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THE BULLETIN
OF THE AMATEUR
ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY
WORLD LIST ABBREVIATION: BULL AMAT ENT SOC
EDITOR: BRIAN O. C. GARDINER, F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
Index compiled by PAUL SOKOLOFF, M.Sc., M.I.Biol., F.R.E.S.
The Amateur Entomologists’ Society 355 Hounslow Road, Hanworth, Feltham, Middlesex
GENERAL INDEX
Andorra—1979, 29 Barlaston Rough Close Common—Lepidoptera of, 87 BOOK REVIEWS: Moths, 11 Insects we Need, 11 Social Wasps, their Biology and Control, 11 Memoir of the Life and Works of Edward Newman, 13 The Butterflies of Oregon, 13 Provisional Atlas of Insects of the British Isles: Formicidae, 14 Orthoptera, 14 Odonata, 14 Love Amongst the Butterflies, 67 | Leaves from a Moth-hunter’s notebook. 69 | The Butterflies of Scotland, 71 RES Handbooks: Diptera: Dolichopodidae, 72 The Industrial Archaeology of Farming in England & Wales, 73 The Common Ground—a plea for nature in Britain’s future, 74 The Attacidae of America, 119 A Handbook for Naturalists, 121 Advice for Young Naturalists, 122 Keeping Spiders, Insects and other Land Invertebrates, 123 Butterfly Watching, 123 Genitalias e los Ropaloceras de Alava y su entorno ibérico part III, 165 British Butterflies Wallchart, 166 The Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide to Butterflies. 166 A Textbook of Larger Danish Lepidoptera, 167 Breeding cages—new material for construction, 131 Brittany—collecting in 1980, 197 Bumble bees nesting in roof insulation, 85 BUTTERFLIES: Clouded yellow in Herts, 165 Comma in Malta, 173 Disappearing, 81 Essex skipper-extension of range?, 19 Gatekeeper—unusual behaviour, 172 Gonopteryx cleopatra from Malta mis-identified, 169 Green-veined white on wet mud, 176 of Kenya coast province, 76 Marbled white, observations on, 161 Monarch in Cornwall, 165 in North Yugoslavia 1980, 179 Obituaries for, 154 Orange-tip, dwarf form, 157 at Old Gosport railway station, 171 Painted lady in Cleveland, 126 in N.E. England, 84 in Warwickshire, 83
Scotch argus—first impressions, 127 White admiral—-laying habits, 19 Zizeeria knysna from Malta, 170
Colorado beetles, 111
Colour variation in spider Enoplognatha ovata, 109
Common emperor (B. alcinoe), 78
Conservation and blues, 20
Conservation on MOD lands, 10
Crickets, rearing, 132
Death’s head hawk in Surrey, 15
East African Lepidoptera—foodplants, 48, 93, 151
Ecdysis in Extatosoma tiaratum, 8
Editorial 1. 97, 153
Foam plastic used by insects, 16
Formica rufa—nuptial flight, 82
Glasgow Lepidoptera notes, 124
Herald moths hibernating, 15, 129
Holly-eating larvae, 80
Hornets in Derbyshire & Norfolk, 15, 83, 129
Indian insects, 26
Kentucky 1980, 17
Knopper galls 16, 17
Letter to Editor, 57
Lime hawk in Yorks, 18, 85, 127
Necrophorus and Necrodes beetles—life cycles of, 114
Nematode infection in Lepidoptera, 86 Nigerian collecting, a comment, 129 Nomenclature, 23 Oleander hawk in Bucks, 15 Oleander hawk— observations on rearing, 84 Pine processionary moth— observations, 129 Photography of Insects, 146 Reports:
Exhibition 1980, 2
Midlands entomological fair, 6, 110
Council for 1980, 99
Treasurer for 1980, 101
JCCBI, 106
IBASG, 106
Conservation committee, 107 Sawfly records for Northern Britain, 58 Sierra Leone collecting, 130 Spain revisited, 1979, 186 Stag beetles, adventures with, 143 Stag beetles, in Croydon, 18 Tender tastes and tough terrain, 198 Trichoptera from Maltese Islands, 25 Volucella zonaria in Middlesex, 18 Wood's Index Entomologicus, 130
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CONTRIBUTORS
Aldridge, M., 18
Aquilina, €, 169.170; 173 Bartlete Pa Was 1a
Boon, D., 15
Burgess, N. R: i, 10 Caswell, W., 78
Carlberg, U., 8
Gave els
Cope, R: D2
Cribb; P: W713. 19, 23. 131k 165.
167, 186 Eames, A., 83 Femy, RoSstlo5 Fry, R. A., 101 Gardiner Ba@s Cll: 67-69:
TM, OF SONOS 2; lane N65,
166 Gardiner @. Je Gent -@55584 Gibson, S., 143 Gillery, A. J., 18; 129 Gossling, N. F., 29, 179 Green, M., 18 Gunston, C. P., 81 Harewood, N. W., 126 Hatt Ce a06 Elarvey. Rey 129197) Henry, K., 82 Hilliard, R., 2 Jenkins, D. K., 17 Justin, S. H., 80
Keen: D: Be R: Eb et4
Keeesines Jp aS slay
Kirk Spriggs, A. H., 114
Koryszko, J., 87
Liston, A. D., 58
Lonsdale, D231 07.2021
McCann, F., 124
McClenagahan, I., 16
Majerus. .M. lod
Ofield, B. W., 165
Oxford, G. S., 109
Page, B. W., 83
Painter,_S. AvsA-sclek 101, 123
Parsons, M., 106
Patel:2S: Jim
Plester, L., 146, 176
Roche, P., 86
Schembri, S. P., 25
Schofield, P., 85
Sevastopulo, D. G., 48, 76, 85. 93, 129, 130) 4A
Smith, BW. sig
Simith, Jes ee
Sokoloff, P. A., 13
Stallwood, B. R., 161, 172
Von Losch, S., 26
Walter, P. W. R., 85
Wright, R. A., 144
Wurzell, B., 6, 20, 110, 198
Young Cy Ac
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VOL. 40 NO. 330 FEBRUARY 1981
THE BULLETIN OF THE AMATEUR
ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY
WORLD LIST ABBREVIATION: BULL AMAT ENT SOC
EDITOR: BRIAN O. C. GARDINER, F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
The Amateur Entomologists’ Society
(Founded in 1935)
President : R: CG: DYSON
Hon. General Secretary :
Hon. Treasurer: R.A. FRY
Registrar:
Hon. Builetin Editor :
Hon. General P.W. CRIBB
Editor :
S.A. A. PAINTER
W. F. FRY. (Mrs:)
B. 0. C. GARDINER
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BN1 6FD
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where to write
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A New A.ESS. Publication
REARING AND STUDYING THE PRAYING MANTIDS AES LEAFLET No. 36
Written by George L. Heath, well known to members attending our Annual Exhibitions for his displays of living mantids, it describes the various stages from ootheca to breeding adults with concise details for rearing them at home. The species of mantids most likely to be available are listed with 7 plates illustrating the text.
For those breeding the Phasmids, it opens up a new field of study and interest and provides exciting new subjects for insect photo- graphy. The price is £1.50 but this should not deter enthusiasts who wish to study exotic insects.
The leaflet is obtainable from our Publications Agent who will send a pro-forma invoice, including postage, on application.
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Are you interested in PHASMIDS, SATURNIIDS, MANTIDS, ARACHNIDS, etc. ?
You are! WELL, WHY NOT JOIN US ?
Subscription is £1.50 (£2 for non A.E.S. members) This brings you:
Full list of members and subscribers Quarterly illustrated News letter with tips on rearing
Wants and Exchanges Major articles on exotic insects etc.
For details send S.A.E. to:
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AES
BULLETIN
No. 330
SOCIETY NOTICES
Treasurer Wanted
Keen volunteer urgently required to take over the duties of Treasurer- ship. The present Treasurer, Mr. Reg Fry, finds that increased demands on his time at work will not allow him to do justice to this important post in the future. The Secretary (address on inside front cover) would like to hear from any member able to undertake this job. An ability with figures and the attendance at not more than six council meetings per year in London (Caxton Hall) is required.
Annual General Meeting This has been fixed for 2-30 p.m. on April 4th 1981 at the rooms of the Royal Entomological Society, 41 Queens Gate. There will be an illustrated talk by our President, Mr. R. C. Dyson. Further details are to be found in the Wants and Exchange Sheets.
AVOID A DISAPPOINTING TRIP
Permits required in Cumbria
The secretary of the Cumbria Naturalists Trust has informed the Society that while visitors to their reserves are welcome, any collecting can only be undertaken if a prior permit has been obtained and in the absence of such permits their wardens had to turn away several people last year. In particular permits are required for Smardale Gill and for Meathop and Caterag Mosses. Applications for these should be made to the Conservation Officer, Miss Joy Ketchen, Labefield Cottage, Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 OLB.
EDITORIAL
One of the appointed tasks of the Nature Conservancy Council is to protect Britain’s wildlife. One of the methods is to designate, after proper consultation, ‘Sites of Special Scientific Interest’, which should, of course, henceforward be protected. Sadly this is not so and some half-a-dozen such designated S.S.S.I. are being destroyed annually. A recent partial destruction of an important potential site has been of Wendlebury Meads, Oxfordshire, a medieval relict meadowland, very rich indeed in species: It appears that lack of finance was one of the reasons, since the owners were willing to sell. Nevertheless money was available for ploughing some of it up.
Here is a marvellous opportunity for the government, which is
2 FEBRUARY, 1981
apparently so keen to cut public spending, to actually do so. The £500 million paid out in grants every year for ‘improvement’ schemes to the agricultural industry and which are the root cause of so much habitat destruction should cease forthwith. Not only would this cause an imme- diate and large saving, but at the same time, without cost, would enable government legislation, as applied to the environment, actually to be implemented. It would be even better, and in our view juster, if say ten per cent of the saved money were actually used to purchase the sites in danger.
A MORAL for Captain Brown’s Book of Butterflies
Minims of Nature!—Creatures of the skies!
Ye bright-wing’d fiutterers! sunborn butterflies!
From flower to flower o’er nectar’d fields ye go,
Peerless in beauty! atoms of the bow!
Ye living gems! ye fairy-formed things!
Floating in bliss, on gold-bespangled wings!
Oh! how enraptured would this spirit be,
Freely to soar through ambient heavens, as ye!
Where is the silken shroud? the grov ling worm?
Where now the veil which once enshrined each form?
Where the cold. lifeless chrysalis of clay?
I pause and ponder here—like you, mankind
Are born, frail insect! ignorant and blind:
Man’s mind—his heart. in dust and darkness furld,
In gold! in glory! in the blaze of day!
His bright soul’s clouded by a wintry world.
But when this dream of life hath pass’'d away—
When this pure spirit bursts her bonds of clay!
Ah! then what hope to trembling man is given—
The bless’d shall mingle with the blaze of heaven! Charles Doyne Sillory, Esq. (1834)
ANNUAL EXHIBITION 1980
We had every reason to believe that last year’s venue, the Alexandra Palace, would be available for a number of years. But once again, an unexpected development programme and a disastrous fire necessitated. at short notice, a search for a new centre. Our fortunate choice was the Old Hall of the Royal Horticultural Society, Vincent Square, London for Saturday, 27th September. The enthusiastic support of members and friends with the ready co-operation of the entomological dealers and ideal weather combined to ensure a successful day for our main event of the year.
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 3
The 1980 season with its late spring, indifferent summer and dearth of autumn insects, notably butterflies, was disappointing for many natural- ists. With only average results, some members decided not to exhibit this year. This was a pity as the ordinary run of insects is interesting to many people. An encouraging feature was two outstanding junior exhibits prepared by Ashley Kirk-Spriggs and John R. Mynett. It seemed unfair to choose between them for the ‘Ansorge Award’, (given for the best junior exhibit on the day), so both will receive the full cheque and certificate. Further details of their projects appear in the classified list.
The attendance of some 2,000 members and friends was most rewarding. Many had made this a special date appreciating obviously the opportunity of seeing the displays, discussing the season, meeting a wide cross-section of people with similar interests and the chance to inspect and buy, if required, from the full range of entomological books and equipment on show. The smooth running of the show was a tribute to the Exhibition Committee, headed by Colin Hart, Reg. Fry and family who manned the Registrar’s Stand, Paul Sokoloff and family, selling the AES publications, Peter Taylor and company on the surplus material stall and, as always, Eric Bradford who produced the maps and the signs and posters.
Details of exhibits were received from:—
AES Conservation Group—see D. Lonsdale.
AES Exotic Entomology Group. Species being bred currently includ- ing Atlas silkmoth (A. atlas L.) hybrids and a cross between the American Moon moth (7. luna L.) and the Spanish Moon moth (G. isabellae Hubn.)
AES Insect Behaviour and Ants Study Group gave details of the work and aims of the Section and concentrated on the recruitment of new members. .
British Butterfly Conservation Society. Details of the proposed M40 extension which would pass through and probably destroy some rare butterfly habitats. (Currently the M40 ends east of Oxford.)
British Entomological and Natural History Society showed current publications.
Barrington, R. (6023J). A good collection of type and varieties of British lepidoptera.
Baylis, R. M. E. (5930). Lepidoptera taken in the Guadia region of Spain, July 1980, with a large map and local brochures.
Chalmers-Hunt, J. M. (1683). A perfect example of the rare ab. olivacea of the Swallow-tailed moth (O. sambucaria L.).
Cheeseman, V. Mrs. (6386). The various stages of some of the larger British moths, mainly Sphingidae.
Cribb, P. W. (2270). Type collection of all the Hawk-moths occurring in Britain including the rare migrants, Oleander (D. nerii L.), Spurge
4 FEBRUARY, 1981
(C. euphorbiae L.), Bedstraw (C. galii Rott.), Striped (C. livornica Esp.) and Silver-striped (H. celerio L.) Pairs of European butterflies which may be easily confused.
Gossling, N. F. (5169). Butterflies collected in sub-alpine meadows and waste ground in Northern Slovenia, July 1980. Also a detailed map of the area.
Halstead, A. J. (6346). A nest of the social wasp D. norwegica Fab. from Wisley Gardens, Surrey. Five of the seven social wasps on the British list occur here but norwegica is easily recognised by the yellow bases to the antennae, the anchor-like marking on the face and the fact that this species is most likely to construct a nest above ground level.
Hart, C. (3845). A display of macro-lepidoptera caught in S.W. Wales in August, 1980. This showed new sites for the Devon Carpet (L. otregiata Met.) and the Cloaked Carpet (E. biangulata Haw.). The evolution of the site, ancient woodland on steep sided valleys, was described.
Hilliard, R. D. (99). Summary of the moths, macro-lepidoptera, noted during 1980 at m.v. light in a London suburban garden at Stanmore. It is interesting to note that, even in this well below average season, approximately one-third of the moths on the British list were recorded.
Howell, M. I. A. (5842). A representative collection of butterflies collected in Turkey during July and August 1980.
James, R. J. F.R.E.S. (5005). Lepidoptera from Teneriffe, September 1980 including the striking form of the Large White butterfly (P. brassicae cheiranthi Hueb.) and photographs of typical habitats. Large colour prints of the Oleander Hawk-moth (D. nerii L.).
Keen, D. H. R. (3309). and Vick, G. S. (4942). A comprehensive exhibit of Dragonflies (Odonata), presently occuring in Britain and examples from the Continent of species thought now to be extinct. Rare species shown were C. hastulatum Charp., A. caerulea Strom., S. arctica Zett., S. nigrescens Lucas, all restricted to a few Scottish localities; S. flaveolum L., a fairly frequent immigrant, S$. fonscolombei Selys., a very rare visitor, A. isosceles Mull., with a precarious hold in the Norfolk Broads and /. pumilio Charp., G. vulgatissimus L., B. pratense Mull., local in S. England.
The second feature, the larval skins (exuviae) of all but 9 of the British species was probably the first time so many had been shown together.
Kirk-Spriggs, A. (Member of the St. Ivo N.H.S.) Ansorge Award. A detailed project on British coleoptera associated with carrion, com- prising descriptions of species, dead specimens, drawings and general notes on flight. They included rove beetles (Staphylinidae) many of them predators feeding on the scavenging insects associated with carrion and the true burying beetles (Silphidae).
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 5
Lonsdale, D. (4137). Set up the Conservation Stand with the title ‘Insects in isolation’. Habitats are often far apart and for various reasons a species may die out in one area. The chance of this area being re-colonised must depend largely on the proximity of a successful habitat and the mobility of the species.
McCormick, R. F. (3375) and Penney, C. C. (3880). Lepidoptera bred from captured females and larvae collected in the field. Of special interest were the Alder Kitten (H. bicuspis Borkh.), Scarce Blackneck (L. craccae Schiff.) and the Butterbur (G. petasitis (Doubl.)
Mynett, J. R. (Member of the Field Study Group of Warren Compre- hensive School.) Ansorge Award. Ecological survey of the Moby Dick Field, Romford. Maps, diagrams and photographs detailed the trees, plants, animals, insects and allied orders.
Parker, R., Sqdn Ldr. (5480). Butterflies collected in Oberammergau, June 1980 and Brittany, July 1980. For comparison, the Wood White butterfly (ZL. sinapis L.) from three localities in Bucks.
Payne, J. H. (5923). Bred specimens of ab. brunneomaculata Stand. of the Wood White butterfly (L. sinapis L.) showing the colour range, especially in the male apical blotch.
Bilateral gynandromorphs of the Silver-washed fritillary (A. paphia L.) from Yugoslavia exhibited on behalf of D. Goodhad.
Pickles, A. J. and C. T. (5225). A selection of moths taken or bred during 1980. Notable was a fine example of var. nigro-virgata Tutt. of the Dun-bar (C. trapezina L.) and the migrants from Lymington, Hants included the Bordered Swallow (H. peltigera D. & S), Slender Burnished Brass (D. orichalcea Fabr.) and the pyrale, P. unionalis Hub.
Platts, J. (4300). Examples of British Noctuidae. Of note were the Pale Lemon Sallow (C. ocellaris Borkh.) from the N. Kent locality and the Feathered Brindle (A. australis H & W) from Portland and N. Cornwall.
Revels, R. (3942). Several panels of colour photographs of British butterflies, their aberrations and life histories. British butterfly aberra- tions, bred or caught during 1980, mainly the results of his successful selective breeding programmes.
Sandwell Valley Field Naturalists Club. Information about this 1,000 acre site in the West Midlands.
Bloxham, M. (6551) showed 300 set specimens of diptera found in the valley, a model of the fly, O. viridis and colour prints of other species mainly of the eyes of Horse flies (Tabanidae).
Shirley, P. A graphical display relating to the Cynipid Wall wasp (B. pallida Olivier) including the oak-apple gall of the sexual form and root galls of the assexual generation.
6 | FEBRUARY, 1981
Simmonds, M. Diptera and parasitic Hymenoptera associated with carrion. The display consisted of a series of photographs illustrating the main decomposition stages of a rabbit carcass. Wall charts were used to show the abundance and variety of diptera species visiting carrion during the year. Live specimens of the Braconid, Alysia manducator and Chalcids, vasonia, muscidifurax and spalangia were included.
Skinner, B. F. (2470). Series of lepidoptera taken and bred during 1980. Of note, the Northern Dart (X. alpicola H & W) from two localities, Small Dotted Footman (P. obtusa H & S) from the Norfolk Broads and some of the northern forms of the variable Blue-bordered carpet (P. rubiginata Schiff.).
Sokoloff, P. (4456). Samples of wool daraaged by the clothes moth, (T. bisselliella Humm.). A vigorous culture of larvae, pupae and adults of this moth. Moths captured or bred during 1980 including the Scarce Chocolate-tip (C. anachoreta Schiff.), Lempkes Gold-spot (P. putnami gracilis) and an aberration of the Plain Golden Y, with the Y absent (P. jota L. ab. inscripta Esp.).
Micro-lepidoptera bred during the season ‘including Ss Belinea and C. roseana.
St. Ivo Natural History Society, Our congratulations to Henry Berman on the Silver Jubilee of his Club. They have supported our Exhibition for many years and are always one of the highlights of the show. This year was no exception arid a- wide range of wild life was on show, tended by the expert scholars.
Watson, A. (5691) continued his programme of exhibieng annually a specific section of his “National Collection of British Lepidoptera’. This year it was represented by 10 drawers of the Large White butterfly (P. brassicae L.), covering most of the known varieties of this species.
Wealden Entomology Group. Members showed initial results of year’s work: Pratt, C. (5965), British lepidoptera; Parsons, M. (5983), British micro- and macrolepidoptera; Hadley, M. (5315), Lepidoptera taken on shingle at the ‘Crumbles’, Eastbourne.
Cotton, A. and Kitching, I., presented a representative collection of Hawk-moths (Sphingidae) from Thailand.
R. D. Hilliard (99)
THE SECOND MIDLANDS ENTOMOLOGICAL FAIR AND EXHIBITION, LEICESTER, APRIL 12th 1980
The rowdy football supporters from London were thankfully left behind on the Sheffield train, the ancient red brick buildings of Leicester glowed warmly in the radiant spring sunshine, and the imposing Holiday Inn beamed its message of entomological welcome. March 1979 had seen the first-ever fair of this kind in Leicester, yet most of us already
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 7
view these events as a proud annual tradition with a secure and pros- perous future. Once again, it succeeded in attracting many hundreds of enthusiastic visitors of all ages from all parts of the U.K.
