Suffolk Argus 12, Dec 1997 by Suffolk Naturalists' Society

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman

JamesMann, The Old School, The Street, Darsham, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3QA (01728 668532) Membership Secretary Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk IP! 4LN (01473 253276) Newsletter Editor Steve Goddard,47 Colchester Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 3BT (0 I 473 252598)

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SUFFOLK ARGUS December 1997

Programme Secretary

Alan Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701)

Volunteers Needed

County Recorder (Butterflies) RichardStewart, 'Valezina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2X'W (01473 216518)

If you feel you could run a small sales operation or just help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact Steve Goddardon 01473 252598.

Conservation Officer (Butterflies) JamesMann, The Old School, The Street, Darsham, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3QA (01728 668532) Conservation Officer (Moths) Tony Prichard,3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR (01473 270047)

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1998 The Year of Gardens & Butterflies

County Recorder (Moths)

Arthur Watchman, Onchan, Back Lane, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk IP? ?BA Secretary

Tony Prichard,3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9JR (01473 270047)

Published by the Suffolk Branchof ButterflyConservation(The British ButterflyConservationSociety Ltd.) Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. CharityNo. 254937 Head Office:P.O. Box 222. Dcdham, EssexC07 6EY. Tel. (01206) 322342 Edited by Steve Goddard Logo (Silver-studded Blue) Doug Hammersley Designed and producedby Sttphrn Ion, Cat & Mouse Design (01473 729423 after 7pm) © 1997 all rights reserved

Treasurer

Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, I The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP? 5LP (01473 310371) Publicity Officer Steven Goss,Yaxley Manor House, Yaxley, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8DG (01379 783386)

With today's gardens becoming an increasinglyimportantsourceofnectarfor butterflies, the central theme from Butterfly Conservation in 1998 will be 'Gardens and Butterflies'. Aspart of our support for this initiative we are delighted to announce that a Butterfly Garden will be created in an Ipswich Park (details of this exciting joint venture inside). The Branch will also be attending The Suffolk Show and hopefully many other events with 'Gardens and Butterflies 'in the forefront of any displays. Clearly, we will need volunteers to participate in these activities. Help with the growing of butterfly-attracting plants would also be welcome (see inside for list of recommended plants). Please contact any member of the committee if you feel that you can help in anyway.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

President

Howard Mendel, clo Ipswich Museum, High St., Ipswich, Suffolk IP! 3QH (01473 213761)

Volume12

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BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

The Suffolk Argus

December 1997

Contents 1998 - The Year of Gardens & Butterflies .................. Cover Notes from the Editor ..........................................................

RDB Codes ..........................................................................

Plants List .............................................................................

A 'Weekend in the West' - a thankyou ............................... 4 Wanted 'Plastic' Pots ...........................................................

Suffolk Show Review ............................................................

1997 Field Trips ............................................................

6-10

Dog dirt has its day ........................................................... Butterflies or moths? ....................................................

12-13

Why do moths fly in Winter? ...................................... 14-1 5 Observations on the Peacock Butterfly .............................. I 5

Newsletter Details To Advertise in Tfff

Copy Dates Contributions for our newsletter should reach the Editor (address on back page) no later than: Christmas Eve

January May

April Fools Day

October

August Bank Holiday

Any piece of writing that is considered to be of interest will be published together with line drawings/prints/photographs. The Suffolk Argus is your magazine, so please let us hear from you.

SUFFOLK ARGUS

Please contact:

Steve Goddard (01473 252598)

Butterfly HOTELS

Butterfly Gardening ...........................................................

Supermarket visitors ...........................................................

Book review: Natural History of Moths ............................ I 8 Newsletter Details & General Information ....................... I 9 Suffolk Branch Contacts ........................................ Back Cover

ButterflyLine 0891 884505

•• Regular Updates & Latest News All profits are used for the conservation of butterflies and their habitats. Calls charged at 50p per minute at all times

A purpose built Hotel with all the facilities that today's travellers require yet in a rustic traditional environment that is welcoming and comfortable.

