ANT-LIONS, LACEWINGS * Ascalaphid AND RELATIVES l.ihcl/oides Ir!llgicomis ORDER NEUROPTERA Although this group only just reaches. into the region, its members are highly distinc• A varied group of , linked by having tive and frequently noticed. They resemble membranous net-veined wings, commonly dragonflies, holding their wings open when held roof-wise over the body. Antennae stopping briefly, though they fold them thin and thread-like. Most species are car• over the body when at rest. The wings are nivorous in adult and larval stages. heavily marked with black and yellow, and the wingspan is about 60mm. The long * Ant-lion antennae are heavily clubbed. MyrmelcOIl (imllicarius Habitat Sunny flowery slopes and pas• Body slender, brownish, about 40mm long, tures. with a wingspan of up to 80mm. Wings Status and distribution From central membranous and virtually unmarked. Top Europe southwards, mainly south-western, of head dark brown or black. The larvae most common in S Europe. construct little craters, in which they sit Season 6-9. hidden at the base with just their jaws Similar species exposed. Small invertebrates fall in and are May be distinguished from dragonflies as a immediately grabbed, though sometimes group by the clubbed long antennae, and the larva will shower sand-grains over the the folding of the wings if seen at rest. victim to speed its fall.The craters are often * L coccojus is a very similar species, but the first sign of the presence of this species. has veins all dark (no yellow ones) and a Habitat Dry sandy places such as heaths slightly dark patch at the base of the hind• and dunes. wing. It is a southern species that just Status and distribution Local from S reaches the area. Scandinavia southwards, commonest in the south. * Mantis Fly Season 5-8. Malltispa styriaca Similar species Resembles a small Praying Mantis, but is Could be confused with duller damselflies, only 15-20mm long, pale brown in colour, but the latter have much more visible with delicate clear wings. Carnivorous, but abdomens, and very short antennae. not aggressive. * Ant-lion Aconthoc/isis boetico is larger Habitat Woodland and dry, scrubby, and more robust, up to 50mm long. It warm places. Status and distribution A southern occurs mainly on sand-dunes, and reaches northwards to N France. species, found from N France southwards. * Euroleon nostros is a smaller species, about Season 6-8. 35mm long, with lightly spotted wings. Local in scrub and open woodland from S Scandinavia southwards.

112 NEUROPTERA lacewings, Families Chrysopidae C. septempunctata is bright green, and has a and Hemerobiidae black spot (actually 7 small spots) on top of the head. Similar habitats and distribution. These two families include both the green All the green lacewing larvae are carniv• and the brown lacewings, though they are orous. They may cover themselves with not so readily distinguished by colour as the remains of their victims, or other material. name suggests. They have delicate membra• The eggs are distinctive, laid in batches or nous wings, heavily veined with numerous singly, at the end of long stalks. cross-veins, and a generally delicate appear• ance. Mostly green or brown in colour, with Brown lacewing wings held roof-wise over the body. Kimmil1sia sulmelJIIlosa One of a number of rather similar insects, Giant lacewing generally similar in shape to green Osmylus (ull'icl'fihalus lacewings, but only about IOmm long. They The largest British species of lacewing, with are brownish or greyish, with clear wings. a wingspan of about 50mm. The wings are Habitat Sheltered woodland and scrub. mottled with brown, sometimes heavily. A Status and distribution Widespread slow, clumsy flier, mainly nocturnal in habits. and common, though easily overlooked. Habitat Along wooded and sh2dy Season Mainly 4-10. streams, resting under leaves or below Similar species bridges during the day. Wesmaelius quadrifasciatus is slightly larger, Status and distribution A southern and has wings marked with brown species, absent from N Britain and the blotches. Mainly in coniferous woodland north part of the Continent; locally com• and scrub. mon in the south. Season 5--8. Alder Fly Sialis IUlaria Green lacewing Although rather similar to the Brown Chrysopa camea Lacewing, this is a surprisingly distinctive A pale green with unspotted, deli• species, with its smoky brown wings, boldly cate, membranous wings; becomes pinkish marked with dark veins, held roof-wise in autumn. The length from the head to the over the body. Body is dark brown, about wing-tips is about 18mm. Antennae long 20-25mm long. Flies weakly, and settles and slender. readily on waterside vegetation. Habitat A wide range of habitats with Habitat The larvae are aquatic, and the trees and shrubs. Often enters houses in adults are usually found near vegetated autumn and winter. stretches of still or slow-moving water. Status and distribution Very common Status and distribution Common throughout. throughout. Season Most common 5-10, but individ• Season 4--8. uals may be seen all winter. Similar species Similar species There is one other British species, S. fuligi• C. perla is more bluish-green in colour, nosa, which is darker, less common, strongly marked with black on the head and appears slightly later (from late June body. In woods and hedgerows, absent onwards), and prefers faster-flowing from the north. waters.

