BUCKS INVERTEBRATE GROUP BULLETIN Number 13 Spring 2003

~ Contents ~ Introducing the Gastrotrichs Pages 1-7 Some more Local Records from Prestwood Pages 7-8 Travels with a Coleopterist Pages 8-10 Key to Millipedes Pages 11- 17 Straight from the Anorak’s Lapel Pages 18 Field meeting reports Pages 18- 25 Ewelme Watercress Beds Pages 25- 26

fasinating group of invertebrates INTRODUCING THE had never featured in our GASTEROTRICHA (Hairy-backs) newsletter.

Eric D. Hollowday

The finding of the biggest gasterotrich I had ever seen, Chaetonotus schultzei Metschnikoff (figs 1a and 1b), at 440microns in a sample collected with Tony Marshall at the source of the Misbourne in August 2001, reminded me that this obscure but

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 1 -

BIG News Number 13 dorsal surface of their bodies, but gasterotrich (Greek – gaster, stomach and thrix, hair) refers to their possession of ventral bands of cilia which provide their means of locomotion (fig 2). They do have numerous sensory hairs and setae on the head, but, unlike the rotifers, these are not used for locomotion (fig 3).

In Britain, the Gastrotricha have been even more neglected than their close relatives the Rotifera, and yet, as Martin (1981) points out, they are a group offering considerable scope to the amateur. They were first described and figured by O. F. Muller (1786) and the genus Chaetonotus was established by Ehrenberg (1838). They were once regarded as being close to the Turbellaria, a division of the platyhelminths (flatworms). Metschnikoff (1864) proposed the name Gastrotricha and suggested they be united with the Rotifera, and Zelinka (1889) proposed the name Trochelminths to cover the two groups. They are at present included in the phylum Aschelminths along with the Rotifera, Kinorhyncha and Nematoda.

The ‘common’ name, “ Hairy- backs” (often used in popular books on pond life) refers to the numerous spines arising from the

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 2 -

BIG News Number 13 Gastrotricha may be described as being approximately cylindrical, The body surface itself consists of dorsally convex and ventrally a thin cuticle, usually in the form of flattened multicellular microscopic diversely shaped scales, often over- (75-500microns in total lapping, and each furnished with a length) occurring in both curved spine of varying length, freshwater and marine habitas, in (figs 4 & 6b) usually single but, in the latter mainly between sand some genera are divided into 4 or 5 grains. They are divided into two prongs. In some cases the scales main groups, the Chaetonotoidea, are absent but the spines occur, almost exclusively freshwater and set directly into the cuticle whereas parthenogenetic (two genera are in Lepidormella (fig 5) scales are hermaphrodite), possessing present but lacking the spines. protonephridia with flame bulbs, and with adhesive tubes confined As in rotifers, the cuticle is to the forked ‘tail’. The second underlain by a syncytial (i.e. a group, the Macrodasyoidea, are multi-nucleate mass without cell exclusively marine, and with the walls) epidermis. The body is exception of one genus, (in which pseudocoelomate, i.e. the gap individuals may be male, female or between the gut and the body wall hermaphrodite), are completely is not a true coelom. hermaphrodite. They also lack a protonephridial system (which in Chaetonotoidea, is used for osmoregulation as in rotifers) but possess adhesive tubes on anterior, lateral and posterior surfaces. A few species in both groups possess ocelli, pigmented ‘eyespots’, on the frontal margin of the head, connecting with the main ganglion or ‘brain’.

One of the most striking differences between gastrotrichs and rotifers is the absence in the former of the ‘jaws’ or trophi, so characteristic of the latter. Also, where it occurs, (ie in the Chaetonotoidea), the protonephridial system does not empty into a urinary bladder as in rotifers, but discharges directly through an opening in the middle of the ventral surface.

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 3 -

BIG News Number 13 Two ovaries produce elongate eggs which are deposited when ripe. Except for one genus, the eggs of the Chaetonotoidea develop with the full compliment of chromosomes (parthenogenesis). In the one exceptional genus testis are present as in all the marine Macrodasyoidea. Mellanby (1938) erroneously states that all gastrotichs are hermaphrodite.

The nervous system consists of a relatively large main ganglion or

‘brain’ in the ‘head’ giving off a pair The system of longitudinal muscles of lateral nerves containing ganglia (fig 7) is similar to that of rotifers. along the whole length of the body The digestive system (fig 8) of and connecting with various tactile gastrotrichs bears no resemblance setae including tufts on the head. to that of rotifers, but is almost identical with that of nematode A characteristc of all gastrotrichs is worms, especially as regards the the possession of adhesive tubes, pharynx, the latter adapted for producing a sticky secretion sucking. Food consists of bacteria, enabling the to adhere to protozoans, diatoms and general objects and surfaces. In the detritus, usually ingested as the macrodasyoids, these are widely animal glides over various surfaces. distributed, occurring on the head, Editors:Peter Hall and Martin Albertini e-mail peter.hall18#virgin.net & malbertini#onetel.net.uk

Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 4 -

BIG News Number 13 at or near the lateral margins of the body and on the forked ‘tail’, but in the Chaetonotoids they are confined to the latter structure.

Gastrotrichs, although quite common, are usually much less numerous in samples than rotifers; on the other hand, many are quite small (less than 100microns), very transparent and tend to disappear into any detritus which may be on the slide or in the dish under examination. Although swift Prior to the work of Martin (1981) swimmers when separated from in Surrey, only eleven species of detritus, they prefer to move over gastrotrichs had been recorded in plant stems and algal filaments. At British freshwaters. Collecting only least one genus, Stylochaeta (fig in the vicinity of Dorking and 11) occurs out in the open water of Guildford, he raised this to thirty large ponds as a member of the two, of which at least ten appeared plankton community. During the to be undescribed. 1970’s occurred at Bierton. Being personally pre-occupied with rotifers and waterfleas, I must confess to never having made a serious study of gastrotrichs myself, and prior to preparing this note, have not had the opportunity to consult the very latest literature and so cannot say how many species are currently known from freshwater and marine habitats in and around the British Isles. It is possible that the number recorded from marine habitats, especially amongst sand grains above and below highwater mark may exceed those recorded in freshwater.

