ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCING ACT
April 2008

Last month I wrote about the difficulties of maintaining access to the countryside without causing excessive damage to the natural environment, so I thought that this month I would highlight how the environment can sometimes benefit as a result of works that would otherwise be considered damaging.

The coast at Seaview is part of a site designated as a Special Protection Area under the European Birds Directive. In mitigation for the engineering works undertaken to protect properties at Seaview Duver, completed in 2004, 20 acres of marshland and reed beds behind the old toll road were acquired by the Isle of Wight Council on a long lease. With some improvements, specifically for the benefit of wading birds, ducks and geese, a nature reserve was established together with easy public access and a bird-hide. The site is named after Alan Hersey, who was a long-time local councillor and who took a great interest in local environmental issues.

The bird-hide is carefully watched over by a local team of dedicated volunteers who open it in the morning and close it at night. Even half an hour spent in the hide can be very rewarding and, for those whose identification skills are shaky, there are helpful wall-charts and identification books thoughtfully provided. Even better, you will sometimes be lucky enough to find a real expert present who is more than happy to share their knowledge and make your visit even more enjoyable. On my recent visit I was fortunate to find Jim Cook, from the Isle of Wight Ornithological Group, armed with a super telescope and who was happy to point me in the right direction.

I called in at lunch time during the week and without any difficulty saw over a dozen species, from the humble Mallard duck (which was surprisingly sparsely represented) to two petite Little Grebes, splendidly attired in full breeding plumage. A flock of Black-Headed Gulls, some with full summer plumage and others not, were behaving as boisterously as ever, chasing a Grey Heron off at every opportunity, while sitting quietly on the grass were a group of Oyster Catchers, silently infiltrated by a Herring Gull. A solitary Greenshank, still in his winter coat, stalked along the banks, harried from time to time by a Moorhen or two, while another lonely specimen, a male Shelduck, dabbled away busily in the centre of the water. I missed the Water Rail, making a shy foray out of the reeds, but watched a pair of Mute Swans industriously making a nest; and just managed to glimpse a few snipe at the far end of the site. However, standing majestic and aloof, right in front of the hide, was a beautiful bird which 15 years ago would have been a rarity, but is now quite a common sight: a snow-white Little Egret resplendent in its summer finery.

There is a book of recent sightings kept in the hide, so you can get some idea of what to expect. The reed beds provide good habitat for lots of other bird species, and also foxes which are regularly reported. The proximity of the site to Flamingo Park (Seaview Wildlife Encounter) means that slightly more unusual species can sometimes be seen which would not naturally be present. Barnacle Geese make frequent, noisy passes and someone has recently reported seeing a Snow Goose.

The Hersey Reserve is situated opposite the Duver car park, and its well-maintained path makes it easily accessible for pushchairs and wheelchair-users. Next time you are passing, have a look in; you may be surprised to find such a haven just off the beaten track. Approach and leave quietly, so as not to disturb the birds you are hoping to see, and be thankful for European legislation which requires such environmental balancing to be undertaken. Please note, however, that dogs are not permitted onto the reserve.

Helen Slade

ACCESSING NATURAL HISTORY
March 2008

In order to appreciate the natural beauty of our countryside, and to visit sites and monuments of interest it is necessary, and desirable, to be able to get there on foot. The Island is blessed with an excellent network of public rights of way and which provides access to almost any corner you wish to visit.

The Access to the Countryside section of the Society was formed in the 1950s by a lady called Mrs Millington, at a time when the path network was not so well managed and accessible as it is today. The aim of the section was to go out for short walks, taking the opportunity to look at and record the natural history which could be seen along the paths and lanes, and to report problems they encountered to the Council for remedial action.

The current leader, Chris Lipscombe, is about to ‘retire’ after over 25 years of leading walks, the purpose now being to try to cover as many different paths and areas of the island as possible, and to enjoy as much diversity as possible. Because the walks are attended by members from a number of other sections within the Society, there is always someone on hand to identify features or specimens seen along the way; a great introduction to the various and varied interests of our members.

