicae can suddenly turn up specimens half-way 
towards race cheiranthi; and it has been shown (Gardiner, 1973) how 
selection of breeding adults can lead further towards cheiranthi (or indeed 
vice-versa). Once established such genetic combinations of multiple alleles 
will breed true, the more so if there is good cause for this particular com- 
bination to have some selective advantage. 

Again with the underside colour. This clearly is modified by climatic 
factors as can be seen from chariclea and weakly dispausing specimens. 
Never-the-less in certain areas light or dark forms of the underside do 
predominate. The most likely explanation of this is again selection pressure 
of predators. The light yellow underside of cheiranthi fits in so much better 
with Tropaeolium foilage than it would or does—on cabbages. This is, 
however, something that requires much further investigation and again, 
apart from the geographically isolated races, there must be a constant 
mixing of the genetic combinations brought about by migration. Since it 
appears that most migration takes a northerly direction one would expect 
brassicae at the south of its range to show a more stable facies. In the 
specimens looked at by me this appears to be the case. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The number of people who have helped me one way or the other with Pieris 
brassicae over very many years is very large indeed. To all those who may 
remember doing so, very many thanks. In particular, however, I feel I should 
thank Sir Vincent Wigglesworth for allowing the use of rearing facilities at the 
ARC Unit of Insect Physiology and my colleague Dr. W. A. L. David for his 
interest and help. The drawing of the illustrations was by Mr. John Rodford. 

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Entomologist, 4: 258-259. 

Butler, A. G. (1886). Description of a hitherto unnamed butterfly from Madeira. 
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 17: 430. 

Cabeau, C. (1924). Aberrations de Lépidoptéres. Rev. Mens. Soc. Ent. Namur., 
24: 25. 

Cabeau, C. (1925). Aberrations de Lépidoptéres. Rev. Mens. Soc. Ent. Namur., 
25: 38-39. 

Caruel, M. (1954). Revision des formes et aberrations du Catalogue des 
Rhopalocéres de France. Rev. France Lepidopt., 14: 147-153. 

Cockerell, T. D. A. (1889). On the variation of Insects. 1. suffusion and melanism. 
Ent., 22: 54-56. 

David, W. A. L. & Gardiner, B. O. C. (1952). Laboratory breeding of Pieris 


brassicae L. and Apanteles glomeratus L. Proc. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. (A), 
27: 54-56. 

David, W. A. L. & Gardiner, B. O. C. (1965). Resistance of Pieris brassicae 
(Linnaeus) to granulosis virus and the virulence of the virus from different 
host races. Jour. Invert. Pathol., 7: 285-290. 

David, W. A. L. & Gardiner, B. O. C. (1966). Breeding Pieris brassicae apparently 
free from granulosis virus. Jour. Invert. Pathol., 325-333. 

Dutrane, A. (1912). Piérides de Belgique. Rev. Men. Soc. Ent. Namur., 12: 23-25. 

Fernandez, J. M. (1955). Evolucion de la fauna Canariense. Inst. de Estud. 
Canarios. Teneriffe. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 45 


Fischer, E. (1925). In: OBERTHUR C. Lépidoptéres d'Europe et d’Algérie: 
Quelques variations nouvelles ou aberrantes de France et d’Espagne. Lep. 
Comp., 22: (2) 1-16. 

Fritsch, W. (1913). Lepidopterologische Beobachtungen. Ent. Rund., 30: 46-47. 

Frohawk, F. W. (1926). Natural History of British Butterflies. Hutchinson and 
Co., 206. 207pp. 

Frohawk, F. W. (1934). The complete book of British Butterflies. London. Ward, 
Lock, and Co., 384pp. 

Frohawk, F. W. (1938). Varieties of British Butterflies. Ward, Lock and Co. Ltd., 
London. 

Gardiner, B. O. C. (1962). An albino form of Pieris brassicae Linnaeus (Lep. 
Pieridae). Ent. Gaz., 13: 97-100. 

Gardiner, B. O. C. (1963). Genetic and environmental variation in Pieris brassicae. 
Jour. Res. Lepidopt., 2: 127-136. 

Gardiner, B. O. C. (1973). Gynandromorphism in Pieris brassicae L. Jour. Res. 
Lepidopt., 11: 129-140. 

Gardiner, B. O. C. (1974a). Pieris brassicae L. established in Chile; another 
palearctic pest crosses the Atlantic. Jour. Lep. Soc., 28: 269-277. 

Gardiner, B. O. C. (1974b). Observations on green pupae in Papilio machaon L. 
and Pieris brassicae L. Wilhelm Roux’s Archiv., 176: 13-22. 

Gardiner, B. O. C. Hybrids between typical Pieris brassicae L. and race 
cheiranthi Hueb. In prep. 

Gardiner, B. O. C. (1974c). An unusual aberration of Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus) 
(Lep. Pieridae). Ent. Gaz., 186-187. 

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francaise. Bull. Soc. Ent. France., 186-187. 

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Graves, P. P. (1925). The Rhopalocera and Grypocera of Palestine and Trans- 
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Gray, G. R. (1846). Lepidopterous Insects from Nepal. London. 

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Entomologist. 26: 117-121. 

Kiefer, H. (1918). Eine neue form von Pieris brassicae L. Zeitsch. Oest. ent. Ver., 
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Hen Shes, 353. 

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96: 239-305. 

McLeod, L. (1968). A new aberration of Pieris brassicae (Linn) Lepidoptera 
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Van Mellaerts, L. (1926). Abberrationes de Lépidoptéres. Lambilliones, 1: 82-84. 

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London. 

Mosley, S. L. (1896). An illustrated catalogue of varieties of British Lepidoptera. 
Nat. Journ. 3rd Suppl. to vol. V pt. 5. 1-28. 

Muller, E. (1925). Eine neue form v. Pieris brassicae L. Internat. ent. Zeit., 18: 
276. 

Newman, E. (1858). An illustrated Natural History of British Butterflies and 
Moths. David Bogue. London. 


46 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


Oberthur, C. (1896). Etudes d’entomologie. Dela variation chez les Lépidoptéres. 
Etude d’Entom., 20: 1-74. 

Oberthur, C. (1913). Les Lépidoptéres de la Californie. Etude de Lepid. Comp., 
9: 73-89. 

Pionneau, J. (1924). Nouveautés lépidopterologiques pour la faune girondine avec 
la description de deux formes nouvelles. Misc. Ent. 27: 57-58. 

Pionneau, P. (1928). Sur quelques Rhopalocéres Paléarctiques L’Echange., 44: 34. 

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Robinson, R. (1971). Lepidoptera Genetics. Pergamon Press. Oxford. 687pp. 

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ab. Acta Soc. Ent. Czech., 44: 119. 

Verity, R. (1905-11). Rhopalocera Palaearctica. Florence, 1905-1911. 

Verity, R. (1916). The British races of Butterflies: their relationships and 
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Verity, R. (1919). Seasonal Polymorphism and races of some European Grypocera. 
Ent. Rec., 31: 87-89. 

Verity, R. (1947). Le Farfalle Diurne D’Italia. Vol. II: Papilionida. Casa Editrice 
Marzocco, Firenze. 

Walcourt, E. de H. B. (1920). Présence d’un point noir dans l’éspace compris 
les nervures 3 et 4 du dessus des ailes postérieures chez les Q de nos trois 
Pierides communes. Rev. Men. Soc. Ent. Namur., 20: 15-16. 

Wilde, H. (1957). Ein interessanter Zuchterfolg bei Pieris brassicae L. Ent. Zeits., 
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teten Schmetterlingsarten von P. E. Zeller. Isis, 3: 214-233. 


OCYUSA NITIDIVENTRIS (FAGEL) (COL., STAPHYLINIDAE) 
NEW TO BRITAIN 
by S. A. WILLIAMS 
(79 Cedar Drive, Sutton at Hone, nr. Dartford, DA4 9EW, Kent) 

In 1965 Dr. R. O. S. Clarke gave me a specimen of Ocyusa that he 
was unfamiliar with. It was collected from under a stone at Ringinglow, 
near Sheffield, on 6th November 1964. It was unknown to me and not 
referable to any British Ocyusa, but eventually after much correspondence 
with entomologists and institutions in this country and abroad, it was 
determined as Ocyusa nitidiventris (Fagel). This insect was first described 
from specimens collected in Spain (Madrid and Castille) and was originally 
placed in the genus Cousya (Fagel, G., 1958, Bull. Ann. Soc. R. Ent. Belg., 
94, IX-X: 247-8). 

In addition to Dr. Clarke’s specimen, I have now seen examples of 
nitidiventris from four more localities in Britain (and three localities in 
West Germany) as follows: Oxford, Washford, 26.v.1925, 1 ex. (Cameron 
coll.); N. Devon, Braunton Burrows, iv.1928, 1 ex. (K. G. Blair); Kent, 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 47 


Maidstone, 30.v.1975, 6 exs. in pitfall traps at Lees chalk pit organised by 
The Institute of Terrestial Ecology and Mr. E. G. Philp; London, S.E.7, 
Charlton, 14.v.1977, 1 ex. (A. A. Allen) at the roots of herbage on dry 
heathy ground above the old sandpits. From the evidence available it 
appears to favour dry habitats on well drained soil. 

When compared with other species of the genus, nitidiventris is readily 
recognised by its general, rather narrow appearance and in particular by 
its strongly convex pronotum, which is clearly narrower than the elytra. 
However, such a comparison is made difficult by the rarity of O. defecta 
Mulsant and Rey and nigrata (Fairmaire and Laboulbéne) which are 
unfortunately the two insects that it most closely resembles (particularly 
nigrata). O. defecta, for instance, has only been taken twice in Britain 
and for the present work it proved easier to obtain continental examples. 
Specimens of nigrata are easier to refer to as there are a few in the British 
Museum (Nat. Hist.). 


= 


| 2 : 


Figs. 1-3. Ocyuca nitidiventris (Fagel). 1, ventral view of median lobe of aedeagus. 
2, lateral view of same. 3, spermatheca. 


The following key will help separate nitidiventris from nigrata and 
defecta: — 


1 Pronotum strongly convex, longer than broad (6:5) or quadrate, 
clearly narrower at the shoulders than the elytra, with or without 
a small depression opposite the scutellum; elytra at the suture no 
longer than the pronotum (body shining, usually with strong, more 
diffuse punctures on the elytra and terga, those on the disc 
of the elytra separated by about two diameters). Length 
2S) SPO 0001 UM AS, Haneee okt int eee Mer eoE herr tot ee eraee nitidiventris (Fagel) 
— Pronotum flatter, less convex, quadrate only slightly narrower 
than the elytra at the shoulders, with or without a distinct 
depression opposite the scutellum; elytra at the suture longer than 
Habe Ms SEOTIOUIIEMNY | Cascteccen ieee tem done teen com oisiaecbe ovbic oon Minas Beate nde Be 2 


48 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


2 Pronotum with a distinct depression opposite the scutellum; 
body shining; puncturation as nitidiventris. Length 2.5-3.2 mm. 
PRS Rete ce nee aa ae CREE nigrata (Fairmaire and Laboulbéne) 

—  Pronotum without a depression; body less shining; eleytra and 
terga with weaker, closer punctures, those on the disc of the 
elytra separated by about one diameter. Length 2.3-2.5 mm. 
Water ae cae ae aca dee Ae eOREE Semen Eee ec ence re defecta Mulsant and Rey 

O. nitidiventris is readily separated from the remaining two species in 
the genus maura (Erichson) and hibernica (Rye). O. maura has the fourth 
antennal segment longer than broad, whilst in nitidiventris it is transverse 
or at the most quadrate, also the punctures on the pronotum are much 
closer than on the elytra, whilst in nitidiventris they are more diffuse. The 
long hind tarsi will readily distinguish hibernica. The male of nitidiventris 
has the eighth sternite prolonged a character shared with hibernica. 

I have not had sufficient material to study the genitalia of all the critical 

species, however in the single female of nigrata that I have been able to 

examine the spermatheca is very similar indeed to that of nitidiventris. 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 


I am indebted to the following for their kind help: Mr. A. A. Allen, 
Mr. L. Baert of the Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, 
Dr. G. Benick, Dr. R. O. S. Clarke, Mr. P. M. Hammond of the British 
Museum (Nat. Hist.), Mr. C. Johnson of the Manchester Museum and 
Dr. G. A. Lohse. 


CHANGES IN LONDON’S INSECT FAUNA 
IN THE LAST 100 YEARS 
by ALAN E. STUBBS 


(Nature Conservancy Council, 19-20 Belgrave Square, London SWIX 8PY) 

When invited to contribute to a London Natural History Society sym- 
posium on this theme in 1976, my preparation soon made me realise how 
little information was readily available beyond pure guess-work. I found 
myself speaking of a major city which, for well over a century has had the 
greatest concentration of active field entomologists anywhere in the world. 
Generations of us have our interest kindled, often in our youth, by the 
fascinating creatures we found sharing our urban existence, and have 
developed our knowledge of them by studying the insects on our door-step. 
Yet past generations have left us a very inadequate record. 

As a Society our records, as at field meetings, focus on the countryside to 
which we escape, though the ‘field’ begins in our garden or even within our 
houses. The topic seemed eminently suitable for a discussion-meeting; it 
took place in the Society’s rooms on March 24th 1977 and our official 
Proceedings (10: 108) gave it a bare three lines; but the contributions I 
hope, deserve a fuller, permanent record. There has been a growing feeling 
within the Society that some such meetings should be reported in our 
Proceedings for the benefit of both full and country members.Whilst those 
of us living in London sometimes envy people in the country, perhaps at 
least we can show them that the capital is an interesting place for the 
entomologist. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 49 


The opening address was directed at inner and true suburban London 
and has here been supplemented by detail left out of the talk. The discus- 
sion ranged into the countryside fringe, generally keeping within the 
L.N.H.S. 20 mile radius of St. Pauls. Contributions have been rearranged 
to some extent to keep themes grouped together and some of the discussion 
which continued informally after the meeting has been included. On 
occasion editorial comment is added in brackets. 

OPENING ADDRESS ILLUSTRATED BY SLIDES 

London, even inner London, is not without a great deal of interest and 
one can readily think of other cities and urban areas where the entomolo- 
gical interest may be much poorer. The nearest most Londoners get to 
realising the existence of insects is seeing a show case of tropical butterflies 
for sale in Knightsbridge, yet little does the general public realise that 
large spectacular native insects thrive within the heart of the capital. 

Thinking back to the London of 100 years ago, the greatest change we 
would notice is that the horse was the main means of transport on the 
streets. We can still see the old stables, now converted to garages and flats 
in the mews behind impressive frontages of Victorian buildings. There must 
have been many interesting insects in and around horse manure and hot 
straw. We seem to have no record, but Mr. E. Bradford has suggested that 
the micro moths Pyralis farinalis (L.), Hypsopygia costalis (F.) and Tricho- 
phaga tapetzella (L.) should have been common yet now they are rarities. 
The few central London stables are no doubt rather too hygenic nowadays. 

Our own homes and gardens provide a major sanctuary for insects. 
With growing hygiene conciousness and our use of DDT and other 
insecticides, the insects in our homes may have decreased. It has been said 
that the flea suffered a major setback with the introduction of the vacuum- 
cleaner in the 1920’s since the eggs and larvae were less successful in 
escaping attention in carpets and crannies. The bed-bug is now a rarity 
though I have not heard any hemipterists bemoaning the fact. The house 
fly, Musca domestica L., which as late as the 1940’s and 50’s was presented 
as the scourge of mankind is in relatively low numbers in most parts of 
London today. Perhaps the DDT campaign assisted in the decline, but my 
own childhood memory was that such flies, though possibly not this species, 
were abundant in the house in the post-war era of keeping chickens in 
our garden, and their decline was rapid once this form of mini-farming 
ceased. 

Gardens are of many different ages and types and the variety of 
building development in and around London must contribute to the diversity 
of insects. My own garden in Hanwell, Middlesex, was of the 1920’s era 
yet only a mile away friends with late 1800’s gardens were getting very 
different moth faunas in the mid-1950’s. Within central London, the 
garden of Buckingham Palace has yielded many interesting insects, includ- 
ing 500 species of lepidoptera. Among the many native moths, Dr. J. 
Bradley has recorded additions to our London fauna such as Monochroa 
hornigi (Staudinger) found nowhere else in Britain and Caloptilia azalela 
(Brants) which established on the Azaleas in 1972 and is otherwise only 
known on the outskirts. However, most Londoners have modest estates 
but because of the limes in the streets and the sorts of trees and plants in 
our gardens, even the general public stumbles across Lime Hawk Mimas 
tiliae (L.), Privet Hawk Sphinx ligustri L., Eyed Hawk Smerinthus ocellata 
(L.) and other large exotic-looking species, besides a wealth of small insects 
which often remain unseen and unrecorded even by entomologists. The 


50 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


sorts of plants which are popular with gardeners must fluctuate enormously 
over the years and this in turn must affect the occurrence and abundance 
of certain species. Larkspur is currently quite popular and it supports the 
Golden Plusia moth, Polychrysia moneta (Fab.), first recorded in London 
in 1892 after its discovery as a British species in 1890. The leaf-mining fly 
Phytomyza aquilegiae Hardy on Aquilegia is locally common, yet native 
wild plants are rare in the countryside around London. 

Modern housing design is often not only devoid of human values but 
also of insect values as well. The tower block with its surrounding mown 
jawns is an impoverished area for insects. The open-plan front lawns of 
modern housing estates also lack the character of former London suburbia. 
As land values rise, there is increasing pressure for the grounds of large 
houses to be broken up as small housing lots for office blocks and other 
developments. Thus the character of London is changing, and the insects 
often lose out. 

One should not forget communal gardens in the form of allotments. These 
have been a major feature of suburban London. Since the second world war 
there has been a decline in their use so that many acres of wilderness were 
available to insects. By the late 1960’s they were being sold off as building 
plots but the down-swing in the state of the nation’s economy has encouraged 
again a renewed enthusiasm for cultivating allotments. 

The use of insecticides since the war must have had a profund but 
unknown effect. To some extent the layman now realises that destroying 
predator as well as pest is not a good thing and manufacturers are becoming 
conscious of the need to make safer and more specific sprays. 

Our squares and parks are a famed feature of London. Many of these 
areas must have changed enormously over the last 1CO years. We are now 
familiar with the mown lawns, even for an area the size of Hyde Park, 
and many exotic trees and shrubs are planted. Some of the introduced 
plants are virtually useless to insects, for instance the London Plane is 
renowned for the Vapourer Moth, Orgyia antiqua (L.), and (*) little else, 
but other introductions such as the Lombardy Poplar have been readily 
colonised by a rich native fauna including large species such as the Poplar 
Hawk,Laothoe populi (L.) and Puss moth, Cerura vinula (L.). Innumer- 
able species have colonised London because of the very artificial conditions, 
including for instance the hot house and other insects at Kew Gardens. 
Waste ground is a widespread feature within London, but its abundance has 
varied and seems to be declining. The bomb sites of Cripplegate were 
surveyed by London Natural History Society and as a result there is a 
record of the rich variety of insects which took advantage of new patches 
of weeds; the Elephant Hawk, Deilephila elpenor (L.) was one of the more 
spectacular species to become abundant. The environment was, however, 
a demanding one with high temperatures and arid conditions such that 
sawflies and various other insects did not establish themselves in the same 
variety as Lepidoptera. Apart from temporary sanctuaries on idle building 
sites there are fewer such opportunities now. Until recently rubbish dumps 
were widespread in the suburbs and provided excellent places for both plans 
and insects; species such as the House Cricket, Acheta domestica (L.), 


|*Acronicta aceris (L.) was also characteristic before world war one, but has 
survived in Inner London less well than the tree.—Editor.] 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., -1979 51 


were locally abundant. In recent years less land-demanding forms of waste 
disposal have become employed and our tips are often grassed over to 
make way for football fields and other uses. However, despite this decline, 
waste ground is still plentiful in the suburbs to anyone prepared to search 
out odd corners. 

London has undoubtedly gained many species over the last 100 years and 
several species have already been mentioned. Some reflect a general 
establishment in the south-east. For instance the Scots Pine is said to have 
been an introduction into southern England early last century, so now 
with pines planted in London, the Pine Hawk, Hyloicus pinastri (L.) has 
established itself. However, in other cases one does not know whether 
there is a loss or gain, as with the various flies and beetles associated with 
large mammal burrows. The rabbit has declined and is now mainly a 
surface dweller but the fox has in recent years become strongly established 
and to a limited extent provides another set of burrows. Rabbit fleas are 
presumably scarcer. 

Some of the gains have used London as a springboard for invading other 
parts of the country. Mr. P. Hammond has already spoken to the Society 
about such introduced beetles as Aridius bifasciatus (Reitter); it is possible 
to produce maps with rings around London showing the dates of its 
progressive radiation outwards. The case of the Waved Black Moth, 
Parascotia fuliginaria (L.) is less clear. It was first found in London Docks 
and later turned up on previously well-known heathlands in Surrey and 
more recently further afield. Whether this is a real spread or simply 
lepidopterists getting their eye in is difficult to say. Some additions to 
London’s fauna have been through taxonomic advances and the realisation 
that one species is in fact two. Undoubtedly there have been losses; but 
these are not always easy to prove. The Great Green Bush Cricket, 
Tettigonia viridissima L. once lived on Battersea marshes, and we have 
certainly lost it, perhaps in this century. Species living in ponds and canals 
have lost much of their habitat due to infilling, pollution and over- 
enthusiastic amenity management, including overstocking with ducks and 
fish. The London Naturalist compilation of dragonfly records published in 
1948 has been well outdated by further declines. 

We are today witnessing one of the most serious natural losses, which 
could not have been predicted even 10 years ago. The Elm, such a dominant 
feature of many parts of London and its suburbs is seemingly doomed by 
dutch elm disease and with it the rich fauna it supports. The White-letter 
Hairstreak, Strymonidia w-album (Knoch), which at last has become 
common in parts of the London fringe has its days numbered. The White- 
spotted Pinion,Cosmia diffinis (L.) and Lesser-spotted Pinion, C. affinis (L) 
occur well within London, and these too have no other foodplant. The 
nationally rare hoverfly, Mallota cimbiciformis (Fall.) was known to have 
been breeding in elm rot holes in Hyde Park in 1953 and may well have 
continued until the elms were removed. In some parts of London the Stag 
Beetle, Lucanus cervus (L.), has been thriving on elm, so local decline may 
be imminent though fortunately in some other areas of London it must be 
dependent on other trees. The only hope for the foliage-feeding species 
is to adapt to the small sucker growth which locally remains and is 
apparently able to withstand the disease. 

There are species which have become adapted to London. Perhaps this 
is a common feature at an unrecognised physiological level but it is easiest 
to appreciate with so-called industrial melanism. The Peppered Moth, 


52 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


Biston betularia (L.) is the best known example, but there are of course a 
number of other moths with the same genetic trait. There seems to be no 
record of the date of first appearance of black Peppered Moths in London 
but it may well have been about 100 years ago. 

Some gains are transient. For instance, the migrant butterflies appear in 
greater or lesser numbers from year to year. Others may or may not be 
here to stay, such as the Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria (L.), which in 
the last few years has appeared even in St. James’ Park. Examples of the 
latter type may simply be a reflection of a good summer or two, since in 
1976 Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina (L.), and other butterflies have 
appeared in gardens where they were not seen before. 

It is tempting to look forward into the next 100 years but we can probably 
no more predict the appearance of London in the year 2077 than could 
the first members of our Society have forseen the nature of London today. 
We can, however, suggest future trends which we regard as useful and 
perhaps influence planners and others who are beginning to think in terms 
of urban conservation. We know that we would like to see our few remain- 
ing wild inner London commons remain wild rather than be reduced to 
mown lawns with a few planted exotic trees. The trees that are planted in 
parks should include native species and if they are to be exotic, then why 
not those which will support a wide range of interesting native insects such 
as the Lombardy Poplar. At last planners are questioning the wisdom of 
tower-block planning, with associated sterile lawns, and we would no doubt 
wish to associate ourselves with those who prefer more traditional housing 
with gardens. The provision of wilderness-areas for playgrounds and walk- 
ing, instead of a monotonous green carpet, seems sensible and can we not 
have a more natural treatment of ponds and lakes? To keep Britain tidy, 
at vast public expense, may not always be necessary or even desirable, and 
is detrimental to wild flowers and those interesting beasties associated with 
them. Many children are encouraged to find interest in the insects of a 
fantasy nursery world, yet it is only a few of us who keep that interest 
alive into the real world of creatures of equal fascination around us. Since 
future members of the Society will often be brought up, and live the rest 
of their livs, in urban areas, perhaps we should ensure that London, and 
other places, in which we live and work, do remain fascinating places for 
the entomologist. 


DISCUSSION 


Mr. C. O. Hammonp spoke of the loss of aquatic insects and the 
destruction of terrestrial habitat. Dragonflies had become much scarcer, 
even common species such as Pyrrhosoma nymphula (Sulzer) suffering from 
the slightest pollution. However, he noted that Ischnura elegans (Van der 
Liden) was one of the few to be tolerant of mild pollution and as a con- 
sequence it is now becoming widespread. He predicted that other insects 
may adapt to pollution in time. On the Basingstoke Canal, Surrey, 40 years 
ago there were 23 species of Dragonflies, today these are reduced to about 
3 and the present drastic ‘improvement’ may see the loss of even these 
The dipterous fauna of his home ground at Wood Green, North London 
was illustrated in a series of slides. In the immediate post-war period two- 
thirds of the insects pictured in his book ‘Flies of the British Isles’ were 
taken within a few hundred yards of his home; today he would find only 
one-sixth — a ratio of 4: 1. One of the worst events was spraying of stinging 
nettles in Scout Park since the herbicide seeped into an excellent pond, 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 53 


and he had never since seen attractive aquatic species such as Oxycera 
trilineata (Fab.), O. pulchella Mg., Odontomyia viridula (Fab.), Stratiomys 
potamida (Mg.) and Sepedon sphegea (Fab.). Though the pond had 
recovered, it was so isolated within an urban area that recolonisation by 
these scarce flies seems unlikely. The ground surrounding the pond used to 
contain 100 species of wildflowers, but spraying annd mowing has reduced the 
flowers; and terrestrial diptera such as MXanthogramma _ pedissequum 
(Harris), Coremacera tristis (Harris) and Physocephala rufipes (Fab.) are 
no longer found. At Bookham Common, Surrey, he blamed cutting and 
burning of sensitive areas as the reason for the loss of the rare parasitic flies 
Alophora hemiptera (Fab.) and Gymnosoma rotundatum (L.). However, 
he admitted some gains, even at Wood Green. A slide showed a press 
cutting ‘Volucella zonaria (Poda) found in Wood Green’ and in 1960 
readers used to headlines of murder, robber and rape would be relieved to 
find it was a large harmless wasp-like hoverfly; it has bred ever since in 
this area and become common in S.E. England. A related species which 
also breeds in wasps’ nests V. inanis (L.) has established in the last ten 
years. The dragonfly Aeshna mixta Latr. was a rare immigrant in Britain 
until 40 years ago when it was first found breeding. It is now quite common 
all around the London area. 

The President, Mr. R. Tusss, felt that we should do more to encourage 
those responsible for the management of commons. This led Mr. S. N. 
Jacogs to comment on the declining value of Hayes Common, Kent, due 
to bracken invasion; it was probably too late to anything now. 

Mr. K. Evans reported the loss of the Chalk form of the Silver-studded 
Blue, Plebejus argus (L.) form cretaceus Tutt, from east Surrey due to 
land-use change. 

The President asked if anyone had surveyed Beddington Sewage Farm, 
Surrey in view of its apparent natural history value. Mr. K. Evans said 
that only casual recording had been carried out by lepidopterists, but he 
agreed the site ought to have an interesting fauna. Mr. A. M. Hutson 
referred to the extensive collecting by the late L. Parmenter who found a 
tich diperous fauna there in the 1950’s, but unfortunately the area is now 
drastically changed annd the water meadows have gone. 

Mr. N. Cooke spoke of the value of ivy on old brick walls since at times, 
as when in flower, large numbers of insects congregate about this plant. 
Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms spoke of his experience as L.N.H.S. recorder of 
Lepidoptera for the past 25 years. He felt the picture was not black and 
that the position was more positive than negative. Three-quarters of the 
British macro-lepidoptera have been taken in the London area and the 
list is increasing. The plentiful parks inside London were still good 
sanctuaries. A moth trap run by Bushby at the Zoological Gardens had 
produced remarkable results in the early 1950’s, as had Dr. Bradley’s survey 
at Buckingham Palace where, for example, the occurrrence of buckthorn- 
feeding Geometridae was unexpected. Inner London squares have been 
producing much more in recent years, for instance south-coast species 
such as the Varied Coronet, Hadena compta (D. & S.) (which feeds on 
Sweet William) have arrived. In reference to outer London, he said that 
there had been more Purple Emperor, Apatura iris (L.), at Bookham 
Common in 1976 than ever before. 

The Goat Moth, Cossus cossus (L.), received several comments as a 
result of Dr. de Worms finishing by saying that it was once a common 


54 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


insect of outer London and that he suspected that infected trees had been 
removed as a hygiene measure by local authorities. Mr. K. Evans said 
he had never seen the Goat Moth in the London area (he has recently 
completed a survey of east Surrey including suburbia). Mr. E. WiLp said 
that he formerly found larvae at Mitcham and Croydon, but there has been 
no sign of the species in the last 30 years. Mr. J. M. CHaLMeRS-Hunr had 
never seen the species in the London area but he knew of a report of larvae 
in a tree that was cut down in Regent’s Park in 1860 which, according to 
J. R. Hind, “‘laid open a ‘grubbery’ of about sixty larvae, some two dozen 
of which were handed over to me in a flower pot. The ensemble formed 
quite a nosegay. The man who operated on the tree said he was almost 
stifled when he first disturbed their privacy” (Entomologist’s Weekly 
Intelligencer No. 236: 19-20 (1861). 

Mr. B. K. West reported that in the early 1950’s Cossus was strongly 
established by the A2 road at Bexley, Kent in Balsam Poplars. Infestation 
was so heavy that the tops of the trees were completely dead above 30 ft. 
and he had on one occasion found 100 larvae and an evening visit would 
Teveal up to six moths. The trees were cut down by Kent County Council. 
(A. Stusss found six larvae in an oak just east of Southall, Middlesex, in 
1958. The tree was cut down the following year to make way for an 
electricity sub-station. A golf course a mile away had live oaks which had 
clearly been heavily infested in the past. He has never beeen able to find 
an infested tree in the London area since). 

Mr. CHALMERS-HuNT was able to give two examples of micro-moths 
where the best chance of finding the species is in London. The Tineid, 
Triaxomasia caprimulgella (Stainton) occurs in Hyde Park (breeding in 
decaying wood) and Glyphipteryx linneella is found on lime bark in such 
localities as St. James Park. He also knew of several species which were 
spreading within the London environs from Kent in recent years, such as 
the Least Carpet, Jdaea vulpinaria (H.-S.). Other species are spreading in 
from the west. Mr. K. Evans remarked on the appearance at Croydon in 
the last 5 years of the Black Rustic, Aporophyla nigra (Haworth). He 
commented that whilst minor ecological changes must affect some species. 
others just seemed to keep going regardless. Mr. G. Prior gave further 
example of a moth which in his experience was easier to find in London 
than outside. The Toadflax Paug, Eupithecia linariata D. & S.) and its host 
plant were plentiful within N.W. London. Emphasis was placed on the 
importance of abandoned railway lines, shunting areas and other waste 
ground for insects in London. He spoke highly of the squalid areas in the 
Boroughs of Harrow and Brent such as Neasden. 

The clearwing moths of N.W. Kent provided a tale of woe. Mr. B. 
K. West spoke of his experience of the mid 1950’s compared with the 
present day. The Hornet Clearwing, Sesia apiformis (Clerk), used to be in 
pollarded black poplar, but is gone. The Red-belted Clearwing, Conopia 
myopaeformis (Borkh.), was on apple trees; the trees are still there but the 
moth has gone — perhaps parasites are to blame. The Currant Clearwing, 
Synanthedon salmachus (L.) seems now absent, despite searching. In some 
unrelated moths, a similar loss has occurred, as with the Black Arches, 
Lymantria monacha (L.), which used to occur at Bexley, and the Rosy 
Marbled, Elaphria venustula (Hiibn.), has gone from Joyden’s Wood. Mr. 
CHALMERS-HUNT provided some reassurance by saying that C. myopaeformis 
probably still occurs at Wood Green, North London. Mr. WEstT also 
mentioned that the Brown-tail, Euproctis chrysorrhoea (L.), is spreading. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 a9 


In the last 3-4 years it has crossed to the west of the Darenth River near 
Dartford, Kent and is also now in the local parks at Barking, Essex. Dr. 
Bradley commented after the meeting, that this species has started to turn 
up at Buckingham Palace. 

Industrial melanism attracted comment. Mr. A. A. ALLEN referred to 
recent studies on Biston betularia in the Liverpool-Manchester area which 
showed a small increase of the typical form following reduction of air pollu- 
tion. Mr. West had noticed some increase in the typical form in London, but 
in 1976 there were more melanics than usual which evened out the situation 
to one of no change. In the late 1950’s the black form of the Pale Brindled 
Beauty, Apocheima pilosaria (D. & S.) was abundant in Joyden’s Wood, 
Kent, but this form has now been replaced by a dull dark form. After the 
meeting Dr. Bradley mentioned that he too had found an increase in typical 
B. betularia until 1976 when 95% were black at Buckingham Palace 
(possibly a drought related effect). 

Mr. E. Witp has collected in the Croydon area for 50 years and 
currently lives at Selsdon. Several species had only appeared in the last 
15 years, including the Pale Shining Brown, Polia bombycina (Hufn.), 
which is currently on the increase; Entephria flavicincta (Hub.), which has 
occurred over the last 6 years; Aporophyla nigra (Haw.) 2 and the Alder 
Moth, Acronicta alni (L.), which is spreading into the suburbs. The Alder 
Kitten, Harpyia bicuspis (Bork.), now occurs at Limpsfield and seems to be 
moving into suburbia. The Heart and Club, Agrotis clavis (Hufn.), is 
generally thought of as a coastal species but last year there were 500 
recorded to light at Selsdon. Jdaea vulpinaria is moving up the Wandle 
Valley,, presumably coming from Abbey Wood, Kent; and Ostrinia nubilalis 
(Hubn.) is now common. The Garden Dart, Euxoa nigricans L., is an 
example of a species occurring in gardens and allotments but rarely in the 
countryside; last year it was plentiful and very variable. Among the declin- 
ing species around Croydon are the Cerura vinula which is now less common 
and Orgyia antqua of which very few are now seen. Mr. Chalmers-Hunt 
however, stated that the last species is still abundant within central London, 
probably being more common here than anywhere else in Britain. 

The President commented on the loss of the Brayling, Hipparchia 
semele (L.) from Wimbledon Common. In his experience Mitcham Common 
was the best place in Britain for varieties of Small Copper, Lycaena 
phlaeas (Fab.). The status of the Stag Beetle was taken up by several 
people. Mr. Evans said that despite the millions of tons of concrete 
dominating the redevelopment of Croydon, this insect occurs in profusion 
and it seems quite happy in the now small gardens and odd corners. The 
Opening speaker was prompted to cite the late A. E. Gardiner who con- 
sidered it was quite happy burrowing through the subterranean parts of 
fence posts. The fences of Croydon are apparently still standing! Mr. 
Jacoss once found 13 young larvae in an oak post in his garden. After the 
meeting, Mr. A. Wea spoke of fluctuating numbers in the still frequent 
population at Chingford. He remembers a particular abundance in 1953 
when he picked up 50 quite casually. In Epping Forest, only 3 miles awy, 
it is doubtful whether there is a single authentic breeding record. According 
to the local press the Chingford variety has the habit of hovering with a 
glaring gaze and then pouncing on old ladies (recorded here for posterity, 
should habits not change in the next 100 years). 

The only other beetle to be mentioned was Graphoderus cinereus (L.), 
which Professor Owen said had recently colonised Black Pond, Esher 


56 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


Common, Surrey. Mr. B. Jackson has lived 200 ft. up at the top of a 
tower block at Ilford and gave some interesting comment after the meeting 
following the introductory remarks about modern building design. Though 
the building was only 3 years old, the Marbled Beauty Cryphia domestica 
(Hufn.), was abundant, with larvae regularly walking in through the 
window. They were breeding in profusion on moss, an unusual foodplant. 
An m.y. light trap run on the roof was very productive, with Hawk Moths 
being common. The aculeate Hymenoptera were discussed by Mr. G. R. 
Else. Though collectors were few, there had been a succession of specialists 
in the London area such as Saunders, Shuckards, Smith, Enoch and more 
recently Guichard and Yarrow. Early last century, localities such as 
Highgate, Hammersmith and Battersa Fields, yielded interesting faunas but 
even by the 1860’s Smih lamented the deterioration of Hampstead Health. 
The latter locality lost 75 species by 1900 according to G. M. Spooner. 
During the second world war whole colonies may have been destroyed by 
digging for sand bags, but with some recompense that vertical sided sand 
pits offered a new habitat for nesting. Another well documented site is 
Bushy Park with over 140 species in a fauna which has seen both losses 
and gains. One species, Ectemnius dives (L. & B.) was possibly imported 
in timber and was first found in Britain in 1926 at Norwood; the species is 
now spreading in Southern England, perhaps along railway lines. 

It was of interest to note that the Wood Ant, Formica rufa L. was 
recorded from Kensington Gardens in 1831 and from Hampstead Heath 
in 1839 since it is now absent from within London. Professor OWEN 
mentioned that is is still found on the Surrey outskirts at Oxshott. 

Dr. B. MacNutty drew attention to the important feature of London 
that its temperature is 3-4 degrees higher than the surrounding countryside 
which he considered attracted the moths in. He was critical of the liberal 
use of insecticide by gardeners and unlike some earlier speakers he con- 
sidered that there used to many more green patches than there are today. 
Professor Owen said that he had found 20 species of beetle in his garden 
at Epsom which he had seen nowhere else. He continued that most people 
keep a record of what they find in their garden and such data would be 
of considerable historical value if only there was an archive where it could 
be lodged. This was a cue for Mr. J. Hearn, who recalled that the Biolo- 
gical Records Centre acts as an archive for all invertebrate data, regardless 
of whether a special scheme is operating or not. 


CONCLUSIONS 

Some very interesting points (raised by eighteen members) came out of 
the discussion. Many of the changes are due inevitably to the loss, altera- 
tion or pollution of habitat. Acquatic life in particular has suffered. Some 
other changes which have undefinable causes include losses such as the 
Goat Moth or gains in species showing expansion in range. Such categories 
of change are features paralleled in most parts of Britain and are by no 
means specific to London. It is no easy matter to recognise types of change 
which are unique to London. There are examples of insects which seem 
easier to find in London and its suburbs than in the countryside, and 
perhaps with more historical information we would have been able to 
recognise a growing adaptation of insects to urban life. 

The subject is certainly of interest to London entomologists and in the 
year 2077 future members will be looking back to the record we have left 
them. The suggestion of archiving records from our gardens is worth further 
consideration by the Society, perhaps providing stimulus by promoting a 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 a7 


garden search year at 10 year intervals —that really would provide an 
historical record of immense interest to future generations of members. The 
need for recording level of abundance or scarcity is very apparent. It is 
hoped that the meeting will have made us aware of the sort of notes, 
exhibits and communications which we might offer to our Society in order 
to assist the record for the future. 


PROCEEDINGS 


Thursday 27th July 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALtLEN.—A specimen of Boloria euphrosyne (L.) (Lep., 
Nymphalidae) taken at Arundel, Sussex, on 31.v.1978, of which the left 
hind-wing was one-third the usual size. Its flight had been unaffected and 
only on capture was abnormality discovered. Also two @ of Limerodes 
arctiventris (Boie) (Hym., Ichneumonidae) captured on 15.vii. 1978 at 
Arundel, Sussex, while flying over low scrub-land inn the evening sun. 
Apart from the uncommonness of the species and the fact that its host is 
unknown, the exhibitor drew attention to the variable colouring of the 
abdomen, entirely black in one of the males exhibited, but (the more 
usual form) red-coloured in its apical part in the other. The exhibitor 
thought that collecting lepidoptera pupae in grass stems in the above 
locality might reveal which species was its host. He also showed some 
colour photographs from a book entitled “Insects” recently published by 
Time-Life in the Netherlands and particularly to the pictures illustrating 
experiements by Dr. Williams of Harvard University in 1942 on Robin 
moths, Hyalophora cecropia (L.) during metamorphosis. 

Mr. G. Prior — Four larvae of Eupithecia lariciata (Freyer) (two from 
Royston, two from Watlington) showing extremes of dimorphism (brown 
and green forms). 

MEMBERSHIP 

Mr. G. M. Burton, his name having been read for the second time, 

was duly declared elected a member. 
COMMUNICATIONS 

Mr. G. Prior reported that a couple of Eupithecia absinthiata (Clerck) 
had remained in cop. for three days, whereas a few hours was normal in 
this genus. 

Mr. R. S. Tupss had found a concentration of Aphantopus hyperans 
(L.) ab. arete in a wood near Winchester and had obtained ova from a 
female of this form, which lacked white rings on its underside. 

Slides were then shewn by Messrs. Agassiz, Ashby, Allen, Merrifield, 
and Wiltshire. At the end the President said that it was regrettable such 
an interesting lot had been shown to so small a house and suggested that 
some of the slide-exhibitors might give a full-length talk on their photographs 
and there would then be time for a full-length discussion of the topics 
evoked. This was with reference to Mr. Ashby’s stimulating pictures of 
experiments of letting moths settle on backgrounds of their own choosing. 
which appeared relevant to the problem of procrypsis and how the 
moth orientated itself to take advantage of its own markings. The Rev. 
D. Agassiz shewed, among other subjects, aquatic greenhouses where 
exotic moths had been found breeding which were resistant to spraying; 
Dr. Allen, endo-parasites on Lepidopterous larvae; Mr. Merrifield, habitats 


58 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


and insects at Bovey-Tracey, Devon; and Mr. Wiltshire, larvae and pupae 
of Nymphalis polychloros (L.) and other species of lepidoptera. 


