Current Volume - (121) 2009:

MICROLEPIDOPTERA REVIEW OF 2007
1 J. R. LANGMAID AND 2 M. R. YOUNG
1 Wilverley, 1 Dorrita Close, Southsea, Hampshire PO4 0NY (johnlangmaid@btinternet.com) 2 School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ (m.young@abdn.ac.uk)
Abstract
Noteworthy records of microlepidoptera collected during 2007 are summarised, including five species new to the British Isles and numerous new vice-county records.

ANTHENE GEORGIADISI SP. NOV. (LEP.: LYCAENIDAE) – A NEW BUTTERFLY FROM LIBERIA
TORBEN B. LARSEN
Jacobys alle 2, 1806 Frederiksberg C, Denmark (torbenlarsen@btinternet.com)
Abstract
Anthene georgiadisi sp. nov. is described as a new species in the difficult complex of the “ red Anthene”, in West Africa closest to A. mahota Grose-Smith, 1887. It is the smallest species in the complex. The type locality is the newly created Sapo National Park, one of the largest and most important protected areas in West Africa. Anthene georgiadisi sp. nov. was among 150 species collected during a brief visit by a non-specialist collector, emphasizing the need for continued intensive collecting in the dwindling forests of West Africa.

SURVEYING FOR CELYPHA WOODIANA (BARRETT) (LEP.: TORTRICIDAE)
MARK PARSONS AND JAMES MCGILL
Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5QP. (mparsons@butterfly-conservation.org) 13 Cresswell Avenue, Staplegrove, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6LS. (j.a.mcgill@btinternet.com)
Abstract
A brief summary of the occurrence of Celypha woodiana (Barrett) in Britain and Europe is given, together with notes on ecology. Information is provided on how to best survey for this elusive species.

SCRUB ENCROACHMENT LEADS TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE COMMON GREEN GRASSHOPPER OMOCESTUS VIRIDULUS
(ORTH: ACRIDIDAE) FROM HEATHLAND AT MILL GREEN COMMON IN WRITTLE FOREST
TIM GARDINER AND MICHELLE GARDINER
2 Beech Road, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, CM8 3PF, tg@writtle.ac.uk
Abstract
The effects of scrub encroachment of heathland at Mill Green Common in south-east England is examined in relation to the Common Green Grasshopper Omocestus viridulus. It is concluded that the grasshopper has become extinct on this site and it is suggested that urgent scrub clearance needs to take place to prevent further losses of heathland plants and insects. The proposed creation of commons councils under Part 2 of the Commons Act (2006) is a welcome step forward for the management of common land, particularly if it gives further mpetus to the reintroduction of grazing on neglected sites with biologically important populations of insects.

A NOTE ON THE LARVA, FOODPLANTS AND A HYMENOPTEROUS PARASITOID OF NOMOPHILA NOCTUELLA ([DENIS & SCHIFFERMÜLLER], 1775) (LEP.: PYRALIDAE)
1 S. D. BEAVAN AND 2 R. J. HECKFORD
1 The Hayes, Zeal Monachorum, Devon EX17 6DF. 2 67 Newnham Road, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon PL7 4AW.
Abstract
An account is given of the larvae of Nomophila noctuella ([D.& S.]) (Lep.: Pyralidae) in the wild in the British Isles and their foodplants as well as the rearing of the hymenopterous parasitoid Meteorus cinctellus (Spinola) (Braconidae: Meteorinae), together with a review of prior records and foodplants.

RECORDS OF PLATYGASTRIDAE (HYM.: PLATYGASTROIDEA) FROM THE ISLE OF MAN, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW SPECIES
1 P. N. BUHL AND 2 F. D. BENNETT
1 Troldhøjvej 3, DK-3310 Ølsted, Denmark (e-mail: platygaster@mail.dk) 2 Crofton, Baldhoon Road, Laxey, Isle of Man, IM4 7NA (e-mail: fdb@manx.net)
Abstract
Records of Platygastridae (Hymenoptera) from the Isle of Man are listed, with notes on biology, when known, and geographic ranges. Fifty-seven species are recorded, all for the first time from the Isle of Man; Platygaster manensis sp. nov. Synopeas aceris sp. nov. and Synopeas manense sp. nov. are described as new to science; Platygaster subapicalis Buhl is new to the British Isles, reared from ontarinia sp. on Prunus laurocerasus. The hitherto unknown male of Synopeas romsoeense Buhl, 1999 is described.

