Suffolk Argus 16, Feb 1999

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman

James Mann, The Old School, The Street, Darsham, Sa.xmundham, Suffolk, !PI 7 3QA (01728 668532) Membership Secretary Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 4LN.(0I473 253276) Newsletter Editors {temporary) Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 4LN (01473 253276)

RichardStewart, 'Valezina', I 12 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 2XW {01473 216518) Programme Secretary

Alan Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH {01473 715701)

Volunteers Needed

County Recorder (ButterAies) RichardStewart, 'Valezina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2XW (01473 216518)

If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact James Mann on

JamesMann, The Old School, The Street,

01728 668532.

Conservation Officer {Butterflies)

Darsham, Sa.xmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3QA {01728 668532) Conservation Officer {Moths) Tony Prichard,3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR {01473 270047) County Recorders (Moths)

Jon Nicholls, 18 Berners Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP! I 7LF {01394 271500) Tony Prichard{address as below) Secretary

Tony Prichard,3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9JR {01473 270047)

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Treasurer

Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, I The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP7 5LP {01473 3 I 0371)

Published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation (The British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd.) Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Charity No. 254937 HeadOfficccP.O. Box222. Dcdham, EssexC07 6EY. Tel. (01206) 322342 Edited by Paul Gilson& RichardStewart Logo (Silver-studded Blue) Doug l lammersky Designed and produced by Suphtn Ion © 1999 all rights re.served

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Publicity Officer {Vacant) • • • • • • • • • •

President

Comma & Peacock by BerylJohnson

Howard Mendel, c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD (0171 938 8782) Committee Member Steven Goss,Ya.xleyManor House, Ya.xley, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8DG {01379 783386)

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation Volume 16

The Suffolk Argus

February 1999

Newsletter Details

Contents Notes from the Editor ............................................................

3

Annual General Meeting/Publicity Officer - vacancy ............ .4 The Butterflies of Hockley Wood ....................................... 5-6 Roosting Holly Blue ...............................................................

1998 Field Trips ...............................................................

ToAdvertisein

7-15

In the Heat of the Day .........................................................

Sylvestris or Lineola? ......................................................

7

16-17 19-21

Blackbird Predation of Peacock Caterpillars ......................... 21

February

Christmas Eve

June October

April Fools Day August Bank Holiday

Any piece of writing that is considered to be of interest will be published rogether with line drawings/prints/photographs.

The Suffolk Argus is your magazine, so please let us hear from you.

Please contact:

Back Issues of the Suffolk Argus ........................................... 22 Butterfly Attracting Plants ....................................................

Contributions for our newsletter should reach the Editor (address on back page) no later than:

Th8uffolk Argus

16

The Queen of Spain Fritillary at Minsmere RSPB Reserve ... 18 The 1998 Butterfly Season .............................................

Copy Dates

Paul Gilson (014 73 253276)

22

Newsletter Details & General Information ........................... 23 Suffolk Branch Contacts ......................................... Back Cover

Butterfly HOTELS

ButterflyLine A purpose built Hotel with all the facilities that today travellers require yet in a

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Butterfl~ Hotel, Al4 Bury East Exit. Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds

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,.11 Regular Updates & Latest News All profits are used for the conservation of butterflies and their habitats.

Calls charged at 50p per minute at all times

2

A purpose built Hotel with all the facilities that today's travellers require yet in a rustic traditional environment that is welcoming and comfortable.

Butterfly Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds

01284 760884 23

The Suffolk Argus

Back issues of the Suffolk Argus For our newer members we have available back issues of the Suffolk Argus from volumn 1 to 14.

If any members would like to make up the complete set they are available at a cost of 25 p each plus postage.

The following second class postage rates apply:Up to 2 copies - 20p

February

Butterfly Attracting Plants

by Paul Gilson With reference to the theme of 'Gardens and Butterflies', the Branch will be attending events this year and we would very much like to have butterfly attracting plants on our stand.

If any members have plants which they can donate, then please contact me (phone number and address on back cover). The list below represents a cross-section of butterflyattracting plants that should appeal to people who are either starting or adding to a garden designed for butterflies.

Up to 4 copies - 31 p Up to 6 copies - 38p Up to 7 copies - 45 p Up to 9 copies - 55p Up to 11 copies - 64p Please make your cheques payable to Butterfly Conservation and send your orders to:Paul Gilson 18 Cheltenham Avenue Ipswich Suffolk IP! 4LN Please do not send any cash through the post!

22

Perennials: Catmint, Michaelmas Daisy, Osteospermum, Phlox, Scabious, Sedum Spectabile, Valerian and Verbena (bonariensis/venosa).

Herbs: Chives, Hyssop, Lavender, Marjoram and Thyme.

Shrubs: Buddleia.

This list does not contain every butterflyattracting plant known to us but at least people will be able to plant them knowing that they will be in flower the same year and have a good chance of attracting a butterfly or two!

1999

Notes frotn the Editor

by RichardStewart First, an update on the leaflet inserted in the last edition. The campaign to plant Buckthorns in and around Ipswich has increased in momentum: launched at the November meeting of the Ipswich Organic Gardeners Group, then a successful planting of the shrub at Ipswich allotments, which was subsequently publicised in the Evening Star and on Anglia TV. I have written articles about it for the SNS 'White Admiral' (already published and the national 'Organic Gardening' magazine hopefully for March 1999). Julian Dowding can be contacted about everything on O1473414092 and there is now a much fuller leaflet available, some having been printed on Brimstone yellow paper. Already over 300 plants have been ordered-I have one planted in my garden-and the importance of this initiative is best explained by 1998 figures. The Brimstone was reported from 93 tetrads, only 26 of which were in East Suffolk.

It wasn't a bad night and there was adequate parking in front of the building, off road. If you've never seen a White Admiral, Silverstudded Blue or Purple Hairstreak, then come along to those meetings where they can be guaranteed, assuming the weather is good. We shall again be at the Suffolk Show and also at Notcutts in Woodbridge over a July weekend: more details in the programme.

New President The fact that Sir David Attenborough has agreed to take on this role is a measure of Butterfly Conservation's national standing.

He also hopes to be as involved as the late Gordon Beningfield. I was at the Hampshire Members Day in November when it was announced that he would be present at one of their 1999 events.

Support

Articles for the Suffolk Argus

This edition contains a new programme of events. Please look at it carefully and 'book' dates in your diary for any you can attend.

Admittedly the weather could have been better in 1998 but it is dispiriting to arrange a meeting at a farm which is probably one of the best run for wildlife in Suffolk (Bower House Farm at Polstead) and only six turn up. Equally, the November quiz was a great success but only attracted an audience of 13.

If any members have articles for future editions of the Suffolk Argus could they please send them to Paul Gilson at 18, Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich IP1 4LN. Myself and Richard Stewart will be overseeing the production of the newsletter until a new Editor is found.

3

The Suffolk Argus

Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting will rake place at the Butterfly Hotel, A 14 Bury East exit, Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds at 7.00 pm on 20th March 1999.

This year's AGM will include a talk by Mike Hall on Garden Insects - 'Friends or Foes'. Mike Hall is one of the leading moth recorders in Suffolk and writes a yearly report for the Suffolk Naturalists' Society Transactions. He also organised the 1980's Norfolk Butterfly Survey.

The programme is:7 .00 pm Doors open.

7.15 pm Annual General Meeting.

Agenda 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

4

Apologies.

Chairmans opening address and report.

Reports from: i) Treasurer. ii) Conservation Officer and County Recorder (Butterflies). iii) Conservation Officer (Moths). iv) Newsletter Editor. v) Membership Secretary. vi) Programme Secretary. vii) Publicity Officer.

Election of Committee.

Any Other Business (only items handed to the Chairman in writing prior to the start of the meeting will be accepted).

February

8.00 p.m. (approx) Mike Hall - Garden Insects, 'Friends and Foes'.

9.00 p.m. (approx) Refreshments (a small charge will be made).

During and after refreshments there will be the opportunity for general discussion and questions to the committee on current and future activities or anything else of interest to you.

Note: Committee nominationswill be taken

on the day or in advanceto the Chaiman, all we need is a nominator,a seconderand the willingnessof the member to stand. Pleasetry to attend to tell us if you think we are doing a goodjob or howyou would like to seethejob done. This is the time and theplace to set next yearsagenda.

Publicty Officer 'Vacancy' Steven Goss has recently stepped down as Publicity Officer on the Suffolk Branch committee.

This now leaves a vacancy to be filled.

If anyone feels that they could step into this post please contact James Mann, Chairman, who will be pleased to give you the necessary information about the post. Steven, although no longer Publicity Officer will be remaining on the committee as a member.

Steve Goddard), I recorded a very late Grayling at Tangham on 21st September, plus 286 Small Coppers, and John Dolman's annual late visit to the Spa Gardens at Felixstowe produced 20 plus Red Admiral and Painted Lady on 20th October with Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and a Hummingbird Hawk moth still present on 6th November. The latest so far is a Peacock at Trimley (Roger & Stella Wolfe, December 16th).

To summarise: the butterflies were there, admittedly often in reduced numbers, but you had to make some effort to find them. Two species, Meadow Brown and Purple Hairstreak, have now entered the plus category compared to the previous mid80s survey, leaving just five under. Three of these, with determined, organised recording in the final year, could end up as plus species, i.e. Gatekeeper, Small Heath and Wall Brown. Only Dingy Skipper and White-letter Hairsrreak seem to be certain to end up with reduced records. Can I thank all recorders for their 1998 records bur also ask for more planned recording in 1999.

Everyone gets the map of unrecorded areas and it is particularly frustrating to get detailed records in and discover the recorder has covered several tetrads and recorded the same species as many others, yet completely ignored the one (nearby) under-recorded area ..

All recorders who submitted lists of records will, as usual, receive 1999 forms and I can give early notice that the survey finishes on November 30th, which is the final date in 1999 for any Millennium !Survey records.

1999

Blackbird predation of Peacock Caterpillars

by RegSnook With regard to the above. A pair had built a nest in the ivy on an oak tree. In the first week of July it had young and the male blackbird fed the young on caterpillars of the Peacock butterfly.

The caterpillars were on nettles adjacent to my studio and at one time there must have been hundreds of them - some nearly full size others not so large. The blackbird within a space of three days cleared the lot of them. It was quite a sight the resplendent cock bird - black with yellow bill which was full of black caterpillars! Unfortunately, I do not know if the young successfully fledged.

21

The

SuffolkArgus

February

good to see new records from parts of Suffolk as far apart as Mildenhall Woods and the Beccles area. This is a species that not enough recorders seek out-only 15 out of 167 saw it in 1998. To balance this, several

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Swallowtail

by DouglasHammersley

was unearthed in moth records, thanks to Tony Prichard's diligence.

The national opinion from Nick Bowles was that double-brooded species tended to suffer from the weather in 1998.

