INSECTS 



to grow over its whole extent, and no fresh clearance was made for 

 several years. The glades were also kept closely clipped and mown, 

 which resulted in the total disappearance of all the sun-loving plants, 

 including the Melampyrum and Digitalis on which the larva? of athalia 

 feed, nor were any bramble or other flowers left for the perfect insects. 

 Consequently the species was literally starved out and completely exter- 

 minated ; for though at the commencement of its evil days stragglers 

 might be met with miles away from their native home, it is to be feared 

 that none of them succeeded in establishing a new colony elsewhere, 

 which is greatly to be regretted, as the Essex form of this beautiful 

 insect was larger and more richly coloured than any occurring else- 

 where. 



The Comma (Vanessa C-album) seems to have abounded at Epping 

 in the early part of the nineteenth century, but only occasional stragglers 

 have been met with in the county in more recent times. About 1850 

 several specimens were captured near Colchester by the late W. Tillaney. 

 Mr. Jeffrey records it from Saffron Walden, and Mr. R. E. Stuart cap- 

 tured an example at Mundon, near Maldon, in 1871. 



The Large Tortoiseshell (V. polycbloros) is very widely distributed 

 and frequently common, though it seems to have its adverse periods. 

 The larvae most frequently feed on elm, but may also be found on sallow, 

 osier, cherry, pear, etc., and Mr. J. A. Tawell once found a brood at 

 Earles Colne feeding on nettle. 



The Small Tortoiseshell (V. urticce) abounds everywhere from early 

 spring till late autumn, and has been seen flying briskly along the streets 

 in Colchester on an exceptionally warm day in January. 



The Peacock (V, id) is very common in some seasons. In 1900 

 the nettles about Colchester were black with the larvae in the early part 

 of July, and in August the perfect insects visited the clover fields in 

 enormous numbers. 



The Camberwell Beauty (V. antiopa) is usually very rare and cannot 

 be considered a native of Britain, but from the numerous records it seems 

 to have been at some time noticed in all parts of the county. In 1872 

 it was comparatively common, but has been extremely rare since. A 

 single specimen was taken at Middlewick, Colchester, in 1880. Single 

 specimens were also taken at Hornchurch, near Dunmow, and at 

 Chelmsford in 1900, and one was seen near Chelmsford on September 

 7, 1901. 



The Red Admiral (V. atalanta] is common and generally distributed, 

 and has been exceptionally abundant in recent years. 



The Painted Lady (V. cardui) is an erratic insect, as uncertain in 

 its appearances as are the 'Clouded Yellows.' After being extremely 

 rare or entirely absent for long periods it will suddenly turn up in great 

 abundance everywhere. Whether it often hibernates in the perfect 

 state in this country is doubtful, but there can be no doubt that most of 

 the specimens found here in the autumn are the progeny of immigrants 

 which reach our shores earlier in the year. 



