FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATE RECORDER’S ANNUAL REPORT 2005/06

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FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES

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FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATE RECORDER’S ANNUAL REPORT 2005/06 ADRIAN CHALKLEY This report covers the period from January 2005 to July 2006 and whilst previous reports from me have bemoaned the lack of records from other recorders I must start by saying that I have had more sent in this year than at any time in the past, please keep them coming, common species or rare, all are welcomed. My thanks to not only those people mentioned below but to all who sent in records this year. Starting with Cladocera or Water Fleas, the following species have been generally found to be common in last 12 months: Bosmina longirostris, Eurycercus lamellatus, Chydorus sphaericus and C. ovatus, Daphnia longispina and D. obtusa, Scapholeberis mucronata and of course Simoncephalus vetulus though S. expinosus seems less often found than in previous years. The Great Silver Water Beetle Hydrophilus piceus was of course a major find during this period and Jim Askins and Stuart Warrington did great work at Orford Ness recording this, our largest water beetle, not once but several times as reported elsewhere in SNS publications (White Admiral 60 and 63). Whilst thinking of the aquatic Coleoptera I must mention Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Ponds Project and John Baker, from whom several interesting records of many orders have come. These include the beetles Ochthebius marinus (Nat. Notable B), Ochthebius minimus, Donacia marginata (Local). As mentioned elsewhere in this volume mayflies have been a success story this year with Paraleptophlebia werneri at Elmsett being the most important find alongside Habrophlebia fusca in the same stream. Baetis vernus, Caenis luctuosa, Centroptilum luteolum and C. pennulatum were recorded from new sites in the west of the county on the Rivers Brett and Box whilst Caenis horaria and C. luctuosa were found together at Lound lakes. This last site should also be mentioned for the molluscs Painter’s mussel Unio pictorum and Duck mussel Anodonta anatina. I am sure this site will provide more interesting aquatic records in the future. Heteroptera or Water Bugs are usually a conspicuous feature in the pond net and Plea minutissima, Nepa cinerea, Ranatra linearis, Ilyocoris cimicoides and Hydrometra stagnorum were the subject of many records sent to me, thankfully they continue to be very widespread in the county and easily identified. Not quite so common is Cymatia coleoptrata which was found by Paul Lee’s Field Studies Council students at Flatford Mill along with several other species. Paul himself got 2005 off to a good start by recording Gerris gibbifer on his garden pond back in April. Paul was pleased to have the second county record for the species which was followed by a third from Stuart Warrington at Dunwich Heath in May. At the same site Geof Nobes found both Microvelia pygmaea and Microvelia reticulata, both good records of very small species which are easy to overlook. Also of note was the sighting by Dr Barry Meatyard (admittedly in Norfolk) of Ranatra linearis swimming in the sea. He sent this in prompted by several pieces about the Water Stick Insect

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 42 (2006)


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