been less "en evidence" and their larvae less of a nuisance than is usually the case. The 

 Orange Tip was common enough. Of the hibernators, the Brimstone alone put in a good 

 appearance. The other early butterflies, including both species of Pearl-bordered Fritil- 

 laries, were generally scarce except in their most favoured haunts. There was some 

 improvement as the season progressed. The Salyrids call for little comment. The 

 Marbled White and Gatekeeper swarmed locally. Their filtration from the downs and 

 woods to the coast levels continues to be accentuated. The Speckled Wood was again 

 seen in a wood near Ashford where it was first detected 2 years ago. Two specimens 

 appeared in my garden at Westwell at the end of September. The large Fritillaries with 

 the exception of the Silver- washed were all scarce and the White Admiral rarely seen. 

 I have no record of the appearance of the Purple Emperor. Our local "Melitaea," the 

 Heath Fritillary, put in a brave appearance on a rather inclement Saturday afternoon in 

 late June. On this occasion members of the Section were conducted through the Blean 

 woods by Capt. Dudley Marsh and afterwards entertained at a delightful tea party by 

 Mrs. Marsh in their Heme Bay house. The Hairstreaks were all scarce. I had the 

 pleasure, however, of watching a female Brown Hairstreak ovipositing in a sloe bush near 

 Brook on September 15th. The Vanessids made a poor start but improved later. In 

 July the Peacock was fairly common and during September the Small Tortoiseshell became 

 really abundant. The Comma, scarce after hibernation, is now producing quite a good 

 second brood. Our Secretary saw one large Tortoiseshell in the Spring. The Blues were 

 rather patchy although the Common Blue showed up well in its second brood. A colony 

 of the Silver-studded Blue near Westwell has been almost exterminated by the plough, but 

 still persists precariously on the periphery. As regards migrants, the Red Admiral 

 appeared this Autumn in singles. The Painted Lady put in a brief appearance in June 

 and thereafter just disappeared. Both Clouded Yellows were seen in Folkestone and 

 Westwell at the end of August. It is probable that they are still breeding and that their 

 offspring may brighten the countryside during October. The weather will decide. 



As regards moths, the year has been encouraging. Our special rarities, many of 

 recent origin, appear to have maintained their footing. I understand that The Varied 

 Coronet {H. compta) was again seen in Dover and that the lovely emerald moth (J. 

 fimbrialis) still flourishes in its restricted haunts. The Ham Street Woods are well known 

 as the home of many rarities. They are haunted yearly by small bands of collectors, 

 some of whose activities are surrounded by a smoke screen of secrecy. Having had help 

 from so many I hesitate to designate the area as behind the Iron Curtain. Two of its 

 prizes are the Lunar Double-stripe (M. lunaris) and the Blue Underwing (C. fraxini). 

 Both appeared this season, the latter in some numbers. One of our Section informed me 

 that he took all four of the British "Catocalids," The Red, both Crimsons, and the Blue 

 Underwing on one night. We are fortunate in having a member who combines veracity 

 with such singular good fortune. That elusive insect Jaspidea deceptoria, first taken at 

 Ham Street, was represented by a single fresh male specimen in May in my house at 

 Westwell. Its headquarters are still indeterminate. 



Some of the rare or recently discovered species are showing signs of dispersal. The 

 new Geometer, the White-banded Carpet {E. luctuata) is a case in pomt. Hitherto it 

 has been found singly over a wide area, but the season has shown that populous colonies 

 exist not only in the Ham Street Woods but also in a wood near Folkestone and at West- 

 well. It is likely to become common in the future. The Water Ermine {S. urticae) was 

 first recorded from the district last year when one or two were taken at Ham Street. 

 This year it has appeared at Westwell. The Gold Spot {P. festucae) has appeared in 

 places such as Westwell and Wye, where it was not previously seen. The Tortrix Cacoec/a 

 aeriferana, hitherto only known in Britain from a very small larch plantation at Westwell, 

 also shows signs of spread, single specimens having been taken m the Elham Park Woods 



