Metoecus paradoxus (L.) (Coleoptera: Rhipiphoridae) in a Belfast parkAuthor(s): Roy AndersonSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 31, No. 2 (December 2010), pp. 137-138Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41419127 .

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Cetacean Notes / Field Records - Insects

Table 1. Prey items recovered from the stomach of a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

^ Percentage Percentage ^ Prey items Number , , by number by weight Fish Scyliorhinus spp. 12 20.69 16.21 Scyliorhinus egg case (1) Conger conger 11 18.97 59.35 Rocklings 1 1.72 1.07 Merlangius merlangius 3 5.17 0.38 Pollachius pollachius 1 1.72 2.14 Trisopterus esmarki 3 5.17 Trisopterus luscus 4 6.9 0.85 Trochurus trachurus 2 3.45 0.44 Platichthys flesus 2 3.45 3.55 Pleuronectes plotesso 1 1 .72 1 .66 Scophlthalmus 1 ^ ^ rhombus Solea solea 2 3.45 1.03 Hippoglossoides ^ 6 ^ 10.35 0.96 platessoides

Cephalopods Octopuses 3 5.17 3.13 Brachioteuthis spp. 4 6.9 0.09 Loligo spp. 1 1 .72 1 .36 Unknown cephalopod 1 1.72

Total 58

were recovered and stored dry or in 70 per cent alcohol, respectively. Identification to the lowest possible taxon and estimation of size were carried out.

A total of 59 prey items was recovered, including unusual food items; 12 Scyliorhinus spp. individuals (20.7 % by number and 16.2 % by weight) and an elasmobranch egg case were found. A minimum of 16 prey species was identified and are presented in Table 1 .

The occurrence of sharks in the diet has been reported only a few times in the published literature and in low numbers {e.g. Gannon, D. P. and Waples, D. M. 2004 Marine Mammal Science 20: 527-545, Nash, R. 1974 Irish Naturalists' Journal 18: 121-122). However, Gunter (G. 1942 Journal of Mammalogy 23: 267- 2 76) reported that occasionally sharks can be locally important in the diet of bottlenose dolphins along the US east coast. In Europe, dogfish have not been previously reported before in the bottlenose dolphins diet and Nash (1974 op. cit.) interpreted the presence of this species in the oesophagus of a bottle dolphin as causing the animal to choke to death. Dogfish species have a

widespread distribution and are targeted by fisheries in Ireland ( The Stock Book 2009 > Annual review of fish stocks in 2009 with management advice for 2010. Marine Institute. Oranmore. Online at: http: //www. marine .ie/NR/rdonlyres/lFlCCD0E-E6AA-42F8- 9FAB-98A7 0ClABA3 5/0/TheStock Book2009.pdf. Data accessed: 1 October 2010), so while of note, it is not unexpected to find dogfish in the diet of bottlenose dolphins. What is surprising is the number of individuals in one stomach (12 individuals and an egg capsule), suggesting that this bottlenose dolphin may have been feeding in an area where dogfish were aggregating (possibly feeding on discarded fish) or that it is a specialized feeder.

The high number of conger eels recorded is also of interest, and has been occasionally reported in the diet of bottlenose dolphins in the western Mediterranean Blanco, C, Salomon, O. and Raga, J. A. (2001 Journal of the Marine Biological Association , U.K. 81: 1053-1058) and in the north-east Atlantic Santos, M. В., Martin, V., Arbelo, M., Fernandez, A. and Pierce, G. J. (2007 Journal of the Marine Biological Association, U.K. 87: 231-242), suggesting that congers may be locally important in the diet of bottlenose dolphins.

Gema Hernandez-Milian and Emer Rogan Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Distillery Fields, University College Cork, Co. Cork

Metoecus paradoxus (L.) (Coleoptera: Rhipiphoridae) in a

Belfast park

I beat a male specimen of Metoecus paradoxus (L.), a very local parasite of wasps (Ves pula spp.), from green alder ( Alnus viridis (Chaix.) DC) in Lady Dixon Park, Belfast (J303676) on 18 August 2007.

