The Bulletin Of 2 mae oe, RY | the Amateur Entomologists' Society World list abbreviation Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. Index to The Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society Vol. 55 (1996) and to Invertebrate Conservation News (ICN) Nos. 19-21 (1996) Edited by Wayne Jarvis B.Sc. Index compiled by Jacqueline Ruffle Edited by Wayne Jarvis Published by The Amateur Entomologists' Society P.O. Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG ISSN 0266-836X AUTHOR INDEX Barclay, Maxwell iBIGYe4.TU V0 1 OYEIS) (EG lsat Oe eR PRR tien” SAP Mee tere «ono. 404. 45-46 Best, Graham BNO i) Bi ee tastes mre ants geen oer een seta La tet neers higene ee coe eaiaeens woe aInas es ee ae .... 405: 04 xen lodingstrea cle si: Wee eies a Meese le as ie a er 406: 64 Moo-ving CXPCrienCe Kitt Naat saree font -eaee areas cen ceanvie shane odeesdegantesecatiae=nnents- 40D: DO Whatis in ‘a mame? (POEM) sss x. snacheas cacao: sohien sa s¢eesatesceoes temenen tee eee nee ee eee eee eee 404. 32 Betts, Clive Living; carpet tile - 2.2. cci.csc) es). se ee ee re 404. 47 Boireau, Patrick Winning the battle against pupal parasites! wre ne tee one. -cees-coee eae 405: 71-75 Bragg, Phil Mantids & cockroaches meeting & study, Stroup ccc s0ici--:-c-aee 405: 56 Brock, Paul D. and Seow-Choen, Francis Rare stick-insect from Singapore: Lopaphus brachypterus (de Haan) 1842 with descriptions of the male and-egaw. ln ae ee 405: 79-82 Carpenter, Ron Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust Entomological Section ......... Dinas 404. 46 Clausen, Mari Margaret Unidentified caterpillar in Saurland, Germany ..................... SES SSS ee 404. 38 Cole, Stuart Insects of the Shimba Hill National Reserve, Kenya, April, 1994 ................. 405: 91-95 Notes on the insects and other invertebrates of an urban house .............. .. 408: 217-22 Cooper, John E. Invertebrate collection National Avian Research Centre, United ‘Arab Emiurates.......::.. gee eee eee. Aa Sh Aum eot eam 409. 256 Observations of the Painted lady-in Avalide =x. sence cc eee 409. 289-90 Crawford, Anthony Perching to advantage? The Purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus): Observations during July/August 1996 on a common by the M25 .......... 409. 261-2 Cronin, Alan (and D. MacNamera) Unusual foodplant: The Painted lady (Cynthia Cardui) ..........c.c.00c0cceeeeseess 409. 287-9 Danby, Ilse Spanish phenomenon:— answers please ak. m.c.ne ice... cars .insse eee eeeeee 409. 262 Dawson, M.]J. SPAM TODS 9 ead ees Gengavennscsn ce cucas cate ous hy eee Ootee CoRR uM ORERNE AN aac ae eee 405: 59-60 Dickerson, Barry Brown argus (Aricia agestis) in Huntingdonshire (VC31) .........c.cccceeeeeeeeeee 404: 37-38 Long-tailed blue (Lampides boeticus) in Kent ...........c.cccccccscecseoeceeneeestttveees 405: 75 Eades, R.A. Dragonflies — food for hobbies? Some :aNSweT1s ..cc.c.....c.ceccesececeeeceeesceeeaceeeneee 404. 42 Feathered ranunculus onvieard!” Ainkicineea ceed, See. eee 404. 22 Eden, Steve MemMeAlANChHCODPEL, LYCACIG TAUPATAD A ij. cn csinc sso EWiinsteSiee seeds Rao Roek ans 409. 274-6 Unwelcome visitors from Australia: Polistes Hymenoptera) ...........cc ee 409. 263-4 Ellis, George (sic. — should read Else, George) Speci leo" ICT: Pac a een one ae ee 409. 272-3 Ellis, Hewett A. Observations on Microplitis ocellatae, Bouché (Braconidae: Microgastrinae), a gregarious endoparasite of the Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar, gar MR PROPTIUAININE Fels 2 inde osesanscsssucnnaeceumieheeteatt snecnadeecegest vecesusdsosesaveasas 408: 199-202 Ellis, Jonathon BODINE ASSES ee ee ee neh lock irik 0) ea 404: 21 Emmerson, Alan SMUIE Gif BSS TM TST POY Tc I pen me ee 407. 170 Emmet, Maitland “UR EALTIET! LES acsearle 405: 57 Flint, Sharon (GUD TPSRME ISITE, TG Bul SCe se a aga S sum le ie a en eRe eee 404: 49 Gardiner, Brian Alleged overcollecting: could we have evidence and understanding please? .............cccceeeeeeeeeeee 408: 203-211 aMOMeGmMersMeaG LO IMACCULALE TECOLGS ........:scececcccecdeveqnncncceesscosenstanceassessones 404. 44 HOG Plamisr ero wal Owtall JATVAEC c....c..c1nerncneensiternoacenienroanenaacecnneadddacn had cceiies 404. 30 Some notes on butterflies in Cambridge during 1995. ...............ccsccsessceeeeeee 400: 123-4 Garrett, John B. Some observations on the Behavioul of the Hornet, Vespa crabro L. ......... 409. 249-53 Gregory, John L. Notes and observations: Some unusual courtship behaviour ...............000. 408. 212 Gunnell, Roberta Redaduurais-andiwashing lines = PArt 20.2..0..08 ices eicecdeqsccsestecdesecsonscendens 407. 185 Guye, Michael G. Greyroiem tle SAS MeClleS (HUGANUS CCTUUS VL.) so nccaiseceosctuccetencseninecoscdesteeenaces 405: 60 Harvey, Martin AES Area Conservation Representatives: An update (November 1995) ...... ICN 19: 3-4 Mewismroniutie AES AGCA REPLESENLALIVES= o......-.00s.nceneccngeeeoadieoussesoeeneasneessons ICN 19: 9-11 Hatto, Jeanette UMM AE ARIV AK Ol A-SITAMACS MONSLET |. ....2...ccedeczceesvenecsecsenneceestogsercesancecesresestes 409. 248 Hay, John Goermus omncear Allan Poe: Fact OF fictioMm?® ......h.c.6.c-.cceorcveoes--denncierckoopone 409. 257-9 Sheep nostril botfly (Oestrus ovis): Larval infestation of the conjunctiva 2 2) TREGISUIIA « pBeorene hare eeecocceebeceac sc cc aUaee Seen Rec ere eco ee ee 404. 25-26 Hayward, Roger Diese SRMAMISCOL —AaN UNUSUAL TECOLG coca secs ins aaacdeaddeeeeteddeoeeenesodeibtaths. abate 408: 212 Hodge, Simon Occurrence of seaweed flies (Diptera: Coelopidae) at Hartlepool .............. 407. 186-8 3 Huang, Hao Noteston! the)senusSizopierts in Ghina.....-)......be17 ne eee ee 405: 67-70 Hughes, M.O. Interesting Notodontid moth found in north-west Somerset ....................... 409. 247 Uncommon Sysphid found 'in:Conwy, Wales -2-...20. 22 24. 409. 286 Irons, Stuart BDS Collective Knowledge Project update, Aeshna grandis, the: Brown awe /s6 fr ecto Stet We Fan os cee sascha Soa aero see a oe Oe MS AS Jarvis, Wayne Calg ne im SWCD righ 2 sos save ate thse sca gee fees ee Sets eee hae ae 495: 102 ReporeoMmCoumci= W995 ooo aia secon cd eden Nee 409. 236 SOME MOlES ON Me: SUMMNICK OLS. [kee eee nc shetacee sane ee ee 404. 27-28 JCCBI Legislation for the conservation and protection of invertebrates: the JCCBI policyssiateme nt e2 2 sii, ohect ee scree ss. sana see Se ee ICN 29: 3 Recommendations for each of the above legislative purposes, as applied to terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates .................:1ecee00 ICN 29: 4-5 Jenkins, Derek Large influx, of micrants in southern England: 2... 4 409. 276-7 Johnson. Mark Great. Australian adventure Sica..6c8 oe eS eee 404: 16-20 Joint Committee for the Conservation of British Invertebrates: see JCCBI Jones, Colin NG@w me cords fOr WALES tes orsth sre oes use ee RDA ten a See ee 404. 36 Jones, Jerry Holidays*inSOuthiawe St BRamnGe taf e.k. te oat a 2a oe oak a 409. 270-2 Jones, Richard A. Hanging around in the woods: Long-leggedness in a leaf beetle ............... 405: 61-64 King, Gareth Etymology not.entomolOsy- Ssh isacls.csccdecocene oe aoe ena a eee ea 400: 131-2 Korycinska, Anastasia MOSGUMtO Sarva oA Ae Re cae ae a cs en Ea ee nee ee 404: 11-13 Koryszko, Jan FROPIMET MOL TECOTO ocris 5555 Sans cakcoane 2ac cnet pensions Ore ReN eRe kaon cee Sine 405: 66 How long does a Devils. coach-horse Jive?’ «....250.. 0k s.cdencessth sc 405: 66 Humming-bird hawkmoth in Staffordshire <<. cee. ccesecnencecateacce se etuenenene 405: 77 Purple and White-letter hairstreak butterflies in Hem Heath Wood, StAtOna SITS Set a aaa en Mia eee valves cade eee 404. 49 Rare find:at Wryley Common; Staffordshire... ....:..........:.csis.ccyaessecasee eee 404: 41 Sugaring plates for moths and butterflies .........c/..c- Lt ek Ree 405: 90 Uncommon moth at Park Hall Country Park, Staffordshire ....................... 400: 121 Visit to Prees Heath and Whixall Moss, Shropshire .............005.....08.Hieesesapeees 405: 58 Lamour, Michael Some observations on breeding Moon moths (Lepidoptera: Attacidae) = 22/52 | -c2eccodscaseete social eMBMEMRE ie aser delet RR rear Ee Re eee ee 400: 135-41 Si Tar POPE ee SN ec acc ashe secach ce nae BRSERS > Sasaine caste nocd inegeacdeedensenas 408: 233-30 Lewis, Keith C. PECL IITGSE BES OCULII SRO SOAR RRR EE P cr eer EEE Oe te ener PRE 400: 142 Locke, Andrew Re OME CRTC ASUIG Te OO oon Senin eaguatiesenena@egeebins / salad sshcaen ett demeunt 409. 237 Lonsdale, David BemeemAMOMERepOlt LOL 1995 (oo ac.b soit. cctnessdeeqeicneddecesnsncrsueceneconsTesconensencenenes 409. 238-40 Maddocks, John ee NRCS NTIS IN Ui 2 oe ones sca fede wncoa asecmdo cs av anatorsadeaaueitoeds can onnidestontsacsves 400: 124 Madin, Don Reeiaemurts andiwasiine lines — Part 3 .......c..ssssccreusctennsveteceseevncdoeserserceeseens 407. 185 Majerus, Michael E.N. Ladybird, ladybird, fly to my home! (or how to attract ladybirds Ie HOON MUU) Ma eG oe dads ian cd vx nies doa eaveravdet cnedleuevong Beodacsalecneertaeerses 405: 83-90 Mann, Darren EES, GOES OE PELLN TS cL Re ea 404: 5-6 McCann, Frank LEY? SITIO) SE CIC) LO ae ene ee 409. 253 GESTOR! TNT POH TCHS an ere cee Ble ae EE ei See ee 409. 277 INAS fan ceamfo OMAN ANE SINT S reac ca0 20s nsecsceusa ood aalnuttpteaptadaeuese ateepeends si iannsrensanaeeas use 404. 43 MMe Wat AUP W TING IASO OW, 2. <2c6)c0..0encenns-cosnowasedouesiersdeceraliecsaseaceasonsvancencere 405: 65-66 McCormick, Roy Fain NIN MIR PORE LOL LOIS oe o0.0. 50sec choc soecnctosdeoieacscnndese iacseipeseitsedensencesssenseges 407: 146-66 McNamara, Don Long, hot summer of 1995. A note on Mellicta athalia (the Heath fritillary).. 408: 231-2 Note on Bacillus rossius, the: Gorsican:stick-insect «..).i.. 60.80. eGi adds. 404: 31-32 Sonor silver ¥- Note On AUl0graphG GAMMA. ....5 eho tee 404. 24 Unusual foodplant: The Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) (with A. Cronin) .. 409. 287-9 Unusual pairing: male Cinnabar (Callimorpha jacobaeae) and RMA eM CAMCMUGCE CO RAONILUIA) ih cstecucesssccvancseseccnucdsustcctoadgagaenuopessesses 408: 216 Morton, Tony SS CUVEILIL Tap mLAS Pi UST 2 Taco 0 407. 167 Nettleton, Guy GPS AMAOUN CLV INANITIA CISPAN) .Sy.ce.ccacsacesessdincseesssdadevsscesarsosicessnacevedecedavesn’e 405: 90-97 Newnham, Tim Collection of the late Ronald John Gooseman of Bearsted, Kent ................ 407: 191-93 Nicholls, Colin HiGTen meme NGTS | OCALI OMS a ees ceen cere Al he eae oko se abcess ela cave ade lexauecesbelawauaeansiutes 404: 38 Owen, Denis F. rise neMtallror melanic: Peppered MOths ..........csc0sense$.deoneeertan Seas 408: 211 Page, Bernard Hawkmoth larvae on wsinchaeskt sei.2 sch aes. See ee 406: 128 Partridge, Bob Moths of Mepal additions for 1994 and 1995%-2s se eee 409. 205-8 Pennington, Mike Redadmiralssand qwashine limes cc. tee erat eee 404. 2 Phalan, Ben Red admiral attracted to: pale blue jeams\......4¢...:02:-ceicetoeses 2 OES Smallitenoiseshelitinkeaniyab cbnuatyyascs-.-u-.5- cree. cores eee 404. 14 Picknell, Alvin Dragontlies!— food: for hobbies? Some AMSWELS -c:.22es.c- eee 2oesc ts ee eee 404: 42 Pickup, Mark Some observations on the pairing and egg-laying habits of the Saturniid moth, Dictyoploca simld WestwOOd. 2... -.025.:-.0- Volume 55 + February 1996 7 Butterflies of the London suburbs from July to August 1993 by Sotaro Sato (9673]) 3-207 Kikuna Hts, 316-6 Mamedo-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan. I moved from England to Japan in 1992. What I really wanted to do was to stay in England to study more about the British fauna, as I had only started to look closely at insects during 1992. Time, however, did not allow for this. I was pleased when I knew that my family would be able to visit England during the summer of 1993. I informed one of my friends, who is also interested in insects, about this and he was also interested in coming. The date: 19th July to 10th August. The place: London borough of Barnet. Three weeks is not really long enough for doing a lot of entomology, but at least I could go... I had already recorded these butterflies in the London Borough of Barnet: Large white Pieris brassicae L. Small white Pieris rapae L. Green-veined white Pieris napi L. Orange tip Anthocharis cardamines L. Small tortoiseshell Ag/ais urticae L. Peacock Inachis io L. Red admiral Vanessa atalanta L. Comma Polygonia c-album L. Meadow brown Maniola jurtina L. Gatekeeper or Hedge brown Pyronia tithonus L. Speckled wood Pararge aegeria tircis L. Holly blue Celastrina argiolus Rott. Small copper Lycaena phlaeas L. and also an unconfirmed Painted lady Cynthia cardui L. The first site we visited was the car park of a supermarket in Totteridge. I had previously (summer 1992) recorded some Red admirals, Peacocks, Large whites and Gatekeepers there. Unfortunately, 27th July turned out to be a rainy day. We found one Large white, and that was all. We then moved to the nearby Totteridge and Whetstone station as it had stopped raining. Still nothing there. But close by there was a park (Brook Farm Open Space) where I had not been insect collecting before. There was an area of tall grass which looked quite Weer 8 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society td undisturbed and productive. There was also a stream running nearby called Dollis Brook. We found Gatekeepers, a Speckled wood, Essex skippers (Thymelicus lineola Ochs. a new species to add to my list), and Large whites. | The second site we visited was Windsor Open Space located in Holders Hill, Hendon. This open space was actually found by accident while we were driving around the area, and therefore was totally unplanned. At first sight, we thought that this area looked like a “moth- place” rather than a “butterfly-place”, and that seemed to be quite true, but my friend and I were more interested in butterflies at the time. I did not expect much from this place, but we went anyway. What I expected to see were Large and Small whites and maybe some Gatekeepers, but it turned out to be a much better place than that. As we were staying near the place, we walked. The date: 30th July, a warm, sunny day with a medium strong wind. On the way there, we saw Large whites on the wing. We then found a butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.) planted in a front garden of a house near the park. I stopped to look at it and to see what could be feeding on it. To my surprise, I found myself staring straight at a Peacock butterfly! The butterfly was wise enough to escape onto the roof of the house at the sight of my net, far out of our reach. It stayed there for the rest of the day. We headed for the park. Suddenly, we saw a large black thing cross in front of our eyes. Another Peacock, but it was too late. At least we knew they were there. Now actually in the park, we looked for something other than Peacocks. As we had expected, Gatekeepers, Large and Small whites appeared. We found more Peacocks in a large nettle bed, also Commas and Red admirals nearby. There is a stream (Dollis Brook again) running through the park. We crossed it by a small bridge. We looked right and left. We saw a path leading through an area of tall grass on the left and went that way. This proved to be the correct way. Speckled woods were found in abundance; tens and probably hundreds. Almost everywhere we looked, there was one. Also abundant was the Green-veined white. We saw nothing else from then on. The park seemed to_be much larger than we thought, although it was just long and thin on the map. We took a few photographs and turned back towards home. Before we left the area of the park, two girls (both strangers) questioned me about why I liked butterflies, and what I liked about them, and then they Fr cmt ah a to Volume 55 « February 1996 9 asked if they could borrow a net “because they wanted to help me catch them”. I would not let them borrow my kite-net, but I had a spring-framed net in my bag which I let them have as there seemed to be no harm in doing so. But once I let them have it they would not give it back. Instead they gave me moths and even unexpectedly, a Comma. Also, my friend who insisted on staying, kept me back. The third site was Parkside Farm, a “Pick-Your-Own” farm in Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire which we visited on 31st July. The weather was sunny with some cloud cover. We were able to get permission to collect while my family picked berries, beans and the like. I had previously recorded Large and Small whites, Small tortoiseshells, Meadow browns, Gatekeepers and an unconfirmed Painted lady, but this place is also quite good for collecting Orthoptera (Roesel's bush crickets Metrioptera roeselii and Common field grasshoppers Chorthippus brunneus). This time we found Large, Small and Green-veined whites, Small tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Commas, Meadow browns, Gatekeepers, Speckled woods, a Common blue (Polyommatus icarus Rott.), Small skippers (Thymelicus sylvestris Brinnich), and Essex skippers. Particularly abundant were Green-veined whites, Peacocks, Meadow browns, Gatekeepers and Essex skippers. That gave me two more to add to my list. On Ist August we went again to Windsor Open Space. Again we found Speckled woods, Large, Small and Green-veined whites, Peacocks and Commas. This time we found that the walk beside the brook (the “park”) has a long extension with one end at Hampstead Garden Suburb in Hampstead, London, which actually has nothing to do with the brook, and the other at Woodside Park, London. The actual end of the brook is at Brent Reservoir in West Hendon. This means that the “park” is a few miles long, and the bushy area in Totteridge is actually a part of it! 3 On 2nd August, we visited Arnos Park in Arnos Grove, London. It was cloudy with some sunshine and rain at times, and windy (what a day!). We found Meadow browns in abundance, but nothing else. I had recorded Orange tips in the nearby areas, but we came a little too late for them. We ignored the stream that ran through it (this time, not Dollis). We also found an extension to the park as Waterfall Walk. Despite its name, this has nothing to do with a waterfall, but is only a small walk beside Pymme’s Brook, another long brook. This we found rather fruitful. Meadow browns, Gatekeepers, Green-veined whites, Speckled woods, a Common blue and a Small skipper. Here we found that all Green-veined whites stayed around nettles. Does anybody know why? 10 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a6 The last four days were spent on other things apart from entomology. Looking back on these few days, I regret not having visited Trent Country Park. Maybe some other day I will have a chance to visit it. For more information, if the need arises (quite unlikely?), please contact me by fax Japan 045-434-3153) or by mail (address at the beginning of the article). 7 Unusual mating behaviour in grasshoppers by Sotaro Sato (9673J) 3-207 Kikuna Hts, 3160-6 Mamedo-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan. On reading an article in the June 1994 Bulletin (53:107, 108) by W. J. Tennent, I was prompted to write an article about a case in August 1991 when a Meadow grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus) male and a Lesser marsh grasshopper (C. albomarginatus) female mated. I had caught some Common field grasshoppers and Roesel’s bush crickets (Metriopetera roeselii) at Monken Hadley Common in Barnet, Herts, and one Lesser marsh grasshopper female in Mill Hill, London, and was keeping them all in one aquarium tank with soil and grass, when a stridulating male took hold of a Lesser marsh female which happened to pass by and mated, despite the presence of Meadow females. The female showed little sign of refusal. They remained together for some time. A few days later, the female showed ovipositing behaviour but no ova were found. 4 Volume 55 « February 1996 11 Mosquito larvae by Anastasia Korycinska (9577]) 17 Pitcullen Terrace, Perth PH2 7EQ. Approximately 50 mosquito larvae hatched out from the 19th to the 20th July 1994. They were kept in a container, which had an approximate capacity of 130 cubic centimetres, with their food being a hay infusion, dried bread and dead flies. As anyone who has watched them will know, a sudden movement above the water surface will send all the larvae diving, and it takes up to 30 seconds for them all to return to the surface, and sometimes longer. One larva was in a separate container, being drawn, when I noticed that it did not dive when I reached over to fetch a pencil. This made me start experimenting. The smaller container for isolating the larvae was closest to the light, with the larger container containing all the others directly behind, almost touching the first. A third container, for keeping separate the larvae that had been experimented upon, was on the other side of the table. For an object to use for starting the diving, my hand or a paperback book worked well. One of these was moved over the first two containers (at a distance of roughly five centimetres above the water surface), from the source of light, over the smaller then the larger container. If no larvae dived in the main container, then that trial was not counted. I also tried breaking the surface of the water with the end of a paintbrush, expecting that the solitary larva would dive. It did not. When this was tried in the main container, they all dived every time. The experiments were done from the 30th July until the 6th August 1994. In each batch of larvae, a random series of breaking the surface and passing an object over was used, each adding up to twenty at the end. For one larva, on average it dived once in ten times for an object passing over, and once in five for something breaking the surface of the water. For two larvae, they dived about half the time for passing over, and about nineteen times in twenty, or most of the time, to an object breaking the surface. 12 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 Complete experiment results All figures in tables represent the number of larvae observed out of a total of 20. ONE LARVA TWO LARVAE Object passing Object breaking Object passing Object breaking over surface over surface Dive No dive Dive No dive THREE LARVAE FOUR LARVAE Object passing Object breaking Object passing Object breaking over surface over surface ad Volume 55 * February 1996 13 With one or two larvae being isolated, I could keep them apart until I had finished with the experiments on that number, but when it increased to three and four larvae, then I had to return some to the main container, or I would have inadequate control, as there were ten experiments for each number of larvae. The results for three larvae at a time were that their response for breaking the surface of the water was the same as the main container, or they dived twenty times in twenty. For an object passing over, the response was a bit higher, as they dived thirteen times in twenty, on average. For four larvae, their response was exactly the same as the control, bar one time in one of the trials for passing an object over. This suggests that the reaction of mosquito larvae to something overhead is a chain, maybe each larva reacting slightly until enough are convinced that the danger is real, these then dive, and are followed almost instantaneously by the rest. If anyone has any alternative theories, perhaps they could write to me. Collecting moths in the suburbs of Yokohama, Japan by Sotaro Sato (9673]) 3-207 Kikuna Hts, 316-6 Mamedo-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan. Moth collecting in the suburbs of Japan tends to be more difficult than collecting moths in the suburban areas of Britain. This is due to it being more built-up (flats, office blocks, houses efc.) than the suburbs in Britain. There is also a lack of space in those areas. This results in the houses being more closely packed, making small or no garden areas with little or no vegetation. This will inevitably result in moths and indeed many insects losing their habitat. Also the air tends to be much more poiluted. Therefore, if you were to try collecting moths in one of the small gardens you would end up with more flies and cockroaches (not welcomed by most cooking mothers) than moths, and the number of species would be very limited, and anyway, there is often not even enough room for light traps, the buildings surrounding them will make them useless. But there is an unexpected solution: the flats. These act as giant light traps. It always amazes me to see how many moths the fluorescent lighting on flats attracts. Indeed, most of my best records come from flats — not friends' houses. But unfortunately even then there is a problem which cannot be overcome: it is both ill-mannered and dangerous to collect too late at night, and lights turn out just past midnight. 14 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society Lf Nevertheless, I have tried my best. As I live in a block of flats, as many do in the suburbs, I have started with my own block. It is probably less ill-mannered and dangerous to walk just a few metres around one's own block of flats than to do the same around others. So far (by the end of April 1995) I have collected one hundred and eleven species including the day-flyers. These include one Yponomeutid, twenty-five Pyralids, five Tortrices, one Pterophorid, one Zygaenid, one Ctenuchiid, one Heterogeneid, one Arctiid, three Lymantriids, six Sphingids, twenty-seven Noctuids, two Notodontids, twenty-four Geometrids and thirteen yet to be identified. Small tortoiseshell in early February by Ben Phalan (10160)) Waterfall Road, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. At about 2.50pm on 3rd February 1995, I was returning from a short walk along the Dargie river near my home in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. On my way up a more or less south-west-sloping field, I was surprised to see a butterfly flit past. Despite the unseasonal sun and warmth of the day, it must be unusual to see one out so early in the year. It turned out to be a Small tortoiseshell (Agi/ais urticae). It was quite active, flitting around and then settling on the grass to bask in the sun. I took several pictures of it, but unfortunately the results were disappointing. When I nudged the insect with my finger, it crawled onto it, which a butterfly wouldn't normally do. This would seem to indicate that it was still a bit sluggish after its long hibernation. The weather was, as mentioned above, unusually mild for that time of year. It had been sunny all day, and no doubt it was this warmth that had brought the butterfly out from hibernation. For the record, I present weather reports from Dublin airport covering the three days up to, and including, the date of observation, in Table 1. Table 1. Weather records for 1st-3rd February 1995 (Dublin Airport). Temperature (C) Pressure Rainfall Date maximum minimum noon average* average* total ist Feb. 8.7 2.6 7.9 6.1 1008.8 1.4mm 2nd Feb. 9.1 -2.0 75 6.8 1021.2 trace 3rd Feb. 10.9 7.4 10.4 94 1016.9 0.1mm “Averages are calculated from readings taken at 9am, 12 noon, 3pm and 6pm. Zé Volume 55 * February 1996 15 Red admiral attracted to pale blue jeans by Ben Phalan (10160J) Waterfall Road, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. On Ist July 1994, in a small wood near Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, a Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) landed repeatedly on my pale blue jeans. | was standing in a fairly small patch of sun between the trees, and my trousers were the lightest surface there. It seems likely that the butterfly was attracted to the pale colour because it indicated a sunny spot for basking in. I managed to take a photograph of the butterfly perched on my knee. This involved moving slowly into an awkward crouching position, in order to position the camera a few inches from the insect on my knee! Fortunately it wasn't disturbed from its sunbathing, and you can see the result of my contortions in figure 1. Fig. 1. Red admiral, Vanessa atalanta. | ae 16 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society Se The great Australian adventure by Mark Johnson (3464)) 54 Airedale Road, South Ealing, London W5 4SD. On 31st March 1994, at 9.45am, my mother and I left Heathrow for the other side of the World. I was going to visit my brother and young niece in Australia, and it was to prove rewarding socially and entomologically. The flight took 36 hours. We were fortunate to see the villages of Pakistan as the evening drew on. We flew across India to Rangoon and early on Thursday morning we touched down at Bangkok. We had a choice; stay on board or stroll round the airport for an hour. We chose the latter. It was enlightening to see all the different goods on view. I bought a preserved specimen of the black and brown scarabnid beetle Eupatorus gracillicornus for $8.40, which I thought a reasonable price. We continued our journey, flying over Kuala Lumpur, the South China Sea, Bali and, at last, the Northern Territory of Australia. It took another three hours to reach Sydney before another hour's flight to Melbourne. The next day we spent most of our time walking around the botanical gardens, which are very pleasant; the flowers so exotic and the way the whole garden is displayed makes it photogenic. It is no wonder that Victoria is known as the Garden State. That night on the patio, I saw, near the wall light, a lovely dark green moth which I reckon was similar to our European Hippardus species. Also there was a grey moth with yellow underwings with black markings. There was a black and white moth with two black circles on each hind wing which looked like a face when its wings opened. The next day I investigated the flora and fauna. There was a small black garden ant about 5mm long. My niece, Katherine, caught a baby skink, grey in colour with a reddish bronze head. I found three black weevils in the pool. In the evening one can listen to the cicada with its whirring sound, but not a patch on the warbling of the Australian magpie. The next day we went back to the city to visit the Museum of Victoria. There was an exhibition on called “Gargantuans in the Garden” focussing on insects. It was very well done. There was an animated mosquito, dung beetle, cicada and the best, an animated a Volume 55 ° February 1996 1/7 praying mantis. There was also a colony of bull ants Myrmecia nigricaps in a special aquarium which allowed one to see them moving through their tunnels, and another display showing bees on the honeycombs. The museum also houses a fine collection of manuscripts and items from the 1920s and 1930s as well as models of different canoes used by the aborigines. Back home that afternoon, I strolled along Dandenong Creek, a linear public park, and found a small frog under a clod of earth. Sitting on logs arranged to form tables and seats we saw the willie wagtail performing its territorial dance. This is a small black and white bird and its dance involves hopping from one point to another on the ground in a wide circle, then flying to a high perch, all the time wagging its tail from side to side. From the creek one can see the Dandenong Ranges, where lives sculptor William Rickets who has turned his hilly home into a sanctuary. In his 90s he is still going strong. His works, mainly of Aborigines are set among the trees. It's a cool shady place to be on a hot day, watching brightly coloured rosellas flitting through the trees, and listening to the kookaburra's strange laugh. Ricketts, known as Brother Billie to Aborigines, bases his art on their beliefs that to get back to Alchira or Gondwanaland, where the first living creatures appeared 345 million years ago, is to be at one with nature, with the forest spirits and rippling waters of the creeks. One can feel this when walking through his sanctuary. The Dandenongs are full of hamlets, parks and walks which take you into forested areas untouched for years. Near Olinda as we left the car and set off for a waterfall I was lucky to see a new specimen on a leaf stem for my collection. It was the chrysomelid Eulinca vitatta. Back home that night lots of different insects alighted on the outside wall, including a green thornbug and an elaterid, small and brown which I later identified as an Agrypnus sp. There was the brown cerambycid, similar to Caresium mijberci. It is a small, long thin beetle with brown elytra. It also has long antennae for ESESIZE. It is autumn down-under at this time of year. The sky is blue, there are mares! tails up there slowly changing colour as evening approaches. The chorus is lovely to hear; even the pigeons sound different. When night falls, the moonlight is sufficient to read by and then the night life appears again. 18 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 There was a black and white moth with red spots, a small weevil which escaped and a red melonthine beetle, Halonycha irridpennis Flanch. Katherine found a large green grasshopper with red eyes. Next day, bright and early, it was back to the city and the Nature Company of Australia which sold fossils of all sorts, butterflies and beetles, ranging in price from $28 to $80, far better prices than in Bangkok. Melbourne is built by Port Phillip Bay so it was natural to go on to the seaside. Sandy beaches were a conchologist's paradise. With so many strange creatures around my brother borrowed a book from the library to help me out. There I found that the white butterfly which I'd seen a day or so earlier was the Lemon migrant Catopsilia pomona. The small black ant belonged to the Pomerina and is most frequently seen, apart rom the the big bull ant. I believe it belongs to the genus know as Carapachys. The small reddish ant was the Rhytidoponera victoria. Melbourne, capital of the Garden State, abounds in parks. In the Fitzroy Gardens, behind State Parliament, is Captain Cook's cottage, shipped there from the UK some years ago. There is also a model Tudor village sent by Lambeth community in thanks for Australian shipments of food during World War II. The gardens also house a conservatory containing a beautiful display of rainforest plants and orchids and an aviary. A visit to Victoria is not complete without a trip to Ballarat, home of the Eureka Stockade battle of 1854 in which miners went on strike and raised the flag of the Southern Cross in rebellion against the government for imposing a 10$ mining tax. The miners lost, but the fight went down in history. Ballarat has created Sovereign Hill, a living museum of the gold fields of the last century where visitors can pan for gold, and lucky people will find a speck or two in the gravel. Ballarat is about 100km west of Melbourne. About as far to the east is Healesville sanctuary, home to native wild animals and birds. The sanctuary is laid out for the benefit of the inhabitants. People walk through the various aviaries and open areas and can almost touch some of the animals. Some, like dingoes, it's best to steer clear of. I saw black and white ibis, cassowaries, wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, even a platypus in a special viewing tank. In the “night section” were the spinex mouse, possums and gliders and flying foxes. ae Volume 55 «© February 1996 19 North of Melbourne, on the border with New South Wales, is the River Murray port city of Echuca. Well, the paddle steamers are for tourists now but at the turn of the century it was a bustling metropolis. The Pride of the Murray steamer took us on a cruise, the captain pointing out the places of interest, but since the Murray is some 2000 miles long, we only saw a little. Australia is a huge country and while Victoria might be compared a little to England, Queensland in the far north-east is definitely tropical and home to the rainforests. We flew there, via Sydney — it took more than three hours — and had soon booked tours of the Barrier Reef and a rainforest. The Reef Cat took us out and on board I bought a waterproof camera for £25. A marine biologist gave a lecture on the underwater life for those of us who wished to dive, or travel in a submersible. Diving was an exhilarating experience and for an hour or more I revelled in the water, trying to fix in my mind the lighting and other visual experiences for later use in paintings. Back at the hotel I walked around the gardens and streets and wildlife was everywhere; a big Orb spider stretching a web over plants; a synastid beetle. The Daintree Forest was the real reason for our trip though and Cape Tribulation conservationist Gary took us to Port Arthur. As we drove along he gave us a personalised tour. Our destination was Heritage Lodge and to get there we had to travel by boat up the crocodile-infested Daintree river. While waiting for the boat I noticed the plants were covered with green spiders and I saw some strange looking ants .. . As we boarded our boat Gary indicated an Orb spider, as big as his hand. Cruising the river we saw the crocs, masses of birds and an occasional tree python and after landing and striding off to our hotel, the trees were full of butterflies — I recognised a Ulysses blue — and a brown snake slithered away. At Cooper's Creek it was time for a swim in a natural pool, with water that conditioned your hair, and Gary pointed out the lawyer plant, so named because of its barbed hooks which grab and won't let you go. There is the spot where Aborigines used natural rock to paint themselves, a plant which when split, made a useful fork, and a 600 20 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society be ] year- old tree. Lunch by the pool, and we were entertained with white wine, fresh fruit, prawns and fish, while the floor show comprised numerous large birdwings coloured blue and green fluttering around. There was a 100 foot high strangler fig in the forest on our return trip to Port Douglas, where Gary showed us an animal and bird sanctuary similar to Healesville. ? We saw koalas grooming, ibis and the cassowary which eats the fruit of a particular tree and drops the pips elsewhere so the tree propagates; a classic bird-tree symbiosis. a rainbow lorikeet showed particular skill, trying to get at the sugar on our table. When we opened a tub of ice-cream, it quickly helped itself. Next day we went on a restored train to Kuranda, passing through reclaimed swamp and many tunnels before reaching our destination, Kuanda station, festooned in tropical plants. During my wanderings here I found two specimens of ladybird Scymnodes platyomus- baccoformis in the leaves of a huge cactus plant. It's also sugar cane country — one acre produces 40 tons of sugar — and Tate and Lyle have taken over the local Bundaberg sugar company. At Junguburra are two lakes and more and more rainforest. We cruised on lake Barrine and saw many birds — pelicans, ducks, cormorants, a whistling kite which caught food from us in mid-flight, and bush turkeys. At Milla Milla, a spectacular waterfall surrounded by forest, I found a small blue chrysomelid Arsipoda chrysius Oliver. Walking about here we were warned not to touch a certain plant which could give an excruciating sting that might prove fatal if not treated. After three days in and around Cairns we had to fly back south, to Sydney and the Park Regis hotel, 45 storeys high and with great views. With only a short time there I did mange to visit Oceanworld at Manly, across the bay and also walk through the Rocks District, the heart of old Sydney. Back to Melbourne, and two more days before flying off to Singapore where, on my last afternoon, I captured my last beetle, an orange Lagriid called Exosama nigra. Acknowledgements My thanks to staff at the Coleoptera Department of the British Natural History Museum for helping me identify some of the creatures mentioned above. 2 eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeOee—— 3 Volume 55 + February 1996 21 Around Arnside by Jonathan Ellis (10077)) St. Thomas Vicarage, Heber Street, Radcliffe, Greater Manchester M26 2TG. During 1994 I went on holiday with my family to the Lake District and I stayed at Grange-over-Sands. One day we decided to go across the bay and climb Arnside Knott. When we were about half way up we came across a meadow that was full of butterflies and other insects. They seemed to be attracted to common knapweed (Centaurea nigra). As | had my butterfly net with me I caught (and released) the butterflies I found there. These were the:- Common blue (Polyommatus icarus) Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) High brown fritilliary CArgynnis adippe) Other insects found that day included:- White tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) Soldier beetle (Rhagonyca fulva) Common green grasshopper (Omnocestus viridulus). But this is not all. I visited the meadow again on another warm day and this time insects recorded there included all those seen before (apart from the Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)), and in addition the:- Tree wasp (Dolichovespula sylvestris) Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Scotch argus (Erebia aethiops). I also came across a National Trust notice board that said the meadow was one of two places where the Scotch argus (Erebia aethiops) is found, it also said that the Brown argus (Aricia agestis) may be found there too. Also on this walk we went through some woods on top of a cliff and here I saw thousands of wood ants and some Grayling butterflies (Hipparchia semele). As you can see Arnside is an excellent place for insects and these are obviously just a few I found there on my walk. But these were a very interesting two days for me. — = SS EE ee 22 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ee A Feathered ranunculus on board! by R.A. Eades (9730) 28 The Stray, South Cave, Brough, North Humberside HU15 2AS. On the afternoon of the 2nd October 1993 I boarded a ship in Alexandra Dock, Hull, called the “Arco Arun”, in order to pilot this vessel down the Humber and out to sea. The ship is a large dredger, which extracts gravel from the bed of the North Sea, and occasionally calls at this port with aggregates for the building industry. She had arrived during the night and discharged her cargo of gravel. The weather was settled at the time, and the previous night had been humid and misty. In the wheelhouse I noticed a dead moth at the bottom of the bridge windows. As I could not identify it, I collected it, and showed it to Derek Cutts, who identified it as a Feathered ranunculus, Eumichtis lichenea lichenea. | took the specimen to Spurn Nature Reserve, where the warden, Barry Spence and his assistant David Boyle confirmed the identification. Presumably the moth flew on board during the inward voyage whilst the ship passed the end of Spurn Point, | during the hours of darkness. At Spurn the species is a “common resident” (Spence 1991), and the date is within the dates given by him of “second week of September to the second week in October’. Sutton and Beaumont 1989 describe it as a “mainly coastal species” which “is now spreading again in Yorkshire”. The possibility also exists that the moth came on board in Hull docks, where there are still areas of derelict land with a very interesting weed flora (Crackles 1990). However, I think this unlikely, because the ship's wheelhouse is locked up in port, which would both prevent a moth flying in, and also prevent a moth trapped inside from leaving. Furthermore, with the rapid growth in trade since Alexandra Dock was reopened last year a lot of interesting habitat has been lost to industry. The sighting is of interest in showing once again the possibility for insects to spread by human transport. I wish to thank Derek Cutts and Barry Spence for their help in identification and preparing this note. REFERENCES Crackles, E. (1990). Flora of the East Riding of Yorkshire. Humberside County Council, Hull. Spencer, B. (1991). The Moths and Butterflies of Spurn. Spurn Bird Observatory, Kilnsea, Humberside. Sutton, S.L. and Beaumont, H.E. (1989). Butterflies and Moths of Yorkshire. Yorkshire Naturalists Union, Doncaster. ae Volume 55 « February 1996 23 Never mind the molluscs... here come the moths! by Len Winokur (8070) 55 Palmer Park Avenue, Reading, Berkshire RGO 1DP. Never mind ichneumons, spider mites and slugs. Scourge of the breeding tub may well be closer to home — among our Lepidopteran “friends”, no less. tasteuly i hada tub of bird's-foot: trefoil — or “BFT” as it is affectionately known (Lotus corniculatus L.), freshly potted up for imminent oviposition by captive bred Wood white butterflies (Leptidea sinapis L.). | at once covered it with an intact netting sock, tied the neck of the sock secure to the rim, and placed the set-up in a bowl of water as a “moat” against ants. Only sinapis adults were let in — under scrutiny, before re-tying the sock with string. And over the prevailing hot and sunny spell, free oviposition ensued. SO when one day I inspected my charge, I was baffled to find the yellow flowers now withered, and the upper stems — which I was sure ought to be much taller — stripped of leaves. But most distressing of all, no Wood white eggs! I urgently unveiled the netting only to find a very self-satisfied caterpillar, which this Lotus-eater later proved to be, a Large yellow underwing moth (Noctua pronuba L.). The parent female had undoubtedly sneaked in a lay at the very start, and as for the Wood white eggs, well, the babies went down with the bathwater. On another occasion, while transferring Wood white between tubs, I segregated six pupating larvae plus some Lotus to a clean plastic carton, to prevent risk of damage during transfer. I also placed therein some third instar Common blue (Polyommatus icarus Rottemburg). Paul Daniels — you ain't seen nothin! yet! For when I removed the lid, just four pupating larvae — hey presto! — but no chrysalids! Not — that is, until I discovered two ghostly hollowed-out cuticles. Distressed again? A touch of the blues, I say! Many readers will be familiar with the cannibalistic habits of some of our butterflies, the Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines L.) and Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus L.) being the two most notable offenders, but there appears to be less mention of cross-species attacks by otherwise phytophagous (vegetarian to you and me) caterpillars. E.B. Ford in his famous. Butterflies (1957. London: Collins), describes the Dun-bar moth (Calymnis trapezina L.) as wholly carnivorous with a weakness for larvae of the “looper” moth family (Geometridae). That the Large blue 24 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a butterfly (Maculinea arion L.) makes good on ant grubs in the nest is common knowledge, Ford suggesting their flesh fad to be an extension of their cannibalism, which others assert may itself have arisen in Lepidoptera as a consequence of competition for foodplants. Now feeding is typically stimulated by specific chemicals in the plant tissues. Since moulting larvae and freshly-formed pupae will likely have accumulated a concentrated dose, is it possible then that they might so be serving as scrumptious “eat-me” beacons? The soft cuticles of fresh young pupae would surely make for easy pickings. Son of Silver Y: Note on Autographa gamma L. by Don McNamara (5537) 6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU. 1994 was a good year for these lively moths, seen in great numbers whenever and wherever I went moth-hunting. : In West London (Uxbridge) and in Buckinghamshire (Denham) every expedition revealed hordes of them dashing about in the fields around the Colne River complex — also on the South Downs (Brighton, Hove and Portslade) and on the North Downs (Dorking, Westhumble and Box Hill) great numbers of these greyish-brown moths occupied the fields during late July and throughout August. The West was also inundated: the Cotswolds in particular — and in the Forest of Dean (Newnham-on-Severn), they were very common, flying to light in houses and pubs causing much comment — so many being noticed by local observers. Of course it is possible that among them were numbers of the Plain golden Y, Autographa jota, the Beautiful golden Y, Autographa pulchrina, and other similar noctuids, but having inspected many moths, which were almost certainly Autographa gamma, I'm sure that Silver Ys were in the majority. It seems that from May onwards a substantial immigration of the Silver Y occurred which added to the indigenous population. Mostly these moths were somewhat “tatty” and dull, no doubt due to their having travelled great distances and because of their energetic habits, but on the 8th September (1994) I saw a freshly-emerged specimen on a gatepost in Hillingdon, Middlesex, a pristine moth with its intricately- patterned wings and subtle colouring showing just how beautiful they can be. a Volume 55 « February 1996 25 Sheep nostril botfly (Oestrus ovis): Larval infestation of the conjunctiva of a Bedouin by John Hay (6878) 3306 Glasgow Road, Ralston, Paisley, Strathclyde PA1 3BH. Larvae of several dipteran species can invade the human eye and cause disease. This so-called ophthalmomyiasis, which can occur with varying degrees of severity, can be induced by Gasterophilus spp., Hypoderma spp. and Oestrus ovis larvae (Soulsby, 1982). The infestation can affect the orbit, or the internal or external parts of the human eye (Keen et al. 1991). External eye involvement, such as conjunctivitis, is commonly associated with O. ovis, the Sheep nostril, Sheep warble or Botfly (Cameron et al. 1991). This occurs mainly in shepherds, or those involved with cheese-making from sheep milk, and most often in Central America, Southern Africa and the Mediterranean, but the larvae are sometimes isolated from the eyes of travellers returning from these, and other endemic areas. The adult female O. ovis is viviparous Carviparous), usually depositing her larvae in the nostrils of a sheep, or sometimes another animal such as a goat. There may be as many as 500 larvae instilled into the nostrils of a single animal. The first instar larva, about 1—1.5mm in length, migrates into the nasal tissues where it undergoes further development. About eight to twelve months later, the mature third stage larva, by this time around 25mm long, migrates back to the nostril, falls to the ground and subsequently undergoes pupation. impthe case reported here, a Bedouin shepherd had the‘larvae deposited onto the conjunctiva of his right eye. The larvae cannot undergo further development in the human host. He suffered from intense irritation and discomfort and his eye was badly inflamed. Six whitish-yellow larvae were removed from the surface of his conjunctiva using fine forceps. This is not always easily performed since the larvae can be quite motile. Topical steroids were applied to reduce the inflammation and antibiotics were provided to eliminate bacterial infection (Reingold et al. 1984). These interventions were associated with a rapid resolution of his ocular problems. The extracted larvae were placed in a balanced salt solution, prior to chemical fixation using formalin. They were processed and stained using a solution of acid fushsin in 20% alcohol (Oldroyd, 1973). A larva is shown in Plate 96D, Fig. 7. The anterior end of the larva had a prominent pair of protuberant oral hooks (Fig. 1); these are used to aid 26 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 attachment to the tissues of the host. Several rows of spiracles were located dorsally and ventrally to the oral opening. The terminal end had two characteristic terminal bulges, each carrying 12 hooklets (Plate 96D, Fig. 8). | Fig. 1. Anterior end of larva showing prominent pair of oral hooks. (Hay) Some dipteran larvae can rapidly penetrate the outer coats of the eye to cause very severe, potentially sight-threatening disease. In the case of an O. ovis infection, the condition is usually benign and self-limiting, but as was the case with this unfortunate shepherd, the infestation can lead to more overt disease. The entomologist is a key person in this situation. Prompt removal of the larvae from the eye is essential, as is rapid and precise microscope identification of the offending immature insect, since successful medical treatment is very much dependent upon a correct diagnosis. References Cameron, J.A., Shoukrey, N.M. & Al-Garni, M. (1991). Conjunctival ophthalmomyiasis caused by the sheep nasal botfly (Oestrus ovis). American Journal of Ophthalmology. 112: 331-334. Kean, B.H., Sun, T. & Ellsworth, R.M. (1991). Opthalmomyiasis. In: Colour Atlas’/Text of Ophthalmic Parasitology. lgaken-Shoin Medical Publishers Inc., New York. pp. 223-228. Oldroyd, H. (1973). Collecting, Preserving and Studying Insects. Hutchinson & Co. Ltd., London. Reingold, W.J., Robin, J.B., Leipa, D., Kondra, L., Schazlin, D.J. & Smith, R-E. (1984). Oestrus ovis opthalmomyiasis externa. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 97: 7-10. Soulsby, E.J.L. (1982). Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals, 7th edition. Bailliere Tindall, London. 3 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 1. Papilionidae. Left: Papilio xuthus Right: P. protenor Fig. 2. Lycaenidae. Top left (two): Curetis acuta Top right (two): Everes argiades Mid left (two): Lycaena phlaeas Mid right: Celastrina agriolus Bottom left: Lampides boeticus Bottom right (two): Pseudozizeeria maha PLATE 96A Volume 55 « February 1996 36 Fig. 3. Nymphalidae. Top left: Neptis sappho Top right: Vanessa indica Mid left & bottom left: Polygonia c-aureum Bottom right: Cynthia cardui Fig. 4. Hesperiidae. Top left: Daimio tethys Top right: Pelopidas mathias Bottom left: Potanthus flavus Bottom right: Parnara guitata PLATE 96B Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 5. Joe becomes a star? PLATE 96C Volume 55 « February 1996 saa FA wi TT ; or a Ni \ i i ANN ‘ \\ Fig. 8. Posterior end of larva showing hooklets. PLATE 96D +] Volume 55 ° February 1996 2/7 Some notes on the Summer of '95 by Wayne Jarvis (9899) 9 Napier Court, 44-40 Napier Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 1XP. The summer of 1995 has broken many a record. In the Lincolnshire Fens there was only 72mm of rain between April and August, and June, July and August were nationally the driest months in most areas since records began 336 years ago. These three months were also the third hottest on record — only 1826 and 1976 being hotter. August brought temperatures which were 2 to 4C higher than average in Scotland and eastern England and 4 to 6°C higher than average in the rest of England and Wales. There were a staggering 11 days where no rain was recorded anywhere in the UK in August but by the end of the month, the weather had broken and September brought rain. The highlands of Scotland received a record September rainfall in only 12 days. Floods were common, with the baked earth unable to soak up the exceptional falls of rain. The unseasonal trend continued with the warmest ever October being recorded. The summer was a wonderful one for migrant insects, especially from the east and south. Hundreds of Camberwell beauties have been recorded, mainly in the south and east but also much further north. | have received several reports of sightings of this insect from throughout the country. I received a letter from Stuart Pittman (9135) detailing a sighting in Hitchin, Hertfordshire on 4th August in a forest of Buddleia in the town centre. Not to be outdone, I visited the site 24 hours later and sighted two insects on one bush. On 5th August Jonathan Ellis (10077J) spotted a beauty when climbing Hopegill Head in the Lake District whilst on holiday and Mr D.W. Lacey (8872) reported a sighting on Saturday 12th August in the Botanic Gardens of the University of Durham on a Buddliea bush. Jerry Jones (8347) reported the insect on the Isle of Man between the 13th and 16th August in Port Erin in the south-west of the island. However, the two records which I received that stand out are from Nicholas Cooke (3266) and Steve Fry (4302). Nick Cooke was returning from a day's fishing in the Reay Forest above focheviore between Laire and Durness on the 8th August. Ihe specimen was on open moorland at an altitude of around 350 metres, well away from woodland cover. After consultations with Steve Moran of BRISC Highland Record Centre at Inverness Museum, it was discovered that all previous sightings of the insect have been further east in Caithness and Easter Ross. There were four other Scottish records this year from Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife and 28 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 Moray. Steve Fry's record came from Wales on the 10th August. Steve was on a heather-clad ridge which forms the Clwyd/Powys boundary near the summit of Moel Sych in the Berwyn Mountains (SJ1051314) and was at an altitude of 710 metres — does this take the altitude record for British Camberwell beauties? Several Queen of Spain fritillaries were also recorded this year along with more common species, such as Painted ladies and Red admirals, which arrived earlier than usual and moved swiftly northwards. A few records of the Long-tailed blue have been recorded, one of which Barry Dickerson (8422) sighted on 27th August whilst on a Huntingdonshire Moth and Butterfly Group Field Meeting in Kent at the Sugarloaf/ Castle Hill complex near Folkestone. Butterflies which lay their eggs in the late summer have generally suffered as a result of the drought but the wetland species such as the Swallowtail, have done well. The Large blue has done exceptionally well this year, which poses many concerns for conservationists, as there is a fear for the future of the ant colonies which the butterfly parasitises. Monarchs have also invaded our shores with a vengeance this year, the fifty records being the best since 1981. Most of these butterflies landed on the south coast, west of the Isle of Wight, and spread inland as the summer progressed. Mr T.K. Dunkley (7423) from Rushden, Northants reported a Monarch on the 11th August in a friends garden in Finedon, Northants. As far as other insect species were concerned, wasps had a very good year and the newly established Continental species continued to spread north and west. Hornets also did well and bee-keepers had an extremely productive year. Dragonflies were much in evidence this year and there were many records of migrants from the east, notably the Yellow-winged darter in East Anglia (see April's Bulletin). Ants, droneflies, ladybirds and hoverflies thrived as did grasshoppers and crickets. Long-winged coneheads continued to spread northwards and the Roesel's bush cricket also had a very good year. One insect which also had a good year is the Anopheles mosquito which transmits maleria. It is worrying that if the trend for warm summers continues, it may well become resident in this country. What will the effects of last summer be on this season's insects? We shall have to wait and see. 34 Volume 55 « February 1996 29 Notes on the Silkmoth Rearer's Handbook by Dr P. Roy (9647) 162 Southcroft Road, Tooting, London SW17 OTP. The following information may be of use to members who are interested in silkmoths. Caio romulas. One female and one male were caught at lights in Italiae near Rio de Janiero, Brazil, in October 1992. The female laid 18 ova, six of which emerged after one week. The larvae fed on willow and survived until the third and fourth instars when (Christmas now) the willow was in very poor condition and the larvae languished and died. They were not difficult to rear and with good foodplant would have pupated. The larvae were similar to Agiia, tan with eye spots along the sides. Copaxa canella. One female at lights in the same locality at the same time. Willow, oak, holm oak, privet, grass and rhododendron were all tried as larval foodplants with no success. Automeris ovalina. Larvae were very common at the same locality and took sugar cane and bamboo. In the UK they took bamboo. I took a dozen of which only four survived. They grew very slowly and hatchings of the adults were staggered and so no pairings occurred. The larvae were black all over, including the head and the spines. The pupae were formed in loose, flimsy cocoons amongst the bamboo leaves on the floor. Italiae is 100 miles west of Rio. It is a national park with good and relatively cheap accommodation in the park. The area is Atlantic montane forest and the altitude 1500 feet. The specimens were found over a period of three days and nights with no use of a moth light. More moths might have been caught with one. Butterflies were also numerous in the area. 30 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 Foodplants of Swallowtail larvae by Brian Gardiner (225) 2 Highfield Avenue, Cambridge CB4 2AL. I have noted with interest the articles by Trevor Sampson and Leigh Plester concerning P. machaon larvae feeding on ground elder (Aegopodium podagaria). This is in fact one of the many foodplants recorded in 1949 by P.B.M. Allan in his book Larval Foodplants: a vade- mecum for the field Lepidopterist. In this book Allan often differentiates between foodplants which a species has been found on (or recorded on) and those which it is known to eat in captivity. Ground elder is amongst the latter and is also a member of the Umbelliferae, members of which are the chief foodplants of the Swallowtail. Swallowtail larvae, both of Papilio machaon gorganus and of P. m. britannicus have been recorded as feeding on a wide variety of foodplants, all in either the family Umbelliferae or the Rutaceae. The British race britannicus, in the wild, has been, and still is, much more particular in its choice of food than is the continental gorganus. Both, however, have been recorded on, and will accept when in captivity, a very wide range of plants. Generally it seems that britannicus prefers wild angelica (Angelica sylvestris) and milk parsley (Peucedanum palustre) while gorganus prefers carrot (Daucus carota) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). | venture to conjecture that the reason for this differential choice lies in both the habitat and the habits of the female. In England the habitat is low-lying marshy area; on the continent wide- ranging and up to 4000 feet. As has been shown by Dr Dempster in his study of britannicus on Wicken Fen, the females are only able to find the plants on which to oviposit if they are standing proud of the surrounding vegetation. This effectively limits the choice of foodplant to wild angelica and milk parsley. With its very wide-ranging habitat, covering all types of vegetation, gorganus has no such constraints and the female is able to find and to lay on a much wider range of foodplant. Although Umbelliferae are undoubtedly the main plant family used, several members of the Rutaceae are also avidly eaten, rues (Thalictrum spp.) in particular being the most often used and quoted in the literature. 36 Volume 55 ° February 1996 31 A note on Bacillus rossius, the Corsican stick insect by Don McNamara (5537) 6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU. In 1985 I bought some ova of the Corsican stick insect from a dealer in Cheltenham, to add to my growing number of species. I have often had “population explosions”, particularly of the Indian stick insect Carausius morosus, and others — and the habit was to give them away but in the following spring, 1986, I had so many that I “liberated” many of them in a bramble patch by a local Hillingdon wood, Pole Hill Wood, and throughout that year both Carausius morosus, and the pink- winged stick insect Sipyloidea sipylus, were evident until late into the autumn. Incidently there is a bramble patch in the centre of this wood that is frost-free — where I gather food during winter-time (for insects, aatais!)p I had difficulty, oddly enough, with the Corsican stick insect, despite breeding some exotic, far-eastern types. Many offspring died in mid- growth — before maturity, despite changing temperatures, spraying regimes and alternative foodplants. Other pressures were upon me at that time so I decided to cut my losses and close down the “operation”. The livestock was snapped up by budding young entomologists and I eventually cleaned out the cages throwing away the detritus, presumably containing some ova, into the back garden, where much bramble exists. During the summer and autumn of 1986 the neighbours reported “strange insects” in their gardens — all of which turned out to be either Carausius morosus or Sipyloidea sipylus. The pink-winged stick insects appeared the next year, 1987, five alone in my garden. But since then — nothing. That is until last year, 1993. Whilst collecting some bramble leaves for caterpillars from the back garden of the above address, I discovered, low-down, just above ground level, two greenish stick insect nymphs about two centimetres long. They certainly looked like Bacillus rossius, but I wasn't sure and in any case I left them where they were — despite being puzzled at the time. However, on 30th July, this year, whilst hacking the slightly out of control bramble I dislodged an adult Corsican stick insect, a beautiful specimen, light green with the tell-tale lateral white stripe on each side. This I now have in “protective custody” and it has laid five eggs to date (ist August). 32 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 Although I believe, in Cornwall and Devon, New Zealand species have “acclimatised” and are now regarded as British, this is the first time I've heard of this species lasting more than one year “in the wild” in Britain. As, from the time of the disposal of the eggs until today, eight years have elapsed — and although it is true that winters appear to be milder and it is possible that inside the London Basin a warmer climate or micro-climate exists anyway, I would think that the possibility exists for this species to be viable here. Whether it has the capability of “acclimatising” (not a very scientific term), or it has already the capacity, a small colony has undoubtedly been in existence here for nearly a decade. What's in a name? by Graham Best (7928) Bellargus is Adonis I thought everybody knew, and Plebejus argus is the Silver-studded blue; galathea is the Marbled white carduis the Painted lady, hyperanthus is the Ringlet its haunts are damp and shady; iris is the Emperor brassicae is a white and that's as much as one small head can carry, I think — quite. She listened very patiently then turned when I had done, to where a lovely Brimstone was basking in the sun, She said “I love this pretty yellow one” and, with that my tale is done. With apologies to Reginald Arkell (Collected Green Fingers). 3d Volume 55 « February 1996 33 Ringlet (Erebia) butterflies in Greece by Dr Andrew Wakeham-Dawson (9379) The Game Conservancy Trust, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SPO 1EF. Introduction There are at least 46 European species of Ringlet butterflies and they are often associated with arctic or alpine habitats. These species are all quite closely related and over 75% of the species are endemic, sometimes only located in a few particular mountain areas (Higgins, 1975). The localised distribution of these species may be a result of the prehistoric ice-ages. With the periodic advance and retreat of the polar ice-sheets, it appears that some populations were isolated in mountain areas and evolved in isolation from even quite close neighbours. The genus Erebia has been discussed in detail by Warren (1936). As part of a study of Greek butterflies, I reviewed recent information on Erebia butterflies reported to live in Greece. I found that at least nine species (apparently mainly restricted to the mountains of central and northern Greece) have been recorded, and I include a summary of information relating to these species in the current article. I also include some of my own observations. I hope this may be useful to other readers and I would be most grateful for any information about the subject that others could supply to me. List of Erebia butterflies found in Greece In the following list, * indicates that the pre-adult stages of a species are described in Chinery (1989). Larval foodplants listed are those generally recorded for a species throughout its range and not necessarily those used by a particular species in Greece. Erebia ligea /ligea Linnaeus 1758*. Arran brown. Flight: Early July (Dacie et al., 1972). Habitat: A single colony near Florina, north Greece in flowery mountain meadows between 1000m and 1450m. Flying even in cloudy conditions. Larval foodplant: Grasses, including finger-grass (Digitaria) and wood millet (Milium effusum) (Higgins & Riley, 1980). 34 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society aS Erebia euryale euryale Esper 1805*. Large ringlet. (a). Flight: Late July and early August (Dacie et al., 1982). Habitat: A colony in fresh condition in a mountain conifer forest clearing near Drama, north Greece at 1450m. (b). Flight: Late July and early August (Wakeham-Dawson, 1995). Habitat: A small colony in sub-alpine pasture at 1750m near Drama, north Greece. Males only. Larval foodplant: Grasses (Higgins & Riley, 1980). Erebia aethiops raethiops Esper 1777*. Scotch argus. Flight: Late July and early August (Dacie et al., 1982). Habitat: A colony in open mountainous terrain near Drama, north Greece at about 1300m. Larval foodplant: Grasses, including purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) and couch (Agropyron) (Higgins & Riley, 1980). Erebia ottomana ?ottomana Herrich-Schaeffer 1847. Ottoman brassy ringlet. (a). Flight: Early July (Coutsis, 1973). Habitat: Rocky ground with sparse vegetation at 1900m on Mount Tymphristos, central Greece. Two males and one female. (b). Flight: Early August (Dacie et al., 1982). Habitat: Sub-alpine meadows at 1700m near Florina, north Greece. Larval foodplant: Not known (Higgins & Riley, 1980). Erebia melas melas Herbst 1796. Black ringlet. (a). Flight: Early July (Coutsis, 1973). Habitat: Rocky ground with sparse vegetation at 1900m on Mount Tymphristos, central Greece. Also recorded from Mount Olympus and Mount Parnassus at 1800-2000m. (Coutsis, 1969). (b). Flight: Late July and early August (Wakeham-Dawson, 1995). Habitat: An extensive colony in sub-alpine pasture between 1700m and 1800m near Drama, north Greece. Females rare. Flying even in cloudy and misty conditions. Larval foodplant: Not known (Higgins & Riley, 1980). SS SSS 4 Volume 55 * February 1996 35 Erebia oeme spodia f. vetulonia Fruhstorfer 1918*. Bright-eyed ringlet. Flight: Late June, a first record of this species in Greece? (Dacie et al., 1): Habitat: An extensive colony flying among fir trees between 1300m and 1650m near Drama, north Greece. Larval foodplant: Wood-rush (Luzula) (Higgins & Riley, 1980) and fescue (Festuca) grasses (Chinery, 1989). Erebia medusa ?medusa Denis and Schiffermtiller 1775*. Woodland ringlet. Flight: June (Luckens, 1990). Habitat: Northern Pindos Mountains. Also recorded between 1400m and 1800m from the Pindos Mountains and Mount Olympus (Coutsis, 1969).. Larval foodplant: Grasses, including hairy finger-grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) and wood millet (Milium effusum) (Higgins & Riley, 1980). Erebia phegea ?dalmata Godart 1824. Dalmatian ringlet. I think this species has been found near Kozani in north Greece. Any information would be most gratefully received. Larval foodplant: Grasses (Chinery, 1989). Erebia epipbron. Knoch 1783*. ?subsp Mountain ringlet. Luckens (1990) reports that there is a race of this species near Florina. Any information would be most gratefully received. Larval foodplant: Grasses especially tufted hair-grass (Deschampsia caespitosa) (Higgins & Riley, 1980). Acknowledgements I thank the Greek government (especially Mr John Petamides at the Ministry of Agriculture), and the staff of the Goulandris Natural History Museum, Kifissia, Greece (especially Katerina G. Prapopoulou) and the British Museum (Natural History), London for their help. 36 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe REFERENCES Chinery, M. (1989). Butterflies and Day-flying Moths of Britain and Europe. Collins, London. Coutsis, J.G. (1969). List of Grecian butterflies. Entomologist, 102: 264-268. — , (1973). List of Grecian butterflies: additional records 1972. Entomologist's Rec. J. Var., 85: 105-168. Dacie, J.V., Dacie, M.K.V., Grammaticos, P. (1972). Butterflies in northern and central Greece, July 1971. Entomologist’s Rec. J. Var., 84: 257-260. Dacie, J.V., Dacie, M.K.V., Grammaticos, P. & Coutsis, J. (4982). Butterflies in northern Greece, July-August 1980. Entomologist's Rec. J. Var., 94: 18-20. Dacie, J.V., Dacie, M.K.V., Grammaticos, P. Higgins, L.G. & Higgins N. (1979). Butterflies in northern Greece, June-July 1978. Entomologist's Rec. J. Var., 91: 311-314. Higgins, L.G. & Riley, N.D. (1980). A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe. Collins, London. Higgins, L.G. (1975). The Classification of European Butterflies. Collins, London. Luckens, C.J. (1990). Around Greece in fourteen days — 1988. Entomologist's Rec. J. Var., 102: 77-84. Wakeham-Dawson, A. (1995). Butterflies in North-east Greece (28th July — 4th August, 1994). Entomologist's Rec. J. Var., (In press, possibly for publication in May or July issue). Warren, B.C.S. (1936). Monograph of the Genus Erebia. British Museum (N.H.). New records for Wales by Colin Jones (9694) 7 Larch Avenue, Shotton, Deeside, Clwyd CH5 1NF. On 30th June 1995, my moth-trapping friend, Geoff Neal and I visited Shotton Nature Reserve in Clwyd (SJ295710), for a night's light-trapping. Included in our catch were a total of six Mythimna obsoleta (Obscure wainscot). We have since had confirmation that this is not only a new record for Clwyd but also for North Wales. On another visit, 28th July, we recorded four Archanara dissoluta (Brown-veined wainscot). This species is mentioned in Heath's Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain, Vol. 10, stating there is a colony in north-east Wales but no location is given. It seems we have re-located this long-lost moth. The habitat at this site consists of Phragmites, reedmace, willow, birch etc. A perfect Wainscot area, if you don't mind mosquitoes. I would also like to inform members and any visitors in the future to Flintshire, as it will be in April 1996, that I will be the new moth recorder for the County and I would appreciate any records of moths, trapped, collected or casually observed, and I will acknowledge all correspondence. 36 Volume 55 «* February 1996 oy The Brown argus Gricia agestis ) in Huntingdonshire (VC31) by Barry Dickerson (8422) 27 Andrew Road, Eynesbury, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 2QE. I read with interest the article by Peter Tebbutt about the reappearance of the Brown argus in Northamptonshire (Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc. 54: (402) October 1995). Here in Huntingdonshire this butterfly has enjoyed a population explosion during the past three years. The Brown argus was unrecorded during stage one of the county survey 1980-1989, but can now be found on several sites both in the north and south of the county. On one site, Litthe Paxton Gravel Pits, which was the site on which the butterfly was rediscovered in 1992, now has a population of several hundred individuals extending over the whole complex of disused gravel workings. It can also be found in several woods where BieneuateawiGe tides and in the disused brick, pits south of Peterborough. Two of my recorders have also found it nectaring on buddleia (Buddleia davidii) in gardens, although the favoured source for nectar appears to be fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) as large numbers of Brown arguses can be found feeding from this during August, along several of our woodland rides. The problem of larval foodplant has also intrigued us. There is no rock rose (Helanthemum nummularium) growing wild in Huntingdonshire and storksbill (Erodium cicutarium) is also uncommon. Most of the local Brown argus sites do have a few plants of cranesbill (Geranium sp.) growing on them, but not enough to support the populations of butterflies found there. I have seen ova being laid on cut-leaved cranesbill (G. dissectum) and have tried to feed larvae on dovesfoot cranesbill (G. molle). I say tried because I found that first instar larvae were not capable of reaching the fleshy parts of the leaves because of the abundance of fine hairs that cover the leaves. All the first instar larvae tried on dovesfoot cranesbill died of starvation. Howard Hillier, one of my recorders, informs me that he has found a reference in an old book that states that the Brown argus will feed on black medick (Medicago lupulina). This plant is much commoner than those mentioned previously; we therefore hope to try this as a larval foodplant during 1990. One remark in Peter Tebbutt's article does concern me. He states that the site on which the Brown argus was found in 1959 no longer occurs in Northamptonshire. I would like to point out that if the site was in Northamptonshire (VC32) in 1959 it is still in Northamptonshire (VC32) 38 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 as far as recording is concerned. The politicians can play about with county boundaries for their own amusement as often as they like, but recording must follow Watsonian vice-county boundaries, a system that was drawn up in 1852, so that records from the past can be compared with those of today and of the future, thus enabling us to discover what changes are taking place over the years in a known area. Unidentified caterpillar in Saurland, Germany by Mari Margaret Clausen (10435) Kleingemtinder Strajse 59, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany. Whilst on holiday in late July in the Saurland in Germany, my children found beside a pond a very large green caterpillar with a horn at the back. It was approximately three inches long with very faint black stripes on it and three bright yellow spots near its head. I would describe it as smooth-skinned and of the family Sphingidae but as yet we have not been able to find it in any of the books we've looked at, including Collins Field Guide to Caterpillars of Britain & Europe. \t was munching on a low-lying plant which had other minute black caterpillars feeding from it. I cannot remember if this particular species displayed the sphinx-like attitude or not . . . only that it vaguely resembled Sphinx ligustri in its size and was green in colour. As far as I recall, the horn too was green and not black. Insect translocations by Colin Nicholls Dept. of Biological Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire STS S5BG. I am currently undertaking a review of insect releases as part of a Ph.D. Studentship at Keele University. I would be interested to hear from anyone involved in, or with first-hand knowledge of, insect releases into the wild, whether it be for conservation or amenity purposes, or merely the disposal of surplus breeding stock. Details of subsequent monitoring (if any) would be particularly appreciated, especially for insects other than butterflies. The confidentiality of all respondents will, needless to say, be scrupulously respected. Volume 55 «+ February 1996 39 Wandelnde Blatter, Stab- und Gespenstschrecken by Dieter Schulten, Papcante@. 5). ppls2, + 8 colour plates, /5 figures. 1995. Entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem LObbecke-Museum und Aquazoo. Available from Lébbecke-Museum und Aquazoo, Bibliothek, Frau Enders, 40200 Dusseldorf, Germany. Price 30DM before March 1996, 40DM from April 1996 ISSN 09386726). Even if the stick and leaf-insect (phasmid) enthusiast cannot understand German, this work is an excellent guide to 55 species in culture, with many line drawings. Some recent research and many newer species in culture have been included and the extensive references section will be of practical use to enthusiasts. The front cover is yellow with an impressive sketch of a female Extatosoma tiaratum. Introductory chapters deal with a wide range of subjects, including culture information, morphology, eggs and taxonomic notes. Pages 26-28 provide a taxonomic listing of the species included, which are covered in pp 29-118. The species section gives brief notes on each species, with a useful highlighted box giving basic information on size, distribution, development and foodplants. Eggs are usually illustrated alongside adults. This feature will be of considerable use to breeders. The colour plates of eight species greatly enhance the book. Generally, the information provided is accurate, although it occasionally needs expanding, e.g. Haaniella muelleri is only listed from the type locality of Sumatra. However, as far as I know, culture stock has only been collected at Templer Park, near Kuala Lumpur, Peninsular Malaysia. However, such omissions do not detract from the main value of this book, which enables the breeder to know the key 40 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3¢ facts about a species. Another minor point is that species! names require amending, as follows: p.32 Oreophoetes peruanas should read Oreophoetes peruana’. p.49 Lonchodes uniformis should read Lonchodes brevipes Gray. p.82 Pharnacia acanthopus should read Pharacia serratipes (Gray). p.87 Eurycnema herculeana should read Eurycnema versirubra (Audinet-Serville). p.92 Bacillus rossii should read Bacillus rossius. * = also applies to my AES book (1992). Page 114 appears to illustrate Anisomorpha monstrosa Hebard, from Belize, under the text for A. buprestoides from USA, which is split into two “forms”. This is also the case in the author's fine colour photograph (1995) of monstrosa in Datz, 10: 642-646. My Catalogue of Peninsular Malaysian phasmids (in press) will also impact on some areas. In particular, rearers should note that the pink- winged Madagascan culture stock of “Sipyloidea sipylus’ is not this species, but should be regarded as a Sipyloidea species for the time being. True S. sipylus are common in Asia, but are a brown-winged species. Records of S. sipylus from Australia also relate to a distinct, but again similar, species. An index completes the book. Many of the 55 species covered differ from species included in my 1992 AES book, reflecting some recent imports and, to a lesser extent, the different species cultured in Europe compared with Britain. The two books combined will be of considerable value to the phasmid rearer, covering the vast majority of species in culture today. Paul D. Brock (4792) Journal Review Insectes: un autre monde parmi nous, edited by l'OPIE. A4, 30pp per issue, illustrated in colour and monochome. ISSN 0245 0151. Issued quarterly.) OPIE, “B-Pe Nox 9)°/804) GUYANCOURIT Cedexe i france: Subscription FF210 (or FF180 in France). This is yet another entomological journal which is published in the larger format of A4 and is finely illustrated in colour throughout with a mix of news, views, conservation items (there is an extremely informative article on Parnassius species in issue 93), there is a particularly strong emphasis on rearing methods as well as accounts of various French insects. To give an idea of the coverage recent issues | | | | | | : 36 Volume 55 » February 1996 41 have covered the rearing of locusts, a very attractive Goliath beetle, Kentish glory moth, the stick-insect Phyllium giganteum and the beetle Megasoma acteon. Other articles include an account of a gall produced by a tineid larva, and, really fascinating, Medico-Legal Entomology with a useful table of which insects and when they arrive on a carcass. There is also an account of conserving your collection and, for those holidaying in France, a list of museums and butterfly houses where insects may be seen. One very good reason for reading (French required — but for less than the price of this journal one can buy a computer dictionary!) this journal is the insight it gives us on continental practices which differ in some respects from ours. In my experience the cages illustrated for locusts appear clumsy and awkward; not a patch on those used for decades by myself and the Department of Zoology in Cambridge, nor those made in this country by Small-Life Supplies. I have the impression that the French are much better, or perhaps more interested in, rearing beetles than we are. English expertise rearing Lepidoptera, however, cannot be surpassed. In view of the number of us who now go and collect in France, or who specialise in rearing, this journal could prove to be extremely useful. Indeed I found almost all the articles of interest. My latest information is that there is serious consideration being given to publishing an English edition. Brian O.C. Gardiner (225) A rare find at Wyrley Common, Staffordshire by Jan Koryszko (6089) 3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 TAY. On 21st June 1995, my friends Mr Derek Heath and Mr Charles Byatt visited Wyrley Common, Staffordshire. The weather was fine and sunny and they noted and photographed a number of common species. Derek then noticed a clearwing moth on a flower, so he netted it, and later in the day I identified it for him. It turned out to be a Six-belted clearwing (Bembecia scopigera Scop.) — a very rare moth in Staffordshire. The first confirmed record for Staffordshire was taken by G. Blunt at Rowley Regis on 25th July 1993, and since then there have been only a couple of records in the county. In Richard South's book The Moths of the British Isles (1909), he gives Staffordshire as one of the counties in the Midlands where the species can be found. Wyrley Common has a prolific growth of kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), the foodplant of this moth. The Small blue butterfly (Cupido minimus) is also quite common in the area — I saw it myself on 2nd August 1995. The Six- belted clearwing moth is now in the collection of Mr R.G. Warren, the county Lepidoptera recorder for Staffordshire. 