However, maintaining access can conflict with nature conservation at times, where habitats or landscapes may be fragile, or where large numbers of people regularly congregate. The soft geology of our coastline combined with the need to provide beach access points presents a prime example.

Along the ‘back of the Wight’ the chines are a familiar feature, themselves the result of erosion caused by wind and water. The streams falling to the sea cut deep channels in the soft rocks, shales and clays, and provide what seems to many people to be ideal ways to get to the beach. However, many chines have received engineering solutions to permit safe and convenient ways for the public to descend to the beach without clambering about amongst the mud. People are consequently upset when nature re-asserts itself, and claims back that which has been imposed upon it.

What to do? The coastline is protected by its special designations which include Heritage Coast, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (‘AONB’) and Site of Special Scientific Interest. The very works which enable access to the beach are an affront to the ‘naturalness’ of the chines and, since erosion stops for no-one, repairs are on-going and costly to the public purse, quite apart from the possible ecological cost in terms of damage to the flora or the landscape. European and UK regulations and directives place constraints on what can and what cannot now be done; things which did not have to be contended with 50 years ago.

This balance is a constant challenge to all of us, whether we walk to enjoy the countryside and what it has to offer us, or whether we are involved in the management of that access. As walkers, we must treat the landscape and countryside with care and respect, all the time appreciating what it gives us, but never taking it for granted.

Take a walk along the wonderful coastal footpath and see for yourself the power of nature, taking back what we, rather haplessly, try to master. A pleasant walk from Whale Chine car park will quickly demonstrate the difficulties: Ladder Chine with no ladder nowadays; Walpen Chine moving along the coast as the cliff recedes, and Whale Chine itself (currently closed to the public) with its steps sadly and forlornly ending in mid-air; the soft geology responsible clearly visible in the scoured cliffs.

Helen Slade

SNAKESTONES
February 2008

It is not only living plants and animals which occupy the minds of Society members. In addition to having members who examine the past life of human beings through the study of archaeological remains, there are members with a particular interest in the study of extinct life forms. The Natural History Museum describes palaeontology as the study of pre-historic life in the geological past, using fossils. We happen to live on an island where this is a rewarding area of study, as demonstrated a couple of weeks ago in this paper, with the discovery of a huge ammonite fossil in Whale Chine (CP 11 January 2008).

In fact I have experienced at first hand the excitement of finding a fairly large ammonite, although not of quite such enormous proportions! I was fortunate to discover the ammonite pictured here on a walk with the Society’s Geological group. It caused great excitement because it appeared to have been found in a layer of rock in which it was unusual to find this particular type of ammonite.

Ammonite fossils in general are common and widespread but individual species or sub-species often survived for periods of 2 million years or less. Although that may sound a long time, geologically, of course, it is not; so it is possible for ammonite fossils to assist with dating rock formations in different places but which may contain the same fossil species. This is helpful to scientists producing geological maps and surveys, or when prospecting for oil or other minerals.

Because they have been so intensively studied, many different species have been identified and named, but their actual lifestyle must continue to be the subject of a great deal of educated guess-work based on knowledge of their closest living relatives.

As ‘cephalopods’, ammonites are related to living molluscs such as the cuttlefish, octopus and squid families and in appearance are, superficially at least, very like the modern nautilus. The shells of ammonites – and modern nautiluses – are made of a mineral called aragonite, or ‘mother-of-pearl’ but the fossils that you find will normally not show any remnants of the actual shell. The shell would have been composed of a number of segments, which increased with the age of the ammonite, but it has usually dissolved away; the segments having first been filled with sediments. This produces the three dimensional type of fossil pictured here, and like the one found at Whale Chine. Other fossils may simply be crushed flat and left as impressions in the rock.