Butterfly Hotel, A45 Bury East Exit. Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds

01284 760884 19

The Suffolk Argus

Book Review: The Natural History of Moths, Mark Young, T&D Poyser, £25 by TonyPrichard This is the first popular book that I am aware of, covering the natural history of moths since 1955, when E.B.Ford's book was published in The New Naturalist Series. Most of the books I have on moths are directed towards their identification so I was most interested to see a book covering such a neglected topic. Ford's book contains several chapters on genetics, an interest I do not share, therefore I was pleased to read in the preface that the book did not cover this subject and still more, that the author had tried to concentrate on topics not covered by Ford. The book is divided into ten chapters which, after a general introduction on moth natural history, goes on to cover subjects such as: the origin of the country's moths, dispersal, migration, lifecycle,plants as food, mating, predators, moth study and moth conservation. Each chapter is split into many sections covering aspects of the chapter subject. I found that this organisation meant I could read a few sections and then work through the book in piecemeal fashion which was useful because the book contains a great deal of information to digest. Since my initial reading of the book I have now found that I can easily look-up particular topics when I want to refresh my memory. The author's sryle of writing makes the book easy to read despite the large amounts of information contained within the text. The author provides many interesting examples from individual species to illustrate general

December

behaviours. Some of the topics covered for example; migration, dispersal and plant larval defences are equally applicable to butterflies. The large amount of information in the book seems to have been well researched with the length of the reference section being quite impressive at twelve pages. Examples of some of the detailed subjects are: Why do moths fly in winter? How has the Belted Beauty, {with wingless females) managed to colonise the Hebrides? How do some moths avoid becoming a bat's next meal! Why are some moths restricted to a single foodplant? Mind you, I am still not sure that I understand why moths are attracted to a MV lamp which is a question I am asked most frequently! The book is quite extensive in its coverage of the various aspects of moth natural history but due to the large number of topics included, some of these are not covered in great depth. The author admits that although we have moved a long way in our understanding since Ford much still remains to be learnt as moth natural history is still a relatively neglected area of study. Fortunately for amateurs who enjoy this subject, there is still much work that can be done by them as well as the professional. The book contains sixteen colour plates in the centre of the book with fifry photographs illustrating various aspects of camouflage, mimicry, lifecyclestages and variation within species. The quality of the photographs is excellent and the pictures show how interesting and colourful moths can be. At a price of £25 for a 250 page hardback {I Op per page), I am not sure whether this book will be that popular although it certainly should be. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an introduction to moths or wishes to extend their knowledge beyond the simple identification of species.

Notes from the Editor

1997

National Red Data Book Codes by Steve Goddard

1997 Records By now, all recorders should have sent in their year's observations to the Museum. Richard Stewart conveys his grateful thanks to all involved for their continuing support and effort.

Late Newsletter You may be wondering why you are reading this newsletter in December. Please accept my apologies for the lateness of this issue. However, as this Suffolk Argus is now being delivered as we approach the festive season, it does allow us to wish you all a very happy Christmas and all that you would wish for in 1998.

Quite often you will see articles both in Suffolk Argus and elsewhere where codes have been allocated to butterfly and moth species in terms of national rarity. These codes are taken from the National Red Data Book relating to threatened species. There are several such codes but the most frequently seen are:

RDBl: Species in danger of extinction. Known from less than five I 0-km squares in Great Britain. RDB2: Species which are vulnerable and likely to make it to category RDB I if causal factors continue. RDB3: Nationally rare species, present in 15 or less I 0-km squares in Great Britain. Na: Nationally notable species, known from 30 or less I 0-km squares in Great Britain. Nb: Nationally notable species, known from 100 or less I 0- km squares in Great Britain. As a matter of interest, whilst our county has many moths falling within these categories, at the current time we have just two butterflies: White-letter Hairstreak and Silver-studded Blue which both fall into the Nb category.

The

SuffolkArgus

List of Suggested Butterfly • attracting

plants by Paul Gilson With reference to the cover article: 'J998 The Year of Gardens and Butteiflies', Richard Stewart and myself have drawn-up the following list of favourite plants. The list represents a cross-section of butterflyattracting plants that should appeal to people who are either starting or adding to a garden designed for butterflies. Annuals: Aster, Lobelia, Marigold (African/ French) and Verbena. Perennials: Catmint, Michaelmas Daisy, Osteospermum, Phlox, Scabious, Sedum Spectabile, Valerian and Verbena (bonariensis/venosa).

December 1997

A 'Weekend in the West' - a thankyou byJean Garrod Ken and I would like to express our sincere thanks to Alan and Beryl Johnson for all their hard work in organising such a successful and hugely enjoyable event. All our target species were seen with the exception of Duke of Burgundy whose season appeared to be over exceptionally early this year. The accommodation was first-rate as was the company and the weather! Thankyou also Alan for arranging an excellent itinerary with relevant maps and link-ups with the appropriate wardens. A special thankyou must go to their son Paul, who worked tirelessly in his endeavour to find all the different species. In the words of the song - 'here's to the next time!'We would certainly go again.

