Dispar
The Online Journal of Lepidoptera
ISSN 2056-9246

Articles

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Title:	A Brief History of British and Irish Butterflies
Date:	August 2010
Author:	Peter Eeles
Keywords:	history

Title:	A History of the British Large Copper Lycaena dispar dispar and the Scarce Copper Lycaena virgaureae in Somerset
Date:	03 April 2015
Author:	Peter Andrews
Abstract:	It has been over twenty years since the late Roger Sutton published information regarding the specimens of the British Large Copper Lycaena dispar dispar and the Scarce Copper Lycaena virgaureae in the Taunton Museum collections. This paper reevaluates these historic specimens, which are now held at the Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton. Further information is also provided on the Somerset collectors that are thought to have encountered both of those Lycaena species on the Somerset Levels. The paper also mentions the further discovery of early specimens of Large and Scarce Coppers that may have originated in Somerset.
Keywords:	Large Copper, Lycaena dispar, Scarce Copper, Lycaena virgaureae, Somerset

Title:	A History of the Large Blue Maculinea arion subspecies eutyphron (Fruhstorfer, 1915) in Somerset
Date:	03 July 2015
Author:	Peter Andrews
Abstract:	This article details historical records and specimens from Somerset of the extinct Large Blue Maculinea arion subspecies eutyphron (Fruhstorfer, 1915). There is also an account of I.R.P. Heslop's mid 20th century discoveries of M. arion in Somerset at previously unrecorded localities.
Keywords:	Large Blue, Maculinea arion, eutyphron, Somerset

Title:	A Study of the Life Cycle of the Chequered Skipper Butterfly Carterocephalus palaemon (Pallas)
Date:	24 October 2016
Author:	Peter Eeles
Abstract:	Of all of the butterflies found in the British Isles, the complete life cycle of the Chequered Skipper is one of the most rarely observed, for several reasons. The first is that the distribution of the butterfly is restricted to north west Scotland where the level of recording is relatively low. The second is that, while many enthusiasts have made pilgrimages to see the adult butterfly, very few have put the same effort into locating the immature stages. Finally, the ecology of the butterfly requires the observer to put in a significant amount of time before they are rewarded with views of all stages. In this article, the author summarises his observations over a three year period, from 2014 to 2016.
Keywords:	Chequered Skipper, Carterocephalus palaemon

Title:	A Tale of Six Grayling
Date:	01 October 2014
Author:	Peter Eeles
Abstract:	This article provides a comparison of the appearance of each Grayling subspecies against its formal definition and also, to a degree, against other subspecies. Findings are based on field observations over a three year period, as the author attempted to track down all of the subspecies and forms of the butterflies of the British Isles.
Keywords:	Grayling, Hipparchia semele, scota, atlantica, thyone, hibernica, clarensis

Title:	All Eyes on you! Butterflies of the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa
Date:	August 2012
Author:	Herbert Otto
Keywords:	Kruger

Title:	An Interview with David Simcox - Senior Scientific Officer in Biodiversity, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH)
Date:	12 June 2008
Author:	Peter Eeles
Keywords:	David Simcox

Title:	An Interview with Dr. Martin Warren, Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation
Date:	06 October 2006
Author:	Peter Eeles
Keywords:	Martin Warren, Butterfly Conservation

Title:	An Interview with Geoff Martin - Lepidoptera Collections Manager, British Museum of Natural History
Date:	01 October 2010
Author:	Peter Eeles
Keywords:	Geoff Martin, British Museum of Natural History

Title:	An Interview with Kate Santry, Head of Archives and Library, Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Date:	13 December 2013
Author:	Peter Eeles
Keywords:	Kate Santry, OUMNH

Title:	An Interview with Richard Lewington
Date:	24 March 2010
Author:	Peter Eeles
Keywords:	Richard Lewington

Title:	An Introduction to Captive Rearing
Date:	27 November 2014
Author:	Peter Eeles
Abstract:	This article provides a personal view of captive rearing butterflies and moths. Its main objective is to enlighten readers in all aspects of captive rearing so that they develop an informed opinion and are also better-equipped should they attempt captive rearing themselves and thereby avoid the many potential pitfalls.
Keywords:	captive rearing

