Suffolk Argus 27 Autumn 2002

Suffolk Branch Contacts Chairman Rob Parker, 66 Cornfield Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3BN (01284 705476) Membership Secretary Beryl Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701) Newsletter Editor Jim Foster, Lugano, The Street, Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 6AH (01449 711484) Publicity Officer (Vacant) Programme Secretary Alan Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701) County Recorder (Butterflies) Rob Parker (address as above)

w

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Conservation Officer (Butterflies) Rob Parker (address left) Conservation Officer (Moths) Tony Prichard, 3 Fowling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR (01473 270047)

. , ... /·:"<<_ .•. .......

~

~

,.

..·:(;-:.'

.:-:_./ji-,_--:·. ..}

r

County Recorder (Moths) Tony Prichard (address above)

>

Secretary Tony Prichard, (address above)

: ..r .

'

,

I

.

: ,. . r·

Treasurer Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, 1 The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP7 5LP (01473 310371) Committee Members Stella Wolfe, Mike Dean President Howard Mendel, c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD (0171 938 8782)

Volunteers Needed If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact Beryl Johnson on 01473 715701.

Holly BluesbyBerylJohnston

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation (The British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd.) © 2002 all rights reserved Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Charity No. 254937 Head Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP Tel: (01929) 400209 Editors: Jim Foster & Richard Stewart Logo: (Silver-studded Blue}Doug Hammersley Design: Stephen Ion, Cat & Mouse design

Autumn 2002 BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Volume27

-------,

Autumn 2002

The Suffolk Argus

Contents

Editorial

Editorial

3

Work Party at Purdis H~ath

4

Field Meetings 2002 The Horse Chesnut LearMiner Holywells Meadow Small Tortoiseshell Attacked by Parasites The Rise and Fall of the Holly Blue The Suffolk Show, July 2002 Top Twenty Plants for your Garden The Great Apollo Hunt - Episode 3

5-10 11

12-13 14-16 17-18 18 19-20 21

Copy Dates

Spring

Christmas Eve

Summer

April Fools Day

Autumn

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.

Norfolk Butterflies

22

Newsletter details and general information

23

To advertise in the Suffolk Argus please contact Jim Foster on

Back Cover

01449 711484.

Suffolk Branch Contacts

2

A range of butterflies and some moths, cast in aluminium alloy, painted in true-to-life colours, and suitable for outdoor or indoor mounting. A scale of five times life-size is used to portray insects in their natnral settled positions

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

House number/nameplates too, all painted in durable enamels to last for many years.

One quarter of the purchase price will be donated to branch funds.

Phone or fax Mervyn Crawford on Mildenhall (01638) 712600for Colour brochure I Price lisL

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

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, Al 4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds Tel: 01284 760884

Butterfly Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds Tel: 01284 760884 23

The Suffolk Argus

Autumn 2002

Norfolk Butterflies

Editorial

By Rob Parker

First, a number of updates from recent issues.

Steve Goddard had an exceptional number of species in his Ipswich garden, but he seems likely to surpass this at Martlesham, having already recorded fifteen by the end of June. I confidently await the addition of a wandering Silver-studded Blue to the list.

There have also been developments at Booey since the recent planting of nectar sources in the AWA compound. The back portion of the site has now presumably been sold as it was fenced off but our planted area is intact and has now had some extra planting, using the ones not sold at the Suffolk Show. James Baker and I did this at the end of June and hopefully they will survive inside the fenced off area and be used by the nearby colony of White-letter Hairstreaks.

The Red Admiral which emerged on Christmas Day at Lowestoft didn't survive but there have been interesting developments concerning observed mating in some species. I took some pains to check that Colin Campbell's observation of Red Admiral mating was accurate, since it is rarely observed, so imagine my surprise to read of this being observed in several pairs which emerged last October, according to the annual report of one BC branch. When I contacted the editor he, like Colin, was unaware of the rarity of this observation but I wasn't able to get any response to the recorded message I left for the person concerned, who is another County Butterfly Recorder. Perhaps we still have much to learn since in my book I recorded the fact that Steve Goddard seemed to be only the second observer of White-letter Hairstreak mating, taking my evidence from the BC booklet on the species

by Martyn Davies. However, on our recent BC joint meeting at Hadleigh Castle Country Park, Graham Bailey told me he has observed this several times and one regular Lincolnshire visitor reported

Now that everyone has a copy of Richard Stewart's Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Butterflies, we can look further afield, and perhaps invest £5 in the recently published "Millennium Atlas of Norfolk Butterflies".

Jointly written by Bernard Watts (Butterfly Conservation Officer) and Brian Mcllwrath (County Recorder), this little volume has been nicely produced, and differs from the Suffolk volume, published by SNS, in several ways.

Published by the Norfolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation with financial support from the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society, this is a softback with colour photography alternating with black & white dot maps. It reports on the 12 year period ended 2000, and uses comparative data from an earlier study, ended in 1988. It seeks to provide basic identification data (which Richard Stewart's book does not), and this extends the text of the species accounts slightly, but may help beginners. The distribution maps are good, though a critical comparison shows that Norfolk did not achieve the same degree of cover as our Millennium survey; 83% of tetrads were covered in their 12 year survey, as against 100% in 5 years for Suffolk. The decision not to use colour on the maps has also prevented the display of background information and changes in distribution.

Turning up the species not found in Suffolk leads directly ro interesting information on the Dark Green Fritillary, which has been recorded from a broader scattering of sites than just its well known coastal haunts, and on the Grizzled Skipper, found along a line from the Wash down to the Suffolk border. Naturally, the Swallowtail account makes warm reading too.

having a photo of two mating pairs. Does this suggest it is more frequent than stated, or just unusual behaviour at a colony that itself is exceptional in both size and numbers?

On a final personal note, this is my last editorial, as I shall be leaving the Committee at the AGM and retiring as County Recorder at the end of 2002, after nine years. During this time I have received records totalling well over 100,000 from nearly a thousand recorders, conducted surveys for eight of these years, published over a hundred articles, poems and letters about butterflies, plus one book. Rob Parker, a dedicated recorder of Suffolk butterflies, is my successor and Jim Foster will now edit the 'Argus' by himself Full changes appear on the back page. I am retiring simply to concentrate on my writing career - I have a bulging folder of ideas and unfinished poems and would urge members to consider submitting articles or perhaps joining what is a dedicated but very small committee. You don't necessarily need to take on a specific responsibility. I have thoroughly enjoyed my nine years, the opportunity to meet so many recorders, visit new parts of Suffolk, liaise with many dedicated conservationists, most of them amateur and unpaid, and have the great privilege of being given access to many strictly private places which were previously unknown to me. It has been very demanding at times, but always absorbing and stimulating. I shall carry on recording, and hopefully contributing to the 'Argus' in future. I also hope that the amount of support I have received from so many people will now be transferred in equal or even greater measure to Rob Parker and all the BC Committee.

by RichardStewart

A comparison of Dingy Skipper, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak records in the Brecks shows plausible continuity of cross-border distribution, though Norfolk has the lion's share of such sites.

Each map includes an excellent computerderived graph showing flight periods - a feature not to be found in the Suffolk atlas. Being an amalgam of many years, it evens out the early/late seasons, and gives a clear indication of when to look for a particular species in an average year.

They lack the sophistication of the phenograms in • the National Millennium Adas, but are easier to read, as all the records are for Norfolk.

One anomaly is to be found in the section on extinct species, where the Chalkhill Blue is mentioned: "colonies still exist in Suffolk near the border with Norfolk'' - this is a reference to the Devil's Dyke colony, moved north by a bit of wishful thinking perhaps. A discussion with the author revealed one difference in plotting between Suffolk and Norfolk, which is relevant to such border areas. Whereas our records are for the Watsonian Vice-counties 25 (East Suffolk) and 26 (West Suffolk) and not for the pieces of Administrative Suffolk that lie outside the old Vice-county areas, the Norfolk Adas incorporates all records from within the present Administrative County boundary. This means that a Dingy Skipper found on Barnhamcross Common would show up on both atlases!

Norfolk Branch is to be congratulated on a fine atlas, which sits nicely on my bookshelf, alongside the Suffolk atlas. Copies may be had for £5 plus £1 p&p from Brian Mcllwrath at The Gables, The Common, Mulberton, Norfolk NR14 8JQ.

22

3

7

Autumn2002

The Suffolk Argus

Work Party at Purdis Heath

Saturday January 23rd 2003, start at 10 am, meet in the visitor's car park at Ipswich Golf Club, just off Bucklesham Road, TM 2034 26. Contact me for further details.

by Richard Stewart Many members of this organisation may be familiar with the colony of Silver-studded Blues at Purdis Heath, on the edge of Ipswich, but if asked to take a visitor to see them would invariably select the area best known for its rounded clumps of heather within a large clearings close to the main path leading eventually to Purdis Farm.

There is, however, another area to the southwest corner of the site, not far from Bucklesham Road, which has until recently had good numbers, using a well-cleared area in which new Bell Heather is prominent. This is increasingly being invaded by scrub, in some areas Rosebay Willowherb, but mainly Birch saplings, coming from the bordering line of mature trees. I recommended to the Sandlings group that scrub clearance be carried out last winter but this wasn't done and there was a low butterfly count in this area in July 2002.

Now is the chance to remedy this. Details are being sent out to several conservation groups, including the local SWT Branch, Ipswich and District Natural History Society, Ipswich Wildlife Group, Ipswich Organic Gardeners' Group and the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation. All you need to do is bring yourself, with suitable clothing, plenty of food and a hot drink, plus any tools like loppers or bow-saws, though tools will be provided. There is no obligation to stay all day and all help will be gratefully received. At the end you will be able to clearly see the improvement! James Baker of the Greenways Project is organising this event, liaising with the Sandlings Group and Neil Sherman at nearby Ipswich Golf Club. Details are:

Silver-studded Blue byJim Foster

4

they were either Western or Spanish Marbled Whites. After a while the path entered a more wooded area. The path generally followed a small river called l'Ebre. At times we were at the level of the river where we could drink the pure clear water and at other times way above it on a near vertical cliff face. For much of the distance a Canal Arrosage more or less followed the path. This is a manmade channel designed to take water to where it is needed for agriculture or often for domestic use. Today there is a well used leisure path but from 1659 until 1992 the border with Spain was closed and this was one of the favourite routes for "Trade" between the two parts of Catalonier, the many watering places for mules making it very attractive to smugglers.

Nearly to the Spanish border and at over 2,500m we were able to look back and get an aerial view of the ski slopes. Even at this height we spotted various blues, fritillaries and skippers plus several Black-veined Whites. There were many well-equipped walkers on the path and we have since discovered that we were following either day one or day three of a popular three-day randonne, depending which direction one took.

Rather tired but happy with our day we returned down to the alpine meadow where we saw many very dark Small Tortoiseshells which may well have emerged since we left in the morning.

We are certain that both here and at Jujols we are hopeful of seeing Apollos but we need to visit at the right time of the year.

The Great Apollo Hunt - Episode 3

By James Mann We were beginning to think that we had left it a bit late this year but decided to give it one more go in a new location.

We left home early on 6 August making for Eyne where our Spanish friend said we would find lots of wonderful flowers. We drove past Jujols and followed up the valley of the river Tet stopping for coffee at Mont-Louis, 1570m the highest fortified town in France. Vauban fortified it after the treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. The barracks are still used as the training centre for the French Commandoes. Soon after leaving there we turned off the Nl 16, just before it reaches Bolquere, which boasts the highest railway station in Europe at 1,592m, onto the D33 in the direction of Eyne.

We parked just through the village in the car park for The Reserve Naturelle de la Vallee D'Eyne and readied ourselves to walk.

The notice board told us about the flowers and the over 60 species of butterfly including as ever a picture of an Apollo. What it did not say was when and exactly where to see them. For the skiing enthusiasts Eyne boasts a large skiing resort with pistes at about 2,000m.

We started our walk through an Alpine type meadow but by August it was beginning to look a bit faded. There were a lot of butterflies around but of limited species, the most common Blue species was a very large Chalkhill Blue which due to its light colour was certainly the Spanish Chalkhill Blue. The other butterfly of predominance was large speckled and white, they were very active but when we saw them at rest we recognized them as Marbled Whites.

Due to the distribution of the markings we suspect

Chalkhill Blue

by DouglasHammersley

21

The SuffolkArgus

Autumn 2002 Other than finding a stream surprisingly full despite the recent dry spell, the rest of those left negotiated it successfully and nothing else of any concern occurred. We managed to find the longestablished colony of Roman snails and birds seen or heard singing included Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Skylark and Wren, but no Nightingale, possibly being a bit early. I also believe we spent the whole time without seeing a single Magpie.