This certainly affected the Brown Argus but it was still recorded in 24 new tetrads. Rob Macklin's comment that the Ringlet 'would appear to be well suited to cool, damp conditions' was borne out by most records and Ron Hartley had his best season at Acton for Speckled Wood. This butterfly seems to be on the verge of a proper colonisation of the Ipswich area, at last: one from Chantry Park Qune Summerfield 23rd August) and five at the Ipswich Golf Course (Neil Sherman, 21 st August). Silver-studded Blues were out early at Blackheath, Wenhaston on 24th June (Glenn Rae) and I recorded my highest ever total of 311 at Purdis Heath on 8th July. Unfortunately count totals were not received from Minsmere at the rime of writing nor from the annual count at Martlesham. The White Admiral had an indifferent year but it was

20

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The Butterflies of Hockley Wood

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report-Steve Goddard's garden, well within the Ipswich boundary, welcomed an Essex Skipper as the 23rd species and Rob Macklin at Snape recorded 24 for the year, and that without the Painted Lady. At St Olaves Glynnis Crouch(formerly Jenner) reported counts of20 and more for Comma, Painted Lady and Red Admiral. Migrants were seen in good numbers: 55 recorders included Painted Lady and the pick of the 27 recorded sites for Clouded Yellows was the six seen by the Johnsons at Orford on 4th September. A flurry of Swallowtail sightings in Ipswich during July and early August led to two definite identifications of caterpillars, one of which has pupated.

Swallowtails were also recorded at Minsmere and North Warren, the Waveney Valley near Beccles and at Woodbridge, where one landed just a few feet away from veteran former County Recorder, Sam Beaufoy, out with daughter Anne. Even rarer were single records of Queen of Spain at Minsmere on 23rd July (Pete Etheridge and Dale Newton) and Camberwell Beauty on Burley Marshes (9th August-Reg Snook).

To compensate for the poor summer the season was extended well into Autumn, heralded by a second brood Large Skipper at Baylham on 20th August (Paul Gilson and

by GrahamBailey

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Purple Hairstreak

by Angie Steele Over the past twenty years I have personally noted 26 species of butterfly for Hockley Woods, quite an impressive total for anywhere in Essex at the best of times!

In addition, I recorded the wall Brown back in the early 1980's but unfortunately not since.

Undoubtedly the most important species now is the Heath Fritillary, introduced from Thrift Wood in 1987 and with its origins therefore in the Blean Woods complex in Kent. The Hornbeam coppice management is principally directed at maintaining the population of this enchanting insect within the woods by removing a one hectare block of trees each winter. The areas to be coppiced are decided

1999

annually, these sites being dependent on the distribution and suitability for regeneration of the cow-wheat, the fritillary's larval foodplant here. Some removal of Oak standards is also performed to increase the sunlight reaching the ground; undergrowth is also cut where necessary to encourage the growth of cow-wheat by leaving large patches of bare ground. All these measures are vital for the survival of the butterfly without them the insect would die out within three or four years.

Afi:er their initial release, numbers reached a rapid peak in 1991 and 1992, with easily 200 butterflies on the wing at the height of the flight period. The population appeared to dip quite markedly for a season or two following this, but the colony has gained momentum once again and can generally be seen flying plentifully in June.

One particularly interesting facet of the Heath Fritillaries here is their tendency to have what is almost certainly a second brood. I count myself extremely fortunate to be one of very few people in this country (to my knowledge) who has witnessed this phenomenon, although it certainly occurs on the Continent. .. Having told my friend Don Down of my sightings he explored the site on the 12th September and found two flying; these are possible the latest ever Heath Fritillaries seen in the wild - unless someone out there knows differently of course!

Of the other butterflies present, those with grass-feeding larvae are the most numerous; these include the Hedge and Meadow Browns and also the three Skipper species. The Speckled Wood can be very common but the droughts of recent years have not helped it here as elsewhere.

Strangely, the Ringlet appears to have only a very tenuous hold, despite it faring much

5

The Suffolk Argus

February 1999

The aboveis an extractfrom the Cambridgeshire& EssexBranchnewsletter, Winter 1997 edition and is a personalaccount of Grahams observationsof butterfliesin HockleyWood. We thought this would be of interestto our membersin particular thosewho attended the visit to HockleyWood lastyear.

We are verygratefal to Grahamfar letting us reproducethis - Ed.

better in some smaller nearby woods. The regular coppicing has benefited some of the Lycaenids, with 1996 proving excellent for the Common Blue - up to one hundred were counted in two clear areas. I noted my first Brown Arguses here in 1994, the recolonization of the woods mirroring their advance to pastures new as in many other pans of the country. The Small Copper is also seen more frequently, with a few Small Heaths here and there.

All the native Vanessids appear more prominent generally in the spring, especially when feeding on sallow, catkins and blackthorn blossom. The Brimstone can be found in reasonable numbers from late March, but as yet I have never found the alder buckthorns on which the females lay their bottle-shaped eggs. I will have to look more seriously next year!

The Purple Hairstreak is ofren abundant around the oak canopy on July evenings, and there is also a White-letter Hairstreak colony on the east side of the woods, although many of the larger elms are now badly diseased. I even managed to disturb a female Clouded Yellow in 1994 from a meadow beside the woods - a chance event on an overcast afternoon!

subsequent weather, especially the peak month of July which was not so much rain as cloud and wind. R.H. Marchant summed up the feelings of many when he wrote of his Great Cornard garden: 'No records from the end of May to July 3rd'.

Nevertheless some early species did well and the Green Hairstreak was undoubtedly the Butterfly of the Year-several new sightings in Ipswich, including close to the Butterfly Garden in Alexandra Park and an overall increase in tetrads of over a third compared to the early 1998 figure. Large counts included 150 plus by Nick Mason at Scotland Fen on 9th May and an incredible 345 at Bixley/Rushmere on 12th May thanks to several small groups covering the site-also recorded were 369 Small Coppers.

The Holly Blue, despite my pessimistic forecast, also had a good year-Rob Parker and myself, recording separately, amassed 49 new records.

Unfortunately damage by Forestry Enterprise to two Dingy Skipper sites along Chalk Lane in the King's Forest means that only one site is now intact, despite prior notification of these vulnerable sites by detailed maps, letters and site inspections. A management restoration plan has been agreed and already implemented, the two sites having previously attracted a wide range of species. Fortunately .~ RAF Barnham appears - .. . . . • -~ to have a more ••• •.·._- successful policy

by Richard Stewart (County Butterfly Recorder)

Small Copper & Small Heath

by BerylJohnson

To the exceptional number of early records can now be added 2 Small Tortoiseshell at Rob Macklin's Reserve on January 9th, one on the 10th and two Peacocks on the 12th.

Andrew Googe, at Slough Hall, recorded 3 Small Tortoiseshells on the 10th and by 9th February had added Peacock and Brimstone.

There were more February records of the other adult hibernators and other early records included a Green-veined White (Rob Macklin's Reserve) on 31st March, Orange Tip (The Fosters at Stonham Aspal) on 27th March and Holly Blue (Colin Bloomfield at Lindsey) on 22nd March.

This amazing start was sabotaged by

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The Butterfly Year - 1998

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towards sensitive sites and thanks to Rob Parker's work the new colony found in a far corner should be safe.

Suffolk's rarest breeding butterfly will be the subJ·ectof

another detailed survey in 1999, hopefully including Center Pare at Elveden, where a late record of the species

19

The

SuffolkArgus

The Queen of Spain Fritillary at Minstnere RSPB Nature Reserve

by CharlotteAnderson (AssistantRSPBWarden-Minsmere) Prior to 1995, only two accepted Suffolk records exist. Then, in August of that year, a singleton was identified on a warden's Buddleia davidii and another was sadly found, perfectly preserved, suspended in a pitfall trap. '95 being particularly good for migrants, we assumed this was a one-off episode and enjoyed the butterflies for what they were, not for what it might all mean.

July 1996 saw another individual nectaring on buddleia and over the next six weeks, up to six were seen regularly on rhe same sheltered heathland area, their larval foodplant Viola arvensis nearby. This being well off the beaten track, the sire was temporarily opened up to allow for visitors.

A pitfall trap again curiously produced a specimen. The plot thickened. The last confirmed sighting for char year was of two on 16 September.

18

February 1999

There were six sigh rings at Minsmere during 1997 between late June and mid September.

These were more scattered with no reliable sites. Viola Ssp. was sometimes noted nearby. This latest excuse for a summer has only produced one record, back on the heath.

Breeding or not breeding, that is the question The spate of records in 1996 tempted wardens to speculate that breeding was occurring on the reserve as Carlton Marshes was the only other eastern locality where they had been recorded. The butterflies were continuously noted over a period of 23 days with fresh specimens regularly coming on the scene. Why would migration from the continent concentrate so narrowly on this small stretch of coast? Of course, there was no tangible proof in 'evidence'.The combination of a suitable food plant and dates of occurrence were simply hard to dismiss. Eggs are laid on the plant, hatch in about a week and the caterpillar matures in a month. So the five week interval between the first July record and second in August tied in nicely with the theory of a second brood originating from one or more autumn brood adults as well as pupae can hibernate over winter. Could 1997 records be a mixture of surviving overwinterers, their offspring and migrants? One can only guess.

Queen of Spain remains the only fritillary record ever for the reserve and we hope to renew its acquaintance in 1999, whether with true migrants or home-grown specimens as we, at Minsmere, would like to think.

Lengthy roosting of Holly Blue on Juniper tree byJean Garrod Steve Goddard's article on roosting Common Blue on page 14 ofvolumn 15 of the Suffolk Argus has prompted me to put pen to paper.

It was a cold but bright day on Thursday April 17th 1997. Late morning Ken and I noticed a Holly Blue flying in our back garden. It came to rest, in the sun, at eye level on our juniper tree. It roosted there for the rest of the day and on opening the kitchen curtains the next morning I was amazed to see it in exactly the same position.

It finally flew that morning as the sun reached it's roosting spot.

If thereare any memberswho have similar observationson roostingor otherhabitsplease send them to the editorsfor publication in the Suffolk Argus.jeans articleon Hornet predation of Small Tortoiseshell(page11, Vol. 9) wasalmost identical to that of Andrew Toomey(page18 vol.15) - Ed.

1998 Field Trips South Elmham Farm Walk Saturday, 4th July 1998

by Richard Stewart Seven members met for two walks around different parts of this series of paths, which includes meadows, old hedges with veteran pollarded trees, ponds, the remains of an ancient Bishop's palace and a farmhouse with a moat. Species recorded were: Large White, two ragged Common Blues, Large Skippers, Ringlets, 4 Red Admirals, Meadow Browns and clumps of Peacock caterpillars. Much to the delight of Tony Prichard the day-flying moth total exceeded the butterfly one, with records of Spinach, White Plume, Large Yellow Underwing, Yellow Shell, Culmella (Chrysoteuchia culmella), Thistle Ermine, Blood Vein, Lathoniellus (Crambus larhoniellus), Perlella (Crambus perlella) and Lucunana (Olethreutes lacunana).

Large Skipper

by DouglasHammersley

7

The

SuffolkArgus

Birds seen included a Kestrel harried by a House Martin nesting nearby, Green Woodpecker, Turtle Dove, Spotted Flycatcher, Partridge, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. We reached the main pond during a sunny spell and observed male Broad Bodied Chaser, Emperor plus Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly. Pyramidal orchids were in the long grass verge nearer the farm and we also noted an active fox hole and hares. My cycle trip along the main road from Halesworth led to several new records and a fine view of a fox running across the road near Ilketshall Hall. I deliberately went back along a different route and amongst records was a fine view of a Privet Hawk moth on a tombstone in Rumburgh churchyard.

