* Cs ’ ; \ Y : ny ° i : 4 " ' ‘.\ ; if wt tus \ 1 oe a i : { : ‘ THE BULLETIN OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY VOLUME 17 (1958) Edited by B. R. STALLWOOD The Amateur Entomologists’ Society 1 West Ham Lane, London, E15 AES BULLETIN, Vol 17 ii INDEX Compiled by B. R. CONTRIBUTORS Ackland, M., 4, 8 AIStOne Eis Ne Bie 3 Archer, M.. 40 Barker, A. D., 59 Barker, G. M. A., 32, 59 Bilbie, W., 4, 35 Binks, I. P. A., 75 Brangham, A. N., 9 Brown, F. C., 3 Brown, J., 61 Caiger, H., 58 Cooper, B. A., 75 Cialis aWeeo 13.929) 46.047,.59.463 Grotch, W.-J. B., 6& Curran, E. A., 55 Drake J.) He 71 Edwards, R., 2 Fonseca, E. A., 36 Fraser, F. C., 10 Ganiiners Be On C83. 16,4, 20 Hanson, S. M., 54 Haynes, R. F., 2 Heppell, D. H., 35, 48, 66 Hopkins, B. A., 32 Hughes, R. C. A., 16 Tariana AL. oO. 39, 51, 60 Knight, J. E., 47, 56 le Masurier, P. C., 72 Maggs, P., 45 Marchant, M. E., 31 Maunder, G. R. L., 28 Miall, D., 31 Millard, W. J., 76 INO J O., 49 Ollevant, D., 1, 37, 47, 49, 69 Parmenter, L., 37 Pearson, E. J. W., 23 Rowland, C. G., 40 Side, K. C., 30 Siges, lL. W., 75 Spoczynska, J. O. I., 49, 51 Taylor, P. G., 7% Thimann, R. G., 60 Underwood, R., 17, 25 Waddington, L. G. F., 12, 33 Ward, W. J. V., 8 Warner, R. W., 56 Watts, N. M., 21 Webb, H. E., 60 White, G. B., 38, 71 Wood, E. R., 48 SUBJECTS Administration of the Society, The, 57 Acherontia atropos in Essex, 31 An Appeal, 68 Annual Exhibition, 69 STALLWOOD (1547) Annual General Meeting, 49 Ants, Winged, 8 Apatura iris. Notes on, 54 Aphides and Lasius niger, 9, 32 Aviemore, Inverness-shire, News-letter from, vie Berks, The Waved Black in, 60 Blair’s Mocha, An attempt to overwinter, AT Blue- and Green-bottles, Room Invasion of, 58 Brazilian Bullseye Moth, Rearing the, 14 Brimstone in Mid-October, The, 3 Bulletin, August-September, The, 48 Butterflies of the Portsmouth area, 23 Butterfly eaten by moth larva, 4 Cabbage White, The perils of being a, 20 Cage for small hibernating larvae, A, 16 Convolvulus hawkmoth, Breeding the, 3 Council’s Report, 1957, 37 Cyaniris semiargus in Sussex, 59 Deilephila porcellus, Finding the larvae Oil, oD Dipterous Hitch-hikers, 2 Dipterists’ Study Group, Ann. Rep. of the, 37 Entomological Quiz, 49, Answers, 56 Eri Silkmoth, Breeding the, 38 Essex, Acherontia atropos in, 31 Exmoor, The Heath Fritillary on, 28 Fenland Collecting, 1836, 3 Foodplants of Lepidoptera, Obs. on, 13 Foodplants, Further experiments with, 59 Fox Moth, A further note on overwinter- ing, 45 Fox Moth, How to rear the, 33 Galium Carpet, Pupation of the, 56 Garden pond, Obs. at a, 31 Garden Tiger, The, 59 Ghost Swift, Obs. on the mating of the, 12 Glamorganshire, The Rhopalocera of, 21 Hampshire, Disappearance of FE. semele from locality in, 48 Heath Fritillary on Exmoor, The, 28 Hemiptera-Heteroptera in Jersey, 4 Hexastichon Poetasteris, 48 High Brown Fritillary, Flight and Environ- ment, of, 60 Hornet at Light, A, 75 Houseflies, 17, 25, 36 Houseflies in Spain, 56 Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Somerset, The, 75 Hybrid Hawkmoth Breeding, Some Notes on, 51 Tgnorance is Bliss, 39 Tris, In search of, 29 Jersey, Hemiptera-Heteroptera in, 4 Kennedy, Alexander, Obituary, 49 1V AES BULLETIN, Vol 17 Labelling, Remarks on, 8 Lagius niger and Aphides, 9, 32 Lamp-glass Cage, An improved, 40 Large Blue, Some recent obs. on the, 63 Lenses and Magnification, 66 Lepidoptera in 1957, Some obs. on, 5 Lepidoptera, Obs. on Foodplants of, 13 Lepidopterous Larvae among Heather, Col- lecting, 74 Mating of the Ghost Swift, Some obs. on, 12 Membership since June 1956, Additions to, Al Microlepidopterists’ Rep. of the, 47 Microscopy Study Group, 1957, Ann. Rep. of the, 34 Mites and Tenebrio molitor, 32 Natural History Study, 1, 64 New Species, What it feels like to discover a, 10 Northern Transvaal, » Z Wisp ss \\ Aa N My 2 0 / Yj; Yee 5 os 7) — Le EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD SOSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSS SSS OSES SSS SSE SSS SESH SSO SSS SH HHH SHS SOHO OOH O OHO P EOD OP EE EOE GOED EDO E PEGE HOEOOOVOTTTOO® | LSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSS SSS SSP LSS Se SSS L OSS OSI SSS SaaS. = ; cf oe x 3: THE OUTSTANDING SERIES FOR AES NOTICE 3 33 mee = HOME AND FIELD USE WHERE TO WRITE = St True Pocket Size he 3 33 Membership applications, offers of help 33 3 Th to: D. OLLEVANT, 3 Salcombe Drive. $3 33 € Morden, Surrey. eS ae 3 Ee 33 i OBSERVER S Advertisers to: R. D. HILLIARD, 54 Gyles 39 x POCKET SERIES Park, Stanmore, Middlesex. : > o * * OR Pin. 8 f Changes of address and non-arrival of $$ $: Birds - Wild Flowers - Butterflies - Bulletins to: B. L. J. 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Ltd. 6 Osmond Gardens, Wallington, 3 $$ 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2 Surrey. : 33 oe , - . ot :: i oe > toe 4 34 == i A SILKMOTH REARER’S ~ : oe q = fe + oe oe eo 5g HANDBOOK =e of fe ee *e < = = oe 7 . ad 7 ee oe 3 3 7 = oe oe 3: A complete reference book for those who embark upon the fascinating 33 $3 adventure of rearing the largest and most colourful moths of the world. # oe ag $3 Part I records practical experience in breeding silkmoths from all 3 $3 Pp > - oe ss over the world during the past decade. Ii illustrates bought and home- 33 oe . . - - = = 3 $$ made apparatus and gives hints on everything the beginner needs to $ oe 4 = o 3; learn about the life-cycle of the insects. ia: st oe = ~ 7 2 oe 33 Part Il, for the first time in one book and one language, gives 3 - - - oe ss complete or nearly complete descriptions of all stages of the life-cycle 3 s 2 = * $$ of over 120 species. Some 1,400 species and subspecies can be looked-up 33 ee - 3; under 138 generic names. ae oe 4 = = ae a= = = 33 Part III is a reference section, covering cross-pairing, the major 3 . . - - = . ad 3; reference works and an index of species and subspecies. 7 -~ oe . " : a 3 The Handbook comprises 165 pp. with full colour cover, 2 colour 33 ~ m a o- :: plates, 63 monochrome photos and 24 line drawings or charts. 33 oe _ 7 33 ee = = Price 17s. 6d. (plus postage 7d.) from ee 5 3: io a oe 33 AES, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. se ; thee oe = oe 7 oe -<« ao : =a .551.55555555555H555HH4HHHHHHSSSSSSSS SSDS SD SSSSADAADAADADAADAAALAAAALALAAAALLAL ALAA LALA 28 a ee seesessssessSSeseceseseencesces ee see eee eee osesssesessesesessssesesceseeseséossocssesescesseseees : "0 ¥ . 7 No. 205 JANUARY 1958 THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ ‘SOCIETY TREASURER As Mr. Le Masurier is_ shortly taking over a Guest House in Avie- more, Inverness-shire, a member who is willing to act as Treasurer to the Society is urgently required. The duties -consist of managing the financial affairs of the Society, and can only be undertaken by a person with book-keeping knowledge: who can attend the Society’s Council Meetings in London, The routine work receiving and banking subscriptions, issuing receipts and maintaining the subscription card tdex, is being carried out by two other members. have to keep the books of account, prepare the annual accounts and attend Council Meetings. - Will any member who is willing to help the Society in this important capacity please contact the Hon. General Secretary, D. Ollevant, 3 Saleombe Drive, Morden, Surrey. @ NATURAL HISTORY STUDY The University of London awards a Certificate of Proficiency in Natural History. The Certificate was formerly restricted to teachers, but other per- sons interested in the study of living things in their natural habitats may now be admitted. The work involves a directed course of private reading at home, attendance at a Practical Course of four weeks’ duration in the Spring and Summer, an approved plan of field-work suited to the student’s locality to be written up in the form of an essay, and examina- tions. Students wishing to begin their directed course of reading may still apply (up to 15th January) for late registration with a view to attending next year’s Practical Course, which will be held at a suitable Field Centre during one week in the Spring and three weeks in the Summer. involved in The Treasurer will merely. application obtained from. the Secretary, Natural History Certificate The regulations and form may be Course, Department of Extra-Mural Studies, University of London, Senate House, London, W.C.1. THE WELSH CLEARWING (AEGERIA SCOLIAEFORMIS Borkh.) IN IRELAND For many years, I am ashamed to confess, my collection has shown an almost complete non-representation of the family Sesiidae and I regret to say that hitherto I have done little to correct this deplorable state of affairs. Many times have I in- tended to go “‘grubbing’’ with a set of tools which is supposed to be a ‘‘must’? -for collecting larvae _ of Clearwing moths, but somehow have never got down ‘to. business. Last year (July 1956), whilst on holiday at Killarney in the south- west of Ireland, I spent one after- noon searching the trunks of old birch trees which can be found growing alongside the Kenmare road overlooking the Upper Lake. Killarney is one of the classic locali- ties for the rather local Welsh Clearwing (A. scoliaeformis) and in this particular spot most of the older trees bear ample evidence of numerous borings of the larvae of this moth. Near the base of one tree which seemed somewhat malformed in growth, I discovered two empty pupa cases in such fresh condition, protruding from the exit holes, that I assumed the moths had not long emerged. Unfortunately, I could find no sign of them. However, I took particular note of the location of this tree, so that if needs be, I could find it again. In May of this year I was for- tunate to be able to visit Killarney again and having in mind the slight possibility that I might be able to obtain larvae of the Clearwing, thoughtfully provided myself with a good chisel. From some friends in the town I was able to borrow a hammer as no mallet was available, and on the morning of 24th May I be JANUARY 1958 sallied forth, determined to make a concentrated search for larvae. From various books I had read that the caterpillar of the Welsh Clearwing is Just about fully fed towards the end of May. I had no difficulty in pinpointing the tree which had yielded the empty pupa cases the previous year, and decided to work on it, From information gleaned by per- using the A.E.S. Leaflet No. 18, Collecting Clearwings, it appeared that to obtain larvae it was neces- sary to ‘‘cut out a piece of bark the size of the palm of your hand, cut- ting right down to the wood, and lever it out. The cocoon will be visible on the underside’. I began operations with great gusto but I am sorry to say the poor tree looked very bare in patches after my handi- work as I had denuded it of so much bark. After a while I noticed with relish that powdery frass was plenti- ful, and some of it~ seemed fresh. Suddenly on prising up a_ sec- tion of bark, I saw to my dismay that I had been too vigorous and had punctured a cocoon ‘of A. scoliae- formis with my chisel. Fortunately on the same piece of bark, which I was about to discard, I spotted another cocoon undamaged, and cautiously opening the same I found inside a fully fed larva preparing to pupate. Gingerly I transferred the cocoon which was adhering to quite a fair-sized section of bark, into a large circular larva collecting tin. By trimming the edges of the bark T was able to wedge the material into the tin so that edges fitted the circumference nicely and no damage to the cocoon was sustained on its journey to Dorking. I spent the rest of the morning and part of the early afternoon on this tree and secured another cocoon with a newly- turned pupa inside; also a larva about two-thirds grown and a very young larva. I examined other trees but could find no recent borings and in any case J did not care to do any more damage that day. Two days later I returned home and thought long and seriously over the question of what treatment T ought to give my pupae. Consulting the A.E.S. Leaflet once more, I read that artificial sections had to be provided for the pupae, but as my cocoons were still intact, I felt strongly against the idea of removing the con- tents. Eventually I cut out a sec- tion ot corrugated eardeaand about 10” x 6” and directly on top of two of the grooves I sewed two narrow strips ot the same material so that lL had constructed two tunnels. | pushed my cocoons into one end ot each tunnel and plugged up the tail end with cotton wool, just as the Leaflet had instructed. Kver present was the danger of the inmates dry- ing up, especially as the June heat- wave had now begun. The section of cardboard had been pinned to the side of a large breeding cage and under the cardboard I secured a length of old rag which I draped into a small pot of water. So long as the pot was replenished w ith moisture (necessary every day on account of the heat), the cardboard was kept sufficiently wet. One morning during my daily in- spection, I noticed an empty pupa case protruding from one of the tunnels and searching around (the windows and doors of my bedroom were securely closed) I was overjoyed to see a lovely Clearwing moth resting on the floor of the cage. It was a really handsome creature with ivory black veins and body, re- lieved by a bright yellow band across the abdomen and a vivid vermilion tail. Needless to say, the moth was at once ‘‘boxed’’ and dropped into a killing bottle. J waited a few more days and to my delight the second moth emerged safe and sound, This time the pupa case had fallen out of the tunnel. Concerning the larvae that were brought from Ireland; I cut a few chippings of old birch before coming home and quite recently the largest caterpillar was still flourish- ing though JI have grave doubts whether it will survive the winter. I could find no trace of the very young larva but hope that it may be ensconced somewhere in the bark. RayMonp F. Haynes (834). 3 DIPTEROUS ‘‘ HITCH-HIKERS ”’ About thirty Stomozxys calcitrans Linn. (Stable Fly or Biting House Fly) settled on our car when we stopped in the country near Liss, Hants., recently. JI was surprised to find many remained on the car when we started off, even clinging to the highly polished bonnet. A passing lorry blew some of the ex- posed flies off, but several were still firmly attached when we _ stopped again after travelling some eight or nine miles. { AES BULLETIN VOM. 17 This extremely strong grip is pre- sumably related to the rather well- developed pulvilli (arolia or suction pads) and to the strong tarsal claws which these flies possess. R. Epywarps (2558 ® BREEDING THE CONVOLVULUS HAWK MOTH (HERSE CONVOLVULI LINN.) Further to the notes by §S. A. Knill-Jones (2820*) (Bull. amat. Ent. Soc., 16: 94) T have since heard from this member that the pupae left in the care of his parents at Fresh- water commenced to hatch on the 21st October. When he wrote to me on the 27th, 24 of the moths had emerged, and his father, who had heen looking after the pupae, stated that they were about half to three- quarters the normal size, and that some of the'r markings were quite fantastic. This was undoubtedly due to the heat in which they had been reared, but the emergence of the moths less than two months from the date of the original eggs were laid can surely be regarded as a record, even in this age of speed! Freperick C. Brown (2414). THE BRIMSTONE IN MID- OCTOBER The 13th October 1957 was very fine and warm, and I was interested to see one male and one female Gonepteryx rhamni Tiann. (Brim- stone Butterfly) on Epsom Downs not far from the grand _ stand. Curiously enough JI saw one near Breckley, Northamptonshire, on the same date in 1955. Frohawk states that this insect frequently enters into hibernation very shortly after emergence. South on the other hand, states that it may come out whenever the weather is warm and sunny. H. N. E. Atsron (2609). [After its emergence in July, G. rhamni flies quite commonly in the Surrey woods during that month and August and in fewer numbers in September. The last specimen, how- ever, that we saw in 1957 was on 27th August.—Ep. ] FENLAND COLLECTING, 1836 Before the fens were entirely drained, collecting therein seems to have been a somewhat soggy affair but thoroughly enjoyed by all and sundry. One wonders how the recent field meeting at Woodwalton Fen compares with the following which is extracted from the minutes of the Swattham Prior Natural History Society, June 18th, 1836. “Mr. J. A. Power, Mr. Broome, papa, Hugh. Tenny and me w ent to the Reach Chalk Pits and, though we were there as soon as 9 o’clock a.m., almost all the petals of the Glaucium were fallen off. Then we went into a _ beer-shop and_ took 2 gallons of beer into Burwell Fen in a boat with Jem Retchy to punt us along, and papa fell into a ditch up to his neck, and Tenny fell out of the boat into the water, and Hugh also fell into a ditch, but not in consequence of the beer, by no means, The worthy patron. Mr. Power, also got bogged which was great fun. We had good sport both in plants and insects. Ophrys Weselit was found in great plenty. Between 400 and 500 specimens were brought home. We- also saw a great many Machaons and only caught two or three of the best. We got home about 5 o’clock’’. Brian O. C. GARDINER (225). OBSERVATIONS ON A MIGRATION OF THE SMALL WHITE On July 6th, 1957, I crossed from Dover to Calais. The weather was very fine, there was a flat calm, and it was very hot. All the way ACrOSS we were continually passing Pieris rapae Linn. (Small White). They were flying singly, and at no stage were there numbers in company. It was only after observing them for some time that I became aware of a significant fact. Although we were passing them rapidy. since the ship was travelling fast, I observed that all the insects were headed towards France. I had naturally taken it for granted that they were flying the other way, to England. I am wondering whether anyone else has noted this. H.N. E. Auston (2609), a HEMIPTERA—HETEROPTERA IN JERSEY This year, 1957; being my first year of Hemiptera collecting, I thought that the following notes may encourage others to take up this interesting group. Many of the species mentioned are rare in England, but appear to be common in Jersey. It may, of course, be a case of beginner’s luck; the group is, J am sure, much more. interest- ing than many realise, and make a very useful “second”? group (my main work is on the _ microlepi- doptera). ; IT was not prepared, during a week’s holiday in Jersey, to spend hours setting micros in. the even- ings, and [ dislike relaxing them. Heteroptera, however, are easily coped with by screwing them up in tissue paper and dropping this with data into a laurel jar. Ten minutes before dinner and the whole day’s catch is dealt with. Only a micro-lepidopterist can really appre- ciate this! The weather in Jersey during the week July lith to 18th was bad. This accounts for many expected species not being met. The bugs, I am sure, were there, but I was not! My long-awaited visit to the coastal sandhills was delayed until the last day, July 17th, and on that day it rained solidly all day. and the miracle is that I managed to get any good specimens at all! On Friday, July 12th. all the morning; no collecting was done. In the afternoon, my wife and I left our hotel at L’ Moca, 2 miles east of St. Helier, and walked around the coast road to Grouville. A strong west wind was blowing, and no collecting was done. Saturday, the 13th, was a sunny day, with a slight west wind, and on the north side of the island at Bouley Bay, Macrodema micropterum Curt. was common on some burnt heath above the bay. All the specimens caught were micropterous. On Sunday morning, a visit was made to nearby St Clements Bay. In a small sandhill, Corizus myoscyami Linn. was common and flying freely. Beosus maritimus Scop. under mar- ram grass, in company with Emble- this verbasci Fab. Both of these are very local in England. In the afternoon we visited L’Ouaisae Bay on the other side of St Helier. One specimen of Rhyparechromus it rained JANUARY 1958 quadratis ‘Fab. was found in the sandhills, and from niixed herbage I swept what I’took to be a’ summer form specimen of Palomena prasind Linn. The wing membrane is much lighter. than my other specimens of prasina, and the outer margins of the pronotum are not so angulated. It may be a closely allied species with which I. am not acquainted. On the 15th I collected near L’Mocq, on the sea-wall near a piece of waste ground; ~large-numbers of Pyrrmocoris apterus Iann. were found grouped together, ~ many copulating. They were all microp- terous. Further along the beach past Pontac, more (€. myoscyami were found crawling in a sandhill. In the afternoon, sweeping in the orchard of a farm produced enor- mous numbers of Heterogaster_urticae Fab. from nettle, also Inocoris tripus- tulatus Fab., Nabis lativentris Boh. and. other Miridae that I have net yet worked out.. On the 16th we went over to the N.W. corner of the island to. lL’ Etacq, found more P. _apterus, one more R. quadratus, and. after © endless searching in. what should have. been excellent terrain, were waiting for the bus back to St Helier when the sun came out for ten glorious minutes, and Alydus calearatus Linn. began running all over the heather. On Wednesday, July 17th, a visit was made to the famous sandhills of St. Ouens Bay. Imn-steady drizzle I desperately searched under sparse foliage, and was rewarded with four Pionosomus varius Wolff (only found at Deal :and Sandwich in England). one Scitocoris curtisans Fab., and three more R. quadratus. Soaking wet, -we left after an hour, warmed ourselves in the local hotel on whisky and brandy, and returned to L’Mocq.- Considering the terrible collecting conditions. especially during the last few days. I was very pleased -to meet so many bugs that I don’t ex- pect to see for a long time in England. MicHaet ACKLAND (2763). ® BUTTERFLY EATEN BY MOTH LARVAE In July 1956 my boy came home with a Swallow Tail butterfly (Papilio machaon Linn.) which the teacher had given him, also in the box where three pupae. which IT found AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 to be dead, but the butterfly was still alive and had a‘ deformed under- wing. Cramped for room, he trans- ferred butterfly and pupae into a large ‘‘Oxo’’ tin; eventually the machaon died and the tin was put on one side and forgotten. On the 11th May, 1957, I. was in need of a suitable tin, and, hunting round, found the “Oxo” tin. Tak- ing the lid off, I found the dead machaon and pupae.. They also had company, for chasing round the tin were two LEndrosis fenestrella Stt. (sarcitrella .Linn.) moths belonging to the family Oecophoridae. It was quite a puzzle how .the fenestrella got into the tin, so I examined the pupae, and then the butterfly, which was stuck to the tin’s bottom. by a web, the web also covered with frass. In the abdomen a. hole had been eaten away: large enough to insert a pencil. Just projecting out of the hole were two empty pupa-cases, and on the opposite side of the hole was another pupa, the moth _ of which had not yet emerged. Here was. proof enough that the fenes- trella larvae had been feeding on the abdomen of the machaon. Turning to a second box belong- ing to my boy, J found it contained a dead Garden Tiger (Arctta caja Tann.) and a_ Poplar Hawkmoth (Laothoé popult Linn.); these had also: been. left over from 1956. One fenestrella moth was found in this box, the caja had in this case been attacked. Tt still remains a mystery to me how fenestrella got into the boxes to lay eggs to produce the moths that IT found. W. Bisie (1679). : @ ‘ SOME OBSERVATIONS. ON LEPIDOPTERA IN 1957 . 1957 had one of the earliest and sunniest springs for some years in the South of England.. and the spring and summer produced many interesting and _ unusual happen- ings. Briefly, almost all species of butterfly were well before their usual dates, being up to a month ahead, whilst moths overwintering as pupae seemed to be late and very erratic im emergence, and those feeding up in. the spring from overwintering larvae, or ova, were in the main slightly early, or on time: All moths, from counts taken at Mercury- vapour lamp, seemed to be _ less abundant than last year, but many scarce, 5 species seem to have been emerging throughout the summer in small num- bers, some of which may have been late emergers or second _ broods. Several guesses may be made as to the reasons for the behaviour of the moths, but from those species bred, T would deduce that the w arm, early spring encouraged over winteri ing larvae to feed up quickly on the abundant food plants, and _ over- wintering ova to hatch early and the resultant larvae to feed up quickly. Those that overwintered as pupae, had to contend with baked ground, and almost rainless conditions for weeks, which either caused them to be entombed alive or meant their waiting until ‘the rains came’. The hawk moths were very late and fresh Lime hawks (Dilina tiliae Linn.) coming to lght to- wards the end of June and _ the Privet Hawk (Sphinx ligustri Linn.) in July. Wild hawk moth larvae were to be found in all stages of growth in August. In contrast, Poplar Hawks (Laothoé popult Linn.) bred outside, but in captivity, pupating in moss produced a second brood of moths in July. Of the moths feed- INSP Wp im) sbhe: sspring, all, the ‘tigers’ appeared to be early and the Red Underwing (Catocala nupta Jinn.) was on the wing from the end of July. That hardy perennial the Yellow Underwing (Triphaena pro- nuba Linn.) has been coming to hght since June and is still doing so at the end of September. For the records, I set out below some specific observations which may prove of interest to other observers, ~ Feb. 2.. Marsh fritillary and Glan- ville fritillary larvae came out of hibernation. Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais. wrticae inn.) on the wing, Larvae of Scarlet tiger (Panaxia dominula Linn.) feed- CICA Feb. 9. Marsh and Glanville fritil- lary larvae feeding. Larvae of Heath fritillary (Melitaea ath- alia Rott.) on the move. March. 1. Warvae of Heath fritillary feeding, also larvae of Wood tiger ‘(Par asemia plantaginis Linn. ). April 4. Marsh fritillary (Huphy- dryas aurinia Rott.) pupating. April 14. Scarlet tiger. punating. Glanville fritillary (Melitaea » cinxia Linn.) pupating. Haw- thorn in bloom! 6 Apri 23. Duke of Burgundy (Hame- aris lucina Linn.) males on wing also Alder dagger (Apatele alni Linn.). April 25. Heath fritillary pupating. Larvae of Marbled White (Aga- petes galathea) and Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina Linn.) larvae in final instar. April 29. First Marsh fritillaries emerged males. Wall butterfly (Dira megera TJ.iinn.) on the wing. Larvae of The Orange Tip (Huchloé cardamines J.inn.) hatched and commenced _ feed- ing. May 11. White-letter and _ black hairstreak larvae (Strymon w- album Knoch and = Strymon prumt Linn.) full fed. Brown hairstreak larvae (Thecla betulae Linn.) feeding. Wood _ white (Leptidea sinapis Linn.). May 19, Glanville fritillary male emerged. May 25. Heath fritillary male emerged. May 27. Calophasia lunula Hufn. (Toadflax Brocade) emerged. June 1. White Admiral (Limenitis camila Linn.) emerged. June 18. Purple Emperor (Apatura wis inn.) and Gastropacha quercifolia Linn. (Lappet) emerged. Both female. July tin Devon’ —— Warge Blue (Maculinea arion Linn.) and Dark Green fritillary (Argynnis aglaia Jinn.) in very poor con- dition, presumably on the wing for at least two weeks. Also on wing, A. galathea, Grayling (EHumenis semele Linn.), Ringlet (A. hyperanthus TVann.), Gatekeeper (Maniola tithonus Linn.), Small Pearl - bordered fritillary (Argynnis selene Tann.), High Brown fritillary (Argynnis cydippe .inn.), Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia Tinn.), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta Tinn.), Painted Lady Vanessa cardut Linn.), Peacock Nymphalis io Linn.), and Small tortoiseshell (2nd brood). Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus Rott.) and Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi Vann.) and several Small White (P. rapae), Green-veined White (P. napi), Large White (P. brassicae) and Clouded Yellow (Cohas croceus Fourer.) were netted. July 5.. Gulworth Skipper (Thymeli- cus acteon Rott.) males rubbed JANUARY 1958 and females freshly emerged. August 1. Chalkhill Blue (dysandra coridon Poda) males and females on wing in large numbers. August 18, Lysandra bellargus Rott. (Adonis Blue) 2nd brood in copulation. Both Marsh and Glanville friealany in hiberna- tion webs, P. W. Criss (2270). @ WINTER REARING General Considerations. Provided there are a few simple facilities available there is no longer any need to store away all larvae cages for the winter. The winter rearing of larvae can be an interesting and absorbing study throughout the cold season when but few adults are fly- ing, and even fewer collectors are out looking for them. Having more time available, the opportunity pre- sents itself to make a more detailed study of the immature stages, not only of the native lepidoptera, but also of foreign ‘‘exotics’’ From the point of view of study- ing genetic forms and breeding for variety, winter breeding enables the number of generations obtainable in a year to be at least doubled, and with some species 6-10 generations can be obtained. By no means all species can be bred in winter, and careful selection is necessary to conform with food plants that may be readily available all the year round in a particular locality, It is surprising how many species will switch to alien food plants in winter. Amongst the more useful to have available are the fol- lowing:—Cabbage, Privet, Ever- green Oak, Grasses, Dandelion, Déadnettle. If these are in a shel- tered corner so much the better. Straw, or old sacks put down when snow or hard frost is expected, also helps to keep the foliage. The real essential to have avail- able is some form of heat. This can be supplied in many forms depend- ing on one’s inclinations or oppor- tunities, and the amount of expense that can be gone to. Tdeally a heated greenhouse is un- doubtedly the best, “but T think that these are few and far between. A small wooden shed can be heated fairly cheaply by means of a paraffin stove. To keep it even warmer and save about half the fuel bill, it is a good idea ta line the inside with AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 sheeting held on with drawing pins. ‘lhe same method applies to greenhouses and _ only costs about 15/-. A _ special cage heater can be made as described in A Silkmoth Rearer’s Handbook. A cage can also be heated by the simple expedient of hanging an electric light bulb in it (this suits sun-lovying larvae very well). An even cheaper method is to place the cages in the airing cupboard, near the kitchen boiler, or anywhere con- venient in a centrally heated flat. (These last three places require per- mission from one’s wife.) After heat comes the question of light. A great deal of work has been done on the influence of light on the diapause of Lepidoptera, and in general the following holds true. A larvae reared under conditions of 12 hours light, 12 hours dark, will enter diapause to overwinter. A larva reared under 16 hours light, 8 hours dark, will not diapause. This applies to normal double-brooded species in this country. It does not apply to a single-brooded species. A simple method of controlling the light (which does not need to be particularly bright) is to switch it on at dusk and off again on going to bed. This does away with several pounds’ worth of time switch. Alter- natively the light can be left on all the time, or the larvae can be kept in the dark all the time, since this has the same effect in preventing diapause. polythene Obtaining Stocks. As already stated, not all species can be winter bred. Amongst the simplest are the Tigers and the Eggers. These appear to respond to heat alone and do not need any special light conditions. If it is intended to breed a species for several generations, it 1s best to think about winter breeding in the spring. Early stocks can then be obtained normally, and the larvae kept warm so that the moth emerges 4-6 weeks before its normal time. This enables normal over-wintering larvae to be given a good start before winter sets in. A good example of this is Euplagia quadri- punctaria Poda (Jersey Tiger). Feed on Deadnetile. It will be found. that most larvae that normally hibernate will respond to simple heat, but this should be applied from the time they hatch from the egg, and certainly well before the time they normally start ~] to hibernate, as once hibernation has started heat will not induce them to feed, but only kill them. To deal with species that do not hibernate as larvae but pass the winter as a pupa, it 1s necessary to obtain stocks of the 2nd-3rd genera- tion and to treat them to a period of hight when they are feeding up. This will prevent them going into dia- pause. However, .the requirements vary widely from species to species, and success is not certain. There now arises the question of how to deal with species that have already entered diapause in order to overwinter. To get these to emerge, it is necessary to break the diapause. This can be done with most species (including single brooded ones) by subjecting them to an _ artificial winter in a refrigerator. A period of about 6 weeks at just about freez- ing point is sufficient. The pupae should then be brought out, first of all to a cool room and then into heat. The butterflies or moths should then emerge, and pairings may be obtained. If breeding exotic silkmoths there is generally no difficulty in obtaining stocks fer the winter as many ot these are continuous brooded in any case, or emerge normally at about our winter time. The important point is to choose a privet or ever- green oak feeder. Unfortunately, A Silkmoth Rearer’s Handbook does not list normal times of emergence, or how many broods may be obtained normally in either this country, or the country of origin, Rearing Techniques. Much has already been written on this subject and it is not proposed here to do more than expound a few simple directions to bear in mind in winter. At all times keep the larvae warm, On no account let them get cold for a week-end or they are most likely to go into hibernation or die off, particularly if the frost gets to them. It is not the cold itself that kills. The cold makes the larvae so lethargic that they are unable to search for food, or even to feed and they then die of starvation. If breed- ing a species requiring light, don’t forget 1t. Take every opportunity to give your larvae a spell in the sun when it can conveniently be done. This applies to normal sun _ lovers such as Arctia caja Linn. particu- larly. Also do not overdo the heat. Moderate heat is far better than a EEE Ee JANUARY. 1958 hothouse heat as far as_ British species are concerned. It is known that too much heat as a larva can lead to infertility of the adult in some species (e.g. Pieris brassicae Linn., A. caja, Phlogophora meticulosu Linn.). A few points about See the food should be born in mind. Do nct throw in frozen foliage. Thaw it out first. When feeding Saturniids with privet or evergreen oak, soak it for a few minutes in water first, other- wise it tends to be rather hard, par- ticularly for smal] larvae. For general polyphagous feeders it will generally be found that cabbage can be successfully used for feeding. A. caja takes readily to this, but Panaxia dominula Linn. is best fed on deadnettle. Keep numbers down to the avail- able food supply. Remember that even if diapause should occur the species is not lost but is available for another attempt the following year. There is a wide field open for inves- tigation, and notes should be kept. Failure is as important and worthy of recording as success. The condi- tions required to prevent diapause are known for comparatively few species, and vary widely even within the same genera, so if two or three species are attempted at the same time, one at least should have its diapause successfully broken. Don’t be afraid of trying. Brian O. C. GAarRpIner (225). C) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR REMARKS ON M. E. CASTLE’S ARTICLE ON LABELLING MicHarL ACKLAND (2763) writes :— At the 1957 Exhibition meeting Mr. Castle remarked: to me that no one had made any comments on his methods of dealing with micro- lepidoptera (Bull. amat. Ent. Soe., 16: 53). Perhaps he will forgive me if T now do so. This equipment I cannot but praise. The killing bottle is admir- able, and I cannot see how it can be improved. I should, however, lke to expand on the remarks about labelling specimens. It seems to me that the informa- tion that is put on a label falls into various categories. If we take Mr. Castle’s list of data we find the fol-- lowing :— Method of Capture (Light, cr Aladdin 300 C.P.). Type of country and Aspect (North edge of wood); Time (11.30 to 12 p.m.) Date (1.6. 56) Weather (S. wind, cool, 4 moon, clear sky). Locality (Wainsbody Woods, Coventry, War.) On a single specimen caught dur- ing a casual visit to a locality it seems to me that only the _ following data is relevant—Method of cap- ture, Type of environment, Date, Locality, and in addition ‘to Mr. Casile’s list, captor, name of species ang date of identification and iden- tinier. When we come to making a survey of a particular locality (and this is no_doubt “in Mr. Castle’s mind) we shall need his additional information, . but surely the num- bers cf Specimens needéd to deduce anything of value would make it impossible to set all of them with labels? The information, for ex- ample, about time would be useful if we had numbers’ of the species attracted to light at given moments throughout the night. This could be related to different nights and bring in the element of weather aaa then related to position, i.e., south of the wood. The numbers captured would need to be more than | think Mr. Castle could cope with in his collection. A few specimens with all this data attached to them can be of little use. With even a single specimen, however, it is useful to know, for example, if it. was taken at light, or in a wood. Tf Mr. Castle’s 500 specimens are of the same species taken with some of the factors constant, others vary- ing, then I think they- may be useful. WINGED ANTS From W. J. V. Warp (2636) :— In October, 1957 “(Bull amat. Ent. Soc., 16: 75) your correspon- dent P. J. Gent (192) ‘asked for infor- mation on nuptial flights of ants on July 30th, 1957. My family and I observed such a flight on Countis- bury Hill, N. Devon, not on that day, but on August Ist. Printed by T. Buncle & Co. Lid., Society, Arbroath, and published by the Amateur _Entomologist’s 1° West Ham Lane, London, E.15. ~ 1958. - (e) By taking ast thet extra bit] LEPIDOPTERA COLOMBIA — EQUADOR — BOLIVIA — New Original Material Small lght-trap specimens with many undescribed species, 100 ... £2. Upon request, preference to certain families, spec. Noctuidae, Geometridae.—Lot of Pieridae, Acraeidae, Mechanitidae, Satyridae. Nymphalidae, Helhcontidae of same regions up to 10,000 feet altitude. all unclassified and original, NOOR. 24: AO}. - Also Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, es of the same area. Local Argentina livestock in ova and cocoons—chrysalids. Payment to AES Treasurer. Orders over £6 air-mail free. F. H. WALZ, RECONQUISTA 453, BUENOS AIRES, R. ARGENTINA The AES PROSPECTUS CONTAINING FULL DETAILS will be sent to anyone interested Please Apply, Enclosing 2d Stamp, to: Hon. 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DIBB, PRES. & The Handbook describes the tools and apparatus and methods of 33 collecting British beetles; their habitats, commensals and pre- :: adult stages; how to record, photograph, make a personal collec- 3: tion and conduct a local survey. _ Twenty full-page Plates illustrative mainly of pre-adult stages 3 (including seven reproductions of rare engravings) and fifty line- 3: drawings and diagrams. 112 pp. and index. =f Price Fifteen Shillings (postage 5d.) 3 from the | 3 - Amateur Entomologists’ Society 1 West Ham Lane - -Lonadony £15.53 2 2515.5.5b55555HH5HHHHhHHSSoSSoSoo>oooodooSo dood dro Sb dobodobSo5doododbiHbSod. bbb. Dd AAAAAAAAAAAAAsL AAA AAAS‘ D. PO SSS SSS SOOO SSO SOHO SESH DER EDODEDODESOD ODODE OED OOOH OO ODEO OOOO EOE ODEO LODO OOOO DEOL OE SOODOLODOOOOOS eee BULLETIN No. 206 FEBRUARY 1958 LASIUS NIGER LINN. (HYM. FORMICIDAE) AND APHIDES It is most likely that Mr. G. M. Barker’s report (Barker, 1957) that the ant Lasius niger ‘had somehow contrived to gather two or three leaves together, fastening them in position with silken threads’? so as to create a shelter for its aphis herd, isa, conclusion he has. drawn from fortuitously juxtaposed facts. Neither the aphis (whatever its species may have been) nor the ant can spin silken threads. The leaves had no doubt been fastened pre- viously by some insect larva or arachnid. Also, I think it unlikely that the existence of the threads ‘obviously saves the ants a good deal of work in ‘herding’ their aphids from the shelter to the plant’, as Mr. Barker maintains. Most of the aphids whose lives are associated completely with ants are root-feeding species, and are kept sheltered in underground cellars within the framework of the nest. It is most probable, therefore, that the aphids on plants and_ shrubs arrive by chance—largely windblown and are found by the foraging ant workers, and thereafter tended. This attention, in order to ‘‘milk’’ the aphids of their excreta, is, in my experience, haphazard in the sense that the ants do not specially guard the aphids, except insofar as an aphis-predator may come into range and needs to be chased off or destroyed. There is, it is true, pro- tection by the ants in the form of the occasional pavillon (as Huber, 1810, called the tents which are con- structed around those aphids that can draw their sustenance from the thick woody bark or stem within a few inches, at most, from the surface of the soil). The greenfly we see attack- ing rose buds and stems are never, as far as I have been able to observe, sheltered by such a construction as a pavillon, nor are they moved about from one place to another at any time of day (it has been suggested that they are driven into their stalls below ground at night!). Certainly, Forel, 1920, has stated that he has seen Lasius niger move aphids from one plant to another, and it is con- ceivable that, under the circum- stances of a paucity of aphids and of other food, small numbers ot stem- feeding aphids may be moved to a more suitable spot, but this I have never witnessed. In general, I think it is safe to say that the relationship between stem- feeding aphids and LZ. niger is a loose one, in the sense that the ants keep no special watch over the aphids, but solicit droplets of excreta from them when required, and protecting them to some extent from enemies such as Coccinellidae, their larvae, Diptera or Hymenop- tera Parasitica. The exact degree to which the protective aspect of the ants’ behaviour towards the aphids is effective is still a matter of conjec- ture, but some recent work by EI- Ziady and Kennedy (1956) has shown that where experimental colonies of the bean aphids have been attended by ants, ‘‘after three weeks the ant- attended colonies were large, den- sely aggregated and lightly para- sitised, whereas the isolated colonies Gite: ant-free) were still small, dis- persed over the plants and heavily parasitised. The ant-attended colonies were also perfectly clean, whereas the isolated plants were littered with exuviae and honey-dew upon which moulds were growing’’. Other experiments suggested that, although protection by ants against the natural enemies of the aphids could be established definitely, this factor may nevertheless be only secondary to the more important. symbiotic relationship between the two insects. The fact also emerged that the ants were exerting an influence on the physiological mechanism of form- determination by keeping them in the more fecund, more _ sessile, apterous form, and the authors sug- gest this may have been achieved directly by increasing the plane of nutrition of the aphids, perhaps as a result of ee the excretion. 10 Associated with the general pro- blem of ant-aphis relationship is the phenomenon of the tunnels, protec- tive walls, and ‘‘tents’’ or pavillons, which ZL, niger is wont to construct. When I referred briefly to this matter before (Brangham, 1951), I re- marked that I had never seen aphids sheltering under the cover of the raised shells of brittle soil which had been erected by the ants of this species around the stems of plants. It still remains true that I have yet to see aphids in such a position. al- though [ had an opportunity of observing colonies of L. niger in my London garden between 1946 and 1953. Every year the ants would construct tunnels just beneath the surface of the soil, sometimes for some feet in length. At the foot of rose-bushes, little surrounding mounds of soil would be pushed up by the ants, to a height of an inch or two, but not higher up on the stems. Always expecting to find ants tend- ing stem feeding Aphidae or Coccidae I would break the hard, coagulated pellets of soil around these stems, merely to find the occasional ant passing through the tunnel on its way up or down, to or from the aphids esconced on the tips of the finest ‘‘Peace’? or ‘Daily Mail’. The tunnels just under the surface of the soil were more explicable, because they were used to move larvae or pupae from the main nest to subsidiary quarters at intervals along these covered runways. At these intervals, quantities of the brood were kept in the day-time, at suitable temperatures, and_ they were taken back to the nest (or at least to deeper levels) at night. As with many other species of ant, JL. niger is particular as to the right temperature and humidity needed for the proper development of the brood, and, during the summer, there is endless movement of larvae and pupae to find the optimum conditions. Various authors, chiefly Forel (1920), state that the purpose of the covered ways is to give protection to the ants (as they tend not to make such passages when their runs are along the foot of a protective wall), and to allow them to approach their aphids undisturbed. T have not seen it said against what the protection serves, for J. niger is by no means a timid, retiring ant, nor does it shun the direct sunlight, and, in any case, RE BRUARY 1958 this species is in the habit of mak- ing small subsidiary ‘‘nests’’? (the succursdles of the Continental writers) at intervals along the more extended runs for the purpose, Forel thinks, of affording resting places for fatigued ants, or those whose systems have become partially dehydrated by prolonged exposure to direct sunshine, The other use to which they are put is to protect straggling ants that have not reached home by nightfall, or when there is a sharp drop in temperature (as a lowered temperature slows up _ the general metabolism of the insect, and therefore its speed of move- ment). All these interesting points, however, do not seem to me to ex- plain the raison detre for the tun- nels, nor for the crater-like construc- tions round the basal stems of plants and shrubs. That these tunnels must be of special significance to the ants can hardly be doubted; numerous cases have been quoted in which ants have built laboriously long tunnels up the side of a wall into the roof of a glasshouse (Donisthorpe, 1927, et al.). References. Barker, G. M. 1957. The Black Lawn Ant and Aphides, Bull. amat. Ent. Soc., 16: 204, pp. 95-96. Brangham, A. N. 1951. Ants, Bull. amat. Ent. Soc., 10: 124, pp. 33-34. Donisthorpe, H. St. J. K. 1927. British Ants, 2nd. Edition, London. HEZiady,, Ss: and) Kennedya ds. S- | 1956: Beneficial effects of the common gar- den ant, Lasius niger L. on the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli, Proc. R. ent., Soc., London (A), 31: 4-6, pp. 61-65. Forel, A.. 1920. Les Fourmis de ta Suisse, La Chaux-de-Fonds. Huber, P. 1810. Recherches sur les moeurs des fourmis indigénes, Paris & Geneva. A. N, BraneuHam (18). a WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO DIS- COVER A NEW SPECIES IT have often been asked to describe my sensations on discovering a new species and usually I have found it hard to say. Much depends on the circumstances surrounding the dis- coveries; one may find new species among collections sent for determina- tion and then one’s feelings are limited to interest or admiration of the species according to its beauty, AKS BULLETIN. VOL. 17 11 or anything striking in its charac- teristics. This has happened to me on over two hundred occasions but on few have I felt really excited. It is a far different thing when you come upon anything new in the jungle, especially before it has been safely secured in the net, and has been recognized as undoubtedly new to science. The excitement mingles with an overpowering nervousness lest it should escape!! Following it as it files. fearful lest you should lose sight of it!! Dubitation!! Should one wait until it settles? or should one chance a shot at it? are the questions which chase _ feverishly through one’s mind. And the deep and lasting chagrin if. after all, it eludes you or worse still, makes one a lamentable boss-shot at it with one’s net. Why did IT not wait until it settled? one asks oneself, or would it have settled if you had had the courage to wait? This has been my unfortunate experience on more than one occasion, and one is ever after tortured with the query, ‘‘Was it actually a new species?’? How well T remember an occasion when T saw an enormous dragonfly flying down stream towards me? It had darkly tinted wings and. from its creat size. T knew that I had never seen its like before. As it flashed past me. [ struck with my net, but unfortunately hit it with the rim and it fell flat upon its back in mid- stream. The river was too deep at this spot and I watched it helplessly as it flonped about trving to turn over and rise from the water. T should have harpooned my net and trusted to it falling on top of it, when J could have retrieved both lower down stream, but as it hap- pened mv colleague. Colonel Ward, was standing in shallows some dis- tance down stream and so I followed after the insect as it was swept along by the current hoping that one of us would be able to secure it. Presently however ‘it shook itself free and weighed down with drops of water, commenced very slowly to climb into the air. I raced along the bank of the river following it. for it was too far out to reach with my net, and meanwhile I shouted to Ward to wade up stream towards it before it rose too high to reach. The gallant Colonel was the finest big-game shot in India but he was no good at wielding a net and he stood there paralysed, waiting for the dragonfly to come to him. Steadily it rose until, when it had reached him, it was some fifteen feet above his head and quite out of reach. I stood in despair and watched it soar away over the tree- tops into the jungle. I never saw another but I believe that it was a giant Tetracanthagyna. a _ species quite unknown from Southern India. Regrets at its loss still remain after over thirty years. And now, what of the triumph and bursting excitement when a _ new species is safely landed in the net!! T could tell a great number of yarns on such happenings but one especi- ally sticks in my memory as a red- letter day. I and my wife, who ac- companied me on most of my shikars after insects, were returning from North Coorg. a native state in the Western Ghats of South India. after a quite successful day in the jungle. We stopped in a particular bit of jungle where T had often watched the ineffably graceful evolutions of Hestia malabarensis, that wonderful butterfly which performs in slow- motion its dancing flight in some sun- lit glade of the forest. I had named it the Pavlova of the Jungles, but no Pavlova could have rivalled the grace of its movements. Whilst looking round for one of these, IT chanced to look overhead and at once saw a large, golden-winged dragonfly soar- ing in circles like a miniature vul- ture some two hundred feet or more above the jungle. For a time I watched it. trying to conjecture. what it might be; I at first thought it to be a large female Macromia but its flight was not typical: IT hoped that it would come lower so that I could have a chance shot at it with my net. At the time I was not thinking it might be new, so many species of Macromia are tinted when first emerged, and J had already taken most Coorg species of the genus. My waiting proved to be all in vain; the creature continued to soar, some- times overhead, sometimes away over the jungle tree-tops. Finally. TI - decided to try a shot at it with my small Winchester rifle. using dust- shot for the purpose as I often did when specimens were far out of reach. Taking careful aim at a moment when it was directly over the road, I saw it make a sudden oblique dive and then almost immediately recover and continue its circling, 12 FEBRUARY 1958 But it was now cork-screwing down, sometimes over the road, sometimes over the jungle, and, in an agony of suspense, I watched it coming ever lower, wondering if it would fall in the jungle or on to the road. The jungle had it on the final circle but the dragonfly settled on a tree quite near the road, only a matted bit of jungle intervening. It had _ settled behind the tree and it was some time before I spotted it clinging to a leaf. What a relief. I at once fell to hacking my way through the belt of jungle separating me from my prize, using a Coorg pruning knife for this purpose, which was a cross between a knife and a hatchet, and admirable for the purpose. Hav- ing reached the tree. I quickly climbed it, whilst my wife stood below ready to pass the net up to me. Reaching out as far as I could, I just managed to sweep it over the insect and shake it into the bag. I was quickly down the tree and back again to the road where I carefully opened the net and gazed at the dragonfly clinging to the muslin near the bottom, Excitement had now reached boiling point as I reached down and_ secured it by its wings. One brief glance at the vena- tion of its wings told me that I had secured one of the greatest prizes ever. IT had a female Chlorogom- phus!! absolutely new to science and the first to be found of its genus in Peninsular India. In the far North, on the Himalayan slopes and in Burma, species had been found, but this was something altogether new and unsuspected from so far South. I afterwards described it as Chloro- gomphus campiom, and it now re- poses in the British Museum, South Kensington. Some day I will tell you of my search for the larva of this insect and how I found it in a small stream in the depths of the jungle. Me C. FRASER (890). SOME pee ee ie ON THE MATING OF THE GHOST SWIFT (HEPIALIS HUMULI LINN.) Some time ago I read an article by Newman to the effect that the Ghost Swift pairs on the cround. P. B. M. Allan in his book Talking of Moths states that with the possible exception of certain species of the Hepialidae, all females of nocturnal macrolepidoptera attract the males by diffusing scent. It was my luck, therefore, that I had an unusual opportunity of observing the mating of the Ghost Swift on “several occa- sions in July 1956. It was during the never-to-be- forgotten holiday at Glen Lyon, in the company of four stalwarts of the A.E.S. when we were fortunately blessed with exceptionally beautiful weather, and this feature without doubt contributed to the most pro- lific emergence of the Swifts I have ever seen. While ‘‘dusking”’ on the roadside at the rear of the hotel, I spotted a Ghost Swift and quickly netted it; I was anxious to take a decent series, aS My own was several years old and badly infected with grease, so the circumstances warranted some intensive reconnoitring in the vici- nity, and I was soon amply rewarded. Looking over the gate of an adjoin- ing paddock, I was amazed to see over thirty Swifts of both sexes fly- ing in the relatively restricted area of the small paddock; they appeared to be emerging and taking flight while you waited, and as fast as they paired up, others took their place. The flight lasted about 20 minutes and then suddenly subsided, but on the ensuing three evenings the same thing occurred, and it would have been a simple matter to have col- lected scores of both sexes. What intrigued me most, however. was to see several in cop. on the tall grasses and herbage. while on several occasions I stalked a slow flying female and stood by when she settled. It was only a matter of a few seconds’ wait before a male found her and immediately paired, my close proximity apparently occasion- ing no embarrassment. At no time did TI observe any aerial collisions which some writers believe to be the prelude to pairing, nor did close searching on_ the ground reveal any in cop. there, but in every case the couples. chose tallish herbage. Needless to say. I took a nice series, and was eratified by the large average size of the females and ‘the variety of the mark- ings, some being exceptionally rich and heavy. So far as my observation went the male discovered the female, and it may be that vision is one of the determining factors in selection, as failing light invariably brought about a cessation in their activities. LL. G. F. Wapprneton (169). AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 13 SOME FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON FOODPLANTS OF LEPIDOP- TERA Over the past few seasons I have been breeding the small fritillaries with particular attention to food- plants (vide Bull amat. Ent. Soc., 15: 39, re Melitaea athalia Rott., the Heath fritillary). I am satisfied that different food-plants which are ac- ceptable to the various species, do have some effect on the rate of growth to maturity, the percentage of imagines produced and in particular the size of the specimens. In M. athalia I have been able to produce all the forms shown in the text books with ground coloration ranging from pale yellow to dark reddish, and the areas of black markings in considerable variation. Food-plant does not appear to have any effect here, and the variations of colour would seem to be of genetic origin. From a yellowish female x yellowish male with a tendency to radiation in the black markings, all the offspring were similar in shade and markings. Isolation or similar factors of environment might tend to make one form more common in one area than in another, but to refer to races when only a specimen group of a species has been captured or bred would appear to be a little in- accurate.. For example, Mr. G. Maunder showed me a specimen of M. athalia taken on Exmoor in 1956 which had very dark lower wings, but I have bred several identical speci- mens from Sussex: mine fed on Veronica chamaedrys Uinn., the Ex- moor specimen on Melampyrum pratense Tinn. The size of specimens was, how- ever, affected by the type of food- plant. M. athalia fed on Digitalis purpurea. inn. produced half-size specimens. Plantago lanceolata Linn. produced very large specimens. By reducing the food-plant to the bare essentials of existence and using the normal food-plant of the species, I was able to produce small imagines at will. Maturity was reached at about the normal time. The method is to introduce food-plant (cut leaves) in quantities that are insufficient for the day so that the larvae do a lot of searching and are unable to feed con- tinuously. In the case of Huphydryas aurinia Rott., the Marsh fritillary, I have again been able to reproduce from one original female taken some years ago, a whole range of colourings and markings which cover all those forms from English and Welsh localities, and this year some have approached the form praeclara from Ireland. Food-plants used have been honey- suckle, devil’s bit scabious, and teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris Mill.). The last- named is not listed anywhere as a foodplant in the books available to me, and it produces small imagines. The Glanville fritillary (M. cinria Linn) seems to do best when fed on Plantago lanceolata, and this year I was able to check on the laying habits of the butterfly in the wild. About eight different batches of ova were found, and females were observed in the act of laying, all on P. lanceolata although P. maritima Linn. was more abundant. In some cases ova had been deposited on the dead leaves of the plants. The effect of reducing the foodplant available to minimum amounts has the same effect on other species of butterfly. I was able to breed the Comma (Polygonia c-album Linn.) _ and the Wood White (Leptidea sinapis Linn.) in this way and produced half- sized imagines. They emerged in the same week as those fed normally. In the wild many half-sized specimens occur (e.g., Maculinea arion Linn., Tysandra coridon Poda, E. aurinia) and those species affected are ones which could well be starved in their larval form. Dwarf forms of moths are, however, rare and I have per- sonally only one example, a male Puss (Cerura vinula Linn.). I applied the starvation method to two moths; the Poplar Hawk (Laothoe populi Linn.) and the Garden Tiger (Arctia caja linn.). The unexpected occurred as the larvae fed up very slowly but the imagines were normally sized. A. caja produced imagines a month later than the specimens fed normally, and the Poplar Hawks were about full-fed in July, whilst the batch fed normally were emerging. and produced a second brood. Wrong or insufficient feeding might be part of the answer to the irregular emergence times, and the cause of single and double broods in some cases. The above experiments and results are, of course, not in any way con- clusive, and factors not taken into account may be operating in some cases, but they suggest that in butterflies, wrong, or reduced feed- ing produces dwarf imagines whilst in moths only the time of emergence may be effective. Meanwhile, the experiments continue. PETER W. Crisp (2270). 