Ten species of butterfly were recorded, the other seven being Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, three whites and Orange Tip. However, the Brimstone was the star performer and our estimate of at least twenty makes it one of the best single day counts in Suffolk. Tony Prichard also managed to find larvae of Endotheniagentianaeana inside the pith of Teasel heads while Stella Wolfe added to our reputation for biodiversiry by compiling the following plant list, with just one plant, probably a type of spurge, causing identification problems in the well-cleared former railway cutting: Primrose, Greater Stitchwort, Dog's Mercury, Lesser Celandine, Wild Arum, Sweet and Dog Violet, Moschatel, Cow Parsley, White Bryony, Traveller's Joy, Hornbeam, Dogwood, Spindle, Wood Anemone, Garlic Mustard, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Hedge Bedstraw, White Comfrey, Common Nettle, Red and White Deadnettle, Germander Speedwell, Common Field Speedwell, Cowslip, Cowslip/Primrose hybrid, Hawthorn, Sloe, Herb Robert, Goldilocks Buttercup, Pendulous Sedge, Yellow Archangel, Silverweed, Early Purple Orchid, Kingcup, Ivy, Ground Ivy, Honeysuckle, Bluebell, Snowberry, Hop, Lesser Knapweed, Wild and Barren Strawberry, Rosebay Willowherb, Great Willowherb, Forget-Me-Not, Wild Angelica, Common Twayblade, Common Vetch, Dandelion, Meadowsweet, Hedge Woundwort, Bugle, Wood Spurge and Coltsfoot.

2002 Field

Sweet Rocket Hesperis matronafis Good early nectar for Orange Tips and Greenveined Whites, and may feed the former's caterpillars too.

Meetings

Verbena bonariensis A very fashionable plant which will attract many butterflies, especially the whites.

Old Lavenham railway line and Lineage Wood

We all enjoy seeing butterflies in our gardens for their colour and beauty, so why not garden in a butterfly-friendly way to attract them? There are a few basic 'rules' for creating a garden that will attract butterflies and moths:

Saturday April 20th

by RichardStewart

1. Butterflies need nectar from flowers, and their caterpillars need the leaves of certain plants, so try to provide both.

2. Your butterfly plants must be m sun, not shade.

Flame Shoulder

by Mervyn Crawford

3. Single flowers are better than double.

4. Native British species are better than exotic ones, and old-fashioned species are often preferred to modern ones.

5. Provide nectar plants from early spring right through to late autumn.

6. The more types of butterfly-friendly plant the greater your success will be.

7. Moths need plants, which give nectar at night, so have some flowers that give their perfume after dark.

8. Don't be too tidy - butterfly pupae may be hiding in the dead leaves at the base of the plant, so leave them there!

Our previous meeting here in Spring produced just one butterfly so it was with some relief that my exploration of the first sunny glade prior to the start produced a Speckled Wood and Large White, with Geoff Hayes spotting a Holly Blue as we set off. This obviously gave me a false sense of confidence since I then managed to lead everybody the wrong way, taking the wrong turning off the railway line: my particular apologies to the Crawfords, who quietly suggested it was the next one.

The other memorable and unexpected incident was as we sat eating our lunch in Lineage Wood. Tony Prichard decided to enlighten the other twelve of us with an account of how many deer ticks he had accumulated at Cavenham, adding that he had already added to the total today. This produced what is probably a unique event in the annals of BC meetings. Marie and I, still contentedly seated on the ground, found we were suddenly in a very small minority as most in the group were standing up, still eating and drinking, and giving the distinct impression of wanting to move on.

LargeSkipper

by DouglasHammersley

20

5

The SuffolkArgus

Autumn 2002

RSPB reserve at North Warren and Aldringham Walks, led by Rob Macklin Reserve Warden

Narborough & Foulden

15th May 2002

26th May 2002

by RichardStewart

by Rob Parker

The twelve members present enjoyed a day of Lashing rain and leaden skies surprisingly did good sunny weather and a wide variety of not deter eight members from making the wildlife, much of the latter due to the expert journey to Norfolk to look for Grizzled and Dingy Skippers on the Narborough railway line. knowledge and observation of our leader.

A couple of bright intervals gave us the chance Even in the first fifiy yards we encountered severalspeciesof butterfly in a sunlit clump ofBluebells to find reasonable numbers of Dingy Skippers, and the day rota! was an impressive thirteen: three Green Hairstreaks and Common Blues, just one whites, Orange 1ip, Small Heath, Small Copper, Small Orange-tip, a Red Admiral and an early Painted Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, . Lady. We walked the whole length of the reserve Speckled Wood, and Wall, the last mentioned being and back, with a second search of the area where the just in the irrigation trench where the introduced Grizzled Skippers have been in the past; on this occasion however, there were none to be seen.

Silver-studded Blues are now well established. The The habitat, though small, looked suitable, thirteenth was the Green Hairstreak, which was seen with plenty of wild strawberry. Our records were above and on many of the Gorse bushes. passed to the Norfolk recorder, who said that no We also saw the rare Mossy Stonecrop, an one else had so far recorded any at that site in 2002.

Adder basking on a reed pile and in the trench Let us hope that the colony survives. Another scarce what is the largest Ant Lion colony in the country, species found on the Narborough railway line is the with over rwo thousand pits, though many had been damaged by recent rain. In addition there was plume moth Merrifieldiabaliodactylusthat lives on marjoram. Tony Prichard directed his efforts a feast of birds, most in song as well as being seen, towards the marjoram, and was able to show us the including Nightingales, Garden Warblers, larva of the moth.

Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, We moved on after lunch to look at Foulden Common Whitethroats, Cuckoos, Turtle Doves, Common, a site new to most of us. We had Yellowhammers, Goldcrests and a Wood Lark. The scarcely arrived when a Red Kite was spotted pick of the many others were all seen from the wheeling overhead - an unexpected treat, since by reedbed, with hunting Hobbys, a booming Bittern and a pair of Marsh Harriers making a food pass. then it was clear that we would not be seeing any The sun had also brought out many damselflies butterflies. As the thunder began, we were pleased to meet rwo additional members, who have since and dragonflies, with good numbers of Large Red joined us on several more successful field meetings.

Damselflies, Four Spotted Chasers, Hairy Dragonflies and the Azure Damselfly. As we were Foulden Common is a rather marshy SSSI, and looked worthy of future visits, but on this walking back along a sunlit narrow lane hundreds occasion, our outing was terminated when the of these, probably just emerged, flew up at our hailstorm made us run for the cars! approach from the surrounding vegetation.

6

Holly Ilex

Top Twenty Butterfly Plants for your Garden

The flowers are used by the Holly Blue butterfly as a food plant for its first brood of caterpillars, so the plant must be female (i.e. one which produces berries). For its later brood, the Holly Blue needs Ivy!

Honesty Lunaria annua Good early nectar plant and the seed heads may be used by the pretty Orange Tip as a foodplant for its caterpillars.

Ice Plant Sedum spectabile Good for nectar late in the year.

Reprintedfrom the Dorset Branch Leaflet

Ivy Hedera helix An invaluable plant for all gardens - don't cut it back more than you have to, as you want it to flower and produce berries, as well as form dense cover for hibernating butterflies and nesting birds.

Aubrietia Aubrietia deltoidea Good source of early nectar.

Lavender Lavendula angustifolia Bramble Rubus fruticosus

White butterflies seem to particularly love this plant.

Excellent nectar plant for butterflies, and moths will like the over-ripe fruit.

Marjoram Oreganum vulgare Buddleia

Leave some spikes of this herb to flower so it provides nectar. Mint is good too.

The best plant for nectar for butterflies and some moths. Grow different varieties and prune at different times to lengthen the flowering period.

Michaelmas Daisy Aster novi-belgii Good nectar source for late in the year.

Field scabious Knautia arvensis Also try the Small Scabious Scabiosa columaria.

Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus

French marigold Tagetes patula

No use for nectar, but Large and Small White butterflies will lay their eggs on the leaves - have fun watching the caterpillars grow!

Single flowers are best, such as "Naughty Marietta".

Privet Ligustrum Grass

Give yourself a break from cutting the hedge and let the privet bloom - butterflies love the nectar and moth caterpillars will eat the leaves.

The rye grass that is used for many lawns is useless for most wildlife, but let some native grass grow wild and long somewhere and many butterflies and moths will use it; you will probably find attractive wild flowers come up too.

Valerian Centranthus ruber Grows in the poorest soil. Pink flowers are best.

Hebe

Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica

Bees as well as butterflies will visit. Try varieties "Great Orme" or "Midsummer Beauty".

A very important food plant for many butterflies and moth caterpillars.

19

The Suffolk Argus

Autumn2002

an emergence. Of course, as I should have expected, they were typical of the summer brood females with the darker, broader wing-tips and borders, but I was unprepared for the sheer vividness and vibrancy of the blue scales, which sadly fades so soon after emergence.

All of this probably raises more questions than answers, but can this reveal a natural defence against some specific parasitic activity? How also can one account for the marked recovery in numbers in the spring of 2001 when only one adult was seen here in both summers of 1999 and 2000? I was unable because of this to observe egglaying by the summer brood butterflies Two other aspects are worth mentioning in conclusion. The first is the large range of food-plants usedby this species.BesidesHolly and Ivy,I have seen by BerylJohnson ovipositing on Privet, Lonicera nitida, Snowberry, Lilac, Dogwood, Escallonia, Pyracantha, Mahonia, The Colouring Competition entries received, both Viburnum tinus, Cotoneaster, Euonymous and at the show and by post were really beautifully Ceanothus. However, I had noted in the past that autumn pupation occurs on a twig rather than the leaf . coloured. This gave the judge, Anne Marie Stewart, a very difficult task to choose a winner of deciduous shrubs, which would fallto the ground. from each age group so congratulations to:Finally, those of us who take positive steps to attract butterflies and moths to both feed and Sarah of Felixstowe. (age 7 to 11 group} breed in our gardens should also be careful as Rebecca of Chelmsford. (age 6 & under} to how we trim and prune our hedges and who both received a 'Butterfly Poster' shrubs, otherwise it could be argued that and a gift token. it would be better to leave these insects to reproduce in less cultivated Runner up was Emma of Melton who habitats. received a 'Butterfly Poster' Editor's Note: Wmner of the Word Search was Laura See page 89 of . .. - . of Leiston who received a copy of The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk 'Glorious Butterflies and their flora'.

Butterflies for .-/'/ Well done to all those who entered the further discussion on parasitic activity relating rompedeiorn. to the Holly Blue.

The Suffolk Show, June

2002

Childrens' Competitions

-,J/·

,; J•

jfJil

Holly Blue

How Hill, Nor£olk

After a picnic lunch, our party then set out on the l '/, mile waymarked walk through a mostly marshy area, criss-crossed by an intricate system of dykes. Once again everybody had excellent views of the Swallowtail butterflies in the meadow at the start of our walk, this seeming to be a favourite spot. Other species of butterfly were conspicuous by their absence, but there were plenty of other things to observe. A pair of Hairy Dragonflies were mating, and viewed through a monocular, the blue eyes of the male and the brown eyes of the female could be seen, also the hairy thorax of both sexes.

Norfolk Hawker and Four-spotted Chaser Dragonflies and Large Red Damselflies were also seen. Water Soldier, in flower, was noted in some of the dykes, this plant an indication of good water quality. Also seen was Broad-leaved Pond Weed.

By the time we reached the wood at the end of our walk, we recorded our final butterfly - a Speckled Wood. Under the canopy of the trees, it was almost dark, the distant thunderstorm and rain instilling an urgency to get back to our cars.

This brought our visit, to How Hill, to an end and a final comment that the Swallowtails had by far outnumbered any other butterflies seen!

Monday 10th June 2002

by Alan Johnson For those unfamiliar with the area, How Hill is situated adjacent to the River Ant, the nearest village being Ludham. The Broads Authority, which was given status equivalent to a National Park, in 1989, owns and manages this 148 hectare (365 acre} Nature Reserve. The How Hill Trust runs the nearby How Hill house and grounds as an Environmental Education Centre for the Broads.

Eleven of our members attended this meeting, on a rather cloudy morning with brief sunny spells and some threatening showers, with a fresh to strong southwest wind.

The first 'event' was an hour's trip on the 'Electric Eel', an electric-powered launch used for the 'Wildlife Water Trail'. Unfortunately, due to restrictions on the number of people that could be carried by the boat, only nine members could embark. Beryl and I therefore took the opportunity to visit a nearby meadow, where we were quickly rewarded by our first sightings of the Swallowtail. This is one of the rarest and most magnificent of our resident butterflies, colonies now confined to the Norfolk Broads. Three specimens were seen spiralling together up and over the rushes, and then descending to fly around our feet. Later, one nectared on Meadow Thistle, where we could clearly see the blue/red spot on the hind wings, the weight of this insect bending the flower head over towards the ground. Red Admiral butterflies were noted on Buddleia globosa, while we awaited the return of our intrepid 'sailors', none of whom reported any seasickness! The route of the 'Electric Eel' had included open water away from the main course of the river and rwo Swallowtail butterflies were seen. Other species of note were Marsh Harrier, Pochard, Shelduck, Tufted Duck and Heron, also Blue-tailed and Azure Damselflies.