42 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 Dragonflies — food for hobbies? Some answers: — by Alvin Picknell (10196) In response to Arthur Cleverly's request for information as to whether hobbies habitually feed on dragonflies (Bulletin 53: 70), it may be of interest that the Hamlyn Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe states that the hobby “feeds to a large extent on dragonflies, which are hunted in late afternoon/evening”. Also, Subbuteo Natural History Books Ltd of Treuddyn, North Wales, who take their name from the hobby's Latin name Falco subbuteo, use a line drawing of a hobby about to seize a dragonfly in mid-air as their emblem. — by R.A. Eades (9730) The short note by Arthur Cleverly, Bulletin 53: 70, on the behaviour of the hobby, Falco subbuteo, describes a classic hunting technique of this magnificent migratory falcon. As he surmises, its prey would doubtless be dragonflies or damselflies, which would be eaten on the wing. The same technique can be used on swallows and other birds. The hobby is very much an insectivorous bird and migrates in winter to the plains of Africa where it exploits the abundant supplies of insects following the rain fronts. Cramp et al. (1980) gives details of pellet contents in England during May and June. The species found were Saturnia pavonia, Macrothylacia rubi, Lasiocampa quercus, Melolontha melolontha, Geotrupes spp., Carabus violaceus, Bombus spp., and Cordulegaster boltonii. However, in England the hobby also eats numerous insectivorous birds, especially house martin colonies in villages, so its life cycle depends upon insects as the base of its food chain. REFERENCE Cramp, Simmons, et al. (1980). Handbook of the birds of the Western Palearctic Volume 2. pp 320-1. Oxford University Press. — by Ben Phalan (10160) In response to the article by Arthur Cleverly (Bulletin 53: 70) which poses the question “Are hobbies predators of dragonflies?”, the following may be of interest. Christopher Perrins, in Collins New Generation Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe, states “The hobby and the red-footed falcon feed primarily on young swallows and martins and also take many large insects such as dragonflies.” In Birds of Europe, Lars Jonsson tells us that the hobby “Often hunts dragonflies over marshes and reedbeds on summer evenings.” Perhaps a Volume 55 + February 1996 43 they do the canals during the afternoon, and save the marshes and reedbeds for dessert. (Hmmm .. . I wonder if a Libellula depressa tastes nicer than an Anax imperaton). Lastly, according to The Complete Book of British Birds, the hobby “Often catches insects such as dragonflies in flight, holding them in Cits) talons to dissect and eat.” This is presumably what the hobby in question was doing: swooping down to catch the dragonflies, and then climbing high into the air to eat them. The swallows were probably safe from attack, as the falcon would be too busy staying airborne, and at the same time consuming its prey, to simultaneously hunt them! Which begs the question — why did it bother with dragonflies when there were swallows flying right up to it? Surely a swallow would provide as much food as quite a few dragonflies? Several other books I referred to named “insects” or “large insects” as being on the hobby's menu, and I recall reading an observation of a hobby returning to the nest with a grasshopper for its mate. REFERENCES Anon. (1987). The Complete Book of British Birds. Auotmobile Association, Hampshire, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Sandy Bedfordshire. (p.137). Jonsson, L. (1993). Birds of Europe with North Africa and the Middle East. Christopher Helm, London. (p. 156). Perrins, C. (1987). Collins New Generation Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. Collins, London. (p. 252). A Magpie moth in Ayrshire by Frank McCann (6291) 3 Langbar Path, Easterhouse, Glasgow G33 4HY. I was at Dunure on the Ayrshire coast recently and, whilst waiting for a bus back to Ayr, I caught a female Magpie moth which had been fluttering on the road. I put some apple leaves with it in a container, there were lots of crab-apple trees growing on an embankment just across the road from where I found the moth. I damaged the wings a bit on capture, but it laid three eggs on a blackcurrant leaf which I provided when I got home. I then released it onto the blackcurrant bush in my garden. I last saw the species many years ago and again it was in Ayrshire. The year was 1953 and I was seven or eight years old at the time. It was the larvae of the species I saw then. 44 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe Banned nets lead to inaccurate records by Brian Gardiner (225) 2 Highfield Avenue, Cambridge CB4 2AL. I cannot agree more with the last paragraph of Tony Steele's article (Bulletin 54: 101) that loss of habitat due to Government indifference is responsible for the decline of butterflies (and of course other wildlife). I too am also concerned about the possible banning of nets, for this will lead to many false identifications being recorded. I have already had experience of this, having been reliably informed that, at a distance of ten to twenty yards, “of course I can tell the difference between an Essex and Small skipper.” At an even greater distance there are those who can distinguish Small whites from Green-veined whites and is it not just possible that it might be an immigrant Bath white? Myself, I like to catch the specimen and make sure, although to pacify the “anti- catching” brigade I now never carry more than a couple of boxes with me and certainly no killing agent! Indeed I find, as a member of the local Ramblers Club, that my fellow members, non-entomologists but mostly interested in the wildlife we encounter on our rambles, take a keen interest when I catch, name, show, and then release, any butterfly or other insect we come across. Amongst some people also a dichotomous attitude exists. I once had my net roundly condemned by a lady with a dog; it was wrong to catch (even if they were then released) anything, but it was perfectly all right for her dog to disturb and try to savage ground-nesting birds. That was a “natural” activity! It is perhaps interesting that “the wheel has come full circle” in regard to the attitude to nets. One has but to consult some of the Victorian literature to realise that nets were then an object of ridicule, and collectors often took pains to disguise them: hence the invention of the folding net. Now it seems the ridicule has tumed into abuse and even physical attack has now been recorded. We have recently been informed by the media of the phenomenon of “road rage”; is “net rage” about to overtake the poor entomologist? One is left wondering if those who so object to nets are equally vociferous in objecting to Government road and other schemes which are wrecking SSSIs and other ™ - . ht i rc ic a nn 3 Volume 55 « February 1996 45 | Bug unmasked by Maxwell Barclay (9229) 47 Tynemouth Street, Fulham, London Sw6 2QS. The photograph of “An unidentified bug covered in particulate debris” in the June 1995 Bulletin (Plate 951, Fig. 1) is a nymph of the Masked bug (Reduvius personatus) which, as the author Mr Guye suggests, is a Reduviid or Assassin bug (Hemiptera; Heteroptera; Reduviidae). The insect is quite common in and around human habitation in Europe, where it is quite beneficial, as it will feed on the larvae of flies, fleas, museum beetles and other undesirables. It is also found, more rarely, in Britain, where it is called the Fly bug. It is our largest native assassin bug. The nymph is camouflaged with dust, cobwebs and the like. This is probably both defensive and aggressive, as it is a voracious predator, but is also likely to be a tasty morsel for lizards, birds and spiders. Its camouflage is so good, that in a dusty corner it may escape the human eye altogether, except when it moves. Therefore, it often moves fast and suddenly, freezes, and then moves again, to minimise the amount of time spent moving. It is possible that its coating of loose matter also gives it some protection against the spider webs which abound in the habitat where it lives. If it brushes against a sticky strand, it may not become directly snared, but simply leave some of its coating behind. This form of camouflage was observed by Linnaeus in the 1700s, when he gave it its mame: -—Personatus’, meaning “Masked”. He also touched on its usefulness, saying “Consumit cimices lectularios huius larva, horrida, personata’ ie “Its horrible masked larva eats bed-bugs”. More than a century later the brilliant French naturalist J. Henri Fabre turned his all-seeing eye onto this species, and observed how, as soon as it hatches, the loose portion of the egg shell adheres to the newly emerged nymph. He goes on to say, “The insect exudes a certain unctuous humour... to this varnish the dust adheres without any further trouble on the insect's part. The Reduvius does not dress itself; it dirties itself; It turns into a pellet of dust, a walking bit of filth, because it emits a sticky sweat.” So, he observed, the process by which the bug acquires its disguise is passive, unlike those crabs which actively plant their shells with sea anemones and weedy matter. Fabre also disputes Linnaeus's observation about bed bugs, saying that they will no doubt be eaten if encountered, but not exclusively, or even for preference. Certainly this 46 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 is backed by my experience, as I have recorded the Masked bug on almost twenty occasions, but I have never found the Bed bug, nor has it found me, at any of these sites. The adult Reduvius is very different from its nymph, and probably more familiar, as it is a conspicuous insect. It is around 20mm long and chocolate brown or ebony black. It does not cover itself with debris, probably because it flies readily, and a coating of dust would interfere with its wings. It comes readily to light, and sits quite brazenly on walls indoors, almost always facing downwards. If one observes it for long enough, one will see it attack other insects by sidling slowly up to them, rushing them and stabbing them with its broad rostrum. If disturbed it will drop to the ground and then scuttle for cover or make short flights. If handled it will squeak alarmingly, and may stab one's fingers. The Masked bug is certainly an interesting insect, all the more so because one can observe it in the comfort of one's own home. Unfortunately, I have not yet encountered it in Britain. Possibly it is declining, like the Barn owl and the cellar beetle, because the habitat (outhouses, attics, stables efc.) is so rapidly being destroyed, converted or modernised. Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust Entomological Section by Ron Carpenter 26 Peter Street, Deal, Kent CT14 6DG. I would like to invite any members of the AES to join with me in the formation of an entomological section of the SBBOT. The aim is that of an active section in as many disciplines as possible in some 810 hectares of nationally important and diverse habitat. For further information please contact me at the above address or telephone 01304 381083. AES Members' Day & AGM Saturday 20th April 1996 at the Royal Entomological Society of London 41 Queen's Gate, London 10.00am — 4.30pm 36 Volume 55 + February 1996 47 The Living Carpet tile by Clive Betts (4976) Roseland, Poltimore, Exeter, Devon EX4 OXT. It was an otherwise normal evening in our basement flat in Teddington, Middlesex. I crossed the floor of the living room, checked the window was locked, reached up and tugged at the edge of the heavy curtains. The curtain did not budge. We did not usually close the curtains in this room so, thinking the rail was a bit sticky, I pulled harder. Slowly, fold- by-fold, the curtain material unfurled accompanied by a distinct tearing sound. Somewhat baffled I inspected the material. All along the bottom hem, where the curtain had rested on the floor, dozens of small, silvery-grey cocoons lay exposed, tiny trails of silk wafting from them where they had been ruptured by my tugging. What on earth had made such a large number of cocoons? I lifted the curtain clear of the floor. The carpet tiles upon which the curtain rested were composed of a coarse organic material like horsehair and here they looked distinctly frayed and soggy; we had a big problem with damp in this room. Forgetting the cocooned curtains I bent down to prise up the carpet tile. It moved. As I lifted one edge, the other edge gently wriggled away from me. I flipped over the tile and gazed with astonishment at some fifty or so fat, white larvae munching merrily away at the base of the tile. Each larva was about ten millimetres in length and had a shiny brown head and thorax. I prised up the adjacent tile: another thirty larvae; the next one, twenty or so more; and so on around the edge of the room. I ended up with over 380 larvae and 40 damaged tiles, some tiles with nearly 50mm of carpet eaten away. The larvae, clearly lepidopterous, were eating and tunnelling in the black tar-like base of the tiles, leaving the hairy covering almost intact: from above, unless you looked closely (or trod on the tile), the damage was mainly undetectable. The larvae were only present in the tiles around the edge of the room. Here it was damper and did not suffer too much trampling. They were at their densest by the window and occupied tiles up to one metre from the room's edge, although only in small numbers (three or four per tile) in the more remote tiles. 48 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society 36 At the time I was working for (the then) Commonwealth Institute of Entomology as a microlepidopterist and I had a feeling I recognised these larvae from somewhere. Sure enough, the following day I captured and identified an emerging adult. My living carpet tiles were in fact the larvae of the Brown house moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella, a magnificent name for a small and rather unspectacular moth! It ranges from about 8mm to 15mm in length, and is silvery-brown with long antennae and fringed wings. Frequently seen in homes, it can cause serious damage to woollens and other fabrics but I have not heard of Hofmannophila being associated with such wholesale destruction of carpet tiles. The males tend to run rather than fly when disturbed and they are good at sneaking in between folds of material, cracks and crevices to escape detection. The larvae need 80% humidity to complete their development: our damp basement flat, coupled with the food supply from our floor covering, created a perfect environment for the larvae. As for the carpet tiles: I spent a whole day lifting each tile, taking it out of the house and shaking free its inhabitants. I rather sneakily returned every tile to its former place and hoped any future purchasers would not notice that the floor covering was only about 70% tile, 20% larval droppings, silk and detritus, and 10% nothing .. . A note about identifying household insect pests: there are one or two useful books which will give you a good idea of at least the Order of insects with which you are dealing, and usually can frequently guide you to a precise identity. Insects like the microlepidoptera can be difficult to identify to species, but most indigenous pests in the UK are well known and readily identified without resorting to tortuous taxonomic keys. If you are having trouble coping with insects in and around the home try contacting your local environmental health officer for advice in the first instance. Here are some books worth looking at plus the guide I used to confirm the identity of my moth. Mourier, H., Winding. O. & Suneson, E. (1977). Collins Guide to Wildlife in the house and home. 224pp. Hicken, N.E. (1964). Household Insects Pests. Rentokil Library. London. Hutchinson. 172pp. Betts, C.R. (Ed.) (1987). CIE Guides to insects of importance to man. 1 Lepidoptera. Wallingford & London: CABI & BMNH. 262pp. | 4 Volume 55 « February 1996 49 Glow-worms in Wales by Sharon Flint 7 Church Brow, Halton on Lune, Lancaster LA2 OLS. iIngeatyveiuly 1995 4my husbandeand dawere engaged in‘ an entomological excursion to Anglesey. We were camped just on the border of Newborough forest, on the south-west of the island, within an easy reach of Llanddwyn island and Newborough Warren. The 5th of July saw our first sighting of two male Lampyris noctiluca, one in each loo on the campsite in the daytime (SH422652), both were looking rather worse for wear and so we took them as specimens. Our next sighting was at the Clynnog, main road entrance to Newborough Forest. Here on the road verge were twelve adult male Lampyris noctiluca. All were walking in roughly the same direction, into the forest, through the grassy sandy verge (SH415649). What were they doing out in daylight in the morning and where were they going? We do not know! Then, on the 7th of July, we explored Newborough Warren, to find, in the hollow of a large sand dune under some discarded cloth, at least four dead male glow-worms among the debris. The weather that day was cold and wet. Were the glow-worms, then, taking shelter and how had they died? I would be very pleased to hear of similar sightings and more about the ecology of this somewhat intriguing beetle. Purple and White-letter hairstreak butterflies in Hem Heath Wood, Staffordshire by Jan Koryszko (6089) 3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 JAY. After a number of reports during 1995 of sightings in Hem Heath Wood, Staffordshire of the Purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus) and the White-letter hairstreak (Strymonidia w-album). 1 visited the wood with John Baronovski on the 17th August 1995 and it was not long before we spotted these butterflies in the tree-tops. It has been almost twenty years since I have seen these two species in this wood. They were discovered in Hem Heath Wood by R.G. Warren, the County Lepidoptera recorder in the early 1970s and since then they have not been seen very often, until this year. No doubt the hot summer of 1995 has made them more common in the wood. 50 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society | Abbreviations BENHS British Entomological and Natural History Society. DNHAS Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. ITE Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. LCES Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society. LNHS London Natural History Society. LSL Linnean Society of London. RES Royal Entomological Society of London. RES(QG) RES Rooms, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7. I: Information from: To make the diary effective contributions are needed from members. Any relevant items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor. No charge is made for entries. Please allow three months advance notice. MARCH 1st 9th 11th ITE Workshop — Butterflies for the new Millennium. Monks Wood. A day's workshop costing £5 for participants. I: Paul Harding 01487 773381. BENHS Workshop — Molluscs. Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance. I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ. BENHS Indoor Meeting — Landscapes and Wildlife Conservation in New Zealand. RES(QG) 18.00hrs. Talk by Margaret Palmer. I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ. Volume 55 « February 1996 51 LCES Indoor Meeting — North Wales Invertebrate Conservation. Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs. BENHS Workshop — Aculeates. Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance. I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ. DNHAS Natural History Meeting — Beetles: Well I quite like Ladybirds! Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 19.30hrs. I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735. LNHS Meeting — Lives and Loves of the Ladybird. Linnean Society Rooms, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1, 18.30hrs. Michael Majerus form the Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge is the speaker. I: Catherine Schmitt 0181 346 4359. 16-18th A Symposium on British Saltmarshes — geomorphology, biodiveristy, restoration. LSL, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1. A look at the structure and biodiverity of British Saltmarshes. Day two consists of entomological lectures including: The aquatic Coleoptera of British saltmarshes, Factors affecting the Ground beetles of some British coastal habitats. The Rove beetles of British saltmarshes, Lepidoptera of British saltmarshes and Adaptive startegies of arthropods from UK saltmarshes. I: LSL 0171-434 4479 or by fax 0171-287 9364 or by e-mail: marquita@linnean.demon.co.uk. LCES Indoor Meeting — Leaf mining insects and their mines. Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs. BENHS Indoor Meeting — Plant-Insect interactions with particular reference to galls. RES(QG) 18.00hrs. Talk by Margaret Redfern. I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ. 52 20th 23rd MAY 1st 14th JUNE 5th 10th Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society tf AES AGM & Members' Day. At the RES(QG). Doors open from 10.00hrs for morning coffee. There will be four talks given during the day and members are invited to bring along specimens for identification if they so wish. The AGM takes place at 14.30hrs. Free refreshments will be available during the day. For further details see inside back cover of this Bulletin or the insert. I: Wayne Jarvis 01582 486779. BENHS Workshop — Saw/flies. Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance. I: Dr lan McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ. DNHAS Natural History Meeting — The elusive white — Butterfly bunting in Columbia. Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 19.30hrs. I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735. RES Meeting — Title to be announced. RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. A talk will be presented by a member of the Ecological Special Interest Group. I: RES 0171 684 8361. BENHS Indoor Meeting — Sex, Parasites and Venereal Disease in Ladybirds. RES(QG) 18.00hrs. Talk by Dr Mike Majerus. I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ. RES Meeting —AGM € President's Address. RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. I: RES 0171 684 8361. INHS Meeting — Invertebrate Conservation at Home and Abroad. At the Linnean Society Rooms, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1, 18.30hrs. Dave Clarke, Head Keeper of Invertebrates, London Zoo is the speaker. I: Catherine Schmitt 0181 346 4359. Published 20th February 1996 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society (Registered Charity No. 267430), from 4 Steep Close, Orpington, Kent BR6 6DS. ee MIDLANDS ENTOMOLOGICAL FAIR Granby Halls, Aylestone Road, Leicester Sunday 31st March 1996 10.30am until 4.30pm Adults 41.50 under sixteens 50p All major dealers in attendance. LIVESTOCK — PAPERED STOCK COLLECTING AND BREEDING EQUIPMENT BOOKS AND PERIODICALS — AFFINITY GROUPS INSECTS — INVERTEBRATES LARGE REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN SECTION EVERYTHING FOR THE ENTHUSIAST — SEVENTY STANDS Ample car parking Bar and cafeteria Enquiries: Jack Harris — 01455 846310 Diary note: Christmas Fair — 1st December 1996 The Moths and Butterflies of F- E BN Great Britain and Ireland —- Volume 3 HARLEY (Yponomeutidae to Elachistidae) os edited by A. Maitland Emmet — We must first apologize for the many delays in publishing this volume due to a combina- tion of circumstances beyond our control. We can now announce that it has reached the production stage and are therefore offering readers a last chance to purchase it at the pre- publication price. Volume 3 covers about 240 British species in the little-known microlepidoptera families Yponomeutidae, Epermeniidae, Schreckensteiniidae, Coleophoridae and Elachistidae. Like previous volumes, it is written by a team of authors with specialist knowledge of the families they describe. The Yponomeutidae are treated by David Agassiz; the Eper- meniidae by Charles Godfray and Philip Sterling; the Schreckensteiniidae (represented by only one species) by A. Maitland Emmet; the Coleophoridae by A. Maitland Emmet, with important contributions by John Langmaid, Keith Bland and Martin Corley; and the Elachistidae by Keith Bland. Distribution maps on a vice-county basis are provided for 234 species. The nine colour plates of adults have been drawn by Richard Lewington who has also depicted the larval cases of all the coleophorid species. Genitalia drawings for critical yponomeutid species have been drawn by Tim Freed; those for all the coleophorids are by Professor Jézef Razowski of Krakow, author of a monograph on the Polish Coieo- phoridae; and those for all the elachistids are by Keith Bland. Following the practice of other volumes in the series, there is a special introductory chapter, by David Agassiz, on established migrant and adventive Lepidoptera in the British Isles. There are also extensive reference and index sections. This volume contains a considerable amount of original research, particularly of the early, hitherto undescribed stages of many species, and also brings together and greatly augments information on these families published in Continental works making it available for the first time to English-speaking lepidopterists. It will be of great vaiue to entomologists both in the UK and overseas. approx. 400pp., incl. 9 col. pls., 8 duotone plates of larval cases, several hundred text figs and 234 maps. ISBN 0 946589 43 7 H/B price on publication approx. £70.00 pre-paid pre-publication price (c.w.o. by 31.3.96) £55.00 The Flora of Hampshire NEW! by Anne Brewis, Paul Bowman and Francis Rose Also of great interest will be the first Flora for nearly a century of this botanically and entomologically rich county. 408pp., incl. text figs and mono. & col. plates; 579 distribution maps. H/B ISBN 0 946589 348 £45.00; P/B ISBN 0 946589 53 4 £25.00 (p. & p. £3.00 extra) To order copies of the above titles, or for complete catalogue and details of SPECIAL TERMS available on many existing publications, please complete the coupon below: To HARLEY BOOKS, FREEPOST, Great Horkesley, Colchester CO6 4YY (01206 271216) | enclose my cheque/P.O./Please debit my charge card for copy/copies of MBGBI Volume 3 @ £55.00 copy/copies of The Flora of Hampshire @ £45.00/£25.00 Access/Visa/Amex a/c no. p. & p. (Flora only) £ Total £ N.B. Please quote exact account name and address. and/or details of special terms Address BIRTHDAY PRESENT PROBLEMS? = “eit Gard No. Expiry Pete Why not give a years subscription to Country-side and membership of the BRITISH NATURALISTS’ ASSOCIATION Hon. President: LORD SKELMERSDALE Address Hon. President of the Youth Section: DAVID BELLAMY BSc., PhD, FLS FIBiol. The BNA is a national body for naturalists and offers:- Field Activities for everyone Lectures Branch programmes throughout the country Journal COUNTRY-SIDE Field trips in the UK and abroad SUBSCRIPTION RATES Natural history publications endorsed by the BNA at reduced prices for members Ordinary members Insurance cover on branch and national activities (or if entitled to a state Retirement Pension... £10.00 p.a.) Blake Shield annual competition for young people Free Pack of WILDLIFE Notelets for every Family members new subscription (In which there is at least 1 ordinary member . . . £3.00 p.a. 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If you would like to see a specimen copy, please send your name and address, and a couple of second class stamps to cover postage to: The Editor, 14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2QP. Write now! You never know what you could be missing. The Entomologist's Record is an independent, non profit making journal. To ensure high standards of production we use Cravitz Printing Company. A NEW REPRINT FROM THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THE FIELD LEPIDOPTERIST by J.W.Tutt Written in three parts at the turn of the century, this book has been reprinted because it still represents the most comprehensive field guide covering both macro and microlepidoptera. Parts I to III all give a month by month guide to which species and stages to look for and how to find them. Part III also contains an extensive biological account of the early stages and how to keep, rear and describe them. 422 pages, Hardback. (Reprinted 1994). 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Telephone 01206 251600 AES MEMBERS' DAY AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Saturday 20th April 1996 at the Royal Entomological Society of London, 41 Queen's Gate, SW7 HOW TO GET THERE there is no car parking facility at the R.E.S. and it is therefore strongly advised that public ransport is used. 3y Train: The nearest mainline station is London Victoria from which the under- ground or bus systems should be used. 3y Underground: South Kensington Station is served by Piccadilly, Circle and District Line trains. Gloucester Road Station is served by Circle and District Line trains. To Hyde Park Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine imperial 7S EEE Road Royal Entomological a | (Rosai Entoinolonical Soulety 41 Queen’s Gate Queen’s Gate en’s Gate Place Science Museum $s : 3 & 4 5 5 Victoria and 5 Naturai History Museum ‘Ss Albert Museum Baden Powell oO 2 House x A4 Cromwell Road to oe Ej A THe outh Kensington Tube Cromwell Piace Harrington Road (Piccadilly, Circle and District Lines) Pethan, a ec 4 Ro on ave out BE 0 50 100 Metres mm, | he ae ‘ Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society 7 7 CONTENTS | Junior Section: INombeér-5. 20)28 ee ea a ee 3 | J. Hay. Sheep nostril botfly (Oestrus ovis): Larval infestation of the conjunctiva of a B@GOUNIN. 252.5222 52S Asta ee doe 23s = W. Jarvis: Some notes on the summer of'95: .....:... Sy ; 3 A. Wakeman-Dawson. Ringlet (Erebia) butterflies in Greece. ..............ceseseeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 5 a @. Eetts..the livme carpet tle: spaces saleetannssUlwaance Geert suey sso Seee ees, ee eee Az : Short Communications | M. Pennington. Red admirals and washing lines .0............:seesceesseceeeeescensceeeeeeeeseeeees 2 | R.. Eades. A Feathered ranunculus on board) .2..2 22.2): ee I L. Winokur. Never mind the molluscs . . . Here come the moths! «0.0.0.2... 23 | D. McNamara. Son of Silver Y: Note on Autographa gamma. ..........::1eccsesceeeteeeeeteeees 1 P. Roy. Notes on the Silkmoths Rearer's Handbook. ....:..2...---2.-Ses-c<:02-eeoen snes 29 B. Gardiner. Foodplants of Swallawtail larvae. .....-..... 2.2 SO] 5 D. McNamara. A note on Bacillus rossius, the Corsican sfick INS@GH <2. ean eee Seed G. Best. What's tna name? <2..2 ie 32 | C. Jones. New records-for Wales: ..c....5.05.0cc cee 36 B. Dickerson. The Brown argus (Aricia agestis) in Huntingdonshire (VC31).. ............. 37 } M. Clausen. Unidentified caterpillar in Saurland, Germany. ..............::csscceeseesseeeseeees 38 C. Nicholls. Inseet:translocations» .....-..--24<062ccctenees ee 38 | J. Koryszko. A rare find at Wyrley Common, Staffordshire. ...............:::::sceeeeseeeeeeeeees At ots A. Picknell, R. Eades & B. Phelan. Dragonflies — Food for hobbies? Some answers. 42 : F. McGann. A Magpie moth: in Ayrshire. .....-6..0-.<.con ae eee Ae | B. Gardiner. Banned nets leads to inaccurate records. ....2.:<....:<2cecesece--ccesseeereecnnee=see 44 M. Barclay. Bug unmasked, 5...2..5.2. occ. cccice acetal sees canacencuctachbanceseg cece ee 45 R. Carpenter. Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust Entomological Section. ............ 46 . S..Flint.:Glow worms in Wall@s.........:.3ce0. (cates ecceencscensect teseessns tee te J. Koryszko. Purple and White-letter hairstreak butterflies in Hem Heath Wood, 49 StahOnAShines .cocs cca eck seas esas enact onda /ecmemhntcn ns eeabees ce taceet scat Rete ec 49 Ecditeiiall 03, csciecssaecsots wx pha cia Geweannemapeeeh meen piace amend Oy Rees 1 Book Reviews — Wandelnde Blatter, Stab-und Gespenstschrecken ........::cesssceeeeeeeeeees 39 Insectes: un autre Monde parMi NOuS (JOUrMal) ...........seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 40 Diary Date. 0.0 i. .ccsccccesessuttonnecccednunecbasauttanstadnsassete ckaneus eben et tees ce CCSah Ge GaSe ne 50 © 1996. The Amateur Entomologists' Society. (Registered Charity No. 267430) All rights reserved. Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA. rere Volume 55 ¢ Number 405 > < as oe eB) ©) = = = = Founded in 1935 Where to write For all Society business, please write to: AES PO. Box 8774 London SW7 5ZG Officers of the Society President: Rob Dyke Secretary: Wayne Jarvis Treasurer: Andrew Locke Registrar: | Mark Colvin Bulletin Editor: - Wayne Jarvis General Editor: Mike Bonsall Advertising Secretary: Rob Dyke Exhibition Secretary: | Roy McCormick Youth Secretary: Darren Mann ICN Editor: David Lonsdale Wants & Exchange: Caroline Willmot Habitat Conservation Officer: Martin Harvey Subscriptions: _ First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under 18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12. Subcription due by the 1st January each year. Advertising Rate: The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25. Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary, address as above. NOTICE lt is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed he pages urmai are s those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings ancial grants offered or sous quests ne information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Ec Officers and Council o Society is Trustees be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance there OL( GY Lf 3RARY || sherborne, =U DT9 4QN. Tel 01935 “oF MiisclueeNd THD ane Catalogue of livestock specimens and equipment. | ie Sy 1996 | i Please mention AES. 5Op in stamps would be greatly appreciated. ALSO on request, Specialist Catalogues of British, European and Exotic set and papered specimens “Worldlife Registered charity At Compton House, Nr. a Cine Worldlife has evolved from Worldwide Butterflies. As well as magnificent butterfly displays, » conservation organisations are showing what “ais being done for the environment, and how all can become involved. Situated on A30 Yeovil-Sherborne Road. Open daily Apr-Sep. Tel 01935 74608 E.W. CLASSEY LTD ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS BY MAIL SINCE 1949 Antiquarian, second-hand and New books Special offers and forthcoming book news Booksearch service. Please send your “wants” list Regular free catalogues and specialist lists Books bought Valuations Oxford House, Marlborough Street, Faringdon, - Oxon SN7 7DR UK Tel. 01367 244700 Fax. 01367 244800 Our Faringdon shop has a large stock of Entomological & Natural History books and prints MICROSCOPES * Specialist suppliers of stereo RESEARCH miciocsopee (or EOE EME studies. ASSOCIATION All instruments suitable for photography and drawing 18 NORTH ROAD attachments. Large stocks of used CARDIFF RBcrdion, inatunnente rom CF1 3DY Books, slides, stains, equip- te ment — the complete service. For Scientific and Technical 30 page illustrated catalogue information on Bees (Apoidea) plain appiceiatee especially Honeybees (ApisSP). Telephone helpline for enquiries and viewing appointments 0272 591551 Please write to the above address for open until 10pm daily. details of publications and membership. A specimen copy of “Bee World” is obtainable for SOp. BRUNEL MICROSCOPES LTD Unit 8, Pickwick Workshops, Park Lane, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 OHN WATCH OVER !rust ESSEX ‘ SUPPORTER \ . SS SN ' = bon 4 aa 7 PRINTING COMPANY LIMITED 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA. Tel: (01277) 224610 Fax: (01277) 262815 THE 2nd E.L.G, SPRING ENTOMOLOGICAL FAIR \\ (i) SUNDAY 12th MAY 1996 PATTISHALL VILLAGE HALL (between Pattishall and Astcote), Nr. TOWCESTER, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE * MAIN LIVESTOCK DEALERS ATTENDING * *BUTTERFLY/MOTH LIVESTOCK & SPECIMENS * * INSECTS, SPIDERS, EQUIPMENT & PLANTS * * EXCELLENT RANGE OF LEPIDOPTERAL EINES ROS EEE 8 : 1?) * OPEN 12.00 — 4.00pm * NORTHAMPTON Refreshments available ADULTS £1.00 CHILDREN 50p E.L.G. CARDHOLDERS 50p Tel: 01327 830853 (Mike Bayley) Tel: 01909 550272 (Paul Batty) ~ Sout EXHIBITION NOTICE AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION SATURDAY, 5TH OCTOBER 1996 KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex Doors open at llam e Admission £1.00 Members free on production of pass to be issued with the August Bulletin. For further information please write to: The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG. The cover of this issue of the Bulletin depicts the head of a OF the Amateur Entomologists” Society fly abanus bromicus). Volume 55 * Number 405 April 1996 ISSN O266-836X Editor: Wayne farvis BSc Photo: Nick Holford Bu ulletin L ihe ue Entomologists’ Society Volume 55 ° Number 405 April 1996 Editorial Increasingly over the years, the collection of insects has been seen as unacceptable throughout Europe by the general public. Indeed, feelings in some European countries have resulted in collecting effectively becoming forbidden. This in turn, has severely reduced or halted the recording or monitoring of insects species. In the UK, there are numerous natural history societies which all have their own views on collecting. Some are totally against it, except for the gathering of scientific knowledge. There are, however, “extreme” conservationists that would welcome legislation banning all collecting. The collection of specimens in the field must continue in furthering our knowledge of the science of entomology. It is fundamental that the pieces of as many ecological jigsaws are put into place as soon as possible if we are to save species that are threatened. Without the knowledge to put these jigsaws together, conservation will not be based on any understanding. However, the collection of insects as a hobby along the lines of “stamp collecting” is, I feel, another matter. In saying this, the breeding and setting of captive bred (and I stress captive bred) stock, does littlke harm, and gives great pleasure, as well as having great educational value to the entomologist. The AES Exhibition which is held annually, is obviously a large insect fair, selling much livestock and deadstock. The vast majority of traders obtain their specimens from captive bred stock or sell set specimens which were collected many years ago, when collecting was more acceptable. The AES is aware that it faces a major problem with the Exhibition with the sale of specimens, but similarly does not feel that the indiscriminate ban of the sale of these specimens would achieve anything. Britain has one of the most comprehensively studied and best known insect faunas in the world, largely through the work of the amateur. A lack of insect recording and monitoring due to a ban on collecting may actually tie the hands of the conservation bodies that need the data to fight land developers. 54 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 The Council has, therefore, decided that certain species of insect, which are so seriously threatened by extinction, are not acceptable for trade at the AES Exhibition or by inclusion in the Society's Wants and Exchange List, with immediate effect. Rather than compiling an AES list of species, we have decided to use the following established lists as grounds for not accepting species for sale: British specimens of species listed in the Insect Red Data Book of Britain IUCN Red list of threatened animals EC Habitats Directive The Biodiversity Action Plan These lists comprise over 1000 species, although many are very small, very local and very rare. They are, therefore, unlikely to be offered for sale at all. However, those species which are included which are likely to be offered for sale include: . The Mexican red kneed tarantula, the Lepidoptera; Ornithopteras aesacus, O. dlexandrae, O. chimera, O. croesus, O. meridionalis, O. paradisea, O. rothchildi, O. tithonus, Papilio antimachus, P. homerus, P. hospiton, Parnassius apollo, Troides andromache, T. dobertyi, T. prattorum, Artogeia virginiensis, Lycaena dispar, L. hermes, Maculinea arion, M. telieus, M. nausithous, Coenonympha oedippus, 6 Erebia species, 3 Charaxes sp., Graellsia isabelae, Hyles hippohaes, Proserpinus proserpina and the beetles C. intricatus and C. olympiae, Mormolyce Dhyllodes, the ghost walker, four stag beetles including Lucanus cervus, Buprestis splendens (the jewel beetle), and the rare European longhorns Cerambyx cerdo, Rosalia alpina and Morimus funereus. A full list can be obtained by sending a SAE to: Insect List AES PO Box 8774 London SW7 5ZG. These measures have been introduced in an attempt to strengthen the status of the amateur, and will hopefully show that as amateurs we are committed to studying insects in this country in order to aid their conservation. 34 Volume 55 « April 1996 55 Easter break in Norfolk (13th to 18th April 1995) by George Tordoff (9555) 68 Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire BD19 3BY. Faced with the prospect of spending the whole of the 1995 Easter period studying for my forthcoming A-level examinations, I decided to spend a few days with my parents in Norfolk. After all, surely six days away from the books couldn't hurt? Considering the time of year, as well as the lack of room available in our car, I decided against taking my m.v. lamp and generator, opting instead for the small portable Heath trap. The small house in which we stayed was situated just a few miles off the north Norfolk coast, in the village of Briston. A nice garden was located to the rear which seemed ideal for the moth trap. We awoke to glorious sunshine on the first day, and with the weather being pleasantly warm I decided to go searching for butterflies. Six species were recorded along the narrow country lanes, including two male Brimstones (Gonepteryx rhamni) and a Comma (Polygonia c- album). Unfortunately, the weather deteriorated after the first day, becoming mucnh- cooler and cloudier. This resulted in no more butterflies being recorded during our stay. The nights were also cool, with a minimum temperature of about 5°C on average. The Hebrew character (Orthosia gothica) and the Common quaker (O. cerasi) were predictably the commonest species of moth at light. A fine specimen of the Streamer (Anticlea derivata) was taken on the 14th (my first record of this moth in six years of trapping) and an immaculate male Purple thorn (Selenia tetralunaria) graced my trap when it was left in nearby mixed woodland for one night. After an hour or so of patiently scanning tree trunks on the 106th, I came across a female Waved umber (Menophra abruptaria) about two feet from the ground, making up somewhat for the strain caused on my eyes during this time. The final night was meteorologically one of the worst I have ever bothered to put my trap out upon, with heavy rain, strong wind and the temperature falling to 4°C. I was mildly surprised then to find three moths hiding inside in the morning, including a singleton of the Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) in remarkably good condition to say it could have been on the wing for six months. 56 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society se Ten species of moth were recorded in all, along with a list of 61 species of bird compiled by my father and me. It was sad to leave on the long journey back to Yorkshire, where the moth season doesn't even start to pick up until mid-June in our neck of the woods. It even snowed for a time while passing through Nottinghamshire, illustrating the unpredictability of the April weather in Britain. Mantids and Cockroaches Meeting and Study Group by Phil Bragg 51 Longfield Lane, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 4DX. Tel: 01159 305010. There appears to be a growing interest in Praying mantids and a number of people have recently expressed interest in forming a mantis study group. The major problems for anyone rearing mantids seem to be finding a mate for their adults or homes for the surpluses! Finding information about mantids, and identification of species, also present problems, especially for beginners. To try to get around some of the problems I propose forming a mantis study group which will produce a newsletter and a list of names and addresses of interested parties. To form the group, there will be a meeting at Dudley Zoo on Saturday 18th May. The meeting will be combined with the Blattodea Culture Group meeting. It is hoped that there will be a good selection of livestock (both mantids and cockroaches) on show at the meeting so, if you can, bring yours along! Access to the Zoo site will be by free tickets, to get these and further details about the meeting send a stamped addressed envelope to: Adrian Durkin, 8 Foley Road, Pedmore, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 8RT. Please note this address is only for details of the meeting or for information about the Blattodea Culture Group. If you are interested in mantids but are unable to attend the meeting, send a stamped addressed envelope to me at the address above; I will send out an information sheet after the meeting. I would be particularly pleased to hear from anyone before the meeting if they wish to help with the organisation of the mantis group. 34 Volume 55 «+ April 1996 57 Unbanned nets by Maitland Emmet (1379) Labrey Cottage, 14 Victoria Gardens, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3AF. I read Brian Gardiner's article on banned nets (Bulletin 55: 44) with interest and sympathy, but I would have preferred to know all he had to say to the crude Comma butterfly which rudely interrupted him in the middle of a sentence. The best way to deal with do-gooders is aggression. Here is an account of an actual incident, though of course I can't remember the precise words used. Indignant lady: “Why must you catch all the butterflies?” Me: “Actually, I'm not catching butterflies at all; but how splendid to meet someone who is interested in conservation. Which conservation body do you belong to?” I. L.: “I beg your pardon?” I repeated my question with explanatory amplification. I. L.: “I'm not a member of any conservation body”. Me? vetmayou “have the ‘effrontery to criticise me, who was a contributing author to the Red Data Book on endangered insects; who in my younger days joined working parties to improve habitats by clearing scrub; who by my study of life histories have helped to provide the information needed for planning conservation policy — you should be ashamed! Now if you give me your name and address, I'll arrange for your county Wildlife Trust to send you an application form for membership, so that at least your money can help the cause you hold so dear”. At this point the indignant lady ran away, weeping copiously. [Editor's note: The “crude Comma” on page 44 of February's Bulletin did indeed cut Brian off short. In fact only one word was omitted, this being “habitats”. Apologies for this omission. ] 58 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 84 A Moo-ving experience by Graham Best (7928) 12 Hortham Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4JH. My technique for sugaring is to paint it in strips onto plywood boards which are stored and carried face-to-face in black polythene sacks. The boards gradually get impregnated with sugar and it is a clean and convenient way to carry them. It is also very economical on sugar except on one occasion when I left the boards set up only to discover when I returned to find a mooing herd of cows had licked it all off. I found later that molasses were an ingredient of silage and the smell had attracted them. A visit to Prees Heath and Whixall Moss, Shropshire by Jan Koryszko (6089) 3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 JAY. On 5th August 1995, Derek Heath, Charles Byatt and myself set out for Shropshire. It was a very hot and sunny day, and our first stop was to visit Prees Heath to see the Silver-studded blue (Plebejus argus). We were not disappointed and several photographs were taken. It was a wonderful sight to see these beautiful butterflies. I also took an Ear moth (Amphipoea oculea Linn) on a ragwort flower. It resembled one of the many forms of the Large ear moth (Amphipeoa lucens Freyer) but on dissection by Bernard Skinner proved to be A. oculea (I would like to thank Bernard Skinner for examining the genitalia). It appears to be the only example of this genus that has been recorded flying in sunshine. We then moved on to Whixall Moss, where we saw large numbers of dragonflies around the water-filled ditches. Also of note were the number of trees which had been scorched by the very hot sun. Horse- flies were abundant — they seemed to be attracted to my black sun-hat. These flies had iridescent green eyes with orange patches on a dark abdomen and they had a vicious bite, no doubt the females of Chrysops relictus and a few Tabanus bromius. We saw a few Brimstone butterflies (Gonepteryx rhamni), all males. The most abundant moth was the Chevron (Eulithis testata Linn.) which we beat in quite large numbers from trees and shrubs. Also recorded were the Manchester treble-bar (Carsia sororiata anglica Prout.), the Blue-bordered carpet (Plemyria rubiginata rubiginata D. & S.), the Flame (Axylia putris Linn.) and one Dot moth (Melanchra persicariae Linn.). 3¢ Volume 55 « April 1996 59 Spain 1995 by M.J. Dawson (9130) 66 Tivoli Crescent, Brighton, Sussex BN1 5ND. The main reason for this trip was to study the Ascalaphids (Neuroptera). With the kind co-operation of the Agencia de Medio Ambiente in Madrid, authorisation was obtained to capture insects, including butterflies. Only four species were exempt, due to their rarity: Iolana iolas Golas blue); Plebejus pyalon (Zephyr blue); Plebicula nivescens (Mother of pearl blue) and Agrodiaetus fabressei (Oberthir's anomalous blue). Of these, only one P. nivescens was seen and this was out of the Madrid autonomous region. The only EFrebia retained was one E. triaria (de Prunner's ringlet). Our main hope was to find £. zapateri (Zapater's ringlet) but we were probably too early, as this species flies in late July and August. The main area studied was the eastern Sierra de Guadarrama, to the north-west of Madrid. The most common ascalaphid was Ascalaphus longicornis (Plate 96E, Fig. 1) which occurs in northern Spain and south and central France. In most places where A. longicornis was flying another ascalaphid A. cunii was found. In fact, the latter became more common the farther east one travelled. They fly together in the air. It was noticed that A. Jongicornis usually moved parallel to the ground, while A. cunii had an inundating flight. Only one specimen of A. baeticus was seen. This species is very similar to A. cunii, the main difference being in the heavy cross-veins in the forewings of the latter, as described by H.W. van der Weele in his monograph of the Ascalaphidae 1908. One writer treats these two species as one; there is, however, no overlap in the two forms, which would probably occur if these were variations of one species. A. coccajus (Plate 96E, Fig. 2) does not occur in the Madrid region, although it is very common in northern Spain, particularly in the Eriste (Huesca) area. Expectations of finding the two ascalaphids Bubopsis agrioides and Deleproctophylla variegata (Plate 96F, Fig. 3) were not fulfilled. Both these are given by van der Weele as occurring in Spain. The least frequently seen of the indigenous ascalaphids is Puer maculatus. A few specimens have been captured in southern France, around Marseilles, Nimes and Hyeres. Then none was seen for many 60 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 years until the capture of two specimens at Estagel, France, in 1981. Another was seen in the Sierra del Negrete in Spain in 1982. Lastly, a specimen was captured near Albarracin (Spain) in 1987. We searched long and hard but none was seen. 7 Any information on ascalaphids would be welcomed for publication with photographs of the European and North African species: An orgy of male Stag-beetles Zucanus cervus L.) by Michael G. Guye (10024) 1 route du Gat Mort, 33050 Cabanac et Villagrains, France. During the hot dry summer evenings of June, Stag-beetles are commonly seen on the wing here in my corner of the world in south- western France. Their slow heavy flight together with their particularly large size is unmistakable. On the evening of the 25th June 1995 I decided to do a spot of gardening. At 10pm, as dusk was falling, I heard a steady low humming noise at a distance of around ten metres from where I was digging. On approaching the source of the hum I realised it was coming from the large clumps of tall bamboos growing at the side of the house. It appeared to be coming from one clump in particular on the edge of the bamboo “plantation”. Closer examination quickly revealed numerous male stag-beetles in flight, hovering up and down the leaves and stems of this clump. Several more were walking in a frenzied fashion on the leaf litter at the base of the plant, as well as on the leaves and stems. On one stem, at about one and a half metres from ground-level, there was a group of five males that seemed to be engaging in a free-for-all fight. The bamboo plant seemed to be literally “alive” with these beetles. What was the cause of this “swarming” behaviour? Much to my surprise a close search for female stag-beetles proved negative. Therefore the attraction to this clump of bamboo was not due to the presence of females. This clump of bamboos grows very close to the soak-away for our domestic sewage. Could human contraceptive pill residues in this waste have been absorbed by the roots of the bamboo and somehow made the plant sexually attractive to male stag-beetles? Perhaps this idea is a bit far-fetched. Can anyone offer any other possible explantation for the above observation? 36 Volume 55 « April 1996 61 Hanging around in the woods: Long-leggedness in a leaf beetle by Richard A. Jones 13 Bellwood Road, Nunhead, London SW15 3DE. Lankiness is a characteristic typical of many leaf beetles of the subfamily Clytrinae, but unlike other long-legged insects, it is the disparity between the long front legs and the relatively shorter middle and hind legs which gives the beetles their distinctive form. This long- leggedness, particularly pronounced in the males, has earned the group the American name “baboon beetles” (eg Arnett, 1993). The subfamily contains few species; in Britain only four are recorded (Kloet & Hincks, 1977); in central Europe 24 (Mohr, 1966); in Australia two (Lawrence & Britton, 1994), and in the USA about 40 (white, 1983). Erber (1988) gives a table of world-wide distribution of this and other subfamilies of the Camptosomata. The habits of few species are not known in any detail although it has long been known that many of the larvae are myrmecophilous and construct a case from their frass (eg Westwood, 1839; Erber, 1988). One very interesting paper was written by Donisthorpe (1902) on Britain's commonest species Clytra quadripunctata (L.) in which he describes how the beetles mate and how the females hang from branches whilst coating each individually-laid egg with excrement before dropping it to the ground below, where it will hopefully be picked up by ants and taken back to their nest. These observations are summarised in his later work on myrmecophiles (Donisthorpe, 1927). During a recent visit to the United States I had the opportunity to observe a North American clytrine species mating and “hanging about” in the herbage and offer a few observations on these curiously convex and slightly clumsy beetles. The evergreen oak woodlands of central Florida have a_ thick undergrowth of herbs and shrubs. A medium-sized red and black clytrine beetle, tentatively identified using Arnett (1993) was common on the leaves of many of these shrubs. Mating pairs were frequent. The males in particular have very long and curved front tibiae, presumably to grasp the females during mating. Both sexes are convex and semi-globose and during copulation the male hangs precipitously to the back of the female. Together the pair orient to form an almost right-angled coupling (Figure 1) appearing very ungainly. 62 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 Figure 1. Right-angled coupling of the leaf beetle. While the male's hind legs grip the underside of the female's abdomen, his middle and front legs hook their long claws under the rim of elytra behind the middle. This is in marked contrast to Clytra quad ripunctata the male of which clings to the disc of the female's elytra with broad tarsal pads (Donisthorpe, 1902; Erbur, 1988). Invariably, the mating pairs were seen attached to the edge of a leaf. The female maintained a firm grip of the leaf edge using her legs like clamps, one set pressing down on the upper surface, the other three reaching beneath the leaf and pressing up onto the underside. Here the beetle pair remained almost motionless while coupled. The females were sometimes seen alone, also gripping the leaf edge, but now hanging down from the leaf (Figure 2). Again, the beetle held the leaf margin in a firm clamp-like clasp, but now using only front and middle legs while the hind legs were held out along the body axis. The head and antennae were pressed hard against the under surface of the leaf and the body was held down at an angle of about 45 degrees. 34 Volume 55 «+ April 1996 63 Figure 2. A female leaf beetle hangs upside down from the leaf. At the time I thought this was a novel resting or roosting behaviour, or perhaps an unusual feeding technique, allowing for the beetle to “hide” under the leaf, yet feel for vibrations in its feet and antennae which were flattened against the leaf. However, after reading Donisthorpe's (1902, 1927) descriptions and examining Erber's (1988) photograph it would seem likely that these beetles were egg-laying. Unfortunately I did not think to look for this event at the time. During the process of oviposition in Clytra the back tarsi are used to mould a coating of frass around each egg. Whilst the frass is being applied, the egg is held in a depression at the tip of the abdomen and a similar depression is present in the females of the Anomoea species. In Anomoea the sexual dimorphism apparent in the front tibia length is quite marked. In females the front legs are about 25% longer then the middle pair, but in the males they are about 40% longer. Though the males may use their long legs to clasp the females during mating, the females too have relatively long legs which they use to goo advantage when hanging down from a leaf edge — perhaps loitering with intent to lay eggs. 64 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 References Arnett, R.HJr. (1993). American Insects. A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. Sandhill Crane Press, Gainsville. p.374. Donisthorpe, H. St. J.K. (1902). The life history of Clythra quadripunctata, L. Transactions oe the Entomological Society of London. 1902: 11-24, Plate III. , (1927). The Guests of British Ants: Their Habits and Life Histories. oS Routledge & Sons, London. pp. 61-62. Erber, D. (1988). Biology of Camptosomata Clytrinae — Cryptocephalinae — Chlamisinae — Lamprosomatinae. In: Biology of Chrysomelidae. Ed. P. Jolivet, E. Petitpierre, & T.H. Hsiao, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht/Boston/London. pp. 513-552. Kloet, G.S. & Hincks, W.D. (1977). A check list of British insects. 2nd edn, rev. R.D. Pope. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects X1Q3): 73. Lawrence, J.F. & Britton, E.B. (1994). Australian Beetles. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne. p. 153. Mohr, K.H. (1966). Clytrinae. In: Die Kafer Mitteleuropas. Ed. H. Freude, K.W. Harde & G.A. Lohse. Goeke & Krefeld. 9: 115-122. Westwood, J.O. (1839). An Introduction to the Classification of Insects: Founded on the Naural Habits and Corresponding Organisation of Different Families. Longman, London. Vol. 1, p. 386. White, R.E. (1983). A Field Guide to the Beetles of North America. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. p. 293. 595.78 by Graham Best (7928) 12 Hortham Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4]H. Oh, 595.78, what pleasures you introduced to me for so many years. Newman, Hyde, South, Harmen, Stokoe, Ford .. . you filled me with visions of flower-filled valleys, blues on the hills, browns in the meadows and fritillaries in the woods. The kitchen perfumed with darkest of Barbados sugar and rum and the pressure lamp hissing as dark shapes filled the air. Apple-green and purple-striped privet larvae clinging to twigs, pupae wriggling in beds of peat and atropos squeaking as I held them gently but firmly. Monarchs flapping like bats around the buddleia and the wings of Peacocks rasping as they flexed their wings for the very first time. The merry dance Clouded yellows led me over fields in 1947 and little faces appearing from rock hard cases as Puss moths entered the world. One hundred wings of Adonis shimmering in a cage and the thrill as dispar spattered the dock with eggs. Undercliffs at Ventnor and my first Red underwing at m.v. These and so many other delights you led me into. Thank you Messrs Newman, Hyde, South, Harmen, Stokoe and Ford and thank you 595.78. God, how I loved that shelf. t Volume 55 « April 1996 65 Marbled beauty in Glasgow by Frank McCann (6291) 3 Langbar Path, Easterhouse, Glasgow G33 4HY. Before Christmas I bought a small hand-lens, magnification 10x. I wanted it for studying the markings on larvae which I might find. I was at Westercraigs in Dennistown, Glasgow about one week before Christmas and noticed a garden which had a growth of moss and lichen on a wall surrounding it. I took off some moss and on examining it I discovered two small larvae which I would identify as the Marbled beauty species. I examined them on the spot with my lens and noticed the shiny black heads of the caterpillars, the greenish body colour and the raised black dots with hairs arising from them. They were small, around quarter of an inch long. I put them in a small container with moss and lichen. I found the species at various other places — again it was under moss on walls etc. I searched for it at Riddrie, Glasgow where my friend Margaret stays, but with no success, until, when going towards St. Thomas's Church where there was a cleaning operation of the red sandstone wall of the church. A man was firing a powerful jet of water at the moss, lichens and algae growing on the wail, I spoke to him briefly, and then walked on about two or three yards. I took a small piece of moss from the red sandstone wall and on examining the underside I found a small larva of the Marbled beauty moth. I scraped some lichen off the wall further on and put it with the larva and the moss into my small tobacco tin. I also discovered the species at Swinton (three larvae); and just yards from my front door at Langbar Path, on moss-covered debris on the ground behind Queenslie Service Station, a garage on the Edinburgh road. I found other species as well around New Year. On Ist January I found a caterpillar in a garden under a piece of newspaper near a friend's house in Easterhouse. In confinement it fed on grasses and various plants. I found a few more caterpillars — mostly Lesser yellow underwings at Bargeddie Parish Church area and at Molinsburn, a small village near Cumbernauld. All were found on pieces of paper efc, on the grassy roadside verges. The date of finding the Marbled beauty at St. Thomas's Church, Riddrie was 7th February. I was feeding my other larvae on grass, a broad-leaved species from my garden, plus dandelion, primrose, plantain and slices of potato and turnip when the weather was too wet to supply them with leaves or grass. J also fed 66 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society sé them on lettuce. It has been a good start to the year for me and I'm looking forward to the coming months when a lot of species will be even more in evidence and a bit easier to collect. How long does a Devils coach-horse live? by Jan Koryszko (6089) 3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 7AY. On 2nd September 1994, after workmen had been in my house, I noticed a Devils coach-horse beetle (Ocypus olens) running across my living-room carpet. I captured it and gave it to my friend Mr Derek Heath who kept it in captivity for 14 months. It was well looked after with a rich diet of corned beef, chopped chicken and a small number of other insects. I would be most interested to know how long this beetle lives in normal conditions, and whether the captivity diet helped it live longer. There are not many books on Coleoptera which give this information. Many years ago, back in 1972, I purchased two Camberwell beauty butterfly pupae CVymphalis antiopa L.). They both hatched, one lived for 12 months and the other almost 14 months. I fed them on sugar and water with honey on cottonwool pads. I noticed that warm water on the pads seemed to make them feed more often. During the winter they were kept in a cool dark room, and every ten days or so I would bring them into the warmth of the living-room where they would wake up to feed and fly around the room for a while. They were then returned to the cage in the dark room. During the summer they fed daily and were kept in normal conditions. Undoubtedly some insects in captivity do live longer. Hornet moth record by Jan Koryszko (6089) 3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 JAY. On the 21st July 1995 Mr Alan Flannagan of Normacot, Longton, Staffordshire, telephoned me at work telling me he had found a Hornet moth (Sesia apiformis) sitting in his back garden on a fence, in the early morning sunshine. It has been ten years since this species has been recorded in Normacot, Longton, Staffordshire. 36 Volume 55 * April 1996 67 Notes on the genus Sinopieris in China by Hao Huang Qingdao Education College, China 200071. In this paper, the female genitalia of the genus Sinopieris is examined and compared with the genera Pieris, Pontia and Aporia, with the conclusion that two old species, “Pieris” davidis Oberthur 1876 and “Pieris’ davidis var. venata Leech 1891 belong to the genus Sinopieris. All of the specimens here dealt with were captured by the author between 1990 and 1993 and are preserved in my collection. In my preceding paper (Huang, 1995), I described a new genus Sinpieris Huang 1994 to comprise the “dubernardi-group” and a new species Sinopieris gongaensis Huang 1994 mainly based upon the external features and male genitalia. The morphological diversity in wing shape, wing pattern and male genitalia between this genus and Pontia (including Pontia callidice, the type species of the genus Synchloe) has been well documented. Little however, has been discussed in terms of the difference between this genus and the genus Pieris. Sinopieris. differs mostly in the female, where there is the presence of a postdiscal band in forewing space two. In addition, Epstein (1979) has pointed out that there were no androconia to be found on the entire “dubernardi-group”. The scent scales are also absent in Sinopieris gongaensis. Since there is no stable diversity in the male genitalia between Sinopieris and Pieris, | examined the female genitalia of many typical species of these genera and those belonging to Pontia and Aporia. Based upon the comparative morphology of these structures I came to the conclusion that the genus Sinopieris was a good genus which can be distinguished from Pieris as well as Pontia and Aporia. : Comparison of female genitalia (Figures 1-3). Accessory pouch The corpus bursae has an accessory pouch in Aporia, Pieris, Sinopieris and Pontia, except for Pontia chloridice. Signum In Aporia (1 examined many Chinese species), the signum is a single long bilobed and dentate bar on the inner face of the dorsomedian 68 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 (1) Aporia hippia (2) Pieris melette (3) Sinopieris dubernardi Figures 1-3. Female genitalia consisting of lateral views of inner and outer genital plates of right sides and corpus bursae of dorsal view of the corpus bursae to show the signum (at top of each figure). | 36 Volume 55 * April 1996 69 surface of the corpus bursae, distant from the opening of the ductus bursae. In Pontia the signum is a single long bilobed bar as in Aporia, but near the opening of the ductus bursae. In Pieris the signum is a smelemoilobed?) plate “or pair “of “lobes on’ the “inner ‘face’ of « the dorsomedian surface of the corpus bursae, sometimes (in Pieris melete, P. napi, P. eurydice etc.) with a slender tape extended towards the ductus bursae, weakly curved downwards in lateral view. In Sinopieris (including “Pieris’ davidis and “Pieris’ davidis venataO the signum is a single very long oar-like band extended along the dorsal margin of the corpus bursae. Its broader part is also longer, more denate and much closer to the opening of the accessory pouch in dorsal view. The slender part is bent strongly downwards in the middle, and bent strongly upwards near the end, giving a characteristic S-shape in lateral view. Ductus bursae The ductus bursae is very long in Aporia, but slightly shorter and not as long as the corpus bursae in Pontia , Pieris and Sinopieris. In these three genitalia it is also colourless and non-sclerotised (except for Pontia callidice). Genital plate In Aporia, the genital plate is conspicuously smaller and the dorsal process much longer than in Pontia, Pieris or Sinopieris. The outer genital plate is semi-circular in Pontia daplidice and Po. callidice, whilst in Po. chloridice and other genera it completely envelopes the inner genital plate. Conclusion Aporia This genus is sharply different from Pontia, Pieris and Sinopieris not only by its weak sexual dimorphism and forewing vein R4 not obsolete, but also by its female genitalia: genital plate exceedingly small with a long dorsal process and ductus bursae and its signum being a bilobed bar on the inner face of the dorsomedian surface of the corpus bursae. 70 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 Pontia This genus can be easily distinguished from Pieris and Sinopieris not only by its wing-shape, wing-pattern and male genitalia but also by its female genitalia: the signum being a bilobed bar near the opening of the ductus bursae. Pontia chloridice (Type species of the genus Pontieuchloia) shows slight differences from Pontia daplidice and Po. callidice in that the accessory pouch is absent and the outer genital plate being non-semicircular. Therefore, the genus Pontieuchloia probably merits being separated from the genus Pontia. Pieris Although there are several conspicuous morphological resemblances between Pieris and Sinopieris, they are slightly different from each other in the forewing postdiscal band and androconia and the female genitalia. Pieris has a bilobed plate or pair of lobes as a signum, on the dorsomedian surface of the corpus bursae, whilst in Sinopieris the signum is undoubtedly longer, non-bilobed and with its slender part S- shaped. Sinopieris As mentioned above this genus can be easily distinguished from other genera noted here by female genitalia. Snail-dwelling wasp by Philip Wilkins (7607) 78A New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3EQ. Whilst walking in the Andalucian mountains near Ronda, I picked up an empty snail-shell. On closer inspection, however, I discovered that it was occupied by an insect. Try as I might, I failed to dislodge the individual. I think the only way to have got it out would have been to break the shell. Only the abdomen (orange and black), hind legs (yellow) and wings were visible. The insect seemed to be a wasp, but I could not be completely certain (Plate 96F, Fig. 4). The shell had clearly not housed a live snail for some time. I would be interested to know What the wasp was doing. Had it pupated in the shell? Would it be laying eggs? Was it merely looking for food? Is there another explanation? 3 Velumes5e April 1996 71 Winning the battle against pupal parasites by Patrick Boireau ‘La Jungle des Papillons”, 309 avenue de Mozart, 00000 Antibes, France. Translated from /nsectes, no. 84, 17 — 18 (1992) and reproduced with permission from the author and OPIE. All breeders of Lepidoptera have the disagreeable surprise some time or other of seeing hymenopterous parasites or a tachinid fly emerge, instead of the eagerly-awaited beautiful butterfly or moth. This is most disappointing and impulsive breeders will not hesitate in giving vent to their anger by squashing the parasites; those of a more phlegmatic nature use a killing bottle charged with cyanide of potassium or ethyl acetate. However, are you quite sure you have killed them all? We know for certain that a single Swallowtail chrysalis can contain more than fifty microhymenoptera. If you receive specimens of native livestock and breed them, you will be irritated, but it is not a major catastrophe. However, if you are keenly interested in foreign species and import livestock from abroad, ai Unpleasant imeident such as this can have more serious Consequences. aS, tmere is’ the ;danger of these’ tropical parasites becoming established in this country. Indeed, escapes are always possible. It is not easy to control these microhymenoptera, compared With’ spmttertiies: and: moths; on account of their small size, their possibilities of adaptation must not be under-estimated and most certainly not neglected. Finally, the situation can become critical for anyone in charge of the butterfly houses which have been established in Europe these last few years and which regularly import very large numbers of chrysalids. It is absolutely essential for us to be aware of the dangers involved when importing chrysalids and to act responsibly. We must be able to identify chrysalids which have been attacked, so as to control the parasites. How to recognise parasitised chrysalids A parasitised chrysalis can be recognised in two ways: Careful examination on receipt. Puparia and pupae of parasites which pupate outside the chrysalis can sometimes be found by examining the surface of the chrysalis, the silk used for spinning the cocoon and the packing material (cotton wool) 72 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 which was in contact with the chrysalis. I carried out. such an examination of some pupae of Urania ripheus, and this enabled me to detect some mites. The larva or pupa of a parasite can sometimes be seen through the shell of the chrysalis. This often happens with Pierids such as Eurema and Delias. ae Owing to the flaccidity of the cuticle between the abdominal segments, the chrysalis appears to be somewhat longer and often becomes softer when dead. This is an indication that the fleshy material inside the chrysalis has liquefied. It can be caused by a large number of diseases, mostly due to a virus. However, it sometimes means that parasites are_ present. Change of colour. Abnormal brownish coloration. Comparison with the species' normal biological cycle. Given some experience and provided you know something about the biology of the species received and those you breed, you will find a butterfly usually spends less time as a chrysalis, compared with a parasite. In the case of Papilio polytes, for example, where we have experienced the highest rate of parasitism, the pupal stage rarely lasts longer than about twelve days at 25°C. At the end of this period, provided the chrysalis has not dried out and seems to be alive, given its mobility and the flexibility of the abdomen, then it is most certainly parasitised. In this case it is advisable to isolate the chrysalis in a test- tube or a small transparent box, so that it can easily be kept under observation. Above all, make sure you close the container, using a very fine netting. A woman's stocking will do, but do not let the parasites jostle each other for too long after they have emerged, as some Hymenoptera can easily make a hole with their mandibles. They should then be killed and sent to an expert who specialises in the group to which the insect belongs. As a result, you will know which parasite attacks a particular butterfly and at the same time you will also provide research workers with material which can often be extremely useful. This is why it is important that chrysalids should always be arranged in sequence in accordance with the pupation date or, if this cannot be done, the date when breeding began; this will make it easier to cope with whatever happens. 3é Volume 55 « April 1996 73 Besides, when importing entomological livestock, the breeder never places an order for just one chrysalis per species, but expects to receive a batch of chrysalids from the same location, and certainly from the same breeding stock, which probably pupated on the same date or thereabouts. If, for example, by the twentieth of the month you still have two chrysalids left, while the others have produced butterflies on the tenth, then there maybe something wrong. How to control the parasites. When chrysalids have recently been parasitised, the presence of foreign bodies passes unnoticed. At least, at the present time, we have so far not found a way to detect parasitism when in its early stages. This explains why these chrysalids have not been put on one side when first examined. it eniewrecord laas been ‘kept of the pupation date or when the chrysalids arrived, and if their development has not been scrupulously followed, the parasites will emerge freely and it is then absolutely essential to control them as soon as they emerge so that they cannot attack healthy chrysalids. With tins s.Object,., | propose two. solutions based on the photosensitivity of these parasitic insects. The first solution is best suited to those who only import.a smail amount of livestock. In this case, fie imported chrysalids are arranged in a well-sealed box which does does not allow the parasites to escape; the ventilation-holes are covered by wire netting with a very fine mesh. The box has one or several transparent jars fitted into one side, with the top end of the jar pointing inwards (see figure 1). Only one side is transparent (glass, plexiglass, PVC, etc.). This could well be the door, but it must not be the side containing the jars. This allows the sheasallicle to receive the light and you can observe them at your leisure. If any parasites emerge, all you have to do is to cover the transparent side so that the inside of the box is completely dark. The jar will then be the only remaining luminous point, and the parasites will immediately rush into it. The second solution mainly concerns those who import large numbers of chrysalids. Accordingly, this will apply especially to those in charge of exotic butterfly houses. The principle is the same, but a small chamber is used instead of a box. The following construction is 74 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ee Chrysalids, arranged on their support Seal, door/box After the door has been covered, the parasites will enter these jars. Handle of transparent door. Fig. 1. Diagram of box for emergences, where small numbers of imported chrysalids can be kept. used at the Antibes butterfly house, which I have managed for the past four years. This chamber, which we call the “emergence zone”, is relatively well sealed. Seals are fitted around the door, and netting with a fine mesh is used for the ceiling, to ensure that the chamber is well ventilated. There is a large window-pane, which enables visitors to see the chrysalids inside. The chamber is not lit, this large window-pane is the only luminous point and the parasites make their way towards it as soon as they emerge. This makes it easy for us to locate them when they move about on the window-pane. We can then easily collect them and then send them to an expert who can identify them for us. Personally, I send them to Mr Panis of INRA, Valbonne, to whom I would like to express my thanks. I draw up a card whenever one or more parasites appear, giving details of the host (species, family, origin, date of arrival, etc.) and the parasite itself (species, family, origin, date of arrival, efc.). All this information will be invaluable to you as well as to the expert specialising in Hymenoptera or Diptera, as the case may be. This will be of mutual advantage and enable us to know these fascinating creatures even better. a Wolunmetse)aeeeerile1oa6 75 Explanatory notes Nowadays parasites are divided into two large groups: True parasites spend all or part of their life-cycle preying on one or several hosts, but do not necessarily cause the death of the host. Parasites are referred to as internal or external, depending on whether their development takes place inside or outside the host. Parasitoids complete their life-cycle by preying on just one host. They necessarily cause the death of their host when they have completed their parasitic cycle (definitions according to C. Riba and C. Silvy, 1989, Combattre les ravageurs des cultures, INRA, 230pp.). Most cases mentioned in this article concern parasitoids. However, I have used the more familiar word parasites on purpose so as to simplify the text. A Long-tailed blue Zampides boeticus ) in Kent by Barry Dickerson (8422) 27 Andrew Road, Eynesbury, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 2QE. On 27th August 1995 eleven members of the Huntingdonshire Moth and Butterfly Group held a field meeting in Kent. The object of the meeting was to find and photograph the Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus) which, although the weather was not ideal, we managed to find in reasonable numbers during the morning. After a short break for lunch we drove to the Sugarloaf. Hill/Castle Hill complex, near Folkestone, to look for other butterflies to photograph. It had now become cloudier and was quite windy on the tops of the hills, but we carried on regardless. As we made our way back towards the cars one of our members saw an unusual-looking butterfly feeding from a flower, he quickly boxed. it and found it to be a Long-tailed blue. We dared not release it for photography as we were sure it would quickly disappear from view, so all the members, with cameras, photographed it in the plastic box. We then tried to release it back onto the flower from which it was taken, and I managed to grab a single shot of it as it walked from the box, but it quickly took flight, disappearing into the distance almost immediately. 