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Urban Indicators for UK Butterflies
Ecological Indicators 76 (2017) 184–193 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Ecological Indicators jo urnal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ecolind Original Article Urban indicators for UK butterflies a,b,∗ a c b Emily B. Dennis , Byron J.T. Morgan , David B. Roy , Tom M. Brereton a School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK b Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, UK c Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, UK a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Article history: Most people live in urban environments and there is a need to produce abundance indices to assist Received 26 October 2016 policy and management of urban greenspaces and gardens. While regional indices are produced, with Received in revised form the exception of birds, studies of the differences between urban and rural areas are rare. We explore 19 December 2016 these differences for UK butterflies, with the intention to describe changes that are relevant to people Accepted 10 January 2017 living in urban areas, in order to better connect people with nature in support of conservation, provide a Available online 3 February 2017 measure relevant to human well-being, and assess the biodiversity status of the urban environment. Transects walked under the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme are classified as urban or rural, using Keywords: Abundance a classification for urban morphological zones. We use models from the Generalised Abundance Index Biodiversity family to produce urban and rural indices of relative abundance for UK butterfly species. -
The Butterfly Drawings by John Abbot in the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia
VOLUME 61, NUMBER 3 125 Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 61(3), 2007, 125–137 THE BUTTERFLY DRAWINGS BY JOHN ABBOT IN THE HARGRETT RARE BOOK AND MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA. JOHN V. C ALHOUN1 977 Wicks Dr., Palm Harbor, FL 34684 ABSTRACT. Artist-naturalist John Abbot completed 105 drawings of insects that are now deposited in the Hargrett Rare Book and Manu- script Library, University of Georgia. The provenance of these drawings is unknown, but available evidence dates them to ca. 1820–1825. The adults in the 32 butterfly drawings are identified and the figures of larvae and pupae are assessed for accuracy. The illustrated plants are also identified and their status as valid hosts is examined. Abbot’s accompanying notes are transcribed and analyzed. Erroneous figures of larvae, pupae, and hostplants are discussed using examples from the Hargrett Library. At least four of the butterfly species portrayed in the drawings were probably more widespread in eastern Georgia during Abbot’s lifetime. Additional key words: Larva, Lepidoptera, pupa, watercolors In 1776, the English artist-naturalist John Abbot METHODS (1751–ca.1840) arrived in Georgia, where he I visited the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript documented species of animals and plants for the next Library (University of Georgia) in April, 2005. Digital six decades. Living in Burke, Bullock, Chatham, and photographs were taken of John Abbot’s butterfly Screven Counties of eastern Georgia, he explored a drawings and their accompanying notes. The adult region roughly bound by the cities of Augusta and butterflies were identified and the figures compared Savannah, between the Oconee, Altamaha, and with those in other sets of Abbot’s drawings that are Savannah Rivers. -
Two New Records for the Appalachian Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus Wyandot)
Banisteria, Number 24, 2004 © 2004 by the Virginia Natural History Society Status of the Appalachian Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) in Virginia Anne C. Chazal, Steven M. Roble, Christopher S. Hobson, and Katharine L. Derge1 Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Natural Heritage 217 Governor Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 ABSTRACT The Appalachian grizzled skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) was documented historically (primarily from shale barren habitats) in 11 counties in Virginia. Between 1992 and 2002, staff of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, conducted 175 surveys for P. c. wyandot at 75 sites in 12 counties. The species was observed at only six sites during these surveys, representing two new county records. All observations since 1992 combined account for <80 individuals. Due to forest succession and threats from gypsy moth control measures, all recent sites for P. c. wyandot in Virginia may be degrading in overall habitat quality. Key words: Lepidoptera, Pyrgus centaureae wyandot, conservation, shale barrens, Virginia. INTRODUCTION wyandot) in Virginia. Parshall (2002) provides a comprehensive review of the nomenclature and The Appalachian grizzled skipper (Pyrgus taxonomy of P. c. wyandot. Most authors classify this centaureae wyandot) has a rather fragmented range, skipper as a subspecies of the Holarctic Pyrgus occurring in northern Michigan as well as portions of centaureae (e.g., Opler & Krizek, 1984; Iftner et al., Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and 1992; Shuey, 1994; Allen, 1997; Opler, 1998; Virginia; isolated historical records are known from Glassberg, 1999; Parshall, 2002), although some Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and lepidopterists treat it as a full species (Shapiro, 1974; the District of Columbia (Opler, 1998; NatureServe, Schweitzer, 1989; Gochfeld & Burger, 1997). -
