Worcestershire Biological Records Centre Field Meeting at Devil's Spittleful & Rifle Range, Kidderminster, 1st September 2001

About 15 recorders had an excellent recording day on this reserves. The first table includes all the records so far entered on the WBRC data base (extracted by John Partridge). John Meiklejohn conformed and collated many of general invertebrate records on the day. Other records will follow - Geoff Trevis, for instance, has Hymenoptera records pending.

Flowering plants were recorded by Bill Thompson for the Worcestershire Flora Project and he was mainly concerned with "missing species" - those recorded in the area in the past and not yet found during the present Project. The most interesting and surprising record was of Marsh Pennywort Hydrcotyle vulgaris growing near the tiny pool not far from the Spittleful rock. The pool is usually bone dry in summer but on our visit the pool basin contained dead wood branches (thrown into the pond!) and was still damp - a reflection on the generally damp summer. A few water beetles were found under the debris. Water beetles and a water boatman, yet to be identified, were also found in one of the track puddles.

Not surprisingly, whenever Mick Blythe visits a site a host of new Diptera records follow! Harry Green's record of the hoverfly Sericomyia silentis was of particular interest as it is a species of peaty pools in moorland and acid habitats, including bogs on heathland in south and east of Britain, and is virtually absent from the English Midlands, though abundant in upland areas in Wales and north Britain (Ball & Morris 2000). This fly is strong flier but it is likely that a resident populations occurs on the acid heathland near Kidderminster.

