During the latter part of June and early July the Museum was inundated with enquiries concerning strange, unusual creatures flying into houses or appearing suddenly out of the dark to terrorise the enquirer. In many cases the enquiries were prefaced by the phrase "I have lived in Suffolk all my life and never seen anything like it". Most enquirers were convinced that they had been invaded by foreign insects. This type of enquiry seems to indicate a public perception of British insects as being generally small and dull. Anything large, brightly coloured or even just noisy, is assumed to be foreign.
In nearly all these cases two native species, the Privet Hawk moth (Sphinx ligustri) and Summer Chafer beetle (Amphimallon solstitialis) were involved. Judging from the number of enquires, 1998 seems to have been an exceptionally good year for Privet Hawk moths. (However the native population does get refreshed by immigrants from Europe). The other major sighting in late June is the Summer Chafer beetle or 'Billywitch'. The adult beetle creates consternation amongst the public for a two or three week period because of its size and robust appearance. It often finds its way into houses where it generally blunders around.
As is well known, different stages in the life cycles of insect species emerge at specific times of the year. It is now almost possible to predict the most likely identity for a handful of species, based on the time of year in which they occur. In the spring we get carpet beetles, in June/July it is Privet Hawk moths and Summer Chafers, in August, Elephant Hawk moth caterpillars and, this year, more Privet Hawk moth caterpillars.
July brought a press frenzy concerning attacks on the public by the "Euro" wasp, (Dolichovespula media). Apparently one pest control service was receiving up to 40 calls a day about their nests. The press tended to promote the idea that there was an active invasion of foreign wasps which were larger, more aggressive and generally more poisonous than native wasps. However, enquiries amongst wasp recorders suggested that there was no mass immigration this year. What it does suggest is that D.media, which was first recorded in the County in 1992 and established itself over the next few years, is now a permanent successful resident and is expanding its territory. I suspect the reason that it has a more fearsome reputation than the "ordinary" wasps is because it builds its nests in shrubs, often quite near the ground. These are often not very visible at this time of year. The nests are much more accessible than those of the common wasp (whch makes its nest underground as a rule) and are probably disturbed much more frequently.
In fact the real invasion of foreign insects this year, which went widely unreported in the national press, probably took place in August and involved Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) butterflies amongst others.
In July I was sent a video tape taken at night in a garden. The enquirer was almost certain that the insect caught on screen was a field cricket (Gryllus campestris) which would have been a first record for the County. There were about twenty seconds of tape showing a small cricket and in addition a recording of it's song. The insect looked and sounded like a field cricket according to identification keys. This is a red data book species and sightings away from the two known UK populations in west Sussex would be very important. Field crickets are only found on short grass on light, sandy or chalky soil. On a hunch, I asked if any of the enquirers neighbours kept pet reptiles and discovered that one collected lizards. The tape was sent to Howard Mendel for his opinion, and using the resources of the Natural History Museum the cricket was identified as a Southern field cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus). This species is similar to the British field cricket but has fully developed wings and is found in southern Europe, Africa and Asia. However, it is also commonly cultured and is one of a number of insects that are sold as live food for reptiles, in this case as a "black cricket". A case, therefore, of a cricket escapee. It does of course raise the rare possibility of insects being introduced and established from such a source.
In August I was brought a "punk caterpillar" as described by the child who found it. Found on a field maple the caterpillar was about 3cm long (just over an inch) and covered all over with dense tufts of bright yellow hairs. Towards one end of the body the hairs were interspersed with tufts of red hair making a striking contrast. Along the middle of the back was a row of white spots bordered in black. The caterpillar was identified as that of a Sycamore moth (Acronicta aceris). The moth has a south-eastern UK distribution and reaches the north-eastern edge of its range in this region. While the caterpillar seems to go out of its way to be noticed the moth itself has a cryptic colouration with mottled grey front wings and dull white hind wings with dark veins.
On Thursday 23 July a 'beastly bugs' day was organised at the Museum to look at insects found in houses. Members of the public were invited to bring along any insects that they had found in their house or garden. There was also a chance to look at a range of specimens from the Museum collections using a video microscope.
Colin Hawes was also on hand to promote the stag beetle survey, and his live stag beetle plus larvae proved a great hit with the public. Several records were added to the survey. Over 200 visitors came along to the event which ran for over four hours. The most interesting specimens brought in were spider beetles (Gibbium sp.) and various instars of the Assassin bug (Reduvius personatus).
Bristol University is carrying out the first comprehensive survey of the British fox population and is looking for volunteers for three projects.
1 An intensive census is planned to take place in February and March 1999. This will involve a survey of linear features, e.g. hedges and footpaths in selected 1km squares. The survey will also involve collecting scats, which will be used to determine fox numbers and diet.
2 In order to determine the population size from the number of scats collected, bait-marking trials will be carried out. The researchers are looking for volunteers who regularly feed wild rural foxes. The trials will involve setting out food containing inert, coloured plastic chips. Scats will then be collected to determine the proportion of marked to unmarked scats. Similar marking trials have already been used to study badgers.
3 Because the fox's diet changes during the year, a regular collection of scats will be required from particular areas throughout the year.
In addition the survey will require fox carcasses for analysis. Carcasses will be mainly collected from road casualties. Ipswich Museum has agreed to act as a collection centre for this area. If anyone finds a fox carcass over the next year or so please contact me at the Museum as soon as possible and I will try to arrange it's collection and storage at the Museum until it can be collected by the researchers. Any sightings of carcasses should contain a four figure grid reference and date, along with the recorder's name and address.
If anyone is interested in helping with this survey please contact me at the Museum in the first instance.
Early next year I would like to start a survey to record the wildlife of the River Gipping. Surprisingly, there is little in the way of detailed information about this river. Eventually I would like to cover the entire length of the Gipping, but to begin with I want to concentrate on the stretch between Ipswich docks and Sproughton. I am looking for volunteers who would be interested in helping either with the botanical or zoological side of the survey. This would be an ideal opportunity for anyone interested in developing their knowledge of aquatic and bankside plants and invertebrates. This stretch of the river is probably one of its most varied, as the length between the docks and Yarmouth road is estuarine. The river also changes its character from urban to rural, with the lower part channelled for flood management purposes and the upper part almost natural. Any one interested please contact me.
David Lampard,
The Museum, Ipswich.
Tel: 01473 213761 (office hours)