210
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
C. hyale L. again failed to put in an appearance.
Plusia gamma L. first appeared in the trap on April 24th and became
of almost nightly occurrence from May 8th. The largest numbers
occurred during August, with 1,756 on the morning of the 10th and the
exceptional total of 3,674 on the 15th. The species was last seen on
November 28th. The year's total of 20,100 was better than average.
Nomophila noctuella Schiff. first appeared on May 8th; the biggest
numbers occurred in August, with 80 on the morning of the 15th.
The last was seen on October 25th. The year's total was 513, well above
average.
A male specimen of Acherontia atropos L. was taken by the trap
on July 14th and seven pupae were brought to me between October
17th and 29th from local potato fields. Only two of the pupae appeared
to be uninjured and, having spent the winter in an unheated cellar,
still seem very much alive at April 3rd.
A single male Herse convolvuli L. appeared in the trap on September
15th.
Macroglossum stellatarum L. had another poor year, with single speci-
mens on June 18th and August 24th.
It was quite a good year for the less regular migrants; nine speci-
mens of Laphygma exigua Hubn. occurred between July 30th and
September 14th; an early specimen of Heliothis peltigera Schiff.
appeared on May 19th, one on August 10th and a pair on the 15th;
H. armigera Hubn., a male, on September 18th and a female on October
10th; Nycterosea obstipata Fabr. totalled 13 between September 2nd and
November 8th. Palpita unionalis Hubn., eight between September 4th and
17th and three more October 8th and 9th; Hapalia ferrugalis Hubn.
28 between August 9th and November 8th. It was an exceptional year
for Spaelotis ravida Schiff., no less than 20 occuring in the light-trap
between July 12th and August 30th.
Butterflies and Moths at North Fambridge
in 1958
BY JACK T. FRIEDLEIN
March 30th. A Peacock and seven Small Tortoiseshells were on
the wing. April 30th. The first Orange Tips appeared. May 4th.
One Common Blue today. 11th. The first Painted Lady on forget-
me-not flowers. 20th. A Painted Lady again today. 21st. A freshly
emerged Comma in flight. 27th. A male Brimstone. 28th. Orange Tips,
Walls and Whites plentiful. 30th. The first Silver-Y tonight.