Macragus Carpenteri Were Found in Unsual Microhabitat (Moss at the Base of Heather As Opposed to Under Stones) SCM 2013-14

Invertebrates on Scottish SSSIs: Site Condition Monitoring 2013-14

All photos © Caledonian Conservation Ltd

Chris Cathrine BSc(Hons) MCIEEM FLS Director (Ecology), Caledonian Conservation Ltd [email protected]

Edinburgh Entomological Club. 20 January 2016, Edinburgh. SCM 2013-14

Overview • Summary of Project • Survey Methods • Site Accounts • Discussion SCM 2013-14

Report Cathrine, C., Norris, G., Wiswell, H., Gleed-Owen, C., Wilkinson, G., Willet, J. and Shanks, S. 2015. Site Condition Monitoring of invertebrate features at 19 designated sites in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 872. Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness.

http://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-data-and- research/publications/search-the-catalogue/publication- detail/?id=2365

Data available on NBN Gateway SCM 2013-14

Summary of Project • Site Condition Monitoring of invertebrate features at 19 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) SCM 2013-14

SSSIs Surveyed SCM 2013-14

Summary of Project • Site Condition Monitoring of invertebrate features at 19 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) • Features fully or partially re-found at 14 SSSIs SCM 2013-14

SSSIs Where Features Were Fully or Partially Re-found SCM 2013-14

Summary of Project • Site Condition Monitoring of invertebrate features at 19 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) • Features fully or partially re-found at 14 SSSIs • One feature partially destroyed: Earlshall Muir - Pissodes validirostris (weevilrequiring Scots pine) • One feature no longer exists as taxonomic revisions have rendered the species invalid: Torridon Forest – Pachynematus torridonensis = P. moerens SCM 2013-14

Glenn Norris BSc(Hons) Ecologist, Caledonian Conservation Ltd [email protected] SCM 2013-14

Desk Study • Basic information of each SSSI provided by SNH SiteLink • SSSI species dossiers • Talk to people • Maps • Access restrictions SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14

All photos © Caledonian Conservation Ltd

Chris Cathrine BSc(Hons) MCIEEM FLS Director (Ecology), Caledonian Conservation Ltd [email protected]

. SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest (57.9km2) • Feature poorly defined in citation • Used unpublished SNH dossier of invertebrate records from site to target surveys • Included: o Araneae o Coleoptera o Hemiptera o Hymenoptera o Lepidoptera o Odonata SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest - Results • Found: TOTAL – 167 species o Araneae – 57 species o Coleoptera – 34 species o Hymenoptera – 10 species o Lepidoptera – 43 species o Odonata – 11 species • Feature partially re-found SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest – Results: Araneae • Re-found o Clubiona subsultans o Desmodicus elevatus • Also found Pardosa lugubris sens. str. o Status unknown o Only known from a small number of Caledonian forest sites in Highlands and one English site. o Found in large numbers in Abernethy Forest in 2004 • Habitat in good condition • Total: 57 species of spider SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest – Results: Coleoptera • Did not re-find Ampedus tristis (click beetle) • Interesting finds (all NS) o Dictyopterus aurora (associated with deadwood in Caledonian Forest) o Otiorhynchus scaber (foodplants include birch, alder and pine) o Pterostichus oblongopunctatus (found in very wet Caledonian Forest, where ground flora was dominated by Sphagnum) • Habitat in good condition – ample deadwood • Total: 34 species of beetle SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest – Results: Hymenoptera • Re-found o Osmia uncinata o Formica exsecta (121 nests – mainly Tulloch Moor) SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest: Wood Ant Nests SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest – Results: Hymenoptera • Re-found o Osmia uncinata o Formica exsecta (121 nests – mainly Tulloch Moor)