ANTHROPOPHILOUS LACHRYPHAGY IN A MALAGASY BUTTERFLY, SALAMIS ANTEVA (WARD, 1870) (LEP.: NYMPHALIDAE)
1 J. W. DUCKWORTH, 2 M. I. EVANS, 3 A. F. A. HAWKINS AND 2 R. J. SAFFORD
1 PO Box 5573, Vientiane, Lao PDR (JWD); 2 BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Cambridge, CB3 0NA, UK (MIE & RJS); 3 Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Ste 500, Arlington, VA 22202, USA (AFAH)
Abstract
A case of the Madagascan butterfly Salamis anteva (Ward, 1870) drinking at a human eye is documented. Lepidopteran lachryphagy usually involves moths and has only rarely been previously recorded in Madagascar, and humans are only rather rarely visited. This may have been a chance association by the specific individual, as the species is common yet there are no other records of it visiting eyes.

THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC WARMING ON FLIGHT TIME OF MOTHS IN YORKSHIRE
CHARLES H. FLETCHER
The Forge, Hutton Conyers, Ripon, N Yorkshire HG4 5EB.
(E-mail: chfletcher@btinternet.com)
Abstract
Flight times of moths have changed appreciably in the last 30 years. Climatic change is the main driving factor. Yorkshire weather data shows a rapid rise in mean daytime and nighttime temperature since the mid 1980s. This has not been even throughout each month of the
year and is largely confined to the first half of the year, being most marked in February. It is this rise in spring temperature which is responsible for the earlier flight times of moths until the beginning of July. Moths flying in the second half of the year appear to have been unaffected.

THE SPREAD OF PALE PINION LITHOPHANE HEPATICA (CLERCK) (LEP.: NOCTUIDAE) INTO THE NORTHERN HALF OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND SINCE 1990
1 R. LEVERTON AND 2 S. PALMER
1 Whitewells, Ordiquhill, Cornhill, Banffshire AB45 2HS. 2 137 Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire PR4 0AH.
(email: s.palmer12@btopenworld.com)
Abstract
Pale Pinion Lithophane hepatica has expanded its range over 250 km northwards in Britain since 1990, and also spread eastwards. Twenty-three new vice-county records are presented here. We suggest that south-west Scotland and the far north-west of England were initially colonised from Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man.

LEPIDOPTERA OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS: (1) PYRALOIDEA
1 ANDREWWAKEHAM-DAWSON AND 2 ALEX G. JONES
1 Mill Laine Farm, Offham, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 3QB UK email: andrew@wakeham-dawson.orangehome.co.uk
[corresponding author; current address c/o St Cuthbert’s Church, Mount Pleasant Airfield, BFPO 655] 2 University Museum of Zoology Cambridge, Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ UK
Abstract
The Falkland Islands Pyraloidea fauna consists of three resident species in the family Crambidae. Fernandocrambus falklandicellus Hampson) (sub-family Crambinae) and Scoparia glauculalis Hampson (Scopariinae) are widespread and common throughout the islands during the austral summer. Crambus elongatus Hampson, also widespread and common, is added to the list of resident species. Udea ragonotii (Butler) (Pyraustinae) is removed from the resident list and is probably a migrant/accidental from South America. Other accidental specimen records include Ephestia sp., Nomophila sp., Pediasia? sp. and Pyralis farinalis (Linnaeus).

GRASSHOPPERS AND BUSH-CRICKETS (ORTHOPTERA) OF MILITARY TRAINING GROUNDS NEAR COLCHESTER
1 TIM GARDINER AND 2 TED BENTON
1 2 Beech Road, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, CM8 3PF tg@writtle.ac.uk 2 University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ
Abstract
The Orthoptera of three military training areas near Colchester in Essex have been surveyed since 1980. Two locally scarce orthopterans were recorded: Mottled Grasshopper Myrmeleotettix maculatus Thunberg and Great Green Bush-cricket Tettigonia viridissima L.
M. maculatus is a bare earth specialist and can be classed as disturbance-dependent, whereas T. viridissima is a disturbance-averse insect of scrub. Disturbance-dependent insects are reliant on explosions and vehicular usage on Ministry of Defence (MoD) sites to
maintain patches of exposed soil, whereas those averse to disturbance need an absence of these activities. Military usage may create the necessary patchwork of vegetation cover needed by both types of insect.

A LIST OF THE BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA) OF PETRA, SOUTHERN JORDAN
SALEH AHMAD AL-QURAN
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan E-mail:salquran@gmail.co
Abstract
An updated list of the butterflies of Petra in southern Jordan is given based on this study, from 2004 to 2008 and previous records. Of the 50 recorded species, six are considered to be likely additions to the known fauna: Pyrgus melotis Duponchel, 1834, Spialia doris doris Walker, 1870, Anthene amarah amarah Guerin-Meneville, 1847, Azanus ubaldus Cramer, 1782, Pseudophilotes abencerragus nabataeus Graves, 1925 and Catopsilia florella Fabricius, 1775. Collecting sites and various plant host species are given for each
butterflies species. This relatively high faunal diversity of butterflies in Petra is related to the coexistence of mosaic pattern of phytogeographical elements (Mediterranean, Saharo- Arabian, Irano-Teranian and Nubo-Sindian) although the annual precipitation is relatively low.

