THE LEPIDOPTERA OF ESSEX.
87
(E. Doubleday ; Ent. Mag. iii. 157). It has almost, if not quite,
disappeared from Epping Forest now ; the only specimen Mr. B. G.
Cole has seen there was a worn male in Bury Wood, Sewardstone,
in 1874. Garden at Park Place, Leyton, in 1868 (R. Meldola).
Hazeleigh Wood, rare (Raynor ; T.E.F.C. iii. 37). Mr. E. Stuart
and Rev. J. W. Mills' pupils used to take it sparingly in Mundon
Furze, doubtless it still occurs there (Fitch). Woods at Warley, not
common (Raynor). Very common in some seasons, as 1837, near
Witham (E. H. Burnell ; M.N.H. (2) i. 601). Very rare at Messing
(Harwood; Proc. E.F.C. iii. xxvii). Felsted (Rep. F.S.N.H.S. ii.
44). Sudbury (W. D. King ? F.S.J. Dec. 1838). Eastwood, not
common (Vaughan ; E.N. iii. 126).
[The dark variety of the female (Valesina, Esp.), now almost
confined to New Forest, Hampshire, is traditionally said to have
been found many years ago in Lark's Wood, Chingford, a likely
locality enough.— W. Cole.]
Melitaea aurinia, Rott. Greasy Fritillary.
Geographical Distribution—Europe (except polar regions), North and West
Asia, North Africa. Throughout Britain.
Larva—Velvety black, white specks on back and sides ; spines black. Food—
Blue scabious, also plantain, speedwell, foxglove, and honeysuckle. Imago—May
and June [August ?] ; hibernates as larva.
Rare and very local, in damp meadows.
Ongar woods, High Beach (H. Doubleday ; Ent. i. 356). Ongar
Park and High Beach in 1839, "but never seen in after years"
(English ; E.N. i. 110). Four, Epping Forest, 1857 (R. Tyssen;
E.W.I. ii. 115). Epping, has occurred commonly (S.M. i. 48).
Near Epping (E. Doubleday ; B.B. 42). Used to occur at Wanstead
Flats, but has latterly disappeared (Carrington ; Ent. xii. 163).
Kedington and Haverhill, 1833-35 (Gaze ; Ent. i. 278). About
Colchester, but not nearly so common as formerly (Harwood ; B.B.
42). [This record is an error, as Mr. Harwood assures me he has
never seen it in the county]. Saffron Walden (Jeffrey ; B.B. 42 ;
Cat. S.W.M. 49).
Melitaea athalia, Rott. Heath Fritillary.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, North and West Asia, possibly to Corea
and Japan. In Britain confined to South England and Ireland, local.