Supermarket • • v1s1tors by Steve Goddard

I was chatting to Jean Garrod one day early this summer, when I happened to mention my sighting of a Green Hairstreak flying around the outside garden sales area ofHomebase, Warren Heath. "That'sfunny" she said, "I'vejust seen one at Tesco, Martksham Heath". Jean then reminded me of the 1996 Waxwing invasion when a number of these beautiful birds also visited these same locations, and of other supermarket'birds. As other Birdwatcher's among us will also recall, Tesco's at Lowestoft has hosted a Black-bellied Dipper, and even more amazing, in 1989, Tesco's at Maidstone, Kent harboured a Golden-winged warbler from N. America. I have also seen an Osprey over Sainsbury's, Warren Heath. So what I am trying to say is (besides getting carried away with one of my other great interests), that we should remember that wildlife knows no bounds and observing and recording can take place almost anywhere. Even it seems, when we go shopping. Thanks to Jean Garrod for reminding me of the bird connection and for allowing me to dip into her Field Notes from 'The Harrier', SOG Bulletin No. I 07.

Herbs: Chives, Hyssop, Lavender, Marjoram and Thyme. Shrubs: Buddleja. This list does not contain every butterflyattracting plant known to us but at least people will be able to plant them knowing that they will be in flower the same year and have a good chance of attracting a butterfly or two!

. . .. .. . ...

~ Greenhairstreak (Callophrysrubi)

The Suffolk Argus

Butterfly Gardening by RichardStewart

As members will know, 1998 has been designated as The Year Of Butterflies and Gardens. Already, there has been a decision by our committee to focus on this initiative at the Suffolk Show next year. Our aim will be to encourage visitors to our stand to consider creating insect-attracting gardens thatis if they do not already do so!

December 1997

One other element will hopefully materialise in 1998, this being the development of a Butterfly Garden in an Ipswich Park as a joint venture between the Parks Department, our Branch and Marks & Spencer. Details still have to be finalised but we hope that the Parks Department will provide not just the site but also landscaping plans and a selection of plants from their own nursery. Our application to the Focus Group of Marks & Spencer in Ipswich has been approved and their conservation grant of £200 has been confirmed by letter. The aim is that this money will be used to fund a large Information Board which will also include details of the three partners. It would be interesting to know of any other public butterfly gardens either in existence or being planned. I was asked a few years ago to give help in the creation of such a venture in a Lowestoft park but don't know if this has now been completed. It is hoped that butterfly gardens can be created in other Suffolk parks and public places. If you have any ideas for your area please contact me with details, including names, addresses and telephone numbers of possible contacts. The creation of such areas is very important not just to establish much needed new habitats but also to increase public awareness of what we are doing in a practical way to help butterflies.

More information willfallow in the next newsletter

WantedYour 'plastic' The Suffolk flowerpots Show Review by Paul Gilson I have a number of Butterfly-attracting plants that I will be donating to the Branch next year. At the moment they are being over-wintered in 3" plastic flowerpots in my greenhouse. Next spring I will need to pot these up into larger size pots. If anybody has any unwanted 4" or larger, brown or black, round or square, plastic flowerpots then I would be delighted to take them off your hands. If you can help, please contact me on 01473 253276. If you live within say, I 0 miles of Ipswich, I will be happy to collect.

This was our fourth year at this prominent event and once again we extend our thanks to the Suffolk Naturalists' Society for inviting us to join them in their marquee. Thanks must also go once more to those members, particularly Judy Clarke and Paul Gilson, who had grown butterfly-attracting plants for the stall. We must also thank the kind lady who arrived early on the Wednesday morning to donate some beautifully embroidered cards which were soon arranged for display and sale. By late Thursday afternoon most of the cards had gone and only a few books and plants remained. More important though was the opportunity to talk to interested people and to hopefully make them aware of our work and why we need to enlist further support. Thanks go to committee members, some of whom put aside two days of their time to attend the show.

The Suffolk Argus

1997 Field Trips

December 1997

Moth Night at The Kings' Forest Saturday 14th June by TonyPrir;hard

Kings' Forest June 8th and June 14th by RichardStewart Thanks to the provision of detailed maps by Richard Davis of Forest Enterprise, groups were able to cover specific blocks of woodland in and around Chalk Lane and in the West Stow area to search for our target species: Dingy Skipper. Unfortunately none were found, even at the known sites, suggesting early emergence and consequently the finish of their flight period. This was supported by my finding a new colony near Wardwell on May 13th together with very early records of other species at West Stow on 14th June namely, Small Skipper and Ringlet. Other species recorded were: Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Green Hairstreak, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Large Skipper and one Painted Lady at Chalk Lane. Perhaps the most memorable species here was the beautiful Cream-spot Tiger moth with at least twelve seen. In the West Stow area we recorded the following: Large Skipper, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Small Heath.