Swallowtail

by DouglasHammersley

by Mervyn Crawford 18

7

Autumn 2002

The SuffolkArgus

Moth Night at Barnhamcross Common

been moving across the country while we were still closing down the lights. Despite being rather wet driving home this had been another successful National Moth Night in Suffolk.

The full species list for the night was; Common Swift, Caloptilia robustella,Anthophila fabriciana, Glyphipterix simpliciella, Plutella xylostella, Metzneria lappella, Teleiodes luculella, Blastobasisdecolorella,Cochylishybridella, Cochylis atricapitana, Cochylis dubitana, Epiblema cynosbatella, Pandemis cerasana, Archips podana, Aphelia paleana, Ditula angustiorana, Aleimma loeflingiana, Tortrix viridana, Celypha lacunana, Hedya pruniana, Hedya nubiferana, Bactra lancealana,Ancy/is mitterbacheriana,Eucosmacana, Rhyacionia pinivorana, Chrysoteuchia culmella, Crambus lathoniellus, Thisanotia chrysonuchella, Platytes cerussella, Scoparia pyralella, Scoparia ambigualis, Sitochroa verticalis, Perinephela lancealis, Udea olivalis, Orthopygia glaucinalis, Aphomia sociella, Cryptoblabesbistriga, Euzophera cinerosella, Ephestia parasite/la, Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla, Adaina microdactyla, Blotched Emerald, Birch Mocha, Maiden's Blush, Bloodvein, Satin Wave, Treble Brown Spot, Riband Wave, Common Carpet, Wood Carpet, Yellow Shell, Purple Bar, Common Marbled Carpet, Barred Yellow, Grey Pine Carpet, Broken-barred Carpet, Green Carpet, Sharp-angled Carpet, Sandy Carpet, Mottled Pug, Lime-speck Pug, Grey Pug, Shaded Pug, Green Pug, Broom-tip, Grey Carpet, Small Yellow Wave, Tawny-barred Angle, Latticed Heath, Brown Silver-line, Scorched Wing, Brimstone Moth, Peppered Moth, Pale Oak Beauty, Silver-ground Carpet, Mottled Beauty, Clouded Silver, Bordered White, Light Emerald, Barred Red, Eyed Hawk-moth, Poplar Hawkmoth, Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Buff-tip, Lobster Moth, Iron Prominent, Great Prominent, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Maple Prominent, Marbled Brown, Pale Tussock, Rosy Footman, Orange Footman, Common Footman, Cream-spot Tiger, Clouded Buff, White Ermine, Buff Ermine, Cinnabar, Heart and Club, Heart and Dart, Flame, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lunar Yellow Underwing, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Double

Saturday 15th June 2002 National Moth Night

by TonyPrichard This was the fourth National Moth Night organised by Atropos and lnsectLine and was targetted at recording the species Bordered Gothic and Scarce Merveille du Jour.

Barnhamcross Common, just south of Thetford, was chosen as the venue for this National Moth Night as it seemed as likely an area as any to record Bordered Gothic and the common is currently under threat from a proposed road development.

While most of the country was not faring well weather-wise on the night those in the east managed to avoid the wet weather till the early hours of the morning. This allowed us to have a few hours of moth recording on a rather warm night. Several lights were operated in the most southerly part of the common and a good representation of species that tend to be associated in the county with the Brecks were recorded; Thisanotia chrysonuchella, Sitochroa verticalis, Wood Carpet, Grey Carpet, Clouded Buff, Lunar Yellow Underwing and Rosy Marbled.

A species of particular interest that turned up to several of the lights was the Reddish Light Arches. There are very few recent records for this species·in the county with three records from the Brecks and one each from Woodbridge and Landguard. As well as this species the few members of the branch attending the event were not disappointed when it came to seeing the more showy moths with four species of hawk-moth, four types of Prominent and the ever-popular Fox Moth and Buff-tip appearing in numbers.

Unfortunately we pushed our luck a bit too far and were caught by the heavy rain that had

8

quarters. Our garden here consists of just under an acre of what was once sandy heathland. Its longer northern boundary is lined by Silver Birches, White Poplars, Lilacs, Bramble and a few of the inevitable Leylandii. A lower thick hedge of the invasive Snowberry Orbiculatus was much reduced to be replaced by several kinds of flowering shrubs, which receive full sun for much of the day. This seems to have met with the approval of the local Holly Blues, amongst others, and these can reliably be distinguished anywhere at a distance from most other European blues by their arboreal habits, continually 'patrolling' suitable tall hedgerows.

My very improvised technique to keep track of these insects is as follows. Having watched the female butterfly's contortions as she carefully places one or two eggs under a terminal bud of her chosen host plant, the exact spot is marked with a coloured wire tie of the type used to seal bags of fruit and veg. for the freezer. Some garden centres sell a very fine moss-green nylon mesh by the square metre and I cut and then fold this after placing a smear of glue from a hot glue gun down two adjacent edges.

A very strong light sleeve about three by four inches results, which is not at all unsightly. So as not to overly interfere with natural processes a sleeve is placed over about half of the marked 'nests'. There is no real need to tie the end, as Holly Blue larvae move no more than an inch or two from egg to pupation. The unprotected ones soon fell victim to predators - birds presumably, as they disappeared one by one. The sleeved ones pupated successfully, supported underneath a leaf by the usual silk girdle, and resembling a small bird dropping.

Here is where the surprise occurs. In 1999 I commented on Dr. Vickery's garden survey form "Disastrous summer brood" after a reasonable spring emergence. I only saw one butterfly but the half dozen or so sleeved pupae were still alive but unhatched! They continued in this state throughout the poor Holly Blue year 2000 but two dried out and perished in the winter of 2000/1. I began to despair when they stubbornly refused to emerge in the spring of 2001, but in early July the pupae darkened, the wing cases showed blue colour underneath and I transferred them to a breeding cage to increase my chances of watching

The Rise and Fall of the

Holly Blue byMervyn Crawford The early appearance of Holly Blues this year, 2002, on the wing in my garden before the end of March prompted a search through some of my older records. Sure enough, the end of the second week in April seemed to be the normal time to expect first sightings of this butterfly.

Ever since the early fifties, when, as a young schoolboy my interest was first kindled by the discovery of a sleeping Convulvulus Hawk moth in my fathers strictly 'out-of-bounds' potting shed, the Holly Blue seems to have remained remarkably stable in average numbers. However, the regular seasons of abundance followed by periods of comparative scarcity continue to puzzle entomologists and only a few plausible reasons have been suggested for this.

In 1954, a move was made from Thurston to what was then a very rural and narrow Hardwick Lane in Bury St. Edmunds and a bungalow well named 'Ilex' because of the dozen or so mature Holly trees surrounding it. Here my boyish inquisitiveness soon acquired for me the knack of watching female butterflies engaged in egg-laying, marking the exact spot, and then pestering my long suffering mother to sew cloth sleevesso that I could watch the ensuing life-cycleunfold. During the next few years my close observations of Holly Blues were never recorded, but in spite of unreliable memories I believed I had at least discovered a partial reason for their constant fluctuations in numbers.

It was not until moving to our present home in Mildenhall in 1995, and a return to some selfemployment that I was able once again to watch the life-cycles of these insects at really close

17

Autumn 2002

The Suffolk Argus four. However, the Small Tortoiseshells were also attacked by the newcomer Stunnia be/la, which accounted for a further 35% loss. If Vanessids in Britain are now being attacked by this newcomer, it may explain why the Small Tortoiseshell has shown such a dramatic drop in numbers.

I am advised that one female parasitic fly is capable of attacking in the region of 150 butterfly larvae and that several generations can occur annually between May and October. It would seem that the addition of another parasite could bring about a larger cyclical variation in the number of butterflies and that we could see similar cyclical declines in the Peacock, Red Admiral and Comma in future years.

However, at Whippingham in 2001, a long warm summer has produced the best numbers ofVanessids for the past four years.

Reprinted from The Hampshire & Isle ofWight Butterfly & Moth Report 2001. We thank the editor of the Report and the author, John Rowell, for permission to publish this article.

Editor's note: Could this be the explanation for the below average numbers in Suffolk during 2001?

-

Glapthorn Cow Pastures and Ketton Quarry

Square-spot, Nutmeg, Shears, Dot Moth, Light Brocade, Pale-shouldered Brocade, Bright-line Brown-eye, Lychnis, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Poplar Grey, Bird's Wing, Angle Shades, Dark Arches, Light Arches, Reddish Light Arches, Clouded-bordered Brindle, Small Clouded Brindle, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Marbled Minor spp., Middle-barred Minor, Mottled Rustic, Rosy Marbled, Marbled White Spot, Green Silver-lines, Silver Y, Beautiful Golden Y, Spectacle, Straw Dot, Snout, Fan-foot, Fox Moth, Treble Lines, Pine Hawk-moth, Common Wainscot, Brown Rustic, Burnished Brass.

Sunday 23rd June 2002

by Alan Johnson It is now six years since we last visited these two sites, and by popular request they were included in this year's programme.

A total of 19 of our members attended, probably setting a record for one of our field meetings? A fine warm morning with good sunny periods no doubt helped, one of the better days in a rather dismal 'summer' to date.

Our visit to Glapthorn coincided with one by the Beds and Northanrs Branch, also individual members, thus making parts of the reserve rather 'busy'! The Black Hairstreak butterfly, which we had all come to see, has a comparatively short flight period. The 28 hectare (69 acre) reserve is situated a few miles to the east of Oundle. It was acquired by the Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust in 1974 and is designated a SSSI because of its wildlife value and in particular the breeding colony of Black Hairstreak.

The name 'cow pastures' may seem odd for somewhere which is basically wooded, but at the turn of the last century much was grassland used for cattle grazing. When this stopped Blackthorn covered the grassland to form the present day dense scrub areas. The Blackthorn is cut on a long rotation of20 to 40 years and is the larval foodplant for the Black Hairstreak. A combination of this Blackthorn with small sunlit glades and rides created ideal conditions for this rare butterfly.

We were met by Doug, a volunteer Warden/Recorder, who, after a short introductory talk, led us into the wood, where we soon located our first Black Hairstreak. This was nectaring low down on Bramble, which was flowering amidst the Blackthorn, seemingly allowing the butterfly to drop down from scrub to flower head.

Since our last visit, a tower had been erected to enable the intrepid climbers among us to view

Lesser Swallow Prominent byMervyn Crawford

Small Tortoiseshell

by BerylJohnston 16

9

The Suffolk Argus

Autumn2002 that we send them our observations and subsequently a list of 60 plus plants was compiled.

My thanks to all our lady botanists for their information.

Marbled White butterflies were active, instantly recognisable by their striking black and white markings. They are seen at their best when the wings are held open to absorb the maximum warmth from the sun. Other species noted were Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Comma, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Large White, Green-veined White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, and Brimstone (female).

We moved on from the confines of the gorge, following a 'geological trail', up to a bowl shaped area with an abundant growth of Bird'sfoot trefoil. Here several Small Tortoiseshell were noted, also Small Heath. With our visit now coming to an end we started to return to our cars, half of the group 'detouring' and later reporting a meadow thick with thistles, with many Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Marbled Whites being attracted to the flower heads.

Thus ended our visits to these two contrasting sites, with both our 'target species' seen in good numbers and a total of 14 species seen during the day.

the canopy, also providing those staying on terra firma entertainment when they tried to descend!

On some days the butterfly sits out of sight, on a treetop. Field Maple and Ash are favourite resting places, probably because the leaves are often coated with sweet aphid honeydew.

The adult butterflies have a characteristic 'jerky' flight but when it does descend to ground level its normal inaccessibility is compensated by being quite tame and it can be closely approached, a factor appreciated by the photographers present.

At rest it can be distinguished from the Whiteletter Hairstreak by a line of black spots along the inner edge of the orange band on the hind wings.

Good numbers were seen during our visit, the main concentration being in two glades, with Bramble, Privet and Dog rose interspersed with Blackthorn. Other butterflies noted were: Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and Small Tortoiseshell.

After lunch, our afternoon visit took us to the contrasting habitat of Ketron Quarry, situated a few miles to the S.W. of Stamford. The abandoned limestone workings now supporting a rich flora and fauna, have been designated a SSSI and are managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust on behalf of the owners, Castle Cement. The Trust had kindly given us permission to visit this site.

