The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)
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#1 2010-03-30 15:08:52
- Peter Brash
- Registered user
- Name: Array Array
- Registered: 2008-10-01
- Posts: 1
Status of Leptarthrus vitripennis?
I've just identified this species which I took on the North Downs last year on 10th July. It was in a scrub invaded piece of grassland just north of the Pilgrim's Way at approximately TQ132497.
Does this species have a formal status? How many records are there?
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#2 2010-04-03 22:59:03
- falky
- Registered user
- Name: Steven Falk
- From: Kenilworth
- Registered: 2009-11-30
- Posts: 379
Re: Status of Leptarthrus vitripennis?
Hi Peter,
This is a rarity that seems to be confined to the North Downs (I only ever saw L. brevirostris during my detailed survey of the E. Sussex South Downs in recent years). I think it was added to the British list too late for a formal rarity grading, but I guess it would qualify for Endangered, Vulnerable or Lower Risk (Near Threatened) using the IUCN criteria that JNCC have adopted. Not too sure how many records, I think a few people have recorded it in the N. Downs now.
Falky
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#3 2010-04-04 02:55:00
- haematocephalus
- DF Members
- Name: Martin Harvey
- From: Buckinghamshire
- Registered: 2008-02-27
- Posts: 140
- Website
Re: Status of Leptarthrus vitripennis?
It's also been recorded in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Chilterns, by several people, not including me, alas! Chris Raper has some photos on his site at:
http://gallery.chrisraper.me.uk/thumbnails.php?album=8
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#4 2010-04-04 14:44:11
- Mark
- DF Members
- Name: Mark Mitchell
- From: Hampshire
- Registered: 2008-06-17
- Posts: 217
Re: Status of Leptarthrus vitripennis?
I think I am correct that they are now grassing cattle there, is that likely to be a good thing or a bad thing for Leptarthrus vitripennis?
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#5 2010-04-04 21:14:38
- adamwright
- DF Members
- Name: Adam Wright
- Registered: 2009-02-12
- Posts: 18
Re: Status of Leptarthrus vitripennis?
I found it at two sites on the extreme western end of the North Downs last year, but not in big numbers. Both species occur together. Females are quite distinctive in the field, in addition to the characters given in Stubbs & Drake my specimens have a dark smudge in the basal part of the wing which is absent in L. brevirostris.
Last edited by adamwright (2010-04-04 21:15:14)
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#6 2010-04-06 01:59:44
- Mark
- DF Members
- Name: Mark Mitchell
- From: Hampshire
- Registered: 2008-06-17
- Posts: 217
Re: Status of Leptarthrus vitripennis?
What is it real key to the habitat with this species? Is it host plants, habitat? chalk, Alkali soil. or something else? it's fine saying North downs (as much as i like the north downs myself), but I am sure this species can't read an os map?
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#7 2010-04-11 04:16:43
- jaapiella
- Registered user
- Name: Scotty Dodd
- From: Surrey/Hants border
- Registered: 2008-06-27
- Posts: 64
Re: Status of Leptarthrus vitripennis?
David Baldock (Surrey Hymenoptera recorder) has fairly up to date provisional VC map for Surrey distribution, as far as I know. S
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