Page:VCH Essex 1.djvu/179

 INSECTS The Speckled Wood (Pararge egeria) was common in the eastern counties in the middle of the past century, but ere its close had vanished completely from nearly all its former haunts, though Mr. B. G. Cole found it still common in Epping Forest about 1890. Why it dis- appeared is a mystery, for it was common in nearly every copse and shady place, and abounded in some woods where it was quite unmolested by collectors. The Wall (P. megcera) is common everywhere in grassy places, though the spring brood is usually much less numerous than that which appears at the close of the summer. The Grayling (Satyrus seme/e) is with us very rare and local. Stragglers turn up occasionally, and have occurred at Dedham and Colchester, where after an interval of many years a single specimen was found on September 9, 1900. Probably it abounded on some of the extensive heaths and moors that surrounded Colchester in past times. The Large and Small Meadow Browns (Epinephele janira and . fit&onus), the Wood Ringlet (E. byperanthus] and the Small Heath (Ccenonympha pamphilus) are all abundant and widely distributed. The Brown Hair-streak (Thecla betula) is common some seasons in Epping Forest, but scarce elsewhere. It is recorded from Hazeleigh by Mr. Raynor and from Mundon Furze by Messrs. Raynor, Fitch and others. Previous to 1860 it was found sparingly on blackthorn hedges to the north of Colchester and at Langham, but has not been seen there in recent years. The White Hair-streak (T. iv-album) appears to be found wherever the wych-elm grows, and is so very generally distributed that it is need- less to mention any special localities. In favourable seasons it is fairly common, and sometimes abounds. The Purple Hair-streak and the Green Hair-streak (T. quercus and T. rubt) are common and generally distributed, the former in oak woods and the latter in rough places where broom and furze grow freely. The Small Copper (Polyommatus phloeas) is generally common during the summer, especially on the coast. Silvery white, pale golden, nearly black, black-banded and other varieties have at various times been found. The Silver Studded Blue (Lycana agon) occurs freely in one or two places in the Epping district, to which it seems to be entirely restricted. The Brown Argus (L. astrarche) has recently become one of our commonest butterflies. Previous to 1896 it was quite a rarity in the neighbourhood of Colchester, but in that year many thousands of speci- mens might have been taken ; for they abounded in all directions, and the species has continued to hold its ground since, though in lesser numbers. Mr. Fitch had previously taken it commonly at Purleigh and on Osey Island, and Mr. Raynor at Warley, and it is probably at the present time generally common in the county. The Common Blue (L. icarus] is abundant everywhere, especially on the coast, where vast numbers may be seen at rest on grass stems towards the close of the day. 141