THE LEPIDOPTERA OF ESSEX. 105
Lycaena argiolus, L. Azure Blue.
Geographical Distribution—Europe and Asia (except polar regions), North
Africa. Closely allied species in Himalaya and North America. In Britain absent
from Scotland.
Larva—Dark greenish-grey or bright yellowish-green (variable), dark green
dorsal line ; head purplish-brown. Some varieties marked with crimson on back
and sides. Food—Flowers of holly, ivy rarely, buckthorn or dogwood, Imago
—April and May, July and August; hibernates as pupa.
Fairly common and generally distributed throughout the county,
the spring brood being much the more abundant. [Very common in
the holly thickets in Epping Forest and in the neighbouring gardens.
The first time I saw the butterfly was on May 1st, 1862, flitting in
great numbers around the ivy-clad tower of old Chingford Church.—
B. G. Cole]
Lycaena semiargus, Rott. Mazarine Blue.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, North and West Asia to Amur. Local and
almost extinct in England ; does not occur in Scotland or Ireland.
Mr. Joseph Clarke writes me that this rare, if not now extinct,
species in Britain, has been taken in the Saffron Walden district—
a likely locality. In a further communication he tells me there
are two specimens in the Museum "old collection," [Mr. Maynard
says five]. It was reported, doubtless erroneously, from Epping
Forest, August 31st, 1800 (W. Banks ; Z. xviii. 7249).
Lycaena minima, Fues. Small Blue.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, except extreme north and south ; North
and West Asia to Amur. Throughout Britain.
Larva—Pinkish-brown, flesh-colour or chocolate, darker line on back, dark
brown oblique dash on each segment, whitish stripe at side ; head black. Mr.
Hellins' description differs greatly from that of several Continental entomologists ;
probably the larva is very variable. Food—Flowers and seeds of vetches, especi-
ally kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria). Imago—June ; hibernates as larva.
Newman says this species appears in his Essex list (B.B. 135)
but does not give locality. Morris says, "near Amesbury and
Hainhault Forest" (Hist. B.B. 138.) Mr. Joseph Clarke writes me,
"I caught one only against the milestone on the Debden road, a
mile south of Walden ; but there are eight others in the Museum
'old collection,' all caught, I believe, in this district of Essex."
Nemeobius lucina, L. Duke of Burgundy.
Geographical Distribution—Central and West Europe, from South Sweden to
Balkans. In Britain, England and South-west Scotland, not Ireland.
Larva—Reddish-brown, row of black triangular marks on back, two blackish-
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