UR. J. ENT. NAT. MIST., 7: 1994 109 



Dr Denton described his studies of the natterjack at its heathland site at Woolmer 

 Forest. It prefers the open bryophytc dominated areas, unlike the sand lizard and smooth 

 snake, which are found in the mature heather areas. Suitable ponds have been created 

 to increase the breeding sites, and trees and shrubs have been cleared to enhance the 

 habitat for the toads. It has been found that not all females spawn. In the years 1988-92 

 the numbers of females recorded varied from 65 to 76 and of these only 34 to 49 

 produced spawn (44-64% of the female population). This may be due to a shortage 

 of males, since the number of spawn strings produced is directly proportional to the 

 number of males calling. Female natterjacks live for 10-15 years but males do not 

 seem to survive more than 7. This may be due to differential predation by grass snakes. 

 Males are more active at the pond margins during the mating season and may be 

 at greater risk. Increased grazing to reduce the poolside vegetation and remove cover 

 for snakes is being tried to see if this increases the breeding success of the toads. 



The natterjack toad is one of the species benefiting from English Nature's species 

 recovery programme. Sites suitable for reintroduction have been identified in Surrey, 

 Dorset, Lincolnshire and Norfolk. The first introductions three years ago in Dorset 

 and Lincolnshire have now produced breeding colonies. 



The pools at Woolmer Forest are also notable as being the only British site for 

 the dytiscid beetle Graphoderus zonatus (Hoppe). It is also found in Germany and 

 Scandinavia. Little is known about its biology and Dr Denton is attempting to breed 

 it in captivity. 



The ordinary meeting was followed by a special meeting to appoint a trustee and 

 to make some amendments to the society's bye-laws. 



Minutes of the special meeting 



The President, Dr P. Waring, said that it was necessary to appoint a trustee to 

 replace the late Mr C. B. Ashby. He explained that although recent changes in the 

 law relating to charities make all of the society's council members trustees, it is still 

 necessary to have two named persons as "trustees" to be signatories for the society's 

 assets. The person nominated by council as trustee was the Rev. Canon D. Agassiz. 

 The voting, including postal votes, was 56 in favour, none against and one abstention. 

 The Rev. Canon D. Agassiz was duly elected as trustee. 



The meeting was also asked to make some changes to the society's bye-laws. These 

 were to delete clauses 4(i) and 32(c), and to change clause 1 1(a) to "not exceed twelve 

 at any time". The proposed changes will remove the power from the society to pa> 

 insurance premiums in order to insure against personal liabilities which may be incurred 

 by its charitable trustees (members of council). This is in accordance with advice receh ed 

 from the Charity Commissioners. The third change, clause 1 1(a), will increase the number 

 of honorary members to 12 at any one time. The voting, including postal votes, was 

 56 for and one against. The amendments to the bye-laws were therefore agreed. 



ANNOUNCEMENT 



Dead caterpillars wanted. — We would be very grateful for any lepidopteran lar\ ae 

 of UK origin killed by baculovirus infection. This is often characterized by whitening, 

 followed by complete liquefaction of the larva, which can then often be found hanging 

 from a prominent position on the foodplant. Samples should be frozen for storage 

 and sent to: Mr Martin C. Townsend, Ecology Group, NERC Institute of Virologj 

 & Environmental Microbiology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SR, tel: 0865 512361. 



