Suffolk Argus 7, Mar 1996

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman & Conservation Officer JamesMann, The Old School,The Street, Oarsham, Saxmundham.Suffolk,IP 17 3QA (01728 668532)

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SUFFOLK

MembershipSecretary Paul Gilson,18 CheltenhamAvenue, Ipswich, SuffolkIP4 4LN (01473 253276)

ARGUS

Newsletter Editor

SteveGoddard,47 ColchesterRoad, Ipswich, SuffolkIP4 3BT (01473 252598)

March 1996

Programme Secretary Alan]ohmon, 28 MedwayRoad, Ipswich,Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701)

Volunteers Needed If you feel you could run a small sales operation or just help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact

Steve Goddardon 01473 2525')8.

County Recorder (Butterflies)

RichardStewart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk,IP4 'lXW (01473 216518) Conservation Officer (Moths)

RogerKendrick,clo BScConservationMgt, Otley College, Otley, Suffolk (01473 785543) County Recorder (Moths)

JanicePritchard,89 LeopoldRoad, Ipswich SuffolkIP4 4RN (01473 718137)

TIii 11111: Saturday, 30thMarch,1996

Treasurer

1111TI•:

GrahamBull, Oakbank,ArdleighRoad, Dedham, EssexCO? 6EG (01206 323530)

Publishedby the SuffolkBranchof

R,g. No. 22o6468 R,g. Charity No. 254937 HeadOf6cc P.O. Box 222. Dcdham. EssexCO? 6EY. Tel. (01206) 322342

Edioedby s- Goddard Prillu:dby Grtt Hmn-t & Sons.

Logo(Silnr-nudd<dBIU<)Dou1Hammmky Daign<daadpn,doe<dby St,phm Ion, C.t & Mouse Design (01473 729423 after 7pm)

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1996 all riglm rcscrv«!

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Annual General Meeting

Arthur Watchman,Onchan, BackLane,Monks Eleigh, SuffolkIP? ?BA Secretary

ButterflyConservation(The British ButterflyConservationSociety Ltd.)

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Publicity Officer

7pmfor7.15pm(approx.)

Thi place: Butterfly Hotel, BurySt. Edmunds

Stevm Goss,YaxleyManor House, Yaxlcy, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8OG (01379 783386) Committee Members

Mich~I &]mny Kelsey,25 Prospect Place, Lciston, SuffolkIP16 4AL (01728 830975)

Our third Annual General Meeting takes place on Saturday 30th, March 1996. This event has again been generously sponsored by the Butterfly Hotel, Bury St. Edmunds.

Please come along to hear about and contribute to the affairs of your Branch as well as to listen to our guest speaker Dr. Neil Ravenscroft, who will be talking about species restoration. I am sure many of you know of Neil through his work on the Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus - our very own symbol).

Having recently worked as Research and Advisory Officer in invertebrate ecology for Scottish Natural Heritage, Neil has returned co Suffolk as a Self-employed Consultant Ecologist working with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Who knows, species restoration could be an option in Suffolk before too long. We certainly have habitats which could be right for the return oflong lost butterflies. Come and find out what Neil has to say.

Please see separate sheet for AGM details.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

President

HowardMeruul, do IpswichMuseum, High St., Ipswich,SuffolkIPl 3QH (01473 213761)

Volume7

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

The Suffolk Argus

March 1996

Contents ..............................

"

Newsletter Details

...... .

Annual General Meeting ................................................ Cover

....................

The Suffolk Show .................................................................. 3 Notes from the Editor ........................................................ 4-5

Copy Dates Contributions for our newsletter should reach the Editor (address on back page) no later than: January May September

Christmas Eve April Fools Day 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.

1995 Field Trips .............................................................. 6-11 Holly Blue larvae & Black Garden Ants ......................... 12-13 Rare Butterflies in Suffolk- 1995 .................................. 14-15

. . . . . . . . . . . ........

The 'late'Paimed Lady ........................................................ 16

.

Wanted - Brown Hairstreak & Photographs ........................ 17 Recording New Sites ............................................................ 17 Butterfly Garden Nectar Plantl ............................................ 18 Newsletter Details & General Information ........................... 19 Suffolk Branch Contacts ........................................ Back Cover

Butterfly

l'

ButterflyLine 0891 884505

HOTELS

~

(01284 760884) ButterflyHotel,

A45 Bury East Exit.

Regular Updates & Latest News

Moreton Hall,

Allprofits are used for the conservation of

Bury St. Edmunds

butterflies and their habitats. ~.,,.

2

Calls charged at 49p per min. peak and 39p per min. at other times

19

The Suffolk Argus

Butterfly Garden Nectar

Plants

by Angie Steele

.'

I

March 1996

My favourite nectar source is my ten year old Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) which flowers (rom mid October to early November. This makes it an excellent foodplant for butterflies and other insects which need to attain good condition before hibernation.

On 30th/31st October last year, between 12 and 20 Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) were seen feeding on the flowers together with a wide variery of bees. The ripened fruits from the previous year occur at the same time as the small bell-like flowers making it a very attractive tree.

However, it is an evergreen (a member of the Heather family) and cannot be easily pruned and although some gardening books say that it is slow growing eventually reaching just 8 feet (I .84m), this Arbutus is already 15 x 15 feet (3m x 3m)!

/

//

I

i

,;:~

... .. . . ..

byDouglasHammersley

18

RedAdmiral (Vanessaatalanta)

The

Suffolk Show 29th-30th May 1996

..... . . . . . . . . .......

It is amazing how the time goes, it is still Winter and we are talking about the Suffolk Show but it is only three months away on 29th and 30th May, not many shopping days!

This is the one time of the year when we are on show and are able to make contact with vast numbers of people. Those who manned the stand at the show last year really enjoyed it. It is a great way of meeting people with similar interests. We would welcome more help, even if it were only for an hour or two. Don't worry there will always be someone with experience to support you .

Last year we were able to grow some butterfly attracting plants of our own to sell and they were a great success.

Unfortunately, we were not geared up to take more plants that were offered at the time. This year, we would like to grow all of our own plants.

Would all members who would like to help do this, please ring Paul Gilson letting him know what plants you can grow and how many. Paul will be growing butterfly attracting Wildflowers like Knapweed, BirdsFoot Trefoil, Field Scabious and Oxeye Daisy. Bedding plants are always in demand at that time of year so Ageratum, Dwarf Phlox, African/French Marigold and Verbena would be useful. Also popular would be pot grown butterfly attracring Herbs such as Hyssop, Lavender, Marjoram and Thyme. There may be many more that are your favourites just let us know what you can do.

3

The

SuffolkArgus

Notes from the Editor Butterfly Action Weekend Four members, JamesMann, TonyPrichard, Paul Gilsonand Phil Smith (Secretary, Martlesham Conservation Group) joined eleven others from the group on Sunday 26th November for this Gorse bashing event.

The weather, which had been quite pleasant up until this event, took a turn for the worse and the group had to work in overcast and rainy conditions. Nevertheless a sizeable area which had been covered in • Gorse was cleared, revealing unde~neath, the Heather which we all hope the Silverstudded Blue will re-occupy this year.

All who took part agreed it had been wonhwhile and we will be joining forces.. again on July 14th this year to help with the annual Silver-studded Blue count.

Hopefully we will be able to notice the effect of our clearance work.

Thanks again to Phil Smith for arranging this event.

•

March 1996

Scientific Names I would like to thank our member John Stevensfor his encouraging and helpful remarks on this subject. John makes a good point in that as a regional newsletter, scientific names may nor be so impottant since there is not an international readership. However, he feels that the explanations of scientific names was an excellent idea.

I would like to receive a few more opinions on this subject. In the meantime, I will continue to include scientific names and two more of their explanations are included here.

We are sorry that we could not let you have this with our November Newsletter but we hope there is still plenty of room in your new diaries. Write in as many of these events as you can now, we are sure you will not be disappointed.

