Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Survey Report

APPENDIX III – INVERTEBRATE SURVEY REPORT PREPARED BY RICHARD WRIGHT

Invertebrate survey of site at Weavers Hill, Staffordshire undertaken by Richard Wright on behalf of Apex Ecology June and July 2008

Summary The site was visited on three occasions, during June and July. A total of 377 species were recorded. The sandhills and surrounding area were by far the most important. The adjacent field had very low diversity and while a fair number of species were recorded from the stream corridor, all but one of these were more or less common and ubiquitous species. A very few aquatic species and some associated with marsh were found in and around the pond, but again these were generally widespread and common species. It is considered that the fauna of the sandhill area, particularly the aculeate , may be of county importance.

Methods On each visit most of the sandhill area, around the pond and along the stream corridor were swept intensively Sample areas of the field, which was rather uniform, were also swept. Several of the oak trees in the field, together with trees on the rest of the site, were also beaten.

A total of 40 pitfall traps were set on the first visit, emptied on the second and emptied and removed on the third. These were distributed in and around the edges of the sandhill area. A short visit was made 5 days before the second main visit and 20 white water traps were set. These were white plastic containers about 70 square centimeteres in surface area, partly filled with saturated salt solution. These traps were emptied on the second main visit.

In addition, several species of butterfly, and bumble bee were observed on flowers and recorded.

Results A total of 377 species were recorded. This is a reasonable sample for evaluation of the site, though further species might be found if the survey were extended earlier and later in the year. A full species list can be found at the end of this report.

In the case of the aculeate Hymenoptera, information about the known distribution of species in Staffordshire could be obtained from the Staffordshire Ecological Record website (www.staffs- ecology.org.uk) where online atlases are available for certain groups. This is referred to here as SER.

While most of the species found can be considered more or less ubiquitous and common and are probably present in many sites in the area, a number of more interesting species and an assemblage associated with the sandy ground, were recorded. The aculeate Hymenoptera were given special attention and are discussed separately, as are the three species considered nationally scarce.

Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Species in relation to habitats The field and stream corridor were generally of little specific interest, producing mainly common species which are likely to be more or less ubiquitous in similar habitats locally. However, the soldier Vanoyia tenuicornis which is considered nationally scarce was swept from near the stream corridor and probably breeds in the stream margins. A small number of aquatic and marsh species were found in and around the pond, which contained very little water during the survey period, including very large numbers of the soldier fly Oplodontha viridula. From the trees, including the mature oaks in the field, a reasonable number of species were recorded but all are common species which are likely to be found on these tree species almost everywhere.

The sandhill area was of much greater interest. The majority of the aculeate Hymenoptera were recorded only here and they are discussed later. Other species characteristic of this habitat are the Agrypnus murinus, Amara tibialis, Dyschirius politus. Bledius gallicus and Adonia variegata, together with the robber fly Dysmachus trigonus. Of particular interest is the Philopedon plagiatus which is not uncommon on coastal sand dunes but with few inland records (very few in the Midlands) and has specially adapted front legs for digging in sand.

Nationally scarce species At the present site, three species categorised as nationally scarce “B” (Nb) were recorded. None of these appear to be very scarce and they may be liable to lose their scarce status in any future review.

Adonia variegata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) Adonis’ Ladybird Although still classified as nationally scarce, this species is now known to be relatively common and will almost certainly lose its status at the next review. It prefers dry ground and is often found on post- industrial sites. Several specimens swept.

Vanoyia tenuicornis (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) a soldier fly A wetland species, this is widespread but local through much of and . A single specimen was swept from hogweed near to the stream corridor.

Nysson trimaculatus (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) a solitary wasp This species is generally considered to be a cleptoparasite of the wasp Gorytes quadrifasciatus but this host was not recorded on the survey. It is possible that it is utilising Harpactus (formerly Gorytes) tumidus here, although the normal host may simply have been missed by the survey. Mainly found in south-east England, though recorded north to Yorkshire, this species has only one previous county record according to SER. Three specimens were found, suggesting a good population, which makes the apparent absence of the normal host rather surprising.

