ISSN 0049-5891 THE VASCULUM · 2013. 3. 18. · Hulne Park Alnwick NU17.43 6/6/2000 JDP Howick Hall Woods NU24/5.17 9/6/1994 JDP Butteryhaugh NY63.92/3 2/6/1992 JDP Forest Drive Toll

ISSN 0049-5891

Volume 86 No. 1

THE VASCULUM

The North Country Quarterly

of Natural History

Editors:

Dr P.J.

Gates,([email protected])

Department of Biological Science,

University Science

Laboratories,South Road,Durham.

Dr. M Birtle ([email protected])

4, Fulmar Rd.,

Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, TS20 1S

Published by the Northern Naturalists’ Union

THE VASCULUM

The Vasculum is a quarterly journal concerned with the Natural History of North-East England.

Founded in 1915 as a privately-published concern, since 1942 it has been the published organ of

the Northern Naturalists' Union.

Any contribution on the Flora, Fauna and Geology of Northumberland and Durham will be

considered for inclusion. Flowering plants, birds and Geology have been under-represented in

recent years, and the editors would be particularly grateful for articles on those subjects. Short

notes as well as longer articles and simple records all fall within the scope of the journal. Space is

also available for secretaries of local societies to record their transactions and announce future

meetings.

For preferred style, and particularly for the method of citing references, will contributors please

refer to previous issues. At least a four-figure grid reference should be supplied when referring to

sites.

Contributions are accepted on paper, computer disc, or e-mail: the address for

contributions is given on the front cover of this issue.

THE NORTHERN NATURALISTS' UNION

The Northern Naturalists' Union (NNU) was founded in 1924 to promote co-operation between

natural history societies, and to collect and collate local records. Membership currently stands at

around 200.

The NNU publishes The Vasculum, and several past publications included a series of

Transactions published between 1931 and 1953 and three separately published supplements to

The Vasculum: Sources of Information on the Natural History of County Durham (1972) and

parts I and II of T.C. Dunn & J.D. Parrack's The Moths and Butterflies of Northumberland and

Durham (1986 & 1992). Copies of these publications are available from the editors.

The NNU organises a series of field meetings each year, and arranges a speaker for the an Annual

Invited Lecture, hosted by one of the constituent societies in November. An Annual General

Meeting of the NNU is held in March, and is addressed by a guest speaker.

The field meetings serve a dual purpose. First, the informal exchange of knowledge between

members and their guests, and secondly the recording of the flora and fauna of the sites visited.

Lists of the species seen during field meetings are published in The Vasculum.

THE VASCULUM 86(1):1 March(2001)

#

Important Notice:All Field Meetings for 2001 cancelled due to Foot and Mouth restrictions-

see Page 44

THE VASCULUM Vol. 86, No 1 March 2001 Hoverflies of Northumberland-Part 2- Syrphinae (Bachini,Paragini),Milesiinae (Cheilosiini,

Chrysogastrini)

J.D. Parrack, 7 Easdale, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, NE26 4HR

JDP=J.D. Parrack HFC=H.F. Church

GS= G. Simpson PK=P. Kirby

SGB= S.G. Ball

O.R.= Otterburn Ranges. B’mth=Burnmouth

N.B. records by G.Simpson are only designated to within the tetrad. Records by JDP with only

the year appended are taken from abstracts of surveys carried out in those years.

Syrphidae

Syrphinae

Bachini

Baccha elongata

Holystone Burn Res NT94.01 1983 JDP

Kingswood area NY78.60 8/5/1987 GS

Beltingham Gravels NY787641 1983 JDP

Rothley W Plantation NZ02.89 31/7/1995 JDP

Arcot Hall NZ24.75 26/5/1990 JDP

Rather thinly distributed in the north; fond of secondary growth along

woodland margins.


Baccha obscuripennis

Hawk Burn NT75.03 19/8/1997 JDP

Blakehopeburnhaugh NT78.00 19/8/1997 JDP

Grindonrigg Wood NT92.42 7/7/1993 JDP

Holystone NR NT93/4.01 5/5/1994 JDP

Bridge over R Breamish NT99.16 16/8/2000 JDP

North Middleton Ford NT99.25 7/6/2000 JDP

Quarry N Kyloe Woods NU00.30 24/5/2000 JDP

Twizell NU13.29 24/5/2000 JDP

Swarland Woods NU15.02/3/4 9/6/1994 JDP

Hulne Park Alnwick NU17.43 6/6/2000 JDP

Howick Hall Woods NU24/5.17 9/6/1994 JDP

Butteryhaugh NY63.92/3 2/6/1992 JDP

Forest Drive Toll area NY63.93 12/8/1997 JDP

Gowanburn NY64.91 2/6/1992 JDP

Plashetts Burnside NY65/6.91 15/7/1997 JDP

Plashetts Burn NY66.91 1988 JDP

Wainhope NY67.92 6/8/1997 JDP

Cupola Staward NY79.58 11/6/1992 JDP

Dipton Woods NY97.61 10/6/1992 JDP

Apperley Dene NZ05.58 10/6/1992 JDP

Forestburn NZ07/8.98 29/5/1992 JDP

Todburn NZ11.96 26/5/1992 JDP

Brinkburn area NZ11/2.98/9 3/7/1999 JDP

Clara Vale NR NZ13.64 3/7/1993 JDP

Big Waters NZ22/3.73 18/7/1993 JDP

Fairly common, and widespread.

Melanostoma mellinum


Cottonshope Picnic Site NT78.01 19/8/1997 JDP

Elisheugh NT83.29 7/6/1986 JDP

Pawston Loch NT85.31 7/6/1986 JDP


N Yardhope NT922011 27/5/1990 JDP


Langleeford NT95. 7/6/2000 JDP

Biddlestone NT95/6.08 20/7/1999 JDP

Ford Moss NT96/7.37 14/6/1993 JDP

Happy Valley NT97.25 7/6/2000 JDP

Caistron Gravel Pits NT99.01,

NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP


Netherton Plantation NT99.08 2/7/1998 JDP



Trewitt Hall NU00.06 2/7/1998 JDP


Goswick Dunes NU00.40 24/5/2000 JDP

Riverside W of Brandon NU03.16 16/8/2000 JDP

Eslington NU04.11/12 2/7/1998 JDP

Cragside Rothbury NU06.01 2/7/1998 JDP

Quarry House Moor NU10.24 25/5/1994 JDP

Woods S of Budle Bay NU10.30 24/5/2000 JDP


Ross Links N NU13.38 1986 JDP



Ratcheugh Crags NU22.14 22/6/1994 JDP


Deadwater NY60.96 1988 JDP

Akenshaw Burn NY60/1.89 16/5/1995 JDP

Akenshawburn NY60/1.89 24/6/1997 JDP

Akenshaw Burn Bridge area NY62.89 24/6/1997 JDP

Lewisburn NY62.89 16/5/1995 JDP

Kielder Sawmill NY62.93 12/8/1997 JDP

Ravenshill area NY62.94 15/7/1997 JDP


Butteryhaugh T-jncn NY62/3.92 16/5/1995 JDP

Lewisburn fks NY63.88 3/6/1988 JDP

Butteryhaugh Turn-off NY63.92 28/5/1997 JDP

Kielder Viaduct NY63.92 14/7/1992 JDP



Deadwater Fell NY63.96 1988 JDP

Cranecleugh Ride NY64.84 28/5/1997 JDP

Lewisburn P S NY64.89 3/6/1988 JDP

Gowanburn NY64.91 1988 JDP

Cranecleugh Bridge NY65.85 28/5/1997 JDP

Leaplish Turn-off Ditches etc NY65.87 28/5/1997 JDP

Hawkhirst Scout Camp NY65.89 12/8/1997 JDP

Kielder Burn fork NY65.95 1988 JDP

Plashetts Burn NY65/6.91 1988 JDP


Low Cranecleugh NY66.85 28/5/1997 JDP

Bullcrag Turn-off

Ditches etc

NY66.86 28/5/1997 JDP


Plashetts Burn NY66.91 -/6/1992 PK

E Kielder NY66.95 1988 JDP

Bullcrag Edge & Low Cranecleugh NY66/7/8.85/6 1988 JDP

Kellah T-jncn NY666615 10/6/1988 JDP

The Shanks NY67.79 1988 JDP

Whickhope Nick NY67.82 1988 JDP

Whickhope NY67.85 28/5/1997 JDP

Pithouse Crags NY67.91 1988 JDP

Pithouse Crags NY67.91 15/7/1997 JDP

Dryburn NY67.92 1988 JDP


Wainhope Pasture NY67.92 1988 JDP

Burnstones NY677547 24/5/1987 JDP

Little Whickhope NY68.85 28/5/1997 JDP

Currick Quarry/Ditches NY69.85 28/5/1997 JDP

Elf Kirk Viewpoint, NY69.86 28/5/1997 JDP

Tower Knowe NY69.86 12/8/1997 JDP

Belling Burn NY69.89 -/6/1992 PK

Bellingburn Head NY69.91 6/8/1997 JDP

Smales NY71.84 1988 JDP

Smales Burn NY71.84 6/8/1997 JDP

Scotchcoulthard area NY72.70 24/6/1997 JDP

Highfield Burn NY74.90/1 6/8/1997 JDP

Forest Drive Blackblakehope

Picnic Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP

Greenlee NY76.70 24/6/1997 JDP

Waterhead NY76.90 6/8/1997 JDP

Sheperdshield NY77.74 24/6/1997 JDP

Cairnglastenhope area NY77.80/1 24/6/1997 JDP

Greymare Moss area NY77.93/4 24/6/1997 JDP

Ridley Shiel area NY77/8.92 6/8/1997 JDP

Tony's Patch Honeycrook Burn NY82.65 22/5/1994 JDP

Stewartshiel Forest NY85.99 16/5/1995 JDP

Denehead O R NY885945 5/5/1990 JDP

NY94.54 15/7/1985 GS

NY94.56 29/6/1987 GS

NY96.54 9/5/1985 GS

NY96.56 18/9/1986 GS

NY98.50 30/6/1987 GS


Forestburn Gate NZ06.96 20/7/1999 JDP

Maglin Burn NZ09/10.97 3/7/1999 JDP

Longhorsley Moor NZ15/6.92 17/5/1987 JDP



Warkworth Lane

Campsite entr

NZ27.92 18/8/2000 JDP

Widespread and very common, particularly at altitude.

Melanostoma scalare


Byrness entr to Forest Drive NT78.00 30/5/1995 JDP


Tillmouth NT88.43 20/5/1989 JDP




Longridge Towers NT95.49 7/7/1993 JDP



NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP





Mereburn NU03.12 23/6/1992 JDP

Roseden Picnic Site & roadside NU03.21 16/8/2000 JDP

Brandon River Breamish NU03/4.17 18/4/1994 JDP

Callaly Castle NU05.09 23/6/1992 JDP


Thrunton Woods NU06.09/10 23/6/1992 JDP



Ross Links n NU13.38 1986 JDP




Buston Links NU24/5.08 15/8/1988 JDP


Warkworth Dunes NU25/6.05/6 10/7/1987 JDP

NY60.98 27/6/1990 GS



Lewisburn & fks NY62/3.87/8/9 3/6/88 JDP









Leaplish Turn-off

Ditches etc

NY65.87 28/5/1997 JDP

Hawkhirst NY65.88 28/5/1997 JDP






Forest Drive Blackblakehope

Picnic Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP


Comb/ Waterehead area NY76.90 24/6/1997 JDP




Crookbank NY777756 8/8/1995 JDP

NY78.58 2/8/1988 GS

NY78.60 8/5/1987 GS

NY78.62 21/8/1987 GS

NY78.64 30/7/1986 GS

Chirdon B’mth NY78.84/5 14/7/1992 JDP

Pennine Way & Quarry NY78.98/9 19/8/1997 JDP


Blackaburn streamside NY79.77/8 8/8/1995 JDP

NY80.58 13/5/1987 GS

Staward Woods NY80.59 18/5/1987 JDP

Honeycrook Burn NY82.65 24/5/1992 JDP

Tony's Patch NY82.65 25/5/1996 JDP

Haydon Br Layby NY832641 21/5/1988 JDP

NY84.66 8/9/1987 GS

Stewartshield Forest NY85.99 8/9/1992 JDP

Haydon Bridge Spa NY86.64/5 JDP


NY90.46 31/5/1989 GS


NY90.48 31/5/1989 GS

NY90.50 31/5/1989 GS

NY90.54 22/9/1987 GS

NY92.46 31/5/1985 GS

NY92.50 31/5/1989 GS

NY92.54 15/7/1985 GS

NY94.46 18/5/1988 GS

NY94.48 8/6/1986 GS

NY94.50 19/6/1986 GS

NY94.54 15/7/1985 GS

NY94.56 11/6/1987 GS

NY96.54 1/8/1985 GS

Wellhouse Roadside NZ02.83 31/7/1995 JDP


Bolam Lake W NZ07.81 18/6/1992 JDP




Weldon Bridge NZ13.93 2/7/1998 JDP

Longhorsley W NZ144946 26/5/1992 JDP


Eshottheugh Rd end NZ18.96 1/8/1995 JDP

Prestwick Carr, NZ18/9.73 18/7/1993 JDP

Widdrington Wood NZ22.96 18/8/2000 JDP


Barrington Ind Est Nelson NZ25.78 1/8/1995 JDP

River Lyne at S Linton NZ25.91 18/8/2000 JDP

Warkworth Lane

Layby Pond

NZ26.92 18/8/2000 JDP

Warkworth Lane

Campsite entr

NZ27.92 18/8/2000 JDP

Warkworth lane Ponds NZ27.93 4/6/1994 JDP

Woodhorn Colliery

Mus Road entrance

NZ29.88 18/8/2000 JDP

Footpath to Backworth Pond NZ31.72 22/8/2000 JDP

7 Easedale Seaton

Sluice

NZ332767 5/6/1998 JDP

Widespread and very common in the lowlands but becoming much scarcer above about 200m.


Platycheirus albimanus

Tillmouth PK NT88.43 20/5/1989 JDP

Norham Wood & old

railway line

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP




Ford Moss NT96/7.37 14/6/1993 JDP


NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP



Brandon River

Breamish

NU03/4.17 18/4/1994 JDP


Swarland Burn NU15.01 1/8/1995 JDP


Felton A1 Flyover NU17.00 1/8/1995 JDP

Bamburgh Wyndings NU17.35 2/5/1993 JDP

Bamburgh Dunes NU18/9.34 15/8/1993 JDP

NY60.98 27/6/1990 GS

NY62.86 14/9/1990 GS

NY62.88 13/9/1990 GS


Lewisburn Fks NY63.88 3/6/1988 JDP

Lewisburn Flight Ponds NY63.88/9 24/6/1997 JDP




NY64.88 13/9/1990 GS

NY64.90 13/9/1990 GS


Bakethin Weir NY64.91 12/8/1997 JDP

Gowan Burn NY64.91 2/6/1992 JDP

Leaplish Turn-off

Ditches etc

NY65.87 28/5/1997 JDP






Currick Quarry/Ditches NY69.85 28/5/1997 JDP

Ridge End Park NY72.86 28/5/1997 JDP

Stannersburn NY72.86 28/5/1997 JDP


NY74.62 3/6/1986 GS

Ridley Stokoe NY74.85 2/6/1992 JDP


Whygate NY76.77/5/6 8/8/1995 JDP



NY78.60 8/5/1987 GS

NY78.62 21/8/1987 GS


Plankey Mill NY79.62 30/5/1992 JDP


Cupola Bridge Staward NY79/80.58/9 4/5/1993 JDP

Side-rd to Stonehaugh NY80.77 8/8/1995 JDP



NY82.66 8/9/1987 GS


NY84.66 8/9/1987 GS

Dean Burn W of Wark NY84/5.77 8/8/1995 JDP


Stewartshield F NY85.99 8/9/1992 JDP

Haydon Spa NY86.64/5 23/5/1987 JDP

Denehead NY885.945 5/5/1990 JDP

NY90.46 3/9/1987 GS

NY90.48 31/5/1989 GS

NY90.50 3/5/1989 GS

NY90.54 22/9/1987 GS

NY92.46 31/5/1989 GS

NY92.48 3/5/1989 GS

NY92.50 3/5/1989 GS

NY92.54 4/6/1987 GS

NY94.48 8/6/1986 GS

NY94.50 19/6/1986 GS

NY94.52 30/7/1987 GS

NY94.54 8/5/1987 GS

NY94.56 4/6/1987 GS

Combs Burn O R NY943996 25/5/1990 JDP

NY96.48 27/7/1988 GS

NY96.50 19/6/1986 GS

NY96.54 30/6/1987 GS

NY96.56 18/9/1986 GS

NY98.50 30/6/1987 GS










Warkworth Lane

Campsite entr

NZ27.92 18/8/2000 JDP

Holywell Ponds NZ31/2.75 14/5/1992 JDP

Holywell Dene NZ33/4.75 29/4/1993 JDP

Lower Holywell Dene NZ34.76 25/4/1994 JDP

Old Hartley/

Holywell Dene

NZ34.76 2/8/1995 JDP

Widespread and common: occasionally comes to light traps.

Platycheirus ambiguus


Cupola Bridge

Staward

NY79/80.58/9 4/5/1993 JDP

Normally a species that emerges in spring when it favours Blackthorn

blossom. The Arcot record, as well as a few cited by GS in June and

July, suggest that in some years the species may be double-brooded.

(There is a lot of Blackthorn in the Arcot area).

Platycheirus angustatus

Snook, Holy Is NU09/10.43 1985 JDP



Lakeside Gowanburn NY64.91 15/7/1997 JDP


Oakeydene Burn NY81/2.55 14/8/1984 JDP


Warkworth Lane Ponds NZ27.93 4/6/1994 JDP

Druridge Pools NZ27.96 3/8/1994 JDP

A widespread but rather scarce species of both marshes and wet and dry grassland.


Platycheirus clypeatus

Norham Wood

& old railway

line

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP


Holystone Burn Res NT94.01 1983 SGB

JDP

Langleeford NT95.21. 7/6/2000 JDP

Ford Moss NT96.37 16/5/1992 JDP







Akenshaw Burn NY62.89 16/5/1995 JDP



Lewisburn Picnic Site NY63.89 3/6/1988

Kielder Viaduct NY63.92 -/6/1992 PK










NY90.46 28/6/1989 GS

NY90.50 28/6/1989 GS

NY94.54 29/6/1987 GS

NY94.56 30/7/1987 GS

NY96.48 27/7/1988 GS

NY98.50 30/6/1987 GS


Simonside Plantations NZ03.99 29/6/1998 JDP

Simonside Rd End NZ05.97 29/6/1998 JDP



Shortflatt Entr NZ088809 8/8/1984 JDP






Bothal Bridge NZ235862 1/8/1995 JDP


Old Hartley/

Holywell Dene

NZ34.76 2/8/1995 JDP

Widespread in damp grassy areas.

Platycheirus discimanus


A thinly-scattered species of early spring, that may be overlooked

because of its similarity to P. albimanus.

Platycheirus fulviventris

Lewisburn fks NY63.88 1988 JDP



Gosforth Park NZ25.70 16/7/1994 JDP

A species of lush marshland vegetation, becoming scarcer to the north.

Platycheirus immarginatus


Alnmouth S Salt

Marsh

NU24.09/10 22/6/1994 JDP

Warkworth Salt

Marsh

NU25.05 -/7/1990 JDP


A species of very local distribution closely associated with salt marsh.


Platycheirus manicatus

Byrness entr to

Forest Drive

NT78.00 30/5/1995 JDP

Norham Wood

& old railway line

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP



Caistron Gravel Pits NT99.01, NU00.01 20/7/1999 JDP


Cocklawburn Dunes NU02/3.48 1983 JDP





Alnmouth Dunes S NU24.09 13/6/1987 JDP

Howick Grange NU24.16 18/6/1987 JDP








Bullcrag Turn-off

Ditches etc

NY66.86 28/5/1997 JDP



NY76.78 5/7/1990 GS

Whygate NY76/77.5/6 8/8/1995 JDP

Shepherdshield NY77.74 24/6/1997 JDP





Denenead O R NY885945 5/5/1990 JDP

NY92.48 25/8/1989 GS

NY94.48 8/6/1986 GS

NY94.54 17/6/1987 GS

NY94.56 3/6/1987 GS

NY96.50 17/7/1987 GS

NY96.54 30/6/1987 GS

NY98.50 30/6/1987 GS



Well distributed in dry grassy areas, notably on the extensive dune systems of North

Northumberland.

Platycheirus occultus

Butteryhaugh NY63. 93 25/6/1992 PK

A recently separated species, the distribution of which awaits elucidation.

Platycheirus peltatus

Tillmouth Pk NT88.43 20/5/1989 JDP



Holystone Burn Res NT94.01 1983 SGB

Langleeford NT95.21 7/6/2000 JDP

Linhope NT96.16 16/8/2000 JDP

Ford Moss NT96/7.37 14/6/1993 JDP


NU05/6. 09 11/7/1992 JDP

Thrunton/ Callaly W NU06.10 11/7/1992 JDP

Alnmouth Dunes NU24.09 3/7/1987 JDP

Howick Grange NU24.16 18/6/1987 JDP





Forest Drive NY64.95 12/8/1997 JDP



Kielder Burn NY65.96 12/8/1997 JDP

Scaup Burn NY66.98 12/8/1997 JDP




Stewartshiel Forest NY85.99

& NT8500

9/8/1994 JDP





Beacon Hill NZ150917 14/6/1988 JDP



Chevington Bmth NZ27.98 10/7/1992 JDP

Widespread and fairly common.

Platycheirus podagratus




Swineshaw/ March B NY79/80.80 16/7/91 JDP

Recorded from small boggy streamsides, at 180m altitude.

Platycheirus scambus














Whygate NY76/7.75/6 8/8/1995 JDP



NY94.54 10/7/1987 JDP

NY94.56 4/6/1987 JDP






Fairly common and widespread among lush waterside vegetation.


Platycheirus scutatus




Plasnetts Burn NY66.91 1988, 1991 JDP

Staward Woods NY80.59 18/5/1987 JDP

NY94.54 9/6/1988 GS

NY94.56 9/9/1987 GS

NY96.54 3016/1987 GS

NY98.50 27/9/1988 GS

A species that becomes rather thinly dispersed in northern regions, where we find it more at

elevated sites.

Pyrophaena granditarsa



NY94.48 20/7/1986 GS

NY98.50 17/8/1987 GS


Arcot Hall NZ24.75 5/8/1986,

1987, ’88

JDP

Associated with eutrophic ponds and lush streamsides: not very plentiful.

Pyrophaena rosarum


Park Burn NY68.60/1 1986 JDP

Redesmouth Bridge NY86.92 25/7/1995 JDP

Arcot Hall NZ24.75 9/7/1987,

1/8/1980

JDP

Similar to the preceding species, but scarcer.


Paragini

Paragus haemorrhous





Difficulty of location/recognition doubtless explains the paucity of records of

this usually fairly widespread species.

Milesiinae

Cheilosiini

Cheilosa antiqua


Nr Deadwater NY608965 1988 JDP




NY78.60 8/5/1987 GDS


A more westerly species, becoming very scarce towards the east coast.

Cheilosia albimanus

Norham Wood & old railwayline NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP



Cheilosia albitarsis



Lewisburnps NY63.89 3/6/1988 JDP

Forks NY63.88 3/6/1988 JDP



Denehead Otterburn NY885945 5/5/1990 JDP

N. Yardhope NT922011 22/5/1990 JDP

E. Kielder NY66.95 1988 JDP


Lewisburn Meadow NY62.86 1988 JDP

Wainhope Pasture NY675926 1988 JDP

Honeycrook Burn NY823654 24/5/1992 JDP

Longhorsley W NZ144946 26/5/1992 JDP


Ridley Stokoe P S NY74.85 2/6/1992 JDP



Langley Castle NY83.62 4/5/1993 JDP




Crookbank NY77.75 24/6/1997 JDP



Langleeford NT95.21. 7/6/2000 JDP

Snook Holy Is NU10/43 1985 JDP

Cupola Bridge Staward NY79/80.58/9 4/5/1993 JDP







TodBurn NZ11.96 26/5/1992 JDP






Swarland Woods NU15.02/3/ 9/6/1994 JDP


A common and widespread species fond of Ranunculaceae; sometimes comes to light traps in

April/May.

Cheilosia bergenstammi

Roseden Picnic Site

& roadside

NU03.21 16/8/2000 JDP

Gowk Bank NY678740 2/5/1985 JDP

NY78.60 8/5/1987 GS

Should be looked for in the vicinity of Ragwort. Local, but it is surprising

that there are not more records.

Cheilosia fraterna






Quarry N Kyloe

Woods

NU00.30 24/5/2000 JDP

Brandon River

Breamish

NU03/4.17 18/4/1994 JDP





Nr Deadwater NY60.96 1988 JDP

Akenshaw Burn

Bridge area

NY62.89 24/6/1997 JDP


Lewisburn NY63. 89 3/6/1988 JDP

Lewisburn NY63.86/7/8 1988 JDP


Forks NY6388 3/6/1988 JDP

Cranecleugh

Ride

NY64.84 28/5/1997 JDP

Lewisburnmouth NY64.90 1988 JDP


Plashetts Burn NY66 911988 JDP


Bullcrag Turn-off

Ditches etc

NY66.86 28/5/1997 JDP


Low Cranecleugh NY66/7/8.85/

6

1988 JDP

KellahT-jncn NY666615 10/6/1988 JDP


Bullcrag Edge NY67.86 1988 JDP







Chirdon Burn Bower NY76.83 12/8/1997 JDP

Comb/Waterehead

area

NY76.90 24/6/1997 JDP



Denehead O.R. NY885945 5/5/1990 JDP





A common and widespread species of damp localities, favouring Ranunculaceae particularly in

spring.

Cheilosia grossa

Brandon River

Breamish

NU03/4.17 18/4/1994 JD

P

NY90. 46 31/5/1989 GS

:

Apparently rare in Northumberland, though may be under-recorded in

consequence of its early flight period.


Cheilosia illustrata

Rothley x-rds NZ043897 8/8/1984 JDP


Swineshaw/ March

Burns

NY802805 4/8/1991 JDP


NY78.64 30/7/1986 GS

NY94.54 30/7/1987 GS

NY94.56 17/7/1987 GS

NY98.50 8/8/1985 GS

Chevington B’mth NZ27.98 10/7/1992 JDP


Hesleyside NY81.83 14/7/1992 JDP





Harwood Forest NY989901 31/7/1995 JDP

Barrington

Ind Est Nelson

NZ25.78 1/8/1995 JDP



Side-rd to Stonehaugh NY807753 8/8/1995 JDP




Dean Burn

W of Wark

NY84/5.77 8/8/1995 JDP


Clay House NZ11/2.84 31/7/1995 JDP

Goose's Nest NY97/8.85 25/7/1995 JDP

Delf Burn NZ03.88 31/7/1995 JDP





Druridge Dunes NZ27.96/7 10/7/1992 JDP


Powburn Woods NU06/7.15/6 10/8/1984 JDP

Buston Links NU24.09 15/8/1988 JDP



Norham Wood

& old railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP


Mereburn NU03.12 23/6/1992 JDP

Cocklawburn Beach NU02/3.48 1983 JDP

NU05/6.09 11/7/1992 JDP

Thrunton/Callaly W NU06.10 11/7/1992 JDP




Common and widespread in summer.

Cheilosia impressa


Arcot Hall NZ24. 75 29/5/1987 JDP

Widespread in damp areas; becoming scarce in the north.

Cheilosia nasutula



Roughtinglinn NT983367 16/5/1992 JDP



Warkworth Dunes NU25.06 1987 JDP


One of the relatively few species of Syrphidae that becomes more frequent in the north.

Cheilosia pagana

Norham Wood

& old railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP

Holystone Burn NT94.01 1983 JDP

SGB


Roseden Picnic

Site & roadside

NU03.21 16/8/2000 JDP





Akenshaw Burn Bridge

area

NY62.89 24/6/1997 JDP

Lewisburn NY63.88 1988 JDP




Bullcrag Turn-off

Ditches etc

NY66.86 28/5/1997 JDP


Low Cranecleugh NY68.86 1988 JDP

A widespread species, more partial to open grassland.

Cheilosia praecox




Usually an early species of damp shrubby or wooded heaths.

Cheilosia variabilis





NY74.62 30/7/1986 GS




A common species of rich woodland verges. May have been overlooked.


Cheilosia vernalis








Buston Links NU24.09 15/8/1988 JDP



Denehead Otterburn NY885945 5/5/1990 JDP






Common and widespread ; associated with Yarrow in open situations.

Ferdinandea cuprea





Bolam Lake w NZ07.81 18/6/1992 JDP

Widely but thinly distributed in and around mature broadleaved and mixed

woodland.

Portevinia maculata







Fairly well distributed-governed by the prescence of Ramsons (Allium ursinum), the larval food

plant.


Rhingia campestris

Beltingham

Pawston Lough NT85 31j1/6/1986 JDP

Norham Wood & old

railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP




SGB




Haydondean NT97.43 7/7/1993 JDP

Roughtinglinn NT98.36 16/5/1992 JDP

Routinglinn NT98.36 16/5/1992 JDP







Snook Holy Is NU09/10.43 1985 JDP


Twizell Layby NU13.29 24/6/1984 JDP





Alnmouth Dunes S NU24.09 13/6/1987 JDP





Akenshaw Burn

Bridge area

NY62.89 24/6/1997 JDP



Lewisburn Flight

Ponds

NY63.88/9 24/6/1997 JDP

Butteryhaugh

Turn-off

NY63.92 28/5/1997 JDP



Bakethin Res NY63/4.91 31/7/1990 JDP


Kielder Burn Forks NY65.95 19/8/1997 JDP

Plashetts Burnside NY65/6,91 15/7/1997 JDP







NY74.62 3/6/1986 GS



NY76.62 30/7/1986 GS


Comb/Waterhead area NY76.90 24/6/1997 JDP


Whygates NY76/7.75 24/6/1997 JDP


NY78.58 2/8/1988 GS

NY78.60 8/5/1987 GS




Swineshaw/ March B NY79/80.80 4/8/1991 JDP

Tony's Patch

Honeycrook Burn

NY82.65 22/5/1994 JDP


NY82.66 16/9/1987 GS



Stewartshiel Forest NY85.99 &

NT85.00

9/8/1994 JDP


NY90.46 31/5/1989 GS

NY90.50 10/9/1985 GS

Yarridge NY91.62 29/7/1995 JDP

NY92.50 31/5/1989 GS

NY92.54 22/6/1987 GS

NY94.46 2/6/1988 GS

NY94.48 2/6/1988 GS

NY94.50 19/6/1986 GS

NY94.54 26/5/1987 GS


NY94.56 3/6/1987 GS

NY96.48 27/7/1988 GS

NY96.50 19/6/1986 GS

NY98 .50 8/8/1985 GS

Rothley X-rds NZ04.89 31/7/1995 JDP





Bolam NZ07.81 31/7/1995 JDP







Longhorsley W NZ14.94 26/5/1992 JDP




Generally plentiful around low vegetation.

Chrysogastrini

Chrysogaster chalybeata


Favours umbellifers in lush waterside vegetation.

Chrysogaster hirtella

Butteryhaugh NY63.93 -/6/1992 PK


NY90.46 28/6/1989 GS

NY96.54 1/7/1988 GS

Common and widespread in lush waterside vegetation. Possibly overlooked.


Chrysogaster solstitialis


SW Greenlee Lough NY76.69 9/8/1994 JDP

NY78.64 30/7/1986 GS




NY94.54 29/6/1987 GS

NY94.56 17/7/1987 GS

NY96.50 17/7/1987 GS

NY96.54 10/7/1987 GS

NY98.50 30/6/1987 GS





Widespread on waterside vegetation.

Chrysogaster virescens




Favours wet, acidic ground.

Lejogaster metallina

Elisheugh NT83.30 7/6/1986 JDP







Alnmouth Dunes S NU24.09 1987 JDP

Buston Links NU24/5.08 1987 JDP

Warkworth Dunes NU25/6. 05/6 1987 JDP






Chirdon Burn NY76.84 12/8/1997 JDP


NY78.64 30/7/1986 GS

NY94.54 3/8/1988 GS

NY94.56 11/6/1987 GS

NY96.50 12/6/1985 GS

NY98 .50 30/6/1987 GS




Warkworth lane Ponds NZ27.93 4/6/1994 JDP

A widespread species of wet meadows and ditches.

Neoascia meticulosa/aenea


Becoming scarce in the north, this species is associated with lush waterside

vegetation.

Neoascia podagrica


NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP


Ross Links NU13/4.36/7/8 23/8/1986 JDP





NY90.46 28/6/1989 GS

NY94.48 8/6/1986 GS

NY94.50 19/6/1986 GS

NY94.54 29/6/1987 GS

NY96.48 6/10/1988 GS

NY96.54 6/6/1988 GS

NY96.56 23/4/1987 GS


NY98.50 30/6/1987 GS


Warkworth Lane

Ponds

NZ27.93 4/6/1994 JDP

Much more widespread and less restricted to wetlands than the previous species.

Neoascia tenur/dispar







Whygates NY76./775 24/6/1997 JDP

Big Waters NZ22/373 18/7/1993 JDP


Warkworth lane

Layby Pond

NZ26.92 18/8/2000 JDP

A more localized species, associated with areas of eutrophic water-bodies.

Orthonevra nobilis

Kielder Burn fk NY65.95 25/6/1992 PK


Not very plentiful, but normally widespread in marshy areas. This species is

doubtless overlooked.

Orthonevra splendens



Orthonevra geniculata

Holystone Burn Res NT94.01 1985 JDP/

SGB

A species most typical of Highland bogs, it becomes scarcer proceeding

southwards but should be more plentiful than this.

Sphegina clunipes

Norham Wood

& old railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP



NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP







Akenshaw Burn

Bridge area

NY62.89 24/6/1997 JDP















NY80.60 1/7/1987 GS



NY94.54 10/7/1987 GS

NY94.56 10/7/1987 GS

NY98.50 30/6/1987 GS






Widespread and fairly common among low herbage.

The following records should be added to Part 1-no change to map is needed.

Parasyrphus punctulatus



Glow-worms?

In August 2000 I was in (name of exact location supplied) close to the River Tweed.

Beside the path I saw what I first thought to be the product of glow-worms. There was an area of

short grass dotted with about 100 points of light, each one centred on the open flower of a

common daisy. If one looked solely at one specific light then it pulsed with a timing of about ten

seconds 'on' followed by five seconds 'off'. This effect was not synchronised throughout the

population as a whole. We returned on two further nights with a torch but could see no glow-

worms. We looked closely at a flower or two but could see no obvious source. The question is,

what were we seeing?

W.B.Woodward, 22 Monks Crescent, Durham, DH1 1HD. Tel: 0191

3861965.

Bumblebees of Northumberland and Durham

I have been commissioned by English Nature to produce the above named volume

for which I have a publisher. There are some gaps in certain areas of both counties which need to

be filled. Would Vasculum readers please consider forwarding to me dead specimens that they

come across during the next few months. Dead specimens are unfortunately frequent in

greenhouses, conservatories, sheds and outhouses and also along roadside verges having been

killed by cars etc. I would appreciate any specimens in any condition together with the following

information-Place name, Grid reference, date and the name of the recorder sending the specimens.

Any species, no matter how common will be welcome. Please send to Harry Eales. 11 Ennerdale

Terrace, Low Westwood. Co. Durham. NE 17 7PN. Postage costs will be refunded to the sender.

Northern Naturalists’ Union Annual lecture

This will take place in the Scarborough Lecture Theatre in the Science Laboratories

of Durham University on Saturday October 20th at 2.00 p.m.. The speaker will be John Coulson

on ‘Moors, Bogs, Birds and Bugs’.