ARMYWORMS (DIPTERA: SCIARIDAE) AT KILMELFORD, ARGYLL, IN 2008
1 CLIVE CRAIK AND 2 ASTRID VAN DER KRAAN
1 Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA. (clive.craik@sams.ac.uk) 2 Glenbeg, Kilmelford, Oban, Argyll PA34 4XA (astrid@glenbeg-it.co.uk)
Abstract
Two small areas of coniferous woodland near Oban in west Scotland are the only places in the British Isles where marching columns of larvae of Sciara militaris Nowicki (Diptera: Sciaridae) (‘armyworms’) have been recorded. In 2008 they appeared at one of these sites,
Kilmelford, for a third successive year. Numbers of columns were much higher than before: the highest number seen on a single visit was 140 columns with an estimated total of one to two million larvae (six or seven times the previous highest count). Four columns were seen
to last for at least three hours, but some had shorter lifetimes. Moving columns were seen turning into immobile patches, and vice versa, with little mixing between columns. This implied that any one column would tend to contain the same individual larvae day after day,
explaining a previous observation that larval size varied markedly between columns. Usually columns greatly outnumbered patches but, on a day of heavy rain, numbers of columns and patches were roughly equal and many patches appeared to be sheltering from the rain.

FURTHER ABERRATIONS OFTHE AFRICAN CLOUDED YELLOW COLIAS ELECTO L. (LEP.: PIERIDAE) FROM THE WESTERN CAPE,
SOUTH AFRICA
LEONARD MCLEOD
43 Davey Crescent, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB22 5JF. lochbaylen@aol.com
Abstract
Four aberrations of Colias electo electo L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) are described from the South Western Cape of South Africa.

PRAYS OLEAE (BERNARD, 1788) (LEP.: YPONOMEUTIDAE) IN BRITAIN
1 DAVID AGASSIZ, 2 ANDREW MITCHELL AND 3 FRED BUTCHER 1 The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
2 Barham Close, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9PR 3 Wyndrush, Chapel Road, Grain, Essex ME3 0DP
Abstract
Prays oleae (Bernard) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) is recorded from Britain for the first time. The species is described and illustrated and its life history is given as known in southern Europe.

THE IMMIGRATION OF LEPIDOPTERA TO THE BRITISH ISLES IN 2007
SEAN P. CLANCY
1 Myrtle Villas, Sussex Road, New Romney, Kent. TN28 8DY E-mail: trapsite@talktalk.net
Abstract
Formally accepted records of immigrant Lepidoptera occurring in the British Isles during the year 2007 are listed and discussed. For less frequently encountered species, full information is given in Annex 1, presented in vice-county order, the individual localities then listed alphabetically for each VC. For the more regular immigrant species, annual summaries and a selection of the most significant records are presented in Annex 2.

TWO NEW MACROLEPIDOPTERA GENERA AND FIFTEEN NEW MACROLEPIDOPTERA SPECIES FOR THE REPUBLIC OF
MONTENEGRO (CRNA GORA, BALKAN PENINSULA), COLLECTED IN DURMITOR NATIONAL PARK, TARA CANYON (LEP.: GEOMETRIDAE, NOCTUIDAE)
STOYAN BESHKOV
National Museum of Natural History, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd ? 1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria. (Email: stoyan.beshkov@gmail.com)
Abstract
Fifteen species and two genera of Lepidoptera (Noctuidae and Geometridae) are reported as new to the fauna of Montenegro during a collecting trip from 10 – 17 July 2001.

MICROLEPIDOPTERA REVIEW OF 2008
1 J.R.LANGMAID AND 2 M.R.YOUNG
1 Wilverley, 1 Dorrita Close, Southsea, Hampshire P04 0NY (johnlangmaid@btinternet.com) 2 School ofBiological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 0TZ (m.young@abdn.ac.uk)
Abstract
Noteworthy records of microlepidoptera collected during 2008 are collated, including four species new to the British Isles and numerous other new vice-county records.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE SCALY CRICKET PSEUDOMOGOPLISTES VICENTAE GOROCHOV (ORTH: GRYLLIDAE) IN RELATION TO
PUBLIC ACCESS AT CHESIL BEACH IN DORSET
TIM GARDINER
2 Beech Road, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, CM8 3PF, tg@writtle.ac.uk
Abstract
Evidence suggests that Pseudomogoplistes vicentae Gorochov (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), the Scaly Cricket, may benefit from increased numbers of visitors at Chesil Beach in Dorset. Populations of this cricket appear to be much larger at the eastern end of Chesil Beach
where visitor pressure is high, but in restricted public access sections of the shingle bank numbers of crickets captured in pitfall traps were lower. It is likely that this detritus feeding insect benefits from public access due to large amounts of litter to scavenge on. Its nocturnal foraging habit also makes it less likely to suffer from trampling or physical disturbance by the public.