Scottish Invertebrate News the Scottish Invertebrate Conservation Newsletter March 2010 Inside This Issue

Volume 1 Issue 1 Scottish Invertebrate News The Scottish Invertebrate Conservation Newsletter March 2010 www.scottishinvertebrates.org.uk Inside this issue:

We hope you enjoy this first Welcome to our first issue! 1 issue, and that it inspires you Scottish Invertebrate 1 to take part in the who is interested in Discoveries conservation of our native Welcome to our invertebrate conservation in invertebrates! International Year of 1 first issue! Scotland. It will include Biodiversity 2010 articles on new initiatives, Scottish Invertebrate 2 Welcome to the first issue of the latest discoveries, and Discoveries Continued Scottish Invertebrate News: opportunities to get involved. The Scottish Invertebrate It will also provide updates Surveyors Needed! 2 Conservation Newsletter. on the progress of the Gardening Scotland: 2 With the publication of ‘A Strategy, and a calendar of Buglife Volunteers Needed! Strategy for Scottish events, from introductory Invertebrate Conservation’, bugwalks to talks to under- Stocktake of Scottish 3 we are entering a very recorded species ID Invertebrates: What do we know? exciting time for invertebrate workshops. Southern cuckoo bumblebee (Bombus vestalis ) © Nick Owens conservation in Scotland. Contributions for future Solway Shingle Surveys 4 This biannual newsletter issues are very welcome - Southern cuckoo Invertebrate Events 4 aims to update everyone this is your newsletter! bumblebee in the Borders Calendar Scottish Invertebrate Discoveries Bob Dawson, of the Bumblebee Conservation Aspen hoverfly disperses! Every year new invertebrate Trust, collected two male The saproxylic Aspen discoveries are made in Southern cuckoo hoverfly ( Hammerschmidtia Scotland. From amazing bumblebees ( Bombus ecology, to records of ferruginea ) survives in only vestalis ) in the Borders in At least 65% of all species on species new to Scotland or about a dozen scattered July 2009. Identification was the planet are invertebrates. localities in north east science, this section confirmed by Murdo They provide us with food, Scotland, and are highlights just a handful of these fascinating discoveries! Macdonald of the Highland agricultural, medical and traditionally viewed as poor technological benefits, are Biological Recording Group. dispersers. Dispersal essential food for most birds distances are critical for This is a new species for and mammals and are integral conservation so a study Scotland, making 19 to ecosystem function. began in 2009, funded by species that can be found SNH and supported by the here. Bob Dawson 2010 is the International Year of RSPB at their Inch Marshes Biodiversity. This is the year to NNR. 1000 adults were spot get involved! Take part in -marked, and checked for at ‘Extinct’ caddisfly found surveys, create new areas of regularly spaced Aspen log along three 5km transect in Scotland invertebrate habitat and, most importantly, share your routes. Marked Aspen Bourletiella viridescens The Pincer-tailed caddisfly © Tim Ransom knowledge and enthusiasm! hoverflies were found on (Hydroptila tigurina ), has logs up to the limit of 5km, Highland Springtail record turned up in Scotland. Last What are you doing which is further than they seen in Britain in 1881, it were believed capable of is a UK first was thought this species for invertebrate dispersing! Work will The first confirmed UK may be extinct in the UK. continue in 2010 to conservation in 2010? record of Bourletiella The micro-caddisfly was