14 REARING AUTOMERIS AURANTIACA WEYMER (Brazilian Bullseye Moth) I have now bred this_ species through a number of generations, and my experiences with it differ rather radically from the notes that are given about it in The Silkmoth Rearer’s Handbook, besides consider- ably adding to the information there- witb Ova These are laid in batches, usually in a double row of from 1 to 3 dozen at a time. When a number of batches have been laid, other females will often add to them to make one large batch. They are laid generally around the cage, or some- times on twigs if these are supplied. If it is intended to remove the eggs, they should be left at least a week after laying to thoroughly harden. In some cases eggs were noticed piled on top of each other. These were in- variably infertile. I have heard that a number of people have failed to hatch obviously fertile ova of this species, and this would appear to be due to the fact that they need careful treatment and should be kept both warm and moist, particularly the latter. I keep mine at 20-25° C. and 40-70% Relative Humidity and have so far had almost 100% hatches. Hatching occurs in from 14-21 days under these condi- tions. The Handbook states that the newly hatched larva eats the egg- shell. In my experience this happens in only a minor percentage of cases. The number of ova laid is from 150- 200. One dissected virgin contained 188 ova in her body. Larva The Handbook mentions only privet as food plant. I would most emphatically advise NOT to feed this to young larvae as on the two occasions I tried it, after nibbling a little, many died in the first instar and the rest were only saved by supplying plum, to which they immediately transferred. When feed- ing this species it is as well to re- member that some of the small larvae prefer to sit and die on a withering leaf rather than move over to fresh food, and it is a good plan not to give more leaf than can be consumed before wilting occurs. Older larvae are not so fussy and readily move over. While IT have only used plum for the early instars, I have had the older larvae feeding on the following: Apple, FEBRUARY 1958 Pear, Cherry, Forsythia, Keria, Lilac, and Privet. It is lkely they would take to other trees and shrubs as well. A. aurantiaca is a_ species that seems to do best when kept crowded, particularly in the early stages, and the larvae form long columns that go careering about the cage. It is fascinating to watch them. Young larvae also pile themselves on to a leaf and all feed together. At all times these larvae should never be handled. Small larvae sit tight, but the larger drop on being disturbed, and can give a nasty sting. so care should always be exercised when changing their food. Cocoon In my experience less than half are affixed to stalks or in rolled leaves, a number spinning up in the corners of the cage. and very nearly half going down and spinning on the surface of the peat with which the floors of my cages are covered. These are so constructed with stuck on. peat granules and other debris, that they are twice the size of leaf rolled cocoons. ; Generations In some respects aurantiaca resembles the Small Eggar (Hriogaster lanestris Linn.) in that some pupae are capable of lying over for long periods. For instance, in May 1957 I had pupae from three generations at the same time, from larvae which had pupated in June 1956, Sentember 1956. and March 1957. Normally, I think, there are two generations a year of which the second is partial. There is the possi- bility, however, that there may be two genetic strains of this moth, one single brooded and one double, or even continuously brooded. It may be that I am wrong about this and that emergence depends on either (a) Light conditions under which larvae were bred, or (b) Temperature at which pupae are kept. (HKmerging if kept warm, overwintering if kept cold.) This latter explanation cannot be quite correct as even when I have kept the pupae warm, a _ varying percentage have lain over until the following year. Further observations on this point are clearly needed, and could easily be done by someone with the time and inclination. The pupae I obtained in September 1956 gave a few emergences in December, but 95% overwintered in an outside open shed and emerged in June 1957. The offspring of these are expected to pupate September-October, so this AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 year (1957) I will only have had one generation from this line. On the other hand the December emerged moths produced pupae in May and these also emerged in June, so from this line I shall have had two genera- tions. Pairing IL cannot vouch for the statements made in the Handbook, as I have not observed any pairings apart from a few pairs in the morn- ing that looked as if they had just separated. I pair my moths in a larva cage, muslin covered, 12” x 12” x 18”. When infertile ova have been obtained females have invariably been in excess of males. All pairings have occurred in a greenhouse, heated in winter at 15-25° C. The fact that the majority of ova laid were fertile proved that mating had, in fact, oc- curred. Brian O. C. GaRvINER (225). c) REVIEWS Motyli 3 (Lepidoptera vol. 3) by Dr. Rudolf Schwarz. pp. 157 x VII x 48 coloured plates. Prague, 1953. Czechoslavakian Academy publication. Price about 30/-? Atlas Motylu (Atlas of Lepidoptera) by Julius Komarek and Jaroslav Tykaé. pp. 118 x 48 coloured plates. Melantrich, Prague, 1952. Price about 27/6. The above two Czechoslavakian publications have just been received, and do not appear to have been re- viewed before in this country. Both are worthy of note. Lepidoptera vol. 3 deals with the Hawkmoths, Clearwings, and Plume Moths. The 48 coloured plates con- tain 497 figures, numbered con- secutively and fully annotated in the text by number, giving the Czech and scientific name. Besides a figure of each adult moth, larvae, -cocoons and food plant showing damage and pupation site is also given. A very considerable amount of work has clearly gone into the pre- paration of these. The coloured plates are of the highest standard and are superior to any produced in this country recently. For identification purposes alone they cannot be too strongly recom- mended. lt is doubtful if many people will be able to read the text which is of course in Czech. Tt starts off with a 15 check list of species. Although this book deals with Czech moths all the British species of Hawk, Clearwing, Cossidae and Plume Moths are included except tor the two Plumes Stenoptilia saxifragae Fletcher and Agdistis statices Mill. Several others not found in this country are of course also included. Following the check st is a short description of each species. While the order followed is unfamiliar to Knglish readers, a species can easily be traced through the index. Times of appearance of both adult and larva are given, together with food plants and a list of parasites. All this can be gathered without knowing a word of the language. It is rather surprising to see the far more extensive list of recorded food plants abroad than appears to be the case in this country and to the breeder this should be very useful. Finally comes the numerical list of the figures on the plates and the index, This latter seems complete and lists species both specifically and generically. Users should note that) (CH? is) listed; between. “El” ang.) and not under, “C.”. To anybody interested in Clear- wings or Plume Moths this is a book they should not be without and to others it is worth having for its plates alone. The second work Atlas of Lepidop- tera has plates of an equally high standard, Jt consists of a selection of Lepidoptera and about 500 species are illustrated including Micros and some larvae. Apart from a few Hawks the species described in the first book are not repeated. The text is an explanation of the plates as follows:—Latin name of species, Czech name; No. of genera- tions and time of appearance; Time of appearance of larva. Locality. (Presumably of specimen illustrated.) There is a separate index to Czech and latin names, unfortunately under genera only. This book is worth having for its plates at the very cheap price of anomt, 27 (Os Wiis) \doubutul ar © 48 plates of this quality could be pro- duced here at the price. Most of the species have a very English look about them and a number of the recent additions to the British list are included such as Nymphalis xantho- melus, Leucania virens and Inatha- codia deceptoria, Be. Cue. 16 Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Vol. 24; UP te: Coleoptera (Pselaphidae). By E. J. Pearce. Pp. 32: 41 figures. Price 6/-. Royal Entomological Society of London. June 1957. The Pselaphidae, being very small and difficult to find, have never en- joyed much popularity and, prior to the publication of this Handbook, idenification of the British species has been extremely difficult, if not impossible. The author, who is the recognised authority on the group in _ this country, has worked on them for many years and the Handbook now provides adequate keys and illustra- tions for the identification of the 50 species found in this country. Notes on killing, mounting and dissecting are included, because these minute beetles are difficult to handle, and the author has wisely considered it advisable to pass on his wide experience in this respect. He points out that in certain genera identification is a highly comparable undertaking, and really careful mounting is absolutely essential. Notes on distribution, so far as is known, are included in the keys and most of the illustrations are the work of Mrs. C. A. O’Brien. Following modern procedure, the two British species of Claviger are included in the Pselaphidae and are keyed off under their own sub-family Clavigerinae. Thereafter the sub- family Pselaphinae has been divided into two tribes, Euplectini and Pselaphini, which together embrace the remaining species. This Handbook, like the others in the series, is an essential for the serious student not only because it has been compiled by a specialist but because the older text books are now quite out of date. L. S. W. A CAGE FOR SMALL HIBERNAT- ING LARVAE Last year I bought .a copy of Practical Methods and Hints for FEBRUARY 1958 Lepidopterists, and saw the suggestion for a simple cage by Mr. J. H. Payne (Fig. 9). I thought this would be just the thing for my Jersey Tiger larvae whilst they were still small, but not having a glass-bottomed cardboard box, I used instead an old meat tin 4” in diameter and 2” deep. The top and bottom were cut out cleanly with a screw-type tin opener (which left the edges of the tin smooth). A piece of cellophane covered the front and a plece of fine muslin covered the back, each being held in place by a rubber band. As in the case of Mr. Payne’s cage, the stalk of the food- plant was pushed through a hole made in one side of the tin and rested in water in a 2 lb. jam jar (see sketch). GAUZE BACK HELD BY RUBBER BAND CELLOPHANE FRONT — HELD &Y RUEBER BAND I soon made another similar cage so that one could be cleaned whilst the other was in use, and in this way my larvae kept healthy and passed the winter months successfully. Although the general idea of my cage was not original, it has some advantages over that suggested by Mr. Payne, for the tin wears better than cardboard and can be scalded out with hot water. R. C. A. Hueues (2757). Printed by T. Buncle & Co. Ltd., Arbroath, and published by the Amateur Entomologist’s Society, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. 1958. LEPIDOPTERA COLOMBIA — EQUADOR — BOLIVIA — New Original Material Small light-trap specimens with many undescribed species, 100 ... £2. Upon request, preference to certain families, spec. Noctuidae, Geometridae.—Lot of Pieridae, Acraeidae, Mechanitidae, Satyridae, Nymphalidae, Heliconiidae of same regions up to 10,000 feet altitude, all unclassified and original, 100 ... £4 10/-. Also Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Homoptera of the same area. Local Argentina livestock in ova and cocoons—chrysalids. Payment to AES Treasurer. Orders over £6 air-mail free. er iE. H. WALZ, RECONQUISTA 453, BUENOS AIRES, R. ARGENTINA DATA LABELS 500 1000 ; : Rhee he : 4-line ...... Price 7/— 12/6 Printed in 4% point (Diamond) type que Pree 5/— 10/2 in multiples of 125 for one wording Bon ceeastans “Price 1) x Signs, - Other labels as required A.E.S. 1 WEST HAM LANE, LONDON E.15 ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE ne QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY Well illustrated Subscription: 26/- per year Free Sample Copy sent on request 22 Harlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE ~ NEW and SECOND-HAND | Large stocks of Separata and Reprints on all Orders and Entomological subjects Catalogues sent free on request _E. W. 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STALLWOOD, 19 33 $3 only novel but very useful to the Southfield Gardens, Str EDEETY Hill. 33 $3 beginner.” Twickenham, Middz. - 33 oe 7 + oe - rape < y $3 ETE 10) JSG LE ALIS Subscriptions (42/- per annum, 9/- for % 33 From all Booksellers Juniors) to: K. H. BoBe, 50 Winn ss $3 Road, Zee, London, S.E.42. 32 2 mie ae 3 tt Cc Youth mdatters to: =F. C.- Brown, ? 3 33 FREDERICK WARNE & vo. Ltd. 6 Osmond Gardens, Wallington, 3 5 $3 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2 Surrey. ie $3 33 oe oe 4 Ss = = BEE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION «OF FERS THE FOLLOWING AND OTHER FACILITIES TO i ee ENTOMOLOGISTS : 33 = " Use of lending library of books, journals and scientific reprints on bees 3: 3: * Use of library of English translations of important foreign publications = : *} * Loan of Exhibitions for shows and meetings, including Exhibition = | 33 of photographs and photomicrographs of bees es = , 3 PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: : ves e | 3; * Dictionary of beekeeping terms, English. French-Germang lees ae /6 3 3 board; 16/- cloth). This gives the equivalents in the four 3 | 3 languages of 1500 beekeeping and entomological terms 33 3 * Bee World—international scientific journal about bees oy ) : * Apicultural Abstracts—summaries of all important publications about 33 . | $ bees and allied subjects “Eg = Membership, £1 a year = = Write for details to the Director: oe | . 3 Dr. EVA CRANE, Woodside House, Chalfont Heights, = = 3 GERRARDS CROSS, Bucks. ecm $3 3 bOO55455544555555555555555HSSSSSSSSSoSb SSR 4555 4bRb LEAL eee ‘ msssssesseeeeseteeeeseee: eeeeoece eseeeteesetenstesetercertetereereeseserrertecersettetessereterere E No. 20/7 BULLETIN MARCH 1958 sas Za SUBSCRIBER’S NOTICE in connection with the survey of In- dustrial Melanism. He would be Dr. KETTLEWELL regrets that, due most grateful, however, if they could to the fact that he has unexpectedly continue to keep records in _ his to go to Brazil in connection with the absence of all those species about Darwin Centenary, he will be un- which he requested information last able to write individually to the year. He hopes to be back at the various people who are helping him beginning of May. a HQUSEFLIES lt has been stated in much entomological literature that the common housefly, Musca domestica L., is exceedingly common and can be found in almost any house during the summer. Fannia canicularis L. is usually mentioned as being present also, but in smaller numbers. Consequently, I was naturally surprised to find that M. domestica was totally absent from my home for over a year, while F. canicularis was quite abundant. At first I attributed this to some local peculiarity, but after making enquiries to a few friends I decided that M. domestica might indeed be less common generally than it used to be, hence this investigation. I have asked correspondents in various parts of England to make counts of their houseflies and send their results to me. Using these and my own observations I have been able to gain a rough idea of the constitution of the housefly population in 1957. Before attempting to deal with these results, I should like to give the reader some idea of the kinds of flies one finds in houses in England. There are a large number of species which inhabit houses, and these may be divided into three categories for the sake of convenience, namely ‘‘Houseflies’’, ‘“Domestic flies’, and ‘‘Casual flies’’. ‘‘Houseflies’’ are considered to be the Muscoid types (i.e., Muscidae and Calliphoridae), while ‘‘Domestic flies’’ includes all other flies which enter houses for a definite purpose. ‘‘Casual flies’? com- prise the remainder of specimens which make more or less vigorous efforts to escape into the open air. There are at least seven ‘‘Housefly’’ species which are known to be fairly commonly found indoors, and these are listed below. Musca domestica LL. (Common housefly). Fanma camcularis L. (Lesser housefly). Stomozxys calcitrans L. (Biting housefly, Biting stable-fly). Muscina stabulans L. (Non-biting stable-fly). Calliphora vomitoria L. (Bluebottle). Calliphora erythrocephala Mg. (Bluebotile). Musca autumnalis L. (Autumn fly). Te Cee eae a In addition, one might consider Fannia scalaris F. (Latrine fly) and Pollenia rudis F. (Cluster fly), though it seems that these are rarely found indoors nowadays. It is in the foregoing group that I am primarily interested, particularly the first three species in the list. The ‘‘Domestic flies’’ consist of a wide variety of species and have not been considered here. Species such as Culex pipiens L.. and Theobaldia annulata Shrank (Mosquitoes), Psychoda spp. (Mothflies), Drosophila spp. (Fruit flies, ee flies), and Piophila spp. (Cheese skippers), compose the main part of this group. Having considered the scope of houseflies in general, I will now deal with the three species in which I am most interested. M. domestica, F. canicularis, and §. calcitrans seem to constitute the main body of houseflies in England, though Bluebottles are often quite numerous. These three species are quite distinctive, and can easily be separated from each other. The following table will serve as a rough guide for identification, but it must be remembered that other species possessing similar appearances may also be found. 18 MARCH 1958 Musca lannia Stomoxys domestica lL. canicularis L. calcitrans L. Proboscis Soft, fleshy, retract-|Soft, fleshy, retractable. Rigid, horny, pointed, pro- able. jecting forwards. Arista Plumed dorsally Pubescent. Plumed dorsally only. and ventrally. Thorax 4 black stripes on/Dull greyish-black. 4% black siripes on light light grey back- grey background. sround. Broader. Narrower. Broader. Abdomen Dull grey with|Male: segs. 1 and 2 with a Light ~ erey with distinct darker median| pair of yellowish-opaque| dark brown spots and a stripe. Sides andj spots, remainder dull} darker median stripe. base often buff} grey. 5; coloured. Female: Dull grey with indications of spots on segs. 1 and Q. Wings V, sharply curved|V, straight. V, gently curved toward toward V,. Vv 3° A short note on the general appearance may help in the determination of a specimen in flight or at rest. Musca and Stomozys are about the same size and coloration, but Stomoxys can be recognised immediately on account of its prominently projecting proboscis. Fannia is rather more slender than either of the other two, and the males possess characteristic pairs of semi-transparent spots on the abdomen, which are very obvious. The females are undistinguished- looking and require closer attention. The accompanying drawings, though not strictly accurate, illustrate the main features of these specres and may serve as an additional aid to identification. LIFE-HISTORIES Musca domestica L. Each female is capable of laying up to 900 eggs in about five or six batches. The egg, which is 1 mm. long and shining white, takes 10 hours to hatch out. The emergent larva is a small, white, legless maggot, cylindrical in shape and tapering off toward the head end. The posterior (blunt) end bears a pair of prominent spiracles. The larvae will feed on almost any kind of organic refuse, including manure-heaps and kitchen refuse, pro- vided that conditions are suitable. After a week the larva is fully fed, and migrates to drier ground for pupation. The puparium is a seed-like object, and gradually changes from yellow to black as the development of the pupa proceeds. After about five or six days the adult emerges. The adults live for two or three weeks; longer if the w eather is cool and dull. They are commonest in the autumn, that is, late July, August and September. Fann canicularis L. The life history of this species is different in many respects from that of Musca, but in general the development times are similar. The eggs are peculiar in that they possess two float-like processes developed from the outer covering, enabling the eggs to float on the semi-liquid larval food. The larvae, too, are unusual, for each segment bears two pairs of spinous pro- tuberances, these being used in floating and locomotion. The larvae feed on organic refuse but prefer a cooler and more liquid medium than does Musca. However, many Fannia larvae may be found in very much drier situations, such as old rags and the soil of chicken runs. The pupa is similar to that of Musca. The adults seems to be common throughout the whole of spring, summer and autumn. Stomoxys calcitrans L. The eggs, larvae and pupae are all closely similar to those of Musca, but the larvae may be recognised by the different form of the posterior spiracles. The larvae breed in moist decaying vegetable matter, such as stable-litter, hay, straw and horse-manure. The adults are, of course, notable on account of their probosces and blood- sucking habit. Horses and cattle seem to suffer most from their attentions, but other animals and human beings are occasionally attacked. INVESTIGATION This investigation was carried out to determine the relative frequencies of Musca domestica and Fannia canicularis. I have received a series of reports from several correspondents, and these are summarised below. AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 19 Musca DOMESTICA Linnaeus 9? >< Aue midS) STOMOXYS GAC ti Re RIMS) | Linnaeus .g ae lhl 20 MARCH 1958 PLACE MONTH Musca Fannia Stomoxys Others i, i) |) eee ——FTATAOEe— ——— Ss Eee | Oa | ee London April (3) 3 May (2) 4 ‘jJune (1) 2 —_$$$<<@<@2£o<—@— — jee a 2, | os ———_— —— ————— |_ —— Lancaster April (4) 2 May (3) 20 July (3) 1 25 —<—<———————$—$<<——_ | OE ————— | nel 7 ee —__—<$<—<—_$_— | ————— ee) |) eed ee Nottingham | April (4) (House) ee (4) > = 99 Tie (= a = Saat & a = rare a wwe Wwe Fe ocd or ( Dec (Factory) March (3) April (5) May (3) July (4) Sept. (11) 1 Oct. (43) 1 Nov. (2) Dec. (1) 1 ————— ee Totals 13 229 6 8& Percentages 3-9% 68-1% 1-8%, - 96-2% js je tw © 0 © OW nwror (Note: The figures in brackets after the months denote the number of days on which counts were made.) From the above figures it is easy to see that Fannia is definitely the com- monest housefly present, since it forms nearly 70% of the housefly population. Musca is very poorly represented, while Stomoxys is even scarcer. Thus it seems that there has been a radical change in the constitution of the housefly popula- tion during recent years. Another correspondent living near Norwich has made an excellent series of daily counts which I have been able to convert into comparative histograms. The details of the house, etce., are as follows: ‘‘Counts made in living-room of a country cottage in a village street, in Great Moulton, nr. Norwich. 1 acre of garden behind the house. Agricultural land with plenty of trees in hedges’’. It will be seen from the histograms that there are no records for the latter part of June and all of July, when the room was closed for alterations. Four other days are also without records for other reasons, but apart from these gaps regular daily counts were made, and a short note of the weather also recorded. (To be continued) R. UNDERWOOD (2338%*). - THE PERILS OF BEING A witnessed the following attacks that CABBAGE WHITE have been made on its various stages from time to time by various para- It really is a remarkable fact that sites and predators. It should be Pieris brassicae Linn. is so common borne in mind that this is also a in view of the perils to which it is species that is distasteful to most exposed. Having bred large num- predators, and is usually rejected bers over the past few years I have after a few attempts by most birds. AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 Ova, This is the only stage that I have not seen attacked or _ para- sitised at all. Larva. A very dangerous age. Young larvae are attacked by the parasite Apanteles glomeratus Linn. In some instances wild collected larvae have been 100% parasitised. A. glomeratus itself does not always get away with it, as Hemiteles ful- vipes Jinn. in turn _ parasitises glomeratus. Parasitised or not, the larva is then eaten by various predators. Black Ants, Wasps and Thrushes (the only bird) will all eat the larvae. Having survived all these dangers it will then succumb to virus disease. Pupae. Having managed _ to 21 pupate, the parasites Pteromalus puparum Linn. and Pimpla instigator Fab. move in, closely followed by bacterial disease. Imago. After surviving all these dangers and becoming adult, the unfortunate butterfly is then eaten by wasps, mice (I had over 100 cleared in a night once, but they left the wings!) and _ occasionally birds. Since a female is capable of laying some 600 eggs and only two need survive to become adult. and continue the stock, at least 99-66% can fall by the wayside to the dangers lurking in wait. Surprisingly the Cabbage ‘White remains common. Brian O. C. GARDINER (225). THE RHOPALOCERA OF GLAMORGANSHIRE The following is a list of some of the Rhopalocera of Glamorgan, and is compiled from my own observations and cabinet specimens. Note: a. * denotes specimen released after capture. b. The following numbers are used for listing the named localities : — 1. Cross Inn Village 9. Miskin Village 2. Porthandro Wood 10. Mwyndy Cross 3. Llwynmilwas 11. Llwyn-y-brain 4. Rhiwsaeson 12. Rhiwbrwdwal 5. Tor-y-coed 13. Hendrescythan 6. Llanelay 14. Brofiscen 7. Llantrisant Common 15. Cefn-pare 8. Caerau CONS / MYNYDD (AL @ARTH f\ Cees Been eee : C Yi a & 2) - 8 oh ro ns ' wala © i9 & Ke I poet 3k) ( " 4 ; {is 4 B A 2° em § (ka F v Se = Sy G ir es Be P27 4 beans Sw) = f 9 2Qxd~ + ei e ‘: te LaGy By FR 6 —BRe mae \ VAs H aS “hb oh 5k i BR rby. Vt 4 None M & oN rn eek cd ee GC) 3 \ &' Beceem (a (oe BL ONTYCLUN warm Z @ at ee I + pe mabae 33 a SD) Ro — -FAEN %> } \ ee \ Ds 4 ~ £ 22 MARCH 1958 Name Daie Number Locality Remarks Captured Taken RHOPALOCERA SATYRIDAE Pararge aegeria Linn. Hl RT i igs a WS ew ES Found in all woods and (Speckled Wood) lanes Dira megera Linn. 1 DEES | a LOY dss Common in all places (Wall) Eumenis semele Linn. DT Sy/ a Beatty I P/M sieer de HG) Abundant most years (Grayling) Maniola tithonus Linn. Dieta 1X ft tO. A common insect in its (Gatekeeper or Hedge haunts Brown) Maniola jurtina Linn. 13. 6.57 12 tO.ds Common in all meadow (Meadow Brown) land Coenonympnha pamphilus 5) boi 1d 16.45 Very common everywhere Linn. (Small Heath) Aphantopus hyperantus Linn. 13. 6.57 4 10) les Common in all meadow (Ringlet) Jand NYMPHALIDAE Argynnis selene Schiff. 5 6.50 AAS Bracken fires have drasti- (Small Pearl Bordered cally reduced numbers Fritillary) Argynnis euphrosyne Linn. Dw eT 1 GATS aD Common in its haunts (Pearl Bordered Fritillary) % Argynnis aglaja Linn. 308) | ay A An 3 4 oe Some years entirely absent (Dark Green Fritillary) Argynnis paphia Linn. 28. 8.43 4 (Silver-Washed Fritillary) 25. 8.44 Ae els Rather rare: only single PARES 3 1 specimens observed since 1941 Euphydryas aurinea Rott. 20. 8.57 a RE 3S Common in its haunts (Marsh Fritillary) 18. 6.57 pace Vanessa atalanta Linn. 2.11.57 a Ns Key Fee a LS) Generally common (Red Admiral) Vanessa cardui Linn. 410. 8.55 7 Naas te Jeb ts Entirely absent during (Painted Lady) 14.10.56 4% 1957 Aglais urticae Linn. fas 16157 1A es 15. Found everywhere: very (Small Tortoiseshell) common Nymphalis io Linn. 20. 8.57 i= Sp ted A common insect (Peacock) Polygonia c-album Linn. 9. 9.52 5 be Entirely absent during (Comma) 14. 8.55 5 Lan ws Lg fo 1957 28. 9.56 1 LYCAENIDAE Polyommatus icarus Rott. 412. 857 1* Sarto 15 A common insect, found (Common Blue) everywhere Celastrina argiolus Linn. 29. 8.42 AH 2-8 Rather rare (Holly Blue) 14. 7.57 i: Lycaena phlaeas Linn. 14. 8.57 ra ries Common everywhere (Small Copper) Callophrys rubi Linn. 19 5 ae A* syerg Very local (Green Hairstreak) Thecla quercus Linn. 8. 7.52 Ley Rare. This is the only (Purple Hairstreak) specimen recorded since 1940 PIERIDAE Pieris brassicae Linn. 18.857 ~s Subscriptions (42/- per annum, 9/- for Juniors) to: K. H. Bose. 50 Winn Road, Lee, a S.E.12. Youth meaiiers to- 5 Cc. BROWN, 6 Osmond Gardens. Watlington, Surrey. BACK e 2 ee AES BULLETIN 1s. 3d. a copy are available from :— B.. Le J; BYERELEY, 3 Courtfield Crescent, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex Complete volumes with covers and index Volume 7, 1946-8 232 pp. 21s. Volume 8,1949 96pp. 10s. o Ls SHTSSSESSHtSStteR ieee tees settee iteey fr) a. 1 $233: on a. Volume 10,1951 124pp. 10s. Volume 11,1952 116pp. 12s. a » Volume 13, 1954 1l16pp. 12s. Volume 14, 1955 100 pp. 12s. Volume 15, 1956 120 pp. 12s. 6d. 3 Volume 16, 1957 96 pp. 12s. 6d. + From ed) AES, 1 WEST HAM LANE, LONDON, E.15 = No. 208 BULLETIN APRIL 1958 HOUSEFLIES (Concluded from p. 20) Points oF INTEREST 1. F. canicularis is by far the commonest housefly. 2. Calliphora spp. (Bluebottles) seem to be next in numbers. 3. S. calcitrans and M. domestica are comparatively scarce. 4. Fannia appears to have a series of peak periods, possibly indicating emergences of successive broods. 5. The weather seems to play little part in controlling the numbers of species, but if anything, cold wet weather tends to reduce the numbers. 6. All species are in evidence throughout the year except Stomoxys, which is only present in summer and autumn. Although not shown in the histograms, it was noted that there were more male Fannia than female, and that there were more female Musca than male. The sexes were more or less equally distributed in the other species. “I Tt is now evident that M. domestica is indeed much scarcer than it used to be, and that the Lesser housefly is by far the commonest of the three flies under consideration. There are a number of possible reasons for this change, and some of these are given below. 1. Improvement of sanitation conditions. The main change, of course, is the replacement of ash-pits by regularly-emptied dustbins. This has eliminated many thousands of possible breeding places of houseflies, particularly Musca. Slum clearance schemes are also contributing to reduction of flies. In fact, the general rise of the standard of living has been, and still is, a very important factor in this matter. 2. With the advent and growth of the motor vehicle industry, the use of horses for transport and cther purposes has diminished considerably, and there has been a consequent reduction in the number of horses in this country. A corresponding disappearance of horse-manure and middens has led to further elimination of breeding-grounds. This might well selectively reduce Musca, which breeds prolifically in middens, while Fannia, which prefers a more liquid breeding-ground would remain relatively unaffected. However, this has not been proved. yet, and so may not be the case. 3. The increasing use of insecticides is also having an adverse effect on the housefly population. Many new and deadly compounds are being brought out to kill off more and more flies and to overcome resistant strains. Here, again, is another possibility of selective destruction. It has been confirmed that all the large insecticide-producing firms use M. domestica as their test subjects. I+ is possible that chemicals are being produced which, though deadly to Musca, are not quite so lethal to Fannia. Yet another possibility is that the insecticides are being used in positions visited by Musca and not by Fannia. Again, there is no definite proof. 4. Finally, the weather may be a controlling factor. It may be that the cold, wet summers that we have had recently have killed off large numbers of Musca, which likes a warm, moist (not wet) medium. Fannia, on the other hand, flourishes in a cooler semi-liquid breeding-ground. These are just four possible factors responsible for the decline of the Com- mon housefly, and there are probably several others which are not yet obvious. Last year I made an appeal for help in this survey and the response was sufficiently great to justify the writing of this article. I shall be conducting a similar survey this year, and I make another appeal for housefly counts through- out the coming year. Perhaps those members who are not dipterists were dis- oO a B or) co c = = Bo an Fei) "ees | Aa) ja ® = - =< £ : ne) ay aay 5 1 = ” - 2 ! xe ° we yY) > 5 lm = nae Z Pay 3 raEES se mE 7 oe fe O | Ld [ Ww | at Le a F = ‘ | | ea Les | : 9 ae = 3 wie eae et Bo 7 : 4 uf Vy a = Q z : 3 O z 3 Re ‘ a | fe € i 4 ae eee : oe jee io 4 a Fe oe J aa ie “+I E 3 Sees ’ : Solar | / 3141S 16 (71819 OV i2Vs } fe ¢ g B ro MAIRGH lanlp S Pa} = a ce >! a w wR E : SEER 434 19925 3 3 % 31 319 SS 3 3 Z=Th “{ > ae 3] 31 Ul ol S & si a HZ — S r yy : = See . S| 3 J J ee 3 4 4s = to ! : z : ; 3 =f BEER bene a Ss wy) ) 3 S = Y 4 wo) 27 ~ { AES BULLETIN VOL. 1 SE CALLI PHORA 1) i / i ee al STOMOXYS CALCITRANS L. qe O BS/IERVATIO FANNIA CANICULARIS St NS a ae a, (2G TOW APA: 2) 2 omg eat ~ of 4 a mI 4 J Ad x 5 SAI 5S7IaYW aaKq : 9 4 8 C) I 7 de] At dq 4 4 4 i 9 Y - \ Han He =e is a 4 MY wi ty 9 od + = = s 14a < a re os » gy xo 2 J =] d 2, p ty A M/A Co ze, SO I Al a dc = Y SN J the | 3 3 order and sufficient to cover postage must be ge Es ‘Postage a 33 on one leaflet is 2d. imsesessesezeseezensesecsesezseseseaseseneesesensesenesesensesensesesensesengsesenseseseneseseesezeMm PPPSPOPOSOSHO SLOP POSS OSLODLOHD OOOO ODO SOOO OOO OOOO DO SOHO DUD ODOD OOS OOOO SOTO OSOOS VOSS SVOCETOVOOS eoeee -= THE BULLETIN Of. & THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY World List abbreviation : Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD oSSSoSSo5SSS9559556555-95 SS SSSoSSSSS ESS SSSSSSS4 99559 SSS 9S SSSS SSS SSSO9SS-555SS5 550 SS 5S555055955D5S554 | SHSSSSSS SOSH SH FHSS OG SS SOSH SH HS SS OSOSSSSOHSH SOS SOOO HGOOHDOGOSHSO HOODOO OHO EES OOS EE SOLO OOESOOESHOOOOOOOOSD Va be oo ° of =? BY POND oe ee =: AND LAKE a 3 by CECILY M. RUTLEY :3 This is an ideal introduction to the ¢¢ absorbing world of ponds and lakes :s for younger readers. It covers all 33 forms of life, both animal and plant, ¢¢ to be found in these waters, includ- $$ ing chapters on moths and water tg insects. There are numerous illus- :: trations in line and 4 colour plates. $3 6S. net. 3 THE OBSERVER’S BOOK OF 3 POND LIFE $3 by JOHN CLEGG, r.r.m.s. ¢¢ The author, who is a well-known 33 authority on the subjects, describes ¢¢ all types of life to be found in fresh- ss water ponds. There are 32 colour $3 plates backed with half-tone and line ¢¢ drawings. 5s. net. Be From all Booksellers :?} FREDERICK WARNE & Co. Ltd. <3 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2 ° oe oe oo ee oe - ze Members can help the Society in $3 several ways:— $3 (a) By dealing with advertisers 2 - and mentioning the Bulletin. 33 (b) By bringing in new members. % (Subscription, 12/- per annum. 33 Juniors, 9/- per annum.) 33 (c) By buying AES publications 33 and suggesting Public Libraries 33 should buy them. 3 (d) By friendly co-operation with 33 other members. 33 (e) By taking just that extra bit $3 of trouble required to record 33 happenings of note for the $3 Bulletin. POSSESSES SESS SESS SOS ESOS OOS OSHO SOS OESOOS ESOS OOS OSES ES ES OSOD OS OS OLED OL OSES OSES OD OEOOSOOESOLOSOOOD i oe : : PESSSSsSSSese esos sso Ssoessedssosssssssstotssssssssesssosstesssssepesesssese sess sess se ee ses et f- AES NOTICE WHERE TO WRITE Membership applications, offers of help $3 _ to: D. OLLEVANT, 3 Salcombe Drive, 3m Morden, Surrey. : eo Advertisers 10.) R. Di HIEETARD) 754 Gyles § Park, Stanmore, Middlesex. Changes of address and non-arrival of 33 Bulletins to: B. L. J. BYERLEY, 33% Courtfield Crescent, Harrow-on-the- 3% Hill, Middlesex. 39 Offers to lead Field Meetings, exhibit 33 etc., to: S. M. HANSON, 167 Gunners- $3 bury Park, London, W.5. _- oe oe Manuscripts, drawings and. books for $3 4 review tO =B2 Re BSTAEL WOOD, —4ai¢¢ Southfield Gardens, Strawberry Hill, $3 Twickenham, Middz. 33 .- cy = . 2 - Subscriptions (12/- per annum, 9/- for 33 4 Juniors) to: K. H. Bose, 50 Winn $3 Road, Lee, London, S.E.12. Bie? oe Youth matters to: Eo GC. BROWN, $$ 6 Osmond Gardens, Wallington, $ Surrey. LEAFLET No. 28 — KILLING, SETTING and STORING BUTTERFLIES and MOTHS Price 9d (Postage 2d) from A.ES 1 WEST HAM LANE LONDON, E.15. seasesssssssssearesss? ee ~ =e ee ing vx ~ ~ a . | AY E Ss BULLETIN No. 210 JUNE 1958 THE COUNCIL’S REPORT, 1957 The number of subscriptions paid for 1957 was 847, and adding those members joining from the first of September, whose subscriptions cover 1958, the final membership for the year was 886, made up of 659 ordinary and affiliate, 227 Junior and 4 Honorary Members. The Bulletin was published regularly each month and the Youth Secretary, despite illness, succeeded in publishing eleven Junior News Sheets. Mr. W. R. Smith gave a popular lecture and showed some very fine colour slides of insects at the A.G.M. in March. The Annual Exhibition was again held at Buckingham Gate School in September. The attendance was as good as last year and the Exhibition was a success. The Council are very grateful to Mr. S. M. Hanson, who despite difficulties organised it so well; to the ladies who organised the teas; and to Mr EK. E. Syms who gave a talk. The Society also exhibited at the Association of School Natural History Societies’ Exhibition in London in October, where members of the Society were able to give advice to school- children. The Council regret to report the death in tragic circumstances of Mr. L. C. Bushby who did much for the Society. After the winter season of 1956-57 the Council agreed to close the Lon- don Meetings Group. It had to be self-supporting, and it was evident that it would not continue to do so. As an experiment, the Council agreed that three Winter Meetings would be held in London. The first of these, held at Caxton Hall, had an attend- ance of thirty-one. By kind invitation of Mr. L. Parmenter, many members took the opportunity of being invited to the Field Meetings held by the Entomological Section of the London Natural History Society. Reports of the Study Groups will appear separately in the Bulletin, but members are reminded that the following groups are active:— Dipterists, Microlepidopterists, Micro- scopy, Pupal Emergence, Fleas, Melanism, Ecology of the Elephant Hawk and Study of the Wainscots. Information concerning them may be obtained either from the Convenors, or, if not known, from the Secretary. Under the chairmanship for the first quarter of Mr. S. M. Hanson and for the rest of the .yearwot Mr. Ko: Side, the Council has met six times. The Council would like to take this opportunity of showing their apprecia- tion to three members, not on the Council, who are doing a great deal of helpful work for the Society. They are the members who: duplicate the Society’s notices, organise and duplicate the Bulletin envelopes and print the Data Labels. It may be of interest to know that the printer of the Data Labels has recently printed his 100,000 label since taking over. As will be seen by the membership figures, there has been a slight fall in membership since 1956 and the Coun- cil hopes that members will co- operate in combating this by taking an active interest in the Society and recruiting more members. D. Ortevant, Hon. Secretary. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIPTERISTS’ STUDY GROUP, 1957 Bulletins have been circulated to 20 members during the year. They have included original identification keys, habit and distribution data and reprints of articles by members and friends. An increase has been noted in the number of articles published by members in the AKS Bulletin and elsewhere. A lecture, illustrated in colour, was given to the Society in London by Mr B. L. J. Byerley, F.R.E.S., on the Conopidae and other Diptera. With members serv- ing overseas there has been a little delay in circulation of the Bulletins but to be able to keep contact is worth a little slackening of speed. L. PARMENTER (895), Convenor. 3 o'9) JUNE 1958 BREEDING THE ERI SILK-MOTH (PHILOSAMIA CYNTHIA DRURY RACE RICINI.) This article is not in any way in- tended to be a piece of research, but merely my own observations on the matamorphosis of two imagines resulting from two of a batch of specially observed cocoons, and their offspring. The temperature range throughout was between approxi- mately 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The two original larvae spun up simultaneously sometime between 12 o’clock and i p.m. on Sunday, January 5th. (The Winter date is not significant owing to the artificial conditions, and so I will henceforward refer to the days by numbers after this date.) As soon as the time required for pupation to finish had elapsed, the cocoons were removed from the larval breeding-cage, and placed in my pupae-cage. This con- sists quite simply of an aquarium loosely lined with paper, up which the freshly emerged moths climb to expand their wings, and having the bottom covered with layers’ of moistened absorbent cloth, on which the cocoons are placed. The whole is covered with a lid of perforated zine, providing good aeration and a footing for emerging imagines. I keep this above a stove, where it dries up, and so I replenish it with warm water sprayed from a _ water-pistol once daily. The first to emerge was a male, at 10 a.m. on the 38th day, soon followed at 1 p.m. by the female. Wing ex- panding took about 15 minutes, and hardening 14 hours. The imagines were then transferred to a_pairing- cage, a large wooden box about the size of a tea- chest, well aerated and lined with cloth on which the imagines sit and lay eggs which can then be separated into small batches. Pairing began at 5.50 p.m., both parents staying on the cage wall and not with the male hanging as is often the case. Although the Sikmoth Rearer’s Handbook says that pairing takes place at dusk, I do not think this is anything more than a co- incidence, as their box is quite dark and kept in artificial conditions in an electrically lighted room. Pairing finished after 392 hours, when they separated but did not crawl apart. The male was then removed and killed for use as a cabinet specimen. On later measurement it was found that the male was larger than the female, their wing-spans being: male, 13:5 ems., and female, 12-5 cms. The female did not lay for three days (42nd day), much longer than I had expected, and, I believe, than is normal. The long delay did not seem to affect her, however, and be- tween 9.45 p.m. on the 42nd day and 7.40 a.m. on the 43rd day (when laying finished) she deposited 187 ova. These were not placed in orderly rows, but in an irregular’ mound, so that larvae emerging from those in the centre could not get out. She was then removed to join her mate in the cabinet. I then carefully soaked off each ovum and transferred them to my home-made and self-designed storage trays. These were inspired by an idea in the Handbook, and are a modification of one there suggested. I make them by taking a piece of 2” x14” xi”: balsa wood, and hollowing out the centre to a depth of 3” either in one large groove or several small ones. The ova I arrange carefully in these grooves while still moist, and they stick in place on drying, just as if deposited there. At each corner I stick in a pin from underneath to form a tray on stilts. This whole is then placed in a jar having the bot- tom covered with water to a depth of 2” or so. Juniors) to: K. H. Bose, 50 Winn $$ Road, Lee, London, S.E.12. C. .BROWN, Wallington, % of Youth. -matiers 10 6 Osmond Gardens, Surrey. pesessss: settee: : 33 * Apicultural Abstracts—summaries of all important poles about = bees and allied subjects 33 Membership, £1 a year “Ss = Write for details to the Director: :; ey 9 Ss $3 Dr. EVA CRANE, Woodside House, Chalfont Heights, sae SS 33 GERRARDS CROSS, Bucks.~ | - # oe | Rae heey SHSSSSSSSSSHSSSSHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOSSSSOSSSSOSSSOOS Peecccccccccecoosesscccereceereoceseseses 33333 > i ehh al alae tc bata nt a eh oe oa *) A E —S BULLETIN No. 211 JULY 1958 ADDITIONS TO MEMBERSHIP SINCE JUNE 1956 The abbreviations of interests are the same as previous list. Members are requested to notify B. L. J. Byerley, 3 Courtfield Crescent, Har- row, Middx., of changes of address and biological interests. Please add your membership number to all correspondence. The highest number in this list is No. 29381. Ackland, D. M. (2763), Richmond Pk. _ Rd., Bristol, 8. (ML.) Allerton, ols (2749*), 53 Laurel Way, Totteridge, N.20. (L.) Allen, P. F. (2931*), 109a Shooters Hill Rd., Blackheath, S.E.3. (C.) Anderson, D. W. S. (2809*), Moray, Claremont Drive, Esher, Surrey. (L.) Andrew, E. (2828), Endfield, Station Road, Monkton, Ayrshire. (L., G0 oe) 2 Archer, J.. R. (2883*), 15 Hillview Terrace, Edinburgh, 4. (L.) Aspden, E. G. (2724*), Lanreath, North Charford Estate, Hale, nr. Fordingbridge, Hants. (L.) mien Miss HK. TI: (2839*), Knowles Hill A Newton Abbot, ee ae 0.) Austwick, M. (2794*), 24 Ash Rd., aan. me Warrington, Lancs. Bacchus, N. 'C. S. (2785 *), 237 Alces- ter Rd. South, King’s Heath, Birmingham, 14. (L. Baker, R. F. (2750*), Little Massetts, Massetts Rd., Horley, Surrey. (2810), 6 Hazel Rd., Rednal, nr. Birming- ham. (L.) Barfoot, R. A. (2873*), 49 Borwick Ave., Walthamstow, E.17. (L.) Barham, C. S. (2796), 19 Westbury Rd., Ipswich, Suffolk. (C.) Beck, W. (2930), 18 Aspin Lane, Knaresbrough, Yorks. (L., O., ff.) Bick, Julio (2711), Caixa Postal 5760, Sad Paulo, Brazil. (R.) Biddlecombe, R. C. (2818*), 22 Braith- waite Gdns., Stanmore, Middx. (L.) Bignall, J. (2722*), Berry Barton, Aviary Rd., Pyrford, Woking, Surrey. (L.) Top Flat, 9 Clifton, me. (12.) Baker, R. T. Rubery, Ke (2696*), 542 Dun- stable Rd., Luton, Beds. (L.) Bingham, Bizley, D. (2860*), 24 Waddington Way, Upper Norwood, S.H.19. (L.) Blackman, T. M. (2882), 2450 Vista Drive, Upland, California, U.S.A. (L.) Blok, Sat (2000) at 45. Hooks iralle eaudersieed, Surrey. (R.) Bloom, (2790), School House, aoe aed Evesham, Worcs. (Ei ek Ga Blunt, W. H. (2811*), 26 Partridge Rd.., mek Birmingham, 26. ie De Ce) Bobbitt, ay Cy ve(et).. 27 “Rydal Gdns., Wembley, Middx. (L.) Bowman, J. E. (2867*), 10 Westfields, Worsbrough Bridge, Barnsley, Yorks; (C:) Bowley, R. O. (2726), Little St., Cross, Weydown Rd., Haslemere, Surrey. (C.) Bowne.) Ss. 2k. (29037).0 Parbrook Lodge, Parbrook, Glastonbury, Somerset. (L.) DIP y wae ware 5 Cambridge Gate, IN? WW ay (©) Broomfield, R. W. (2855*), 78 Court Rd., Malvern, Worcs. (L. Brown, Deg A (2723*), 28 Mill Radi Wellingborough, Northants. (ly Brown, J. (2889), 94 The Grove, Park- town, Pretoria, S. Africa. Brown, P. (2819), 19 Sleapslyde Lane, Smallford, nr. St. Albans, Herts. (le Os) Boswell, P. A.: (2853*), 7 Bishop Manor Rd., Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. (L.) Bucknell, M. A. (2689*), 5 Eastland Ave., West Hartlepool, Co. Dur- ham. (L.) Buck sew: Hay Aa. .2877)2 the, Hall Farm, Stockbury, nr. Sitting- bourne, Kent. (L.) Bunnett, M. A. (2725*), 45 Lloyd Rd., Worcester Pk surrey, | (L:) Bunting, Miss B. A. (2733), Peri- planeta, Silver St., Thorne, Don- caster, Yorks. (C., ent.) Burrows, D. S. (2829), 22 Lime Tree a) West Wickham, Kent. ( Butler, R. (2841), Box 1057, Southern Pines, North Carolina, U.S.A. (L.) A2 Button, J. E. (2759*), Locks Cottage, Porlock, Minehead, Som. (gen. ent.) Caesar, C. (2842), 31 St ee Ave., lice. Surrey. (L.) Campbell, A ees (2795), 36 Ormesby Drive, Potters Bar, Middx. (L.) Campbell, N. W., No. 1912410, Cpl., (2878), 36 Wellington 1FGL el bikala Lindholme, Doncaster, Yorks. D.) AL Be (2702) aa Uxbridge Rd., Acton, W.3. is) Catcheside, B. 7. (6803), ‘142 North- croft Rd., Wiis. (C7 ii. enit>) Chapman, A. 1D (2773*), The Laurels, Bishop Sutton, Bristol. (L., Carr: °%) H.) Chappell, J. D. (2754), 144 Crompton St., New Houghton, nr. Mans- field, Notts. (Chilopoda.) Charles, RB. 6. (2816*), 16 Greenfield Cres., Withdean, Brighton, 6, Sussex. (L.) Christopherson, Cy 7 Ta(2782>), 0 Monks Walk, Reigate, Surrey. (ent. ) Clark, C. J. (2862*), 254 Ashingdon Rd., Rochford, Essex. (L.) Clayesmore Nat. Hist. Soc. (26987), Clayesmore School, 1 Werne Minster, nr. Blandford, Dorset. Gi lictaO.O)-sOrth) Claypole, ie Cl ” (2688*), 196 Lawrence Mill Hill, N. Wed Cle Collingg, PAV (2904*), 25 Victor. St., Heavitree, Exeter, Devon. (L.) Cornell, G. (2708*), 123 Banstead Rd., Carshalton, Surrey. (L.) Cornes, M. A. (2800), Bretby Court, Bretby, Burton-on-Trent (O., L., C.) Cosier, P. (2771*), Mill House, Bourne Rd., Bexley, Kent. (L.) Cramp, P. J. (2775*), Hazelwick, Oldfield Rd., Horley, Surrey. (L.) Crapnell, V. S. (2788); Hollins House, Cain Lane, Southowran, Halifax, Yorks. (We. labs Be) Crow, Pl Ne ee als. ese (Gos) peel: Roundwood Pk., Harpenden, lelsragse mec ((Ugw ON, De H., Het.) Davis, C. (2881), iy Battersea Pk. Rad., S.W.11. L.) Dennis, D. A. (2a69") 57 Nightingale Rd., Rickmansworth, Herts. (L.) Dickinson, Miss W. (2766*), 36 Park End Rd., Romford, Essex. di) Downing, J. C. R. (2701), 118 New- port: Rds, Cardiff, ‘Glam. +R.) Drayson, P. S. (2835*), 14 Sander- stead Hill, Sanderstead, Surrey. (2748*), 38 The Moor Kent. Gir €.) (R.) Ducker, J. B. Rd., Sevenoaks, ‘ JULY 1958 Dunkley, Miss J. (2740), Holt Hall, Holt,, Norfolk ee) Dunmore-Smith, S. J. (2832), Fair- hill, Warwick Rd., Coventry, Wiarks. “(C.) Earwaker, F. L. bourne Rd., (i) Kastham, M. (2758), Bank Top Cot- tage, Gallows Lane, Dutton, Longridge, Preston, Lancs. (ent. of Stored Foods and _ Green- houses.) Edwards, H. G. (2884), Tonbridge School, Tonbridge, Kent. (L.) Elliott, B. (2792), 9 Newbold Ave., Chesterfield, Derbyshire. (L.) England, W. EH. (2929), 7 Tea Garden Terrace, Sheffield, 4, Yorks. (L.) Evans, A. W. (2901), 20 Yule Road, Coventry. (L.) Farmiloe, C. (2738) 8 Nottingham Place, Wale Cie) Firth, J. W. (2789), 27 St Wenneres Cres., Horndean, Heaths, H., L.) Fletcher, B. S. (277 Tas yi Moor End, Beeley, nr. Matlock, Derby- hae Opens Forster, P. (2781* ys Balam Low House, Belsay, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Fraser, J. K. (2802), 401 Merville Merville Garden Village, Waite- house, Belfast. (D.) Fraser, K. (2834*), Blairbeth, Amati- kulu, Zululand, S. Africa. Friend, M. J. (2786*), 160 Brocken- hurst Ave., Worcester Park, Sur- rey. (2876*), Hollycroft, A. (2887), 83 Fish- Chichester, Sussex. (1.) Garrard. Gs Ac Grove Lane, Chiswell Row, Essex. (C., OF Garrett, P. (2817), 5 Grangeway Gdns., Ilford, Essex. (Csackis) Goodings, E. P. (2850), 10 Firs Drive, Harrogate, Yorks. (L.) Grammar School, The (2844T), Bond St., Burton-on-Trent. Grawger, B. (2833*), Adanwal, The Glade, Fetcham, Surrey. (L.) Greenop, I. M. (2741*), 21 Uffington Rd., S.E.27.. (gen. ent.) Greenop, L. F, W.. (2789), 21- Uffing- ton Rd., S.E.27. (gen. ent.) Gregg, P. (2761). 27 Mynachdy Rd., Mynachdy, Cardiff, Glam. (C., L.) Gundry, J. C. (2865*), The Hyde, Bridport, Dorset. ) Haig, G. (2585), 32 Duke Ave., Theydon Bois, Essex. (L.) Hammond, P. M. (2888*), 211 Beehive La, Chelmsford, Essex. (C., AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 43 Harman, A. J. E. (2721), 15 Lynton ie aa Bai) Hissexs* (L., .) ee R. (2838*), 77 Countess Drive, Denton Burn, Newcastle-upon- Myne, 5. (L..C., ent.) Harris, T. A. (2793), 66 Elmbridge Ave., Surbiton, Surrey. (L.) Hart; ©. J. (2801), 77 Westrow Drive, Barking, Essex. (L., O.) Hart, G. (2837%*), “1413 Paisley Rd., West, Glasgow, S.W.2. (L., C.) Harvey, B. (2744), 20 East St., New- ton Abbott, Devon. : Hawksworth, R. (2806), The Croft, Beeley, Matlock, Derbyshire. (L.) Heap, Miss A. M. (2875), Libraries, Museums and Art Gallery Ad- ministration, Cow Lane, Coven- fyeearks. (CO... 'D., EH) Hearne, K. C. (2880), 47 Windsor Rd., Worthing, Sussex. (L.) Herons i) Axe M. BR. (2770),. 108 George A. Green Rd., Wakefield, Workss'{5¢).:) Hicks, J. A. (2729), 19 Devonshire Rd., Bexhill-on-sea, Sussex. o Higgs, G. A. (2891*), 30 Kendor Ave. Epsom, Surrey. Hocking, B. (2895), Dept. of Entom- ology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (gen. ent.) Holland, M. S. (2813*), 48 Crantock ime Oaitord, S.L.6. (L.) Holmes, “W.N. A. (2815), 30 Queen’s Cres., Falkirk, Stirlingshire. (L., ) Holt, W. R. (2894), P.O. Box 2333, Evergreen Stn., Gulfport, Missis- sippi, U.S.A. (C.) Homer es. G., M.A. (2898): Yel- ton Hotel, Hastings, Sussex. (L.) Hughes, Miss A. (2851), Clydfan, Tyn-y-Mwd, Aber, Caernarvon- shire. Hughes, R. C. A. (2757*), 2 Nadder- park, Nadderwater, nr. Exeter, Devon. Hugman, B. J. (2899*), 26 Chester- wood Rd. King’s Heath, Bir- mingham, 14. (L.) Hunt, R. (2745*), Linden Cottage, Livonia Rd., Sidmouth, Devon. (L.) Hutt, A. E., No. 5020239, A.C. (2848), 5001 Sqdn. Det. (Lodar), c/o H.Q., A.P.L., Seedaseer Lines, ee B.F.P.O. 69, Aden. gen. ent.) Ibbett, P. J. (2772*), 95 Thornton Rad. , Cambridge, (L. Inahara, Nobuo (2791), P.O. Box 36, a pe soshiko, Osaka, Japan. (C., Jarman, R. A. (2706), 182 Blackamoor Lane, Maidenhead, Berks. (L.) Jgennings, G.-M. (2762*); 35. The Ridings, HKaling, W.5. (L.) Johnson, H. W. (2825), 266 Towcester Rd., Northampton. (R.) Kerr, M. A. (1609), Vuinnicombes, Poltimore, Exeter, Devon. (L.) Kirkealdy, J. M. G: (808+), St. Hugh’s School, Carswell Manor, Farringdon, Berks. (L.) Kirkcaldy, Major J. N. (2713), Asher’s Farm, Nether Wallop, Stockbridge, Hants. (R.) Kaill-Jones, S. A. (2820*), Brooklands, Freshwater, I.0.W. (L.) Knowles, R. J. (2778*), 9a The Rising, Billericay, Essex. (C.) Lait, J. P. (2776*), Kidbrook Hostel, Michael Hall, Forest Row, Sussex. (L.) Lambert, FE. C. (2879*), 48 Culvers Way, Carshalton, Surrey. (L.) Lawrence, L. (2836*), Barkham §q., nr. Wokingham, Berks. (L.) Leighton Park School Ent. Group (2699+), School House, Leighton Pk., Reading, Berks. (L.) Comm. to: —R. G. Schardt. Lewis, J. A. (2926*), 49 Reeth Road, Middlesbrough, Yorks. (L.) Lipscombe, K. D. (2846), 56 Christ- church Rd., Streatham Hill, 5. Wad 7a) Litchfield, D. (2709* ), 36 Eaton Rise, Baling, W.5. (L., 0.) Little, J. C. (2797), 70 Langley Way, West Wickham, Kent. (L.) Littlechild, A. EK. adn 182 Milton Rd., Cambridge. (L.) Lockyer, W. (2856*), 11 Herne Place, Herne Hill, S.E.24. (L., C.) Lucas, Dr. F. (2843), 137 Parrswood Rd., South, Manchester, 20. (g en. ent. ) ieee G. (2685*), 9 See Ave., Bushey, Herts. (i. DE Kuna PG .2859*), 920) Gare Rd., Darlington, Co. Durham. : McGregor, A. W. (2755), 175 Clements Rd., East Ham, London, E.6. (L.) McNeil, S. (2885*), East Lodge, Pax- ton, Berwick-on-Tweed, North- umberland. (l., Het.) Madden, R. J. (2928°*), Brook Acre, Tickleback Row, Moss- nee nr. Bracknell, Berks. (ie Manning, C. 3D. (2870*), 18 Peden Ave., Kenton, Middx. (L.) Mares, C. W. (2392*), 45 High Street, Wheathampstead, Herts. ..(H:) Markey, R. F. (2728), 12 Nelson Rd., ete S. Devon. C. Martin, J. H. (2824), 134 Brampton Rd. , Bexleyheath, Kent. (L.) 44 Maunder, G. R. L. (2695*), Blue Cedars, Post Hill, Tiverton, Devon. (L.) Matthews, J. G. (2747*), 23 North Rd., Wells, Somerset. (L.) Miall, D. S. (2906*), North Acres, Streat, mr. Hassocks, Sussex. (O., H., Siphonaptera). Millard. we (80), 38 Parkside, Little Thurrock, Grays, Essex, (L.), mic.) Milnes Gaskell, A. (2710*), Moorhouse Farm, MHelperby, Yorks. (L., (ornith. ) Moss, A. J. (2826*), 285 Brampton Rd., Besar ieekl, Kent. (C.) Mullins, P (2858*), Bank House, Lodge Drive Palmers Green, N213.56(ie; 10. 1) Newell, R. (2716), 27 Furneaux Ave., West Norwood, London, S.E.27. (L.) Newhouse, G. A. (2727*), 53 Mars- worth Ave., Pinner, Middx. (R.) Newland, R. A. (2852), 93 Arne Ave., Parkstone, Poole, Dorset. (L.) Newbury. Miss L. E. (2866*), 16 Clifden Rd., Twickenham, Middx. (L.) Newman, H. G. (2703), Balsham Trumpington Rd., Cam- Lodge, (L.) S. R. (2704*), Balsham bridge. Newman, Trumpington Rd., Cam- Lodge, bridge. (L.) Nyblad, jee M. E. (2805*), 74 Somer- set Rd., Newport, Mons. (L.) Osborn, M. D. (2787*), 222 Blossom- field Rd., Solihull, Warks. (L.) Osborne, R. J. (2437*), 90 Milton Rd., Cambridge. (L.) Paris, C. (2736*), 18 Althorp Rd., Wandsworth Common, London, S.W.17. (1) Parker, Miss D. F. (2840), Old Eng- land Hotel, Bowness-on-Winder- mere, Westmorland. (L.) Parrack, C. (2872*), Golabarry, Rack Close, Alton, Hants. (L., GPS cs Pattisson, P. R. M. (2862), 19 as Terrace, London, S.W.7. D.) Pears, R. A. (2694*), 259 Verne Rd., North Shields, Northumberland, (L., gen. ent.) Pereira, Major G. C. (2927), Lady- ham, Burford, Oxfordshire. Perry, A. R. (2693*), 204 All Saints’ Rd., Burton-on-Trent, Staffs. (L., C., Bot.) Phillips, J. R. (2737), Flat 8, Little Pk., Wickham, Hants. (L.) Pitman, R. M. (2799*), 5 Forder Green Cottages, Ashburton, S. Devon. (L.) JULY 1958 Pont, A. C. (2812*), 16 Woodstock Rd., Redland, Bristol, 6. (1, Dr a eee Pope, M. R. (2768*), 11 Aldenham Rd., Radlett, Herts. (C., H.) Porter, EH... H.. @6se). Woodside, Green Lane, Stanmore, Middx. (gen. ent.) Potter, A. O. (2831), 39 Sheridan Rd., Broadwater, Worthing, Sussex. (C.) Powell, A. J. (2746*), 22 Hamilton Court, Ealing, W.5 (L.) Powell, R. (2751), “36 Charlton Village, Wantage, Berks. (L., C., mic.) Pullen, D. G. (2714), 3 Fairfield Ter- race, East St., Gt. Bookham, Surrey. (L.) Pullen, J. D. (2715*), 3 Fairfield Ter- race, East St., Gt. Bookham, Surrey. (L.) Rackham, W. J. (2765), 63 Lodge Rd., Croydon, Surrey. (Myriopoda.) Rae, A. G. (2925), Aberure, Borough- bridge, Yorks. (L.) Ranson, D. J. (2897). Ingleside, Hol- land Rd., Little Clacton, Clacton- on-Sea, Essex. mibotet Eich “1):) Reay, W. H. (2718), Sgis.’ Mess, ‘R.A.F., El Aden, B.F.P.0. 56, (O., Orth., C., L., D., H.) Ridsdill-Smith. bf: (2902*), Brecon House, Wantage, Berks. (H.) Rix, H. M. (2923*)) a6. fie | ST., Uckfield, Sussex. (L.) Rosal, J. S. (2905*), Asturias 26, Barcelona, Spain. (C.) Ross, é ~ $3 A Coleopterist’s Handbook. Describes the tools aa : ee . . . ~ . ~ 33 apparatus and methods of collecting British beetles; their % oe e j 33 habitats, commensals and pre-adult stages; how to record, S photograph, make a personal collection and eo a 8 $3 local survey. 20 plates. ; oe oe x P 15 33 rice 15s; pone 5a § ¢ ? oe oe ee oe oe oe ee oe ee oe oe ee oe oe ee ee ee oe ee 7? <2 ee 2e ee 2 of coe eof ee ~7e oe 3 Volume 12 A Silkmoth Rearer’s Handbook. Describes i an and breeding methods; gives descriptions of life-cycles of over 120 species and references to some 1400 species and sub- # species. A complete reference book on the subject. 165 PP» 2 colour plates, 63 photographs, 24 line drawings. Price 17s 6d; postage 7 ; AES Bulletins | Complete Volumes for each year from 1946 with cove Ts and indexes. Prices on application. ae . ee SIESEEENIEGTINI NI IIIsssssssssessssssssssssessessessessestessessessesssseesessesees -eeee LS SSSSSS SESS SESS SSS sig oat eee eee £Z 5 NOUPE ig los. 212-213 e SEPT. - 1958 THE BULLETIN OF oe THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY World List abbreviation : Bull. amat . Ent. Sec. EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD Le Uirccccccceecccecctocns. | ob bO+4460066666466604 SODOONO OO SPOS OO DDO DOOD AROS SIRE e SSCSOSSSOSSE SESE selesetebecscsccsesscsessessesessesesecsoeesesseesesecsessssesssesessesecsess ; er = = N Field AES NOTICE - # Nature Fle WHERE TO WRITE mm a = Series Membership applications, offers of help to: D. OLLEVANT, 3 Salcombe Drive. samy : By H. TREVOR JONES Morden, Surrey. . : 30 ~~ Illustrated by B. BUTLER g 3s 3 % Advertisers to: R. D. HILLIARD, 54 Gules # 39 eS Park, Stanmore, Middlesex. : 3 For the beginner here are two little $2 g -arriva 33 books which will be of great help. They ares hs eae — sr A Seale ae 13 $2 give very concise information on all the Courtfield Crescent, Harrow-on-the-% ss general British species of insects. Hill Middleser ; 3 $3 butterflies and spiders, etc. Also Sigs air. 3 $$ RE et of fishes, weather and] opers to lead Field Meetings, a ee care etc., to: S. M. HANSON, 167 Gunners-% 33 Vutstanding illustrations in full colour. bury Park, London, W.5. : $$ 1. INSECTS AND SPIDERS Manuscripts, grewings and books for% 33 2. SHORE LIFE. FISHES. CLOUDS AND review l0ge B. Bo Stal woop, Le =a! $2 WEATHER Southfield ‘Gardens. Strawberry Hill, ¢ | . Twickenham, Middz. re OH 3: Each 3s. 6d. net. 533 22 Subscriptions (42/- per annum, 9/- forgs 3 From all Booksellers Juniors) to: K. H. Bose, 50 Winns)! <= Road, Lee, London, S.E.12. ~ | 33 Youth tt tic ee. C: 2 | : FREDERICK WARNE & Co. Ltd.[7s" otc nruens. Srattinoton *: 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2 Surrey. = LEPIDOPTERA : 3} COLOMBIA — EQUADOR — BOLIVIA — New Original Material = Small light-trap specimens with many undescribed species, 100 ... 2. 33 Upon request, preference to certain families, spec. Noctuidae, $$ Geometridae.—Lot of Pieridae, Acraeidae, Mechanitidae, Satyridae, :: Nymphalidae, Heliconiidae of same regions up to 10,000 feet altitude, 3 33 all unclassified and original, 100 ... £4 ‘10 /-. g = Also Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Homoptera of the same area. s <3 Local Argentina livestock in ova and cocoons—chrysalids. 2 = Payment to AES Treasurer. Orders over £6 air-mail free. 3 . 