Wildlife Panel Minutes of the Meeting Held on 6 March 2019
Wildlife Panel Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2019 In attendance: Johnny Birks, Ann Bowker, Peter Garner, Nigel Hand, Charlie Long, Mel Mason, Pete Watson, Duncan Westbury, Helen Woodman + Andy Pearce, Simon Roberts, Jonathan Bills 1. Appointment of Chair. Jonathan Bills welcomed all to the meeting. Pete Watson was elected as chair for 2019. 2. Apologies were received from: Alison Uren, Peter Holmes, John Michael, Helen Stace, Katey Stephen. 3. Matters arising from the previous meeting: Woodland works — JBiIIs stated how useful last year’s outdoor meeting had been hearing the Panel’s thoughts on woodland management that would be of benefit to currently unmanaged foothill woods. This advice has subsequently been incorporated into Malvern Hills Trust’s (MHT) Countryside Stewardship agreement and work is unden/vay. New panel members — at the last meeting it was agreed that, following the loss of several panel members, we should recruit more members, especially a person with knowledge on invertebrates. Three people have been invited to join — Charlie Long, V\fi|| Watson and Richard Comont. Richard and Charlie have agreed to join and no reply has been received from V\fi||. ACTION — JBiIIs to provide info to new members and add them to the email list. 4. Verbal report of last year’s two outdoor meetings was given by Peter Garner. Peter summarised the visits to Central Hi||s woodlands and a glow- worm search and felt they were most interesting and worthwhile. 5. Reports and recommendations from the Panel. Reports on the various taxa and related projects were given by Panel members. -
Grizzled Skipper
Species: Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus wyandot) Global Rank: G1G2Q State Rank: S1 State Wildlife Action Plan: Immediate Concern Responsibility Species Climate Change Vulnerability: Highly Vulnerable Confidence: Very High Note: This assessment is expected to be similar for other butterflies of specialized or moderately specialized forest clearing habitats, with specific food plants, habitats exposed to gypsy moth spray; and lacking a fire resistant dormant stage (larval and/or pupal). Some examples: - Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus); Global Rank G3, State Rank S2; Caterpillar hostplant Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria); Habitat typically grassy (Andropogon spp.) openings in oak habitats on sandy rocky soils; sometimes found in disturbed areas with hostplant such as powerline right-of-ways. - Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius); Global Rank G5T1T3, State Rank S1; Caterpillar hostplant Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria); Habitats include pitch pine- scrub oak barrens, scrubby ridgetops, or powerline right-of-ways within such settings with sandy-gravelly soils. - Northern Metalmark (Calephelis borealis), Global Rank G3G4, State Rank S2; Caterpillar hostplant Round-leaved Ragwort (Senecio obovatus); Habitats are openings within forested or wooded areas such as natural outcrops, shale or limestone barrens, glades or powerline right-of-ways. Habitat (adapted from NatureServe 2008 and Schweitzer 1989): The Grizzled Skipper butterfly is an Appalachian Mountain habitat specialist that requires shale barren habitats with abundant exposed crumbly rock or soil. Shale barrens are semi-open shale slopes with sparse herbaceous vegetation and tend to be surrounded by scrubby oak or oak-hickory woodlands, often with a component of Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana). A natural area which meets the habitat requirements should maintain itself as a shale barren. -
Insect Declines in the Anthropocene
EN65CH23_Wagner ARjats.cls December 19, 2019 12:24 Annual Review of Entomology Insect Declines in the Anthropocene David L. Wagner Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA; email: [email protected] Annu. Rev. Entomol. 2020. 65:457–80 Keywords First published as a Review in Advance on insect decline, agricultural intensi!cation, climate change, drought, October 14, 2019 precipitation extremes, bees, pollinator decline, vertebrate insectivores The Annual Review of Entomology is online at ento.annualreviews.org Abstract https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-011019- Insect declines are being reported worldwide for "ying, ground, and aquatic 025151 lineages. Most reports come from western and northern Europe, where the Copyright © 2020 by Annual Reviews. insect fauna is well-studied and there are considerable demographic data for All rights reserved many taxonomically disparate lineages. Additional cases of faunal losses have been noted from Asia, North America, the Arctic, the Neotropics, and else- where. While this review addresses both species loss and population declines, its emphasis is on the latter. Declines of abundant species can be especially worrisome, given that they anchor trophic interactions and shoulder many Access provided by 73.198.242.105 on 01/29/20. For personal use only. of the essential ecosystem services of their respective communities. A review of the factors believed to be responsible for observed collapses and those Annu. Rev. Entomol. 2020.65:457-480. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org perceived to be especially threatening to insects form the core of this treat- ment. In addition to widely recognized threats to insect biodiversity, e.g., habitat destruction, agricultural intensi!cation (including pesticide use), cli- mate change, and invasive species, this assessment highlights a few less com- monly considered factors such as atmospheric nitri!cation from the burning of fossil fuels and the effects of droughts and changing precipitation patterns. -
Warwickshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan
www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk ACTION for WILDLIFE Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Local Biodiversity Action Plan REVISED PLAN FEBRUARY 2016 DINGY SKIPPER Erynnis tages 1. INTRODUCTION The dingy skipper butterfly is well-named because on first appearance it can appear drab and moth like. At most sites adults are generally only seen in ones or twos so it can be easily overlooked. In dull weather and at night it perches on the top of dead flower heads such as black knapweed with wings curved in a position not seen in any other British butterfly. On warm sunny days it can be highly active and territorial. © Steven Falk In Warwickshire the dingy skipper larval foodplants are species of bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus spp.). The butterfly not only requires large vigorous plants but also plants growing in situations where the outer shoots of the plant are growing over bare ground or aggregate. Some taller vegetation is also required for shelter and roosting. Loss of bare ground due to lack of management or scrub invasion are the biggest threats to the species. Most Warwickshire colonies are found on post-industrial habitats such as brickworks, quarries, disused railways and spoil banks, these sites contain early successional habitat. Colonies are often small and discrete with less than 50 adults present during the whole of the flight periods. 2. OBJECTIVES TARGETS Associated Action Plans are: ‘Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land’, ‘Lowland Heathland’, ‘Lowland Calcareous Grassland’, ‘Roadside Verges’, ‘Quarries & Gravel Pits’, ‘Small Blue’ and ‘Chalk Carpet‘ PLEASE CONSULT THE ‘GENERIC SPECIES’ ACTION PLAN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS DOCUMENT FOR OBJECTIVES COMMON TO ALL SPECIES PLANS A. -
Jan to Jun 2011
Butterfly Conservation Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch Page 1 of 18 Butterfly Conservation Hampshire and Saving butterflies, moths and our environment Isle of Wight Branch HOME ABOUT US EVENTS CONSERVATION HANTS & IOW SPECIES SIGHTINGS PUBLICATIONS LINKS MEMBER'S AREA Thursday 30th June Christine Reeves reports from Ash Lock Cottage (SU880517) where the following observations were made: Purple Emperor (1 "Rather battered specimen"). "Following the excitement of seeing our first Purple Emperor inside our office yesterday, exactly the same thing happened again today at around 9.45am. The office door was open and we spotted a butterfly on the inside of the window, on closer inspection we realised it was a Purple Emperor. It was much smaller than the one we had seen the day before and more battered. However we were able to take pictures of it, in fact the butterfly actually climbed onto one of the cameras and remained there for a while. It then climbed from camera to hand, and we took it outside for more pictures before it eventually flew off. It seemed to be feeding off the hand.". Purple Empeor Purple Empeor Terry Hotten writes: "A brief walk around Hazeley Heath this morning produced a fresh Small Tortoiseshell along with Marbled Whites, Silver- studded Blues in reasonable numbers along with Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Large and Small Skippers." peter gardner reports from highcross froxfield (SU712266) where the following observations were made: Red Admiral (1 "purched on an hot window "). Red Admiral (RWh) Bob Whitmarsh reports from Plague Pits Valley, St Catherine's Hill (SU485273) where the following observations were made: Marbled White (23), Meadow Brown (41), Small Heath (7), Small Skipper (2), Ringlet (2), Red Admiral (3), Small Tortoiseshell (4), Small White (2), Comma (1). -
France - Butterflies of the Pyrenees
France - Butterflies of the Pyrenees Naturetrek Tour Report 6 - 13 July 2018 Large Ringlet Meadow Fritillaries Mazarine Blue Stag Beetles Report and images by Jason Mitchell Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report France - Butterflies of the Pyrenees Tour participants: Jason Mitchell (Leader) with seven Naturetrek clients Summary Based in the charming Pyrenean village of Gèdre, our excellent family-run hotel was perfectly placed to explore the valley of Gavarnie-Gèdre which encompasses a wide range of landscapes, from impressive glacial cirques, to pastoral plateaux, the spectacular Brèche de Roland and the legendary Vignemale. Although our main focus was butterflies, we were keen to explore the cirques for which the region is so well known. We started with the smaller, more discreet Cirque d’Estaubé with its beautiful Lac des Gloriettes. We then progressed to the impressively wide Cirque de Troumouse, with an 11 km circumference. Finally we made a gentle day-walk into the Cirque de Gavarnie, the best known of the three glacial cirques in the valley with its high walls towering to 1500 m and at its heart, one of the largest waterfalls of Europe (427m), and the source of the Gave de Pau. The weather was a little unsettled at times – a trait of the high mountains – however, it was mostly dry and sunny with one day an unseasonably chilly 18°C and on the hottest day the mercury hit 27°C. The scenery was spectacular and the wildlife too. -
