Part 2: Nematocera and Aschiza not dealt with by Falk (1991) - JNCC

Management and conservation Maintain woodlands in a
natural state, retaining any old trees and dead wood,
especially in damp shaded situations suitable for fungal
growth.
Published sources Edwards (1941); Howe & Howe (2001);
Hutson, Ackland & Kidd (1980); Väisänen (1984).
MYCOMYA VITTIVENTRIS
A fungus gnat LOWER RISK (Nationally Scarce)
Order DIPTERA
Family MYCETOPHILIDAE
Mycomya vittiventris (Zetterstedt, 1852)
Identification Keyed by Hutson, Ackland & Kidd (1980).
Distribution A northern species with 21 widely scattered
records: Abbot’s Moss, Cheshire (1979); Whitewell (1954),
Malham Tarn (1956), Hawnby (1978), Hogg Wood, Marske
and Carr Wood (1990), Ashberry Pastures (1992), Raindale
and Forge Valley NNR (1996), Yorkshire; Witherslack and
Esthwaite North Fen, Westmorland (1999); Mugdock
Wood, Stirlingshire (1968); Craigmore Wood, Perthshire
(1999); four sites on the Mar Lodge Estate, Aberdeenshire
(2000); Nethy Bridge, Elgin (1906); Rothiemurchus Estate,
Easterness (Cairngorm NNR 1966; by River Luineag 1986).
Habitat Damp mainly broad-leaved woodland but in open
pine (Pinus) forest at Rothiemurchus and the Mar Lodge
Estate.
Ecology Biology unknown. the larvae of this genus have
been reared from fungi or associated with fungi on dead
wood and are web spinners, living on the surface of the
substrate. Adults recorded from June to August.
Status A poorly known species with eighteen post 1960
sites; apparently widely distributed in the north of Britain
and probably overlooked elsewhere in this range. Not listed
in Shirt (1987); status revised from RDB 3 (Falk 1991).
Threats Clearance of woodland for intensive forestry or
agriculture. Removal of old trees or dead wood, which may
provide the larval development site.
Management and conservation Maintain woodlands in a
natural state, retaining any old trees or dead wood,
especially in damp shaded situations. Avoid drainage of
marshy areas and retain cover near woodland streams.
Published sources Chandler (1991c); Edwards (1941);
Hutson, Ackland & Kidd (1969); Kidd & Ackland (1970);
Väisänen (1984).
NEOEMPHERIA BIMACULATA
A fungus gnat LOWER RISK (Near Threatened)
Order DIPTERA
Family MYCETOPHILIDAE
Neoempheria bimaculata (von Roser, 1840)
Identification Keyed by Hutson, Ackland & Kidd (1980).
Distribution A small number of records in southern
England and South Wales, and one for South Yorkshire:
Monk Woods (2000), Somerset; Vernditch (1974) and
Wilton (1974), Wiltshire; New Forest, Hampshire (1904);
Epping Forest, Essex (2000); Wicks Wood, Oxfordshire
(1969); Burnham Beeches NNR, Buckinghamshire (1998);
Nab’s Wood, Yorkshire (2004); Coed Tycanol NNR,
Pembrokeshire (1999).
Habitat Old broad-leaved woodland.
Ecology Biology unknown. Larvae of this genus are web
spinners on fungi or rotting wood. Adults recorded in June
and August to September.
Status Apparently very local and restricted. It could be
overlooked to some extent because of similarity to the more
frequent species Neoempheria pictipennis (Haliday). Not
listed in Shirt (1987).
Threats Clearance of woodland for intensive forestry or
agriculture. Removal of dead wood and old or diseased trees
which may provide larval development sites.
Management and conservation Maintain woodlands in a
natural state, retaining any old trees or dead wood,
especially in damp shaded situations suitable for fungal
growth.
Published sources Hutson (1978); Gibbs (2002); Hutson,
Ackland & Kidd (1980).
NEOEMPHERIA LINEOLA
A fungus gnat
VULNERABLE
Order DIPTERA
Family MYCETOPHILIDAE
Neoempheria lineola (Meigen, 1818)
Identification Keyed by Hutson, Ackland & Kidd (1980).
Distribution A small number of sites in southern England:
Brockenhurst (1907), an unspecified site (1929), Denny
Wood (1939, 1996) and The Knowles (1986, 2002), all in
the New Forest, Hampshire; Cirencester Park,
Gloucestershire (1986). A record from Wytham Wood,
Berkshire (1964) (Larkin & Elbourn 1964) requires
confirmation.
Habitat Ancient broad-leaved woodland.
Ecology Larvae of this genus are to be found in webs on
fungi or rotting wood and this species has been observed on
several occasions on or flying around fallen hollow trunks
and old stumps of Beech (Fagus). Larkin & Elbourn (1964)
recorded this species as reared from dead wood on live Oak
trees (Quercus) but this record requires confirmation.
Adults recorded in May and June.
Status A large conspicuous species, entirely yellow bodied
with brown marked wings, which although said to be
frequent in some parts of Europe, has probably suffered a
decline with its habitat and is very scarce in Britain, with a
50 year gap in the New Forest records before 1986. Status
revised from RDB 1 (Shirt 1987 and Falk 1991).
Threats Clearance of ancient woodland for intensive
forestry or agriculture. Removal of any dead wood and
ancient or diseased trees which evidently provide sites for
larval development. Grazing preventing natural regeneration
is a problem in the New Forest.
Management and conservation Maintain the continuity of
old trees and dead wood in ancient woodland sites, ensuring
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