Worcestershire Record No. 16 April 2004 pp. 33-35

Kevin McGee

I am pleased to report that my transparency scanner has been repaired, I am now able to publish some of my photographs pertaining to my list of records featured in the last issue of Worcestershire Record, (Number 15, November 2003).

Essex Skipper. Thymelicus lineola (Hesperiidae). Local. One of many seen by several observers during the ‘Recorders’ field-trip at the Gwen Finch reserve on 5.7.2003. I made an approximate count of 15.

Yellow-legged Clearwing. Synanthedon vespiformis (Sesiidae). Notable B. A female ovipositing in the stump of a storm-blown Oak at Mill Rough, Drakes Broughton, on 21.6.2003.

Micro-Moths

Nemophora cupriacella (Incurvariidae). Rare. This is my 2nd record of this rare species. I photographed a female on Teasel at Tiddesley Wood on 19.7.1998, this female was found on Hogweed at the boundary of Deerfold Wood, Drakes Broughton, on 29.6.2003. The identification of the species has been confirmed by Dr.A.N.B.Simpson.

Leopoldius signatus (Conopidae). Notable B. This scarce species is most often captured from flowering Ivy during late summer/early autumn. After 2 or 3 years of searching without success I eventually found this male on an Ivy covered Birch trunk at Mill Meadow, Drakes Broughton, on 21.9.2003.

Volucella inflata (Syrphidae). Notable B. This scarce Hoverfly is known to occur infrequently at Tiddesley Wood, I can confirm it is also present at nearby Deerfold Wood, Drakes Broughton, where this female was photographed at Bramble on 6.7.2003.

Volucella inanis (Syrphidae). Notable B. I omitted to mention the continuing occurrence of this spectacular Hoverfly at Tiddesley Wood in the November 2003 issue. The species is very fond of the Devil’s-bit Scabious flowers along the edges of the rides and is readily approached quite closely with caution. This female was photographed on 17.8.2003. Both this species and the previously mentioned Volucella inflata are scarce ‘notable B’ hoverflies, relatively easy to identify in the field, so collection should be avoided if at all possible.

Hybomitra bimaculata (Tabanidae). Local. This female was captured at Deerfold Wood, Drakes Broughton, during very hot & sultry weather on 6.7.2003. This horse-fly is associated with damp southern woodlands in Britain and although widespread it is not common. I would be very grateful to know of any other records from Worcestershire.

Agrilus pannonicus (Buprestidae). Notable A. Please note that this is now correctly spelt, unlike the November 2003 issue! Paul Whitehead & myself found eight of these ‘Jewel Beetles’ congregating on an Oak stump at an undisclosed location during 2003. This rare insect has recently undergone an expansion in its range and as such it may be recorded rather more frequently.

Phymatodes alni (Cerambycidae). Notable B. Possibly the first county record of this small ‘Longhorn Beetle’. I found six of them congregating on a small pile of recently cut Oak logs at Castlemorton Common on 29.5.2003.