76 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 A continental visitor by Francis Farrow (10191) “Heathlands”, 6 Havelock Road, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8QD. On 12th August 1995, while walking over the Beeston Regis Common, ‘Norfolk I noted a small dragonfly of the darter type fly up from rest. It flew high and as it passed overhead two conspicuous dark patches were seen on its wings close to the body. After a while it again settled and a stealthy approach revealed that it had amber-yellow coloured areas on its wings, identifying the dragonfly as the Yellow-winged darter (Sympetrum flaveolum), a migrant continental species. The Common lies within half a mile of the coast and where I was walking was a small bog fringed with sallow (Salix sp.), with black bog-rush (Schoenus nigricans) tussocks and areas of Juncus sp. being the predominant vegetation. In this areat four individual dragonflies were present and two others were in the vicinity of a nearby pond and stream. They all appeared to be males, apparently the more usual visitor (McGeeney, 1986). The colour of the abdomen was generally a pinkish-red to scarlet with black along the sides. The pterostigma was also of a reddish hue as illustrated by the photograph I managed to get (Plate 96G, Fig. 5). When disturbed the dragonflies tended to fly high (to the level of the surrounding sallows i.e.-five to six metres) and in a wide arc before settling close to the ground on a rush or flower-head (generally less than 30cm high). Y) p Wo BY DUR if . ny) y Earlier in the week, the local paper, The Eastern Daily Press, had reported an influx of continental insects at Great Yarmouth (40 miles east), particularly the Yellow-winged darters and a number of Camberwell beauty (Nymphalis antiopa) butterflies. Reference McGeeney, Andrew (1986). A complete guide to British dragonflies. Jonathan Cape, London. 34 Volume 55 + April 1996 77 Humming-bird hawkmoth in Aylesbury by Michael Pitt-Payne 18 Church Way, Stone, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8RG. In August 1994 we moved to a new house in Stone near Aylesbury which has been built on a site which was previously a farm-yard. It backs onto farmland and we have a clear view of more than nine miles to the Chiltern Hills. The back garden is an area of 70 feet by 60 feet. When we arrived it was a wilderness of uncultivated weeds with very little sign of wildlife. During the past year we have been working to create a garden which will attract insects, birds and amphibians. The combination of a pond, a bird table and a careful selection of plants has proved to be a great attraction. What appeared to be a wilderness devoid of life twelve months ago has become a regular haven for wildlife. We have observed a good variety of butterflies and insects during the summer. The highlight came at 7pm on the 31st August 1995, when we observed a Humming-bird hawkmoth feeding on the clumps of lemon bergamot which my son has planted all around the garden in great profusion. The moth took very little notice of us while we stood still watching it hover before each plant in turn as it stuck its long tongue into the base of the flowers to feed. It had a powerful flight: one moment it was hovering within a few inches of our legs and the next it was twenty feet away feeding at another plant. After some time it disappeared and we have not seen it since, but the memory of its grace and beauty will remain with us for years to come. Humming-bird hawkmoth in Staffordshire by Jan Koryszko (6089) 3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 7AY. On 5th October 1995, while visiting the Potteries shopping centre, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, I observed a Humming-bird hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum, Linn.) flying around bedding plants and visiting flowers of Petunia. The moth was seen for around ten minutes, then it darted off at great speed in the sunshine. 78 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 Hand-pairing Swallowtails by R.C. Watts (7875) Honeymead, Back Lane, Kingston Seymour, Clevedon, Avon. I have bred Swallowtails (Papilio machaon) for many years and have always hand-paired them quite successfully, although a bit of time was spent trying to coax them together. I have read a lot of literature on the subject regarding how to hold the abdomens and use the thumb-nail to hold the male's claspers apart etc. A number of my friends were unsuccessful and gave up in frustration, so I thought there must be a better method and I hope those who use this method described below will find it much easier and take a lot less time. Methodology: One thin headless pin and one small block of wood the size of a matchbox. The pin should be vertically positioned in the centre of the block of wood. The male is held with wings together between the forefinger and thumb with the legs up and the abdomen facing out. I don't leave the abdomen sticking out too far as they tend to wriggle too much. I then take the female in the other hand holding her the same way — both abdomens should be facing together. I then put the male's calipers against the pin about half way down it. The pin is then edged between the male's calipers. Once this has been achieved the male should be moved sideways a little — this will open the claspers and the female can be put in position with the male. They can then be slid up off the pin and held together’ for. az-couple . of <=) minutes until mating has started. When their legs have stopped wriggling and _ their bodies stopped pulsing; mating has usually commenced, and the pair can then be hung up in a cage. If they part within an hour mating has not usually been successful and I try again using another male. I find the best times are mornings and evenings or when the sun is not too hot and the butterflies are not too active. The males can be used several times and this method is successful for a number of species. Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 1. Ascalaphus longicornis (Spain 1995). Male. Wingspan 48mm. Fig. 2. Ascalaphus coccajus (France 1994). Male. Wingspan 45mm. PLATE 96E Volume 55 + April 1996 36 LFS ~ SQ mg @ es ape SDs ope Se SS rome - LS $F o = ama” , Tes ce aa A aes ELE € Ugleproctophyila variegata Fig. 3. Deleproctophylla variegata (Greece 1995). Wingspan 43mm. “i : = = * lie! Rigs ” eA . aa & 4 ‘ ie ag eee... ‘ ed Fig. 4. A snail-dwelling wasp? PLATE 96E Fig. 5. The Yellow-winged darter (Sympetrum flaveolum) PLATE 96G > ~ oO rs) oO op) w ~ a) (@)) 2 Oo £ (e) ~ S Lu L S| o) ~ © = , iN ~ NN N NS / N 2 mm Fig. 2. A female Lopaphus brachypterus with a figure of the egg and genitalia. are brown and almost reach the end of the fourth abdominal segment but the female is unable to fly even when unladen with eggs. The final abdominal segments are slightly broadened with the anal segment truncate and the operculum rounded at the tip just exceeding the end of the anal segment. The legs are robust and greenish-brown. Dark broad sub-apical spines are present on all femora, being more conspicuous on the middle and hind femora. The first segment of the tarsus is elongate. Foodplants The original adult female caught was feeding on Aidia wallichiana (Rubiaceae) in the wild. In captivity, these insects thrive on guava (Psidium guajava L. Myrtaceae). Bramble is almost always rejected and British and European breeders to whom I have given these insects have had no success in raising this species. 82 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Typical measurements of Lopaphas brachypterus (mm) Male Female Body length 55-60 78-107 Antennae 57-64 43-57 — Head 2-2.5 4.5-5 Prothorax 2-2.5 5 Mesothorax Alte) 19-20 Metathorax VS 9-11 Elytra 4-5 7-8 Hind wings 30-34 ZO Abdomen and median segment 35-40 53-58 Femur: front 18-19 20.5-24 mid IIB IRIES) 13-14 hind 15-16 18.5-19.5 Tibia: front 17-18.5 18.5-21 mid 10.5-12 12-12.5 hind 1547 17-19 References de Haan, W. (1842). Bijdragen tot de kennis der Orthoptera. In Temminck CL, Verhandelingen over de natuurlijke Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche overzeesche Bezittingen. Vol. 2. Liden 45-248. Kirby, W.F. (1904). A synonymic’ catalogue of Orthoptera. Vol. 1, Orthoptera, Euplexoptera, Cursoria, et Grescoria (Forficilidae, Hemimeridae, Blattidae, Mantidae, Phasmidae). Longmans & Co., London. Redtenbacher, J. (1908). In Brunner von Wattenwyl, K., Redtenbacher, J., Die Insektenfamilie der Phasmiden. Verlag Engelmann, Leipzig Seow-Choen, F., Tay, E.P., Brock, P.D. & Seow-En, I. Foodplants of some Stick-insects (Phasmida=Phasmatodea) from Singapore. Malay. Nat. J. 1994, 47: 383-0. Stal, C. Recensio Orthopterorum. Revie critique des Orthoptéres décrits par Linné, de Geer et Thunberg. Vol. 3: 4-105. P.A. Norstedt & Soner, Stockholm. Westwood, J.O. (1859). Catalogue of orthopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part 1. Phasmidae. Wood-Mason (1877). Notes on Phasmidae. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 46: 342-352. 36 Volume 55 * April 1996 83 Ladybird, ladybird, fly to my home! (or how to attract ladybirds to your garden) by Michael E.N. Majerus (4027) Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH. One of the main reasons for the enduring popularity of ladybirds as a group is that they eat aphids and other plant pests and so are considered to be beneficial: This being so, one of the commonest questions I have been asked while running the Cambridge Ladybird Survey has been: “How can I encourage more ladybirds to come to, and stay in, my garden?” This question usually comes from people who are conservation minded and would prefer not to use insecticide sprays to rid their gardens of plant pests if there is a natural biological alternative. In this article I will try to answer this question, offering advice on what one should or should not do to encourage ladybirds to take up residence. My suggestions are based on fifteen years of observing and scrutinising ladybirds in gardens, in the Cambridge area and elsewhere, throughout the year. I have put this advice into practice over the last four years (while I have lived at my current address) with some success, for I have recorded over half the British ladybird species in my garden this year, and as I write this Gin early October), I share my house with over 2000 ladybirds that have moved to overwintering sites around window frames and in my loft. A personal fondness for ladybirds is not the only reason for writing this article. The encouragement of wildlife in domestic gardens has become an important conservation theme. Private gardens now cover a considerable area of Britain, and over the past couple of decades the importance of this land has gradually been recognised. This is partly because, as individuals have different tastes in the style of garden they prefer, the type of plants they want, and the amount of time they have to devote to their own bit of Britain, a group of domestic gardens often exhibits an extraordinary diversity of habitat types, and is very species rich. With a little care and forethought the diversity can be increased yet further with very little effort or expense. The result will be of benefit not only to ladybirds but to a diverse array of other wildlife. A number of general points are worth noting at the outset. First, different species of ladybird have different hostplant or habitat requirements. Some species are habitat generalists. These species may occur on a wide array of different plants, their main requirement being that the plant supports a good supply of food. This is true of the 2-spot 84 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 (Adalia 2-punctata), 7-spot (Coccinella 7-punctata), 11-spot (Coccinella 11-punctata), 14-spot (Propylea 14-punctata) and 22-spot ladybirds (Thea 22-punctata), the former four of which feed on aphids, while the 22-spot feeds on powdery white mildews. All of these species commonly occur in domestic gardens. Other species are slightly more specific, in that they may show a preference for a group of plants of a particular type. For example, the leaf-eating 24-spot (Subcoccinella 24- punctata) and the mildew-eating 16-spot (Tytthaspis 16-punctata) frequent long grass habitats, the kidney-spot (Chilocorus renipustulatus), 10-spot (Adalia 10-punctata), cream-spot (Calvia 14-guttata) and orange ladybirds (Halyzia 16-guttata) are most common on deciduous trees, while the pine (Exochomus 4-pustulatus), striped (Myzia oblongoguttata), cream-streaked (Harmonia 4-punctata), larch (Aphidecta obliterata) and eyed ladybirds (Anatis ocellata) prefer needled conifers. The final group are those that are rarely found in gardens, because they are either very hostplant, or very habitat specific. The 18-spot ladybird (Myrrha 18-guttata) is found almost exclusively . on mature scots pine (Pinus silvestris), the water ladybird (Anisosticta 19-punctata) is found principally on reeds and rushes, while the heather (Chilocorus bipustulatus) and _ hieroglyphic — ladybirds (Coccinella hieroglyphica) are species of heather heathland. The scarce 7-spot ladybird (Coccinella magnifica) and the 5-spot ladybird (Coccinella 5-punctata) are both found on a fairly wide array of plants, but in very specific habitats, the former only being found close to wood ants' nests, and the latter being restricted to unstable river shingles in Wales and Scotland. Second, ladybirds have different requirements at different times of the year. In practice, the ladybird year can be split into three periods. From mid-April until mid-July, most ladybirds require high-grade food for reproduction and development. Ladybirds are somewhat unusual among the insects, in that the adults and Jarvae both feed on the same principal food (sensu Hodek, 1973 — food that promotes reproduction and allows full larval development). While most species are predatory on aphids, coccids or adelgids, three species feed on mildews and one is phytophagous. The main reproductive period varies a little from species to species, partly as a consequence of these different food preferences. Two of the coccid feeders, the pine and kidney-spot ladybirds, may begin breeding as early as March if spring comes early. On the other hand, the mildew feeders rarely begin to breed until mid- June. In the latter part of the summer, once the new generation of adults has emerged from pupae, the main preoccupation of the young 3¢ Volume 55 « April 1996 85 adults is to build up their nutrient reserves for the winter. In doing this they will often feed on alternative foods (sensu Hodek, 1973 — foods that aid survival, but do not promote reproduction). The alternative foods that predatory species will take include a wide range of other invertebrates, whether alive or dead, and including other ladybirds, pollen, nectar, honey-dew and plant sap or resin. A few species, such as the 2-spot and the 10-spot, may breed again, producing a partial second generation in the middle of the summer if aphids are plentiful. However, these species are the exception rather than the rule, and: in Britain most species have a single generation in most years. The final and longest period of the year for ladybirds is the winter. All the British ladybirds pass the winter as adults. As food is generally difficult if not impossible to obtain, they become dormant, finding sheltered spots out of the worst of the winter weather. The different requirements of ladybirds at different times of the year have to be catered for if one is to encourage them to take up residence. While it may be inappropriate to try to ensure that one's garden has too many aphids in the spring and early summer — part of the idea in encouraging ladybirds is, after all, to get rid of aphids — much can be done for ladybirds in the latter part of the summer and through the winter, as detailed below. Furthermore, it is possible to plant some tree and shrub species which are likely to support aphid populations without obvious detriment. While we may be keen to keep our roses, sweet peas, cabbages and runner beans aphid free, we are less worried about aphids on oaks, birches, hawthorns or lime trees. Such trees can then support a reservoir of ladybirds which will move of their own volition onto other plants that become infested with aphids. The following advice is given in the form of a series of points. While it may not be possible in any particular garden to put all these points into practice, due to constraints of garden size, location, time availability and other uses the garden is put to, the value in terms of encouraging wildlife, and ladybirds in particular, is largely additive, so any action will show some return; but the more one can do, the greater the benefit. General 1. Do not use general chemical pesticides in the garden. If pesticides must be used, read the label and use brands which claim only to harm the target pests. Preference should also be given to brands that degrade rapidly. While general insecticides are the most important to avoid, some general fungicides and herbicides also have a detrimental effect 86 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 on ladybirds either directly or as a result of gradual build-up because they are taken in with food. The amount of information we currently have on the effects of many pesticides on specific non-target species is pitifully small. Usually, we simply do not know whether a particular pesticide is harmful to a particular ladybird. Best practice is thus to avoid use of chemical pesticides whenever possible, seeking alternative means of control. Spring and early summer 2. Plant a diversity of species. Many species of aphidophagous ladybird move form one hostplant to another as aphid populations wax and wane. This is particularly true in the reproductive season. Ladybirds of most aphidophagous species usually lay eggs when aphid colonies are fairly new. This is for two reasons. First, the aim of a reproductively mature female is to ensure not only that there is suitable food for her offspring when they hatch. As neonate ladybird larvae are very small, the female has to ensure that there are aphids close at hand, but that these are of a size that the tiny larvae will be able to subdue. Young aphid colonies contain a high proportion of aphid nymphs in early instars, which are thus suitable for the young larvae. Second, because ladybird larvae are highly cannibalistic, and will frequently eat eggs of their own species if they come upon them, females avoid ovipositing near aphid colonies which are already being attacked by ladybird larvae. Rather than risk her eggs being cannibalised, a female will move on in search of colonies that are not already under attack. As the infestation of a particular type of plant by aphids during the year is usually fairly synchronised, this generally means moving to another hostplant. 3. Aphid food is essential for over half the British species of ladybird to breed successfully. This may be most easily provided without detriment to the flowers or vegetables in the garden if certain trees, shrubs or weed plants are available. Best species to plant or encourage, for the aphid-feeding generalists, are lime, oak, birch, goat willow, hawthorn, blackthorn, bramble and stinging nettle. Generally, the aphids that attack these trees and plants will not do serious damage to them, nor will they transfer to other more precious plants. 4. Favour native species/varieties of plant and tree rather than imported ones. Native species usually support a greater diversity of insects. This is particularly true of tree species. Of the deciduous trees, the hybrid 34 Volume 55 « April 1996 87 lime, Tilia x europaea, is the best, followed by either of the larger native birches, Betula pendula and B. pubescens. Of the oaks, either Quercus robur or Q. petraea will support good aphid and coccid populations, and the evergreen oak, OQ. ilex, is also very good for 10- spot, 2-spot and cream-spot ladybirds. If a needled conifer is to be planted, Scots pine (Pinus silvestris) is by far the best, although Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and Norway spruce (Picea abies) will also support aphid or adelgid populations. Given constraints of space, if just a single tree can be accommodated, I would choose the Scots pine because of the number of hostplant-specific ladybirds that favour this tree. These include the eyed, striped, cream-streaked, larch, 18-spot and pine ladybirds, and several of the generalists will also breed upon it, or use its foliage to provide overwintering sites. A useful alternative is a fruit tree, such as a Bramley apple or a cherry tree. Both may support good breeding populations of ladybirds, particularly 2-spots and 10- spots, and they provide shelter sites and food in the later summer. 5. A pond is always a joy in a garden. Depending on size, reedy plants may be planted. Reed-mace (J/ypba spp.) and common_ reed (Phragmites australis) are the best plants for some _ species of coccinellid, but are too large and vigorous for most garden ponds. However, yellow flag Uris pseudacorus) is an elegant plant and may attract the water ladybird (Anisosticta 19-punctata) and either of the two small species of coccinellid belonging to the genus Coccidula. These three species not only breed among the foliage of reeds, rushes and flags, but remain upon them throughout the year, overwintering tucked down between the dead leaves. 6. Leave a “weedy” area, or preferably two, somewhere in the garden. One may be on previously cultivated, nutrient-rich soil, which will often support a nettle patch. This may become host to 2-spot, 7-spot, 10-spot, 14-spot, cream-spot and pine ladybirds. A nettle patch may also provide a breeding site for some of the Nymphalid butterflies such as Peacocks CUnadchis io), Small tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae), Red admirals (Vanessa datalanta) and Commas (Polygonia c-album). The other may be on an area of grass that gets at least some sun and which is only cut once a year, preferably in mid-July. The resulting long grassland habitat may encourage 16-spot, 22-spot and 24-spot ladybirds to settle, as well as some of the smaller species of coccinellid, such as Rhizobius litura and Nephus redtenbacheri. Alternatively, a wild area may be created by digging over a patch of earth and allowing natural 88 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 plant colonisation of this patch. Best results are obtained if the soil has not been) fertilised! intithe recent spast “Such ant arcasenceds alittle maintenance save for the removal of species which will overwhelm it, such as nettles, creeping thistle, bramble, ground elder and so on. Late summer 7. Because many coccinellids augment their diet with nectar in the late summer, in, preparation for winter, late flowering nectar plants are important. Buddleia, the so-called “butterfly bush”, is useful in this respect and will attract several species of ladybird to its flowers (as well as many butterflies). To prolong the nectar supply, buddleia is best dead-headed every second or third day. Other useful nectar plants in this respect are Michaelmas daisies (Aster spp.) and ice plants (Sedum spectabile). In addition many types of legume attract ladybirds at this time of year, the ladybirds feeding on the sugary solution secreted from extra-floral nectaries. 8. Do not remove foliage of plants such as spinach, hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), dogwood (Swida sanguinea) or oak that is covered with powdery white mildew until mid-October, or later in mild autumns. This mildew provides food for 22-spots, 16-spots, and occasionally the orange ladybird, when these are feeding-up for the winter, and in “late” years, larvae and pupae of these species may be found well into September. Winter 9. Leave low rosettes of dead leaves on perennial plants throughout the winter, and clear them in the spring. These provide overwintering sites for many coccinellid species. In the same vein, disturb ground cover plants as little as possible in the winter, as these too may be used as winter sheltering sites by many ladybirds. Blackberry patches and hedges of many types should also be disturbed as little as possible, and pruning should be left until the spring, if this is not to the detriment of the plants in question. 10. Plant some species particularly for the use of ladybirds in the winter. Two foreign plants, pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) and Cypressus x leylandii, and two native species, gorse (Ulex europaeus) and Scots pine, are especially notable in providing overwintering sites for ladybirds. The tight protective tussocks formed by pampas grass ° 34 Volume 55 * April 1996 89 attract many species which overwinter close to the ground, while the evergreen foliage of the other species offer many sheltered situations for coccinellids which overwinter higher up. 11. If a hedge is to be planted at any time, favour a mixed deciduous one. A hedge comprising a mix of hawthorn, blackthorn, dog rose, privet, beech, and shot through with cultivated or wild brambles, is ideal for ladybirds. Beech, privet and bramble, while strictly deciduous, retain their leaves through most of the winter, and so provide good winter shelters for many ladybirds. Other ladybirds will overwinter in the leaf litter at the base of the hedge. However, the beauty of a mixed hedge is that it will also provide breeding sites for many species in the spring. 12. Some ladybirds, particularly the 2-spot, often overwinter inside houses. They usually do so in around or inside window frames, or in lofts, although some may take up residence in cool rooms. There is littlesthal meeds, to be done to encourage ladybirds to do this in your own home. If you have a house that has the right sorts of site, the ladybirds will find their way in. It is best if these ladybirds are left alone throughout the winter while they remain inactive. As many overwinter along the hinge edge of windows, it can be useful to check these in October, and if ladybirds are present there, open that window as little as possible, if at all, until the spring, lest the beetles are crushed. In early spring in-house ladybirds may require some help. At this time of year, they often become active on sunny days, appearing on the inside of windows searching for a way out. The ladybirds, having fasted for many months are likely to have low nutrient reserves, and they cannot afford to waste energy trying to find an exit. These should be put outside, preferably during the warmest part of the day, but at least two hours before sunset. 13. If sharing one's home with hundreds of ladybirds throughout the winter does not sound very appealing, alternative sites can be provided that will divert many ladybirds from entering houses, but not drive them away completely. One that I have found to work particularly well involves the collapsible wooden trellises, available from most garden centres, that are commonly used to support climbing plants up the side of buildings; Iam particularly fond of climbers such as honeysuckle, wisteria and clematis, but against the side of a house these do need some support. Providing wooden trellises not only gives the plants 90 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society L] something to climb up, but provides ladybirds with ideal overwintering sites between the back of the trellis and the brickwork. It is also worth noting that another climber, ivy, that does not usually need help in climbing a wall, alsc often provides shelter for ladybirds in the winter. Finally, watch and learn. Every garden is different and the ecological balance in a garden will vary from place to place and year to year. Try to watch ladybirds in your own garden, determine their requirements and act accordingly. Note which plants they breed upon, and where they pass the winter. Know their early stages so that eggs, larvae and pupae are not destroyed accidentally or in error. And try to teach the rest of your family and your neighbours.. Because the subject of the advice you give is ladybirds, and “Everyone loves a ladybird”, you may be surprised how open others are to good conservation practice. Reference Hodek, I. (4973) Biology of Coccinellidae. Jank: The Hague; Academia: Prague. Sugaring plates for moths and butterflies by Jan Koryszko (6089) 3 Dudley Place, Meir. Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 JAY. Over the years I have tried a number of sugaring methods; Mr R-H. Heath showed me a method he uses in his garden. This consists of a tin or china plate, between eight to twelve inches wide and around three inches deep, which is filled with soil to the rim. Treacle and syrup or honey is poured over the soil and rotten fruit may also be added. Diluted sugar water should be sprayed on the soil every couple of days and more treacle and syrup added. The plate should be put a few inches off the ground on bricks and in a sheltered spot out of the wind. The results are very good. A number of butterflies visit during the day: the Red admiral, Peacock, Comma, Small tortoiseshell and a large number of moths at night such as; the Large yellow underwing, Red underwing, Copper underwing and Old lady moth, as well as wasps, flies, ants, beetles, slugs and snails, not to mention frogs, toads, bats and hedgehogs. I recommend these plates to any entomologist. I have recorded the Angle shades moth (Phlogophora meticulosa) almost every month of the year, and some quite late Yellow underwings CVoctua pronuba). ii a 34 Volume 55 + April 1996 91 Insects of the Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya, April 1994 by Stuart Cole (1059) 24 Broom Close, Broom Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 ORJ. There are a group of mountain ranges in north-east Tanzania that have an extraordinary rich diversity of animals and plants and a high level of endemism. This is because the coastal region of East Africa has enjoyed a long period of climatic stability and because the area's humid forests once had a connection with the central African rainforests but are now separated by hundreds of miles of comparatively dry country. The Shimba Hills in the south-east corner of Kenya are some 60 miles from the closest of these ranges, the Usambara Mountains. Although they are not as rich as the mountain localities the Shimbas have the advantage of being only 20 miles from Mombasa and readily accessible to someone on a two-week holiday on the coast and they still hold quite a range of large mammals including elephant, Cape buffalo, sable antelope and leopard. The hills were designated as a reserve primarily to protect the only herds of sable antelope in Kenya, where they occur as the sub-species Hippotragus niger roosevelti. Another attraction is that, unlike most game reserves in East Africa, visitors can explore on foot. The average rainfall is 42 inches; most falling in the two wet seasons of April to June (the “long rains”) and October and November (the “short rains”). I visited the hills at the start of the long rains in April 1994, fourteen years after my first visit in November 1980. The landscape of the Shimbas is of rolling hills, very reminiscent of the chalk downs of southern England, with patches of sub-humid tropical forest interspersed with stretches of bushed grassland; a vegetation sometimes referred to as savanna-forest mosaic. The forest resembles rainforest but rainfall is not sufficient or consistent enough to support true rainforest. However, it is composed of a large variety of different species. Few trees were identified and these were of the genera Combretum, Parkia, Afzelia, Ficus, Dracaena and Cono- pharyngia. There is little lower vegetation in the interior and this is mainly shrubs; herbaceous vegetation is almost absent. Most of my examination of the forest in the hills was in the Makadara Forest south of Pengo Hill on the west side of the hills. Here there is a large clearing known as the Picnic Site. The low herbs and grasses that cover the floor of the clearing teemed with small grasshoppers, mantids 92 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe and moths of a host of different species. The biggest and most colourful of the grasshoppers was Eupropractis ornatus (Acrididae), a dark prussian blue insect with yellow stripes and red hindwings. This species was one of the most frequent insects in the hills and occurred in both forest and grassland. An abundance of insects was also found on foliage of shrubs around the edge of the clearing. These were mostly weevils, leaf beetles, bugs, bush-crickets and arachnids, such as harvestmen (Opiliones). The latter had small round maroon bodies suspended between black thread-like legs spanning five inches. Of the bush-crickets, the most distinctive, and the only species identified, was Dioncomena ornata, green with clear pale blue markings. A further assortment of insects was found on and under logs and fallen trees. They included the Longhorn beetle Zographus hieroglyphicus, the conspicuous black and white elaterid beetle Alaus tortrix, various weevils and lycid beetles and some large moths of the Sphingidae, Saturniidae and Noctuidae. Pseudobunaea_ tyrrhena maculata was a saturniid whose plain brown forewings covered a deeply coloured eyespot on each hindwing while the underside of the body and wings was pure white. The noctuids were a common species of Forest moth of the genus Evebus with wings intricately patterned in various shades of black. Beetles of the Passalidae and Prioscelis tridens of the Tenebrionidae lived in the rotten wood of the logs. Priscelis, a mainly West African genus, look like outsize Mealworm_ beetles (Tenebrio spp.). Beneath the logs were yellow scorpions and various black carabid beetles, one of them a huge individual. The most impressive inhabitants of the clearing and surrounding forest were the giant snails of the genus Achatina (Achatinidae) of which the biggest were A. achatina, the largest of all the world's land molluscs. One individual found here had a shell eight inches long. After rain the snails roamed over the ground but in drier weather lodged themselves on the stems of shrubs and retreated into their shells. Other outsize arthropods were giant millipedes of a number of species. The handsome adults of Epibolus spp. (Harpagophoridae) were six inches in length, black with chestnut-red legs. A larger unidentified species reached eight inches. The East African coastal region is particularly rich in millipedes and the Eastern Usambara mountains alone hold 35 endemic species. Although butterflies were abundant in the Shimbas, in terms of species numbers East Africa has an impoverished butterfly fauna compared to the forests of central and West Africa. On my first visit in 36 Volume 55 + April 1996 93 1980 two species of Danainae clung in flocks to the branches and leaves of shrubs in the clearing in the Makadara Forest. These were the black and white Amauris niavius and Tirumala petiverana with black and blue wings. On my second visit in April 1994, few of either Amauris or Tirumala were seen but a greater variety of other butterflies were on the wing in the forests and grassland. One of the most numerous was the large black and yellow Swallowtail Papilio ophidicephalus. This was abundant everywhere in the area, not only in the hills but also on the coastal plain including Mombasa airport. Another common Swallowtail was P. nireus, a black species with a band of iridescent green across the wings. Euphaedra neophron littoralis (Nymphalidae) was one of the most numerous butterflies along forest paths. Euxanthe tiberius tiberius (Nymphalidae), an endemic of the east coast forests, was found once feeding at exuding gum on a tree trunk. In November 1980 I came upon a tree (probably belonging to the Araliaceae) at the forest verge with round fleshy leaves and abundant umbels of simple green flowers. The flowers swarmed with insects of around 30 species, all except one belonging to the Hymenoptera. There were bees, ants, ichneumon-flies, spider-hunting pompilid wasps including Hemipepsis sp.) and large paper wasps (Polistes sp.). The exceptional species among these hordes was the beetle Lycus terminatus in which the males have the orange and black elytra expanded laterally to form an almost circular shape, although the abdomen beneath is quite slender. In the female this expansion is much less pronounced. There were several of the beetles on the flowers and when I returned to the tree some hours later at sunset, some were still present while all the other insects, save for a couple of Polistes wasps, had deserted them. Insects were less varied in the bushed grasslands. Grasshoppers were the most abundant group and included Eupropractis and Ornithacris cyanea, a very large brown species with pink hindwings. Numerous small horseflies were a nuisance; these appeared to be of the same genus (Haematopota) as our clegs. I was also bitten by tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) in the early mornings. These fortunately were much less common as they are the vectors of Trypanosomiasis, though I do not know whether they carry the disease in this area. The grassland is dotted with doum palms (Hyphene compressa) and has many shrubs such as Tetracera, Ochna and the invasive alien Lantana camara. A variety of herbs include several species of the 94 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 terrestrial orchid genus Eulophia and abundant white-flowered sedges. Of all the grassland plants only the flowers of sedges attracted more than a few insect visitors. On these were small green longhorn beetles of the species Hypocrites obtusipennis, mylabrine beetles of the genus Coryna, Leucocelis elegans, a little green chafer speckled with white, and a number of other, unidentified, beetles. ? The heavy rains of April 1994 brought out hordes of winged termites, fluttering weakly in the air up to the height of a few yards over the grasslands, providing a feast for birds, especially black and white cuckoos (Clamator jacobinus) that flew out from bushes to snatch at the flying insects or to pick them up from roads when the termites landed and discarded their wings. Carabid beetles and slender black Ponerine ants also hunted the termites on the ground. The ants were mostly individuals searching at random but one species, Megaponera foetens, marched in close packed columns from fifteen inches to several feet in length. These were actually pillaging armies intent on plundering the termite nests. One party that I came upon must have been retiring from a raid on a termite colony as some of the three-quarter inch workers were carrying the bodies of some large termite species (probably Macrotermes) in their jaws. Megaponera are, 1 believe, unique among ants in being able to stridulate. As I approached to within a few inches of one of the columns the insects became agitated, milling about, and I could distinctly hear them producing a_ high- pitched screeching. The leaders of the formation then swerved to one side and led their company into the vegetation beside the track. Surprisingly, I saw no marching colonies of the famous driver ants (Dorylis spp. and Anomma spp.) here or in any other coastal locality during either 1980 or 1994 although they must occur, as two males were found at light at Likoni just south of Mombasa. In November 1980 I saw only one elephant in the Shimba Hills although their tracks were often encountered in the forests, but in April 1994 there seemed to be elephants everywhere. This abundance of elephants did not necessarily reflect a general increase in these animals in Kenya but rather shrinking of territory in which elephants could find refuge. I could see that agriculture was filling the lowlands surrounding the hills and this would make it difficult for the elephant herds to follow their traditional migration routes between the hills and the Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania. The high elephant population guaranteed a good dung beetle fauna in the Shimbas. Scarab beetles (Scarabdaeus spp.) buzzed across open 36 Volume 55 « April 1996 95 country homing in on the freshest heaps of dung. One pile heaved with black scarabs — I counted 50 just on the surface along with a few Sisyphus spp. and Histeridae — and there were many more beneath. Some heaps were half buried in mounds of freshly dug soil thrown up by the giant Heliocopris CH. hamadryas?) of which one adult beetle was found scraping away at the surface. The genus Heliocopris is found in tropical Africa and Asia wherever elephants still occur and contains the world's largest dung beetles. Catharsius rhinocerus was another large dull black dung beetle found and several brilliant metallic green Onthophagus sp. were discovered feeding, not on their usual diet of dung, but on some seeds that had been regurgitated on a road by some mammal. Although the vegetation of the Shimba Hills appears to be almost in a pristine state, there are plantations of alien pine trees in the north of the reserve near the township of Kwale. These trees, which are Pinus caribbea from the south-eastern USA, are tapped for their resin used in the pharmaceutical industry. Officially there is no further extension of the plantations but I found that there is still some surreptitious planting of pines amidst uncleared native vegetation near the existing plantations. Another threat to the integrity of the flora of the hills comes from the South American shrub Lantana which has become a pan- tropical weed. This rampant, untidy shrub has changed the nature of much of the forest verging the hills and has probably completely displaced some less vigorous native flora. However, the plant is not all bad as, wherever Lantana occurs, its flowers seem to be the favourite nectar source of butterflies. Brimstone meets drone fly by Stuart Pittman (9135) 101 Old Hale Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1XR. In the late spring of 1995 I observed an interesting relationship between a hoverfly and a butterfly. A Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) was basking low down on grass when the drone fly (Eristalis tenax) landed on the Brimstone's wings. It too basked for some time, both either oblivious to each other which is perhaps too implausible, or just another type of relationship to yet again surprise the entomologist! 96 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 Gypsy moth (ymantria dispar) by Guy Nettleton MAFF, Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, Rm 822, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NO. In June 1995 an outbreak of the Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) was found in north-east London. A native strain of the Gypsy moth was at one time present in wetland areas of eastern England but it died out in the early part of this century. The 1995 outbreak involved a different strain with a much wider host range and could, if it were to establish in the UK, become a major pest of forest and amenity trees. Following scientific advice on the likely impact of the pest in the UK the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (PHSD, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food took steps to eradicate the outbreak. A European strain of the Gypsy moth has caused considerable damage to trees in many European countries but it has not been known to occur in Great Britain. The PHSI and Forestry Commission had been aware of the potential threat posed by this pest and have remained vigilant during their routine inspection work. However, the inability of the female to fly has restricted its natural distribution. In 1993 an Asian strain or hybrid, indistinguishable in appearance from the European strain and originating in eastern Russia, was discovered in Germany. A key characteristic of this strain or hybrid is that the female can fly and so under favourable conditions extensive outbreaks can occur over wide areas. DNA analysis carried out on specimens found in the UK in 1995 shows them to be similar to this Asian strain or hybrid form. All forms of Gypsy moths lay their eggs in clumps in July and August. These are composed of a spongy mass of approximately 400 eggs insulated by a matrix of hair shed from the moth's body. These egg masses are usually laid on wooden surfaces such as tree bark or fences. On hatching in the spring the small caterpillars produce a silk thread. This can be caught by air currents and, acting rather like a parachute, carries the larva downwind. The egg masses can also be laid on other surfaces such as containers and the bodywork of vehicles which are then transported by man. This adaption has ‘meant that man has become an important secondary means of dissemination of the Gypsy moth, sometimes moving it over considerable distances. We do not know the origin of this particular outbreak. It is most likely to have been due to an egg mass being carried into the UK ona vehicle or wooden material. It does though seem to be an isolated case. 4 Volume 55 « April 1996 97 Action taken by the PHSI with help from Redbridge Borough Council and in liaison with the Forestry Commission included inspections, localised sprays of insecticides and pheromone trapping. These activites should minimise the risk of any recurrence of the outbreak from this source in 1996. In addition to continued work in the area of the outbreak there will be an increase in the level of monitoring for the Gypsy moth on imports and at woodland sites. The PHSI and Forestry Commission are keen that the public are aware of this pest and assist the Ministry with its work by reporting any potential sightings. The Gypsy moth has a very distinctive larva. Though the background body colour can vary the caterpillar has characteristic warts from which hairs develop. These warts tend to be yellowish but the dorsal pairs on each of the first five segments behind the head are blue and the remaining dorsal warts are red. When mature the caterpillar is between 4 - 7cm long. Any entomologist who thinks that he or she has seen the Gypsy moth must contact his or her local Plant Health and Seeds Inspector. The addresses of all MAFF offices are available from the MAFF helpline on 0645 335577 Cocal rates). Since the Gypsy moth is a non-indigenous plant pest it is controlled under the Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1993. This Order prohibits anyone from keeping live specimens of Lymantria dispar unless they are specially authorised to do so by MAFF. Wanted: The Woodhopper by Peter Smithers Dept. of Biological Science, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 SAA. The Woodhopper, alias Arcitalitrus dorrieni, is found under flower- pots, household and garden waste, and also in compost heaps and woodland leaf-litter. It is similar in appearance to the sandhoppers that are found on the beach beneath piles of seaweed and is from 2 to 10mm in length. If you find a colony of Woodhoppers please send a specimen to the address above, enclosing the following information: The habitat in which it was found, i.e. garden, parkland, woodland etc; the date on which it was first observed and an address or map reference for the Site: Thank you for your assistance with this project. 98 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 Alien Empire by Christopher O'Toole. Hardback, A4, pp224 and many colour plates, 19957 Price 217.09: This book which accompanied the BBC television series recently shown is nothing less than you would expect from the BBC Natural History Unit. The book is superbly illustrated with colour photographs and drawings and has a very attractive format which keeps the reader hooked. There are. eight’ chapters, covering topics, of..desien,. senses, and movement of insects, how insects feed, their defences, reproduction, eusociality and how insects interact with Man. In fact all the basics of entomology are covered in an interesting and educational manner which makes the book an essential addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in natural history. Even the more experienced entomologist would learn from some of the examples given. I personally enjoyed the final chapter on the interactions between Man and insects. This chapter looks at our friends, such as hornet larvae and pupae which are sold as a nutritious food in Thailand (yum, yum!) and foes such as the Tiger mosquito, Aedes spp. which benefits from our habit of dumping car tyres — which provide the ideal habitat for a mosquito to complete its life cycle in the pools of water which collect in them. This, of course, increases malaria transmission due to the increase in adult mosquitoes. There is much to learn in this book and I highly recommend it — the author and publishers deserve the success that this book will surely be. Wayne Jarvis 34 Volume 55 * April 1996 99 Diptera (True Flies) from the Kenfig National Nature Reserve, Glamorgan. J.C. Deeming (1995) National Museums and Galleries of Wales, Entomological Series No. 4. 113pp. Paperback only. £4.95 + p&p. For details write to: Publications Department, NMGW, Cathays PankenGarcitteer ly 5NP: Kenfig NNR is a large sand dune complex in South Wales and one of the best such habitats in the British Isles. This publication goes into the detail of the flies recorded at this site over the last century, with 956 species listed. An introduction by Dr Jones (Kenfig Project Officer) gives details of the site's history and current management and the importance of some of the habitats therein. The systematic list gives a brief introduction to each family, and under each species distributional, status, and often biological and ecological information is given. There are a number of name changes listed, but these are put into perspective by the author, nevertheless a copy of the British checklist is a recommended companion. There are two appendices: the collecting sites of J.W. Yerbury from the region, from unpublished diaries held in the Hope Entomological Collections, Oxford; and a checklist of the Molluscs, to be used in conjunction with the information on the Sciomyzidae (snail-killing flies). There is also an index to families and genera. This publication is not only a useful addition to any Dipterist's library, but also a valuable resource for conservationists and ecologists alike. Darren Mann Insect World International _ After Bugs disappeared (or has it?), I thought we had seen the last attempt to produce a glossy magazine on invertebrates, but no, yet another one has popped-up. However, much to my surprise the first issue Of Insect World International was in fact interesting. As the title suggests, this is an international magazine, so will help enthusiasts from around the world to keep in touch and share information. In the first issue aticles included: = SO you) want to keep a Tarantula?”, “An Introduction to Stick and Leaf Insects”, “Invertebrates in Close-Up” and “Breeding T~ropical Butterflies”. Although I have no interest in stick insects or butterflies I found the articles to be well written and _ delightfully mixed with colour photographs. 100 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 The magazine begins with an information page, containing snippets of news from the ridiculous to the scientific. The main part is taken up with the five articles mentioned above, and there is a section for the younger enthusiasts, aptly named “The Creepy Crawly Club’. A consultancy column gives subscribers a chance to have their questions answered and “What's Bugging You?” allows readers to air their opinions. There are also book reviews, adverts from various traders and an international directory of societies, although this is limited to one page. All in all, it is a well balanced mixture of good quality articles and notes of interest. The cartoon “Arnold's Arthropods” made up for the few technical errors I noticed. I imagine-anyone with an interest in invertebrates, especially those who delight in culturing such creatures, will thoroughly enjoy this magazine. I would like to wish the editor, Paul Kent, every success with this pleasingly different new publication. For» details: -write- to: Insect), Worlds: PO] Box > 4422 Drotmvick! Worcestershire WR9 8YL. Subscription rates: £16.50 per annum for Europe, rest of the World £35. Darren Mann The National Trust and Nature Conservation 100 years on edited by D_J. Bullock and H.J. Hervey, assisted by S. Mifsud. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol. 56 Supplement A. 4to., pp xviit 248. Academic Press 1995, Price not, stated. The previous issue of the Biological Journal had an account of Pitcairn and Henderson islands. Well-known as the landfall of the Bounty mutineers, it is not so well-known that for some 600 years they were inhabited by Polynesians who so degraded their environment that they died out. Are we perhaps going the same way? The signs are there and have been succinctly put by Richard Leakey in his latest book The sixth extinction. The appalling environmental destruction wrought on Twyford Down and now being inflicted on SSSIs and other amenities by the Newbury bypass show the utter indifference of Government to the effects they have been warned about. So perhaps this book offers us a ray of hope. National Trust property is inalienable, except that it could be seized by an Act of Parliament, but the outcry from its two million members would be so great that I doubt whether any Government would dare try! The Trust are one of our largest landowners and include many of our more useful and well-known 36 Volume 55 « April 1996 101 century ago. They take their responsibility seriously and this book is a report on a joint conference held with the Linnean Society in 1994. Five chapters — a whole section — are on the conservation of butterflies and deal with different aspects of the problem. All but two of our resident butterflies occur on Trust land and indeed a number of our more endangered species are at present fairly safe there. These include the Swallowtail, Glanville and Marsh fritillaries, the Adonis blue, the High brown fritillary and, recently, the re-introduced Large blue; there are indeed far more colonies of many species on Trust land than there are on the slightly smaller total areas of national nature reserves. Other chapters in this book deal with grazing as a management practice; Historic parks and pasture-woodlands (such as Hatfield forest); Habitat restoration and Conservation of bats. Now bats are primarily insect eaters and so in order to have a thriving colony of them one must ensure that not only are suitable resting and hibernation sites available but the surrounding habitat must be able to support a large population of insects, so the more the farmer or Council sprays insecticides and herbicides and grubs up hedges and “manages” the land the fewer insects will be available and hence the bat population will crash. So, if the land is managed with bats in mind, then this means making it suitable to produce as large a crop of insects as possible, with great benefit to the entomologist who will not begrudge the small percentage of insects taken as sustenance by the bats. While the papers here are more on conservation measures generally and on butterflies (rather than moths or other insects), many of the other papers are of relevance to insect conservation. They all show just how much work is being done, how efforts are being made (on, of course, limited resources — how handy a lottery grant would be!) to manage their properties and in some cases to restore environments that had become greatly degraded through various causes. It comes through very clearly that the Trust takes its responsibilities towards conservation seriously, is willing to both give and take advice and is already working in close co-operation with other bodies. Apart from the butterflies I wonder just how well-recorded are many of the other orders over Mearly ~a quarter million hectares of Trust land I-am sure that a responsible approach to carry out surveys or experiments on their land will be more than welcome. iiniste book isan essential read for all who are interested, in conservation, particularly, perhaps, of butterflies, and the work which is and has already been done, on National Trust properties in this connection. Hexadactyla 102 =~. «= ~Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society &é / Caught in the Web by Wayne Jarvis (9899) This is a new feature which we are including in the Bulletin for those who have access to the Internet. Increasingly, members are using the e- mail and Internet systems to contact us and with more and more people hooking up to the system all the time, I thought that it would be useful to look at some of the sites which can be accessed. One of the best UK based pages on the Web as far as insects are concerned is Gordon's Entomological Home Page. Gordon Ramel, a member of the Bug Club Committee, has devoted hours of his time to provide an accurate, attractive, up-to-date set of pages with links to many other entomological sites. Gordon has listed the various entomological societies (including the AES) to be found around the World. This is definitely a site to visit and can be found at http://info.ex.ac.uk/~gjramel/welcome.html One of Gordon's pages, that of the Bug Club, an organisation run for children that are interested in bugs and other “creepy crawlies”, has recently been taken over by Kieren Pitts and is under re-development. The look so far is superb and when fully functional this is definitely somewhere to point the younger entomological members of the Society. The pages currently include the newsletter, care sheets and loads of useful information. To access the Bug Club Home Page enter this address: http://www.ex.ac.uk/~kmpitts/welcome.html The final site for this issue of the Bulletin is that of Butterfly Conservation. These pages have also been re-developed recently and now include information about the Society, the latest news, the articles found in Butterfly Conservation News and lots more. This site is found at http://soton.ac.uk/~sjd2/ If you have found an interesting site please let me know and I'll be happy to include it next time. LL LL LE AT EC LL LT IE Volume 55 « April 1996 103 Abbreviations BENHS British Entomological and Natural History Society. LNHS London Natural History Society. RES Royal Entomological Society of London. RES(QG) RES Rooms, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7. I: Information from: To make the diary effective contributions are needed from members. Any relevant items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor. No charge is made for entries. Please allow three months advance notice. MAY 1st 12th 14th RES Meeting — Title to be announced. RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. A talk will be presented by a member of the Ecological Special Interest Group. I: RES 0171 584 8361. Entomological Livestock Group Spring Entomological Fair. For further details please see the advert in this edition of the Bu/letin. BENHS Indoor Meeting — Sex, Parasites and Venereal Disease in Ladybirds. RES(QG) 18.00hrs. Talk by Dr Michael Majerus. I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ. 104 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Se 5th RES Meeting —AGM & President's Address. RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. I: RES 0171 584 8361. 7th AES June Council Meeting. Baden Powell House, Queen's Gate, Kensington at 18.30 hrs. 10th LINHS Meeting — Invertebrate Conservation at Home and Abroad. At the Linnaen Society Rooms, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1. 18.30hrs. David Clarke, Head Keeper of Invertebrates, London Zoo is the speaker. I: Catherine Schmitt 0181 346 4359. JULY 3rd RES Meeting — The trouble with Psocids: A problem to control. RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. Dr B.D. Turner, Kings College , London. I: RES 0171 584 8361. EXHIBITION NOTICE AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION SATURDAY, 5TH OCTOBER 1996 KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex Doors open at llam e Admission £1.00 Members free on production of pass to be issued with the August Bulletin. For further information please write to: The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG. Published 20th April 1996 by the Amateur Entomologist's Society (Registered Charity No. 267430), from 4 Steep Close, Orpington, Kent BR6 6DS. Major Entomological & Herpetological Show for Captive Bred Stock & Conservation Groups ~ NEW THIS YEAR ~ National Photographic Competition in conjunction with - Insect & Invertebrate World International Magazine NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE Saturday 29th June 10.00am to 5.00pm Butterflies & Moths. Praying Mantids & Stick Insects. Frogs & Toads, Lizards. Snakes, Tarantulas,Scorpions Pree Snails and Beetles. Books, Specimen Equipment, Tanks, Microscopes, Food and Plants. Everything for the Keeper, Enthusiast or Expert. Come and buy or look at these fascinating creatures. Talk to the Experts, Society Members and Conservation Groups. TICKET PRICES ADULTS £2.00 CHILDREN £ 1. 00 FAMILY £5. 00 (2 ADULTS & 2 CHILDREN) FREE PARKING ON SITE BOOK YOUR STAND NOW Telephone 01626 332 775 ALL EXHIBITS ARE UNDER COVER GOOD CHOICE OF FOOD AVAILABLE Spend the day at the show. There will be special talks and lectures in the afternoon. See the results of a ‘Bug Sweep’ of the racecourse. The Photo Competion Entry Forms are available from the Organisers: SAE to Creepy Crawly Photo Competition Mead Farm, Howton Road, Newton Abbot, Devon 1TQ12 6ND. The details are also in the current edition of Insect & Invertebrate World International Magazine - Issue Number 4 - obtain your copy of the magazine direct from the publishers by sending £2.75 to Insect World (Dept CCS) PO Box 44 Droitwich Worcs.WR9 8YJ Tel/Fax 01905 776051. A NEW REPRINT FROM THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THE FIELD LEPIDOPTERIST by J.W.Tutt Written in three parts at the turn of the century, this book has been reprinted because it still represents the most comprehensive field guide covering both macro and microlepidoptera. Parts I to HJ all give a month by month guide to which species and stages to look for and how to find them. Part II also contains an extensive biological account of the early stages and how to keep, rear and describe them. 422 pages, Hardback. (Reprinted 1994). A separate supplement has been prepared which cross-references old to current scientific names and the English names of the species covered. Total price only £21.00. OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE FROM THE A.E.S. INCLUDE Habitat Conservation for Insects - A Neglected Green Issue (Hardback 262 pages, 15 figures+ 32 pages colour plates). . ... . .£12.00 A Lepidopterists Handbook (136 pages, 32 figs, 13 plates) . . . . . £7.50 Breeding the British Butterflies (60 pages, 6 figures, 5 plates) . . . . £3.95 Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths (56 pages) . . . . . £3.95 | Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying Microlepidoptera (40 pages, 11 figures) . . . £3.40 An Amateurs Guide to the Study of the Gentalia at Lepidoptera ( 16pp) £2395 A Silkmoth Rearers Handbook (Hardback, 225pp + 32 colour plates showing 74 photographs of larvae and adult moths) . . . . . £13.75 Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths (19 pages) . . . . £2.85 The Study of Stoneflies, Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pp, 10 figs.) . . £3.40 Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (24 pages, 12 figs, 2 plates) . . . £2.35 The Hymenopterists Handbook (226 pages, illustrated). . . . . . . £8.50 Revised Flight Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages). . . . . . . £2.00 | A Coleopterists Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated) . . . . £15.50 Host.plants ‘of British, Beetles (24) pages); . a. 3. a pe e200 A Dipterists Handbook (260 pages, illustrated) . . 2950 Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp. 43 fees "7 pice oe e£500 Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids (22 pages, 9 plates) . . . . £2.85 Rearing Crickets in the Classroom (12 pages, 2 plates). . . . . . . £1.80 | All the above publications sent post free to U.K. addresses. Outside U.K. please | add 10% to order value for postage by surface mail. For postage by air-mail outside Europe please add 30% to order value. Please make all cheques/postal orders payable to 'AES Publications’ and send to: AES Publications, The Hawthorns, Frating Road, Great Bromley, COLCHESTER CO7 7JN. Telephone 01206 251600 FITZGERALD PUBLISHING P.O. BOX 804, LONDON SE13 5JF, ENGLAND Tarantula Spiders of the USA & Mexico by Andrew M. Smith. ISBN 09510939-9-1 Price £30. Mail-order £25. This is another first from the arachnological publishing house Fitzgerald, which in 1985, published the pioneering publication, The Tarantula ID Guide — often referred to as the tarantula keepers bible. In 1990, we published Baboon Spiders — the first volume in our highly acclaimed new series, which in 1995 was followed up with the second volume in this series, Tarantulas of the USA & Mexico. This is a hardback book, which is the largest most comprehensive book ever published on the subject and one which Peter Kirk, Editor of the British Tarantula Society Journal, has described, as “head and shoulders above the rest — the best book on tarantulas to date.” We think so too, and so will you. It is packed with over a thousand photographs, drawings, maps and original research, of the like of which you have not read elsewhere. In fact we take great pride in the fact that our photographs were taken out in the grasslands of Oklahoma and the deserts of Arizona, Utah, California and Mexico. Not only does the book include 25 new species, but also fascinating chapters on native American Indian folklore and on the arachnologists who described them. Do you know which British arachnologist, blew out his brains with a service revolver, with his pipe still clamped between his teeth? Or which one returned from a field trip, to attend his own funeral? Baboon Spiders (Tarantulas of Africa and the Middle East) by Andrew M. Smith. ISBN 09510939-7-55. Price £25. Mail-order £20. The first volume in our tarantulas of the world series and one which was enthusiastically reviewed by Frances Murphy of The British Arachnological Society — “you should buy this book — as a result of the authors research, it contains a vast amount of invaluable knowledge”. Phillippe de Vosjoli simply stated in his book Arachnomania — “this book will prove invaluable to the serious hobbyist”. A book which is packed with invaluable species descriptions (including eleven new species) and fieldwork and habitat data. Stick Insects of Britain, Europe and the Mediterranean by Paul Brock. ISBN 09510939-7-5. Price £15. Mail-order £10. “This attractively illustrated, very comprehensive and up-to-date book is a goldmine of information. Indispensable for anyone interested in Sticks from these areas”. — Review by Michael Lazenby, Phasmid Study Group. A hardback book, which is packed with information — including hundreds of collection sites in France, Spain, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Sardinia, Morocco, Turkey and Italy. Perfect for planning holidays. Trading Terms: No postage charges. Payments by cash, cheques, postal orders. Overseas payments by cash (USA $ welcomed), or sterling international bank or postal drafts/orders. No dollar cheques, as these cost us $10 to cash. JUST PUBLISHED BY THE BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY NEW BRITISH BEETLES Species not in Joy's practical handbook by Peter J. Hodge and Richard A. Jones There are over 650 British beetles not included in Norman Joy's Practical handbook of British beetles. Some are new arrivals, others have been confused or overlooked and many groups have undergone revision. New British beetles puts these changes into perspective and offers the British coleopterist a new look at Joy's book, a reference to the current British fauna and the changes that have taken place in the last 63 years. For each family, Joy's book is assessed, the most up-to-date keyworks are listed, together with many other helpful references. For each “new” beetle species, a short description is followed by extensive references. The 192-page book has a full and comprehensive index allowing cross-reference to all specific, generic and family names used including many synonyms used by Joy and others. Hardback (ISBN: 1-899935-002), £24 + P&P £2- Paperback (ISBN: 1-199935-01-0) £18 +P&P £2 Send cheque made out to “Brit. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc.” with order to: BENHS Sales Secretary, R.D. Hawkins, 30d Meadowcroft Close, Horley, Surrey RH6 9EL. BENHS members are eligible for special prices on this and other Society publications and receive the quarterly British Journal of Entomology and Natural History. For sample copy and Society details write to the Editor, Br.J.Ent.Nat.Hist., 13 Bellwood Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3DE. ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE A Quarterly Journal of Palaearctic Entomology. Illustrated and covering all groups of Insects. Includes Book Reviews on a World-wide basis. Current Annual Subscription £20 (US$45.00) A sample copy can be sent on request from the publishers: GEM PUBLISHING CO. Brightwood, Bell Lane, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 OQD. Continued from back cover ACEO Mlall Meme eset Ne sect sen Nese any see cceasseccosseuteas cancsusuucsdesoonsatecderswduchinescsdedescesdbasphead 53 BOOKGREVIEW SEV ANCMENINOING) Sisa0cs cess sn ace ss28 .osstis sac cauresesoedoontonsedecoesccsdveasectsenedeiuecvenst 98 Diptera from the Kentfig National Nature Reserve, Glamorgan .......... 99 HASCCUNVV ONG MIMLCKIMAUOMAl gaescos cee tos he cesrectasaeboewesnntncoucnsesotaceoedes cesses 99 The National Trust and Nature Conservation, 100 years ON ..........+++- 100 OTM UMINPMUINMN VO ferret ese Me sede .!scays ondarie sev estvanctusiie coeds saswadsodetoultasoucresatewadsettertentactoacts 102 Dilip AID CCS rear essence Notte ats connec ei secoadvusssnbetntesdeesversensscnes sheesiesensoatrvacenebecsowsuanesse 103 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society CONTENTS G. Tordoff. Easter break in Norfolk (13th to 18th April 1995). ..........2----.---ss:e-eceeeeeee- 55 M.J. Dawson: Spaitt 1995. o.oo. o- occ cncmswwcaseneh agen seuasanancectonttenctensaese nee pee ee eee 59 R.A. Jones. Hanging around the woods: Long-leggedness in a leaf beetle. ................ 61 Huang Hao. Notes on the genus Sinopiens in China. 22.232. -1s.-22- 2-2. as cent 67 P. Boireau. Winning the battle against pupal parasites. .......................-.----.----s+--sss-e=- 71 F. Seow-Choen & P. Brock. A rare stick insect from Singapore: Lopaphus brachypterus (de Haan) 1842 with descriptions of the male and egg. ..................-. jae M. Majerus. Ladybird, ladybird, fly to my home! (or how to attract ladybirds to your BALOGH) ooo. ones hace nous tse ee eee ee oe 83 S. Cole. Insects of the Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya, April 1994. ................. 91 Short Communications P. Bragg. Mantids and cockroach meeting and study group. ................::::sseeeseeeeeeeeee= 56 M. Emmet. Unbanned pets. ....00 2.222 occ sos ate nce nce ceee 57 G. Best. A moo-ving Expenence. 22.5 -2- 2-002 anne caneatinnnon eee ee 58 J. Koryszko. A visit to Prees Heath and Whixhall Moss, Shropshire. ................--..--++- 58 M. Guye. An orgy of stag beetles... os 2 eco 60 <) 4G. Best, 595.78. 22 eee 64 F. McCann: Marbled beauty in Glasgow. .....-.-:..--.-2-.-.<-<.-----cessesqsot eee ee 65 J. Koryszko. How long does a Devils coach-horse live? ................c.:sesseeeseeeeeeeeeeeees 66 j. Keryszke. Homet moth record. (-..c.2...2--c0-ccscc-c3 secocneeeescecseeeate ee ecg ee 66 P.. Wilkins. Snail-dwelling wasp? -:.......-.---<.c-<---c---scecceeseeres—cee nscice Seven each eee 7 B. Dickerson. A Long-tailed blue (Lampides boeticus) in Kent. ..............:..:s20ss-200000- 75 F. Farrow. A:continental visitote 0-2). eec ee Soe 7 M. Pitt-Payne. Hummingbird hawkmoth in Aylesbury. ..................--.:e+-ssseesseeeeeeeeeees 77 J. Koryszko. Hummingbird hawkmoth in Staffordshire. .................:sesseesceesceeseeeneeeees 77 R.C. Watts. Hand pairing Swallowtails.:.......-3.-- ss . a = , pe s. P os - J r - , — . e . , . ] . re >. a - : «- | ull 2. sp gat: . t y ji / - ~ * % A ’ * % 5 f- a P & c vers sletin = rt = GE | Volume s5 °- Number 406 e ‘Ss oS. < Sf zc ') w c. <= eS = “< Founded in 1935 Where to write For all Society business, please write to: AES P.O. Box 8774 London SW7 5ZG Officers of the Society President: | Richard Jones Secretary: Wayne Jarvis Treasurer: Andrew Locke Registrar: Nick Holford Bulletin Editor: General Editor: Advertising Secretary: Exhibitions & Meetings Secretary: Youth Secretary: ICN Editor: Wants & Exchange: Habitat Conservation Officer: Wayne Jarvis Mike Bonsall Rob Dyke Maxwell Barclay Darren Mann David Lonsdale Caroline Willmot Martin Harvey Subscriptions: Advertising Rate: First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under 18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12. Subcription due by the 1st January each year. The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25. Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary, address as above. NOTICE It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests for help or information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon. Worldwide Butterflies Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 ote Tel 01935 74608 Fax 29937 Colour ey —————— heh Sj qosee oe es 1 OY ms fa Ni WW S9/4490 @T4IG — sat MO) re mi A BS Je Oe Ok an a falassoé FM USWIDIC LC Spe )- asc) ebt4ano> ppuibisc pur sares Ksoz/Suc4> 4¢ SUyOd-yyBil4 O “ $92/014 A =o) "25 FS IO] serRey 1) | oa 2 J4N2 StIOBTDIDD | 2 We BeUAouild SuscuawD/e? § = usoy wong buibsny y SROAldY d e aixonskeuopy 7} YADA Peawe;-srai> | LO UIOUBMONG 4jAD/- 4 ii og Ke) S90 POS s-syAegG q : mma saaeus) G | Uber o =(b0§ Dud sausmo> SD) > l i a \ f | svb 5) C ‘ J d 1 | : th = Sie anew PS Lay SS | LVLI@VH SG ne S| ZION te Z =) SJUD]q PPNposju| j RSet y S | Se pt IVIIGWHseusne ag e) . oadp be a S, | GNV INMOC Wp EN Toto a ca | > ae EN ae ee al £ | ' ! d | S, ! Means ONv1 HivaH'\ ‘ | os. we 2 Blae Oe. i i oe nee { a } £ ae \ a Cae ! ig | es) | 46 nt ee | sik eee eae ata mi) STOVE EDs ain : f 7 ee H { *, 's) Hh) Vt “) Duc 4ourve-) g Vv. | or epee ple ee Bere ee eA Sat @ pe earn ON reer Ve agissog se Appiazang 40 { | ar: SivawrsasSu) saWaDeA Saisacs Audis $0 4y SwOy BQ DQS T eet ' "La es Gens oe : TiS EA RAM. Pak HORS alae teh Gaeae, a7 Ns a ri a SS | i | fone Yay iin | PS4OH Wy audduiid es4oe \ inne d \ fh ects ea Pwo0leG of Partvpt burac s' pur ‘Buing tur dcy p9ss ueeg 4arou sou eMOUy 9: SD 4D> SY YOIWM pum. prov yb6nou PO WO'R40C DS: YoDe4g ana/7 FJAYSSIY AISYIL ING eas H>WadA ATL LIT : silica et ae. 110 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 year there were also a few Marbled whites (Melanargia galathea) in the adjoining field which was grazed for only two weeks in the year. We also saw a ginger-coloured Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus). We had cleared an area of scrub by October which would hopefully be turned into a herb-rich meadow by liming. One and a half tons of lime were stored in the open and later another half a ton. On 28th May 1975 we set up a hive for bees (Apis mellifera) on the moorland as it was then, above the reserve — a small one acre triangle which we have since bought. It produced 29lbs of honey in the first season. We kept the bees for five years until butterfly work had to take priority. The quarter acre meadow area (“‘downland” on the map) had 35cwt of lime spread on it. There were some experiments such as planting cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) from the moor and some herb-rich turves from near Orchard Wood (all with permission from the owners), but they largely failed. Scattering seed in sparse herbage seems the most effective way of growing wild plants if the soil is suitable. Some plants succeed if planted out, notably shrubs, trees and such slightly woody plants as rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium) and marjoram (Origanum vulgare). There has also been success in the long run with many other plants which have settled in in a haphazard way rather than in the disciplined plant circles we set up for them and we soon found that the greater the level of artificiality, the more work they demanded to maintain them and it doesn't look natural. Some blackthorn bushes died out, but three to four foot high young bushes succeeded admirably and have become invasive. In May 1976 a buzzard (Buteo buteo) nested nearby and on 23rd May, two released Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) were seen pairing from 15 Sussex pupae put down, but no eggs resulted; possibly the area where the cowslips (Primula veris) were growing was too shaded. Further attempts at introduction of the Duke of Burgundy have been abandoned because their plants tend to dry out on the south-east facing slope of greensand. The way the plants tend to go their own way was demonstrated by nettles (Urtica dioica). We scattered some nitrogen to encourage them and planted some out, but they died, yet others grew for a time in the meadow area and actually supported Peacocks Undchis io) one season. Some plants tend to come and go; it seemed as though Cock's-foot grass (Dactylis glomeratus) would push out everything else, yet it declined after a few seasons and I wonder if it used up all the nutrients? | Volume 55 * June 1996 111 As previously noted, where scrub had been removed, bracken immediately took over and on 3rd July 1976 I “blitzed” it with 1fl.oz. of Asulox per half gallon of water, using in all, 16 half-gallon fillings of the sprayer. We started at 8am and finished at lpm. The following year this turned out to have been 90% effective. Subsequent spot treatment of odd fronds in key areas helped to keep it at bay for over ten years. On lst August 1976 at 12.30pm a male Chalkhill blue (Lysandra coridon) flew past, settling briefly on a buttercup (Ranunculus repens). It was following the contour of the hill from south-west to north-east and must have come from at least 20 miles away. In the early days we set up a weather station and this was dutifully monitored by Linda, but it didn't tell us much we didn't already know such as it being colder higher up the hill. On Ist January 1977 we started planting in the circles — one metre in diameter with stones marking them, heavily limed to a depth of 18 inches, so much that black soil turned grey. Horseshoe vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) was the first and 59 plants were introduced to six of the circles. Wire netting covers against rabbits were fastened with ten inch “hairpins” pressed into the ground. No machinery had been used in the early years, only slasher, mattock, scythe, sickle, spade and fork. Most of the brash was burnt. Nowadays a two-stroke brush cutter is used. We set up 30 brick markers at the intersections of each ten metre square so we could plot plants and observations on the map, but this extremely ordered discipline was soon abandoned. Attempts to grow storksbill (Erodium cicutarium) in the greensand soil failed completely, possibly because it wasn't warm enough for it. On 30th July I had upset the bees, which were now on the lower part of the reserve because the adjacent part of the moor where they were previously had been sold, so I decided to enter the reserve from the opposite end to lessen the chances of being stung. I was about to place my hands on top of the bank to clamber over when a large brown female adder (Vipera berus) stared me in the face at eye-level on top of the bank. Marbled whites were by now established on the reserve, having transferred from Top Pasture. In December 1977 we dug a small pond in the south corner. Mr Wheeler of Pithayne Farm, from whom we bought the original habitat and who had been taking an interest, had divined two water courses converging at that point. This was so we could obtain water for new plants, but it only fills up in the very wettest weather. 