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Current Volume - (122) 2010:
122(1):
PLUMBEOUS SPRUCE TORTRIX CYMOLOMIA HARTIGIANA (SAXESEN, 1840) (LEP: TORTRICIDAE) NEW TO THE BRITISH ISLES
1 MATTHEW J. DEANS AND 2 JON CLIFTON
1 49C Oak Hill, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3JY.
2 Kestrel Cottage, Station Road, Hindolveston, Norfolk NR20 5DE.
Abstract
The first occurrence of Cymolomia hartigiana (Saxesen, 1840) (Lep.: Tortricidae) in the British Isles is reported from Suffolk.
THE CHANGING MOTH AND BUTTERFLY FAUNA OF BRITAIN - THE FIRST DECADE OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY (2000-2009)
MARK PARSONS
Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP.
Abstract
Broad changes to the British Lepidoptera fauna are summarised, covering those species that have recently colonised the country and those species that may have become extinct. These broad changes are briefly compared with those of the previous century.
BUTTERFLY DIVERSITY FROM A SEQUENTIAL SURVEY
ROBERT MYLER AND LAURENCE M. COOK
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT (E-mail: lcook@manchester.ac.uk)
Abstract
A method is described for using sequential observations to estimate diversity in butterfly communities. Results from a survey in Amazonian rainforest show that it may have potential as a quick way of evaluating habitat quality.
AN INITIAL STUDY OF THE FEEDING AND EGG-LAYING PREFERENCES OF BARK DWELLING PSOCIDS (PSOCOPTERA) USING COMPOSITE BARK BLOCKS
ROBERT E. SAVILLE
20 (2F3) Downfield Place, Edinburgh EH11 2EL (E-mail: bob.saville@blueyonder.co.uk)
Abstract
In vitro studies on the feeding and egg-laying preferences of a selection of species of Psocoptera were undertaken. It was discovered that Loensia variegata (Latreille), Psocidae, is capable of eating alga (probably mainly Apatococcus lobatus) and the lichen Xanthoria parietina. It did not feed on any of the crustose lichens offered to it or two other foliose lichens. A sample of bare bark showed signs of having been eaten. Eggs were laid primarily on foliose lichens (Parmelia sulcata and Melanelia subaurifera) but also on one of the crustose lichens (Cliostomum griffithii). Trichadenotecnum sexpunctatum (L.), Psocidae, fed upon alga (probably mainly Apatococcus lobatus), the crustose lichen Cliostomum griffithii and the foliose lichens Parmelia sulcata and Xanthoria parietina. No eggs were laid. Pteroxanium kelloggi (Ribaga), Lepisopscocidae, was only found to eat alga (probably mainly Apatococcus lobatus). No eggs were laid. Result of the study using Reuterella helvimacula (Enderlein), Elipsocidae, was inconclusive.
TWO CHANGES IN NOMENCLATURE WITHIN THE GENUS ACROTRICHIS MOTSCHULSKY (COL.: PTILIIDAE) FROM SRI LANKA AND PANAMA
COLIN JOHNSON
17 Peaknaze Close, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 6UN (E-mail: colin.johnson17@virgin.net)
Abstract
Two new nomenclatural changes within the genus Acrotrichis (Coleoptera, Ptiliidae) are reported.
122(2):
CELYPHA WOODIANA (BARRETT) (LEP.: TORTRICIDAE)– AN UPDATE
MARK PARSONS 1AND JAMES MCGILL 2
1 Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP
(mparsons@butterfly-conservation.org)
2
13 Cresswell Avenue, Staplegorve, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6LS
(j.a.mcgill@btinternet.com)
Abstract
A survey for Celypha woodiana, coordinated by Butterfly Conservation, was undertaken
during 2009, finding the species at new sites and providing additional insights
into the
ecology of the species as well as identifying some potential threats.
