volume 88 no. 1 issn 0049-5891 the vasculum · volume 88 no. 1 issn 0049-5891 the vasculum dates...
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 88 No. 1 ISSN 0049-5891
THE VASCULUM
Dates for the Diary-Field Meetings 2003 1
Moth Records for Northumberland 2002 (vc 67 and 68) 3
Notes and Records 7
An Atlas of the Dragonflies of Northumberland and Durham-An Update 12
Observations on the stem galls of the Hawkweed Hieracium sabaudum L.
induced by Aulacidea hieracii (Bouché) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae): Local
records and associated parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoideae)
20
Some Further Records of Fungi with particular reference to Northumberland 27
Leucoscypha erminea (Bomm. & Rouss.) Boud. an uncommon discomycete
found near Blanchland
31
Editors:
Dr P.J. Gates,([email protected])
Department of Biological Science,
University Science Laboratories,South Road,Durham.
Dr. M Birtle ([email protected])
10, Avon Grove,
Billingham
Co. Durham, TS22 5BH
Published by the Northern Naturalists’
Union
The North Country Quarterly
of Natural History
THE VASCULUM
The Vasculum is a quarterly journal concerned with the Natural History of North-East England.
Founded in 1915 as a privately-published concern, since 1942 it has been the published organ of
the Northern Naturalists' Union. Any contribution on the Flora, Fauna and Geology of
Northumberland and Durham will be considered for inclusion. Short notes as well as longer
articles and simple records all fall within the scope of the journal. Space is also available for
secretaries of local societies to record their transactions and announce future meetings.
For preferred style, and particularly for the method of citing references, will contributors please
refer to previous issues. At least a four-figure grid reference should be supplied when referring to
sites.
Contributions are accepted on paper, computer disc, or e-mail: the address for
contributions is given on the front cover of this issue.
THE NORTHERN NATURALISTS' UNION
The Northern Naturalists' Union (NNU) was founded in 1924 to promote co-operation between
natural history societies, and to collect and collate local records. Membership currently stands at
around 200.
The NNU publishes The Vasculum, and several past publications included a series of
Transactions published between 1931 and 1953 and three separately published supplements to
The Vasculum: Sources of Information on the Natural History of County Durham (1972) and
parts I and II of T.C. Dunn & J.D. Parrack's The Moths and Butterflies of Northumberland and
Durham (1986 & 1992).
The NNU organises a series of field meetings each year, and arranges a speaker for an Annual
Invited Lecture, hosted by one of the constituent societies in November. An Annual General
Meeting of the NNU is held in March, and is addressed by a guest speaker.
The field meetings serve a dual purpose. First, the informal exchange of knowledge between
members and their guests, and secondly the recording of the flora and fauna of the sites visited.
Lists of the species seen during field meetings are published in The Vasculum. Subscriptions
Subscriptions are due on 1st January. Subscriptions are £7.00 for individuals, £9.00 for
societies/libraries and should be sent to
Northern Naturalists’ Union, C/o Office Administrator, Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton
Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 6PU
1
THE VASCULUM
Vol. 88, No 1 March 2003
Dates for the Diary
Dates and locations of field meetings for this year are-
Field Meeting 246 10th May 2pm. Norman's Riding Wood, Winlaton, near Blaydon on Tyne.
Meet at NZ 164 618 at the poultry farm car park. Leader; Doug McCutcheon. Woodland birds
insects and botany.
Field Meeting 247 14th June. 10 p.m Note night time meeting. Glow worms and moths at
Thrislington quarry. Meet at NZ 308 328,Leaders Val Standen and John Hope. Moth trapping also
on the night, courtesy of Nick Cook.
Field Meeting 248 12th July 2pm. Hetton Moor to Murton. Meet at NZ 360471 at the fishing
lake. Circular route, round Little Eppleton Farm, the site is basically limestone with patches of
acid. Interests will be botanical and entomological. Frog orchids are recorded here among other
orchid species . Leader Dennis Hall.
Field Meeting 249 27th July.(Sunday).11a.m. Castle Eden Dene. Meet Oakershaw Lodge,
Peterlee, NZ428393. With the British Plant Gall Society.
Field Meeting 250 23 August.2pm. Harehope Quarry, Frosterly, Weardale. Meet at NZ 035369
at the river bridge. Leader Tony Jackson. Habitats to be seen include limestone scree, caves,
wetland and woodland.
The site is being developed as a sustainable
fishery, nature reserve and educational centre. The
Bollihope Burn flows through the site, caves,
flora, fauna etc. Wind turbine and solar panels are
already in place. We must park by the Durham
Industrial Minerals sign at the eastern edge of
Frosterley and walk about half a mile up the track
to the quarry.
2
Field Meeting 251 13th September. 11am. Fungal foray at Minsteracres. Leader Alan Legg.
With North East Fungi Study Group. Details to follow in later issue.
The North of England Pyralid Workshop
The North of England Pyralid Workshop will be held on Saturday 18th October 2003 1030-1530
at Edgehill College, Ormskirk, Lancashire. There will be the opportunity to identify, with the help
of experts, any photos or specimens you have collected during the 2003 season or previously. An
illustrated talk will be given by Tony Davis who runs the national Pyralid recording scheme and
some set specimens and books on the group will be available for examination. Administrative
arrangements are detailed in a booking form available on request to Steve Palmer at
[email protected] or phone 01772 861570. A small charge may be levied on the day.
Tea and coffee will be provided at no charge but food availability is limited on campus at the
weekend, as the cafeteria is shut. Sandwiches are available from the college shop which is open
all day on a Saturday, and Ormskirk has plenty of places to get hot food. Of course Graham Jones,
the organiser, would be more than happy to personally guide people to the nearest pub for lunch if
they so require! The event is limited to 40 people so early booking is recommended.
3
Moth Records for
Northumberland 2002 (vc 67 and 68)
Nicholas Cook, 31 Lyndhurst Avenue, Jesmond,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 3LJ
A good season to report with three new County records, and a new recorder making himself
known! As usual, the notable records are presented in chronological order:
April
Early Grey
Xylocampa areola
Michael Greene took one at Corbridge on 5 April.
Although there have been a few records from Durham
since Dunn and Parrack (1986), this is the first record
for Northumberland since 1983. In my experience,
this moth is as likely to be sitting on a wall outside the
moth trap as being found within!
Red Sword-grass
Xylena vestusta
Joyce Keating had one at Kirkwhelpington on 20
April.
May
Marbled Coronet
Hadena confusa
Roger Edwards recorded one at Belford on 4 May.
The first record for VC68 since 1983.
Glaucous Shears
Papestra biren
As usual, David Kipling at Keilder produced a
specimen on 7 May, and Bill Monck had one at
Ladycross on 29 May.
Grey Birch
Aethalura punctulata
A new County record for VC67. Lance Moore and I
look one at light at Havannah Nature Reserve,
Hazelrigg on 19 May.
Yellow-barred Brindle
Acasis viretata
Taken at the same time as the Grey Birch above. The
only other recent records are from Allerwash, where
Peter Tennant took it three times in 1989, 1990, and
1994.
June
Grey Scalloped Bar
Dyscia fagaria
Belford, 9 June.
Small Yellow Wave
Hydrelia flammeolaria
Keith Dover beat an adult from alder at Low Countess
Park on 15 June (National Moth Night 2002). This
specimen has already been recorded in the Vasculum
(87.2).
4
Gold Swift
Hepialus hecta
Low Countess Park, 16 June. Over 35 newly emerged
males were found on grass stems along the disused
North Tyne railway line.
Scorched Wing
Plagodis dolabraria
Low Countess Park, 17 June. Only the third locality
for this moth in Northumberland and Durham (the
others being Keilder and Allerwash).
Small Clouded Brindle
Apamea unanimis
Two at Low Countess Park, 17 June. The moths were
in a Heath trap set in a wet area with Reed Grass
(Phalaris arundinacea).
Scalloped Hook-tip
Falcaria lacertinaria
Low Countess Park, 18 June. This is the third recent
record for Northumberland. Harry Eales has recorded
two post-Dunn and Parrack records from Holystone
Burn and Phoenix Wood on the Otterburn Ranges
during 2000.
Cloaked Pug
Eupithecia abietaria
Low Countess Park, 18 June.
Figure of Eighty
Tethea ocularis
Low Countess Park, 19 June. This species is
continuing to extend its range rapidly.
Northern Eggar
Lasiocampa quercus ssp.callunae
Mature larvae were abundant at Cheviot and Keilder
Forest on 23 June. Lance Moore and I estimated the
number at two per square metre of heather in the area
adjacent to the forestry roads!
Beautiful Brocade
Lacanobia contigua
Two in Joyce Keating’s trap at Kirkwhelpington on
23 and 24 June. These are important records as
previously this moth has only been recorded from
Wooler in 1910.
July
Cream Wave
Scopula floslactata
Ingram Information Centre, 7 July.
Double Dart
Graphiphora augur
Shaun Hackett had four on 8 July at the Ingram
Information Centre.
5
Large Wainscot
Rhizedra lutosa
Belford, 17 and 28 July, and 5 August.
Lilac Beauty
Apeira syringaries
Kirkwhelpington, 21 July.
Double-striped Pug
Gymnoscelis rufifasciata
Fenham-le-Moor, 22 July. A new county record for
VC68. A ‘tourist’s trap’; who kindly sent his records
to me!
Crescent
Celaena leucostigma
Fenham-le-Moor, 22 July.
Pinion-streaked Snout
Schrankia costaestrigalis
Fenham-le-Moor, 23 July. Previously recorded from
this location on 5 August 1998 (Vasculum 85.4).
Dingy Shears
Enargin ypsillon
Belford, 28 July. Roger Edwards reports that the
specimen had a clear greenish tinge.
Galium Carpet
Epirrhoe galiata
Whitley Bay, 30 July and four at Ladycross Quarry
between 13 and 23 August.
Dwarf Cream Wave
Idaea fuscovenosa
Rothbury, 30 July.
Satin Beauty
Deileptenia ribeata
Belford, 31 July. This was confirmed at Rothamsted.
It is the fifth time that Roger Edwards has taken this
species (the others being 25/7/92, 26/8/92, 26/7/95
and 23/7/96).
August
The Olive
Ipimorpha subtusa
Havannah Nature Reserve, Hazelrigg on 8 August.
Least Yellow Underwing
Noctua interjecta
Havannah Nature Reserve, 8 July; and eight in
Michael Greene’s trap in Corbridge between 12 and
29 August.
Dark Sword-grass
Agrotis ipsilon
Whitley Bay, 12 August.
Death’s-head Hawkmoth
Acherontia atropos
After a night’s moth trapping at Pow Hill, one flew
into and settled on Keith Dover’s car headlights as he
headed home near Edmondbyers on 12 August.
Unfortunately, after the usual hard night’s work
around the lamp, Keith was not quick enough to get
the moth into his net and it escaped capture!
6
Heath Rustic
Xestia agathina
Bill Monck took 79 between 14 August and 11
September at Ladycross Quarry. This is a good
number of adults, as Tom Dunn reported that moths
are infrequent at light, with most records being of
larvae. Shaun Hackett also had three at Tosson (NU
034001) on 14 August.
Pebble Hook-tip
Drepana falcataria
One in my suburban trap in Jesmond on 15 August.
Normally found in birch woodland, although there are
one or two silver birches in gardens nearby. Perhaps
an example of the adjacent Metro line acting as a
wildlife corridor?
Red Underwing
Catocala nupta
Regular records of this moth in County Durham start
from August 1992, and Keith Dover now expects to
take about ten a year in his trap at Chester-le-Street. It
was, therefore, only a matter of time between it
appeared in VC67! Keith Regan took one in his
garden at Whitley Bay on 31 August. This is a new
county record.
September
Convolvulus Hawk-moth
Agrius convolvuli
One in Keith Regan’s garden at Whitley Bay on 10
September.
Vapourer
Orgyia antiqua
Males are frequently seen in Jesmond, but on 14
September I had one inside the trap. This is the first
time I have taken it at light.
Flounced Chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Blanchland Moor, 14 September.
Svensson’s Copper Underwing
Amphipyra berbera
Now common in gardens and woodlands, Keith
Dover and I took a moorland specimen on Blanchland
Moor on 14 September.
November
Juniper Carpet
Thera juniperata
Joyce Keating had two at Kirkwhelpington on 3 and
15 November. This is only the fourth and fifth record
for Northumberland.
To the list of traps published in Vasculum 87.2, I can add:
K Regan of Briar Avenue, Whitley Bay
I would like to thank all those recorders who have sent me their records.
7
Notes and Records
Some late records from the Hesleden Dene meeting of 18.5.02, not already recorded in the
Vasculum. All are from within the dene.
Flowering Plants
Mercurialis perennis Dogs Mercury
Allium ursinum Ramsons
Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine
Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort
Hyacinthoides non scriptus Bluebell
Crateagus mongyna Hawthorn
Corylus avellana Hazel
Rubus eboracensis
Fraxinus excelsior Ash
Ulmus glabra Wych Elm
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore
Viola riviniana Common Dog Violet
Silene dioica Red Campion
Angelica sylvestris Angelica
Circea lutetiana Enchanters Nightshade
Arum maculatum Cuckoo Pint
Myosotis sylvatica Wood Forget-me-not
Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb
Rumex conglomerates Clustered Dock
Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb
Sambucus nigra Elderberry
Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard
Valeriana officinalis Valerian
Gallium aparine Cleavers
Primula veris Cowslip
Ajuga repens Bugle
Poterium sanguisorba Salad Burnet
Hypericum perforatum Perforate St. John’s-wort
Plantago major Greater Plantain
Gallium cruciata Crosswort
Vicia craca Tufted Vetch
Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot
Trifolium pratense Red Clover
Potentilla repens Creeping Cinquefoil
Plantago media Hoary Plantain
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Campanula latifolia Giant Bellflower
Veronica beccabunga Brooklime
Polygonum cuspidatum Japanese Knotweed
Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam
Tolmiea menzeisii Pick-a-back-plant
Crepis paludosa Marsh Hawk’s-beard
Geum rivale Water Avens
Prunus spinosa Blackthorn
8
Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley
Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort
Salix cinerea Grey Willow
Moehringia trinervia Three-veined Sandwort
Equistum arvense Common Horsetail
Vicia sativa Common vetch
Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet
Prunella vulgaris Selfheal
Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle
Orchis mascula Early Purple Orchid
Dactylorhiza purpurella Northern Marsh Orchid
Succisa pratensis Devil’s-bit Scabious
Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony
Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort
Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle
Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Opposite Leaved Golden-saxifrage
Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone
Primula vulgaris Primrose
Vicia sepum Bush Vetch
Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel
Alchemilla xanthochlora a Ladies mantle
Achillea millefolium Yarrow
Grasses and sedges
Arrhenatherum elatius False oat grass
Festuca gigantean Giant fescue
Festuca rubra Red fescue
Agrostis stolonifera Creeping bent
Dactylis glomerata Cocksfoot
Bromus ramosus Wood brome
Carex nigra Common sedge
Mosses and liverworts
Eurynchium praelongum
Eurynchium striatum
Thuidium tamariscinum
Plagiothecium undulatum
Polystichum aculeatum
Ctenidium molluscum
Mnium hornum
Cirryphylum piliferum
Brachythecium velutinum
Brachythecium populeum
Plagiomnium rostratum
Orthotrichum affine
Conocephalum conicum
9
Ferns
Asplenium scolopendrium Harts tongue fern
Drypoteris filix-mas Male fern
Dryopteris dilatata Broad buckler fern
Fungi
Daldina concentrica King Alfreds cake
Polyporus squamosus Dryads saddle
Invertebrates
Dasysyrphus fruilensis a hoverfly
Rhingia campestris a hoverfly
Arion ater a slug
Aglais urticae Small tortoiseshell butterfly (larvae)
Anthocaris cardamines Orange tip butterfly (eggs on garlic mustard)
Eppirhoe alternata Common carpet
Cylindroiulus sabulosum Striped millipede
Pyrhosoma nymphula Large red damselfly
Panorpa communis Scorpion fly
Pyrochroa serraticornis Cardinal beetle
Vertebrates
Sylvia atricapilla Black cap
Phylloscopus collybita Chiff chaff
Alauda arvensis Skylark
Erithacus rubecula Robin
Troglodytes troglodytes Wren
Bufo bufo Common toad
Talpa europa Mole
Terry Coult, 4 Officials Row, Malton, Lanchester, Co. Durham, DH7 0TH
10
Moth records from Malton, NZ179462, 2002.
1.4.02 Oak Beauty Biston strataria first record
19.6.02 Beautiful Carpet Mesoleuca
albicillata
first record
22.6.02 Poplar Kitten Furcula bifida first record
11.8.02 Broad Bordered
Yellow Underwing
Noctua fimbriata first record
17.8.02 Least Yellow
Underwing
Noctua interjecta
caliginosa
first record
17.8.02 Manchester Treble Bar Carsia sororiata
anglica
first record
17.8.02 Olive Ipimorpha subtusa only previous record 1992
8.9.02 Bullrush Wainscot Nonagria typhae imago from the Malton Reserve
pond (NZ182458), first record.
Terry Coult, 4 Officials Row, Malton, Lanchester, Co. Durham, DH7 0TH
Notes on the Lunar Hornet Clearwing (Sesia bembeciformis)
For some years now I have been trying to confirm by catching the moth that the holes in the
trunks of the sallows on Durham Wildlife Trust’s, Malton Reserve are the exit holes of the
caterpillars of the Lunar Hornet Clearwing Moth (Sesia bembeciformis). Daily checks of a group
of sallows with old exit holes were made during June 2002 and on the 23 of June a single
chrysalis was found protruding from one of the sallow trunks. On the same day I sleeved all of the
sallow trunks in the group. Checks were made throughout the rest of June and July but nothing
more emerged from this group of sallows. A sallow was found by the reserve pond on the 7th of
July with a further three chrysalises protruding from it. No moths were caught. Despite failure at
Malton a single imago of the Lunar Hornet Clearwing was found on the trunk of a sallow at the
western end of Derwent Reservoir on the 8th of July 2002. The exact location being in the triangle
of land formed where the road to the Carricks picnic area leaves the B6306 Edmundbyers to
Blanchland road at NY983511.
Terry Coult, 4 Officials Row, Malton, Lanchester, Co. Durham, DH7 0TH
11
Strensall Common
Dark Bordered Beauty Survey
The Dark Bordered Beauty is one of Britain’s rarest moths, being confined to just five known
sites. Three sites are in Scotland, with Strensall Common, near York one of only two English
sites.