3 Bed. AV AD Ze 33 RECONQUISTA 453, BUENOS AIRES, R. ARGENTINA 3 DATA LABELS Z 33 4-line ...... Price 7/— 12/6 ss Printed in 44 point (Diamond) type c 4 3 / ; 33 asf til £ 195 £ din 3-line ...... Price 5/— 10/- ss multiples o T one wor =< 3: e - . E 200 Sex Signs, Price 1/- 33 Other labels as required i AES. 33 1 WEST HAM LANE, LONDON E.15 SOS SOSS SSSS SS SSS SSSSS CHOSE SESS SESS VOSS SSSSSSSSSSSCOCE SCSSCSSSSSSSSSSSCESSOCES ‘ +e SOS SSSSS SS SS SS SS SS SSSSSSOS SS ES SS SESSSSES SS SS SESS SS SE SESS ESSSSSOCSESSCESCESESE booous >. % oo A ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Annual General Meeting was held in the Linnaean Society’s rooms at Burlington House on the after- noon of Saturday, 29th March 1958. It was preceded by a conversazione and Mr. J. H. P. Sankey, B.Sc., War- den of Juniper Hall Field Centre gave a talk on ‘‘Colour in Insects’’. The various aspects of the talk—camou- flage, warning, colouration, etc., were clearly illustrated by excellent colour slides. The AES Council for 1958-59 is now constituted as follows:— President: L. S. WuicHer (1345); General Secretary: D. OLLEVANT (1514) ; Treasurer® : Assistant Treasurer: K. H. Boss (912); General Editor: J. C. Hosss (2339); Bulletin Editor: B. R. SraLtiwoop (1547); Publications Secretary: C. B. Pratt (784) ; Meetings Secretary: S. M. Hanson (320) ; Advertising Secretary: R. D. H1i- LIARD (99); Youth Secretary: F. C. Brown (2414); Registrar: B. L. J. Byeriey (788); Councillors: J. C. Norr (1913), K. A. Morse (2326*), K. C. Sipe (2140), G. B. Waite (1749*), R. W. J. UFrren (1660), P. W. Criss (2270), T. S. Rospertson (2417). *Mr. P. C. Le Masurier (978) has agreed to continue to act as Treasurer until a successor can be found. D. OLLEVANT, Hon. General Secretary. @ HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR LEPIDOPTERA? ENTOMOLOGICAL QUIZ, No. 3 Here are ‘‘Twenty Questions’? you will never hear on TV! He would be rather inadequate to deal with a burly miscreant. Many moths must suffer this when they venture too near the light. Some little girls have these. He might be a veteran of the sea. Useful in separating parts of Sentences, This also might be, provided that the paper was darker than the eS ee jon E — BULLETIN Nos. 212-213 AUG./SEPT. 1958 print. 7. A guardian of our heritage of trees. 8. This sounds like the menu. 9. Comes in handy when breeding cages. 10. A style of architecture. 11. Another apt description for the average small boy? 12. Used in a percussion band. 13. This might be a road on a new housing estate. 14. Three species mentioned in one 7-word quotation from T. S. Eliot. 15. Even one of these in your shoe would make itself painfully apparent. 16. A stylish lady might like a dress made of this. 17. Much use is made of it in Morse code. 18. These can sometimes be seen at sunrise or sunset. 19. A delicate and costly fabric. 20. In Africa he feels more at home than in the Zoo. (Answers on page 56) something on making e REQUIESCAT IN PACE The Amateur Entomologists’ Society learnt recently of the sudden death of one of its earliest members: Mr. Alexander Kennedy (20), 130 Vesper Road, Kirkstall, Leeds, 5, Yorkshire. It was with very great sorrow that his many friends, entomological and otherwise, heard the news. He was a true member of a greater Society than ours, ever ready to impart knowledge to others, ever ready to learn from far younger people, but always imparting an air of good humour, kindness and _ tolerance, which is all too rare these days. To quote someone who was nearer to him than myself: ‘‘He was a man of keen intelligence and humour, and with age he acquired even more endear- ing traits. If he was anything to go by, then age definitely produces its own attractions’. He is gone now, but the memory of him should serve as an example to all of us. a Ce Norr*(1913)p 50 TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING Reading various accounts of ‘‘as- sembling’’, it seemed to me that some astounding results were produced, almost beyond belief, especially when one took into account that the lovely moths concerned were Saturnia pavoma Linn., Lasiocampa quercus Linn., etc. These moths seemed very hard to come by, my collection hold- ing at the time one quercus male, taken by myself in Hertford by net, and one pavonia female, found at rest 1n Sussex. IT had many times looked for the larvae unsuccessfully, due mostly to the lack of practical in- formation in text-books. I found my first larvae of quercus hanging on a furze bush with a long spike right through the body. This was rather puzzling at first since the larva was still alive, but after further examination of the area, I found other things, such as young birds, hung on bushes. This, undoubtedly, was the work of the Red-Backed Shrike (Butcher Bird). The larva died within two days. My second larva was found resting on a stem of heather during early evening. The following year proved more successful as I had gained more knowledge of feeding times and position to find them (un- doubtedly early evening on grass verges near heather commons). After rearing them in captivity, I found that they had hatched too early for ‘‘assembling’’. I kept my young larvae from my first pairing 1n- doors, feeding them on ivy. Pupation took place about mid-December. The moths emerged between 10th and 16th May. I had a good series for the cabinet so I did not bother to ‘‘as- semble’. I then turned to pavoma. Many weary days were spent on the heather commons and whilst wander- ing through the seas of heather I kept thinking how little I knew about the larva. Where and when did it feed? How big would it be? What would be its colour? I knew the colour of the adult, and I also knew it was born black, but perhaps it would be in be- tween. There were many interesting and useful details that are not men- tioned in books. The season passed on. I had crossed miles of heather, but not a single larva. The following spring, I found a very worn female at rest, and, a little lower down the stem, one solitary ova. The female was taken home but no more ova were deposited. She died. The one egg was placed in a jar with some heather and examine’ ‘xilv, The day AUG./SEPT. 1958 arrived and it hatched, apparently a weakling as it died within 24 days. The search continued until June. After a hard day on the common, tired and weary, I crawled slowly round the clump of heather which was to be the last before making my way home, when to my surprise, I found myself looking straight at a cluster of larvae. They were black with tiny stripes of yellow showing between the ring segments, and were a quarter of an inch in length. This was most cer- tainly what I had been looking for— my first pavonia larvae. I very care- fuly collected most of them, but de- spite my care, some fell into the thick. I decided to hunt for another half an hour. Three more were found feed- ing singly. These were green, and at least an inch in length. On return- ing to the first spot, I found the lar- vae had again reached the top of the heather. I collected, in all, eighteen larvae which were reared out of doors to avoid premature hatching. The first to emérge were males but soon two females emerged. On 19th April, I went to Woking and set the females down. The weather was sunny but a cold wind persisted. One male arrived at 3.20 p.m. and a second at 3.45 p.m. No more were seen. On the way home the moths paired, and the ova were already deposited by the time I arrived at 6 o’clock. The fol- lowing Sunday, 26th April, I again went out with four females, this time to Bagshot; weather hot and no wind. Immediately I arrived, so did the males. From 2.0 p.m. to 7.0 p.m., they came in hundreds. Towards the evening they were getting a little weary, not being able to enter the females’ cages, and they just rested patiently around on the ground. It was difficult to step between them. About a dozen good males were selected, and four pairings made. In about twenty days, I had cages of small larvae—hundreds of them. They grew quickly and new cages were brought into operation. At-first i was gathering a handful of food, then an armful, until soon I was gather- ing everything I could find — haw- thorn, blackthorn, meadowsweet, plum and damson. In desperation, open baths were brought into use, heaps of food were cast in, and the larvae fed and fed. The open baths were a_ seething mass of green, spotted with red, orange, yellow and pink (how well | these spots resemble the bloom of | heather), all about three inches in | AES BULLETIN VOL. 1 length. Soon came the day when pupation called, and, unfortunately, J was at work. They became rest- less. They left the baths and surged all over the gardens. The folks at home spent the day rounding up the larvae. The next-door neighbour was met by a drove creeping towards her backdoor. When I arrived home, there was only one thing left to do, to bundle the baths into my car, and make for the nearest heather com- mon. The remainder of the larvae that I kept (three hundred of them), emerged the following spring, every one a male, not a female among them! R. A. JARMAN (2706). r) SOME NOTES ON HAWKMOTH HYBRID BREEDING Until 1955 many years had elapsed since my last attempt at cross- pairing Sphingidae. It was, I believe, in 1946—if I remember rightly—w hen I tried, with singular lack of success, to induce Laothoé popul Linn. with Smerinthus ocellatus Linn. and I have made no further attempts since then, mostly through having insufficient pupae. However, in 1955, having acquired, by fair means or by foul (N.B. not by digging!) a considerable umber of pupae of the various hawks, I thought I would try once again to obtain cross-pairings of popult and ocellatws—provided, of course, that the moths would be sufficiently experimentally - minded enough to co-operate. I had several pupae of Mimas tiliae Linn., L. populi Linn., S. ocellatus Linn., Sphinx ligustri Linn., Deile- phila elpenor Winn. and _ Celerio ewphorbiae Linn., and owing to lack of separate accommodation these pupae were all housed together in one very large emerging-cage about three feet long by two feet wide and about twenty inches or so high, which I had made myself. Now, like most women, I am no carpenter, so it was a very rough-and-ready affair, contrived out of a shallow wooden box, with four upright slats screwed inside at each corner, and a sort of frame on top, between which were stretched pieces of black net held on with drawing- pins. As my little boy remarked, there were more drawing-pins to the Square inch than asteroids in the solar system; but that is by the way. The door was hung from the top frame at one end, the door itself being a similar frame with net 51 stretched taut, attached to the top frame by two hinges. This door was secured at the bottom by means of two hooks fitting into two rings screwed into the box which formed the base of the cage. The drawing gives you some idea of what my home-made pairing cage looks like minus the drawing-pins! I may say, that I have found this cage so practical in use, that I now have four of them. The last two I have made are about two feet long by 18” wide and 22” high—a very useful size. The shallow box part is three inches deep. It was May 1955, and my pupae were beginning to emerge. An out- size female populi was the first on the scene, followed closely by a male ocellatus, who simply couldn’t care less. I wedged sprigs of poplar, sal- low and lime (this latter for the benefit of the tiliae whose emergence was imminent) into Bovril bottles of water and stuck them firmly into the bulb- fibre, slightly dampened, in the box. (N.B. If you construct such a cage using an ordinary greengrocer’s box, as I did, put a sheet of corrugated cardboard on the bottom first before filing the box up with fibre or soil, then the latter will not spill through the slits in the bottom of the box when you pick it up). I thought that the nice fresh larval foodplants might give the moths ideas of pairing and egg-laying, but no. Almost daily my early-morning in- spection of the cage revealed a freshly- emerged imago. After the popult and ocellatus, tiliae and ligustri fol- lowed suit, in that order. I got a couple of tiliae pairings, but the popult, ocellatus and ligustri Just weren’t interested: I did not get a single pairing from these three species among themselves. One day—May 15th—I made my morning round of my livestock, as usual, and looked into the hawks’ 52 eage, more from force of habit than from any sense of expectation. I stopped short. No, it couldn’t be—or could it? A large female ocellatus which had emerged the previous day, firmly in the clutches of a rather in- significant looking, undersized tiliae (ab. sinemacula Stdr., in which the olive-green marking is reduced to a dot scarcely bigger than a pinhead) which had emerged almost a week be- fore! IT looked carefully. Yes—there was no doubt about it—I had secured my first hawk cross-pairing. I managed to get four other people to observe the pairing, and have their signatures in my records book as material wit- nesses ! All that day I was most elated, weaving pleasant daydreams of a long series of tiliae x ocellatus hybrids in my collection next year which would make my friends green with envy. I was all the more elated when in the early evening I found the pair still in cop.: now, surely, I told myself, the eggs will be fertile beyond doubt—the pairing has not been dis- turbed, in spite of the boogie-woogie blaring from the flat underneath all day. Well, about dusk the pair separated, and I transferred the female to a separate cage containing fresh sal- low sprigs (swiped after dark from the prefab. garden at the end of the road, despite ‘beware of the dog’ on the gate). I waited expectantly. One day, two. On the third day, my female laid an egg. (Note: an egg, not 100 eggs). The next day she laid two more, and followed this magnifi- cent performance with a _ further couple of eggs on her third day of lay- ing. After that, she did not lay an- other egg, although she lived for several more days, giving up the ghost on the fourteenth day after emergence. The five eggs were transferred to a plastic box and watched daily, but they never hatched, and after only a few days, their appearance was that of obvious ‘infertiles’—caved in to the middle. So much for my ftiliae x ocellatus hybrid. *k * * From the latter half of May on- wards my elpenor and euphorbiae pupae were emerging right, left and centre, and by June 3rd I had already obtained one elpenor and no fewer than eight euphorbiae pairings. Euphorbiae must surely be the easiest of all the hawks to pair. These first AUG./SEPT. 1958 eight pairings included pairings be- tween typical forms, type x var, andalusica, type x var. grentzen- bergi, and inter-pairings between the two vars. Already I had obtained over a thousand eggs of this beautiful and prolific species. Then it happened. The day was June Ath, 1955. I was making my last evening round of inspection, and [ found that a fine male euphorbiae had taken a fancy to a female elpenor, and, firmly in cop., they hung in a corner of the cage, too near the door for me to open it without fear of disturbing them. How glad I was that I had transferred the elpenor pupae remaining to the euphorbiae cage! Though, to be fair, I must admit that I had done so merely in order to give the other inmates of the smaller cage more room! I was very much afraid that the fluttering and whirring of wings that started up among the other inmates of the cage at dusk each evening would disturb them even if I refrained from doing so; but my fears were un- founded. The pair remained in cop., the sweeping past of the others dis- turbing them not one whit. The female elpenor would occasionally move a leg as a moth’s wing brushed past her, but she hung on to her handsome ewphorbiae swain with grim determination. Next morning found the pair separ- ated and sitting quietly together. The female started to lay on the even- ing following separation from her mate. I removed her to a smaller separate cage, provided her with a choice of the foodplants of both species but she ignored both and deposited on the wood, the netting and even the glass bottles containing the cut foodplant. Not an egg did she lay on the latter. Eighty-two eggs— many of which had a curiously trans- parent appearance—were laid over 5 days, and the female died on the eighth day after emergence. I was slightly more fortunate with my ova this time: three hatched! But alas! the larvae died the same day! (79 eggs did not hatch). These three larvae were peculiar-looking, pale- tinted things, devoid of energy and torpid in the extreme. Apart from possessing a black horn, they looked nothing like a normal baby elpenor larva, still less like the larva of euphorbiae. They refused both rose- bay willow-herb and cypress spurge. Still, I suppose even that was an improvement: three larvae did hatch, after all, even if they did decide to | AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 _ give up their earthly struggle before _ twenty-four hours were up. | Sta Ane SaaS Si _ In 1956 I had not the facilities for doing much breeding, and it was 1957 before I was able to resume once more my efforts at hawk hybrid pairing. In that year, having moved back per- -manently to my home town the pre- vious November, I had _ the _ best breeding facilities I had ever had the benefit of — the use of my father’s garden, with its one unheated and one heated greenhouse, and the glass- [roofed lean-to- loggia with slat shelves, for my livestock. (These shelves my livestock now share with my father’s prize cacti, which, ap- parently, he now prefers to hibernat- ing foxes and scarlet tigers!) In those wonderful childhood days when I first started collecting and breeding, I used to use this same garden and loggia, though the greenhouses had not been built then. In January 1957 I had my usual consignment of fresh ewphorbiae breeding stock sent over from the ' Continent, and in May I got my large netting breeding-cages (previously described) down from the attic where they had been stored for the winter, well wrapped in newspapers to exclude ‘dust. I filled up the boxes with dampened soil, and arranged my 50 -ewphorbiae pupae thereon in neat | rows in the largest cage, and all my other hawk pupae in one of the smaller cages, as per my usual pro- cedure The previous December I had re- ceived six Celerio gali Schiff. pupae from a friend, and these pupae were in the smaller cage with all the populi, ligustrt and so on, to avoid any possibility of their being con- fused with the ewphorbiae. That year May was almost at an end before my ewphorbiae began to stir. On May 29th the first four emerged, two males and two females, and this started off a whole series of emergences, so that by the middle of June I had no fewer than 17 ewphorbiae out, of which 12 had paired, and the females were laying. The emergences tailed oft during the latter half of June, how- ever, with only odd sporadic emerg- _ ences here and there, and during the | first half of July, for some reason only | four females emerged. | In the other cage a pair of galii | had emerged, almost simultaneously, | and, as a friend had specially asked Me to try to obtain fertile ova of this by 4 53 species, [ was in high hopes that they would pair. But,-in spite of all I could do—not forgetting masses of fresh growing bedstraw as an en- couragement — no pairing ensued, and both moths died. Meanwhile, no more euphorbiae had emerged, and I still had three of the four females alive, but no males to mate with them. On July 14th a male gali emerged, and, more out of curiosity to see the reaction of the three by now elderly spinster ewphorbiae than anything else, [ introduced him into their cage. He climbed the netting to the top of the cage, the females studiedly ignored him, and I forgot about them. Next morning when I made my round of my livestock, there was the male galii in cop. with the last emerged of the three ewphorbiae. To cut a long story short, the moths had not only been co-operative, but their eggs—all 68 of them—were fertile, too! JI sent 40 of these ova to a friend, and both he and I bred the larvae through on cypress spurge. When my 28 larvae were about half- grown, I gave away 10 of them to an- other friend, and my remaining 18 pupated soundly. My first-mentioned friend to whom IT sent 40 ova was less fortunate. 26 of his larvae died, and he succeeded in rearing through only 14 larvae to the pupa. I strongly suspect that he did not keep the foodplant moist enough —an essential with this species. As for the other friend who had the 10 half-grown larvae, he ran out of foodplant just before his larvae were due to pupate, with disastrous re- sults. Of my eighteen pupae, four dried up during the winter, and I now have fourteen. These all seem sound enough, and wiggle their posteriors spiritedly when touched. I am anxiously awaiting their emergence in due course. The moths will be, of course, the hybrid galii x euwphorbiae. As far as | am aware, it has not been bred before in this country, though I understand from Mr. Newman that it has been obtained in Germany. I have, of course, segregated these pupae in a cage by themselves. This year JI have received my ewphorbiae consignment, but I have no galit. However, the season is young yet. I shall send in notes of my progress with the hybrid when I have some results to report. But the fore- going experience just goes to show, that often the best results are obtained when you least expect them. 54 NotTes.— (i) For the benefit of those who may try breeding ewphorbiae for the first time, the larvae are simply shocking cannibals. The first year I ever bred the species, I lost over 200 in that way. I now keep each larva in a little plastic box to himself. The foodplant must be kept moist. (ii) Can anyone please tell me why hawkmoths usually ignore the foodplant provided for laying on, and lay their eggs on the cage, the soil, the glass jar, the netting— anywhere but in the proper place? Why do they not follow the same pattern in their natural habitat, at this rate? I have frequently found ova of populi and tiliae in the parks here, and they were always on the leaves of poplar and lime trees, never glued to the railings or the wooden forms! ii) My method to obtain hybrids is to have as many different species in one cage together. My theory, which is shared by several of my friends with whom I have dis- cussed it, is that the individual scents of the different species, whereby they attract mates of their kind, get all mixed up, and the males get confused and mate with the ‘wrong’ species. I only hope that I shall have a few more crazy mixed-up Sphingids this year, too. Joy O. I. SpoczynskKa (751). € NOTES ON APATURA IRIS LINN. These notes are written for AES members who contemplate a trip in search of iris larvae. They are based on practical experience over the last six years, during which time success has been achieved on a num- ber of occasions in obtaining larvae in the month of May. All sorts of information regarding the types of sallow and the position selected by the female for ovipositing, can be obtained by steadily plough- ing through articles in various old entomological journals. One writer suggests that ova are usually laid on the older broad-leaved sallow, situ- ated on the north side of a wood. An- other states that the sallow must be under the shade of an ash or oak tree, whilst a third suggests that a solitary bush is best. In fact, it could be asserted that too much AUG./SEPT. 1958 information is available and the — aoe cannot be seen for the trees! It © is, therefore, necessary to sift all this © ike a practical method of searching, — so that, when in an iris area, there is a reasonable chance of finding larvae. My golden rule is to search © only those sallows on the edge of a wood or ride, provided such sallows — are not exposed to the heat of the mid- — day sun, irrespective of orientation. Whether the sallows are young or old — appears of no great importance; I have found larvae on both types. The types of sallow examined are the broad-leaved or semi-broad rather than the narrow; this is because the © two first-named are easier to search than the latter. It must be men-— tioned here that I have never beaten for iris and am therefore unable to give any personal experience of — obtaining larvae by this means. Ig have been informed that the- time to beat for the larvae is after 4 p.m., — when they tend to wander off their ‘home’ leaf in search of food and are then more easily dislodged. An in- teresting point is that it would appear easier to beat narrow-leaved sallow, which is normally a denser bush than the broad-leaved. Because the large majority of collectors seem to favour the broad-leaved it must not be as- sumed that the female iris prefers this type. Only last year I heard of an iris larva being taken on the narrow-leaved, though only after diligent searching. I have frequently put both types of sallow in the cage for a larva and invariably the broad is preferred. The full grown larva appears to be too big for the narrow variety, often overlapping the edge. This may account for the preference. The height at which to search is an important factor. The lowest I have found a larva was about four feet, and it is probably useless to look nearer the ground than this. The easing down of the taller sallows is a very tiring business and I have used a section of drain cane with a large screw hook on the end, which enabled the search to be made up to a height of fifteen feet. Although this gadget has been used many times, no success has been achieved with it! In theory it should have a great advantage over the normal method of pulling down but it would appear to illustrate that one should not be discouraged through being unable to reach “the talles sallows, even though the feeling per sists with most collectors that the best useful. 5d AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 _places to search are those that they cannot reach. Having dealt with the type of food- _ plant, the site and the height at which fan iris larva may best be searched for, a note on the eating should prove This is almost certainly the best clue to track down the larva. Search for leaves with large portions missing, and then check up on the surrounding foliage. inot a leaves a jagged edge even to the mid- cerib. leave only a stalk. sign but is not necessarily conclusive, larva 1S invariably The ‘neat? eater and Some leaves are devoured to This is a good as it may be one of the many other larvae that feed on sallows. If no eating is seen, waste no time but go on to the next bush. Although the larva usually rests along the mid- rib with the head towards the stalk on the upper side of the leaf, it blends well with the foliage, so one is more likely to find it by looking for the results of its meals rather than the larva itself. If you are fortunate enough to find a larva it is worth while making sure that there is not another on the same bush. I have never found more than one on a bush but many entomologists have, so a careful search is well worth - while. ; For members who have difficulty in obtaining sallow for the purposes of foodplant, the following method 1s suggested as a means of keeping 1t from drooping during transit. Carry with you an airtight plastic sandwich Eontainer approx. 73°. x 44” x 13° and sprinkle a few drops of water inside to create a damp atmosphere. Two corked phials, glass or plastic, containing water and a small quantity of cotton wool are also necessary. After a small piece of sallow has | been broken off (end pieces are best), place immediately in one of the phials and plug with cotton wool. The second tube is used as a spare. Two or three sprigs are all that will be needed. The foodplant is then placed in the plastic box. By this method, the drooping of the sallow will be avoided. A little water will seep through the cotton wool plug but as the container will not let it out, this will not be of great importance. One last point, my experience 1s that iris larvae are usually found in damp sections of the wood, where the leaves are likely to be covered by early morning moisture. The food plant and larvae should be sprayed on alternate days with a mist spray and then allowed to dry in the open air. Take the chill off the water so that the larvae are not subjected to shock. It will be found that the larvae drink the water and the resultant imagines are likely to be larger than those that do not have this treatment. It is hoped that the information given may assist AES members to obtain and rear successfully the lar- vae of A. iris. I have not gone into the trials and tribulations of search- ing for the larva, much could have been written, amusing and otherwise, of experiences in the course of the quest of this most elusive of insects, but the object of these notes is to pass on to AHS colleagues hints and tips which will, I hope, prove useful. S. M. Hanson (820). ® LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A PLEA FOR MORE ‘PUTTING DOWN’ K. A. Curran (2657) writes : — Having been a member of the AES for three years, it has surprised me that we are making no concerted effort to increase the range and numbers of many of our valued species of lepi- doptera, but are content to sit back and watch some species tend towards extinction in far-flung habitats instead of being able to contact and therefore study these species within reasonable range of our homes. There is a certain smug satisfaction in regarding oneself as a ‘“‘purist entomologist’, hopelessly searching for some unknown fact about a cer- tain species, or spending long hours or even years, in tabulating small details for publishing in the AES Bulletin or some other journal. I am sure it all sounds most learned, but IT am very much of the opinion that most of us are much happier with our own attempts at collecting and breeding ordinary species of both butterflies and moths, and we like to collect our own livestock, if possible, and when one is working for one’s living and not endowed with un- limited . holidays and _ travelling resources. I) really think. that 90°) of jour members bypass the ‘‘lumping and splitting’ and other highly detailed articles but avidly read the many smaller articles of the ordinary fel- low’s successes in the field and breed- ing cages. 56 AUG./SEPT. 1958 My suggestion is that the AES as a whole should try greatly to increase certain species of the Lepidoptera, especially those met by people every- where on hikes and rambles, etce., such as butterflies generally and such moths as the Emperor, Kentish Glory, Fox, Oak Eggars, and others which we as Amateur Entomologists would like to have around us. This, I suggest we do, by declaring every year that one particular species shall be bred widely and set down in what we hope to be suitable habitats. After all, the fishing and shooting fraternity think nothing of restocking, and I find it poor stimulation to my interest that a certain moth or butterfly was obtainable in a locality way back in the nineteenth century. Let us plant our own garden with the flowers of our own choice. It would be well in the spirit of the AES for members to exchange ova and larvae by post at their own expense and thereby ensure that in years to come the young entomologist will not have to travel miles and miles before he comes across an Oak Eggar larva or a Searlet Tiger. IT am sure it could be done. What comment? HOUSEHEFLIES IN SPAIN From R. W. WARNER (2663) : — On a recent visit to Spain (Sitges, near Barcelona), I noticed that all the houseflies were of the species Musca domestica Linn. The only Fannia canicularis Linn. I saw was at Montserrat which has a consider- ably higher altitude. Sitges, in early July, was hot and ‘it is on the east coast of Spain. The one Other’ fly oI" saw, deta numbers was Lucilia sericata Meigen. I thought that this brief note might interest those of us who are engaged on housefly work. @ PUPATION OF EPIRRHOE GALIATA SCHIFF. (GALIUM CARPET) South (1921) does not refer to the pupation site of this species nor does Barrett (1902); Newman & Leeds (1913) state ‘‘earthen cocoon’’; Scorer (1913) says ‘‘in cocoon below ground”’ It may therefore be of some interest if | record my experience with this species, In the autumn of 1956 1 reared a brood in a fair-sized breed-— ing cage and when they had ceased feeding I found that some pupated in a few strands of silk amongst the foodplant in the mouth of the water bottle, some without a cocoon at all, on the surface of the had — pupating material provided, and some ~ in a very fragile cocoon flush with the surface. available. References. Baretta Cat Ge 1902. 3ritish Islands. Newinan, Li. W.,°& Leeds; MH. A. 1913. book of British Butterflies and Moths. None penetrated the depth — Lepidoptera of the Text-) scorer, A. G. 1913. Entomologists’ Log- book, south, R. 1921. Butterflies of the British Isles. JoHN EH. Knicut (94). ~ ; ANSWERS TO ENTOMOLOGICAL QUIZ, No. 3 1. Small Copper (Lycaenu phlaeas) 2. Scorched Wing (Plagodis dolab- Tari) 3. Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperan- thus) 4, Grizzled Sues (Pyrgus mal- vae) 5. Comma (Paluaaein c-album) 6. White Colon (Hadena albicolon) 7. Forester (Procris statices) 8. Cream-bordered Green Pea (Earias chlorana) 9. Muslin (Nudaria mundana) 10. Gothic (Phalaena typica) 11. Blackneck (Lygephila pastinum) 12. Triangle (Limacodes asella) 13. Crescent (Hadena lewcostigma) 14 Phe w all, the wainscot and the mouse’? (from ‘‘Little Gidding’’ by T. S. Eliot) The Wall (Pararge megaera); ‘the wainscot’’? (which one?) ‘“‘The Mouse’’? (Amphipyra trago- pogonis) 15. Little Thorn (Hnnomos adven- aria) 16. Beautiful Brocade (Hadena contigua) 17. Dot (Melanchra persicariae) 18. Purple Cloud (Cloantha sprcillaris) 19. Brussels Lace (Boarmia lichenaria)§ 20. Leopard (Zeuzera pyrina) Joy QO. I. SpoczynsxKa (751). per- i ’ si Ec th De Printed by T. ‘Buncle & Co. Ltd., Arbroath, and published by the Amateur Entomologist’s — od society, 1 West Ham Lane, Londou, Ea5 2958: f a COCOeoO Coo eeeooorroesorerosoosececoes my TxYereiiirirrrirrrrirr rir y ° P¢ I ! 000 000000000006685008 - : q ee 1 A 3 > oe ee Bn ea a OI in ge netic a fod nee nie ps cg OS PPS Or PT -TPP PP MPOSPPPHOS PPP CD DPPH Da SHSSSSSSSSSHSSHSSHSFHHSHOSIHHSOHSOSHPGHHHSHODHOHHHOOGHOPODO SHOP OOHOGOLODODODODOOOD OOOO OOOO OOD SOOSOHHOOOOOOD <>b-2 £4.4.445555oSoooSooooooo ooo SRA RRRELEESAA Ei r PP Ooooooos A $0990 000090009900500650659000900080905500050d000959009099599599099000880000000000 00000 c ; a bs sae The Amateur Entonioloanis Society ANNUAL EXHIBITION | 1958 SATURDAY, 20th September, from 2 p.m. to 5. 30 p. m. BUCKINGHAM GATE CENTRAL SCHOOLS, Wilfred ‘Street, London, S.W.1. ADMISSION FREE EXHIBITS. The Hall will be open from 10 a.m. for receipt a Mem- — bers’ exhibits. Bring along your specimens (any Order, living or set), \y equipment, apparatus, photographs, drawings, etc. If you require a (( large space, notify Meetings Secretary in advance. Please label clearly. A TALKS. Entomological talks will be arranged. DEMONSTRATIONS. Members will LEE TEs setting of insects « of several Orders. d Le Apo Je a sist te i Pd es . ES OT ae OO, a a we > c pet ~ Ee A ae ae GROUPS. Members of Groups ae have been COMP SRUNE will be « able to meet for discussion. (( SURPLUS TABLE. If Members have spare ova,.larvae, imagines, equipment, books, ete., for sale or exchange, bring them along labelled — with name, price or exchange wants. No charge for use of this table. ENTOMOLOGICAL TRADERS will be in attendance. Light Refreshments will be available. Offers of help and enquiries to Hon. Meetings Bechejayy (S. M. Hanson, oy 167 Gunnersbury Park, London, W.5). ( BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND AN EXHIBIT! HOW TO GET THERE— Bueking Bilcce 1 MEETING PLACE hy VICTOR iG (er x a Ut! ae = aN VOL. f7~ |. No. 214 OBER - 1958 THE BULLETIN OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY World List abbreviation : Bull. amat. Ent. S$ oc. EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD NOR SRN SEER OS eeeoeee oe SHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOSSSSSS SS SSSOOOS er ¥ } THE OBSERVER’S BOOK OF i POND LIFE 33 «By JOHN CLEGG, F.R.MS. 3 5s. net $¢.--This book is to be heartily recom- ee mended to young persons becoming 33: seriously interested in the living world -¢e of Britain’s fresh waters. —lWaterlife. ss This book contains information con- $$ cerning all types of life, both plant ee and animal, to be found in freshwater $3 ponds. Typical examples of each group ¢¢ have been described together with text ee and keys ensuring identification of $$ family or genus. 128 pp.. 32 colour ee plates backed with halfi-tone and line ee (lrawings. 3 FROM ALL BOOKSELLERS 3} FREDERICK WARNE & Co. Ltd. ¢: 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2 oe oe ee ee ee « ¢s Members can help the Society in 4-4 several ways:— s3(a) By dealing with advertisers *+ and mentioning the Bulletin. ::(b) By bringing in new members. es (Subscription, 12/- per annum. $3 Juniors, 9/- per annum.) *(c) By buying AES publications $3 and suggesting Public Libraries $3 should buy them. $3(d) By friendly co-operation with 33 other members. s:(e) By taking just that extra bit 33 of trouble required to record $3 happenings of note for the 33 Bulletin. ee ee eee eee esses sees eeessssssssssssssscecceoccos SOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOSSSSSS SSE SSSOSSO SS SEOSOESSESD SSSSSSSSSSSSHSSSSSSSS SSH SSS SSSLSSSLSE SS SSSS SS SOSE EES EOE TET TOT : SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSH SSS EES SE SESE SESE EEESD eeeeeerreee =, LONDON, E.15. = = ee 4 ~ = bos oS SP OSES SttPeSetsSetssetereses sess AES NOTICE E WHERE TO WRITE $ Vembership applications, offers of help $s to: D. OLLEVANT, 3 Salcombe Drive. se Morden, Surrey. : 4 Advertisers to: R. D. HILLIARD, 54 Gyles: ; _ Park, Stanmore, Middlesex. z Changes of address and non-arrival oj % Bulletins to: B. LL. J>- BYERLEY, oss Courtfield Crescent, Harrow-on-the- $q Hill, Middlesex. 33 Offers to lead Field Meetings, exhibil eic., to:° S: M.. HANSON, 11 These Close, Spring Grove Road. Isle-es worth, Middlesex. oe | Vanuscripts, drawings and books for ss review to: B. R. STALLWOOD, 19393] Southfield Gardens, Strawberry Hill. sg Twickenham, Middz. 33 ee Subscriptions (19/- per annum, 9/- for $3} Juniors) to: K. H. Bose, 50 Winn gg Road, Lee, London, S.E.12. : C.- BROWN, Wallington, Youth matters to: FE. 6 Osmond Gardens. Surrey. seisssste 333 333: LEAFLET No. 28 a KILLING, SETTING and STORING BUTTERFLIES and #3 MOTHS Price 9d_ (Postage 2d) from A.E.S. r } 3 1 WEST HAM LANE , ait ey f has esueeees THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOCIETY Societies do not run themselves, and the AES is no exception. Not everyone realises the amount of voluntary work involved in_ the administration of even a compara- tively simple organisation such as ours, and it is the aim ot your Coun- cil to spread the work load as much as possible, so that the eighteen mem- bers, who are also entomologists, have some spare time left to collect and study bugs themselves. Two ways in which members can ease this work load are: firstly, by sending their subscriptions promptly at the time that they are due and, secondly, by contributing material for the Bulletin. Many of the present members of your Couneil have served the Society in one way or another for a number of years and their relief is overdue. An assistant secretary is urgently re- quired as well as other persons will- ing to be elected on to the Council or otherwise to help with the ad- ministration. If any members, par- ticularly those in the London area, can offer their services they are asked to get into touch with a Council member. This is not an idle plea— the continued existence of the Society depends upon it. Your Council has already found it necessary to curtail certain activities because of the lack of administrative assistance. The programme of winter. meetings in London has been indefinitely post- poned and the Junior News Sheet may have to be given up at the end of the year. Your Council has made these decisions with reluctance be- cause a lot of work has been put in to further the activities of the Society. Every effort is being made _ to maintain the Bulletin at the high standard that we have enjoyed in the past, and we are grateful to the many contributors. But there must be many more members who could contribute articles and observations of interest to us all. We hope that some of our BULLETIN No. 214 OCTOBER 1958 overseas members will write about their collecting experiences and give us some idea of entomological activi- ties in other countries. We _ also number among our members highly qualified entomologists who could contribute valuable information for the benefit of those less experienced members and such _ contributions would also enhance the value of the Bulletin and the prestige of the Society. The health of the Society depends upon its members. We are proud of our past record and achievements, but they must be maintained and improved upon. Good hunting. THE PRESIDENT. BREEDING PAPILIO DARDANUS BROWN IN ENGLAND Dr. P. M. Sheppard of the Depart- ment of Zoology, Liverpool University, and I are breeding Papilio dardanus on a large scale partly to elucidate the genetics of the various forms of mimetic and non-mimetic females, and partly, by means of race crosses, to throw light on the evolution of the mimetic patterns. Until this year, we were dependent on citrus leaves for the food plant of the caterpillar, but we have now discovered that it can be fed with much lower mortality on Choisya ternata (the Mexican orange plant). This is a hardy ever- green and is not uncommon in big gardens in this country. We are already using all the local supplies that we know of and we should be most grateful if anyone in any other part of the country who has a bush could send us regular supplies of the leaves, once every week or fortnight for the next few months. The leaves travel and keep extremely well in polythene bags. We should be will- ing to pay postage and supply the bags. C. A. CLARKE. High Close, Thorsway, Caldy, Cheshire. 58 OCTOBER 1958 ROOM INVASION BY BLUE- AND GREEN-BOTTLES The articles on house-flies by Mr. R. Underwood (2338*) (antea) were so interesting that since April I have been making a record of the flies found in my study. Mr. Underwood’s contention that the so-called common house-tly is not actually by any means common, has so far been fully justified, for up to the time of writing (August 6th) I have caught only three, as against well over 200 Fannia canicularis Linn. However, this note is not concerned with Musca domestica Linn or Fannia, but with blue- and green-bottles. My study window and door are kept shut during the night, so naturally, on first entering the room, there are usually few flies to be seen, if any. On the morning of July llth, however, nearly two dozen blue-bottles were buzzing against the window. It appeared that the same thing had happened in the study as had occurred some years ago in the dining-room, where there had been an infestation of blue-bottles emanating, as it proved, from a dead jack-daw in the chimney. At that time I took no particular interest in flies in houses, so they were merely destroyed and thrown away; but this year I resolved to collect some statistics. The invasion lasted from July 11th to July 15th, inclusive. During that period the study window was kept shut, and the door opened only for entering and leaving. For killing, I had to resort to a flit-gun; but not much squirting was required, because the window-panes and woodwork became so poisonous, after a day or two, that all flies walking over them soon died. Nor was corpse- collecting as tedious as might be supposed, since the great majority of the fiies lay on the window-sill, or just below it. The following table gives some particulars of the flies accounted for— Date Blue-bottles Total Green-bottles Others Male Female Sex unidentified July 11th 14 7 21 4 —- oe loth 84 102 186 AY — ee Lath 309 311 620 192 — Ath 104 7 182 30 — ce Slotia 54 58 112 7 _- Totals 565 556 A 274 —= The weather throughout was warm, with strong sunshine. By July 16th the hatches were definitely over, for on that morning the number of blue- and green- bottles dropped to two and one, respectively. I need hardly add that the study window and door were then opened wide to air the room, in which the atmos- phere had become appalling! The flies presumably hatched from something in the chimney—a dead jackdaw, perhaps, for jackdaws abound in this small country village, and occasionally fall down unused chimneys, nests and all. I never actually saw any flies issuing from the hearth; but I certainly never saw them issuing from anywhere else, either, and cannot understand how they could have done, because the study floor is entirely covered by closely fitted linoleum, in good condition. Moreover, in the hearth were between eight and a dozen freak blue-bottles, in which the wings had failed to develop. No freak green-bottles were found. If the flies did come from the chimney, it is a mystery how they managed it. When all was quiet again I looked up the chimney to see why they had not gone upwards. It was pitch dark, but the light of a powerful electric torch revealed a lot of sticks some eight feet up, so the chimney may well be choked for some distance, judging from previous experience of the quantity of sticks jackdaws are capable of accumulating. Yet if the dead bird was on the hearth side of the block, it must have fallen in the spring, when the stick-dropping activities of jackdaws were at their height—in which case the flies’ eggs would have been laid and hatched long ago: and if the carcase was on the upper side of the block, the flies would have gone upwards, not downwards into the study. If the flies came downwards owing to being attracted by light, they must be sensitive to the faintest glimmer. In the hearth stands a large screen, which darkens the grate considerably. Moreover, the chimney-plate was down, closing the aperture. This plate is not, however, a perfect fit. There is a gap AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 along one side measuring, at its widest point, 5 mm. 59 This narrow slit was apparently the only means of access from the chimney to the room, and darkened _ by the fire-screen at that. The green-bottles varied in size, but not as much, relatively, as the blue- ) bottles. The blue-bottles varied in length from 11 mm. to miserable dwarfs of only 5.5mm. All the green-bottles were Lwucilia sericata Meigen., and all the _ARCTIA CAJA. LINN. (THE GARDEN TIGER) A very large, bred female of this species was mated with a male taken at light in July of this year. The female was then placed in a box and left to deposit her ova. She jlaid twelve groups of these on the sides and lid of the box and these were counted as soon as the moth was spent. The total score was 1,829 eggs. It is well that this species is so sub- ject to parasites or it might well become a horticultural pest. P. W. Crips (2270). CYANIRIS SEMIARGUS ROTT. IN SUSSEX It may interest members to know that a male Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus) was caught in our orchard (near Rogate, Sussex) by A. D. Barker (2379*) on July 30th. This specimen presumably was a migrant, probably | an unwilling one, carried over by the _Tecent winds. i Cyaniris semiargus ¢ (underside) When it was captured we thought immediately that it was a Mazarine | Blue but almost in the same instant _ dismissed it as a variation of a Holly Blue. However, examination after _ killing it, left no room for doubt as to its real identity, as it conformed in every way with the descriptions of Kirby, South and E. Newman. A. D. BarkKER (2379*). G. M. A. BarKer (2380*). blue-bottles were Calliphora erythrocephala Meigen. (Natural History) kindly confirmed that the very small blue-bottles were _ greatly undernourished specimens of the latter. The British Museum Huexu Career (2908). FURTHER EXPERIMENTS WITH FOOD PLANTS Having found that the Marsh fritillary, EHuphydryas aurinia Rott. was able to feed on the Teasel, Dipsacus sylvestris Mill., a plant in the same family as devil’s-bit scabious, while experimenting with larvae dur- me. 1957 spring.) 1. carried), out experiments to ascertain if it was possible for the insect to exist solely on this pabulum. [ had two stocks available, from North Bucks, which were in the seventh generation from the wild, and some new Sussex stock. A batch of each was placed on teasel with another two lots on devil’s-bit scabious as a control. During the stages before hibernation the rate of growth was normal, and all larvae made hibernation webs on the respec- tive plants. There were no losses during the winter, the larvae being left outside, protected only by mus- lin. In the spring of this year the larvae fed on teasel were first out of hibernation (February 16), those on devil’s-bit scabious commencing on the 26th of the month. I was able to obtain teasel from rough ground near my house and it was more advanced than much of the devil’s-bit seabious gathered on the common- land. The larvae devoured the leaves and the soft parts of the mid-rib but left the stringy leaf veins and the tougher parts of the leaves, leaving leaf skeletons rather like the cabbages after Pieris brassicae Linn. has been at work. The youngest leaves were eaten to the base in the same way that the leaves of devil’s-bit scabious are eaten. As the larvae advanced in size the larvae fed on devil’s-bit scabious began to gain over their rivals and in both groups the Sussex larvae looked more active. By the 22nd April the bulk of the devil’s-bit scabious group had pupated, but the teasel group did not start until Ist May and were not all pupated until 23rd May. In the meantime the first 60 group started to emerge (8th May) and the first of the second group on the 23rd May (the same day that the last larva of this group pupated). A high percentage of losses in the pupal stage occurred amongst the Bucks. stock, the pupae turning black and soft. This was probably due to in- breeding. The noticeable point about the imagines was the small size of those fed on the teasel, many being only half-size. From the exper iment it may be de- duced that aurinia could get through a season on teasel but would be late and much reduced in size. It is interesting to notice the difference in dates between insects bred in captivity and those in the wild. Marsh Fritillaries, male and female, were still on the wing in the wild state on the 5th July, and the females were still depositing ova, but all my ova, laid in captivity, had already hatched and the larvae were feeding. P. W. Crisp (2270). LETTER TO THE EDITOR AN UNIDENTIFIED LARVA From R. G. THimann (2924*). While in Belgium three years ago, a somewhat unusual caterpillar was given to me. I was unable to find any suitable food for it, although I tried everything I could lay my hands on. I would be interested to know if any member could help me? The description is here appended :— The caterpillar, which measured almost three inches long, was found at the foot of a wall. It seems reason- able to assume, therefore, that it was in its last stage, and, having come down from its food-plant, was about to pupate. It was a bright shade of blue on top, the blue fading to light brown just above the spiracles, which were ringed with off-white. The fact that it was Sphingid was re- Printed by T. Buncle & Co. Ltd., Arbroath, and published by the Amateur Entomologist’s Society, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. 1958. OCTOBER 1958 — vealed by the presence of a long blue anal horn. It did not, unfortunately, pupate, but died. The fact that it would not eat would be irrelevant ite in fact, it was about to pupate. I would be extremely interested to know the name of this insect, if any- body can oblige. THE WAVED BLACK IN BERKSHIRE For the record, I would like to report the capture of a fine female of Parascotia fuliginaria Linn. (Hypeninae) in Maidenhead on 4th August 1958. It came indoors at 11.30 p.m. R. A. JARMAN (2706). @ FLIGHT AND ENVIRONMENT OF ARGYNNIS CYDIPPE LINN. (THE HIGH BROWN FRITILLARY) We know that the habits and flight of our butterflies usually follow a distinctive pattern, according to the family, group and species: that it is possible often to identify a butterfly by its flight, and that identification can be assisted by observing the nature of the environment in which the insect happens to be. There are occasions when ‘‘the book’’ is defied, and a striking instance coming to my notice recently has prompted me to make this — observation. Toward the end of July, on Perran- porth (Cornwall) Golf Links, in7 bright sunshine, large numbers of Av “cydippe, in perfectly fresh condi- tion, were flitting leisurely from patch » to ~ pateh of Erica cinerea Linn. (Bell Heather), in true Satyrid fashion, and could have been netted — with the greatest of ease. I failed to find any Violet plants in the vicinity, and there were no trees. A few specimens of A. aglaia Linn. (The Dark Green Fritillary) accom- panied the others, and they too behaved in a similar way. Harry E. Wess (736). ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE A QUARTERLY J OURNAL OF BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY Well illustrated Subscription: 26/- per year Free Sample Copy sent on request 22 Harlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE | NEW and SECOND-HAND Large stocks of Separata and Reprints on all Orders and Entomologicai subjects Catalogues sent free on request E. W. CLASSEY, F.R.E.S., A.B.A. Entomological Publisher and Bookseller 22 Harlington Roaa East, Feltham, Middlesex, England POS SPSSSSOSSSSSSSOHOOSHSOS SH HHHHOSHHHSSSHSHSHSHO SOSH OSOOSEHSOSS HOSS SSO SOSOESODOOOOOEO OOD OOOPHOHOH OOO OD SOP OSSS OHSS SS OHSS TOO HHOSHSHSOHHSOHOOOSH ODO GHODOSE OOOH OOOOHODODODODODODOSOSOHOOOHHOOOOD POOSOOHOOOO OO LEPIDOPTERA 3 - COLOMBIA — EQUADOR — BOLIVIA — New Original Material 3 Upon request, preference to certain families, spec. Noctuidae, 3 Geometridae.—Lot of Pieridae, Acraeidae, Mechanitidae, Satyridae, $$ tron light-trap specimens with many undescribed species, 100 ... £2. 33 Beymphalidae, Heliconiidae of same regions up to 10,000 feet altitude, all unclassified and original, 100 ... £4 10 |-. E Also Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, eee. of the same area. 8 Local Argentina livestock in ova and cocoons—chrysalids. = Payment to AES Treasurer. Orders over £6 air-mail free. re im Et: WALZ, : RECONQUISTA 453, BUENOS AIRES, R. ARGENTINA $s LABEL LISTS | = oe ad Reduced Prices : _ Label List of British Macro-Lepidoptera - now Is ~ ka Check List of British Macro-Lepidoptera - now 3d = 2 B83 | plus postage 33 | a or 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15 E Ae MUMMEtenesencansracerercsnccccacscccacscosccsncocecococcccesenscessocesseseccoeooooone OOOO eect Memrimccnews cel eeee tees eee SHPO HASHHOSHOSOHSHSOHSHOSH SHS OHH SOS OOOOH OOH HOSHOOOHHO HOD PooSo> | : Seas Sa, ooeee | C00 Cees. ee ih AAA ddd bb bh bb bbb bbb bb bb bb bbb bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb a EPI OIE nN a nw A eS SESS SSS S SS SESS SS SESS ASSESSES SESE SESE SESE SSE SESE SESE EE EESE SE EES EEESEOESESEEEESE : A Glossary for the Young Lepidopterist :: Label List of British Macro-Lepidoptera : Check List of British Macro-Lepidoptera — - : Label List of British Butterflies - n= AES Leaflets No. 3. Rearing Silkworms ee aan = ' nd oy 4° Collecting Sawfles i ee ole 5. Collecting Flies (Diptera) ae oe: 2s 6. Collecting Beetles associated with Stored Food Products — = =e Is 7. Some Improved Devices for Rearing Hymenoptera aes nie = 8. Collecting Ants see eS ze d 9. Collecting Caddises ee ss 13 Is Oc 10. Experiments with Bees a aes | 12. Collecting Dragonflies ... = a 13. Collecting Microlepidoptera ... wee 14. Setting Microlepidoptera aoe Eas 15. Collecting Heteroptera ... ate “ 18. Collecting Clearwings ... i ~<>- : This world-famous series of books |Changes of address and non-arrival of $3 covers every aspect of Natural Bulletins to: B. L. J. BYERLEY,- 3394 ¢ History. There are numerous titles of COUNETELG. CCS eee ne ee the-§ $3 enn - Hill, Middlesex. 3 $z special interest to the Entomologist. he. ; 3 33 Each book is written by an |Offers to lead Field Meetings, exhibit § oe . - ea $$ authority, and is profusely illus- cae vo bec gre Hand, a 3 trated in colour and _ black-and- anor. 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Brown, 3 os . 6 Osmond Gardens, Wallington, 33 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2] Surrey. oe ‘ # BEE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION | 2 33 OFFERS THE FOLLOWING AND OTHER FACILITIES TO $5554 reeeses Peoeece 33 ENTOMOLOGISTS: 8 33 q o¢ 2: ° Use of lending bese of books, journals aad scientific reprints on bees | coals 4 >< ss * Use of library of English translations of important foreign publications i rPoe & * Loan of Exhibitions for shows and meetings, including Exhibition 1 33 of photographs and photomicrographs of bees : a3 PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: 3 * Dictionary of beekeeping terms, English-French-German-Dutch (12/ 6 i 33 board; 16/- cloth). This gives the equivalents in the four | $3 lameness of 1500 beekeeping and entomological terms 5 3 33 * Bee World—international scientific journal about bees s 33 * Apicultural Abstracts—summaries of all important publications about 33 bees and allied subjects ° ° x 3S Membership, £1 a year . 