NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

Transcription

1 222 Entomologist s Gazette (2012) Vol. 63 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS Butterflies encountered on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura between 7 January and 11 March 2010, with brief bionomic notes The Canary Islands experienced higher than average rainfall during the winter of I visited many areas of the Lanzarote but most of my records are from Playa Blanca, in the south of the island, where I was based for the duration of my stay. I took the ferry across to the island of Fuerteventura on two separate occasions. The first trip was on 30 January, the second on 23 February when I was accompanied by Dr Peter Russell. Zizeeria knysna (Trimen, 1862) (Figs 1, 2). Common in gardens and gullies in the vicinity of Playa Blanca. Specimens were scarce and mostly worn when I first arrived in January but widespread and fresh by early March. Ova were laid on Lotus lancerottensis (Webb & Berthel.). Cacyreus marshalli (Butler, 1898). Widespread and fairly common on Lanzarote wherever Pelargoniums had been planted (Playa Blanca, Puerto Calero). Several specimens were seen at Betancuria, Fuerteventura on 30 January. Polyommatus celina (Austaut, 1879) (Fig. 3). Two females were observed at Tinajo, Lanzarote, on 19 February and another fresh female on 10 March in a field where Lotus lancerottensis was growing in abundance. A small colony was discovered at Playa Blanca in a dry gully next to the Natura Palace Hotel on 4 March. Some of the specimens were worn, others fresh. Here again, Lotus lancerottensis was growing in abundance and adults were always observed in close proximity to this plant. Some males had black marginal spots on their upperside hindwings while other specimens had no spots. Several photos were taken showing this variation in markings. Ova were laid on Lotus lancerottensis and in captivity the larvae accepted a wide range of Fabaceae. Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767). One fresh female was seen in a flowerrich gully at Teguise, Lanzarote, on 24 January. This female was placed in a netted pot containing a selection of Fabaceae species. A few eggs were laid on the netting but these proved to be infertile. Another (worn) female was captured close to the Natura Palace Hotel at Playa Blanca on 9 March. In captivity she died without laying any eggs. Leptotes pirithous (Linnaeus, 1767) (Fig. 4). Common at Playa Blanca during February & early March. Females were observed ovipositing on the ornamental garden shrub Plumbago auriculata (Lam.) and ova were easy to find on developing flower buds. One male was seen at Vega de Rio Palmas, Fuerteventura, on 23 February. Euchloe charlonia (Donzel, 1842) (Figs 5 7). Fairly common at Betancuria on 30 January and 23 February. Widespread on Lanzarote (Playa Blanca, Femés, La Famara and in the Rubicon desert). The species was abundant above Femés on 20 February. Along the coastal path at Playa Blanca, adults were attracted to the flowers of Heliotropium ramosissimum (Lehm.) growing in picón (volcanic gravel). A captive female laid ova on Carrichtera annua (L.). Larvae readily accepted this plant as well as Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav., a plant species growing in abundance at

2 Entomologist s Gazette (2012) Vol Figs 1 7. Butterflies on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. 1, 2, Zizeeria knysna, Playa Blanca, ii.2010; 3, Polyommatus celina, Tinajo, 16.iii.2010; 4, Leptotes pirithous, Playa Blanca, 10.iii.2010; 5 7, Euchloe charlonia: (5) Playa Blanca, 5.iii.2010, (6) Vega de Rio Palmas, 5.ii.2010, (7) Tinajo, 18.viii

3 224 Entomologist s Gazette (2012) Vol Figs Butterflies on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. 8 10, Euchloe hesperidum: (8), Betancuria, 5.ii.2010, (9, 10), Vega de Rio Palmas, 24.i.2007; 11 13, Catopsilia florella: (11, 12), Mancha Blanca, 25.i.2010, (13), Mancha Blanca, 13.ii the Mirador del Rio, Lanzarote. Larvae obtained from one captive female from Betancuria were initially fed on Carrichtera annua before being transferred to Reseda crystallina (Webb & Berthel.). The larvae mysteriously died after a few days. I had found larvae on Reseda crystallina at Tinajo in late February 2000 and find it odd that larvae from Fuerteventura did not accept this plant.