This year Butterfly Conservation, in conjunction with Defence Estates and Yorkshire Wildlife
Trust, are conducting two surveys at Strensall Common:
Larval search 10.00am Wednesday, 25th June 2003
Meet at the car park, adjacent the cattle grid on the Strensall to Flaxton road, 1.5 miles east of the
entrance to Queen Elizabeth’s Barracks SE 648612
The larvae are known to feed on Creeping Willow in damp/wet lightly wooded heathland. The
purpose of this event is to locate the main breeding areas used at Strensall Common.
Adult search 9.30am Wednesday, 30th July 2003
Meet at the car park as above. The purpose of this event is to map the distribution of the moth, by
searching known localities at Strensall Common, as well as several areas supporting potential
habitat.
Defence Estates and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are very keen to ensure the site is managed
appropriately for the Dark Bordered Beauty, so these surveys are crucial to our understanding of
the requirements of the moth. You do not have to be an expert to participate in these events!
Butterfly Conservation will provide any necessary training.
For both events you are advised to bring strong footwear and preferably Wellington boots, as the
site remains wet throughout much of the year. The majority of the site is owned by the MOD, and
open access is only permitted on Wednesdays. The site is used for military training and access
may be closed at short notice. Please contact Dr Sam Ellis 01388 488999 or sellis@butterfly-
conservation.org to book a place on the event, leaving a contact telephone number or email
address.
12
An Atlas of the Dragonflies of Northumberland and Durham.
An update.
H.T. Eales. 11. Ennerdale Tce. Low Westwood, Durham. NE17 7PN.
British Dragonfly Society County Recorder for Northumberland.
Naturalists in Northumberland and Durham have, over the past century and a half produced
numerous lists, catalogues, reports and more recently, atlases of local flora and fauna. The early
(pre.1960) lists and reports occasionally gave localities where species could be found and it was
left for those interested, to look up these locations on their own maps. Since the 1960’s recording
has been more specific, and, following the lead given by The Biological Records Centre (BRC)
now the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology and Hydrology. Recorders now include on their record
cards, Ordnance Survey grid references, habitat types, altitude and other ecological data when
making a record. This data enables accurate distribution maps to be produced and the additional
observations supplied detailed information as to the ecological requirements of many species.
This in turn gives nature reserve managers, wildlife trusts and other conservation agencies data on
important sites and what habitat conservation measures may be required.
Locally the Dragonflies have been more or less ignored by entomologists until very recently,
although the earliest known Northumberland records date from 1769 and those from Durham
from 1826, the number of records in the pre.1960 period amount to little more than a mere
handful. Potential recorders were handicapped by a paucity of good books on dragonfly
identification, the only readily available reference book being Cynthia Longfield’s Dragonflies of
the British Isles (1937). This situation started to change in the 1960’s and a virtual plethora of
identification guides have appeared over the last forty years.
In Durham in the late seventies a small loose knit group of amateur recorders formed ‘The
Durham Dragonfly Group’. These recorders did considerable work before the group’s gradual
disintegration in the late 1980’s. In Northumberland during the same period John Durkin, Stuart
Ball, Gordon Simpson, and I recorded individually, all of us passing our records on to the BRC or
latterly, The British Dragonfly Society.
The lack of a comprehensive local Dragonfly Atlas was noted by Les Jessop, the Natural Sciences
Officer at the Hancock Museum then working as a museum volunteer, which had published
several local atlas’s during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. In an article in one of the last issues
of Recording News No.15 (1990), he announced that he was compiling data with a view to
publishing an Atlas entitled: The Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) of North-East England. I
along with other recorders submitted our record data and these were entered into the museums
‘Recorder’ computer programme. As these records mounted up maps and text were produced and
provisional
13
copies were circulated to interested persons for comment, whilst a publisher was sought.
Several problems then arose which meant that work on the Dragonfly Atlas was temporarily
suspended. In 1998 I volunteered to take over the compilation and mapping of data and do further
work, if required, on the text. It would appear from the forgoing that little additional work was
needed, however, as more data came in several changes were deemed necessary.
Firstly, the ground area encompassed in the atlas originally covered Northumberland, Durham
and Cleveland, the latter area being formed by political boundary changes in 1976, and which is
now defunct. The records from that part of Cleveland which intruded into Yorkshire were
relatively few and far between, and, as the majority of previously published local atlases and
catalogues had used the Watsonian Vice-counties, Vc’s 66, 67 and 68 as the local area
delimitation, I decided to follow this format in order that there was continuity and consistency in
recording area.
A print out of the accumulated records from Recorder (some 2,200 in number) were re-entered
onto a special Excel spreadsheet which enabled very rapid transfer of grid reference and record
date grouping data onto Dr. Roger Morton’s ‘Dmap’ programme. The decision not to continue
using the Recorder programme was made because I personally do not consider it a user friendly
system, any computer programme which requires two bulging A4 binders to hold the User
Manual is too time consuming and cumbersome to use, even with considerable practice.
Admittedly, the Recorder programme has advantages in certain respects, but for the production of
the distribution maps nothing is faster than Dmap. A brief analysis of these records is provided
below.
Secondly, an increase in the numbers of very active dragonfly recorders, especially in Durham,
during the late 1990’s has resulted in a plethora of new record data which brings the total number
of local records to over 10,200 individual entries. This new record data necessitated a review of,
and considerable modification to, the original species typescript as distribution patterns of some
species had changed noticeably.
Thirdly, a critical review of the true status of three reported species needed to be carried out. The
species involved here are: The Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo of which there is only one
mapable record. The Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum, for which there are five records
over a sixty-five year period, and finally a single record of the Vagrant Darter Sympetrum
vulgatum. No known specimens exist to verify any of these records.
The 1985 record of the Beautiful Demoiselle was considered by me to possibly be an error in
identification and the species is more likely to be the Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens
which is known to occur in the same locality. The recorder has been contacted regarding this
identification
14
and after discussion has agreed that this record was an unfortunate, but understandable error in
identification.
The five records of The Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum pose more of a problem.
Specimens of the Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum and Azure Damselfly
Coenagrion puella are both quite similar in general appearance and are themselves, subject to
occasional variation in markings. It is quite possible that heavily marked specimens of the Azure
Damselfly have been mistaken for the Variable Damselfly. I have searched three of the traceable
localities without success for Variable Damselfly, although I did find both Common Blue and
Azure Damselflies to be common on all of these sites. There are no known records of Variable
Damselfly from adjoining counties, except on the coast of Cumbria, which casts further doubt on
the accuracy of these records. Should however, any recorder find this species I would urge them
to take a specimen for verification or obtain, if possible, a series of photographs taken from
several different angles so as to show the diagnostic characteristics of the specimen. Collecting
insects is frowned upon by many, but there are occasions when taking one specimen for
identification is completely justifiable.
Five photographs of a supposed Vagrant Darter Sympetrum vulgatum, seen at Dorman’s Pool,
Teesmouth, vc66, were shown on a WWW.page, during 2002. However, these pictures do not
conclusively identify the specimen and I personally am of the opinion that the insect is a teneral
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum. The validity of this record is currently being considered
by the British Dragonfly Society.
Additionally some individual records have to be queried as the date of the record is well outside
the known flight period, e.g. a record of Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense in Durham City in
September 1991 is doubtful as the date given is two months outside the usually accepted flight
time.
The final change I have made is in the date grouping of records. The pre. 1900 record group is
retained, the intermediate group 1900 – 1960 has been altered to 1900 – 1980, and the modern
records are from 1980 onwards, the greater majority of records fall into this latter grouping.
Map 1. Shows all the known records, of all dragonfly species, from all three date groups. It is
apparent from this map, that there are still areas that are under recorded. Records of even the
commonest species are urgently needed from all over north Northumberland, Vc68, from south
west Northumberland, Vc67, and from west Durham, Vc66. Recorders are asked to visit these
areas as often possible during 2003. Further, if any recorders have data of any dragonfly species
in their notebooks which has not reported by them to either Les Jessop or myself, would they
please communicate them to me at the above address as soon as possible, so that they may be
entered onto my computer record files for inclusion in the atlas. Records from any area within the
three Vice-counties and from any date group would be very welcome. The minimum data
required for a record would be: A species name, a locality name, a grid reference of at least four
figures, a date and the recorders name.
15
I would urge recorders to explore new areas; it is apparent from the record data that many species
are being recorded from the same sites year after year by several recorders. Whilst it is useful to
have a continuity of species records from any given site, records from new unexplored sites have
more value, in that they add to our current knowledge of distribution. The unexplored areas of our
counties can be seen as blank areas on Map 1. The new Ordnance Survey ‘Outdoor Leisure’ and
‘Explorer’ maps of a 1:25 000 scale (2.5” to 1 mile) show far more small water bodies than the
older ‘Landranger’ series which has a scale of 1: 50 000 scale (1.25” to 1 mile).
It is planned that the final text will be completed by the end of 2003; this permits a final year for
records to be made in the under-recorded areas, and investigative enquiries to be made regarding
suspect records. Distribution maps will continue to be updated until just prior to publication.
Map 2. Shows the current number of dragonfly species recorded from each 10km. or part 10km.
square in both Northumberland and Durham. Only records within the Vc boundaries are shown.
16
Map 1. All known records shown by tetrad. (2 x 2km. square).
Co p y rig h t © H. T .E ales. 2 0 0 3 . M ap g en erated b y DM AP .
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
All Dragonfly records from all date groups .
17
Map 2.
Co p y rig h t © H. T .E ales. 2 0 0 3 . M ap g en erated b y DM AP .
1
0 0
0 1 7
0 4
0 2 1
2 5 6 8
0
4 4
7 3 1
6 12 6
1 1 5
10 5 8
1 9 9 7 8
1 9 10 6 10
5 12 9 7
5 10 3 6
4 1 1 9
0 1 3 8
1 2 8
0 1 5
9 4 8 0
9 7 10 0
7 11 14 10
11
0
16 15 17 3
1 14 18 12 1
7 16 16 16 14
11 14 16 14 13 5
11 25 1 17 16 14
0 10 16 16 16
0 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Dragonfly s pec ies recorded per 10km.s q.
18
Analysis of known local Dragonfly records.
Species.
Curren
t status
Year o
f first know
n lo
cal record
Total N
o. o
f
record
s
No. o
f 1x1km
Sq reco
rds
No. o
f Tetrad
record
s
No. o
f record
s
with
out a G
rid R
ef.
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella. Breeding 1846 791 239 191 0
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens. Breeding 1769? 157 74 58 2
Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo. Uncertain 1769? 3? 1? 1? 2
Black Darter Sympetrum danae. Breeding 1901 206 88 78 2
Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum. Vagrant 1984 8 5 5 0
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans. Breeding 1901 1611 386 291 2
Broad - bodied Chaser Libellula depressa. Vagrant 1833 11 7 7 2
Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis. Breeding 1827 226 41 36 1
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum. Breeding 1930 1239 387 287 0
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum. Breeding 1826 1630 336 251 1
Common Hawker Dragonfly Aeshna juncea. Breeding 1913 1033 495 338 2
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa. Breeding 1919 1041 292 225 0
Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator. Breeding 1980 73 24 22 0
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata. Breeding 1826 96 46 43 0
Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii. Breeding 1769? 163 121 99 4
Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense. Vagrant 1919 3 3 3 0
Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens. Vagrant 1982 1 1 1 0
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula. Breeding 1916 709 364 276 0
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly Anax parthenope. Migrant 2000 11 2 2 0
Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta. Breeding 1994 202 36 32 1
Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombei. Migrant 1998 11 5 5 0
Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum. Breeding 1901 414 99 79 0
Southern Hawker Dragonfly Aeshna cyanea. Breeding 1901 586 172 140 1
19
Vagrant Darter Sympetrum vulgatum. Uncertain 2001? 1? 1? 1? 0
Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum. Uncertain 1932? 5? 5? 5? 0
Yellow winged Darter Sympetrum flaveolum. Migrant 1937 7 5 5 0
Totals. 26 species n/a 10,238 3,235 2,481 20
Breeding= Known to be local breeding resident species in Vc’s 66, 67 or 68.
Migrant.= Occasional visitors from abroad which may attempt to breed but which
have not established themselves as permanent British resident species.
Vagrant.= Species which are resident breeding species elsewhere in Britain but
are considered strays from breeding colonies outside the local area or
which may possibly have migrated here from abroad.
Uncertain or ?= Positive identification currently in doubt or unproven locally.
For those interested in taking up dragonfly recording there are several very good identification
guides available at a reasonable price, two of the best are:
The Dragonflies of Great Britain and Ireland. By C.O.Hammond. Revised by R. Merrritt. (2nd
Edition). 1985. Harley Books. Available in hardback or paperback. I.S.B.N. 0 946589 00 3 and 0
946589 14 3 respectively.
Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland. By Steve Brooks. 1997. British
Wildlife Publishing. I.S.B.N. 0 9531399 0 5.
Both these books give excellent illustrations and indicate the diagnostic features of British
Dragonflies. The distribution maps in both volumes are out of date, as considerable changes in
dragonfly distribution have taken place since their publication, but this does not detract from the
value of either book for identification purposes.
Most bookshops these days do not carry such specialist books as stock, but would be able to
obtain them to order. Second hand copies however, may be available on the Internet. By far the
best site for such books is: WWW.abebooks.com This website gives access to over 10,000
bookshops worldwide and searches for any title can easily be carried out. Purchases can be made
online or by contacting the vendor by telephone.
20
Observations on the stem galls of the Hawkweed Hieracium sabaudum L. induced by
Aulacidea hieracii (Bouché) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae): Local records and associated
parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoideae)
Hewett A. Ellis, 16, Southlands, Tynemouth, NE30 2QS
Introduction
Galling of the stems of Hawkweeds by the cynipid Aulacidea hieracii (Bouché, 1834) has been
known in Britain for many years (Connold, 1901; Swanton,1912; Darlington,1975;
Redfern,Shirley & Bloxham, 2002), Several different species of Hawkweed may be affected
(Spooner & Bowdrey,2000). In North-east England the galls were recorded by Bagnall (1916),
who considered them to be widely distributed in County Durham (VC66) and common in Birtley
and the Wear Valley. Bagnall also referred to a record for Chopwell and a personal record for
Wylam. The last location is within South Northumberland (VC67). In more recent years the galls
appear to have been overlooked or largely gone unreported in the region. I know of only two
recent published records for North-east England and both are within County Durham, One of
these is for Hamsterley Forest in August 1985, listed in The Vasculum a decade later (Simpson,
1995); the other relates to two A.hieracii galls which I found on 31st August 2002 during a
N.N.U. Field Meeting to Shincliffe near Durham and listed in The Vasculum (Robbins,2002).
During 2002, whilst searching for further examples of galls on the stems of Cat’s-ear Hypochaeris
radicata L. induced by the cynipid Phanacis hypochoeridis (Kieffer) (Ellis,2000b.), I found
several A. hieracii galls on Hawkweed stems along the course of a dismantled railway between
Middle Engine Lane North Shields and Shiremoor, in South Northumberland(VC67).
Subsequently I made a deliberate search of hawkweeds for the presence of any galls during field
trips, mostly within south-east Northumberland, and found several additional locations. All the
galls were on the stems of Hieracium sabaudum L. [= Hieracium perpropinquum (Zahn) Druce],
determined using the keys of Clapham,Tutin & Moore (1987).
The gross appearance of the stem galls is sufficiently characteristic to permit identification in the
field. However, as this was my first experience of the galls, samples were collected and reared
and the identity of the cynipid A. hieracii confirmed. In addition to the gall-inducing cynipid A.
hieracii, several species of chalcid parasitoids were obtained. The purpose of the present paper is
twofold:
to document personal records of A. hieracii galls found on the stems of H.
sabaudum,
and to give an account of the inhabitants reared from galls collected at one of the
locations.
Personal records of A. hieracii galls
During 2002 I found 63 galls (53 first and 10 second, calendar year galls) at several different
locations within 9 tetrads (8 in VC67 and 1 in VC66), as follows:
21
North Tyneside (VC67)
1. Course of dismantled railway from south of Middle Engine Lane North Shields, to
north of New York Road bridge near Shiremoor NZ 323 693 to NZ 315 706. The
host Hawkweed is scattered along this route, usually in groups at intervals. Found 5
brown dried second calendar year galls north of New York Road bridge 8.v.2002.
These collected and the inhabitants reared Subsequently ( 2.vi.2002, 8.vii.2002,
20.vii.2002, 20.ix.2002 & 24.ix.2002) found a further 4 second year galls and 18 first
year galls (green and pubescent) [total number of galls= 27].
2. On old pit heap, site of former Duke and Duchess Colliery, Earsdon Square near
Earsdon NZ 309 721. Single first year gall 26.vii.2002.
3. Rising Sun Country Park, Wallsend
(i) Reclaimed pit waste, foot of The Hill, edge of small plantation
NZ 298 685. Single first year gall and one old gall with exit
holes. 6.viii.2002.
(ii) Side of old wagonway NZ 304 689. Six plants each with a first
year gall. 4.ix.2002.
(iii) Hedgerow and ditchsides near The Hill NZ 298 687.Several
groups of host plants and 7 with galls (one stem with 2 galls).
18.ix.2002. [Total number of galls= 16]
4. Tynemouth Tyne estuary bank west of Knott's Flats near A.N.D. Works NZ 364 687.
One plant with 2 galled stems (first year). 13.viii.2002.
County Durham (VC66)
Shincliffe near Durham, bankside near footbridge across River Wear NZ 287 418. Two plants
each with a single galled stem (first year galls). 31.viii.2002.
Valley of River Wansbeck (VC67)
Wansbeck Riverside Park near Ashington NZ 286 857. A few plants growing in river bank
opposite Castle Island. Only one with a single first year gall on each of two stems. 11.ix.2002.
Valley of River Blyth (VC67)
Dunes and adjacent grassland near sea, Cambois to North Blyth NZ 306 839 to NZ 311 829. Host
plant widespread but in small numbers. Found 13 plants each with a single galled stem; one
beginning to turn brown but all were first calendar year galls. 27.ix.2002..
Gall inhabitants reared
Five intact second calendar year galls were collected on 8th May 2002 from the dismantled
railway site immediately north of New York Road bridge near Shiremoor (NZ 315 706). Each
gall was kept separately in a plastic container in an unheated room and examined daily for any
emerging insects. The cynipid gall-inducer A. hieracii was identified using the Royal
Entomological Society Handbook for the Identification of Cynipoidea (Eady & Quinlan, 1963)
and subsequently confirmed by Dr R.R.Askew, who also determined the chalcid parasitoids
which emerged.
