Wildlife Review 2024: Other invertebrates

Bristletails (Archaeognatha)

Two species found this year; both prefer damp areas, Heathland Bristletail Dilta littoralis in damp grassland on 18th March and Sea Bristletail Petrobius maritimus on rocks near Langstone Rock on 11th August.

Heathland Bristletail Dilta littoralis - Alan Keatley

Mayflies (Baetidae)

One of the only two mayflies on the site audit, a Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum was noted appropriately on 17th May.

Barkflies (Psocodea)

Barkflies are tiny insects with simple forewing veins usually found on trees. The yellow barkfly Valenzuela flavidus was the first of the year on 21st May with Valenzuela burmeisteri on 17th August. Other species this year included Elipsocus hyalinatus on 1st June, Bertkauia lucifuga on 24th August, unlike most barkflies it's found at ground level under leaf litter, and Ectopsocus petersi on 23rd September.

Valenzuela flavidus 21st May - Alan Keatley

Green lacewings (Chrysopidae)

Two species are on the site audit, the Common Green Lacewing Chysoperla carnea was noted on 6th June, and following last year's first record, a Pearl Lacewing C. perla on 24th June.

Pearl Lacewing Chrysopa perla 24th June - Alan Keatley

Scorpionflies (Panorpidae)

Three very similar UK species differing in wing pattern and shape of the male genital capsule (which forms the scorpion-like ‘sting’). The two common species occur on site, with one noted this year, German Scorpionfly Panorpa germanica was recorded from 15th May.

German Scorpionfly Panorpa germanica 15th May - Alan Keatley

Springtails (Hexapoda)

Previously considered insects, springtails occupy damp habitats and can be found in leaf litter, under bark, logs and driftwood. There are twenty-four species on the site audit with most added in the last few years. Due to their minute size, identification of some is challenging. Only eleven species were recorded this year, mostly in the first few months, although they can be found any time of the year.

Curly Springtail Pogonognathellus longicornis 18th January - Alan Keatley

The Curly Springtail Pogonognathellus longicornis was the first springtail of the year on 18th January followed by Orchesella cincta on 22nd January. Globular springtails (Dicyrtomidae) were represented by Dicytomina saundersi from 27th January with D. minuta and D. ornata from 1st February. Arboreal species of the order Entomobrya included Entomobrya intermedia on 8th February and E. albicincta on 27th April. The marine springtail Anurida maritima, an intertidal species, was noted from 1st March. Tomocerus vulgaris was observed on 8th November.

Dicytomina saundersi 27th January - Alan Keatley

Millipedes and centipedes (Myriapoda)

Myriapods are poorly represented on site with only ten species identified, including three found new this year. Eight of the ten species were recorded this year.

The first new species was a Stony Centipede Lithobois microps on 27th January. In February the second new species of the year was another centipede, Geophilus flavus found on 18th, with a Bristly Millipede Polyxenus lagurus and the millipede Cylindroiulus latestriatus on the same date. The Common Flat-backed Millipede Polyesmus angustus was noted on 1st March. Into April the third new species, a White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodolulus niger was a good find on 3rd. 

White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodolulus niger 3rd April - Alan Keatley

On 5th April Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindroiulus punctatus was added to the annual audit, with Striped Millipede Ommatioulus sabulosus, a species of more open ground, and therefore the most frequently recorded species, was also active the same day.

Striped Millipede Ommatioulus sabulosus 7th April - Alan Keatley

Molluscs (Mollusca)

A total of 41 species were recorded, 22 marine species including Pacific Oyster Magallana gigas on the Wreck and Common Piddock Pholas dactylus burrowing into the reefs at Langstone Rock. Terrestrial discoveries included two new species for the Recording Area, Marsh Slug Deroceras laeve and Hairy Snail Trochulus hispidus both unearthed on 1st March.

Crustaceans (Crustacea)

A total of 23 species were recorded, 12 marine species including Volcano Barnacle Perforatus perforatus, Common Lobster Homarus gammarus and Chameleon Prawn Hippolyte varians with three strandline specialists including the national scarce Beach Pill Woodlouse Armadillidium album and eight other woodlice including the subterranean Ant Woodlouse Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii.

Ant Woodlouse Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii - Kevin Rylands

Worms (Annelida)

Five species of earthworm (Oligochaeta) included a new species for the Recording Area, Green Worm Allolobophora chlorotica. Six species of marine segmented worms (Polychaete) also included a new species, Ross Worm Sabellaria spinulosa at Langstone Rock. 

Flatworms (Platyhelminthes)

Just one species recorded, the native Microplana terrestris, a scavenger of dead earthworms.

Sea anemones, jellyfish, corals etc (Cnidaria)

Six species from this diverse marine phylum were recorded including Snakeslock, Strawberry and Beadlet Anemone at Langstone Rock and Moon Aurelia aurita and Crystal Jellyfish Aequorea vitrina on the strandline, the latter a first for the Recording Area. 

Crystal Jellyfish Aequorea vitrina - Alan Keatley