less than 1 mm long but, since it is unlikely to be a Yorkshire speciality, you might be able
to detect its presence in Essex and help clarify its life cycle.
I would be pleased if (after the beginning of October when all viable ladybirds should
have emerged), you could look for pupae of the Pine ladybird (see plate x) which will be
found in cracks on common trees (especially sycamore, ash and lime). The ladybird is
most common on urban trees and its pupa is very similar to that of the Kidney-spot
ladybird which is most common in the countryside. Please, therefore, make a note of any
'adult' ladybirds found on the tree - both these ladybirds over-winter in fairly exposed
positions on tree trunks and may be seen throughout the autumn/winter. The parasitoid
may infest Kidney-spot and other ladybirds so any autumn pupae will be of interest.
Please send me pupae in a sealed container (in case the parasitoid emerges in the post)
such as a photographic film tube.
The Rosemary Beetle in south-eastern England
Paul Mabbott 49 Endowood Road Sheffield S7 2LY
email: paulmabbott@blueyonder.co.uk
The Rosemary beetle, Chrysolina americana (Linn., 1758) (Chrysomelidae), has long
been found in southern Europe but has only fairly recently established itself in Britain. It
was first found in Weybridge but its distribution now extends across Surrey and it survives
happily in central London. The process has been summarised by A. N. Salisbury (Ent.
mon. Mag.(2002), 138: 77-80). It may not be long before it follows the footsteps of the
Lily beetle into Essex. The beetle is quite large (about 7mms long) and distinctively
patterned (plate 5). It feeds on rosemary, thyme and lavender, probably other labiates. It
would be a minor pest in gardens but might pose a threat to the Norfolk fields.
Uloborus plumipes - spider recording for the uninitiated
John Dobson 148 Main Road Danbury Essex CM3 4DT
Although ignorant of the finer points of spider identification, I was nevertheless intrigued
to read a recent article describing the spread of a new spider, Uloborus plumipes, in
garden centres throughout the country. Unfortunately the accompanying photograph gave
no indication of size, however, the shape certainly looked distinctive. During June, a pair
of arachnophiles from Gloucestershire visited our house bearing a pot plant bought locally
and a glass tube containing Uloborus They had recorded the species in Gloucestershire
and had found a specimen in a garden centre at Bicknacre. A brief search of four more
local garden centres proved positive and the records were duly submitted.
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 39, September 2002
9