Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

2011·19.5 MB·English

by  Amateur Entomologists' Society (Great Britain)

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Bulletin
of the Amateur Entomologists^ Society
Volume 70 Number 494 February 201
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NATURAL
HISTORY MUSEUM
MAR
3 2011
1
PRESENTED
ENTOM
LIBRARY
ISSN 0266-836X Editors: Dr P. Wilkins & Paul Sokoloff
Natural History Museum Library
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Founded in 1935
The AES • P.O. Box 8774 • London • SW7 5ZG
http://www.amentsoc.org
Officers of the Society
President: Robin Wootton
Secretary: Dafydd Lewis
Treasurer: Peter May
Acting Registrar: Dafydd Lewis
Bulletin Editor: Phil Wilkins/Paul Sokoloff
General Editor: Jacqueline Ruffle
Advertising Secretary: Peter Hodge
Exhibition Secretary: Wayne Jarvis
Youth Secretary: Kieren Pitts
Conservation Secretary: David Lonsdale
Webmaster: Kieren Pitts
ICN Editor: David Lonsdale
Wants & Exchange: Peter May
THE AES WORKS TO PROMOTE AND DISSEMINATE ENTOMOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND TO
ENCOURAGE AN INTEREST IN ENTOMOLOGY AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
BULLETINADVERTISING RATES:
Advertising in the AES Bulletin is a cost effective way of reaching all AES
members and many others who benefit from institutional subscriptions.
Full page £75 for each advert or £375 for six adverts in the same year.
Half page £50 for each advert or £250 for six adverts in the same year.
Quarter page £30 for each advert or £150 for six adverts in the same year.
NOTICE
Itistobedistinctlyunderstoodthatall views, opinions, ortheories, expressed in thepagesofthisJournal aresolelythose
of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests for help or
information, areacceptedas bonafide. Neitherthe Editor, theOfficersandCouncil oftheSociety, noritsTrustees,canbe
held responsibleforany loss, embarrassmentor injury that might be sustained by reliancethereon.
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ATROPOS ANTIQUES*
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Many ofyou will have met us at theAESLondon Fair
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We can offer a choice of at least 30 cabinets,
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We can supply both restored and un-restored
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Callers to our showrooms are always
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Bulletin Cover
The photograph on this month's cover is the
lacewing Drepanepteryx phalaenoides
Bulletin (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae).
of f/»e Amateur Entomologists' Society This large and striking lacewing has a body
Volume70 • Number494 February2011 length ofabout 15mm. Its brownish colour
and peculiar shape suggest that it mimics a
dead leaf, a phenomenon known as
procrypsis. It is not often encountered in the
wild although it seems to be fairly
widespread in the UK, with strongholds in
the South-east and Northern England. It
seems to prefer deciduous woodlands with
mature oak trees.
This specimen was attracted to a mercury-
vapour light in North-west Kent, and
photographed by Paul Sokoloff.
history
muse
ISSN{»2W>-H:JI>X Fditor-»:l>rf*Wilkins&I’aulSokoloff
3 MAR
1 ?f)li
presented
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LlfiRAftv
ARE YOU MISSING OUT?
THE
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and Journal of Variation
Publishes notes, observations, articles and reviews,
mainly on the Lepidoptera and Coleoptera ofthe British Isles and Europe.
Founded in 1890 by J. W. Tutt, and still going strong, we publish six issues a year -
alternating with the AES Bulletin. This means there is now a first class entomological
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Our subscription price is £25 per year. Ifyou would like to see a specimen copy, please send
your name and address, and a couple ofsecond class stamps to cover postage to:
The Editor, 14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2QP.
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1
of the Amateur Entomologists' Society
Volume 70 • Number 494 February 201
Editorial
Welcome to the first issue of the Bulletin for 2011. Maitin Hough has
stepped down from his role as co-editor, and I have taken over in the
short term. We would like to record our thanks to Martin for all the
work he has put in making the Bulletin a success. Phil Wilkins remains
our chief editor.
February always seems a bit of a strange time for entomologists. On
down
the side there is the realisation that all those winter jobs such as
repairing the breeding cages, cleaning the moth trap, sending records
to County recorders, writing that article for the Bulletin and tidying up
the shed or bug-room remain undone (at least in the Editor’s
household). On the positive side. Winter Moths have disappeared from
the porch; the Hazel in the garden is covered in fresh catkins; some
birds are becoming amorous and small swarms of tiny flies appear
whenever the sun shines. Every warm day brings the hope that a
hibernating butterfly will be tempted to venture out and sun itself right
in front of you - even if you then realise that the camera is still packed
away for the winter!
So maybe as the entomological year begins to stir it is time to think of
an entomological New Year resolution? With all the gloom around us,
be it from the effects of climate change or the impact of government
spending cuts on the environment, maybe it is time for each of us to
think of making a positive contribution, however small, to “the cause”.
Each of us can make an impact though sharing experiences, educating
others and supporting individuals and organisations who want to
promote wildlife. The AES organises a range of events throughout the
year, and whilst most members are aware of our hugely successful
Annual Exhibition, most, I suspect, are aware of the Members’ Days
through reports in the Bulletin. These days have been a great success
and the museums and other organisations who have hosted these
events have themselves made a great effort to ensure the days are
interesting and entertaining. Although we always try to ensure that our
younger members are catered for, there is usually something for
everyone. Look out for announcements in the Bulletin or on the AES
website. The more members we have attending, the more successful an
w
2 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists'.Society
event becomes. The AES is frequently asked to support local events by
providing a stall and maybe some exhibits or livestock. These can range
from small events, for example focussed on a group of schools, to
major outdoor events. We always try to say yes to these requests, but it
is usually a small group of stalwarts who attend these events and
because of a shortage of people, or the problems of travelling great
distances we cannot attend them all. We are thinking of how we can
involve our members in supporting the events that Council members
cannot attend.
I hear you shudder at the thought of “educating others”. Not my
field, am not an expert, far too difficult? Well, no. Simply raising
I
awareness amongst others can have an enormous impact. Showing
children living insects can create a lasting impression; persuading a
neighbour not to spray his plants too enthusiastically or squash a
caterpillar can lead to enlightenment; and other naturalists can be
made to “see” insects. have on many occasions joined botanists, bird-
I
watchers or general naturalists on a walk or foray. Take a net and
some clear pots. Put up with the odd silly ciuestion: “.... are you
collecting butterflies ....?” Catch an insect! A moth, wasp, beetle,
grasshopper, hover-fly, bee - it does not matter - it’s amazing how
quickly you can spark interest and enthusiasm. do have to confess to
I
having limited success with bird-watchers!
Finally, what about sharing experiences? If you have read this far in an
editorial you must have some interest in entomology and what other
people think. Maybe others would be interested in what you think, your
hints and tips, your experiences? The AES Bulletin, the Bug Club
Magazine and the Entomologist’s Record are all there for members to
share experiences and to help and interest others. If members did not
contribute, there would be no Biilletinl As you read the Bulleti)i ask
yourself if you could write something like this? A short note; an
observation; a longer article; a photograph?. If so, why not do it? Don’t
worry il you think your spelling or grammar is not up to it - editors are
there to help you. There are hints for writing on the AES website
(www.amentsoc.org). Click the “publications” tab, then the magazine you
are interested in. On the left-hand side click “Author guidelines” and you
will And all the information you need. I’he Entomologist's Record has a
separate website which can be found by clicking the appropriate tab.
News
New
species of insect are being added to the British list all the time.
Many of these are tiny insects from less well-studied groups, and
M
Volume 70 • February 2011 3
others are accidental imports or immigrants. We have not seen a new
species of caddis fly in the UK since 1965, so it is great to report that
another species has been discovered. The species Synagapetus
is
dubitans, and was found by Stuart Crofts, who runs the Adult Caddisfly
Occurrence Scheme, in a small stream flowing through woodland near
Masham, North Yorkshire. Although finds such as this are of great
interest to entomologists, they also catch the eye of enthusiasts of fly
New
fishing. aquatic insects provide the opportunity to design different
lures for fishermen to use, although as the new caddis is around 5mm
in length I suspect our fish will be safe for a bit longer.
In recent years there has been a lot of concern expressed about the
serious decline in the number of bees, particularly bumble bees, and
the potential effects of the decline in pollinating insects in general on
British agriculture. There have been many attempts to explain this
phenomenon and in recent time suspicion has fallen on a group of
pesticides containing chemicals called neonicotinoids, which are
licensed for use in the UK. Despite some evidence of the damage these
chemicals cause to wildlife, and requests for action by the organisation
Buglife (see Invertebrate Conservation News No. 60 (Oct. 2009),
DEFRA maintains that they do not pose an unacceptable risk if used
correctly. We have all read in the national newspapers about the
publication of confidential material by the organisation Wikileaks. Not
a lot of this material has been of entomological interest but someone
else has leaked a recent confidential memorandum from the United
States Environmental Protection Agency on the potentially harmful
effects of neonicotinoids. It is pretty technical, but if you want you can
read at:(http://www.panna.org/sites/default/files/Memo_
it
Nov2010_Clothianidino.pdf)
As a result of this, Buglife renewed its campaign to raise awareness
of the dangers of these chemicals by asking people to write to their
Member of Parliament asking them to put pressure on the Minister
responsible for licensing pesticides. This initiative seems to have been
very successful as there were 42 MPs who signed up for the early day
motion Impact of Neonicotinoid Pesticides on Bees and other
Invertebrates of which seven MPs spoke on the topic, seemingly taking
seriously. The British Bee Keepers’ Association which, rather
it
puzzlingly, had taken the position that there was no cause for concern
is now calling for an urgent review.
Another gloomy fact of life is the impending spending cuts imposed
by the current UK Government. These cuts are bound to affect those
organisations involved in wildlife conservation, but one money-raising
w
4 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists'-Society
scheme is causing concern in many quarters - the plan to sell off
almost all of the publicly-owned woodlands and forest in England. It
will particularly have a direct impact on land owned by organisations
such as the Forestry Commission. In days gone by, the Forestry
Commission was a much disliked organisation, sponsoring (although
for good reasons) the planting of huge areas with alien conifer species,
and discouraging entomologists from visiting forests. In recent years,
the organisation has transformed itself with a far more open policy,
creation of public walks and nature trails, information centres, a focus
on conservation and the increased planting of native broad-leaved
trees. All this is potentially under threat if our forests are sold off to
private organisations. It seems unlikely that private conservation
organisations would have the funds to purchase these important
woodlands, and private developers . . . well, we leave it to your
imagination. None of these plans are finalised yet. There has been
much high-profile opposition to the plans, and there is, at the time of
writing, a public consultation beginning, but this is a stoiy we should
all keep our eyes on.
Paul Sokoloff
SOCIETY MATTERS
THANK YOU: We are grateful to all those members who have
renewed their memberships on time, and especially to those who
kindly included a donation with their payment. Every little helps
towards the work of the society (and to keep subscription levels as
low as possible!).
Members might like to be reminded that donations can be
‘earmarked’ lor particular purposes, and that currently donations to the
Ansorge Fund (which allows us to award prizes to Bug Club members
lor articles and exhibits) would be particularly welcome.
NEW
AFFILIATION
1 he AES is now alliliated to the Invicta Arachnid Club (website:
www.invicta-arachnid-club.org.uk) which is based in Kent.