News

Diptera recorder Ian Draycott has been busy this season recording in the Doward area. Among his finds over the past couple of weeks have been the first county records of two fly species, Chrysosomopsis auratus and Hemyda vittata.

Chrysosomopsis auratus (pictured) is mainly known from Kent/Sussex with a few records from Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath. Undoubtedly more common than is known about, it apparently parasitizes the Fern moth (Horisme tersata) which in turn requires Travellers-joy (Clematis vitalba).

Hemyda vittata is one of those increasing southern species and one to watch, with the nearest record currently being in Shropshire.

Ian also recorded another scarce fly, Thecophora atra, for which there are only two previous Herefordshire records.

The diversity of much of Herefordshire’s invertebrate fauna remains poorly understood and Ian’s finds demonstrate that there are many new discoveries just waiting to be made!