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

(1977); Monk Soham, Suffolk (frequent in orchard, June to
August 1917); Kirtling (1896, 1897), Whittlesford (1904),
Chippenham Fen NNR (1943) and Cambridge (frequent in
garden, 1901 to 1906), Cambridgeshire; Blaise Woods
(1952) and Newent (1979), Gloucestershire; Stoke Edith,
Herefordshire (in garden, 1912).
Habitat Associations are unclear; records include fens,
woods, gardens and orchards. The presence of trees of the
family Rosaceae seems to be the over riding factor.
Ecology Biology unknown, but the larvae probably develop
in bracket fungi such as Phellinus pomaceus which grows
on old trees of the family Rosaceae. Adults recorded from
April to October and males have been observed swarming
about 0.6m above grass in an orchard (Morley 1918).
Status Apparently formerly widespread in the south, but
with only two post 1960 records. It is not known whether it
may still occur in garden or orchard situations but is being
overlooked due to insufficient recording.
Threats The destruction of sites containing old rosaceous
trees; the loss of old orchards (which has increased in recent
years) or the removal of old trees from gardens could both
be significant as threats. The shading out of rides and
clearings in woods which may be required for adult
swarming.
Management and conservation Retain any old or diseased
rosaceous trees. Maintain open rides and clearings within
woods.
Published sources Aston (1957); Collin (1904, 1938);
Jenkinson (1903); Morley (1918); Verrall (1901).
AGATHOMYIA ELEGANTULA
A flat-footed fly LOWER RISK (Nationally Scarce)
Order DIPTERA
Family PLATYPEZIDAE
Agathomyia elegantula (Fallén, 1815)
Identification Keyed by Chandler (2001b).
Distribution Scattered localities, mainly in southern
England (Hampshire, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Middlesex,
Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Suffolk, Norfolk,
Cambridgeshire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire) but also one
Welsh record (Monmouthshire).
Habitat Usually found in old broad-leaved woodland with a
good amount of dead wood present.
Ecology Biology unknown; related species develop in tough
bracket fungi and most are fairly specific in their choice of
host. Adults recorded from May to October.
Status There are 22 known post 1960 sites. This species is
usually found in small numbers and is probably underrecorded.
The concept of A. elegantula recognised here
represents both sexes of Agathomyia boreella (Zetterstedt),
but females only referred to A. elegantula by Chandler
(1974); the males placed under A. elegantula in that paper
are now referred to A. woodella Chandler.
Threats The loss of woodland to agriculture or intensive
forestry, and the removal of dead wood and old or diseased
trees which may support suitable fungi. Also the shading
out of rides or clearings which may be required for adult
swarming.
Management and conservation Retain any old or diseased
trees and dead wood within a site together with their
associated fungi, ensuring the continuity of these habitats in
the future. Maintain open rides and clearings.
Published sources Chandler (1974, 1995); Miles (1985);
Perry & Langton (2000); Wood (1905).
AGATHOMYIA FALLENI
A flat-footed fly LOWER RISK (Nationally Scarce)
Order DIPTERA
Family PLATYPEZIDAE
Agathomyia falleni (Zetterstedt, 1819)
Identification Keyed by Chandler (2001b).
Distribution Scattered localities in south-east England:
Everleigh Ashes, Wiltshire (2003); Harry’s Wood,
Ashdown Forest (1976) and Marley & Blackdown Common
(1989), Sussex; Knole Park (1966, 1967, 1972, 1977), Pond
Wood, Chislehurst (1967), Walk Wood, Chislehurst (1972,
1973), Scadbury Park (1983, 1984), Horniman Nature Trail
and Sydenham Hill Wood (1987), Maryon-Wilson Park,
Charlton (1980, 1981), Aylesford Old Pit near Maidstone
(1992), Kiln Wood, Lenham (1994) and Tudely Wood
RSPB Reserve (2004), Kent; Box Hill (1952), Mickleham
(1956), RHS Garden, Wisley (1999), Wisley Common
(1971), Chobham Common (1976), and West End
Common, Esher (2001) Surrey; Buckingham Palace
Garden, Middlesex (1996, 1998); Highstanding Hill,
Windsor Forest (1988), California Country Park (1997),
Sandford Copse, Dinton Pastures Country Park (1998) and
Kennet & Avon Canal, Reading (2003), Berkshire;
Burnham Beeches NNR, Buckinghamshire (1995);
Ickworth, Suffolk (2004); Wayland Wood, Norfolk (2004);
Wandlebury, Cambridgeshire (2004).
Habitat Sites include broad-leaved woodlands and
heathland with old trees.
Ecology The larvae develop in the bracket fungus
Bjerkandera adusta (a common species growing on a range
of mainly broad-leaved trees). Adults recorded from
September to November and may be found running about or
feeding on surface deposits on broad leaves such as
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus). Male swarms were
observed at the Horniman Nature Trail (Godfrey 1989);
swarming took place at a height of 3-4m in a small
woodland clearing.
Status Of the 28 sites listed above, 24 are post 1960
records. Status revised from RDB 2 (Shirt 1987). Until
recently it appeared to be restricted to the eastern counties,
with no records north of the Thames valley. However, there
have been recent extensions to its range to Wiltshire (2003)
and East Anglia (2004), which may suggest a population
increase. It is particularly well established in West Kent
(especially that part now included in Greater London) and
has no doubt been overlooked in many other woods in this
region because of its late flight period. The common host
fungus is shared by Agathomyia unicolor (Zetterstedt),
which although a less conspicuous species, with the same
flight period, is nevertheless known to occur frequently
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