Gall-inducer A. hieracii
22
A. hieracii began to emerge on 20th May 2002. In all 8 were obtained (2 male & 6 female)
including one female found trapped partially emerged in the wall of a gall. The last cynipid
emerged on 26th May 2002.
Parasitoids
A total of 62 parasitoids were reared, belonging to three families and four genera of the
Chalcidoidea. These were :
Eurytomidae
Eurytoma cynipsea Boheman, 1836
Sycophila subrnutica (Thomson, 1875)
Torymidae
Torymus chloromerus (Walker, 1833)
Pteromalidae
Pteromalus hieracii (Thomson, 1878)
E. cynipsea Twenty-four (10 male & 14 female) accounting for 38.7% of the parasitoids were
obtained from 4 of the 5 galls between 26th May and 15th June 2002.
S. submutica Twenty-nine (4 male & 25 female), 46.8% of parasitoids, were obtained from 4
galls between 1st and 11th June 2002.
T. chloromerus Eight (6 male & 2 female), 12.9% of parasitoids, were reared from only 2 galls
between 16th and 24th May 2002.
P. hieracii This was the least frequent parasitoid (1.6%) with only 1 of the 5 galls giving rise to a
solitary female on 20th May 2002.
In general, male individuals of E. cynipsea, S. submutica and T. chloromerus showed a tendency
to emerge earlier than the female, although there were individual exceptions in each species. The
data for each of the 5 galls are summarised in the Table
Discussion
In view of the paucity of records for A. hieracii galls in Northumberland I was surprised that my
searches revealed the characteristic galls at so many different locations. The Hawkweed H.
sabaudum is scattered throughout South Northumberland (VC67) and very localised in North
Northumberland (VC68) (Swan, 1993). In VC67 I have found the species growing at the foot of
hedgerows, edges of woods and small groups of trees, in an overgrown cemetery, along the sides
of dismantled railways, on river banks, on dunes and on various wastelands including the sites of
former collieries. The galls are not found at all locations where the Hawkweed occurs and, at any
given site usually only a few of the plants present are affected. Apart from the single occasion at
Shincliffe mentioned above, I have not sought the galls in County Durham (VC66) although the
host plant H. sabaudum is said to be frequent in that county (Graham,1988).
The galls are readily recognised and although they may be located at any point along the stem,
they appear to be commoner towards the upper part.
23
Occasionally more than one gall is present but typically there is only one per stem. The galls are
characteristically asymmetric on the stem, ovoid, rounded or pyriform and covered in grey-white
hairs. Mature specimens measure from about 14mm X 8mm to 25mm X 15mm, but occasional
smaller or larger galls up to 65mm X 20mm are encountered. The Hawkweed stem may be
angulated at the site of the gall or there may be an apparent excess of leaves arising from its
surface as though normal stem lengthening has been inhibited at this point. Commonly galls on
the upper part of the stem occur where several flower stalks originate.
The fresh galls are first recognisable at the beginning of June as a localised thickening of the stem
covered by fine grey-white hairs. Initially green there may later be a slight pink flush. The galls
enlarge and mature by the end of August. By late September they are beginning to dry out and
become brown, the pubescence is gradually lost and the hard brown dry galls persist on the stems
overwinter. If opened the galls can be seen to be plurilocular with up to 20 or more cells per gall.
I found the best times to look for the galls were in late summer when the yellow flowers attract
attention to the presence of hawkweeds, and during the winter and following spring, when the
surrounding vegetation has died down and the upright galled stems become relatively
conspicuous.
I am unaware of any previous published works concerning the various species of chalcid
parasitoids associated with A. hieracii galls in Northumberland. However, there are such records
for all four species found in the present study from the galls elsewhere in Britain and Europe. The
three species E. cynipsea, S. submutica and P. hieracii, are specialised in that they are known only
as parasitoids of cynipids which induce galls on herbaceous plants, especially Compositae
(Asteraceae). In contrast, T. chloromerus is a polyphagous species of ectoparasitoid which attacks
Diptera (Cecidomyiidae, gall-midges and Tephritidae, gall-flies) as well as cynipids (Graham &
Gijswijt, 1998).
Thus E. cynipsea, in addition to its association with A. hieracii, is known to attack the cynipid
Phanacis hypochoeridis (Kieffer, 1887) in the stems of Cat’s-ear Hypochaeris radicata L. (Mayr,
1878; Connold,1901). In Northumberland I have reared E. cynipsea previously from P.
hypochoeridis galls of Cat’s-ear collected from three widely separated locations (Ellis,2002a.&
2002b.). Interestingly, one of these sites was along the course of the same dismantled railway near
the present location of A. hieracii galls which proved to have been attacked by E. cynipsea. It
seems that the local E. cynipsea population has a choice of two cynipid hosts.
S. submutica has been reared from A. hieracii galls of various hawkweeds stems in several
English counties- Buckinghamshire, Lancashire, Norfolk, Oxfordshire and Surrey (Claridge,1959;
Askew, 1962). S. submutica has also been reared from a P. hypochoeridis gall of Cat's-ear stem
collected in Lancashire (Askew, 1962) and from a third species of cynipid, Isocolus rogenhoferi
Wachtl, 1880, galling the bracts and achenes of Centaurea scabiosa L. Greater Knapweed in
Berkshire and Oxfordshire (Claridge, 1959).
24
P. hieracii (as Habrocytus hieracii, Thomson), has been recorded previously from A. hieracii
galls from Shotover Hill near Oxford in 1960 and from Ainsdale and Freshfield , Lancashire in
1962 (Askew, 1970). It has been recorded also from another cynipid Aulacidea tragopogonis
(Thomson,1877) galling Tragopogonis pratensis L. Goat's Beard. This last host is of special
interest here since the galls were found by Dr Askew in Northumberland in 1960-61; a few at
Cornhill-on-Tweed (VC68) and one at Tynemouth (VC67 (Askew, 1970 & pers. comm.,2000). P.
hieracii has also been reported from an A. tragopogonis gall in Spain (Nieves-Aldrey & Martin-
Chicot, 1986).
T. chloromerus has been a well recognised parasitoid of A. hieracii in Britain for many years
(Connold, 1901) as well as in Europe (Nieves-Aldrey & Martin-Chicot,1986; Graham &
Gijswijt,1998). In the present case the parasitoid attacked A. hieracii causing galls in the stems of
the Hawkweed H. sabaudum, whereas the T. chloromerus parasitoids recorded by Nieves-Aldrey
and Martin-Chicot from Spain had been derived from A. hieracii galls on a different species of
Hawkweed, Hieracium vulgatum Fries. Elsewhere in Britain the polyphagy of T. chloromerus
extends to the gall-flies (Tephritidae), for example, Urophora jacaena and Urophora stylata
which gall the flower heads of knapweed Centaurea nigra L. and Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare
(Savi) Ten., respectively (Redfern & Askew, 1992).
In future it would be of interest to extend the present observations to include rearing records from
A. hieracii galls collected at other locations in our region. Doubtless further parasitoid species
will be found. In addition, parallel rearings of Hawkweed A. hieracii and Cat’s-ear P.
hypochoeridis galls, where both occur at the same location, would be worthwhile to determine
which of the parasitoid species are peculiar to each type of gall and which attack both galls.
References
Askew, R. R. 1962. Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera) in the Manchester Museum
(Part 1). The Entomologist 95:97-99.
Askew, R. R. 1970. Observations on the hosts and host food plants of some
Pteromalidae (Hym.,Chalcidoidea). Entomophaga 15(4): 379-385.
Bagnall, R. S. 1916. Talks about plant-galls III. Gall-wasps other than those
affecting oaks. The Vasculum 2(1):9-12.
Clapham,A.R., Tutin,T.G. & Moore,D.M. 1987. Flora of the British Isles.
Third edition.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Claridge, M. F. 1959. A contribution to the biology and taxonomy of the
British species of the genus Eudecatoma Ashmead (=Decatoma auctt. nec Spinola)
(Hym.,Eurytomidae). Transactions of the Society for British Entomology 13(9):149-
168.
Connold, E. T. 1901. British Vegetable Galls. An Introduction to Their
Study. Hutchinson & Co.,London.
Darlington, A. 1975. The Pocket Encyclopaedia of Plant Galls.
Revised edition. Blandford Press, Poole.
Eady, R. D. & Quinlan, J. 1963. Handbooks for the Identification of
25
British Insects. Vol.VIII Part1 (a) Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea. Royal Entomological
Society, London.
Ellis, H.A. 2002a. Parasitoids (Hymenoptera:Chalcidoidea) of
Phanacis hypochoeridis (Kieffer) (Hymenoptera:Cynipoidea) galls of Cat’s-ear
(Hypochoeris radicata L.) in North East England. Cecidology 17(1):2-9.
Ellis, H. A. 2002b. Further records of Cat s-ear Hypochoeris radicata L.
galled by Phanacis hypochoeridis (Kieffer) (Hymenoptera:Cynipidae) and notes on
the associated parasitoids (Hymenoptera:Chalcidoidea). The Vasculum 87(4):3-6.
Graham, G. G. 1988. The Flora & Vegetation of County Durham. The Durham
Flora Committee and The Durham County Conservation Trust.
Graham, M. W. R.de Vere & Gijswijt, M. J. 1998. Revision of the European
species of Torymus Dalman (Hymenoptera:Torymidae). Zoologische
Verhandelingen 317:3-202.
Mayr, G. 1878. Arten der Chalcidier-Gattung Eurytoma durch Zucht erhalten.
Verhandlungen der zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft Wien 28:297-334.
Nieves-Aldrey, J. L. & Martin-Chicote. l. 1986. Nuevas citas de calcididos
parásitos de insectos en España (Hym.Chalcidoidea). Boletin de la Asociaziona de
España Entomologica 10:209-213.
Redfern, M. & Askew, R. R. 1992. Plant Galls. Naturalists' Handbooks 17.
Richmond Publishing Co. Ltd., Slough.
Redfern, M., Shirley, P. & Bloxham, M. 2002. British Plant Galls. Identification
of galls on plants and fungi. F.S.C. Publications, Shrewsbury.
Robbins, S. 2002. Report of N.N.U. Field Meeting 244, Shincliffe near
Durham. The Vasculum 87(3): 10-13.
Simpson, G. 1995. Insect Records-Hymenoptera. The Vasculum 80(1):12.
Spooner, B. M. & Bowdrey, J. P. 2000. Checklist of British galls and
gall-causing organisms. 4.Hymenoptera, Part 1 Cynipinae: Preliminary List.
Cecidology 15(1):41-74.
Swan, G. A. 1993. Flora of Northumberland. The Natural History Society of
Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Swanton, E. W. 1912. British Plant-Galls. A Classified Textbook of
Cecidology. Methuen & Co. Ltd., London.
Acknowledgement
I wish to thank Dr R. R. Askew for his continued help and encouragement, and for the insect
determinations.
26
Gall Cynipid
A. hieracii
Chalcid Parasitoids
E.cynipsea S. submutica T. chloromerus P.hieracii
1 1(F)dead 3 (1M,2F)
4.10.&15.vi.02
2(F)
4&6.vi.02
4(M)
16-18.v.02
-
2 - 9 (2M,7F)
1-10. vi .02
- 4 (2M,2F)
17-24 .v. 02
-
3 - 3 (2M,1F)
26-30 .v. 02
1(F)
1.vi.02
- 1(F)
20.v.02
4 4 (2M,2F)
20-2 2 .v.02
9 (5M,4F)*
7-12.vi.02
19 (2M,17F)
2-11.vi.02
- -
5 3 (F)
20-26.v.02
- 7 (2M,5F)
2-10.vi.02
- -
Total 8 (2M.6F) 24 (10M,14F) 29 (4M,25F) 8 (6M,2F) 1 (F)
TABLE- Sex, number and dates of emergence of A. hieracii and various chalcid parasitoids
obtained from five stem galls of H. sabaudum.
* includes one female cut from gall.
27
Some Further Records of Fungi with particular reference to Northumberland
Hewett A. Ellis and Christine C. Ellis, 16, Southlands, Tynemouth, North Shields, NE30 2QS
Introduction
In comparison with other counties in Britain little is known of the fungi in Northumberland and
there are few published records. The situation in County Durham is much better, largely due to
the efforts of John Durkin and particularly of Alan Legg who has recorded many species in that
county and documented them in a series of articles published in The Vasculum since 1990. We
have previously reported individual or small numbers of rare and/or interesting fungi which we
have encountered in Northumberland (The Vasculum: (A). 1994, 78(4):71-72; (B). 1995, 80(1):4-
5; (C). 1997, 81(4):70; (D). 1998, 83(4):82-84; (E). 1999, 84(1):10-11; (F). 1999, 84(4):8-14; (G).
1999, 84(4):16-25; (H).2000, 85(1):36-44). The present supplementary list provides a record of
further locations for six of these species (indicated by an asterisk and Reference letter), together
with records of thirty-four additional species. Most of the records relate to Northumberland VC67
and only a few to County Durham VC66.
ASCOMYCOTINA
Aleuria aurantia (Pers.:Fr.) Fuckel Several large clusters in grass, garden Hartington Road,
Cullercoats VC67; NZ 353 703. 14.xi.2002.
Helvella lacunosa Afz.:Fr. (*Ref.H). Additional location: six specimens, Brierdene, Whitley Bay
VC67 ; NZ 343 738. 25.viii.2002.
Helvella leucomelaena (Pers.:Fr.) Nannf. Cluster of cups amongst moss in stony forest track.
Winnows Hill Plantation, Slaley Forest VC67; NY 977 541. 12.v.2002. Rare in North-east
England (See NEFSG Newsletter 2002, No.25 page 8).
Hymenoscyphus fructigenus (Bull. :Fr.) Gray Frequent on acorns in leaf litter beneath Quercus
robur L., Gosforth Park Reserve, Newcastle-upon-Tyne VC67; NZ 257 703. 28.ix.2000.
Leucoscypha erminea (Bomm. & Rouss.) Boud. Several tiny white cups on Birch debris found on
ground (H.A.E.) on joint NNU & NEFSG foray, Baybridge to Blanchland, in mixed woodland
immediately south of border between VC's 66 & 67; NZ 963 499. 14.ix.2002. Subsequently
determined by Alan Legg; apparently previously unknown in North-east England (See A.Legg
NEFSG Newsletter 2002, No.27 page 4 and The Vasculum 2002, 87(3):14).
Melastiza chateri (W.G.Smith) Boud. [now known as M. cornubiensis (Berk. & Br.) J. Moravec].
Numerous in compressed sandy soil, Hartley Links near Meggies Burn South Blyth VC67; NZ
321 788. 17.x.2001.
Otidea cantharella (A. & S.:Fr.) Sacc. (*Ref.E) Additional location: Three groups of cups in soil
beneath beech tree Fagus, Preston Cemetery, North Shields VC67; NZ 347 693. 20.ix.2000. This
is only second record for VC67.
Otidea onotica (Pers.:Fr.) Fuckel, Found (C.C.E.) in mixed woods south shore of Derwent
Reservoir VC66; NY 98 51. 16.ix.2000. Determined A. Legg (See NEFSG Newsletter
2000,No.19 page 4).
28
Peziza ammophila Dur. & Mont. Several in sand dunes amongst Marram grass Ammophila
arenaria (L.) Link., Druridge Bay north of Chevington Burn VC67; NZ 273 981. 27.viii.2001.
Sclerotinia (= Dumontia) tuberosa (Hedw.:Fr.) Fuckel (*Ref. H) Additional location: several as
parasite on Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa L., riverside, Hartford Hall Wood, near Hartford
Bridge VC67; NZ 257 797. 21.iv.2001.
BASIDIOMYCOTINA
Cantharelles
Clavaria fumosa Fr. Several groups in grass, clifftop. Hartley Bay Old Hartley VC67; NZ 343
760. 2.x.2000.
Clavulina rugosa (Fr.) Schroet. Numerous on ground beneath beech Fagus, Preston Cemetery
North Shields VC67; NZ 347 692. 8.xii.2002.
Clavulinopsis helvola Fr. Two locations:
(i) in lawn Marden Estate Cullercoats VC67; NZ 353 703. 5.xi.l999;
(ii) several groups in field, clifftop south end of Collywell Bay near Old Hartley
VC67; NZ 342 762. 23.x.2001.
Poriales (non-lamellate)
Oxyporus populinus (Schum.: Fr.) Donk (*Ref. H) Small brackets on deciduous branch, Plessey
Woods, riverside, Stannington Vale VC67; NZ 22 78. 8.i.2000 & 11.iii. 2000.
Physisporinus sanguinolentus (A. & S.:Fr.) Pil. Encrusting dead deciduous branches and bruising
red, Thornley Woods,VC66, NZ 17 60. 22.ix.2001. Generally regarded as common in Britain but
this species has only been recorded once previously in VC66 in 1911 in Raby Park, Staindrop
(See NEFSG Newsletter 2001,No.23 page 5). Presumably it is frequently overlooked.
Hymenochaetales
Hymenochaete rubiginosa (Dicks. :Fr.) Lév. Numerous overlapping brackets on dead felled beech
Fagus, Holywell Dene, Holywell VC67; NZ 328 747. 8.i.2002.
Stearales
Byssomerulius corium (Fr.) Parm. On dead deciduous branch in mixed woodland,Holywell Dene
near Holywell VC67; NZ 333 749. 10. iii .2000.
Peniophora incarnata (Fr.) Karst. Common on undersides of gorse Ulex europaeus L. branches,
Holywell Dene near Old Hartley VC67; NZ 337 756. 16.i.2000 & 14.i.2003.
Thelophorales
Thelophora palmata (Scop.) Fr. Two locations:
(i) on ground pathside (H.A.E.) during NEFSG foray Derwent Reservoir Reserve
VC66; NY 98 51. 16.ix.2000;
(ii) on ground in woodland, pathside near River Blyth, Humford, Bedlington VC67;
NZ 265 799. 4.x.2000.
29
Agaricales
Arrhenia acerosa (Fr.) Kühn. Several on wet wood chips in riverside deciduous woodland,
Plessey Woods, Hartford Bridge VC67; NZ 239 794. 23.ix.2002.
Arrhenia retiruga syn. Leptoglossum retirugum , Dictyolus retirugus (Bull.) Quél. On moss in
garden lawn, Marden Estate, Cullercoats VC67; NZ 355 705. 19.xi.2002.