Entrance was via a small industrial unit and our attention was drawn to several pallets containing stone, cut and labelled for use on the new cathedral tower at Bury St. Edmunds.

We walked from an open glade into the steep sided excavations, now covered with scrub and trees, the ground beneath our feet carpeted with a myriad of wild flowers such as St.John's-Wort, Common Centaury, Self-heal, Bird's-foot trefoil, Eyebright, Cinquefoil and Marjoram. The Trust had asked

BlackHairstreak

by DouglasHammersley

10

23rd August, three maggots emerged, one of which was from a butterfly larva which had pupated on 18th August. I had observed this particular Tortoiseshell larva on 16th August when, about four feet from the ground, it had taken half a day to attach itself and a further day and a half before it completed pupation. In this instance the parasitic fly larva took only five days to emerge after its host pupated.

On examining the affected butterfly pupae, no holes were visible as the maggots had not eaten their way out but simply squeezed through the pupal casing either via the horn, wing-case or other weak point, which closed up afterwards. This was different from the parasitized larvae of Large Whites, which I have found in the past, as these showed definite holes eaten through the empty casing when the adult parasitic wasps emerged. On virtually all the Small Tortoiseshell pupae, a white stain was visible running down the outside of the casing from the place where the maggot had emerged, a stain which led to a fine white thread hanging from the lowest part of the pupal casing to within four - six cm of the ground. Presumably, the maggots dropped the last short distance to the floor, having lowered themselves by the threads.

All the maggots emerged at night, presumably as a protection from predators. Once I realised this, pupae were checked more frequenrly and the time of emergence was found to be just after midnight. If it were not for the evidence of the thread, or the fact that the tin kept the maggots contained, none of this would have been observed, as under natural conditions in the wild, the maggots would have simply dropped to the ground and wriggled to cover.

However, all was not bad news as the first of the autumn brood of Small Tortoiseshells emerged on 20th August, the same day as the last of the larvae departed from the netrle patch. On 24th August, the first of my 'captive' brood which I had collected on 10th August emerged safely.Two more adults emerged safely on 26th August and a fourth on 29th. These were joined by two other fresh butterflies, which had obviously hatched nearby.

I subsequently observed that the Small Tortoiseshells returned each night to the coach

house where they had hatched. One actually hatched after the tin containing the pupa had been moved out into the sunshine on a patio table in the garden. Strangely, one of the seven adults flying in the garden regularly returned to land on that patio table, close to where the tin had been located. As I have also observed that female butterflies appear to lay in the same proximity as previous broods, I wonder if these events are related and that a butterfly has some instinctive attraction t'o, or memory of, the spot where it hatched.

Most of the parasitic puparia were sent to Dr Mark Shaw at the Museums of Scotland for identification. Ar 0800hrs on 6th September, the first parasitic fly emerged from the puparia that I had retained, biting its way out having taken 17 days to hatch. Another five flies emerged within a few days. These, together with their empty pupal cases and a few live puparia, were also sent to Dr Mark Shaw. The puparia sent to Edinburgh have been identified in about equal numbers as belonging to the common tachnid fly Phryxe vulgarisand the new continental species Sturmia bella. Both are not unlike the Common House-fly Musca domesticain appearance.

However, from two pupae a brood of Pteromatuspuparum emerged, a tiny parasitic wasp that attacks white butterflies. Dr Shaw writes that the species oviposits into very fresh pupae, and sometimes a female waits parienrly on a host larva that is going off ro pupate. In this instance, as with the parasirized Large White referred to previously, an exit hole is visible in the casing of the dead pupa. The adult parasitic brood, having pupated gregariously inside the host, chew a hole from which they all emerge.

Dr Shaw has also confirmed that Comma pupae have been attacked by Sturmia bella on White and Red Admiral pupae by the parasitic wasp Microgastersubcompletus.

If the situation is analyzed using my observations as an example, 20 Small Tortoiseshell pupae produced only four adult butterflies. 10% were attacked by the parasitic wasp Pteromalus puparum and 35% by the tachnid fly Phryxe vulgaris,and if these were the only two parasites then eleven adults should have hatched instead of

15

Autumn 2002

The SuffolkArgus

Small Tortoiseshells Attacked by Parasites byJohn Rowell [Definitions: Pupa = the stage in an insect's metamorphosis where the larva sheds its skin as the pupal caseforms underneath. Puparium = the stage in an insect'smetamorphosis where the larva does not shed its skin during pupation - pl. puparia. Flies produce puparia.]

Over the past three years, observers have reported a serious decline in the numbers of the Small Tortoiseshell, with several localities reporting no sightings at all. In the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Butterfly and Moth Report for the year 2000, Joyce Gifford reported a Peacock larva that had been parasitized by what was subsequently identified as the Tachnid fly Stunnia bella by Dr Mark Shaw's team at the National Museums of Scotland. This particular parasite of Vanessids, although apparently common on the continent, had not previously been recorded in England.

My own observations in 2001 at the Whippingham ( I ) Fields transect on the Isle of Wight (SZ510935) may assist in understanding why the Small Tortoiseshell in particular has suffered a decline, for although I have noticed a lack of sightings at most other locations, my garden and the surrounding field here at Whippingham have fortunately always supported a reasonable population.

In 2001, the Small Tortoiseshell appeared on 9th April in small numbers but no larvae could be

found by the time they finished on 5th June. The early count of 21 adults was average. However, the summer brood, which emerged on 3rd July, was the highest recorded at the site with 43 adult sightings. At the end of July, over 1,000 larvae of varying sizes were on Common Nettle Urtica dioica and the first pupa was found in early August. The summer brood continued until 20th August, just as the autumn brood arrived with further sightings of 30 adults up to 13th October.

This made the annual total of 94 adults seen the best ever recorded at this site. Interestingly, only an occasional adult was observed at any other neighbouring location.

Larvae initially started leaving the nettles in some numbers to pupate, but as the days passed, others appeared reluctant to do so and many fullygrown larvae simply remained motionless on the nettle leaves. If touched they would wriggle a little, but generally seemed to lack energy. Of those that started their journey, many halted a few feet above .the ground without ever reaching a window sill or overhang and simply pupated in situ. Some larvae, once secured, were pupating within hours, whilst others took up to two days to carry out the same procedure. As Blue Tits Parus caeruleus began taking the pupae, I removed all that I could find and 20 were attached to a stick overhanging a metal biscuit tin. On 14th August, I was surprised to find a white maggot in the bottom of the tin and a thread of'silk-like' appearance hanging from the horn of one pupa. The maggot was about one cm in length and three mm in diameter. Within a few hours it darkened in colour and before the end of the day, it had transformed itself into a small light brown puparium. The maggot did not shed its skin as butterfly larvae do and the puparium was about seven mm in length, three mm in diameter and shaped like a rugby ball that is slightly pointed at one end. The same thing happened the following day to a second butterfly pupa, but on this occasion the maggot emerged via the wing-case. Further maggots continued to emerge at intervals right through to 19th September and although they were all similar in appearance, some were noticeably larger being nine mm in length and four mm in diameter. On

14

The Horse Chestnut leaf-miner (Cameraria ohridella)

by TonyPrichard

there is concern that the high population densities on a tree that this moth can achieve must be putting affected trees under stress.

Given its rapidity of spread across Europe, and I do not see any reason why that should not be repeated in Britain, it will not be long before this species makes its way to Suffolk assuming it hasn't already. The mines on leaves should be reasonably easy to spot due to their brown colouration. There is, however, a fungus that also causes brown discoloration on the leaves. If the discoloration is due to the moth's mining activities then there will be a silhouette of a small caterpillar or pupae visible in the brown-coloured area when the leaf is held up to the light.

If anyone finds what they think is a leaf containing mines I would be very grateful if they could forward one or two of them onto myself for confirmation.

I recently wrote in the Suffolk Moth Group newsletter prompting moth recorders within the county to keep an eye out for this species, which at the time had not yet been recorded within Britain. Very shortly after Mark Parsons informed me that the species had just been recorded in London.

This species is of concern for two reasons; its rate of spread across Europe and the effect it appears to have on the host tree - Horse Chestnut.

The moth was first described in 1985 when it was found in Macedonia. It then appeared in Austria in 1989 and since has spread rapidly across Europe so that it now occurs in Germany, France, Belgium, Holland and other European countries.

With the rapidity of its spread it appeared that it would- not be long before it was discovered in Britain.

The second cause of concern with this species is the effect it appears to have on its foodplant - Horse Chestnut. The caterpillar of this very small moth feeds within the leaf itself forming what is called a 'mine'. The mines of this moth cause the horse chestnut leaves to turn brown. Given that there may be hundreds of mines in a leaf and most leaves may be affected the effect this has on the appearance of the tree is quite dramatic. Affected leaves tend to fall early and

Lime Hawk Moth

by Mervyn Crawford 11

., The Suffolk Argus

Autumn 2002 We would like to increaseawarenessof conservation issues and help to maintain and preserve this vital part of the green corridor into Ipswich. The meadow offers educational opportunities and we have formed links with the local scouts and Suffolk Wildlife Trust 'Junior Watch'. We have been given an opportunity to manage indefinitely; but the site is still owned by and open to the public, through Ipswich Borough Council.

Members wishing to help by growing on of plants for the site or with work parties can telephone me on 01473-414092.

Holywells Meadow Kissing Gate Lane byJulian Dowding

Species identified 2002

This charming, overlooked meadow, in Holywells Park, Ipswich, was once part of the Cobbold Estate.Today it suffers from an over abundance of Hogweed smothering many other wild.flower species but recent work and a new management plan has seen it win second place in the East Anglian Daily Tunes Wild.flowerAwards.

The one acre meadow is bordered by an excellent Holly hedge, noted for its Holly Blues in The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Burterflies, an old Hawthorn hedge on its southern side and a newly planted Saxon hedge on the northern side.

Since the 1980's, Ipswich Park Rangers had managed the site with a simple cut and gather in late Autumn.

This year, Suffolk Branch introduced a 3 layered cutting plan with help from the Friends of Holywells Park. Cutting and raking in early Spring, Summer and Autumn to remove as much 'thatch' as possible, harvests nutrients and reduces the smothering caused by 'problem' species like Hogweed and False Oat Grass which flourish on fertile sites. Because they also dislike more frequent cutting it is hoped this method will improve both wildflowerand invertebrate diversity.The rakings are used to create habitat piles on the edge of the site. It is probable that there are Grass Snakes and Slow Worms using the meadow and these speciesmust be catered for. We also envisage a certain amount of new planting, particularly along the shady side of the site next to the old Hawthorn hedge.

Butterflies: Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper. Large, Small and Essex Skippers, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper.

Grasses: Yorkshire Fog, Crested Dogstail, False Oat Grass, Annual Meadow Grass, Cocksfoot, Meadow Foxtail.

Other Invertebrates: Large Red and Common Blue Damselfly, Broad Bodied Chaser.

Flower species: Cuckoo Flower, Cowslip, Bladder Campion, Red Campion, Greater Bindweed, Field Bindweed, Hogweed, Greater Knapweed, Lesser Knapweed, Field Scabious, Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Cow Parsley, Grass Vetchling, Common Catsear, Cleavers, Oxeye, Hedge Bedstraw, Lady's Bedstraw, Pink Clover, White Clover, Common Vetch, Herb Bennet, Germander Speedwell, Herb Robert, Creeping Buttercup, Hedge Woundwort, Meadow Buttercup, Meadow Cranesbill, Dovesfoot Cranesbill, White Bryony.

12

Holywells Meadow Kissing Gate Lane Site Map Key to Site Map

Area 1= Cut once yearly in September/October Area 2 = Cut twice yearly in Late June, early July and in September /October Area 3 = Cut three times a year in Feb/March as Hogweed begins to grow, June/July (varied from year to year), and Sept/October with rest of site.

.-.. '

.............. ~

The early cut will help set back Hogweed. Middle cut will remove the 'bulk' so reducing fertility. Varied timing will allow different plants to flower and seed.

..."".. \

Boundaries: Scalloped edge cut Sept/Oct in a 3 - yearly rotation in with rest of meadow. It provides: i) refuge for small mammals, invertebrates and amphibians and reptiles when meadow is cut ii) overwintering habitat of rough grass for invertebrates and iii) location for habitat piles, some in shade some in sun.

O

Key to symbol:s

•.-::..•.--:.: = !'nth •=

Habitat piles

~ "'Atta for 1-tp!anting

~ 13

"""'-"'"

= T,-ee

., The Suffolk Argus

Autumn 2002 We would like to increaseawarenessof conservation issues and help to maintain and preserve this vital part of the green corridor into Ipswich. The meadow offers educational opportunities and we have formed links with the local scouts and Suffolk Wildlife Trust 'Junior Watch'. We have been given an opportunity to manage indefinitely; but the site is still owned by and open to the public, through Ipswich Borough Council.