The familiar spiral shape of ammonites has lent itself to architecture and jewellery, and their abundance as fossils has contributed to the development of myths. In Whitby, in North Yorkshire, there is a story that the town was plagued by snakes, until the Abbess (St Hilda) turned them all into stone. The nature of the local geology allowed the fossils to be carved with snake’s heads, resulting in them commonly being called ‘snakestones’ in England. In India, ammonites are a traditional wedding gift from the bride’s family to the bridegroom, being a symbol of the supreme Hindu god, Vishnu.

I am indebted to a marvellous book published by the Natural History Museum for these delightful snippets, and for a host of other, very readable, information about all aspects of ammonites. ‘My’ ammonite has been taken to the Natural History Museum for identification, and may perhaps one day help to shed further light on the study of these pretty fossils.

Further suggested reading: ‘Ammonites’ by Neale Monks and Philip Palmer published by the Natural History Museum [2002] ISBN 056509169-7

Helen Slade

HIBERNATION
January 2008

I was delighted to hear recently that a friend of mine who lives in Newport has a family of hedgehogs living beneath a clump of pampas grass in her garden. It prompted me to recall that hedgehogs are one of our ‘Wildlife Watch’ species, about which the Society would like current information, and also to give some thought to hibernation. Hedgehogs, dormice and the various members of the bat family are the only mammals which undergo true hibernation in this country. All of them are present on the island.

Seasonal hibernators are usually small animals whose source of food is absent during part of the year, and who consequently have to find some way of surviving the cold weather that coincides with the loss of their food. It is not the same as being asleep, as there are a number of physiological changes within the body which drastically reduce the rate of metabolism.

Hibernation may not be total: the animals may arouse themselves for very short periods, either to eat some of their food store, if they have collected one for their nest, or to mate. You may have seen, as I did, the recent programme on BBC Television in which Alan Titchmarsh accompanied a bat expert armed with a heat-sensitive camera into a cave. A winter roost of North American bats, I can’t recall now which ones, was filmed, and one opportunist male bat woke up sufficiently to seek out an unsuspecting female with which to mate. Cheeky chap!

Different types of bat hibernate in different places; some like to hibernate in houses; some in caves (although not many on the island) and some in trees. But there is a mystery because the number of hibernating bats that are known about on the island does not account for all the bats that are present at other times of the year. On the Continent, it is thought that some may migrate to Central Europe to hibernate in colder climes. It is important for bats to find sites where the temperature and humidity are constant; their thin skin dries out easily if the hibernaculum is not moist enough.

Hedgehogs have seriously declined in recent years, perhaps because of the rise in badgers who consider them a tasty treat. Every year we receive a timely warning not to light bonfires without checking to see if a hedgehog has taken residence beneath the waiting pile of branches. They construct a nest, or hibernaculum, by shuffling around in the pile of dead leaves which they have collected, until they form a tightly-packed weatherproof shelter, which is normally hidden under brambles or a hedge. Sudden arousal of an animal during hibernation due to some stressful incident may often be enough to kill them, nevermind toasting them alive inadvertently. If you think you might have hedgehogs in your garden, try to avoid disturbing them, or allowing your pets to disturb them, for this very reason.

The dormouse, like most hibernators, gorges itself as winter approaches, rapidly gaining weight to sustain itself during its long winter state of torpidity. Its very name acknowledges this hibernation habit, being derived from the French word for sleep, dormir. The winter nest in which it hibernates is made of grass, dead leaves and moss, and the dormouse does put by a store of food inside it. It hides the nest under dead leaves or tree roots and usually hibernates alone. Young dormice, which are born in the spring, may sometimes spend their first hibernation together.

Don’t forget to let the Society know about any hedgehogs you see. Visit the Wildlife Watch Project page.

Helen Slade

WINTER GREENS
December 2007

Every Christmas we gaily display wreaths and other arrangements of holly, ivy and mistletoe, but do you ever wonder why? Singing about ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ may provide some clues, but in fact the ivy does not get much more than a mention in the refrain. It is really all about the holly. Where have all these customs come from, and how did they become entwined with our Christian festival?

