72
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
moth larvae crossing the road at Kitt's Hill where I always see one or more
at this time. 21st. Copper Underwings to light. 22nd. The first Red Under-
wing resting on the side of a shed. The weather is not warm enough for
butterflies. 26th. Odd Red Admirals and Peacocks on buddleia flowers but
the weather is terrible for the time of year. 28th. The first Convolvulus
Hawk at tobacco flowers at 9.30 p.m. 29th. Searched potato fields for Death's
Head Hawk larvae but without success. Vanessas enjoying the sunshine.
Brimstones feeding at Purple Loosestrife flowers. Odd Blues, Whites and
Meadow Browns. 31st. Red Underwings at rest on shed and poplar trunks.
Copper Underwings to light. Straw Underwings abundant.
September 1st. Weather like winter, dull and dreary with north-east wind.
2nd. One Silver Y to light. 4th. The second Convolvulus Hawk at flowers
in the rain at 8.15 p.m. 5th. Several Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshells,
Peacocks and Holly Blues. Again a Convolvulus Hawk at night, and it was
seen again the following night at midnight. 8th. According to the radio the
warmest day for two months. Six Brimstones on buddleia. Peacocks
plentiful. Small Tortoiseshell emerging from the pupa. A Small Copper with
the wings on one side a dull yellow. Eyed Hawk larvae on apple tree. 12th.
Two Red Admirals, many small Tortoiseshells, odd Peacocks and Brimstones.
14th. One Painted Lady. 17th. One Convolvulus Hawk at tobacco flowers
at 1 a.m. 18th. Red Underwings resting on sheds regularly. 19th. A return
of summer weather. Scores of Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Red Admirals,
Commas, Brimstones, Common Blues, Small Heaths, Meadow Browns and
Small Whites. '23rd. Butterflies now scarce, most of the hibernators have
gone in although the weather is beautiful at last. 26th. Two Red Admirals
and two Commas on plums. 29th. Several freshly emerged Small Tortoiseshells
also perfect Red Admirals and Commas.
October 2nd. Two Red Underwings on shed walls. 3rd. Several Red
Admirals and fresh Commas on plums. 6th. Perfect Red Admirals and
Commas on Michaelmas Daisies. 10th. A few Small Tortoiseshells and
Commas but no Red Admirals. 13th. Numerous Small Tortoiseshells on
flowers. 21st. One Comma. 22nd. Small Tortoiseshells numerous. 88th.
Two perfect Red Admirals on faded daisies.
November 5th. Small Tortoiseshells on the wing. 12th. Pour Small Tor-
toiseshells on flowers.
It has been one of the worst summers in living memory.
Volucella zonaria in Essex—On July 18th, 1956, I took this handsome fly in
my garden at Westcliff. This is the first record for the Bochford Hundred,
though Mr. Watts took it in 1954 at Stanford-le-Hope.
H. C. Huggins, F.R.E.S.