33 - Write for details to the Director: e 33 Dr. EVA CRANE, Woodside House, Chalfont Heights, og 33 GERRARDS CROSS, Bucks. ae 33 nt he 33 f oe Pessoesssseettttsttsstsssssssetetttssteissstirssstitisstttrtsttetetssttisiitiitttetss ett th thy 80 ae | 4 NATURAL HISTORY STUDY The University of London awards a Certificate of Proficiency in Natural History. The Certificate was formerly restricted to teachers, but other per- sons interested in the study of living things in their natural habitats may now be admitted. The work involves a directed course of private reading at home, attendance at a _ Practical Course of four weeks’ duration in the Spring and Summer, an approved plan of field-work suited to the student’s locality to be written up in the form of an essay, and examina- tions. Students wishing to begin their directed course of reading may apply at any time before 15th November for registration with a view to attend- ing next year’s Practical Course which (subject to sufficient entries) will be held at Juniper Hall Field Centre, Dorking, Surrey, during one week in the Spring (8-15 April), and at Flat- ford Mill Field Centre for three weeks in the Summer (22 July to 12 August). The regulations and _ application form may be obtained from the Secretary, Natural History Certificate Course, Department of Extra-Mural Studies, University of London, Senate House, London, W.C.1. A SHORT COLLECTING TRIP IN THE NORTHERN TRANSVAAL The Easter holidays providing a long week-end this year, and with two days added to allow for travelling time, a good opportunity for a few days collecting in mountain and veld was available. Leaving Pretoria on the morning of 2nd April, by car, we covered the 200 odd miles to Louis Trichardt in the far northern Trans- vaal in good time. Louis Trichardt, named after one of the pioneer trekkers of the 1850’s, is a small town nestling at the foot of the Soutpans- berg range of mountains, which lie within the tropics near the northern border of the Transvaal. Proceeding No. 215 NOVEMBER 1958 eastwards from Louis Trichardt along the foot of the range for approxi- mately 20 miles, past farms of bananas, avocado pears and _ other semi-tropical fruits, we reached the turning into the mountain range, and after several miles of steady climbing reached our goal, the Entabeni forest reserve, approximately 4,500 feet above sea level. The range of moun- tains presents a magnificent panorama of verdant country covered almost from base to summit with dense forest and providing a wonderful hunting ground for the entomologist. The denseness of the forest is, however, somewhat of a drawback as collecting has to be confined to the roads and a few forest drives, it being quite 1m- possible to penetrate the thick under- growth of bushes and creepers. For- tunately, however, the roads give the sun an opportunity to penetrate the otherwise deep shade, and the sunlit glades thus made, provide the attrac- tion for all the winged beauties which dwell there. A 20 ft. extension net is an absolute necessity here as a number of the most desirable speci- mens seem to take a delight in float- ing gracefully around the tree tops far out of reach of an ordinary net. Some, e.g. Amauris echeria, Hypolim- nas dubia and Salamis parhassus, seem to float rather than fly from branch to branch while many beautiful examples of the Charazxes genus circle swiftly around the tree-tops and can only be lured down to earth by rotten fruit placed under the trap nets. On the lower levels dozens of C. mozeeki, Precis elgiva and tugela and the beautiful winter form of P. octavia, subsp. sesamus reward the collector, while the road itself provides a rest- ing place for several varieties of the Acraea genus, in fact so numerous were specimens of A. natalica that one got tired of seeing them. That monarch of the forests Papilio ophidicephalus was also present but flying with such speed as to make capture almost impossible, although its near relatives P. dardanus cenea, P. echerioides, P. nireus lyaeus were more easily netted. After two days collecting in the forest we retraced our steps and again passing through 62 Louis Trichardt proceeded about 30 miles due west along the foot of the mountain, and eventually rounded the western end of the range and reached what is known as the Great Saltpan. This is a slight saucer shaped depres- sion several square miles in extent, containing water from underground sources, which is highly saline, and has been used for many years in the production of salt by the process of evaporation. The country here is entirely different from the eastern portion, which we had just left. Whereas at the Entabeni end of the range copious rains fall during the summer rainfall period, 57” actually being recorded at the forest station in the month of January alone and resulting in serious flooding, the western portion receives a very scanty rainfall and instead of lush forest growth, one is confronted by the limit- less expanse of African bush stretch- ing endlessly to the horizon, with here and there a Baobab tree rearing its gaunt branches above the sea of Acacia thorn. Strangely enough this dry sandy type of country is just as prolific of butterfly life as the forest regions and is the home of a great variety of Pieridae. especially the genus Colotis. When warm and sunny weather pre- vails they are on the wing literally in hundreds. Some, e.g. Hronia leda, Colotis regina and Colotis ione, fly with great speed and are most difficult to net on the wing. Fortunately a few clumps of yellow flowers provided an attraction for these beautiful in- sects and with some patience and skill, quite a number were netted. It was found that the best method was to take up a position within sgriking distance of a clump of flowers, if pos- sible standing in the shade of a bush, and wait patiently until one paused for a few seconds on its seemingly endless flight, to sample the nectar in the flowers, when a swift stroke, might or might not capture one of these swift fliers. No second stroke was ever possible as if missed, they were gone in a flash. Another method was to use a dead specimen as a decoy. Having captured one, preferably a damaged one, it was impaled on a thorn, having of course first been killed, with its wings spread out and fixed to a shrub. The natural in- quisitiveness of the species then in- duced passers-by to hover for a second or two to see what that one was doing there and in that second a swift stroke resulted in many captures. Again, NOVEMBER 1958 _ only a swift and accurate stroke had any hope of success, as these swift fliers pause only for a second on their flight. Several varieties of those powerful fliers, the Charaxes, were also much in evidence here, a large tree with sap exuding from the trunk providing an unfailing attraction. Rotten bananas placed under trap nets also attracted several varieties. The fondness of this family for such delicacies as decaying fruit or meat, and fresh animal droppings, being one of the peculiarities of nature. After two days collecting here and with every paper and bow filled to capacity we turned our faces homewards, well satisfied, and resolved to visit such a happy hunting ground next season. The following is a list of the species taken over four days collecting : — PIERIDAE Colotis regina Trimen ione Godart danae FF. subsp. annae Wallengren form Wal- lengrenz Butler. ; eucharis Wallengren :; antevippe Boisduval > evenina Wallengren euippe L evagore Klug form antigone Boisduval eris Klug calais Cramer : agoye Wallengren Nepheromia buqueti Boisduval Eronia leda Boisduval Mylothris chloris F. form agathina Cramer Belenois gidica Godart a creona Cramer Pinacopterya eriphia Godart PAPILIONIDAE dardanus Brown cenea Stoll nireus IL. Doubleday echerioides Trimen Papilio subsp. form lyaeus LyYCAENIDAE Everia hippocrates F. Hypolycaena caeculus Hopffer NYMPHALIDAE Charazes candiope Godart bs brutus Cramer saturnus Boisduval achaemenes Felder zoolina Westwood m jahlusa Trimen a etheocles Cramer AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 63 Salamis parhassus Drury HESPERIIDAE Hypolimnas. dubia F. wahlbergr Celaenorrhinus mozeeki Wallengreni Wallengren Metisella metis L. pee Beenie ms : Coeliades forestan Cramer Lachnoptera ayresii Trimen Neptis agatha Cramer J. Brown (2889). Eurytela hiarbas Drury e bis dryope Cramer Precis octavia Cramer — subsp. REVIEW sesamus Trimen The Lepidoptera of Formby (Lancs.). ny trigela Trimen : . elgiva Hewitson The Raven Entomological and Natural History Society, 1958, eae pp. 38, 3 plates, price 2s. 6d. . This local list is dedicated to the Acraea natalica Boisduval memory of the late Col. G. de C. 5 encedon L. Fraser, the founder of the Raven », encedon form lycia F. Society, and compiled by M. J. Leech ., esebria Hewitson and H. N. Michaelis. The publica- ,, cabira Hoppfer tion includes a short biography of Col. Fraser by C. de C. Whiteley, while Allan Brindle’s foreword ex- Bematistes aganice Hewitson plains the topography and flora of the SATYRIDAE Formby area, together with a sketch- map. Melanitis leda Drury The list is very complete and_ the Mycalesis safitra Westwood micro-, as well as the macrolepi- : iti? ; doptera, are adequately covered. Henotesia i Trimen Useful and concise notes accompany Melampius cassius Godart each species, and to the microlepi- doptera are added foodplants. To students of distribution, the publica- tion is well worth while. Amauris echeria Stoll BRAS! DANAIDAE SOME RECENT OBSERVATIONS ON THE LARGE BLUE, MACULINEA ARION LINN. With the limited time available to most of us, the addition to our collections of the rare and remote species of our Island usually arises from a planned holiday in the known area and, provided that the weather is kind, one or two days collecting in localities gleaned from brother collectors; and having taken our quota, marking another ‘want’ from our list. The result is that few of us rarely study the insect in its surroundings, and known localities soon become denuded of stock. There is little collecting or study done in our remote areas due to this lack of time, but often one is happily surprised by coming upon a new locality for a scarce species. I have found the Wood: White (Leptidea sinapis Linn.) and the Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae Linn.) in woodlands far from the recognised spots, in small unfrequented woods where the entomologist with limited time, or who is car-bound, never ventures. At the present moment the Large Blue (Maculinea arion) is known to exist in North Devon, possibly in the Cotswolds and, Mr. EK. B. Ford states, on Dart- moor. It could occur in any suitable remote habitat, as it is a difficult butter- fly to capture, and easily confused with the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus Rott.) when flying. If on the wing for any length of time the fly becomes so damaged that it could be almost unrecognisable. If the Heath fritillary Melitaea athalia Rott.) can occur on Exmoor with no woodland nearby and only be found by accident two years ago, it is probable that M. arion may still exist on other of our hillsides or moorlands waiting for a discoverer. _ _In 1957 I was able to make a preliminary review of the status of arion in North Devon, in the company of another member of the Society. The 64 NOVEMBER 1958 — weather was not too kind and the season was very early so that the butterfly was well out, and the bulk of specimens seen were worn. The reserved area was examined and burning of the herbage in the previous year had reduced the colony considerably, but it was possible to examine the type of terrain and the habits of the insect. The top soil is very thin and of a loose texture cover- ing the slaterock that forms the cliffs. There is everywhere an outcropping of stone and slate pieces. The vegetation is patchy, being of short grasses, heather and cross-leaved heaths, with sheep’s-bit scabious growing amongst the thick patches of thyme that carpet the open spaces. Low gorse bushes and patches of bracken are here and there, commencing an invasion of surrounding ground. The butterfly, which matches the blue of the scabious, is active on the wing from 10 a.m. to about noon, and can be seen flying at all levels on the slopes, usually heading into the permanent breeze, quite near to the herb- age. If the sun goes in behind a cloud the butterfly either jands on a patch of thyme, or amongst the gorse, waiting for the sun to re-appear. If disturbed, it makes off swiftly | down wind and disappears suddenly. It has dropped into the bracken or gorse or into the long grasses which grow in the valley bottoms. There it crawls down into the herbage and is very difficult to find. After a short period, it climbs up into the light and is on the wing again, heading up- wind. After noon it is possible to disturb the resting insects from the patches of thyme or from the herbage, and then the flight is irregular and they quickly © drop down to rest again. The host ant (Myrmica sp.) lives under the small stones scattered over the slopes. Even the smallest stones harbour colonies and upon lifting up a stone one can see the ants swarming over their large ‘queen’ cocoons which they have brought up from the nest to get the sun’s warmth prior to emergence. These cocoons are quite large and pinkish in tint. Although it is not mentioned in any of the reference books, I feel it is very probable that the ants may bring up the pupa of arion in the same way so that emergence of the butterfly is made easier. This might account for the very long emergence period of arion and the great variation of dates from year to year. As a subterranean feeder, it might be expected that arion would not be affected by the seasonal fluctuations, but if its emergence is subject to the progress of the ant colony and the date at which they start to move their own pupae up to the surface, then the weather conditions must be very important. This may also be the purpose of the pupa falling down amongst the ant pupae after pupation has occurred. After examining the reserved area we also examined two other areas where the insect occurred and took several newly emerged specimens. The area is so rugged and so overgrown in places that to thoroughly search and ascertain the present standing of the butterfly in North Devon would be impossible in the time available, and as flight period each day is so short, the certainty of the existence of the butterfly in any particular place can only be a matter of chance, unless one is there during the morning. It was obvious that another visit was needed. In 1958 a second visit was made, and having ascertained from the reserved area that the butterfly was out, but only just emerging, it was possible to concentrate on exploring the cliffs and coombes over a large area. It was possible to locate the butterfly in five separate valleys, all similar in aspect and terrain to the reserved area, but nowhere could it be said to be abundant. While sitting eating my sandwiches and watching the trout in the stream below me, I became aware of a blue butterfly hovering above some heather by the stream. In the net, it turned out to be the Large Blue. I had walked up and down this valley several times and this was the first sign that arion was present here. Afterwards I found several more but it is obvious that a locality could easily be passed over and in bad conditions it would be impossible to be sure that the butterfly was not there. One valley was well back from the sea and I would suggest that agriculture is the reason for arion being a coastal species here. Suitable areas must have occurred much farther inland, but ploughing, grazing and burning-off probably drove the butterfly into ‘those difficult valleys that now harbour it. Even here there are periodic burnings of the herbage, and in view of the encroachment of the gorse and bracken this must help to keep the conditions right for the butterfly, provided that only small areas are destroyed each year, thus allowing some of the breeding ground i to be untouched, to permit recolonisation of the burnt-off areas. It takes several — years for the thyme to re-establish itself and if burning-off is complete then the AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 65 new imagines must either move or perish: It is doubtful that the ants’ nests are badly affected by the winter burnings. In one area there is danger that over-collecting will endanger the colony and it is to be hoped that all collectors will honour the conditions of the reserved area, so that re-colonisation can always occur. A day was spent in the old Cornish areas, and it was possible to cover a large area of those localities. Some parts are terribly overgrown with gorse and bracken so that travelling from valley to valley is a nightmare. Where such conditions had arisen, it was possible to find only small patches of thyme and the sun-loving ants appeared to have moved out. The main area of previous years was completely burned off last year and now supported only meadow grasses and stone-crop (and adders). The farmer informed us that one specimen had been captured by a collector in 1956 but we saw none throughout the day despite a brilliant sun and perfect conditions. The only area which might have supported a colony, as it was thick with thyme, was in the last stages of being ploughed, a sacrifice to the government subsidy. It is quite possible for the butterfly to be farther south, but the country is very difficult and the roads almost impossible for motor traffic and time would not permit further explora- tion. Earlier in 1958 I was able to spend a few days in Gloucestershire in the hopes of studying the Large Blue there. Local collectors are naturally unwilling to give any information to strangers in view of the rarity of the insect but I visited many of the old localities without success. The weather was very inclement, but it would appear that agriculture must have been partly respon- sible for the restriction of the species in the Cotswolds as it was difficult to find areas which had not been cultivated or heavily grazed and only the steepest slopes or common land appeared to have any chance of supporting arion. The fact that I was unable to find any traces of the butterfly has little significance as the right conditions were not obtained during my visit. I would be very interested if any member could confirm that arion still occurs in the Cotswolds and could let me have any observations on its habits there. To summarise, it would appear that the continuing existence of the Large Blue in its known areas is hopeful providing it is not overcollected and the Ministry of Agriculture do not double the subsidy on breaking up sub-sub- marginal land. From my experiences in the last two years, I think that there is still need of more information and investigation into the ant hosts and only the scarcity of the butterfly and the distances involved make this a difficult task in this country. The Red Ants (Myrmica) have been recorded as the main hosts and E. B. Ford gives M. scabrinodis Nylander and M. laevonodis Nylander. The former has its marriage flight in August and September, while the latter is recorded as producing its new queens in June. The Red Ants seem to choose the larger stones for their nests. In the area where I found a newly emerged female there were several small stones and under each was a nest of Black Ants (Formica fusca Linn.) in which all the pupae were up ready for emergence, the males and queens whose flight occurs usually in June or July. Each colony was small and the stones were in most cases only two or three inches across. The habits of this ant are very similar to those of the Myrmica group and they will ‘milk’ plant-lice found in foraging expeditions, and Donisthorpe records over fifty species of alien insects in their nests. Surely here is an ideal host for arion. The small size of the colonies might mean under- feeding of the butterfly larvae and this may be the reason for a high percentage of small imagines in seasons when colonies are weak. This year I recorded that about one in four of imagines examined were undersize and several were as small or smaller than the Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus, both in the male and female. I understand that M. arion is more widespread on the Continent where it lives on open heathland. Does any member know of any investiga- tions carried out on the Continent into the types of host ant, and the distribu- tion of the butterfly ? P. W. Crisp (2270). References Donisthorpe, H., 1915, British Ants. Ford, E. B., 1945, Butterflies. 66 NOVEMBER 1958 MICROSCOPY AND THE ENTOMOLOGIST (1) The following series of articles are issued by the AES Microscopy Study Group, and further information on these subjects can be obtained from the Secretary] Editor of the Group. LENSES AND MAGNIFICATION One of the most useful tools of the entomologist, be he coleopterist., dipterist, or interested in some of the more minute orders of insects, is the hand lens or magnifier. With it the smaller details, essential for purposes of identification, become more easily observed. No good collector should be without, at least, a 23 inch hand lens or watchmaker’s eyeglass. There has been much dispute regarding the best method of using the magnifier. Some advocate holding the lens close to the eye and bringing the object closer until it is in focus. Others prefer to hold the lens a short pata from the object and adjust it at arms length until the best focus is obtained. Let us consider what is the effect of a magnifier on human sight. If we look at fig. 1 the apparent size of the object h is represented by the h < visual angle @ and can be expressed in terms of —. In order to see an object as large as possible with the naked eye it is necessary to bring the object as near as possible to the eye so that — shall be as large as possible. There is, how- ever, a limiting point to the distance at which an object can be clearly seen by the eye. This distance is 10 inches or 250 mm. for normal sight. Now if we could bring the object nearer. say 6 inches from the eye (see fig. 2), we should increase the angle @to 9% and then the ratio — becomes 1-6 and we should have 1°6 times magnification. However. the human eye is limited as we have shown. The muscles cannot pull the lens system sufficiently to focus on an object nearer than 10 ‘inches. By placing a supplementary lens in front to alter the focal length of the lens in the eye we assist the eye to focus on the nearer object. The shorter the focal length of the magnifier the nearer can the object be brought towards the eye and the greater will be the Angle of Image. The inclination of the Angle of Image of a supplementary lens is a function of the size of the object and the local length of the lens. Therefore, the magnification of a simple lens is found by:— height of object | focal length of lens | 10 inches ~ height of object focal length of lens Limiting factor (= 10”) | For example :— 10” A magnifier of 2} inches focus has magnifying power So 21” 10” A magnifier of 1 inch focus has magnifying power —— = x10 a Fig. 2 shows a magnifier, close to the eye and the object brought towards it until focus is obtained. Fig. 3 shows the lens held at arm’s length and the distance between object and lens adjusted for focus. In both cases the image AES BULLETIN VOL. 17 67 appears at infinity. As we saw earher, the apparent size of image can be ex- pressed in terms of the visual angle ‘‘ 6’. In Fig. 2 this can be seen to be greater than in Fig. 3 hence greater magnification is to be obtained with the lens close to the eye. It is the easiest thing in the world to find the focal length of a magnifier. _ All that is required is a sheet of thick white paper and a distant brightly ht ) | ; | object. The simplest way is to stand against the wall opposite to a window in a long room or passage and, holding the paper vertically in one hand, focus the window frame onto the paper with the lens in the other until it is perfectly sharply defined. The distance between the paper and lens is the focal length of your lens. A watchmaker’s eyeglass of 23} inch focus costs only about 3/- and is very convenient once the art of wearing it comfortably is mastered and leaves both hands free for manipulation of the object. It gives a x4 magnification and the working distance, i.e. the distance between glass and object, is 23} inches approximately. Shorter focus eyeglasses are obtainable, a 1-inch glass with its magnification of x10 being the most powerful but it must be remembered that a working distance of 1 inch may prove a little inconvenient. AS Fig. 2 ie Fig. 3 68 NOVEMBER 1958 IN THE FIELD For field work the watchmaker’s leaves both hands free. length of cord. eyeglass will prove to be most useful as it It is a good idea to attach it to one’s person by a Nothing is more annoying than to have moved on to fresh ground and then to find that the precious magnifier has been left several fields away. LETTER TO THE EDITOR WASPS AT THE WINDOW W. J. B.Crotcn (1181) writes :— I suppose that September is the month when people without the least interest in insects are most inclined to notice them, and not like them any the more for doing so. I refer to the wasps at the window, trying to find their way between the sashes, buzzing busily and noisily whether outside or in. But even a shortage of material for our Bulletin would not stimulate me to write to you, if that were all I had to note. Last September wasps at the win- dow twice gave me a considerable surprise, because they came to my light at about half pa eleven at night (22.30 hrs. G.M.T.) On both occasions I was in my bath and not disposed to try catching them to determine sex or species! The room is lit by a 75 watt bulb in an opaque white globe on a chromium ceiling plinth. The window opens upon a sizeable ‘well’ within a block of flats. It is at first floor level, with two storeys above. The well is not the one to which insects might be attracted by the kitchen scrap- gone astray. The large well is bright at night because of the landing lights at each level; but a time-switch puts these out at eleven or soon after. It was after that that the fascination of my bathroom operated. D. H. HeEppett (1690). The wasps, when inside, paid no attention to me, but circled the lighted globe (after the fashion of moths at a candle) and eventually settled to preen themselves on the warm plinth. By morning they had gone out again. I wonder if members with light traps have commonly taken wasps at night? Those to whom [ talked ait the AES exhibition were as astonished by these nocturnal habits as I had been. ~ @ AN APPEAL In order to ensure accuracy in the Bulletin and its annual index it is necessary for the Editor and the proof readers to check scientific names and their authors against a standard reference and for this purpose the Society uses A Check List of British Insects Kloet and Hincks, 1945. Owing to the geographical location of the persons responsible, the one copy of this publication in the pos- session of the Society is insufficient and another one is badly needed. If any member has a copy that can be spared for this purpose the General Secretary would be very glad to receive it, either as a donation to the Society or on long term loan. THE PRESIDENT. * Professor Fungus By G. S. Kloet Printed by T. Buncle & Co. Lid., society, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. Arbroath, and published by the Amateur Entomologists 1958. CoeeeeeeeeeeeSeOSeeS OOS OOSO HOSES OOOOOSOSOESSESOSESOS OSES OOSED (54 241445000000000060004 Lnboooooboaaa4 Matteistitissastistittistissasteststssettessestestasesssssississassaseeseaseastes SPOOSOOSOOCOO OSD — oe LEPIDOPTERA = 33 - COLOMBIA — EQUADOR — BOLIVIA — New Original Material 3 2 Small light-trap specimens with many undescribed species, 100 ... £2. $3 é Upon request, preference to certain families, spec. Noctuidae, $3 - Geometridae. —Lot of Pieridae, Acraeidae, Mechanitidae, Satyridae, 33 3 Nymphalidae, Heliconiidae of same regions up to 10,000 feet altitude, ¢ _ all unclassified and original, 100 ... £4 10 |-. ss Also Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, ee Sete of the same area. 33 Local Argentina livestock in ova and cocoons—chrysalids. 33 Payment to AES Treasurer. Orders over £6 air-mail free. $3 ie on WALZ, Sane RECONQUISTA 453, BUENOS AIRES, R. ARGENTINA 33 The AES PROSPECTUS ~ CONTAINING FULL DETAILS 33 will be sent to anyone interested — at ca Please Apply, Enclosing 2d Stamp, to: $3 Hon. Advertising Secretary, AES 3 54 GYLES PARK, STANMORE, MIDDLESEX ss P SSTTSSSSSSSSSSSSSESSSSSTSSSSSSSSSSSESSSSSSSESSSESSSESTSESEEEEETSESEESTEE ESET EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETL PPPOPPODO SOO OO ODED OOH ODE LUO DOLD OL OOD OLOLOODOENOLOLOOO ODO DOLOOLODO SOUL ODDO SOOO O SOLO OOOO OOOO OLED OOS , ~ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY one * rr Well illustrated Subscription: 26/- per year Free Sample Copy sent on request “ ‘22: Harlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England a "ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE | a NEW and SECOND-HAND e 4 ie Large stocks of Separata and Reprints on all Orders and _ o. Bes. Entomological subjects == Catalogues sent free on request E. W. CLASSEY, F.R.E.S., A.B.A. Entomological Publisher and Bookseller dJarlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England : f (4.444555554545545555554 oe SOS OOOSOOS OOOO OOS EEO OOEOOSOO OOO OOOO OOOO OOOOOOOOOOO 0000000008 POSSCSSSSOSSOSSOOSOOOS ee asastsssesssesesesessesssestsessssssssastsestsssesstsestsestsettttisttette oon oe .. _ eeee eere : Amateur Entomolo gist = (Illustrated with photographs and line ikl | i Volume 9 “Practical Methods and Hints i for Lepidopterists ”’ 4 3 Contains Articles on— q a Collecting Caterpillars J 3 Breeding Cages for Macrolepidoptera (describing _ 33 ~ .. 38 ways of making a cage 3 Making a Beating Tray (describing six a 33 : kinds of tray) 33 Price 5s. $3 ~ To Member (quoting membership number) 3s. 6d. 33 Postage 2d. extra per volume, from 33 C. BIGNELL PRATT 3 1 West Ham Lane - London, E15 # = A SILKMOTH REARER’S : _ HANDBOOK 3; A complete reference book for those who embark upon the fascinating 3 :: adventure of rearing the largest and most colourful moths of the world. $ oe Part I records practical experience in breeding silkmoths from all ¢ 3 over the world during the past decade. It illustrates bought and home- 33 made apparatus and gives hints on everything the beginner needs to § ss learn about the life-cycle of the insects. q 33 Part II, for the first time in one book and one language, gives $: complete or nearly complete descriptions of all stages of the life-cycle § $¢ of over 120 species. Some 1,400 species and subspecies can be looked-u p ss under 138 generic names. g $3 Part III is a reference section, covering cross-pairing, the major or i s; reference works and an index of species and subspecies. : 33 The Handbook comprises 165 pp. with full colour cover, 2 colour $: plates, 63 monochrome photos and 24 line drawings or charts. 3 33 Price 17s. 6d. (plus postage 7d.) from °3 AES, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. Berssssessssessesesesessseegsseegeseeeseeegesegsseegeseeessgeseegsesgsssgosgggesessessessses , CP POCOOO OSLO DOO SS PHOOOSOLOSL OOD OSD OSSOO DOOD O OOOO COC ODOC ODO OTOP OCU E TET OO Oe MF iL ae ae ae ae oa a a A PP 0B, THE BULLETIN E O THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY : Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. World List abbreviation UNWELL a7 \ hoa Mp7 %, % a= oot Lor Y < 7, YY UW, YU gee Y Yj < Y "y ‘ ¢ ge ed “_— Uf Y] Y Ss ly YY “2° = TD. ~-= ~ C___ "i , / EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD Y — SHSSSCSOSOSSSSSSOSOSSSOSOS ssesegess 0444454646060 04 Seer ee cece eee eC cnet eneneocburcecoaneel oe Booscesessoceesesessessos bP 2S SSdS9 2S 98 SP SOSST OSI T STILTS PITITPLSIIIILOPTISSITTL IST T TTI TTT TT = THE OUTSTANDING SERIES FOR - AES NOTICE | 33 HOME AND FIELD USE WHERE OC eITE : 33 True Pocket Size | i 33 Membership applications, offers of netp et The to: D. OLLEVANT, 3 Salcombe Drive. $3 Morden, Surrey. $ 33 ? F 33 OBSERVER S é Advertisers to: R. D. HILLIARD, 54 cyielt % POCKET SERIES Park, Stanmore, Middlesex. 3 33 . ee]. : er Changes of address and non-arrival of¢ 33 Birds - Wild Flowers - Butterflies - Bulletins to: B. L. J. 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BROWN, | oe 6 Osmond Gardens, Be : 3; 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2 Surrey. 33 = | Kips BACK NUMBERS 33 OF THE | = q oe : a :: Members can help the Society In A E S BULLETIN | 3 several ways:— 1s. 3d. a copy i 33 ev tae : 33 (a) By dealing with advertisers are available from | 33 and mentioning the Bulletin. B. L. J. BYERLEY, 33 , 3 Courtfield Crescent, 33 (b) By bringing in new members. Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex 33 (Subscription, 12/- per annum. 3 Juniors, 9/- per annum.) Complete volumes with covers and index 33 (c) By buying AES publications}]Vol.7 ...... 1946-48 ...... 21/0 33 and suggesting Public Libraries]Vols. 8-10 1949-51 ..... 10/6 eact oe é q se eagle [iy eae Vols. 11.17 19558 12/6 each| 33 : : a 33 (d) By friendly co-operation with] Special quotations for several | 33 other members. volumes on application a = 7 | 3 (e) By taking just that extra bit : From | $$ of trouble required to record} AES, 1 WEST HAM LANE, | 33 happenings of note for the LONDON, E.15 | 33 Bulletin. | SSHSSSSSS SOSH SSOSSSSSSOSHSSSSOOOOSD $4 2145154555054 0 45554.55555555554 eocccoccoeoe 5555445555555 555555d; ee sssssssss SPOSSSSSSSOSOSSSOSOOS Sos sss sssssssssssssssssssss ?° eee seesssssssssss SPSOSSOSOSOOSD SOOO SECRETARY’S LETTER Mr. R. C. Bland (2197) has now been co-opted by the Council to take over the office of Treasurer from Mr. P. C. Le Masurier. We are very grateful to Mr. Le Masurier for the work he has done for the Society and feel confident that the office remains in competent hands. Your Council is well aware of the fact that the Bulletin has not been up to standard of late. Several methods for improving it have been suggested and these are under con- sideration. It is to be expected that by the time this letter appears in print a scheme will have _ been thrashed out and put into force. Those members who have loyally stayed with us will then shortly be benefitted by an improved Bulletin. Information about the Council’s decisions will be passed on to members as soon as possible. D. OLLEVANT, Hon. General Secretary. 6/10/58. ® ANNUAL EXHIBITION, 1958 The weather was once again very kind to us and we enjoyed a fine day for our Annual Exhibition. The sug- gestion had been made by members, after the peak attendance of 1957, that a larger hall should be rented. It was decided that after so many years at this very suitable and con- venient address, a change was not advisable; a decision endorsed during conversation with members and friends present this year. The high hopes that the 1958 season would be an improvement on the 1957 one were, unfortunately, not realised. A wet summer with a large deficit of sunshine was unfavourable to many of the more popular orders. However, reports seem to suggest that though these conditions were pretty general over a large part of Europe, autumn migrants were well up to the average. We feel that a small decrease in the number of exhibits was inevitable but that a normal season will remedy this matter. By courtesy of : the London Zoological Gardens, we were pleased A E —_ BULLETIN No. 216 DECEMBER 1958 to welcome G J. Ashby (252) who showed a large collection of living specimens of insects and other orders. These included giant centipedes, milli- pedes, bird-eating spiders, stick Insects, mantids, locusts and cock- roaches. An observation hive of Honey Bees (dpis mellifera Linn.) proved a popu- lar item, and illustrative of the useful material sent to the London Zoo and other National Institutions was an immature green crested mantis from Nairobi whose identity can not be determined until bred to maturity. A primary aim of the Society has always been to cater for nature lovers at the beginning of their entomological careers with a special care for the younger generation. It was, therefore, a source of pleasure and satisfaction to note the keenness and skill expressed in the Junior exhibits. These included the extremely fine paintings of Lepidoptera by K. Chater (2653) and insect collections shown by G. B. White (1749), P. Shirley (2684), R. Shirley (2586), N. Wilding (2528) and A. R. Middleton (2482). The modern trend for specialisa- tion is revealed, very markedly, by the interest shewn in the various specialist groups. The conveners are always pleased to supply details and welcome new members who enjoy the many advantages of fresh contacts and pooling of knowledge and material. The AES Microscopy Group was founded by C. H. Ison (1348) in 1952 with an initial membership of 13. A quarterly circular bulletin is issued and a particular advantage of this Group is that members who do not have an easy access to the expensive equip- ment—such as microscopes—required for their work are able to avail them- selves of the skill and material of other members. Examples of the interesting work done were shown at the Exhibition and included _ speci- mens of the ichneumon fly (Asphidius) and aphides affected by this species: also carded Fairy flies (Alaptus) parasitic on ova with a body length of less than 1/80 inch. 70 DECEMBER 1958 The AES Dipiterists’ Group. con- vener L. Parmenter (895). has grown steadily since its inception a few years ago, several new members being enrolled at the Exhibition. Ii is very pleasing to report that it is one of the largest working groups in this Order in the British Isles. Exhibits were designed to show the lines on which members were working to determine the life histories of species and incidentally to point out the enormous amount of field and bench work siill to be undertaken. The AES Microlepidopterisis’ Study Group has proved a most popular and successful undertaking. Mr. M. E. Castle is the present Secretary. Small light-trap specimens with many undescribed species, 100 ... £2. = ¢ Upon request, preference to certain families, spec. Noctuidae, 33 Geometridae.—Lot of Pieridae, Acraeidae, Mechanitidae, Satyridae, 33 Nymphalidae, Heliconiidae of same regions up to 10,000 feet altitude, $33 all unclassified and original, 100 ... £4 10/-. ss Also Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Homoptera of the same area. ss Local Argentina livestock in ova and cocoons—chrysalids. $3 . Payment to AES Treasurer. Orders over £6 air-mail free. oe KF. H. WALZ, 33 RECONQUISTA 453, BUENOS AIRES, R. ARGENTINA 33 - DATA LABELS : | 500 1000 , 4-line ...... Price 7/— 12/6 33 Printed in 44 point (Diamond) type | Re. aa. 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GLASSEY, F.R.E.S., A.B.A. $3 ie Entomological Publisher and Bookseller Harlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England I SLSSSSSSLSSSLSLSSSSESSSSLESSLASHSSSAEALELELLLEALLEE LLL ELL LLL Titi POOP OOS OSES EO SOOO OOOO OOOO OOOO OOOO OOOOOOTOU OOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOE OOOH OOOOH OOOO OO OOOOTOSEEs ae PUBLICATIONS 33 of the a : Amateur Entomologists’ Society | = “THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGIST” # 3 Volumes in oe are # 3 Volume 5 q ! Be Contains articles on “Some British Moths Reviewed ” by § | 33 W. H. T. Tams; “ Habits of some British Moths” by Dr. 3 E. A. Cockayne; “ Setting Lepidoptera ” and other papers. # 33 Price 4s 6d; postage 3d # 3 Volume 8 7 | — | 33 Contains illustrated articles on “ Collecting Dragonflies,” | a3 “ Collecting Micros.”, Sweepnets, “Collecting Mosquitoes,” 33 an eight-page list of standard books on Entomology, ete. ? = Price 5s (Members 2s 6d); postage 2d 3 3 Volume 9 ae | Zz 33 Practical Methods and Hints for Lepidopterists. Contains # 33 illustrated instructions for making many types of breeding 4 33 and other cages; articles on breeding and collecting larvae; % 33 and illustrated instructions for making beating trays. oS 33 Price 5s (Members 3s 6d); postage 2d # : Volume 10 . as Contains illustrated articles on “Collecting Lacewings,” 33 “ Drawing Insects,” “ Collecting Caddises,” “ Ehoteemaas os of Caterpillars,” ete. 12 photographic plates. ces Price 6s (Members 4s 6d); postage 2d 3 Volume 11 .- 33 A Coleopterist’s Handbook. Deseibee the tools and ¢ 33 apparatus and methods of collecting British beetles; them 33 habitats, commensals and pre-adult stages; how to recor rd, 53 photograph, make a personal collection and conduct ¢ 33 local survey. 20 plates. 33 Price 15s; postage 5d 3 3} Volume 12 a es A Silkmoth Rearer’s Handbook. Describes ee 33 breeding methods; gives descriptions of life-cycles of ove 3 120 species and nieces to some 1400 species and Me = species. A complete reference book on the subject. 165 pp. 33 2 colour plates, 63 photographs, 24 line drawings. _ oa 33 Price 17s 6d; postas ) # AES Bulletins a 33 Complete Volumes for each year from 1946 with. cove er 33 and indexes. Prices on application. a l SSSSSESSSSSSESSSSS SSIES SSS SSS SSSSSSSSSS SESS ESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSS ST OSES SSS S ST SSS S SETS S STs eons +e eee SOSSSSSHSSSSOSSOSESCOOSSD SOOSLOSOOSO OO DODODOOEOSOOOOOODOSOHOOSDOOS OOOO OPOCONSOST ESPON OE ST EE @ = THE BULLETIN OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY VOLUME 18 (1959) Edited by B. R. STALLWOOD The Amateur Entomologists’ Society 1 West Ham Lane, London, E15 il INDEX CONTRIBUTORS Alston HON He; oie 36 Ansorge, Sir Eric, 31 Archer, J. R., 29 Beaufoy, L. S., 92 Boorman, J, Pry 52 Brag bey, Ke Nos a Brangham, A. N, 68. Bruce, C. G., 8 Byerley, Be i: Js, 43 Castle, M. E., 33, 44 Chalo, 12s Wo, 22 Gil, 76 Crothally wee 47, Curran ys AL 28 Drakes Hel SsSepoy leas, Evans, A. W., 47, 92 Friend, M. J., 21 Gem, 1235 de, 3 Harrison, J. W. Heslop, 67, 70, 82 Haynes, R. G., 52, 54 JEloloos, da 'Ce, Bt, es Hopkins, B., 51 Hopkins, W. J. H., 79 Johnson, J. H., 2, 90 Kennard, A., 32 Kettlewell, H. B. D., 54 Knight, J. E., 38, 44 IOI, dy So, 45) McDermott, C., 50 Maggs, P., 4 Moore, J., 69, 83, 84 Ollevants Dey OA QO oie Ale ADAG Aone 53, 58, 60, 61, 66, 77, 81, 87, 89, 92. Payne, R. M., 48, 55 IPeunis,, dio 18l, vA Pontin, A. J., 70 Riddenough, J. N. M., 28 RSTO, ALL Se, il, aly, OX 950, GA, fey, 2e). 59, 60, 72, 74, 88, 914 ; Sadler, E. A., 9 Side Key Cs S47, DSaGuol 0 Skinner, B. F., 41, 46, 57, 66, 81, 89 Smith, D. H., 85 Smithy Ge de. ll) a2 Spoczynska, J. O. I., 4, 24 Stallwood, B. R., 36 Swain, H. D., 32, 79 Taylor, P. G., 6, 36, 68, 88 Thiman, R. G., 77 TISDUrY, We Jes D.).00 Townsend, A. L. H., 17 Uifen, R. W. J., 14 Underwood, R., 40 Weneahin, (Gh IRs 3 Waddington, L. G. F., 10 WVENISIN, (6% 183.5 G5 Webb, H. E., 19 Whicher, L. S., 75 Williams, P., 11, 44 AES BULLETIN, Vol. 18 SUBJECTS Acherontia atropos L., rearing, 2 Aglais urticae, variety of, in London, 31 America, insects in, 50 An attempt to rear the Map-Winged Swift (Hepialus fusconebulosa Deg.) from the egg, 37 Annual general meeting, 60 Ant mating flights, 70 Argynnis aglaja L., 52 “Assembling’’, observations on, 7 A standard locality card, 85 Back to Moses Harris—or a lot of clap- trap, 52 Bedstraw Hawk Moth in East Lothian, 29 Beetle ccllecting in the spring and early © summer, 35 Beginners please, 17 Blue and green bottles, 36 Breeding the Oak Eggar, request for help, oA Breeding the Speckled Wood aegeria L.), 43 Bright periods and showers, i4 Brimstone butterfly (Gonopteryx rhamni L.) Catalepsy in, 68 Brimstones, pairing, 71 Butterflies at wet mud, 79 Butterflies, early in 1959, 36 Butterflies, sending living by post, 82 Butterflies on the Continent, 25 Butterflies, spring in S. Spain, 83 Butterflies, spring records 74 Catalepsy in the Brimstone (Gonopteryx rhamni L.), 68 Chemical spraying of roadside verges, 39 (Pararge Chilocorus renipustulatus Rossi, Mortality in the ladybird, 3 Coenonympha tullia Mull., Rearing, 51 Coenonympha tullia Mull., the Heath, notes on, 67 Collecting Hints : coleoptera, 47, 58, 67, 81, 90 macro-lepidoptera, 41, 46, 57, 66, 81, 89 smaller moths, 41, 46, 58, 66, 81, 89 Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-album L.), | 26 Corrigenda, 36, 52, 60 Coventry, Oleander Hawkmoth in, 92 Butterfly | ; Large | Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja L.)| 52 Diaries, 54 | Ii Dilina tiliae L. (Lime Hawk Moth), pupa; |. digging, 19 Early butterflies in 1959, 36 29 Editorial, 61 AES BULLETIN, Vol. 18 ill Entomological liaison with the Nature Conservancy, 39 Erratic emergence of P. brassicae due to temperature changes, 84 Field meetings, 76 Foodplants of some of the Fritillaries, further notes of, 61 Foodplants, some alternative, 10 Fritillaries, further notes of the foodplants of some of the, 61 Gonepteryx rhamni L. Catalepsy in the Brimstone Butterfly, 68 Grasshoppers, what about, 48, 55 Green Bottles, Blue and, 36 ‘'Hairstreaks, on beating for, 20 Hepialus fusconebulosa Deg. to rear from the egg, 37 ‘Hornets at light, 44 'Housefiies, 40 iIn defence of ‘‘putting down’’, 22 ‘Insects in America, 50 Junior News Section : Breeding the Speckled Wood, 43 Butterflies on the Continent, 25 Editorial, 15, 34, 49, 59, 74, 83, 91 An attempt News from members, 15, 34, 42, 60, 91 Preparing for summer, 16 Records of spring butterflies, 74 Some notes on October 1959, 91 The Comma Butterfly, Polygonia c-album te, 26 What to do in June, 49 English names, 47 ‘Ladybird, Mortality in Chilocorus reni- pustulatus Rossi, 3 Laothoé populi L. {Poplar Hawk) in early May, 71 Large Heath, Coenonympha tullia Muell., notes on, 67 Large Heath—rearing, 51 Lepidoptera, Lone Wolf, 9 Lepidoptera, Melanic larvae amongst the, 70 Letters to the Editor :— Blue and Green Bottles, 36 Diaries, 54 English names, 47 Field meetings, 76 Hornets at light, 44 Houseflies. 40 Pupal diapause in pavonia L., 92 Putting down, 28 Springing, 47 ; The Muslin Footman, 28 \ Lime Hawk Moth, pupa digging, 19 )List of moths taken at Elen’s Castle Hotel, Dolwyddelan, Caernarvonshire, 79 | Lithosiinae, some further notes on the, 29 ) Locality card, a standard, 85 London, variety of Aglais urticae L. in, 31 “Lone Wolf’? Lepidoptera, 9 Lucanus cervus in S.E. Bucks. Observations on, 72 -|Making store boxes, 72 Map-winged Swift, an attempt to rear from the egg, 37 Saturnia } | i Marbled Beauty and Muslin Footman in 1959, 90 Mating flights, ant, 70 Melanic larvae amongst the Lepidoptera, 70 Members’ interest in “other’’ orders, 77 Mercury vapour trap studies, 1958, 11 Mercury vapour trap studies, corrections, 44 Mercury vapour traps and wasps, 8, 32 1958, Microlepidopterists’ Study Group, report of, 33 Microlepidopterists’ study group, tem- porary change of convenor, 44 Muslin Footman (Nudaria mundana L.), 2, 28 Muslin Footman and Marbled Beauty in 1959, 90 Names, scientific, 5, 31 Names, English, 47 Nature Conservancy, entomological liaison with, 39 Night-feeding place of, 44 Notes on the Large Heath, Coenonympha tullia Miill., 67 Notes on Papilio machaon L. (The Swallow- tail), 78 Nudaria mundana L., The Muslin Foot- man, 2, 28 Oak Eggar, request for help in breeding, 54 Observations on Vanessa atalanta L. and Vanessa cardui L. in 1958, 36 Observations on ‘“‘assembling’’, 7 Observations on Lucadnus cervus L, in S.E. Bucks., 72 Observations on Samia cecropia L., 53 Observations on Saturnia pyri Schiff., 38 Old insects, repinning, 30 Oleander Hawk in Coventry, 92 On beating for Hairstreaks, 20 Orthoptera, sound production in, 63 “Other” orders, members’ interest in, 77 Painted Lady in S. Hants, 5 Pairing Brimstones, 71 Papilio machaon L. (the Swallowtail), Notes on, 78 Papilio machaon L. (the Swallowtail), Rear- ing, 21 Pararge aegeria L., Breeding the Speckled Wood, 43 Pieris brassicae, Erratic emergence due to temperature changes, 84 Polygonia c-album L., The Comma Butter- fly, 26 Poplar Hawk in Early May, Laothoé populi IDSs val Pupa-digging, Moth), 19 Pupa-digging 88 Pupal diapause in Saturnia pavonia L., 92 Putting-down, in defence of, 22 Rearing Acherontia atropos L., 2 Rearing Papilio machaon L. (the Swallow- tail), 24 Rearing the Large Heath tullia Miuill.), 54 Records of spring butterflies, 74 larvae, regular roosting Dilina tiliae L. (Lime Hawk queries—a few suggestions, (Coenonympha lv Regular roosting place of night-feeding larvae, 44 Repinning old insects, 30 Report of the Council for i958, 45 Report of the Microlepidopierists’ Study Group for 1958, 33 Report on the Wainscot study group, 4 Request for help in breeding the Oak Eggar, 54 Reviews :— An introduction to the behaviour of invertebrates; Dr. J. D. McCarthy, 43 Beetles of the British Islands; E. F. Linssen, 75 Collins’ Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers: McClintock and Fitter, 27 Directory of Natural History and other Field Study Societies in Great Britain, 92 Frassdrop frequency in Lepidoptera; Folke Friden, 43 Freshwater Life of the British Isles; J. Clegg, 76 Nature is my hobby; C. V. Adams, 60 Supplement to a guide to the Smaller British Lepidoptera; Ford, 51 Roadside verges, chemical spraying of, 39 Samia cecropia L. Observations on, 53 Saturnia pavonia L. Pupal diapause in. 92 Saturnia pyri Schiff. Pupal diapause in, 38 Scientific names, 5, 31 Secretary's letter, 1, 9, 17, 29, 37, 45, 53, 61, Teer Sending living butterflies by post, 82 Showers, Bright periods and, 14 Some alternative foodplants, 10 Some further notes on the Lithosiinae, 29 Sound production in Orthoptera, 63 South East Bucks., observations on Lucanus cervus, 72 South Hants, the Painted Lady in, 5 Southern Spain, spring butterflies in, 83 Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria L.), breed- ing the, 43 Spring and early summer, beetle collecting in, 35 Spring butterflies, records of, 74 Spring butterflies in Southern Spain, 83 ‘Springing’, 47 Store boxes, making, 72 Studies, mercury vapour trap, i1 Summer, preparing for, 16 Swallowtail, rearing the, 21 Swallowtail, notes on the, 78 Temperature changes, erratic emergence of Pieris brassicae due to, 84 This Man with Lanthorn, 69 Vanessa atalanta L. and Vanessa cardui L. Observations in 1958, 26 Variety of Aglais urticae L. in London, 31 Wainscot Study Group, report of the, 4 Wasps and M.Y. Traps, 8. 32 Wet mud, butterflies at, 79 What about Grasshoppers (1), 48; (2), 55 Wicken revisited, 24 Youth Secretary, Vote of thanks, 1 AES BULLETIN, Vol. 18 7 INDEX OF NAMES CRUSTACEA ISOPODA Idotea battica, 50 INSECTA COLEOPTERA Acanthocinus aedilis, 15 Acrolocha sulcula, 67 Agathidium sp., 82 Amara convexiusculd, 58 Anisodactylus poeciloides, 58 Aphodius contaminatus, 67 obliteratus, 67 Apion limonii, 59 ononicola, 59 ononis, 59 Atheta sp., 82 Attagenus pellio, 75 trifasciatus, 75 Bembidion doris, 58 ephippium, 58 minimum, 58 nitidulum, 35 normannum, 58 stephensit, 35 varium, 58 Bembidium sp., 35, 70 Bledius sp., 35 Bolitochara sp., 82 Caenocara sp., 82 Cassida Trubiginosda, 35 Cercyon, 67 Ceuthorhynchus cochleariae, 58 verrucatus, 58 Chilocorus renipustulatus, 3 Chlaenius vestitus, 35 Chrysomela oricalcia var. hobsoni, 35 Cis boleti, 82 bilamellatus, 82 Clavicornia, 90 Cleonus piger, 35 Clytus arietis, 50 Cryptophagus lycoperdi, 82 Dacne sp., 82 Dicheirotrichus sp., 58 Dorcatoma sp., 82 Dorcus parallelopipedus, 72 Dorytomus longimanus, 35 Dytiscus marginatus, 71 Ennearthron sp., 82 Limobius borealis, 58 Lizxus iridis, 58 Longitarsus sp., 58 Lordithon sp., 82 Lucanus cervus, 72 Lycoperdina bovistae, 82 Meligethes sp., 35, 58 Meligethes planiusculus, 35 viduatus, 35 Molorchus minor, 50 Nebria livida, 35 Octotemnus sp., 82 Oxypoda sp.., 82 Oxyporus rufus, 82 ~ AES BULLETIN, Vol. 18 Phaedon regnianum, 58 Phyllotreta diademata, 58 Phytonomus adspersus, 59 ononidis, 59 Phytonomus dauci, 58 Platyrhinus resinosus, 50 Pocadius furrugineus, 82 Pogonus sp., 58 Psylliodes marcida, 58 Pyrochroad sp., 50 Quedius, sp., 82 Rhinomacer attelaboides, 35 Sitona griseus, 59 Staphylinidae, 90 Tetroma sp., 82 Triplax sp., 82 Trox scaber, 71 DIPTERA Cyclorrhapha, 36 HYMENOPTERA Cimbex americana, 50 Lasius flavus, 70 niger, 49, 70 Myrmica sp., 70 Vespa crabro, 44 LEPIDOPTERA Abraxas grossulariata, 70, 80 Abrostola tripartita, 11, 80 Acherontia atropos, 2, 66 Achlya flavicornis, 41 Acrobasis consociella, 46 Actias selene, 38 _ Agapetes galathea (=Melanargia g.), 30 ~ Aglais urticae, 5, 8, 31, 34, 36, 48, 74, 91 Agrotis clavis, 12 exclamationis, 11, 12 ypsilon, 8 puta, i1 segetum, 12 strigula, 31 | Alcis rhomboidaria, 44 _Allophyes oxycanthae, 44, 66, 70 Amathes agathina, 80 ashworthii, 80 baja, 80 c-nigrum, 11 ditrapezium, 80 sexstrigata (=umbrosa), 12, 80 stigmatica, 57 triangulum, 12 xanthographa, 12, 24, 80 _Anacampis populella, 46 | Anaitis plagiata, 80 _Aneglis badiana, 81 _ Antheraea pernyi, 38 _Anthophila fabriciana, 41, 90 _ Apamea characterea, 12 crenata, 80 furva, 11, 44 lithoxylea, 80 monoglypha, 12, 80 obscura, 80 secalis, 12, 80 sordens, 11 unanimis, 12, 44 Apatele aceris, 11 leporina, 12 megacephala, 12 psi, 11, 80 rumicis, 11, 80 Apatura iris, 83, 91 Apocheima hispidaria, 41 Archips rosanda, 66 xzylosteana, 46, 66 Arctia caja, 8, 10, 80 villica, 10 Arenostola hellmanni (=fluxa), 24 Argema mimosae, 39 Argynnis aglaja, 9, 31, 34, 52, 59 var. scotica, 34 charlotta (=aglaja), 31 cydippe, 9, 59 euphrosyne, 9, 41, 42 paphia, 59 selene, 9, 50 Argyrotoza forsskaleana, 46 Aristotelia bifractella, 81 Asphalia diluta, 41 Axylia putris, 12, 80 Bapta temerata (=punctata), 12 Bena prasinana, 12, 14 Biston betularia, 11, 14, 80 var. carbonaria, 11, 14 insularia, 11, 14 Bombycia viminalis, 80 Borkhausenia pseudospretella, 47 Brachionycha sphinx, 4 Cacoecia pronubana, 90 Callophrys rubi, 42 Calophasia lunula, 57 Campaea margaritata, 80 marginata (=Lomaspilis m.), Caradrina ambigua, 80 clavipalpis, 12, 80 morpheus, 12 Carterocephdlus palaemon, 42, 46 Celastrina argiolus, 30, 34, 74 Celerio galii, 29 Cerapteryx graminis, 80 Charaxes, 52 Chesias spartiata (=legatella), 25, 81 Chloroclystis rectangulata, 80 Cilix glaucata, 12, 80 Cirrhia gilvago, 44 Cleora repandata, 80 rhomboidaria, 80 Coenonympha pamphilus, 83 tullia, 46, 51, 67 Coleophora conyzae, 81 inulae, 81 paripennella, 81 Colias croceus, 82, 83, 84 var. helice, 83 Colostygia pectinataria, 80 Colotois pennaria, 41, 70, 81 Cosmia trapezina, 41, 80 COSSUS COSSUS, 84 Crambus contaminellus, 58 Crambus culmellus, 80 hortuellus, 80 pinellus, 80 selasallus, 80 12 v1 AES BULLETIN, Vol. 18 Crocallis elinguaria, 80 Cryphia perla, 12, 80, 90 Cucullia absinthit, 12 Cupido minimus, 9, 49 Danaus plexippus, 8, 50 Daphnis nerii, 92 Dasycampa rubiginea, 89 Deilephila elpenor, 12, 46, 84 porcellus, 46 Depressaria heracliana, 58 Diacrisia sannio, 10 Dianthoscia capsinula, 31 Diarsia brunnea, 80 festiva, 12, 80 Diataraxia oleracea, 12 Dichrorampha flavidorsana, 81 petiverella, 81 Di Natuliae, TA AAe NO eA Dira megera, 5, 16, 42 Diurnea fagella, 66 phryganella, 66 Douglasia ocnerestomelia, 81 Drymonia ruficornis, 41 Dypterygia scabriuscula, 12 Dysstroma citrata, 80 truncata, 11 Ecliptopera silaceata, 25, 80 Eilema complana, 29 deplana, 29 lurideola, 29, 80 Ellopia fasciaria (= prosapiara), 70, 80 Endothenia gentiana (= gentianaeana), 66 marginana {= oblonga), 66 Epiblema cnicicolana, 81 foenella, 66 scutulana (=pflugiana), 66 Epinephile sp., 88 Epirrhoé alternata, 70, 80 galiata, 80 Episema caeruleocephala, 41, 46 Erannis aurantiaria, 81 defoliaria, 89 Erebia epiphron, 46, 50 Evetria buoliana, 46 pinicolana, 46 Eriogaster lanestris, 46 Ernarmonia aurana, 47 Erynnis tages, 42 Euchloé cardamines, 34, 42, 74 Euchloris smaragdaria, 46 Eudoria mercuria, 80 Eumenis semele, 23, 50 Euphydryas aurinia 42, 61 (=Melitaea), 9, ~ 22, phaeton, 50 Euphyia bilineata, 80 Eupithecia absinthiata, 80 centaureata, 12 expallidata, 80 icterata, 80 nanata, 80 pulchellata, 80 vulgata, 11 Euplagia quadripunctaria, 15, 43 Euplexia lucipara, 12 Buproctis chrysorrhoea, 46 similis, 46 Eupsilia transversa, 41 Eurois occulta, 66 Eurrhypara hortulata, 80 Euxanthis straminea, 58 Euxoa nigricans, 12 Glyphipterix haworthana, 66 Gonopteryx cleopatra, 82 rhamni, 36, 68, 71, 74 Gonodontis bidentata, 11 Gymnoscelis pumilata, 80 Habrosyne derasa, 12, 80 Hada nana (=Hadena nana), 31 Hadena bicruris, 31, 80 cucubali, 11 nana, 31 Hamearis lucina, 41, 42 Hemimene flavadorsana, 81 petiverella, 81 Hemithea aestivaria (=strigata), 12 Hepialus fusconebulosa, 37 lupulina, 12 Hipparchus papilionaria, 41, 80 Hypena proboscidalis, 12, 80 Hydraecia oculea, 80 Hydriomena furcata, 80 Hyloicus pinastri, 46, 83 Hypsopygia glaucinalis, 47 Tdiographis inopiana, 81 Isophrictis tanacetella (=striatella), 81 Itama wauaria, 80 Jodia croceago, 89 Laothoé populi, 11, 71, 80, 84 Lasiocampa lurida, 54 olivaced, 54 quercus, 7, 54 Leptidea sinapis, 41, 57 Leucania comma, 12, Al conigera, 80 impura, 4, 12, 80 lythargyria, 12, 80 pallens, 4, 12 Libythea sp., 83 Limenitis camilla, 91 Limnaecia phragmitella, 41 Lomaspilis marginata, 12 Lophopteryx capucina, 80 Loxostege palealis, 80 Lithocolletis sp., 47 Lithophane socia, 66 Lycaena phlaeas, 16, 42, 47, 66, 83, 91 ab. album, 83 ab. obsoleta, 84 ab. radiata, 84 ab. schmidtii, 91 ab. suffusa, 91 Lycophotia porphyrea, 8, 31 varia, 31, 80 Lygris mellinata, 12 populata, 80 prunata, 80 pyraliata (=dotata), 80 Lymantria monachia, 57 Lynocometra occelata, 80 Lysandra bellargus, 42 Macroglossa stellatarum, 84, 91 Malacosoma castrensis, 46 neustria, 12, 46 AES BULLETIN, Vol. 18 Vil ee Mamestra brassicae, 12, 80 dentina, 31 Meganephria oxyacanthae (=Allophyes 0.), 66 Melanargia galathea, 30 ines, 88 Melanchra persicariae, 80 Melitaea athalia, 22, 46, 57, 62 aurinea (=Euphydryas a.), 9, 61 cinxid, 23, 46, 62 Mesoleuca albicillata, 80 Metzneria lapela, 81 metzneriella, 81 Miltochrista miniata, 29 Mimas tiliae (=Dilina), 11 Minucia lunaris, 46 Mompha conturbatella, 41 nodicolella, 46 cchraceella, 41 Monopis sp., 47 Myelois cribrumella, 66 Nomophila noctuella, 80, 81 Notarcha ruralis, 41, 80, 90 Notodonta anceps, 41, 46 dromedarius, 80 ziczac, 46, 80 Nudaria mundana, 2, 28, 29, 80, 90 Nymphalis io, 5, 7, 8, 74, 88 Ochlodes venata, 16 Ochropleura plecta, 11, 80 Oeneis melissa semidea, 50 Operophtera brumata, 89 fagata, 89 Opisthograptis luteolata, 12, 80 Ortholitha mucronata, 12, 80 Orthosia gothica, 11 gracilis, 11 miniosa, 41 stabilis, 11 Ourapteryx sambucaria, 12, 80 Pachycnemia hippocastanaria, 80 Pammene albuginane (=gallicolana), 66 inquilina (=fimbriana), 66 splendidulana, 66 Panaxia dominula, 23 Panolis flammea, '76 Papilio machaon, 21, 42, 78 phorcas, 52 Pararge aegeria, 8, 34, 43, 74 megera (=Dira), 5, 16 Parasemia plantaginis, 10 Perizoma affinitata, 80 Petilampa minima, 80 Phalera bucephatla, 8, 42, 50 Pheosia gnoma, 80 tremula, 11, 80 Phlogophora meticulosa, 11, 32 Philudoria potatoria, 80 Phylita betulae, 80 Phyciodes tharos, 50 Pieris brassicae, 34, 57, 74, 83, 84 mannii, 82 rapae, 34, ‘74, 79, 83, 91 Plusia bractea, 80 chrysitis, 12, 80 festucae, 80 gamma, 8, 11, 25, 80, 84 interrogationis, 25, 66 proboscidalis (=Hypena), 80 pulchrina (=v-aureum), 12, 80 Plutella maculipennis, 84 Poecilocampa populi, 81, 89 Polia nebulosa, 12 Polygonia c-album, 5, 26, ‘74, 91 var. hutchinsonii, 26 Polyommatus tcarus, 22, 34, 83 Pontia daplidice, 16, 88 Procus fasciunculus, 12 Strigilis, 141, 12, 80 Pseudoips bicolorana, 41 prasinana (=Bena p.), 12, 14 Pseudoterpna pruinata, 80 Ptilophora plumigera, 81 Pyrausta nubilalis, 66 Pyrgus malvae, 42 Rhizedra lutosa, 66 Rhodometra sacraria, 8, 9 Rhopalocera, 37 Rumia tuteolata (=Hydrelia flammeolaria), Q4 Rusina ferruginea (=R. umobratica), 44 Rivula sericealis, 80 Samia cecropia, 53 Saturnia pavonia, 92 pyri, 38 Selenia bilunaria, 80 Setina irrorella, 57 Smerinthus ocellatus, 12 Spaelotis ravida, 12, 44 Spilosoma lubricipeda, 7, 12, 80 lutea, 7 Stauropus fagi, 41 Sterrha aversata, 12, 70, 80 biselata, 80 inornata, 80 Strymonidia w-album (=Strymon) 20, 46 pruni, 20 Telea polyphemus, 28 Tethea ocularis (=T. octogesima), 12 Thais rumina, 83 Thecla betulae, 20, 41 quercus, 20, 44, 57 Thera cognata, 80 Thestor ballus, 83 Thymelicus acteon, 15 Tinaea sp., 47 Tortrix viridana, 46, 67 Trichiura crataegi, 44, 46 Triphaena comes, 80 janthina, 10, 80 pronuba, 12, 80 Udea martialis, 81 Utetheisa pulchella, 2 Vanessa atalanta, 5, 36, 74, 83, 84, 91 cardui, 5, 36 Venusia cambrica, 80 Xanthorhoé biriviata, 41 designata, 80 fluctuata, 12, 80 Xylocampa areola, 11 Ypsolophus sequellus, 46 Zanclognatha nemoralis, 12 tarsipennalis, 80 Zenobia retusa, 12 Vill Zeuzera pyrina, 12 ORTHOPTERA (including DERMAPTERA and DICTYOPTERA) Acrididae, 55, 57, 64 Ectobius panzeri, 56 Forficula auricularia, 48, 57 lesnei, 57 Gryllacridoidea, 63 Gryllidae, 64 Labia minor, 57 Leptophyes punctatissima, 56, 57 Meconema thalassina, 56 Metrioptera brachyptera, 56 roeselii (=Roeseliana r.), 56 Oedipodinae, 63 Phasmatodea, 63 Pholidoptera griseoaptera, 56 Tetrigidae, 55, 57, 63 Tetrix subulata, 56 undulata, 55 vittata, 55 Tettigonioidea, 56, 57, 64 PLANTS PHANEROGAMS Arctium lappa, 81 Artemisia vulgaris, 66 Cakile maritima, 58 Carduus arvensis, 40 lanceolatus, 40 Centaurea nigra, 58, 81 Cochlearia sp., 58 Chrysanthemum vulgare, 81 Crithmum maritimum, 59 AES BULLETIN, Vol. 18 — Dipsacus sp., 614 pilosus, 66 Echium vulgare, 58, 81 Epilobium angustifolium, 41, 46 hirsutum, 41 Erodium sp., 58 Geranium sanguineum, 35 Glaucium flavum, 58 Heracleum sp., 47, 58 Impatiens biflora, 41 Limonium sp., 59 Lonicera, 61 Lychnis, 47 Molinia caerulea, 67 Ononis sp., 59 Plantago lanceolata, 62 Pulicaria dysenterica, 81 Rhynchospora alba, 51, 67 Rumex crispus, 40 obtusifolius, 40 Senecio jacobaed, 40 Sisymbrium sp., 84 Tagetes, sp., 10 Typha angustifolia, 4 latifolia, 41 Urtica sp., 44 Veronica agrestis, 62 chamaedrys, 62 hederifolia, 62 officinalis, 62 + FUNGI Daldinia, 50 Polyporus betulinus, 82 Polystictus versicolor, 82 cn . Zz 23 po 5 - fe eee ae : a Or: = =< ee * 270Z00 | : 2 > ae © Le > Lb OO OM coe a eo : : E-F LZ : 3 k= Lu , ARY - 1959 Ei / OF 3 Px y 4 Rr oe G . Ulf ‘ Y Dp Pay ae te = me, Tf 2 rn JY | rm fase tas a ee ‘ = f = ‘ baits ee Pe i c Lessa ——, “) ; 0 144d}45555O55555b44555565400465b6560506006666004 eocceccocoocnscocnsecassecceccesonenn :$O$6000004 dssssessessescsstsctsetet siete sees iets seit ; TITLES IN THE : OBSERVER’S POCKET SERIES FOR THE ENTOMOLOGIST :} THE LARGER MOTHS ; By R. L. E. FORD, F.B.E-S., F.Z.S. Describes 104 species, all illustrated in colour. 224 pp. COMMON INSECTS and SPIDERS By E. F. LINSSEN and L. HUGH NEWMAN Outlines 21 orders of insects found in Britain, also over 300 more common species are given. .64 plates (32 in colour). 128 pp. POND LIFE By JOHN CLEGG Contains information concerning all types of life to be found in freshwater ponds. with 32 colour plates. 128 pp. BUTIERFLIES Compiled by W. J. STOKOE 70 Butterflies are described, with 68 coloured illustrations and 86 in black- and-white. 192 pp. Each 5s. net. From all Booksellers FREDERICK WARNE & Co. Ltd. 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2 AES NOTICE WHERE TO WRITE Membership applications, offers of help to: D. OLLEVANT, 3 Salcombe Drive, Morden, Surrey. Advertisers to: R. D. HILLIARD, 54 Gyles Park, Stanmore, Middlesex. Changes of address and non-arrival of Bulletins to: B. L. J. BYERLEY, 3 Courtfield Crescent, Harrow-on-the- Hill, Middlesex. Offers to lead Field Meetings, exhibit etc: to: S:«.M. “MANson, 37" “The Close, Spring Grove Road, Isle- worth, Middlesex. Manuscripts, drawings and books for review to: B. Ry: STALLWOOD, 17 Claremont Avenue, Sunbury-on- Thames, Middlesex. Subscriptions (12/- per annum, 9/- for Juniors) to: K. H. BOBE, 50 Winn Road, Lee, London, S.E.42. Youth] matters 16: Fo “Gs 2BROWN. 6 Osmond Gardens, Wallington, Surrey. SPSSSSSS SSCSSSSSSSSSSSSSHSSSSSSSSOSSOSO SO SSOOSOOED The Hope Department of Entomology, University Museum, Oxford VACANCY for a MALE TECHNICAL ASSISTANT should have completed their National Service, be interested Fe in Entomology and possess G.C.E.% (Biology) at 0 level. University cians, £5 per week at 19; Technicians # aged 21, from £420 Fith iner ements | of £20 per year. Applicants Salary on the 3 Apply to Professor VAaRLEY at aa with names of twos January 31st. above address, referees, before LEAFLET No. 28 KILLING, SETTING and STORING BUTTERFLIES and MOTHS Price 9d. (passes 2d) 1 WEST HAM LANE LONDON, E.15. SSSSOSSSSSSHS SSS SSS OSSSS SSS SS SO“ SOSSHPSVOSOSESOOS: SPSSSPSSSSSPSSSSSSISISISSSS SSIS Toes os sstssstessssr iiss ititite titi t ities etree Psa": -.~ A CHANGE OF ADDRESS Will members please note that from now on all manuscripts for the Bulletin and correspondence ito the Editor should be sent to the follow- ing address : — 17 Claremont Avenue, SUNBURY-ON-THAMES, Middlesex SECRETARY’S LETTER The answers to the President’s appeal in the October Bulletin were most heartening, and as a result of them, the following changes in administration have been made pos- sible. D. Ottevant (1514) will remain as Hon. General Secretary but will also be Assistant Bulletin Editor. B. F. SKINNER (2470) is now Assistant General Secretary. There is now another proof reader, and even a ‘reserve’, in case a new oOffice- holder is required. The Council have discussed at length the future policy and format of the Bulletin, and it was decided that the format should remain much the same, although an increase in the number of pages is to be hoped for; and that the present policy should be adhered to, though with a_ slight broadening of interests. To help in improving the Bulletin, the Assistant Bulletin Editor will have the task of chasing up material; and to enable him to have time to do this, the posi- tion of Assistant General Secretary has been created to help him with the routine clerical work. Members can be assured that every effort will be made to improve the Bulletin. FF. C. Brown (2414) has’ unfor- tunately had to resign from the office of Youth Secretary due to ill health. - With effect from 1/1/59 he has been succeeded by T. S. Robertson (2417). The Junior News Sheet ceased with Mr Brown’s resignation, but Mr. Robertson will publish a_ regular Junior Section in the Bulletin. E —S BULLETIN htemay Pd JANUARY 1959 Members may now submit material for publication in the Bulletin either to Mr. Stallwood or to Mr. Ollevant. D. OLLEVANT. 15/11/58. 