Some Records of Lepidoptera in Suffolk During 1971

Page 1

SOME RECORDS OF LEPIDOPTERA IN SUFFOLK DÜRING 1971 BARON DE W O R M S

THE general season for 1971 was a good one for weather what with a very sunny May, a remarkably hot spell for the first half of July and a glorious autumn period during most of September and October. The lepidoptera reacted accordingly with quite a prolific year both for the Country and the County. As in 1970 one of the chief features was the reappearance of that delightful little butterfly the Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus Linn.). It was once more in very good numbers and Major Ross Lewin reported seeing it in his garden near Fritton as early as 2nd May. As usual several observers have kindly sent in their records, but it would appear that in spite of large numbers of the moths seen at light, there were very few captures of especial note, particularly among the regulär migrant species and this also embraces the butterflies among which Red Admirals were distinctly scarce, whereas the resident Small Tortoiseshell was unusually plentiful in Suffolk. Analysing the various records by far the most outstanding capture was that of that lovely moth the Gold Spangle (Plusia bractea Schiff.). This was taken at Great Bealings by Mr. William Storey in his garden at his light-trap on 20th July. It is only the second Suffolk record and also for the whole of the Eastern Counties. The only other example was taken by Mr. H. Chipperfield at Walberswick in August, 1966. On that occasion I contributed a short article (Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc., Vol. 13, p.322) on the increase in ränge southwards of this moth which normally inhabits the northerly regions of these islands as well as Wales and Ireland. This latest capture adds fresh evidence that it may be starting to colonise our more southerly eastern seaboard. During the main part of the summer Mr. Storey noted a Pine Hawk (Hyloicus pinastri Linn.) at his light, often numcrous on the Breck, also the Alder Moth (Apatele alni Linn.) and two Maple Prominents (Lophopteryx cucullina Schiff.) as well as several Varied Coronets (Hadena compta Schiff.), now for some years a resident in the County. That pretty August noctuid moth, the Dusky Sallow (Eremobia ochroleuca Schiff.) was again very numerous round Great Bealings. Other interesting visitors to light there were the Chocolate-tip (Clostera curtula Linn.), the Archer's Dart (Agrotis vestigialis Hufn.), a coastal and heathland species, the Stout Dart (Spaelotis ravida Schiff.), probably a partial migrant also two Webb's Wainscot (Nonagria sparganii Esp.), no doubt from local marshes. A welcome latecomer was a female Large Thorn (Ennomos autumnaria Wemb.) which is now quite prevalent


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.