LEPIDOPTERA AT EASTON BAVENTS Ist to 8th AUGUST, 1964 A.
L.
BULL
WE spent this week in a clifftop bungalow, and quite an interesting week it proved to be f r o m the Lepidoptera viewpoint. At the bottom of the derelict garden was about twenty yards of privet hedge in fĂźll bloom. DĂźring the long, sunny days butterflies of every description sported themselves to and fro, with an attendant Red-backed Shrike to keep them alert ! On the best day we counted no fewer than thirteen Peacocks (Nymphalis io), eight Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta), one Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), innumerable Small Tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae), one Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), and numerous Gatekeepers (Maniola tithonus). T h e n on the Senecio erucifolius scattered all over the surrounding rough grass, numerous Small Skippers (Thymelicus sylvestris) and smaller numbers of Large and Small Whites (Pieris brassicae and P. rapae), Small Coppers (Lycaena phlaeas), and Common Blues (Polyommatus icarus). I n addition to these butterflies, a few Silver Y's (Plusia gamma) and Six-spot Burnets (Zygaena filipendulae) were present. VVhen dusk feil, and we went round the garden with our torch, we were quite unprepared for the clouds of moths which rose from all round us. A careful study each evening brought us such a list of species as we had never dreamed of in our agricultural domain ! Of course we had none of the refinements of a Mercury Vapour lamp, but what we found left us quite satisfied. Grey Arches (Polia nebulosa) was seen from time to time, but was not abundant. One interesting moth seen was a buff coloured Shaded Broadbar (Ortholitha chenopodiata) ; the only normal colouring was along the edges of the central band. We estimated there to be approximately one-hundred Silver Y's on the Privet, this being the most abundant species. Dusky Sallow (Eremobia ochroleuca) was quite plentiful and several Willow Beauties (Cleora rhomboidaria) were also met with. Two species typical of grassy places near the sea were found on the Ragwort. T h e Cloaked Minor (Procus furuncula) seemed to be by the hundred and several Rosy Minors (P. literosa), were also found. Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis), Square Spot Rustic (Amathes xanthographa), Lesser Yellow Underwing (Triphaena comes), and Straw Underwing (Thalpophila matura) were all well represented.