118(3):

THE STRIPED LYCHNIS MOTH SHARGACUCLLIA LYCHNITIS (RAMBUR) (LEP.:NOCTUIDAE): A REVIEW OF ITS DISTRIBUTION IN
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE (VC 24) DURING 2005
1 PETER HALL, 2 ANDREW MCVEIGH, 3 MARTIN ALBERTINI 1 Melanthia, Chiltern Road, Ballinger Common, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 9LH. (E-mail: peat.hall@virgin.net) 2 Bucks County Council Countryside Initiatives Team, County Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1UY. 3 11 Hargrave Road, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 6JR.
Abstract
The results of a larval count for the Buckinghamshire population of the moth Striped Lychnis Shargacucullia lychnitis (Rambur) during 2005 is summarised. A total of 5,075 larvae was found on 37,710 Dark Mullein Verbascum nigrum plants. Results are split into habitat types.
Current and historical distribution are discussed as are current and future conservation measures.

CHANGES IN THE BEHAVIOUR OF DOUBLE-BROODED MACRO MOTHS IN YORKSHIRE
CHARLES H. FLETCHER The Forge, Hutton Conyers, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 5EB. (E-mail: chfletcher@btinternet.com)
Abstract
Current literature suggests that many species of Lepidoptera are bivoltine in the south and univoltine in northern England. A list is given of 36 species of macro moths where flight times in Yorkshire contradict published sources. Some of the most dramatic recent changes are
illustrated by histograms. Climate warming is likely to be the main factor driving these changes.

ARMYWORMS (DIP: SCIARIDAE) IN WEST SCOTLAND IN 2005
1J. C. A. CRAIK, 2P. WORMELL AND 3S. AUSTIN 1 Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage, Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA.
2 Hallival, Letterwalton, Oban, Argyll PA37 ISA. 3 Scottish Natural Heritage, Glencruitten Road, Oban, Argyll PA34 4DN.
Abstract
Two-hundred and three moving columns of larvae of Sciara militaris Nowacki (Dip.: Sciaridae) were observed at Barcaldine, Argyll, between 19 July and 6 August 2005, the second year of their appearance at this site. The longest column measured 398 cm and the greatest
number of columns present at one time was 22. Estimates of the numbers of thousands of larvae present in four columns of different sizes were about 5, 8, 16 and 26; and the highest total present at any one time was about 110,000 - 220,000 larvae. Column fronts moved at 1-2 cm/min, but larvae on the upper surface of columns moved 3-4 times faster. Columns were most numerous in the mornings. Two unbroken rings of marching larvae were seen, one lasting for more than 24 hours. A few huge linear deposits of frass were found that must have been caused by intense synchronised defaecation by larvae in a column. Individual larvae measured during the study varied between 3 and 11 mm in length. From 20 July - 4 August, mean larval length increased from 6.3 to 8.4 mm and mean mass from 3.7 to 5.9 mg, although on any day there were large variations in both quantities between columns and between larvae. Possible reasons for column formation by these larvae are considered.

A SIGNIFICANT INTERCEPTION OF THE GREEN VEGETABLE BUG, NEZARA VIRIDULA (LINNAEUS) (HEMIPTERA:PENTATOMIDAE) IN THE UK
SHARON REID Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ. (e-mail: s.reid@csl.gov.uk)
Abstract
The green vegetable bug, Nezara viridula, is an important agricultural pest and is expanding its
geographical range northward in Europe. In February 2005, 132 adults were intercepted at a
nursery in Devon on terracotta pots imported from Italy. The potential for this interception to have established a breeding colony, and the risk to protected agriculture in the UK is discussed.

118(4):

THE IMMIGRATION OF LEPIDOPTERA TO THE BRITISH ISLES IN 2002
SEAN CLANCY1 AND BERNARD SKINNER2 1 1 Myrtle Villas, Sussex Road, New Romney, Kent TN28 8DY 2 5 Rawlins Close, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 8JS
Abstract
Formally accepted records of immigrant Lepidoptera occurring in the British Isles during the year 2002 are listed and discussed. For less frequently encountered species full information is given; for the commoner immigrants recorded during the season, a selection of the more
significant records is presented.

