100
THE LEPIDOPTERA OF ESSEX.
Four females, Witham, Sept., 1837, for the first time (Burnell;
M.N.H. [2] i. 602). Rare, generally in larval state, Hazeleigh,
Mundon (Raynor ; T.E.F.C. iii. 38). Mundon Furze (Raynor;
Ent. vi. 264). Rev. J. W, Mills, E. Stuart and myself have seen it
there in some numbers. Colchester (Harwood ; E.W.I. vii. 28).
Formerly in Highwoods and fields thereabouts, and Langham Lodge
Wood; not taken recently (Harwood). Kedington and Haverhill,
1833-5 (Gaze ; Ent. i. 278).
Thecla w-album, Knoch. Black Hairstreak.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, Central and South (except Spain and Por-
tugal), extending to Scandinavia, North, West and Central Asia. England.
Larva—Light green or reddish-brown (variable), yellowish or dingy brown
stripe on back, two oblique ill-defined yellow lines on side of each segment ; head
black. Food—Wych elm (Ulmus montana). Imago—July and August ; hiber-
nates as ovum.
Rare and very local, seems to occur commonly in some seasons.
" This species is usually esteemed a scarce insect in the neigh-
bourhood of London, and previously to the last season I never saw
it alive ; but the boundless profusion with which the hedges, for
miles, in the vicinity of Ripley were enlivened by the myriads that
hovered over every flower and bramble-blossom last July (1826)
exceeded anything of the kind I have ever witnessed. Some notion
of their numbers may be formed, when I mention that I captured,
without moving from the spot, nearly 200 specimens in less than
half-an-hour, as they successively approached the bramble-bush
where I had taken up my position" (Stephens ; I.B.E. Haust i. 45
note, 77). "For eighteen years I possessed four bleached specimens
only of T. W-album, having vainly endeavoured to procure others ;
when in 1827, as elsewhere recorded, I saw the insect at Ripley not
by dozens only, but literally by scores of thousands ! ! ! and, although
I frequented the same locality for thirteen years subsequently, some-
times in the season for a month together, I have not since seen a
single specimen there" (Stephens ; Z. v. 1616). Very rare, Epping
(E. Doubleday ; Ent. Mag. iii. 285). Epping (S.M. i. 53). Very
abundant in Maldon district, extending from Danbury to St.
Lawrence. Imago on bramble flowers, larvae prefer wych elm
(Raynor ; T.E.F.C. iii. 38). I have seen it commonly at Hazeleigh
and North Fambridge. Several, Fambridge Hall Wood, 14th July,
1887 (Fitch ; E.N. i. 139). Common at lime flowers, St. Lawrence
July 14th 1874, thirty taken in one day (Mills ; Ent. vii. 174).
Frequent on bramble hedge, Writtle (H. Corder ; N.H.J. iv. 102.)