THE LEPIDOPTERA OF ESSEX. 103
Swarms in certain spots by the side of our [Epping] Forest
(H. Doubleday ; Ent. iii. 36). Epping, abundant (S.M. i. 61).
Very common on a piece of dry ground along the side of the road
near High Beach (Argent ; B.B. 121). On rushes at the back of
the "King's Oak" (English ; Buxton's E.F. 100). Still very common
in this locality, opposite High Beach Church (B. G. Cole). Gynan-
dromorphous specimen from Loughton, June, 1868 (W. Cole ; Proc.
E.F.C. i. xi.) Sudbury (W. D. King ; B.B. 121).
Lycaena astrarche, Bgstr. Brown Argus.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, except extreme north, Asia to Himalaya,
North Africa. England and Scotland, but absent from Ireland.
Larva—Pale green, pink stripe on back, broad purplish-pink stripe on sides ;
head black. Food—Rock-rose (Helianthemum) and Erodium. Imago—May, June,
and August ; hibernates as larva.
Not rare, but local.
High Beach, Epping (ii. Doubleday ; Ent. Mag. iii. 150). In
plenty within one mile of Epping (E. Doubleday, Ent. Mag. iii. 285).
Epping (S.M. i. 62). Common in one wood, Great Warley (Raynor).
Felsted (Rep. F.S.N.H.S. ii. 44). Scarce, Witham (Burnell;
M.N.H. (2) i. 602). Sometimes common, but local, Hazeleigh
(Raynor ; T.E.F.C, iii. 38). I have also taken it commonly at
Purleigh, and on Osey. Very scarce in Colchester district,
Mr. Harwood has not taken twenty. One, Hadleigh Castle, 1800
(Vaughan ; E.N. iii. 126). Southchurch Wick, July 28th, 1826
(C. Parsons ; MS. Journal). Lawn of the Parsonage and Cliffs,
Wrabness (Jermyn ; V.M. 75). One near Wood Hall, Sudbury
(W. D. King ? ; F.S.J., Dec, 1838). Haverhill and Kedington
(Gaze ; Ent. i. 278).
Lycaena icarus, Rott. Common Blue.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, North and West Asia to Himalaya, North
Africa. Throughout Britain.
Larva—Green or olive, darker stripe on back bordered by paler, light green
stripe on sides, three pale oblique stripes on each segment ; head black. Food—
Restharrow, bird's-foot trefoil, and other papilionaceae. Imago—May to Septem-
ber ; hibernates as larva.
Abundant everywhere, except in towns [and often not uncommon
there, being brought in with farm produce. I have seen several
specimens in Mark Lane, London, and it is often almost abundant
in Covent Garden.— W. Cole].