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.

True Bugs (Hemiptera)

Eulecanium tiliae (Coccidae), Northwich, VC58, 24/05/2025, C. Hynes

• On Elm.
• Possibly second record for VC58, with 184 other published UK records. The distribution is seemingly quite restricted with most records from around Leicestershire – probably not a reflection of true distribution because of lack of records (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• This species attach to and feed on the twigs and branches of various deciduous woody plant species. There is one generation per year, and the larvae hibernate as second instars (bladmineerders.nl). The galls are most likely to be found around Spring and Autumn, but can be found almost any time of year (naturespot.org.uk).
• Also called the Nut Scale, this species, although variable, are fairly distinctive. Although they look like galls, the shiny brown convex protrusion is actually the insect itself (naturespot.org.uk(.

Moths and Butterflies (Lepidoptera)

Oinophila v-flava (Tineidae), Amberswood, Wigan, VC59, 28/04/2025 (12/05/2025), S. Gibson

• The first confirmed record in VC59 for over 100 years. There are only a handful of other UK records, most of which are on the Isle of Scilly (Sterling & Parsons, 2023)
• On the Isle of Scilly and Kent where it is probably a native resident, the larvae feed among fine silken strands on a variety of seemingly unrelated foodstuffs – Zasmidium cellare fungus growing on cellar walls, wine corks, and the bark of a Pittosporum crassifolium shrub. It has also been bred from the pot of a Euphorbia tirucalli houseplant. The larvae are active from May to June and August, and the adults can be found flying freely in the evening and dusk from June to September. It has also been recorded as a non-target species at pheromone lures (Sterling & Parsons, 2023).
• This micro-moth, also called the Yellow V Moth, is relatively distinctive with its dark brown forewing colouration and contrasting V-shaped marks about halfway along the wing and yellow spots. It also has an orange head.

Beetles (Coleoptera)

Ampedus balteatus (Elateridae), Ainsdale NNR, VC59, 10/05/2025, P. Kinsella

• First record for the Sefton Coast and 11th for VC59. It is a relatively common species and widespread, with 1,055 other published UK records across the whole of Great Britain (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• The larvae develop within rotting stumps and branches of various tree species, and they pupate in the Autumn with adults emerging the following Spring. The adults are diurnal at can be resting on foliage in a range of habitats (naturespot.org.uk).
• This click beetle species is very distinctive with its black pronotum and contrasting red elytra with a broad black band at its apex.

Psilothrix viridicoerulea (Melyridae), Fleetwood Dunes, Borough of Wyre, VC60, 05/2025, A. Beech

• Several adults found on Dandelion and Ragwort.
• Possibly 1st VC60 record, with 213 other published UK records. The distribution is almost entirely along the south coast of England from Cornwall to Kent, with only a few records elsewhere (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• In the UK, it can be found feeding on the pollen of various coastal plants. In Europe it is much more widespread and is found inland, and so this could suggest a differing ecology (gbif.org.uk).
• This metallic blue-green species is distinctive in its habitat in that no other species looks like it.

Melandrya caraboides (Melandryidae), Beacon Country Park, Skelmersdale, VC59, 10/05/2025, C. Washington

• Adult found under loose bark.
• Possibly 1st VC59 record, with 306 other published UK records. The distribution is widespread across England and Wales (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• Not much is known of the ecology of this species, but most records are associated with dead or decaying wood of various broad-leaved trees, such as Oak, Beech, and Birch (eakringbirds.com). Other members of the family (termed False Darkling Beetles), are found under the bark, near or on fungi, or even on flowers (kerbtier.de)
• As its species name suggests, this very much resembles a ground beetle (Carabidae), but its large palps should easily distinguish it from any ground beetle species.

Mites (Acari)

Cecidophyopsis psilaspis (Eriophyidae), Marbury Park, Northwhich, VC58, 09/05/2025, C. Hynes

• Galls found on Yew
• Possibly 1st VC58 record, with only 25 other published UK records. The distribution seems widespread across the whole of Great Britain, with most records around Leicestershire (although this could just be a reflection of survey efforts, rather than true distribution) (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• This species of mites cause galls (irregular plant growth) on terminal branches of Yew, and each gall can contain many individuals. These galls open up like buds as they age, but as closed galls they are generally found around spring and summer (bladmineerdes.nl).
• The galls of this species could be confused with another gall-forming species, the fly Taxomyia taxi which also associates with Yew. The galls of this fly, however, are green and somewhat resemble an artichoke, unlike the smooth-ish brown galls of Cecidophyopsis psilaspis.

Flies (Diptera)

Placochela nigripes (Cecidomyiidae), Neumann’s Flash, Northwich, VC58, 26/05/2025, C. Hynes

• Several larval galls found on Elder.
• Possibly first new record for the region, with only 18 other published UK records showing a widespread but very scattered distribution – most records are around the Midlands but this could be a reflection of survey efforts rather than true distribution (nbnatlas.org.uk)
• This species of gall midge produces galls in the flower buds of privets, honeysuckles, and elders. There is one generation a year, and the larvae hibernate in the ground (bladmineerders.nl)
• The galls are fairly distinctive as green swellings on flower buds of the host plants, although sometimes they may contain the white larva of the gall midge Anoroldiola sambuci. The larvae of Placochela nigripes are orange (naturespot.org.uk).