12 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society : sé During 1978 a lot of planting took place and the few of each plant which survived mostly exist to this day, except Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) which has defied all attempts to introduce it to this soil. I had some larger plant circles which we called “Saturn” and “Jupiter”, which are now part of the meadow area and don't appear to be “gardened” (Plate 96J, Fig. 4). I have also been unable to grow kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) because it behaves like an annual and disappears after one season of flowering. | The part of the moor above, which we now own, was cleared in May 1978. At about that time, one of the local beekeepers visited and said that my bees were weak. Another advised to gas the weak hive and he would sell me some strong ones, which I did, but the first bee-man said I had been conned into getting rid of a hive, yet he was the first to tell me they were no good. One's own judgement in these matters is more valuable than a novice might suppose of himself. In February 1979 we planted 15 clumps of Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) saved from Wimbleball reservoir which was under construction. Some survive to this day but they haven't spread. We took some spring honey which we believe to have been sallow (Salix spp.) with a distinctive taste and examination of the pollen in it bore this out. The only problem is if you take this early honey you have to spring feed the bees to replace it. In June 1979 we got the car stuck taking in some new bees. After unloading the bees we managed to drive up the side of the hill with Mr Wheeler pushing. Grizzled skippers (Pyrgus malvae) were seen up to this time (25th May 1978). Apart from the Dark green fritillary which was never proved to be indigenous to the site, they are the only butterfly we seem to have lost permanently, although the Brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae) and Dingy skipper (Erynnis tages) have come and gone. On lst July, after the ownership of the Common changed, we were requested by the Somerset Wildlife Trust farming adviser (acting on behalf of the owner) not to drive on the Common from Purchase Farm. However, she let us through when we explained our objectives. A common Orchid (Orchis sp.) appeared, one of only two since we have managed it; but it was damaged even though we placed a wire cover over it (7th July). Some scattered Cow-wheat (Velampyrum pratense) seed has grown each year since 1979, but was last seen in 1994. Ivy (Hedera helix) has become the dominant ground cover in its small area, also precluding dog violets (Viola riviniana). On 5th December 1979, a fencer planted L - ] Volume 55 * June 1996 113 Lawson's cypresses (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) along the south-west and north-west borders to shelter the site from winds. This has proved very effective, but perhaps they should be trimmed to a smaller size. Some elm standards were planted from which only one remains which I think is a disease-resistant variety (Ulmus variegata). On 26th May 1980 we released 110 well-grown Chalkhill blue larvae. All they had to do was finish feeding, pupate and emerge as butterflies, but only one or two resulted and we were prevented from trying again the following year because we lost our breeding stock, possibly because of carnivorous slugs. In subsequent years the horseshoe vetch became overgrown by Cock's foot and other grasses. We did, however, learn how to promote sustained growth of the vetch which will be explained later. Quite a few small mammal droppings were found and they could be from the lethal predator; it must surely have been a predator which doesn't occur on downland, the natural home of the Chalkhill blue. On 10th July 1980 we placed out seven or eight Brown hairstreak pupae in a box with a slot. Thirty-seven eggs at least resulted on the surrounding Blackthorn. Previous years had yielded five or six eggs per year, but no more were seen after 65 in 1981 and tall bracken tends to obscure the Blackthorns up to head height. Plants were being grown in some quantity now, but large numbers of them have disappeared except for some, usually the finer specimens. By 21st December 1980 it was necessary to spend four hours cutting the gorse which had grown back following the initial clearing. Our friend in Sussex had sent some Emperor moth eggs (Saturnia pavonia) and on 19th April 1981 we successfully “assembled” a male on top of the moor with a female from the bred stock. Horses had been coming in from the moor to graze and trampling the habitat, so we set up a two strand barbed-wire fence round the habitat, which holds good to this day. Two building blocks were placed over one of the horseshoe vetch circles and on 26th May 1981 we planted two horseshoe vetch between the blocks and covered with wire netting. All the other horseshoe vetches have long since disappeared, but vetch still exists to this day (14 years later), between the building blocks. I think this is because the blocks provide a warm dry microclimate for the leafy fronds and prevent other plants crowding them out. Where there is_ little competition Rockrose has done well. The Dingy skipper appeared in 1981 and about this time some Common blues also did well in the plant - 114 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t circles. There is a lot of trefoil for it there now and first broods appear, but not particularly from the sites of the original plant circles. Nothing much happened in 1982 when I was not well. In 1983 I sighted a worn Dingy skipper briefly on 5th July. By 18th July 1983 the site became part of the Blackdown and Sampford Commons re- scheduled Site of Special Scientific Interest which meant an end to some of the less natural experiments which had been undertaken Operations now had to be approved before they could be undertaken. We were given consent in perpetuity to spray the bracken, clear the birch (Betula spp.) and cut the scrub. The year 1984 was uneventful, but in 1985 I made over ownership to the British Butterfly Conservation Society for £1 with the then Chairman and myself as trustees and in 1993 I purchased from Mr R. Garrett of Pitt Farm, Culmstock the triangular piece of land above, which had been moorland and then farmland of one acre. It is currently willed to Butterfly Conservation (Plate 96K, Fig. 5). I still have a slide of it when the heather was in full flower, but when farmed it looked as if it had always been a field for livestock. It is good for butterflies as a flight area and favours breeding of the Small copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Marbled white and other Satyrine species, and the golden Skippers (Thymelicus sylvestris and Ochlodes venata). It is mainly grass becoming dense, but with some gorse and bracken, and is outside the limits of thesSSSic Between 1985 and 1993 Linda became ill with Multiple Sclerosis and I was her full-time carer until her death on 28th August 1993. This severely restricted my aspirations and ability to get out and even observe the site. Devon Branch of Butterfly Conservation published an appeal for help because the reserve was becoming overgrown and _ under- recorded. As a result, Liz Mallinson of Hemyock offered to record and David Hinde of Uffculme organised a work party of his colleagues to take out some of the scrub and spray the bracken, which they did effectively. David also supplied and helped to plant many young trees in the new area as future windbreaks, including many Alder buckthorns (Frangula alnus) which the Brimstones appreciate. His colleagues even brought in a shredder, chain-saws and brush-cutters and made up some new steps into the reserve as well. I also paid a woodman to do some of the work. The reserve badly needed this management and is now in good shape. David's colleagues returned in 1995 to treat the bracken again. tf Volume 55 * June 1996 115 Between 1988 and 1991, Marbled whites disappeared because they were attracted into the field above and then grazed out. This was one of the reasons for purchasing that part of the land (Plate 906K, Fig. 6). Some sheep found their way into the old part of the reserve and grazed them out of there as well. The fence between there and Top Pasture has now been improved. They are now back and particularly like the new area. Some planted majoram in the old area is a marvellous summer nectar source as are some of the others mentioned in the plant list. The site seems suitable for Dingy and Grizzled skippers, but perhaps their nearby habitats have been lost so they can't transfer so easily, although both exist at Buckland Wood five miles to the north-east. My colleague Tony Liebert also helped to clear some birches. On 28th June 1991 I released, with consent from English Nature, some Dark-green fritillary pupae, but the butterflies were never seen — because of that mysterious predator again? Each year I hold back the invasive purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) by spraying the tussocks as they form with a garden applicator of “Tumbleweed” (Glyphosate), acknowledged by English Nature. A Cox's apple tree planted out of curiosity has survived, though not fruiting and a very small Crab apple persists. Golden Delicious failed. I had made over 620 visits to the reserve by June 1995 and below are other miscellaneous comments not worked into their chronology in the preceding text. Linda had a bench-seat she could use to read her crime novels while I worked and observed the habitat. It soon went rusty and someone had the audacity to steal it. Also a bird nesting box appeared and someone else destroyed it. The hunt raced through one day with dogs after a deer with a terrified look on its face, there were also a deer poacher and one or two ramblers, but we have not often been bothered by other people. On 29th April 1982 I noted a tiny plume of smoke on the other side of the moor. This soon advanced on a broad front to engulf a large part of the moor in flames. I informed Purchase Farm but it was an hour before the Fire Brigade arrived. Between 1988 and 1991, Marbled whites disappeared because they were attracted into the field above and then grazed out. This was one of the reasons for purchasing that part of the land (Plate 96K, Fig. 6). Some sheep found their way into the old part of the reserve and grazed them out of there as well. The fence between there and Top Pasture has now been improved. They are now back and particularly like the new area. 116 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 32 I now have more time to observe and work on the habitat, so its near future, at least, is assured. None of the butterflies there now have been released and the meadow part in the old area is so successful because the more dominant plants grow thinly on the impoverished soil enabling more delicate larval and nectar plants to survive. Sparse false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) prevails in the meadow area. Coarse grasses invade where cutting is the main management tool (Plate 96L, Fig. 7). Summary If cultivating butterflies can be summed up in one sentence, it is that the amount of maintenance necessary is directly proportional to divergence from the natural. Of course all habitats have to be frozen in a particular stage of succession because butterfly sites are transient and there are various well-known ways of achieving this: scrub and grass cutting, carefully controlled grazing by various animals including rabbits and chemical treatment of plants. Because some of the management may be deleterious in the short term, it is important to only affect a portion of the breeding area at any one time and create unmanaged holding areas by fencing, from which the butterflies can colonise when the surrounding area becomes suitable. This is difficult with only a small area, especially where grazing is concerned, so other means have to be applied to places like Little Breach as described (Plate 96L, Fig. 8). The butterflies Thymelicus sylvestris, Small skipper — Common since grassy areas have developed. : Ochlodes venata, Large skipper — Appears a couple of weeks before the Small skipper and is common in the grassy places. Pyrgus malvae, Grizzled skipper — Disappeared after a few years and has shown no sign of returning. There are quite a lot of wild strawberries (Fragaria vescd). Erynnis tages, Dingy skipper — Appeared when Bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) was grown for it, but disappeared again after one successful brood. Colias croceus, Clouded yellow — A migrant seen occasionally. dé Volume 55 ° June 1996 117 Gonepteryx rhamni, Brimstone — Successfully bred in the reserve following the planting of Alder buckthorns (Frangula alnus). One bush was there originally. Pieris brassicae, Large white — A common visitor. P. rapae, Small white — seen from time to time. P. napi, Green-veined white — Often seen but haven't been able to verify its breeding status. Anthocharis cardamines, Orange tip — Often lays eggs on the Lady's smock (Cardamine pratensis) grown specially. Callophrys rubi, Green hairstreak — One of the original occupants. Has been seen to use the Gorse (Ulex europaeus), but it is not certain whether it lays eggs on the Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Sheltered gorse was saved for it when clearing, during the pupal stage. Thecla betulae, Brown hairstreak — No eggs found recently. Quercusia quercus, Purple hairstreak — Seen in the early days but there hasn't been time to study the trees for eggs or adults recently. (One seen 28.7.95.) Satyrium w-album, White-letter hairstreak — A friend believes he saw one on the garden privet (ligustrum vulgare) in 1994, and the surviving elm (Ulmus variegata), flowered in spring 1995. Lycaena phlaeas, Small copper — The scarce first brood appears here and it is one of the regular inhabitants. Aricia agestis, Brown argus — One appeared on 206.8.92 and there is Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium) for it. A large mint condition female seen 5.8.95. Polyommatus icarus, Common blue — Now produces a spring brood as well as a summer brood. Lysandra coridon, Chalkhill blue — The subject of an outlandish experiment to introduce it and its larval plant. A natural adult was seen in 1976. Celastrina argiolus, Holly blue — Seen laying on Ling (Calluna vulgaris) flower buds, but has disappeared during its recent nationwide decline. 118 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 32 Hamearis lucina, Duke of Burgundy — There are still some Cowslips there but they tend to dry out on the sandy soil so an introduction would probably fail. | Vanessa atalanta, Red admiral — Likes to nectar on the reserve. Cynthia cardui, Painted lady — This migrant appears from time to time. There are thistles (Cirsium arvense) for it in the new area. Aglais urticae, Small tortoiseshell — Likes to nectar on the reserve. Inachis to, Peacock — Produced a brood one year. Polygonia c-album, Comma — Seen in most years. Not known if it uses the elm. Boloria selene, Small pearl-bordered fritillary — Another of the original occupants seen every year searched for. B. euphrosyne, Pearl-bordered fritillary — Only one seen, it seems to now be extinct in the Blackdowns. , Argynnis aglaja, Dark green fritillary — One seen in adjoining field on 6.7.74, but none seen since for certain. A. paphia, Silver-washed fritillary -—Reckon to see this every year like the Small pearl-bordered. It likes to nectar on the plants provided. Eurodryas aurinia, Marsh fritillary - One seen on 4.6.77, but must have been a wanderer. Scabious (Succisa pratensis) planted in cold weather didn't do so well as that planted in warmer weather and ter torit Parage aegeria, Speckled wood — Appears most years perching in the lower woodland area. Lasiommata megera, Wall brown — One or two seen most years, usually in the second brood. Pyronia tithonus, Gatekeeper — Nectars on the Marjoram (Origanum vulgare). Watched a male and female meet, they coupled immediately with ceremony. Up to 50 can be seen at one time on the marjoram. Melanargia galathea, Marbled white — Plenty nowadays, but we lost them when they were grazed out for a while. Hipparchia semele, Grayling — Comes down from the moor in ones and twos. Uses bristle bent grass (Agrostis setaced). | Volume 55 + June 1996 119 Maniola jurtina, Meadow brown — Common. Aphantopus hyperantus, Ringlet — Usually well apparent. Coenonympha pamphilus, Small heath — Usually one or two. One year they did well on a dry stony patch, but it is not known why. Callimorpha dominula — Moths have not been trapped, but a Scarlet tiger appeared on 23.7.94. The plants e =introduced ? = origin unsure, may have self-seeded. Achillea millefolium Agrostis setacea A. capillaris Ajuga reptans Arrhenatherum elatius Barbarea vulgaris Betula pendula Blechnum spicant Buddleja davidii Calluna vulgaris Cardamine pratensis Centaurea nigra Cerastium fontanum Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Cirsium arvense C.. palustre C.. vulgare Cotoneaster integerrimus Corylus avellana Crataegus monogynda yarrow bristle bent grass common bent grass bugle false oat grass winter cress silver birch tree hard fern buddleia, butterfly bush ling heather lady's smock, cuckoo flower knapweed, hardheads mouse-ear Lawson's cypress tree ox-eye daisy creeping thistle marsh thistle spear thistle cotoneaster hazel hawthorn 120 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Dactylis glomerata Digitalis purpurea Dipsacus fullonum Erica cinerea Eupatorium cannabinum Fagus sylvatica Fragaria vesca Frangula alnus Galanthus nivalis Galium mollugo G. verum Hedera helix Helianthemum nummularium Hippocrepis comosa Holcus lanatus H. mollis Ilex aquifolium Lathyrus pratensis Ligustrum sp. Lonicera periclymenum Lotus corniculatus L. uliginosus Luzula multiflora Lychnis flos-cuculi Malus sp. Malus sp. Melampyrum pratense Molinia caerulea Myosotis sp. cock's-foot grass foxglove wild teasel bell heather hemp agrimony beech tree wild strawberry alder buckthorn shrub snowdrop hedge bedstraw lady's bedstraw ivy wild rockrose horseshoe vetch yorkshire fog grass creeping soft-grass holly tree meadow vetchling garden privet bush honeysuckle bird's foot trefoil greater bird's foot trefoil heath woodrush ragged robin Cox's apple tiny apple cow-wheat purple moor-grass forget-me-not Orchis sp. 2 appeared after clearing (not seen since) Origanum vulgare Pinus nigra Primula veris wild marjoram Corsican pine tree cowslip we Volume 55 + June 1996 121 P. vulgaris © primrose Prunella vulgaris e self-heal Prunus spinosa e blackthorn bush Pteridium aquilinum Quercus robur Ranunculus repens Rubus fruticosus Rumex acetosella Salix caprea S. cinerea Senecio jacobaea Silene dioica Stachys officinalis Succisa pratensis Teucrium scorodonia Ulex europaeus Ulmus variegata Urtica dioica Vaccinium myrtillus Viola riviniana bracken pedunculate oak creeping buttercup blackberry sheep's sorrel goat willow, pussy willow tree common sallow tree ragwort red campion betony devil's-bit scabious wood sage gorse elm tree stinging nettle bilberry dog violet An uncommon moth at Park Hall Country Park, Staffordshire by Jan Koryszko (6089) 3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 7AY. In July 1995, in the company of Mr Derek Heath, I visited Park Hall Country Park, Staffordshire. We were beating gorse bushes when I captured a Grass emerald (Pseudoterpna pruinata atropunctaria, Walker). This is only the second Grass emerald I have taken here, the other was during 1992 in almost the same spot. It is a very local and uncommon moth in Staffordshire. I have also recorded this species, again in very small numbers, at Barlaston Rough Close Common, during the 1980s. Other Staffordshire records are from Burnt Wood, Forton, Cannock Chase, Churnet Valley and Swynnerton. 122 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society tf Eggs found in a gynandromorph of the Malayan jungle nymph, Heteropteryx dilatata (Phasmida) =a} hea cacnnad incect qeccmhen ace n > oied : =- nympn. The second insect described has now died and posi mortem ms S or the eggs were tully developed and microscopic mspection 4 ee! fe OE. Pon bee ee ee eee ees pA Ee ee gia not reveal any adiierence petrween these cges anGd CZes faiG@ Dy ripe = = pal E bs ee Cggos oe ea ee eek Se normal females. A scale drawing oi this second inseci is also included nere together wiih a Grawing oi ihe very aDnommnal geniiaha present Reference LA dAhAAAAAA aw . a eal 2 Bebo vdisegm 2 = re 4 iS = SS ~ = rat —_— shh < = Py Herm tat onan onenamnrnh —- Shc oe ots = ocale C V oC e second Heieropien iMaigia & ancgromorip anG itS genitalia Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 2. The same area, but in 1995. Note the Marbled white on the thistle in the centre. PLATE 906] Volume 55 « June 1996 34 Fig. 4. With the gorse and bracken under control, limed plant circles were set up (1978). This shows horseshoe vetch and bird's-foot trefoil in flower and cowslips in the left foreground. PLATE 96] Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 5. This is the field situated above the original field in 1977, part of which (not featured), we bought in 1993 to extend the reserve (see Fig. 8). Fig. 6. This is the same view but in 1984. PLATE 96K + June 1996 Volume 55 | NB) — rene | rea atner ceatiivti. he ad Volume 55 * June 1996 123 Some notes on butterflies in Cambridge during 1995 by Brian Gardiner (225) 2 Highfield Avenue, Cambridge CB4 2AL. Last year was one of the best I have seen in my Cambridge garden for many a year. In particular I was both pleased and surprised at the numbers of the spring and summer species that appeared in my garden, including one species not previously seen, even nearby. The autumn species were, however, on the low side. The year started well with the usual appearance of Brimstones (Gonepteryx rhamni), Peacocks Unachis io) and Small tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae) coming out of hibernation. They were followed by Orange-tips (Anthocharis cardamines) which. regularly breed in my garden. Exceptionally common were two of the whites, the Green- veined (Pieris napi) being very abundant during spring and early summer, with a sprinkling of Small whites (P. rapae) among them and as the Green-veined faded away they were replaced by more and more of the Small whites which continued into the autumn and quite clearly had gone through three generations. At any time of day, from May to September, with reasonable weather, one could not go into, nor look out of, a window onto the garden without spotting several specimens which sometimes went into double figures. They were accompanied by other species, although always as singletons and only from time to time for any one of them except the Vanessids which where much more regularly seen. These species were Small tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Red admirals (Vanessa atalanta) Small or Large skippers (7hymelicus sylvestris and Ochlodes venata), Small heaths (Coenonympha pamphilus), Gatekeepers (Pyronia tithonus) and Meadow browns (Maniola jurtina). A curious habit of these last was to fly into the house which a few of the Small whites also did but none of the other species. A very surprising scarcity was that of the Large white (Pieris brassicae) of which I only recollect seeing two examples. Normally it is as common as the Small white and for the first time there was a complete absence of any eggs having been laid on my nasturtiums. Holly blues (Celastrina argiolus) which for many years have bred regularly in the garden but were not sighted in 1994, returned in force, particularly in the second brood and were also 124 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe seen on Cambridge market. The most surprising sighting of one, however, was in the grounds of Pembroke College on 13th October, which surely must have been a third brood example brought about by the extremely hot weather we had experienced. One newcomer to my garden, a single sighting, was of a Common blue (Polyommatus icarus). The autumn Nymphalids, however, were few and far between, there rarely being more than a couple or so on the buddleia at any one time. In some previous years I have counted over forty Small tortoiseshells alone. The last sighting of a Red admiral was on 28th November, to be followed by the earliest sighting of 1996 which was of one on the fine sunny day of 4th January. Help wanted in Kent by John Maddocks 26 Edgewood Drive, Orpington, Kent BRO 6LQ. The Kent branch of Butterfly Conservation is currently working on a project called “Butterflies for the New Millennium”, which aims to produce a report and atlas of the current state and distribution of all of this country's butterflies in the year 2000. This report is intended to provide the basis for our efforts in the conservation of butterflies for the next century. As we are a relatively small group we are in need of some help from members of other similar groups to help us with some of the recording. I would be very grateful if members could send me any details of butterfly sightings that they make in Kent and south-east London, either in 1996 or during the coming years. I would also be interested in any sightings that you have for 1995. Turkey and butterfly identification by Matthew Rowlings (9108) 87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8DL. I am spending a week in Turkey in mid-July this summer and there appear to be no affordable identification guides on the market. (The German title, Die Tagfalter Der Ttirkei by Hesselbarth, Van Oorschot and Wagener is way beyond my means). Could anyone suggest any books or papers that may be of help in this part of the world, that is, after all, very close to Europe? ae Volume 55 + June 1996 125 New British Beetles: Species not in Joy's practical handbook. by Peter J. Hodge and Richard A. Jones. British Entomological and Natural History Society (BEHNS) 1995, 192pp. Hardback: ISBN 1-899935-00-2 Paperback: ISBN 1-899935-00-2). Essential is the first word that comes to mind when one considers this book. Joy's A Practical Handbook of British Beetles is the standard text most coleopterists use in their identifications, and is currently the only work easily obtainable that covers all the British families. However, since this book was published in 1932, with a reprint in 1976 (without revision) the nomenclature is out-dated and there are many species not included, which figure, according to Hodge & Jones, is a staggering 650 species. It is not that all these species have been added to the British list since the publication of Joy, but rather that Joy, in order to make his book “practical”, omitted very rare and doubtfully British species, a practice unacceptable by today's standards. “How to use this book” — what better way to start? Examples are given of how to find the most up-to-date key for each family, how to deal with a problem specimen and checking an_ identification. Information on checklists, recent books, relevant journals and recording schemes is given. The book proper follows the recent classification and nomenclature (although a few irregularities were noticed). Each family (where relevant) is given an introduction to and information on Joy's keys, including errors. A list of the most recent works, and useful references covering that family, is given. Under each family there is a list of the species and variations omitted from Joy. The latter are included to help determine aberrant specimens. _ A brief discussion, including description, recognition from closely related species, identification and references is given for each of the species. References are organised by date, which allows the reader to pick out the most recent works. 126 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a4 One point that I did find an annoyance, was that name changes have not been referenced, so one could not look up how, why and when these changes came into practice. Saying that, this book is not intended to be a catalogue or checklist, so such omission is understandable. At least a few papers which I have found to be of great help in identification of “difficult” species are not listed. This book is affordable, helpful and easy to use and, although a complete revision of Joy is one of the things I dream of, pipe dreams I know, (this: book -is~ thes next-best thing. > Let quspeuepe. teat Hymenopterists, Dipterists and other specialists follow suit and produce such a useful book for each of their groups. Darren Mann Microlepidoptera of Europe. Edited by P. Huemer, O. Karsholt and L. Lyneborg: Volume 1: Pterophoridae by Cees Géielis. 8vo. pp222 including 16 coloured and 49 plain plates. ISBN 87-88757-360-6. Apollo Books, Kirkeby Sand, DK-5771 Stenstrup, Denmark 1996. Price DK 350,00 plus postage (approx. £40). Here at last we have a comprehensive work devoted entirely to the Pterophoridae. Not before time, the last being the rather brief account included with the Pyrales in Beirne's British Pyralid and Plume Moths, now 45 years old and before that only Tutt's Pterophorina of Britain, (Natural History of the British Lepidoptera, Vol. 5) now very out of date after 90 years. In view of the fact that some six new Lepidoptera species per year have turned up in Britain over the past half-century, then a book that deals with all the European species is to be applauded as not only do many of us collect abroad these days but we need to be able to identify the Continental species when they turn up here. Not to mention vice-versa. Beirne, for instance, quotes Oxyptilus (now Capperia) britaniodactylas as being confined to England. Here it is stated to be distributed in western and central Europe. Europe is treated in the broadest sense to include the Atlantic islands and the southern Mediterranean littoral. Most of the Palaearctic region in fact. The book commences with a historical account of, and then a general account of, the Pterophoridae which is followed by a chapter on how to collect them and then how to prepare slides of the genitalia. There follows a key to the genera and then a check list of all 138 species described in the book with their full synonymy. The account of | | 3 Volume 55 * June 1996 127 the species (precluded by salient points of the genera) that follow are concise and to the point and are laid out under the headings:- Diagnosis; male genitalia; female genitalia; distribution; biology; remarks. Almost all species are illustrated in colour, as well as a number of the early stages, and the genitalia of both sexes as line drawings. Where the early stages and/or the foodplant is unknown this is so stated. Neither as verbose as Tutt nor as detailed on the bionomics as Beirne, the data given is concise and very much to the point and since full references are given those who wish can consult the original authorities. In 1887 Leech listed 29 British plumes; Beirne in 1952 had 35 while Emmet & Heath in 1952 list 42 species. All of them appear in this book, although two, Stenoptilia picardi and S. scabiodactylus, are of doubtful status requiring further investigation as they may well be synonyms of S. dridus and S. bipunctdactyla respectively. This book is extremely well laid out and printed. The colour plates, which include a number of the early stages, are excellent, although I personally think a magnification of x2 would have been better than the x2'2 used here. The reference list is very thorough, occupying no less than 13 pages and it is quite clear from this that the author has gone back to check all original descriptions. There is an index to all names quoted in the text and a separate index to the foodplants. There is a table showing the distribution by country of all the species dealt with. In such a difficult group as the plumes this can be very useful when _ dealing with a possible doubtful species, for if its known area is, say, _ 400 miles from where your doubtful specimen came from, then it is unlikely (although perhaps not impossible) that it is a new record so far _ from its base. Cees Gielis laid the groundwork for this book in his 1993 paper “Generic revision of the superfamily Pterophoroidea” (Zoologische Verhandelingen Leiden 290: 1-139). There are, therefore, a number of changes to the nomenclature given in our most recent book, viz Emmet & Heath's (1992) Moths & Butterflies of Great Britain & Ireland Vol. 7(2). It is worth pointing these out. In particular the genus Pterophorus has been substantially split up, leaving but two species in it, one of which is our familiar white plume moth. The genus Leioptilus is now Hellinsia with the same five species retained in it; Platyptilia pallidactyla = Helinsia pallidactyla; P. ocrodactyla = Gilmeria _ tetradactyla; Stenoptilia saxifragae = S. millieridactyla; S. scabiodactylus = S. bipunctidactyla; Oxyptilus distans = Crombrughia distans; O. laetus 128 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society yd = C. laetus; Pterophorus tridactyla = Merrifieldia tridactyla; P. fuscoclimbatus = M. tridactyla; P. baliodactylus = M. baliodactylus; P. galactodactyla = Porritia galactodactyla; P. spilodactylus = Wheeleria spilodactylus; Agdistis staticis = A. meridionalis. This is the first volume of a projected series on the Microlepidoptera of Europe and the publishers are offering a 10% discount to subscribers to the series. The aim is to provide a brief and concise identification guide which will fill the gap between extensive, revisional and very expensive Microlepidoptera Palaearctica and local guides. As such, in view of its wide-ranging coverage, from the North Cape to the Canary Islands; from Dingle Bay to the Urals, distribution and times of appearance cannot be but generalisations and local conditions of latitude and longitude must be taken into account and it may well be, as is known with many other species, that the further south (warmer!) we go the greater the possibility of two or more generations. Indeed it is the southern parts of the area covered where the Microlepidoptera, particularly their bionomics, are least known. As is pointed out in the text some species have been so confused (and still are!) that records are unreliable. This book should ensure that accurate determinations, from anywhere in Europe can now be made. The Editors and Publisher are to be congratulated for initiating these series. I understand that the next volume will deal with the Scythrididae, and in preparation are volumes on three further groups of the Pyraloidea; the Crambinae, Evergestinae and Scopariinae. This is the first book since Tutt 90 years ago to deal solely with the plume moths and I am sure it will give a temendous boost to the study of this fascinating and difficult group. My one regret is that it does not include the twenty-plume moth, traditionally placed with the plumes for convenience and in whose genus (A/ucita) a number of them have existed happily in the past. Hexadactyla Hawkmoth larvae on Birch by Bernard Page (0584) Whilst cleaning out a batch of American moon moth larvae feeding on silver birch, I came across a very small hawkmoth larva. I reared this up to full size using birch and it turned out to be a Lime hawk. This moth is quite common around Enfield, where I live, on lime trees, but I have never found one on birch before. The larva has now pupated. 3 Volume 55 * June 1996 129 My first holiday abroad by Matthew Rowlings (9108) 87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8DL. My first trip abroad was in August 1984 when my interest in Lepidoptera was just beginning to consolidate itself as number one over train spotting. We were visiting relatives in Brussels, Belgium for a week or so. During this time we got into the countryside on several occasions. Unfortunately my notes of these excursions are lost Gf, at 13 years old and just starting out, I actually made any notes!) so I have to rely on memory and the selective notes my father Peter took. I caught my very first foreign butterfly just outside Brussels. Memory says I captured it at the bottom of the “Lion on the Hill” memorial at Waterloo, site of Napoleon's last battle. It was a copper and I excitedly fished it out of the bottom of my home-made over-long heavy green muslin net. Not knowing what to expect we trawled through Higgins and Riley and other field guides and could only conclude that it was a Small copper (Lycaena phlaeas). Disappointing, but rather than numb our enthusiasm it spurred us on to find some of the unknown things that were supposed to fly in these parts. Our first success was to come a few days later. We had just been to the canal at Ronquiere to see the tremendous lock — two vast counter- balanced tubs of water each holding several large barges are pulled up/down a steep ramp perhaps 500 metres long. We stopped at a sunny corner in the nearby wooded countryside. Flying around were three or four very small White admirals — or so we thought. Closer inspection revealed the second generation Map butterfly (Araschnia levana f. prorsa) resembling the White admiral on the uppers but with a unique map-like underwing pattern. I took one back to the house and put it in the fridge . . . and then got into trouble with our hostess! Later we spent two days in the picturesque south of the country in the mountainous limestone Ardennes. As we entered the region we stopped. at the edge of a wood next to a grazed field. Within seconds what looked like a large dark fritillary “buzzed” over our heads. Another followed shortly. In the process of catching one of these beasts I managed to electrocute myself in the hurry to clamber over the fence that kept cattle in the grazed field. Once in the open field my chance came and after a mighty struggle Ihad caught myself a powerful handsome Large tortoiseshell (Vymphalis polychloros) — not a fritillary after all. 130 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society — 2 Here in the Ardennes one site in particular will be held responsible for stimulating my now strong interest in European butterflies. It was a road-side spot near the village of Belvaux. It had a small grassy area, a very steep hillside with open vegetation, a densely vegetated wet stream-side border and a mixture of deciduous trees and, I think, conifers. Chalk hill blues (Zysandra coridon) were the first excitement shorily followed by a fully-grown final instar Swallowtail (/apilio machaon) larva tumbling down the hillside. On the trunk of a road-side poplar a perfect Large tortoiseshell alighted. Lesser marbled fritillaries (Brenibis ino) were flying amongst the stream-side plants. I think we also found the Pearly heath (Coenonympba arcania) here, or certainly within a few miles. Down in the irickling stream a stunning Lesser purple emperor (Apaiura ilia) was taking liquid from a moist stone. Near the conifers a Scoich argus (Erebia aethiops) was fluttering along the road-side verge. During this time a Belgian lepidopterist from the north pulled up in his car and started asking us about our butterfly watching successes. He introduced us to the harsh reality that knowing your Latin names really does help — sadly my proficiency is_ still somewhat lacking! Then we witnessed a terrible spectacle. He started catching and killing everything in sight with no regard for our enjoyment or for the quality of the specimens he took. It really was an unpleasant act to waich. Anyway he left shortly after and so did we. Pulling away we hadn't even got into third gear when Peter slammed on the brakes and shouted “Swallowitail!”. The unmistakable creature, larger than our brifannicus, whizzed past us and was gone. A few miles further on we stopped in a clearing in the forest which contained several refuse skips. Three gorgeous Lesser purple emperors circled the skips, presumably attracted by the rotting organic matter. I don't remember seeing anything else in the opening. The next day (or perhaps the same day) we moved 20 miles on to a nature reserve called Lesse et Lomme. It is primarily an area of marshland and we hoped to find some different butterflies there. We weren't disappointed and found good numbers of well-wom Pupple- edged coppers (Lycaena hippothoe). Sadly that was all the weather and good fortune allowed as clouds came along and the wind picked up and other sites we visited proved poor. From these small beginnings I have now travelled abroad at least ten times, each time with an eye open for butterflies. I have seen many hundreds of species now but I will always remember Belvaux and the ~ Ardennes as the place where it really began. 3 Volume 55 * June 1996 131 Etymology not entomology by Gareth King 22 Stoney Meade, Slough, Berkshire SL1 2YT. When an entomologist is faced with a species not bred before in captivity, as in the case of Dr Roy (Bulletin, February 1996) and his three Brazilian Saturniid caterpillars, how do you go about choosing what to feed the larvae on? One of the moths detailed, Copaxa canella Walker, should have made the guessing easier, simply by looking at the specific name — canella, it might suggest the foodplant in the wild Canella winterana, or white cinnamon which belongs to the whole family Canellaceae. Now, unless one knows the staff at Kew Gardens intimately, the chance of getting hold of the plant is all but remote, but there are related plant families which might make things simpler: Magnoliaceae (Magnolias and Tulip trees), for example. Easier still, canela is Spanish for cinnamon (Cinnamomum), in the family Lauraceae which contains the genus Laurus, plants not favoured by the Lepidoptera, but this may lead us to try Prunus laurocerasus Git contains the same aromatic oils), or even other roseaceous plants, especially almond (Prunus sulcis) or other Prunus species. Some of the southern European moths enjoy descriptive names which tell us something about the species, in much the same way that we understand that both the specific name Cigustri), and the generic name (Sphinx), inform us about what the Privet hawk feeds upon, and in what position the larvae rest; or that Ourapteryx sambucaria eats Sambucus (elder). A Geometrid, Pseudoterpna coronillaria Hubner, has quite distinctive larvae and we can guess in what manner, by its specific name coronillaria. In Spanish the word coronilla means “crown”, and yes, the caterpillar does have a rather elegant finish to its head. Another moth in the same family as the aforementioned, Adalbertia castiliaria Staudinger, does not leave much to the imagination, and is indeed a Spanish endemic, occurring, although not exclusively, on the Castillian meseta. A more widely distributed Geometrid, Campaea margaritata L., can only be described after a daisy, which is what it is, margarita means precisely that in Spanish. 132 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society L Tephronia sepiaria Hufnagel, is a very interesting Geometrid whose larvae feed upon lichens that grow upon juniper, but its specific name tells us instead about the caterpillar's appearance, but only in Spanish. Sepia is the word for “cuttlefish”, the larva does have chalky excrescences which could just possibly conjure up an idea: of budgie food. A final example is provided by Peribatodes umbraria Hubner, which takes advantage of the subtleties of light and shade, as it rests against the trunk of a tree, and we get a hint of meaning in its name; umbratico, umbroso, umbrio are used in Spanish to denote shadow. References Gardiner, B.O.C. (1982). A Silkmoth rearers's handbook, The Amateur Entomologists' Society. ; Gomez de Aizptrua, C. (1989). Biologia y Morfologia de las orugas, tomo VII. MAPA, Madrid. Heyward, V.H. (1993). Flowering Plants of the World. Batsford Ltd., London. Exploding treacle by Graham Best (7928) 12 Hortham Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4JH. Some time ago there were reports of tins of black treacle exploding violently on grocers' shelves. Sugar acts as preservative because the osmotic pressure prevents moulds, yeasts and bacteria from growing. As the temperature fluctuated in the shops so some of the treacle evaporated and condensed back as a weak sugar solution capable of supporting growth of yeasts leading to fermentation and a gas build-up. There are obvious risks to anyone storing their “sugar” in glass jars in a store cupboard and apart from the danger the contents of a store cupboard covered in black treacle is hardly likely to be conducive to domestic harmony. AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION Saturday 5th October 1996 at Kempton Park Racecourse. FREE ENTRY FOR MEMBERS. | i] |] Volume 55 * June 1996 133 Nervous butterflies in north-eastern USA by Matthew Rowlings (9108) 87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 SDL. I spent two weeks in the north-eastern United States in early August 1995. I had two objectives on visiting the USA — the primary one was to meet family and friends and the secondary one was to enjoy the local insect wildlife. My main comment concerns the abundance of butterflies and first impressions of butterfly life in the New England and New Jersey areas of the north-east USA — not, I now appreciate, noted for its butterflies. The entire area is apparently naturally forested with salty marshes near the coast and bogland interspersed throughout. Open meadows (i.e. of the non-mown variety) to suit butterflies are extremely hard to find. The only one I found of any note, or size (at perhaps 30 acres) was within 15 miles of the city centre of Boston at the Blue Hills State Park — the only State Park I happened upon that showed any outward awareness of insects and their ecological requirements. The butterflies I encountered throughout the region were hard to find and, in general, very hard to net. I had had plenty of practice with the net earlier in the year, in the UK and Europe, so my netting technique was well polished. Despite this Ihad very serious trouble catching many of the butterflies I found. Particular examples include the capture of the American painted lady (Cynthia virginiensis) which took extreme measures in the 300-acre meadow I described above. Dropping my body below the four-foot vegetation I had to stalk the feeding butterfly incredibly slowly, keeping my head and net low and inching towards the host flower head. Then I had to snap my net upwards with all the speed I could muster, being particularly careful to avoid the flower stem before hitting the flower head. Even with these precautions it took me five attempts and the regrettable destruction of several flowers to capture one of these lovely insects and confirm its suspected identification. Another group I had surprising trouble with were the Pearl crescents (family Nymphalidae, genus Phyciodes). Although more easily caught than the lady, the slowish low-flying butterflies (somewhat like the European fritillaries) always reacted with such unexpected speed and manoeuvrabilty that I never really learnt to catch them “at will’. This deceptive ability was evident in most species but notably the other Nymphalids such as the Buckeye (Junonia coenia), and Hop merchant (Polygonia comma) and the hairstreaks (especially the Red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) — fairly common in central and southern New Jersey). My notes record 134 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3é that a settled Hop merchant could not be approached to within six feet! (The only one I caught took me a full 45 minutes of stalking it up and down the shady ride it was patrolling.) Even the larger Papilionids were very swift off the starting blocks and rarely slowed down once on the wing. | By my last day in the States I had evidently begun to learn my lesson that the non-aggressive approach to butterfly capture usually led to failure and disappointment. Four hours before my flight home from Boston I was reluctantly leaving the 300-acre meadow for the second time when something landed on the other side of an exposed sapling. My interest was inexplicably alerted and rather than edge my way around the bush to locate the butterfly I knew I had to strike fast and with the minimum of warning. I assessed the best angle to strike the bush from behind and committed myself to an all-or-nothing attack. Luckily I was successful this time, but I believe my odds of success had been significantly increased by not taking my time. The Gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus) | caught was the only one I saw so I was. pleased-as- punch by this last skirmish with the North American lepidoptera. There were exceptions to this widespread sensitivity. The skippers (which I used to think were hard to catch!) had behaviour similar to the European skippers and were relatively easy to net, an exception being the fiercely territorial Zabulon skipper (Poanes zabulon) that would fearlessly attack any intruder, including me, before invariably returning to its chosen lookout spot. This habit inevitably led to the handsome insect's ultimate capture and identification. Most of the species common with Europe were also relatively easy to catch. These include the Cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae = Small white), Little copper (Lycaena phlaeas = Small copper), Spring azure (Celastrina argiolus = Holly blue), Silver-bordered fritillary (Soloria selene = Small-pearl bordered fritillary), Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia = Large heath) and others. One or two of the non-European species were naturally slow fliers and could be caught easily, but if the first strike should miss they would instantly disappear. The widespread Least skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor) is a master at this! The overall scarcity of butterflies and the alertness of those I found prompted me to believe their environment may not be as amicable to them as less extensively forested Europe. It may be shortage of habitat Or pressures from daytime predators, perhaps birds or the numerous dragonflies. Anyway, I learnt to approach every butterfly with a degree of stealth that I have never before had to do. | Volume 55 * June 1996 135 Some observations on breeding Moon moths (Lepidoptera: Attacidae). Part 1 by Michel Lamour Les Vallées, Rue de Grands Terrages, 85100 Le Chateau d'Olonne, France. Moon moths are moths which comprise the genera Actias, Argema and Graellsia. With the exception of Graellsia isabellae and Actias luna, they all inhabit tropical or equatorial countries. In this article I should like to give an account of some of the particularities noted when breeding Moon moths. I shall be most grateful if any breeder will get in touch with me if his findings differ from mine, or otherwise publish them, to assist other amateurs and extend our knowledge of the habitats of these moths. Genus Actias I have had experience on breeding the following species: A. selene, A. sinensis and A. luna, either on isolated occasions or for several years, as and when eggs have been available. Actias selene Over four years I have bred several hundred A. selene. It seems to thrive best on weeping willow (Salix babylonica) especially during the first three instars. Indeed, when eggs were deposited on other species of willow (S. matsudana (species of willow from northern China, Manchuria and Korea), S. alba, S. viminalis, S. caprea) the larvae refused to feed and starved to death. This is also the case where other foodplants of this species are concerned (Malus, Pyrus, Prunus, etc), however, this possibly depends on the stocks which I was able to obtain. On the other hand, the larval foodplant can easily be changed, without any apparent ill-effects, as from the third instar and even the second. During the winter, I have even satisfactorily transferred the larvae from Prunus laurocerasus (cherry laurel) to Quercus ilex, due to lack of food. However, as I was breeding indoors, a few larvae were attacked by disease, but apparently this was not caused by the change in foodplant. 136 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society es Pairing and egg-laying appear to be straightforward, provided several pairs are placed in a square cage, each side measuring 50cms. After inbreeding for a maximum of three broods, moths become weakened, show signs of degeneration and are somewhat reluctant to pair. This occurrence is most certainly of a genetic nature. I have obtained very satisfactory results when breeding a second brood outdoors, late in the season (October-November) direct on trees in full growth, even at temperatures down to 5°C. On the other hand, I have never been able to achieve satisfactory results when breeding indoors using cut branches standing in water. This is probably because Salix babylonica does not keep well under these conditions. An attempt has probably been made using other plants, such as Rhododendron. I would be happy to know the results. I would also be happy to know whether this easily-bred species has been bred on artificial food, together with the results and the ingredients of the artificial food if it does exist. Contrary to a widely-held view, spun-up pupae of Actias selene often enter diapause. After having started breeding in May, the second brood was bred in August-September; the pupae entered diapause normally in a dark cellar at a temperature of 12-13°C, and the cocoons were lightly sprinkled with cold water every month. The following year the cocoons were transferred to enclosed premises and kept under humid conditions and the temperature of 22°C; diapause was broken in April-May. Perfectly formed imagines emerged eight to ten days later. All the imagines resulting from larvae bred on weeping willow were of the usual size — males measured 120- 130mm and females 150-160mm, with a difference of under 10% in several cases. Several dozen larvae can easily be kept together in the sleeves; the only problem is that the larvae consume a very large amount of food. The sleeves must therefore be transferred to fresh branches every other day, without removing the larvae from their support. Were this to be done, they would be torn in the process, such is the force with which they cling to the foodplant. The twig to which the larva is attached must be cut, using secateurs, the sleeve is transferred onto a leafy branch, and the twigs to which the larvae are clinging-are then dropped into the sleeve. They will easily make their way of their own accord onto the fresh foliage. Great care must be taken to protect the larvae from being attacked by tits and wasps (this must be done whenever breeding outdoors and I — t <4 Volume 55 * June 1996 127 have suffered the consequences with Argema mittrei). Often a double sleeve is required to prevent predators from seeing the larvae. I have never experienced any attacks by mycosis, virus or bacterial diseases when breeding this species outdoors. On the other hand, whenever breeding indoors, the larvae have been attacked by various diseases. Actias sinensis Unlike A. selene where there is little sexual dimorphism, males and females of A. sinensis seem to belong to different species. The male resembles a small-scale Argema mittrei, on account of its coloration, while having the shape of a small Actias selene. However, the female is pale blue and its shape very much resembles that of A. selene. Both males and females are smaller than A. selene: males measure 90-100mm and females 100-110mm. Although I have only one year's breeding experience with this species, I reared several hundreds. In the spring of 1984 I received about twenty eggs from a friend of mine. He told me this species could very easily be bred on liquidambar. [Liquidambar or American sweet gum (Liquidambar styracifluda) is a tree which comes from the east of the United States, belonging to the family Hamamelidaceae.] I very easily reared the first brood. In July, I then had one male and five females. I put them all together in a cage, which was placed outside about 10pm (22.00hrs). The weather was very mild with a light wind. The following morning the moths were considerably damaged. I placed the females in a cardboard box for them to lay. I collected about one thousand eggs, and thought that many would be infertile, considering the excess number of females in relation to the single male. As a matter of fact, the male had paired with all of the five females and all the eggs hatched. These were split up and placed on about ten liquidambars; as a result my trees were completely stripped when the larvae reached their third instar. I collected all the larvae with the help of my daughter and a friend of hers (the jumbled mixture of larvae in the polystyrene box weighed about 1kg). I then went to a nurseryman friend of mine who had some very fine liquidambar. He was at first amazed, but after some discussion, he allowed me to install my sleeves on his trees. I installed three or four large sleeves on the liquidambars and then introduced all the larvae into the sleeves. Ten minutes later the larvae were dispersed among the foliage. Had it not been for the tits and the 138 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 wasps, I would have had at least 800 moths. In actual fact, by October I only managed to obtain half that amount, due to heavy losses caused by predators (holes in sleeves, sleeves pecked to remove pupae from cocoons). In spite of all my attempts I have never succeeded in getting Actias sinensis to enter diapause, using a cellar, refrigerator, light and darkness. Indeed, this species appears to be so hardy that.I have had perfect specimens emerge in the refrigerator at 4°C. The larvae, too, seem to thrive outdoors, despite temperatures close to freezing. However, the fact that I bred just one stock must be borne in mind when evaluating the above findings. I tried to rear larvae on several occasions on various Eucalyptus, willows, walnut and different species of Prunus, however, Actias sinensis seems strictly monophagous in these parts and only accepts liquidambar at all larval instars. The cocoon is very different from that of Actias selene and resembles those from the genus Argema. The first-instar larvae very much resembles that of Actias selene but is similar to that of A. /una in later instars. It should be noted that the males of Actias sinensis are very restless and very fast, just like those of A. selene. For this reason, skill is needed to catch them without causing any damage. A. sinensis is even easier to breed than A. selene, however, it is absolutely essential to have some liquidambars, but unfortunately these are very expensive. As A. sinensis can withstand poor weather conditions, I have never tried to breed it indoors. As with A. selene, and despite the large number of larvae, there were no cases of disease when breeding this species. Actias luna Here again, I bred several hundred larvae. I noticed there were two forms of this species. The first form is of reduced size, males measuring 80mm and females 100mm, the wings are thin, semi-transparent and deep greenish-yellow in colour. The L 4 Volume 55 * June 1996 139 second form is larger: males measure 120mm and females 130mm; the wings are thick, opaque and light-green in colour. According to information Ihave been able to gather regarding the origin of the eggs received, it would appear that the first form is the type occurring in northern USA, while the second is that which occurs in the south. However, this may not be the general rule. As I did not receive both forms at the same time, I was unfortunately unable to Carry Out any cross-pairings. According to Gardiner, the larvae of this species will feed on a wide range of trees: birch, chestnut, aspen, various species of Juglandaceae (walnut), willows, efc. Personally, I have only bred it on liquidambar, without any trouble; this foodplant is not mentioned by Gardiner, The imagines were of the usual size, in accordance with the forms mentioned above. Actias luna seems to be less vigorous than the two species mentioned above, but it is not so easy to secure pairings. This could possibly depend upon the stocks which I bred. The cocoon is more fragile than that of Actias selene and quite different from that of A. sinensis. Pupation often occurs at the base of the sleeve and this can be a drawback, due to attacks by predators. On the other hand, the success rate was similar to that achieved when breeding the species mentioned above. Considering its distribution, I believe A. Juna could be introduced into Europe, at least with stocks from east-central USA. It may be worth while carrying out such an experiment, as it appears that this species is under threat in its original habitat. This risk would then be reduced, by artificially extending its geographical range. Besides, it is not a potential pest to agriculture or forestry, on account of its rate of reproduction. We do not have many beautiful butterflies and moths in this country, especially among the moths, and it would be interesting to see whether A. luna can thrive in France. The experiment was a success with Samia cynthia, and yet this was _ completely unintentional! However, before trying out the experiment, it is obvious that far- reaching ecological research would have to be carried out and this could only be done with the authorisation of the (French) Ministry for 140 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 Hybridisation between Actias luna and A. sinensis. The following observations are made for what they are worth. One day I received about fifty eggs which very much resembled those of Actias sinensis; they had been sent by a friend of mine with a note stating “Hybrid A. luna x A. sinensis, to be reared on liquidambar.” I deposited them on some liquidambar. They hatched a few days later during the month of June. During their first instar, the larvae were no different from those of A. luna. During the following instars, they became paler. I obtained cocoons typical of A. Juna, which are quite different from those of A. sinensis. The imagines very much resembled A. /Juna, however, the tails were twisted just like the females of A. sinensis, and they were of a very pale-bluish colour, instead of rich green, as in A. /una. These imagines comprised both sexes. It was easy to secure pairings, however, the eggs were infertile. Were these hybrids or not? I was unable to supply an answer, and an amateur is unable to carry out cytological and chromosomic analyses. I sent half the cocoons to my supplier so that I could have his opinion. He telephoned and told me they probably were not hybrids. The breeding stock could have been the source of the infertility and yet it seemed to be very healthy. Unfortunately I have not bred any other species of Actias, particularly A. maenas and A. truncatipennis. 1 am impatient to do so, but it is far from easy to get eggs of these species. The genera Argema and Graellsia will be dealt with in the next issue. Samia cynthia Drury 1773, is native to India, Malaysia, China, Japan, Indochina, the Philippines and most parts of Indonesia. It was introduced into Italy in 1856 and in 1857 into France by Guérin- Ménéville so that it could be bred on account of its silk. The silk is strong, but coarser than that produced by the silkworm. After breeding had been abandoned P. cynthia managed to survive in urban districts where its Chinese foodplant Ailanthus glandulosa had been planted. Under these conditions the larva manages to escape from its predators. (See also R. Coutin (1978). Bull. Soc. Vers. Sc. Nat. 5(3): 78-80.) Note: According to present legislation in force in most countries, extensive scientific research must first be carried out before any new species is introduced, showing the benefits which can accrue from these introductions, and that they will not harm local ecosystems. Such a proposal with regard to Actias luna in Europe would obviously meet with strong opposition from scientists and the authorities; the protection 6h Volume 55 « June 1996 141 of a species in a certain region is not solved by introducing it into an ecosystem which does not suit it, and where it has litthe chance of finding a niche, to the prejudice of local species which already occupy that niche. [Translated from Insectes, no. 85: 17-19 (1992) and reproduced with permission from the author and OPIE.] Admiral blown off course by Leigh Plester (2968) BioFilm Ltd, Ylad-Muuratjdrvi, FIN-41800, Finland. I was pleased to see Mike Pennington's article on Red admirals in the Shetlands, as I have been wondering how commonly the species is encountered there. From 10th to 15th July 1995 I was in the Lerwick area (Mainland), having been press- ganged there to do some filming with my colleague Nick Marsh (nobody else wanted to go ... . too wet and cold and -soron -.....). Ihe sun shone brightly every single day. On 14th July, having purchased some sandwich “makings” and cans of cider, we parked at the edge of a low cliff overlooking the sea, with a brisk wind blowing. In front of us there was a fat clump of nettles threshing wildly about on the cliff face and round this a determined Red admiral spent several minutes trying, as far as | could see, to lay eggs on the leaves. It was continually beaten back by the wind but doggedly returned several times. Judging by the time spent more or less inside the clump it seems likely that the butterfly actually succeeded in laying an egg or two. You may be the sort of person to have waded in regardless with hand lens and forceps — well, some people squat on ant hills stark naked and they too have my blessing: I sat in the car guzzling my cider. Incidentally, we were continually told by the local inhabitants that in no circumstances were we to show the film on television. Six days of solid sunshine was felt to create the wrong impression of the climate and the Shetlanders place great weight on integrity! 142 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae Reduvius personatus by Keith C. Lewis (3680) 108 Park View Road, Welling Kent DA16 1Sj. With regard to the notes by Maxwell Barclay, Bulletin Vol. 55 page 45 “Bug unmasked”, I have found this bug Reduvius personatus not uncommon where I live. During the past twelve years I have found eight specimens (only two taken on 14th June 1984 and 10th May 1986). All were found in the same place on curtains in the bathroom facing downwards as observed by Mr Barclay. I also found one dead specimen together with a dead Longhorn beetle, Rbagium mordax (De Geer). Both were enclosed in a silk-like shroud of mould and were found at least four inches deep inside a larval gallery of a silver birch log, Chalk Wood, 2nd March 1994. It was not until I cleaned the two specimens that I then found one to be R. personatus. One other interesting find was a single mandible which was lodged between the eyes of the beetle. The mandible was sent to Mr A.A. Allen who kindly informed me that it was probably from the beetle Abax parallelepipedus (Villers). After cleaning, both insects were found to be in quite good condition and were subsequently set side by side as found. Addition to correspondence on Swallowtail foodplants by Leigh Plester (2968) BioFilm Ltd, Yla-Muuratjdrvi, FIN-41800, Finland. May I add to Brian Gardiner's note on the foodplants of Swallowtail larvae that the subspecies inhabiting Fennoscandia (Finland, Norway, Sweden) is generally given as P. machaon machaon. This was presumably the form first described by Linnaeus who was, of course, a Swede. Some of Brian's comments on P. m. gorganus are obviously intended to include this northern subspecies. Help wanted! One of the Defence Estate Organisation's sites in Berkshire is being surveyed in the near future for its entomological fauna. Any interested volunteers should contact Keri Tucker at the DEO 0n°0181-391 3202. Published 20th June 1996 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society (Registered Charity No. 207430), from PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG. BIRTHDAY PRESENT PROBLEMS? Why not give a years subscription to Country-side and membership of the BRITISH NATURALISTS’ ASSOCIATION Hon. President: LORD SKELMERSDALE Hon. President of the Youth Section: DAVID BELLAMY BSc., PhD, FLS FIBiol. 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Telephone 01206 251600 THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY ANNUAL EXHIBITION, 1996 Saturday, 5th October 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE, STAINES ROAD, SUNBURY, MIDDX. ACCESSIBILITY: The Racecourse is easy to reach by road and rail, and there is adequate free car parking. The M25 is very near and is linked to Kempton Park by the M3, which is less than a mile away. Sunbury Railway Station with trains from Waterloo, is a short walk away. The site is served by two bus routes, Green Line No. 290, and Red bus No. 216. Both these buses stop right outside. ADMISSION: Members free on production of pass to be issued with the August Bulletin. Non-members £1.00, under 16s 50p. PARKING: in the free car parks only NOT outside the Grandstand. Keep all entrances clear. EXHIBITORS AND DEALERS ONLY will be admitted between 8 am and 11 am. TROLLEYS are not provided and provision should be made for heavy loads. ENTOMOLOGICAL DEALERS are attending. REFRESHMENTS: Full facilities are available. All food and drink to be consumed in the Refreshment Area. SURPLUS MATERIAL: will be welcome for sale on behalf of the Society's funds. ANSORGE BEQUEST: Cash prizes and certificates to Junior Members for exhibits at the Exhibition. LIVESTOCK: It is the duty of both dealers and buyers to ensure that all! livestock is kept in containers which are roomy, hygienic and secure against any possible escape. EXHIBITS which show long series of wild-caught, rare or endangered species will not be allowed. ALL ENQUIRIES: The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 52ZG. Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society CONTENTS R. Sutton. Little Breach Butterfly Reserve. 1974-96) -...-.2.....-+.0ceesecccssetcerndeeeetenee--te- 105 M. Rowlings. My first holiday abroad. ..00.....0....3 1 secs.ececeicceocseaccteenet eases Tee ed cade 129 M. Rowlings. Nervous butterflies in north-eastern USA. ........ vas borane oie a tere eee ee 133 M. Lamour. Some observations on breeding Moon moths (Lepidoptera: Attacidae). PAGE Do cscs noeotve sae seqacesoieseessnestn-asnchuncusensssvaceeess socedtcosnoirs dare ssUsceues 2. ae ceeeeres ate eens 135 Short Communications J. Koryszko. An uncommon moth at Park Hall Country Park, Staffordshire. .............. 121 F. Seow-Choen. Eggs found in a gynandromorph of the Malayan jungle nymph, Fleteropteryx dilatata (Phasimida). <.2...2¢.5.5).. ee. ieee ere 22 B. Gardiner. Some notes on butterflies in Cambridge during 1995. ............:eeee 123 J. Maddocks. Help wanted in Kent. ....... Hod coderececasGeuencéesseess taeda cule, deseetee cse aemmee eee 124 M. Rowlings. Turkey and butterfly identification. ..............ceeeesseeeseceeeceecenecenseeeneeenees 124 B; Page. Hawkmoth lapvaeion binchy 22.082... o<.0-c-1- 0c). cote eee 128 G. King. Etymology not entomology. 220/002 .cc8 secs scee ese 131 G. Best. Exploding treacle. 0c). e.). ce eee cn cote ace ee ec occosne es ee 132 L. Plester. Admiral: blOWnm Off COUNSE. <<. .j2:c0s2ecd:c.201-cdece: ete sc ceeekec asset cern: eee 141 K. LEWIS REGUVIUS PETSONACUS.\ o.0. fects ite ne aoccetaneteyonetdeneqee | oath 142 L. Plester. Addition to correspondence on Swallowtail foodplants. ................::e0ee 142 Help: Wanted. ...sicosiies ctl Si lo ctes tant cecpeay seth sGeecksacvaceceeshc cate oes Meee eens eee ae 142 Book Reviews — New British Beetles not in Joy's practical handbook. ................0:00++ 125 Microlepidoptera of Europe. Volume 1: Pterophoridae. .........4..+.+++ 126 © 1996. The Amateur Entomologists' Society. (Registered Charity No. 267430) All rights reserved. Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA. August 1996 N oe) NG See Ov Jo) E =) ZL: @ Ln To Ov = = e > itech eeeaeenmmeeiiac eller hie ae = = aa = Founded in 1935 Where to write For all Society business, please write to: AES PO. Box 8774 London SW7 5ZG Officers of the Society President: — Richard Jones Secretary: Wayne Jarvis Treasurer: Andrew Locke Registrar: Nick Holford Bulletin Editor: | Wayne Jarvis General Editor: | Mike Bonsall Adi ertising Secretary: Rob Dyke Exhibitions & Meetings Secretary: | Maxwell Barclay Youth Secretary: Darren Mann ICN Editor: David Lonsdale Wants & Exchange: Caroline Willmot Habitat Conservation Officer: Martin Harvey Subscriptions: _ First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under 18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12. Subcription due by the 1st January each year. Advertising Rate: — The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25. Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary, address as above. NOTICE It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theonies, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely € a those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests fo g g " " —— - j Hr ithe } Pe | tho Ofirerc anr ~ st tho - nar ic choo ~s5 information, are accepted as bona tide. Neither the Editor, the Officers anc Counai of the Sodety or its ustees, Ca be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon. Worldwide Butterflies Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4QN. Tel 01935 74608 Fax 29937 Colour Catalogue of livestock specimens and equipment. Please mention AES. 50p in stamps would be greatly appreciated. ALSO on request, Specialist Catalogues of British, European and Exotic set and papered specimens he Visi \ A\\\ ZAD At Compton House, Nr. Sherborne, Worldlife has evolved from Worldwide Butterflies. As well as magnificent butterfly displays, conservation organisations are showing what is being done for the environment, and how all can become involved. Situated on A30 Yeovil-Sherborne Road. Open daily Apr-Sep. Tel 01935 74608 FEW. 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EXHIBITION NOTICE AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION SATURDAY, 5TH OCTOBER 1996 KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex Doors open at llam ¢ Admission £1.00 Members free on production of pass to be issued with this Bulletin. For further information please write to: The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG. The cover of this issue of the Bu i Hl etin ee Bulletin features the of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society Woodland grasshopper (Omocestus rufipes). Photo: Nick Holford oS ters. Bu ulletin L the Amateur Entomologists’ Society Volume 55 * Number 407 August 1996 Unusual/Rare species seen in South Oxfordshire by Chris Raper (7540) 22 Beech Road, Purley-on-Thames, Reading, Berkshire RG8 8DS. The following species were seen on Hartslock SSSI, a nature reserve owned by the local Wildlife Trust, BBONT. The nature reserve is an 11 acre, south facing, unimproved chalk downland slope surrounded by dense scrub hedge and yew, beech and ash woodland. The hill overlooks the Thames near Goring and the Thames towpath runs along one of the boundaries. The site is primarily noted for its plant-life but, as a volunteer warden, I run regular moth traps throughout the spring/summer and collate sightings for the other insect orders to maintain species lists that enable us to plan management work. The following species have either “Notable B” or Red Data Book status (as defined by the JNCC). This list comprises species seen in 1995 and does not include species seen in previous years. The listed date to the side of each species is not necessarily the only date the species was seen as some species are very common at Hartslock. Where possible I have given the status of each species. 30.4.95 Agrotis cinerea (Light feathered rustic) — This species is common on Hartslock and is seen every year. It is usually very variable in colour — often ranging from pale straw through to dark brown with black markings. Status: Notable B. 10.6.95. Gomphus vulgatisimus (Club-tailed dragonfly) — This species was seen again this year flying over the reserve. Every year | find about the same amount of shed skin-cases on the foliage near the Thames tow-path. The adults use Hartslock as a hunting area and they can often be seen sunning themselves on the hedges. Status: Notable B. (Plate 96M, Figure 1) 10.7-95 10.7.95 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society |] Fannia nidica (Muscid fly) — Caught by Adrian Pont in the lane that runs to the reserve. Larval stage lives in bird's nest. Status: Provisional RDB3. Apamea sublustris (Reddish light arches) — This is another common species on Hartslock and is seen every year in varying numbers and often outnumbers the Light.arches. This year was a particularly good year. Status: Notable B. Scotopteryx bipunctata (Chalk carpet) — This delicate, grey Geometrid moth is present every year in varying numbers. Its favoured habitat is chalk grassland. Status: Notable B. Odontius armiger — A small “Rhinoceros” beetle. Found in the bottom of the m.v. trap after all the moths had been removed. The species is very local and is restricted to chalk downland habitats. It is thought to be closely associated with rabbit burrows and underground fungi (truffles). This was also seen for the first time at the Warburg reserve. Status: unknown (possibly Nb). Lampyris noctiluca (Glow-worm) — Males were caught throughout the flight period in the m.v.trap, though we didn't catch any more than one at any one time. Females were also seen on slope one and in the lane outside the reserve. In one sweep of the field 10-12 females were seen in the grass — at least one of which was paired up. This species is seen every year at Hartslock. Status: unknown (possibly Nb). Callimorpha dominula (Scarlet tiger) — This species has been found in quite large numbers nearby along the Pang and Kennet rivers but it was new to this reserve in 1995. Single examples were seen flying on slope four and along the tow- path during daytime and twice at m.v. in the same week. The species seems to fly for no more than ten days and doesn't stray far from water. The larvae prefer Comfrey (which grows in abundance along the Thames) but will take other commoner plants. Status: Notable B. Ephemera lineata (a large mayfly) — This species swarms in large numbers near water and lives in very localised colonies. During the week they were flying they were strongly attracted fOw> 1037.95 LOWES 2 728.95 20.8.95 Volume 55 + August 1996 145 to the m.v. lights. The close proximity of the Thames explains the species presence at Hartslock. Status: Provisional RDB2. Gomphocerippus rufus (Rufous grasshopper) — This species is a common grasshopper on Hartslock but is very localised in the UK. It is easily identified by the clubs on its antennae. It prefers warm, chalk downland slopes with patches of scrub. Status: Notable B. (Plate 96M, Figure 2) Eupithecia expallidata (Bleached pug) — Foodplant is the flowers of “golden rod” (Solidago virgaurea). One specimen came to Martin Harvey's light trap. Status: Notable B. Mecyna flavalis — A small, yellow, semi day-flying Pyralid mon Vitis 1S, a- very. fare species= It is restricted to chalk downland and it is usually only found in the southern coastal counties and Wiltshire and Norfolk. The species has been seen two years running and it is hoped that we have a permanent, breeding colony. With the help of our resident summer warden I hope to do some monitoring of the moths to try to find out more about its life-cycle. Status: Provisional RDB2. Asilus crabroniformis (a large robber fly) — Britain's largest fly. This is a great rarity that was last seen on the reserve over five years ago. It is insectivorous and requires a high air temperature to enable it to hunt. It is suspected that the larval stage is parasitic on dung beetle larvae. I suspect that the fly is usually present in low numbers in the area but because the summer was so dry and hot it had a particularly good year. It was also seen in a meadow in Cholsey in quite large numbers (30+ per transect). Status: unknown. (Plate 9ON, Figures 3 & 4). If anyone can help by visiting the reserve and recording species, his/her sightings would be very gratefully received. We attempt to record as many orders as possible but we must rely on the help of specialists. If you would like any more information you can contact me at the above address, my work email (triocomp@dial.pipex.com) or though BBONT, the local wildlife trust. 