6 A VOTE OF THANKS TO THE YOUTH SECRETARY All members, but particularly the Juniors, will learn with regret of the decision of Mr. F. C. Brown to re- linguish the post of Youth Secretary. We hear that this is due to pressure of other work, and on his doctor’s advice; and I am sure we are all ap- preciative of the fact that he hag con- tinued to give his help to the Society for so long under these circumstances. May we hope also that the enthusiasm his work has engendered has been its own reward, and that he will took back with pleasure on the support he received from so many of our Juniors ? Mr. Brown will, no doubt, continue to be a member, and to follow the activities of his erstwhile ‘‘flock’’. Meanwhile your Council have been good enough to elect me as his successor, and J expect to be hard pressed to maintain his high standards of energy and public relations; but will do my best. The Council also decided that the Junior News-Sheet in its present form, be discontinued and its content transferred to the Bulletin. I sup- ported them in this decision, for two reasons—one, that this was one of the original functions of the Bulletin (as a means of keeping in touch with the activities of other members); and another, that Junior News is thus put in a more permanent form. I shal] look forward, therefore, to a steady flow of news items of good quality. This, I feel sure, will be the best way to express your thanks to Mr. Brown by showing that you think the work he has done in the past is werth continuing. By a coincidence, the AES number of your new Youth Secretary differs by only 3 from that of the previous one! T. S. Rogpertson (2417). 38 Repton Way, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Herts. bo NUDARIA MUDANA LINN. (THE MUSLIN FOOTMAN) For many years my record of cap- tures book contained no reference to any of the members of the family of moths which are popularly called, for some unknown reason, ‘‘footmen’’. I had made acquaintance with a close relative, the Crimson Speckled, Utetheisa pulchella Linn., on Gibral- tar in 1942. As I walked from the dining-room in the Casemates at Rosia Bay up the path by the railway line to the Command Post at Napier of Magdala Battery, I kicked the gravel on to a kind of chickweed growing alongside, and this rather sluggish moth would flit a few yards then flop down among the hot, dusty vegetation. Later on the plants were defoliated by dozens of the brightly coloured caterpillars which fed openly in the sunshine. I shouldn’t be sur- prised to learn that the colony still exists there. However, I cannot claim that until 1952, as a native of Derbyshire, I had another experience of these interesting ‘‘footmen’’ Then during one evening’s sugaring near Stubbin Court, Wingerworth, a stately old mansion ‘surrounded by ancient trees and high lichen-covered walls I happened to switch my light on the side of a tree away from the sugar patch. It was one of those bright clear nights when very few moths trouble about sugar patches, so I was able to consider trifles, and carefully examine every pronuba for variation. When, therefore, I ob- served a queer sort of insect with rounded transparent wings, I did not ignore it and move round to the sugar patch, but carefully boxed it for future inspection. I was very pleased later on that I had done so, because it turned out to be a fine specimen of Nudaria mun- dana Linn., the Muslin Footman, the first of its family to be caught in my domain. I consulted Richard South, who says that it is common in some parts of the country, and the larva is often numerous on lichens on walls in April. I have searched many walls by night and by day through- out the succeeding winters and springs since then ‘but, so far, in vain. For five years it seemed that my mundana was the last of its kind until on July 11th 1957 I found a small male sitting happily in my lght trap, which is situated about three miles away from Stubbin Court, where lichens grow profusely. Last autumn JANUARY 1959 I had brought a few pieces of lichen- covered rock and bark and _ placed them in my garden to find out what effect industrial ‘‘fall out’? would have on their growth. It is possible that I brought a mundana larva in the bundle, although it seems highly im- probable. When, on July 20th 1957, as I was walking through Tupton Woods, my gaze fell on a large female mundana at rest on the green-dusted bole of a large elm tree, a began to think that this species was going to become as common as South Says it 1s in some places. I was wrong, however; no more came my way until July 21st 1958, when another small male ap- peared in my lhght trap. It is obvious that this species is a resident in this district, although a rare and elusive one, but I still can- not find the larva. Surely some collector has discovered the secret hiding place of this caterpillar at some time or another, and any slight clue is helpful. I have found the black and red larva of the Marbled Beauty Moth feeding on the green powdery growths on both stone walls and concrete posts while searching for mundana, but perhaps the latter feeds on different growths in different habitats. If any entomologist has any information on this subject I wish he would publish it. J. H. JoHNnson (1040). C) REARING ACHERONTIA ATROPOS LINN. On the 2nd of September 1958 a local newspaper reporter and three small boys arrived to show me ‘‘a large caterpillar”’ which had been eap- tured in one of the boy’s garden. The usual jam jar was produced complete with the inevitable cabbage leaf, and true enough, a_ certainly large example of a Death’s Head Hawk caterpillar, very active, dis- coloured, and in urgent need of some soil to pupate in, Having disclosed the necessary in- formation to the newspaper man, [ made enquiries of the boys as to the fate of this specimen, and after some persuasion, plus sixpence a piece all round (excluding the reporter), I obtained charge of the pet. Placed in a biscuit tin of soil the caterpillar soon aisappeared and was left undis- turbed fora couple of weeks. After this length of time, a large and healthy pupa was carefully dug up, AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 3 and placed in a_glass-fronted cage complete with a thermometer so that a strict watch could be kept on the day to day temperature which at this time of the year falls so quickly at night. The peat on which the pupa lay was kept moistened with water and extra warmth was obtained by keeping the cage in a room where there was a fire, standing the cage in a sunlit window, or on top of the wireless or, at times, right by the fire. With this attention a temperature of between 60° and 80° was main- tained. Two months later on November the Ath a female moth emerged. She Came ‘out at about ‘7-15 p.m., I was able to watch the wings expand, this baking half an hour,’ but it was a further hour and a quarter before they were completely dried, after . which they were placed in the usual position of repose. She was kept in a cool room for that night, and did not move. The next day it was decided to test the sound production of this species. I lightly touched her with my finger at which a squeaky scratching sort of noise was made, at the same time a Wing was raised along with a couple of legs and a definite aggressive atti- tude was displayed. little imagina- tion would have been needed to credit her with a sting as well! The whole pose was very similar to that of a dis- turbed lethargic queen bumble bee. The same thing was repeated several times till, when fully roused, she squeaked even just at the approach of my hand. Now on the setting board she measures a full five inches wing span but it is as a live moth that she will be remembered she had what I should eall character... . for want of a better word. P. J. Gent (192). MORTALITY IN THE LADYBIRD CHILOCORUS RENIPUSTULATUS ROSSI On 21st July of this year I took ten pupae of Chilocorus rempustulatus Rossi on the leaves of a Narrow-leaved Sallow near my New Forest home. During the following week eight of these produced parasites, one pro- duced a perfect specimen of the lady- bird, and the other one has still not emerged. This one is being kept in Case it is overwintering, but this seems doubtful. The eight pupae produced twenty- seven parasites in all, averaging just over three each. As these burrowed out through the pupal wall and crawled away, they drew after them- selves a trail of orange matter, which soon tailed off. Presumably this con- sisted of waste products. The parasite larvae were about an eighth of an inch long, white, and pellucid. After a day or two their skins hardened and turned brown, the resulting pupae being about a tenth of an inch long and boat-shaped, with the segments clearly defined. Identi- fication has not yet been attempted. 13 of these pupae are being kept in a glass tube, dry, and 14 in another tube with a little moistened bulb- fibre. Assuming that the last pupa does not emerge, this gives a minimum mortality rate in the pupal stage of 90°. Minimum, because there may be another cause of mortality in this stage It is interesting to determine a theoretical mortality rate for the other stages. Let us assume for the sake of argu- ment, that (1) a female ladybird of this species lays 100 eggs and (2) the population remains constant. If (2) is correct, then 20 pupae must survive in order to produce the necessary two adults (male and female) as the mor- tality rate is 90%. If 20 reach the pupal stage out of an original 100 eggs, then the combined mortality rate of the first two stages will be 80%, which may indicate the exist- ence of another species of parasite, as the insect would probably be pro- tected in its larval and pupal stages by the chitinous spines from most bird predators except the Cuckoo, which hag a specially adapted and hardened eizzard, Of course, these theoretical figures would have to be modified by further observation of many more of this species of insect, and in more than one colony. Also the number of eggs laid by the female would have to be accur- ately determined by taking the aver- age of at least a hundred specimens. There are also other factors to be con- sidered, such as mortality in the adult stage before egg-laying is completed, and so on, Although the above figures are mostly cenjectural, they do indicate the lines on which interesting ecologi- cal research can be carried out. C. R. Varpy (1414), JANUARY 1959 REPORT OF THE WAINSCOT STUDY GROUP First and foremost, I must apologise for the delay in issuing this Report. My original idea was, as you know, to issue our Group Report quarterly ; but, soon firding this impossible owing to lack of time, I decided to issue it at half-yearly intervals instead. Un- fortunately, however, for various reasons, 1 have been unable to get round to preparing any more reports since the one last published, i.e., the one that appeared in the Bulletin for January 1957. Without wishing to make too meny excuses for myself, I would mention in passing that the number of time- absorbing factors which kave con- tributed to this inability are legion. Since the last Report came out I have moved more than once: have written an entire book and _ half-finished another one; have had to keep feeding editors with inexhaustible supplies of serial instalments; have had to cope single-handed with two lively children on holiday from boarding-school (they get two months in the summer!); and have completely redecorated a medium-sized flat without help of any kind. On top of all this I teach seven- teen backward pupils and run a Junior Group, and am on two com- mittees. (I may say, that I still manage to find time to do a little col- lecting !) So if I am somewhat tardy with this Report, I trust that my apologies will be accepted in the same sincere spirit in which they are offered. The Wainscot Study Group now numbers foriy-eight members: of these, no fewer than eight are chartered accountants. That is a goodly proportion—no less than one- sixth. It is still puzzling me—this predilection of chartered accountants for the Leucaniidae . (Theories respectfully invited.) We still have not enough Juniors— to wit, only six to date. The Wains- cots appear to be a more interest- ing subject for study by the members at the opposite end of the scale; at a rough estimate their com- bined total ages run well into four figures. But I have no objection to that . . . For one thing, these veterans have usually spent many years collecting. and therefore have had a wealth of experience with (anter alia) our indigenous lepi- doptera. Another thing—most of them appear to have access to the older county records in a way thai younger members would find more dificult. But we should still like to see more Juniors taking an interesi in this Group. I have been quite unable this year to organise any fnull-scale cellecting expedition for members of the Group. Heavy pressure of work combined with other circumstances have con- spired to limit my availability for such projects. JI am hoping, howerer, that next year will provide better pro- spects (and better weather!) for the organisation of such activities. The sending in of records continues to surpass all expectations. The pile © of material I now have is beyond all hopes I had staried out with. To date I have had more than 4,000 re-— cords sent in. The serting and tabu- lating of these into chronological © order will prove to be a full-time job —so much so, in fact, that W.S. Group — Member No. 40 and I have decided to — join forces, and his collaboration with © Me on this project-is more than wel- come, as I fear I could not possibly cope with this task myself.. In the meantime, members should contimue to send in records of all Wainscot cap- tures (except pallens and impura). — Northern and Midland records should ~ be sent to me, and records from the south of England and the West Country (including Ireland) should be sent to my Joint Convener. Livestock of any of the 36 species—_ even the common ones—are always” welcome for breeding experiments and observation. Full data must accem-— pany al] hvestock sent. The source of — all material wsed in such experiments wil. of course, be acknowledged in published observations. Livestock 9 eye be seni- t0 me with relevant data. : We siill have not every English county represented, though we now | have most of them, and we also siill have no members to represent Scot-— land, Ireland and Wales. We should like to hear from more members wish-| ing to join to fill in these gaps, which include Cornw all, Shropshire. fordshire, Northumberland. Co. Durham, the Isle of Man. Lincoln shire, Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire. I intend from now on—as mentioned earlier in this Reporit—to issne the Report of our Group at regular half yearly intervals, and by the time the next Report is ready for publication, I hope that I shall be in a position i announce that all English counties are represented, and also that we shall AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 OV have by that time one member at least representing Scotland, Ireland and - Wales. We are also planning to have a Wainscot Study Group Table at the AES Exhibition next year, and all members are asked to con- tribute livestock, exhibits of set imagines, maps, drawings, photo- graphs, and any other material of in- terest on loan. We have ten months till next September, so thai gives us all plenty of time to see what we can do about making our table one of the most interesting exhibits. We hope to make a start on the Monograph of British Wainscots (with special reference to their Regional Distribution) in Jannary 1959, though, of course, it will be some months before the first of the thirty-six parts will be ready for publication, and three years before it is completed. However, as the first six months of the year are the ‘close season’ as far as the Leucantdae are concerned, we shall have more time then to continue with this work and get a good head start on it. before the season opens and calls us out into the field with lamp, net and sugar, or keep us busy in our gardens breeding live- stock and recording our observations. Joy O. I. SpoczynsKa (751): P. Maces (244), Joint Conveners, Wainscot Study Group. THE PAINTED LADY IN SOUTH HAMPSHIRE With the wettest summer for over half a century behind us, we look hopefully toward 1959. 1958, however, has not been without its compensations, and for the first time for a good few years, here, in ‘South Hampshire at least, the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui Linn.) has been comparatively common. Edmund Sandars mentions 1879 and 1903 as great invasion years for V. cardui and adds that these were ‘remarkable as being very wet seasons. Therefore, 1t did not come as a com- plete surprise to find this lovely butterfly fairly abundant this autumn, especially in view of the fact that 1958 surpassed 1903 so far as rainfall was concerned. My first observation of V. cardui was on May 15th, when a perfect migrant female rested momentarily on a Bluebell flower in a Gosport garden. Several were then observed between May 18th and June 19th in a wooded area north of Fareham, MHants., patrolling a small area and frequently settling on dry paths, as is the habit of this species. All were rather pale in colour, some being in worn condi- tion, but I took one female in perfect condition. By August 10th the ‘‘British born’’ butterflies were well out and a round of the local buddleia bushes gave me a short series in perfect condition. All were very much darker in ground colouring and more heavily marked than any of the migrants. Several more were observed during August in the north Fareham area and also on Portsdown Hill. Between August 23rd and Septem- ber 2nd I had the pleasure of watch- ing three females and one male which had attached themselves to a certain buddleia bush growing in a back-yard in Gosport town centre. They arrived each morning about 11 a.m.—long after the small tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae Linn.) commenced feeding, which was sometimes before 9 a.m., and they left the buddleia earlier— usually around 4.30 p.m. An unusual visitor to the bush was a female Wall Brown (Dira megera Linn.), which continually molested the Painted Ladies by jostling them ‘on the flower spikes. Strange to relate, the larger butterflies in- variably gave way to the aggressive little Satyrid. All the Painted Ladies were in very good condition and remained so over the whole period I was able to observe them, so their sudden dis- appearance on September 3rd has left me wondering whether it could be evidence of a southward migration. The small tortoiseshells continued to feast on the flower spikes in company with Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta Linn.) and Peacocks (Nymphalis io Linn.), also one solitary Comma (Polygonia c-album Linn.) paid a visit to the bush, but the Painted Ladies never returned and no more have been since observed in the yard. WJ Lispumy. (277) Reference. Sandars, Edmund. 1939. for the Pocket. A Butterfly Book SCIENTIFIC NAMES Some time ago the age-old con- troversy about Hnglish and ‘‘Latin”’ names cropped up—inevitably—in the pages of this Bulletin. Whenever I read or hear arguments concerning this matter, I am impressed by the lack of understanding of the whole problem which is made manifest, and often I feel I should like to try to put the whole business in a (coco)nut- shell ! I agree with most of the arguments for using ‘‘Latin’’ (‘‘seientifie’’ would be a better word, for very many of them are Greek, often with a Latin ending!) names always, yet feel that it is a great advantage to add the well-known local (..e., English, Chinese) name _ accepted in_ the country of origin of the writing. I should also like to point out several more advantages of using Latin and Greek : — (1). These languages have been for over 2,000 years the language by which educated people of any race in Europe could, and did, communicate. To-day, in fact, in countries more educated than our own, there are still many people who can speak and read it happily. This is a legacy from the ancestor of all Western European culture—the Roman Em- pire, itself Stemming (or borrowing a lot) from the Greeks. You can easily see its effects, for our own tongue is predominantly made up of Latin (and some Greek) words, once one gets beyond the simple Anglo-Saxon basis; German still uses Latin grammatical form; and many descrip- tions of ‘‘type’’ specimens, etc., are written altogether in Latin. The con- tinued use of these ‘‘dead’’ languages therefore produces (1) no upheaval— the rest of the world is now so over- whelmingly influenced by Western ~ European culture; and (11) no difficult and delicate arguing about a new, universal modern language. (2). The very fact that Latin and ancient Greek are ‘‘dead’’ means that they are no longer in day-to-day use by people who are not very par- ticular about the exact meaning of the words they use, and therefore they are no longer subect to the perpetual changes of meaning suffered by a living language. As any-one who has read ‘‘The Ancient Mariner’ will know, ‘‘silly’’ used to mean something like ‘‘serene and blessed’’; ‘‘smash- ing’? when J was a boy meant only “shattering into small pieces’’; ‘‘nice’’ used to mean ‘‘delicate, precise, and ) JANUARY 1959 fiddling’’; and so on. It always strikes me as being too typically English, priggish, egotistical and unscientific for me to be able to hold my peace, when I hear people (especially if trained or engaged in a field of scientific investigation, be it amateur or professional) saying that “everybody knows what is meant by”’’ the English name of any (so-called) Macrolepidopteron. What about old ‘species’? with ‘‘reliable’? English names, which have recently been found to be a complex of several actual species? Even worse, often such people can be heard complaining bitterly that ‘‘the older, familiar names have been changed to newer ones’’. If a change is authorised, there is always a sound reason. Suppose a German had, many years ago, published a good descrip- tion of a (to him) new species, and named it. Some years later an insular, energetic Englishman turned up a species new to him and to Eng- land, He may well have described his species and named it, or, search- ing through descriptions published in some outlandish tongue — German, maybe, or even Latin—misidentified his specimen as that described by our German friend. Englishmen being what they are, his authority would have been accepted by other English- men and so, many years later, researchers would have come across the true situation, and be blamed for trying to set matters right! Secondly, a Frenchman may have described what he considered, justi- fiably, to be a new genus, on the basis of the characters of one species which he considered {did not fit into any earlier genus. Subsequently, other workers, writing in other languages, with more or less (mis)understanding of French (or Latin, maybe), might place all sorts of other species in the same genus (as in Vanessa, Argynnis, Agrotis, ete.) and give them all specified names which, obviously, must all be different to be valid. I.ater, when the genus becomes un- wieldy and obviously comprises several sub-groups, researchers may _ split other, new genera off from it, or may even decide that a species placed in it has been misplaced. They remove it to another genus, into which it fits better, only to find that there is already a species in that genus with the same specific name. To include in one genus, two different species having the same ludicrous, sq they have to resort to name would be f bof an or sound). AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 “I the next oldest name for the species they have moved: if there has never been one, they must coin one. These are but two of the simplest problems legitimately be- setting nomenclators, and because I have the greatest sympathy for the poor fellows, struggling as they are among a babel of several hundred languages; in a tangle of past mis- interpretations and inadequate de- scriptions; and belaboured on all sides by bigotted and short-sighted _biol- ogists—both amateur and _profes- sional, I feel it is of the utmost importance that those concerned saould try to understand their peculiar problems, and, instead of carping, do their best to make the way a little easier for the poor chaps, and thus, eventually, for themselves. Peter G. Taytor (719). © OBSERVATIONS ON ‘“ASSEMBLING”’ In an article (Bull. amat. Ent. Soc., 16: 66) the question of assembling was discussed in the hght incident with Dilina tiliae Linn. (Lime Hawk). It was sug- gested that probably all moths have the power to assemble and I heartily ' endorse this view. It is, on consideration, clear that some definite attraction must exist between female and male _ before fertilisation of the ova can_ be facilitated. The basic facts as to how this is achieved in the family Lasiocampidae are well known, yet the other families in the British list seem to have been shelved. Moths and _ butterflies have no power to reason or learn from _ ex- perience. All actions they perform are probably semi- or completely automatic and are really reactions to a stimulus. Then the two sexes must be equipped with more than their respective reproductive organs if pairing 1s to take place. Their rela- tively simple structure as compared with vertebrates, if there is any com- parison, necessitate the stimulus being of a simple nature (e.g., scent The female with scent glands and the male with adapted antennae seem to solve the problem, but the mechanisation is full of in- accuracy because of the simple prin- ciple on which it functions, as the following demonstrates. On 23rd June 1957 at 3 p.m. a male Lasiocampa quercus Linn. (Oak Kggar) was observed flying erratically around my breeding cages. It was captured, and on inspection it was found that a female had emerged in the pupa-cage. Both were taken away, and on returning, a second male was found flying round the empty cage. This was also captured. Mating took place, and fertile ova were laid on the 24th. On the same date another male was attracted to the female which was now in another cage. On July Ist two females which had died 48 hours previously attracted a fresh male. The males were therefore attracted to a virgin female, an empty cage once occupied by a female, a female which had already paired, and two dead females showing clearly there was no reasoning and only a desire to reach the source of the scent. R. Shirley states of Saturniids and _ certain Bombyces ‘“‘It is well known that these moths have complete voluntary control over the release of scent.’’ This statement is quite inconsistent with the above, and indeed the findings of others. Even the commencement of the liberation of scent is almost cer- tainly governed by environmental factors and the general physical state of the female rather than voluntary control. I have so far tried to prove: (a) Assembling is automatic, the female furnishing the stimulus, the male responding. (b) It is probably the only simple way of bringing together male and female. Tits.) “functionimne aaas simple and clearly suited to an arthropod of this type. It, therefore, appears that scent could have to become its principal method of attraction, as indeed I believe it has. The following evidence supports my claim: (1) During the July 1957 a number of _ freshly emerged Nymphalis io (Peacock) imagines were hanging from a cage roof, remaining motionless, drying their wings. Within a short period a number of others appeared, flew round the cage, and sometimes alight- ing before flying off. (2) On several occasions I have found Spilosoma lubricipeda Linn. and S. lutea Hufn. (White and Buff Ermines) resting on, and about cages contain- of 25th morning ing these two species. They were only to be observed in the early morning, as they probably found cover as the day advanced. (3) Both Arctia caja Linn. (Garden Tiger) and Phalera bucephala Linn. (Buff Tip) have been seen late at night flying round cages in which bred specimens were kept. They ap- peared stupefied, making capture an easy task. The phenomenon of Hybrids Hybrids invariably occur within the same genera. I+ is worthy to note species in the same genera have many structural refinements which are identical or similar. Is it, therefore, unlikely that the scents possessed by females of several species in the same genus are similar or that a male could mistake a scent for that of its own female? B. R. Stallwood (Bull. amat. Ent. Soc., 15: 92) mentions courtship be- tween Nymphalis io (Peacock) and Aglais urticae Linn. (Small Tortoise- shell) which seems to fit into the theory. Males of many butterflies have androconia or scent scales which are particularly well formed in Danaus plexippus Linn. (Milkweed) on each hindwing (on the second median ner- vure). With the scent organs being in the males it does make rather a hole in the theory, but the fact that these organs are present at all is en- couraging.* Scent organs are most highly de- veloped in fast fiying widely dis- persed insects. Micros. would, in comparison, require less developed glands or scent scales because of their restricted flight area and generally weak flying ability. It would be interesting to hear from the Microlepidopterists if scent organs have been found in micro.’s as I have no knowledge of this. The picture as I have portrayed it, is rather scanty, full of gaps and pos- sibly faults, but I feel there is an urgent need for more records and notes. Fellow members could be of immense help in this field, and I earnestly hope they will bring to hght many records and notes which may be of value. In this way we amateurs may be able to make a valu- able contribution to our science. K. X. Brapsury (2627*). [The function of the androconia of male butterflies should not be con- Printed by T. Buncle & Co. Ltd., Arbroath, and published by the Amateur Entomologist Society, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. 1959. : JANUARY 1959 fused with the scent emitted by female lepidoptera, as they are two quite different things. The former are — used to stimulate the female and the latter to attract the male. We advise Mr. Bradbury to read — the papers by Fritz Miiller included in G. B. Longstaff’s Butterfly Hunt-— ing in Many Lands (Longman’s Green & Co., 1912.—Ep. ] WASPS AND M.Y. TRAPS I have operated a Robinson Light Trap in London, S.E.12, and, having read the comments of Mr. Crotch con- cerning wasps being attracted to light described in his letter (Bull. amat.— Ent. Soc., 17) the following descrip- tion is My experience. ; From the 30th of August 1958 until October 11th inclusive, the light was used on alternate nights. Wasps were found in the trap on all occasions, varying from two to ten, and as no asphyxiating compounds were used, they presented a new hazard when searching the egg pack- ings with which the body of the trap was filled. . I agree with times of arrival stated by Mr. Crotch. They commenced to arrive about 2230 G.M.T., and by 2400 were “‘all present’. The trap has been used since 1952 but not dur- ing September and October 1953, and this year was the first occasion wasps have been found in the trap. No wasp nests were known in the vicinity, but in 1957 there was a nes within three yards of the light but they did not come to the trap. Ry Having started these comments on light trap catches, I would like to add the following :— 29th April 1955, at about 2300 G.M.T.) two male Pararge aegeria (Speckled Wood) arrived and settled on leaves six feet from the light. Slst August 1958—The trap con tained of the apparent migrants, the following: 1 Rhodometra sacraria Linn. (The Vestal), male; 3 Lycophotia porphyrea Schiff. (Pearly Underwing): 5 Agrotts ipsilon von Rott. (Dark Sword- Grass); approx. 400 Plusia gamma Linn. (Silver Y). . C. G. Bruce (1746). ~ a eee eerereeeceseee reese eee SEES OSOSOOSOOOOOOOSOSOESSOOS ESO SOSOOSEOOOSOS OSES OOOO OOS OOD Ddadbdddooodoododoodooaeoa t ess SESS OSSSSSSSSSE SHS SOSH SHHSOH SOSH OO HSOH HOS SOSH OOS OSHS O SOOO SOHO HOO HOO OSS HOG O OOH OHO OID HHO OOOH OOOOOD - SHOWY NEOTROPICAL LEPIDOPTERA 33 We have received new material from various countries of S.A., such as: 33 °e Morpho papyrius, M. didius, Caligo idomeneus, C. eurylochus, 33 C. brasiliensis, Polygrapha cyanea, Megistanis 3 species, Prepona ex $3 f Peru, Metamorpha, Anteos, Callithea hewitsoni, MHistoris orion, $3 > Catagramma excelsior, C. sorana, C. cynosura, C. aegina, C. cayetani, 33 Eunica_ sophonisba, E. volumna, K. eurota, HK. mygdonia, E. irma, 33 Me cinira, etc., etc. About 80 species of S.A. Papilios. Showy 3 Coleoptera and large stock in almost all families for research work. $3 We fully guarantee collecting data for specialists. Trained personnel $3 -* ey is ; to attend research-orders. References. $$ 7 . Apply to: ; of : KF. H. WALZ, RECONQUISTA 453, BUENOS AIRES, R. ARGENTINA 33 The AES PROSPECTUS i ~ CONTAINING FULL DETAILS will be sent to anyone interested 3 Please Apply, Enclosing 2d Stamp, to: i Hon. 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Price Fifteen Shillings (postage 5d.)_ from the Amateur Entomologists’ Society ty 1 West Ham Lane - fet. London, Els SESS SSS SESE SEES EEE HEE EE HE SEE EEE EEE ES EE EEE SESE SES EEE ESSE SESE SSE SOE SEES EEE EES EEE EEE EEE EEE EE ESE SE EEE EEE SEES ESEESEESEEEEEESESESECO® THE BULLETIN Sw Fe a a ee WALZ DZ LA hhikduchadicmichidAdud. = LIP LI IOI UG OF THE AMATEUR. ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY World List abbreviation : Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. i jp : YY, Uy “ys = Cas EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD wg: eeerre eo ecererooe SPSS SOCOCOCOOS ee eeCCCESTe SESS SCSSCESCSSCOSESCCOOS . Sse SESS SSS SESE SESE SSE SESESE ESSE SCE SESE SSEESSSSESESCEESEE OE OOCOEOEEED NOW AVAILABLE THE NEW EDITION OF The Caterpillars of the British Moths Compiled by W. J. STOKOE Edited by Dr. G. H. T. STOVIN IN TWO VOLUMES The chiei amendmenis io this famous work concern the index and section on Food Plants of Caierpiliars. These have been fully revised, making all necessary cross references to the text. 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From 1 WEST HAM LANE, LONDON, E15 t AES, 7 “ Se a e-—4 SECRETARY’S LETTER The AES joined the Council for Nature in November 1958. Briefly, the Council for Nature is a central body which will represent, and be of service to, those interested in all the many different aspects of animal and plant life, and their study and pro- tection. There are many Natural History Societies and _ specialised wild life protection movements in Great Britain, but until the Council for Nature came into being in 1958 there was no body which could co- ordinate their interests. The Council for Nature will deal with all matters relating to Nature Conservation. It intends to organise yoluntary working parties of young men who will carry out reclamation and maintenance work on nature re- serves while receiving instruction in conservation and having talks on appropriate topics from local natural- ists. A generous grant has been received from the Carnegie U.K. Trust to enable this scheme to be under- taken. It will also give service to the Societies which have joined it, by way of information, advice, and in other ways. It will also arrange for the publication of books and leaflets, and encourage the B.B.C., I.T.A. and the Press to deal regularly and accurately with Natural History and Nature Con- servation matters. It has _ been honoured by having His Royal High- ness The Duke of Edinburgh as Patron, and there are many well- known names amongst its officers, including Lord Harcomb, Sir Julian Huxley, Peter Scott, and Dr. W. EK. Swinton. I will pass on to members ‘any items of special interest as they are received. Members will realise that through the Society’s member- ‘ship not only will they be helping Nature Conservation in Britain but also will ultimately benefit from its services to societies. Members submitting articles for publication in the AES Bulletin are reminded that they should write on one side of the paper only, with a good margin and space between lines. Diagrams must be in black Indian waterproof ink on plain white paper — _ BULLETIN No. 2/8 FEBRUARY 1959 NT ORE at twice the size of the published illustration. Please do not submit the same article at the same time to another entomological publication. If you have something to write about, then please write to us; if you are not sure whether or not it 1s worth publication then let the editorial staff be the judges, but if it is rejected, then don’t be hurt. If members find that they cannot spare time to write out their articles in such a fashion, or overseas mem- bers for reasons of economy wish to write on airmail paper, then please send them to me and J will do it for you. Do not expect me to do draw- ings for that is beyond me! D. OLLEVANT. % ‘LONE WOLF’ LEPIDOPTERA Members may find it of interest to note that a rather worn female Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria) was taken on the downs near here (Devizes, Wilts.) whilst on the wing in bright sun- shine on 13th September 1958. As no net was available at the time, and being engaged on my work, I was doubtful as to the wisdom of trying to take what was to me then an unidentified moth, without proper means. After several attempts, I managed to drop my hat over it, when a light pinch stunned it sufficiently until home and the killing jar was reached. This season in the same area and circumstances, I took a pair of Small Blue (Cupido minimus Feuss.) on 7th July, and a female Marsh Fritillary (Melitaea aurinia Rott.) on 16th June. The latter was a lone insect flying on a dull day, and as the ground for several square miles around houses no colonies of this species, one wonders what induces an insect to travel in this manner. I have also noted this wandering in Argynnis aglaia Linn. in this area, A. euphro- syne Linn. in Sussex, and A. selene Linn. in Wales; also in A. cydippe Linn. to a lesser degree. It would be interesting to hear if other members have noted this ‘lone wolf’ attitude. K. A. Savrer (2966). 10 FEBRUARY 1959 SOME ALTERNATIVE FOODPLANTS A few years ago, while on a naturalists’ outing in early May, one of the party handed me a few hairy larvae found at the side of a grass track, which after a cursory glance I diagnosed as Arctia caja Linn. so they were duly installed in a larva cage and supplied with dead nettle. To my surprise they spun up a few days later and I realised awe they were — Parasemia plantaginis Linn. (Wood Tiger). I know it is an awful confession to make to readers of the Bulletin, but there it is: my optical lapse did, how- ever, give me a valuable foodplant for the species which is not in any textbook I have seen, and there is no doubt they took to dead nettle without the slightest hesitation. Having discovered the locality of this very local species, I went to the © same place the following year with a friend and collected over 100 larvae, all of which were successfully reared on dead nettle. On another occasion I obtained a large batch of ova of Triphaena janthina (Lesser Broad-dordered yellow-underwing). The larvae hibernate, but apparently continue to nibble during the winter during mild spells. The winter in question was particularly hard, and in desperation I tried them with Fox- 7 glove, potted up. as I had a plentiful supply in the garden. Here. again, they took to this strange foodplant, fed up with extreme rapidity, pupated early and ~ the imagos emerged in early June. A couple of years ago. a friend who was spending a holiday at Newquay, brought me a female Arctia villica (Cream-spot Tiger), which duly obliged. I gathered they are difficult to rear through the winter, but I got some kindly advice from Mr. Pitman, and although I had a fairly heavy,mortality. managed — to get several through to matur ity. In this case I fed them on narrow-leaved plantain. and I can recommend this to readers, as it has one characteristic of especial value, and that is its capacity to survive hard wintry weather, whereas the broad-leaved variety simply ‘conks’ out. Anyone with a garden simply must grow narrow-leaved plantain. It is ideal for hibernating Garden Tiger larvae out of doors, while the Clouded Buff (Diacrisia sannio Linn.) is equally at home with this foodplant. I call to mind on one occasion I had successfully forced a number of both the above species, emergence taking place in September. About ’a dozen caja and two sannio refused to feed up and seemed determined on hibernation, so in order | to give them a chance of survival—it being certain death to keep them indoors— I tipped them on some narrow-leaved plantain growing in an oak tub in the backyard, and then put a 15” galvanised cylinder over the lot. I left the top exposed and reasoned that if they were daft enough to leave home and larder, they could do so. In late February there was a heavy fall of snow, and the eylinder was completely filled, and remained so for nearly three weeks: but a spell of sun- shine came, the snow gradually melted, and there was the-plaintain, all stand- ing to attention; the larvae also. came to life and commenced feeding. When half grown, I removed the sannio indoors and continued the rearing process; in June an exceptionally fine specimen of each sex emerged. I did not bother with the caja, and they all cleared off—‘browned off’. Incidentally, I have a few caja larvae feeding up at the present moment on narrow-leaved plantain, in a lamp glass on top of the kitchen cabinet. ied Lastly, I am going to stress the claims of another valuable foodplant—the ~ Oxford Ragwort. This pretty wild plant is very similar to the well known _ garden border plant—tagetes: the flower is equally as attractive as tagetes but © not so profuse and paler in shade, but the greenery is really nice and does not disgrace a garden. It is easy to grow, and also control, as it is apt to spread as _ rapidly as bad news. I soon found that caja had a fancy for it, but it was this | year that I congratulated myself I had it available in quantity in the garden. A brother collector very kindly sent me about a dozen larvae of the Water — Ermine. about one third grown, the feeding of which appeared to be a hopeless’ task, as none of the accredited foodplants such as water dock. yellow loose strife, water mint, etc.. were available. In desperation I tried them on Oxford | Ragwort, and to my great relief and pleasure, perfunctory nibbling soon turned to a full- scale attack: in due course every one spun up and pupated, and now recline in my Littlewood pupa-cage. In conclusion. the best advice IT can give to readers is to try and cultivate these plants in whatever kind of garden is available to them, and T feel sure they will pay handsome dividends. L. G. F. Wavprxeron (169). F AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 11 MERCURY VAPOUR TRAP STUDIES 1958 - Introduction The aim of the experiment was to determine the approximate number of species of moths belonging to the Macrolepidoptera found in the Harrow area; _ with a view to seeing if the numbers would make it feasible to investigate any - particular problems, such as melanism, in future seasons. Methods and Situation Harrow is a London suburb within easy reach of the countryside and with many parks and playing fields around it. The flora of Harrow has been described by Harley. It comprises mainly plants of parkland, gardens and waste ground. The predominant trees in the immediate area are Oak, Lime, Poplar, Hawthorn, Elm, Apple, Cherry, Plum, Ash, and Horsechestnut. The ground flora consists mainly of Grasses, Nettles, Clover, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Dock, Greater Knap- weed, Black Knapweed, Dandelion, Daisy, Colt’s Foot, Shepherd’s Purse, Woody Nightshade, Bramble, Buttercup, Cow Parsley, Wild Carrot, Ivy, White Dead- nettle, Self Heal, Plantains, Rosebay Willow-herb, Broad-leaved Willow-herb, Speedwell, Silver Weed, Lettuce and Cabbage. The experiment was conducted with a Robinson type Mercury Vapour light trap operated by means of a time switch, which was set to turn on the light about an hour after sunset and to switch it off after a period of two hours. / The trap was placed between two buildings about 25 yards apart and about / 100 yards from the main Harrow to South Harrow road. The trap was so | placed in order to prevent most of the light glare from the trap reaching the road. The light was run from 29th April to 17th July 1958, on all days except | Saturdays and Sundays and on a few other occasions when it was impracticable. The specimens obtained were examined and every species of Macro- Lepidoptera was identified and recorded if possible. Most of the specimens were released well away from the collecting area to avoid their returning on | following nights. A few of the specimens were killed for identification or collec- | tion purposes. The first and last dates of occurrence of each species were tabulated together with the total numbers and histograms were drawn of the numbers of specimens » and species against the date for each month during which the trap was run. SPECIES NUMBER DATES SEEN | 29 /iv—6/v/58 /Orthosia stabilis Schiff. 5 Orthosia gracilis Schiff. 6 30 /iv—4/vi/58 Orthosia gothica Linn. 1s} 30 / iv—22 / v /58 ‘Apatele rumicis Linn. 9 1/v—4/vi1/58 Abrostola tripartita Hufn. 13 2 | v—15/vi/ 58 Xylocampa areola Esp. 2 8/v—16/v/58 /Mimas tiliae Linn. a 9 | v—24./ vi/58 ‘Agrotis puta Hb. 20 20 /| v—4./vi1/58 ‘Apatele psi Linn. 56 21 | v—17/vii/58 Apamea furva Schiff. 3 22 /v—10/vi/58 | Agrotis exclamationis Linn. 1057 22 |v—17 / v1i1/58 | Phlogophora meticulosa VWinn. 5 28 | v—25/vi/58 )Plusia gamma Linn. 52 29 | v—26/vi/58 /Ochropleura plecta Linn. 14 30/v—17 / vi1/58 | Boston betularia Linn. 12 5/vi—11/vii/58 i var. carbonaria 26 3/vi—17 /vii/58 | var. insularia 2 6 / vi—7 / v11/58 | Hupithecia vulgata Haw. 31 4/vi—14/viu/58 \Amathes c-ngrum Linn. 6 4 /vi—25/vi/58 | Procus strigilis Cl. 186 4 /vi—17 /vii/58 | Dysstroma trunculata Hufn. 7 5 / vi—23/vi/58 |Laothoé popult Linn. 1 5/v1i/58 Apatele aceris Linn. 9 5/vi—15/vii/58 'Gonodontis bidentata Cl. if 5/vi/58 adena cucubali Schiff. 7 5/vi—11/vii/58 Apamea sordens Hufn. 22 5/vi—17/vii/58 Pheosia tremula Cl. 2 6/vi—i5/vii/58 FEBRUARY 1959 SPECIES Cilix glaucata Scop. Diarsia festiva Schiff. Opisthograptis luteolata Linn. Xanthorhoé fluctuata Linn. Tethea ocularis Vann. Hepialus lwpulina Linn. Leucania pallens Linn. Caradrina morpheus Hufn. Spilosoma lubricipeda Linn. Smerinthus ocellata Linn. Azylia putris Linn. Diataraxia oleracea Linn. Triphaena pronuba Linn. Deilephila elpenor Linn. Zanclognatha nemoralis Fab. Plusia chrysitis Linn. Euxoa nigricans Linn. Procus fasciauncula Haw. Mamestra brassicae Linn. Apamea characterea Hb. Agrotis segetum Schiff. Caradrina. clavipalpis Scop. Habrosyne derasa Linn. Apatele megacaphala Schiff. Amathes triangulum Hufn. Apamea monoglypha Hufn. Plusia pulchrina Haw. Leucania comma Linn. | Amathes sexstrigata Haw. Apamea secalis Linn. Sterrha aversata Winn. Apatele leporina Linn. Dypterygia scabriuscula Linn. Hemithea aestivaria Hb. Agrotis clavis Hufn. Zenobia retusa Linn. Cucullia absinthu Linn. Zeuzera pyrina Linn. Lomaspilis marginata Linn. Euplexia lucipara Tinn. Polia nebulosa Hufn. Malacosoma neustria Linn. Ourapteryx sambucaria Tinn. Ortholitha mucronata Scop. Spaelotis ravida Schiff. Amathes xanthographa Schiff. Campaea marginata Linn. Teucanmia lithargyria Esp. Cryphia perla Schiff. Hypena proboseidalis Linn. Pseudoips prasinana Winn. Tygris mellinata Fab. Bapta temerata Schiff. Apamea unanimis Hb. Hupithecia centaureata Schiff. Teucania impura Hb. Total spp. 81: Grand total Conclusions NUMBER bd e NONE HOON ore a ss ST Rt DOR I OO NO OT RBH ON BONE NER WO OTE BFE bt i) = Hr DATES SEEN 6/vi/58 6 / vi—4/ v11/58 9 / vi—9/ vii /58 9/vi—10/vii/58 11/vi—9/ vii /58 11/vi/58 11/vi/58 13/vi—17/vu/58 ~ 16 / vi—4/ vii /58 16 / vi—23 / vi/ 58 17 /vi—17 / vii /58 17 / vi—17 | vii | 58 17/vi—17/vii/58 18 /vi—15/vii/58 © 18/vi/58 19 / vi—17 / vii /58 19 / vi—25/ vi/58 20/vi/58 23 /vi—15/vi/58 25/ vil 58 25 | vi—11/vii/58 25 | vi—17 | vii /58 26 / vi—15/ vii/58 30 / vi—17 / vii / 58 30 / vi—17 /vii/58 30 / vi—17 / vii/58 30 / vi—7 / vii /58 3/vii—11/vii/58 3/vu—11/ vii /58 3/vii/58 4 / vii—17 / vii /58 7 /vii—11/vii/58 7 /vii/58 7 / vii—15 / vii /58 7 / vii—10/ vii /58 7/vii/58 7 /viu—8/vii/58 7/vii/58 7 /vu—8/vii/58 8 / vii—11/vii/58 10 / vii—15 / vii / 58 10/vii—17 / vii / 58 10/viui—17 / vii / 58 10/vii/58 10/ vii/58 10/ vii/58 11/vii/58 11 / vii—17 / vii / 58 11 /vii—17 / vii /58 11/vii—14/ vii /58 11/vii/58 14/vii/58 15/vii/58 15/vii—16/ v1 / 58 17 / vii /58 17 /vii/58 29 /iv—17 / vii /58 The species obtained are mainly common and to be expected in an area such as Harrow, most of their larvae feeding on the common trees and weeds. The Heart and Dart, Agrotis erclamationis was caught in numbers large enough to — warrant marking and releasing as was the Marbled Minor Procus strigilis 13 SNBWNID3dS dO ON SdiD3dS 40 ON 16 TO JULY 9 JULY | 2 fe} « a ee i es See re eee u a in : f ie N x fat oO a i see Nd a ee a < ———————————————— a = w a eS eae ees 3 ——— - 3 ee] b {___________ ies So vw rs Py $ =i aw 10) = me CO - fe) z — 2 nl 1% © - r ~ a = =) et ee fos ot a ee ee eh eh pn u i ie) va) 12) w re) w ce) in re) bot oO 72) ia me os Sie el eco GN eS ee OS GO. BG 6B ORR OS et eee Se eee SOc cae Ok ie POR aay Oa iy one i > = is ROG. Eee: Onda SE faz FREDERICK WARNE & Co. Ltd. Youth matters to: YT. SS: — 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2]38 Repion Way, Croxley Green. Herts. 3% A SILKMOTH REARER’S HANDBOOK A complete reference book for those who embark upon the fascinating — adventure of rearing the largest and most colourful moths of the world. % Part I records practical experience in breeding silkmoths from all % over the world during the past decade. It illustrates bought and home-— made apparatus and gives hints on everything the beginner needs to learn about the life-cycle of the insects. : Part II, for the first tume in one book and one language, gives complete or nearly complete descriptions of all stages of the life-cycle ; 3 of over 120 species. Some 1,400 species and subspecies can be looked-up 3 under 138 generic names. Part III is a reference section, covering cross-pairing, the major reference works and an index of species and subspecies. The Handbook comprises 165 pp. with full colour cover, 2 olen plates, 63 monochrome photos and 24 line drawings or charts. :. reoe bddbboooa s23S3s3se! — Price 17s. 6d. (plus postage 7d.) from oe AES, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. My — ce ten SOC OSESESESOOO SESE SESE SEES SEES EO ESE SOO OO SSO SEES ESSE OSES OOOO SOOO EEOC CESS SOOO HO“ SOSOPOESE SCHOO ESE: POSCSSSSES SESS OSE OS OS SOSH SOMOS OSEDED ESOS SLO SOSOO OOOH OSOSOS OS OSES OSES OO OLED EO OE SO OEDE SESE SOOO OOD: 44 * = lL 4 ; ~ a) > o oc a o« > > = ~, ~» > * ? - + aN ues J i ss 'F A SECRETARY’S LETTER At the end of this month will be the Easter Holidays, and many mem- bers will begin to think of where to spend a collecting holiday this year. To help them, here is some informa- tion about the Field Studies Council, to which the AKS is affiliated. The weekiy fee is 73 guineas, of which a deposit of £2 must be paid when booking; but members of this _ Society may apply to the Warden eoncerned for a Carnegie Bursary which will reduce the fee by 23 guineas. Don’t forget to quote your membership number, as membership of the AES also exempts you from the F.S.C. membership fee. The courses are usually from - Wednesday to Wednesday, but it is _ not necessary to follow the course in progress. Book as early as possible, especially for peak times. The centres aeare > — Malham Tarn Field Centre, York- shire. _ Juniper Hall F.C., Dorking, Surrey. Flatford Mill F.C., East Bergott, nr. ‘ Colchester, Essex. Dale Fort F.C., Haverfordwest, Pem- brokeshire. F -~_ For Skokholm Isiand apply to Dale Fort, and sleeping equipment, etce., must also be taken. This island is a bird ringing centre, but permission granted to follow’ other may be _ studies. _ Preston Mountford F.C., nr. Shrews- % bury. _ The Courses, of course, cover a Multitude of subjects, but special Mention may be made of the follow- ans - — Insect Course—22-29 July, at Mal- am. “Introduction to Insect Study—12-19 August, at Juniper Hall. Insect Ecology—12-19 Flatford Mill. _ A Course for Amateurs on the Insects of Milford Haven Area—29 July- ah ® August, at Dale Fort. Insect Course—11-18 July at Preston | Mountford. __As you will see, a fleet person with ‘plenty of time to spare can occupy himself from 11 July to 19 August as August, at | | : —S BULLETIN No. 219 MARCH 1959 long as he can make up his mind whether to go to Essex or Surrey! If you do attend at any time, how about writing to the Bulletin about it? Would those members living in the London area, or within reach of it, please make a special effort to attend the A.G.M. this month? Particulars of it will ‘be included with this Bulletin. D. OLLEVANT. p BEGINNERS, PLEASE! When I have been asked to judge schoolboys’ collections of butterflies and moths for competition, I have sometimes found myself thinking: “What a nice collection this one would be, if only a little more care had been taken to make it look nice! There are some very good things in it, but I can’t give it the prize, because it is so terribly untidy’’. There are so many simple little things that can make, or spoil, the appearance of a collection. For instance, the rows, or columns, of the insects should run absolutely parallel to the side of the box or drawer, from top to bottom, not sloping to one side; and must also be straight in them- selves, not zigzag. It is when there are insects of different sizes in the same row that things are apt to go wrong. Remember, that it is the bodies that must be in a straight line, no matter what size the wing- spread of the insects may be. This means, of course, that the width of the column will be fixed by the wing- spread of the largest insect in it. Fig. 1 shows, in diagram form, A, a column which, though it has insects of various widths, has the line of bodies straight in itself, and parallel to the side of the drawer. B slopes away from the side of the drawer; while C is zigzag. You can see for yourself which looks the best. Neat black limes between the columns also help to give a good ap- pearance. Black threads, stretched tightly between small pins at top and bottom of the rows, are more suitable for a beginner’s collection than lines ruled on the paper; for their posi- tion can be easily altered as the col- 18 MARCH 1959 lection grows. Labels, again can be crooked and untidy, or they may be straight and neat. Make them neat. The paper lining of the drawer should be kept clean. If you are unfortunate enough to have any broken bits of antennae or legs lying about on it, do remove them (with the tip of a damp paint-brush), and don’t leave them there as an eyesore, and a nice meal to attract mites. “Oh, we know all about these things’’, you will say. No doubt you do: so did I, when I was young; but do you always give them as much care as you might? I didn’t. Anyway, there are two things of special importance in which _be- ginners’ collections often fail badly. The first is a matter of setting; the second concerns pinning. In a well-set moth or butterfly, the inner margin of the forewing, that is the edge of the wing which, when the wings are spread, lies along, and partly covers, the front edge (costa) of the hind wing, should be square— at right angles to the line of the body. It should not go sloping forwards like the antennae (Fig. 2A), nor must the wings sag backwards like those of some modern aircraft (Fig. 2B). Fig. 2C shows the inner margins set squarely across the body. It is true that in many species the inner margin is not, in itself, a straight line, but may be eurved or have a ‘‘tooth”’ init. Still, it is possible to set it so that the greater part of it hes square to the body. Just look in your own collec- tion, now, and see whether you can honestly say that all your specimens are correct in this one particular. Can you? If not, what about relax- ing and wre-setting some of the offenders when there is not much out- side work to be done, in the winter months? It is well worth while. Now for the matter of pinning. First, the size of pin. Boxes of pins of mixed sizes can be bought: so why impale a Small Blue, for instance, on a great thing more suitable for a Death’s Head Hawk? Choose a suit- able size of pin; and make sure that all specimens of the same species, and all species of about the same size, are always set on the same size of pin. Next, the position of the pin. It must be straight up-and-down through the middle of the thorax; not through the wretched creature’s head or abdomen, nor at its waist; and it must not lean forwards, nor sideways, nor (and this is perhaps the worst of all, for it looks perfectly horrible) backwards, with its head _ sloping A. SAW -CuUTS. B. BoDY -GROOVES. Fig- 4 PART OF PINN:I NG-CAUGE. towards the insect’s tail-end. Look in your collection again. Are all the pins quite vertical, looked at fore-and- aft, and from the side? Finally, and this is most important, all those insects for which you have chosen one ded , i} | ii particular size of pin, should be at | — the same height on that pin. Fig. 3A | shows, in an exaggerated way, pis | AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 19 _ of all sizes set at various slopes, with the insects at different heights on their pins. 3B shows a series, all on _ the same sized pin, and all at the same + height on it. Care in this matter of the height makes an enormous | difference to the look of a collection, and the easiest way to ensure suc- cess is to use a pinning-gauge. There are various kinds of these gauges, and - very likely some of them are better than mine; but the one that I am now going to describe is easy to make, and very simple to use. I have found it very satisfactory in many years’ use. The gauge (see Fig. 4) consists of a block of hard wood, 6” long, 3” wide, and 4” high. It is intentionally made big and heavy, so that it shall stand perfectly firm and steady during the pinning operation. For the same reason, it is well to glue a bit of rough cloth to the underside of the block when you have finished making | it. Make the block carefully, exactly square at every corner, and in ‘every direction. Plane and _ sand- paper its upper surface very smooth. Across this upper surface (that 1s, from edge to edge of the 3” width) run six parallel saw-cuts, }” apart; the first and sixth being 14” from their respective ends of the block. You will ‘find that this works out at Just six inches: the length of the block. These cuts are made with a fine tenon saw, and MUST be absolutely square to the block, both vertically and horizontally. If you go the least ‘little bit wrong in this, the gauge will be worse than useless: so mark . off the places for the cuts first in ‘pencil, using a carpenter’s square, both on top and sides of the block; and /on both sides mark also, very accur- ately, the depth to which each cut 1s going to be made. The six cuts are of different depths; upon which you will have to decide for yourselves; for ‘the depth of each will depend on the | size of pin that will be used in 11; }and it is so long since I had any ) dealing with English insects that I do }not remember which are the most / usual sizes of pins. But that you will veasily find out for yourselves. (When ‘you are deciding on the depth of the )}saw-cuts, remember that the butter- | fly or moth should be rather more \than half-way up its pin. Thus it } will be kept well away from the floor | of the drawer, and there will be plenty }of room for a label on the pin, under 'it.) Along the top of each saw-cut \there is a semi-circular groove to -take the body of the insect to be ‘pinned. These grooves, again, vary in width and depth to suit different sizes of body. That also I must leave to you, and it is not a matter need- ing any great accuracy, as long as you make them perfectly straight along the saw-cut. I made the smaller ones with a small round file, and the larger ones with a chisel, and a bit of sandpaper wrapped round a 4” nail. Finally, below the ends of each saw-cut, on the side of the block, I painted the num- ber of the pin that would be used in 1t. The moth will usually sit quite com- fortably in its groove to be pinned; if not, it is easily held in position with a setting-needle. The pin must, of course, be held quite vertical, and pushed gently down through the thorax until it is felt just to touch the wood at the bottom of the cut. Insects properly pinned on a gauge like this are much easier to set well than. those pinned ‘‘just anyhow’’; and if you make one, and use it regularly, you will not, I think, ever regret the small amount of trouble that you took in making the gauge. A. L. H. TownsEenpd (1691). @ PUPA-DIGGING DILINA TILIAE LINN. (LIME HAWK MOTH) May I offer a reply to Mr. Graham White’s queries (vide Bull. amat. Ent. Soe: 07.271)? I have not searched for this species in the wild open country, but have found larvae and imagines very frequently on tree trunks in populated and built-up areas. It is reasonable to suppose that the moths responsible for the pupae dug by our enthusiastic member, were at- tracted to the trees by the light from the adjacent road lamps. To obtain 55 pupae from trees, ‘each tree yielding up to 13 pupae,”’ does not indicate what our member refers to as ‘‘the great excess of moths within 20 yards’’. Indeed, the entire batch of 55 could have resulted from one parent moth, although I do not suggest that. With respect to his last paragraph, IT think that when Mr. White extends his field of operation, he will find no factual basis for his observation. We wish him success in his further efforts. Harry E. Wess (736). 