Title:	An observation of reduced parasitism in the Large White Pieris brassicae suggests a compelling reason to invest in additional broods
Date:	23 February 2015
Author:	Nick Bowles
Abstract:	It has been speculated that climate change may reduce butterfly numbers as a result of asynchrony of butterfly species with their essential environmental resources. Additionally climate change may induce them to attempt to breed when conditions are initially conducive to adult ovipositing but ultimately sub-critical for full larval development. Both of these phenomena would be detrimental to the long term survival of the species and raise questions about the evolutionary value of responding to climate change in the way that has been documented by various authors, such as attempting to breed both earlier and later in the year. An observation of an 'extra brood', resulting in larvae of Large White Pieris brassicae very late in the year, suggests that, just as asynchrony between plants and butterflies may prove challenging to the butterflies' survival, asynchrony with the autecology of their parasitoids can assist survival. If further studies confirm this finding, it would explain the value of a genetic component giving a predilection towards attempting additional broods despite the potential pitfalls as essential environmental resources dwindle.
Keywords:	Large White, Pieris brassicae

Title:	Brimstone (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni

Title:	Brown Hairstreak (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Brown Hairstreak, Thecla betulae

Title:	Butterfly Anatomy
Date:	02 July 2015
Author:	Peter Eeles
Keywords:	anatomy

Title:	Chasing Butterfly Books
Date:	13 October 2006
Author:	David Dunbar
Keywords:	David Dunbar

Title:	Clouded Yellow (Early Stages)
Date:	16 March 2021
Author:	Vince Massimo
Abstract:	This article provides an analysis of the development of the Clouded Yellow, from egg to adult, with detailed observations of each stage noted during this development.
Keywords:	Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus

Title:	Comma (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Comma, Polygonia c-album

Title:	Common Blue (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus

Title:	Eastern Region Purple Emperor Apatura iris report for 2014
Date:	19 January 2015
Author:	Liz Goodyear and Andrew Middleton
Abstract:	This report updates our previous reports, The Hertfordshire Purple Emperor (Goodyear and Middleton, 2003), the Purple Emperor Project Progress Report for 2003 (Goodyear and Middleton, 2004) and the Purple Emperor Project Progress Report for 2004 and 2005 (Goodyear and Middleton, 2006) all relating to the Eastern Region. It details additional historic records, and more recent records from our surveys and from other sources. After locating a number of Apatura iris colonies across Hertfordshire and Middlesex between 2000 and 2011, the authors found suitable habitat and a number of colonies in Essex in 2011-12, and in 2013-14 they found several locations for A. iris in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. This was augmented by: Laurence Drummond's successful survey work across central-west Essex in 2014; a number of widespread sightings in the excellent A. iris year of 2013; further recent sightings from Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, all partly through increased observer effort, and Norfolk; other casual sightings. The report also discusses habitat quality, our survey technique, low-level landscape populations of A. iris, and the potential for A. iris to be present in Norfolk.
Keywords:	Purple Emperor, Apatura iris

Title:	Egg-laying Preferences of the Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
Date:	09 August 2015
Author:	William Langdon
Abstract:	This article summarises a study into the egg-laying habits of the Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) on Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) in my garden in west Somerset, undertaken as part of the Extended Project Qualification, alongside my AS levels. A survey of egg-laying was used to test the hypothesis that female Small Coppers would prefer to oviposit on shorter Sorrels that were regenerating after grazing, in the hope that the project's findings would enable me to provide more of such Sorrels (thereby encouraging further breeding in my garden) and potentially inform habitat management for this species on a broader scale. It was found that relatively short plants, with relatively small leaves, growing in short grass were preferred, and with these variables being taken as indicators of grazing, I accepted my aforementioned hypothesis.
Keywords:	Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas

Title:	Entomological Collections - Their Historic Importance and Relevance in the 21st Century
Date:	28 December 2014
Author:	Mark Colvin
Abstract:	This article provides information on the relevance of entomological collections and collecting. It also reviews recent literature and provides the reader with a perspective on the reasoning behind the responsible collecting of specimens and the formation of a collection, and provides examples of the use of such specimens.
Keywords:	entomological collection, insect collecting, voucher specimen, museum, natural history museum, natural history collection

Title:	Extinction and Hope ...
Date:	03 February 2013
Author:	Mark Colvin
Abstract:	This article, concentrating on the Large Copper (Lycaena dispar), reflects on the decline and extinction of the British butterfly fauna. In contemplating these losses, the article suggests that we must learn from our mistakes and successes in order to conserve.
Keywords:	Large Copper, Lycaena dispar

Title:	Green-veined White (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Green-veined White, Pieris napi

Title:	Large White (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Large White, Pieris brassiere

Title:	Long-tailed Blue in Sussex - A Brief History
Date:	01 October 2014
Author:	Mark Colvin
Abstract:	2013 was an exciting year for many migrant species, particularly in the southern counties, and the Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) once again appeared in the UK. This short account details the historic records and start of what was to become a very memorable butterfly season in the southern counties.
Keywords:	Long-tailed Blue, Lampides boeticus