Thursday 14th September 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 

The President announced with regret the deaths of three older members: 
Messrs. C. Wainwright, a member since nearly fifty years; L. W. Siggs, 
since thirty years; and R. C. R. Crewdson, since 1933; the last-named having 
presided over the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society, for 
many years. 

EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN—Living larvae and five females of Paracystola 
acroxantha Meyr. (Lep., Oecophoridae) all captured at roof-top light at 
Dawlish, Devon in late July or early August; a @ seen unfortunately 
escaped. Sixty-six ova were obtained from the captured moths. About one- 
third were put into cold storage, but the others hatched in mid-August. 
Eucalyptus was offered as a pabulum and was readily accepted by the 
newly hatched larvae, thus providing the first record of the species’ food- 
plant. While still in Devon the exhibitor was able to continue to provide 
this tree’s foliage. The larvae fed gregariously in groups of six to seven, 
eating the outer surface of the leaf and living in the eaten depressions 
which were spun over with grey silk. After their first meal the larvae 
changed colour from whitish to pale greenish with a shining brown head. 
They became very active if the leaf on which they fed was turned upright 
but always returned to the feeding web. One or two larvae preferred to 
eat at the base of a shoot of Eucalyptus but this was exceptional. Bay and 
palm foliage were also offered but not eaten. However, on 13.vii a few 
larvae were observed to be feeding at the edge of a leaf of a Berberis sp.; 
this proved later to be a secondary foodplant, the first choice remaining 
Eucalyptus. A few were now as large as 7 mm. in length and were more 
solitary when exhibited. They sometimes ate withered Eucalyptus leaves 
but preferred fresh ones. A few of the eggs from cold storage hatched and 
the larvae fed slowly in the same manner. As the exhibitor had now 
obtained nine specimens of this moth in three consecutive years he con- 
sidered that this showed P. acroxantha to be established in the Dawlish 
area. He acknowledged gratefully the assistance of the guest-house pro- 
prietress in Dawlish, especially for the delivery, after his departure and 
return to Reigate, of fresh foliage of Eucalyptus to him there. 

Dr. ALLEN also exhibited a male Hoplismenus bidentatus Gmelin (Hym., 
Ichneumonidae) captured flying low over wild herbs on Hackhurst Downs, 
Gomshall, Surrey, 16.vii.1978. The species, which has been recorded as a 
parasite of Vanessid and Satyrid butterflies, appears to be rare. An 
additional point of note was that the key from which it was determined 
contains an apparent error: the hind tibiae of the male are stated as being 
ivory, whereas the exhibited example and a few @ specimens in the 
National collection (B.M.N.H.) all had entirely black tibiae, but all had 
the 3rd and 4th segments of the hind tarsi ivory, together with all of the 
2nd segment except for the extreme base; the extreme base of the 5th 
tarsal segment was also ivory. Presumably one should read tarsi for tibiae 
in the key. 

H. N. E. Aston and A. J. Hatsteap — (i) Bruchidius dorsalis Fahr. 
((Col., Bruchidae) (the Gleditschia seed-beetle); these began emerging in 
April from seed pods collected in Rome, Italy, December last year. The 
host plant is a Gleditschia sp., probably the honey locust, G. triacanthos, 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 59 


which is a N. American tree grown in Europe for ornamental purposes. 
This and other Gleditschia spp. are grown in Britain but they rarely set 
seed here, so this bruchid beetle is unlikely to be found here, except in 
imported seed. The beetles have bred and produced a second generation in 
the dry seeds. Attempts at rearing them on pea, broad beans and french 
bean seeds were unsuccessful. (ii) Knopper gall on oak, cause by Andricus 
quercus-calicis Burgsd. (Hym., Cynipidae), a comparatively recent addition 
to the range of cynipid gall-wasps attacking oak (Quercus robur) in this 
country. It has occurred in the Channel Isles for many years but was not 
recorded on the British mainland until 1961 when it was found in 
Northamptonshire. It remained scarce at first but after 1970 began to spread 
and has now become quite common in parts of Surrey and is also recorded 
from Devon, Somerset, Wilts., Warwick, Leics., Beds., Norfolk, Essex, 
Glos., Hants., Herts., Lincs., and Suffolk. Eggs are laid in the developing 
acorns which become converted into thick-walled, domed structures. Each 
gall contains a single, thin-walled, larval chamber. When galls first appear 
in August, they are yellowish green and sticky; later they become dry, brown 
and woody. The galls fall to the ground in the autumn and the larva pupates 
inside the gall. On the Continent, females emerge in the spring and lay 
egss on the catkins of Turkey oak, Quercus cerris. These catkin-galls give 
rise to both males and females which, after mating, produce the acorn 
knopper galls. Many oak cynipid wasps have a life cycle that involves an 
alteration between sexual and asexual generations causing different types of 
gall. and in some of these species the sexual generation is not obligatory. 

Lt. Col. A. M. EMmMer — Caloptilia rufipennella (Hiibn.), new to Scotland, 
four adults reared 16-19.viii.1978 from larvae taken on 19.vii.78 in 
Yair Hill forest, Selkirkshire. Larval cones were also observed on 
sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) in Northumberland (VC68); Dumfriesshire 
(VC72): Peebleshire (VC78); and Berwickshire (VC81). The species has 
hitherto been recorded only from Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, 
and Lincolnshire. Also larval mine and folded leaves of alder (Alnus 
glutinosus) taken beside Loch Lomond in Dumbartonshire. These 
apparently show the feeding of Caloptilia falconipennella (Hibn.), a species 
not recorded from Scotland. The map reference of the locality is 27/3203. 
Maps were also shewn of the distribution of both moths in the British 
Isles. 


I. Sims — A variety of Acasis viretata (Hibn.) (Lep., Geometridae) taken 
at Rothamsted Light-trap site no. 305, Chigwell Row, Essex, on 8.viii.1978, 
also a more typical example, taken in the same trap on 30.vii.1978, for 
comparison. 


P. A. SoKOLOoFF — examples of the dusky thorn (Ennomos fuscantaria 
(Haw.)) from Orpington, Kent, including an aberration in which the two 
cross-lines of the fore-wing are missing. 


MEMBERSHIP 
The obligation book was signed by Mr. A. J. Halstead. 


COMMUNICATIONS 
R. S. BRETHERTON reported that migrants were few this year in both 
Surrey and Devon. Other members also reported rather similarly. 


60 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


J. M. CuatmMers-Hunt reported that a reliable observer had seen one 
example of Nymphalis antiopa (L.) in Kent; he and Dr. ALLEN reported that 
Argynnis paphia (L.) was flying as late as September (Breconshire and 
Haselmere respectively); but Dr. I. WATKINSON reported that he had seen 
one example of a second brood of Diaphora mendica (Clerck) in Kent, an 
exceptional occurrence. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN then gave an illustrated talk on “An outline of the 
biology of the Ichneumonoidea, with particular reference to those para- 
siting Lepidoptera’. This began by mentioning the two familes composing 
the superfamily and the venational and abdominal characters thereof. 
Various aspects of the biology were expounded, and the lecturer ended by 
appealing to lepidopterists to retain their bred parasites. 


28th September 1978 
The Vice-President, The Rev. D. J. L. Agassiz in the chair. 
EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN—Two @ examples of Syzeuctus maculatorius (F.) 
(Hym., Ichneumonidae) swept from heather on moorland near Dawlish, 
Devon, 5.viii.1978. A third @ was similarly obtained 11.viii.78. The species 
appears to be rare, nearly all the records coming from heaths around 
Swanage, Dorset. The only host from which it has been recorded is 
Oncocera genistella Dup. (Lep., Pyralidae). The species is most distinctive 
with black and bright yellow contrasting colours and apically infumated 
wings. 

J. M. Cuatmers-Hunt — A larva taken at Dungeness on 19th September 
which other members identified as an immature Lasiocampa quercus (L.) 
(Lepidoptera). 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet — Larval feeding believed to be that of Epinotia 
fraternana (Haworth) on Abies grandis collected at Chalkney Wood, Earls 
Colne, Essex, 26.ix.1978. 

C. O. HammMonp—A _ specimen of Strangalia aurulenta (F.) (Col., 
Cerambycidae) from Stover Lake, Bovey Tracey, Devon; collected on 
21.vili.78, this striking beetle was flying in circles above birch-logs which 
had been put down over a marshy spot at the end of the lake. 


MEMBERSHIP 
The following, their names having been read for a second time, were 
duly declared elected as members:— Miss L. Vigne, and Messrs. J. J. 


Taylor, S. F. Taylor, F. R. Pratt, M. D. Laux and K. D. Z. Samuels. The 
obligation book was signed by Messrs. P. Jewess and M. R. Brown. 
ANNOUNCEMENTS 
Mr. J. Heatu said that the European Lepidopterists’ Society, of which 
he himself was the British branch secretary, had now attained a member- 
ship of 500 members but that the British membership was still dispropor- 
tionately low. He therefore left some leaflets about it in the hope more 
would join. 
COMMUNICATIONS 
C. G. M. DE Worms said that the late summer and early autumn had 
been good, and he himself had spent five or six days on Guernsey where 
the commonest butterfly seemed to be the speckled wood (Pararge aegeria 
(L.)) and the moths Agrotis trux (Hiibn.) and Eilema caniola (Hiibner) 
had been very prevalent; he had also noted a pale form of Lasiocampa 
trifolii (D. & §.), Leucochlaena oditis (Hiibn.), Mythimna_ putrescens 
(Hubn.) and Scotopteryx peribolata (Hiibn.), the last-named not being 
known from other parts of the British Isles. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 61 


K. Evans stated that Aporophyla nigra (Haworth), never noted near 
Croydon before 1969 and previously scarce in S.E. England, seemed now 
well established there, and he had noted forty specimens in his trap there 
in the last ten days. Mr. E. Wilde agreed and added that Polymixis 
flavicincta (D. & S.) had also become commoner recently at Croydon. I. 
WATKINSON stated that in N. Kent Rhyacia simulans (Hufn.), not hitherto 
authentically recorded there, a male was caught on 28.ix.78 at Boughton, 
and Eumichtis lichenea (Hiibn.) was now (both) established and common. 
He asked members who might obtain apple-feeding examples of Phyll- 
onorycter cydoniella (D. & S.) (Gracillariidae) kindly to submit specimens 
to him, since this species was originally thought to be specific to quince 
(Cydonia) and was often confused with P. blancadella (F.). R. F. 
BRETHERTON said that R. simulans was not a regular immigrant and there 
had been previous scattered records of it in Surrey. Mr. G. ELSE reported 
a dearth of the regular immigrants at Freshwater, I1.0.W. about 28.vili 
although an example of Agrius convolvuli (L.) had been taken, and a 
few Colias crocea. 

M. W. F. Tweepie then gave an illustrated lecture on “Insects in 
Australasia 1977” which justified the large afflux of members to hear 
him and see his latest photographs. These, as usual, covered different 
orders of insect and also plants and trees. Apart from appreciating the 
high quality of these and the clear exposition of the speaker, members 
showed their interest in the phenomena illustrated by posing various 
questions at the end. 

COMMENTS ON THE EXHIBITS 

It was mentioned that Srrangalia aurulenta had been recorded by Huggins 
from S. Ireland about 1950; another record, in 1965, was from Arundel 
Park. 


12th October 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 

The President announced with regret the deaths of the following 
members: — Brigadier H. L. Lewis, author of “Butterflies of the World’, 
and J. Welton, aged 24. 

EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN—A male specimen of Telciodes alburnella (Z.) (Lep., 
Gelechiidae) captured to actinic light at Reigate, Surrey, 28.vii.1978; the 
larva feeds on birch. It is apparently moving southwards in Britain. Also 
a couple of Netelia testaceus Gravenhorst (Hym., Ichneumonidae), the 92 
captured flying in late afternoon sunlight on Seaford cliffs, Sussex, 4.ix, 
and the @ take to m.v. light on 11.vili, at Holocombe, Devon, both this 
summer, the ¢ being larger. The genus comprises ectoparasites mainly of 
the Lepidoptera; the fertilised black eggs of the female are carried on the 
outside of the ovipositor until a suitable host is found. Thirdly two females 
of Platylabus decipiens Wesm. (Hym., Ichneumonidae), bred 10.vi.1978 
from two pupae of Perconia strigillaria (Hibner) (Lep., Geometridae), 
found as larvae by Mr. C. Hart on 30.iv.78 on Horsell Common, Woking, 
Surrey. The larvae pupated soon after capture. The species is apparently 
a rare insect; the exhibitor had found no literary record of its having 
previously been found on this moth. 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet — Specimens of Cosmiotes consortella (Stainton) 
(Lep., Elachistidae) taken at various dates in Essex from 1966 to 1978, 
also two taken at Balyconneely, West Galway on 4.vi.68 and 23.viii.69; 


62 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


and a specimen bred by Mr. J. L. Gregory at St. Austell, Cornwall on 
l.iv.1971. Specimens of C. freyerella (Hibner) and stabilella (Frey) were 
shown for comparsion. C. consortella was regarded as conspecific with C. 
freyerella by Meyrick; consequently it was overlooked for many years. It 
was restored to the British list in 1951 by Dr. J. D. Bradley under the 
name C. exiguella (Frey), a name since shewn to be a junior synonym of 
consortella. A map was shown showing the distribution of the records 
made before and after G. consortella was regarded as conspecic with 
C. freyerella; it was suggested that the discontinuity was due to under- 
recording rather than the absence of the species. The life history was un- 
known, the single bred specimen having emerged fortuitously in a cage 
which was being used to rear Noctuid larvae on grass. 

G. Prior —three immature larvae feeding on tomato foliage, which 
some members thought were Lacanobia oleracea (L.). 

Dr. I. WATKINSON — photo-micrographs of larval tubercles and spiracles 
of noctuid larvae of the Heliothidinae, up to magnifications of 60,000, 
some being of taxonomic importance for distinguishing one species from 
another; also, of a hatched ovum of Phyllonorycter sp. electroscanned 
ater 50: 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. I. WaTKINSON reported Lithophane leautieri hesperica Boursin from 
Canterbury, E. Kent, in early October. Various members reported a few 
late immigrant lepidoptera due to the improved weather, and Dr. ALLEN 
reported having found a larva of Acronicta rumicis (L.) feeding on 
Cupressus. 

Slides were then shewn by four members; R. K. Merrifield shewed 
landscape scenes using infra-red and normal colour film; Dr. Ian Watkinson, 
shewed the damage done to apple blossom by Argyresthia cornella (F.); 
Mrs. Murphy of spiders and habitats in the United States; and Dr. Allen, 
mostly of Lepidoptera larvae. 


COMMENTS ON EXHIBITS 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet said that 7. alburnella had been found fairly 
widespread in Essex, whence he knew it from Snaresbrook; however, a 
description of its spinnings was still required. 


9th November 1978 
The President Mr. G. Prior in the chair. 
EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — two examples of Barylypa insidiator Foerster (Hym., 
Ichneumonidae), captured flying low over heather in afternoon sunshine, 
Hankley Common, Tilford, Surrey, 30.viii.1978. Two other species of the 
genus are known from Britain; all three are very rare, possibly overlooked. 
Many species of the sub-family, Anomalinae, to which they belong, show 
a preference for dry heaths and moors. Also a few examples of both sexes 
of Microgaster subcompletus Nees (Hym., Braconidae) bred from a full- 
grown larva of Vanessa atalanta (L.) (Lep., Nymphalidae) swept from 
nettle (Urtica) on 2.ix.1978 on the coast at Littlehampton, Sussex. The 
gregarious parasites appeared from the host the following day and pro- 
ceeded to spin their rather large white, woolly cocoons. The adults emerged 
therefrom on 16.ix. The species is a notorious parasite of atalanta (as well 
as of Pleuroptya ruralis (Scop.) (Lep., Pyralidae) and may be responsible 
for the scarcity of the Red Admiral Butterfly in some years. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 63 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN said that he had obtained eggs from the moths hatching 
from Paracystola acroxantha Meyrick bred ex ovis obtained in Devon 
recently, and would bring them next meeting for distribution. 

Messrs. E. WiLp and R. BRETHERTON both reported that a second wave 
of immigrant lepidoptera had arrived in Southern England, as evidenced 
by the appearance of Orthonama obstipata (F.) in Surrey light-traps; there 
were also reports of Mythimna unipuncta (Haw.) on the South Coast dur- 
ing the last ten days, but whereas the October 7-15 migration appeared to 
have come from the south-east, this second, rather small, migration, 
seemed, to judge by wind records, to be from the south-west. 

Dr. WATKINSON reported that he had had Udea ferrugalis (Hibn.) and 
M. unipuncta to his light-trap near Canterbury, Kent, on November 3-6. 

Mr. G. Prior reported that Emmelina monodactyla (L.) had been 
numerous on fences and shop windows in N. London suburbs recently. 

Members also discussed cannibalism in lepidopterous larvae. 

A discussion on the Annual Dinner and Exhibition then ensued. The 
President expressed appreciation of the work done by the ladies in providing 
refreshments and stated that a reservation at Chelsea Town Hall for 
October 27th next year for the Exhibition had been made, a week later 
being impossible. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN then exhibited, and spoke about, some slides showing 
the life-cycle of Paracystola croxantha Meyr. and certain cannibal larvae in 
action, and winter and spring months at rest. 

The President having expressed the audience’s appreciation of these, 
the meeting came to a conclusion somewhat sooner than the usual hour. 


Thursday 23rd November 1978 
The President Mr. G. Prior in the chair. 
EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — A single female of Apanteles callunae Nixon (Hym., 
Braconidae), bred 9.vii.1978 from an unidentifiable species of Geometrid on 
heather, 30.vii.1978, on moors near Dawlish, Devon. The larva was killed 
l.vili, the parasite maggot constructing a pale-lemon cocoon, also exhibited, 
attached by its base, on a spray of heather. The species callunae does not 
appear to be recorded very frequently, possibly being overlooked. All 
previous records have been found from moorland or heath and it is 
perhaps likely that the species is to be found in this locality only. The 
only known host published, known to the exhibitor, was the Noctuid A narta 
myrtilli (L.). Also larvae and bred adults of Paracystola acroxantha Meyr. 
(Lep., Oecophoridae). 

MEMBERSHIP 

Their names having been read a second time, the following were 
declared duly elected: Messrs. M. R. Downer, D. L. Furnell, I. 
I. McFadyen, Hon. Colin Philips, D. L. J. Quicke, I. P. Rix, and G. S. 
Vick, B.Sc., J. A. Whellan, F.R.E.S. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emer stated that the determination of larvae on Abies 
grandis, reported on September last meeting, had proved correct. He also 
said with reference to the Field Guide of Smaller British Moths, that the 
Council had now selected a printer, and a set-up sample was awaited. 

E. H. WiLpb reported that breeding Rhodometra sacraria (L.) at 75 
Fahrenheit he had had hatchings all within 48 hours of each other; of 
the ten females, seven were typical but none had red markings. 


64 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SoOc., 1979 

R. BRETHERTON reported that the autumnal immigration had continued 
through mid-November, the chief species concerned being Mythimna 
unipuncta (Haw.) which was extremely numerous on the south coast of 
England and the west coast of Ireland, far outnumbering such species as 
Nomophila noctuella (D. & S.) and Autographa gamma (L.); only one 
Hippotion celerio (L.) had been noted. The immigrants had hardly pent- 
trated inland. Confirmation for Essex of this state of affairs was offered 
by Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet, who stated that at Bradwell-on Sea on the 
coast of that county M. unipuncta had been five times as numerous as 
A. gamma. The observer being Mr. A. J. DEwIck. 

Dr. I. WILKINSON reported that forty-five members had attended at a 
meeting of the Kent entomologists near Faversham; the next such meeting 
would be on April 6th 1979. 

Dr. J. Mason then gave an illustrated talk on “Insect photography in 
the tropics’. Among the creatures shewn on the screen were: ants, butter- 
flies, spiders, millipedes, land-crabs, fiddler crabs, and bats of Trinidad, 
Africa, Malaysia, Ceylon, and India. The lecture drew a large audience of 
interested members and evoked much interest. 

COMMENTS ON EXHIBITS 

Lt. Col. A. M. Emmet, congratulating Dr. Allen on his work on Para- 
cystola acroxantha Meyrick, stated that Dr. Bradley had decided, on the 
basis of this work, to remove the asterisk against the species in the British 
check list, being satisfied that the moth was a breeding resident in Britain. 


Wednesday December 6th 1978 


JOINT MEETING WITH THE ROYAL ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
The President of the R.E.S., Prof. J. D. GILLetr, in the chair. 

The first joint meeting took place at 41 Queens Gate; there was a full 
house, with some obliged to stand; congestion might have been intolerable 
had a one-day railway strike affecting residents in Surrey not reduced the 
numbers somewhat. 

The President succinctly conducted business which concerned the host 
society and then welcomed visitors to the meeting especially those from our 
society and from Europe; the theme for the more serious part of the even- 
ing being: “The European Insect Fauna in relation to Britain’, he hinted 
that we might be dealing with a sort of ““Common Market for Insects’’. 


RELATIONS OF THE RESIDENT BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA TO THE 
EUROPEAN FAUNA 


Mr. E. P. WILTSHIRE then spoke for about a quarter of an hour on the 
above theme, with special regard to the resident Lepidoptera. He draw 
attention to Mr. R. S. Bretherton’s 1968 Presidential Address (see these 
Proceedings Vol. 1 (1): 4-15), and quoted the comparative numbers there 
given for the species in the butterfly faunas of Britain and its neighbours. 
It was natural that on the extreme N.W. edge of Eurasia, the species-number 
should decrease toward the west and north, particularly in island faunas: 
the further from the warm latitudes and the centres of dispersal, the more 
pronounced the decrease, and this impoverishment was enhanced by a 
sea-barrier responsible for non-arrival or extinction after arrival of species. 

Maps prepared by Mr. J. Heath were used to illustrate ranges of ten 
species of butterfly or moth representing seven faunal elements; the latter 
were groups of species with roughly corresponding present distributions: 
naturally each species had its own ecological peculiarity and its own distri- 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 65 


bution differing in detail from that of every other; some were expanding 
and on the up-grade, while others were stationary, localised, or declining; 
the expanding ones perhaps indicate the future and the declining ones the 
past. 

Three elements together formed the great majority of the British 
lepidopterous fauna: Euro-Pacific, Euro-Siberian, and Euroriental (West 
Palearctic). Four other elements formed a smaller fraction of our 
fauna and of these only one or two were truly European; Lusitanian 
(Atlanto-Mediterranean), Holarctic, Boreo-Alpine, (Arctic-Alpine), and 
European; the last contained perhaps the most enigmatic distributions of all. 

The two species chosen to represent the Euro-Pacific range were Inachis 
io (L.) (peacock butterfly) and Photedes elymi (Tr.) (limegrass moth) con- 
trasted strongly for the former was almost ubiquitous, the latter limited 
mainly to one species of grass on Northern coasts. 

Melitaea cinxia (L.) (Glanville fritillary butterfly) was the Euro-Siberian 
representative, in Britain severely localised to off-shore islands of the 
extreme south, and limited also to high peaks towards its own southern 
limits (e.g. the Middle East) but widely distributed over a vast central band 
extending from Western Europe to the Amur at least. For the Euro- 
orientals, Quercusia quercus (L.) (purple hairstreak butterfly), and Yestia 
xanthographa (D. & S.) square-spot rustic moth) were another contrasting 
pair of representatives, the former generic to oak trees from Britain to 
S.W. Iran and the latter, a herbivore, more ubiquitous over a very similar 
territory. 

The selected Lusitanian representative was the purely coastal moth 
Mythimna litoralis (Curtis) (shore wainscot), localised and specific to one 
kind of dune-grass from N. Germany, through Britain to N.W. Africa and 
S. France. Mentioned en passant as in the same category was Lithophane 
léautieri Boisd. (Blair’s Shoulder-knot), whose recent arrival and continued 
expansion in the British Isles was the result of recent plantations in N.W. 
France and S. England of Cupressus macrocarpa (Westw.) the Monterey 
Cypress. 

The Holarctic representative, Itame brunneata (Thunb.) (Rannoch 
looper) inhabited the Scottish highlands, the European Alps and also a 
broad band in the northern latitudes of the Old and New Worlds. The 
Boreo-Alpine representative was another Scottish highland specialist XYestia 
alpicola (Zett.) (northern dart), but was more widespread in Scandinavia 
and also inhabited the Alps. 

Finally the selected representatives of the purely European category were 
another constrasting pair: Erebia epiphron Knock (mountain ringlet butter- 
fly) which had disjunct habitats and ranged from the north of Britain to the 
Pyrenees and the Alps, but was absent from Scandinavia; and Photedes 
morrisii (Dale) (Bond’s wainscot moth) severely localised on Northern coasts, 
specific to a single kind of grass which, surprisingly, was not purely coastal 
but widespread, the moth being also found in East Central Europe, the 
Appenines and reportedly also the Balkan mountains. 

Questions and contributions from the audience then followed; Dr. G. R. 
Coope’s contribution was noteworthy, concerning the Coleoptera which 
he has been studying. Glacial British Coleoptera, he said, were perfectly 
preserved and could be exactly determined and dated; the results were 
unexpected, e.g. a glacial British beetle species now survived no nearer 
than Tibet. In his view, deductions from present distributions could often 
be misleading. Mr. J. Heath, referring to the butterfly statistics cited from 
Bretherton 1968, mentioned that Iceland had no Rhopalocera. 


66 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOc., 1979 


The chair then waved a wand transforming the meeting into a con 
versazione at which mulled wine circulated. This proved thoroughly enjoy- 
able to all, but provided no matter for record here, except that a brief 
mention of the various exhibits on the theme should be made: these 
related to other groups of insects, e.g. the Colorado beetle, the Curuculioni- 
dae and the aphids, whose ranges of expansions and retreats were well 
displayed. 


Thursday December 14th 1978 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 
The President regretted to announce the death of Sir Henry B. Lawson, 
of Pirbright, Surrey, a member since 1927. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — Three females and one male of Apanteles calodetta 
Nixon (Hym., Braconidae) four of a brood of twelve bred from larva of 
Eriogaster lanestris (L.) (Lep., Lasiocampidae). About twelve quite young 
host larvae were found in a web on birch (Betula) in Sweden on 17.vi.1977 
by Mr. C. B. Ashby. The larvae developed normally until nearly mature, 
when several Apanteles larvae appeared from nearly every host, proceeding 
to spin their small, yellowish buff cocoons amongst the larval hairs. The 
twelve cocoons of the exhibited brood were given to the exhibitors on 
13.x and were kept over-winter indoors; some eventually hatched in mid- 
summer 1978. Only five adults appeared; on opening two intact cocoons 
the exhibitors found a dead larva in each. The species is very infrequent, 
having been first described by Dr. Nixon in 1973 from a series bred in 
Mid-Sweden from the same host; the present series contained the first 
known male example. The exhibitor expressed his thanks to Mr. Ashby for 
the gift of the cocoons, which he so thoughtfully retained. 

R. FarrcLouGH — Five examples of Teleiodes decorella (Haworth) (= 
humeralis (Zeller) (Lep., Gelechiidae), two being so melanic that the black 
mark on the costa was indistinguishable. The local moth is to be found in 
Surrey but is rather uncommon. 

T. G. Howartu (on behalf of V. W. Puitpotr) —a living specimen of 
Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth), the White-speck Wainscot moth (Lep., 
Noctuidae) taken at his m.v. light on the night of December 9/10, also 
living larvae of the same species, in various instars, bred from a female 
taken on November 10/11 at Waymouth, Dorset. Mr. Philpott reported 
having seen 37 specimens of unipuncta since November 2/3, and twenty- 
five on the night of November 10/11. During recent years he has seen the 
moth regularly though in fewer numbers than this year and believes it may 
have established itself at Weymouth. 

S. A. KNiLL-JoNEs — larvae of Mythimna unipuncta bred from several 
females obtained at m.y. light at Freshwater, I.0.W. on November 11th, 
when a total of ten specimens of this moth were taken. 

B. SKINNER — The first British recorded specimen of Athetis hospes 
Freyer (Lep., Noctuidae) taken at m.v. light on the Lizard Peninsula, 
Cornwall, by J. Porter on August 27th 1978; identified by M. R. Honey 
of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.). 


MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 

It was announced that Mr. Fairclough, in response to a recent request, 
had donated a vacuum cleaner for use in the library. The President 
invited volunteers to operate it. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Ssoc., 1979 67 


MEMBERSHIP 

The following names were read for the first time:— Messrs. T. A. 
Wickett B.Sc., F.R.A.S., and P. H. Sterling; also Miss. C. Haddon, M.A., 
and Miss Helen Mary Wilk, and the Dundee Museum and Art Galleries. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The President said that the Joint Meeting with the Royal Entomological 
Society on December 6th had been a great success and he had received 
suggestion that it might well be made an annual event. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

R. F. BRETHERTON cOmmenting on the dates of capture of Mythimna 
unipuncta as reported above, pointed out that a frost had occurred between 
the two periods of capture, which suggested that if this had killed off the 
first arrivals, the second lot must be a second immigration. Arrivals in 
S.W. Ireland were even more numerous than in S. England, 114 examples 
having been found in one night in a single trap at Cork. There was no 
proof of the moth having survived an English winter in the wild, and he 
hoped members with larvae would experiment by exposing some of these 
to wild out-door conditions on the south-west coast to see if survival there 
was climatically possible. 

S. Baker stated that although greatest numbers were along the coasts a 
few specimens had also been recorded inland, e.g. one example at Reading 
on 8th November. 

Other members mentioned records of migrant butterflies having been 
observed in the south-west of England, incluring Cynthia cardui (L.) 
(painted lady) on December 4th in S. Devon and A. S. WHEELER mentioned 
a late viewing of V. atalanta (L.) at Pagham Harbour, Selsey, Sussex, but, 
as R. F. BRETHERTON said, migrant butterflies were scare this autumn, as 
compared with migrant moths. 

Mr. A. KENNARD then gave an illustrated talk on “The Large Blue — 
lessons and achievements in insect conservation’, dealing mainly with the 
history of Maculinea arion (L.) in S.W. England in recent years. A lively 
discussion, lasting some thirty minutes, followed this, proving the great 
interest evoked by the lecturer. 


FIELD MEETINGS 


RANMORE, SURREY — May 27th 1978 
Leader — M. GREY 

Nine members attended the meeting, the intention being to compare 
conditions in the surrounding woodlands with the adjacent chalk downland 
slopes. Leaving the leader’s house, the party had an enjoyable but unpro- 
ductive walk through the woods. A female Aethalura punctulata (D & S.) 
was found at rest on a tree trunk and kept by one of the party for eggs. 
After returning to the house for tea and other forms of refeshment the 
leader took the party to an area of chalk downland owned by the Wotton 
Estate. Permission had kindly been given by Mr. John Evelyne for the 
party to collect on this area during the afternoon and night — the rest of 
the downland being owned by the National Trust. 

Although the lateness of the season was generally apparent ten species of 
Rhopalocera were recorded including H. lucina (L.) which, despite an 
abundance of foodplant, has become scarce in the area. Mr. Paul Sokoloff 
supplied a list of the ‘micros’ as follows: — ‘‘Pancalia leuwenhockella (L.) 
was common on the downs, flying in the bright sunshine together with 
beautifully fresh first-brood specimens of the Pyrausta species aurata (Scop.), 


68 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


purpuralis (L.), and nigrata (Scop.). Tortricids flushed from the herbage 
were generally the common species such as Syndemis musculana (Hubn.), 
Cydia juniella (Clerick) and Pammene rhediella (Clerck), although it was 
interesting to see singletons of Cochylis atricapitana (Stephens) and a late 
Acleris cristana (D. & S.). At dusk Elachista biatomella (Stainton) was 
present in considerable numbers, by far the dominant member of the 
Elachista group, there being only a few specimens of E. argentella (Clerck), 
Biselachista cinereopunctella (Haworth) and Stephensia brunnichella (L.)’. 

Three members stayed on to run lights during the night and total forty- 
five species of ‘macros’ were recorded. Of particular interest were Agrotis 
cinerea (D. & S.), which were very fresh, including one which was apparently 
an asymmetric intersex variety, Nola confusalis (H.-S.) and an early Sphinx 
ligustri L. 

Numbers were noticeably down on average for the time of year due to 
the general lateness of the season. 

During the afternoon on the downs a large, long tailed bright emerald 
green bird was seen by several of the members flying into some trees. This 
caused some concern regarding the strength of the leader’s refreshment. 
However, it proved to be a ring-necked parakeet Psittacula krameri, many 
of which have escaped from captivity and are apparently breeding in the 
wild in several of the southern counties. 


HAYLING ISLAND, HANTS. — 3rd June 1978 
Leader — A. J. PICKLES 

Illness prevented the scheduled joint leaders, Mr. W. Collinson and Mr. 
R. W. Watson from attending but good luck and helpful advice from the 
Secretary made up for the leader’s lack of detailed knowledge of the area. 

Six members and a further three members of their families assembled in 

the car park adjacent to the Synah Golf Club at 6 p.m. and spent the 
first two hours searching the shore area in front of the golf links, largely 
for micros but also for the larvae of Lasiocampa trifolii (D. & S.), one 
of the objectives of the meeting. This species was found commonly on both 
Tree Lupin which abounds here, and grass growing amongst the Tree 
Lupins. A large number of Polyommatus icarus (Rott) were noted at rest 
on grass stems, often as many as three to a stem. Other butterflies noted at 
the same time were: Lycaena phloeas (Linn.) and Coenonympha pamphilus 
(Linn.). Aspitates ochrearia (Rossi) was also commonly put up, and was 
later to be found at the traps. Amongst the micros found in this area, and 
so far identified were: six larvae of Psyche casta (Pallas) on posts at the 
entrance to the car park, and imagines of Plutella xylostella (Linn.) and 
Eudonia angustea (Cutt.). 
,As dusk was falling the party moved to the far end of the golf course 
where permission had been obtained to park cars within the golf course only 
a short distance from the sand dunes. A few larval webs of Malacosoma 
neustria (Linn.) greeted us by the gate. A mixture of nine m.v. and actinic 
traps were run along the edges of the dunes, two traps for unfortunately 
short time due to mechanical failure. 

Members also successfully searched the marram grass on the beach for 
larvae of Mythimna litoralis (Curt.), examples of Agrotis ripae (Hiibn.) 
being found at the same time expanding their wings. The fourth objective 
of the meeting, Sideridis albicolon (Hiibn.), turned up at the lights fairly 
late. 

Among species recorded at the lights and not seen earlier wer: Aethes 
smeathmanniana (Fab.), Pyla fusca (Haw.), Epirrhoe galiata (D. & S.), 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 69 


Perizoma albulata (D. & S.), Lobophora halterata (Hufn.), Menophora 
abruptaria (Thumb.), Serraca punctinalis (Scop.), Macrothylacia rub 
(Linn.), Deilephila porcellus (Linn.), Arctia villica (Linn.), (nearly all of 
which exhibited elongated cream markings at the base of the forewings as 
compared with the typical), Diaphora mendica (Clerk.), Ceramica pisi 
(Linn.), Acronicta megacephala (D. & S.) and Autographa gamma (Linn.). 
The meeting ended at about 2.30 a.m. The automatic sprinklers which 
started watering the greens and their surroundings added some last minute 
excitement as they drenched some of the members who were staggering 
across the golf course under the weight of generators and equipment. 


SWANAGE — June 10/11th 1978 
Leader — Mr. P. J. BAKER 

Six members arrived for this meeting to be met with weather which 
followed the pattern of that for several previous meetings at this venue — 
cool and dull with a persistent N.W. wind. 

Following previous reports, a number of stands of figwort on the edges 
of the car park were examined and large numbers of larvae of Cucullia 
verbasci (L.) were found. Some were only 10 mm. long but others were in 
their penultimate instar. Checking other reports of extensive defoliation by 
“tent caterpillars’? the tenanted webs of Ypsolopha spp. were found to be 
common on blackthorn, as were numerous but isolated larvae of Mala- 
cosoma neustria (L.). 

The weather restricted flight activity but never-the-less several Polyom- 
matus icarus (Rott), Erynnis tages (L.), and Ochlodes venata (B. & G.) 
were noted and Electrophaes corylata (Thun.) and Camptogramma bilineata 
(L.) were flushed. The most remarkable record was possibly that made by a 
member who spotted a pupa of Strymonidia w-album (Knock) attached 
to the underside of a branch of wych elm— which species of tree still 
appears to be quite healthy in the area. 

Working the holm oak, hawthorn and blackthorn showed that larvae 
were somewhat backward with usual spring species on these pabula still 
being much in evidence. Some stands of wild rose produced large numbers 
of larva of Anticlea badiata (D. & S.) whilst the majority of these plants 
were completely devoid of insects. Extensive growths of the sea pink along 
the cliff edge were checked and signs of Bembecia muscaeformis (Esp.) 
were possibly found though no stages of this insect were seen. Whilst 
checking the sea pink, fine specimens of the bee orchid were seen, and 
further plants were found later, scattered in suitable locations further in- 
land. Another plant which was common over large areas was the kidney- 
vetch but its associated butterfly was not seen. 

A striking feature of this meeting was the large number of sea birds seen 
—many of which had nests in various parts of the cliffs. The guillemot 
was much in evidence and one small ledge at near sea level was densely 
populated by these birds which reminded one of miniature penguins. They 
were constantly in motion, flying low over the water or joining small flocks 
of similar birds on the surface. As the sea was clear it was easy to watch 
their submarine activities as they covered quite considerable distances 
under water and stayed submerged for quite extensive periods. Also noted 
were large numbers of several species of gulls, kittewakes, doves, cor- 
morants, jackdaws and —- almost certainly —a pair of puffins. On the grassy 
slopes inland several pairs of redstarts were noted. 

One of the party found an unusual Homopteron near the cliff edge. 


70 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


This was subsequently identified by another member as Centrotus cornutus 
(L.) which is said to be rare in Britain. This insect is most remarkable in 
its appearance as it mimics a thorn. 

At dusk the cloud cleared and there was a sharp temperature drop which 
discouraged most of those present from running lights. However, a couple 
of the more intrepid set up in a sheltered spot on the lighthouse road and 
were able to add a few records to the list: Mada nana (Hufn.), 
Mythimna pallens (L.), Apamea sordens (Hufn.), Procus spp., Agrotis 
cinerea (D. & S.), Charanyca trigrammica (Hufn.), Lacanobia w-latinum 
(Hufn.), Agrotis exclamationis (L.), Opisthograptis luteolata (L.), Dasy- 
chira pudibunda (L.), Spilosoma lutea (Hufn.), S. lubricipeda (L.), Eupi- 
thecia exiguata (Hubn.), Phlogophora meticulosa (L.), Hoplodrina ambigua 
(D. & S.), Phalera bucephala (L.), Sphinx ligustri (L.), A'spitates ochrearia 
(Ross.), Apamea monoglypha (Hufn.) 


ANDREWS AND MEANFIELD WOODS, SOREHAM, KENT — 


25th June 1978 
Leaders —— P. SOKOLOFF and M. CHALMERS-HUNT 

A dozen people attended this meeting which was held in a locality 
threatened with building a motor-way. Despite a poor weather-report, the 
party enjoyed a fair amount of sunshine and except for a few drops of rain 
it remained dry the whole day and there was little wind. 

It was hoped to see two species of Lepidoptera in particular: Plebejus 
argus (L.) ssp. cretacea Tutt, the large chalk form of the silver-studded 
blue, which had been taken before on the downs adjoining the wood by 
Baron de Worms some years ago; and, the larva of Ptycholomoides 
aeriferanus (H.-S.). We saw no sign of P. argus; indeed, butterflies were 
remarkably scarce in this late year and this exceptionally cold and sunless 
June. As for P. aeriferanus, search of the larches where P. Sokoloff found 
the larvae in 1977 and bred two moths, revealed only one tenanted spinning 
of the shoots, from which it was hoped an imago of the local Tortricoid 
moth would emerge. 

Among the more interesting moths noted were: Olindia schumacherana 
(F.), Alabona geoffrella (L.), Strophedra nitidana (F.), Dichrorampha sequ- 
ana (Hubn.), Coleophora laricella (Hiibn.) (cases on larch), Eana incanana 
(Steph.) (many holed seed-heads of blue-bell (Endymion), but all empty 
except one containing a full-grown larva), and Hydrelia flammeolaria 
(Hufn.). 

Mr. Dolling (British Museum) reparted the following Diptera: Mereodon 
equestris (F.), narcissus fly; Orthoptera: Leptophyes punctatissimus (Bosc.), 
and Hemiptera — Heteroptera: Psallus perrisi Wagner, Orthotylus nassatus 
(F.), Stenodema laevigatum (L.), etc. 

A new member, A. J. Halstead, coming over from Woking, reported 
Diptera: Phytomyza ilicis Curtis on Ilex aquifolius, holly; P. sphondylii 
(Rob. in G.) on hogweed, Agromyza nana (Meigen) on red clover, Taxomyia 
taxi (Inch.), artichoke-gall-midge on yew, Jaapiella veronicae (Vall.), speed- 
well gall-midge, Dasyneura glechomae (Kieff.) on ground ivy, and Iteomyia 
capreae (Winn.) on Salix caprea, among other related Diptera. Also 
Coleoptera: Gallerucella viburni (Payk.) extensively defoliating bushes of 
Viburnum opulus (guelder rose), Rhynchaenus fagi (L.) (beech-leaf-mining 
weevil); and the long-horn beetle Leiopus nebulosus (L.), also some Acarina 
records (gall-mites on ash, field maple, etc.). 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 71 


BOTLEY WOOD, HANTS. — Ist-2nd July 1978 
Leader — Dr. J. R. LANGMAID 

Twenty members and guests attended all or part of a day/night meeting 
at this insect-rich area of woodland. f 

The day was dull and rather cold; and unfortunately very little was seen 
on the wing. Three species of figwort weevils were recorded, and ten species 
of leafhoppers. In lepidoptera, an unsuccessful search was made for 
Acosmetia caliginosa (Hiibn.), but all hope must not be abandoned for its 
rediscovery here. Cases of nine species of Coleophora were found, including 
those of C. vibicella (Hiibn.) and C. inulae Wocke. 