Abernethy Forest – Results: Lepidoptera • Re-found o Cousin German (Protolampra sobrina) • Interesting finds (all SBL) o Dark brocade (Mniotype adusta) o Grey dagger (Acronicta psi) o Small square-spot (Diarsia rubi) SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest – Results: Odonata • Re-found o Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum) o Northern emerald (Somatochlora arctica) o White-faced darter (Leucorrhinia dubia) • Habitat in good condition • Total: 11 species of Odonata SCM 2013-14

Abernethy Forest – Interesting Findings • Clubiona subsultans survey techniques o Nest boxes effective at locating females SCM 2013-14

Alvie SCM 2013-14

Alvie (3.4km2) • Invertebrate Assemblage: o Diptera (Hammersmchidtia ferruginea) o Coleoptera (Donacia aquatica) o Mollusca (Vertigo lilljeborgi) o Trichoptera (Haganella clathrata) SCM 2013-14

Alvie: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Alvie – Results • Re-found o Donacia aquatica o Vertigo lilljeborgi • Feature partially re-found • Habitat in good condition and could still support H. ferruginea and H. clathrata. • NOTE: H. clathrata not found here since 1967 SCM 2013-14

Alvie – Interesting Finds • Araneae o Dipoena torva (RDB2) – bugvac after beating o Pardosa lugubris sens. str.

• Coleoptera - Donacia clavipes (NS) • Lepidoptera o Cousin German (Protolampra sobrina) (RDB3) o Scotch crest (Dichomeris juniperella) (RDB1) o White ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda) (SBL)

• Odonata - Northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum) (RDB2 • TOTAL – 90 species SCM 2013-14

Ben Heasgarnich SCM 2013-14

Ben Heasgarnich (40.5km2) • Symphyta – Pachynematus arcticus o Larvae feed on alpine cinquefoil SCM 2013-14

Ben Heasgarnich: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Ben Heasgarnich (40.5km2) • Symphyta – Pachynematus arcticus o Larvae feed on alpine cinquefoil • Pachynematus arcticus not re-found o Alpine cinquefoil persists o Site may still support P. arcticus SCM 2013-14

Ben Lomond SCM 2013-14

Ben Lomond (23.7km2) • Symphyta – Nematus reticulatus o Larvae feed on blueberry • Lepidoptera o Mountain ringlet (Erebia epiphron) o Pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne) SCM 2013-14

Ben Lomond: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Ben Lomond – Results: Symphyta • Nematus reticulatus not re-found o Excessive sheep grazing limiting blaeberry Ben Lomond – Results: Lepidoptera • Pearl-bordered fritillary not re-found o Suitable habitat including Viola spp. still present. • Mountain ringlet re-found • Udea uliginosus (very local) also found SCM 2013-14

Black Wood of Rannoch SCM 2013-14

Black Wood of Rannoch (18.9km2) • Feature poorly defined in citation • Used unpublished SNH dossier of invertebrate records from site to target surveys • Included: o Araneae (Clubiona subsultans, Dipoena torva, Haplodrassus soerenseni, Robertus scoticus) o Coleoptera (Mycetophagus fulvicollis, Abdera affinis, Cryptocephalus decemmaculatus) o Lepidoptera (Rannoch marble, Inverness piercer, Welsh clearwing) SCM 2013-14

Black Wood of Rannoch : Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Black Wood of Rannoch – Results • Found: TOTAL – 131 species o Araneae – 61 species o Coleoptera – 31 species o Lepidoptera – 14 species • Feature partially re-found SCM 2013-14

Black Wood of Rannoch – Results: Araneae • Re-found - Clubiona subsultans • Also found Philodromus margaritatus (SBL) • Total: 59 species of spider SCM 2013-14

Clubiona subsultans - Caledonian sac spider SCM 2013-14

Black Wood of Rannoch: Results SCM 2013-14

Black Wood of Rannoch – Results: Araneae • Re-found - Clubiona subsultans • Also found Philodromus margaritatus (SBL) • Total: 59 species of spider

Black Wood of Rannoch – Results: Lepidoptera • Did not re-find target species • Bracken encroachment threatening habitat SCM 2013-14

