Help With Old Names Please

[Paul Harfield]

Hi

I have been studying some historical literature recently. This information relates to records from Hampshire, Winchester specifically, over 100 years ago and contains names of species which have changed over the years. I have identified some but I need help with a few. I have listed the species names below:-

sibylla - White Admiral?
alexis - Common Blue?
linea - ?
alsus - ?
janira - ?
alveolus - ?

Could someone please confirm my suggestions and provide the current names for the others? Many thanks

The information is quite an eye opener when it comes to species which were resident in the Winchester area at the time Hopefully I will be able to give details of this in my diary once I have permission from the owner of the records.

[Pete Eeles]

Hi

I have been studying some historical literature recently. This information relates to records from Hampshire, Winchester specifically, over 100 years ago and contains names of species which have changed over the years. I have identified some but I need help with a few. I have listed the species names below:-

sibylla - White Admiral?
alexis - Common Blue?
linea - ?
alsus - ?
janira - ?
alveolus - ?

Could someone please confirm my suggestions and provide the current names for the others? Many thanks

The information is quite an eye opener when it comes to species which were resident in the Winchester area at the time Hopefully I will be able to give details of this in my diary once I have permission from the owner of the records.

sibylla - White Admiral
alexis - Common Blue
linea - Small Skipper
alsus - Small Blue
janira - Meadow Brown
alveolus - Grizzled Skipper

The old scientific names are a nightmare when trying to locate articles! Anyway - Coleman's work seems to refer to the names you've provided: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/33852/33 ... 3852-h.htm

Cheers,

- Pete

[Paul Harfield]

Hi Pete

Many thanks. That is a great help

[Pete Eeles]

Mark Colvin just pointed this out to me (where alexis is used as the specific name of the Brown Argus): http://archive.org/stream/historyofourb ... 3/mode/1up

And alexis is now the specific name of the Green-underside Blue.

So - I guess we'd need to know the specific article(s) before any confirmation can really be given!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Paul Harfield]

Hi Pete

The historical material that I am studying also refers to agestis, so I think in this case alexis would be Common Blue.

I have now had a chance to study the Coleman work that you provided the link for. It has been very useful, thanks. However, this list refers to the Clouded Yellow as edusa, whereas the list I am studying refers to a C eudsa. I am assuming that one of these is a typo?

I now have some additional material from the same Natural History Society. A list of Macro Lepidoptera and Birds compiled in 1897 which covers species found within a 5 mile radius of Winchester City centre. Interesting reading, as it covers my local area with which I am very familiar. However, it is also gives me a sense of sadness at the number of species lost Details to follow, hopefully.

[Pete Eeles]

However, this list refers to the Clouded Yellow as edusa, whereas the list I am studying refers to a C eudsa. I am assuming that one of these is a typo?

Yes, eudsa is a typo. The correct spelling is edusa.

Look forward to hearing more!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

Mark Colvin just pointed this out to me (where alexis is used as the specific name of the Brown Argus): http://archive.org/stream/historyofourb ... 3/mode/1up

Thank you for that reference! It's a fascinating book. On p.69 there is an interesting account of the turquoise blue and on p.48 the purple-edged copper - as well as many other gems. I've downloaded it and will enjoy browsing it more!

Guy