I expect most people are aware that Prince Albert is reputed to have imported the ‘Christmas Tree’ idea into this country from his native land, but the custom of draping greenery around the house at mid-winter is a much older custom. Indeed, The Isle of Wight Flora relates that holly itself was locally known on the island in former times as ‘Christmas’ in much the same way as hawthorn is called ‘May’.

Although it is considered acceptable to cull holly boughs for decorative purposes at Christmas, in many parts of the country it is still held to be bad luck to cut down a whole tree. Elsewhere, although not so prevalent on the island, it is common to see neatly trimmed hedgerows with holly bushes standing proud, to ward off the witches. However, it may also have something to do with the need to preserve both male and female trees to produce a good winter crop of berries; only the female bush being so adorned of course. For Christian purposes, the sharp prickles and red berries conveniently translate themselves into symbols of Christ, and thus holly has made the transfer to respectability.

It has taken longer for ivy and mistletoe to make that journey, and mistletoe in particular is still considered by many to be inappropriate for church decoration. Mistletoe’s parasitic habit, and its seemingly unearthly ability to grow in the absence of any contact with the ground, has given it magical properties. It is another plant which requires both males and females to achieve berries, and in the past women would wear a sprig around their waist to encourage conception; a custom which has been reduced to – or made respectable by – the well-known practice of hanging a branch above the most likely spot in which to steal a kiss. The French believe that Christ’s cross was made from mistletoe wood, which caused it to become cursed and condemned to a shrunken, parasitic, aerial existence. In fact, mistletoe has been found to have medicinal properties which have been used in the recent past for the treatment of some cancers, and research continues into its efficacy in treating diabetes.

Ivy has traditionally had more melancholic associations, due no doubt to its habit of creating a rather dark and brooding atmosphere where it grows in profusion. It also has the reputation of being responsible for the death of trees on which it grows. Even foresters today are divided about the truth of the matter, and whether it is simply the weight of ivy which causes the tree to be susceptible to high winds, or whether the ivy does literally strangle the tree concerned, and deprive it of nutrients. Nevertheless, the Victorians loved ivy for its decorative nature and it can be used to dramatic effect in floral arrangements; both at Christmas and at other times of the year. Bee-keepers value it for its winter flowers, which provide a late boost for bees before the winter sets in, and the glossy black berries provide a sharp contrast to the green-white flowers. On the island the predominant sub-species is the Atlantic Ivy, which has larger leaves than the common ivy, and dominates many a woodland floor.

So, while you sing your carols and gaze at the Christmas decorations you can think of the journey the plants have made through history, and wonder at the persistence of myth and legend, even in the 21st century.

For more information on island plants, see The Isle of Wight Flora by Colin Pope, Lorna Snow, and David Allen and for much more on customs and myths, read Flora Britannica by Richard Mabey.

Helen Slade

FASCINATING FUNGI
November 2007

Not quite plants, but surely not animals either? Although on a recent fungus foray we learned that some actually move about, settling only to set spores. But these slime moulds, as they are known, are probably not most people’s idea of fungi.

We have a sort of love-hate relationship with fungi. To gastronomes (and all French people) fungi of one sort or another are a delicacy (sometimes a very expensive one). But to some people fungi only induce reactions of disgust, or worse if mistakenly consumed.

Rummaging through the undergrowth and leaf-litter at this time of the year can produce an impressive array of shapes, colours, smells and tastes in the form of these amazing life-forms. One of the most notable ‘aromas’ is that of the Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) which, having burst out of its initially egg-like fruiting sac, produces a smell like rotting flesh. Delightful! This attracts insects which swarm all over the honeycombed head, thus enabling the distribution of the spores. You can detect the presence of this fungus long before you actually spot it.