Clitocybe houghtonii (Phill.) Dennis Small group at base of Sycamore tree Acer pseudoplatanus
L., Kepier Woods VC66; NZ 293 439. 14.x.2000. Rare, confirmed Dr P. Roberts (Kew); all
previous specimens at Kew from southern England. Present collection retained at Kew, Accession
No. K(M) 82540. Probably first record for North-east England.
Entoloma icterinum (Fr.) Moser Several beneath pine Pinus in small plantation. Rising Sun
Country Park, Wallsend VC67; NZ 299 694. 25.x.2000.
Hebeloma pusillum Lange Several beneath Willow Salix in wet area beside trackway Druridge
Bay Country Park VC67; NU 274 002. 30.ix.2002. Confirmed Dr P. Roberts (Kew); only one
previous collection from Northumberland at Kew. Present collection retained at Kew, Accession
No. K(M) 104735.
Hygrophorus agathosmos (Fr.:Fr.) Fr. (* Ref. H) Additional location: Beneath pines Pinus in
small plantation near wagonway. Rising Sun Country Park, Wallsend VC67; NZ 298 694.
3.xii.2002.
Lactarius circellatus Fr. Group beneath Hornbeam Carpinus betulus L. in mixed woodland
besides River Blyth, Plessey Woods immediately west of rail viaduct VC67; NZ 221 787.
10.viii.2001. Uncommon in North-east (See NEFSG Newsletter 2002, No.24 page 7).
Macrocystidia cucumis (Pers.:Fr.) Joss. Several on ground amongst plant debris, pathside
Holywell Dene near Seaton Sluice VC67; NZ 337 758. 30.xi.2000 & 9.xii.2002.
Mycena acicula (Schaeff.:Fr.) Kummer Several amongst moss, Plessey Woods near Hartford
Bridge VC67; NZ 239 794. 23.ix.2002.
Omphalina ericetorum (Fr.:Fr.) J Lange Common amongst moss on peaty soil, edge of Primrose
Wood near Rothbury VC67; NU 058 039. 3.x.2002.
Oudiemansiella mucida (Schrad.:Fr.) Höhn. Four locations:
(i) several groups on standing Beech Fagus, Primrose Wood Debden near Rothbury
VC67; NU 057 034. 22.xi.1994;
(ii) several on felled Beech in woodland. Holystone near Rothbury VC67; NT 955
026. 20.ix.1995 & 21.ix.1998;
(iii) small group at base of standing Beech tree, riverside Warkworth VC67; NU 240
058. 3.x.1998;
(iv) several groups on fallen Beech trunk near Crow Hall Farm, Holywell Dene,
Holywell VC67; NZ 325 748. 24.x.2002.
Panellus mitis (Pers.:Fr.) Sing. Several on surface of rotting felled conifer in small plantation,
Druridge Bay Country Park VC67; NU 274 003. 28.xii.2002.
Phaeomarasmius erinaceous (Fr.) Kühn. Two on branch of dead Willow Salix, wet area beside
lake Gosforth Park Reserve, Newcastle-upon-Tyne VC67; NZ 254 704. 28.ix.2000. Confirmed Dr
P.Roberts (Kew). Apparently there is one previous collection from Northumberland at Kew.
Present collection retained at Kew. Note: A. Dickson subsequently found a further
Northumberland
30
specimen 20.vii.2002 on an NEFSG foray to Ministeracres VC67, NZ 02 55 but there are still no
County Durham VC66 records (See NEFSG Newsletter 2002, No.26 page 8).
Pluteus thomsonii (Berk. & Br.) Dennis On rotting Elm Ulmus log near river, Kepier Woods
north-east of Durham VC66; NZ 292 439. 14.x.2000. Determined A.Legg. A new record for
VC66 (See NEFSG Newsletter 2000,No.19, page 5).
Psathyrella ammophila (Dur. & Lév.) P Orton We first noted this species on the sand dunes
amongst Marram Grass Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link at Druridge Bay VC67 in 1992. Since then
we have recorded it on the dunes near Birling Carrs at Warkworth VC68; NU 252 078. 10.x.1994
and on a NEFSG foray to Coatham Dunes, North-east Yorkshire VC62; 11.ix.1998. Latest record-
dunes at Druridge Bay north of Chevington Burn VC67; NZ 273 981. 27.viii.2001.
Resupinatus trichotis (Pers.) Sing. Several on decorticate deciduous tree trunk overlying stream,
Holywell Dene near Seaton Sluice VC67; NZ 333 762. 17.x.2000. Confirmed Dr P. Roberts
(Kew). This species is now regarded as "hairy" variant of Resupinatus applicatus (Batsch.Fr.) S F
Gray.
Strobilura tenacellus (Pers. :Fr.) Sing. (*Ref.H). Two additional locations:
(i) several on ground beneath Pinus, Hartford Hall Wood near Hartford Bridge
VC67; NZ 254 798. 16.iii.2000.
(ii) several beneath Pinus, plantation side of wagonway, Rising Sun Country Park,
Wallsend VC67; NZ 299 694. 19.iv.1998 & 6.v.2000.
Tubaria hiemalis Romagn.:Bon [Note: this species has been distinguished from T.furfuracea
(Pers.:Fr.) Gill. by the presence of capitate gilledge cystidia (Jordan,1995) ] Nine locations:
(i) Plessey Woods, Stannington Bank VC67; NZ 228 792. 8.i.2000.
(ii) several groups on ground by dead Gorse Ulex europaeus L., Holywell Dene near
Seaton Sluice VC67; NZ 337 758. 16.i.2000; and on ground amongst leaf litter
Holywell Dene near car park Old Hartley VC67; NZ 338 757. 3.ii.2000 &
31.xii.2002.
(iii) several on wood chippings, woodland near wagonway. Rising Sun Country Park,
Wallsend VC67; NZ 298 695. 16.ii.2000.
(iv) amongst leaf litter beside deciduous log, riverside, Hartford Hall Wood near
Hartford Bridge VC67; NZ 255 796. 16.iii.2000.
(v) several in wood chips on ground. Holy Saviour Church Tynemouth VC67; NZ
365 696. 18.xi.2002.
(vi) trooping amongst wood chips, Preston Cemetery, North Shields VC67; NZ 346
692. 8.xii.2002.
(vii) several on ground amongst wood fragments pathside near Visitors' Centre,
Druridge Bay Country Park VC67; NU 274 003. 28.xii.2002.
(viii) several dozen on wood chippings on ground east of Cambois Boat House,
Wansbeck Riverside Park near Ashington VC67; NZ 275 859. 11.i.2003.
(ix) five groups at sides of dismantled railway between Hartley Lane and Crow Hall
Farm, Whitley Bay VC67; NZ 330 743. 16.i.2003.
31
Poriales (lamellate)
Pleurotus dryinus (Pers.:Fr.) Kummer Two on rotting fallen Elm Ulmus trunk, Holywell Dene,
burnside below Hartley West Farm VC67; NZ 333 749. 25.ix.2002.
Nidulariales
Crucibulum laeve (Huds.) Kam. Several Bird's Nest Fungi on fallen rotting fence post, side of
dismantled railway, near Middle Engine Lane North Shields VC67; NZ 317 703. 28.xi.2002.
Uredinales
Phragmidium rosae pimpinellifolia Diet. On stems of Burnet Rose Rosa pimpinellifolia L., dunes
near Gloucester Lodge Farm, Hartley Links, Seaton Sluice VC67; NZ 323 786. 17.x.2001.
Reference
Jordan, M. 1995 The Encyclopaedia of Fungi of Britain and Europe. David & Charles, Newton
Abbot.
Leucoscypha erminea (Bomm. & Rouss.) Boud. an uncommon discomycete found near
Blanchland
A.W.Legg, 36, Carleton Drive. Darlington. Co. Durham DL3 9QP
During the joint foray of the North Eastern Fungi Study Group and Northern Naturalists’ Union,
held as Field Meeting 245, on September 14th 2002, ascomata of a tiny white discomycete were
found scattered among the runners of Luzula sylvatica near the footpath along the south bank of
the River Derwent between Baybridge and Blanchland (Legg, 2002). Subsequent examination of
relevant literature has confirmed the initial identification of the fungus as Leucoscypha erminea.
As the national fungus record database was found to list only 35 records of this species, none of
which was from the North East of England (including the whole of Yorkshire), it was decided to
give a somewhat longer account of this collection.
As is often the case with small, infrequently-collected fungi, there is some disagreement in the
literature as to how many Leucoscypha species have been found in Britain. The British
Ascomycotina (Cannon et al.. 1985) lists only three species. However, Dennis (1995) unites the
genus with Neotiella, mentioning a total of seven species. Nevertheless, authorities agree that
most of these species are orange-red in colour, there being only two white ones: Leucoscypha
erminea and L. leucotricha (Alb. & Schw.) Boud., the type species.
The latter two taxa are very similar in most respects, the general distinction being in size of
ascomata and size of constituent characters. In more detail, L. erminea is said to have shorter
hairs, smaller asci, smaller ascospores and narrower paraphyses. According to ElIis & ElIis
(1988), the spores of both species have ''minutely spinulose" walls, though Dennis (1981)
describes the spores of L. leucotricha as having "minute, closely-spaced warts". This latter
32
description fits closely that given by Hansen & Knudsen (2000) who describe the spores of this
species as being densely ornamented with low warts.
Following his mentor, W.D.Graddon, M.C.CIark, editor of the Warwickshire Fungus Flora
(1980), felt it necessary to give a lengthy note on Leucoscypha collections made in preparation for
that volume. In it he commented on the fact that, until then, all white British material had been
assigned to L. leucotricha but that he considered material from no fewer than eleven
Warwickshire localities to consist entirely of L. erminea. Significantly, when Leucoscypha
collections in the Kew herbarium were recently checked, (Yao & Spooner, 1995), the conclusions
reached by Clark were generally upheld and all white British material considered to be of L.
erminea. No intermediate material was found, but the authors saw fit to add the cautionary note
that, should the two "prove eventually to be extremes of a single taxon, then the earlier name, L.
leucotricha, must be applied to it".
Much of the rather sparse material collected near Blanchland was slightly immature but, even in
mature ascomata.. ornamentation was difficult to see, certainly neither dense nor verrucose. No
spore reached the dimensions of 29.5-33 x 11-14 microns given by Hansen and Knudsen for
Leucoscypha leuchotricha, the largest being 28.0 x 10.5. Other characters similarly fitted
dimensions of Leucoscypha erminea characters given by Ellis & Ellis (1988). In view of these
measurements, it was confidently assumed that the material in question should be assigned to
Leucoscypha erminea, at least for the time being.
References
Cannon, P.F., Hawksworth, D.L. & Sherwood-Pike, M.A., 1985, The British
Ascomycotina: an Annotated Checklist. Slough, C.A.B.
Clark, M.C. ed., 1980, A Fungus Flora of Warwickshire. London, B .M.S.
Dennis, W.B.G., 1981, British Ascomycetes. Vaduz, J. Cramer.
Dennis, W.B.G., 1995, Fungi of South East England. Kew, R.B.G.
Ellis. M.B. & Ellis, J.P., 1988, Microfungi on Miscellaneous Substrates.
London, Croom Helm.
Hansen, L. & Knudsen H. eds. 2000, Nordic Macromycetes Vol. 1.
Copenhagen, Nordsvamp.
Legg, A.W., 2002, Field Meeting 245, 14th September 2002 Baybridge –
Blanchland. The Vasculum 87:4 13-14.
Yao, Y.J. & Spooner, B.M. 1995, Notes on British species of Leucscypha
with a new combination in Melastiza. Mycological Research 99:12 1513-1514.
Officers and Council of the Union 2002
President
Dr. P. Gates
President Elect
Vice Presidents
Dr.H. Ellis, Dr. M. Birtle, G. Simpson, Mrs. J. Stobbs, Mrs G. Batey, Messrs. N. Cook, D. Hall,
M. Mann
Hon. General Secretary
Mr. C.L. Evans
Hon. Treasurer
C/o Durham Wildlife Trust
Hon. Editors
Dr. M Birtle
Dr. P. Gates
Hon. Field Secretary
Mr. L. Moore
Hon. Auditor
Dr E. Hinton-Clifton
LOCAL RECORDERS (recorders: please notify changes or additions to the editor)
Butterflies
Mike Hunter, 45. Brinkburn Ave, Darlington, DL3 0JN. Northumberland and Durham. British
Butterfly Conservation.
Moths
Durham:Terry Coult, 4 Officials Row, Malton, Lanchester, Co. Durham, DH7 0TH
B.R.C. recorder, Northumberland: Mr N. Cook, 31 Lyndhurst Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle upon
Tyne, NE2 3LJ.
Dragonflies
Durham, Northumberland: Harry Eales, 11 Ennerdale Terrace, Low Westwood. Co. Durham. NE
17 7PN.
Birds
Durham Bird Club: Tony Armstrong, 39 Western Hill, Durham City, County Durham. DH1 4RJ
(tel. 386 1519).
Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club: Nick Rossiter, West Barn, Lee Grange, Ordley, Hexham.
NE46 1SX.
Amphibia and Reptiles
Mammals (general)
Northumberland: Mary Gough, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas
Park, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884)
Durham: Kevin O'Hara, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas Park,
Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884) email:
Bats
Northumberland Bat Group: Ruth Hadden, East Farm Cottage, Ryal, Northumberland. NE20
0SA.
Durham Bat Group:Ian Bond, 105 Davison Rd., Darlington DL1 3DS (01325 264296)
Badgers (Badger groups may be contacted via the relevant Wildlife Trusts).
Plants
B.S.B.I. recorder (Durham): G.G. Graham, 3 The Willows, Bishop Auckland, County Durham,
DL14 7HH.
B.S.B.I. recorder (Northumberland): Professor G.A. Swan, 81 Wansdyke, Morpeth,
Northumberland. NE61 3QY.
Algae: Dr F.G. Hardy, Dept of Marine Sciences & Coastal management, Ridley Building,
University of Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.
Spiders
Isobel Baldwin, British Arachnological Society Recorder,14 Murrayfield Drive, Brandon,
Durham, DH7 8TG.
Geological
Contact: S.G. McLean, The Hancock Museum, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne.NE2 4PT.
Volume 88 No. 2 ISSN 0049-5891
THE VASCULUM
http://www.thevasculum.com
Dates for the Diary-Field Meetings 2003 1
Notices 2
Hartlepool Natural History Society 3
Field Meeting Reports 2003 4
Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus (L.) 8
Notes and Records 9
Editors:
Dr P.J. Gates,([email protected])
Department of Biological Science,
University Science Laboratories,South Road,Durham.
Dr. M Birtle ([email protected])
10, Avon Grove,
Billingham
Co. Durham, TS22 5BH
Published by the Northern
Naturalists’ Union
The North Country Quarterly
of Natural History
THE VASCULUM
The Vasculum is a quarterly journal concerned with the Natural History of North-East England.
Founded in 1915 as a privately-published concern, since 1942 it has been the published organ of
the Northern Naturalists' Union. Any contribution on the Flora, Fauna and Geology of
Northumberland and Durham will be considered for inclusion. Short notes as well as longer
articles and simple records all fall within the scope of the journal. Space is also available for
secretaries of local societies to record their transactions and announce future meetings.
For preferred style, and particularly for the method of citing references, will contributors please
refer to previous issues. At least a four-figure grid reference should be supplied when referring to
sites.
Contributions are accepted on paper, computer disc, or e-mail: the address for
contributions is given on the front cover of this issue.
THE NORTHERN NATURALISTS' UNION
The Northern Naturalists' Union (NNU) was founded in 1924 to promote co-operation between
natural history societies, and to collect and collate local records. Membership currently stands at
around 200.
The NNU publishes The Vasculum, and several past publications included a series of
Transactions published between 1931 and 1953 and three separately published supplements to
The Vasculum: Sources of Information on the Natural History of County Durham (1972) and
parts I and II of T.C. Dunn & J.D. Parrack's The Moths and Butterflies of Northumberland and
Durham (1986 & 1992).
The NNU organises a series of field meetings each year, and arranges a speaker for an Annual
Invited Lecture, hosted by one of the constituent societies in November. An Annual General
Meeting of the NNU is held in March, and is addressed by a guest speaker.
The field meetings serve a dual purpose. First, the informal exchange of knowledge between
members and their guests, and secondly the recording of the flora and fauna of the sites visited.
Lists of the species seen during field meetings are published in The Vasculum. Subscriptions
Subscriptions are due on 1st January. Subscriptions are £7.00 for individuals, £9.00 for
societies/libraries and should be sent to
Northern Naturalists’ Union, C/o Office Administrator, Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton
Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 6PU
1
THE VASCULUM
Vol. 88, No 2 March 2003
Dates for the Diary
Dates and locations of remaining field meetings for this year are-
Field Meeting 248 12th July 2pm. Hetton Moor to Murton. Meet at NZ 360471 at the fishing
lake. Circular route, round Little Eppleton Farm, the site is basically limestone with patches of
acid. Interests will be botanical and entomological. Frog orchids are recorded here among other
orchid species . Leader Dennis Hall.
Field Meeting 249 27th July.(Sunday).11a.m. Castle Eden Dene. Meet Oakershaw Lodge,
Peterlee, NZ428393. With the British Plant Gall Society.
Field Meeting 250 23 August.2pm. Harehope Quarry, Frosterly, Weardale. Meet at NZ 035369
at the river bridge. Leader Tony Jackson. Habitats to be seen include limestone scree, caves,
wetland and woodland.
The site is being developed as a sustainable fishery, nature reserve and
educational centre. The Bollihope Burn flows through the site, caves,
flora, fauna etc. Wind turbine and solar panels are already in place. We
must park by the Durham Industrial Minerals sign at the eastern edge of
Frosterley and walk about half a mile up the track to the quarry.
Field Meeting 251 13th September. 11am. Fungal foray at Minsteracres. Leader Alan Legg.
With North East Fungi Study Group. Details to follow in later issue.
2
Autumn Lecture
The Autumn Lecture will take place on Saturday the 25th October at 2.30 pm in Hart
Village Hall. This is by kind invitation of the Hartlepool Natural History Society. The
speaker will be Sam Ellis on ‘Butterfly Conservation in Northern England’. Members and
visitors are invited to bring photographs and exhibits from the current 2003, and previous,
field seasons.
New Website
The Northern Naturalists’ Union website has changed. The new web address (URL) is
http://www.thevasculum.com
The site currently contains only basic information but will grow over the coming weeks to include
Field meeting information
Archive of ‘Vasculum’ back copies
Images from field meetings
Material that members wish to share
Membership information
If any member wishes to place anything on the web site please send material to the editor -
Affiliated societies are more than welcome to send information on their activities and/or links to
their own web sites.
