48

CLOSTERA

ANACHORETA

From these further generations were bred. DĂźring the early part of the present Century the species reappeared in Kent, near Deal where the last larvae were obtained in 1912. A batch of ova was also found near Boumemouth in 1909, while the nearest the species has been taken to Suffolk was two insects reared from wild larvae taken at Dovercourt by Commander Mathew in 1907. A female was also caught at light at Clacton-on-Sea in August, 1908. Since 1912 there is an interval of nearly 40 years since anything reliable has been heard of the Scarce Chocolate Tip. On August 8, 1951 a male was secured at mercury-vapour light by Mr. G. Youden at Dover, then on August 9, 1953 another was obtained in a similar manner at Lydd, Kent, by Major General G. Johnson. So that this capture at Waldringfield is only the third for recent years. Let us hope this species may re-establish itself in this country. [See p. 44.] C.

G.

M.

DE

WORMS.

CAPTURES NEAR SOUTHWOLD DĂœRING 1956 I have thought it might be of interest to submit the following list of the more outstanding captures during the present season. Except where mentioned all the species enumerated have been taken in the mercury-vapour moth-trap run nightly in the garden here. T h e Death's Head Hawk-moth (Acherontia atropos Linn.). Two taken during the thick fog on Sept. 1, while another was brought to me the next day, also taken on the previous night. A fourth specimen was obtained on the sea-front at Southwold in mid-September. T h e Poplar Hawk (Laothoe populi Linn.) and the Eyed Hawk (Smerinthus ocellata Linn.). Both common over the whole period. T h e Pine Hawk (Hyloicus pinastri Linn.). Three only seen. T h e Convolvulus Hawk (Herse convolvuli Linn.). One at rest in mid-Sept. T h e Privet Hawk (Sphinx ligustri Linn.). Very plentiful. A dozen some evenings. T h e Elephant Hawk (Deilephila elpenor Linn.). About half a dozen seen. T h e Small Elephant Hawk {Deilephila porcellus Linn.). More plentiful than usual. T h e Lime Hawk (Mimas tiliae Linn.). Distinctly rare here. Only two seen.

CAPTURES NEAR SOUTHWOLD

49

The Lobster (Stauropus fagi Linn.). One only on July 16. The Poplar Kitten (Cerura bifida H체bn.). Two specimens only. The Sallow Kitten (Cerura furcula Linn.). One specimen seen. The Chocolate-tip (Clostera curtul채) Linn. Only one seen. The Lunar Marbled Brown (Drymonia ruficornis Hufn.). Quite a dozen noted. The Maple Prominent (Lophopteryx cucullina Schiff.). Three taken in mid-July. The Figure of Eighty (Tethea ocularis Linn.). Six examples seen. The Peach Blossom (Thyatira batis Linn.). Not at all common. Only two or three seen. The Oak Hook-tip (Drepana binaria Hufn.). Three specimens only. The Scalloped Hook-tip (Drepana lacertinaria Linn.). One on August 24. The Kent Black Arches (Nola albula H체bn.). Two examples, on July 20 and August 9. The Cream-bordered Pea (Earias clorana Linn.). None seen this year. The Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa Linn.). In good numbers again. The Common Tiger (Arctia caja Linn.) and the Cream-spot Tiger (Arctia villica Linn.). Both very plentiful. The Round-Winged Muslin (Comacla senex H체bn.). One only on July 21. The Rosy Footman (Miltochrista miniata Forst.). One on August 9. The Miller (Apatele leporina Linn.). One on July 27. The Coronet (Craniophora ligustri Fabr.). One on July 7. The Varied Coronet (Hadena compta Fabr.). Becoming much more plentiful, a score or more being seen this year. The Dusky Sallow (Eremobia ochroleuca Esp.). Much scarcer this year. Five to six seen. The Starwort Shark (Cucullia asteris Schiff.). The commonest shark here due,nodoubt, to the abundance of the sea aster, its foodplant. The Wormwood Shark (Cucullia absinthii Linn,). One on August 8. The Lesser-spotted Pinion (Cosmia affinis Linn.). Half a dozen seen. The Shore Wainscot (Leucania littoralis Curt.). One only on July 17. The Beautiful Hook-tip (LaspeyriaflexulaSchiff.). Eight examples. The Blackneck (Lygephila pastinum Treits.). Four specimens on July 14. The Red Underwing (Catocala nupta Linn.). Four seen.

50

CAPTURES NEAR SOUTHWOLD

T h e Blue-bordered Carpet (Plemyria bicolorata Hufn.). One on July 11. T h e Clouded Magpie (Abraxas sylvata Scop.). One only on July 13. T h e Bordered Echium Ermel (Ethmia bipunctella Fabr.). One on August 9. G . J.

BAKER,

Reydon.

LEPIDOPTERA OF THE SUFFOLK COAST, 1956 Hopes that 1956 would prove a fine year for Lepidoptera were lowered as the year continued and the sunshine decreased. A Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta L.), a Silver Y moth (Plusia gamma Ls.) both in late May, and two Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui Ls.) at Haiesworth in early June raised hopes of more migrants to follow which were never fulfilled. However, there were many fine days, if not fine spells, and many resident species were observed. T h e High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis cydippe L.) was at Blythburgh, three on July 5 and two on July 12 (all males !). One White Admiral (Limenitis Camilla L.) was seen there on July 20, and a worn specimen on August 2. Blythburgh remains the only place where I have observed the Comma (Polygonia c-album) L.) for several years, this year five were seen between August 9 and 23. Following a S.E. wind, an exhausted male Brimstone Butterfly (Gonopteryx rhamni L.) was found on driftwood on Thorpeness beach on Sept. 23, raising the slight possibility of Continental •origin. j A Varied Coronet moth (Hadena compta Fabr.) at my porch light on July 17 (over my Sweet Williams) confirms that Aldeburgh has been reached by this lately spreading species. Moths taken in 1956 include also an Oak Beauty (Biston strataria Hufn.) at light, April 10, an Iron Prominent (Notodonta dromedarius L.) on Aug. 28, and a Brimstone moth (Opisthograptis luteolata L.) at the late date of Sept. 12, all at Aldeburgh, the Blackneck (Lygephila pastinum Treits.) at Chippenham Fen on July 8, and the Large Emerald (Hipparchus papilionaria L.) at Blythburgh on July 12. WILFRED S .

GEORGE,

Aldeburgh.