Don Goddard’s sudden death has thrown a shadow over recording effort in Worcestershire. All is not lost in that Don was in regular contact with me and had supplied many records with voucher specimens for use in the National Water Beetle Recording Scheme. It is very sad that he was unable to achieve his aim of producing an atlas for Worcestershire but I hope by this note to enthuse others to take over. The current data-base insofar as I know it is small for Worcestershire, 703 records for 150 species (see later - Ed). Don contributed 296 of these records.
There is always a debate as to what constitutes a water beetle. With the well known diving beetles (Dytiscidae) and whirligigs (Gyrinidae) there isn’t a problem, but one section of the Hydrophilidae comprises species mainly found in dung, and we record them as honorary water beetles to make sure that someone is looking after their interests. Conversely, a few plant-feeding species of weevil (Curculionidae) and the reed beetles (Chrysomelidae: Donaciinae) are also part of the wetland scene. Worcestershire also have some interesting fossil records, doubtless because of the one-time proximity of Professors Shotton and Coope from the University of Birmingham. Indeed Upton Warren, which was the basis of Don Goddard’s last note in Worcestershire Record (No 8 April 2000 pages 28-30), is famed for its interglacial fossil history.
The species include some rare and endangered species: one Red Data Book 2 species Normandia nitens, three RDB3 species, five Na and 41 Nb species. The most important site is the River Teme, with its rare riffle or elmid beetles (the Normandia, plus Macronychus quadrituberculatus and Oulimnius major, the last species being first discovered in Britain at Bransford Bridge). It shares the first two of these elmids with the River Wye, but is clearly the more important river on the basis of the rare Hydraena species that also occur. Other important sites include the Wyre Forest, but there are doubtless still more good quality sites to be found. Don found several salt-loving species at Upton Warren, and I show the map of Enochrus bicolor to demonstrate just how weird the Worcestershire find is.
You don’t have to be an expert or a millionaire to survey water beetles, though it helps to be shortsighted! Some of the smallest species are the most interesting and you can often pick them out of the water with a tea strainer if you don’t have a pond net. I shall gladly identify material for anyone in Worcestershire so long as it is accompanied by enough locality data to access it in RECORDER (minimum: site name, grid reference, date, recorder). I try to give a return post service with feedback on any rarer species found. Water beetles should be preserved in 70% industrial methylated spirit without glycerine.
[Prof Foster kindly sent us a list of water beetles and hon. water beetle species included in the National Recording Scheme. Using this Martyn Hodgson extracted all the water beetle records currently held in the Worcs BRC. These were sent to Prof Foster who combined them with the records he already held for Worcestershire, and sent us a complete list. This has slightly improved Worcestershire’s standing in the water beetle world! Part of his comment on the full list is given below together with a list of records from the River Teme].
There are now ca 1,070 records in the scheme for Worcestershire, a healthy improvement thanks to the additional records you sent. Looking at the statuses of the species you don’t need to be a genius to see how important the Teme at Bransford Bridge is in terms of the local biodiversity, but I would rate the Teme the best river in Britain
Elmis aenea | River Teme, Alfrick | SO744513 | 27-Oct-81 | Goddard, Dr D.G. | |
Limnius volckmari | River Teme, Alfrick | SO744513 | 27-Oct-81 | Goddard, Dr D.G. | |
Anacaena globulus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Anacaena globulus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Mar-89 | Lott, Mr D.A. | |
Brychius elevatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Brychius elevatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Elmis aenea | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7853 | 06-Jun-80 | Cooter, Mr J. | |
Elmis aenea | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Elmis aenea | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Elmis aenea | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 06-Jun-86 | Collier, Mr M.J. | |
Elmis aenea | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 03-May-90 | Lott, Mr D.A. | |
Elmis aenea | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Esolus parallelepipedus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Esolus parallelepipedus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Esolus parallelepipedus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Gyrinus urinator | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Mar-89 | Lott, Mr D.A. |
Haliplus fluviatilis | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Haliplus fluviatilis | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Haliplus fluviatilis | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 06-Jun-86 | Collier, Mr M.J. | |
Haliplus lineatocollis | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Helophorus arvernicus | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Helophorus brevipalpis | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | MAY 1980 - | Cooter, Mr J. | |
Helophorus brevipalpis | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Helophorus brevipalpis | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 06-Jun-86 | Collier, Mr M.J. | |
Heterocerus marginatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 28-May-78 | Cooter, Mr J. | |
Heterocerus marginatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO796532 | 14-May-98 | Lott, Mr D.A. | |
Hydraena minutissima | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Hydraena minutissima | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Hydraena minutissima | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Hydraena nigrita | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Hydraena pulchella | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Hydraena pulchella | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Hydraena pulchella | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 06-Jun-86 | Collier, Mr M.J. |
Hydraena pulchella | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Hydraena riparia | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Hydraena riparia | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Hydraena riparia | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 06-Jun-86 | Collier, Mr M.J. | |
Hydraena rufipes | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 03-May-90 | Lott, Mr D.A. |