3
Hartlepool Natural History Society
30th Anniversary
Members will wish to congratulate Hartlepool Natural History Society on their 30th anniversary
year. The society holds indoor winter, and outdoor summer, meetings and publishes ‘The Spine’
every month. This is a newsletter chronicling notable records from south-east Durham distributed
to members of the society. These records have recently included-
January 2003
Crane over Marina Way on the 5th.
Barn Owl at Phillips Tank Farm
Lesser Celandine - Flowering profusely by Greatham Beck upstream of the A689 on the
exceptionally early date of 28 December, 2002
March 2003
Hen Harrier west of Hartlepool.
Red Squirrel in Thorpe Bulmer dene
April 2003
Mistletoe on a tree at English Martyrs School, Catcote Road.
Barn owl in the Hart-Greatham area
May 2003
Dingy Skipper at Conoco Phillips Tank farm
The chairwoman is currently Jennifer Watt, vice chairman Steve Robbins, treasurer Ron Godfrey
and the secretary of the society is Russell McAndrew, (5 Thornhill gardens, Hartlepool, TS26
0HX.)
Other Local Natural History Publications
Cleveland Naturalists Field Club produces Proceedings every year. This includes reports from
field meetings and articles on local natural history topics. It is published in spring each year.
Printed copies can be obtained (cost one pound) from Dr. M. Birtle, 10 Avon Grove, Billingham,
TS22 5BH, or electronically (free) by mailing [email protected]. Back copies of the
‘Vasculum’ are also available electronically from the same source (free).
Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists’ Field Club publish an annual report each year. This is
provided free to members. This also contains reports from field meetings and other observations
on natural history on their ‘patch’.
The Editors of the ‘Vasculum’ would be pleased to hear about any other publications produced by
our natural history societies.
4
Field Meeting Reports 2003
Field Meeting 246 10th May 2pm. Norman's Riding Wood, Winlaton, near Blaydon on
Tyne. Leader; Doug McCutcheon.
Fungi
Ascomycetes:
Colpoma quercinum on dead Quercus twigs
Daldinia concentrica on dead Fraxinus wood
Diatrypella favacea on fallen Betula twigs
Diatrypella quercina on fallen Quercus twigs
Leptosphaeria maculans on dead stem base of Alliaria
Microthyriurn ciIiaturn on old fallen leaf of Ilex
Trochila ilicina on old fallen leaf of Ilex
Xylaria hypoxylon on indet. dead wood
Xylaria longipes on log of Acer pseudoplatanus
Basidiomycetes:
Coprinus laanii on cut end of conifer log
CorioIus versicoIor on indet. deciduous stump
Exidia truncata on fallen branch of Quercus
Fomitopsis pinicoia on indet. conifer log
Hirneola aurricuIa-judae on moribund Sambucus etc.
Kuehneola uredinis on stems of living Rubus fruticos
Milesina kriegceriana on moribund Dryopteris
Uromyces dactylidis on living leaves of Ranunculus repens
Uromyces ficariae on living leaves of Ranunculus ficaria
Other groups:
Plasmopara pygmaea on leaves of Anemone nemorosa
Pyrenochaeta. ilicis on old dead leaves or Ilex
Ramularia didyma on leaf of Ranunculus repens
Alan Legg
Plants
Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea
Wood Speedwell Veronica montana
Bugle Ajuga reptans
Bluebell Endymion non-scriptus
Wavy Bittercress Cardamine flexuosa
Read Campion Silene dioica
Yellow Pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum
Ladies Smock Cardamines pratensis
Wood Sanicle Sanicula europaea
Bitter Vetch Lathyrus montanus
Sweet Woodruff Galium odoratum
Primrose Primula vulgaris
5
Wood Cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum
Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium
Wood Sorrel Oxalis acetosella
Cliff Evans
Butterflies
Large White Pieris brassicae
Green Veined White Pieris napi
Orange Tip Anthocaris cardamines
Males and ova on Jack-by-the-Hedge
Peacock Inachis io
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
Galls
On Pendunculated Oak (Quercus robur) All Hymenoptera:Cynipoidea:-
Andricus curvator
Andricus lignicolor Cola-nut Gall
Andricus kollari Marble Gall
Andricus fecundator Artichoke Gall
Andricus quercuscalicis Knopper Gall
Neuroterus quercusbaccarum Currant Gall
Biorhiza pallida Oak Apple
On Hawthorn (Crataegus) leaves:-
Phyllocoptes goniothorax (mite)
On Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) leaves:-
Eriophyes sorbi (Mite)
6
Field Meeting 247 14th June. 10 p.m Thrislington quarry.
Accompanied by Pipistrelles, large numbers of Ghost Swifts fluttering above the grassland, and
the screech of Tawny Owl a party of about ten members and visitors watched more than twenty
glowworms (Lampyris noctiluca) displaying amongst the grassland and rougher vegetation after
11.00 pm.
Moths:
Grass Rivulet (abundant) Perizoma albulata
Silver-ground Carpet (abundant) Xanthorhoe montanata
Ghost Swift Hepialus humuli
(males abundant 'leking' in the grass until
midnight):
Chimney Sweeper (4) Odezia atrata
Large Yellow Underwing (2) Noctua pronuba
Heart and Dart (2) Agrotis exclamationis
Yellow Shell (1) Camptogramma bilineata
Middle-barred Minor (1) Oligia fasciuncula
On leaving the quarry at about 1.00 am on 15th June, we found a further two female glow-worms
on the grass verge, immediately adjacent to the car park lay-by.
In addition, the reserve at Bishop Middleham quarry was also searched for glowworms after the
Thrislington meeting, but none were found.
The following information has been copied from the UK Glow Worm Survey web site
(http://www.glowworms.org.uk) authored by Robin Scagell. It may be useful to anyone who
wishes to search for glow worms in Durham or Northumberland.
“The glow worm, Lampyris noctiluca, is not at all worm-like but is a beetle up to 25 mm long.
Only the wingless female glows strongly, to attract the flying males. Each individual female has
an adult glowing life of only a few weeks until she mates, since she dies soon after laying her
eggs.
After a few weeks the eggs hatch into larvae, and they remain as larvae for one or two further
summers, feeding on small snails which they apparently paralyse before sucking them empty. The
two- or maybe even three-year gap between a mating and the subsequent appearance of an adult
helps to explain the characteristic ‘boom or bust’ cycles of glow-worm populations. It’s possible
to find plenty on a site one year, yet few or none at all the next. And, of course, sites where they
seem to have died out can’t be written off on the basis of a single night’s search.
Wherever you find small snails, though unfortunately not the large common-or-garden variety,
it’s worth looking for glow worms. They prefer open grass or
7
hedges to woodland, but rarely are they to be found on land which has been ‘improved’ for
agriculture. Look for them from late May to early September (with a peak in mid July), as soon as
it gets dark. They glow for a few hours at a time, and usually stop glowing soon after mating. If
you do see glow worms, don’t disturb them and certainly don’t take them home as trophies, no
matter how many there are on a site. Their continued existence at your site could be on a knife-
edge. But a short look by torchlight will do no harm, and you may see the smaller, darker (and
glow-less) male mating – perhaps even several on one female! “
The Glow Worm Book
The new, fully revised edition, published April 2002 (76 pp paperback, A5 format) costs £10 post
free. For a copy please write to John Tyler at Tadorna, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, Kent
TN13 3DH, enclosing a cheque for £10.00 made payable to John Tyler. A few copies of the first
edition (64 pp, published 1994) are still available at £5.00 post free, or you can read the text-only
at
http://website.lineone.net/~galaxypix/Tylerbookpt1.html
completely free.
Visiting Derbyshire?
Detailed distribution information on glow worms in Derbyshire can be found at
http://www.dbrc.freeserve.co.uk/html/glow_worms.html
or Scotland?
A colony of glow worms was discovered in a woodland location in the new Loch Lomond and
Trossachs National Park in 2002, the first recorded Scottish sighting of the fascinating
phosphorescent beetles in several years.
8
Personal sightings of the Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus (L.) in North Tyneside during 2002
Hewett A. Ellis, 16, Southlands Tynemouth NE30 2QS
During the 2002 season I recorded the Holly Blue butterfly Celastrina argiolus (L.) at two
locations in North Tyneside (VC 67).
1. A male individual flew into my garden in Tynemouth (NZ 357 700) on 4th
August at 12-20pm and nectared for several minutes on Hebe and Marjoram
flowers. A Holly Blue re-visited the garden, during the late morning or early
afternoon, on 5th,7th,8th,13th, 14th and 15th August. This appeared to be the
same individual on each occasion.
2. A female butterfly was observed 12th August flying along the hedgerow to the
course of a dismantled railway, near Crow Hall farm, Holywell (NZ 328 744).
It settled occasionally and appeared to be in search of a suitable place to
oviposit, but I could not find any ivy in the hedgerow.
Comment
It is four years since I have seen the Holly Blue locally. The last occasion was on 4th and 6th
September 1998, when a female was noted nactaring in my garden in Tynemouth (Ellis, 1999,
Vasculum 84 (1):27). This was eight years after the Holly Blue was first recorded in
Northumberland (Ellis,1990,Vasculum 75(3):43-44), and subsequently bred successfully in the
county for several years (Ellis, Vasculum 1992,77(1):4-5; 1992 77(2):20; 1993 77(4):79-83).
Holly Blue, Hartlepool
A female Holly Blue was reported in Granville Avenue, Hartlepool, on 23rd May 2003 in ‘The
Spine’ (newsletter of Hartlepool Natural History Society), Issue no. 334, March 2003.
And at Malton, North Yorkshire
Although well away from our area it may be worth noting that a number of Holly Blue’s were
seen on a Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists Field Club meeting to Manor Farm, about 2 miles
south of Malton in North Yorkshire on Saturday 7th June 2003.
Malcolm Birtle
9
Notes and Records
Female Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) was found on the path at Findon Hill, Sacriston
on the 14th June 2003
Linda Mann
Mother Shipton (Callistege mi) x 10, was flying at Saltersgate in bright sunshine, NZ072432,
29.5.03.
Michael Mann
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) was seen on the 14th June 2003 on the site of an old colliery yard
at Sacriston
Michael Mann and K. Dover
Two more Painted Ladies were seen in the same week in a garden at Iveston.
Gerry White
More than twenty Painted Ladies were seen on the North Yorkshire Moors between Blakey Ridge
and Bloworth Crossing on 3rd June 2003, along with very many Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeus)
and Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus).
Also, one Painted Lady seen at Eggleston, Teesdale, on a Cleveland Naturalists’ Field Club
meeting on Wednesday 18th June.NY998228
Malcolm Birtle
Spiders
Latrodectus mactans (Black Widow).
Three in 2003 from Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead. On car parts from California, USA
Haplodrassus signifer
Common under stones, females with egg sacs, Kielder water, vc 67, 7th June 2003. Also at Bishop
Middleham Quarry. Females with egg sacs, 14th June 2003
Michael Mann
A Water Vole was seen in the burn at North Burn Bridge, near Cowpen Bewley on 21st March
2003, NZ482261, along with a kingfisher.
Aphid Gall, Tetraneura ulmi, a stalked green gall on upper surface of leaves, St Cuthberts
churchyard Darlington centre, 27th May 2003, Darlington and Teesdale Field Club meeting.
10
Reproduced from Swanton E.W., British Plant Galls, 1912
Also, Eriophyes tiliae, a red nail gall on the upper surface of Lime (Tilia sp.) leaves.*
It was also pleasing to see many Brown Trout in the Skerne through the centre of town at this
meeting.
Malcolm Birtle
Corrections
A slight formatting error appeared in the table associated with Observations on the stem galls of
the Hawkweed Hieracium sabaudum L. induced by Aulacidea hieracii (Bouché) (Hymenoptera:
Cynipidae): Local records and associated parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoideae), Hewett A.
Ellis , in Vasculum 88(1). This error made one of the dates in row 4 seem incorrect. The
reformatted table is presented here-
Gall Cynipid
*A. hieracii
Chalcid Parasitoids
E.cynipsea S. submutica T. chloromerus P.hieracii
1 1(F)dead 3 (1M,2F)
4.10.&15.vi.02
2(F)
4&6.vi.02
4(M)
16-18.v.02
-
2 - 9 (2M,7F)
1-10. vi .02
- 4 (2M,2F)
17-24 .v. 02
-
3 - 3 (2M,1F)
26-30 .v. 02
1(F)
1.vi.02
- 1(F)
20.v.02
4 4 (2M,2F)
20-22.v.02
9 (5M,4F)*
7-12.vi.02
19 (2M,17F)
2-11.vi.02
- -
5 3 (F)
20-26.v.02
- 7 (2M,5F)
2-10.vi.02
- -
Total 8 (2M.6F) 24 (10M,14F) 29 (4M,25F) 8 (6M,2F) 1 (F)
TABLE- Sex, number and dates of emergence of A. hieracii and various chalcid parasitoids
obtained from five stem galls of H. sabaudum.
* includes one female cut from gall.
11
Similar formatting errors afflicted Harry Eales paper on Dragonfly Recording and the table is re-
presented here-
Species.
Curren
t statu
s
Yea
r of first kn
ow
n lo
cal reco
rd
Tota
l No. o
f
record
s
No. o
f 1x1
km S
q reco
rds
No. o
f Tetra
d
record
s
No. o
f record
s
with
out a
Grid
Ref.
Azure Damselfly
Coenagrion puella. Breeding 1846 791 239 191 0
Banded Demoiselle
Calopteryx splendens. Breeding 1769? 157 74 58 2
Beautiful Demoiselle
Calopteryx virgo. Uncertain 1769? 3? 1? 1? 2
Black Darter
Sympetrum danae. Breeding 1901 206 88 78 2
Black-tailed Skimmer
Orthetrum cancellatum. Vagrant 1984 8 5 5 0
Blue-tailed Damselfly
Ischnura elegans. Breeding 1901 1611 386 291 2
Broad - bodied Chaser
Libellula depressa. Vagrant 1833 11 7 7 2
Brown Hawker
Aeshna grandis. Breeding 1827 226 41 36 1
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum.
Breeding 1930 1239 387 287 0
Common Darter
Sympetrum striolatum. Breeding 1826 1630 336 251 1
Common Hawker Dragonfly
Aeshna juncea. Breeding 1913 1033 495 338 2
Emerald Damselfly
Lestes sponsa. Breeding 1919 1041 292 225 0
Emperor Dragonfly
Anax imperator. Breeding 1980 73 24 22 0
Four-spotted Chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata. Breeding 1826 96 46 43 0
Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii
Breeding 1769? 163 121 99 4
Hairy Dragonfly
Brachytron pratense. Vagrant 1919 3 3 3 0
Keeled Skimmer
Orthetrum coerulescens. Vagrant 1982 1 1 1 0
Large Red Damselfly
Pyrrhosoma nymphula. Breeding 1916 709 364 276 0
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly
Anax parthenope. Migrant 2000 11 2 2 0
Migrant Hawker
Aeshna mixta. Breeding 1994 202 36 32 1
12
Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombei.
Migrant 1998 11 5 5 0
Ruddy Darter
Sympetrum sanguineum. Breeding 1901 414 99 79 0
Southern Hawker Dragonfly
Aeshna cyanea. Breeding 1901 586 172 140 1
Vagrant Darter
Sympetrum vulgatum. Uncertain 2001? 1? 1? 1? 0
Variable Damselfly
Coenagrion pulchellum. Uncertain 1932? 5? 5? 5? 0
Yellow winged Darter
Sympetrum flaveolum. Migrant 1937 7 5 5 0
Totals. 26 species n/a 10,238 3,235 2,481 20
Apologies to both authors.
Officers and Council of the Union 2002
President
Dr. P. Gates
President Elect
Vice Presidents
Dr.H. Ellis, Dr. M. Birtle, G. Simpson, Mrs. J. Stobbs, Mrs G. Batey, Messrs. N. Cook, D. Hall,
M. Mann
Hon. General Secretary
Mr. C.L. Evans
Hon. Treasurer
C/o Durham Wildlife Trust
Hon. Editors
Dr. M Birtle
Dr. P. Gates
Hon. Field Secretary
Mr. L. Moore
Hon. Auditor
Dr E. Hinton-Clifton
LOCAL RECORDERS (recorders: please notify changes or additions to the editor)
Butterflies
Mike Hunter, 45. Brinkburn Ave, Darlington, DL3 0JN. Northumberland and Durham. British
Butterfly Conservation.
Moths
Durham:Terry Coult, 4 Officials Row, Malton, Lanchester, Co. Durham, DH7 0TH
B.R.C. recorder, Northumberland: Mr N. Cook, 31 Lyndhurst Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle upon
Tyne, NE2 3LJ.
Dragonflies
Durham, Northumberland: Harry Eales, 11 Ennerdale Terrace, Low Westwood. Co. Durham. NE
17 7PN.
Birds
Durham Bird Club: Tony Armstrong, 39 Western Hill, Durham City, County Durham. DH1 4RJ
(tel. 386 1519).
Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club: Nick Rossiter, West Barn, Lee Grange, Ordley, Hexham.
NE46 1SX.
Amphibia and Reptiles
Mammals (general)
Northumberland: Mary Gough, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas
Park, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884)
Durham: Kevin O'Hara, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas Park,
Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884) email:
Bats
Northumberland Bat Group: Ruth Hadden, East Farm Cottage, Ryal, Northumberland. NE20
0SA.
Durham Bat Group:Ian Bond, 105 Davison Rd., Darlington DL1 3DS (01325 264296)
Badgers (Badger groups may be contacted via the relevant Wildlife Trusts).
Plants
B.S.B.I. recorder (Durham): G.G. Graham, 3 The Willows, Bishop Auckland, County Durham,
DL14 7HH.
B.S.B.I. recorder (Northumberland): Professor G.A. Swan, 81 Wansdyke, Morpeth,
Northumberland. NE61 3QY.
Algae: Dr F.G. Hardy, Dept of Marine Sciences & Coastal management, Ridley Building,
University of Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.
Spiders
Isobel Baldwin, British Arachnological Society Recorder,14 Murrayfield Drive, Brandon,
Durham, DH7 8TG.
Geological
Contact: S.G. McLean, The Hancock Museum, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne.NE2 4PT.
Volume 88 No. 3 ISSN 0049-5891
THE VASCULUM
Table of Contents
An Unusual Ichneumon Ian Wallace 11
Hydnotrya tulasnei (Berk.) Berk. and Br. Helvellaceae, A Truffle Newly-Recorded For County
Durham (VC 66)
A.W.Legg 12
Editors:
Dr P.J. Gates,([email protected])
Department of Biological Science,
University Science Laboratories,South Road,Durham.
