Purple Emperor in Meccano Magazine

[MikeOxon]

Back in the 'fifties, as a young schoolboy, I was a regular reader of the Meccano Magazine. I think it's wide mix of articles, including not just engineering topics but from the natural world as well, made quite an impression on me. I was delighted to discover recently that pdf's of back issues, throughout most of the 20th century, can now be downloaded free from http://pdfmm.free.fr/

While browsing, I discovered an article on "Rare Butterflies of Britain" in the May 1945 issue (before my time) by L. Hugh Newman FRES - see http://pdfmm.free.fr/4505.pdf . The article covers many interesting species, including Large Copper, Large Blue, and Mazarine Blue. It also suggests that a good way to attract Purple Emperors to the ground is by spreading out a double sheet from a newspaper in a suitable clearing. The article consider this to be a better bait than rabbit entrails, which were, apparently, favoured at the time

I have never read this before and wonder if any of our current PE afficionados have tried the newspaper method? Something to try in the coming season

Mike

[EricY]

A fascinating read Mike & not just for the butterflies. some adds were worth a look, Penny blacks @ 10/6 - £1. Eric

[David M]

Had to chuckle - I thought you'd been on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia as this thread (when viewed on the front page) said 'Purple Emperor in Mecca'.

[MikeOxon]

'Purple Emperor in Mecca'.

I see what you mean It may attract additional attention, though I don't expect there are many suitable oak woods in the region.

Mike

[Padfield]

That image flashed through my mind as I read the name of the thread, David!

I've seen many references to white as an attractor - whether a white sheet or even a white car driven into a ride. On many occasions emperors have taken an interest in my white hat and I often leave it on the ground to attract them.

Abroad, I've seen emperors attracted to loo paper in insalubrious lay-bys, but it's not clear whether it was the white or the smell that attracted them - most likely both.


(loo paper)


(that's actually my Dad's white hat, and a lesser purple emperor, of course)

Guy

[David M]

Abroad, I've seen emperors attracted to loo paper in insalubrious lay-bys, but it's not clear whether it was the white or the smell that attracted them - most likely both.

Indeed; and that reminds me of your tutorial regarding the propensity of Lesser Purple Emperors to be seen in the vicinity of roadside toilets.

One thing's for sure, Emperors appear to have an unhealthy liking for detritus. Other butterfly species share it, but none seems to be quite so fixated.

[MikeOxon]

I've seen many references to white as an attractor

I hadn't seen these references before reading the MM article. I did wonder if the distinctive aroma of newsprint played any part in the 'bait' effect.

Mike

[Neil Hulme]

I remain unconvinced by the white sheet/newspaper method. I know of people who have tried this repeatedly over a 40 - 50 year period without any success. A good smelly bait will do rather better. On one morning in Fermyn, 16 out of the 18 Emperors I observed on the ground were on my baits, sometimes 3 at a time. The recipe is held in the same safe as KFC.
BWs, Neil

[Padfield]

A good smelly bait will do rather better.

To be fair, my hat is off-white and pretty smelly by purple emperor season.

Of course, lepsters of old were often more interested in a flying butterfly, to net, than they were in watching contented diners at the rancid table. The 'white effect' might have been more useful to them than to a photographer.

Guy

[Lee Hurrell]

and that reminds me of your tutorial regarding the propensity of Lesser Purple Emperors to be seen in the vicinity of roadside toilets.

That was from my trip report from last year! I'd found my first ever Lesser Purple Emperor near the toilets at a French service area.

Lee