Obituary

Ralph H. Lowe

It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Ralph Lowe at the age of 91,

peacefully at a residential home. He was our oldest member and was elected President in 1967, 42

years after attending the 1st A.G.M. of the Union at the age of 15. Ralph will be remembered by

the older NNU members, and by members of the now defunct Sunderland NHS, which he helped

to inaugurate in 1963, as an all-round naturalist and regular attender at field meetings. Although

very knowledgeable on plants and lepidoptera, Ralph became an eminent authority on molluscs

and published double figure recordings of Northumberland and Durham molluscs in the

Vasculum from 1967 to 1975. Very little had been published on molluscs in the Vasculum since

the late Rev. Blackburn ceased his active work on the group ( His last list was in the August 1938

edition). I remember Ralph telling me that after poring over maps, he had visited every pond in

Northumberland and Durham! Lakes, reservoirs, burns, farmyard, ponds, quarries, walls and

castles were all looked at. I first met Ralph as a young biology teacher in 1958 at

Monkwearmouth Grammar School where he taught English and I taught his daughter and son

biology. He encouraged me to join the NNU and introduced me to several members. It was the

time when Heslop-Harrison was in his prime and his enthusiasm was very infectious. Ralph used

his expertise in English in his Presidential lecture in 1968 which was entitled "The Origin of Plant

Names". In a subsequent Vasculum issue, when the Editor asked for the origins of some 'nouns of

assembly', Ralph gave them and offered some more for good measure such as 'a murder of crows'

His funeral held at the Anglo-Saxon Church of St. Peter was apt as he had concerned himself a lot

with the archaeological digs of the monastery in the 1960s and he wrote leaflets on St. Peter's

Church and the monastery. Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Margaret, daughter Kathleen

and son Norman.

Dennis Hall

Although Ralph lived in Sunderland, I only met him three or four times when he

visited the museum. He was already in his early 80s when we first met. I remember him telling

me how he took part in a major mollusc mapping scheme organised by the Rev. E.P. Blackburn in

the 1930s. The results of the scheme were published in the Transactions of the N.N.U. in 1934.

Thirty years later, he was enlisted as recorder for Northumberland and Durham when Dr M.P.

Kerney was coordinating a national mollusc recording scheme. The results of Ralph's own efforts

in local recording were eventually published by the Hancock Museum in 1989 as An Atlas of the

Land and Freshwater Mollusca of Northumberland and Durham. Only people who have seen

through projects like this will realise the work involved! Ralph attended the first N.N.U. annual

meeting in 1924 and was still subscribing when I was editor, which means he was associated with

the union for almost 77 years - a record unlikely to be broken. He was active among a generation

of naturalists who are now passed away, and could tell stories about, for instance, a


local teacher in the 1930s whose pupils were taught to make their own collecting gear before they

were taken on their first field trip!

Les Jessop

Keeper of Biology

A Prattle Of Earth-Tongues

A.W.Legg. 36 Carleton Drive, Darlington DL3 9QP

Despite the fact that the Geoglossaceae (Heliotales:Ascomycotina) form a compact

group of fungi, there is still disagreement about the placement of some genera within it. No such

disagreement, however, exists concerning the three central genera of earth- tongues proper:

Geoglossum, Microglossum and Trichoglossum. These all have certain features in common: a

solid, sterile, cylindrical stem which may be smooth, sticky or scurfy, and a fertile upper part

varying in shape from spathulate to clavate, normally flattened and grooved on one or both sides.

Ascomata may vary in length between two and ten centimetres.

The two British species of Microglossum are greenish in colour and usually found

near trees. There are five species of Trichoglossum, characterised by minute setae or "hairs"

within the hymenium, while the nine or ten species of Geoglossum lack such hairs. Both

Geoglossum and Trichoglossum are black or blackish brown in colour. Habitats vary but

unimproved upland pasture is favoured by a range of species. It is virtually impossible to separate

species of the latter two genera without close microscopical examination.

None of the earth-tongues is considered common in Britain and some are distinctly

rare. The recording history of this group between Tees and Tweed is extremely thin. The vague

records of "G. hirsutum” and "G. viscosum" in Winch (1831) do no more than suggest that one

species of Trichoglossum and one of Geoglossum had been found in County Durham by the early

years of the nineteenth century. For these, as indeed for most species of fungi, there is an

enormous time-gap before records begin to appear again. Prof. M.C. Potter claimed in the

Victoria County History of Durham in 1907 that "G. viscosum" and "G. glabrum" were known in

the County but no locations were cited and, indeed, the epithet "glabrum" is now considered a

nomen ambiguum.

Perhaps the most telling evidence that earth-tongues have been, until very recently,

rather uncommon in County Durham lies in the fact that J.B.Nicholson, the noted botanist and

passionate mycologist, is not known to have recorded any at all. A protégé of Yorkshire

mycologist, F.A.Mason, Nicholson was active in the Darlington and Teesdale area during the

second quarter of the twentieth century. Throughout this period he led regular autumn fungus

forays of the Darlington and Teesdale Naturalists' Field Club, at first with Mason and latterly by

himself. In addition to detailed foray lists in the possession of the Club, Nicholson left an

annotated copy of Mason and Grainger's "Catalogue of Yorkshire Fungi" (1937). This work lists

all fungi known to have been found in Yorkshire up to the date of publication and, alongside the

names, has five columns, one for each of the


Yorkshire vice-counties. A cross in a column indicates that the relevant fungus has been recorded

in the corresponding vice- county. Not only did Nicholson update his copy with further crosses

for both VC62 and VC65 but, on each page, kept VC66 records in an additional column, crossed

in red ink in his own hand. Neither in the foray lists nor in his copy of the Yorkshire Catalogue

did Nicholson indicate that a single earth-tongue specimen had been found during his active

period of 25 years. It is felt to be significant that such an observant and dedicated mycologist

failed to make any such records over such a long period.

It remains just possible that Nicholson was never in the right place at the right time

but renewed mycological activity in more recent years has not been much more productive of

records. Collections determined to species include one of Geoglossum faIIax from unimproved

pasture on the northern bank of the Tees at Cotherstone (NZ0120) on 12 Oct. 1985 and one of

Trichoglossum hirsutum from mossy ground in Moorhouse Wood (NZ3046) on 25 Sept. 1993.

There was a collection of Geoglossum cookeanum from North Gare dunes, made by Alex Weir in

the early 1990s but the exact date has been lost. Collections of earth-tongues have also been made

in recent years in upland areas of Northumberland by Gordon Simpson but not definitively

identified. On 24 November 1999, this author was delighted to find a colony of Geoglossum

faIIax in damp mossy grass in Darlington West Cemetery (NZ2714). Good material persisted well

into January 2000 and, in the succeeding autumn, this site was carefully scrutinised for re-

emergence of this species.

On 2 October 2000, G. fallax was again found at the original station. A few days

later, earth-tongue material was sent by Gordon Simpson from Wark Forest in Northumberland

and determined as being of G. faIIax and G. umbratile. On 14 October G. faIIax and G.

glukinosum were found in a field by Kepier Woods, Durham and, two days later, Darlington West

Cemetery was found to have produced material of G. umbratile and T. hirsutum. From then until

late, November, records accumulated from sites in North Yorkshire (VC62; VC65) and South

Durham. In particular, a number of collections of G. fallax made from mossy lawns in Darlington.

In all, 22 examined collections were found to be of the five species: G. cookeanum, G. fallax, G.

glutinosum. G. umbratile and T. hirsutum.

In the following months it became clear that earth-tongues, mainly of the same five

species, had appeared in enormous numbers in many widespread parts of England in the late

autumn of 2000. This author has so far had confirmatory evidence from Cornwall, Devon,

Leicestershire, Oxfordshire.. Surrey and Warwickshire. 425+ ascomata were counted on lawns of

a single house near Taunton. In Kew Gardens, the first collections since 1947 were made (A.

Henrici, in litt.). Of particular interest is the appearance of earth-tongues, most frequently G.

faIIax, on mossy garden lawns in lowland urban areas. The youngest of these sites is known to be

28 years old.

As yet it is possible only to speculate on reasons for this phenomenon. It is not

unusual for spectacular flushes of normally uncommon fungal species to occur when weather

and/or other conditions are favourable. It is much less common for such fruitings to extend across

whole families. An obvious correlation is with the very wet weather in 2000. There is however,

fragmentary evidence that the spread


of earth-tongues began unnoticed in the late 1990s and only became dramatically evident in 2000.

It is tempting to think that this phenomenon is in some way linked to more general climate

change.

We may or may not find that earth-tongues become a common sight on garden-lawns

in years to come. Their possible spread in such habitats can easily be monitored by naturalists

who need do no more than keep an eye on their own lawns in October and November. This author

would be happy to examine material of any such collections made by Vasculum readers in the

autumn of 2001.

References

Mason ,F. A. & Grainger,J. 1937. A Catalogue of Yorkshire Fungi. London: A.

Brown & Sons .

Winch,N.J. 1831. Flora of Northumberland and Durham. Newcastle: T. & J.

Hodgson.

CORRECTIONS

New and significant records of fungi from VC66, 1998-1999

85(2):4 in table:

totals additions %increase

505 (not 605) 29 (not 35)

Endophragmiella aseptata Hol. –Jech. – a Hyphomycete new to Britain found in Darlington

West Cemetery

85(4):44 last line, for “possible” read “impossible”.

Alan Legg

New Butterflies, Moths and Grasshopper at Malton

Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni 15.5.00 Malton village

Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus 4.7.00 Malton Reserve

Fanfoot Herminia tarsipennalis 30.7.00 Malton village

Buff Arches Habrosyne pyritoides 30.7.00 Malton village

Mottled grasshopper Myrmeleotettix maculatus Malton Reserve

This is not a new species for Malton but is very rarely recorded in Durham.

Oak nycteoline Nycteola revayana fm. undulana Malton Tce. 27.8.00

Terry Coult

Clouded Yellow

A Clouded Yellow was seen by myself on Deadwater Fell, Northumberland, on

October 1st , 2000. I believe this is the second record for the area.

Dr. Anne T. Pickering


An Annotated Bibliography of Papers on the Geology of Northeast England by Charles

Taylor Trechmann: Part 2 (conclusion)- Mainly Permian

STEPHEN K. DONOVAN

Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum,

Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD

INTRODUCTION

“The Permian in Durham is the most internally disturbed of the newer or covering beds of

England.” (Trechmann, 1954, p. 193.)

This paper concludes a survey of those publications of Dr. C.T. Trechmann on the geology of

northeast England. For a general introduction, see Donovan (1999) and relevant references

therein. The following part of this bibliography contains 16 entries, each of which I have briefly

summarised for the general reader. The following brief synthesis highlights the principal

contributions of Trechmann’s published research on the Permian and related deposits of northeast

England, and how his observations and ideas were viewed by contemporary and later authors.

SYNTHESIS OF TRECHMANN’S OBSERVATIONS AND IDEAS

“The occurrence of this thick, apparently lens-like mass of anhydrite at Hartlepool led me

to the idea that probably some of the local displacements or abnormal junctions that are

apparent in the Magnesian Limestone, especially in the Sunderland area, may have been

assisted by solution of sulphates once present in the rock and were not due to definite

tectonic thrusting.” (Trechmann, 1942, p. 325.)

Carboniferous

Trechmann and Woolacott (1919) described a site that they considered to be the highest

exposed within the Carboniferous of the northern coalfield, based on palaeontological evidence.

Smith (1994, pp. 44, 46) considered this locality to be high in the Middle Coal Measures only,

presumably because the presence of the zone fossil Anthraconauta phillipsii was doubted.

However, A. phillipsii has been identified from the Boldon Syncline, which is thus in the Upper

Coal Measures.

Permian-Triassic

The Durham coast exposes the thickest sequence of Upper Permian (Zechstein) marine

deposits seen in Britain. Trechmann’s idea that collapse within this succession followed

dissolution of evaporite minerals such as anhydrite has been generally supported (see, for

example, Smith and Francis, 1967, p. 122). The complexity of these deposits that was recognised

by Trechmann was echoed by Smith et al. (1974, p. 19), who noted that “Collapse-brecciation and

associated mineralogical changes contributed to significant misunderstandings of parts of the

general stratigraphy of the Permian of the Durham coast ...” Further, Trechmann’s


papers must be commended for his willingness to include essential data that might otherwise have

been lost, such as borehole logs.

In the most thorough assessment of the geology of the Sunderland area, Smith (1994)

provided many observations and interpretations that either complemented or contradicted those of

Trechmann. As noted by Trechmann, the Marl Slate Formation is the first widespread marine

deposit of the Zechstein (marine Upper Permian). This is overlain by the Raisby Formation

(=Lower Magnesian Limestone of Trechmann; Table 1 herein), which includes a total fauna of

marine invertebrates similar to that of the overlying Ford Formation (=Middle Magnesian

Limestone of Trechmann), although less diverse than that of the Ford Formation reefs. The Ford

Formation represents a wedge-shaped carbonate shelf including reefal and reef-related facies.

Trechmann considered that the main reef trend represented a series of reef knolls, but the valleys

separating these knolls are of recent origin and it is probable that the Ford Formation reef formed

a continuous reef crest that is only discontinuously preserved, such as at Humbledon (formerly

Humbleton) Hill (see Trechmann, 1945a, pp. 341, 344; Smith, 1995, pp. 66-71). Lagoonal facies

behind the reef include patch reefs. The Ford Quarry was erroneously interpreted as Lower

Magnesian Limestone by Trechmann (1945a), but rather provides the type area for the

stratigraphically higher Ford Formation (=Middle Magnesian Limestone), which includes

evidence of submarine slides and allochthonous blocks (Smith, 1995, pp. 57-63), rather than the

tectonic thrusting of Trechmann’s (1945a, 1954) earlier interpretation. It is also relevant to

mention here that Trechmann’s (1914b) ideas on primary dolomite deposition and “mechanical

dedolomitization” have generally proved erroneous (they seem to have received little support at

the time) and, as elsewhere, these appear to have been produced dominantly by post-depositional

chemical processes (Smith, 1994, pp. 79-80). Trechmann’s lithostratigraphic terminology is

compared with modern usage in Table 1.

Apart from that by Trechmann (1931), there were two further papers published in the

1931 special issue of Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association that considered the Permian of

northeast England and give some indication of contemporary acceptance of his ideas. Hickling &

Holmes (1931) supported the determination by Trechmann (1913b, 1914b) that brecciation in the

Middle Magnesian Limestone was associated with evaporite hydration and dissolution.

Trechmann’s (1914b) analytical results were also regarded as important supporting evidence for a

secondary origin for concretionary structures in the limestones by Holmes (1931).

Trechmann’s (1930) critique of Sherlock’s (1911) correlation of the basal Bunter

(=Lower Triassic) in the Nottinghamshire area with the Upper Permian of Durham, which

Trechmann did not accept, has been supported by subsequent workers. Modern workers have the

advantage of an improved understanding of Permian-Triassic successions deposited under

terrestrial conditions that has been provided subsequently by exploration for petroleum in the

North Sea. As Warrington et al. (1980, p. 50) noted, “There is no palaeontological evidence for

the objective location of the Permian-Triassic boundary in [Nottinghamshire] and the horizon

arbitrarily selected for that boundary corresponds with that adopted ... for the basinal Southern

North Sea succession.” The stratigraphic position of the Bunter


Pebble Beds, now named the Nottingham Castle Formation, is firmly fixed in the Lower Triassic,

where it rests on Lower Permian deposits overlain by Zechstein (Warrington et al., 1980).

The attempt by Trechmann (1954) to integrate his observations on the Zechstein of

northeast England into his theory of mountain uplift (Trechmann, 1945b, 1948, 1950, 1958)

failed. Trechmann related vertical movements to a combination of evaporite hydration and

dissolution, and Tertiary tectonic movements, of which uplift was the most obvious, but he did

not recognise the contributory influence of synsedimentary deformation. How vertical movements

were linked to horizontal thrusting was not clearly elucidated by Trechmann. Certainly, the

attempt to link uplift to gravitational effects failed. Trechmann’s idea’s on this subject were at

first largely ignored (Anon, 1946; Chubb, 1980; Fortey, 1997, pp. 277-278) and then superceded

in the 1960s by the widely accepted theory of plate tectonics. However, it is worth emphasising

that Trechmann’s mountain uplift theory wasn’t the only such post-war postulation concerning

the mechanisms of mountain building to meet its demise at this time (see, for example, Lees,

1953; Gallant, 1964).

For more recent syntheses of the marine Permian of northeast England, see Smith et al.

(1974), Harwood and Smith (1986), Hollingworth and Pettigrew (1988) and Smith (1994, 1995).

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Relevant papers are listed in chronological order.

Trechmann, C.T. 1913a. On a mass of anhydrite in the Magnesian Limestone of Hartlepool.

Geological Magazine, 50: 94-95. [Summary of a paper read at the Geological Society of

London, January 8, 1913; published as Trechmann, 1913b.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1913b. On a mass of anhydrite in the Magnesian Limestone at Hartlepool, and

on the Permian of south-eastern Durham. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society,

London, 69: 184-218, pl. 22. [The limitations implied by the title disguise a broader

analysis of the Magnesian Limestone. The presence of Hartlepool harbour is attributed to

the erosion/solution of a large body of anhydrite within the upper Magnesian Limestone,

a unit that is more or less gypsiferous throughout. Evidence included borehole data and

large boulders of anhydrite in local boulder clay. Brachiopods within the limestone

beneath the anhydrite indicated that it is fully within the Magnesian Limestone.

Brecciation of the Magnesian Limestone was attributed to post-deposition removal of

sulphates. The latter part of the paper discussed measured sections and the fauna of the

limestone, interpreting the shell limestone as a chain of reef knolls. A discussion by J.W.

Evans was supportive.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1914a. The lithology and composition of Durham Magnesian Limestones.

Geological Magazine, 51: 179-180. [Summary of a paper read at the Geological Society

of London, February 4, 1914; published as Trechmann, 1914b.]


Trechmann, C.T. 1914b. On the lithology and composition of Durham Magnesian Limestones.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 70: 232-265, pls 36, 37. [A paper

that included analyses and comments on 76 samples taken from a range of horizons

within the Permian of northeast England, as part of Trechmann’s broader study of the

agents and mechanisms of dolomitization and dedolomitization within these rocks. Based

on various lines of evidence that were presented, Trechmann considered that much of the

Magnesian Limestone’s dolomitic strata resulted from direct deposition. That extensive

secondary dolomitization had also occurred in some deposits (for example, the Bryozoan

Reef) was also accepted. In addition to solution, Trechmann’s ideas on primary/secondary

dolomite and dedolomitization relied strongly on the evidence of mechanical, rather than

chemical, removal, particularly where associated with evaporites. The discussion by J.W.

Evans took Trechmann to task over this; Trechmann countered by suggesting the term

“mechanical dedolomitization” to distinguish it from dedolomitization by chemical

pathways.]

Trechmann, C.T. & Woolacott, D. 1919. On the highest Coal-Measures or "Zone" of Anthrcomya

phillipsi in the Durham Coalfield. Geological Magazine, 56: 203-211, pl. 5.

[Palaeontological evidence indicated that the succession on the north bank of the Wear at

Claxheugh, Co. Durham, was the highest exposed within the Carboniferous of the

northern coalfield. The extended section on palaeontology, by Trechmann, discussed two

common species of bivalves in detail, and referred to plant remains, ostracods, fish scales,

insects and the limuloid Bellinurus trechmanni Woodward. A rare joint paper by

Trechmann.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1921. Some remarkably preserved brachiopods from the Lower Magnesian

Limestone of Durham. Geological Magazine, 58: 538-543, pl. 12. [An account of two

slabs from the calcareous Lower Magnesian Limestone of East Thickley Quarry, near

Shildon railway station, Co. Durham. These slabs preserved spinose productids that

retained smaller brachiopods attached close to the preserved extremities of some spines.

Both productids were illustrated and described, but there was little interpretation or

discussion.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1925a. The Permian of Durham. Geological Magazine, 62: 283-284. [Summary

of a paper read at the Geologists’ Association, March 6, 1925; published as Trechmann,

1925b.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1925b. The Permian Formation in Durham. Proceedings of the Geologists'

Association, 36: 135-145, pls 13-15. [A review paper which included a map

differentiating between the separate lithological units within the Magnesian Limestone of

Durham, and based on Woolacott’s map (1912), Geological Survey 1" drift maps and

Trechmann’s own observations. A detailed table summarised the distribution of species of

shelly macrofauna within the Permian of Durham and illustrated the reduction in diversity

from the middle (=reefal) to the upper part of the succession. The similarity of the

Durham Permian to certain coeval deposits in Germany was emphasised.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1930. The relation of the Permian and Trias in northeast England. Proceedings

of the Geologists' Association, 41: 323-335, pl. 22. [A critique of Sherlock (1911), in

which the base of the Bunter (=Lower Triassic) of Nottinghamshire was correlated with

the Upper Permian of Durham. As


Trechmann stated (p. 325), “... it is the whole of the Upper Magnesian Limestone of Durham, a

series which may reach 650 feet in thickness, which Dr. Sherlock proposes to make the

time equivalent of a portion of the Bunter in Nottinghamshire.” Two sections in

Nottinghamshire, at Annesley Tunnel and Bulwell, were referred to in support of

Trechmann’s view that the Bunter is the basal unit of a Triassic retrograde succession

over the underlying marine Permian. Trechmann was rightly critical of Sherlock’s idea

that Permian shelly fossils are not of value in biostratigraphic correlation. Discussions by

E.E.L. Dixon and F. Smithson were generally supportive of Trechmann; that of P.F.

Kendall did not address directly the concerns of Trechmann’s paper.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1931. The Permian. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 42: 246-252. [A

brief paper, prepared for the summer field meeting of the Geologists’ Association,

summarising the Permian succession in Northumberland and Durham.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1932. The Permian shell-limestone reef beneath Hartlepool. Geological

Magazine, 69: 166-175. [A borehole 225 feet deep sunk at West Hartlepool Waterworks

included the top 153 feet of a Middle Magnesian Limestone shell reef, illustrated by a

measured section and supplemented by notes on identified fossil taxa.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1942. Borings in the Permian and Coal Measures around Hartlepool.

Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, 24 (for 1941): 313-327. [Seven new

borehole logs from southeast Durham were documented. Much of the interest of this

paper is in the details of faunal and lithological variations. For example, a Lower

Carboniferous(?) clast was found in the basal Permian conglomerate at Thorpe Bulmer

Farm; the middle Magnesian Limestone at Howbeck was described as bearing a strong

resemblance to “some parts of the German Zechstein” (p. 320); and a new boring at West

Hartlepool Waterworks, only 25 yards from that described by Trechmann in 1932,

showed notable faunal differences to the earlier borehole.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1945a. On some new Permian fossils from the Magnesian Limestone near

Sunderland. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 100 (for 1944): 333-

354, pl. 15. [The first record since 1864 of species new to the Magnesian Limestone,

including two new species of brachiopod, Chonetes woolacotti and Chonetes kirkbyi.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1953. In Raymond, L.R. Some geological results from the exploration for

potash in north-east Yorkshire. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 108

(for 1952): 307-308. [Discussion of Raymond (1953).]

Trechmann, C.T. 1954. Thrusting and other movements in the Durham Permian. Geological

Magazine, 91: 193-208. [Trechmann pointed out the problematic origins of horizontal and

low angle thrust faults in the Permian of Durham, which were difficult to relate solely to

brecciation and collapse produced by evaporite hydration and solution at depth. A number

of examples were given, but the suggestion that most thrusts are minor and local

undermined Woolacott’s idea that they represented major movements against the Lake

District massif.]


Arkell, W.J. & 61 others (including Trechmann, C.T.). 1954. Directory of British Fossiliferous

Localities. Palaeontographical Society, London, xiv+268 pp. [Trechmann presumably

wrote part or all of the entry for Durham (eleven localities; eight Permian, three

Carboniferous).]

Acknowledgements.--I thank the editor, Dr. M. Birtle, for his invitation to contribute this article.

My wife’s forbearance while I researched the bulk of this paper while on holiday in August 2000

is very gratefully acknowledged.

REFERENCES

Anon. 1946. Mechanism of orogenesis and volcanic activity. Nature, 157: 509.

Chubb, L.J. 1980. A critical appreciation of the late C.T. Trechmann’s contributions to Caribbean

geology. Journal of the Geological Society of Jamaica, 19: 47-51.

Donovan, S.K. 1999. An annotated bibliography of papers on the geology of northeast England

by Charles Taylor Trechmann: Part 1 - Quaternary. The Vasculum, 84(3): 4-18.

Fortey, R. 1997. Life: An Unauthorised Biography. HarperCollins, London, xiv+399 pp.

Gallant, R.L.C. 1964. Bombarded Earth (An Essay on the Geological and Biological Effects of

Huge Meteorite Impacts). John Baker, London, 256 pp.

Harwood, G.M. & Smith, D.B. 1986. The English Zechstein and Related Topics. Geological

Society Special Publication, 22: vii+244 pp.

Hickling, G. & Holmes, A. 1931. The brecciation of the Permian rocks. Proceedings of the

Geologists’ Association, 42: 252-255.

Hollingworth, N.T.J. & Pettigrew, T.H. 1988. Zechstein Reef Fossils and their Palaeoecology.

Field Guides to Fossils, 3. Palaeontological Association, London, iv+75 pp.

Holmes, A. 1931. Concretionary and oolitic structures of the Permian rocks. Proceedings of the

Geologists’ Association, 42: 255-259.

Lees, G.M. 1953. The evolution of a shrinking Earth. Quarterly Journal of the Geological

Society, 109: 217-257.

Raymond, L.R. 1953. Some geological results from the exploration for potash in north-east

Yorkshire. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 108 (for 1952): 283-310.

Sherlock, R.L. 1911. The relationship of the Permian to the Trias in Nottinghamshire. Quarterly

Journal of the Geological Society, London, 67: 75-117.

Smith, D.B. 1994. Geology of the Country around Sunderland. Memoir for 1:50,000 Geological

Sheet 21 (England and Wales). HMSO, London, xii+161 pp.

Smith, D.B. 1995. Marine Permian of England. Geological Conservation Review, 8. Chapman

and Hall, London, xii+205 pp.

Smith, D.B., Brunstrom, R.G.W., Manning, P.I., Simpson, S. & Shotton, F.W. 1974. A

correlation of the Permian rocks in the British Isles. Geological Society Special Report, 5:

45 pp.


Smith, D.B. & Francis, E.A. 1967. The Geology of the Country between Durham and West

Hartlepool. Memoir for the 1:50,000 Geological Sheet 27 (England and Wales). HMSO,

London, xiv+354 pp.

Smith, D.B., Harwood, G.M., Pattison, J. & Pettigrew, T.H. 1986. A revised nomenclature for

Upper Permian strata in eastern England. In Harwood, G.M. & Smith, D.B. (eds), The

English Zechstein and Related Topics. Geological Society Special Publication, 22: 9-17.

Trechmann, C.T. 1945b. The West Indies and the Mountain Uplift Problem. Privately published

by the author, Castle Eden, 25 pp.

Trechmann, C.T. 1948. The West Indies and the Mountain Uplift Problem. Part II - Additional

Observations 1948. Privately published by the author, Castle Eden, 31 pp.

Trechmann, C.T. 1950. New Zealand and my Forbidden Theory of Mountain Uplift. Part III of

the West Indies and the Mountain Uplift Problem. Privately published by the author,

Castle Eden, 35 pp.

Trechmann, C.T. 1958. The evidence for cosmic upward pull in mountain and land uplift.

Geological Magazine, 95: 426-436.

Warrington, G., Audley-Charles, M.G., Elliott, R.E., Evans, W.B., Ivimey-Cook, H.C., Kent,

P.E., Robinson, P.L., Shotton, F.W. & Taylor, F.M. 1980. A correlation of the Triassic

rocks in the British Isles. Geological Society Special Report, 13: 78 pp.

Woolacott, D. 1912. The stratigraphy and tectonics of the Permian of Durham (northern area).

Proceedings of the University of Durham Philosophical Society, 4: 241- 331.

Table 1 Modern stratigraphic nomenclature of the exposed Upper Permian rocks of the Durham

Province, northeast England (adapted and modified, in part, after Smith et al., 1986, table 1;

Smith, 1994, table 2; 1995, tables 1.2, 3.1), with terminology of the same succession as used by

Trechmann. Key: *=Upper Magnesian Limestone.

Current formation names Terminology used by C.T. Trechmann

Seaham Formation Filograna Beds*

Seaham Residue and Fordon Evaporite

Formation

Roker Dolomite Formation Upper Hartlepool and Roker Dolomites*

Concretionary Limestone Formation Concretionary Series or Cannon Ball

Limestone* (including Flexible Limestones*)

Residue of Hartlepool Anhydrite Formation Residue of Hartlepool Anhydrite

Ford Formation Middle Magnesian Limestone

Raisby Formation Lower Magnesian Limestone

Marl Slate Formation Marl Slate


Field Meetings-Important Notice

It was with great sadness that the Union decided at the Annual General Meeting on the 24 th

March 2000 to cancel all field meetings for 2001. This is due to the outbreak of foot and

mouth disease in Durham and Northumberland and the subsequent restrictions. All

footpaths and nature reserves, including those at coastal sites are closed.

The meeting decided that the situation would be reviewed before the June issue of the

Vasculum and some meetings may take place after June if restrictions begin to be lifted.

Further details will appear in the next Vasculum.

A number of options were considered by the meeting but because of the seriousness of the

outbreak in our counties no practical alternative to cancellation could be found.

AGM 2001

The Seventy Seventh Annual General meeting was held in the Darlington Arts

Centre at 2.00 pm on Saturday 24th March 2001. The venue was changed from Rainton Meadows

at short notice due to Foot and Mouth restrictions. The minutes of the seventy sixth meeting were

read and agreed. Officers were re-elected and reports taken from the officers of the Union. Mr. G.

Simpson was elected as a vice president of the Union. A new balance sheet was requested as the

Auditor and meeting had difficulties understanding the sheet that was presented. It was agreed

that a new sheet would be published in the Vasculum in due course. The meeting thanked the

officers of the Union for their work during the year.

The field secretary had compiled an excellent series of field meetings for the year

that unfortunately, and with great reluctance, had to be cancelled (or deferred hopefully) for the

year due to the foot and mouth restrictions. It was pointed out that access to virtually all areas was

being denied. It was agreed that the situation would be kept under review and if the situation

changed meeting notices would appear in a future issue of the Vasculum.

The meeting then held a short conversazione and examined exhibits provided by

members.


Officers and Council of the Union 2001

President

Dr. M. Birtle

President Elect

Mr. A. Legg

Vice Presidents

Dr.H. Ellis, Dr. M. Birtle, G. Simpson, Dr. L. Davies, Dr. M. Luff, Dr. J. Turner, Mrs. J. Stobbs,

Mrs G. Batey, Messrs. N. Cook, D. Hall, M. Mann

Hon. General Secretary

Mr. C.L. Evans

Hon. Treasurer

C/o Durham Wildlife Trust

Hon. Editors

Dr. M Birtle

Dr. P. Gates

Hon. Field Secretary

Mr. L. Moore

Hon. Auditor

Mr. D. Hall


LOCAL RECORDERS (recorders: please notify changes or additions to the editor)

Butterflies

B.R.C. recorder, Northumberland and Durham: Ian Waller, 42 College View, Delves Lane, Consett, County

Durham, DH8 7DB.

Moths

B.R.C. recorder, County Durham: Alan & Jeri Coates, Forest Lodge, Hamsterley Forest, Bishop Auckland,

County Durham. DL13 3NL.

B.R.C. recorder, Northumberland: Mr N. Cook, 31 Lyndhurst Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 3LJ.

Dragonflies

BRC, & British Dragonfly Society North of England recorder: David Clarke, Burnfoot, Cumwhitton, Carlisle,

Cumbria CA4 9EX.

Birds

Durham Bird Club: Tony Armstrong, 39 Western Hill, Durham City, County Durham. DH1 4RJ (tel. 386 1519).

Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club: Nick Rossiter, West Barn, Lee Grange, Ordley, Hexham. NE46 1SX.

Amphibia and Reptiles

Refer records to: Graeme Skinner, c/o Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-

Spring, Tyne and Wear,DH4 6PU

Mammals (general)

Northumberland: Mary Gough, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas Park, Gosforth,

Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884)

Durham: Kevin O'Hara, 65 Pallion Park, Pallion, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR4 6QE. (tel. 0191 510 1761).

Bats

Northumberland Bat Group: Ruth Hadden, East Farm Cottage, Ryal, Northumberland. NE20 0SA.

Durham Bat Group: Noel Jackson, c/o Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-


Badgers (Badger groups may be contacted via the relevant Wildlife Trusts).

Plants

B.S.B.I. recorder (Durham): G.G. Graham, 3 The Willows, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7HH.

B.S.B.I. recorder (Northumberland): Professor G.A. Swan, 81 Wansdyke, Morpeth, Northumberland. NE61 3QY.

Algae: Dr F.G. Hardy, Dept of Marine Sciences & Coastal management, Ridley Building, University of Newcastle

upon Tyne NE1 7RU.

Spiders

Isobel Baldwin, British Arachnological Society Recorder,14 Murrayfield Drive, Brandon, Durham, DH7 8TG.

Geological

Contact: S.G. McLean, The Hancock Museum, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne.NE2 4PT.

ISSN 0049-5891

Volume 86 No. 2

THE VASCULUM


of Natural History

Editors:

Dr P.J. Gates,([email protected])


University Science Laboratories,South Road,Durham.


4, Fulmar Rd.,

Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, TS20 1SL


THE VASCULUM









meetings.



sites.






around 200.





Durham (1986 & 1992). Copies of these publications are available from the editors.

The NNU organises a series of field meetings each year, and arranges a speaker for the an Annual






THE VASCULUM 86(2):1 June(2001)

THE VASCULUM

Vol. 86, No 2 June 2001

Field Meetings 2001

The mild relaxation of foot and mouth restrictions has made some field meetings possible. It is

also possible that the field meeting 'season' may be ex1ended. There have been some requests in

the past for late autumn and even winter meetings. Any such field meetings will be detailed in the

next Vasculum. Due to the short notice details of the field meetings are limited to

dates/times/meeting place. Participants at the meetings will arrange leadership on an ad-hoc basis.

Please note details carefully as Trimdon meeting will be on a Sunday.

Sunday July 15th, 2.00 pm Raisby Way and Trimdon Quarry. Meet at NZ364354 where the

railway walk joins the road.

Saturday 28th July, 2.00•pm., Bishop Middleham quarry NZ331326,

Saturday 18th August, 2.00 pm, Hawthorn Dene at NZ423459,

Saturday 8th September, 2.00 pm, Hesleden Dene meet on the track in the village at NZ442380.

Saturday 29th September, ZOO'pm Shibdon Pond meet at the swimming pool car park

NZ195626.

Ideas for meeting(s) in Northumberland will be gratefully received.


Hoverflies of Northumberland-Part 3- Milesiinae (Eristalini , Merodontini, Pipizini,

Sericomyiini, Volucellini, and Xylotini)

J.D. Parrack, 7 Easdale, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, NE26 4HR

JDP=J.D. Parrack HFC=H.F. Church

GS= G. Simpson PK=P. Kirby

SGB= S.G. Ball

O.R.= Otterburn Ranges. B’mth=Burnmouth

N.B. records by G.Simpson are only designated to within the tetrad. Records by JDP with only

the year appended are taken from abstracts of surveys carried out in those years.

Eristalini

Anasimyia contracta


Associated with Typha in lowland marshes, becoming rather scarce in the

north.

Anasimyia lineata

Bamburgh Dunes NU18/934 15/8/1993 JDP


Warkworth Lane

Layby

Pond

NZ26.92 18/8/2000 JDP

A local species of lowland marshes and eutrophic lakes.


Eristalis abusivus



Alnmouth S Salt Marsh NU24.09/10 22/6/1994 JDP

NY94.54 14/7/1987 GS


More typical of coastal wetlands elsewhere, but never a common species.

The Yardhope record is unusual.