This moth night followed on from the second of this year's day meetings to the Kings' Forest. Five enthusiasts turned up for this evening event, some of us having spent a rather damp day looking for Dingy Skipper. The weather had been rather disappointing during the day and with the temperature dropping towards the end of the afternoon it did not bode well for a bumper moth night! As dusk fell however, the wind started to die down, the rain showers gradually eased off and the evening began to look more promising. We were lucky to have Arthur and Jan Watchman with us which meant that we could run an extra moth trap and also have any doubtful records confirmed by Arthur on the spot. In all, three traps were set up, one a MV lamp suspended over a white sheet and two Skinner traps using MV and phosphorescent lamps. Initially, species were slow to appear but after the first few - Green Carpet, Snout, Flame and Flame-shoulder, enough moths were turning up to keep us busy fulltime. During the day we had been recording moths by flushing them from the undergrowth. Two species identified were part of our Regional Action Plan - Grey Carpet and Tawny Wave. We were pleased then to see another Tawny Wave at the light since both species, Breckland specialities, are coded as RDB3 (see explanation elsewhere in this Newsletter). The star of the night for me however, was the Small Elephant Hawk-moth of which we had around ten turning up at the

The female, being the egg bearer, is necessarily heavier than the male, and it would probably cost too much of her energy reserves to warm up her flight muscles, take off and fly; reserves which she could otherwise use in producing more eggs. So why do these mid-winter moths bother to put up with the cold? It's what in ecological parlance is called "enemy-free space". The main nocturnal predators of flying moths are bats; and what are bats doing in the winter - hibernating! Yet another of nature's many wonders. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and as indicated above, not all winter female moths are wingless. Also, a summer species, the female Vapourer, is also wingless, now why is that I wonder. As ever, nature leaves us with more questions than answers. Nevertheless, when you are tucked-up inside this winter longing for those summer days, spare a thought for those tough little creatures outside, for them its the best time to be around.

Winter moth (Operophterabrumata)

Observations on the Peacock

Butterfly by Steve Goddard This year,I had two of my most interesting encounters with this species. The following brief notes explain:

June 17 On this date, I stood marvelling at the sight of a Peacock butterfly flying and nectaring along the edge of the public footpath at Eastbridge. I realised that it was the oldest Peacock I had ever seen and just to think that it had been alive since the previous summer, possibly 11 months ago, was quite an uplifting experience. This sighting will certainly help me to answer that ubiquitous question, "How long

do butterflies live?"

July 5 During our field trip to Hollesley Meadows, one of our group came across some Peacock chrysalids - a beautiful form of yellow with oblique purple stripes, delicately suspended from its food-plant, the common nettle. Another new experience for me and no doubt most of the others. However, I did not fully appreciate how special this find was until reading later, in 'The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland' by Thomas & Lewington, that Jeremy Thomas himself had yet to find wild Peacock larvae. Makes you think does n't it?

The

SuffolkArgus

Whydo Moths fly in winter? by Steve Goddard

Thefemale Winter moth

December

This is afeature which l have adaptedfrom an articlewritten by Phil Sterlingfrom Dorset Branchfor one of theirpast Newsletters. Thankyou Phil. You must have noticed the odd moth in the beams of car head-lamps whilst driving in the winter countryside but have you ever asked yourself how they get away with surviving in conditions which most other insects avoid by hibernating in one form or another? There are a dozen or so macro species which you might encounter in Suffolk which choose to fly, mate and lay their eggs during the coldest months. Perhaps most common is the Winter Moth, but others include the Mottled Umber, the Early Moth, The March Moth, the Spring Usher, the Small Brindled Beauty and the Pale Brindled Beauty. How do they manage it? Firstly, they time their emergence, only hatching on a relatively mild night, so they are guaranteed a flight on the first evening. Secondly, they appear to tolerate cold very well. On really frosty nights they remain torpid among leaf litter, or clinging to a branch. As coldblooded animals, their metabolism is very slow in the cold; so when they fly they do so very slowly. The third reason (at least for those species listed above), is extraordinary and takes a little explaining. If you examine these adults more closely, you will see that they are all males. The female is wingless, or almost so, and never flies (she looks like a rather odd furry spider with 6 legs). She hatches and crawls up the nearest tree trunk, mates and then runs out to the branches to deposit her eggs. How does being wingless help? There may be several explanations, but a strong belief is to do with the amount of energy needed to become airborne in cold conditions for these particular creatures.