Members wishing to help by growing on of plants for the site or with work parties can telephone me on 01473-414092.

Holywells Meadow Kissing Gate Lane byJulian Dowding

Species identified 2002

This charming, overlooked meadow, in Holywells Park, Ipswich, was once part of the Cobbold Estate.Today it suffers from an over abundance of Hogweed smothering many other wild.flower species but recent work and a new management plan has seen it win second place in the East Anglian Daily Tunes Wild.flowerAwards.

The one acre meadow is bordered by an excellent Holly hedge, noted for its Holly Blues in The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Burterflies, an old Hawthorn hedge on its southern side and a newly planted Saxon hedge on the northern side.

Since the 1980's, Ipswich Park Rangers had managed the site with a simple cut and gather in late Autumn.

This year, Suffolk Branch introduced a 3 layered cutting plan with help from the Friends of Holywells Park. Cutting and raking in early Spring, Summer and Autumn to remove as much 'thatch' as possible, harvests nutrients and reduces the smothering caused by 'problem' species like Hogweed and False Oat Grass which flourish on fertile sites. Because they also dislike more frequent cutting it is hoped this method will improve both wildflowerand invertebrate diversity.The rakings are used to create habitat piles on the edge of the site. It is probable that there are Grass Snakes and Slow Worms using the meadow and these speciesmust be catered for. We also envisage a certain amount of new planting, particularly along the shady side of the site next to the old Hawthorn hedge.

Butterflies: Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper. Large, Small and Essex Skippers, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper.

Grasses: Yorkshire Fog, Crested Dogstail, False Oat Grass, Annual Meadow Grass, Cocksfoot, Meadow Foxtail.

Other Invertebrates: Large Red and Common Blue Damselfly, Broad Bodied Chaser.

Flower species: Cuckoo Flower, Cowslip, Bladder Campion, Red Campion, Greater Bindweed, Field Bindweed, Hogweed, Greater Knapweed, Lesser Knapweed, Field Scabious, Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Cow Parsley, Grass Vetchling, Common Catsear, Cleavers, Oxeye, Hedge Bedstraw, Lady's Bedstraw, Pink Clover, White Clover, Common Vetch, Herb Bennet, Germander Speedwell, Herb Robert, Creeping Buttercup, Hedge Woundwort, Meadow Buttercup, Meadow Cranesbill, Dovesfoot Cranesbill, White Bryony.

12

Holywells Meadow Kissing Gate Lane Site Map Key to Site Map

Area 1= Cut once yearly in September/October Area 2 = Cut twice yearly in Late June, early July and in September /October Area 3 = Cut three times a year in Feb/March as Hogweed begins to grow, June/July (varied from year to year), and Sept/October with rest of site.

.-.. '

.............. ~

The early cut will help set back Hogweed. Middle cut will remove the 'bulk' so reducing fertility. Varied timing will allow different plants to flower and seed.

..."".. \

Boundaries: Scalloped edge cut Sept/Oct in a 3 - yearly rotation in with rest of meadow. It provides: i) refuge for small mammals, invertebrates and amphibians and reptiles when meadow is cut ii) overwintering habitat of rough grass for invertebrates and iii) location for habitat piles, some in shade some in sun.

O

Key to symbol:s

•.-::..•.--:.: = !'nth •=

Habitat piles

~ "'Atta for 1-tp!anting

~ 13

"""'-"'"

= T,-ee

Autumn 2002

The SuffolkArgus

Small Tortoiseshells Attacked by Parasites byJohn Rowell [Definitions: Pupa = the stage in an insect's metamorphosis where the larva sheds its skin as the pupal caseforms underneath. Puparium = the stage in an insect'smetamorphosis where the larva does not shed its skin during pupation - pl. puparia. Flies produce puparia.]

Over the past three years, observers have reported a serious decline in the numbers of the Small Tortoiseshell, with several localities reporting no sightings at all. In the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Butterfly and Moth Report for the year 2000, Joyce Gifford reported a Peacock larva that had been parasitized by what was subsequently identified as the Tachnid fly Stunnia bella by Dr Mark Shaw's team at the National Museums of Scotland. This particular parasite of Vanessids, although apparently common on the continent, had not previously been recorded in England.

My own observations in 2001 at the Whippingham ( I ) Fields transect on the Isle of Wight (SZ510935) may assist in understanding why the Small Tortoiseshell in particular has suffered a decline, for although I have noticed a lack of sightings at most other locations, my garden and the surrounding field here at Whippingham have fortunately always supported a reasonable population.

In 2001, the Small Tortoiseshell appeared on 9th April in small numbers but no larvae could be

found by the time they finished on 5th June. The early count of 21 adults was average. However, the summer brood, which emerged on 3rd July, was the highest recorded at the site with 43 adult sightings. At the end of July, over 1,000 larvae of varying sizes were on Common Nettle Urtica dioica and the first pupa was found in early August. The summer brood continued until 20th August, just as the autumn brood arrived with further sightings of 30 adults up to 13th October.

This made the annual total of 94 adults seen the best ever recorded at this site. Interestingly, only an occasional adult was observed at any other neighbouring location.

Larvae initially started leaving the nettles in some numbers to pupate, but as the days passed, others appeared reluctant to do so and many fullygrown larvae simply remained motionless on the nettle leaves. If touched they would wriggle a little, but generally seemed to lack energy. Of those that started their journey, many halted a few feet above .the ground without ever reaching a window sill or overhang and simply pupated in situ. Some larvae, once secured, were pupating within hours, whilst others took up to two days to carry out the same procedure. As Blue Tits Parus caeruleus began taking the pupae, I removed all that I could find and 20 were attached to a stick overhanging a metal biscuit tin. On 14th August, I was surprised to find a white maggot in the bottom of the tin and a thread of'silk-like' appearance hanging from the horn of one pupa. The maggot was about one cm in length and three mm in diameter. Within a few hours it darkened in colour and before the end of the day, it had transformed itself into a small light brown puparium. The maggot did not shed its skin as butterfly larvae do and the puparium was about seven mm in length, three mm in diameter and shaped like a rugby ball that is slightly pointed at one end. The same thing happened the following day to a second butterfly pupa, but on this occasion the maggot emerged via the wing-case. Further maggots continued to emerge at intervals right through to 19th September and although they were all similar in appearance, some were noticeably larger being nine mm in length and four mm in diameter. On

14

The Horse Chestnut leaf-miner (Cameraria ohridella)

by TonyPrichard

there is concern that the high population densities on a tree that this moth can achieve must be putting affected trees under stress.

Given its rapidity of spread across Europe, and I do not see any reason why that should not be repeated in Britain, it will not be long before this species makes its way to Suffolk assuming it hasn't already. The mines on leaves should be reasonably easy to spot due to their brown colouration. There is, however, a fungus that also causes brown discoloration on the leaves. If the discoloration is due to the moth's mining activities then there will be a silhouette of a small caterpillar or pupae visible in the brown-coloured area when the leaf is held up to the light.

If anyone finds what they think is a leaf containing mines I would be very grateful if they could forward one or two of them onto myself for confirmation.

I recently wrote in the Suffolk Moth Group newsletter prompting moth recorders within the county to keep an eye out for this species, which at the time had not yet been recorded within Britain. Very shortly after Mark Parsons informed me that the species had just been recorded in London.

This species is of concern for two reasons; its rate of spread across Europe and the effect it appears to have on the host tree - Horse Chestnut.

The moth was first described in 1985 when it was found in Macedonia. It then appeared in Austria in 1989 and since has spread rapidly across Europe so that it now occurs in Germany, France, Belgium, Holland and other European countries.

With the rapidity of its spread it appeared that it would- not be long before it was discovered in Britain.

The second cause of concern with this species is the effect it appears to have on its foodplant - Horse Chestnut. The caterpillar of this very small moth feeds within the leaf itself forming what is called a 'mine'. The mines of this moth cause the horse chestnut leaves to turn brown. Given that there may be hundreds of mines in a leaf and most leaves may be affected the effect this has on the appearance of the tree is quite dramatic. Affected leaves tend to fall early and

Lime Hawk Moth

by Mervyn Crawford 11

The Suffolk Argus

Autumn2002 that we send them our observations and subsequently a list of 60 plus plants was compiled.

My thanks to all our lady botanists for their information.

Marbled White butterflies were active, instantly recognisable by their striking black and white markings. They are seen at their best when the wings are held open to absorb the maximum warmth from the sun. Other species noted were Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Comma, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Large White, Green-veined White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, and Brimstone (female).

We moved on from the confines of the gorge, following a 'geological trail', up to a bowl shaped area with an abundant growth of Bird'sfoot trefoil. Here several Small Tortoiseshell were noted, also Small Heath. With our visit now coming to an end we started to return to our cars, half of the group 'detouring' and later reporting a meadow thick with thistles, with many Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Marbled Whites being attracted to the flower heads.

Thus ended our visits to these two contrasting sites, with both our 'target species' seen in good numbers and a total of 14 species seen during the day.

the canopy, also providing those staying on terra firma entertainment when they tried to descend!

On some days the butterfly sits out of sight, on a treetop. Field Maple and Ash are favourite resting places, probably because the leaves are often coated with sweet aphid honeydew.

The adult butterflies have a characteristic 'jerky' flight but when it does descend to ground level its normal inaccessibility is compensated by being quite tame and it can be closely approached, a factor appreciated by the photographers present.

At rest it can be distinguished from the Whiteletter Hairstreak by a line of black spots along the inner edge of the orange band on the hind wings.

Good numbers were seen during our visit, the main concentration being in two glades, with Bramble, Privet and Dog rose interspersed with Blackthorn. Other butterflies noted were: Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and Small Tortoiseshell.

After lunch, our afternoon visit took us to the contrasting habitat of Ketron Quarry, situated a few miles to the S.W. of Stamford. The abandoned limestone workings now supporting a rich flora and fauna, have been designated a SSSI and are managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust on behalf of the owners, Castle Cement. The Trust had kindly given us permission to visit this site.

Entrance was via a small industrial unit and our attention was drawn to several pallets containing stone, cut and labelled for use on the new cathedral tower at Bury St. Edmunds.

We walked from an open glade into the steep sided excavations, now covered with scrub and trees, the ground beneath our feet carpeted with a myriad of wild flowers such as St.John's-Wort, Common Centaury, Self-heal, Bird's-foot trefoil, Eyebright, Cinquefoil and Marjoram. The Trust had asked

BlackHairstreak

by DouglasHammersley

10

23rd August, three maggots emerged, one of which was from a butterfly larva which had pupated on 18th August. I had observed this particular Tortoiseshell larva on 16th August when, about four feet from the ground, it had taken half a day to attach itself and a further day and a half before it completed pupation. In this instance the parasitic fly larva took only five days to emerge after its host pupated.

On examining the affected butterfly pupae, no holes were visible as the maggots had not eaten their way out but simply squeezed through the pupal casing either via the horn, wing-case or other weak point, which closed up afterwards. This was different from the parasitized larvae of Large Whites, which I have found in the past, as these showed definite holes eaten through the empty casing when the adult parasitic wasps emerged. On virtually all the Small Tortoiseshell pupae, a white stain was visible running down the outside of the casing from the place where the maggot had emerged, a stain which led to a fine white thread hanging from the lowest part of the pupal casing to within four - six cm of the ground. Presumably, the maggots dropped the last short distance to the floor, having lowered themselves by the threads.

All the maggots emerged at night, presumably as a protection from predators. Once I realised this, pupae were checked more frequenrly and the time of emergence was found to be just after midnight. If it were not for the evidence of the thread, or the fact that the tin kept the maggots contained, none of this would have been observed, as under natural conditions in the wild, the maggots would have simply dropped to the ground and wriggled to cover.

However, all was not bad news as the first of the autumn brood of Small Tortoiseshells emerged on 20th August, the same day as the last of the larvae departed from the netrle patch. On 24th August, the first of my 'captive' brood which I had collected on 10th August emerged safely.Two more adults emerged safely on 26th August and a fourth on 29th. These were joined by two other fresh butterflies, which had obviously hatched nearby.

I subsequently observed that the Small Tortoiseshells returned each night to the coach

house where they had hatched. One actually hatched after the tin containing the pupa had been moved out into the sunshine on a patio table in the garden. Strangely, one of the seven adults flying in the garden regularly returned to land on that patio table, close to where the tin had been located. As I have also observed that female butterflies appear to lay in the same proximity as previous broods, I wonder if these events are related and that a butterfly has some instinctive attraction t'o, or memory of, the spot where it hatched.