Eristalis arbustorum


Forest Drive Lad's Cleugh NT76.00 19/8/1997 JDP

Byrness entr

to Forest Drive

NT78.00 30/5/1995 JDP



Norham Wood

& old railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP









Bridge over

R Breamish

NT99.16 16/8/2000 JDP





Thrunton Woods NU06.09/1

0

23/6/1992 JDP

Powburn Woods NU06/7.15

/6

10/8/1984 JDP

Snook Holy Is NU09/10.4

3

17/8/1985 JDP



Ross Links NU13/4.36

/7/8

10/8/1986 JDP








Alnmouth S Dunes NU24.09 3/7/1987 JDP


Warkworth Dunes NU26.05 10/7/1987 JDP


nr Deadwater NY60.96 1988 JDP









Bakethin SW shore NY63.91 12/8/1997 JDP











Low Cranecleugh NY68.85/6 1988 JDP


Water Board NY70.86 12/8/1997 JDP

Smales T-jncn NY71.85 6/8/1997 JDP


Highfield Burn NY7490/1 6/8/1997 JDP





Whygate NY76/7.75/6 8/8/1995 JDP







NY78 .98 3/8/1990 GS

Ninebanks NY78.53 29/7/1995 JDP



Swineshaw/ March bn NY79/80.80 16/7/1991 JDP







Old Railway Bridge Redesmouth NY85.92 25/7/1995 JDP





NY92.50 21/9/1989 GS

NY94.52 30/7/1987 GS

NY94.54 26/5/1987 GS

NY94.56 10/7/1987 GS

NY96.50 17/7/1987 GS

NY96.54 10/7/1987 GS
















Hagg Farm Layby NZ26.92 1/8/1995 JDP

Warkworth Lane Layby Pond NZ26.92 18/8/2000 JDP

Warkworth Lane Campsite entr NZ27.92 18/8/2000 JDP


Chevington B’mth NZ27.98 1017/1992 JDP



7 Easedale Seaton Sluice NZ332767 5/6/1998 JDP


Old Hartley/Holywell Dene NZ34.76 2/8/1995 JDP

Widespread and common.

Eristalis horticola




Gallaly Castle NU05.09 23/6/1992 JDP











CupolaStaward NY79.58 11/6/1992 JDP






NY94.48 8/6/1986 GS

NY94.52 27/9/1987 GS

NY94.54 1/7/1985 GS

NY94.56 4/6/1987 GS

NY96.48 27/8/1988 GS

NY96.50 17/7/1987 GS

NY96.54 1/6/1988 GS

NY98.50 8/8/1985 GS

Rothley x—rds NZ043897 8/8/1984 JDP



Shortflatt ent NZ088809 8/8/1984 JDP

Clara vale NR NZ13.64 3/7/1993 JDP





Widespread, but distinctly less plentiful than the previous species.

Eristalis intricarius


Norham Wood

& old railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP

N Yardhope NT922.011 3/6/1990 JDP






NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP



Snook Holy Is NU09/10 17/8/1985 JDP


Ross Links NU13/4.36/7/8 10/8/1986 JDP

Ross Links NU14.36 25/7/1987 JDP









Butteryhaugh NY63 .93 25/6/1992 PK

Bakethin NY63/4.91 31/7/1990 JDP

Bakethin nr lakeside

W of Gowanburn

NY641916 30/7/1996 JDP

Kielder Res N NY65.90 1988 JDP





Ridley Stokoe p.s. NY74.85 27/5/1985 JDP

Forest Drive

Blackblakehope

Picnic Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP




Beltingham Gravels NY787 641 1983 JDP



Watson's Walls fork NY80.80 25/7/1995 JDP

Swineshaw/March bn NY802805 4/8/1991 JDP

Haydon br Layby NY832641 21/5/1987 JDP

Old Railway

Bridge Redesmouth

NY85.92 25/7/1995 JDP


NY94.54 26/5/1987 GS

NY94.56 10/7/1987 GS

NY96. 50 26/5/1987 GS


NY98.50 17/8/1987 GS





Shortflatt entr NZ088809 8/8/1984 JDP





Warkworth Lane

Campsite entr

NZ27.92 18/8/2000 JDP



Holywell Ponds NZ31/75. 14/5/1992 JDP

Widespread and moderately common.

Eristalis nemorum



Norham Wood

& old railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP






NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP









Snook, Holy Is NU09/10.43 17/8/1985 JDP


Ross Links NU13/4.36/7/8 10/8/1986 JDP














Gowanburn NY64 .91 1988 JDP




Kielder Bn Fk NY65.95 1988 JDP

Kielder Burn Fk NY65.95 25/6/1992 JDP










Whygate NY76/7.75/6 8/8/1995 JDP





Chirdon Burnmouth NY78.84 28/5/1997 JDP

Beltingham Gravels NY787641 JDP





Swineshaw/March Bn NY79.80.80 16/7/1991 JDP





& NT85.00

9/8/1994 JDP




NY94.54 1/7/1986 GS

NY96.50 17/7/1987 GS










Hebron Rd end, NZ184897 1/8/1995 JDP



Warkworth Lane

Layby Pond

NZ26.92 18/8/2000 JDP

Warkworth Lane

Campsite entr

NZ27.92 18/8/2000 JDP




Eristalis pertinax



Byrness entr to

Forest Drive

NT78.00 30/5/1995 JDP


NT78.00. 3/8/1990 GS

Cottonshope Picnic

Site

NT78.01 19/8/1997 JDP

Forest Edge above

Rochester

NT79.00 19/8/1997 JDP


Norham Wood & old

railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP


Ford Br NT93.37 16/5/1992 JDP




Langleeford NT95.,22 7/6/2000 JDP






Ford Moss NT96/7.37 14/6/1993 JDP



Roughtinglinn NT98 .36 16/5/1992 JDP


NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP











Callaly Castle NU05 23/6/1992 JDP



Thrunton Woods NU06/7.09 10/8/1984 JDP





Ross Links NU13/4.36/7/8 25/7/1987 JDP









Guyzance Weir NU202029 1/8/1995 JDP






NY60.88 19/9/1990 GS

NY60.96 1/8/1990 GS


Deadwater Rd NY60/96 1988 JDP

NY62.86 14/9/1990 GS

NY62.88 13/9/1990 GS




Kielder SawMill NY62.93 1988 JDP




NY62.98 1/8/1990 GS


Lewisburn & Fks NY63.87/8/9 3/6/1988 JDP

Bakethin SW shore NY63.91 12/8/1997 JDP



NY64.88 13/9/1990 GS

NY64.90 13/9/1990 GS


Matthew's Lynn NY64.90 12/8/1997 JDP





Bakethin nr lakeside W of

Gowanburn

NY641916 30/7/1996 JDP


Kielder Burn Fork NY65.95 1988 JDP


Plashetts bn NY65/6.91 1988 JDP


NY66.54 30/9/1986 GS







Forest Drive Ewe Hill NY67.96 19/8/1997 JDP

Low Cranecleugh Rd NY67/8.85/6 1988 JDP








Forest Drive

Blakehope Nick

NY71.98 19/8/1997 JDP


NY72.78 6/9/1990 GS



Forest Drive White Crag

Picnic Site

NY73.99 19/8/1997 JDP

NY74.62 3/6/1986 GS

NY74.76 7/9/1990 GS

NY74.78 7/9/1990 GS


Forest Drive Hermit Well NY74.99 19/8/1997 JDP

Forest Drive

Blackblakehope

Picnic Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP



NY76.76 5/9/90 GS

NY76.78 5/9/1990 GS


Comb/Waterehead

area

NY76.90 24/6/1997 JDP



Whygate NY76/7.75/6 8/8/1995 JDP








NY78.60 8/5/1987 GS

NY78.62 4/8/1987 GS


NY78.64 30/7/1986 GS

NY78.70 26/7/1990 GS


NY78.98 3/8/1990 GS






Swineshaw/March bn NY79/80.80 16/7/91 jp

Watson's Walls Fork NY80.80 25/7/1995 JDP





NY82.66 8/9/1987 GS



NY84.66 8/9/1987 GS


Stewartshiel Forest NY85.99 & NT85.00 9/8/1994 JDP





NY92.46 31/5/1985 GS

NY92.54 15/7/1985 GS

NY94.46 31/5/1985 GS

NY94.48 8/6/1986 GS

NY94.50 19/6/1986 GS

NY94.54 1/7/1986 GS

NY94.56 4/6/1987 GS

BillsMoor ft NY94.97 27/5/1990 JDP

NY96.48 22/8/1985 GS

NY96.50 26/5/1987 GS

NY96.54 1/8/1985 GS

NY96.56 18/9/1986 GS


NY98.50 8/8/1985 GS










Bolam Lake NZ07/8.81 18/6/1992 JDP


Bolam Lake NZ08.81 8/8/1984 JDP



Tod Burn NZ11.96 26/5/1992 JDP




NZ13.64 3/7/1993 JDP


Longhorsley w NZ14/94 JDP





Widdrington Wood NZ22.96 18/8/2000 JDP


Bothal Bridge NZ235862 1/8/1995 JDP




Warkworth Lane Layby Pond NZ26.92 18/8/2000 JDP

Warkworth Lane

Campsite entr

NZ27.92 18/8/2000 JDP


East Cramlington NR NZ29.76 2/8/1995 JDP

Woodhorn Colliery

Mus Road entrance

NZ29.88 18/8/2000 JDP



7 Easedale Seaton Sluice NZ332767 5/6/1998 JDP

Old Hartley/Holywell Dene NZ34.76 2/8/1995 JDP


Widespread and abundant.


Eristalis rupium



Forest Drive

Blackblakehope Picnic Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP

NY92.48 10/7/1986 GS

NY94.48 27/7/1988 GS

NY94.54, 21/7/1988 GS

NY94.56 2/7/1987 GS

NY98.50 17/8/1987 GS


A localised species of marshy habitats to at least 380m.

Eristalis (Eristalinus) sepulchralis

Arcot Hall NZ24.75 9/7/1987,

23/6/88

JDP


Easily passed over and easily alarmed, this species is typical of eutrophic

coastal ponds and pit-swallows.

Eristalis tenax

3/7/1993 JDP




Forest Edge -above Rochester NT79.00 19/8/1997 JDP

NYardhope NT9220211 27/5/1990 JDP



Ford Moss NT96/7.37 14/6/1993 JDP















Ross Links N NU13.38 9/8/1986 JDP


Ross Links S NU14.36 24/7/1987 JDP





Alnmouth Dunes NU24.09 3/7/1987 JDP

Warkworth Dunes NU25/6.05/6 JDP

NY60.88 19/9/1990 GS


NY62 .86 14/9/1990 GS

NY62.88 13/9/1990





Lewisburn NY62/3.87/8/9 1988 JDP



Gowanburn NY64 .91 1988 JDP

NY64.90 13/9/1990 GS




Bakethin nr lakeside W of Gowanburn NY641916 30/7/1996 JDP


Kielder Burn Fork NY65.95 12/8/1997 JDP


Plashetts Burn NY65/6.90/1 1988 JDP


Low Cranecleugh NY66/7/8.85 1988 JDP

Cranecleugh Burn NY660852 30/7/1996 JDP

Wainhope Pasture NY67 .92 1988 JDP







Forest Drive

White Crag Picnic Site

NY73.99 19/8/1997 JDP


Forest Drive

Blackblakehope

Picnic Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP


Whygate NY76/7.75/6 8/8/1995 JDP












NY94.54 7/8/1987

NY94.56 17/7/1987 GS

NY96.54 29/8/1984

















Footpath to Backworth

Pond

NZ31.72 22/8/2000 JDP




Helophilus hybridus



NY94.54 17/8/1987 GS

NY94.54 17/8/1987 GS





Druridge Pools NZ27.96/7 10/7/1992 JDP


Pond

NZ31.72 22/8/2000 JDP

A very local marshland species.

Helophilus pendulus

Linshiels Gorge NT89.06 1/7/1984 JDP


Holystone Burn NT94.01 1983 JDP

Berwick Plantatn NT98.53 9/9/1984 HFC


NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP







Ross Links NU13/4.36/7/8 10/8/1986 JDP


Newham Fen NU16.29 19/6/1985 JDP






NY62.86 14/9/1990 GS

NY62.88 13/9/1990 GS







Plashetts Bn NY65/6.90 1988 JDP





Low Cranecleugh NY66/7/8.85 1988 JDP

Kellah t-jncn NY666615 10/6/1988 JDP

Wainhope Pasture NY67.92 1988, 6/8/1997 JDP




NY74 .76 7/9/1990 GS

NY74.78 7/9/12/1990 GS



NY76.62 30/7/1986 GS


Whygate NY76/7.75/6 8/8/1995 JDP



NY78.62 21/8/1987 GS

NY78.64 30/7/1986 GS



NY80.60 1/7/1987 GS


NY82.66 8/9/1987 GS

NY84.66 8/9/1987 GS


NY90.54 22/9/1987 GS

NY92.48 21/9/1989 GS

NY94.48 8/6/1986 GS

NY94.50 19/6/1986 GS

NY94.54 1/7/86 GS

NY94.56 2/7/1987 GS

NY96.48 27/7/1988 GS

NY96.50 26/5/1987 GS

NY96.54 18/9/1986 GS

NY96.56 18/9/1986 GS


NY98.50 30/6/1987 GS






TodBurn NZ11.96 26/5/1992 JDP








River Lyne at S Linton NZ25.91 18/8/2000 JDP

Warkworth Lane Layby

Pond

NZ26.92 18/8/2000 JDP

Warkworth Lane Campsite

entr

NZ27.92 18/8/2000 JDP




Pond

NZ31.72 22/8/2000 JDP

A much commoner species, and less restricted to wetland habitat than the

last, for example ranging widely by damp ditches.

Helophilus trivittatus

Swineshaw/March B NY802805 4/8/1991 JDP

A very scarce species, that is more usually encountered near the coast.

Myathropa florae



Callaly Castle NU05.09 1992 JDP










Honeycrook Burn NY82.65 24/5/1992 GS

NY94.56 16/7/1987 GS


NY98.50 7/8/1987 GS






Widely distributed and not uncommon.

Merodontini

Merodon equestris

NY94.56 2/7/1987 GS

Woodburn Drive,

Whitley Bay

NZ34.73 28/6/1991 JDP

The Narcissus Fly should be more plentiful, particularly in Bluebell

woods, but may be more typical of gardens or allotments in our area.

Pipizini

Pipiza austriaca






N Yardhope NY922011 3/6/1990 JDP




A widespread but rather scarce and local species of woodland margins.


Pipiza noctiluca


Haydon Bridge Layby NY832641 25/5/1987 JDP






As with the previous species.

Pipizella varipes


A scarce species of dry, often basic grassland.

[Trichopsomyia flavitarsis

Nichol’s Bank Cumb NY508903 -/6/1992 PK

Being an essentially northerly and rather upland species, this should be

more plentiful with us, but we have no records despite suitable areas being

well worked.]

Sericomyiini

Arctophila fulva

North Middleton Ford NT99.25 16/8/2000 JD

P

Bakethin nr lakeside W of

Gowanburn

NY641916 30/7/1996 JD

P

NY74.78 7/9/1990 GS

This large bumble bee mimic is very local around woodland margins in the north.


Sericomyia lappona




Holystone Burn Res NT94.01 13/6/1985 JDP

Holystone N Wood NT94.02/3 13/6/1985 JDP












Kielder Burn fk NY65.95 25/6/1992 JDP


Bullcrag Turn-off Ditches etc NY66.86 28/5/1997 JDP


Butterburn NY67.74 2/6/1985 JDP




Comb/Waterehead area NY76.90 24/6/1997 JDP







NY94.48 8/6/1986 GS

NY94.50 19/6/1986 GS

NY94.56 4/6/1987 GS

Combs Burn O R NY943996 JDP

NY96.54 1/6/1988 GS



Generally occurs in boggy areas and ditches in upland areas in the west of the county and

eastwards along the Fell Sandstones towards Kyloe, from mid-May to early July at the very latest

(Stubbs and Falk, 1983, quote August).

Sericomyia silentis




Forest Edge above Rochester NT79.00 19/8/1997 JDP

Norham Wood

& old railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP

Holystone Burn NT94.01 1983 SGB

JDP

West Ord, Tweed NT94.51 29/8/1984 HFC





Powburn NU06/7.16 10/8/1984 JDP

NY60.88 19/9/1990 GS

NY60.98 27/6/1990 GS

NY62.86 14/9/1990 GS

NY62.88 13/9/1990 GS

Akenshaw Burn

Bridge area

NY62.89 24/6/1997 JDP




Lewisburn area NY62/3.87/8/9 27/5/1984 JDP


Bakethis SW shore NY63.91 12/8/1997 JDP




NY64.88 13/9/1990 GS

NY64.89/90 27/5/1984 JDP

NY64.90 13/9/1990 GS

Matthew's Lynn NY64.90 12/8/1997 JDP



Bakethin nr

lakeside W of Gowanburn

NY641916 30/7/1996 JDP


Kielder Burn Fork NY65.95 PK








Featherstone r’side NY67.61 30/7/1983 JDP




Butterburn NY67/8.74 4/6/1985 JDP

Burnstones NY677547 31/7/1983,

14/7/90

JDP

Tows Bank NY68.56 30/7/1983 JDP

Park B’nfoot NY68.62 30/7/1983 JDP








NY72.78 6/9/1990 GS


NY74.62 30/6/1986 GS

NY74.76 7/9/1990 GS

NY74.78 6/9/1990 GS


Forest Drive Hermit Well NY74.99 19/8/1997 JDP

Forest Drive

Blackblakehope

Picnic Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP


NY76.76 5/9/1990 GS

NY76.78 5/9/1990 GS






Whygate NY76/7.75/6 8/8/1995 JDP








NY78.60 4/8/1987 GS

Beltingham Gravels NY78.64 1983 JDP

NY78.70 26/7/1990 GS

NY78.76 9/8/1990 GS

Chirdon B’mouth NY78.84/5 3/7/1984,

14/7/1992

JDP

NY78.98 3/8/1990 GS

Pennine Way

& Quarry

NY78.98/9 19/8/1997 JDP



Swineshaw/

March B and again 4/8/1991

when 50+ seen

NY79/80.80 16/7/1991 JDP

Watson's Walls Fork NY80.80 25/7/1995 JDP



NY82.66 16/9/1987 GS

NY84.66 8/9/1987 GS

N/C border Allenheads NY85.43 14/8/84 JDP


& NT85.00

9/8/1994 JDP

NY90.46 8/9/1986 GS

NY90.48 26/7/1989 GS

NY92.50 26/7/1989 GS

NY92.54 15/7/1985 GS

Viewley x-rds NY92/3.56 5/7/1984 JDP

NY94.54 15/7/1985 GS

NY94.54 4/6/1987 GS

NY96.50 8/8/1985 GS

NY96.54 1/8/1985 GS

NY96.56 18/9/1986 GS

NY98.50 8/8/1985 GS



Rothley x-rds NZ04.90 8/8/1984 JDP






Widespread in flowery areas, roadsides and ditches throughout, only overlapping in early seasons

with the previous species.

Volucellini

Volucella bombylans



NU00.01

20/7/1999 JDP






NY60.98 27/6/1990 GS


Akenshaw Burn Bridge

area

NY62.89 24/6/1997 JDP

NY62.98 1/8/1990 GS



Bakethin nr lakeside W

of Gowanburn

NY641916 30/7/1996 JDP





Swineshaw/March Burn NY802805 4/8/1991 JDP

NY92.54 15/7/1985 GS

NY94.48 24/8/1988 GS

NY94.54 10/7/1987 GS

NY94.56 10/7/1987 GS

NY98.50 17/7/1987 GS




This bumble-bee mimic is thinly but quite widely distributed.


Volucella pellucens

Norham Wood & old

railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP







Roseden Picnic Site &

roadside

NU03.21 16/8/2000 JDP

Eslington NU0411/12 2/7/1998 JDP







Hawick Hall NU24.17 13/7/1984 JDP






Bakethin nr lakeside W

of Gowanburn

NY641916 30/7/1996 JDP


Tows Bank NY68.56 30/7/1983 JDP

NY74.62 30/7/1986 GS

NY74.76 7/9/1990 GS

Forest Drive

Blackblakehope Picnic

Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP




NY78.60 4/8/1987 GS

NY78.70 26/7/1990 GS

Chirdon B’m’th NY78.84/5 3/7/1984 JDP


Swineshaw/March Burn NY802805 4/8/1991 JDP

NY92.54 15/7/1985 GS

Viewley x-rds NY92/3.56 5/7/1984 JDP


NY94.48 12/7/1985 GS

NY94.54 15/7/1985 GS

NY94.56 30/6/1987 GS

NY96.48 27/7/1988 GS

NY96.54 1/8/1985 GS





Bolam NZ07.81 31/7/1995 JDP

Maglin Burn NZ09/1097 3/7/1999 JDP


Clara Vale N R NZ13.64 3/7/1993 JDP





Old Hartley/Holywell

Dene

NZ34.76 2/8/1995 JDP

This easily recognized species is very widespread, but rarely occurring in any numbers.

Xylotini

Brachypalpoides lenta

North Yardhope NT922011 3/6/1990 JDP


Forestburn NZ07/8. 98 29/5/1992 JDP

A large striking hoverfly that seems very local in Northumberland.

Chalcosyrphus nemorum


A very local species in the north, though possibly overlooked.


Criorhina asilica


Always local and rare, this species has been recorded as far north as

Berwick (Stubbs and Falk, 1983).

Criorhina berberina



NY94.56 2/7/1987 GS

Always a scarce, localized bumble bee mimic.

Criorhina floccosa

Routinglinn NT98.36 16/5/1992 JDP

A good northern record of this mainly southerly bumble bee mimic.

Syritta pipiens






Snook, Holy Is NU09/10.43 1985 JDP

Ross Links NU13/4.36/7/8 10/8/1986 JDP


Newham Fen NU16.29 19/6/1985 JDP



Warkwortn Dunes NU25/6.05/6 10/7/1987 JDP





NY78.60 4/8/1987 GS


Swineshaw/

March Burn

NY802805 4/8/1991 JDP



& NT8500

9/8/1994 JDP

NY94.50 18/5/1988 GS

NY94.54 1/7/1986 GS

NY94.56 9/9/1981 GS

NY96.48 27/7/1988 GS

NY96.54 1/7/1988 GS

NY98.50 7/8/1987 GS










Warkworth Lane

Campsite entr

NZ27.92 18/8/2000 JDP

Woodhorn Colliery Mus Road entrance NZ29.88 18/8/2000 JDP

Woodburn Dr W/B NZ34.73 20/6/1991 JDP

Woodburn Dr W/B NZ34.73 10/6/1992, JDP

Widespread and quite common, the abundance of coastal records at times during July and August

suggesting the possibility of immigration.

Xylota coeruleiventris






Lewisburn fks NY63.88 3/6/1988 JDP

Bakethis SW shore NY63.91 12/8/1997 JDP




Leaplish Turn-off Ditches

etc

NY65.87 28/5/1997 JDP


Kielder Burn fk NY65.95 25/6/1992 PK








Forest Drive

Blackblakehope Picnic Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP






Denenead O R NY88.94 5/5/1990 JDP

NY94.54 15/7/1985 GS

NY94.56 29/6/1987 GS

NY96.54 6/6/1988 GS



There is a close association of this species with the coniferous plantations in the Kielder Forest,

but the Beacon Hill record is from an area of mature predominantly broadleaf woodland,

suggesting downward drift from the afforested areas to the W.

Xylota florum


This record is some 80 miles north of its previous most northerly occurrence

(Co. Durham). JDP has the specimen.

Xylotina nemorum



The Arcot Hall site is typical of mature open beech woodland with fallen

timber, but Longhorsley Moor is an area of lowland heath with no mature

timber other than birch-unless the specimen was wind-drifted from Beacon

Hill, some ¾ mile to the west.


Xylota segnis


Norham Wood

& old railwayline

NT90/1.46 7/7/1993 JDP


N Yardhope NT922011 27/5/1990

(abund)

JDP





North Middleton

Ford

NT99.25 7/6/2000 JDP




NU05/6.09 11/7/1992 JDP


Thrunton/Callaly Woods NU06.10 11/7/1992 JDP

Powburn Woods NU06/7. 15/6 10/8/1984 JDP






Howick Hall NU24.17 13/7/1984 JDP



Akenshaw Burn

Bridge area

NY62.89 24/6/1997 JDP







Butteryhauch NY63.92/3 2/6/1992 JDP






Bakethin nr

lakeside W of

Gowanburn

NY641916 30/7/1996 JDP

Kielder Burn Fk NY65.95 25/6/1992 PK







Snope Burn NY685553 10/6/1988 JDP



Ridge End Park NY72.86 28/5/1997 JDP


Forest Drive

Blackblakehope

Picnic Site

NY75.99 19/8/1997 JDP







NY78.98 3/8/1990 GS


Cupola, Staward NY79.58 11/6/1992 JDP



Swineshaw/March Burn NY79/80.80 16/7/1991 JDP

NY80.60 1/7/1987 GS






NY94.54 11/9/1986 GS

NY94.56 3/6/1987 GS

NY96.48 27/7/1988 GS

NY96.56 23/6/1988 GS











Forestburn NZ07/8.98 2 9/5/1992 JDP






A widespread and common species of woodland and even gardens with mature trees thereabouts.

Xylota sylvarum

NY94.56 17/7/1987 GS

NY98.50 24/8/1988 GS


Becoming scarce northwards in mature, open woodland.

Xylota tarda


The only record of this very local and scarce species of wooded riverine

locations.


Macrolepidoptera records 1998-2000

David Kipling, 12 Cleveland Avenue, Shildon, County Durham DL4 2ND

During the years 1998 to 2000 moth catches in the Rothamsted Traps operated at Shildon and

Stainton were lower than normal probably because of the poor weather. The Rothamsted Insect

Survey operate between 80 and 100 traps throughout the country and each year they publish a top

twenty list of traps showing the highest moth diversity. The majority of the traps in this list are

based either in the South of England or Wales. I was therefore very pleased to see that the

Stainton trap was on this list for 1998, the latest available.

Stainton (NZ071186)

Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina

First recorded on 6th June 1997 a further specimen of this rare moth was taken on 23rd May 1998.

Brown Silver – Lines Petrophora chlorosata.

Two records – 20th May & 30th May 1998

Tawny – barred Angle` Semiothisa liturata

One specimen on 20th July 1998

Double – striped Pug Gymnoscelis Rufifasciata.

A recent addition to the county list which appears to be spreading. One in the trap on 2nd August

1999 (conf. A. Riley)

Thyme Pug Eupithecia distinctaria.

Nationally a rare moth. A single specimen was in the trap on 23rd June 1998 (conf. A. Riley).

Pine Carpet Thera firmata.

One specimen on 10th September 1999.

Barred Chestnut Diarsia dahlii.

A local moth in Co. Durham. One in the trap 28th August 1999.

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata

Not normally found in the Western side of the county. One in the trap on 2nd August 1999. A

photograph of a further specimen found in Teesdale in July 99 was also seen by me.

The Lychnis Hadena bicruris.

Another local species in the North-East. One specimen on 14th July 1999.

Pine Beauty Panolis flammea.

One specimen on 2nd May1999.

Merveille du Jour` Dichonia aprilina

One specimen on 15th October 1999.

Orange Sallow Xanthia citrago

A rare moth in County Durham. One specimen in the trap on 17th September 1999.

Small Fan – foot Herminia nemoralis.

One on 9th July and a second on 10th July 1999.

Lemke’s Gold Spot Plusia putnami gracilis.

One specimen on 19th July 1999.


Feathered Gothic Tholera decimalis.

Scarce in the North – East but seems to be well established at this site with three moths in August

1996, one on 20th August 1999 and a further example on 19th August 2000.

Early Grey Xylocampa areola

This once rare moth continues to be taken annually with one record in 1998, four in 1999 and one

in 2000.

Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra


Ash Pug Eupithecia fraxinata

Two specimens of this nationally local moth appeared on 18th June and 20th June 2000 (conf. A.

Riley)

Bordered Pug Eupithecia succenturiata

One specimen on 22nd August 2000.

Edinburgh Pug Eupithecia intricate

A rare pug in our area, one specimen arrived on 8th July 2000 (conf. A. Riley).

Slender Pug Eupithecia tenuiata

One specimen on 28th August 2000 (conf. A. Riley).

Spruce Carpet Thera Britannica

One specimen on 26th October 2000.

Blair’s Shoulder – knot Lithophane leautieri hesperica

This recent arrival in the North – East continues to be taken at Stainton. One on 18th October

2000.

Small Wainscot Photedes pygmina


Autumnal Rustic Paradiarsia glareosa

One specimen on 25th August 2000.

Poplar Hawk – moth Laothoe populi

The first record for this trap on 30th July 2000

Shildon (NZ238263).

The Miller Acronicta leporine

One specimen on 28th June 1998 which is the only recent record for the county. (A. Coates.)

Double – striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata

This species has burst onto the scene in the last three years with specimens recorded on 15 th

August 1998, 22nd July 1999 and five between 29th July and 30th September 2000.

The Phoenix Eulithis prunata

One specimen on 1st August 2000.

Grass Rivulet Perizoma albulata

Two recorded during 1998 were the first in this trap with a further example on 1st July 2000.

Blair’s Shoulder Knot Lithophane leautieri hesperica.

Two records during 1999 on 14th and 22nd October.

Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata

One on 11th July 1999.(conf. A. Riley).


Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma

First record for this trap on 10th August 2000.

Shuttle – shaped Dart Agrotis puta

The first County Durham record in over 100 years, a single specimen was found in the trap on

15th August 2000. (Dunn & Parrack).

Dot Moth Melanchra persicariae

One record of this rare moth on 16th July 1999.

The Campion Hadena rivularis

One specimen on 2nd August 1999.

Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria

One record on 15th September 1999 Bishop Auckland

Red Underwing Catocala nupta

One found in private premises on 25th September 1998.

Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala

One found resting on a wall on 27th July 2000.

Low Barns Nature Reserve, Witton le Wear (Grid Ref. NZ160315)

During the year permission was obtained from the Durham Wildlife Trust to do a moth survey at

Low Barns N.R. using a Heath Trap. A total of 82 species were recorded of which the following

are of special interest.

Grey Birch Aethalura punctulata

A total of 18 specimens of this Regionally Notable species were recorded between 21st April and

4th July 2000.

Scarce Prominent Odontosia carmelita

Four in the trap between 27th April and 9th May 2000.

Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina

Three recorded between 15th May and 31st May 2000.

Buff – tip Phalera becephala

One on 19th June 2000.

Slender Brindle Apamea scolopacina

A single example on 26th July 2000.

The Rustic Hoplodrina blanda

Two on 1st August 2000.

Bordered Beauty Epione repandaria

Four examples of this rare moth were found in the trap between 1st August and 24th August 2000.

Red Underwing Catocala nupta

One in the trap on 24th August 2000.

Least Yellow Underwing Noctua interjecta caliginosa

One on 29th August 2000 which is only the third recent record for this species.

Bulrush Wainscot Nonagria typhae

One specimen on 23rd September followed by a second on 28th September 2000 of this very rare

moth in our region.


Brimstone Butterfly in Tynemouth Northumberland, VC 67, Spring 2001

Hewett A. Ellis, 16, Southlands, Tynemouth NE30 2QS

Although I have been recording butterflies in North-east England since 1964 it was

not until this spring, on 11th May 2001, that I saw my first Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni L. in

Northumberland. A male flew into my garden in Tynemouth (NZ 358701) at 1-45 pm, rested for

about a minute and then flew off. This individual would have hibernated overwinter since 2000

and was most likely a vagrant.

Records of such vagrants have been rare in North-east England over the years

(Wailes, 1857; Robson, 1899; Gardner, 1962; Dunn & Parrack, 1986; Cook, 1990; Eales, 1998;

Waller, 1999,2000; Coult, 2001). Only a few of these records have been at locations in

Northumberland, for example, in South Northumberland VC 67 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1889,

Riding Mill 1950, Staward 1977, Ashington 1987, Longhirst 1987, Cramlington 1999 and now

Tynemouth 2001, and in North Northumberland VC 68 at Ford Moss 1998. Many of these

sightings in Northumberland have been in the springtime and of individuals which had

overwintered, apart from the Ford Moss and Cramlington records which were in July and August,

respectively.

The larval foodplants Purging Buckthorn Rhamnus catharticus and Alder Buckthorn

Frangula alnus currently do not occur naturally as far north as North-east England, so the

Brimstone is unable to breed here in County Durham and Northumberland. In view of the strong

nomadic habit of the Brimstone and the improving climatic conditions, this situation may change

in years to come if the desire by some to introduce the foodplant is fulfilled.

References

Cook, N. J., 1990. An Atlas of the Butterflies of Northumberland & Durham. The Hancock

Museum, Special Publication No.5, The University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. p.66.

Coult, T.,2001. New butterflies, moths and grasshoppers at Malton. The Vasculum 86(1):36.

Dunn, T. C. & Parrack, J. D., 1986. The Moths and Butterflies of Northumberland and Durham,

Part 1 Macrolepidoptera. The Vasculum-Supplement No.2, Northern Naturalists' Union, p.5.

Eales,H., 1998. Butterfly records 1997. The Vasculum 83(2):40.

Gardner, F. W., 1962. Macrolepidoptera in Northumberland. Entomologist's Gazette 13(1):22-30.

Robson,J. E., 1899. A Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-

upon-Tyne. Natural History Transactions of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle- upon-

Tyne, Vol.12 Part 1. pp.6-7.

Wailes, G., 1857. A Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Northumberland • and Durham. Transactions

of the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club 3:189-234.

Waller, I. J., 1999. Butterfly Conservation butterfly summary 1998 North of England. The

Vasculum 84(4):29-33.

Waller, I. J., 2000. Butterfly summary 1999. Butterfly Conservation North East England Branch

Newsletter No.1. p.16.


Notes on the historical distribution of the Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in

Northumberland and Durham.

Terry Coult, Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton le Spring, Tyne

and Wear, DH4 6PU.

Introduction

The history, status and distribution of the dormouse in the counties of Northumberland and

Durham are poorly understood. National surveys and distribution maps give very limited data on

the dormouse in Northumberland and Durham. The perception has been that the species has a

very limited distribution in the region and has been absent from county Durham for over 100

years. The one location where the dormouse is currently found in Northumberland was thought to

be the only location for that county and of relatively recent discovery. What follows is an attempt

to put the status of the dormouse in the north-east of England into context both geographically

and temporally. Only authenticated published or written records have been used as a data source.

National surveys

A number of attempts have been made to map the national distribution of the dormouse. The first

co-ordinated by G. T. Rope was published in the Zoologist in 1885, the last “The Great Victorian

Nut Hunt” (1996) was carried out as part of English Nature’s Species Recovery Programme and

involved the public in searching for hazel nuts which had been nibbled by dormice.

Two other attempts at assessing the national distribution of the dormouse have also taken place,

Barret-Hamilton & Hinton (1910) and the “Mammal Society dormouse survey, January 1975-

April 1979” (Hurrell, E. & McIntosh, G., 1984). The Mammal Society survey utilised historical

data from Rope and Barret-Hamilton & Hinton for its base line dormouse distribution map.

Both Rope and Barret-Hamilton & Hinton relied on information derived from “A Catalogue of

the Mammalia of Northumberland and Durham” (Mennell & Perkins, 1864) for their north-east

England distribution data. It is worth quoting this catalogue, as most other assessments of

dormouse distribution in north-east England rely heavily upon it.

“This beautiful species is of rare occurrence in our district. It has been taken occasionally in the

woods which clothe the valley of the Derwent, at Gibside, Winlaton Mill and near

Ebchester.”

Rope quotes these records and is able to add a further record published in The


Field, from Mr N. M’Lachlan of Lambrook, Bracknell, Berks, who wrote:

“Some fourteen of fifteen years ago I observed the Dormouse in the County of Durham, at

Headlam, a small village about half way between Darlington and Barnard Castle.

For several days a pair of these little creatures had frequented a large peach tree

growing on the south wall in the Hall gardens, and eventually one of them was

drowned in a bottle of beer and sugar which had been hung on the tree to catch the

wasps as the fruit was just ripening”.

Barret-Hamilton & Hinton repeat the above locations, which are all in the Watsonian Vice County

of Durham (no. 66), adding no further information on the distribution of the dormouse in the

region. Most other contemporary publications dealing with dormouse distribution also repeat

these records.

When, therefore, the Mammal Society began its survey in 1975, using data from Barret-Hamilton

& Hinton as its baseline data, the dormouse was thought not to occur in Northumberland and was

rarely recorded in County Durham. Historically confined, principally, to the valley of the River

Derwent, with a distribution map based on records from the nineteenth century.