4

by Steven Goss

Does anyone have a good photograph or transparency of a Brown Hairstreak (Theda betulae) that I can take a copy of to use on a display board. The board will depict 'LostSpeciesof Suffolk'and would be used for promotional purposes at events such as The Suffolk Show.

Illustrations

If you can helppleaseringStevenon Eye

As Newsletter Editor, I was absolutely

(01379) 783386 at anytime- Ed.

delighted to receive two surprise packages before Christmas. Whilst I have written to the rwo artists personally I would like to use these pages to say thank you again to Angie Steeleand DouglasHammersleyfor their splendid line drawings. Some of these appear in this issue and will continue to do so in future editions.

For those of you who read the small prim, rou will already be aware that our front page symbol the Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus), was drawn by Douglas.

Nectar Plants As with Question Time, I added a postscript

1996 Events List

Wanted -Brown Hairstreak!

asking whether members might wish to tell us more about the nectar sources in their gardens which both they and butterflies enjoy above all others. So far I have received one response. Thankyou again to Angie Steele for her interesting Strawberry Tree observations which can be found on page

18.

...............

Branch Photograph Album - Photos Appeal

by Steven Goss How would you like to help us with our branch photograph album?

Those of you who have attended our indoor events including The Suffolk Show will be aware that we are putting together our own album as part of our branch promotion material. If you have spare photographs of Suffolk butterflies, moths, habitats or maybe snaps of group members on field trips please help us to fill it.

Send your photographs with details of location etc. as appropriate to myself, Steven Goss(address on back cover) and those used will be labelled and credited as your work.

Our aim is to have a well-filled album in time for this year's Suffolk Show so if you can help please send your pictures as soon as possible.

Recording New Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... .

by Steven Goss

With recording for the Millennium Atlas now well underway, it is an ideal time to seek out unrecorded sites across the county.

If you know of any landowners with an interesting looking meadow or area of woodland that might not have been surveyed recently, then this could be a very opponune time to ask their permission to take a look. There is something exciting about exploring somewhere that you know has n't been visited by butterfly enthusiasts already. You never quite know what you might find.

If the landowner is willing, it would be best to make say four visits - early May, mid- June, mid-July and late August. If you are not sure whether a site or tetrad has already been recorded for the Atlas then a quick telephone call to our County Recorder, Richard Stewart, will bring the answer. Also, if you know of a good looking site and have permission to visit but don't feel confident enough to record it yourself, then please contact any member of the committee. We can check out whether the site needs recording and despatch someone to join you as appropriate.

17

The SuffolkArgus

The 'Late' Painted Lady byJean Garrod

March 1996

My husband Ken and I had heard that a Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui) had been seen at Landguard on 2nd, November last year and although we visited the site we did not see it as we were proccupied by six Little Auksand one or two Woodcock which were present.

However, we returned the next day and on searching the 'Butts'area we came across a superb male Black Redstart which appeared to be chasing a pale lea£ On focusing our telescope on the bird to our joy the leaf was in fact a very worn Painted Lady.

We both admired the bird and butterfly but then to our horror, the bird caught the insect and as we watched the entire creature was eaten, wings and all! We felt so sad to think that this butterfly had perhaps made it to the coast only to be devoured - it was a lovely bird though!

A fascinatingobservation.This woul.dappear to be the latestPainted Ladyof the year unless you know different!Ed.

PaintedLady (Cynthiacardui)

Small Skipper (Thymelic sylvestris)

Question Time

Thymelicus alludes to the dancers of Greek drama and their active movement and applies to both Small and Essex Skipper.

Sylvestris means 'pertainingto wood'which reflects their liking of woodland rides and the edges of hedgerows as well as rough grassland.

The term Skipper was applied to the whole family following Harris who, when speaking of the Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata) in 1766 said, 'when on the wing, they have a kind of skipping motion'.

"'

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) 'lineola'is Latin for a 'smallline' which relates to the male scent scale line of this species. It is a useful identification feature being perceptibly shorter and less distinct than its cousin the Small Skipper.

Essex Skipper was first described in 18th Germany. It was not recognised in Britain until 1888 when a Mr /'"' Hawes, a butterflf; collector from St. , Osyth, Essex, noted that 1 it was slightly different • in appearance from the Small Skipper. Richard South named it Essex Skipper in 1906.

.,-~4J:f 0

16

Sadly, with the absence of any response to our request for further questions for this new feature, it will have to be held over for a future issue. Please let us have your questions so that we may continue this promising series.

Branch Contacts If you compare the back cover of this magazine with the last one you will notice one or two changes.

Steven Gosshas volunteered to develop the new position of Publicity Officer.

Our Chairman fames Mann, has taken over the job of Conservation Officer from RichardStewart to allow Richard to focus on the Millennium Project. Note also that Richard has a new address and telephone number.

The job of Branch Organiser generally falls to the Chairman in our branch so this title has disappeared from our Branch Contacts list and James's name will appear in the Summer issue of Butterfly Conservation News as our national contact.

Branch Conservation Officer (Moths) In our last Newsletter we advertised this post as understudy to RogerKendrickwho will be leaving us in July.

We are pleased to announce that Tony Prichardhas accepted this position with a view to taking over completely in the summer.

Butterfly Conservation is not just butterflies so we are delighted to be able to maintain this continuity.

5

March 1996

The Suffolk Argus

1995 Field Trips ....................

Porton Down & Bentley Woods

16th July,1995

by Steve Goddard

Porton Down

Dark GreenFritillary (Argynnisaglaja)

. . . . .. . . . .

With the prospect of a summer butterfly spectacular ahead the weather forecast was eagerly awaited. Thankfully, the glorious July weather was to continue (up tp 23 °C) albeit with stiff breezes over open ground and so it was we set off for Parton Down.

Parton Down an MOD site, is situated near to Salisbury in Wiltshire and is probably the largest unbroken tract of chalk grassland in Britain. Of the 58 or so species ofbucterfly that could be encountered in this country no less than 45 have been recorded here over the past 30 years. There is unlikely to be any other site in Britain with such an extensive / • species complement. _,_,,..,-. /

/··?;

We arrived at our iendezvous /,/· in good time and by mid-day we had explored the on-site museum and were taking our first steps on these glorious downs in the company of our guides.

Instantly, we were seeing butterflies in all directions.

With camera in hand, it was difficult to know which way to turn and we were only a few yards into our walk!

1/_,,,·/ ,.,/J

DouglasHammers

6

0

/

'there is a theory that most of the specimens seen here are brought over in the holds of timber ships crossing the Norrh sea and when the pit props are unloaded at Hull, Harwich and other east coast ports the butterflies fly inland'. Howard Mendel duplicated all previous records for me and there is on record from 1969 of a 'specimen

seenflyingftom the holdof a Norwegian timbershipdischarging at Felixstowedocks' (D.Young).

However, Lliesewere almost certainly genuine migraints, coinciding with waves of rare moths and dragonflies, as noted in several local papers and on local television.

For the record there were 38 records from 32 different tetrads, in some cases 3 separate reports from different parts of the county on the same day. Locations varied from nature reserves to gardens and industrial sites and several were fortunately seen by many people, especially those at Hopton garden centre and Languard. Many recorders, who again gave details on the special forms, noted the attraction to plums, though softening apples were also a target in several instances. The 'Mourning Cloak'as the Americans call it is, though rare, vety easy to identify and records came from seasoned naturalists and those just fortunat_eto be in the right place at the time. I am particularly thankful to all those who sent me slides and prints. Finally, the locations; spanning 3rd August to 23rd September 1995: Minsmere (4), Ipswich (2), Aldeburgh (2), Eriswell, Dunwich, Eye, Herringswell, Little Bealings, Barsham (2), Rushmere, Theberton, Stowmarket, Halesworth, Barham, Languard (2), North Warren, Fagbury, Hundon, Bungay, Conyers Green,

East Bergholt, Great Barton, Mildenhall, Hopton (2), Corton, Pakefield, Bucklesham, T angham, Long Melford and Bury St. Edmunds.

