saffron suffusion covering the basal third of each wing. Sightings of the species in
Britain have generally been in the south-east, between late July and early
September.
Sympetrum flaveolum was the subject of an early letter to the Entomologist, dated 16th
September, 1841 by Henry Doubleday in which he expressed puzzlement at the
appearance of this species 'in profusion' some five years previously, and its subsequent
complete disappearance. In his later (1871) Epping list he reported it as 'very common
in certain years' amongst gravel pits on Coopersale Common. According to W. J. Lucas
(1900b), it was abundant in the London district in 1871, whilst Longfield (1949b) tells us
that Stephens took it at Epping before 1837. 1898 was another flaveolum year', with
several sightings reported by W. J. Lucas in the Entomologist (1899), including one male
seen by W. H. Harwood near Colchester on 31st August, 1898. Another, a female, was
taken by Bernard Harwood at St. Osyth on 21st August, 1899 (see Lucas. 1900a).
To my knowledge, all of the Essex sightings of S. flaveolum in the present century have
taken place in Epping Forest. The Campion brothers (Campion and Campion, 1906)
observed a total of fourteen males and one female in the Forest between 8th August and
2nd September, 1906. Specimens dated 12th and 19th August 1906 are preserved in the
Hope Department at Oxford. Another specimen (a male), dated 28.8.1908, collected by
the Campions is in the J.J.F.X.King Collection (O'Farrell, 1950), giving rise to
speculation that the species may have established itself briefly as a breeding species in
the Forest in the wake of the invasion-year of 1906.1926 was another invasion-year, both
males and females being reported as 'abundant' in Epping Forest between 24.7.1926 and
23.8.1926 (Lucas, 1927a and 1927b). Ovipositing was observed between 8th and 11th
August. Hammond's diaries report several sightings in 1926, giving Baldwin's Hill Pond
as the specific locality. Another specimen was taken by C. O. Hammond in the Forest
during August. 1947, and exhibited at a Royal Entomological Society Meeting (C.
Longfield, B.R.C.).
During the present survey period there have been two reliable sightings of this rare
species, both in Epping Forest. One male was identified at Baldwin's Hill Pond by C.
Dale on 19.8.1982 (E.F.C.C. records), and another, a female, was seen by E. P. Ryan at
Wake Valley pond on 28.8.1984.
89