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

Ecology Biology unknown. The larvae probably develop in
lignicolous fungi.
Status A poorly known species with recent records
suggesting that it may have a wide range in the west and
have been overlooked elsewhere within this range.
Currently there is inadequate information to assess the risk
of extinction. Status revised from RDB 1 (Shirt 1987) and
RDB 2 (Falk, 1991).
Threats Clearance of woodland for agriculture or intensive
forestry. Removal of dead wood and old or diseased trees
which could support fungus hosts.
Management and conservation Maintain sites with
continuity of woodland cover including old or diseased trees
and dead wood, especially in damp shaded situations
suitable for fungal growth.
Published sources Edwards (1941).
MYCETOPHILA SIGNATA
A fungus gnat LOWER RISK (Nationally Scarce)
Order DIPTERA
Family MYCETOPHILIDAE
Mycetophila signata Meigen, 1830
Identification Dziedzicki (1884) figured the male genitalia.
Distribution A mainly northern and western species but
records scattered throughout Britain: Sussex (Crowborough,
1905), Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire,
Lancashire, Westmorland; Merionethshire,
Caernarvonshire; Perthshire, Elgin, Easterness. Mid Ebudes
(Mull) and East Sutherland.
Habitat Old broad-leaved woodland.
Ecology This has been reared in Germany from the bolete
Suillus variegatus, which is associated with conifers. There
are, however, Russian records from the gill fungi Lentinus
and Lactarius species. Adults recorded from June to
October.
Status A widespread but local species with some 22 post
1960 sites. It may prove to be locally frequent in old
established woodland in the north and west. Status revised
from RDB 3 (Shirt 1987).
Threats Clearance of woodland for intensive forestry or
agriculture.
Management and conservation Maintain woodlands in a
natural state, retaining old trees and dead wood and avoid
drainage or damage to soil structure which could adversely
affect mycorrhizal fungi.
Published sources Edwards (1913, 1925).
MYCETOPHILA STRIGATOIDES
A fungus gnat LOWER RISK (Nationally Scarce)
Order DIPTERA
Family MYCETOPHILIDAE
Mycetophila strigatoides (Landrock, 1927)
Identification Chandler (1977c) characterised this species
and figured the male genitalia.
Distribution Apparently a northern and western species
with only eleven known records, but nine of them recent:
Gwendraeth Wood (1983) and Cabilla Wood (1997),
Cornwall; Welcombe Valley, Devon (1988); Hafod
Garregog NNR, Caernarvonshire (1999); Auchenbowie,
Stirlingshire (1904); Pass of Killiecrankie (1984) and Allt
nan Bogair, Rannoch (1998), Perthshire; Loch Loy (1994)
and near Glaichbea (1999), Easterness; Bonhill,
Dunbartonshire (1905); Rosemarkie, East Ross (1989).
Habitat Damp broad-leaved woodland.
Ecology This has been reared in Russia from ?Trametes,
Polyporus and Russula species and in the Czech Republic
from two species of Polyporus, suggesting that both
lignicolous and terrestrial fungi are utilised as hosts. Adults
recorded in May to October and in December.
Status A poorly known species but with nine recent widely
scattered records, suggesting that it has probably been
overlooked in intervening areas, possibly due to low
population size. It has also been found in Ireland in recent
years. Status revised from RDB 1 (Shirt 1987) and RDB 2
(Falk 1991).
Threats Clearance of woodland for intensive forestry or
agriculture. Removal of dead wood and old or diseased trees
which may support suitable fungi.
Management and conservation Maintain woodlands in a
natural state, retaining any old or diseased trees and dead
wood to safeguard the habitat of lignicolous fungi. Avoid
damage to soil structure around mature trees to ensure
continuity of mycorrhizal fungi which may also be hosts.
Published sources Chandler (1977c).
MYCETOPHILA ULIGINOSA
A fungus gnat LOWER RISK (Nationally Scarce)
Order DIPTERA
Family MYCETOPHILIDAE
Mycetophila uliginosa Chandler, 1988
Identification This species was described and the male
genitalia figured by Chandler (1988).
Distribution Now known from twelve sites in southern
England and three sites in Yorkshire: Valency Valley,
Boscastle, Cornwall (1989); Arno’s Vale Cemetery,
Somerset (2004); The Spittles, Dorset (wooded cliff path,
1998); carr on Slab Common, Hampshire (1990); Wye
Downs NNR, Kent (1994); Cothill NNR (1977) and
Sandford Copse, Dinton Pastures Country Park (1994),
Berkshire; Barrow Farm Bog (1989) and Wychwood NNR
(1989, 1990), Oxfordshire; Wicken Fen NNR,
Cambridgeshire (1990, 1992); Flitwick Moor (1978) and
Wyboston Pits (1999), Bedfordshire; Worsbrough Country
Park (2001), Elsecar Reservoir (2002) and Simon Wood
(2003), Yorkshire. There is also a record from Moy, Co.
Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
Habitat Damp broad-leaved woodland and carr.
Ecology Biology unknown. The larvae probably develop in
lignicolous fungi. Adults recorded from April to July and in
October.
91