GORGYRA STEWARTI
SP. NOV. – A SURPRISING NEW SKIPPER BUTTERFLY FROM CAMEROUN AND THE
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (LEP.: HESPERIIDAE)
TORBEN B. LARSEN
Jacobys alle 2, 1806 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
(E-mail: torbenlarsen@btinternet.com)
Abstract
As part of preparatory work for a monograph on the skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae)
of the
Afrotropical Region a remarkably distinctive new species from Cameroun and
the
democratic Republic of Congo was discovered and is here described as Gorgyra
stewarti
sp.nov. Its closest relative is Gorgyra subflavidus Holland, 1896 from the
coastal forests of
East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania), a distinct biogeographical subregion.
PERCHING AND
PATROLLING CONTINUUM AT FAVOURED HILLTOP SITES ON A RIDGE: A MATE LOCATION
STRATEGY BY THE PURPLE
EMPEROR BUTTERFLY APATURA IRIS
R. J. C. PAGE
11, White Cottage Close, Farnham, Surrey GU9 0NL.
Abstract
One of the mate location strategies of the Purple Emperor butterfly Apatura
iris Linnaeus
includes the daily aggregation of males at favoured landmark sites from approximately
midday.
The flight behaviour of male A. iris was studied at two sites supporting daily
aggregations
of males, along a ridge in a predominately broadleaved woodland during the
flight period in
2007 & 2008. Flight behaviour consisted mainly of conspecific and patrol
flights within the
continuum from perching to patrolling. Thirty-nine percent of the observed
flights were timed
and the mean duration used to provide an approximation of activity. Male–male
encounters in
conspecific flights lasted longer with a mean of 54.07 seconds, but were less
frequent than
patrol flights, which had a mean duration of 14.87 seconds without encounters.
Rain and
overcast skies reduced activity whereas wind and temperature alone had less
effect.
BRITISH DISTRIBUTION OF ARICIA LEP: LYCAENIDAE
BILL SMYLLIE
164 Dobcroft Road, Sheffield S11 9LH.
Abstract
The genus Aricia in Britain is represented by three taxa, Brown Argus, Aricia
agestis (d.& S. 1775), Northern Brown Argus, Aricia artaxerxes (Fabricius,
1793) and Brown Argus
hybrids (Aricia agestis ?? artaxerxes). It is necessary to decide on boundaries
between these
three ‘races’ so that any locality where the butterfly occurs can
be adequately categorised in
order to construct a national distribution map. Parts of the large lunulation
data bank are
used to provide figures which allow any colony or area to be classified into
one of the above
three taxa. Where relevant, broad similarities between information via genetic
analysis and
male upper forewing lunulation are mentioned.
TORTRICID MOTHS
NEW TO THE BULGARIAN AND EUROPEAN FAUNA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)
1 BOYAN ZLATKOV & 2 YURIY BUDASHKIN
1 Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Faculty of Biology,
Dept. of Zoology and Anthropology, 8 Dragan
Tsankov Blvd., BG-1164 Sofia, Bulgaria (E-mail: bzlatkov@gmail.com)
2 Karadagh Nature Reserve, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kurortnoye, Feodosia,
Crimea, 98188, Ukraine
(E-mail: budashkin@ukr.net)
Abstract
Dichrorampha inconspiqua (danilevsky, 1948) (= inconspicua misspelling) is
reported for
the first time for Europe and Phtheochroa reisseri (Razowski, 1970), Cnephasia
heringi
Razowski, 1958, Cydia intexta (Vl. Kuznetzov, 1962), C. conjunctana (Möschler,
1866) and
Pammene querceti (Gozmany, 1957) are reported as new for the Bulgarian fauna,
from
several dry rocky localities in the valley of the Struma River. Information
about their
habitats is given. Some peculiar characters of the Bulgarian specimens of D.
inconspiqua
are commented upon and illustrated and the correct spelling of the specific
epithet
inconspiqua is briefly discussed.
122(3):
NOTES ON THE
EARLY STAGES OF THE TRIANGLE HETEROGENEA ASELLA ([D. & S.], 1775) (LEP.: LIMACODIDAE)
1 R. J. HECKFORD, 2 B. P. HENWOOd & 3 S. D. BEAVAN
1 67 Newnham
Road, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon PL7 4AW. 2 6 Lakeland, Abbotskerswell, Newton
Abbot,
Devon TQ12 5YF.
