Fig. 1. Snow scenes at Curry Farm
The extraordinary decline in Small Tortoiseshell numbers across many parts of the
country has certainly been keenly felt here. After a marginal improvement in the
Spring, 2009 became the worst year yet. The Brimstone also had a very poor year. In
complete contrast the Comma had an amazingly good season with no less than 19
seen as early as 18th March It was especially pleasing to see the Large Tortoiseshell
once again on the 16th May and a Green Hairstreak just nine days later. The year was
also of note for some remarkable late dates; Brown Argus on 23rd October, Large
White on 28th October and Holly Blue on 2nd November.
Many of our resident moths were in low numbers once again, but there was certainly
an overall improvement on the previous two years. Highlights included our second
and third record of The Festoon, Dotted Chestnut appeared for only the third time ever
and the pyralid moth Pyrausta purpuralis (see Plate 2) was seen for the first time since
1997. There was also an entirely new species, the pyralid Phyctaenia stachydalis,
which came to the light on 2nd July.
Immigrants
2009 was much better for immigrants than 2008. The year will best be remembered
for the huge immigration of Painted Lady butterflies. Very large numbers were flying
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 62, May 2010
9