Most of the parasitic puparia were sent to Dr Mark Shaw at the Museums of Scotland for identification. Ar 0800hrs on 6th September, the first parasitic fly emerged from the puparia that I had retained, biting its way out having taken 17 days to hatch. Another five flies emerged within a few days. These, together with their empty pupal cases and a few live puparia, were also sent to Dr Mark Shaw. The puparia sent to Edinburgh have been identified in about equal numbers as belonging to the common tachnid fly Phryxe vulgarisand the new continental species Sturmia bella. Both are not unlike the Common House-fly Musca domesticain appearance.

However, from two pupae a brood of Pteromatuspuparum emerged, a tiny parasitic wasp that attacks white butterflies. Dr Shaw writes that the species oviposits into very fresh pupae, and sometimes a female waits parienrly on a host larva that is going off ro pupate. In this instance, as with the parasirized Large White referred to previously, an exit hole is visible in the casing of the dead pupa. The adult parasitic brood, having pupated gregariously inside the host, chew a hole from which they all emerge.

Dr Shaw has also confirmed that Comma pupae have been attacked by Sturmia bella on White and Red Admiral pupae by the parasitic wasp Microgastersubcompletus.

If the situation is analyzed using my observations as an example, 20 Small Tortoiseshell pupae produced only four adult butterflies. 10% were attacked by the parasitic wasp Pteromalus puparum and 35% by the tachnid fly Phryxe vulgaris,and if these were the only two parasites then eleven adults should have hatched instead of

15

Autumn 2002

The Suffolk Argus four. However, the Small Tortoiseshells were also attacked by the newcomer Stunnia be/la, which accounted for a further 35% loss. If Vanessids in Britain are now being attacked by this newcomer, it may explain why the Small Tortoiseshell has shown such a dramatic drop in numbers.

I am advised that one female parasitic fly is capable of attacking in the region of 150 butterfly larvae and that several generations can occur annually between May and October. It would seem that the addition of another parasite could bring about a larger cyclical variation in the number of butterflies and that we could see similar cyclical declines in the Peacock, Red Admiral and Comma in future years.

However, at Whippingham in 2001, a long warm summer has produced the best numbers ofVanessids for the past four years.

Reprinted from The Hampshire & Isle ofWight Butterfly & Moth Report 2001. We thank the editor of the Report and the author, John Rowell, for permission to publish this article.

Editor's note: Could this be the explanation for the below average numbers in Suffolk during 2001?

-

Glapthorn Cow Pastures and Ketton Quarry

Square-spot, Nutmeg, Shears, Dot Moth, Light Brocade, Pale-shouldered Brocade, Bright-line Brown-eye, Lychnis, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Poplar Grey, Bird's Wing, Angle Shades, Dark Arches, Light Arches, Reddish Light Arches, Clouded-bordered Brindle, Small Clouded Brindle, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Marbled Minor spp., Middle-barred Minor, Mottled Rustic, Rosy Marbled, Marbled White Spot, Green Silver-lines, Silver Y, Beautiful Golden Y, Spectacle, Straw Dot, Snout, Fan-foot, Fox Moth, Treble Lines, Pine Hawk-moth, Common Wainscot, Brown Rustic, Burnished Brass.

Sunday 23rd June 2002

by Alan Johnson It is now six years since we last visited these two sites, and by popular request they were included in this year's programme.

A total of 19 of our members attended, probably setting a record for one of our field meetings? A fine warm morning with good sunny periods no doubt helped, one of the better days in a rather dismal 'summer' to date.

Our visit to Glapthorn coincided with one by the Beds and Northanrs Branch, also individual members, thus making parts of the reserve rather 'busy'! The Black Hairstreak butterfly, which we had all come to see, has a comparatively short flight period. The 28 hectare (69 acre) reserve is situated a few miles to the east of Oundle. It was acquired by the Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust in 1974 and is designated a SSSI because of its wildlife value and in particular the breeding colony of Black Hairstreak.

The name 'cow pastures' may seem odd for somewhere which is basically wooded, but at the turn of the last century much was grassland used for cattle grazing. When this stopped Blackthorn covered the grassland to form the present day dense scrub areas. The Blackthorn is cut on a long rotation of20 to 40 years and is the larval foodplant for the Black Hairstreak. A combination of this Blackthorn with small sunlit glades and rides created ideal conditions for this rare butterfly.

We were met by Doug, a volunteer Warden/Recorder, who, after a short introductory talk, led us into the wood, where we soon located our first Black Hairstreak. This was nectaring low down on Bramble, which was flowering amidst the Blackthorn, seemingly allowing the butterfly to drop down from scrub to flower head.

Since our last visit, a tower had been erected to enable the intrepid climbers among us to view

Lesser Swallow Prominent byMervyn Crawford

Small Tortoiseshell

by BerylJohnston 16

9

Autumn 2002

The SuffolkArgus

Moth Night at Barnhamcross Common

been moving across the country while we were still closing down the lights. Despite being rather wet driving home this had been another successful National Moth Night in Suffolk.

The full species list for the night was; Common Swift, Caloptilia robustella,Anthophila fabriciana, Glyphipterix simpliciella, Plutella xylostella, Metzneria lappella, Teleiodes luculella, Blastobasisdecolorella,Cochylishybridella, Cochylis atricapitana, Cochylis dubitana, Epiblema cynosbatella, Pandemis cerasana, Archips podana, Aphelia paleana, Ditula angustiorana, Aleimma loeflingiana, Tortrix viridana, Celypha lacunana, Hedya pruniana, Hedya nubiferana, Bactra lancealana,Ancy/is mitterbacheriana,Eucosmacana, Rhyacionia pinivorana, Chrysoteuchia culmella, Crambus lathoniellus, Thisanotia chrysonuchella, Platytes cerussella, Scoparia pyralella, Scoparia ambigualis, Sitochroa verticalis, Perinephela lancealis, Udea olivalis, Orthopygia glaucinalis, Aphomia sociella, Cryptoblabesbistriga, Euzophera cinerosella, Ephestia parasite/la, Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla, Adaina microdactyla, Blotched Emerald, Birch Mocha, Maiden's Blush, Bloodvein, Satin Wave, Treble Brown Spot, Riband Wave, Common Carpet, Wood Carpet, Yellow Shell, Purple Bar, Common Marbled Carpet, Barred Yellow, Grey Pine Carpet, Broken-barred Carpet, Green Carpet, Sharp-angled Carpet, Sandy Carpet, Mottled Pug, Lime-speck Pug, Grey Pug, Shaded Pug, Green Pug, Broom-tip, Grey Carpet, Small Yellow Wave, Tawny-barred Angle, Latticed Heath, Brown Silver-line, Scorched Wing, Brimstone Moth, Peppered Moth, Pale Oak Beauty, Silver-ground Carpet, Mottled Beauty, Clouded Silver, Bordered White, Light Emerald, Barred Red, Eyed Hawk-moth, Poplar Hawkmoth, Elephant Hawk-moth, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Buff-tip, Lobster Moth, Iron Prominent, Great Prominent, Lesser Swallow Prominent, Maple Prominent, Marbled Brown, Pale Tussock, Rosy Footman, Orange Footman, Common Footman, Cream-spot Tiger, Clouded Buff, White Ermine, Buff Ermine, Cinnabar, Heart and Club, Heart and Dart, Flame, Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, Lunar Yellow Underwing, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Double

Saturday 15th June 2002 National Moth Night

by TonyPrichard This was the fourth National Moth Night organised by Atropos and lnsectLine and was targetted at recording the species Bordered Gothic and Scarce Merveille du Jour.

Barnhamcross Common, just south of Thetford, was chosen as the venue for this National Moth Night as it seemed as likely an area as any to record Bordered Gothic and the common is currently under threat from a proposed road development.

While most of the country was not faring well weather-wise on the night those in the east managed to avoid the wet weather till the early hours of the morning. This allowed us to have a few hours of moth recording on a rather warm night. Several lights were operated in the most southerly part of the common and a good representation of species that tend to be associated in the county with the Brecks were recorded; Thisanotia chrysonuchella, Sitochroa verticalis, Wood Carpet, Grey Carpet, Clouded Buff, Lunar Yellow Underwing and Rosy Marbled.

A species of particular interest that turned up to several of the lights was the Reddish Light Arches. There are very few recent records for this species·in the county with three records from the Brecks and one each from Woodbridge and Landguard. As well as this species the few members of the branch attending the event were not disappointed when it came to seeing the more showy moths with four species of hawk-moth, four types of Prominent and the ever-popular Fox Moth and Buff-tip appearing in numbers.

Unfortunately we pushed our luck a bit too far and were caught by the heavy rain that had

8

quarters. Our garden here consists of just under an acre of what was once sandy heathland. Its longer northern boundary is lined by Silver Birches, White Poplars, Lilacs, Bramble and a few of the inevitable Leylandii. A lower thick hedge of the invasive Snowberry Orbiculatus was much reduced to be replaced by several kinds of flowering shrubs, which receive full sun for much of the day. This seems to have met with the approval of the local Holly Blues, amongst others, and these can reliably be distinguished anywhere at a distance from most other European blues by their arboreal habits, continually 'patrolling' suitable tall hedgerows.

My very improvised technique to keep track of these insects is as follows. Having watched the female butterfly's contortions as she carefully places one or two eggs under a terminal bud of her chosen host plant, the exact spot is marked with a coloured wire tie of the type used to seal bags of fruit and veg. for the freezer. Some garden centres sell a very fine moss-green nylon mesh by the square metre and I cut and then fold this after placing a smear of glue from a hot glue gun down two adjacent edges.

A very strong light sleeve about three by four inches results, which is not at all unsightly. So as not to overly interfere with natural processes a sleeve is placed over about half of the marked 'nests'. There is no real need to tie the end, as Holly Blue larvae move no more than an inch or two from egg to pupation. The unprotected ones soon fell victim to predators - birds presumably, as they disappeared one by one. The sleeved ones pupated successfully, supported underneath a leaf by the usual silk girdle, and resembling a small bird dropping.

Here is where the surprise occurs. In 1999 I commented on Dr. Vickery's garden survey form "Disastrous summer brood" after a reasonable spring emergence. I only saw one butterfly but the half dozen or so sleeved pupae were still alive but unhatched! They continued in this state throughout the poor Holly Blue year 2000 but two dried out and perished in the winter of 2000/1. I began to despair when they stubbornly refused to emerge in the spring of 2001, but in early July the pupae darkened, the wing cases showed blue colour underneath and I transferred them to a breeding cage to increase my chances of watching

The Rise and Fall of the

Holly Blue byMervyn Crawford The early appearance of Holly Blues this year, 2002, on the wing in my garden before the end of March prompted a search through some of my older records. Sure enough, the end of the second week in April seemed to be the normal time to expect first sightings of this butterfly.

Ever since the early fifties, when, as a young schoolboy my interest was first kindled by the discovery of a sleeping Convulvulus Hawk moth in my fathers strictly 'out-of-bounds' potting shed, the Holly Blue seems to have remained remarkably stable in average numbers. However, the regular seasons of abundance followed by periods of comparative scarcity continue to puzzle entomologists and only a few plausible reasons have been suggested for this.

In 1954, a move was made from Thurston to what was then a very rural and narrow Hardwick Lane in Bury St. Edmunds and a bungalow well named 'Ilex' because of the dozen or so mature Holly trees surrounding it. Here my boyish inquisitiveness soon acquired for me the knack of watching female butterflies engaged in egg-laying, marking the exact spot, and then pestering my long suffering mother to sew cloth sleevesso that I could watch the ensuing life-cycleunfold. During the next few years my close observations of Holly Blues were never recorded, but in spite of unreliable memories I believed I had at least discovered a partial reason for their constant fluctuations in numbers.

It was not until moving to our present home in Mildenhall in 1995, and a return to some selfemployment that I was able once again to watch the life-cycles of these insects at really close

17

The Suffolk Argus

Autumn2002

an emergence. Of course, as I should have expected, they were typical of the summer brood females with the darker, broader wing-tips and borders, but I was unprepared for the sheer vividness and vibrancy of the blue scales, which sadly fades so soon after emergence.

