NOTES ON THE BUTTERFLIES OF HAWKSWOOD 159
(e) Species Absent from Study Area but Present in Essex
The most notable absentee is Maniola tithonus Linn. (Grate-
keeper). This species is common in some parts of the Forest that
are apparently similar to the grassland parts of the study area.
It is common in the same localities as M. jurtina in many parts
of Essex.
Aphantopus hyperantus Linn. (Ringlet) is common locally in
some parts of Essex. The more open parts of area 1 appear to be
suitable habitats but the species is not found in any part of
Epping Forest.
De Worms (1950) records Pararge aegeria Linn. (Speckled
Wood) as extinct in Essex. A single specimen was seen in 1956
in area 1 but this may have been one of the progeny of a few that
I released in 1955. Several more were released in 1958 but no
more specimens were seen.
Limenitis camilla Schiff. (White Admiral) was seen in the
northern part of Epping Forest in 1960 (W. W. Page, 1961). This
species is now rare in Essex, although two specimens were seen near
Passingford Bridge in 1967 (Mason, 1968).
(f) Species Extinct or Rare in South-East Essex
Many of the species recorded by de Worms (1950) are now
very rare nationally, and for many of them the study area would
be unsuitable owing to the absence of larval foodplant (e.g.
Hamearis lucina Linn., which feeds on Primula spp.).
Discussion
It is noteworthy that the four species which became extinct
during the period of my observations, are all species whose larvae
feed on low growing plants, typical of fairly short grass. Erynnis
tages and Pyrgus malvae feed on Lotus spp., Fragaria spp. and
Potentilla spp. Polyommatus icarus feeds mainly on Lotus
corniculatus Linn. and Lycaena phlaeas on Rumex spp. (Sorrel)
(South, 1906). All these plants become rare as grassland develops
into scrub, as is happening on the study area. Also the policy of
annual grass cutting favours grasses at the expense of the
dicotyledonous plants.
Of the remaining resident species the only ones in any serious
danger are the nettle- (Urtica sp.) feeding Aglais urticae and
Vanessa atalanta. On areas bordering the forest, tidy-minded
councils and house-owners are increasingly intolerant of nettles.
The extensive nettle-beds in area 4 are likely to be built over
soon. The Forest study area contains few nettles, while the nettles
in the playing-fields of Yardley Primary School have been almost
completely removed. (When a student at this school I would
often collect larvae from the school nettles; an offence for which
I was periodically chastised!)