The results of the Mammal Society survey in Durham were disappointing but not unexpected. In

line with the rest of northern England the dormouse had declined and no positive records were

found in the county, including from the woodlands of the Derwent valley. The “Great Victorian

Nut Hunt” also failed to find any positive signs of dormice in County Durham. There were

therefore no twentieth century records of dormice for County Durham in any national survey.

Consequently anyone consulting national distribution data would find the dormouse unrecorded in

Durham in the twentieth century. Northumberland on the other hand, which had no published

dormouse records, faired differently. The Mammal Society survey unexpectedly produced three

positive locations for dormouse, closely grouped, in the valley of the River Allen. These were

believed to be the first dormouse records for Northumberland and are still the most northerly

records for dormice in Britain,

Additional dormouse records for Northumberland and Durham

Dormouse distribution in Northumberland and Durham is however, not quite so sparse as the

national data suggests. There are in fact published dormouse records for all of the major river

valleys in County Durham with records extending into the twentieth century. There is also one

very interesting unpublished record of a dormouse in Northumberland in the early years of the

twentieth century.


County Durham

Additional records for County Durham include those of Hutchinson (1845) whose unpublished

manuscript makes interesting reading. For the dormouse he writes:

“is very rarely met with. One sent to Mr Proctor to be preserved was taken in an orchard near

the City of Durham. I have also heard of two that were taken in a gill near

Healeyfield by Leybourne when cutting corf-rods.”

Proctor was the sub-curator of the Durham University Museum for 1834 to 1877 and corf-rods

were cut from hazel and used to make baskets for carrying coal. Later in the manuscript,

Hutchinson writes:

“7 May 1842. Received one alive from Leybourne, taken at………… near Healyfield

on………… it was dormant but occasionally was roused opening its eyes and mouth-

it died the following day being injured I think, on the journey.”

Hutchinson’s manuscript provides the first of the Wear Valley locations and a further Derwent

Valley location, as well as some insight into woodland management.

Slightly later in the nineteenth century is a record from Egglestone in Teesdale. This report in the

Vasculum is the only account of a dormouse found and becoming a family pet that I am aware of

in the north-east. J. Gardener (1921), the author of the article records finding the dormouse

hibernating in a ball of moss, in the undergrowth of Low Wood on the Durham bank of the Tees

at Egglestone, in the winter of either 1852, 1853 or 1854. This animal became a tame family pet

but unfortunately, eventually drowned in a large earthern jar of drinking water. Two more

dormice were seen in the same area, one of which was also taken as a pet.

The Victoria County History of Durham (Tristram, 1905) quotes the well known records from

Mennell & Perkins along with the Headlam report, as well as:

“Mr J. Greenwell mentions ‘one taken near Hamsterley about fifty years ago’, and Mr J.

Cullingford informs me that he has had two from close to the City of Durham within

the last four years. A mouse described by Mr. F. Fenwick from the Wolsingham

district is most likely of this species-‘chestnut coloured, with white breast, builds its

nest in hazel bushes of dried grass; rare’.”

Cullingford was the taxidermist at the Durham University Museum from 1877 to 1905. It is

difficult to locate the Hamsterley specimen. There is a Hamsterley in the Derwent Valley within

the core historical distribution of the dormouse, which would


fit the bill, but there is also a Hamsterley in the Wear Valley near Witton-le-Wear. The

entomologist John Greenwell worked the Wear Valley, Hamsterley area, at about the right time

and it is possible to speculate that he may be the source of this record

In the twentieth century W. Eltringham (1934), describes disturbing a dormouse from its nest in a

hedgerow near Crawcrook, in October 1933, the first Tyne Valley record. C. A. B. Steele (1969)

records a dormouse from Shotley Park in the Derwent Valley circa 1958.

Northumberland

Two historical dormouse records exist for Northumberland. The first is particularly important as

it predates the Mammal Society survey’s positive result with a record from the same location.

George Bolam the Northumberland naturalist records in his unpublished diaries:

“Feb. 12th. 1921 at Whitfield ‘Mr BG told me they caught a dormouse at Whitfield in 1914. The

butler caught it about the house but it soon died. This was in autumn”

Whitfield Hall is in the valley of the River Allen a few miles from the Northumberland location

“first discovered” during the Mammal Society survey.

The other Northumberland location is published in Roebuck No. 10. Summer 1975. G. A. Cowen

in his article on “Mice, Voles and Shrew”, about the dormouse, writes:

“It is rather more often seen in Durham than in Northumberland; in recent years I have known of

two found on the Durham side of the river Derwent and one on Tyneside near

Stocksfield.”

Cowens’ notes are not available and there are no exact details for these locations. His statement

does however provide the only location for south Northumberland at Stocksfield and a second

twentieth century report for the Tyne Valley.

Summary

Contrary to national survey results the locally published records suggest that the dormouse once

had a distribution, which encompassed all of the main river valleys within County Durham.

Records exist for the valleys of the rivers Derwent, Tyne, Wear and Tees, with records extending

into the twentieth century in the valleys of the Tyne and Derwent. The oldest dated record is from

the Derwent Valley, the “near Ebchester” specimen, in Mennell & Perkins was collected in 1829.


Records for Northumberland are sparse with only the Tyne Valley at Stocksfield and the Allen

Valley providing published records. The extract form Bolam’s diary provides a pedigree

stretching from 1914 to the present, for the sites in the Allen Valley found during the Mammal

Society Survey in 1975-79.

It is tempting to speculate on the values of changing woodland management practices and the

association of dormouse records with ancient woodland sites. Altitude and temperature are

possible contributory factors, which may also have influenced the distribution of the dormouse in

Northumberland and Durham. The paucity of information on dormice however, makes such

speculation dangerous and suffice to say that few though the records are, they do indicate that the

dormouse once had a much wider distribution in Durham and Northumberland than the national

surveys currently indicate. It seems that dormice persisted into the latter half of the twentieth

century in Durham with the Derwent Valley having the longest recorded history of residence by

dormice, stretching from 1829 to the 1970s. Only in the Allen Valley in Northumberland

however, have dormice persisted into the twenty first century providing contemporary records of

dormice. Perhaps we are just not looking hard enough?

References:

Barret-Hamilton, G.E.H. & Hinton, M.A.C., 1910. History of British Mammals: Gurney &

Jackson. 348-372.

Bolam, G., 12.2.1921. Unpublished diary: Hancock Museum.

Bright, P.W., Morris, P.A. & Mitchell-Jones, A.J., 1996. A new survey of the dormouse

Muscardinus avellanarius in Britain, 1993-4: Mammal Review. 26, No.4. 189-195.

Cowen, G.A., 1975. Mice Voles and Shrews: Roebuck. Summer 1975, No. 10.

Eltringham, W., 1934. Our Pond and Thereabouts: Vasculum. XX, No.4. Nov. 1934. 137-141.

Gardener, J., 1921. Generalia: Vasculum. VII, No. 2. May, 1921. 91-92.

Hurrell, E. & McIntosh, G., 1984. Mammal Society dormice survey, January 1975-April 1979:

Mammal Review. 1, 1-18.

Hutchinson, J., 1845?. Durham Fishes Reptiles and Quadrupeds: MS Catalogue.

Mennell, H.T. & Perkins, V.R., 1864. A Catalogue of the Mammalia of Northumberland and

Durham: Transactions of the Tyneside Naturalists Field Club, VI, 1863-64.

Rope, G.T., 1885. On the range of the dormouse in England and Wales: The Zoologist, 9, 201-

213.

Steele, C.A.B., 1969. In Derwent Valley Studies: Unpublished doc. Durham County Council.

Tristram, Canon H.B., 1905. “Mammals” in Victoria County History of Durham: 1, 192-197.



Butterflies

B.R.C. recorder, Northumberland and Durham: Ian Waller, 42 College View, Delves Lane,

Consett, County Durham, DH8 7DB.

Moths

B.R.C. recorder, County Durham: Alan & Jeri Coates, Forest Lodge, Hamsterley Forest, Bishop

Auckland, County Durham. DL13 3NL.

B.R.C. recorder, Northumberland: Mr N. Cook, 31 Lyndhurst Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle upon

Tyne, NE2 3LJ.

Dragonflies

BRC, & British Dragonfly Society North of England recorder: David Clarke, Burnfoot,

Cumwhitton, Carlisle, Cumbria CA4 9EX.

Birds

Durham Bird Club: Tony Armstrong, 39 Western Hill, Durham City, County Durham. DH1 4RJ

(tel. 386 1519).

Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club: Nick Rossiter, West Barn, Lee Grange, Ordley, Hexham.

NE46 1SX.


Refer records to: Graeme Skinner, c/o Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton Meadows, Chilton Moor,

Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear,DH4 6PU

Mammals (general)

Northumberland: Mary Gough, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas

Park, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884)

Durham: Kevin O'Hara, 65 Pallion Park, Pallion, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR4 6QE. (tel. 0191

510 1761).

Bats

Northumberland Bat Group: Ruth Hadden, East Farm Cottage, Ryal, Northumberland. NE20

0SA.

Durham Bat Group: Noel Jackson, c/o Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton Meadows, Chilton Moor,

Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear,DH4 6PU


Plants

B.S.B.I. recorder (Durham): G.G. Graham, 3 The Willows, Bishop Auckland, County Durham,

DL14 7HH.

B.S.B.I. recorder (Northumberland): Professor G.A. Swan, 81 Wansdyke, Morpeth,

Northumberland. NE61 3QY.

Algae: Dr F.G. Hardy, Dept of Marine Sciences & Coastal management, Ridley Building,

University of Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.

Spiders

Isobel Baldwin, British Arachnological Society Recorder,14 Murrayfield Drive, Brandon,

Durham, DH7 8TG.

Geological


ISSN 0049-5891

Volume 86 No. 3

THE VASCULUM


of Natural History

Editors:





4, Fulmar Rd.,



THE VASCULUM









meetings.



sites.






around 200.





Durham (1986 & 1992).

The NNU organises a series of field meetings each year, and arranges a speaker for an Annual






THE VASCULUM 86(3):1 September(2001)

THE VASCULUM

Vol. 86, No 3 September 2001

The Annual NNU Lecture will take place on Saturday 20th October at 2.00 p.m. in the

Scarborough Lecture Theatre, University of Durham Science Labs. John Coulson will speak

on ‘Bugs, Bogs, Mires and Moors’. Members are invited to bring photographs and exhibits.

Field Meetings

Three additional field meetings have been scheduled as an experiment in extending the field

season. They will be organized on the same basis as others this year i.e. leaders will be chosen on

an ad-hoc basis by participants. Please note the meeting times in response to the shorter days.

Saturday October 27th, 12.00 noon, Warkworth, meet in car park adjacent to the sand dunes NU

256064

Saturday November 24th, 12.00 noon, Dinsdale Wood, park in Middleton-One-Row, NZ352124

Saturday December 15th, 11.00 a.m., Causey Arch, meet in the Causey Arch Country Park car

park NZ205563, next to the A6076. Bring sufficient funds for possible short rail journey.


Flora of County Durham; Update 2001- Pteridophyta

John Durkin, 25 May Avenue, Winlaton Mill, Blaydon, NE21 6SJ

Since the publication of “The Flora and Vegetation of County Durham” in 1988,

there have been advances in our local knowledge of the distribution of some of the fern, clubmoss

and horsetail species, and a better understanding of the taxonomic status of some of the species.

This article provides an update particularly for the taxa for which such changes are significant,

and should be read in conjunction with the Flora. The tetrad maps in the Durham Flora have been

supplemented by new maps where appropriate. For the less common species, the significance of

Durham in the national context is given. The degree of conservation protection currently given to

the local sites for these species is also noted. The Durham Biodiversity Action Plan includes the

part of administrative “Yorkshire” Teesdale south of the Tees, part of Vice-County 65, which was

not covered in 1988. Where appropriate, the status of a scarce species in this area is given in this

update, and relevant records mapped with square symbols. I have not, however, attempted to

comprehensively map all records from this area.

Lycopodiales: Clubmosses.

Huperzia selago (L.) Bernh. Fir Clubmoss

There are no major changes, but there are no recent records from the isolated site at

Knitsley Fell, in NZ03X. Several sites are in the Upper Teesdale NNR. All of the Durham records

are of the nominate variety selago. Other varieties, recurva and appressa, have been found in

Scotland.

Lycopodium clavatum (L.) Stag’s- horn Clubmoss

No significant changes since 1988.

Diphasiastrum alpinum (L.) Holub Alpine Clubmoss

Records mapped. There are no recent records from several sites. The open circles are

pre-Flora records. Most of its sites are in the Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve, and one is

in Hamsterley Forest.

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Diphasiastrum alpinum


Selaginella selaginoides (L.) Link Lesser Clubmoss

There are more records from the magnesian limestone of the east of the county, but

otherwise its distribution is as mapped in 1988.

Selaginella kraussiana Kraus’s Clubmoss

An escape from cultivation, recorded at Darlington West Cemetery (NZ2613). A

new species for the county. The north-east climate may not allow this clubmoss to become

permanently established.

Equisetales: Horsetails

Equisetum hyemale L. Dutch Rush

Re-found at several sites in the Durham Wildlife Trust’s Hawthorn Dene. Some of its

best sites are protected in Gateshead Council’s Derwent Walk Country Park.

Equisetum variegatum Schleich ex Weber & Mohr. Variegated Horsetail.

Records mapped. No significant changes since 1988. Durham has a large proportion

of the English distribution of this species. Most of its sites are in the Upper Teesdale NNR.

Equisetum fluviatile L. Water Horsetail.


Equisetum arvense L. Common Horsetail.


Equisetum arvense x fluviatile (E. x litorale) Kuhlew

ex Rupr.

Hybrid Water Horsetail

New Map. A new hybrid for the County. Most of the records are from disturbed

wetland sites such as ponds in quarries. Three are protected sites, in Hamsterley Forest.

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Equisetum variegatum


Equisetum palustre L. Marsh Horsetail.


Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. Great Horsetail.

No significant changes since 1988. This species may be becoming more frequent.

Equisetum pratense Ehrh. Shade Horsetail

Records mapped. There are no significant changes for this species since 1988. Its

main distribution is on both banks of the Tees in Upper Teesdale, mostly within the N.N.R, with a

strong colony along Rookhope Burn and a “washdown” site on river gravels in NZ11. There are

no recent records for Eggleshope Burn, where it was recorded in 1933 by J.W.Heslop Harrison.

This location is uncertain, and so is not mapped Durham is the main centre of distribution in

England for this species.

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Equisetum pratense

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Equisetum x litorale


Equisetum sylvaticum L. Wood Horsetail.


Equisetum pratense x sylvaticum (E. x mildeanum) Rothm. Milde’s Horsetail.

A new hybrid for the county, and the first English record. Recorded from a single

site on Rookhope Burn, the plant covers several square metres. The site is unprotected.

Filicopsida: Ferns

Ophioglossum vulgatum L. Adders Tongue Fern

The distribution of this fern is unchanged since the Flora, but it seems to be less

frequent at some sites. It favours the furrows of old “ridge and furrow” pasture, often with

Genista tinctoria and Serratula tinctoria on the ridges.

Botrychium lunaria (L.) Swartz Moonwort

A difficult fern to find. In the east of the county it is usually found in species-rich

magnesian limestone grassland, and in the west it favours the poor soils formed over mine or

quarry spoil. Some of the best sites are within the fenced-off mineshaft areas, grazed by rabbits

but not by sheep.

Osmunda regalis L. Royal Fern

Now very rare, and the subject of one of the Durham Biodiversity Action Plan’s

species recovery projects. A single plant, not the survivor recorded in the Flora, remains in an

alder wood.

Cryptogramma crispa (L.) Hook. Parsley Fern

Species mapped. No significant changes since 1988. This plant is very common on

the whin sill areas of the “Yorkshire” (VC65) part of Teesdale, mapped as square symbols. The

open circles are very old records, where it appears to be extinct.

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Cryptogramma crispa


Adiantum capillus-veneris L. Maidenhair Fern

A new species for the county. An escape from cultivation was found at Teesside,

NZ52. It is unlikely to become permanently established.

Pilularia globulifera (L.) Pillwort

The National *Biodiversity Network shows a record for NZ03 on its website map for

this species, but I have been unable to locate the source of this record.

Trichomanes speciosum Willd Killarney Fern

This fern has recently been discovered to have the ability to survive as the

gametophyte stage, without developing into the “adult” plant. The moss-like gametophyte favours

sheltered, frost-free, acidic rocky sites such as cave entrances or streamside boulders. It has been

found in Teesdale, NZ11, but only south of the Tees. Further records are very probable. This

species is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Polypodium vulgare L. Common Polypody

No significant changes since 1988. Still present in Castle Eden Dene National Nature

Reserve, and recently found at two sites in the D. W. T’s Hawthorn Dene.

Polypodium interjectum Shivas Intermediate Polypody

Species mapped. Reliable separation of our two polypody species cannot be done

without microscopic examination of the spore cases.

Examination of specimens has shown that most Weardale and Upper Teesdale records are P.

vulgare. P. interjectum is commonest along the middle reaches of the Tees, with a little in

Weardale and an isolated site on the banks of the Tyne at Clara Vale.

Polypodium interjectum x vulgare Rothm. Hybrid Polypody

A new hybrid for the county. Recorded from two sites on the banks of the Tees near

Barnard Castle.


Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn Bracken

No significant changes since 1988. There have been several attempts to split bracken

into subspecies; all of ours are the typical subspecies aquilinum.

Phegopteris connectilis (Michx) Watt Beech Fern


Oreopteris limbosperma (All) Holub Mountain Fern


Asplenium marinum L. Sea Spleenwort

Species mapped. This fern has been re-found at most of its historic locations. There

are up to 1000 plants in four areas, Whitburn, Chourdon, Shippersea and Blackhall. Most are in

protected sites.

Asplenium trichomanes L. Maidenhair Spleenwort

The A. t. trichomanes subspecies, Delicate Maidenhair Spleenwort, has been found

in Durham since the Flora survey. It has a number of small populations, mainly on the whin sill

rock in Teesdale, some of which are in the Upper Teesdale N.N.R. It is very much more common

south of the Tees in VC65, mapped as square symbols. This sub-species is mapped here, the map

in the Flora accurately showing the A. t. quadrivalens D.E. Meyer emend Lovis sub-species. Like

Hart’s Tongue Fern, A.t. quadrivalens may be becoming more frequent in the east of Durham.

A third sub-species has been defined since 1988, Lobed Maidenhair Spleenwort, A. t.

pachyrachis (Christ) Lovis & Reichstein. Some authorities have given it full species status as A.

csikii. This has been confirmed from a number of sites on both sides of the Tees, and it may be

present elsewhere. The Durham plants are not as strongly lobed as the illustrations in some

guides. It favours lime or mortar substrates, on older and shadier walls than quadrivalens. The

map includes all refereed locations so far, though more research is needed for this fern.

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A. ceterach,(circles), A.marinum (squares)


Asplenium viride Huds. Green Spleenwort

No change to the main population area, on the limestones of Teesdale and Weardale,

but not seen recently in the Derwent Valley. Well protected in the Upper Teesdale N.N.R.

Asplenium ruta-muraria L. Wall Rue

No significant changes since 1988. Re-found in the Castle Eden Dene N.N.R. Well

protected in the Upper Teesdale N.N.R, on natural rocks.

Asplenium ceterach L. Rustyback

This species is mapped above, with A. marinum. Very sparse, with less than 110

plants at five VC66 sites, all on mortared walls. The main site, at Toronto, has declined due to

damage to the wall, and the Durham City site has not been seen

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Asplenium trichomanes pachyrachis

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Asplenium trichomanes trichomanes


recently. South of the Tees, there are small colonies at God’s Bridge, in the B.A.P. area, and at

Croft, (NZ20) just outside of it. This species is poorly protected.

Asplenium scolopendrium (L.)Newm. Hart’s Tongue Fern

This fern is becoming more common on old walls and other stonework, including in

the east of the county. A decrease in air pollution could be the main factor.

Asplenium septentrionale (L.) Hoffm Forked Spleenwort

Still not recorded from Durham, despite a careful search. The Northumberland

colony still exists, just north of the county boundary.

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum L. Black Spleenwort

Species mapped. Much more widespread than was thought in 1988, with about 500

plants in 12 sites. All are sub-species adiantum-nigrum. It is found in a variety of sites, most

being locations where it has long been known. Nine sites are

on very old walls, two on natural riverside rocks, and one in a disused magnesian limestone

quarry. The latter is a D.W.T. reserve, but otherwise the plant is not well protected. The open

circles on the map are pre-1980 records, where it no longer occurs.

Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth. Lady Fern


Gymnocarpium robertianum (Hoffm) Newman Limestone Oak Fern

Still at the single known colony at Swinhope Burn, NY8834. Former sites north and

south of the Tees have been searched, unsuccessfully. Not well protected. This species is the

subject of a Biodiversity Action Plan.

Gymnocarpium dryopteris (L.) Newm. Oak Fern

New map. Recently found in a number of well- protected woodlands in the lower

Derwent Valley. The open circles are old records, the squares are VC65 records.

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Asplenium adiantum-nigrum


Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh. Brittle Bladder Fern

No significant changes since 1988. Still present at it’s outlying locations in Castle

Eden Dene N.N.R. and at Cassop.

Woodsia ilvensis (L.) R.Br. Oblong Woodsia

Almost certainly extinct in Durham as a native plant, Woodsia has been the subject

of a re-introduction project by English Nature, on both sides of the Tees in the Upper Teesdale

NNR. This species is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Polystichum setiferum (Forsk) Woynar Soft Shield Fern

Species mapped. Sparsely distributed, with less than 60 plants recorded. The main

distribution is now known to be in the coastal denes, where it is difficult to spot because of the

great predominance of P. aculeatum. The inland sites are either planted (Durham, Darlington,

Gateshead), or possibly escapes from cultivation. The Derwent Valley records may be native. The

Stainton record in the Flora is a fine-leafed form of P. aculeatum. The coastal dene sites are well

protected, in Hawthorn Dene S.S.S.I. (both D.W.T. and National Trust), Castle Eden Dene N.N.R.

and Hesleden Dene (D.W.T.)

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Gymnocarpium dryopteris

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Polystichum setiferum


Polystichum aculeatum (L.) Roth Hard Shield Fern

A large number of new sites have been recorded since 1988. This fern is more

widespread in the coastal denes than the Flora map shows, in Ryhope, Seaham, Foxholes and

Hesleden Denes, and in The Howls. It is also present, very sparsely, in the Wear gorge.

Polystichum aculeatum x setiferum ( P. x bicknelli) (Christ)

Hahne

Hybrid Shield Fern

A new hybrid for the county. A single plant in the National Trust’s part of Hawthorn

Dene S.S.S.I.

Polystichum lonchitis (L.) Roth Holly Fern

Still present at Falcon Clints, perhaps thirty plants, and south of the Tees at

Cronkley, a smaller population. Both are in the Upper Teesdale N.N.R.

Dryopteris oreades Fomin Mountain Male Fern

Species mapped. Much more frequent than recorded in the 1988 Flora, several

thousand plants widespread in upper Teesdale, mostly in the N.N.R. It is also frequent south of

the Tees, mapped as squares. The NZ24x record is the Kepier Wood record discussed in the Flora.

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Polystichum aculeatum


Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott Male Fern


Dryopteris filix-mas x oreades ( D. x mantonae) Fraser-

Jenkins & Corley

Hybrid Mountain Male Fern

A new hybrid for the county, growing at several places on Falcon Clints.

Dryopteris affinis (Lowe) Fraser-Jenkins Scaly Male Fern

This species has recently been divided by several authors into a variety of apomictic

“species”, of various ranks. The most credible are “affinis”, “borerri” and “cambrensis”, all of

which probably occur in Durham. “Affinis” is a diploid form frequent among rocks in the west of

the county, and is readily distinguished. The other forms are triploids, ”borerri” being the main

form in the county, equivalent to the map in the 1988 Flora, but also present in the coastal denes.

A form similar to “cambrensis” is frequent at the base of drystone walls along lanes in the west of

the county. There are large, leafy forms in the denes of the Derwent Valley, similar to a fourth

described form, “robusta”. The coastal denes have a distinctive form of their own, similar to

“borerri” or perhaps to a fifth form, “insolens”. There is at present no reliable key to these forms,

so they have not been mapped here.

Dryopteris affinis x filix-mas (D. x complexa) Rothm Hybrid Male Fern

No significant change to records. Each of the various forms of D. affinis can

hybridise with D. filix-mas. Identification of hybrids requires examination of spores, to see what

proportion is fertile.

Dryopteris aemula (Ait) Kuntze Hay-Scented Buckler Fern

Still not reliably recorded for Durham (or for Northumberland), despite a careful

search. It favours rocky streambanks in low altitude acid woodland, and is present in the North

Yorkshire coastal denes. All of the early records are probably forms of D. dilatata. Plants of D.

dilatata with “crisped” foliage and/or enlarged basal pinnules are not uncommon in the Derwent

Valley woodlands, but are readily distinguished from D. aemula by their stem scales.

1

2

3

4

5

6

8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

Dryopteris oreades


Dryopteris submontana (Fraser-Jenkins & Jermy) Fraser-Jenkins Rigid Buckler Fern

Species mapped. A new species for the county. Recorded at three sites, including its

most northern locality. These are not the traditional limestone pavement habitats of this fern, but

are a mine ruin in the Derwent Valley, a disused quarry in Weardale, and a disused railway

cutting on the magnesian limestone. It may be spreading in the county. The fern’s centre of

distribution is on the limestone pavements of north-west England, and it is very scarce elsewhere.

This species is the subject of a Biodiversity Action Plan.

Dryopteris dilatata (Hoffm) A. Gray Broad Buckler Fern

No significant changes since 1988

Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill) H.P. Narrow Buckler Fern

Several recent new records enable a new map to show this plant’s distribution more

accurately. Most significantly, mid-altitude wet heathland sites were previously under-recorded.

1

2

3

4

5

6

8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

Dryopteris submontana

1

2

3

4

5

6

8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Dryoperis carthusiana


Dryopteris carthusiana x dilatata (D. x deweveri)

(Jansen) Jansen & Wachter

Hybrid Narrow Buckler Fern

A new hybrid for the county, present at most of the sites for its carthusiana parent,

and occasionally elsewhere where carthusiana formerly occurred. The triangle symbols are

tetrads where only hybrids, rather than carthusiana, have been found. At some sites, such as

Waldridge Fell, it is more common than carthusiana.

Dryopteris expansa (C. Presl) Fraser-Jenkins &

Jermy

Northern Buckler Fern

Very rare and confined to two small sites at Falcon Clints and at Dine Holm Scar, in

the Upper Teesdale N.N.R. The total number of plants is less than 30, much less than previously

thought, due to confusion with upland forms of D. dilatata.

Dryopteris expansa x dilatata (D. x ambrosiae)

Fraser-Jenkins & Jermy

Hybrid Northern Buckler Fern

A new hybrid for the county. A single plant at Falcon Clints.

Blechnum spicant (L.) Roth Hard Fern

No significant changes since 1988. Still present at Hawthorn Dene and at Castle

Eden Dene.

Azolla filiculoides Water Fern

Species mapped. Spreading slowly as an introduction from garden ponds. Sold by

garden centres, but also contaminating other plants, such as water lilies, being sold. The open

circle is a J.W. Heslop Harrison record.

1

2

3

4

5

6

8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

Azolla filiculoides


References

Graham, G.G. 1988, “The Flora and Vegetation of County Durham” Durham Flora Committee.

Green, D. & Race, D, 1991 “ A Study of Naturalised Ferns in Darlington” Vasculum

Jermy, C. and Camus, J. 1991, “ The Illustrated Field Guide to Ferns and Allied Plants of the

British Isles.” Natural History Museum.

Lawrence, I. 1994 “A Guide to the Wild Flowers of Cleveland” Cleveland County Council.

Page, C. 1997. “ The Ferns of Britain and Ireland” C.U.P.

Rickard, M.H. 1989 “Two spleenworts new to Britain…” Pteridologist 1,6,244-249.

Brimstone Butterfly in Sunderland, VC 66, April 2001

Jeremy Chadd, St Chad's Vicarage, Charter Drive, EastHemngton, Sunderland SR2 3PG

On 2nd April 2001, a warm and sunny morning with a light southerly breeze, a male

Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni L. flew through my garden in outer Sunderland (NZ 362536) at

about 11.00 am. It flew around the garden, lingering here and there without settling, and in

typically 'purposeful’ Brimstone fashion soon moved on.

This is the first Brimstone I have seen in the north-east since moving up here 20

years ago, and like the one recorded for May 2001 by Mr Ellis in the last edition of The Vasculum

is likely to be a vagrant. It would be interesting to know if records of wanderers continue to

increase. It is notable that the landscaping of new developments (supermarkets, offices, and

housing estates) in this area and others now often seems to consist of assemblages of British

native shrubs, so that, for example, Field Maple Acer campestre L is now abundant in this area in

such plantings, though previously rare in VC 66 outside south-east Durham (Graham 1988). If the

buckthorns were also to be routinely included in such mixed plantings, and if wandering

Brimstones appear more often, the potential for the establishment of the Brimstone as a breeding

species might be quickly realised. Purging Buckthorn Rhamnus catharticus L once reached its

northern British limit in County Durham at Lawson's Slack near Darlington and Ryhope Dene

near Sunderland, but has been extinct here since the nineteenth century (Graham 1988), so its

assisted return might not be too much out of place.

References

Ellis, H.A. Brimstone Butterfly in Tynemouth Northumberland, VC67, Spring 2001. The

Vasculum 86(2): 40.

Graham, G.G. The Flora and Vegetation of County Durham. Durham Flora Committee and

Durham County Conservation Trust, 1988.


John E.Robson, (1833 - 1907) The Man and his Insect Collection.

Harry T.Eales. 11. Ennerdale Terrace. Low Westwood. Co.Durham. NE17 7PN.

John Emmerson Robson is perhaps best known for his ‘Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of

Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne’, which was published in four parts, (2

Vols.) in 1899, 1902, 1905 and 1913 in The Transactions of The Natural History Society of

Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne. This series of four parts retailed originally

at a total cost of 17 shillings (85p).

Robson’s ‘Catalogue’ as it came to be known, was the definitive reference book for all local

lepidopterists for the best part of a century. Frequent references to it are to found in, ‘The

Vasculum’ from 1915 onwards, in Dunn & Parrack (1986 & 1992), and elsewhere. Yet, until

recently, very little was known either about the man, or his collection. A short obituary in the

final part of ‘The Catalogue’ which was edited by his friend and collecting companion, John

Gardner, of Laurel Lodge, Hart, Co.Durham, gives very little information about him, other than

he died after a short illness on 28th February 1907, in his 75th year.

Robson was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, but his parents must have moved to Hartlepool when

he was fairly young, as by 1855, his father had become Mayor of Hartlepool. Nothing is at

present known of his school education. He served his time in The National Provincial Bank of

England, Hartlepool, attaining the position of accountant. He subsequently entered a partnership

with a Mr. Hammerbom and for many years carried on in business as a joiner and builder.

Another of his business interests was that of music dealer, which ran from a shop attached to his

house at no.15 Northgate Street. Hartlepool.

In the early 1850’s when still in his teen’s, he formed a lifelong friendship with John Gardner, a

successful Hartlepool Timber Merchant. Insects were not their only mutual interest as both were,

later in life, heavily involved in local politics.

Robson was assistant editor and later editor of 'The Young Naturalist' afterwards 'British

Naturalist' from 1879 until 1893 when this periodical ceased publication. Besides editing, he was

also a frequent contributor to its pages.

The Lepidoptera were not however, Robson's sole interest and the ‘Catalogue’ was not the only

book he wrote. In 1866 he produced ‘A Label List of British Lepidoptera’ (based on Henry

Doubleday's List) 16 pages, as a suppliment to The Young Naturalist. Vol.7. He also had interests

in Botany, in 1873 he wrote a volume entitled ‘Botanical Labels for Labelling Herbaria’ 255

pages. A further small volume, ‘Coleoptera for Beginners’ was published in 1885.

This was followed by a slim volume entitled, "A List of British Lepidoptera and their Named

Varieties". This was co-authored by John E.Robson and John Gardner and was published by John

Kempster & Co. London. It was dedicated (by special permission) To the Members of the

Haggerston Entomological Society, [A small north London Entomological Society founded in

1858, which in 1888 changed its name to, The City of London Entomological and Natural History

Society, and which


in 1914, became the present, London Natural History Society]. It is unfortunately, not dated,

either on the flyleaf or elsewhere, but references in it, indicate that it was printed in 1886-87. This

writer has a bound copy of this slim volume in his entomological library. It was obviously

published with the intention that it be used as a label list, as the printing was only on one side of

each page. This again followed Doubleday’s list to which Robson was a staunch adherant. He

loathed what he termed the ‘modern entomology’ with constant changes of scientific names. It

must have been with some great reluctance, that, when he wrote ‘The Catalogue’ he followed the

names given by C.G.Barrett, the authority on nomenclature at that time.

Elected a Fellow of The Entomological Society of London, in 1890. (In the days before one could

purchase a Fellowship), It is known that he occasionally journeyed to the capital to read papers at

meetings of that society and, that when unable to attend these meetings, he submitted papers to be

read in his absence. Robson was also known to be an Honorary Member of both The Lancashire

and Cheshire, and The City of London Entomological Societies.

Traditionally, many entomologists have bequeathed their records, notebooks and collections to

local Natural History Museums, but enquiries by this writer at The Dorman, Sunderland and

Hancock Museums and elsewhere, failed to reveal any trace of the J.E.Robson Collection or

indeed any documents left by him.

The mystery of what happened to his collection was revealed whist I was researching another

subject in, "The Entomologist" for 1895. Two small notes revealed that a large part of the

J.E.Robson Collection was auctioned at J.C.Stevens Entomological Salesrooms, 38. King Street,

Covent Garden, London, on 11th June and 22nd October 1895. The Entomologist's

correspondent, a Mr Thomas William Hall, reported that: - “That the collection was rich in

varieties was undeniable. The Macro's (less Geometrae) brought very low prices. Nearly every

insect bore on its individual pin a label with full particulars of locality and captor, and yet in very

many instances good insects were sold for a quarter of the price the most modest working

entomologist would have charged for the mere setting, let alone acquisition”. The arranging of the

specimens into "lots" also had a considerable effect on the prices obtained. This was a skilled job

if the best prices were to be raised. Unfortunately this was not, apparently, done well in the case

of Robson’s collection, with specimens being huddled together so closely that their merits were

not properly appreciated.

In the October 1895 edition of the same magazine, Mr Hall reported on the second part of the

sale. He stated that: - "The Geometrae, Crambites and Tortrices were sold, the condition of all the

specimens poor and prices ruled low". It would appear that the timing of these sales was critical if

good prices were to be obtained. The winter sales (November-March) always brought higher

prices, as collectors were not engaged in field work, and therefore the auctions were very well

attended. The highest price bid was for a suffused variety of The Dark Green Fritillary (A.aglaia),

which raised £9.00. (Several weeks' wages for a working man at that time). Yet series of forty or

more Noctuids brought only a few shillings.


According to copies of the sale catalogues, the collection consisted of a "valuable collection of

British Insects formed by J.E.Robson Esq., during the last 40 years. Almost exclusively on the

North-East Coast of England, and contains some very fine varieties". The collection comprised of

:- 1,585 butterflies, 11,736 moths, 65 preserved larvae and a 40 drawer mahogany insect cabinet.

An examination of the sale list however showed that Robson, like so many entomologists of his

era, exchanged specimens with other workers and many of these were also included in the sale.

Having studied the Sale Catalogues detailing the contents of each ‘lot’ it is this writers opinion

that this collection would have surpassed any that are currently present in our local

(Northumberland & Durham) natural history museums.

A final sale of Robsons specimens took place at Stevens Salerooms on 15th May 1907 when the

remainder of his collection of lepidoptera were sold. This sale was presumably made by the

executors of his estate as it took place shortly after his death in 1907. The sale, and thus the

fragmentation of the Robson Collections rather than their deposition in a local museum, deprived

later local entomologists of the opportunity of seeing genuine Durham specimens of, Marsh

Fritillary, Scotch Argus, Small Blue, Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood butterflies and numerous

Moth species which are now either very rare or, unfortunately, extinct within our counties.

