SUFFOLK LEPIDOPTERA 1960. by H.
E.
CHIPPERFIELD.
THE first species noted after a cold January was appropriately enough The Early Moth (Theria rupicapraria Hübn) on 6th February. From that date onwards the usual early spring insects appeared at about their usual times. A Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni Linn.) was seen at Stowmarket by my wife on 4th April, and the first Small Garden White (Pieris rapae Linn.) appeared on the 19th of the month. The Orange-tip {Euchloe cardamities Linn.) was out on the 30th April and the Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus Linn.) on the 8th May. From the end of May I was on a collecting trip in Scotland for a fortnight, but on my return the Tawny Minor Moth (Procus latruncula Schiff.) appeared on the 13th and 18th June and the Varied Coronet Moth (Hadena compta Fabr.) turned up on the 14th and 24th. This last insect, which was first found to be resident in this country at Dover in 1948, and was first discovered in Suffolk by Mr. A. E. Aston in 1953, is now widespread throughout the South-eastern part of the country and has become a pest among Sweet William grown for seed in the Colchester district. The Barberry Carpet (Coenotephria berberata Schiff.) was present in some numbers in its well-known haunt near Bury St. Edmunds. This was a pleasant surprise as it was feared that it was becoming scarcer with the apparent decrease in its food plant in the district. A visit to the Breck District near Mildenhall with Mr. and Mrs. J. Firmin of Colchester on the 25th June produced several Marbled Clover Moths (Heliothis dipsacea Linn.) which were very active on the wing, together with the tortrices Eucosma fulvana Steph., Eucosma citrana Hübn. and Tortrix paleana Hübn. Fully-fed larvae of The Breckland Grey Carpet (Lithostege griseata Schiff.) were to be found on flixweed and freshly emerged Pine Hawk Moths(Hyloicuspinastri Linn.)were resting on the Scots Pine trunks. Other species noted were The Royal Mantle (Euphyia cucullata Hufn.), The Bordered Gothic (Heliophobus saponariae Esp.). The Archer's Dart (Agrotis vestigialis Rott.) and The Bordered Sallow (Pyrrhia umbra Hufn.). Unfortunately the habitat of the well-known colony of the Spotted Sulphur Moth (Emtnelia trabealis Scop.) had been destroyed and in spite of a thorough search of the borders of the field no sign of this beautiful little moth could be found. One specimen was however found by another collector and it is to be hoped that the colony will build up again among the Convolvulus arvensis growing around the borders of its former stronghold, where a couple of years ago it would have been possible to have taken a hundred specimens in an evening had one so desired. On 9th July, Mr. E. F. Crosby kindly allowed me to plug in my blended M.V. lamp at his bungalow at Aldeburgh. The more interesting among a large assortment of insects were The Birds