Minchin, D. Speight, M. C. D. and O'Connor, J. P (1998 Irish Naturalists' Journal 26: 117-120) record three outdoor sightings of this species in Ireland, one each from Cos Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. O'Connor (J. P. 1999 Irish Naturalists

Irish Naturalists' Journal 31 No.2 2010 137

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Field Records - Insects

Journal 26: 279) reports an additional record, from a house in Clondalkin, Dublin, where it probably originated from a wasps' nest later found in the roof space. The Belfast record considerably extends the known range of the species and supports O'Connor's (1999 op. cit.) surmise that it is becoming commoner. It could now potentially turn up anywhere in the eastern half of Ireland. The preferred host in Ireland has not been confirmed but is likely to be Vespula vulgaris (L.). Minchin et al. (1998 op. cit.) collated observations from Britain and Europe in which an increase in urbanization, and with it the tendency of wasps to utilize roof cavities for nest building, was suggested as the cause of a recent increase in sightings. I would further suggest there may be a contribution from the recent warming trend in climate.

Roy Anderson 1 Belvoir Park View, Belfast BT8 7BL

Acrolepia autumnitella Curtis, 1838 (Lepidoptera:

Yponomeutidae), new to Ireland

A single adult Acrolepia autumnitella was observed at a mercury- vapour light-trap by PS on 29 May 2009 at Newtown Court, Maynooth, Co. Kildare (N926368, H 19). The identity of this specimen was confirmed from a photograph. Subsequently further adults were observed, again at light, and at the same location, on the 8, 11 and 20 July 2009.

Blotch mines of A. autumnitellai some tenanted, were observed on leaves of bittersweet ( Solanum dulcamara L.) at Distillery Fields, Cork City (W665720, H4) by KGMB on 7 August 2009 and on subsequent days, but no moths were bred.

The larva of this species, which is widespread in southern Britain, has also occasionally been found feeding on deadly nightshade ( Atropa belladonna L.). The adults are reported to appear in July, and again in October, overwintering until the following spring (Kimber, I. 2010 Online at: http:// ukmoths.org.uk/ show. php ?id= 5 579. Date accessed: 19 March 2010).

Philip Strickland 22 Newtown Court, Maynooth, Co. Kildare K. G. M. Bond

Department of Zoology, Ecology & Plant Science, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork

A historical Irish record of Endothenia ustularia (Haworth, 1811) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

A male specimen of Endothenia ustulana (Haworth, 1811) was recently found in the J. J. F. X. King collection in the entomology section of the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow (GLAHM). It bears the data label: "Cappoquin 1-8-02 JJFX King". The male lacks both right wings, but identification was confirmed from a genitalia preparation. Two further specimens from the same locality were also found: a female dated "2-8-02", confirmed by dissection; while a third specimen, without abdomen, is dated "23-7-02". King collected insects in the vicinity of Cappoquin, Co. Waterford in late July and early August 1902.

There is no reference to this species in Beirne (B. P. 1941 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 47B: 53-147). However, Bradley, J. D. et al. (1979 British Tortricoid Moths 2. The Ray Society, London) state that "Irish records of this species [Endothenia ustulana ] are unconfirmed", citing records from Cos Waterford and Kerry. No evidence supporting this statement has been found, and it appears that it refers to Lobesia abscisana (Doubleday, 1849) {fuligana sensu Haworth, 1811); the name fuligana having been incorrectly applied to Endothenia ustulana by Barrett (see Kloet, G. S. and Hincks, W D. 1972 A checklist of British Insects: Lepidoptera. Second edition. Handbooks for the identification of British insects 11(2): 1-153. Royal Entomological Society, London). By coincidence, the presence of Lobesia abscisana in Ireland was confirmed in 2008 (O'Donnell, E. In Langmaid, J. R. and Young, M. R. 2009 Entomologist's Record and Journal of Variation 121: 265-287). Acknowledgements: I am grateful to Geoff Hancock of the Entomological Section, Hunterian Museum, Glasgow for the opportunity to examine the King Microlepidoptera collection, which contains many Irish specimens, and has been little studied until now. This work formed part of the development of the National Microlepidoptera Database initiated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

138 Irish Naturalists' Journal 3/ No.22010

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