Moth Night at Aspal Close Saturday, 11th July 1998

by Tony Prichard 11 people attended this joint meeting with the British Entomological and Natural History Society. However, no BENHS members other than Graham Bull and myself turned up for the event. This was not surprising as the forecast promised rain and it had started raining quite heavily as we left Ipswich to travel to the site. Travelling along the Al4 in the heavy rain was making me wonder why I hadn't cancelled the event.

On nearing the site the rain eased off and virtually stopped. After coming all this way we thought we might as well go ahead and put the lights out and see what we could turn up. In all we had four lights running with the sheet light placed under a large oak to hopefully provide shelter if it started raining. Fortunately the rain held off for about three hours enabling us to get some recording done.

8

February

Aspal Close is quite an interesting place consisting of two main habitats; open Breck grassland and an area of 180 ancient pollarded oaks. The oak trees have proven quite interesting to coleopterists and dipterologists on previous visits. The area of grassland provides a good habitat for many butterflies.

Around 8 Small Elephant Hawkmoths turned up as early visitors to the light which provided an early attraction for most people. One of the traps set amongst the oak trees pulled in a profusion of plume moths; most of these turned out to be Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla, but amongst these was a more local species, Platyptilia pallidactyla.

An unexpected visitor was Ostrinia nubilalis, the European Corn Borer moth, which on the southern half of the continent is a serious pest of maize crops. For some reason this species is only associated with Mullein species in this country. Other notable species included the Oblique Striped and the pyralid Evergestis extimalis.

Eventually the inevitable happened and it started to rain. By the time we had cleared all the traps away we were all quite damp.

The full species list for the night was; Plutella xylostella (the Diamond Backed Moth), Agapeta hamana, Pandemis heparana (the Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix), Archips podana (the Large Fruit-tree Tortrix), Olethreutes lacunana, Epiblema uddmanniana (the Bramble Shoot Moth), Epiblema foenella, Thiodia citrana, Cydia splendana, Chrysoteuchia culmella (the Garden Grass-veneer), Crambus perlella, Agriphila inquinatella, Catoptria pinella, Scoparia pyralella, Evergestis extimalis, Ostrinia nubilalis (the European Corn Borer), Eurrhypara hortulata (the Small Magpie), Phlyctaenia perlucidalis, Pleuroptya ruralis (the Mother of Pearl), Endotricha flammealis, Phycita roborella,

ends of their antennae. Examination of the antennae is best done when the butterflies are inactive early in the morning or during dull weather, otherwise they may resent close inspection! The extent of the colour on the antenna! knobs varies, but in some Essex Skippers the black tips are obvious indeed: they appear to have dipped them in Indian ink! A word of caution though. Towards the end of the "Skipper season", some Essex Skippers lose the jet black colour on their antennae which become paler, and in the case of females, may develop a small rufous spot at the tip! When I am carrying out my weekly species count, I usually check the antennae of about half-a-dozen individual skippers in order to make certain which species are present.

Another useful method of differentiating between sylvestris and lineola is to look at the dark sex brands on the forewings of the male skippers (the females have no such marks). In the male Small Skipper, this brand is about 4mm long, slightly curved, and is not parallel to the leading edge of the wing (see illustrations). These sex brands are sometimes pale grey rather than black. With practice, they can readily be seen and may serve to confirm identification.

Both these skippers have a scatteFing of dark scales along the veins on the underside at the root of the forewings. In the Essex Skipper these dark patches are often more extensive than in the small Skipper, thus giving the Essex Skipper a some what darker appearance when seen from the side. I suspect, however, that this may be a variable characteristic.

The Essex Skipper is slightly smaller (wing span 26-30mm) than the Small Skipper (wing span 27-34mm) but this is not a useful guide to identification; nor is

1999

wing colour which varies with age, as scales are soon lost by these vigorous butterflies.

For many of us thesetwo speciesare the most difficult to identify in Suffolk. We thank Douglasfar his articleand excellentdrawings which will no doubt help many of us this Summer-Ed.

SMALL

ESSEX

EssexSkipper (MALE)

by DouglasHammersley

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17

The Suffolk Argus

In the heat of the day

Sylvestris or Lineola

byJean Garrod

by DouglasHammersley

Having watched a Painted Lady on one of our Buddleia's on August 18th 1998 I returned indoors to resume my tasks in the kitchen!

I have an uninterrupted view of the back garden from this window and my attention was drawn to an unusual flurry of fluttery butterfly activity. This is the most apt way to describe the spectacle. Four male Small Whites were frantically flying up, as one,and then descending to the ground together. They were - a huddle of beating wings as en masse they fluttered about on the lawn. They finally broke away and flew off together.

I then noticed what I thought was a pale leaf gently moving on the grass. On investigation I found it was a female Small White. She was spreadeagled on the lawn, quivering and with the plump end of her abdomen raised in the air.

I can only think that this was a 'gang rape' or she may have been a willing participant? We will never know. Has anyone else ever witnessed a similar happening as I would like to know.

Identifying most of our local butterflies is usually an instananeous process, given keen eyesight and some experience as a butterfly watcher. Over the years, I have recorded twenty-nine species on my 'patch'in West Harling Forest (some 3.5 km from Suffolk's northern border) and in most cases recognition was swift and accurate.

However, there are rwo species which defy rapid, positive identification: Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) and Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola).

From mid-June to mid-August the rides which constitute my study area abound with skippers and throughout July many thousands of them are on the wing whenever the weather is suitable. There are certain places where discrete colonies of one species tend to congregate, but mostly they intermingle and one may often find both species together on a single flowerhead.

What is the best way of sorting them out? Well, some of the textbooks tell us that the surest way of distinguishing berween them is by examining their genitalia but, as this requires a laboratory and a microscope, we must look to other methods when studying them in the field.

First, there is the time-honoured method of checking the colour of the underside of the tips of their antennae: if the underside is ochre or orange, one is veiwing a Small Skipper; if it is black then one is looking at an Essex Skipper. It is important to examine the underside because both species usually have some black pigmentation on the upper surface of the

If anyone has witnessed such an event please send us the details far publication in the Argus -Ed.

16

February

Platyptilia pallidactyla, Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla, Oak Hook-tip, Chinese Character, Peach Blossom, Buff Arches, Small Blood-vein, Small Fan-footed Wave, Single-dotted Wave, Riband Wave, Plain Wave, Oblique Striped, Royal Mantle, Common Carpet, Purple Bar, Barred Yellow, Small Rivulet, Sandy Carpet, T oadflax Pug, Bordered Pug, Latticed Heath, Brimstone Moth, Purple Thorn, Scalloped Oak, Swallow-tailed Moth, Peppered Moth, Mottled Beauty, Common White Wave, Clouded Silver, Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Iron Prominent, Yellow-tail, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Ruby Tiger, Cinnabar, Short-cloaked Moth, White-line Dart, Archer's Dart, Turnip Moth, Heart and Club, Heart and Dart, Flame, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Double Square-spot, Nutmeg, Cabbage Moth, Dot Moth, Bright-line Brown-eye, Broad-barred White, Brown-line Bright Eye, Clay, Smoky Wainscot, Common Wainscot, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Poplar Grey, Sycamore, Grey Dagger, Marbled Beauty, Bird's Wing, Brown Rustic, Dun-bar, Dark Arches, Light Arches, Tawny Marbled Minor, Cloaked Minor, Common Rustic, Dusky Sallow, Rustic, Marbled White Spot, Green Silverlines, Oak Nycteoline, Burnished Brass, Spectacle, Blackneck, Snout. IOI species in total.

The Suffolk Moth Group is returning to the site at the end of August to search for Oak Lutestring, a rather localised species, which is also known to occur on the Thornham Estate.

1999

Martlesham Heath Annual Silver-studded Blue count Sunday, 12th July 1998

by RichardStewart This was postponed after five minutes because of heavy rain. I understand it was carried out the following weekend when I couldn't be present but all my efforts to get count details from organiser Phil Smith have so far been unsuccessful.

Orfordness Saturday, 18th July 1998

by RichardStewart Only three members expressed an interest.

This was not enough for a party so they were given details individually.

Moth Night at Market Weston Fen - Saturday, 25th July 1998

by Tony Prichard Four people turned up for this moth night at this fen and heathland habitat site owned by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Although the recent weather had been quite warm during the day the night time temperatures were not very high for that time of year. We ran the sheet and a trap in the fen and put three traps up on the heathland. It turned out to be fortunate that we did trap in the heathland as this habitat provided most of

9

The Suffolk Argus

the species for the night. The temperature around the sheet was quite low and there was not much activity for most of the night.

Market Weston Fen is one of the wettest of the fens in this area and fortunately everyone came equipped with wellington boots.

The site contains many clumps of honeysuckle and these were successfully searched for signs of feeding by the larvae of the Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. Later on the Honeysuckle moth (Ypsolopha dentella) which not surprisingly feeds on honeysuckle turned up at the light as well.

The Dotted Fan-foot, of which we recorded a singleton, was the most notable species we managed to record. At one of the traps we had three Garden Tigers; this species has plummeted in numbers over previous years but this year we have recorded it at several sites so it looks as though it may at last be starting to build up its numbers again. Other local species of note that were recorded include; three tortrix moths, Agapeta zoegana, Croesia holmiana, Ancylis cruciania and a pyralid Evergestis pallidata.

The full species list for the night was; Ypsolopha dentella (the Honeysuckle Moth), Plutella xylostella (the Diamond Backed Moth), Blastobasis decolorella, Agapeta hamana, Agapeta zoegana, Pandemis heparana, Clepsis spectrana, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, Croesia holmiana, Acleris variegana (the Garden Rose Tortrix), Olethreutes lacunana, Ancylis achatana, Epinotia cruciana (the Willow Tortrix), Epiblema uddmanniana (the Bramble Shoot Moth), Chilo phragmitella, Chrysoteuchia culmella (the Garden Grassveneer), Crambus pascuella, Crambus perlella, Agriphila straminella, Catoptria pinella, Acentria ephemerella (the Water Veneer), Eudonia pallida, Evergestis pallidata, Eurrhypara hortulata (the Small

February

Magpie), Perinephela lancealis, Phlyctaenia coronata, Nomophila noctuella (the Rush Veneer), Pleuroptya ruralis (the Mother of Pearl), Hypsopygia costalis (the Gold Triangle), Endotricha flammealis, Eurhodope advenella, Eurhodope marmorea, Euzophera pinguis, Adaina microdactyla, Oak Eggar, Drinker, Chinese Character, Peach Blossom, Buff Arches, Lesser Cream Wave, Small Fan-footed Wave, Single-dotted Wave, Small Scallop, Riband Wave, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, Large Twinspot Carpet, Shaded Broad-bar, Common Carpet, Yellow Shell, Purple Bar, Small Phoenix, Green Carpet, Scallop Shell, Small Rivulet, Sandy Carpet, Common Pug, Bordered Pug, Green Pug, Clouded Border, Brimstone Moth, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Early Thorn, Scalloped Oak, Peppered Moth, Willow Beauty, Mottled Beauty, Common White Wave, Clouded Silver, Privet Hawk-moth, Iron Prominent, Pebble Prominent, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Swallow Prominent, Yellow-tail, Black Arches, Round-winged Muslin, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Common Footman, Garden Tiger, Ruby Tiger, Turnip Moth, Flame, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing, Least Yellow Underwing, Double Square-spot, Nutmeg, Cabbage Moth, Dot Moth, Bright-line Brown-eye, Lychnis, Brown-line Bright Eye, Clay, Southern Wainscot, Smoky Wainscot, Common Wainscot, Grey Dagger, Small Angle Shades, Dun-bar, Dark Arches, Double Lobed, Common Rustic, Dusky Sallow, Fen Wainscot, Small Rufous, Uncertain, Nut-tree Tussock, Silver Y, Spectacle, Snout, Fan-foot, Dotted Fanfoot. 117 species in total.

manoeuvred around us, no longer the unresolved images of a few hours ago now that our eyes were fully adjusted to the speed of their movements.