Despite this seething throng of humanity, the keen eye readily observed a record attendance of other living creatures with more (or less) than two legs. Everything from snails to snakes combined with a multi- tude of fascinating insects and arachnids. Could April be easier than September for producing more diverse species of livestock (lepidoptera livestock, anyway) for a specific exhibition date? After all, many still-hibernating temperate Hawk and Saturnid pupae now found them- selves table neighbours to a number of surprisingly advanced batches of capitively-raised ova and larvae which one would normally expect out in May. Most thrilling of all, however, were the large tropical butterflies on display, ranging from the extraordinary shaped giant pupae of Troides aeacus to the vigorousy fluttering adults of Troides helena and Danaus plexippus, in a tall flight cage especially constructed for the occasion. I think that few of us understand how difficult and exact one’s co-ordinations with overseas breeders have to be for importing such sensitive exotics safely into Britain at precisely the right time for our pleasure. |
As usual, numerous colourful papered and set lepidoptera were vigorously traded on all sides, along with abundant entomological litera- ture and accessories. The British Butterfly Conservation Society con- tinues to offer very valuable information to the public, but I would now really like to see both conservationists and dealers getting together to demonstrate clearly that their interests and their services should ideally be (and usually are) complementary, not contradictory. There is still far too much muddled thinking and misapplied emotion on the whole issue of wildlife conservation, and it is imperative that both naturalists and the public at large should get the real ethics and practicalities of it crystal clear, while a few worthwhile green habitats still remain outside our own private gardens. Perhaps future Leicester and AES exhibitions will see some progress in this direction?
AES members and traders were generally far more involved with this second Leicester show, but I would greatly welcome two further advances in 1981. Firstly, the half-page Bulletin announcement should be increased to a whole page to include a detailed road map of the exact venue. Secondly, it was widely felt that those AES tables allocated to a separate, smaller, rather poorly-signposted room, not immediately adjacent to the main hall, were at a distinct disadvantage, competitively. While one must sympathise that accommodation always presents prob- lems, it is important to strive for the visual continuity of all facilities available, in a major public function of this kind.
Finally, I find it both surprising and distressing that so many people should still find it necessary to smoke cigarettes, and even cigars, in a
8 FEBRUARY, 1981
heavily crowded, low-ceilinged, exhibition room. Even some dealers, after those all-too-familiar, long, exhausting days and nights of hard prepara- tion, are often seen to present themselves before their valued customers absolutely shrouded within a thick blanket of acrid fumes fit to deter all but the bravest adventurer! Our entomological enthusiasms are pre- pared to tolerate certain degrees of physical fatigue and mental confu- sion, as caused by the inevitable closeness of tightly-packed premises. We would not wish fewer visitors, but please let us not deliberately make such an atmosphere, and its energy-draining effects, ten times worse! Most dignified public meetings and entertainments now display ‘No Smoking’ signs, and it is high time we did the same. At ALL shows. Other considerations apart, it is the least mark of respect we can show to loyal, hard-working organisers, who make such occasions not only possible, but so richly rewarding for everybody.
Brian Wurzell (3718)
[This article was promised for. and should have appeared in, our August issue last year in time to be read before our own exhibition. Unfortu- nately, due to a faulty Xerox of part of the original which became inde- cipherable, our printer was unable to typeset and this became evident too late for the November issue. It is now published just before the Third Midlands Fair is due to take place. The Editor would like to extend his most sincere apologies to Mr. Wurzell.]
ECDYCES IN EXTATOSOMA TIARATUM (MACLEAY)
INTRODUCTION
More or less detailed accounts on the ecdyces of Phasmida has been published for Phasma gigas (L.) (Foucher 1916), Diapheromera femorata (Say) (Severin & Severin 1911), Carausius morosus (de Sinéty) (Roth 1916) and Extatosoma tiaratum (MacLeay) (Lau 1979). For a complete photographic sequence of an ecdyces see the excellent work by Foucher (1916).
In this paper the different stages (parts) of an ecdyces are studied, with particular reference to the male sex of E. tiaratum.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STAGES
Stage I. This is the stage when the insect prepares itself for the ecdyces. It spends this period just hanging waiting for the moult.
Stage lI. The insect breaks through and splits the skin just behind the head, and starts gliding out of the old skin.
Stage Ill. The insect just hangs with the last abdominal segment in the old skin.
Stage IV. The insect turns around. It places its front legs on the old skin and pulls out the last abdominal segment from the old skin.
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 9
Stage V. The wings start to develop. The insect pumps ‘‘blood”’ (haemolymph) in the wings and slowly rocks from side to side. More or less as soon as it has turned around (Stage IV) the wings start to develop.
Stage VI. The wings reach their maximum length.
Stage VII. The wings start to fold and get their final shape.
Stage VIII. ‘The skin is hard (at least in the mouth parts) and the insects start eating their old skin.
Stage I is the preparatory ecdycis period (PEP). Stages II-III is the ecdycis period (EP). Stages V-VII is the wing developing period (WDP). If stage V is absent, as it is in wingless forms, then Stage IV can be used instead. For apterous species or nymphs the WDP is omitted.
TABLE 1.—The final ecdycis in males of Extatosoma tiaratum. The time (t) is measured in minutes, and it is set to zero (ie. t=O) at Stage II. From Stage II the cumulative times are given. For further information see text.
Stage 1 II III IV V VIE -ViIE VIL
f: mean, X — 0 15 25 — 95 115 _
Minimum —_-_ — 15 22 — 83 92 —
Maximum —_ — 15 30 — 101 138 —
SIDE —_ — 0 4.4 — 10 32 —
N=: —_ — 33 3 —_— 3 Z — RESULTS
From Table 1 it can be seen that the EP is only about 10 minutes. The WDP is approximately 90 minutes.
Korboot (1961) reported the EP to be from 9 to 43 hours for E. tiaratum, and Roth (1916) reported it to be 2 to 6 days for C. morosus.
From juvenile insects it was found that the skin was eaten after ca 90 minutes.
DISCUSSION
Since the ecdycis is an important and dangerous period of the life of an insect, it is of great importance for the rearer of those insects to know the exact time of all stages in an ecdyces. With the knowledge of those different stages one can decide when it is time to help an insect to get rid of the old skin if something goes wrong.
Even if only a small number of insects has been studied in this paper (since it is rather difficult to notice the ecdycis), the values are rather
uniform (small values of the standard deviation SD). Ulf Carlberg (5771)
REFERENCES FOUCHER, G. (1916). Cyphocrania gigas Linne d’Amboint. In: Etudes biologiques sur quelques Orthopteéres. (Neuilly-sur-Seine). 33-70 (extract from Bull. Soc. Nat. Acclim. Fr.). KORBOOT, K. (1961). Observations on the life histories of Acrophylla tessellata Gray and Extatosoma tiaratum MacLeay (Phasmida). Pap. Dep. Ent. Univ. Qd., 1: 161-169.
10 FEBRUARY, 1981
LAU, D. (1979). Beobachtungen uber die fortpflanzung und entwicklung der australischen gespenstschrecke, Ectatosoma [sic!] tiaratum MacLeay. Zool. Garten, N.F. (fena), 49: 17-64.
ROTH, L. H. (1916). Observations on the growth and habits of the stick insect, Carausius morosus, Br.; intended as a contribution towards a knowledge of variation in an organism which reproduces itself by the parthenogenetic method. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1916: 345-386.
SEVERIN, H. H. P. & SEVERIN, H. C. (1911). The life-history of the walking-stick, Diapheromera femorata Say. F. Econ. Ent-., 4: 307-320.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR 30th October 1980
ENTOMOLOGICAL CONSERVATION OF MINISTRY
OF DEFENCE LAND Sir,
As a direct result of the Report of the Defence Lands Committee 1971-73, chaired by Lord Nugent, the Ministry of Defence appointed a Conservation Officer, Lieut.-Colonel C. N. Clayden, in 1975. During the first four years of office he has been instrumental in the setting up of nearly 150 local conservation groups on MOD property ranging from Culdrose in Cornwall to Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, from Lydd in Kent to Castlemartin in Dyfed. One of the objectives of these groups is to identify sites and habitats of special natural history interest on these areas so that they may be preserved, provided that this can be achieved without detriment to the primarily important military function of the area. Clearly before this can be accomplished, the Conservation Officer and the Conservation Group need to know which species of animal and plant occur on the area. As MOD Adviser in Entomology it is one of my responsibilities to assist in collecting specimens and records of insects on MOD land. I am only too well aware that to do this work properly could occupy a battalion of entomologists for at least a hundred years! We desperately need all the help we can get, from both amateur and professional entomologists, first of all in collecting speci- mens, and perhaps more important in identifying them to species. In return we can offer the opportunity to spend pleasant days collecting in some of the most attractive parts of the country which under normal circumstances are rarely visited by members of the public. It may also be possible to become a specialist member of a local MOD conservation group. If any of your members are willing to help in this venture by collecting and/or identifying specimens, I would be most grateful if you would suggest that they contact me at the address below. They may have a particular entomological interest in an area of MOD land near where they live, but I would ask you to remind them that for their own safety they must obtain, through me at the address below, the agree- ment of the Commanding Officer of the site in question and the MOD
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 11
Conservation Officer before visiting the area. Your help and that of your members would be very much appreciated. I am, Sir, Yours sincerely,
Dr. N. R. H. BURGESS, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.E.S., M.I.Biol.
Lecturer and MOD Adviser in Entomology,
Royal Army Medical College,
Millbank, London SWIP 4RJ.
BOOK REVIEWS
Moths, by Pat and Helen Clay. 24 pp. Illustrations. Insects We Need, by John B. Free. 26 pp. Illustrations. A. & C. Black, London. Price £2.50 each.
These small hardbacked books are two of a series called ‘Nature in Close-up’. They are full of good clear colour photographs, 36 in “Moths” and 38 in “Insects We Need’. The accompanying text is simple yet informative. They would appeal to young readers and should find a place on many bookshelves both at home and school. The series may not have the content for the knowledgeable young enthusiast but should well stimulate a greater interest with the average child interested in Natural History.
The series title is very accurate, as it shows many close-up photo- graphs of details often difficult to see with a magnifying glass and live subject.
“Moths” deals with information such as: the life cycle, mating, moth families, pollination, predators and defence. The photographic sequence of the emergence of the Puss Moth is particularly good.
In “Insects We Need” we see the ‘classics’. Ladybirds, honeybees and silkmoths as well as those which are not thought of as beneficial or perhaps not considered much at all; the lacewings, ground beetles, parasitic wasps, solitary bees, bumblebees and hoverflies. The life-cycle of the 7-spot ladybird is excellently illustrated. Of course to the young ‘bug-breeder’ many of the insects may well be ones he or she doesn’t need!
Seles
Social Wasps, Their Biology and Control, by Robin Edwards, 398 pp. 9 cold. plates. 200 figs, 8 maps and 25 tables, hardback. Rentokil Limited, East Grinstead, 1980. Price £10.
This is a very well produced volume with an excellent selection of photographs and a most readable text. A high quality paper has been used and the numerous figures and tables appear within the part of the text to which they relate. It is seldom necessary, therefore, to dodge about from one part of the book to another.
12 FEBRUARY, 1981
The first half of the work deals with the life history, including nest building and population dynamics in considerable detail. Just about every conceivable facet of the subject is covered but even the most complicated areas have been written in such a way that they are easily understood. Lengthy passages are included on the behaviour of these insects, such as the gathering of wood pulp, liquid and animal food.
Life in the nest is discussed in great detail, with particular reference to the growth and feeding habits of the larvae. How the colony expands during the summer and finally declines in the autumn is explained with the use of several tables that show the numbers and castes of the insects that are likely to be present at any given time. Whilst Robin Edwards has concentrated on the seven British species, including the hornet, reference is also made to species in other countries where research has uncovered new facts. I found it particularly interesting to note how the behaviour of Vespula germanica (Fabr.) in New Zealand differs from that recorded in Great Britain. Incidentally, there are 58 species of Social Wasps and Hornets recorded throughout the world.
Naturally, predators, parasites and commensals receive close attention. The chapter that deals with this subject also contains information on mimicry by beetles, flies, moths and other kinds of wasps.
Other chapters contain fascinating facts about control methods, the origin and evolution of the social wasps and their classification, morpho- logy, anatomy and physiology. The black and white photographs that accompany the last-named chapter are amazing, and include some taken with the aid of a scanning electron microscope—up to 10,000.
Discussions about the distribution of the British species are comple- mented by the usual distribution maps prepared by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology for the N.C.C. A very detailed and well illustrated key to the identification of the adults of the British species is followed by a key which enables most nests to be identified. The key to the adults appears to be far more reliable than either Saunders or Step and is certainly much easier to follow with the help of the many illustrations.
Experimental techniques involved in the marking, trapping and count- ing of adult wasps is followed by an account of methods of nest collec- tion, population studies, the keeping of nests in captivity and the col- lection of venom. The book is completed by a Check List of the Ves- pinae of the World and an extensive Bibliography. The latter contains details of over 600 other works, including some unpublished papers. on Social Wasps and allied subjects, with cross-references to the parts of the text in which they are mentioned.
It will be gathered from this brief account of this book that it is a first class work of reference. It is ideal for the beginner as well as the specialist; for the general entomologist and the local authority employee who has been charged with the control of these insects: for the manufac-
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 13
turer of confectionery and the like as well as for the environmental health officer.
Mr. Edwards is to be congratulated for writing such a useful book on this fascinating group of insects. This volume would form a most suitable addition to the library of any member who has even the slightest interest in these insects. DHRK
Memoir of the Life and Works of Edward Newman by T. P. Newman, London, 1876. Facsimile reprint with introduction by E. W. Classey. Classica Entomologica No. 6. 32 pp. with portrait and wood engravings. E. W. Classey Ltd., 1980. Price £2.50.
There appears to be only two known copies of the original issue of this ““memoir’, which was written by Edward Newman’s son shortly after his father’s death. Essentially the text consists of recollections of Newman, his friends and his entomological works. The five small wood- cuts illustrate places associated with Newman, including one of the Bull Inn, Birchwood, where the annual dinners of the Entomological Club were held during the last century. The memoir makes fascinating reading for all those with an interest in the biographical details of great entomologists. PAUL SOKOLOFF
The Butterflies of Oregon by Ernst J. Dornfeld. Published by the Timber Press, Forest Grove, Oregon, U.S.A. 276 pp. 45 drawings, 45 b/w plates, 4 colour plates. Price $24.95.
The price of this comprehensive survey of the butterflies of Oregon (around £12) is excellent value for the money and one wishes we could produce books of this standard at the price. Although a paper-back, the book is in sections and could be rebound. The page size makes it too large for a pocket-guide. All species recorded in the State are dealt with in sections covering each family. Each species is named with its scientific and local name, its colouring is described with reference to the relevant plate at the end of the text; its habits and habitat, the egg, larva, pupa and foodplants are also described. References follow each species indi- cating sources and further reading. There are four coloured plates showing 87 species and forty-eight black and white plates covering the remaining 155 species listed in a check-list together with racial forms. There is a glossary and a comprehensive index. The opening chapters deal with the ecology and physiography of the State as it relates to the butterfly fauna and there are some fine habitat pictures. Brief chapters deal with the biology of the order, conservation, evolution and classifica- tion and a chapter on collecting, rearing and photographic techniques.
For anyone contemplating collecting or studying butterflies in the States, this will prove an invaluable aid. PWC
14 FEBRUARY, 1981
Provisional Atlases of the Insects of the British Isles. Published by the Biological Records Centre.
All are in A4 format with plastic spiral spring binding. We have received the second editions of several of these which are noted below. Being of the small orders they are all presented as only one large map to an A4 size page which makes for clarity.
Part 5, Hymenoptera: Formicidae, Ants. Edited by K. E. J. Barrett. Second Edition 1979. Price £3.
The only two year old first edition has been updated by further records. Perhaps with the ants, more so than in some other groups, absence of records may indicate rather an absence of Hymenopterists than of ants. However the fact that a second edition has been called for so soon after the first is an encouraging sign that there must be consider- able interest in this fascinating group.
Part 6, Orthoptera, Grasshoppers and Crickets. Edited by E. C. M. Haes. Second Edition 1979. Price £2.50.
Here again we see signs of increased interest in the grasshoppers as expressed by the additional records since the first edition. In the introduction Mr. Haes rightfully points attention to the /acunae in the records which, oddly enough, comprise areas of the South Midlands and the more inland areas of Southern England such as the Northern parts of Devon, Hampshire and Wiltshire.
These two atlases are well produced and clearly provide a need. When we consider the pages and pages of ‘localities’ quoted in books such as Tutt’s Lepidoptera it is clear what a boon and time-saver those distri- bution maps are. Large, clear and informative at a glance they are of great use both to those who wish to collect, to observe. or to photograph a particular species and also those whose aim in life is to look in likely spots in unlikely areas with the aim of ‘joining the dots’ and adding to our knowledge of distribution.
SAC
Part 7, Odonata, Dragonflies. Edited by D. G. Chelmick. Second edition 1979", Price £3:
This edition, prepared about two years after the first, includes all substantiated records received up to the end of 1978. The layout follows the well-proven and accepted format of this series.
It only requires a quick glance to see the strides made in the estab- lishment of distribution records of our species of Odonata during the last few years.
Much new ground has been covered by various groups of enthusiasts led by David Chelmick. Inevitably there has been a lot of “‘gap-filling”’ but many records have been sent in for species from quite unexpected localities. One of the most interesting being the colony of Cordulia aenea
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 15
(Linn.) from the Highlands of Scotland. In the period when this edition was being prepared the total number of records received increased by 40%—a quite staggering figure.
It is clear from this increase in records that the interest in this group of insects is developing considerably. Further work remains to be done and Mr. Chelmick includes a request for further details from Ireland. Most parts of the country should continue to receive the attention of recorders as it is essential that the overall picture of the distribution of our species is known as early as possible.
It is a pity to have to end with a “complaint” but I find it very unfortunate that the scientific names of three species have been changed from those included in the first edition. I feel rather deeply that this continual changing of names will only deter the amateur from taking a deeper interest in the subject. For those wishing to keep “‘up-to-date’’ with these matters, please note that the species of the genus Agrion are now included in Calopteryx. Sympetrum scoticum (Don) reverts, yet again, to danae (Sulz).
DHRK
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS
Deaths-head hawkmoth in Surrey—On 31st August 1980 I found an almost perfect male specimen of Acherontia atropos L. resting on the patio wall of my house in Giles Travers Close, Thorpe, Surrey —Derek Boon (5996).
Oleander Hawkmoth in Buckinghamshire—On 11th September 1980 I found a very worn male specimen of Daphnis nerii L.. at Downley, High Wycombe, Bucks. The specimen was fed and then released.—J. Cave (4755).
Hornets in Norfolk—Amongst the various insects brought to me for identification last year, were examples of Vespa crabro L. which origi- nated from a nest situated at Scoulton, near Norwich, Norfolk.—Brian O. C. Gardiner (225).
Tenacity of hibernating Herald moths—One week last autumn a trader on Cambridge Market asked me what the curious creatures were on a small item of furniture he had for sale. They had been there for several weeks and the old Victorian washstand in question had, of course, been moved back and forth from the market some half-a-dozen times. The ‘curious objects’ which were grouped in a corner on the underside proved to be three fine and perfect examples of the Herald moth (Scoliopteryx libatrix L.). Since the washstand had come from an auction in a distant town the provenance and time of arrival of the Heralds could not of course be ascertained, but having once settled on their hibernation site they were determined to stay there as the washstand
16 FEBRUARY, 1981
had been subject to considerable vibration and movement. The moths are now continuing their hibernation in my garage.— Brian O. C. Gardiner (225).
Use of Foam Plastic as Building Material by Insects—Recently I was working at the bottom of my garden painting my greenhouse when I noticed a continuous clicking sound. On investigating I saw what looked like a wasp (Vespula spp) flying from an expanded polystyrene foam box which my wife uses to grow herbs in: I thought I saw the wasp carrying a small piece of foam plastic and on examining the rather dirty herb box I found numerous clean white areas which could have been chewed by wasps. I continued painting in the area for several days but only once, two days later, did I hear the clicking sound and I rushed to the box to confirm my suspicions. The wasp was actually carrying off pieces of foam plastic, presumably to make its nest with. How well would plastic and the usual chewed wood stick together? Would the other wasps reject the novel nesting material?
Has anyone else noticed the above behaviour or seen a nest made of such material?
While on the subject of foam plastic, I also came upon insects using it earlier this year. I was disgusted to see a small pond near Brentwood in South Essex (TQ69) littered with broken pieces of the same sort of foam plastic. On looking closer I noticed that a number of caddis larvae (Trichoptera spp) had used small pieces of the foam to make their cases with, instead of the usual small pieces of plant material. One disadvant- age of the new building material to them was that when they lost their grip on the water plants they floated to the surface of the water—lIan McClenagahan (2499),
Newcomers to Britain’s gall-causing fauna—Mr P. R. Shirley’s notes (AES Bull., August 1980) on the life history and West Midlands distri- bution of Andricus quercuscalicis were of considerable interest to me because I have been keeping very rough records of occurrence of this and some other gall-causing organisms in the course of my work at Kew Gardens, in Surrey.
Large numbers of Knopper Galls were noticed last year (1980) on an oak (Quercus robur) in front of Kew Palace, but in spite of the very heavy infestation there are still many good seeds produced, and the total effect on the tree and its potential progeny seems to be small. Specimens sent to Kew over the last few years include some received in 1973 (southern England), 1977 (Sidmouth Estate), and 1979 (Epsom, Surrey).
Other gall-forming organisms recorded especially in the last few years include Aceria genistae (a mite) which infests Cytisus. This has increased rapidly in occurrence in Britain since the early 1970s, and probably came in from southern Europe. Host plants are sometimes killed, apparently
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 17
by the effects of the very large numbers of galls destroying young shoots. Another mite gall—that of Eriophyes tristriatus typicus on the leaves of walnut trees (Juglans regia)—causes only minor leaf surface distor- tion. This species has been recorded at Kew since 1972, and specimens have been received from Sussex, Dorset, Middlesex and the Isle of Wight. Late last summer infested leaves were also found as far north as East Yorkshire.—J. L. S. Keesing (4414).
Knopper gall in Devonshire and Hampshire—I was very interested to read the article by P. R. Shirley on the “Knopper Gall’ caused by Andricus quercuscalicis on oak. I first came across this in Romsey, Hants in 1974. None of my botanical friends could identify it and a local forester suggested sending it to a plant pathology group in Reading. From them [I learned that it had first appeared in this country, from Europe, at the beginning of the sixties and was known from six (unspeci- fied) counties. My first sample was unlike that illustrated in the article, and most of those I have seen since, in that the gall was actually formed on the fully grown acorn and not as a replacement for the acorn in the cup.