As dusk fell the wind dropped, the temperature rose, as did the spirits of 
the assembled company. The wood comfortably accommodated about ten 
lights, and a very large number of moths came in. From the four members 
who sent me a list of their captures and records, a total of two hundred and 
fourteen species were recorded, including Choristoneura diversana (Hibn.) 
(a new vice-county record), Pseudosciaphila branderiana (L.), Apotomis 
lieana (D. & S.) = turbidana (Hibn.), Ancylis laetana (Fab.), A. obtusana 
(Haw.), A. mitterbacheriana (D. & S.), Epinotia demarniana (F.v.R.), 
Tethea or (D & S.), Euphyia unangulata (Haw.), Lobophora halterata 
(Hufn.), Angerona prunaria (L.), Aethalura punctulata (D. & S.), Cucullia 
verbasci (L.), and Elaphria venustula (Hiibn.). 

Another new vice-county record was made earlier in the day when larvae 
of Agonopterix scopariella (Hein.) were beaten from broom. 

Our thanks are extended to the Forestry Commission for their courtesy 
and helpful co-operation, and it is hoped to run another meeting here next 
year. 


HANDBOOKS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF BRITISH INSECTS 
Recent additions to this series include parts on the Thysanoptera, two 
families of aphids, and a completely new edition of Kloet and Hincks 
Checklist of the Coleoptera and Strepsiptera. Thirty seven other Handbooks 
are currently in print. 
A full list of available Handbooks can be obtained from the Royal 
Entomological Society, 41 Queens Gate, LONDON, SW7 SHU. 


CURRENT LITERATURE 
BOOK REVIEWS 


Catalogo sistematico doés macrolepidoépteros de Portugal by Maria Amélia 
da Silva Cruz e Timétea Goncalves. Faculdade de Ciencias do Porto, 1977. 
48 pp, no price stated. 

This Catalogue meets a long felt want, as previous lists of Portuguese 
Macrolepidoptera are very incomplete. It will be particularly interesting 
to British lepidopterists because Portugal is one of the origins for many 
species which are immigrants to Britain and Ireland, and also because its 
fauna, at the extreme west of Europe, is well worth exploration by visitors. 
The short introduction is given an English translation, and there is a useful 
bibliography. 

Under the title ‘‘Macrolepidoptera” the Psychidae (22 Portuguese species) 
are included, but otherwise its scope agrees with that made familiar in 
England by South. Vernacular names are not given. The scientific nomen- 
clature is bizarre and in places out of date, since for different groups of 
families it uses the work of five different authorities, dating variously from 
1947 to 1970. Species are generally shown at nominotypical level without 
indication of sub-species, except where two or more sub-species are stated 


7/2) PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


to occur in Portugal: these are listed as separate taxa. Doubtful and 
sporadically immigrant species are shown separately. There are too many 
typographical errors: otherwise the printing and presentation is good. 

The total number of taxa listed is about 1,000. This is much the same 
number as would now appear in a British list compiled on the same basis; 
but its composition is very different. On a rough count about 450 of the 
accepted Portuguese taxa would not appear in such a British list. On the 
other hand, Portugal lacks most of the Boreal and Euro-Siberian elements 
which form a large part of the British fauna. 

This Catalogue is a good beginning. We hope that the authors will continue 
by giving some account of the distribution of species within Portugal, which 
would reflect the considerable diversity of its climate and terrain. And they 
might perhaps even tackle the Microlepidoptera also! R.F.B. 


THE PROFESSOR HERING MEMORIAL RESEARCH FUND 


The British Entomological and Natural History Society announces that 
that awards may be made from this Fund for the promotion of entomolo- 
gical research with particular emphasis on: — 

(a) Leaf miners, 

(b) Diptera, particularly Trypetidae and Agromyzidae, 

(c) Lepidoptera, particularly Microlepidoptera, 

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

Awards may be made to assist travelling and other expenses necessary to 
field work, for the study of collections, for the attendance at conferences, 
or, exceptionally, for the costs of publication of finished work. In total 
they are not likely to exceed £300 in 1979/80. 

Applicants should send a statement, if possible in sextuplicate, of their 
qualifications, of their plan of work, and of the precise objects and amount 
for which an award is sought, to A. M. Emmet, M.B.E., T.D., M.A., 
F.L.S., F.R.E.S., Hon. Secretary, Labrey Cottage, Victoria Gardens, Saffron 
Walden, Essex, CB11 3AF, as soon as possible, and in any case not later 
than 30th September 1970. 


I 


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The Society’s Publications 


ILLUSTRATED PAPERS ON BRITISH MICROLEPIDOPTERA 


Still available, a small number of copies of the recently published volume 
of twelve articles reprinted from the “South London” Proceedings between 
1944 and 1957 with the twelve original colour plates. 

These papers comprise LAMPRONIIDAE and ADELIDAE, LITHO- 
COLLETIS and OECOPHORIDAE (three parts) and ALLIED FAMILIES 
by S. N. A. Jacobs; PSYCHIDAE, PLUTELLIDAE and GLYPHIP- 
TERYGIDAE and ALLIED GENERA by L. T. Ford; CALOPTILIA and 
LYONETIIDAE by S. C. S. Brown; ERIOCRANIIDAE and MICROP- 
TERYGIDAE by J. Heath and MOMPHA by S. Wakely. For ease of use 
the pages and plates have been renumbered and are fully indexed 
accordingly; in addition there is a new appendix drawing attention to 
species belonging to these groups which have been added or sunk. There 
is also a list of species which relates names used in the text to up-to-date 
nomenclature and classification. 

A limited edition of 500 copies was published in the Autumn of 1978, 
bound in cloth, price £9; £6 to Members of the Society. Postage, where 
applicable, 60p extra. Cheques should be sent to R. F. Bretherton, Esq., 
c.B., Folly Hill, Birtley Green, Bramley, Surrey. 


A FIELD GUIDE TO THE 
SMALLER BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA 
The Society also announces the publication, probably in late summer 
this year, of the above important and entirely new work, bringing up to 
date and uniting the well-known Guide by the late L. T. Ford, B.a., and 
the Supplement, both hitherto advertised on this page, with much additional 
matter. Advice regarding price and purchase-procedure will be issed to 
members at a meeting and also circulated, it is hoped, during the summer. 


THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE GARDEN 
OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE 
(Proceedings and Transaction 1963, Part 2) 
Complied by a team of specialist. 


£1.00 


A LEPIDOPTERIST’S HANDBOOK 


The Amateur Entomologist’s Society is pleased to announce the publication 
of its latest Handbook, written by Richard Dickson. It is intended as a 
‘vade mecum’ for both beginners and initiated lepidopterists and deals with 
all aspects of the subject in a series of eleven chapters and four appendices. 
There are 34 line illustrations and 13 photographs to augment the text and 
the binding has been sewen to meet constant use. 

It is apractical book on the various facets of breeding, collecting, storing, 
conservation and photography of lepidoptera and should appeal to most 
lepidopterist. Although the various techniques relate to the British fauna, 
most are valid for lepidopterists anywhere. 

The price is £3.00 plus postage and is avilable from A.E.S. Publication 
Agent, 137 Gleneldon Road, London, SW16 2BQ. (An invoice will be sent 
with orders, including postage). 


CONTENTS 


Annual Exhibition, The 1978 


Bristowe, W. S., The mysterious swarms of 
Sepsid flies and their unpalatability to spiders 


Carter, D. J., The National Collection of 
British Lepidoptera (R.C.K.) 

Current Literature 

Editorial 

Field Meetings 


Gardiner, B. O. C., A review of variation in 
Pieris brassicae (L.) 


Hering Memorial Research Fund, the Professor 
Proceedings 


Stubbs, A. E., Changes in London’s insect 
fauna in the last 100 years 


Williams, S§. A., Ocyusa nitidiventris (Fagel) 
new to Britain 


Wiltshire, E. P., Relations of the resident 
British lepidoptera to the European fauna 


MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY 


16 


72 


46 


64 


are held regularly at the Society's Rooms, but 


the well-known ANNUAL EXHIBITION 


takes 


place 27th October, in Chelsea Old Town Hall. 


Frequent Field Meetings are held at weekends in 
the summer. Visitors are welcome at all meetings. 


The current Programme Card can be had on 


application to the Secretary. 


s OCTOBER 1979 Vol. 12, Parts 3/4 
ee II x——E—————————EE——E— ee eee 


Proceedings and Transactions of 
The British Entomological and 
Natural History Society 


Price £3.50 


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ae ORS 


Past Presidents 


J. R. WELLMAN (dec.) 1939 
A. B. Farn, F.E.S. (dec.) 

J. P. BARRETT, F.E.S. (dec.) 1940 
J. T. WILLIAMS (dec.) 

R. STANDEN, F.E.S. (dec.) 1941 
A. FICKLIN (dec.) 1942 
V. R. PERKINS, F.E.S. (dec.) 1943 
T. R. BILLups, F.E.S. (dec.) 

J. R. WELLMAN (dec.) 1944 
W. WEST, L.D.S. (dec.) 1945-6 
R. SoutH, F.E.S. (dec.) 

R. ADKIN, F.E.S. (dec.) 1947 
T. R. BILLUPS, F.E.S. (dec.) 1948 
J. T. CARRINGTON, F.L.S. (dec.) 1949 
W.H. TuGweELL, Pu.c. (dec.) 1950 
C. G. BARRETT, F.E.S. (dec.) 

J. J. WEIR, F.L.S., etc. (dec.) 

E. STEP, F.L.S. (dec.) 1951 
T. W. HALL, F.E.S. (dec.) 

R. SOUTH, F.E.S. (dec.) 1952 
R. ADKIN, F.E.S. (dec.) 1953 
J. W. TuTT, F.E.S. (dec.) 1954 
A. HARRISON, F.L.S. (dec.) 

W. J. LUCAS, B.A., F.E.S. (dec.) 1955 
H. S. FREMLIN, M.R.C.S., 

L.R.C.P., F.E.S. (dec.) 1956 
F. Noap CLarkK (dec.) 1957 
E. STEP, F.L.S. (dec.) 

A. SICH, F.E.S. (dec.) 1958 
H. MAIn, B.SC., F.E.S. (dec.) 1959 
R. ADKIN, F.E.S. (dec.) 

A. SICH, F.E.S. (dec.) 1960 
W. J. KAYE, F.E.S. (dec.) 1961 
A. E. TONGE, F.E.S. (dec.) 

B. H. SMITH, B.A., F.E.S. (dec.) 1962 
Hy. J. TURNER, F.E.S. (dec.) 1963 
STANLEY EDWARDS, F.L.S., etc. 1964 

(dec.) 1965 
K. G. BLAIR, B.SC., F.E.S. (dec.) 1966 
E. J. BUNNETT, M.A. (dec.) 

N. D. RILEY, F.Z.S., F.E.S. (dec.) 1967 
T. H. L. GROSVENOR, F.E.S. 

(dec.) 1968 
E. A. COCKAYNE, D.M., F.R.C.P., 1969 

F.E.S. (dec.) 

H. W. ANDREWS, F.E.S. (dec.) 1970 
F. B. Carr (dec.) 

C. N. HAWKINS, F.E.S. (dec.) 1971 
K. G. BLAIR, B.SC., F.Z.S., 

F.E.S. (dec.) 1972 
T. H. L. GROSVENOR, F.E.S. (dec.) 

C. G. M. DE WorRMS, M.A., PH.D., 1973 

A.1.C., F.R.E.S., M.B.O.U. 1974 
T. R. EAGLES (dec.) 

E. E. SYMS, F.R.E.S. (dec.) 1975 

M. NIBLETT (dec.) 1976 

F. J. COULSDON (dec.) 1977 
F. STANLEY-SMITH, F.R.E.S. 

1978 

Editorial 


H. B. WILLIAMS, LL.D., F.R.E.S. 
(dec.) 

E. A. COCKAYNE, D.M., F.R.C.P., 
F.R.E.S. (dec.) 

F. D. Coote, F.R.E.S. (dec.) 

S. WAKELY (dec.) 

R. J. BURTON, L.D.S., R.C.S.ENG. 
(dec.) 

STANLEY N. A. JACOBS, F.R.E.S. 

Capt. R. A. JACKSON, R.N., 
F.R.E.S. (dec.) 

L. T. Forp, B.A. (dec.) 

Col P. A. CaRDEW (dec.) 

J. O. T. Howarp, M.A. (dec.) 

Air-Marshal Sir ROBERT SAUNDBY, 
K.B.E., C.B., M.C., D.F.C., A.F.C., 
F.R.E.S. (dec.) 

T. G. HOWARTH, B.E.M., F.R.E.S., 
F.Z.S. 

E. W. CLASSEY, F.R.E.S. 

F. STANLEY-SMITH, F.R.E.S. 

STANLEY N. A. JACOBS, S.B.ST.J., 
F.R.E.S. 

F. D. BUCK, A.M.1.PTG.M., F.R.E.S. 
(dec.) 

Lt.-Col. W. B. L. MANLFY, F.R.E.S. 

B. P. Moore, B.SC., D.PHIL., 
F.R.E.S. 

N. E. HICKIN, PH.D., B.SC., F.R.E.S. 

F. T. VALLINS, A.C.1.I., F.R.E.S. 
(dec.) 

R. M. MERE, F.R.E.S. (dec.) 

A. M. MASSEE, 0O.B.E., D.SC., 
F.R.E.S. (dec.) 

A. E. GARDNER, F.R.E.S. (dec.) 

J. L. MESSENGER, B.A., F.R.E.S. 

C. G. ROCHE, F.C.A., F.R.E.S. 

R. W. J. UFFEN, F.R.E.S. 

J. A. C. GREENWOOD, O.B.E., 
F.R.E.S. 

R. F. BRETHERTON, C.B., M.A., 
F.R.E.S. 

B. GOATER, B.SC., F.R.E.S. 

Capt. J. ELLERTON, D.S.C., R.N. 

(dec.) 

B. J. MACNULTY, B.SC., PH.D., 
F.R.I.C., F.R.E.S. 

Col. A. M. EMMET, M.B.E., T.D., 


M.A. 

Prof. H. E. HINTON, PH.D., B.SC., 
F.R.S., F.R.E.S. (dec.) 

J. M. CHALMERS-HUNT, F.R.E.S. 

C. MacKECcnniE JARVIS, F.L.S., 
F.R.E.S. 

M. G. Morris, M.A., PH.D., F.R-E.S. 

W. G. TREMEWAN, M.I.BIOL. 

R. TuBBS, O.B.E., F.R.I.B.A., 
F.R.E.S. 

G. PRIOR, F.L.S., F.R.E.S. 


Editor: E. P. Wiltshire, c.B.£., F.R.E.S. 
Address: Wychwood, High Road, Cookham, SL6 9JS, Berks. 
With the assistance of: 


E. Southwood, M.a., 


B.SC., PH.D., 


A.R.C.S., 


F.L.BIOL., F.RS.5 EeRsEase 


T. G. Howarth, B.E.M., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S. 
M. W. F. Tweedie, M.A., F.Z.S. 
R. W. J. Uffen, F.R.£.s. 


E. S. Bradford 


Published at the Society’s Rooms, The Alpine Club, 74 South Audley Street, 


London, 


W.1, and printed by 


Charles Phipps Ltd., 


225 Philip Lane, 


Tottenham, N15 4HL 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 73 


SUBSCRIPTIONS 


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FEE IS £1 AND SUBSCRIPTIONS, PAYABLE ANNUALLY ON 1 JAN. 
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THE INHERITANCE OF A PALE FORM OF GASTROPACHA 
QUERCIFOLIA LINN. (LEPIDOPTERA: LASIOCAMPIDAE) 


by 


M. E. N. Maserus 
(Department of Biological Sciences, University of Keele) 


In volume 10 parts 1/2 of the Proceedings of the Society there occurs 
the report that at the meeting of the Society on 25th November 1976, Col. 
D. H. Sterling exhibited three spcimens of Gastropacha quercifolia Linn. 
(Lappet Moth). These were described as follows: ‘The first a normal male 
taken at light at Winchester in vii. 1975, the others, a light brown form, 
probably ab. meridionalis Hormuz, unusual in England, and perhaps due 
to the dry hot summer.’’ Although the report does not say so I assume 
these two later specimens were also taken in July 1975 at Winchester. 

In 1976 I took four specimens of Gastropacha quercifolia at light in 
July, a further specimen being taken in August. All were captured in the 
Ringwood area of Hampshire. Three of the moths were normal males, the 
other two moths being a normal female and a pale female which seems to 
be very similar to ab. meridionalis specimens in the British Museum 
(Natural History). Both females were fertile and laid eggs. 

The two resulting broods were reared, and to discover the method of 
control of the pale form a number of crosses were obtained from the 
resulting offspring. 

Pairings of this species may be easily obtained by placing a three or four 
“day”? old male in a hanging net cage with a freshly emerged female; 
however, as with many other species, pairing will only occur if th cage is 
hung outside so that it is subject to natural air movement. 

One problem in rearing this species is that it usually passes the winter 
as a larva on the stems of the foodplant or on withered leaves. This can 
lead to a relatively high larval mortality in captivity, mainly due to 
dehydration during this period. However the problem is partially offset by 
the fact that the number of eggs laid is very high. In the broods in 
question females laid on average over 500 ova, and according to South 
(1939) in some cases females have been known to lay over a thousand. Due 
to difficulty in over-wintering larvae all larvae were kept until they had 
emerged from hibernation and recommenced feeding; however to keep the 
number of larvae being reared within reason thereafter, approximately 
half the surviving larvae from each brood (except broods 1 and 2) were 
taken at random and released. All larvae were reared on sallow, and the 
broods, though being reared separately were all raised under similar condi- 
tions in an insectary in Egham, Surrey, so although protected from wind 
and rain they were subject to natural temperatures. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


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PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 75 


The progeny reared from the two original light-trapped females (broods 
1 and 2) were all normal in colour. Twelve further broods were produced 
from the progeny of broods 1 and 2 (broods 3-14 inclusive), and six F. 
generation broods (broods 15-20 inclusive) were also reared. The origins 
and phenotypes of the parents and the phenotypes of the progeny of all 
these broods are given in Table 1. 

As the ratios between normal and pale forms varies between broods even 
though all were reared under similar conditions, the results indicate that 
the pale form is genetically controlled. 

The progeny of brood 1, in which one parent was pale, were all typical 
which indicates that, unless sex linkage is involved, the pale form must be 
inherited as a recessive. The ratio between the two forms in broods 3-5 
inclusive is approximately 15 typical to 1 pale in each case which suggests 
that two unlinked bi-allelic genes are involved in the inheritance of the 
pale form and that this form results when both genes are homozygous 
Tecessive. To give the 15:1 ratios of typical:pale forms, the parents of these 
three broods must all have been heterozygous for both the genes involved. 
Consequently, the unknown parent of brood | must have been homozygous 
dominant for both genes, and thus typical. The results of broods 15 and 16 
lend further support to the hypothesis as only pale progeny are produced 
from pale x pale crosses which is expected if the pale form is inherited as 
a bi-factorial recessive and is thus pure-breeding for the pale allelomorphs. 

In broods 6-14 inclusive all progeny were typical so it may be deduced 
that one of the parents of these broods must have been homozygous 
dominant for at least one of the genes in question, and as the progeny of 
brood 1 would seem to have been heterozygous for both genes, then the 
homozygous dominant parents must be those taken from brood 2 progeny. 
Whether both genes are homozygous dominant in the parental stock of 
brood 2 may not be ascertained from the progeny of either the F, 
generation broods or the few relevant F, generation broods (broods 17-20 
inclusive). However, the exact genotype of the brood 2 parents is of little 
consequence in the determination of the inheritance of the pale form. 

In conclusion it may be said that a pale form of Gastropacha quercifolia 
which in appearance seems to be equivalent to ab. meridionalis is inherited 
as a bi-factorial recessive the two genes involved being unlinked. 

It thus seems that the most obvious implication of Col. D. H. Sterling’s 
report, that ab. meridionalis may be controlled environmentally, being the 
result of the dry summer in 1975, is unfounded. However, the report is 
ambiguous due to its brevity. It may be that one or both of the alleles 
which produce ab. meridionalis have the status of little more than rare 
mutants in Britain where ab. meridionalis is generally at a disadvantage to 
the typical form, the exact strength of the disadvantage being in some way 
correlated to the oceanicity of the British climate. Thus as the climate in 
Britain in 1975 and 1976 was far more continental and less oceanic than 
usual, this may have led to the ab. meridionalis form being at less of a 
selective disadvantage than in normal years, with the result that more 
survived. In this way the occurrence of ab. meridionalis in Britain in 1975 
and 1976 may be indirectly due to the hot dry summers of those years. 

I would be interested to hear whether any other Lepidopterists obtained 
pale forms of Gastropacha quercifolia in Britain during 1975/1976 or 
indeed at any other time since 1967. 


REFERENCE 
South R. (1939). The Moths of the British Isles, Series one. Warne, London. 


76 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


PLEBEJUS ARGUS (L.) (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE) IN MALTA 
by JosepH L. CILIA 
(‘Margerita’, Flat 1, Censu Busuttil Street, Fgura, Malta) 

A male specimen of the Silver Studded Blue, Plebejus argus Linne. was 
recently brought to light three years after its capture while examining 
several papered specimens which were collected on 15th August 1975, from 
Manoel Island. Manoel Island is a semi-urbanised island in the centre of 
Marsamxett harbour connected by a bridge to the highly urbanised Sliema 
area and across the harbour from Valletta. The occurance of this species in 
this area is more probably a case of a sporadic visit. 

Other records of various occasional visits by other species of butterflies 
can be traced back to 1923 when Col. Harford recorded Danaus chrysippus 
Linne. from Hastings Gardens on 4th June. This species was also recorded 
on 10th April 1952 by Mr. A. Valletta who took two specimens and recently 
on 17th October 1978 by Mr. G. Bonnett (personal communication). On 
23rd May 1939 Hipparchia algirica Obth. was taken at Naxxar by Mr. A. 
Valletta. The specimen was later described as a new subspecies (vallettai) 
by G. De Lattin. 

Mr. A. Valletta also recorded various other rare occurances. Polygonia 
egea Cram. was taken on 20th March 1948 and Euchloe belemia Esp. on 
Sth April 1979. In July 1963, K. A. Harrison took Catopsilia florella Fab., 
Euchloe ausonia Hub., Tarucus theophrastus Fab. and Philotes baton Bersgr. 
Zizeeria knysna Trim was also taken by Mr. G. Bonnett on 12th March 
1978. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Many thanks are due to Mr. A. Valletta for confirming my identification 
of the Silver Studded Blue, and also Mr. G. Bonnett for allowing me to 
mention his new records. 


REFERENCES 
Caruana, Gatto A. (1925). Di alcune specie di farfalle erratiche catturate o 
osservate in Malta. Archivium Melitense: 6: 155-159. 


De Lattin, G. (1952) Two new subspecies of Hipparchia semele Lin. Entomoglist 
Record 64: 335-336. 

Valletta, A. (1948). Polygonia egea Cramer in Malta. Entomologist 81: 150-151. 

Valletta, A. (1953). Danaus chrysippus Lin. var. alcippus Cram. revisits Malta. 
Entomologist 86: 57. 


Valletta, A. (1970). Euchloe belemia Esp. visits Malta. Entomolgist Record 82: 
Did: 


Valletta, A (1972). Butterflies of the Maltese Islands (Malta). 


Valletta, A. (1974). The Butterflies of the Maltese Islands. Entomologist Record 
86: 196. 
Valletta, A. (1978). Zizeeria knysna Trim (lysimon Hueb.) (Lep. Lycaenidae) 


an additional species of butterfly in the Maltese Islands. Entomologist Record 
90; 265. 


A NOTE ON BREEDING THE PINION-SPOTTED PUG, EUPITHECIA 
INSIGNIATA (HUBNER) LEP., GEOMETRIDAE) 
by B. C. Jackson 
(38 Asthall Gardens, Barkingside, Essex) 

This rather uncommon insect may be found on the wing in May. If you 
are fortunate enough to obtain a femle you should present her with a spray 
of Hawthorn flowers to obtain the ova. As with many of the other ‘Pugs’ 
she will not part with her ova freely. I found that when she did she laid 
them singly or in pairs on the edges of the petals of the Hawthorn. The 
Ova are round in shape and pure white matching exactly the colour of the 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 Vd 


Hawthorn petals. The larvae commence to emerge about a week after laying 
and are of a very light green colour almost white. In the first instar they 
feed on stamens and stigma of the flower. In the second instar the larva is 
greyish white with a light brown line running down the whole length of the 
back. Some of the larvae at this stage were eating the stamens and they 
were standing erect from the base of the flower resembling the stamen 
they had devoured. Some were also beginning to eat the fresh leaves of the 
Hawthorn. In the third instar the larvae change to a light green colour 
with a light brown line down the back, at this stage most of the flowers 
have disappeared and they were feeding on the leaves. On 30.6.77 I 
examined the larvae and found they were a half inch long, colour light 
green and the dorsal line a reddish brown. They were now feeding on the 
large leaves of the Hawthorn. When at rest some of the larvae stand erect 
from the stems and blend in perfectly with the red and green of the 
Hawthorn foliage, others had a tendency to hang from the underside of the 
leaves with the head pointing downwards. On 6.7.77 the larvae entered their 
final instar, they were then an inch long, ground colour bright leaf green, 
the dorsal line was now broken up and resembled a row of arrow heads, 
these were a deep reddish brown, they had a faint yellow sub-dorsal line. 
There was also a reddish brown mark just above the anal claspers. On 
18.7.77 larvae turned a darker bluish green colour before pupating. 

They pupate one to two inches below the soil. The pupa is golden 
yellowish brown with olive green wing cases. 


A NATIONAL SCHEME FOR MONITORING THE ABUNDANCE 
OF BUTTERFLIES: THE FIRST THREE YEARS 
(with eight text figures) 
E. POLLARD 
(Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Natural Environment Research Council, 
Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambs.) 


INTRODUCTION 

In 1973 regular transect counts of butterflies began in Monks Wood 
N.N.R. in Cambridgeshire (Pollard et al 1975), with the aim of detecting 
changes in the abundance of butterflies. In 1974 and 1975 counts were 
made in a number of other sites in eastern England, as a pilot trial for a 
national scheme. In 1976 a national scheme began, financed by the Nature 
Conservancy Council and coordinated by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology 
at Monks Wood Experimental Station. This paper is an account of the 
progress of the scheme in its first three years. 


METHOD 

Details of the method are available (Pollard 1977), and only a synopsis 
is given here. A route through the study area is chosen and used for 
regular counts from the beginning of April until the end of September. All 
butterflies encountered within limits to the side of and in front of the 
observer are recorded. Counts are made within specified times and there are 
also minimum weather conditions below which counts are not made. The 
season is divided into 26 recording weeks and the aim is to make at least 
one count in each week. The transect routes are divided into sections so that 
information is obtained on the distribution of butterflies along the route. 

The mean weekly counts are used to calculate an index of abundance 
for each brood of each species. An example is given to illustrate this, that 
of the large white Pieris brassicae L. in.Monks Wood. (Fig. 1). This species 
is probably not breeding in the wood so that, in this instance, the indices 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


78 


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PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 79 


reflect numbers passing through or stopping to feed at flowers. If the 
different broods are not easy to distinguish then a combined seasonal index 
value is given. For some species, we have evidence to show that the counts 
are well correlated with actual abundance (Pollard 1977) but, for most, such 
a relationship remains a ‘reasonable assumption’. 

The index values are intended for year to year comparisons and not for 
direct comparisons between sites. This is because the index value for a 
particular species at a site depends very much on the route chosen. 

There may be consistent differences between counts made by two 
recorders at the same site, one producing higher or lower counts than 
another. However the trends shown by different recorders at the same site 
are similar. 


SITES 

The distribution of sites in 1978 is shown in Fig. 2. Only five sites have 
been withdrawn from the scheme since 1976. The number is steadily 
growing but it is considered that it is now close to the optimum. The range 
of habitats is large, but semi-natural woodlands and grasslands predominate, 
as the majority of sites are National Nature Reserves. Farmland, forestry 
and urban areas are included but under-represented, as too are upland areas, 
where weather conditions make a complete seasonal record impossible in 
some years. 


RESULTS 
1. As site records. 

At the simplest level the data provide a record, in a sense an inventory, 
of the butterfly fauna of a site as represented by the transect. This aspect 
of the data is illustrated in Fig. 3. Even if a transect is not repeated each 
year this provides a record for that year, and a futher record can be made 
after a lapse of several years. 

The relationship between the distribution of adults on the transect route, 
and their bredding areas will vary from species to species. For some, e.g. the 
dingy skipper Erynnis tages L. or chalkhill blue Lysandra coridon Poda, 
the agreement is likely to be very good. At the other extreme this sort of 
data for the large white or red admiral Vanessa atalanta L. is likely to be 
largely a reflection of the distribution of favoured flowers. 

The information on the distribution of counts is valuable in assessing the 
effect of habitat change on butterfly numbers at a site, as will be discussed 
later. 


2. Phenological data 

As counts are made regularly through the season information on the 
flight periods of butterflies is obtained. The peak flight period of the ringlet 
at Monks Wood, for example (Table 1), was some three weeks later in the 


Table 1. Mean weekly counts of ringlets, Monks Wood 1973-78. 
Week no: 125,13 14 15 16 17) 18 19 20 21 22 


1973 eats, 843-35 115.8) 1038) 35e2 8.2 ; 0.1 

1974 : . 1.6 8.1 S157) eos 4.2 0.8 ; 

1975 : ‘ 3.0 20.8 30.0 18.0 4.6 0.2 0.3 

1976 6:0) 44235. 20:0 6.2 23 ; : 

1977 : . P 0.5 0.7 2.3 2.3 123 0.7 : 

1978 : ; ; 0.3 2S 3.6 iE9/ 2.0 1.0 0.3 

Date of 

4th day 20 27 4 11 18 25 ] 8 15 22 29 


JUNE / UES? / AUGUST 


80 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


Q& 


Fig. 2. Location of sites in 1978. N.C.C, regions shown as these are used for 
regional anaysis of data. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 81 


cool summers of 1977 and 1978 than in the very hot summer of 1976. This 
is because of temperature dependent differences in rates of development of 
the larval and pupal stages. Such differences have been shown in other 


Castle Hill NNR 1978 


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“Pence” 


2 


reserve boundary 


== transect route 


Dingy skipper 


16 
12 
® 
= 
S 
ae 
® 
= 
= 
4 
6) 
RIS A FS Or Ie Tr 2 
oN i sts f= ® 
mosis See tot Seon > = 
BG? 848. 204; B. O aD Oy, Su ibele @ 
re ad aha ad Be Ra eo 
Oe eee 
Dm 5 Dn oD OD 
= o 
<= 
oD) 
> 
2 


Fig. 3. Distribution of the dingy skipper Erynnis tages L. at Castle Hill N.N.R. 
1978, Sussex, showing the association with downland turf as opposed to 
improved or tall grassland of various types. 


82 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


species to have an effect on the mortality of these stages, as in cool seasons 
individuals are available to predators, especially birds, for longer periods 
(Thomas 1974, Pollard 1979). There are indications in the data that the 
abundance of the ringlet is also affected by the earlyness of the season, but 
the main influence on its numbers during this period is believed to have 
been the 1976 drought. 

In addition to comparing flight periods at one site in different seasons. 
we can also look at geographical variation in one season. It is to be expected 
that in more northern sites the emergence of adults will begin later than in 
the south. Some selected data for the meadow brown Maniola jurtina L. 
support this view in general (Fig. 4), although the flight period begins 
later on the exposed Lindisfarne transect than at the two Scottish sites. 
However the most striking feature is that at Kingley Vale, the earliest site, 
the flight period is so protracted that it is also the latest site of those shown. 
Inspection of the data for all sites where the species is sufficiently abundant 
for the flight period to be determined (Fig. 5) shows that the long flight 
period is a feature of all the sites on chalk soils. The chalk soils probably 
warm up early in spring and so the early emergence is not surprising. How- 
ever there is no obvious explanation for the very long flight period. The 
monitoring scheme has revealed an intriguing problem which could well 
reward further study. 

3. Regional and national trends in abundance. 

Methods are being considered for collating the data for a number of 
sites to give overall regional or national trends in the index values. In the 
illustration given (Fig. 6) the index values at individual sites have been 
summed and the ratio calculated to express the change occurring between 
successive broods. Similar ratios can be calculated for successive pairs of 
broods, using in each case all the sites which have provided data for that 
particular pair. If we then take as the starting point an arbitrary figure of 
100 the ratios can be used to produce a collated index for a region or for 
all sites. Essentially this is the method used to illustrate change in 
the Common Bird Census (Bailey, 1967). The farmland sites in the 
Common Bird Census are considered to provide an index applicable to 
farmland in lowland Britain generally. The sites in the butterfly scheme are 
highly biasted because of the large number of N.N.R.s. Nevertheless if, as 
seems likely, year to year changes are dominated by weather conditions, the 
changes in the collated index give a useful indication of the effect of 
weather or any other factors acting over a wide area. Local effects can be 
compared with this overall picture. 

The regions used are those of the Nature Conservancy Council. If the 
regional data suggest very different trends in different parts, as is the case 
for the green-veined white Pieris napi L. (Fig. 6), then the national trend, 
based on all sites is perhaps of little value. For many species however 
trends have been similar over much of the country, although the large 
number of southern sites means that the picture given is essentially for the 
southern half of England and Wales. 

There seems little doubt that the major influence on numbers of many 
species during the short period of recording has been the 1976 drought. 
This caused desiccation of larval food plants, while lack of moisture and 
nectar was harmful to adults of many species. Species which showed major 
declines in 1977, probably due to the drought in the previous year, were 
the dingy skipper, large white, small copper Lycaena phlaeas L., common 
blue Polyommatus icarus Rott., peacock Inachis io L., wall Lasiommata 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 83 


Mean weekly count 


> oS ro) 
oO ro) ro) 
Bee OO S012) on Qrorlnon Sig 


10 11 


osu 


~~ cee cece cee 
Saltfleethy _ mel 
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 


¢ 
o> ” © a =i | 
Tbe caret, ee ain ale we ere 
5 c To “= 
= > Wi Bo ea o Sec ee, 52 
2 ~ us — ‘Oo 5 Oi = O) 
SS wn ©) tas mo) — Oo ee al 
Ww BAG al Ham e7y = ase SOS ae 
> o =a Oo = fe} WY 5 Ww 
= > > a. a ER os Si 
me) = iS oO Lu 5M Oui rears 
“4 Nw rs) ce} Eni ee '<9 S- LZ 
= 2 at Lui “ 
co © 
— 


Fig. 4. Flight period of the meadow brown Maniola jurtina L. at a selection ot 


sites in 1978. Site name and N.C.C. region given. Broken base line 


indicates no data for that week. Week 10 starts on 3 June, week 26 on 
23 Sept. 


Week no. 


84 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 
megera L., speckled wood Pararge egeria L., and ringlet Aphantopus 
hyperantus L. Some of the double brooded species, such as the large white 
and common blue. showed some recovery in the second brood in 1977, and 
the speckled wood, which has complex overlapping broods, also increased 
towards the end of 1977. Although the summer of 1977 was cool and wet, 
these increases suggest that some species were already recovering from the 
drought. 


The summer of 1978 was again generally a cool one, but many species 
showed increased index values or little change. A further surprising feature 
of a summer, with weather which would generally be considered very poor 
for butterflies. was the enormous abundance of small whites Pieris rapae L. 
and green-veined whites (Fig. 6) in eastern England. Several species which 
appeared to suffer most from the 1976 drought showed large increases. 


These included the green-veined white, speckled wood and ringlet which 
are associated with cool, damp habitats and may have done well in the 
damp summers of 1977 and 1978. Other drought affected species, the small 
copper, common blue, and perhaps the wall, which may be more dependent 
on sunny conditions have shown, at most, only small recoveries. 


The similarity of trends over much of the country may be because of the 
overriding influence so far of the 1976 drought. In 1978 however there 
were a few clear regional differences. such as those for the green-veined 
white and the small white which were abundant in the east, while the 
small skipper Thymelicus sylvestris Poda declined in the east but increased 
in the west. 1978 was also notable for the small number of migrants. The 
trends for the red admiral (Fig. 6) and painted lady Vanessa cardui have 
been very uniform over the whole country, as might be expected. 


4. Trends at individual sites 


The regional and national trends, apart from their intrinsic value, will 
provide a background against which data from individual sites can be 
assessed. The period of recording is as yet too short to expect to learn much 
of the effects of habitat change on butterflies. A possible approach to this 
topic can be illustrated however by using the longer series of east midland 
data. 


Monks Wood N.N.R. has been subject to considerable change during the 
period of recording 1973-78. This has mainly taken the form of ride widen- 
ing. The wood was, until this century, managed by traditional coppice 
methods, giving a cycle of cutting which ensured that in any one vear 
some part of the wood had been cleared. This type of management is 
believed to have helped to maintain the rich flora and fauna associated with 
many of our old woodlands. Since the abandonment of coppicing, Monks 
Wood, in common with many other similar woods has lost a number of its 
butterfly species. We cannot be sure that this is directly the result of 
changes in management but it seems likely that they are at least partly 
responsible. Since Monks Wood became a N.N.R. in 1953 there has been 
small scale resumption of coppicing but also, more recently, considerable 
opening up of rides. This has involved cutting many of the shrubs and trees 
within a Sm band either side of the rides in an attempt to improve the 
conditions available for the plants and animals of open woodland, including 
butterflies. Most of this management has been in the transect recording 
period and so provides an opportunity to gauge the early effects. Other ride 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


Meadow brown 


Fig. 


ew ewe ew wee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee oe oe — 


10 


Oo 9 
ee 
ee ee | 
| 


————— 


Bm wea ia ea se ar arr er ss es eae er ee ew 


Te ewe we ae ee ae ee ee ee ee 
ww we ee ee we ee we we we a ae ee SS 
(ew oe oe oe oe ee oe we we ws we we wn we we wn we es —— eee oe 


12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 


week no. 


coe  chark SITES 


petun others 


5 


Flight period of the meadow brown Maniola jurtina L. at all sites with 
adequate data 1978. Chalk sites shown by broken lines. Week 10 starts 


on 3 June. Week 26 on 23 Sept. 


86 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


management consists of cutting the ride edge vegetation on a rotational 
basis every few years, but this is probably of minor importance compared 
with the widening of the rides. 


The trends in index values for Monks Wood for the 1974-78 period can 
be compared with the collated index from the sites in the East Anglia, 
East Midland region (excluding Monks Wood). This has been done for just 
three species to provide an illustration (Fig. 7). It is clear that for the wall 
the Monks Wood trends are largely determined by what is happening in the 
region as a whole. The increase in numbers of walls at some sites in 1978 
was not shown at Monks Wood and it is possible that the species is 
temporarily absent from the wood. The peacock shows fluctuations in 
Monks Wood which are not closely related to the regional picture. This is 
not unexpected, particularly for the summer indices, as the local abundance 
of flowers is so important. In 1978 the peacock had a very high summer 
index value in Monks Wood. This was probably the result of the large 
number of teasels Dipsacus fullonum L. in flower in the wood. The teasel 
is a biennial and seeded well on the bare ground of some rides during the 
1976 drought. It is likely that this effect will be temporary. 


The meadow brown seems to have increased in Monks Wood rather more 
chan it has in the area generally. Visual comparison of trends gives only 
an indication of differences but a more formal comparison of the annual 
changes suggests that this is a small but real difference. We can move 
from this comparison with other sites to an inspection of data from the 
Monks Wood transect itself. Fig. 8 shows the index values for the meadow 
brown over the period of the six sections which have been subject to ride 
widening. There is no doubt that adults become more abundant in 
rides after widening. It seems that the numbers may rise to a peak two or 
three years after widening and then there is a decline, suggesting that the 
benefit for this species may be short lived. The evidence still falls short of 
a proof of a beneficial effect of the management on breeding populations, 
but it seems a reasonable assumption that this is the case. 


Of the other species in the wood only one, the hedge brown Pyronia 
tithonus L. shows a similar increase to that of the meadow brown, while 
the ringlet and speckled wood have shown relative declines. The latter 
species are associated with the shadier rides of the wood and have probably 
been adversely affected by management. 


The effect of the ride-widening must be said to be somewhat limited 
so far, the majority of species showing no obvious response in terms of the 
index value in the wood. A number do show redistribution within the rides 
however and it is likely that in the longer term the management will 
begin to show more benefits. 


DISCUSSION 

After three years it may be said that the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme is 
successfully established. Eventually it should be possible to quantify changes 
in butterfly abundance over a sufficiently long period to be able to investigate 
the effects of weather conditions and other factors on annual fluctuations, 
as Beirne (1955) and others have attempted previously with the qualitative 
data available to them. 


The method is not however without its problems and these should not be 


forgotten in interpreting the results. The most serious of these problems 
are: 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


collated indices 


Fig. 6; 


green-veined white red admiral 


E.Mid!ands E Anglia 


1976 Lt 78 76 77 78 
Collated regional and ‘all sites’ index values for the green-veined white 
Pieris napi L. and red admiral Vanessa atalanta L. 1976-78. Insufficient 


data for the spring brood of P. napi in 1976 in S., S. East. Starting point 
an arbitrary 100 in 1976. 


87 


88 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


(1) There is undoubtedly an influence of weather on the flight of 
butterflies, above the minima adopted for recording. In most cases this 
means that the warmer and sunnier the weather the more butterflies will 
be recorded. There is also some evidence that at very high temperatures 
the flight of some species is reduced and so the counts depressed. It is 
believed that these effects are usually small compared with that due to real 
changes in abundance, but for some species they may be important. This 
problem does not affect the comparison between individual site and regional 
indices. 

(2) The counts are of adults, but the real interest is in breeding areas. 
Adults of some species are nearly always found in close proximity to their 
breeding areas, others are not. In the latter species the index values will 
be greatly affected by the presence of nectar sources, and are a reflection 
of these as well as the general abundance of the species in the area. 

((3) As a result of the transect counts we have good data on changes 
in butterfly abundance, but comparatively poor information on changes 
in habitats. Gross changes, such as those due to management or accidental 
fires, are known but detailed vegetational changes are not, as botanical 
monitoring is generally impossible because of the time and labour required. 