146 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a Exhibition Report for 1995 (Sth October) The day started with the weather looking as though it was going to rain, but the forecast had said that we should have clear periods and that is indeed what we finished up with. By around 10.30am_ the promised better weather started to appear and we actually had some sunshine in patches. A good queue formed prior to opening and Colin Penney and Paul Sokoloff sold entry badges and programmes to ease the rush when we opened the doors. Around 1200 people paid to get in and with the dealers and exhibitors we must have had about 1700 persons present; quite a good showing. The Exhibition had 64 dealers doing business with six stands occupied by other Natural History Societies and there were the usual AES stands which included our own Conservation Section and Publications. I would like to thank the following people who helped me set-up on the Friday night and assisted me in clearing up on Saturday evening. Friday: David Young, Colin Hart, Roger Morris, Dennis O'Keeffe, Graham Collins and John Muggleton. Saturday: David Lonsdale, David Young, Graham Collins, Roger Morris, John Muggleton, Mike Simmons and Andrew Halstead. I also thank the helpers who worked as entry marshals, tending to our stalls and the various other jobs that help make our Exhibition a success. I give a special thank you to Rob Dyke who has taken on the job of Exhibits Co-ordinator for as many years as I can remember; the Exhibition Organiser has no time to attend to peripheral duties like this. As a final thought, our Exhibition would not function without this valuable source of free help which is so willingly given. The number of exhibitors this year was abysmal, with only a possible 36 people either exhibiting or intending to exhibit. I had 23 applications with a report, nine gave a report but did not apply for space and I had four applications that gave no report; a few of the one ag Volume 55 + August 1996 147 who gave a report with no application did make arrangements with me over the phone or by letter. I hope that the new organiser has a better response than IJ have had over the years. I think the most exhibits that I had one year was 50, but even this is not good when you consider that there are around 1800 members in the Amateur Entomologists' Society. Come on all you so-called members, where are you? It is time to support your Society and present a members exhibit at your Exhibition. Exhibitors at the 1995 Exhibition Paul Brock (4792) — A selection of dead stick-insects (Phasmida), as follows: four species of Timema from California, USA, along with a small series of photographs showing the localities. These are the smallest phasmids in the world, measuring from under 12mm. A range of colourful winged species from Peninsular Malaysia, belonging to the subfamily Necrosciinae: Calvisia clarissima Redtenbacher, C. coerulescens Redtenbacher, Centrophasma spinosum (Saussure), Diesbachia tamyris (Westwood), Marmessoidea cerycon (Westwood), M. rosea (Fabricius), Necroscia marginata (Gray), N. punctata (Gray), N. annulipes (Gray), N. roseipennis Audinet-Serville, N. inflata (Redtenbacher), Orthonecroscia filum | (Westwood), Phaenopharos struthioneus (Westwood), Tagesoidea nigrofasciata Redtenbacher. Gynandromorph specimens reared by members of the Phasmid Study Group (rearers! names in brackets), Eurycantha sp. [Michael Lazenby and Frances Holloway], Heteropteryx dilatata (Parkinson) [James Penhall], Oreophoetes peruana (Saussure) [Gordon Ramel]. Steve Button (7647) — The application stated that aberrations of British butterflies would be shown but there was no exhibit report. Pat Cordell (8782) — Pyralidae taken at Nutfield, Surrey during 1995. Species of note were: Pyrausta cespitalis (D. & S.) — four walked up from the short dead grass on the landfill site on 27th and 28th August. No first brood were noted in May/June. Dioryctria schuetzeella (Fuchs) — one to m.v. light on 10th July. Species first noted in 1980 near Hamstreet, Kent, taken again in 1981, and also at Playden, Sussex. 148 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a¢ All species taken at a garden m.v. light and in the surrounding countryside at Nutfield and their relative abundance. Numbers and dates are given where less than six were recorded: Chrysoteuchia culmella (Linn.) Crambus pascuella (Linn.) C. lathoniellus (Zinck.) C’. perlella (Scop.) Agriphila selasella (Hiibn.) A. straminella (D. & S.) A. tristella (D. & S.) A. latistria Haw.) A. geniculea (Haw. ) Catoptria pinella (Linn.) C. falsella (D. & S.) Scoparia pyralella (D. & S.) S. ambigualis (Treit.) S. basistrigadlis (Knaggs) Dipleurina lacustrata (Panz.) Eudonia truncicolella (Staint.) E. angustea (Curtis) E. mercurella (Linn.) Evergestis forficalis (Linn.) E. pallidata (Hufn.) Pyrausta aurata (Scop.) P. purpuralis (Linn.) P. cespitalis (D. & S.) Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubn.) Eurrhypara hortulata (Linn.) Phlyctaenia coronata (Hufn.) Opsibotys fuscalis (D. & S.) Udea lutealis ubn.) U. prunalis (D. & S.) U. olivalis (D. & S.) U. ferrugalis (Hubn.) Nomophila noctuella (D. & S.) Pleuroptya ruralis (Scop.) Hypsopygia costalis (Fab.) Orthopygia glaucinalis (Linn.) Pyralis farinalis (Linn.) Endotricha flammealis (D. & S.) Galleria mellonella (Linn.) Aphomia sociella (Linn.) Phycita roborella (D. & S.) Pempelia formosa (Haw.) Abundant Common Abundant Common Abundant Abundant Abundant Three on 14.8, 23.8, 24.8 Abundant Common Common Common Abundant Common Abundant Common Four on 23.8(2), 24.8, 26.8 Abundant Common Four, on 18.70923.7, 247-2677, Common Common Four on 27.8(3), 28.8 Oneson, 2,7; Common Four onl 7:7,°9 7-year One on 26.6 Five on 30.7,°2.8, 4.8; 8.8) 12:3 One on 16.7 Four 0n.26.6,°4.7. 5.7, 1017 Three on 17.8, 21.8, 24.8 Four on 25.8(2), 26.8, 27.8 Abundant Common Common One on 16.7 Common Common Common Abundant Dwovon 6:7, 3.7 a4 Volume 55 + August 1996 149 Dioryctria abietella (D. & S.) Four on 28.6(2), 19.7, 26.7 D. schuetzeella (Fuchs) OnesonelOy Acrobasis consociella (Hubn.) Abundant Numonia suavella (Zinck) Common N. advenella (Zinck) Abundant Myelois cribrella (Hubn.) Common Euzophera pinguis (Haw.) Common Phycitodes maritima (Teng.) One on 28.7 P. binaevella (Hubn.) Common Ephestia elutella (Hubn. ) Two on 2.8, 15.8 Tony Davis (8931) — Display showing progress so far with the Pyralid and Plume Recording Scheme. Emma Day (10423) — The application stated that amateur photographs of insects and Arachnids found in mid-Glamorgan dunes would be shown but there was no exhibit report. C.J. Gardiner — A small selection of moths from the East Midlands from the 1995 season. The main records to note are Pine hawk Hyloicus Dinas, weheveds to be the) first Leicestershire record, Coronet Craniophora ligustri, the only Northamptonshire record since 1957, Buff ermine Spilosoma luteum ab. intermedia. Martin Gascoigne-Pees (7468) — Exhibited butterflies from the Greek island of Samos which is situated in the northern Agean Sea, a few kilometres from the Turkish coast; its surface area is 486 square kilometres and it boasts some 65 species of butterfly, 48 of which were recorded between 28th May to 11th June 1995. The only new species to be recorded during his stay was Pieris krueperi, a fresh second generation male. Species shown were: T. sylvestris, T. hyrax, T. acteon, G. pumilio, P. thrax, E. marloyi, C. alceae, C. orientalis, S. orbifer, Z. cerisyi, P. machaon, P. alexanor, I. podalirius, L. sinapsis, C. croceus, G. cleopatra, A. crataegi, P. brassicae, P. rapae, P. krueperi, E. ausonia, S. ledereri, L. phlaeas, S. pirithous, L. boeticus, C. argiolus, K. eurypilus, A. agestis, P. thersites, P. icarus, L. reducta, N. polychloros, V. atalanta, V. cardui, P. egea, A. pandora, M. didyma, M. trivia, H. syriaca, H. mersina, H. aristaeus, P. anthelea, M. telmessia, P. aegeria, L. megera, L. maeraand K. roxelana. N.M. Hall — Showed three species of “Shark” Cucullia bred from larvae found feeding together on hoary mullein, Verbascum pulverulentum in 150 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad Arlazan, Burgos, Spain. The species were C. lychnitis, C. verbasciand C. reisseri. Further species exhibited which were bred from England were: C. lychnitis, Striped lychnis from Buckinghamshire and C. rubiginea, Dotted chestnut from Berkshire. Also shown were Portuguese fox moths, Macrothylacia digramma; the last three species had notes for breeding. Andrew Halstead (6346) — Amber insects in the making — a piece of Scots pine trunk from a tree hacked down by vandals earlier during the summer about one metre above soil level. The tree produced copious quantities of resin from the cut surfaces and this trapped a variety of small flies, beetles, parasitic wasps and other insects. Under suitable conditions, and the passage of a few million years, this resin will be transformed into its fossilised form known as amber. Invertebrate animals, such as insects, mites, spiders, millipedes and centipedes, trapped within amber remain perfectly preserved, allowing palaeoentomologists to record and describe long-extinct species. Colin Hart (3845) — Exhibited a specimen of the Comma, Polygonia c-album which was caught in his garden at Buckland, Surrey on 16th July 1995, which approaches ab. suffusa Frohawk, and an almost immaculate form of the Buff ermine, Spilosoma luteum which came to light at Dawlish Warren, Devon in June 1995. Industrial Nature Conservation Association. Displayed a words and picture exhibit that showed a couple of projects being carried out by this group. The first showed the results of a three-year monitoring project that studied the colonisation of insects, mainly Coleoptera, of a man-made Phragmites reedbed designed to treat chemical plant effluents. The other was a proactive conservation project on a chemical company site to create and manage dragonfly and damselfly habitat. Over a number of years 12 species have been recorded with some of them being regular visitors or breeders; it was hoped that this would be appreciated as a very good total of species for a north-east locality of this nature. Alex Kolaj (9194) — Showed a two-part exhibit. The first part was moths taken in western Ireland in May and included the Grey, A. caesia typical and ab.; the Pod lover, H. perplexa, ssp. capsophila; Striped twin-spot carpet, N. silicata and the netted pug, &. venosatad, ssp. plumbea. These were all from Doolin, County Clare on a rare, still a — —— ESS —E—— oe Volume 55 + August 1996 151 night. Also shown in this section were specimens of the Irish annulet, G. dumitata from the Burren. The second section of the exhibit showed interesting moths taken in England. These included a migrant Oak processionary moth, 7. processionea taken at Sea Palling, Norfolk along with a Great brocade, E. occulta on 12.8.95, the first night of a family holiday; Webb’s wainscot, A. sparganii and a Rush wainscot, A. algae both reared from pupae found in reeds at Ansty, Sussex on 6.8.95; Scarce forester, A. globlariae taken at m.v. light in Wiltshire on 1.7.95, and an aberration of the Common wave, C. exanthemata taken at Sea Palling, Norfolk. Robin James (5005) — The application stated that British Macro- lepidoptera would be shown but no exhibit report was handed in. Neil Jones (8037) — Exhibited some photographs of Ecuadorian Lepidoptera and cuttings from the British local and national press which covered a story that has become known as the “Battle of the Butterflies”. This was about the first obliteration of an SSSI in the UK at Selar in the Neath Valley of South Wales. David Keen (3309) — The exhibit consisted of two parts: 1. A series of workers of the wasp Dolichovespula media (Retzius) taken in my Banbury, Oxon, garden in July 1995. They were captured whilst seeking aphids on a Victoria plum tree. Worker Vespula vulgaris was shown for comparison. Ze oeesclection Or, mostly unnamed, insects collected in the neighbourhood of a villa in Sesmarias, Algarve, Portugal in May 1995. Photographs accompanied the exhibit to give an indication of the location. Of particular interest were a Striped hawk, Hyles lineata livornica Esper; American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Linn.); ant-lions (Myrmeleontidae); lacewings (Neuroptora) taken from a swimming pool; bee-flies (Bombyliidae); velvet ant, Mutilla europaea Linn.; brightly coloured ruby-tailed wasps (Chrysididae),; paper wasps, Polistes gallicus Linn., various beetles including one covered in spines; longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) fished from a pool and brightly- coloured Buprestids. Gareth King — Malacosoma castrensis L. 1758. In Britain this lasio- campid is restricted to the Kent and Essex coasts, being regarded in the UK as a RDB3 status rarity. Therefore, it was with some surprise that I 152 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 came across larvae of this moth on the Devon coast in Seaton in June 1995. My record was left with David Bolton of Exeter Museum and Roy McCormick, the Lepidoptera recorder for Devon. I do have previous experience with the Ground lackey in Spain where it is much more widely distributed. I found larvae in Orduna (Vizcaya) in June 1990 at an elevation of about 800m, and on the Costa de Luz in the extreme south-west of the country in Isla Canela, Huelva in 1991. This genus is represented by five species in the afore- mentioned country: M. neustria L., M. castrensis L., M. alpicola Staud., M. franconica Esp. and M. laurae Lajonquiere. The last-mentioned was only recently discovered, being found in but one place, Isla de Bacuta in the mouth of the river Tinto in Huelva. Arctornis I-nigrum Muller 1764 (Lep.: Lymantriidae). The larvae exhibited here are from eastern France, the moth being only rarely recorded in the UK, the last British record being from 1960 (Skinner). This particular brood, which has been in the larval stage since early July, divided up into those in third instar which have gone into hibernation, and the remainder which have continued to feed; four to date have pupated but only over a period of several weeks. The larvae exhibit a quite unique behavioural pattern, which is_ especially pronounced when they have recently hatched; they have the capacity to spring! Hemithea aestivaria Hbn. 1779. The larvae shown here are the progeny of a female captured in July in Eaton Wick, Berkshire. Although the species is ostensibly single-brooded, three larvae have pupated this year and produced imagines which are exhibited here. The moth is thought by some authors to be double-brooded in northern Spain, as moths are also seen on occasion in the first two weeks of September (Gomez de Aizpurua). Rhodometra sacraria L. 1767. This little moth is a known and regular immigrant to Britain, but the adults here are from two females found in Serantes, Asturias, northern Spain in August. This generation, the F., developed from ova to produce imagines in only 17 days, the larvae pupating after a mere eight days, in a plant propagator at approx. 25 C. Keith C. Lewis (3080) — The exhibit consisted of two parts: 1. Coleoptéres de France. Examples of French, Spanish and North African Carabidae. From Urepel, Besses Pyrénées, Las Illas, Les Dourbes Digne, Gizer, Foret de Detain, Besses Pyrenees Urt near Biarritz, Mont a Volume 55 « August 1996 153 Arradoy, Mont Canigou Orientale Pyrenees Rousillon Province, Mount Morond, Millau, Col de Lachau, Foret de Gesse, Caussols Col de Ferrier, Chateau Pignon, Foret de Saou, France; St. Hilari Sacalen, Catalonia, Spain; and Gabes, Tunisia, North Africa. 2. Watkins and Doncaster, a water-colour painting by Colin J. Ashford. Many members will remember visiting the old premises of Watkins and Doncaster at 110 Park View Road, Welling, Kent. The building is now sadly demolished. The painting depicts how it looked in the 1960s. Colin Ashford is a local artist. Helen Marcan (3763) — A series of photographs was shown of butterflies at the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly House. Similarly to other butterfly farms in the UK, the inhabitants are raised by captive breeding programmes in the countries of origin: Central and South America, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, without depletion of wild stocks, and providing local employment to under-developed areas. Those species shown in the photographs included, among the Nymphalidae: Metamorpha stelenes (the Malachite), Neptis nandina (the Common sailor), Junonia almana; and among the Heliconiinae, an entirely Neotropical family exhibiting variation and mimetic forms: Heliconius ismenius, H. charitonia (the Zebra). Also exhibited was a small selection of specimens obtained via Transworld Butterflies of Costa Rica. Some of these may also be seen at the butterfly farms depending upon the time of year: Hebomoia glaucippe, Delias hyparete (the Jezebel) (Pieridae), Cyrestis themire, Rhinopalpa _polynice —_ (Nymphalidae), Graphium eurypylus (Papilionidae). The specimens are obtained variously from Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and South Asia. Roy McCormick (3375) — New, bred, unusual, variations of species seen in 1995. 938 Agepta zoegana Linn. A form ferrugana caught at Great Haldon, Devon on 10.7.95 along with a normal specimen. 988 Aphelia viburnana D. & S. Bilberry tortrix Bred ex-larva from North Devon coast and seen at light at Hartland Point and also caught at Hurley, Nr. Fernworthy Reservoir, Dartmoor. 989 A. paleana Hb. Timothy tortrix Bred ex-larva from North Devon coast and seen at light at Hartland Point and also caught at Hurley, Nr. Fernworthy Reservoir, Dartmoor. 154 990 13937, 1379 ley 1500 1522 1635 1750 1751 1769 We? 1815 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a¢ A. unitana Hb. Bred ex-larva from North Devon coast and seen at light at Hartland Point. Eudonia alpina Cutt. Several specimens of this species were found in a boggy area on the un- grazed section of Grannish Moor, Aviemore, Scotland on 28.5.95; they were first discovered by Peter Baker while we were looking for carbonaria Cl. Netted mountain moth. The lowland specimens are greyer than the mountain ones and the postmedian fascia does not have the “bend back” as it meets the bottom edge of the forewing and they are smaller; a pair of the mountain specimens are put in for comparison. Eurrbypara terrealis Treit. Seen abundantly to light in Hartland Point and Shipload Bay, North Devon on.1-7.95: A species new: to me: Udea decrepitalis H.-S. Seen in several locations along the coast of Loch Arkaig on 30.- and 31.5.95. A species new to me. Platyptilia calodactyla D. & S. Caught as larvae in one location in North Devon and then seen at light in another location, again in North Devon. A species new to me. Leioptilus tephradactyla Hb. Caught as larvae in one location in North Devon and then seen at light in another location, again in North Devon. A species new to me. Malacasoma castrensis Linn. Ground lackey Seen by three people as larvae at Axmouth/Seaton, on the shingle spit and on the saltings; caught commonly at light on the saltings at Axmouth on 31.7.95. A couple of Kent specimens shown alongside these as a comparison. Lampropteryx suffumata D. & S. Water carpet A couple of the extreme variations of this moth seen at Feshiebridge, Scotland; end of May 1995. L. otregiata Metc. Devon carpet A bred specimen from eggs obtained from a female caught at Holne Chase, Dartmoor, Devon; the larva of this specimen to be figured in the new larvae book. Thera obeliscata Hb. Grey pine carpet This specimen caught in my garden trap on 31.8.95. The moth made a bid for freedom at the wrong moment, hence the scale-less strip across the right wing. Hydriomena ruberata Freyer. Ruddy highflyer Specimens bred from larvae caught at Trinafour, Scotland in September, 19948 Eupitheca abietaria Goeze. Cloaked pug Specimens of this discovered in a local collector's collection, caught in 1985 1877 1881 1895 1987 2093 2144 Za ZINS 2436 Volume 55 + August 1996 155 and 1986 at Great Haldon, Devon; a follow-up produced a worn specimen of this species at Bellever Forest in the middle of Dartmoor, Devon on VATE DS). Hydrelia sylvata D. & S. Waved carpet Several locations for this species were discovered in and around Dartmoor, Devon during 1995. A species new to me. Trichopteryx carpinata Borkh. Early tooth-striped Bred from eggs obtained from a female caught at Feshiebridge, Scotland iLO, Semiothisa carbonaria Cl. Netted mountain moth Caught on the un-grazed area of Grannish Moor, Aviemore, Scotland on 28.5.95; the moths were fairly common one day but could not be seen a day or two afterwards despite it being sporadically sunny. A species new to me. Hyles gallii Rott. Bedstraw hawk Specimen caught at Prawle Point on 12.8.95. A new species to me. Agrotis ripae Hb. Sand dart This specimen was captured at Hartland Point on 1.7.95 although there is no sand-type locality for miles; an unusual but well-marked moth to be seen on this type of terrain. Anarta melanopa Thunb. Broad-bordered white underwing Seen commonly on the slopes at Lecht, Tomintoul, Scotland on 1.6.95; the specimen came readily to sprigs of bird cherry laid on the ground. A species new to me. Hadena confusa Hufn. Marbled coronet A couple of unusual variations of this moth that were caught at light at Hartland Point, Devon on 1.7.95; one of these is almost ab. obliterae which is usually seen in the Shetland Isles. (Skinner, Moths of the British Isles). Enargia paleacea Esp. Angle-striped sallow Specimens of this species caught at light on Budby Common, Nottinghamshire on 19th and 22nd August 1995. A species new to me. Macdunnoughia confusa Steph. Dewick's plusia This specimen came to an interested person's trap in Plymouth on 10.8.95; the moth laid several eggs but they were all infertile. A species new to me. An entomological curiosity 2087 Agrotis segetum D. & S. Turnip moth This extra large specimen was caught in my garden at Teignmouth, Devon on 8.10.94; I thought it might be something more exotic but nevertheless it is a remarkably large Turnip moth measuring 40mm from wing tip to wing tip; normal size (Skinner, Moths of the British Isles) is 32- 42mm. A normal size specimen was put in for comparison. 156 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae Adam Muncer (10006J) — Exhibited spiders and a scorpion from Australia. Shown were: Poecilotheria regalis, P. formosa, P. ornata, P. metallica, P. fascita, Avicularia spp., Theraphosa leblondi, Grammostula cala, Ceratogyrus darlingi, Ceratogyrus spp., Phormictopus cancerides, Brachypelma_ albopilosa, B. vagans, B. mirinus, Psalmopoeus cambridgei and an Emperor scorpion with young. David Oram (7127) — Showed South African butterflies caught during April/May 1995, from coastal bush and around Durban, Natal. Exhibited were: Charaxes brutus natalensis, C. varanes, C. candiope, Danaus chrysippus daegyptius, Princeps demodocus, Belenois gidica, Colotis regina, Eronia cleodora, Acraea esebria, Bematistes aganice and Appias epaphia contracta; also shown was a butterfly trap used to catch “Charaxes’ in a Durban suburb. Rob Parker (5247) — A weekend in Serbia. During one weekend in one locality I found 70 species of butterfly. Predrag Jaksic took me to the ancient relict area of Topli Do (Warm Valley) in the Stara Planina (Old Mountain) massif of the border between Serbia and Bulgaria. We took voucher specimens of all species encountered, and the exhibit comprises 47 of these. Some specimens were on loan, others were retained by Jaksic, and the balance are common species. For the sake of completeness, labels were inserted, even for the missing examples. The locality covered the valley from 750m, up through the village (800m) and above it to about 1000m. The biome was mainly deciduous foothills and montane woodlands, of a southern European character. We have produced a paper covering a wider range of ten localities in the same general area, and this will be published shortly. John Payne (5923) — Exhibited a rare aberration of the Small heath, from a garden in Northamptonshire in 1960, and a Painted lady V. cardui ab. rogeri Melham; bred in 1995 from a pupa given shock treatment. Colin Penney — Interesting moths taken in the last twelve months. Z. lotiD. & S. taken during the day on the Isle of Mull. NV. nymphaeatia Linn. dark form taken at the Rothamsted site in Culzean Castle, Scotland. T. cognata Thunb. taken as larvae on juniper in Aviemore, é Volume 55 * August 1996 157 Scotland. H. ruberata Freyer taken as larvae on sallow in Trinafour, Scotland. C. lapidata Hb. taken at light in Trinafour, Scotland. O. bidentata Cl. unmarked dark form taken at light in Peterculter, Scotland. L. solidaginis Hb. taken at light in Trinafour, Scotland. £. Hevenecamioe Tesular visitor to light since the early eighties: at Chelmsford, Essex. H. obsitalis Hb. taken as larvae in Devon. Tony & Cathy Pickles (5225) — Hadena caesia (D. & S.) ssp. mananii Grey. Two female specimens bred from Skye. This species was bred from sea campion Silene maritima growing well up the cliffside. Only Hadena confusa was present in the campion which grew abundantly at the base of the cliffs on the shore. Hadena confusa (Hufn.) Marbled coronet. Specimens, bred from various localities, showing the range of variation. Darker and more obscure forms predominate in the north and west, but it is noticeable that there is little difference between those from Cornwall and Argyll. Specimens from Unst in the Shetlands do not appear markedly darker than those from North Devon, even after allowing for fading of these tiitty-yeat-old imsects, On the other hand those from Skye are decidedly blackish. With the exception of the insect from Surrey all are bred from larvae collected in the flowers and pods of sea campion Silene maritima growing in coastal and cliff localities in the following places: Kent, Surrey, South Cornwall, North Cornwall, North Devon, West Argyll, Isle of Skye and Unst, Shetland. Peter J.C. Russell (8977) — A case of butterflies from the Greek island of Crete was shown. All the endemic species: Zerynthia cretica, Kretania psylorita, Hipparchia cretica and Coenonympha thyrsis were included. Carcharodus alceae and Coenonympha thysris were reared from females brought back to this country and Nymphalis polychloros was reared from wild larvae, which were totally unparasitised. Libythea celtis, which was first recorded from Crete in 1991, was also included. A display of butterflies from the Canary Islands of Gran Canaria, ienenic elas ealmae la Gomera and El bietro was also, exhibited: Pseudotergumia wyssii wyssii from Tenerife was compared with P. wyssit gomera from Gomera. The examples of Pontia daplidice, Catopsilia florella, Lampides boeticus and Danaus plexippus were reared from wild larvae; some of the P. daplidice and L. boeticus but none of 158 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae the C. florella and D. plexippus produced parasites. Cyclyrius webbianus was reared from wild ova and Zizeeria knysna from a female brought to this country. The similarity of wing patterns in Maniola jurtina from the eastern and western extremities of its range were exemplified by M. jurtina janira from Crete and M. jurtina fortunata from La Palma. Also Pontia daplidice daplidice from El Hierro could be compared with P. daplidice edusa from Crete, as could the closely related Avicia sp.: A. cramera from La Gomera and A. agestis from Crete. The difference between Gonepteryx cleobule from Tenerife and G. eversi from La Gomera was exemplified photographically by the ultra- violet reflectivity of the uppersides of the forewings and to a lesser extent the hindwings of the female G. cleobule whilst that of G. eversi did not reflect. An article from New Scientist was included which suggested a possible use of these ultra-violet reflections by butterflies in mate selection. Bernard Skinner & Sean Clancy — Bred specimens of Peribatodes manuelaria H.-S. from a female taken at Lydd, Kent on 4th August 1994 by K. Redshaw emerging both in 1994 and 1995. The display also included photographs of the larvae in different instars, the pupa and living adult. Bernard Skinner — Bred specimens of Phlyctaenia stachydalis Germar from larvae collected in Devon together with photographs of half- grown and full-grown larvae. Aberrant example of macrolepidoptera taken or bred in 1995: Tetheella fluctuosa Hb. f. albilinea Cockayne from Loch Arkaig, Argyllshire, on 26.vi. Heavily banded form of Semiothisa liturata Cl. from Windsor Forest, 28th July. Weakly marked form of Eupithecia pulchellata Steph. from Loch Arkaig, 26th June. A pale form of Peribatodes rhomboidaria D. & S. from Sandwich, Kent, 12th August. Specimens of Entephria flavicinctata Hb. bred from larvae collected in Co. Antrim, Ireland in May together with examples of the paler ssp. flavicinctata Hb. from Yorkshire and the darker ssp. ruficinctata from Inverness-shire. Bé Volume 55 « August 1996 159 On behalf of Lynn Hurst: a male Thaumetopoea processionea L. taken in her garden light trap at Sholdon, Kent on 11th August 1995. Microlepidoptera: Specimens of the dark form of Scoparia ambigualis Treit. from Malham Tarn, Yorkshire on 29th June 1995. Two melanic examples of Dioryctria mutatella Fuchs from Windsor Forest on 21st July 1995. Matthew Smith (5866) — Exhibited Canadian Bumble bee from southern Quebec collected by Mr Jean Brodeur as part of a specimen exchange. Queens of ten Bombus and two Psithyrus were shown, including Bombus borealis, B. fervidus, B. rufocinctus and Psithyrus citrinus. B. rufocinctus is a polymorphic species and exhibits a range of colour variation; specimens of both the red and black morphs were shown. Graham R. Smith (4950) — The exhibit was in two parts: Part 1. The first consisted of three photographic enlargements of adult Purple emperors (Apatura iris) taken during 1995. Two were of wild females in Wiltshire and one of a reared male in full display. Some 1995 views and a few notes of the Purple emperor (Apatura iris). How one normally sees iris. On a hot Sunday afternoon of the 23rd July a somewhat worn female basks about 30 feet up an oak in between feeding from sap running from the same tree, in a rather little known Wiltshire haunt for this species. As the day cooled she descended to much lower levels and repeatedly skimmed back and forth along the woodland paths. If you are lucky iris can be seen at much closer quarters. A visitor to a rather well-known reserve near Salisbury did not slip up here as this rather undersized female was attracted to a somewhat unlikely form of bait that they had placed earlier — a fresh banana skin placed on an oak branch! How one very rarely sees iris—a male in full splendour. If you haven't already guessed this is a shot of a posed reared specimen. This species is easy enough to rear in captivity although it is essential that the larvae are sleeved out of doors. One problem I have encountered, due to the lack of tree canopy, urban surroundings and the higher temperature within the sleeve, is that the butterflies usually emerge a couple of weeks earlier than in the wild. 160 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society tf Part 2. This served to demonstrate the similarities and differences between three species of Buck eye butterfly found in Florida, accompanied by a few notes on their haunts, habits, life history and distribution. The specimens included Common buck eye (Junonia coenia), Black mangrove buck eye (/. evarete) and Caribbean buck-eye (J. genoveva), all taken in Florida during August 1993 and August 1995. Buck eyes from the State of Florida, USA There are three species of Buck eye (Nymphalidae) found in the Florida Peninsula. They are highly territorial butterflies and are usually very difficult to approach. The insects get their name from the large eyespots on all four wings, which affords them some protection against predators such as birds in a similar manner to our own Peacock (Inachis io). The Buck-eyes are still often classified in the genus Precis, which contains Old World species noted for extreme forms of seasonal variation. This exhibit serves to demonstrate the similarities and differences between them, as often more than one species are found together. In flight they resemble the Red admiral (Vanessa atalania) in coloration. Common buck eye (Junonia coenia) As its name implies this is the commonest of the buck eyes and can be found in the drier grassy areas, often in large numbers. The larvae feed on plants of the Scrophulariaceae family in south Florida but plantains, (Plantago ssp.), foxglove and snapdragons are used further north. The very large eye-spots on the hindwings and the spot on the upperside forewing, which is ringed with white, enables it to be distinguished from other buck eyes. There is considerable individual variation of the darker markings on the underside. The winter (or dry season form) is also marked more heavily. Black mangrove buck eye (/. evarete) This species is restricted to the coastal areas of the Florida Peninsula where mangrove occurs. The adults perch on the leaves of the larval foodplant, black mangrove, Avicennia germinans. It is often locally abundant as it was near Card Sound, Northern Key Largo on 15th August 1995. Despite being a very wary insect, sadly, many of these Buck eyes were being hit by passing vehicles and my wife and I removed several injured and dead insects, together with the fast-flying Mangrove skipper (Phocides pigmalion), from the road surface. Many were being quickly discovered by swarms of ants. Evarete is larger than coenia but the forewing eye-spot is ringed with orange and the hindwing eye-spots do not exceed the size of the forewing eye-spot. a a Volume 55 + August 1996 161 The underside is more uniform and paler than coenia but the markings are heavier in the dry season. Caribbean buck eye (J. genoveva) Found only in the extreme south of the state, this species apparently only temporarily colonises the area. At times it has been seen in abundance but usually it occurs rather sporadically. The larvae feed on plants of the Verbenaceae family. Although it resembles coenia, the hindwing spots are much smaller and the forewing eye-spot is edged with white but only on the outermost side. The underside is quite contrastingly marked. In the past there was much confusion between evarete and genoveva because of seasonal variation. At one time they were simply referred to as species A and species B, where their ranges overlap. St. Ivo School (Henry Berman) — This enthusiastic master and _ his equally keen junior Homo sapiens exhibited all things furry and scaly; there were good displays which included various snakes wrapped around exuberant necks and other parts of children's anatomy. Tony Steele (4106) — Some Pieridae of North America. Many of the butterflies of North America are very similar to those found in Great Britain and Europe, and this includes their foodplants. The specimens in this exhibit showed some of the similarities. Space precluded showing the corresponding British examples. Colias eurytheme, Orange sulphur: also called the Alfalfa butterfly, it is a serious pest of alfalfa crops. There are several broods each year. Ranges from Canada to Mexico. C.. cesonia, Southern dog face: the name is derived from the poodle-like markings. It is double-brooded with the larvae feeding on indigo and clovers. Found in the south from California to Florida. C. philodice, Clouded sulphur: very common, can be found swarming around puddles and other moist places. There are several broods each yearmeanad tne foodplant is” clovers., Al percentage of ‘females’ are albinistic. Anthocharis midea, Falcate orange tip: preferred habitat is along the margins of damp woods, where it flies close to the ground. Larvae feed on crucifers. Found in the south-eastern states of North America. Pieris protodice, Checkered white: also known as the Common white, very common all over North America. This also feeds on crucifers, and produces three broods a year. 162 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society o> Phoebis sennae, Cloudless sulphur: another name is the Giant sulphur. Found mainly in the southern states in two broods with the adults overwintering. Foodplant is wild senna. P. philea, Orange-barred sulphur: very common along the Gulf of Mexico and occasionally in the middle and mid-western states, in two broods. The larvae feeds on legumes. Raymond Thompson (9301) and Kay Medlock — Promoted the British Dragonfly Society with their usual high quality display that we have become used to. A wonderful sequence of A4 colour prints illustrated in Macro the drama and magic of the emergence of the Broad-bodied chaser, Libellula depressa. In addition a panel of excellent photographs illustrated the nationally rare Norfolk hawker, Aeshna isosceles, its distribution and notes on the threat to its survival. Kay Medlock had used modern digital technology to produce these photographs by using laser colour copies taken directly from 35mm slides and laminating to protect them; much cheaper than Cibachromes! Raymond Thompson's videos were playing constantly, showing much of entomological interest such as eggs hatching, larval development, prolarval phase of dragonfly emergence etc. Kay Medlock's excellent slides of dragonflies were constantly on view in an automated slide presentation. Many BDS members in addition to many AES members visited the stand during the day. This exhibit has become a well- established rendezvous for the dragonfly enthusiast on AES Exhibition day. Paul Waring (4220) — Display boards and a display case entitled: News from some projects on British moths in 1995 featuring moth projects for JNCC, CCW, EN and SNH, Butterfly Conservation and the BENHS, and the results of a visit to Poland. The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla was investigated in its haunts in Monmouthshire, as part of a project commissioned by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW). It was found to be more widespread than the single gully in which it was discovered in 1972, and extends over an area at least 4km x 1km and probably more. The Slender-striped rufous Coenocalpe lapidata The Slender-striped rufous Coenocalpe lapidata was reared from eggs laid by females caught in Sutherland last September (1994) during a project for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The moth inhabits rush a Volume 55 + August 1996 163 flushes in open moorland. The larvae hatched in March from eggs hibernated in plastic pots under shelter outdoors. The larvae were reared indoors and produced adults in late June and early July, suggesting that they could have two generations per year in warmer climates than those in Scotland. The larval foodplant in the wild is unknown. Some larvae were reared on the leaves of buttercup Ranunculus acris Which occurs on the breeding site) and others on Clematis montanum (which does not). This moth is probably much more widespread than records suggest, and I believe many colonies have been overlooked. Habitat like that shown is plentiful. The moth can be seen by day in hot sunny weather and adults and probably larvae can be found by searching with a torch after dark. The Black-veined moth Siona lineata A third colony of the endangered Black-veined moth Siona lineata was found in Kent on private land during work for English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. Most of its habitat has been ploughed up at this site recently and only a hectare remains but hopefully this last piece can be saved permanently and adjacent land brought back into condition for the moth, which continues to do well on its other two sites. The Reddish buff moth Acosmetia caliginosa The Reddish buff moth Acosmetia caliginosa flew again on mainland Britain in 1995, for the first time since it was lost in the early 1960s. Last year 100 adults reared in captivity from stock originally from the Isle of Wight were released into a site prepared for them in Hampshire, as part of English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. The adults seen this year confirm that eggs were laid in the wild and that the site is suitable for the full life-cycle. The colony will continue to be monitored to see if it is successful in the long term. Crimson underwing survey A survey of Light and Dark crimson underwings Catocala promissa and C. sponsa took place on 12th August 1995 in the New Forest, Hampshire, as part of a joint field meeting between the British Entomological & Natural History Society and Butterfly Conservation. We were delighted to find both species at five different places in the central and eastern parts of the Forest, and the Light crimson underwing at a sixth. Previously there had been concerns that the Dark crimson underwing in particular had become much more localised within the Forest. The meeting was filmed by a crew from the BBC and shown on 3rd September as part of the Nature Detectives series. 164 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae Atlas of the scarce and threatened macro-moths of Great Britain This project was started in the winter of 1992-93, following formation of a national recording network for the rarer moths in 1991. The first draft of maps was issued to all county recorders and record centres in 1992, since when many further records and much new information has been added. The text and maps are continually being updated on computer and accounts of individual species are frequently being sent to lepidopterists and conservation organisations. Editing for publication is due to take place this winter with publication by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in 1996. The recording network will continue to be serviced and the computer data-base kept up to date as part of a joint project between BC and JNCC. Up to date national distribution maps of fourteen species which have been demoted from the Atlas because, fortunately, they have been found to be too widespread and common to qualify, are being submitted for publication in a paper for the Entomologist’s Record to make the information available. For some of these species, such as the Sloe pug Chloroclystis chloerata, there are no previous published maps. For others it is interesting to compare the results with previous versions. While recording has improved in some areas, it is clear that there have also been real changes in moth distribution in the last two decades, with increases as well as declines. Larva of Sloe pug Chloroclystis chloerata feeding in blackthorn blossom Prunus spinosa This is one of the species dropped from the Atlas of the rarer macro- moths because it is now known from more than 100 of the 10km squares in Britain. The distribution map is the first to be prepared for this species and will be published in the entomological press, along with those of other species demoted from the Atlas, so that the information is readily available. Moth recording visit to Poland For 15 years I have had the ambition to visit the only remaining undisturbed primeval forest left in Europe, which is at Bialowieza on the far eastern border of Poland, and to run a Robinson light trap there for comparison with moth catches in Britain. This year, with the kind assistance of Professor Jaroslav Buscko of Copernicus University, that ambition was realised. The full results will be published in due course. In addition to Bialowieza, where we saw Light and Dark crimson underwings as in the New Forest, we visited the Biebrza Marshes, a large area of wetlands with a population of European cranes Grus grus. 3 Volume 55 + August 1996 165 There we saw the Rosy underwing Catocala electa and another species, Catacala pacta, which has a red abdomen as well as red hindwings. C. pacta is considered rare in Europe and only occurs in the extreme east. It may have been lost from Finland, so our discovery of a strong colony at Biebrza Marshes is good news. It inhabits sallow carr Salix spp. and we saw 27 in one night at the place shown in the accompanying photograph. The Viper's bugloss moth Hadena irregularis While in Poland we also saw larvae of the Viper's bugloss moth Hadena irregualris which is now considered extinct in Britain. The larvae were feeding on Spanish catchfly Silene otites and also on Gypsophila fastigiata, both growing in the dry sandy Breckland type of habitat in which the moth used to be found in Britain. It appears that the moth was last seen in Britain as larvae in 1977. Searches for larvae took place at all known Spanish catchfly sites in 1988, with the largest colonies of the plant being searched again in 1989, but no larvae were found. They were easy to see on the plants by day in Poland and in view of this experience I am confident they would have been found during the surveys in Britain if they had been present. Dr Rachel Thomas. — Showed a display illustrating the steps English Heritage are taking to preserve wildlife on their holdings. Len Winokur (8070) — Exhibited five examples of wing shape and pattern pathology in Lepidoptera. The value of such _ teratological aberrations (Russwurm, A.D.A. 1975. Aberrations of British Butterflies, Classey) lies in what they tell us about development and evolution. Shown were: Speckled wood, Pararge aegeria Linn.; Male subjected to pupal chilling at -20°C for 96 hours commencing 5-12 hours post pupation, with the left hindwing present only as a stump bearing scales but no pattern. Clouded buff, Diacrisia sannio Linn., Male reared ex. egg at 30°C, with the left hindwing undeveloped and the right hindwing present as a stump divided into an anterior and smaller posterior part each bearing scales but no pattern. Small white, Pieris rapae Linn.,; Male Snowe indentation of the left _ forewing at the posterior margin. _ Chalk-hill blue, Zysandra coridon Poda.; Female subjected to pupal | chilling at -20°C for 96 hours commencing 5-12 hours post pupation, 166 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae showing failure of wing expansion and an absence of wing membrane from the discal cell of each hindwing. Cinnabar, Tyria jacobaeae Linn.; Female subjected to pupal chilling at -20°C for for 96 hours commencing 5-12 hours post pupation, with the upper and undersides of both hindwings showing paler ground colour toward the anterior wing spaces. The compiler of these notes is not responsible for errors or claims made by the exhibitors. However, an effort has been made to be as accurate as possible. 7 Roy McCormick, FRES REMEMBER THIS YEAR’S EXHIBITION IS FREE TO MEMBERS DON’T FORGET TO FILL IN THE DETAILS ON YOUR PASS ISSUED WITH THIS BULLETIN t | Volume 55 + August 1996 167 The Small white in Australia by Tony Morton (8820) 32 Chatsworth Road, Prahran, Victoria, Australia 3181. I was interested in Phil Grey's comments on Pieris brassicae in Cape Town, and feel he is right in forecasting a plague of these insects there before long. The appearance in Australia in 1937 (some say 1939), of Pieris (Artogeia) rapdae rapae (Linnaeus) via New Zealand, where it had presumably been accidentally introduced from Europe, caused some annoyance, especially to those with vegetable gardens. First seen around Melbourne and in the gardens and fields to the east of that city, the butterfly, often known as the Cabbage moth, had reached Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales by 1940. By 1942 it was reported from Queensland, and it is now very common in most settled areas throughout Australia wherever its introduced foodplant grows. It is even met with not infrequently miles from “civilisation” in forest and scrubland. I imagine that the story is the same in North America, where the butterfly was introduced accidentally in 1800. In Australia, perhaps partly because of the War, little was done to control the insect until the fifties, when the authorities brought in several of its predators (Apanteles spp. amongst others) from Europe. A friend of mine tells me that, as a boy in the mid-fifties, market gardeners would pay him a shilling a hundred for those “Cabbage moths”, and that he could earn ten bob in a couple of hours! Gradually the predators brought the numbers down, but the butterfly is still the commonest species in Melbourne, being the first to fly in spring and the last to be seen in autumn. It doesn't seem particularly fond of cabbage, for in my garden it prefers nasturtium. Apart from these and Brassica spp, in general, larvae are reported to be able to develop on mignonette and Cleome spp. as well as a common weed called peppercress (Lepidium hyssopifolium). The butterfly looks exacily the same as English specimens I have seen, though recent studies have shown “major genetically based behavioural differences from their English conspecies.” However, this is not unknown amongst human immigrants! 168 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a¢ Cruel death for Peck's skipper while the Harvester is collected nearby. Cheesequake State Park, New Jersey, USA. 10th August 1995 by Matthew Rowlings (9108) 87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8DL. During a two-week visit to the north-east United States in early August 1995, I spent a pleasant afternoon in the Cheesequake State Park of north-eastern New Jersey. In the limited time available and with little knowledge of the insect life in the Park I chose to follow the longest and most diverse marked trail — the Green Trail. With warm but cloudy weather and a typically dense, still forest there were odd spots containing, atypically (in my experience of the north-east), reasonable numbers of butterflies. The following is a combined general and lepidopteran description of one of these spots. The Green Trail had just taken me across a board-walk through an amazing white cedar swamp. The darkness and _ stillness were oppressive combined with the humidity and the entirely brown surroundings. Weird creepers added an eerie perspective. Beyond, in the more typical hardwood forest the ground dropped down onto a flood plain that, to my eyes, contained no river, stream or puddle, but did contain a dense 12-foot-high herbaceous forest — a North American equivalent of a giant hogweed epidemic. As the trail emerged from this dense growth a small but rarely encountered zone of ground-level sunlight existed. Something batted past my face and, being starved of butterfly action but having had enough practice over the summer to have toned my reflexes, to my surprise I caught the insect. It was a Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius) — the only one I managed to find during my two-week stay. A member of the Lycaenidae, of the subfamily Miletinae, I don't think it has any close relatives in Europe but it can be imagined as a cross between the Moroccan hairstreak (Tomares mauretanicus) and the Canary blue (Cyclirius webbianus). The subfamily is particularly interesting in the larval stage. As youngsters these butterflies are predatory or parasitic on Homopteran hosts, usually aphids. Sometimes ants are exploited much as they are by larvae of the Large blue (Maculinea arion) and others in Europe. The Harvester is no exception, feeding on woolly aphids of genera Schizoneura and Pemphigus, particularly if the aphid colony is feeding on alder. By way of camouflage from their larger predators the larvae drape themselves in the remains and secretions of their victims. A web Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 1. Gomphus vulgatisimus (Club-tailed dragonfly) resting on dead wood by the Thames near Hartslock SSSI on 19th May 1993. Photographed on Hartslock SSSI on 5th September 1993. PLATE 96M Volume 55 « August 1996 Fig. 3. Asilus crabroniformis (2) feeding on a large field grasshopper. Photographed on 26th August 1995 at a site in Cholsey, Oxfordshire. Fig. 4. Asilus crabroniformis (@ ) feeding on a large field grasshopper. Photographed on 26th August 1995 at a site in Cholsey, Oxfordshire. PLATE 96N Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 5. Another Red admiral basking place! PLATE 960 Volume 55 * August 1996 3 Fig. 6. Some Emperor moths of the southem Sudan. P.Waring. Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc. 54: (403) 255-200. See facing page for legend. PLATE 96P to ] Volume 55 + August 1996 169 is spun to protect them from the attentions of ants that tend and defend the aphids from most predators. The larval stage lasts only a very short time —10/11 days and three moults — this further reduces exposure to attacks by ants, although this very rapid growth may be a result of the highly nutritious animal food. However, this time the Harvester became harvested and the insect is now treasured as part of my select collection. Oddly the adult does not feed on flowers, it feeds on honeydew from the aphids its larvae feed on. Doesn't this contradict the whole point of metamorphosis i.e. that adult and larval interests do not overlap? Perhaps something for the learned lepidopterist to comment on, but I warrant that other instances of this non-conformance can be thought of, or maybe explained. A very short walk through the ever nearby forest and a rare patch of natural open grass (unfortunately of the leg-scratching type!) somehow managed to resist the encroaching trees. A nearby stream kept it damp. Although it was very small (perhaps 20m x 10m) it harboured several butterflies of interest. The ubiquitous forest's odorous undercover (sweet pepper bushes which fill the still air with a very heavy, sickly, privet-like scent that made even my usually insensitive nose twitch) formed a narrow border around the clearing and provided the fuel for the adult butterflies that made it home. Several very smart Red-banded hairstreaks (Calycopis cecrops) (the commonest butterfly I found in New Jersey) were found here in very good condition feeding on the sweet pepper. A single stunning White-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album) was also feeding — it has an unmistakable white M Cike the white W of the White-letter hairstreak (Strymonidia w-album)) and a big blue spot at the base of the hindwing tails with shining deep blue flashes of the upperwings. Several American Silver-spotted skippers (Epargyreus clarus), easily as big as our Small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), were showing off their golden-spotted upperwings and single large silver streak of the underside. A Sachem (a skipper) (Atalopedes campestris), like a giant Large skipper (Ochlodes venata), also fed in the meadow. A lovely black Spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) passed through — a species that likes sunshine but is by no means averse to spending its afternoons in the dark forest undergrowth. In the middle of this scene a titanic struggle was being fought. A most unfortunate Peck's skipper (Polites peckius) was suffering a slow Fig. 6. Some Emperor moths of the southern Sudan. L-R: Epiphora bauhiniae (Nyany and Juba, Imbrasia hectate (Nyany, Kopp, Juba), Bunea alcinoe (Nyany and Panyagor), Pseudaphelia apollinaris form simplex (Nyany), Usta terpsichore (Juba). 170 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society og fate in the clutches of two large praying mantids (each a full four inches in length) similar to those I've seen in southern Europe. The mantids, preoccupied by the question of who should get the meal, had forgotten to kill their prey. I watched them as they fought strategically clutching first the skipper then each other, always with one forearm gripping the dying skipper. They occasionally lurched trying to gain the advantage. After several minutes I turned away to watch about five Appalachian eyed browns (Satyrodes appalachia) feeding in a shaded part of the meadow. On returning to my ringside position, the jury were still divided as to who would win the trophy and earn a good, fresh but squashed meal! I left with the result still undecided. References Opler, P.A. and Malikul, V. (1992). A field guide to Eastern Butterflies (The Peterson Field Guide Series). Houghton Mifflin Company. Ordish, G., Crozat et Saint- Justh, F., and Barber, N. (1969). Butterflies and Moths: learning with colour. Paul Hamlyn. Sbordoni, V. and Forestiero, S. (1985). The World of Butterflies, an illustrated encyclopaedia. Guild Publishing. Higgins, L.G. and Riley, N.D. (1980). A field guide to the butterflies of Britain and Europe. 4th Edition. Collins. Pyle, R.M. Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies. 1st edition. A.A. Knopf (New York). Klots, A.B. A Field Guide to the Butterflies of North America, East of the Great Plains. 1st edition. Out of season Tortricoid by Alan Emmerson (10487) As it was mild on 11th February I decided to run a trap, but rain was forecast so I put it on our covered porch. Next morning it yielded a solitary Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii), but on the inside of the window overlooking the porch I found a beautiful Tortricoid. After some time I concluded it was either Spilonota ocellana (the favourite), Cydia succedana or C. splendana. | live in Surrey but work in Aberdeen, and took the specimen north when I returned a couple of days later. My micro guru, Dr Bob Palmer, soon identified it as C. splendana — at least I had been close! C. splendana flies in July to August so what was one doing in my house in February? On reference to British Tortricoid Moths we discovered that the fully-fed larva leaves acorns or sweet chestnuts soon after they have fallen and then constructs a cocoon in which it overwinters, pupating in the spring. I had collected chestnuts in a small wood near my home in November and must have brought a larva into the house. This in turn must have pupated early and hatched in the warmth of my living room. Any other theories? ae Volume 55 * August 1996 171 Book Review Insects and flowers, a biological partnership by John Brackenbury. 4to, hdbk. pp.160, 161 colour photos. ISBN 07137 2491 9. Blandford Press OD we ree-32):00. This is yet another display of this author's photographic art, first exemplified in his earlier book, /nsects in flight. 1 do, however, cavil at the presentation of them in this book. In the previous book the photographs were, with but a couple of exceptions, printed on a page and with an inner margin. Here they are far too often printed both without an inner margin and partly running over the page so as to occupy two pages, which, since this is not a book that opens dead flat, gives a distorted view of the subject. It is also my opinion that a number of them suffer from too great an enlargement and could well have given a better visual impact by being printed half the size they have been. In particular I find the large photographs containing pink, red and purple flowers — and there are rather a lot of them — very visually overpowering. At least one photograph of the Peacock butterfly is shown in duplicate but different in size, one photograph, No. 50, which on half a page is the one I prefer, and the same spread over two Cun-numbered) pages (48/49 by inference). A number of the photographs would seem to have been included because they were available in lieu of actual insect ones. These show flowers and scenery of which better photographs are available in a number of other books. Turning to the text, this is a simple and non-technical account of the inter-relationship between the insects and the flowers they visit. The various chapters take us through the process: the flower as a food source; the market for pollen; types of flowers and how they are pollinated; how the world looks to an insect. Here I would have liked to see some photographs taken by ultra-violet light, for the colours we see on flowers are not those seen by the insects with their visual range shifted into the ultra-violet end of the spectrum and lack of seeing VAi2 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society &¢é many of the reds. Be it noted, however, that many of these red colours reflect ultra-violet. I noticed a few mis-statements, such as “Regular hibernators such as the Red admiral... ”. Still a very controversial issue and rare occurrence! There are a number of other errors. For instance the Small skipper should be 7hymelicus sylvestris not T. flavus Cwhich it has never been); the Dark-green fritillary has not been in the genus Mesoacidalia for many years and should be Argynnis. There ‘are also errors in the indexing. No trace of the Marbled white on page 101 for instance and the Scarce swallowtail is depicted on illustration 141 not 144 as stated in the index. Sheer carelessness and spotted errors such as these must cast a cloud over the accuracy of the text as a whole. Although well-printed and bound the publishers could not make up their minds whether to justify the text or not;-it is a mix of right justified and ragged! I would have liked to see a more extensive bibliography. It consists of only eight titles, but perhaps it is as sparse as this for a very good reason that this specialised subject really has such a limited literature, although further references — to papers rather than books — are of course to be found in the titles quoted, the two classic texts on the subject, those of Faegri & Van der Pijl and of Proctor & Yoe, are now getting on in years and much new information is now available but scattered. As in his previous books, I find the pagination confusing; although most of the pictures are numbered, some are not, neither are all the pages foliated and it is off-putting to see page “107” following page 108 as well as “page” 120 apparently following page 118, until one realises that the “107” and “120” are actually the colour photo numbers. This is a colourful book containing useful information on the subject, but sadly marred by the flaws mentioned above, although I believe the textual information may be more accurate than the naming, indexing and foliation. At a price that compares with many books without any colour illustrations &20 is not unreasonable. However, I have noticed that many books of this ilk, including those of this author and publisher, are remaindered at about a third of the published price within a couple of years — two indeed within six months — of publication and I would recommend looking at this book in a library before making up your mind and then if you want it on your shelves, wait for the price to drop, which it might even have done by the time this review appears. Brian Gardiner L] Volume 55 + August 1996 173 J.R. Eagles I have been looking for a Mr J.R. Eagles who served in the Royal Navy in 1943. Mr Eagles, nicknamed “Bugs”, was a keen entomologist, and I believe that his father was the editor of an entomological publication. Several of my naval colleagues are gathering this year to wallow in nostalgia, but Mr Eagles is missing. I believe he once resided in north London. Anyone with information should contact Eric Maclean at 8 Telford Terrace, Pimlico, London SW1V 3AE or the Bulletin editor. AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION Saturday 5th October 1996 Kempton Park Racecourse Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex Doors open at 1lam Admission &1.00 Members free on production of pass issued with the August Bu/letin For further information, please write to: Amateur Entomologists' Society | PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG 174 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 Inter-generic courtship by Matthew Rowlings (9108) 87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8DL. Wye mee = Having recently re-read WJ. Tennent's article on’ inter-generic mating behaviour in Lepidoptera (Bull. Amat. Ent. Soe-54-394): pp. 107) I am prompted into reporting a striking instance of inter-generic courtship. One warm August night, some time in the mid-1980s, I was walking around one of the many flowering Buddleia bushes in our garden in Cambridgeshire an hour or so after dusk. With a torch in hand I was searching, profitably, for nectaring moths. One flower was the chosen roosting spot for a quiescent female Large white (Pieris brassicae. Several minutes later my torch beam touched upon the Large white again, but this time there -happened to be a male Yellow shell (Camptogramma bilineata) fluttering by. The butterfly twitched its wings and the moth was in love! It flew at the butterfly much like a lusty male Large white would have done in daylight. The butterfly took the approach seriously but was definitely not in the mood. She responded in the characteristic rejection posture of slowly flapping wings with abdomen raised. This had no effect on the moth who kept making approaches. After several seconds it occurred to me that it might be my torch beam that was causing this social intercourse, so I switched it off briefly. Switching back on revealed a quiescent roosting Large white and no Yellow shell. The whole scenario was, I think, the result of confusion caused by my artificial torch light. Moving into the realms of speculation, the diurnal butterfly was probably responding to the visual stimulus of the nearby illuminated moth and saw it as a small, yellowy male butterfly with romantic intentions. The Geometridae family to which the Yellow shell belongs is probably the most (superficially at least) similar moth family to the butterflies in size, shape and flight. So the confusion on the part of the female is perhaps understandable. The male's interest in her on the other hand is more of a puzzle. Quite unaccustomed to courting in daylight it can be suggested that he found some pheromonal stimulus from the large butterfly, or perhaps the bright whiteness fascinated him (although the torch itself didn't attract him). The former is plausible because it is not usual for the Yellow shell to be sexually active during day light hours and the female Large white would not normally flap her wings after dark — my torch light may have merged daylight and night time in an unnatural way causing this strange interaction between butterfly and moth. i | i 36 Volume 55 + August 1996 175 Pieris mannii and other animals on Corfu in May 1995 by Rob Parker 203 Washington Street, Beck Row, Suffolk IP28 8EX. My visit to Corfu (9th - 23rd May 1995) was partly inspired by Gerald Durrell's “My Family and Other Animals”, but the foundations of my expectations concerning the butterfly fauna were laid by Russell Bretherton, whose listing (Baldock & Bretherton, 1981) identified a total of 79 species recorded from the island — 63 with certainty, and 16 requiring confirmation. Corfu is the greenest of the Greek islands and this, with its proximity to the Albanian coast, give it a greater diversity of flora and fauna than the other islands of the Ionian/Aegean. None of the works I consulted before my visit led me to expect the Eastern orange tip, Anthocharis damone Boisduval 1836 on the island, or indeed, the Southern small white, Pieris mannii Mayer 1851. My wife chose an attractive-looking hotel from the Horizon holiday brochure and I approved its location along the north-eastern coastline, on the cliffs below Mount Pantokrator, and well away from the over- developed tourist resorts that now sadly spoil the island's natural beauty. The habitat is essentially rough Mediterranean garrigue on a steep hillside above cultivated olive groves down to the sea, without a significant coastal belt, but with a wonderful variety of wild plants. At Barbati, we were close to the area in which Baldock collected (Baldock & Bretherton, 1981) and to a number of sites described by the Durrells. My first foray was a short walk at 10am on 10th May 1995, and within 200 metres of the hotel the first butterfly we saw was a wonderful surprise - a bright yellow male Anthocharis damone that eventually settled obligingly at the side of the path to allow positive identification. I subsequently took a few males and one female, and found them quite typical. For three days they were common in this location, though worn, but thereafter they were scarce, though I did find one straggler there on 20th May. The only other site on the island at which A. damone was noted was just five kilometres away, but higher up the slopes of Pantokrator, at about 400 metres, on the footpath from Nissaki towards the deserted village of Sinies and (eventually) the summit. As it turned out, this was not a new record for Corfu, as I had been beaten to it by Showler (1984) and Bernhard (Tolman & Bernhard, 1994). Both of these collectors had taken it along the same strip of the north-eastern coastal hillside. 176 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 The second butterfly that morning was also an unfamiliar delight, in the form of the Southern swallowtail, Papilio alexanor. In the same locality this was also quite common, being very mobile between the open glades on the hillside, and often flying in groups of three or four. Individual insects were quite variable in size and colour, from dwarf forms “too small for a Swallowtail” to large faded specimens that could easily be mistaken for the Scarce swallowtail, /. podalirius, which was also on the wing in increasing numbers towards the end of our stay. In flight the difference was quiet noticeable, with P. alexanor behaving more like a fluttering mini-machaon than with the easy-gliding elegance of I. podalirius. Whilst the normal Swallowtail, P. machaon is found on Corfu, I did not identify any with certainty, although the fennel shot up from 10 centimetres to an astonishing two metres during our stay. My first day's tally counted out at 21 species, although a couple of these took several repeat visits to confirm. As the days went by we visited other localities, watched while new species emerged and found a few lucky singletons, generally adding one or two species to the list each day. In all, I reached a count of 42 — a very satisfactory 57% of the known total. We made car excursions to the northern and southern tips of the island, to Lake Korission and to the summit of Mount Pantokrator (900 metres). The weather seemed to conspire to deny us satisfactory collecting opportunities on these excursions, with wind or cloud limiting what was on the wing so we saw the range of habitat the island has to offer without finding anywhere to beat Barbati for butterfly diversity. ‘The ‘species ‘recorded in Table .1- were, alli tound within a five kilometre walk of Barbati, except where specifically noted. The Whites needed to be watched with care, just.as they did in Cyprus (Parker, 1983). Neither the Large white P. brassicae nor the Small white P. rapae were at all common, but both were flying in small numbers. Also present were the Green-veined white P. napi, the Wood white L. sinapis, the Bath white P. daplidice and the Dappled white Euchloe ausonia. See Cribb (991) for an explanation of the past misuse of E. simplonia. In May I found both the first brood and the much larger second brood specimens flying together. Two female Southern small whites Pieris mannii (Mayer 1851) were taken on the hillside above Barbati at about 300 metres on 22nd May 1995. At the time, I did not appreciate the significance of this catch, and only on returning home did I realise that P. mannii is a new record for Corfu. It is hardly surprising though, as the type locality for P. mannii is 4 Volume 55 + August 1996 ay to Italy 65 miles Ag. Spiridon Sidari Kassiopi MT. PANTOKRATOR 914m e ALBANIA Kaminaki Nissaki eee: Barbati Ag. Giorgios e Paleocastritza GREECE Vido ls. CORFU Mon Repos O ® Val di Ropa Potamos @ Ag. Gordios ponlsen Ag. Mattheos Cape Lelkimo CORFU SS SKETCH MAP Lake Korisson 10 Miles | aa just along the Adriatic coast at Split, and the insect is known from Sicily as well as the Greek mainland. Another good find amongst the Pieridae was Krueper's small white P. krueperi, a new species for me. Its heavy hindwing markings made it look large in flight, but I had only taken one until the last day, when I netted a clumsy flier which turned out to be a pair of P. kruepari in cop. They remained paired for at least 30 minutes in captivity and I decided to bring them home with me. Regrettably the female turned up her nose at the Suffolk substitute for sunshine, and refused to lay on the potted alyssum I had offered. 178 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Lo The excellent Windrush Island Guide to Corfu (Coleman & Mewton, 1991) gives useful biogeographic guidance with some notes on flora, birdlife and reptiles and helped me to choose where to go. Future visitors might like to note some possibilities: Mount Pantokrator (914 metres). The summit, with its monastery spoiled by tall communications masts, is on the tourist trail and can be approached on a metalled road via the villages of Strinilas or Petalia. The last four kilometres or about 100 metres vertically, is better suited to four-wheel-drive or walking; the terrain becomes more open above the market garden patchwork near the villages. This area is unique on the island, but was not productive in May. Ag Deka (576 metres). The more southern range of hills is less rugged and more verdant than Pantokrator. The Achillion palace lies in its foothills and its garden is often mentioned in records. This area could present good collecting later in the season. Corfu town. There are two notable gardens in Corfu town that are worth a visit. The first is the British Cemetery, a well-tended, heavily wooded garden with an interesting selection of orchids and headstones amongst which I saw the only Red admiral Vanessa dtalanta noted. Mon Repos, birthplace of the Duke of Edinburgh, is set in an extensive public garden where admission is free for those who can find the gate. Although the palace is in a sad state of repair, the coastal setting and the three ancient Greek temples are worth a look. Most of the gardens are in the heavy shade of tall conifers, and this was the only location in which Ifound the Speckled wood Pararge aegeria despite keeping my eyes open in many apparently suitable habitats elsewhere. Ag Spiridon. The Andinioti lagoon and the adjacent beach of Ag Spiridon with its sand lillies were a favourite haunt for the Durrell family. The northernmost tip of Corfu lies nearby and presents a low-lying rocky coastal habitat rather different to other rocky shores. Here I found the Balkan marbled white Melanargia larissa in some numbers and a single Grayling. Coastal footpath. A clifftop footpath runs from Nissaki to Kassiopi and passes through a variety of habitat and productive collecting localities. I saw my only Hipparchia syriaca amongst pines beside the path and my only Gegenes pumilio on the rough hillside nearby. od Volume 55 + August 1996 179 A large tortoise shared the path with us through the olive groves, and expecting to find another when we investigated noises in the adjacent undergrowth, we were surprised to find a very long snake! Higher up the cliffside I later identified a Balkan whip snake of about two metres, basking in the sun. Conveniently, the bus route from Corfu to Kassiopi follows a similar route, so it is possible to get off the bus so as to use the coastal footpath in convenient segments. A special memory of this route is the lingering aroma of herbs crushed underfoot and wonderful views of the coastline and adjacent Albania. Above Nissaki. A stiff climb through the villas comprising Viglatsouri, the hamlet at the southern end of Nissaki, gives access to some serious long-distance walking routes through National Park area, up to the deserted village of Sinies, beyond through the foothills and up eventually the summit of Mount Pantokrator. We covered about 18 kilometres from Barbati to Sinies and back and found it agreeable in May, though it would be extremely hot in high summer. Spanish broom and diverse wildflowers at the edge of the track (passable by 4WD/motorbike) attract a good variety of butterflies from the surrounding meadows, and the route gives a good transect through typical 200-400 metre biotope (and up to 914 metres for those with stamina). On the sun-baked stone path we found bees and wasps congregating in large numbers and got a close look at the (poisonous) Sand viper, which is only about 15 centimetres long, but clearly marked. It was able to move swiftly and smoothly across the rocks and up a vertical sandstone cliff! Lake Korission. Divided from the sea by a barrier of sand dunes, Lake Korission is set in a wild and undisturbed area of marshy sandlings that proved fruitful for diptera (McLean, 1983) and could well repay further exploration. One special delight in May is the spectacle of the Fireflies. They become active (or visible?) just after dusk and fly at a constant height, flashing regularly like mini airliners with anti-collision beacons. They fly mostly in straight lines, so they are easy to net and to fetch indoors for inspection. They continued to emit and sat at our bedside flashing like electronic alarm clocks. We saw relatively few moths, but enjoyed one daytime sighting of a Striped hawkmoth Celerio livornica, hovering and feeding just an armslength away. Another attractive insect seen was the ascalaphid — 180 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 4 a colourful relative of the larger ant-lions; I am familiar with the yellow winged Ascalaphus macaronius, but at Ag Spiridion I also saw one with pale purple markings, and very attractive it was too. Species List Alain Olivier has put a great deal of work into the butterflies of the Greek Islands (eg. Olivier 1987, 1993) and he has updated the species list in Bretherton & Baldock, 1981. His present listing for Corfu (Olivier 1995) is reproduced here with his approval, as a baseline for showing the species I found in May 1995 (See Table 1). Additions to the Corfu list since 1981 include Pyrgus malvae (McLean 1983), Anthocharis damone (Showler 1984) and the migratory Danaus chrysippus (Vanholder 1993). In addition, a single Hyponephale lupina was taken by Dr Roger Dennis in an olive grove at Ag Stefanos, north of Agnitsini in August 1990. The specimen has been identified by Olivier and is now held in his collection. This information has not yet been published elsewhere, and thus comprises a new record for Corfu. Olivier has made a number of nomenclatural rationalisations to the list, and some provisional deletions. His listing of doubtful species is therefore included for the sake ‘of completeness. Some further taxonomic adjustments have been incorporated at the suggestion of Roger Dennis. The checklist of confirmed records runs to 74 species and I consider I did well to find over half of them (42) during a fortnight stay. Records for September By good chance, colleague Tony Dobson (AHD) visited the very same locality later the same season. Staying at Nissaki, he recorded 24 species during the period 16th - 22nd September 1995, and these are annotated “s” on the table. The September records add Papilio machaon, Muschampia proto and Lampides boeticus to my May (m) sightings, but otherwise reflect mainly common multiple brooded or enduring species. Pieris mannii was not amongst the whites found in September, but AHD was close to sea level, and did not get into the higher ground where I found it. Iam grateful for consent to publish on his behalf. The genus Hipparchia deserves a special mention here, since past records include too many species. Firstly there are the Rock grayling group which I saw and of which AHD took three examples. Two of = I I Ss 3 Volume 55 + August 1996 181 these were sent to Kudrna and were positively determined as males of the Eastern rock grayling H. syriaca, and this is in line with earlier records. These specimens are now lodged in Kudrna's collection. I also took one Grayling (or Southern grayling) which presents an identification problem. Olivier is satisfied that H. volgensis is found on Corfu (pers. comm.), whilst Kudrna is equally satisfied with H. semele (pers. comm., updating Kudrna, 1977). Quite possibly both are right, and both are agreed that past records of H. aristaeus senthes should be considered invalid. Additionally there are past records of the Tree grayling Hipparchia statilinus, which we did not take. This makes at least three species of Grayling, and highlights the need for future visitors to Corfu to bring some males back for positive identification. A number of additional unconfirmed records have been submitted recently: Lycaena thersammon by Peter Taylor (unpublished). Neptis rivularis, Thymelicus lineola, Gegenes nostrodamus by David Withrington (1995). These have not been included in the main checklist pending confirmation. Indeed, in the two years since his visit, Withrington has reconsidered and now believes that his record of N. rivularis should be discounted (pers. comm.). T. lineola he identified in the field, unaware that it had not previously been recorded. He did take one specimen of “G. nostrodamus’ and J took the opportunity to compare this very worn female with some of my G. pumilio from Cyprus and found it larger and distinct; quite possibly both G. pumilio and G. nostrodamus are found on Corfu, as on Crete (Coutsis & Olivier, 1993). Acknowledgements I am grateful for the close co-operation of many colleagues in the production of this article, which has progressed from an account of my holiday to a well-researched species list which should be of value to future visitors to Corfu. In particular, thanks are due to Roger Dennis, Tony Dobson and Peter Taylor, who have allowed me to reproduce their otherwise unpublished records, to David Withrington for access to his specimens, to Otakar Kudrna for identification and advice on the genus Hipparchia, and above all to Alain Olivier whose painstaking research created this updated species list for Corfu. 