114 NEUROPTERA Snake Fly and yellow, about 20mm long, with a /{afJhidia lIo/ata wingspan of about 30mm. The wings are As a small group of species, the Snake Flies spotted with black and black-tipped are distinctive, looking rather like an Alder (though the pattern is variable). Fly with a long snake-like neck which may Habitat Open woods, hedgerows and be raised upwards. Brown in colour, the scrub. slender body is about IS-18mm long, Status and .distribution Widespread excluding the female's long needle-like and generally frequent. ovipositor. Both adults and larvae are car• Season 4-8, most frequently seen in early nivorous, and they are unusual in having summer. mobile pupae. Similar species Habitat Mainly in old woodland, espe• P. germanica is very similar in size and shape cially where old tree-stumps are present but has lighter wing markings and parallel (the larvae feed on other larvae in dead male 'pincers' (more calliper-shaped in wood). Common Scorpion Fly,but not easy to sep• Status and distribution Local but wide• arate). Similar habitats, but less common. spread. Never common. P. cogna(Q is smaller, and the sixth abdomi• Season S-7. nal segment is noticeably square. Similar Similar species habitats, local. There are 3 other species of Snake Fly in * P. meridiana/is is a more heavily spotted the UK. species, from central France southwards. R. maculicollis is very similar, with a slightly narrower head, and is probably the com• Snow Flea monest species; mainly in conifers. HorcllS hycmalis R. confinis has a more triangular head. Resembles the other scorpion flies in hav• R. xanthastigma is the smallest species, ing the same 'beak' and similar body shape, barely IOmm long. but is much smaller (barely IOmm long) and vet)' short-winged. The male has no SCORPION FLIES upturned abdomen. The body is dark, and ORDER MECOPTERA the female has a sword-like ovipositor. Habitat Mossy places, especially where A very small order of insects as far as N . there is regular snow. Europe is concerned, with just 4 species in Status and distribution Locally com• Britain, and about 8 through the region. mon, mainly northern and upland. They are mostly quite distinctive, with a Season Through the winter, from 10 strongly defined downward-pointing beak onwards; very hardy and active even in on the head (see photo); the abdomen of snow. the males of most species is upturned, resembling that of a scorpion. They are scavengers or weakly predatory, and the larvae resemble a moth caterpillar.

Common Scorpion Fly Snow Flea ~ Panorpa communis This ~pecies follows the general pattern described above. The body is mainly black

116 NEUROPTE.RA· MECOPTERA BUTTERFLIES AND Butte rflies MOTHS ORDER All the regularly occurring British species are covered in the following pages, together A large and important order, with many with many of those from the rest of the familiar species. Collectively, they have 2 region. The larvae are onJy described and/or pairs of membranous wings, heavily clothed illustrated where they are especially striking with coloured scales that give pattern and or frequently seen. colour. A few species have wingless females. The mouthparts are usually in the form of a Swallowtail long slender tube, spirally coiled when not Fa/Jilio ll1aChaOIl in use, used for sucking nectar and other flu• A large distinctive butterfly, with a wing• ids, though some species do not feed as span of 70-80mm, boldly marked with adults, and have reduced mouthparts. black and yellow. The hindwings have long The larvae (caterpillars) are all herbivo• tails, an uncommon feature in N European rous, and some are well known as pests. butterflies. Males and females are similar. Caterpillars usually have 3 pairs of true legs Larvae are green and black striped, with red at the head end, and several (usually 5) pairs dots. of stumpy prolegs towards the rear. The Habitat Confined to damp fens in the number of prolegs can help to distinguish UK; more widespread in rough flowery Lepidoptera caterpillars from those of saw• places on the Continent. Various Umbellif• flies (see p.240), which nearly always have erae are the food-plants. 6 or more pairs of prolegs. Status and distribution Rare and con• fined to East Anglia in the UK; widespread and frequent throughout the Continent . Season Usually 6-9. Similar species See Scarce Swallowtail, below.

