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 (Bees, Wasps, Ants & Sawflies)
Painted Nomad Bee Nomada fucata (Apidae)
Recorder: Paul Brennan
Date: 6 July 2026
Site: Euxton, Chorley
County: Lancashire (VC59)
A specimen of Nomada fucata was recorded at a nesting aggregation of its host, the Yellow-legged Mining Bee Andrena flavipes. This appears to be the first record for VC59. The species has undergone a substantial northward expansion over recent decades, closely tracking the spread of its host from its former strongholds in southern England.
Astata boops (Crabronidae)
Recorder: Chloe Aldridge
Date: 9 July 2026
Site: Bickerton Hill
County: Cheshire (VC58)
The discovery of Astata boops represents the first Cheshire record of this striking solitary wasp. The nearest known populations are currently in Yorkshire and Shropshire, making the Bickerton Hill record a significant extension into the county.
This species is predominantly southern and eastern in its British distribution and is associated with open, warm habitats where it hunts shieldbugs to provision its nests.
Stigmus solskyi (Crabronidae)
Recorder: Chloe Aldridge
Date: 3 July 2026
Site: Alvaston Hall
County: Cheshire (VC58)
This small crabronid wasp was recorded at Alvaston Hall on a Tanyptera recording day, providing only the second known record for Cheshire.
Bethylus fuscicornis (Bethylidae)
Recorder: Chloe Aldridge
Date: 3 July 2026
Site: Alvaston Hall
County: Cheshire (VC58)
Tiny parasitoid wasps of the family Bethylidae are among the least recorded aculeates in the region, so the identification of Bethylus fuscicornis is a particularly welcome addition to Cheshire records.
Members of this family parasitise the larvae of moths and beetles, often beneath bark or within concealed habitats. Although probably more widespread than records suggest, their small size means they are rarely encountered except through targeted survey work or specialist examination of specimens.
Callajoppa cirrogaster (Ichneumonidae)
Recorder: Roy Lowry
Date: 14 July 2026
Site: New Ferry Butterfly Park
County: Cheshire (VC58)
This impressive ichneumon wasp was observed taking water at the edge of a pond within New Ferry Butterfly Park. Records of Callajoppa cirrogaster remain extremely scarce in Cheshire, with only two previously documented records appearing in iRecord, both from the past few years.
Cerceris rybyensis (Crabronidae)
Recorder: Paul Brennan
Date: 19 July 2026
Site: Heapey, Chorley
County: Lancashire (VC59)
A small nesting aggregation of Cerceris rybyensis was discovered in sandy ground at Heapey. Although the species is known from the Sefton Coast and parts of southern VC59, this appears to be the first recorded colony from an inland site in the northern part of the vice-county.
Enclisis alpicola (Ichneumonidae)
Recorder: Josh Boe (identified by Gavin Broad)
Date: 3 July 2026
Site: Alvaston Hall
County: Cheshire (VC58)
The discovery of Enclisis alpicola at Alvaston Hall constitutes a first record for Cheshire and, as far as currently known, the wider North West region.
Hemiptera (True Bugs)
Orthotylus bilineatus (Miridae)
Recorder: Keith Fowler
Date: 3 July 2026
Site: Alvaston Hall
County: Cheshire (VC58)
The mirid bug Orthotylus bilineatus was recorded at Alvaston Hall, the first Cheshire record since 1970, and possibly even earlier depending on interpretation of historical records.
Chiloxanthus pilosus (Lygaeidae)
Recorder: Steve Hewitt
Date: 4 July 2026
Site: Sunderland Point, Heysham
County: Lancashire (VC60)
This nationally scarce coastal bug was recorded at Sunderland Point, providing both a new vice-county and site record. Chiloxanthus pilosus is classed as Nationally Rare and Near Threatened, with a strong association with upper saltmarsh and coastal habitats.
Pilophorus cinnamopterus (Miridae)
Recorder: Peter Brash
Date: 20 July 2026
Site: Etihad Campus, Manchester
County: South Lancashire (VC59)
This attractive ant-mimicking plant bug was recorded at the Etihad Campus, representing a new species for South Lancashire.