With our thirst for butterflies still to be fully slaked, a number of the group headed inland to the contrasting habitat of Vert Wood. Within this complex there is considerable diversity of habitat ranging from high forest through to coppice, the latter supporting both species of Pearlbordered Fritillary. On this occasion, Purple Hairstreaks and late Silver-washed Fritillaries were our objectives. The main east-west ride was covered. The dearth of nectar limited our sightings, the common browns featuring most prominently.

However, Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Skipper were added to the day's species list.

We pushed on again, searching the Park Corner Heath area of the wood. We eventually congregated around a group of low oaks, necks craning upwards, eyes scanning the few branches still catching the sunlight. There seemed to be hairstreak activity amongst the leaves but nothing could be confirmed. Such uncertainty would prove to be a salient feature of the next day.

Species list; Silver-spotted Skipper, Small Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Large White, Small White, Brimstone, Small Copper, Common Blue, Holly.Blue, Brown Argus, Chalkhill Blue, Adonis Blue, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Wall Brown, Speckled Wood.

Coastal walk around Covehithe and Benacre Sunday, 6th September 1998

by Richard Stewart Although it was a calm, mild day the sun didn't appear until mid-afternoon, limiting our sightings of butterflies to Red Admiral and the three Whites near Covehithe Church, Small Copper, Small Heath and Painted Lady nearer the Pits.

Here I confidently expected more sightings near the extensive flowering Sea Aster beds but by the time we reached them it was cloudy again, with more wind. Other observations included porpoise, a small flock of Scoter, two Marsh Harriers, Greylag, Barnacle and Canada Geese, Redshank, Lapwing, Dunlin and several welcome Wheatears. To add to the frustration, both Graham Bull and Tony Prichard took mischievious delight in loudly announcing the presence of the day-flying moths they found, no less than ten, which were: Silver Y, Lutealis (Udea Lutealis), Fabriciana (Anthophila fabriciana), Genicules (Agriphila geniculea), Lacunana (Olethreutes lacunana), ferrugalis (Udea ferrugalis), Rush Veneer, Snout, Vapourer and Angle Shades.

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by Douglas Hammersley

10

•

Paul's account of day2 will appear in the next edition of the Argus - Ed.

Painted Lady

1999

/

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.,

•

15

The Suffolk Argus

before either hurling themselves onto the ground or alighting without warning onto a flower. These problems were compounded by the distraction of paragliders swooping only a few metres above us. One stated that he was a butterfly, a blue in fact. From his attitude he no doubt fancied himself as an adonis.

We moved further down rhe hillside, every footfall dislodging tens of Meadow Browns, the eye being drawn to moving colours seeming to encompass every part of rhe visible spectrum; the bold poster paint black, yellow and orange of Clouded Yellow, the chestnut hue of Brown Argus, rhe subtle olive-green of the Silver-spotted Skipper underside. With convection currents pushing the self-proclaimed adonis away to the west, the mood became more relaxed.

The group dispersed across the slope, rhe sound of camera shutters becoming more frequent as photographic quarries were pursued.

Towards the base of the down the sward was at its shortest and numbers of Chalkhill and Adonis blues were correspondingly high. The male Adonis's appeared at the height of their brilliance, whilst the Chalkhills were in remarkably fine condition. The latter's delicate pallor a perfect foil to rhe depth and intensity of the Adonis's coloration, the two species combining to form a vivid spectacle above the turf. Then, amidst the typical late summer species, a single Dingy Skipper. It appeared somewhat subdued, as ifir had been the only second brood specimen ro emerge.

Appetites partly appeased, we moved back towards the entrance. The discovery of Adonis and Chalkhill Blues seeking refreshment from a dung pile provided a welcome interlude during the steep ascent.

With the weather set fair and our number increased ro fourteen, we

14

February

commenced exploration of Butt's Brow.

Although the underlying geology is chalk, the majority of the site has been overwhelmed by coarse grass. As such, our interest was focused upon a relatively limited area of downland that had been subject to sustained grazing and whose microclimate was enhanced by adjacent scrub belts.

This area was probably too small to support a diversity of flora and fauna comparable to that found on Caburn.

However, the combination of a short sward interspersed with patches of scree formed by the action of cattle hooves and rabbit excavations, had created excellent conditions for the Silver-spotted Skipper. The species was abundant, with numbers perhaps pushing into three figures. Close observation, quire difficult on Caburn, could be accomplished here given a stealthy approach. The fleeting glances of the morning were replaced by an opportunity ro familiarise ourselves with the characteristics of this species. The butterfly's propensity to bask on hot crumbly chalk was notable.

More unusual, the frequency with which they rook nectar and the sheer range of flowers visited in order to fulfil this function. We witnessed the courtship ritual, the male's aerial pursuit of a mate, the two eventually crashing unceremoniously ro the ground before engaging in a strange twitching, shuffling dance.

Other species were concentrated around extensive stands of marjoram thriving in a sheltered corner. Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Small Copper and Painted Lady nectared voraciously. Male Brimstone and Clouded Yellow passed by adding further variety. Adonis and Chalkhill Blue were present, feeding with equal fervour. It is difficult to tire of these two insects, hard not to be exhilarated by their colour.

We moved back towards the cars.

Silver-sported Skippers darted, fidgeted and

Ramsholt Saturday, 1st August 1998

by Paul Gilson Heavy overnight rain was probably the reason that only four members turned up for a circular walk that would include different types of habitat including sea wall, grazing meadows, a churchyard, hedgerows and some woodland. This area is a must for those who enjoy scenic views as well as the interesting flora and fauna. The public car park was brimmimg with butterflies even

1999

churchyard itself is managed as part of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust conservation scheme.

It was full of wildflowers, including Lady's Bedstraw, which was being visited by a female Humming Bird Hawkmorh.

Our walk concluded back at the carpark having also seen Small Copper and Small White butterfly and a solitary Hornet.

Everyone agreed it had been an enjoyable walk in a beautiful part of Suffolk.

before the walk commenced, Peacock, ~ Comma, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, ' Green-veined White, Essex Skipper were all ----_:-"' nectaring on bramble in the warm sunshine.

•• What was of more interest was the small brown butterfly dancing around at high level in the elm scrub near to the bramble, a ,,, White-letter Hairsrreak, we shall never .

1 know.

The sea wall produced Grayling (good spot by rhe Fosters), Red Admiral, Small ~~: Torroisehell, Large White, Ringlet and / ,,,.,,--_-- \ Black-railed Skimmer dragonfly. It also gave ,~ us some respite from a rather annoying northerly breeze. At this same spot a couple Grayling of years ago I had seen Clouded Yellows but

by BerylJohnson there were none here today. Even the • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • grazing meadows seemed strangely quiet.

They are normally filled with Common Blue and Brown Argus but perhaps we were to early in the season on this occasion. The meadow was nor completely lifeless and we did see Mother of Pearl and Silver Y moth, Blue-tailed damselfly, female Black-tailed Skimmer and Common Darter dragonfly.

Our walk upto Ramsholt church took us past clumps of thistles teaming with Peacock butterflies, it was quire a sight. A lone Holly Blue butterfly was seen moving along rhe hedgerow near to the church. The

11

The Suffolk Argus

Hollesley Meadows Saturday, 1st August 1998

by Paul Gilson Our numbers had increased to seven for the afternoon walk around a former ornamental garden that has gradually been transformed over the last ten years by the owner, Rick Grundy, into a superb wildlife reserve for all kinds of amphibians, birds, insects and mammals.

We were soon watching our first butterflies of the afternoon, Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Peacock, Large White and Large Skipper along with male and female Common Darter dragonfly. On our visit to the lake we saw hundreds of tiny fish, probably Roach fry, but not the Kingfisher we had hoped to see catching them.

We crossed a stream on our way into the open meadow area which had a solitary Common Blue, Small Copper and several Comma butterflies in residence. Rick's efforts at clearing Alders from along the stream and pond edges were paying dividends already in terms of increased wildlife. The ponds teamed with aquatic life due to the increase in sunshine. Common Newt was also found nearby, a first for Rick in ten years of owning the site. A Cricket, Black Slug and Scarce Footman moth were also identified.

We stopped to catch a glimpse of a Greater Spotted woodpecker before we headed back towards the reserve entrance, but not before coming across Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Red Admiral butterflies on what had turned out to be a splendid afternoon at this wonderful site. Thanks must go to Rick Grundy for giving up his time to show us round. The members who attended this visit were very impressed with the way that Rick was managing the reserve.

12

February

Moth Night at Minsmere RSPB Reserve

Moth Night at Newbourne Springs Nature Reserve

Saturday, 1st August 1998

by Tony Prichard

Saturday, 15th August 1998

by Tony Prichard

A rather strong northerly breeze was blowing on the night of this meeting at the RSPB reserve. 12 members and their guests turned up for this joint meeting with the British Entomological and Natural History Society.

The reserve covers a large area with a variety of habitats, including heathland, deciduous woodland, and coastal reedbed.

The intention of this meeting was to focus particularly on the reed-beds with the hope of gaining more information of the presence of the White-mantled Wainscot on the reserve.

This moth is classed as RDB3 and is listed on the Biodiverisity action plan list as a species that we should be monitoring. The reserve supports a breeding colony of Bitterns which require a different reed-bed management scheme to that of the White-mantled Wainscot. It is hoped that with continuing monitoring of the site areas of reed-bed will be managed in a sympathetic manner to the moth.

The cold stiff breeze meant that most people decided not to trap on some of the more exposed reed-beds which had looked to be of a suitable age and habitat. Some suitable sites were found in more sheltered areas of the reserves and these yielded reasonable results.

In the end we were unsuccessful in recording Archanara neurica but other species of note that were recorded on the night include; Calamotropha paludella, Pediasia contaminella, Schoenobius gigantella, Synaphe punctalis, Shore Wainscot, StarWort, Reed Dagger, Crescent striped, Lyme Grass, Mere Wainscot, Fenn's Wainscot, Webb's Wainscot, Silky Wainscot.

This event was cancelled.

Field Trip to Sussex (day 1) 19th August 1998.

AM: Mount Caburn National Nature Reserve, unfertilised downland near Lewes.

PM: Butt's Brow, chalk grassland of varying quality near Eastbourne and Vert Wood, commercial mixed forest near Hailsham.

by PaulJohnson

1999

Look north from Glynde village and Mount Caburn dominates the skyline. By 1000 hrs ten of us had assembled in the village and, with perhaps a degree of apprehension, began the ascent of the hillside. Within fifteen minutes or so we had passed through the arable land of the lower slopes and were adjacent to the reserve. Painted ladies were flying alongside the perimeter, Common Blues and Brown Argus a little further in, Meadow Browns becoming increasingly abundant. Emerging onto the summit and looking down onto the steep slope, the diversity of the site began to unfold. Stands of marjoram, knapweed, kidney vetch, round-headed rampion and gentian just some of the species seeming to blanket the ground. Above this sward ubiquitous Meadow Browns, numerous blues, and, appearing as small orange blurs whirring along above the flowerheads, a few Silverspotted Skippers. The latter can be difficult to study, invariably flying at great speed

f. i

Chalkhill Blue

by DouglasHammersley

13

The Suffolk Argus

Hollesley Meadows Saturday, 1st August 1998

by Paul Gilson Our numbers had increased to seven for the afternoon walk around a former ornamental garden that has gradually been transformed over the last ten years by the owner, Rick Grundy, into a superb wildlife reserve for all kinds of amphibians, birds, insects and mammals.

