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

Quoich, Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar, Aberdeenshire (26
June 2000, A. Godfrey).
Habitat Possibly Caledonian pine (Pinus) forest or mixed
forest for the original site, while the recent record was from
mixed Birch (Betula) and pine (Pinus) open woodland, with
ground layer vegetation comprising Calluna, Erica and
Vaccinium. Fomes was frequent on the Birch.
Ecology Matile (1964) found larvae in webs on fallen pine
trunks in France. In Russia it has been associated with the
tough bracket fungi Fomes fomentarius and a Phellinus
species, which are found on broad-leaved trees. The larvae
of this genus where known mainly develop in webs on the
surface of tougher lignicolous fungi and are considered to
be spore feeders.
Status A poorly known species with only one recent record.
Currently there is inadequate information to assess the risk
of extinction. Status revised from RDB 1 in Shirt (1987) and
Falk (1991).
Threats Clearance of native woodland in the Scottish
Highlands for intensive forestry or agriculture.
Management and conservation Maintain woodlands in a
natural state, retaining any old or diseased trees and dead
wood, ensuring the continuity of these resources in the
future.
Published sources Edwards (1913).
SCIOPHILA NIGRONITIDA
A fungus gnat LOWER RISK (Nationally Scarce)
Order DIPTERA
Family MYCETOPHILIDAE
Sciophila nigronitida Landrock, 1925
Identification Keyed by Hutson, Ackland & Kidd (1980).
Distribution Records are scattered widely throughout
Britain: Devon, Somerset (Lundy Island), Hampshire,
Surrey, Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Herefordshire,
Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham; Monmouthshire,
Glamorgan, Cardiganshire; Perthshire, Elgin, Easterness,
East Ross, West Sutherland.
Habitat Some sites are broad-leaved woodland, but there
are several open sites including open bog at Cors Tregaron
NNR, Cardiganshire (1974) and open heath with Gorse
(Ulex species) at Cavenham Heath NNR, Suffolk (1994);
Culbin Sands, Easterness (1991) and Gannet’s Combe,
Lundy Island (1972) are other probably open sites.
Ecology Biology unknown. Where known larvae of this
genus mainly develop in webs on tough lignicolous fungi,
where they are considered to be spore feeders, although
some of the commoner species also develop in terrestrial
fungi and that may be the case with this species. Adults
recorded from April to September.
Status A widespread but local species with 29 recorded
sites but only twelve of these are post 1960. Status revised
from RDB 3 (Shirt 1987).
Threats Clearance of woodland for intensive forestry or
agriculture, and inappropriate management of heath and bog
sites; in the latter peat extraction could be a problem.
Management and conservation Maintain habitats in a
natural state, ensuring continuity of old trees and dead wood
as a resource. Avoid drainage or encroachment of scrub
onto heath and bog sites and any damage to vegetation or
soil structure which could affect the survival of potential
terrestrial fungus hosts.
Published sources Edwards (1913, 1925); Hutson, Ackland
& Kidd (1980); Kidd & Brindle (1959); Plant (1985);
Stubbs (1967).
SCIOPHILA OCHRACEA
A fungus gnat
VULNERABLE
Order DIPTERA
Family MYCETOPHILIDAE
Sciophila ochracea Stephens in Walker, 1856
Identification Keyed by Hutson, Ackland & Kidd (1980).
Distribution Only four southern sites are certain: Cookham,
Berkshire (1988, 1989, E.P. Wiltshire); Oxford, Oxfordshire
(1956, G.C. Varley); Cambridge, Cambridgeshire (1905,
1909, F. Jenkinson) and Woodwalton Fen NNR,
Huntingdonshire (1919, F.W. Edwards). A record from
Manchester (1964, L.N. Kidd) requires confirmation.
Habitat Closely associated with rosaceous trees (especially
Prunus species) probably in a range of situations, including
wild trees in natural woodland and hedgerows and
cultivated forms in gardens and orchards.
Ecology This species has been reared from bracket fungi on
Plum and Cherry trees (Prunus species), queried as Fomes
or Phellinus species; at Cookham it was reared from larvae
found in webs under the brackets of Phellinus pomaceus on
a partly decayed plum tree in a garden. It seems likely that
other records also refer to the same fungus, although a
record from Trametes versicolor has been cited in Russia.
The larvae are considered to be spore feeders. Adults
recorded from May to August.
Status A poorly known species with only the one post 1960
record, but three of the four known sites were in gardens. If
gardens and orchards are the main habitat in Britain it may
be under-recorded and possible larval webs have been found
during a survey of orchards close to the Wyre Forest,
Worcestershire (2004). Many old orchards have been
grubbed up or replanted in recent years. In addition, partly
decayed trees with fungal growth are likely to be removed
from these situations and hence the species is considered to
be Vulnerable. Status revised from RDB 1 (Shirt 1987 and
Falk 1991).
Threats Loss of wild Prunus trees through clearance of
woodland and hedgerows for agriculture. Clearance of old
orchards and removal of decayed trees from old established
gardens.
Management and conservation Ensure that any old or
decayed rosaceous trees are retained, to provide a habitat for
the host fungus and larval development.
Published sources Chandler (1992b); Edwards (1913,
1925); Smith (1957).
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