ARANEAE Recorder Status Total County Records
Arctosa perita Partridge, W.J. Local 1
Bathyphantes gracilis Partridge, W.J. Common 121
Ceratinella brevis Partridge, W.J. Common 8
Clubiona phragmitis Green, G.H. Local 8
Clubiona terrestris Partridge, W.J. Common 41
Cnephalocotes obscurus Partridge, W.J. Local 8
Cnephalocotes obscurus Partridge, W.J. Local 8
Drapetisca socialis Partridge, W.J. Common 19
Evarcha falcata Partridge, W.J. Common 18
Gonatium rubens Partridge, W.J. Common 15
Lepthyphantes zimmermanni Partridge, W.J. Common 98
Linyphia triangularis Partridge, W.J. Common 65
Metellina segmentata Partridge, W.J. Common 94
Micaria pulicaria Partridge, W.J. Common 5
Microneta viaria Partridge, W.J. Common 113
Misumena vatia Partridge, W.J. Common 32
Pachygnatha degeeri Partridge, W.J. Common 99
Pardosa lugubris Partridge, W.J. Common 34
Pirata hygrophilus Partridge, W.J. Common 16
Pisaura mirabilis Partridge, W.J. Common 139
Scotina celans Partridge, W.J. Local 1
Tibellus oblongus Partridge, W.J. Common 19
Trochosa terricola Partridge, W.J. Common 15
ASCOMYCOTINA      
Daldinia concentrica Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 74
Hypoxylon multiforme Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 13
Microsphaera alphitoides Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 27
BASIDIOMYCOTINA      
Amanita citrina Meiklejohn, J.W.   45
Coltricia perennis Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 11
Daedalea quercina Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 42
Gyroporus cyanescens Meiklejohn, J.W.   1
Leccinum versipelle Meiklejohn, J.W.   16
Piptoporus betulinus Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 73
Russula atropurpurea Meiklejohn, J.W.   69
Russula betularum Meiklejohn, J.W.   14
Russula ochroleuca Meiklejohn, J.W.   77
Stereum hirsutum Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 112
Trametes versicolor Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 119
CHILOPODA      
Lithobius calcaratus Meiklejohn, J.W. Local 5
Lithobius forficatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 83
Lithobius variegatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 43
COLEOPTERA      
Agabus bipustulatus Partridge, W.J. Common 48
Agabus nebulosus Partridge, W.J. Common 26
Anacaena limbata s. lat. Partridge, W.J. Common 1
Anotylus rugosus Partridge, W.J. Common 19
Bembidion quadrimaculatum Partridge, W.J. Common 11
Chaetocnema hortensis Partridge, W.J. Common 3
Chalcoides aurea Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 23
Chilocorus bipustulatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Local 1
Coccinella undecimpunctata Meiklejohn, J.W. Local 18
Cylindrinotus laevioctostriatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 6
Deporaus betulae Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 18
Dorytomus melanophthalmus Meiklejohn, J.W. Local 3
Dromius melanocephalus Green, G.H. Common 13
Hippodamia variegata Meiklejohn, J.W. Notable/Nb 3
Metabletus obscuroguttatus Partridge, W.J. Local 16
Ochthebius dilatatus Partridge, W.J. Local 1
Oulema melanopa Partridge, W.J. Common 75
Oulema rufocyanea/melanopa agg. Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 3
Oxystoma craccae Green, G.H. Local 8
Polydrusus cervinus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 15
Propylea quattuordecimpunctata Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 175
Protapion fulvipes Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 17
Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 68
Pterostichus niger Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 10
Pterostichus nigrita Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 23
Sermylassa halensis Meiklejohn, J.W. Local 8
Sitona hispidulus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 16
Sitona lineatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 71
Stenus pubescens Partridge, W.J. Common 2
Strophosoma melanogrammum Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 17
Strophosoma sus Green, G.H. Local 1
Strophosoma sus Partridge, W.J. Local 1
Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 30
Synapion ebeninum Meiklejohn, J.W. Local 1
Tomocerus longicornis Partridge, W.J. Common  
DERMAPTERA      
Forficula auricularia Farmer, G. Common 143
Forficula auricularia Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 143
DIPLOPODA      
Cylindroiulus punctatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 65
Glomeris marginata Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 64
Ommatoiulus sabulosus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 11
DIPTERA      
Anthomyza bifasciata Blythe, Mr M.E. Notable/Nb 1
Coenosia testacea Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 3
Coenosia tigrina Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 1
Copromyza stercoraria Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Dilophus febrilis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Dilophus febrilis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Dilophus febrilis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Dilophus febrilis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Drapetis assimilis Blythe, Mr M.E. Unknown 1
Episyrphus balteatus Taylor, P.L. Common 115
Episyrphus balteatus Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 115
Epitriptus cingulatus Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 7
Epitriptus cingulatus Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 7
Epitriptus cingulatus Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 7
Eristalis arbustorum Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 30
Eristalis horticola Farmer, G. Common 9
Eristalis nemorum Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 25
Eristalis pertinax Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 60
Eristalis pertinax Taylor, P.L. Common 60
Eristalis pertinax Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 60
Eristalis tenax Taylor, P.L. Common 71
Eristalis tenax Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 71
Eristalis tenax Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 71
Eudasyphora cyanella Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 18
Fannia monilis Blythe, Mr M.E. Unknown 1
Fannia parva Blythe, Mr M.E. Unknown 2
Fannia parva Blythe, Mr M.E. Unknown 2
Fannia rondanii Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 4
Fannia rondanii Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 4
Fannia sociella Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 3
Graphomya maculata Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 3
Helina calceata Blythe, Mr M.E. Notable/Nb 1
Helina impuncta Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 4
Helina reversio Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Helophilus pendulus Farmer, G. Common 33
Helophilus pendulus Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 33
Hilara flavipes Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Hybos culiciformis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 5
Hydrellia griseola Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 1
Hydrotaea irritans Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 7
Hydrotaea irritans Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 7
Hydrotaea irritans Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 7
Hydrotaea irritans Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 7
Hydrotaea irritans Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 7
Hydrotaea meteorica Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 3
Hydrotaea meteorica Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 3
Hydrotaea meteorica Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 3
Jaapiella veronicae Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 41
Limnophora triangula Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 1
Lonchoptera lutea Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 14
Lucilia caesar Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 8
Lucilia sericata Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 1
Lyciella rorida Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 12
Lyciella rorida Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 12
Machimus atricapillus Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 7
Machimus atricapillus Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 7
Machimus atricapillus Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 7