We were soon watching our first butterflies of the afternoon, Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Peacock, Large White and Large Skipper along with male and female Common Darter dragonfly. On our visit to the lake we saw hundreds of tiny fish, probably Roach fry, but not the Kingfisher we had hoped to see catching them.

We crossed a stream on our way into the open meadow area which had a solitary Common Blue, Small Copper and several Comma butterflies in residence. Rick's efforts at clearing Alders from along the stream and pond edges were paying dividends already in terms of increased wildlife. The ponds teamed with aquatic life due to the increase in sunshine. Common Newt was also found nearby, a first for Rick in ten years of owning the site. A Cricket, Black Slug and Scarce Footman moth were also identified.

We stopped to catch a glimpse of a Greater Spotted woodpecker before we headed back towards the reserve entrance, but not before coming across Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Red Admiral butterflies on what had turned out to be a splendid afternoon at this wonderful site. Thanks must go to Rick Grundy for giving up his time to show us round. The members who attended this visit were very impressed with the way that Rick was managing the reserve.

12

February

Moth Night at Minsmere RSPB Reserve

Moth Night at Newbourne Springs Nature Reserve

Saturday, 1st August 1998

by Tony Prichard

Saturday, 15th August 1998

by Tony Prichard

A rather strong northerly breeze was blowing on the night of this meeting at the RSPB reserve. 12 members and their guests turned up for this joint meeting with the British Entomological and Natural History Society.

The reserve covers a large area with a variety of habitats, including heathland, deciduous woodland, and coastal reedbed.

The intention of this meeting was to focus particularly on the reed-beds with the hope of gaining more information of the presence of the White-mantled Wainscot on the reserve.

This moth is classed as RDB3 and is listed on the Biodiverisity action plan list as a species that we should be monitoring. The reserve supports a breeding colony of Bitterns which require a different reed-bed management scheme to that of the White-mantled Wainscot. It is hoped that with continuing monitoring of the site areas of reed-bed will be managed in a sympathetic manner to the moth.

The cold stiff breeze meant that most people decided not to trap on some of the more exposed reed-beds which had looked to be of a suitable age and habitat. Some suitable sites were found in more sheltered areas of the reserves and these yielded reasonable results.

In the end we were unsuccessful in recording Archanara neurica but other species of note that were recorded on the night include; Calamotropha paludella, Pediasia contaminella, Schoenobius gigantella, Synaphe punctalis, Shore Wainscot, StarWort, Reed Dagger, Crescent striped, Lyme Grass, Mere Wainscot, Fenn's Wainscot, Webb's Wainscot, Silky Wainscot.

This event was cancelled.

Field Trip to Sussex (day 1) 19th August 1998.

AM: Mount Caburn National Nature Reserve, unfertilised downland near Lewes.

PM: Butt's Brow, chalk grassland of varying quality near Eastbourne and Vert Wood, commercial mixed forest near Hailsham.

by PaulJohnson

1999

Look north from Glynde village and Mount Caburn dominates the skyline. By 1000 hrs ten of us had assembled in the village and, with perhaps a degree of apprehension, began the ascent of the hillside. Within fifteen minutes or so we had passed through the arable land of the lower slopes and were adjacent to the reserve. Painted ladies were flying alongside the perimeter, Common Blues and Brown Argus a little further in, Meadow Browns becoming increasingly abundant. Emerging onto the summit and looking down onto the steep slope, the diversity of the site began to unfold. Stands of marjoram, knapweed, kidney vetch, round-headed rampion and gentian just some of the species seeming to blanket the ground. Above this sward ubiquitous Meadow Browns, numerous blues, and, appearing as small orange blurs whirring along above the flowerheads, a few Silverspotted Skippers. The latter can be difficult to study, invariably flying at great speed

f. i

Chalkhill Blue

by DouglasHammersley

13

The Suffolk Argus

before either hurling themselves onto the ground or alighting without warning onto a flower. These problems were compounded by the distraction of paragliders swooping only a few metres above us. One stated that he was a butterfly, a blue in fact. From his attitude he no doubt fancied himself as an adonis.

We moved further down rhe hillside, every footfall dislodging tens of Meadow Browns, the eye being drawn to moving colours seeming to encompass every part of rhe visible spectrum; the bold poster paint black, yellow and orange of Clouded Yellow, the chestnut hue of Brown Argus, rhe subtle olive-green of the Silver-spotted Skipper underside. With convection currents pushing the self-proclaimed adonis away to the west, the mood became more relaxed.

The group dispersed across the slope, rhe sound of camera shutters becoming more frequent as photographic quarries were pursued.

Towards the base of the down the sward was at its shortest and numbers of Chalkhill and Adonis blues were correspondingly high. The male Adonis's appeared at the height of their brilliance, whilst the Chalkhills were in remarkably fine condition. The latter's delicate pallor a perfect foil to rhe depth and intensity of the Adonis's coloration, the two species combining to form a vivid spectacle above the turf. Then, amidst the typical late summer species, a single Dingy Skipper. It appeared somewhat subdued, as ifir had been the only second brood specimen ro emerge.

Appetites partly appeased, we moved back towards the entrance. The discovery of Adonis and Chalkhill Blues seeking refreshment from a dung pile provided a welcome interlude during the steep ascent.

With the weather set fair and our number increased ro fourteen, we

14

February

commenced exploration of Butt's Brow.

Although the underlying geology is chalk, the majority of the site has been overwhelmed by coarse grass. As such, our interest was focused upon a relatively limited area of downland that had been subject to sustained grazing and whose microclimate was enhanced by adjacent scrub belts.

This area was probably too small to support a diversity of flora and fauna comparable to that found on Caburn.

However, the combination of a short sward interspersed with patches of scree formed by the action of cattle hooves and rabbit excavations, had created excellent conditions for the Silver-spotted Skipper. The species was abundant, with numbers perhaps pushing into three figures. Close observation, quire difficult on Caburn, could be accomplished here given a stealthy approach. The fleeting glances of the morning were replaced by an opportunity ro familiarise ourselves with the characteristics of this species. The butterfly's propensity to bask on hot crumbly chalk was notable.

More unusual, the frequency with which they rook nectar and the sheer range of flowers visited in order to fulfil this function. We witnessed the courtship ritual, the male's aerial pursuit of a mate, the two eventually crashing unceremoniously ro the ground before engaging in a strange twitching, shuffling dance.

Other species were concentrated around extensive stands of marjoram thriving in a sheltered corner. Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Small Copper and Painted Lady nectared voraciously. Male Brimstone and Clouded Yellow passed by adding further variety. Adonis and Chalkhill Blue were present, feeding with equal fervour. It is difficult to tire of these two insects, hard not to be exhilarated by their colour.

We moved back towards the cars.

Silver-sported Skippers darted, fidgeted and

Ramsholt Saturday, 1st August 1998

by Paul Gilson Heavy overnight rain was probably the reason that only four members turned up for a circular walk that would include different types of habitat including sea wall, grazing meadows, a churchyard, hedgerows and some woodland. This area is a must for those who enjoy scenic views as well as the interesting flora and fauna. The public car park was brimmimg with butterflies even

1999

churchyard itself is managed as part of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust conservation scheme.

It was full of wildflowers, including Lady's Bedstraw, which was being visited by a female Humming Bird Hawkmorh.

Our walk concluded back at the carpark having also seen Small Copper and Small White butterfly and a solitary Hornet.

Everyone agreed it had been an enjoyable walk in a beautiful part of Suffolk.

before the walk commenced, Peacock, ~ Comma, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, ' Green-veined White, Essex Skipper were all ----_:-"' nectaring on bramble in the warm sunshine.

•• What was of more interest was the small brown butterfly dancing around at high level in the elm scrub near to the bramble, a ,,, White-letter Hairsrreak, we shall never .

1 know.

The sea wall produced Grayling (good spot by rhe Fosters), Red Admiral, Small ~~: Torroisehell, Large White, Ringlet and / ,,,.,,--_-- \ Black-railed Skimmer dragonfly. It also gave ,~ us some respite from a rather annoying northerly breeze. At this same spot a couple Grayling of years ago I had seen Clouded Yellows but

by BerylJohnson there were none here today. Even the • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • grazing meadows seemed strangely quiet.

They are normally filled with Common Blue and Brown Argus but perhaps we were to early in the season on this occasion. The meadow was nor completely lifeless and we did see Mother of Pearl and Silver Y moth, Blue-tailed damselfly, female Black-tailed Skimmer and Common Darter dragonfly.

Our walk upto Ramsholt church took us past clumps of thistles teaming with Peacock butterflies, it was quire a sight. A lone Holly Blue butterfly was seen moving along rhe hedgerow near to the church. The

11

The Suffolk Argus

the species for the night. The temperature around the sheet was quite low and there was not much activity for most of the night.

Market Weston Fen is one of the wettest of the fens in this area and fortunately everyone came equipped with wellington boots.

The site contains many clumps of honeysuckle and these were successfully searched for signs of feeding by the larvae of the Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. Later on the Honeysuckle moth (Ypsolopha dentella) which not surprisingly feeds on honeysuckle turned up at the light as well.

The Dotted Fan-foot, of which we recorded a singleton, was the most notable species we managed to record. At one of the traps we had three Garden Tigers; this species has plummeted in numbers over previous years but this year we have recorded it at several sites so it looks as though it may at last be starting to build up its numbers again. Other local species of note that were recorded include; three tortrix moths, Agapeta zoegana, Croesia holmiana, Ancylis cruciania and a pyralid Evergestis pallidata.