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lepidoptera larva sawfly larva * Scarce Swallowtail ~, podalirills The division into butterflies and moths is A striking species, resembling the Swallow• not matched by an exact scientific division: tail, but the wings have a more striped both groups are drawn from a range of fam• (rather than netted) appearance, and the ilies. Butterflies are all day-flying, brightly 'tails' are even longer. The pale areas are coloured, and usually rest with the wings cream-coloured rather than yellow in fresh held together over the head, except when specimens. The larva is green, with small sunbathing. They have slender clubbed red dots and yellow stripes. antennae, similar in males and females. Habitat Warm, sheltered grassy/scrubby Moths are mainly nocturnal (though there areas. The food-plants include Hawthorn, are many day-fliers), and tend to have Blackthorn and various cultivated fruit duller colours (though there are many trees. bright ones). The wings are usually held flat, Status and distribution A southern or angled roof-like over the body. The species, extending to N but very antennae of moths are nearly always not local through most of the region. clubbed, and they are usually hairy or feath• Season 5-9, depending on latitude. ery, especially in males.

118 LEPIDOPTERA * Black-veined White Habitat Almost anywhere flowery. but Af)()ria crataegi especially common around gardens. Not as An attractive medium-large butterfly. with mobile as the Large White. a wingspan of about 60mm. Distinguished Status and distribution Very common from other 'whites' by the conspicuous everywhere; a frequent pest of gardens and black veining on the wings, especially the crops. underside. Sexes broadly similar. Season 4-10. Habitat The food-plants are Blackthorn and Hawthorn. and the butterflies occur in Green-veined White many flowery places with these shrubs. l'ieris lIapi Status and distribution Widespread. An attractive butterfly. slightly smaller than though declining in the north; common in the Small White, and distinguished by the the south. Extinct in Britain. lines of grey-green scales along the veins on Season 5-7. the undersides of the hindwings; in general Similar species second-generation butterflies (in summer) Might be confused with Black-veined Moth are less 'green-veined' than spring ones. Siano lineata (see p.168), but this is only half Habitat A variety of flowery, damp. usu• the size. ally sunny habitats. less commonly in gar• dens and never a pest of Brassica species. Large White Main food-plants are Garlic Mustard and l'ieris /!rassicae Cuckoo Flower. A familiar butterfly. easily the largest of the Status and distribution Common common ·whites'. with a wingspan of throughout. though never abundant. 60-70mm. Basically white. with black Season 3-9. depending on location. forewing-tips. Female has black spots on Similar species upper side of forewings. and is yellower See Bath White. below. below. Habitat Almost anywhere. especially in * Bath White gardens, wherever cruciferous food plants l'(mtia daplidice (including Brassica species) occur; a very An attractive butterfly. similar to Green• mobile butterfly. veined White in size. The undersides of the Status and distribution Widespread hindwings, in particular. are heavily mottled and common or abundant throughout. with greenish-grey. more extensively than though varying year to year. in Green-veined White; upper surfaces of Season 4-10. wings are spotted and mottled with black. Similar species Habitat Rough. warm. flowery places. See Small White, below. Food-plants include Wild Mignonette and various crucifers. Small White Status and distribution An occasional l'ieris ""pae vagrant to the UK. A southern species that A medium-sized butterfly. very familiar as reaches north to S Scandinavia. but the archetypal 'Cabbage White'. Wingspan becomes rare north of the Alps. about 40-50mm; basically white, with Season 4-9. usually with a gap in the mid• blackish forewing-tips. and females have dle. more marked black spotting. Much smaller Similar species than Large White. and less boldly marked. See Orange-tip (female). below.

120 LEPIDOPTERA