All of this probably raises more questions than answers, but can this reveal a natural defence against some specific parasitic activity? How also can one account for the marked recovery in numbers in the spring of 2001 when only one adult was seen here in both summers of 1999 and 2000? I was unable because of this to observe egglaying by the summer brood butterflies Two other aspects are worth mentioning in conclusion. The first is the large range of food-plants usedby this species.BesidesHolly and Ivy,I have seen by BerylJohnson ovipositing on Privet, Lonicera nitida, Snowberry, Lilac, Dogwood, Escallonia, Pyracantha, Mahonia, The Colouring Competition entries received, both Viburnum tinus, Cotoneaster, Euonymous and at the show and by post were really beautifully Ceanothus. However, I had noted in the past that autumn pupation occurs on a twig rather than the leaf . coloured. This gave the judge, Anne Marie Stewart, a very difficult task to choose a winner of deciduous shrubs, which would fallto the ground. from each age group so congratulations to:Finally, those of us who take positive steps to attract butterflies and moths to both feed and Sarah of Felixstowe. (age 7 to 11 group} breed in our gardens should also be careful as Rebecca of Chelmsford. (age 6 & under} to how we trim and prune our hedges and who both received a 'Butterfly Poster' shrubs, otherwise it could be argued that and a gift token. it would be better to leave these insects to reproduce in less cultivated Runner up was Emma of Melton who habitats. received a 'Butterfly Poster' Editor's Note: Wmner of the Word Search was Laura See page 89 of . .. - . of Leiston who received a copy of The Millennium Atlas of Suffolk 'Glorious Butterflies and their flora'.

Butterflies for .-/'/ Well done to all those who entered the further discussion on parasitic activity relating rompedeiorn. to the Holly Blue.

The Suffolk Show, June

2002

Childrens' Competitions

-,J/·

,; J•

jfJil

Holly Blue

How Hill, Nor£olk

After a picnic lunch, our party then set out on the l '/, mile waymarked walk through a mostly marshy area, criss-crossed by an intricate system of dykes. Once again everybody had excellent views of the Swallowtail butterflies in the meadow at the start of our walk, this seeming to be a favourite spot. Other species of butterfly were conspicuous by their absence, but there were plenty of other things to observe. A pair of Hairy Dragonflies were mating, and viewed through a monocular, the blue eyes of the male and the brown eyes of the female could be seen, also the hairy thorax of both sexes.

Norfolk Hawker and Four-spotted Chaser Dragonflies and Large Red Damselflies were also seen. Water Soldier, in flower, was noted in some of the dykes, this plant an indication of good water quality. Also seen was Broad-leaved Pond Weed.

By the time we reached the wood at the end of our walk, we recorded our final butterfly - a Speckled Wood. Under the canopy of the trees, it was almost dark, the distant thunderstorm and rain instilling an urgency to get back to our cars.

This brought our visit, to How Hill, to an end and a final comment that the Swallowtails had by far outnumbered any other butterflies seen!

Monday 10th June 2002

by Alan Johnson For those unfamiliar with the area, How Hill is situated adjacent to the River Ant, the nearest village being Ludham. The Broads Authority, which was given status equivalent to a National Park, in 1989, owns and manages this 148 hectare (365 acre} Nature Reserve. The How Hill Trust runs the nearby How Hill house and grounds as an Environmental Education Centre for the Broads.

Eleven of our members attended this meeting, on a rather cloudy morning with brief sunny spells and some threatening showers, with a fresh to strong southwest wind.

The first 'event' was an hour's trip on the 'Electric Eel', an electric-powered launch used for the 'Wildlife Water Trail'. Unfortunately, due to restrictions on the number of people that could be carried by the boat, only nine members could embark. Beryl and I therefore took the opportunity to visit a nearby meadow, where we were quickly rewarded by our first sightings of the Swallowtail. This is one of the rarest and most magnificent of our resident butterflies, colonies now confined to the Norfolk Broads. Three specimens were seen spiralling together up and over the rushes, and then descending to fly around our feet. Later, one nectared on Meadow Thistle, where we could clearly see the blue/red spot on the hind wings, the weight of this insect bending the flower head over towards the ground. Red Admiral butterflies were noted on Buddleia globosa, while we awaited the return of our intrepid 'sailors', none of whom reported any seasickness! The route of the 'Electric Eel' had included open water away from the main course of the river and rwo Swallowtail butterflies were seen. Other species of note were Marsh Harrier, Pochard, Shelduck, Tufted Duck and Heron, also Blue-tailed and Azure Damselflies.

Swallowtail

by DouglasHammersley

by Mervyn Crawford 18

7

The SuffolkArgus

Autumn 2002

RSPB reserve at North Warren and Aldringham Walks, led by Rob Macklin Reserve Warden

Narborough & Foulden

15th May 2002

26th May 2002

by RichardStewart

by Rob Parker

The twelve members present enjoyed a day of Lashing rain and leaden skies surprisingly did good sunny weather and a wide variety of not deter eight members from making the wildlife, much of the latter due to the expert journey to Norfolk to look for Grizzled and Dingy Skippers on the Narborough railway line. knowledge and observation of our leader.

A couple of bright intervals gave us the chance Even in the first fifiy yards we encountered severalspeciesof butterfly in a sunlit clump ofBluebells to find reasonable numbers of Dingy Skippers, and the day rota! was an impressive thirteen: three Green Hairstreaks and Common Blues, just one whites, Orange 1ip, Small Heath, Small Copper, Small Orange-tip, a Red Admiral and an early Painted Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, . Lady. We walked the whole length of the reserve Speckled Wood, and Wall, the last mentioned being and back, with a second search of the area where the just in the irrigation trench where the introduced Grizzled Skippers have been in the past; on this occasion however, there were none to be seen.

Silver-studded Blues are now well established. The The habitat, though small, looked suitable, thirteenth was the Green Hairstreak, which was seen with plenty of wild strawberry. Our records were above and on many of the Gorse bushes. passed to the Norfolk recorder, who said that no We also saw the rare Mossy Stonecrop, an one else had so far recorded any at that site in 2002.

Adder basking on a reed pile and in the trench Let us hope that the colony survives. Another scarce what is the largest Ant Lion colony in the country, species found on the Narborough railway line is the with over rwo thousand pits, though many had been damaged by recent rain. In addition there was plume moth Merrifieldiabaliodactylusthat lives on marjoram. Tony Prichard directed his efforts a feast of birds, most in song as well as being seen, towards the marjoram, and was able to show us the including Nightingales, Garden Warblers, larva of the moth.

Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, We moved on after lunch to look at Foulden Common Whitethroats, Cuckoos, Turtle Doves, Common, a site new to most of us. We had Yellowhammers, Goldcrests and a Wood Lark. The scarcely arrived when a Red Kite was spotted pick of the many others were all seen from the wheeling overhead - an unexpected treat, since by reedbed, with hunting Hobbys, a booming Bittern and a pair of Marsh Harriers making a food pass. then it was clear that we would not be seeing any The sun had also brought out many damselflies butterflies. As the thunder began, we were pleased to meet rwo additional members, who have since and dragonflies, with good numbers of Large Red joined us on several more successful field meetings.

Damselflies, Four Spotted Chasers, Hairy Dragonflies and the Azure Damselfly. As we were Foulden Common is a rather marshy SSSI, and looked worthy of future visits, but on this walking back along a sunlit narrow lane hundreds occasion, our outing was terminated when the of these, probably just emerged, flew up at our hailstorm made us run for the cars! approach from the surrounding vegetation.

6

Holly Ilex

Top Twenty Butterfly Plants for your Garden

The flowers are used by the Holly Blue butterfly as a food plant for its first brood of caterpillars, so the plant must be female (i.e. one which produces berries). For its later brood, the Holly Blue needs Ivy!

Honesty Lunaria annua Good early nectar plant and the seed heads may be used by the pretty Orange Tip as a foodplant for its caterpillars.

Ice Plant Sedum spectabile Good for nectar late in the year.

Reprintedfrom the Dorset Branch Leaflet

Ivy Hedera helix An invaluable plant for all gardens - don't cut it back more than you have to, as you want it to flower and produce berries, as well as form dense cover for hibernating butterflies and nesting birds.

Aubrietia Aubrietia deltoidea Good source of early nectar.

Lavender Lavendula angustifolia Bramble Rubus fruticosus

White butterflies seem to particularly love this plant.

Excellent nectar plant for butterflies, and moths will like the over-ripe fruit.

Marjoram Oreganum vulgare Buddleia

Leave some spikes of this herb to flower so it provides nectar. Mint is good too.

The best plant for nectar for butterflies and some moths. Grow different varieties and prune at different times to lengthen the flowering period.

Michaelmas Daisy Aster novi-belgii Good nectar source for late in the year.

Field scabious Knautia arvensis Also try the Small Scabious Scabiosa columaria.

Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus

French marigold Tagetes patula

No use for nectar, but Large and Small White butterflies will lay their eggs on the leaves - have fun watching the caterpillars grow!

Single flowers are best, such as "Naughty Marietta".

Privet Ligustrum Grass

Give yourself a break from cutting the hedge and let the privet bloom - butterflies love the nectar and moth caterpillars will eat the leaves.

The rye grass that is used for many lawns is useless for most wildlife, but let some native grass grow wild and long somewhere and many butterflies and moths will use it; you will probably find attractive wild flowers come up too.

Valerian Centranthus ruber Grows in the poorest soil. Pink flowers are best.

Hebe

Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica

Bees as well as butterflies will visit. Try varieties "Great Orme" or "Midsummer Beauty".

A very important food plant for many butterflies and moth caterpillars.

19

The SuffolkArgus

Autumn 2002 Other than finding a stream surprisingly full despite the recent dry spell, the rest of those left negotiated it successfully and nothing else of any concern occurred. We managed to find the longestablished colony of Roman snails and birds seen or heard singing included Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Skylark and Wren, but no Nightingale, possibly being a bit early. I also believe we spent the whole time without seeing a single Magpie.

Ten species of butterfly were recorded, the other seven being Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, three whites and Orange Tip. However, the Brimstone was the star performer and our estimate of at least twenty makes it one of the best single day counts in Suffolk. Tony Prichard also managed to find larvae of Endotheniagentianaeana inside the pith of Teasel heads while Stella Wolfe added to our reputation for biodiversiry by compiling the following plant list, with just one plant, probably a type of spurge, causing identification problems in the well-cleared former railway cutting: Primrose, Greater Stitchwort, Dog's Mercury, Lesser Celandine, Wild Arum, Sweet and Dog Violet, Moschatel, Cow Parsley, White Bryony, Traveller's Joy, Hornbeam, Dogwood, Spindle, Wood Anemone, Garlic Mustard, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Hedge Bedstraw, White Comfrey, Common Nettle, Red and White Deadnettle, Germander Speedwell, Common Field Speedwell, Cowslip, Cowslip/Primrose hybrid, Hawthorn, Sloe, Herb Robert, Goldilocks Buttercup, Pendulous Sedge, Yellow Archangel, Silverweed, Early Purple Orchid, Kingcup, Ivy, Ground Ivy, Honeysuckle, Bluebell, Snowberry, Hop, Lesser Knapweed, Wild and Barren Strawberry, Rosebay Willowherb, Great Willowherb, Forget-Me-Not, Wild Angelica, Common Twayblade, Common Vetch, Dandelion, Meadowsweet, Hedge Woundwort, Bugle, Wood Spurge and Coltsfoot.

2002 Field

Sweet Rocket Hesperis matronafis Good early nectar for Orange Tips and Greenveined Whites, and may feed the former's caterpillars too.

Meetings

Verbena bonariensis A very fashionable plant which will attract many butterflies, especially the whites.

Old Lavenham railway line and Lineage Wood

We all enjoy seeing butterflies in our gardens for their colour and beauty, so why not garden in a butterfly-friendly way to attract them? There are a few basic 'rules' for creating a garden that will attract butterflies and moths:

Saturday April 20th

by RichardStewart

1. Butterflies need nectar from flowers, and their caterpillars need the leaves of certain plants, so try to provide both.

2. Your butterfly plants must be m sun, not shade.

Flame Shoulder

by Mervyn Crawford

3. Single flowers are better than double.

4. Native British species are better than exotic ones, and old-fashioned species are often preferred to modern ones.

5. Provide nectar plants from early spring right through to late autumn.

6. The more types of butterfly-friendly plant the greater your success will be.

7. Moths need plants, which give nectar at night, so have some flowers that give their perfume after dark.

8. Don't be too tidy - butterfly pupae may be hiding in the dead leaves at the base of the plant, so leave them there!

Our previous meeting here in Spring produced just one butterfly so it was with some relief that my exploration of the first sunny glade prior to the start produced a Speckled Wood and Large White, with Geoff Hayes spotting a Holly Blue as we set off. This obviously gave me a false sense of confidence since I then managed to lead everybody the wrong way, taking the wrong turning off the railway line: my particular apologies to the Crawfords, who quietly suggested it was the next one.

The other memorable and unexpected incident was as we sat eating our lunch in Lineage Wood. Tony Prichard decided to enlighten the other twelve of us with an account of how many deer ticks he had accumulated at Cavenham, adding that he had already added to the total today. This produced what is probably a unique event in the annals of BC meetings. Marie and I, still contentedly seated on the ground, found we were suddenly in a very small minority as most in the group were standing up, still eating and drinking, and giving the distinct impression of wanting to move on.