light. This species is more localised than the Elephant Hawk-moth which can be found frequently in gardens. The Small Elephant Hawk-moth larvae prefer bedstraw to willowherb, the food-plant of the Elephant Hawk-moth. The adult can sometimes be found at dusk visiting the flowers of honeysuckle and rhododendron resembling a small Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Altogether, we recorded six species of Hawkmoth: Small Elephant, Elephant, Pine, Eyed, Privet and Poplar. Another moth of particular note was the White Colon, a nationally notable species (Nb) mainly found in coastal habitats but also known to have a stronghold in the Brecks. The following localised species were also seen: Sitochroa verticalis, Plain Wave, Brindled White-spot, Four-dotted Footman, Creamspot Tiger, Shoulder-striped Wainscot and the Shark. At half-past-one, we finally shut down the traps afi:era more fruitful evening than we had first expected, having recorded 66 species in all. For the record, the full species list for the night was: Common Swifi:,Cochylis atricapitana, Tortrix viridana, Olethreutes lacunana, Epiblema uddmanniana, Crambus lathoniellus, Chrysoteuchia culmella, Scoparia pyralella, Scoparia ambigualis, Sitochroa verticalis, Small Magpie, Fox Moth, Tawny Wave, Riband Wave, Plain Wave, Silver-ground Carpet, Purple Bar, Barred Straw, Common Marbled Carpet, Barred Yellow, Grey Pine Carpet, Green

1997

''1, ~

•'• [0,jf)

Pine hawk-moth (Hyloicus pinastri) Carpet, Sharp-angled Carpet, Lime-speck Pug, Clouded Border, Brimstone Moth, Peppered Moth, Willow Beauty, Mottled Beauty, Brindled White-spot, Bordered White, Common White Wave, Privet Hawk-moth, Pine Hawk-moth, Eyed Hawk-moth, Poplar Hawk-moth, Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Iron Prominent, Swallow Prominent, Fourdotted Footman, Cream-spot Tiger, Buff Ermine, Cinnabar, Turnip Moth, Heart and Club, Heart and Dart, The Flame, Flameshoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, The Shears, White Colon, Brown-line Brighteye, Common Wainscot, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, The Shark, The Sycamore, Bird's Wing, Angle Shades, Dark Arches, Light Arches, Tawny Marbled Minor, Treble Lines, Mottled Rustic, Burnished Brass and The Snout.

The Suffolk Argus

Moth Night at Hollesley Meadows July 5th 1997 by TonyPrichard Thirteen people turned up for a night's mothing at Hollesley Meadows, private land comprising of 16 acres of varying habitats. A stream runs through the length of the site such that the ground has a marshy tendency. The main tree flora consists of alders, willows and conifers. The weather was not too promising as the clouds, present earlier in the day, cleared with the likelihood that temperatures would drop once night fell. The main light, suspended over a sheet, was placed under a large oak tree in the hope that the temperature would stay warmer than in the open. A second light was placed in a more open marshy area of the meadows. As dusk was falling Ghost moths were found flying just above the vegetation along with many Common Carpets. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the characteristic 'Lek king' flight of the male Ghost moths where they flutter over the top of the vegetation in groups. This 'lekking' can look quite eerie at dusk, especially in a graveyard which is a typical habitat for them and hence their name. Once night had fallen, a variety of moths started to arrive quite early at the sheet including Snout, Ghost, Common Carpet, Mottled Beauty, White Plume, Double Square-spot and Privet Hawk-moth. It was quite interesting to see the Privet Hawk-moth arriving so early in the evening since most often, Hawk-moths do not turn up until after midnight.

December 1997

After setting up the lights I had put some sugar mixture on a number of tree trunks along the stream's edge. These trees were checked a couple of times during the evening and considering the unfavourable weather, some interesting species were attracted the best probably being Peach Blossom, a very pretty moth with large white/pink spots on the brown based upperwmgs. Come half-past midnight, it was decided to call an end to the evening as there was not much activity around the lights and with the temperature dropping below 10°C, little further action was expected. The moths recorded, although not involving any real species of note, did include three localised moths: Dipleurina lacustrata, Perinephela lancealis and Ebulea crocealis - all types of pyralid moth. The final species list for the night was: Ghost Moch, Olechreutes lacunana, Dipleurina lacustrata, Small Magpie, Perinephela lancealis, Ebulea crocealis, Udea olivalis, White Plume, Peach Blossom, Small Fan-footed Wave, Singledotted Wave, Riband Wave, Common Carpet, Barred Straw, July Highflyer, Twinspot Carpet, Clouded Border, Mottled Beauty, Common White Wave, Privet Hawk-moth, Buff Ermine, Heart and Dart, The Flame, Large Yellow Underwing, Double Square-spot, Smoky Wainscot, Dark Arches, Light Arches, The Rustic, Mottled Rustic, Pale Mottled Willow and The Snout. A total of 33 species.

