Talk by Jacqueline Ruffle on September 22nd 2011

Jacqueline began by stating that environment is critical in the habitat of the 1 million species of insects we know about. Water is very important as well as how changeable is the day to day environment. Examples are that only the temperature changes in desert regions whereas tropical forests have a very varied environment.

There are several species of cold season moths in Northern Europe who thrive as there are fewer predators. These moths have very small wings, can’t fly and produce a pheromone to attract the males.

In complete contrast, Jacqueline had just returned from a month in Guatemala, travelling with the grandson of a renowned entomologist, George Champion. George arrived in Guatemala in March 1879 and spent 4 years of intensive collecting, returning to England with 15,000 species of insects. He has a beetle collection, including over 150,000 specimens, housed at the Natural History Museum and many publications.
His grandson, James, is hoping to find the female of the Drucina Championi butterfly, but it was not found during the time Jacqueline was with him.
The climate (15 metres of rain each year!) in Guatemala results in increased biodiversity, larger sized insects and a faster life cycle. She had photographs of butterflies, moths, beetles and a rather vicious looking wasp.

Jacqueline belongs to the Amateur Entomologists’ Society who ‘aim to promote the study of entomology especially amongst amateurs and the younger generation’. They have an interesting website with many events and publications.

Many thanks to Jacqueline for her talk.

Jane Cliff