(Fuirther research is being carried out into the contents of this final sale). (The same auctioneers

disposed of the John Sang Collection, frequently mentioned by Robson, in the 1880's when Sang's

grocery business failed and he went into bankruptcy.)

Robson was elected as a member of The Tyneside Naturalists Field Club on 5th August 1872. He

lectured to The Natural History Society at The Hancock Museum on ‘British Butterflies’ on

27.3.1900. ‘The Hawk Moths’ on 26.2.1901, and on, ‘The appearance and disappearance of

species amongst Lepidoptera’, on 22.3.1902.

Further research has revealed that Robson also had artistic abilities. In 1947 a Miss Mary

B.Robson (possibly his daughter or grand daughter), presented a total of 120 watercolour

drawings of Northumberland Lepidoptera painted by J.E.Robson, to the British Museum

(Nat.Hist.). This writer believes these paintings by Robson were originally intended to illustrate

his ‘Catalogue’, but they never appeared, possibly due to the costs of, or perhaps difficulties in,

the reproduction of coloured prints. Enquires reveal that some of these paintings are of both

butterflies and moths some with larvae and foodplants also illustrated. I have copies of two of

these, which illustrate the Buff Tip and Buff Ermine moths together with the larvae and foodplant,

both are of excellent quality and in this writers opinion considerably better than many published

illustrations of that period. I have not unfortunately had the opportunity of examining the rest of

this series of pictures.

Early in life he began to take an active interest in public work and was a member of the Old

Throston Local Board, at the time of the Hartlepool Borough Extension. Elected a Conservative

member of the Hartlepool Borough Council in 1898, he served on the School Board Committee

until his death. He was the Conservative Party Agent for Hartlepool and was known as a keen

Tariff Reformer. Other bodies he served on were:- Board of Hospital Governors and the Ann

Crookes School


Board of Management. A life long abstentionist he did much to further the Temperance

Movement in Hartlepool and was one of the first to help the Good Templary Movement. He was a

well-read man and well up in Hartlepool lore and was always appealed to in matters historical.

Robson’s family was typically large in keeping with the Victorian fashion. He had four sons and

three daughters. As far as it can be ascertained, none of his family shared his interest in

Entomology.

Robson took ill in late December 1906 and was confined to bed, he passed away at his home

address on Thursday 28th February at 9.00 pm. He was buried in what is now known as ‘The Old

Cemetery’ Hartlepool, (NZ 511349) which overlooks the sea, in plot no. N231, on Monday 4 th

March 1907. There is a headstone marking his final resting place.

Robsons house and shop still exist on the corner of Abbey Street and Northgate Street (now a

Dental Surgery) and is now numbered 29 Northgate Street. During the early 20th.century

redevelopment took place following the demolition of old properties in Middlegate and High

Street. Northgate Street was extended and the re-numbering of properties took place. Kelly’s

Directory for 1885 shows Robson living above Hoggets music shop at no.15 on the corner of

Northgate Street and Abbey Street. The same Directory shows that Robson owned a ‘Steam Saw

Mill’ at no.52a Northgate Street (old numbering) adjacent to the Wesleyan Chapel, which was

presumably used in connection with his building business.

Robson’s Will was registered for probate at Somerset House, London on 29.4.1907. Copies are

now stored at York Probate Register. Duncoombe Place. York. YO1 7A. His estate was valued as

£764/00/00d, a considerable sum of money in those times. The Will, dated 18.08.1902 stipulated

that all monies accrewed from the disposable assets of his estate be invested, and the interest be

used to pay an allowance to his widow. Upon her death, any residue was to be shared amongst

any of his daughters who remained unmarried. Two of his sons, Joseph Henry and John George

Robson were appointed executors.

In an ‘Obituary’ (E.M.M. Vol. 43) Mr.G. T.Porritt the emminent Yorkshire entomologist wrote,

“For a very long period Mr. Robson has been known in the North of England as an ardent and

successful Lepidopterist. He was an enthusiastic and genial companion, as we know from

experience, and a charming correspondent”. Praise indeed from Porritt.

Acknowledgements.

To Mr.Martin Honey, Dept of Entomology British Museum (Natural History). & Mrs Julie

Harvey, Entomological Library, British Museum (Natural History). For copies of documents,

paintings and other data held by the British Museum.

The Staff of Durham County Records Office, for access to microfilm copies of Census Records.

The Staff of York Probate Office for a copy of Robson’s Will.


To Mr. Russel McAndrew of Hartlepool, for information relating to Robsons grave, for maps

information and documents relating to the properties owned by Robson and the redevelopement

and the re-numbering of properties in Northgate Street.

Obituaries.

Proc.Ent.Soc. 1907 xcv-xcv.

Northern Daily Mail (& Hartlepool Gaz). 1.3.1907.

Northern Daily Mail Ibid. 7.3.1907.

Ent.Mon.Mag. 43:88-89 1907.

Ent.Rec. 19:99 1907.

Notification of Robson’s Death.

Leopoldina 43:55 1907. Published in Halle. Germany. This note in German, merely states that :- ‘

The Lepidopterist Mr.J.E.Robson died 28th.February 1907 in Hartlepool, aged 74 years.’

Notes

Further research is needed to trace Robson’s place of birth. He was born prior to Birth Certificates

being issued, but there should be a record of his Christening in the Newcastle upon Tyne Parish

Records which are held in the Museum of Science and Technology in Newcastle upon Tyne.

More details are needed on his family (Sons and Daughters, and just who was the Mary B.Robson

who donated the watercolour drawings to the British Museum?).

The Sale Registers of Stevens Auction Rooms need to be examined to ascertain exactly how

much each ‘lot’ brought at the sales. I have some details but not all. Further details of the final

sale of Robson’s collection in 1907 are also required. These Sale Registers should also indicate

who bought the lots and this may enable the whereabouts of some specimens to be traced.

Enquiries are also being made to obtain a copy of his death certificate to ascertain his cause of

death.

Spider from Brasside

The spider Theridion pallens, with an egg sac, was found on the 23rd June 2001 at Brasside Ponds

on an Oak tree

Michael Mann


The Publications of Charles Taylor Trechmann (1885-1964), a Notable Amateur Geologist

from the Northeast of England

STEPHEN K. DONOVAN, Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum,

Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD

Introduction

Following the recent publication of my annotated bibliographies of Charles Taylor Trechmann’s

contributions on the geology of northeast England (Donovan, 1999, 2001), I felt that I may have

done this 20th century ‘gentleman geologist’ a disservice by making him appear somewhat limited

in his interests. Trechmann’s published works were mainly concerned with geology, but also

included archaeology, conchology and even ornithology. His geological research extended much

further afield than northeast England, and included contributions on Gibraltar, Malta and, most

notably, New Zealand and the Caribbean. The latter suite of papers were most commonly

concerned with Jamaica, but also took in many of the other islands of the English-speaking

Caribbean islands, including Antigua, Barbados, Carriacou, St. Kitts, Tobago and Trinidad.

The present communication is a bibliography of all of the published works of C.T.

Trechmann of which I am aware, totalling 88 entries. These emphasise Trechmann’s

independence as a scientist, as all but two of these publications were written by Trechmann alone.

While I accept that the present compilation may have omissions (I trust that these are few), it is

nevertheless the most comprehensive and accurate bibliography of Trechmann’s published papers

ever compiled. Unlike my two earlier papers, annotations have been kept to a minimum. Papers

on the geology of northeast England have already been discussed elsewhere (Donovan, 1999,

2001); other publications, particularly those concerning the Caribbean, are intended to form the

focus of future publications. I would, of course, welcome any information concerning any

omissions that readers may recognise.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Trechmann, C.T. 1904. Neolithic remains in south Durham. The Naturalist (for 1904): 77-78.

Trechmann, C.T. 1905. Neolithic remains on the Durham coast. The Naturalist (for 1905): 341-342, 361-363, pls

25, 26.

Trechmann, C.T. 1906a. Neolithic remains on the Northumberland coast. The Naturalist (for 1906): 90-91.

Trechmann, C.T. 1906b. Limnaea peregra Monst. sinistorsum, in Durham. The Naturalist (for 1906): 113-114.

Trechmann, C.T. 1910. Note on a meadow-pipit's nest containing two eggs of the cuckoo. The Naturalist (for

1910): 140-141.

Trechmann, C.T. 1913a. On a mass of anhydrite in the Magnesian Limestone of Hartlepool. Geological Magazine,

50: 94-95.

Trechmann, C.T. 1913b. On a mass of anhydrite in the Magnesian Limestone at Hartlepool, and on the Permian of

south-eastern Durham. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 69: 184-218, pl. 22.


Trechmann, C.T. 1914a. The lithology and composition of Durham Magnesian Limestones. Geological Magazine,

51: 179-180.

Trechmann, C.T. 1914b. The Scandinavian Drift of the Durham Coast, and the general glaciology of south-east

Durham. Geological Magazine, 51: 331-332.

Trechmann, C.T. 1914c. On the lithology and composition of Durham Magnesian Limestones. Quarterly Journal

of the Geological Society, London, 70: 232-265, pls 36, 37.

Trechmann, C.T. 1915. The Scandinavian Drift of the Durham coast and the general glaciology of south-east

Durham. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 71: 53-82, pl. 8.

Trechmann, C.T. 1917a. The age of the Maitai Series of New Zealand. Geological Magazine, 54: 53-64, pls 4, 5.

Trechmann, C.T. 1917b. The glacial controversy in New Zealand. Geological Magazine, 54: 241-245.

Trechmann, C.T. 1917c. Cretaceous Mollusca from New Zealand. Geological Magazine, 54: 294-305, pls 19, 20.

Trechmann, C.T. 1917d. Cretaceous Mollusca from New Zealand (concluded). Geological Magazine, 54: 337-

342, pl. 21.

Trechmann, C.T. 1917e. The Trias of New Zealand. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, series 8, 19: 359-

360.

Trechmann, C.T. 1917f. The Trias of New Zealand. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 73:

165-246, pls 17-25.

Trechmann, C.T. 1919. On a bed of interglacial loess and some pre-Glacial freshwater clays on the Durham coast.

Geological Magazine, 56: 89-91.

Trechmann, C.T. and Woolacott, D. 1919. On the highest Coal-Measures or "Zone" of Anthrcomya phillipsi in the

Durham Coalfield. Geological Magazine, 56: 203-211, pl. 5.

Trechmann, C.T. 1920. On a deposit of interglacial loess, and some transported Preglacial freshwater clays on the

Durham coast. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 75 (for 1919): 173-203.

Trechmann, C.T. 1921. Some remarkably preserved brachiopods from the Lower Magnesian Limestone of

Durham. Geological Magazine, 58: 538-543, pl. 12.

Trechmann, C.T. 1922a. The Cretaceous and Tertiary question in Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 59: 422-431.

Trechmann, C.T. 1922b. The Barrettia Beds of Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 59: 501-514, pls 18-20.

Trechmann, C.T. 1923a. The Jurassic rocks of New Zealand. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society,

London, 79: 246-312, pls 12-18. [Including an appendix by L.F. Spath “On ammonites from New

Zealand.”]

Trechmann, C.T. 1923b. The Yellow Limestone of Jamaica and its Mollusca. Geological Magazine, 60: 337-367,

pls 14-18.

Trechmann, C.T. 1924a. The Carbonaceous Shale or Richmond Formation of Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 61:

2-19, pls 1, 2.

Trechmann, C.T. 1924b. The Cretaceous limestones of Jamaica and their Mollusca. Geological Magazine, 61:

385-410, pls 23-26.

Trechmann, C.T. 1925a. The Permian of Durham. Geological Magazine, 62: 283-284.

Trechmann, C.T. 1925b. The Permian Formation in Durham. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 36: 135-

145, pls 13-15.


Trechmann, C.T. 1925c. The Scotland Beds of Barbados. Geological Magazine, 62: 481-504, pls 21-24.

Trechmann, C.T. 1925d. The Northern Range of Trinidad. Geological Magazine, 62: 544-551, pl. 25.

Trechmann, C.T. 1927. The Cretaceous shales of Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 64: 27-42, pls 1-4.

Trechmann, C.T. 1928. A supposed implement of quartzite from beneath the boulder clay of the Durham coast.

Geological Magazine, 65: 25-29, pl. 3.

Trechmann, C.T. 1929. Fossils from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 66: 481-491, pl. 18.

Trechmann, C.T. 1930a. The Manchioneal Beds of Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 67: 199-218, pls 12, 13.

Trechmann, C.T. 1930b. Atlantobellerophon, a new gasteropod from the Rhaetic of New Zealand. Transactions of

the New Zealand Institute, 61: 140-143, pl. 25.

Trechmann, C.T. 1930c. The relation of the Permian and Trias in northeast England. Proceedings of the

Geologists' Association, 41: 323-335, pl. 22.

Trechmann, C.T. 1931a. The Permian. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 42: 246-252.

Trechmann, C.T. 1931b. The Scandinavian Drift or basement clay on the Durham coast. Proceedings of the

Geologists' Association, 42: 292-294, pl. 8, fig. A.

Trechmann, C.T. 1931c. The 60-foot raised beach at Easington, Co. Durham. Proceedings of the Geologists'

Association, 42: 295-296, pl. 8, fig. A.

Trechmann, C.T. 1932a. Quaternary conditions in Malta. Geological Magazine, 75: 1-26, pl. 1.

Trechmann, C.T. 1932b. The Permian shell-limestone reef beneath Hartlepool. Geological Magazine, 69: 166-

175.

Trechmann, C.T. 1932c. Notes on Brimstone Hill, St. Kitts. Geological Magazine, 69: 241-258, pls 14, 15.

Trechmann, C.T. 1932d. Brimstone Hill, St. Kitts. Geological Magazine, 69: 430.

Trechmann, C.T. 1933. The uplift of Barbados. Geological Magazine, 70: 19-47, pls 3, 4.

Trechmann, C.T. 1934. Tertiary and Quaternary beds of Tobago, West Indies. Geological Magazine, 71: 481-493,

pls 24, 25.

Trechmann, C.T. 1935a. Fossils from the Northern Range of Trinidad. Geological Magazine, 72: 166-175.

Trechmann, C.T. 1935b. The geology and fossils of Carriacou, West Indies. Geological Magazine, 72: 529-555,

pls 20-22.

Trechmann, C.T. 1936a. Mesolithic flints from the submerged forest at West Hartlepool. Proceedings of the

Prehistoric Society, 11: 161-168, pl. 35.

Trechmann, C.T. 1936b. The Basal Complex question in Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 73: 251-267.

Trechmann, C.T. 1936c. The Complex question in Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 73: 382-383.

Trechmann, C.T. 1937a. The base and top of the coral-rock in Barbados. Geological Magazine, 74: 337-359, pl.

12.

Trechmann, C.T. 1937b. The supposed Basal Complex in Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 74: 561-562.

Trechmann, C.T. 1937c. [Report of an exhibition of rocks from the Northern Range of Trinidad.] Quarterly

Journal of the Geological Society, London, 93: cxviii-cxix.


Trechmann,C.T.; 1938 Quaternary conditions in Malta. Geological Magazine 75, 1-26

Trechmann, C.T. 1939a. A rhinoceras bone from Brierton, near West Hartlepool. Proceedings of the Yorkshire

Geological Society, 24 (for 1938): 99-100, pl. 13.

Trechmann, C.T. 1939b. A skeleton of elk (Cervus alces) from Neasham, near Darlington. Proceedings of the

Yorkshire Geological Society, 24 (for 1938): 100-102, pl. 14.

Trechmann, C.T. 1940. Pp. 257-259. In Swinnerton, H.H. et al., [Discussion of] `On northern glacial drifts: some

peculiarities and their significance' by R.G. Carruthers. Quarterly Journal of the Geological

Society, London, 96: 249-269.

Trechmann, C.T. 1941a. Some observations on the geology of Antigua, West Indies. Geological Magazine, 78:

113-124.

Trechmann, C.T. 1941b. Pp. xcviii. In Fermor, L. et al., [Discussion of] `On a remarkable volcanic tuff from near

Kingston, Jamaica, and its bearing on the nature, origin and destiny of palagonite' by F. Raw.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, 97: xcvi-ci.

Trechmann, C.T. 1942a. Metasomatism and intrusion in Jamaica. Geological Magazine, 79: 161-178, pls 5, 6.

Trechmann, C.T. 1942b. Borings in the Permian and Coal Measures around Hartlepool. Proceedings of the

Yorkshire Geological Society, 24 (for 1941): 313-327.

Trechmann, C.T. 1943a. Discussion of `Tertiary Echinoidea of the Kohat-Potwar Basin' by L.M. Davies.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 99: 77-78.

Trechmann, C.T. 1943b. Some Pleistocene land snails from Gibraltar. Annals and Magazine of Natural History,

series 11, 10: 426-431, pl. 5.

Trechmann, C.T. 1945a. The West Indies and the Mountain Uplift Problem. Privately printed, Messrs. B.T. Ord

Limited, West Hartlepool, 25 pp.

Trechmann, C.T. 1945b. On some new Permian fossils from the Magnesian Limestone near Sunderland.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 100 (for 1944): 333-354, pl. 15.

Trechmann, C.T. 1947a. The submerged Forest Beds of the Durham coast. Proceedings of the Yorkshire

Geological Society, 27: 23-32, pls 2, 3.

Trechmann, C.T. 1947b. Coastal uplift and glacial problems in east Durham. Quarterly Journal of the Geological

Society, London, 103: iii-vi.

Trechmann, C.T. 1947c. Geological notes on the Great River Valley of St. Ann. Natural History Notes, Jamaica,

3: 154.

Trechmann, C.T. 1948a. The West Indies and the Mountain Uplift Problem. Part II. Additional observations.

Privately printed, Messrs. B.T. Ord Limited, West Hartlepool, 31 pp.

Trechmann, C.T. 1948b. Some puzzling features of Alpine and West Indian metamorphic rocks. Geological

Magazine, 85: 297-304

Trechmann, C.T. 1950. New Zealand and my Forbidden Theory of Mountain Uplift. Privately printed, Messrs.

B.T. Ord Limited, West Hartlepool, 35 pp.

Trechmann, C.T. 1951. Une nouvelle théorie orogénique. Cahiers Géologiques de Thoiry, 8: 65-70.

Trechmann, C.T. 1952a. On the Pleistocene of east Durham. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, 28:

164-179.


Trechmann, C.T. 1952b. Note on a Pleistocene coral-rock in Jamaica, altered into material resembling bauxite or

laterite. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 107 (for 1951): 443-444.

Trechmann, C.T. 1953. In Raymond, L.R. Some geological results from the exploration for potash in north-east

Yorkshire. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, London, 108 (for 1952): 307-308.

Trechmann, C.T. 1954. Thrusting and other movements in the Durham Permian. Geological Magazine, 91: 193-

208.

Arkell, W.J. & 61 others (including Trechmann, C.T.). 1954. Directory of British Fossiliferous Localities.

Palaeontographical Society, London, xiv+268 pp.

Trechmann, C.T. 1955. A New Explanation of Mountain Uplift, Based on Lunar Gravitation and Ocean Pressure.

Privately printed, Messrs. B.T. Ord Limited, West Hartlepool, 64 pp.

Trechmann, C.T. 1958a. [Untitled letter.] Geonotes, 1: 113.

Trechmann, C.T. 1958b. The evidence for cosmic upward pull in mountain and land uplift. Geological Magazine,

95: 426-436.

Trechmann, C.T. 1958c. [Untitled letter.] Geonotes, 1: 144.

Trechmann, C.T. 1958d. Some controversial points in Jamaica geology. Geonotes, 1: 145-146.

Trechmann, C.T. 1959a. Note on a Pleistocene coral-rock in Jamaica, altered into material resembling bauxite or

laterite. Geonotes, 2: 55-56. [Reprint of Trechmann, 1952b.]

Trechmann, C.T. 1959b. The Cretaceous and Tertiary questions again in Jamaica. Geonotes, 2: 147-152.

Trechmann, C.T. 1960. What I think of the 1958 Geological Survey map of Jamaica. Geonotes, 3: 111-112.

Trechmann, C.T. 1964a. The coastal area at Mosquito Cove and Lucea harbour and extending inland to the south.

Geonotes, 6: 53-55.

Trechmann, C.T. 1964b. The rocks around Mosquito Cove and Lucea, north-west Jamaica. Geonotes, 6: 56-57.

Trechmann, C.T. [date unknown.] Has Barbados evidence on the mountain uplift problem? Barbados Advocate,

pp. 5(?), 6.

Acknowledgements.--I thank the editor, Dr. M. Birtle, for his invitation to contribute to The Vasculum.

REFERENCES

Donovan, S.K. 1999. An annotated bibliography of papers on the geology of northeast England by Charles Taylor

Trechmann: Part 1 - Quaternary. The Vasculum, 84(3): 4-18.

Donovan, S.K. 2001. An annotated bibliography of papers on the geology of northeast England by Charles Taylor

Trechmann: Part 2 (conclusion) - mainly Permian. The Vasculum, 86(1): 37-43.


Field Meeting 233 Trimdon and Wingate Quarry July 17th 2001

Members met at the old railway that runs past Trimdon Quarry on a fine day. On hearing word

that Marbled White’s, introduced by Dr. Hill (Vasculum, 85(3)), were flying at Wingate quarry

the party moved from the Trimdon site to Wingate. Many butterflies were on the wing including

the Marbled Whites which were seen mating.

Cydia compositella (Three Striped Piercer) was observed by Malcolm Birtle flying

low over grass. This is a new record for Co. Durham (confirmed by A. Coates and J.Langmaid). It

has been recorded frequently in South and East Yorkshire (VC’s 61 and 63), less frequently in

North and West Yorkshire (vc’s 62 and 64), and never in North West Yorkshire (vc 65) according

to Sutton and Beaumont. The foodplants seem to be Clover, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Melilot and

Lucerne

A very attractive saw fly (Abia sp.) was also noted. The party returned to Trimdon

Quarry (NZ 364354) and the following list of plants was made by Dennis Hall-

Common Hawkweed Hieracium vulgatum Cowslip Primula veris

Wild Carrot Daucus carota Crosswort Galium cruciata

Mouse-eared Hawkweed Pilosella officinoram Agrimony Agrimonia eupotoria

Hairy Hawkbit Leontodon hispidis Spotted Orchid Dactylorchis fuchsii

Burnet Saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca

Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea Felwort Gentianella amarella

Goatsbeard Tragopogon pratensis Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca

Hardheads Centaurea nigra Wild Thyme Thymus drucei

Wild Betony Betonica officinalis Eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa

Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor Salad Burnet Sanguisorba minor

Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea Carnation Sedge Carex flacca

Herb Robert Geranium robertianum Downy Rose Rosa villosa

Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria Tea-leaved Willow Salix phyllicifolia

Birds-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus Carline Thistle Carlina vulgaris

Fairy Flax Linum catharticum Field Scabious Knautia arvensis

Liverworts

?Preissia quadrata Metygenia furcata

Mosses

Orthotrichium affine Mnium undulatum


Acrocladium cuspidatum Griminia apocarpa

Bryum pallens Ctenidium molluscum

Hypnum cupressiforme Eucalyptra vulgaris

Adjacent to quarry and on old railway

Cleavers Gallium aparine Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica

Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia conopsea Greater Bindweed Calystegia sepium

Twayblade Listera ovata Creeping Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans

Tall Melilot Melilotus altissima Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria

Wild Mignonette Reseda lutea Wood Avens Geum urbanum

Hogweed Heracleum

sphondylium

Botanical Notes from Wingate and Waskerley

On August 3rd 2001 Vicia tetrasperma (Smooth Tare) was found by Miss Monica Frisch in

Wingate Quarry (Grid ref. 45/374375). The entry in the Durham Flora states “very rare as always

in the North”, with only two recent records (undated).

Filago minima (Small Cudweed) was found on August 15th 2001, by myself on the

Waskerley Way railway walk, near Waskerly (Grid ref. 45/040454). This was confirmed by Dr F.

Rose (BSBI referee) on August 19th. The only records listed in the Durham Flora are for WINCH

in 1805, and BAKER AND TATE in 1868.

Gordon Young

Cinnabar Moth Tyria jacobaeae L. in North Tyneside (VC67)

Hewett A. Ellis, 16, Southlands, Tynemouth NE30 2QS

Although common throughout much of England, the Cinnabar Moth Tyria jacobaeae

L. is somewhat local in Northumberland, occurring mainly at coastal locations in the north of the

region, for example, on the dunes at Holy Island, Druridge and Cresswell. I have not seen the

species further south in similar habitats, for example, at Hartley Links near Seaton Sluice.

Until recently I had not encountered the species in North Tyneside. On 23 June 2001,

whilst my wife Christine and I were recording butterflies near ‘The Hill’ in the Rising Sun

Country Park, Wallsend (NZ 298695), we disturbed a single Cinnabar moth from its resting place

in vegetation. To check on the possibility that the species was becoming established locally we

revisited the site a month later on 24 July 2001 to look for Cinnabar moth larvae on the few

Ragwort plants growing there. We were rewarded by finding eight mature larvae feeding on three

separate plants.

This may seem a small number compared with the hundreds of larvae to be seen in

some years on Holy Island, when the Ragwort becomes extensively defoliated. However we hope

their presence indicates that the Cinnabar moth is becoming established at this North Tyneside

inland site which is located about 7.5km from the east coast.


Sphaerodes fimicola (Hansen) P. Cannon & D. Hawksw. - a rarely- collected fungus from

Low Barns, Witton-le wear

A.W. Legg. 36 Carleton Drive, Darlington, Co. Durham DL3 9QP

It is well-known that some hundreds of species of mainly very small fungi are to be found

on dung, particularly of herbivores. These may be most conveniently studied by the incubation of

small samples of fresh dung in shallow covered vessels such as petri dishes. Samples may be

inspected from time to time under a dissecting microscope and the fungi picked off with a needle

for further microscopical study.

Large numbers of such fungi are known to fruit only on dung, passage through the

digestive system of an animal being a necessary condition of spore-germination. Many other

species which fruit on incubated dung samples also occur on such substrata as soil and plant

debris but are normally found there less frequently.

A small sample of rabbit pellets was collected from the Low Barns Nature Reserve,

Witton-le-Wear, on 17th February 2001, days before this site was closed because of Foot and

Mouth Disease in the area. During succeeding weeks a number of common species of fungi

fruited on the sample. By the end of the fourth week a final examination was made before the

dung was due to be thrown out. It was then noticed that a small group of tiny orange ascomata

was developing on one of the pellets. A few further drops of water were added to the sample and,

by March 22nd, some asci had matured and were seen to contain brown, limoniform spores, each

with a pore at either end. It was then a simple matter to identify the fungus as Sphaerodes fimicola

using the standard text (Ellis & Ellis, 1988). As the name implies, this species was originally

described from dung.

An examination of relevant literature revealed records in this country from only Kent and

Surrey. Material was therefore despatched to Dr. B.M.Spooner at Kew who agreed with the

identification. He added (in litt.) " it is not a species I am familiar with; I have never collected it

or had it on incubated dung." He went on to say that, of the two other collections in the Kew

herbarium and the handful of records on the British Mycological Society database, none is from

dung but all apparently from soil, plant material, etc. The Witton-le-Wear specimens therefore

represent an important addition to the National Collection.

Reference

Ellis M.B. & Ellis J.P. 1988. Micro fungi on Miscellaneous Substrates. London. Croom Helm.


Notes on the occurrence of The Juniper Shieldbug Elasmostethus tristriatus (Fabricius).

Heteroptera: Acanthosomidae. In Northumberland and Co.Durham. V.C's. 68, 67 & 66.

Harry T.Eales. 11. Ennerdale Terrace. Low Westwood. Co.Durham. NE17 7PN.

(The following is reprinted by kind permission of the Editor of the Entomologists’ Record and

first appeared in Entomologists’ Record, Vol. 113, pp. 13-16, January 2001)

According to Southwood and Leston (1959) "The Juniper Shieldbug is found in juniper woods

where these are of a lowland or downland form. Thus the upland patches of juniper in Yorkshire

and the north do not usually support it, and a Northumberland record requires confirmation: The

sole authentic capture in the north was made in Witherslack Wood, Lancs. (Now Cumbria) In

February 1935".

Ward (1977) shows a distribution map of this species and the accompanying notes state, "A

southern species". The Witherslack record is mentioned, and the text continues, "there are two

possible records for Durham. Heslop-Harrison (1955)".

The only local list of Hemiptera, Bold (1872) does not record this species. However, Massee

(1945) does indicate a record of this insect's occurrence in Northumberland. The origin of this

record can be traced to Saunders (1892) where this species was noted to have been recorded by

'Wailes, Newcastle'. George Wailes (1802-1882) was a contemporary of T.J.Bold (1816-1874)

both were notable members of the local natural history society and very competent entomologists.

Bold frequently quoted records made by Wailes in other papers. It would appear that Wailes made

the 'Newcastle' record sometime between 1872 and 1882. It is unfortunate that he was not more

precise in his details regarding locality, but It should be remembered that in that time period, most

collectors / recorders gave the name of the nearest large town when making records. As

Newcastle upon Tyne is situated on the southern edge of what was then Northumberland, this

record could in fact, relate to either county. The nearest stands of juniper to Newcastle upon Tyne

are located in Co.Durham and the probability exists that this record is from this latter county. This

likelihood is enhanced by the fact that Wailes lived in Co.Durham.

The next note of this species occurrence locally, is that of Prof. J.W.H.Harrison (1955) who

records finding it on the 21.09.1955, near East Butsfield, (NZ11-45-) and later, on the 24.09.1955

near Wolsingham, (NZ 07-37-) both sites in Co.Durham. An examination of the juniper

distribution in Co.Durham, Graham (1988) however, does not indicate any records of this bush

for the NZ14, 10km. square. There is however, considerable doubt, at local and national level, as

to the validity of many of the botanical and entomological records made by J.W.H.Harrison.

(Sabbagh 1999). I have in my possession J.W.H.Harrison's hemiptera collection. None of the

specimens in it are labelled as being taken by him. The few insects that do have data labels were

taken by well-known hemipterists such as A.M.Massee etc. These insects would appear to have

been purchased or otherwise obtained by J.W.H.Harrison, as a reference collection.


In March 2000, I was asked by The Northumberland National Park Authority to carry out a

survey of the invertebrates occurring on Juniper, Juniper communis, ssp. communis, on three sites

within the Park. All three sites are considered as 'upland' although, apparently, there is no

definition, which separates the lowlands from uplands. (Dr.D.A.Sheppard. Pers. com.) Having

obtained the necessary access permissions from the landowners and where appropriate English

Nature, visits commenced on a monthly basis to each site.

On the 15th June at Hepple Whitefield Farm, V.C.67, (NY98-98-). Seven specimens of the

Juniper Shieldbug were beaten from female juniper bushes, bearing numerous ripe berries. All

were mature overwintered adult insects. These specimens represent the first definite records of

this species in Northumberland, bearing in mind that the record of Wailes was not either site or

county specific.

Having been successful in finding this insect in Northumberland, I then determined to try and

locate it in Co.Durham. V.C.66. On 18th June, having again obtained the necessary permissions, I

visited the Hisehope Burn SSSI. (NZ04-47-). Three specimens were found before rain terminated

further work. Again all were mature adults.

On 5th August I visited two sites in the Cheviot Hills in North Northumberland V.C.68, as part of

the National Park survey. These are Ilderton Dod Alders and Threestoneburn Alders. Both are in

grid square NU99-20-. Fifteen specimens in total were beaten from these sites which are within

an SNCI. Once again all the specimens were mature rather than teneral forms.

On 8th August at The Bog Farm SSSI, in south-west Northumberland, V.C.67, (NY68-54-) Six

mature specimens were beaten from female berry-bearing juniper. Several half-grown nymphs

were also found. Three adult specimens were retained. When these were examined upon reaching

home one pair were found 'in cop'. Bearing in mind the late date of this pair mating, is it possible

that this species is double brooded? In view of the cool climatic conditions prevailing in these

northern uplands and the alitude of these sites (180-280m. 588-916ft.) this seems very unlikely.

At present, no local data is available as to the time of the adult's emergence from hibernation.

Southwood & Leston (1959) give late March for the southern downland specimens, but it is very

likely to be much later in the year on these cold and windswept northern upland sites.

On 11th August four specimens were beaten from juniper at Oakeydene (NY 821559) in south

Northumberland, V.C.67. Again, all these specimens appeared to be overwintered adults. A

further four specimens were taken from juniper on National Trust landholding on 20th August at

Park Burn. (NY698612) V.C.67.

A visit to the Rowley Burn near Hexham, Northumberland, V.C.67 at NY90-56- on 22nd. August

only produced a single nymph. There were only two female bushes on this site with several males

spread out along the edge of a steep Birch covered ravine.

Dr.B.S.Nau (The National Hemiptera Recorder) informed me, that in recent years, this species

has increased its range in southern England by utilising Lawson's


Cypress, C.lawsoniana, as an alternative foodplant. This conifer is not at all common in towns

and villages in either county. It is none existent in the very isolated upland areas where juniper is

found. It would therefore appear that the Juniper Shieldbug could be an indigenous species in

northern England, which has been present in these counties possibly for centuries. The lack of

records in these counties for this species, is almost certainly due to the fact, that there have been

very few local entomologists interested in hemiptera, and that most of the stands of juniper are not

easily accessed.

At present, no attempt has been made to ascertain population numbers of this shieldbug on the

sites where it has been located; the aim has been simply to detect it, and to obtain records from

the three vice-counties. Further work on the local distribution of this insect will be carried out as

time permits.

There are at least 83 known sites where juniper can be found within Northumberland &

Co.Durham. Clifton, et.al. (1995). & Clifton, et.al. (1997). These vary from single isolated

specimens, to colonies of over 400 bushes. From the records obtained so far this year, it appears

that this insect has a wide distribution locally.

Now that the occurrence of this species is proven in north-east England, it would be well worth

while for those who have an interest in Hemiptera, to examine stands of juniper in Yorkshire,

Cumbria and counties further south where this insect has not been recorded, to ascertain whether

it is present. Examining juniper stands in areas where it is known to exist may also reward

entomologists north of the Scottish Border. Where it occurs in Cumbria and in Scotland, the

Juniper communis ssp. nana, should also be examined.

In Northumberland and Co.Durham, juniper grows in three forms according to its exposure to the

elements. These are prostrate, semi-erect and columnar. Female, berry-bearing plants of all three

growth forms often occur on the same site and all have produced specimens of this shieldbug. No

specimens have been beaten from male bushes.

When seeking this insect, care should be taken when examining the contents of the beating tray. If

this insect lands on its back, it enters a catatonic state, remaining immobile for some considerable

time. The colour of the underside of the insect exactly matches the colour of unripe juniper

berries. This makes it difficult to see, especially as there may be many unripe berries also present

in the tray.

From my somewhat limited experience of finding this species, I would suggest that anyone

seeking this species should concentrate on examining only the female berry-bearing bushes and to

pay specific attention to branches receiving long hours of exposure to sunlight, especially those

on the edges of juniper stands. These seem to be the most productive places.

My gratitude is expressed to Dr.D.A.Sheppard. English Nature. Peterbrough, & Brenda Burrell.

English Nature. Stocksfield, Northumberland, for advice and access to English Nature documents

on juniper distribution, and Dr.B.S.Nau for information


on the alternative foodplant of E.tristriatus. I would also like to thank the various landowners;

their agents and tenant farmers for access to the sites named.

REFERENCES.

Bold, T.J. 1872. A Catalogue of the Insects of Northumberland and Durham. (Hemiptera-

Heteroptera) Trans. Tyneside Naturalists Field Club. Vol. IV: 348 - 371.

Clifton,S.J. & Mullinger,S. 1995. Juniper - A Review of its Status and Distribution in

Northumberland. English Nature Northumbria Team. (Restricted circulation document).

Clifton,S.J., Ward,L.K. & Ranner, D.S.1997. The Status of Juniper Juniper Communis L. in North

East England. Biological Conservation, 79: 67 -77.

Graham, G.G. 1988. The Flora & Vegetation of County Durham. The Durham Flora Committee

& The Durham County Conservation Trust.

Harrison, J.W.H. 1955. Notes & Records. The Vasculum. 40: 31. The Northern Naturalists Union.

Massee, A.M. (Ed) 1945. The County Distribution of the British Hemiptera-Heteroptera.(By the

late E.C.Bedwell). Entomologists Monthly Magazine. Nov.1945. p.253 - 273.