At the present time A. quercuscalicis is widespread in Hampshire and the New Forest and I found an infected tree in Budleigh Salterton whilst on holiday in Devon. One interesting point is that in the early days one or two galls might be found beneath a given oak but now the area at the base of infected oaks is usually littered wiih dozens if not hundreds of fallen galls —D. K. Jenkins.
Kentucky °80—Some ‘Public Relations’ visits in Louisville provided the opportunity to do some collecting in North Kentucky in mid-July 1980.
We drove it in one day, stopping at Cincinnati on the way down. The prospects looked good as I found a male Citheronia regalis in a gas station in the afternoon as we neared Louisville.
That night we left the motel at around 10 p.m. and drove back along Interstate Highway 71, stopping at rest areas and lit up service stations. Conditions seemed excellent, with the temperature dropping slowly from the day’s high of 100°F. at 6 p.m., and light cloud cover, however we failed to find anything of note. Finally we decided to eat at a ‘greasy spoon’ off the highway, where my business associate Curtis Hemlock sampled the local recipe, some of us being compulsive risk takers. On finishing our ‘meal’ we walked around the parking lot and came across an immaculate male regalis.
The next night about 30 miles north of Louisville, we decided to try the back roads, and found nothing. We then retraced our steps of the night before, climatic conditions seemed identical, however at a truck weigh station we found a male Pholus pandorus, and another male
18 FEBRUARY, 1981
regalis. While we were searching the grass, an Eacles imperialis dropped out of the sky! We then returned to the diner, and on the walls of a dimly lit gas station sat two more regalis, females this time as big as sparrows! The rest of the night was equally fruitful, female Actia luna, imperialis and more pandorus followed. Curtis photographed the live specimens.
At the time of writing, I have Automeris io sleeved on Honeysuckle, imperialis on Box Elder (Acer sp.), regalis on Plum, and Juna on willow in my small backyard. Plus Michigan cecropia and polyphemus. Come October I won’t have a leaf left; at least I won’t have to rake them.— Chris A. Young (5236).
Abundance of Stag Beetles in Croydon area—There seems to have been a particular abundance of Stag beetles (Lucanus cervus L.) in the East Croydon area during the summer of 1980. Walking to the station each day from late June to early August, a distance of about a mile, it has been unusual not to see at least one, or the remains of one, on or near the pavements. One day in late July I encountered no less than four, including a mating pair, whereas in previous years it has been rare to see more than two or three individuals in a whole summer. Could the exceptionally wet conditions this summer have increased mortality, and hence visibility? Many of the beetles seen were either dead or dying. — Michelle Green (5451).
Lime Hawk again in York—Further to my observation of the 9th June 1979 (AES Bulletin, p. 17, Vol. 39) regarding capture of an adult speci- men of the Lime Hawk (Mimas tiliae L.) at York. It would appear that this species is now established in this northern locality, as I found a full grown larva on the pavement, under a tall lime tree (Tilia intermedia (Vulgaris)), on 30th August 1980, close to the centre of York. Unfortu- nately this failed to pupate successfully—A. J. Gillery (3653).
Volucella Zonaria in Middlesex—I was interested to read the article in the May Bulletin regarding Volucella zonaria in Tottenham. This year I have found it on Buddleias in Isleworth in the grounds of the hospital at which I work. This is the first time that I have seen zonaria in this country. I saw the first specimen on 7th August while it was sunning itself on the front tyre of a car. On the 15th August I encountered five further examples on Buddleia along with a single V. inanis.
The abundance of this rare fly in this particular location may be due to the proximity of a number of beehives. It is well known that larvae of Volucella species are associated with the nests of the Humble-Bee (Bombus) and the Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) but I wonder if anyone can tell me whether Zonaria larvae have been found in commer- cial beehives.—Dr. M. C. Aldridge (4351).
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 1)
IS THE ESSEX SKIPPER EXTENDING ITS RANGE IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND?
It is always difficult to assess whether the discovery of a species in a new locality is due to lack of observation on the part of others in the past or arises from the spread or introduction of the species. Some years ago I found the Essex skipper, Thymelicus lineola Ochs., quite com- monly around Feltham in Middlesex from where it had not previously been recorded, despite at least one well-known entomologist living close- by. The butterfly tends to be on the wing slightly later than T. sylvestris Poda, the Small skipper, but their flights overlap and they frequent the same types of habitat so that it is necessary to check specimens by netting them before one can be certain of identity and perhaps this fact has meant that often the presence of lineola is overlooked. However, on the 12th August I visited the South Downs behind Seaford with Dr. Peter Ashdown, another member, in the hope of seeing the Silver-spotted skipper, Hesperia comma L. With the late season we saw none and only a few Chalkhill blues, males, freshly emerged flying with equally fresh Common blues. However, resting on the grasses were several small skippers which I assumed, at first, to be Small skippers but on netting a female (and only females were present) I discovered it to be lineola with its distinctive black tips to the antennae. Four further females were the same species and none was sylvestris among all the others observed. Over many years I have visited this spot about the same time of the year but had not been there for the last three years so unless I had been less observant in previous visits it would appear that the butterfly has estab- lished itself here fairly recently. On checking the distribution maps for this species compiled at Monks Wood I see that there is an indication of a pre-1940 record in this area with later records from areas east of Eastbourne so it is possible that the butterfly has been in the area for some time and has just recently spread into the valley which I visited.
| P. W. Cribb (2270)
THE WHITE ADMIRAL (LIMENITIS CAMILLA L.)— OBSERVATIONS ON LAYING HABITS
In the company of two other members, David Marshall and John McFeely, I visited woodlands on the Surrey/Hants border on the 14th August. We hoped to observe the Purple Emperor, Apatura iris L., on the wing but the poor weather conditions with cloud and later drizzle precluded this although I did find a newly-laid egg which indicated that the butterfly was recently ovipositing in the area. Despite the lack of sunshine, the warm muggy conditions were sufficient to cause many species to fly—Speckled Woods, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Common Blues, Small Coppers and single specimens of the Red Admiral and Painted Lady, along with Green-veined and Small Whites and, sur-
20 FEBRUARY, 1981
prisingly. several White Admirals which were obviously bent on egg- laying. This is a very late date for such activities and was obviously due to the very indifferent summer. One often wonders how our butterflies cope with some of our poor summers but they do manage and one of our observations is of interest. We spent some time searching for ova on the honeysuckle sprays growing beneath the canopy of oaks and found both eggs and larvae. The eggs are, for the greater part, laid on the upper surface of the leaf and at the edge and not too difficult to find once one has got one’s eye in. The small larvae eat away the tip of the leaf so that the mid-rib is left and upon this the larva rests, usually surrounded with frass particles which have adhered to the silken pad spun by the larva. Pendulous sprays from plants growing around coppiced hazels and those hanging down from plants growing round the boles of the oaks seem to be the main choice of site and the eggs seem to be laid on leaves about waist-height and upwards to sprays six or seven feet up, provided they are still shaded by the canopy. As we searched we observed a female fluttering around the sprays of honey- suckle growing around a medium-sized oak bole and we then observed her lay two eggs, one on one side of the tree at a height of seven feet and the other on the opposite side at about the same height. The time of the day was now 6 p.m. and a light drizzle was fallitig and the light under the trees was too poor to register on my light-meter. On the same plant we found further eggs and three small larvae. It seems clear that provided the air temperature is high enough to raise the metabolism of this species, it is quite capable of flying and laying its eggs in light rain with the sun totally obscured and at a time of day when respectable butterflies have gone to bed.
P. W. Cribb (2270)
CONSERVATION, AND A TOUCH OF THE BLUES
In July, 1978, I was exploring the hills and heaths around the sleepy little town of La Ferté-Alais, in the Essonne Valley, just S.W. of Paris. Quite by chance, in a sheltered, sandy meadow, ablaze with thyme and other wild flowers, I discovered a very small, isolated, colony of the Large Blue, Maculinea arion.
I returned there in July, 1980. The meadow had been entirely quarried away for mineral extraction. It was a devastated mess of yellow mud, surrounded by a creaking wire fence, with “‘access forbidden” notices pinned to it. Needless to say, I was not tempted to investigate further.
So I had some unexpected time available to sit on a nearby rock and philosophise. This was in France, remember. The Large Blue butterfly is neither protected nor endangered there, and no-one thinks much about it. Many entomologists I’ve spoken to greet our passionate British tale of woe with astonishment and amusement, followed by an enquiry whether we have any of the other European Maculinea species to com-
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 21
pensate? My negative reply to that one usually evokes a Gallic gesture of polite commiseration. “Ah, ze Engleesh, they have not ze good habitat.”” That is an ideal moment to refrain from pointing out that their richer French habitats are now being even more ruthlessly vandalised than our own. But then, courtesy is also worthy of conservation. That’s just by the way.
But it’s strange. Think of the proverbial flying crow, and glance at the traditional world atlas. La Ferté-Alais is just about as many miles south from London as Cornwall is west, and Cornwall held most of our former British Large Blue colonies. I’ve no doubt that other colonies survive on French soil still closer to the Channel. So why all the fantastic fuss and expense on our side of the water only? Did this beautiful butterfly demonstrate any genetic or varietal distinctions which scientifically justified such a dramatic contrast of attitude? Did it become, for us, more of a popular symbol of our eternal battle for wildlife these days? Or did we merely exaggerate our feelings of patriotic pride, giving our better-endowed continental colleagues yet another chance to enjoy an affectionate chuckle?
Future generations will know whether any (or all) of our conservation antics, today, are indeed a comedy—or a tragedy. National pride is still very, very precious to us, and can only too easily cloud the more far- reaching implications of what we do to protect our wild heritage. ’'m afraid that dry, scientific stuffiness can only too easily alienate the general public: I’ve seen it happen many times. And it is sad that well- intentioned release-breeding activities can only too easily induce euphoric states of self-congratulation and complacency, while the environmental consequences are nil, or even negative.
And then, there are our enemies! Land-hungry, heartless, mercenary, there they lie under such labels as local authorities, and mineral com- panies, and “‘entertainment”’ benefactors. There they sit, with the infinite patience for which they’re handsomely paid. There they watch, not even taking the trouble to smile at our fretful squabbles about nets and cameras. They know better. They know that the last word will be theirs.
Of course, it’s all about money. Modern conservation antics may be comic or tragic, but the stark reality is that they are all desperatey short of funds. To protect a species, or a habitat, or both, is very expensive. The professional conservationist frankly now has to choose between service and sacrifice. Do we always agree with his evaluations and priorities?
Let’s consider a few pointed questions about conservation policy. Should the professional concentrate on particular British rarities, which are carefully chosen for their purely outstanding character and appear- ance, so that they evoke spontaneous emotional appeal among the public at large? Such choices may or may not have any relation to whether
22 FEBRUARY, 1981
the overall world populations of these species are secure or precarious. And in that context, it does strike me that such items as Large Blues, Ospreys, and many of our Orchids have more public-gallery appeal than actual danger of total extinction. On the one hand, spectacular species make good publicity; on the other, there are many drab, nondescript ones more in need of protection. No doubt the gentle art of compromise is called for.
Should the taxpayer’s money subsidise the maintenance of hidden, holy shrines, whose precise whereabouts are deadly secrets? “‘Priceless”’ localities known only to those tiny elitist groups who have sworn blood oaths never to divulge where they are, nor ever to touch any of their contents? We’ve all heard of such places. And it’s obvious that they will never serve the community as a whole. Who is to judge what their real values are? Or, at the other extreme. should such money be used more liberally, in order to preserve as much general wild greenery as possible for the widest possible cross-section of our society to benefit from? Funds will never be adequate to get the best of all worlds; the service- sacrifice dilemma is never-ending. We must choose.
I’m not going to discuss every point, but will express some personal views, and expect that readers will come back to me with some of theirs. Franky, I don’t think it is morally correct to spend very large sums of money protecting, or trying to protect, any plant or animal species scarce in Britain which is relatively common and apparently identical overseas. Nor even would the “‘scientific’’ interest of very subtle regional variations of a species really offer sufficient human benefit to justify heavy expenditure. “‘Scientific’’ considerations are not always as over- whelmingly valuable or significant as they are claimed to be, especially when no-one is doing any actual research on them. By the same token, the secret shrine policy is surely only justified when it safeguards some- thing truly endemic, or of genuine world rarity. In such circumstances, no pains should be spared. But, otherwise we have many sites where common European species have one or two colonies only on British soil. It would certainly be sad to lose them, but I do not think we should pour a lot of money into preserving them. The very few people in the know, who can afford the luxury of enjoying their isolated pilgrimages, can also afford a passport and a boat ticket! Their national pride should not be a burden on other people’s pockets. Not for Large Blues. nor for anything else.
Without question, I would favour more conservation money used to ensure that more of our relativley ordinary, easily accessible, English countrysides (what we have left of it) be preserved to serve the amenity requirements and the wildlife education of millions of ordinary people. And let the rarities tend to take a second seat, except in very special circumstances. How else can we get and hold vital public support? Certainly not by catering for a tiny specialist minority. who can often
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 23
see the same things more easily overseas, anyway. It is vital that we watch our habitats, above all else, not so much single species. Nothing can survive with nowhere to live.
Goodness knows, all of us want our countryside to have some kind of future. Imagine a child of the next century, saying: ‘‘Daddy, daddy, is it true, when you were a little boy, that you could actually walk out into open places full of grass, and trees, and uncut wild flowers, without writing to the warden first?”
I sincerely hope that the Large Blue experience in Britain will help all of us towards recognising far more wisely chosen priorities, before all is lost.
And may heaven help all naturalists of future generations, for it is today’s cash-starved conservationists they are so helplessly dependant on!
Brian Wurzell (3718)
NOMENCLATURE GONE MAD, OR A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME. ...
A few years back I was collecting with the late Leo Coleridge in an alpine valley in North Italy and he boxed a Blue which he brought across for me to identify. “I believe it is Lysandra hylas,” he said. I had to teil him that it had been renamed Lysandra argester in the latest book by Forster and Wohlfahrt. ““You can’t be sure,” was his reply. ““We have been out here nearly a fortnight and it could have been changed.’’ How right he was for on our return I received my copy of the first edition of Higgins and Riley’s new book on the European butterflies and there it was as Plebicula dorylas Schiff.
Published in 1970 “‘A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe”’ by Higgins and Riley, one hoped that here was an authoritative book giving the correct nomenclature for the species covered. The AES published a check list which was amended to bring it into line with this publication. In 1975 Dr. Higgins published his book on the classification of European Butterflies and already major changes were introduced. It would be too much to list them all here but we can look at a few. In the genus Pieris the new work retained only brassicae and five species previously in the genus were moved to Artogeia which had been erected by Verity in 1947. The move was based on structural differences of the genitalia and scales which had been known previously. In the 1970 book a genus had been used, for a group of the Lycaenidae, which had been erected by Higgins in 1969, Plebicula, and into this genus were placed seven species which had previously been in the genus Lysandra. In the 1975 book there were three of these, amanda, thersites and escheri which had been moved into another existing genus Agrodiaetus. The previous species in this genus, A. admetus, ainsae, damon, dolus, fabressei and
24 FEBRUARY, 1981
ripartii have imagines with quite distinctive features, so much so that they can be confused in the field but the new additions are quite unlike the other Agrodiaetus spp. being distinctly spotted on the undersides and much more akin to the genus Lysandra. The three additions also have a CN (chromosome number) of 24 while the remainder of the A grodiaetus are in excess of twice this number. Still among the Blues we find that the genus Aricia has been tidied up by grouping several of the ‘species’ of 1970 as subspecies so that cramera, montensis and allous are taken into A. agestis and A. artaxerxes. A. nicias becomes Pseudaricia nicias (genus erected by Beuret 1959). Similarly Philotes becomes Pseudophilotes (Beuret 1958).
Returing to the Pierids we meet complete confusion over Euchloe ausonia. This butterfly, the Dappled White. appears in 1970 as a single species with a lowland bivoltine form called E. ausonia ausonia and a univoltine montane form called E. ausonia simplonia. In 1975 Dr. Higgins had second thoughts and referred the lowland race to Euchloe crameri Butler and the upland race to E. ausonia, losing simplonia on the way. The race in Corsica is referred to as E. insularis, possibly a form of EF. crameri. However the latest revised edition of The Field Guide by Higgins and Riley (1980) changes things once again. Now the upland race is treated as a good species under the -name F. ausonia while the lowland one is named FE. simplonia. This is despite a note in the text that the difference between the two is rather like that between EF. aurinia and EF. aurinia debilis i.e. the differences between upland and lowland races of one species. Having bred both races on several occasions and finding that many of the pupae of the lowland race lie over until the following spring (i.e. are univoltine) I consider that the minute larval differences do not merit anything more than one species with sub- species. At all events, why turn the nomenclature upside down?
In this latest edition there are further major changes, the most obvious being the loss of the genus Euphydras, a genus that Dr. Higgins has dealt with in fine monographs in the past. In its place appear two new genera Eurodryas and Hipodryas, erected by Dr. Higgins to differentiate between the structural differences of the species previously in Euphy- dryas. Thus we have H. cynthia, iduna, intermedia and maturna and Eurodryas aurinia and E. desfontainii. One wonders what has happened to the North American species previously in Euphydryas.
I find it difficult to appreciate what the general intention is underlying all the changes. In 1970 Coenonympha iphioides is considered a good species and certainly the great differences between it and C. glycerion north of the Pyrennees present a better case for this than do any differ- ences observed in FE. ausonia. Yet in 1980 it is worthy only of sub- specific status to glycerion. Similarly Agriades aquilo in 1970 becomes a sub-species of A. glandon. However C. arcania darwiniana of 1970 has been given specific status as C. darwiniana although there would seem to
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 25
be a very good case for considering it to be only a montane form of arcania.
The Skippers appear to have been left reasonably alone since 1970 and only Muschampia has been lost to a resurrected genus, Syrichtus. In the Nymphalidae (Apaturidae) there is one newcomer, Apatura ilia metis is considered to be a good species, A. metis. The Satyridae have not fared quite so well as three species have been moved from Hip- parchia to Neohipparchia (de Lesse 1951) on genitalic differences and there are changes and additions in the genus Pseudochazara. P. mamurra of 1970 is renamed P. graeca and two new Balkan species are added, P. amymone Brown (1976) and P. cingoyskii Gross (1973) which might be of sub-specific status.
One might have hoped that by now some level of standardisation of names could have been achieved so that much of the confusion could be avoided but it would seem that we must accept new genera erected by distinguished entomologists ad infinitum. One must feel considerable relief that Warren kindly left the Erebia alone but there is sufficient variation in structure and habit in this genus for any busy taxonomist to have a field day. I think that Dr. Higgins is right to group all those strange L. coridon forms in Spain into L. coridon and L. albicans des- pite there being chromosome number variations but to diversify in other directions does not help in the study and understanding of the European butterflies.
P. W. Cribb (2270) REFERENCES
HIGGINS, L. G. & RILEY, N. D. A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe. 1st Edition 1970. 4th Edition 1980.
HIGGINS, L. G. The Classification of European Butterflies. 1975.
FORSTER, W. & WOHLFAHRT, T. A. Die Schmetterlinge Mitteleuropas. 1955.
FIRST RECORD OF THE ORDER TRICHOPTERA FROM THE MALTESE ISLANDS
This note reports the first record of a species of the order Trichoptera from the Maltese Islands. It is hardly surprising that this order has not been previously recorded from the islands. This is almost certainly due to dearth of suitable freshwater habitats—the Maltese Islands having no lakes or rivers and very few permanent streams. The species taken, Tinodes maclachlani Kimmins (=T. aureola McL.) is a small caddis fly of the family Psychomyidae. Two specimens, a male and a female, were taken from Buskett (Malta) on 31st December 1979 by beating vegetation surrounding a small man-made irrigation channel, which at the time, was in use. Dr. L. Botosaneanu who determined the species comments that the male genitalia of the Maltese specimen is somewhat different from those of British examples, but it is difficult to evaluate the
26 FEBRUARY, 1981
importance of this from one specimen. 7. maclachlani is known from Britain, Spain, the Pyrenees, parts of Central European mountain regions, peninsular Italy, Corsica, Sicily, and now, Malta.
I am very grateful to Dr. L. Botosaneanu of the Instituut Voor Taxo- nomische Zodlogie, Amsterdam, for supplying valuable taxonomic and zoogeographical information.
Stephen P. Schembri (5519)
SOME INSECTS IN AN INDIAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Having now identified some of the species found, this is the first of two accounts of insects seen during visits to India in 1977 and 1978. The first of these was made in May 1977 to the Mudumalai and Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuaries in the foothills of the Nilgiris in tropical South India. As with other monsoon regions the best time for insects was at the height of the rains a month or so later but May saw the first of the pre-monsoon showers so insects were at least more abundant than they would have been a few weeks earlier at the end of the long hot dry season. The forests of the rolling foothills lie between the rain- forest of the Western Ghats and the dry tropical forest of the plateau to the north and east and is classified as moist deciduous but in fact varies a good deal. The banks of the Moyar River, in the centre of the Mudumalai Sanctuary, carry dense stands of a variety of large trees, while away from the banks teak predominated with a ground flora of grasses and scrambling plants. At Bandipur and Masinigudi the forest was often little better than dry scrub particularly impoverished near the little village of Masinigudi by the grazing of domestic cattle.
A rich bird and mammal fauna still survives in these sanctuaries, once the hunting preserve of the Maharajahs of Mysore, and it was to see some of these that was the main object of my visit, but the insects added to the fascination of wandering in jungles inhabited by leopards, tigers, wild dogs, hyenas, sloth bears, elephants, monkeys, deer and gaur, the giant wild ox. Although the insects were generally rather disappointing for what one might expect in a tropical forest, several groups flourished : the Odonata, cicadas, termites, butterflies and dung beetles, particularly the latter. Any open window of a lighted room at night was the target for multitudes of small dung beetles, mostly Onthophagus spp. along with a medium sized species such as Catharsius and the rotund brown Bolbocerus quadridens. Others of this group not found at light included the huge black Helicopris dominus which buried the elephant dung, the metallic dark green and copper Onthophagus vividus also specialising in elephant dung and the scarab-like Garreta dejeani common in cow dung around Masinigudi. The activities of Heliocopris were instantly recognis- able; piles of elephant dung were mixed up with mounds of freshly dug earth larger than mole hills. Beneath were one or two shafts about 2 in. wide probably going deep into the soil.
