A REVIEW OF BRITISH MACROLEPIDOPTERA FOR 1956 B y BARON DE WORMS, M . A . , P H . D . , F . L . S . ,
F.R.E.S.
As in 1955, another cold winter, especially in February, prevented any very early emergence of lepidoptera until the second half of March when there was quite a burst of species, chiefly the Noctuid moths which patronise the sallaw bloom. One of the features of early April was the abundance of the Red Admiral (Pyrameis atalanta Linn.). It was seen at this period right up to Scotland, no doubt owing to an early immigration. May was exceptionally fine bringing out with it all the spring butterflies in quite good numbers, though the Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Clossiana euphrosyne Linn.) was not fully on the wing tili nearly the end of that month. However, the hopes that this fine spell of weather raised were rudely upset for the main part of the summer. For the next three months produced one of the most unsettled and wettest seasons this Century. It had its compensations in providing a number of most interesting and unexpected visitors among the lepidoptera as well as a profusion of a good many resident species. Düring early June several examples of the Bedstraw Hawk (Celerio galii Rott) were taken, doubtless having bred through from immigrants in 1955. About this period several new localities were discovered for the Balsam Carpet (Xanthorhoe biriviata Borkh.), thus pointing tö an instance of an insect probably long established over here, but which had been overlooked. In the middle of the month the Alder Kitten (Cerura bicuspis Borkh.) was quite numerous at light in the South and the Midlands. But it was the second half of the year which as before provided the cream of the season. In spite of the wetness of July many species were in unusual quantity, in particular the Silver-studded Blue (Plebeius argus Linn.). In North Wales Ashworth's Rustic (Amathes ashworthii Doubleday) swarmed one night to light in the second week of the month. Towards the end of July the fine insect the Large Footman (Lithosia quadra Linn.) appeared in considerable numbers in many places along the south coast, no doubt due to immigration. A specimen of the Scarce Black-arches (Nola centonalis Hübn.) was taken at this time at Folkestone, only the fourth for the British Isles in fifty years. T h e Larger Fritillaries, especially the High Brown (Argynnis cydippe Linn.) were fairly common in most areas in the South. August once more excelled itself in spite of the very unsettled conditions. T h e Chalk-hill