determine how much further Continueon Page 2 InvertebrateDiscoveries viridescens was found in found in Assynt by David these hoverflies may Pryce, one of the co- Pincer-tailed caddisfly ( Hydroptila August 2009 at 900m in the disperse. Graham Rotheray ordinators of the Riverfly tigurina ) © David Pryce Cairngorms. Tim Ransom Recording Schemes, and is photographed the tiny the first record of this springtail, which was later species in Scotland. This identified by Frans Janssens new record is over 350 miles and verified by Dr Peter north of the previous one, Shaw. This species is raising the possibility that widespread in Europe, this species may turn up in Aspen hoverfly ( Hammerschmidtia preferring cool, montane other areas. Craig Macadam ferruginea ) © Iain MacGowan grassland. Peter Shaw Page 1 Scottish Invertebrate Discoveries Continued Surveyors Needed! Ladybirds: Striped-stretch spider found The Aage V. Jensen Charity in Aberdeen Foundation is currently preparing Natives Vs. Invasives new Nature Plans for its three The Grampian Spider Group Scottish estates, and needs the There is a mix of good survey of Loirston Loch, on help of expert invertebrate and bad news regarding the south side of Aberdeen, volunteers! ladybirds in Scotland in this issue. As is discovered a female Striped- The Aage V. Jensen Charity traditional, we will deal stretch spider ( Tetragnatha Foundation is currently appraising with the bad news striata ). This is only the the biodiversity at its Scottish properties: first… second Scottish record of this Harlequin ladybird Harlequin ladybirds ( Harmonia axyridis ) Nationally Scarce spider. It ● Invertrossachs Estate (northern invades Glasgow © Francis Rowland was found in a small remnant slopes of the Menteith Hills, near Callander) The invasive non-native Harlequin ladybird ( Harmonia of reedbed in an area heavily axyridis ) has been found by Norman Storie (RSPB) in managed for fishing. The only ● Comer Estate (in the shadow of Kelvingrove Park. This highly variable ladybird previous Scottish record was Ben Lomond) originates in Asia and was deliberately introduced to from Loch of the Lowes in ● Claonaig (the gateway to the east North America in 1988 to control Aphids. It has since Perthshire. Mike Davidson of the Kintyre Peninsula, spread to Western Europe, arriving in the UK in 2004. overlooking Kilbrannan Sound) This species preys on our native invertebrates, including Return of the Pink prowler All three sites have been managed the eggs and larvae of butterflies, moths and even our based upon surveys undertaken Scottish ladybirds! The presence of the Harlequin Oonops domesticus , or the when they were purchased in the late ladybird in Scotland is deeply worrying, and a threat to Pink prowler, has been found ’80s and early ‘90s. New Nature our native species. For more information, help with in Hamilton, by Chris Plans are now being developed for identification or to report a sighting, please visit: Cathrine. This tiny spider has the three sites, and so updated data www.harlequin-survey.org . not been recorded in Scotland is required. Naturalists with since 1994. The Pink prowler Kidney spot ladybird at Dumbreck Marsh specialist interests are encouraged to is nocturnal and lives in contribute to this process, and free BTCV Scotland volunteers found the Kidney spot houses, while its widespread ladybird ( Chilocorus renipustulatus ) while carrying out short-stay accommodation is relative the Four-spined management work at Dumbreck Marsh LNR, near available to volunteers. prowler ( O. pulcher ) tends to Kilsyth. This is only the third record of this species in The Foundation contributes to nature Scotland! It was identified by Ruth McGuire (North occur outdoors. However, conservation throughout the world Lanarkshire Council) confirmed by Craig Macadam both can be found indoors, through ownership of reserves and (Buglife) and Dr Helen Roy, (Ladybird Survey). For and identification requires supporting research and other more information on our native ladybirds or to submit examination of leg spines at projects. Its goal is to give the records, visit: www.ladybird-survey.org . magnification. general public the opportunity to experience a rich and diverse nature Endangered bumblebee mimic hoverfly survives! – now and forever. This is an excellent opportunity to Fifteen years ago, shallow holes were cut into live pine ensure invertebrates are included in trees at Beinn Eighe NNR for the conservation of the the future management strategies of endangered bumblebee mimic and symbol of the three important and diverse sites. Malloch Society, Callicera rufa . A survey last year found For more information, contact Craig these holes still in use by this beautiful hoverfly Macadam (tel: 01786 447 504 / generations later. This highlights the importance of Callicera rufa © Ellen Rotheray [email protected]). protecting trees with natural holes. Graham Rotheray Gardening Scotland 2010: 4th - 6th June Buglife Volunteers Needed!

Well managed gardens are an the Buglife stall. Full tickets will be important refuge for wildlife, including provided to volunteers, allowing free invertebrates. Where better to spread access to the event on the day. There are this message than the biggest a total of five places available over three gardening event in Scotland? days*, so this is an excellent opportunity to not only promote invertebrate Buglife will be providing a stall at conservation to a wide audience, but also Gardening Scotland 2010, promoting the Common red soldier beetle ( Rhagonycha fulva ) © to enjoy Scotland’s biggest gardening and ‘Strategy for Scottish Invertebrate Chris Cathrine outdoor living event. Conservation’, the Initiative for Scottish Invertebrates (ISI), and, most For more information, please contact importantly, Scotland’s fantastic Chris Cathrine (tel: 01786 447 504 / invertebrates themselves! [email protected]). Volunteers with a passion for invertebrates are needed to help man * Places: 1 Friday, 2 Saturday, 2 Sunday

Page 2 Scottish Invertebrate News Stocktake of Scottish Invertebrates: What do we know?