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 27
Apart from the dung beetles Coleoptera were not well represented, but those found included seven species of Buprestidae the largest of which were Chrysochroa mutabilis, the least spectacular of a genus of big, brilliantly metallic beetles, and the red and black A gelia pectinicornis; the metallic green click beetle Campsosternus splendidus which was flying around a clearing; the black and white water beetle Hydaticus festivus conspicuous as it swam in a rock pool; three species of red and black Clytrinae on foliage of Albizzia, two of these being Clytra succincta and Clytrasoma palliata and there were many other leaf beetles mostly Calasposoma spp. of the Eumolpinae. The most interesting species was a ground beetle, in appearance a typical ? in. long black carabid, that exhibited parental care of its offspring which I did not realise existed within this family. Unfortunately the specimen taken was eaten later by a gecko and so remains unidentified. The species was common under stones and logs in the forests. Four adults were found guarding either their young white grubs or their eggs which are unusually large in pro- portion to the insect (and I counted 30 eggs in one batch). The larvae when they leave the nest are two-tone red and black creatures that move actively about on tracks in the sunshine.
Without catching any I counted about 30 species of butterfly. One, the widespread Danaus melissa, occurred in swarms; by the end of May streaming through the trees accompanied by smaller numbers of the yellow pierid Catopsilia pomona. Other species included Precis hierta, P. limonias, Danaus limniace, Eurema hecabe, Hypolimnas_bolina, Neptis spp. and several dark swallowtails. Moths in contrast to butter- flies were scarce, only a few smal! individuals were attracted to lights.
The forests during the day were filled with the high pitched singing of Cicadas of at least four species, none large. These must have provided an abundant source of. food for birds. One kind, Platypleura octoguttata, pale brown with light red hind wings, often rested on the ground or low vegetation and would suddenly fly up with a loud buzzing as I walked by. Dragonflies and damselflies of many different forms flew over the multi- tude of pools that had formed from the heavy showers in depressions and in outcrops of rock. These must have been completely dry until about a month before when the dry season ended and the heat was at its greatest, but now aquatic plants had sprung up and duck weed floated on the surface; life was prolific in even the smallest rock pools a few inches across. As well as small frogs, great numbers of tadpoles including one type almost transparent except for its digestive tract which glinted gold in the sunlight, curious copepods and leech-like worms there were gyrinid beetles, gerrid bugs and dead mayflies on the surface of the pools and small Dytiscidae and Notonectidae beneath.
Two forms of termite mounds were a feature of the more open areas, one was the usual single pinnacled cone reaching to 4 to 5 feet in height.
28 FEBRUARY, 1981
The other consisted of a cluster of hollow conical structures 9 to 15 inches high. I knocked off one of these projections from the latter type of mound; in the interior just below ground level was a rounded mass of dark soft material inside which were a few worker termites. One species of the Nasutitermitinae lived in cracks along the outcrops of rock. The presence of the colonies was indicated by dark powdery encrustations beneath which were the black worker termites whose heads were protruded in front into a beak or tube. In a field on the forest verge at Masinigudi I came across four separate streams of large, pale brown termites entering a hole in the ground while a fifth stream flowed out of it. The workers were swarming over the branches of small dead shrubs around the nest. some chewing the ends of the twigs and dry sticks on the ground. Occasionally one made a rapid tapping motion with its head against a branch or one of its fellow workers. About one in every hundred or so of these insects was a much larger individual with enlarged head and mandibles. Although the sky was overcast at the time it was unusual to see worker termites active on the soil surface in the daytime.
Just beside this scene of termite industry was a small Caesalpinia plant. At the base of each leaf stalk was a dark nodule and ants of the genus Camponotus were attending to these as if they were aphids: no doubt they exuded some sweet substance. I read later of an Acacia in Mexico that has developed nectar bearing nodules at the base of the leaf stalks apparently designed to attract ants who in turn keep the plant clear of vegetarian insects. In the forests of Bandipur I sometimes came across a ball of dark woody material up to a foot in diameter formed around the branches of small trees. These were the nests of a species of Crematogaster ant. If I tapped on one of these carton nests the inmates would come pouring out of the top waving their pointed gasters in the air.
I stayed several days in a hut at the village of Masinigudi on the fringe of the Mudumalai forests. Here some of the jungle had degenerated into scrub and outside the boundary of the reserve there were fields and rough pasture with scattered clumps of trees and bushes. Insects were far more in evidence in these habitats especially butterflies and Hymen- optera. Flowering bushes of the alien Lantana attracted butterflies not seen in the interior of the forests such as the almost black crow butter- flies of the genus Euploea. There were huge black carpenter bees and several species of hunting wasps. Beside the rough tracks along which village cattlke were driven to graze in the scrub nearly every rock harboured a scorpion of one of three kinds. A smallish brown form was the most abundant and was common throughout the forest. Some of the females were smothered with their young which they carry on their backs. Another species was large. 4 to 5 inches in length, dark green with an orange poison sack. One female with her young was exposed when I turned over a large boulder: the 9 or 10 little scorpions were
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 29
about 4 an inch long, soft, pure white and hardly capable of indepen- dent movement. One fell off the mother’s back as they were disturbed and lay helpless on the soil until placed back amongst her brothers and sisters.
Elsewhere at the forest verge and on the pastures around Masinigudi turning over of rocks and logs uncovered an assortment of lizards, scorpions, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, snails, earthworms, crickets, mostly wingless cockroaches and black ground beetles. Also one smal] snake and a brenthid beetle (Amorphocephalus sp.). Under one log were several brown crickets and one black cricket with four bright yellow spots on its back. One of the cockroaches here was identically marked with four yellow spots.
Whilst wandering on foot in these forests I had many encounters with the larger mammal inhabitants; not only with elephants, deer and monkeys, all of which are common, but also with some of the much more elusive species such as tiger, gaur and giant squirrel. The elephants were the only hazard; their population in these sanctuaries proved to be particularly temperamental and liable to charge, though usually only as part of a threat display.
S. Von Losch (6490)
OBSERVATIONS ON RHOPALOCERA IN ANDORRA— JUNE/JULY 1979 (Continued from Vol. 39, page 208)
LOCALITY: Els Cortals (Encamp)
Habitat: Open rough pasture and damp meadowland areas surrounded by thick coniferous belts on higher ground.
Average altitude: 1600 m.
Date of observations: 30th June 1979.
As this day was designated as our ‘rest day’ without any planned activity, I decided to spend as much of the morning and afternoon in an area of high summer pastures lying to the south-east of Encamp and approached by a narrow twisting road. Els Cortals is itself a broad mountain valley and is particularly popular with local visitors in the summer months as a picnic area. I decided to concentrate my own survey work mid-way below the high pastures where the road ends in the hope that I would find quiet meadows and pastures set back from the road with some protection from the inquisitive gaze of visitors passing by! In any event as the weather conditions were perfect with scarcely a cloud in the sky, I knew full well that to attempt to walk the full distance would have occupied most of the morning and would prove to be an exhausting experience. My decisions proved to be very sensible as my final choice of meadows and pastures yielded the greatest density of butterflies ever recorded by me throughout the whole of my
30 FEBRUARY, 1981
holiday. I left our hotel at 9-00 a.m. and after a brief stop at the top of a small track which by-passed some of the lower road bends, in order to collect a small series of Lycaenids found in numbers amongst terraced fields. I reached a beautiful area of undulating pastures with a small stream on the southern side at an altitude of 1600m where I decided to make my base for the day. I reached this spot shortly after 11-00 a.m. and as insect life was so numerous throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon it was only with reluctance that I decided to return to Encamp at 5-00 p.m. by which time the sun was beginning to set behind the mountains and the temperature began to drop quite sharply.
PAPILIONIDAE
Although both P. machaon gorganus and L. podalirius feisthamelii were sighted on various occasions during the day, neither species appeared to be in abundance and only isolated ones were seen at any one time. As the temperature was high their activity on the wing was fast and powerful and I was afforded no opportunity to approach any insect closely. There were also a few male P. apollo pyrenaicus sighted in flight throughout the afternoon. However. as these latter butterflies tended to fly around the higher slopes close to the road. I decided against the perhaps fruitless task of attempting to chase after such a quarry that day!
PIERIDAE
Without any doubt the most common species sighted throughout the day and in particular in the mid- and early afternoon was A. crataegi, which although never abundant in any particular area. was always seen in solitary flight wherever there was a density of flora present. I never ceased to marvel at the imperious flight of this large butterfly, which could be seen from quite a distance in view of its pure white general coloration in contrast to the general greenery. Most appeared to be male, although I did towards the end of the afternoon sight a few females present.
There were few P. brassicae, P. rapae, or L. sinapis present and in fact brassicae and rapae appeared to be entirely confined to the lower meadows where I had briefly stopped on my way up from Encamp in the early morning. There was always a limited number of C. crocea to be seen Zig-zZagging around the meadow banks and higher ground and all appeared to be males.
My highlight of the day was the sighting of a male A. belia euphe- noides, which I sighted on no less than three separate occasions and on each occasion I failed to net this insect due to impatience on my part! Despite my failure to catch this butterfly, I was at least very pleased to have recorded such a sighting in a region of Andorra where this species is unlikely to be encountered frequently.
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 31
In a few sheltered pockets around a small stream I frequently came across both male and female 4. cardamines fluttering about in search of cruciferous plants, and amongst these butterflies it was not unusual to see the odd male G. rhamni L. gracefully sailing and soaring around _ small saplings close to the banks of the stream. Later in the afternoon I also saw a limited number of C. australis Verity in flight over higher meadow ground.
NYMPHALIDAE
At frequent intervals I was guaranteed to see a few male and female V. atalanta, and A. urticae feeding on thistle heads and other tall plants, and I was surprised to find these in good condition, as I would have expected to see these species in such a locality at a later period in the summer.
On two occasions during the late afternoon I found a male and female P. c-album basking amongst the foliage of small saplings flank- ing the stream; both were in good condition and members of the spring brood.
It was however, amongst the fritillaries that I found the most activity. Both sexes of C. selene and C. euphrosyne were very common around the lower meadow pasture slopes and the banks of the stream. I was also pleased to see once again B. ino in small numbers amongst the damper hollows; all of this latter species were, however, male and no females were recorded that day. I also found a limited number of both sexes of M. cinxia on higher pasture ground, although I did note that most were distinctly worn and few in good condition.
Whilst resting in order to take some well-earned refreshment (both liquid and otherwise!) I noticed a small fritillary fluttering close at hand, which appeared to display a paler fulvous coloration than I had seen earlier, and on closer inspection, I found it to be a fine male of the local species P. eunomia Esper., which is generally uncommon throughout Central Europe and is more widely distributed as a distinct sub-species in Norway and Sweden. The most distinguishing character- istics of this species are the markings and general coloration of the undersides of the hindwing with a series of post discal spots with white or pale-yellowish centres; no other similar species of fritillary displays such markings. As has been indicated, the general coloration of the upper sides of both fore- and hind-wings is a pale fulvous-orange, and I did find some were almost yellow where they had been on the wing for some while. This species favours boggy areas and rarely flies beyond its prescribed colonial territories. Later in the afternoon I found an exten- sive colony of this species, although all sighted appeared to be male at the time of my visit.
Upon my arrival in the meadows which were to become my base for the day, I found my first male B. napaea Hoff. lazily flying from one
32 FEBRUARY, 1981
flower to another. This species is apparently local and is difficult at times to tell apart from B. pales pyrenesmiscens Verity, which is more widely distributed throughout Andorra. However the former species can be generally recognised by the paler fulvous coloration and the upper forewing black markings being distinctly linear in character whereas those of pales are generally thicker and more macular in character. I personally found napaea tended to favour exposed higher ground areas whereas pales tended to prefer damp meadow areas and were often present in numbers as a distinct local colony. I also suspect that napaea is more likely to be encountered later in July and throughout most of August, although this fact has yet to be confirmed.
A small colony of M. athalia celadussa was found in short meadow pasture close to the stream; all appeared to be male and were noticed to display a somewhat fuscous general coloration although the black markings were very clear and distinct.
SATYRIDAE
As would be expected for such a favourable locality I found present on the wing in small numbers four of the previously recorded Erebia genus—triaria, meolans, oeme and epiphron. I found triaria and oeme to be more abundant than the other two species and meolans appeared to be largely confined to higher ground areas. I further found that meolans tended to show intermediate characteristics between those of the nominate form and those of the larger form zagasia, which appears to be fairly widely distributed in this area. I suspect however that zagasia is more likely to be found as the predominant form or sub-species further to the south over the border into Spain where the mountain terrain is distinctly drier and warmer. FE. epiphron was found to be sparsely distributed in this area and was largely confined to damp and sheltered hollows within lower pasture areas; the reduction in numbers of this species was I suspect, due largely to the fact that my visit was on the early side for recording imagines on the wing as this species is probably not fully on the wing until later in July. However, I was interested to record the presence of a few female imagines which I would not expect to appear until the males had been on the wing for a week or two. I should also mention that in this central area of Andorra epiphron was represented by its sub-species fauveaui de Lesse. which displays a noteable feature on the upper-sides of the forewing—a distinct but somewhat irregular broad post-discal brick-red band with four blind black spots, which are somewhat variable in size. In other respects this sub-species is similar to other sub-species found elsewhere in Europe, although I would say that the general size of this sub-species is perhaps a little larger and the general ground colour of the upper sides of the hind-wing is often particularly dark.
Strangely enough I found C. arcania in short supply compared to
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elsewhere, although I did find C. pamphilus to be perhaps more numerous than elsewhere. Altitude factors may have had a control over the appearance of the former species and it may be that arcania emerges somewhat later above 1500m and is therefore more likely to be encountered in greater numbers later in July.
Large female L. maera were often to be found flying around exposed ground areas as well as amongst the small trees flanking the stream close-by. Because of the overall fulvous coloration of these insects there was no doubt that they were of the form adrasta, which appears to be widely distributed in this region of the Pyrenees. No males were seen, which somewhat surprised me. I did subsequently come to the conclusion that the males tend to confine their flight to lower altitude levels around rocky paths and slopes as well as scree areas and old stone walls; the females on the other hand appeared to have a stronger flight pattern and would often venture onto more exposed terrain elsewhere.
LYCAENIDAE
On my way up to the higher levels of Els Cortals I passed many small terraced fields of open pasture which by mid-morning were full of idas, argus, semiargus and icarus, both male and female. Because there was so much sunshine with little or no wind present these insects spent much of their time basking in the sunshine amongst a galaxy of meadowland flora, and they did not appear to be greatly concerned at my sudden appearance amongst them!
Once I had reached my chosen area for survey work I found the above mentioned species to be even more abundant in the lower pasture areas around the stream and amongst them P. amanda was frequently found. The only new species of Lycaenid recorded that day was P. dorylas Schiff.; this brilliant blue species is unmistakable because of its pale blue coloration, which seems to stand out when in flight more than any other species to be found. This species can sometimes be superficially confused with L. coridon Poda because the general coloration of the undersides of both the fore- and hindwing is often powder grey with the usual distinct black markings. As only two males of this species were recorded, it was obvious to me that my visit to this area was on the early side; a week or two later and I would no doubt have found this species to be present in larger numbers and more widely distributed. In any event I was delighted to be afforded the opportunity of seeing this species for the first time.
On higher and more exposed ground I also found a few small colonies of C. minimus present and as most appeared in good condition, there was little doubt that this species has its peak period of emergence in late June/early July.
Amongst the “‘coppers’’ I only recorded a limited number of male P. hippothde present amongst the damper sheltered meadows close to
34 FEBRUARY, 1981
the stream. I was pleased to see that most were still in good condition with much violet suffusion around the costal area of the forewing and within the basal area of the hindwing. No H. virgaureae were seen during this particular visit, although I have no doubt that this species would be found in such an area a week or two later.
HESPERHDAE
As my attention was so largely focused on other butterfly species throughout the day, I was unable to spend much time recording the present of “Skipper” species. I did however, observe that T. sylvestris and E. tages were plentiful in the densely flower-carpeted lower meadow pastures, and on higher exposed slopes a few O. venatus faunus Turati males were to be found. I suspect that other species were present but were simply not noticed by me.
LOCALITY: Els Cortals (Encamp)
Habitat: Open rough pasture and meadowland. Average altitude: 1600 m. Date of observations: Ist July 1979.
We had planned to spend this day contouring around some of the higher frontier peaks lying to the south of Pas de la Casa, which are apparently most spectacular and provide the mountain walker with some magnificent views into France and Spain. However, due to low-lying cloud our leader’s plans were abandoned and we were taken to a small skiing area further inland called Grau Roig from where we began what was to be one of our longest walks of the holiday. The weather condi- tions in fact proved to be somewhat variable insofar as there was swirling low cloud around and a brisk breeze which tended to restrict butterfly activity to the minimum. I therefore decided to abandon any hope of carrying out any serious survey work during that day, and instead give myself the opportunity to study and photograph mountain flora, which proved to be very profitable.
After spending most of the morning and a lunch-break in the midst of a group of small mountain lakes and cirques (Estanys dels Pessons —average altitude 2300 m) we struck eastwards in order to follow the length of the Cortals Valley passing in the late afternoon the area where I had spent so many pleasant hours’ survey work during the previous day, before finally dropping down to Encamp and back to our hotel. We spent the best part of six hours walking during which time we traversed about 12 kilometres of the central highland region of Andorra, which is largely exposed and treeless heath-like terrain well above 2000 m, flanked on the southern side by bare mountain peaks and out- crops of scree and rock. In bad weather this area would be very depress- ing and bleak and we were all somewhat relieved that the weather
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 35
conditions were at least bright and sunny for most of the day with no signs of rain appearing to spoil our day’s walk! I sighted few butterflies on the wing and apart from a few triaria flying around the lower meadows around Grau Roig at the start of our walk, little else was seen throughout the day until we began to drop down towards Encamp in the late afternoon when I saw a number of crataegi males and females roosting on top of various flowerheads including one pair in cop., which I presumed would remain in such close proximity until the following morning!
No Nymphalids were seen throughout the day—this was certainly due to unfavourable windy conditions. Amongst Lycaenids there was likewise little to be seen except that I did find at rest my only recorded L. bellargus Rott., a male.
It was strange for me to pass through the meadow pastures where I had spent so many hours on the previous day amongst such a density of butterfly life only to sight on this occasion the odd butterfly in desultory flight or at rest.
LOCALITY: Coma de Ransol!
Habitat: Damp meadowland areas surrounded by steep mountainous slopes containing scree and sparse growth of conifers, broom and alpenrose bushes.
Average altitude: 1800 m. Date of observations: 2nd July 1979.
After the previous day’s somewhat disappointing observations, this day proved to be almost as exciting and profitable as my first visit to Els Cortals. It was decided that our party would spend this day travers- ing the length of Coma de Ransol, a broad and fertile valley extending over 4 kms and lying between Canillo and Soldeu. This charming valley has the great benefit of being sheltered and runs north to south thereby attracting a large amount of the sunshine throughout the day. It was the ultimate aim of our party to continue beyond the head of the valley to the northern frontier peaks adjoining France. I, for my part, had decided that as weather conditions were ideal, this would be an excellent opportunity for me to carry out a full day’s butterfly survey in this valley where little such work has been carried out before. Upon arrange- ment, the rest of our party left me behind in the middle of the valley after I had agreed to meet up with them on their return to the village of Ransol in the late afternoon in order to catch a local bus back to Encamp.
As soon as I was left on my own, I was astounded at the total tranquility present with not a single human in sight, and I shall always remember that day as containing some of the most blissful and enjoy- able hours in perfect surroundings as I have ever spent abroad so far.
36 FEBRUARY, 1981
PAPILIONIDAE
The only member of this family recorded during this day was P. apollo pyrenaicus which was seen on a number of occasions through- out the day either in flight or at rest around the lower meadow pastures wherever there was a reasonable density of flora present. On this occasion I was able to inspect this butterfly at close quarters when avidly feeding on flowerheads, and I was most impressed at the large size of this sub-species as well as the general pristine quality of the male imagines found. I was clearly too early to see any females on the wing and it is doubtful if they appear much before the middle of July.
PIERIDAE
Amongst the damp meadow pastures and small enclosures which lay close to the Ransol River I found plenty of male and female crocea flying powerfully around in open sunshine, and in the sheltered pockets close to the river there were a few male cardamines to be found in search of females. Later in the afternoon I did see a few male rapae listlessly flying around the corner of a small cultivated plot of ground.
Whilst spending some time on the western slopes of the valley amongst sparse vegetation I frequently encountered in fast flight male ausonia which appeared to confine their erratic flight behaviour to the lower steep slopes lying below the main conifer belts which covered the higher regions of the valley. Those sighted were very restless and seldom stopped to rest amongst flowers in the vicinity. I did however, after much effort, succeed in catching one male, which I found to be in good condition. Although it was hard to verify the fact, it did appear that most were male and therefore, I suspect that this species had not reached its peak emergence period.