20 MARCH 1959 ON BEATING FOR HAIRSTREAKS Mr. P. W. Cribb’s account (Bull. amat. Ent. Soc., 17: 46) of beating for the Black Hairstreak (Strymon pruni L.) prompts me to offer an account of my own experiences with this and related species. In the past I had often attempted — in rather desultory fashion to beat for the larvae of several of the Hairstreaks, and, as might be expected, had failed. My collection held specimens of all but the Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae L.) but as these had been taken as imagines they were for the most part imperfect. As friends spoke of obtaining a score of larvae of, say, the Purple Hairstreak (Thecla quereus L.) or the White- letter Hairstreak (Strz ymon u-album Knock.) in as many minutes, I decided ‘that the fault must be mine, and, consequently, that in 1958 I should make an effort to overcome my difficulties. In this I was partly, but not entirely ,sue- cess : The first opportunity to put my plans into action came on Monday, 26th May, at what I later found to be the same locality as Mr. Cribb visited and where I had previously taken prunt on the wing. The previous night had ~ brought torrential rain, and it was with misgivings that I set out by train, draped with day’s food, drink and collecting accoutrements. These did not get any lighter during the four mile walk from the station to the woods, and neither did my heart as I surveyed the dripping, sodden vegetation. How ever, at 11 a.m. I made a start, and was soon soaked from head to foot, as I pushed through waist-high undergrowth and as every slash at the sloe bushes brought a shower of heary drops down on me. I saw many of the boughs scored — and calloused where, probably, entomologists had for years, or possibly even generations, hooked down the taller crowths to beat them. It was not until T p-m. that I had any success, when one final instar larva.fell into the tray. I stopped for lunch, but 15 minutes later was at it again. Because of the weight of water on it, the beating tray felt lke lead, and my arms and shoulders ached, so that I contemplated abandoning my efforis to turn to easier methods of collecting. At 1.30 a second larva dropped with a comforting plop on to the tray. IL continued until 3 p.m. without further success, so my return of two larvae for four man-hours agrees remarkably closely with that of Mr. Cribb and his friends in the same area a fortnight earlier! The first larva pupated four days later, and when I saw the pupa, I found the resemblance to a bird-dropping quite incredible. I knew from the book accounts that there was a resemblance, but had not been prepared for quite such a similarity. lt looked wet, and I touched it cautiously, and found to my surprise that it was perfectly dry and hard, but with a crinkled and varnishe¢ appearance. Imagine my chagrin when I realised that I had picked just such a *‘bird-dropping”’ off the beating tray and been mildly surprised that it had not soiled my fingers! I had discarded at least one, and possibly more, pruni pupae! My two imagines, a male and a female, emerged on 12th and 14th June respeciirely, having been 13 and 14 days in the pupa. A visit+to an Oxfordshire locality for pruni in ideal conditions sixteen days later, on 29th June, found the imagines only just emerging. After my moderate success with pruni I decided to tackle quercus and w-album; the former in Hertfordshire and Middlesex woodlands where the butterflies are usually to be seen, though in small numbers, each year; the latter in a rather restricted Hertfordshire locality which is being encroache d upon by building. By now it was possible to do some beating in ‘the evenings before dark, and I did an hour or two of systematic beating on each of the following dates: —May 27th, 28th, 3lst; June 4th. It was not until June 6 a that I had any success, and between this date and June 13th obtained 14 final instar quercus larvae. Qn June llth one w-album pupa fell into the tray. came to the conclusion that the larvae either do not drop, or are too difficult to detect on the tray until they reach the final instar; and that is for onl 7 about one week in the year: that they are readily obtainable; also that ° year I was too late in my operations to take w-album as larva. The Purple Hairstreak pupated between 12th June and 20th June, emerging between the 4th and 9th July. I was unable to compare this with the dates emergence under natural conditions, as I failed to observe the imagines in the adverse weather so prevalent this season. The White-letter Hairstreak eme ge on 29th June in captivity, but under natural conditions was not observed unt early August, when it became fairly plentiful. This compares with 25th Ju in 1956, when both these species were on the wing. 3 - AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 21 I was unsuccessful in my attempts to obtain either the Brown or Green _ Hairstreak. For the former I spent some hours beating (in the Oxfordshire _ locality already referred to) on 29th June; for the latter, the opportunity to reach a suitable locality at the right time failed to arise. To summarise, my advice would be: Pay some attention to the season, and beat for pruni and w-album during the latter half of May, and preferably where the species are known to occur; beat for quwercus in the first half of June. You may be lucky and hit a spot where the larvae tumble in quick succession into the tray, but do not expect it; if they do not, be persistent and expect a small return for a large amount of effort. But what about the Brown and the Green? T. S. Rosertson (2417). ® REARING PAPILIO MACHAON LINN (The Swallow-Tail) For the past three years I have been rearing this species with some success and the following notes might prove useful to any member intending to rear it _ next season. I may add that the species is now readily obtainable from _live- _ stock dealers, should you be unlucky enough not to be able to obtain it direct _ from the Fens. : Ova. The ova, usually laid singly, incubate for a period of seven to eleven days. In my experience they are best kept cool but moist; excessive heat is dangerous. It is a well-known fact that the young larvae eat their eggshells » shortly after hatching. I attached no particular importance to this, but lately _I have noticed that several of my larvae have fallen from their positions by their eggshells and, unable to locate them again, have died. This has happened | time and again. I have even been as far as deliberately removing them from their eggshells before they have finished and they always die soon afterwards. | It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that the larvae are not disturbed | while engaged in devouring their eggshells. | Larvae. Young larvae are best kept in a well-ventilated breeding cage on a potted plant. I have found Marsh Hog’s Fennel the most satisfactory | foodplant, as it grows well in London Clay, but fresh carrot-tops are acceptable. The food plant should not be cut and stood in water, as umbelliferous plants ' tend to become ‘waterlogged’; thus the larvae are eating nothing but water + and soon, go ‘soggy’ and die. For older larvae I simply sleeve them. I find this is easily the best thing to do with this species in view of the plant becoming | waterlogged if placed in water. The larvae seem to suffer no ill effects from crowded conditions, but it must be remembered that fully grown larvae soon | devour the complete contents of a sleeve, including the stalk of the plant, so | that if left too long unattended there is no support for the sleeve, which falls to ' the ground, sometimes allowing larvae to escape. Handling these larvae should ' be avoided as much as possible as they are somewhat delicate. | Pupae. The larvae after suitably attaching themselves to a convenient } place remain about two days before pupating. The pupa at this stage is extremely soft and no attempt should be made to remove it from its position for at least two days. Pupae of the first generation should be placed in an emergence-cage and will emerge in anything from a fortnight to five weeks, | although nearly always some remain through until the following June. These, and the pupae of the second generation, should be packed in airtight tins until ’ the middle of May, when they should be placed in an emergence-cage. The - butterfly usually emerges at mid-day. i Pairing. This is reputed to be the most tricky with this species; but I _ have not found thisso. Unlike the larvae, the butterfly prefers humid conditions. | The pairing cage I use is the one figured on p. 25 of the Silkmoth Rearer’s Hand- | book. However, I stick mosquito netting on to the glass sides of the cage so as to enable the insect to get a grip. Provided the sun is shining, I have found | httle or no difficulty. My method is to soak the cage with tepid water, treat | the potted foodplant similarly, place a bunch of fresh flowers in the cage and | stand on the lawn in the direct rays of the sun. Incidentally the cage dimen- } Sions are 3 ft. x 1 ft. 6 ins. x 1 ft. 6 ins. A cage of this size will comfortably | house three of each of the sexes. If a pairing is not obtained by the third | day after emergence it never will. Paired insects should be left and not touched )} at all; the slightest movement may separate them. If disturbed the female of the species will open her wings and flap them slowly for about one minute. ‘Pairing lasts about two hours, sometimes less, and so it is essential that the 22 MARCH 1959 pairing is observed and the female removed to a laying tub. I do not allow my females to lay their eggs in the pairing cages as they are often disturbed by the restless males. However, I always place pots of the foodplant in the pairing cage to create a natural atmosphere. Egg Laying. I have found this by far the most tricky aspect of the species. Many times I have obtained a pairing but the female has refused to lay even one egg. In most species, once a pairing is obtained, ova follow automatically, but not so with the Swallow-tail. I think the secret is not to keep the females in humid conditions for the actual egg-laying. In nature the female probably waits for the right climatic conditions before laying. JI place my females in cheese tubs—one insect to each tub. These tubs are not as readily obtainable as they used to be but a friendly grocer should be able to oblige; in fact, most of them are pleased to be rid of them. A good pot of fennel is then placed in the tub, together with a bunch of fresh flowers. A piece of mosquito netting is tied over the top of the tub and a soaked pad of honey and water resting on the netting completes the arrangements. However, I am not yet satisfied—the average number of ova per female being twenty. I hope these short notes on my experience with P. machaon will inspire others to rear this most attractive species and contribute any interesting results to the Bulletm. M. J. Friend (2786*). @ IN DEFENCE OF ‘PUTTING DOWW’ It was pleasing to see that member EK. A. Curran (Bull. amat. Ent. Soc., 17: 55) was quick to defend his ideas on the ‘‘putting down’’ of our commoner Lepidoptera. The idea behind his suggestions is commendable and is in the tradition of nature conservation despite the arguments of his critics. There is now sufficient information available on the distribution of our commoner species to ensure that the needs of the student of evolution and ecology can be satisfied. The wiping out of species by the progress of the housing estate or the plough, can have no significance for the student of such matters, as such alterations are artificial and can only be considered as a loss to those who treasure our natural — history. Climatic conditions are of a different nature and re-introduction can only slow down the natural decline of a species. It can be stated that there are two methods of nature conservation; the first being the protection of a known breeding area as in the case of Wicken and Wood Walton Fens (with or without ‘putting down’) and the second is to introduce or re-introduce a species into an area which has previously, or might possibly support, that species. The first method is being tackled by the Nature Preservation societies with some success, and our members should support these ventures by honouring the requirements of the conservators. Such areas as Ham Street Woods, Wood Walton Fen and the Large Blue reserve in Devon, can give great pleasure to those who visit them to-day and will give great {pleats to our children and to theirs, we hope. One hears no criticism of the Severn Wild Fowl Trust so w hy debunk the attempts being made at Wicken. Both have their measure of artificiality but this is true of all conservation. The second method of conservation can be the work of every member of the Society, and one does not need to be an ‘insect farmer’ to add to the wild life of the countryside. All of us who are successful in breeding insects find that we often produce large quantities of insects surplus to our requirements and with common species it is difficult to dispose of them amongst our friends. If there is an area within easy reach of our home in which it would appear that our surplus would thrive, it is a simple matter to arrange the ‘putting down’. I am not suggesting that ‘putting down’ should be done with rare or very local species unless some notification is made to the Natural History Museum, as this would cause some concern to the purists, but if we direct our efforts to the spread of our commoner species or the increasing of stock in known localities then we are increasing the wealth of our native fauna. Due attention must be paid to the introduction of harmful and economic pests and where in doubt ‘hy advice of experts should be sought. There have been many successful attempts at ‘putting down’ as in the ease of the Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia Rott.) in Hssex and Sussex and the Marsh Fritillary (HWuphydryas aurinia Rott.) in various areas. Mr. C. A. Clarke of Cheshire tells me that he was able to introduce the Glanville Fritillary AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 23 (Melitaea cinxia Linn. into an area in Cheshire where it was able to survive for two seasons but was then wiped out by fire. The probable reason for the lack of ‘success stories’ is that very few have made real attempts to establish a species and the moths have been more neglected than the more showy butter- flies. The Scarlet Tiger (Panaxia dominula Linn.) has met with some success and the colony in Berkshire seems to thrive and increase in strength. My own experiences indicate that the putting down of full-fed larvae in quantity, or impregnated females in fair numbers, is the only method likely to produce success. The area chosen should be as ‘like some known locality as possible, having similar physical characteristics and plant life. This does mean that one must have some knowledge of ecology and must have seen the species of insect in question in its normal habitat. In recent years I have put down surplus larvae of the Marsh and Heath Fritillary in likely areas, but owing to my moving to Middlesex I have not been able to keep a check on the success of these ventures. Two years ago I put the Marsh Fritillary down in an area where once it flew and last year I understand from another member that he collected larvae from this spot and he himself has bred from these and returned the progeny to the same area. Also in 1956 I brought back several fertile females of the Grayling (Humenis semele Linn.) and released them on the waste ground surrounding the Ornamental gardens for which I am responsible. Last summer [| had the pleasure of seeing Graylings sitting on the walls of my house in the short periods of sunshine. This butterfly is found in Richmond Park not many miles away but does not occur locally as all the heath land around has been tipped on many years ago to a depth of some six feet. The Marbled White is my next target to be added to the now common Meadow Brown, Small Copper, Common Blue and Wall. I think that the Speckled Wood would also thrive here, and last summer I collected up from various places all the larvae of the Small Tortoiseshell I could find and placed them on the stinging nettles on the waste land. This last autumn I counted 48 specimens of this _ butterfly on one large plant of sedum and have found them hibernating in the various nooks and crannies of the buildings ever since. I appreciate Mr. Peter Taylor’s feelings about those who love to level, drain, tar and produce Subtopia, but it is not sufficient to express disgust. Those - who do produce this state of affairs are ignorant of the true mess they are making but they are not insensible to advice in every case and here again our members may be able to save some remnants of our fauna. Many parks _ superintendents and their ilk are keen naturalists and we even number some amongst our membership. If you know of a valley or a marsh or small copse , or common that is going to be ‘developed’ by the local Parks Committee and there is something worth saving there, please put the point to the officer ; responsible, for often it may be possible to adapt a scheme and preserve such a feature if our reasons are convincing enough. The support of our local natural history societies is often not invoked, but we must be the custodians of what we love and not expect the uninformed and the ignorant to do it for us, for in that direction hes ruin. The farmer is also not insensitive to natural history and often will listen to a reasoned approach. If he is told that by leaving a small area of his rough land unfired he will avoid the colony of Silver-Studded blues or will leave a large | section who can recolonize after the fire, he may well oblige. I have always found | that most land owners are very interested to know that some unusual species dwells on their land and are often very co-operative. So do not despair or abandon the fight of conservation and, where you are able, re-stock and ‘put down’; please do so wisely and having in mind a balanced picture of the fauna ) of our ‘countryside. By all means ‘plant your garden with flowers of your own ; choice’ but while [ rejoice to see the Grayling flying on the heathland nearby IT would be horrified to find the Swallowtail butterfly there, so far out of its normal Hnglish setting. Beauty is for many the setting of the right things in their right places and may account for my own lack of appreciation of Mr. ) Moore’s sculpture. For the botanist there may be interest in the botanical ) garden in which the rhododendron fiourished alongside the sumach but this is not beauty; that exists among the harebells and orchids of the South Downs or the heather, scabious and thyme of the Devon cliffs. And how much more beautiful if we can ensure that the blues and the skippers, the browns and the ‘fritillaries are there as well. P. W. Criss (2270). 24 MARCH 1959 WICKEN REVISITED : On the 30th August 1958 I went again to Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, with my son Melchior as before. The weather was very auspicious, with temperatures around 70° F. when we started out at two o’clock in the afternoon, and when we arrived at six o'clock at the ‘Maid’s Head,’ where we had arranged to put up, we were very — glad to be able to relieve ourselves of our load of collecting gear. The supper provided by the licensee’s wife was a little boy’s dream. I can thoroughly recommend this inn to anyone who wishes to visit Wicken. The food is excellent and appears to be unlimited in quantity; the beds, and the rooms generally, are as comfortable as could be wished for; and the charges are ridiculously low in these days of high prices. The licensee and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Cornell, are a jolly couple who make one feel really welcome. After supper we took our lamp, sheet, haversack of pill-boxes and other gear—not forgetting the Marmite sandwiches and two flasks of hot coffee— and set off for the Fen. The lodgekeeper remembered us well from the previous occasion, and wished us at least another ‘White Point’. I replied that I thought it scarcely likely that another ‘White Point’ would be sitting there in the same spot waiting for us to pick it up; and as it was, I was, unfortunately, quite right. We found our pitch—the same one we operated from on the previous occasion—and prepared for the night’s sport. Unfortunately, we had trouble with our lamp. First of all I broke the mantle, but I had some spares; when that was satisfactory, the wretched thing would not hight up. We tried every- thing we could think of, but it was no use: tne Tilley had gone dead on us. If only it had been an electric one! Then ‘Screw’ would have come to the rescue with his fuse-wire, screwdriver, spanner, plugs and suchlike which are invariably to be found in his pockets! In desperation we gathered up our equipment and made back to the lodge, hoping that the lodgekeeper knew something about these things and could put it right. Unfortunately, he was out, and his wife, not being versed in lamp- lore, could only suggest that we go up to the village and find one of the farmers who was used to using Tuilleys. Fortunately, the very first cottage we knocked at yielded a farm-labourer who had used these lamps for years, and he quickly discovered that, not only was a valve in the wrong position, but in addition the paraffin was leaking very badly. However, he managed to get it going, but he told us that to keep it so we would have to pump it up practically continuously, top it up with paraffin from our spare bottle and keep the wick burning with meths., because the leak was reducing the pressure. So, once again, we set out for the fen. It was already eleven o’clock and we had not even started. We had to stop every two minutes to pump the ijamp up and see that there was sufficient paraffin in the container; every two minutes it would suddenly flare up and then start to peter out. We returned to our pitch, our enthusiasm more than a little dampened by now, spread out our sheet, and waited—or rather pumped, taking turns. We waited almost half-an hour before the first moth came along—a male Arenostola helmanni L. (Mere Wainscot). We were pleased to take this species, as we did not take it on the previous occasion. As we then took eight different species of wainscots, the capture of this helmanni brought the total of different species taken by us at Wicken to nine. Unfortunately, however, this was the only wainscot we took this time. After sitting there for an hour and a half, pumping like mad, it suddenly dawned on me why we were having such a poor night—quite apart from the business of the defective lamp, I mean. One moth in an hour and a half. I suddenly looked up into the sky, hearing an unfamiliar bird voice, and there was my answer. OOO OPOSESOOOESOOOSESSORSO OSSD OOOSOSEO OOOO OSDESOONEOODEOOOOS H OD DLIDL DLL ID D AI IIIS II III IIIA LIES L EEE SILESIA TSS SA SLES EEE ESE L LSE SERS SE LESS SSS EE SESE IE ae SHSSHSHSSSSHSSHSSHSSHSHSSSSHSSHSHSHSHSSHSSHSSHSSHSOSHSHOHOSHSHSHSSHOOSSS HS SOSS SO SOSSSHSHOHSSHOOHSOOOSOOOOOD eeceeeeee ° SHSSHSSSHSSHSSSHHSSHSSSHSSASHHSHHSHOHOSOOSD LISA AK LAA LALA AA eee PLELIITITTLLLELII IIT SS PSST STITT Teele oe i oe oe oe : | a | COLEOPTERIST’S HANDBOOK C § 9000 00000009 OD SOOCOCD A symposium by various authors edited by oe 3 =«G. B. WALSH, B.Sc., M.R.S.T., and J. R. DIBB, hel ’ 3: The Handbook describes the tools and apparatus and methods 3; collecting British beetles; their habitats, commensals and pr 3; adult stages; how to record, photograph, make a prow colle 33 tion and conduct a local survey. : 33 Twenty full-page Plates illustrative merely of pre- ‘natal stage s i ‘3 (including seven reproductions of rare engravings) and oy lin 3; drawings and diagrams. 112 pp. and index. 33 Price Fifteen Shillings (postage 5d.) 3 from the - # Amateur Entomologists’ Society 4 3 [Westy Ham Eanes = London, EIS 3 THE : Amateur Entomologist $9 (Illustrated with photographs and line drawings) 3 Volume 9 | ‘Practical Methods and Hints 33 for Lepidopterists $3 Contains Articles on— 7 Collecting Caterpillars } 33 Breeding Cages for Macrolepidoptera (deseribing 33 38 ways of making a cage, 4 33 Making a Beating Tray (describing SIX different r 33 kinds of tray) 4 33 Price 5s. | BS 33 To Member (quoting membership number) 3s. 6d. 33 Postage 2d. extra per volume, from | a C. BIGNELL PRATT : $3 1 West Ham Lane - London, E. 15 e Metttttitttttittitttiittttitttitetttesertteeretertttirrteteertertreeeeteeertias WsssssessaststasastssestasasesessssssessesesenstsesssenseaetetaetetaaaetetaeteteeT TEE oe Tes a Be ; 3 PIL - 1959 THE BULLETIN OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY World List abbreviation : Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD SHSHSSSHSSSHSHS SH PSS OSSSOSCSOSOSSOSPSSOSSOSOP SHSSOSSSSSSHO SHS HPSS SH SHH HH SOSHOLH OH OOHE OSHS OS OO SOOO OOO OOO OO OTS: SHLHSSSSS HSS SSHOSSHSSHLSHOHHHSSH SS HHHSSHSSHHSHHO OHH ODIO HOODOGO ODO OOH OOOO SOLES OOH OOOO OO SOHO OOOO OOOD . ry AES NOTICE BEETLES WHERE TO WRITE OF THE Membership applications, offers of hel BRITISH ISLES to: D. OLLEVANT, g Salcombe Drive, 4 Morden, Surrey. oF By E. F. LINSSEN Advertisers to: R. D. HILLIARD, 54 Gytes IN AaSpg ats lpIN Sion JOSTRAIE ASE Park, Stanmore, Middlesex. 33 IN TWO VOLUMES Changes of address and non-arrival or te a i Bulletins to: B. L. J. BYERLEY, 4 This new and important work Courtfield Crescent, Harrow- on-the- on one of the largest orders of Hill, Middlesex. British Insects, gives a _ full : Ojfers to lead Field Meetings, exhibit $ description on all’ the common Bice MEG SN SETEN CON oti The # and most of the rare species Close, Spring Grove Road, Isle- found in this country. The worth, Middlesex. beautifully executed colour and ManmeeninS. Grcwincs cad Doane jor black-and-white illustrations add review to: B. R. STALLWOOD, | greatly to the value of this work. 17 Claremont Avenue, Sunbury-on- $ Thames, Middlesex. Each volume: 30s. net. r . ae ie per annum, 9/- for | Prospectus available from Juniors) oe Road, Te London, Skis 9. : FREDERICK WARNE & Co. Ltd.|_ 3 VOUT NUACEHS Sa lO man eS: ROBERTSON, 2 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2]38 Repton Way, Croxley Green, Herts. > BEE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OFFERS THE FOLLOWING AND OTHER FACILITIES TO- KNTOMOLOGISTS : Use of lending library of books, journals and scientific reprints on bees * Use of library of English translations of important foreign publications * Loan of Exhibitions for shows and meetings, including Exhibition of photographs and photomicrographs of bees - PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: * Dictionary of beekeeping terms, English-French-German-Dutch (12/6 board; 16/- cloth): This gives the equivalents in the four languages of 1500 beekeeping and entomological terms vi * Bee World—international scientific journal about bees _= * Apicultural Abstracts—summaries of all important publications about bees and allied subjects eet Membership, £1 a year 36 Write for details to the Director : fr: ae . Dr. EVA CRANE, Woodside House, Chalfont Heights. GERRARDS CROSS, Bucks.” nee SSSSSSSS FHHSHDSSSHSSSHSSOSHSSHSSSSSLSOSESOOSOD ceccccccceccccecsccococcconcecoesecoosce~cocesesocoseees: ence SHSSSSHSSSHSSSHSSSSHSSSSSSUSOASSHOLSESHSOAOHSED HOCCCOOCO OSES OOOO SESES OSS OOOO OOOODEOOSOS OOOO OO OL EOOOD ooo o x A E = BULLETIN No. 220 APRIL 1959 SECRETARY’S LETTER Members in the London area may be interested to know that we are again invited to the Field Meetings held by the Entomological Section of the London Natural History Society; this year by the new Section Secre- tary, Mr. D. G. Hall. Details will be published in the Wants and Exchange List, the first meeting being held at Horsley on May 10. Field Meetings held by responsible Natural History Societies do not consist of hordes of people tearing up the countryside as some people believe; rather of quite’ small ‘groups who enjoy a day with others sharing the same or similar interests. Beginners can learn a great deal from the more experienced, and specialists in one order can _ learn something of other orders. If you cannot get to the London region meetings, why not try your local Natural History Society meetings? News has just been received from the Field Studies Council of a new Field Centre which they plan to open this year. It will be at Slapton in South Devon, a centre for many types of habitat. It is hoped that by the first of July there will be facili- ties for about thirty students. D. OLLEVANT. @ THE BEDSTRAW HAWK-MOTH IN EAST LOTHIAN On the 14th September, 1958, I Was given a large hawk-moth cater- pillar which had been found three weeks previously feeding on willow- herb. The insect was dark brown, with pale spots along its sides and had a red horn, tipped with black. It was identified, with difficulty, as a Bedstraw Hawk (Celerio galii Schiff.). On the 18th, it pupated. A friend and J, on the 15th, went to Prestonpans, about seven miles from Edinburgh, and were shown the exact plant where the caterpillar had been found —a willow-herb, leaning into the road, about a hundred yards from _ the Firth of Forth, No more larvae - were found. James R. ARcHER (2883*). SOME FURTHER NOTES ON THE LITHOSIINAE With reference to Mr. J. H. John- son’s note on Nudaria mundana Linn. (The Muslin Footman) (antea, p. 2), I am afraid that I cannot help him about the larva, but last August I found the moth between the stones of a dry stone wall near Pontypridd, Glamorgan. I agree with Mr. John- son over the unusual appearance of this moth. My companion on _ this occasion, Mr. N. M. Watts, will certainly support me. The _ stones and trees in South Wales are well encrusted with lichens and pos- sibly mundana is quite common there. There are specimens taken in Langland Bay and Mumbles in the collections in the Royal Institute in Swansea, Mr, Watts has also found Miltochrista miniata Forst. (The Rosy Footman), and I have found Kilemma lurideola Zinck (The Com- mon Footman), common in South Wales. I should like to give two other points about the Lithosiinae. I have found two moths, lurideola and E. complana Linn. (The Searce Footman) mixed up in some collections. They can be easily separated as in lurideola the pale yellow costal streak finishes in a fine point before it reaches the apex, whilst in complana the costal streak is continued to the apex and is on the fringe. In my specimens lurideola’s costal streak is. pale yellow, whilst in complana the pale yellow streak has a fine orange line on the extreme costal edge. When looking for the larvae of LE. deplana Esp. (Buff Footman) on the Yew trees on the North Downs, I have always beaten the lichen covered boughs, but whilst on a IL.N.H.S. Field Meeting at Boxhill last April Mr. L. Christie and I found that the larvae could be easily seen resting on the trunks of the trees where there was less lichen and their sym- metrical shape made them stand out. D. OnLevane (1514). 30 RE-PINNING OLD INSECTS There must be a large number of butterflies and moths in amateur collections that for some reason or another have been pinned with common pins. More often than not the insects were taken when the collector lacked experience in_ the finer points of setting, and, should the pin have become corroded on a valuable insect, the method of re- pinning about to be described may be of interest. The necessity for me to re-pin a butterfly did not arise until recently. I had been re-arranging a drawer of butterflies and while shifting a very old specimen of Agapetes galathea Linn. the pin point broke clean off due to corrosion. As this particular specimen had been taken from a locality that has long since been built upon, and my particular interest is butterfly distri- bution, the insect (to me) was of value. The first stage was to remove the old pin which was well and truly ‘set’ to the butterfly, without damaging the thorax. The butterfly was put into a relaxing jar for 36 hours which in this case proved sufficient to ensure a relaxed condition of antennae, legs, etc. In order to remove the old pin a pushing and twisting motion is necessary and to avoid breaking off the legs, pressure must be applied to the dorsal or upper side of the thorax. A small strip of cork 14” long, 34” wide and 2” thick, was carefully grooved throughout its length with a_ small ‘vat-tail’’ file. This groove was cut just deep enough to fit snugly the upper thorax and at the same time not deep enough to result in the cork bearing heavily on the out- spread wings. A hole was then drilled through the centre of the groove about 14” from one end of the strip and large enough to admit with ease the head of the pin (Fig. 1). To Remove Pin.—First lower strip over pin head, grooved side down- wards and longest end towards abdomen of insect (Fig. 2 and 8). With finger and thumb of right hand hold the pin, keeping the cork strip in close contact with upper thorax. Then with the left finger and thumb, hold the long end of the strip and very gently attempt to rotate the insect round the pin. Try to twist the butterfly in both directions and APRIL 1959 after a few attempts the pin will be free. Apply pressure gently to the top of the strip by working pin upwards through finger and thumb and pressing down on cork with finger and thumb nails. All being © well, the insect should slide neatly off the pin without damage. If the old pin was a common one, the hole in the thorax will be too large for the new pin so an adhesive must be used to secure it. To Re-pin.—Select the pin most suitable and insert it into the hole in the thorax, sliding the insect nearly to the pin head. Next put a good spot of ‘‘Polystrene’’ plastic cement on the pin exactly where the insect is to rest and then with- — draw pin until the cemented portion is within the thorax. Hold in this position for a few seconds whilst cement sets, then pin on to a setting board and secure wings, antennae, ete., as the insect is relaxed, and leave on board until thoroughly dry. I have used this method successfully with both large and small butterflies —the smallest being a Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus Linn.) which was originally set with a ‘‘dolly’’ pin. Figure 1.—Pin extractiom block. Figure 2. Figure 3. AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 31 a ae ee Finally, if the original pin is it after first having had a good look coarse but sound, and the insect a abt rare one, leave well alone and experi- It had one large white spot at the ment with an unwanted specimen apex of each forewing. The re- first. Although I can claim 100% mainder of these wings was blackish, success I may have been just lucky! although the two black spots were W. J. Tispury (2717) present surrounded by normal colour- hha’ . ing. The rear wings were very ® black ae ee included the outer margin, e nearest approach that VARIETY OF AGLAIS URTICAE LINN. T can find to it is figure 6, plate 35, IN LONDON page 226, of E. B. Ford’s Butterflies On October 14, 1958, I saw an so far as the hind wings are con- extreme variety of A. urticae in St cerned. The forewings were entirely James’s Park, S.W.1. It was at rest different to this. on flowers and I very nearly caught H. N. EK. Atston (2609): ® SCIENTIFIC NAMES Tn his article (antea, p. 6) Mr. Taylor sets out clearly the reasons for the use of scientific names in Entomology: in fact, their use is really a necessity if entomological work, whether amateur or professional, is to be of any value. There are, however, one or two points which are perhaps worth a little closer attention. In the first place, changes in scientific nomenclature are justified only when they cannot be avoided. I fear this is not always the case. If a name has been in common use for many years—sometimes a century or more—it is a mistake to alter it merely because it is discovered that someone described the species by another name a few years earlier than the hitherto accepted authority. Of course, if the species is known abroad by the name given to it earlier there is no option: the earlier name is correct and the later name is not. But where this is not the case mere priority of description should not, in the absence of other more cogent reasons, be made a justification for alter- ing a well-known name. There may have been (I expect there were) valid reasons for changing the name of the well-known Argynnis aglaia Linn. to A. charlotta Haw.. but the alteration would, I consider, have been unjustified if it had been made solely and the ground of priority. My second point is as regards the ‘‘English’’ names. Without attempt- ing to justify the use of these on any scientific ground JT would like to point out that they can sometimes be very useful. Suppose that an entomologist is for some reason removed from all contact with entomological matters in England for forty or fifty years—as indeed happened in my own case—and comes hack to them after so long a period. He will find a great many of the scientific names to which he was accustomed—hboth for genera and species—so changed as to be unrecognizable. Thus Dianthoscia capsinula has become Hadena bicruris: Agrotis strigula has become, first, Lycophotia porphyrea and subsequently LZ. varia: the Mamestra dentina of South has turned into Hada nana: and so on. It is just here that he will find the old ‘‘English’’ names invaluable: ‘‘the Lychnis’’, ‘‘True-Lover’s Knot’’, and ‘‘The Shears’’ will supply the necessary link. In the case of these ‘‘English’? names there is no justification for alteration. If these moths, for example, were now known as “Brown Campion’’, ‘‘Knotted Dart’’ and ‘‘Shears Brocade’ (as has alas! heen suggested) the confusion caused by the alteration of the scientific names for (generally) valid reasons would be doubted without any reason at all. I believe it has been suggested that the proposed new ‘‘English’? names might assist the young eollector to identify specimens. I see no force in this sug- gestion. Serious young collectors, if they at. all resemble those of my young days, are probably more familiar with the scientific than with the ‘‘English”’ names: if they are not, they should be: and any idea of helping them to recognise species by means of the ‘‘English’’ names is a mistaken one. When no—or very few—‘‘English’’ names exist, e.g in the case of the Coleoptera, the difficulty in such unusual circumstances as I have mentioned above is great but unavoidable. When they can to some extent be circumvented by refer- ence to the ‘English’? names, as in the case of the ‘‘Macro’’-Lepidoptera, let us be thankful and leave well alone. Str Eric Ansorce (2508). 39 APRIL 1959 WASPS AND M.V. TRAPS I was surprised to read Mr. Bruce’s note on wasps and M.V. traps (antea, p. 8) in which he said that although there was a nest of wasps within three yards of his lamp in 1957, not a single wasp came to the lamp. Ever since I have operated a lamp in the garden at Ashburton, I have been menaced by wasps. I usually get up about ten minutes before first light because some of my best captures at a mercury-vapour light have been made at about this time. As soon as it is light and I have secured any moths on the outside of the trap, I switch off, and cover the lamp over so as to examine the contents later on. Invariably during August and September, as soon as the first rays of hght begin to appear, the wasps arrive and they continue to do so until it is completely light and sunrise is almost due. Thereafter I have never noticed any more fresh arrivals. The behaviour of the wasps is rather interesting. They appear to be drugged by the light and act in the ‘sleepy’ fashion characteristic of workers in the late autumn. Temperature, however, does not appear to be the cause of their inactivity, since they have presumably flown to the lamp in the first place. Also, if the light is left burning they will remain until it is switched off, whether it be 10 a.m. or noon (IT have not left it on all day to see their behaviour over a long period). Between fifteen and twenty per cent. will make their way into the trap and remain there. These obviously go through a considerable range of temperature for when they arrive the temperature within the trap is pretty well equal to that outside. | However, in the thirty minutes or so to sunrise, the temperature inside a Robinson trap may rise by_as much as 30° F. Moths appear to be very quiet until sunrise and then suddenly there will be a period of about five to ten minutes of complete rest- lessness, during which time a large number of moths will escape from the trap if the entrance is not covered over. This temperature rise is, T think, the cause of this restlessness. The wasps do not appear to show the same Symptoms, but remain in their sluggish state. T have noticed as many as a hundred wasps arrive and I should judge that the numbers vary according to the distance of the nest(s) from the trap. and their position. If the lamp falls into a line of flight then presumably a large number of wasps will be drawn to it. Jn years when there have been only ten or twenty wasns around the tran, T have usually not located the nest, indicating that it. is probably some distance afield. Attracted wasps usually crawl over the trap and in particular they cluster around the bulb. A few take short slow flights of a few feet before settling on the ground. The few which enter the trap are of considerable nuisance to the moths for they crawl over everything irrespective of what it is. In this way many moths are damaged. Only once have T observed a moth attacked by a wasp in the trap. This was after the lamp had been turned off for two hours. A wasp attacked a specimen of the Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa lu.) and a battle lasting for over half an hour ensued. The wasp did not get a death grip but held on to the base of the wing and the moth by continuously flapping was able, eventually, to shake the wasp off. At the end of the ordeal it remained exhausted. Had the wasp got a grip on anything but the wings, the moth would have had no chance of escaping the sting. Unlike Mr. Crotch and Mr. Bruce, I have never observed a wasp to arrive before first hght. On one occasion T had a small humble bee arrive just before midnight but it was not kept for identification, With regard to butterflies flying at night, IT believe that this occurs far more often than is imagined. However, there is no reason why the butter- flies should be attracted to light for they are appreciative of only the red end of the spectrum and hence ordinary light used for catching moths would not lend much attraction to them. Provided the conditions are warm I sus- pect that a large number of butterflies will fly at night. AtAN Kennarp (1871). In reply to the question asked by Mr. Crotch re wasps, I have frequently found them in my M.V. trap, at times in a thoroughly destructive mood. I cannot be certain that they entered during the time the light was burning, as they could easily find a way in in the daylight hours between 5 a.m. and AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 33 7.30 a.m., when the contents of the trap were inspected, though, on some occasions, they were so sleepy that I think they must have got in during the night and had not had time to rouse themselves, H. D. Swarn (1800). REPORT OF THE MICROLEPIDOPTERISTS’ STUDY GROUP FOR 1958 With the exception of one bulletin, which at the time of writing is long overdue and must be considered lost, the year has been one of steady progress. Membership—At the beginning of 1958 the group consisted of 20 members; during the year we lost one member, gained 10 and the year ended with our membership standing at 29. _ _Bulletins—As previously stated, one bulletin (12A) went astray, resulting in three instead of four ordinary and two instead of three special bulletins being circulated. The special bulletins showed new members a cross section of the data in our files and acquainted them with the system of bulletin circulation. The ‘‘Loan Sheet’’, a new addition to the bulletin, has proved success- ful. If a member is unable to read all the bulletin in the time allotted, or wishes to study a particular article further, he enters his name and article Ref. No. on this sheet. When the bulletin has completed its circulation the specified article/s is automatically sent to him for a further 7-14 days. Data Sheets—A group is considerably stronger if members know each others’ interests and are able to correspond. For this purpose a ‘‘Member- shin and Tnterests’’ list has been compiled and each member nossesses a copy. This list is an extension of standard A.F..S. practice as it details specialised interests inside the microlepidonterists’ field of study. By means of the bulletin, changes of address and the »ddition of new members can be brought to the group’s attention auarterly. Details of the group’s ‘‘Advisory Panel’ are also carried on this list. The group ‘‘Prospectus’’ (now out of date) was sent to all new members when they applied for membership. A cross-referenced Tndex covering groun bulletins J-10 was drawn up and will be released with the 1959 membership list. Originally this item was due for release mid-year but stencilling facilities were not available. This index has heen. and future data sheets will he duplicated by Mr. E. J. W. Pearson (2193), who kindly volunteered to deal with this section of the group’s activities as soon as he found we were in difficulties. Thanks is also due to the A.E.S. Council for permitting us to use the Society’s duplicator. Carded Wina Collection—The problem of mounting the wings of micros. on cards, such that they will be nost-worthy, has now heen solved. A card covered with wings carried in the convener’s hip pocket for eleven weeks, althoush somewhat crumpled after its ordeal, was still useable for the pur- pose of identification. A request for specimens brought an immediate response from Mr. B. O. C. Gardiner (225) and Mr. F. G. Smith (9254), who donated 60 and 67 set speci- mens respectively to our collection. This magnificent response to the appeal has put our collection on a firm foundation and the first fifty cards are ex- ee to be ready for general release during the second week in February The purpose of the collection is to enable members who lack access to a reference collection to identify their specimens and should be of considerable assistance to beginners. Publication of Group Data—-The group will make available to the Society all the data at its disposal and a preliminary sifting of material has already taken place. Some articles will be published separately but where a series on one particular aspect of group work is possible the notes will be held pending further information. By publishing block data reference to it will be simplified. It is hoped to provide a reasonably steady flow of material starting within the next 18 months. | ‘ M. E. Castie (2490), Convener. 34 APRIL 1959 JUNIOR NEWS SECTION Editorial In February I mentioned the use of a diary as a reminder to fill in the gaps in one’s collection, which become apparent when one is arranging the season’s catch in winter. Now I want to enlarge on the question of keeping a diary. You have probably been told, or have read, that all naturalists should keep a diary and record all their important observations. If, how- ever, you were to ask your advisers whether they kept up a diary, and they were to answer truthfully, the answer would probably be ‘‘No’’. Whisper it very quietly, but I should have to make the same admission myself. The reason for this, I think, is that diarists are born and not made. There can hardly be one of us who would not agree that a well-kept diary, whether of our entomological or our other activities, would be a very fine thing to have. Moreover, there are those people, the born diarists I call them, who can sit down regularly, day after day, year after year and actually achieve this most worth-while aim. Others. of whom J am one, start off with great enthusiasm and sooner or later fall by the wayside. (My own detailed diary lasted for four years, and very interesting I find it when I re-read what I was doing ten years ago.) Now why is it that we lesser mortals should fail in what everyone agrees is such a valuable activity? My own opinion is that perhaps we attempt too much from the start, and that it is best to start from small beginnings and expand one’s field, than to begin by writing down everything, and gradu- ally see one’s writings contract and disappear. I must say that starting again in this way. and using an ordinary pocket diary, I have in the last few years amassed quite a lot of useful facts without actually ‘‘keeping a diary’’ in the accepted sense. This is what I suggest for the months of April and May, in this respect :— _ Note the date when you first see the Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae Linn.) and, perhaps more important. the date when specimens become really plentiful (because the early single specimen is not usually indicative of weather conditions). JT generally expect to see this species in about mid-March. Do the same for the Small White (Pieris rapae T.inn.). This is remark- ably constant, at about 12th to 16th April, and seems to me to vary little in different parts of the country. T think it is important to get at least these two ‘‘first dates’’ each year, and it is something one can do irrespective of whether one lives in town or country. Once one has started with these two, it is not difficult to get first and last dates for other species which one may be fortunate enough to have in one’s neighbourhood; but I do think that these may be less reliable. For example, I lke to record the Speckled Wood, but can only get to its locali- ties at week-ends,’so if the weather is bad on one or two week-ends running, my record may be almost three weeks out. It is often the common species that are best for any kind of investigation—this is a tip worth remembering. These are the other butterflies that I try to record :— Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria Linn.)—about 28th April, but rather variable. Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus Linn.)—about 8th May. Large White (Pieris brassicae Linn.)—about 25th April. Orange Tip (Euchloé cardamines Linn.)—about 11th May. Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus Rott.)—about 2nd June. If you can collect the dates for any of these, but particularly for the Small Tortoiseshell and Small White, please send them to me and I will try to analyse them and put a summary of them in the Junior News Section in due course. News from Members D. Woodbridge (2295+) has shown me a very dark female of the Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaia Linn.) taken in Cornwall. I have compared it with specimens from several of the Hebridean islands, and the Scottish mainland, where a distinct sub-species is supposed to occur (ssp. scotica Wat- kins). This specimen is quite as dark as any of the scotica specimens I have — seen, T. S. RoBertson (2417), Youth Secretary, AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 35 BEETLE COLLECTING IN THE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER Reprinted from The Entomologists’ Bulletin, the Journal of the AES, Vol. 2, No. 18, June 1937 At this season the coleopterist, like the lepidopterist, finds every minute of his spare time occupied in collecting, setting and mounting insects, and naming has to be put off until the winter. Every part of the countryside is alive with beeties, and it is impossible in one season to collect in all the possible habitats. Even beginners—and much more the experienced collector—will find it best to search for some special insect, preferably a rare or local one, and while he is doing this the commoner ones can be taken as they turn up; in this way the collection will be built up at a much quicker rate than by merely haphazard work. The sweep-net and beating-tray will be in frequent use, and the beginner will find a plethora of specimens to occupy his time at home. Even here, specialised work will give the best results; for example, aspens should be beaten for Dorytomus longimanus Forst., the male flowers of pine for Rhinomacer attelaboides Fabr., thistle for Cleonus piger Scop. and Cassida rubiginosa Muell. and so on, Even with things with more widely-varied foodplants, such as the Meligethes spp., definite search will often give better results than general sweeping; M. planiusculus Heer occurs on Viper’s Buglos, and I find M. vidualus Heer by searching flowers of Geranium sanguineum in early July. As with larvae, beeties often occur in enormous numbers on vegetation in the evening, and sweeping then is often very successful. The catch is best ee into a large bag which can be well closed at the neck, and then examined at home. Flowers of hawthorn, mountain ash and guelder rose should be beaten into the tray; the best results are obtained when flowering shrubs are not numerous, as then the beetle fauna is more highly concentrated. One of my favourite methods of collecting is by sifting cut grass in hay- fields. It is best to wait until the upper layer of the swathe is dry but the lower layer still damp. The whole swathe is then picked up, especial care being taken to get the lowest layer thrown into a sheet and worked through the hands, the sifted material being thrown on one side. If special plants happen to be in the grass, one can get beetles that feed on them; I once found Chrysomela oricalcia Muell. var. hobsoni in Teesdale in cut grass containing hemlock. River banks often yield very rich hauls, especially in the north. If they are shingly the stones can be turned over, but a very satisfactory method of collecting is to splash the sides, even when vertical, with water from the stream. Just sufficient to make it well wet is all that is needed; if the sides are drenched with water the beetles seem to stay hidden. Profitable results can be obtained by stamping on the sand or clay, when beetles will come out of the cracks; this works well when there are large patches of drying mud with big cracks in a river estuary. These are good methods of getting species of Bembidium and Bledius species. In an average season clay sea-cliffs are productive, especially if they are just washed by the sea at the higher spring tides. I have taken Nebria livida Linn. by working the foot of the cliffs with a lantern at night, but a better method is to pull off the clay in places where it is fairly damp. Finds include Bembidion stephens: Crotch, B. nitidalum Marsham, Chlaenius vestitus Payk. and in the sandy clay we can find the burrows of other species of Bledius. Rubbish on the shore will yield its share of beetle life adapted to such a habitat. Rotten seaweed, decomposing sea-birds, porpoises and the like should all be examined. It is wise to see that the hands are free from cuts (to avoid risk of blood-poisoning) and it is decidedly pleasanter to work on the wind- ward side. On a windy day, with the wind blowing from the land, one can search at the foot of the cliffs, or sand-dunes on the lee-side, and in inland sand-pits with eS? sides; here one can find beetles which are attempting to climb back to Safety. The last method to be mentioned now is the use of carrion traps. to] ts 38 Repton Way. Crozxley BACK NUMBERS 3 AES BULLETIN | 3 1s. 3d. a copy . are available from B. L. J. BYERLEY, . 3 Courtfield Crescent, = Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex Complete volumes with covers and index ee s< Vol.-vs7 1946-48 22... 21/0 a Vols. 8-10 1949-51 ...... 10/6 each Vols. 11-17 1952-58 ...... 12/6 each # Special quotations for several #8) volumes on application From AES, 1 WEST HAM LANE, LONDON, E.15 SeSCOCOCOECOO ereeee Sees eee -. SPSS SOS SESS SESS SSS SES SS SSE SES SSE FSESSESSES FESESSESH SSE SE SESE SESE OSES SEES EEO OE EEL EGEEOEEEDOSD nae ES eNGend 22: JUNE 1959 BULLETIN | THE COUNCIL’S REPORT, 1958 The number of subscriptions paid for 1958 was 720, and adding those members joining from the lst September, where subscriptions cover 1959, the final membership for the year was 737, made up of 549 ordinary and affiliate, 188 Juniors and 4 Honorary Members. The Bulletin was published eleven times, the August and September num- bers being combined in one. The Youth Secretary, Mr. F. C. Brown, published eleven Junior News Sheets. _ Mr. J. H. P. Sankey, B.Sc., Warden of Juniper Hall Field Centre, gave an illustrated talk on ‘‘Colour in Insects’’ at the A.G.M. in March. The Annual Exhibition was again held in Buckingham Gate School in September. The attendance was up to average but the number of exhibitors declined. Mr. T. S. Robertson gave an interesting talk, and Mr. L. S. Whicher gave a setting demonstration. The Bulletin gave the Council and members some anxiety and much time was devoted at Council Meetings to discussing ways and means of improving the situation. It was finally decided that every effort should be made to improve the Bulletin, whilst adhering to its present form and policy. The Honorary General Secretary was also made Assistant Bulletin Editor with the task of helping to collect material, and to assist him with routine matters, the office of Assistant General Secretary was created. Two winter meetings were held in London, both at Morley College; the attendance at the January one was 24, and at the February one was 47. The General Secretary regretted that due to lack of time he was no longer able to organise these meetings. The Council decided that in the absence of any other organiser the meetings should be discontinued. By kind invitation of Mr. L. Parmenter many members took the opportunity of attending the Field Meetings held by the Entomological Section of the London Natural History Society. Reports of the Study Groups will appear separately in the Bulletin. Under the chairmanship for the first quarter, of Mr. K. C. Side, and for the rest of the year of Mr. L. S. Whicher, the Council has met six times with rarely more than one absentee. Although 195& cannot be regarded as a good year for the Society, members can be assured that the results of work done by the Council and certain members will shortly become apparent in an all-round improvement of the functioning of the Society. D. OLtEvANtT, Hon. General Secretary. SECRETARY’S LETTER In reply to my query on the use of collecting hints for coleopterists, Mr. K. C. Side has not only replied that they should be useful, but he has also agreed to write them each month. I am sure that the coleopterists in the Society will be pleased that he has agreed to write them. © The report of the A.G.M. and details of the Council will appear separately, but the principal change is that Mr. S. M. Hanson has resigned from the Council and his place as Meetings Secretary has been taken by Mr. F. C. Brown. I see from the Council’s Minutes that Stanley Hanson was appointed to Hon. General Secretary at a meeting on Ist February 1947, and since that time he has served on the Council in one capacity or another, and we shall miss him. This is not an obituary, however, and we hope to see more of his interesting contributions to the Bulletin. As members know, Fred Brown had to retire from the office of Youth Secretary as in his poor state of health it proved too much of a strain. He would not remain idle, however, and so has taken over the less onerous duty of Meetings Secretary, and to keep his duties as light as possible, I will look after Field Meeting arrangements, 46 JUNE 1959 We welcome back to the Council Mr. E. Lewis, and to the Council the Assistant Secretary, Mr. B. F. Skinner. Now that the work is in hand in improving the Bu/letin, the Council at its last meeting discussed ways and means of advertising the Society. Two more exchanges were agreed to, and one of these is to be a regular exchange of advertisements with the Junior Naturalists’ Association; the exact details are now being discussed between the two Societies. Mr. C. B. Pratt, the Publica- tions Secretary, estimates that by the end of 1958 approximately 325 copies of the Silkmoth Rearer’s Handbook had been sold, and 721 copies of the Coleopterist’s Handbook. In addition, it must be remembered that these two handbooks have brought in quite a few new members. D. OvLtevant (1514). © COLLECTING HINTS—June THE MaAcRO-LEPIDOPTERA Many interesting larvae are to be obtained this month by beating. Canvey Island _is a suitable locality for the beginner to start, as it is easily accessible from London. Larvae of Huproctis chrysorrhoea L. (Brown-tail), E. similis Fuessl.. (Gold-tail), Malacosoma neustria L. (Common Lackey), and Episema caeruleocephala L. (Figure of Hight), abound on the Hawthorn and Sloe in company with a sprinkling of Trichiwura crataegi L. (Pale Eggar), and an odd nest or two of Hriogaster lanestris L. (Small Eggar). Towards the end of this month on the Essex and Kent salt-marshes mature | larvae of Huchloris smaragdaria Fabr. (Essex Emerald) will be found feeding on the Sea Wormwood, a small bluish-green plant with a distinctive odour. As this well camouflaged larva has a rather confined diet, the collector should. before he takes any, ensure that there is a good supply of one or other of its food-plants near his home. On similar ground will be larvae of Malacosoma castrensis li. (Ground Lackey) feeding on a variety of low growing plants. Only adult caterpillars should be taken as it is not an easy species to rear at the best of times; I have found that Knotgrass provides a suitable replace- ment for its normal pabulum. About 30 species of butterfly are on the wing this month including Melitaea athalia Rott. (Heath Fritillary), and M. cinxia L. (Glanville Fritillary), in the South; Carterocephalus palaemon Pall. (Chequered Skipper) and Strymonidia pruni L. (Black Hairstreak), in the Midlands, Coenonympha tulliia Mill. (Large Heath), and Hrebia epiphron Knoch. (Mountain Ringlet), in the North. So many moths are attracted to m.y. light in June, it is only possible to mention a few of the more interesting species. Hyloicus pinastri L. (Pine Hawk) will be emerging towards the end of this month, an easy moth to rear if the larvae are provided with freshly-cut food, so females should be kept for egg-laying. Muinucia lunaris Schiff. (Lunar Double-stripe) will be flying in its restricted localities; it is taken at sugar as well as m.y. light. Other visitors to © the trap will include many of the Prominents and commoner Hawk moths such as Notodonta ziczac L. (Pebble Prominent), NV. anceps Goeze (Great Prominent), Deilephila elpenor L. and D. porcellus L. (Large and Small Elephant Hawk). For the amateur who does not operate a light-trap, sugar and tree-trunk searching should produce enough insects to keep him busy. B. F. SKINNER (2470). THE SMALLER Morus Once Tortriz viridana Linn. has pupated, probably the commonest larva is pale green, with a darker green dorsal line, and both larva and moth could be mistaken by a beginner for a tortrix, when it is in fact an Oecophorid. Whenever you come upon Epilobium angustifolium Linn. (Rose-bay) search the stems for the reddish gall or swelling caused by Mompha nodicolella Fuchs. A hole in the gall indicates that the larva has left to pupate. Sycamore and Maple:—Early in the month larva of Archips xylosteana Linn. folds the leaf of Sycamore (and other trees); the larva of Argyrotoza forskdleana Linn. folds the leaves of both, and the larva of Ypsolophus sequellus Clerck feeds in a slight web under the leaves of both. The larva of Anacampsis populella Clerk. can be found in rolled leaves of Poplar and Aspen. The generally gregarious larvae of Acrobasis consociella — Hiibn. spin together Oak leaves. Pine shoots showing frass are worth collecting for Evetria pinicolana Doubl. and FE. budiana Schiff. on q AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 47 What Mr. Side has said in his hints for the Coleopterist this month about old birds’ nests applies equally to the collector of the smaller moths. Perhaps even less has been published on this subject by the lepidopterists. Of the species recorded from nests are four Monopis sp., three Tinaea sp., and Hypsopgia glaueinalis Linn. Surely Borkhausenia pseudospretella Staint. also feeds in nests ? Many moths are on the wing, of course, and it is worth while keeping an eye on tree trunks for Lithocolletis sp., although it is more satisfactory to breed them. When passing Heraclium flowers towards the end of the month, keep a look out for the pretty little Tortricid Hrnarmonia aurana Fab. on the umbels. It has two orange blotches on each of the forewings. D. Onztevant (1514). THe CoLEoPTERA Beetles have a greater diversity of habitats than any other order of insects and therefore the collector must employ many different collecting methods. In these monthly notes I shall indicate some useful techniques appropriate to the season. There are probably more species of beetles to be found in June than in any other month of the year. This is because of the large number of plant-feeders which are now taking advantage of the rapid growth of leaves and flowers. The best methods of collecting these plant-feeding beetles are sweeping and beating and much of the available time during the month will, no doubt, be devoted to these operations. The collector should not, however, neglect other habitats. For instance, a number of beetles are to be found in old birds’ nests. The best time to examine the nest is soon after the young birds have left it and for many species of birds that will be this month. Nests in holes seem to harbour more beetles than those in the open, probably because they are less hable to get too dry, but any nest is worthy of examination. The lining should be taken and put straight into a paper or polythene bag and taken home for careful searching under a strong light. Some of the beetles breed in the refuse which is mixed up with the nest-lining and if larvae are present they may be reared if the material is put into a tin and not allowed to get too dry. Notes have been published on the beetles found in the nests of some birds (e.g. starlings, moorhens, swans, jackdaws and various species of owls, wood- _ peckers and tits), but there are many British birds whose nest-faunas have not been investigated. There is thus an opportunity in this field for some original work by any Coleopterist among our members. The work will be of greatest value if all species are accurately determined and numbers given of each species present. We shall be pleased to publish in the Bulletin any results which may be forthcoming. K. C. Srpr (2140). “SPRINGING’’ From A. W. Evans (2901) :— LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ENGLISH NAMES F. BR. Croruarrt (2989) writes :— T should like to say how much I agree with Sir Eric Ansorge (antea, | p. 31). The English names should be ' unalterable; upwards of 100 years ' should certainly qualify a moth for copyright in its name. Wholesale alterations of names could not have been done to assist young collectors; it must have been alteration for the sake of alteration. If assistance to juniors had been in mind, a so-called simplified name would have been inserted in brackets under the correct name, i.e. Lychnis (sp. Brown Campion). Is there a strong Communist in- ' fluence in the AES? The method of keeping specimens of lepidoptera in folded paper until time is available to relax and set them is, I believe, generally ac- knowledged. Whilst favourable’ results are usually obtained with the larger species, it has been the experience of a friend and myself to find the smaller ones ‘‘sprung’’. We have kept them on setting boards from six to eight weeks and found the wings still rise within a day or two of the insect’s removal from the board. Is this the experience of other members, or are there any sugges- tions P : Lycaenidae seem dae seer particularly prone to “‘springing’’. 