THE LEPIDOPTERA OF ESSEX.
101
Rather plentifully this year [1837] and in 1832 at Witham, but in
none of the intervening seasons (Burnell ; M.N.H. [2] i. 602).
Childerditch and Thorndon Park ; East Horndon (Raynor). Ber-
gholt Woods, near Colchester (Harwood ; B.B. 109). Generally
distributed from Colchester to Halstead, but not in Tendring
Hundred (Harwood). Ramsey and Wrabness (Jermyn ; V.M. 73).
Near Sudbury ([E. Doubleday] Ent. Mag. iv. 233). A considerable
number in a wood near Sudbury, in 1836, hovering amongst the
brambles, not seen since (W. D. King ? ; F.S.J., Dec., 1838).
Kedington and Haverhill, 1833-5 (Gaze ; Ent. i. 278). Saffron
Walden (Cat. S.W.M. 49).
Thecla quercus, L. Purple Hairstreak.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, except extreme north and south, Asia
Minor. Throughout Britain.
Larva—Reddish- or greenish-brown, dark brown line edged with yellowish on
back, two rows of oblique black stripes ; head brown. Food—Oak, rarely sallow.
Imago—July and August ; hibernates as ovum.
Common in most woods ; flying about oak-trees, and is especially
partial to ash stubs, frequently settling on the leaves ; in dull weather
it rests under the leaves.
[Larvae frequently beaten in great numbers from oaks in the
Forest near Chingford.— W. Cole.]
Thecla rubi, L. Green Hairstreak.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, North Africa, North and West Asia to
Persia. Close ally in North America. Throughout Britain.
Larva—Yellow-green, pale olive-green stripe edged with yellow on back,
thick yellow oblique streak on sides edged with deep green, yellow stripe along
sides; head brown. Food—Broom, furze and bramble. Imago—May and June,
rarely August ; hibernates as pupa.
Not common, but generally distributed.
[Polyommatus hippothoe, L. (= chryseis, W.V.). Scarce Copper. "An insect of
great rarity, especially the female, arising, most probably, from its locality being
unknown ; notwithstanding it occurs within twenty-one miles of the metropolis, I
believe in the vicinity of Epping, whence Dr. Leach received fine and recent speci-
mens for several successive seasons, and from whom I obtained those which are con-
tained in my cabinet. The insect has also been taken in Ashdown Forest. It appears
in August and September" (Steph ; I.B.E. Haust, i. 80-81). "Mr. Stephens informs
me that Dr. Leach received fine and recent specimens from the vicinity of Epping
for several successive seasons previous to the termination of the war in 1815. I
believe, however, they were obtained from a dealer, who persisted in keeping the
precise locality secret" (Westwood and Humphreys, B.B. 95). "Formerly taken
near Epping" (S.M. i. 56). "I was positively assured that L. chryseis and
virgaureae were taken in the fens of the Isle of Ely. Had I not believed them to