NYMPHALIDAE
It was amongst members of this family that my most important discoveries lay. Very shortly after I was left behind in the valley T chanced to spot a bright fulvous coloured butterfly flying close to the ground a short distance away from the path where I was standing, in the midst of a large area of damp meadowland, and on approaching this insect without much difficulty I was delighted to discover that I had found my first B. pales pyrenesmiscens. This is certainly a somewhat local subspecies which appears to be found throughout the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian mountains in isolated colonies on higher exposed mountain slopes. My own observations do however lead me to say that I found this subspecies to favour open damp meadow areas and they did not appear to wander far from their colonised areas. I certainly never found them on exposed slopes or far away from water sources Within minutes of my first discovery I found the meadow in fact to be swarming with both males and females which were clearly awakening from their night’s roost and were enjoying the warmth of the early
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 37
morning sunshine, and at the time of my discovery they had not been too stimulated by the warmth of the sunshine so as to be very active on the wing. In fact I was able to encourage butterflies to crawl on my finger with ease and furthermore, I was able to photograph them whilst basking on blades of short grass. The timing of my discovery was without doubt fortuitous as an hour or two later these butterflies would have been extremely active and difficult to see and identify. This subspecies is a most attractive butterfly and the bright orange-fulvous coloration as displayed by the males on the upper sides of their fore- and hindwings is particularly striking in bright sunshine. The macular black markings on both the fore- and hindwings are however, susceptible to much variation, and I did find two extreme aberrations where the discal and post-discal markings were almost totally absent and the sub- marginal markings were reduced to black striated lines adjoining an indeterminate fuscous band. The females on the other hand were some- what larger and displayed a paler coloration with more prominent markings and a general fuscous suffusion throughout. The undersides of the hindwing displayed a complex pattern of mottled markings in shades of yellow, ochre and dark red with a few silverish spots towards the base.
Amongst the colony of pyrenesmiscens I also found two male B. napaea and I later found further isolated ones elsewhere in the valley. This species is somewhat difficult to identify from the former species mentioned and can only be clearly identified after having been caught and examined in detail. Generally this species appeared to be a shade smaller and displayed a paler fulvous coloration with fine black linear markings with a less dense black basal area on the upper sides of the hindwing. I am inclined to believe that this species does not confine its flight activity so much within colonial areas as appears to be the case with the former species. Certainly napaea is often found as a vagrant insect on exposed ground above the treeline whereas pales appears to favour lower altitudes.
Amongst scrub and wasteground areas around the western valley slopes I made my first discoveries of M. parthenoides Kef. This species is easily confused with M. athalia celadussa Fruh. as the general colora- tion and markings are very similar and furthermore, both species are often found together. I did find however, that parthenoides was generally a smaller insect and displayed a brighter orange-fulvous coloration with less macular markings, and in many instances parthenoides failed to show any regular markings in the discal area of the upper sides of the hindwings. Only a close examination will determine identity. Flight habit of both species very similar, although I did find that parthenoides often favoured dry terrain whereas athalia were confined to distinct colonies within damp meadow pastures.
I did find an extensive colony of athalia celadussa lower down the
38 FEBRUARY, 1981
valley within a small field of summer pasture close by the village of Ransol itself. These were distinctly fuscous in coloration and the mark- ings were at times very thick.
In the midst of the celadussa colony I also found a few male P. eunomia fluttering around a small patch of bistort which was growing close by the riverside. This species had not been encountered elsewhere in the valley, although there were areas elsewhere where it could easily have established itself.
The only other fritillaries recorded were a limited number of C. euphrosyne fluttering around amongst damp pastures in the middle of the valley during the late morning. I did not encounter this species during the afternoon. On the other hand C. selene was found in flight throughout the day wherever a certain amount of shade and dappled sunshine existed.
Around steep slopes and pastures in the lower valley both atalanta and urticae were frequently seen searching around for suitable nectar- producing flowers.
SATYRIDAE
E. triaria and E. oeme were to be found throughout the day wherever Open pasture existed. Meolans was not, however, recorded as being present, although I suspect that this species would have been found at higher elevations if I had had time to explore the head of the valley. Both pamphilus and arcania were also present in varying numbers throughout the valley on higher slopes and wasteground areas.
LYCAENIDAE
Apart from a limited number of C. minimus and C. semiargus, which were found in pastures in the lower valley, there were few other repre- sentatives of this family present. I did, however, find a small colony of FE. eumedon Esper. flying around a small patch of Geranium pratense L. close by the area where eunomia was found in the lower valley. The existence of this species is clearly governed by the presence of its food plant (G. pratense) and I was not surprised, therefore, that I had not found colonies elsewhere as I did not find its principal food plant present to any extensive degree elsewhere in the valley. This species can easily be overlooked by reason of its dark brown general coloration and shy behaviour.
During the early part of the morning I also found one worn male C. rubi fluttering around a broom bush. It is unlikely that this species would be generally encountered so late in the season as this is principally a Spring brood insect.
HESPERITIDAE There was little activity observed amongst species of this family during the morning around the higher slopes of the valley or even amongst the
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 39
central pastures and meadowland. A few tages and venatus males and females were recorded around the edges of the main valley track and adjoining wasteground pockets in the late morning. These two species were also more frequently encountered around the edges of small enclosures and broader meadows at the bottom of the valley close to the village of Ransol. Other species were probably present, but the generally higher altitude compared to that around Encamp may have accounted for the paucity of numbers and the restricted species recorded for early July.
LOCALITY: Vall del Riu
Habitat: Broad open summer pastures and damp meadowland with Sparse conifers and deciduous bushes on higher elevated ground.
Average altitude: 1900 m.
Date of observations: 4th July 1979.
Whilst our party spent much of the day rambling around the head of this beautiful valley amongst a cirque of small lakes lying in a remote northern quarter of the Principality, I decided to deploy my time in carrying out a general survey of the central areas of the valley as the weather conditions were particularly favourable. The sky was in fact cloudless for many hours and the intensity of the sunshine was such that I was obliged to retreat into the trees around the higher valley slopes in order to reduce the risk of severe sunburn. This valley is in some respects similar to Coma de Ransol, but is perhaps more remote in character with steeper slopes towards the head of the valley in the north. The central area comprises a number of irregular shaped fields of summer pasture with pockets of marshy wasteland lying close to the river. The valley forms a small gorge towards the south before the river finally joins the Riu Valira.
Although weather conditions were so favourable I found few butter- flies on the wing in the central areas and higher elevations, and it was not until the early afternoon when I was exploring the lower regions of the valley and some summer pastures lying to the west of it that I found any appreciable insect life. I concluded that the exposed nature of some of the pastures as well as the reduced extent of meadow flowers present throughout the valley were possibly contributory factors behind this generally low density of insect life.
PAPILIONIDAE
There were very few members of this family sighted at any time, and no species were recorded during the morning whatsoever. However. during the early afternoon I sighted two gorganus rapidly traversing the river course around the steep banks of the lower valley region. On two later occasions I also sighted two apollo pyrenaicus males flying around
40 FEBRUARY, 1981
in their ungainly manner amongst exposed meadow pasture lying to the west of the valley whereupon I concluded that this species had no doubt been present elsewhere in the valley.
PIERIDAE
The only species found in any numbers during the morning was A. cardamines and both sexes of this species were particularly numerous around the river banks and shady hollows wherever cruciferous plants abounded. In this region male cardamines appeared not to be so diminu- tive in size as those found elsewhere on previous days.
Amongst the bushes and conifer groves on the higher slopes of the valley L. sinapis, as well as a limited number of E. ausonia ausonia males, were frequently encountered in flight during most of the morning; these two species were, however, less frequently encountered in the after- noon at lower altitude levels further down the valley.
C. crocea, male and female, were certainly not uncommon around exposed hillside areas and meadow pastures lying to the west of the valley behind Canillo, and I also sighted a small number of C. australis Verity in flight as a small isolated colony in a sheltered area of pasture in the higher region of the valley during the early part of the morning; this latter species was not sighted elsewhere in the valley and it may be that this species is somewhat local in this particular region of Andorra.
A few isolated A. crataegi, male and female, were never far away throughout the day and I never ceased to marvel at the graceful manner of this species’ effortless flight around meadow pastures extending to the coniferous belts above the valley.
NYMPHALIDAE
I was surprised to find only a few members of this family on the wing throughout the day in this valley as the general habitat was so suitable for many of the commoner species. However, I did regularly sight a few male M. parthenoides fluttering around small bushes and enjoying basking in the bright sunshine around the higher slopes of the valley, and I did notice that many were slightly fuscous in appearance and were therefore quite probably the Pyrenean form plena Verity. Although apparently fairly widely distributed throughout the Central Pyrenees, I suspect that its appearance is localised throughout the region and is not always easily to be found. Certainly J did not find this form in any other district in Andorra and I am inclined to believe that certain altitude factors may have an important bearing on its distribution and presence.
Amongst lower pastures M. athalia celadussa was not uncommon and this species did not appear to be present much above 1700m where parthenoides became the more predominant species on the wing.
In one isolated boggy area away from the main valley itself I stumbled across an extensive colony of P. eunomia which confirmed to me that
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this particular species is not uncommon wherever suitable sheltered damp meadows surrounding mountain streams exist on higher terrain.
Whilst I was spending a short break by the river banks in the early afternoon so as to eat my packed lunch and take some well earned liquid refreshment, I disturbed from a hummock of grass a male EF. aurinia which had been quietly basking in the sun. Upon closer examination I noticed that the general coloration was greyish yellow with somewhat indistinct orange discal spots and sub-marginal bands on the upper sides of the fore- and hindwing and the black markings generally lightly etched or vestigial in character to such an extent that I decided that this was an example of the sub-species debilis. This sub-species is undoubtedly a mountain form and is confined to damp meadowland and marshy areas above 1500 m throughout the central Alpes and Pyrenees. Although I spent a short period after my lunch break in carrying out a close inspection of this local ground area, I failed to find any more and so I concluded that perhaps I had simply stumbled on an isolated late emerged insect as the species has its peak emergence period in mid- June.
SATYRIDAE
It was no surprise to me to find that EF. triaria and E. oeme were reasonably abundant throughout the valley, athough most did appear to be male thereby indicating that these two species had not reached their peak emergence period. FE. meolans was not encountered in this valley, which was a surprise to me as its appearance had been widey recorded in most districts visited to date. In the lower pasture areas I also found a small colony of E. epiphron fauveaui de Lesse.
This sub-species displays a reduced orange brown post-discal band on the upper sides of the forewings with four regular black spots fairly evenly spaced within the centre of this band; the upper sides of the hind wing also disclose three or four reddish post-discal spots with black pupils and the general brown colour is a deep chocolate brown. It is perhaps the predominant form found in the eastern Pyrenees and I certainly found it to be widely distributed and abundant amongst open pasture areas.
Apart from the above mentioned Erebia species the only other Satyrid found in reasonable abundance amongst bushes and sheltered pockets in the lower valley region was C. arcania and both sexes were recorded as being plentiful.
HESPERIIDAE
Although the general habitat throughout the valley was certainly suitable for many members of this family, I only recorded but a very limited number of T. sylvestris and E. tages males and females in flight in sheltered damp hollows close by the river banks in the central valley region. None of either species were found above 1600 m and few were
42 FEBRUARY, 1981
found in the midst of drier wasteground areas on the valley slopes below coniferous belts.
LOCALITY: Collada de Montaner and Cortals de Sispony
Habitat: Rough open mountain ground area with scattered conifers surrounding the frontier region. Increasing density of conifers and low scrub on lower levels with isolated hillside clearings.
Average altitude: 2000 m.
Date of observations: 5th July 1979.
This proved to be another hot sunny day in which we spent the morning climbing through high summer pastures on Spanish territory lying to the west of Andorra until we reached a spectacular frontier col (Collada de Montana—2078 m), where we took an hour’s break in order to admire the magnificent panoramic view across Andorra. Thereafter we spent the early part of the afternoon gently descending through a broad valley (Cortals de Sispony) with the aid of rough tracks and paths which latterly followed a small mountain stream until we reached the small village called Sispony where our day’s expedition ended with a local bus trip down the Valira del Nord Valley to Les Escaldes from whence we travelled back to Encamp in the late afternoon.
I was particularly interested to have the opportunity of sampling the open mountainous terrain on the western frontier, which is generally much more exposed to the elements than elsewhere in the Principality, and furthermore this particular region is greatly influenced by the warmer air currents from Spain. It was, therefore. no surprise to me to find butterfly life in a more advanced stage of emergence than else- where, although in general it appeared to be sparse on the higher exposed terrain. The lower meadows which were afforded shelter by reason of the surrounding conifer belts yielded on the other hand a reasonable abundance of butterflies of differing species.
PAPILIONIDAE
Apart from one unconfirmed sighting of a male P. apollo pyrenaicus gliding and soaring around some bushes some distance below me whilst we were descending into Cortals de Sispony. there were no recorded sightings of any other Papilionid species throughout the day. I suspect. however, this was a freak phenomenon as habitat and weather conditions were certainly ideal for the presence of both of the previously recorded Swallowtails.
PIERIDAE
There were few species of this family present throughout the day and in fact apart from the appearance of a limited number of male A. carda- mines sighted in the midst of a sheltered area of meadow pasture in the lower area of the valley, my notable record was the capture within a
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 43
few metres inside Andorran territory (Collada de Montaner) of a fine exampe of the white female form /elice Hubner of C. crocea, which suddenly presented itself in front of me whilst I was enjoying a short lunch-time break with our party. My strenuous efforts to catch this insect in the full view of members of our party caused much hilarity! To my surprise no further crocea were sighted during the rest of the afternoon and I can but only surmise that this one female had been blown off course from some neighbouring pasture.
NYMPHALIDAE
Only one species out of the large number representing this family was in fact recorded during this afternoon and that was a small but active colony of P. eunomia in the midst of a small damp meadow in the lower regions of Cortals de Sispony. So far as I could ascertain all imagines appeared however, to be male and therefore, this colony was clearly in the early stages of emergence.
Although the habitat and weather conditions were generally suitable for many of the other species of Nymphalid found round Encamp and elsewhere, I cannot provide any satisfactory reason for such paucity of species present in this region on the day of our visit.
SATYRIDAE
Whilst ascending through the high summer pastures and open mountain wasteground on Spanish territory to the high area of Collada de Montaner during the later hours of the morning, I frequently encountered both sexes of E. triaria and E. meolans in flight. Both were particularly abundant in open terrain with short grass and sparse conifers. As we descended through rough ground and a belt of dense conifers to the valley region below, these two species became noticeably less abund- ant and were quite scarce by the time we reached the lower valley pastures.
No other Erebia species were recorded in flight, although I suspect others were present in pockets of waste ground and could have been found if I had had time to hunt further afield.
Amongst bushes and conifers in lower valley pastures C. arcania was reasonably common; although most were male, there were always a few females to be found.
No other Satyrid species were recorded during this particular day.
HESPERIIDAE
I found no species of this family on the wing whatsoever above 1800 m, and below this altitude only FE. tages and T. sylvestris were found as small colonies in damp areas amongst lower valley pastures.
44 FEBRUARY, 1981
LOCALITY: Bordes de Beixalis and Vila (Encamp)
Habitat: Rough pasture and meadowland areas with steep terraced fields around Vila surrounded by a thick coniferous belt on higher ground.
Average altitude: 1600 m.
Date of observations: 6th July 1979.
As this was the last full day of my holiday, I had decided to spend it as profitably as possible if the weather was suitable, in carrying out a detailed field survey amongst the wasteground areas around Vila (1400 m) and the higher summer pastures (Bordes de Beixalis—1600 m) which lie within a comfortable walking distance from Encamp and through which we had passed during the first morning of the holiday (25th June). In fact the weather was destined to be perfect with bright sunshine and cloudless blue sky throughout the day, with light breezes to provide some welcome respite from the heat of the sun; an idyllic day in which I spent some of the most rewarding hours I can remember in butterfly hunting.
As soon as the rest of the party with our leader had departed on a local bus towards Soldeu and the eastern frontier to spend a full day’s trekking around the frontier peaks, I started off with pack-lunch, camera and the usual entomological impedimenta shortly after 8.30 a.m. so that I should not waste much of the morning in reaching the lower mountain slopes where I wished to start my survey work. I had allocated the morning hours to surveying an area of old neglected terraced pastures which had reverted to wasteground over the years and lay close to the hamlet of Vila, and I had decided to use the afternoon in survey work amongst the higher open summer pastures where the ground was less steep and more fertile.
PAPILIONIDAE
Both P. machaon gorganus and I. podalirius feisthamelii were reason- ably abundant in both areas, although feisthamelii did appear to favour the lower dry wasteground region and were less commonly sighted in the higher summer pastures. In the late afternoon I did witness one male feisthamelii gracefully gliding up and down a short stretch of path where water trickled across from a spring at the base of a sloping bank nearby: it often alighted for brief moments on the ground in order to imbibe water in greedy fashion before resuming its searching flight behaviour.
PIERIDAE Both male and female A. crataegi were frequently sighted in flight around open wasteground areas throughout the day; most favoured the high summer pastures where mountain flowers were particularly plentiful. C. crocea was also frequently encountered at higher altitude levels during the early afternoon when I was exploring the more exposed area of high summer pastures. This species was certainly more widely distri-
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 Ad
buted in this region than had been the case elsewhere on other previous days. No female helice were recorded.
Amongst the other previously recorded species A. cardamines and L. sinapis were locally common in damp hollows and around mountain streams.
NYMPHALIDAE
I found M. cinxia and M. parthenoides were very plentiful in the lower terraced areas especially amongst low scrub and in the midst of dry wasteground pockets; most cinxia were female and were very worn in condition as their flight period was nearly at an end. Parthenoides were in prime condition and were a delight to watch as they fluttered from one flower to another without being unduly concerned at my presence; all appeared to be male as their flight period had not reached its peak.
A few male and female M. deione Geyer, were sighted in mid-morning in one pocket of wasteground close to the main path; this species appeared to favour open dry terrain and enjoyed basking on large stones and barren earth. I noted that the females displayed a marked tendency towards colour contrast in the post-discal areas of the upper fore and hind wings, which were paler than the rest of the upper sides. The males were not easily distinguishable from M. athalia celadussa in flight and I found that a close inspection was essential.
Two new species of fritillary were recorded during this last day. M. phoebe Schiff. was encountered in small numbers on wasteground areas around Vila; all sighted were male and displayed particularly bright bitonal fulvous coloration on the upper sides of both fore- and hind- wings. This species appeared jealously to protect its chosen territory by patrolling such area at regular intervals and readily chased off any unwary intruder; M. didyma Esper. was also found to be emerging with the appearance of some fine males displaying a deep red coloration with irregular black discal and post-discal markings. This latter species was confined to dry wasteground with patches of flowering thyme.
I found both sexes of M. athalia celadussa reasonably abundant as small colonies amongst damp pastures on higher ground levels; males appeared generally to display a fuscous coloration although all markings were regular and uniform.
In the midst of one overgrown lower meadow pasture I found A. adippe to be plentiful amongst a patch of tall growing knapweed; I was not unfortunately afforded any chance to photograph this species as they were very restless and easily disturbed from their feeding activities. All appeared to be in good condition.
Later in the afternoon whilst exploring the higher summer pastures (Bordes de Beixalis), I was delighted to encounter a few early males of aglaja on the wing. These insects were particularly resplendent with bright fulvous coloration and bold macular markings.
46 FEBRUARY, 1981
As an unexpected bonus two male and one female A. lathonia were observed feeding on wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) which was cascading over some stones on a steep bank adjoining the main path at its higher level. I was delighted to have stumbled upon a further record of this species as my last record had occurred on the first morning of the holiday amongst the lower terraces behind Encamp.
B. ino was to be found in sheltered damp pockets close to small streams: this species was however only present as small colonies and was not recorded as being present above 1600 m. I also found a limited number of worn C. selene males in flight around higher pastures; this latter species was clearly close to the end of its flight period. Amongst other earlier recorded Nymphalids only A. urticae was found in limited numbers throughout the day in all visited localities.
SATYRIDAE
C. arcania was to be found everyhere amongst shrubs and sheltered areas in the lower wasteground region: this species was scarce however. above 1600 m where the summer pastures were more open in character.
During the later afternoon I stumbled across three male M. galathea lachesis flying together along the path above Vila. This species had not been recorded by me since my earlier visit to St. Julia de Loria on 26th June during the previous week, and as they were fresh specimens there was little doubt that this species was only starting to emerge in this particular region of the Principality.
Within seconds of sighting /achesis I disturbed a large greyish brown butterfly from rest on the path. and on catching it discovered I had found my first male H. alcyone Schiff. Its condition was perfect and the wing span was notably large—35 mm from apex to base. Another was sighted flying across an area of scree some metres below the path shortly after my first encounter.
There were few Erebias found amongst the lower wasteground slopes: but above 1600 m triaria and oeme were reasonably plentiful with a few meolans and epiphron in higher pastures.
I. maera form adrasta males and females were frequently disturbed from rest amongst rocks around the main path and around dry waste- ground areas; all appeared to be in excellent condition with strong mark- ings and fulvous coloration. At lower levels L. megera was also present in limited numbers: this species which is so common elsewhere in Northern and Central Europe. had not strangely enough been previously found by me during this holiday visit. Perhaps this species has a habit of appearing on the wing later in July.
LYCAENIDAE
This family was well represented at all altitude levels visited and the weather conditions were ideal for good records. P. argus and L. idas form alpinus Berce were widely distributed around flowery banks and
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 47
amongst the richer summer pastures above 1600 m. This form, which may in fact have sub-specific status, is particularly striking with deep- blue coloration on the upper sides of both fore and hind wings with a narrow sub-marginal black band and is generally larger than the nominate species. P. icarus appeared to be less common in this region and was particularly scarce above 1600 m.
A. allous montensis Verity was to be found amongst the higher summer pastures and were notably large with orange sub-marginal lunules generally present on both upper sides of the fore- and hind-wings. P. amanda was also encountered frequently around the path and within areas of open pastures; both males and females of this latter species were on the wing. C. semiargus and C. minimus were also to be found, although they tended to be confined to higher areas in sheltered pockets of wasteground.
Amongst the “coppers”? only H. virgaureae was recorded in reason- able numbers in flight amongst lower pastures and damp meadowland areas; one solitary female was found in the midst of a colony of freshly emerged males. Clearly this lovely species would be even more plentiful later in July.
During the mid-morning I was pleased to find two male S. spini Schiff. fluttering around a small bush (Prunus sp.) on wasteground, providing me with my only record of this species. No other “‘hairstreaks”’ were to be found ‘and I suspect my visit was just too early to benefit from recording the presence of other species known to be found in the Principality.