Hydroporus palustris | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Laccobius striatulus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Laccobius striatulus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Laccobius striatulus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 03-May-90 | Lott, Mr D.A. | |
Laccophilus hyalinus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 03-May-90 | Lott, Mr D.A. | |
Limnebius nitidus | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Limnebius truncatellus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Limnius volckmari | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Limnius volckmari | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Limnius volckmari | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 06-Jun-86 | Collier, Mr M.J. | |
Limnius volckmari | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Limnius volckmari | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7853 | 06-Jun-80 | Cooter, Mr J. | |
Macronychus quadrituberculatus | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7853 | 06-Jun-80 | Cooter, Mr J. |
Macronychus quadrituberculatus | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Macronychus quadrituberculatus | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Macronychus quadrituberculatus | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 06-Jun-86 | Collier, Mr M.J. |
Macronychus quadrituberculatus | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 03-May-90 | Lott, Mr D.A. |
Macronychus quadrituberculatus | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Macronychus quadrituberculatus | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 13-Sep-85 | Bilton, Dr D.T. |
Macronychus quadrituberculatus | RDB3 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 06-Jun-80 | Cooter, Mr J. |
Nebrioporus elegans | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Nebrioporus elegans | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 03-May-90 | Lott, Mr D.A. | |
Normandia nitens | RDB2 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Normandia nitens | RDB2 | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Ochthebius bicolon | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Ochthebius minimus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Orectochilus villosus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7853 | 06-Jun-80 | Cooter, Mr J. | |
Orectochilus villosus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Orectochilus villosus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Orectochilus villosus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 06-Jun-80 | Cooter, Mr J. | |
Oulimnius major | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Oulimnius major | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Oulimnius major | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 06-Jun-86 | Collier, Mr M.J. |
Oulimnius major | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Oulimnius major | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 13-Sep-85 | Bilton, Dr D.T. |
Oulimnius troglodytes | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Oulimnius troglodytes | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Oulimnius tuberculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | MAY 1980 - | Cooter, Mr J. | |
Oulimnius tuberculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Oulimnius tuberculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Oulimnius tuberculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 06-Jun-86 | Collier, Mr M.J. | |
Oulimnius tuberculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 03-May-90 | Lott, Mr D.A. | |
Oulimnius tuberculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Oulimnius tuberculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 13-Sep-85 | Bilton, Dr D.T. | |
Platambus maculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7853 | 06-Jun-80 | Cooter, Mr J. | |
Platambus maculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Platambus maculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Platambus maculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Mar-89 | Lott, Mr D.A. | |
Platambus maculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 03-May-90 | Lott, Mr D.A. | |
Platambus maculatus | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Pomatinus substriatus | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 06-Jun-80 | Cooter, Mr J. |
Pomatinus substriatus | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Pomatinus substriatus | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Pomatinus substriatus | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Mar-89 | Lott, Mr D.A. |
Pomatinus substriatus | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Pomatinus substriatus | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO8053 | 13-Sep-85 | Bilton, Dr D.T. |
Pomatinus substriatus | Na | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7853 | 06-Jun-80 | Cooter, Mr J. |
Poophagus sisymbrii | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Riolus cupreus | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Riolus cupreus | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Riolus subviolaceus | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Riolus subviolaceus | Nb | River Teme, Bransford Bri | SO7953 | 13-Sep-85 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Stictotarsus duodecimpustulatus | Nb | River Teme, Brasford Bri | SO7953 | 29-Aug-80 | Foster, Prof G.N. |
Helophorus brevipalpis | River Teme, Cotheridge | SO75 | -1970 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Orectochilus villosus | River Teme, Cotheridge | SO75 | -1970 | Foster, Prof G.N. | |
Elmis aenea | River Teme, Ham Bridge, K | SO744604 | 02-Jun-84 | Foster, Mr A.P. | |
Helophorus brevipalpis | River Teme, Ham Bridge, K | SO744604 | 02-Jun-84 | Foster, Mr A.P. | |
Hydraena minutissima | Nb | River Teme, Ham Bridge, K | SO744604 | 02-Jun-84 | Foster, Mr A.P. |
Laccobius striatulus | River Teme, Ham Bridge, K | SO744604 | 02-Jun-84 | Foster, Mr A.P. | |
Nebrioporus elegans | River Teme, Ham Bridge, K | SO744604 | 02-Jun-84 | Foster, Mr A.P. | |
Oulimnius tuberculatus | River Teme, Ham Bridge, K | SO744604 | 02-Jun-84 | Foster, Mr A.P. | |
Georissus crenulatus | Na | River Teme, Meadow Mill | SO691675 | 14-May-98 | Lott, Mr D.A. |
Elmis aenea | River Teme, Stanford Brid | SO714658 | 02-Jun-84 | Foster, Mr A.P. | |
Haliplus ruficollis | River Teme, Stanford Brid | SO714658 | 1925 - 1932 | Tottenham, Rev C.E. | |
Helophorus arvernicus | Nb | River Teme, Stanford Brid | SO714658 | 1925 - 1932 | Tottenham, Rev C.E. |
Orectochilus villosus | River Teme, Stanford Brid | SO714658 | 1925 - 1932 | Tottenham, Rev C.E. | |
Oulimnius tuberculatus | River Teme, Stanford Brid | SO714658 | 02-Jun-84 | Foster, Mr A.P. | |
Platambus maculatus | River Teme, Stanford Brid | SO714658 | 12-Jun-25 | Tottenham, Rev C.E. | |
Stictotarsus duodecimpustulatus | River Teme, Stanford Brid | SO714658 | 1925 - 1932 | Tottenham, Rev C.E. |
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