Rosy Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus Onopordi (Rambur, 1839)
11. D ESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE: HESPERIIDAE FAMILY Rosy Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus onopordi (Rambur, 1839) DESCRIPTION Wingspan: From 2 to 2.8 cm. Open wings: There are four spots close to the apex on the forewings. The last one is close to the margin. As for the hindwings, they have vague spots in the centre. Closed wings: They are reddish or chestnut coloured. There are some small white spots on hindwings. The one on the margins is bigger and the one in the centre has an angle that points inside. Four spots close to the apex on the forewings, and the last one close to the margin Vague light spots Checked margins Reddish or chestnut background One big and other small white spots on the margin White spots with the angle that points inside. 58 DIURNAL BUTTERFLIES • GR-249 Great Malaga Path Red-underwing Skipper: There are four spots close to the front apex on their open wings. Closed wings are reddish or chestnut and a spot with an outer angle can be found in the centre.Sloperia proto: There are three spots close to the apex on their open wings. Their closed wings are light brown or creamy white, without big spots on the hindwings margins. Grizzled Skippers (Pyrgus genus) can be diffi cult to distinguish among them, above all between the Rosy Grizzled Skipper and the Oberthür’s Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus, Oberthür, 1910), when it becomes necessary to examine masculine genitals. The Rosy Grizzled Skipper is the only one to be found in the Province of Málaga. Red-underwing Skipper Sloperia proto It has two generations a year: one in spring and begin- ning of summer, and the second one at the end of the summer and beginning of autumn. -
Getting to Grips with Skippers Jonathan Wallace Dingy Skipper Erynnis Tages
Getting to Grips with Skippers Jonathan Wallace Skippers (Hesperidae) are a family of small moth-like butterflies with thick-set bodies and a characteristic busy, darting flight, often close to the ground. Eight species of skipper occur in the United Kingdom and three of these are found in the North East: the Large Skipper, the Small Skipper and the Dingy Skipper. Although with a little practice these charming butterflies are quite easily identified there are some potential identification pitfalls and the purpose of this note is to highlight the main distinguishing features. Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages This is the first of the Skippers to emerge each year usually appearing towards the end of April and flying until the end of June/early July (a small number of individuals emerge as a second generation in August in some years but this is exceptional). It occurs in grasslands where there is bare ground where its food plant, Bird’s-foot Trefoil occurs and is strongly associated with brownfield sites. The Dingy Skipper is quite different in appearance to the other two skippers present in our region, being (as the name perhaps implies) a predominantly grey-brown colour in contrast to the golden-orange colour of the other two. However, the species does sometimes get confused with two day-flying moth species that can occur within the same habitats: the Mother Shipton, Callistege mi, and the Burnet Companion, Euclidia glyphica. The photos below highlight the main differences. Wingspan approx. 28mm. Note widely spaced antennae with slightly hooked ends. Forewing greyish with darker brown markings forming loosely defined bands. -
Woodland Management in the Lower Wye Valley 4 Introduction
WOODLAND MANAGEMENT IN THE LOWER WYE VALLEY 4 INTRODUCTION 6 WOODLAND CHARACTERISTICS How much woodland Ancient woodland Ownership Types of semi-natural woodland Designations 12 ORIGINS AND PAST MANAGEMENT Outline of woodland history in the lower Wye Valley Wood pastures Coppices Broadleaved high forest Conifer plantations Recent restorations Secondary woodland Woodland composition Farmland trees 18 WOODLAND ARCHAEOLOGY Ancient earthworks Industrial relicts Tracks in woods Farming remains in woods Earthworks of tradtional woodland use and management Recreation Earthworks and natural features as information about woodland history 21 NATURAL FEATURES Mixed deciduous woodland Other habitats Geological and geomorphological features 24 FLORA AND FAUNA The two faces of Wye Valley woodlands: dense woodlands at Symonda Yat contrasted with scatt ered woodland around Capler Camp Habitats Ground vegetation and common plants Woodland plants Bryophytes, lichens and fungi Woodland fauna Special protection for species 31 TRENDS AND THREATS Deer Grey squirrels Wild boar Chemicals Climate change 36 MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONS General policy Sustainability Key features of woodland management Specialised aspects New woodland Trees outside woodland Conclusion 42 NOTES, REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING 43 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND FURTHER INFORMATION 44 REFERENCE MAP Compiled by George Peterken • Design by Tony Eggar Published by (?) • © Wye Valley AONB 2007 2 3 over the last two hundred years. Whereas Gilpin because the social, economic, biological and policy INTRODUCTION and the other Wye tourists appreciated, like us, the context in which management choices are made dramatic ruins of Goodrich and Chepstow castles is constantly changing, detailed prescriptions can ‘The banks [of the lower Wye] for the most part rise abruptly from and the abbey at Tintern, they also revelled in only be temporary.