3 The Hayes, Zeal Monachorum, Devon EX17 6DF.
Abstract
Observations were made on the larva of Heterogenea asella ([d.& S.],
1775), in Devon,
England, including descriptions of the first instar, feeding signs and other
larval evidence as
well as cocoon formation and incidence of parasitism.
PONERA TESTACEA
(EMERY, 1895) (HYM.: FORMICIDAE) NEW TO BRITAIN FROM DUNGENESS, EAST KENT
¹
P. J. ATTEWELL, ² C. A. COLLINGWOOD AND³ A. GODFREY
¹ 69 Thornbury Gardens, Boreham Wood, Herts, WD6 1RD, UK
email: philattewell@aol.com² 18, Milton Street, Skipton, N. Yorks, BD23 2ED, UK³ 90 Bence Lane, Darton, Barnsley, S. Yorks, S75 5DA, UK
Abstract
Ponera testacea (Emery) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is recorded from Britain
for the first
time. Its determination by morphology and morphometrics from specimens collected
at
Dungeness, East Kent is discussed and its currently known European status is
summarised.
Keywords: Ponera testacea, Britain, East Kent, dungeness, morphometrics.
OBSERVATIONS
ON THE USE OF WING-MARKINGS AND GENITALIA TO DISTINGUISH DARK-BARRED TWIN-SPOT
CARPET
XANTHORHOE FERRUGATA (CL.) AND RED TWIN-SPOT CARPET
X. SPADICEARIA ([D. & S.]). (LEP.: GEOMETRIDAE) AND ON THE
IMPLICATIONS FOR RECORDING THESE SPECIES
MARTIN TOWNSEND
26 Bartholomew Road, Oxford OX4 3QQ.
(email: martin.townsend4@ntlworld.com)
Abstract
Differences in wing markings between Xanthorhoe ferrugata (Cl.) and X. spadicearia
[(d.& S.)] (Geometridae) are discussed. Examination of a long series of
male
genitalia confirm
that presence of a notch in the inner edge of the central forewing fascia near
the costa, is an
unreliable determining feature. Approximately one third of X. spadicearia and
two-thirds of
X. ferrugata are notched. The degree of contrast between the pale post-median
fascia and
the terminal and sub-terminal areas, and other features of banding are useful
indicators, and
can in combination be used to safely identify many specimens. The red-banded
and darkbanded
forms in spadicearia form a continuum and are not clearly distinct as in the
blackbanded
and red-banded forms of ferrugata. Examples with bold underside markings are
likely to be spadicearia. Recording bias created by use of the notch is likely
to favour
ferrugata and would therefore have partly masked any decline in ferrugata.
The 92%
decline in ferrugata, as recorded in long term light trap data, is unlikely
to have been
affected by any bias. The apparent scarcity of the typical form of ferrugata
(with red median
forewing fascia) would appear to be genuine.
AN EXAMINATION
OF THE STATUS OF DIACHRYSIA STENOCHRYSIS (WARREN, 1913) AND ITS POSSIBLE
OCCURRENCE IN BRITAIN AS A
SIBLING OF D. CHRYSITIS (L.) (LEP.: NOCTUIDAE)
COLIN W. PLANT
14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 3QP.
(E-mail: cpauk1@ntlworld.com)
Abstract
The status of the taxon Diachrysia stenochrysis (Warren, 1913) is discussed.
British
examples of the forma juncta Tutt, 1892 (= Diachrysia tutti Kostrowicki, 1961)
of the
Burnished Brass moth Diachrysia chrysitis (L., 1758) are, according to European
authors,
referable to this taxon. This paper reviews the evidence for whether the two
should be
regarded as full species or as subspecies and calls for research into distribution,
phenology
and ecology of British populations to complement that already undertaken elsewhere,
as
well as specific DNA studies to determine the true status of this taxon.
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