Black Wood of Rannoch – Results: Coleoptera • Did not re-find target species • Interesting finds: o Trechus rubens (NS) (northern species associated with moorland and woodland litter) o Megasternum concinnum (SBL) (found in decaying grass and herbivore dung during summer) • Total: 33 species of beetle SCM 2013-14

Black Wood of Rannoch – Interesting Findings • Clubiona subsultans survey techniques o Bark trap located male SCM 2013-14

Cadder Wilderness SCM 2013-14

Cadder Wilderness (0.4km2) • Coleoptera – Cryptophagus corticinus

• Symphyta o Arge enodis o Pseudohemitaxonus sharpi SCM 2013-14

Cadder Wilderness: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Cadder Wilderness (0.4km2) • Coleoptera – Cryptophagus corticinus o Not re-found o Associated with fungus that reacts to forest fires • Symphyta – not re-found o Arge enodis (larvae feed on ferns) o Pseudohemitaxonus sharpi (larvae feed on Salix spp.) • Also found Anasimyia lunulata (bog duck-hoverfly) NS SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms (292.3km2) • Elevation 200 – 1,309m • Range of habitats from mountain to forest • Feature poorly defined in citation • Used unpublished SNH dossier of invertebrate records from site to target surveys • Included: o Araneae o Lepidoptera o Coleoptera o Mollusca o Hemiptera o Odonata SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: Site SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: Glen Feshie SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: Glen Feshie Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: Loch Eaniach SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: Loch Eaniach Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: Plateau SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14 SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: Plateau Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: NW Mollusc Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: SW Mollusc Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms: E Mollusc Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms – Results • Found: TOTAL – 113 species o Araneae – 34 species o Coleoptera – 33 species o Mollusca – 16 species • Feature partially re-found SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms – Results: Araneae • Re-found o Eregone tirolensis o Halorates holmgreni o Mecynargus paetulus • Also found o Eregone psychrophila (Chilled money-spider) NS o Monocephalus casteneipes (broad groove-head) SBL o Macrargus carpenteri (Northern litter-spider) NS • Total: 3 species of spider SCM 2013-14

Halorates holmgreni - Holmgren’s mountain-spider SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms – Results: Araneae

• Glen Feshie total: 18 species of spider • Loch Eaniach total: 9 species of spider • Plateau total: 12 species of spider • Total: 34 species of spider SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms – Results: Coleoptera • Did not re-find target species • Interesting finds (all NS): o Cymindis vaporariorum o Otiorhynchus scaber (foodplants include birch, alder and pine) o Patrobus septentrionis (montane species) o Trechus rubens (northern species associated with moorland and woodland litter) • Total: 33 species of beetle SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms – Results: Mollusca • Did not find any Vertigo spp. • Total: 17 species of mollusc Cairngorms – Results: Odonata • Diverse community, with 10 of possible 12 species found • Total: 10 species of Odonata SCM 2013-14

Cairngorms – Interesting Findings • Bugvac caught an abundance of pseudoscorpions at Loch Eaniach! • Monocephalus casteneipes and Macragus carpenteri were found in unsual microhabitat (moss at the base of heather as opposed to under stones) SCM 2013-14

Crathie Wood SCM 2013-14

Crathie Wood (1.9km2) • Hemiptera – Zygimus nigriceps • Lepidoptera o Northern brown argus (Aricia artaxerxes) o Exaeretia ciniflonella (a micromoth) • Mollusca – Vertigo alpestris SCM 2013-14

Crathie Wood: Terrestrial Invertebrate Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Crathie Wood: Mollusc Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Crathie Wood – Results: Hemiptera • Zygimus nigriceps not re-found but plenty juniper Crathie Wood – Results: Lepidoptera • Re-found Northern brown argus (ample rock rose) • Also found dark bordered beauty (Epione vespertaria) (RDB3) • Birch available which may support E. ciniflonella Crathie Wood – Results: Mollusca • Re-found Vertigo alpestris • Total: 17 species of mollusc SCM 2013-14