LargeSkipper

by DouglasHammersley

20

5

7

Autumn2002

The Suffolk Argus

Work Party at Purdis Heath

Saturday January 23rd 2003, start at 10 am, meet in the visitor's car park at Ipswich Golf Club, just off Bucklesham Road, TM 2034 26. Contact me for further details.

by Richard Stewart Many members of this organisation may be familiar with the colony of Silver-studded Blues at Purdis Heath, on the edge of Ipswich, but if asked to take a visitor to see them would invariably select the area best known for its rounded clumps of heather within a large clearings close to the main path leading eventually to Purdis Farm.

There is, however, another area to the southwest corner of the site, not far from Bucklesham Road, which has until recently had good numbers, using a well-cleared area in which new Bell Heather is prominent. This is increasingly being invaded by scrub, in some areas Rosebay Willowherb, but mainly Birch saplings, coming from the bordering line of mature trees. I recommended to the Sandlings group that scrub clearance be carried out last winter but this wasn't done and there was a low butterfly count in this area in July 2002.

Now is the chance to remedy this. Details are being sent out to several conservation groups, including the local SWT Branch, Ipswich and District Natural History Society, Ipswich Wildlife Group, Ipswich Organic Gardeners' Group and the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation. All you need to do is bring yourself, with suitable clothing, plenty of food and a hot drink, plus any tools like loppers or bow-saws, though tools will be provided. There is no obligation to stay all day and all help will be gratefully received. At the end you will be able to clearly see the improvement! James Baker of the Greenways Project is organising this event, liaising with the Sandlings Group and Neil Sherman at nearby Ipswich Golf Club. Details are:

Silver-studded Blue byJim Foster

4

they were either Western or Spanish Marbled Whites. After a while the path entered a more wooded area. The path generally followed a small river called l'Ebre. At times we were at the level of the river where we could drink the pure clear water and at other times way above it on a near vertical cliff face. For much of the distance a Canal Arrosage more or less followed the path. This is a manmade channel designed to take water to where it is needed for agriculture or often for domestic use. Today there is a well used leisure path but from 1659 until 1992 the border with Spain was closed and this was one of the favourite routes for "Trade" between the two parts of Catalonier, the many watering places for mules making it very attractive to smugglers.

Nearly to the Spanish border and at over 2,500m we were able to look back and get an aerial view of the ski slopes. Even at this height we spotted various blues, fritillaries and skippers plus several Black-veined Whites. There were many well-equipped walkers on the path and we have since discovered that we were following either day one or day three of a popular three-day randonne, depending which direction one took.

Rather tired but happy with our day we returned down to the alpine meadow where we saw many very dark Small Tortoiseshells which may well have emerged since we left in the morning.

We are certain that both here and at Jujols we are hopeful of seeing Apollos but we need to visit at the right time of the year.

The Great Apollo Hunt - Episode 3

By James Mann We were beginning to think that we had left it a bit late this year but decided to give it one more go in a new location.

We left home early on 6 August making for Eyne where our Spanish friend said we would find lots of wonderful flowers. We drove past Jujols and followed up the valley of the river Tet stopping for coffee at Mont-Louis, 1570m the highest fortified town in France. Vauban fortified it after the treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. The barracks are still used as the training centre for the French Commandoes. Soon after leaving there we turned off the Nl 16, just before it reaches Bolquere, which boasts the highest railway station in Europe at 1,592m, onto the D33 in the direction of Eyne.

We parked just through the village in the car park for The Reserve Naturelle de la Vallee D'Eyne and readied ourselves to walk.

The notice board told us about the flowers and the over 60 species of butterfly including as ever a picture of an Apollo. What it did not say was when and exactly where to see them. For the skiing enthusiasts Eyne boasts a large skiing resort with pistes at about 2,000m.

We started our walk through an Alpine type meadow but by August it was beginning to look a bit faded. There were a lot of butterflies around but of limited species, the most common Blue species was a very large Chalkhill Blue which due to its light colour was certainly the Spanish Chalkhill Blue. The other butterfly of predominance was large speckled and white, they were very active but when we saw them at rest we recognized them as Marbled Whites.

Due to the distribution of the markings we suspect

Chalkhill Blue

by DouglasHammersley

21

The Suffolk Argus

Autumn 2002

Norfolk Butterflies

Editorial

By Rob Parker

First, a number of updates from recent issues.

Steve Goddard had an exceptional number of species in his Ipswich garden, but he seems likely to surpass this at Martlesham, having already recorded fifteen by the end of June. I confidently await the addition of a wandering Silver-studded Blue to the list.

There have also been developments at Booey since the recent planting of nectar sources in the AWA compound. The back portion of the site has now presumably been sold as it was fenced off but our planted area is intact and has now had some extra planting, using the ones not sold at the Suffolk Show. James Baker and I did this at the end of June and hopefully they will survive inside the fenced off area and be used by the nearby colony of White-letter Hairstreaks.

The Red Admiral which emerged on Christmas Day at Lowestoft didn't survive but there have been interesting developments concerning observed mating in some species. I took some pains to check that Colin Campbell's observation of Red Admiral mating was accurate, since it is rarely observed, so imagine my surprise to read of this being observed in several pairs which emerged last October, according to the annual report of one BC branch. When I contacted the editor he, like Colin, was unaware of the rarity of this observation but I wasn't able to get any response to the recorded message I left for the person concerned, who is another County Butterfly Recorder. Perhaps we still have much to learn since in my book I recorded the fact that Steve Goddard seemed to be only the second observer of White-letter Hairstreak mating, taking my evidence from the BC booklet on the species

by Martyn Davies. However, on our recent BC joint meeting at Hadleigh Castle Country Park, Graham Bailey told me he has observed this several times and one regular Lincolnshire visitor reported

Now that everyone has a copy of Richard Stewart's Millennium Atlas of Suffolk Butterflies, we can look further afield, and perhaps invest £5 in the recently published "Millennium Atlas of Norfolk Butterflies".

Jointly written by Bernard Watts (Butterfly Conservation Officer) and Brian Mcllwrath (County Recorder), this little volume has been nicely produced, and differs from the Suffolk volume, published by SNS, in several ways.

Published by the Norfolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation with financial support from the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society, this is a softback with colour photography alternating with black & white dot maps. It reports on the 12 year period ended 2000, and uses comparative data from an earlier study, ended in 1988. It seeks to provide basic identification data (which Richard Stewart's book does not), and this extends the text of the species accounts slightly, but may help beginners. The distribution maps are good, though a critical comparison shows that Norfolk did not achieve the same degree of cover as our Millennium survey; 83% of tetrads were covered in their 12 year survey, as against 100% in 5 years for Suffolk. The decision not to use colour on the maps has also prevented the display of background information and changes in distribution.

Turning up the species not found in Suffolk leads directly ro interesting information on the Dark Green Fritillary, which has been recorded from a broader scattering of sites than just its well known coastal haunts, and on the Grizzled Skipper, found along a line from the Wash down to the Suffolk border. Naturally, the Swallowtail account makes warm reading too.

having a photo of two mating pairs. Does this suggest it is more frequent than stated, or just unusual behaviour at a colony that itself is exceptional in both size and numbers?

On a final personal note, this is my last editorial, as I shall be leaving the Committee at the AGM and retiring as County Recorder at the end of 2002, after nine years. During this time I have received records totalling well over 100,000 from nearly a thousand recorders, conducted surveys for eight of these years, published over a hundred articles, poems and letters about butterflies, plus one book. Rob Parker, a dedicated recorder of Suffolk butterflies, is my successor and Jim Foster will now edit the 'Argus' by himself Full changes appear on the back page. I am retiring simply to concentrate on my writing career - I have a bulging folder of ideas and unfinished poems and would urge members to consider submitting articles or perhaps joining what is a dedicated but very small committee. You don't necessarily need to take on a specific responsibility. I have thoroughly enjoyed my nine years, the opportunity to meet so many recorders, visit new parts of Suffolk, liaise with many dedicated conservationists, most of them amateur and unpaid, and have the great privilege of being given access to many strictly private places which were previously unknown to me. It has been very demanding at times, but always absorbing and stimulating. I shall carry on recording, and hopefully contributing to the 'Argus' in future. I also hope that the amount of support I have received from so many people will now be transferred in equal or even greater measure to Rob Parker and all the BC Committee.

by RichardStewart

A comparison of Dingy Skipper, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak records in the Brecks shows plausible continuity of cross-border distribution, though Norfolk has the lion's share of such sites.

Each map includes an excellent computerderived graph showing flight periods - a feature not to be found in the Suffolk atlas. Being an amalgam of many years, it evens out the early/late seasons, and gives a clear indication of when to look for a particular species in an average year.

They lack the sophistication of the phenograms in • the National Millennium Adas, but are easier to read, as all the records are for Norfolk.

One anomaly is to be found in the section on extinct species, where the Chalkhill Blue is mentioned: "colonies still exist in Suffolk near the border with Norfolk'' - this is a reference to the Devil's Dyke colony, moved north by a bit of wishful thinking perhaps. A discussion with the author revealed one difference in plotting between Suffolk and Norfolk, which is relevant to such border areas. Whereas our records are for the Watsonian Vice-counties 25 (East Suffolk) and 26 (West Suffolk) and not for the pieces of Administrative Suffolk that lie outside the old Vice-county areas, the Norfolk Adas incorporates all records from within the present Administrative County boundary. This means that a Dingy Skipper found on Barnhamcross Common would show up on both atlases!

Norfolk Branch is to be congratulated on a fine atlas, which sits nicely on my bookshelf, alongside the Suffolk atlas. Copies may be had for £5 plus £1 p&p from Brian Mcllwrath at The Gables, The Common, Mulberton, Norfolk NR14 8JQ.

22

3

-------,

Autumn 2002

The Suffolk Argus

Contents

Editorial

Editorial

3

Work Party at Purdis H~ath

4

Field Meetings 2002 The Horse Chesnut LearMiner Holywells Meadow Small Tortoiseshell Attacked by Parasites The Rise and Fall of the Holly Blue The Suffolk Show, July 2002 Top Twenty Plants for your Garden The Great Apollo Hunt - Episode 3

5-10 11

12-13 14-16 17-18 18 19-20 21

Copy Dates

Spring

Christmas Eve

Summer

April Fools Day

Autumn

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.

Norfolk Butterflies

22

Newsletter details and general information

23

To advertise in the Suffolk Argus please contact Jim Foster on

Back Cover

01449 711484.

Suffolk Branch Contacts

2

A range of butterflies and some moths, cast in aluminium alloy, painted in true-to-life colours, and suitable for outdoor or indoor mounting. A scale of five times life-size is used to portray insects in their natnral settled positions

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

House number/nameplates too, all painted in durable enamels to last for many years.

One quarter of the purchase price will be donated to branch funds.

Phone or fax Mervyn Crawford on Mildenhall (01638) 712600for Colour brochure I Price lisL

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

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, Al 4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds Tel: 01284 760884

Butterfly Hotel, Al 4 Bury East Exit.

Moreton Hall, Bury St. Edmunds Tel: 01284 760884 23

Suffolk Branch Contacts Chairman Rob Parker, 66 Cornfield Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3BN (01284 705476) Membership Secretary Beryl Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701) Newsletter Editor Jim Foster, Lugano, The Street, Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 6AH (01449 711484) Publicity Officer (Vacant) Programme Secretary Alan Johnson, 28 Medway Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701) County Recorder (Butterflies) Rob Parker (address as above)

w

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Conservation Officer (Butterflies) Rob Parker (address left) Conservation Officer (Moths) Tony Prichard, 3 Fowling Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9JR (01473 270047)

. , ... /·:"<<_ .•. .......

~

~

,.

..·:(;-:.'

.:-:_./ji-,_--:·. ..}

r

County Recorder (Moths) Tony Prichard (address above)

>

Secretary Tony Prichard, (address above)

: ..r .

'

,

I

.

: ,. . r·

Treasurer Graham Bull, Willow Cottage, 1 The Street, Raydon, Suffolk IP7 5LP (01473 310371) Committee Members Stella Wolfe, Mike Dean President Howard Mendel, c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD (0171 938 8782)

Volunteers Needed If you feel you could help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact Beryl Johnson on 01473 715701.

Holly BluesbyBerylJohnston

The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Published by the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation (The British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd.) © 2002 all rights reserved Reg. No. 2206468 Reg. Charity No. 254937 Head Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP Tel: (01929) 400209 Editors: Jim Foster & Richard Stewart Logo: (Silver-studded Blue}Doug Hammersley Design: Stephen Ion, Cat & Mouse design

Autumn 2002 BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

Volume27