....... rivet hawk-moth , • • (Sphinxligustri) t

.·..•·

Pterophoridae and Lasiocampidae. Generally speaking, moths listed before the butterflies are regarded as "micros"or smaller moths and those after as the "macros"or larger moths. This artificial division into micro, butterfly and macro is based on the preference of collectors in Victorian and Edwardian times. Modern study - both scientific and for pleasure - is still largely based on these three divisions. But why is it that we tend to be more interested in butterflies than moths? I guess the main reasons must be chat butterflies are active in the daytime and thus more easily observed and studied, there are fewer of chem in terms of species, and they have always been thought of as more attractive and colourful than moths (although it must be said chat for every butterfly there is a species of moth just as beautiful). In conservation terms, the popularity of butterflies and their collection in the past together with the relative ease of studying their larval food-plants and habitat requirements, has of course yielded a tremendous amount of valuable information. However, the focus on such an artificial group as the butterflies means chat available data is limited and capable of much development. To look at the entire Lepidoptera of a particular site will allow far more information to be amassed for the chosen area. Like butterflies, moths have specific requirements in terms of habitat, food, climate, etc. Many of chem are so specific chat they can be used as indicators of habitat quality and so are of great benefit to conservation. And, of course, there are a lot more of them - around 2,500 in Britain, of which about 800 are macros and the others micros. Finding some of our moths can be as easy as spotting butterflies; in fact I'll bet

you have all seen them and perhaps even wished you knew their names. Regular day fliers in our region include Six-spot Burnet, The Vapourer, Mother Shipton, Emperor, Silver Y, Oak Eggar and Fox Moth as well as a multitude of macros and micros which are easily disturbed from the undergrowth as we walk in the countryside. Identification tends to be less easy however, and in many cases a net maybe required to enable a closer look at the insect before releasing it again. In the case of some of the micros, identification might be impossible without the help of a microscope! If you would like to know more about moths to help you 'do both butterfliesand moths' and to assist with their recording, why not come along to our moth nights and don't worry, you don't have to stay up all night! In addition, our day-time events now include a little 'mothing'as we contine in our endeavour to get a better picture of the Lepidoptera of Suffolk. Remember,the difference between butterflies and moths really only exists in our minds!

Six-spot burnet (Zygaenafilipendulae)

The Suffolk Argus

December 1997

Butterflies or Moths: Why not do both? by Steve Goddard

Oak eggar(Lasiqcampaquercus) \.

This contribution is adapted from a feature written by Rob Souter of Hertfordshire and Middlesex Branch for their Newsletter of August, 1995. Rob would also like me to acknowledge the original work and idea by Colin Plant, London area recorder for lepidoptera and self-employed entomological consultant. Thankyou gentlemen. How many of us take it for granted that we know what a butterfly is, without really stopping to think?Just what do we think makes such an insect a butterfly rather than a moth? Here are some common questions - with answers! Butterflies are brightly coloured are n't they? Well, so are a great many moths! Butterflies fly by day don't they? So do a great many moths! But are the day-flying moths also brightly coloured like the butterflies? Yes many are! Ah, but don't butterflies have clubbed antennae? Yes - and so do some moths, especially brightly coloured day-flying ones! So, what does make an insect a butterfly or a moth? Really there is no difference, it is just a matter of convenience. Both butterflies and moths belong to the insect group called Lepidoptera - a word derived from Greek roots and meaning "scale- wings". Scientists arrange the list of Lepidoptera so that the most primitive (in evolutionary terms) come first and the most advanced come last. Butterflies (at least in Great Britain) are the group of Lepidopterous families falling between the moth families

