Notes on Lepidoptera in Suffolk for 1962

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190

SUFFOLK LEPIDOPTERA

(Eilema complana, Linn.), and a very late Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lutea, Hufn.), which species is usually out in May and June. Earlier the same day I had seen a half-grown larva of the same moth. Pale-lemon Sallow Moths (Cirrhia ocellaris, Borkh.), began emerging on lOth September from larvae obtained from fallen Black Poplar catkins collected at Mildenhall on 27th April. Generally butterflies and moths have been in much smaller numbers than usual, largely no doubt owing to unfavourable weather conditions. It is therefore pleasing to record that several of the " Vanessas " have been rather more plentiful than usual. Although Small Tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae, Linn.), were rather scarce, Peacocks (Nymphalis io, Linn.), Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta, Linn.), and Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui, Linn.), were much more in evidence than for some years on the Buddleia blossoms during August and September. Considerable numbers of Large Garden White butterflies and Silver-Y moths (Plusia gamma, Linn.), which appeared in early September were doubtless due largely to immigration. Our member Mr. Michael Cant reported the presence of quite a number of Clouded Yellow Butterflies (Colias croceus, Fourc.), at Minsmere in mid-September. We can only hope that, given a reasonable Summer, some of our dwindling butterflies will have a chance to increase their numbers, and that even the Large Tortoiseshell will once again become a common sight in our Suffolk woodlands.

NOTES

ON

LEPIDOPTERA by

IN

SUFFOLK

FOR

1962

BARON DE WORMS

MY own collecting experiences in the County during 1962 have been very limited, in fact to only three days. This took place during early September when I revisited Prof. Dacie who was once more staying at Walberswick. T h e chief feature was the good night we had on the lOth of that month when we placed our mercury-vapour light on the edge of the marsh when for about two hours insects came in some numbers until the rain set in. By far the most numerous was the Brown-veined Wainscot (Nonagria dissoluta, Treits.), of which


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