Dr. M Birtle ([email protected])
10, Avon Grove,
Billingham
Co. Durham, TS22 5BH
Published by the Northern Naturalists’
Union
The North Country Quarterly
of Natural History
THE VASCULUM
The Vasculum is a quarterly journal concerned with the Natural History of North-East England.
Founded in 1915 as a privately-published concern, since 1942 it has been the published organ of
the Northern Naturalists' Union. Any contribution on the Flora, Fauna and Geology of
Northumberland and Durham will be considered for inclusion. Short notes as well as longer
articles and simple records all fall within the scope of the journal. Space is also available for
secretaries of local societies to record their transactions and announce future meetings.
For preferred style, and particularly for the method of citing references, will contributors please
refer to previous issues. At least a four-figure grid reference should be supplied when referring to
sites.
Contributions are accepted on paper, computer disc, or e-mail: the address for
contributions is given on the front cover of this issue.
THE NORTHERN NATURALISTS' UNION
The Northern Naturalists' Union (NNU) was founded in 1924 to promote co-operation between
natural history societies, and to collect and collate local records. Membership currently stands at
around 200.
The NNU publishes The Vasculum, and several past publications included a series of
Transactions published between 1931 and 1953 and three separately published supplements to
The Vasculum: Sources of Information on the Natural History of County Durham (1972) and
parts I and II of T.C. Dunn & J.D. Parrack's The Moths and Butterflies of Northumberland and
Durham (1986 & 1992).
The NNU organises a series of field meetings each year, and arranges a speaker for an Annual
Invited Lecture, hosted by one of the constituent societies in November. An Annual General
Meeting of the NNU is held in March, and is addressed by a guest speaker.
The field meetings serve a dual purpose. First, the informal exchange of knowledge between
members and their guests, and secondly the recording of the flora and fauna of the sites visited.
Lists of the species seen during field meetings are published in The Vasculum. Subscriptions
Subscriptions are due on 1st January. Subscriptions are £7.00 for individuals, £9.00 for
societies/libraries and should be sent to
Northern Naturalists’ Union, C/o Office Administrator, Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton
Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 6PU
1
THE VASCULUM
Vol. 88, No 3 September 2003
Dates for the Diary
Autumn Lecture
The Autumn Lecture will take place on Saturday the 25th October at 2.30 pm in Hart
Village Hall. This is by kind invitation of the Hartlepool Natural History Society. The
speaker will be Sam Ellis on ‘Butterfly Conservation in Northern England’. Members and
visitors are invited to bring photographs and exhibits from the current, and previous, field
seasons. In addition, the Hartlepool Society will be celebrating their 30th anniversary at this
meeting.
CLEVELAND NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB
WINTER PROGRAMME 2003-2004
Winter meetings are in the Hydroponicum Lecture Hall at Natures World at the Botanic Centre,
Ladgate Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough and, unless shown otherwise, are held on Monday
evenings and start at 7:15pm.
2003
Oct 6th Pauline Bastow In Shackleton's Footsteps
Oct 20th Norma Pagdin and
Joan Bradbury
In Search of the Ice Bear
Nov
17th
Ian Bond Small Mammals
Dec 1st Ken Smith The Tees, the Living River
Dec 15th Social Evening
2004
Jan 19th Ken Trewren Tropical Images
Feb 2nd David Barlow Wild Life of the North York Moors
Feb 16th Members' Night
Mar 1st Annual General Meeting with
entertainment to follow
Mar 15th Eric Gendle Flowers of the West Coast of South Africa
2
Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club
http://www.communigate.co.uklne/dtnfcl
Winter programme 2003 - 2004
All evening meetings take place at the Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington on a Tuesday
evening and commence at 7.30pm.
Meetings are open to non member
Oct 7th Living Churchyard Project Val Standen.
Oct 14th Plants of Upper Teesdale Margaret Bradshaw.
Oct 21st Alaska, Kenai Fjords, Mount Mckinley David Raeburn.
Oct 28th Conservation and Archaeology on MOD Niall Hammond.
Nov 4th sites Steve Sampson
Nov 11th Killer Whales of Puget Sound Keith Bowey.
Nov 18th Durham Biodiversity Action Plan Update Kevin Spindloe.
Nov 25th Wardening Widlife Members.
Dec 2nd Short talks Kevin Bayes.
Dec 9th A New Experience for Teeside Cliff Evans.
Jan 6th Christmas Dinner. Victoria LLoyd.
Jan 13th A Glimpse at Geology Doug McCutcheon
Jan 20th Parish Paths Partnerships Alison Raw & Jim
Jan 27th Lichens McManners.
Feb 3rd Watching the Earth GeorgeWall
Feb 10th Weardale Wildlife Members.
Feb 17th Short talks Martin Fuller.
Feb 24th Ecology of the River Swale Janie Walkinshaw.
Mar 2nd AGM. followed by 'Janie in Oz' Steve Kirtley.
Mar 9th Butterflies of Northern England Dr.David Knight.
Mar 16th Earthworms Phyllis Garrod.
Mar 23rd Natural History of the Eden Valley Carol Sobkowiak.
Mar 30th Rock Pools & Rock Roses lan Dougill.
Apr 20th History of the River Skerne Don Griss.
Apr 27th Bird Recognition
Presidential Lecture.
Hartlepool Natural History Society
Indoor meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month in the Art Gallery, Christ
Church, Church Square, Hartlepool, commencing at 7.30 pm
October 1st Hedgehog Rescue Joyce Kaiser
November 19th Otters and Water Voles Stuart Priestley
December 17th Members Night and Social
Evening
Russell McAndrew
January 1st 2004 AGM and Review of 2003
3
Field Meeting Reports 2003
Field Meeting 246 10th May 2pm. Norman's Riding Wood, Winlaton, near Blaydon on
Tyne. Leader; Doug McCutcheon.
Fungi
Ascomycetes:
Colpoma quercinum on dead Quercus twigs
Daldinia concentrica on dead Fraxinus wood
Diatrypella favacea on fallen Betula twigs
Diatrypella quercina on fallen Quercus twigs
Leptosphaeria maculans on dead stem base of Alliaria
Microthyriurn ciIiatum on old fallen leaf of Ilex
Trochila ilicina on old fallen leaf of Ilex
Xylaria hypoxylon on indet. dead wood
Xylaria longipes on log of Acer pseudoplatanus
Basidiomycetes:
Coprinus laanii on cut end of conifer log
CorioIus versicoIor on indet. deciduous stump
Exidia truncata on fallen branch of Quercus
Fomitopsis pinicola on indet. conifer log
Hirneola auricuIa-judae on moribund Sambucus etc.
Kuehneola uredinis on stems of living Rubus fruticosus
Milesina kriegeriana on moribund Dryopteris
Uromyces dactylidis on living leaves of Ranunculus repens
Uromyces ficariae on living leaves of Ranunculus ficaria
Other groups:
Plasmopara pygmaea on leaves of Anemone nemorosa
Pyrenochaeta ilicis on old dead leaves or Ilex
Ramularia didyma on leaf of Ranunculus repens
Alan Legg
Plants
Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea
Wood Speedwell Veronica montana
Bugle Ajuga reptans
Bluebell Endymion non-scriptus
Wavy Bittercress Cardamine flexuosa
Read Campion Silene dioica
Yellow Pimpernel Lysimachia nemorum
Ladies Smock Cardamines pratensis
Wood Sanicle Sanicula europaea
4
Bitter Vetch Lathyrus montanus
Sweet Woodruff Galium odoratum
Primrose Primula vulgaris
Wood Cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum
Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium
Wood Sorrel Oxalis acetosella
Cliff Evans
Butterflies
Large White Pieris brassicae
Green Veined White Pieris napi
Orange Tip Anthocaris cardamines
Males and ova on Jack-by-the-Hedge
Peacock Inachis io
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
Galls
On Pendunculated Oak (Quercus robur) All Hymenoptera:Cynipoidea:-
Andricus curvator
Andricus lignicolor Cola-nut Gall
Andricus kollari Marble Gall
Andricus fecundator Artichoke Gall
Andricus quercuscalicis Knopper Gall
Neuroterus quercusbaccarum Currant Gall
Biorhiza pallida Oak Apple
On Hawthorn (Crataegus) leaves:-
Phyllocoptes goniothorax (mite)
On Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) leaves:-
Eriophyes sorbi (Mite)
5
Field Meeting 248 12th July 2pm. Hetton Moor to Murton. NZ 360471, Leader Dennis Hall.
Mammals
Molehills
Birds
Mute Swan
Coot
Moorhen
Little Grebe
Mallard
Whitethroat
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Bumblebees
Bombus lapidarius
B. lapponicus
B. lucorum
B. pascuorum
B. pratorum
Lepidoptera
Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
Green Veined White Pieris napi
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus
Common Blue Polyommatus icarus
Five Spot Burnet Zygaena lonicerae latomarginata
Shaded Broad Bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata
Grass Emerald Pseudoterpna pruinata atropunctaria
Cliff Evans
Damselflies
Common Blue Enallagma cyathigerum
Blue-tailed Ischnura elegans
Hoverflies
Cheilosia illustrata
Chrysotoxum bicinctum
Rhingia campestris
Syritta pipiens
Volucella bombylans
6
Beetles
7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
Leaf Beetle Phyllodecta vitellinae
Galls
Artichoke Gall Andricus fecundator
Cola Gall A. lignicola
Nettle Gall Dasineura urticae
Hawthorn Leaf Gall Eriophyes goniothorax
Ash Leaf Gall Psyllopsis fraxini
Fungi
Mildew on Meadowsweet Erysiphe ulmariae
Rust on Purple Willow Melampsora epitea
Oak mildew Microsphaera alphitoides
Rust on Bramble Phragmidium violaceum
Mildew on young Hawthorn Podosphaera clandestina
Rust on Colt's-foot Puccinia poarum
Rust on Great Willowherb P. pulverulenta
Rust on Creeping Thistle P. punctiformis
Red Spots on Broad-leaved Dock leaves Ramularia rubella
Mildew on Lady's-mantle Sphaerotheca alchemillae
Mildew on Dandelion S. fusca
Smut on Field Scabious Ustilago scabiosae
Rust on Great Burnet Xenodochus carbonarius
Field Meeting 249 27th July.(Sunday).11a.m. Castle Eden Dene. NZ428393. Leader Steve
Robbins
Fungi
Oomycetes
Plasmopara pusilla On leaves of Geranium pratense
Ascomycetes
Cymadothea trifolii Polythrincium state on Trifolium
Erysiphe cynoglossi on leaves of Symphytum
Erysiphe ulmariae on leaves of Filipendula
Hymenoscyphus caudatus on indet. Decid. Petiole on ground
Leptotrochila ranunculi on leaf of Ranunculus repens
Mycosphaerella ulmi Phloeospora state on leaves of Ulmus
Taphrina amentorum {both on Ulmus} new “cones”
Taphrina tosquinetii {glabra} living leaves
Agarics
7
Inocybe godeyi with Fagus (an uncommon species with only one previous VC66
record, also from Castle Eden Dene but at the Opposite (western) end)
Rusts
Coleosporium
tussilaginis
a plurivorous species seen here on various hosts
Phragmidium
mucronatum
on leaves of Rosa canina
Phragmidium
sanguisorbae
on Poterium on shore
Puccinia galii-verni on Cruciata
Puccinia glechomatis on leaves of Glechoma
Puccinia punctiformis on leaves of Cirsium
Puccinia saniculae on leaves of Sanicula
Puccinia variabilis on leaves of Taraxacum
Pucciniastrum
circaeae
on lower leaves of Circaea
Uromyces anthyllidis on Anthyllis
Uromyces geranii on leaves of Geranium pratense
Uromyces polygoni-
aviculare
on leaves of Polygonum aviculare
Smut
Urocystis ranunculi on leaves of Ranunculus repens
Hyphomycetes
Cercospora ferruginea on leaves of Artemis vulgaris. Probably a new VC66 record
Ramularia lapssanae on leaves of Lapsana communis
Trimmatostroma
betulinum
on dead attached twig of Corylus
Field Meeting 250. 23 August. 2pm. Harehope Quarry, Frosterly, Weardale. NZ 035369
Leader Tony Jackson.
Plants
Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife
Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort
Mimulus guttatus Monkeyflower
Alisma plantago-aquatica Water Plantain
Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold
Veronica beccabunga Brooklime
Thymus drucei Thyme
Echium vulgare Vipers Bugloss
Odonata
Ischnura elegans Blue Tailed Damslfly
Aeshna cyanea Southern Hawker
8
Sympetrum striolatum Common Darter
Aeshna juncea Common Hawker
Lepidoptera
Maniola jurtina Meadow Brown
Polygonia c-album Comma
Inachis io Peacock
Cynthia cardui Painted Lady
Polyommatus icarus Common Blue
Lycaena phlaeas Small Copper
Pieris rapae Small White
Pieris napi Green Veined White
Mormo maura Old Lady
Bumblebees
Bombus pascuorum
B. hortorum
Mammals
Otter spraint
Fish
Brown Trout
Galls
Diplolepis rosae Bedeguar Gall
Pontania pedunculi Sawfly on Willow
Iteomyia capreae Diptera on Willow
Eriophyes goniothorax Hawthorn Mite
E. laevis On Alder
Birds
Grey Partridge
Fungi
Ascomycetes
Erysiphe aquilegiae on leaves of Caltha
Erysiphe heraclei on leaves of Heracleum
Leptospora rubella on old stem of Filipendula
Lophiostoma caulium on dead stem of Epilobium
Mollisina rubi on dead stem of Ulex
Rhytisma acerinum on leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus
Taphrina tosquinetii on living leaves of Alnus
Trochila craterium on dead leaf of Hedera
Sawdea bicornis on leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus
Uncinula adunca v. regularis on leaves of Salix capraea
Lacnella villosa on dead stem of Filipendula
Paxillus rubicundulus with Alnus by Bollihope Burn
Rusts
Coleosporium tussilaginis on living leaves of Tussilago
9
Melampsora capraearum on living leaves of Salix capraea
Puccinia menthae on living leaves of Mentha aquatica
Hyphomycetes
Thyriostroma spiraeae on dead stem of Filipendula
Trimmatostroma salicis on dead attached twig of Salix
Submitting Moth Records for Durham using Excel
Terry Coult, Moth Recorder for Durham can accept records in an Excel spreadsheet providing the
field headings are as follows and in the same order from left to right.
Taxon, Site, Grid Ref., VC, Recorder, Determiner, Date, Quantity, Method, Sex, Stage, Status,
Comment.
All species names under taxon should be scientific name and method should be light trap or field
observation.
Terry Coult, 4 Officials Row, Malton, Lanchester, Co. Durham, OH? OTH
Like Terry I am anxious to receive as many butterfly records by the end of October in what,
thanks to the weather, has been one of the best and most exciting recording years for many. I have
an ernailable version of the recording form available on request or, in exchange for names and
addresses, I can post out recording forms for completion and return. I am also very happy to
accept records by ernail if the species, date, number, locality and grid reference are included.
Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli)
Andrew Donnison found an adult Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli) at Washington
Waterfowl Centre (NZ332562) on Sunday the 10th of August 2003.
10
On Tuesday 12th of August 2003 Trevor Stephenson collected a large caterpillar from the
footpath at Durham Wildlife Trusts' Blackhall Rocks Nature Reserve NZ469393 which he
suspected to be Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli). The footpath at this point is
bordered with Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) the preferred caterpillar food plant. Harry
Eales confirmed that the caterpillar was the green form of Convolvulus Hawk-moth caterpillar in
its final instar. This is an unusual record for two reasons, firstly the female that laid the egg must
have been a very early migrant and secondly it is very rare to find the caterpillar of this moth in
the wild in the UK. The last record for the caterpillar in the North East was at Seaton Sluice in
1901.
Parrack found a Convolvulus Hawk in his conservatory on 13 August 2003 22:23, at Seaton
Sluice, Northumberland.
Camberwell Beauty (Nymphalis antiopa)
Sarah Young found a Camberwell Beauty butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) in her garden in
Lanchester on the 10th of August 2003, (NZ1647).
Terry Coult
Darlington Naturalists at Teesmouth
Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club observed Marsh Harrier quartering reed beds at
Dormans Pool, Teesmouth on 21st September 2003. Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and Small
Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) were active along Greatham Creek. As is normal now, the Creek held
both Grey and Common Seal. Short Eared Owls were seen on Cowpen Marsh. Members were
surprised to see Greater Spotted Woodpecker on the Long Drag.
Cleveland Naturalists at Hurworth Burn
At a field meeting on 31st August 2003 at Hurworth Burn near Trimdon, members came across
Rorippa palustris (Marsh Yellow Cress) and Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (Water Cress) and
Chenopodium rubrum (Red Goosefoot) on the Northern margin of the reservoir. Comma
(Polygonia c- album), Wall (Lassiommata megera) Peacock (Inachis io), Common Blue,
(Polyommatus icarus), Silver Y (Autographa gamma), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), and Rosy
Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) were also seen. The carabid ground beetle Carabus nemoralis was
found on the old railway. A late swift was seen to fly by. The number of species of birds on and
around the reservoir was rather limited, but included Ruff, Snipe, and Great Crested Grebe. There
were large numbers of Ruddy Duck.
Malcolm Birtle
11
An Unusual Ichneumon
Ian Wallace, Caddis recording Scheme, Liverpool Museum
Ichneumons are not particularly associated with the underwater environment. One of the best
known exceptions is Agriotypus armatus Curtis. This parasitises caddis larvae and when their host
pupates the parasite produces a dark brown respiratory strap from the end of the caddis case. Few
would recognize the adult ichneumon, but the parasitised case is figured in many books
illustrating freshwater life.
This frequent illustration can suggest that Agriotypus is common, but my experience
of twenty five years of collecting caddis larvae have not given me that impression. The Recorder
computer package describes it as relatively uncommon. However, where it occurs several are
usually found.
Norman Philipson records finding one parasitising Goera pilosa (Fabricius) probably the
commonest British host, from the Blyth at Plessey on 3/6/1938 (Transactions of the Natural
History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne (1957), new series, Vol.
12(3), page 82).
I collected caddis larvae extensively in Northumberland in the 1970’s and never met Agriotypus. I
was thus delighted, during a recent holiday, to find several parasitised cases of Odontocerum
albicorne (Scopoli), another well known host, in the Fallowlees Burn near Fallowlees (NZ02-93-)
on 21/08/2003.
