A selection of notable records reported to us or found on iRecord. Includes older, but newly recognised vice county records. ‘The region’ is VC58, 59, 60 plus Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester. All photos are copyright of the recorder unless stated otherwise.
Hymenoptera
Sharp-collared Furrow Bee Lasioglossum malachrum (Halictidae)
Recorder: Cheshire Bee Group
Determiner: Chloe Aldridge
Date: 2 August 2026
Site: Ness Botanic Gardens, Wirral
County: Cheshire (VC58)
A survey by the Cheshire Bee Group at Ness Botanic Gardens produced the first Cheshire record of Lasioglossum malachrum. This was once considered a scarce southern species but it has shown a dramatic increase in abundance and distribution in recent decades and is now locally common north to the Midlands.
Shiny-vented Sharp-tail Bee Coelioxys inermis (Megachilidae)
Recorder: Phil Smith
Determiner: Ben Hargreaves
Date: 14 August 2026
Site: Falklands Way Dunes, Ainsdale
County: Lancashire (VC59)
A female Coelioxys inermis was found visiting Common Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) within a dry dune slack at Ainsdale. National records are thinly scattered across Britain and recent Lancashire records are scarce.
This species is a cleptoparasite of leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), laying its eggs in the nests of its hosts. There appear to be no modern Sefton Coast records on iRecord, while the NBN Atlas shows only a historic record from 1948.
Diptera
Acletoxenus formosus (Drosophilidae)
Recorder: Ken Gartside
Determiner: Phil Brighton
Date: 25 August 2026
Site: Greenfield
County: Greater Manchester (VC59)
New to the North West. This unusual drosophilid is considered easily overlooked and is described in Peter Chandler’s unpublished key as having a secretive and possibly canopy-dwelling lifestyle. The larvae are predators of whiteflies and many recent British records have come from observations of larvae amongst whitefly colonies. The species is concentrated mainly in south-eastern Britain, making this northern record particularly notable.
Yellow-legged Dronefly Eristalis similis (Syrphidae)
Recorder: Roy Lowry
Date: 30 August 2026
Site: Bebington, Wirral
County: Cheshire (VC58)
The hoverfly Eristalis similis remains one of Britain’s least frequently recorded droneflies. Prior to this observation there appear to have been no Cheshire records on either iRecord or iNaturalist, with only a single Lancashire observation from Skelmersdale in 2021.
The species is often overlooked because of its close resemblance to other members of the genus. National records remain relatively few compared with more familiar droneflies.
Hemiptera
Broom Aphid Aphis cytisorum sarothamni (Aphididae)
Recorder: Chris Hynes
Determiner: James Emerson
Date: 2 August 2026
Site: Northwich Flashes
County: Cheshire (VC58)
This aphid appears to represent the first North West record, with no records currently visible on either the NBN Atlas or iRecord.
The taxon is associated with Broom (Cytisus scoparius) and related shrubs. Aphids remain one of the least recorded groups of insects in the region, and new county and regional additions continue to be discovered through targeted survey work.
Poplar Shoot Aphid Chaitophorus populeti (Aphididae)
Recorder: Chris Hynes
Date: 4 August 2026
Site: Anderton
County: Cheshire (VC58)
The poplar aphid Chaitophorus populeti was recorded at Anderton, providing a first record for the region.
Species of Chaitophorus are closely associated with poplars, where they feed on foliage and young growth. Although some members of the genus are widespread, others remain sparsely documented, particularly in northern England.
Yarrow Aphid Macrosiphoniella millefolii (Aphididae)
Recorder: Chris Hynes
Date: 5 August 2026
Site: Ashton’s Flash
County: Cheshire (VC58)
Macrosiphoniella millefolii was recorded for the first time in Cheshire at Ashton’s Flash. The species is associated with Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), where colonies develop on stems and flowerheads.
Although recorded elsewhere in Britain, it has not previously appeared on the Cheshire list.
Common Oak Aphid Tuberculatus annulatus (Aphididae)
Recorder: Chris Hynes
Determiner: James Emerson
Date: 7 August 2026
Site: Marbury Park
County: Cheshire (VC58)
The oak-feeding aphid Tuberculatus annulatus was discovered at Marbury Park and appears to be the first record for the North West region.
Species in this genus inhabit the foliage of mature oak trees.
Woundwort Aphid Cryptomyzus korschelti (Aphididae)
Recorder: Chris Hynes
Determiner: James Emerson
Date: 17 August 2026
Site: Marbury Park
County: Cheshire (VC58)
Another significant aphid record came from Marbury Park with the discovery of Cryptomyzus korschelti, apparently new to the North West.
Members of the genus typically have complex life cycles involving more than one host plant. As with many aphids, identification requires close examination and specialist knowledge, meaning distribution patterns remain poorly understood in many parts of Britain.
Tropidosteptes pacificus (Miridae)
Recorder: Josh Boe
Date: 7 August 2026
Site: Gimsargh Wetlands
County: Lancashire (VC60)
Possible first for VC60. Adults and nymphs are associated with Ash Fraxinus. Native to the USA and a recent arrival in Britain, first recorded in 2012 from the London area. Likely to be a horticultural introduction.
Coleoptera
Anthocomus rufus (Melyridae)
Recorder: Nicola Garnham
Determiner: Gary Hedges
Date: 7 August 2026
Site: Gimsargh Wetlands
County: Lancashire (VC60)
New to VC60. Adults are associated with damp habitats and are often found on flowers along stream margins and wetland edges.
Ceutorhynchus pectoralis (Curculionidae)
Recorder: Jim Cresswell
Determiner: Gary Hedges
Date: 7 August 2026
Site: Gimsargh Wetlands
County: Lancashire (VC60)
New to VC60. Found on Large Bitter-cress. This small weevil is closely associated with its foodplant and has been recorded only rarely in Britain. The scarcity of records is reflected both nationally and regionally, with very few previous North West observations.
Sermylassa halensis (Delphacidae)
Recorder: Josh Boe
Date: 7 August 2026
Site: Gimsargh Wetlands
County: Lancashire (VC60)
New to VC60. Eggs laid at the base of the hostplant in summer overwinter before the larvae develop and pupate in spring. Adults emerge in the summer, feeding on foliage. Widespread and frequent in England and Wales.