Macrocera stigmoides Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Macrodiplosis dryobia Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 10
Medetera jacula Blythe, Mr M.E. Unknown 2
Medetera truncorum Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 4
Medetera truncorum Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 4
Melanostoma mellinum Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 31
Melanostoma scalare Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 32
Minettia longiseta Blythe, Mr M.E. Unknown 1
Morellia simplex Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 5
Musca autumnalis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 11
Musca autumnalis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 11
Musca autumnalis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 11
Musca autumnalis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 11
Myathropa florea Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 19
Myathropa florea Farmer, G. Common 19
Myathropa florea Taylor, P.L. Common 19
Nemopoda nitidula Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 4
Neoascia podagrica Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 12
Neoitamus cyanurus Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 1
Neomyia cornicina Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Neomyia viridescens Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Neomyia viridescens Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Nephrotoma scurra Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 3
Nephrotoma scurra Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 3
Opomyza germinationis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 12
Phasia obesa Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 1
Phytomyza lonicerae Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 8
Pollenia rudis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Pollenia rudis angustige Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Psilopa nitidula Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 5
Rhamphomyia variabilis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Rhamphomyia variabilis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Sarcophaga sp. Blythe, Mr M.E.   1
Sargus bipunctatus Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Scaptomyza pallida Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 7
Scathophaga stercoraria Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 30
Scathophaga stercoraria Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 30
Schwenckfeldina carbonaria Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 2
Sciara thomae Blythe, Mr M.E. Unknown 1
Senotainia conica Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 1
Sepsis cynipsea Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 8
Sepsis cynipsea Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 8
Sepsis cynipsea Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 8
Sepsis cynipsea Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 8
Sepsis fulgens Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 9
Sepsis orthocnemis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Sepsis orthocnemis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Sphaerophoria scripta Farmer, G. Common 32
Sphaerophoria scripta Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 32
Suillia imberbis Blythe, Mr M.E. Local 1
Syritta pipiens Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 47
Syritta pipiens Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 47
Syritta pipiens Taylor, P.L. Common 47
Tachina fera Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 12
Tachina fera Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 12
Tachypeza nubila Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 3
Tipula paludosa Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 12
Trypetoptera punctulata Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 4
HEMIPTERA      
Aphrophora alni Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 56
Cicadella viridis Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 19
Coriomeris denticulatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 15
Dolycoris baccarum Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 49
Elasmostethus interstinctus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 30
Elasmucha grisea Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 48
Himacerus apterus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 11
Kleidocerys resedae Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 13
Liocoris tripustulatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 56
Lygocoris lucorum Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 4
Nabis ferus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 8
Picromerus bidens Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 5
Piezodorus lituratus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 7
Scolopostethus affinis Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 13
Stenodema laevigatum Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 25
HYMENOPTERA      
Andricus anthracina Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 63
Andricus fecundator Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 22
Andricus kollari Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 65
Andricus lignicola Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 29
Andricus quercuscalicis Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 66
Colletes daviesanus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 5
Crossocerus quadrimaculatus Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Cynips agama Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 16
Cynips divisa Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 34
Cynips longiventris Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 3
Cynips quercusfolii Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 17
Formica fusca Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 6
Lasius niger Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 66
Mellinus arvensis Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 6
Mellinus arvensis Blythe, Mr M.E. Common 6
Neuroterus numismalis Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 72
Neuroterus quercusbaccarum Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 103
ISOPODA      
Armadillidium vulgare Farmer, G. Common 99
Oniscus asellus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 215
Oniscus asellus Farmer, G. Common 215
Philoscia muscorum Farmer, G. Common 169
Porcellio scaber Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 77
Porcellio scaber Farmer, G. Common 77
LEPIDOPTERA      
Autographa gamma Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 159
Coenonympha pamphilus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 402
Lycaena phlaeas Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 332
Polyommatus icarus icarus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 7
MOLLUSCA      
Aegopinella nitidula Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 109
Arion subfuscus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 62
Cepaea hortensis Farmer, G. Common 142
Cepaea nemoralis Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 198
Deroceras reticulatum Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 127
Discus rotundatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 223
Helix aspersa Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 157
Limax maximus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 80
Oxychilus alliarius Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 107
Chrysopa commata Meiklejohn, J.W. Local 1
ODONATA      
Aeshna cyanea Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 820
Opiliones      
Dicranopalpus ramosus Meiklejohn, J.W. Local 30
Leiobunum rotundum Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 52
Paroligolophus agrestis Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 40
Phalangium opilio Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 20
ORTHOPTERA      
Chorthippus brunneus Farmer, G. Common 123
Chorthippus brunneus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 123
Chorthippus parallelus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 191
Chorthippus parallelus Farmer, G. Common 191
Meconema thalassinum Farmer, G. Common 82
Myrmeleotettix maculatus Farmer, G. Common 22
Myrmeleotettix maculatus Meiklejohn, J.W. Common 22
Tetrix subulata Farmer, G. Local 61
Tetrix undulata Farmer, G. Common 62
SQUAMATA      
Lacerta vivipara Meiklejohn, J.W. Unknown 60

