INSECT REPORT
Without doubt the first half of the year 2001 has been the worst start to a year for insect records since I started as society recorder.
One of my most consistent recorders actually saw no butterflies at all in the month of June! This is somewhat less surprising if taken against the total number of butterfly records for June - 7 single records only. I assume that the combination of very wet weather in Autumn and Winter together perhaps with the quite long cold spell early this year have played havoc with our Lepidoptera species.
It is therefore a bit difficult to look for highlights. A Brimstone at Rivington on 30th May was probably the best. The Speckled Wood at Euxton on the 28th May was the only one so far for this species. Peacocks did reasonably well in April and May, but only 1 record for Red Admiral and half a dozen for Small Tortoiseshells were disappointing. No Holly Blues were seen but a single Common Blue at Burgh Tip on 30th May was better than nothing.
I did manage a couple of nights moth trapping, but little of interest turned up. A Sallow Kitten on 25th June was the only species of any interest value really. It is a wonderfully coloured moth - subtle golds and black against the white background. One of my favourites I think although not especially uncommon.
Odonata species fared somewhat better than the Lepidoptera. Four Emperor Dragonflies (Anax imperator) and at least 6 Four-spotted Chasers (Libellula quadrimaculata) were seen at the new pond near the North Car Park at Cuerden on 28th June. There were also may Blue-tailed, Azure and Large Red Damselflies present as well. On the same day, incidentally, the only butterfly I saw in an hour's walk at Cuerden in glorious sunshine was a single Meadow Brown.
Let's hope for much better in the second half of the year.