It is beingsuggestedthat relativelylow numbersofCamberwellBeautyin Scandinaviancountriesin the springof 1995 couldmeanthat summerinsectsin Britain may havecomeftom muchfarther east, possiblyPolandor evenRussiawheretherehad beengoodbreedingseasons.(Nick Bowles, ButterflyConservation,WildlifeReports.

British Wildlife,Volume7 Number 2 December1995,page 119).

Prolongedeasterlywindsduringthefirst days ofAugustwhichalsosaw the immigrationof scarcedragonflies add strengthto this sur,gestion - Ed.

Queenof Spain Fritillary (Argynnislathonia)

15

The Suffolk Argus

Rare

Butterflies

in Suffolk 1995

by RichardStewart

CamberwellBeauty (Nymphalisantiopa)

............

March 1996

According to our president, Howard Mendel, it has been the best ever recorded year for rare butterflies in Suffolk. In the first year of the Millennium survey there were 5 records of Queen of Spain Fritillary (Argynnis lathonia) from 5 different tetrads. This compares with just one definite specimen since 1900. The five were, in order: Minsmere (David Fairhurst - warden) on 6th August; Holbrook on the Shotley peninsula (Mark Steer), August 12th; Bradfield Woods (Stephen Hunt warden) on August 21st; Westwood Marshes near Walberswick (Mark Curley and Shelia Davie from London) on 10th September; the final one, found in a pittrap at Minsmere's nonh easr corner could have been their a fortnight before its discovery on September 16th. This specimen was_mounted by Roger Kendrick and displayed some weeks ago at the British En. Soc. meeting in London, with full details of other sightings as above. All 5 were recorded in detail on the rare butterfly forms quickly devised by me, with many comments in panicular on the remarkable underside of the wing, described by Mark Curley as 'clear,

silverywhitepearls,largerand morenumerousthan on any otherFritillaryfound in the U.K' The Camberwell Beauty (Nymphalis antiopa) has occasionally been recorded in Suffolk, the last being a single specimen in 1994 at Rickinghall inferior. This butterfly's 'migration'is often a question of whether an ®isted passage'hasoccurred as a consequence of its dose association with sightings from ports. L. Hugh Newman in 'The complete Britishbutterfliesin colour'(Pub. 1968 Ebuty press and Michael Joseph) notes: '

14

Dark-green Fritillaries (Argynnis aglaja) and Marbled Whites (Melanargia galathea) were everywhere. The latter in panicular seemed to envelop every head of knapweed in dose company with several 6 spot Burnet moths. Chalkhill Blues (Lysandra cotidon) were more recent emergences and provided some excellent views and photographs.

In addition to the richness of the butterflies, the suggestion that 40 different plant species can occupy one square metre of turf brought out the botanist in all of us.

Thanksmustgo to UpperThamesBranchwho kindlysetasidemuchsoughtafterplacesto allowus tojoin them on this unforgettableday.

BentleyWoods

0

After a sound night's sleep and a memorable breakfast, we were now wondering what this new day might have in store for us. We were not to be disappointed. As we drew into the car park, first one then a second large Fritillary was seen. With Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) being unfamiliar to most of us, soning out both sexes of Dark-green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) and Silver-washed Friti!lary was to prove most interesting. But before we had really begun to examine our finds a helpful and enthusi3:5ticlocal lepidopterist was telling us to hold fire for just a few minutes because we were sure to see a Purple Emperor (Apatura iris). He had been watching and photographing a superb male nectaring on a tree wound for an hour or so before-hand.

Sure enough, as the sun burst through again down came the Emperor. Absolutely magnificent. And that was not to be all. Just a few yards down the track from the car park we found another, this time on the ground. Everyone gathered for more excellent views before it soared up and away.

Now what about those Friti!laries.

Fortunately, they were still being seen frequently and with the help of a field guide it was not long before we were identifying both sexes of the individual species as well as the differences between the rwo.

White Admiral (Ladoga camilla) occasionally drifted by along with more Marbled Whites (Melanargia galathea).

What a lovely day. White-letter Hairstreak (Strymonidia w-album) was however proving to be a little elusive but as can often happen, just as were beginning to pick them out our attention was diverted to something else. That most enigmatic of the Fritillaries, the Valezina form of the female 'Silverwashed'was drifting tantalisingly dose to our position. A visit that was all too short though most exciting.

As the day wore on butterfly activity lessened and with a long journey ahead of us we decided to call it a day-but not quite!

We had heard that a family of the scarce Montague's Harrier had taken up residence in the New Forest just about half-an-hour away. After a short wait we were treated to splendid flight and perched views of both the male and female. Such an unexpected event capped another wonderful day and a weekend that will stay in the memories of those present for a long time to come.

PurpleEmperor (Apaturairis)

~---

-=

------ -

by Beryl] ohnson

7

The Suffolk Argus

HadleighCountry Park, 2nd July 1995

by Paul Gilson With the sun shining and the temperature climbing I arrived at the car park with Richardand Marie Stewart.With time on our hands we took the opportunity to have a quick look round. Our wanderings soon drewdie artention of some local dog walkers who enquired as to whether we had lost something and did we need any help in finding it. The truth was we had not lost anything but had managed to spot Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata).

Marbled white (Melanargiagalathea)

8

March 1996

The leader, GrahamBaileyfrom Essex branch, introduced himself to us and then outlined the route sixteen of us would take through the park and where we were likely to see Marbled white (Melanargia galathea) and White-letter Hairstreak (Strymonidia w-album). We were not to be disappointed!

Passing the display boards at the entrance we were soon walking along a wooded track which eventually gave way to a south facing meadow. It soon became apparent that this area was alive with every kind of butterfly you would expect to see in this kind of habitat. Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Large Skipper and Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) were all present. Although the above are regarded as common by most of us it is still good to see them together in such large numbers. Small White (Pieris rapae) and Green-veined White (Pieris napi) although present, had to play second fiddle.

Walking along the hedgerow, large numbers of Peacock larvae would surely mean an impressive display for late July and August. First brood Common Blues (Polyommatus icarus) were still on the wing, no doubt attracted by the numerous quantity of Bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus), its larval food plant. First brood Small Heaths (Coenonympha pamphilus) were still about in good numbers, their bobbing flight pattern unmistakable.

Graham led us further down towards an area where he thought their might be some Marbled White. For me personally, this was to be a first encounter with this species. Our luck was in when at least three of these beautifully marked butterflies were seen dancing above the tall grass. Attempts to photograph these individuals proved difficult even when approached with caution. At the last second they would take off and come to rest a good distance away.

"Honey-dew" may also be exuded from secretary pores scattered about the surface of the larval abdomen, because sometimes one can observe individual ants showing interest in other parts of the larval surface besides Newcomer's gland on the seventh segment. Two dorso-lateral organs, or tubercles, on each side of the eighth segment of the larva also have some special significance for ants. On one occasion I observed these two tubercles being suddenly evened as little green pillars, causing immediate excitement on the part of two ants, although the tubercles were retracted seconds later. I have no idea what this meant.

The most exciting observation was made on 17th June 1993, when I had a clear illustration of the way in which ants protect threatened Holly Blue larvae. A Holly Blue caterpillar was on "walkabout" looking for a new source of immature holly berries on whicli to feed. As it ascended the stem of the plant escorted by three ants, a spider made a sudden attack. In a split second it was thwarted by the rapid action of one of the escorting ants whicli caused the spider suddenly to stop in its tracks. It appeared to be momentarily paralysed for about one second, before scuttling off to hide among the leaves. It was almost as if the spider had been subjected to an electric shock. l can only assume that it had been sprayed with formic acid ejected by a nearby defending ant, or been bitten by the ant. The drawings in Fig.2 (A and B) were made from photographs taken at the time.

