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The SuffolkArgus
Update on the Suffolk Branch Action Plan
Moth Species (Part 2) by TonyPrichard This article completes the update on the moth species covered in the Suffolk Action Plan. The current status of some species is of major concern whereas others seem to be faring relatively well. The Branch and Suffolk Moth Group are actively involved in the surveying and monitoring of some of these species and have some encouraging results as well as some disappointments.
Bordered Gothic Heliophobus reticulata marginosa Since the regional action plan was written this species has continued its decline. A colony identified in Kent in 200 I returned negative results in 2002 and despite being a National Moth Night (NMN) target species in 2002 it appears no records were made in 2002. In 2003 an individual, apparently of the resident form, was recorded in Norfolk at Honing by Phil Heath, suggesting that the species may still be resident. A singleton was recorded from Landguard in 2000 by Nigel Odin and presumed to be a migrant. A record from Thetford in 1995 by Steve Dudley has come to light and updates the last known year this species
Spring2004 was recorded in the Brecks. Not far from the location of this record is Barnhamcross Common and the Branch and the Suffolk Moth Group have been recording at this site in recent years but with no sight of any Bordered Gothic. Just to the south of the common is the RAF Barnham training camp and this his been subject to occasional moth recording but again there has been no sign of Bordered Gothic. The Brecks is not an underrecorded area, with moth recorders from around the country visiting the area, so unless the species is at a very low ebb it would appear strange why this moth is not recorded more often in the area. General moth surveying of the Brecks will continue and visits to previously known sites not recently surveyed will be made over the next year or so.
Book Review by Rob Parker
A Butterfly Notebook by Douglas Hammersley. (The Book Guild, Lewes,
2003) 140pp,304 illustrations. Hardbound
(ISBN 1 85776 722 5) £25
White-spotted Pinion Cosmia diffinis This formerly widespread species underwent a severe decline as Dutch Elm disease affected its larval foodplant. Recently some encouraging reports of sightings have been received from nearby counties; Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex.The most recent county reference I have for this species is from the Walberswick area in the late 1990s, although I've still to track down the precise details of the record. David Young and myself searched the site for White-spotted Pinion larvae early on in 2003 but no larvae of the target species were found. A visit to the same site by the moth group with lights later in the year in August failed to attract the adult moth. The Moth Group has targeted occasional moth nights for this species in recent years but with no success. I understand that it has a liking for 'sugar' and better results may be achieved with this than with light so we'll probably try chat technique in the future. Despite the recent negative results I would think that the chance of this moth still residing in Suffolk remains high and surveying for this species will continue.
Marbled Clover Heliothis viriplaca This species continues to be recorded in low numbers from both the Breckland areas of Suffolk and the Suffolk coastal areas around Aldeburgh, Thorpeness and Sizewell. Numbers of records
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Anyone who appreciates the line drawings in "Suffolk Argus"will be delighted to hear that Doug Hammersley's paintings have now been published under the title of "A Butterfly Notebook''. He has captured grace of movement in addition to natural beauty, with a nice blend of scientific accuracy and art. His work is no less detailed than Richard Lewington's pictures of set specimens, but each butterfly has been brought to life. To complement the illustrations, Doug has written interesting and amusing accounts of his observations, describing the images of courtship, feeding and pairing shown on the facing pages, and offering anecdotes that reflect the changes in distribution and scarcity over the years. A skilled medical illustrator by profession, and keen naturalist in retirement, the author has created a "notebook" of the butterflies of his acquaintance; most of the British species, with a smattering of attractive Continentals to add a little spice. Each picture is accompanied by his note of where and when, with a certain favouritism for his home patch at West Harling Forest, Norfolk, and with earlier memories of Northumberland, and occasional forays to the Pyrenees and the Adriatic. As the illustrations are so much larger than life, he
includes one life-size image on each page as a point of reference. In some cases, the larger pictures serve very nicely to assist with identification, and to highlight the points of difference between two similar species. Reading his account of che features separating Small and Essex Skippers leaves a clearer understanding than many of the field guides, for example. The volume is nicely produced, and the choice of paper has catered well for the reproduction of texture and fine brushwork, without generating the reflection that often spoils glossy photographs. There is only one photograph, and that is a whimsical portrait inside the dust cover, capturing Doug in a moment of repose. An active member of our Branch, a contributor to this journal and chairman of the Thetford Natural History Society, Doug has produced a book that is a delight to me, and I know it will become one of my favourites. It is neither a comprehensive work of reference, nor a superficial coffee table book. It falls nicely into the niche of what many lepidopterists would like to find in their Christmas stocking; a book to read and re-read, images to view with pleasure. Published by The Book Guild and available from good bookshops, or by telephone order line on 01825 723398.
Purple Emperor by DouglasHammersley 11