An excellent account of biology of the group is to be found in Hyman (1951). Brunson (1959) gives a key to North American species, and the key by Voigt (1958) is particularly useful. Although in Editors:Peter Hall and Martin Albertini e-mail peter.hall18#virgin.net & malbertini#onetel.net.uk

Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 5 -

BIG News Number 13 German it is not difficult to use in Metschnikoff, E., 1864. Uber einige conjunction with a good wenig bekannte niedere English/German, German/English Thierformen. Zeitschr. Wiss. Zool. dictionary. Vol.15. Leipzig. Muller, O.F., 1786. Animalcula Gastrotrichs may be collected in Infusoria fluviatilia et marina. ponds and ditches with a fine (not Voigt, M., 1958. Gastrotricha more than 65micron) nylon net, or Gastrotrichen. (In Tierwelt by squeezing handfuls of algae and Mitteleuropas. Edits. Brohmer, P., pondweeds through such a net. Ehrmann, p. & Ulmer, G.). Vol. 1. Finding them under the microscope Lief. 4a, pp 1-74. in shallow dishes may be Zelinka, C., 1889. Die accomplished using a x 10 Gastrotrichen. Zeitschr. Wiss. Zool. objective and x 5 to 10 eyepiece. Vol.49. For more detailed study, a x 40 objective and similar eyepiece may Explanation of figures: be used. Fig 1a Chaetonotus schultzei Dorsal aspect after Metschnikoff. References: Fig 1b Single scale with spine Brunson, R.B., 1959. Gastrotricha. (scale bar refers to 1a). (In Ward & Whipple, Freshwater Fig 2 Ventral aspect of several Biology, 2nd edn. edit. W.T. species showing distribution of Edmondson), John Wiley & sons. bands of locomotory cilia. From London & New York, pp 406-419. Hyman after Remane. Ehrenberg, G.C., 1838. Die Fig 3 Head of Chaetonotus, (dorsal) Infusionsthierchen als volkommene showing sensory setae and spined Organismen. Leipzig. scales. From Zelinka. Hyman, L.H., 1951. The Fig 4 Six different forms of scales Invertebrtes. Vol.3. with spines. From Zelinka and Acanthocephala, Aschelminths & Voigt. Entoprocta. McGraw-Hill Co. Inc. Fig 5 Lepidodermella sp. dorsal London & New York. aspect showing overlapping Martin, L.V., 1981. Gastrotrichs spineless scales. From Hyman. found in Surrey. Microscopy, the Fig 6a Thaumastoderma sp. dorsal journal of the Quekett aspect showing two pairs of palps Microscopical Club. Vol. 34 (4), pp and four-pronged scales. From 286-300. Remane. Martin, L.V., 1990. Further Fig 6b Thaumastoderma sp. single Observations on Gastrotrichs in four-pronged scale spine. From Surrey and a Provisional British Remane. List. Microscopy, the journal of the Fig 7 Chaetonotus sp. ventral Quekett Microscopical Club. Vol. 36 aspect showing musculature. From (5), pp 415-424. Zelinka. Mellanby, H., 1938. Animal Life in Freshwater. Methuen.

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 6 -

BIG News Number 13 Fig 8 Chaetonotus sp. ventral Most Prestwood records this time aspect showing digestive system. are included in my article “Travels From Zelinka. with a Coleopterist”. A few other Fig 9a Aspidiophorus sp. showing uncommon species were seen, covering of stalked scales. From however, on other occasions. While Voigt. in May I recorded the commoner of Fig 9b Aspidiophorus sp.dorsal the two cardinal beetles, the red- surface enlarged to show pattern headed, Pyrochroa serraticornis as formed by three-spined outer end usual, I found a black-headed of stalked scales. From Voigt. P.coccinea in Pigotts Wood just Fig 10 Chaetonotus sp. dorsal outside the Prestwood parish, and aspect showing scales and spines right at the beginning of June (2nd) I of various sizes. From Voigt. was lucky enough to get one in my Fig 11 Stylochaeta sp. ventral own garden – a first record for aspect showing bunches of long Prestwood. spines. From Hyman. On 7 August, again in my garden, I Key to labelling: found a staphylinid or rove beetle AG – adhesive gland. Platydracus stercorarius, one of the AN – anus. species that is black except for AT – adhesive tube. conspicuous red wing-covers. It is BC – buccal capsule. rather local in its distribution. On 12 BS – bunch of spines. September my garden also yielded CB – ciliary band. the bug Rhopalus subrufus on St. LM – lateral muscles. John’s-wort, its preferred foodplant MB – mouth bristles. Although said to be common in the OV – ovary. southernmost counties (Southwood P – palps. & Leston), it is not so often seen PH – pharynx. further north, Bucks being more or PP – pharyngeal plug. less the limit of its distribution. This SB – sensory bristle. is my second record in Prestwood, ST – stomach. so that it is apparently well- SG – salivary gland. established here. Perhaps its range TF – tail fork. has expanded with recent mild TM – tail muscle. weather. VM – ventral muscle. Finally, on 13 September, while examining the Rickyard Cottage pond that Eric Hollowday and I are SOME MORE LOCAL RECORDS monitoring annually, I recorded a FROM PRESTWOOD water-bug not seen in the parish before, recorded as being Tony Marshall “occasional” in occurrence, Sigara lateralis. It is typical of ponds with a high pH and high organic content.

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 7 -

BIG News Number 13 The geese that were contributing to grassland slopes with the aid of his the latter have now been sold, so home-made vacuum machine, that the pond may become less which dragged up specimens that “fertilised” – to the advantage of its one could have spent all day biodiversity, perhaps, but it will searching for by eye and never probably mean the loss of the found. lateralis. Of 96 species recorded by both of Many local residents have been us (mostly by Peter!), 46 were new reporting Elephant hawk- records for the parish. These caterpillars this year – although I included 16 terrestrial beetles, 12 seem to be one of the few who did water beetles, 10 terrestrial bugs, not see one – and I understand it and 5 water bugs. While I would has been a good year for them, normally expect to obtain a number although generally I found it poor of new records on each expedition, for butterflies until the late summer and at one of the sites I had not and early autumn, when Commas, collected at all before, this was far Red Admirals, and Small in excess of what I would have Tortoiseshells in particular were achieved on my own. There are numerous around the Buddleia. often other spin-offs as well whenever one takes an intensive look at a site. On the first day we TRAVELS WITH A COLEOPTERIST discovered great crested newt in Peterley Manor Pond, the only Tony Marshall known extant site in the parish; while on the second day I recorded Aware that my lack of blue fleabane for the first time in entomological specialism was a the parish, despite exhaustive limitation on my attempt to map botanical searches over a good the flora and fauna of my parish, I many years! There is always took advantage of the fact that something else out there waiting Peter Hodge, one of the foremost for you! coleopterists in the country (but also generally more knowledgeable The first pond visited, beside the than I on ), was stranded in road along the top of Denner Hill, Prestwood on a visit to his in-laws had been re-dredged a couple of with some time on his hands for a years ago after becoming little couple of days. I accordingly more than a marsh. Last year I grabbed him and whisked him found an uncommon water beetle around several sites in Prestwood. here, Agabus sturmi, and had An extended morning (27 assessed it as very much improved September) was spent examining and likely to improve as more three of the best ponds in the area. species moved back in. On this The next day we spent the occasion we did not only re-find afternoon examining chalk that species, but Peter drew out 14