182 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Checklist of the butterflies of Corfu RP, May 1995 = m AHD, September 1995 = s Thymelicus sylvestris (Poda, 1761) m T. acteon (Rottemburg, 1775) m s_ Ochlodes venatus (Bremer & Grey, 1853) m s Gengenes pumilio Hoffmannsegg, 1804) Erynnis marloyi (Boisduval, [1834]) m s_ Carcharodus alceae (Esper, 1780) m C. orientalis (Reverdin, 1913) m Spialia orbifer Hubner, [1823]) s Muschampia proto (Ochsenheimer, 1808) Pyrgus malvae (Linnaeus, 1758) Zerynthia polyxena ((Denis & Schiffermiuller], s Papilio machaon (Linnaeus, 1758) m P. alexanor (Esper, [1800] m s__ Iphiclides podalirius (Linnaeus, 1758) m s_ Leptidea sinapis (Linnaeus, 1758) m s_ Colias crocea (Geoffroy in Fourcroy, 1785) m s_ Gonepteryx cleopatra (Linnaeus, 1767) G. rhamni (Linnaeus, 1758) 5) m Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) m s_ P. rapae (Linnaeus, 1758) m P. mannii (Mayer, 1851) m P. napi (Linnaeus, 1758) m s_ P. krueperi (Staudinger, 1860) m Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777) m Anthochanis cardamines (Linnaeus, 1758) Ses 2 5 15 Volume 55 + August 1996 183 A. damone (Boisduval, 1836) Euchloe ausonia (Hubner, [1804]) Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758) Satyrium spini ([Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775) S. ilicus (Esper, 1779) Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus, 1761) L. ottomana (Lefebvre, 1830) L. alciphron (Rottemburg, 1775) Tarucus balkanicus (Freyer, |1844]) Leptotes pirithous (Linnaeus, 1767) Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767) Cupido minimus (Fuessly, 1775) Celastrina argiolus (Linnaeus, 1758) Pseudophilotes vicrama (Moore, 1805) Glaucopsyche alexis (Poda, 1761) Plebejus argus (Linnaeus, 1758) Aricia agestis (Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775) Polyommatus thersites (Cantener, 1835) P. icarus (Rottemburg, 1775) Libythea celtis (Laicharting, 1782) Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) Charaxes jasius (Linnaeus, 1767) Limenitis reducta (Staudinger, 1901) Nymphalis antiopa (Linnaeus, 1758) N. polychloros (Linnaeus, 1758) Inachis io (Linnaeus, 1758) Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758) Cynthia cardui (Linnaeus, 1758) Aglais urticae (Linnaeus, 1758) Polygonia c-album (Linnaeus, 1758) P. egea (Cramer, [1775]) Argynnis pandora ((Denis & Schiffermtller], 1775) A. paphia (Linnaeus, 1758) Issoria lathonia (Linnaeus, 1758) f aR Artic | YN Oh fi, pp WPI Sl ‘ 7] vip 184 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a Some observations on the pairing and egg-laying habits of the Saturniid moth Dictyoploca simla Westwood by Mark Pickup (5749) 42 Dean Street, Derby DE22 3PS. Late in the autumn of 1994 several cocoons of the attractive Indian silkmoth Dictyoploca simla started to hatch. Originally I obtained these as Ova at an entomological fair earlier in the year. The resultant larvae were reared on hawthorn (in my opinion the best foodplant for this species) throughout the summer months. The cocoons produced were large and seemed to vindicate my choice of pabulum. The first moth emerged on 11th November — a very colourful male with a wingspan of 13cm. No partner being readily available, it was confined to a netting cage in an unheated room, a temperature of approximately 57°F, cool enough I assumed to ensure inactivity. Unfortunately, I discovered at a later date that the temperature in the average November in northern India is almost identical. This probably explains why a midnight cage inspection revealed a tattered moth vigorously expending all its energy in flight. A female simla emerged on 14th November, a fine large specimen with a wingspan of 15cms. However, the likelihood of a pairing being achieved now seemed slim. Both moths were placed inside a cylindrical netting cage, suspended from the ceiling. Again the temperature remained cool. From dusk onwards the male proceeded to flap aimlessly around the bottom of the cage whilst the female “called”. On the morning of 15th November I found there were 18 obviously infertile eggs oviposited in the cage. No pairing had occurred. Luckily, during the afternoon, a further two male simla emerged. Although a pairing was now extremely unlikely, I decided to experiment. The largest of the fresh males was left undisturbed in the small, square rigid emerging cage. The female was then _ introduced, temperature and conditions being exactly as before. The following day an early morning inspection revealed the moths to be in copulation, cramped together in the top corner of the cage. Oddly a further 33 infertile ova had been laid before the pairing took place! The pair separated at approximately 10pm that evening. To my surprise and disappointment no eggs whatever were laid during the night. I decided at this stage to confine the female sim/a straight away to a small cardboard box measuring 17x10x7cms. At the same time the ae Volume 55 + August 1996 185 temperature was raised to 75 F, in the hope that this would promote the laying of some viable ova. Although the moth had just encountered daybreak and would quite obviously be confused, it suddenly became active within the darkened chamber. The box vibrated violently. These false conditions seemed to suit! During the following two days 168 fertile ova were deposited in two separate batches, concealed underneath a cardboard flap inside the box. All of these eggs subsequently hatched the following year in late March. My experience with Dictyoploca simla was encouraging, proving that despite infertile ova being laid, success can still be achieved. Red admirals and washing lines — Part 2 by Roberta Gunnell (6132) 2 Springfields, Lower Moors Road, Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1SH. I regularly find Red admirals on my washing line at various times of the day. They usually rest on white or light-coloured articles and on the sunny side of the line. Earlier in the year Small tortoiseshells may also be found there. They seem to be sunning themselves or cleaning their proboscis. Red admirals and washing lines — Part 3 by Don Madin (10023) 32 Kinross Road, Chesterton, Cambridge CB4 1OY. Following the notes on unusual sites for Red admirals in Bulletin 404, the photograph (Plate 960, Figure 5) may be of interest. It was taken at Plas Brondanw, Gwynedd on 8th September 1995, a mainly dull though mild day with several sunny periods. The photo also shows the unwelcome attention of birds, a large section of one wing having been removed. In common with other parts of the country, both this species and the Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) were present in high numbers. 186 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 The occurrence of seaweed flies (Diptera: Coelopidae) at Hartlepool by Simon Hodge Ecology Centre, Science Complex, University of Sunderland SR1 3SD. Introduction Wrack beds are accumulations of seaweed washed ashore by high spring tides or during storms. The wrack usually persists on shore until it is washed away by a subsequent storm or by the next high spring tide. Previous works have described a characteristic dipteran fauna of wrack beds, prominent members of which are species belonging to the family Coelopidae (eg. Backlund 1945; Egglishaw 1960). Many previous investigations into the dipteran fauna of wrack beds have utilised populations situated on the north-east coast of England, mainly those from Whitburn, formerly in County Durham but now part of the Tyne and Wear district, to Seahouses on the Northumberland coast (eg. Egglishaw 1960; Dobson 1974, Rowell 1965; Phillips & Arthur 1994; Phillips et al. 1995). In distribution maps the species studied appear to be absent from an area of coastline south of Whitburn to the Tees estuary but present once more at sites south of the Tees (Dobson 1974; Phillips et al. 1995). Dobson's (1974) map describes the area of coastline between Whitburn and the Tees as definite absences; that is, where a survey has been performed but the species studied not located, as opposed to simply lack of record. As sizeable strings of wrack have regularly been observed on the rocky beaches at Hartlepool, to the north of the Tees, the absence of coelopids at this site appears anomalous. The aim of this investigation was to “re-survey” the beaches at Hartlepool for the presence of Coelopa frigida Fabricius and C. pilipes Haliday. Included in the study was another, morphologically similar, dipteran species which also utilises wrack beds, Orygma luctuosum Meigen. This latter species was once classified as a coelopid (eg. Egglishaw 1960) but is now placed in the Sepsidae (Pont 1979). Methods On three occasions in July 1995 samples of wrack material were taken from a shingle beach south-west of the Huegh breakwater on the Hartlepool headland (“Block Sands”; Grid ref, NZ 530334). Samples were taken by cutting around a one litre container and quickly placing it into a plastic bag. Two one litre samples of wrack material were 34 Volume 55 + August 1996 187 taken on each sampling occasion. The flies were extracted from the wrack material by flotation; placing the sample in a bucket of concentrated saline and catching flies as they floated to the surface. The site was visited a further three times in September and October 1995. On these latter occasions sampling was carried out using a hand- held portable vacuum cleaner (Black & Decker, Spennymoor, Co. Durham) to capture adult diptera around the wrack beds. Wrack material was agitated and shingle and boulders lifted in order to disturb the flies. Each sample consisted of the flies captured in a ten minute period. Results The catches of adult Diptera belonging to the genera Coelopa and Orygma are summarised in Table 1. Both species were found, both in the wrack material and in the vacuum samples. The site was quite diverse in terms of wrack-inhabiting diptera; the anthomyiid, Fucellia maritima Haliday, the sphaerocerids Thoracochaeta zosterae Haliday and T. brachystoma Stenhammer, and members of the Empididae were also found at the site. Discussion The results of the survey confirm the occurrence of two species of Coelopa and the sepsid Orygma Iluctuosum on wrack beds at Hartlepool. The omission from previous distribution maps may have been due to chance, although the contagious distribution of flies under rocks and stones and generally affinity with wrack material makes them readily found if actually present. It is known that populations of these species fluctuate a great deal in size (eg. Egglishaw 1960) making it possible that the species were not recorded because the surveys were carried out at a population low point. Another possibility is that the site has recently been colonised, either from populations south of the Tees or from the well-established populations further north. The occurrence of coelopids at Hartlepool may suggest that other definite absences given on the earlier distribution maps may now contain these species. Further surveys at sites between Hartlepool and Whitburn may resolve this problem. 188 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3 References Backlund, H.O. (1945). The wrack fauna of Sweden and Finland. Opuscula Entolomologica Supplement V. Dobson, T. (1974). Studies on the biology of the kelp-fly Coelopa in Great Britain. Journal of Natural History 8: 155-77. Egglishaw, H.J. (1960). Studies on the family Coelopidae (Diptera). Transactions Royal Entomological Society, London 112: 109-140. Phillips, D.S. & Arthur, W. (1994). Observations on the distribution of seaweed fly larvae and other invertebrates within a wrack-bed. Entomologist 113: 154-63. Phillips, D.S., Leggett, M., Wilcockson, R., Day, T.H. & Arthur, W. (1995). Coexistence of competing species of seaweed flies: the role of temperature. Ecological Entomology 20: 05-74. Pont, A.C. (1979). Sepsidae. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects Vol. X, Part 5 (c). Royal Entomological Society of London, London. Rowell, M.J. (14905). A sexual dimorphism in the proventiculus of adults of Coelopa frigida (Fabricius), with notes on a similar occurrence in C. pilipes (Haliday) (Diptera: Coelopidae). Proceedings Royal Entomological Society, London (A)40: 109-73. Sample type Wrack samples Vacuum samples Date 14.7.95 16.7.95 20.7.95 8.9.95 16.9.95 26.10.95 Agel) are i) C. frigida males females C. pilipes male females O. luctuosum males females Table 1: Summary of adult fly captures from wrack beds at Hartlepool. A Grayling tree in the Ardeche, France, 1994 by Matthew Rowlings (9108) 87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 SDL. Passing through the fabulous scenic Gorges de l'Ardeche in central- southern France one afternoon in August 1994 we had a few hours to spare sO we stopped near the northerly end of the limestone gorge at the Pont d'Arc. Mother and sister were both happy sunning themselves on the popular beaches beside the Ardeche River. The Pont d'Arc itself was a marvellous spectacle of natural engineering — a jagged limestone H 1 | tS] Volume 55 + August 1996 189 bridge over crystal clear waters. A very short distance to the south the road dog-legs back on itself up a narrow valley. One side of this valley was grassy scrub-land and my father and I saw this an an opportunity for a walk with promising lepidopterous possibilities. Parking at a nearby resort we walked the 30 seconds away from the hustle and bustle of toursim to the quiet of our valley. The small stream responsible for the cutting of the valley kept the riverside vegetation green, but all other plants were suffering from dryness — the grasses were thoroughly dried out. Life for animals was also difficult and insects were not numerous. There were, however, a few isolated patches favourable to the Common and Chalkhill blues (Polyommatus icarus and Lysandra coridon). Along our route we found three typically Mediterranean species that were probably at the northern edge of their distributions. They were a single Southern small white (Pieris mannii), a Southern gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia) and a Dusky heath (Coenonympha cecilia). The dryness and heat of this limestone area may have allowed these northerly incursions. Our walk up the valley was prematurely ended by a fence that had been driven across it. Several fierce dogs growled and barked at us from the other side and successfully deterred us from proceeding. A track led along the opposite side of the stream to a house to which the fenced-off areas evidently belonged. The only way to continue up the valley was along this track. The narrow band of flattish ground between road and stream was cultivated but a healthy hedge grew up on one side. Odd Graylings were disturbed from small fig trees dotted along this hedge but they were so fast that they evaded capture. A couple of trees grew opposite the hedge in a dampish patch of grass. The air beneath the largest of these fig trees was particularly pleasant — cool, still, shady. The odd fruit had fallen and begun rotting beneath it. It was very nice just to stand there but we had to share it with the Graylings that enjoyed the atmosphere like we did. The lichen-covered bark was ideal cover for Graylings and the shade was what many browns look for in such hot dry places. Four species of Grayling were concentrated on this tree — a single Grayling (Hipparchia semele), 10+ Great banded _ graylings (Brintesia circe), 3+ Striped graylings (Pseudotergumia fidia) and 4+ Woodland graylings (1. fagi). They all rested on the trunk and lower branches often in close proximity to one another. Occasionally they would start flying together (some noise disturbance perhaps) but ~ usually there would be one or two circling a few times before settling _ in a different part of the tree. 190 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 I have seen such a Grayling congregation once before, also in a hot dry part of France. In the garden of a rural gite in the Dordogne were several lichen-covered plum trees. In August the Graylings here were the Great banded and Woodland graylings. The Dryad (Minois dryas) was also involved. The fruits were very ripe and many plums had fallen and begun rotting. These seemed an irresistible attraction for the above species. There is, however, a difference between the Ardeche fig tree and the Dordogne plum trees. None of the butterflies in the Ardeche were interested in the rotting fruit. Perhaps the Ardeche butterflies had filled up in the morning but I don't recall the Dordogne butterflies being particular about what time of day they fed. For whatever reason the Ardeche fig tree was a true “Grayling tree” and would be a stimulating subject for a behavioural study. Important Notice The AES Exhibtion is free entry to all members on production of pass enclosed with this Bulletin. Please complete the details on the pass and bring it to the exhibition. THERE WILL BE NO FREE ADMISSION WITHOUT THE PASS — WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHECK YOUR RECORDS AT THE DOOR, so please remember it! a6 Volume 55 + August 1996 The collection of the late Ronald John Gooseman of Bearsted, Kent by Tim Newnham (4597) 7 Whitemans Close, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH14 5DE. I have recently acquired the above collection from the daughter of the late Mr Gooseman who did not want to keep it but wanted it to go toa fellow entomologist. I, therefore, thought that the data from the collection would be of interest to readers of the Bulletin. Some of the specimens had deteriorated so much that it was impossible to preserve them. These are as follows: Name Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus) Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus) Common blue (Polyommatus icarus) Dingy skipper (Erynnis tages) Marbled white (V. galathea) Those specimens which are preserved and now in my possession are as follows: Name White admiral (Ladoga camilla) White admiral (Ladoga camilla) White admiral (Ladoga camilla) Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Peacock Unachis io) Peacock Unachis io) Small tortoiseshell (Aglias urticae) Large tortoiseshell (NV. polychloros) Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia) Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia) Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia) Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia) Where taken Tonbridge, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bude, Cornwall Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Where taken Tonbridge, Kent Tonbridge, Kent Tonbridge, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent No data Tonbridge, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Tonbridge, Kent Tonbridge, Kent Tonbridge, Kent Tonbridge, Kent Date 09.06.1950 29.05.1949 04.06.1950 1945 05.1949 1946 Date 14.07.1950 1949 1949 1949 1949 1947 1950 No data 07.1947 08.1949 08.1949 08.1949 08.1949 30.06.1950 06.07.1950 09.07.1949 19.07.1950 192 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society tL] Comma (Polygonia c-album) Bearsted, Kent 1945 Comma (Polygonia c-album) Bearsted, Kent 1945 Comma (Polygonia c-album) Bearsted, Kent 1945 Comma (Polygonia c-album) Bearsted, Kent = 1945 Comma (Polygonia c-album var. hutchinsoni) Tonbridge, Kent 09.07.1950 Duke of Burgundy frit. (Hamearis lucina) Bearsted, Kent 02.06.1951 Pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria euphrosyne) Tonbridge, Kent 08.06.1950 Pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria euphrosyne) Tonbridge, Kent 06.1949 Pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria euphrosyne) Tonbridge, Kent 06.1949 Pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria euphrosyne) Tonbridge, Kent 08.06.1950 Small pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria selene) Small pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria selene) Small pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria selene) Small pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria selene) Brown argus (Aricia agestis) Chalk-hill blue (Lysandra coridon) Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus) Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus) Large skipper (Ochlodes veratus) Large skipper (Ochlodes veratus) Large skipper (Ochlodes veratus) Large skipper (Ochlodes veratus) Small skipper (Thymelicus flavus) Small skipper (Thymelicus flavus) Silver-spotted skipper (Hesperia comma) Silver-spotted skipper (Hesperia comma) Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae) Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae) Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae) Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae) Green hairsteak (Callophrys rubi) Purple hairstreak (Quercus quercus) Small blue (Cupido minimus) Small blue (Cupido minimus) Common blue (Polyommatus icarus) Small white (Pieris rapae) Small white (Pieris rapae) Small white (Pieris rapae) Small white (Pieris rapae) Large white (Pieris brassicae) Large white (Pieris brassicae) Large white (Pieris brassicae) Large white (Pieris brassicae) Kynance Cove, C'wall 07.08.1949 Kynance Cove, C'wall 07.08.1949 Kynance Cove, C'wall 07.08.1949 Kynance Cove, C'wall 07.08.1949 Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Tonbridge, Kent Bude, Cornwall Bude, Cornwall Bearsted, Kent No data No data Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent No data No data No data No data Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent Bearsted, Kent No data No data No data No data 1949 08.1947 1947 1947 ~ 07.1950 1945 1945 1947 No data No data 08.1948 08.1948 05.1949 05.1949 05.1949 05.1949 05.1949 No data No data No data No data 1947 1947 1947 1947 No data No data No data No data Volume 55 Green-veined white (Pieris napi) Green-veined white (Pieris napi) Green-veined white (Pieris napi) Green-veined white (Pieris napi) Green-veined white (Pieris napi) Marbled white (Melanargia galathea) Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines) Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines) Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines) Clouded yellow (Colias croceus) Clouded yellow (Colias croceus) Clouded yellow (Colias croceus var. helice) Newquay, Cornwall Clouded yellow (Colias croceus var. helice) Newquay, Cornwall Clouded yellow (Colias croceus var. helice) Newquay, Cornwall Clouded yellow (Colias croceus var. helice) Newquay, Cornwall Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) Black-veined white (Aporia crataegi) Black-veined white (Aporia crataegi) Grayling (Hipparchia semele) Grayling (Hipparchia semele) Grayling (Hipparchia semele) Grayling (Hipparchia semele) Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) Wall (Lasiommata megera) Wall (Lasiommata megera) Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) ¢ August 1996 Bearsted, Kent 1947 Bearsted, Kent 1947 Bearsted, Kent 1947 Bearsted, Kent 1947 Tonbridge, Kent 09.05.1950 Bude, Cornwall 1946 Bearsted, Kent 1947 Bearsted, Kent 1947 Tonbridge, Kent 1950 Bearsted, Kent 08.1947 Newquay, Cornwall 08.1947 08.1947 08.1947 08.1947 08.1947 Bearsted, Kent 1949 Bearsted, Kent 1950 Bearsted, Kent 1950 Tonbridge, Kent 07.05.1950 Tonbridge, Kent 07.05.1950 Found in cabinet ? Found in cabinet ? Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bearsted, Kent 08.1949 Bude, Cornwall 08.1949 Mullion, Cornwall 08.1946 Bred 1949 Bred 1949 193 As can be seen from the above list the butterflies were very varied in the 1940s and '50s around the Bearsted area and Mr Gooseman was able to capture some rare and now extinct species, including the Large tortoiseshell and several fritillaries and hairstreaks. I hope this data is of interest to entomologists in the Bearsted area and can be used to update any records that may be kept. 194 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 Notes on the reappearance of Lycaenid butterflies by Ted Rimington (5269) & Riverside Drive, Sprotbrough, Doncaster DN5 7LE. I was interested to read Peter Tebbutt's note (Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc. 54:(402) October 1995) on the reappearance of the Brown argus (A. agestis) at sites in Leicestershire. It reminds me of similar incidents which I have experienced with this species and with the Lycaenids in general. My parents retired to Eastbourne in 1970 and I have since been in the habit of paying regular visits to the district in late May and often in August. I quickly learned of and visited many of the best local butterfly sites including Ashdown Forest, Abbott's Wood, Beachy Head, Firle Beacon and various other downland sites at and around Eastbourne. In those days the fritillaries were regularly met with, the Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus) flew in plenty and the Silver-spotted skipper (Hesperia comma) could also be found where today, sadly, nostalgia has largely taken their place. I also visited Vert Wood (Laughton). In 1983 this latter site remained both pleasant and fruitful and in that year I recorded thirty-one species of butterflies — excluding migrants — in two or three visits and also an excellent second brood of Small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) in late July; for a northerner, an unexpected pleasure. More interestingly, however, was the sudden appearance of a healthy colony of agestis in early August of that year in the wood, at a spot immediately adjacent to the crossroads near to the old sawmill. This is an area that I have walked regularly over the years and never have I seen the species there or anywhere else in the wood before or since, although local lepidopterists may correct me on that score. Nor did I confuse agestis with the Common. blue (Polyommatus icarus) which in my experience is very rarely encountered at Vert. Interestingly, in August 1985 I observed several examples of the butterfly at a restricted spot in Abbott's Wood, a locality which I had by then visited many times without any sign of the species. Abbotts was already in sad decline when I first knew it in 1970 due largely to the activities of the Forestry Commission and my visits in recent years have, therefore, become irregular. In any event I have never seen agestis there since. Small wonder the decline, I once spoke to a Head Forester in Abbotts who replied to my protestations of vandalism, “we would ss plant cabbages here if it paid”. 34 Volume 55 + August 1996 195 The impact of the Vert sightings on me was quite startling and though less dramatic, reminded me of the oft quoted account by J.F. Stephens of the explosive appearance and just as sudden disappearance in 1827 of the White-letter hairstreak (S. w-album) at Ripley in Surrey Cllustrations of British Entomology Vol. 1): “. . . lit] exceeded anything of the kind J have ever witnessed .. .”. This sort of behaviour by Lycaenids — though rarely so extreme as in Stephen's account — is not unusual and is well known to lepidopterists. It is characterised by rapid and unexpected population fluctuation in known colonies and the real or apparent emergence of new colonies, occasionally in startling profusion. The effect is usually more impressive when it Occurs with naturally secretive species such as the hairstreaks which may also be present at low density and, therefore, unrecorded. I recall a most dramatic population explosion of w-a/bum at a Doncaster site — again in 1983 — while in 1991, after many years of virtual absence, the Holly blue (C. argiolus) took off here only to collapse into obscurity again wits the summer brood of 1993. Yet again in 1983, the Green hairstreak (C. rubi) was recorded for the first time ever at Thorne Moors (Doncaster), an internationally famous site worked by naturalists for two hundred years or more. I suspect that the butterfly has always been there but that the activities of the peat cutters in recent years have rendered spots of the moor now more suitable than previously. Neither are more mundane Lycaenids immune. I have seen healthy colonies of the Small copper (1. phlaeas) seemingly disappear temporarily while nearby colonies continue to thrive oblivious an second broods of icarus apparently go missing causing the unwary to declare the species locally single-brooded. I think we have all seen similar incidents. As to the foodplant, Vert wood is heavy and common rock-rose (77. nummularium) is absent. To my discredit I did not search diligently for common —storksbill CE. cicutarium) but noted herb’ robert (G. robertianum). However, as George Thomson says in his superb book, The Butterflies of Scotland, much work requires to be done on the relationship of artaxerxes to its foodplants and, therefore, of course agestis also. Mr Tebbutt has a nice little project to hand — if the colonies will hang around long enough for him to complete it. Published 20th August 1996 by the Amateur Entomologists’ Society (Registered Charity No. 267430), from PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG. COMING SOON TO THE AES... THE ALS The insect society for young entomologists Membership includes a regular newsletter, field trips, competitions and much more! For more details, please write, enclosing a SAE to: Kieren Pitts, AES Bug Club, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG or see the AES Bug Club stand at the Annual Exhibtion at Kempton Park Racecourse on Saturday 5th October. BIRTHDAY PRESENT PROBLEMS? = “eat ard No. Pa ie Why not give a years subscription to Country-side and membership of the BRITISH NATURALISTS' ASSOCIATION Hon. President: LORD SKELMERSDALE Address Hon. President of the Youth Section: DAVID BELLAMY BSc., PhD, FLS FIBiol. The BNA is a national body for naturalists and offers:- e@ Field Activities for everyone Lectures Branch programmes throughout the country Journal COUNTRY-SIDE Field trips in the UK and abroad SUBSCRIPTION RATES Natural history publications endorsed by the BNA at reduced prices for members Ordinary members Insurance cover on branch and national activities (or if entitled to a state Retirement Pension .. £10.00 p.a.) 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It absorbs the information given in the short appendix (compiled in 1986) and gives a single source for advances in knowledge since the parent book was originally published in 1983. The main components are: a review of advances in the biology of hoverflies; advances in conservation methods; identification of the 15 species added to the British list since 1983; fully revised illustrated keys to Platycheirus and sphaerophororia; key to female Neocnemodon (which could not be identified before) and improvements to many other keys; notes on the additional species and much extra information on distribution and biology of many more species; about 300 new references, attractive card covers. Paperback (ISBN: 1-899935-02-9) £6 +P&P £0.50 (overseas £1.00) Send cheque made out to “Brit. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc.” with order to: BENHS Sales Secretary, G. Boyd, 17 Gainsborough Close, Cambridge CB4 ISY. The parent book, British hoverflies: an illustrated identification guide by Alan E. Stubbs is still available. The most comprehensive book to be published on British hoverflies, it has extensive keys incorporating over 540 line drawings and the 12 superb colour plates by Steven Falk show 263 specimens depicting 190 species. Hardback (ISBN: 0-9502891-9-1), £26 +P&P £2.80 (overseas £3.50) BENHS members are eligible for special prices on this and other Society publications and receive the quarterly British Journal of Entomology and Natural History. For sample copy and Society details write to the Editor, Br.J.Ent.Nat.Hist., 13 Bellwood Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3DE. | THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY | ANNUAL EXHIBITION, 1996 Saturday, 5th October 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE, STAINES ROAD, SUNBURY, MIDDX. ACCESSIBILITY: The Racecourse is easy to reach by road and rail, and there is adequate free car parking. The M25 is very near and is linked to Kempton Park by the M3, which is less than a mile away. Sunbury | Railway Station with trains from Waterloo, is a short walk away. The site is served by two bus routes, Green Line No. 290, and Red bus No. 216. Both these buses stop right outside. ADMISSION: Members free on production of pass to be issued with the August Bulletin. Non-members £1.00, under 16s 50p. | PARKING: in the free car parks only NOT outside the Grandstand. Keep all entrances clear. EXHIBITORS AND DEALERS ONLY will be admitted between 8 am and 11 am. TROLLEYS are not provided and provision should be made for heavy loads. ENTOMOLOGICAL DEALERS are attending. REFRESHMENTS: Full facilities are available. All food and drink to be consumed in the Refreshment Area. SURPLUS MATERIAL: will be welcome for sale on behalf of the Society's funds. ANSORGE BEQUEST: Cash prizes and certificates to Junior Members for exhibits at the Exhibition. LIVESTOCK: It is the duty of both dealers and buyers to ensure that all livestock is kept in containers which are roomy, hygienic and secure against any possible escape. EXHIBITS which show long series of wild-caught, rare or endangered species will not be allowed. ALL ENQUIRIES: | The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 52ZG. LUNI bb zy Moy AUNGaV) ~ rr} Qu A3S1Y3HO | a4 HAMMERSMITH BH CENTRAL gS A CONDON ff ake HOUNSLOW PARK . RACECOWRSE & XHIBITION GENTRE @ WIMBLEDON Kempton Y/ park YY yy» B\ RACECouRse BYyy L; Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society CONTENTS C. Raper. Unusual/Rare species seen in South Oxfordshire. ................escesseeeseeseeeeees M. Rowlings. Cruel death for Peck’s skipper while the Harvester is collected nearby. Cheesequake State Park, New Jersey, USA. 10th August 1995. ...........-.2::.-eseeeeceseee R. Parker. Pieris mannii and other animals on Corfu in May 1995. ..........:cesseeeeeeeeeees S. Hodge. The occurrence of seaweed flies (Dipter: Coelopidae) at Hartlepool. ........ M. Rowlings. A Grayling tree in the Ardesche, France, 1994. .........----:.::sscceeceeeeeeeeeees T. Newnham. The collection of the late Ronald John Gooseman of Bearsted, Kent. . Short Communications ¥: Morton. The Small white in-Australia. 2.0 2 A. Emmerson. Out of season. TOmnMmeOiG. i i522. .-2e.cecees doce ee M. Rowlings. Inter-generic COUrSIIP <2: 2.2 -c2e 2a eon ceec sen ee M. Pickup. Some observations on the pairing and egg-laying habits of the Saturniid moth Dictyoploca’simla Westwood. <2... R. Gunnell. Red admirals and washing lines — part 2. ............:cesceeseeeseeseeeseeseeeseereeeees D. Madin. Red admirals and washing lines — part 3. ............sessescescesceseseeseesceseeeeeeeeeees T. Rimington. Notes on the reappearance of Lycaenid butterflies. ...............seeee Exhibition Report for 1995... ooo. <.-n.-sacsnseoce cots es acu can csteccnen ote aoe eee Book Review — Insects & flowers: A biological partnership ...........:.:c1:c1ssseseeseeeees © 1996. The Amateur Entomologists' Society. (Registered Charity No. 267430) All rights reserved. Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA. e 143 168 175 186 188 191 167 170 174 184 185 185 194 146 Bulleti Volume 55 © Number 408 4 Entomo log xe ‘Se, > S Ne v <= = Founded in 1935 Where to write For all Society business, please write to: AES PO. Box 8774 London SW7 5ZG Officers of the Society President: — Richard Jones Secretary: | Wayne Jarvis Treasurer: | Andrew Locke Registrar: | Nick Holford Bulletin Editor: | Wayne Jarvis General Editor: Mike Bonsall Advertising Secretary: Rob Dyke Exhibitions & Meetings Secretary: Youth Secretary: ICN Editor: Wants & Exchange: Habitat Conservation Officer: Maxwell Barclay Darren Mann David Lonsdale Caroline Willmot Martin Harvey First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under 18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12. Family membership £15 (Includes Bulletin and Bug Club). Overseas Family membership £17. Subcription due by the 1st January each year. Subscriptions: The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25. Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary, address as above. Advertising Rate: NOTICE It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests for help or information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon. Worldwide Butterflies Colour Catalogue of livestock ee =a specimens and mere ) < equipment. Please mention AES. 50p in stamps would be greatly appreciated. 118 Sito » g ALSO << oF : on request, Specialist Catalogues of British, European and Exotic set and papered specimens , : a © SPORES REET: |“ Worldlife Registered charity LAV At Compton House, Nr. Sherborne, Worldlife has evolved from Worldwide Butterflies. As well as magnificent butterfly displays, conservation organisations are showing what is being done for the environment, and how all can become involved. Situated on A30 Yeovil-Sherborne Road. Open daily Apr-Sep. Tel 01935 74608 BEE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION 18 NORTH ROAD CARDIFF CF1 3DY For Scientific and Technical information on Bees (Apoidea) especially Honeybees (ApisSP). Please write to the above address for details of publications and membership. A specimen copy of “Bee World” is obtainable for SOp. A Natural History Tour to Tien Shan The Union of Hunters of Kyrghyzstan is pleased to inform you that we are organising individual and group tours for naturalists to Tien Shan Mountains. All enthusiasts of wildlife travels, video hunters, botanists, ornithologists and entomologists are welcome. Join us for two weeks in July or an entomological expedition to the Kokshaal-Too range. This range on the border of China, was closed from any visitors for many years. You'll see a Wildlife Terra Incognita! Package includes: collecting permits, accommodation, cars (helicopter if required), translators, cooks, guides and more. For further Information, please write to: The Manager Yuri Berezhnoi Union of Hunters of Kyrghyzstan PO 29, VORONEZH 394029, RUSSIA ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE A Quarterly Journal of Palaearctic Entomology. [Illustrated and covering all groups of Insects. Includes Book Reviews on a World-wide basis. Current Annual Subscription £20 (US$45.00) A sample copy can be sent on request from the publishers: GEM PUBLISHING CO. Brightwood, Bell Lane, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 OQD. E.W. CLASSEY LTD ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS BY MAIL SINCE 1949 Antiquarian, second-hand and New books Special offers and forthcoming book news Booksearch service. Please send your “wants” list Regular free catalogues and specialist lists Books bought Valuations Oxford House, Marlborough Street, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 7DR UK Tel. 01367 244700 ‘Fax. 01367 244800 Our Faringdon shop has a large stock of Entomological & Natural History books and prints The Cutting Edge! At Cravitz Printing we employ the latest technology to SUGBORER ensure a quality catch — every time! Please phone, fax or write to find out how Cravitz can improve YOUR image. Wildlife WATCH OVER /rust PRINTING COMPANY LIMITED 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA. Tel: (01277) 224610 Fax: (01277) 262815 COMING SOON TO THE AES.. ThE AES The insect society for young entomologists Membership includes a regular newsletter, field trips, competitions and much more! For more details, please write, enclosing a SAE to: Kieren Pitts. AES Bug Club. PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG Br he ee ulletin n= of Bi Amateur Entormologists’ Society of the Amateur Entom Volume 55 ¢ Number 407 October 1996 Editorial The trade of insects, both livestock and deadstock, continues to raise controversy in the Society. The AES Insect List, comprising species listed on recognised conservation lists, produced a variety of responses from interested parties. On one hand, members were applauding the Society for introducing measures which would help to aid the conservation status of amateurs, on the other we had members questioning what we were intending to achieve, other than to threaten the Society’s future. The range of views that were received made it clear that before the Society implemented any form of policy on the trade of invertebrates, all affected parties must be given the opportunity to express their views. This therefore meant that the policy was withdrawn for the 1996 exhibition and traders were informed of this prior to the event, the POlicvestevcrine— aS in - previous years, to the rules of trade in invertebrates issued by the DoE. Council therefore urges all members and other interested parties to comment on the future trading policy in invertebrates to the AES Trading Policy, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG by 31st January 1997. This will then allow the Council to consider all views and implement its policy by the end of April 1997. The exhibition itself was once again a success. Well over 1000 people attended the event, a high proportion of which were members, and the usual variety of stalls were in attendance. A big thankyou to all who took part in the event. The membership of the Society is increasing daily with the arrival of the AES Bug Club next year. Membership of the new branch of the Society is £6.00 per year and those who wish to subscribe to both the Bug Club and the Bulletin pay the new family membership rate of £15.00. An overseas rate is available on application. We are looking to launch this exciting new part of the Society in a grand way, so watch | this space for more details. i i 198 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ee Monographia Rhapalocerorum Sinensium by Prof. Dr Chou Io and 50 other Chinese Lepidopterists. 22x30cm, Clothbound, 2 volumes (August 1994), 910 pages with more than 5000 coloured photographs. Published by Ilenan Press of Science and Technology, Henan, China. ISBN 7-5349-1199-1200/S.325. Price (including surface postage and packing) US $500. This is the first complete monograph of the Chinese butterflies (including Taiwan and Hong Kong) dealing with 12 families, 367 genera, 1227 species and 64 species which are reported from China for the first time. All the species and subspecies are illustrated with coloured photographs of either or both sexes. More than 90 per cent described species of Chinese butterflies can be identified by using this book. The 41 new species and 44 new subspecies are provided with English descriptions and illustrations of their wing patterns and/or male genitalia, as well as coloured photographs. Please send your order and cheque to: The Bank of China Shaanxi Branch, Xian, Miss Jingruo Zhou, Entomological Museum, North- western Agricultural University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China, 712100. THE AES ‘ Merchandise The following items are available from the AES Bug Club stand today at the following prices: PENS 35p WINDOW STICKERS S80p BUG CLUB BUGS 50p BADGES 30p Alternatively send a self addressed envelope and 38p in stamps to: AES BUG CLUB, PO BOX 8774, LONDON SW5 5ZG od Volume 55 «* October 1996 199 Observations on Microplitis ocellatae, Bouché (Braconidae: Microgastrinae), a gregarious endoparasitoid of the Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar, Laothoe populi Linn. by Hewett A. Ellis (9940) 16 Southlands, Tynemouth, North Shields NE3O 2QS. Introduction Part of my work with the red-spotted form of the Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar (Ellis, 1993; 1995) has involved the rearing of stock collected from the wild. In several seasons some of the caterpillars from Preston Cemetery, North Shields, have proved to be parasitised by a hymenopterid (braconid). The purpose of this communication is to describe and illustrate some of the features and behaviour of the parasitoid, which has been identified by Dr Mark Shaw of The Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, as Microplitis ocellatae Bouché (Braconidae: Microgastrinae). The term “parasitoid” is applied here in preference to the more usual “parasite” since the host is eventually killed (Shaw & Askew, 1976; Shaw, 1990). M. ocellatae is also known to parasitise caterpillars of the Eyed hawkmoth (Smerinthus ocellata L.) and Lime hawkmoth (Mimas tiliae L.), but neither of these moths has been recorded in north-east England in recent years (Dunn & Parrack, 1986) and I have no_ personal experience of their parasitisation. The present observations are based on caterpillars collected from poplar trees in Preston Cemetery during 1992, 1994 and 1995 and which subsequently were fed on poplar or willow leaves. Life history of M. ocellatae I have not witnessed ovipositing but the female M. ocellatae inserts up to several dozen ova through one or possibly more than one site in the cuticle of the caterpillar. At first the caterpillars appear normal, but in the autumn, when approaching maturity, they become less active and cease to feed. The multiple parasitoid larvae are internal feeders (endoparasitoids) and as they reach maturity their presence is sometimes indicated by local pallor and swellings which undergo writhing movements. Both yellow-green and blue-green colour forms of the caterpillar may be parasitised. Having completed its growth each parasitoid larva emerges through a separate hole in the cuticle of the caterpillar. Most emerge more or less at the same time from any one caterpillar and are crowded on the surface (Plate 96Q, Fig. 1). 200 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad Emergence occurs mainly in the last week of August, but in the case of two caterpillars collected late in the 1995 season (17th September) this did not occur until 2nd and 5th October respectively. The larvae are moist and shiny, pale grey-coloured and maggot-like with recognisable segments outlined in black and with a dark dorsal longitudinal line. Without further feeding each rapidly spins a buff-coloured cocoon of glistening fine silk threads. These are attached to the carcass of the unfortunate caterpillar and form a contiguous mass or several masses of individual cocoons projecting from it (Plate 96Q, Fig. 2). The cocoons are very tough and some show a slight longitudinal surface ridging. The caterpillar may remain alive for 24 to 48 hours after emergence of the parasitoid larvae and moves if disturbed. In those which I have observed in captivity the parasitoid larvae have emerged at a time when the host caterpillar still clung to the foodplant and had not undergone the colour change or become moist as it usually does in preparation for pupation in the soil. Eventually the caterpillar shrinks and mummifies and the attached surrounding cocoons persist overwinter. The adult parasitoids emerge from the cocoons the following late spring and early summer. In captivity indoors I have found the adults to commence emerging as early as 8th April (1995) with 31 individuals from one caterpillar continuing to emerge until mid-May. On another occasion adult parasitoids comprising a brood of 36 from one caterpillar did not commence emerging until 17th May (1993). Greater numbers sometimes occur, for example, there were 51 and 53 parasitoids, respectively, in two caterpillars collected in September 1995, and these started to emerge as adults 20th May 1996. Although a few species of hymenopterans overwinter as adults in the cocoon most do so as pre-pupae and the actual pupal and pre- emergent adult phase is short-lived (Shaw, 1995, pers. comm.). I have opened several cocoons of M. ocellatae in early springtime and found what I take to be pre-pupae and not overwintering adults. The adult parasitoid remains in the cocoon and extends its wings prior to emergence. An exit is achieved by making a complete circular cut through the main cocoon wall towards one end and pushing aside the pole which frequently remains hinged by a few outermost silken threads. The exit hole measures 1.4 to 1.5mm in diameter (overall the cocoon measures 5.5mm long and 2.5mm in widest diameter). Each cocoon, after emergence, can be seen to have a smooth and _ shiny lining and to contain shrivelled larval exuviae and some tiny nodules of cream-coloured material which is presumably meconium. Further 1 Volume 55 * October 1996 201 similar meconium is excreted by the adult after emergence. One individual adult was observed to have emerged from its cocoon with the exuviae firmly caught in a hind leg tarsus. The exit holes in any one aggregate of cocoons are often at the same poles of neighbouring cocoons giving rise to a honeycomb appearance, but this is not invariable and sometimes holes occur at opposite poles of immediately adjacent cocoons. The adult parasitoids are small (forewings each 4.5mm long; body length 3.7mm; antennae each 4mm), dark insects with characteristic braconid wing venation. The head capsule, antennae, thorax and abdomen (shiny) are black as are the coxae and hind leg tarsi, the remainder of the legs being golden brown (Plate 96R, Fig. 3). Synchrony of life cycles of parasitoid and host The observed timing of the emergence of the adult parasitoid indicates that M. ocellatae is univoltine and this is in synchrony with the univoltine life cycle of local Poplar hawkmoths. The tough parasitoid cocoon is eminently suited to provide long-term protection overwinter. In the absence of the Eyed and Lime hawkmoths I assume that the Poplar hawkmoth is the sole host for M. ocellatae in this locality. Like others of the Microplitis genus M. ocellatae is a haemolymph feeder. Being gregarious and with so many larvae per brood a large caterpillar is more or less a necessity. Parasitoid overwintering strategem Some comment is necessary regarding the location of the parasitoid cocoons overwinter. As described above, in captivity, the cocoons are formed attached to the host caterpillar whilst it is still on the foodplant and this pattern also occurs in the wild. Thus Dr Shaw (1995, pers. comm.) informs me that he has received broods collected as cocoons with dead L. populi host caterpillars on trees. This is an exposed situation and although the cocoons are tough, their chances of survival would be improved if they overwintered in leaf litter or below ground. Possibly in the wild the host carcass with attached cocoons at sometime falls to the ground and is protected overwinter amongst the leaf litter. Other times it seems that M. ocellatae larvae form their cocoons in the soil within what appears to have been a pupation chamber prepared by the host, but I have not personally witnessed this latter type of behaviour. 202 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t Effects of parasitoid on the Poplar hawkmoth population Clearly the presence of M. ocellatae must have some impact on the dynamics of the local Poplar hawkmoth population. The nature of the present observations does not permit an assessment of the degree of this impact. Indeed the apparent frequency of parasitisation may itself be misleading. Thus the parasitised host caterpillars are slower than normal to develop and any degree of parasitisation observed towards the end of the season may be spuriously exaggerated since unknown numbers of healthy caterpillars have already gone to earth to pupate. Summary M. ocellatae is a regular gregarious larval endoparasitoid of the Poplar hawkmoth in Preston Cemetery, North Shields. It is univoltine in synchrony with the life history of local Poplar hawkmoths and Overwinters in the immature state within the protection of a tough cocoon. Acknowledgement I am grateful to Dr Mark Shaw for his help and encouragement and for the determination of the parasitoid Microplitis ocellatae. References Dunn, T.C. & Parrack, J.D. (1986). The Moths and Butterflies of Northumberland and Durham, Pari 1 Macrolepidopiera. The Vasculum, Supplement No. 2. pp. 122-123. The Norther Naturalists Union, Houghton-le Spring. Ellis, H.A. (1993). Observations on the red-spotted form of the larva of the Poplar hawkmoth, Laiboe populi Linn. The Vasculum, 783): 32-50. — , (1995). The red-spotted form of the Poplar hawkmoth larva. Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society, $4: 11-13. Shaw, M.R. (1990). Parasitoids of European butterflies and their study. In: Butterflies of Europe Vol. 2, Introduction to Lepidopterology, Ed. O. Kudrna. Aula-Verlag, Wiesbaden. pp. 449-479. Shaw, M.R. & Askew, R.R. (1976). Parasites. In: The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Vol. 1. pp. 24-50. Ed. J. Heath, Harley Books, Essex. en eran be Volume 55 + October 1996 203 Alleged overcollecting: could we have evidence and understanding please? by Brian Gardiner (225) 2 Highfield Avenue, Cambridge CB4 2AL. I see from the latest proposals regarding changes to the Wildlife and Countryside Acts concerning species considered to be endangered, that although habitat destruction or degradation due to natural causes is clearly the main concern, allegations are made that collecting is also a problem and for a few species trade in them is considered to be a serious threat. I think by now we are all aware that a successful prosecution was brought against two individuals, one of whom was found guilty of offering for sale 14 wild-caught specimens of the Chequered skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon) which was an offence under the Act, although catching them was not. The second individual was found guilty of the same offence, but got off more lightly as he had bought some specimens in good faith believing them to have been legally bred by the first. While these two individuals were prosecuted no action whatsoever was taken against the individuals or firms who, on English Nature's own admission in their Annual Report, damaged over 100 of our finest wildlife SSSI sites. We have, therefore, insofar as I am aware, only a single publicised example in Great Britain of the illegal offering for sale of an endangered species. I have not come across any instance of a successful prosecution for the collecting of an endangered species nor has action been taken against the far more destructive activity of destroying a habitat and killing the species in it. It appears you may kill with impunity provided you do not retain the bodies and offer them for sale! On the other hand there is only suggestion, inuendo and rumour, which may or may not be true, and which some individuals like to think is happening on a large scale, that considerable collecting of rare and endangered species occurs. I would like to see published some concrete evidence that could stand up in a court of law (witnesses, photographs perhaps) from the people and organisations that are quoting collecting as being a danger to scarce species, although I do appreciate that without monitors or undercover agents such evidence may well be difficult to come by. I see on television and read in the press accounts of the illegal collecting and trade in birds and their eggs, mammals and plants. The only successful prosecutions that I have come across for illegally collecting and trading invertebrates has been in the United States where a small fine and 204 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ee community service was the punishment for collecting and selling protected butterflies, but a nine-year prison sentence for smuggling and dealing in rather a large number of the spider Brachypelma smithi (All Brachypelma species are now added to CITES Appendix II). I have not yet come across accounts of other illegal collecting of insects or other invertebrates, but have seen reports about the apparently legal damage that is being done in the Philippines by overcollecting of shells and of sea cucumbers off the Galapagos islands. The illegal catching of wild birds and their eggs is also well publicised and prosecutions have been brought for illegally digging up wild plants, mainly bulbs. Quite frankly it really puzzles me that, for the Marsh fritillary (Eurodryas aurina), while loss of unimproved grassland is the main threat “collection also poses a serious threat” and for the Large copper (Lycaena dispar) “collecting at the single release site (Woodwalton Fen) is a problem.” CU understand that the fritillary is really being put on because of its place on the Berne Convention, reflecting its serious decline in Europe.) The coppers have been on the Fen since 1923, so either they have successfully resisted collecting for threequarters of a century, or the collecting of them is a very recent problem and, if so, who has witnessed it and why have we not had a statement from English Nature (Manager of the Fens) or other responsible body, published in the Entomological press asking for it to cease? If, as I have been informed, the inclusion is to “protect” a new attempt at re- introduction elsewhere, then why should the coppers elsewhere be in any more danger than they have been formerly on Wicken and Woodwalton Fens? Since I have known both the Fens and their wardens for nigh on fifty years, I can state that collecting has never been a problem during that time. Unsubstantiated allegations do no credit to the conservation cause. Frankly, I do not believe collecting has ever been a threat. Until recently the stock on the Fen was re-inforced for many years by the assiduousness of the wardens in maintaining a captive bred stock for this purpose. In any case, why, I ask myself, does anyone go and collect either of these species, for both of them are exceptionally easy to breed and are readily available from those that do so? The late Peter Cribb maintained a colony of the Marsh fritillary for nearly forty years, giving away many thousands to anyone who requested some. The Large copper too is now widely bred in captivity. The economics of collecting for sale of either species is absurd and would nowhere near cover the cost of collecting them. Having seen a film of a Large copper og Volume 55 «© October 1996 205 being caught, not by a collector, but by a reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) who then fed it to its parasitic nestling, a cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), | wonder who are the real culprits in catching coppers and how many more went into that ravenous beak. I have also witnessed birds catching more butterflies in an hour than I could hope to catch in a day and this does rather put human collecting into its proper perspective. Indeed a collector or two charging around after butterflies is likely to scare off the birds after the same prey. Even Steven's! It may be that butterflies were once so prolific in the tropics that it was more economical to catch them than to rear them in the past, but I am now reliably informed that in many cases this is no longer so, due to greatly increased demand, and species such as Morphos are now reared using artificial diets and many of the butterflies now to be seen in the butterfly houses are being reared in quantity in countries such as Malaysia. In Papua New Guinea rearing Birdwing butterflies for sale is a cottage industry actively promoted by the Government. Surely for rare endangered species such activity should be encouraged here. That successful breeding can destroy the rapacious dealer from catching for profit is perhaps best exemplified by the case of the Clifden non-pareil (Catocala fraxini). In the 1930s genuine English specimens changed hands for £5 (two to three weeks wages for many!). In the 1950s it was successfully bred in its thousands causing a complete price collapse and indeed I and others could hardly give them away when we had them. The present going rate for them is the equivalent of the 1930s 2/- (10p!). Between about 1925 to 1950 the Swallowtails (Papilio machaon) on Wicken Fen were rationed and permits were given to catch six specimens only (of any or mixed stages) and the Large coppers were not to be taken at all. Since collectors were therefore being put on their honour — there were no checks — I believe these restrictions were scrupulously observed. It was not collecting but the wartime ploughing and drainage — pure “habitat destruction” — that put paid to their existence on the Fen. Since there will always be those who must “catch it myself”, I do wonder whether the introduction of a “permit” system for certain rare species, which would seem capable of withstanding a slight loss might not be an advantage, as this would again put people “on their honour” not to exceed their quota. The fact that a population on such a small area as Wicken Fen could sustain a limited loss to collectors for so many years is surely an argument that other species, which may be even more widespread, could equally sustain limited collection and while one can never overlook the fact that there might 206 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Qed? be rogue collectors around, the majority will respect a limited permit system, for, after all, it is in all our interests to make sure that over- collecting does not take place and exterminate the species we wish to see there in the future and as in the piscatorial industry where permits and “rationing” is in place this is in the main strictly observed and does more to conserve stocks than restrictive legislation. The well-publicised Code of Insect Collecting may be followed by some but it is only a “code” whereas “permit” implies an obligatory restriction on how many specimens may be taken and is far more likely to be observed. Just who is to issue them remains a problem. Perhaps the landowner (from whom permission to collect on his land must be sought in any case) would be the best person, but this arrangement might be better organised by such responsible bodies as English Nature or the Local Wildlife Trust. I am informed that collectors descend on new arrivals or newly discovered species and, in the case of the Scarce chocolate tip moth (Clostera anachoreta) may have wiped out the new arrival. At the risk of being heretical I would ask if this really matters. Not all species that arrive can, for whatever reason, be expected to survive and spread. We have, however, (see below) gained far more species than we have lost and, in spite of collectors, new arrivals such as the Varied coronet (Hadena compta), the Perlucid pearl (Phlyctaenia perlucidalis) and the Saxifrage plume (Stenoptilia saxifragae) have spread and become relatively common over a wide area. A number of species are known to be very localised. In particular both the Marbled green (Cryphia muralis impar) which only occurs in Cambridge and the Silver barred (Deltote bankiana), a pretty and sought-after moth, which occurs mainly on two Cambridgeshire fens where it has been assiduously collected for over a century and yet remains common on the fens. A clear case of species being able to sustain collection pressure. Why? We need research to be done on the reasons when on the same fens the Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), the Reed tussock (Laelia coenosa), and the Rosy marsh moth (Eugraphe subrosea) became extinct and in no way was this due to collecting and nor would legislation have prevented it. Early this century the Black- veined white (Aporia crataegi) became extinct, almost certainly due to use of insecticides on hops. The reason the Large blue CVaculinea arion) became extinct is without doubt due to myxamatosis in rabbits which so reduced the grazing of its habitats that they became unsuitable to sustain the ants on which its life-cycle depended. That the a Volume 55 + October 1996 207 Large tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) also recently declared probably extinct, became so is most likely due to either habitat or climatic change. It was on the edge of its range and it is interesting that while it was in decline its relative Nymphalis xanthomelas was steadily extending its range from Russia to France: how nice it would be if it became established in Great Britain (it is already bred here and reports of sightings are likely to have been due to escapees). In no way were collectors to blame for any of the above three extinctions and this makes me wonder if passing legislation will in any way prevent future losses. I also believe that the inclusion of the Swallowtail in the original Wildlife and Countryside Act, as a “Flagship” species so I understand, (“. . sneaked on apparently because it is pretty and MPs have heard of it.”) not because it was in any real danger, was a serious physiological error, as it not only put many people’s backs up against the Act, but resulted, due to the confusion and misunderstanding concerning captive breeding, in the destruction of many thousand specimens that were then being reared in captivity. I also believe that the “collector” is considered to be a soft target who can be blamed for causing extinctions, whereas the landowners of the habitats are hard nuts with influence. When the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 was proposed and passed into law, while professionals and perhaps a few individuals of organisations and such as the JCCBI and various appropriate Societies were consulted, this was in the main to their appointed representatives and little or no opportunity was given to the multitude of amateur entomologists to express their views, nor has any such consultation, until very recently, been made possible since by widely publicising proposed changes to the Act. It is my opinion that greater regard and understanding would be given to collecting restrictions if much fuller publicity were given in the entomological press as to which species were becoming, or were likely to become, endangered together with stated reasons, based on sound research data, as to why I, for instance, as the editor of two entomological journals never received any Official notification of the details of the proposed original Act, nor of proposed changes to it since, so that they could be published and the views of the readers sought, although of course I did hear of and receive unofficial and unconfirmed reports. It was not, of course, until some years after the 1981 Act that reports and explanations of it were published and the British Red Data Book 2: Insects was published by the Nature 208 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society pe Conservancy Council in 1987. It is, after all the thousands of amateur entomologists, collectors to a man or woman in the past who have been responsible for our present knowledge of both the species that occur and their distribution; not the legislators who seem determined to stamp out further recording. It is not easy unless perhaps one is an avid reader with access to a library (or subscribes to a couple of dozen publications!) to find out the present state of play concerning potentially endangered species. I had no idea until the recent proposed changes, that either the Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), which I have always regarded as common, nor the Fiery clearwing (Bembecia chrysidiformis), also common even though in a restricted area, were endangered. For the Siag beetle I understand its inclusion is due to its sharp decline, like the Marsh fritillary, on the continent, leaving Britain as its major stronghold. For the Fiery clearwing it is of course the advent of the Channel Tunnel and its associated roadworks between Cheriton and Dover combined with the degradation of Folkestone Warren that is responsible for its being endangered, not collecting which it was well able to withstand. I have seen it stated that removal of its foodplants is a threat. Such removal is already illegal (unless the landowner's permission has first been sought). While there is clear evidence that some of its foodplants have been dug up, there is no published evidence that this was by entomologists, since plant collectors could be just as blameworthy. I completely fail to see how making the collecting of the moth also illegal will solve the situation unless the law can be strictly enforced by having the habitat under constant police surveillance (security cameras installed?). An unlikely scenario! However, I am _ informed that conservation measures are now being taken to restore the habitat to make it suitable for the active spread of its foodplant which was becoming smothered by stronger vegetation, which is a far greater threat than any collecting. As was the case with the Clifden nonpareil, the many thousands that were bred originated from only a few wild females being captured. My own breeding of some thousand individuals in the 1950s all originated from the nine eggs I started with. Nearly all insects are very prolific, laying from a few hundred to some two thousand eggs. It does not take more than a few wild captured females to saturate the market and the belief in some quarters that “breeding is difficult” is a complete myth both from my own experience and that of others, although I will admit that “green fingers”, or an aptitude for creating the right conditions and spotting when things are going wrong before they do, comes into it. A number of species cre Volume 55 + October 1996 209 (including butterflies) have been in continuous culture for some forty to fifty years, the oldest I know of, the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus since 1907. Many view with increasing cynicism, anger and frustration restrictions on collecting that are entirely due to Government's apparently complete disregard for preservation of habitats which it seems hellbent on destroying, such as (Gust before retiring from office) Dr Brian Mahwinney authorising the destruction or damaging of no less than four Wildlife sites by approving the exceedingly controversial route of the Newbury bypass. Also approved by an insensitive government has been the destruction of the Marsh fritillary Selar SSSI site for the sake of Opencast mining — as if a new coalmine on such a sensitive site was required when so many other coal mines were being closed due to lack of demand! The planned widening of the Al through Cambridgeshire is already doing immense environmental damage. The safest way to save species is to protect their habitats and this can really only be successful if they are in an inalienable ownership, as are already sites owned by English Nature, Butterfly Conservation and the National Trust. Indeed all our endangered butterfly species are known to occur on National Trust land, often on several sites and all but two species which are not considered to be endangered also enjoy their hospitality, so the future of these looks distinctly hopeful, for the Trust is aware of their rarity and takes its responsibilities for their welfare seriously. To buy further habitats takes money. Some 100 million pounds have now been given by the National Lottery to the performing arts, historians and archivists and similar causes. Although a tiny trickle has come from that source, is it not time for the nature lover also to benefit substantially from a source of revenue? I only hope the appropriate bodies are making strong applications for such funds. Enormous effort has gone into the re-introduction of both the Large copper and the Large blue (Maculinea arion) but when the Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) re-introduced itself of its own accord, it was immediately exterminated. Why? It was never a pest species in Great Britain and no evidence to substantiate the reason for the extermination appeats to have been published. Previous attempts to re-establish it before the present legislation on such activity was in force were unsuccessful. Is it not highly hypocritical to be so selective? To sum up, to legally ban a species from being collected while at the same time giving no protection whatsoever to its habitat(s), sometimes indeed actually authorising its destruction, is both illogical and 210 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae hypocritical. In any case no law is effective unless it can be enforced and seen to be enforced. A concentration on a sustained rearing programme of endangered species for sale would remove much of the incentive of dealers, if not of all collectors, to raid the reduced habitats. The botanists are already doing this. Botanic gardens in particular, collect and interchange seed of rare and endangered species, some of which are now commoner in cultivation than they are in the wild and there is no reason whatsoever why invertebrates should not be cultivated in the same way. Indeed a start on such a scheme is already in operation, albeit in a small way as yet, which has been organised by the Entomological Livestock Group. We need to think along these lines and we also need more information and certainly far more research on the reasons as to why species are becoming extinct and why they may need to be put on a protected list banning their collection. A far more cogent reason than blaming collectors is climatic change, habitat changes which include change of use, not just development for other purposes and also the slow drip of insecticides and herbicides into the environment which, while not killing the insects immediately, may have so contaminated the nectar flowers on which they feed (already drastically reduced by hedgerow destruction) that many pick up a sub- lethal dose affecting their survival and fertility or starve to death through lack of sustenance. Habitat separation is also a reason as even a new road can prevent the interchange of genetic material from one population to another and the huge arable fields created by hedge destruction to increase crop production under the CAP policies have caused habitats to become more and more spatially isolated as well as reduced in size. In particular we need to apply as much pressure as we can on the politicians to legislate for habitat protection — especially from their often insensitive and appalling road programmes and also, if it is a criminal offense to collect, then it must an equally criminal offence for anybody purposely to degrade, by any means whatsoever, a designated habitat. Otherwise we will have one law for the would-be collector and another Gnore favourable one) for the landowner. Back to the days of the 18/19th century game laws perhaps? To look on the bright side, while we hear a lot about species becoming endangered and extinct, we hear very little about species arriving and increasing in numbers. We forget, perhaps, that nothing is static; environments and climates change: species come; species go. Every year I see quoted in the Royal Entomological Society's journal Antenna lists of insects “new to Britain” of which there were 35 in 1995. To take a few examples. We have gained six species of moths per oe Volume 55 + October 1996 211 year over the past half century (335 between 1938 and 1992). Between 1945 and 1964 Hemiptera increased from 1411 to 1627. Between 1945 and 1976 flies increased from 5199 to 5950 and fleas from 47 to 57. For every species that has become extinct this century we have gained at least ten. I would like to thank Paul Batty, Paul Waring, Wayne Jarvis, Martin Harvey, David Shepherd, Alan Stubbs, Paul Sokoloff and Richard Jones for their helpful comments during the preparation of this article. ) = = Gh a Ss 7 The rise and fall of Melanic peppered moths AN \S by Denis F. Owen 42 Little Wittenbam Road, Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4QS. The rise and fall in frequency of melanic (form carbonaria) Peppered moths, Biston betularia, is one of the best documented examples of observable evolutionary change. Melanic frequencies of 90% or more were recorded in and around areas of heavy industry and were maintained at this level until the late 1970s when a decrease in frequency began. The decrease has continued and at one site a melanic frequency of over 90% in 1959 has fallen to less than 18% in 1995. Similar changes have occurred and are still occurring in the American subspecies, Biston betularia cognataria. Indeed the melanic form may be decreasing at a rate of 1.2% a year which means that it will disappear unless some sort of stability occurs. Because of the exceptional interest of evolution in the Peppered moth, I suggest that in 1996 a special effort is made to record the frequencies of all three forms: typical, carbonaria and the intermediate insularia. We need information from as many sites as possible from throughout the British Isles. The moth is readily caught in m.v. and similar traps. Many of us run traps in our gardens and it is from these that the best records are likely to be obtained as sample sizes should be adequate for numerical analysis. I would be delighted to receive records from the 1996 season, either in the form of a list of frequencies of typicals, carbonaria and insularia, or papered specimens which I can then score. In this way we should be able to build up a picture of the present status of melanism in the Peppered moth which can be compared with the past situation. If left much longer, it may be too late. I look forward to hearing from moth trappers prepared to participate in this project in the future. 212 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society pe | Notes and observations: Some unusual courtship behaviour by John L. Gregory Lepidoptera House, Bodelva, Par, Cornwall PL24 2SZ. A remarkable courtship was observed on 15th June 1996 in the Tropical Butterfly House at Par Plant Centre in Cornwall, when a male Heliconius charitonius, which had emerged about two weeks earlier, was seen to be persistently chasing and repeatedly but unsuccessfully attempting to pair with a very freshly emerged female Papilio xuthus. The courtship lasted for perhaps about an hour ‘before the H. charitonius gave up. It is amazing that a male butterfly should be so very strongly attracted to a female of a species from a so completely different family. Perhaps he was “turned on” by the super-stimulus of a female so much larger than himself, despite the only rather vaguely similar coloration. Or, perhaps he might have been frustrated at being unable to find a female of his own species. 3 These two species would never come together in the natural wild state, because of their widely different geographical distributions. Webb’s wainscot — an unusual record by Roger Hayward (2769) 16 Gilmore Close, Slough SI3 7BD. I should like to record the capture, in my garden here in Slough, of a male A. sparganii (Webb’s wainscot) on the night of 29th July 1995. This is an unexpected record, in my view, of the distribution shown in MOGBI. I had previously taken a specimen in 1978, which I dismissed at the time as a vagrant from the coast. However, this second record raises other possibilities, especially as I took an A. geminipuncta (Twin- spotted wainscot) in 1990 and that R. /utosa (Large wainscot) turns up from time to time. Martin Albertini, the County Recorder for Bucks (Slough records still count as Bucks, although the county is now administratively in Berks), received a record of this species from the north of the county this year. a Volume 55 + October 1996 213 Hibernating Heralds by Paul Sokoloff (4456) 4 Steep Close, Green Street Green, Orpington, Kent BRO ODS. The Herald moth, Scoliopteryx libatrix (Linn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is reasonably common over much of the British Isles, although it is seldom seen in any numbers except when one chances upon the overwintering group — the second brood of the moth hibernating, often communally, in cool, dark places. I have come across up to 14 individuals together in a coal cellar in Croydon, Surrey but cannot rival the “several hundreds” encountered by A.G. Carolsfeld-Krausé overwintering in a chambered barrow (Entomologist’s Record (1900) 72: 36). He describes the roof stones of the barrow as “densely covered . . . the moths . . . sat so closely that they touched each other’. More recently, R.K.A. Morris and G.A. Collins published a study of hibernating moths in an abandoned fort at Box Hill, Surrey. They included the Herald in their study, and they followed the fate of the moths through the winter and spring months (Entomologist’s Record (1991) 103: 313). On the continent, the Herald is well known as a cave hibernator. The species has a wide Eurasiatic distribution, although becoming a scarcer species in southern Europe. In early August 1995, I was on the island of Madeira — off the west coast of Africa. Whilst walking along the Levada da Rocha Vermelha, an artificial irrigation channel high in the mountains, I came across a long tunnel feeding water into the /evada at an altitude of around 2800 feet. The rock tunnel, cut through the mountain, was about two metres tall and very, very long. Water gushed through and there was a steady flow of air as the tunnel linked two valleys on either side of a mountain. Having a torch in the rucksack I could not resist exploring, as all sorts of interesting creatures can be found in caves, tunnels and the like. But the tunnel was barren — not even a spider's web, nothing except — Herald moths! Starting about five metres in from the entrance I found a handful on the rough rock of the tunnel roof and more and more as I went further into the tunnel. I stopped counting at 150 specimens, largely due to a crick in the neck from looking at the roof, but they continued for as far as I went in the tunnel. Remarkably, every single specimen was dead. All were hanging from the roof, and most had a coating of fine, filamentous, white mould, often exuding a drop of clear yellow fluid from the abdomen. 214 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae The dead moths were widely spaced and not clustered together as one might expect during the overwintering of this species. My conclusion was that these were simply the casualties, the other moths having flown off after successfully overwintering — if so, the original numbers in the tunnel must have been huge. Because of the condition of the moths, I guessed them to be the remnants of a recent hibernation rather than an accumulation of years. The few specimens I took were identical in all respects to our own Herald moth. The final puzzle was the concept of “overwintering”. Madeira has remarkably consistent weather throughout the year — yes it does rain a lot more, and even snow in the mountains during some months, but there is no long winter as we would recognise it. So does this species have some form of diapause programmed in, regardless of geographical location? I have no idea, but it is food for thought. Obituary H.G. Phelps of Crockerton, Wiltshire Members of the Society who knew Howard will, I am sure, be saddened to hear of his death in the summer of 1995. Apparently, Howard was found dead in his car in a remote area of Spain, his equipment by his side, having gone to Spain for a “bugging” holiday. His body was not discovered for several days. This “field trip” was typical of Howard’s later life when he made several “solo” trips abroad, including Arctic Scandinavia — but Spain was a great love for him. He kept his collection of Spanish butterflies until the end. Howard was an “all round” naturalist and sportsman and was a close friend of the other Wiltshire “greats”, General Lipscomb and Capt. A.L. Jackson. He also met Baron De Worms on several occasions. Farewell Howard, you “Man of the fields”. S. Button (7649) Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 1. Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar with recently emerged Microplitis ocellatae larvae. 31st August 1992 (Slide x 1.5) Microplitis ocellatae cocoons. 15th September 1994 (Slide x 3) PLATE 96Q Volume 55 «+ October 1996 tf Aas - fuer oe a Renae Fig. 3. Microplitis ocellaiae adult parasitoid. Emerged April 1995. (Slide x 10) . Ge ae ae ered Sf Sy SN a yy eR ey ais la Ep] NE: Fig. 4. The Brown hawker (Aeshna grandis). Photo: Cedric Elliott. PLATE 90R Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ea eee e DeaRi SPE Mass So ee ee eee - = i es S eee ee Fig. 6. A close-up of the Museum beetle. Photo: Nick Holford. PLATE 90S Volume 55 + October 1996 Fig. 7. An unusual pairing between a male Cinnabar (Callimorpha jacobaeae) and a female Scarlet tiger (C. dominula). See Fig. 8. The view of the unusual pairing through the cage side. PLATE Sot ) | | | | ae Volume 55 © October 1996 215 BDS Collective Knowledge Project update, Aeshna grandis, the Brown hawker by Stuart Irons 69 Glinton Road, Helpston, Peterborough PEO 7DG. During the past year I have received about a dozen contributions to the Aeshna grandis Collective Knowledge Project. Some have revealed new information and others have opened up new lines of enquiry which I would wish to pursue. Distribution It is known that A. grandis (Plate 96R, Fig. 4) is well established in the Midlands, south and east, but I have received records of ovipositing in ponds just south of Darlington and in South Wales. It will be interesting to learn whether colonies of A. grandis are established in these areas or in any other parts of the north and west. Larvae I have received no information regarding larvae at all. So any Sites where A. grandis larvae have been found with as much information as possible would be useful. Emergence Has anyone witnessed A. grandis emerging? I have received information regarding emergence sites all found on the western bank of the Basingstoke Canal, a site which received early morning sun. Is this typical? Territory Male territory held over water has been described as about 100 metres along a canal or 50 square metres over open water. When males holding adjacent territories meet they spiral upwards with the lower insect, at the end of the spiral, invariably being the winter. Any comments? Pairing It seems that A. grandis is rarely seen in pairs but when a pair is seen together they are usually in the “wheel” position and not in tandem. So / where do they mate and for how long? Under what circumstances do _ they fly in tandem? 