Sabbagh, K.1999. A Rum Affair. Allen Lane, The Penguin Press. London.

Saunders, E. 1892. The Hemiptera Heteroptera if the British Islands. p. 41 - 42. L.Reeve & Co.

London.

Southwood, T.R.E. and Leston, D. 1959. Land and Water Bugs of the British Isles. p. 19 - 20.

Fredrick Warne & Co. Ltd. London.

Swan, G.A. 1993. Flora of Northumberland. Natural History Society of Northumbria. Newcastle

upon Tyne.

Ward, L.K. 1977. he Conservation of Juniper: The Associated Fauna with Special Reference To

Southern England. Journal of Applied Ecology. 14: 81 - 120.

Some Observations from Warden Law and Houghton Cut

The old Warden Law quarries (NZ370503) now house a superb popular karting

track, but cheek by jowl with this modern sport is an area of natural history worthy of better

recognition. There are the usual limestone plants with plenty of Fragrant Orchids. Several shallow

pools have full vegetation and are in danger of drying up in time perhaps. The largest pond is the

interesting one because growing with the Lesser Spearwort is the Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus

lingua) which, until recently, was very rare in the north-east, although it seems to be spreading.

As cars and lorries went hurtling by at great speed, and with no footpath along the

south carriageway of the A690 at Houghton Cut (NZ345506), I had to walk near the kerb where

there was no vegetation except for a lush growth of a low growing herb which proved to be

Spergularia marina (Lesser Sea Spurrey). This is a fleshy salt-marsh annual. There was a

footpath along the northcarriageway so there were no Spurreys except at the flat top where there

was a sparse growth where the footpath end. The steep road is regularly salted in winter and this

will help explain this rare inland colonization. A subsequent search on the same roadway about a

mile towards Durham elicited an abundance of Spergularia on the verges often in association

with Atriplex patula.Dennis Hall


President

Dr. M. Birtle

President Elect

Mr. A. Legg

Vice Presidents

Dr.H. Ellis, Dr. M. Birtle, G. Simpson, Dr. L. Davies, Dr. M. Luff, Dr. J. Turner, Mrs. J. Stobbs,

Mrs G. Batey, Messrs. N. Cook, D. Hall, M. Mann


Mr. C.L. Evans

Hon. Treasurer


Hon. Editors

Dr. M Birtle

Dr. P. Gates


Mr. L. Moore

Hon. Auditor

Mr. D. Hall


Butterflies


Durham, DH8 7DB.

Moths




Dragonflies

Northumberland: Harry Eales, 11 Ennerdale Terrace, Low Westwood. Co. Durham. NE 17 7PN.

Durham: Ian Waller, 42 College View, Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham, DH8 7DB

Birds






Mammals (general)



Durham: Kevin O'Hara, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas Park, Gosforth,

Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884) email: [email protected]

Bats


Durham Bat Group:Ian Bond, 105 Davison Rd., Darlington DL1 3DS (01325 264296)


Plants




upon Tyne NE1 7RU.

Spiders


Geological


http://www-scm.tees.ac.uk:8050/mail/0/mail?actioncompose=1&[email protected]

Volume 86 No. 4 ISSN 0049-5891

THE VASCULUM

Dates for your Diary 1

The Heslop Harrison Collection of Notebooks 2

Field Meeting Reports 2

Treasurer’s Statement prepared by Durham Wildlife Trust 8

The John E. Robson Collection of British Butterflies. 9

Variation in agaric fruiting-times in Darlington West Cemetery over a ten-year

period

19

Records of the Shieldbugs (Hemiptera-Heteroptera) in Northumberland &

Durham. V.C.’s 68, 67 & 66.

22

Flora of County Durham-Four Bramble Species New to the County 42

Records of the Comma Polygonia C-album L. in south-east Northumberland

(VC67) during 2001

43

Editors:





4, Fulmar Rd.,


Published by the Northern

Naturalists’ Union


of Natural History

The Vasculum 86(4):1(December, 2001)

THE VASCULUM









meetings.



sites.






around 200.





Durham (1986 & 1992).

The NNU organises a series of field meetings each year, and arranges a speaker for an Annual







THE VASCULUM

Vol. 86, No 4 December 2001

Dates for your Diary

Provisional arrangements for Field meetings in 2002 are as follows. More detailed information

will appear in the next Vasculum.

27th April, 2.00 pm, Confluence of the North and South Tyne at Warden near Acomb,

Northumberland. At approx O/S ref NY 919661. Leader Mr John Durkin.

18th May 2.00 pm, Hesleden Dene, County Durham. Leader Terry Coult. O/S ref NZ 442 379. To

reach this point, pass the castle Eden Brewery on the B 1281 and turn right into Hesleden. Follow

the road around to the left and down to the station house where there is ample parking. The

meeting will concentrate on providing Durham Wildlife trust with as many biological records

from this interesting limestone dene.

15th June 5 pm , Low Countess park, Bellingham. Northumberland. Leader, Nick Cook. At O/S

ref NY 869 805, some members will be already familiar with this location and again this is to be a

Mothing Circus, preceded by a walk around the area. A barbecue is to be held. Participants may

like to contribute £1.50 per person and bring a drink of their choice.

July 13th 2.00 pm, Warden Law, Houghton le Spring. Leader, Dennis Hall. O/S ref NZ 370 503

July 27th 2.00 pm, Stillington Nature reserve. Leader Ian Waller. O/S ref NZ 377 236, approx 5

miles east of Newton Aycliffe. Park at East end of town adjacent to old school.

17th August 2.00 pm, Ladycross Quarry, Slaley. Leader Bill Monk. O/S ref NY 955 560 walk

around quarry and mothing circus afterwards.

31st August 2.00 pm, Shincliffe near Durham. Leader Steve Robbins

7th September joint meeting with Fungus Group, location to be announced later. leader Alan

Legg

Annual General Meeting

This will be held on the 23rd March 2002 at Rainton Meadows, members are invited to bring

exhibits and photographs from 2001. Instead of a single speaker at the general meeting

members are invited to speak briefly on their discoveries and work in 2001. Four members

have already offered to contribute. Any other members who would like to contribute a short

presentation of their photographs should contact the secretary.


The Heslop Harrison Collection of Notebooks

David Gardner-Medwin, Natural History Society of Northumbria.

Members interested in Professor JW Heslop Harrison (1891-1967) may like to be aware of a

collection of thirteen notebooks in the Robinson Library of the University of Newcastle upon

Tyne, known as the Heslop Harrison Collection. It has never been catalogued and is not widely

known. Twelve books are of a uniform format, too large for field use; of these eleven contain

notes in JWHH’s handwriting, the twelfth contains apparently undergraduate notes in another

hand entitled “Botany 1930” and “1st year Agriculture, Armstrong Coll. Feb 1930”. A thirteenth

notebook is quite different and contains essays in an unknown hand on the history of plant

breeding, on [Karl Friedrich von] Gärtner (1772-1850) and on Darwin’s views on Gärtner.

The material in Heslop Harrison’s own hand comprises rough notes and drafts of articles, often

unfinished. The subject matter includes observations on melanism in moths (Lycia zonaria,

Epirrita etc), cross breeding of moths and descriptions of their morphology at various stages of

development, crossing experiments in roses, observations of “primrose × oxlip” at Saffron

Walden, and several notes and draft articles on the Hebrides including comments on the

discontinuous distribution of various plant species. There are a few crude tables of raw data, not

clearly identified, possibly from experiments carried out at his home. Four other miscellaneous

drafts are an opinion (for the publisher?) of an un-named book, a jokey description of a field trip

on the “Winlaton bus”, a brief account of the early meetings of the Wallis Club and a comment on

the rival merits of two able juniors in competition for promotion. There is a child’s very brief

account of a visit to Blackhall Rocks, possibly written by one of JWHH’s children. None of

Harrison’s own notes appear to be dated, but one book contains some loosely inserted extraneous

material (amongst it his NNU Membership Card) all dated 1966, the year before he died.

Few other Heslop Harrison notes, if any, seem to have survived. Some were found in the cellar of

the home of his son-in-law, Dr William Clark, after Clark’s death but were too much decayed to

be rescued (fide Dr Brian Selman). The notebooks reported here were found several years ago in

the University Department of Agriculture by Dr Selman who deposited them in the library.

Field Meeting Reports

Field Meeting 234, Bishop Middleham, July 28th 2001

The attractive hoverfly Chrysotoxum bicinctum was noted visiting flowers in the quarry. The

following lepidoptera were also on the wing-

Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus

Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris

Common Blue Polyommatus icarus

Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus

Durham Argus Aricia artaxerxes eggs and imago

Silver Y Autographa gamma


Twin Spot Carpet Perizoma didymata

Shaded Broad Bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata

Barred Yellow Nebula fulvata

Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), Restharrow (Ononis repens), Dark Red Helleborine

(Epipactis atrorubens), and Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea) were in flower. Many

Goldfinches and a Sparrowhawk were seen. Many individuals of the Heath Snail (Helicella itala)

were observed exhibiting the typical behaviour of climbing to the top of grass stems.

Field Meeting 235, Saturday 18th August 2001, Hawthorn Dene 2.00 pm,

Large numbers of chaffinches were watched feeding on cut oilseed rape in the field adjacent to

the entrance of the Dene. Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) was noted growing on the

margins of the same field. Strawberry Snails (Trichia striolata) were seen abundantly. Near the

railway many butterflies were on the wing including Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and Wall

(Lasiommata megera).

Dennis hall made the following lists of fungi and plants-

Fungi

Clitocybe infundibuliformis Common Funnel Cap Tricholomopsis platyphylla

Laccaria laccata Deceiver Scutellinia scutellata Eye-lash Fungus

Marasmius androsaceus Horse-hair Fungus Dacrymyces deliquescens

Marasmius rotula Auricularia auricula-judae Jews Ear

Lactarius pyrogalus Tremella mesenterica Yellow Brain Fungus

Psathyrella multipedata

Plants

Circaea lutetiana Enchanter’s Nightshade Hypericum montanum Mountain St. John’s Wort

Acer platanoides Norway Maple Hypericum pulchrum Slender St. John’s Wort

Achillea millefolium Yarrow Knautia arvensis Field Scabious

Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Leontodon hispidus Hairy Hawkbit

Anthyllis vulneraria Kidney Vetch Lotus corniculatus Bird’s Foot Trefoil

Arctium sp Burdock Odontites verna Red Bartsia

Arium maculatum Cuckoo Pint Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet Saxifrage

Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow Wort Plantago maritime Sea Plantain

Brachypodium sylvaticum Wood False Brome Plantago media Hoary Plantain

Briza media Quaking Grass Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil

Carex flacca Carnation Sedge Primula veris Cowslip


Carlina vulgaris Carline Thistle Prunella vulgaris Self-heal

Centaurea nigra Hardheads Prunus sp.

Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury Pulicaria dysenterica Common Fleabane

Daucus carota Wild Carrot Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle

Deschampsia caespitosa Tufted Hair Grass Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet

Equisetum arvensis Common Horsetail Silene dioica Red Campion

Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail Solidago gigantea Golden Rod

Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort

Euphrasia nemorosa Eyebright Succisa pratensis Devil’s Bit Scabious

Festuca gigantea Giant fescue Symphoricarpas rivularis Snowberry

Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch

Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Zerna ramose Hairy Brome

Galium odoratum Sweet Woodruff

Geranium robertianum Herb Robert

Geranium sanguineum Bloody cranesbill

Geum urbanum Wood Avens

Field Meeting 236, 8th September 2001, Hesleden Dene, 2.00 pm

Members and guests walked down into the Dene from the village, and west into a small, very

interesting grassy area where they encountered a number of butterflies including Comma

(Polygonia c-album), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Male

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), and Wall (Lasiommata megera). A Red Admiral was also

seen nearby earlier, in very good condition, floating past the Castle Eden Inn. A Frog made an

appearance and a Sparrowhawk flew past at the end of the meeting.

Diptera

Hoverflies

Eristalis tenax Helophilus pendulus

Syrphus ribesii Episyrphus balteatus

Conopidae

Conops quadrifasciata (Bee and wasp parasite)

Molluscs

Trichia striolata Strawberry Snail Oxychilus cellarius Cellar Snail

Discus rotundatus Rounded Snail Oxychilus alliarius Garlic Snail

Arianta arbustorum Copse Snail

Dennis Hall made the following lists from the Dene

Bryophytes

Pellia endiviifolia Riccardia pinguis

Conocephalum conicum Lunularia cruciata

Lophocolea cuspidate Leiocolea badensis

Eucladium verticillatum Fissidens taxifolius


Mnium undulatum Brachythecium rutabulum

Pohlia delicatula Eurhynchium swartzii

Eurhynchium striatum Eurhynchium confertum

Hypnum cupressiforme Acrocladium cuspidatum

Thuidium tamariscinum Amblystegium riparium

Algae

Vaucheria sp. Chara sp. Stonewort

Fungi

Nectria cinnabarina Coral Spot Xylaria polymorpha Dead Man’s Fingers

Daldinea concentrica Cramp Balls Marasmius rotula

Chlorociboria aeruginascens Green Wood Cup

Stains rotten logs bright blue-green like the rare cups themselves. The cups flatten like the specimen we found. Jewel boxes and snuff

boxes used to be inlaid with the green wood in Victorian times and was called Tonbridge Ware

Plants

Corylus evellana Hazel coppice Prunella vulgaris Self Heal

Polygonana cuspidata Japanese Knotweed Silene dioica Red Campion

Arum maculatum Cuckoo Pint Centaurea nigra Hardheads

Hypericum hirsutum Hairy St John’s Wort Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil

Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet Saxifrage Lapsana communis Nipplewort

Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica Leontodon hispidus Hairy Hawkbit

Achillea millefolium Yarrow Trifolium medium Zig-zag Clover

Senecio jacobaea Ragwort Medicago lupulina Black Medick

Circaea lutetiana Enchanter’s Nightshade Festuca gigantea Giant Fescue

Succisa pratensis Devil’s Bit Scabious Ranunculus aquatilis Water Crowfoot

Scabiosa columbaria Small Scabious Potamogeton natans Broad-leaved Pondweed

Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp agrimony Iris pseudocornus Yellowflag

Field Meeting 237 Saturday 29th September 2001 Shibdon Pond (NZ195626), near Blaydon,

Co. Durham. 2.00 p.m.

The highlight of this meeting was probably the discovery of more than 20 fruiting bodies of Earth

Star, Geastrum triplex, in various stages of development on Blaydon Colliery waste, under

Hawthorn. The hoverfly Helophilus pendulus was found feeding in the sunshine on Michaelmas

Daisies. Various other fungi were seen including Blackening Wax Cap, Hygrocybe nigrescens,

amongst grass. Molluscs

Trichia hispida Arion ater

Plants

Achillea millefolium Yarrow Mentha aquatica Water Mint


Agrostis capillaris Common Bent Myosotis scorpioides Water Forget-me-not

Alnus glutinosa Common Alder Odontites verna Red Bartsia

Alnus glutinosa Alder Petasites hybridus Butterbur

Alnus incana Grey Alder Phragmites australis Common Reed

Artemesia vulgaris Mugwort Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain

Betula pendula Silver Birch Potentilla anserina Silverweed

Betula pubescens Downy Birch Prunella vulgaris Selfheal

Calluna vulgaris Heather Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup

Calystegia sylvatica Large Bindweed Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup

Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's-purse Reseda lutea Wild Mignonette

Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge Reseda luteola Weld

Carex vulpine True Fox Sedge Rosa canina Dog-rose

Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed Rubus fruticosa agg Bramble

Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel

Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Rumex aurita Eared Willow

Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Rumex caprea Goat Willow

Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Rumex cinerea Grey Willow

Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot Rumex conglomerates Clustered Dock

Dipsacus fullonum Teasel Rumex fragilis Crack Willow

Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock

Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb Rumex sanguineus Wood Dock

Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail Sambucus nigra Elder

Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Sanchus arvensis Perennial Sow-thistle

Fraxinus excelsior Ash Sanguisorba minor Salad Bumet

Galium aparine Cleavers Sanguisorba officinalis Great Bumet

Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw Senecio erucifolius Hoary Ragwort

Glyceria maxima Reed Sweet Grass Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort

Hedera helix Ivy Silene dioica Red Campion

Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard

Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-flowered Rush Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet

Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush Solidago gigantean Early Goldenrod

Juncus effuses Soft Rush Solidago canadensis Canadian Goldenrod


Juncus inflexus Hard Rush Solidago virgaurea Goldenrod

Lamium album White Dead-nettle Sonchus arvensis Perennial Sow-thistle

Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle

Lemna minor Common Duckweed Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort

Leontodon autumnalis Autumn Hawkbit Tanacetum vulgare Tansy

Linaria vulgaris Common Toadflax Trifolium pratense Red Clover

Luzula multiflora Heath Wood-rush Trifolium repens White Clover

Malus domestica Cultivated Apple Tussilago farfara Colts-foot

Typha latifolia Greater Reedmace

Birds Animals

Grey Heron Wigeon Coot Rabbit

Shoveler Moorhen Robin

Black-headed Gull Wren Jackdaw

Blue Tit Magpie Carrion Crow

Mute Swan Teal Herring Gull

Mallard Goldfinch Great Tit

Cormorant

Fungi

Phragmidium violaceum on Rubus fruticosus agg leaves

P. mucronatum on Rosa canina leaves

Coleosporium tussilaginis on Tussilago farfara leaves

Leccinum scabrum near Betula pubescens

Rickenella fibula amongst moss on heathland

Hygrocybe nigrescens amongst rabbit-grazed grass

Bolbitius vitellinus on dung amongst grass

Vascellum pratense on bare ground where trees had been felled

Paxillus involutus on heathland

Tubercularia vulgaris on dead broadleaved branches

Geastrum triplex near Crataegus monogyna. 26 fruiting bodies

Melampsoridium betulinum on Betula pendula and Alnus incana

Pucciniastrum epilobii on Chamerion angustifolium leaves

Lactarius pubescens near Crataegus monogyna

L. glyciosmus under Betula pubescens

L. turpis near Fagus sylvatica stumps

Flammulina velutipes on dead root of Fagus sylvatica

Clavaria vermicularis amongst grass on heathland

Crepidotus variabilis on twig or rootlet of Fagus sylvatica

Amanita muscaria near Betula pendula

Bovista nigrescens (Old specimens laid on ground)

Galls

Eriophyes inangulis on Alnus glutinosa leaves

Pontania pedunculi under Salix cinerea leaves

Diplolepis rosae on Rosa canina stems

Hoverflies

Epistrophe grossulariae Eristalis pertinax

Helophilus pendulus Eristalis tenax


Bumblebees

Bombus pascuorum

Moths and Butterflies

Pieris brassicae Large White

Anthophila fabriciana Nettletap

Philudoria potatoria Drinker larva

Lichens

Xantharia parietina Platismatia glauca Physcia tenella

Dragonflies

Sympetrum striolatum Common Darter

Mosses Spiders

Pseudoscleropodium purum Araneus diadematus

Beetles

Thea 22-punctata 22 Spot Ladybird

Treasurer’s Statement prepared by Durham Wildlife Trust

from 28th April 2000 to 31st Mar 2001 Income Expenditure

Members subscriptions £774.72 Vasculum:

Societies* subscriptions £9.00 printing £470.00

Other income £361.00 Printing £104.01

Printing £214.00

postage £31.92

postage £83.02

Darlington Arts Centre - room hire 32.00

Marford Litho - membership cards 46.42

Opening balance:

Current a/c £297.85

High Interest a/c £5941.08 Closing balance @ 31st Mar 2001 £ 6402.28

£ 7383.65 £ 7383.65

from 1st April 2001 to 30th September 2001 Income Expenditure

Members subscriptions £128.00 Vasculum:

Societies' subscriptions printing £149.60

postage £25.32

Opening balance:@1st April 2001 ***********

Closing balance @ 30th Sept 2001 £ 6355.30

£ 6,530.21 £ 6,530.21

BA Slinn, Finance Officer Durham Wildlife Trust 23/10/0


The John E. Robson Collection of British Butterflies.

Harry T. Eales. 11, Ennerdale Tce. Low Westwood. Co.Durham. NE17 7PN.

In a previous edition of The Vasculum, (Vol 86 No. 3. 2001), in an article on John E.Robson, I

indicated that parts of his Lepidoptera Collection were disposed of by auction in the Salerooms of

Mr.J.C.Stevens at 38, King Street, Covent Garden, London,on the 11th. June and 22nd. October

1895. The remainder of the collection he retained until his death in 1907. This latter part was

subsequently disposed of by the same auctioneers, on the instructions of the executors of his

estate.

For most of the 20th C. many local entomologists have wondered what specimens his collection

contained. This article answers this, in part. To cover the whole collection would take a lengthy

series of articles covering many pages, so I have confined these notes, solely to the butterflies he

acquired. These were auctioned in the first part of the sale on 11.6.1895, and comprised an

approximate total of 1,548 specimens, sold in Lot Numbers one to fifty. The butterflies from the

final sale of Robson’s Collection which took place on the 15th May 1907, comprised, Lot

Numbers one to twenty three inclusive, and totaled a minimum of 1665 specimens.

The auction data below is taken verbatum from original copies of the Sale Catalogues. It will be

noted that there are occasional spelling errors, and that the totals in each lot do not always add up

correctly. These mistakes are almost certainly due to errors in the typesetting. Stevens Salerooms

held several auctions in any given week (not all were entomological) and therefore the catalogue

printing had to done rapidly, and probably without precise proof reading. The Sale Catalogue for

the day of Robson’s first sale ran to a total of 26 pages alone.

The nomenclature used is that of the period during which the sales took place, therefore there are

some differences in certain species names in usage today. The specific name of each species was

shown with a capital letter, which though technically incorrect, was probably used to ‘highlight’

each species. Generic names were not given. Occasionally named varieties are shown, e.g.

‘Helice and Valezina’ etc., without any reference to the specific name of the species of which it

was a variation. However, these variety names are still in common usage and are widely known.

In order to make the species and named varieties more easily identifiable I have shown these in

bold type. The layout is as follows: - Lot No., species, followed by a number indicating how

many specimens of that species were in each lot, and finally, a number indicating the total number

of specimens within each lot. Comments were occasionally used in the Sale Catalogue to draw the

attention of prospective purchasers to certain specimens. Where a sale price is known for a

particular ‘lot’, it is given in the price column. All prices are shown in the original pounds &

shillings. (Pre decimal currency). Insertions in italics have been in the text of the sale catalogues

by the author, to explain or clarify a situation, i.e. missing specimen totals, or to indicate when

more than one lot was offered at any time.

A distinct lack of interest in certain ‘lots’ meant that, in some cases, two or more ‘lots’ had to be

offered together in order to obtain a bid, but even then,


these brought very low prices. E.g. Lots 13 & 14 in the first sale comprised of 110 specimens of

Chalkhill Blue, Adonis Blue and Common Blue were knocked down for a mere 6 shillings. It is

little wonder that, The Entomologists ‘Sale’ correspondent, Mr.Thomas William Hall, who,

reporting on this first sale, commented, “ In many instances good insects were sold for a quarter

of the price the most moderate working entomologist would have charged for the setting, let alone

their acquisition”.

Most of Robson’s specimens bore a data label giving details of place and date of capture, locality

and name of captor. This was an unusual occurrence in most collections made during the 19 th C.

although it had been advocated by many entomological writers from the mid 1800’s onwards. The

collection made by Robson’s close friend and collecting companion John Gardner, (now in the

Hancock Museum) made in the same time period as Robson’s, has only a few specimens with

data attached. The provenance of a data label usually added to the value of specimens. However,

the timing of all three of the Robson Collection sales, the lack of sufficient advertising, the

arrangement of ‘Lots’ and the huddling of specimens together, so that their merits could not be

displayed correctly, all led to poor prices being obtained. I am certain that the resultant total

prices raised must have been a great disapointment to both Robson and his executors

First Sale. 11th June 1895. Butterfly Lots only.

Lot No. No. of Specimens. Total Price.

1. Machaon 5, Crataegi 3, and Brassicae 12 20

2. Machaon 4, Crataegi 4, and Rapae 17, including a very

yellow form from Forres

25

3. Crataegi 4, Napi 18, including one approaching var.

Bryoniae, taken at Hartlepool, and other well marked forms,

and Cardamines 24, including five dwarfs

46

4. Sinapsis 9, Rhamni 8, Edusa 13, and Helice 5 34

5. Sinapsis 9, Rhamni 7, Edusa 14, Helice 5 35

6. Hyale, very fine variety, suffused with black as far as the

central spot, figured in “Barrett,” vol.1. and in “Moseley’s

Illustrations,” purchased from Mr. Harwood, 1876

1

£4/10/00

7. Hyale 7, including one with very little black at tip, and one

pale female; Betulae 8, and Quercus 9

24

8. Hyale 7 (two pale females), Betulae 9, Quercus 10, Rubi 22,

W.album 16, and Pruni 4

68

9. Phlaeas 24, including 3 with blue spots on the h.w.,

Hartlepool, one dark and one pale form, Sherwood Forest

24

10. Phlaeas 24, three with blue spots, one with costa f.w., and

band h.w. pale taken at Hartlepool, one with left f.w. pale

(Harpers Sale) etc

24

11. Arion 6, and Alsus 16 23


12. Acis 1, taken at Penarth, by Mr.Langley, Cardiff 1875, and

one of the last taken there; Alsus 13, and Argiolus 23,

including a very pale male from Mr. Harwood, and a female

with a broad black tip

37

13. Corydon 26, including undersides with streaks 3, without

black spots 1, female with blue h.ws., etc. Adonis 16, and

Alexis 11, including blue females and dwarfs

53

14. Corydon 31, and Adonis 26, similar to last 57

Lots 13 and 14 were combined and sold as a single ‘lot’ to find a buyer and raised - 6/-

15 Alexis, very fine var. of underside, similar to figure on p.128

of “Newman’s Butterflies,” taken by Mr. Mosely at Sherwood

Forest

1

£5/10/00

16 Alexis 41, including vars. of upper and underside; Salmacis 4,

and Artaxerxes 4

49

17 Alexis 41, including 4 vars. Icarinus taken at Hartlepool, and

other vars of upper and undersides, Salmacis 6, and

Artaxerxes 6

53

18 Agestis 5, Salmacis 5, Atraxerxes 5, form of which have

small white spots on h.w. also; and Undersides 5, Aegon 10

30

19 Agestis 4, Salmacis 8, Artaxerxes 8 undersides 11 (one good

var), and Aegon 21

52

10/-

20 Agestis 8 undersides, one without white spots, figured in

Moseley’s“Illustrations,” another dull leaden colour without

white rings to black spots refered to in Barrett, Vol 1.,p.75

8

16/-

21. Aegon 22, and Lucina 24 46

22. Iris 6, and Sibylla 7 13

Lots 21 and 22 were combined and sold as a single ‘lot’ to find a buyer and raised - 7/-

23. Sibylla 7, including one with band partly obscured, from

Mr.Harwood; and Atalanta 6

13

6/-

24. Atalanta 5, including one good var. underside (upperside, red

band on h.w. without black spots), figured in Moseley’s

“Illustrations,” and Cardui 11

16

£1/15/00

25. Io 12, including one dull coloured form, and Antiopa 2 14

26. Antiopa 2, one taken at (Sic) Heaton Carew, near Hartlepool,

1880, and one at Castle Eden Dene, 8th February, 1869 (in bad

condition) and Polychlorus 11

13

10/-

27. Urticae 19, including one like second figure on p.52

Newman’s Butterflies(3 var. Ichnusa), bred by

Mr.C.Nicholson from larvae found at Clapton on Sea

19

£4/8/00


28. Urticae 20, including a good var. like Newman’s forth figure,

p.52, taken by Mr.Moseley at Wicken Fen, 2 brownish colour,

others pale salmon ground etc

20

£5/10/00

C-album, first brood 8, second brood 7, bred from larvae

received from Mrs Hutchinson and from Chepstow, and

Artemis 6

19

30. C-album, first brood 8, second 6, and Artemis 6 20

31. Artemis 10, including a smokey var. from the late

T.Meldrum, Ripon, 2 vars.Hibernica, from the late

E.Birchall, 5 vars. Scotica, and Cinxia 6

16

£2/15/00

32. Artemis 11, including 3 Hibernica, from Mr.Battersby, and 5

Scotica, very large and fine, from Mr.Reid, and Cinxia 6,

including 2 good vars. underside

17

7/-

33. Athalia 13, Euphrosyne 16, and Selene 15 44

34. Athalia 7, Selene 4, Euphrosyne 2 vars., and Adippe 8 (1

dwarf), from Mr. Harwood

21

35. Adippe 10, Aglaia 8, Paphia 11, and Valezina 2 31

36. Adippe 6, Aglaia 12, including a suffused var., taken near

Durham, and a fine bred series from Mr.Sabine

18

£9/00/00

37. Aglaia 4, Paphia 10, one dwarf, and one with dark block on

costa, from Mr.Harwood; and Valezina 6

20

£1/00/00

38. Galathea 7, Cassiope 8, Cumberland form, 8, Perthshire

form, and Blandina 6

29

39. Galathea 7, Cassiope 13, Cumberland 6, Perthshire.

Blandina 10, one with bleached hind wing, taken by

Mr.Robson, near Hartlepool

36

40. Aegeria 8, Megaera 12, Janira 10, and Tithonus 7 37

41. Aegeria 8, Megaera 12, including male with dark band and

very pale female, both from Mr. Harwood; Janira 16,

including 4 with bleached spots

35

42. Tithonus 25, and Hyperanthus 13 38

43. Hyperanthus 9, a fine series of varieties of under-side, from

those without trace of spots, to specimens with very faint

rings, one Castle Eden Dene, the other from Dover

9

6/-

44. Semele 13, Pamphilus 8, and Davus 22 43

45. Semele 13, Pamphilus 8, and Davus 23 44

46 Davus 24 - the Davus are from various Scotch localities,

Greenleighton Moor, Northumberland, and from Chat Moss

and Rixton Carr, Lancashire, and have been carefully selected

from a very large number

24


47 Pamphilus 26, containing 1 pale male, taken by Mr.Moseley

at Sherwood Forest, 1 dark underside, and a fine series with

dark fascia on underside, taken by Mr. Robson, at Hartlepool

26

48 Alveolus 10, including 3 vars. of Lavaterae from the late

J.Birks, York; Actaeon10, Tages 10, Lineola 10, Harwich;

Linea 10, and Sylvanus 10

60 21/-

49 Alveolus 10, Tages 10, Actaeon 10, Lineola 10, Comma 10,

and Paniseus 10

60 16/-

50 Avleolus 8, Tages 4, Actaeon 7, Lineola 10, Linea 12,

Sylvanus 14, Comma 15, and Paniscus 13

83

Approximate Total 1548 specimens.

None of the purchasers are known from this first sale and only a few prices are available at

present.

Authors note. Whilst there are many notable butterflies listed above, especially the varieties,

perhaps the most interesting specimen is that of Nymphalis antiopa (Camberwell Beauty) in Lot

No. 26, taken in Castle Eden Dene on 8th February 1869. The date of capture and its worn

condition suggests that it had almost certainly hibernated locally. Records of this species

successfully overwintering in Britain are very rare, and as far as I am aware, it is the only known

instance of this happening in either Northumberland or Durham.

Final Sale. 15th May 1907. Butterfly Lots only.

Lot No. No. of Specimens. Total Price.

1. Machaon 13, Crataegi 8, Brassicae 18 and Rapae 26 65 5/-

2 Napi 24, Daplidice, one from Brigg’s sale, Nov., 1896 and one

from G.Elisha collection, Cardamines 15, and Sinapsis 12 .

58 5/-

3 Hyale 22, Sinapsis 24, and Cardamines 14 60 4/-

4. Edusa 28, Helice 5, one buff, and Rhamni 20, one with red

markings

53 6/-

5. Betulae 14, Quercus 16, Pruni 4, W-album 8, and Rubi 8 50 5/-

6. A similar lot (No species or numbers given other than total) 45 4/-

7. Rutilus 4, Phlaeas 46, and Aegon 37 (Rutilus is a central

European subspecies of The Large Copper Butterfly (L.dispar)

and these specimens are obviously not of British origin. It was not

an infrequent occurrence for collectors to include these

continental forms in their collections when specimens of the

British form were not readily available).

87


8. Agestis 20, v. Salmacis 20, v. Artaxerxes 20, Alexis 34, three

streaked undersides and Adonis 30

124

Lots 7 & 8 were combined and sold together in order to find a buyer and raised 5/-

9. Corydon 30, one dwarf and two with broad margins, and Arion

7.

37

10. Arion, Bude, 1902 8

Lots 9 & 10 were also combined and sold together to find a buyer and raised 10/-

11. Argiolus 32, Alsus 23, Acis 7, Baetica 8, and Lucina 18 88 6/-

12. Iris 7, Sibylla 10, C-album 17, and Polychloros 9 43 10/-

13. Urticae 34, Io 14, Antiopa 3, Atalanta 17, Cardui 11 and

Lathonia, one from Brigg’s sale and 5 others

85 4/-

14. Paphia 17, v. Valezina 10, and Adippe 20 47 4/-

15. Aglaia 20, one with exceptionally large sub-marginal spots, and

two curiously marked specimens, and Selene 28

48 4/-

16. Euphrosyene 14 Artemis 47, Athalia 14 and Cinxia 15 90 6/-

17. A similar lot (No species or numbers given other than total

number of spms)

82 4/-

18. Artemis, one very light, one black with tawny submarginal band,

one with a band of cream coloured blotches and two others

5 £5/00/00

19. Galathea 24, Aegeria 24, Megaera 24, Semele 21 and Tithonus

27

(120)

20. Janiira 26, Hyperanthus 27, four v. arete; Cassiope 32,

Blandina 26, and Pamphilus 36

147

Lots 19 & 20 were again combined to find a buyer and raised 13/-

21. Davus 23, Malvae 22, one var taras; Linea 20, Lineola 21 and

Actaeon 19

96

22 A similar lot (No species or numbers given other than total) 85

23. Actaeon 20, Sylvanus 36, Comma 37, Paniscus 20 and Tages

19

132

Lots 21-23 inclusive were again combined to find a buyer and raised 10/-

Total 1655 specimens.

Towards the end of this final sale, a number of exotic and continental forms of British butterflies

acquired by him were also sold. The majority of these insects were not itemised and were simply

offered as ‘Storebox and contents’, ‘Lepidoptera in papers and two storeboxes’, ‘Contents of

storeboxes’ etc, most of which raised no more than 10/- per lot. Also sold was Robson’s

collecting equipment. A very large 59 drawer insect cabinet and bookcase combination, made of

‘pitch pine’ in eight sections, sold for £5/10/00.

Also offered were a considerable number of Robson’s entomological and other


books. The total price raised for this final sale was £60/16/00 for the insects (including moths),

and associated collecting equipment, and £22/16/00 for his books. A grand total of £83/12/00. By

the time that the Auctioneers and ‘Lotting’ fees were paid, and the cost of transporting the

collection from Hartlepool to London was deducted, there cannot have been much more than £50

remaining to be handed to his executors.

From annotations in the margins of the ‘Catalogue’ from this final sale, many of the purchasers of

‘lots’ are known. Some of these are well known collectors of the day and included: - Bright,

Nevison, Porritt, Turner and Ford. These collectors have, in turn, passed on. In some instances

their collections have been preserved in museums, but others were dispersed once again, through

Stevens Salerooms.

Not all the purchasers have been identified as a few of the hand written notes are not legible or are

simply initials. Nine of the 23 butterfly lots were bought by Bright*. These totalled 784

specimens, (almost half of all the Robson butterfly collection in this sale) for which he paid a

mere £1/17/0., a veritable bargain at an average price of a penny three farthings per specimen. It

is perhaps, to be regretted, that there was no real competition from another wealthy collector for

these butterfly lots, as a much more realistic price may have been realised, perhaps reflecting the

true value of Robson’s specimens.

Lots 1, 7, 8, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 were purchased by Bright. Lots 3, 11 and 14 were

purchased by Ford (Probably H.D.Ford). Lot 13 went to G.T.Porritt. Lot 16 to Nevison. Lots 4

and 18 to ‘C.A’. Lots 9 and 10 and 17 to Turner (Possibly H.B or H.J.Turner). The names of the

purchasers of lots 2, 5, 6, and 12 are indistinct or illegible, but are clearly not any of those persons

already mentioned.

