Review of British Lepidoptera for 1957

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A REVIEW OF BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA FOR 1957 by

BARON DE W O R M S , M . A . ,

PH.D.,

F.R.E.S.

THE chief feature of the first three months of 1957, was the remarkably mild sequence of weather with virtually no cold snaps. This had the effect of bringing out many species abnormally early, sometimes a month ahead of their usual time of appearance. It was in fact one of the most precocious seasons of the Century. The Yellow Horned (Achlya flavicornis Linn.) was out by the middle of February as also were many of the Orthosias, including the Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta Hufn.), the Hebrew Character (O. gothica Linn.) and the Common Quaker (O. stabilis View.). The sallow bloom was also proportionately early and for the most part was over by the middle of March. An unexpected immigrant at this period was the Bordered Straw (Heliothis peltigera Schiff.), a number of which were taken in the South. The sloe blossom was out by the third week in March together with the Sloe Carpet (Bapta distinctata H.-S.). The Barred Tooth-striped (Nothopteryx polycommata HĂźbn.) and the Mottled Carpet (Colostygia miiltistrigaria Haworth) were likewise on the wing at this date. But most remarkable was the appearance of some of the Prominents and allied species. The Frosted Green (Polyploca ridens Fabr.) was noted during the last days of March, while the 3 Ist saw the capture in the South of the Scarce Prominent (Odontosia carmelita Esp.), the Nut-tree Tussock (Calocasia coryli Linn.) together with the Purple Thorn (Selenia tetralunaria Hufn.). Nearly all the other spring Prominents followed within a week, including the Large Prominent (Notodonta anceps Goeze) and the Puss (Cerura vinula Linn.). The fine weather continued throughout most of April and similar conditions even prevailed in the Western Highlands where the last week of April saw the emergence of the Green-veined White (Pieris napi Linn.), the Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi Linn.), the Emperor (Saturnia pavonia Linn.) and the Marbled Coronet (Hadena conspersa Esp.). Unfortunately the hope of a very prolific season was dashed when May turned out a most fickle and bleak month, putting everything back and producing many species in much smaller numbers than usual. This especially applied to the Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Argynnis euphrosyne Linn.) and the Small Pearl-bordered (A. selene Schiff.). June was likewise for the most part very moist and unpropitious. Both the Alder Moth (Apatele alni Linn.) and the Alder Kitten (Cerura bicuspis Borkh.) were unusually scarce, though the capture of a specimen of the latter species in Suffolk was a most notable


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