It should be noted that the Bee Wolf Philanthus triangulum is still officially a Red Data Book species, but as it has now spread widely through England it no longer deserves any status as a scarce species.

Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Aculeate Hymenoptera The site was originally noted as of potential interest for aculeate Hymenoptera (bees, wasps and ants). Particular attention was given to the recording of these species, especially those nesting in the ground, though some species which generally nest in dead wood etc were also recorded. A total of 37 species of aculeate Hymenoptera were recorded. Of these, the ants and social bees and wasps are all widespread and common species, while some of the Sphecidae species are not ground- nesting. These species are not considered further. This 20 species of ground-nesting solitary bees and wasps which are listed in the following table. The column headed “Staffs 10km” gives the number of OS grid 10 kilometre squares from which each species has been recorded according to the SER website.

* species cleptoparasitic on other species Staffs 10km Apidae Andrena scotica 13 Colletes daviesianus 5 Epeolus variegatus * 2 Halictus tumulorum 10 Lasioglossum calceatum 10 Lasioglossum morio 5 Lasioglossum villosulum 10 Chrysididae Hedychridium ardens * 2 Pompilidae Anoplius nigerrimus 5 Arachnospila anceps 4 Arachnospila spissa 6 Sphecidae Cerceris rybyensis 4 cribrarius 8 Crossocerus wesmaeli 4 Harpactus (=Gorytes) tumidus 3 Mellinus arvensis 11 Nysson trimaculatus* 1 Oxybelus uniglumis 8 Philanthus triangulum 3 Tachysphex pompiliformis 4

As can be seen, while several of the species are rather common in the county. others appear to be rather rarely recorded. Some can be found in a variety of habitats and are not particularly associated with sandy ground, but others are more confined to this habitat. Those most specific to sandy ground are the sphecid wasps and the two Arachnospila species in the Pompilidae. By far the most abundant species was Oxybelus uniglumis which is usually common to abundant in most sandy sites and obviously has a colony of hundeds, if not thousands, of individuals here, while Tachysphex pompiliformis and Cerceris rybyensis were also common. Harpactus tumidus was apparently slightly scarcer, but still a number of specimens were found. The other species were less common, being recorded only in ones and twos.

The bees were noticeably scarce, with the exception of the bumble bees. However, the author has noted a great dearth of soiltary bees in the West Midlands during 2008, in contrast to south-east England where numbers seem normal. This is almost certainly a result of the very wet and cold season during

Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

2007 which seems to have severely depressed bee numbers in those areas worst affected. For this reason, assessment of the bee fauna during 2008 should be treated with reservations and the wasps would appear to be more useful for site evaluation.

In general, the site was found to be of some interest for aculeate Hymenoptera, with by far the most important habitat being the sandy ground where large populations of certain species were found together with a good overall diversity.

Mitigation While this site may not be of exceptional importance, a comparison of the aculeate Hymenoptera recorded with the records shown on the SER wesbite, suggests that it is likely to be of county importance, in particular taking into account that 2008 was a very poor year for bees. In addition a number of other species, particularly beetles, were found associated with the sandhill area. The other habitats were generally not found to hold any species of particular interest.

Ideally, the sandhill area should be retained, at least in part. Should this not be possible, then substitute areas should be created. These should be in total area comparable to or larger than the existing hills, not shaded by trees or bushes and with substantial south-facing slopes. Ideally the profile should include a variety of slopes, from vertical to gentle, and the top should be more or less flat. Most importantly, at least the upper 50 cms should be of sandy texture.

Should it be necessary to remove the existing hills, this should only be undertaken in the summer months, July being best, since at this time a high proportion of the will be active adults. It is essential that the habitat is not destroyed between early September and late May which would result in the total loss of the breeding colonies. Substitute habitat should be created before the exisitng area is destroyed, ideally at least a year before, to allow for some settlement and colonisation by .

