THE STAG BEETLE IN NORTH-EAST ESSEX
267
The relatively high winds that are a dominant feature on the
reserve seemed to fatigue the bees quickly during their foraging,
and consequently they were often found 'resting' on the flowers
from which they were collecting. In the centre area 4, five or six
wasps (Vespa germanica) were observed resting on the stem of
Ragwort; also several were seen on Spear Plume Thistle. From
Figure II it can be seen that the bees were tending to forage more
in the sheltered areas, particularly area 4, rather than in the
exposed terrain such as the saltings.
Bees did visit the saltings and the flowers visited included Sea
Lavender (Limonium vulgare) and Sea Aster (Aster tripolium).
TENTATIVE CONCLUSIONS
It would seem that B. lapidarius was one of the earlier
hibernating species because only workers and no queens were seen
foraging. Nest records of B. lapidarius show that queens have been
reared by this time. Workers and queens of other species were
seen foraging, so presumably their colonies were still extant, with
active queens.
Wind plays an important part in the distribution of foraging
workers. More bees were found in the shelter of area 4 than on
the exposed salt flats.
The survey was only an initial investigation on the reserve, and
the author hopes to make further comparative studies.
Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank Mr C. E. Owen, the Wick
Warden, and Mr K. R. Crawshaw, without whom a very rewarding
three days would not have been possible, also Mr A. Darlington,
Mr J. B. Dobinson, Mr A. R. D. Stebbing and Mr D. I. Chapman
for advice.
The Stag Beetle in North-East Essex-
Second Report
By J. T. Clark
(Colchester Royal Grammar School)
I have given a preliminary account (Clark, 1964) of the
distribution and variation of the Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus (L.))
in the North-eastern part of the county during 1963. This survey
was continued during 1964 and the purpose of this article is to
bring the information up to date.
Since my original paper was written, Hall (1964) has published
the results of his national survey on the distribution of this insect.
The resulting pattern of distribution is little different from that
shown by me and a more up to date map, incorporating this and
other new material, is published elsewhere (Clark, 1965).