Peacock 


200 


100 


< 
2 800 40 
c 
0 2 
% 400 20% 
i 

5 0 


7 A 


Meadow brown 


300 
200 200 
100 
(0) 0 
1974 75 76 77 78 74) (576778 
E, Midlands, E. Anglia Monks Wood 


Fig. 7. Collated E. Midlands, E. Anglia (excluding Monks Wood) index for 
three species 1974-78, compared with the Monks Wood index over the 
same period. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 89 
(a) 
60 


40 


20 


—_— 


2 
Fak be 


97374 75 % 77 78 


index 


(b) 


100 


6) 
1973 74 75 7% 77 78 


Fig. 8. Changes in index values: (a) In 6 rides in Monks Wood managed by 
ride widening. The coloumns are open before management and closed 
after management. (b) In unmanaged rides in the woods. 


90 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


The local recorders and reserve managers, in the case of nature reserves, 
will therefore be particularly important in helping to interpret the effects 
of habitat changes on the index values. 

The results from monitoring may help to indicate the causes of fluctua- 
tions by showing correlations with weather conditions or habitat changes 
and will also highlight problems for further investigation. An understanding 
of the processes involved in population changes can, however, only be 
obtained by intensive studies of individual species. Such studies must include 
not just the adults, but all stages of the life cycle, any one of which may 
be important in a particular case. 

A major advantage of monitoring lies in the fact that we will know what 
is happening while it is happening and: while it is possible to take action 
for the conservation of species. In addition there will be a data bank 
available, so that ideas resulting from research can be tested using informa- 
tion from a range of sites over a long period of time. 


ACKNOWLEGMENT 


I would like to thank the Nature Conservancy Council, all of the 
recorders who have contributed to the scheme, and especially J. M. Welch 
and M. L. Hall who have been involved in all aspects of its organisation. 


REFERENCES 
Bailey, R. S. (1967). An index of bird population changes on farmland. Bird 


Study, 14: 195-209. 

Beirne, B. P. (1955). Natural fluctuations in abundance of British Lepidoptera. 
Entomologist Gaz., 6: 21-25. 

Pollard, E., Elias, D. O., Skelton, M. J. and Thomas, J. A. (1975). A method of 
assessing the abundance of butterflies in Monks Wood National Nature 
Reserve in 1973. Entomologist’s Gaz., 26: 79-88. 

Pollard, E. (1977). A method for assessing changes in the abundance of butterflies. 
Biol. Conserv., 12: 115-134. 

Pollard, E. (1979). The population ecology and change in range of the White 
Admiral butterfly Ladoga camilla L. in England. Ecological Entomology, 4, 
61-74. 

Thomas, J. A. (1974). Factors influencing the numbers and distribution of the 
brown hairstreak, Thecla betulae L., (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) and the black 
hairstreak, Strimonidia pruni L., (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) Ph.D. Thesis 
Leicester University. 


THE BUTTERFLIES AND HAWK-MOTHS OF 
EASTERN SAUDI ARABIA 


(with Plate VII and One Map [Plate VIII]) 
by A. R. PITTAWway 


(1S Beech Hall Road, Highams Park, London E4 9NJ) 

Although described as desert or desert-steppe, the natural vegetation and 
topography of eastern Saudi Arabia is quite varied, ranging from shifting 
sand-dunes, fertile oases, rocky, barren plains, to true steppe. 

Virtually all the rain (50 to 150 mm.) falls between November and April, 
during which period the windspeeds and cloud-cover are also at their 
greatest. These are also the coolest months of the year, day temperatures 
ranging from 17 to 27°C and at night, between 3 and 19°C. During the 
hottest months—June to early October, day temperatures rise to between 
37 and 58°C, while at night they rarely drop below 30 degrees. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 91 


Thus, it is not surprising that most plant life away from the oases comes 
to life after the rains, but before the onset of searing temperatures, i.e. 
January to May. This is reflected in many of the butterflies’ life-histories, 
described from observations made during 1977 and 1978. 


PAPILIONIDAE 


Papilio demoleus Linné. 
RANGE: From Saudi Arabia and Mesopotamia across sub-tropical and tropi- 
cal Asia to northern Australia. 

Within Saudi Arabia, common in the oases of Safwa, Qatif, Tarut Island, 
Al Hassa and various wadis along the Tuwayq Hills, especially Wadi 
Hanifa to the west of Riyadh. 

ADULT: 92-106 mm. 

A strong flyer, sailing and soaring over Citrus groves, along tracks, as 
well as between date-palms, where it is greatly attracted to the flowers of 
root brassicas and Lantana. 

This species, which varies from oasis to oasis, is on the wing from mid 

February to early December in a succession of overlapping broods. Scarce 
at the beginning of its flight period, numbers build up in April. 
EARLY STAGES: Citrus species, especially Lemon and Mandarine, are the 
only foodplants. On these, the glossy yellow and domed eggs are laid singly 
on young leaves of a growing tip, never old leaves. Besides being very 
conspicuous, they are also locally numerous as many females will select 
the same bush for oviposition, with young saplings being preferred. 

Newly hatched larvae resemble those of P. machaon L., i.e. black with 
a white saddle, and spiny. This colour scheme lasts into the fourth instar, 
as does the habit of resting and feeding exposed on top of a leaf. 

With the next skin change green becomes the dominant colour dorsally, 
white ventrally, with a brown and white chequered anterior band over the 
50 mm. body. 

Now it feeds secretly, hiding away amongst twigs and leaves when at rest. 

The 25-35 mm. pupa is formed amongst these twigs. However, if on a 
sapling, then on the main stem. Many are destroyed during the winter 
months due to the activities of parasites and bacterial disease. Even so, 
large numbers still survive. 

A number of colour forms are evident—green and yellow, light brown 
and purple, and whitish brown with dark brown markings. 

Papilio machaon Linné. 
RANGE: Across the Palearctic and northern Nearctic in a multitude of 
subspecies. 

In eastern Saudi Arabia confined to the Al Hassa Oasis, as well as on 
Tarut Island, where it was introduced in the winter of 1977/78. 

Eller originally named this population ssp. arabensis, but gave no 
description or type locality. Examination of a number of individuals shows 
quite clearly that this Saudi population is but an isolated colony of Papilio 
machaon syriacus Verity. 

However, Al Hassa examples do have broader and more curved tails than 
Mesopotamian specimens. 

Occasionally, in summer, some individuals resemble subspecies muetingi 
Seyer from Iran will turn up in other areas. 

P. machaon frequents cultivated date-palm areas, especially those border- 
ing Lucerne fields, where it forms definite breeding colonies. 


92 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


ADULT: 84-98 mm. 

Found from late November to mid April in a number of overlapping 
broods, usually four. Commonest during January and February. 

Flying quite fast along partially shaded tracks, or over cultivated fields, 
it frequently stops to sip nectar at the flowers of root brassicas and sweet 
basil (Ocimum basilicum). 

Impregnated females have a more leisurely flight, stopping ever so often 
to investigate clumps of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), or sun themselves 
during the coldest month. 

Later on, when warmer weather sets in, most fly in the shade amongst 
date-palms. 

EARLY STAGES: Fennel and Haplophyllum tuberculatum (Rutaceae) are the 
foodplants. As the former is an introduction, it is possible that this species 
once fed solely on the latter. 

On these, the glossy yellow and domed eggs are laid, either all over small 
seedlings in fields, or on the lower and outer leaves of larger growths. 

During midwinter, plants growing in full sunlight are preferred. However. 
come March, some sort of shade is sought for part of the day. 

The larvae cannot be distinguished from those of P. machaon gorganus 
Fruhstorfer in all stages. 

Those feeding on fennel generally eat the lower and older leaves, while 
on Haplophyllum, both leaves and flowers are avidly taken by all instars. 

On the latter as many as nine larvae per plant have been found, ranging 
from newly emerged to fully grown individuals. 

Pupae are formed away from the foodplants, amongst shrublets, on tree- 
trunks, or on the irrigation channels. These are identical to those of ssp. 
gorganus from central Europe, with both green and brown forms. 


PIERIDAE 
Pieris (= Artogeia) rapae (L.) 
Recorded as a winter and spring migrant as far south as Riyadh along 
the Tuwayq Hills. Larval foodplant: — cultivated cabbage. 


Euchloe belemia Esper. 
RANGE: From north-west Africa and south-west Europe across North 
Africa, Saudi Arabia to Mesopotamia and Iran. 

Found in the bush and grass strewn coastal sand-dunes, as well as the 
Rhanterium and camel-grass steppe areas on the eastern coast, from Abu 
Hadriyah to Al Mish’ab. Small numbers also occur in the Tarut Island and 
Qatif Oases. 


ADULTS: 38-46 mm. 

On the wing from mid January to mid March in two or three broods, 
this fast, strong and sig-zagging flyer stays close to the ground, often follow- 
ing definable courses repeatedly. It is greatly attracted by earth ridges 
supporting larger than normal numbers of annual Cruciferae. In very strong 
winds most seek shelter on the ground behind a grass tussock. 

EARLY STAGES: The seed-pods of tall annual Cruciferae—Sinapis, Brassica 
and Sisymbrium are the commonest foodplants. In Qatif Oasis, the isolated 
population exists solely on the pods of cultivated root brassicas. 

Young larvae are bluish green with a profusion of black bristles. Fully 
grown at between 45 and 50 mm., they are striped longitudinally purple, 
white and greenish yellow, with short, black bristles, and very thin. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 93 


They rest along the narrow seed-pods of their foodplant when not con- 
suming them, with up to five per plant being common. 

The 20-22 mm. pupae are similar to those of the European Orange Tip 
(Anthocharis cardamines L.), but more cylindrical and browish grey. 
These are formed away from the foodplant, usually amongst Rhanterium. 


Euchloe falloui Allard. 
RANGE: North Africa across to Sudan, and central Arabia where it is found 
in small, isolated colonies along the Tuwayq Hills, frequenting open, flat, 
salt free, rocky desert-steppe, epecially mini plateaus separated by wadis. 
ADULT: 36-38 mm. 

Very similar in behaviour to E. belemia, but not such a fast flyer. As 
many of each species resemble each other, genitalia comparisons should be 
undertaken. 


Pontia glauconome Klug. 
RANGE: From Somalia north to Lybia and east to Arabia. 

In eastern Saudi Arabia, almost anywhere where rocky outcrops occur, 
i.e. the rocky plains and hills to the north, west and south of Riyadh, as 
well as around Dhahran, Khobar and the Al Hassa Oasis. 

Favours rocky wadis and their surrounding gullies as well as sandy areas 
with perennial Cruciferae (Zilla). 

ADULT: 43-46 mm. 

Very fast, zig-zagging, low flying species which often settles at Cruciferae 
flowers bordering abandoned date plantations. 

Common from early March to early December in a multitude of over- 
lapping broods, which differ from area to area, depending on the rains. In 
some favourable localities, e.g. the Tuwayq Hill wadis, it often abounds in 
May and October. 

(Overwinters as a maturing larva or pupa on its foodplants.) 

EARLY STAGES: Although most often found on the shrubby Ochradenus 
species (Resedaceae), larvae also feed on Reseda (where it occurs), Zilla, 
Diplotaxis harra and Moricandia sinaica, (the latter only around Riyadh in 
the spring), taking leaves, flowers and seed-pods with equal relish. 

It is on these plants that the pale creamy white, conical, ribbed eggs are 
laid singly, either on the flowerstalks (Zilla), or leaf surface (Ochradenus). 

Full grown larvae (30-40 mm.) which are very similar to those of Pontia 
daplidice L., feed quite openly, with up to five or six individuals per plant 
being common. 

The 16-20 mm. pupae are again very similar to those of P. daplidice and 
are formed head downwards at the base of a shoot, usually on the main 
stem at the approach of winter. Summer brood pupae may be found any- 
where on the plant and be of a china-white colour. 


Colias crocea (Geoffroy) 
RANGE: Across southern and central Europe to North Africa, Iran and 
Saudi Arabia. 

Common in the Tuwayq Hills; abundant in all major, cultivated, eastern 
oases—Al Hassa, Qatif, Tarut Island and Safwa, favouring the Lucerne 
(Medicago sativa) fields. 

Small, isolated populations also exist around Manifa, north of Jubail, on 
beds of annual, winter legumes growing in hollows between coastal sand- 
dunes. These populations are also supplemented by migrants. 

ADULT: 48-54 mm. 

Occurs from December to early May, but at Manifa only during February 

and March. 


94 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


Has a very characteristic to and fro flight over low vegetation, where it 
frequently settles at sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) flowers in the oases. 
EARLY STAGES: Medicago sativa, Sesbania and various annual trefoils and 
vetches are this species’ foodplants, whose larvae and pupae are identical to 
European examples. 


Anaphaeis aurota Fabricius 
RANGE: From subsaharan Africa across Saudi Arabia to Syria, India and 
Ceylon (Sri Lanka). 

In this region a small, isolated population exists on Tarut Island. There 
is then a large break before it reappears in the easterly Tuwayq Hills, from 
Al Kharj to Buraydah, where it frequents abandoned date plantations in 
oases, or wadis. It is especially common in Wadi Hanifa to the west of 
Riyadh. 

Although it may occur over a large area, aurota inhabits definite, large 
colonies whose fortunes wax and wane due to heavy predation. 

ADULT: 53-58 mm. 

A powerful flyer, dashing between date-palms, across clearings, or over 
the ground, where it frequently settles. Often stops to sip nectar at flowers. 

Observed from mid November to mid April, with three peaks: — late 
November, mid to late January and late March. 

EARLY STAGES: Capparis species, but only those in or near oases, are the 
foodplants on which the pale yellow, conical and heavily ribbed eggs are 
laid in groups of up to 30 on the leaf underside of growing shoots, with 
often more than four batches per shoot. After a few days they turn orange, 
then grey prior to emergence. 

Larvae are greyish green when young, covered in dark bristles and highly 
gregarious. 

Fully grown specimens (35 mm.) are mid grey with a broad, greenish 
yellow dorsal band and yellowish underside. Two very distinct features are 
the long, pale, ventral hairs, and small orange spots which cover the whole 
body. Once this size and colour, most are very inactive, spending much of 
their time sunbathing. 

Pupae are approx. 17 mm. long and very like those of Pieris brassicae L., 
but basically grey, or green, with darker markings and a greenish dorsal 
band. The orange spots, so noticeable in the larvae, are even more con- 
spicuous. 

Formed at the base of a shoot in most cases. 


Colotis liagore Klug 

RANGE: From Mauretania through Arabia to Baluchistan. In eastern Saudi 
Arabia, only found in the Tuwayq Hills along the sides of deep, rocky 
wadis. 

ADULTS: 32-36 mm. 

Tends to fly up and down, or along, the cliff walls, keeping to a given 
route. Many frequently settle on the ground in the shade of some bush, 
where they are ambushed by others patrolling the same area. 

Easily confused with a small P. glauconome Klug at a distance, as this 
species is on the wing during the brief March and April flight time of 
liagore. 

EARLY STAGES: Capparis species growing on cliff faces—C. cartilaginea: 
never those species in plantations, are selected as foodplants. 


Colotis fausta Olivier 


RANGE: From Egypt through Arabia, Iraq, southern Iran to India and Ceylon 
(Sri Lanka). 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 95 


Found in the same areas as A. aurota, i.e. Tarut Island and the Twuayq 
Hills. Common to the west of Riyadh in Wadi Hanifa. 

Occurs as ssp. fausta, closely resembling specimens from Mesopotamia 
and also found in similar habitats—the edges of cultivated fields, or 
abandoned date plantations, where Capparis has colonised. 

ADULT: 48-50 mm. 

A very fast flyer, and solitary, dashing very close to the ground, on which 
it frequently settles with wings closed Dorsally, it resembles a pinkish 
orange C. crocea Geoff. 

Observed in Wadi Hanifa from mid November to mid May. On Tarut 
Island, only seen during January and February in very limited numbers. 
EARLY STAGES: Feeds on Capparis, especially spinosa. 


Catopsilla florella Fabricius 
RANGE: From the Canary Islands across subsaharan Africa, through Egypt 
and Arabia to India and China. 

Only found in the Tuwayq Hills west and north of Riyadh, frequenting 
wadis with abandoned date plantations and sand-bars. 

ADULT: 65-75 mm. 

A very fast and direct flyer, most often seen dashing along the edges of 
plantations. However, it is rare and may only be a migrant in this area, 
ocurring in April, although in western Saudi Arabia (Jiddah) it flies from 
March to July. 

EARLY STAGES: Cassia italica,.a small shrub found in wadis, is the only 
foodplant in the eastern region. 

The eggs, which are almost identical to those of C. crocea Geoff., are 
laid on the upper and lower surfaces of this plants leaves. 

Full grown larvae (40-45 mm.) are dorsally leaf green with cross-lines of 
fine, dark, bristle bearing tubercles. A double lateral line of black and 
yellow is present. Head leaf green with fine, black spots. This colour scheme 
provides good camouflage amongst the flowerheads and leaves where they 
rest. 


Eurema hecabe Boisduval 
RANGE: Right across subsaharan Africa and tropical Asia to Japan in 
numerous subspecies. 

In eastern Saudi Arabia, confined to the oases around Qatif and on 
Tarut Island as ssp. senegalensis Bdv., frequenting the edges of cultivated 
fields, especially those of Lucerne. However, in Qatif Oasis, where it is 
less common, individuals are often seen flying between date-palms on 
overgrown, abandoned plots. 

ADULT: 40-44 mm. 

A weak flyer, staying close to the ground where it often settles amongst 
the Lucerne. 

It is also an avid visitor of nectariferous flowers, especially sweet basil, 
from which it feeds for lengthy periods. 

The generations are identical in appearance, the species flying from 
December to mid May, with two peaks: — one during January and the 
other in late March. 

EARLY STAGES: The sole foodplant of this species is Sesbania sesban, an 
introduced, small, upright tree similar to Laburnum in many respects, 
especially the flowers, but not the pinnate leaves. 

Small, isolated saplings situated in sunlight dappled clearings, or field 


96 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


borders, are selected on which to lay the yellow, conical and heavily ribbed 
single eggs, which turn orange prior to hatching. 

Fully grown larvae (30-33 mm.) are very similar to those of C. crocea 
Geoff., (which can also be found on the same plant), but are thin, cylin- 
drical and lack any trace of red along the yellow lateral line. Otherwise, 
they are dark green, including the head, and covered in fine, black bristles. 

Most rest along a leaf midrib, on the upperside, where thy are very 
well camouflaged. 

The pupa (15 mm.) is, again, very similar to that of C. crocea, but more 
finely proportioned and pale green. Usually formed under a leaf if hatching 
soon; otherwise at the trees base. 


DANAIDAE 
Danaus chrysippus Linné. 
RANGE: From the Canary Islands right across Africa, Arabia, tropical Asia 
to Australia. 

Found all over the rocky central region of Saudi Arabia, as well as all 
large oases and most of the coastal area in the east, i.e. the Tuwayq Hills, 
Al Hassa, Khobar, Dhahran, Qatif, Tarut Island, Safwa and the Manifa 
sand-hills. 

ADULT: 74-78 mm. 

A slow, lazy flyer, abundant in well vegetated wadis around Riyadh where 
it flies all year round. However, in the east it is only on the wing from 
February until November, overwintering as a feeding larva or pupa. 
EARLY STAGES: The large, broadly conical, pale yellowish white, ribbed ova 
are laid singly on the underside of a young leaf, with various Asclepia- 
daceae being selected for this—Pergularia tomentosa around Riyadh; 
Calotropis procera both there and in Dhahran; a plant resembling Vince- 
toxicum in the eastern oases, and Leptadenia pyrotechnica on the Manifa 
sand-hills. 

On these black, vellow and white banded, tentacled larvae feed up 
rapidly before pupating beneath a leaf as a pale blue, gold speckled pupae. 


NYMPHALIDAE 
Melitaea persea Kollar 
RANGE: Lebanon,S. Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia. 

In the latter country only found in the Tuwayq Hills, where it is very 
common to the west and north of Riyadh as ssp. sargon Hemming, frequent- 
ing the rock strewn beds of dry wadis, especially those with sheltering cliffs. 
Occurs in definite colonies 
ADULTS: 38-50 mm. 

Flight very typical of the genus, being interrupted by frequent stops on 
the ground, or on Anvillea garcini to feed. Wing patterning and colour 
variable, as well as the first generation being darker and more heavily 
spotted. 

On the wing from early March to mid April in two broods—early March 
and the first two weeks of April. Each brood only flies for a very short 
period. 

EARLY STAGES: Teucrium oliverianum (desert germander) is the sole food- 
plant, being a perennial herb which is often abundant, carpeting some wadis 
with their salvia-like, purple flowers. 

The larvae (see Plate VII) are sometimes very common on this plant, 
some areas being completely stripped of leaves, flowers, as well as seedpods. 
Fully grown at between 30 and 35 mm., the larvae are typical of the genus, 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. sSoc., 1979 97 


being white with dark cross stripes and bright orange dorsal cones. Like 
most Melitaea larvae, these will curl up and fall into the tangled mass of 
their foodplants base when disturbed. 

Pupae (12-15 mm.) are also typically Melitaea—pearly white with small 
black and tan specks. These are formed at the foodplant’s base, although 
many of the first generation hang fully exposed on the upper stems, where 
they form up in a week. 


Junonia (= Precis) orithya (L.) 
RANGE: Subsaharan Africa across Arabia to tropical Asia. 

In eastern Saudi Arabia it is confined to cultivated oases in the Tuwayq 
Hills, as well as in the eastern coast region—Al Hassa, Khobar, Dammam, 
Qatif, Tarut Island and Safwa, where it shows a preference for field edges, 
fallow fields and the clear areas beneath date-palms. 

ADULT: 43-50 mm. 

A very conspicous species and very common, either flying rapidly in the 
shade of trees, sunning on bare ground, or sipping nectar from Vernonia 
shrubs. Many are also attracted to overripe dates which have fallen on the 
ground. 

J. orithya flies all year round, but is most common from April to 
November. 

EARLY STAGES: Convolvulus species, especially arvensis plants at the edge of, 
or in, fields, are the foodplants on which the blue-green, domed and heavily 
ribbed eggs are laid singly. 

Fully grown larvae (35-40 mm.) are black with fine white speckling and 3 
mass of blackish spines. The black head has an orange ring behind it, a 
dorsal line of the same colour extending from there to the anal claspers. 

Many sit fully exposed on the ground inbetween eating small holes in 
their foodplants leaves, with older ones being preferred. 

The pupae (15 mm.) are pale greyish brown and similar to those of 
Vanessa atalanta L., both in shape and deportment. They are formed on 
the stalk of some nearby dead plant. 


Vanessa cardui (L.) 
RANGE: Throughout the subtropics and tropics, except South America, 
where it occurs as a sporadic migrant. 

It is as a migrant that this species occurs all over eastern Saudi Arabia, 
but it is only resident in the Tuwayq wadis and large eastern oases, and 
from the Rhanterium/Camel-grass steppe north and northwestwards to 
Kuwait and Iraq. 

ADULT: 54-56 mm. 

Has a very characteristic and straight flight, but it often settles on the 
ground to sun with wings open. Many are attracted to flowers, especially 
the large Vernonia shrubs of the east coast oases, these blooming during 
the insects flight period—November to April in up to four broods, with 
February producing most adults. 

EARLY STAGES. The spiny yellow and brown larvae are identical to european 
examples, but feed on Urtica urens around Riyadh; but on Malva eagyptia 


and, especially, Neurada procumbens (Rosaceae) in the east coast steppes 
and sand-hills. 


LYCAENIDAE 
Lampides boeticus (L.) 


RANGE: In the tropics and subtropics of the Old World. 
In this region it is confined to the cultivated oases of Safwa, Qatif, Tarut 


98 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


Island, Dammam, Khobar, Al Hassa and the Tuwayq Hills, being rare in 
the latter locality. 

Frequents the fringes of cultivated fields, gardens, road reservations and 
islands, and rocky gorges fringing cutivated wadis. 


ADULT: 30-34 mm. 

At certain times of the year an abundant species, flitting around its food- 
plants on which it frequently settles, or even feeds from, especially in the 
case of Sesbania sesban. 

Alternatively, to be seen dashing along some plantation edge, or city 
street, in search of flowers, or a place to deposit eggs. 

Its flight time usually coincides with the flowering of its foodplants, but 
small numbers can be found throughout the year. Three main broods are 
evident: — one in December and the other two in March and April. 
EARLY STAGES: The pillbox shaped, china white and heavily sculptured eggs 
are laid on the sepals or immature pods of the foodplants flowers, and are 
often extremely abundant. The most common foodplant is Sebania sesban. 
However, as this plant does not occur in Al Hassa and the Tuwayq Hills, 
the pods of Phaseolus are taken in the former, those of Astragalus in the 
latter. 

On hatching, the young larva immediately bores into the pod where it 
proceeds to feed on the immature seeds. Pupation also occurs within the 
pod. 


Zizeeria karsandra Mre. 


RANGE: From Africa and the southern Iberian Peninsula across the Middle 
East and tropical Asia to Australia. 

In eastern Saudia Arabia, mainly confined to the cultivated oases of Jubail 
Safwa, Qatif, Tarut Island, Dammam, Khobar, Al Hassa and the Tuwyq 
Hills. A few isolated colonies exist along the coast to Kuwait where rain- 
water accumulations between coastal sand-dunes alow trefoils and vetches 
to grow during the winter months, e.g. Manifa and the island of Abu Ali. 


ADULT: 18-22 mm. 

Probably the commonest butterfly in the region. Abounding over Lucerne 
fields, it flies very close to the ground, often in groups which frequently 
settle on low vegetation. Where flowers occur, especially Vernonia and 
sweet basil, this species smothers them, often driving off competing bees. 
Amongst sand-dunes, population densities are much lower. 

In the oases this species is continuously brooded throughout the year, but 
becomes uncommon during the cooler months of December, January and 
February. However, on the sand-dunes, where its foodplants are seasonal, 
only one or two broods occur during March and early April, but this is 
dependent on the rainfall. 


EARLY STAGES: The 8 mm. larva is typically lycaenid; pale olive green with 
a number of faint, coral red bars and arrow marks dorsally. The small head 
is black. 


It feeds quite openly on a shoots tip, preferring cultivated Lucerne 
(Medicago sativa). Prior to its introduction, various Alhagi species were 
probably taken in the easterly oases, and still are. It is also found on 
related, annual species such as Lotus and Trigonella. 

Pupae, which are approx. 6 mm. long, are attached to the underside of 
a leaf or stem, and exhibit the same colouration as the larvae. In shape it 
resembles that of the common blue (Polymmatus icarus Rottemburg). 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 99 
Tarucus rosaceus Austaut 
RANGE: From North Africa across Arabia to Iraq and Iran. 

In this region it is confined to oases, having been found at Jubail, Safwa, 
Qatif, Tarut Island, Khobar, Al Hassa, Salasil and various wadis criss- 
crossing the Tuwayq Hills. On no occasion was 7. theophrastus Fab. found. 
ADULT: 22-26 mm. 

A species which occurs in marked colonies. Each adopt a particular 
Zizyphus tree, around which they fly, frequently settling on the leaves and 
flowers. Many also rest on the dead twigs and shoots of herbaceous plants 
nearby, which is where most sleep. 

Apart from the flowers of its foodplant, individuals have been observed 
sipping nectar from fennel (F. vulgare) and Heliotropium. 

T. rosaceus flies throughout the year in a number of well defined broods, 
although it is commonest in October and during March and April. 

EARLY STAGES: The larval foodplant is Zizyphus. 


Agrodiaetus loewii Zeller 
RANGE: Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Arabia. 

In Saudi Arabia it is only found in the Tuwayq Hills and thence eastwards 
up to the Ad Dahna sand-dunes, inhabiting any kind of water course in the 
stony desert, so long as Astragalus spinosus is present. However, it does 
favour the same large, stony wadis that M. persea Kollar is found in. 
ADULT: 34-38 mm. 

A very fast flyer occurring at very low population densities. Often seen 
dashing in tight circles around Astragalus bushes, on whose flowers it 
settles. 

It is on the wing from early March to mid April in two generations; these 
coinciding with the flowering of its foodplants:— A. spinosus and A. 
sieberi, especially the former. 


Chilades galba Lederer 
RANGE: From southern Turkey southwards through the Middle East, 
Afghanistan, Mesopotamia to southern Arabia. 

In this region it occurs in the Tuwayq Hills along the edges of date 
plantations in sandy wadis. 
ADULT: 22-24 mm. 

Flies close to the ground under date-palms, or around Prosopis bushes. 
Many often settle for lengthy periods on shaded bare earth, or grass, during 
hot weather. 

This species is very easily confused with a tailess Chilades parrhasius 
Feb., with which it flies from mid April to mid May. 

EARLY STAGES: Most probably feeds on Prosopis, a known foodplant which 
is common in many localities. 


Chilades parrhasius Fabricius 
RANGE: From India and Arabia north to Afghanistan. 

In this area confined to the wadis along the Tuwayq Hills, preferring the 
edges of date plantations, especially abandoned ones with a profusion of 
flowers. 

ADULT: 22-24 mm. 

Nearly always found amongst date-palms, sunning on, and feeding from, 
bush Compositeae. 

It is very easily overlooked, or confused with Lampides boeticus L. and 
Chilades galba Lederer, with which it flies from mid April to mid May. 

HESPERIIDAE 
Gegenes nostrodamus Fabricius 
RANGE: Circum-Mediterranean, through Asia Minor, Arabia to Turkestan 
and India. 


100 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


In eastern Saudi Arabia it occurs in the oases of Safwa, Qatif, Al Hassa 
and the Tuwayq Hills. 
ADULT: 30-33 mm. 

This rapid flying species, which is on the wing all year round, but as 
three or four well defined generations, is most often seen resting on the 
leaf of some broad-leaved shrub, or feeding from Lantana. 

EARLY STAGES: As with most hesperids, the larvae feed on grasses. 


Pelopidas thrax Hubner 
RANGE: Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, Arabia, Iran to India 
and Penang as two separate subspecies. 

In eastern Saudi Arabia it occurs as ssp. thrax in the oases of Safwa, 
Qatif, Tarut Island, Al Hassa and the Tuwayq Hills. 

ADULT: 40 mm. 

Quite a common species, but only really noticed when at rest on a leaf, 
or feeding from Jasminum and Lantana blossom. Flies for most of the 
year. 

EARLY STAGES: The larvae feed on most course grasses. 


SPHINGIDAE 
Acherontia styx styx Westwood 
Rare in the large Al Hassa Oasis to the north and east of Hofuf, where 
it flies in February, May, July and September as four separate generations. 
Larvae only found on Withania somnifera (L.) Dun. (Solanaceae), 
although it may also feed on the widely cultivated Aubergine. 


Agrius convolvuli convolvuli (L.) 

A common species, but confined to the neighbourhood of large towns 
and oases, having been found at Al Hassa, Khobar, Dammam, Qatif, Tarut 
Island and in the Tuwayq Hills. 

Flies from April to November in up to four clearly defined broods, with 
the first yielding the largest individuals. 

Larvae on Convolvulus in oases, especially those plants growing along 
the edges of cultivated fields. In towns, only on ornamental Ipomoea species 
growing over walls. 


Daphnis nerii nerii (L.) 

Common in all major east coast oases—Al Khobar, Qatif, Tarut Island 
and Al Hassa, flying from January to June, which is the flowering period 
of its foodplant. Three overlapping generations have been recorded. 

Larvae on Nerium oleander, where they usually take the flowers and 
young shoots. The brown form is common. 

Hyles lineata livornica (Espet.) 

An abundant species, being especially common (breeding) along the east 
coast sea-dunes and in the patches of Rhanterium/Camel grass steppe to 
the north and west of Manifa. The largest individuals, however, were 
recorded from the fringes of Al Hassa Oasis. 

Flies from November until April, with most occurring in January and 
February. Multi-brooded. 

Larvae common on the seedheads of Asphodelus fistulosa, less commonly 
on Polygonaceae and tendrilled, annual Leguminosae. 


Hippotion celerio celerio (L.) 
A common oases species, having been found at Al Hassa, Qatif and 


Tarut Island from November until June in up to four distinct generations. 
Larvae only on Vitis. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SoOc., 1979 PLATE VII 


Plate VII 
Melitaea persea Koll. Larva on foodplant, and pupa. 


1979 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC.. 


PLATE VIII 


NV Yl 


YVLVO 


) 


dup 
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a Le 
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eae 
(\ {ISE[ES 
seqou nega UPd 
wewwed XQ yed 
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Sy 
SS 
= 
sis 
eyiuewe 
qe,yusip 


Bo 


yegdiupey nqy |. 
nai ALS 


Vv 


Vv 
oie v 
ruvHwa iv Vv = a <4 
is Sse Ny, a 
= & MA = 
Vv 
= ypediy Nev as ¥ 
. = Bes Vv % 1¥as3aad a 
. Ve Vv ANOLS 
ete ¥ pace A a ae 
Wy 
Ere ure Vv 4% - 3 
on NV, y ov 
a x 
re Se OE - 
es vA, hi’, 
¢ 6 = x 
DM aae SES TN ee = 
L 2h raha a be =e usrlnin E 
f Sey sel = 
= eS Sora a Ss 
z = fa nl ods 
eet” Ns we 7 ig <> 
\ Bayh ee = Pa ~ 
\ === Te = i ee = 
\ Oe Re ee a, Ae be Take ond oe ne A 
“s Re - Ue sae = = 
, bs OVY! 
sip 
if 
! 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 101 


Macroglossum stellatarum stellatarum (L.) 
An infrequent summer migrant to the east coast from Iran. 


REFERENCES 


Higgins, L. G. and Riley, N. D. (1970). A field guide to the Butterflies of Britain 
and Europe. Collins. 

Larsen, T. B. 1974). The Butterflies of the Lebanon. Beirut. 

Lipscombe Vincett, B. A. (1977). Wild flowers of central Saudi Arabia. Tipostile 
S. R.L., Milan. 

Migahid, A. M. and Hammouda, M. A. (1974). Flora of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh 
University Publication. 

The Journal of Oman Studies, Special Report (1975). The Scientific Results of the 
Oman Flora and Fauna Survey 1975. Ministry of Information and Culture, 
Sultanate of Oman. 


OBITUARIES 


DR. HENRY BERNARD DAVIS KETTLEWELL 


Bernard Kettlewell was born on 24th February, 1907 at Howden, East 
Yorks., the son of a member of the corn exchange. He went to school at 
Old College, Windermere and Charterhouse, and then studied for medicine 
at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and Barts Hospital. 

The Cambridge University Natural History Society at that time had 
about 200 members and subdivided into several disciplines. In the entomo- 
logical section, the zoology students mingled amicably with the amateur 
lepidopterists (students of medicine, the sciences or the arts), and among 
the latter Bernard’s charm and energy made him a natural leader. There 
was, of course, another older oracle among the bug-hunters, namely 
Harold Worsley Wood, brother of a don and living in retirement in De 
Freville Avenue, Chesterton. Probably due to Wood’s influence, Bernard 
joined the “South London” in 1928. Contact with Dr. E. A. Cockyne, then 
still practising as a doctor in London, and other leading lepidopterists of 
the day was a natural consequence. 

Most of the undergraduates owned bicycles; these put Wicken Fen within 
Tange, and those, who wished, could obtain an exeat from their tutor and 
spend a night bug-hunting in the Fen under arrangements of keeper Barnes. 
Bernard’s fast car enabled him and a few friends to range even further 
afield, to find vernal larvae of the black hairstreak, Fixsenia pruni (L.) at 
Warboys Wood, or the vernal flier Carterocephalus palaemon (Pallas), the 
chequered skipper at Bedford Purlieus on the Great North Road north of 
Stilton. During his 1928 vacations with R. P. Demuth he took Coscinia 
cribraria (L.) at Bournemouth and bred from it in 1931; in the summer of 
1930 he joined the writer in lodgings at Cox’s Staithe, Barton Turf, Norfolk, 
to obtain other local rarities. These pursuits in no wise impeded the 
acquiring of an M.A. and an M.B. 

During the next few years he disappeared from East Anglia acquiring 
in London his medical qualifications (B.Chir., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.) and 
becoming engaged, in Birmingham, where his parents now resided, to 
Hazel Wiltshire. The marriage took place in 1936 when he joined a medical 
practice at Cranleigh, Surrey; he lived there at ““Homefield’’, The Common. 

Throughout this period he continued field entomology and breeding and 
began to publish results and observations of increasing interest. A series 
of articles in the Entomologist’s Record, Vols. 51-64 (1939-52) dealt par- 
ticularly with the natural history and breeding of the less well-known 


102 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


British lepidoptera. Two important papers with colour-plates appeared in 
our Society’s (the South London) Proceedings: A survey of the insect 
Panaxia dominula (L.) (1942-3: 1-49) and Temperature experiments on the 
pupa of Heliothis peltigera Schiff. . . . with the manifestation of the 
Mendelian law at a given temperature only” (1943: 69-81). In the latter 
he introduced his concept of the pupal ‘“‘passiphase’’ and ‘‘actiphase”’; 
temperature changes during the former had no effect on subsequent 
imaginal pigmentation, but during the latter were responsible for degree 
of pigmentation laid down. As contacts with his Cambridge friends declined, 
those with Dr. Cockayne and E. B. Ford led to this increasing interest in 
the genetics of British lepidoptera. 


The inauguration of the National Health Service in 1946, however, was 
a shock for Bernard, and he ceased to be a general practitioner, becoming, 
for a while, an anaesthetist in the Emergency Medical Service; then, the 
idea of a radically new life lured him and his family abroad. He accordingly 
presented his lepidoptera collection to the British Museum of Natural 
History in 1947 and departed for South Africa, where he travelled and 
collected widely. These collections also eventually came to the British 
Museum. Persuaded by E. B. Ford he returned after a few years to cloudier 
skies and genetics at Oxford, giving up all thought of continuing in 
medicine; in 1952 he was awarded a Nuffield Research Fellowship there, 
and thus his greatest period began; his penetrating intelligence enabled him 
to fit naturally into the highest academic circles, despite what a friend 
described as his “rugged individualism”’. 


His experiments with birds and melanic moths soon enabled him to 
unveil the causes of ‘industrial melanism’’, which he showed to be due 
not to the chemical effects of breathing polluted air or eating polluted 
food, but to natural selection mainly by bird predators in a visually polluted 
environment. A flood of articles followed, mainly in Heredity and other 
specialist papers; they are listed in his principal book (“‘The evolution of 
melanism”, Oxford 1973) but this was still to be written, for his first book, 
a popular work, appeared in 1963 (‘Your book of butterflies and moths’’, 
Faber) to be followed by a joint work with Julian Huxley: ‘““Charles Darwin 
and his world’? (Thames and Hudson, 1965). 


In connection with the Darwin centenary he visited Brazil in 1958 there 
photographing and collecting the rich and colourful moths of the rain 
forest close to Rio de Janeiro, an episode in which the writer had the good 
fortune to accompany him, at least in his activities in the Corcovado rain 
forests. ‘“‘Life’’, the American picture magazine, printed a big feature on 
3rd November, 1958: ‘“‘Darwin’s insects jewels of his jungle paradise”, 
mainly remarkable for its illustrations, of which the colour photos were 
Bernard’s own work, while the paintings were by Walter Linsenmaier; no 
less remarkable however was one black and white photograph of Bernard 
himself at his light-trap, veiled by a kite-net, stripped to the waist and 
covered with moths. Another account of this collecting at the Corcovado 
hotel, was penned and illustrated by the humorist Ludwig Bemelmans; 
here he figures as “the professor” and is again portrayed, more decently 
clad but equally surrounded with moths, in his eyrie, in a striking water- 
colour drawing; this appeared in an article “The best way to see Rio” in 
“Holiday”, December 1958. “Discovery” also printed an illustrated account 
of his expedition, giving more space to its scientific significance, and the 
British Museum again received the collection. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 PLATE IX 


DR. HH. B: DS KETILEWELE 


PLATE X PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


CAPT. N. D. RILEY, C.B.E. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 103 


His British collection had meanwhile become merged with those of 
Cockayne and Rothschild; as the “R.C.K.” collection it proved to be a 
Mecca for students of the variations of British moths; later still this 
became part of the “National collection” at South Kensington as David 
Carter reported in our last number (11 (1/):19-23). 

Soon after this he visited the Shetlands repeatedly to study the case of 
Paradiarsia glareosa (Esper) whose melanic form edda (Staudinger) in 
Unst shows reduced flight activity, is concentrated in the north end of the 
Shetlands, and appears to be less subject to predation by gulls than the 
typical form (see Heredity 16(4):415-434) (1961). Typically he toiled single- 
handed to produce his great work, ““The Evolution of Melanism”’ (1973), a 
labour that lasted longer than expected and left him exhausted. He retired 
from his main appointment in 1976, becoming a senior officer in the 
University Zoology Department and an Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson 
College. His usual ebullience faded as ill-health and suffering made his 
retirement less fruitful than hoped; our Society made him an Honorary 
Member in February 1977, an act of appreciation which consoled him but 
could not arrest the decline. The end came in May 1979 at the age of 72. 

During his Oxford life he had resided at the Old Vicarage, Steeple 
Barton, and he introduced into its garden a rare strain of the scarlet tiger 
moth (P. dominula) which multiplied and survived him there. Perhaps the 
local naturalists’ trust will be able to ensure its continuance there. In any 
case his memorial remains, in his collections and written work. But his 
enthusiasm and encouragement will be sadly missed by many. 

E.P.W. 


N. D. RILEY, C.B.E. 


Norman Denbigh Riley was born at Tooting, London, on the 26th 
September, 1890 and was educated at Harlington School, Balham (1898- 
1904) and at Dulwich College (1904-1909). From an early age he showed 
an intense interest in Natural History, and on leaving Dulwich took up 
the position of Demonstrator in entomology at Imperial College of Science 
in 1911. Later that year he joined the staff of the British Museum (Natural 
History) at South Kensington, London as an Assistant in charge of the 
Rhopalocera (Butterflies) in the Department of Zoology. The Department 
of Entomology housing all the Insecta did not come into being until two 
years later in 1913. 

During the First World War, Riley reached the rank of Captain, serving 
in the Army Service Corps and The Queens Regiment from 1914-1919 and 
was mentioned in dispatches. On his return to civilian life he resumed his 
work on the butterflies at the Natural History Muesum. His adminstrative 
ability became evident and he took over the Keepership of the Department 
of Entomology in 1932, the post which he so ably held for twenty-two years 
a record—until his retirement in 1955. Though he retired two decades ago 
he still continued to visit the Museum almost daily to work on the collec- 
tions and to give freely the benefit of his vast experience to those who 
requested it. 