It will also be essential to retain floristically rich areas to provide nectar and pollen sources for bees and a range of prey invertebrates for the wasps.

Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Full species list

* species considered to be nationally scarce.

Crustacea : Isopoda Armadilliidae Armadillidium vulgare Common pill woodlouse woodlice Oniscidae Oniscus asellus Common shiny woodlouse Philosciidae Philoscia muscorum Common striped woodlouse Trichoniscidae Trichoniscus pusillus Common pygmy woodlouse

Diplopoda Julidae Ophyiulus pilosus millipedes Ommatoiulus sabulosus Striped Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger Polydesmidae Polydesmus angustus Chilopoda centipedes Lithobiidae Lithobius forficatus

Insecta

Dermaptera Forficulidae Forficula auricularia Common earwig

Odonata Libellulidae Sympetrum striolatum Common Darter dragonflies

Orthoptera Acrididae Chorthippus brunneus Common Field Grasshopper grasshoppers Chorthippus parallelus Meadow Grasshopper Tetrigidae Tetrix undulata Common Ground Hopper

Hemiptera – Heteroptera Acanthosomatidae Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale Hawthorn Shieldbug true bugs Anthocoridae Anthocoris nemorum Coreidae Coriomeris denticulatus Lygaeidae Nysius thymi s.str. Scolopostethus thomsoni Miridae Adelphocoris lineolatus Calocoris stysi Capsus ater Cyllecoris histrionicus Deraeocoris ruber Heterotoma merioptera Leptopterna dolabrata Leptopterna ferrugata Liocoris tripustulatus Lopus decolor Lygocoris pabulinus Lygus rugulipennis Monalocoris filicis Notostira elongata Orthops kalmi

Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Pachylops bicolor Phylus melanocephalus Phytocoris varipes Pithanus maerkeli Plagiognathus albipennis Plagiognathus arbustorum Plagiognathus chrysanthemi Psallus varians Stenodema calcaratum Stenodema laevigatum Trigonotylus ruficornis Nabidae Nabis flavomarginatus Nabis rugosus Pentatomidae Palomena prasina Pentatoma rufipes Rhopalidae Myrmus myriformis Rhopalus subrufus Tingidae Dictyonota strichnocera Tingis ampliata Hemiptera – Cercopidae Aphrophora alni Auchenorrhyncha leafhoppers Neophilaenus lineatus Philaenus spumarius Cicadellidae Cicadella viridis Eupelix cuspidata Evacanthus interruptus Cixiidae Cixius nervosus