Kevin McGee's records are not yet on the WBRC databasewere sent in as tables which appear below somewhat modified.

Table 9. Butterflies. Devil's Spittleful. K.McGee.

Family Species
Lycaenidae Common Blue
Lycaenidae Small Copper
Nymphalidae Red Admiral
Nymphalidae Small Tortoiseshell
Pieridae Green-veined White
Pieridae Small White
Satyridae Gatekeeper
Satyridae Meadow Brown
Satyridae Small Heath
Satyridae Speckled Wood

Table 10. Macro Moths. Devil's Spittleful. K.McGee.

Family Species
Geometridae Treble-bar
Lymantriidae The Vapourer
Noctuidae Silver-Y
Notodontidae Chocolate-tip

Table 11. Micro Moths. Devil's Spittleful. K.McGee.

Family Species
Gelechiidae Anacampsis blattariella

Table 12. Odonata. Devil's Spittleful. K.McGee.

Family Species
Aeshnidae Migrant Hawker
Aeshnidae Southern Hawker
Libellulidae Common Darter

Table 13. Coleoptera. Devil's Spittleful. K.McGee.

Family Species
Attelabidae Attelabus nitens
Carabidae Nebria brevicollis
Carabidae Pterostichus nigrita
Chrysomelidae Lochmaea suturalis
Chrysomelidae Sermylassa halensis
Coccinellidae Chilocorus bipustulatus
Coccinellidae Coccinella 7-punctata
Coccinellidae Exochomus quadripustulatus
Coccinellidae Psyllobora 22-punctata
Staphylinidae Ocypus olens
Tenebrionidae Cylindrinotus laevioctostriatus

Table 14. Hemiptera. Devil's Spittleful. K.McGee.

Family Species
Cicadellidae Cicadella viridis
Coreidae Coreus marginatus
Miridae Lygocoris lucorum
Miridae Phytocoris varipes
Nabidae Himacerus apterus
Pentatomidae Dolycoris baccarum
Pentatomidae Palomena prasina
Pentatomidae Picromerus bidens
Pentatomidae Piezodorus lituratus

Table 15. Diptera. Devil's Spittleful. K.McGee.

Family Species
Asilidae Machimus cingulatus
Syrphidae Xanthogramma pedissequum
Tachinidae Tachina fera

Table 16. Miscellaneous records. Devil's Spittleful. K.McGee.

Family Species Common Name
Acrididae Myrmeleotettix maculatus Mottled Grasshopper
Aplodontidae Sciurus carolinensis Grey Squirrel
Sphecidae Philanthus triangulum 'Bee-killer' Wasp

Table 17. Birds. Devil's Spittleful. K.McGee.