* Percy May Bright (1863–1941) was one of the most avid of all the ‘variety’ collectors of this

period, and was frequently seen bidding against other wealthy collectors of the time such as Lord

Walter Rothschild (1868-1937) and Albert Brydges Farn (1841-1921). Bright amassed what was

probably one of the most outstanding collection of aberations of British butterflies ever owned by

one man. Yet in later life, he disposed of nearly all his specimens to concentrate on just three

species of butterfly, the Common, Adonis and Chalkhill Blue. His massive series of these ‘Blues’

were bequested to the South London Entomological and Natural History Society. Although he

obtained a considerable proportion of Robson’s butterfly collection, there were only a few

varieties of ‘blue’s’ in the lots he purchased. These specimens may well be in the ‘South

London’s’ Collection.

P.M.Bright also purchased a large proportion of Robson’s Moth collection in the final sale. These

were later sold to Lord Rothschild of Tring who’s worldwide collection of 2.4 million set

butterflies and moths eventually became part of the National Collection.

Species summary.

The precise number of British butterfly specimens in the Robson Collection will, unfortunately,

never be known, as the ‘Sale Catalogues’ do not list every specimen of every species. On

occasions the term, ‘A similar lot’ appears in these listings, and whilst it may be assumed that

such lots contained the same species as the


previous lot, the total numbers of the individual species were not itemised. Therefore, all totals

for species listed below, must be regarded as a minimum number. Where additional specimens of

any species are known to have existed, but not the number of individuals of that species, the total

given is shown with a + sign beside it, e.g. 31+. It is also reasonable to assume, that in the lots of

‘storeboxes’ ‘papered insects’ and ‘contents of drawers’ etc. sold towards the end of the sale,

there must have been additional British butterfly specimens.

There have been many advances in our knowledge of British butterflies since Robson’s time and

this necessitates some changes not only in the scientific generic and specific names of certain

species but also the amending and addition of English common names. E.g. In Robson’s time,

The Brown Argus butterfly was known by the specific name of agestis. It was considered that the

form called var.salmacis, known by the common names of, The Durham Argus or Castle Eden

Argus, and the Scottish form, var.artaxerxes known by the common names of, The Scotch White

Spot or Scotch Brown Argus, were merely regional variations of this species. Now it is known

that there are in fact two separate species. The Brown Argus A.agestis, and The Northern Brown

Argus A.atraxerxes. The local var.salmacis is now known to be a form of the Northern Brown

Argus.

It is appreciated that some readers may not be familiar with the changes in the nomenclature over

the years, and for that reason the list below contains both the current common English and

scientific names, where a specific name used by Robson differs to that in current usage it will be

shown in bold type alongside their current names, as are the named varieties. Abberations or

varieties of species are not considered separately, but are simply included in the species total. Name Species. No. of specimens.

The Swallowtail. Papilio machaon. . 22

Black-veined White. Aporia crataegi. 19

Large White. Pieris brassicae. 30

Small White. Pieris rapae. 43

Green-veined White. Pieris napi. (inc. var. Bryoniae).. 42

Bath White. Pontia daplidice. 2

Orange Tip. Anthocharis cardamines.. 53

Wood White. Leptidea sinapis.. 54

Brimstone. Gonepteryx rhamni. 35

Clouded Yellow. Colias croceus. (Edusa & var. Helice). 70

Pale Clouded Yellow. Colias hyale. 37

Brown Hairstreak. Thecla betulae. 31+

Purple Hairstreak. Neozephyrus quercus. 35+

Green Hairstreak. Callophrys rubi. 30+

White-letter Hairstreak. Satyrium w-album. 24+

Black Hairstreak. Satyrium pruni. 8+

Small Copper. Lycaena phlaeas. 94

Large Blue. Maculinea arion. 21

Small Blue. Cupido minimus. (Alsus) 52

Mazarine Blue. Polyommatus semiargus. (Acis). 8

Holly Blue. Celastrina argiolus. 55

Chalkhill Blue. Polyommatus corridon. 87


Adonis Blue. Polyommatus bellargus. (Adonis). 72

Common Blue. Polyommatus icarus. (Alexis inc. vars. Icarinus). 128

Northern Brown Argus. Aricia artaxerxes. (Artaxerxes & var. Salmacis). 86

Brown Argus. Aricia agestis. (var. Agestis). 37

Sillver-studded Blue. Plebeius argus. (Aegon) 80

Duke of Burgundy. Hamearis lucina. 42

Long-tailed Blue. Lampides boeticus. (Baetica). 8

Purple Emperor. Apatura iris. 13

White Admiral. Limenitis camilla. (Sibylla). 24

Red Admiral. Vanessa atalanta. 28

Painted Lady. Vanessa cardui. 22

Peacock. Inachis io. 26

Camberwell Beauty. Nymphalis antiopa. 7

Large Tortoiseshell. Nymphalis polychlorus. 20

Small Tortoiseshell. Aglais urticae. (inc. vars. Ichnusa). 73

Comma. Polygonia c-album. 46

Marsh Fritillary. Euphydryas aurinia. (Artemis. inc. vars. Hibernica &

Scotica).

85+

Glanville Fritillary. Melitaea cinxia. 27+

Queen of Spain Fritillary. Issoria lathonia. 6

Heath Fritillary. Melitaea athalia. 34+

Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Boloria euphrosyne. 32+

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Boloria selene. 47

High Brown Fritillary. Argynnis adippe. 44

Dark Green Fritillary. Argynnis aglaja. (Aglaia). 44

Silver-washed Fritillary. Argynnis paphia. (inc. vars. Valezina). 56

Marbled White. Melanargia galathea. 38

Mountain Ringlet. Erebia epiphron. (Cassiope). 67

Scotch Argus. Erebia aethiops. (Blandina). 42

Speckled Wood. Pararge aegeria. 40

Wall. Lasiommata megera. (Megaera). 48

Meadow Brown. Maniola jurtina. (Janira). 52

Gatekeeper. Pyronia tithonus. 59

Ringlet. Aphantopus hyperantus. (Hyperanthus inc. 4 var.

Arete).

49

Grayling. Hipparchia semele. 47

Small Heath. Coenonympha pamphilus. 78

Large Heath. Coenonympha tullia. (Davus). 92+

Grizzled Skipper. Pyrgus malvae. (Alveolus including 3 var. Lavaterae, 1

var. Taras).

52+

Lulworth Skipper. Thymelicus acteon. 57+

Dingy Skipper. Erynnis tages. 43

Essex Skipper. Thymelicus lineola. 51+

Small Skipper. Thymelicus sylvestris. (Linea). 42+

Large Skipper. Ochlodes venata. (Sylvanus). 60


Silver-spotted Skipper. Hesperia comma. 62

Chequered Skipper. Carterocephalus palaemon. (Paniscus). 43

Total 2961+ specimens.

Many of the species in Robson’s collection could not have been taken by him locally, and it is not

known if he collected at any great distance outside of the area where he lived, but he did exchange

or purchase specimens from other collectors. It is also very likely that some of the specimens in

his ‘British Butterflies’ collection, were not even of British origin. During the 19th C. there were

numerous commercial dealers who imported specimens of ‘rare’ British butterflies from France,

Germany and elsewhere, reset them in the English style, and sold them on as genuine British

specimens, frequently with a forged provenance. It is therefore possible that some of Robson’s

specimens of Long-tailed Blue, Queen of Spain Fritillary, Camberwell Beauty, Bath White and

Mazarine Blue were of Continental origin, as were the rutilus forms of The Large Copper

butterfly noted in the final sale.

It is known from ‘Robson’s Catalogue’ that several species, now extinct locally, were still

resident during the years he collected, and many, if not all of these were certainly present in his

collection. It is unfortunate that his collection could not have been offered for sale to a local

museum or natural history society, many of which had wealthy benefactors, thus keeping his

collection in the local area.

Acknowledgements.

My thanks are expressed to Dr.Martin Honey. Dept of Entomology. The British Museum (Nat.

History), and to Mrs. Julie Harvey, Entomological Library, British Museum (Nat. History). For

copies of documents relating to the auctions held at J.C.Stevens Salerooms.

References.

Asher, J. et.al. 2001. The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. Oxford

University Press.

Eales, H.T. 2001. John E.Robson, The Man and his Insect Collection. The Vasculum 86 (3) p.16-

20.

Hall, T.W. 1895. Report on the first Robson Sale. The Entomologist. Vol. XXVIII, p. 203-4.

Meyrick, E. 1895. A Handbook of The British Lepidoptera. Macmillan & Co. London.

Newman, E. 1869. An Illustrated Natural History of British Butterflies. Tweedy. London.

Newman, L.H. 1967. Living with Butterflies. John Baker. London.

Newman, L.W. & Leeds, H.A. 1913. A Textbook of British Butterflies & Moths. Gibbs &

Bamford. St.Albans.

Robson, J.E. 1899. A Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle

upon Tyne. Vol XII (1). p.1-34. Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. N’land, Durham & Newcastle upon Tyne.

Salmon, M.A. 2000. The Aurelian Legacy. Harley Books. Colchester.

South, R. 1960. The Butterflies of The British Isles. Warne. London.


Variation in agaric fruiting-times in Darlington West Cemetery over a ten-year period

ALAN W. LEGG, 36 CarIeton Drive, Darlington. County Durham DL3 9QP.

British weather is notoriously variable and, under its influence, a parallel variability

in the first appearance of many fungal species is a matter of common knowledge. Whilst making

the planning of fungus forays a somewhat hazardous business, this variability is also one of the

factors contributing to the element of surprise so rewarding for the British field mycologist.

Although the phenomenon is widely-known and generally well-documented, there are very few

studies which seek to quantify its extent over a lengthy period of time.

Darlington West Cemetery (County Durham, England) is a 17- hectare site, dating

from the mid nineteenth century, which has been studied over a period of 30 years. Some attempt

has been made to document findings of this study up to 1991 (Legg, 1991, 1992). In the years

since this information was published, a more thorough and systematic study has been carried out.

In particular, notes have been kept of the first observed annual fruiting of all fungi found at the

site. Since 1991, visits have been regular enough for it to be possible to present a retrospective

review comparing agaric appearance in the months June to November over the whole 10-year

period to the end of November 2000. The term “agaric” is here defined in the broad sense to

include the Agaricales, Boletales, Cortinariales and Russulales.

It is recognised that this taxonomically diverse group also consists of species with

varied lifestyles. A few are weak parasites whilst most are either saprobes or fungi forming

mutually-beneficial mycorrhizal relationships with vascular plants. It would have been instructive

to consider these groups separately. However, the parasites are too few in number for any

meaningful patterns to be sought and some of them may also live saprophytically. Moreover, it is

yet to be established whether some of the other species are mycorrhizal or not. For these reasons,

no subdivisions have been considered feasible.

During the 60-month period considered here, 233 visits were made, the number

varying between 19 and 26 in separate component six-month periods. At least one visit took place

during each month, the maximum being seven and average being almost 3.9. The normal length

of a visit was about two hours but some were shorter for a number of reasons and others exceeded

the norm by up to half an hour. Whenever more than four visits per month took place, this was

usually in an attempt to compensate for short visits earlier in the same month or to do justice to

heavy "flushes". At no time during the entire period was there an interval of more than three

weeks between visits.

General statistics are presented in Table 1 where species totals have been divided by

total numbers of visits to arrive at average totals of species recorded per visit. In addition to

averages for the whole 10-year period, these have also been given for the two component periods

of five consecutive years. Such five-year periods are considered, too short for any statistically

significant differences to appear but differences have been noted and are discussed briefly here as

matters


of general interest.

The period 1996-2000 saw a slightly smaller total count of species despite the fact

that a greater number of visits took place. As quantified in the last column, this represents a

decline of 12% This crude figure should not, however, be accorded undue significance. One has

only to look at the figures for the consecutive years 1991 and 1992 to see that a greater number of

visits does not necessarily lead to more species being recorded. In the wetter season of 1992, a

53% increase in the number of species coincided with a 17.4% drop in the number of visits. A

rank order correlation of species counts with visit numbers over the ten-year period was

calculated using the Spearman coefficient:

C=1-(6 x d2) / n(n2-1)

where d = the discrepancy between rankings and n = 10 (the number of years considered). The

very low positive correlation of C = +0.164 indicates that, within the parameters applying here, a

greater or lesser number of visits appears to have very little effect on the total species count.

An examination of the more detailed breakdown for each month given in Table 2 will show the

extent of variation month by month as well as year by year. Figures in parentheses show the

numbers of visits in each month. It should be noted that September has the highest totals in four

of the ten years. October in three, August in two and November in one. 1991, like the two

immediately preceding years, was notable for a hot dry summer. Indeed, the period 1989-1991

was so remarkable in this respect that it provoked considerable public discussion of possible

global warming. Its effect on the foraying community was such that a number of organizations

holding a single autumn foray were constrained subsequently to plan this for October rather than

September.

As in Table 1, average figures have again been given for the two five-year periods

1991-1995 and 1996-2000 as well as for the whole ten-year period. Whereas the average totals for

the latter appear to present a curve in accordance with normal expectation, those for the two

component periods do differ considerably. 1996-2000 has a much flatter curve than 1991-1995.

Again, not much importance should be attached to this difference since the two periods are too

short for the figures to signify a great deal. There is no doubt, for instance, that had a five-year

period including the years 1989-1991 been considered, the curve would have been very different

from those in evidence here, possibly more like the dipping curve exhibited for 1991 alone.

Unfortunately, detailed figures for 1989 and 1990 are not available.

As it is concerned only with presenting a general overview this account has

deliberately avoided naming individual species of fungi. Available meteorological data have been

neither quantified nor correlated in more than very general terms with the data presented here.

Such a labour is beyond the present inclination of the author who has sought merely to confirm

"what oft was thought '' but rarely thus expressed.

References

Legg, A.W. (1991) The Fungi of Darlington West Cemetery. The Mycologist 5(4):


195-196

Legg, A. W. (1992) The Fungi of Darlington West Cemetery. The Vasculum. 77(3):21-43

Table 1. Annual species counts and visit numbers 1991-2000

Species Totals Visits Totals/Visits

1991 98 23 4.26

1992 150 19 7.89

1993 137 20 6.85

1994 160 26 6.15

1995 117 24 4.87

1996 117 26 4.50

1997 136 24 5.67

1998 119 25 4.76

1999 116 20 5.80

2000 148 26 5.69

Average 1991-2000 129.8 23.3 5.64

Average 1991-1995 132.4 22.4 6.00

Average 1996-2000 127.2 24.2 5.28

Table 2. Monthly species counts and visit numbers 1991-2000

June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov

1991 5(2) 15(5) 3(3) 3(4) 29(4) 43(5)

1992 4(1) 24(4) 18(3) 69(4) 31(4) 4(3)

1993 9(3) 16(4) 43(4) 40(4) 23(3) 6(2)

1994 2(4) 0(5) 42(4) 91(5) 19(4) 6(4)

1995 10(3) 5(3) 1(3) 38(6) 57(6) 6(3)

1996 5(5) 15(4) 5(4) 52(5) 39(5) 1(3)

1997 9(3) 41(5) 10(5) 12(3) 43(4) 21(4)

1998 19(4) 16(4) 14(5) 26(3) 25(4) 19(5)

1999 8(4) 8(2) 18(3) 27(4) 36(3) 19(4)

2000 6(2) 12(3) 57(7) 39(5) 26(4) 8(5)

Average 91-00 7.7 15.2 21.1 39.7 32.8 13.3

Average 91-95 6.0 12.0 21.4 48.2 31.8 13.1

Average 96-00 9.4 18.4 20.8 31.2 33.8 13.6


Records of the Shieldbugs (Hemiptera-Heteroptera) in Northumberland & Durham. V.C.’s 68, 67 & 66.

Harry T.Eales. 11. Ennerdale Terrace. Low Westwood, Co.Durham. NE17 7PN.

As an Order of Insects, the Hemiptera have been a very much neglected and thus, an under-recorded group, over

most of Great Britain. This is especially so in our counties. No serious extensive recording has ever been carried

out in either county, except by T.J.Bold (1872). But even his records cover only a relatively small area of the three

thousand square miles of land contained within Northumberland and Durham. Massee (1945) published a

‘Counties Distribution List’, that was unfortunately, without references, and local records were apparently taken in

the main from Bold (1872). The British Hemiptera-Heteroptera list consist of approximately 510 species, which

makes these insects a manageable number for anyone to study. Modern literature on the identification of these

species is somewhat wanting. The most recently published volume on identification, Southwood & Leston (1959)

is now well out of date, and is an expensive item (£100+) whenever a copy comes onto the market. However,

many local reference libraries do contain this volume for perusal.

The British Shieldbugs comprise just four families of the Heteroptera. These are the Acanthosomidae, Cydnidae,

Scutelleridae and Pentatomidae and total just thirty-eight species. The majority of these have a distinctly southern

British distribution and only fourteen species have been reported locally, but even this very small total is perhaps

erroneous, as it is likely that some of the species records submitted to Bold were in error, either as to their

identification or source of origin. Comment on these will be made in the text.

Adult Shieldbugs are long lived and in some species the females at least, can live almost a year. Indeed, The

Parent bug female which, living up to it’s name, guards both it’s ova and larvae until they are nearly fully

developed. The majority of species have an annual life cycle, but it is possible that some species may have more

than one generation per year. Overwintering is done in various stages, according to species, and usually lasts from

October through to April. However, some hibernating adult specimens may emerge during temporary warm spells,

especially in the early months of the year to bask and feed.

Like many other entomologists, the author has met with some of these species whilst engaged in seeking out other

insect forms, but it was not until recently (1998) he undertook more than just the casual recording of them. An

extensive search has been made through both the entomological literature and collections in local museums to

obtain the relatively few records that exist. It is hoped that by publishing these records, it may stimulate an interest

in others to engage in the active recording of this group. The author is willing to identify any specimens of

Shieldbug sent to him from anywhere in either county. He has very few recent records of any species from

V.C.68, due to the fact that he has collected infrequently in this area during the past three years, but it is very

likely that the majority of species known to occur in Durham and South Northumberland are also to be found in

north Northumberland. Very little recording of these species


was carried out during 2001 as Foot and Mouth disease severely curtailed recording in most areas.

Collecting Shield bugs for the purpose of recording, is best accomplished by beating, sweeping or by sieving

ground litter from around the base of known foodplants. Very few are ever seen in flight, although occasional

specimens have been met with in M.V. and other types of light trap. In most species both adults and larvae feed on

sap, berry juices or immature seeds of shrubs, grasses and other low plants, others however, are carniverous and

these have no hesitation in attacking lepidopterous larvae many times their own size.

The layout of the records is as follows : - Brief historical remarks taken from the literature are made under each

species name, followed by Grid Reference, V.C., Date, Recorder or reference and the authors remarks are at the

end of the records of each individual species.

Acanthosomidae.

Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale. Linn. Hawthorn Shieldbug.

Unknown to Bold (1872). Not listed by Massee (1945).

“It has only reached Durham recently”. Southwood & Leston (1959).

NZ27-62- 66 Felling. 28.09.1949. G.B.Walsh Coll. Hancock Mus.

NT925018 67 Holystone Burn. 00.00.1996. M.D.Eyre. (Eyre 1996).

NZ10-55- 67 Ebchester Bridge. 21.06.1998. H.T.Eales Coll.

NZ112572 67 Milkwellburn Wood. 22.06.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ11-57- 67 Milkwellburn Wood. 27.06.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NY97-61- 67 Dipton Wood. 28.06.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ17-59- 66 Far Pasture NR. 01.07.1998. H.T.E. Coll.


NZ04-28- 66 Hamsterley Forest. 27.07.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ26-70- 67 Gosforth Park. 08.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ10-55- 66 Ebchester Wood. 09.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ05-56- 67 Nr. Greymare Hill. 03.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ11-56- 66 Hamsterley. 04.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ07-55- 67 Morrowfield Farm. 06.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ09-56- 67 Park Wood. 07.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.


NZ08-51- 67 Browns Bog Wood. 08.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ11-56- 66 Hamsterley (riverside). 08.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ17-56- 66 Sike Wood. 08.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ18-46- 66 Nr. High Shilford. 09.07.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY820561 67 Oakeydean Burn Wood North. 11.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

Generally common wherever found, it is almost certainly present in VC68, as it’s range now extends well into

Scotland. It is by no means confined to Hawthorn as I have also found it on :- Sloe, Sallow, Hazel, Rowan,

Whitebeam, Alder and Willow. This species has extended it’s range northwards considerably during the past fifty


years. Mr.L.Jessop, Natural Sciences Department, Hancock Museum, informs me that in recent years, a number of

specimens have been brought into the museum for identification. Unfortunately no records relating to these

specimens have been kept.

Elasmostethus tristriatus. Fab. Juniper Shieldbug.

Not listed by Bold (1872), but indicated for Northumberland by Massee (1945). “A Northumberland record

requires confirmation”. Southwood & Leston (1959).

? 67? Newcastle. ? Pre 1882. G.Wailes. Saunders (1892).

NZ11-45- 66 Nr. East Butsfield. 21.09.1955. J.W.H.Harrison. (1955).

NZ07-37- 66 Nr.Wolsingham. 24.09.1955. J.W.H.H. (1955).

NU986985 67 Hepple Whitefield Farm. 15.06.2000. H.T.Eales. (2000 a).& Coll.

NZ046474 66 Hisehope Burn SSSI. 18.06.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NT993204 68 Ilderton Dod Alders. 05.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NT993207 68 Threestone Burn Alders. 05.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY685543 67 The Bog Farm SSSI. 08.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY821559 67 Oakeydene Burn South Wd. 11.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY698612 67 Park Burn. 20.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY905567 67 Rowley Burn. 22.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

Not uncommon on berry-bearing female bushes of wild Juniper which exists in many isolated colonies in the

uplands of both counties. For a more extensive report on this species see Eales, H.T. 2001. Vasculum 86 (3) pages

29-32. There is some doubt as to exactly where G.Wailes took his specimen(s) of this species hence the ?.

Elasmostethus interstinctus. Linn. Birch Shieldbug.

“Not common, Old Berwick * and near Wooler.” Bold (1872).

Listed for Northumberland but not Co.Durham by Massee (1945).

* The Rev.J.E.Hull considered this a misspelling of “Old Bewick.” Vasculum 17:89-91. I would concurr.H.T.E.

NT9—2-- 68 Nr. Wooler. Pre 1872. Bold. (1872).

NU06-21- 68 Old Bewick. Pre 1872. Bold. (1872).

NZ28-40- 66 Shincliffe Wood. 07.09.1957. J.W.H.Harrison. (1957).

NZ25-70- 67 Gosforth Park. 15.07.1980. M.Walker. Hancock Museum Coll.

NZ12-56- 67 Slacks Plantation. 24.07.1980. M.Walker. Hancock Museum Coll.

NZ10-62- 67 Priestclose Wood. 26.07.1980. M.Walker. Hancock Museum Coll.

NY79-62- 67 Briarwood Banks. 02.08.1980. M.Walker. Hancock Museum Coll.

NZ12-66- 67 Slacks Plantation. 01.09.1980. M.D.Eyre. Hancock Museum Coll.


NZ10-62- 67 Priestclose Wood. 15.08.1981. M.D.Eyre. Hancock Museum Coll.

NY78-64- 67 Beltingham. 07.09.1981. M.D.Eyre. Hancock Museum Coll.

NZ18-60- 66 Thornley Wood. 25.09.1982. M.Walker. Hancock Museum Coll.


NZ21-78- 67 Stannington Vale. 21.05.1983. M.Walker. Hancock Museum Coll.

NY91-66- 67 Hexham/Corbridge. 26.07.1985. B.S.Nau. National recorder.

NZ17-60- 66 Thornley Wood. 30.09.1986. M.D.Eyre. Hancock Museum Coll.

NZ12-57- 66 Chopwell Wood. 18.06.1988. H.T.Eales Coll.

NZ15-59- 66 Rowlands Gill. 23.06.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ15-65- 66 Ryton Willows. 24.06.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ098543 66 East Law. Ebchester. 14.07.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ01-57- 67 Healey Rigg End. 20.07.1998. H.T.E. Coll.



NZ15-57- 66 Rowlands Gill. 02.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ17-59- 66 Derwent Walk. 02.07.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ08-50- 66 Allensford. 05.08.1998 H.T.E. Coll.

NZ17-60- 66 Thornley Wood. 06.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.


NZ12-56- 66 Collinson NR. Hamsterley. 09.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ18-58- 66 Gibside. 11.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.


NZ07-53- 67 Shotley Field. 19.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ16-59- 66 Low Thornley. 20.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ132558 66 Hamsterley Mill. 21.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NY632935 67 Kielder Castle. 29.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.






NZ114562 66 High Westwood. 13.05.2000. H.T.E. Coll. In MV moth trap.

NZ063488 66 Dean Howl Farm. 30.06.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY685548 67 The Bog Farm SSSI. 08.08.2000. H.T.E. Field Notebook.

NY820561 67 Oakeydean Burn North. 11.08.2000. H.T.E. Field Notebook.

NZ22-63- 67 Elswick Park. N/cle. 14.08.2001. J.Phillipson. Det. H.T.E.

Generally very common, and not only on Birch, I have also taken it on Hazel, Oak, Honeysuckle, Sallow,

Hawthorn, Pine and Yew. Recent records from V.C.68 are lacking, but it probably occurs there in equal

abundance.


Elasmucha grisea. Linn. Parent Bug.

Not listed by Bold (1872), or Massee (1945).

“The northern limit is Scotland”. Southwood & Leston (1959).


NZ43/44 66 Castle Eden Dene. Pre 1983. Sheppard & Eyre (1983)

NZ15-65- 66 Ryton Willows. 24.06.1998. H.T.Eales. Collection.








NY935824 67 Rushy Dene. 27.06.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY820561 67 Oakeydene Burn Wood. 11.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ495332 66 Hartlepool. 30.08.2001. R.McAndrew. Det. H.T.E.

Not uncommon where it occurs. When found on Birch it appears to prefer older stunted trees. I have also found

this species on Yew, Oak, Rowan, and Hazel. It should be found in VC 68, as it is known from north of the

Scottish Border.

Cydnidae.

Legnotus limbosus. Geoffroy. There is no common English name.

“Gibside, very rare. Mr.V.R.Perkins”. Bold (1872). Listed for Durham by Massee (1945).

“South coast counties and, allegedly, Durham”. Southwood & Leston. (1959).

NZ1—5-- 66 Gibside. Pre 1872. Bold (1872).

This is the only known record of this species other than those from the south coast counties. Vincent Raymond

Perkins (1833-1922) is known to have collected widely throughout Britain and especially on the south coast. It is

possible that there has been an error in the labelling or recording of this specimen. Without the specimen available

to confirm the original identification, this record must be regarded as dubious at best, unless further specimens are

found. The location of Perkins Collection, if it still exists, is not known to the author.

Sehirus bicolor. Linn. Pied Shieldbug.

“Local specimens in the collections of Mr.John Hancock and Mr.V.R.Perkins”. Bold (1872).

Listed for both counties by Massee (1945).

“Records for Northumberland & Durham are known, but not from Lancashire and Yorkshire”. Southwood &

Leston (1959)


No record data available.

It would appear that both Massee, and Southwood & Leston, have based their information on Bold’s List. There

are no specimens in the remains of John Hancock’s Collection, although it does contain lepidoptera collected from

outside the local area. This could indicate that he could have obtained his specimens from elsewhere, which Bold

may have assumed had been caught locally. The larvae and presumably the adults, feed on the nutlets of White

Dead Nettle and Black Horehound neither of which are uncommon plants locally. I have swept both plants and

have sieved the ground litter beneath them whilst searching for this species without locating it. There are no other

local records.

Sehirus biguttatus. Linn. There is no common English name.

Unknown to Bold (1872). Listed for Co.Durham by Massee (1945).

“Cumbrian and Scottish specimens are known.” Southwood & Leston (1959).

No record data available.

I have been unable to trace any reference which would have given Massee the confidence to include this species

under Durham. However, as this species is found to the south, west and north of our counties the probability exists

that it may well be present, and only needs searching for. The species feeds on Common Cow-wheat growing on

chalk, sand and clay.

Scutelleridae. No species of this family have been recorded locally.

Pentatomidae.

Podops inuncta. Fab. European Turtlebug.

“Mr.Perkins has a local specimen taken by the Rev.R.Kirwood”. Bold (1872).

Listed for Northumberland by Massee (1945).

No additional record data available.

Again it is possible that an error has been made in relation to the occurrence of this species locally. According to

Southwood & Leston this species is only found commonly in England south of the latitude of Norfolk. It is also

possible that it may have occurred by accident and was brought here in straw or hay bales. This species is a grass

feeder. The Rev.Kirwood was Vicar of St.Andrews Church, Newcastle upon Tyne and was a Coleopterist who

collected widely. His collection was purchased by The Hancock Museum. There is no trace of this specimen in the

Amalgamated Hemiptera Collection, or elsewhere in this museum.

Palomena prasina. Linn. The Green Shieldbug.

“Rare, Jesmond”. Bold (1872).

Listed for both counties by Massee (1945).


NZ2—6-- 67 Jesmond, Newcastle/Tyne. Pre 1972. T.J.Bold Collection. Hancock

Mus.

NU10-34- 68 Belford. 29.06.1930. J.E. Hull.1

NY94-60- 67 Newbiggin Scar Devils Water.

.

1930 J.W.H.Harrison.2

NY9—6-- 67 Dipton Wood. 1931. J.W.H.Harrison.

NY94-49- 67 Gibralta Point nr. Blanchland. 15.05.1954. J.W.H.Harrison. 3

NY94-60- 67 Devils Water. 1961? J.W.H.Harrison. 4

NZ15-65- 66 Ryton Willows. 08.04.1995. W.Clynes Coll. 2 spms.

Bold’s comment of ‘Rare’ seems to be still justified. Some comment is required here in relation to some of the

records of this species. 1 Hull’s record reads, “ On whins, I have beaten the same whins for ten successive years, but have never seen this

bug before”. I believe that there may be an error in identification here. The Gorse Shieldbug is very similar to this

species and is common on ‘whin’ (Gorse) . 2 Harrison’s record reads, “ Not at all uncommon. New to Northumberland I think”. He overlooks both Bold’s and

Hull’s records. Harrison had a habit of claiming precidence, when any new species record was made by others. It

would appear from the number of times that this has happened (over several decades) involving numerous species

of plants and insects, that he disliked being beaten to any new discovery. 3 Here Harrison’s note reads, “Beaten from Alders along the Derwent nr. Blanchland and on the Devils Water nr.

Corbridge”. The Devils Water record mentioned here may relate to his 1930’s record. 4 Again Harrison’s record reads “ This has been beaten quite freely from Alders along the Devils Water”. Great

care should be excercised with the records of J.W.H.Harrison. He had a persistant habit of quoting records as

though they were current, but which in fact, may have been made many years, if not decades, prior to the date of

publication. This record could well relate yet again, to his 1930 record. Harrison’s own wording “has been” does

indicate the distinct possibility of this being an old record.

Pitedia juniperata. Linn. There is no common English name for this species.

“In Mr.V.R.Perkins Collection”. Bold (1872). Listed for Northumberland by Massee (1945).

No other data on this record is available.

According to Southwood & Leston this species has been extinct since 1902. And all the known records records

were confined to a very small number of counties in southern England. Bold merely states, “In the collection of

Mr. Perkins”. No locality is given and I believe that probably another error has occurred here, in the information

given to Bold by Perkins, as to the source of the record. The only known foodplant for this species is Juniper.

Dolycoris baccarum. Linn. Sloe Bug.

“Of occasional occurrence near Wooler, per Mr.J.Hardy”. Bold (1872). Listed for


Northumberland by Massee (1945).

NT98-27- 68 Wooler. Pre 1872. 2 spms Bold Coll.Hancock Mus.

NY935824 67 Rushy Dene. 27.06.2000. H.T.Eales. Collection.

Not common in the north of England and rarer in Scotland. Despite its name it is seldom found on Sloe or other

shrubs. It has a preference for floristically rich margins of woods and ditches. It is known to feed on a wide variety

of plant species both on the flowers and fruit and also on Wheat. The specimens in the Bold Collection were

simply labelled ‘Wooler’ without date. The hand writing on the data label appears to be that of James Hardy. It is

known that Bold and Hardy regularly exchanged specimens.

Piezodorus lituratus. Fab. Gorse Shieldbug.

“Of occasional occurrence” Bold (1872). Listed for Northumberland by Massee (1945).

NU25-20- 68 Craster. 04.06.1977. D.G.Long. Hancock Museum Coll.

NT90-28- 68 College Valley. 08.08.1968. D.A.Sheppard.

NT945029 67 Holystone North Wood. 21.06.1981. M.Smith. Hancock Museum Coll.

NZ333543 66 Penshaw Hill & Wood. 11.08.1986. K.N.A.Alexander. N.Trust.Survey.

NZ15-65- 66 Ryton Willows. 04.01.1995. W.Clynes. Hibernating spm.

NZ15-65- 66 Ryton Willows. 08.04.1995. W.Clynes Collection.

NZ10-57- 67 Milkwellburn Wood. 12.08.1998. H.T.Eales Collection.

NZ10-57- 66 Blackhall Mill. 14.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ10-57- 67 Broad Oak Farm. 24.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ10-56- 66 Hamsterley. 28.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NY79-85- 67 Lanehead (N/land). 29.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ027548 67 Nr.West Minsteracres. 31.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.


NZ14-58- 66 Victoria Garesfield. 04.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ06-55- 67 Nr. Newlands Grange. 06.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.


NY90-95- 67 Leighton Hide. 04.05.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ039503 66 Nr Lane Head (D/ham). 30.06.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ18-46- 66 Malton NR. 02.07.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY966619 67 Swallowship Wood. 04.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ045487 66 Nr. Coalgate. 15.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY904567 67 Rowley Burn. 22.08.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ20-63- 66 Derwenthaugh. 28.06.2001. H.T.E. Coll.

Generally common, wherever there is Gorse, even single isolated bushes can harbour specimens. Also to be found

very occasionally on Broom. Ova are frequently found on dried out seedcases in the beating tray, usually in two

parallel


lines totalling 12 –14 in number. This species is likely to found throughout both counties wherever gorse grows.

Pentatoma rufipes. Linn. The Forest Shieldbug.

“Common” T.J.Bold (1872). Listed for both counties by Massee (1945).

“Common in woodlands throughout Britain”. Southwood & Leston 1959).

NZ00-61- 67 Wheel Birks,

Stocksfield.

00.00.1927. J.Richardson. J.W.H. Harrison.(1927).

NU16-29- 68 Newham Bog. 00.00.1931. J.E.Hull. (1931).

NZ27-56- 66 Birtley. 00.00.1938. Mrs. Jeffries.

NZ21-64- 67 Newqcastle upon Tyne. 30.08.1970. H.T.Eales Collection.

NY7—5-- 67 Whitfield, Allendale. 18.09.1979. Mrs.Rumney. Hancock Mus. Coll.

NU023207 68 Roddam Dene. 17.06.1981. D.A.Sheppard.

NT957295 68 Akeld Farm. 23.06.1981. D.A.Sheppard.

NT93-29- 68 Yeavering Bell. 30.08.1981. D.A.Sheppard.

NZ2—6-- 67 Newcastle upon Tyne. 00.08.1982. G.J.Forster. Hancock Mus. Coll.

NZ2—6-- 67 Newcastle upon Tyne. 00.09.1982. G.J.Forster. Hancock Mus. Coll.

NZ33/34 66 Castle Eden Dene. Pre 1983. Sheppard & Eyre (1983).

NZ06-37- 66 Fawnlees Hall. 08.07.1985. Seen on NNU field outing.

NY7—8-- 67 Wark area. 24.07.1985. C.Adamson. Hancock Mus.Coll.

NZ06-98- 67 Rothbury Forest. 25.07.1985. B.S.Nau. National Recorder.

NU03-28- 68 Nr. Chatton. 25.07.1985. B.S.Nau. National Recorder.

NY91-66- 67 Hexham-Corbridge. 26.07.1985. B.S.Nau. National Recorder.