These observations merely confirm what has already been reported in the literature, but it is pleasant to recall that they were made whilst sunning oneself on the back lawn!

Fig. 2A

Pachygnathaspider poised to attack lan,a

/, I •

!

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Holly blue larva ascendshollystem attendedby ants

l,t/

I

I

Spider momentarily stunned following attack.by ant

Spider subsequently retreated

13

March 1996

The Suffolk Argus

Holly Blue larvae and Black Garden Ants ....................

by DouglasHammersley

Blackgardenant stimulating Newcomer'sgland

Fig. 1

In 1990 I planted two small holly bushes in my garden with a view to attracting Holly Blue butterflies (Celestrina argiolus). One bush, Ilex aquifolium "Golden King", is a female holly (despite its name) and the other is Ilex aquifolium "Silver Queen", a male plant. Both bushes are about one metre tall and they have proved to be excellent for observing and photographing the development of Holly Blue larvae and their association with black garden ants, Lasius niger.

I soon came to realise that, in the male plant, the larvae feed on the young leaves but in the case of the female plant, the emerged larva feeds on the immature berries by burrowing its head into the berry and eating its contents from the inside.

When the larvae are very small they appear to be disregarded by the patrolling ants but as they develop, the larvae are regularly attended by ants. The ants merely attend a larva and make no attempt to diven it or influence its progress when it moves around its host plant. Usually, one or two ants act as outriders and one or two others ride on the larva, often showing particular interest in the caterpillar's seventh segment where Newcomer's gland is situated. This gland is seen as a small, transverse invagination which can be stimulated to secrete a kind of "honey-dew" on which they feed. Ants are seen to use their antennae to drum around the gland and cause it to open and secrete (see Fig. I).

-Site of right tubercle

12

Head of larva biting hollyleaf

jJ

V

We worked our way up the gentle slope of the Benfleet Downs towards our next quarry, the elusive White-letter Hairstreak. Graham knew that they were already on the wing following a mid week visit when he was preparing for the walk. A thistle head provided our first White-letter Hairstreak of the day. With forewing tucked in behind hindwing they can be quite difficult to spot unless you are very close.

The sickly sweet smell of Privet in flower nearby held at least half a dozen of these butterflies for our close inspection. One observation I have made is that once this butterfly has come down to feed it seems to allow very close inspection and even if disturbed it will often return to the same flower after a short while. Another patch of Bramble had a double figure number of this species feeding. By the time we left this area twenry to thirty had been counted, many times more than the total seen in Suffolk the previous year. Graham recalled that he had counted two hundred in one walk alone.

There can be no doubt that this Park must be one of the top sites for this species in the country.

The afternoon would again bring us into contact with the park's Marbled White colony. On our way down towards the railway line a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) gave us a brief display as we approached the long grass which seemed to be an ideal area for the Marbled Whites.

Graham said that the females drop their eggs to the ground from above the long grass. In this area we counted at least six more of these insects. They also seemed slightly more camera friendly than those we had seen earlier, probably due to the lack of sunshine. The long grass also yielded an unexpected surprise, Great Green Bushcrickets, not something you would wish to handle as I understand that they can deliver a painful bite.

Conditions were fairly overcast as the group made its way back to the car park.

We stopped for a few minutes in front of some Oak trees and gazed upwards to see if we could add Purple Haitstreak (Quercusia quercus) to our growing list.

Although there was movement high in the trees it was difficult to be cenain that these were indeed Purple Hairstreaks. The other likely species was Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) as we could make out that some butterflies were bigger than others. Back at the car park the final species count for the day was eighteen although this did include at least three seen from distance. The Suffolk members enjoyed the chance to see Marbled White, a butterfly not resident in this county and also White-letter Hairstreak, an increasingly rare insect in our area.

Joint meetings like this are an excellent way of learning about the flora and fauna of the site. It is also good to exchange views and ideas with other branch members.

Thanks again to GrahamBaileyand the Cambridgeshire & Essex branch members for showing us around an area they must be very proud to have in their County.

White-letterhairstreak (StrymonidiaUJ-album)

9

The Suffolk Argus

Dunwich Heath, Saturday July 22nd, 1995

by TerryHammond (A National Trust venture joined by members of Butterfly Conservation) At the coastguard cottages we amassed about 17 keen individuals including the warden, his children and a lady representative from the Education Centre.

Our first sighting was a Marsh Harrier soaring high over the Minsmere Bird Reserve spotted by Zoe, who lent me her binoculars. Hot sunshine, wind and cloud followed us into the trees and bracken after fly repellent and sun-tan lotion had been applied. Both Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) and Grayling (Hipparchia semele) were in flight. Michael and Jenny pointed out that blue attracts the latter as one landed on shorts and dresses.

Moving into trees and heathland bordered by water we saw Ringlets (Aphantopus hyperantus), Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata) and Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) and here, the photographers got to work. Our party then seemed to split up and the warden with his children went back. Very nice to have young people to help.

Naturally, one expects that up front is the best place to be bur a shout from behind heralded the first Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) the latter much to the delight of Michael and Jenny since this was a 'first' for this site. Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) was also noted here. It was then that I hoped the rest of the group had not missed out.

However, after the rejoicer' s came to tell of photos they had taken, a cry from Michael declared more "Silver-studdedBlue '1

10

March 1996

Feeding on flowers of Bell-Heather they appeared like rorn air-mail envelopes fluttering in the breeze only a few ind1es above the ground; male and female in blues and browns, such pretty and dainty insects to busy the cameras again. A very imponant item. Small Coppers came too. Alas! some had missed the Brown Argus. Ah well, Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Small White (Pieris rapae) came roo. As did Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) and Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui). A beautiful Comma (Polygonia c-album) also paused together with a Peacock (Inachis io) which had been seen in flight earlier.

Michael and Jenny decided to go to another spot and there to the delight of the ladies of the 'Trust', who were enjoying the day, more Silver-studded Blues flitted to and fro. One had photographed a Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) in Norfolk.

Another asked, "What if you don't see any butterflies?".Well we did see rwo Lizards basking on bracken. Funher, some moths were identified along with Cinnabar caterpillars on ragwon. One member spotted a second Marsh Harrier but on investigation, this turned our to be a kiteon a string flying from the beach!

We had fun and sun on our ,J:'°') walk, no-one can ask for more and we saw what we searched for. I felt excited, it was only my third outing but with experts available it was indeed an education and a learning ocess not to be issed. ·•.

'

••

\'"

'-'i.~ 4.

•

Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus)

Bawdsey College Qoint meeting with the

SuffolkNaturalists'Society), Saturday July 29th

by Richard Stewart On a sunny and warm day 62 were present for a tour of an area previously visited by very few people. Now an international school, it is 'openingits gates' by arrangement and during our visit Mr Toettcher, the estate manager, emphasised this. Four county recorders were present and Alan Hubbard recorded a hoverfly new to Suffolk while Enid Hyde produced a long list of flora. The geological S.S.S.I. on the cliff was also inspected and butterfly species recorded were: Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui), Peacock (Inachis io), Small Tonoiseshell (Aglais unicae), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small White (Pieris rapae), Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvemis), Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Meadow Brown (Maniola junina), Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), Wall Brown (Lassiomrnata megera), Grayling (Hipparchia semele) and a female Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni). A possible Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) was not seen long enough to be fully verified, making a definite total of 18 species.

Concentrations of butterflies were panicularly evident on thistles, brambles, Burdock and Buddleja, including one white variety.

Also noted were Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, four Magpies, Cinnabar moths, Common Darter dragonfly and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth on Geraniums.

Nigel Ward is particularly to be thanked for using his expertise to guide us around his work place and some of the party assisted him at the end in rescuing three Swallows and a Warbler trapped in a barn.

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)

byAngie Steele

•••••••••

by Beryl Johnson

11

The Suffolk Argus

Dunwich Heath, Saturday July 22nd, 1995

by TerryHammond (A National Trust venture joined by members of Butterfly Conservation) At the coastguard cottages we amassed about 17 keen individuals including the warden, his children and a lady representative from the Education Centre.