Over 20 members of the Society met recently in Parkhurst Forest to accompany an expert from the mainland on a foray. These walks tend to be slow, and punctuated by frequent gatherings to pore over the next specimen; those hoping to find something to savour for dinner anxiously waiting to discover if they have struck gold; others simply fascinated by the sheer variety of structure and form.

One large ‘bracket-type’ specimen (i.e. growing on the side of a tree trunk) appeared as a lump of stratified wood with a pale surface on which drawings could be made (‘Artists fungus’ or Ganoderma adspersum); another bracket fungi (‘Beefsteak’ or Fistulina hepatica) looked just like its namesake: juicy and red (but definitely past its best!). Other fungi arrived for identification in a myriad of sizes and colours: red, violet, porcelaine white, and an amazing green one (‘Green Wood Cup' or Chlorosplenium aeruginascens) which causes the wood on which it grows to turn a stunning verdigris colour, and was consequently used for marquetry purposes.

In a couple of hours I think we found about 50 different varieties; and that was not a particularly good day apparently.

Our expert guide, Alan Outen, told us that almost all academic research on the larger fungi in England is carried out by amateurs these days. The only mycological research done in universities here is funded through Third World countries, who recognise the value of fungi in the eco-system. They are essential for the breakdown of waste products, and can also be used for food or for chemical or biological control of disease. For example, tofu, a substitute protein often eaten by vegetarians, is a fungus. Mr Outen is greatly concerned that the lack of experience in field identification of fungi by students is leading to inconsistent experimental results.

Fungi come with the usual health warning of course: don’t eat anything unless you are certain it is edible. If you lived in France you could trot down to your local pharmacy to obtain advice. Alas not in England. Identification is also complicated by frequent changes in the latin names of species, and the variety of common names given to them. Identification books also vary greatly in their comprehensiveness, so you often need several to be able to confidently name your finds. However, all this means that for the interested amateur, there is a lot of scope to add to our knowledge and understanding of this fascinating subject.

Enjoy!

Helen Slade

GARDEN AMPHIBIANS
October 2007

Our ‘low-maintenance’ garden has, owing to the weather this summer, become a garden of no-maintenance and, consequently, rather a jungle. Hidden beneath the vegetation is a small pond (well, a ‘water feature’ actually). A reduction in the greenery was necessary and so I attacked it with gusto one Saturday recently.

A few days earlier I had unwittingly disturbed a rather large frog, probably the female which we had chanced upon in early April depositing a large volume of frog-spawn in our pocket-handkerchief pond. We had diligently kept the water volume up during that one hot month with water from our water butt, and were rewarded with large numbers of tadpoles. To our surprise, of the few that survived, some of them have obstinately refused to become frogs, still swimming happily about as tadpoles. (I am happy to report that we do have at least two that have decided to ‘grow-up’!)

I wondered if this was unusual, and visited the web-site of Natural England (www.naturalengland.org.uk) where I found a very helpful pamphlet entitled ‘Amphibians in your Garden’. Amongst a host of other helpful information I find that it is not unusual for tadpoles not to develop, and that it is possible that they may continue to grow over the winter and emerge as frogs the following year. I also learned that frog tadpoles are important prey for newts.

Which might explain my other surprise. Having been fairly cavalier with the hedge trimmer, cutting back huge masses of Hottentot Fig and Osteospermum planted as ground cover, I saw movement and stopped hurriedly. The piece of earth turned out to be a small Smooth Newt (Triturus vulgaris) about 6-7cms long from nose to tail-tip. We had not seen one before in our garden, and so were delighted. I moved it to a safer place away from the area I was concentrating on, and hoped very much that I had not unwittingly hurt or killed any others.

That little pond has provided us with unending pleasure: blackbirds and wood-pigeons have used it to drink and bathe (and perhaps also eaten some of the tadpoles); blue and red damselflies have flitted about and laid their eggs, and various other insects have colonised it. I have spent much time practising with my (now rather out-dated) digital camera and obtaining some quite unexpectedly good photos, and even just gazing into the water to see what is going on.