NZ17-60- 66 Thornley Wood. 03.08.1985. J.M.Munro. Thornley Woodlands Centre

Coll.

NZ18-60- 66 Paddock Hill Wood. 10.08.1985. S.McKelvery. Thornley Woodlands Ctr. Coll.

NZ06-49- 66 Horsleyhope Ravine. 24.08.1996. H.T.Eales Coll.

NZ10-56- 67 Broad Oak Farm. 17.06.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ112572 67 Milkwellburn Wood. 26.06.1998. H.T.E. Coll.


NU108202 68 Eglingham. 20.07.1998. H.T.E. Coll.




NZ17-59- 66 Derwent Walk. 02.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ12-57- 66 Chopwell Wood. 03.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ22-42- 66 Ushaw Moor. 05.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ17-60- 66 Thornley Wood. 06.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.



NZ132558 66 Hamsterley Mill. 13.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.


NZ17-60- 66 Thornley Woodland Centre. 19.08.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ160651 66 Parsons Haugh, Ryton. 28.08.1998. W.Clynes. Det. H.T.E.




NZ14-56- 66 Hamsterley Mill. 19.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ11-56- 66 Low Westwood. 23.09.1998. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ18-46- 66 Malton NR. 02.07.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NY923010 67 North Yardhope. 13.07.2000. H.T.E. Coll.

NZ08-31- 66 Hamsterley Forest. 11.08.2001. A. Coates. In moth trap.

The most common of all the Shieldbugs in both counties. With a very distinctive shape and colour it is easy to

identify. At the base of the scutellum there is usually an orange spot. This seems to be subject to variation in

colour, as I have also found specimens with white,yellow and red spots. To be found on a great range of trees and

bushes including Willow, Birch, Oak, Elm, Hawthorn, Buddlia, Hazel, and Rowan. Most commonly found on

Oak, where there are large numbers of lepidopterous larvae, upon which the larvae of this Shieldbug prey.

Picromerus bidens. Linn. Two-spined Shieldbug.

“In Mr.Hancock’s Collection.” Bold (1872). Listed for Northumberland by Massee (1945).

“Widely distributed throughout Britain but scarcer in the north”. Southwood & Leston (1959).

There is no other data relating to this record.

There are two specimens in the Bold Collection without data which may have possibly have come from

Hancock’s Collection. It is possible that this species is so scarce locally, that it has simply been overlooked.

Troilus luridus. Fab. Stealthy Shieldbug.

Not recorded by Bold (1872) or listed by Massee.(1945) Southwood & Leston state, “Throughout England and

Wales up to Durham”. I take this to mean up to the Durham County boundary as I know of no local records. This

is a species which is to be found on both coniferous and deciduous trees, and it tends to keep to the upper

branches, so it less likely to be met with. In view of the recent expansion of the range of several species, it may

only need looking for. I would anticipate that it will be found locally the near future.

Zircrona caerulea. Linn. The Blue Bug.

“Not common, Gibside, Prestwick Carr, Wooler”. Bold (1872). Listed for both counties by Massee (1945).

“ Reported from most areas except Ireland.” Southwood & Leston. (1959).

NZ17-58- 66 Gibside. Pre 1872. T.J.Bold (1872).


NZ19-74- 67 Prestwick Carr. Pre 1872. T.J.Bold (1872).

NT9—2-- 68 Wooler. Pre 1872. T.J.Bold (1872).

NY9—5-- 67 Blanchland. No date. R.S.Bagnall. Per.J.W.H.H.(1930).

NZ04-49- 66 Muggleswick. 00.00.1930. J.W.H.Harrison. (1930).

NY9—4-- 66 Beldon Burn, nr

Blanchland.

15.05.1954. J.W.H.Harrison. (1954).

NY8—3-- 66 Widdybank Fell. 00.00.1961. J.W.H.Harrison. (1961).

NZ05-82- 67 Shaftoe Crags. 19.09.1970. H.T.Eales. Collection.

NY76/86 67 Muckle Moss. 00.00.1977. Invertebrate Site Register.

Although listed in The Red Data Book for Northumberland, this species is probably far more common than these

few records indicate. It’s small size makes it surprisingly difficult to see even though it’s electric blue colouring is

quite distinctive. Both larvae and adults feed mainly on the larvae of The Heather Beetle. Lochmaea suturalis and

various lepidoptera. In the past two years the Heather Beetle has reached plague proportions on many local

Heather moors so there is no shortage of prey.

Foreign Species.

Several foreign Shieldbugs have been recorded in Britain over recent years, all have been found in association

with imported fruit and vegetables. These are accidental occurrences, and as such, are of no real importance.

However I have included the local records, such as they are, for completeness.

Nezara viridula. Linn. There is no common English name for this species.

Three specimens of this green Shieldbug were found in the Hancock Museum Amalgamated Hemiptera

Collection. They were placed alongside specimens of The Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina, which it greatly

resembles. All three specimens were handed in to the Hancock Museum’s Deputy Curator, the late Dr.A.G.Long.

NZ2—6-- 67 Newcastle upon Tyne. 20.01.1975. Found on grapes.

NZ3—6-- 67 Tynemouth. 08.05.1976. Found in a fruit shop.

NZ2—6-- 66 Dunston. 26.10.1978. T.Mcarthy. Found on a Pomegranate

Eurydema ornatum. Linn. There is no English name for this species.

NZ08-65- 66 Sunderland (South Hylton). 10.07.2001. B.Robinson. Det.H.T.E. Eales Collection.

This specimen was found in a bunch of pre-packed grapes purchased from a local supermarket. Enquiries by the

finder revealed that the grapes had been imported from Egypt. This species is common on fruit in southern Europe

and North Africa.

Acknowledgements.

The author wishes to express his thanks to the Staff of Tyne and Wear Museums


Services, for access to museum collections. To the Staff of Thornley Woodlands Centre, Gateshead Council, for

access to the insect collections held by them. To Dr.B.Nau the National Recorder of Hemiptera for not only his

own records, but also those of Dr. D.A.Sheppard and Dr.K.N.A.Alexander. Finally to those individuals who have

furnished me with additional records and photographs from their personal files.

References.

Ball,S.G. 1987. The Invertebrate Site Register. Report No.72. Nature Conservancy Council.

Bold,T.J. 1872. A Catalogue of the Insects of Northumberland and Durham (Hemiptera-Heteroptera).Natural

History Transactions of Northumberland and Durham. Vol.IV pp. 350-351.

Eales,H.T. 2000a. A Survey of the Insects to be found on Juniper (Juniper communis) on three sites within the

Northumberland National Park. Unpublished report to The Northumberland National Park.

Eales,H.T. 2000b. An Entomological Survey of selected sites within the Otterburn Training Area. Unpublished

report to MoD. Defence Estates, Otterburn.

Eales,H.T.2001. Notes on the occurrence of The Juniper Shieldbug Elasmostethus tristriatus (Fabricius).

Heteroptera: Acanthosomidae. In Northumberland and Co.Durham. V.C’s.68,67 & 66. Entomologists Record

113:13-16. Reprinted in The Vasculum. 86 No.3. Sept 2001.

Eyre,M.D.1996. An Entomological Survey of MoD. Defence Estates, Otterburn. Unpublished report.

Harrison,J.W.H. 1927. Vasculum. 14:38.

Harrison,J.W.H. 1930. Vasculum. 16:120.

Harrison,J.W.H. 1931. Vasculum. 17: 89-91.

Harrison,J.W.H. 1954. Vasculum Substitute. 39:13-17.

Harrison,J.W.H. 1955. Vasculum Substitute. 40:31.



Hull,J.E. 1930. Vasculum. 16:120.

Hull,J.E. 1931. Vasculum. 17:89-91.

Kerslake,L. (Ed). 1998. The Red Data Book for Northumberland. Trans. Nat.Hist.Soc. Northumbria, Vol. 58, Part

2

Massee,A.M.(Ed).1945. The County Distribution of The British Hemiptera-Heteroptera. (By the late

E.C.Bedwell). Entomologists Monthly Magazine. Nov. 1945. (Reprint).

Richardson,Mrs. 1927. The Vasculum. 24:30.

Saunders,E. 1892. The Hemiptera Heteroptera of The British Isles. L.Reeve & Co, London.

Sheppard,D.A. & Eyre,M.D. 1983. The Insects of Castle Eden Dene (Minor Orders) Vasculum 68:20-24.

Southwood,T.R.E. & Leston,D. 1959. Land & Water Bugs of The British Isles. F.Warne & Co. London.


Salt-marshes of the River Tyne and River Wear

John L. Durkin, 25 May Avenue, Winlaton Mill, Blaydon, NE21 6SF

This is an account of the remnant salt marsh habitats along the River Tyne and the River Wear,

describing a turning point where the habitat destruction and species losses of the last 200 years seem to have

paused and even reversed a little. It is intended to stimulate the study and conservation of these habitats.

Basic flora records are provided for the salt marshes, based on Graham (1988), Swan (1993), and

more recent fieldwork in 2001. Insects, other invertebrates, and groups such as fungi will hopefully be

investigated, and published in the Vasculum, by other biologists.

Originally, there were extensive salt marshes along the estuaries of both rivers. This is shown by

old botanical records, maps and place names. Industrialisation in the 19th century destroyed most of this, at least

90% and probably about 99%. Dredging and the provision of port facilities removed gently sloping river frontage

and replaced it with hard edges. Salt marshes would have been convenient places for the disposal of ships’ ballast,

and for the development of port related facilities. The fragments that remain are very small, and lack the range of

habitats found in intact sites. Only 6 Ha. of salt marsh remains, mostly along the Wear. Compared with the salt

marshes of north Northumberland and Teesmouth, they are almost insignificant. They are, however, very

important to the integrity of the ecology of the two rivers, and should be protected as far as possible. They are all

recognised in local authority plans as being “Sites of Nature Conservation Importance”. The best site, Timber

Beach, was formerly managed as a Durham Wildlife Trust nature reserve.

Table 1. gives the locations and other information for the seven main saltmarshes. Table 3. gives

the locations of 10 smaller sites, mostly of several hundred square metres in area. (100sq. m=0.01 Ha.)

Name Grid Ref Borough AREA

(Ha)

Status Distance

from the sea

(Km)

Timber Beach NZ368582 Sunderland 2.60 SNCI 4

Baron’s Quay NZ354574 Sunderland 2.10 SNCI 5

Claxheugh NZ360575 Sunderland 0.30 SNCI 5

Don NZ339655 South Tyneside 0.30 SNCI 4

Team NZ233625 Gateshead 0.30 SNCI 17

Willington Gut NZ317665 North Tyneside 0.22 SNCI 6

Ryton Island NZ154653 Newcastle 0.12 SNCI 25

Total Area 5.94 Ha

Table 1 The Main Salt Marsh Sites

The Remaining Resource in 2001

Table 2 gives the flora records for the seven main sites. Table 4 gives additional species that occur

in the vice-county at Teesmouth, but have not recently been recorded for the Tyne or the Wear.


The Wear sites are simple in structure, but much more complex than the Tyne sites, and are close

together in the middle of the river’s tidal range. Baron’s Quay and Timber Beach are one kilometre apart on the

north bank, and Claxheugh, pronounced “Clatchuff” is between and opposite them on the south bank. This close

proximity enables easy movements of some species, such as birds, and presumably plants and invertebrates,

between these sites. The Wear has salt marsh fringe as far upstream as Coxgreen, (NZ3255), but this is of a

different nature to the Tyne. The Tyne banks are mostly quite open and bare, but the Wear banks between the A19

bridge and Coxgreen are mostly well vegetated with dense, rank growth or scrub. Sea Club Rush, for example, has

a number of large stands in fringe vegetation along the Wear, but is absent from the Tyne except within the main

sites.

Timber Beach is the best of the Wear sites, and the best of the sites described here. It is based on

the outflow of the Hylton Burn into the Wear, and has a number of small pools and narrow creeks. Varying levels,

created by past industrial uses, allow different communities to thrive. There is a large stand of Phragmites and

smaller areas of Scirpus. A waters edge community of Suaeda and Salicornia, up to five metres wide, has formed

in recent years.

Timber Beach is well covered in the vegetation section of Graham (1988), see saltmarsh

communities SM2, SM4, and swamp communities SW4 and SW21.

Access It is easiest to access Timber Beach from the Hylton Riverside Retail Park. The public car

park at NZ366583, next to “Staples Office Superstore” and “Pets at Home” is handiest. Access to the riverside is

via a tarmac cycleway a few metres to the east, but this is not well signposted.

Baron’s Quay is on the north bank of the Wear, about 700m long and from 10 to 40 metres wide,

about 2.1 hectares in total area. It has good zonation into lower and middle saltmarsh, several small pools and

small creeks. Much of it is submerged at the highest tides. The range of species is almost as good as Timber

Beach, but there is no Phragmites and only a small 10 square metre stand of Scirpus. Thrift, Armeria maritima, is

abundant, and the grass Parapholis strigosa grows here. Inland from the marsh is an area of scrub and woodland.

Access For Barons Quay, park near the Shipwrights pub at NZ349569 and follow the riverside

footpath downstream. Timber Beach is only another kilometre downstream, but it is not easy to follow the river

here. Between the two sites is a stretch of natural cliff and two small saltmarsh fragments.

Claxheugh is the smallest of the three Wear sites described here. It is about 50 by 60 metres, and

has a small creek and several metre-square pools. The vegetation includes a stand of Scirpus maritima. The marsh

is in the corner of a large area of mudflat.

Access For Claxheugh, park at the Golden Lion pub at NZ349568 and follow the riverside footpath

downstream for one kilometre, or go down Claxheugh Road and park adjacent to the saltmarsh, but stay in sight of

your car if you park here.

The Tyne sites are widely spaced along the river, mostly on the tributary rivers and burns. A

narrow saltmarsh fringe stretches from Tynemouth to Ryton Island (NZ1655), the most inland site. It is rarely

more than two or three metres wide, and consists of Aster tripolium plus Plantago maritima, Cochlearia

officinalis, Spergularia marina, Puccinellia maritima and Atriplex prostrata.


The Tyne sites are not structurally complex, and are mostly just wider areas of this basic “Sea

Aster fringe”. The River Team site has the most structure, with a wider range of community types.

Access to the Tyne sites is not as easy as it is for the Wear.

The Don site is fragmentary, with basic Sea Aster fringe predominating, a richer community with

Juncus gerardii mainly on the strandline of the island, and several stands of Scirpus maritima upstream of the

road bridge. There are small amounts of Armeria maritima, Suaeda vera, and Lepidium latifolium on the

accessible side of the lower estuary. The latter two species are rare in the North-east. Lawrence (1994) describes

S. vera as having been planted south of the Tees by birdwatchers, and this may explain it’s occurrence here. There

is also a 100m sq. stand of Phragmites at NZ337650, which was planted by South tyneside Council in the 1990s.

Some of the narrow saltmarsh areas were also widened at the same time. Scirpus maritimus has a number of small

stands above the current tidal limit, possibly reflecting former tidal influence before the infilling of the Jarrow

Slake mudflats in the 20th century.

Access The estuary of the Don is publicly accessible only on the west side below St. Pauls church,

but on both banks above the church. The river had been reduced to a narrow, straightened “gut” by the 1970s, but

was widened in the 1990s, to increase the mud flats for birds. Saltmarsh areas were also widened in places. The

best areas of saltmarsh are on the small inaccessible island at NZ339654, and upstream of the road bridge at St.

Pauls. The accessible side of the lower estuary has a narrow but interesting strip of saltmarsh. The access to the

east side of the estuary belongs to the Port of Tyne Authority. Park at Jarrow Hall, NZ337654. Bede metro station

is 1km away.

The Team site, historically called “St. Omer’s Haugh”, is a more compact area with distinct

Phragmites and Scirpus stands, above a long-established area of dense vegetation with two tiny pools. This was

surveyed by Graham (1988), as a SW21 swamp community. By the footpath above the marsh are a few plants of

Armeria maritima. The Phragmites was planted in 1990, for the Gateshead garden Festival, and is still spreading.

Access This small saltmarsh is on the edge of the former Gateshead Garden Festival Site. It was

accessible during the Festival, but is at present fenced off while the Festival site is developed. It can be seen from

the car park on the opposite bank, at NZ232625. Dunston railway station is 800 metres away.

Willington Gut

A stretch of saltmarsh lying along the south side of Willington Gut (Wallsend Burn), between the

A193 road and the Metro bridge. There are three proper saltmarsh areas with rough grassland between them. The

common species are all present, with Juncus gerardii and Triglochin maritima, which are scarce on the Tyne.

There are good opportunities here for improving the marsh, outlined in “ Habitat Creation”, below.

Access The saltmarsh is on the south side of the burn, between the A193 and the Metro line. There

is public access along the side of the burn. Park at Point Pleasant Terrace, NZ314665, or use Hadrian Road metro

station, which is 700 metres away.

Ryton Island is a former island, now part of the north bank of the Tyne in the


Tyne Riverside Country Park, Newburn. It is 120 metres long and up to ten metres wide. It has a

limited range of species, including several small patches of Armeria maritima at the top of the slope. The

composition of this site has changed in recent years. Freshwater species, particularly Reed Canary Grass, Phalaris

arundinacea and Common Spike Rush Eleocharis palustris have increased, while Plantago maritima, Spergularia

marina and Atriplex prostrata have become quite scarce.

Access Public access is open, from the footpath along the banks of the Tyne. Park at Newburn

Country Park, NZ160655. The saltmarsh is 400 metres west of here.

Timber

Beach

Barons

Quay

Clax-

heugh

Don Team Willington Ryton

Island

Apium graveolens

Wild Celery

+ + + + + + +

Armeria maritima

Thrift

+ + * * *

Aster tripolium

Sea aster

+ + + + + + +

Atriplex glabriuscula

Babington’s Orache

*

Atriplex littoralis

Grass-leaved Orache

+ + + + +

Lepidium campestre

Dittander

* *

Atriplex prostrata (hastata)

Orache

+ + + + + + +

Cochlearia officinalis

Scurvy Grass

+ + + + + + +

Elymus pycnanthus

Sea Couch

+ + + + + +

Glaux maritima

Sea Milkwort

+ + + +

Juncus gerardii

Saltmarsh Rush

+ + + + * +

Juncus maritima

Sea Rush

*

Parapholis strigosa

Sea Hard Grass

* *

Phragmites australis

Common Reed

+ + +

Plantago maritima

Sea Plantain

+ + + + + + +

Puccinellia maritima

Salt-marsh Grass

+ + + + + + +

Salicornia dolichostachya

Mud, or Bushy Glasswort *

Salicornia europaea

Glasswort

+ + +


Salicornia ramosissima

Glasswort + + +

Scirpus maritimus

Sea Clubrush

+ * + + +

Spergularia marina

Lesser Sea Spurrey

+ + + + + + +

Spergularia media

Greater Sea Spurrey

+ + +

Suaeda maritima

Annual Sea Blight

+ + +

Suaeda vera (fruticosa)

Shrubby Sea Blight

*

Triglochin maritima

Sea Arrow Grass + + + + +

Table 2 Saltmarsh Flora (+ Present, * Scarce)

Name Grid Ref. Borough

West of Timber Beach NZ365581 Sunderland

West of Timber Beach NZ364580 Sunderland

Beneath the A19 Bridge NZ348567 Sunderland

Nab End NZ347563 Sunderland

Cox Green NZ337564 Sunderland

Cox Green NZ329553 Sunderland

River Derwent NZ202625 Gateshead

Metrocentre NZ211629 Gateshead

Lemington Gut NZ188643 Newcastle

Northumberland Dock NZ339664 North Tyneside

Table 3 Minor Saltmarsh Sites.

Scientific Name English Name Tyne/Wear Records

Artemisia maritima Sea Wormwood Timber Beach 1805

Atriplex longipes Long-stalked Orache

Beta vulgaris maritima Sea Beet Sunderland 1805

Carex extensa Long-bracted Sedge Timber Beach 1805

Limonium humile Lax-flowered Sea Lavender

Limonium vulgare Sea Lavender Timber Beach 1805

Ranunculus baudotii Brackish Water Crowfoot

Salsola kali Prickly saltwort

Zostera angustifolia Narrow-leaved Eel Grass

Zostera marina Eel Grass Jarrow Slake (Don) 1807

Zostera noltii Dwarf Eel Grass

Table 4 Species recorded at Teesmouth (VC66) but not recently on the Tyne or the Wear


Related Habitats

Roadside Verges

The spread of halophyte plants along roadsides affected by de-icing salt is well documented. In the

Tyne and Wear area the main species involved are Spergularia marina, Cochlearia officinalis and Puccinellia

distans. Spergularia marina is now present along many road verges, particularly where there is no kerb and the

soil can be affected by drainage with salt. It can also be found around road-salt storage areas. Atriplex littoralis is

present on waste ground in Gateshead town centre. D. Hall (2001) has noted the spread of Spergularia marina and

Atrplex patula along the A690 road near Houghton Cut.

Colliery Spoil

Drainage from colliery waste can support halophytes. Reclamation has removed most of the local

examples, but one remains at Wardley Pit Heap, NZ318605. There are about forty square metres with Aster

tripolium, Puccinellia maritima, P. distans and Atriplex prostrata.

Brick Pits

Several salt marsh species were recorded in the Vasculum and elsewhere from Birtley Brick Pits in

the period 1920 to 1980, but no explanation of their presence was offered. Scirpus maritima still grows at another

local brick pit, Joe’s Pond, NZ3248, a Durham Wildlife Trust reserve, where it was probably originally planted.

This habitat is described in Graham (1988), as an SW20 swamp community.

Invertebrates

Shore Crabs, Sand Hoppers and Sea Slaters are common at the Wear sites, River Don, and

Willington Gut, and along the riverbanks between these areas. The rows of tyres offshore from the saltmarshes

and from other parts of the rivers are traps to collect crabs, mostly for use as fishermen’s bait. There are also

barnacles on rocks as far upstream as the tributary of the Don that drains Tyne Dock, NZ342651, and at Pelaw

Main NZ298632. Some of the insects of Timber Beach were surveyed by Bruce & Woodfall as part of a Durham

Wildlife Trust Project in 1981/2.

There is considerable scope for someone to record the aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates re-

colonising the rivers, or perhaps to collate River Authority records.

Recent Losses

Some sites have been damaged or lost in the recent past.

Metrocentre, Gateshead.

Prior to the construction of the Gateshead Metrocentre, a large area of low-lying land between Dunston and

Swalwell had a number of channels and pools with saltmarsh vegetation, most notably Sea Clubrush, Scirpus

maritimus, and Common Reed, Phragmites australis. The building of the embankment of the Newcastle-Carlisle

railway in the 19th century cut off the area from the river, and probably sealed its fate in the long term. This

century, the site was damaged by the tipping of power station ash. After the Metrocentre was built, a small area

survived between


the “Keelman’s Way” footpath and the railway embankment. This has declined subsequently, drying out and

losing some species. Several stands of Common Reed, significant by local standards, still remain.

River Derwent, Gateshead

A recent reclamation scheme has infilled, for no obvious reason, half of the broadest part of the Derwent’s

estuary, reducing the area of saltmarsh vegetation and mudflat fringing the river. This was despite the area’s

designation as an S.N.C.I., and demonstrates how much needs to be done to conserve this habitat.

Lemington Gut, Newcastle

Reclamation works at Lemington have damaged the riverside saltmarsh vegetation and mudflats,

during the construction of the access road to a new industrial estate. Some care does seem to have been taken to

minimise unnecessary damage.

River Don, South Tyneside

A stand of Scirpus maritima was destroyed during repair works to the old Jarrow Bridge.

Habitat Creation

At present, there are changes taking place in the vegetation of the two rivers, probably as a result of

improving water quality. Along the tidal stretches of both rivers, a small selection of salt marsh species have

become much more common, and have established a narrow zone, usually two or three metres wide, of a basic salt

marsh community. This usually consists mainly of Sea Aster, Aster tripolium, with Sea Plantain, Plantago

maritima, Scurvy Grass, Cochlearia officinalis, Wild Celery, Apium graveolens, Orache, Atriplex prostrata, and

Sea Spurrey, Spergularia marina. To the west of the Tyne Bridge, and of the A19 bridge on the Wear, there are

also rapidly spreading freshwater marsh species such as Hairy Willowherb, Epilobium hirsutum and Reed Canary

Grass, Phalaris arundinacea. Spreading more slowly are other species such as Grass-leaved Orache, Atriplex

littoralis.

These conditions could result in a successful attempt at large-scale habitat creation, if any of the

Local Authorities or other agencies were bold enough to try it. A low-lying site within the tidal reach and range of

the river would be required, and ideally would be adjacent to one of the existing sites. If adjacent mud flats could

be incorporated, a broader range of habitats could be present and the new habitat could become important for birds

and mammals as well.

Establishing the grasses Puccinellia maritima and Elymus pycnanthus, the reed Phragmites

australis and the sedge Scirpus maritima from rhizomes taken from donor sites should be fairly easily done. Small

transplants can multiply their area by a factor of ten over a period of two or three years, if the conditions are right.

Most of the other species produce abundant seed, and of course the rivers themselves carry seeds and vegetative

material.

There could be opportunities on the Tyne at Lemington Gut, the former Stella South Power Station,

at the mouth of the Derwent, at the Gateshead Garden Festival site, and along the River Don at Jarrow. Small

scale work has been done at


the Don, but there is scope for more.

Willington Gut offers an excellent opportunity, since the rough grassland areas adjacent to and

between the saltmarsh patches could easily be reduced in height with a mini-excavator, to allow the saltmarsh to

be doubled in area. This would also enable diversification, such as by planting a stand of Scirpus maritimus.

Scope for improvement is less obvious along the River Wear. It would be possible to extend the

Timber Beach site a little, by re-grading the bank. Baron’s Quay could be extended by about half a hectare, but

this would be at the expense of other rich habitats. There is more scope west of the A19 bridge on the north bank,

but this is privately owned land. Perhaps the best policy along the Wear is simply to protect the existing habitats.

Acknowledgements I am grateful to the B.S.B.I. referees Dr. J.R. Akeroyd, Dr. T.C.G. Rich and Dr. I.K.

Ferguson for determinations of difficult species.

References

Graham, G.G. 1988 “The Flora and Vegetation of County Durham” Durham Flora Committee.

Hall, D. 2001 “Some Observations from Warden Law and Houghton Cut” Vasculum Vol 83, No.3

Lawrence, I. 1994 “A Guide to the Wild Flowers of Cleveland” Cleveland County Council.

Swan, G. A. 1993 “Flora of Northumberland” Natural History Society of Northumbria.


Flora of County Durham-Four Bramble Species New to the County

John Durkin,25 May Avenue, Winlaton Mill, Blaydon, NE21 6SJ

Since the publication of the Durham Flora in 1988, four extra species of brambles have been discovered in the

county. They are all illustrated on page 333 of Stace (1997).

White Stemmed Bramble Rubus cockburnianus Hemsl.

This Chinese ornamental bramble has been planted in a park at the head of Blunts Dene, Peterlee, NZ426407. It

has developed into a large clump, and two small colonies have appeared nearby, probably by pieces of rootstock

or cane being carried downstream by the Blunts Burn. It has also been planted at St. Peter’s, Sunderland, at

NZ4057 and NZ4058, where it is not doing so well. Also planted in VC67 at Walker Riverside Park, NZ2763,

NZ2862, NZ2863 and NZ2963, and at the Royal Quays, NZ3467.

Loganberry Rubus loganobaccus L.H.Bailey

Found at three widely separate locations, probably relict of cultivation, or possibly bird-sown. Riverside scrub at

Coweshill, NY850408; park woodland at Axwell Park, NZ192622; disused railway line, Bowes Railway walk,

NZ214571.

Salmon Berry Rubus spectabilis Pursh

Surviving from old estate planting at Axwell Park, there are several hundred bushes of this North American

bramble, NZ1961, and NZ1962. Isolated patches at several sites within a few kilometres are probably bird-sown.

The original planting was either for ornament or pheasant cover. The flowers are attractive, but not profuse, and

fruit formation occurs but is not prolific. It also occurs as a weed in gardens at Axwell Park housing estate.

Outside of the old estate boundary, there is a single bush in a hedgerow at Lands Wood, owned by the Woodland

Trust, NZ184612, and it has been known from Denton Dene, in Newcastle, NZ197650, in VC67, for some years.

Also well-established in Jesmond Dene, NZ2666.

Chinese Bramble Rubus tricolor Focke

This bramble has recently become popular for planting as ground cover in landscape shrub areas. It

trails over the ground in an ivy-like manner, rooting at the tips. It does not seem to flower well in the Northeast, so

it is unlikely to spread far from where it is planted. Thriving in planted shrubbery on the south bank of the Wear at

Sunderland, NZ3957, on the north bank of the Tees Barrage, NZ4619, at Cavalier View in Hebburn, NZ3065, and

also in VC67 at Walker Riverside Park, NZ2963, at Wallsend, NZ2965, East Howdon, NZ3366, North Shields,

NZ3567, Royal Quays, NZ3466 and NZ3467. At the latter site it set fruit in September 2001.

References

Graham, G.G. 1988 “The Flora and Vegetation of County Durham” Durham Flora Committee.

Stace, C.1997 “New Flora of the British Isles” Cambridge University Press.

Swan, G. A. 1993 “Flora of Northumberland” Natural History Society of Northumbria


Records of the Comma Polygonia C-album L. in south-east Northumberland (VC67) during 2001

Hewett A.EIlis. 16, Southlands, Tynemouth, North Shields, NE30 2QS

The remarkable expansion in the range of the Comma butterfly Polygonia C-album L. to include County Durham

and subsequently Northumberland, has been documented previously (Ellis, 1999; 2000; Ellis & Waller,2000). The

present personal records relate to the 2001 season and are presented in chronological order,

4 May Tynemouth; garden 16, Southlands. One adult. NZ358701.

5 May Wansbeck Riverside Country Park near Stakeford Bridge. One adult. NZ273861.

7 May River Blyth Valley, riverside path, between Hartford Hall and Humford weir. Three

adults. NZ257797.

23 June Rising Sun Country Park, Wallsend, side of wagonway. One worn adult. NZ297695.

28 June Holywell, dismantled railway near Crow Hall Farm, Holywell Dene. Five immature

larvae on elm. NZ325748.

30 June River Blyth Valley, Bedlington Country Park, between Humford and Humford weir.

Ten immature to final instar larvae on elm. NZ266805; NZ265801; NZ261797.

30 July Holywell Dene near Holywell. One adult hutchinsoni. NZ 325747,

31 July Holywell Dene, Hartley to Seaton Sluice, burnside, Four adult hutchinsoni. NZ 338756;

NZ 337760; NZ 335761

1 August Wansbeck Riverside Country Park, near Stakeford Bridge. One adult hutchinsoni. NZ

273863.

3 August Bedlington Country Park. Two adult hutchinsoni between Humford and the weir NZ

265800; and one normal adult in plantation above Humford. NZ 264807.

10 August Plessey Woods, Stannington Vale, riverside to west and east of the Rail viaduct. Five

adult hutchinsoni. NZ 226791; NZ 221787; NZ 225790, and one pupa suspended from

elm. NZ 224789.

17 August Rising Sun Country Park, Wallsend, side of wagonway and adjacent field. Four adults.

NZ 299693.

28 August Holywell Dene, Seaton Sluice Six adults including two worn hutchinsoni. NZ 335765;

NZ: 336760.

6 September Holywell Dene near Hartley West Farm. One adult. NZ 336754.

26 September Holywell Dene, near Hartley small car park. One final instar larva feeding on nettle. NZ

338757.

3 October Rising Sun Country Park, Wallsend, side of wagonway. One adult. NZ 299693.

5-24 October Tynemouth, garden, 16, Southlands. One adult daily on 5th,9th, 12th,16th, and 24th;and

two adults on 11th. NZ 358701.

16 October Holywell Dene, Seaton Sluice. Two adults. NZ 338757.

27 October Plessey Woods, Hartford Bridge. Six adults; one near Pegwhistle Burn NZ 242799; and

five nectaring together on ivy blossom, riverside opposite Plessey Mill Farm. NZ

238798.


Overall, I recorded 16 larvae, 1 pupa and at least 43 different adults. Of the 43, only 6 were recorded in the spring

after they had overwintered and the remainder comprised 15 early summer brood hutchinsoni and 22 main brood

individuals. Many favoured localities for the Comma were inaccessible during the springtime on account of the

restrictions imposed by the Foot and Mouth Disease regulations and this explains the small number of records in

that part of the year. Later in the year, when there was greater freedom of access, the Comma was seen in

increased numbers in comparison with previous years.

Once again there were two summer broods in the season with the pale hutchinsoni form appearing on 30 July and

with a few worn individuals still on the wing up to 28 August. The main summer brood was first recorded on 17

August and individuals of the two broods overlapped, their flight periods. The mild October weather encouraged

individuals to continue flying late in the season and it was a pleasure to witness several of these nectaring together

on ivy flowers as late as 27 October.

As in previous years, in Northumberland, during 2001 elm was the main larval foodplant. However, for the first

time in the county I also found a mature larva feeding on nettle This was surprisingly late in the year (26

September), and presumably it was the result of a mating between two hutchinsoni forms. The larva was feeding

fully exposed on a leaf surface and, judging by the extensively eaten nettle leaves and the amount of frass which

had accumulated on the lower leaves, it had fed and grown exclusively on the nettle. There was no overhanging or

nearby elm, from which it could have fallen. In view of the late date I considered the possibility that the larva was

diseased or had been attacked by a parasitoid resulting in delayed pupation. To settle the question, I collected the

larva and provided it with fresh nettle only. It continued to feed until 28 September, then suspended itself and

pupated on 30 September. The pupa proved to be perfectly healthy and a normal adult emerged on 15 October.

This was released where the larva had been collected nineteen days previously.

Although elm is favoured as a larval foodplant in Northumberland, it is nettle which is most used further south. In

the last two years there seems to have been an increase in the number of local elm trees dying from Dutch Elm

Disease. Eventually this could have a devastating effect on the local Comma population unless the ovipositing

females adopt nettle as an alternative foodplant. The present observations indicate that at least some individuals

are already using nettle for this purpose.

References

Ellis, H.A. 1999. Return of the Comma Polygonia C-album L. (Lep.: Nymphalidae) to Northumberland: Historic

review and current status. Entomologist's Record & Journal of Variation, 111:227-231.

Ellis, H.A. 2000. Further evidence that the Comma Polygonia C-album L is breeding in Northumberland (VC67).

The Vasculum, 85(1):5-9.

Ellis, H.A. & Waller, I.J. 2000. Records of the Comma Polygonia C-album L. (Lep.:Nymphalidae) in North East

England from 1995 -1999 Entomologist's Record & Journal of Variation, 112:221-223


President

Dr. M. Birtle

President Elect

Mr. A. Legg

Vice Presidents

Dr.H. Ellis, Dr. M. Birtle, G. Simpson, Dr. L. Davies, Dr. M. Luff, Dr. J. Turner, Mrs. J. Stobbs, Mrs G. Batey,

Messrs. N. Cook, D. Hall, M. Mann


Mr. C.L. Evans

Hon. Treasurer


Hon. Editors

Dr. M Birtle

Dr. P. Gates


Mr. L. Moore

Hon. Auditor

Mr. D. Hall


Butterflies


Durham, DH8 7DB.

Moths




Dragonflies

Northumberland: Harry Eales, 11 Ennerdale Terrace, Low Westwood. Co. Durham. NE 17 7PN.

Durham: Ian Waller, 42 College View, Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham, DH8 7DB

Birds






Mammals (general)



Durham: Kevin O'Hara, c/o Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas Park, Gosforth,

Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3XT. (tel. 0191 284 6884) email: [email protected]

Bats


Durham Bat Group:Ian Bond, 105 Davison Rd., Darlington DL1 3DS (01325 264296)


Plants




upon Tyne NE1 7RU.

Spiders


Geological


http://www-scm.tees.ac.uk:8050/mail/0/mail?actioncompose=1&[email protected]

ISSN 0049-5891 THE VASCULUM · 2013. 3. 18. · Hulne Park Alnwick NU17.43 6/6/2000 JDP Howick Hall Woods NU24/5.17 9/6/1994 JDP Butteryhaugh NY63.92/3 2/6/1992 JDP Forest Drive Toll

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