Coleoptera Anobiidae Anobium fulvicorne beetles Apionidae Apion frumentarium Apion haematodes Ceratapion gibbirostre Ceratapion onopordi Exapion ulicis Ischnopterapion loti Perapion curtirostre Perapion violaceum Protapion apricans Protapion assimile Protapion fulvipes Byrrhidae Byrrhus pilula Cytilus sericeus Simplocaria semistriata Byturidae Byturus tomentosus Cantharidae Cantharis cryptica Cantharis decipiens Cantharis lateralis Cantharis nigra Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Malthinus flaveolus Rhagonycha fulva Carabidae Amara aenea Amara communis Amara familiaris Amara lunicollis Amara tibialis Bembidion obtusum Bembidion quadrimaculatum Bradycellus verbasci Calathus fuscipes Carabus violaceus Dromius linearis Dyschirius politus Harpalus affinis Harpalus rufipes Harpalus tardus Nebria brevicollis Poecilus cupreus Pterostichus madidus Pterostichus melanarius Pterostichus niger Syntomus foveatus Cerambycidae Grammoptera ruficornis Rutpela maculata Chrysomelidae Bruchus loti Chaetocnema hortensis Cryptocephalus fulvus aurata Crepidodera fulvicornis Crepidodera plutus Longitarsus jacobaeae Longitarsus suturellus Neocrepidodera transversa Phaedon tumidulus Coccinellidae Adalia bipunctata 2-spot Ladybird Adalia 10-punctata 10-spot Ladybird Adonia variegata * Adonis' Ladybird Coccidula rufa Coccinella 7-punctata 7-spot Ladybird Propylea 14-punctata 14-spot Ladybird Psyllobora 22-punctata 22-spot Ladybird Rhyzobius litura Subcoccinella 24-punctata 24-spot Ladybird Cryptophagidae Micrambe vini Curculionidae Anthonomus pedicularius Ceutorhynchus obstrictus Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Curculio glandium Hypera postica Mecinus pascuorum Nedyus quadrimaculatus Parethelcus pollinarius Philopedon plagiatus Phyllobius pomaceus Phyllobius pyri Phyllobius roboretanus Rhinoncus castor Rhinoncus pericarpius Sitona hispidulus Sitona lepidus Sitona lineatus Trichosirocalus troglodytes Tychius picirostris Dermestidae Anthrenus verbasci Dytiscidae Agabus chalconatus Hydroporus palustris Elateridae Agriotes pallidulus Agrypnus murinus Athous haemorrhoidalis Dalopius marginatus Hemicrepidius hirtus Kibunea minuta Helophoridae grandis Histeridae Saprinus semistriatus Hydrophilidae Cercyon obsoletus Latridiidae Cartodere quadrifasciata Cortinicara gibbosa pumila Nitidulidae Epuraea aestiva Meligethes aeneus Oedemeridae Oedemera lurida Phalacridae Olibrus aeneus Stilbus testaceus Scarabaeidae Phyllopertha horticola Garden Chafer Serica brunnea Brown Chafer Cyphon ochraceus Scirtes hemisphaericus Silphidae Nicrophorus investigator Nicrophorus vespillo Nicrophorus vespilloides Oiceoptoma thoracicum Thanatophilus rugosus Staphylinidae Bledius gallicus Ocypus aeneocephalus Platydracus stercorarius Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Quedius boops Stenus cicindeloides Stenus nanus Stenus similis Tachyporus chrysomelinus Tachyporus hypnorum Tachyporus nitidulus Tachyporus obtusus Xantholinus linearis Tenebrionidae Lagria hirta

Lepidoptera Arctiidae Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar moth butterflies and moths Hesperiidae Thymelicus sylvestris Small Skipper Pieridae Pieris brassicae Large White Pieris napi Green-veined White Pieris rapae Small White Satyridae Aphantopus hyperantus Ringlet Maniola jurtina Meadow Brown Pararge aegeria Speckled Wood Pyronia tithonus Gatekeeper Zygaenidae Zygaena filipendulae Six-spot Burnet

