HOLIDAY FUN
I have just returned from one week holiday based in Arundel, West Sussex. On Saturday 20th May I drove the 262km from home to the accommodation I had rented. I wanted to spend two or three days trying to find a rare beetle - Erotides cosnardi. It was first found in UK during May 1944 (2 specimens) then in 1969 I found the third and in 1973 a friend found the fourth; the third and fourth were captured in forest locations 6km apart. There are only about 10 specimens of this species in UK collections.
I know the Sussex locations where this rare beetle had been found, it was correct time of year and the weather was unusually hot - just what this beetle likes. Everything was in my favour (apart from the fact that we know very little about its life history and ecology - for example is it actually a nocturnal species? )
Erotides cosnardi - the specimen I found in West Sussex, May, 1969. (Body length = 9mm)
Sunday 21st May I set out to see if I could find the beetle in the forest area where I caught a specimen in 1969. After 15km the steering on my car became very heavy - I thought one of the front tyres had punctured, but almost instantly noticed the battery charge light was illuminated - TROUBLE! The pulley had broken off the alternator. I telephoned Automobile Association Emergency Help and a mechanic arrived within the hour. Alas, but as I had already realised, he could not fix my car. It was Sunday, garages closed. Fortunately my car is diesel and the belt that connected the alternator and power assisted steering pump did not operate the water pump, so I was able to drive the 15km back to my holiday home. On Monday another AA mechanic arrived and found a garage able to make the necessary repair. A short journey (23km) with heavy steering to the garage - car fixed Tuesday midday.
I spent two days trying to find the little beetle, but without success - I guess it was never meant to be!
I know the Sussex locations where this rare beetle had been found, it was correct time of year and the weather was unusually hot - just what this beetle likes. Everything was in my favour (apart from the fact that we know very little about its life history and ecology - for example is it actually a nocturnal species? )
Erotides cosnardi - the specimen I found in West Sussex, May, 1969. (Body length = 9mm)
Sunday 21st May I set out to see if I could find the beetle in the forest area where I caught a specimen in 1969. After 15km the steering on my car became very heavy - I thought one of the front tyres had punctured, but almost instantly noticed the battery charge light was illuminated - TROUBLE! The pulley had broken off the alternator. I telephoned Automobile Association Emergency Help and a mechanic arrived within the hour. Alas, but as I had already realised, he could not fix my car. It was Sunday, garages closed. Fortunately my car is diesel and the belt that connected the alternator and power assisted steering pump did not operate the water pump, so I was able to drive the 15km back to my holiday home. On Monday another AA mechanic arrived and found a garage able to make the necessary repair. A short journey (23km) with heavy steering to the garage - car fixed Tuesday midday.
I spent two days trying to find the little beetle, but without success - I guess it was never meant to be!