The full species list for the night was; Ypsolopha dentella (the Honeysuckle Moth), Plutella xylostella (the Diamond Backed Moth), Blastobasis decolorella, Agapeta hamana, Agapeta zoegana, Pandemis heparana, Clepsis spectrana, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, Croesia holmiana, Acleris variegana (the Garden Rose Tortrix), Olethreutes lacunana, Ancylis achatana, Epinotia cruciana (the Willow Tortrix), Epiblema uddmanniana (the Bramble Shoot Moth), Chilo phragmitella, Chrysoteuchia culmella (the Garden Grassveneer), Crambus pascuella, Crambus perlella, Agriphila straminella, Catoptria pinella, Acentria ephemerella (the Water Veneer), Eudonia pallida, Evergestis pallidata, Eurrhypara hortulata (the Small

February

Magpie), Perinephela lancealis, Phlyctaenia coronata, Nomophila noctuella (the Rush Veneer), Pleuroptya ruralis (the Mother of Pearl), Hypsopygia costalis (the Gold Triangle), Endotricha flammealis, Eurhodope advenella, Eurhodope marmorea, Euzophera pinguis, Adaina microdactyla, Oak Eggar, Drinker, Chinese Character, Peach Blossom, Buff Arches, Lesser Cream Wave, Small Fan-footed Wave, Single-dotted Wave, Small Scallop, Riband Wave, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, Large Twinspot Carpet, Shaded Broad-bar, Common Carpet, Yellow Shell, Purple Bar, Small Phoenix, Green Carpet, Scallop Shell, Small Rivulet, Sandy Carpet, Common Pug, Bordered Pug, Green Pug, Clouded Border, Brimstone Moth, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Early Thorn, Scalloped Oak, Peppered Moth, Willow Beauty, Mottled Beauty, Common White Wave, Clouded Silver, Privet Hawk-moth, Iron Prominent, Pebble Prominent, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Swallow Prominent, Yellow-tail, Black Arches, Round-winged Muslin, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Common Footman, Garden Tiger, Ruby Tiger, Turnip Moth, Flame, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing, Least Yellow Underwing, Double Square-spot, Nutmeg, Cabbage Moth, Dot Moth, Bright-line Brown-eye, Lychnis, Brown-line Bright Eye, Clay, Southern Wainscot, Smoky Wainscot, Common Wainscot, Grey Dagger, Small Angle Shades, Dun-bar, Dark Arches, Double Lobed, Common Rustic, Dusky Sallow, Fen Wainscot, Small Rufous, Uncertain, Nut-tree Tussock, Silver Y, Spectacle, Snout, Fan-foot, Dotted Fanfoot. 117 species in total.

manoeuvred around us, no longer the unresolved images of a few hours ago now that our eyes were fully adjusted to the speed of their movements.

With our thirst for butterflies still to be fully slaked, a number of the group headed inland to the contrasting habitat of Vert Wood. Within this complex there is considerable diversity of habitat ranging from high forest through to coppice, the latter supporting both species of Pearlbordered Fritillary. On this occasion, Purple Hairstreaks and late Silver-washed Fritillaries were our objectives. The main east-west ride was covered. The dearth of nectar limited our sightings, the common browns featuring most prominently.

However, Red Admiral, Peacock and Small Skipper were added to the day's species list.

We pushed on again, searching the Park Corner Heath area of the wood. We eventually congregated around a group of low oaks, necks craning upwards, eyes scanning the few branches still catching the sunlight. There seemed to be hairstreak activity amongst the leaves but nothing could be confirmed. Such uncertainty would prove to be a salient feature of the next day.

Species list; Silver-spotted Skipper, Small Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Large White, Small White, Brimstone, Small Copper, Common Blue, Holly.Blue, Brown Argus, Chalkhill Blue, Adonis Blue, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Wall Brown, Speckled Wood.

Coastal walk around Covehithe and Benacre Sunday, 6th September 1998

by Richard Stewart Although it was a calm, mild day the sun didn't appear until mid-afternoon, limiting our sightings of butterflies to Red Admiral and the three Whites near Covehithe Church, Small Copper, Small Heath and Painted Lady nearer the Pits.

Here I confidently expected more sightings near the extensive flowering Sea Aster beds but by the time we reached them it was cloudy again, with more wind. Other observations included porpoise, a small flock of Scoter, two Marsh Harriers, Greylag, Barnacle and Canada Geese, Redshank, Lapwing, Dunlin and several welcome Wheatears. To add to the frustration, both Graham Bull and Tony Prichard took mischievious delight in loudly announcing the presence of the day-flying moths they found, no less than ten, which were: Silver Y, Lutealis (Udea Lutealis), Fabriciana (Anthophila fabriciana), Genicules (Agriphila geniculea), Lacunana (Olethreutes lacunana), ferrugalis (Udea ferrugalis), Rush Veneer, Snout, Vapourer and Angle Shades.

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1999

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15

The Suffolk Argus

In the heat of the day

Sylvestris or Lineola

byJean Garrod

by DouglasHammersley

Having watched a Painted Lady on one of our Buddleia's on August 18th 1998 I returned indoors to resume my tasks in the kitchen!

I have an uninterrupted view of the back garden from this window and my attention was drawn to an unusual flurry of fluttery butterfly activity. This is the most apt way to describe the spectacle. Four male Small Whites were frantically flying up, as one,and then descending to the ground together. They were - a huddle of beating wings as en masse they fluttered about on the lawn. They finally broke away and flew off together.

I then noticed what I thought was a pale leaf gently moving on the grass. On investigation I found it was a female Small White. She was spreadeagled on the lawn, quivering and with the plump end of her abdomen raised in the air.

I can only think that this was a 'gang rape' or she may have been a willing participant? We will never know. Has anyone else ever witnessed a similar happening as I would like to know.

Identifying most of our local butterflies is usually an instananeous process, given keen eyesight and some experience as a butterfly watcher. Over the years, I have recorded twenty-nine species on my 'patch'in West Harling Forest (some 3.5 km from Suffolk's northern border) and in most cases recognition was swift and accurate.

However, there are rwo species which defy rapid, positive identification: Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) and Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola).

From mid-June to mid-August the rides which constitute my study area abound with skippers and throughout July many thousands of them are on the wing whenever the weather is suitable. There are certain places where discrete colonies of one species tend to congregate, but mostly they intermingle and one may often find both species together on a single flowerhead.

What is the best way of sorting them out? Well, some of the textbooks tell us that the surest way of distinguishing berween them is by examining their genitalia but, as this requires a laboratory and a microscope, we must look to other methods when studying them in the field.

First, there is the time-honoured method of checking the colour of the underside of the tips of their antennae: if the underside is ochre or orange, one is veiwing a Small Skipper; if it is black then one is looking at an Essex Skipper. It is important to examine the underside because both species usually have some black pigmentation on the upper surface of the

If anyone has witnessed such an event please send us the details far publication in the Argus -Ed.

16

February

Platyptilia pallidactyla, Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla, Oak Hook-tip, Chinese Character, Peach Blossom, Buff Arches, Small Blood-vein, Small Fan-footed Wave, Single-dotted Wave, Riband Wave, Plain Wave, Oblique Striped, Royal Mantle, Common Carpet, Purple Bar, Barred Yellow, Small Rivulet, Sandy Carpet, T oadflax Pug, Bordered Pug, Latticed Heath, Brimstone Moth, Purple Thorn, Scalloped Oak, Swallow-tailed Moth, Peppered Moth, Mottled Beauty, Common White Wave, Clouded Silver, Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Iron Prominent, Yellow-tail, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Ruby Tiger, Cinnabar, Short-cloaked Moth, White-line Dart, Archer's Dart, Turnip Moth, Heart and Club, Heart and Dart, Flame, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Double Square-spot, Nutmeg, Cabbage Moth, Dot Moth, Bright-line Brown-eye, Broad-barred White, Brown-line Bright Eye, Clay, Smoky Wainscot, Common Wainscot, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Poplar Grey, Sycamore, Grey Dagger, Marbled Beauty, Bird's Wing, Brown Rustic, Dun-bar, Dark Arches, Light Arches, Tawny Marbled Minor, Cloaked Minor, Common Rustic, Dusky Sallow, Rustic, Marbled White Spot, Green Silverlines, Oak Nycteoline, Burnished Brass, Spectacle, Blackneck, Snout. IOI species in total.

The Suffolk Moth Group is returning to the site at the end of August to search for Oak Lutestring, a rather localised species, which is also known to occur on the Thornham Estate.

1999

Martlesham Heath Annual Silver-studded Blue count Sunday, 12th July 1998

by RichardStewart This was postponed after five minutes because of heavy rain. I understand it was carried out the following weekend when I couldn't be present but all my efforts to get count details from organiser Phil Smith have so far been unsuccessful.

Orfordness Saturday, 18th July 1998

by RichardStewart Only three members expressed an interest.

This was not enough for a party so they were given details individually.

Moth Night at Market Weston Fen - Saturday, 25th July 1998

by Tony Prichard Four people turned up for this moth night at this fen and heathland habitat site owned by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Although the recent weather had been quite warm during the day the night time temperatures were not very high for that time of year. We ran the sheet and a trap in the fen and put three traps up on the heathland. It turned out to be fortunate that we did trap in the heathland as this habitat provided most of

9

The

SuffolkArgus

Birds seen included a Kestrel harried by a House Martin nesting nearby, Green Woodpecker, Turtle Dove, Spotted Flycatcher, Partridge, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler. We reached the main pond during a sunny spell and observed male Broad Bodied Chaser, Emperor plus Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly. Pyramidal orchids were in the long grass verge nearer the farm and we also noted an active fox hole and hares. My cycle trip along the main road from Halesworth led to several new records and a fine view of a fox running across the road near Ilketshall Hall. I deliberately went back along a different route and amongst records was a fine view of a Privet Hawk moth on a tombstone in Rumburgh churchyard.

Moth Night at Aspal Close Saturday, 11th July 1998

by Tony Prichard 11 people attended this joint meeting with the British Entomological and Natural History Society. However, no BENHS members other than Graham Bull and myself turned up for the event. This was not surprising as the forecast promised rain and it had started raining quite heavily as we left Ipswich to travel to the site. Travelling along the Al4 in the heavy rain was making me wonder why I hadn't cancelled the event.

On nearing the site the rain eased off and virtually stopped. After coming all this way we thought we might as well go ahead and put the lights out and see what we could turn up. In all we had four lights running with the sheet light placed under a large oak to hopefully provide shelter if it started raining. Fortunately the rain held off for about three hours enabling us to get some recording done.

8

February

Aspal Close is quite an interesting place consisting of two main habitats; open Breck grassland and an area of 180 ancient pollarded oaks. The oak trees have proven quite interesting to coleopterists and dipterologists on previous visits. The area of grassland provides a good habitat for many butterflies.

Around 8 Small Elephant Hawkmoths turned up as early visitors to the light which provided an early attraction for most people. One of the traps set amongst the oak trees pulled in a profusion of plume moths; most of these turned out to be Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla, but amongst these was a more local species, Platyptilia pallidactyla.

An unexpected visitor was Ostrinia nubilalis, the European Corn Borer moth, which on the southern half of the continent is a serious pest of maize crops. For some reason this species is only associated with Mullein species in this country. Other notable species included the Oblique Striped and the pyralid Evergestis extimalis.

Eventually the inevitable happened and it started to rain. By the time we had cleared all the traps away we were all quite damp.

The full species list for the night was; Plutella xylostella (the Diamond Backed Moth), Agapeta hamana, Pandemis heparana (the Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix), Archips podana (the Large Fruit-tree Tortrix), Olethreutes lacunana, Epiblema uddmanniana (the Bramble Shoot Moth), Epiblema foenella, Thiodia citrana, Cydia splendana, Chrysoteuchia culmella (the Garden Grass-veneer), Crambus perlella, Agriphila inquinatella, Catoptria pinella, Scoparia pyralella, Evergestis extimalis, Ostrinia nubilalis (the European Corn Borer), Eurrhypara hortulata (the Small Magpie), Phlyctaenia perlucidalis, Pleuroptya ruralis (the Mother of Pearl), Endotricha flammealis, Phycita roborella,

ends of their antennae. Examination of the antennae is best done when the butterflies are inactive early in the morning or during dull weather, otherwise they may resent close inspection! The extent of the colour on the antenna! knobs varies, but in some Essex Skippers the black tips are obvious indeed: they appear to have dipped them in Indian ink! A word of caution though. Towards the end of the "Skipper season", some Essex Skippers lose the jet black colour on their antennae which become paler, and in the case of females, may develop a small rufous spot at the tip! When I am carrying out my weekly species count, I usually check the antennae of about half-a-dozen individual skippers in order to make certain which species are present.

