Chimney Sweeper Moth Odezia atrata Linn. on Wicklow CoastAuthor(s): Christopher MoriartySource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 18, No. 3 (Jul., 1974), p. 94Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25537758 .

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94

POLYSTICHUM HYBRIDS IN IRELAND

D. Synnott

A note on the occurrence of Polystichum hybrids in the British Isles (Sleep, 1971) prompted a study of the herbarium material of the genus at Glasnevin (DBN),

with the following results.

(1) One specimen labelled 'Polystichum aculeatum with P. lonchitis, S side of Glenade, Co. Leitrim. Aug. '32 R.LI. Praeger", proved to be the hybrid, P. x illyricum

(Borb?s) Hayek (P. aculeatum X lonchitis). It is not uncommon on the continent but

had not been reported previously from Great Britain or Ireland. The Praeger specimen was reported in the British Fern Gazette (Sleep and Synnott, 1972) with a description of the plant and its habitat and a photograph of the herbarium specimen. The record was confirmed during a visit to Glenade with a party from Glasnevin on 29th May,

1973.

(2) Four specimens were of the hybrid, P. X bicknellii (Christ) Hahne

(P. aculeatum X setiferum). 1. Drumcarban, roadside bank, W. of Bellananagh, Co. Cavan, 15/7/68. R. C.

Faris and M. Scannell.

2. S of Claremorris (E Mayo) 31/7/00. R.Ll. Praeger. 3. Hill of Castlewarden (Co. Kiidare) Aug. 1864. (L Douglas). 4. Ex Hort., Holy wood, (Co. Down) 1892. (R.Ll. Praeger).

In each case the hybrids are intermediate in appearance between the parents

and have shrivelled and abortive spores. Identifications have been confirmed by Dr Anne Sleep, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Leeds.

It is interesting that all of the specimens had been originally referred to the

polymorphic tetraploid, P. aculeatum. The diploids, P. lonchitis and P. setiferum are

less variable and less likely to be confused with the hybrids. A closer examination of

plants which seem at first glance to be P. aculeatum is therefore indicated, especially where these are growing with either of the other two species of Polystichum.

National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.

REFERENCES

Sleep, A. (1971) Polystichum hybrids in Britain. Brit. Fern Gaz., 10: 208-209 - ?

and Synnott, D. (1972) Polystichum X illyricum: A Hybrid new to the British Isles.

Brit. Fern Gaz., 10: 281-282.

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES MIGRATING BUTTERFLIES AT BALLYHEIGE, CO. KERRY

On the 8th September 1973 about mid-day, whilst walking along the beach at Ballyheige, I noticed some butterflies coming off the sea, apparently from the west.

The butterflies were identified as Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta and Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae, the latter being perhaps the more frequent. Continually during the afternoon they would trickle in off the sea and land on the shingle or the dunes, presumably to rest. The weather was (and had been for some time) hot and sultry with little wind and it seems likely that this was a true migration.

DAVID J. BULLOCK. 32, Hurstville Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester 21.

CHIMNEY SWEEPER MOTH ODEZIA ATRATA LINN. ON WICKLOW COAST A substantial population of this moth was present on the coastal strip to

the east of the railway line south of Five Mile Point (Grid O 3101) on 14th July, 1973. Although this is not a county record it is of interest as the first report of this conspicuous diurnal moth from the Wicklow coast. According to E. S. A. Baynes (Irish

Macrolepidoptera, Middlesex, 1964), it has been found in Hollywood and the King's River Valley, both to the west of the Wicklow Mountains. It is known from ten other counties including Dublin (localities not supplied) and Waterford but not from

Wexford. With the possible exception of Dublin the previous records have suggested that it shuns the east coast.

CHRISTOPHER MORIARTY, 9 Richmond Avenue, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.

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