Review of the Lepidoptera of Essex for 1999
93
24 July (P. Smith et al). Records go back to 1973 for this area. 5DBR
1833 Eupithecia expallidata (Doubleday) Bleached Pug South Woodham Ferrers, 6 August (M.C.
Perry). The only other Essex records are Colchester (1995-1996) and Bradwell-on-Sea (1981).
3DBR
1855 E. phoeniceata (Rambur) Cypress Pug St Osyth, 9 August (R.W.Arthur); Kirby-le-Soken, 27
August (P. Bergdahl). Appears to be resident in north east Essex, this is the seventh occurrence
since 1989. 5DBR
1890 Macaria alternata (Denis & Schiffermuller) Sharp-angled Peacock Jaywick, 7 July (J. Young).
All recent records have been coastal, from Bradwell St Peters to Dovercourt. 5DBR
1943 Hypomecis roboraria (Denis & Schiffermuller) Great Oak Beauty North Chingford. 11 June
and 1-2 July (B. Pateman).Twelfth post-1990 record, all from the Epping area. 3DBR
Sphingidae
1972 Agrius convolvuli (L.) Convolvulus Hawk-moth Theydon Bois, 22 September (J.G. Green);
Dovercourt, Oakley Road 17, 18, 22 and 23 September (C. Gibson and P. Smith). At Curry
Farm, Bradwell-on-Sea seven were reported between 15 and 20 September (Dewick 2000).
Lower numbers than in 1997 and 1998, a reflection of the generally indifferent year for migrants.
38DBR
1973 Acherontia atropos (L.) Death's-head Hawk-moth Willingale, Birds Green, 5 September,
adult being eaten by a dog (R. Jones); Dovercourt, Ashley Road, 6 September, a female (P.
Smith). 16DBR
1978 Hyloicus pinastri (L.) Pine Hawk-moth Theydon Bois, 29 May and 5 July, her fifth and sixth
examples (J.G. Green); Landermere, 25 July (Dr Dansie per J.B. Fisher).
1984 Macroglossum stellatarum (L.) Humming-bird Hawk-moth Corringham, 15 June (per M.
Parsons); Writtle, 20 June (M.J. Green); Dovercourt, Oakley Road 6 July (C. Gibson); Jaywick,
15, 17 and 25 July (J. Young); Langenhoe, 25 July (H. Owen); Bradwell-on-Sea, 5 September
(G. Smith); Colchester, 5 September (B. Goodey); Dovercourt, 12 September (P. Smith);
Ingatestone, 23 September (G. Smith). Sixty-nine adults and seven larvae were reported from
Curry Farm, Bradwell-on-Sea between 3 July and 10 October (Dewick 2000). On a par with
recent years. 57DBR
1987 Hyles gallii (Rottemburg) Bedstraw Hawk-moth Southend, larvae 2 October (per D.G Down).
The 11th post-1990 occurrence and the first of larvae. 9DBR
1992 Deilephila porcellus (L.) Small Elephant Hawk-moth Tollesbury, Old Hall Marsh, 29 May
(C. Tyas); Rayne, 10 June (A. Goodey); Jaywick, 25 June (J. Wilde). 20 post-1990 records.
13DBR
Arctiidae
2040 Cybosia mesomella (L.) Four-dotted Footman North Chingford, 4 July (B Pateman). 4DBR
2043 Eilema sororcula (Hufhagcl) Orange Footman Theydon Bois, 5 and 19 (two) May (J.G.
Green); Norwood, Fyfield 9 May (G. Smith); Dovercourt, Oakley Road 20 May (C. Gibson);
Coggeshall, Markshall Estate TL8426 on 28 May (B. Goodey et al). 11 DBR
2044 E. griseola ((Hubner) Dingy Footman Copperas Wood, over 100 on 20 July (P. Smith). An
astonishing number. 29DBR
2057 Arctia caja (L.) Garden Tiger Jaywick, c. 120 larvae in early June (J. Young). Also occurred
at Manningtree, Basildon, Dovercourt, Ingatestone, Maldon, Southminster, West Bergholt and
Wivenhoe. Thought to be declining in Essex recently. Sites reporting the species each year:
1990 - 4, 1991 - 1, 1992 - 4, 1993 - 4, 1994 - 1, 1995 - 10, 1996 - 5, 1997 - 8, 1998 - 1, 1999
- 9. 46DBR
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)