Our first sighting was a Marsh Harrier soaring high over the Minsmere Bird Reserve spotted by Zoe, who lent me her binoculars. Hot sunshine, wind and cloud followed us into the trees and bracken after fly repellent and sun-tan lotion had been applied. Both Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) and Grayling (Hipparchia semele) were in flight. Michael and Jenny pointed out that blue attracts the latter as one landed on shorts and dresses.

Moving into trees and heathland bordered by water we saw Ringlets (Aphantopus hyperantus), Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata) and Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) and here, the photographers got to work. Our party then seemed to split up and the warden with his children went back. Very nice to have young people to help.

Naturally, one expects that up front is the best place to be bur a shout from behind heralded the first Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) the latter much to the delight of Michael and Jenny since this was a 'first' for this site. Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) was also noted here. It was then that I hoped the rest of the group had not missed out.

However, after the rejoicer' s came to tell of photos they had taken, a cry from Michael declared more "Silver-studdedBlue '1

10

March 1996

Feeding on flowers of Bell-Heather they appeared like rorn air-mail envelopes fluttering in the breeze only a few ind1es above the ground; male and female in blues and browns, such pretty and dainty insects to busy the cameras again. A very imponant item. Small Coppers came too. Alas! some had missed the Brown Argus. Ah well, Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Small White (Pieris rapae) came roo. As did Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) and Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui). A beautiful Comma (Polygonia c-album) also paused together with a Peacock (Inachis io) which had been seen in flight earlier.

Michael and Jenny decided to go to another spot and there to the delight of the ladies of the 'Trust', who were enjoying the day, more Silver-studded Blues flitted to and fro. One had photographed a Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) in Norfolk.

Another asked, "What if you don't see any butterflies?".Well we did see rwo Lizards basking on bracken. Funher, some moths were identified along with Cinnabar caterpillars on ragwon. One member spotted a second Marsh Harrier but on investigation, this turned our to be a kiteon a string flying from the beach!

We had fun and sun on our ,J:'°') walk, no-one can ask for more and we saw what we searched for. I felt excited, it was only my third outing but with experts available it was indeed an education and a learning ocess not to be issed. ·•.

'

••

\'"

'-'i.~ 4.

•

Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus)

Bawdsey College Qoint meeting with the

SuffolkNaturalists'Society), Saturday July 29th

by Richard Stewart On a sunny and warm day 62 were present for a tour of an area previously visited by very few people. Now an international school, it is 'openingits gates' by arrangement and during our visit Mr Toettcher, the estate manager, emphasised this. Four county recorders were present and Alan Hubbard recorded a hoverfly new to Suffolk while Enid Hyde produced a long list of flora. The geological S.S.S.I. on the cliff was also inspected and butterfly species recorded were: Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui), Peacock (Inachis io), Small Tonoiseshell (Aglais unicae), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small White (Pieris rapae), Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvemis), Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Meadow Brown (Maniola junina), Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), Wall Brown (Lassiomrnata megera), Grayling (Hipparchia semele) and a female Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni). A possible Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) was not seen long enough to be fully verified, making a definite total of 18 species.

Concentrations of butterflies were panicularly evident on thistles, brambles, Burdock and Buddleja, including one white variety.

Also noted were Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, four Magpies, Cinnabar moths, Common Darter dragonfly and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth on Geraniums.

Nigel Ward is particularly to be thanked for using his expertise to guide us around his work place and some of the party assisted him at the end in rescuing three Swallows and a Warbler trapped in a barn.

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)

byAngie Steele

•••••••••

by Beryl Johnson

11

March 1996

The Suffolk Argus

Holly Blue larvae and Black Garden Ants ....................

by DouglasHammersley

Blackgardenant stimulating Newcomer'sgland

Fig. 1

In 1990 I planted two small holly bushes in my garden with a view to attracting Holly Blue butterflies (Celestrina argiolus). One bush, Ilex aquifolium "Golden King", is a female holly (despite its name) and the other is Ilex aquifolium "Silver Queen", a male plant. Both bushes are about one metre tall and they have proved to be excellent for observing and photographing the development of Holly Blue larvae and their association with black garden ants, Lasius niger.

I soon came to realise that, in the male plant, the larvae feed on the young leaves but in the case of the female plant, the emerged larva feeds on the immature berries by burrowing its head into the berry and eating its contents from the inside.

When the larvae are very small they appear to be disregarded by the patrolling ants but as they develop, the larvae are regularly attended by ants. The ants merely attend a larva and make no attempt to diven it or influence its progress when it moves around its host plant. Usually, one or two ants act as outriders and one or two others ride on the larva, often showing particular interest in the caterpillar's seventh segment where Newcomer's gland is situated. This gland is seen as a small, transverse invagination which can be stimulated to secrete a kind of "honey-dew" on which they feed. Ants are seen to use their antennae to drum around the gland and cause it to open and secrete (see Fig. I).

-Site of right tubercle

12

Head of larva biting hollyleaf

jJ

V

We worked our way up the gentle slope of the Benfleet Downs towards our next quarry, the elusive White-letter Hairstreak. Graham knew that they were already on the wing following a mid week visit when he was preparing for the walk. A thistle head provided our first White-letter Hairstreak of the day. With forewing tucked in behind hindwing they can be quite difficult to spot unless you are very close.

The sickly sweet smell of Privet in flower nearby held at least half a dozen of these butterflies for our close inspection. One observation I have made is that once this butterfly has come down to feed it seems to allow very close inspection and even if disturbed it will often return to the same flower after a short while. Another patch of Bramble had a double figure number of this species feeding. By the time we left this area twenry to thirty had been counted, many times more than the total seen in Suffolk the previous year. Graham recalled that he had counted two hundred in one walk alone.

There can be no doubt that this Park must be one of the top sites for this species in the country.

The afternoon would again bring us into contact with the park's Marbled White colony. On our way down towards the railway line a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) gave us a brief display as we approached the long grass which seemed to be an ideal area for the Marbled Whites.

Graham said that the females drop their eggs to the ground from above the long grass. In this area we counted at least six more of these insects. They also seemed slightly more camera friendly than those we had seen earlier, probably due to the lack of sunshine. The long grass also yielded an unexpected surprise, Great Green Bushcrickets, not something you would wish to handle as I understand that they can deliver a painful bite.

Conditions were fairly overcast as the group made its way back to the car park.

We stopped for a few minutes in front of some Oak trees and gazed upwards to see if we could add Purple Haitstreak (Quercusia quercus) to our growing list.

Although there was movement high in the trees it was difficult to be cenain that these were indeed Purple Hairstreaks. The other likely species was Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) as we could make out that some butterflies were bigger than others. Back at the car park the final species count for the day was eighteen although this did include at least three seen from distance. The Suffolk members enjoyed the chance to see Marbled White, a butterfly not resident in this county and also White-letter Hairstreak, an increasingly rare insect in our area.

Joint meetings like this are an excellent way of learning about the flora and fauna of the site. It is also good to exchange views and ideas with other branch members.

Thanks again to GrahamBaileyand the Cambridgeshire & Essex branch members for showing us around an area they must be very proud to have in their County.

White-letterhairstreak (StrymonidiaUJ-album)

9

The Suffolk Argus

HadleighCountry Park, 2nd July 1995

by Paul Gilson With the sun shining and the temperature climbing I arrived at the car park with Richardand Marie Stewart.With time on our hands we took the opportunity to have a quick look round. Our wanderings soon drewdie artention of some local dog walkers who enquired as to whether we had lost something and did we need any help in finding it. The truth was we had not lost anything but had managed to spot Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata).

Marbled white (Melanargiagalathea)

8

March 1996

The leader, GrahamBaileyfrom Essex branch, introduced himself to us and then outlined the route sixteen of us would take through the park and where we were likely to see Marbled white (Melanargia galathea) and White-letter Hairstreak (Strymonidia w-album). We were not to be disappointed!

