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.

Coleoptera (Beetles)

Oligota granaria (Staphylinidae), Sound Common, VC58, 02/06/2024, C. Washington

• Very few UK records
• Last record for VC58 on NBN is from 1933

Bibloplectus ambiguus (Staphylinidae), Sound Common, VC58, 02/06/2024, C. Washington

• Possibly new to VC58

Lamprinodes saginatus, (Staphylinidae), Sound Common, VC58, 02/06/2024, C. Washington

• Found in ant nest in litter heap 
• Possibly new to VC58 

Meligethes fulvipes (Apionidae), Ashton’s Flash, VC58, 17/06/2024, C. Washington   

• Likely new to VC58

Dropephylla gracilicornis (Staphylinidae), Grozone Northwich, VC58, 20/06/2024, C. Washington

• Found in decaying timber / rot holes
• Very few VC58 records

Trixagus carinifrons (Throscidae), Appleton Park, VC58, 24/06/2024, C. Washington

• Likely new to VC58

Hemiptera (Bugs)

Kybos calyculus (Cicadellidae), Rostherne Mere, VC 58, 07/06/2024, Keith Fowler

• Two males taken from Birch – on which it’s known to feed
• A first record for VC58, Cheshire and the region. A combined 9 records published on NBN Atlas and iRecord. Likely under-recorded due to identification difficulty
• No image was found of the species. The above photo is not K. calyulus, but representing the Kybos genus

Zyginella pulchra (Cicadellidae), Rostherne Mere, VC58, 07/06/2024, Keith Fowler

• A first record for VC58. The two other NW records (both VC59) are from gardens in Croft and Woolton
• First recorded as an immigrant to the UK in 2001, but now found throughout England as far North as Wakefield
• Known to overwinter on evergreen foliage in the winter but are otherwise usually found on sycamore trees. The Rostherne record was taken from Birch

Hoplomachus thunbergii (Meridae), Ashton’s Flash, VC58, 17/06/2024,  C. Washington

• Likely first for VC58

Alebra wahlbergi (Cicadellidae), Eaves Wood & Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve, VC60, 26/06/24, K. Fowler

• Swept from woundwort
• Scattered records across England, primarily in the South
• A first for VC60

Streptanus marginatus (Cicadellidae), Birk Bank, VC60, 23/06/24, K. Fowler

• Found in the heather vegetation
• A first for VC60

Scolopostethus grandis (Lygaeidae), Dalton Crags, VC60, 28/06/24, K. Fowler

• New to VC60

Trapezonotus dispar (Lygaeidae), Dalton Crags, VC60, 28/06/2024, K. Fowler

• Widespread in southern England and more strongly associated with wooded habitats than other species in the genus
• New to Lancashire

Psallus perrisi (Miridae), RHS Bridgewater, VC59, 21/06/2024, K. Fowler

• New to VC59
• Probably under-recorded due to identification difficulty

Euconomelus lepidus (Delphacidae), RHS Bridgewater, VC59, 21/06/2024, K. Fowler

• First VC59 record since 1980

Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps & Ants)

Pyhadeuon clotho (Ichneumonidae), RSPB Dovestone, VC59, 13/09/2023, S. Suttill

• On the British list but no other online published records available. Likely to be a first record for the record for this under-studied group.
• This specimen emerged 2nd April 2024 from a pupa of Cheilosia grossa found at the base of a thistle stem on 13/09/2023.

Ichneumon sarcitorius, Crosby Marine Park, VC59, 06/06/2024 & 17/06/2024, Peter Kinsella

• Only three other records on NBN for the North West
• Most likely under recorded

Chrysis viridula, Brockholes LNR, VC60, 02/06/2024, John Wright & Paul Brennan

• Appears to be the first VC60 record.
• Scattered records throughout England but often coastal, especially in Wales and SW and Northern England.
• A parasitoid of the eumenid wasps Odynerus spinipes which was present at the site on the day of recording.
• This species appears to be in decline, so a record such as this is good news.

Osmia bicolor, Crosby Marine Park, VC59, 06/06/2024, Peter Kinsella

• Appears to be the first for VC59
• Distributed predominantly in southern England and south Wales, the range being closely correlated with chalk and limestone soils.
• Nesting occurs in snail shells
• Classified as a Nationally Notable (Nb) species by Falk (1991)

Diptera (Flies)

Chrysopilus laetus, Bolton le Sands, VC60, 02/06/2024, Steve Garland

• A new record to VC60. C. laetus, or the Tree Snipefly is typically found in the south east
• More information found on the blog here, written by Steve himself:

The following three entries are written by Philip Brighton, with minor alterations

Brachyopa insensilis, Ravenmeols LNR, VC59, 10/05/2024, Peter Kinsella

Peter Kinsella (CC-BY)

• There are four British species in the genus Brachyopa all with a very similar appearance and distinguished by the size of small pits on the inside of the antennae
• The larvae develop in sap runs on or under the bark of deciduous trees of a range of species
• Likely new to VC59

Brachyopa pilosa, Ainsdale NNR, VC59, 11/04/2024, Peter Kinsella

Peter Kinsella (CC-BY)

• The same remark apply as for the previous species. It is interesting that these two species have been recorded in the same coastal area along with the slightly commoner Brachyopa scutellaris, but none of them have been recorded elsewhere in VC59.

Chalcosyrphus eunotus, Shell Wood, VC58, 09/05/2024, Nick Mott 

• This scarce hoverfly species is mainly found in the English midland and the Welsh borders.  Its larvae develop in semi-submerged wood and the adults tend to be found resting on logs as here. The location is in the less well recorded south-east corner of Cheshire, not far from previous records in Staffordshire.
• Likely new to VC58

Subclytia rotundiventris, Ravenmeols LNR, 19/06/2024, Peter Kinsella

• Found locally throughout southern Britain north to Durham 
• Only three other records on NBN for VC59
• The main host appears to be the Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea (Acanthosomatidae)

Spiders (Araneae)

Theridiosoma gemmosum, Middleton Nature Reserve, VC60, 17/05/2024, Jessica Juliet Sharp

• A new record for VC60, and also the most northerly British record of T. gemmosum.
• Generally found in south east England
• Typically found in wet areas such as bogs and marshes

Tetragnatha nigrita, Rostherne Mere, VC58, 07/06/2024, Jessica Juliet Sharp

• A new record to VC58, T. nigrita is spread throughout England, though is considered uncommon.
• Typically associated with bodies of water, found on surrounding vegetation.

Philodromus albidus, RHS Bridgewater, VC59, 21/06/2024, Jessica Juliet Sharp

• Typically found in South East England, with few records this northerly.
• Most adults can be found between April and July, at the edge of woodland or in hedgerows.

iRecord top 10 species June 2024

References