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 8 -

BIG News Number 13 more water beetles, 6 new to the did not, however, come across the parish, which shows the powers of rarer ones he recorded at the same dispersal and ability to find new time. Perhaps these were more ponds among our beetle fauna. I susceptible to change. had recorded most of the others before at neighbouring ponds, In the following lists I indicated all however, so perhaps I had new records by an *, while for overlooked some of these others those that were the first records there. since Quilter I have noted his date of collection in the comments. While this pond had a very respectable total for quite a small Dennerhill Pond 27th September 2002 Hemiptera pond, the other two we visited Corixa punctata were much larger but yielded fewer Hesperocorixa moesta * Ilyocoris cimicoides Saucerbug. Not species of water beetle, 8 at common, but I have Wibner Pond (2 new to the parish), recorded it at 2 local ponds before. and 10 at Peterley Manor Farm Notonecta glauca Pond (4 new). This last pond, Plea leachi Not common, but recorded at 2 local however, was remarkable not only ponds before for the newt, but also for two new Diptera water bug records for the parish, Eristalis tenax Drone fly Coleoptera one the water-measurer Agabus bipustulatus Hydrometra stagnorum and the Agabus sturmi Not common, but I had recorded it here & other a Notable B species at another pond in Microvelia pygmaea. This is the Prestwood. Coelambus * same pond where I found the rare impressopunctatus reed-beetle Donacia marginata a Colymbetes fuscus * Dytiscus marginalis Great diving beetle couple of years ago. Haliplus lineaticollis * Haliplus ruficollis The dry sites yielded many species Hydrobius fuscipes Hydroporus memnonius * Uncommon. I had not previously discovered, Hydroporus planus * showing the advantage of using a Hygrotus inaequalis * Hyphydrus ovatus suction device to unearth the Ilybius ater Not common, but I smaller bugs and beetles from the have recorded it at another local pond. bases of grass and moss. Not Laccophilus minutus many uncommon species were Leistus ferrugineus * Ground beetle, not esp. associated with found, but it was particularly wet ground. interesting for the confirmation of Noterus clavicornis Not common, but I have recorded it at a 12 beetle records (and one bug) nearby pond before. made by H.J. Quilter mainly in the 1920s & 30s and not recorded Dennerhill Pond 27th September 2002 Mollusca since. These were all beetles of Lymnaea stagnalis dry sites, typical of chalk slopes, a Oxyloma pfeifferi * Physa [gyrina?] habitat which has become less Hemiptera common since Quilter’s time. We Corixa punctata

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BIG News Number 13 Hesperocorixa linnaei * recorded 1923. Hesperocorixa moesta Atheta fagi * Staphylinid Hesperocorixa sahlbergi * Chaetocnema hortensis Leaf beetle; last record Notonecta glauca 1923. Coleoptera Longitarsus flavicornis * Leaf beetle Agabus bipustulatus Longitarsus pratensis * Leaf beetle; not Agabus sturmi common; first record. Anacaena limbata * Megasternum obscurum Last record for Haliplus ruficollis Prestwood before Hydrobius fuscipes 1950 Hydroporus angustatus * Metopsia retusa Staphylinid; not Hyphydrus ovatus common, but recorded Noterus clavicornis See note above. from same site previously. Peterley Manor Farm Pond 27th September Micropeplus fulvus * Staphylinid 2002 Scymnus [schmidti?] * Coccinellid; Odonata uncommon. Aeshna cyanea Southern hawker Sermylassa halensis Leaf beetle; last record 1922 Hemiptera Sitona humeralis Weevil; last record Hydrometra stagnorum * Water measurer; not 1922. common; first record for parish. Sitona lineatus Weevil; last record 1922. Microvelia pygmaea * Notable B species, rare but increasing. Stenus nanus * Staphylinid Coleoptera Tachyporus hypnorum Staphylinid; last record 1948. Agabus bipustulatus Trichosirocalus Weevil associated with Agabus nebulosus troglodytes plantain; last record Anacaena bipustulata * 1929. Anacaena globulus * Stony Bank & Brickfields 28th September 2002 Anacaena limbata Dermaptera Haliplus immaculatus * Forficula auricularia Common earwig Haliplus ruficollis Hemiptera: Heteroptera Helophorus minutus * Aelia acuminata * Mitre bug Hydrobius fuscipes Doylcoris baccarum Hygrobia hermanni Screech beetle Not Lygus rugulipennis common, but recorded Nabis flavomarginatus * Broad damsel bug. at 2 ponds previously. Notostira elongata * Hyphydrus ovatus Psylliodes napi * Leaf beetle, on the Phytocoris varipes * farm, not at the pond. Stalia major * Stenus binotatus * Staphylinid; not Hemiptera: homoptera common; first record. Eupelix cuspidata Leaf-hopper. Prestwood Picnic Site 28th September 2002 Neophilaenus lineatus * Leaf-hopper. Mollusca Philaenus spumarius Leaf-hopper. Trichia plebeia Neuroptera Hemiptera: Heteroptera Micromus variegatus Lacewing Acalypta parvula * Lace bug Catoplatus fabricii * Lace bug; Lycaena phlaeas Small Copper uncommon; associated Acronicta rumicis Knot-grass - larva with ox-eye daisy Diptera Lygus rugulipennis Coremacera marginata See note above. Taphropeltus contractus Last recorded for Eriothrix rufomarginata Prestwood 1921. Pherbellia cinerella * Sciomyzid fly. Hemiptera: Homoptera Platycheirus scutatus Hoverfly Eupelix cuspidata * Leaf hopper. Coleoptera Eupteryx notata * Leaf hopper. Apion apricans * Weevil. Megophthalmus scanicus * Leaf hopper. Apion dichroum Weevil. Diptera Apion gibbirostre * Weevil. Coremacera marginata * Snail-eating fly. Apion pisi Weevil Coleoptera Bembidion obtusum * Ground beetle Apion loti * Weevil Bradycellus harpalinus Ground beetle, last Apion pisi * Weevil recorded 1925. Apion seniculus Weevil; last recorded Longitarsus flavicornis Leaf beetle. for Prestwood 1919. Longitarsus pratensis Leaf beetle; see note Apteropeda orbiculata Leaf beetle, last above. Editors:Peter Hall and Martin Albertini e-mail peter.hall18#virgin.net & malbertini#onetel.net.uk

Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 10 -

BIG News Number 13 Oedemera lurida used to transfer sperm into the Protapion trifolii Weevil; last record 1919. female) and this is visible using a Psylliodes chrysocephala Leaf beetle. hand lens or by eye as a gap in the Rhyzobius litura Coccinellid Sitona humeralis Weevil walking legs of the live animal. Sitona sulcifrons * Weevil Many species also have secondary Stenus nanus Staphylinid Stilbus testaceus * Uncommon; first sexual characteristics such as record for parish. modified cheek plates and first pair Subcoccinella 24-punctata 24-spot ladybird. of legs. Immature males also have Tachyporus hypnorum Staphylinid Tytthaspis 16-punctata 16-spot ladybird a 'gap' in the walking legs but no Tychius picirostre Weevil, last recorded other modifications. Females (and 1944. Hymenoptera very young juveniles) have no gap, Lasius flavus Yellow ant with walking legs on all of these Stenamma westwoodii Ant nesting under stones. segments; their reproductive organs are behind the second pair of legs but are not normally visible. KEY TO BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Males have their penis behind the MILLIPEDES second pair of legs but this is not normally visible either. Helen Read To count the number of segments A 'Quick lesson' in millipede that a snake millipede has, start biology. with the collum as number 1 and stop at the last segment with legs, In order to use the key the i.e. don't include the pre-anal ring following diagrams should help to or telson (remember there are two explain what the various parts of legs per segment except at the the millipede are. It may also be very front). necessary to know if your millipede is a male or a female. Millipedes Male - front end can sometimes be identified with a hand lens when they are alive but often they need to be looked at under a microscope (especially when you are first starting to identify them). They cannot be preserved dry (all the important bits drop off when they dry out!) and are therefore preserved in fluid, usually 70% alcohol or industrial methylated spirits (IMS).

Snake type millipede If the animal is a mature male, legs 8 and 9 appear to be missing (they are actually modified into gonopods

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 11 -

BIG News Number 13 Male – back end

Flat backed type millipede

The sexes are separated in a similar way to the snake types except that the gonopods of the males (modified legs 8 and 9 on segment 7) are larger and are often clearly visible as yellow structures. Immature males are lacking leg pair 9 and have no gonopodal structures. Females and young juveniles have no gap in the legs. Mature females have two projections, of varying size, behind the second pair of legs.To count the segments of a flat backed millipede start with the collum and finish with the telson as the last Female flat backed millipede segment. Most British species have either 19 or 20 segments when mature (except false flatbacks that have more) the segment number is fixed in the adults.

Key: (omits species unlikely to be found in Bucks.) Referring to the images on page 13, which of the following 5

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 12 -

BIG News Number 13 statements most closely fits your millipede?

1. Does it roll up into a ball, is shiny, short and broad. Usually black but rarely small and white...…...... Go to section A 2. Does it look almost perfectly cylindrical and perfectly round in cross section. The head is smoothly continuous with the rest of the body. May vary in colour between white and black…… Go to section B 3. Does it have an obvious flat backed appearance with conspicuous keels or projections sticking out sideways. Usually red brown in colour……..Go to section C 4. Does it have slight or larger keels, is not perfectly cylindrical and has a clear notch between the head and the rest of the body. (This is the least common option) …………...... Go to section D

5. Is it less than 3mm long, covered in tufts of bristles…. Polyxenus lagurus (quite common but usually overlooked as not being a millipede. Found on lichen covered trees, stones and rocks and in the soil.) SECTION A - Pill millipedes N.B. The telson should completely cover the head when it rolls up (if not it is a woodlouse!). 1. Segments black in colour, often edged with white, and smooth. Adults broader than 3.0mm ...... Glomeris marginata (common) - Pale whitish, adults less than 2.0mm broad…………Stygioglomeris crinata (rare)

SECTION B - Snake millipedes

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 13 -

BIG News Number 13 1. Striae on the bottom half of the triangle ...... segments only (usually small and …………Nemasoma varicorne very thin millipedes)…...... 2

- Eyes composed of ocelli in a line or two lines ...... 4

Striae all the way up the segments ……...... 5

4. Eyes in a single line …...... Choneiulus palmatus (uncommon) (and young Proteroiulus fuscus) - Eyes linear but with a double line at the front (common under the bark of trees, males uncommon as reproduction is usually by parthenogenesis)....Proteroiulus 2. Blind (i.e. no eyes) and pale in fuscus colour. Three species key out here. The commonest is Blaniulus guttulatus which, when alive, has blood red spots down side (= repugnatorial glands) and is found in soil, especially cultivated. Also, Archiboreoiulus pallidus and 5. Look at the back of the Boreoiulus tenuis which are less millipede and see which picture the common. All three can be found telson matches best. together. a) Club shaped - Eyes present...... 3

3. Eyes composed of ocelli arranged in an equilateral

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 14 -

BIG News Number 13

b) Tip pointed downwards If the 1st pair of legs are tiny and

the second have flanges on it is Julus scandinavius.

c) Tip pointing up

Both Ophyliulus and Julus are common woodland animals found in the leaf litter. ii) Very pale, greenish brown - Allajulus nitidus (uncommon, found in the soil) d) No projection c) Black with white legs - Tachypodoiulus niger. Immatures may be paler with 2 dark bands running longitudinally. Very common everywhere, very active and often found around houses. - Dark brown with 2 pale orange bands running longitudinally. Found on sandy soils. a) Cylindroiulus punctatus - very Ommatoiulus sabulosus. common in woodland, under bark and in leaf litter. Curls into a spiral d) i) Blind, with no eyes – when disturbed. Cylindroiulus vulnerarius (uncommon) b) i) Even brown/black in colour. Females are very difficult to - With eyes in a more of less distinguish. triangular arrangement…...... ii) Males - look at the 1st pair of legs. If they are sickle shaped - Ophyiulus pilosus

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 15 -

BIG News Number 13 ii) Dark brown, with 2 pale bands, litter and cultivated soil...... telson very slightly pointed. .Brachydesmus superus Brachyiulus pusillus. - Larger than 10mm long, usually - Even colour all over darker in colour …...... 5 ...... iii) 5. Shiny, dark brown or pale in iii) Less than 16mm long and colour...... 6 brownish in colour - Cylindroiulus - Matt and chestnut brown britannicus, Cylindroiulus ...... 7 latestriatus or Cylindroiulus parisiorum. Can only be determined 6. - larger than 16mm - Oxidus by dissection. gracilis (hothouses) - More than 20mm long and - Less than 15mm - Stosatea blackish brown in colour italica (uncommon) (sometimes with metallic sheen) - Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus or 7. (Millipedes matt, chestnut Cylindroiulus londinensis (difficult brown, adults with 20 segments). to tell apart) Determine the sex and then look at the pictures to find out which SECTION C - Flat backed species. millipedes Males 1. Ocelli in a triangular group and Observe gonopods from side view. fairly conspicuous. Young animals If the animal is dead, break off a have very long setae on the dorsal couple of legs if necessary. surface. Quite common in some woodlands……………….... Nanogona Females polydesmoides (false flat back) Observe from underneath at - Blind (no ocelli)…...... 2 second pair of legs.