HESPERIIDAE
Apart from the sporadic appearance throughout the day of numbers of sylvestris, lineola, venatus and tages, I also found S. sertorius Hoff. to be widely distributed around dry and stony wasteground areas above Vila; both sexes were present.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS There is no doubt that due to the fortunate timing of my visit and the favourable weather conditions prevailing during the second week in particular I was able to record the presence of no less than 72 species of Rhopalocera in remarkably diverse habitats with the added enjoyment of photographing a surprising quantity of Pyrenean endemic plants. Many recorded species had not reached their peak emergence period at the time of my visit and were, therefore, in good condition. Although a visit in late July would certainly have provided me with a few extra records, I would have undeniably missed seeing so much colourful mountain flora; a difficult compromise perhaps but, in this instance, successfully achieved with many treasured memories of some of the most beautiful unspoilt and tranquil scenery which I have so far encountered. Nigel F. Gossling (5169)
48 FEBRUARY, 1981
A SECOND LIST OF THE FOOD-PLANTS OF EAST AFRICAN MACROLEPIDOPTERA
Since completing the drafting of my paper “A List of the Food-plants of East African Macrolepidoptera’ in 1973, I have collected a consider- able number of further records. These have come from various sources, my own breeding experiences, items from various entomological journals and monographs, and from two prolific sources—E. G. C. Pinhey’s Moths of Southern Africa (1975, Cape Town) and the late Dr. V. G. L. van Someren’s List of Food-plants of some East African Rhopalocera with Notes on the Early Stages of some Lycaenidae (1974, Journ. Lepid. Soc., 28: 315-331).
The format follows the original paper and I have taken the oppor- tunity to correct an error in the botanical classification. Richardia, one of the food-plants of the sphingids Basiothia medea, Hippotion osiris, H. eson and Theretra monteironis, is listed as belonging to the Aroideae, it belongs, of course, to the Rubiaceae.
I—ENTOMOLOGICAL LIST RHOPALOCERA PAPILIONIDAE Papilio lormieri Dist-—Fagaropsis (Rutaceae). teita v. Som.—Vepris (Rutaceae). .. demodocus Esp.—Aegle marmelos (a newly introduced species), Fagaropsis (Rutaceae).
. policenes Cr.—Landolphia (Apocynaceae). PIERIDAE Pierinae Belenois raffrayi Ob.—Capparis (Capparidaceae). Anapheis gidica Godt.—Salvadora persica (Salvadoraceae).
53 aurota F.—Boscia (Capparidaceae).
Pontia helice L.
glauconome Klug Erucastrum arabicum (Cruciferae). Mylothris sagal Gr. Sm.—Viscum (Loranthaceae). Teracolinae Nepheronia buqueti Bsd.—Ritchiea fragrans (Capparidaceae). Coliadinae Colias electo L.—Oxalis (Oxalidaceae). Eurema brigitta Cr.—Sesbania (Papilionaceae). DANAIDAE Danaus chrysippus L.—Aspidoglossum, Stathmostelma (Asclepiadaceae). ACRAEIDAE Bematistes quadricolor Rog.—Vitis (Ampelidaceae). Acraea aequatorialis Neave—Malva verticillata (Malvaceae).
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 49
. asboloplintha Karsch—Tryphostemma (Passifloraceae). .. anacreon Trim.—Alchemilla gracilipes (Rosaceae). , uvui Gr. Sm.—Sparrmannia ricinocarpa (Tiliaceae).
NYMPHALIDAE Charaxidinae Charaxes jasius L.—Elaeodendron. Maytenus (Celastraceae). bs castor Cr.— Brachystegia (Caesalpiniaceae): Elaeodendron, Maytenus (Celastraceae). ro tiridates Cr. — Flacourtia (Flacourtiaceae): Celtis, Chaetacme (Ulmaceae). s ameliae Doumet—Brachystegia, Julbernardia (Caesalpiniaceae). i jahlusa Trim.—Dalbergia (Papilionaceae). 3; penricei Roths.—Securidaca longipedunculata (Polygalaceae) : Entada (Mimosaceae). - achaemenes Feld.—Dalbergia, Pterocarpus (Papilionacea). a guderiana Dew.—Dalbergia (Papilionaceae). as eupale Drury—Scutia (Rhamnaceae). % etheocles Cr.—Celtis (Ulmaceae). = viola Btlr—Acacia (Mimosaceae). Ss ethalion Bsd.—Tamarindus indica (Caesalpiniaceae). 2 fulgurata Auriv.—Erythrophlaeum (Caesalpiniaceae). alpinus v. Som.—Albizzia (Mimosaceae): Scutia (Rhamnaceae). s manica Trim.—Albizzia (Mimosaceae): Dalbergia (Papilionaceae). Charaxes virilis Roths.—Adenanthera pavonina (Mimosaceae).
Nymphalinae Euryphene mardania F.—Borassus, Hyphaene, Phoenix (Palmae). Aterica galene Brown—Quisqualis litorea (Combretaceae). Neptidinae Neptis poultoni Eltr—Paulinia (Sapindaceae). ,, lativittata Strand.—Cycina (Euphorbiaceae). Eunicinae Asterope morantii Trim.—Excoecaria bussei (Euphorbiaceae).
Vanessinae Hypolimnas misippus _.—Dyschoriste thunbergiflora (Acanthaceae). s anthedon Dbl.—Urera hypselidendron (Urticaceae). Precis orithya _.—Englerastrum scandens, Plectranthus (Labiatae). , tugela Trim.—Englerastrum scandens (Labiatae). Vanessa cardui .—Obetia pinnatifolia (Urticaceae). Atanartia abyssinica Feld—Obetia pinnatifolia (Urticaceae).
Argynninae Phalanta phalantha Drury—Trimeria (Samydaceae).
50 FEBRUARY, 1981
SATYRIDAE
Melanitis leda .—Setaria sulcata (Gramineae).
Mycalesis iccius Hew.—Grasses (Gramineae).
A physoneura pigmentaria Karsch—Arundinaria alpinus (Gramineae).
LYCAENIDAE Lipteninae Teriomima subpunctata Kirby | xs micra Gr. Sm. Baliochila hildegarda Kirby zs dubiosa Stempf. & Bennett | a fragilis Bennett | =, minima Hawker Smith - stygia Talbot Cnodontes vansomereni Stempf & Bennett Telipna sanguinea Plotz consanguinea Rebel Orniphodotos muhata Dew. Mimacraea poultoni Neave 5 marshalli Trim. Hewitsonia kirbyi Dew Epitola kamengoensis Jackson , cercena Hew. .. catuna Kirby Tridana incredibilis Staud. ., perdita Kirby Deloneura ochrascens Neave Lichens on tree trunks. Lycaeninae Hypolycaena philippus F.—Millingtonia hortensis (Bignoniaceae). Axiocerses tjoene Wllgr. (harpax F.)—Brachystegia spiciformis (Caesalpiniaceae). Chloroselas pseudozeritis Trim.—Acacia stenocarpa (Mimosaceae). Anthene hodsoni Talb.—Acacia (Mimosaceae). Azanus mirza Plotz—Dichrostachys glomerata (Mimosaceae). Euchrysops dolorosa Trim.—Vigna (Papilionaceae). Zizeeria knysna Trim.—Spinacia oleracea (Chenopodiaceae).
HESPERIIDAE
Coeliadinae
Coeliades hanno Plotz—Acridocarpus (Malphigiaceae).
Pyrginae
Eagris lucetia Hew.—Rhus (Anacardiaceae).
Eretis lugens Rog.—Justicia (Acanthaceae).
Abantis paradisea Btlr.—Bridelia cathartica (Euphorbiaceae). meru Evans—Vernonia (Compositae).
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 Oil
Hesperiinae Kedestes brunneostriga Plotz—Setaria (Gramineae). Zophopetes cerymica Hew.—Phoenix (Palmae). Zenonia zeno Trim.—Sorghum, Zea mays (Gramineae). Pelopidas thrax Hbn. . fallax Gaede Grasses (Gramineae).
HETEROCERA SYNTOMIDAE Amata cerbera L.—Coffea (Rubiaceae). Euchromia amoena Mschl.—Carissa (Apocynaceae): Secamone (Asclepiadaceae).
ARCTIIDAE Lithosiinae Asura sagenaria Wllgrn.—Lichens. This seems more likely than Cinnamomum (Lauraceae). Hypsinae Aganais speciosa Drury—Acokanthera, Carissa (Apocynaceae). Micrarctiinae Utetheisa pulchella L.—Trichodesma (Boraginaceae): Grasses (Gramineae): Gossypium (Malvaeae): Musa (Mussaceae). I am very dubious about the last three. Arctiinae Spilosoma investigatorum Karsch—Bidens pilosa (Compositae): Pelto- phorum (Mimosaceae): Lupinus (Papilionaceae). 53 lineata Wik.—Tagetes minuta (Compositae): Passiflora (Passifloraceae). 2 lutescens Wik.—Mesembryanthemum (Aizoaceae) : Tecomaria (Bignoniaceae): Zea mays (Gramineae): Ligustrum (Oleaceae): Medicago (Papilionaceae). se flava Wllgrn. — Cassia (Caesalpiniaceae): Senacio, Tagetes (Compositae): Lilium, Ornithogalum (Liliaceae) : Tephrosia (Papilionaceae): Protea (Proteacea): Smilax (Smilacaceae). Teracotona euprepria Hamps.—Nicotiana tabacum (Solanaceae).
Callimorphinae
Amphicalia bellatrix Dalm.—Crotalaria (Papilionaceae).
Nyctemerinae
Nyctemera leuconoe Hpfir.—Vernonia (Compositae): Coffea (Rubiaceae).
LYMANTRIIDAE
Pteredoa monosticta Btlr—Dombeya (Sterculiaceae). Olapa nigribasis Janse—Dombeya (Sterculiaceae).
52 FEBRUARY, 1981
Euproctis fasciata Wlk.—Cassia (Caesalpiniaceae): Combretum platy- petalum (Combretaceae): Eriosema (Papilionaceae): Protea (Proteaceae).
Porthesia producta W\k.—Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae).
Bracharoa quadripunctata Wllgrn.—Gerbera (Compositae).
Dasychria georgiana Fawc.—Rhus (Anacardiaceae): Bauhinia (Caes- alpiniaceae): Quercus (Fagaceae): Elephantorrhiza (Papi- lionaceae): Trema (Ulmaceae).
Orgyia mixta Snell—Zea mays (Gramineae): Gossypium (Malvacea): Fragaria, Pyrus (Rosaceae): Coffea (Rubiaceae): Citrus (Rutaceae).
Polymona rufifemur Wlk.—Schinus molle (Anacardiaceae).
LASIOCAMPIDAE
Malacosomatinae Haplopacha cinerea Auriv.—Ziziphus (Rhamnaceae).
Lasiocampinae
Odontocheilopteryx myxa Wllgrn.—Acacia karroo (Mimosaceae): Eriosema (Papilionaceae).
Philotherma rosa Druce—Vitis (Ampelidaceae): Sclerocarya (Anacar- diaceae): Sonchus (Compositae): Persea (Lauraceae): Eriosema (Papilionaceae): Pyrus (Roseaceae): Trema (Ulmaceae). rennei Dew.—Eriosema (Papilionaceae).
Rermiyconss bipars Wik.—Bidens pilosa, Senecio (Compositae).
* indecora WIk.—Pentzia (Compositae): Eriosema (Papili- onaceae): Protea (Proteaceae).
Catalebeda jamesoni B. Bk.—Grasses (Gramineae): Pterocarpus (Papili- onaceae).
Nadiasa carinatum Wllgrn.—Royena (Ebenaceae): Acacia (Mimosaceae): Eriosema, Robinia, Sesbania (Papilionaceae).
wi polydora Druce—Rhus (Anacardiaceae): Brachystegia, Julber- nardia (Caesalpiniaceae): Acacia, Albizzia (Mimosaceae): Eriosema (Papilionaceae): Citrus (Rutaceae).
Pachypasa_ sericeofasciata Auriv.— Jacaranda (Bignoniaceae): Persea (Lauraceae): Pyracantha (Rosaceae).
ad truncata Wlk.—Acacia (Mimosaceae).
Pachypasa bilinea Wlk.—Annona (Anonaceae): Bauhinia (Caesalpini- aceae): Persea (Lauraceae).
Leipoxais peraffinis Holl.— Combretum (Combretaceae): Ekebergia (Meliaceae).
Eucraera gemmata Dist.—Brachystegia, Julbernardia (Caesalpiniacea): Lannea stuhlmannii (Anacardiaceae).
salambo Vuill.—Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae).
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 53
Gonometinae
Grammodora nigrolineata Auriv.—Brachystegia, Cassia (Caesalpiniacea). Anadiasa punctifascia Wlk.—Acacia, Peltophorum (Mimosaceae). Dollmania purpurascens Auriv.—Ficus (Moraceae).
EUPTEROTIDAE Hoplojana rhodoptera Gerst—Jasminum (Oleaceae). Phasicnecus obtusus Wk. & gregorii Btlr. Strychnos (Loganiaceae).
SATURNIIDAE
Attacinae
Epiphora mythimnia Westw.— Fernandoa magnifica (Bignoniaceae): Helinus (Rhamnaceae).
Saturniinae
Argema mimosae Bsd.—Commiphora (Burseraceae): Spirostachys (Euphorbiaceae).
Bunaea alcinoe Stoll—Bauhinia (Caesalpiniaceae): Gymnosporia (Celastraceae).
Nudaurelia arata Westw.—Albizzia, Peltophora (Mimosaceae). : jacksoni Jord.—Scleria (Cyperaceae). 23 zaddachi Dew.—Euclea (Ebenaceae): Heteropogon, Sporo- bolus (Gramineae). ss belina Westw.—Rhus (Anacardiaceae): Carissa (Apocyna- ceae): Colophospermum mopane (Caesalpiniacea): Diospyros (Ebenaceae): Ficus (Moraceae). _ cytherea F.—Rhus (Anacardiaceae): Cupressus (Cupress- aceae): Euclea (Ebenaceae): Quercus (Fagaceae): Watsonia (Iridaceae): Liriodendron (Magnoliaceae) : Myrica (Myricaceae): Myrsine (Myrsinaceae) : Eucalyptus, Psidium (Myrtaceae): Leucospermum, Protea (Proteaceae): Rhamnus (Rhamnaceae): Crataegus, Cydonia, Pyrus (Rosaceae). Nudaurelia wahlbergi Bsd.—Mangifera (Anacardiaceae): Maerua (Cap- paridaceae): Quercus (Fagaceae): Psidium (Myrtaceae): Prunus (Roseaceae): Trema (Ulmaceae). = zambesina Wlk.—Petrea volubilis (Verbenaceae). a said Ob.—Oroza mucronata (Anacardiaceae). ss tyrrhea Cr.—Pyrus (Rosaceae): Populus, Salix (Salicaceae). Lobobunaea tyrrhena Westw.—Ekebergia (Meliaceae): Albizzia (Mimo- saceae): Psychotria (Rubiaceae): Celtis, Trema (Ulmaceae). Cinabra hyperbius Westw.—Julbernardia (Caesalpiniacea): Ekebergia (Meliaceae). ls pygmaea Maass & Weym.—Burkea (Papilionaceae).
54 FEBRUARY, 1981
Melanocera menippe Westw.—Ficus (Moraceae): Ochna (Ochnaceae).
Imbrasia ertli Rebel—Brachystegia, Julbernardia (Caesalpiniaceae): Ekebergia (Meliaceae): Acacia (Mimosaceae).
Cirina forda Westw.—Rhus (Anacardiaceae): Euclea (Ebenaceae): Ekebergia (Meliaceae): Acacia, Albizzia (Mimosaceae).
Urota sinope Westw.—Sclerocarya (Anacardiaceae).
Gynanisa maia Klug.—Elephantorrhiza (Papilionaceae): Prunus (Rosaceae).
Pselaphelia flavivitta Wlk.—Afromomum (Zinziberaceae).
Usta terpsichore Maass. & Weym.—Melia (Meliaceae).
Heniocha dyops Maass. & Weym.—Acacia (Mimosaceae).
Decachorda rosea Auriv.—Hyparrhenia (Gramineae).
Micragone ansorgei Roths.—Julbernardia (Caesalpiniaceae).
Ludiinae Holocera smilax Westw.—Rhus (Anacardiaceae): Piliostigma (Caes- alpiniaceae): Ekebergia (Meliaceae): Pinus (Pinaceae). Ludia delegorguei Bsd.—Uapaca (Euphorbiaceae): Salvia (Labiatae). Goodia kuntzei Dew. — Brachystegia, Julbernardia (Caesalpiniaceae): Acacia (Mimosaceae).
SPHINGIDAE
Acherontiinae
Herse convolvuli L.—Rumex (Polygonaceae).
Acherontia atropos L.—Cannabis (Moraceae): Vicia (Papilionaceae): Euonymus (Sapindaceae): Lycopersicum (Solanaceae).
Coelonia mauritii Btlr.— Bignonia, Fernandoa magnifica, Newbouldia
imperialis (Bignoniaceae): Hebe speciosa (Scrophulariaceae):
Statchytarpheta indica (Verbenaceae).
Pemba favillaceae Wlk.—Millingtonia hortensis (Bignoniaceae).
Poliana witgensis Strand.—Spathodea nilotica (Bignoniaceae).
Ambulicinae
Platysphinx piabilis Dist. — Craibia, Millettia, Mundulea, Ostryoderris, Pterocarpus (Papilionaceae).
Polyptychoides grayi Wlk.—Ehretia (Boraginaceae).
Phylloxiphia punctum Roths.—Ochna (Ochnaceae).
Philampelinae Nephele peneus Cr.—Crytolepis hypoglauca (Asclepiadaceae). Temnora fumosa Wlk.—Commelina (Commelinaceae). ?Copying error for Camelina. plagiata Wlk.—Apodytes (Icacinaceae).
Choerocampinae Basiothia medea F.—Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae): Galium, Richardia (Rubiaceae).
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 55
Celerio lineata F.—Sonchus (Compositae): Scabiosa (Dipsacaceae): Emex (Polygonaceae): Linaria (Scrophulariaceae). Hippotion osiris Dalm.—Richardia (Rubiaceae). 3 celerio L.—Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae): Acacia (Mimosaceae): Epilobium (Onagraceae): Galium (Rubiacea): Daucus (Umbelliferae). ie eson Cr.— Cissus (Ampelidaceae): Colocasia, (Aroidae): Coprosma baueri, Richardia (Rubiaceae): Bougainvillea (Nyctaginaceae). Theretra monteironis Btr.—Richardia (Rubiaceae).
THAUMETOPOEIDAE Anaphe reticulata Wik. — Diplorrhynchus (Apocynaceae): Dombeya (Sterculiaceae). 5 panda Bsd.—Diplorrhynchus (Apocynaceae): Bridelia (Euphorbiaceae).
NOTODONTIDAE
Hampsonita esmeralda Hamps.—Faurea, Protea (Proteaceae).
Simesea orestes Kiriakofl—Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae).
Desmeocraera latex Druce—Ficus (Moraceae): Chrysophyllum, Mimusops (Sapotaceae).
Rhenea mediata Saal—Combretum, Terminalia (Combretaceae) : Ekebergia (Meliaceae).
Phalera imitata Druce—Rhynchosia viscosa (Papilionaceae).
Galona serena Karsch—Terminalia (Combretaceae): Psidium (Myrtaceae).
Turnaca grisea Holl.—Hyphaene (Palmae).
Diasemina simplex Wlk.—Glycine (Papilionaceae).
Trotonotus bettoni Btlr—Brachystegia, Julbernardia globiflora (Caesalpiniaceae).
LIMACODIDAE Latoia vivida W\ik.—Combretum (Combretaceae): Prunus, Rosa (Roseacea): Pavetta (Rubiaceae): Thea (Theaceae). », latistriga Wlk.—Celastrus (Celastraceae): Ricinus (Euphorbiaceae): Prunus (Rosaceae). ,, urda Druce—Uapaca (Euphorbiaceae): Lagerstroemia (Lythraceae). Neomocena convergens Hering—Coffea (Rubiaceae): Dodonea (Sapindaceae). Neogavara imitans Janse—Coffea (Rubiaceae): Thea (Theaceae).
D. G. Sevastopulo (5562)
(To be continued.)
56 FEBRUARY, 1981
— =
SOCIETAS EUROPAEA LEPIDOPTEROLOGICA
THIRD EUROPEAN CONGRESS OF LEPIDOPTEROLOGY CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND — 13th-16th APRIL 1982
The Third European Congress of Lepidopterology will be held in Churchill College, Cambridge, 13th-16th April 1982.
The main theme of this Congress will be: Lepidoptera ecology and biogeography with Conservation of the Lepidoptera as a subsidiary theme.
Provisional offers of papers on these and other Lepidopterological topics should be sent as soon as possible to—
J. Heath
Monks Wood Experimental Station Abbots Ripton
Huntingdon, Cambs PE17 2LS
Further details of the Congress will be issued in due course.
THE PROFESSOR HERING MEMORIAL RESEARCH FUND
The British Entomological and Natural History Society announces that awards may be made from this Fund for the promotion of entomological research with particular emphasis on:—
(a) Leaf-miners,
(b) Diptera, particularly Trypetidae and Agromyzidae, (c) Lepidoptera, particularly Microlepidoptera,
(d) General entomology,
in the above order of preference, having regard to the suitability of candi- dates and the plan of work proposed.
Awards may be made to assist travelling and other expenses necessary to field work, for the study of collections, for the attendance at con- ferences, or, exceptionally, for the costs of publication of finished work. In total they are not likely to exceed £250 in 1981/1982.
Applicants should send a statement, if possible in sextuplicate, of their qualifications, of their plan of work, and of the precise objects and amount for which an award is sought, to Lt.-Col. A. M. Emmett. Hon. Secretary, Labrey Cottage, Victoria Gardens, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3AF, as soon as possible, and in any case not later than 30th September 1981.
Published February 1 1981 by the Amateur Entomologists’ Society, 355 Hounslow Road, Hanworth, Feltham, Middlesex. Printed by V. B. Pike Printers, Canon Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire.
3rd Midlands Entomological Fair and Exhibition SATURDAY, APRIL 11th, 1981
Come along to this well-established Midlands event. Well appointed surroundings. Easy access with no parking problems.
