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Brockwell’s Meadows, near Caldicot
The site’s dry grassland was found to support the
Nationally Notable weevil Strophosomus faber and three local bugs –
Stygnocoris rusticus, Miridius quadrivirgatus and Kalama
tricornis.
The Nationally Rare (Red Data Book Category 3) solitary
bee Andrena hattorfiana is found at Brockwell’s Meadows feeds only on
the flowers of field scabious. The digger wasp Philanthus triangulum
also occurs.
The jewel beetle Agrilus laticornis was found
here. This species has the specialist requirement of recently dead fine
branches of oak in sunny situations which are used for breeding by its
larvae.
Croes Robert, near Monmouth
Two species dependant on dead wood were found here:
Malthinus balteatus, a Nationally Notable soldier beetle which breeds in
dead twigs, and the false click-beetle Microrhagus pygmaeus, a
species with larvae dependant on large shaded logs.
Dan-y-Graig, Risca
Seven Nationally Notable flies were recorded, all of
them associated with damp woodland: the Hybotid fly Symballophthalmus
scapularis, five crane-flies (Atypophthalmus inustus,
Dicranomyia aquosa, D. lucida, Limonia trivittata and
Thaumastoptera calceata) and the soldier-fly Oxycera pardalina.
Local wetland flies included the crane-fly Ellipteroides lateralis
and the soldier-fly Oxycera nigricornis. Dan-y-Graig’s lime-rich
trickles of water also were responsible for the presence of two species of
Nationally Notable caddis flies – Ernodes articularis and Tinodes
unicolor.
The other habitat features of this varied site also
provided further interest. A Nationally Notable false darkling beetle
Orchesia minor has larvae which feed on bracket fungi. Another dead wood
dependent species found here includes the Red Data Book tumbling flower
beetle Mordellistena neuwaldeggiana. The Nationally Notable Lesne’s
Earwig Forficula lesnei was also recorded.
Henllys Bog, near Cwmbran
Two Nationally Notable weevils were found at Henllys
Bog. Oxystoma cerdo is associated with grassland vetches. Grypus
equiseti occurs on horsetails. Four local or Nationally Notable flies
associated with the site’s wet woodland were found – the Cylindrotomid fly
Diogma glabrata and the crane-flies Ellipteroides lateralis,
Molophilus corniger and Pilaria fuscipennis. The local
soldier-fly Oxycera nigricollis, typical of the vicinity of seepages
and wet grassland, was also recorded, along with the froghopper Cixius
similis.
Kitty’s Orchard, between Usk and Raglan
Two Nationally Notable beetles were recorded which
depend on dead twigs and branches in full sun. The false darkling beetle
Anisoxya fuscula is particular uncommon, whilst the Sphingid beetle
Lissodema denticolle is not quite as rare across Britain. The adult of
the Melyrid beetle Dasytes plumbeus recorded here is associated with
dry grassland, whilst its larvae are predators which live in rotting wood.
The Nationally Notable Hybotid fly Platypalpus stabilis was also
found at Kitty’s Orchard, with this species being associated with the
foliage of trees and shrubs.
Magor Marsh, Magor
Little recording was done at this site which is
renowned as one of Wales’ finest invertebrate sites. However the fly
Platypalpus stabilis was recorded here as at Kitty’s Orchard. The local
leafhopper Idiocerus herrichii was found on white willow, whilst
another bug, Dictyla convergens, was recorded around water
forget-me-nots. The Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum was also seen.
Margaret’s Wood, near Monmouth
A capsid bug called Macrolophus rubi was
recorded at Margaret’s Wood. This species is much more local than would be
suggested by its habitat requirements of bramble in partial shade.
Pentwyn Farm, near Monmouth
The increasingly local hazel-feeding weevil Curculio
nucum was found at Pentwyn Farm. The grasslands supported the local
capsid bug Aetropis gimmerthali.
Prisk Wood, near Monmouth
Pick of the bunch at Prisk Wood was the Red Data Book
Category 1 (Endangered) crane-fly species Ellipteroides alboscutellatus,
which has previously only been known from one wood in Herefordshire. This is
a species of calcareous flushes. Another significant crane-fly – the Notable
Dicranomyia lucida – was also found here.
A Nationally Notable weevil (Kissophagus hederae)
recorded is associated with the dead stems of ivy. The false click-beetle
Microrhagus pygmaeus was found here, as was the case at Croes Robert.
Other Notable species dependant on dead wood recorded included the flies
Oedalea tibialis and Keroplatus testaceus, and the digger wasp
Crossocerus binotatus.
Prisk Wood is known for its old lime trees, which
explains the presence of the Nationally Notable leafhopper Pediopsis
tiliae.
Rogiet Poorland, near Caldicot
The distinctively-shaped and local weevil Apoderus
coryli was found on hazel here, along with Cryptocephalus moraei.
A Red Data Book tumbling flower beetle Mordellistena neuwaldeggiana
recorded here depends on dead wood in hedges, scrub and woodland. Three
local bugs of dry grassland were found here – Stygnocoris rusticus,
Miridius quadrivigatus and Kalama tricornis.
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