Branch Newsletter

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NEWSLETTER No. 11 - Summer 1984

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

1983 as well as being a good year for some migrant butterflies, was also an excellent year for migrant moths. A number of members reported sightings of the Hummingbird Hawk Moth, a quite large and spectacular insect which hovers in front of flowers in the same fashion as the bird of the same name, reaching out to sip nectar, by means of a very long proboscis. Honeysuckle is a favourite plant, they will also visit many of the flowers favoured by butterflies. Gareth Robinson, from West Bromwich, recorded one in his garden in mid - September on Nicotiana and I saw several in August visiting Valerian on the south Devon coast.

An even larger relative, a Death's Head Hawk turned up in a Shropshire beehive in October according to a report in the county's Biological Records Centre newsletter. This moth is native to the Mediterranean region (like the Clouded Yellow) and only infrequently reaches Britain. It has a wingspan of up to 5 inches, but only a short proboscis and is therefore not able to obtain nectar from long tubed flowers like its smaller cousin - hence its inclination to enter beehives in search of honey. It gets its name from the markings on its thorax which are said to resemble a human skull. There was also a report of this moth from Bodymoor Heath in Warks. in the same month.

Perhaps the commonest migrant moth is the Silver Y, which is both a day and night flyer and encountered in a range of habitats - its caterpillar apparently eating virtually any low growing vegetation. It is generally well-known to butterfly enthusiasts because of its day flying habits and it is often pursued for great distances in mistake for something else.
If you turn up any unusual moths in 1984, let us know.

We thought members would be interested in seeing a full membership list broken down by county and I hope some members may wish to make contact with others nearby. It has also been a useful exercise for the branch as it has highlighted our strengths and weaknesses. We are hoping very much through displays and press coverage to try to build up our membership, especially in the weaker areas, in the coming years. Our subscription rates remain unchanged: £1 adults, 50p Juniors and £1.50 Family and if a cross appears in this space it means that according to our records you have not paid for this year. Please do so - we cannot afford to lose you. Cheques or Postal Orders should be made out to the BBCS ( West Midlands Branch ) and sent to the Treasurer at 58 North Street, Stoke, Coventry.

Gloucestershire:

Andrews, Mrs. A, 9 Albany House, Albany Court, Lansdown Road, Cheltenham
Hatton, Mr..& Mrs. R & family, 45 Delabere Road, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham
McCrea, M, 3 Blockley Cottages, Middle Street, Uplands, Stroud
Norman. A, 9 Ryeworth Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham
Oates, Mrs. N, 5 Moreton Close, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham

Herefordshire:

J)avies, M, 11 Rowland Close. Hampton Dene, Hereford
Hall, R, "Woodbines", Checkley, Hereford
Harper, Dr. My "Cherry Orchard;@l, Bullens, Ledbury
Joyce, Mrs E, Cwmmau Farm, Brilley, Whitney on Wye
Young, Mrs: S. ,"The Sycamores", Ewyas Harold

Shropshire:

Day, T, 70 Lower Broad Street, Ludlow
Norton. W, Curator, The Museum, Ludlow
Cooper, D, 19 Myddlewood, Myddle, Shrewsbury
Vanderhook. Mrs. J, "The Old Forge", Baveney Wood, Cleobury Mortimer
Walker,, Mrs. J, 5 Crumpsbrook, Catherton Common, Cleobury Mortimer
Williams, P, 117 Oakfield Road, Shawbirch, Telford