4 Entomologist s Gazette (2012) Vol Euchloe hesperidum (Rothschild, 1913) (Figs 8 10). Common and fresh at Betancuria on 30 January and Vega de Rio Palmas on 30 January and 23 February. Singletons were observed flying across the main road near Tindaya and Tefia on the latter date. Eggs were discovered on Carrichtera annua found growing next to a playing field at Vega de Rio Palmas. In captivity eggs were laid on Carrichtera annua and Sisymbrium erysimoides (Desf.) Catopsilia florella (Fabricius, 1775) (Figs 11 13). Local but common on Lanzarote during January and early February. Many eggs, larvae of various sizes and adults were seen on the species host-plant Cassia didymobotrya (Fresenius) at Teguise, Tinajo and Mancha Blanca. Single specimens were also observed at Playa Blanca, particularly in the vicinity of the Marina Rubicon, where Cassia bushes had been planted in the gardens of the Hotel Volcan. Lanzarote experienced heavy rain during mid February and after this wet spell adults were rarely seen and no eggs or larvae were found on Cassia bushes. Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758). Observed at Vega de Rio Palmas on 30 January and several specimens were seen at Playa Blanca on 17 and 25 February. In early March the species was common in the grounds of the Club Riosol Bungalows at Playa Blanca. Sisymbrium erysimoides was growing abundantly in the grounds and in captivity females laid freely on the developing leaves of this plant, in preference to other species of the Brassicaceae family. Colias crocea (Geoffroy, 1785). Seen at Betancuria on 30 January and 23 February and numerous near the Natura Palace hotel, Playa Blanca, during early March. A female was photographed laying an egg on Lotus glinoides (Delile) and several specimens were seen in an area where this plant was growing in abundance. In captivity a female laid eggs on Lotus glinoides and a species of Melilotus. Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus, 1758). A few adults were seen at Playa Blanca and eggs were found on Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) in a valley south of Haria on the road to Tabayesco. Many specimens were seen at Betancuria on 30 January and at Vega de Rio Palmas on 30 January and 23 February. One L 2 instar larva was found at Vega de Rio Palmas on 30 January and several eggs and larvae (including three in their final instar) were discovered on 23 February on Gomphocarpus fruticosus. Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758). Not confirmed. A specimen of what was believed to be this species was seen flying across the road next to the wind turbines at the Parque Eolico near the Mirador at Haria. The butterfly appeared smaller than D. plexippus and in comparison to V. cardui was larger and brighter orange in colour. Coincidentally Gomphocarpus fruticosus grows in the gullies below the Mirador at Haria. Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus, 1758). Common on Echium decaisnei (Webb) at Betancuria on 30 January and numerous sightings on Lanzarote during our stay. Larvae were discovered on Forsskaolea angustifolia (Retz.) above Femés and on the same plant at Vega de Rio Palmas on 23 February. Many final instar larvae were found on Malva parviflora (L) at Playa Blanca in early March. Several specimens were seen migrating north at the coastal town of La Famara in northern Lanzarote on March.

5 226 Entomologist s Gazette (2012) Vol. 63 Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758). One specimen was seen at Betancuria on 23 February. On Lanzarote, a male was seen flying across the Jable desert, south of Teguise on 11 March.. The species was numerous above the cliffs at the Ermita de las Nieves, Los Valles, south of Guinate, Lanzarote, on 24 February. Urtica urens (L) was noted (and photographed) next to some deserted buildings near Tegoyo, Lanzarote. Vanessa vulcania (Godart, 1819). One seen and photographed on Echium decaisnei at Betancuria on 30 January and another observed nectaring at the flowers of Lantarna camara (L.) at Vega de Rio Palmas on 23 February. 2 Barretts Close, Stonesfield, MARTIN GASCOIGNE-PEES Oxfordshire OX29 8PW, U.K. martin_g_p@hotmail.com