ALL MAJOR DEALERS IN ATTENDANCE PAPERED AND LIVESTOCK zs BOOKS EQUIPMENT FOR COLLECTING AND BREEDING SPECIALIST GROUPS LIVE DISPLAYS OF ORNITHOPTERA Etc: Etc.
From 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission only 30p. SAME VENUE AS LAST YEAR
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The Entomologist’s Record
and Journal of Variation
A monthly illustrated magazin: ¢ounded by J. W. Tutt in 1890, is devoted mainly to the Lepidoptera of the British Isles. It also deals with other orders of insects especially Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Othop- tera. Its articles include descriptions of new species and varieties, reports on collecting trips, distribution, habits and habitats of insects and of collecting and study techniques suitable for novice and expert. It circulates in 47 countries.
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The Hymenopterist’s Handbook. Originally published in 1943, facsimile reprint 1969. This volume is a comprehensive guide to collecting, rearing and the study of ants, bees, wasps, sawflies, gall-wasps and parasitic Hymenoptera ; including keys to all the British families.
160 pp., 183 figs., 2 plates. Price: £4.40 dale
A Coleopterists’s Handbook. Describes the tools and methods for collecting British beetles; their habitats, commensals and _ pre-adult stages; how to record, photograph, make a personal collection, and conduct a local survey. Based on the original, 1954 Edition, this volume is a comprehensive guide to collecting and recording British Beetles.
142 pp., 62 figs., 18 plates. Price: £4.40
A Silkmoth Rearer’s Handbook. By W. J.B. Crotch. How to breed 120 exotic species in Britain, including substitute foodplants and descrip- tions of stages. Systematic section refers to 1400 species. Does not deal with the Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx mori), q.v. Leaflet No. 3. 165 pp., 26 figs., 24 plates. 2nd edition 1956. 2nd facsimile reprint 1979. with colour plates omitted. Price : £5.00
A Lepidopterist’s Handbook by R. Dickson. A practical book on the breeding, collecting, storing, conservation and photography of lepi- doptera. A ‘vade mecum’ for beginners and the initiated.. 136 pp., sewn sections, 34 line drawings, 13 plates. Published 1976. Price : £4.00
Insect Photography for the Amateur by P.E. Lindsley. A practical guide on the subject, describing all necessary equipment and accessories for macro-, micro- and general insect photography and the methods to be used. 8 plus 52 pp., 10 figs., 11 plates. Published 1977. Price: £3.00
A Dipterist’s Handbook by A.E. Stubbs, P.J. Chandler and others. A practical handbook for both the beginner and the initiated on collecting, breeding and studying the two-winged flies. Describes equipment, trapping, preservation, habitat, plant and animal associations, behaviour. Includes a chapter on larval stages with an illustrated key to the families. Detailed appendices give records from a wide range of sources brought together for the first time. An essential book for the keen dipterist. 260 pp. with line drawing illustrations of larvae and equipment. Price : £6.00
Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying the Microlepidoptera by P. A. Sokoloff. A practical manual for those interested in the smaller moths, describing techniques for collecting adult moths, collecting immature stages, breeding, killing, setting and mounting. A list of useful books and journals, as well as details of societies and suppliers is also included. 40 pp., 11 figs. Price : £3.00
These pubications are obtainable from our Publications Agent who will send a pro-forma invoice, including postage, on application.
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PRESTON MONTFORD FIELD CENTRE, Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury SY4 1DX. Wonders, of the Insect, WOrld! 258 ane eeen ee ee 14-21 August
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te Peis acatente ee Oe
oe ee Le
VOL. 40 NO. 331 MAY 1981
THE BULLETIN OF THE AMATEUR
ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY
WORLD LIST ABBREVIATION: BULL AMAT ENT SOC
EDITOR: BRIAN O. C. GARDINER, F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
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AES
BULLETIN
No. 331
EXHIBITION TIME AGAIN
This year’s Annual Exhibition will be held on Saturday, 10th October in the Hounslow Civic Centre, Hounslow, Middx. Entry will be by purchase of a programme, costing 20p. Think about your exhibit now please! We should like to remind Junior members that the more entries we get for the Ansorge award the better. They should also make it clear on their exhibit that it is from a Junior member and therefore eligible for the award.
FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL
We have received this council’s brochure for 1981. As usual there is a varied and interesting selection of courses at their nine centres. Full details can be obtained from the Education Officer, Field Studies Council, Preston Montford, Shrewsbury SY4 1HW.
We put a note about the Field Studies Council’s activities in last year’s May issue of the Bulletin. Your editor would be interested to consider for publication any account concerning an entomological course members may have attended.
For this year, Juniper Hall Centre is holding a two-part course on Butterflies and Moths for beginners (29th-3l1st May and 24th—26th July). At Leonard Wills Centre is a course on Introducing Butterflies and Moths (29th-3lst May), while Juniper Hall Centre has Introducing Insects (12th-14th June). A longer course on Butterflies and Moths is being held at Preston Montford Centre (24th-31st July), while spiders are amply catered for at Flatford Mill (16th—23rd September).
Editor.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Sir,
For a long time now I have thought that AES members should be able to meet more frequently than once a year at the Annual Exhibition. Being a national society—as opposed to a regional one—this would, of course, present problems if such meetings were to be arranged on a national basis. But if someone in a particular region were to arrange informal meetings for those members who lived in or near the area it would, I feel, be a viable proposition.
I propose to start the ball rolling by organising a London Meetings Group for members in the London area. I have in mind one evening a
58 MAY, 1981
month-—-a sort of ‘At Home’ in the tradition of the illustrious H. T. Stainton—when fellow-entomologists can meet for informal dis- cussions, slide shows, exchange of specimens and livestock, demonstra- tions of collecting and mounting techniques, a forum for comparing notes on breeding and rearing, and so on. I will of course provide light refreshments. Subjects covered at meetings need not necessarily be con- fined to entomology: any aspect of Natural History will be welcome.
Interested members are asked to write to me (7 Brockwell Court, London, S.W.2) letting me know the most convenient day of the week, in which week of the month, and what time in the evening would suit them best, to enable me to organise something on dates and at times which reflect the majority choice.
Members in other regions please copy!
S. J. Patel (751)
NORTH BRITISH SAWFLY RECORDS (HYM., TENTHREDINIDAE)
In spite of R. B. Benson’s energy and scientific accuracy in the collec- tion and recording of British Symphyta, the group remains underworked in this country. Recorded distributions given in Benson (1952, 1958) often indicate only the areas in which hymenopterists have been most active. Furthermore, collection of these insects has tended to be most intensive in the south of England, so that in some essentially northern genera (e.g. Amauronematus), certain species have been recorded as scarce merely because they were collected on the edge of their range. Below are listed some recent sawfly records which fill gaps in our know- ledge of distribution. Most specimens are from southern Scotland. The majority was collected by the writer. Nomenclature follows Kloet & Hincks (1978) except in the recognition of Pontopristia Malaise.
HETERARTHRINAE
Heterarthrus aceris (Kaltenbach)
I have noted previously (Liston, 1980a, b) that H. aceris occurs north to the Firth of Forth. The first leaf-mine of this species that I found (Liston, 1980b) was in Acer campestre L., a very scarce tree in southern Scotland. A. campestre seems to be the preferred foodplant in other parts of Europe where I have observed it. Since making these records I have found leaf-mines in Acer pseudoplatanus L. in every part of the Lothians, and also in Peebleshire and Stirlingshire. The most northerly records yet are from Perthshire (leaf-mines collected at Pitlochry and Castle Blair, 13.9.1980). Altenhofer (1980) divides the Heterarthrus complex attached to Acer into five species, giving only one a name. No species attacks Acer platanoides L., possibly because its leaves are much thinner than those of the others.
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 59
BLENNOCAMPINAE Apethymus braccatus (Gmelin)
9S o, beside River Tweed near St. Boswall’s, Roxburgs., 17.8.1980. These specimens were part of a large assemblage found resting on the shrubby growth at the foot of an oak’s bole. This species appears earlier in Scotland than in England, demonstrating the often forgotten fact that not only are northern spring insects later, but the autumn ones are earlier. Presumably these specimens were freshly emerged and awaiting the appearance of females. Protandry is widespread in sawflies. Benson (1952: 95) recorded braccatus as local in England, Wales and W. Scotland.
TENTHREDINIDAE Tenthredo obsoleta Klug
1 9, Catcleuch Reservoir, Northumberland, 31.7.1980. Not previously recorded in England. A northern species closely related to, and possibly conspecific with 7. mesomelas L. In Britain, obsoleta has been found in various Scottish localities and Ireland (though not always on moorland as Benson (1952) suggests: see Liston, 1980b). Much of the area around Catcleauch is now forested with conifers, but the species appears to be able to survive quite well in such situations. It is chiefly in subalpine coniferous forest that it is found in Central Europe.
Macrophya albipuncta (Fallén)
19, Towpath of Union Canal in City of Edinburgh, 11.6.1980 (leg. K. Haughney & A. D. Leslie). I was disappointed not to have witnessed the capture of this insect by my colleagues. It is a scarce species which is normally found in subarctic and high subalpine habitats (e.g. Liston, 1980c). In Scotland it was recorded by Benson (1952: 130) from Aberdeen and Inverness (Perths. and Kircudbr.) and, in England, in Yorkshire. Its foodplant (Geranium sylvaticum L.) has a northern distri- bution in Britain, but is scarce in the Lothians and was not recorded from the canal corridor by Sheldon (1976). Records of sylvaticum from nearby localities (Martin, 1934) suggest that this albipuncta could have been vagrant from a local population.
NEMATINAE
Hoplocampa chrysorrhoea (Klug)
4 2 2, Corstorphine Hill, Edinburgh, 30.4.-8.5.1980. Benson (1958 : 152) recorded this species as occurring north to Kircudbrightshire. Pseudodineura fuscula (Klug)
19, Corstorphine Hill, Edinburgh, 11.6.1980. Benson (1958: 155) recorded fuscula from England and the following Scottish counties: Lanark, Dumfries, Moray, Caithness.
Pristiphora confusa Lindqvist
1 9, Leadhills, Lanarkshire, 16.5.1980. Swept from Salix phylicifolia L.
The two previous British records also based on single females are from
60 MAY, 1981
southern England (Benson, 1958: 160). One might expect confusa to be more widespread in Scotland, for in continental Europe it is essentially northern or montane. The bushes of S. phylicifolia at Leadhills, at ca. 1000 ft. above sea level, support an interesting fauna of character- istically northern insects, several of which are mentioned in this note. Pontopristia amentorum (Forster)
2°, Leadhills, Lanarkshire, 16.5.1980. From S. phylicifolia. P. amen- forum was known as a scarcity from several widely separated English localities (Benson, 1958: 182) until the same author (1959) found this species in the North-West Highlands, and described the previously unknown male. Benson (1959) remarked that the Scottish and alpine Swiss specimens which he had examined represented the “‘boreo-alpine dark form’ of amentorum, while the previous British records had referred to the “lowland pale form’. It has since been proved that Benson’s specimens, determined as amentorum (Benson, 1955), then as latiserra Malaise (Benson, 1960) represent P. boreoalpina Lindqvist. Ruthe (1859) described dark specimens from Iceland, resembling the Scottish ones, as suavis, now considered synonymous with amentorum.
Lindqvist (1961), the only available useful treatment of the European species, considered Benson’s Wester Ross material to belong to another species, kamchatica Malaise. Lindqvist separated this species from amentorum on the basis of its deeper black coloration, the larger teeth on the female’s saw and its larger body size. My specimens from Lanark- shire are referable to kamchatica using Lindgqvist’s descriptions, but I do not hold this species to be distinct from amentorum which is undoubtedly a very variable insect. Conde (1938) has already synony- mised kamchatica in this way, though he probably went too far in treat- ing some of the other taxa as synonyms of amentorum.
Pontopristia Malaise, 1921 has not been accepted by all authors. Conde (l.c.) placed these species in Amauronematus and was followed by Benson (1958) and others. Recently, however, several authors (e.g. Benes, 1962; Hellén, 1970) have realised that the distinction is justified and useful. Pontopristia is clearly differentiated from Amauronematus on biological and morphological grounds. Larvae of Pontopristia feed in the catkins of Salix (and are unique amongst the Nematinae in this way) whilst Amauronematus are unspecialised leaf-feeders on Salix, Betula and Vaccinium. It is true that only the females of Pontopristia can be separated from Amauronematus, but this is also true for the genera Phyllocolpa Benson and Pontania Costa. The case for the separation of the latter groups is exactly the same as for Pontopristia and Amaurone- matus and yet Phyllocolpa is universally accepted as valid. Amauronematus sagmarius Konow.
Photos A and B. Galls of Pontania pustulator Forsius on Salix phylicifolia. Length of leaf = 3.5 cm. Photo C. Last instar larva of P. pustulator. Length = 8mm.
; ’ ’ |
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40
62 MAY, 1981
1 2, Cademuir, Peebleshire, 19.5.1980. Benson (1958: 189) stated that sagmarius was a “‘Northern and Western species. On Salix atrocinerea Brot., etc.’” He recorded it (p. 179) from Dartmoor (Dev.) and upper Teesdale (Yorks. and Durham), and from Ireland. My specimen was taken from S. atrocinerea. It is a Holarctic species, boreal in N. America and Siberia, but occurs locally over much of Europe, as do its hosts. Stritt (1952: 289) gives its European distribution as Hungary, S. Russia, S. Germany and Finland. Also in Switzerland (Benson, 1961: 167).
A. tillbergi Malaise
1 9, Leadhills, Lanarkshire, 16.5.1980. From S. atrocinerea. Recorded from southern England and Ireland (Benson, 1958: 184), Sutherland (Benson, 1959), Selkirkshire (Liston, 1980b). Typically an arctic- sub-arctic species, records from S. England are anomalous. Outside Britain known from Lappland, Northern Russia, Kamchatka, Alaska and Canada. Dr. B. Peter (pers. comm.) has found it in the Swiss Alps. Pontania pustulator Forsius
Galls of this species were collected at Leadhills from S. phyilicifolia L. (Liston, 1980b). Since its natural history is poorly known (briefly described in Forsius (1923) I make some comments here. The galls are developed equally above and below the leaf-blade at the base of the leaf and touch the midrib, the walls are very thin. They are green until a few days before the larva leaves to pupate (photo A), they then turn reddish (photo B). Occasionally more than one larva occurs in a gall, but only one survives to reach the third instar. The fully grown larva is 6.5—-8 mm long, with a greyish-white body, pale brown head, black ocellar fleck and darker brown mouthparts (photo C).
The cocoon is an interesting structure, differing from other Pontania that I have reared in that it has a distinct outer wall which supports the walls of its cell. This outer wall is loosely formed, but comparatively strong, with thick strands of silk holding small fragments of soil and plant debris in place (fig. 2, ca. 8mm long). If the coating of soil is removed, it can be seen that there is an inner cocoon suspended inside the first. The inner cocoon is more fragile, closer spun and of “‘typical’’ nematine type (fig. 1). Wong (1951) studied the gross structure of sawfly cocoons, and attempted a classification of those of some Canadian forest pests. In the Nematinae he thought that cocoon structure was broadly stable for most genera except Nematus and Amauronematus. He said of Pontania and Phyllocolpa ““Cocoons of species reared have single walls. They are shining, leather-like or parchment-like, cylindrical, with rounded ends. Colour brown or dark-brown. Length 5-6 mm”’.
With Pontania vesicator (Bremi) and the N. American P. bruneri (Marlatt), pustulator forms a distinctive species group within Pontania.
Figs 1 and 2. Cocoons of Pontania pustulator Forsius. Scale line = 1 cm. Fig. 1 with coating of soil removed. Fig. 3. Fold made in leaf of Salix pentandra by larva of Phyllocolpa excavata (Marlatt). Scale line = 1 cm.
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 63
reer
ny ; A . ora ks Agee Rl Ren ® — —_—_ ~ ge : = ‘N Wat Cid i NS ee a CS Ee Aad AO
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: eo * exe. } @ ‘ie CD OL oe
64 MAY, 1981
The double-walled cocoon described above may be another characteristic of this species group. It appears from Staeger (1919), that vesicator constructs a similar cocoon. Their biologies are very similar in most ways, only the fooplant associations, adult morphology and coloration and their distributions separate them. P. pustulator is restricted to Northern Europe, vesicator occurs throughout Europe (subarctic Fin- land to lowland Greece). Though Benson (1961) stated that vesicator is boreo-subalpine, this is not true for its distribution outside Britain. Phyllocolpa excavata (Marlatt)
Leaf-rolls with larvae on Salix pentandra L. in Beecraigs Wood (nt. Linlithgow), W. Lothian, 15.6.1980; Red Moss (Balerno), Midlothian, 24.5.1980. Benson (1958: 201) recorded this species from W. Yorks., Roxburghs., Stirling and Co. Leitrim. It is the only species of sawfly to make leaf-rolls on this willow, and the larva can be recognised by its blackened bases to the thoracic legs. A “roll” is perhaps not the best name for this species habitation (fig. 3), a “‘fold’’ would suit it better, for it is quite flat. The larva eats small holes in its fold. At first it leaves the upper epidermis intact, producing an irregular blotchy pattern on the down-folded part of the leaf. Older larvae eat right through the leaf. Growth of the leaf is usually affected on the side which the larva is feeding. This causes the midrib to bend. Ph. excavata is a subarctic- subalpine species, monophagous on S. pentandra in Europe.
Nematus brevivalvis Thomson
1°, Portmore Loch, Peebleshire, 1.6.1980. This locality possesses the Lothian’s largest area of birch forest. Apparently a scarce species and much under-recorded. Benson (1958: 225) gives records from southern English localities and Inverness in Scotland. Speight & Moller (1979) added it to the Irish list. Outside Britain, Benson (1958) could only give Sweden and Finland. Including the type localities of Pteronus kriegeri Konow, Amauronematus spurcus Konow and Pteronidea absimilis Lind- qvist (all are synonymous with brevivalvis) it is known also from Norway) and Northern Russia. Hellén (1976) suspected the species to occur in Central Europe. Oostrstroom (1976), in his list of Netherlands sawflies, confirmed this.
N. cadderensis Cameron
1°, Upper Whitadder Valley E,. Dothian, 11.5.1980. Probably found locally throughout Britain, but scarce. In Scotland it has been found in Lanarks., Argyle, Inverness (Benson, 1958: 221) and Fife (Liston, 1980b).
N. flavescens Stephens
19, Red Moss (Balerno), Midlothian, 24.5.1980. Benson (1958: 218) gave various English areas for this species. In Scotland it has been found in Ross & Cromarty and Inverness.
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 55
| Photos D and E. Females of Nematus oligospilus Forst. Representative | of spring (D) and summer (E) broods. Lengths from frons to basal plate of sawsheath = 7 mm.
66 MAY, 1981
N. oligospilus Forster
Seasonal variation is often extreme in this species. Temperature is almost certainly the crucial factor. As Benson (1958: 224) has already noted for bergmanni Dahlbom, spring forms of the first brood (flying V-VI) are usually much darker than summer ones of the second brood (VII-VIII). The proportion of dark forms increases for both broods in more northern regions. Female specimens show these differences best. Two specimens from Peebleshire are illustrated. Photo D shows an insect taken on 19.5.1980. That on Photo E, taken on 3.8.1980, was one of the summer brood. Areas which show more extensive dark coloration in the spring brood than the summer one are the apex of the stigma. ocellar fleck, upperside of antenna, mesonotum, tergites of abdomen along the median line, apices of middle and hind femora, tibiae and tars1.
Acknowledgements
I thank Messrs A. D. Leslie and K. Haughney for their generosity in presenting material from the Union Canal, Edinburgh. Mr. T. E. Gray kindly made photographic equipment available.
Summary
First English record of Tenthredo obsoleta Klug is made. Pristiphora confusa Lindqvist and Amauronematus sagmarius Konow are recorded in Scotland for the first time. New county records for 11 other species are included. Variety of structure in cocoons of genus Pontania is noted. Seasonal variation is described in female Nematus oligospilus Forster.
Andrew D. Liston (6983)
REFERENCES
ALTENHOFER, E., (1980). Zur Systematik und Morphologie der in Baum- blattern minierenden Blattwespen (Hym., Tenthredinidae). Z. angew. Ent. 89: 42-53. Zur Biologie der in Baumblattern minierenden Blatt- wespen (Hym., Tenthred.). Z. angew Ent. 89: 122-134.
BENES, K., (1962). Notes on some Nematinae from Czechoslovakia (Hym., Tenthredinidae). Cas. Cs. Spol, ent. 59(1): 38-41.
BENSON, R. B., (1952, 1958). Hymenoptera Symphyta. Handbk Ident Br. Insects 6 (2b-c): 51-252.
BENSON, R. B., (1955). Sawflies of the high Swiss Alps (Hymenoptera Symphyta). Mém. Soc. Roy. Ent. Belgique 27: 74-81.
BENSON, R. B., (1959). Sawflies of Sutherland and Wester Ross. Entomolo- gist’s mon. Mag. 95: 101-104.
BENSON, R. B., (1960). Some More High-Alpine Sawflies (Hymenoptera Tenthredinidae). Mitt. schweiz. ent. Ges. 33: 173-182.
BENSON, R. B., (1961). The Sawflies (Hymenoptera Symphyta) of the Swiss National Park and Surrounding Area. Ergebn. wissen. Unters. schweiz. Nationalparks 7 (N.F.): 163-195.
CONDE, O., (1938). Ostbaltische Tenthredinoidea IV. Notulae Ent., Helsing- fors 18: 10-20.
FIRSIUS, R., (1923). Kleinere Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Tenthredinoiden IV. Notulae Ent., Helsingfors 3: 51-54.
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 67
HELLEN, W., (1970). Die Nematinen Finnlands II (Hymenoptera, Tenth- redinidae). Gattung Amauronematus Konow. Notulae Ent., Helsingfors Oe f=37.,
HELLEN, W., (1976). Die Nematinen Finnlands V (Hymenoptera, Tenth- redinidae). Gattung Nematus Panzer. Notulae Ent., Helsingfors 56: 33-57.