Dollar Glen SCM 2013-14

Dollar Glen (1.8km2) • Coleoptera – Stenus glacialis • Normally found on scree above 700m • Topography of King’s Seat Hill retains snow longer, providing a cooler microclimate which may allow this species to occur at lower elevations at this site (R. Lyszkowski) SCM 2013-14

Dollar Glen: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Earlshall Muir SCM 2013-14

Earlshall Muir (4.3km2) • Coleoptera o Arena tabida . Strandline Staphylinid o Pissodes validirostris . Larvae feed on pine cones of Scots pine SCM 2013-14

Earlshall Muir: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Earlshall Muir (4.3km2) • Coleoptera o Arena tabida – not re-found . Strandline Staphylinid o Pissodes validirostris – not re-found . Larvae feed on pine cones of Scots pine . Habitat largely lost o Did find Cercyon littoralis (NS) suggesting good strandline habitat • Also found Berytinus minor (Hemiptera) – one of first Scottish records based on available data SCM 2013-14

Eastern Cairngorms SCM 2013-14

Eastern Cairngorms (165.0km2) • Ranges from 300m to 1,196m elevation • Included: o Coleoptera (Bolitophagus reticulatus) o Hymenoptera (Formica exsecta) o Lepidoptera (Zygaena exulans) o Mollusca (Vertigo geyeri) SCM 2013-14

Eastern Cairngorm: Coleoptera Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Eastern Cairngorm: NW Mollusc Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Eastern Cairngorm: SW Mollusc Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Eastern Cairngorm: E Mollusc Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Eastern Cairngorms – Results: Coleoptera • Re-found B. reticulatus • Ample hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius) for larvae

Eastern Cairngorms – Results: Hymenoptera • Re-found F. exsecta (17 nests) • Vegetation growth is shading nests and rendering habitat less suitable while additional habitat is necessary to reduce competition SCM 2013-14

Eastern Cairngorm: Wood Ant Nests SCM 2013-14

Eastern Cairngorms – Results: Lepidoptera • Did not re-find Z. exulans • Limited sheltered areas where deeper heath has not excluded larval foodplants (e.g. crowberry, cowberry and blaeberry) • Found black mountain moth (Glacies coracina) (NS) Eastern Cairngorms – Results: Mollusca • Did not re-find V. geyeri (found 17 species) • Limited calcareous flushes • Environment not conducive to shell preservation SCM 2013-14

Flanders Moss SCM 2013-14

Flanders Moss (8.6km2) • Heliophanus dampfi – Bog sun-jumper • RDBK • Associated with lowland raised bogs • Wales – pitfall traps • Scotland - sweeping • ♂ June & July • ♀ April to July SCM 2013-14

Flanders Moss: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Flanders Moss – Results • Re-found Heliophanus dampfi at all locations • Also found Araneus alsine (strawberry orb-weaver) o NS o Poldar Moss: bog with encroachment from shrubs and birch • Total: 35 species of spider • Also found Agonum ericeti (NS) – ground beetle found in bogs • Total: 16 species of beetle SCM 2013-14

Glenmore Forest SCM 2013-14

Glenmore Forest (14.4km2) • Hymenoptera – Formica execta SCM 2013-14

Glenmore Forest: Wood Ant Nests SCM 2013-14

Glenmore Forest (14.4km2) • Hymenoptera – Formica execta (found 53 nests) • Re-found in all eight 1km squares surveyed • Evidence populations have declined based on previous survey data • Habitat becoming more shaded and less suitable • Bog woodland provides refuge and should be maintained • Management providing woodland glades would benefit F. exsecta as well as birds e.g. capercaillie SCM 2013-14

Lismore Lochs SCM 2013-14

Lismore Lochs (1.1km2) • Coleoptera – Donacia aquatic

• Lepidoptera – Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) SCM 2013-14