Passing the display boards at the entrance we were soon walking along a wooded track which eventually gave way to a south facing meadow. It soon became apparent that this area was alive with every kind of butterfly you would expect to see in this kind of habitat. Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Large Skipper and Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) were all present. Although the above are regarded as common by most of us it is still good to see them together in such large numbers. Small White (Pieris rapae) and Green-veined White (Pieris napi) although present, had to play second fiddle.

Walking along the hedgerow, large numbers of Peacock larvae would surely mean an impressive display for late July and August. First brood Common Blues (Polyommatus icarus) were still on the wing, no doubt attracted by the numerous quantity of Bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus), its larval food plant. First brood Small Heaths (Coenonympha pamphilus) were still about in good numbers, their bobbing flight pattern unmistakable.

Graham led us further down towards an area where he thought their might be some Marbled White. For me personally, this was to be a first encounter with this species. Our luck was in when at least three of these beautifully marked butterflies were seen dancing above the tall grass. Attempts to photograph these individuals proved difficult even when approached with caution. At the last second they would take off and come to rest a good distance away.

"Honey-dew" may also be exuded from secretary pores scattered about the surface of the larval abdomen, because sometimes one can observe individual ants showing interest in other parts of the larval surface besides Newcomer's gland on the seventh segment. Two dorso-lateral organs, or tubercles, on each side of the eighth segment of the larva also have some special significance for ants. On one occasion I observed these two tubercles being suddenly evened as little green pillars, causing immediate excitement on the part of two ants, although the tubercles were retracted seconds later. I have no idea what this meant.

The most exciting observation was made on 17th June 1993, when I had a clear illustration of the way in which ants protect threatened Holly Blue larvae. A Holly Blue caterpillar was on "walkabout" looking for a new source of immature holly berries on whicli to feed. As it ascended the stem of the plant escorted by three ants, a spider made a sudden attack. In a split second it was thwarted by the rapid action of one of the escorting ants whicli caused the spider suddenly to stop in its tracks. It appeared to be momentarily paralysed for about one second, before scuttling off to hide among the leaves. It was almost as if the spider had been subjected to an electric shock. l can only assume that it had been sprayed with formic acid ejected by a nearby defending ant, or been bitten by the ant. The drawings in Fig.2 (A and B) were made from photographs taken at the time.

These observations merely confirm what has already been reported in the literature, but it is pleasant to recall that they were made whilst sunning oneself on the back lawn!

Fig. 2A

Pachygnathaspider poised to attack lan,a

/, I •

!

'·•

_/'

Holly blue larva ascendshollystem attendedby ants

l,t/

I

I

Spider momentarily stunned following attack.by ant

Spider subsequently retreated

13

The Suffolk Argus

Rare

Butterflies

in Suffolk 1995

by RichardStewart

CamberwellBeauty (Nymphalisantiopa)

............

March 1996

According to our president, Howard Mendel, it has been the best ever recorded year for rare butterflies in Suffolk. In the first year of the Millennium survey there were 5 records of Queen of Spain Fritillary (Argynnis lathonia) from 5 different tetrads. This compares with just one definite specimen since 1900. The five were, in order: Minsmere (David Fairhurst - warden) on 6th August; Holbrook on the Shotley peninsula (Mark Steer), August 12th; Bradfield Woods (Stephen Hunt warden) on August 21st; Westwood Marshes near Walberswick (Mark Curley and Shelia Davie from London) on 10th September; the final one, found in a pittrap at Minsmere's nonh easr corner could have been their a fortnight before its discovery on September 16th. This specimen was_mounted by Roger Kendrick and displayed some weeks ago at the British En. Soc. meeting in London, with full details of other sightings as above. All 5 were recorded in detail on the rare butterfly forms quickly devised by me, with many comments in panicular on the remarkable underside of the wing, described by Mark Curley as 'clear,

silverywhitepearls,largerand morenumerousthan on any otherFritillaryfound in the U.K' The Camberwell Beauty (Nymphalis antiopa) has occasionally been recorded in Suffolk, the last being a single specimen in 1994 at Rickinghall inferior. This butterfly's 'migration'is often a question of whether an ®isted passage'hasoccurred as a consequence of its dose association with sightings from ports. L. Hugh Newman in 'The complete Britishbutterfliesin colour'(Pub. 1968 Ebuty press and Michael Joseph) notes: '

14

Dark-green Fritillaries (Argynnis aglaja) and Marbled Whites (Melanargia galathea) were everywhere. The latter in panicular seemed to envelop every head of knapweed in dose company with several 6 spot Burnet moths. Chalkhill Blues (Lysandra cotidon) were more recent emergences and provided some excellent views and photographs.

In addition to the richness of the butterflies, the suggestion that 40 different plant species can occupy one square metre of turf brought out the botanist in all of us.

Thanksmustgo to UpperThamesBranchwho kindlysetasidemuchsoughtafterplacesto allowus tojoin them on this unforgettableday.

BentleyWoods

0

After a sound night's sleep and a memorable breakfast, we were now wondering what this new day might have in store for us. We were not to be disappointed. As we drew into the car park, first one then a second large Fritillary was seen. With Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) being unfamiliar to most of us, soning out both sexes of Dark-green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) and Silver-washed Friti!lary was to prove most interesting. But before we had really begun to examine our finds a helpful and enthusi3:5ticlocal lepidopterist was telling us to hold fire for just a few minutes because we were sure to see a Purple Emperor (Apatura iris). He had been watching and photographing a superb male nectaring on a tree wound for an hour or so before-hand.

Sure enough, as the sun burst through again down came the Emperor. Absolutely magnificent. And that was not to be all. Just a few yards down the track from the car park we found another, this time on the ground. Everyone gathered for more excellent views before it soared up and away.

Now what about those Friti!laries.

Fortunately, they were still being seen frequently and with the help of a field guide it was not long before we were identifying both sexes of the individual species as well as the differences between the rwo.

White Admiral (Ladoga camilla) occasionally drifted by along with more Marbled Whites (Melanargia galathea).

What a lovely day. White-letter Hairstreak (Strymonidia w-album) was however proving to be a little elusive but as can often happen, just as were beginning to pick them out our attention was diverted to something else. That most enigmatic of the Fritillaries, the Valezina form of the female 'Silverwashed'was drifting tantalisingly dose to our position. A visit that was all too short though most exciting.

As the day wore on butterfly activity lessened and with a long journey ahead of us we decided to call it a day-but not quite!

We had heard that a family of the scarce Montague's Harrier had taken up residence in the New Forest just about half-an-hour away. After a short wait we were treated to splendid flight and perched views of both the male and female. Such an unexpected event capped another wonderful day and a weekend that will stay in the memories of those present for a long time to come.

PurpleEmperor (Apaturairis)

~---

-=

------ -

by Beryl] ohnson

7

March 1996

The Suffolk Argus

1995 Field Trips ....................

Porton Down & Bentley Woods

16th July,1995

by Steve Goddard

Porton Down

Dark GreenFritillary (Argynnisaglaja)

. . . . .. . . . .

With the prospect of a summer butterfly spectacular ahead the weather forecast was eagerly awaited. Thankfully, the glorious July weather was to continue (up tp 23 °C) albeit with stiff breezes over open ground and so it was we set off for Parton Down.

Parton Down an MOD site, is situated near to Salisbury in Wiltshire and is probably the largest unbroken tract of chalk grassland in Britain. Of the 58 or so species ofbucterfly that could be encountered in this country no less than 45 have been recorded here over the past 30 years. There is unlikely to be any other site in Britain with such an extensive / • species complement. _,_,,..,-. /

/··?;

We arrived at our iendezvous /,/· in good time and by mid-day we had explored the on-site museum and were taking our first steps on these glorious downs in the company of our guides.