Brachyopa bicolor (Syrphidae), Ainsdale NNR, VC59, 13-18/05/2025, P. Kinsella

• Several adults found feeding at sap run
• A new species for the Merseyside and Lancashire, with the only other regional record at Saddleworth, Manchester in 2021. 100 other published UK records showing a seemingly widespread distribution across England with only a couple records in Scotland (nbnatlas.org.uk). It is considered Nationally Scarce (2014, JNCC Species Status No. 9).
• Brachyopa bicolor is most often found at sap-runs on old Beech or Oak trees (hence its common name, Dark-saddled Sap Hoverfly) from May to July. They can also be found feeding at flowers of Hawthorn and Field Maple (flickr.com, Steven Falk).
• Similar to our other Brachyopa species, this is differentiated most easily by having a round pit on the scutellum, which is grey (flickr.com, Steven Falk).

Eristalis similis (Syrphidae), Ainsdale NNR, VC59, 10/05/2025, P. Kinsella

• Adult female found.
• The 5th record for the region, and the first for the Sefton Coast. 34 other published UK records with a very scattered but widespread distribution across the whole of the UK (nbnatlas.org.uk), and only first recorded in the UK in 1990, or perhaps 1942 (flickr.com, Steven Falk).
• As this species was only recorded in the UK for the first time relatively recently, little is known about its ecology in the UK except for that it probably breeds and develops in ditches or other stagnant water, like other Eristalis species (flickr.com, Steven Falk).
• Eristalis species are generally field-identifiable, with subtle differences between the species, and so close examination from a specimen or high-quality photo is needed.

Tanyptera atrata (Tipulidae), Amberswood, Wigan, VC59, 28/04/2025 (12/05/2025), S. Gibson

• Adult male found.
• Possibly the 4th record for VC59, with 411 other published UK records showing a widespread distribution across the whole of the UK (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• The larva of this species feeds on rotting wood, mostly that of Birch stumps.
• The females of this species is very striking with red and black colouration and a large black ovipositor. The males are mostly orange, but with a black thorax. They also have large feathery orange antennae

Brachypalpoides lentus (Syrphidae), Sands Lake, Ainsdale, VC59, 11/05/2025, P. Kinsella

Brachypalpoides lentus (Syrphidae), Sands Lake, Ainsdale, VC59, 19/05/2025, P. Smith

• Less than 20 other VC59 records, and first for the Sefton Coast since 1959, with 652 other published UK records. The distribution is widespread across the whole of England and Wales, with a only a few records in Northern Ireland and Scotland (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• Adults can be found from April to August in old woodland where they are often resting on foliage and bark under shade (flickr.com, Steven Falk).
• This species is distinctive with its striking red-banded abdomen, although it could be mistaken for Xylota segnis which has a similar build. Xylota segnis is generally smaller and with an orange (not red) band on the abdomen, and pale legs (flickr.com, Steven Falk).

Myopa testacea (Conopidae), Ravenmeols LNR, VC59, 05/05/2025, P. Smith

• Adult found on Hawthorn blossom
• Possibly the 2nd record for VC59, with 219 other published UK records. The distribution is mainly in the Midlands and South of England, and Wales. There are few records in Scotland and Northern Ireland (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• Adults can be found from April to July and peak with Hawthorn blossom, and can be found in gardens, allotments, and other areas with flowers. Adults can be found on flowers, either foraging for pollen or waiting to intercept prey. Conopidae parasitoids of bees and wasps, and this species is thought to be associated with Andrena scotica, vaga, and perhaps haemorrhoa (flickr.com, Steven Falk).
• The Conopidae are very distinctive for Diptera with their usually bright and contrasting colouration, curled abdomens, thin waists, and large heads – although this means they may be mistaken for wasps. Myopa tend to be a rusty red colour with long, white jowls. Inspection of the wing venation and colouration of the thorax is needed to get to species (flickr.com, Steven Falk)

Bees, Wasps, Ants, and Sawflies (Hymenoptera)

Pediaspis aceris (Cynipidae), Anderton with Marbury, Cheshire West, VC58, 25/08/2024 (15/05/2025), C. Hynes

• Galls found on Acer key.
• The first confirmed record for the UK, with only one more since (in Debden, Essex on 14/05/2025 by Chris Gibson). The species is native to, and appears to be widespread in Europe (gbif.org).
• Like other gall wasps species, Pediaspis aceris has alternating generations of sexual and asexual (or agamic) individuals. The agamous generation forms soft galls on the roots of Acer trees which by Autumn are ripe and turn woody. Adult wasps then emerge in the autumn of the third subsequent year. The sexual generation form thinly-walled galls on the terminal buds/branches, leaves, and keys of Acer. This generation’s adults emerge in the third Autumn (bladmineerders.nl).
• The agamic galls, by Autumn, are hard and lumpy and form a non-uniform mass around the roots. The sexual galls are smooth and spherical and initially green, and when ripe they are brown and more woody (bladmineerders.nl).

Macrophya albicincta s.l. (Tenthredinidae), Alt Bridge, VC59, 01/05/2025, P. Smith

• As an aggregate, there are 158 published UK records with a widespread but scattered distribution across Britain, with most records concentrated between London and Cambridgeshire. Macrophya albicincta is the less common species of the aggregate with 23 records. M. alboannulata has 118 records. Either species would likely be a first for VC59, but they are likely under-reported (nbnatlas.org.uk).
• Both species are associated with Elder, but M. albicincta is also associated with Common and Red Valerian (symphyta.org.uk).
• M. alboannulata was once considered to be the same species as M. albicincta, but was split on the basis of differences in the colouration of the hind trochanters and trochantellus – M. albcincta has black trochanters and trochantellus are white with a black spot. In M. alboannulata, the trochanters are mainly white and the trochantellus does not have a black spot (symphyta.org.uk).

iRecord top 10 species May 2025

References