Family Species
Accipitridae Buzzard
Corvidae Jay
Fringillidae Bullfinch
Picidae Green Woodpecker

Records from G H Green not yet entered on WBRC data base:

DIPTERA:

Episyrphus balteatus
Eristalis arbustorum
Eristalis pertinax
Helophilus pendulus
Sericomyia silentis
Syritta pipiens
Syrphus ribesii

HYMENOPTERA

Bombus pascuorum
Formica fusca
Lasium niger
Lasius brunneus
Lasius flavus
Myrmica ruginodis

Mick Blythe writes:

The new British Soldierflies (Stubbs & Drake 2001) confirms the identification of Leptogaster cylindrica at Penny Hill Quarry, as well as all three species of Asilidae at the Devil's Spittleful. You can remove the qualification if you like.

Unfortunately it has uncovered an error from last year. My Beris geniculata from Grimley turns out to be Beris morrisii Dale, 1841. I now have both species in the reference collection, and they are quite different! What a misleading manual is that Royal Ent. Soc. key!

Reference: STUBBS AE & DRAKE M 2001 British Soldier Flies & their allies. British Entomological & Natural History Society.

Records from G H Trevis not yet in WBRC data base.

HYMENOPTERA

Lasius alienus
Lasius brunneus (also GHG - 0ne of our most NW records)
Nomada furcata
Mellinus arvensis
Epeolus sp
Sphecodes sp
Crossocerus quadrimaculata (ID Mick Blythe)
MAMMALS
Grey squirrel
Rabbit

LICHENS

Identified by Joy Ricketts who writes:

The Devil's Spittleful had a number of substrates. The north facing sides of the sandstone outcrops offered a few thalli despite the rather heavy shading. Ideally the upper well illuminated surfaces should be the best sites, however, the amateur rock carvers are continually eroding the surface through their 'creative 'efforts.

The birch scrub had no lichen cover, but one mature birch had an extensive sheet of Dimerlla pineti down the trunk. The fruits are very small and rather resemble well sucked fruit pastilles. The best lichen cover was found on isolated Oak trees with low spreading branches. In this situation the lichens have maximum illumination.

The heathland was quite interesting. Where the grass had been almost excluded and the heather not too invasive then swards of Cladonia gracilis. C Portentosa, C ramulosa and C. diversa were found. The soil species, namely the Placynthiellas and Trapeliopsis were only seen in the first heathy enclosure.

LICHENS SPECIES LIST

Arnandinea punctata
Bacidea sabuletorum
Baeomyces rufus
Chaenotheca ferruginea
Cladonia cervicornis
Cladonia cervicornis ssp verticillata
Cladonia chlorophaea
Cladonia ciliata var tenuis
Cladonia diversa
Cladonia fimbriata
Cladonia floerkeana
Cladonia furcata
Cladonia gracilis
Cladonia macilenta
Cladonia polydactyla
Cladonia portentosa
Cladonia pyxidata
Cladonia ramulosa
Cladonia subulata
Coelocaulon aculeatum
Dimerella pineti
Evernia prunastri
Hypogymnia physodes
Lecanora albescens
Lecanora conizaeoides
Lecanora expallens
Lepraria incana
Leproloma vouauxii
Parmelia caperata
Parmelia subaurifera
Parmelia subrudecta
Parmelia sulcata
Physcia aipolia
Placynthiella icmalea
Placynthiella oligotropha
Porpidia soredizodes
Protoblastinia rupestris
Scoliciosporum chlorococcum
Trapelia placodioides
Trapeliopsis granulosa
Verrucaria nigrescens
Verrucaria viridula
Xanthoria polycarpa

Marsh Pennywort Hydrocotyl vulgaris: a new and unexpected marsh plant found at the Devil's Spittleful

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