2. Less than 5mm long when mature, white in colour…...... 3 - More than 5mm long …...... 4

3. 19 segments (including collum and telson) when mature - Macrosternodesmus palicola - 20 segments when mature - Ophiodesmus albonanus

4. 8-10 mm long when mature,

dirty white in colour. Adult with 19 segments (including collum and telson). Common in soil, woodland

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 16 -

BIG News Number 13 Polydesmus angustus Largest and commonest.Woodland Polydesmus inconstans litter & bark. Woodland, open areas, gardens, smaller in size. Uncommon. ♂ ♂

♀ ♀

Polydesmus denticulatus Polydesmus gallicus Deciduous woodland, smaller in Woodland, especially damp. size. ♂ ♂

♀ ♀

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 17 -

BIG News Number 13 SECTION D 1. Strong keels or rounded lobes down the side……………………………2

- Roughly cylindrical in cross section ...... …………………………….3

2. Strong keels, very flat backed in appearance...... …………Nanogona polydesmoides (common) - Keels present but not strong, giving an uneven cross section.……………….. Craspedosoma rawlinsii (uncommon)

3. Pale, whitish. <10mm ...... Melogona gallica, and Melogona scutellare (uncommon) - Pigmented. brownish > 10mm ...... Chordeuma proximum

N.B. Some of these pictures are taken from the “Key to Millipedes” by J.G. Blower (1985), Synopses of British Fauna 35, where there is lots more information if anyone is interested.

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 18 -

BIG News Number 13 everything to create – wait for it – STRAIGHT FROM THE ANORAK’S more chalk downland! What an LAPEL idea!

Prof Lovibond The wonder of experienced people, setting the fire site immediately upwind of all the workers so that they can smell their clothes for an eternity afterwards. Chopping stumps down to ground level, the call of “’ber!!” as another tree falls to the ground in a crash. Very nice and it will be nice to go back in a years’ time to see the awful re- growth of scrub stimulated by such careful cutting and view the extra

work needed next Winter to clear The beautiful sounds of Spring are this all again. Still it will mean here again. Cuckoos and another bonfire at least. Nuthatches are singing away as I

write this, bees are busy searching So as we all worry about SARS – for nest sites and both native and mainly who on earth thought up Spanish bluebells in full bloom here such a silly acronym and whether in my secret country retreat. The it will follow the “modern” trend sound of over-powered and ultra and cross over to other species; noisy lawn mowers fill the air with another recording season is upon their presence and will that dog us. Enjoy it everyone. ever stop barking!

This is my third visit over the pond FIELD REPORTS FOR 2002 to “home”. I came back over the

Winter period to assist once more • Ivinghoe 18th May in a little conservation work, do my • 22nd May bit for nature as it where. As in all • 13th July conservation tasks, it involves • Hughenden Park 10th August cutting, burning and general destruction of the habitat that is IVINGHOE 18th May 2002 naturally establishing itself in a vain attempt to create an artificial one Martin Albertini that would replace it. Fortunately I was with like minded individuals, so The weather was dull and cool with the little bushes on the chalk some rain which resulted in the day downland were not left to give the time meeting being abandoned, birds a perch to rest in between however 8 people with 4 lamps flights, but it was a day of clearing came for the mothing. Not

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 19 -

BIG News Number 13 surprisingly the species list was short, with only 30 macromoths STOKE COMMOM 22nd June 2002 being recorded by packing-up time at midnight. The lamps were run in Martin Albertini The Coombe at SU964157. Despite cool, cloudy and windy Ivinghoe Moth Trapping 18th May 2002 weather 3 members attended the B&F Species Name daytime portion of this meeting. # 17 Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus Very little was on the wing or else 1647 Barred Hook-tip Watsonalla where. cultraria 1724 Red Twin-spot Xanthorhoe Carpet spadicearia It was good to see the Tiger beetle 1727 Silver Ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata Cicindela campestris on a gravelly 1746 Shoulder Stripe Anticlea badiata area around one of the small ponds 1773 Broken-barred Electrophaes Carpet corylata that were dug a few years ago. 1776 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria 1819 Mottled Pug Eupithecia Sweeping Calluna (day and night) exiguata produced about twenty larvae of 1835 White-spotted Pug Eupithecia tripunctaria Beautiful Yellow Underwing, a new 1853 -tree Pug Eupithecia species for Stoke Common. If the dodoneata species is not a recent colonist it is 1856 Larch Pug Eupithecia lariciata 1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis surprising that it has not been seen luteolata previously during the various 1931 Peppered Biston betularia 1957 White-pinion Lomographa mothing events at the common, Spotted bimaculata but adults did come to light a few 1958 Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata months later during mothing 2000 Iron Prominent Notodonta 15.viii.2002. The only other known dromedarius 2008 Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina Bucks (vc24) site for this moth is 2011 Pale Prominent Pterostoma the nearby . palpina 2014 Marbled Brown Drymonia nd dodonaea Stoke Common 22 June 2002 - Daytime 2015 Lunar Marbled Drymonia Species name Comment Brown ruficornis Dermaptera 2028 Pale tussock Calliteara Forficula auricularia Common earwig pudibunda Lepidoptera 2078 Least Black Arches Nola confusalis Psyche casta Cases 2102 Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta Elophila nymphaeata Brown China-mark 2147 Shears Hada plebeja Gonepteryx rhamni Brimstone – larva 2157 Light Brocade Lacanobia w- Cynthia cardui Painted Lady latinum Orygia antiqua Vapourer – larva 2173 Lychnis Hadena bicruris Anarta myrtilli Beautiful Yellow 2190 Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica Underwing – larvae 2380 Treble Lines Charancya Diptera trigrammica Episyrphus balteatus Hover fly 2422 Green Silver-lines Pseudoips Poecilobothrus nobilitatus Dolichopid fly prasinana Anomoia permunda Picture-wing fly 2425 Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli Coleoptera Cicindela campestris Tiger beetle Coleoptera Adalia bipunctata Two-spot ladybird Melolontha melolontha May Bug Coccinella 7-punctata Seven-spot Ladybird Phosphuga atrata Calvia 14-guttata Cream-spot Ladybird

