Essex Field Club Exhibition
web at Vange Heights, and a map showing its national distribution in October 2000; there was a
colour photographic display of rare Essex spiders recorded for Epping Forest, Alopecosa cuneata,
Xerolycosa nemoralis, Philodromus albidus, Evarcha falcata, Evarcha arcuata, Atypus affinus and
its purse web.
Specimens of the national Biodiversity Action Plan species Cerceris quinquefasciata, Bombus
sylvarum, Bombus humilis and Asilus crabroniformis were exhibited with maps showing their
distribution in Essex.
Finally there was a display of the cover, contents and plates to be published in the forthcoming Essex
Naturalist.
Roger Payne exhibited 14 colour photographs with brief descriptions, illustrating adult and larval
hoverflies. Species depicted included Chrysotoxum festivum with a distribution map, Eristalis tenax.
Merodon equestris, Syrphus ribesii, Episyrphus balteatus, Eristalinus aenus, Myathropa florae,
Chrysotoxum bicinctum, Sphaerophoria scripta, Platycheirus manicatus, Xanthogramma
pedissequum, Cheilosia albitarsis and two photographs of Epistrophe eligans showing adult and
larva.
The intention of the display was to illustrate the variety of forms, colour, patterns, behaviour and
habits of this attractive group of flies, the study of which offers the amateur a real opportunity to
make a contribution to our knowledge of British fauna.
David Scott exhibited colour prints of Grass Snake, Adder and Common Lizard to illustrate the
struggle for survival of these reptiles. The Amphibians on the other hand appear to be holding their
own and certain species seem to be expanding in new habitats. One example of this is the colony of
Common Toads, sometimes up to two hundred breeding pairs, to be seen in the Leighs Lakes reservoir.
The lake system was fairly recently constructed, about 1967, and now has an established water flora
and shore cover making it suitable for the toads to breed. We need records of the Essex Amphibians
and Reptiles, especially now, to assist with conservation programmes. We have been involved in the
Essex Biodiversity Action Plan to conserve the Great Crested Newt. Please send records to David
Scott, 'Courthill', Church Lane, Little Leighs, CHELMSFORD, Essex CM3 1PG Tel. 01245 361475
John Skinner exhibited photographs of a fine lichen site on Canvey Island. Lichens such as
Hypogymnia physodes, Diploschistes muscorum, Evernia prunastri and the fairly pollution-sensitive
Parmelia caperata growing on the ground. Also shown were photographs of some Essex Peltigera
species, Usnea cf. glabrescens and Physcia tribacia, the last two being recent interesting macrolichen
records.
Several specimens of Chinese Mitten Crab, Erochier sinensis, were shown. They had been caught
by a fisherman in the River Crouch in early November [2000J and included egg-bearing females.
This introduced crab, characterised by its 'furry' claws, lives in brackish water and migrates towards
the sea to breed. An appeal was made for further Essex records to be passed to John Skinner at
Southend Museum.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 18 (2001)