Although this is a not a caddis, it seems appropriate to add it as a species to note as part of the
caddis recording scheme, and I would welcome records.
Ian Wallace, Caddis Recording Scheme, Liverpool Museum
12
Hydnotrya tulasnei (Berk.) Berk. And Br. Helvellaceae, a Truffle newly-recorded for County
Durham (VC66)
A.W.Legg, 36, Carleton Drive, Darlington, Co. Durham DL3 9QP
In recent years, attention has been drawn, both to the general paucity of truffle records for County
Durham (Legg, 1994b) and to new records of this group as they have been made (Legg, 1993:
Legg, 1994a; Legg, 1998). In 1994, I drew up a list of truffle species already recorded for VC66
and VC67 together with a supplementary list of other species thought likely to occur in the North
East.
In early August 2003, one of the latter, Hydnotrya tulasnei, was indeed found in County Durham,
collected from litter and scuffed earth under Quercus in Norman’s Riding Wood near Winlaton
(NZ1660). A single specimen, probably unearthed by a deer or rabbit, was found by Mr. D.E.
McCutcheon who owns the wood and knows its natural history intimately. The specimen was sent
to me for identification, as it turned out a fairly simple matter since, although slightly immature,
the material was in good condition, and contained mature asci and spores. The species has the
reputation for smelling musty, often unpleasant when old. This particular specimen had a very
strong smell of stale beer, which the foraging animal possibly found too powerful! The specimen
was sent to Mr. A. Henrici who confirmed the identification and deposited the material in the
Kew Herbarium.
The fungus is considered to be probably the most “common”of the four British species with a
number of examined collections listed by Pegler at al. (1993). The British Fungus Database gives
34 records for the British Isles, including the Irish Republic as well as England, Scotland, and
Wales. There is one record from the Isle of Arran and one from the Clyde Isles. Nearest to home
are two recent records from South West Yorkshire (VC63), in 1988 under Picea and 2000 under
Fagus. Hydnotrya tulasnei is not thought to have an affinity with any species of tree or tree
family but occurs, generally, in woodland. The present collection seems to be the first from North
east England
References
Legg, A.W., 1993. rarely-recorded and unrecorded groups of Fungi. The Vasculum 77(4): 76-77
Legg, A.W., 1994a. The Truffles of Northumberland and Durham. The Vasculum 78(1): 4-7
Legg, A.W., 1994b. A “lost” record found. The Vasculum 78(4): 70.
Legg, A.W., 1998. Paurocotylis pila – a new County Durham Truffle, The Vasculum 83(1):12.
Pegler, D.N., Spooner, B.M. and Young, T.W.K., 1993, British Truffles, Kew: Royal Botanic
Gardens.
LOCAL RECORDERS (recorders: please notify changes or additions to the editor)
Butterflies
Mike Hunter, 45. Brinkburn Ave, Darlington, DL3 0JN. Northumberland and Durham. British
Butterfly Conservation.
Moths
Durham:Terry Coult, 4 Officials Row, Malton, Lanchester, Co. Durham, DH7 0TH
B.R.C. recorder, Northumberland: Mr N. Cook, 31 Lyndhurst Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle upon
Tyne, NE2 3LJ.
Dragonflies
Durham, Northumberland: Harry Eales, 11 Ennerdale Terrace, Low Westwood. Co. Durham. NE
17 7PN.
Birds
Durham Bird Club: Tony Armstrong, 39 Western Hill, Durham City, County Durham. DH1 4RJ
(tel. 386 1519).
Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club: Nick Rossiter, West Barn, Lee Grange, Ordley, Hexham.
NE46 1SX.
Amphibia and Reptiles
Mammals (general)
Northumberland: Mary Gough, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas
Park, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884)
Durham: Kevin O'Hara, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas Park,
Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884) email:
Bats
Northumberland Bat Group: Ruth Hadden, East Farm Cottage, Ryal, Northumberland. NE20
0SA.
Durham Bat Group:Ian Bond, 105 Davison Rd., Darlington DL1 3DS (01325 264296)
Badgers (Badger groups may be contacted via the relevant Wildlife Trusts).
Plants
B.S.B.I. recorder (Durham): G.G. Graham, 3 The Willows, Bishop Auckland, County Durham,
DL14 7HH.
B.S.B.I. recorder (Northumberland): Professor G.A. Swan, 81 Wansdyke, Morpeth,
Northumberland. NE61 3QY.
Algae: Dr F.G. Hardy, Dept of Marine Sciences & Coastal management, Ridley Building,
University of Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.
Spiders
Isobel Baldwin, British Arachnological Society Recorder,14 Murrayfield Drive, Brandon,
Durham, DH7 8TG.
Geological
Contact: S.G. McLean, The Hancock Museum, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne.NE2 4PT.
THE VASCULUM
http://www.thevasculum.com
Table of Contents
Field Meeting Reports 2
Notes and Records 2
The American Horse Chestnut mildew reaches County Durham 2
Schizophyllum amplum (Léveillé) Nakasone an uncommon fungus found at Tynemouth 2
Moths from Greenabella Marsh, Seaton Road, Teesside, in 2003 2
Flora of County Durham-Poppies, Papaveraceae 2
Moth Recorders Report 2003
Editors:
Dr P.J. Gates,([email protected])
Department of Biological Science,
University Science Laboratories,South Road,Durham.
Dr. M Birtle ([email protected])
10, Avon Grove,
Billingham
Co. Durham, TS22 5BH
Published by the Northern Naturalists’
Union
The North Country Quarterly
of Natural History
THE VASCULUM
The Vasculum is a quarterly journal concerned with the Natural History of North-East England.
Founded in 1915 as a privately-published concern, since 1942 it has been the published organ of
the Northern Naturalists' Union. Any contribution on the Flora, Fauna and Geology of
Northumberland and Durham will be considered for inclusion. Short notes as well as longer
articles and simple records all fall within the scope of the journal. Space is also available for
secretaries of local societies to record their transactions and announce future meetings.
For preferred style, and particularly for the method of citing references, will contributors please
refer to previous issues. At least a four-figure grid reference should be supplied when referring to
sites.
Contributions are accepted on paper, computer disc, or e-mail: the address for
contributions is given on the front cover of this issue.
THE NORTHERN NATURALISTS' UNION
The Northern Naturalists' Union (NNU) was founded in 1924 to promote co-operation between
natural history societies, and to collect and collate local records. Membership currently stands at
around 200.
The NNU publishes The Vasculum, and several past publications included a series of
Transactions published between 1931 and 1953 and three separately published supplements to
The Vasculum: Sources of Information on the Natural History of County Durham (1972) and
parts I and II of T.C. Dunn & J.D. Parrack's The Moths and Butterflies of Northumberland and
Durham (1986 & 1992).
The NNU organises a series of field meetings each year, and arranges a speaker for an Annual
Invited Lecture, hosted by one of the constituent societies in November. An Annual General
Meeting of the NNU is held in March, and is addressed by a guest speaker.
The field meetings serve a dual purpose. First, the informal exchange of knowledge between
members and their guests, and secondly the recording of the flora and fauna of the sites visited.
Lists of the species seen during field meetings are published in The Vasculum. Subscriptions
Subscriptions are due on 1st January. Subscriptions are £7.00 for individuals, £9.00 for
societies/libraries and should be sent to
Northern Naturalists’ Union, C/o Office Administrator, Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton
Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 6PU
1
THE VASCULUM
Vol. 88, No 4 December 2003 Field Meeting Reports
Field Meeting 246. 10th May 2003 at Norman's Riding Wood. Winlaton
Additional Botanical Records
The Set-aside Field
Myosotis discolor Changing forget-me-not
Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved speedwell
Carex flacca Glaucous sedge
Dactylorchis fuchsii Spotted orchid
Equisetum arvense Common horsetail (fruiting)
Cerastium holosteoides Mouse-ear chickweed
Galium mollugo Hedge bedstraw
Woodland
Geranium robertianum Herb Robert
Viola riviniana Common violet
Alliaria petiolata Garlic mustard
Caltha palustris Marsh marigold
Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine
Conopodium majus Pignut
Mercurialis perennis Dog's mercury
Allium ursinum Rarnsons
Callitriche stagnalis Water starwort
LuzuIa sylvatica Greater woodrush
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry
Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet
Potentilla anserina Silverweed
Festuca gigantean Tall Brome
Mosses Liverworts
Cratoneuron filicinum Lophocolea heterophylla
Plagiothecium undulatum Lophocolea bidentata var bidentata
Plagiothecium curvifolium Nardia scalaris
Pseudoscleropodium purum Pellia endiviifolia
2
Brachythecium rutabulum Conocephalum conicum
Brachythecium velutinum
Calliergon cuspidatum
Mnium hornum
Rhizomnium punctatum
Dennis Hall
Field Meeting 248 12th July 2pm. Hetton Moor to Murton. NZ 360471, Leader Dennis Hall.
Additional Botanical Records
Angelica sylvestris Angelica
Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort
Achillea millefolium Yarrow
Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent
Centaurea scabiosa Greater Knapweed
Centaurea nigra Hardheads
Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle
Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle
Cruciata laevipes Crosswort
Calystegia sylvatica Hedge Bindweed
Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed
Cytisus scoparius Broom
Campanula rotundifolia Harebell
Calluna vulgaris Ling
Conopodium majus Pignut
Cerastium fontanum Mouse-eared Chickweed
Caltha palustris Kingcup
Crepis capillaris Hawksbeard
Carex acutiformis Lesser Pond Sedge
Carex nigra Common or Black Sedge
Carex panicea Glaucous Sedge
Dactylorhiza fuchsii Spotted Orchid
Dryopteris dilatata Buckler Fern
Daucus carota Wild Carrot
Epilobium parviflorum Small-flowered Willow Herb
Epilobium hirsutum Codlins and Cream
Euphrasia nemorosa Eyebright
Equisetum arvense Common Horsetail
Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet
Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry
Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw
Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw
Glyceria declinata Sweet Grass
Geranium robertianum Herb Robert
Hypericum tetrapterum Square-stemmed St John's Wort
Hypericum forrestii Forrest's Hypericum
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed
Hypochaeris radicata Cat's Ear
Hieracium Section Caesia Hawkweed
Hieracium Section Sabauda Hawkweed
Juncus articulatus Articulated rush
3
Juncus inflexus Hard Rush
Juncus effusus Common Rush
Juncus bufonius Toad Rush
Juncus conglomeratus Compact Rush
Knautia arvensis Field Scabious
Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin
Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy
Lotus corniculatus Bird's Foot Trefoil
Lots pedunculatus Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil
Leontodon hispidus Hairy Hawkbit
Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Pea
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Matricaria discoidea Pineapple Weed
Myosotis laxa Water Forget-me-not
Melilotus altissima Tall Melilot
Melilotus officinalis Melilot
Mentha aquatica Water Mint
Nardus stricta Mat Grass
Odontites vernus Red Bartsia
Polygonum lapathifolia Pale Persicaria
Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken
Potentilla reptans Creeping cinquefoil
Potentilla anserma Silverweed
Populus tremula Aspen
Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved dock
Rumex acetosa Sorrel
Reseda lutea Wild Mignonette
Reseda luteola Weld
Rosa canina Dog Rose
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Water Cress
Ranunculus flammula Lesser Spearwort
Symphytum officinale Comfrey
Senecio jacobaea Ragwort
Sanguisorba officinalis Great Burnet
Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion
Succisa pratensis Devil’s-bit
Salix cinerea Grey Willow
Salix caprea Sallow
Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort
Stachys officinalis Betony
Stachys sylvaticum Hedge Woundwort
Sambucus nigra Elderberry
Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
Sparganium erectum Bur-reed
Torilis japonica Upright Hedge Parsley
Trifolium dubium Lesser Yellow trefoil
Trifolium medium Zig-zag Clover
Trifolium pratense Red Clover
Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil
Tragopogon pratensis Goat's Beard
Veronica beccabunga Brooklime
Vicia sepium Bush Vetch
Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch
4
Valeriana officinalis Valerian
Viola riviniana Common Violet
Bryophytes
Brachythecium velutinum Pellia epiphylla
Calliergon cuspidatum Plagiomnium rostratum
Encalypta vulgaris Pohlia camea
Eurhynchium praelongum Rhvtidiadelphus sauarrosus
Dennis Hall
Field Meeting 251. 13th September. 11.00 a.m. Minsteracres, VC67
Leader: Alan Legg
This outing joint with the North Eastern Fungus Study Group, followed routes covered by the
Fungus Group in July 2002. the "Shrubbery", a small, rather overgrown arboretum, and the edges
of a small lake and silted pond.
The arid weather of the previous month had rendered the site extremely dry so it was not
surprising that there was a low total count of fungi seen and that most of these were very common
species, not worth listing in full. Of most interest were two species newly recorded for VC67:
1. Lactarius voIemus
This uncommon milk-cap is easily recognised in the field by its orange-
brown colour, firm flesh., slightly decurrent gills and strong smell of fish. It is
thought to be declining in a number of European countries. The writer has seen it
only twice before, in 1972 and 1987. Several specimens were found in a group under
oak, its favoured habitat in this country. No previous records are known from
Northumberland or Durham.
2. Mycosphaerella macrospora
Brown patches on leaves of Iris pseudacorus. looking rather Iike rust teIia,
later reveaIed smaII groups of Mycosphaerella macrospora, a fungus with no
previous records from any of the three north eastern vice-counties.
Of the 48 fungal species seen, 30 were newly-recorded for the site. bringing the total species
count to 97.
Members of the party also enjoyed examining plants of the uncommon Royal Fern, Osmunda
regalis, but were saddened to note that its habitat appeared to be drying out completely.
Notes and Records
Bee Orchids in Warden Law Quarry
Whilst leading a nature walk with the Lanchester Group around Warden Law Quarry on 8th July,
I came across a grouping of Bee Orchids (Ophrys apiferd). It doesn't appear to have been
recorded there before. Fragrant Orchids were also seen there,
5
as we reported last year in the Vasculum, but the Greater Spearwort was in rapid decline due to
drying up of the pools, it being totally absent from one pool where last year there were several.
Unless some conservation is tackled the pools are all in danger of drying up.
Dennis Hall
The American Horse Chestnut mildew reaches County Durham
A.W.Legg, 36. Carleton Drive, Darlington, Co. Durham DL3 9QP
During a visit of the British Mycological Society to Switzerland in September 2000, collections
were made, in Erlach and Bern, of a powdery mildew on leaves of Aesculus carnea J. Zeger.
These were the first European collections of the American Horse Chestnut mildew, Uncinula
flexuosa Peck. In August 2001, the mildew was found to have infected other trees in Erlach and
Bern and moved on to A. hippocastanum, our own familiar Horse Chestnut. In November, 2001,
the first British collections were made from A. carnea, A. x dallimorei Sealy, A. flava Solander
and A. x hybrida Sargent, all of American origin, in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew. Later the
same year, the fungus was found on A. hippocastanum near Esher, Surrey.
Since publication of these records in the Mycologist in August the following year (Ing & Spooner,
2002), the fungus has been reported from various parts of southern Britain. A letter I received on
September 24th 2003 (Robinson, K. in litt.) told me of a collection from Hertfordshire. This
reminded me of a note I had made on September 10th 2003, of a powdery mildew on leaves of
Aesculus carnea in Darlington West Cemetery (NZ2710) which, by reference only to Ing (1990),
I had mistakenly assumed to be Phyllactinia guttata (Wallr.: Fr.) Lev. On examination of more
material from the same tree on 13th October 2003, the fungus was found to match the description
of U. flexuosa given by Ing &. Spooner (2002). No infections of nearby trees of Aesculus
hippocastanurn were found.
Material was sent to Professor Bruce Ing who replied confirming my determination and
describing the Darlington collection as "the most northerly to date". He added that the fungus was
now known to have spread to Belgium, Italy, Poland and, possibly, Ukraine. It seems to be
crossing the species barrier within a year so Vasculum readers are invited to examine the leaves of
all Aesculus species in their neighbourhoods from late summer onwards in 2004. At first the
upper surfaces of leaves appear covered with pale bluish grey pruina. Later the lower surfaces
especially will be seen with a hand lens to have developed numerous black dots which are the
fertile ascocarps of this fungus. I would welcome samples from further north than Darlington and,
particularly, on leaves of Aesculus hippocastanum.
References
Ing, B., 1990. An introduction to British Powdery Mildews - 2. Mycologist 4: 88-90.
Ing, B., & Spooner, B.M.. 2002. The Horse Chestnut powdery mildew in Europe. Mycologist 16:
112-113.
6
Schizophyllum amplum (Léveillé) Nakasone an uncommon fungus found at Tynemouth
Hewett A. Ellis, 16. Southlands, North Shields, NE30 2QS
On 17th October 2003 I found several small cup-saucer-shaped fungal fruiting bodies growing on
the bark of felled branches of an unidentified deciduous tree at The Flats, Tynemouth near the
A.N.D. Works (South Northumberland, VC67; Grid Reference: NZ 364 687) The smallest bodies
measured a few millimetres in diameter and were sessile cups with an outer white hairy aspect
and a tan smooth inner surface. Mature specimens measured up to 10mm in diameter and were
more saucer-shaped. Close inspection revealed scant slight ridges in the inner lining but no true
gills.
The general appearances were reminiscent of those of a cup fungus, that is, an Ascomycete, but
microscopy of thin sections failed to reveal any asci and it became clear that this was some form
of Basidiomycete. Several of the fruiting bodies produced white spore prints. Microscopy of these
revealed smooth non-guttate cylindrical spores, slightly curved (allantoid) and measuring 10.1 X
3.1 µm on average.
I had not previously encountered this fungus and was unable to determine the species even after
microscopic examination. I sent material to Alan Legg who reported that, although he had never
seen it before, he was reasonably certain that the species was Auriculariopsis ampla, which has
recently been placed in the family Schizophyllaceae within the order Schizophyllales. Alan sent
my material on to Dr Peter Roberts at Kew for a further opinion. Alan’s determination was
subsequently confirmed by Dr Roberts and material has been retained in The Herbarium, Royal
Botanic Gardens Kew (Accession Number: K(M) 120252). The species is Schizophyllum amplum
(Léveillé) Nakasone, which is very uncommon in Britain. It seems to be a southern species, rare
in Denmark and absent from other Nordic countries. All previous Kew collections have been from
the south where the species is very local in distribution. The usual host is Poplar. It seems that the
present record is the first for northern England.
Acknowledgement-I wish to thank Alan Legg and Peter Roberts for their expert help with this
material.