SCARLET MALACHITE BEETLE MALACHIUS AENEUS (L.) (COL.: MELYRIDAE): STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE UK
ROB COLEMAN University of East Anglia, School of Continuing Education, Norwich, NR4 7TJ (E-mail: robert.coleman@uea.ac.uk)
Abstract
Malachius aeneus (Linn.) is a beetle listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Recent survey work accompanied by a popular media appeal has highlighted the current status of this species in the UK. These new data are presented with a review of existing historical records. The
validity of reports garnered by the appeal is discussed.

118(5):

EMMELINA ARGOTELES (MEYRICK, 1922) (LEP: PTEROPHORIDAE)– A NEWLY RECOGNISED BRITISH PLUME MOTH
JEFF B. HIGGOTT 42 Valleyiew Drive, Rushmere St. Andrew, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 5UW.
Abstract
The plume moth Emmelina argoteles (Meyrick) (Lep.: Pterophoridae) is recorded new to the British fauna from Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire in 2005 and 2006. The overseas distribution of argoteles and differentiation from Emmelina monodactyla are discussed.

THE EARLY STAGES OF ELACHISTA NOBILELLA ZELLER (LEP.: ELACHISTIDAE)
G. A. COLLINS 15 Hurst Way, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 7AP (stigmella.aurella@tiscali.co.uk)
Abstract
The mine, larva and pupa of Elachista nobilella are described.

TRICHOPSOMYIA LUCIDA (DIPTERA: SYRPHIDAE): AN ADDITION TO THE BRITISH LIST, AND ITS SEGREGATION FROM RELATED SPECIES
MARTIN C. D. SPEIGHT 49 Mount Eagle View, Dublin 18, Ireland. (E-mail: speightm@indigo.ie)
Abstract
Trichopsomyia lucida (Diptera: Syrphidae) is added to the British list, based on a recent specimen collected in London. A key is provided for its segregation from other European Trichopsomyia species. Available information about T. lucida is summarised.

A SUPPLEMENT TO “TYPES OF BALKAN BUTTERFLIES IN THE COLLECTION OF NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON”
(LEPIDOPTERA: PAPILIONOIDEA)
STANISLAV P. ABADJIEV 81 Lyuben Karavelov Street, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria. (E-mail: stas@abadjiev.net)
Abstract
Some type specimens of Balkan butterflies that are housed at the British Museum (Natural History) in London are listed.

118(6):

MICROLEPIDOPTERA REVIEW OF 2005
1 J. R. LANGMAID and 2 M. R. YOUNG 1 Wilverley, 1 Dorrita Close, Southsea , Hampshire PO4 0NY. (john@langmaidj.freeserve.co.uk)
2 Culterty Field Station, Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire AB41 6AA. (m.young@abdn.ac.uk)
Abstract
Noteworthy records of microlepidoptera made in the British Isles during 2005 are summarised. These include Dichelia histrionana (Fröl.), Euchromius cambridgei (Zell.), Sciota rhenella (Zinck.), Stenoptila annadactyla Sutter and Emmelina argoteles (Meyr.) new to the British
Isles and several new vice-county records.


A COMPARISON OF MOTHS RECORDED AT THE WRITTLE COLLEGE ROTHAMSTED TRAP 1968-1993 AND 2000-2004 WITH THE NATIONALLY COLLECTED DATA
1 R.G FIELD, 2 T. GARDINER AND 2 M. J. HEYWOOD 1 Butterfly Conservation, Cambridgeshire and Essex Branch, 166 Sherwood Avenue, Northampton, NN2 8TE, 01604-844927, rfield8633@aol.com 2 Writtle College, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RR
Abstract
Moth trapping using a Rothamsted trap has taken place on the Writtle College estate in Essex since 1968. Over the period 1968 to 1993 moth species richness and abundance was generally on the increase, but trapping ceased in 1993. It was restarted in 2000 and over this second period moth species richness had fallen by 21%, but catch abundance has increased by 25% when compared to the first period. This was not in line with national data, as overall Rothamsted catches have fallen by nearly one third. Results from 2000 to 2004 for the 17 most numerous species caught at Writtle between 1968 and 1993,revealed that 11 have now reduced in number, five have increased whilst one is stable.