During the long period as head of the Department containing the largest 
insect collection in the world he organized the dispersal, for safety reasons, 
of the major parts of this vast collection during World War II and their 
re-assembly afterwards. He was made a C.B.E. in 1952. 

He was the senior member of the South London Entomological and 
Natural History Society (now the British E. & N.H.S.) having joined in 


104 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


1908. He was President in 1923 and 1924 and was elected a Special Life 
Member in 1959. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Entomological 
Society of London in 1912 and served as an Officer of that Society on 
many occasions. He was a Council member in 1921-23, 1930,, 1933-35 and 
1953, Hon. Treasurer 1939-40, Hon. Secretary 1926-29, 1941-50, Vice- 
President 1929, 1949 and 1953, President in 1951 and 1952, and was elected 
an Honorary Fellow in 1957. He was also a Fellow or member of many 
other learned bodies concerned with Natural Science, Entomology, Conser- 
vation and Nomenclature. He was elected a Fellow of the Zoological Society 
of London in 1919 and was its Vice-President in 1958 and 1959. He was 
President and Vice-President of the Lepidopterist’s Society and an Honorary 
member of the Entomological Society of France. He served as a Commis- 
sioner on the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature and 
was one of the editors of the International Code drawn up by that body. 
He was also both Secretary and then Treasurer of the Society for the 
Promotion of Nature Reserves for many years. He was the Royal Entomo- 
logical Society’s representative on the Council of the National Trust and 
was also Chairman of the Entomological Section of the International 
Union of Biological Sciences and of the Permanent Committee of the 
International Congresses of Entomology. The above list is not exhaustive 
but just some of the more important posts he held with such distinction. 

Throughout an exceedingly busy life he found time to edit The Entomo- 
logist—the first journal to be devoted entirely to entomology—for nearly 
forty years. During his editorship a steady stream of taxonomic papers, 
notes, observations, obituaries and reviews issued from his fluent pen. He 
published numerous scientific papers devoted almost exclusively to the 
Rhopalocera of the World in other journals as well and was the author of 
several books on this subject. Amongst these are the Field Guide to the 
Butterflies of the West Indies and as a co-author with L. G. Higgins of 
the extremely popular Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe, 
published by Collins in 1970 which is already in its second edition and has 
appeared in eight different European language editions. A bibiography of 
all the above is appended. 

He married Edith Vaughan in 1920 by whom he had a son and daughter 
and who all survive him. 


N. D. Riley: Bibliography 1912-1976 


1912. Book Reviews. Entomologist, 45: 212, 308. 

1913. Book Reviews. Entomologist, 46: 70, 339. 

1914. Book Reviews. Entomologist, 47: 48. 

1919. Some new Rhopalocera from Brazil. Entomologist, 52: 181-200. 

1920. A note on Dutch Chrysophanus dispar Haw. Entomologist, 53: 10. 

1920. A note on some African Rhopalocera. Entomologist, 53: 73-75. 

1920. A new Arhopala (Lep.: Lycaenidae) from Ceylon. Entomologist, 53: 97. 

(Reprinted in Spolia Zeylanica, 12: 210-211.) 

1920. Book Reviews. Entomologist, 53: 167, 288. 

1921. Book Reviews. Entomologist, 54: 56, 152. 

1921. Some undescribed Rhopalocera in the British Museum (Natural History). 
Entomologist, 54: 180-184. 

1921. A new form of Tajuria from Ceylon. Entomologist, 54: 206. 

1921. Notes on the Rhopalocera of the Dollman Collection. Trans. ent. Soc. 
Lond., 1921: 234-259. 

1921. with Godfrey, E. J. Some undescribed Rhopalocera from Siam. J. nat. 
Hist. Soc. Siam, 4: 167-190. 

1921. Some undescribed Rhopalocera from Mesopotamia and N.W. Persia. 
Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (9), 8: 580-600. 


PROC. 


1922. 
1922: 


1922, 
1922. 


1927. 
1922. 
1O225 
1922: 
1922. 


1922; 


1923. 
1923. 
1923. 
1923. 
1923. 
1923. 


1923; 
1923; 
1923. 
1923. 
1923. 


1923. 
1924. 
1924. 
1924. 
1924. 
1924. 
1924. 
1924. 
1924. 
1924. 
1924. 


1924. 
1924. 


1925. 
1925: 
1925. 
1925. 


1925. 
1925. 
1925: 
1925. 


1925. 
1925. 


19255. 
1925. 


BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 105 


Notes on the generic names of Indian Theclinae and Amblypodiinae. 
J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 28: 465-473. 

The genus ““Amblypodia”’ auctorum (de Niceville, Moore, Swinhoe, etc.), 
nec. Horstfield (Lep. Rhop.). Entomologist, 55: 25-29, 51-53. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 55: 139, 140, 167, 261, 284. 

Vanessa io ab. belisaria. Entomologist, 55: 136. 

|May 1921 took over editorship of The Entomologist] 

Obituary. H. Fruhstorfer. Entomologist, 55: 144. 

Colias croceus Fourc. (edusa Fab.). Entomologist, 55: 211. 

Obituary. H. H. C. J. Druce. Entomologist, 55: 215. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 55: 236, 237, 256, 278. 

Some undescribed Rhopalocera in the British Museum (Natural History) 
II. Entomologist, 55: 250-252. 

A new Arhopala (Lep., Lycaenidae) from Ceylon. Spolia Zeylanica, 12: 
210-211. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 56: 12, 44, 67, 114, 262, 235, 259. 
Preservation of rare species. Entomologist, 56: 43. 

New Rhopalocera from Borneo. Entomologist, 56: 35-38. 

An |alleged] male Colias croceus var. helice. Entomologist, 56: 64. 
Phenology, or the science of appearances. Entomologist, 56: 68. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 56: 72, 119, 145, 146, 192, 218, 241, 242, 
264, 265, 282. 

The Zoological Record. Entomologist, 56: 111. 

Hybridisation in nature. Entomologist, 56: 115. 

Head transplantation in insects. Entomologist, 56: 143-144. 

A new dissecting microscope. Entomologist, 56: 281. 

The Rhopalocera of the Mount Everest 1921 Expedition. Trans. ent. Soc. 
Lond. 1922: 461-483. 

Two undescribed Rhopalocera from Ceylon. Spolia Zeylanica, 12: 323-326. 
Editorial comments. Entomologist, 57: 207, 211, 232, 234, 235, 237, 281. 
Editorial with R. A[dkin] and W. G. S [heldon]. Entomologist, 57: 1. 
Obituary. Colonel Swinhoe. Entomologist, 57: 23. 

Colias crocea form helice *‘ 6”. Entomologist, 57: 66. 

A useless name. Entomologist, 57: 67. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 57: 71, 214, 215, 239, 264. 

A new Lycaenid butterfly from Costa Rica. Entomologist, 57: 88. 
Eromene ocelleus Haw. in Dorset. Entomologist, 57: 90. 

Obituary. Charles Oberthur. Entomologist, 57: 191. 

A note on the genus Pyrrhopygopsis Godman and Salvin (Lep. Hesperi- 
idae). Entomologist, 57: 245-249. 

Presidential address. Proc. S. Lond. ent. nat. Hist. Soc. 1924: 74-90. 
with E. Step and W. E. China. Insects. Jn Animals of all countries. 
Hutchinson. London. pp. 1757-2034. 

An inquiry. Entomologist, 58: 39. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 58: 39, 64, 225. 

Biological abstracts. Entomologist, 58: 42. 

British National Committee on Entomological Nomenclature. Entomologist, 
58: 43. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 58: 43, 45, 69, 171, 172, 229, 302. 
Spilosoma lubricipeda in February. Entomologist, 58: 63. 

Obituary. Arthur Cant. Entomologist, 58: 72. 

with E. J. Godfrey. New Rhopalocera from Siam and Hainan. Entomolo- 
gist, 58: 140-143. 

Jersey Lepidoptera. Entomologist, 58: 149-151. 

British Association for the Advancement of Science. Entomologist, 58: 
l/l 

Obituary. Dr. A. G. Butler. Entomologist, 58: 175. 

Third International Congress of Entomology. Entomologist, 58: 220-224. 


106 


1925. 
1925) 


1925. 
1925. 


L925; 
1925. 


1925. 
1925. 


1925. 


1926. 
1926. 
1926. 
1926. 
1926. 


1926. 
1926. 
1926. 
1926. 


1926. 
1926. 
1926. 


1926. 
1926. 


1927. 
1927. 
OPE 
1927. 
O27: 


1927. 
1927. 
NOPE 
1927. 
1927. 
1927. 
1927. 


WEP 
1927. 


1928. 
1928. 
1928. 
1928. 
1928. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


Editorial. Entomologist, 58: 257. 

A new Moroccan subspecies of Cigaritis zohra (Lep., Lycaenidae). 
Entomologist, 58: 270. 

Obituary. Prof. H. Maxwell Lefroy. Entomologist, 58: 279. 

List of butterflies collected in Arabia by Captain R. E. Cheesman. Ann. 
Mag. nat. Hist (9), 15: 151. 

Presidential address. Proc. S. Lond. ent. nat. Hist. Soc. 1925: 63-81. 

A revision of the genus Artitropa (Lep. Hesperiidae). Trans. ent. Soc. 
Lond. 1925: 281-288. 

Notes on the genus Ceratrichia (Lep. Hesperiidae). Ann. Ma. nat. Hist. 
(9), 16: 405-416. 

The species usually referred to the genus Cigaritis (Lep. Lyaenidae). 
Novit. zool., 32: 70-95. 

with A. G. Gabriel. Catalogue of the type specimens of the Lepidoptera 
Rhopalocera in the British Museum Pt. 1. Satyridae, Pt. 2. Danaidae. 
British Museum (Nat. Hist.). London. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 59: 11, 239, 254. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 59: 23, 93, 117, 147, 200, 255. 

Obituary. E. A. Butler. Entomologist, 59: 24. 

Nomenclature. Entomologist, 59: 41. 

Dates of publication of early British Museum Catalogues. Entomologist, 
59: 167. 

Obituary. Thomas Salvage. Entomologist, 59: 176. 

Postcards of Insects. Entomologist, 59: 187. 

Obituary. J. C. Moulton. Entomologist, 59: 232. 

Colaenis and Dione (Lep. Nymphalidae): a revisional note on the species. 
Entomologist, 59: 240-245. 

A gift of Heodes dispar to the National Collection. Entomologist, 59: 254. 
Obituary. Rev. F. D. Morice. Entomologist, 59: 328. 

Descriptions of three new Rhopalocera. Entomologist’s mon. Mag., 62: 
277-279. 

List of Hesperiidae, in the Tring Museum collected on the ivory Coast by 
G. Mebu. Novit. zool., 33: 49-52. 

On the identity of certain Hesperiidae described by Latreille. Trans. ent. 
Soc. Lond., 1926: 231-241. 

Obituary notices. Entomologist, 60: 24. 

Polygonia c-album in Dorset. Entomologist, 60: 30. 

The Natural History Museum. Entomologist, 60: 45. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 60: 48, 70, 94, 118, 138, 139, 236, 263, 286. 
A new form of Talicada nyseus Guerin (Lep. Lycaenidae). Entomologist, 
60: 59. 

Obituary. Oliver Janson. Entomologist, 60: 72. 

Brenthis dia in the Forest of Dean. Entomologist, 60: 133-134. 

The Oberthiir Collection. Entomologist, 60: 136-138. 

The Froggatt Collection of Australian Insects. Entomologist, 60: 165. 
Exit Huebner’s ‘“‘Tentamen’’. Entomologist, 60: 260. 

A new European Lycaenid, Cupido arcilacis. Entomologist, 60: 269-276. 
Interesting British Butterflies from the Ingall Collection. Nat. Hist. Mag., 
1: 44-45. 

The Rhopalocera of the third Mount Everest Expedition. Trans. ent. Soc. 
Lond., 1927: 119-129. 

The Oberthur Collection of butterflies and moths. Nat. Hist. Mag., 1: 
83-90. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 61: 20, 93, 115, 144, 165, 191, 215. 
Cupido carswelli Stemptfer = C. arcilacis Riley. Entomologist, 61: 38, 91. 
Sphinx convolvuli at Nairn. Entomologist, 61: 41. 

Obituary. John Hartley Durrant. Entomologist, 61: 48, 73-75. 

A List of the Hesperiidae collected in the island of Sao Thomé by T. A. 
Barns. Entomologist, 61: 64-65. 


PROC. 


1928. 
1928. 
1928. 
1928. 
1928. 
1928. 


1928. 
1928. 
1928. 


1928. 


1929. 
1929. 


1929. 
1929: 
1929. 
1929. 
1929. 


1929: 
1929: 
1929. 
1929, 


Io: 


1929. 


1929. 


1930. 
1930. 
1930. 


1930. 


1930. 
1930. 


1930. 
1930. 
1930. 
1930. 
1930. 
1930. 
1930. 


1931. 
1931. 
1931. 
1931. 
1931. 
1931. 


BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 107 


Obituary. Gervaise Frederick Mathew. Entomologist, 61: 119. 

Two new local races of Euchlaé. Entomologist, 61: 136. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 61: 161, 259. 

obituary. Edward Bonney Nevinson. Entomologist, 61: 168. 

Obituary. Arthur George Malin Gillott. Entomologist, 61: 168. 
Description of two new Lycaenidae in the British Museum. Entomologist, 
61: 187. 

A swarm of Melitaea aurinia larvae. Entomologist, 61: 210. 

Pachys betularia var. doubledayaria in Ireland. Entomologist, 61: 212. 
Notes on the Jolaus, Argiolaus and related genera, with descriptions of new 
species and a new genus. (Lep. Lycaenidae). Novit. zool. 34: 374-394. 
with E. B. Poulton. The Rhopalocera of the ‘‘St. George’ Expedition from 
French Oceania. Trans. ent. Soc. Lond., 1928: 453-468. 

An Entomological Dinner. Entomologist, 62: 36. 

The fourth International Congress of Entomolgy, Ithaca 1928. Entomolo- 
Ist G2 Sie 

The Kenrick Collection of Lepidoptera. Entomologist, 62: 42. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 62: 45, 256, 258, 258, 259, 280. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 62: 115, 142, 189, 190, 214, 215, 234, 261. 
Cupido carswelli. Entomologist, 62: 137, 285. 

The re-introduction into Britain of Chrysophanus dispar. Entomologist 62: 
169. 

Obituary. Gilbert Henry Raynor. Entomologist, 62: 239. 

Wicken Fen. Entomologist, 62: 242. 

The Comma butterfly in England. Nature, 124: 653. 

Revisional notes on the genus Heliophorus (Lycanidae) with descriptions 
of new forms. J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 129: 384-402. 


Three new species of Hesperiidae from Matto Grosso. Bull. Hill Mus., 


Witley, 3: 134-138. 

The re-establishment of the large copper butterfly in England. Nat. Hist. 
Mag., 2: 113-118. 

[The coloured plate is acknowledged to the Ent. Soc. but have no ref. to 
an Ent. Soc. Text.] 

(with Eltringham, H., Poulton, E. B., Talbot, T. G., and others.) African 
Rhopalocera descriptions and notes. Trans. ent. Soc. Lond., 1929: 475-505. 
Book Reviews. Entomologist, 63: 20, 44, 70, 214, 286. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 63: 58, 112, 137, 256, 257, 283. 
Annual Dinner of the Entomological Department of the B.M. (N.H.). 
Entomologist, 63: 61. 

Sale of the late E. B. Nevinson’s Collection of Lepidoptera. Entomologist, 
63: 69. 

Obituary. James Cosmo Melvill. Entomologist, 63: 96. 

Entomological Society of London. New Meeting Room. Entomologist, 63: 
102. 

Phylyctaenia fulvialis Hb. Entomologist, 63: 137. 

Obituary. James Waterson. Entomologist, 63: 143. 

with E. B. Poulton. Obituary. Edwin G. R. Waters. Entomologist 63: 167. 
Vanessa antiopa in N. London. Entomologist, 63: 203. 

Papilio aphrodite sp. nov. Entomologist, 63: 211. 

Mylothis andeonidi sp. nov. Bull. Soc. lép. Genéve, 6: 107-108. 
Revisional notes on the genus Epameras (Lep. Lycaenidae). Novit. zool., 
36: 146. 

Sphinx convolvuli. Entomologist, 64: 17. 

A new Ithomiine (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera). Entomologist, 64: 35. 
Book Reviews. Entomologist, 64: 42, 148, 163,189, 260, 284. 

Buckler’s Larvae. Entomologist, 64: 103. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 64: 118, 161, 214. 

Immigration of Phryxus livornica Esp. Entomologist, 64: 163. 


108 


1931. 
1931. 
1931. 


1931. 
1931. 


1931. 
1931. 


1923. 
1932. 
1932. 
1932. 
1932. 
1932. 
1932. 
1932. 


1932: 
1932. 


1933. 
1933. 
1933. 
1953: 
11938! 
1933: 


1933. 
1933. 
1934. 
1934. 
1934. 
1934, 
1934. 
1934. 
1934. 
1934. 
1934. 
1935. 
1935: 
1935. 
1935. 
1935. 
O55: 
1953. 
1935. 
1936. 
1936. 
1936. 
1936. 
1936. 
1936. 
1936. 
1936. 
1936. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


Two new Charaxes from southern Arabia. Entomologist, 64: 279. 

The Comma butterfly in England. Nature, Oct. 31, 1931. 

The present state of the National Collection of Insects. Entomologist, 64: 
241-242. [Attributed to E. E. Austen. Written by N. D. Riley.] 

Butterflies in Appendix II. Bertram Thomas. Geogr. J., 78: 209-242. 
Revisional notes on the genera Abisara and Saribia (Lep Riodinidae), with 
descriptions of new species and subspecies. Novit. zool., 37: 181-188. 
Descriptions of new Siamese Rhopalocera. J. Siam Soc. N.H. Suppl., 8: 
249-254. 

Arthropoda. In. The Standard Natural History, pp. 189-191, 194-291, 
320-345. 

Book Notices, etc. Entomologist, 65: 23, 45, 93, 117, 188, 214, 239, 288. 
Obituary. Richard South. Entomologist, 65: 97-100. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 65: 114, 186, 188, 200, 211, 262, 286. 
The Dizzard Valley, N. Cornwall. Entomologist, 65: 129. 

Swanzy Collection. Entomologist, 65: 136. 

Fifth International Congress of Entomology, Entomologist, 65: 137, 167. 
Obituary. James John Joicey. Entomologist, 65: 142-144. 

A new Satyrid butterfly from the Orange Free State. Entomologist, 65: 
148. 

Colias croceus in West Sussex. Entomologist, 65: 203. 

New African and Arabian butterflies. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (10), 10: 
137-152. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 66: 22, 143, 190, 238, 239, 288. 

Further immigration records. Entomologist, 66: 87. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 66: 139, 225, 259. 

List of British Ephemeroptera [a correction]. Entomologist, 66: 142. 
Immigrant Lepidoptera. Entomologist, 66: 167. 

Centenary celebration of the Royal Entomological Society of London. 
Entomologist, 66: 186. 

Colias croceus and C. hyale. Entomologist, 66: 203. 

Obituary. E. J. Godfrey. Entomologist, 66: 216. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist 67: 20, 70, 71, 93, 141, 142, 286. 
Obituary. C. G. Nurse. Entomologist, 67: 23-24. 

Second-brood Apatura iris. Entomologist, 67: 40. 

Editorial comment. Entomologist, 67: 43, 210 

A new palearctic Lycaenid butterfly. Entomologist, 67: 85. 

Plusia gamma eaten by a yellow-hammer. Entomologist, 67: 91. 
Polygonia c-album: miscellaneous records in 1933. Entomologist, 67: 116. 
A new American Hesperid. Entomologist, 67: 185. 

Obituary. William Frederick Johnson. Entomologist, 67: 240. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 68: 21, 45, 168, 266, 290. 

The Dobree Collection of European Noctuae. Entomologist, 68: 51. 
Hibernating Vanessa atalanta. Entomologist, 68: 67. 

An Oxford Congress. Entomologist, 68: 68. 

Records of Polygonia c-album in 1934. Entomologist, 68: 69, 90. 
Yellow Pieris napi. Entomologist, 88: 78. 

Entomological Club. Entomologist, 68: 96. 

An unusual pairing. Entomologist, 68: 286. 

Vanessa cardui at sea. Entomologist, 69: 43. 

Pontia daplidice in Essex. Entomologist, 69: 55. 

Liberation of Nymphalis antiopa in England. Entomologist, 69: 67-68. 
Abnormal pairings. Entomologist, 69: 70. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 69: 72, 84, 86, 96. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 69: 124, 186. 

Records of Polygonia c-album in 1935. Entomologist, 69: 139. 

An old record of Vanessa antiopa. Entomologist, 69: 143. 

Apatura iris in Surrey Entomologist, 69: 174. 


PROC. 


1936. 
1936. 
1936. 
1936. 


1937. 
1937. 
1937. 
1937. 
1937. 
1938. 
1938. 
1938. 


1983. 
1938. 


1938. 
1939 

1939. 
1939; 


1939, 
11939: 
1939. 
1939. 
1940. 
1941. 
1940. 
1940. 
1940. 
1940. 
1940. 
1941. 
1941. 
1941. 
1941. 
1941. 


1941. 
1942. 
1942. 
1942, 
1942, 
1942. 
1942. 
1942. 


1943, 
1943. 
1943, 
1943. 
1943, 
1943. 
1943. 


BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 109 


A Handbook of British Caddis Flies. Entomologist 69: 193. 

Some varieties of British Lepidoptera. Entomologist 69: 221. 
Nephopteryx similella Zinck. Entomologist 69: 230. 

Euryhene sophus audeoudi sspsn. In Audeoud. Description de six espéces 
Ou sous-epéces nouvelle. Bull. Soc. Lép. Genéve, 7: 184. 

Book Notices and Reviews. Entomologist, 70: 47, 142, 166, 191, 238, 260. 
Polygonia c-album in 1936. Entomologist, 70: 116. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 70: 164, 227. 

Obituary. Lord Rothschild, F.R.S. Entomologist, 70: 216-220. 
Nymphalis io in Scotland. Entomologist, 70: 285. 

Mayflies. Entomologist, 71:5. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 71: 12, 67, 141, 231, 262. 

Book Notices and Reviews. Entomologist, 71: 22, 46, 71, 144, 192, 214, 
DADs 

Misuse of cyanide. Entomologist, 71: 286. 

Descriptions of new or little know S. African butterflies. Trans. R. ent. 
Soc. Lond., 87: 233-245. 

with Corbet, A. S. A revision of the Malayan species of Jamides Hiibner 
(Lep. Lycaenidae). Trans. R. ent. Soc. Lond., 87: 147-159. 

Lycaena thersamon and Pyrgus malvoides ab. semiconfluens in Switzerland. 
Entomologist, 72: 8. 

Book Notices and Reviews. Entomologist, 72: 102, 126, 199, 223, 269, 
270, 295. 

A new species of Armandia (Lep. Papilionidae). Entomologist, 72: 
207-208. 

Polygonia c-album in Kent. Entomologist, 72: 219. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 72: 265. 

When is a name a subspecific name? Ent. News, 50: 31-33. 

Notes on oriental Theclinae (Lep. Lycaenidae). Novit. zool. 41: 355-361. 
Book Notices and Reviews. Entomologist, 73: 70, 94, 168, 192. 

Yellow Pieridae urgently wanted. Entomologist, 73: 80. 

Obituary. G. L. Bates. Entomologist, 73: 95-96. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 73: 109, 239. 

Notes on oriental Theclinae: a correction. Entomologist, 73: 162. 

The Insect House at the Zoo. Entomologist, 73: 163. 

Obituary. Dr. F. W. Edwards, F.R.S. Nature, 146: 739. 

Book Notices and Reviews. Entomologist, 74: 21, 46, 167, 190. 

Red Locust control. Entomologist, 74: 86. 

Butterfly books destroyed by fire. Entomologist, 74: 94. 

Misidentified genotypes. Entomologist, 74: 196-197. 

Scythropia crataegella L. parasitized by Angitia exareolata Ratzeburg. 
Entomologist, 74: 212. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 74: 170, 210, 220, 243. 

Colias croceus in 1941. Entomologist, 75: 18, 74. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 75: 18. 

Obituary. Dr. H. Eltringham. Entomologist, 75: 24, 25-27. 

Reviews and Book Notices. Entomologist, 75: 71, 187. 

New Lycaenidae from the Malay Peninsula. Entomologist, 75: 88-89. 
Nature Reserves Investigation Committee. Entomologist, 75: 227. 
Misidentitied genotypes. Ent. News, 1942: 45. Reprinted from Entomolo- 
gist, 74: 196. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 76: 106, 108. 

Colias croceus at Wimbledon. Entomologist, 76: 181. 

Colias croceus in W. Sussex. Entomologist, 76: 208. 

Flight period of Lampra fimbriata. Entomologist, 76: 213. 

Reviews and Book Notices. Entomologist, 76: 215, 262. 

A new African Lycaenid butterfly. Entomologist, 76: 225. 

An occurrence of Nasutitermes costalis Holmgren in England (Isoptera). 
Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond. (A), 18: 95. 


110 


1944. 
1944. 
1944, 
1944. 
1944. 
1944. 
1944. 


1944. 
1945. 


1945. 
1945. 
1945. 
1946. 
1946. 


1946. 
1946. 
1946. 


1946. 
1947. 
1947. 
1947, 
1947. 


1947, 
1947. 
1947. 
1947. 
1947. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 


1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1948. 
1949. 
1949. 
1949. 
1949. 
1949. 
1949. 


1950. 
1950. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


Obituary. William George Sheldon. Entomologist, 77: 17-19. 

Two new South African Lycaenidae. Entomologist, 77: 28. 

Obituary. Frank E. Lutz. Entomologist, 77: 48. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 77: 62, 96. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 77: 64, 80. 

Pontia daplidice in Gloucestershire. Entomologist, 77: 140. 

Some British moths. 32 pp. 16 col. pl. King Penguin Books, London and 
New York. 

Spolia mentawiensia: Rhopalocera Lycaenidae and Riodinidae. Trans. R. 
ent. Soc. Lond., 94: 249-271. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 78: 38, 125, 136, 141, 143, 144, 158, 
159;_165;_ 173, 175, 190: 

Celerio livornica in 1945. Entomologist, 78: 94-125. 

Early dates for Lepidoptera in 1945. Entomologist, 78: 108. 

Colias hyale records. Entomologist, 78: 141-142. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 79: 24. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 79: 41, 140, 163, 164, 166, 174, 193, 
AO), PAWS PAPA, PASS) 

Argynnis lathonia in Cornwall. Entomologist, 79: 139. 

Norfolk Broads. Entomologist, 79: 162. 

Zygaena purpuralis Brunnich and Z. pimpinellae Guhn. Entomologist, 79: 
166. 

Colias croceus in 1946. Entomologist, 79: 174. 

Editorial comment. Entomologist, 80: 22, 24, 71, 127, 269. 

Obituary. F. W. Frohawk. Entomologist, 80: 25-27. 

Preservation of Melitaea cinxia. Entomologist, 80: 66. 

The Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection of British Lepidoptera. Entomologist, 
80: 147. 

Colias australis Verity in Britain. Entomologist, 80: 147. 

International Union of Biological Sciences. Entomologist, 80: 246. 
Rhodometra sacraria some other records. Entomologist, 80: 271. 
Colias croceus records. Entomologist, 80: 287. 

Colias hyale records. Entomologist, 80: 291. 

Records of Colias croceus and C. hyale. Entomologist, 81: 20. 

Further observations on Colias croceus in 1947. Entomologist, 81: 41. 
Further reports of Rhodometra sacraria. Entomologist, 81: 45. 
Nymphalis antiopa in February. Entomologist, 81: 71. 

Reviews and Book Notices. Entomologist, 81: 72. 

Editorial comment. Entomologist, 81: 100, 117, 146, 147, 152, 171, 172. 
Ourapteryx sambucaria in December. Entomologist, 81: 101. 

The Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection of British Lepidoptera. 
Entomologist, 81: 145. 

Transplanting of local insects. Entomologist, 81: 147, 269. 

Aplasta ononaria colonies. Entomologist, 81: 148. 

VIII International Entomological Congress. Entomologist, 81: 148 
Nymphalis polychloros records. Entomologist, 81: 150. 

Vanessa huntera in S. Wales. Entomologist, 81: 167. 

Further records of Colias hyale. Entomologist, 81: 167. 

Nymphalis antiopa taken in cop. Entomologist, 81: 272. 

Obituary. Dr. A. S. Corbet. Nature, 161: 1003. 

Otto Bang-Haas. Entomologist, 82: 22. 

Editiorial comments. Entomologist, 82: 43, 69, 116, 189, 235, 260, 261, 268. 
Book Reviews. Entomologist, 82: 191. 

Huntingdonshire Fauna and Flora Society. Entomologist, 82: 204. 
Obituary. William Fassnidge. Entomologist, 82: 216. 

Letter to the editor [on meeting of International Commission of Zoo- 
logical Nomenclature in Paris, July 1948]. Lepid. News, 3: 67. 

The Rothschild-Cockayne-Kettlewell Collection. Entomologist, 83: 19-20. 
Editorial comments. Entomologist, 83: 63, 72, 119, 214. 


PROC. 


1950. 
1950. 
1951. 
1951. 
1951. 
1951. 
LIS 1. 
1951. 


1951. 
1951. 
1951. 
1952: 


1952: 
1952. 
1952. 
1952. 
1952. 
1953: 
1953. 
1953. 
1953. 
1954. 


1954. 
1954. 
1954. 
1954. 


1954. 
1955. 
1955. 


BOSS: 


1955. 
1955. 
1955. 
1955. 


1955. 
1956. 
1956. 
1956. 
1956. 
1956. 
1956. 


1956. 
1956. 
1957. 


1957. 
1957. 
1957. 


1957. 
1957. 


BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 111 


Wicken Fen Fund. Entomologist, 83: 115. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 83: 216. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 84: 46, 92, 119, 144, 225. 

Yet another insecticide: Isopestox. Entomologist, 84: 96. 

The protection of British insects: An appeal. Entomologist, 84: 97-98. 
Need collectors be hooligans? Entomologist, 84: 155. 

A “marked” Vanessa cardui. Entomologist, 84: 161. 

Zoological Nomenclature: Notice of proposed suspension of the Rules. 
Entomologist, 84: 164. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 84: 190. 

The Monnarch Butterfly. Science, 114: 75-76. 

Obituary. H. J. Turner. Nature, 167: 176. 

Editorial comment. Entomologist, 85: 23, 45, 72, 77, 96, 118, 171, 204, 
PSE 221t) 233: 

Obituary. Lieut. Colonel Charles Donovan. Entomolecgist, 85: 120. 
Obituary. Claude Morley. Entomologist, 85: 121. 

Obituary. George Talbot. Entomologist, 85: 191-192. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 85: 215, 240. 

The President’s remarks. Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond., 16 (C): 84-89. 
Obituary. G. D. Hale Carpenter. Entomologist, 86: 155-156. 

Obituary. K. G. Blair. Nature, 171: 152. 

The President’s remarks. Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond., 17 (C): 71-74. 

The Presidential address. Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond., 17 (C): 75-79. 

A new species of Thestor (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from S. Africa. 
Entomologist, 87: 97-102. 

Book Notices. Entomologist, 87: 170. 

Meathop Moss, Westmorland. Entomologist, 87: 202. 

Diataraxia essoni Hampson. Entomologist, 87: 222. 

The lectotype of Colias australis Verity (Lep., Pieridae). Entomologist’s 
Rec. J. Var., 66: 55. 

Obituary. G. F. Herbert Smith. §.P.N.R. Handbook, 1953: 4-6. 

New Nature Reserves. Entomologist, 88: 21, 81, 165, 261. 

Lasiocampa quercus ab. olivaceo-fasciata: a correction. Entomologist, 88: 
23. 

International Commission for Zoological Nomenclature. Entomologist, 88: 
45. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 88: 9S. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 88: 116, 213, 263. 

The moth that saved the life of Queen Victoria. Entomologist, 88: 140. 
Karl Jordan and the International Congresses of Entomology. Trans. R. 
ent. Soc. Lond., 1955: 15-24. 

Editor. S.P.N.R. Handbook, 1954. 

Book Reviews. Entomologist, 89: 79. 

Zygaena purpuralis in the Isle of Rhum. Entomologist, 89: 154. 
Editorial comment. Entomologist, 89: 160. 

Tenth International Congress of Entomology. Entomologist, 89: 257. 
Migrant Acherontia atropos in September. Entomologist, 89: 301. 

Index of taxonomic specialists in Entomology. U.N.E.S.C.O. Series No. 6. 
37 pp. 

Obituary. William Harry Evans. Lepid. News, 10: 193-199. 

Editor. S.P.N.R. Handbook, 1955. 

(with H. B. Whlilliams]). Obituary. E. A. Cockayne. Entomologist, 9: 
78-80. 

Editorial comments. Entomologist, 90: 105, 162, 189, 254, 259. 

New Nature Reserves. Entomologist, 90: 136. 

Damage to the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest. Entomolo- 
gist, 90: 164. 

Obituary. Brigadier W. H. Evans. Nature, 179: 127. 

Editor S.P.N.R. Handbook, 1956, 1957. 


112 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


1957. The Sth General Assembly of the International Union for the Protection 
of Nature. $.P.N.R. Handbook, 1956: 2-7. 


(to be continued in our next issue) 


PROCEEDINGS 


Thursday, 11th January, 1979 
The President, Mr. G. Prior, in the chair. 

The President announced with great regret the death of Mr. Cecil Haxby, 
a member since 1958, and a frequent exhibitor formerly. He also welcomed 
a visitor from Europe, Dr. Gerhardt Tarmann, of Innsbruck, Austria. 

EXHIBITS 

Rev. D. AGAssiz — Two further introduced species of Nymphuline moths 
(Lep. Pyralidae) from aquatic nurseries at Enfield: (i) Oligostigma poly- 
dectalis Walker, a single specimen taken on 26th October, 1978; probably 
imported from Singapore, although most specimens in the British Museum 
are from Australia; and (ii) an unidentified Nymphula species closely 
related to N. enixalis Swin. This species has been present throughout this 
year and has become very numerous. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — (i) Three spp. of Pyralidae, all obtained in the Bruns- 
wick Square area of Central London: (a) Pyrausta aurata (Scopoli) found 
with many others, flying in sunshine around mint growing in St. George’s 
gardens; in Britain more often regarded as a chalk downland species; (b) 
an example of Plodia interunctella (Hibner) captured 18.ix.1975 in a 
chemical laboratory at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine; and 
(c) a moth thought to be an Ephestia, whose determination was discussed 
later, bred from a larva found in a slight web on top of a russet apple 
21.xi.1975. The apple was stored at room temperature during the winter 
and the larva pupated in the spring without feeding. (ii) two British spp. 
of the Ichneumonid sub-family Alomyinae (Hym.) namely Alomya debel- 
lator F. and A. semiflava Stephens, all ¢ ¢. A. debellator was captured 
by Mr. L. Packer on 10.vi. 1975 at Parks, Oxford, while the exhibitor 
captured the other species, in the company of others, on 26.viii.1978 at 
Arundel, Sussex, by sweeping. Both spp. are common, at least in the south 
but apparently the hosts are unknown. The hind-wing venational character 
which mainly distinguishes the two species was also illustrated. (iii) A dried 
example of the flower of Atropa belladonna L. (Solanaceae), deadly night- 
shade, taken 9.vii.1978 on chalk downs near Gomshall, Surrey. 

Col. A. M. Emmet — Eight adults of Epinotia fraternana (Haworth) (Lep. 
Tortricidae) reared from larvae on Abies grandis and taken at Chalkney 
Wood, Essex. A smill piece of branch shewing larval feeding was exhibited 
on 28.ix.70. The larvae and subsequent pupae were kept indoors in a room 
with moderate central heating and 22 imagines emerged between 21.xi.78 
and 5.i.79, apparently without diapause. There were no parasites. Epinotia 
subsequana (Haworth) was less rare on the same tree. 

MEMBERSHIP 

The following names were read for the first time: Messrs. D. G. 
Brotheridge and G. M. Hollins. The following, their names having been 
read for the second time, were duly declared elected members: Messrs. 
T. A. Wickett, B.Sc., F.R.A.S., and P. H. Sterling; Miss Celia Haddon, 
M.A., and Miss Helen Wilk; and the Dundee Museum and Art Galleries. 
The obligation book was signed by Mr. Shepheard and Master Geoffrey 
Burton. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SoOc., 1979 113 


Mr. W. G. Tremewan in an illustrated talk then discussed the life- 
histories of seven British species of Burnet moths, viz., Zygaena exulans 
(Hohenwarth), Z. loti (D. & S.), Z.viciae (D. & S.), Z. Filipendulae (L.), 
Z. trifolii (Esper), Z. lonicerae (Scheven and Z. purpuralis (Brunnich). 
Transparencies depicted the biotopes of the species and the adults, cocoons, 
larvae and hostplants, in Britain. The numerous and interested audience 
put many questions to the lecturer at the conclusion of his talk, and much 
further information was given during a fairly long question-time. 

COMMENTS ON EXHIBITS 

S. N. Jacobs thought that the moth exhibited by Dr. Allen which he 
thought an Ephestia sp., was in fact Cryptoblabes gnidiella (Mill.) and 
Col. A. M. Emmet concurred. The usual foodplant reported for it was 
pomegranate. Regarding the flower of A. belladonna, 8. N. Jacobs said 
this species was common in the heart of Bromley, Kent, and had been for 
many years; J. M. Chalmers-Hunt said is was very common on chalk 
downs at Eynsford and he had also seen it on the Dartford marshes, also 
in Kent. G. Prior said he had seen it by the roadside at Rickmansworth. 
Col. A. M. Emmet said that P. aurata was often reported as a pest on 
mint. 


25th January, 1979 

Inclement weather and trouble on the railways prevented most members 
from attending this meeting, which was to have been the Annual General 
Meeting. After telephonic consultation with officers of the Society, the 
President proposed that the Annual General Meeting be adjourned until 
8th February. This was agreed by the members present, nem. com. 

EXHIBITS 

S. N. A. Jacops —a greetings card reproducing the coloured illustration 
of a double blue hyacinth and Nigella (Love in the mist) by Nicolas Robert 
(1614-1685) estimated about 1660, embellished by a “Blue Spotted Brim- 
stone” (Papilio ecclipsis) and a larva feeding on the Hyacinth leaves. This 
fraudulent insect is mentioned by Col. Cowan in his article in the 
Entomologist’s Record 90:302. 

P. VeRDOoN— A large, and as yet unidentified, hymenopterous parasite 
reared from a cocoon of Mimas tilae (L). 

E. S. BrapForp — Specimens of microlepidoptera he was presenting to 
the Society’s collection, including Niditinea piercella (Bent.), from a Tawny 
Owl nest at East Blean, Kent; Eudonia angustea (Curtis) from Moss at 
Faversham, Kent and Yponomeuta vigintipuntata (Retz.) from Sedum 
telephium (Orpine) at Boreham Wood, Herts. 

COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTS ON EXHIBITS 

Rey. Agassiz pointed out that Orpine, the foodplant of vigintipunctata, 
was a scarce plant, but the moth was in his experience commoner than the 
foodplant. Possibly the moth ultilised an alternative foodplant, such as a 
small Sedum. Mr. Stubbs mentioned a Hoverfly which mined the leaves of 
Orpine in Norway, but appeared to be associated with Pennywort in the 
South West of England. Mr. Bradford agreed that alternative natural food- 
plants were probable, and mentioned the diverse nature of foodplants of 
some Lepidoptera. He instanced Teleiodes paripunctella (Thunb.), a 
Gelechiid normally associated with Oak that had been bred by Mr. R. 
Heckford from Myrica gale L. in Scotland. Mr. Evans pointed out how 
little was known about the natural foodplants of many of our insects, 
including some of the more common macrolepidoptera. 


114 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


A general discussion ensued on foodplants, the merits of recording 
distribution of lepidoptera, and the techniques for labelling specimens in a 
collection. The evening concluded with Mr. Prior showing a comprehensive 
set of slides of the larvae of British Eupithecinae, including some of the 
rarer species. He outlined some aspects of their life history, and answered 
questions on various aspects of “‘Pugs’’. 


Thursday 8th February 1979 
107th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 


(with which was combined the Ordinary Meeting) 
The President, Mr. G. Prior in the chair. 

The President announced to those present that the Annual General Meet- 
ing held on 25th January, had been adjourned until the present session, due 
to inability of most officers to be present at the earlier occasion. 

He also announced with regret the death, at the age of 91, of B. C. S. 
Warren, a resident at Folkestone and an international authority on the 
Rhopalocera, though not a member of the Society. 

EXHIBITS 

E. S. BRADFORD — an example of Oncocera obductella (Z.), taken 1976 
at Blean, Kent, three specimens of Leucoptera laburnella Staint. bred from 
a stunted laburnum tree infested with its larvae, and three examples of 
Hedya nubiferana (Haworth), one typical and two melanic; the latter were 
from Rothamsted trap at Horrogate, Yorks. 

A. J. HaLSTEAD — the comb of a bees’ nest found in the open air at 
Wisley Gardens. In early September 1978 a small cluster of Apis mellifera 
(L.) was noticed at 15ft. above ground on a branch of Pinus radiata and 
was kept under observation until mid November when the last bee died of 
exposure. When first noticed they were clustered on a piece of comb 
6in. x Sin. which suggested they had already been there some time. Normally 
bee swarms only remain in the open for a few days before moving on to a 
more suitable nesting site. From a previous observation he concluded that 
such open-air nests can be constructed with a viable queen present, but in 
this instance it appears the nest had lost its queen. 

J. HeatH — Maps prepared by the Biological Records Centre of: the 
distribution in Britain of Plemyria rubiginata (D. & S.), Lycia lapponaria 
scotica (Harr.), Psodos coracina (Esp.), Serraca punctinalis (Scop.), Pseudo- 
panthera macularia (L.), and Scopula marginepunctata (Goepe) (= con- 
jugata Borkh.). 

MEMBERSHIP 

The following, their names have been duly read a second time, were 
declared elected members: D. J. Brotheridge, G. N. Hollins. 

