Some Moths during February

 The overnight weather conditions throughout January were not really good enough for moth trapping but there were two or three reasonable nights during February.

Several species of Geometridae moths, that are on the wing during the colder months of the year, have flightless females. Such is the case with the following four species that were attracted to the light during February.

Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria) (male)

Pale Brindled Beauty (Phigalia pilosaria) (male)

Spring Usher (Agriopis leucophaearia) (male)

Cryptic wing markings provide excellent camouflage when the moth is at rest on tree bark.

March Moth (Alsophila aescularia) (male)

Fritillaries in Sussex

 Fritillaries form part of the Nymphalidae family. Of the eight resident UK species, four occur in Sussex and in addition, one rare migrant has made a couple of appearances in the county in the last fifteen years or so.

Two of the Sussex resident species are common and widespread and two others are vulnerable, only surviving where habitat management accommodates their needs.

Historically, three other species were resident within the county but have long since died out. It is unclear whether the Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) was ever truly native to Sussex. The Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia) and Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) certainly were but athalia died out during the early 20th century and aurinia became extinct around the middle of the 20th century.

The High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe) was once a common and widespread species in England and Wales but from the middle of the 20th century it underwent a catastrophic decline. It died out in Sussex during the 1980's and is now one of our most endangered species. It is restricted to just a few sites in Cumbria, South Wales and Devon.

(Ref: "A History of the Butterflies and Moths of Sussex" by Colin Pratt.)

Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)

This butterfly is predominantly a downland species in Sussex but it can occasionally be found in Wealden woodland clearings.

(males)

(females)

(mating)

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)

This handsome species is common and widespread in Sussex, more so in the west of the county.

It is predominantly a butterfly of woodland rides and clearings.

(males)

(female)

(mating)

(mating; form valezina female)

(bilateral gynandromorph; male on left and female right)

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)

Once a common and widespread species in Sussex, the last colony of this pretty little fritillary died out in 2013. It was re-introduced in 2017. The species has probably become a victim of our drying climate in south-east England as well as changes in land management.

(All of the following images pre-date 2013.)

(males)

(females)

(mating)

Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)

As with the previous species, euphrosyne has declined over recent decades due to changes in woodland management, particularly the cessation of coppicing. It is a species that requires targeted woodland management in Sussex. 

I am most familiar with euphrosyne at Abbot's Wood in East Sussex. The native population died out there during the 1990's but the species was re-introduced in 2004 using West Sussex stock.

(males)

(females)

(mating)

(post copulation)

Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)

This species is a rare migrant to UK shores and it has made a couple of notable appearances in Sussex over the last 15 years or so.

The following images were taken at a site near Chichester in 2009.

(male)

Skippers in Sussex

 These dashing little butterflies of the Hesperiidae family can prove a challenge to follow in flight and to get a good enough view to make a positive identification. However, with practice, you can soon learn the salient points required to separate some of the trickier species.

Of the eight species of this family to occur in Britain, six are to be found in Sussex.

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) 

This skipper is common and widespread in Sussex, occurring in a wide range of habitats.

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)

This species is restricted to a downland habitat, where it is reliant on warm and short chalkland sward.

(male)

(females)

(mating)

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)

Common and widespread in Sussex, sylvestris can be found in many suitable meadows and grassy tracksides.

(male)

(females)

(mating)

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)

As with the previous species, this is widespread and common in Sussex. You have to learn the subtle differences between lineola and sylvestris in order to separate them. The easiest feature to observe is the colour of the underside of the antennae tips (black in lineola and orange in sylvestris).

(male)

(females)

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)

This is a widespread species in Sussex, if somewhat localised. It can be found in a variety of habitats.

(male)

(female)

(mating)

(characteristic moth-like posture when roosting)

Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)

As with the previous species, malvae is widespread across a variety of habitats in Sussex.

(males)

(female)

(mating)

The following two species of Skipper do not occur in Sussex and have no historical connection with the county. 

I include them here in order to complete the British species.

Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)

This species became extinct in England during the 1970's but has been re-introduced to its former stronghold in the midlands in recent years.

The following images were taken in 2013 and 2015 in Scotland.

(male)

(female)

(mating)

Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon)

This skipper only occurs along the clifftops of Dorset where it can often be found in great abundance.

The following images were taken near West Lulworth in 2013.

(male)

(female)