Instantly, we were seeing butterflies in all directions.

With camera in hand, it was difficult to know which way to turn and we were only a few yards into our walk!

1/_,,,·/ ,.,/J

DouglasHammers

6

0

/

'there is a theory that most of the specimens seen here are brought over in the holds of timber ships crossing the Norrh sea and when the pit props are unloaded at Hull, Harwich and other east coast ports the butterflies fly inland'. Howard Mendel duplicated all previous records for me and there is on record from 1969 of a 'specimen

seenflyingftom the holdof a Norwegian timbershipdischarging at Felixstowedocks' (D.Young).

However, Lliesewere almost certainly genuine migraints, coinciding with waves of rare moths and dragonflies, as noted in several local papers and on local television.

For the record there were 38 records from 32 different tetrads, in some cases 3 separate reports from different parts of the county on the same day. Locations varied from nature reserves to gardens and industrial sites and several were fortunately seen by many people, especially those at Hopton garden centre and Languard. Many recorders, who again gave details on the special forms, noted the attraction to plums, though softening apples were also a target in several instances. The 'Mourning Cloak'as the Americans call it is, though rare, vety easy to identify and records came from seasoned naturalists and those just fortunat_eto be in the right place at the time. I am particularly thankful to all those who sent me slides and prints. Finally, the locations; spanning 3rd August to 23rd September 1995: Minsmere (4), Ipswich (2), Aldeburgh (2), Eriswell, Dunwich, Eye, Herringswell, Little Bealings, Barsham (2), Rushmere, Theberton, Stowmarket, Halesworth, Barham, Languard (2), North Warren, Fagbury, Hundon, Bungay, Conyers Green,

East Bergholt, Great Barton, Mildenhall, Hopton (2), Corton, Pakefield, Bucklesham, T angham, Long Melford and Bury St. Edmunds.

It is beingsuggestedthat relativelylow numbersofCamberwellBeautyin Scandinaviancountriesin the springof 1995 couldmeanthat summerinsectsin Britain may havecomeftom muchfarther east, possiblyPolandor evenRussiawheretherehad beengoodbreedingseasons.(Nick Bowles, ButterflyConservation,WildlifeReports.

British Wildlife,Volume7 Number 2 December1995,page 119).

Prolongedeasterlywindsduringthefirst days ofAugustwhichalsosaw the immigrationof scarcedragonflies add strengthto this sur,gestion - Ed.

Queenof Spain Fritillary (Argynnislathonia)

15

The SuffolkArgus

The 'Late' Painted Lady byJean Garrod

March 1996

My husband Ken and I had heard that a Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui) had been seen at Landguard on 2nd, November last year and although we visited the site we did not see it as we were proccupied by six Little Auksand one or two Woodcock which were present.

However, we returned the next day and on searching the 'Butts'area we came across a superb male Black Redstart which appeared to be chasing a pale lea£ On focusing our telescope on the bird to our joy the leaf was in fact a very worn Painted Lady.

We both admired the bird and butterfly but then to our horror, the bird caught the insect and as we watched the entire creature was eaten, wings and all! We felt so sad to think that this butterfly had perhaps made it to the coast only to be devoured - it was a lovely bird though!

A fascinatingobservation.This woul.dappear to be the latestPainted Ladyof the year unless you know different!Ed.

PaintedLady (Cynthiacardui)

Small Skipper (Thymelic sylvestris)

Question Time

Thymelicus alludes to the dancers of Greek drama and their active movement and applies to both Small and Essex Skipper.

Sylvestris means 'pertainingto wood'which reflects their liking of woodland rides and the edges of hedgerows as well as rough grassland.

The term Skipper was applied to the whole family following Harris who, when speaking of the Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata) in 1766 said, 'when on the wing, they have a kind of skipping motion'.

"'

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola) 'lineola'is Latin for a 'smallline' which relates to the male scent scale line of this species. It is a useful identification feature being perceptibly shorter and less distinct than its cousin the Small Skipper.

Essex Skipper was first described in 18th Germany. It was not recognised in Britain until 1888 when a Mr /'"' Hawes, a butterflf; collector from St. , Osyth, Essex, noted that 1 it was slightly different • in appearance from the Small Skipper. Richard South named it Essex Skipper in 1906.

.,-~4J:f 0

16

Sadly, with the absence of any response to our request for further questions for this new feature, it will have to be held over for a future issue. Please let us have your questions so that we may continue this promising series.

Branch Contacts If you compare the back cover of this magazine with the last one you will notice one or two changes.

Steven Gosshas volunteered to develop the new position of Publicity Officer.

Our Chairman fames Mann, has taken over the job of Conservation Officer from RichardStewart to allow Richard to focus on the Millennium Project. Note also that Richard has a new address and telephone number.

The job of Branch Organiser generally falls to the Chairman in our branch so this title has disappeared from our Branch Contacts list and James's name will appear in the Summer issue of Butterfly Conservation News as our national contact.

Branch Conservation Officer (Moths) In our last Newsletter we advertised this post as understudy to RogerKendrickwho will be leaving us in July.

We are pleased to announce that Tony Prichardhas accepted this position with a view to taking over completely in the summer.

Butterfly Conservation is not just butterflies so we are delighted to be able to maintain this continuity.

5

The

SuffolkArgus

Notes from the Editor Butterfly Action Weekend Four members, JamesMann, TonyPrichard, Paul Gilsonand Phil Smith (Secretary, Martlesham Conservation Group) joined eleven others from the group on Sunday 26th November for this Gorse bashing event.

The weather, which had been quite pleasant up until this event, took a turn for the worse and the group had to work in overcast and rainy conditions. Nevertheless a sizeable area which had been covered in • Gorse was cleared, revealing unde~neath, the Heather which we all hope the Silverstudded Blue will re-occupy this year.

All who took part agreed it had been wonhwhile and we will be joining forces.. again on July 14th this year to help with the annual Silver-studded Blue count.

Hopefully we will be able to notice the effect of our clearance work.

Thanks again to Phil Smith for arranging this event.

•

March 1996

Scientific Names I would like to thank our member John Stevensfor his encouraging and helpful remarks on this subject. John makes a good point in that as a regional newsletter, scientific names may nor be so impottant since there is not an international readership. However, he feels that the explanations of scientific names was an excellent idea.

I would like to receive a few more opinions on this subject. In the meantime, I will continue to include scientific names and two more of their explanations are included here.

We are sorry that we could not let you have this with our November Newsletter but we hope there is still plenty of room in your new diaries. Write in as many of these events as you can now, we are sure you will not be disappointed.

4

by Steven Goss

Does anyone have a good photograph or transparency of a Brown Hairstreak (Theda betulae) that I can take a copy of to use on a display board. The board will depict 'LostSpeciesof Suffolk'and would be used for promotional purposes at events such as The Suffolk Show.

Illustrations

If you can helppleaseringStevenon Eye

As Newsletter Editor, I was absolutely

(01379) 783386 at anytime- Ed.

delighted to receive two surprise packages before Christmas. Whilst I have written to the rwo artists personally I would like to use these pages to say thank you again to Angie Steeleand DouglasHammersleyfor their splendid line drawings. Some of these appear in this issue and will continue to do so in future editions.

For those of you who read the small prim, rou will already be aware that our front page symbol the Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus), was drawn by Douglas.

Nectar Plants As with Question Time, I added a postscript

1996 Events List

Wanted -Brown Hairstreak!

asking whether members might wish to tell us more about the nectar sources in their gardens which both they and butterflies enjoy above all others. So far I have received one response. Thankyou again to Angie Steele for her interesting Strawberry Tree observations which can be found on page

18.

...............

Branch Photograph Album - Photos Appeal

by Steven Goss How would you like to help us with our branch photograph album?

Those of you who have attended our indoor events including The Suffolk Show will be aware that we are putting together our own album as part of our branch promotion material. If you have spare photographs of Suffolk butterflies, moths, habitats or maybe snaps of group members on field trips please help us to fill it.