The Obligation Book was signed by I. F. G. McLean. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The Secretary announced that the Deparment of the Environment pro- 
posed to add to Schedule 1 of the act protecting British Lepidoptera 
Thetidia smaragdaria (Fabr.) (the Essex Emerald Moth). 

COMMUNICATIONS 

Col. M. Emmet said that a further volume on the Moths and Butterflies 
of Great Britain and Ireland would appear later this year and would be 
accompanied by a supplement regarding addenda and corrigenda on those 
species included in Vol. 1. He invited those with new Vice County records 
for Lepidoptera to send them to him for inclusion. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 115 


MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS A.G.M. 

Mr. J. Heath stated that he had consulted a Kodak engineer regarding 
the proposal to make slide copies of old style slides and hoped that this 
could be arranged in due course. 

The Secretary then read the Council’s Report. J. M. Chalmers-Hunt 
seconded its adoption which was passed. The Treasurer read his report 
which was seconded by Rev. Agassiz and adopted. The Editor then read 
his report which Mr. S. N. Jacobs seconded and it was adopted. In the 
absence of Dr. Allen the Secretary read his report whose adoption was 
seconded by R. Fairclough, and passed. The Curator then read his report 
which Col. A. M. Emmet seconded; the Librarian’s report was likewise 
passed; and Col. Emmet then read his report on the Prof. Hering Memorial 
Fund which Rev. D. Agassiz seconded, and these two were also passed. 

The President invited proposals or questions from the floor under Bye- 
law 25(b) without evoking any suggestion or proposal from members 
present. He then declared the following elected for 1979: President, the 
Rev. D. J. L. Agassiz, M.A.; Vice-Presidents: G. Prior, F.L.S., F.R.E.S. 
and R. Fairclough, F.R.E.S., F.R.H.S.; Treasurer: Col. D. H. Sterling, 
F.B.C.S.; Secretary, E. H. Wild, L.Inst.Biol.; Editor: E. P. Wiltshire, 
Eb b-A] ib. RoB.S.; Curator, E.(S; Bradford; Librarian: \Gss2rior 
Lanternist, S. A. Knill-Jones, A.R.C.M. Ordinary members of Council: 
Mrs. M. F. Murphy, B.Sc.; C. G. Roche, F.C.A., F.R.E.S.; B. J. Jackson; 
AE StubOSSM.LSC..boR.E-S= A. Aj Allen 4B:Se.*Ph.Deiis Js Daley> at 
Muggleton; W. Parker. 

The President then read his report and his address. He then inducted the 
new President to the chair. The latter proposed a vote of thanks to his 
predecessor for all his work on the Society's behalf and expressed the hope 
that his address would be published in the Society’s Proceedings. Motions 
thanking the Treasurer and other officers for their work were also passed. 


COUNCIL’S REPORT 

Your Council is pleased to report 1978 as a year of excellent progress. 
Membership reached 731 in December. Eight of our members died and 
will be mentioned later by the President. 

A revised “‘economy’” membership list was produced with the help of 
The Rev. D. Agassiz. This was necessitated by heavy expenditure on other 
publications. Four parts of our Proceedings were published which have 
earned our Editor hearty congratulations. Also, thanks largely to the drive 
of Mr. Agassiz, we were able to publish the bound collection of illustrated 
papers on Micro-lepidoptera from past Proceedings in time for distribution 
at the Exhibition, with the financial assistance of several of our members. 
The New Field Guide, a greatly amplified revision of Ford’s Guide, is now 
in the hands of our printers. Council wish to thank Mr. Tubbs, Col. Emmet 
the Editor, and his team of specialists, for the efforts they have made to 
produce this, and all the benefactors and typists to gave assistance. 

The Annual Dinner, once again well organised by Dr. MacNulty, was held 
at Imperial College, and the 66 members and guests who attended enjoyed 
a delightful evening. In the hope of increasing attendance next year Council 
solicits the aid of Ordinary Members to offer hospitality to Country 
Members for the night of the Dinner, so that many who come to the 
Exhibition will be able to attend both functions. 

The Annual Exhibition at Chelsea Old Town Hall was most successful. 
in spite of the poorness of the season. There were over 100 exhibits and 


116 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


some 300 signed the attendance book. The very high quality of the exhibits 
maintained our usual tradition. The refreshments, organised by Mrs. 
Murphy, with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers, including our 
two youngest members, was appreciated by all and our thanks are due 
to them and to Mr. Ken Evans who was in charge of the Exhibition. We 
also thank Mr. Ventom for selling our Christmas cards, this year’s beautiful 
design by Mr. Dyke being very well received, Mr. Wilson, who devoted so 
much effort to photographing the exhibits, and to many others behind the 
scenes including our team of reporters. 

The Society owes so much to our Treasurer, Mr. Bretherton, who has 
asked to be relieved of his Office this year. He has guided our finances 
through this difficult time of inflation, has imposed a wise watch on 
Council’s spending and has done so much for the Society in many other 
ways for which we are deeply grateful. We wish Col. Sterling, our new 
Treasurer every success. 

Dr. Allen, our librarian, has had to resign becouse of pressure of other 
work but Mr. Prior has volunteered to take over from him for which we 
are most grateful. 

Mr. Else again produced an interesting and varied programme of 21 
indoor meetings which have been well attended and much enjoyed. A new 
venture this year was a joint meeting with the Royal Entomological Society 
of London who entertained us at Queen’s Gate in an atmosphere redolent 
of spiced wine and good Fellowship. We hope to reciprocate this year and 
to make a regular fixture of what was a most enjoyable event. 

Fourteen Field meetings, seven of which were two day fixtures, were 
organised by Mr. Wild. These were attended, in most cases, by many more 
members than usual, and produced some interesting records. 

Council has devoted some time this year to making its views known on 
the proposed Amendments to the Parliamentary Bill on Plant and Animal 
Conservation and has taken what action was possible. It is also trying to 
establish a happier modus vivendi with the Forestry Commission by seeking 
active cooperation and simplified access procedure to their woodlands. 

Hon. SEc. 


TREASURER’S REPORT, 1978 

The Accounts for 1978 have been prepared and audited under difficult 
conditions, and I warmly thank our auditors, Mr. Messenger and Mr. 
Stoughton-Harris, for completing their approval in time. I also thank Mr. 
Wakely for his care of the subscriptions work as Assistant Treasurer. 

The Publications Account, which always covers our largest expenditure, 
this time includees the cost of publishing the “Illustrated Papers on Micro- 
lepidoptera’’; which was £981, with about £50 postage, but against this we 
had income from sales of it of £1,570. This remarkable result was largely 
due to efficient organisation by our President elect, the Rev. David Agassiz. 
I also thank three members for interest-free loans of £600, which they 
generously contributed to bridge the time gap between cost and receipts. In 
the event, this was short, and they have now been repaid. Printing the 
Proceedings for 1978 cost more than last year, and our ordinary sales, at 
£454, were much below the abnormal figure of 1977; but the combined 
result is another welcome reduction in the charge to the Income and 
Expenditure Account, to £893. 

The Income and Expenditure Account shows a surplus of £470; but 
without the saving from the “Illustrated Papers’’, mentioned above, there 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 117 


would have been a small deficit. Our ordinary administrative expenditure 
was almost unchanged; but the Special Funds have taken more interest as 
a result of the large transfers to Reserve which were made last year. On the 
income side, interest from investments, bank deposit, our new holding of 
£1,000 in Post Office Savings Investment Account is well up at £1,102, and 
Christmas Cards, Ties, and the Annual Dinner show useful surpluses, 
though rather smaller than in 1977, But there is the very disturbing feature 
that, despite an increase in membership, income from subscriptions is, 
at £1,763, actually £64 Jess than last year. This was mainly because the 
arrears have become larger. Inspite of much use of ink and postage by 
the Assistant Treasurer; some 90 members had failed to pay their suscrip- 
tions, due on Ist January, by the end of 1978, and many had not paid even 
for 1977. In the face of this fact, I cannot describe the year’s results as 
more than moderately satisfactory. 

On the assets side of the Balance Sheet, there was a small addition to the 
Midland Bank shares held for the Hering Memorial Fund, and the cash 
position was built up in preparation for financing the new ‘‘Field Guide 
to the Smaller British Lepidoptera”, which is now with the printers. On 
the liabilities side, the Housing and Reserve Funds spent nothing and 
increased their balances by receipt of interest; and the Library and Hering 
Memorial Funds also spent less than their income. The General Fund, with 
the addition of the surplus on Income and Expenditure Account, now 
stands at £4,863. 

I have been Treasurer for ten years, and it is time that both the Society 
and I should have achange. Colonel Sterling is well equipped by experience; 
he will bring a fresh mind to the work; I hope he can simplify it; and I 
wish him every success. 


EDITOR’S REPORT 

The 1978 Proceedings were again printed in two double parts appearing 
in April and November, the latter double part being a month later than 
planned due to a printer’s break-down. At the request of some members 
and the Council, the title-page was reintroduced; not counting this, 138 
pages of text were printed, a total of ten more than 1977. Of the seven art 
plates, five were of lepidoptera, and two were obituary portraits. The index 
is in press and will shortly be distributed. 

A French colleague once remarked that entomology was a dialogue des 
sourds (a conversation between the deaf); there is a degree of metaphorical 
truth in that remark, particularly due to the specialisation and ever 
deepening and widening of contemporary knowledge. Our Proceedings 
endeavour to strike and, I hope, do achieve, a balance between the interests 
of the main body, with whom touch should not be lost, and the discoveries 
of the advance guards. The Rhopalocera figured most prominently in 1978 
and may well do so again in 1979. Once again our Proceedings (Indoor 
Meeting) and Field Meeting reports occupied about one-third of our text 
space and, as last year, contained many important and interesting observa- 
tions of species of various orders. 

The assistance, before or after printing, of Dr. Southwood and Messrs. 
Howard, Tweedie and Uffen in checking our manuscripts and proofs, is 
gratefully acknowledged. 


CURATOR’S REPORT 


My report this year is one of steady progress in the Society’s affairs. 
The Torstenius collection of Scandinavian lepidoptera is at present being 
accommodated in a ten-drawer Hill unit, earmarked for that purpose some 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


118 


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120 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


time ago. It is hoped to make available one, or possibly two more Hill 
units for this collection in due course as it may require that amount of 
drawer space to house it when complete. The collection comprises several 
thousand specimens. The task of arranging it is being undertaken by Mr. 
C. B. Ashby. Several drawers, already laid out, were displayed at the 
Annual Exhibition at Chelsea Town Hall on 28th October, 1978. We have 
to thank Mr. Ashby for the display which was visually interesting and 
informative. 

While on this subject I would like to bring to the attention of members 
that Mr. Torstenius desires specimens of various races or sub-species of 
British lepidoptera. The Society’s collections contain few of those species 
required, so I appeal to members to make available from their own 
collections specimens that can be presented to Mr. Torstenius, and to 
contact either Mr. C. B. Ashby or myself on his requirements. 

Good headway is being made with the new Diptera cabinet considering 
the large number of specimens involved. The transference of the Massee 
collectio nof Coleoptera is well on its way to completion. 

The use of he duplicate collections over the past year has depleted the 
stocks somewhat. It is hoped to provide more spcimens this year, including 
the microlepidoptera. The Rhopalocera are one group rarely available as 
duplicates. In fact the Society would be pleased to receive donations of 
butterflies, especially geographical races or sub-species. Those from the 
more remote regions of the Britsh Isles being particularly welcome. 
Duplicate Coleoptera are available. Those members wishing to know more 
about them please contact Mr. R. D. Weal. 

I would like here ot enquire of a box of 35mm colour transparencies 
depicting larvae of the British Lepidoptera, that are, I believe on loan. 
Would the member who is at present in possession of them return them 
as soon as possible. 

The few items of equipment surplus to the Society’s needs were sold by 
Mr. M. Ventom at the Annual Exhibition. 

Donations were made to the Society’s collections during the year and the 
thanks of the Society are due to the following for their contributions: Mr. 
E. Gower-Scopes (Coleoptera), Mr. B. F. Skinner (Lepidoptera), Col. A. M. 
Emmet (Lepidoptera), Mr. R. D. Weal (Coleoptera), Mr. M. Chalmers- 
Hunt (Lepidoptera), Mr. E. S. Bradford (Lepidoptera). 

Once again I wish to thank Mr. R. D. Weal, Mr. C. B. Ashby, Mr. W. 
Parker, Mr. P. J. Chandler, Mr. B. F. Skinner and other members for their 
valuable assistance during the year; also to Mr. L. Christie for his con- 
tinued help in the collating and packaging of the Society’s proceedings. 


LIBRARIAN’S REPORT 


During the past year the library has undergone extensive revision. The 
numerous unsorted Journals have mostly been helved in chronological 
order, thereby enabling members to obtain a desired reference quickly and 
efficiently, instead of searching laboriously through piles of disarranged 
literature. All of the more widely-read Journals are readily accessible, 
together with a representative selection of less familiar publications. 

With the acquisition of more shelving space, all of the Journals taken by 
the Society will be available on meeting-nights—an ambition also derived 
from gradual loose case binding of the Journals—of which the appearance 
and shelf-life will accordingly be improved. The generosity of Mr. G. Prior 
is very much appreciated in this context. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SoOc., 1979 121 


A lot of work remains to be done, chiefly on the books at present far 
too many are disorganized — often by virtue of their large size. This feature 
merely emphasizes the urgent need for spacious shelves in the limited room 
available. 

More generally, too many books are still retained by their borrowers 
for a period in excess of that allowed under the Society’s By-Laws: the 
present period of two months (for a maximum of three books) is deemed 
to be of sufficient duration. It is essential that books are returned before 
they become overdue; it is up to the member concerned to act in a 
responsible manner. 

As the year has advanced, the pressure of work has increased to such a 
degree that I am compelled to resign my tenure of office. I would like 
to thank Council for their support during this critical period of redevelop- 
ment within the library. 

I conclude my report by listing the publications generously donated to the 
library in 1978. They include: — 

‘Records of my life work in Entomology’ — C. R. Sacken: from E. W. 
Classey; ‘1977 Records of Fareham group of Entomologist: Lepidoptera’ 
Appleton, Carpenter, et al: from E. W. Classey; ‘Butterflies on my mind’ 
— Dulcie Gray; ‘Abberations of British Butterflies’ Russwurm: from E. 
W. Classey; ‘Gardens of Buckingham Palace’ — P. Coats: donated by the 
author; ‘Life on 40 acres’ — Barry Moore: from E. W. Classey; ‘British 
Tortricoid Moths’ — Bradley, Tremewan and Smith: from Miss Wakely; 
‘The British Butterflies’ — R. Dennis: donated by the author; ‘Endodontoid 
Land Snails from Pacific Islands; ‘Moth Hunter’s Gossip’ — P. B. M. 
Allen: from T. Daley; ‘A guide to the Butterflies of Central & S. Africa’ 
— Piney & Hoe; ‘British butterflies and their transformations’— Humphreys 
& Westwood: from Rear-Admiral A. D. Torlesse; ‘British moths & their 
transformations’, Vols. I & II (1854) and ‘European butterflies & moths’ 
— W. F. Kirby: both from Rear-Admiral A. D. Torlesse; ‘The Life of 
Henry Doubleday’ — Robert Mays. 

Grateful thanks are extended to donators of Journals throughout the 
past year, particularly to Mr. S. N. A. Jacobs. 


REPORT ON THE PROFESSOR HERING MEMORIAL RESEARCH 
FUND FOR 1977-1978 


Two applications were received and a sum of £50 was granted to each 
applicant. They were as follows: — 

(1) Dr. I. A. Watkinson, for travel incurred in connection with field 
work and the study of collections for his work on the genus Phyllonorycter 
for “The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland’, Vol. 2. 

(2) The Ray Society, to help defray the high cost of publication of 
Volume 2 of “British Tortricoid Moths’. Grants are not normally made for 
this purpose but an exception was made in this instance because of the 
importance of this work in the study of Microlepidoptera. 

The sum of £100, unexpended in 1977-1978, has been added to the funds 
available for grants in the current year. 


A. M. EMMET, Hon. Sec. 


122 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 
Thursday 22nd February 1979 
The President, Rev. D. Acassiz, in the chair. 
EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — (i) A male of Tromatobia oculatoria (F.) (Hym., 
Ichneumonidae) bred 11.viii.1978 from a cocoon found on _ heather 
30.vii.78, on moorland near Dawlish, Devon. The species was most interest- 
ing because it is a parasite of spiders’ nests; the larva of T. oculatoria feeds 
on the spiders’ eggs. The pale ochre cocoon of the exhibit was inextricably 
bound to the spider’s nest at which the larva had fed. Other closely related 
species of this subfamily (the Pimplinae) have a similar life-history, and 
the literature affords instances of more than one parasite cocoon being 
found in a single spider’s nest. 

Col. A. M. Emmet —- Two adults of Coleophora machinella (Bradley) 
taken flying amongst sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica) on Ditchling Common, 
Sussex, on 28.vii.1977. Larval cases of this species used to be found feeding 
on sea-wormwood (Artemisia maritima) on the Essex salt-marshes from 
about 1885-1903, but is was subsequently lost sight of until Dr. J. Langmaid 
rediscovered it in Hampshire in 1977; there too its foodplant was sneeze- 
wort. 


Dr. I. WatTKINsSon — An undentified nematode, 2-3in. long, found in a 
seed-tray, in Kent. 
E. Wi_p — Three specimens of the Gelechiid Argolamprotes micella 


(D. & S.) (determined by Rev. D. Agassiz) taken at m.v. light in S. Devon 
onn 30.vii.78. This species was first noticed in Britain in the mid-sixties and 
has not been taken outside Devon. Spuler gives raspberry as the foodplant. 
Also a striking melanic form of Olethreutes lacunana (D. &S.) (Tortricidae) 
taken at m.v. light at Dungeness 30.vi.73, determined by J. D. Bradley; not 
represented in the B.M. collection. 

MEMBERSHIP 

The following, their names having been read for the second time, were 
declared elected members: Messrs. M. S. Harvey, P. E. D. Hirst, F.R.B.A., 
and D. Corke, Ph.D. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

A. Stusps made a statement regarding the Dept. of Environment’s 
recommendation that the Essex emerald moth (Euchloris smaragdaria (F.)) 
should be added to the listed moth or butterflies which it would be illegal 
to collect. The stands of its foodplant in Essex had been reduced by sea-wall 
repairs in recent years. Only one site where the moth survived was now 
known. A survey of all known localities had been made and there appeared 
no doubt that the moth was already for the above reasons on the verge of 
extinction in Britain. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN reported that Phragmatobia fuliginosa (L.) larvae had 
been found at Littlehampton under dead bark of a log on the beach covered 
with snow. 

Dr. E. PoLLarp then gave an illustrated talk on “Monitoring the abun- 
dance of butterflies’. An article covering much of this subject appears 
elsewhere in this part. 

After this various members exchanged accounts of their experiences 
breeding progeny of recently immigrated Mythimna subg. Pseudaletia 
unipuncta (Haw.), the American Wainscott. A. BRETHERTON stated he had 
found the larvae strongly lucifuge. Experiments in trying to over-winter 
such larvae in natural out-door conditions in Surrey had shown, after the 
prolonged and severe cold spell. of recent weeks that this was impossible 
in the county, though adult moths were only killed after more than ten 
days of such weather. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 123 


8th March 1979 
The President, the Rev. D. Acassiz, in the chair. 

The President announced with great regret the deaths of two members: — 
Douglas Ollevant, of Farnborough, Hants., who joined the Society in 1969, 
and P. Lemesurier, of Kincraig, Inverness-shire, a member since 1960, both 
deaths having occurred last year. 

EXHIBITS 

The Rev. D. Acassiz — The carcass of a pigeon, found in a church 
tower and infested with the larvae probably of Endrosis sarcitrella (L.) Lep., 
Oecophoridae) and perhaps other larvae. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — Three females and one male Zemiotes albiditarsus 
(Curtis) (Hym., Braconidae), illustrating the variation within the species, 
not only of the leg-colour but also of wing-venation. Until recently two 
closely related species had been thought to exist:— albiditarsus, with a radial 
cross-vein on the hind-wing and with off-white or white tarsi, and deceptor 
(Wesmael), having no radial cross-vein and possessing testaceous-coloured 
hind tarsi. The first set of characters were present in one 9, cautured 
12.vi.1976 at Salfords, Surrey, while the latter set of characters occurred 
in two females, one caught by day at Salfords 15.vi.1977, while the other 
provided an opportunity to include a reared specimen;it was bred from a 
larva of Anarta myrtilli (L.) (Lep., Noctuidae) swept from heather on 
11.vili.1978 on moorland near Dawlish, Devon; the last cocoon was spun 
16.viii and the parasite emerged from its cocoon, spun in that of the host, 
5.ix.1978. Finally a male, one of several examples taken 9.ix.78 at m.v. light, 
Kingspark Wood, Plaistow, Sussex. This form displayed the white hind tarsi 
but lacked the radial cross-vein. Before obtaining the revision in the 
Check List of British Insects, R.E.S. Handbook of Hymenoptera the 
exhibitor had encountered some difficulty in placing this species. 

Col. A. M. EMmet — Phyllonrycter viminetorum (Stainton) reared from 
a mine in osier (Salix viminalis) collected at Kingsford Bridge Marsh 
Nature Reserve, near Colchester, Essex, on 30th October 1978. The moth 
emerged indoors on the 19th January 1979. The species, much rarer now 
than it was in the last centry, has seldom been recorded in recent years. 

A. J. HaALsTEAD — A second-year larva of Zeuzera pyrina (L.) the leopard 
moth collected August1978 from the upper part of the trunk of Sorbus 
mitchellii. The trunk diameter at this point was about 5 cm. The tree was 
growing at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden at Wisley, near 
Woking, Surrey. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The President read out a list of lepidopterous desideranda by Dr. Stig 
Torstenius of Stockholm in exchange for the fine collection donated to the 
Society. It was hoped members could supply most of these from their 
private collections. Among species named were Lithophane leautieri 
hesperica (Boursin) and Aleucis distinctata (H.-S.). 

COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN reported having found larvae of Parascotia fuliginaria 
(L.) on bracket-fungi on dead pine at Hankley Common, Surrey on 23rd 
February, the length of the larvae being only 6 mm.; he had also beaten on 
25th February at Salfords, Surrey, larvae of Campaea margaritata (L.) 
from wild privet. 

C. F. Rivers reported having obtained larvae of Acherontia atropos 
(L.) in Canary Is. which produced adults, of which females were eggless on 
emergence from their pupae, whereas males were sexually developed and 


124 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


mated immediately; six spermatophores had been found inside the bursa of 
a female whose ovaries were still hardly more advanced than in the larval 
state. S. KNILL-JONES reported having had a pairing of this moth in Sep- 
tember. R. BRETHERTON, however, pointed out that immigrants in autumn 
of other moths included females impregnated and fertile. 

C. F. Rivers then gave an illustrated talk of which the following is an 
abstract: — 


Insect diseases and population control 


“Insects are subject to infection with fungi, bacteria, rickettsia and viruses 
and diseases play some part in regulating populations. In some colonies of 
mosquitos virus infections are at a very low level with as few as one 
diseased in every thousand collected, whilst amongst the sawflies virus 
epidemics wipe out all the larvae. Wintermoths, Opheroptera, are sub- 
lethally infected with Microsporida which affects the fecundity of the 
species. An infestation of O. brumata in Caithness collapsed because of a 
natural infection with Baculovirus (Nuclear polyhedrois) and an expensive 
chemical control was called off. It is important that field entomologists 
should be able to recognise when diseases are present in the population of 
potential pests so that they are able to make realistic projections of the 
likely pest problem. Much useful information has been gathered by the 
Unit of Invertebrate Virology’s study of a virus epidemic in Gilpinia 
hercyniaca in Mid Wales. Birds and mice were found to be actively assisting 
the spread of the disease which brought a potentially serious pest under 
control within four years. Pathogens are passed out in faeces, in meconium 
and by regurgitation before the insect dies and foliage gets contaminated 
heavily by dead larvae. Infection occurs as a result of ingesting pathogens 
with food or, in the case of some fungi, invasion through the skin of the 
insect. Diseases may be passed from adult to progeny on the surface of the 
eggs and in a few instances passage within the egg has been demonstrated. 
To avoid the problems of diseases amongst insects in captivity it is essential 
to surface sterilize the eggs with 1% sodium hypochlorite for eight minutes 
or immersion in 10% formaldehyde for 40 minutes. Careful rinsing, ventilat- 
ing and drying of the eggs must follow this treatment. Wooden and 
netting cages and plastic boxes used to house insects can be sterilized by 
immersion in a 10% solution of Sodium hypochlorite for at least an hour. 
The exclusion of sickly insects and careful breeding with vigorous individuals 
is the only hope of obtaining disease free culture of insects which do not 
respond to egg surface sterilization. 

The observation that virus diseases very effectively control some insect 
pests has led to the development of their use as pesticides and the speaker 
talked about his work with Neodiprion sertifer in Scotland starting in 1958 
and with Euproctis chrysorrhoea on Canvey Island. Thorough safety testing 
is carried out with any virus which is a candidate for use in the field and 
the Pesticide Safety Committee screens all applications to work with viruses 
in Britain. At present the viruses are applied like chemical insecticides but 
they lend themselves to more sophisticated methods of application, such as 
spot application and the release of virus carrying adults’’. 

The talk provoked an animated discussion during which P. J. BAKER 
stated that a good substance to disinfect breeding cages with was Johnson’s 
Baby Bottle Sterilizer which has a solution of sodium hypochlorite — 
a drop of Murphy’s rose black spot fungicide should be added to the bath. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 125 
22nd March 1979 
The President, the Rev. D. Acassiz, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

D. Acassiz — The first British specimen of Coleophora hydrolapathella 
(Hering) (Lep., Coleophoridae), taken at Hickling, Norfolk 7th July 1974, 
but only identified today. The species was added to the British list by T. 
Peet from a series taken in July 1975 from the same locality. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — A male specimen of Amblyjoppa proteus (Christ.) 
(Hym., Ichneumonidae) having been bred from the pupa formed by a 
mature larva of the elephant hawmoth, Deilephila elpenor (L.), by K. 
Merrifield on 13.vi. 1961, subsequently passed to the exhibitor. The species 
is a well-known parasite for this host, but the present specimen was of 
interest because the hind-wing venation differed, the mediella of the right 
hind wing being forked near the wing-markin, while this was normal in the 
left hind wing. Secondly, a female example of Ichneumon bucculentus 
Wesm., (Hym., Ichneumonidae) found 23.ii.1979 by uprooting a small dead 
pine stump on Hankley Common, Surrey. The females of this genus spend 
the winter hibernating and are sometimes encountered in rotten wood, or 
under loose bark. The species is considered uncommon. 

J. MuGGLETON — Two examples of the simulatrix form of Adalia 
bipunctata (L.) (Col., Coccinellidae), one from Yorkshire, the other from 
Somerset. These appear to be the first examples of this form recorded from 
the British Isles. The Yorkshire example was sent to Mr. R. D. Pope by 
Dr. W. A. Ely, and the Somerset example was sent to the exhibitor by R. 
W. Rowe. The colour pattern of both the elytra and pronotum is identical 
to that of Adalia decempunctata (L.) and the legs and under-side are 
mostly yellow-brown as in A. J0-punctata, so that the occurrence of this 
form in the British Isles seems capable of causing confusion in identifica- 
tions. It is therefore important to know how common the form is in the 
British Isles and the exhibitor would be grateful if coleopterists would 
watch out for it. The form can be distinguished from A. 10-punctata by 
the underside characters given in Pope’s R.E.S. handbook. The simulatrix 
forms of bipunctata are common in parts of Central Asia, the Near East 
and on some of the Mediterranean islands. 

P. A. SoxoLorrF — A freshly emerged living specimen of Spargania 
luctuata (D. & S.), the white-banded carpet, from a brood collected at 
Ham Street, Kent, late June 1978. Despite identical treatment, about 20% 
of the pupae emerged within three weeks of pupation, the remainder over- 
wintering as pupae. Also freshly emerged specimens of Phyllonorcter 
schreberella (F.) bred from elm leaves, West Wickham, Kent. 

MEMBERSHIP 

The following were declared elected their names having been read the 
second time: — Messrs. M. Edwards, M. S. Parsons, J. Bingham, P. D. 
Hume, B.Sc., Ph.D., Dip.E.E., C.Eng., R. A. Fry, M.I.E.E., P. J. Holloway, 
R. H. Dunn, M. V. Albertini. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The President read a letter from S. N. A.Jacobs to the effect that he was 
forbidden to drive by his doctor and would be unable in future to attend 
meetings. P. A. Sokoloff reported that he had recently seen Mr. Jacobs 
and found him cheerful but resigned to future immobility. The President 
wondered whether some member living near by might not be able to provide 
a lift, sometimes. 


126 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 


COMMUNICATIONS 

After making an announncement regarding circulation of cards, notices 
and proceeding s to members, R. F. BRETHERTON reported that he had 
recently suspected Lithophane leautieri hesperica Boursin of breeding in his 
part of Surrey on Chamaecyparis lawsoniana a hitherto doubtful foodplant 
for this moth, and had now succeded in breeding from ova laid last autumn 
by this species larvae on this foodplant past the critical first instar stage; 
the larvae had taken readily to the tree, first eating the male flower buds 
as reported by Haggett for the larva but on Cupressus macrocarpa. They 
were now growing normally and eating only the buds. 

Dr. B. MacNutty then gave an illustrated talk on West African Coleop- 
tera, giving the names of the majority of the Longicornes illustrated, and 
information regarding the habits of some. A number of questions were 
evoked by this interesting talk, and thanks were expressed in the usual way. 


Thursday, 28th April, 1979 
The President, Rev. D. J. L. AGassiz, in the chair. 


EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN—Three examples of Dyspetes arrogator Heinrich 
(Hym., Ichneumoninae) taken at m.v. light, Plaistow, West Sussex, 9.x.76 
and 9.ix.78; there are many records of the species having been taken by 
day. Also two larvae of Parascotia fuliginaria (L.) (Lep., Noctuidae) from 
five such larvae found on fungi on a rotten pine log, Hankley Common, 
2.ii.79. Though small when taken three had spun cocoons by 25.iv. 

G. Prior — Larvae of Euplagia quadripunctaria (Poda), the Jersey tiger 
moth, reared from some given to him by a member at the Annual Exhibi- 
tion on 28th October, 1978. 

R. Tusss drew attention to a reissue of Sepp’s plates by the firm Michael 
Joseph with text by Dr. S. McNeil, under the title “Butterflies and Moths 
by Christian and Jan Christian Sepp’. This originally appeared in parts in 
1762 in Holland. 

ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING 

The President supplemented his remarks on his exhibit of Coleophora 
hydrolapathella Hering (Lep., Coleophoridae) by saying he had received 
from T. Peet a further specimn of this taken in 1974 but had failed to 
identify it. He also reported having received a cheerful letter from S. N. 
Jacobs. 


MEMBERSHIP 
The obligation book was signed by M. S. Parsons and R. A. Fry. 
ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The President reported the Society had received, as a donation, the NCC 
Survey of Esher and Oxshott Commons. 

G. Prior said the library had now been reorganised on usual library 
lines. Borrowed books, having been signed for, would have to be brought 
back after two months but might then be re-registered to the same borrower 
unless requested by another member. Overdue borrowers were being 
requested by letter to return books. He suggested that where periodicals 
were loose in a binder, the whole binder should be borrowed, not isolated 
numbers. 

R. Smices then gave an illustrated talk entitled “Charaxes the artful 
butterfly; reflections on collecting in Kenya”’. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 127 


COMMUNICATIONS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — Two females of the uncommon species Hoplismenus 
bidentatus Gmelin (Hym., Ichneumonidae) were found hibernating together 
11.iv.79 under bark of a pine-log on Haldon Moors, Devon. Species of the 
Ichneumoninae parasite Vanessid and Satyrid butterflies. In addition he 
reported that he found Stenichneumon culpator Schrank, all females, 
extremely common in a few of the rotten logs. Also three larvae of 
Euplagia quadripunctaria (Poda) (Jersey tiger) were taken Il.iv, 12.iv 
and 18.iv.79, all at night, low on old bramble on Dawlish cliffs, Devon. 
They readily ate bramble in captivity. He reported having found other 
larvae at Dawlish, including Callimorpha dominula (L.) (common), and 
reported other creatures observed in the same area. 

R. BRETHERTON said the spring had been a good one for Archiearis 
species, particularly parthenias (L.). 

E. P. WILTSHIRE reported having also observed both orange underwing 
species in East Berkshire recently. 

A discussion of S. culpator and its reported host-specificity on Plusiinae 
the ensued, in view of the large numbers found in Devon by Dr. Allen. 
R. BRETHERTON mentioned that Autographa gamma (L.) had been reported 
as far less numerous in Devon the previous year than usual. 


Thursday, 10th May, 1979 
The President, Rev. D. J. L. AGassiz, in the chair. 

The President announced with regret the death of a member, F. C. 
Brown, a resident of Surrey. 

EXHIBITS 

The President —(i) specimens of Thera (Lep., Geometridae) received 
from Ole Karsholt in Denmark: T. obeliscata Hiibn., T. variata D. & S. 
and T. albonigrata Gornik, with British specimens of Thera for compari- 
son; (ii) Danish specimens of Nematopopogon panzerella (F.) agreeing 
with Fabricius’ type together with British specimens which we have 
regarded as that species but which Dr. Schmidt Nielsen states should be 
called N. schwarziellus Zeller. In a later comment Col. Emmet stated that 
whereas earlier British books gave the wrong name for the British Nema- 
topogon form exhibited, the new list by Dr. Bradley had the name right. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — (i) (on behalf of Mr. Donald Quicke, the captor), a 
male example of Poecilostictus cothurnatus (Grav.) (Hym., Ichneumonidae) 
taken in 1977 in the Gwernol valley, Wales, being the second known record 
of the species in Britain, the first having been bred from a pupa of Bupalus 
piniaria (L.) of Delamere, Cheshire. The species is well-known on the 
Continent; (ii) specimens of Ichneumoninae discovered by the exhibitor in 
rotten pine stumps on a moorland at Dawlish, Devon, in mid-April 1979. 
Females of this species spend the winter in such habitats. The species were: 
(a) Stenichneumon culpator (Schrank), a typical dark form caught on 
11.iv.1979 and the much less common form in which the tibiae together 
with tergites 2 and 3 were red, taken 13.iv.79. The species is a common 
parasite on Plusiinae and large numbers weree taken on the moors. (b) (c) 
two closely related species, Ichneumon suspiciosus Wesmael and I. septen- 
trionalis atrifemur Perkins, both captured 13.iv.79. Of these the second is 
less common and is liable to be confused with the first unless care is taken 
in identifying (see Perkins 1960). 

Col. A. M. Emmet — Coleophora adjectella H.-S. 1861, a species now 
recognised as British. The first British specimen appears to have been one 
reared from a case-bearing larva found mining leaves of Prunus spinosa 
at Danbury, Essex, in October 1900 by W. C. Boyd during a shooting party. 


128 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


Itw as identified as Coleophora milvipennis Zeller by Barrett and presented 
under that name as a species new to Britain (Ent. monthly mag. 38: 79-80). 
That species is found in Britain on Betula and, on the Continent, also on 
Alnus, Corylus, Carpinus and Myrica. Study of a recent paper by O. 
Karsholt and E. S. Nielsen (Remarks on microlepidoptera new to the 
Danish fauna, with a review of the Colephora milvipennis group. Ent. 
Meddr. 46:1-16, Copenhagen 1978) showed that the Prunus-feeding member 
of the group was a distinct species, viz. adjectella. A series of eight moths 
was reared in July 1968 from Prunus-feeding larvae taken at Benfleet, 
Essex on the 20th October, 1967 and misidentified as C. badiipennella 
(Dup.) which was feeding commonly on the adjacent elms. These were 
submitted to Dr. J. D. Bradley who determined them as C. adjectella after 
dissection of the genitalia. Larval cases of C. adjectella have also been 
noted at a third locality in south-east Essex and at Newtown, I.o. Wight. 
The specimens from Benfleet together with examples of the four other 
members of the group (C. limosipennella (Dup.), C. badiipennella (Dup.), 
C. alnifolia Barasch and C. milvipennis) were exhibited; the larval cases 
of all except badiipennella were also shown. 

A. HALSTEAD — a leaf-mining weevil on hardy cyclamen: Orthochaetes 
setiger (Beck) (Col., Curculionidae) is a small brown weevil whose larvae 
feed as leaf-miners in the foliage of many wild plants particularly in the 
Compositae family, such as Taraxacum, Lactuca, Hieracium, Centaurea, 
and Sonchus spp. Other plants recorded as hosts are Ajuga, Myosotis, and 
Plantago spp. Leaf-mining on Cyclamen hederifolium was noted on plants 
growing at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden at Wisley, Surrey in 
1975. Adults were reared the following year and identified by the British 
Museum (Nat. Hist.). The weevil appears to overwinter as adults in the 
soil and become active in March when the first signs of mining appear on 
the leaves of C. hederifolium. The mine is initially linear but later 
broadens into a blotch. The larvae go into the soil to pupate in late April- 
May and adults emerge after about three weeks. By that time the foliage 
of C. hederifolium is dying down, so presumably the weevils seek out one 
of their other host plants. 

G. Prior —a living example of Eupithecia insigniata (Hiibn.) hatched 
from larvae found last year on hawthorn, as already reported, and con- 
firming the identity of the larvae exhibited on 13th July, 1978. 

MEMBERSHIP 

Their names having been read for the second time, the following were 
duly declared members: M. Beresford, M. Gandy, Dr. J. A. Gibson, J. W. 
Muir, and R. K. Press. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

R. BRETHERTON announced that two numbers of the Proceedings of 
1942/43, 1944/45 containing plates of Phyllonorycter spp. had run out of 
stock or nearly so and the Society was prepared to buy back from members 
holding these numbers and no longer needing them in order to supply 
continued demands. 

C. G. DE Worms reported that finally the cold spell had been succeeded 
by a breath of spring weather and Anthocharis cardamines (L.), the orange 
tip butterfly, had been observed by J. Greenwood at Petersfield; Odontosia 
carmelita (Esper) and Polyploca ridens (F.) had also been seen, about a 
fortnight after their usual date. 

G. Prior, as librarian, asked for a duplicate set of the Society’s Proceed- 
ings going back as far as possibie, particularly pre-1919 or war-time copies. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 129 


N. M. Co.tins then gave a highly competent illustrated lecture on the 
Royal Geographical Society’s Expedition to the Mount Mulu National 
Park, Sarawak. This contains a great diversity of forest types and also of 
wild life belonging to many orders, but the largest mammals are absent. 
Orchids were not collected. Nomad tribesmen living a hunting-life were 
still found in the forest. 


24th May, 1979 
The President, the Rev. D. J. L. AGassiz, in the chair. 


The President announced with great regret the death of an Hon. Life 
member of the Society, Dr. H. B. D. Kettlewell, over fifty years a member 
and distinguished as a geneticist and writer. 

EXHIBITS 

D. J. L. AGassiz—three live adults of Eupithecia extensaria (Freyer) 
(Lep., Geometridae) from West Norfolk, together with foodplant. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN—A female of Temelucha arenosa (Szép.) (Hym., 
Ichneumonidae) taken 25.viii.1978 on Brownsea I., Dorset. 

M. R. Brown — larvae of Prilophora plumigera (D. & S.) (Lep., Noto- 
dontidae) from ova from a female taken to light at Wye, Kent, in mid- 
November 1978 (courtesy J. Platts). 

Col. A. M. Emmet —A first-year cone of Pinus sylvestris collected in 
St. Leonard’s Forest, Sussex, on the 24th November, 1978 from which a 
specimen of Cydia conicolana (Heylaerts) (Lep., Tortricidae) emerged on 
16th May, 1979. Before the emergence of the moth there was no outward 
sign that the cone was tenanted. By a remarkable coincidence the whole 
process of the moth’s emergence was observed, and the pupa-case was 
exhibited protruding from the cone. 

R. F. BRETHERTON— Live larvae of Lithophane leautieri hesperica 
Boursin (Lep., Noctuidae) feeding on Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, from 
Surrey. 

G. Prior —a larva of Eupithecia irriguata (Hibner) (Lep., Geometridae) 
on oak, larvae of Orthosia gothica (L.) (Noctuidae) and of Spargania 
luctuata (D. & S.) (Geometridae), the latter on willow-herb. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The President exhibited copies of N.C.C. Information sheets on national 

nature reserves in different parts of Britain, which he had received. 
MEMBERSHIP 

G. Ebert, M. Gandy, Dr. J. A. Gibson, the Hon. Lindsay Bethune, and 
M. S. Punnell, their names having been read for a second time, were duly 
declared elected members. 

The obligation-book was signed by M. Gandy and M. S. Punnell. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

Col. A. M. EmMMer announced that the proofs of the revised edition of 
Ford had been done astonishingly well and only those of the indices were 
now awaited. 

Dr. C. G. M. DE Worms mentioned that the season had opened up, and 
he had heard reports of the holly blue, Celastrina argiolus (L.), orange-tip, 
Anthocharis cardamines (L.) and poplar hawk moth, Amorpha populi (L.), 
having been seen quite plentifully. M. S. CuaLmMers-Hunt reported that 
Pyrgus malvae (L.), the grizzled skipper, had been seen at Plaistow, 
Sussex, on 20th May. A. HARMAN reported that Vanessa atalanta (L.), the 
red admiral, had been seen on 22nd May at Sandwich, Kent. 


i30 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


C. SaMson then gave an illustrated account of a solo trip to Ecuador and 
of the natural history of that land. He had walked, collected, and photo- 
graphed, camping alone in a variety of habitats and gave particular 
attention to the butterflies; however, he also showed photographs of the 
condor, which, he found, was scarce, and limited to a few high mountain 
habitats, also of lizards, Odonata, etc. The damp climate had corroded his 
flash-apparatus within two weeks of his arrival. He carried two cameras 
however so that when one broke down a reserve model was available. An 
appreciative audience asked many questions at the end of the talk. 


14th June, 1979 
The President, Rev. D. J. L. AGassiz, in the chair. 


