LEPIDOPTERA AT BRADWELL-ON-SEA
43
Lepidoptera at Bradwell-on-Sea
in 1951
BY A. J. DEWICK
After the poor season of 1950, described in one entomological
journal as the worst for butterflies in living memory, it was disappointing
when 1951 turned out to be even worse in some respects. However, several
rare moths occurred at light.
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta (L.)). Eighty specimens were recorded as
against 361 in 1950. First seen on 24 May, the average date of the previous four
years being 5 May. It was unusual to see more than single individuals, but a
slight increase took place in September and early October, up to half a dozen
being noted on buddleia or decaying fruit. Last seen on 23 October.
Painted Lady (V. cardui (L.)). Only ten compared with ninety-four in 1950.
First seen with V. atalanta on 24 May and only noticed on six days in the
whole season, the last date being 29 September.
Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea (Fourcr.)). Ten in 1951, 203 in 1950. Not
seen until 18 August, when seven were seen in lucerne on Southminster
Marshes, but only three more single ones up to 11 September. All seen close
enough to determine were males.
Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias hyale (L.)). Thirty-six compared with 153.
Six between 16 June and 16 July and thirty from 2 to 22 September.
Resident butterflies showed a similar drop from 1950; Small Tortoiseshell
(Aglais urticae (L.)) decreasing from 574 to 275, and Peacock (Nymphalis io
(L.)) from 800 to 106.
The more usual migrant moths were also scarcer; Silver Y moth (Plusia
gamma (L.)) dropped from 35,156 to 9910, Convolvulus Hawk moth (Herse
convolvuli (L.)) from eighteen to ten and Humming-bird Hawk (Macroglossa
stellatarum (L.)) seventeen to only one, seen near Cold Norton on 1 June. In
contrast the well-known migrant pyralid moth Nomophila noctuella increased
from twenty-five to 139. Its irregular appearance is well illustrated by pre-
vious years' totals: 1949, 640; 1948, nil; 1947, 161.
Among the rarer species the first surprise was an almost perfect male of
Lunar Double-Stripe moth (Phoberia lunaris (Schiff.)) in the light-trap on 25
May. It seems to be the first Essex record. Formerly considered a great rarity,
it is now probably established in SE. Kent. It would be interesting if someone
with time at their disposal would try for it with sugar in some of the larger
Essex oak woods, preferably those where young growth has shot up from the
boles of felled trees. A fine male Dark Bordered Straw (Heliothis peltigera
(Schiff.)) was found in the light-trap on 15 June, another on 22nd, and a final
one on 1 August.
On 31 July the light-trap catch included two of the Large Footman
(Lithosia quadra (L.)) and a Small Mottled Willow (Laphygma exigua (Hubn.))
and next day ten L. quadra and four L. exigua, as well as hundreds of P.
gamma and a pair of H. convolvuli. The records of L. quadra are interesting as
the dates agree exactly with the most marked immigration of that species into
SE. Kent for a number of years.
The season was rounded off with three really startling catches. An unfamiliar
moth taken on 10 August turned out to be the Toadflax Brocade (Calophasia
lunula (Hufn.)); only three previous British specimens seem to be known. On the
night of 26-27 September a small Plusia was noticed hanging from a wire near