48 JUNE 1959 ¥) WHAT ABOUT GRASSHOPPERS? (1) By R. M. Payne Why not add the grasshoppers and their allies to your range of interests? — The study of these neglected insects has many attractions. There are com- — paratively few species, so that one does not have to spend a disproportionate — amount of time merely identifying them: the order Orthopitera in the very — widest sense, including grasshoppers. crickets, cockroaches and earwigs (now usually regarded as comprising three separate orders), contains only some 35 species native to Britain. Amongst these are ubiquitous insects such as the common earwig (Forficula auricularia 1..), and at the other extreme great rarities known perhaps only from one or two localities; but it is pars of the fascination of this group that the distribution of many of the species is very _ imperfectly known, and there is plenty of work for the amateur to do here © in increasing our knowledge. The Orthoptera are large, mostly robust insects, and although the identification of some of the species is not quite so easy as might be expected they can all be identified without the use of a microscope, and after a little experience it becomes quite practicable to name the insecis — in the field. without having to kill them. Grasshoppers and crickets must be the only group of insects that can be © identified not only by using one’s eyes, but also—and in many cases more readily—by using one’s ears. Here is a fascinating field for study, not yet adequately dealt with in any of the text-books available m this country. — Other subjects in which the amateur can find plenty of scope for experiment — and investigation are the study of life-histories (either in captivity or in the wild), colour variation, feeding preferences and habits. * Booxs Obviously. the first thing you need when you begin to study a group of animals is some means to identify them. It is of course a short cut to pro- ficiency if you can go out in the field with someone who already knows the © different species, but even so the lessons will only be thoroughly learned if a closer examination of the insects is subsequently made at home, and the various points of distinction checked and noted. Unfortunately, there is no entirely satisfactory text-book available, but — there are two that you should try to get. One is the Royal Entomological Society’s Handbook for the Identification of British Insects. Vol. 1, Part 5, — Dermaptera and Orthopntera, by W. D. Hincks, available at 6s. from the R.E.S. or from E. W. Classey, 4 Church Street, Isleworth, Middlesex. This provides an indispensable series of illustrated keys, and a little information is also given about distribution and habitats (some of the latter regrettably inaccurate and misleading). The second book you should look for (jt is out of-print) is Malcolm Burr’s British Grasshoppers and their Allies, a sound and readable little book, though unreliable so far as its distribution maps are con- cerned (because much has been learned about the distribution of the different species since the book was written in 1936). It is often available from Mr. Classey. at quite a low price. . Both these books (and the two mentioned below) cover the whole group of “Orthopteroid”’ insects, a convenient term embracing grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches and earwigs. If you are lucky, and have the money to spare, you may be able to get a copy of W. J. Lucas’s British Orthoptera, a scholarly work. but written as long ago as 1919, since when several species have been added to the British list. L. Chopard’s volume Orthopteroides in the Faune de France series is an expensive modern book well worth buying if you can afford it, and par- ticularly if you go abroad for your holidays. (The grasshopper fauna eren of the northern part of France is much richer than ours.) APPARATUS _ Very little apparatus is needed to catch and study grasshoppers and their allies. Indeed, it is not essential to have any apparatus at all: some of the more experienced orthopterists I have known catch by hand whatever insects” they need to catch. However, a sweeping-net is very useful, i.e. a net made of material strong enough to withstand constant contact with rough vegeta- tion. This net should be deeper than the kind sometimes sold to coleopterists. | AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 49 as grasshoppers are active insects and will too easily jump out of a shallow net. The most practicable colour is white, and I prefer my nets to have rounded, not angular bottom corners. A long handle is unnecessary, and may indeed be disadvantageous, since it will impede rapid and accurate strokes. If a beating tray is available you will sometimes find it of use for catch- ing certain species. A number of glass tubes to bring home your captures, and a pocket lens (of low power) to examine them with, complete the equip- ment useful in the field, ; If one is making a collection of dead insects—and a small collection is valuable for reference purposes—then of course the usual pins, cork, store- a etce., will be required at home. I will discuss killing and setting methods ater. (To be concluded) JUNIOR NEWS SECTION Editorial May I start with another appeal for material from Juniors for this, your section of the Bulletin? By now, you should have made some interesting observations which are worth reporting—if only of the common species which you can find near home. These should never be neglected, even though they “may seem less exciting than the rarities which other people have on their door- steps. Few of us would have great difficulty in finding, say, an ants’ nest to observe. With a little imagination, and some time to spare, a keen observer could compile a most interesting account of the activities of ants near their nests. For example, if you can find a nest of the black ant, with only one entrance, try some of these observations : — (a) In a timed period of, say, ten minutes, count the numbers of ants entering and leaving the nest, and make a note of them. Repeat this at hourly intervals through the day, and finally prepare a table of the information obtained. (b) Mark an ant emerging from the nest with a tiny speck of quick-drying cellulose paint on the back of its abdomen. (Some practice will be needed before this can be achieved without interfering too much with its activities). When an individual has been successfully marked, follow its track, jotting down notes of any particular actions, and keeping a record of the time, by repeated reference to a watch. After a number of attempts you should be able to map out the journeyings and actions of an ant, from its emergence from the nest to its return, and find the answers to such questions as ‘‘How long does the ant stay away from the nest?’’ and ‘‘How far does it travel ?”’ (ce) Place tiny particles of foods, or poisons, near the nest, one at a time, and in various positions, on or off the tracks followed by the ants, and watch and record the reactions of the ants. Possible substances to try are:—A frag- ment of raw meat, a sucked sweet, small seeds, caterpillars, soap, a moth-ball, a crystal of P.D.B. (para-dichloro-benzene, the chemical used to discourage insects from attacking cabinet specimens).. (d) After a few days of making such records you should have a mass of results, many of them inconclusive or failures, but some worthwhile. Select all the latter and prepare a clear and accurate account, if possible with maps and diagrams, of your investigations. By this time you should have learned a great deal, and may have something worth submitting for publication. At least it is better than reaching for a kettle of boiling water to pour into the nest! What to do in June So far as butterflies are concerned, the first half of June bears much the Same species as the latter half of May. The second half of June tends to be rather a slack period, with the May-June species over, and the July-August Species not yet about. There are exceptions—the Small Blue (Cupido-minimus Fuessl.) should be searched for on chalk and limestone hills where its larval food- plant, the Kidney-vetch, grows thickly. The butterfly is widespread, but not common. Examples of places where I have found it are: at the foot of Ivyinghoe Beacon in the Chilterns, above Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight, 50 JUNE 1959 and Blaise Castle Woods at Bristol. It is supposed to oceur on the Berwick- shire coast. and if any Scottish member can confirm this for me [I should be — interested in the record! In Perthshire the Mountain Ringlet (Hrebia epiphron — Knoch.) should be well out and in good condition in the last week in June. — Here, also. as well as in the South. the Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary (Argynnis selene Schiff.) should be obtainable. Moths become very numerous. but at least for the younger members, dusk comes too late for night collecting. However, many specimens can be found on fences, tree-trunks. etc.. by day. Some very bizarre beetles may be obtained in June, and amongst them one could mention the following :— Cardinal beetles (Pyrochroa spp.) are brilliant red beetles found on the wing, or basking on vegetation, chiefiy in wooded districts. The Spruce Longhorn (Molorchus minor Linn.) is a slender beetle with short wing-covers sometimes to be found in numbers on dead or dying Spruce trees, where the bark may be riddled with their emergence holes. ~ The Wasp-Beetle (Clytus arietis Linn.) may be seen running rapidly on fence-posts in the sun, where it is always ready to fly off. or dodge the hand which would capture it. Its black and yellow colour and jerky movements make it very wasp-like in appearance. The beetle Platyrhinus resinosus Scop., though not common, may be found on dead and dying ash trees, when these bear the black ball-like fungus Daldinia on which the larvae feed. It greatly resembles a fragment of dead twig, and hike the Buff Tip moth (Phalera bucephala Linn.’ achieves this effect by having — a lined and mottled greyish colour, with buff-coloured patches at the ends, like the bare wood exposed when a twig is snapped. ; T. S. Ropertson (2417). Youth Secretary. @ INSECTS IN AMERICA Last July and August I spent a most enjoyable six weeks in America: four weeks with a cousin who lives among the White Mountains in New Hampshire, — and two weeks in an Audubon (Naturalists’) camp on an island off the coast of — Maine. It was fascinating trying to identify insects and plants: a great many belonged to the same families as we get here, but some were quite different. It was a thrill to see a butterfly and not to have a clue what it was. That hap- — pened twice to me, the first time, in New Hampshire, it was a black and orange © butterfly, The Baltimore, Euphydryas phaeton Drury. The second time was — in Maine when I caught a smallish yellow and black butterfly called Pearl © Crescent, Phyciodes tharos Drury. On the whole, among the White Mountains there seemed very few insects. There were about the same amount of butterflies and moths as in England. A lot of Orthoptera including Field Crickets and large Band-winged Grass— hoppers with blue and yellow hindwings, which made them look hike moths when if flying. Very few Coleoptera. Few species of Diptera, though masses of mosquitoes, gnats and black flies! When I turned over a stone or bit of wood there was nothing under it, no woodlice or Myriapods, and very few ants. The commonest butterflies round us were large Fritillaries. On Mt. — Washington, the highest mountain in that part (6.288 ft.), I caught some White © Mountain Butterflies, Oeneis melissa semidea Say. It is a very furry dark — brown butterfly somewhat like our Grayling, Eumenis semele Linn., and hke — the Grayling when it settles on a rock it is almost impossible to see. : On the top of Wild Cat Mountain I caught two very large sawflies. Cimber americana. When fiying they looked and sounded lke large beetles. q At the camp in Maine there were a lot of Longhorn beetles. The Island — was covered with spruce forest. There were a few large ants and some wood- lice, including some fascinating green marine ones called Idotea battica which lived among the Eel Grass in the water. While there, I saw but did not catch my first Monarch butterfly. Danaus plerippus Linn. and later found a larva which came out safely into a beautiful butterfly. . As a perfect ending to my holiday, while we were waiting on a railway platform outside Boston a large green Praying Mantis came and sat on my luggage! After nearly a month in England she laid a large egg mass and I am now eagerly waiting to see if they hatch. ‘ CHRISTINE McDeEraortt (2488). — AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 51 REARING THE LARGE HEATH (Coenonympha tullia Mueil.) The following brief and incomplete notes on an attempt to rear Coenonympha tullia, subspecies scotia (Large Heath) which I have taken from my 1955 note- book may perhaps be of some interest to members who have experience of breed- ing this butterfiy. Tn 1955 I had the good fortune to spend most of the spring and summer in the vicinity of Loch Maree, Wester Ross, Scotland. Having spent most of my life in eastern England, I was looking forward to seeing this butterfly, which IT knew occurred in the Loch Maree region. On the 20th June, a fine sunny day, I first saw tu/lia flying in some num- bers over a boggy area, which sloped down between birch wood fragments to near the margin of the loch. The fiight of the butterfly was low and fluttering. I followed one for approximately 400 yards during which distance it settled briefly half a dozen times. Once it settled in cotton grass, once on bell-heather flowers, and four times on dried whitish Sphagnum moss, which provided a good protec- tive background. Two females were netted and taken back to the hostel where I was staying. They were enclosed in a small wire and organdie cage over a potted plant of the White Beak Sedge. Rhynchospora alba Vahl., which I found recorded as a food plant for tu/lia larvae and which grew in the areas where I had seen the butterfly. Cotton wool soaked in sugar solution was provided in the egg-laying eage. By 25.6.55 one female had died and an inspection of the sedge revealed one pale yellow, rather large egg attached near the base of a stem. I had to leave the area for ten days and after this interval the remaining female was found dead and six more ova laid singly on the sedge stems near soil level. Several ova showed a brownish patterning, indicative, I hoped, of the develop- ing larva within. On 13.7.55 the first larva hatched, followed by three more on 16.7.55. The remaining eggs did not produce larvae. The emerging larvae consumed only part of their egg shell. The newly-hatched larvae were a light dull brown colour with five longi- tudinal darker stripes. They appeared quiescent when observed and from the lack of feeding damage seemed to eat very little at first. The four larvae con- tinued to grow slowly. On 14.8.55 they were found to be in their second instar and were transferred to a freshly potted R. alba plant (the potted R&R. alba may have had other species of sedges and grasses intermixed, and it is possible that the larvae fed on these as well as the alba). During early September I had to return to Edinburgh. ooo oo Ooo So SoS oSo SOS ESOS EDO SISISSSSSSSSHSSSSSSSSSSSSSESSS SESE SES | —PPSPOD POLED HOS DODO SEDO OODLE OOOO OOO SEE OOEOHSESOD ODEO SEES OO SOD ODO DOFOOO ODEO SSOP OO SOHOOO SOS OSOOOOOOOOOS ms as fe oe + The AES PROSPECTUS : CONTAINING FULL DETAILS 33 will be sent to anyone interested ss | sees ooeeeoses xX 5 ie Please Apply, Enclosing 2d Stamp, to: 33 Hon. Advertising Secretary, AES 33 54 GYLES PARK, STANMORE, MIDDLESEX 33 reaeeeecsereneeeoee, evveve ay . 4 }ADVERTISING RATES — : Quarter Page - - £1 0 0 33 of Half Page - - - £1: 15.0 << Whole Page Sa) £3) 4000 a Please address enquiries to : 33 ~~ HON. ADVERTISING SECRETARY, AES 3 : 54 Gyles Park, Stanmore, Middlesex y OOOO ODORS OOO OOO OSSO SOOO DODO OOOO SOOO POS OOS SOOO OOOO OOOOH OD OOOO OOOO SOSSOHSHSOSSSSOPDSOOOSHOSOO OSD SOPHO SS ES OPOOSS OS SH OHHH HOSS SOHO OOH OHO SOOO HOLS OHH OHO DO GOOD OSOHODOS HHS OHO OOOOH SODOOHOOOEOOE ¥ bo9$455H5454H5H5455H55H5S55555HH5H5oboboooo>odododobobdbbdbobbdbbbb bbb bb oe oe om SOSOHSRSSOCOOOOS 298880888888 8888 o seas eats e tote e testes leet e sees ses sas sesscnscnssessessossoasoassess P j =: THE = Amateur Entomologist = (Illustrated with photographs and line drawings) 33 Volume 9 “Practical Methods and Hints = for Lepidopterists ”’ = Contains Articles on— | ¢ 33 Collecting Caterpillars 3 t 33 Breeding Cages for Macrolepidoptera (describing 33 38 ways of making a cage 32 Making a Beating Tray (describing six different 33 kinds of tray) q 33 Price 5s. ia 33 To Member (quoting membership number) 3s. = ae 33 Postage 2d. extra per volume, from Be C. BIGNELL PRATT - 1 West Ham Lane - London, E.15 | COLEOPTERIST’S HANDBOOK | 33 A symposium by various authors edited by a 33 G. B. WALSH, B.Sc., M.R.S.T., and J. R. DIBB, FRES. { BA 33 The Handbook describes the tools and apparatus and methods ¢ of 33 collecting British beetles; their habitats, commensals and _pre- 3; adult stages; how to record, photograph, make a personal co c- $3 tion and conduct a local survey. 3 Twenty full-page Plates illustrative mainly of pre-adult stage A 33 (including seven reproductions of rare engravings) and Bitys line- 3; drawings and diagrams. 112 pp. and index. a 33 Price Fifteen Shillings (postage 5d.) 33 from the : Amateur Entomologists’ Society 3 1 West Ham Lane - - London, EIS ee PETTITTE IT TTI TA LAA SSSAASSSSSSASSASADAAALAAALAA LLL SOSSSSHSSHSS OSHS OSH O SOSH ESOS OSHS OOOO SOO OD OOOO HOEY GOEDEL ODE DODO O OEE OOEELEDELESESEPCOEOOO® THE BULLETIN OF } THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY World List abbreviation : Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD a: eceoee COs eeee coceseseseseeeoere® eee 555995 OOS SSO SSPSOPSO ISL OL ISSO OOOO PSO LOCO L EL TLL LL LILI LR LE LDL ES SESS SSE SE RRA KIN EAI KIO NOW AVAILABLE THE NEW EDITION OF The Caterpillers of the British Moths Compiled by W. J. STOKOE Edited by Dr. G. H. T. STOVIN IN TWO VOLUMES The chief amendments to this famous work concern the index and section on Food Plants of Caterpillars. These have been fully revised, making all necessary cross references to the text. Fully illus- trated in colour and black-and-white. Each 15s. net. From all booksellers FREDERICK WARNE & Co. Ltd. 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, BEE RESEARCH AS OFFERS THE FOLLOWING AND OTHER FACILITIES ue ENTOMOLOGISTS : x "Loan of Exhibitions for shows and meetings, including Exhibition of photographs and pucionleneei area of bees PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: * Dictionary of beekeeping terms, English- French-Gemnan=Duten ai 6 ¢s This gives the equivalents in the four 3 languages of 1500 beekeeping and entomological terms > 3 * Bee World—international scientific journal about bees Apicultural Abstracts—summaries of all important publications abou board; 16/- cloth). m W.C.2 Use of lending library of books, journals and scientific reprints on bees 3 Use of library of English translations of important foreign ea bees and allied subjects Membership, £1 a year Write for details to the Director: cf ‘ = # Dr. EVA CRANE, Woodside House, Chalfont Heights, . GERRARDS CROSS, Bucks. tS. SHSPSHSSHSSSSSSHSSHSSSSSSHSSSOSSSOSHSHHOOOSD ‘ AES NOTICE WHERE TO WRITE Membership applications, offers of he to: D. OLLEVANT, 3 Salcombe D) Morden, Surrey. Advertisers to: R. D. HILLIARD, 54 Gyles 8 Park, Stanmore, Middlesec. $ | 4 Changes of address and non-arrival of 3 Bulletins to: B. L. J. BYERLEY, 33 Courtfield Crescent, Harrow- on-the- $$ Hill, Middlesex. Offers to lead Field Meetings, exhibit etc., to: F. C. BROWN, 6 Osmond Gdns., Wallington, Surrey. Manuscripts, drawings and books for review to: 3B. BR. STALLWOOD. 17 Claremont Avenue, Sunbury-on- 3 Thames, Middlesex. P Juniors) to: K. H. BOBE, 50 Winn Road, Lee, London, S.E.12. Youth matters to: T. S. ROBERTSON, 38 Repton Way, Croxley Green, Herts. 5.1.5.555555HSSSSoSoooooooodoodoooo dota dodoLaLooLaLpLo Aap LS eee ° Me SHSSSSHSSSSSOSSSSHSHSSHSSHSSHOSSHSHSSSSSSSSS FHOSOHSSSSSHSHSSSSOSOSSLSSOSOSSSOSESOSOSS Seeeosososooes $33 poor oe A E No. ow wo oy BULLETIN JULY 1959 SECRETARY’S LETTER It is intended that the Annual Exhibition be held on either the second or third Saturday in September at Buckingham Gate School, Victoria, London, S.W.1. I cannot be certain yet which Saturday, due to the L.C.C. conditions of booking. Members who are able to get to it are asked to make a special effort this year to bring an exhibit. We get plenty of people coming to our Exhibition, but never enough exhibits. Livestock and the results of special studies are welcomed most of all, but bring your set specimens as well. One method of exhibiting the not-too-large lepidoptera larva is to bring it up to the Exhibition in a tin and also bring a cellophane bag and an elastic band or some adhesive tape. Take the lid off the tin and pop the tin into the bag and then seal it up. Whether the larva stops in the tin or not, it can still be seen. Larger larvae are best kept in small cages or perspex boxes (such as those sold as sandwich boxes). So please try to bring your pet caterpillar or beetle, however humble, or photographs, paintings, or set insects. Don’t forget to label your exhibit, and to protect set insects by glass. If you haven’t an exhibition case, then have two sheets of picture glass cut to fit over each side of a store- box, and stick them on at the exhibition with some adhesive tape. The members of the Council, and certain helpers, have worked hard all the year to keep the Society functioning. The Exhibition is your chance to show that you, too, can do your bit for the Society. The East Suffolk County Education Committee are holding a week-end course in practical microscopy at Belstead House, near Ipswich, on the 4th-6th September. The course does not only deal with the methods of preparation, but with the structure of the specimens. When booking the course students may indicate which of the specimens listed they wish to study—dZoological, Botanical, or some of each. Further details may be obtained from the Education Office, Rope Walk, Ipswich. D. QOLLEVANT. a OBSERVATIONS ON SAMIA CECROPIA LINN. Cecropia is not always as easy to rear aS some of the text books say. In the larval stage for me it has been somewhat temperamental. Perhaps some of my following experiences may be of interest. My first pairing of Vecropia was obtained from a single pair of purchased cocoons. The male emerged early in May and I impatiently waited for four days until the female came. They both emerged between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.; in fact, I have not so far had a Cecropia which emerged in the daytime. During the day I kept the moths in separate rooms; putting them in the same cage at about 7.20 p.m., just as the light was dimming. Immediately the male’s antennae perked up and started quivering. He warmed up quickly and after a very short flight made straight for the female and paired up. The light was very bad so I could not actually see them couple up, and I dare not put the electric light on. It seemed rather early in the evening for them to pair according to normal records, and I began to be somewhat dubious when I found that the couple had parted by day-break, as I knew this was not their usual behaviour. I was almost convinced that the ‘‘pairing’’ was not fertile when after four or five days the female had only grudgingly laid about four dozen eggs, and that in the airing cupboard. I kept the male alive all this time but he showed absolutely no inclination to pair, so I killed and mounted both moths as they were still in good condition. I kept the eggs just in case they were fertile and it turned out that they were. How I wished that I had ignored the books and let her lay all her eggs. However, I had four dozen which was plenty for me to cope with at the time. I reared the larvae on hawthorn up to the secogd instar in two tobacco tins. It may seem overcrowded but in my experience small larvae do better gregariously than singly. Up to the third instar they were housed in two 54 JULY 1959 Oxo tins after which they went on cut plant. They had all changed into the fourth instar when suddenly disaster struck. Virus killed all but the six largest. Perhaps they were a little too overcrowded to achieve a well! balanced, virus-free community. Unfortunately, the six which remained all produced female pupae so the brood was carried no further since I was unable to purchase any more that year. An unusual feature which I noticed in two of the larvae was that the four large normally coral-coloured thoracic tubercles were yellow, though the resulting moths showed no difference. In a more recent generation, I came across an obstacle which I managed to tackle more successfully. An individual in the fourth instar was emitting a quantity of reddish brown fiuid from the mouth-parts, although it was the largest and most healthy looking of the brood. I soaked up the liquid with damp cotton-wool and cleaned the caterpillar, then dried it on a twig without leaves, in the sun. After a couple of hours it resumed eating quite normally and remained the largest of the brood to pupation. If a larva keeps dribbling liquid every time it eats it may be cured by starving it for a longer period, say 24-48 hours, and if you have the facilities, by keeping it warm at first and then cool, so that it will stay quiet. When brought back to normal temperature the larva will resume eating properly. The first season I reared Cecropia I was surprised at spinning time to find two larvae starting to spin a twin cocoon. I had heard of this before in other species and so did not disturb them. However it turned out that the cocoon had only one chamber and neither of the two larvae pupated, so it probably would have been better to make them both start two new separate cocoons. In all stages Cecropia gives out an odour probably similar to that of Samia gloveri Strecker larvae and I find it not at all disagreeable. It is especially strong in a newly emerged moth or when an airtight tin of larvae has been opened. Even the pupae and cocoons carry the scent when new. The pupae themselves are usually black but they may be wholly orange brown, or again dark with orange brown markings giving a tortoiseshell effect. As regards food, my Cecropia larvae usually eat only hawthorn though I reared a brood once on plum. Sometimes they may be quite stubborn and will not eat anything offered to them, so it seems that you never can tell if you are going to have success with Cecropia. JoHN H. DRaxke (2967). REQUEST FOR HELP IN BREED- LETTER TO THE EDITOR ING THE OAK EGGAR I am expecting during June and DIARIES July this year to obtain pairings of R. G. Haynes (1545) writes :— the Oak Eggar, Lasiocampa quercus fo was) Gn terested eae od eee Linn. and its darker forms, olivacea editorial in the Junior Section and lurida. There is evidence that (antea, p. 34) on the subject of a proportion of dark caterpillars pro- diaries, since I am one of those who duce dark moths (of both forms). found the keeping of a diary impos- Would anyone with experience who sible. About ten years ago, how- is willing to undertake the breeding ET eine a keeping what T ealled of small numbers of these, and who a journal. That is, a record of my has the amenities for doing so, be so entomological activities and other good as to help if I send the ova. My interesting matters which occur on requirements are that the numbers my entomological expeditions, thus of the two larval forms should be avoiding the drudgery of day to day recorded and the number of dark and Daisies ns SS kept in an ordinary normal moths which hatch from stiff-covered exercise book, with rules them. This necessitates keeping the margin (for the date entries), obtain- dark and brown larvae separate. able from Woolworth’s at, I believe. Anyone who helps can retain their half a crown. Make a story of the specimens, but I would be grateful more worthy entries and you have no to receive a couple from each brood for idea what fascinating reading this reference purposes. makes, recalling as it does, happy days in the field which would otherwise pe Dr. H. B. D. KerrLewert, forgotten, and providing a valuable Genetics Laboratory, Department of record of localities, times of appear- Zoology, University Museum, Oxford. ance and other information. “ ll ee NE 9 Lt (POV TS Or OU AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 WHAT ABOUT GRASSHOPPERS? (2) By R. M. Payne (Concluded from page 49) FIELD TECHNIQUES The 35 British Orthopteroids comprise insects of widely differing natura! habitats, and several quite different techniques are needed in order to capture them, or indeed even to see them—because although the Orthoptera include some of the largest and most brightly coloured British insects they are often remarkably elusive in the field. Let us take them group by group, starting with the Acrididae, the typical short-horned grasshoppers, i.e. those with short antennae. Several of the ten British species are abundant and widely distributed. They are usually first detected by ear, and in fact each species can be infallibly identified by ear alone (though many older people cannot hear the high-pitched stridula- tion of these insects). Any natural grassy place not entirely shaded from the sun will probably have its grasshopper fauna—even narrow roadside strips. But on cold, sunless days they will be silent, and much more difficult to see. A dry soil is usually the most productive, though one or two species prefer damp ground. The Acrididae are mature from late June to October, and until you are experienced it is better not to attempt to name the immature ones (nymphs), which can in general be recognized by their undeveloped wings and small size. These grasshoppers can be caught in the sweeping-net or by hand. When using the net, make a vigorous stroke, and make sure that the grasshopper is well to the bottom of the bag before trying to tube it. But if you want to catch a particular specimen in a place crowded with grasshoppers, the best method may be to move your hand slowly towards it and then suddenly grab it: if you use the net in these circumstances you are likely to get several grasshoppers inside, and the one you want may have jumped out before you have had time to clap a tube over it. Stridulation is a specially useful guide when you are searching for an uncommon species, since such species almost always occur in company with several others. Once you have heard the peculiar note of your quarry—per- haps as a stridulation unfamiliar to you—do not sweep blindly in the hope of taking the species wanted, but approach the sound cautiously, and when you are near enough to see the insect stridulating, catch it by hand as described above. Considerable patience may be needed, as grasshoppers tend to stop singing on the approach of footsteps; and of course if the day is cloudy you may have to wait for sunny intervals. When you have caught your specimen, by whatever method, put it alone into a glass tube if you wish to take it home. lLLive grasshoppers (and this applies to almost all Orthopteroids) are apt to damage each other if kept together in a confined space. In particular, their long hind legs come off a easily. I prefer not to kill them in the field, for reasons I shall discuss ater. To examine a live grasshopper, hold it between your first finger ana thumb by its two hind legs. This enables you to look at the wing-cases and thorax easily (the two most important parts of the insect for identification purposes). Moreover, it cannot jump away, and you will not damage it. Three short-horned grasshoppers form the family Tetrigidae. (They have been called ground-hoppers, and grouse locusts, but really it is not worth try- ing to invent English names for Orthoptera—there are very few genuinely popular ones, and the scientific names are easily learned.) The Tetrigidae are inconspicuous insects, not brightly coloured, and with a characteristic ridged appearance; they have a different life-cycle from the ordinary grass- hoppers, and they do not stridulate. There are two fairly common species, each requiring a different method of approach in the field. The little Tetrix undulata Sowerby—often known as T’. vittata—occurs in dry places with scanty vegetation, often on chalky or sandy ground, It is mature in spring and early summer, and [I usually catch it in the sweeping-net after I have seen it jumping about, Its protective coloration makes it difficult to see at rest. 56 JULY 1959 T. subulata L., which is also mature in spring—April is perhaps the best month for it—frequents wet places, and I have taken it mainly by sweeping the long vegetation on canal and lake banks. There are eleven native species of long-horned grasshopper, i.e. those with very long antennae (Tettigonioidea), and they are of such diverse habits that it is almost necessary to consider each one separately, (These fine insects tend to be carnivorous, so that it is particularly important not to put more than one specimen into the same tube.) About half the species are virtually confined to the southern maritime counties—and in some cases are only found within a mile or two of the sea. But others are widespread, though generally more plentiful in the south. All but two species are more easily heard than seen: their stridulation seems to be more highly pitched than that of the Acrididae, and often has a ventriloquial quality. They are much less depen- dent on sunshine for their activity than are the short-horns. Sweeping is generally of no use at all in capturing these insects: they must be individually stalked and then either knocked down into the net or grabbed by hand. On the whole they are clumsy insects, easy to catch once you have seen them: but it often takes a long time to find them, even when you can hear a number of males singing all round you. (By the way, it is only the male Orthoptera that stridulate, but females can often be found in close proximity to the males.) The long-horns mature rather later than the short-horns, and late July- late September is the best period for hunting them. Some species can be found up to early November. There are two _ species which it is not necessary to stalk individually. Leptophyes punctatissima Bosc, probably the commonest Of all the species, can be swept from nettles and other vegetation beneath trees at any time from May to the end of summer. (It is easily recognizable even when imma- ture.) Meconema thalassinum Degeer, also common, is usuallv taken by beat- ing the branches of oak trees. This is a nocturnal species, and sometimes flies to light at night. Of the others, Pholidoptera griseoantera Degeer should he listened for in bramble thickets and big nettle beds: it is usually noisier towards evening and after dark. Though this is not one of the largest snecies. its song is verv loud and penetrating. and T have often detected colonies while driving a car on busy roads. In mv exnerience Pholidontera is commonest where there is chalk or limestone in the soil. and also near the sea. Metrioptera brachiuptera Ti. seems to be confined to heaths. either wet or any, where its faint intermittent piping may be heard coming from clumps of ing. If vou live in or near London, you should spend a day walking (or cycling) along the lanes of sonth Essex. or over the Thames marshes in Fssex or Kent. Metriontera roeseliti Hagenbach is verv common in this part of the country, and its reeling song may be heard in the long roadside grass. The remaining long-horns are very local or rare, and really fall] outside the scope of these notes. The same remarks apnplv to our native crickets. Tn your first season you should become thoroughly familiar with the characteristic songs of the common grasshoppers (both short-horns and long- horns). so that when you come across any of the rarer species vou will auto- matically recognise them as new to you. I cannot stress too often that you are more likely to find these rare species by ear than by eye, though of course you must first be in the right kind of terrain. And what are the most likely places for finding the local and rare Orthoptera? For short-horns go to the chalk escarpments or the sandy heaths of the south of England; and for long-horns to any rough uncultivated hillside near the Channel coast— and you may be lucky! We now leave the order Orthoptera (in the strict sense), and turn to two other closely allied groups of insects, Dictyoptera (Cockroaches) and Dermap- tera (Earwigs). The three native cockroaches (the genus Hctobius) are elusive little in- sects. They are usually taken by sweeping or beating in woods, though one species (H. panzeri Stephens) lives on heaths in the south of England. But you will not be likely to find any of these cockroaches further north than the Wash, They are not voracious creatures, and you may safely put more than one specimen into the same tube. AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 57 There are four wild earwigs apart from the ubiquitous Forficula awricu- laria L., but the only one that is at all common is the little Labia minor L. This is sometimes taken on the wing, as it flies freely; I have also found it by sweeping nettles, and once quite by chance when it happened to alight on a friend’s arm during a warm summer afternoon. A hint for finding one of the uncommon earwigs, Forficula lesnei Finot, first, is to look inside the stems of dead reeds (Phragmites) in late summer and autumn. Kittine, Mountine, Etc. Here we are of course entering on controversial ground: every entomolo- gist, whatever his interests, has his own favourite methods of handling his specimens. When dealing with Orthopteroids, T always bring them back alive. T have two reasons for this. First, although the colours of many grasshop- pers tend to fade after death, this effect can be lessened if the insects are kept alive without food long enough for the last meal to be evacuated. Secondly (and less important) IT prefer not to be encumbered in the field with killing agents. ; I usually leave my captures in their tubes for twenty-four hours, By that time, the males of the short-horned grasshoppers (Acrididae) are often found to be dead; if not, a drop of ethyl acetate in the tube, preferably on blotting- paper, wili kill them in half an hour (at the most), and this is also the method I use for all other Orthopteroids. It leaves them relaxed for any setting that may be desirable, and it affects their coloration less than most other killing agents. All Orthopteroids except earwigs, native cockroaches and _ Tetrigidae should be pinned. These three groups are smaller (and the first two more fragile), and are probably best carded, i.e. stuck on rectangles of Bristol board with legs and antennae set out, in the same way as beetles. J do not usually set my other grasshoppers, beyond ensuring that the long hind legs hang down clear of the closed wings, the latter being all-important in identification. But if you like to take the trouble of setting both pairs of wings fully open your specimens will look more attractive (though perhaps less natural, and they will certainly take up much more room), The pin should in all cases pass vertically through the thorax, a little behind and to one side of the centre. The lone-horns (Tettizonioidea) are apt to shrivel after they have been dead Some time, and they can with advantage be stuffed. It is essential to do this with one species, Leptophyes, which otherwise totally alters its appear- ance, not only losing its green colour but shrivelling to a tiny fraction of its original size. The approved method is to cut a long slit in the underside of the abdomen, squeeze or pull out the contents, and insert a tiny wedge of cotton wool which has been dipped in glycerine and borax. Pinned grasshoppers are too heavy to keep in the lids of double-sided store-boxes, but apart from this they can of course be stored in the boxes or cabinets used for other kinds of insects. It is essential to maintain in the boxes a supply of flake naphthalene or paradichlorbenzene (the latter vapor- ises rather quickly and needs constant replenishment), in order to repel the minute pests that will otherwise destroy your specimens. © COLLECTING HINTS—July The Macro-lepidoptera About forty species of butterflies will be on the wing this month, including Thecla quercus L. (Purple Hairstreak), Leptidea sinapis LL. (Wood White), and Melitaea athalia Rott. (Heath Fritillary). Light will attract numerous moths such as Lymantria monacha lL. (Black Arches), and Amathes stigmatica Hubn. (Square-spotted Clay), both frequent in the New Forest, the former being totally _represented by males; the females are usually only taken at sugar or by a systematic search of tree trunks. Setina irrorella L. will be found flying between 3.30 p.m.-5.30 p.m. on the chalky slopes between Reigate and Dorking; Folke- stone Warren is another good locality. Wherever the Yellow Toadflax occurs on the South Kent and Sussex coast the collector has a good chance of finding larvae of Calophasia lunula Hiifn. (Toadflax Brocade). They have a general appear- /ance of Pieris brassicae L. (Large White) at a first glance and will feed quite ‘readily on the Garden Toadflax or Antirrhinum in captivity. B. F. SKINNER (2470). 58 JULY 1959 The Smaller Moths Most collectors, I think, are inclined to use the net and light for collecting in July and August, and especially whilst on holiday. I find that Balsa wood setting boards made to fit tightly into a cigar or similar box will pack away easily. Don’t forget to use setting pins to suit the depth of the box! Most of the Crambids can be collected during any part of the day simply by disturbing them by walking through grassland. Pay particular attention to those found on marshy or high ground and be careful to look closely at as many as is practicable. If any slight difference from the commoner ones is suspected, then take the moth home for a closer check. Some Crambids cannot be disturbed until their evening flight, C. contaminellus Hitibn. being one of them. When you come across a pond, disturb the herbage at the sides to see if any of the aquatic Pyraustids are there. The larvae of Depressaria heracliana Linn. are very common in most places, the larva feeds on the seed-heads of Heraclium sp. and then enters the stem by biting a hole part of the way down, doing this usually about the middle of July. It is best taken when in the stem. the moth emerging in September, Larvae of several other species of Depressaria can be found at this time, mostly folding the leaves of knapweeds and thistles. Whilst looking at the knapweeds, collect the flower heads of Centaura nigra Linn. (Hardhead or Black Knap- weed) for the larva of Huranthis straminea Linn. which will emerge in late August. Many entomologists recommend collecting the leaf miners in the autumn and overwintering them outside, but I have bred some of those which are double brooded by collecting the almost fully fed larvae in late July and ~ keeping them in plastic boxes. Care must be taken to preserve the correct — humidity. F D. OLtEvantT (1514). The Coleoptera July and August are the traditional months for seaside holidays. The keen Coleopterist will take advantage of his stay by the sea to collect some of the species which are either confined to the coastal areas or are more frequent there than anywhere else. Although the best time for collecting is earlier in the year there are still good things to be found in high summer. Some notes on collecting on sand-dunes and sea-cliffs were given in April (antea, p. 35). Salt-marshes and the muddy shores of estuaries are the habitat of several species of ground beetles which are seldom found elsewhere. Among these may be mentioned the two species of Dicheirotrichus, three species of Pogonus, Anisdactylus poeciloides Steph., Bembidion varium Ol., B. ephipprum Marsh., B. doris Panz., B. normannum Dej., B. minimum F. and Amara convexiuscula (Marsh.). However, it would probably be best at this time of the year to concentrate on the seaside plants in order to find the beetles which feed on them. Sweeping will usually produce good results but some species have to be sought for amongst the roots of their food-plant. Of course, many plants which grow near the sea also grow inland but these should not be neglected as they may harbour species which are not found in the collector’s home district. Some of the plants which are worthy of attention are listed below but it must be realised that this is only a small selection. Cakile maritima Scop. Sea Rocket. Grows on sandy and shingly shores just above the drift line. Host-plant of the flea beetle Psylliodes marcida (IIl.) Glaucium flavum Crantz. Yellow Horned Poppy. Chiefly on shingle beaches. The weevil Ceuthorhynchus verrucatus Gyll. lives at the roots and in the dead leaves at the base of the plant. Erodium species. Storksbill. These grow in sandy places chiefly near the sea. Three weevils Limobius borealis (Payk.), Phytonomus dauci (Ol.) and Larus iridis Ol. are attached to these plants, which also harbour some interesting bugs. Echium vulgare L. Viper’s Bugloss. Not confined to maritime habitats but certainly commoner in them. It has a large number of beetles attached to it, several each of the genera Meligethes, Longitarsus and Ceuthorhynchus. Cochlearia species. Scurvy Grass. There are two common species which grow in muddy places near the sea and also sometimes on cliffs and rocks. The beetles to be looked for are Phyllotreta diademata Foudras, Ceuthorhynchus — cochleariae (Gyll.) and Phaedon regnianum Tottenham, The last named was recognised as a separate species as recently as 1941. AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 59 Timonium species. Sea Lavender. In a few salt-marshes in South and Kast England this plant is the host of the beautiful little purple weevil Apion limoni Kirby. It can be found in August by parting the basal leaves or by searching the roots. This is a wet job and a rubber sheet is useful to kneel on. Crithmum maritimum L. Samphire. Chiefly on cliffs and rocks. The weevil Phytonomus adspersus (F.) lives at the roots. Ononis species. Restharrow. This is commoner near the sea but also grows inland. It is host plant to the following weevils:—Apion ononis Kirby, A. ononicola Bach, Sitona griseus (F.) and Phytonomus ononidis Chevr. K. C. Stpe (2140). @ JUNIOR NEWS SECTION Editorial July—to me, the most exciting month for butterflies. Not perhaps because the greatest number of species is to be found, but because the larger woodland butterflies are at their best. Nothing delights me more than to visit a large wood, not two miles from my own home, and watch the Dark Green (Argynnis aglaja Linn.) and Silver-washed Fritillaries (Argynnis paphia Linn.) in their very considerable numbers. Their behaviour, annually, is much the same. The males appear first, flying rapidly along rides and open spaces, but the two species keeping more or less to their own territories—paphia in an area of birch wood, aglaja in an adjacent grassy area with shrubs—Hawthorn, dog- wood and young oaks predominating. When, after a week or so, the males have largely ceased their wild careering flight, and settle to a more docile existence of clustering on the flower-heads, it is evidence that the females have emerged, and that mating has occurred. If the bramble is in bloom, the Silver-washed will be in plenty, feeding here—mostly males at first, but with a sprinkling of females, in perfect condition. If the bramble is late in flower- ing, they transfer their attentions to the rose-bay willow-herb. The Dark-green Fritillaries will be feeding at red clover and hawk-bit, with again a great predominance of males. As time progresses, the females may be seen egg-laying amongst the dog-violet which grows in profusion amongst the grass. In this locality, the Silver-Washed Fritillary, I am sure, lays on the trunks of birch trees, despite those tidy-minded authors who would confine them to the oak! The season ends in August with every specimen in poor condition—the Dark Greens with wings intact, but almost scale-less, the Silver- Washed with great pieces missing from the wings. At this stage, many of the females disperse from the rather circumscribed breeding-grounds—the Silver- washed throughout the wood, the Dark Green to be met with in corn-field and pasture well away from the woods. Although this represents a heavy drain on the breeding-stock, it does ensure colonisation of any area which through changing circumstances, becomes a suitable breeding ground and habitat. In fact, it is, I believe, only in recent years that the Dark Green Fritillary has colonised the wood in question, which used to contain the High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis cydippe Jann.). One is tempted to say that the latter has been “ousted’’, but that is apparently not the case, for simultaneously with its almost complete disappearance from this situation, it has vanished from other localities in Hertfordshire and Middlesex, without any corresponding replace- ment by aglaja. Elsewhere in the woods many other species will abound—the White Admiral, Ringlet, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, to mention but a few. I know that many Juniors find great difficulty in locating these woodland species in their own areas. I think the difficulty arises in identifying suitable woodland. Narrow belts of woodland, dense plantations, and Conifer woods are usually unproductive, and there is, I think, a minimum size of wood which can sup- port the large Fritillaries and White Admiral. There are many exceptions, but I should as a rough guide say that wood- land which does not extend for about 3-1 mile in at least one direction, accom- panied with a suitable depth, is unlikely to produce much. Moreover, it must | have some open spaces or rides into which the sun penetrates. A glance at a one-inch Ordnance Survey map of your area should give some guidance as to _ possible localities ! 60 JULY 1959 News from Members In response to my request in April for information about Spring Butter- flies I have received a number of very interesting replies. At the time of writing (early May) there are probabiy other records still to come, so I am withholding them, but expect to analyse them for the August Bulletin. In the © meantime, I shall be pleased to hear news from any Juniors! T. S. Ropertson (2417), Youth Secretary. @ REVIEW Nature is my Hobby. By C. V. A. Adams. Pp. x, 249. Exeter: Wheaton. Price 15s. There are available now many excellent books for the young naturalist, but with still a sprinkling of very poor ones. The difficulty is, not to find a good book, but how on earth to make one’s money stretch to cover all those one would like! Here is one which should be well up on the list of priorities, for it is worth the price asked. Written by a member of the staff of the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, it is profusely illustrated with photographie plates, clear drawings of specimens and apparatus and ‘‘do-it-yourself’’ diagrams. Nearly half the book is devoted to Insects, with a chapter each on Butter- flies and Moths, Beetles, and Dragon-flies. The accent is on doing things for oneself, and the drawings and descriptions show precisely what methods to use to get the best results. Each chapter concludes with a list of books for further reading. The remaining chapters on Wild Flowers, Sea-Weeds, Shells, Birds’ Nests, Skulls, etc., maintain the same high standards as those on insects. JI am sure, from my own experience, that such methods as preparation and mounting of skulls and making plaster casts of animal footprints will be of great interest. A chapter on Living Specimens gives details of how to care for and feed a variety of animals, including snakes, frogs and toads. There is also a list of dealers in equipment, specimens and livestock. In his introduction the author does state that he has assumed that the reader can turn to somebody, a teacher for example, for assistance. This assumption is necessary, as, for example, when he recommends the use of ethyl acetate as a killing fluid. This substance is not available from the chemist’s for children, but can be bought as ‘“‘killing fluid’? from a Natural History dealer. Such instances may perhaps upset the younger reader when he finds he cannot carry out the instructions so clearly given in the book. With this proviso, the book can be most fully recommended. TS2 he ) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING mane Editor: B. R. Stallwood : 1547). : The Annual General Meeting was ee: . ng ee held in the Linnean Society’s rooms jr Seusvene Bulletin Editor: D. Olle- at Burlington House on the after- aie a Sere et HoonicHSavitdaymI4eh Wirrcn oso) Publications Secretary: C. B. Pratt It was preceded by a conversazione ta Secretarve i. ©. Bema and ek 1 Based bret Je Baek yaa t Hb a (2414) ¥G aa Ge showed a collection of colour slides Memon i. 7: a of ten different ores of insects. The Ady coe Sede cays aL Hilliard excellent quality of these pictures = a A showed clearly the details of the ones Tea mec which Mr. Byerley explained Davistraks Beis Byerley (788) to the members present. Peedi PRL eM on Ce : ’ = The AES Council for 1958-59 is now SHE opin es Now 013) Ean constituted as follows : — R. W. J. Uien (1660) P. W. President: J. C. Hobbs (2339). Cribb (2270), E. Lewis (952), L. S. General Secretary: D. Ollevant (1514). Whicher (1345). Assistant General Secretary: B. F. D. OLLEVANT. Skinner (2470). e Treasurer: R. C. Bland (2197). CORRIGENDUM Assistant’ Treasurer: K. H- Bobe Referring to the Secretary’s Letter (912). (antea, p. 37)—for Dr. P. Rocke General Editor: J. C. Hobbs. please read Dr. P. Roche. . Printed by T. Buncle & Co. Ltd., Arbroath, and published by the Amateur Entomologist’ Society, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. 1959. S (4445444455505555O555Hbobobbbbbdobdobbbobbobrbbb bb bbb bbb bb ddd ddd bbb bb db Sd obo bb‘ ‘OOD OOO}OOOOOOOO +4 a SOSSSSSSSSSHS SESH TSO S HOH SH OOOOH OS OSE SES SOO SO SSO HOSES HSO SHOES OOS OOOO SHO OOSOSOHOHOS OOO SOO OOO SOSOOOOOD ee oe oe oe s3 HOWY NEOTROPICAL LEPIDOPTERA 33 4 oe 0e 3 x oe oe oe 44 oe oe oe 33 We have received new material from various countries of S.A., such as: 3: #3 Morpho papyrius, M. didius, Caligo idomeneus, C. eurylochus, 3; 33 C. brasiliensis, Polygrapha cyanea, Megistanis 3 species, Prepona ex 33 #s Peru, Metamorpha, Anteos, Callithea hewitsoni, MHistoris orion, 3 «- Catagramma excelsior, C. sorana, C. cynosura, C. aegina, C. cayetani, 33 ss Kunica sophonisba, E. volumna, E. eurota, E. mygdonia, E. irma, 33 #; E. cinira, etc., etc. About 80 species of S.A. Papilios. Showy 33 33 Coleoptera and large stock in almost all families for research work. 33 $3 We fully guarantee collecting data for specialists. 