Another useful method of differentiating between sylvestris and lineola is to look at the dark sex brands on the forewings of the male skippers (the females have no such marks). In the male Small Skipper, this brand is about 4mm long, slightly curved, and is not parallel to the leading edge of the wing (see illustrations). These sex brands are sometimes pale grey rather than black. With practice, they can readily be seen and may serve to confirm identification.

Both these skippers have a scatteFing of dark scales along the veins on the underside at the root of the forewings. In the Essex Skipper these dark patches are often more extensive than in the small Skipper, thus giving the Essex Skipper a some what darker appearance when seen from the side. I suspect, however, that this may be a variable characteristic.

The Essex Skipper is slightly smaller (wing span 26-30mm) than the Small Skipper (wing span 27-34mm) but this is not a useful guide to identification; nor is

1999

wing colour which varies with age, as scales are soon lost by these vigorous butterflies.

For many of us thesetwo speciesare the most difficult to identify in Suffolk. We thank Douglasfar his articleand excellentdrawings which will no doubt help many of us this Summer-Ed.

SMALL

ESSEX

EssexSkipper (MALE)

by DouglasHammersley

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The Queen of Spain Fritillary at Minstnere RSPB Nature Reserve

by CharlotteAnderson (AssistantRSPBWarden-Minsmere) Prior to 1995, only two accepted Suffolk records exist. Then, in August of that year, a singleton was identified on a warden's Buddleia davidii and another was sadly found, perfectly preserved, suspended in a pitfall trap. '95 being particularly good for migrants, we assumed this was a one-off episode and enjoyed the butterflies for what they were, not for what it might all mean.

July 1996 saw another individual nectaring on buddleia and over the next six weeks, up to six were seen regularly on rhe same sheltered heathland area, their larval foodplant Viola arvensis nearby. This being well off the beaten track, the sire was temporarily opened up to allow for visitors.

A pitfall trap again curiously produced a specimen. The plot thickened. The last confirmed sighting for char year was of two on 16 September.

18

February 1999

There were six sigh rings at Minsmere during 1997 between late June and mid September.

These were more scattered with no reliable sites. Viola Ssp. was sometimes noted nearby. This latest excuse for a summer has only produced one record, back on the heath.

Breeding or not breeding, that is the question The spate of records in 1996 tempted wardens to speculate that breeding was occurring on the reserve as Carlton Marshes was the only other eastern locality where they had been recorded. The butterflies were continuously noted over a period of 23 days with fresh specimens regularly coming on the scene. Why would migration from the continent concentrate so narrowly on this small stretch of coast? Of course, there was no tangible proof in 'evidence'.The combination of a suitable food plant and dates of occurrence were simply hard to dismiss. Eggs are laid on the plant, hatch in about a week and the caterpillar matures in a month. So the five week interval between the first July record and second in August tied in nicely with the theory of a second brood originating from one or more autumn brood adults as well as pupae can hibernate over winter. Could 1997 records be a mixture of surviving overwinterers, their offspring and migrants? One can only guess.

Queen of Spain remains the only fritillary record ever for the reserve and we hope to renew its acquaintance in 1999, whether with true migrants or home-grown specimens as we, at Minsmere, would like to think.

Lengthy roosting of Holly Blue on Juniper tree byJean Garrod Steve Goddard's article on roosting Common Blue on page 14 ofvolumn 15 of the Suffolk Argus has prompted me to put pen to paper.

It was a cold but bright day on Thursday April 17th 1997. Late morning Ken and I noticed a Holly Blue flying in our back garden. It came to rest, in the sun, at eye level on our juniper tree. It roosted there for the rest of the day and on opening the kitchen curtains the next morning I was amazed to see it in exactly the same position.

It finally flew that morning as the sun reached it's roosting spot.

If thereare any memberswho have similar observationson roostingor otherhabitsplease send them to the editorsfor publication in the Suffolk Argus.jeans articleon Hornet predation of Small Tortoiseshell(page11, Vol. 9) wasalmost identical to that of Andrew Toomey(page18 vol.15) - Ed.

1998 Field Trips South Elmham Farm Walk Saturday, 4th July 1998

by Richard Stewart Seven members met for two walks around different parts of this series of paths, which includes meadows, old hedges with veteran pollarded trees, ponds, the remains of an ancient Bishop's palace and a farmhouse with a moat. Species recorded were: Large White, two ragged Common Blues, Large Skippers, Ringlets, 4 Red Admirals, Meadow Browns and clumps of Peacock caterpillars. Much to the delight of Tony Prichard the day-flying moth total exceeded the butterfly one, with records of Spinach, White Plume, Large Yellow Underwing, Yellow Shell, Culmella (Chrysoteuchia culmella), Thistle Ermine, Blood Vein, Lathoniellus (Crambus larhoniellus), Perlella (Crambus perlella) and Lucunana (Olethreutes lacunana).

Large Skipper

by DouglasHammersley

7

The Suffolk Argus

February 1999

The aboveis an extractfrom the Cambridgeshire& EssexBranchnewsletter, Winter 1997 edition and is a personalaccount of Grahams observationsof butterfliesin HockleyWood. We thought this would be of interestto our membersin particular thosewho attended the visit to HockleyWood lastyear.

We are verygratefal to Grahamfar letting us reproducethis - Ed.

better in some smaller nearby woods. The regular coppicing has benefited some of the Lycaenids, with 1996 proving excellent for the Common Blue - up to one hundred were counted in two clear areas. I noted my first Brown Arguses here in 1994, the recolonization of the woods mirroring their advance to pastures new as in many other pans of the country. The Small Copper is also seen more frequently, with a few Small Heaths here and there.

All the native Vanessids appear more prominent generally in the spring, especially when feeding on sallow, catkins and blackthorn blossom. The Brimstone can be found in reasonable numbers from late March, but as yet I have never found the alder buckthorns on which the females lay their bottle-shaped eggs. I will have to look more seriously next year!

The Purple Hairstreak is ofren abundant around the oak canopy on July evenings, and there is also a White-letter Hairstreak colony on the east side of the woods, although many of the larger elms are now badly diseased. I even managed to disturb a female Clouded Yellow in 1994 from a meadow beside the woods - a chance event on an overcast afternoon!

subsequent weather, especially the peak month of July which was not so much rain as cloud and wind. R.H. Marchant summed up the feelings of many when he wrote of his Great Cornard garden: 'No records from the end of May to July 3rd'.

Nevertheless some early species did well and the Green Hairstreak was undoubtedly the Butterfly of the Year-several new sightings in Ipswich, including close to the Butterfly Garden in Alexandra Park and an overall increase in tetrads of over a third compared to the early 1998 figure. Large counts included 150 plus by Nick Mason at Scotland Fen on 9th May and an incredible 345 at Bixley/Rushmere on 12th May thanks to several small groups covering the site-also recorded were 369 Small Coppers.

The Holly Blue, despite my pessimistic forecast, also had a good year-Rob Parker and myself, recording separately, amassed 49 new records.

Unfortunately damage by Forestry Enterprise to two Dingy Skipper sites along Chalk Lane in the King's Forest means that only one site is now intact, despite prior notification of these vulnerable sites by detailed maps, letters and site inspections. A management restoration plan has been agreed and already implemented, the two sites having previously attracted a wide range of species. Fortunately .~ RAF Barnham appears - .. . . . • -~ to have a more ••• •.·._- successful policy

by Richard Stewart (County Butterfly Recorder)

Small Copper & Small Heath

by BerylJohnson

To the exceptional number of early records can now be added 2 Small Tortoiseshell at Rob Macklin's Reserve on January 9th, one on the 10th and two Peacocks on the 12th.

Andrew Googe, at Slough Hall, recorded 3 Small Tortoiseshells on the 10th and by 9th February had added Peacock and Brimstone.

There were more February records of the other adult hibernators and other early records included a Green-veined White (Rob Macklin's Reserve) on 31st March, Orange Tip (The Fosters at Stonham Aspal) on 27th March and Holly Blue (Colin Bloomfield at Lindsey) on 22nd March.

This amazing start was sabotaged by

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The Butterfly Year - 1998

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towards sensitive sites and thanks to Rob Parker's work the new colony found in a far corner should be safe.

Suffolk's rarest breeding butterfly will be the subJ·ectof

another detailed survey in 1999, hopefully including Center Pare at Elveden, where a late record of the species

19

The

SuffolkArgus

February

good to see new records from parts of Suffolk as far apart as Mildenhall Woods and the Beccles area. This is a species that not enough recorders seek out-only 15 out of 167 saw it in 1998. To balance this, several

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was unearthed in moth records, thanks to Tony Prichard's diligence.

The national opinion from Nick Bowles was that double-brooded species tended to suffer from the weather in 1998.

This certainly affected the Brown Argus but it was still recorded in 24 new tetrads. Rob Macklin's comment that the Ringlet 'would appear to be well suited to cool, damp conditions' was borne out by most records and Ron Hartley had his best season at Acton for Speckled Wood. This butterfly seems to be on the verge of a proper colonisation of the Ipswich area, at last: one from Chantry Park Qune Summerfield 23rd August) and five at the Ipswich Golf Course (Neil Sherman, 21 st August). Silver-studded Blues were out early at Blackheath, Wenhaston on 24th June (Glenn Rae) and I recorded my highest ever total of 311 at Purdis Heath on 8th July. Unfortunately count totals were not received from Minsmere at the rime of writing nor from the annual count at Martlesham. The White Admiral had an indifferent year but it was

20

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report-Steve Goddard's garden, well within the Ipswich boundary, welcomed an Essex Skipper as the 23rd species and Rob Macklin at Snape recorded 24 for the year, and that without the Painted Lady. At St Olaves Glynnis Crouch(formerly Jenner) reported counts of20 and more for Comma, Painted Lady and Red Admiral. Migrants were seen in good numbers: 55 recorders included Painted Lady and the pick of the 27 recorded sites for Clouded Yellows was the six seen by the Johnsons at Orford on 4th September. A flurry of Swallowtail sightings in Ipswich during July and early August led to two definite identifications of caterpillars, one of which has pupated.

Swallowtails were also recorded at Minsmere and North Warren, the Waveney Valley near Beccles and at Woodbridge, where one landed just a few feet away from veteran former County Recorder, Sam Beaufoy, out with daughter Anne. Even rarer were single records of Queen of Spain at Minsmere on 23rd July (Pete Etheridge and Dale Newton) and Camberwell Beauty on Burley Marshes (9th August-Reg Snook).

To compensate for the poor summer the season was extended well into Autumn, heralded by a second brood Large Skipper at Baylham on 20th August (Paul Gilson and

by GrahamBailey

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Purple Hairstreak

by Angie Steele Over the past twenty years I have personally noted 26 species of butterfly for Hockley Woods, quite an impressive total for anywhere in Essex at the best of times!

In addition, I recorded the wall Brown back in the early 1980's but unfortunately not since.