Diptera Dioctria baumhaueri Dysmachus trigonus Leptogaster cylindrica Bellardia viarum Calliphora vicina Calliphora vomitoria Lucilia caesar Lucilia illustris Melinda viridicyanea Pollenia rudis Dolichopodidae Chrysotus gramineus Dolichopus atratus Dolichopus festivus Dolichopus ungulatus anilis aestiva Empis tesselata Empis tumida Heleomyzidae Suillia atricornis Suillia pallida Hybotidae Hybos culiciformis Ocydromia glabricula Platypalpus annulipes Lauxaniidae Lyciella decipiens Lyciella rorida Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Minettia rivosa Tricholauxania praeusta Lonchopteridae Lonchoptera lutea Muscidae Coenosia tigrina Helina depuncta Helina impuncta Hydrotaea irritans Mesembrina meridiana Morellia simplex Musca autumnalis Phaonia angelicae Phaonia errans Phaonia incana Polietes lardarius Opomyzidae Geomyza tripunctata Opomyza florum Opomyza germinationis Pallopteridae Palloptera trimacula Psilidae Psila rosae Rhagionidae Chrysopilus cristatus Rhagio tringarius Rhinophoridae Rhinophora lepida Sarcophagidae Metopia argyrocephala Miltogramma punctatum Sarcophaga depressifrons Sarcophaga pumila Sarcophaga subvicina Sarcophaga vagans Sarcophaga variegata Coremacera marginata Euthycera fumigata Scathophagidae Scathophaga furcata Scathophaga inquinata Scathophaga stercoraria Sepsidae Sepsis cynipsea Sepsis fulgens Sepsis violacea Stratiomyidae Beris vallata Chloromyia formosa Chorisops tibialis Nemotelus pantherinus Oplodontha viridula Pachygaster atra Pachygaster leachii Vanoyia tenuicornis * Syrphidae Cheilosia proxima Chrysogaster cemiteriorum Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Episyrphus balteatus Eristalis arbustorum Eristalis intricarius Eristalis pertinax Eristalis tenax Eupeodes corollae Eupeodes luniger Helophilus pendulus Lejogaster metallina Melanostoma mellinum Melanostoma scalare Neoascia podagrica Platycheirus albimanus Platycheirus clypeatus s. str. Platycheirus granditarsus Platycheirus manicatus Platycheirus scutatus Ripponensia splendens Sphaerophoria interrupta Sphaerophoria scripta Syrphus ribesii Syrphus vitripennis Syritta pipens Tabanidae Chrysops caecutiens Actia lamia spreta Epicampocera succincta Eriothrix rufomaculata Meigenia notabilis Pales pavida Tephritidae Euleia heraclei Sphenella marginata Terellia serratulae Urophora cardui Urophora stylata Xyphosia miliaria Ulidiidae Herina germinationis

Hymenoptera – Symphyta Tenthredinidae Aneugmenus padi sawflies Tenthredo arcuata Tenthredo atra Tenthredopsis litterata

Hymenoptera – Aculeata Apidae Andrena chrysosceles bees, wasps & ants Andrena scotica Bombus hortorum Small garden bumble bee Bombus lapidarius Large red-tailed bumbel bee Bombus lucorum White-teiled bumble bee Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Bombus pascuorum Common carder bee Bombus pratorum Early bumble bee Bombus terrestris Buff-tailed bumble bee Colletes daviesianus Halictus tumulorum Epeolus variegatus Hylaeus brevicornis Hylaeus hyalinatus Lasioglossum calceatum Lasioglossum morio Lasioglossum villosulum Nomada rufipes Chrysididae Hedychridium ardens Formicidae Lasius flavus Yellow meadow ant Lasius niger Small black ant Myrmica rubra Red ant Pompilidae Anoplius nigerrimus Arachnospila anceps Arachnospila spissa Sphecidae Cerceris rybyensis Crabro cribrarius Crossocerus podagricus Crossocerus wesmaeli Harpactus tumidus Mellinus arvensis Nysson trimaculatus * Oxybelus uniglumis Philanthus triangulum Bee Wolf Tachysphex pompiliformis Trypoxylon attenuatum Trypoxylon figulus Vespidae Vespula vulgaris Common wasp

Arachnida – Araneae Araneidae Araniella cucurbitina spiders Araneus diadematus Clubionidae Cheiracanthium erraticum Clubiona neglecta Dictynidae Dictyna arundinacea Gnaphosidae Drasyllus pusillus Zelotes latreillei Linyphiidae Bathyphantes gracilis Cnephaloctes obscurus Erigone atra Erigone dentipalpis Lepthyphantes tenuis Microlinyphia pusilla Lycosidae Alopecosa pulverulenta Pardosa nigriceps Apex Ecology Limited November 2009 Report HB/091134 Weavers Hill Quarry, nr. Gnosall, Staffordshire Ecological Scoping and Protected Species Survey Report

Pardosa palustris Pardosa pullata Trochosa terricola Philodromidae Tibellus oblongus Pisauridae Pisaura mirabilis Tetragnathidae Metellina mengei Pachygnatha degeeri Theridiidae Enoplognatha ovata Theridion sisyphium Theridion tinctum Thomisidae Xysticus cristatus

Arachnida-Opiliones Phalangiidae Mitopus morio harvestmen Phalangium opilio Rilaena triangularis

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