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Price 5/-— 10/- 33 = in multiples of 125 for one wording ‘ : 33 33 200 Sex Signs, Price 1/- 33 $3 Other labels as required = 33 | 3 $3 A.E.S. = $3 1 WEST HAM LANE, LONDON E.15 = oo : (ER a Sokol i ddd edd nd dda ddd pdnddnandodrdrahgnerdrgraroe-o-oorn-o-o- oro porehoreoooooror oor oproooererserarerd | BE SS SOSSS SOSH S SOHO SH OSE HOS OOS SOHO HEPES OEOD HOHE SHS OSHSOSOS HOS H SS SO SSO SOSH SHHHHHSOSHSOOSOOSOSHOOSOOO OOS ~ ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY Well illustrated Subscription: 26/- per year Free Sample Copy sent on request 22 Harlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE NEW and SECOND-HAND Large stocks of Separata and Reprints on all Orders and Entomologicai subjects Catalogues sent free on request . E. W. GLASSEY, F.R.E.S., A.B.A. Entomological Publisher and Bookseller 22 Harlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England COPEL SEER ESSE SES ESE SESS OOO SOLES ES OSOOSEOESES SESE ESOS EO SOSEEOOSSOOSOEOEES Sr HOOOEOEEOSSEOSSOOSS 2 SOSSH SESS SOS SS SESOS HSH SS OH SESE GOSH LODE OLE OH OEE HEGOE DOSE EH EEO SEOEOELOVE GOOEY UEEOEUEUEVEOUOOUEOEEOOOS . ¢ SOSSSSSSSSSS SSS SSO SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSESS OSH ES SESH OS SESS SES ESOS SE ESSE SEES ESOES ES SESOEEOOOSD SHSSSSSSSSSSSS SSS SSSSS OSES SHES SESH SSSES LESSEE SESS EGESEEESESOEESESOESEOSESESEEOOESEOCOOD A SILKMOTH REARER’S| HAN DBOOK A complete reference book for those who puete upon the fascinating # Ss adventure of rearing the largest and most colourful moths of the world. $ Part I records practical experience in breeding silkmoths from all % over the world during the past decade. I¢ illustrates bought and home- | g made apparatus and gives hints on everything the beginner needs to . learn about the life-cycle of the insects. Part II, for the first time in one book and one language, sive complete or nearly complete descriptions of all stages of the life-cycle of over 120 species. Some 1,400 species and subspecies can be looked-up_ under 138 generic names. Part III is a reference section, covering cross-pairing, the major x reference works and an index of species and subspecies. The Handbook comprises 165 pp. with full colour cover, 2 colour - plates, 63 monochrome photos and 24 line drawings or. charts. b- oO = a Price 17s. 6d. (plus postage 7d.) from AES, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. COLEOPTERIST’S HANDBOOK A symposium by various authors edited by ; G. B. WALSH, B.Sc., M-R.S.T., and J. R. DIBB, FR.ES. — a = The Handbook describes the tools and apparatus and mothodate of collecting British beetles; their habitats, commensals and pre- adult stages; how to record, photograph, make a personal cole tion and conduct a local survey. Twenty full-page Plates illustrative doninie of pre-adult stages % (including seven reproductions of rare engravings) and fifty line- drawings and diagrams. 112 pp. and index. 4 Price Fifteen Shillings (postage ain a from the Amateur Entomologists’ Society — 1 West Ham Lane - - London, E15 — VOL. 18 Nos. 224-226 1.-OCT. 1959 THE BULLETIN OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY World List abbreviation : Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. 295 EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD o¢ POSOOCOC OC OOSD POOSCOSSSHSOOOOOS eoosee POSH SSCOOOO OD SOSH OOOO OLE oe 143.5460-65650555556060654 b$$OO50O5O5O5O55555555b5ob5boobb5obdbbobbbbbbbhbbd ddd dd dtd ddd ddd ded o LPPOPSSLSSSSLE LSP SSSI SS OLS PS SSPPDOSOL OPP SO DOS OS ESOS SPOHSODOHSSHS SHS OHO HOHE SHO HOODOO OOOOSEH OSE OOOO OEOOOOED a THE AES NOTICE WHERE TO BRE FRESHWATER , Membership applications, Prove of hetne mi LIFE to: D. OLLEVANT, 3 Salcombe Drive a Morden, Surrey. OF THE | 3 Advertisers to: R. D. HILLIARD, 54 Gyles se BRITISH ISLES Park, Stanmore, Middlesex. $3 JOHN CLEGG This fine book is written both for those generally interested in the subject, as well as the serious student. Plant and invertebrate life have received the Pear SS main attention of the author, but there|@/fers to lead Field Meetings, exhibit se is a chapter devoted to vertebrates to}@!c.. (0: F. C. BROWN, 6 Osmond Gdns., 3 complete the ecological picture. Walling ton, Surrey. ae Hie pene ae eae go Manuscripts, drawings and books he if : an mans ith on "5 ae rete an TEVIEW © TO abate st 5) STADE NVO.O Ie Na VOD ES ye WL og LeU TOA In 2S: 17 Claremont Avenue, Sunbury- on-§ $ Thames, Middlesex. Bulletins LORS ele e ENC, a Courtfield Crescent, Harrow-on-the- 33 Hill, Middlesex. ‘ 21s. net. Subscriptions (12/- per annum, 9/- foré y Juniors) to: K. I. Bose, 50 Winn it From all Booksellers Road, Lee, London, S.E./2. FREDERICK WARNE & Co. Ltd. Youth matters to= 02s. ROBERTSON, $3 1-4 BEDFORD COURT, LONDON, W.C.2]38 Repton Way, Croxley Green, Herts. pe SHOWY NEOTROPICAL LEPIDOPTERA We have received new material from various countries of S.A., such as: Morpho papyrius, M. didius, Caligo idomeneus, ©. eurylochus, C. brasiliensis, Polygrapha cyanea. Megistanis 3 species, Prepona ex Peru, Metamorpha, Anteos, Callithea hewitsoni, MHuistoris orion, Catagramma excelsior, C. sorana, C. cynosura, C. aegina, C. cayetani, Eunica_ sophonisba, E. volumna. E. eurota, EK. mygdonia, EH. irma, E. cinira, etc., etc. About 80 species of S.A. Papilios. Showy Coleoptera and large stock in almost all families for research work. We fully guarantee collecting data for specialists. Trained personnel | to attend research-orders. References. Apply to: rr. H. WALZ, RECONQUISTA 453, BUENOS AIRES, R. ARGENTINA The AES PROSPECTUS CONTAINING FULL DETAILS will be sent to anyone interested i siesstisssessssessssssssessse: -oOSOOC OOS Creyverers 7 $$$>2>> o @ oe >4 * Please Apply, Enclosing 2d Starp, to: Hon. Advertising Secretary, AES 54 GYLES PARK, STANMORE, MIDDLESEX umocsevcceccecessascocesaceovesssasensecepacoeens ceweasee een sense c eee CCT I aR eae ein eae tirade SS OS I — eg SS E Nos. aS 224-226 BULLETIN AUG./OCT. 1959 Pa ed ae ny EDITORIAL As it was impossible to publish the combined August/September Bulletin at the usual time owing to the recent printing dispute, it was decided to produce Hees a combined August/September/October number of sixteen pages, instead of the usual eight. We hope members have had good hunting during this brilliant summer, and look forward to a deluge of observations and experiences in the near future. °@ SECRETARY’S LETTER __ In my July letter I wrongly guessed at the Exhibition date, and as members will now know, it is to be on October 3rd. Although this may mean that there will be less livestock available for showing, it does mean that there will be more time to prepare set exhibits, photographs, and drawings, etc., so we hope that those who are able will rally round and give us a good exhibition. For those British members who cannot attend the Exhibition and overseas members in the Northern Hemisphere now is the time to start thinking about writing about those results of the season’s collecting which will be of interest to other members, and then to send them up to me for publication in the Bulletin. Members South of the Equator will be thinking about their forthcoming season of collecting, and the rest of us wish them luck. I shall be chasing them for Bulletin material about next Easter! The Council is now busy exploring new methods of duplicating the addresses on the Bulletin envelopes, and once the best and most economic method has been found, they hope that the business of addressing the envelopes will be made easier and that there will be no further cause for some being indistinctly addressed. D. OLLEVAN’. FURTHER NOTES OF THE FOODPLANTS OF SOME OF THE FRITILLARIES THe Marsu FRItTILLARY No experiment is conclusive until it has been repeated. With this in mind, 1 again attempted to feed Huphydryus aurinea Rott. (Marsh Fritillary) from ova to imago upon the common Teasel (Dipsacus). Again I used larvae from the same batch as a control, and fed these on Honeysuckle (Lonicera) and an- other group on Devil’s-bit Scabious, the natural food-plant. The group fed on the teasel made very rapid growth, and were soon in advance of the other groups, all commencing to feed on or about the 16th February. The size and availability of the teasel was greatly in advance of the other foodplants and must have contributed to the rapid growth of the larvae. After the final moult, considerable numbers of the teasel group developed intestinal trouble, and many more refused to eat further. These latter pupated but produced very small pupae. About 10% were found to be dead in the act of pupating. Pupation started on the 6th April, but the first pupation of those in the control groups did not occur until the 14th April. Whilst there was a yield of almost 100% pupae in the control groups, the teasel fed larvae showed only an 80% result. The biggest surprise was in the emergence yield. In the controls there were some losses, about 5%, due to the pupae turning dark red and then black,-and upon opening were found to be 62 AUG./OCT. 1959 full of a smelly black fluid. Amongst the teasel-fed group this happened to about 60% of the pupae, whilst half of the pupae that did produce butterflies brought forth crippled or deformed imagines. The perfect specimens were rane as was found last year, but matings were obtained and fertile eggs aid. As the experiment was carried out with second year stock that had been fed the previous year on teasel, it would appear that continuous feeding on teasel would be disastrous for a colony, and it would disappear fairly quickly. A reversion to the natural food plant seems to bring the stock back to standard, for some of the imagines from the controls were very large and well marked, and appeared to be as vigorous as the original stock. It would seem that feeding on Lonicera or Devil’s-bit Scabious has about the same results, although it was observed that the larvae prefer cultivated forms of Lonicera to the wood- land forms, probably due to the more luscious growth of the former. Contemporaneously, experiments were carried out with aurinea larvae (feeding on Devil’s-bit Scabious) in varying amounts of light. One section were placed into a bell jar (maximum light), a second group into a glass-fronted and muslin-sided cage, the third into a cage with a glass front and shaded sides. The following observations may be of interest: The first group were about fourteen days ahead of the third group and a week ahead of the middle group. The imagines in the first and second groups were very large in comparison with the third. It was observed that much time is spent on very sunny days in basking, and that this oceurs during the peak of sunshine. The sunlight seems to charge the larva up to a high metabolic rate, for the subsequent feeding is voracious and the. caterpillars tear about in search of new food. Feeding carries on into the _ night. Pupation occurs as near to the source of light as possible, and in the bell-jar pupation occurred on sprigs of foodplant, leaves and the muslin cover. Each larva spins a white-silken pad from which it suspends itself. Only one larva in hundreds made an attempt to draw the edges of a leaf together to form a canopy, so it would appear that this habit is not generally in use, although it is always mentioned in the text books. In depositing ova, it was observed that if only one foodplant is available, successive females will lay their eggs on the same leaf, which is on the side due south, and is a low leaf. The eggs are in a large batch on the underside of the leaf near to the tip. If the plant is moved round, the next female will choose the new leaf that is in the same position as the original. THE GLANVILLE FRITILLARY Rechecking the various possible food-plants of Melitaea cincia Linn. (Glanville Fritillary), I was able to check that although the females appear to lay only on Plantago lanceolata Linn. (Ribwort plantain) the larvae will feed on any of the plantains and move from one to another type without showing any preference. Amongst the Veronicas (Speedwells), the larvae eat the V. agrestis Linn. (Field speedwell) and V. hederaefolia Linn. (Ivy-leaved speed- well) and seem to prefer this to the plantain when both are made available. The close cousins V. chamaedrys Linn. (foodplant of M. athalia Rott., the Heath fritillary) and V. officinalis Linn. were ignored by the larvae after a pre- liminary investigation. The leaves of these two latter plants are more hairy than the other two which may account for the objection. The fact that these closely allied insects (M. cinxia and M. athalia) choose certain of the Veronica genus and reject others is understandable, but why should they make differing choices? It would be of interest to know whether the chemical make-up of the various members of the same plant family differ? Have we any member capable of assessing the constituents of various plant leaves? The finding of some common factor might enable us to widen the field of research into alterna- tive food-plants and discover why some species are so selective whilst others appear to be almost omuniverous. P. W. Criss (2270). . Ps ¢ 7 ; J AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 65 SOUND-PRODUCTION IN ORTHOPTERA It had for long been thought that the song of grasshoppers, crickets, and bush-crickets that comprise our stridulating Orthoptera, was a comparatively simple affair, exclusively confined to the males of each species. The reality is rather more complex than this, and field-observation and experimental work have revealed a language structure (if this kind of communication may be so called), much of which remains to be elucidated. Quite apart from the familiar stridulations which endear us to the summer grasshoppers, the Orthoptera produce a variety of sounds with different parts of their anatomy. No doubt, some of these noises are merely incidental to other functions and are not in themselves purposive in the sense that ‘orthodox’ stridulation represents the effort on the part of the insect to develop from one behavioural state to another. Nevertheless, some of these non-stridulatory sounds may very well have a meaningful relationship to the functioning and well-being of the individual. Kevan has listed these ‘unorthodox’ categories of sound production, and it will be useful to refer to them here. 1. Audible expulsion of air (usually associated with the production of defensive froth). 2. Audible expulsion of liquid. 3. Drumming of hind tarsi on the ground. 4 Drumming of abdominal tip on the substratum to produce a tapping sound (there is, however, some doubt as to whether the sound is really produced in this way). 5. Antennal stridulatory device (consisting of a ridge and row of tiny tubercles on each of the third antennal segments) in the Phasmatodea. 6. Tapping of manxillary palp on an area of the mandible. 7. Clicking produced by the interaction of the mandibles; in some species the sound is described as creaking, and in others grinding. 8. Striking of posterior margin of pronotum on the mesonotum or on the costal margin of the tegmina. 9. Rubbing of posterior margin of pronotum against first abdominal segment. 10. Rubbing hind coxa against the denticulate metasternal lobe. 11. Rubbing of apex of abdomen to and fro on outstretched hind-wings (com- monly observed in the Praying Mantis). 12. Rubbing of pronotum against the tegmina. 13. Tegmino-abdominal friction. 14. Tegmino-femoral friction. 15. Tegmino-alary friction. 16. Rustling of hind wings (seen commonly when Oedipodinae are in flight, but only the males); the sound is sometimes described as hissing, fluttering, whirring or rattling. 17. Alaro-tegminal stridulation in the female only (of one species). 18. Tibio-alary sound. 19. Unorthodox femoro-tegminal swishing sounds have been noted in one species, in which violent body jerking is also involved, and this distinguishes the process from the ordinary method of stroking the femora against the tegmina. 20. Femoro-alary sound. 21. Femoro-pronotal stridulation in the Tetrigidae. 22. Femoro-abdominal stridulation is a widespread phenomenon, and is the orthodox method amongst the Gryllacridoidea. 23. Tibio-tegminal sound. 24. Tibio-abdominal sound. When stridulatory sounds are produced in an orthodox way, it is usually the males that stridulate, but females do have the ability to stridulate also. This ability to create sounds in the Orthoptera generally is a deeply ingrained phyllogenetic phenomenon, and stridulatory apparatus has been found in very primitive fossil Orthoptera, the Protorthoptera dating back to Lower Carboni- ferous times. Even when stridulatory organs are missing in extant species, drumming sounds are produced with the hind legs or by means of mandibular gnashings. An indication of the built-in nature of the song pattern is shown by the fact that the females respond to specific songs of their own males. Females, then, have an inborn capacity to recognise a given stridulatory 64 AUG. /OCT. 1959 pattern, and their reaction may be evoked through a gramophone recording of the male song. Patterns of stridulation are very variable (Fabre. has recorded 840 forms of expression, of which 564 are sound expressions), yet with each species the pattern is sufficiently constant for the female to recognise the many variants in the male’s song. When we say that the power to recognise another grass- hopper’s song is an inborn characteristic, we must not be mislead into thinking that it is therefore a question of simple action-reaction processes. The whole development of a relationship between male and female is certainly not mechanical since many of the reactions are unpredictable. Indeed, we might be justified in going so far as to suggest that grasshoppers have ‘ ‘moods?’ i) which receptivity is greater or less at any given time. However wide the range, the song pattern is characteristic of the species, and there are certain instances in which we are able to recognise the species more easily by the song than by morphological features, as is the case with some birds. Unlike birds, however, it is not a question of learning or learning by imitation among erasshoppers. The completed song pattern is “produced as soon as the adult emerges from its final moult. When we speak of varied song patterns, we may be referring to the different kinds of song one individual will produce under varying circum- stances, or we may be. referring to song pattern variation within a species spread over a wide geographical area. Not much is known about the latter aspect of the problem of orthopterous communication, although there is a suspicion that ‘‘dialects’’ exist, again, as with birds. The most decisive external factor in directing and modifying song is temperature; we all know’ of the occasions when grasshoppers will suddenly cease singing in the fields when the temperature drops on account of cloud. Each species has its optimal temperature (for it is a fact that it can get too hot even for a grasshopper), and there is also a measure of optimal humidity. The distribution of a species is largely determined by these two factors, and the greater or lesser toleration of them can be linked directly to the ‘geological history and the geographical dispersal during that history. Some species require greater humidity than others on this account, and there is still much work to be done on the ecological relationships of the Orthoptera so as to obtain a closer understanding of their life patterns. As far as the Orthoptera of this country are concerned, we still do not know a great deal about their distribution and. habits. The song production of the Acrididae, or Short-horned Grasshoppers, is by means of rubbing the rear femur which bears a row of fine points, against the outer surface of the elytra, or tegmen. This carries a thickened or hardened vein on which the femur is stroked up and down. The ears are to be found on either side of the base of the abdomen, and are membranous drums called tympana. The Bush Crickets, or Tettigonidae, stridulate by rubbing the right tegmen against the left, both being modified in such a way as to create a fiddle and bow relationship when in use. The ears of the Bush Crickets are differently situated from those of the Short-horned Grasshoppers; with the former, the tympana are borne on the fore tibia in front of the knee-joint. Crickets or Gryllidae stridulate by scraping the tegmina together, backwards and forwards, but the structure of each tegmen 1s the Same; ‘the ears are to be found on the fore tibiae. All the Orthoptera males start off with an ordinary song. This is the basic pattern from which all modifications of song derive. It is difficult to interpret since it is not a sound pattern that is produced only at given times or under given circumstances. Its meaning, one may suspect, is a ‘generalised one, for the ordinary song is one which the male produces for himself, so to speak, as it seems to be fundamentally unrelated to anything else around him, as long as it remains an ordinary song. For some it has been ; seen as an expres- sion of well-being, or even of the joy ‘of livi ing (c.f. Fabre’s view of the sound of the cicada). It might be called the expression of the male’s procreative mood, an object-directed attitude, but the actual object remains for the present an abstraction. ‘There 1s little doubt that the act of stridulating and producing the ordinary song creates and sustains a pattern of stimulation in himself, and its ultimate function is to test out the environment, to discover if there is a female prepared to mate, or another male. If an event takes place within the orbit of the male’s environment, such as the appearance of a female, the ordinary song is transformed into a ‘mating song, or, if another male looms on ; ; ot AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 65 the horizon, the rivalry song evolves out of the ordinary song. Thus we can see that this ordinary song is a very personal activity for the male; like the warmth and the humidity, it helps to sustain his existence. Modified song patterns emerge from the original ordinary song, and they have the direct effect of releasing certain behaviour patterns in other members of the same species and of both sexes in the vicinity. When other grasshoppers are near at hand a process of mutual stimulation takes place, and, in a general sense, it is all part of the reproductive drive. Whereas the ordinary song seems to pay little attention to what is happening in the insect’s environment, the modified songs all indicate some degree of awareness of happenings in the environment. They are, therefore, responsive to particular conditions of, or features in, that environment and, simultaneously, the modified songs release Specific patterns of response in males and females of its own species. I+ can be shown how selective these varying song-patterns can be. A modified song related to sex rivalry has little or no influence on a female. et 15.50 Whole Page - = £3 0 0 | 4 Please address enquiries to : HON. ADVERTISING SECRETARY, AES _ 54 Gyles Park, Stanmore, Middlesex ~ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY = hy Well illustrated Subscription: 26/- per year Free Sample Copy sent on request ay a 92 Harlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England | ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE ~{ = NEW and SECOND-HAND Large stocks of Separata and Reprints on all Orders and . Entomological subjects Catalogues sent free on request a>. E, W. GLASSEY, F.R.E.S., A.B.A. r " Entomological Publisher and Bookseller te 22 Harlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England SPSSSOSHSSHS SHH SSH SHS SSHS HH SHPSHOHSPFOS SOS SHHOOH OOH OOH OS. COHOOHOO OSHS OSHS O SOHO SO SOP OOO OO OOPS SOOO OOOOD SOSSHSSSHSSHHSHSSSHSHSHSSHSHSS HHS IFS SHSSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSOHSHHOHOSHGOHOSHHHHOSH OH OSHHOOHOOH SOHO OOSHO OEE SOHO DOSOOOOOOOOOOD oe 9 O99O9OOOD OOO OOSS OOH SHOSHOOHHOOOSD OOSOOOOO9O® D. H. SMITH, Esq., ‘‘Somerdale’’, Welton Road, Broush, Yorks. POO TT TT TTT TTT TTT TTT 1115555555555 HHHSSoooS Sooo oon [ teesessssseassasssaessaessaserastessressretstettstisssiersasSeisSeaSreeseeesSseeesatetesteaiests JUNIOR NATURALISTS’ ASSOCIATION # An Association Primarily Intended for Young People aged from 8 to 15 years AIMS AND IDEALS The Association has been founded for children with a general interest in Natural History, to foster this enthusiasm and to provide a means by which they can communicate with others 3: ! sharing the same interest. PUBLICATIONS Apart from duplicated bulletins, the Association publishes the ‘Junior Naturalist’? bi-monthly, which contains illustrations, articles and series on Birds, Mammals, Plants and Insects. JUNIOR FIELD STUDY CENTRE ty The Centre is situated six miles from Scarborough on the verge of the North Yorkshire National Park. This position provides access to open moorland and wooded valley; forestry reserves, marsh- land, cliff and shore. There are weekly courses arranged through- out August for children from 9 to 14 years of age under adequate supervision. Besides this, any Naturalist may use the Centre as a base or camp in the pronude whilst carrying out their own activities during any holidays. Bookings are open now. CONFERENCE The annual Conference lasting for a period of one week is held during the Easter holidays and is open to all members of the # Association. MERIT AWARDS These are a series of Field Tests designed to encourage Fenians to | 3s observe, record and understand the wild life of their area. Badges 33 are awarded to denote proficiency ending with a Diploma at the age of 15 and upwards. BRANCHES Branches have been formed throughout the British Isles and are constantly growing in number. Many of these are within schools : and we provide help, suggestions and facilities to teachers wishing to start school clubs. Write for details of Membership and Brochures to: — GENERAL SECRETARY, 3333: ee Se oe as oo oo¢: 22929? i ho oO set 4 re oes ECEMBER 1959 ULLETIN THE SS ao eS aw eS eee Lhuhididdidiohkcleifupided—Lpapd a J—. Lf AAA AJA AdaAdAdaAA AAD INL ee Ly m 3 ID LT EO EF I IE PS ASS a Ee A TT BOS ST OF A a OFT LP A a ye OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY World List abbreviation ; Bull. -amat. Ent. Soc. Uy EDITED by B. R. STALLWOOD SS cece Seoscceseneee SHSSSSSOSS OS SSS SOOSSOSOD PPS SSDSSPSSSSLSPOLPE SLOSS OTP E SES LSS SPS SSSI SSIISSSSSSSSSISSLSSSSSSSSSSSSSES SS SS SS SS. . 3: Write for a Prospectus AES NOTICE 32 of this new, important WHERE TO WRITE 3} WAYSIDE and ee Membership applications, offers of help ss — = WOODLAND title to: D. OLLEVANT, 3 Salcombe Drive, 2 q 33 Morden, Surrey. oo ; d 33 LAND and Advertisers 10: R. D. HILLIARD, 54 Gyles $ 33 Park, Stanmore, Middlesex. = WATER BUGS ) Bo $3 Changes of address and non-arrival of 33 _ 33 Bulletins!)tol;” Bee een TE Ye 333. 3 OF THE BRITISH ISLES] cowrtfieta Crescent, Harrow-on-the- 7 4 33 Hill, Middlesex. oe Offers to lead Field Meetings, exhibit 33 33 B.Sc., A.R.C.S., F.R.ES.. _ fetc., to: F. C. BROWN, 6 Osmond Gadns., ss $3 and Wallington, Surrey. 33 DENNIS LESTON; ¥.Z.5., F.R.E.S. Manuscripts, drawings and books for 33 o 32 Colour plates review to: B. R. STALLWOOD, $$ ; oe ¥ - : 3 ty “Soa ee 31 Black and white plates 417° Claremont Avenue, Sunbury-on gS: Thames, Middlesex. 33 153 text figures . 8s = $3 30s. net : Subscriptions (12/- per annum, 9/- for 3s ss 33 | : | | Leaflet No. 28 ss Members can help the Society in # several ways:— KILLING, SETTING 33 (a) By abate eh advertisers and STORING $3 and mentioning the Bulletin. 33 BUTTERFLIES and 33 (b) By bringing in new members. 3 (Subscription, 12/- per annum. MOTHS % Juniors, 9/- per annum.) 33 va Price 9d (Postage 2d) 33 (c) By buying AES publications : ay ge and suggesting Public Libraries a +e ‘ 33 should buy them. — from oe eet A.E.S. By friendly co-operation with 33 other members. 1 WEST HAM LANE 33 (e) By taking just that extra bit _ LONDON, E.15. 33 of trouble required to record < happenings of note for the 33 Bulletin. g 3322222 eeccece eee [Re ital Sos * oe orecceee: nd , . ee oe ooees yeti t eee. [fea 33333333 Ce Sidley ix “ u au; 2°3: -ooee om rae sr a v4 333333 Bisccccesecece SOSOSSSSSS OSHS SSSSSSOSSSOSOSOOSOOSD oe POOCOOD eeee SOOCSCCOSOOOECOOCOSCEOSO~ COC OSOLOOOD eeoee SHSSSSSOSSSHOSSHESSOSSOSOSOSOOD eee eeooee POSSOOO OO SOO SOOO OOD OOOSOOOS re) TE NG 228 BULLETIN DECEMBER 1959 A STANDARD LOCALITY CARD _ Recording can be both a pleasure and a bane to the naturalist with limited time at his disposal. The object of this paper is an attempt to make this very necessary adjunct to work in the field as concise and yet as detailed as possible with a minimum of writing needed. Collectors vary in their method of keeping notes from pieces of paper, through bound books to filing cards with combina- tions of all three. The author is concerned here only with the last mentioned. The two main ways of recording on tiling cards or by any other means, are firstly under the heading of individual species (species cards) and secondly under geographical regions (locality cards). The species card takes one species and notes all the localities where the creature is found together with other relevant data such as host plant, date, finder, numbers present, etc. There are many varieties of species cards, among which may be noted the straightforward 5” x 3” or 6” x 4” ruled card with entries in ink, a specially printed card with the various details coded for compactness (e.g., The Botanical Society cards) or a printed map with distribu- tion shown by dots. All these methods serve the same purpose. The locality card, however, takes one locality and records all the species of a particular group found within its boundaries. The scale of the locality can vary but the limiting factors which will decide the scale from the individual collector’s point of view, may well be the number of cards which would be involved and the use to which the cards may be put. The author believes that both systems should go hand in hand, the one complementing the other, as the information which the two would supply together is enormous. Entries should be made on both cards at the same time. Hither system will, of course, provide almost identical information (except that the dates will be lacking in locality cards). However, if one wished to investigate the insect community of Box Hill, for example, using species cards alone, it means that every single card has to be separately handled and scanned and each entry under Box Hill noted down. An analogous situation occurs in reverse when using locality cards only. The great difficulty in designing a locality card for insects lies in the large number of species in some of the orders and the impossibility of writing all the names on one or even a smalk number of cards. With over 20,000 known insects in the British Isles, two individual orders of which contain over 5,000 species, some other method must be applied. The locality card which is here proposed uses numbers to identify the species and by this means a maximum of 2,229 different species may be recorded on one card. : : The use of numbers implies a printed list and this is where some standardisa-~ tion is necessary. In the case of Lepidoptera we are amply provided for by Heslop’s excellent list with its supplements. For the other insect orders, it is suggested that we turn to Kloet & Hincks Check List (1945). It is not necessary that every species be numbered but only those at the head of each column and excluding synonyms, varieties, sub species, etc., except where the true species is not represented in the country. As there are 737 such columns, excluding Lepidoptera, the whole numbered list could be contained in three sheets of foolscap using one side of the paper only for easy reference. _ Intermediate species numbers would be determined by counting down and each order would commence with number 1. New species can be prefixed by a letter and numbered in the amended list from Al upwards. Therefore, each locality will only need one extra card to accommodate new species, since it is unlikely that over 2,000 new species will be discovered in one locality. The problem which arises when considering orders with more than 2,220 species might be overcome by the following method: Th Coleoptera could be split into three sets of cards: Staphylinoidea, Rhynchophora and the remaining Superfamilies, each set numbering from one upwards. Two ders and loet & Hincks, except for the Ichneumonoidea. If one person’s 1e Other’s, providing that each is using the same scale, DECEMBER 1959 GRID |RER gee eee tp ee as a group, the numbers fall within the scope NAGE Ba superfamilies as summarised in I rhapha could be split into the two superfamilies cards prove acceptable, a means will thereby be hange of information between entomologists. The Hymenoptera might well be dealt with in the various subor It is hoped that if these Sunilarly Diptera Orthor provided for the rapid intere Nematocera and Brachycera. HASITATS .Dliade Oe Sa iat 6d ea or more persons who frequent a particular area and are interested in the same LOCALITY orders can exchange cards with each other from time to time. If the Ichneumonidae are treated card be placed over tl of one card. 86 ~ °o 9 & : 2 TT oo Bo 3 8 N | BUUTTTTTT Po OSC oc eee : & i aid a . : gn ert SERNAME RERE REELED eee Sree EARS : : eee Tate Sa 2 2B aS al eialia SURES L SEE ‘HES E ROBES ER BR CERO R EER EBS Lae SEESSOREEE : 3 é ° BOO LTT eT GEREEOBSESREEC ONS ER BeBe Seana) SUC BGUGBREEARROE RSet ee BABE Ses 2 : U i . . . . . 2 . . . R Lud a . . . ~ . i) = . RECORD CHECK LIST _.. _. CO HOUSED .. . 5 2 nv bee, O o ‘ls © Nn . . . ' o e . eal Fest fat | So o ale = . oO S . ra © co 0 °o 6) 0 z ® Ol—[ NO} e} oflIR polo Ol-{[NJOlse|mloy Rn |e SAS ats sacra b L es | t | fe) & . ol ray o 2 SOURCE OF RECORDS | ORDER/ FAMILY nett. (Wat tenes AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 87 and a sheet of carbon paper placed between, then by pressing down over the appropriate places all one’s information can be transferred to the other card and vice versa. These*additions to one’s own records can be filled in in a different way and provision is made on the top of the card for coding these. This provision also enables the recorder to extract information from journals, magazines and standing collections, etc., and be able at a later date to check back on the source of the information. It is also possible to transfer details from a small scale locality card by the previously mentioned means on to a large scale card, but not the reverse. A collector could, therefore, at any time, prepare a master card for a county using the small scale cards, in an hour or so. The check list being used should be entered on the card as also the place where this is normally kept, in the unfortunate event of the premature demise of the recorder. Ample room is left under the heading of habitat to provide detailed information from an ecological viewpoint. The more field workers using similar means of recording in this way, the greater the pooling of individual information with relatively little extra work. The continued reference to filing cards does not imply that this is the ultimate in recording; merely that it is very convenient and compact. Books, either bound or loose-leaved, can show identical information, if necessary, in more detail than might be possible on a filing card. SUMMARY The advantages of the proposed scheme are as follows: A standard printed card of this nature provides a concise method of record- ing a large number of species in a small space. Kvery single species can be recorded, not just probables. The ecard enables a rapid exchange of information between groups of specialists. The method is applicable to any group of living things from insects and plants to birds and animals and even to geological specimens, pro- viding that a standard numbered list is available, which can be added to from time to time. The disadvantages are: 1. Errors may be made in finding the number. 2. The practicability of numbering little worked sub orders or families. Errors, however, creep into any written work; the danger here is merely greater. PS Geom The author would particularly welcome comments, suggestions and criticisms of the proposed card, especially with reference to the provision of numbering the species. A number of these cards are already being printed for a pilot scheme over a selected area, and would be available for anyone interested. The cost will partly depend on the number of cards required but should be in the region of 3s. to 4s. per 50. A duplicated numbering system tentatively based on the check list previously mentioned, is also available on request, but this can be amended in the light of further comment. It may be felt that the Check Lists of Species prepared by the Royal Entomological Society of London for some of the groups would be more convenient. It is- hoped to publish further details of the scheme after considering correspondence received, which should be addressed to: D. H. Smith, ‘‘Somer- dale,’’ Welton Road, Brough, Yorks. D. H. Smita. e SECRETARY’S LETTER About three weeks after you will receive this Bulletin it will be Christmas, and so I will take this opportunity of wishing all members a very happy Christmas. I am writing this just after the Annual Exhibition, and I am thinking that it was so pleasant to see so many of the “‘regulars’’, and especially those kind members who brought up spare specimens for the Juniors and also thanked the officers for organising the Exhibition. I was filled with admiration for the valiant schoolmaster and the pupils of St. Ivo School, who struggled up with a huge pile of cages and equipment and put on a fine show. I am pleased to say that Mr. F. C. Brown has carried on the tradition of meeting Secretaries, and held it on a warm, sunny day! D. OLLEVANT, 88 DECEMBER 1959 PUPA-DIGGING QUERIES — A FEW SUGGESTIONS In reply to Mr. White’s queries (Bull. amat. Ent. Soc., 17: 71), may I offer some humble suggestions ? With regard to the ‘‘few odd trees here and there on waste ground,’ I consider him to have been very lucky to obtain any pupae at all, for presumably the trees were isolated, and as Mr. P. B. M. Allan has made clear in his dis- course, A Moth-Hunter’s Gossip, on where to sugar, ‘‘isolated trees... . are usually anathema to moths’’; they provide insufficient cover against bats, night- jars, etc. As for the trees on the ‘‘fairly large common’’, so close to the ’bus route, I hazard two guesses: (1) that by the time most large hawkmoths become really active (well after midnight) the traffic is much less, and so disturbs ovipositing females but little; and (2) that the road is lit by yellow sodium-vapour lamps, thus cutting down its interference in two ways: (a) by obviating the need for use of headlights by the vehicles using the road; and (b) because the light itself is invisible (or nearly so) to moths—in the Tropics people use yellow lights to illuminate their verandahs so that they can sit out in the cool of the evening without being plagued by the hosts of insects and other animals, not only in- vertebrate—see Bull. amat. Ent. Soc., 7: 92—which would be attracted to ordinary light. I should expect that female moths would lay preferentially on young trees rather than on more mature ones, not principally because of any advantage attached to eating young, (?) ‘‘tender’’ foliage, ‘though this may influence them, but because the foliage is not far from the soil, ‘‘as the caterpillar walks’’. There is, therefore (1) more time to spare for the full-grown larva to seek a suitable site for pupation—a very critical business, and (2) less time during which it must be ‘‘on the march’’ and therefore prey to any small bird. Both of these factors would have positive survival value, i.e. the offspring of previous generations of moths predisposed—as a result of slight ‘‘chance’’ differences in their hereditary (genetical) make-up—to lay on young trees would stand a better chance of surviving the aforementioned hazards, and therefore of passing on that genetical make-up (genotype) to their offspring, than would those not so predisposed. One can see, therefore, that it is not a matter of considered judgment on the part of the moth, but the pure unreasoning maternal instinct common to all species of animal, our own included: the mother has no choice in the matter, but reacts in the same inevitable way as you would, gentle reader, if an object suddenly and unexpectedly flashed in front of your eyes. Similarly, the lack of pupae around trees with overgrown bases may have been due to the fact that such trees are usually older than those with clear bases. Alternatively, as it is well known that the Lime Hawk Moth larva usually pupates very close to the surface, it may well, on finding itself entangled in the basal shoots of its tree, not bother (or even, not have time) to struggle through to earth, but pupate in a crevice amongst their bases—it would surely be better protected there against its vertebrate enemies, at least. As for the trees shewing signs of having been ‘‘dug’’ the previous year, there are several possible explanations : — (1) (rather disrespectful to Mr. White, but no offence meant!)—It could be that the trees had been dug the same year, so that he was merely forestalled by an “‘earlier bird’’: it is surprising how quickly the ground disturbed by a conscientious pupa-digger, who leaves things as nearly as possible how he finds them, reverts to normal. (2) It could be that the loosening of the soil due to Mr. White’s predecessor’s efforts, had made things easier for his diminutive furry and feathered relatives to gain a livelihood. (3) It is just possible that the disturbance of the ground close to trees had left it in a condition unconducive to the pupation of larvae, possibly owing to the survival value of instinctive choice of firmer soil for pupation (see (2) above). Larvae would thus have wandered further from the foot of the tree, where Mr. White, using intelligence, would not have found them. Why ‘“‘using intelli- gence’? Because, being evidently a good and successful pupa-digger, he knew that, not only do merely a small proportion or larvae wander far from the foot of the tree (most of them go to earth as soon as they can, time being so precious) thus cutting down the chances of finding their pupae, but their population AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 89 density in the soil is even further reduced by the fact that, as the distance from the tree is doubled, so the area available (and, therefore, to be dug) is quadrupled, and so on, according to the inverse square law. That is why all instructions to pupa-diggers specify about 6”, or one trowel-length, from the tree as the maximum distance to dig to, ‘though their authors sometimes seem blissfully unaware of the reasons! (4) (And this, I think, is the most likely explanation)—its well known that many pupae, and Lime Hawks are notorious for it, ‘‘lie over’? for one or more years, not emerging sometimes until as many as five or six winters have passed. This, of course, helps the species to survive a ‘‘bad patch’’ which might seriously deplete the population of those active stages which it affected, and so the behaviour has very marked survival value. Mr. White would have dug from those trees where he experienced success, the accumulated pupae of several previous years’ larvae ‘‘lying-over’’ for different lengths of time. Conversely, under the previously dug trees, a com- bination of factors, probably including my first three points, might well have militated against his finding any pupae under them. While on the subject of ‘‘lying-over’’, perhaps I may be allowed to make a few more not impertinent comments. Supposing my point (4) contains the hub of the true explanation, it follows that, in digging with what I admit to be commendable energy and persistence, Mr. White will have subjected the reserve population—the safety margin of the species—of the Lime Hawk in his district, to just such a catastrophic onslaught as it was there to guard the species against during its more active, less well protected stages. In any case, what on earth does he want with upwards of 60 Lime Hawk Moth pupae, especially with the price of storage accommodation so exorbitant? How many imagines will he release on the large common when his pupae emerge? How many specimens will he rear from those he may keep for pairing, and of these how many will he release on the common? I hope he is not merely exploiting the insect fauna of the large common in order to sell or exchange the pupae or the set specimens deriv- ing from them, for by doing so he would not only be helping to exterminate the species, but be encouraging the trade in livestock which only leads to ‘‘auction- room collecting’, and away from the nobler study of living things in their natural habitats. Perer G. Taynor (719). ® COLLECTING HINTS — DECEMBER THE MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA Very little field work can be done this month, pupa digging being the only profitable method of collecting. As a rule the best trees to select are oak, poplar, willow, birch, and elm. On the whole, I have found ash and beech very unremunerative, but this may be so only in the localities that I have visited; the productivity of these two trees probably varies from one area to another. Although larger numbers of pupae are obtained from isolated trees growing in fields, etc., I have found in my experience that trees bordering woods and in hedgerows yield better results as far as quality is concerned. All sides of the tree should be dug, any loose bark or moss carefully prised off and the lower part of the trunk meticulously scrutinised for the hard cocoons of the ‘kitten’ family (Notodontidae), ete. Light will attract the males of Operophtera fagata Scharf. (Winter Moth), O. brumata L. (Northern Winter Moth), Hrannis defoliaria Clerck. (Mottled Umber), and both sexes of Poecilocampa populi L. (December Eggar). Hedgerows, comprising oak and beech, often retain their dead leaves throughout the winter and such situations provide suitable quarters for hibernating moths, macro and micro. Both Dasycampa rubiginea Fabr. (Dotted Chestnut) and Jodia croceago Fabr. (Orange Upperwing), have been obtained by ‘‘beating’’ these hedges, although the chances of getting such local species as these are few and far between. B. F. SKINNER. THE SmMaLLER MotHs December is usually a poor month for collecting due to the shortness of daylight hours and also time-consuming preparations for Christmas. The collection of seed-heads and plant stems can be continued when the opportunity 90 DECEMBER 1959 ic ener eS Me oR MMU Mn IRON LIEN) ese. affords itself. There are several well-known leaf-feeders to be found. one being Cacoecia pronubana Hiibn. rolling the leaves of Privet, and two others being Anthophila fabriciana Linn. and Notarcha ruralis Scop. on the leaves of stinging nettles. Don’t forget birds’ nests, and fungi can be examined for lepidopterous larvae. If not already equipped, buy yourself a good stout fern trowel for Christ- mas, and in the next three months we will try digging up roots. Such a trowel can also be used for prising up bark on dead logs or trees, where several species can be taken in the larval stage. D. OLLEVANT. THR CoLFOPTERA All through the winter the Coleopterist can continue collecting but he must look for his specimens in the places where they are to be found at this season. One of the most fruitful habitats at this time is vegetable refuse. This term includes the bottoms of hay and straw stacks, heaps of lawn mowings, the piles of cut vegetation left by the man who tidies up the hedgerows in country lanes, the stuff thrown out when ditches are cleared out, and all similar accumula- tions of dead plant material. Many species of beetles live in this material, some feeding on it and others preying on them. There will also be a number of species which have found the habitat a suitable one for hibernation. It does not take long for a heap of litter to be colonized, but certain species like it in a state of advanced decomposition. Some like it slightly damp, some like it very wet, and others prefer it when it is mouldy, so a good heap should be visited several times at suitable intervals. Most of the beetles taken from vegetable refuse will belong to the various families of Clavicorns with Staphylinids a good second, but members of almost any family can be found. The method of working is to throw a handful of the material on to the collecting sheet and pull it apart, watching for the beetles which run and picking them up with the pooter. Many specimens, however, will iie quite still and may easily be overlooked as they may resemble seeds or pieces of dirt. The collector should, therefore, scrutinize carefully each handful of litter before discarding it. In very cold weather it may be more convenient and more rewarding if a bag of the material is taken home to be searched through in comfort there. It is a good idea, too. to keep a permanent heap of vegetable refuse in one’s own garden. Then at slack times during the winter a little of it can be worked through. One is often surprised by the unexpected species which find their way even to a town garden. K@. Sipe: MUSLIN FCOTMAN AND MARBLED BEAUTY IN 1959 Earlier this year I wrote a note on the Muslin Footman (Nudaria mundana Linn.) (antea p. 2), since when I have been lucky enough to operate a mercury- vapour light trap at a site within a few yards of the edges of extensive woodlands known as Hardwick Wood, Wingerworth, Yorks, on at least one night every week. The boundary wall of the woods is very ancient, made of rough gritstone, without mortar, and naturally well covered with a strong growth of mosses and lichens. Between June 25th and July 22nd, I obtained 38 speci- mens of mundana, of which 15 were taken in one night, so it is clear that the species is not so uncommor after all. I have not seen the larva yet, but I feel that it must be on the walls in the vicinity of the trap and it is only a matter of looking at the right time now. In the trap in my own garden, two miles away from the wood, I took only oné specimen of mundana and that on July 8th. It is interesting to compare the foregoing figures with those obtained for Marbled Beauty (Cryphia perla Schiff.), a moth, with a similar life history. In the trap near the woods only one of this species was taken, while in the garden trap during the same period—June 15th to August 8th—I counted 312 speci- mens. Both species are fond of mosses and lichens growing on walls, but one seems to favour a rustic background; the other an industrial one. J. H, Jonnson (1040), AES BULLETIN VOL. 18 91 JUNIOR NEWS SECTION Kditorial At the Annual Exhibition 1 was able to meet quite a number of Junior Members for the first time. The standard of exhibits on the Junior Members’ table reflected the amount of effort put into collecting and presentation of their specimens. I was sorry to see that nobody had taken up my suggestion of making a collection of insects of ail orders by beating Hawthorn. Consequently, the prize offered in the May Bulletin weut unclaimed. Although myself mainly a “‘butterfly-man,’ {i think it a pity that more of you do not delve into the ‘other Orders’’. As I have been away from home for much of the summer, my correspondence has been neglected, but by the time this Bulletin is distributed I hope to have answered the letters which are at present outstanding from Juniors. As always, I should like to receive news from any Junior, whether we have corresponded before or not. I still do not get enough news items to justify the title of this monthly article! News from Members Graham White (1749*) was most fortunate in obtaining for the first time the caterpillar of the Purple Emperor butterfiy (Apatura iris Linn.) Not only this, but he succeeded in rearing it successfully, and adding the specimen to his collection. I myself saw the caterpillar of this butterfly for the first time this year, but was unable to get the specimen. The reason? It was in the collecting tin of: somebody else who had just found it on a Sallow bush! In case I should have greater fortune in the future, I have planted a Sallow bush in my garden for sleeving out any small caterpillars I may get in the Autumn next year. It joins the wild Honeysuckle which is in readiness for any White Admiral (Limemtis camilla. Linn.) caterpillars which may come my way. I have pavers times had them when small, but have never successfully over-wintered them. Trefor Woodford (2555*) has begun to take an interest in the insects found im caves. J hope that some time we may receive an article on this subject from hin. Last month | wrote about a collecting trip made in South Wales with P. Williams (2616*). The following day he took ab. schmidtu and ab. suffusa of the Small Copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas Linn.). The former has the copper replaced by silvery white, the latter was a*very extreme specimen, almost entirely black, with just a coppery tinge on parts of the forewings. Those who attended the Annual Exhibition may have seen these specimens, with some of the radiata and obsoleta specimens we also took. I hope to include some drawings of these in a future Bulletin. The ova from the radiata female referred to last month, hatched, and are doing well. Whether I get them through the winter is a different matter! Sume Notes on October 1959 The very fine weather continues, and to-day, 14th October, still saw many insects on the wing. The ivy blossom and Michaelmas daisies are alive with bees, wasps, and drone flies. Flying rapidly past to-day, I saw the Humming- bird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarwm Linn.) and the Comma butterfly (Polygoma c-album Linn.). Up until last week-end the Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas Linn.) and Small White (Pieris rapae Linn.) were plentiful, both egg- laying freely. The Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta Linn.) also 1s still to be seen. Rather remarkable is the absence this autumn of all but a few specimens of the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais wrticae Linn.). May we hope that large numbers have already retired into hibernation to give a good send-off to next year’s season when they re-emerge in spring? T. S. Rozvertson (2417), Youth Seeretury. SS | DECEMBER 1959 LETTER TO THE EDITOR PUPAL DIAPAUSE IN SATURNIA PAVONIA LINN. L. S. Beauroy (628) writes :— Jt would be interesting to know whether any detailed study has been made of the various species of moths of which some individuals spend more than one winter in the pupal stage. I am interested because, although I have on a number of occasions had Puss, Privet Hawk, Emperors and other species emerge successfully after two winters, in 1958 I had a female Emperor emerge after three winters. That emergence was fol- lowed by a spell of cold wet weather and she died without attracting a male. This year, 1959, however, I had two female Emperors (? Empresses) emerge in late April after three winters as pupae, and they both assembled wild males. Their progeny are now in cocoons, where the majority will remain for one, some for two, and, perhaps, a few for three winters. Does any- body know whether there is a _ pos- sibility of any spending four winters in that state? It would seem that this variation in the length of the pupal-life is valuable to the race, in that it reduces the risk of the destruction of a whole brood by a spell of bad weather, be- cause I have found that each year’s emergences all occur within a few days of each other—in the last few days of April or the first few days of May. My Emperor pupae have always been kept, in their cocoons, in a box in an unheated garage and have re- ceived no other treatment. @ REVIEW Directory of Natural History and other Field Study Societies in Great Britain. Edited by Dr. Averil Lysaght. Pp. 217 + xi. Pub- lished for the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust by the British Association for the Advancement of Science. London: 1959. 20s. (21s. 6d. post free. 100 inter- leaved copies at 25s.). A Directory of this nature is always welcome, for it has many uses. The national newspaper editor who has a query from a reader will find it in- valuable, and so will the amateur naturalist who either wants to know what society activities there are in his neighbourhood, or if there is a national society which suits his needs. This Directory is a successor to the AES Directory of Natural History Societies, and acknowledgment has been made in the foreword. I¢ in- cludes all professional and amateur societies 1n Britain and N. Ireland that are concerned in any way with field studies; or publish the results of such work. School societies have only been included when they publish some record of their work or carry out special field studies. Only those societies have been included which replied to Dr. Lysaght’s question- naire, and it is noticed that some well known societies did not bother to reply. The information about’ each society 1s quite comprehensive, in- cluding the official- address, date founded, name of Hon. Secretary, Aims, Membership details, Amenities, Meetings and Publications. Dr. Lysaght is to be congratulated on this excellent Directory. My only criticism is that the national societies are indexed geographically with the local societies, and so we find the AES under Essex. D.+O: THE CONVOLVULUS HAWKMOTH IN COVENTRY A few weeks ago I was surprised when one of the boys brought an Oleander Hawkmoth (Daphnis nerii Linn.) to school. It had been presented to him by a neighbour who, in turn, had rescued it from some small boys playing with it on a street pavement. Enquiries revealed that it had been brushed from a street lamp (m.yv. type) by an Electricity Board work- man. The moth was found in the Bell Green area of Coventry on 3rd October 1959. The British Museum (N.H.) are satisfied that it is a migrant. The tips of the wings are slightly frayed and the thorax is bald, but the colours are otherwise good. The finder has presented it to Coventry Museum. _ The last record for Warwickshire is given as Atherstone, October 1903. A. W. Evans (2901). haters etch) thet ca acetal oestleret Baee i Re Mien IO Pia Det Hy ee Printed by T. Buncle & Co. Ltd., Arbroath, and published by the Amateur Entomologist’s Society, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. 1959. SHOWY NEOTROPICAL LEPIDOPTERA We have received new material from various countries of S.A., such as: Morpho papyrius, M. didius, Caligo idomeneus, C. eurylochus, C. brasiliensis, Polygrapha cyanea, Megistanis 3 species, Prepona ex Peru, Metamorpha, Anteos, Callithea hewitsoni, MHistoris orion, Catagramma excelsior, C. sorana, C. cynosura, C. aegina, C. cayetani, Eunica sophonisba, E. volumna, EH. eurota, E. mygdonia, E. irma, EK. cinira, etc., ete. About 80 species of S.A. Papilios. Showy Coleoptera and large stock in almost all families for research work. We fully guarantee collecting data for specialists. Trained personnel to attend research-orders. References. Payment to R. BLAND, 64 Gade Avenue, Watford, Herts. Apply to: KX. H. WALZ, RECONQUISTA 453, BUENOS AIRES, R. ARGENTINA NOW is the time to think about your Wishes for CHRISTMAS—— A Cabinet? Will your Net Frame and Bag last another season? Are you stocked up with Pins? | Drop me a line asking for a copy of my latest price-list L. CHRISTIE, Enromo.nocist 137 Gleneidon Road, Streatham, London, S.W.16, England (Postal Business only) ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE A QUARTERLY J OURNAL OF BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY = Well illustrated Subscription: 26/- per year Free Sample Copy sent on request 22 Harlington Road East, Feltham, Middlesex, England ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE NEW and SECOND-HAND Large stocks of Separata and Reprints on all Orders and Entomological subjects Catalogues sent free on request E. W. CLASSEY, F.R.E.S., A.B.A. Entomological Publisher and Bookseller 4 Church Street, Isleworth, Middlesex (£$.$.5.4.4450005555500555555bO55545bH555555bbbbbbbbbbbbbb>bbbbb5d5bb5bbbbbbb bbb bbb, 444,55. ,4,5,5515) ibis amite aaa ia Naa inti Mai Iii - ee = BEE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION : 3} OFFERS THE FOLLOWING AND OTHER FACILITIES TO # = _ ENTOMOLOGISTS: ag & = " Use of lending library of Penge, journals and scientific reprints on bees 3 3: * Use of library of English translations of important foreign publications s; “ Loan of Exhibitions for shows and meetings, including Exhibition 33 of photographs and photomicrographs of bees | = PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE: 33 * Dictionary of beekeeping terms, English-French-German-Dutch (12/6 S 33 board; 16/- cloth). This gives the equivalents in the four 33 languages of 1500 beekeeping and entomological terms :; “ Bee World—international scientific journal about bees 33 3: * Aptcultural Abstracts—summaries of all important publications about 3 33 bees and allied subjects = a Membership, £1 a year : ES = Write for details to the Director: b. = 33 Dr. EVA CRANE, Woodside House, Chalfont Heights, 33 3 GERRARDS CROSS, Bucks. = # A SILKMOTH REARER’S # | : HANDBOOK | 33 sa s¢ A complete reference book for those who embark upon the fascinating $3 adventure of rearing the largest and most colourful moths of the world. $3 - Part I records practical experience in breeding silkmoths from all — $3 over the world during the past decade. It illustrates bought and home- o 33 made apparatus and gives hints on everything the beginner needs to ss learn about the life-cycle of the insects. 33 Part II, for the first time in one book and one language, gives ? : complete or nearly complete descriptions of all stages of the life-cycle ¢: : of over 120 species. Some 1,400 species and subspecies can be looked-up | : under 138 generic names. ° ° . . . . . 33 Part III is a reference section, covering cross-pairing, the major ee “ 3; reference works and an index of species and subspecies. 33 The Handbook comprises 165 pp. with full colour cover, 2 colour 3: plates, 63 monochrome photos and 24 line drawings or charts. $3 Price 17s. 6d. (plus postage 7d.) from a AES, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. mbsstesesessesecetenessseesssesseeecsessenecesnegeeseseegessenensegegeseeeeeeeeeseseeessseees . SHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSS SSSHSSSSSSSSSSSHSH SES SS EGE GEESE GEESE LEEEE SEE EEELESEEESEEECEESD bs pee : : e 3 : : : Sin on : eer Sree peat : . 7) Sea os = Sagi ie tess ; oa otra eee Met aie he