Reports of successful tadpoles (or otherwise) would be welcomed by the Society as anecdotal records suggest that there is currently a high failure rate, particularly in the East Wight area. Send us details via email or visit Wildlife Watch, or write to the Society headquarters at the Coastal Visitor Centre, Ventnor.

Helen Slade

WASP SPIDERS
September 2007

The Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi), is one of our most striking and easily identified spiders. It is the female we notice, often sitting in the middle of her orb-type web, in bushes and rough grass during the autumn. The male is tiny, just 4mm long; reddish and easily overlooked. Unfortunately for him, the female can see him quite easily, and the males are frequently eaten during mating, despite the male attempting to catch her whilst her mouth parts are still fresh and soft.

Female wasp spiders are unmistakeable having a yellow abdomen striped with black and white bars. Their web can also be distinctive with a zigzag of white silk (called a ‘stabilimentum’) . The function of the silky band in the web is not known but it has been suggested that it may add strength to the web or perhaps scare off predators. The spider shakes the web vigorously when something large is approaching which has the consequence of making it appear to be a blurry white spot.

The spiders feed on flying insects and in particular are keen on grasshoppers and crickets. Despite its striking appearance however, it is not poisonous.

The Wasp Spider was always considered to be a southern European species, needing hot summers to survive. The first one was spotted on the Island in August 1979 at Hamstead during a Natural History Society field meeting. They tend to live in places where the grass is long and unmanaged because they build their nest sac on the grass. Consequently the area around Hamstead and Newtown is ideal for them. Reports this year indicate that there are plenty to be seen in that area.

Since it was first spotted here, it has appeared with increasing frequency on the northern half of the Island and, more recently, in the southern half. It is also now found on the mainland as far north as Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. In some countries of Europe the Wasp Spider is protected by law, but not yet here. The Society is anxious to record the spread of this beautiful spider and would welcome records sent to Wildlife Watch. Write to the Society headquarters at the Coastal Visitor Centre, Ventnor using the record cards available at public libraries and tourist information centres, or email us.

Helen Slade

ROCKPOOLS AND ANEMONES
August 2007

There is something irresistible about rockpools to many people, particularly children. A good variety of wildlife is waiting to be found, and it is relatively easy to see, with a bit of patience. You can keep youngsters (and adults!) amused for hours with a bucket and a net.

Because they don’t move about much, sea anemones are good to spot and relatively easy to find. The most familiar sea anemone round British coasts is called the Red Beadlet anemone (Actinia equina). When it is closed it usually looks like a small smooth lump of red jelly, although it can be other colours such as brown, green or orange. It will look like this when it is above the water line. But when it is feeding underwater, it shows its tentacles (192 of them if you want to count!). It grows to a maximum size of about 5cm in diameter at the base of its ‘column’.

The Strawberry anemone (Actinia fragacea) is a close relative but looks strikingly different. When its tentacles are retracted it closely resembles its namesake. It grows a little larger than the Red Beadlet. I have found these quite easily in rockpools at Freshwater Bay, but here is a challenge for you: Can you find it anywhere else? If you spot it, please let the Society know where you have seen it so that we can record its location.

Another large anemone, and one which the Society is particularly interested in, is the Snakelocks anemone (Anemone viridis). It has a red or grey/brown column and long waving grey-green tentacles with purple tips that it rarely retracts. Consequently you will almost invariably find it under water since it does not like to be exposed to the air. It can reach a size of 7cm across its base, but the long tentacles can make it appear up to 18cm across. This is one of the species which is featured in the Wildlife Watch project being run by the Society. If you see one please complete one of the special report cards available at libraries, or report it on-line by email from here or visit Wildlife Watch where you can also find more pictures and information.

Always remember to take great care by the sea, and to check the tide times.