Moth Night at Aldeburgh Saturday, 12th July by TonyPrichard Five people turned up for this moth night. The weather was more promising than the previous weekend at Hollesley Meadows with the temperature being a lot warmer. Two traps were set up. One with a lamp suspended over a sheet was placed south of a derelict building on the southern side of the Alderburgh-Thorpeness road. The other, a Skinner trap, was placed on the west side of the building. There was a noticeable off-shore breeze blowing when the traps were erected but the locations chosen seemed to offer the best protection from the wind. The lights were turned on at 9:50pm and it was not long before the first moth turned-up; a male Ghost moth. It then proceeded to become rather busy for Graham Bull and myself as species arrived in rapid succession leaving little time for identification! One of the earliest arrivals was a Marbled Clover. This is an RDB3 species which is included in the Branch conservation action list, so this was an interesting record although this particular specimen was probably a migrant. Shortly after tt had arrived, Paul Gilson pointed out what he thought was a newly arrived moth under one of the egg trays. Excitingly, it was a Goat moth, a first sighting for everyone present. Goat moth larvae feed within tree trunks (usually water-stressed Willows), for about 3-4 years before emerging as an adult. It is so named because apparently, it has a smell of goats. However, I did not notice any unusual smell coming from it! In recent years, this species has declined dramatically although I am unaware of any explanation

for this decline. It is currently listed as nationally notable (Nb) but this grading may need to be increased in the near future. The lights were left running until twenty-past-one by which time activities had receded. It had indeed been a busy night with a total of 60 species recorded. The Goat moth was for me the highlight of the evening bur the large number of Swallow-tailed and Drinker moths were also a marvellous sight. We were lucky to see a few nationally notable species: Goat moth(Nb), Synaphe punctalis (Nb) - a pyralid moth, Sand Dart (Nb) and Creambordered Green Pea (Nb). The full list of species for the night was: Ghost Moth, Leopard Moth, Goat Moth, Agapeta hamana, Epiblema foenella, Chrysoteuchia culmella, Crambus perlella, Schoenobius gigantella, Brown China-mark, Small Magpie, Synaphe punctalis, Endotricha flammealis, Thistle Ermine, Drinker, Peach Blossom, Buff Arches, Dwarf Cream Wave, Barred Yellow, Clouded Border, Peacock Moth, Brimstone Moth, Swallow-tailed Moth, Willow Beauty, Common White Wave, Poplar Hawkmoth, Iron Prominent, Pale Prominent, Brown-tail, Yellow-tail, Dingy Footman, Scarce Footman, Common Footman, Buff Ermine, Archer's Dart, Heart and Dart, Sand Dart, The Flame, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, True Lover's Knot, Double Square-spot, Square-spot Rustic, Dot Moth, Bright-line Brown-eye, Antler Moth, Brown-line Bright-eye, The Clay, Smoky Wainscot, Common Wainscot, Poplar Grey, Dark Arches, Light Arches, Rosy Minor, Mottled Rustic, Marbled Clover, Cream-bordered Green Pea, Burnished Brass and Blackneck.

The Suffolk Argus

December

Martlesham Heath for Annual Silver-studded Blue Count by RichardStewart

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\',\~ •. Phil Smith's

Conservation group was joined by members of our Branch on what was an ideal morning for the count. A record total of 1856 was counted together with 50+ Meadow Brown, 20+ Small Copper, 100+ Small Skipper as well as Large Skipper, three species of White, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet and Small Heath. It was particularly interesting to note how often good concentrations of Silverstudded Blues matched areas recently burned or which were directly managed to benefit the species.

Dog dirthas its day

Holton Hall, N r Halesworth Saturday, July 26th by RichardStewart Jill Perkins guided our group around the site she manages for wildlife. The uncut meadows were particularly rich in flowers and attendant insects and the Brown Argus, only discovered here recently, was recorded in good numbers. Members were able to appreciate a variety of habitats including waterside margins and woodland with sunlit glades however, the presence of the Purple Hairstreak was not established but it was perhaps rather early in the day. Dyer's Greenweed, the plant speciality here, was in flowering abundance. Other wildlife noted included Green Woodpeckers, a family of Goldcrests as well as dragonflies of which the following species were recorded: Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common Darter, Black-tailed Skimmer and both male and female Common Blue damselflies. The graceful flight of the Large Whites, possibly migrants, was particularly impressive. Other butterflies recorded were: Ringlet, Holly Blue, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper, the three Whites, Small Copper, Common Blue, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and one Wall Brown. Our thanks go to Jill and the Trustees of the Park for allowing our visit. In the afternoon, four members carried on to tetrads between Sc. Michael and Sc. Peter's churches in the 'Saints'area as part of our 'EmptyTetrads' adventure. Despite poor weather, we recorded Essex Skipper, the three Whites, Large Skipper, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet. St. Peter's churchyard was reminiscent of ancient meadowland, rich in long grasses and wild summer flowers. A wonderful sight.

byJean Garrod

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1997

As the butterfly turned, its upper-wings showed a brilliant iridescent purple and then as they were gently closed we were able to see the equally impressive under-wings. What a marvellous show this majestic creature was putting on providing more than adequate compensation for the nonappearance of the Black Hairstreak. The latter's display seemingly over for another year. We left this spectacular insect looking rather incongruous atop this revolting heap. However, had this not been there, the butterfly would not have stayed to enthral its admirers and attract the photographers!