216 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe Ovipositing I have received several delightful accounts of female Brown hawkers egglaying usually into waterlogged wood but if this medium is unavailable, soft mud or other vegetation is used. Resting places A. grandis is rarely observed at rest, however I have received two observations on this subject indicating that sites chosen are either very low down (within one foot of the ground) or high (over ten feet above the ground) invariably with a brown background. Has anyone observed other resting places for A. grandis? First and last dates : The first dates I have received vary between 20th and 29th June with last dates between 11th September and 11th October over a six year period. Flight times I have received one observation of a Brown hawker flying at dusk but I would be grateful for other detailed observations on this subject. Do they also fly early in the morning? These are a few, lines of enquiry which 1) with the (help) of my correspondents, have been pursuing. If anyone has any information on these or any other subject, I would love to hear from you. Unusual pairing: male Cinnabar (Callimorpha jacobaeae) female Scarlet tiger (C. dominula) by Don McNamara (5537) 6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU. During a “hatch-out” of Scarlet tigers and Cinnabars (0th July 1996), both of which were in the same cage I spotted the above combination (Plate 90T, Figs. 7 & 8). They stayed in cop for most of the day, having paired presumably during the previous night. I isolated the female after parting at about 5.00pm and kept her well-fed — but no eggs. The Cinnabars were of west London origin and Scarlet tiger stock came from the “artifical” colony in west Merseyside. od Volume 55 * October 1996 217 Notes on the insects and other invertebrates of an urban house by Stuart Cole (10159) 24 Broom Close, Broom Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 OR]. For most of the past thirty years I have lived at a number of different addresses in the south-west London boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond. In that time I have come across a quite interesting and varied insect fauna in houses in the area. The largest number of species were found in two flats in a row of late Victorian buildings on Putney High Street in the inner London borough of Wandsworth. The top three floors of the buildings comprised residential flats while shops occupied the ground floor along the length of the block and included a bakery and a restaurant. By 1980, when the Greater London Council took over the ownership of the buildings, they were suffering the effects of years of neglect. The yellow-brown dry-rot fungus (Merulias lacrymans) had _ spread extensively beneath floor boards and under the plaster of walls and ceilings. Old seeping water pipes encouraged the growth of the fungus. The age and neglect of the buildings and the varied occupancy created the conditions for an insect fauna that included more than a dozen species of beetle. Of the 13 beetle species found, some are associated with stored foodstuffs and a few are omnivorous scavengers. At least four are introductions from abroad — probably most of them are — many species of insects and other animals have been commensals of man for so long that their countries of origin are uncertain. Some species were well established in the flats, being found year after year, while others, encountered only once or twice, may have been transitory or breeding in other parts of the buildings to which I had no access, eg. the bakery. The species were: Dermestes lardarius (Dermestidae) Bacon beetle. Common and _ also sometimes found outside the building on the roof and in pigeons nests on ledges. Attagenus pellio (Dermestidae). Several adults. Anthrenus verbasci (Dermestidae) Museum beetle (Plate 90S, Figs. 5 & 6). All too common, sometimes found breeding in my insect collection while adults fed at flowers, especially composites, on the roof. Paratillus carus (Cleridae). A rare introduction from Australia where the species is said to prey on wood boring beetles of the Bostrychidae and 218 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae Scolytidae. An adult was found once in the flat, in a cupboard infested with Anobium striatum. It was a small slender beetle with metallic blue elytra crossed by a white stripe. Tenebroides mauretanicus (Ostomidae). Introduction from north-west Africa. Found only once. Mycetaea hirta (Endomychidae). Occasionally found wandering slowly about in the vicinity of dry-rot fungus on which it is said to feed. Niptus hololeucus (Ptinidae) Golden spider beetle. An introduction from south-east Europe. Common. Ptinus tectus (Ptinidae). Introduction from Tasmania. Frequent. I once came upon adults and larvae feeding on an old Afghan rug. Trigogenias globulus (Ptinidae). Common. Gibbium psylloides (Ptinidae) Spider beetle. Common. One source of food for adults of this species was the string in textured wallpaper. Anobium striatum (Anobiidae) Furniture beetle. Frequent. Larvae were present in the wood of floor boards, beams, cupboards and table legs. Tenebrio molitor (Tenebrionidae) Mealworm beetle. Adults very common and probably mostly originating from the bakery. Both adults and larvae feed on a wide range of foodstuffs, both fresh and dried, and other materials such as paper and feathers. Blaps mucronata (Tenebrionidae) Cellar beetle. Only one individual was found and this was on the roof, but as this is a flightless indoor insect a population must have been present somewhere in the buildings, perhaps the bakery. Of Hemiptera two occurred in the flats. One was the small and delicate predatory bug Empicoris vagabundus (Reduviidae) which is found in buildings and in a variety of habitats outside including woodland and sand-dunes. It was found twice but as this is a very inconspicuous insect and looks rather like a midge when in flight, it may actually have been more numerous. I did not discover what its prey was; possibly booklice (Psocoptera). The related, but much larger and more robust black Reduvius personatus is not uncommon in houses in the neighbouring borough of Richmond but I did not come upon it in Putney or elsewhere in London. The other hemipteran was the scale insect, Lecanium hesperidum (Coccidae) known as the soft brown scale. This formed colonies on a lemon tree (Citrus sp.) grown in the flat. The insects gathered on the underside of the leaves, mostly around the mid-vein. Since the females | | t } oé Volume 55 * October 1996 219 of this insect are wingless and immobile when mature, and the plant was raised from a pip in the room it is a mystery how they came to be on the lemon tree. The adult female Lecanium is a flattish, oval, creature which is incapable of movement once it has reached maturity. The young are aphid-like and initially shelter beneath the mother’s carapace then, soon after becoming independent, change to the flat oval shape of the adult, gradually becoming less mobile. When the tree grew too large it was moved outside onto the flat roof and, surprisingly, survived for several years. The scale insects too, although undoubtedly Originating from a warmer climate, persisted. Their numbers dropped sharply during the cold months but recovered each summer. Many other kinds of plants were grown on the roof but Lecanium spread to only one — a small ivy (Hedera helix). On only one occasion in five years did I come upon what I think was the male of Lecanium. Like all scale insects the male is a very different looking animal and this one was a tiny winged aphid-like homopteran with an orange pronotum, greenish abdomen and filiform antennae. One year, many of the scale-insects were parasitised, probably by the little Chalcidoid wasps, less than two millimetres long, that were found searching the leaves of the lemon tree. In late summer dead adult scale insects each had a minute exit hole of their dorsal surface. Two kinds of cockroach were found in the building at different times; these were Blatta orientalis (Blattidae) and Blattella germanica (Blattellidae). In the 1960s the black wingless females of Blatta used to make an occasional appearance in the flats, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. They were more common outside in a yard where the dustbins were kept and groups of Blatta lived under the bins or in loose brickwork at the base of the yard wall. The cats would also sometimes catch one of the fully winged brown males on the roof. Blatta was not seen in later years and it seems generally to have become less common in London while the smaller, light brown Blattella germanica has become quite abundant in some London restaurant kitchens and in council estate tower blocks. It was often seen in the restaurant on the corner of the block in Putney. Blattella came to Europe from North Africa but the original home of Blatta is uncertain. The big red-brown Periplanata autralasiae (Blattidae) is believed to originate from tropical Africa. This species thrives in the hot houses at the Botanic Gardens at Kew a few miles from Putney, especially in the tropical rainforest section of the Princess of Wales Conservatory where dead and dying cockroaches can be found in the pitchers of insectivorous plants of the genus Nepenthes. 220 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe Two kinds of moth bred in the house. One was the well-known Clothes moth (Tineola biselliella) the larvae of which I discovered in large numbers in a metal trunk containing old wool rugs and a heavy woollen coat. They had been there for some time, perhaps for two, three or more generations as they had eaten holes right through the thick material. Pupae and the small plain whitish adult moths were also present. Each pupa was contained in a white silk cocoon with dark fibres from the coat attached. The other species was the Brown house moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) which, like the Clothes moth, is a small undistinguished-looking insect. This was particularly numerous one year around a window just above some pigeons’ nests where they were likely to have been breeding as the larvae of the species is known to feed in birds nests. Other insects in the buildings included the lithe thysanuran Lepisma saccharina (the “Silverfish”) which also occurred outside under bricks on the flat roof and under window boxes on ledges. Inside they were only found in the bathroom and this is the case with all other houses in which I have come upon Lepisma. Presumably only bathrooms supply the necessary humidity. Booklice were present in books and sometimes found in my insect collection. There were also the usual flies that commonly come into houses such as Musca domestica and Calliphora sps. These do not usually breed in houses but one that does is the odd Window fly (Scenopinus fenestralis) which at first glance looks a bit like a small black beetle. The species was often found resting or walking slowly over the inside of window panes. The larva was not discovered but is apparently predatory on insect grubs. Other flies probably breeding in the house were “Moth-flies” (Psychoda sps.) usually present around sinks where the larvae were no doubt living in the waste pipes. We had four cats in the flat and cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) numbers fluctuated from year to year. The eggs and larvae were to be found in the cats’ bedding; the larvae are white, legless and typically dipterous in form. The common black garden ant, Lasius niger, did not live inside the building but there were colonies in the soil of nearly every plant pot on the roof and the workers frequently came into the kitchen of the top floor flat to forage, especially searching for any sweet substances. As for other invertebrates, house spiders of the genus 7egenaria were common residents in Putney, most often seen when they ran across the floor in the evening, and they were found at most of the addresses | have lived at in London. Scytodes thoracica (Scytodidae), a small spider, oe Volume 55 « October 1996 221 white with black spots, was common in the flats and was once also found among debris on the flat roof. It is a hunter and has an unusual method of catching its prey; spraying it with sticky threads, hence the common name of the spitting spider. Scytodes is an introduction from southern Europe which IJ have rarely seen in other buildings. Although it is well established in Britain it seems to me that the species has become scarcer in recent years while another introduced spider, the spindly legged Pholcus phalangoides (which makes inconspicuous webs in the corners of rooms just below the ceiling) has become very common in southern England although it was not found in Putney. The most unexpected inhabitant of the upper floors of the block in Putney was the yellow slug (Limax flavus). | found three in the early 1980s, One On One occasion, two on another, at night on the floor in and just outside a bathroom that was particularly badly affected by dry rot. Probably they had emerged from under the broken floorboards which were permanently damp and beneath which fungal growth was well advanced. The species is known to live in cellars, as well as in woodland, but it is surprising that these individuals were present on the fourth floor of a building standing in a concrete yard. At my next address, a flat in a 1930s mansion block in Kew in the leafier London Borough of Richmond, there were very few house insects. Over ten years seven species of beetle were found but only two of these were permanently resident, the others were encountered once or twice or very occasionally. The species were: Dermestes haemorroidalis (Dermestidae). Larvae commonly found wandering about on the floor especially in the kitchen. The species is now very widespread in London. Anthrenus suranamensis (Cucujidae). Several adults in a tin containing white rice. Anobium striatum (Anobiidae). One in a tin containing icing sugar. Ptinis fur (Ptinidae). Several found once in an old cat basket. Tenebrio molitor. Found once. Euophryum confine (Curculionidae — Cossoninae). Found once. Other than these beetles there were only booklice (unidentified) and Lepisma sacharrina. Of spiders there were Pholcus phalangoides and Tegenaria sps. including T. parietina and T. gigantea. Although “indoor” species were few in kind, quite a number of normally outdoor insects, spiders and woodlice strayed inside and took up abode in the flat and hallways of the block. I don’t think any of these bred in the 222 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae building except for the common earwig (Forficula auricularia). For several years earwigs were everywhere, in cupboards, under chairs, in door frames. There were probably as many as 40 or 50 in the flat at any one time. Although no very young earwigs were found, half-grown immatures were quite frequent and the species may have been breeding but what they ate was not known. Few measures were taken to reduce their numbers but eventually they declined and almost disappeared from inside the flat. My next two addresses were in Twickenham and Teddington, both also in the Borough of Richmond. There were fewer house dwelling species still at these. Resident beetles were Anobium striatum at both addresses and Dermestes haemorroidalis and Anthrenus verbasci in the flat in Teddington. Two insects that both places had in common were Lepisma saccharina and the predatory bug Reduvius personatus. Of spiders, Pholcus and unidentified Tegenaria sps. are present in Teddington but no house spiders were noted in the few months spent in the house at Twickenham. do¢ Volume 55 © October 1996 223 Some observations on breeding Moon moths (Lepidoptera: Attacidae). Part II by Michel Lamour Les Vallées, Rue des Grands Terrages, 85100 Le Chateau d'Olonne, France. Continued from Part 1, Bulletin 55: (406) 135-141. Genus Argema I have only bred two species: Argema mittrei and A. mimosae. Argema mittrei Breeding this species in Europe had long been considered impossible, as it is extremely difficult to obtain pairings in captivity. A friend of mine obtained some eggs for me, resulting from hand- pairings. This enabled me to make two attempts to breed this species: indoors in winter and outdoors in the autumn. Breeding indoors (see Bulletin of Société Sciences Nat. no. 63, September 1989). I received thirty eggs on 29th August 1986; they were sleeved outdoors on Eucalyptus gunnii (Myrtaceae). As no larvae had hatched after one month, the eggs were then transferred to a heated greenhouse (25°C) with a very high degree of humidity. As a result, 17 larvae hatched a week later, about 10th October, but only 15 survived. The 15 survivors were placed indoors on potted eucalyptus, in a well-lit south-facing position. Everything went well during the first two instars, until early November, but afterwards the larvae, which are normally very lethargic, started becoming active. I should have tried to find out at the time why the larvae had changed their behaviour; the eucalyptus was starting to die off indoors and as there was a lack of suitable food, the larvae started to look for another plant. As usually happens in such cases, a bacterial infection broke out, and I lost eight larvae. About 10th December, four larvae failed to undergo the fourth moult. Around Christmas I had three larvae left, all in the last instar. dino, of them pupated on 25th December. Ihe third died on 27th December, despite the fact that it was the largest. I expected the moths would emerge very early by keeping the cocoons at a temperature of 25°C and a hygrometry of 90-100%. I had 224 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society wee to curb my impatience. I lost one cocoon. I then decided to induce the remaining pupa to enier diapause by gradually reducing ihe temperature to 15°C and a hygrometry of 60%. After having kept the cocoon for about three weeks in a heated ereenhouse (22°C) and a hygromeiry of 90%, I obiained a normal-sized male moth G70mm) on 17ih June 1987. Several conclusions can be drawn from this account: The larvae readily accept Eucalypius gunnii, although ii is noi their onginal foodplant; this is Eugenia (Myrtaceae) or Weinmania (Saxifragaceae). Experiments could be made, using other species of cucalypis as foodplants. Just now I have got other kinds of eucalyptus grown from seed. If I can get some eggs, I shall carry out an expenment Breeding indoors is apparently difficult, as Eucalypius gunnii does not do well under such conditions and also possibly Gue io ihe ecological requirements of the larvae. It would appear that the pupae musi necessanly be induced to enier diapause 10 Obtain imagines similar to those from Madagascar, with regard to size and configuration. However, this possibly depended on the nature of the stock I had obiained. It would appear thai heat and a high degree of humidity are required for the eggs to hatch. Paradoxically, the larvae do not require an enormous quaniiiy of food, in spite of their size bout 15cm, when in their last instar). However, # must be pointed out that Eucalyptus gunnii produces thick leaves and abundant foliage, and this can give a false impression of the situaiion. On the other hand, there is not a large amount of frass, and this would appear to confirm that the larvae do not consume much food. In all probability, this species does noi lend itself to being bred indoors, and this would account for the very poor results The lengthy breeding time should also be noted: ten months elapsed from the time when the eggs were received until the moth emerged. As far as its appearance is Concemed, it is a remarkable creature; the size of the fully-grown larva is impressive; it is dark-green, glossy, with light-yellow intersegmental rings, brown tue legs and orange prolegs. The imago is the well-known Madagascan comet moth and need not be described here. Breeding outdoors: The following year I received five eggs at the beginning of August. On this occasion, unlike the previous year, all five of them hatched within ed Volume 55 + October 1996 225 three days after I had received them. However, the ambient temperature was about 25°C. Using a fine paintbrush, I straight away sleeved the larvae outdoors on a large Eucalyptus gunnii which had survived the rigours of the previous winters. They immediately started feeding. I noticed they were very lethargic and easily disturbed; whenever there is the slightest unusual sound they slightly raise their bodies just like hawkmoth larvae and remain quite still. In mid-September the five larvae were in their third instar. Then disaster struck. While I was away, some wasps made their way into the polyproplene sleeve and killed three larvae. I fitted a second sleeve over the first one and had no more trouble. Both remaining larvae pupated on 1st November at a temperature of 2°C. In spite of the cold I left them outside until 10th November and untied the sleeves to remove the cocoons. During the winter I happened to drop one of the cocoons, due to clumsiness. Although the pupa was perfectly well formed, it did not survive. I obtained a female moth in July 1988, measuring over 200mm. To sum up: My attempts at breeding would have been completely successful, has it not been for the wasps and my clumsiness. The cold weather at the time of pupation gave rise to some concern. As a matter of fact, the cold weather did not stop the insect from going through all its stages satisfactorily, and this species appears to be perfectly able to resist moderately cold temperatures. Breeding outdoors appears to be easy and no special precautions are required, except for those mentioned above. Argema mimosae Towards the end of August 1989 I received about twenty eggs of A. mimosae. When I say that I received some “eggs” I am being optimistic, as the larvae hatched in the tube while they were in the post, and were more or less reduced to pulp when they arrived. Five larvae were not so severely crushed or suffocated that I was unable to save them, and I offered them a selection of various foodplants: willow, walnut, privet, pear, Eucalyptus gunnii and, of course, some liquidamber, as I was not quite sure on which plant to rear the larvae. 226 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe They all joined up on the liquidamber and started to feed. I had no further doubts about the foodplant. A friend of mine subsequently told me that the larvae will also take Schinus molle, a small tree from Peru and Chile belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, and which is grown on the French Riviera. I put the liquidamber outdoors and was extremely surprised when the larvae stopped feeding. I replaced the liquidamber indoors behind the window at about 25°C and the larvae resumed feeding. As soon as the temperature fell below 25°C, I noticed they became less active, except in the last two instars, or even at temperatures slightly below 20°C, I did not notice any further reduction in their activity. Breeding was accordingly carried out indoors. When in their first instar, the larvae very much resemble those of Actias selene. In the following instars the larval colour is a uniform green, with blue intersegmental bands. They are lethargic, like the larvae of Argema mittrei. Despite their being reared indoors, the larvae behaved normally; liquidamber also lends itself very well to indoor breeding conditions. The larvae are almost as large as those of A. selene and are voracious feeders. Five liquidambers, each two metres high, were required to feed my five surviving larvae, at a cost of about 200 francs per larva. It was just as well that only five survived, otherwise they would have cost me a small fortune! The five larvae pupated about mid-October within a day of each other. In comparison to the size of the larva, the cocoon is relatively small (about one-third of the size of that of A. mittrei, which it very much resembles. I expected that the cocoons would enter diapause for the winter, and accordingly left them indoors at a temperature of about 20°C and a dry atmosphere (50% hygrometry) so as to induce this diapause. I was all the more surprised when I obtained three imagines within a day of each other (two males and one female) about the 10th November. Strangely enough, all imagines emerged at exactly 9.30pm local time (8.30pm solar time). I would like to know whether other breeders have observed this feature. The resulting imagines were perfectly well formed and very much resembled A. mittrei, however, they were green in colour and of smaller size (125mm). ——————————————————————_—_ tf Volume 55 + October 1996 227 Both remaining cocoons overwintered, and the imagines emerged in May and June 1990. The May emergence also took place at 10.30pm local time (summer time - unchanged at 8.30 solar time). The June emergence took place one hour later. This species seemed very easy to rear. It can very well withstand indoor environmental conditions. Although Gardiner mentions walnut and Eucalyptus gunnii as possible foodplants, the larvae only accepted liquidamber. I was able to breed A. mimosae once again. On 12th August 1991 I received 42 eggs of A. mimosae. As a matter of fact, they included an ege of Actias luna, which produced a female moth five weeks later. The larvae of A. mimosae were then only in their fourth instar. This indicates how fast the two species develop. Accordingly, there were only 41 eggs from which to breed. Remembering my _ previous experience with regard to the voracious appetite of the larvae, I resolved I would use all possible means to oblige the larvae to accept eucalyptus. I offered them Eucalyptus gunnii, coccifera, cinerea, nitens together with Sumac. It was no use. With some apprehension I had to use liquidamber, while at the same time making an estimate of how much it would cost me. All the eggs hatched out. During the first instars I used potted liquidamber, located indoors. Subsequently, I used cut branches standing in water to which some glucose had been added, together with a few drops of potassium-chloride water per litre; I continued breeding indoors. In spite of my fears, everything went satisfactorily. I gathered 35 cocoons and 35 moths emerged: 13 in November 1991 and 22 in June 1992. The success rate was 85%. The moths did not emerge at a specific time, and all emergences took place in the evening between 8pm and 11pm. Genus Graellsia [The editor wishes to remind readers (in France) that permits are required to breed species protected by law (in this case Graellsia isabellae galliae-gloria); these can be obtained from the Ministry of the Environment, at the following address: Direction de la Protection de la Nature, 14 Boulevard du Général Leclerc, 92524 Neuilly-sur-Seine. Breeding must be carried out for scientific purposes; as a rule, a report must be sent to the Ministry.] 228 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae There is only one species in this genus — Graellsia isabellae — of which there are several local races. This species does not occur on the Atlantic seaboard. On the other hand, it is easy to rear. Looking back, I even believe it is the species I found the easiest to rear. It is quite straightforward; it does not need looking after. My experience covers three years, during which time I bred about 130 larvae. In the first year, breeding was carried out using potted Pinus sylvestris. | had a success rate of nearly 50% but had some losses, because of ants. In the second year, most of the eggs supplied to me failed to hatch. On the other hand, in the third year I received about one hundred eges, which I sleeved out on a branch of a young P. sylvestris. When I had finished rearing, I gathered 73 cocoons; I believe this disproves the statement that the larvae cannot be crowded. In the second year | placed half the eggs on P. sylvestris and half on P. nigra var. austriaca and I gathered as many cocoons from both foodplants. Obviously, it appears that different species of pine are acceptable as foodplants. On the other hand, I have not tried to breed the larvae on Monterey pine (P. radiata). When in their first instar, the larvae are black. In the next two instars they are exactly the same greyish colour as the pine branches and it is almost impossible to detect them in the sleeve, so that one begins to wonder whether breeding has been a success. Frass alone indicates the presence of the larvae. When fully grown, the larva is a magnificent creature, with dark bands of red and grey alternating with the green ground-colour. This coloration certainly enables the larva to be very well camouflaged among the pine branches. Towards the end of the final instar, the sleeve must be opened and the bottom lined with peat and ground pine bark. The larvae spin a loose cocoon amongst this material. It is very easy to harvest the cocoons: the breeder has only to remove the sleeve and sort out the cocoons from the peat. If a large number of larvae are bred in the same sleeve, which is what I did, great care must be taken not to damage the cocoons, which are often spun together in batches of four or five. Unlike other species which I have bred and despite a high larval population density in the sleeve, I never had to change it to a fresh branch, due to insufficient foliage; this just shows the small amount of od Volume 55 * October 1996 229 food eaten by the larvae. I know that the larvae are smaller than those of A. selene, to quote an example; however, when I last bred G. isabellae, from about 15th May to 15th July, I gathered 73 cocoons; had I been breeding A. selene, I would have had to change to sleeve to another branch every four hours, given the same number of larvae. I would like to point out that Robert Vuattoux has hybridised A. /una and A. sinensis with G. isabellae. Until recently, when males of G. isabellae were paired with females of A. /una, the resultant moths were all males. Scientists have succeeded in obtaining female hybrids of these species by injecting the female pupae with hormones which break the diapause (Ecdysone). For further information, articles on breeding A. mittrei, A. mimosae, G. isabellae and its hybrids have been published in the bulletins issued by Sciences Nat, Jmago and Alexanor, these will be found useful. For my part, I have never seen an imago of G. isabellae emerge, as I have always sent off all my cocoons, for hybridisation and to enable assembling experiments to be carried out. Moon moth imagines I have watched the imagines of different species of Moon moth emerge on dozens of occasions, belonging to various genera (except Graellsia), and all have been discussed in this article; I noticed that the wings of these imagines always expand in the same way: — first of all the front wings unfold, — followed by the hind wings, — and then the tails. The wings can take from half an hour to expand fully (Actias sinensis) to two hours (Argema mittrei). | The reaction of imagines to tactile and sexual stimuli can vary greatly, ) depending on the genera. | Argema species are just as placid (even the males) as Actias species | are restless and cannot easily be approached or caught. When I first bred A. mittrei, | brought my fingers close to the cocoon , to which the male was clinging, and gently stroked its antennae. It gently climbed onto one of my fingers and I found it very difficult to induce it to let go. I carried out the same experiment with A. mimosae, with the same result. 230 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society pe Try to do likewise with a male A. selene or A. sinensis, and you will see the difference; both males and females let go and drop to the ground. They then beat their wings slowly and very frequently, each time they turn round and usually irretrievably damage their wings. Conclusion I have bred other species of silk moths and Lepidoptera belonging to other families, and it is very interesting to rear them. However, it gives a thrill to my sense of beauty whenever I see an imago of A. selene emerge and unfold its wings, and consider it to be one of the most beautiful species of Lepidoptera in the world, even though it is very common. Hopefully, we shall soon see the publication of a work of reference on these remarkable insects, the Moon moths, to inform and delight many amateur breeders. Hints to breeders to prevent predation by wasps when breeding outdoors I had sleeved about fifty larvae of Eupackardia caletta on a fine privet shrub close to a wall. Every evening I went to inspect my larvae. However, one evening when I went on my tour of inspection I was most surprised not to find a single larva. And yet these larvae are very conspicuous and they are one of the most highly-coloured of all the silkmoth larvae. I then noticed a hole of about 0.5cm* in the sleeve and at the same time I saw a wasp enter an irregular opening in the adjoining wall. The following morning I took a syringe and some insecticide with which to destroy the wasps’ nest. All-my larvae were there, but obviously they were dead. The wasps had paid their forfeit, but my breeding stock had been completely destroyed. The breeder should also keep a sharp look- out for ants and small spiders which feast upon young larvae and give branches a good shaking before installing a sleeve, so as to dislodge any likely predators. [Translated from Jnsectes 86: 17-19 )1992) and reproduced with permission from the author and OPIE.] é a ee tf Volume 55 * October 1996 231 The long, hot summer of 1995. A note on Mellicta athalia (the Heath fritillary) by Don McNamara (5573) 6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU. Whether is it a mini-cycle of warmer weather or evidence of “global warming” or not, it seems that unusual occurrences are becoming commonplace. I have had a small stock of Heath fritillaries originating from way back in the mid-sixties, from an egg batch obtained from a gravid female from the Blean Woods complex, Kent. Larvae have always spun up around the end of August — early September and remain in their hibernacula until about April the following year. These are reared outdoors in large builders’ buckets planted out with Plantago lanceolata (narrow-leaved plantain), with a central “pole” holding up a tent of black, parasite-proof Terylene netting which is tied down around the lip of the bucket. As adults emerge they are transferred to a netted rectangular cage, about a metre cubed, with potted plantain and nectar plants. The cage is placed in such a way as to get at least three hours of direct sunlight and is lightly sprayed with water in the late evening. I use the cultivated candytuft, an annual which if planted the previous November will start flowering in April. Stagger the planting and you can get flowers throughout the year. The surprising ease with which these butterflies pair and lay in “protective custody” seems at odds with their scarcity in the wild. Much has been written about the particular needs of this insect, coppicing policies, deleterious changes in land use and habitat destruction but why not an off-site breeding programme where amateurs could be involved? However, in 1995 I had, for the first time, substantial numbers of first-brood larvae going through and second-generation pairings which have resulted in another brood, the larvae appearing in mid-September. Not all the first brood reached maturity and now I had two broods hibernating, the first generation larvae about one-third full grown “snugeling-up” to tiny second-generation larvae. I wondered whether the small larvae would catch up or whether there would be two hatchlings of adults or whether there would be staggered emergences. Another oddity — in my small pond frogs spawn most years and from about February until April there is the usual squelching, plopping and croaking but I’ve never heard croaking after the end of April. On the 232 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society lst October, an unusually warm day, a large common frog (Rana temporaria) spent the early morning and late afternoon croaking almost as if his life depended upon it. I have often seen fat females at this time of year but no courtship behaviour. I wonder what would have happened if there had been a few around. I’ve not seen any reference to a second generation of this species either. All listings should be sent to the Editor at AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG. Entries are free of charge. November 2nd Derbyshire Entomological Society. Annual Exhibition at Broomfield College, Morley, (on the A608) near Derby. Open 11.30hrs to 17.00hrs. All welcome. Information: Ian Viles 0115 944 3944 (W) December 6th AES Council Meeting. Baden-Powell House, London. Start 18.30hrs. ly > ee) ary f pet hey util AA ae Volume 55 ¢° October 1996 233 Notes on the reappearance of Lycaenid butterflies by Ted Rimington (5269) 8 Riverside Drive, Sprotbrough, Doncaster DN5 7LE. I was interested to read Peter Tebbutt's note (Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc. 54:(402) October 1995) on the reappearance of the Brown argus (Aricia agestis) at sites in Leicestershire. It reminds me of similar incidents which I have experienced with this species and with the Lycaenids in general. My parents retired to Eastbourne in 1970 and I have since been in the habit of paying regular visits to the district in late May and often in August. I quickly learned of and visited many of the best local butterfly sites including Ashdown Forest, Abbott's Wood, Beachy Head, Firle Beacon and various other downland sites at and around Eastbourne. In those days the fritillaries were regularly met with, the Adonis blue (Lysandra_ bellargus) flew in plenty and the Silver-spotted skipper (Hesperia comma) could also be found where today, sadly, nostalgia has largely taken their place. I also visited Vert Wood (Laughton). In 1983 this latter site remained both pleasant and fruitful and in that year I recorded thirty-one species of butterflies — excluding migrants — in two or three visits and also an excellent second brood of Small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) in late July; for a northerner, an unexpected pleasure. More interesting, however, was the sudden appearance of a healthy colony of agestis in early August of that year in the wood, at a spot immediately adjacent to the crossroads near to the old sawmill. This is an area that I have walked regularly over the years and never have I seen the species there or anywhere else in the wood before or since, although local lepidopterists may correct me on iat score, Nor. did /l comfuse agesiis with the Common, blue (Zolyommaius icarus) which, im my experience is very. rarely encountered at Vert. Interestingly, in August 1985 I observed several examples of the butterfly at a restricted spot in Abbott's Wood, a locality which I had by then visited many times without any sign of the species. Abbotts was already in sad decline when I first knew it in 1970 due largely to the activities of the Forestry Commission and my visits in recent years have, therefore, become irregular. In any event I have never seen agestis | there since. Small wonder the decline, I once spoke to a Head Forester _ in Abbotts who replied to my protestations of vandalism, “we would _ plant cabbages here if it paid”. 234 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae The impact of the Vert sightings on me was quite startling and though less dramatic, reminded me of the oft-quoted account by J.F. Stephens of the explosive appearance and just as sudden disappearance in 1827 of the White-letter hairstreak (S. w-album) at Ripley in Surrey (Illustrations of British Entomology Vol. 1): “. . . [it] exceeded anything of the kind I have ever witnessed .. .”. This sort of behaviour by Lycaenids — though rarely so extreme as in Stephen's account — is not unusual and is well-known to lepidopterists. It is characterised by rapid and unexpected population fluctuation in known colonies and the real or apparent emergence of new colonies, occasionally in startling profusion. The effect is usually more impressive when it occurs with naturally secretive species such as the hairstreaks which may also be present at low density and, therefore, unrecorded. I recall a most dramatic population explosion of w-album at a Doncaster site — again in 1983 — while in 1991, after many years of virtual absence, the Holly blue (C. argiolus) took off here only to collapse into obscurity again with the summer brood of 1993. Yet again in 1983, the Green hairstreak (C. rubi) was recorded for the first time ever at Thorne Moors (Doncaster), an internationally famous site worked by naturalists for two hundred years or more. I suspect that the butterfly has always been there but that the activities of the peat cutters in recent years have rendered spots of the moor now more suitable than previously. Neither are more mundane Lycaenids immune. I have seen healthy colonies of the Small copper (LZ. phlaeas) seemingly disappear temporarily while nearby colonies continue to thrive oblivious and second broods of icarus apparently go missing causing the unwary to declare the species locally single-brooded. I think we have all seen similar incidents. As to the foodplant, common rock-rose (H. nummutlarium) is absent in Vert wood. To my discredit I did not search diligently for common storksbill CE. cicutarium) but noted herb robert (G. robertianum). However, as George Thomson says in his superb book, The Butterflies of Scotland, much work requires to be done on the relationship of artaxerxes to its foodplants and, therefore, of course agestis also. Mr Tebbutt has a nice little project to hand — if the colonies will hang around long enough for him to complete it. Published 20th October 1996 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society (Registered Charity No. 267430), from PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG. ——— an Christmas Entomological Fair Granby Halls, Leicester Sunday Ist December 1996 Doors Open 10.30 am until 4.30 pm Admission £1.50 adults — 50p under 16’s ALL MAJOR DEALERS IN ATTENDANCE e Books and Periodicals e e Live, set and papered specimens e e Collecting and Breeding equipment e e Large Reptile and Amphibian Section e e Tarantulas, Scorpions, inverts of all kinds e Bar, Refreshments Full Cafeteria Ample Street Parking Enquiries: J. Harris, 01455 846310 Diary note: Spring Fair 1997 — Same venue March 23rd THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY HANDBOOKS AND LEAFLETS Habitat Conservation for Insects - A Neglected Green Issue. Essentiai reading for all conservationists (Hardback 262 pages, 15 figs + 32 colour plates) A Lepidopterist’s Handbook Practical Hints for the Field Lepidopterist Breeding the British Butterflies Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying Micros A Guide to Moth Traps and their Use An Amateurs Guide to the Study of Genitalia of Lepidoptera ... (16 pp, 15 figs.) A Silkmoth Rearer’s Handbook (Hardback, 225 pages + 32 colour plates) Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths (19 pages, 7 figs.) The Study of Stoneflies, Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pages, 10 figs.) Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (24 pages, 12 figs, 2 plates) The Hymenopterist’s Handbook (226 pages, 39 figs) Revised Flight Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages) Rearing the Hymenoptera Parasitica (15 pages, 10 figs, 1 plate) A Coleopterist’s Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated) Host plants of British Beetles (24 pages) A Dipterist’s Handbook (ix + 255 pages, 100 figures) Collecting Lacewings (9 pages, 8 figures, 5 plates) Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp, 43 figs, 17 plates) Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids .............. (22 pages, 9-plates) Rearing Crickets in the Classroom (12 pages, 2 plates) Please write for a copy of the AES Prospectus which gives details of the Society, Membership form and full list of Publications to:- THE A.E.S P.O. BOX 8774 LONDON SW7 5ZG A NEW PUBLICATION FROM THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY A GUIDE TO MOTH TRAPS AND THEIR USE BY REG FRY AND PAUL WARING All you want to know about lamps, moth traps and their practical use in the field comprising iv + 60 pages, 8 plates and 21 figures. The early sections deal with the measurement and properties of light leading into the types of lamps available and the electrical circuits needed to operate them. The next sections give constructional details of the most popular traps used in the UK, ranging from the simplest, 1.e. operating lights over sheets, to those commercially available such as the Robinson and Skinner traps. The last half of the handbook deals with the practical use of traps in the field including when and where to trap, limitations of traps and their relative performance. Finally the last section deals with types of moth traps and lures which do not employ light, such as wine roping. Price £5 to UK postal addresses, £5.50 overseas. Also available back numbers of AES Bulletins as follows: 1987 and 1988 price per year £6 UK, £6.60 overseas (four Bulletins) 1989 to 1995 price per year £8 UK, £8.80 overseas (six Bulletins) To order any of the above please send a cheque or postal order in £ Sterling, made payable to AES Publications, addressed to: AES Publications, The Hawthorns, Frating Road, Great Bromley, Colchester CO7 7JN. Tel: 01206 251600. Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society CONTENTS H.A. Ellis. Observations on Microplitis ocellatae, Bouché (Braconidae: Microgastrinae), a gregarious endoparasitoid of the Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar, Laothoe popoli UN. .ccc.:ss0 bs. tctsre ee B. Gardiner. Alleged overcollecting: could we have evidence and understanding PEASE? 5.0 ccsecseessesncscoccoseghicsesecpenssseeestevobseshigtedckessnsesseuensse< erst eae ee ee S. Cole. Notes on the insects and other invertebrates of an urban house. ................. M. Lamour. Some observations on breeding Moon moths (Lepidoptera: Attacidae). Part Mog icacsetasss tances saptsoasonastethshegsnesanedesyossoateaadiaseusvensyesewases on eeies <5 = eae arr Short Communications D. Owen. The rise and fall of Melanic peppered moths. ...............::esceeseesceenseeeseeeeees J.L. Gregory. Notes and observations: Some unusual courtship behaviour. ............... R. Hayward. webb’s wainscot — an unusual record. ............:ccscceeceeeeesseeseeeneeenseneasens P. Sokoloff. Hibernating Heralds. 20. .20.5cile-ccn--seccscnsseatagsiecseee des conse ee S. Irons. BDS Collective Knowledge Project update, Aeshna grandis, the Brown NAWKEM: = bocsscseecscSteleovsocansstnetuss siz soeusstesiace aedtey 2cee ates D. McNamara. Unusual pairing: male Cinnabar (Callimorpha jacobaeae) female Scarlettiger (C. GOminula) 7. seiieslecrasces Dui cssdonaceshndesnesoncendespaestqeee= tee re D. McNamara. The long, hot summer of 1995. A note on Mellicta athalia (the Heath fritillary) ec. .tkescscccssesstescvccvec suchen stossnes uecclnyacncuancast tana. osasa je meecee a ten en T. Rimington. Notes on the reappearance of Lycaenid butterflies. ..............:csseeeeeeee EGitOF alo ius.s.cersssdcernedoavsestagevocousohnasuedsasseiosacelvtcg’taesantuseSeudsls Jae ene mee een ener Book Review — Monographia Rhapalocerorum SinensiuM. .........c0:ccecceesseeseeeseeeeceeeeees Obituary — H.G. Phelps of Crockerton, Wiltshire: ../......./.-2....s+ss-seeeeccesseeste = sea Diary, Dates.’ .....0:..etcevectnonsstusengsusyaesoacavenpaveetuahentaeexdontsh/uucanconay” Gesceei: saeakie: ean © 1996. The Amateur Entomologists' Society. (Registered Charity No. 267430) All rights reserved. Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA. 199 203 2tF 223 211 212 212 213 215 216 231 233 i fee 198 214 232 = 0 O or aa ke O 16 E O O d a) Gj = an rs y w = = Founded in 1935 Where to write For all Society business, please write to: AES PO. Box 8774 London SW7 5ZG Telephone: 0976 828142 Officers of the Society President: Secretary: Treasurer: Registrar: Bulletin Editor: General Editor: Advertising Secretary: Exhibitions & Meetings Secretary: Youth Secretary: ICN Editor: Wants & Exchange: Habitat Conservation Officer: Subscriptions: Richard Jones Wayne Jarvis Andrew Locke Nick Holford Wayne Jarvis Mike Bonsall Rob Dyke Maxwell Barclay Darren Mann David Lonsdale Caroline Willmot Martin Harvey First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under 18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12. Family membership £15 (Includes Bulletin and Bug Club). Overseas Family membership £17. Subcription due by the 1st January each year. Advertising Rate: The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25. Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary, address as above. NOTICE It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests for help or information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon. Worldwide Butterflies Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4QN. Tel 01935 74608 Fax 29937 Colour Catalogue of livestock specimens and equipment. Please mention AES. 50p in stamps would be greatly appreciated. ALSO on request, Specialist Catalogues of British, European and Exotic set and papered specimens “sit Worldlife Registered charity At Compton House, Nr. Sherborne, Worldlife has evolved from Worldwide Butterflies. As well as magnificent butterfly displays, m% conservation organisations are showing what “ais being done for the environment, and ms? how all can become involved. ) Situated on A30 Yeovil-Sherborne Road. | Open daily Apr-Sep. Tel 01935 74608 E.W. CLASSE Y LTD ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS BY MAIL SINCE 1949 Antiquarian, second-hand and New books Special offers and forthcoming book news Booksearch service. Please send your “wants” list Regular free catalogues and specialist lists Books bought Valuations Oxford House, Marlborough Street, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 7DR UK Tel. 01367 244700 ‘Fax. 01367 244800 SCASONS Greetings Jrom all at Gravttz Printing Company Simited C C 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA. Tel: (01277) 224610 Fax: (01277) 262815 of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society © Volume 55 ¢ Number 409 December 1996 Editorial Another year comes to a close and a new year dawns. With it, dawns a new part of the Society, the AES Bug Club, which officially comes into existence on the 1st January 1997. The response has been very good so far, and we have enrolled a number of new members to the Society. The Bug Club will produce six colourful newsletters per year and will organise special events around the country. The renewal form, enclosed with this Bulletin, also includes our new Family membership category, which will give members a copy of the Bulletin and Bug Club News. All subscription forms for 1997 should be returned to the Registrar as soon as possible to ensure that you are on our February mailing list. I would also like to thank all members who have written with regard to the AES Trading Policy so far. There is still some time to write and let us know what you think. Responses have been mixed so far — so let us know your opinion! Our Advertising Secretary, Rob Dyke is standing down from his post at the AGM in April. We are, therefore, looking for someone to take his place. If you are interested in this position on Council, drop us a line! Finally, on behalf of the Society, may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year. Wayne Jarvis Secretary Biilletin * & of the Amateur ee aap The cover of this issue of the Bulletin features the Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum bicinctum). Photo: Robin Williams 236 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Le] REPORTS OF THE SOCIETY 1995 Report of Council — 1995 Membership of the Society as at the 31st December 1995 was 1725; this comprised eight Honorary, 57 Life, 13 Exchange, 11 Complimentary, 149 Juniors and 1487 Ordinary, Associate and Overseas Members. The Council met of four occasions during the year at the London Ecology Centre, Covent Garden, and the Methodist Central Halls in Westminster. The Annual General Meeting was held in conjunction with the Members’ Day at the Royal Entomological Society of London on the 22nd April. Michael Majerus and Richard Jones gave lectures. In addition, a meeting was held in May by a specially formed Review Sub-Committee to look into the modernisation and promotion of the Society. Many proposals have now been passed by Council as a result, and during the year many changes to the Society will be visible. The Annual Exhibition was held at Kempton Park racecourse and was once again a huge success. This was Roy McCormick’s final year as Exhibition Organiser, and Council thank him sincerely for all of his hard work over the years. The Society welcomed Maxwell Barclay as his replacement in the newly created Exhibitions and Meetings Secretary post. Council also welcomed Nick Holford to Council during the year, but said farewell to Owen Lewis, Wendy Fry and Simon Fraser. Six Bulletins were issued during the year, along with three issues of Invertebrate Conservation News in February, June and October. Council reports with regret the death of Eric Bradford during 1995. Eric, 74, had been involved with many natural history Societies, but had a dedicated interest in the AES. He will be sadly missed. Finally, the Society looks forward to the coming year with excitement and anticipation of the changes which are set to take place. Wayne Jarvis Secretary ad Volume 55 * December 1996 237 Report of the Treasurer — 1995 Accounts for 1995 have been prepared and audited. These show that income from the activities of the Society in the year has decreased from Ol Oo2m 10) 2627/5896) The! ‘decrease’ ‘is mainly due to «the: fall ‘in subscription income reflecting decreased member numbers. Costs have increased from £37,560 to £39,817 or by 6%. This has been attributable in the main to increased Bulletin costs and the decision to help finance Field Trips, to which the Society contributed £1,463 in the year. Overall publications expenses fell, reflecting the dearth of new publications in the year — against this, income from the sale of publications remained steady, at £10,202 in 1995. Investment income increased in the year by nearly £1,000 to £7,938. Overall the result for the Society was a loss of &3,983 in the year, against a profit of £2,256 in 1994. The deficit has been funded from the General Fund. As a result of the loss in the year the net value of the Society has decreased from £176,827 to £172,844. There have continued to be additions to equipment owned by the Society to improve its availability on Field Trips and this cost £1,414 in the year. The great majority of the Society’s worth is in short-term investments, a total of £151,668. After much debate the Society will now re-invest these funds with the object of obtaining a better return. It is mindful of ethical investment and will therefore take this into consideration in its investment choices. After the year end the Society was most grateful to receive a bequest from the late Eric Bradford of around £10,000. In a broad context Council acknowledges its responsibility to further the objects of the Society through its funds and is therefore moving towards a more activity-based approach to achieving these aims. Recently Council has considered sponsorship with the purpose of encouraging more young people into the Society. There is also a process of reform within the Society with the possibility of encouraging those who give up time to assist with the Society by means of modest payments. These developments are intended to move the Society gently towards the 21st Century and to optimise the opportunities that its funds represent. Andrew Locke Treasurer 238 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 4 Conservation Report for 1995 The AES Conservation Committee met twice in 1995, in February and November, and the Society was represented at all five JCCBI meetings: i.e. the main meetings of March and October, together with those of the Executive Sub-Committee in May, September and November. The business of these three committees overlapped considerably, but the AES Committee has additionally dealt with several projects and proposals which are of special interest to the Society’s members. One of these was the Committee’s future status under the proposed re- organisation of the Society’s Council and committees. Our Committee has also reviewed progress in the production of Imvertebrate Conservation News and the 2nd edition of Habitat Conservation for Insects. We are glad to report that issues 16, 17 and 18 were published as planned during 1995. Further work on the book is awaiting completion of another of the Society’s publication projects. Resources for displaying our ideas and our work at exhibitions and shows have also been under review. Another internal matter\ has ‘been the-setting up of meeunes or ine representatives took place at the Society's annual exhibition in October, and another is planned for 1990. | Volume 55 ° December 1996 239 Turning to matters which we have pursued through JCCBI, we report that the quinquennial review of Britain’s Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), has passed all its stages of consultation with organisations and individuals. By the end of 1995 we were awaiting the publication of the new schedules of protected species, based on the adjudication of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). Increased protection on Schedule 5 of the Act was proposed for nine invertebrate species, as explained in JCN 18. Also, removal from this schedule of the Act was proposed for one species, the now extinct Vipers bugloss moth (Hadena irregularis). We submitted some comments to JNCC, in which we suggested that the proposals were unnecessarily strict for three of the moths involved: the Southern chestnut (Agrochola haematidea), the Fiery clearwing (Bembecia chrysidiformis) and Fisher’s estaurine moth (Gortyna borelii). We also pointed out that the proposed full protection for the Marsh fritillary butterfly (Eurodryas aurinia) might cause concern amongst the many amateur entomologists who maintain breeding stocks of this species, and who would be allowed to continue doing so only on the basis of the current interpretation of the law, rather than its strict letter. We have, through JCCBI, also discussed the proposed licensing system for the release into the wild of many butterfly species under a revision of Schedule 9 of the Act. We understand that the proposal would not fit in with official policy, since such measures were not originally intended to apply to native British invertebrates. We have been canvassing opinion on this matter within the Society, and have found almost total rejection of the proposal, but general acceptance of voluntary systems of control. Although voluntary controls have been alleged to have failed, the current code of conduct and proposal scheme appear not to be available readily enough, and we are exploring ways of overcoming this deficiency. Another topic related to legislation was the JCCBI policy document on this subject. We are glad to report that the final draft was approved by all the JCCBI member-organisations, and that it is now available for publication. A copy will appear in JCN during 1996. An earlier JCCBI publication, its guidelines for invertebrate surveys at individual sites, was reproduced in ICN 17. AS major area of discussion for the JCCBI has been the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, official proposals for which were published at the end of 1995. This specifies targets for the conservation of named species and types of habitat to be incorporated within local plans to be 240 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Lt ] run by voluntary bodies and local authorities. Despite many deficiencies in the selection of invertebrates for inclusion, the Plan can be welcomed as a very positive step, provided that resources are made available to implement it. The Plan was the central theme in a programme for an invertebrate conservation conference which was planned for February 1996, and will therefore be mentioned in our 1996 report. A European project which relates to the Biodiversity Action Plan is the selection of “Special Areas of Conservation” (SACs, or “Natura 2000 Sites”), and an article on this by Alan Stubbs has appeared in ICN. It is hoped that SACs, most of which will be based on existing SSSIs as far as the UK is concerned, will be strongly protected against damaging = inadequacies regarding the selection of candidate SACs which have special value for invertebrate conservation. There was very little consultation with voluntary bodies and individuals, and the criteria for site selection were inappropriate in some major respects. Nevertheless, the statutory agencies have worked very hard for the inclusion of sites that will be of value if they are designated. Meanwhile there are continuing attempts to adapt the rules so as to include important sites that do not currently qualify. David Lonsdale (4137) a Volume 55 ¢ December 1996 241 AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY (Registered Charity No. 267430) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 31st December 1995 Charitable Trustee’s Report for the year ended 31st December 1995 Objectives The purpose~of the Charity is to provide for the promotion and dissemination of entomological knowledge by every means possible and the encouragement among the younger generation of an interest in entomology. Review of Activities A deficit of £3,983 arose in the year ended 31st December 1995 (1994 Surplus £2,250). During the year, the charity invested the funds available to it in bank deposits, National Savings, Treasury Funds, and Charifund Units. It is intended to reinvest funds in equities and gilts at the earliest opportunity to increase investment income. Trustee: P.A. Sokoloff (appointed 7th December 1990). Principal and Registered Address: 4 Steep Close, Green Street Green, Orpington BRO ODS. Approved by the Trustee on 11th April 19960. ati NH Richard Jones, President 242 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society 3 Auditor’s Report Amateur Entomologists’ Society Report of the Auditor to the Members I have examined the financial statements attached which: have been prepared in accordance with the recommendations of SORP2. I have audited the financial statements annexed in accordance with approved Auditing Standards. In my opinion, the financial statements, which have been prepared under the historical cost convention, give a true and fair view of the state of the Society’s affairs at 31st December 1995 and of its Income and Expenditure for the year then ended. Ala Anthony J. Pickles Chartered Accountant 200 Salisbury Road, Totton, Southampton SO4 3PE. 11th April 1996. Volume 55 « December 1996 Balance Sheet — 31st December 1995 FIXED ASSETS INVESTMENTS at cost &/712 Treasury 12 3/4% 1995 £1,470 Treasury 9 1/2% 1999 109 M&G Charifund Income Units National Savings and Midland Bank Investment Accounts CURRENT ASSETS Stocks of publications at cost Debtors Cash at bank CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS TRUST FUNDS Note 2 _ 4 1995 & 1,360 660 1,260 150 149,598 151,068 22,813 2,485 PAZ 26,470 (6,054) & 19,816 £172,844 5 £172,844 243 1994 & 1,968 660 1,260 150 145,656 147,726 176,827 176,827 I approve these financial statements and confirm that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, I have made available all relevant records and information for their preparation. A.J. Locke — Treasurer Amateur Entomologists’ Society 11th April 1996 244 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae Notes and Accounting Policies Year ended 31st December 1995 1. Accounting Policies Basis of Accounting The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Income Income represents amounts received in respect of the Society’s activities from subscriptions, publishing and ancillary activities. Income also arises from investments. Depreciation Depreciation is provided using the following rates and bases to write off the cost of tangible assets over their estimated useful lives: Equipment — 25% per annum on cost. Stocks Publications stocks are valued at the lower cost of and net realisable value, having regard for age and condition. 2. Fixed Assets 1995 1994 Equipment Equipment Cost 01 January 1995 6,671 4213 Additions 1,414 2,458 Cost 31 December 1995 8,085 6,671 Less: Depreciation (6,725) (4,703) Net Book Value 31 December 1995 1,360 1,968 3. Debtors 1995 1994 Subscriptions - 2,276 Publications 2,486 3,090 Volume 55 ¢ December 1996 Notes and Accounting Policies — continued Year ended 31st December 1995 4. Creditors 1995 Publications and printing Subscriptions received in advance 6,349 Donations received in advance — Other 305 6,054 5. Capital Funds 1995 & General Fund: Balance 01 January 1994 SDH Add: Income for year — Less: Deficit for year (5,707) 23,090 Life Membership Fund: Balance 01 January 1994 and 31 December 1995 _—_—_7,656 Ansorge Award Fund: Balance 01 January 1994 and 31 December 1995 362 Crow & Hammond Trust Fund: Balance 01 January 1994 and 31 December 1995 79,676 Publication Fund: Balance 01 January 1994 60,336 Add: Trading surplus for year 1,724 62,060 Total Capital Account & 172,844 362 79,076 58,610 L726 & 176,827 245 246 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Income and Expenditure Account Year ended 31st December 1995 Income from activities Membership income: Subscriptions Donations Enrolment fees Badges Publishing income: Sales Increase in value of stocks Other income: Advertising revenue Annual exhibition (net profit) Less: Expenses Bulletin costs: Printing Despatch Membership services: Registrar’s fees Registrar’s expenses Wants and exchanges lists Administration: Postage and stationery Meetings’ expenses Insurance Sundry expenses Depreciation Field trips 1995 & & 13,698 1,283 319 101 15,401 10,202 10,202 1,954 339 2,293 27,896 15-159 4,320 (19,479) Dio VA 1,269 597 (3,398) 1-701 2,429 551 296 2,022, (6,999) (1,463) 471 PAS DES) 498 83 1, 889 1994 13,018 (17,967) (3,161) (5,140) ad Volume 55 * December 1996 247 Income and Expenditure Account Year ended 31st December 1995 — continued 1995 1994 & & & & Publications: Printing 945 7,451 Decrease in value of stocks 3,452 Commissions on sale 4,081 3,841 Cry 3) 1 CEO) (Loss) for the year on activities (11,921) (4,708) Investment income gross: National Savings and Bank Deposit accounts 7,938 6,964 (Loss)/Profit for the year & (3,983) & 2,256 Interesting Notodontid moth found in north-west Somerset by M.O. Hughes (3612) “Elvira”, 1 Woodside Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Conwy LL18 5ND, Wales. In the afternoon of 8th June 1996 I found an imago of the Bordered straw moth (Heliothis peltigera Schiff.) outside a busy amusement arcade/cafeteria in Regent Street, Weston-super-Mare. South (1961) states “the species seems to be of fairly regular occurrence in south-east Kent, Sussex, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, but it has also been observed, more or less rarely, in many other English counties, chiefly those on the coast; in Pembrokeshire and Glamorganshire, South Wales; a few specimens have occurred in Co. Cork and one in Co. Wicklow, Ireland”. Skinner (1984) describes it as an immigrant and erratic visitor. It is the first time in 38 years of recording that I have encountered it. 248 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t | Annual arrival of a strange monster by Jeanette Hatto (9541) “Silver Birches”, Rowhills, Heath End, Farnham, Surrey GU9 9AU. Every year, sometime around the middle of August, I answer the warble of the telephone only to hear an anxious-sounding voice addressing my right.ear .with words such as. monster’,~usly , incredible’ and “weird”. Well before we arrive at the magic word “Fuchsia”, I have already guessed, as no doubt have my readers, that the caller is referring to an Elephant hawkmoth larva in its final instar. My 1995 example, banished by a keen gardener from her Farnham plot, was released into my own garden on wild fuchsia, to fend for itself, because I have recently confirmed the existence of a local colony. My 1994 “monster”, expelled by a keen fuchsia grower from her Farnborough greenhouse (Plates 96U & V, Figs. 1-4),was gladly received into the vivarium on 12th August as a large, handsome and healthy larva which fed voraciously on both wild and cultivated fuchsia and rosebay willowherb, enjoying both the leaves and the flowerheads. On 17th August, it became restless and emitted a greenish fluid before it began spinning above the soil and eventually producing a rough web against the. side “of the tank on )}top—of the- peat and incorporating some of the garden debris in the tank the next day. On 23rd August, the larva shed its skin and became a typical dullish- > coloured, rough-skinned Elephant hawk So pupa: On--3rd., April” 1995;~ the’ yaupa, new separated from its case for ease of checking and~ periodic spraying with water, was observed wriggling furiously, moving some two inches along the floor of the tank by 19th April and some eight inches by 28th April. It was observed moving very strongly indeed — jumping up and down and also twisting over and over. On 3rd May it was “standing up”, head high. It continued to be active until 21st May, by which time it was coloured a dark reddish-black all over. “H” day or “Hatching day” arrived on 23rd May 1995 (Plates 96U & V, Figs. 1-4). Inflation was totally successful and the superb imago was released in a suitable location. ad Volume 55 ° December 1996 249 Some observations on the behaviour of the Hornet — Vespa crabro L. by John B. Garrett (6579) 52 Glebelands, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 2]]. In spite of having a southern distribution, hornets have not been reliably reported from my home county of Sussex for at least sixty years. This is a disappointment for entomologists, but no doubt a great relief for everyone else, because although hornets are relatively docile creatures their large size and fearsome appearance invariably causes alarm (Plate 90W, Figs. 5 & 6). In this country I have seen them with some regularity on the Devon/Somerset border, but even here they are not common. In France, on the other hand, they are widely distributed and frequently encountered. I have lived under the same roof as a hornet colony in Burgundy and watched a nest in an old stone well- Meade) Provence. In! 1995 they shared my interest in the rich invertebrate life of a neglected meadow nest to the River Erdre in Loire- Atlantique. Here butterflies such as the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), the Map (Araschnia levana) and the Cardinal (Pandoriana pandora) were much in evidence, together with other spectacular insects which included the hoverfly (Volucella zonaria), known to be an inquiline of vespid species. Nevertheless, my attention was increasingly drawn to the hornets. They would appear every few minutes, seeming to drone aimlessly through the dense vegetation. However, in my experience only humans are capable of aimless behaviour! So what were the hornets doing? The meadow in question had not been grazed for a number of years and apart from grasses, the dominant plants were purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium). The loosestrife, in particular, was a great attraction for nectaring insects. The immediate surroundings consisted of light deciduous woodland and the adjacent river provided an additional source of insect life which included vast swarms of the mayfly, Epboron virgo. Hornets were encountered so frequently that at the time of my visits in late August I concluded that this was the preferred destination for the local populations, presumably because it could provide them with maximum food for minimum effort. I became ever more curious about the nature of the food source and I also wanted to know whether they were feeding themselves, their larvae, or both. Adult hornets are 250 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t ] prevented from swallowing solid food by the narrowness of their oesophagus and the constriction of the petiole (wasp waist). They require energy-producing carbohydrates rather than body-building proteins and it is doubtful whether they possess the enzymes needed to assimilate protein. Larvae, on the other hand, do need protein and can ingest both solid and liquid food. Knowledge of a food ‘source can therefore suggest its destination. Flowers were clearly of no interest as providers of nectar and were totally ignored unless a visiting insect drew attention to itself by moving at an ill-advised moment. The hornets would then engage in_half- hearted pursuit, but lacking the aerial agility of many of the potential victims these forays seldom ended in success. Even butterflies could escape. I watched a Sooty copper (Heodes tityrus) avoid capture by suddenly changing direction just before the predator closed in. Pursuit was immediately abandoned, the hornets reverting to what was obviously considered a more rewarding activity, no doubt involving more substantial prey. The nutritional value of a small insect would hardly justify the expenditure of much energy in its capture. At this point I should mention another very noticeable denizen of the meadow. Every two or three metres I would find a characteristically reinforced orb web. Spread-eagled in the centre of each web was a large yellow and black spider, a female Argiope bruennichi (Scopoli). These webs were constructed at just the height favoured by the cruising hornets! Here indeed was a succulent meal for a large wasp. One step up the food chain from the smaller nectaring insects, her capture would be altogether more energy efficient. Could it be that she was the main attraction? Suddenly a vicious skirmish caught my attention. A Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) had blundered into a bruennichi web constructed amongst the flowerheads in a clump of common fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica). The web’s owner made a dash to incapacitate the hapless victim before it could break free. This was decidedly unwise for at that precise moment a hornet chanced by. Attracted by the struggle it literally pounced on the spider, totally ignoring the Meadow brown which then managed to escape unharmed. A spilt second later it was all over. The spider was decapitated by a single bite through the pedical and the large abdomen was then manoeuvred so that it could be firmly gripped between the hornet’s two front legs, the remaining four providing a secure anchorage on a fleabane leaf. During the next few minutes the spider’s abdomen was slowly and skillfully rotated so that tf Volume 55 * December 1996 251 the entire surface could be chewed. It was then dropped, whether by accident or design I do not know, and the hornet proceeded to clean its mouthparts in readiness for the next kill. The whole drama was carried out with such ruthless efficiency that it must surely have been enacted many times before. None of the spider’s flesh was taken away and the presumption must be that the meal consisted entirely of protein-rich liquid or pulp derived from the abdominal musculature. This would have been stored in the crop and taken back to the nest, regurgitated and fed to the growing larvae. The following day I witnessed a similar attack, but this time the spider was too quick for the hornet and fled into the shelter of surrounding vegetation. The frustrated predator was nevertheless an opportunist and remained to chew the small fly which had just been ensnared. Although bruennichi webs are strong they are not intended for very large prey and present no obstacle to hornets which can break free with consummate ease. These observations suggested that the primary source of liquid protein was indeed provided by A. bruennichi. Sadly, limitations on my time made additional fieldwork impossible and my supposition could be tested no further. It is likely that similar behavourial patterns would be found in other habitats where the two species co-exist in any numbers. The spiders seem unable to put up any physical resistance to these attacks and might well get stung if they attempted to do so, but it is hard to believe that they have failed to develop any protective mechanisms. What might these be? The spiders make no attempt to hide — they remain for long periods in the centre of their webs so that they can detect the smallest vibration from any direction. This enables them to locate and incapacitate ensnared prey with minimum delay. We know that the compound insect eye is more likely to register movement than static shapes, and it would therefore be doubly advantageous for a spider to remain stationary whenever possible. Firstly, it would avoid the risk of deterring small insect prey which might otherwise collide with the web, and secondly it would reduce the chance of detection by predator species. The expectation that spiders would show a reluctance to move is borne out by field observation. Daytime activity is normally only triggered by the characteristic vibrations emanating from a small struggling insect. It is even possible that the spider’s passivity may be reinforced by awareness of hornet proximity. Certainly web impact caused by a blundering hornet would be in stark contrast to the 252 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad diminutive tensions and tremblings following ensnarement of small insect prey. Sure enough, if a curious entomologist strikes a web sharply the spider will generally remain motionless, but when a web is “tickled” with a grass blade to simulate the struggles of a small insect it is usually possible to elicit movement. But even the near approach of a hornet can probably be detected. During flight these heavy insects cause enough downdraught to move nearby leaves and flower heads. Again, a simple test — blowing on the web — will not induce the spider to move. Extremely fine hairs on the legs, known as trichobothria, can detect the minutest air currents and it may well be that bruennichi is conditioned to associate particular patterns of localised turbulence with danger. Furthermore, oscillograph traces made from recordings of insect flight depict distinguishing “sound signatures” for different species, the hornets being no exception. It would be well within the spider’s capabilities to sense and decode these sound patterns because the ultra sensitive tricobothria are of varying lengths, each being tuned to particular frequency range. So much for my observations on attack and defence in relation to the procurement of liquid protein needed by the hornet larvae, but how were the adults feeding themselves? They would need a carbohydrate intake but showed no interest in nectar sources. Honeydew on nearby oak trees was probably being used, but I could not be certain of this. However, I did manage to discover one source before I finally left the meadow. A small number of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) saplings had become established, each around three or four metres high, and I noticed hornets routinely flying to some of these. Their flight was quite different from that of the protein seekers, being higher, faster and more direct. Close inspection of the trunks revealed rectangular scars about six centimetres high and two centimetres wide where hornets had gnawed the outer layers as far as the hard xylem. The material which had been removed would not be suitable for nest building because wood pulp is only made from decaying or weathered timber. Clearly these were feeding stations. Four or five hornets could be found clustered around the top and bottom of each wound, never the sides, eagerly exploiting the sugars conveyed in the tree’s phloem just beneath the bark. Flies were also attracted and fed alongside the hornets, but all these insects seemed to be oblivious of each other in their single-minded obsession with the ash-sap. Many years ago Donisthorpe recorded hornets “ringing” ash twigs in Windsor Great Park and there are other records of hornets feeding on ; t Volume 55 »* December 1996 253 sap exuding from damaged oak and elm trees. I could find no evidence of “twig-ringing” on these French trees, the insects were all concentrating on the trunk wounds, nor could I establish whether they chose ash trees for preference or simply because these were the only trees in the meadow young enough to have thin, vulnerable bark. It is one of the great fascinations of entomology that finding the answer to one question merely begets a whole series of new questions and hypotheses. I can make little additional progress until I return to the meadow, but in the meantime perhaps there are some hymenopterists amongst the AES membership who can elaborate on the behavioural patterns which I have described. Bus stop entomology by Frank McCann (6291) 3 Langhbar Path, Easterhouse, Glasgow G33 4HY. On 7th June this year whilst waiting at a bus stop near Milngavie for a bus to Glasgow I noticed a caterpillar on the underside of an elm leaf on a tree growing behind the bus shelter. I took it from the tree and discovered it was a larva of the Brindled beauty moth. It fed very well on elm in captivity and later I released it onto a lime tree near my house. The next day whilst waiting for another bus at Cumberland Road, next to Alexandra Park, I collected a Common carpet moth which was resting on the pavement next to the bus stop. A few days later I was once again standing at a bus stop at Edinburgh Road near my house in Easterhouse when I noticed on the wall across from the bus stop a small micro-moth, which I put into a small jar and identified it at home aS a common species in Europe known as Dichrorampha petiverella. It has small yellow-gold markings — one on each of the very dark forewings. The larvae of this species feed in roots of yarrow and ox-eye daisy, yarrow is common on the roadside verges and banks where I found the moth. 254 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t Pieris mannii and other animals on Corfu in May 1995 — Part 2 by Rob Parker 2063 Washington Street, Beck Row, Suffolk IP28 8EX. [The last few pages ot Rob Parker’s article were inadvertently omitted from Volume 55 (August 1996), and are added here as a supplement. — Ed_] Checklist of the butterflies of Corfu RP, May 1995 =m AHD, September 1995 = s m Melitaea cinxia (Linnaeus, 1758) M. phoebe (Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775) m s WM. didyma (Esper, 1778) m Melanargia larissa (Geyer, [1828]) m s_ Hipparchia syriaca (Staudinger. 