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 20 -

BIG News Number 13 1887 Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata For the mothing session 4 1907 Bordered Beauty Epione repandaria members attended and 4 lamps 1931 Peppered Biston betularia 1941 Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata were operated. Like the day time 1944 Pale Oak Beauty Hypomecis the weather was was far from punctinalis 1947 Engrailed Ectropis bistortata ideal, rapidly becoming quite cool. 1950 Brindled White-spot Parectropis However, a few of the sites good similaria 1955 Common White Cabera pusaria species did turn up: 8 Silvery Wave Arches Polia trimaculosa, 2 1961 Light Emerald Campaea Beautiful Brocade Lacanobia margaritata 1970 Grass Wave Perconia strigillaria contigua, 5 Striped Wainscot 1979 Lime Hawk Mimas tiliae Mythimna pudorina. In addition 1991 Elephant Hawk Deilephila elpenor 2003 Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac there were 3 Grass Wave Perconia 2014 Marbled Brown Drymonia strigillaria which is a new species dodonaea 2040 Four-dotted Cybosia for the site and only the second Footman mesomella Bucks (VC24) record. The previous 2089 Heart & Dart Agrotis exclamationis one having been from Stone in 2107 Large Yellow Noctua pronuba 1966. Underwing 2118 True Lover's Knot Lycophotia porphyrea Stoke Common Moth Trapping 22nd June 2002 2120 Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica B&F Species Name 2147 Shears Hada plebeja # 2149 Silvery Arches Polia trimaculosa 263 Lyonetia clerkella Apple Leaf Miner 2156 Beautiful Brocade Lacanobia 464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back contigua 504 Coleophora 2158 Pale-shouldered Lacanobia lusciniaepennella Brocade thalassina 642 Batia unitella 2160 Bright-line Brown- Lacanobia 773 Pseudotelphusa eye oleracea paripunctella 2196 Striped Wainscot Mythimna 874 Blastobasis pudorina decolorella 2198 Smoky Wainscot Mythimna impura 980 Archips xylosteana Variegated Golden 2278 Poplar Grey Acronicta Tortrix megacephala 993 Clepsis spectrana Cyclamen Tortrix 2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora 1032 Aleimma loeflingiana meticulosa 1033 Tortrix viridana Green Oak Tortrix 2321 Dark Arches Apamea 1076 Celypha lacunana monoglypha 1092 turbidana 2330 Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa 1293 Chrysoteuchia 2410 Marbled White Spot Protodeltote culmella pygarga 1333 Scoparia pyralella 2484 Pinion-streaked Schrankia 1334 Scoparia ambigualis Snout costaestrigalis 1377 Perinephela lancealis 1648 Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria th 1654 Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis FINEMERE WOOD 13 July 2002 1666 Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria 1667 Blotched Emerald Combibaena Martin Albertini bajularia 1713 Riband Wave Idaea aversata 1715 Plain Wave Idaea straminata The sunny weather only tempted 1837 Grey Pug Eupithecia two members to attend the day subfuscata time session. 1860 Green Pug Chloroclystis rectangulata 1882 Small Seraphim Pterapherapteryx Finemere Wood 13th July 2002 sexalata Species name Comment Editors:Peter Hall and Martin Albertini e-mail peter.hall18#virgin.net & malbertini#onetel.net.uk

Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 21 -

BIG News Number 13 Orthoptera 1020 Cnephasia Grey Tortrix Leptophyes punctatissima Speckled Bush Cricket stephensiana - nymph 1032 Aleimma loeflingiana Lepidoptera 1033 Tortrix viridana Green Oak Tortrix Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx 1036 Acleris forsskaleana chenopodiata 1076 Celypha lacunana Diptera 1083 Hedya nubiferana Episyrphus balteatus 1092 Apotomis turbidana Cheilosia illustrata 1094 Apotomis capreana Eristalis arbustorum Hover flies 1155 Epinotia Eristalis pertinax brunnichana Helophilus pendulus 1169 Gypsonoma Syrphus ribesii dealbana Coleoptera 1175 Epiblema Bramble Shoot Rhagonycha fulva Soldier beetle uddmanniana Coccinella 7-punctata Seven-spot Ladybird 1178 Epiblema roborana 1201 Eucosma cana 1212 Rhyacionia Spotted Shoot The mothing session attracted 5 pinivorana people and 4 moth lamps. The 1219 Lathronympha strigana total of 69 macromoths was pretty 1293 Chrysoteuchia poor for the habitats, number of culmella 1305 Agriphila tristella lamps and time of year, but for 1331 Acentria Water Veneer 2002 it was quite good. The micro ephemerella 1334 Scoparia ambigualis moth alpella, for which 1362 Pyrausta purpuralis there are very few Bucks sightings, 1376 Eurrhypara hortulata Small Magpie 1392 Udea olivalis was probably the best record. 1405 Pleuroptya ruralis Mother of Pearl 1413 Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle 1424 Endotricha flammealis 1436 Conobathra repandana 1454 Dioryctria abietella 1508 Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla 1634 Lackey Malacosoma neustria 1640 Drinker Euthrix potatoria 1651 Chinese Character Cilix glaucata 1653 Buff Arches Habrosyne pyritoides 1666 Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria 1669 Common Emerald Hemithea Finemere Wood Moth Trapping 13th July 2002 aestivaria B&F Species Name 1682 Bloodvein Timandra comae # 1702 Small Fan-footed Idaea biselata 453 Ypsolopha dentella Honeysuckle moth Wave 458 Ypsolopha alpella 1708 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata 642 Batia unitella 1711 Treble Brown Spot Idaea trigeminata 658 Carcina quercana 1713 Riband Wave Idaea aversata 709 Agonopterix liturosa 1732 Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx 946 Aethes rubigana chenopodiata 970 Pandemis cerasana Barred-fruit Tree 1755 Chevron Eulithis testata Totrix 1759 Small Phoenix Ecliptopera 977 Archips podana Large Fruit-tree silaceata tortrix 1765 Barred Yellow Cidaria fulvata 980 Archips xylosteana Variegated Golden 1777 July Highflyer Hydriomena Tortrix furcata 1001 Lozotaeniodes 1791 Brown Scallop Philereme vetulata formosanus 1010 Ditula angustiorana Red-barred Tortrix Editors:Peter Hall and Martin Albertini e-mail peter.hall18#virgin.net & malbertini#onetel.net.uk

Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 22 -

BIG News Number 13 1837 Grey Pug Eupithecia 2442 Beautiful Golden Y Autographa subfuscata pulchrina 1858 V-Pug Chloroclystis v-ata 2443 Plain Golden Y Autographa jota 1860 Green Pug Chloroclystis 2466 Blackneck Lygephila rectangulata pastinum 1882 Small Seraphim Pterapherapteryx 2474 Straw Dot Rivula sericealis sexalata 2477 Snout Hypena 1884 Magpie Abraxas proboscidalis grossulariata 2489 Fan-foot Zanclognatha 1887 Clouded Border Lomaspilis tarsipennalis marginata Coleoptera 1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis Lampyris noctiluca Glow Worm luteolata Necrodes littoralis Burying Beetle 1917 Early Thorn Selenia dentaria 1921 Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria th 1931 Peppered Biston betularia HUGHENDEN PARK 10 August 1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes 2002 daytime visit rhomboidaria 1941 Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata 1947 Engrailed Ectropis bistortata Tony Marshall 1955 Common White Cabera pusaria Wave 1956 Common Wave Cabera This visit concentrated on three exanthemata uncultivated fields of Green Farm 1961 Light Emerald Campaea margaritata on the east side of the Hughenden 1962 Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria Valley Road (numbers 3, 4 & 7 on 1991 Elephant Hawk Deilephila elpenor the National Trust Biological Survey 1994 Buff-tip Phalera bucephala 1999 Lobster Stauropus fagi 1999 Map), on the opposite side to 2003 Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac the Manor itself. These fields, 2008 Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina 2030 Yellow-tail Euproctis similis interspersed with cultivated areas, 2040 Four-dotted Cybosia are on chalk and, at the northern Footman mesomella 2044 Dingy Footman Eilema griseola boundary, abut the Wildlife Trust 2047 Scarce Footman Eilema complana reserve of , which 2049 Buff Footman Eilema depressa 2050 Common Footman Eilema lurideola also has an area of tall grassland. 2060 White Ermine Spilosoma They are managed as part of the lubricipeda National Trust’s Hughenden Manor 2077 Short-cloaked Nola cucullatella 2089 Heart & Dart Agrotis Estate. exclamationis 2107 Large Yellow Noctua pronuba Underwing Field number 3, nearest to the 2109 Lesser Yellow Noctua comes road, was dominated by coarse Underwing 2128 Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum plants and had little of interest. 2193 Clay Mythimna ferrago Field 7 had a greater variety of 2198 Smoky Wainscot Mythimna impura 2225 Minor-shoulder Knot Brachylomia plants, including several particular viminalis to tall-grass chalk meadows. Field 2318 Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina 4 was adjacent to Millfield Wood 2319 Lunar-spotted Pinion Cosmia pyralina 2321 Dark Arches Apamea and was marked by the dominance monoglypha of Dark Mullein, a plant growing 2327 Clouded Brindle Apamea epomidion here in thousands. 2333 Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps 2345 Small Dotted Buff Photedes minima 2381 Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines Most of the records below were 2410 Marbled White Spot Protodeltote made in Field 7, where there was a pygarga 2434 Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis greater variety of plants. The

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 23 -

BIG News Number 13 observations particular to Field 4, in the country” for the moth. 1108 however, were significant because larvae were counted in 2001, but they relate mainly to two insects there were concerns that early hay that are dependent on Dark Mullein cutting had damaged the as foodplant. The first of these, population. In the event the the Striped Lychnis moth, an action population in 2002 could be plan species, had caterpillars on at estimated to be closer to 6,000 least half the plants we examined, (individual enumeration being out although some of these larvae of the question as we only had all were still small and we may have day) in just this one field. More missed some. We counted an were present in Field 7. The average of 3 larvae per plant. The abundance of Dark Mullein at this other species was the weevil site may be important. Around the Cionus nigritarsis, which is equally same date I examined isolated and as rare as the Striped Lychnis. small groups of the plant around Most plants had several adults and Bryants Bottom and Prestwood half a dozen larvae, distinctive without finding a single Striped small slug-like creatures. This Lychnis larva or any Cionus. would give across the whole field a population running into tens of Other species worth mentioning thousands for this beetle, which is included Roessel’s Bush-cricket in a notable A species not recorded both fields 4 & 7 (it is also common from Bucks since before 1970. at the Millfield Wood reserve); the Formerly widespread, this beetle chalk grassland beetle Oedmera has suffered a great reduction from lurida (present on most good chalk the loss of unimproved grassland grasslands in this area); two (Hyman A review of the scarce & uncommon species of the hoverfly threatened Coleoptera of Great genus Chrysotoxum, both Britain. JNCC 1992.) I flagged up associated with grassland near the possibility of finding this woods; and another hoverfly which species alongside Striped Lychnis has increased its range and now caterpillars in my note in Bucks seems to be frequent in this area, Invertebrate Group Bulletin 12 Volucella inanis. (Spring 2002), not expecting such rapid confirmation. My Hughenden Park, Green farm, 10 Aug 2002 Mollusca identification has been confirmed Monacha cantiana Common on chalk by Peter Hodge, who kindly loaned grassland Odonata me a specimen for comparison. Sympetrum striolatum Common Darter Orthoptera Chorthippus parallelus These fields comprise the same site Metrioptera roesselii Roessel’s bush-cricket that was visited as part of the Hemiptera Striped Lychnis survey in 2001, as Plagiognathus arbustorum reported in Bucks Invertebrate Plagiognathus Group Bulletin 12 by Peter Hall, chrysanthemi Lepidoptera who described it as “the richest site Thymelicus lineola Essex Skipper

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 24 -

BIG News Number 13 Pieris napi Green-veined White Hanging Wood moth trapping 10 Aug 2002 Pieris brassicae Large White B&F Species Name Vanessa cardui Painted Lady # Inachis io Peacock butterfly 246 Tinea semifulvella Maniola jurtina Meadow Brown 430 Yponomeuta Pyronia tithonus Hedge Brown plumbella Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar 455 Ypsolopha scabrella Idaea aversata Riband Wave 460 Ypsolopha Shargacucullia lychnitis Striped Lychnis - larvae parenthesella Diptera 464 Plutella xylostella Diamond-back Chrysotoxum bicinctum Hoverfly 658 Carcina quercana Chrsotoxum festivum Hoverfly 688 Agonopterix Dasysyrphus Hoverfly heracliana albostriatus 873 Blastobasis lignea Episyrphus balteatus Hoverfly 937 Agapeta hamana Melanostoma mellinum Hoverfly 969 Pandemis corylana Chequered fruit- Myathropa florea Hoverfly tree tortrix Platycheirus albimanus Hoverfly 970 Pandemis cerasana Barred fruit-tree Platycheirus scutatus Hoverfly tortrix Sphaerophoria sp. (female) Hoverfly 1036 Acleris forsskaleana Sphaerophora scripta (male) Hoverfly 1038 Acleris laterana Syritta pipiens Hoverfly 1048 Acleris variegana Garden Rose Volucella inanis Hoverfly tortrix Hymenoptera 1138 Epinotia nisella Tenthredo schaefferi Sawfly 1201 Eucosma cana Coleoptera 1259 Cydia fagiglandana Cionus nigritarsis Adults & larvae Notable 1260 Cydia splendana A weevil 1293 Chrysoteuchia Coccinella 7-punctata 7-spot ladybird culmella Meligethes aeneus Darkling beetle 1302 Crambus perlella Oedemera lurida 1304 Agriphila straminella 1305 Agriphila tristella 1316 Catoptria falsella th HUGHENDEN PARK 10 August 1331 Acentria Water Veneer 2002 nightime visit ephemerella 1332 Scoparia subfusca 1334 Scoparia ambigualis Martin Albertini 1340 Eudonia truncicolella 1344 Eudonia mercurella 1348 Parapoynx Ringed China Mark Five members attended and four stratiotata lamps were run just North of the 1378 Phlyctaenia coronata 1390 Udea prunalis manor house around Hanging 1398 Nomophila noctuella Rush Veneer Wood. Seven individuals of the 1405 Pleuroptya ruralis Mother of Pearl 1413 Hypsopygia costalis Gold Triangle BAP and notable B species Square- 1424 Endotricha spotted Clay Xestia rhomboidea flammealis were seen. Another notable B 1428 Aphomia sociella Bee 1436 Conobathra species was the Mocha Cyclophora repandana annularia. Both of these generally 1452 Phycita roborella 1470 Euzophera pinguis occur in woodlands in , 1509 Stenoptilia especially in the area North of the pterodactyla 1513 Pterophorus White Plume Thames and South of the M40. pentadactyla The Coronet Craniophora ligustri 1676 Mocha Cyclophora annularia has a similar distribution and, 1681 Clay Triple-lines Cyclophora linearia although it doesn’t have any 1682 Bloodvein Timandra comae 1702 Small Fan-footed Idaea biselata national notable status, has a Wave similar status in Bucks. 1713 Riband Wave Idaea aversata

