Brown Argus Foodplant & Emergence

A quick update on the Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) colony at the Brickworks. It’s located on the rough ground east of Baker’s Wood (the area surrounding the grid reference TL00790260).

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Bovingdon Brickworks, 21/05/2015

We've identified the presence of Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum) growing in shallow, nutrient poor soil on the top of the concrete slabs which now act as a pathway. This is the likely larval foodplant and is exactly the area the Brown Arguses were favouring last August. Being dependant on a low-growing, annual plant (rather than its typical perennial, Common Rock-rose (Heliantbemum chamaecistus), which grows on chalk and limestone soils) puts the colony in rather a precarious position. This is very well explained in the short article by Roger Kemp, HERE.

Brown Argus colony location

Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum), Bovingdon Brickworks, 13/05/2015

Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum), Bovingdon Brickworks, 13/05/2015

Having spotted the first fresh adult on 10/05/2015, I was very pleased to find 7+ Brown Argus enjoying the warm, sunny conditions this morning in the same area.

Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Bovingdon Brickworks, 20/05/2015

Other butterflies and moths of note: Orange tip (2m, 1f), Large White (m & f), Small White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell (3), Peacock (2), Dingy Skipper (3), Common Blue (2m), Burnet Companion moth (1), Silver-ground Carpet moth (2).

In other news... 

...another Box Moor Trust volunteer and experienced butterfly surveyor, counted at least 18 Dingy Skippers on site on 13/05/2015, along with the first record of a Green Hairstreak. Very encouraging indeed!