7
Moths from Greenabella Marsh, Seaton Road, Teesside, in 2003
Peter Waterton, Great Ayton, N. Yorks.
(The following records were made with access permission from Huntsman Tioxide, Teesside).
Records are from two locations on the marsh.
(NZ 5126) Bradley
Number
Genus Species Name Food Plants Comments Numbers
14 Hepialus humuli Ghost Moth Grasses,
Polyphagus
Common 1
15 Hepialus sylvina Orange
Swift
Dock,
Dandelion,
others
Common 2
169 Zygaena filipendulae Six Spot
Burnet
Birds-foot
Trefoil
Common 3
170 Zygaena trifolii
decreta
Five-Spot
Burnet
Birds-foot
Trefoil
Common 2
425 Yponomeuta padella Orchard
Ermine
Hawthorn,
Blackthorn
Common 1
937 Agapeta hamana Thistles Widespread 1
970 Pandemis cerasana Barred Fruit
Tree Tortrix
Common
1
972 Pandemis heperana Dark Fruit
Tree Tortrix
Polyphagus Very
Common
2
993 Clepsis spectrana Cyclamen
Tortrix
Saltmarsh
Plants
Fairly
Common
2
1193 Eucosma tripoliana Sea Aster Local 1
1332 Scoparia subfusca Coltsfoot Regular 1
1388 Udea lutealis Abundant 3
1526 Thymelicus sylvestris Small
Skipper
Grasses Numerous
1549 Pieris brassicae Large White Crucifers
1551 Pieris napi Green
Veined
White
Crucifers
1574 Polyommatus icarus Common
Blue
Birds-foot
Trefoil
3
1590 Vanessa atalanta Red Admiral Nettles 1
1591 Vanessa cardui Painted
Lady
Thistles 1
1593 Aglais urticae Small
Tortoiseshell
Nettles 3
1626 Maniola jurtina Meadow
Brown
Grasses Numerous
1627 Coenonympha pamphilus Small Heath Grasses Numerous
1640 Philudoria potatoria The Drinker Grasses 5
1708 Idaea dimidiata Single
Dotted
Wave
Cow Parsley,
Bedstraws
2
1713 Idaea arversata Riband
Wave
Dandelions,
Docks etc.
Common 1
1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata Shaded
Broad Bar
Clovers,
Vetches
Common 5
8
1738 Epirrhoe alternata
alternata
Common
Carpet
Bedstraw,
Cleavers
Common 5
1758 Eulithis pyraliata Barred
Straw
Bedstraw,
Cleavers
Common 1
1765 Cidaria fulvata Barred
Yellow
Wild Roses Common 1
1825 Eupithecia centaureata Lime-speck
Pug
Polyphagous 2
1956 Cabera exanthemata Common
Wave
Willows,
Poplar
1
2030 Euproctis similis Yellow-tail Hawthorn,
Blackthorn
1
2069 Tyria jacobaeae The
Cinnabar
Ragwort Scarce 1
2107 Noctua pronuba Large
Yellow
Underwing
Abundant 3
2109 Noctua comes Lesser
Yellow
Underwing
Grasses 2
2112 Noctua interjecta
caliginosa
Lesser
Yellow
Underwing
Ragwort Scarce 1
2123 Diarsia rubi Small
Square-spot
Dandelions,
Docks
Widespread 3
2130 Xestia baja Dotted Clay Nettles Common 1
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square Spot
Rustic
Grasses Abundant 5
2192 Mythimna conigra Brown-line
Bright-eye
Grasses Fairly
Common
1
2198 Mythimna impura
impura
Smoky
Wainscot
Grasses Common 20+
2199 Mythimna pallens Common
Wainscot
Grasses Common 5
2303 Thalpophila matura Straw
Underwing
Grasses 1
2321 Apamea monoglypha Dark Arches Grasses Common 3
2322 Apamea lithoxylaea Light Arches Grasses Common 1
2340 Oligia fasciuncula Middle-
barred
Minor
Grasses Common 3
2341 Mesoligia furuncula Cloaked
Minor
Grasses Scarce 1
2343 Mesapamea secalis Common
Rustic
Grasses Common 1
2440 Plusia putnami
gracilis
Lempkes
Gold Spot
Reeds,
Grasses
Scarce 2
2441 Autographa gamma Silver Y Polyphagous Common 5
NZ 4621 Bradley
Number
Genus Species Name Food Plants Comments
15 Hepialus sylvina Orange Swift Dandelions,
Docks etc.
Common
1076 Olethreutes lacunana Polyphagous Very
Common
9
1304 Agriphila straminella Grasses Abundant
1388 Udea lutealis Thistles,
Knapweeds
Abundant
1405 Pleuroptya ruralis Mother of
Pearl
Nettles Abundant
1501 Platyptilia gonodactyla Coltsfoot Common
1526 Thymelicus sylvestris Small Skipper Grasses
1549 Pieris brassicae Large White Brassicae
1550 Pieris rapae Small White Brassicae
1574 Polyommatus icarus Common Blue Birds-foot
Trefoil
1590 Vanessa atalanta Red Admiral Nettles
1591 Vanessa cardui Painted Lady Thistles
1593 Aglais urticae Small
Tortoiseshell
Nettles
1597 Inachis io Peacock Nettles
1615 Lasiommata megera Grasses
1626 Maniola jurtina Meadow
Brown
Grasses
1728 Xanthorhoe fluctuata Garden Carpet Crucifers Common
1839 Eupithecia succenturiata Bordered Pug Mugwort Local
2107 Noctua pronuba Large Yellow
Underwing
Grasses Abundant
2134 Xestia xanthographa Square Spot
Rustic
Grasses Abundant
2199 Mythimna pallens Common
Wainscot
Grasses Common
2274 Xanthia icteritia The Sallow Sallows,
Poplars
Common
2353 Luperina testacea Flounced
Rustic
Grasses Very
Common
2369 Nonagria typhae Bulrush
Wainscot
Bulrush Scarce
2440 Plusia putnami
gracilis
Lempkes Gold
Spot
Reeds,
Grasses
Scarce
2474 Rivula sericealis Straw Dot Grasses Rare Migrant
10
Flora of County Durham-Poppies, Papaveraceae
John L. Durkin, 25 May Avenue, Winlaton Mill, Blaydon, NE21 6SF
This article updates the records for the poppies and their related species, since the
publication of the Durham Flora. The “New Atlas Of The British and Irish Flora”, published in
2002, has updated our local floras with many new records, particularly if you use the CD that
comes with the book. It includes all of the field records from the Durham Flora, but not all of the
earlier records that may have appeared in the Vasculum or elsewhere. It is an excellent book, and
highly recommended despite being rather expensive.
Oriental Poppy Papaver pseudoorientale
Several plants on waste ground in Stockton, NZ4417, with Opium Poppies and other garden
escapes. A new species for the county.
Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum L.
Has become much more frequent in the last ten years, mostly on wasteland, particularly in the
Stockton area.
Rough Poppy Papaver hybridum L.
Our only modern site for this poppy was found at Cleadon Hills by Paul Mortimer.
The plant still grows there, just outside of the S.S.S.I. The map shows this record as the most
northern of the solid circles. The overall distribution is close to the coast, mostly on rough ground
in limestone areas.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Papaver hybridum, Rough Poppy
11
Welsh Poppy Meconopsis cambrica (L.) Vig.
Now much more frequent in Weardale and Teesdale, and occasional in the east of the county.
Climbing Corydalis Ceratocapnos claviculata
Formerly Corydalis claviculata. There are several new records of this plant in the
woods of the Team Valley, between Gateshead and Beamish. This seems to be its centre of
distribution in the county.
Yellow Corydalis Pseudofumaria lutea (L.) DC
Common on walls in the Dales villages, this garden plant is now spreading into the
east of the county. Its spread is similar to that of the Asplenia ferns, and of the Ivy Leaved
Toadflax, Glechoma hederacea. This may be related to cleaner air, though in some suburban
areas it also depends upon the ageing of the mortar in walls. Housing from the 1930s now
provides suitable conditions for these plants in several areas. Formerly called Corydalis lutea.
Bird-in-a bush Corydalis solida (L.) Swartz
Still present on the south bank of the Wear east of Prebends Bridge in Durham City.
It grows from tubers as well as from seed, so it can persist for
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Pseudofumaria lutea, Yellow Corydalis
12
some time. The older colony at Wolsingham has not been found recently, though the location of
the old colony is vague. The “New Atlas” shows this as a modern record, possibly as a mistake,
but if anyone has seen it recently, please get in touch!
Dense Flowered Fumitory Fumaria densiflora DC
A careful search of old sites has produced only Fumaria muralis boraei, which can
be superficially quite similar. Despite this, the original records may, of course, have been correct.
I am grateful to Prof. G Swan for his assistance with determination of the fumitories.
For the poppies listed in the Durham Flora but not covered here, there is no
significant change in status.
References
Dines, T. et al 2002 “New Atlas of The British and Irish Flora” BSBI.
Graham, G.G. 1988 “The Flora and Vegetation of County Durham” Durham Flora Committee.
Graham, G.G. 1991 “Botanical Records” Vasculum Vol. 76 No1. Northern Naturalists Union
Lawrence, I. 1994 “A guide to the wild flowers of Cleveland” Cleveland County Council.
Preston, C.D, Pearman, D.A, Dines, T.D. 2002 “New Atlas of the British & Irish Flora” Oxford
University Press.
Rich & Jermy 1998 “Plant Crib 1998” B.S.B.I.
Stace, C.1997 “New Flora of The British Isles” Cambridge University Press.
Swan, G. A.1993 “Flora of Northumberland” Natural History Society of Northumbria.
Moth Recorders Report 2003
Terry Coult
(reprinted by permission from Butterfly Conservation, North East England Branch. Presented to
the Annual General Meeting held Wednesday 26th of Nov. 2003, Rainton Meadows )
1. Mapmate
Most of the records sent to the moth recorders in both Northumberland and Durham are now
being collated in Mapmate. Recorders using Mapmate can exchange information quickly and
easily and all contributing recorders can have access to the whole of the database if they wish it. I
would encourage all who record moths to utilise Mapmate it makes the recording process so much
easier.
As of the 25th of Nov. 2003 the Mapmate database for the two counties holds 55,192 records not a
bad total for just a few months work. Breaking that total down the figures are:
13
Durham Macro moths 36847
Durham Micro moths 5785
Northumberland Macro moths 11870
Northumberland Micro moths 690
If any of the recorders have further records to send please do so as soon as possible. For those
recorders who do not have Mapmate it is possible to import data from a Microsoft Access
database directly into Mapmate but it can be tricky and the Access database must be structured
exactly right. Please update and submit your records on a regular, preferably monthly, basis.
Large quantities of records arriving at once tend to clog the system.
2. Recorders and records
The list of recorders is to long to incorporate here but on behalf of Nick Cook the county recorder
for Northumberland and myself I would like to thank you all. Please keep the records coming.
Progress to date has been exemplary.
Whilst we have made an excellent start in creating the Mapmate database there are still a large
number of paper records in storage and being submitted which need to be put into Mapmate, if
anyone has the time to volunteer to do this I would be pleased to hear from them.
Nick Cook and myself have discussed the problem of verification of some of the new or unusual
records. Mapmate records include details of the moth recorder and the verifier, often however
these are one and the same person. I would ask that if you take a moth, which is new to the
county, you have someone else look at it or provide a good quality photograph for verification. It
is likely that our data will eventually form part of the national moth recording database and I
would hate to think that we were providing erroneous data. Change in the distribution of moths is
happening very quickly and new species are appearing in the region regularly we need to map that
change but we need to do it accurately.
As an experiment and an example of change, I did a search on the macro moth database for
Durham for species new from the year 2000. Bearing in mind that the Mapmate database does not
yet have all the records, which are stored on paper or in lit. the results were:
Taxon Vernacular Authority Records
Hemithea aestivaria Common Emerald (Hübner, 1799) 1
Eupithecia intricata Freyer's Pug (Zetterstedt, 1839) 5
Lobophora halterata Seraphim (Hufnagel, 1767) 3
Plagodis dolabraria Scorched Wing (Linnaeus, 1767) 2
Mimas tiliae Lime Hawk-moth (Linnaeus, 1758) 2
Eilema depressa Buff Footman (Esper, 1787) 1
Agrotis puta Shuttle-shaped Dart (Hübner, 1803) 56
14
Lithophane hepatica Pale Pinion (Clerck, 1759) 1
Eremobia ochroleuca Dusky Sallow ([Denis & Schiffermüller],
1775)
1
Colocasia coryli Nut-tree Tussock (Linnaeus, 1758) 1
All of these species are either not recorded in “The Moths and Butterflies of Northumberland and
Durham”, Dunn and Parrack 1986 or are described as very rare. Whilst it is likely that their
current occurrence is a true record of expansion of range or numbers it would be wise to have
such changes confirmed by an independent verifier. I’m sure that the recorders could arrange such
confirmation amongst themselves.
Changes in the distribution of the Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae have caused some scratching of
heads and discussion this year. This moth which until quite recently was restricted to the
Northumberland coast, has in the last few years expanded its range quite dramatically to the
Durham coast and more unusually to a scattering of inland locations across the two counties. It is
difficult to make sense of the new distribution maps and it has been suggested that the species is
being moved around the region, possibly in an attempt to control the caterpillar food plant
Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea. I draw no conclusions myself you can look at the maps and
formulate your own ideas.
Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)
Durham
2
6
1
2
3
4
5
7 8 1 3 4 59 SE
NY
SD
NZ
15
There has been a very obvious immigration of Humming Bird Hawk-moths Macroglossum
stellatarum and Convolvulus Hawk-moths Agrius convolvuli this summer. Immigration of adults
of the above species happens on a regular basis but records of attempted breeding are rare. A
single Convolvulus Hawk-moth caterpillar was found at Blackhall Rocks near Sunderland on the
12th of August, which successfully pupated with the imago emerging on the 26th of Sept. This is
the first time since 1901 that the caterpillar has been found in the region. On the 26th of August a
caterpillar of the Humming Bird Hawk-moth was found at Iveston near Consett the most recent
record that I’m aware of since several in the 1970s.
Two specimens of Red Underwing Catocala nupta were recorded in Northumberland during
2003, the second and third county records and the long hot summer unusually produced second
generations of some moth species which are usually single brooded this far north. Heart and Dart
Agrotis exclamationis, Snout Hypena proboscidalis, Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum, Light Emerald
Campaea margaritata and Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria all produced second generations
3. National Macro Moth Recording Scheme
Butterfly Conservation is planning a National Macro Moth recording scheme. As part of the
process they are asking the views of all those who record moths. You can make your views
known through their questionnaire leaflet or on the website at www.mothrecording.org.uk
Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)
3
3
5
6
7
8
9
1
2
4
9 1 2
4
8765
6
5
4NZ
NT
NY
NU
16
4 National Moth Night
National Moth Night 2004 has expanded to include the day of Saturday the 22nd of May. The
reasons being that the target species are False Mocha Cyclophora parata, Netted Mountain Moth
Macaria carbonaria and Narrow Bordered Bee Hawk-moth Hemaris tityus, the latter two species
being day flyers. Only Narrow Bordered Bee Hawk-moth has been found in the region and even
then doubtfully and more than 100 years ago. We will be having a trap and event somewhere in
the region, details nearer to the date. For more details of National Moth Night go to
www.nationalmothnight.info
5 Target Species for 2004
Butterfly Conservation has asked us to target three species next year. Dark Bordered Beauty
Epione vespertaria in Durham, Chalk Carpet Scotopteryx bipunctaria and Argent and Sable
Rheumapatra hastata. We will be organising events to search for all three at appropriate times.
Any recorders who have the time are urged to search for these species and send in the records.
Please note all three species are rare and threatened. Take care when searching for them that you
do not contribute to the species decline in any way and if accessing private land you have the
necessary permissions.
I was about to conclude with have a good season next year but of course unlike butterfly hunters,
moth hunters never rest. So get out there and record those winter and spring moths and don’t
forget to send in the records.
Many thanks
Officers and Council of the Union 2002
President
Dr. P. Gates
President Elect
Vice Presidents
Dr.H. Ellis, Dr. M. Birtle, G. Simpson, Mrs. J. Stobbs, Mrs G. Batey, Messrs. N. Cook, D. Hall,
M. Mann
Hon. General Secretary
Mr. C.L. Evans
Hon. Treasurer
C/o Durham Wildlife Trust
Hon. Editors
Dr. M Birtle
Dr. P. Gates
Hon. Field Secretary
Mr. L. Moore
Hon. Auditor
Dr E. Hinton-Clifton
LOCAL RECORDERS (recorders: please notify changes or additions to the editor)
Butterflies
Mike Hunter,17 Gilderdale Close,Faverdale,Darlington,DL3 0EE
Home: 01325 243022
E-mail: [email protected]
Moths
Durham:Terry Coult, 4 Officials Row, Malton, Lanchester, Co. Durham, DH7 0TH.
B.R.C. recorder, Northumberland: Mr N. Cook, 31 Lyndhurst Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle upon
Tyne, NE2 3LJ.
Dragonflies
Durham, Northumberland: Harry Eales, 11 Ennerdale Terrace, Low Westwood. Co. Durham. NE
17 7PN.
Birds
Durham Bird Club: Tony Armstrong, 39 Western Hill, Durham City, County Durham. DH1 4RJ
(tel. 386 1519).
Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club: Nick Rossiter, West Barn, Lee Grange, Ordley, Hexham.
NE46 1SX.
Amphibia and Reptiles
Mammals (general)
Northumberland: Mary Gough, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas
Park, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884)
Durham: Kevin O'Hara, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas Park,
Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884) email:
Bats
Northumberland Bat Group: Ruth Hadden, East Farm Cottage, Ryal, Northumberland. NE20
0SA.
Durham Bat Group:Ian Bond, 105 Davison Rd., Darlington DL1 3DS (01325 264296)
Badgers (Badger groups may be contacted via the relevant Wildlife Trusts).
Plants
B.S.B.I. recorder (Durham): G.G. Graham, 3 The Willows, Bishop Auckland, County Durham,
DL14 7HH.
B.S.B.I. recorder (Northumberland): Professor G.A. Swan, 81 Wansdyke, Morpeth,
Northumberland. NE61 3QY.
Algae: Dr F.G. Hardy, Dept of Marine Sciences & Coastal management, Ridley Building,
University of Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.
Spiders
Isobel Baldwin, British Arachnological Society Recorder,14 Murrayfield Drive, Brandon,
Durham, DH7 8TG.
Geological
Contact: S.G. McLean, The Hancock Museum, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne.NE2 4PT.