Charagochilus gyllenhalii (Miridae)
Recorder: Peter Brash
Date: 20 July 2026
Site: Etihad Campus, Manchester
County: South Lancashire (VC59)
Another notable mirid from the Etihad Campus was Charagochilus gyllenhalii, a new addition to the South Lancashire list.
The record highlights the increasing contribution that intensive recording in urban environments is making to our understanding of regional biodiversity. Some plant bugs remain poorly documented in the North West, and targeted survey work continues to reveal overlooked populations.
Stenidiocerus poecilus (Cixiidae)
Recorder: Keith Fowler
Date: 3 July 2026
Site: Alvaston Hall
County: Cheshire (VC58)
This distinctive planthopper was recorded twice at Alvaston Hall, becoming a first record for both Cheshire and the wider Tanyptera recording area.
Macropsis graminea (Macropsidae)
Recorder: Keith Fowler
Date: 3 July 2026
Site: Alvaston Hall
County: Cheshire (VC58)
A first for Cheshire and the Tanyptera region.
Loricula elegantula (Microphysidae)
Recorder: Josh Boe
Date: 24 July 2026
Site: Freshfield Dune Heath
County: Lancashire (VC59)
Possible first for VC59 but otherwise generally common and widespread in the UK. Associated with lichens on tree trunks and stones, where it feeds on small invertebrates. .
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers & Crickets)
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper Chorthippus albomarginatus (Acrididae)
Recorder: David Williams
Date: 3 July 2026
Site: Alvaston Hall
County: Cheshire (VC58)
The Lesser Marsh Grasshopper was recorded at Alvaston Hall, constituting only the second or third known Cheshire record.
This species is primarily associated with wetter grasslands and marshy habitats and remains very local in north-west England.
Diptera (Flies)
Calamoncosis aspistylina (Chloropidae)
Recorder: Phil Brighton
Date: 31 July 2026
Site: Car House Green Common
County: Lancashire (VC60)
A regional first. The only other records on NBN Atlas are in East Anglia. The larvae feed on reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea).
Sepsis thoracica (Sepsidae)
Recorder: Phil Brighton
Date: 31 July 2026
Site: Car House Green Common
County: Lancashire (VC60)
New to VC60. An uncommon species restricted to southern England and usually close to the coast. Adults occur on fresh cow dung and also on horse dung, larvae in cow dung. The only previous regional occurrences were 2 in VC58 in 2023.
Drab Wood Soldierfly Solva marginata (Xylomyidae)
Recorder: Phil Brighton
Date: 3 July 2026
Site: Alvaston Hall
County: Cheshire (VC58)
Although known as the Drab Wood Soldierfly, the Alvaston Hall specimen showed striking lemon-yellow markings on the legs and body. Records remain exceptionally scarce in the North West, with only a handful known regionally, including an historic Cheshire record from Tatton Park and an unusual Liverpool record from indoors.
The larvae develop within decaying wood, particularly old poplars and other broad-leaved trees. The discovery at Alvaston Hall adds another important locality for a species that appears genuinely uncommon across the region.
Apsectrotanypus trifascipennis (Chironomidae)
Recorder: Phil Brighton
Date: 3 July 2026
Site: Alvaston Hall
County: Cheshire (VC58)
This non-biting midge represents a first record for VC58 and only the second known record for the North West region.
Cheshire Horsefly Atylotus plebeius (Tabanidae)
Recorder: Paul Brewster
Date: 5 July 2026
Site: Shemmy Moss
County: Lancashire (VC60)
Nationally Rare. Entirely confined to the Cheshire Plain region. After going unrecorded for decades, it was rediscovered in 2018 at sites including Shemmy Moss.
Atypophthalmus inustus (Limoniidae)
Recorder: Phil Brighton
Date: 10 July 2026
Site: Dibbinsdale Nature Reserve
County: Cheshire (VC58)
A Nationally Rare cranefly. It was first discovered in Britain by F.W. Edwards at nearby Cotterill Clough in 1939 and regarded as extremely rare.
