Suffolk Argus 17, June 1999

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman

JamesMann, The Old School, The Street, Darsham, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3QA (01728 668532) Membership Secretary

Pa11lGilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk IP! 4LN (01473 253276) Newsletter Editors {temporary)

Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk IP! 4LN (01473 253276)

RichardStewart, 'Valezina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP! 2XW (01473 216518) Programme Secretary

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

Volunteers Needed

County Recorder {Butterflies)

If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact James Mann on

JamesMann, The Old School, The Scree!,

RichardStewart, 'Valezina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2XW (01473 216518) Conservation Officer {Butterflies)

01728 668532.

Darsham, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP!? 3QA (01728 668532) Conservation Officer {Moths)

Tony Prichard,3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR {01473 270047) County Recorders {Moths)

Jon Nicholls, 18 Berners Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP!! 7LF (01394 271500) Tony Prichard{addressas below) Secretary

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

GrahamBull, Willow Cottage, I The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP? 5LP (01473 310371)

Publishedby the Suffolk Branchof ButterflyConservation(The British ButterflyConservationSociety Ltd.) Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Chariiy No. 254937 Head Office, P.O. Box 222. Dedh,m, EssexC07 GEY. Tel. (01206) 322342

Publicity Officer {Vacant)

lune 1999

President

Howard Mendel, c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW? 5BD (017 I 938 8782)

Editedby Paul Gi/Jon d- Rid1arrlStrwart Logo (Silver-studdedBlue) Doux Hammmlr] Designedand producedby SrephrnIon {) 1999 all rightsreserved

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation Volume 17

The Suffolk Argus

June 1999

Contents Notes from the Editor ..........................................................

3

Newsletter Details

5

1998 Field Trip to Sussex (Day 2) .................................. 6-7 Suffolk Moth Group event list/ Committee member appeal .................................................

8

Large and later still ...............................................................

9

A Duke or a Duchess .........................................................

10

Early and late butterfly records ................................... 11-14 The Emperor's Diet ..................................................... 14-16 The Wall Brown in Suffolk ................................................

17

To Advertise in

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.

Please contact:

Paul Gilson

Mapping European butterflies (by lncernet) .................... 18

(01473 253276)

Butterfly HOTELS

Suffolk Branch Contacts ........................................ Back Cover

'l"fl,

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~

Butte'fj1;) "~o 1/ ~~*\t' j ·~ HOT

E LS

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

Butterfl~ Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit. Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds

01284 760884

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ButterflyLine 0891 884505

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•• Regular Updates & Latest News All profits are used for the conservation of butterflies and their habitats.

Calls charged at sop per minute at all times

2

Christmas Eve April Fools Day August Bank Holiday

Th8uffolk Argus

Back Issues of the Suffolk Argus ......................................... 18 New letter Details & General Information ....................... 19

Contributions for our newsletter should reach the Editor (address on back page) no later than: February June October

1999 Annual General Meeting/Accounts ............................ 4 My first butterfly of 1999 ...................................................

Copy Dates

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

s

Butterfly Hotel, Al4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury Sr. Edmunds

01284 760884 19

June 1999

The Suffolk Argus

Back issues of the

Suffolk Argus For our newer members we have available back issues of the Suffolk Argus from

volumn I to 14.

If any members would like to make up the complete set they are available at a cost of 25p each plus postage.

The following new second class postage rates apply:Up to 2 copies - 19p Up to 4 copies - 30p Up to 6 copies - 40p Up to 7 copies - 51p Up to 9 copies - 60p Up to 11 copies - 70p Please make your cheques payable to Butterfly Conservation and send your

orders to:Paul Gilson 18 Cheltenham Avenue Ipswich Suffolk IP! 4LN Please do not send any cash through the post!

18

Mapping European Butterflies (by Internet)

Editorial

by Rob Parker Readers with an interest in the distribution of European butterflies may already be aware of the Mapping European Butterflies project being led by Dr Otakar Kudrna.

Some British entomologists already contribute, but the need is for records, as these are sent centrally from the Biological records Centre at Monks Wood. Anyone wanting to know more can read the latest newsletter etc on the Internet. Here is a snippet: MEB is a project of the Naturschutzbund Deutschland e. V. (NABU) and Gesellschaft fur Schmetterlinschutz e. V. (GfS). 427 recorders from almost all European countries have already joined Mapping European Butterflies, a project launched in May 1996. Many thanks are due to over 100 recorders who have already sent in their recording sheets containing valuable distribution data! The closing date for returning all your completed MEB recording sheets will be 31 st March 1999 but special arrangements can be agreed for a later return of recording sheets under certain circumstances. Please send your data as soon as possible after the close of the 1998 season to help avoid delays in data input.

Internet

& MEB

The www site of Mapping European Butterflies can be found under: http://home.t-online.de/home/Kudrna. meb/ index.hem.

One of our MEB recorders, Mr Mario Meier {Webmaster@EuropeanButterflies.com) has kindly designed our www site and will keep it up to date adding news at least twice a year. The MEB Newsletter will be published regularly on the Internet. You may like to visit Mario Meier's internet homepage, too: http://EuropeanButterflies.com.

Internet browsers will probably already be familiar with the site for the Amateur Entomologists' Society: http://www.theaes.org.

by Richard Stewart The season certainly started with a bang! read the article by our Chairman, James Mann to find out what five of us were fortunate to see back in March.

On the subject of early butterflies, this short poem: 'On the aubretia Again, two tortoiseshells And all Summer to come'. is hopefully a taste of things to come and also introduces Suffolk BC member Jill Bence-Jones' latest poetry volume, 'Ostrich Creek'. This also features on the front cover a photo of the late Tom Baker, decoy Keeper at Nacton, where the areas surrounding the Decoy were kept as natural as possible and attracted many butterflies.

Jill's book is available from local shops, including Waterstone's of Ipswich. Jill also featured in the rescue of a butterfly off the coast of Kenya, after it had landed on the water. It was released safely back on shore, being described as white with an iridescent sheen of purple on the wing tips. In the tradition of all dedicated lepidopterists Jill cau·ght her leg on something near the pier and ended up with four stitches. What we do for butterflies!

In this edition there is also a comprehensive early/late list of species, not just during the Millennium Survey but from all records at any time in Suffolk. This has already been published in the SNS 'White Admiral' and amended so this will be the last opportunity to alter it. After chat it will stand as the official list and hopefully appear in the 'New Butterflies of Suffolk' book.

On a more pessimistic note, the area many have come to know affectionately as 'The Secret Garden' at Bixley Open Space is no more-literally flattened and cleared for a new development of houses. Luckily a BC member living nearby contacted me and I ended up having to stand in front of a large excavator which was in the process of damaging the roots of a length of elm hedge known to have a colony of White-letter Hairstreak. The ensuing conversation between his boss and myself is best left as 'directand animated'but there has subsequently been a site meeting of all parties involved and there will be a survey of the butterfly in this area during this year's flight period, to assess the situation. Before you read this there will also have been a site inspection of the hedge to determine which trees are healthy and to be protected, hopefully.

To end on a brighter note-read the Wall Brown appeal and help if you can.

Articles for the Suffolk Argus If any members have articles for future editions of the Suffolk Argus could they please send them to Paul Gilson at 18, Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich IP1 4LN. Myself and Richard Stewart will be overseeing the production of the newsletter until a new Editor is found.

3

June 1999

The Suffolk Argus

1999AGM The 1999 AGM at the Butterfly Hotel, Bury St. Edmunds, started with a full account of recent activities by Chairman James Mann. Each Branch officer then gave a separate report and these included the presentation and acceptance of the annual financial statement.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Mike Hall who gave us a wonderful slide show presentation and talk on garden insects. He talked at length about their life cycles and how they interacted with each other in the garden environment. He

Balance Sheet as at 31/03/99

stressed the need for a balance in the garden between what we would call 'fiends' or 'foes' and how this can be easily upset by the use of insecticides, pesticides, sprays etc. The meeting concluded with refreshments and a chance not just to talk but also take copies of several new posters and leaflets available.

Once again we are extremely grateful to our hosts, the Butterfly Hotel, for providing the room, and there was an increase in attendance this year, nineteen in fact, six being committee members. Please don't be put off by the word AGM, which invariably acts as a 'turn off to many who might possible come? Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions to improve future attendance.