The President announced with great regret the death of Mr. N. D. Riley, 

the distinguished lepidopterist, and member of the Society since 1908. 
EXHIBITS 

R. FarrcLouGH — Larvae of Ectropis crepuscularia (D. & S.) (Lep., 
Geometridae) from a cross between Devon and melanic Forest of Dean 
moths. These were sent by Mr. M. Leech of Ross-on-Wye. A live Acleris 
cristana JD. & S.) f. ruficristana Johnson. Manley in his ‘Guide to this 
species (Ent. Gaz. 24, 1973) said that the whereabouts of the holotype was 
unknown, and that he had been able to trace only one specimen. This 
specimen, together with one other emerged from an Essex x Surrey/ 
Sussex pairing. Also exhibited were some moths caught 23rd January, 
1979 at Ula Belait at 200 ft. in primary rain forest by Lt. Col. M. G. Allen 
and sent papered to the exhibitor. 

Col. A. M. Emmet — Thirteen specimens of Parornix alpicola (Wocke) 
reared between the 6th and 17th of May, 1979 from larvae collected at 
Eriboll, West Sutherland on the 31st of July, 1978. Sprays of the foodplant, 
mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) containing larval mines and a cocoon 
spun on the under surface ofa leaf were also shown and described. 

The history of P. alpicola in Britain is linked with that of P. leucostola 
Pelham-Clinton. Between the 5th and 8th of June, 1963 Mr. Pelham- 
Clinton captured seven adults of a whitish species of Parornix at the 
Invernaver Nature Reserve, on the Sutherland coast. Since leading 
European authorities supported his view that they belonged to a species 
new to science, Mr. Pelham-Clinton described them as such under the name 
leucostola. 

Early the following August, Mr. Pelham-Clinton and Dr. J. D. Bradley 
visited the reserve to search for larvae on the suspected foodplant, moun- 
tain avens. Numerous mines were found at Invernaver and later at Eriboll, 
some 20 miles further west. In the following May, several P. leucostola 
were reared from Invernaver but none from Eriboll. In addition, two P. 
alpicola, a species new to the British list, were reared, one from each 
locality; these emerged earlier than P. leucostola. The genitalia of the two 
species were compared, continental specimens of P. alpicola being included. 
No difference could be observed, except that the valva of male P. alpicola 
appeared to be slightly more slender. The question whether they constituted 
a single species therefore arose, but in view of the very different appearance 
of the imagines and the apparent earlier emergence period of P. alpicola 
they were kept as separate species and are so treated in the Kloet & Hincks 
check list. 

In a quest for further evidence, in 1978 Mr. Pelham-Clinton conducted 
the exhibitor to the two localities and tenanted mines were collected in 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 131 


both places. No moths emerged from Invernaver, but the thirteen P. 
alpicola exhibited probably represent 100% of the larvae taken at Eriboll; 
Mr. Pelham-Clinton also reared at least one P. alpicola from Eriboll. No 
P. leucostola was reared from either locality, though in 1963-1964 it was 
the more common species at Invernaver. On present evidence, therefore, 
P. leucostola is confined to Invernaver whereas P. alpicola occurs in both 
localities. Some unknown factor seems to have inhibited the emergence of 
P. leucostola but not of P. alpicola. Support is therefore given to the view 
that the species are distinct. 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — Three species of the genus A pantales (Hym., Braco- 
nidae): A. endemus Nixon, A. limbatus Marshall and A. formosus 
(Wesmael), all of which were bred from larvae of Abraxas grossulariata ee 
(Lep., Geometridae) taken on blackthorn at Littlehampton, Sussex, spring 
1979. A. endemus (2) was bred 29.v.1979 from a host collected 12.v.1979, 
the parasite larva emerging on 17.v. This appeared to be the first record 
of endemus having been bred in England; the species was hitherto recorded 
from St. Andrews, Scotland and from a single French specimen (Nixon, 
1965). The cocoon was remarkable for the large number of pure white 
loose threads attached to the main structure. The possibility could be enter- 
tained that the south coast insect represents the northern extremity of the 
French record. A. limbatus (a gregarious species) was bred 4.vi.1979 (nine 
specimens) from a larva collected 12.v.1979. Twelve parasite larvae emerged 
from the host on 24.v.1979, from one cocoon a species of Mesochorus was 
also reared; two failed to hatch. In the exhibitors experience, limbatus is 
a common parasite of grossulariata, at least on the Sussex coast. A. 
formosus (2°) was bred 17.v.1979 from a host larva collected 20.iv.1979. 
The host was killed 8.v, on which date the parasite larva spun its unique, 
stalked, pale ochre cocoon. This species is known to be bivoltine, the 
second generation attacking the larvae of Lycia hirtaria (Clerck). 

The exhibit formed a compact little group comprising the three known 
species of Apantales known to attack, almost exclusively, A. grossulariata. 
It was of interest that all three were obtained in the same year, from 
larvae collected in the same locality. About 75 larvae were collected of 
grossulariata: several gave limbatus, but only one each provided endemus 
and formosus (the last named has an alternative overwintering host, 
Ourapteryx sambucaria (L.)). 

Also exhibited were five species of Lymantriidae larvae, these being 
Euproctis similis (Fues.) collected v.1979 at Littlehampton, Sussex; E. 
chrysorrhoea (L.) collected as first instar larvae on Birch 13.v.1979, Reigate 
Heath, Surrey; Leucoma salicis (L.) taken 2.vi.1979 at Camber, Sussex, and 
Lymantria monacha (L.) beaten from oak 31.v.1979 Brownsea I., Dorset. 
Larvae of salicis and chrysorrhoea were abundant at Camber; several 
young poplars and hawthorn/sea buckthorn hedges were almost entirely 
defoliated as a result of the depredations of these larvae. 

G. R. Evse — five fully grown larvae of Selenia lunularia (Hubn. (‘lunar 
thorn’’). These resulted from pairings obtained from moths reared second 
generation pupae received from Mr. A. Liebert. He collected the original 
parent or parents at his home in Crowcombe Heathfield, near Taunton, 
Somerset. 

L. D. M. Packer —a female specimen of Exetastes maurus (Desvignes) 
(Hym., Ichneumonidae) captured at Welling in the London Borough of 
Bexley on 29.viii.1976, along with another female and male of the same 
species. These three specimens constitute the 13th, 14th and 15th known 


132 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


to science. The species was originally described from a specimen caught in 
France. Several specimens in the British Muesum were caught at Barne- 
hurst only a few miles from Welling. The host is unknown but the three 
caught in Welling were flying with others around pollarded poplars and 
aspens. 

P. JEwess — Hypercallia citrinalis (Scop.) (Lep., Oecophoridae) one 
pupa and some larvae feeding on Polygala vulgaris from Trottiscliffe Down, 
Kent, 10.vi.1979. 

P. A. SOKOLOFF —a freshly emerged specimen of Scythris fletcherella 
Meyrick (Lep. ,Scythridae), reared from a larva collected on Helianthemum 
nummelarium L. (rockrose), Badgers Mount, Kent. 

Rev. D. J. L. AGassiz—A short series of Eucosma pauperana (Dup.) 
from Cambridgeshire bred 17th-29th April, and Plastozote boxes, illustrating 
some of their uses in collecting and storing large numbers of specimens. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Mr. Prior told the meeting that Dr. Pike was returning to Malaya, and 
had offered the Society Library some 18 vols. of The Entomoligist, 11 vols. 
of The Entomologist’s Gazette and 10 vols. of the Proceedings. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

Mr. R. F. BRETHERTON reported a remarkable captureof Notodonta 
torva (Hubn) by Mr.M .Hadley at Eastbourne, Sussex, only the second 
authenticated capture for this country. He also remarked on the scarcity 
and lateness of migrant lepidoptera, Authographa gamma (L.) and Agrotis 
ipsilon (Hufn.) appearing only recently. A number of members confirmed 
the appearance of gamma and ipsilon, and Mr. Baker reported Nomophila 
noctuella (D. & S.) and Orthonama obstipata (Feb.) from Reading, Bucks. 
Dr. ALLEN reported that an inconsiderate larva of Cosmia trapezina (L.) 
had consumed a Braconid parasite emerging from a specimen of Campaea 
margaritata (L.). Dr. LONSDALE described a visit to a wood in Sussex 
recently on a still day, when frass could be heard falling from oak trees 
in considerable profusion. 

Mr. A. HarMan then gave a talk on the Ulu Temburong exxpedition to 
Brunei 1978. Exhibits associated with the talk included a large, dried 
pitcher, samples of python dung containing remnants of deer, and swiftlet 
nests (famed for birds-nest soup). The talk itself was illustrated with tape- 
recordings of jungle sounds, slides and film, and was much enjoyed by the 
audience. 

28th June 1979 
The President, Rev. D. J. L. Acassiz in the chair 
EXHIBITS 

Dr. A. A. ALLEN — One male example of Rhyssa persuasoria (L.) (Hym.: 
Ichneumonidae) captured alighting on a rhododendron bush in bright sun- 
shine 1.vi.1979, Brownsea Island, Dorset. This species is frequently illust- 
trated in general entomological text books by virtue of its large size. It is 
an ectoparasite of the wood wasp, its long ovipositor enabling an egg to be 
laid near the host larvae as it feeds concealed in the wood. The main 
feature of the parasite (which does not seem particularly common) is the 
marked imbalance of the adult sex-ratios: the male is very much less 
common than the female, few records exisiting for the former sex. Other 
hymenoptera exhibit uneven sex ratios, the males generally being less 
common. The exhibitor has, however, noted amongst the species Meso- 


chrous (both captured and bred) that males are encountered more commonly 
than the females. 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 133 


D. W. YENDALL -— a specimen of Panorpa germanica (L.) which he had 
captured, and fed on squashed sawflies. 

Dr. I. McCLENAGHAN — a specimen of Aglais urticae (L.) with right fore- 
wing about half normal length, but with wing pigments of same intensity as 
normal. 15 others from the same broods (ex. Writtle, Essex) were normal. 

K. SAMUELS — a selection of Lepidoptera taken last year in Spain, includ- 
ing Macroglossum stellatarium (L.), Pyrgus cirsii (Ramb.), Pontia daplidice 
(L.), Iphiclides podalirius feisthamelii (Dup.) and Pseudotergumia fidia (L.). 
Also an interesting example of a halved gynandromorph of Pieris napi (L.) 
bred ab ovo. Left side female, right male. 

P. A. SoxoLorr — Dichomeris marginella (Fab.) (Lep.: Gelechiidae) bred 
from an infested shoot of an ornamental juniper. Despite intensive spraying 
of the bush with insecticide by the owner (not the exhibitor), the larval 
webs had been thick enough to withstand the onslaught. Also a freshly 
emerged Evergestis extimalis (Scop.) (Lep.: Pyralidae). This moth had 
been reared from larvae collected Dartford Marshes, Kent, September 1978. 
The larvae do not pupate until spring, and had been over-wintered outside. 
Due to an oversight, the container had filled with water, which subsequently 
froze solid, and the larvae had to be thawed from a block of ice. Despite 
this treatment, the majority of the larvae survived and produced moths. 

Membership: The following members were declared elected: Messrs. G. 
G. Nobes, A. R. James and C. N. Selby. 

Communications: Dr. DE Worms commented on the profusion of large 
white butterflies in the South of England. Observations made on the coast 
suggest that there may have been an immigration of this butterfly. Col. 
EMMET reported that on the 23rd June he had captured a worn Eucosma 
pauperana (Dup.) at Fleam Dyke, Cambs. This moth is normally on the 
wing from mid-April to mid-May. Other members commented on the late- 
ness of the season, Mr. WILD having taken Aethalura punctulata (D. & S.) 
on 27th June, and Mr. Evans recently having collected ova of Hamearis 
fucina (L.). 

Mr. K. G. PRESTON-MAFHAM then gave a talk entitled ‘““‘The Use of 
Photography in Insect Behaviour’. This was copiously illustrated with 
slides of high quality, and showed many orders of insect indulging in court- 
ship, mating, oviposition, emergence, predation and feeding. The wide- 
Tanging and interesting talk attracted many questions from the audience. 


FIELD MEETINGS 


WESTBERE MARSHES, CANTERBURY — 15th July 1978 
(JOINT MEETING WITH THE KENT FIELD CLUB) 


Leader — T. W. HARMAN 


This all day and much of the night meeting was somewhat disappointing 
because of the weather which, although quite sunny by day, led to a clear 
night combining with a half moon to provide a temperature down to 10°C 
and even lower at ground level. This was a pity since there was an excellent 
turnout of members with varied interests and many more records of this 
interesting area could have been obtained in good conditions. No less than 
17 members attended plus several interested friends at intervals. By night 
some 10 traps were run throughout the reedbeds, in some cases there were 
more entomologists round the trap than moths inside! 


134 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


Species recorded included: — 


Pepidoptera:— Anthophila fabriciana (L.), Argyresthia albistria (Haw.), Batia 
lunaris (Haw.), Brachmia gerronella (Zell.), Mompha ochraceella (Curt.), Blasto- 
dacna hellerella (Dup.), Aphelia paleana (Hubn.), Clepsis spectrana (Treits.), 
Clepsis consimilana (Hubn.), Cydia aurana (Fab.), Diluta angustoriana (Haw), 
Chilo phragmitella (Hubn.), Olethreutes lacunana (D. & S.), Crambus perella 
perlella (Scop.), Schoenobius gigantella (D. & S.), Eudonia mercurella (L.), 
Cataclysta lemnata (L.), Eurrhypara hortulata (L.), Pleuroptya ruralis (Scop.), 
Endotricha flammealis (D. & S.), Eucosma cana (Haw.), Rotruda binaevella 
binaevella (Hubn.), Platyptilia pallidactyla (Haw.), Hepialus lupulinus (L.), 
Philudoria potatoria (L.), Habrosyne pyritoides (Hufn.), Timandra griseata 
griseata (Pet.), Idaea dimidiata (Hufn.), Epirrhoe alternata alternata (Mull.), 
Camptogramma bilineata bilineata 3L.1, Cosmorhoe ocellata (L.), Eulithis pyraliata 
(D. & S.), Colostygia pectinataria (Knoch.), Ourapteryx sambucaria (L.), Biston 
betularia (L.), Alcis repandata repandata (L.), Cabera exanthemata (Scop.), Mimas 
tiliae (L.), Laothoe populi (L.), Phalera bucephala (L.), Cerura vinula (L.), 
Thumatha senex (Hubn), Spilosoma lubricipeda (L.), Spilosoma luteum (Hufn.), 
Agrotis clavis (Hufn.), A. exclamationis (L.), Axylia putris (L.), Ochropleura plecta 
((L.), Melanchra persicariae (L.), Lacanobia oleracea (L.), Hadena compta (D & 
S.), Mythimna ferrago (Fab.), M. straminea (Treits.), M. impura impura (Hubn.), 
M. pallens (L.), M. obsoleta (Hub.), Dypterygia scabriuscula (L.), Acronicta psi 
(L.), Apamea monoglypha (Hufn.), A. lithoxylaea (D. & S.), A. ophiogramma 
(Esp.), Oligia strigilis (L.), Coenobia rufa (Haw.), Hoplodrina alsines (Brahm.), 
Caradrina morpheus (Hufn.), Chilodes maritimus (Tausch.), Diachrysia chrysitis 
(L.), Autographa pulchrina (Haw.), Abrostola triplasia (L.), Hypena_ probos- 
cidialis (L.), Macrochilo cribrumalis (Hubn.). 

Hymenoptera seen included:— Cephus nigrinus (Thom.), Chrysis ignita (L.) 
Sp. comp., C. viridula (L.), Trypoxylon figuls (L.), Pemphredon lugubris (Fab.), 
Oxybelus uniglumis (L.), Crossocerus wesmaeli (V. d. L.), C. quadrimaculatus 
(Fab.), Ectemnius cavifrons (Thom.), E. lapidarius (Panz.), Lindenius albilabris 
(Fab.), Colletes similis (Schenck), Andrena minutula (Kirby), Melitta leporina 
(Panz.), Anthophora quadrimacultat (Panz.), Nomada rufipes (Fab.), Megachile 
willughbiella (Kirby), Bombus terrestris (L.), B. lucorum (L.), B. lapidarius (L.), 
B. pratorum ((L.), B. agrorum (Fab.),Psithyrus vestalis (Geoff. in Fourc.). 


Diptera seen included:— Beris vallata (Forst.), Odontomyia viridula (F.), 
Dioctria baumhaueri (Meig.), Chilomyia illustrata (Harris). 
Plants recorded by two members of Kent Field Club included:— Ranunculus 


acris, R. sceleratus, R. repens, R. fluitans, Equistum fluviatile, Rorippa islandica, 
Cerastium holosteoides, Hypericum tetrapterum, Trifolium repens, Filipendula 
ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Lotus corniculatus, Lathyrus pratensis, Lythrum sali- 
caria, Epilobium hirstutum, Conium maculatum, Polygonum amphibium, Angelica 
sylvestris, Heracleum sphondylium, H. mantegazzianum, Sium latifolium, Oenanthe 
fistulosa, Apiom nodiflorum, Mentha aquatica, Rumex crispus, R. hydrolopathum, 
R. conglomeratus, Scrophularia aquatica, Myosotis scorpioides, M. caespitosa, 
Veronica beccabunga, V. catenata, Solanum dulcamara, Utricularia vulgaris, 
Galium palustre, Stachys palustris, Typha latifolia, Matricaria matricarioides, 
Cirsium vulgare, C. palustre, Achillea millefolium, Eupatorium cannabinum, 
Valeriana officinalis, Dipsacus fullonum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Picris echoides, 
Sonchus arvensis, Iris pseudacorus, Alisma plantago aquatica, Phragmites com- 
munis. 


DENNY BOG, NEW FOREST — 29th/30th July, 1978 
Leader — Cov. D. H. STERLING 
In a year not noted for good collecting weather, this meeting fortunately 
had about ideal conditions. The day was hot and sunny, but clouds and a 
little thundery rain came up at dusk, keeping the temperature up to 17°C 
for night collecting. Eight persons attended. 
Morning collecting around the bog adjoining Shatterford car park 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 135 


produced plenty of insects but nothing outstanding, although members 
were pleased to note the commonness of Plebejus argus (L.) (silver-studded 
blue) and Idaea muricata (Hufn.) (purple-bordered gold). Beetles found 
included Micrelus ericae (Gyll.), Propylea 14-punctata (L.), Rhagonycha 
fulva (Scop.). 

During lunch a member’s car was dive-bombed by the water-beetle 
Acilius sulcatus (L.), the shining cellulose presumably being mistaken for 
water. 

Afternoon collecting took place on the marshy ground adjoining the 
heath. Over 500 nests of the ant Lasius flavus (F.) were noted in an area 
of about two acres. On the higher heathy ground Lasius niger (L.) was 
found moving about freely on the web of a Linyphid spider without produc- 
ing any reaction from it, although any other slight vibration caused the 
spider to rush out of its tunnel. The bird Sylvia undata (Dartford warbler) 
was noted. Other insects included Pholidoptera griseoaptera (Degear) (the 
dark bush-cricket), Dolichonabis limbatus (Dahl.) (the marsh damsel-bug) 
and the hoverflies Eristalis tenax (L.) and Syrphus balteatus (Deg.). 
Lepidoptera taken included /daea sylvestraria (Hibn.) (dotted border wave) 
and Gnophos obscuratus (D. & S.) (annulet). 

Evening and night collecting in Parkhill enclosure was very productive. 
Catocala promissa (D. & S. ) (light crimson underwing) males were just 
out and in perfect condition. Of the five seen, four were captured. Other 
species of interest were:— Apoda avellana (L.) (festoon), Heterogenea 
asella (D. & S.) (triangle), Ptycholomoides aeriferanus (H.-S.), Lozotaen- 
ioides formosanus (Gey.), Epagoge grotiana (F.), Idaea straminata (plain 
wave), Boarmia roboraria (D. & S.) (great oak beauty), Meganola strigula 
(D. & S.) (small black arches), A pamea scolopacina (Esp.) (slender brindle), 
and Eustrotia uncula (Clerck) (silver hook). Beetles included Necrodes 
littoralis (L.), Melanotus rufipes (Herbst.), Aphodius rufipes (L.), Serica 
brunnea (L.), Limonius minutus (L.), Gyrinus substiatus (Steph.), Carabus 
violaceus (L.), and Chrysolina graminis (L.). Other insects included the 
ubiquitous Vespa crabo (L.), Ectobius lapponicus (L.) (dusky cockroach), 
the shield-bug Pentatoma rufipes (L.) and the water-bug Callicorixa praeusta 
(Fieber). 

In all, 190 different species of lepidoptera, 16 of coleoptera, 3 ants and 9 
order were recorded. A full list was sent to the Deputy Surveyor, New 
Forest, but is too long for reproduction here. 


TROTTISCLIFFE, KENT — 12th August 1978 


Leader — K. G. W. Evans 


Despite the promise of inclement weather, 12 members attended this 
joint meeting with The Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society. 
With the kind permission of the Kent County Council, Trossley offers the 
entomologist a fine collecting area over a wide expanse of chalk downland 
surmounted by a considerable tract of deciduous woodland. Early rain 
precluded much of the hoped for field work but a few specimens of The 
Straw Belle, Aspitates gilvaria D. & S. were kicked up and much time was 
devoted to renewing old friendships and exchanging helpful information. 
Despite the bad conditions many insects were identified and in the evening 
ten lights were established as well as quantities of sugar. While the latter 
proved a wasted effort, the lights attracted a good volume of insects but 
little that was not expected. 


136 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOC., 1979 


With the weather failing to improve most of the party had quit the site 
by 1.00 a.m. although the leader stayed until dawn. Final intifications 
included: — 

LEPIDOPTERA:— Zygaena filipendulae (L.), Monopis rusticella (Hibn.), 
Caloptilia syringella (Fab.), Phyllonocrycter lantanella (Schrank), Argyresthia 
albistria (Haw.), A. brockeella (Hiibn.), Yponomeuta padella (L.), Y. plumbella 
(D. & S.), Y. cagnagella (Hiibn.), Ypsolopha scabrella (L.), Y. sequella (Clerck), 
Y. parenthesella (L.), Y. dentella (Fab.), Paraswammerdamia lutarea (Haw.), 
Elachista biatomella (Staint.), Carcina quercana (Fab.), Agonopterix liturosa 
(Haw.), Depressaria pastinacella (Dupon.), Platyedra subcinerea (Haw.), (Larvae in 
seeds of Musk Mallow) Blastobasis decolorella (Wollaston), B. lignea (Walsing- 
ham), Cydia pomonella (L.), C. splendana (Hiibn.), Spilonota ocellana (D. & S.), 
Gypsonoma sociana (Haw.), Epiblema costipunctana (Haw.), Epinotia ramella 
(L.), E. solandriana (L.), Epiblema uddmanniana (L.), Ancylis comptana (Frolich), 
A. unculana (Haw.), Pandemis heparana (D. & S.), P. corylana (Feb.), Archips 
xylosteana (L.), Clepsis consimilana (Hiibn.), Acleris aspersana (Hiibn.), A. 
latifasciana (Haw.), Croesia forsskaleana (L.), Cochylis hybridella (Hiibn.), Aethes 
beatricella (Walsingham), Crambus perlella (Scop.), Agriphila tristella (D. & S.), 
A. straminella (D. & S.), A. inquinatella (D. & S.), A. geniculea (Haw.), Scoparia 
cembrella (L.), S. ambigualis (Treits.), Catoptria pinella (L.), Pyrausta purpuralis 
(L.), P. aurata (Scop.), P. nigrata (Scop.), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hiin.), Anania 
verbascalis (D. & S.), Pleuropyta ruralis (Scop.), Eurrhypara coronata (Hufn.), 
Endotrich flammealis (D. & S.), Acrobasis consociella (Hiibn.), Oncocera semi- 
rubella (Scop.), Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla (Scop.), S. pterodactyla (L.), Pterophorus 
baliodactylus (Zeller), Pieris rapae (L.), Aricia agestis (D. & S.), Agriades coridon 
(Poda), Pyronia tithonus (L.), Maniola jurtina (L.), Coenonympha pamphilus (L.), 
Falcaria lacertinaria (L.), Drepana binaria (Hufn.), Philudoria potatoria (L.), 
Habrosyne pyritoides (Hufn.), Hemithea aestivaria (Hiibn.), Idaea biselata (Hufn.), 
I. aversata (L.), I. seriata (Schrank), Epirrhoe rivata (Hiibn.), E. galiata (D. & S.), 
Scotopteryx chenopodiata (L.), S. bipunctaria cretata (Prout), Xanthorhoe spadi- 
cearia (D. & S.), X. flucuata (L.), Ecliptopera silaceata (D. & S.), Cosmorhoe 
ocellata (L.), Camptogramma bilineata (L.), Pelurga comitata (L.), Eulithis 
populata (L.), Hydriomena furcata (Thub.), Chloroclysta citrata (L.), Horisme 
vitalbata (D. & S.), H. tersata (D. & S.), Philereme transversata (Hufn.), 
Melanthia procellata (D. & S.), Chloroclystis v-ata (Haw.), Eupithecia icterata 
(de Vill.), E. inturbata (Hiibn.), E. succenturiata (L.), Lomaspilis marginata (L.), 
Acasis viretata (Hiibn.), Abraxas grossulariata (L.), Opisthograptis luteolata 
(Hiibn.), Crocalis elinguaria (L.), Selenia tetralunaria (Hufn.), S. dentaria (Fab.), 
Biston betularia (L.), Peribatodes rhomboidaria (D. & S.), Aspitates gilvaria (D. 
& §.), Ptilodon capucina (L.), Ptilodontella cucullina (D. & S.), Pheosia gnoma 
(Fab.), Pterostoma palpina (Clerck), Euproctis similis (Fuessly), Eilema complana 
(L.), E. deplana (Esp.), Euxoa nigricans (L.), Agrotis exclamationis (L.), A. puta 
(Hiibn.), Noctua pronuba (L.), N. comes (Hiibn.), N. janthina (D. & S.), N. 
fimbriata (Schreber), Ochropteura plecta (L.), Xestia triangulum (Hufn.), X. 
xanthographa (D. & S.), X. baja (D. & S.), Mythimna conigera (D. & S.), M. 
ferrago (Feb.), M. pallens (L.), Amphipyra tragopoginis (Clerck), Thalpophila 
matura (Hutn.), Cosmia trapezina (L.), Mesapamea secalis (L.), Apamea mono- 
glypha (Hutn), A. scolopacina (Esper), Oligia lactruncula (D. & S.), O. strigilis 
(L.), Mesoligia furuncula (D. & S.), Hoplodrina blanda (D. & S.), H. ambigua 
(D. & S.), H. alsines (Braham.), Caradrina clavipalpis (Scop.), Colocasia coryli 
(L.), Diachrysia chrysitis (L.), Autographa gamma (L.), Rivula sericealis (Scop.), 
Hypena proboscidalis (L.), Polypogon tarsipennalis (Treits.), Calistege mi (Clarck), 
(larva), Tyria jacobaeae (L.), (larvae). 

DIPTERA :— Phytomyza sphondylii (Goureau), P. conyzae (Hendel), P. autum- 
nalis (Griffiths), Amauromyza labiatarum (Hendel), Liriomyza strigata (Meigen), 
Taxomyia taxi (Inchbald), Dasyneura crataegi (Winnertz), D. urticae (Perris), D. 
plicatrix (Loew., H.), D. rosarum (Hardy), Craneiobia corni (Giraud), Jaapiella 
veronicae (Vallot), Phlyctidobia solmsi (Kieffer), Lasioptera rubi (Heeger). 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. soc., 1979 137 


HYMENOPTERA:— Blennocampa pusilla (Klug), Diplolepis rosae (L.), 
B. lapidarius (L.), B. pratorum (L.), B. terrestris (L.), B. hortorum (L.), B. 
ruderarius (Mull.), Vespula sylvestris (Scop.), Halictus tumulorum (L.), Lasioglos- 
sum laevigatus (Kirby), L. fulvicornis (Kirby), L. morio (Fab.), Andrena bicolor 
(Fab., Chelostoma campanularum (Kirby). 

HOMOPTERA: — Trichochermes walkeri (Forster). 

DICTYOPTERA:— Ectobius pallidus (Olivier) (taken at treacle). 

ACARI :— Phytoptus macrochelus Nal., P. thomasi Nal., P. thomasi spp. origani 
Nal., P. sanguisorbae Can., P. viburni Nal. 

Alarge brown adder was also observed. 


EPPING FOREST, ESSEX — 29th October 1978 
Leader — A. M. EMMET 


The year 1978 marks the centenary of the Epping Forest Act, which 
conserved the Forest for the nation. The occasion was marked in May by a 
symposium at which papers were read on its flora, fauna and history. In 
preparing a list of the Lepidoptera of Epping Forest for the symposium, the 
author found that many common species of microlepidoptera, though 
doubtless present, had never been recorded. One of the purposes of the 
field meeting was to fill these gaps. 

An exceptionally bright and warm day for late October attracted an 
attendance of at least 28 members and their families. The sunshine brought 
comma and peacock butterflies on the wing and there was a distant sighting 
of a female brimstone or one of the whites. After assembling and having 
coffee at the Epping Forest Conservation Centre, the party moved off to the 
relatively open ground of Whitehouse Plain, where a total of 79 species of 
microlepidoptera were identified; to these a further six may be added 
which were observed in adjacent areas during a reconnaissance earlier in 
the month. Out of these, 36 had not been recorded previously and these 
additions bring the number of Lepidoptera found in Epping Forest to over 
1,000. 

Potentially the most interesting record was of Stigmella carpinella 
(Heinemann), but this requires confirmation. This hornbeam-feeding species 
was added to the British list as recently as 1976 and was recorded in 
Hainault Forest, Essex in 1977. Two or three mines only were found, one 
of which was still tenanted. It is hard to distinguish the mine from that of 
S. floslactella (Haworth), a very common species but not recorded from 
Epping since its principal foodplant, hazel, is absent. It also feeds on horn- 
beam, but is always abundant where it is found, like the other nepticulid on 
the same foodplants, S. microtheriella (Haworth), which is plentiful at 
Epping. Hence, somewhat paradoxically, the scarcity of these mines at 
Epping makes it probable that they belong to the rarer species. 

Another very local species was Tischeria angusticollella (Duponchel), 
whose mines were found on wild rose. Vacated mines of Stigmella 
distinguenda (Heinemann) were noted on birch and of Etainia sphendamni 
(Hering) in the keys of field maple. The Faircloughs worked the blackthorn 
thickets for Acleris cristana ({Denis & Schiffermiiller]) and obtained over 
20 specimens covering a range of forms, none rare but some very beautiful. 
These were retained for breeding. 

A complete list of the species observed has been sent to the Epping 
Forest Conservation Centre as an appendix to the list already lodged there. 


138 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


CURRENT LITERATURE 
BOOK REVIEWS 


A recorder’s log-book or label-list of British Butterflies and Moths, by J. D. 

Bradley and D. S. Fisher. Curwen Books, 1979. Price £2.00 

This pocket-sized paperback check-list is a novel production: the first 
column on each page consists of the names of the species and subspecies, 
the second column being left blank for the user to insert further data 
against those forms he may observe. If used in recording for the Biological 
Records Centre, the latter, after registering the records, will return the log- 
book to the owner. Previously, recorders used cards for this purpose. If 
they wish to continue to use it for the same purpose it would see that 
their entries should be in pencil! 

By and large, the list is the Kloet and Hincks 1972 check-list omitting 
most of the synonyms. The very first species on the list appears now as 
Micropterix tunbergella Fabr. (with thunbergella auctorum as a synonym). 
The two authors have chosen to omit the parentheses round the names of 
all authors; these were inserted in the 1972 check-list in accordance with 
correct zoological nomenclature rules but in the work under review their 
omission conforms with the rather general practice of lepidopterists, which 
our present editorial policy has endeavoured to correct. The omission of 
the “th” in the specific name quoted above raises the vexed question of 
whether one should adhere to the original and earliest spelling of a name 
even when it may be an obvious error (elsewhere in the list the authors 
insert an “th”? when printing Thunberg’s name! ) 

In another place, the generic name Helicoverpa Hardwick 1965 is retained 
for the scarce bordered straw, although Hardwick 1970 and Todd 1978 
reincluded Helicoverpa (and other generic names) in Heliothis, apparently 
sinking it to subgeneric status or even synonym! 

The difficulty of bringing the nomenclature of a long list ‘up to date” 
as the publishers claim has been done, is demonstrated by the above random 
examples, and the question of which check-list our readers should follow is 
once more raised. On the whole we think most will like to use this list, 
and for recording and registering questions of nomenclature are, at the 
most, a problem for the staff of the Records Centre. 

E.P.W. 


A Dipterist’s Handbook. Edited by Alan Stubbs and Peter Chandler. The 
Amateur Entomologist, 15, ix + 255 pp., many figs. 1978. Price £6.00 
This is an excellent book, following the high standard set by the 

Amateur Entomological Society with their handbooks on the Lepidoptera, 
Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. The editors are two of this country’s most 
energetic Dipterists, with a wide experience of fieldwork and an apprecia- 
tion of the endless diversity and versatility of the Diptera. They have 
enlisted the help of a large number of fellow-Dipterists to contribute 
sections on their specialities—indeed, the list of contributors reads almost 
like a check list of British Dipterists. 

The key-notes of the book are enthusiasm and comprehensiveness. There 
can be few Dipterists browsing through this book during winter evenings 
who will not be fired with the desire to get into the field again. During the 
summer months it will prove an invaluable vade mecum for tyro and 
pundit alike, since it contains detailed results and summaries alongside 


PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. SOc., 1979 139 


suggestions for further lines of enquiry. One of the attractive features of 
the book is that several contributors have given complete synopses of their 
subjects, though for reasons of economy these have had to be presented in 
cursive rather than tabular form and are more difficult to use. It is always 
invidious to single out examples of particular excellence, but it seems to 
me that the sections on associations with fungi, the higher plants and 
dung are outstandingly useful contributions. The key to families of Diptera 
larvae, containing a wealth of illustrations, fills a longstanding lacuna in 
the literature and it is worth buying the book for this alone. I welcomed 
too the deft touches of humour provided by one well-known contributor. 
The book has been produced at high speed, and this is reflected in a 
4-page errata slip accompanying it. Needless to say, this includes nowhere 
near the full number of misprints, but all slips of this kind can be corrected 
in a second printing and hardly detract from the quality of the work itself. 
In short, a fine book: a must for all Dipterists and indeed for most 
entomological fieldworkers. 
A. C. PONT 


OUR CONTEMPORARIES 


Environmental entomology, Ent. Soc. Amercia, 7 (1), 1978 

There are thirty-six articles in this fascicle of Vol. 7 of this magazine, and 
we select two as of general interest: — T. C. BAKER and R. T. CARDE: 
Disruption of Gypsy moth male sex pheromone behaviour by high frequency 
sound. 

Males of the day-flying moth Lymantria dispar (L.) while flying up-wind 
towards a pheromone source respond to high frequency (> 15 KHz) 
sounds by deviating sharply from the established flight-course and flying 
away rapidly. Pheromone-stimulated males fanning their wings while 
walking on the substrate, ‘freeze’? momentarily in response to high 
frequency sound. The puncturing of both tympana eliminates auditory 
behaviour, whereas perforation of only one tympanum causes highly 
direction flight course deviations towards the perforated (silent) side. The 
retention of ultrasonic sensitivity in this essentially day-flying species may 
be explained by the selective advantage from bat predation gained by 
individuals near dusk. (Females of this species had less well developed 
tympanic organs than males.) Response to 2 pheromone in these males is 
wing-fanning before flight. These observations were made in a wind-tunnel. 
“Freezing” (a cessation of activity) lasted ten seconds. The two tympanic 
membranes of L. dispar are located in a smooth sclerotized channel on the 
postero-lateral margin of the metathorax. They are directed obliquely 
posteriorly towards hair-covered counter-tympanic hoods on the first abdomi- 
nal somite which cover all but the extreme lateral edges of the scaleless 
channels. A sensillum similar to that described for Agrotis ipsion (L.) 
appears to be attached to each membrane in the centre and to extend 
internally into the tympanic air-sac. In the experiments the membranes 
were ruptured with a pin after retracting the hoods, and this is claimed to 
have inhibited response to high frequency signals. However, the same sound 
did have some effect on females despite their less sensitive ears. But lower- 
key sounds had no effect on these flying males. 

S. Gotuitr, M. Kenat, M. Jackson, & R. GALUN: Screening pheromone 
analogues by E.A.G. technique for biological activity on males of Earias 
insulana, Heliothis armigera, and Spodoptera littoralis. 


140 PROC. BRIT. ENT. NAT. HIST. Soc., 1979 


These species are well known pests in the Mediterranean and Middle 
East and the purpose of the experiments was to select “candidate chemicals” 
for “inhibition and disruption of inter sexual communication in these 
species”. Both these articles shed light on the ability of female lepidoptera 
to attract males and the methods evolved by moths to escape bat predation; 
the former is of course assumed to be by chemical means, while a different 
organ is involved in detecting the ultrasonic radar-emissions of bats which 


help those predators to spot moths in flight, and in evading the bats’ 


attacks. 
E.P.W. 


Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 32 (4), (1978) 


There is much interesting matter in the last part of Vol. 32 of this well- 
known and excellent journal which, regrettably still contains too little about 
Old World insects; we select for mention one article which affects the 
British check-lists and the nomenclature there recommended to our 
readers: — 

Harry K. CLencu (pp. 277-281): The names of certain holarctic hair- 
streak genera. The author picks up the article by Malicky in the publication 
of the Bale Entomological Society of 1969 which, mainly dealing with early 
stages and breeding of European Lycaenidae, also contained taxonomic 
proposals, one being the recognition of the generic difference between the 
Black and the White-letter hair-streak butterflies and certain other non- 
British hair-streaks such as spini (D. & S.), ilicis (Esp.) and acaciae (F.). 
For pruni (L.) Malicky therefore substituted Fixsenia Tutt 1908, retaining 
Strymonidia for the others. Clench however argues that Satyrium Scudder 
1876 is more correct for the four others mentioned. As our compilers of the 
revised Kloet and Hincks 1972 check-list apparently overlooked Malicky’s 
proposal, perhaps they would now consider the matter again particularly 
in view of Clench’s following Malicky in one particular and superseding 
him in another. 

Another article deserving mention here, as of general interest, is the 
short note by RAYMOND W. NEcK (pp. 310-311): Additional function of the 
Lepidopteran proboscis. The author has observed the adult in certain cases 
to use its coiled tongue for preening and removing water from its vestiture. 


EP W. 


ia 
R352 | 
Ent, 
PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSACTIONS OF THE 
BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL 
HISTORY SOCIETY 


INDEX VOLUME 12 (1979) 


Abundance of butterflies, national scheme for monitoring, 77, 122 

Annual exhibition 1978, 1 

Burnet moths, life histories of seven British species, 113 

Changes in London’s insect fauna, 48 

Charaxes, collecting in Kenya, 126 

Current literature, 71, 138 

Ecuador, natural history of, 130 

Editorial, 1 

Field Meetings; 1978: Andrews and Meanfield Woods, Shoreham, Kent, 70; 
Botley Wood, Hants., 71; Denny Bog, New Forest, 134; Epping Forest, 
Essex, 137; Hayling I., Hants., 68: Ranmore, Surrey, 67; Swanage, 69; 
Trottiscliffe, Kent, 135; Westbourne Marshes, Canterbury, 133. 

Gastropacha quercifolia, inheritance of a pale form, 73 

Hering Memorial Research Fund, 72, 121 

Ichneumonoidea, an outline of the biology, 60 

Insect diseases and population control, 124 

Insects in Australasia, 61 

Insect photography in the tropics, 64 

Large blue, lessons and achievements in conservation, 67 

Mount Mulu National Park, R.G.S. expedition, 129 

National collection of British Lepidoptera, 19 

Obituaries: Kettlewell, H. B. D., 101; Riley, N. D., with bibliography, 104 

Ocyusa nitidiventris, new to Britain, 46 

Officers’ reports for 1978, 115 

Photography, use of, in insect behaviour, 133 

Pieris brassicae, a review of variation, 24 

Plebejus argus in Malta, 76 

Proceedings, 57, 112 

Relations of the resident British lepidoptera to the European fauna, 64 

Saudi Arabia, butterflies and hawk-moths of Eastern, 90 

Sepsid flies, swarms of, inacceptible to spiders, 16 

Ulu Temborong, Brunei, expedition, 1979, 132 

West African Coleoptera, 126 


PLATES 


I, If (facing p. 36): Annual Exhibition, 1978 

III-VI (facing p. 7): Varieties of Pieris brassicae (L.) 

VII (facing p. 100): Larva and pupa of Melitaea persea Koll., Saudi Arabia 
VIII (facing p. 101): Eastern Saudi Arabia, map 

IX (facing p. 102): Dr. H. B. D. Kettlewell 

X (facing p. 103): Capt. N. D. Riley, C.B.E. 


