A selection of notable records reported to Tanyptera. Includes older, but newly recognized regional vice county records (dates blue). ‘The region’ = VC58, 59, 60 + Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester. All photos are copyright of the recorder unless stated otherwise.

Isopods (Isopoda)

Armadillidium pulchellum (Armadillidiidae), Bulkeley Hill, Greater Manchester, VC58, 29/03/2025, C. Washington

• Several within moss and leaf litter.
• Possibly 2nd VC58 record, with 414 other published UK records. The distribution is widespread but scattered across the UK, with a western bias. There are no records in south of the Midlands, except towards Cornwall (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• Also known as the Beautiful Pill Woodlouse, this species is mainly associated with coastal and upland grasslands, but also some populations occur on heathland (bmig.org.uk).
• The species has distinctive mottling and yellow patterns on it, and a dark patch on the 7th epimera (thoracic plate), similar to Armadillidium pictum. The two are separated based on differences on genitalia (bmig.org.uk).

Spiders (Araneae)

Arctosa perita (Lycosidae), Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, VC59, 04/2025, K. Gartside

• Found in garden
• While not necessarily rare across VC59 or the UK (750 published UK records), this species is largely coastal and so any records further inland are more unusual (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• Also known as the Sand Bear Spider, this species is strongly associated with sandy and heathland habitats and is mainly coastal in distribution. It burrows into loose substrate which it conceals. It can be found from February to November, but females may overwinter (britishspiders.org.uk).
• The cryptic colouration of this spider makes it difficult to see against sandy backgrounds.

True Bugs (Hemiptera)

Sehirus luctuosus (Cydnidae), Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, VC59, 11/04/2025, K. Gartside

• Adult found on Forget-me-not in garden.
• 3rd VC58 record, with 1196 other published UK records. The distribution is widespread across England, mainly in the Midlands and southwards with a few records along the north-eastern areas (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• As its common name, the Forget-me-not Shieldbug, suggests, this species is associated with Forget-me-nots. It feeds on the seeds on plants growing in light chalky soils and with an open, warm aspect. There is one generation per year, complete by August (britishbugs.org.uk).
• Similar to other Cydnidae species, the Forget-me-not Shieldbug is completely black (except for the pale exposed wings) and with a bronzy sheen. It is separated from other Cydnids by its paler 2nd antennal segment (britishbugs.org.uk).

Heterocordylus tibialis (Miridae), Northwhich Flashes, VC58, 05/04/2025, C. Hynes

• Nymph found feeding on Common Broom.
• Possibly 11th VC58 record, with 414 other published UK records. The distribution is widespread but scattered across the whole of the UK (nbnatlas.org.uk)
• This species can be found feeding on the sap of Common Broom. Nymphs develop into adults in early Summer, and are rarely found beyond that (britishbugs.org.uk).
• The genus is easily recognisable in the Miridae family by being dark with a slight green tinge, and covered with pale scale-like hairs that lie on flat against the surface. The nymphs are fairly distinctive from their red and yellow-striped abdomens. Heterocordylus tibialis can be differentiated from the similar H. genistae by having a slightly thickened 2nd antennal segment at the apex, and brownish tibiae (britishbugs.org.uk).

Micronecta scholtzi (Corixidae), Gorses Quarry, Greater Manchester, VC59, 05/09/2019 (07/04/2025), D. Bentley

• Male found within pond in sandstone quarry.
• Possibly 1st VC59 record, with 903 other published UK records. The distribution is widespread but scattered with an easterly bias (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• While other water-bugs overwinter as adults, species of Micronecta overwinter as nymphs and the adults of this species develop by June. There is then another generation of adults in August, which give rise to the nymphs that overwinter. This species is claimed to be the loudest of any species, with mating stridulations created by the male from rubbing the adaegus across the abdomen said to be 99.2dB.
• At 2-2.5mm, this species is larger than other similar Micronecta species, and it has a distinctive brown trident-like pattern on its vertex. However, they should be dissected to confirm identity (naturespot.org.uk).

Beetles (Coleoptera)

Alevonota rufotestacea (Staphylinidae), Appleton Park, VC58, 24/04/2025, C. Washington

• Adult found within a flight interception trap.
• Possibly the first VC58 record, with 27 other published UK records showing a very scattered distribution, with most records around the south of England (nbnatlas.org.uk)
• Not much information on its ecology is known as it the genus is poorly understood, and species generally scarce. It is known that all Alevonota species are subterranean (Assing & Wunderle, 2008). Aleocharinae species are very varied in their ecology.

Rugilus angustatus (Staphylinidae), Hesketh Bank, VC60, 14/04/2025, C. Washington

• Adult found within coastal inundation refuse.
• First VC60 record and possibly most northernly record. 81 other published UK records, most of which are around Cambrideshire and Norfolk (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• Not much information on its ecology is known as it is a scarce species, but it lives it wetlands. Other Rugilus species are predatory, feeding on soil invertebrates.
• This species is in the subfamily Paederinae which are generally recognisable from their brightly coloured pronotum and contrasting black head and adbomen.

Datonychus melanostictus (Curculionidae), Silver Lanes NR, Culcheth, VC59, 05/04/2025, C. Washington

• Three other published VC59 records, with 420 other published UK records. The distribution is widespread but scattered across the Midlands, south of England, and Wales.
• The larvae bore tunnels deep into the stems of various Lamiaceae species. After feeding, they pupate in the soil (bladmineerders.nl).
• The adults are similar to other Ceutorhynchinae species, so careful examination is required.

Eubrychius velutus (Curculionidae), Silver Lanes NR, Culcheth, VC59, 05/04/2025, C. Washington

• Adult found on Myriophyllum.
• Possibly 1st record for region, with 193 other published UK records. The distribution is widespread but scattered, with most records concentrated around south-east England (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• The larvae are live within water and feed on the leaf buds of watermilfoils while submerged. They pupate in a cocoon attached to the plant. The adults can be found overwintering in detritus near the water’s edge (bladmineerders.nl).
• The adults are striking with contrasting yellow dusting on their body, forming a central stripe down the elytra and pronotum.

Kateretes rufilabris (Kateretidae), Redisher Woods LNR, Bury, VC59, 01/06/2019 (12/04/2025), D. Bentley

• Adult found in dammed pool on seepage.
• Possibly 1st VC59 records, with 845 other published UK records with a widespread distribution mostly across the southern half of Britain (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• The larvae and adults feed within the flower buds and flowers of Juncus species (bladmineerders.nl)
• Kateretidae species are very small and similar-looking, so careful examination is needed.

iRecord top 10 species April 2025

References