Income & Expenses Report

01/04/98 to 31/03/99 Assets

Total

Bank and Cash Accounts 918.30 Girobank 10.35 Petty Cash Total Bank & Cash Accounts 928.65 Other Assets Accounts Receivable Plant and Equipment Stock for Resale Total Other Assets Total Assets

1,413.14

Liabilities

Total

Other Liabilities Accounts Payable Total Other Liabilities

60.60 60.60

Total Liabilities

60.60

Net Worth

4

0.00 364.99 119.50 484.49

1.352.54

Category Income General Donations Grants Membership Subs Sales Revenue, Zero VAT Income - Unassigned Total Income

Total 149.85 164.50 779.00 13.89 0.00

1,107.24

Expenses Conference Exps Exhibition Costs Members Night Newsletters Office Expenses, Zero VAT Photocopy Purchases,Std Rate Repairs & Renewals Room Hire std VAT Subscriptions Sundry Expense - Unassigned

50.00 50.00 47.50 489.15 22.75 2.05 77.87 31.39 69.00 12.50 58.75 6.00

Total Expenses

916.96

Income less Expenses

190.28

The Wall

not definitely known. At present the Wall Brown is recorded in 305 tetrads during the survey-for main recorders there has been one extra late record, TM3484 since the booklet was published. The flight period is from May to October, with a few gaps and I am asking all members to try the coastal strip areas in the hope that between us we can raise the total to a 'plus', which needs another 38 records in the new tetrads.

These are the current coastal gaps; note chat I have included areas slightly inland as well.

If all produced new sightings, and were added to just a sprinkling of extra inland records, the target would be acheived: 1834 Lower Holbrook; 1843, 1836 Harkstead; 1838 Woolverstone; 2034, 2036 Erwarton; 2038 Chelmondiston; 2040 Nacton; 2238 Nacton; 2438 Levington; 2638, 2838 Trimley St.Martin; 3442 Alderton; 3648 Boyton; 3852 Chillesford; 4060, 4062 Friston; 4064, 4066 near Kelsale; 4068 Middleton; 4264, 4266 Theberton; 4070, 4072 Darsham; 4272, 4472 Bramfield-Dunwich; 4676 Blythburgh; 4876, 4878 Reydon; 5290 Lowestoft; rest vices county Suffolk. i.e. 5098, 5002, 5202, 5204, 5206, 5008.

Brown in

Suffolk

by Richard Stewart (County Butterfly Recorder)

As indicated in the report for 1998, there are now just five species below the number of tetrads recorded in the previous mideighties survey.

The Wall Brown is one of these and is something of an enigma since, to my knowledge, there has never been a detailed survey of this species and its requirements.

The only one I know is a site article about its breeding at Minsmere. As you may have noted, it features in the current BC National magazine with the comment, on page 7 chat 'Over the last few years some branch conservation officers and recorders have been expressing concern for the Wall Brown's fast decline'. The WALL Laslommalame11Bnl Suffolk Branch has been at ReCOfded_ln 305 teltads the forefront of this concern ......... ~u_nd_•~r-r_eco<de~"'"d"'", ~ca=us~•°""'°'~co~n~ce_rn_.

--·+ 0 and I raised it at the last Branches meeting in London, in the presence of most of the Conservation Office staff. a Others supported me. So what can we do in Suffolk?

If you look at the distribution map, and the one in the 'Butterflies of Suffolk' (Mendel and Piotrowski) there is a definite preference for coastal sites or along esturies. Why this occurs is 3 6 8

17

June 1999

The Suffolk Argus

Large Blue (Maculinea teleius), a species new to me. Taking another look at the locality I found it moist underfoot, and I did flush a second specimen out.

La Laye turned out to be at the foot of a delightful isolated valley, and quite the perfect place for walking and entomologising alike. Our next morning's drive took us through deciduous woodland with lovel'f vi~wsand we looped back down into the ~l~'f wiere I was confronted by a Purple Empecorsining in the road. I jammed on the brakes and stopped a couple of metres from it, leapt out, grabbed the net and dashed forward again to find that it was a fine male sitting totally absorbed on a dog's dropping! This time it was Apatura iris (as distinct from ilis) and it had probably come down to the adjacent malodorous garbage heap before detecting this particular delicacy. Once again, both Sa/ix and P. tremula were in evidence.

The Vosages are more extensive than I had imagined, and they stand up above Alsace offering near Alpine scenery topped with coniferous plantations or extensive deciduous forest.

On returning to our car, by now in the full sun, we found a male A. iris had been attracted to it, and we got some excellent close-up views before it flew off. By now my Herve had been expended so I put out mouldy plums and some fresh Camembert as bait. Intrigued at the sight of a lunatic spreading good Camembert on the countryside, a passing Frenchman paused to make enquiries. His incredulity gave way to a Gallic shrug as he discovered that I was an English butterfly collector - clearly this explained any form of irrational behaviour!

Presently I spotted a couple of Purple Emperors circling a beech above an aspen and near a willow. I netted one as they swooped low over the road, and offered the bait but could not get it to feed. It was

16

definitely A iris (a male), not A. ilia, and I took pleasure watching the power of its upward flight as I released it.

Returning the following day (26th July 1989) we were rewarded by more close encounters. In a glade further up the valley I was astounded by the sheer size of one dark form high up the side of the valley, and excited when it came down from high up the side of the valley, and excited when it came down to ground level at an accessible spot. I stalked it with great care and found it feeding at the base of a conifer, where a stream of sap was oozing from a damaged root. So absorbed was this very large female, that I was able to squat for some minutes just a couple of feet away from it. We saw two more on the path back down to the car.

Indeed they seemed friendly and more or less accompanied us back to the car. One settled on the bonnet and then obligingly transferred itself to my wife's finger before my very eyes. At that moment I was converted. I realised that all the unlikely tales that I had read about other people's encounters with A. iris, were afi:er all, true!

This account originally appeared in the bulletin of'The Amateur Entomologists' Society' Vol 49 December 1990.

My first Butterfly of 1999 byJames Mann On the morning of Tuesday 16th March 1999 I was out in my garden getting things ready for the Spring. I had just put a match to my bonfire to get rid of a huge pile of rubbish when Anne, my wife, shouted that someone was on the phone wanting to talk about butterflies.

I picked up the phone and a voice asked me if it was possible to see a Large Tortoisehell in Suffolk at this time of the year. I replied that it was possible but unlikely as it was some years since one had been sighted in Suffolk. I was told 'we think we have one' and was given directions to their house in the vicinity of Snape. I dropped everything, grabbed my camera and mobile phone and was there in less than twenty minutes. . I arrived just before I lam and was met by a smiling Paddy and J ulyan Heazell waiting for me in their driveway. As I feared I was told that 'It was here but it was gone'. They showed me where it had been seen and we stood looking at the blossoms and then suddenly it was there just above our heads happily

nectaring and taking no notice of us. It was very co-operative and moved down to eye level and I was able to take several close up photographs. When it cooled a bit it flew up and perched on the warm tiles on the next door roof. I phoned Richard Stewart, Suffolk Butterfly Recorder and Rob Macklin R.S.P.B warden at North Warren to get them to verify the sighting. The butterfly, that I was now certain was a Large Tortoiseshell, decided to nectar on blossom some 20 feet above our heads and was still there when I left for home at 12-30.

Richard and Rob both saw it around I o'clock and were able to verify the species but they did not have my luck in getting at a level to photograph. The Heazell's last saw it flying off in the late afternoon when it got fed up with being chased by a Blue Tit. Not bad for my first butterfly of the year.

Large Tortoiseshell byJames Mann

5

The Suffolk Argus

1998

Field Trips Field Trip to Sussex (day 2) 20 th August 1998

by PaulJohnson AM: Copsale, disused railway line near Horsham PM: Field, meadows and pasture near Crawley Target species: Brown hairstreak 1000 hrs, and there was a perceptible undercurrent of excitement, a real air of anticipation as we assembled just outside Copsale village.

In common with other brown hairstreak colonies, the population of butterflies at Copsale is dispersed across a considerable area.

A disused railwayline bisects the tracts of habitat, thereby forming a convenient axis along which to look, allowing any search to retain some sense of focus. We initially headed south-east along the old trackbed, an overcast sky and fresh wind appearing to be the only limiting factors. No more than ten yards covered and a butterfly active around blackthorn brought the group to an abrupt halt. Binoculars were quickly trained upon the insect, colours difficult to distinguish against the backdrop of scrub. It eventually darted over the hedgerow before identity could be established.

We moved on. All potential nectaring points were thoroughly examined, any butterfly resembling a hairstreak pursued until it was either lost from view or could be discounted following identification.

6

June 1999

Gatekeepers settled on distant flowers and vapourer moths erratically following the hedge line bore more than a superficial likeness to brown hairstreak. Indeed, these two interlopers would ultimately account for the majority of falsely raised expectations.

Rate of progress along the track fluctuated. We passed swiftly through areas where hawthorn dominated, lingered where blackthorn grew in profusion. At one such point a butterfly emerged from the foliage, undertook a short jinking flight before returning to the canopy. Our attention was immediately focused, binocular users able to pick out a few details, determine colours.

Following a few minutes of intense scrutiny, purple hairstreak was the consensus of opinion, with a snail identified a few inches further down the branch. This information was also conveyed to a local dog walker who had been watching our antics bemused, if not completely astonished. The news of the hairstreak and, in particular, the arboreal snail invoked fits of laughter, his jovial reaction helping to mitigate our own disappointment.

Gatekeeper

by DouglasHammersley

and its fireworks, we had to wait another day for Apatura.

The unambiguous advice of my Belgian colleague, had been to set Herve as bait, so I took out the over-ripe and preposterously strong-smelling Belgian cheese, and spread it at shoulder height on the piers supporting the bridge. In the bright morning sun it dried out and lost its smell surprisingly quickly, though my return trips found three species feeding on it: the Comma (Polygoniac-album), Red admiral (Vanessaatalanta)and the Map (Araschnia kvana), an attractive little butterfly which is common on the Continent.

As the day warmed up, more species came out, and just afrer noon I was rewarded with a glimpse of a Purple Emperor. It circled my bait and settled nearby, but just out of reach on top of an ash leaf well above my head. I got into position to see and was surprised that it was not as large as I had expected. When it opened its wings I realised that I was looking at the orange form of the Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura iliaform clytie).

They behaved regally, outflying the large fritillaries with a Joie de vivre that made them a delight to observe. Often one would circle the clearing and as it swooped low over the tops of the aspen another would dart out and chase it, then a third would join the pursuit, and just once a fourth.

They se~med to enjoy the calm of the late afternoon, and by watching closely, I learned to spot one of them dropping out of the game for a rest. The crown of one tree seemed particularly favoured and I was able to change my high vantage point for an underside view. Lying on my back and looking up I watched them carefully but saw no egg-laying - they simply rested, wings closed until incited to join a passing chase.

Neither did they investigate my smelly cheese again.

Purple Emperors

by Bery/Johnson

-

-----._.___

'

I

I :

We moved on, through Strasbourg and into Alsace, with its Route des Vins linking delightful villages. We selected our destinations from the Guide desAubergesde Francewith a pin and were heading for La Laye, just approaching Ville, as we pulled off the road in search of a shady picnic spot.

As we ate I noticed a number of Purple Hairstreaks ( Quercusiaquercus)flitting along the path towards some young Oaks, so I wandered off to check. I used a sharp tap on the trees to dislodge their silvery forms, and then I saw one that wasn't at all right - it was too big, too dark, too slow-flying, and anyway it was in the shoulder-high dried grass beyond the tree, not amongst the branches. It came effortlessly into my net, and what a pleasure it was to find a Large blue. On closer inspection though, and on checking in Higgins' The Butterfliesof Britain and Europe- my preference for use in the field - I realised it was the Scarce

15

The Suffolk Argus

Small Heath:

0 •

28.4.90 - No Recorder Cavenham - no G.Ref. 26.9.92- Rob Macklin North Warren - no G.Ref.

Camberwell Beauty:

0 •

15.3.97 - Steve Babbs Groton Wood - TL 978432 14.10.96-S. &R. Biddle Searson's Farm Trimley- TM 278358

Queen of Spain Fritillary:

0 •

6.8.95 - Dave Fairhurst Minsmere - TM 462673 28.10.97 - Rob Macklin Thorpeness - TM 4760

Obviously I would appreciate more details for some of these and any alterations in recorders or the fact that others were present. Some of the more 'ancient' records will not, of course, have a Grid reference. I have made this a first draft and welcome, in writing only, any later or earlier records.

Can I stress, however, that these must be submitted records i.e. sent to the County recorder, or published in a Society article. I am not prepared to consider records that were not forwarded previously. Could I have any comments on the above by the end of July and then I can hopefully publish a definite list. Please note that two early records (Green Hairstreak 27.3.97 and Brown Argus 13.4.97) published in British Wildlife June 97 pp. 323,324, and subsequently in the ITE Recorders Booklet for season 97, have not been accepted.

14

June 1999

The Em.peror's

Diet

by RobParker Douglas Hamme~sley' s article on the dietary supplements of the Purple Emperor (Suffolk Argus, July 1998) reminded me of some of my own experiences a decade ago.

If you want to know more about what attracts Emperors, read on ...

Like you, I have often read other people's accounts of close encounters with Purple Emperors, and registered either scepticism or envy. Very well, I decided, after all these years it is time to see more of them than the two fleeting glimpses I've had so far.

We started on 13th July 1989, at a very specific site in a well-recommended wood in the French DepartementofMeuse, but some miles from the river. In the late afternoon sun it was clear that this was a wonderful locality as butterflies swarmed round to greet us. I chose a vantage point atop an old bridge in a clearing surrounded by great oaks and mature poplars, but including, I was careful to note, some lower growing willows (Sa/ix spp.) and plenty of aspen (populus tremula). That evening I got a couple of tantalising glimpses of large strong fliers, followed eventually by a pair in majestic chasing flight. As they wheeled around the clearing they came close enough for me to be sure, and my spirits lifted.

Le quatorze juillet dawned overcast, and although the 200th Anniversary ofla Revolution was memorable for its pageantry

We left the main track to be engulfed by blackthorn, ash and field maple encroaching onto a narrow path. The drop in wind speed and increase in temperature was tangible. We picked our way along the path, conscious that the combination of favourable microclimate and dense scrub would probably represent the finest opportunity of the day. Our investigations proving fruitless, we adjourned, settling on the edge of a field in the lee of a mature blackthorn hedge. Luncheon was a somewhat restless affair; lured and distracted by the potential rewards to be found amongst the blackthorn, one by one we would interrupt our refreshment to pace the length of the hedge or explore the surrounding paths.

Back at the cars and with the weather showing little sign of improvement, it was decided to abandon Copsale in favour of a truncated exploration of Ifield. Given its proximity to both Gatwick and Crawley, !field is quite remarkable; a network of damp grassy meadows and small fields set aside as grazing pasture, each bordered by mature hedgerow left to evolve largely unhindered.

The search took the same format as before, our attention alternating between scrutiny of the luxuriant blackthorn growths and investigation of any butterfly movement. Given the benefit of the morning's experience, the likes of speckled wood and gatekeeper could be discounted quite quickly.

Hugging the hedge line, we progressed towards an area believed to represent the focal point of the brown hairstreak colony. A few minutes of further navigation and we were alongside a particularly fine hedgerow, numerous stems of regenerating blackthorn, which egg laying hairstreaks greatly covet, poking up around our feet. A hundred yards ahead, a stand of

mature ash. The group dispersed, some choosing to conduct an almost forensic like examination of the hedge, others, now seated on straw bails, surveying the sky for any sign of climatic improvement, the remainder opting to scan the tops of the ashes where male hairstreaks have been sighted on warmer days. A further twenty minutes or so elapsed, a speckled wood active amongst the trees provoking transient excitement.

A species emerging in low numbers and then dispersing across many hectares, a butterfly content to conceal itself amongst the highest branches during inclement weather will almost invariably prove challenging to observe. Trailing back towards the cars we reflected upon these difficulties. Although our initial enthusiasm had by now almost completely dissipated, the vibrancy and colours of the South Downs remained clear in the mind's eye. It is perhaps such recollections which help to sustain the enthusiast throughout the lean winter months.

Species list; small white, green-veined white, large white, purple hairstreak, holly blue, small copper, comma ,gatekeeper, speckled wood, meadow brown.

Speckled Wood

by Angie Steele

7

The Suffolk Argus

Appeal for Com.m.ittee Mero.hers

by Paul Gilson (Membership Secretary) As the branch membership continues to grow (now over 160) unfortunately the number of committee members continues to decrease.

This situation will be further diminished when our chairman, James Mann, leaves these shores for pastures new in the south of France later this year. This will leave just five people on the committee.

If the Branch is to continue with activities such as attending the Suffolk Show and Members evenings then we must have more members on the committee to help out. The Show for the last three years has relied upon the same members helping out over the two days.

At the moment we could do with a committee member who lives in the West of the County and it would be particularly nice to have a female presence on the committee.

If anybody out there is interested please contact myself or James Mann and we will be glad to outline the activities of the committee.

8

June 1999

Suffolk Moth Group Events 1999 Moth Nights (Held on Fridays) 2ndJuly 9th July 23rd July 30th July 6th Aug 13thAug 20th Aug 27th Aug 3rd Sep 10th Sep 17th Sep 24th Sep

Cutlers Wood Pound Farm Thorpeness Golf Course Hawstead, nr Bury St. Edmunds Thelnetham Fen Northfield Wood South Elmham Christchurch Park Ipswich Knettishall Heath Sizewell Belts Reydon Wood Redlingfield Wood

Afternoon meetings 3rd July (Sat) North Warren 11th Sep (Sat) Priestly Wood Some guidelines for people wishing to attend a moth night: It is useful to bring warm clothing as it may get cold or rain, suitable footwear for the countryside, a torch to find your way back in the dark, refreshments and something to sit on as you could be there for a while. The lights that are used to attract the moths are more powerful than the normal household lights so it is not a good idea to stare at the lights for long periods of time. Eye protection is useful either by way of ordinary plastic lens spectacles, sunglasses, other plastic eye protection or a wide-brimmed hat. Different species of moth fly at different times of the night, so the longer you stay after dusk the more the species you are likely to see.

If anyone is interested then they can contact me for further details: Tony Prichard, 3 Powling road, Ipswich, IP3 9JR, Tel. 01473 270047.

Common Blue: 24.4.92 - Pat Shott Near Hunston - TL 976682 • 6.11.94 - Steve Piotrowski Fagbury- TM 2734

0

Holly Blue: 18.3.90- Jennifer Hadley Saxmundham - no G. Ref. • I. 11.84 - No recorder Languard- no G. Ref.

0

White Admiral: 5.7.78 - Glenn Rae New Delight Walks - TM 450720 • 1.9.51-H.J Boreham Sicklemere Rd, Bury St Edmunds -no G. Ref.

0

Red Admiral: 7.1.98 - Neil Sherman Rushmere Road, Ipswich- TM191456 • 11.12.94 - R. Macklin & W. L. Huggins North Warren - TM 4657

0

Painted Lady:

0

20.2.90-Anthony Cook Puddlebrook, near Ladygate Wood -no G. Ref.

•

20.11.95 - Colin Hawes Woolverstone - TM 184385

Small Tortoiseshell: 9.\.98- Wi/fredGeorge Christchurch St. Ipswich - TM 168451

0 •

28.12.97-MrsJ. Frost Baylham-TM 1051

Peacock:

0 0 •

6.1.98 - Bea & Fred Elliston Alton Water - TM 139372 and 6.1.98 - John Warnes Mutford Big Wood - TM 485894 31.12.97 - Peter Hobbs Near Lavenham - TL 913498

Comma: 15.1.95 - Stan Dummican Great Whelnetham - TL 882602

0 •

9.11.98-RobMacklin Racewalk, Snape - TM 400584

Speckled Wood: 31.3.90 - W.E Lemmon Icklingham Belt - no G. Ref. • 3.11.95 - Janis & Alan Hubbard Fen Alder Carr, Creeting St Peter -TM 0856

0

Wall Brown: 0 24.4.90 - No Recorder Minsmere no G. Ref. - 2 seen •

29.10.95-Nick Mason Bawdsey- TM 338379

Grayling: 3.7.94 - Steve Goddard Tangham - TM 355485

0 •

21.9.98-Richard Stewart Tangham-TM 358479 Gatekeeper: 0 13.6.92- O.B. Parker Pakenham-Manor Garth - TL 924676 • 21.9.95 - Joan Moore Nayland - TL 967344

Meadow Brown: 27.5.95 - Janis and Alan Hubbard Frostenden - TM 4880 • 16.9.84 - Rex Beecroft and Derek Moore Languard - no Grid Ref.

0

Ringlet: 14.6.97 - Tony Prichard & James Mann West Stow - TL 7972 • 27.8.84 - No Recorder Brandon - no G.Ref.

0

13

June 1999

The Suffolk Argus

Dingy Skipper: 0 25.4.90 - W. E. Lemmon

•

John O'Groats Ride, North Stow -no G. Ref. 13.6.96 - John Dolman Chalk Lane - TL 825753

Orange Tip: Q 23.3.90 - Mike Crewe Sutton - no G.Ref. • 20.7.95 - Mrs Sindall Wissett - TM 367793 Green Hairstreak:

Swallowtail: 0 28.5.97 - MeroynBell Walberswick - TM 488745 • 28.8.91 - No recorder Minsmere - no G. Ref.

Q 12.4.95 - RobMacklin

Clouded Yellow: 0 27.4.97 - ColinHawes

Q 26.6.98 - Neil Sherman

•

Raydon Great Wood- TM 051401 21.11.32 - Mr Richardson Flatford - no G. Ref.

•

• •

Brimstone: Somersham - TM 087485 15.11.95 - Jeff Martin Lineage Wood - TL 8848 Large White: 0 18.3.95 - TerryHammond Leiston - TM 444628 • 1.11.59 - D. C. Gamtt Aldringham - no G. Ref.

0

Small White: 9.3.97-A. Garstang Sidegate Lane, Ipswich TM 183463 • 27.10.94- No recorder Languard- no G. Ref.

0

0

Green-veined White: 16.3.90 - No recorder Minsmere - no G. Ref. • 29.10.95 - Nick Mason Bawdsey Cliffs - TM 338379

0

12

North Warren - no G. Ref 20.7.96 - R. Havard Blackheath, Wenhaston - TM 425746

Purple Hairstreak:

Q 9.1.98-H.Parcell •

Large and Later Still

Ipswich Golf Course - TM 2043 5.9.96- Nick Gibbons Center Pare, Elvedon - TL 800800 5.9.96 - John Walshe Minsmere - TM 4666, 4766 (2 sightings)

White-letter Hairstreak: 0 8.7.96-Adrian Richards Haughley - TM 022617 • 22.8.97 - CharlottkAnderson Minsmere -TM 454669 Small Copper: 29.3.98 -Ann & Tony Burchnall Santon Downham - TL 8088 • 16.11.94-RichardStewart Tangham - TM 354474 Silver-studded Blue: 23.6.94 -Michael &Jenny Kelsey Dunwich Heath - TM 477677 • 17.8.78-ClijfWalkr Wesdeton Heath Brown Argus: 4.5.97 - Steve Godaard Suffolk Water Park- TM! 148/1248 (several) • 3.10.97 - Jean & Ken Garrod Suffolk Water Park - TM 1149

0

by Wilfrid George After my reporting ('Large and Late') in our July 1998 newsletter, the activities of Large White larvae into December 1997, my favorite pest has struck again.

Beating easily my previous 'record'of three larvae on 9th December 1997, I found ten of them on 16th December 1998 - this time at work on my purple sprouting broccoli. It was 9°C, and at least two of them were nibbling away. This time I decided to be merciful - the broccoli will sprout in April anyway - let's see how long the caterpillars can last.

On the 22nd they were still munching away at only 1.5°C. Then they had their hot Christmas dinner (warmed up to 11°C) at noon on 25th. All the nines - nineteen ninety nine - saw more munching at 9.00 a.m. at 9°C. There must have been over nine larvae, because on 9th January at least ten larvae were feeding at 5°C. Numbers did seem to reduce, though on 20th January I could still locate six of them .

I will not bore the reader with the almost daily data which continued half way through February until the last caterpillar (which was definitely moving) was seen on 17th, at 7°C at 9.00 a.m. Since then V nothing. It seemed to me that these larvae were about

full-grown throughout, but that in such low temperatures they could only digest enough food to maintain themselves, but not to develop further. Two of them did appear to try to pupate, but they finished dangling upside down (like tortoiseshells, rather than whites) humped and bloated, but they never formed pupae. It seemed surprising that, in the middle of Winter, no bird seemed to fancy these very obvious tit-bits. Their black and yellow warning colouration must have been very effective.

'Larvaeoccurfrom earlyMay to early December,veryoccasionally intoJanuary, with two, sometimesthree,generationsa year'.

From volume 7, part 1, of The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. -

Ed.

LargeWhite

by DouglasHammersley

9

The Suffolk Argus

June 1999

A Duke or

Early & late Butterfly Records

a Duchess

by Douglas Hammersley My first encounter with the Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis Lucina}was at Noar Hill, near Selborne in Hampshire, where a large population of this species may be found.

Watching their behaviour among the scrubby hummocks on the hillside, I soon realised that the majority of those that I was seeing were male Dukes because of the vigorous manner in which they were defending their individual territories. It was some time before I spotted what I guessed was a female. She had rather brighter orange patches on the upper surfaces of her wings than I had observed on the males. The difference was only slight.

Indeed, I came to the conclusion that there was a little in the wing patterns to differentiate between the sexes. Then I remembered to look at their legs!

The forelegs of the male are degenerate and lack the distal five tarsal segments. This makes them too short for use in walking, and the males have to stand on four legs. The females, however, have fully- developed forelegs and walk about on six legs.

My drawings illustrate this anatomical difference.

Duke of Burgundy

(MALE)

by DouglasHammersley

10

by RichardStewart I would like to include, in the new 'Butterflies of Suffolk' an 'all time'list of earliest and latest records for allSuffolk species.

Duke of Burgundy

(FEMALE)

by DouglasHammersley

The provisional list below tends to be based on recent records but I have trawled through all files passed on to me when I became the County recorder and have examined all past copies of the Transactions and White Admiral. A very few incredibly early records have not been included as being dubious, though I did take advice in each case. The preponderance of recent records is probably the consequence of climate changes, some recorders actually going out early or late in the year to hopefully find individual species (including myself), and the increasing number of recordersover 500 involved in the current Millennium Survey at the last count.

I have included all available data I could discover for each record and they are in the order listed on the Survey sheet:

Key:

0

Early

•

Late

Small Skipper: 14.6.97- Tony Prichard &James Mann West Stow - TL 7973 • 25.9.95 - Stella & Roger Wolfe Stoke By Nayland- TL 989362

0

Essex Skipper: 12.6.96-Andrew Toomey Battisford- TM 030550 • 5.9.96 - John Wal.she Minsmere - TM 476665

0

Large Skipper:

0 •

31.5.97 -Peter Hamling Near Offton TM 056495 27.8.84 - No name Lakenheath - no G. Ref described as 'possibk second brood' more information would be appreciated as this was just the emergence date.

Clouded Yellow

by BerylJohnson

11

The Suffolk Argus

June 1999

A Duke or

Early & late Butterfly Records

a Duchess

by Douglas Hammersley My first encounter with the Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis Lucina}was at Noar Hill, near Selborne in Hampshire, where a large population of this species may be found.

Watching their behaviour among the scrubby hummocks on the hillside, I soon realised that the majority of those that I was seeing were male Dukes because of the vigorous manner in which they were defending their individual territories. It was some time before I spotted what I guessed was a female. She had rather brighter orange patches on the upper surfaces of her wings than I had observed on the males. The difference was only slight.

Indeed, I came to the conclusion that there was a little in the wing patterns to differentiate between the sexes. Then I remembered to look at their legs!

The forelegs of the male are degenerate and lack the distal five tarsal segments. This makes them too short for use in walking, and the males have to stand on four legs. The females, however, have fully- developed forelegs and walk about on six legs.

My drawings illustrate this anatomical difference.

Duke of Burgundy

(MALE)

by DouglasHammersley

10

by RichardStewart I would like to include, in the new 'Butterflies of Suffolk' an 'all time'list of earliest and latest records for allSuffolk species.

Duke of Burgundy

(FEMALE)

by DouglasHammersley

The provisional list below tends to be based on recent records but I have trawled through all files passed on to me when I became the County recorder and have examined all past copies of the Transactions and White Admiral. A very few incredibly early records have not been included as being dubious, though I did take advice in each case. The preponderance of recent records is probably the consequence of climate changes, some recorders actually going out early or late in the year to hopefully find individual species (including myself), and the increasing number of recordersover 500 involved in the current Millennium Survey at the last count.

I have included all available data I could discover for each record and they are in the order listed on the Survey sheet:

Key:

0

Early

•

Late

Small Skipper: 14.6.97- Tony Prichard &James Mann West Stow - TL 7973 • 25.9.95 - Stella & Roger Wolfe Stoke By Nayland- TL 989362

0

Essex Skipper: 12.6.96-Andrew Toomey Battisford- TM 030550 • 5.9.96 - John Wal.she Minsmere - TM 476665

0

Large Skipper:

0 •

31.5.97 -Peter Hamling Near Offton TM 056495 27.8.84 - No name Lakenheath - no G. Ref described as 'possibk second brood' more information would be appreciated as this was just the emergence date.

Clouded Yellow

by BerylJohnson

11

June 1999

The Suffolk Argus

Dingy Skipper: 0 25.4.90 - W. E. Lemmon

•

John O'Groats Ride, North Stow -no G. Ref. 13.6.96 - John Dolman Chalk Lane - TL 825753

Orange Tip: Q 23.3.90 - Mike Crewe Sutton - no G.Ref. • 20.7.95 - Mrs Sindall Wissett - TM 367793 Green Hairstreak:

Swallowtail: 0 28.5.97 - MeroynBell Walberswick - TM 488745 • 28.8.91 - No recorder Minsmere - no G. Ref.

Q 12.4.95 - RobMacklin

Clouded Yellow: 0 27.4.97 - ColinHawes

Q 26.6.98 - Neil Sherman

•

Raydon Great Wood- TM 051401 21.11.32 - Mr Richardson Flatford - no G. Ref.

•

• •

Brimstone: Somersham - TM 087485 15.11.95 - Jeff Martin Lineage Wood - TL 8848 Large White: 0 18.3.95 - TerryHammond Leiston - TM 444628 • 1.11.59 - D. C. Gamtt Aldringham - no G. Ref.

0

Small White: 9.3.97-A. Garstang Sidegate Lane, Ipswich TM 183463 • 27.10.94- No recorder Languard- no G. Ref.

0

0

Green-veined White: 16.3.90 - No recorder Minsmere - no G. Ref. • 29.10.95 - Nick Mason Bawdsey Cliffs - TM 338379

0

12

North Warren - no G. Ref 20.7.96 - R. Havard Blackheath, Wenhaston - TM 425746

Purple Hairstreak:

Q 9.1.98-H.Parcell •

Large and Later Still

Ipswich Golf Course - TM 2043 5.9.96- Nick Gibbons Center Pare, Elvedon - TL 800800 5.9.96 - John Walshe Minsmere - TM 4666, 4766 (2 sightings)

White-letter Hairstreak: 0 8.7.96-Adrian Richards Haughley - TM 022617 • 22.8.97 - CharlottkAnderson Minsmere -TM 454669 Small Copper: 29.3.98 -Ann & Tony Burchnall Santon Downham - TL 8088 • 16.11.94-RichardStewart Tangham - TM 354474 Silver-studded Blue: 23.6.94 -Michael &Jenny Kelsey Dunwich Heath - TM 477677 • 17.8.78-ClijfWalkr Wesdeton Heath Brown Argus: 4.5.97 - Steve Godaard Suffolk Water Park- TM! 148/1248 (several) • 3.10.97 - Jean & Ken Garrod Suffolk Water Park - TM 1149

0

by Wilfrid George After my reporting ('Large and Late') in our July 1998 newsletter, the activities of Large White larvae into December 1997, my favorite pest has struck again.

Beating easily my previous 'record'of three larvae on 9th December 1997, I found ten of them on 16th December 1998 - this time at work on my purple sprouting broccoli. It was 9°C, and at least two of them were nibbling away. This time I decided to be merciful - the broccoli will sprout in April anyway - let's see how long the caterpillars can last.

On the 22nd they were still munching away at only 1.5°C. Then they had their hot Christmas dinner (warmed up to 11°C) at noon on 25th. All the nines - nineteen ninety nine - saw more munching at 9.00 a.m. at 9°C. There must have been over nine larvae, because on 9th January at least ten larvae were feeding at 5°C. Numbers did seem to reduce, though on 20th January I could still locate six of them .

I will not bore the reader with the almost daily data which continued half way through February until the last caterpillar (which was definitely moving) was seen on 17th, at 7°C at 9.00 a.m. Since then V nothing. It seemed to me that these larvae were about

full-grown throughout, but that in such low temperatures they could only digest enough food to maintain themselves, but not to develop further. Two of them did appear to try to pupate, but they finished dangling upside down (like tortoiseshells, rather than whites) humped and bloated, but they never formed pupae. It seemed surprising that, in the middle of Winter, no bird seemed to fancy these very obvious tit-bits. Their black and yellow warning colouration must have been very effective.

'Larvaeoccurfrom earlyMay to early December,veryoccasionally intoJanuary, with two, sometimesthree,generationsa year'.

From volume 7, part 1, of The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. -

Ed.

LargeWhite

by DouglasHammersley

9

The Suffolk Argus

Appeal for Com.m.ittee Mero.hers

by Paul Gilson (Membership Secretary) As the branch membership continues to grow (now over 160) unfortunately the number of committee members continues to decrease.

This situation will be further diminished when our chairman, James Mann, leaves these shores for pastures new in the south of France later this year. This will leave just five people on the committee.

If the Branch is to continue with activities such as attending the Suffolk Show and Members evenings then we must have more members on the committee to help out. The Show for the last three years has relied upon the same members helping out over the two days.

At the moment we could do with a committee member who lives in the West of the County and it would be particularly nice to have a female presence on the committee.

If anybody out there is interested please contact myself or James Mann and we will be glad to outline the activities of the committee.

8

June 1999

Suffolk Moth Group Events 1999 Moth Nights (Held on Fridays) 2ndJuly 9th July 23rd July 30th July 6th Aug 13thAug 20th Aug 27th Aug 3rd Sep 10th Sep 17th Sep 24th Sep

Cutlers Wood Pound Farm Thorpeness Golf Course Hawstead, nr Bury St. Edmunds Thelnetham Fen Northfield Wood South Elmham Christchurch Park Ipswich Knettishall Heath Sizewell Belts Reydon Wood Redlingfield Wood

Afternoon meetings 3rd July (Sat) North Warren 11th Sep (Sat) Priestly Wood Some guidelines for people wishing to attend a moth night: It is useful to bring warm clothing as it may get cold or rain, suitable footwear for the countryside, a torch to find your way back in the dark, refreshments and something to sit on as you could be there for a while. The lights that are used to attract the moths are more powerful than the normal household lights so it is not a good idea to stare at the lights for long periods of time. Eye protection is useful either by way of ordinary plastic lens spectacles, sunglasses, other plastic eye protection or a wide-brimmed hat. Different species of moth fly at different times of the night, so the longer you stay after dusk the more the species you are likely to see.

If anyone is interested then they can contact me for further details: Tony Prichard, 3 Powling road, Ipswich, IP3 9JR, Tel. 01473 270047.

Common Blue: 24.4.92 - Pat Shott Near Hunston - TL 976682 • 6.11.94 - Steve Piotrowski Fagbury- TM 2734

0

Holly Blue: 18.3.90- Jennifer Hadley Saxmundham - no G. Ref. • I. 11.84 - No recorder Languard- no G. Ref.

0

White Admiral: 5.7.78 - Glenn Rae New Delight Walks - TM 450720 • 1.9.51-H.J Boreham Sicklemere Rd, Bury St Edmunds -no G. Ref.

0

Red Admiral: 7.1.98 - Neil Sherman Rushmere Road, Ipswich- TM191456 • 11.12.94 - R. Macklin & W. L. Huggins North Warren - TM 4657

0

Painted Lady:

0

20.2.90-Anthony Cook Puddlebrook, near Ladygate Wood -no G. Ref.

•

20.11.95 - Colin Hawes Woolverstone - TM 184385

Small Tortoiseshell: 9.\.98- Wi/fredGeorge Christchurch St. Ipswich - TM 168451

0 •

28.12.97-MrsJ. Frost Baylham-TM 1051

Peacock:

0 0 •

6.1.98 - Bea & Fred Elliston Alton Water - TM 139372 and 6.1.98 - John Warnes Mutford Big Wood - TM 485894 31.12.97 - Peter Hobbs Near Lavenham - TL 913498

Comma: 15.1.95 - Stan Dummican Great Whelnetham - TL 882602

0 •

9.11.98-RobMacklin Racewalk, Snape - TM 400584

Speckled Wood: 31.3.90 - W.E Lemmon Icklingham Belt - no G. Ref. • 3.11.95 - Janis & Alan Hubbard Fen Alder Carr, Creeting St Peter -TM 0856

0

Wall Brown: 0 24.4.90 - No Recorder Minsmere no G. Ref. - 2 seen •

29.10.95-Nick Mason Bawdsey- TM 338379

Grayling: 3.7.94 - Steve Goddard Tangham - TM 355485

0 •

21.9.98-Richard Stewart Tangham-TM 358479 Gatekeeper: 0 13.6.92- O.B. Parker Pakenham-Manor Garth - TL 924676 • 21.9.95 - Joan Moore Nayland - TL 967344

Meadow Brown: 27.5.95 - Janis and Alan Hubbard Frostenden - TM 4880 • 16.9.84 - Rex Beecroft and Derek Moore Languard - no Grid Ref.

0

Ringlet: 14.6.97 - Tony Prichard & James Mann West Stow - TL 7972 • 27.8.84 - No Recorder Brandon - no G.Ref.

0

13

The Suffolk Argus

Small Heath:

0 •

28.4.90 - No Recorder Cavenham - no G.Ref. 26.9.92- Rob Macklin North Warren - no G.Ref.

Camberwell Beauty:

0 •

15.3.97 - Steve Babbs Groton Wood - TL 978432 14.10.96-S. &R. Biddle Searson's Farm Trimley- TM 278358

Queen of Spain Fritillary:

0 •

6.8.95 - Dave Fairhurst Minsmere - TM 462673 28.10.97 - Rob Macklin Thorpeness - TM 4760

Obviously I would appreciate more details for some of these and any alterations in recorders or the fact that others were present. Some of the more 'ancient' records will not, of course, have a Grid reference. I have made this a first draft and welcome, in writing only, any later or earlier records.

Can I stress, however, that these must be submitted records i.e. sent to the County recorder, or published in a Society article. I am not prepared to consider records that were not forwarded previously. Could I have any comments on the above by the end of July and then I can hopefully publish a definite list. Please note that two early records (Green Hairstreak 27.3.97 and Brown Argus 13.4.97) published in British Wildlife June 97 pp. 323,324, and subsequently in the ITE Recorders Booklet for season 97, have not been accepted.

14

June 1999

The Em.peror's

Diet

by RobParker Douglas Hamme~sley' s article on the dietary supplements of the Purple Emperor (Suffolk Argus, July 1998) reminded me of some of my own experiences a decade ago.

If you want to know more about what attracts Emperors, read on ...

Like you, I have often read other people's accounts of close encounters with Purple Emperors, and registered either scepticism or envy. Very well, I decided, after all these years it is time to see more of them than the two fleeting glimpses I've had so far.

We started on 13th July 1989, at a very specific site in a well-recommended wood in the French DepartementofMeuse, but some miles from the river. In the late afternoon sun it was clear that this was a wonderful locality as butterflies swarmed round to greet us. I chose a vantage point atop an old bridge in a clearing surrounded by great oaks and mature poplars, but including, I was careful to note, some lower growing willows (Sa/ix spp.) and plenty of aspen (populus tremula). That evening I got a couple of tantalising glimpses of large strong fliers, followed eventually by a pair in majestic chasing flight. As they wheeled around the clearing they came close enough for me to be sure, and my spirits lifted.

Le quatorze juillet dawned overcast, and although the 200th Anniversary ofla Revolution was memorable for its pageantry

We left the main track to be engulfed by blackthorn, ash and field maple encroaching onto a narrow path. The drop in wind speed and increase in temperature was tangible. We picked our way along the path, conscious that the combination of favourable microclimate and dense scrub would probably represent the finest opportunity of the day. Our investigations proving fruitless, we adjourned, settling on the edge of a field in the lee of a mature blackthorn hedge. Luncheon was a somewhat restless affair; lured and distracted by the potential rewards to be found amongst the blackthorn, one by one we would interrupt our refreshment to pace the length of the hedge or explore the surrounding paths.

Back at the cars and with the weather showing little sign of improvement, it was decided to abandon Copsale in favour of a truncated exploration of Ifield. Given its proximity to both Gatwick and Crawley, !field is quite remarkable; a network of damp grassy meadows and small fields set aside as grazing pasture, each bordered by mature hedgerow left to evolve largely unhindered.

The search took the same format as before, our attention alternating between scrutiny of the luxuriant blackthorn growths and investigation of any butterfly movement. Given the benefit of the morning's experience, the likes of speckled wood and gatekeeper could be discounted quite quickly.

Hugging the hedge line, we progressed towards an area believed to represent the focal point of the brown hairstreak colony. A few minutes of further navigation and we were alongside a particularly fine hedgerow, numerous stems of regenerating blackthorn, which egg laying hairstreaks greatly covet, poking up around our feet. A hundred yards ahead, a stand of

mature ash. The group dispersed, some choosing to conduct an almost forensic like examination of the hedge, others, now seated on straw bails, surveying the sky for any sign of climatic improvement, the remainder opting to scan the tops of the ashes where male hairstreaks have been sighted on warmer days. A further twenty minutes or so elapsed, a speckled wood active amongst the trees provoking transient excitement.

A species emerging in low numbers and then dispersing across many hectares, a butterfly content to conceal itself amongst the highest branches during inclement weather will almost invariably prove challenging to observe. Trailing back towards the cars we reflected upon these difficulties. Although our initial enthusiasm had by now almost completely dissipated, the vibrancy and colours of the South Downs remained clear in the mind's eye. It is perhaps such recollections which help to sustain the enthusiast throughout the lean winter months.

Species list; small white, green-veined white, large white, purple hairstreak, holly blue, small copper, comma ,gatekeeper, speckled wood, meadow brown.

Speckled Wood

by Angie Steele

7

The Suffolk Argus

1998

Field Trips Field Trip to Sussex (day 2) 20 th August 1998

by PaulJohnson AM: Copsale, disused railway line near Horsham PM: Field, meadows and pasture near Crawley Target species: Brown hairstreak 1000 hrs, and there was a perceptible undercurrent of excitement, a real air of anticipation as we assembled just outside Copsale village.

In common with other brown hairstreak colonies, the population of butterflies at Copsale is dispersed across a considerable area.

A disused railwayline bisects the tracts of habitat, thereby forming a convenient axis along which to look, allowing any search to retain some sense of focus. We initially headed south-east along the old trackbed, an overcast sky and fresh wind appearing to be the only limiting factors. No more than ten yards covered and a butterfly active around blackthorn brought the group to an abrupt halt. Binoculars were quickly trained upon the insect, colours difficult to distinguish against the backdrop of scrub. It eventually darted over the hedgerow before identity could be established.

We moved on. All potential nectaring points were thoroughly examined, any butterfly resembling a hairstreak pursued until it was either lost from view or could be discounted following identification.

6

June 1999

Gatekeepers settled on distant flowers and vapourer moths erratically following the hedge line bore more than a superficial likeness to brown hairstreak. Indeed, these two interlopers would ultimately account for the majority of falsely raised expectations.

Rate of progress along the track fluctuated. We passed swiftly through areas where hawthorn dominated, lingered where blackthorn grew in profusion. At one such point a butterfly emerged from the foliage, undertook a short jinking flight before returning to the canopy. Our attention was immediately focused, binocular users able to pick out a few details, determine colours.

Following a few minutes of intense scrutiny, purple hairstreak was the consensus of opinion, with a snail identified a few inches further down the branch. This information was also conveyed to a local dog walker who had been watching our antics bemused, if not completely astonished. The news of the hairstreak and, in particular, the arboreal snail invoked fits of laughter, his jovial reaction helping to mitigate our own disappointment.

Gatekeeper

by DouglasHammersley

and its fireworks, we had to wait another day for Apatura.

The unambiguous advice of my Belgian colleague, had been to set Herve as bait, so I took out the over-ripe and preposterously strong-smelling Belgian cheese, and spread it at shoulder height on the piers supporting the bridge. In the bright morning sun it dried out and lost its smell surprisingly quickly, though my return trips found three species feeding on it: the Comma (Polygoniac-album), Red admiral (Vanessaatalanta)and the Map (Araschnia kvana), an attractive little butterfly which is common on the Continent.

As the day warmed up, more species came out, and just afrer noon I was rewarded with a glimpse of a Purple Emperor. It circled my bait and settled nearby, but just out of reach on top of an ash leaf well above my head. I got into position to see and was surprised that it was not as large as I had expected. When it opened its wings I realised that I was looking at the orange form of the Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura iliaform clytie).

They behaved regally, outflying the large fritillaries with a Joie de vivre that made them a delight to observe. Often one would circle the clearing and as it swooped low over the tops of the aspen another would dart out and chase it, then a third would join the pursuit, and just once a fourth.

They se~med to enjoy the calm of the late afternoon, and by watching closely, I learned to spot one of them dropping out of the game for a rest. The crown of one tree seemed particularly favoured and I was able to change my high vantage point for an underside view. Lying on my back and looking up I watched them carefully but saw no egg-laying - they simply rested, wings closed until incited to join a passing chase.

Neither did they investigate my smelly cheese again.

Purple Emperors

by Bery/Johnson

-

-----._.___

'

I

I :

We moved on, through Strasbourg and into Alsace, with its Route des Vins linking delightful villages. We selected our destinations from the Guide desAubergesde Francewith a pin and were heading for La Laye, just approaching Ville, as we pulled off the road in search of a shady picnic spot.

As we ate I noticed a number of Purple Hairstreaks ( Quercusiaquercus)flitting along the path towards some young Oaks, so I wandered off to check. I used a sharp tap on the trees to dislodge their silvery forms, and then I saw one that wasn't at all right - it was too big, too dark, too slow-flying, and anyway it was in the shoulder-high dried grass beyond the tree, not amongst the branches. It came effortlessly into my net, and what a pleasure it was to find a Large blue. On closer inspection though, and on checking in Higgins' The Butterfliesof Britain and Europe- my preference for use in the field - I realised it was the Scarce

15

June 1999

The Suffolk Argus

Large Blue (Maculinea teleius), a species new to me. Taking another look at the locality I found it moist underfoot, and I did flush a second specimen out.

La Laye turned out to be at the foot of a delightful isolated valley, and quite the perfect place for walking and entomologising alike. Our next morning's drive took us through deciduous woodland with lovel'f vi~wsand we looped back down into the ~l~'f wiere I was confronted by a Purple Empecorsining in the road. I jammed on the brakes and stopped a couple of metres from it, leapt out, grabbed the net and dashed forward again to find that it was a fine male sitting totally absorbed on a dog's dropping! This time it was Apatura iris (as distinct from ilis) and it had probably come down to the adjacent malodorous garbage heap before detecting this particular delicacy. Once again, both Sa/ix and P. tremula were in evidence.

The Vosages are more extensive than I had imagined, and they stand up above Alsace offering near Alpine scenery topped with coniferous plantations or extensive deciduous forest.

On returning to our car, by now in the full sun, we found a male A. iris had been attracted to it, and we got some excellent close-up views before it flew off. By now my Herve had been expended so I put out mouldy plums and some fresh Camembert as bait. Intrigued at the sight of a lunatic spreading good Camembert on the countryside, a passing Frenchman paused to make enquiries. His incredulity gave way to a Gallic shrug as he discovered that I was an English butterfly collector - clearly this explained any form of irrational behaviour!

Presently I spotted a couple of Purple Emperors circling a beech above an aspen and near a willow. I netted one as they swooped low over the road, and offered the bait but could not get it to feed. It was

16

definitely A iris (a male), not A. ilia, and I took pleasure watching the power of its upward flight as I released it.

Returning the following day (26th July 1989) we were rewarded by more close encounters. In a glade further up the valley I was astounded by the sheer size of one dark form high up the side of the valley, and excited when it came down from high up the side of the valley, and excited when it came down to ground level at an accessible spot. I stalked it with great care and found it feeding at the base of a conifer, where a stream of sap was oozing from a damaged root. So absorbed was this very large female, that I was able to squat for some minutes just a couple of feet away from it. We saw two more on the path back down to the car.

Indeed they seemed friendly and more or less accompanied us back to the car. One settled on the bonnet and then obligingly transferred itself to my wife's finger before my very eyes. At that moment I was converted. I realised that all the unlikely tales that I had read about other people's encounters with A. iris, were afi:er all, true!

This account originally appeared in the bulletin of'The Amateur Entomologists' Society' Vol 49 December 1990.

My first Butterfly of 1999 byJames Mann On the morning of Tuesday 16th March 1999 I was out in my garden getting things ready for the Spring. I had just put a match to my bonfire to get rid of a huge pile of rubbish when Anne, my wife, shouted that someone was on the phone wanting to talk about butterflies.

I picked up the phone and a voice asked me if it was possible to see a Large Tortoisehell in Suffolk at this time of the year. I replied that it was possible but unlikely as it was some years since one had been sighted in Suffolk. I was told 'we think we have one' and was given directions to their house in the vicinity of Snape. I dropped everything, grabbed my camera and mobile phone and was there in less than twenty minutes. . I arrived just before I lam and was met by a smiling Paddy and J ulyan Heazell waiting for me in their driveway. As I feared I was told that 'It was here but it was gone'. They showed me where it had been seen and we stood looking at the blossoms and then suddenly it was there just above our heads happily

nectaring and taking no notice of us. It was very co-operative and moved down to eye level and I was able to take several close up photographs. When it cooled a bit it flew up and perched on the warm tiles on the next door roof. I phoned Richard Stewart, Suffolk Butterfly Recorder and Rob Macklin R.S.P.B warden at North Warren to get them to verify the sighting. The butterfly, that I was now certain was a Large Tortoiseshell, decided to nectar on blossom some 20 feet above our heads and was still there when I left for home at 12-30.

Richard and Rob both saw it around I o'clock and were able to verify the species but they did not have my luck in getting at a level to photograph. The Heazell's last saw it flying off in the late afternoon when it got fed up with being chased by a Blue Tit. Not bad for my first butterfly of the year.

Large Tortoiseshell byJames Mann

5

June 1999

The Suffolk Argus

1999AGM The 1999 AGM at the Butterfly Hotel, Bury St. Edmunds, started with a full account of recent activities by Chairman James Mann. Each Branch officer then gave a separate report and these included the presentation and acceptance of the annual financial statement.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Mike Hall who gave us a wonderful slide show presentation and talk on garden insects. He talked at length about their life cycles and how they interacted with each other in the garden environment. He

Balance Sheet as at 31/03/99

stressed the need for a balance in the garden between what we would call 'fiends' or 'foes' and how this can be easily upset by the use of insecticides, pesticides, sprays etc. The meeting concluded with refreshments and a chance not just to talk but also take copies of several new posters and leaflets available.

Once again we are extremely grateful to our hosts, the Butterfly Hotel, for providing the room, and there was an increase in attendance this year, nineteen in fact, six being committee members. Please don't be put off by the word AGM, which invariably acts as a 'turn off to many who might possible come? Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions to improve future attendance.

Income & Expenses Report

01/04/98 to 31/03/99 Assets

Total

Bank and Cash Accounts 918.30 Girobank 10.35 Petty Cash Total Bank & Cash Accounts 928.65 Other Assets Accounts Receivable Plant and Equipment Stock for Resale Total Other Assets Total Assets

1,413.14

Liabilities

Total

Other Liabilities Accounts Payable Total Other Liabilities

60.60 60.60

Total Liabilities

60.60

Net Worth

4

0.00 364.99 119.50 484.49

1.352.54

Category Income General Donations Grants Membership Subs Sales Revenue, Zero VAT Income - Unassigned Total Income

Total 149.85 164.50 779.00 13.89 0.00

1,107.24

Expenses Conference Exps Exhibition Costs Members Night Newsletters Office Expenses, Zero VAT Photocopy Purchases,Std Rate Repairs & Renewals Room Hire std VAT Subscriptions Sundry Expense - Unassigned

50.00 50.00 47.50 489.15 22.75 2.05 77.87 31.39 69.00 12.50 58.75 6.00

Total Expenses

916.96

Income less Expenses

190.28

The Wall

not definitely known. At present the Wall Brown is recorded in 305 tetrads during the survey-for main recorders there has been one extra late record, TM3484 since the booklet was published. The flight period is from May to October, with a few gaps and I am asking all members to try the coastal strip areas in the hope that between us we can raise the total to a 'plus', which needs another 38 records in the new tetrads.

These are the current coastal gaps; note chat I have included areas slightly inland as well.

If all produced new sightings, and were added to just a sprinkling of extra inland records, the target would be acheived: 1834 Lower Holbrook; 1843, 1836 Harkstead; 1838 Woolverstone; 2034, 2036 Erwarton; 2038 Chelmondiston; 2040 Nacton; 2238 Nacton; 2438 Levington; 2638, 2838 Trimley St.Martin; 3442 Alderton; 3648 Boyton; 3852 Chillesford; 4060, 4062 Friston; 4064, 4066 near Kelsale; 4068 Middleton; 4264, 4266 Theberton; 4070, 4072 Darsham; 4272, 4472 Bramfield-Dunwich; 4676 Blythburgh; 4876, 4878 Reydon; 5290 Lowestoft; rest vices county Suffolk. i.e. 5098, 5002, 5202, 5204, 5206, 5008.

Brown in

Suffolk

by Richard Stewart (County Butterfly Recorder)

As indicated in the report for 1998, there are now just five species below the number of tetrads recorded in the previous mideighties survey.

The Wall Brown is one of these and is something of an enigma since, to my knowledge, there has never been a detailed survey of this species and its requirements.

The only one I know is a site article about its breeding at Minsmere. As you may have noted, it features in the current BC National magazine with the comment, on page 7 chat 'Over the last few years some branch conservation officers and recorders have been expressing concern for the Wall Brown's fast decline'. The WALL Laslommalame11Bnl Suffolk Branch has been at ReCOfded_ln 305 teltads the forefront of this concern ......... ~u_nd_•~r-r_eco<de~"'"d"'", ~ca=us~•°""'°'~co~n~ce_rn_.

--·+ 0 and I raised it at the last Branches meeting in London, in the presence of most of the Conservation Office staff. a Others supported me. So what can we do in Suffolk?

If you look at the distribution map, and the one in the 'Butterflies of Suffolk' (Mendel and Piotrowski) there is a definite preference for coastal sites or along esturies. Why this occurs is 3 6 8

17

June 1999

The Suffolk Argus

Back issues of the

Suffolk Argus For our newer members we have available back issues of the Suffolk Argus from

volumn I to 14.

If any members would like to make up the complete set they are available at a cost of 25p each plus postage.

The following new second class postage rates apply:Up to 2 copies - 19p Up to 4 copies - 30p Up to 6 copies - 40p Up to 7 copies - 51p Up to 9 copies - 60p Up to 11 copies - 70p Please make your cheques payable to Butterfly Conservation and send your

orders to:Paul Gilson 18 Cheltenham Avenue Ipswich Suffolk IP! 4LN Please do not send any cash through the post!

18

Mapping European Butterflies (by Internet)

Editorial

by Rob Parker Readers with an interest in the distribution of European butterflies may already be aware of the Mapping European Butterflies project being led by Dr Otakar Kudrna.

Some British entomologists already contribute, but the need is for records, as these are sent centrally from the Biological records Centre at Monks Wood. Anyone wanting to know more can read the latest newsletter etc on the Internet. Here is a snippet: MEB is a project of the Naturschutzbund Deutschland e. V. (NABU) and Gesellschaft fur Schmetterlinschutz e. V. (GfS). 427 recorders from almost all European countries have already joined Mapping European Butterflies, a project launched in May 1996. Many thanks are due to over 100 recorders who have already sent in their recording sheets containing valuable distribution data! The closing date for returning all your completed MEB recording sheets will be 31 st March 1999 but special arrangements can be agreed for a later return of recording sheets under certain circumstances. Please send your data as soon as possible after the close of the 1998 season to help avoid delays in data input.

Internet

& MEB

The www site of Mapping European Butterflies can be found under: http://home.t-online.de/home/Kudrna. meb/ index.hem.

One of our MEB recorders, Mr Mario Meier {Webmaster@EuropeanButterflies.com) has kindly designed our www site and will keep it up to date adding news at least twice a year. The MEB Newsletter will be published regularly on the Internet. You may like to visit Mario Meier's internet homepage, too: http://EuropeanButterflies.com.

Internet browsers will probably already be familiar with the site for the Amateur Entomologists' Society: http://www.theaes.org.

by Richard Stewart The season certainly started with a bang! read the article by our Chairman, James Mann to find out what five of us were fortunate to see back in March.

On the subject of early butterflies, this short poem: 'On the aubretia Again, two tortoiseshells And all Summer to come'. is hopefully a taste of things to come and also introduces Suffolk BC member Jill Bence-Jones' latest poetry volume, 'Ostrich Creek'. This also features on the front cover a photo of the late Tom Baker, decoy Keeper at Nacton, where the areas surrounding the Decoy were kept as natural as possible and attracted many butterflies.

Jill's book is available from local shops, including Waterstone's of Ipswich. Jill also featured in the rescue of a butterfly off the coast of Kenya, after it had landed on the water. It was released safely back on shore, being described as white with an iridescent sheen of purple on the wing tips. In the tradition of all dedicated lepidopterists Jill cau·ght her leg on something near the pier and ended up with four stitches. What we do for butterflies!

In this edition there is also a comprehensive early/late list of species, not just during the Millennium Survey but from all records at any time in Suffolk. This has already been published in the SNS 'White Admiral' and amended so this will be the last opportunity to alter it. After chat it will stand as the official list and hopefully appear in the 'New Butterflies of Suffolk' book.

On a more pessimistic note, the area many have come to know affectionately as 'The Secret Garden' at Bixley Open Space is no more-literally flattened and cleared for a new development of houses. Luckily a BC member living nearby contacted me and I ended up having to stand in front of a large excavator which was in the process of damaging the roots of a length of elm hedge known to have a colony of White-letter Hairstreak. The ensuing conversation between his boss and myself is best left as 'directand animated'but there has subsequently been a site meeting of all parties involved and there will be a survey of the butterfly in this area during this year's flight period, to assess the situation. Before you read this there will also have been a site inspection of the hedge to determine which trees are healthy and to be protected, hopefully.

To end on a brighter note-read the Wall Brown appeal and help if you can.

Articles for the Suffolk Argus If any members have articles for future editions of the Suffolk Argus could they please send them to Paul Gilson at 18, Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich IP1 4LN. Myself and Richard Stewart will be overseeing the production of the newsletter until a new Editor is found.

3

The Suffolk Argus

June 1999

Contents Notes from the Editor ..........................................................

3

Newsletter Details

5

1998 Field Trip to Sussex (Day 2) .................................. 6-7 Suffolk Moth Group event list/ Committee member appeal .................................................

8

Large and later still ...............................................................

9

A Duke or a Duchess .........................................................

10

Early and late butterfly records ................................... 11-14 The Emperor's Diet ..................................................... 14-16 The Wall Brown in Suffolk ................................................

17

To Advertise in

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.

Please contact:

Paul Gilson

Mapping European butterflies (by lncernet) .................... 18

(01473 253276)

Butterfly HOTELS

Suffolk Branch Contacts ........................................ Back Cover

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Butte'fj1;) "~o 1/ ~~*\t' j ·~ HOT

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

Butterfl~ Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit. Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds

01284 760884

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•• Regular Updates & Latest News All profits are used for the conservation of butterflies and their habitats.

Calls charged at sop per minute at all times

2

Christmas Eve April Fools Day August Bank Holiday

Th8uffolk Argus

Back Issues of the Suffolk Argus ......................................... 18 New letter Details & General Information ....................... 19

Contributions for our newsletter should reach the Editor (address on back page) no later than: February June October

1999 Annual General Meeting/Accounts ............................ 4 My first butterfly of 1999 ...................................................

Copy Dates

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

s

Butterfly Hotel, Al4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury Sr. Edmunds

01284 760884 19

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman

JamesMann, The Old School, The Street, Darsham, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3QA (01728 668532) Membership Secretary

Pa11lGilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk IP! 4LN (01473 253276) Newsletter Editors {temporary)

Paul Gilson, 18 Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk IP! 4LN (01473 253276)

RichardStewart, 'Valezina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP! 2XW (01473 216518) Programme Secretary

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

Volunteers Needed

County Recorder {Butterflies)

If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact James Mann on

JamesMann, The Old School, The Scree!,

RichardStewart, 'Valezina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2XW (01473 216518) Conservation Officer {Butterflies)

01728 668532.

Darsham, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP!? 3QA (01728 668532) Conservation Officer {Moths)

Tony Prichard,3 Powling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR {01473 270047) County Recorders {Moths)

Jon Nicholls, 18 Berners Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP!! 7LF (01394 271500) Tony Prichard{addressas below) Secretary

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

GrahamBull, Willow Cottage, I The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP? 5LP (01473 310371)

Publishedby the Suffolk Branchof ButterflyConservation(The British ButterflyConservationSociety Ltd.) Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Chariiy No. 254937 Head Office, P.O. Box 222. Dedh,m, EssexC07 GEY. Tel. (01206) 322342

Publicity Officer {Vacant)

lune 1999

President

Howard Mendel, c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW? 5BD (017 I 938 8782)

Editedby Paul Gi/Jon d- Rid1arrlStrwart Logo (Silver-studdedBlue) Doux Hammmlr] Designedand producedby SrephrnIon {) 1999 all rightsreserved

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation Volume 17