KLOET. G. S. & HINCKS, W.D., (1978). A Check List of British Insects. Handbk Ident. Br. Insects 11(4): 1-12 .
LINDQVIST, E., (1961). Die Pontopristia-Arten Finnlands (Hym. Tenthr.). Notulae Ent., Helsingfors 41: 69-79.
LISTON, A. D., (1980a). Notes on some Sawflies (Hym., Symphyta) found in Scotland, with a description of a new species of Pachynematus Konow from Wester Ross. Naturalist 105: 51-54.
LISTON, A. D. (1980b). Notes on Sawflies (Hym., Symphyta) collected in Scotland. Entomologist’s mon. Mag. 115: 239-243.
LISTON, A. D. (1980c). Annotated List of Sawflies (Hym., Symphyta) from Kanton Unterwalden, Central Switzerland. Part I. Mitt, ent. Ges. Basel (N.F.) 30(1): 4-28.
MALAISE, R., (1921). Beitrage zur Kenntnis schwedischer Blattwespen. Tidskr. Ent. 42: 1-20.
MARTIN, I. H., (1934). The Field-Club Flora of The Lothians. Black- wood, Edinburgh & London. 318 pp.
OOSTROOM, S. J. van, (1976). De Nederlandse Symphyta (Halm-, Hout- en Bladwespen). Naamlijst. Wetensch. Meded. K.N.N.V., Nr. 114: 1-24.
RUTHE, J. F., (1859). Verzeichnis der von Staudinger (im Jahre) 1856 auf Island gesammelten Hymenopteren. Stettin ent. Z. 20.
SHELDON, J., (1976). Biological Survey of the Union Canal. Dept. Physical Planning, Lothian Regional Council.
SPEIGHT, M. C. D. & MOLLER, G. J., (1979). Amauronematus mundus, Hemichroa australis and Nematus brevivalvis: Sawflies new to Ireland, with notes on some other Irish Sawflies (Hymenoptera: Symphyta). Ir. Nat. F. 19(12): 443-445.
STAEGER, R., (1919). Aus dem Leben der Larve von Pontania vesicator Bremi. Rev. Suisse Zool. 27(9): 333-346.
STRITT, W., (1952). Die Blatt-, Halm- und Holzwespen Badens (Hym., Symph.). Mitt. Bad. Landesver. Naturk. u. Naturschutz (N.F.) 5: 287-290.
WONG, H. R., (1951). Cocoons of some Sawflies that defoliate forest trees in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. 82nd Annual Report Ent. Soc. Ontario: 61-67.
BOOK REVIEWS
Love among the Butterflies, by Margaret Fountaine (edited by W. F. Cater). 224 pp., well illustrated in both colour and sepia. Royal octavo. Collins, London 1980. Price £8.50.
Miss Fountaine died, as she would have wished, net in hand, in 1940, leaving by her will a sealed black box “‘not to be opened until 1978”. The pupal period was long; the eclosion and wing expansion short, the resultant imago absolutely superb. The black box contained her diaries. In excess of a million words written over a period of sixty years, illus- trated by both photographs and sketches. This is an achievement that
68 MAY, 1981
ranks with Pepys and Evelyn and. like those diarists, it may well be a couple of centuries before they are ever printed in full, for this present production is but the distilled essence. It is superbly designed and produced as if it were a rare limited de luxe edition from a private press. There are running titles and borders: vignettes and colophons; decorative corner motives (as used by Miss Fountaine in her diaries); the editorial matter clearly typeset to a smaller layout than the diary; sepia type on a cream wove paper: the coloured illustrations with an appropriately chosen, coloured border and background. What a pleasure it is just to handle and look at this book.
The editor has done his job well. The book flows onwards from Miss Fountaine’s early life in Norfolk and her unhappy love affairs to her deepening interest in butterflies, her meeting with Khalil Neimy. a Syrian dragoman, who was to be her constant collecting companion until his death many years later.
This book gives a fascinating insight into life in late Victorian and Edwardian times, both in Europe and further afield. We do not today realise the difficulties and hardships of travel in those days. The only thing that was so much easier was the crossing of frontiers! It is not a great list of species caught. It is the thoughts and fears, the loves and anguishes, the day to day doings of a restless lady ever inspired to journey on and on with her love and passion for butterflies as her raison d’étre. Difficulties are made light of and her delight in butterflies comes through clearly.
Consider the following passage : —
‘“‘Another day we started early from Budapest. a party of five; about two hours in a slow train brought us to Dabas; then a sort of miniature hay wagon entirely innocent of springs took us along a road where wheels sank up to axles, then across the grassland; and through great sheets of water in which we stuck in the mud and I thought nothing could save us from being upset. After more than two hours of bumping and jolting along we arrived—an entomologist’s dream realised, a forest abounding with butterflies, the Suvarovius flying by hundreds, a white graceful creature; M. Aurelia, A. Daphne, P. Alicphron and C. Mor- pheus; butterflies rare in other localities were abundant here. It was 11.30 before I got back to the Hotel Bristol that night.”
Miss Fountaine was an exceedingly attractive woman, even in middle age. This does not come through in her photographs, but does from contemporary written evidence. A Victorian lady travelling alone was more than enough to attract comment. especially if she also, uncon- ventionally, rode astride and not, as was then respectable, side-saddle. It is not surprising that male interest was thereby aroused. Hence the title of this book. For example: —
“T complained bitterly to the Baron that I had come to Sicily to collect butterflies, and had almost been persecuted by men. To which the Baron
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 69
replied, “And you do not like it! Oh, Miss Fountaine, if all the women were in love with me as all the men are with you, I should be the happiest man in the whole world!!’ I believe he really was in love with me.”’
The illustrations are spaced throughout the text in the relevant place. They are a mixed bunch and although a general acknowledgement as to source is given it would in our opinion have been more constructive to have given the provenance of all of them. They range from photo- graphs (many obviously taken by Miss Fountaine), sketches, some of which are clearly not Miss Fountaine’s, pages from her diaries and notebooks, and coloured reproductions of specimens in the Fountaine- Neimy collection now in Norwich Museum. These show clearly that meticulous perfection both in specimens, setting, and labelling attained and held to by Miss Fountaine.
It is clear that Miss Fountaine had an immense amount of ento- mological knowledge and accumulated a large amount of data throughout her life. Little of it is published. The brief glimpses we are given here of her notebooks (which are in the Natural History Museum and do not form part of the diaries) consisting as they do of coloured paintings of larvae, chrysalids and foodplants, are tantalising. They contain we suspect much new and unpublished information and seem to us to deserve publication in their own right.
This book should be in the library of everyone. At its very modest price it is phenomenal value for money and we suspect it may well be one of the best sellers of the year. Other Entomological publishers should take note and try and bring their productions up to the same standard and down to the same price. Sadly, however, a word to purchasers. Check the copy you intend to buy. Several have slipped through production control with pages 82-83, 86-89, 90-91 and 94-95 absolutely blank.
Brian Gardiner (225)
Leaves from a Moth-Hunter’s notebooks by P. B. M. Allan. [Edited and introduced by R. S. Wilkinson]. 281 pp. Hardback octavo. E. W. Classey Ltd. Price £9.00.
It is over thirty years since Mr. Allan’s previous entomological book was reviewed in this journal (Moths and Memories, Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. 8: 46). It should have been less but as has so often been reported for Eriogaster lanestris this book has been unduly long eclosing. One of the reasons for this was apparently the discovery at a late stage of production of an additional chapter which Mr. Allan had sent off for an opinion upon shortly before his demise. Very sadly there is still a chapter missing. This is the one on the fens and Noctua subrosea which your present reviewer enjoyed the privilege of opining on and had already
70 MAY, 1981
returned to Mr. Allan. Perhaps he, or the editor, considered it unsuit- able: maybe it has been lost or destroyed. Whatever the reason it’s non-appearance is a sad loss to posterity.
What can one say about the inimitable Mr. Allan and the contents of this book? Little, really, that has not already been said. It is written in the format of his previous entomological volumes. The style is witty, erudite, entertaining, easy to follow being written in good grammatical English and not, as so often today. mid-atlantic, franglais or com- putorese. Like his three previous entomological books this one also has the word ‘moth’ in its title but deals in no small measure with ‘butter- flies’. More so in fact than did any of the previous volumes. As usual, too, Mr. Allan has his own determined opinions on certain subjects which he himself admits are ‘heretical’. So much the better.
The book consists of eight chapters plus the chapter on “The Glan- ville Fritillary’’, the missing item which caused the delay in publication and which for some reason is inserted as an Appendix. The chapters deal with, in order, The Middle Copper: The Mazarine Blue; the Swallowtail mystery—in which podalirius is discussed with the same ardour as machaon was in Talking of Moths; The Oak Prominents—an expansion of the theme taken up in A Moth-hunter’s Gossip; Larvae-hunting in Spring: Moths in a Searchlight; Interlude; Some Possible Settlers.
As has been noticed in his previous works The Old Moth-Hunter was not only a fine entomologist with a “‘feel’’ for insects but he was also a determined detective and an indefatigable investigator into historical aspects of the subject. This comes through most clearly in his accounts of the mystery of whether Papilio podalirius was even a true British insect and of the Glanville Fritillary.
The book is very well printed on the same soft off-white paper as its predecessors and is to be thoroughly recommended to one and all.
I must now make a few carping remarks. These are not intended in any way to put any intended purchaser off this otherwise excellent book, but to encourage the editor and publisher to make alterations to the next edition. First: we should have liked to have seen the photograph of Mr. Allan which forms the frontispiece rather better done and of larger size. Preferably on plate type paper and without the top of the head scalped off. Secondly: the editor, Dr. Wilkinson, in his introduc- tion gives us some tantalising insights into some of Mr. Allan’s other publications. As the possessor of (and having read!) some of these I can state quite unnequivocably that they are equally entertaining, and do feel that the opportunity should have been taken to compile a biblio- graphy—at least of the major works—of the “‘Old Moth-hunter’’. Be it under whatever pseudonym (and there were many) he was publishing. Thirdly: a very bad case of inattention to detail. Internally this book is titled and headed as leaves from a moth-hunter’s notebooks (plural)
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 71
but on the external cover the titling has notebook (singular). Do I detect a wry posthumous smile?
BOCG
The Butterflies of Scotland by George Thomson, pp. xvii + 267; 8 cold. + 31 plates + 97 figs. medium octavo. Croom Helm, London 1980. Pace, £19.95.
What an unexpected and pleasant surprise it was when this book suddenly, and without warning, appeared on the shelves of our local bookshop. No pre-publicity; no interminable delay between announced date and actual date of publication, as is so often now the case; hence of course no let-down after the publicity build-up but real pleasure in its perusal.
This book follows on and continues in the tradition of E. B. Ford in expanding and amplifying books about butterflies from being mere faunal lists and descriptive matter to being a fully integrated biological study. We are led on to the actual butterflies with a concise but clear account of Scotland’s climate, geology, history, people and flora. Of particular use in this respect are the distribution maps given in many cases not only of the butterflies but also of the relevant foodplants. This shows at a glance where rare or unconfirmed species should perhaps be sought. In some cases the question should perhaps be asked as to why is the foodplant so widespread and abundant but the butterfly confined to a handful of localities?
Coming to the butterflies themselves, their history, present status, habits, subspecies to be found in Scotland, and time of appearance is given. This last is a most useful feature of the book since probably all books on butterflies tend to give the often much earlier southern England dates of appearance. The larvae are not discussed—but they have after all been thoroughly and often described elsewhere—but the much more useful foodplant details are given.
Mr. Thomson has found 68 species listed as Scottish. This may come as a surprise to many Sassenachs even though many of the species (e.g. Parnassius apollo) are unlikely to be found now. All are however thoroughly discussed and evaluated.
Mr. Thomson is especially strong on historical delving and has clearly browsed deeply and distilled the essence into his text. Not only does this appear in the butterfly section but the final fifty or so pages of the book contain an historical account of Scottish Entomologists (sadly, Professor James Rennie and Capt. Thos. Browne have been overlooked), Societies and Journals; a glossary; a brief account of and map of Nature Reserves; the vital check-list of butterflies; a very adequate bibliography; finally an adequate index.
Mr. Thomson has written an excellent book which should be of use and interest to all lepidopterists. On the whole a well-produced and
W2 MAY, 1981
printed book although on coloured plate 14. Fig. 8 has had an attack of the “blues”? and the modern half-tone ‘xerography”’ does not, let us face it, give the same standard of pleasant reproduction as the old photo- graphic half-tone screen block on plate paper with a border. Also it is not quite fair to call the small marginal vignettes of Scottish Entomolo- gists ‘‘Plates’’, especially when similar size diagrams in the front of the book are ‘“‘Figures”’.
Brian Gardiner (225)
Handbook for the Identification of British Insects, vol. IX part 5: Diptera Dolichopodidae by E. C. M. d’Assis Fonseca. Royal Ento- mological Society of London, 1978, 90 pp. Paperback 8vo. Price £3.30.
This latest addition to the ‘Handbooks’ seems to follow the trend of increasing specialisation within the series, confining itself to a single family. In this, we can safely presume that the author is a specialist on his subject and this is borne out by the detail and professionalism of the work. The numerous line drawings in particular are admirably clear and have been executed by the author, ensuring that the reader sees what he intended us to and not an artist’s impression, as sometimes happens!
Also to be applauded is the inclusion of additional, alternative keys to certain particularly ‘sticky’ genera, providing as it does both a cross- check and a means of salvation if one becomes hopelessly ‘fogged’ by one key.
The family is large—267 British species—and not surprisingly little is known of the biology or distribution of most of them. This of course is where this book comes in, providing a relatively easy means for the average entomologist to add to our knowledge of this group. From the all-too-brief introductory details of the family, they appear to have a fascinating life-history, some preying on water-fleas (Chydorus sphaericus Muell.) in the manner of miniature ospreys!
Some comment must be made about the price—£6.30 for a slim 90 pages. The introduction to this series of handbooks used to read (as recently as 1972) “‘conciseness and cheapness are main objectives in this series”’ (my italics). That claim is notably absent from this volume, and one wonders at what point the Royal Ent. Soc. decided no longer to make cheapness an objective in issuing this otherwise excellent series?
Nonetheless, a welcome and admirable addition to the literature upon which the author is to be congratulated.
CJG
The two book reviews published below are reprinted with permission from the 1980 Field Studies Council News and the Editor would like to thank Mr. P. S. Croft for agreeing for them to appear in our Bulletin. Although not exactly entomological in content they are both of vital
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 73
importance in showing how the habitats on which our insects so depend have been shaped in the past, the present pressures upon them, and what hope there may be for the future so far as insect life is concerned.
The Industrial Archaeology of Farming in England and Wales by Nigel Harvey. Published by Batsford. 1980. £15 hardback. ISBN 0 7134 1845 1.
This must be a good contender for the ‘Book of the Year’ award as far as I am concerned; I found the contents absolutely fascinating, the style of the book light and easily readable and yet full of facts. Anyone who has an interest in farming, in architecture, in machinery or more particularly in the evolution of the landscape will derive a great deal of pleasure and knowledge from reading it. The book has nine chapters, some of which are relatively minor ones and others which are dealt with in some detail. The first two chapters (“The Winning of the Waste’ and ‘Fields and Field Systems’) deal with the evolution of the landscape from the natural wilds up to the present day. The reclamation of woodlands, heath and moorlands and wetlands are all dealt with, and examples are given from within the British Isles; the inclusion of place-name informa- tion as a guide to the history of a particular area should prove useful. Details given about fields and field systems I found even more interesting. Such obvious facts as the links between field shape and the implements in use at the time had escaped me before reading this—perhaps, because I had little knowledge of the history of farming tools. Enclosure is dealt with in some detail and the different forms of boundary markings— hedges, walls, fences and barbed wire—are all discussed. Short chapters on ‘Water Supplies and Irrigation schemes’, ‘Sources of fertility’, “Field Drainage’, ‘Historical Crop Varieties’ and “Historic Breeds of Livestock’ are all interesting, particularly that on drainage (ridge and furrow, mole drains, tile drains etc.) and they lead into the next major section of the book. ‘Tools, Implements and Machines’ is perhaps one of the most interesting chapters that I have read in any book during this year. The implements used for each of the jobs that takes place on a farm are described, and the developments which led to wholesale changes in farm- ing methods should interest anyone living in a country whose landscape is so dominated by agriculture. The seed-drill of Jethro Tull is perhaps a prime example which most people have heard of, but with few under- standing the exact benefits which the advance brought. The final chapter on ‘Farm Buildings’ is at the same high level. I must admit that I had not previously realised that animals were housed indoors over the winter months primarily to tread straw into manure; perhaps we are now so conditioned by the attitude towards welfare of animals in this country that any shelter provided and litter put down is only ever thought of as being for the animals’ welfare. The fact that straw is a wasted resource unless trodden in by the animals had totally escaped me! Mr. Harvey assures us that the Hanoverians were well acquainted with the fact that
74 MAY, 1981
the indoor production of manure incorporating straw improved the fertility of the fields considerably when compared with that obtained from the outdoor wintering of livestock.
The book is well illustrated with black and white plates (74 pictures in all) which complement the major features of the text; the list of references given is comprehensive; at 47 pages it is the second largest chapter. Those who have real interest in the subject will find this section most useful; the casual reader will no doubt regret the amount of space used in this way. Finally the price: as one who frequently criticises the high cost of books at the present time I can hardly ignore the fact that this one costs £15. The book is well produced but even so £15 is really a relatively high price compared to any of the other books reviewed. I can only imagine that the publisher felt that the potential market was smaJl and priced this volume accordingly. I must agree that the number of people attracted by a book titled ““The Industrial Archaeology of Farruing”’ is not likely to be great—for some reason it sounds off-putting. Don t miss it; beg, borrow or steal a copy to read—if you like it as much
as I did you will then almost certainly buy it! P_S. Croft
The Common Ground—A Place for Nature in Britain's Future by Richard Mabey. Published by Hutchinsons in association with The Nature Conservancy Council. 1980. £8.95 hardback.
This book must be regarded as one of the major works in the conser- vation field. It was commissioned by the Nature Conservancy Council but was not ghost-written by them; the Council gave the author help but the views are his own.
The book is divided into three parts. Part one is called Perspectives and looks at the conservation movement from many viewpoints. The author points out that for him involvement in conservation was prompted by a sense of personal loss associated with the changing habitats and the loss of certain species within his local area. I am sure that this is the way that many of us become involved—although with time the sense of personal loss widens to encompass other issues. The author states that the need for conservation has arisen because the changes that man induces in his environment are now so rapid that they are occurring faster than the rate of adaptation of living things; the natural rate of extinction (and species have, of course, always faced extinction) has therefore been exceeded.
Conservation in real terms can always be reduced to an evaluation, whether it be a financial or a cultural one; when these two conflict it becomes necessary to represent each case objectively. Mr. Mabey illustrates this point by one of the most famous examples in conservation history—that of the decline of the peregrine falcon. In 1959 the outcry from pigeon fanciers regarding the predation of their birds by the pere-
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AES BULLETIN, Vol. 40 75
grine resulted in the census that showed the catastrophic decrease in numbers of the falcons, which Derek Ratcliffe linked to seed dressings of persistent insecticides in a now classic paper. The quick action taken in Britain led to a recovery of the population which is now a major proportion of the European total. However despite the appeal of such cases the author points out that it is the decline of common species which is important rather than those which are natural rarities: such a decline is sympomatic of habitat destruction.
Part two deals with Nature and Land Use: Past Harmonies and Discord. This is treated in three sections: forestry, agriculture and recreation. The author pinpoints the apparent contradiction that although the amount of woodland is increasing the acreage of old woodland is decreasing rapidly. Linked with this is the decline of the traditional woodland management techniques (pollarding and coppicing) and he suggests that a return to these systems in a proportion of our forestry could well save much of our woodland fauna and flora from further threat. The fact that the woodburning stove could result in this occur- rence is one factor in its favour that many have not considered. The agricultural scene reflects a similar situation: the trend is towards intensive management and even so-called permanent pasture is ploughed and re-seeded at regular intervals. The development of a diverse fauna and flora which accompanied the slow changes of agricultural practices of former days is now seriously threatened and studies have indicated that if every piece of the agricultural landscape were modernised 80% of birds and 100% of butterflies would disappear. Mr. Mabey argues strongly that the retention of marginal land (in both senses: at the edge of the farm and also ground which is only marginally worth improving) as areas undergoing traditional management would maintain variety without lowering the profit level unrealistically. He also points out that it is possible that the application of high levels of fertilisers to agricul- tural land may actually cost the community more than traditional forms of management. The increased profits of the farmer ought to be balanced against the results of increased nitrate concentrations in water courses. This eutrophication of water may need complex and costly treatment and has already led to the free distribution of bottled water for newly born babies in some areas. Recreational uses of the landscape are also more intensive and should be costed in the same way as the others. The immense success of Operation Osprey has done much to promote the conservation movement (three-quarter million people have been to Loch Garten to see the breeding birds and many millions have watched their progress in the media) and public pressure to see variety in the country- side does much to preserve it: The author feels that this far outweighs the minor annoyances of litter, erosion and other destructive aspects of the public in the countryside. He goes on to discuss commons, common rights and public access to commons.
76 MAY, 1981
Part three is concerned with Policies and Priorities. These largely stem from issues raised in the first two parts and the author stresses that the conservation of ancient habitats which cannot be replaced (bog and primeval woodland for example) must receive the greatest attention. After this must come the retention of traditional habitats (ponds, old meadows) in marginal land. Individual species should also be protected and the author points out that many predators have been virtually eliminated by persecution, especially by gamekeepers. He discusses the effects of the various Acts, particularly the impressive legislation aimed at the protection of birds, and points out that it is difficult to assess the effects of the 1975 Act on Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants as not one prosecution has yet taken place. The various short- comings of this and other Acts are discussed.
A section on Sites and Reserves is followed by the final one on Con- servation and the Community. The difficulties associated with bureau- cracy’s entanglements are examined: the fact that Water Authorities are still subsidising the drainage of land the NCC wants kept wet and that only change of use of Sites of Special Scientific Interest has to be notified despite the fact