Editorial

by Jim Foster

In the last issue of the Suffolk Argus readers will have noticed on page 4 the Newsflash item regarding the appointment of Sharon Hearle as the Regional Officer for the East of England.

This is good news • for the conservation of , Lepidoptera in our region and an introductory article by Sharon appears in this issue on the following page. On behalf of the Suffolk membership I extend a very warm welcome to

Sharon, and we hope she will be happy in her new role. There are many challenges ahead and we wish her every success.

The appointment however, does require some funding and a letter explaining the situation is enclosed with this issue. I am well aware that there can be many demands on member's cash resources, the recent large increase in Council Tax to name but one, nevertheless if you can help then your Committee and Butterfly Conservation (and the Lepidoptera!) will be very grateful. Also in the last issue James Mann, our former

Chairman, in his article on the Apollo mentioned, "I could hear a slight rustle of its wing.r". This has prompted member Douglas Hammersley, who provides us with some excellent line drawings, to write to me. Douglas mentions that he has read about this butterfly's ability to frighten a potential predator by making startling noises. He quotes the paperback "The Natural History of Butterflies" by

John ·Feltwell (Croom Helm, London 1986), which on page 32 states, 'That the Apollo can make warning noises in two ways. First, from the rubbing of its undersides of its hindwings against the ground on which it is resting, and secondly, it can produce a hissing snake-like sound by scraping the back of its legs against the base of the wing".

Douglas presumes that as James was regarded as a possible predator when he approached with his camera, the bunerfly made the rustling sound as a warning before flying off.

I have seen and photographed the Apollo in France, however I have never witnessed these phenomena. Has any other member heard these warning noises? Incidentally, James has a further article on the Apollo in this issue, read on.

You will notice that recording and volunteering get a significant mention in the Argus. If any member can assist in some way I am sure you will be most welcome, just telephone the contacts listed in the article.

This year we have been invited to have the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation's Stand within the FWAG tent, situated not far from the Flower Show. PI-.; uote this is NOT as advertised in the 2003 Programme. If you are at the Show we hope that you will be able to call in and see us.

Alan Johnson Programme Secretary