help extended to him by our widely scattered members. Without this 

 help it would have been impossible for him to carry out his task. 



It is the general opinion, 1954 has been the worst of a succession of 

 bad years for Butterflies, when even the common species were few 

 and far between. 



Polychloros appears to have gone from its usual haunts ; it is hoped 

 for the time being only. C -album was rare, as were the other Vanessids. 

 Even Urticae failed to appear in its usual numbers. 



Though reports are rather better from further afield, the " blues " 

 were scarce in East Kent. Coridon and Bellarqus were almost absent 

 from their usual haunts and Icarus was far the most part scarce. 



Thecla Rubi was quite rare in the spring and Betulae was absent 

 from many of its usual haunts. The Fritillaries were not in their usual 

 abundance, even in their usual haunts. In the Wye area one Euphrosym 

 was seen once only in the spring and a single small male Adippe was all 

 that put in an appearance in September. Certainly a late appearance. 



The " browns " were not up to strength, on the other-hand -4e^erw 

 appears to be still on its advance Eastwards and was reported twice, once 

 from Fagg's Wood, Hamstreet and once from near Kingsnorth. 



Croceus was seen at Brook in August and again flying along the 

 beach at Hythe in early October, and two are reported from the Downs 

 behind Folkestone, one on August 21st and the other on September 12th. 



The Moths present a somewhat better picture. The season was 

 slow in starting but one or two interesting captures were made in the 

 Ashford area. The first of note was a black Strataria, taken in Ashford 

 and this was followed by Hispidaria at Brook. A new record for the 

 Brook list. Records show it was a Hispidaria year. 



Chadnia was common at light in all districts, but Trimacula and 

 most other prominents appear to have been scarce. 



Deceptoria was taken at Brook on May 30th, to be followed a few 

 hours later by Atropos. 



It is interesting to record other Death Heads at Lympne and Ken- 

 nington. There was evidently a migration about this period. A bad 

 spell of weather now curtailed activities with light. 



During June and early July some interesting captures were made in 

 the Ashford and Wye area. Spilosoma urticae was taken for the first 

 time at Brook and it occurred at light in Wye. It also put in an appearance 

 at Willesborough on June 30th. It appears to be spreading. 



In June Agrotera nemoralis was beaten out of Hornbeam in Ham 

 Street woods. It is over twenty years since this Moth was last 



23 