CONTRIBUTORS 


Agassiz, D3. .L.5 1). G57, 4122123; 
1255129 82 

Allen: 7A.) Acs 66,9135 575, 58.) G0 s60, 
62.163; 66; 1 26R1228 123501258126; 
pA PASS swe riley 

Alston, HawN: 1B 56 

Appleton, D., 11 

Lowy (G5 18}5mav/ 

Baker, B. R., 1, 67 

Baker, P. J., 69, 124 

Bland, K. P., 2; 6 

Bradford, E. S., 113, 114 

Bretherton, R. F., 2, 5, 7, 59, 63, 64, 
67; We 1225124, 126, 127;51285,.129; 
132 

Bristow, W. S., 16 

British Museum (Nat. Hist.), 2 

Brown, M. R., 129 

Burton, G. N., 5 

Garters DYE 19: 

Chalmers-Hunt, J. M., 2, 
70, 129 

Chambers, D. A., 2 

Gilia, J. LAG 

Clarke, Sir Cyril, 6 

Clarke, Sir Cyril, & Rothschild, M., 6 

Classey, E. W., & Demuth, R., 2 

Collins, N. M., 129 

Cooke, N., 53 

Coope, G. R., 65 

Craske; Ro M., 2 

Cribb, P. W., & Dyson, R. M.,°5 

Grott Pa a6 

Crow, seaNe ee, 

Darby, M., 11 

BSE yGraskeal2a 50) 

Emmet, A: M:, 7,59, 60; 615 63: 112: 
122 L235 27. 29 ei SO yal Si7, 

Evans, K. G. W., 53, 54, 61, 135 

Fairclough, R., 66, 130 

Fairclough, R., & A. F., 2, 8 

Gilbert, P., 104 

Greenwood, J. A. C., 2 

Goater, B., 2 

Godfray, H. C. J., 6 

Grey, M. J., 67 

Halstead, A. J., 58, 114, 124, 128 

Hammond, C. O., 52, 60 

Harman, A., 129, 132 

Harman, T. W., 133 

Harmer, A. S., 2 

Heath, J., 55, 60, 64, 114 

Heckford, R. J., 8 

Higgs, G. E., 2 

Hodge shel 

Homer, dizGr 


7, 54, 60, 


Horton! (G. Al NAY, 9 

Howard, G., 2, 9 

Howarth, T. G., 66, 104 

iydenGr 2 

Imber, S. F., p.p. Jewson, B., 2 

Jackson, B. C., 56, 57 

Jacobs, S. N. A., 113 

James, R., 2 

Jewess, Ps, 132 

Kennard, A., 67 

Kenner-Booker, W., 13 

Remkeya, es 2 

Knill-Jones, S. A., 66, 124 

Langmaid, Dr. J., 9 

Larsen, T. B., 6 

Leech, M. J., 3, 9 

Lonmer, R. I., 3 

Luckens, C., 5 

MacNulty, B. J., 3, 56, 126 

Majerus, M. E. N., 73 

Marcon, J. W., 3 

Martin, P. A., 3, 9 

Mason, J., 64 

Michaelis, H. N., 9 

Miles, S. R., 12, 13 

Muggleton, J., 125 

Murphy, F., 16 

Owen, J. A., 55, 56 

Packer,sk.) DAME 12, 13s) 

Parry,’ J.) A.) 

Pearce, C. E., 3 

Pelham-Clinton, E. C., 3, 10 

Phelps, H. G., 3 

Philpott, V. W., 66 

Pickles, A. J., 68 

Pickles, A. J.. & C. T., 68 

Pittaway, A. R., 90 

Platts, J., 3 

Pollard, E., 77, 122 

Pont, A. C., 138 

Preston-Mafham, K. G., 133 

PrattG.03 

Pron G., 5. 

Revell, R. J., 

Revels, R. C., 3, 16 

Richardson, A., 3, 10 

Rivers, C. F., 123, 124 

Rothschild, M., 16 

Russwurm, A. D. A., & Middleton, 
H. G. M., 4 

Robinson, G. S., & H. S., 6 

Samson, C., 130 

Samuels, K., 133 

Saunders, D. A., 4 

Shaw, P. N., 15 

Simpson, A. N. B., 10 

Sims, I. R., 4, 59 

Skinner, B., 4, 66 

Smiles, R., 126 


57, 62;,63) 126312859129 
3 


iti 


Sokoloff, P., 4, 10, 10, 59, 67, 70, 125, bifasciatus, Aridius, 51 


132.135 bimaculatus, Anthicus, 11 
Souza de, 16 bipunctata, Adalia, 125 
Sterling, D. H., 4, 10, 134 brunnea, Serica, 135 
Stubbs, A. E., 12, 48, 122 brunneipennis, Anthonomus, 11 
Torstenius, Stig, & Ashby, C. B., 5 cerdo, Apion, 11 
Mbps, Rs. O04, 935-575-126 cervus, Lucanus, 51, 55 
Tuck, K., & Robinson, C. S., 4 cinereus, Graphoderus, 55 
Tweedie, M., 16, 61 Coleoptera, British Glacial, 65 
Verdon, P., 113 Colorado beetle, 66 
Walker, D. H., 4 Curculionidae, 66 
Walters, J., 10 decempunctata, Adalia, 125 
Watkinson, I. A., 4, 10, 60, 61, 63, 122 defecta, Ocyusa, 47 
Watson, R. W., & A., 4 dorsalis, Bruchidius, 58 
West, B. K., 54 ericae, Micrelus, 135 
Wid .5. H.. 4, 11, 54,63, 122 dorsalis, Bruchidius, 58 
Wiltshire, E. P., 64, 101, 127, 138, 140 ericae, Micrelus, 135 
Winter, P: ©:;.5 fagi, Rhynchaenus, 70 
Withers, B. G., 5 flavipes, Graptodytes, 11 
Worms, C. G. M. de, 5, 53, 60, 128, fulva, Rhagonycha, 135 

129 graminis, Chrysolina, 135 
Young, £. D.,. 5 griseostriatus, Potamonectes, 11 
Young; M. R., 5,, 11 hibernica, Ocyusa, 48 

ACARI hirtus, Emus, 11 
Acari at Trottiscliffe, 137 lapponicus, Dytiscus, 11 
littoralis, Necrodes, 135 
ARACHIDAE longiceps, Dromius, 11 
longicornis, Thalassophilus, 11 
acerbus, Xysticus, 19 maura, Ocyusa, 48 
amentata, Pardosa, 19 minuta, Gracilia, 11 
diadematus, Araneus, 17, 18 minutus, Limonius, 135 
dorsata, Diaea, 16 mucronatus, Haliplus, 11 
gigantea, Tegenaria, 18 nebulosus, Leipopus, 70 
montana, Linyphia, 18 nigrata, Ocyusa, 47 
reclusa, Clubiona, 19 nitidiventris, Ocyusa, 46-48 
segmentata, Meta, 17, 18 palustris, Eubria, 11 
triangularis, Linyphia, 18 opacus, Gyrinus, 11 
umbraticus, Araneus, 18 quatuordecim-punctata, Propylea, 135 
x-notata, Zygiella, 18 querceti, Cethorhynchus, 11 
BIRDS quercus-calicis, Andricus, 59 
condor, 130 rivularis, Trechus, 11 
cormorant, 69 rubra, Leptura, 11 
Dartford warbler, 135 rufipes, Aphodius, 135 
dove, 69 rufipes, Melanotus, 135 
guillemot, 69 scalesianus, Hydroporus, 11 
gull, 69 serricorne, Prionocyphon, 11 
jackdaw, 69 setiger, Orthochaetes, 128 
kittewake, 69 striolatus, Agabus, 11 
krameri, Psittacula, 68 substriatus, Gyrinus, 135 
pigeon, 123 subulatum, Anthicus, 11 
puffin, 69 sulcatus, Acilius, 135 
redstart, 69 viburni, Gallerucella, 70 
tawny owl, 113 violaceus, Carabus, 135 
COLEOPTERA DIPTERA 
angustatus, Dyschirius, 11 Diptera at Trottiscliffe, 136 
aurulenta, Strangalia, 60, 61 Diptera at Westbere marshes, 134 


barbicornis, Magdalis, 11 aquilegiae, Phytomyza, 50 


balteatus, Syrphus, 135 
bimaculatus, Brachypalpus, 12 
capreae, Iteomyia, 70 
domestica, Musca, 49 
equestris, Mereodon, 70 
fasciata, Didea, 12 

fulgens, Sepsis, 16 
glechomae, Dasyneura, 70 
hemiptera, Alophora, 53 
ilicis, Phytomyza, 70 
imbriciformis, Mallota, 51 
inanis, Volucella, 53 

inflata, Volucella, 12 

luteola, Myolepta, 12 
marginata, Xylomyia, 12 
nana, Agromyza, 70 
pedisequum, Xanthogramma, 53 
potamida, Stratiomys, 53 
pulchella, Oxycera, 53 
punctatissimus, Leptophyes, 70 
rotundatum, Gymnosoma, 53 
tufipes, Physocephala, 53 
Sciara, 19 

Sepsidae, 16-19 

signatus, Leopoldius, 12 
sphegea, Sepedon, 53 
sphondylii, Phytomyza, 70 
tax1, Taxomyia, 70 

tenax, Erisalis, 135 
tenuicornis, Vanoyia, 12 
trilineata, Oxycera, 53 
tristis, Coremacera, 53 
veronicae, Jaapiella, 70 
viridula, Odontomyia, 53 
zonaria, 12, 53 


HEMIPTERA 


ambiguus, Psallus, 12 
Aphids, 66 

ater, Capsus, 12 

bed-bug (Cimex), 49 
calcaratum, Stenodema, 12 
comutus, Centrotus, 69-70 
dolobrata, Leptoterna, 12 
elongata, Notostira, 12 
epilobii, Dicyphus, 12 
lacustris, Gerris, 12 
laevigatus, Stenodema, 70 
limbatus, Dolichonabis 135 
myriformis, Myrmus, 12 
nassatus, Orthotylus, 70 
pallidicornis, Dicyphus, 12 
perrisi, Psallus, 70 
praeusta, Callicorixa, 135 
rufifrons, Orthonotus, 12 
tufipes, Pentatoma, 135 
sabuleti, Ischnodemus, 12 
walkeri, Trichochermes, 137 


HYMENOPTERA 


Hymenoptera at Trottiscliffe, 137 


Hymenoptera at Westbere marshes, 134 


albiditarsus, Zemiotes, 123 
amictum, Heteropelma, 14 
arctiventris, Limerodes, 57 
arrogator, Dyspetes, 126 
austriaca, Vespula, 12 
bidentatus, Hoplismenus, 58, 127 
bignalli, Apanteles, 15 

blanda, Macrophya, 13 
bruxellensis, Psen, 13 
bucculentus, Ichneumon, 125 
bucephala, Andrena, 12 
callunae, Apanteles, 63 
calodetta, Apanteles, 66 
cantator, Charops, 13, 14 
chlorophthalmus, Zemiotes, 13 
cineraria, Andrena, 12 
cothurnatus, Poecilostictus, 127 
crabro, Vespa, 135 

cristatus, Netelia, 13 

culpator, Stenichneumon, 127 
debellator, Alomya, 112 
deceptor, Zemiotes, 123 
decipiens, Platylabus, 61 
deliratorius, Ichneumon, 13 
distinguendus, Crossocerus, 13 
dives, Ectemnius, 13, 56 
elongatus, Amblyteles, 14 
endemus, Apanteles, 131 
extensor, Charmon, 13 

fargei, Argogorytes, 12 
femoratus, Cimbex, 15 

flavus, Lasius, 135 

formosus, Apanteles, 131 
gonopterygis, Apanteles, 14 
hirtipes, Nomada, 12 
Holocremnus sp., 15 

honey bee, Apis mellifera, 114 
hyrciniae, Gilpinia, 124 
immunis, Apanteles, 14 
inclusus, Apanteles, 13, 14 
insidiator, Barylipa, 62 
insignis, Passaloecus, 13 
labiata, Andrena, 12 
leucostigmus, Hepiopelmus, 14 
limbatus, Apanteles, 14, 131 
lituratus, Ectemnius, 13 
longicornis, Eucera, 12 
maculatorius, Syzeuctus, 60 
mandator, Agrothreutes, 15 
maurus, Exetastes, 131 
Mesochorus sp., 14, 131, 132 
monostagon, Barichneumon, 14 
niger, Lasius, 135 

obnoxius, Mesostenidea, 14 
pectinipes, Episyron, 13 


persuasoria, Rhyssa, 132 
plutellae, Apanteles, 14 
proteus, Amblyjoppa, 125 
proxima, Anrena, 12 
pulchripes, Dusona, 13 
pulchripes, Rogas, 13, 15 
quadrifasciatus, Endynerus, 12 
ridibundus, Barichneumon, 14 
tubicola, Ectemnius, 13 

rufa, Formica, 56 

tuficornis, Ectemnius, 13 
rufipes, Episyron, 13 
Tugulosus, Rogas, 15 

praetor, Rogas, 15 

semiflava, Alomya, 112 
septentrionalis, Ichneumon, 127 
sertifer, Neodiprion, 124 
sexcinctus, Ectemnius, 13 
sexfasciata, Nomada, 12 
subcompletus, Microgaster, 62 
suspiciosus, Ichneumon, 127 
testaceus, Netelia, 61 
thoracicus, Macrocentrus, 13 
thoracicus, Rhexidermus, 14 
truncorum, Heriades, 13 
validicornis, Ichneumon, 14 
violacea, Xylocopa, 12 
xanthomelana, Osmia, 12 
Zygaenarum, Apanteles, 15 


LEPIDOPTERA 


Lepidoptera, at Trottiscliffe, 136 
Lepidoptera, at Westbere marshes, 134 
abietana, Acleris, 6, 10, 11 

abietella, Dioryctria, 9 

abruptria, Menophra, 69 

absinthii, Cucullia, 3 

absinthiata, Eupithecia, 57 

acaciae, Satyrium (Strymonidia) 140 
acanthodactyla, Amblyptilia, 7 
aceris, Acronicta, 50 

acroxantha ,Parocystola, 6, 58, 63, 64 
adjectella, Coleophora, 127 

aegeria, Pararge, 52, 60 
aeriferanus, Ptycholomoides, 70, 135 
aethiops, Erebia, 4 

affinis, Cosmia, 5 

agathina, Xestia, 1, 4 

aglaja, Argynnis, 16 

albicolon, Sideridis, 3, 68 
albipuncta, Mythimna, 4 
albonigrata, Thera, 127 

alburnella, Teleiodes, 6, 61, 62 
alcea, Carcharodus, wissmanni, 6 
alni( Acronicta, 2, 55 

alnifolia, Coleophora, 128 

alpicola, Parornix, 130 


alpicola, Xestia, 65 

ambigua, Hoplodrina, 70 

anachoreta, Clostera, 4 

angustea, Eudonia, 68, 113 

angusticolella, Tischeria, 137 

antiopa, Nymphalis, 60 

antiqua, Orygyia, 6, 50, 55 

apiformis, Sesia, 54 

aprilina, Dichnonia, 4 

arethusa, Arethusana, 22 

argentella, Elachista, 68 

argiolus, Celastrina, 129 

argus, Plebejus, 76, 135: ab. caernen- 
sis, 16; ab. cretaceus, 53, 70 

arion, Maculinea, 67 

armigera, Heliothis, 2, 4, 138, 139 

asella, Heterogenea, 4, 135 

aspidiscana, Eucosma, 6 

atalanta, Wanessa, 62, 67, 79, 87, 97, 
129 

atricapitana, Cochylis, 68 

atropos, Acherontia, 123 

aurago, Xanthia, 4 

aurata, Pyrausta, 67, 112, 113 

aurota, Anaphaeis, 94 

avellana, Apoda, 135 

azaleella, Caloptilia, 49 

badiata, Anticlea, 69 

badiipennella, Coleophora, 128 

bankesiella, Epischnia, 10 

basiguttella, Stigmella, 7 

beatricella, Aethes, 10 

belemia, Euchloe, 92-93 

betularia, Biston, 55 

biangulata, Euphyia, 2 

biatomella, Elachista, 68 

bicuspis, Harpyia, 55 

bifractella, Apodia, 9 

bilineata, Camptogramma, 69 

bipunctosa, Agonopterix, 10 

blancardella, Phyllonorycter, 10, 61 

boeticus, Lampides, 97, 99 

bombycinia, Polia, 55 

borelii, Gortyna, 22 

bracteella, Oecophora, 8 

branderiana, Pseudosciaphila, 71 

brassicae, Pieris (Large White), 24-26, 
Pl. 10-vi, 77, 7857185 

briseisbriseis, Chazara, f. pirata, 5 

britanniodactyla, Capperia, 10 

brumata, Oporophtera, 124 

brunneatta, Itame, 65 

brunnichella, Stephensia, 68 

bucephala, Phalera, 70 

caeruleocephala, Diloba, 4, Pl. II, fig. 
17 

caesia, Hadena, mananii, 3 

caja, Arctia, 2 

caliginosa, Acosmetia, 71 


camilla, Ladoga, 16, ab. nigrina, 3, ab. 


obliterae, 3 
caniola, Eielma, 60 
caprimulgella, Triaxomasia, 54 
cardamines, Anthocharis, 128, 129 
carduella, Agonopterix, 9 
cardui, Cynthia, 67, 84 
carmelita, Odontosia, 128 
carpinella, Stigmella, 137 
casta, Psyche, 68 
cecropia, Hyalophora, 57 
celerio, Hippotion, 64 
chloerata, Chlorocylystis, 21 
chrysippus, Danaus, 96 
chrysorrhoea, Euproctis, 54, 124, 131 
cinerana, Epinotia, 8 
cinerea, Agrotis, 4, 68, 70, Pl. 1, 5 
cinereopunctella, Biselachista, 68 
cinxia, Melitaea, 65 
cirsii, Pyrgus, 133 
clavis, Agrotis, 55 
citrinalis, Hypercallia, 132 
compositella, Cydia, 9 
compta, Hadena, 1, 53 
confusalis, Nola, 68 
consonaria, Ectropis, ab. waiensis, 4 
consortella, Cosmiotes, 61 
conspicillaris, Egira, 3, 5 
convolyvuli Agrius, 61, 100 
coracina, Psodos, 114 
coridon, Lysandra, 3, 5, 79 
cornella, Argyresthia, 62 
corylata, Electrophaes, 69 
cosmophorana, Cydia, 7 
cossus, Cossus, 5, 53-54 
costalis, Hypsopygia, 10 49 
crataegella, Eudonia, 10 
crenana, Epinitia, 6 
crepuscularia, Ectropis, 130 
cribraria, Coscinia, 101 
cristana, Acleris, 7, 21, 130, 137 
crocea, Colias, 61, 93 
croesella, Adela, 6 
cuprella, Adela 7, 10 
cupriacella, Nemphora, 10 
cydoniella, Phyllonorycter, 10, 11, 61 
daplidice, Pontia, 93, 133 
deceptoria, Lithacodia, 3 
decolorella, Blastobasis, 6 
decorella, Teleiodes, 66 
demarniana, Epinotia, 71 
demoleus, Papilio, 91 
deprivata, Agrotis, 4 
designata, Xanthorhoe, 5 
diana, Eutronula, 7 
diluta, Cymatohporima, 3 
diffinis, Cosmia, 51 
dilutata, Oporinia, 2 
dispar, Lymantria, 139 


distinctata, Aleucis, 123 
distinguenda, Stigmella, 137 
diversana, Choristoneura, 71 
domestica, Bryotropha, 6 
domestica, Cryphia, 56 
dominula, Panaxia, 102, 103 
ecclipsis, Papilio, 113 
egeria, Pararge, 84 

Eilema genus, 2 


elpenor, Deilephila, 3, 50, 125, Pl. I, 


fig. 8 
elymi, Photedes, 65 
enixalis, Nymphula, 112 
epiphron, Erebia, 65 
erythrogenella, Ectoedemia, 10 
euphrosyne, Boloria, 57 
exclamationis, Agrotis 
exiguata, Eupithecia, 70 
exiguella, Cosmiotes, 62 
exseleta, Xylena, 3 
extimalis, Evergestis, 133 
exulans, Zygaena, 113 
exulis, Apamea, assimilis, 2 
falconipennella, Caloptilia, 59 
falloui, Euchloe, 93 
falsella, Catoptria, 10 
farinalis, Pyralis, 9, 49 
fausta, Colotis, 95 
fennica, Ochropleura, 21 
ferrugalis, Udea, 63 
fidia Pseudotergumia, 133 
filipendulae, Zygaena, 2, 15, 113 
flammea, Trigonophora, 4 
flammeolaria, Hydrelia, 70 
flavicincta, Entephria, 55, 61 
fletcherella, Scythris, 132 
florella, Catopsilia, 95 
floslactella, Stigmella, 137 


fluctuata, Xanthorhoe, 4, Pl. II, fig. 14 


formosanus, Lozotaenioides, 135 
francillana, Aethes, 6 
fraternana, Epinotia, 10, 69, 112 
freyerella, Cosmiotes, 62 
fuciformis, Hemaris, 16 
fuliginaria, Parascotia, 51, 123, 126 
fusca, Pyla, 68 

fuscatella, Lampronia, 10 
fusconebulosa, Hepialus, 2 
galathea, Melanargia, craskei, 3, 4 
galba, Chilades, 99 

galiata, Epirrhoe, 68 


gamma, Authographa, 64, 69, 127, 132 


genistella, Oncocera, 10, 60 
geoffrella, Alabonia, 70 
gerronella, Brachmia, 10 
gerronella, Brachmia, 10 
gilvaria, Aspitates, 135, 136 
glareosa, Paradiarsia, 4, 103 
glaucinalis, Orthopygia, 10 


glauconome, Pontia, 93 

glitzella, Colephora, 8 

gnidiella, Cryptoblades, 112-113 

gothica, Orthosia, 129 

grossulariata, Abraxas, 14, 21, 131 

grotiana, Epagoge, 135 

halterata, Lobophora, 69 

hawk moths (Sphingidae) 56 

hecabe, Eurema, 95 

Helicoverpa, Heliothis, 138 

hepariella, Zelleria, 6 

hermannella, Chrysoesthia, 10 

hirtaria, Lycia, 1, 131 

hornigi, Monochroa, 49 

hospes, Athetis, 66 

hydrolapathella, Coleophora, 125, 126 

hyperanthus, Aphantopus, 16, 84; ab. 
arete, 57; ab. lanceolata, 3; ab. pal- 
lens, 3 

icarus, Polyommatus (common blue) 5, 
68, 69, 82, 84, 98 

idaeella, Coleophora, 8 

ilicis, Satyrium (Strymonidia), 140 

imbecilla, Eriopygodes, 2, Pl. 
fig. 4 

incanana, Eana, 6, 70 

insigniata, Eupithecia, 76-77, 128 

instabilella, Scrobipalpa, 9 

insulana, Earias, 139-140 

interpunctella, Plodia, 10, 112 

intimella, Ectoedemia, 1() 

inulae, Coleophora, 71 

io, Inachis, 65, 82 

ipsilon, Agrotis, 132, 139 

iris, Apatura, 16, 53 

irriguata, Eupithecia, 129 

jacobaeae, Tyria, 21, 22 

jubata, Alcis, 1 

jungiella, Cydia, 9 

jurtina, Maniola, 52, 
atrescens, 4 

juniella, Cydia, 68 

karsandra, Zizeeria, 98 

kilmunella, Elachista, 10 

laburnella, Leucoptera, 114 

lacunana, Olethreutes, 7 

laetana, Ancylis, 71 

laevigatella, Argyresthia, 9 

lambdella, Batia, 10 

lanestris, Eriogaster, 66 

lapella, Metzneria, 11 

lapponaria, Lycia, 114 

laricella, Coleophora, 70 

lariciata, Eupithecia, 57 

leautieri, Lithophane, 62, 65, 123, 126, 
129 

leucatella, Recurvaria, 6 

leucostola, Parornix, 130 

leuwenhockella, Pancalia, 67 


I, 


aay 


82. Sa5 O54 aD: 


Vii 


liagore, Colotis, 94 

lichenea, Eumichtis, 61 

lichenella, Solenobia, 10 

lienigiana, Leioptilus, 8 

ligustri, Sphinx, 49, 68, 70 

limbalis, Uresiphita, 3, 10 

limosipennella, Coleophora, 128 

linariata, Eupithecia, 54 

lineana, Apotomis, 71 

lineata, Hyles, livornica, 100 

linneella, Glyhipteryx, 54 

literana, Acleris, 10, 21 

litoralis, Mythimna, 65, 68 

littoralis, Spodoptera, 3, 5, 139-140 

litura, Agrochola, 3 

livida, Amphipyra, 5 

Il-nigrum, Arctornis, 2 

logaea, Rhyacionia, 7 

lonicerae, Zygaena, 113 

loti, Zygaena, 113 

lubricipeda, Spilosoma, 2, 70, Pl. I, 
fig. 18 

lucidella, Monochroa, 10 

lucina, Haearis, 67, 133 

luctuata, Spargania, 125, 129 

lunularia, Selenia, 131 

lutea, Spilosoma, 70 

luteolata, Opisthograptis, 3, 70 

luzella, Lampronia, 6 

machinella, Coleophora, 9 

machaon, Papilio, gorganus, 92, mue- 
tingi 91, rathjensi, 6, syriacus (ara- 
bensis) 91 

macularia, Pseudopanthera, 114 

malvae, Pyrgus, 129 

margaritata, Capaea, 123, 132 

marginella, Dichomeris, 133 

marginepunctata, Scopula, 114 

megacephala, Acronicta, 69 

megera, Lasiommata, 4, 82-83 

medica, Diaphora, rustica, 1, 69 

mendica, Diarsia, 5 

menyanthidis, Acromicta, 15 

mercuriana, Epinotia, 6 

mespilella, Phyllonorycter, 11 

meticulosa, Phlogophora, 70 

millefoliata, Eupithecia, 3 

metallicana, Olethreutes, 7 

Microlepidoptera from Cornwall and 
Devon, list, 8 

Microlepidoptera from Essex, list, 7 

Microlepidoptera from Scotland, list, 7 

microtheriella, Stigmella, 137 

milvipennis, Coleophora, 128 

minimella, Semophora, 6 

minutana Gypsonoma, 9 

mitterbacheriana, Ancylis, 71 

monacha, Lymantria, 54, 131 

moneta, Polychrysia, 50 


monodactyla, Emmelina, 63 
monoglypha, Apamea, 70 
morrisii, Photedes, 65 
muelleriella, Phyllonorycter, 10 
muralis, Cryphia, 5 
muricata, Idaea, 135 
muscaeformis, Bembecia, 69 
musculana, Syndemis, 68 
myopaeformis, Conopia, 54 
nana, Hada, 70 
napi, Pieris, 82, 87, 133 
neophanes, Apomyelois, 10 
nerii, Daphnis, 100 
neustria, Malacosoma, 68, 69 
nickerlii, Luperina, gueneei ab. fusca, 
3, leechi, 22 
nigra, Aporophyla, 54, 55, 61 
nigrata, Pyrausta, 68 
nigricans, Euxoa, 55 
nitidana, Strophedra, 70 
noctuella, Nomophila, 64, 132 
nostrodamus, Gegenes, 99 
nubiferana, Hedya, 114 
nubilalis, Ostrinia, 55 
nubilana, Neophaloptera, 7 
obductella, Oncocera, 114 
obeliscata, Thera, 13, 127 
obscuratus, Gnophos, 135 
obstipata, Orthonama, 1, 63, 
obtusana, Ancylis, 71 
occulta, Eurois, 5 
ocellata, Cosmorrhoe, 
ocellata, Smerinthus, 49 
ocellea, Euchromius, 9 
ochraceella, Mymecozela, 11 
ochrearia, Aspitates, 68, 70 
oculea, Amphipoea, 4 
oditis, Leucochlaena, 60 
oleracea, Lacanobia, 62 
Oligostigma, sp., 6 
opima, Orthosia, 3 
or, Tethea, 71 
orbona, Noctua, 2, 14 
orichalcea, Diachrysia, 
orithya, Junonia, 97 
ornitopus, Lithophane, 
otitae, Coleophora, 10 
oxyacanthae, Phyllonorycter, 10 
palaemon, Carterocephalus, 101 
pallens, Mythimna, 70 
panzerella, Nematopogon, 127 
paphia, Argynnis, 4, 60 
parasitella, Ephestia, 10 
paripunctella, /Teleiodes/ 113 
parrhasius, Chilades, 99 
pauperana, Eucosma, 8, 132, 133 
peltigera, Heliothis, 102 
peribolata, Scotopteryx, 5, 60 
permutatella, Catoptria, 11 


132 


4 


5 


a 


3 


Vill 


phloeas, Lycaena, 55, 68, ssp. shima, 6 
Phyllonorycter, spp., 128 
piercella, Niditinea, 113 

pilosaria, Apocheima, 55 

pinastri, Hyloicus, 5, 51 

piniaria, Bupalus, 127 

pinicolella, Batrachedra, 10 

pisi, Ceramica, 69 

plexippus, Danaus, erippus, 6, 16 
plumigera, Ptilophora, 3 

poae, Elachista, 8, 10 

podalirius, Iphiclides, feisthamelii, 133 
polydectalis, Oligostigma, 112 
pomerana, Elachista, 8 

populana, Pammene, 6, 9 

populi, Laothoe, 50, 129 (Amorpha) 
porcellus, Deilephila, 69 
postvittana, Epiphyas, 10 
promissa, Catocala, 135 

pronuba, Noctua, 2 

pruni, Fixsenia, 101, 140 

psi, Acronicta, 15 

pudibunda, Dasychira, 70 
pudorina, Mythimna, 2 
punctdactyla, Amblyptilia, 7 
punctinalis, Serraca, 69, 114 
punctulata, Aethalura, 67, 17, 133 
pupillana, Eucosma, 6 
puppillaria, Cyclophora, 3 
purpuralis, Pyrausta, 67-68 
pusaria, Cabera, 4 

pustulata, Comibaena, 3 (PI. I, fig. 8) 
putrescens, Mythimna, 60 
pygmaeana, Epinotia, 10, 11 
pygmaetat, Eupithecia, 5 
quadripuncta, Oegoconia, 6 
quadripunctaria, Euplagia, 126 
quercifolia, Gastropacha, 73-75 
quercus, Lasiocampa, 4, 60 
quercus, Quercusia, 65 

ramella, Epionotia, 9 

rapae, Pieris, 92 

resinella, Petrova, 7 

rhamni, Gonepteryx, 14 
thediella, Pammene, 68 
thomboidea, Xestia, 3 

ridens, Polyploca, 128 

ripae, Agrotis, 3, 68 

roboraria, Boarmia, 135 
rosaceus, Tarucus, 99 

rubi, Macrothylacia, 69 
rubiginata, Plemyria, 114 
tufipennella, Caloptilia, 59 
rumicis, Acronicta, 15 

rupicola, Cochylidia, 9, 11 
ruralis, Pleuroptya, 62 

rurinana, Clepsis, 6 

sabinella, Gelechia, 10 

sacraria, Rhodometra, 3, 4, 63 


sagitella Phyllonorycter, 9, 10 
salicis, Leucoma, 15, 131 
salmachus, Synanthedon, 54 
sambucaria, Ourapteryx, 131 
sarcitrella, Endrosis, 123 
Satyrium, 140 

saucia, Peridroma, 2 
saxifragae, Kessleria, 6 
scabiosella, Nemphora, 9 
schreberella, Phyllonorycter, 125 
schumacherana, Olindia, 70 
schwarziella, Nematopogon, 127 
scolopacina, Apmea, 135 
scopariella, Agonopterix, 9, 71 
scopigera, Bembecia, 1 
scotinella, Gelechia, 10 

selene, Boloria, 1, 16 

semele, Hipparchia 55, ssp. thyone, 4 
sequana, Dichrorampha, 70 
signaria, Semiothisa, 21 
similella, Schiffermulleria, 6 
similis, Euproctis, 13, 131 
simpliciana, Dichrorampha, 9 
simulans, Rhyacia, 3, 4, 61 
singula, Neofriseria, 10 


smaragdaria, Thetidia (Euchloris), 114, 


122 
smeathmanniana, Aethes, 68 
sociella, Aphomia, 9 
sorbi, Phyllonorycter, 10 
sorbiella, Argyresthia, 8 
sordens, Apamea, 70 
sphendamni, Etainia, 137 
spilodactyla, Pterophorus, 10 
spini, Satyrium (Strymonidia), 140 
stabilella, Cosmiotes, 62 
straminata, Idaea, 135 
strataria, Biston, 2, 51-52 
strigillaria, Perconia, 6 
strigula, Meganola, 135 
Strymonidia, 140 
styx, Acherontia, 100 
subpropinquella, Agonopterix, 9 
subrosea, Eugraphe, 21 
subsequana, Epinotia, 9, 112 
sylvestraria, Idaea, 135 
sylvestris, Thymelicus, 84 
tages, Erynnis, 69, 79, 81 
tapetzella, Trichophaga, 49 
terebrella, Asara, 7 
terrealis, Eurrhypara, 11 
theophrastus, Tarucus, 99 
thoracella, Bucculatrix, 8 
thrax, Pelopidas, 100 
thyellina, Orgyia, 6 
tiliae, Mimas, 15, 49, 113 
tithonus, Pyronia, 86 
tityus, Hemaris, 2 
torva, Notodonta, 132 


1x 


trapezina, Cosmia, 132, ab. nigra, 4, 
Pl. I. fig. 6 

tridens, Acronicta, 15 

trifolii, Lasiocampa, 3, 60, 68 

trifolii, Zygaena, 113 

trigrammica, Charanyca, 70 

trimaculata, Lomographa, 5, Pl. I, fig. 
7 

truncicolella, Eudonia, 10 

trux, Agrotis, 60 

tunbergella, Micropterix, 138 

turbidana, Apotomis, 71 

ulmella, Scoparia, 6 

unangulata, Euphyia, 71 

uncula, Eustrotia, 135 

unculana, Ancylis, 7 

unionalis, Palpita, 2, 9 

unipuncta, Mythimna, 2, 
66, 67, 122 

urticae, Aglais, 4, 14, 133, ab. lutea, 2, 
Pri tige2 

ustella, Ypsolopha, 10 

variata, Thera, 127 

venata, Ochlodes, 69 

venustula, Elaphria, 54, 71 

verbacci, Cucullia, 69, 71 

vibicella, Coleophora, 10, 71 

viciae, Zygaena, 113 

vigintipunctana, Yponomeuta, 

villica, Arctia, 69 

viminetorum, Phyllonorycter, 123 

vinula, Cerura, 50, 55 

viretata, Acasis, 4, 59 

vitellina, Mythimna, 2, 5 

vulpinaria, Idaea, 54, 55 

wagae, Teleiodes, 9 

w-album, Strymonidia, 51, 69, 140 

wauaria, Semiothisa (Itame), 4 

w-latinum, Lacanobia, 70 

woodiana, Celypha, 10 

xanthographa, Xestia, 65 

xylostella, Plutella, 68 

Ypsolopha, recte Yponomeuta, 69 

zollikoferi, Luperina, 21 


3, 4, 63, 64, 


113 


MAMMALS 


bat, 140 


MECOPTERA 


germanica, Panorpa, 133 


ODONATA 


elegans, Ischnura, 52 
mixta, Aeshna, 53 
nymphula, Pyrrhosoma, 52 


ORTHOPTERA 


domestica, Acheta, 50 
griseoaptera, Pholidoptera, 135 
lapponicus, Ectobius, 135 
pallidus, Ectobius, 137 
viridissima, Tettigonia, 51 


PLANTS 


Plants at Westbere marshes, 134 
Abies, 60, 63, 112 
Achillaea, ptarmica, 9 
Ajuga, 128 

Alhagi, 98 

Alnus (alder), 59, 128 
Anvillea, 96 

apple, 54, 62 
Artemisia, 9 

ashe, 70 

aspen, 9 

Asphodelus, 100 
Astraglus, 98, 99 


Atropa belladonna, deadly nightshade, 


2S 
aubergine (egg-plant), 100 
bee orchid, 69 
Berberis, 58 
birch, 6, 7, 60, 61, 66 
blue-bell (Endymion), 70 
bracken, 53 
bracket-fungus, 6, 123 
bramble, 11 
Brassica, 91, 92 
buckthorn, 53 
Calotropis, 96 
Capparis, 94, 95 
Carpinus, 128 
Cassia, 95 
Chamaecyparis, 126, 129 
Cirsium, 9 
Citrus, 91 
Compositae, 99, 128 
Convolvulus, 97, 100 
Corylus (hazel), 128, 137 
crab apple, 11 
Cupressus, 62, 65, 126 
Cyclamen, 128 
Daedalea quercina, 6 
date-palm, 91, 94, 95, 99 
Diplotaxis, 93 
Dipsacus (teasel), 86 
Dryas, 130 
elm, 51, 125, 128 
Epidendrum paniculatum, 16 
Equisetum, 11 
Eucalyptus, 6, 58 
Eupatorium, 9 
fennel, 92, 99 


field maple, 70, 137 
figwort, 69, 71 

Genista, 10 

Gleditschia, 58 

grass, 68, 100 

ground-ivy, 70 

Halimione, 9 
Haplophyllum, 92 
hawthorn, 69, 76, 128, 131 
heather, 60, 62, 64, 123 
Helianthemum (rock-rose), 132 
Heliotropium, 99 
hog-weed, 70 

holly (Ilex aquifolius), 70 
holm-oak, 69 

hornbeam, 137 

hyacinth, 113 

Ipomoea, 100 

ivy, 53 

Jasminum, 100 

juniper, 133 

kidney-vetch, 69 

Knautia, 10 

laburnum, 114 

Lantana, 91, 100 
Leguminosae, 100 

lemon, 91 

Leptadenia, 96 

Lotus, 98 

mandarine, 91 

marram, 68 

Marubium, 10 
Moricandia, 93 

moss, 10, 113 

Myosotis, 128 

Myrica, 113, 128 

nettle (Urtica), 62, 97 
Neurada, 97 

Nigella (love in a mist), 113 
lucerne (Medicago), 91, 93, 95, 98 
Malva, 97 

Oak, 16,07, 55, 59, MS; 0182 
Ochradenus, 93 

orchid, 6 

Sedum (orpine), 113 
pennywort, 113 
Pergularia, 96 

Phaseolus, 98 

Picea abies, 10 

Pinus, 15, 114 

Piptoporus betulinus, 6 
Plantago, 128 

Polygala, 132 
Polygonaceae, 100 

poplar, 54, 131, Populus alba, 9 
privet, 123 

Prosopis, 99 

Prunus spinosa (blachthorn), 14, 127 
Pulicaria, 9 


red clover, 70 

Reseda, 93 

Rhanterium, 92, 93, 97, 100 
rhododendron, 132 

Rumex, 10 

Rosaceae, 10, 11 

Salix, 7, 9, 10, 14, 70, 123 
Sarothamnus, 9 

scabious, 7 

sea-buckthorn, 131 

sea pink, 69 

Sesbania, 94, 95, 98 

Silene, 10 

Sinapis 92 

Sisymbrium, 92 

Solidago (golden-rod), 11 
Sorbus, 123 


sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) 92, 94 


sweet william, 53 


sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) 59 


Teucrium, 10, 96 
tomato, 62 

tree lupin, 68 
trefoil, 94, 98 


xi 


Trigonella, 98 
Ulex, 10 
Vaccinium, 8 
Vernonia, 97 
vetch, 94, 98 
Viburnum opulus (guelder-rose), 70 
Viscum, 10 

Vitis (vine), 100 
wild rose, 69, 137 
willow-herb, 129 
Withania, 100 


wych elm, 69 
yew, 70 
Zilla, 93 
Zizyphus, 99 
REPTILES 
adder, 137 
ERRATA 


p. 69 for Ypsolopha READ Yponmeuta 
p. 124 for hyrciniaca, READ hyrciniae 


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» 


The Society’s Publications 


ILLUSTRATED PAPERS ON BRITISH MICROLEPIDOPTERA 


Still available, a small number of copies of the recently published volume 
of twelve articles reprinted from the “South London’”’ Proceedings between 
1944 and 1957 with the twelve original colour plates. 

These papers comprise LAMPRONIIDAE and ADELIDAE, LITHO- 
COLLETIS and OECOPHORIDAE (three parts) and ALLIED FAMILIES 
by S. N. A. Jacobs; PSYCHIDAE, PLUTELLIDAE and GLYPHIP- 
TERYGIDAE and ALLIED GENERA by L. T. Ford; CALOPTILIA and 
LYONETIIDAE by S. C. S. Brown; ERIOCRANIIDAE and MICROP- 
TERYGIDAE by J. Heath and MOMPHA by S. Wakely. For ease of use 
the pages and plates have been renumbered and are fully indexed 
-accordingly; in addition there is a new appendix drawing attention to 
species belonging to these groups which have been added or sunk. There 
is also a list of species which relates names used in the text to up-to-date 
nomenclature and classification. 

A limited edition of 500 copies was published in the Autumn of 1978, 
bound in cloth, price £9; £6 to Members of the Society. Postage, where 
applicable, 60p extra. Cheques should be sent to R. F. Bretherton, Esq., 
c.B., Folly Hill, Birtley Green, Bramley, Surrey. 


A FIELD GUIDE TO THE 
SMALLER BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA 

The Society also announces the publication, probably in late summer 
this year, of the above important and entirely new work, bringing up to 
date and uniting the well-known Guide by the late L. T. Ford, B.a., and 
the Supplement, both hitherto advertised on this page, with much additional 
matter. Bound in stiff paper cover. Price and procedure for purchase, same 
as for above “Illustrated Papers”’. 


THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE GARDEN 
OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE 
(Proceedings and Transaction 1963, Part 2) 
Complied by a team of specialist. 


£1.00 


A LEPIDOPTERIST’S HANDBOOK 


The Amateur Entomologist’s Society is pleased to announce the publication 
of its latest Handbook, written by Richard Dickson. It is intended as a 
‘vade mecum’ for both beginners and initiated lepidopterists and deals with 
all aspects of the subject in a series of eleven chapters and four appendices. 
There are 34 line illustrations and 13 photographs to augment the text and 
the binding has been sewen to meet constant use. 

It is apractical book on the various facets of breeding, collecting, storing, 
conservation and photography of lepidoptera and should appeal to most 
lepidopterist. Although the various techniques relate to the British fauna, 
most are valid for lepidopterists anywhere. 

The price is £3.00 plus postage and is avilable from A.E.S. Publication 
Agent, 137 Gleneldon Road, London, SW16 2BQ. (An invoice will be sent 
with orders, including postage). 


CONTENTS 
Cilia, J. L., Plebejus argus (L.) in Malta 76 
Current Literature 138 
Field Meetings 133 
Hering Memorial Research Fund, Report on 121 


Jackson, B. C., A note on breeding the 
pinion-spotted Pug, FEupithecia insigniata 


(Hiibn.) 76 
Majerus, M. E. N., The inheritance of a pale 

form of Gastropacha quercifolia (L.) a 

Obituaries: (i) Dr. H. B. D. Kettlewell 101 
(ii) N. D. Riley, C.B.E., with 

bibliography 104 

Officers’ Reports for 1978 115 


Pittaway, A. R., The butterflies and hawk- 
moths of eastern Saudi Arabia 90 


Pollard, E., A national scheme for monitoring 
the abundance of butterflies: the first three 
years VW 


Proceedings 112 


Rivers, C. F., Insect diseases and population 
control 124 


MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY 


are held regularly at the Society’s Rooms, but 
the well-known ANNUAL EXHIBITION | takes 
place 27th October, in Chelsea Old Town Hall. 


Frequent Field Meetings are held at weekends in 

the summer. Visitors are welcome at all meetings. 

The current Programme Card can be had on 
application to the Secretary. 


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