Lismore Lochs: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Lismore Lochs (1.1km2) • Coleoptera – Donacia aquatica o Re-found • Lepidoptera – Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) o Adults found o Ample devil’s bit scabious (Succisa pratensis) – larval foodplant o Also found narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth (Hemaris tityus) (NS) (same larval foodplant) SCM 2013-14

Loch Lubnaig Marshes SCM 2013-14

Loch Lubnaig Marshes (0.6km2) • Diptera o Tetanocera freyi . Little known, but larvae of species in same family are obligate snail predators o Cordilura atrata . Larvae likely feed on flower-bearing stalks (culms) of sedges SCM 2013-14

Loch Lubnaig Marshes: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

Loch Lubnaig Marshes (0.6km2) • Diptera o Tetanocera freyi – re-found . Little known, but larvae of species in same family are obligate snail predators o Cordilura atrata – re-found . Larvae likely feed on flower-bearing stalks (culms) of sedges o Also found the hoverfly, Platycheirus podagratus (NS) SCM 2013-14

North Rothiemurchus Pinewood SCM 2013-14

North Rothiemurchus Pinewood (15.1km2) • Includes: o Araneae (Clubiona subsultans) o Coleoptera (Dryops nitidulus, Hydrochus brevis) o Hymenoptera (Formica exsecta, Osmia uncinata) o Odonata (Northern damselfly) SCM 2013-14

North Rothiemurchus Pinewood: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

North Rothiemurchus – Results: Araneae • Re-found Clubiona subsultans North Rothiemurchus – Results: Coleoptera • Did not re-find D. nitidulus nor H. brevis • Suitable habitat persists (streams & damp habitats in montane areas and flooded moss & plant litter in well vegetated pools) North Rothiemurchus – Results: Odonata • Diverse community, with 9 of possible 12 species found • Total: 9 species of Odonata SCM 2013-14

North Rothiemurchus – Results: Hymenoptera • Re-found Formica exsecta • 45 nests found (less than 52 found by Gus Jones survey in 1996-97) • Shading rendering habitat less suitable • Development pressures SCM 2013-14

River Spey – Insh Marshes SCM 2013-14

River Spey – Insh Marshes (11.6km2) • Coleoptera o Donacia aquatica

• Lepidoptera o Cousin German SCM 2013-14

River Spey - Insh Marshes: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

River Spey – Insh Marshes (11.6km2) • Coleoptera o Donacia aquatica - re-found . Found 40! o Also found Donacia obscura (NS) • Lepidoptera o Cousin German – not re-found o Found 55 species of moth SCM 2013-14

Torridon Forest SCM 2013-14

Torridon Forest (58.0km2) • Symphyta o Pachynematus torridonensis o All specimens have been re-examined and found to be synonym of common P. moerens (Liston & Shepphard 2010; Liston et al. 2010) SCM 2013-14

Whitlaw Mosses SCM 2013-14

Whitlaw Mosses (0.2km2) • Symphyta o Nematus monticola (larvae feed on Salix spp. & marsh cinquefoil) o Phyllocolpa acutiserra (larvae feed on Salix spp. – possibly S. cinerea or S. caprea) o Phyllocolpa carinifrons (larvae feed on Salix pentranda) SCM 2013-14

Whitlaw Mosses: Sample Locations SCM 2013-14

SSSIs Where Features Were Fully or Partially Re-found SCM 2013-14

Discussion • 14 of 19 features fully or partially re-found • Essential to: oKnow which species to look for oHave original records before surveys oUndertake surveys correct time of year oTarget correct micro-habitat / methods • Huge sites – what’s elsewhere? SCM 2015…

Chris Cathrine (Director (Ecology)) / Glenn Norris (Ecologist) Caledonian Conservation Ltd [email protected] @ChrisCathrine / @CalConLtd www.facebook.com/CaledonianConservation