The publication of the Strategy for contacts and Flameshells ( Limaria hians ) © Calum Duncan, Marine Conservation Society Scottish Invertebrate Conservation was details of a fantastic step forward in conserving recommended Scottish invertebrates, and sets out a identification framework in which this will be tackled. guides. This will However, key to any action is an provide the first understanding of the current checklist of all knowledgebase. Without this, it is not invertebrates possible to identify knowledge or skill known to occur in gaps or to develop and prioritise any Scotland, while action. A stocktake of the current also identifying understanding of each invertebrate priorities for group is currently being undertaken conservation through the compilation of Species action, and Knowledge Dossiers. groups where knowledge is The Species Knowledge Dossiers will deficient for provide a summary of the current Scotland. It will information available for each of the also highlight invertebrate orders occurring in where essential resources, such as While this mammoth undertaking would Scotland. This includes producing identification keys, are unavailable, be a daunting task, volunteer support checklists of species found in Scotland, hindering conservation efforts. has been outstanding. Experts are conservation status, distribution, expert kindly volunteering their time to draft Group UK Scotland % UK knowledge dossiers. This exercise has Scientific Name Common Name Species Species Species already provided some interesting Total Total Occurring in results. The table opposite summarises Scotland the numbers of species found in Ephemeroptera 1 Mayflies 51 38 75% Scotland in relation to the UK totals for each group with a completed dossier. 2 Trichoptera Caddisflies 196 163 83% There appears to be a division between

1 the proportions of UK terrestrial and Plecoptera Stoneflies 33 27 82% freshwater invertebrate species occurring in Scotland, with higher Chilopoda 3 Centipedes 47 26 55% percentages of freshwater species. However, this assessment is still in its Diplopoda 3 Millipedes 62 43 69% early stages, and other patterns may become apparent as information is Isopoda: Asellota 3 Waterlice 4 2 50% compiled for other groups. The Species Knowledge Dossiers will Isopoda: Onsicidea 3,4 Woodlice 39 24 62% provide basic summary information on all Scottish invertebrates in a Araneae 5 Spiders 658 441 67% single place for the first time. This will help direct conservation efforts, 5 and identify knowledge gaps. The Opiliones Harvestmen 26 17 65% results will not be definitive, and

6 these dossiers will require regular Pseudoscorpiones Pseudoscorpions / 27 13 48% updates, but they will provide a False scorpions powerful tool for invertebrate Mollusca (non- Non-marine molluscs 212 147 69% conservation. marine) 7 Information kindly provided by: 1 Craig Macadam, 2 Ian Wallace, 3 Gordon Corbet, 4 Glyn Collis, 5 Mike Davidson, 6 Gerald Legg, 7 Adrian Sumner Expert Help Needed! The production of the species knowledge dossiers relies upon the kind contributions of expert volunteers. The dedicated and enthusiastic invertebrate experts provide the foundation of all conservation action in the UK, and of the Strategy for Scottish In- vertebrate Conservation. There are a number of species groups for which we require urgent assistance in producing Species Knowledge Dossiers. These include: Microcoryphia (Bristletails) Phthiraptera (Lice) Porifera (Sponges) Protura (Proturans) Thysanoptera (Thrips) Polychaeta (Polychaetes) Diplura (Two-pronged bristletails) Strepsiptera (Twisted-winged parasites) Hirudinea (Leeches) Thysanura (Silverfish and Firebrats) Pycnogonida (Sea spiders) Nematoda (Nematodes)

If you are able to help with the compilation of these or any other invertebrate groups, please contact Chris Cathrine (page 4).

