SUFFOLK LEPIDOPTERA, 1959 by H. E.
CHIPPERFIELD
the two previous years, mild weather in the early part of 1959 caused insects to emerge at least by average dates, and as the season progressed emergences became earlier than average. UNLIKE
No collecting was done during the first three months but Dotted Border Moths (Hybernia marginaria, Borkh.), appeared on 12th and 13th of March. Catkins of black poplar were collected in the Breckdistrict on 1 Ith April in the hope thatthey wouldproduce larvae of the Pale Lemon Sallow Moth (Cirrhia ocellaris, Borkh.), About one third of the larvae proved to be this species, the remainder producing the Brick (Agrocola circellaris, Hufn.), the Red-line Quaker (Agrocola Iota, Clerck.), and the Yellow-line Quaker (Agrocola macilenta, HĂźbn.). Late spring moths continued to be well up-to-time and a Great Prominent (Notodonta anceps, Groeze.), appeared at Stowmarket light on 8th May. On the same day I first saw the Orange-tip Butterfly (Euchloe cardamines, Linn.). T h e Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus, Rott.), was flitting about commonly on the sandhills at Walberswick during an outing of the Bird Section of the Society on 3Ist May. Larvae of the Butterbur Moth (Hydraecia petasitis, Doubleday), were fully fed at Bosmere on 6th June and Meadow Brown Butterflies (Maniola jurtina, Linn.), were out well up to normal date at Darmsden on 13th June and freshly emerged Small Tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae, Linn.), appeared on 22nd June. T h e first Varied Coronet Moth (Hadena compta, Fab.), was seen on 23rd June. T h e White Admiral Butterflies (Limenitis Camilla, Linn.), were already showing signs of wear by the 4th July in Capel woods, but were still Aying in Belstead Woods together with 12 other species of butterflies when the Newmarket Field Club members visited that area on 1 Ith July. I was lucky enough to capture a Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus, Linn.), showing signs of albinoism on the hindwings. In view of the early season I decided to visit Walberswick Marshes with Mr. R. V. Ellis and Mr. Alfred Waller on the evening of 18th July. Our principal quarry was the White-necked Wainscot (Nonagria neurica, HĂźbn.), In contrast to 1958, when I took only one perfect specimen on 3 Ist July, this species was quite common and already showing signs of wear. There were also a