Paradelphomyia dalei (Limoniidae)
Recorder: Phil Brighton
Date: 10 July 2026
Site: Dibbinsdale Nature Reserve
County: Cheshire (VC58)
Another Nationally Rare cranefly. Originally described as new to science by Edwards in 1939, it remained unrecorded in Lancashire and Cheshire until 2013.
Small Yellow-legged Robberfly Dioctria linearis (Asilidae)
Recorder: Phil Brighton
Date: 10 July 2026
Site: Dibbinsdale Nature Reserve
County: Cheshire (VC58)
Regionally scarce in the North West, where it is at the edge of its range.
Pachygaster leachii (Stratiomyidae)
Recorder: Steve Garland
Date: 20 July 2026
Site: Cogie Hill Farm, West Lancashire
County: Lancashire (VC60)
This small black soldierfly was recorded in West Lancashire and represents only the second known occurrence in VC60.
Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Dewick’s Plusia Macdunnoughia confusa (Noctuidae)
Recorder: Peter Fitzgerald (confirmed by Richard Walker)
Date: 20 July 2026
Site: Warrington
County: Cheshire (VC58)
Formerly a very rare migrant to the UK, but has colonised and quickly spread during the last decade. In addition, the introduction of an effective pheromone lure for this species has shown it to be much more common than previously thought.
Tebenna micalis (Choreutidae)
Recorder: Steve Garland
Date: 31 July 2026
Site: Carr House Green Common
County: Lancashire (VC60)
This distinctive micro-moth was found resting on Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica), its larval foodplant. It represents only the third Lancashire record.
The moth was fresh and was discovered directly on its host plant, making this perhaps the strongest evidence yet of local breeding within Lancashire.
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Polygraphus poligraphus (Curculionidae: Scolytinae)
Recorder: Clive Washington
Date: 10 July 2026
Site: Cheshire
County: Cheshire (VC58)
A first record for Cheshire for this Bark Beetle. Species of Polygraphus develop beneath the bark of coniferous trees, where they create characteristic galleries.
Brachyderes incanus (Curculionidae)
Recorder: Peter Brash
Date: 20 July 2026
Site: Etihad Campus, Manchester
County: South Lancashire (VC59)
This distinctive grey weevil remains a rarity in the North West. Most British records originate from south-east England, particularly Surrey, making repeated observations at the Etihad Campus especially intriguing. A previous site record was made in 2020, suggesting that a small local population may be established in the area.
Curculio venosus (Curculionidae)
Recorder: Phil Smith
Date: 24 July 2026
Site: Freshfield Dune Heath
County: Lancashire (VC59)
Recorded during a Tanyptera field meeting. Only one other record for the Sefton Coast area. The species develops within acorns and is generally considered more typical of southern Britain.
Holoparamecus caularum (Merophysiidae)
Recorder: Clive Washington
Date: 27 July 2026
Site: Dunham Massey
County: Cheshire (VC58)
This tiny fungus beetle was discovered within grass heaps at Dunham Massey.
Associated with moulds and fungi in decaying organic matter, they are often found only through careful examination of compost heaps, leaf litter and other decomposing material.
Araneae (Spiders)
Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi (Araneidae)
Recorders: Rosie Cooper, Katie Priestley and Georgia Costin
Date: 21 July 2026
Site: Cheshire Zoo Estate
County: Cheshire (VC58)
Recorded in Cheshire for the first time. The striking Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi was found on the Cheshire Zoo Estate during biodiversity surveys. Once restricted largely to southern coastal areas of Britain, this species has undergone a dramatic range expansion.
Females are unmistakable, with bold yellow, black and white banding across the abdomen, while males are much smaller and far less conspicuous. They typically occupy tall grassland, rough field margins and other sunny, undisturbed habitats where large orb webs are suspended amongst the vegetation. A characteristic zig-zag band of silk, is often visible at the centre of the web.
