Invertebrate recorded at Charity Fields on 24 April and 22 June 2019 - by Kate Nightingale

Insect Type (Order) Local Common Name Scientific Name Notes There are three similar Sialis species in Britain. They have no Alder (Megaloptera) Alder Fly ‘Sialis’ species association with Alder trees other than being found on foliage beside ponds and streams. Found in a wide range of habitats. The earliest of the ‘carder’ Bee () Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum bees to emerge in spring. Queens are distinctive but workers are difficult to distinguish Bee (Hymenoptera) Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris from some other bee species. Nests in holes, including existing cavities in dead wood, plant Bee (Hymenoptera) Blue Osmia caerulescens stems and masonry. Occasional in Leicestershire & Rutland, being more common in southern counties. Hibernates during winter in cracks and crevices, sometimes in Beetle (Coleoptera) 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata large numbers. They often migrate here from the Continent in warm years. Visits flowers. The male has bulging rear femurs and both Beetle (Coleoptera) Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis sexes are iridescent green with gaping wing-cases (elytra). A small, long and slender ‘flower beetle’, with grey or sage Beetle (Coleoptera) [no common name] Oedemera lurida green wing casings. Invasive alien species arrived in the UK in 2004 and now well established. Various colour and pattern-forms mimic our Beetle (Coleoptera) Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis native ladybirds. Eats the eggs and larvae of butterflies, , and other ladybirds. A small inconspicuous-looking weevil. The larval food plants Beetle (Coleoptera) Broad Bean Weevil Bruchus rufimanus are members of the vetch family (). Fairly frequent in Leicestershire & Rutland. Found in hay meadows and damper grassland areas. The Beetle (Coleoptera) [no common name] Cantharis nigra black wing-casings are shiny with a layer of fine hairs. Fairly frequent in Leicestershire & Rutland.

1 Invertebrate species recorded at Charity Fields on 24 April and 22 June 2019 - by Kate Nightingale

Found on nettles, and favours damp woodland. Uncommon Bug (Hemiptera) [no common name] Calocoris alpestris in Leicestershire & Rutland; mainly found in upland or northern areas (including hills in southern ). Prefers damper habitats and feeds on grasses. Males change Bug (Hemiptera) [no common name] Leptopterna dolabrata colour as they age, from black and yellow to black and orange-red. A large mottled-brown bug with a broad abdomen. Can Bug (Hemiptera) Dock Bug Coreus marginatus sometimes be seen feeding in large numbers prior to hibernation. Larvae feed on Dock and other related plants. Males are white with orange wing tips; females are white Butterfly () Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines with black wing tips so may be confused with other species. Both have mottled green underwings. Prefers damp habitats. Can be found in any grassy habitat, sometimes in large Butterfly (Lepidoptera) Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina numbers. Variable colour forms exist, but are distinguishable from the Gatekeeper by its single 'eye spot’. Prefers tall and uncut grassy areas. Dark checkered markings Butterfly (Lepidoptera) Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus on the lower part of the wings helps distinguish from other 'skippers' which can sometimes be the same size. Adults hibernate through cold weather and may be seen Butterfly (Lepidoptera) Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni flying on warm days throughout the year. Unlike some other species they are never seen in large numbers. Found in woodland and anywhere with sufficient scrub to Butterfly (Lepidoptera) Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria provide shaded conditions. Larval food plants are grasses. The male is blue with a dark wing band; the female is Damselfly (Odonata) Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens green/gold with no band. It is very sensitive to pollution and its presence indicates clean water. Mature females can be blue, brown or greenish. Males can Damselfly (Odonata) Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum be a drab lilac colour when newly emerged before becoming blue after a few days. 2 Invertebrate species recorded at Charity Fields on 24 April and 22 June 2019 - by Kate Nightingale

A spur on the side of the thorax distinguishes it from the Damselfly (Odonata) Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella Common Blue damselfly. Prefers well-vegetated, sheltered habits near water, but also hedgerows and woodland rides. A jet -black fly with orange-gold on its face, feet and wing- Fly (Diptera) Noon Fly meridiana base. Breeds in dung. Large with a chequered grey and white abdomen and Fly (Diptera) Flesh Fly ‘Sarcophaga' species large red eyes. Many species can only be identified by microscopic examination. Larvae feed on decaying meat. Two of the three Syrphus species are common, the other less Hoverfly (Diptera) ‘Syrphus’ species so. Detailed examination of a specimen is the only way to distinguish between the species. The two 'moustache' black bands the abdomens are unique Hoverfly (Diptera) Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus among hoverflies. Can be seen all year. Hibernates in winter and emerges on warmer days. An excellent bumblebee mimic, there are two main varieties Hoverfly (Diptera) [no common name] Volucella bombylans which mimic different species of bumblebee; one with an orange-red ‘tail’ and the other with a white ‘tail’. The variable orange markings on the abdomen are shared by Hoverfly (Diptera) Tapered Drone Fly Eristalis pertinax other species but the pale front feet and the shape of the hind femur are key to identification. One of Britain’s largest flies. It has a pale cream band across Hoverfly (Diptera) Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens its abdomen and large dark spots on the wings. Seen in scrubby areas, hedgerows and on umbellifers. Small yellow and pale brown found in various habitats. Moth (Lepidoptera) Common Yellow Conch hamana The Larval food plant is thistle. It is mainly nocturnal but can be disturbed from its resting place during the day. Small moth with vary variable forms and patterns, although a Moth (Lepidoptera) Common Marble Celypha lacunana strong indentation along the length of the forewing is one distinguishing feature. 3 Invertebrate species recorded at Charity Fields on 24 April and 22 June 2019 - by Kate Nightingale

A very variable species, ranging from bright yellow to dark Moth (Lepidoptera) Yellow Shell Camptogramma bilineata brown, and also variable in size. Prefers damper habitats. One of the commonest 'grass moths'. It has one or two Moth (Lepidoptera) Garden Grass-veneer culmella angled cross-lines and metallic golden fringe to the forewings. Rests head-down on grass stalks. Plain-looking and buff-coloured, with yellowish colouring Moth (Lepidoptera) Timothy Tortrix paleana around the head and base of the forewings. Prefers waste ground and damp areas. Feeds on various herbaceous plants. Not easily confused with any other British moth species. The Moth (Lepidoptera) Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae yellow and black banded larvae feed voraciously on ragwort and related plants. Varying colour forms from pale creamy grey to dark reddish Moth (Lepidoptera) Middle-barred Minor fasciuncula brown, with a central band across the forewings. Favours damp areas and often seen on umbellifers. Both sexes have a shiny green thorax; the female has a broad Soldierfly (Diptera) Broad Centurion Chloromyia formosa blue-green abdomen and the male’s is bronze. Larvae feed on decaying matter and adults take nectar from flowers. The upright position of the abdomen in flight helps identify this species. Females visit the nests of solitary bees or wasps Wasp (Hymenoptera) [no common name] Gasteruption jaculator and deposit her own eggs near to those of the host. Occasional in Leicestershire & Rutland.

4 Invertebrate species recorded at Charity Fields on 24 April and 22 June 2019 - by Kate Nightingale