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)

Bruchidius varius (Chrysomelidae), Diggle, Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, VC58/63 18/4, K. Gartside.

• Found at a high altitude, possibly 900ft asl
• One of only 3 records from the region but widespread in Southern England.
• Associated with flowers, mainly clover where the larvae probably develop in the seeds (Hodge, 1997)
• Adults emerge from hibernation in April and a new generation appears by July

Cassida vibex (Chrysomelidae), Ainsdale, VC59, 20/4, P. Kinsella.

• Range is expanding North. This the most northerly record within the Tanyptera region.
• One found in the World Museum meadow by Leanna Dixon two days after this sighting
• Adults are distinctive due to the bicoloured elytra

Gymnetron villosulum  (Curculionidae), Gowy Meadows Nature Reserve, VC58, 22/4, C. Washington.

• Seemingly a new species to the North West
• A wetland species associated with sides of rivers or ponds
• The larvae feed within galls formed in the seed-capsules of Veronica species

Phyllotreta striolata (Chrysomelidae), Gowy Meadows Nature Reserve, VC58, 22/4, C. Washington.

• Another apparent new species to the North West
• A scarce beetle with very few UK records
• Hosts include wild and cultivated Brassica. spp
• Large hind legs allow the beetle to jump, hence the name “Striped flea beetle”

Collembola (Springtails)

Diplopoda (Millipedes)

Diptera (Flies)

Cheilosia nebulosa (Syrphidae), Ainsdale NNR, VC59, 15/4, P. Kinsella.

• A possible first sighting on the Sefton coast
• Within the region has also been found in Oldham area and North Lancs
• Tends to visit flowers Crataegus, Prunus, Salix, Taraxacum and Tussilago
• Records of the species are very scattered in the UK

Eriozona syrphoidesa (Syrphidae), Ravenmeols LNR, Formby, VC59, 25/4, P. Kinsella.

• Another possible first sighting on the Sefton coast
• Was recorded on sycamore, however species is associated with pine
• Could be an unknown population in local coastal pine or a vagrant from upland area
• The larva is aphidophagous and reliant on aphids found on mature conifers (Abies, Picea)

Hemiptera (True Bugs)

Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps & Ants)

Bees

Andrena labiata (Andrenidae), New Ferry Butterfly Park, VC58, 15/4, R. Lowry

• Recorded from a male specimen
• ID confirmed during Tanyptera Project mining bee ID workshop
• Few records in the North West so far
• Localised to coastal areas it is found throughout southern England to north Yorkshire and Wales. Possibly increasing in numbers.

Wasps

Sawflies

Aglaostigma fulvipes  (Tenthredinidae), Sands Lake, Ainsdale, VC59, 17/4, P. Kinsella.

• A possible first sighting on the Sefton coast
• Has been observed in south Liverpool previously
• Larvae feed on bedstraws (Galium spp.)
• Females cut the stem partially through just above the egg laying site.

Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Orthoptera (Grasshoppers and Crickets)

iRecord top 10 species

References

• Hodge, P.J. (1997). Bruchidius varius (Olivier) (Chrysomelidae) new to the British Isles. The Coleopterist 5(3): 65.