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.
Acari (Mites)
Aceria genistae (Eriophyidae), Ashtons Flash, Nortwhich, VC58, 29/10/2024 C. Hynes
Larval gall found on Broom.
Possible 1st VC58 record, with 39 other published UK records. Distribution appears to be widespread in England, with a few records in northern Wales and no Scottish records (nbnatlas.org.uk).
This species can be found most easily as galls on Broom plants, which themselves grow in heaths, open woodlands, and coastal areas (wildlifetrusts.org.uk), and they can be found from late spring through late into the year (naturespot.org.uk).
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Tychus striola (Staphylinidae), Elton Reservoir Basin Country Park, Bury, VC59, 31/05/2024 (06/10/2024), D. Bentley
Female collected with sucker, recently confirmed.
3rd or 4th British record, with an unknown distribution. Also a Red Data Book Indeterminate species (coleoptera.org.uk).
Little is known about this species due to its rarity and low number of records in the UK.
Magdalis cerasi (Curculionidae), Bury, VC59, 31/05/2024 (06/10/2024), D. Bentley
Recently confirmed.
1st VC59 record, with 292 UK records total. It is relatively widespread in the South to Midlands of the UK, but is considered Nationally Notable B (nbnatlas.org.uk).
Not much is known about this species due to its scarcity, other than it feeds on Hawthorn (naturespot.org.uk).
This species is very similar to other species of Magdalis, and so it should be carefully inspected (ukbeetles.co.uk).
Scymnus interruptus (Coccinellidae), Riverside, Nantwich, VC58, 06/10/2024, M. Justamond
Collected from Privet hedge.
Possibly 1st VC58 record. 558 UK records in total. Distributed mainly in the South-east, and sporadically towards the Midlands (nbnatlas.org.uk). It is believed to be a recent colonist as a result of climate change (naturespot.org.uk).
Adults can be found all year round in hedges and shrubs, often in and around gardens, and are often associated with ivy. They feed on mealybugs and other scale insects (naturespot.org.uk).
This species is quite small at around 1.5mm, with many hairs across its body. Its red chevron marks on each elytron make it a relatively distinctive species (naturespot.org.uk).
Diptera (True Flies)
Leopoldius signatus (Conopidae), Ravenmeols LNR, VC59, 10/10/2024, P. Kinsella
Two females found on ivy flowers.
Few records from VC59, and first for the Sefton Coast. 101 published UK records total, with a widespread distribution (nbnatlas.org.uk).
Also known as the Ivy Waspgrabber, this species can be found around ivy where it feeds on the pollen/nectar, and can be found from September to October. Like other Conopids, this species is a parasitoid of wasps, most likely Vespula vulgaris (flickr.com, Steven Falk).
Leopoldius species are most similar to species of Conops. The two are distinguished most easily by their mouthparts, with Leopoldius having soft mouthparts, and Conops having sclerotised mouthparts. L. signatus can be separated from other Leopoldius species based differences in face and leg markings in males, and abdominal markings in females (flickr.com, Steven Falk).
Wiedemannia lota (Empididae), Wilmslow, VC58, 14/10/2024, D. Bentley
Collected from dipping vegetation.
Possibly 6th UK record. Distribution of the species is sporadic (nbnatlas.org.uk).
There is little information about this species due to its rarity and low number of UK records.
Heteromyza oculata (Heleomyzidae), Lord’s Lot, Carpernway, VC60, 06/10/2024, N. Garnham
Female.
Possibly 1st VC60 record. 134 published UK records on NBN, with a sporadic distribution across the UK (nbnatlas.org.uk).
There is little information on the ecology of this species, but according to NBN records they are seemingly found all year round, and are most common between May and October (nbnatlas.org.uk). Other species in the family feed on decaying plant and animal matter (naturespot.org.uk).
As the family is relatively small and not well researched, there are few identification keys. More information on identification of Heleomyzid flies can be obtained from the Heleomyzid Recording Scheme, run by Ian Andrews.
Hemiptera (True Bugs)
Tropidosteptes pacificus (Miridae), Spud Wood, Lymm, VC58, 05/10/2024, J. Boe
Three individuals (all female) found/swept from vegetation on 05/10, with two more (one male, one female) found on Ash trees on 07/10.
Possibly 2nd (to 7th) VC58 records, with previously only 20 UK records, showing a scattered distribution from London to Cheshire/Lancashire area (irecord.org.uk).
This species is actually native to the USA, and it was first recorded in the UK in 2012 from either imported horticultural goods from the USA, or from natural spread from Holland where it was first detected in Europe. The adults and nymphs feed on Ash, and can be found most commonly from June to September (although there may be more than one generation per year) (britishbugs.org.uk).
T. pacificus is a distinctive species, being medium sized and yellowish with two characteristic black dots on the pronotum. It is also sexually dimorphic, with the 2nd antennal segment being mostly pale in females, and almost completely black in males (britishbugs.org.uk).
Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps, Ants & Sawflies)
Ormyrus nitidulus (Ormyridae), Spud Wood, Lymm, VC58, 21/10/2024, J. Boe
Female found sunning on Urtica leaf.
Possible 1st VC58 record, with 17 UK records total (although this is likely from under-recording, rather than actual scarcity). Relatively widespread distribution, with most records concentrated around Leicester (nbnatlas.org.uk).
Records of this species are often associated/recorded from areas with oak and oak galls formed by other insects. It is likely a parasitoid of Andricus gall wasps. They can be found from April to November (naturespot.org.uk).
Ormyrus species are very distinctive with their metallic blue colouration, hunched thorax, and elongated/tapered gaster. Identification of species requires detailed examination (naturespot.org.uk).
