A selection of notable records reported to Tanyptera. Includes older, but newly recognised regional vice county records (dates blue). ‘The region’ = VC58, 58, 60 + Cheshire, Lancs, Merseyside, Greater Manchester.

Araneae (Spiders)

Chilopoda (Centipedes)

Coleoptera (Beetles)

Liophloeus tessulatus  (Curculionidae), Alt bridge, VC59, P.Smith

• Only second record for Sefton coast
• Previous record also from the same area
• Diverse habitat from “meadows to mountains”, feeding on a range of common wild plants such as Creeping Thistle, Cow Parsley, Hogweed, Ivy and Colt’s-foot.

Collembola (Springtails)

Diplopoda (Millipedes)

Diptera (Flies)

Criorhina asilica (Syrphidae),Leighton Moss, VC60, 17/5, R. Lowry.

• Low records in the local area
• Adults are convincing mimics of hive bees and some solitary bees.
• Males patrol trees and shrubs often close to the ground where they can be mistaken for males of the solitary bee Andrena scotica
• Tend to visit flowers such as Hawthorn and Dogwood 

Tachydromia smithi (Hybotidae), Devils Hole, VC59, 12/5, P. Brighton.

• Only 3 previous records
• A predatory fly often found running up and down vertical tree trunks in search of prey
• Found on a Tanyptera Project recording day

Botanophila sylvatica (Anthomyiidae), Devils Hole, VC59, 12/5, P. Brighton.

• Sparse records across the country
• Fly has a possible association with fungus
• Also found on a Tanyptera Project recording day

Syntormon pseudospicatus (Dolichopodidae), Devils Hole, VC59, 12/5, P. Brighton.

• Previously thought of as a variety of the very common Syntormon pallipes until a few years ago
• Distinguished using the extent of yellow on the rear legs
• Possible that some previous records of pallipes in the local area should refer to this species
• Also found on a Tanyptera Project recording day

Brachyopa Pilosa (Syrphidae), Chew Brook, VC59, 03/5, K.Gartside

• Scarce species mostly encountered in ancient woodland
• Usually in the southern half of Britain but with a cluster of sites in the Scottish Highlands
• Associated with newly fallen Beech, but Aspen and other poplars are used in other areas.

Criorhina floccosa (Syrphidae), Boarhurst, VC59, 06/5, K.Gartside

• Low records nationally and in the local areas
• Larvae are associated with rotting deciduous wood.
• Adults are usually found in woodland with overmature trees and are seen visiting flowers to feed.

Chetostoma curvinerve (Tephritidae), Boarhurst, VC59, 16/5, K.Gartside

• Males have very distinctive dark curved spines guarding the mouthparts
• Has characteristic patterning on the wings

Hemiptera (True Bugs)

Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps & Ants)

Bees

Wasps

Sawflies

Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Ischnura pumilio, VC58, 26/5, S.Seal.

• First discovered in Cheshire at a site close to Mow Cop by Andy Goodwin about 6 years ago
• Clearly an established population as the species has been recorded every year since
• This is the aurantiaca form, the immature female colouration

Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Orthoptera (Grasshoppers and Crickets)

iRecord top 10 species

References