Members Evening 27thJanuary 1995

Metnber's Evening,27th January, 1995

by Steve Goddard

Kindly Sponsored by

Butterfly

HOTELS

Twenty Six members defied a very wet night to enjoy our very first Member's Evening in Bury Sr. Edmunds generously sponsored by Butterfly Hotels. The evening consisted of slide presentations, a quiz, raffle as well as a display of moths (voucher specimens) collected for further research by Roger Kendrick during his recent visit to Hong Kong, the subject of his own talk. Following an introduction to the evening by our Chairman, the first presenters were our husband and wife team, Michael and Jenny Kelsey. They gave us a carefully planned blend of Southern European and British butterflies with their usual warmth and enthusiasm. Michael told us that he is not a photographer but you had to be there to judge for yourself. This man is modest beyond belief! The presentation went to the very heart of what attracts us to butterflies focusing the mind on their pure beauty, ephemeral nature and existence in the warm, sunny places where we love to be. Roger Kendrick then took us to some beautiful, rich habitats of Hong Kong concentrating on the Mai Po marshes, places most of us are unlikely to ever be! What a marvellous place. Indian Moon moths with up to one foot wingspans and other exotic species we can only enjoy in presentations such as this. Richard Stewarts' remarkable series of shots homed in on butterfly camouflage and their predators. A clever presentation inviting the audience to find camouflaged insects for themselves by pointing at the screen. This clearly reflected the real Ii fe problems of locating resting butterflies. This was followed by an entertaining quiz produced by Richard and his wife Marie. Do you know how a male and female butterfly can otherwise be described or what is unique about the Speckled Wood? How about osmaterium or ocelli? (answers overleaf).

First prize went to local member Mervyn Crawford, after a 'play-off with our moth man, Roger Kendrick. It took a third replay before a local knowledge question gave Mervyn the advantage. Just as well as Richard was fast running out of questions. The lovely Val Baines illumated book was the reward.

After the raffie draw everyone headed for home after a most inreresting and entertaining first members evening. Thankfully, the rain which had failed to dampen the spirits of those attending had now stopped, making for a more comfortable return journey.

Thanks again to Butterfly Hotels for helping us to make this evening possible.

Member's Evening Quiz Answers:

Male Butterfly: Cock

Female Butterfly: Hen

Speckled Wood unique feature: Only species to overwinter as either larva or pupa.

Osmeterium: An extruding pair of fleshy, horn-like scent glands found behind the head of any species of Papilionidae larvae. (In UK, Papilio Machaon britannicus). This organ produces a pungent scent and is considered to be a protective device chiefly against parasitic insects.

Ocelli: I) Simple eyes. Sensitive areas sometimes showing on the top of the head of a moth or butterfly as raised spots. Larvae do not have a compound eye but have ocelli on the side of the head. It seems unlikely that ocelli can produce true images. They may be used simply for detecting variations in light intensity.

Eye-like spots on the wing.