Suffolk Lepidoptera, 1976

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SUFFOLK LEPIDOPTERA,

1976

H . E . CHIPPERFIELD

IN spite of another very mild winter the spring insects were not particularly early in appearance in SufFolk. The first Early Moth (Theria rupicapraria Schiff.) was seen on 2nd February. This was followed by the Pale Brindled Beauty (Phigalia pedaria Fabr.) on 15th March and the Oak Beauty (Biston strataria Hufn.) on 28th March and the Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria Clerck.) on 12th April. DĂźring this period the commoner members of the Orthosia Group also made their appearance. These 'Quaker' moths, so called because of their rather drab coloration, are usually to be found feasting on sallow blossom after dark. DĂźring a Bird Section excursion to the Breck District on 28th March hibernated Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni Linn.) and Peacock (Nymphalis io Linn.) butterflies were seen at Euston by members and Mrs. Coe spotted a Comma (.Polygonia c-album Linn.) which had also come out of hibernation. On 5th April a Tawny Pinion (Lithophane semibrunnea Haw.) was attracted to my moth trap in the garden. This species, whose larva feeds on ash, emerges in the autumn and then hibernates until the spring. Also seen during April was the Orange Underwing (Archiearis parthenias Linn.), a day-flying moth in Dunwich Forest. May saw the early butterflies out in some numbers. The Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines Linn.) was quite plentiful, as were also the three common White butterflies, followed by the Wall Brown (Pararge megera Linn.) on 23rd May. Its near relative the Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria Linn.) which has been reported from the Breck District during the past few years was seen by Mrs. Dorothy Wightman in the King's Forest during the year. This butterfly which is common in the southern and western counties appears to be increasing in numbers in East Anglia and is a welcome addition to our decreasing butterfly population. A Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth (Hemaris fuciformis Linn.) was seen hovering over aubretia at Walberswick on 22nd May and in the evening several Great Prominents (Notodonta trepida Esp.) and a number of Tineids were attracted to actinic light in Dunwich Forest. On 6th June also at light in Dunwich Forest a late Pine Beauty (Panolis flarnmea Schiff.) and a Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula Clerck.) were among the visitors. On 6th July a Single specimen of the Pigmy Footman (Eilema pygmaeola Doubl.) was attracted to my M.V. light at Walberswick. This species has long had colonies in the Deal district of Kent


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