Helen Slade

HISTORIC TRACKS AND TALES
July 2007

Now that the long summer days are here, gentle strolls along some of the Island’s beautiful lanes are back on the agenda. Perhaps your thoughts may turn to wondering who has walked or ridden along the path before you. Some of our lanes may even have ancient names which can give a clue to their origins. Other clues to their antiquity can be found in the diversity of habitats and wildlife that many of the footpaths and bridleways provide. Sometimes the lanes may be the only way of getting to some of the humps and bumps which tell the story of our past.

Along the evocatively named Dark Lane near Carisbrooke for example, worn down to a deep hollow way, flowering plants jostle for their share of the dappled light, along with the ferns, mosses and ivy which try to smother the steep banks. Is it true that the lane was used to carry the stone to build Carisbrooke Castle? Is it true that you can work out how old a hedgerow is by the number of woody species it contains?

The Society has been working with the Council’s Archaeological Service to carry out a survey of historic lanes and tracks. We were invited to carry out this survey by Vicky Basford who is the Project Officer for the Historic Environment Action Plan (HEAP). The Society’s survey of historic lanes and tracks will feed into the final HEAP report.

Work is being carried out mainly by the Archaeological Section of the Society and the Co-ordinator is Sheila Burch who would like to hear from anyone who has details of old names for any of the lanes, or who knows about the history of them. The survey is concentrating on the public rights of way shown on the Definitive Map, which are being checked against historic maps and documents with the help of the Council’s Rights of Way section.

In addition, field surveys of selected lanes and tracks are being carried out. Volunteers, some of them from the Society’s Botanical Section, have been carrying out field surveys record the form of the track, noting, for instance whether it is a hollow way, or sunken track. They also record the trees and shrubs growing in the hedges beside the track. The aim is to understand the essential character of historic lanes and tracks in different parts of the Island. So, while you are enjoying your summer stroll along ancient tracks and lanes of the Island, let your imagination wander. Picture the travellers that have passed this way before, and enjoy the variety of wildlife that benefits from the unique habitats that the lanes provide.

For further information about the Historic Lanes and Tracks Project please contact Mrs Sheila Burch (d.burch636@btinternet.com). For further information about the HEAP Project please contact Vicky Basford (vicky.basford@iow.gov.uk) or telephone 823810.

Helen Slade

MAYBUGS
June 2007

Although you may see one of these large beetles at any time during the day, you are most likely to come across them at dusk or during the evening. Attracted to light, they often hit windows with an alarming thump, or fly into open rooms. Maybugs, or cockchafers (melolontha melolontha) have a rather noisy, bumbling flight, and there are reports of people riding bicycles or motorbikes being hit quite hard by these clumsy insects. They are about 20-35mm long, and when they are freshly hatched the wing cases appear to be covered in a white powder. A prominent feature, as can be seen from the photograph, are the feathered or fan-like antennae of the male beetle.

The name ‘chafer’ means ‘biter’ but although considered a pest, they are harmless to people. The fat white larvae of the maybug are called ‘rook-worms’, supposedly because they are a favourite food of rooks. They live in the ground for at least three years and can do a great deal of damage to crops, lawns and golf-courses because they eat the roots of cereals and grasses. The beetles themselves can strip trees of their leaves.

Another beetle from the same family, the Summer Chafer (Amphimallus solstitialis), can also be seen round about this time of year, but usually a little later in June or July. It is smaller (about 14-18mm), with lighter coloured wing cases and quite hairy. These often appear in residential areas as the larvae are found in peoples lawns. They also fly at dusk and Bill Shepard, the Society’s Beetle Recorder, says he is usually called out to a swarm round trees or houses at least once a year.

Both beetles are less common than they once were, but cockchafers have been seen recently in a number of places on the Island including Newport.

If you are interested in finding out more about insects, The Amateur Entomologists Society has a good web-site to visit where an on-line key will help you to identify any finds. Don’t forget to visit the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society website too, to find out what is happening on the Island, and where you can also report findings of the target species for the Wildlife Watch project.

Helen Slade