Ed note: As many ofyou may know, this is generallyconsideredto be a necessary function of the male PurpleEmperorto replenishlost saltsfallowing mating. On twoprevious Branchoutingswe have witnessedthis 'mineral licking;first on a woodlandpath at Great Bookham Common, Surreyand second,on a bananaskin convenientlyplacedfar thispurpose on the branchof a treein the carpark at Bentleywoodson the Wiltshire/Hampshire border.Now one of our membershas experiencedthisactivity on dogdirt. Whatever next!

There was tremendous excitement and activity in the Forest Enterprise car park at Bernwood Forest on the morning of Sunday,July 6th, 1997. Word had quickly got round that a splendid male Purple Emperor had been spotted on the track. When Ken and I arrived it had taken wing but as we walked towards the crowd a large butterfly flew towards us and alighted on a ground-hugging bramble. It was the Purple Emperor. Immediately it was encircled by a mass of admirers, many of whom had never before seen this species. We noticed that it was quite near to a disgusting pile of dog <.} excrement! ~,,,~~.q,~ One onlooker remarked that the :=--:.?=_.;,. butterfly, on smelling the dung, would almost certainly move towards it to feed. To everybody's delight it did just this, probing away with its lime-green proboscis which shone in the brilliant sunshine as did its wings.

Purpleemperor (Apaturairis)

The Suffolk Argus

December

Martlesham Heath for Annual Silver-studded Blue Count by RichardStewart

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\',\~ •. Phil Smith's

Dog dirthas its day

byJean Garrod

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1997

Purpleemperor (Apaturairis)

The Suffolk Argus

December 1997

Butterflies or Moths: Why not do both? by Steve Goddard

Oak eggar(Lasiqcampaquercus) \.

The Suffolk Argus

December 1997

....... rivet hawk-moth , • • (Sphinxligustri) t

.·..•·

Six-spot burnet (Zygaenafilipendulae)

The

SuffolkArgus

Whydo Moths fly in winter? by Steve Goddard

Thefemale Winter moth

December

1997

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The Suffolk Argus

1997 Field Trips

December 1997

Moth Night at The Kings' Forest Saturday 14th June by TonyPrir;hard

Winter moth (Operophterabrumata)

Observations on the Peacock

Butterfly by Steve Goddard This year,I had two of my most interesting encounters with this species. The following brief notes explain:

do butterflies live?"

The Suffolk Argus

Butterfly Gardening by RichardStewart

December 1997

More information willfallow in the next newsletter

The

SuffolkArgus

List of Suggested Butterfly • attracting

December 1997

Supermarket • • v1s1tors by Steve Goddard

. . .. .. . ...

~ Greenhairstreak (Callophrysrubi)

The Suffolk Argus

December

Notes from the Editor

1997

National Red Data Book Codes by Steve Goddard

1997 Records By now, all recorders should have sent in their year's observations to the Museum. Richard Stewart conveys his grateful thanks to all involved for their continuing support and effort.

The Suffolk Argus

December 1997

Contents 1998 - The Year of Gardens & Butterflies .................. Cover Notes from the Editor ..........................................................

RDB Codes ..........................................................................

Plants List .............................................................................

A 'Weekend in the West' - a thankyou ............................... 4 Wanted 'Plastic' Pots ...........................................................

Suffolk Show Review ............................................................

1997 Field Trips ............................................................

6-10

Dog dirt has its day ........................................................... Butterflies or moths? ....................................................

12-13

Why do moths fly in Winter? ...................................... 14-1 5 Observations on the Peacock Butterfly .............................. I 5

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Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman

TH£

SUFFOLK ARGUS December 1997

Programme Secretary

Alan Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701)

Volunteers Needed

County Recorder (Butterflies) RichardStewart, 'Valezina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2X'W (01473 216518)

If you feel you could run a small sales operation or just help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact Steve Goddardon 01473 252598.

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1998 The Year of Gardens & Butterflies

County Recorder (Moths)

Arthur Watchman, Onchan, Back Lane, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk IP? ?BA Secretary

Tony Prichard,3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9JR (01473 270047)

Treasurer

Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, I The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP? 5LP (01473 310371) Publicity Officer Steven Goss,Yaxley Manor House, Yaxley, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8DG (01379 783386)

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

President

Howard Mendel, clo Ipswich Museum, High St., Ipswich, Suffolk IP! 3QH (01473 213761)

Volume12

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BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION