The Suffolk Argus
Moths in recent Literature byRob Parker A book's title does not always disclose its content, and 2 recent novels with moth titles are essentially non-entomological, but may anyway catch the eye of the literate lepidopterist.
"LobsterMoth"by Niall Duthie. Fourth Estate. 1999. This book has been lying at my bedside for a long while. The author describes it as a pillow book, to be read in 10 minute slices at bedtime, and that is how I am tackling it. It tells the story of a Scottish lepidopterist in a convalescent home, recovering from injuries that made him almost a hero in the First World War. The technical endpapers and the quote from W. J. Kirby set up an entomological flavour, though this is but one of many interwoven strands in a potpourri of recollections. We meet Stauropus fagi as a larva in Chapter 3, and learn a few snippets, for example, that although this insect is named after a crustacean, the Lobster crustacean (locusta) is surprisingly named after an insect - the edible locust (locusta)! Equally intriguing aspects of Japanese culture, mythology, insomnia, childhood and war tumble out of the pages, partly through an extra dimension created through an actor, who goes to great lengths to properly portray our Scottish hero in a film version of his biography.
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Autumn
"ThePepperedMoth"by Margaret Drabble. Viking. 2000. Here is a story, which starts in post-industrial Yorkshire, and as the tide suggests, it is about natural selection, although it focuses on the mitochondrial DNA of a particular family, and on the mother-daughter relationships through several generations. The tale is well told, and insightful, but readers waiting for the bit about Biston betularia will have to be patient until page 268! In the text, reference is made to a Georgette Heyer novel called "The Black Moth" - this one I have not read. Both front covers bear charming illustrations of their chosen moth, and with the Lobster moth we also get a nice Puss moth larva. Neither book deserves a place on the entomologist's reference bookshelf, but both have merit as literature, and are worth getting from the library if you are ready to spend a few evenings away from the MVlamp.
Review of Jewels in the Air by Richard Stewart Suffolk Butterfly Recorder Since reviewing the two butterfly videos (Argus 21) I have had the opportuniry to look at the third, Jewelsin the Air'. This is created by Roger Kemp, The Butterfly Recorder for Bucks. I was aware of it at the last BC AGM but didn't get one simply because there was no indication of running time anywhere. It lasted about an hour, making it comparable to the other two and I find this omission inexplicable. It is a package of book and video, though each can be purchased separately. Recommended by BC, it gives a very comprehensive survey of our butterflies, and includes both Large Copper and Large Blue. A brief summary of butterfly history and literature is followed
2001
Poetry Page Butterfly Morning
The Duke of Denge Wood (£1CautionaryTale!)
Woke up to one of thosemornings With the sun,flowing like honey, Almost sweepingyou out of bed, Throughthe variousfonctional rooms To breakfastin the garden And buddleiasalreadyclustered With Peacocks,Commasand SpeckledWoods. Then a sweetsiren voice Tellsyou to leavethe washingup, Keepthepostfar anothertime And take a ride on a bus, One of thoselongdistancebuses That actuallywelcomesyou aboard, With air conditioningand recliningseats. So let'sgofar it now. I know a cheaplittle caft, Hugging the beach, Wherewe can look out For Painted Ladies, Clouded Yellows, Drifting in on a sky As blue asAdonis wings ..... .
A group of determined naturalists Set outfar Bonsai Bank Intent on meetingthe Burgundy Duke And othersof lesserrank. The day was warm and beautiful The orchidsa delight The Duke and his lady were duly acclaimed As wereotherson the site. The Burgundy Babes were soughtand found Likepearlsin their Primrosenest Theywerefated, photographed,then left alone Cradledwithin theforest. But all was not as it should have been In this wonderful woodland dell As a seekerwasattacked by who knows what? And later becameunwell. With swollenarm all stripy and red Medicalhelp, latersought Antibioticsnow, the doctorsaid, And worseif it comesto nought.
And then thephone rings. Richard Stewart
It would seemthat the causeof the trouble Wasprobably, Wood Spurgedisguised By cut stemswhich mingled with others Their dangernot realised. Treatall in the wild with careand respect For it may sting, bite or tearyou But euphorbiasap, and maybedry stems, With helpftom the sun will burn you! Rosalind Foster (The victim!)
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