The SuffolkArgus
Member's Evening, 20th January
1996
CamberwellBeauiy•· (Nymphalis antiopa)
4
May 1996
It was a cold evening but despite this nearly thirty members turned up to make an interesting and successful evening. The evening opened with a brief introduction and the running order from fames Mann our chairman, we then got down to the serious business. Wilfrid Georgeopened showing us some of his old slides from around the fifties. He enthralled us by how with wire, string, old lenses, cocoa tins, pliers, vices etc. he was able to produce good results with the limited equipment of the day. I am still amazed how he got butterflies to stay still with a piece of wire beside them. RichardStewarttalked about this years rare migrants and gave us some excellent shots ofCamberwell Beaury. (Chairmans note: I think I am the only person who did not see one this year). Michaeland Jenny Kelseygave us a double act of Portugese and British butterflies, unfortunately we were not able to help in identifying some of the Portugese butterflies for them. David and ChristineOrme showed some good slides of butterflies, moths and •caterpillars. TonyPrichardand then Steven Goss gave us a good variety of British butterflies. The last three all showed variations of Common Blue and Brown Argus and explained how they differentiated between them (Seearticleonpage 8 -Ed.). After a break for a chat, the draw and refreshments fames Mann talked of his' wanderings in South Africa and illustrated some forty-three different species of butt~rflies and moths he had seen in a week. Unfortunately Roger Kendrick was not able to make it to show his rare moth migrants bur we willget him next time. It was a very enjoyable evening, we plan to have another in the autumn including a competition of photos taken this year, so get snapping!. More details in the next Suffolk Argus. Finally thanks to JanicePritchard,Paul and Sue Gilsonfor on the spot organisation.
Butterfly Garden Nectar Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... by Paul Gilson
LJ
.
One garden plant that I could never be without is Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) which last year was in flower in March. By June the plants which mainly grow on my from garden wall were in full flower. They require no particular attention apart from cutting back after the first flush of flowers. This is advisable as the seed can find its way into all sotts of unwanted places and before you know it you will have a garden foll of Valerian. The plant never requires any watering (apart from the rain above) and during last years summer positively thrived in the hot conditions. Last year I observed the following butterflies nectaring on this plant: Small White; Green-veined White; Small Skipper; Red Admiral and Small T orroisehell. During the second flush of flowers through August and September I ofren observed nearly double figure numbers of Small Tortoiseshells on this plant. If the long hot summers are to continue in the years ahead then this plant will me my choice for a good drought resistant butterfly attracting plant.
Small Tortoiseshell (Aglaisurticae)
13