Title:	Natural History Photography - My Way
Date:	01 January 2007
Author:	Maurice Pugh
Keywords:	photography

Title:	New Perspectives on the Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus) in the British Isles
Date:	19 January 2015
Author:	Peter Andrews
Abstract:	This article provides a brief historical account of the Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus) in the British Isles and, in doing so, makes observations that have either not been previously documented or have not been appropriately emphasised, with regard to the habitat, distribution, flight times and extinction of this species.
Keywords:	Mazarine Blue, Cyaniris semiargus

Title:	Notes and Views of the Large Copper and the Lost Fenlands
Date:	19 April 2020
Author:	Peter Andrews
Abstract:	This article documents the history of the Large Copper Lycaena dispar dispar (Haworth, 1802) in Britain. In doing so, it provides unpublished information from the journals and correspondence of James Charles Dale (1791-1872) from the archives at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. An account is also given of the discovery of Lycaena dispar batavus (Oberthur, 1923) in Holland and its introduction to Britain.
Keywords:	Large Copper, Lycaena dispar

Title:	Observations on the Mobility of the Silver-studded Blue Plebejus argus
Date:	30 October 2019
Author:	Harry E. Clarke
Abstract:	The Silver-studded Blue is often considered to be a sedentary species, not moving more than 50 m during its life. However, based on recent research and my own experience from Surrey, this is not the case. Males can easily move 200 m when relocated away from ant nests, and new sites can be colonised within a few years from source sites at least 3 km away, probably a year or so after the ants Lasius niger or Lasius alienus have colonised. Silver-studded Blue is a butterfly of early successional habitat, so it needs to be mobile in order to find suitable habitat for the next generation. If it was very sedentary, then colonies would soon die out as habitat matures and becomes unsuitable to support the ants and the butterfly.
Keywords:	Silver-studded Blue, Plebejus argus

Title:	Observing Butterfly Early Stages in the Wild
Date:	01 October 2014
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	early stages

Title:	Of Derbyshire New Skies, an Old Pit-tip and Mazarine Blues Cyaniris semiargus
Date:	06 November 2020
Author:	Martin White
Abstract:	This is a chronicle of practical work and experimentation probing my previously published discussion, which considered the likely ecology and reasons for the extinction of the Mazarine Blue in the British Isles (White, 2016). Together with help, I try to resolve the matter and establish the first viable population of the species in Britain for over a hundred years. It is my desire that duly informed persons visit the colony and see the butterfly for themselves. The more that do so, thereby showing an active concern, the greater the likelihood the Mazarine Blue, together with various indicative fauna and flora, will continue to be given proper habitat care and perhaps encouragement at other sites. The location chosen is certainly large enough to accommodate all who may show an interest and, even at this stage, the initial findings suggest a butterfly capable of increasing in number in line with its new surroundings.
Keywords:	Mazarine Blue, Cyaniris semiargus

Title:	Of Lincolnshire High Skies, Hay Meadows and Mazarine Blues Cyaniris semiargus
Date:	22 January 2016
Author:	Martin White
Abstract:	This article explores the most likely ecological reasons for the extinction of the Mazarine Blue in Great Britain using, as its principal model, the butterfly's last known breeding colony in England. It is strongly hoped that the information will be useful in either justifying more research into the Mazarine Blue's precise needs or possibly show the way forward for the successful re-establishment of this species. The benefit provided to the Mazarine Blue will inevitably halt the decline and further loss of both British and Continental meadowland invertebrates, which are still being badly affected by the same processes which are, here, thought to have been the primary cause of the Mazarine Blue's extinction. This research solidly complements the work of Cizek et al. (2012), arriving at exactly the same conclusion from an entirely different angle.
Keywords:	Mazarine Blue, Cyaniris semiargus

Title:	Orange-tip (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Orange-tip, Anthocharis cardamines

Title:	Painted Lady (Early Stages)
Date:	12 December 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui

Title:	Peacock (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Peacock, Inachis io, Aglais io

Title:	Reading the Map
Date:	06 September 2014
Author:	Neil Hulme
Keywords:	Map, Araschnia levana

Title:	Rearing the Long-tailed Blue - Personal Observations
Date:	11 April 2014
Author:	Mark Colvin
Abstract:	Although the Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) is one of the rarest migrants to the British Isles, it is probably the most-widely distributed Lycaenid in the world. In 2013 they occurred in unprecedented numbers in Sussex. This paper conveys the rearing experiences and thoughts of the author, and makes comparisons with the observations of the late F.W. Frohawk.
Keywords:	Long-tailed Blue, Lampides boeticus

Title:	Red Admiral (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta

Title:	Small Tortoiseshell (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae

Title:	Small White (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Keywords:	Small White, Pieris rapae

Title:	Speckled Wood (Early Stages)
Date:	01 September 2019
Author:	Vince Massimo
Abstract:	This article provides an analysis of the development of the Speckled Wood, from egg to adult, with detailed observations of each stage noted during this development.
Keywords:	Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria

Title:	The Butterfly Collection of the Bree Family
Date:	27 April 2015
Author:	Michael Mead-Briggs
Abstract:	This article describes the rediscovery of a small but historically-interesting collection of butterflies assembled by members of the Bree family, from Allesley in Warwickshire. Both the Rev. William Thomas Bree and his son, the Rev. William Bree, are cited in numerous 19th century books as being knowledgeable observers of butterflies.
Keywords:	Bree, collection

Title:	The Dalean Legacy - James Charles Dale (13th December 1791 to 6th February 1872)
Date:	28 December 2013
Author:	Mark Colvin
Abstract:	James Charles Dale was born at Iwerne Minster, near Blandford, Dorset, on the 13th December 1791. He was undoubtedly one of the most influential entomologists of his time and his collections, spanning numerous insect orders, are probably the single most important and comprehensive to have ever been compiled in the British Isles. His collections, daily journals, correspondence and detailed books of records, which are housed at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH), form one of the most important historical legacies left by any British entomologist. This article provides an insight into the man, his work and a bygone era.
Keywords:	Dale

Title:	The Demise of the Mazarine Blue Cyaniris semiargus in Great Britain
Date:	06 March 2015
Author:	Andrew E. Cooper
Abstract:	This article explores various causes for the extinction of the Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus) in Great Britain. It differs from past articles by elaborating upon changes in distribution and flight period (illustrated appropriately) in order to provide a clearer understanding into the possible reasons behind, and pace of, the butterfly's demise.
Keywords:	Mazarine Blue, Cyaniris semiargus, Polyommatus semiargus, Extinction

Title:	The Glanville Fritillary on Sand Point: a History and Appraisal
Date:	28 January 2015
Author:	Matthew Oates
Abstract:	This article examines the nature conservation lessons learnt from unofficial attempts made over a thirty year period to establish the Glanville Fritillary, Melitaea cinxia, at Sand Point, a small limestone promontory on the north Somerset coast. Two colonies were established there in different eras. The first persisted from 1983 to 2000, the second from 2006 to 2013. These releases were conducted by persons unknown, who chose not to liaise with the National Trust, which owns the land, or with Butterfly Conservation or Natural England and its forerunners. Consequently, the details of these establishment attempts are not known. The two populations were, though, crudely monitored by the National Trust and Butterfly Conservation Somerset Branch, and details of habitat conditions, food plant availability and management events were recorded. Some conclusions can be derived, which may assist our understanding of the ecological requirements of this rare butterfly elsewhere, perhaps especially with regard to climate change. The ethics of clandestine butterfly introduction attempts are not discussed here.
Keywords:	Glanville Fritillary, Melitaea cinxia

Title:	The Hibernaculum Habits of the White Admiral Butterfly Limenitis camilla (Linnaeus)
Date:	03 November 2016
Author:	Peter Eeles
Abstract:	As part of a broader study into the life cycle of the White Admiral butterfly, the author has examined the habits of the overwintering larva. In this article he presents four different types of hibernacula that he has encountered so that it may help those looking to monitor them over the winter months.
Keywords:	White Admiral, Limenitis camilla

Title:	The Irish Mountain Ringlet
Date:	24 November 2014
Author:	Peter Eeles
Abstract:	The presence of the Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron) in Ireland has been a topic of much interest to Lepidopterists for decades, partly because of the small number of specimens that are reputedly Irish. This article examines available literature to date and includes images of all four surviving specimens that can lay claim to Irish provenance. [This is an update to the article written in February 2014].
Keywords:	Mountain Ringlet, Erebia epiphron, Ireland

Title:	Thoughts on Butterfly Photography
Date:	04 March 2010
Author:	Peter Eeles
Keywords:	photography

Title:	Tracking Down the Large Tortoiseshell
Date:	28 June 2021
Author:	Peter Eeles
Abstract:	This article documents the discovery of Large Tortoiseshell larvae on the Isle of Portland in June 2021, with the intent of providing several clues for those looking to relocate larvae in subsequent years, as well as encourage observers to find the resulting adults in the summer of 2021.
Keywords:	Peter Eeles, Large Tortoiseshell, Nymphalis polychloros

Title:	Variation in British Butterflies
Date:	October 2010
Author:	Peter Eeles
Keywords:	variation