THE LEPIDOPTERA OF ESSEX.
107
deep green. Food—Holcus, brome and other grasses, in spun-together leaves.
Imago—July ; hibernates as larva.
Common throughout, especially in the marshes. Newman says
(B.B. 175): "In Essex it occurs in open swampy places that are
covered with rushes." [Very common in the "rushy plains in
Monk's Wood, Epping Forest.— B. G. Cole.]
Hesperia lineola, Ochs. Narrow-lined Skipper.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, North and West Asia (except polar regions),
North Africa.
Larva—Bright green, five yellow lines on back and sides; head reddish.
Food—Grasses. Imago—July ; hibernates as larva.
Mr. Hawes brought this forward as a British species in the
"Entomologist" for January, 1890, upon the strength of three males
taken in July, 1888, "in one of the eastern counties," really in
Hartley Wood, St. Osyth. It has since occurred in several counties
and commonly in Essex, but is local, though widely distributed;
hitherto overlooked.
South-east Essex, in 1889 (Carrington ; Ent. xxiii. 4, 72). Frequent
in Essex, 1885-8 (A. J. Spiller ; Ent. xxiii. 56). On marshes near
Benfleet and Shoeburyness (F. G. Whittle ; Ent. xxiii. 57, 99)
Mr. Bloomfield exhibited two specimens taken in Essex in 1888 at
South London Entomological Society, Feb. 27th, 1890 (Ent. xxiii.
142). Numerous specimens, Leigh, July 25th, 1890 (South ; Ent.
xxiii. 264, 296). Southend, in 1882 (Bouttell ; Ent. xxiii. 296).
Pale variety from Shoeburyness (Nussey ; Ent. xxiii. 296). Long
series on the marshes at Leigh (Tugwell ; Ent xxiii. 320). St.
Osyth, common ; single specimen near Chappel (Harwood). Bures
(V. Gerrard).
Hesperia sylvanus, Esp. Large Skipper.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, except extreme north, North and West
Asia to the Amur, and perhaps to Japan. Close ally in North America.
Throughout Britain.
larva—Pale bluish-green, indistinct darker line on back, paler line above feet J
head, crimson-brown. Food—Hairy woodrush, couch, cocksfoot and other
grasses, in rolled-up blades. Imago—May, June and August; hibernates as
larva.
Common and generally distributed in the uplands and woodlands;
more common than the Small Skipper.
Hesperia comma, L. Silver-spotted Skipper.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, Asia. Close ally in North America.
England