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Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 25 -

BIG News Number 13 1724 Red Twin-spot Xanthorhoe 2111 Lesser Broad-border Noctua janthe Carpet spadicearia 2123 Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi 1726 Large Twin-spot Xanthorhoe 2128 Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum Carpet quadrifasiata 2131 Square-spotted Clay Xestia rhomboidea 1732 Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx 2134 Square-spot rustic Xestia chenopodiata xanthographa 1738 Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata 2192 Brown-line Bright- Mythimna conigera 1742 Yellow Shell Camptogramma eye bilineata 2198 Smoky Wainscot Mythimna impura 1754 Phoenix Eulithis prunata 2289 Knotgrass Acronicta rumicis 1759 Small Phoenix Ecliptopera 2291 Coronet Craniophora silaceata ligustri 1777 July Highflyer Hydriomena 2298 Svensson's Copper Amphipyra furcata Underwing berbera 1803 Small Rivulet Perizoma 2306 Angle Shades Phlogophora alchemillata meticulosa 1812 Maple Pug Eupithecia 2318 Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina inturbata 2321 Dark Arches Apamea 1825 Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia monoglypha centaureata 2322 Light Arches Apamea 1830 Wormwood Pug Eupithecia lithoxylaea absinthiata 2335 Slender Brindle Apamea 1835 White-spotted Pug Eupithecia scolopacina tripunctaria 2343 Common Rustic Mesapamea 1883 Yellow-barred Acasis viretata secalis Brindle 2343a Lesser Common Mesapamea 1884 Magpie Abraxas Rustic didyma grossulariata 2382 Rustic Hoplodrina blanda 1885 Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata 2425 Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli 1888 Scorched Carpet Ligdia adustata 2474 Straw Dot Rivula sericealis 1906 Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis 2477 Snout Hypena luteolata proboscidalis 1914 Dusky Thorn Ennomos 2489 Fan-foot Zanclognatha fuscantaria tarsipennalis 1917 Early Thorn Selenia dentaria Coleoptera 1919 Purple Thorn Selenia Aphodius rufipes tetralunaria Halyzia 16-guttata Cream-spot Ladybird 1921 Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria Lampyris noctiluca male Glow Worm 1937 Willow Beauty Peribatodes Rhagionycha fulva HBB rhomboidaria 1947 Engrailed Ectropis bistortata 1958 Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata 2000 Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius EWELME WATERCRESS BEDS 2003 Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac 2006 Lesser Swallow Pheosia gnoma Prominent Tony Marshall 2007 Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula 2008 Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina 2033 Black Arches Lymantria The Ewelme Watercress Beds are monacha not actually in Buckinghamshire, 2047 Scarce Footman Eilema complana but over the boundary in 2049 Buff Footman Eilema depressa 2050 Common Footman Eilema lurideola . However, the Chiltern 2064 Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia Society had sought someone to fuliginosa 2092 Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta assess the aquatic wildlife there, 2102 Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta because they were in the process 2107 Large Yellow Noctua pronuba Underwing of restoring the beds, which had 2109 Lesser Yellow Noctua comes fallen into disuse and become Underwing 2110 Broad-bordered Noctua fimbriata derelict. I volunteered myself and Yellow Underwing Eric Hollowday to have a

Editors:Peter Hall and Martin Albertini e-mail peter.hall18#virgin.net & malbertini#onetel.net.uk

Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 26 -

BIG News Number 13 preliminary look, as it would be concentrate on the more peripheral interesting to examine such a marshy and vegetated areas. unique site, consisting of a fast- running but very shallow chalk Ewelme Watercress Beds 13 September 2002 Species name Comment stream over gravel with little Mollusca aquatic vegetation. Most of our Oxyloma pfeifferi Pisidium casertanum Pea-mussel work was carried out in Pisidium milium Pea-mussel Compartments 4 & 5 of the site, to Pisidium nitidum Pea-mussel the west of the road, but we also Pisidium pulchellum Pea-mussel; local. Planorbis planorbis Pea-mussel had a brief look beyond the bridge Potamopyrgus in Compartment 3. It was difficult antipodarum Crustacea to sample some deeper pools with Gammurus sp. Freshwater shrimp, reeds because the fine bottom silt extremely abundant. Hemiptera was impossible to walk through Palomena prasina Green shieldbug without getting very firmly stuck! Saldula pallipes Shore-bug Saldula saltatoria Shore-bug Although dragonflies are often seen Diptera th here, none were evident on 13 Limonia nubeculosa Crane-fly September 2002 when we did our Myathropa florea Hoverfly Platycheirus albimanus Hoverfly survey. The water was incredibly Rhingia campestris Hoverfly clear, but the only aquatic Tipula lateralis Crane-fly Coleoptera organisms at all in evidence were Psyllobora 22-punctata 22-spot ladybird swarms of freshwater shrimps Altica lythri Leaf-beetle. Gammarus sp.

The best aspect of the site from the point of view of the non- microscopic invertebrates were the molluscs, seven species altogether, including the local Pea-mussel Pisidium pulchellum. The insects recorded were all common species. The site, however, does have considerable potential and searches of vegetation earlier in the year would no doubt yield interesting insects. The water itself, at least in the free-flowing areas, was low in both micro- and macro- invertebrates, providing little prey for the like of water-beetles etc. Further search, however, should be made for caddis flies (cases of which were noted) and other aquatic flying insects. Otherwise, future collecting should perhaps

Editors:Peter Hall and Martin Albertini e-mail peter.hall18#virgin.net & malbertini#onetel.net.uk

Peter Hall, Melanthia, Chiltern Rd., Ballinger Common, Bucks HP16 9LH Martin Albertini, 11 Hargrave Rd., Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6JR - 27 -