Brachymeria tibialis (Chalcididae), Ravenmeols LNR, Formby, VC59, 07/10/2024, P. Kinsella
4th VC59 record (others also from P. Kinsella in July/August 2023), 6 UK records published on NBN (nbnatlas.org.uk). First recorded in the UK in 2008 (BJENHS 21 p149-151, Jones 2008).
This species is mainly an endoparasitoid (meaning it feeds within, and eventually kills a host species) of several moth pupae, particularly those of Zygaenidae within the UK (Entomologist’s Gazette 52(4) p263-268, Askew & Shaw, 2001).
Many Chalcidid wasps are difficult to identify, but this one is relatively distinctive. It measures around 5mm long and is mainly black, and it has distinctive swollen trochanters and femurs, with bright yellow curved hind tibiae (naturespot.org.uk).
Philanthus triangulum (Crabronidae), Crosby Coastal Park, Waterloo, VC59, 02/10/2024, P. Kinsella
Adult male.
While not rare (77 VC59 records, 1,784 UK records), this is the 4th record in October. Most records appear in June to September, peaking July/August (nbnatlas.org.uk).
Also known as the Bee Wolf, this species is well-known to capture and paralyse individuals of various bee species to stash in their nests to feed their young with. They are mainly found in sandy habitats from June through to September (bwars.org.uk).
It is one of the largest UK solitary wasp species (measuring up to 17mm long), and can be recognised through the thickened antennae. Wing venation should always be checked to confirm identity (naturespot.org.uk)
3rd VC59 record, 51 UK records with scattered records across the country (nbnatlas.org.uk).
Females (which only live for about three weeks once mated) look for weak/stressed pine trees in which they lay their eggs by drilling into the wood with their ovipositor. Females then inject a mix of chemicals and fungal spores to further weaken the tree to allow for easier development of the larva. The larvae can take up to three years to grow and emerge as adults (sawflies.org.uk).
Woodwasps are distinctive, but this species is similar to Sirex atricornis and differences in wing venations should be looked at. Males of both species have red bands on their abdomen, and females have completely black abdomens (sawflies.org.uk).
Pseudoneuroterus saliens (Cynipidae), Sefton Park, Liverpool, VC59, 01/10/2024, S. McWilliam
Asexual larval galls on Turkey Oak leaves.
14 other VC59 records, with 44 UK records total with scattered distribution (nbnatlas.org.uk). Likely overlooked/under-recorded.
The larvae of these gall wasps create abnormal growths of plant tissues in which they live and feed and are protected from predators, and can be found when trees have leaves. This species reproduces both sexually and asexually through alternating generations (naturespot.org.uk)
The asexual galls are most easily identified as small red to green growths on Turkey Oak leaves. Sexual galls are more difficult to identify as they can look similar to other species, but they have long red fleshy protrusions. Adults are even more so difficult to identify (naturespot.org.uk).
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Stigmella ulmivora (Nepticulidae), Marbury Park, Northwich, VC58, 14/10/2024, C. Hynes
Leaf mine found on Elm.
Possibly 1st VC58 record, with 471 UK records total. The distribution seems to be around the middle of England, stretching from Norfolk towards Wales (nbnatlas.org.uk).
Also known as the Barred Elm Dot, this lives and feeds between layers of leaf tissue as larvae. The leaf mines can be found in from August to September (leafmines.co.uk), and adults can be found from May (norfolkmoths.co.uk).
The leaf mine of this species is very variable, and so the best way to confirm identity is to rear the larvae to adulthood and dissect them (norfolkmoths.co.uk).
Phyllonorycter schreberella (Gracillariidae), Marbury Park, Northwich, VC58, 14/10/2024, C. Hynes
Larva and leaf mine found on Elm.
Possibly 1st VC58 record, with 707 UK records total. The distribution seems to be around the middle of England, stretching from Norfolk towards Wales (nbnatlas.org.uk).
Also known as the Shining Elm Leaf-miner, this lives and feeds between layers of leaf tissue as larvae. The leaf mines can be found in two generations in July, and September to October (bladmineerders.nl), and can be found as adults in May and August (ukmoths.org.uk).
The leaf mine of this species is most similar to P. tristrigella (which also feeds on Elm), but it is longer and more narrow than P. schreberella.
Mecoptera (Scorpionflies)
Panorpa germanica (Panorpidae),Wicks Path, Formby Point, VC59, 22/08/2024 (22/10/2024), P. Smith
Newly confirmed record of a female.
3rd record for the Sefton Coast, and almost 2,000 UK records total with a widespread distribution (nbnatlas.org.uk).
This species can be found from May to July in hedgerows and other shady, wooded areas with lush vegetation. As adults and larvae, they feed on carrion and other decaying matter. Mating often occurs at night, and sometimes during mating the female will kill and eat the male. To try and avoid this, males can sometimes be seen giving a ‘gift’ of his saliva (naturespot.org.uk).
The two most common Panorpa species (P. germanica and communis) are very similar. Males of Panorpa species are separated by looking at the shape of the hypovalves on the genital capsule, whereas females are separated based on differences in the ovipositor or through dissection (naturespot.org.uk).
Orthoptera (Crickets and Grasshoppers)
Leptophyes punctatissima (Phaneropteridae), Scutchers Acres, Burscough, VC59, 03/10/2024, J. Watt
Male found sunning itself.
40 other VC59 records. Quite common in the South of the UK (21,229 records), and increasingly scarce further north (nbnatlas.org.uk).
Also known as the Speckled Bush-cricket, this species can be found as adults from late to July / early August through to November in woody habitats (open woodland, scrub, hedgerows, and gardens), where it feeds on a variety of shrubs. Females lay eggs in tree/shrub bark (orthoptera.org.uk).
Both sexes of the Speckled Bush-cricket have very short wings, and can be distinguished from other brachypterous species by fine dark speckling across the entire body (orthoptera.org.uk).