Volume 1 : Issue 1 Page 3 Beautiful pill woodlouse (woodlouse pill Beautiful © Paul Richards Paul Richards © Hymenoptera (bees, Solway Shingle Surveys wasps and ants) and a survey of the Coastal shingle beaches support a great Narrow-mouthed whorl snail ( Vertigo

diversity of invertebrates and other www.invertebrate-images.co.uk biodiversity, yet are often overlooked. angustior ). However, Dumfries and Galloway Local surveys will be Biodiversity Partnership has recognized designed to cover as pulchellum Armadillidium the importance of this habitat and has comprehensive a included it as a priority in the Local range of invertebrates Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). as possible. Furthermore, SNH have contracted The project will Buglife to undertake systematic surveys increase our at a number of sites on the Solway Firth. knowledge of the ) ) The project builds upon the Shingle invertebrate fauna Vegetation Survey conducted by occurring in this Randall and Doody (2000), and will globally important area of coastal woodlouse ( Armadillidium pulchellum ) is concentrate on Mollusca (molluscs), shingle. This habitat is mainly restricted a feature of Abbey Burnfoot to Balcarry Coleoptera (beetles), aculeate to north-west Europe, Japan and New Point SSSI. Zealand. As much as 30% of the UK Narrow-mouthed whorl snail ( Vertigo angustior ) © coast is thought to consist of shingle, but This is an excellent opportunity for Richard Marriott very little of this is vegetated. The volunteers – experts and novices – to Solway Firth offers nationally important get involved in conserving our Scottish sites for vegetated coastal shingle, and invertebrate fauna. Guided walks will is known to support many rare plants provide the chance to learn about this and plant communities – some unique to special habitat and contribute to the Dumfries and Galloway! In recognition survey through collecting records. of their ecological value, a number of This project promises to be exciting, stretches of Solway shingle are included and there may be any number of within biological Sites of Special fascinating surprises! Scientific Interest (SSSIs). If you want to get involved with these The Solway shingle habitats are diverse, surveys, contact Craig Macadam and may support a wide variety of (tel: 01786 447 504 / invertebrate species. For example, the [email protected]). Nationally Scarce Beautiful pill Invertebrate Events Calendar Credits and Information If you would like to write an article for Scottish Invertebrate News , suggest a topic to be discussed, From the beginner to the expert, there are or would like any further information, please contact: events for everyone! This section pulls together Chris Cathrine many invertebrate events into a single calendar. Buglife—The Invertebrate Conservation Trust With the Strategy for Scottish Invertebrate Balallan House Conservation, National Insect Week and the 24 Allan Park International Year of Biodiversity, 2010 promises to Stirling be an exciting year! FK8 2QG tel: 01786 447 504 An up-to-date calendar can be found at: www.scottishinvertebrates.org.uk . e-mail: [email protected] Date Event Location Cost Further Information Articles written by Chris Cathrine unless otherwise 09/04/10 River Invertebrate Workshop Stirling Free BTCV Scotland: shop.btcv.org.uk stated at end of article in blue. 22/05/10 BigBioBuzz Day: Bugwalk TBC: Cairngorms Free [email protected] National Park This newsletter is produced as part of the ‘Action for Scottish Invertebrates’ project. This project is grant- 22/05/10 BigBioBuzz Day: Making Insect TBC: Cairngorms Free [email protected] aided by Scottish Natural Heritage and delivered on Homes National Park behalf of the Initiative for Scottish Invertebrates (ISI) 22/05/10 BigBioBuzz Day: Talk TBC: Cairngorms Free [email protected] by Buglife – The Invertebrate Conservation Trust. National Park For more information, visit: 28/05/10 Hoverfly Identification Stirling Free BTCV Scotland: shop.btcv.org.uk 04/06/10 Saw-fly Identification Stirling £47 BTCV Scotland: shop.btcv.org.uk www.scottishinvertebrates.org.uk 23/06/10 National Insect Week: Bugwalk Hamilton Free [email protected] 25 to Scottish Entomologists Claonaig Estate, Free [email protected] 27/06/10 Gathering Skipness 07 to Introduction to Invertebrates Grangemouth £141 BTCV Scotland: shop.btcv.org.uk 08/07/10 Workshop 13/07/10 Introduction to Invertebrates TBC: Cairngorms £15 Glenn.Roberts@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Workshop National Park 31/07/10 Joint Buglife and Plantlife Callander Free [email protected] Guided Walk 02/10/10 Introduction to Opiliones Perth £25 [email protected] (Harvestmen) ID Workshop

In addition to the events listed here, the Field Sudies Council organise an excellent series of training courses each year. For more information, visit: www.field-studies-council.org .