Undoubtedly the most important species now is the Heath Fritillary, introduced from Thrift Wood in 1987 and with its origins therefore in the Blean Woods complex in Kent. The Hornbeam coppice management is principally directed at maintaining the population of this enchanting insect within the woods by removing a one hectare block of trees each winter. The areas to be coppiced are decided

1999

annually, these sites being dependent on the distribution and suitability for regeneration of the cow-wheat, the fritillary's larval foodplant here. Some removal of Oak standards is also performed to increase the sunlight reaching the ground; undergrowth is also cut where necessary to encourage the growth of cow-wheat by leaving large patches of bare ground. All these measures are vital for the survival of the butterfly without them the insect would die out within three or four years.

Afi:er their initial release, numbers reached a rapid peak in 1991 and 1992, with easily 200 butterflies on the wing at the height of the flight period. The population appeared to dip quite markedly for a season or two following this, but the colony has gained momentum once again and can generally be seen flying plentifully in June.

One particularly interesting facet of the Heath Fritillaries here is their tendency to have what is almost certainly a second brood. I count myself extremely fortunate to be one of very few people in this country (to my knowledge) who has witnessed this phenomenon, although it certainly occurs on the Continent. .. Having told my friend Don Down of my sightings he explored the site on the 12th September and found two flying; these are possible the latest ever Heath Fritillaries seen in the wild - unless someone out there knows differently of course!

Of the other butterflies present, those with grass-feeding larvae are the most numerous; these include the Hedge and Meadow Browns and also the three Skipper species. The Speckled Wood can be very common but the droughts of recent years have not helped it here as elsewhere.

Strangely, the Ringlet appears to have only a very tenuous hold, despite it faring much

5

The Suffolk Argus

Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting will rake place at the Butterfly Hotel, A 14 Bury East exit, Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds at 7.00 pm on 20th March 1999.

This year's AGM will include a talk by Mike Hall on Garden Insects - 'Friends or Foes'. Mike Hall is one of the leading moth recorders in Suffolk and writes a yearly report for the Suffolk Naturalists' Society Transactions. He also organised the 1980's Norfolk Butterfly Survey.

The programme is:7 .00 pm Doors open.

7.15 pm Annual General Meeting.

Agenda 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

4

Apologies.

Chairmans opening address and report.

Reports from: i) Treasurer. ii) Conservation Officer and County Recorder (Butterflies). iii) Conservation Officer (Moths). iv) Newsletter Editor. v) Membership Secretary. vi) Programme Secretary. vii) Publicity Officer.

Election of Committee.

Any Other Business (only items handed to the Chairman in writing prior to the start of the meeting will be accepted).

February

8.00 p.m. (approx) Mike Hall - Garden Insects, 'Friends and Foes'.

9.00 p.m. (approx) Refreshments (a small charge will be made).

During and after refreshments there will be the opportunity for general discussion and questions to the committee on current and future activities or anything else of interest to you.

Note: Committee nominationswill be taken

on the day or in advanceto the Chaiman, all we need is a nominator,a seconderand the willingnessof the member to stand. Pleasetry to attend to tell us if you think we are doing a goodjob or howyou would like to seethejob done. This is the time and theplace to set next yearsagenda.

Publicty Officer 'Vacancy' Steven Goss has recently stepped down as Publicity Officer on the Suffolk Branch committee.

This now leaves a vacancy to be filled.

If anyone feels that they could step into this post please contact James Mann, Chairman, who will be pleased to give you the necessary information about the post. Steven, although no longer Publicity Officer will be remaining on the committee as a member.

Steve Goddard), I recorded a very late Grayling at Tangham on 21st September, plus 286 Small Coppers, and John Dolman's annual late visit to the Spa Gardens at Felixstowe produced 20 plus Red Admiral and Painted Lady on 20th October with Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and a Hummingbird Hawk moth still present on 6th November. The latest so far is a Peacock at Trimley (Roger & Stella Wolfe, December 16th).

To summarise: the butterflies were there, admittedly often in reduced numbers, but you had to make some effort to find them. Two species, Meadow Brown and Purple Hairstreak, have now entered the plus category compared to the previous mid80s survey, leaving just five under. Three of these, with determined, organised recording in the final year, could end up as plus species, i.e. Gatekeeper, Small Heath and Wall Brown. Only Dingy Skipper and White-letter Hairsrreak seem to be certain to end up with reduced records. Can I thank all recorders for their 1998 records bur also ask for more planned recording in 1999.

Everyone gets the map of unrecorded areas and it is particularly frustrating to get detailed records in and discover the recorder has covered several tetrads and recorded the same species as many others, yet completely ignored the one (nearby) under-recorded area ..

All recorders who submitted lists of records will, as usual, receive 1999 forms and I can give early notice that the survey finishes on November 30th, which is the final date in 1999 for any Millennium !Survey records.

1999

Blackbird predation of Peacock Caterpillars

by RegSnook With regard to the above. A pair had built a nest in the ivy on an oak tree. In the first week of July it had young and the male blackbird fed the young on caterpillars of the Peacock butterfly.

The caterpillars were on nettles adjacent to my studio and at one time there must have been hundreds of them - some nearly full size others not so large. The blackbird within a space of three days cleared the lot of them. It was quite a sight the resplendent cock bird - black with yellow bill which was full of black caterpillars! Unfortunately, I do not know if the young successfully fledged.

21

The Suffolk Argus

Back issues of the Suffolk Argus For our newer members we have available back issues of the Suffolk Argus from volumn 1 to 14.

If any members would like to make up the complete set they are available at a cost of 25 p each plus postage.

The following second class postage rates apply:Up to 2 copies - 20p

February

Butterfly Attracting Plants

by Paul Gilson With reference to the theme of 'Gardens and Butterflies', the Branch will be attending events this year and we would very much like to have butterfly attracting plants on our stand.

If any members have plants which they can donate, then please contact me (phone number and address on back cover). The list below represents a cross-section of butterflyattracting plants that should appeal to people who are either starting or adding to a garden designed for butterflies.

Up to 4 copies - 31 p Up to 6 copies - 38p Up to 7 copies - 45 p Up to 9 copies - 55p Up to 11 copies - 64p Please make your cheques payable to Butterfly Conservation and send your orders to:Paul Gilson 18 Cheltenham Avenue Ipswich Suffolk IP! 4LN Please do not send any cash through the post!

22

Perennials: Catmint, Michaelmas Daisy, Osteospermum, Phlox, Scabious, Sedum Spectabile, Valerian and Verbena (bonariensis/venosa).

Herbs: Chives, Hyssop, Lavender, Marjoram and Thyme.

Shrubs: Buddleia.

This list does not contain every butterflyattracting plant known to us but at least people will be able to plant them knowing that they will be in flower the same year and have a good chance of attracting a butterfly or two!

1999

Notes frotn the Editor

by RichardStewart First, an update on the leaflet inserted in the last edition. The campaign to plant Buckthorns in and around Ipswich has increased in momentum: launched at the November meeting of the Ipswich Organic Gardeners Group, then a successful planting of the shrub at Ipswich allotments, which was subsequently publicised in the Evening Star and on Anglia TV. I have written articles about it for the SNS 'White Admiral' (already published and the national 'Organic Gardening' magazine hopefully for March 1999). Julian Dowding can be contacted about everything on O1473414092 and there is now a much fuller leaflet available, some having been printed on Brimstone yellow paper. Already over 300 plants have been ordered-I have one planted in my garden-and the importance of this initiative is best explained by 1998 figures. The Brimstone was reported from 93 tetrads, only 26 of which were in East Suffolk.

It wasn't a bad night and there was adequate parking in front of the building, off road. If you've never seen a White Admiral, Silverstudded Blue or Purple Hairstreak, then come along to those meetings where they can be guaranteed, assuming the weather is good. We shall again be at the Suffolk Show and also at Notcutts in Woodbridge over a July weekend: more details in the programme.

New President The fact that Sir David Attenborough has agreed to take on this role is a measure of Butterfly Conservation's national standing.

He also hopes to be as involved as the late Gordon Beningfield. I was at the Hampshire Members Day in November when it was announced that he would be present at one of their 1999 events.

Support

Articles for the Suffolk Argus

This edition contains a new programme of events. Please look at it carefully and 'book' dates in your diary for any you can attend.

Admittedly the weather could have been better in 1998 but it is dispiriting to arrange a meeting at a farm which is probably one of the best run for wildlife in Suffolk (Bower House Farm at Polstead) and only six turn up. Equally, the November quiz was a great success but only attracted an audience of 13.

If any members have articles for future editions of the Suffolk Argus could they please send them to Paul Gilson at 18, Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich IP1 4LN. Myself and Richard Stewart will be overseeing the production of the newsletter until a new Editor is found.

3

The Suffolk Argus

February 1999

Newsletter Details

Contents Notes from the Editor ............................................................

3

Annual General Meeting/Publicity Officer - vacancy ............ .4 The Butterflies of Hockley Wood ....................................... 5-6 Roosting Holly Blue ...............................................................

1998 Field Trips ...............................................................

ToAdvertisein

7-15

In the Heat of the Day .........................................................

Sylvestris or Lineola? ......................................................

7

16-17 19-21

Blackbird Predation of Peacock Caterpillars ......................... 21

February

Christmas Eve

June October

April Fools Day August Bank Holiday

Any piece of writing that is considered to be of interest will be published rogether with line drawings/prints/photographs.

The Suffolk Argus is your magazine, so please let us hear from you.

Please contact:

Back Issues of the Suffolk Argus ........................................... 22 Butterfly Attracting Plants ....................................................

Contributions for our newsletter should reach the Editor (address on back page) no later than:

Th8uffolk Argus

16

The Queen of Spain Fritillary at Minsmere RSPB Reserve ... 18 The 1998 Butterfly Season .............................................

Copy Dates

Paul Gilson (014 73 253276)

22

Newsletter Details & General Information ........................... 23 Suffolk Branch Contacts ......................................... Back Cover

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A purpose built Hotel with all the facilities that today's travellers require yet in a rustic traditional environment that is welcoming and comfortable.

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Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman

James Mann, The Old School, The Street, Darsham, Sa.xmundham, Suffolk, !PI 7 3QA (01728 668532) Membership Secretary Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 4LN.(0I473 253276) Newsletter Editors {temporary) Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 4LN (01473 253276)

RichardStewart, 'Valezina', I 12 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk !PI 2XW {01473 216518) Programme Secretary

Alan Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH {01473 715701)

Volunteers Needed

County Recorder (ButterAies) RichardStewart, 'Valezina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2XW (01473 216518)

If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact James Mann on

JamesMann, The Old School, The Street,

01728 668532.

Conservation Officer {Butterflies)

Darsham, Sa.xmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3QA {01728 668532) Conservation Officer {Moths) Tony Prichard,3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR {01473 270047) County Recorders (Moths)

Jon Nicholls, 18 Berners Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP! I 7LF {01394 271500) Tony Prichard{address as below) Secretary

Tony Prichard,3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9JR {01473 270047)

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Treasurer

Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, I The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP7 5LP {01473 3 I 0371)

Published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation (The British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd.) Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Charity No. 254937 HeadOfficccP.O. Box222. Dcdham, EssexC07 6EY. Tel. (01206) 322342 Edited by Paul Gilson& RichardStewart Logo (Silver-studded Blue) Doug l lammersky Designed and produced by Suphtn Ion © 1999 all rights re.served

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Publicity Officer {Vacant) • • • • • • • • • •

President

Comma & Peacock by BerylJohnson

Howard Mendel, c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD (0171 938 8782) Committee Member Steven Goss,Ya.xleyManor House, Ya.xley, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8DG {01379 783386)

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation Volume 16