1871) — Identified in the field, Kassiopi H. semele (Linnaeus, 1758) — See text H. volgensis (Mazochin-Porshnjakov, 1952) — See text H. statilinus (Hufnagel, 1766) m s Maniola jurtina (Linnaeus, 1758) Hyponephele lupina (Costa, 1836) — New record, see text Pyronia cecilia (Vallantin, 1894) m s Coenonympha pamphilus (Linnaeus, 1758) m Pararge aegeria (Linnaeus, 1758) — Mon Repos only m s_ Lasiommata megera (Linnaeus, 1767) m s_ JL. maera (Linnaeus, 1758) Kirinia roxelana (Cramer, [1777]) Checklist of the erroneous and doubtful species records for Corfu (with bibliographical references) Gegenes nostrodamus (Fabricius, 1793) — (Mathew, 1898) Erynnis tages (Linnaeus, 1758) — (Staudinger, 1870) Carcharodus lavatherae (Esper, 1783) — (Staudinger, 1870) C. flocciferus (Zeller, 1847) — (Galvagni, 1934-1935) Leptidea duponcheli (Staudinger, 1871) — (Koutsaftikis, 1974a) Colias alfacariensis (Ribbe, 1905) — (Koutsaftikis, 1974a) Pieris ergane (Geyer, [1828]) — (Norris, 1891) Euchloe tagis (Hubner [1804]) — (Norris, 1891) a Volume 55 ° December 1996 255 Satyrium w-album (Knoch, 1782) — (De la Garde, 1899) Scolitantides orion (Pallas, 1771) — (Staudinger, 1870) Glaucopsyche melanops (Boisduval, [1828]) — (Norris, 1891; Smith, 1987) Argynnis adippe (Linnaeus, 1767) — (Koutsaftikis, 1973; Baldock & Bretherton, 1981) Melitaea trivia ((Denis & Schiffermiuller], 1775) — (Staudinger, 1970) Hipparchia fagi (Scopoli, 1763) — (Norris, 1891; Mathew, 1898; Rebel, 1910: all records probably referable to H. syriaca). Postscript Another visit to Corfu by Peter Taylor was made in June/July 1996, and the reference on p181 to his records can now be updated: Lycaena thersamon, Quercusia quercus, Pieris ergane by Peter Taylor (unpublished). References Baldock, S.W. and Bretherton, R. (1981). Butterflies in Corfu (Kerkyra) in late August with a provisional list of all species known from it. Trans. Br. Ent. Nat. Soc. 14: 1981; 8-10 & 101-107. Coleman, N. and Mewton, C. (1991). Corfu. Windrush Island Guides. Coutsis, J.G. and Olivier, A. (1993). Confirmation of the presence of both Gegenes pumilio and G. nostrodamus on the Greek island of Crete. Phegea 21(4): 101-107 (1st Dec. 1995): Cribb, P.W. (1991). The problems of the Dappled white's name and status. Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. 50(376): 101-104. Durrell, G. (1956). My Family and Other Animals. Penguin Books. Kurdrna, O. (1977). A Revision of the Genus Hipparchia Fabricius. E.W. Classey. McLean, I.F.G. (1983). Spring Butterflies in Corfu. Proc. Trans. Br. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc. 16(983): 53-54. Olivier, A. (1987). Catalogue of the Butterflies of the Greek Islands in the Collection of the Institute Voor Taxonomische Zoologie Amsterdam. Phegea 15(2): 77-78 (1st April 1987). — , (1993). The Butterflies of the Greek Island of Rhodes. Viaamse Vereniging voor Entomologie, Antwerp. — , (1995). Personal Communication including Corfu Checklist. Owen, D.F. (1991). Can Danaus chrysippus (L.) establish itself in Europe? Ent. Gaz. 42: SID) Parker, R. (1983). The Butterflies of Cyprus. Ent. Gaz. 34: 17-53. Showler, A.J. (1984). Further Records of Spring Butterflies in Corfu. Proc. Trans. Br. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc. 17: 30. Tolman, T. and Bernhard, T. (1994). Significant extensions to the known range of Anthocharis damone (Boisduval, 1836) in Greece. Phegea 22: 177-80. Vanholder, B. (1993). Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) en andere trekvlinders op Kerkira (Corfu) Phegea 21(2): 44. Withrington, D. (1995). Corfu in late September — Butterflies. Bull. amat. Ent. Soc..54: 2». 256 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad Invertebrate Collection National Avian Research Centre United Arab Emirates by John E. Cooper, Programme Manager The National Avian Research Centre (NARC) is a research organisation dedicated to the economically sustainable use of wildlife. NARC is based in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was established by Royal Decree in December 1989. Although primarily concerned with birds and, in particular, with bustards and falcons, NARC has broad interests in desert ecology and the conservation and management of wildlife. During the first three years of its existence NARC included in its ecological programme research on invertebrates and, as a result, an impressive collection was amassed. | The Invertebrate Collection at present comprises the following: e Set specimens, primarily insects of different orders, in a large multi- drawered entomological cabinet. e Fixed specimens, mainly arachnids, in alcohol. e Unset and unfixed specimens of different arthropods frozen for examination and subsequent mounting or preparation. The NARC Invertebrate Collection is under the supervision of the Department of Ecology. It is available for study and use by bona fide scientists, professional and amateur. In return for having access to the collection, visitors are asked to assist in its curating and maintenance since, at the present time, NARC has no full-time entomologist on_ its staff. The Invertebrate Collection is situated at the Sweihan Research Station which is 55km from the city of Al Ain in Abu Dhabi Emirate. For further information about the invertebrate collection and enquiries concerning access to it should be addressed to: The Head, Department of Ecology, National Avian Research Centre, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, UAE: 1 i 1 | | Volume 55 * December 1996 257 The Gold Bug of Edgar Allan Poe: Fact or fiction? by John Hay 336 Glasgow Road, Ralston, Paisley, Strathclyde PA1 3BH. Several recent visits to the Ohio State University at Columbus have permitted further pursuit of an entomological conundrum which, to me at least, holds considerable fascination. This entails essentially, the quest to discover what species Cif indeed there is one) is The Gold Bug of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) short story fame (see Poe, 1983, for the unabridged tale, originally published in 1843). The Insect Collection of the University’s Museum for Biological Diversity seemed like the place where clues to the identity of the gold bug might be obtained. Through the auspices of the Museum’s curator, Dr Charles A. Triplehorn, I was able to compare the morphological description of Poe’s “Gold Bug” with specimens in the Museum’s extensive archive of insects native to the USA. The tale of “The Gold Bug” is basically one of a search for the buried treasure of the notorious pirate, Captain Kidd. It is, however, really an extensive ratiocination (May, 1991), where it is necessary for complete enjoyment of the narrative, to solve various cryptograms, in order to unearth the whereabouts of the stash. The gold bug, which in fact has little to do with the storyline, is more or less a red-herring (please forgive the mixed metaphor!). Neither is it a bug in the entomological sense; what is described in the tale, are features consistent with those of a coleopteran. But which one? Poe (though his character Legrand), tells the reader that the “bug” “is of a brilliant gold — about the size of a large hickory-nut — with two jet- black spots near one extremity of the back, and another, somewhat longer, at the other.” These latter features give to the dorsal aspect of the insect features reminiscent of “a skull, or a death’s head”. The “bug” was “identified” as “Scarabaeus caput hominis (head-of-a-man beetle).” According to the text, it was a voracious creature actually attacking its discoverer’s head on one occasion. So what is this species of insect; does it actually exist within the imagination of Poe? There appear to be four leading contenders (Figure 1). One prima facie candidate is the Goldsmith beetle (Cotalpa lanigera, family Scarabaeidae) (Saylor, 1940). This insect is approximately 20- 26mm long, fairly heavy, and basically oval in shape. The head, thorax and scutellum are yellow to greenish in colour and have a metallic lustre. The elytra are yellow to beige. This species is favoured by some 258 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad Figure 1. Major contenders of the role of gold bug: 1. Metriona bicolor, 2. Geotrupes splendidus, 3. Pelidnota punctata; 4. Cotalpa lanigera. entomologists (Milne & Milne, 1980) as being the actual gold bug of the tale of that name. It has, however, none of the markings attributed to the scarab in the Poe story. The related Grapevine beetle, 18-25mm long (Pelidnota punctata, family Scarabaeidae), has some of the required features. This beetle has two black dots on the sides of the pronotum and a further three black dots on the side of each elytron. The top of the head and the scutellum are greenish-black, however, and the elytra are brownish-yellow to a dull-red in colour, thus eliminating it as a candidate for the role of the gold bug. On patterning alone, another possibility would be the Golden tortoise beetle (Metriona bicolor, family Chrysomelidae). This is a brass coloured insect in life Gt becomes a dull reddish-brown, post mortem). It also has the synonym “gold bug” (Arnett, 1968). It is altogether too small at 5-Omm, however, to be a serious contender to fit Poe’s overall description of the gold bug. The Glossy pillbug (Geotrupes splendidus) is another scarab with possibilities. It is some 13-18mm in length, and can be bright bronze in colour, although it is more commonly metallic greenish-purple in colour. Again, however, the jet-black spots are notably absent, with the elytra instead being deeply pitted in rows running lengthwise along the dorsal aspect of the insect. 259 | | Volume 55 * December 1996 It is apparent that none of these beetles matches completely Poe’s description of the gold bug. One possibility, although considered unlikely, is that it was a sport form of one of the aforementioned species. So, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, should we conclude that the gold bug is a figment of the author’s imagination, being as one author has suggested (Allen, 1949), a composite species comprising the morphological and (behavioural) features of a number of different coleopteran species? One such example suggested in Allen’s biography of Poe is a hybrid consisting of the gold coloration of Cotalpa laningera with the distinct markings characteristic of the 25-44mm long black coloured Eastern eyed (big eyed) click beetle (Alaus oculatus, family Elateridae), especially the presence on the pronotum of two large velvety black eyespots which are surrounded by a dense ring of white scales. The latter represents the well-known, “eye-spots” mimicry patterning observed on other insects, such as butterflies and caterpillars, as well as other animals such as peacocks (Wickler, 1968). In my opinion the jury is still out in the case of the gold bug and I for one shall continue to use my imagination in an attempt to solve the mystery concerning the “true” identity of this elusive and fascinating insect. References Allen, H. (1949). Israfel: The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe. Rinehart & Company, Inc, New York. pp. 174-178. Arnett, R.H. Jr. (1968). The Beetles of the United States (A Manual for Identification). The American Entomological Institute, Michigan. May, C.E. (1991). Edgar Allan Poe. A Study of the Short Fiction. Twayne Publishers, Boston. Milne, L. & Milne, M. (1980). National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York. Poe, E.A. (1983). The Unabridged Edgar Allan Poe. Running Press, Philadelphia. Saylor, L.W. (1940). Synoptic revision of the beetle genera Cotalpa and Paracotalpa of the United States, with description of a new subgenus. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 42: 190-200. Wickler, W. (1968). Mimicry in Plants and Animals. Weidenfeld & Nicholson, London. 260 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a In search of the 4-fold net by Leigh Plester (2968) BioFilm Ltd., Yla-Muuratjarvi, FIN-41800 Korpilahti, Finland. Whatever happened to the four-foldGing) butterfly net of the 1950s-60s? This was a particularly handy implement for an obvious reason — it could be assembled or stowed away in half a minute. A quick change of net bag and you had a fish net, or even a sweep net. With butterfly nets apparently now frowned upon among the UK’s tarmac jungles, the advantages of the disappearing act are obvious. Having carried kite-nets in the tropics on numerous occasions, I feel that the benefit of the extra size of these nets is outweighed by their clumsiness, air resistance and inconvenience to other people when one has to stop to fit the contraption together and later to put it away in a haversack. They are particularly unwieldy when used among thorny shrubs like rattan and generally arrive home leaving you wondering which was the original opening. Inevitably, that gynandromorph birdwing flits by just as you have pulled the frame sections out of the hem. Moreover, a kite net only just fits into my largest suitcase (minus thestermile). In Lapland, the round frame of the 4-fold model fitted the shoulders better when the net was draped over one’s wide-brimmed hat to ward off mosquitoes. Nowadays they make hats with mosquito net “veils” built in, but it ain't half hard to catch things with them. The 4-fold pattern worked perfectly well for us until my school friend David Gadd broke the frame of his Corsica in '62 and I lost the last surviving ferrule on a clearcut in Finland during the early '80s. Since then, I have attempted to buy such a net (or even a frame) in both the West and Far East, all to no avail. Fishing tackle. ‘shops offers) only) plastic (ok aluminium non-folding fish nets. We are continually informed that the economic situation in Europe is poor. Who is going to start supplying this most useful implement again and make him(her)self a mint? Bags me the first one! a Volume 55 * December 1996 261 Perching to advantage? The Purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus). Observations during July/August 1996 on a Common by the M25 by Anthony Crawford 42 Bulstrode Court, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SLO 7RT. The Purple hairstreak was first noticed during the afternoon on a sunny day in mid-July. It was at low level on a small oak tree about two metres tall and this specimen had obviously strayed from much higher oaks which were adjacent. On following the flight of this specimen when it was disturbed I noticed others flying about the taller oaks (estimated at ten metres). Later that day, and accidentally as it happened, I again noticed Purple hairstreaks flying around the taller oaks in the vicinity of the original sightings. This was much later in the day (19.45hrs) and the weather conditions were fine, clear and warm. Further investigation showed many oaks of ten metres and more to be infested with the butterflies. As the sun went down they could be seen in large numbers flying around the tops of the trees and groups of ten or more butterflies were a common sight as they appeared to chase each other around the summit. There was no way of identifying their sex but quite lengthy observation, brought about by the spectacular nature of the sightings, indicated that there was a purpose to what was being witnessed. The flights and groups were all on the extreme west side of the tallest oak trees. The areas where these flights were observed were without exception the last areas of the trees to remain in the fading sunshine as the sun set but the butterflies were chasing each other around to settle for the night on the east side of the trees. It seemed that a prime perch was secured by a butterfly, or a number of butterflies, which were then disturbed by another or others looking for similar perches. A territorial chase would take place as the disturbed chased the disturbers away from the prime location. They then seemed to return to the original location but there was no way of determining if the original perchers regained their territory. It was assumed that these perches must have had some advantage if the activity to defend them was so active. Perhaps the reason was a prime position to obtain every benefit from the rising sun the following day? 262 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society L ] These aerial acrobatics were observed for the rest of the month at about the same time each day and the observations indicated vast numbers of butterflies in the area. Early in August the same observations were made in the Ashclyst forest in Devon. During the early part of August there was a drop in the temperature when heavy rain may have washed away the honeydew from the host oak trees. After this the butterflies seemed to disperse over a wider area but they remained in evidence although not with the same density as had been seen before when every tree on the ten acre common must have supported at least 100 of them. A Spanish phenomenon — answers please by Ilse Danby 6 Collingwood Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 2]P. I experienced a phenomenon on a recent holiday in the Spanish Pyrenees and hope that an explantation might be forthcoming from members. It was during the last week of August. The summer had been wet and mild. The soil was beginning to dry out and the countryside was as green and luscious as I had never seen it before, although the Pyrenaian peaks still wore ragged caps of snow from last year. I was standing on our terrace just before sunset. The sky was clear and there was a light breeze. It had not been too hot during the day. Then I saw something totally unreal, undreamed of by science fiction. Moving from one mountain valley to the other, at a distance of about 200 feet from me, were rotating funnels or cones of thousands of reddish insects, dancing and bobbing up and down, and hovering along in the same direction, like ghosts of space ships. There were hundreds of these funnels, each one measuring about two feet in depth and one across their flat top and each one carrying thousands of insects. So, there must have been millions of insects on the move. If attacked by swifts, each funnel scattered and reformed immediately afterwards to resume its rhythmic transport to the next valley or beyond. What was it and why was it doing it? What if it had turned around, invaded our house and devoured me? Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 2. Having emerged, the wings are inflated. PLATE 96U Volume 55 * December 1996 a4 Fig. 4. The Elephant hawkmoth. PLATE 96V Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Fig. 6. A close-up of the Hornet — their appearance and size often causes alarm. Photo: Nick Holford. PLATE 96W Volume 55 * December 1996 Figs. 7 & 8. A mining bee of genus Andrena. Photo: Nick Holford. PLATE 96X 2 Volume 55 * December 1996 263 Unwelcome visitors from Australia: Polistes (Hymenoptera) by Steve Eden 14 Stafford Street, Waihi, B.O.P., New Zealand. We all sometime or other encounter unusual, interesting or even beautiful insects from far off places. I have read of the “nice” imports that the old country (England) has looked forward to for many decades now. However, I look forward to the butterflies such as the Painted lady skipping across the coast from Australia. We have had a number of Hymenoptera in the form of parasitic social wasps that are only too willing to come without a visa or other recommendations. I have noticed One wasp in particular, hawking the foodplant of the Copper butterfly Rauparaha. | mentioned in passing this fact to Dr George Gibbs, and he said that he was not surprised. He also stated that this wasp is parasitic of the Monarch butterfly. The wasp that I am referring to is the Chinese paper wasp (Polistes chinensis). My wife and I took particular notice of the comings-and-goings of this wasp. It was this step-up of vigilance of wasps that made me realise that New Zealand was under scrutiny by other “bad eggs” of the Hymenoptera group of insects. So I undertook the pleasant task of catching, setting, cataloguing and then painting illustrations onto plates making up the heading of New Zealand parasitic wasps and ichneumon flies, which the Auckland Museum is helping me to identify. The Chinese paper wasp makes the usual cup-shaped nest which is attached to a branch by means of the petiole. However, I must state here that this social wasp has a nest that, so far as I have observed, is quite somewhat larger than the Tasmanian paper wasp, the former making their nests of a diameter of 80mm (3") or smaller. One nest of this size found in my garden had 62 wasps on it. The body-length of the insect is from 13mm up to 17mm and is coloured black and yellow, with light orange legs. Its temperament is quite docile compared to that of the German wasp. I[ saved the nest mentioned above, and mounted the wasps on top of it. The Chinese paper wasp has probably been around for a few years, yet I have failed to notice it flying around in the gardens. Last winter was a kind winter, so our immigrant lost no time with the pleasantries and got on with the job of procreation. Now it appears that ours was not the only garden to contain a nest, three being found this season within our littke township of Waihi. In May each nest sported between 264 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe 30 and 60 adults. However, it is now late May and there are no wasps to be found. This wasp feeds on other less fortunate insects by hawking the foodplants. Upon finding the larvae of butterflies she sets to and quarters them up and takes these pieces back to feed her young. Butterflies wishing to gain a foothold (especially the Monarch) and then build up their numbers face two problems. The first being, the swan plant does not grow naturally in New Zealand so the Monarch has to rely on the kindness of butterfly lovers. The second problem is that other unwanted immigrants have decided to join their friends in a headlong rush to set themselves up as well. Thus we have the Tasmanian paper wasp Polistes tasmaniensis finding the climate quite to their liking as well as a number of ichneumon wasps, who are all quite happy to add our butterflies to their menu. Conclusion In New Zealand we like to see our butterflies on the wing each summer and it would be silly to sit back and wait for the balance of nature to work out the best outcome. So here in Waihi, we are endeavouring to cut down the number of wasp nests and be of help to the Northland people by building up the foodplant for the Monarch's larvae. A helpline has been set up for this very purpose. There is a butterfly house in western Auckland built and run by Ted Scott. The butterflies are bred under the protective cover of garden/nurcry mesh. But where this butterfly house differs from others, is that all the butterflies are released by a number of helpful school children. Good news is that Ted intends to build an additional butterfly enclosure to enable him to carry out the same procedures with our native Red and Yellow admirals (Sassaris gonerilla and B. itea). There is of course one more thing that would give our butterflies an added helping hand and that is an unusually freezing cold winter! This would cut down the numbers of unwelcome visitors from Australia! ad Volume 55 ° December 1996 265 The moths of Mepal — additions for 1994 and 1995 by Rob Partridge (8956) 11 New Road, Mepal, Ely, Cambridgeshire. This is the fourth article about the moths I have recorded around my home village of Mepal in Cambridgeshire (VC29). Earlier articles appeared in Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. 51: 293-297, 52: 267-272 and 53: 245- 247. During 1994 and 1995 a further 31 species were added to this local list, giving a total of 205 since recording began in 1990. ZYGAENIDAE Narrow-bordered five-spot burnet (Zygaena lonicerae). A good colony was found on the south-facing bank of the village by-pass on 2.7.94, with at least a dozen individuals in flight. Several possible foodplants were present. GEOMETRIDAE Dwarf cream wave Udaea fuscovenosa). One came to m.v. in the garden on 30.6.94. Several were noted subsequently in 1994 and 1995. Dark-barred twin-spot carpet (Xanthorhoe ferrugata). One taken on 20.5.94 confirmed that I already had a specimen among X. spadicearia. Several more were seen after this date. Wood carpet (Epirrhoe rivata). A pristine specimen came to m.v. on 7.7.94. Barry Dickerson, the recorder for old Huntingdonshire (VC31), pointed out that this species has become much scarcer there since the early 1980s (pers. comm.). Twin-spot carpet (Perizoma didymata). From 26.6.94 this moth was found commonly, flying along hedgerows at dusk on the Ouse Washes, although it has never come to light in the garden. Toadflax pug (Eupithecia linariata). A single came to actinic light on 7.6.94. The foodplant, Linaria vulgaris, has not been found locally. Wormwood pug (Eupithecia absinthiata). Larvae were collected from ragwort, Senecio jacobaea, on 24.9.93 and emerged from 4.7.94. Sloe pug (Eupithecia chloerata). One larva was beaten from blackthorn, Prunus spinosa, blossom in 23.3.94. This species was common at a site near Ely in WS: Early tooth-striped (Jrichopteryx carpinata). One came to actinic light on 6.5.95. B. Dickerson (pers. comm.) has only one record for VC31 in recent years — Weavely Wood on 14.5.92. Yellow-barred brindle (Acasis viretata). Several came to actinic light at a nearby pit on 1.6.94. This is one of the few sites in the area where ivy, Hedera helix, is plentiful. 266 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34 Lilac beauty (Apeira syringaria). One male came to m.v. on 14.7.95. Scalloped hazel (Odontopera bidentata). One to m.v. on 1.6.94. White-pinion spotted (Lomographa bimaculata). The first came to m.v. on 31.5.94 — others were noted after this. The species is common at a site near Ely. Yellow belle (Aspitates ochrearia). On 3.9.94 a specimen came to the garage light while I was setting up the trap! It is a small, lightly marked individual whose identity was confirmed by B. Skinner at the annual exhibition that year. Generally a species of coastal counties but established in the Brecklands. SPHINGIDAE Convolvulus hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli). One came to m.v. on 13.9.95. Two specimens of the common immigrant Nomophila noctuella (Lep.: Pyralidae) were also present. LYMANTRIIDAE Pale tussock (Calliteara pudibunda). 13.5.95 to m.v. was the first date — two other followed. On 24.9.95 a fully-grown larva was found feeding on dogweed, Cornus sanguinea, in a local hedgerow. NOLIDAE Short-cloaked moth (Nola cucullatella). The first came to m.v. on 2.7.94 — others followed. One was seen in 1995. Least black arches CN. confusalis). One came to m.v. on 29.4.95. After this it was found in good numbers in the remnants of an old orchard nearby. NOCTUIDAE The shears (Hada nana). One to m.v. on 1.6.94: another on 30.5.95. Pale-shouldered brocade (Lacanobia thalassina). Two to m.v. — 1.6.94 and 22.6.94. The campion (Hadena rivularis). On 17.6.94 one came to m.v.. Though somewhat worn, a more attractive species than illustrations suggest. Feathered gothic (Tholera decimalis). A female to m.v. on 30.8.94 and a male on 6.9.94. The sprawler (Brachionycha sphinx). One to actinic on 4.11.94. Merveille du jour (Dichonia aprilina). On 13.10.95 three appeared to m.v. — two outside the trap and one inside. The trap was run on the five succeeding nights to see if others were present but no more were recorded. No recognised immigrants were seen but Udea ferrugalis (Lep.: Pyralidae) had been noted on Sih ORS): There seems to be some disagreement about the status and flight period of Dichonia. The Colour Identification Guide to the Moths of the British Isles says that it is a suspected occasional immigrant flying from mid-September to 3d Volume 55 * December 1996 267 mid- October. The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 10 makes no mention of this species being an immigrant, and gives a flight period from mid-October in the south of England. Yellow-line quaker (Agrochola macilenta). One to m.v. on 25.10.95. Barred sallow (Xanthia aurago). One to m.v. on 4.10.95. Dark dagger (Acronicta tridens). A male specimen taken on 7.7.92 seemed browner and less clearly marked than other A. psi when I was reviewing the collection in the winter of 1994. Examining the genitalia with a hand-lens seemed to indicate A. tridens and this was confirmed by B. Dickerson in April 1996. Lesser-spotted pinion (Cosmia affinis). Adults began to emerge on 5.7.94 from larvae collected in late May of the same year — all were found on English elm, Ulmus procera. Larvae were common again in late 1995. Double-lobed (Apamea ophiogramma). One came to m.v. on 14.7.95. Twin-spotted wainscot (Archanara geminipuncta). To m.v. on 6.8.94 and another on the following night. This species is said to be seldom reported at light but I have also taken it using actinic light at a site near Ely. Small yellow underwing (Panemeria tenebrata). On 8.5.94 several were found flying in hot sunshine along a drainage bank on the Ouse Washes. They fed frequently at meadow buttercups, Ranunculus acris. Spoil from dredging operations smothered much of the bank in the following winter but one short section seems to be undamaged, although the species was not seen in 1995. The above species were all recorded in and around my home village. For the sake of completeness I give records of three other species found in VC29. Water carpet (Lampropteryx suffumata). One came to m.v. on 7.5.95 in Doghouse Grove, Wilburton, Cambridgeshire. Oak-tree pug (Eupithecia dodoneata). A pug was seen laying eggs on the buds of hawthorn blossom, Crataegus monogyna, on 1.5.95 at the Roswell Pits near Ely. The moth and ova were collected and by 8.6.95 larvae were feeding on the calyces of the fruit. A number of pupae were successfully overwintered and began to emerge on 20.4.95. Nut-tree tussock (Colocasia coryli). One came to m.v. at Doghouse Grove on 23.4.95. This species was also found to be common at Fordham Wood, Cambridgeshire. Finally, one of the earlier articles reported the discovery of a single larva of the Oak eggar, Lasiocampa quercus, in somewhat suspicious circumstances, suggesting that it may have been imported on shrubs from another area. I am pleased to report that the species is resident; several females have been attracted to light, a male has been found drying its wings on a July afternoon, and a larva was found feeding on low, scrubby bramble, Rubus fruticosa. 268 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Sé Many thanks to Barry Dickerson for his comments about many species taken over the years and for his help in identifying some of the more difficult ones, and also to the RSPB and English Nature for allowing me to record on the Ouse Washes SSSI. References Heath, J. & Emmet, A.M. (Eds.), 1983. The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland 10, Harley Books, Colchester. Skinner, Bernard, 1984, Colour Identification Guide to the Moths of the British Isles. Viking, London. COMING SOON TO THE AES... THE AES ten ny vO Ae be grtofully « received by young and old alike! Please send all contributions to the _ \ ‘AES Bug Club, PO Box 8774, London SW7 52ZG. Membership includes a regular newsletter, field trips, competitions and much more! For more details, please write, enclosing a SAE to: AES Bug Club, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG 3d Volume 55 * December 1996 269 A Mining bee, Andrena humiilis, evicting two earwigs from its nest-hole by Neil A. Robinson (10002) 3 Abbey Drive, Natland, Kendal, Cumbria LAO 7QN. Duce junc 1995 1 spent quite-a lot of time watching and photographing a colony of mining bees, Andrena humilis Imhoff (Plate 96X, Figs. 7 & 8), in the centre of a much-used public footpath on Heslington Barrows, Cumbria (SD487895). The colony consists of about 100 holes, each surrounded by a mound of soil, in an area of about 20m’. The females are brightly coloured by golden pollen from rough hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus L.) on a nearby roadside verge as they fly to their holes, but are quite dull when they emerge minus pollen. On 29th June at 10.30am I noticed a pollen-less female grappling with something in the entrance to its nest-hole. Thinking I was about to witness a dispute with another female, or perhaps with a nomad bee, I took a photograph. The bee flew off and I was puzzled to see a pair of long straight antennae waving out of the hole. The next moment a large earwig shot out and scuttled away — I only had time to note from its straight-sided pincers that it was a female. The bee then returned to its hole and again I sould see that it was fighting with something — I took another photograph. Then a second earwig emerged, this time limping lopsidedly, presumably having been stung by the bee. This raises a number of questions. First; had the earwigs entered the nest-hole to raid the pollen store, pollen being one of their favoured foods, or were they simply using the dark hole as a retreat? Secondly; as earwigs are supposed only to be active in darkness, presumably they had entered the hole during the night — in which case, what had the bee been doing all this time? The fact that the bee was without pollen may be significant as I have noticed that if a pollen-bearer is unable to enter its hole, for instance, because the mound has been trodden on, it disappears for a while and then returns, minus pollen, to reopen it. This suggests to me that the battle with the intruders had begun before I arrived on the scene. I would be very interested to know whether there are any previous observations of earwigs using mining bee nest-holes, and if it is known whether they are attracted by, and eat, the stored pollen. The next day I saw a pollen-bearing female hesitating at the mouth of its hole, but this time a pollen-less female emerged, without any dispute, and the other entered. This is the only case I have observed of two A. humilis apparently using the same nest-hole. 270 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society | Holidays in south-west France by Jerry Jones (8347) 58 Wybourn Drive, Onchan, Isle of Man IM3 4AT. I have, for as long as I can remember, been a fanatical admirer of butterflies — those ephemeral beauties of the insect world of which we in the British Isles can boast around 60 species either resident or migratory. Living as I do in the Isle of Man, snuggled in between Ireland and mainland Britain, in the centre of the Irish Sea, I maintain a keen interest in the 17 species of butterfly which are either native to the island or migrate here annually. Seventeen species is not a lot and, when the opportunity to visit elsewhere to see other species arises, I am always keen to take it. With this in mind — and the need to find some place where the summer temperatures rise above 17 degrees Celsius — my wife and | decided to take the plunge in 1989 and buy an old house in the Lot-et- Garonne departement of south-west France. As teachers we are both fortunate to be able to take a long summer holiday, so we decided to explore a part of France which was new to us both. Indeed our first holiday down there at Easter 1990 was the first visit my wife had ever paid to France, whilst my experience of the country had been confined to visiting the north and north-east. That first Easter was an adventure and a half! Just prior to our arrival the temperatures had hit an almost record low of minus-nine degrees Celsius and, the day we arrived, the temperature had just about managed to creep up to eight or nine degrees. Our excitement on arrival was, therefore, tempered somewhat by the realisation that we had not brought with us any suitably warm clothing. Well, the worst happened, and it was cold and wet for the entire fortnight except for one afternoon in the the middle of the first week when, inexplicably it seemed, the sun came out and the temperatures rose to around 25 degrees Celsius. What a contrast! The flowers on the tamarisk tree in our front garden opened up and — best of all — the butterflies arrived! There weren’t many of them that first Easter, but there were two that I had never seen before in Britain. The first landed on the front lawn — though with the grass not having been cut since the previous August, it resembled something near a mini jungle. tf Volume 55 ° December 1996 214 I had been sitting on a low wall on the verandah at the front of the house, enjoying a well-earned beer (by this time the interior decorating had begun to take its toll) when I spotted a smallish orange/brown butterfly which kept alighting on the grass behind me, only to take off again at regular intervals to drive away a similar insect which seemed intent on laying claim to the same small area of lawn. This behaviour gave me a clue as to the identity of the species and, after eventually getting close enough I established the fact that it was a Speckled wood — but not the Speckled wood we find in Britain! The markings were similar admittedly, but whereas the British insect has creamy markings on the brown background, this butterfly was very orange in colour. With my identification book at the ready, I realised that this was the southern European form of the Speckled wood, in which the creamy markings are replaced by orange. I was just congratulating myself on identifying this species when, out of the corner of an eye, I spotted what looked like a small pale- coloured kite gliding down to the tamarisk tree. A closer look revealed it to be a Swallowtail but, again, not the Swallowtail of which we have a British race. No, this was the rather erroneously-named Scarce swallowtail which, in most of Europe seems to be far more common than its “common” relative. For the next hour and a half I happily snapped away with the camera using up at least ten films, in the hope of obtaining one or two “classic” shots. Well, that was it; I was well and truly hooked and the summer holidays could not come soon enough. When they did arrive we were fortunate to be able to spend six glorious weeks in almost non-stop sunshine at our new-found paradise. As for the butterflies; that first summer I was able to photograph many, many species I’d not seen before. There were plenty of blues; Long and Short-tailed, Adonis, Chalkhill, Alcon, Large and Small. There were Large and Sooty coppers; Woodland and Great-banded graylings; Heath, Weaver's, Meadow, Knapweed, Silver-washed and Queen of Spain fritillaries; Wood whites, Southern white admiral, Lesser purple emperor, Mallow skipper, Dryads and Common and Scarce swallowtails and many more. To someone used to the relative dearth of wildlife to be found in the Isle of Man, it was like being transported to a naturalist’s heaven. 272 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society La Other wildlife soon made itself evident. There were umpteen species of damsel and dragonfly, huge — and not so huge — beetles, spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, day-flying moths and the ubiquitous wall lizards. I even unearthed a mini-colony of marbled newts which had decided to spend the summer months underneath a pile of old roof slates stacked up behind my barn. Night-time brought other visitors to the house. The larger moths homed in on the bulkhead light outside the front door, glow worms were evident in back and front gardens, as were stick-insects and praying mantids. What I first thought to be a night-flying dragonfly turned out to be an ant lion — the larvae and adults of which are ferocious carnivores — thank goodness they’re not 100-times bigger! Some may be surprised when I say that one of the greatest pleasures at night time was to watch numerous toads shuffling along in the undergrowth searching out juicy earthworms or beetles. It was a pleasure for me to see them, because there are no toads in the Isle of Man. Indeed there are no snakes, squirrels, voles or badgers. on the Isle of Man either, so the sight of what to many might seem common and possibly uninteresting, was novel and the cause of much excitement. Since those first two visits to our house in France some six years ago, we have been back every summer, and most Easters and the list of wildlife has continued to grow. I count myself fortunate to be able to holiday there each year and to photograph such diverse wildlife, but holidays are only holidays, of course, and one has always to retum home to face the reality of working for one’s living. Still, God willing, there’s always next year! Snail-dwelling wasp by George Ellis (3881) Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD. I was interested to read Philip Wilkins’ recent account of a wasp inhabiting a snail shell he found in southern Spain. The insect is unlikely to have been a wasp, though this cannot be. definitely ruled out as one may have taken shelter in the shell during the heat of the day. I know of no non-parasitic wasp which nests in snail shells. It is much more likely, however, that the shell was the nest site of a species of solitary bee. There are several species in the subfamily Megachilinae ad Volume 55 * December 1996 273 which use empty snail shells for their nests. These shell-nesting bees are mostly in the genera Hoplitis and Osmia and are close relatives of the leaf-cutter bees (genus Megachile). In Britain, these include three species: Osmia aurulenta, O. bicolor and Hoplitis spinulosa. Once a snail shell has been appropriated as a nest site the bee begins to build its nest, mainly within the “whorl” or spire of the shell. A typical nest consists of a few chambers (about two or four in number, depending on the size of the shell) known as cells, the walls of which consist of masticated leaf pulp known as leaf mastic. When fresh the colour of this material is bright-green but, with time, assumes a brownish or black colour. Each cell is provisioned with a mixture of pollen and nectar, an egg is laid on this, and the cell sealed with further leaf mastic. The period from the egg to full-fed larva is usually quickly completed. Those species which fly in the spring generally overwinter as adults within their sealed cells. Bees which fly from mid to late summer normally overwinter as fully-fed larvae which pupate in the spring. In many shell-nesting bees, a shell containing a completed nest is simply left exposed to the elements. However, in some species the female excavates a pit in the sand into which the shell is rolled, before being covered by a layer of sand. In Osmia bicolor the occupied shell is covered with a pile of perhaps two hundred dead stems or numerous fragments of leaf litter, each stem or fragment being carried in the mandibles of the female and deposited on top of the shell. The purpose of the eventual heap is not known but may act as_ short-time camouflage Cit is probably quickly dispersed by wind and rain). Some solitary wasps are cleptoparasites of snail-nesting bees. These wasps include species in the genus Sapyga. The female Sapyga lays an egg in the provisioned cell of the bee. The resulting larva destroys the bee’s egg or newly-emerged larva and feeds on the pollen and nectar. It is possible that the insect which Mr Wilkins saw inside his shell was a Sapygad. 274 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 A New Zealand Copper, Lycaena rauparaha by Steve Eden 14 Stafford Street. Waibi, B.O.P.. New Zealand. Back in 1994 I spent some time on holiday at a little seaside resort on the Bay of Plenty called Matata, a small caravan park that is only separated from the sea by a long line of sand dunes. The camping ground had no electricity laid on, so everything in our caravan was run on LPG. The sand dunes are completely covered by masses of the Copper’s foodplant Muehblenbeckia australis which occurs around the whole of the New Zealand coastline. This plant forms a thick springy mat growing up to one metre high. The Copper itself has a historic background. It is named after an infamous Maori chief of the Ngati Toa tribe many years ago, which is interesting because this Copper covers the same areas that the chief covered in his fights with neighbouring tribes. January is the time that one can be assured of seeing this Copper on the wing, although it can be found earlier if the weather has been moderate over the spring period (September). LI. rauparaha has a wingspan of 25-31mm and can be seen in the hundreds fluttering across its foodplant seeking the choicest young shoots to place its tiny eggs on. It was keeping company with the Common blue butterfly, which is now (in the month of April) the only butterfly on the wing. I have sat in the car and watched a fairly recent immigrant from Australia, the Paper wasp Polistes chinensis (25mm) hawking over the Muebhlenbeckia looking for the Copper’s larvae to take back to its nest to feed its young. Rauparaha’s copper does not like wind or overcast weather. So the long range weather forecast had to be observed before we set out on our holiday. Sexual dimorphism is less extreme in this species than in its friend the Common copper L. salustius, so it takes some expertise to differentiate between the two. Something that is fairly common in L. rauparaha is the occurrence of two different colours. This is the golden/orange colour on the underside and also the variety that is a mustard colour underside. The entomologist stationed at the Wellington Museum advised me to write to a Dr George Gibbs at the Victoria University. Dr Gibbs told me od Volume 55 ° December 1996 275 that he had written a book on the subject of New Zealand butterflies and that it could help me to differentiate between the closely allied species whose range sometimes overlap. Dr Gibbs’ beautifully illustrated book, along with its keys are of essential value. Dealing with rauparaha’s main points we can see the difference quite clearly. Lycaena rauparaha: The upper wing veins are displayed in singular black markings. J. salustius has two thin lines making up the wing venation on the males. Salustius females have double marked veins on hindwing M2, M3 and CuAl. However L. rauparaha does not have blue sub-marginal spots on the female. LZ. rauparaha does not have any black scales within the upper veins of the forewing M3, CuAl and CuA2 triangular shaped (salustrius does). M3 CuAl CuA2 Triangle clear of black scales No double lines on either sex, on forewing nor hindwing. Meuhlenbeckia australis Carger than complexa) L. rauparaha: male (upper side) Black scales L. salustius: male (upper side) Blue sub-marginal spots on female only. 276 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 Conclusion To collect perfect specimens of L. rauparaha one would need to hunt for its pupa lying in the leaf-litter beneath the tangled mass of the springy foodplant Muehlenbekia, which is no easy job. One cannot grow this plant in a breeding cage very well, and it will not last if pruned from the plant and put into water. However, good specimens can be obtained if caught just after the first emergence. It is also found that setting them before the wings have stiffened is best. Large influx of migrants in southern England by Derek Jenkins 7 Lakewood Road, Ashurst, Hampshire SO40 7DH. Whilst prospecting ponds near Ninham, Isle of Wight, on Ist June, for signs that the Odonata population was finally emerging after the appalling conditions in May, I came across Small coppers (Z. phlaeds), a Wall brown (Z. megera) and a Painted lady (Cynthia cardui). Since | usually record only one or two of the latter per year this was a promising start to the day. However, on continuing my walk, a further five C. cardui were encountered on rough grassland at the back of Sandown Airport. The following day 12 more were found a couple of miles away in a lane at Alvestone in late afternoon under relatively dull but warm conditions. During the following week, temperatures reached the lower 80s and five C. cardui were in a garden in the centre of Southampton and a further two plus numerous Silver Y moths (Autographa gamma) in a nearby park at Shirley. On 8th June I carried out work at Fletchwood Meadows, a Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Ashurst, near Southampton and flushed 11 C. carduiand countless A. gamma from grassland at 8.30am. In the afternoon ten more were counted at White Moor, Burley and 12 at Vales Moor, both in the New Forest area. In spite of a slight northerly breeze, most C. cardui on the wing were heading northwards. The following day I led a field trip to Fletchwood Meadows and rashly guaranteed that C. cardui would be seen but only one appeared, right at the end of a two-hour visit! A. gamma were as numerous as before. Had they all moved northwards as suggested by the flight pattern of the previous day? Certainly more C. cardui were seen in the afternoon further south in the New Forest at Dibden Bottom (11) and Crockford (9). It would be interesting to hear of other sightings and dates to see if this was a steady up-country movement or whether the migrants arrived | Volume 55 «© December 1996 277 at the same time over a wide area of the country. Presumably all the migrants (and the rabid Daubentins bat) were carried in on the strong south to south-east winds in the last week of May. In the week up to the 14th June no further C. cardui were seen in Southampton in spite of continuing good weather, although a handful of Red admirals (Vanessa atalanta) were present in the parks. At the weekend, however, a further trip to the Isle of Wight produced two C. cardui (and a Broad-bordered bee hawkmoth, H. fuciformis) on red valerian in a Brading garden and a total of 24 spread out over Bembridge Marsh, ranging from reasonably fresh-looking specimens to some almost devoid of colour. Over the period from 1st June to 15th June, C. cardui was by far the most numerous butterfly encountered, with other species only present in ones and twos in any given area. Also at Fletchwood Meadows on 9th June was a single female Pale clouded yellow (C. byale). In flight this appeared to be a starkly contrasting black and white insect, quite unlike C. crocea f. helice of which several specimens were seen two years previously, and resembled an undersized Marbled white. At the one brief pause from flight, the upper side of the rear hind wings were seen to lack the greyish coloration of C. crocea f. helice. Glasgow micro-moths by Frank McCann (6291) 3 Langbar Path, Easterbouse, Glasgow G33 4HY. I captured two small moths on the window which were white in colour — both the same species I think, they were micro-moths but a species I could not identify. I suspected at least one of them would be a female so I kept both of them for eggs. Outside the window from which they were captured is a window box in which I have planted many flowering plants. I put the small moths into a container with a selection of leaves from plants in the window box and one of them has laid eggs on a leaf, but as the leaf has withered it is difficult to identify what plant it was from. So I collected various bits of leaf from several of the window box plants and placed them on a large piece of white paper and wrote each species of plant beneath them, so when the leaves wither I can match the leaf to the same one the eggs were laid on. The eggs are white in colour and were laid in folds in the leaf and number around ten. Both micro-moths have died, and only the eggs remain to continue this particular species. 278 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists* Society eS Journal Reviews Journal Notice British Wildlife. A bi-monthly journal of approximately 70 pages with coloured and other illustrations. biainable from Subscription Department, British Wildlife Publishing, Lower Barn, Rooks Farm, otherwick, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9BG. Price, mentioning AES. £17.95 per year. ( Although some members may already be aware of, and already «7 = - ye ty koe 3 , es Se ee a 2 for those who have-1 ne yet heard of it I believe it is worth Sees SN a Sees aoe Orthoptera, es) =) fou ‘@) 4 cr ‘e) = im a cay) Qu C) ep) 2 5 jeud 5 4 a Qi) hs = ) jinn ‘al Y ‘@) =] ho < ) em (|) 4 Oo fs) D) é (|) C) er ‘f) The issue for Apmil this year is of particular A interest to all entomologists. [he main article in ibe New Forest. If ever there was a clearer = > + - swarming — and I mean swar ming, DULTCTINES — si 7 43 ; 3 < | were literal 7 | 77 3 3 - ; — id hardly see ahead and indeed article exp! lains it. Fo Victorian era. up until 1914 in fact. this paradise exist = > 3 5 .- = anda the Gepredgatiions 3d Volume 55 « December 1996 279 of hundreds of collectors over a century made not one jot of difference to the butterfly numbers. The rot set in with the dire necessity of tree felling during the two world wars and the inappropriate and insensitive management by the (conifer fixated) Forestry Commission into whose hands the New Forest was put. This article is essential reading for all those who may still be inclined to blame “collectors” rather than habitat destruction for the decline of our butterflies, for it leaves no doubt whatsoever that in the case of the New Forest such drastic changes have taken place this century as to leave little room for all but a few butterflies. The article does, however, end on a ray of hope; with better understanding today of butterfly requirements, improvement in the management of the forest could be made, but, as is so often the case today, Government indifference and lack of understanding will first need to be overcome. This issue also contains two further articles on entomology. An account of the Scarce blue-tailed dragonfly Ischnura pumilio and, by Martin Warren, an identification guide to our skipper butterflies with all the species illustrated in colour. Un previous issues of the journal I have noticed similar treatment of the blues.) Quite apart from its normal entomological content which keeps one right up-to-date with migrants arriving, times of appearance and notes on recent research, I have, over the past couple of years, found much of interest in this well-illustrated journal and can heartily recommend it. Brian O.C. Gardiner (225) Journal article review The butterflies of the Canary Islands: a survey on their distribution, biology and ecology by Martin Wiemers. A4, pp 63-118 © coloured) in Linneana Belgica Vol. XV Nos. 2 & 3 1995 (Journal price FB950 from 45, Leuvensestraat, B-1800 Vilvoorde, Belgium). With so many of us now visiting these and other Atlantic islands here at last is a really comprehensive and well-researched account of the 32 butterfly species to be found in this group of islands. The geography, climate, vegetation and early history of lepidopterology in the islands is first of all discussed at length and this is followed by a clearly laid out account of all the species which includes many previously unpublished records. 280 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society tS] The text is illustrated with diagrams of the vegetation zones and maps of the distribution of the species on the various islands making up this macaronesian archipelago. These clearly indicate how, as elsewhere, species have declined, or perhaps I should say “not been recorded” on some of the islands since 1974, so any visitors to any of the islands, particularly the least visited such as El Hierro or Fuerteventura would do well to look out for and record all they see. Just how well researched this account is can be seen both from the extensive list of over seven pages of references and the contents of the text where recent and/or researched information is given. For instance (correcting my own 1979 published remarks!) the long-debated question of the chicken or the egg, that is as to whether Pieris cheiranthi (perhaps as the nominate P. brassicae) or its previously recorded South American foodplant, Tropaeolum majus arrived on the islands first has now been settled by Allcard & Valletta’s discovery in 1982 of eggs being laid and larvae feeding on the native endemic Brassicaceae, Cvambe strigosa, which grows on wet rocks inside the laurel forests. Favouring such a habitat no wonder P. cheiranthi avoids the cultivated cabbages! The three pages of colour illustrate 32 subjects ranging from localities to early stages and adult butterflies. The majority of the adults are not shown but all are of course to be found illustrated in Higgins & Riley, A field guide to the butterflies of Britain and Europe and similar books. Over a dozen are our familiar British species. Although published in a Belgian journal this paper is in excellent English and deserves to be consulted by all who intend the visit the Canary Islands. It would be extremely useful if it were to be reprinted as a separate publication and I am sure it will remain the definitive account of the butterflies of the Canary Islands for many years to come and may we now look forward to someone doing the same account for the moths (and _ other Orders?) of these islands? Brian O.C. Gardiner (225) ed Volume 55 ¢ December 1996 281 Observations on the increase of recorded species of Lepidoptera in the Pendle Hill area by Edward Sutcliffe 359 Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, Burnley. In December 1939 Alan Brindle published his Lepidoptera of the Pendle Hill area, in which he states “the following list of lepidoptera is a complete catalogue of all the material which has been collected in the district around Pendle Hill for many years past”. This account, together with addenda and corrigenda in 1940, 1948 and 1950 by the same author, is the last significant record for this area. Pendle Hill, rising to 1,831 feet above sea level, is situated in the north-east corner of Lancashire. The area included in Brindle’s work extends to Gisburn and Bolton-by-Bowland in the north, Whalley in the west, Burnley and Worsthorne in the south and Elslack and Emmott Moor in the east. It will be noted that part of the area covered is within the county of Yorkshire. It encompasses the urban areas of Colne, Nelson, Burnley and Clitheroe formerly extensively involved in the spinning of cotton and associated trades but now, with the demise of the former industry, diversified into engineering and other forms of commerce. The rural areas are mainly given over to dairy farming in the lower regions and sheep farming on the uplands. Geologically the carboniferous coal measures outcrop to the south, millstone grit forms the bulk of the higher region and the carboniferous limestone series outcrops to the north in the Ribblesdale Valley. The 1938 list and amendments include 15 species of butterfly: Large white Pieris brassicae, Small white P. rapdae, Green-veined white P. napi, Clouded yellow Colias croceus, Green hairstreak Callophrys rubi, Small copper Lycaena phlaeas, Common blue Polyommatus icarus, Monarch Danaus plexippus, Peacock Inachis io, Red admiral Vanessa atalanta, Painted lady Cynthia cardui, Small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae, Meadow brown Maniola jurtina, Wall brown Lasiommata megera, and Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus. The Meadow brown, which is now widespread and abundant throughout the area, is described as a rare visitor, indeed only two individuals were recorded between 1935 and 1940. The Common blue is also described as rare, again this is now widespread and common, c.100 being observed at a single site in 1995. Since 1950 a further eight species of butterfly have been recorded in the area and it would be perhaps opportune to examine these in some detail at this point. 282 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad Orange tip Anthocharis cardamines — This butterfly is now widespread and very common throughout the area. It was first recorded in the Burnley area in the mid-1970s (Spencer). The favourite host plant in north-east Lancashire appears to be garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata. Large skipper Ochlodes venata — First reported in the Burnley area in 1984 and again in 1985 and from the Nelson area in 1991 (Stone & Sutcliffe). There are now many well-established colonies distributed throughout the area. Small skipper 7Thymelicus sylvestris — First reported in the Burnley area in two distinct colonies in 1992 (Spencer), since which time other colonies have been identified. One of the original colonies had an estimated population of 1000+ on the 23rd July 1995 (Spencer). It is interesting to note that the distribution maps in books by Emmet and Heath in 1989 and Thomas 1991 both show this species absent from north-east Lancashire. Comma Polygonia c-album — A single specimen reported from Huntroyde, near Burnley, 1950, one photographed in Burnley in 1991 (Spencer), also in that year there were a number of recordings in the Blackburn area. First definite sightings in the Colne and Nelson areas occurred in 1994 (Stone & Sutcliffe). In 1995 there was a remarkable increase in the number of sightings of this species with over 20 individuals being reported and several multiple sightings. Again the species is well outside the range on the distribution maps provided by Emmett and Heath (1989) and Thomas (1991). Holly blue Celastrina argiolus — Although it is well documented that this species is erratic in its population fluctuations, partially resulting from a see-saw effect caused by its relationship with the host specific ichneumon Listrodomus nycthemerus, nevertheless there are indications that its numbers are increasing in north-east Lancashire. In 1991 several sightings in the same area of Nelson were recorded. In 1992 they were again recorded in the same area of Nelson plus two sightings in different areas of Burnley, one in Higherford and one in Clitheroe. There were further reports of a number of sightings in 1994 but disappointingly no records for this species in OD a Volume 55 * December 1996 283 White-letter hairstreak Strymonidia w-album — Photographed in the Burnley area in 1984 with two further sightings at Padiham, near Burnley. Small colonies also occurred in the Blackburn area during the same period, although the present status is not known. Camberwell beauty Nymphalis antiopa — Several sightings of this impressive migrant were reported in the Burnley and Nelson areas during 1995. The heatwave prompted an influx of this species into many areas it would not normally reach. White admiral Ladoga camilla — A single specimen presented itself in the garden of one of the recorders for Nelson Naturalists’ Society on 2nd August 1995. This was so far out of its normal range that it would be easy to dismiss it as a released specimen. However, an influx of the species into Lincolnshire and recordings in the Yorkshire area, notably at Wakefield, in mid-July, would cast some doubt on this hypothesis. Especially when it is considered that a moderate easterly wind during the first few days in August also coincided with the arrival of large numbers of Peacock, and a Camberwell beauty on the same day as the sightings of the White admiral. The last period of expansion for the White admiral was 1930-1942 when it got as far north as Lincolnshire. However, there is evidence of further recent expansion in both east and west England. Evidence also suggests some correlation with warm Junes and the spread has also been attributed to the decline of woodland management — the particular shade conditions required by the White admiral are absent from well-managed, coppiced woodland, whereas neglected woods provide ideal conditions. Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni — This wandering species has now been sighted on several occasions in the Pendle area, although we have no evidence of breeding in the area. The increase in species and also in population levels since the Second World War, and particularly during the last 20 years, is significant and encouraging. They cannot be explained away by an upsurge in interest in entomology in the area. Indeed the reverse would seem to apply. Between the turn of the century and the last war many active entomologists were in the area recording and collecting 284 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe Lepidoptera — Albert Wright, Charlie Baldwin, William Clutton and Alan Brindle. Many of their collections can still be seen in various Lancashire museums, and the lists and records they produced are far more impressive than anything produced in the last 50 years. Also active in the area were Rennie and Gordon Woods, keen lepidopterists and photographers, whose works went to illustrate several books, including some of L.H. Newmans. Nor can any improvement in the butterfly diversity of this area be a result of habitat improvement. Like most areas the encroachment of urban and industrial development into the rural areas has continued relentlessly throughout the years. Modern farming has developed apace destroying old hay meadows, woodland habitat and waste lands with their rich variety of flora. I have examined carefully the meteorological records for the area over the last 40 years. There are, of course, yearly variations in the temperature and rainfall records, but these appear to be random fluctuations and there is no consistent increase or decrease in any of the records which would indicate a reason for the improvement we have noted. The only meaningful improvement which could enhance the development of lepidoptera is the cleaner air which has resulted from the introduction of The Clean Air Act in the late 1950s, and subsequent works carried out. The scores of chimneys which once belched out their black smoke from Blake’s satanic mills are no more, sadly a result of economic decline as much as any act of Parliament. Also the domestic effluent from thousands of household chimneys in this densely-populated area has ceased to befoul the air around us. Where, once-of-a-day, the industrialised valleys viewed from the summit of Pendle Hill were lost in a haze of murk, the air is now clear. The sulphur dioxide, carbon particles and other contaminates which once besmirched every flower, leaf and twig, are now largely eliminated. It has been said that there is no evidence of susceptibility in butterflies to sulphur dioxide or other pollutants (Heath ef al., 1984). However, the odd distribution of Ringlets Aphantopus hyperantus — which misses out large areas in north-west England, the Midlands and areas around London — has been noted to be similar to the distribution of lichens affected by sulphur dioxide (Ferry ef., 1973; Heath ef al., 1984). Perhaps, after all, this is a major factor in the improved butterfly fauna; if so, long may it continue. Which will be our next new species ad Volume 55 December 1996 285 — Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus? Speckled wood Pararge aegaria? Ringlet A. hyperantus? In addition the following species of moths have been recorded which were not included in the list drawn up by Brindle in 1939-1950. YPONOMEUTIDAE: Ypsolopha sequella OECOPHORIDAE: Agonopteryx applana Esperia sulphurella COCHYLIDAE: Agapeta hamana TOTRICIDAE: Acleris latifasciana Cacoecimorpha pronubana Acleris emargana PYRALIDAE: Eudonia delunella Scoparia subfusca Hypsopygia costalis ZY GAENIDAE: Narrow-bordered five spot burnet Zygaena lonicerae latomarginata DREPANIDAE: Oak hook-tip Drepana binaria THY ATIRIDAE: Buff arches Habrosyne pyritoides GEOMETRIDAE: Juniper carpet Thera juniperata juniperata Latticed heath Semiothisa clathrata clathrata Small autumnal Epirrita filigrammaria Rivulet Perizoma affinitata V pug Chloroclystis v-ata Phoenix Eulithis prunata Green pug Chloroclystis rectangulata NOTODONTIDAE: Sallow kitten Furcula furcula NOCTUIDAE: Svensson’s copper underwing Amphipyra berbera svenssoni Double lobed Apamea ophiogramma Heart and dart Agrotis exclamationis exclamationis Minor shoulder knot Brachylomia viminalis Red line quaker Agrochola lota Flame Axylia putris Slender brindle Apamea scolopacina Least yellow underwing Noctua interjecta caliginosa Olive Ipimorpha subtusa The reasons for these moths not being previously recorded in north- east Lancashire are not as obvious as those I have suggested for the increase in butterfly species. It is probable that the use of light traps (several have been used in the area and operated throughout the last seven years) has resulted in identification of species which have been im the area, but unrecorded, for many years. Some species, 7e. Svensson’s copper underwing, Double lobed, Oak hook-tip, Least yellow underwing and the Olive, are shown on the Emmett and Heath distribution maps to be unrecorded in the area, and in theory it is 286 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 2 possible that these species, and indeed some of the others, are recent immigrants as a result of the cleaner atmosphere. Perhaps the most interesting of the new moths recorded is the Small autumnal which was not included in Alan Creaser’s check list of Macrolepidoptera of Lancashire and Cheshire 1981, although it had been recorded in VC 64 in the adjacent county of Yorkshire. Eleven specimens of this moorland species were taken in the light trap of Stanley Stone at Trawden, near Colne, in early September 1991. References Creaser, A. (1981). Macrolepidoptera of Lancashire and Cheshire. L.C.E.S. Liverpool. Emmett, A.M. & Heath, J. (1989). Butterflies and Moths of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Harley Books, Colchester. Ferry, B., Baddeley, M. & Hawksworth, D. Air pollution and lichens. Athlone Press, London. Heath, J., Pollard, E. & Thomas, J. Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. Viking Penguin, Harmondsworth. Spencer, K.G. Reports on the status and distribution of butterflies in the Burnley area. 19935-1995: Stone, S. & Sutcliffe, E. Entomology records, Nelson Naturalists. 19090-1995. Sutton, S. & Beaumont, H.E. (1989). Butterflies and Moths of Yorkshire. Y.N.U. Doncaster. Thomas, J. & Lewington, R. (1991). Butterflies of Britain and Ireland. Dorling Kindersley, London. Uncommon Syrphid found in Conwy, Wales by M.O. Hughes (3612) ‘Elvira’, 1 Woodside Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Conwy, LL18 5ND, Wales. In the afternoon of 21st June 1996 I found a male Brachypalpoides lenta at Castell Cawr, near Abergele, Conwy, Wales. This is an area of mixed coniferous/deciduous woodland and the insect was flying low down beside a path. In fact it alighted on my right shoe twice before I secured it! This may be a new record for Wales, my only other record being a female taken in Delemere Forest, Cheshire on 14th June 1984. However, whilst attending a field study seminar at Juniper Hall in 1980 I distinctly remember one of the other attendees netting a singleton in the Dorking, Surrey area and that it was only the second record for him. These are my only records for this species in 34 years of recording Diptera. ae Volume 55 ¢ December 1996 287 Unusual foodplant: The Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) by Alan Cronin 1 Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak, Portside, Sussex BN41 2WO. and Don McNamara 6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU. On 25th, 26th and 27th July 1996 we visited the Oxfordshire areas of Cothill, Dry Sandford, Besselsleigh and skirted the edge of Tubney Wood. The landscape could be described as gently undulating, with many low-lying wet areas — streams and drainage ditches, ponds and marshes around between deciduous woodland and farms. In the woods there were some conifers. However, the crop-fields were decidedly dry and seemed in urgent need of a good soaking. The farming is mainly arable: ley-grass, linseed, maize, lucerne, oilseed, barley and wheat were seen although, at Cothill, free-range pigs were an interesting feature. Cattle, horses and sheep and various poultry were also much in evidence. Apart from the usual pierids, vanessidi, satyrs and skippers, there was an abundance of Painted ladys (Cynthia cardui) and, in a large field of lucerne, a dozen or so Clouded yellows (Colias crocea). We obtained two females which hopefully would lay eggs. Much time was devoted to searching the nettles and thistles around the edges of the crop-fields for larvae of the Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and Painted lady (C. cardui). At Cothill, in a dampish area which contained many plants of comfrey (Symphytum officinale), one healthy Painted lady larva was found, the give-away “purse” being easy to spot. This is not the first time that we have found it on this plant — which is not mentioned in P.B.M. Allan’s vade mecum. The field of lucerne, between Besselsleigh and Cothill, was sprinkled with many species of “weeds” and in several purses of spun-up leaves on mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) we found larvae of the Painted lady, at various stages of growth. However, all the larvae were dead. One three-quarters-grown individual had its head and two front legs missing, some were limp as if recently vacated by a parasite, others were healthy-looking and plump — but definitely dead. Empty purses contained frass — and the plants were searched for evidence of removal to other quarters, only to find in other purses dead larvae. In some 288 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36 vacated places, which may, however, indicate successful metamorphosis, earwigs had moved in. Around the margins of the fields were nettles and thistles and healthier plants of mugwort abounded — only the thistles were used by the Painted lady and nettles by the Red admiral. (Although we suspect that some of the tiny larvae on nettle were Painted ladys — time and growth will tell.) 3 In P.B.M. Allan’s book, Larval Foodplants, the diet of the Painted lady larva is described as mainly thistles, but also includes stinging nettle (Urtica dioica, lesser burdock (Arctium minus), vipers bugloss (Echium vulgare), common mallow (Malva sylvestris) and common cudweed (Filago germanica), although it does state “. . . and has been found on other plants.” Two questions are posed by this: one — is this a normal foodplant or one upon which “desperate” females have deposited eggs? It seems that a vigorous and energetic flier like this insect would have no trouble in finding thistles, an abundance of which can be found in this area. Two — what killed the larvae? It may have been a variety of causes, even poison* from the plant or by chemicals put down on the crops, predation or parasitation. The farm manager said that only a biodegradable weed-killer was used early in the year to “burn-off unwanted weeds so should not affect the caterpillars later on in the season. In any case both Red admiral and Painted lady larvae were found on the small outcrops of nettles and thistles amongst the lucerne — and all of these seemed healthy. The species of thistles encountered on the visit were: creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense), marsh thistle (C. palustre) or welted thistle (Carduus danthoides) and spear thistle (C. vulgare). Painted lady larvae were only found on creeping and spear thistles (apart from the comfrey nettle and mugwott). The area is a treasure trove of flora and fauna — moths, too many to list here, were abundant, so were rabbits — birdlife was amply represented, coots and woodpeckers, amongst others. And three grass snakes CNatrix natrix), were an extra bonus. We would like to thank Cyril and Jenny Barrett of Cothill for letting us Camp On their farm and for sharing our enthusiasm. “It may be of interest that all larvae taken at Cothill turned out to be Painted ladys (not some being Red admirals) and whilst in captivity, successfully ate the mugwort and “went through” without trouble. However, the imagines were smaller than those reared on thistle. 2 Volume 55 * December 1996 289 Note: In E.B. Ford’s book, Moths, (and in other literature) Cothill is referred to as being in Berkshire. We checked with the reference book, Post Office Addresses, and it is listed as being in Oxfordshire (Cothill, Abingdon, Oxon OX13... ). Presumably there has been a boundary revision. References Allan, P.B.M. (1979). Larval Foodplants. Watkins and Doncaster. Schaur & Thomas (1982). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of Britain and Europe. Collins. Observations on the Painted lady in Arabia by John E. Cooper (2343) c/o National Avian Research Centre, PO Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa [Cynthia] cardui) is considered to be the most widely distributed butterfly in the world, being found on virtually every continent (Gay, Kehimkar and Punetha, 1992). Despite its wide prevalence, relatively little is known about many aspects of the species' biology, in particular its migration. In this short note, I should like to report some observations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during March 1990. On 16th March, my wife and I were travelling from the small town of Hatta to the Emirate of Fujairah and stopped near Masafi. It was a warm, sunny day and there was a gentle breeze from the north-west. A number of species of butterfly were to be seen, mainly small numbers of Pierids, Plain tigers (Danaus chrysippus), Blue pansies (Precis orithya) and Painted ladys. While most of these were not going in any obvious direction, I soon noticed that the Painted ladys were flying south and at a fairly regular rate. Over the next twenty minutes, I calculated that one Painted lady per second passed within a few metres of me, flying southwards. Further along the road, less than two kilometres away, this same trend was noticed, but no specific observations were made. Three to four kilometres from Masafi, only an occasional Painted lady was seen and there was no evidence of directional movement I inferred from these observations that what I had seen earlier far X Xe was a migration. We 7 t 290 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 2 In their book Butterflies of Oman, the Larsens (1980) discuss migration of Vanessa cardui and describe it as “irregular in timing, intensity and direction”. They go on to recount a record from Oman and stress the need for more data to be collated. This note is intended to add to the store of information on the migration of this species. The next observation of some interest was on Friday, 22nd March, 1996 and occurred near the border town of Mezyad, adjacent to the UAE border with Oman. A few hundred metres from the limestone mountain called Jebel Hafeet, I observed substantial numbers of Painted ladys feeding on the flowers of Rhazya stricta (Family Apocynaceae). Over a five minute period, I noted that a small number (more than five but fewer than ten) of these butterflies appeared to be inco-ordinated, rather like nymphalids that have been feeding on over-ripe fruit in the autumn in Europe. Rhazya is a highly poisonous plant, avoided by livestock, and one wonders whether the behaviour of these butterflies might have been related to ingestion of a toxic substance. It was also interesting to note that two Painted lady butterflies, both feeding on one plant, had malformed wings — an appearance similar to that seen when the wings of captive Lepidoptera do not expand properly following emergence. One final point concerning the Painted lady is nothing to do with Arabia. Why has the generic name of the butterfly been changed from Vanessa to Cynthia? No doubt the taxonomists have good reasons for such a revision, but it has created difficulties within the Cooper family. Our daughter, born in Kenya in 1971, was named Vanessa for a number of reasons, not least of all because she had been born in Africa and then migrated to England. It is hardly fair to ask her to change her name to Cynthia at this late stage, but the clear link with the Painted lady butterfly has now gone! References Gay, T., Kehimkar, I.D. and Punetha, J.C. (1992). Common Butterflies of India. Oxford University Press, Bombay. Larsen, T., & Larsen, K. (1980). Butterflies of Oman. John Bartholomew and Son, Edinburgh. Published 20th December 1996 by the Amateur Entomogists’ Society (Registered Charity No. 267430), from PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG. Since 1976.. serving lepidopterists worldwide ~ BUTTERFLY CONNECTIONS TRANSWORLD BUTTERFLY CO. ILLUSTRATED BUTTERFLY CATALOGUE “Caribana”, Silver Street, Misterton, Somerset TA18 8NH, England Tel: (01460) 73586 Fax: (01460) 78444 Hundreds of butterflies from South America, Africa, Australia and the Far East. Many of our specimens are ex-pupae or ranched. Specialists in Papilionidae, Morphidae and Brassolidae. Our catalogue includes many hard-to-find species like female Moroho mhetenor, female Moroho adonis, female Morpho anaxibia, female Moroho vitrea, female Morpho insuralis, female Moroho godarti, Morpho fitei, female Papilio scamander, Papilio antimachus, female Papilio plagiatus and female Papilio hesperus! Request our free Catalogue today! 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R295 0 Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp. 43 figs. 1 Pinte): ae OO) Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids (22 pages, 9 plates) . . . . £2.85 Rearing Crickets in the Classroom (12 pages, 2 plates). . . . . . . £1.80 All the above publications sent post free to U.K. addresses. Outside U.K. please add 10% to order value for postage by surface mail. For postage by air-mail outside Europe please add 30% to order value. Please make all cheques/postal orders payable to 'AES Publications’ and send to: AES Publications, The Hawthorns, Frating Road, Great Bromley, COLCHESTER CO7 7JN. Telephone 01206 251600 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society CONTENTS j.B. Garrett. Some observations on the behaviour of the Horrei — Vespa crabro ....... R. Parker. Pieris : j. Hay. The Gold Bug S. Eden. Unwelcon R. ees The J. Jones. Holida S. Eden. A New E. Sutcliffe. Ob bse Pendle Hill area A. Cronin & D. McNamara. Unusual foodplant: The Short Communications M.O. Hughes. inieresting Ne J. Hatto. a arrival of a strange monsier ....... et SE Re eR SAAR math se IRF Im Mort h-awect Soamercei Pik Pa wR PTGS BELLE G42 : me CS 5 Q LE. Cooper. I invertebrate Collection, National Avian Research Cenire, UAE L. Plester. In search of the 4fold n@ 2. ee eee Be Re es See Re SSS EY gS ee A. Cees Bel ng’ wD advaniage*’ ihe Purple hairsieak A‘UCTOUSIA Quercus QNhcanrssenc Ginns . \ om 7QQE an 2 onmrmnan mm: Ao A475 USUI VEUAATS ULES jury US st § 77D U a & A Eee I. Danby. A Spanish phenomenon — answers please -__.............------------------------s----- N. Robinson. A Mining bee, Andrena humilis, evicting two earwigs from its nest-hole G. Ellis. Snail-dwelling wasp. ................ ca lean os ig D. Jenkins. Large influx of migrants in southem England -....................-.......-- =e F. McCann. G acre ERMC OMINOUS an }. 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