Send your photographs with details of location etc. as appropriate to myself, Steven Goss(address on back cover) and those used will be labelled and credited as your work.

Our aim is to have a well-filled album in time for this year's Suffolk Show so if you can help please send your pictures as soon as possible.

Recording New Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... .

by Steven Goss

With recording for the Millennium Atlas now well underway, it is an ideal time to seek out unrecorded sites across the county.

If you know of any landowners with an interesting looking meadow or area of woodland that might not have been surveyed recently, then this could be a very opponune time to ask their permission to take a look. There is something exciting about exploring somewhere that you know has n't been visited by butterfly enthusiasts already. You never quite know what you might find.

If the landowner is willing, it would be best to make say four visits - early May, mid- June, mid-July and late August. If you are not sure whether a site or tetrad has already been recorded for the Atlas then a quick telephone call to our County Recorder, Richard Stewart, will bring the answer. Also, if you know of a good looking site and have permission to visit but don't feel confident enough to record it yourself, then please contact any member of the committee. We can check out whether the site needs recording and despatch someone to join you as appropriate.

17

The Suffolk Argus

Butterfly Garden Nectar

Plants

by Angie Steele

.'

I

March 1996

My favourite nectar source is my ten year old Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) which flowers (rom mid October to early November. This makes it an excellent foodplant for butterflies and other insects which need to attain good condition before hibernation.

On 30th/31st October last year, between 12 and 20 Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) were seen feeding on the flowers together with a wide variery of bees. The ripened fruits from the previous year occur at the same time as the small bell-like flowers making it a very attractive tree.

However, it is an evergreen (a member of the Heather family) and cannot be easily pruned and although some gardening books say that it is slow growing eventually reaching just 8 feet (I .84m), this Arbutus is already 15 x 15 feet (3m x 3m)!

/

//

I

i

,;:~

... .. . . ..

byDouglasHammersley

18

RedAdmiral (Vanessaatalanta)

The

Suffolk Show 29th-30th May 1996

..... . . . . . . . . .......

It is amazing how the time goes, it is still Winter and we are talking about the Suffolk Show but it is only three months away on 29th and 30th May, not many shopping days!

This is the one time of the year when we are on show and are able to make contact with vast numbers of people. Those who manned the stand at the show last year really enjoyed it. It is a great way of meeting people with similar interests. We would welcome more help, even if it were only for an hour or two. Don't worry there will always be someone with experience to support you .

Last year we were able to grow some butterfly attracting plants of our own to sell and they were a great success.

Unfortunately, we were not geared up to take more plants that were offered at the time. This year, we would like to grow all of our own plants.

Would all members who would like to help do this, please ring Paul Gilson letting him know what plants you can grow and how many. Paul will be growing butterfly attracting Wildflowers like Knapweed, BirdsFoot Trefoil, Field Scabious and Oxeye Daisy. Bedding plants are always in demand at that time of year so Ageratum, Dwarf Phlox, African/French Marigold and Verbena would be useful. Also popular would be pot grown butterfly attracring Herbs such as Hyssop, Lavender, Marjoram and Thyme. There may be many more that are your favourites just let us know what you can do.

3

The Suffolk Argus

March 1996

Contents ..............................

"

Newsletter Details

...... .

Annual General Meeting ................................................ Cover

....................

The Suffolk Show .................................................................. 3 Notes from the Editor ........................................................ 4-5

Copy Dates Contributions for our newsletter should reach the Editor (address on back page) no later than: January May September

Christmas Eve April Fools Day 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.

1995 Field Trips .............................................................. 6-11 Holly Blue larvae & Black Garden Ants ......................... 12-13 Rare Butterflies in Suffolk- 1995 .................................. 14-15

. . . . . . . . . . . ........

The 'late'Paimed Lady ........................................................ 16

.

Wanted - Brown Hairstreak & Photographs ........................ 17 Recording New Sites ............................................................ 17 Butterfly Garden Nectar Plantl ............................................ 18 Newsletter Details & General Information ........................... 19 Suffolk Branch Contacts ........................................ Back Cover

Butterfly

l'

ButterflyLine 0891 884505

HOTELS

~

(01284 760884) ButterflyHotel,

A45 Bury East Exit.

Regular Updates & Latest News

Moreton Hall,

Allprofits are used for the conservation of

Bury St. Edmunds

butterflies and their habitats. ~.,,.

2

Calls charged at 49p per min. peak and 39p per min. at other times

19

Suffolk Branch Contacts

Chairman & Conservation Officer JamesMann, The Old School,The Street, Oarsham, Saxmundham.Suffolk,IP 17 3QA (01728 668532)

TH£

SUFFOLK

MembershipSecretary Paul Gilson,18 CheltenhamAvenue, Ipswich, SuffolkIP4 4LN (01473 253276)

ARGUS

Newsletter Editor

SteveGoddard,47 ColchesterRoad, Ipswich, SuffolkIP4 3BT (01473 252598)

March 1996

Programme Secretary Alan]ohmon, 28 MedwayRoad, Ipswich,Suffolk IP3 0QH (01473 715701)

Volunteers Needed If you feel you could run a small sales operation or just help out now and then with the growing work of the Branch, please contact

Steve Goddardon 01473 2525')8.

County Recorder (Butterflies)

RichardStewart, 'Valczina', 112 Westerfield Road, Ipswich, Suffolk,IP4 'lXW (01473 216518) Conservation Officer (Moths)

RogerKendrick,clo BScConservationMgt, Otley College, Otley, Suffolk (01473 785543) County Recorder (Moths)

JanicePritchard,89 LeopoldRoad, Ipswich SuffolkIP4 4RN (01473 718137)

TIii 11111: Saturday, 30thMarch,1996

Treasurer

1111TI•:

GrahamBull, Oakbank,ArdleighRoad, Dedham, EssexCO? 6EG (01206 323530)

Publishedby the SuffolkBranchof

R,g. No. 22o6468 R,g. Charity No. 254937 HeadOf6cc P.O. Box 222. Dcdham. EssexCO? 6EY. Tel. (01206) 322342

Edioedby s- Goddard Prillu:dby Grtt Hmn-t & Sons.

Logo(Silnr-nudd<dBIU<)Dou1Hammmky Daign<daadpn,doe<dby St,phm Ion, C.t & Mouse Design (01473 729423 after 7pm)

e

1996 all riglm rcscrv«!

I

Annual General Meeting

Arthur Watchman,Onchan, BackLane,Monks Eleigh, SuffolkIP? ?BA Secretary

ButterflyConservation(The British ButterflyConservationSociety Ltd.)

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Publicity Officer

7pmfor7.15pm(approx.)

Thi place: Butterfly Hotel, BurySt. Edmunds

Stevm Goss,YaxleyManor House, Yaxlcy, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8OG (01379 783386) Committee Members

Mich~I &]mny Kelsey,25 Prospect Place, Lciston, SuffolkIP16 4AL (01728 830975)

Our third Annual General Meeting takes place on Saturday 30th, March 1996. This event has again been generously sponsored by the Butterfly Hotel, Bury St. Edmunds.

Please come along to hear about and contribute to the affairs of your Branch as well as to listen to our guest speaker Dr. Neil Ravenscroft, who will be talking about species restoration. I am sure many of you know of Neil through his work on the Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus - our very own symbol).

Having recently worked as Research and Advisory Officer in invertebrate ecology for Scottish Natural Heritage, Neil has returned co Suffolk as a Self-employed Consultant Ecologist working with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Who knows, species restoration could be an option in Suffolk before too long. We certainly have habitats which could be right for the return oflong lost butterflies. Come and find out what Neil has to say.

Please see separate sheet for AGM details.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The Newsletter of the Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation

President

HowardMeruul, do IpswichMuseum, High St., Ipswich,SuffolkIPl 3QH (01473 213761)

Volume7

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BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION